Cool Cars

With main focus on extreme design but keeping an eye on the environment, the graduates at the Royal College of Art have competed for the 2008 Pilkington Automotive Vehicle Design award, with several futuristic cool cars ideas.Among these graduates were Ian Callum, the Jaguar design chief, Peter Schreyer, the original Audi TT designer and current head of Kia design, Marek Reichman, the design director at Aston Martin, and many other important figures from the industry.The winners of the RCA Vehicle Design 2008 were Pierre Sabbas for the best car concept and Jon Radbrink for best using of glazing.

First comes the Phoenix concept by Sergio Loureiro Da Silva, the Spanish designer who used this innovative car concept design to express the regeneration of lost energy through movement. He said: “It’s about improving sustainability by designing every element to aspire to less energy consumption.”“The beauty of a vehicle comes from the contrast of a fluid shape with precise technical elements”, added the designer.

The winner for best concept, Pierre Sabas, created the Airflow glass car design, placing both the electrically driven engine and suspension in the wheel, this leading to a high degree of architectural freedom. Inside, the car is made of glass and has 4 capsules for the passengers.

“I’ve tried to wrap it around like fabric,” says Sabas. “It allows for a new driving sensation and it gives the occupants a new perception of the outside world.”

2010 Honda Hybrid

Spy shots of the 2010 Honda Hybrid may have Toyota looking over its shoulder.

Road & Track’s team of spy photographers caught the next-generation Honda hybrid in the scorching deserts of the Southwest performing hot-weather testing. You can immediately tell from the car’s profile that Honda’s new “green” car is going straight after the Toyota Prius. Although the car is heavily camouflaged, you can see the basic overall design that mimics Toyota’s popular hybrid and is heavily influenced by the shape of the company’s FCX Clarity fuel-cell concept that appeared at the last Tokyo Motor Show.

Back then, the FCX was introduced as a sporty hybrid, but it’s obvious from these photos that usable economy is the name of the game now. Some have speculated that this new car will replace the now-discontinued Insight in Honda’s lineup, while others maintain that it will become the new Civic Hybrid. Whichever label it wears, one thing for sure is that it will be one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in the world, and may wrest the crown away from the Prius as the world’s favorite green car.

The price of this new car will be low, as Honda maintains it will be an entry-level car with 200,000 units selling annually — half of those to be sold in the United States. Early rumors indicate that it may be as low as $19,000. With seating for five, this 4-door, front-wheel-drive hatchback will be using an updated motor-assist hybrid system and an advanced nickel/metal-hydride system, not lithium-ion batteries.

We’re not sure yet on the gasoline part of the equation; it could be the company’s lean-burning 1.3-liter inline-4 (in the current Civic Hybrid) or something even leaner. The expectation is class-leading fuel economy, no doubt way north of 40 mpg. Look for the new Honda Hybrid to arrive at dealerships here in the Greater Toronto Area in late 2009.

New Car Salesperson

Of all the positions at a new car dealership, the salesperson is perhaps the most underrated and under appreciated. But salespeople are a vital part of our business and are highly valued within the dealership.

According to a poll by Maritz Research, Canadian new car buyers increased their reliance on salespersons at dealerships during the past four years despite industry predictions that the power of the Internet would largely displace the traditional top source of information.

The dealership salesperson is a leading source of information for almost 56 per cent of shoppers. That’s up 3.3 percentage points from 2004.

For anyone entering the profession today, however, the job requirements and expectations are much different. Before you are permitted to sell cars, you must pass an Automotive Certification Course. This course covers a range of issues, including the laws, rules and regulations that govern the retail automotive sector.

One of the biggest differences between selling cars today is the consumer. The Internet has made it possible for car buyers to conduct exhaustive research on various makes and models and to compare lease and finance rates.

Buyers’ use of dealer or manufacturer websites rose, too, but not at the pace industry watchers had expected.

Websites are a top source for 21.7 per cent of buyers, still far below salespersons in importance, according to the survey, which was conducted last August among about 40,000 people.

