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Friday, October 31, 2008
Automotive terms
Automotive Definitions
Adaptive Automatic Transmission - Transmissions which can learn to adapt to the driver's style by altering shift points and other transmission functions, and thus, produce the most efficient operation possible.
Adaptive (Intelligent) Cruise Control - An advanced cruise control system that uses a radar sensor that is mounted in the front of the vehicle to maintain a safe cruising distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you when in use. They usually allow you to set the distance between vehicles and then the system will either accelerate or brake to maintain that interval. Some systems can adjust for hilly terrain and passing situations.
Air Suspension - Suspension system that used airbags instead of steel coil or leaf springs for a softer ride. Some cars will have a unit at each corner that contains pressurized air. It can be equipped to have the up-and-down or bouncing ride you often see.
Adjustable Suspension - Systems used to vary shock-absorber firmness to give a better ride or handling. Some can automatically sense different road conditions and adjust the shock-absorber settings for the correct ride. Some allow the driver to adjust the shock-absorber settings by a switch on the dash to give a softer or firmer ride or tweak the handling.
Anti-Lock Brakes (ABS) - ABS works automatically to pump the brakes when the driver applies steady pressure to the brake pedal thus preventing the wheels from locking up. This helps the driver maintain control in emergency stops or on slick pavement.
Automatic Climate Control - Like central heat and air for your car. The heating and air conditioning system automatically adjusts itself to maintain a temperature that you select.
Automatic Transmission With Manual-Shift Capability - An automatic transmission, that allows you to manually change gears when you feel like it. Usually, it is a traditional automatic transmission when left in Drive, but it can be shifted manually through the gears for increased control of engine speed, but there is no clutch pedal.
Bluetooth Capability - A radio system designed to work with Bluetooth wireless connectivity when it is available on your cell phone.
Brake Assist - Sensors gauge the speed at which the driver begins pressing the brake pedal and determines whether full emergency stopping power is required shortening the stopping distance in a panic stop even if the driver did not push the pedal all the way to the floor.
Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) - CVT works like an automatic transmission, but without gears. Power is sent in a continuous flow to the wheels from the engine.
Curtain Side Airbags - Side airbags are located on both sides of the car while the curtain side airbags deploy from above the front and rear side windows in the case of a side-impact collision. The bags are designed to protect occupants' heads. Some advanced systems can deploy the bags when sensors detect a rollover. The bags inflate within a fraction of a second and deflate after a few seconds just as steering wheel airbags do. These bags also help keep the occupants safer from broken side glass. SUVs with three rows of seats may not have curtain airbags for the backseat occupants.
Dual Front Airbags - Protect the driver and front passenger in case of a front-end collision. One bag is mounted in the steering wheel hub while the other is located in the right side of the dashboard. Both inflate and deflate within a fraction of a second. Most systems can judge the severity of an impact and determine whether the front-seat occupant is wearing their seat belt and to adjust the rate of deployment to reduce injuries from the airbags. If the front passenger seat is empty, the passenger airbag, in may cars, will not be deployed and save you money in the body shop. Dual front airbags are required by law on all new passenger vehicles.
Dual-Overhead-Cam - Engines which have two separate camshafts rather than one to drive the valves.
Dual-Stage Airbags - Front airbags that use sensors to deploy at either of two levels, depending on the severity of a collision.
Dual-Zone Climate Control - Allows control of heating and air conditioning by both the driver and front passenger for their side of the car, while some have a third adjustment for rear passengers.
Electronic Brake-Force Distribution - Works along with the ABS to balance the force applied to brakes at front and rear wheels to prevent over-braking, make your brake pads last longer, and to ensure braking efficiency under any condition.
Hybrid Powertrain - System using a gasoline engine and and electric motor to work together to save fuel and to produce less emissions.
Intelligent (Adaptive) Cruise Control - An advanced cruise control system that uses a radar sensor that is mounted in the front of the vehicle to maintain a safe cruising distance between your vehicle and the vehicle in front of you when in use. They usually allow you to set the distance between vehicles and then the system will either accelerate or brake to maintain that interval. Some systems can adjust for hilly terrain and passing situations.
