Archive for the ‘Type’ Category

First electric car to 2011 was the Chevrolet Volt from American Green Car Journal Green Car of the Year for ® nominated. It is the third award, the Chevrolet’s extended-range electric vehicle in a week could accept.

“This award has been a long time coming,” said Ron Cogan, editor and publisher of U.S. magazine Green Car Journal and the website GreenCar.com. “The first electric cars we’ve tested in the 90 years previously, although its appeal, but not a sound business plans. What a single decade, but can make a difference.”

The first 40 to 80 kilometers sets back the Volt with a single battery charge. Can these attacks to and a petrol-powered 1.4-liter generator and produces electricity to drive the wheels. Thus the range of the Volt with a single tank of more than 500 km will be extended. The danger to be stranded with an empty battery way is excluded.

“Winning ‘Green Car of the Year ®’ confirms us in our promise to bring a practical electric car to market,” said Joel Ewanick, vice president of U.S. marketing for General Motors, the award at the Los Angeles International Auto Show personally took it. The 3853 km from Detroit to Los Angeles, he was back in a Chevrolet Volt down. “The Volt is a transition technology that will point the way our industry into a new era of vehicle electrification.”

Among the finalists for the Green Car of the Year ® also included: the Ford Fiesta, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and the Nissan Leaf. The jury was composed of six automotive and environmental experts and editors of Green Car Journal.

The Green Car Journal award show opening in Los Angeles under its Green Car of the Year. This year, no place for diesel, they are hybrids and electric are on the front of the stage…

Founded in 2006, as Green Car of the Year was won in 2008 and 2009 Jetty TDI and A3 TDI. This year, however, Quinta winning finalists has no diesel vehicle. There are indeed four hybrid electric vehicles, and gasoline: Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Chevy Volt, Nissan Leaf and Ford Fiesta.

We can already consider that the Nissan and the Chevrolet Volt Leaf take the upper hand, but beware of the surprises. The A3 TDI had topped last year to post the Honda Insight, Hybrid Mercury Milan / Ford Fusion Hybrid and Honda Insight…

The jury comprises, for example Carl Pop (Chairman of the Sierra Club), Frances Breakneck (Chairman of the Natural Resources Defense), Jean-Michel Cousteau (President of Ocean Futures Society), Matt Petersen (President of Global Green USA) Jay Leno (which does not) and Carroll Shelby.

The hatchback is establishing itself in the luxury class. The Audi A7 four-door coupe is another. The golf issue is resolved.

The credit for pioneering the Mercedes belongs: with the CLS one ventured in Stuttgart six years ago, an unusual mix of coupe and sedan to bring to market – and succeeded. The car is technically based on the E-class offers less space, costs more money and is selling well – about 200,000 Mercedes has been discontinued. This objective is Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler also for its new A7 Sport back, the end of September comes on the market.

The 4.97 meter long car looks like a sporty offshoot of the flagship A8, but technically it is based on next-generation Audi A6, which appears 2011th In the A6-A7, the new base group is used first.

About technique but it was hardly at the world premiere of the A7. The designers were at the center, and this was the appropriate venue has been chosen: the Pinakothek der Modern in Munich has agreed with the Audi just a long-standing partnership. “Design is the key reason to buy a car”, because also said Audi Chairman Rupert Stadler, and the two chief designers Wolfgang Egger and Stefan Self took black rolls of tape on hand to follow suit on huge panels, the crucial lines of the new car. After the show felt Michael Dick, the Chief Technology Officer, compelled to pay tribute to the contributions of the engineers.

Dick’s Problem: How the car looks and acts, we can now appreciate – as it goes; only he knows himself and a handful of managers and engineers. An ecstatic expression of the technology leaders when he talks about the new electromechanical steering system has to last for now. But of course, the lead developer is convinced that’s not a miracle. As with the designers, the highlight in a kind of endless loop, the emotionality of the A7 and the fact that this is not so much a car as a kind work of art, or at least constituted a sculpture. “Sculpture” and “emotion” were definitely the words of the evening.

The Daewoo Kalos is a subcompact automobile manufactured by GM Daewoo (the South Korean subsidiary of General Motors) introduced in 2002 and marketed globally in 120 countries – prominently as the Chevrolet Aveo(ah-VAY-o).