“There was a perception 10 years ago that the Internet would replace the salesperson in a dealership,” said Chris Travell, vice-president of auto research at Maritz.

“Obviously that hasn’t happened.

“There is still a relationship that needs to be developed when someone buys a car and the salesperson fulfils that role,” he added.

“A majority of Canadian shoppers rely on a personal touch.

“To many consumers, buying a car is like a romance.

“It’s difficult to have an intimate relationship with the Internet.”

The survey also indicated that dealer and manufacturer websites have moved up from sixth to fourth spot among top information sources but still fall significantly behind “word-of-mouth” and “consumer guides.” Travell said the Internet has also changed the dynamics among salespeople, dealerships and shoppers. The ability to research autos has increased dramatically and given consumers more power.

“Customers are coming into showrooms armed with more information than they ever have.” Websites such as newcarToronto.com have valuable information such as who to trust when buying a car and new car reviews and reports.

Automakers are using more objective third-party information from the Internet to help salespersons sell autos, Travell noted.

Almost 26 per cent of buyers rated fuel economy as a top reason for choosing a vehicle, the survey showed.

That was up from 21.6 per cent in 2004.

Value for money and reliability remain the top two purchase reasons, according to the survey.

Road handling, ride quality and engine performance have declined in importance because most vehicles perform well in those areas and it is more difficult for a buyer to differentiate between them, Travell said.

Jaguar XJ review

There we have the measure: a trio of Teutons and one Lexus. If their nameplates read S-Class, 7 Series, A8 and LS460 you’re in the headquarters of motorised luxury. They own it, this quartet. They define flagship mobility.

And for a very simple reason: they cover all the bases in the last stop before über-ville, where Bentleys and Rolls-Royces waft along.

Allan Bloom’s book on the failure of higher education, The Closing of the American Mind, has some parallels with what’s happened in the upper echelons of car design. The thinking might be rigorous, but it’s also been channelled, rigged and closed down by the expectations of fashion – de rigueur. Luxury car makers embrace conservatism.

And why not? Differences between entry-level cars, for instance, are minute because parameters are so restrictive. There’s no latitude in terms of size or price. Variety only opens up in the compact and middle classes, mainly because of niche derivatives like estates, coupes, convertibles, MPVs, SUVs and bakkies.

Not in the upper segments. Where cars are expensive and clients few, proliferation grinds to a halt. The adventurous design spirit might balloon around its own girth, but it’s tied down at the top and bottom. In the luxury segment, we’re back to a common design solution, generally expressed in limo shape.

Perfection, after all, can only be embodied by a single vision. Hence requirements have been distilled into an instantly recognisable formula: more is more.

More power, luxury, refinement, equipment and technology . . . which also means more machine, all of it technicised by layers and layers of electronics that depersonalise the interface between driver and car.

Call it a ghost in the machine. And surprise, surprise, ghosts are an empty presence, as EPS (electric power steering) proves.

Enter Porsche’s Panamera and Jaguar’s new XJ. They have their differences, but there’s a spiritual connection: both of them sporty and pure.

Neither car attempts, for instance, to cover all the fancy de rigueur calls of the luxury segment. They don’t boast self-closing door functions. They’re not burdened by iDrive-type menu controllers. In the Porsche, systems are accessed by pushing buttons; in the Jag by touching screen icons. The XJ also eschews all-wheel drive, rear-wheel steering and electronic rollover control. Cruise control doesn’t perform a bouquet of circus tricks and the car’s front rides on steel springs.

It’s possible to argue that most of this is a function of R&D money – or a lack of it. XJ steering column adjustments are still driven by a single motor, which is slower and less-refined than two motors (one for height, one for reach).