Lane-Departure Warning System - Sensors that issue a warning when the vehicle reaches the highway lane markers on the side of the road. It can detect the lane dividers and creates a sound when the vehicle begins to move into an adjacent lane.
MP3 Capability - The ability of a radio to play MP3 music.
Navigation System - Basically a small computer system with an electronic screen which displays a map and can audibly give directions on how far and where to turn to reach the destination that has been programmed in by the car's driver. The system receives signals from a satellite to maintain the vehicle's location and direction of travel. Some new systems use voice recognition to make it easier to operate for the driver.
Overhead-Cam Engine - The camshaft, which drives the valves, is located on top of the engine rather than down inside the middle of the engine.
Oversteer - Rear-wheel drive cars are more likely to oversteer, which is also called loose, if the car is going too fast in a turn. Oversteer is harder to control. To correct oversteer, you must turn the steering wheel in the opposite direction of the turn and carefully let off of the accelerator and ease onto the brake to prevent a spin-out.
Real-Time Traffic Information - System that comes with satellite radio to warn drivers of traffic problems on the route and provide an alternate route.
Rear Obstacle Warning System - Vehicle system with sensors which are mounted in the rear bumper to warn the driver of objects behind the car when the car is in reverse. The system issues a warning to signal the distance to the object.
Rear-Seat Entertainment System - An option most often offered on minivans and SUVs that allows the rear-seat passengers to view video by playing DVDs. They will either have a screen that drops from the ceiling behind the front seats or mounted in the back of the headrests on the front seats.
Satellite Radio - Two satellite systems, XM and Sirius, provide radio reception via satellites. You can drive across the country and never change the station or lose the signal. The signal will be lost when you are under an awning or in a garage. XM and Sirius charge a monthly fee for their service. Satellite-ready radios are standard in some vehicles and can be added to most.
Side Airbags - Protect the car's occupants in case of a side collision. Some are mounted in the side of the seat backrest while others are found in the door panel. The bags inflate and deflate within fractions of a second. Side airbags may be provided for both front and rear-seat occupants.
Stability Control System (Anti-Skid System) - Stability control sensors automatically apply individual brakes which prevents a sideways skid. The system may also slow the engine to help control the skid. Can help keep control in fast turns even if the brakes are not used.
Traction Control - Limits tire slip when accelerating on slippery surfaces. Sensors determine if the wheels that are receiving power have lost traction and pumps the brake to those wheels to stop slipping and may reduce engine power to those wheels.
Turbocharged - Turbochargers use the normally wasted exhaust gases to compress the air that enters the engine, and increase the engine's power.
Understeer - Front-wheel drive cars tend to understeer which can also be called tight or pushing which is where the wheels lose their contact with the road. This is worsened in snow or in rain. You feel this in curves when the car feels that it wants to keep going straight even though you are steering into the turn. Taking your foot off of the accelerator and gently applying the brakes should correct the problem by shifting more weight to the front tires and providing increased traction.
Variable Valve Timing - VVT is controlled by a computer which controls the opening and closing of the engine's valves to produce the greatest level of efficiency.
Voice Recognition - Vocal commands can be used to control the climate-control system and navigation systems.
Xenon Headlights - High-intensity-discharge (HID) or bi-xenon headlights are now standard on some vehicles and optional on others. These lights emit a brighter beam. Some cars make the headlights move in unison with the steering wheel to light the road ahead even in a curve.
Bently cuts upto 300 workers While rolls royce is hiring
Despite many company officials' predictions that their customers would still be buying ultra-luxury cars despite the struggling economy, Bentley Motors is suffering significant losses just like the majority of automakers around the world. Since January of this year, the Crewe, England manufacturer has posted a sales slide of more than 20% through September, and as a result will reportedly cut its 3800 person workforce by up to 300 in the coming weeks.
In addition to the voluntary job cuts, Autocar reports Bentley management will likely revive its four day work week, but with only two working shifts per day. Previously, the Cheshire plant was running on a three day week with three shifts. Production of the brand's slower selling models will be dropped by around 15%.