Marketed worldwide under five brands (Chevrolet, Pontiac, Suzuki, etc.) and eleven different nameplates (Kalos, Aveo, G3, Swift, etc.), the Kalos vehicles have evolved through two re-stylings in the car’s first generation and have featured three body styles and five engine configurations – all built on a dedicated platform shared with no other vehicles. The first generation’s styling iterations received the T200 and T250 internal codes, used first by Daewoo, and then, by GM Daewoo during the car’s development.

At first glance, the 2010 Chevrolet Aveo would appear to be a contender for the economy car crown. With a super-cheap price (it’s one of the least expensive new cars sold), decent fuel economy and respectable vehicle dynamics, the Aveo could have many shoppers ready to sign on the dotted line. But perhaps their eagerness to commit to an Aveo would be tempered once they compared it to the competition. At that point it becomes clear that the Aveo is more of a back-of-the-pack runner rather than a pace setter.

To its credit, the Aveo does have features like an MP3-enabled audio system, faux carbon-fiber trim and vibrant paint choices for added appeal to younger buyers. It also has GM’s OnStar feature, which is a nice touch for such an inexpensive vehicle. But these features do little to conceal the Aveo’s bland styling and middling performance. The 2010 model’s changes don’t do the Aveo any real favors, either. In fact, the new taller gear ratios for the manual transmission may serve to further neuter performance for the sake of a couple added miles per gallon.

Though one shouldn’t expect too much from budget-minded vehicles like this, the reality is that the 2010 Chevrolet Aveo comes up short in nearly every category. When pitted against other cars like the Honda Fit, Kia Rio and Toyota Yaris, the Aveo is less enjoyable to drive and is hampered by a low-buck interior. Before going with an Aveo, we would even suggest considering used versions of the previously mentioned cars, especially the class-leading Fit.

The 2010 Chevrolet Aveo lineup gets a modest bump in horsepower and estimated highway fuel economy. Chevrolet’s smallest car comes as a 4-door sedan or a 4-door hatchback called the Aveo5. Both body styles come in LS and uplevel LT trims. All have a 108-horsepower 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, an increase of 2 horsepower from 2009. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard, and a 4-speed automatic is optional. Available safety features include ABS and front-side airbags. Power locks and remote entry are newly standard on the LT hatchback. A 2LT option package for the LT hatchback includes cruise control, heated power mirrors, power windows, and satellite radio.

The STS (S-Series Touring Sedan) is a full-size luxury sports sedan / executive car manufactured and sold by Cadillac. It is equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission with performance algorithm shifting and driver shift control.

Cadillac first used the Seville name to indicate the hardtop coupe version of the top-of-the-line Eldorado convertible (covered much more extensively in its own Generations feature). These “Eldorado Sevilles” carried all the equipment of an Eldorado convertible, were powered by the same drivetrains, rode atop the same chassis and were priced about the same.

Built atop the basic rear-drive Sigma architecture that Cadillac uses for the CTS midsize sedan and SRX crossover sport-ute, the new STS may not be a “Seville” but it does promise to be the best STS yet. The Northstar V8 is still a prominent part of the package, but a potent 3.6-liter V6 is also available. As this is written all we have are first impressions. But those impressions are encouraging.

Both the V6 and V8 versions are engaging to drive, too. “With 255 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque,With 320 hp and 315 lb-ft of torque, there’s more than enough power to make this car feel quick. Cadillac claims a 0-to-60-mph time of less than 6 seconds and it feels that fast behind the wheel. Some of the credit has to go to the standard five-speed automatic transmission, as it serves up perfectly executed shifts no matter how hard the pedal is pressed.”

With all-wheel drive as an option, a sophisticated suspension and quite likely the best Cadillac interior ever, the STS is an attractive proposition even if it does look an awful lot like its smaller brother, the CTS.

The base Cadillac STS features a direct-injected 3.6-liter V6 rated at 302 horsepower and 272 pound-feet of torque. This impressive power plant and its accompanying six-speed automatic provide similar performance and better fuel economy than the available 320-hp 4.6-liter Northstar V8.