Cool Car Walpaper

Cool Car Walpaper

Best Car Modification

Best Car Modification

Car Modification

Car Modification

Types of Car Modification

Types of Car Modification

BMW Z4 2.5si Roadster

BMW Z4 2.5si Roadster

Body kits

Imagine turning an ordinary looking car into It can be done. Start of with a nice looking body styling kit. Then add on a rear spoiler. Change the rims to stylish ones that suit your taste. There are thousands to choose from. Then lower your car by changing over to lowering spring kits. That's about it. Wanna customised more? How bout swapping the hood, lamborghini style doors. Move onto the car's interior and change the seats, shift knob, steering and pedals. then add a bass thumping sound system and you got yourself an only one of it's kind. Just imagine, of all the millions of cars around the world, yours is the only car that looks like that. There are tons you can do to modify your car. You don't have to do it all at once. Take your time and do it at your own pace. to bookmark this page or simply BodyKits dot BZ and remember to check this site out whenever you wanna accessorize!

Through here you can find car body kits from APEXi, Blitz, Greddy, Wings West, Xenon and Replica body kits including AD style, AL style, Black Widow style, Blitz style, Drift style, Extreme style, Street Fighter 2 style, Sensei Evo style, 3P style, Buddy Club style, Bomex style, Combat Kombat style, CTR style, Cwest style, Mugen style, R33 style, SF style, TF style, VS Invader style, N-One style, ING style, Black Widow II style, R34 style, Ninja style, Evolution style, Big Mouth style, Type M3 style, VS Invader II style, SF II style, Mugen style, Feelz style, ZEA style, GT style, REV style, Blitz II style and Type R style, euro style, AMG, Lorinser, Expression body kits

New Unic Cars

What compels these car owners to go to extremes in the world of car modifications?

They are different, totally insane and head turning.

Unlike owners of brands like Ferrari, Porsche or Lamborghini, which compared to these cars, are common, these owners want to take car modification to the extreme….’how low can you go?’, ‘how big n bad is your spoiler?’. You can quite easily spend the same money on these cars as on purchasing a Ferrari.

As DannyBoy says “You can buy a Ferrari from anywhere….most people nowadays would not even bother looking at them, they are common you see……but these cars….you always get a comment….some people think they are ugly or stupid, but others think they are radical!…..the madder the badder….see!”

To these extreme modders, these cars are aesthetically pleasing….and pushing the boundaries of aerodynamics….a statement to the drones….we are unique, we are original! One thing is for sure….avoid those speed bumps!

Porsche 911 Turbo Reformed by 'Sportec' - 858HP

For many, the standard Porsche 911 Turbo’s 480HP 3.6-liter bi-turbocharged flat six is fast enough, but there’s always room for improvement, according to Porsche tuning specialist Sportec. The Swiss based tuner revealed a new version of its 911 Turbo based SPR1 that lifts the 3.6-liter flat six’s output to a staggering 858 horsepower at 8,200 rpm and 642 lb.-ft. of peak torque at 4,800 rpm. Power is transferred to all four wheels through a six-speed manual gearbox. According to Sportec, the SPR1 takes a mere 3.0 seconds to hit 62mph with 186mph coming in just 18.9 seconds. The Swiss firm said that the supercar has recorded a top speed in excess of 236mph or at Nardo, Italy.

Porsche Panamera - Fastest 4-door Production

A German magazine is reporting that a Porsche Panamera Turbo driven by racing legend and Porsche test driver Walter Röhrl has lapped the Nürburgring race track in 7:56, a time that would shave about three seconds off of the record-setting 7:59.32 time achieved by the Cadillac CTS-V.

According to Sportauto, the Panamera Turbo used for the timed lap featured the optional Sport Chrono Package, including ceramic brakes.

The Nürburgring is extensively used for new car development. The record-breaking CTS-V, which was driven around the track last May by former General Motors Performance Division chief John Heinricy, was sold by the automaker at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Arizona earlier this year.

NBA Celebrity Ronny Turiaf's Customized Chevrolet Tahoe

Every NBA fan must have heard of Ronny Turiaf, who currently plays for the Golden State Warriors. The French professional basketball player recently sent his Chevrolet for customization to ''Platinum Motorsport'', a well-known restyling and upgrading cars company.

This, however, is a common practice among NBA players, who practically compete for the title of who has a more pimped ride. This time, Platinum Motorsport had to spice up Turiaf’s black Chevy Tahoe, that now looks more like a rapper’s ride.