This move is in stark contrast to its chief rival, Rolls-Royce Motors, which has announced it is hiring 200 extra workers due to increased demand and in preparation for its new model, the RR4. It seems that at this point, only the buying power of the super-rich is still bucking the world's economic trends.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Reva G-Wiz Automatic Electric Vehicle
its Web site claims the G-Wiz's electric engine produces zero direct emissions, and a full, eight-hour charge costs about $1 (50 pence), the equivalent of nearly 600 miles per gallon. The vehicle is also exempt from London's hefty new congestion charges, and drivers can park for free in certain areas and make use of on-street charging points while away from the G-Wiz.
G-Wiz Specifications
The G-Wiz is actually known as a "quadricycle" in Britain -- the contraption weighs about 880 pounds (400 kg) without the battery and produces less than 15 kW of power, so according to the European Commission, it's not a car. Although it's legal to drive a G-Wiz on any road in the United Kingdom, GoinGreen stresses that the vehicle was "designed as a low speed urban runabout and commuter car," and they "do not recommend it is used [sic] on motorways and fast roads."
There are three different G-Wiz models available. Reva no longer produces the original two versions, the G-Wiz dc and the G-Wiz ac, but GoinGreen still offers used models on its Web site. The newest version, the G-Wiz i, has improved safety standards and will be available in February 2008.
Despite the different names and varying safety packages, each type has the same general technical specifications. A G-Wiz is a two door, "2 + 2" seating arrangement, which means two adults can fit up front and two children can squeeze in the back. Eight six-volt lead-acid batteries, located under the front seats, power the tiny quadricycle's electric motor, which is located in the back. You can charge the battery of the G-Wiz by simply plugging a charge cable into the side of the vehicle and any electric outlet, the same way you would charge your cell phone. (GoinGreen does recommend protecting a typical household outlet with an RCD (Residual Current Device), or a surge protector). Two and a half hours will charge the battery 80 percent, while an eight-hour charge will give the car its full charge. Using electricity, especially from a renewable source, can save you money and help the environment -- a years worth of power would cost about $100 -- but the downside is the life of the battery. A replacement pack of eight batteries costs £1,595, or more than $3,000, and the batteries last between two and three years. This is the main reason why many people are looking toward fuel cells, which are charged quickly and don't need replacing.
The range of a G-Wiz is only about 50 miles per battery charge, but as mentioned before, the quadricycle wasn't built for long drives through the English countryside. The top speed of the vehicles range between 40 and 50 miles per hour (64-80 km/h) -- very slow compared to most other cars on the road, but this emphasizes why the G-Wiz is for an urban environment. The speed limits in London, for example, are typically no faster than 40 mph (64 km/h), and data downloaded from G-Wizzes driving around the city showed that customers recorded an average speed of 10 mph (16 km/h). London does happen to have the slowest traffic in Europe -- UK traffic information service KeepMoving.co.uk reported that all traffic, G-Wiz or not, moves at an average of 12 mph (19 km/h) in England's capital.
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
The only Lamborghini SUV LM002 1977
The Lamborghini LM002 is an SUV that was built by the Lamborghini automobile company between 1986 and 1993. Approximately 300 vehicles are thought to have been built. This was an unusual departure for Lamborghini who, until that point was primarily known for high-performance grand tourers and supercars.
The project originally began in 1977 with a prototype vehicle codenamed the "Cheetah" which Lamborghini had designed in hopes of selling it to the US military. The original Cheetah prototype had a rear-mounted Chrysler V8 engine. The prototype was destroyed during testing by the US military. This led Lamborghini to develop the LM001, which was very similar to the Cheetah, but had an AMC V8 engine. It was finally determined that the engine being mounted in the rear caused too many unfavorable handling characteristics in an offroad vehicle, and the LMA002 was built with an entirely new chassis, moving the engine (now the V12 out of the Countach) to the front. After much testing and altering of the prototype, it was finally given a serial number and became the first LM002.
