Posted by admin on October 22, 2008 under Auto News | 
The crew from CAR laid out what the future holds for Mercedes’ two-door offerings and now its tapped Larson to render what the forthcoming E-class coupe will look like ahead of its debut at the Geneva Motor Show next year.
Taking cues from the Fascination concept unveiled in Paris, the sporty E-class features a pair of drawn and halved headlamps that nix the oval units fitted to Mercs in the last decade, along with a pair of highly stylized rear fenders sporting a two-tiered blister that flows into the reworked rear end.
Engine choices will range from 184 hp four-cylinders (E200k) to an E63 AMG variant putting down 481 hp, while a 525 hp Black Series version will be offered further down the line. Seven-speed automatics will proliferate throughout the range, along with direct injection on all gasoline-powered models.
Having learned from past mistakes, Mercedes-Benz will throttle back some of its high-tech features, nixing the brake-by-wire system, along with the air suspension and active body control. But all won’t be lost. When the convertible version arrives six months after the coupe, Mercedes will offer it with a heated fabric roof to keep occupants warm in the winter, while infra-red night vision, hard-drive navigation and front seats that tilt and slide to ease ingress and egress will keep Mercedes’ owners in their element.
The 2009 E-class coupe (code-named C206) should arrive in June, while the drop-top variant (A206) will follow later next year.
[Source: CAR]
Posted by admin on August 6, 2008 under Windshield Repair Kits |
“I’ll take a car-any car will do”. Most car salesmen will agree that is not a statement they are likely to ever hear. That’s because in America, as in other countries, a car is rarely just a means to get from one place to another. Here, a car is also a reflection of its driver-a rolling personal statement about you and your lifestyle. So, what kinds of people drive what kinds of cars? The answer is as diverse as the vehicles on the market today.
One of the most basic factors that determines the type of car one needs is how many passengers will be traveling in it. This is why families with 3 or more children almost always go for a minivan or SUV. Most passenger cars can fit three rear occupants, but when car seats and sibling rivalry are added to the mix, the result is a tight fit and unhappy passengers (mom and dad included)!
“Green” vehicles, cars that run partially or wholly on fuel other than gasoline, are becoming especially popular these days. Typically, green vehicles have been driven by the young, single segment of the population whose concern for the environment extends beyond pollution issues. The recent fuel crises, however, nearly guarantees that the popularity of hybrids and other alternative-fuel vehicles will continue to grow, and will cross over to the general population.
What about cars that are status symbols? You know the ones-the flashy Mercedes Benzes, Jaguars and Rolls Royces that scream “Look at what I can afford”! Surprisingly, most people who go for status symbol cars are from middle and upper middle class backgrounds and will often go into debt to afford their pricey vehicles just to “keep up with the Joneses”. Studies have shown that the true wealthy, who could afford any vehicle they want, often choose comfort and practicality over status symbols when it comes to their cars.
Yes there truly is a car to fit every lifestyle. And with the variety of vehicle styles, features and fuel choices ever changing, there may soon be two (or three) cars for every lifestyle!
Posted by admin on May 8, 2008 under Auto News |
It was a little more than a decade ago when Toyota completely changed the automotive landscape with its small, oddly shaped economy car called the Prius. Equipped with what Toyota calls its Hybrid Synergy Drive, the Prius was the first mass-marketed hybrid in the world.
“Hybrid” refers to the car’s powertrain. It consists of a lean-burning gasoline engine and an electric motor that work together to achieve more than 40 mpg, or even 50 mpg, in city driving. With gasoline prices currently soaring to all-time highs, we at Road & Track have had our attention focused on the all-new third-gen Prius, which will hit dealerships in the spring of 2009.
Toyota is saying very little about the future Prius, but we were able to uncover key bits of information regarding its appearance and technology.
The general shape of the car will remain intact, but the front end will be thoroughly redesigned. Thanks to canted headlights and a steeply raked windshield and hood, the new Prius will look sportier than the current model. The car will grow slightly, to an overall length of 179 in. (up from 175.0 in.), resulting in a more spacious interior.
As for the motor/engine, here’s what we uncovered. The displacement of the inline-4 will grow from 1.5 liters to 1.8, which will result in more power and torque. The gasoline engine will produce about 100 bhp and 105 lb.-ft. of torque, and the electric motor generating about 60 bhp, making the new Prius more powerful than ever. We hear it will run from zero to 60 mph in about 9.5 seconds and reach a top speed of about 115 mph.
With this extra oomph, one would expect the car’s fuel economy to suffer. Nope. Amazingly, the Prius will be even more fuel-efficient than it is now. According to our sources, Toyota has improved its hybrid system so the electric motor plays a bigger role when driving. Therefore, don’t be surprised when a slow drive to the corner market is achieved without using a single drop of gasoline.
Now here’s the real kicker. The price of the all-new Prius will probably be the about same, perhaps even lower, than the current one. Toyota is expected to offer three trim levels: base, luxury and eco, with the base model starting around $21,000. Of course, these prices are at the mercy of the dollar/yen exchange rate, so don’t take them to the bank just yet. What is sure is that the next Prius will be as ground-breaking as the model before it, and Toyota will remain the global leader in fuel-efficient modes of transportation.
Posted by admin on May 1, 2008 under Windshield Repair Kits |
The truth about cars is that they do eventually start to have problems, no matter how much we may try to prevent it. Car problems are a loathed hassle to have to deal with. While there is no way to protect yourself from all car issues, there are steps that you can take to avoid them. Here are ten car maintenance tips that you can follow in order to prevent future troubles :
- Engine Cooling System : An engine overheating will cause serious damage to your car. This is definitely something that you want to avoid at all costs. Make sure you regularly check your coolant and make sure that it is filled to the line. If you discover that you have a coolant leak, bring your car to be fixed right away.
- Air Filter : Dirty air filters cause a loss of engine power and reduced gas mileage. Air filters need to be replaced periodically. You can check your owner’s manual for replacement details for your car.
- Spark Plugs and Timing Belts : Just as with air filters, these parts also need to be changed regularly to maintain engine efficiency.
- Brakes : Having brake pads changed is an important money-saving maintenance tip. Brake pads are relatively inexpensive, but if you let the brakes bind it will be a costly repair.
- Battery : Check battery terminals to see if they are corroded. Corroded battery terminals can cause lots of problems including low charge, trouble starting, and dim headlights. Also if you see any battery leaks, change the battery right away.
- Oil : Oil should be checked at least once a month. If oil levels are low, re-fill to the line and check for leaks. Oil should be changed every 3 months or 3,000 miles, whichever comes first. Old oil can cause major damage to the engine.
- Tires : Check your tire pressure at least once a month. The proper pressure should be listed in your owner’s manual. Tires should be rotated at every other oil change to ensure that they wear evenly. There is a safe limit of tread wear and once that limit is passed, the tires are unsafe. Replace them.
- Windshield Wipers : Old wipers can damage the windshield and replacing them is only a few dollars. Besides damaging your windshield, they can be hazardous to your driving since you can’t see out of your windshield if the wipers don’t work!
- Clutch : If you have a manual transmission, do not keep your foot on the clutch while driving. If you do this, you can cause serious transmission problems.
- Regular Service : Taking your car to a professional mechanic will save you lots of money in the long run. Regular checks allow minor problems to found and fixed, preventing them from turning into major, expensive issues.