A full-size luxury sedan in its physical dimensions, the Cadillac STS is priced in line with other premium midsize sedans that offer V6 and V8 engines. There are five trim levels — V6 Luxury Sport, V6 Luxury, V6 Premium, V8 Luxury and V8 Performance. Common features on all models include leather seating, dual-zone climate control, a Bose sound system and OnStar. The V6 Luxury adds perks such as Bluetooth, heated/ventilated front seats, heated rear seats and rain-sensing wipers. The V6 Premium highlights include 18-inch (versus 17-inch) wheels, upgraded braking/steering/cooling systems, auto-dimming xenon headlights, upgraded audio and a navigation system. The V8′s trim levels are identically equipped save the Premium, which also boasts adaptive suspension, blind zone/lane departure alert, a sunroof, a head-up display and adaptive cruise control.

In reviews and road tests, our editors have found the strengths of the Cadillac STS to be its nimble road manners, powerful engine options and high-quality audio system. The midlife changes greatly increased the STS’s appeal and competitiveness — especially with the new direct-injected V6 — but it’s hard to fully endorse this full-size luxury sedan when Cadillac’s own CTS is an excellent car that only gives up a bit of interior space to its big brother.

It is a project that should have been presented yesterday to the European Commission, but must await the end of the month to be considered (it was announced October 21, 28 last time). Objective of this new legislation: manufacturers impose limits on emissions of CO2 utility light, as is the case for private vehicles. If the project is accepted, emissions of CO2 VUL will no longer exceed 175g CO2 per kilometer by Read the rest of this entry »

The 2010 Grand Marquis is a 4-door, 6-passenger family sedan, available in one trim only, the LS.

The Grand Marquis is equipped with a standard 4.6-liter, V8, 224-horsepower, flexible fuel engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. A 4-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2010 Grand Marquis is a carryover from 2009.

There are few of us who don’t have some fond memory of the original Thunderbird. Those of us with grey up top may have had a love affair from the day the showroom opened in 1955. Our next generation fell in love with the unattainable white T-bird that the elusive Susanne Sommers frustrated Richard Dreyfuss with in ‘American Graffiti¿. (I just saw a vision! I saw a goddess. Come on, you’ve got to catch up to her…This was the most perfect, dazzling creature I’ve ever seen…She spoke to me. She spoke to me right through the window. I think she said, ‘I love you ­ A lot of guys thought Dreyfuss was talking about the car.) Even our current generation has been captivated by the images from old movies, TV shows and vintage car meets. On lots of lips is the question, why did they quit making this car?This was Ford’s answer to the dull car; their expression that we had finally shaken off the Depression and deprivation of WWII. It answered Chevrolet’s Corvette and trumped the many sporty designs that were coming out of Europe. Movie stars swapped their Mercedes, Jaguars and Facel Vegas for the Thunderbird and even the colors seemed to reflect the fun and lifestyles of Hollywood and Florida. And it was priced to fit into most anyone’s pocketbook.

Appropriately at the launch Ford showed us a series of video interviews with early T-Bird owners. I was touched when a woman fondly remembered how her father told her that she could have any car for a graduation present if she maintained it and paid the insurance. Then he seemed a bit miffed at her choice of a T-Bird, but soon he would always find that it needed some little attention or a tank fill and drove it as much as she did. Then she reminisced how at a beach a guy fed its parking meter, telling her as she ran up that such a neat car didn’t deserve a ticket. She married that guy, but realities of a family let the car go away. Then at the end of the video she reappeared to relate how her husband had surprised her recently by secretly tracking down and finding that exact car and having it restored. It was kind of humid, as a bunch of jaded journalists got seriously misty eyed.

Then Richard McNamara, the same guy who tried to run the Viet Nam war with a balance sheet, took away the enchantment in search of a few more sales units by changing it to a four seater. Since then the Thunderbird has had memorable cars and even a great record in NASCAR racing, but none had the visceral excitement of the original ’55-57 models . . . until now.

According to designer Douglas Gaffka, ¿We started with the classic proportions ­ used a reverse wedge to provide motion and still keep the original look. The hood scoop was important, and wanted to be integrated in the design. The porthole was needed to convey T-bird’s heritage and insure its identity. The colors are what you remember; not what they were.¿ They succeeded.