Lovingly dubbed the "Rambo-Lambo", its aggressive styling and powerful engine made it a success for Lamborghini. Civilian models were outfitted with a full luxury package, including full leather trim, tinted power windows, air conditioning, and a premium stereo mounted in a roof console. In order to meet the vehicle's tire needs, Lamborghini commissioned Pirelli to make two custom, run-flat, tread designs.
The military version of the LM002 omitted some of the luxuries, and featured additions like mounting points for machine guns. The Saudi Arabian army ordered 40, each with the roof able to be opened like a hatch over the rear seats.
In 1988 Lamborghini sent an LM002 to a team of special engineers with the intention of making it capable of participating in the Paris Dakar Rally. They stripped it of anything that added unnecessary weight and gave it an upgraded suspension, engine modifications which brought it to 600 hp, full roll cage, plexiglas windows, and GPS equipment. Unfortunately, the money ran out before it could be officially be entered in competition, although it did participate in the Rallye des Pharaons in Egypt and another in Greece, both times driven by Sandro Munari.
Near the end of the LM002's production, a Turin based autoshop owner created a one-off "Estate" version by enclosing the back area and raising the roof. This added significantly to the interior room.
Trivia
- Libyan leader Muammar al-Qaddafi reportedly ordered 100 of them for the use of Libya's military.
- Writer Hunter S. Thompson had one, and wrote about driving it on California freeways.
- Musician Eddie Van Halen supposedly owned a black LM002 during the late 1980s and early 1990s.
- Indian Actor Amitabh Bachchan has one in his car collection, it was purchased in the 1980's.
- source netcarshow
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
cars not sold in the us
Alfa Romeo Brera
Base Price: 24,000 Euro/$35,375 USDThis Italian-made coupe was named one of the "most beautiful cars in the world" last year at the 21st Annual International Automobile Festival in Paris. It is available in Europe with a choice of two gasoline engines, including a 256-horsepower, 3.2-liter V6. Inside, there's an on-board computer, starter button on the dashboard, parking sensors and folding door mirrors.
Jaguar X-Type Sovereign Saloon And Estate
Base Price: 28,000 Euro/$41,274 USDThe versatile X-Type is offered with a three-liter V6 engine and two diesel versions. Burr Walnut wood selectively accents the cabin, which also includes a premium sound system and voice-controlled audio, climate controls, telephone and navigation system.
CHEVROLET lUMINA ELECTED AS SPORTS SALOON BY --------- CAR MIDDLEAST
Leading UAE based magazine and one of the world’s most established and authoritative motoring titles, CAR Middle East, has named the Chevrolet Lumina SS as “Best Sports Saloon” for 2007. The ‘Car of the Year (COTY)’ awards were launched this year to coincide with the 9th Middle East International Motor Show.
According to Shahzad Sheikh, Editor of CAR Middle East, “The Chevrolet Lumina SS has a 6.0-Litre V8 Corvette engine under the bonnet. Need I say more? This all new-car from ‘down under’ is a fantastic reinterpretation of the cult Lumina SS. No other car offers this level of practicality, performance, and potential tail-sliding fun for the money.”
This is the first time the influential Middle East edition of CAR magazine has presented awards in the region and Sheikh added that: ‘The Lumina SS edged ahead of some fierce competition to deservedly take the ultimate sports saloon award and perfectly demonstrates GM’s renewed commitment to giving us the cars we really want to drive. Well done!” A jury of six regional automotive experts carefully picked the winners from 125 cars in total judging on quality, innovation, engineering, style and relevance to the Middle East market to crown the winners.
The Lumina SS powered by a 6.0-litre V8 engine now delivers standard power of 360hp (net) at 5700 rpm and torque of 530 Nm as measured under the international ECE standard. Bigger 18" alloy wheels improve handling and longitudinal grip for easier acceleration and shorter stopping distance. The bodyshell of the Lumina has been engineered to be extremely stiff and this aids stability.
It has high lateral stiffness for handling through three lateral ball joints per side with improved longitudinal compliance. A rubber isolated suspension frame isolates the body from road bumps and drive train vibrations.
An Electronic Stability Program (ESP) system has been incorporated in the Lumina SS to boost safety and ensure the balance of power and performance is in perfect harmony. ESP technology reduces the risk of an accident by preventing the vehicle from skidding in an emergency by specifically slowing down individual wheels.
Driven by its athletic exterior look and authoritative stance, the Lumina SS looks awesome from any angle. Stylish wheel arches immediately set the tone for the superbly crafted external architecture on the Lumina, offering dynamic form, balance and great proportions with a hint of latent muscularity and tautness that sets this car apart from any other.
In the interior, the design philosophy is one of a cocooned space with a serpentine plan view of the instrument panel that enhances the feeling of spaciousness while ensuring that the centre stack controls are of easy reach to the driver, adding to the all round feeling of comfort and ease.
“The short front overhangs, the wheelbase, the wheels out at the corners and the muscular track all point to the Lumina SS as an absolutely well proportioned vehicle,” concluded Hossein Hassani marketing manager for Chevrolet in the Middle East. “Add to this muscular powerplant and an interior that exudes luxury and class and you have a car that is beautiful, meaningful and certainly worthy of the prestige of CAR Middle East’s award.”
Lamborghini gallardo lp560 will on track
Automobili Lamborghini has announced The Lamborghini Blancpain Super Trofeo – the world’s fastest one-make series. The series will debut in May 2009, and feature Lamborghini’s Super Trofeo: a lightweight version of the Gallardo LP 560-4 super sports car launched earlier this year. The Super Trofeo will come with a reworked chassis, significantly reduced weight of only 1300 kg, and power output of 419 kW (570 hp) from its V10, ‘Iniezione Diretta Stratificata’ engine. Lamborghini has a clear objective to ensure the Super Trofeo is the fastest one-make series in the world.
The Super Trofeo race car is based on the Gallardo LP 560-4, powered by the new 5.2 litre V10 direct injection ‘Iniezione Diretta Stratificata’, engine, generating an increased output of 419 kW (570 hp). Its power flows through the e.gear six-speed robotized gear box to the permanent all-wheel drive with viscous traction.
The Super Trofeo is a top-class race car in every detail. Its chassis, featuring double wishbone suspension all round, has been reworked specifically for the purpose. The slick tyres are supplied by Pirelli and a specialist racing brake system provides brutal stopping power. The race car weighs in at only 1,300 kg dry, despite its additional safety cage. Additional body components such as the large, fixed rear wing are made from carbon-fibre composite. The cockpit includes ultra-light racing seat, racing steering wheel and specialized instruments.
Monday, October 27, 2008
Lamborghini gallardo lp560 polizia
Calling the polizia
You might have heard about Essex police filling their diesel cars with petrol. ‘Had other things on their mind’, apparently. Good job, lads. Now let’s just hope the Italian cops don’t make the same mistake.
Cos we’d be sad to see them ruin their new car: a brand-new Lamborghini Gallardo LP560. It’s been donated to the Italian State Police to help ‘accident and crime prevention and sustain security on Italian roads’. Whatever. They’re going to rag it totally senseless, aren’t they?
There’ll be no out-running it either. This thing does 203mph and hits 60 mph in 3.7 seconds, thanks to 560bhp and four-wheel-drive. Enough, then, to chase-down Mario and Luigi as they spank their old Fiat Panda away from a bank heist.
It’s not the first time Lamborghini have given a car to the Old Bill. They gave them a last-generation Gallardo in 2004, which has since covered 87,000 miles, and another in 2005 that now shows 62,000 on the clock.
So if you’re in the Lazio area anytime soon, and considering criminal behaviour, forget it. Unless, of course, you want a ride in a bright-blue Lambo...
source top gear
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Gold coated Aston Martin DB-7
If that bright red Bentley Continental GT just isn't getting the kind of attention you want on Rodeo Drive, maybe it isn't your car that's not flashy enough, but your paint. To fix this, one entrepreneur has launched a new company called Alchemist, which specializes in giving cars that little extra something by coating their roofs with 24-carat gold. And now for those who literally have nothing left to spend their money on, Alchemist is debuting its latest creation, an Aston Martin DB7 covered entirely with gold and platinum, in honor of the new James Bond film "Quantum of Solace."