The car is offered in five colors: Inspiration Yellow, Torch Red, Thunderbird Blue, Evening Black and Whisper White. All are badged with the American Indian inspired emblem on the cowl, highlighted with nostalgic turquoise. These colors and details pay homage to the past while 21st century materials, technology and design language brings the car into the present.

¿This car, its style, the statement it makes, the feelings it evokes – all will make it an icon in its own right,  says Jim O’Connor, President of Ford Division. ¿For those who, like me, really loved the original Thunderbirds, this moment has been 45 years in the making.¿

The two-place interior reflects the exterior design and the car’s romantic heritage with bold style combined with modern comfort and convenience. It comes standard as a convertible and offers an optional removable top with classic portholes, although modern headrests keep them from being useful as windows. The fully loaded ¿premium¿ model – which includes the hardtop, chrome wheels, traction control and a unique interior trim color is priced at $39,795. The removable top will take some planning to use and store, but is an excellent feature in our weather and lifestyles.

Back in the fifties one of the unique features was a speed sensitive volume control, which used a Rube Goldberg system of pulleys, cables and slipping clutches between the speedometer and loudness knob. It returns today, made much simpler and more reliable by modern electronics.

On the sensible side, front and side airbags are standard and there is a deactivation switch for the passenger when a latched child seat is installed. Smart lock prevents your keys from being locked inside with a key in the ignition. There is a passive antitheft system, and for comfort and sporty driving, there is a dead pedal left footrest. And to address the needs of modern lifestyles, there is a large enough trunk for two golf bags or all the get away weekend bags a couple needs.

To match the looks, the ride and handling are specially tuned and structural braces were installed under the car enhance the chassis rigidity, giving the roadster the expected driving dynamics and quietness. Chief vehicle engineer Nancy Giolla used extra large shocks to create a well-balanced, rear-wheel drive car that utilizes a fine-tuned, lightweight four-wheel independent suspension system to deliver the ride we thought the original car had. The variable-assist rack-and-pinion steering provides lower turning efforts at parking speeds and better road feel at highway speeds.

Four-wheel anti-lock disc brakes (ABS) and electronic brake force distribution (EBD) comes standard and the brake rotors are vented and calipers are dual piston-type for quick response and safety. An optional all-speed traction control system helps in adverse road conditions. For optimum visual and driving performance, Thunderbird comes standard with 17-inch cast aluminum wheels.

All 2002 Thunderbirds are equipped with the smooth, all-aluminum 3.9-liter DOHC V8 pioneered by Jaguar and Lincoln. The engine is matched to a specially engineered close-ratio, five-speed automatic transmission.

From the slipstream of dreams this car wafts its way into our lives.

Last September Neiman Marcus made 200 special edition Thunderbirds available in its annual Christmas Book. The black and silver cars were priced at a premium $41,995 and sold out in a record 2 hours and 15 minutes.

Passion is the key for past owners and with only 25,000 being made, it will be the driving element for today’s buyers. To quote one of the original owners from the video, ¿We should have things we wanted when we are young, because we treasure them more!¿

Thank you Doug, Nancy, Jim and all the people from Ford who keep our dreams alive.2002 Ford Thunderbird

Price Range – $35,495 – 44,000

Engine ­ 3.9 liter, 252 hp V8

Front Engine/Rear Drive

MPG (city/hwy) ­ 17/23

Airbags – DP + side ABS – std.

At the start of the season the Toyota was among my favorite to do battle in this World F1. Pues, el correr de las fechas me ha demostrado todo lo contrario y su quinto puesto en el Mundial de constructores lo refleja. Well, the run of dates has shown me the opposite and its fifth in the constructors’ championship reflects that.

This is about as far south in California that you can go without adding Baja to the address. Here in the rolling hills east of San Diego, there is an excellent opportunity to examine the ride, handling and power of a new car, with roads ranging from Interstates toi mproved cow paths. Just about every vehicle we pass is a green and white Border Patrol truck, but this is one Mexican immigrant that is freely waved across the international boundary.  Read the rest of this entry »