If you'd like to know more about the 24-carat Aston that "even the world's most famous secret agent couldn't stay incognito in," the MPH Motor Show runs from October 30 to November 2 and includes a performance from Top Gear Live. Besides gold, Alchemist can also coat cars with a film of platinum or palladium, and for those who've had to trade in their supercar because of the faltering economy, don't worry -- the company is happy to give cheaper items, like laptops, the 24-carat treatment as well.
Ferrari history
History
Enzo Ferrari was born on February 18, 1898 near Modena, Italy. When he was 10 his father took him to an automobile race in Bologna. After attending a number of other races, he decided he wanted to become a racing car driver.
While working at a small carmaker involved with converting war surplus, Ferrari took up racing. In 1919 he finished ninth at the Targa Florio. He ended up landing a job with Alfa Romeo and drove a modified production car in the 1920 Targa Florio. Ferrario managed to finish second.
In 1923 while racing at the Circuit of Sivocci at Ravenna he was approached by Count Enrico and Countess Paolina Baracca, the parents of the heroic Italian pilot Francesco Baracca. Francesco was known as the Italian ace of aces. He died on Mount Montello during the war. His parents gave Ferrari their son's squadron badge, which was the famous prancing horse on a yellow shield.
Enzo Ferrari was connected with Alfa Romeo for many years, however, he built only a few sports cars bearing his name and his famous prancing horse badge. In 1929 Enzo formed the Scuderia Ferrari with the aim of organizing racing for members. The Scuderia Ferrari team competed in 22 events and scored 8 victories and several good placings.
In 1940 Enzo Ferrari left Alfa Romeo and started a new company Auto-Avio Costruzioni Ferrari. During World War II the Ferrari workshop moved from Modena to Maranello. The workshop became a victim of the war in 1944 - it was leveled by bombs. A year after the war in 1946 the shop was rebuilt and work began on the first ever Ferrari motorcar, the 125 Sport. This car started a grand tradition of winning for Ferrari. Since it's first race in 1947, Ferrari's have had over 5,000 successes on race tracks around the globe.
In 1969 Enzo Ferrari sold 50% of Ferrari's share capital to the Fiat group. That figure grew to 90% in 1988. Enzo Ferrari died at the age of 90 in Modena on August 14, 1988.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Tuesday, October 21, 2008
Saturday, October 18, 2008
Lamborghini sets record profit
The world may be feeling the pinch of a weak U.S. economy, the automobile industry perhaps keenest of all, but Lamborghini has found a niche that's impervious to the pain. The Italian supercar company has returned record results for both sales and profits over the first half of 2008.
Strong sales figures brought revenues up by nearly 10% over 2007 to $434.5 million. That left a profit of $54.8 million, up over 32% from last year. In fact, that figure is equivalent to 74% of the firm's profit for the entire 2007 fiscal year.
All of this business is borne on the back of just 1,309 vehicles sold, though that's an increase of 71 cars, or nearly 6%, over 2007. The powerhouse driving the increase: the Middle East, up 40% as the U.S. and Europe held steady, reports Automotive News. Record high fuel prices are driving good times and extravagant spending in at least part of the world, it appears.
Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann was reserved despite the strong performance, saying, ""There is no brand that is immune to financial crisis, but we always produce less than demand. We are conservative in our forecast."
Sales for the second half of 2008 look to be at least as strong for Lamborghini, especially as the newly redesigned Gallardo LP560-4 has just started arriving in dealerships.
Friday, October 17, 2008
Lamborghini Estoque: years away or just a teaser
Don't expect to get your hands on the Lamborghini Estoque anytime soon. It's still years away.
According to CEO Stephan Winkelmann, Lamborghini will not decide on whether to proceed with the production version of the Estoque until next year. After that it should take about four years to develop the four-door car.
Winkelmann said that he expects the car to be greenlighted for production, but confirms that Lamborghini does not yet have a platform. As far as teaming up with sister companies, Porsche (using the Panamera platform, Audi (using the A7 architecture) or Bentley, Winkelmann says: “that a platform will be sought ‘within the group.’”