However, the modifications brought in the car’s appearance were quite elegant we might say, not too ostentatious or gaudy. No wonder the guys won MTV’s “Trick It Out” season one in 2006. With clients ranging from countries such as Russia, Dubai, Italy, and France, Platinum Motorsport have already overcome the U.S. barriers.

Moreover, having clients like T-Pain, Kery Hillson, Mike Epps, Kim Kardashian, Tommy Hilfiger, Tyga, Nick Cannon, P Diddy, Will I am, Jorge Oliveira, Nas, Daddy Yankee, Ludacris, Ja Rule, Lil Jon, Chris Brown, Omarion, Akon and Busta Rhymes, there’s no wonder their business is going so well. And those are just of few names from their portfolio...

But, going back to Ronny Turiaf and his Chevy, there are no details about what is exactly the car’s configuration. However, what we can say about the Tahoe is that is built on GM’s full-size SUV platform, in LS, LT, LTZ and Hybrid models, with 2WD and 4WD.

The car comes in a choice of three engines: a 4.8L V8 unit (295 hp at 5600 rpm), a 5.3L V8 unit (320 hp at 5200 rpm) , or a 6.2 V8 unit (395 hp at 5600 rpm). We can only assume that Turiaf’s model is not a hybrid and features the 6.2 V8 unit engine .

First Official Images and Information About New ''Audi A5 Sportback'

Audi released official details and images of the new 2010 A5 Sportback . A5 Sportback follows the same coupe-styled sedan as the Mercedes CLS but it is a five-door coupe! You can put it in the same category as BMW5-series GT, but it’s much prettier than the Bimmer. Audi A5 Sportback is made on Audi A4 platform.

Of course we already know how it’ll look like. In front it’s a normal Audi, impossible to mistake it with anything else! but the back end is the car’s party piece. It features some nice and elegant curves which result in a beautiful shape, a combination of style and practicality.

When it hit the market in 2010, it’ll be available with 5 different engines three of which are diesels. This TDI range includes a 2.0 liter with 125 kW (170 hp) and 350 nm (258 lb-ft), a 2.7liter with 140 kW (190 hp) and 400 nm (295 lb-ft) and a 3.0 liter V6 with 176 kW (240 hp) and 500 nm (369 lb-ft) torque. As for the TFSI petrol engines you’ll have two options , a 155 kW (211 hp) 2.0 liter and a 3.2 V6 with 195 kW (265 hp).

Being a 2010 model car, the Audi A5 Sportback has no shortage of computrized gizmos such as adptive suspension, electronic differential lock, dynamic steering, Audi drive select system, advanced ESP.

The car will start at €36,050 (~$50,000) for the basic diesel model and it is not U.S. bound.

Cristiano Ronaldo Sells Own Car Collection

The 24-year-old soccer player, who became the most expensive player in football history after he joined Real Madrid for £80 million, is putting three of his cars up for sale for a total of £195,000.

Also Friends believe that the former Manchester United footballer may also sell his £4 million mansion in Alderley Edge, Cheshire, and some of his furniture and clothing.

C. Ronaldo is selling his Bentley Continental GT Speed (price £114,950), Porsche 911 Carrera 2 Tiptronic S (£69,995) and Mercedes C220CDI (£10,795).

Don’t feel bad for multi-millionaire, because it is very likely that as soon as the young athlete settles down in Madrid that all of these cars will be replaced. Other cars in Cristiano’s collection include a Porsche Cayenne, a Bentley Continental GTC, an Audi R8 and the infamous Ferrari 599 GTB

New Maserati Quattroporte 2010

Whats New: The Quattroporte comes in six flavors. The 2007-introduced Automatic and original DuoSelect models are offered in base, Executive GT, and Sport GT configurations. The Automatic has a more balanced weight distribution of 49/51, compared with the rear-biased DuoSelect's 47/53.

Maserati Quattroporte Performance & Efficiency Standard Features:
4,691 cc 4.7 liters V 8 front engine with 94.0 mm bore, 84.5 mm stroke, 11.0 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder Premium unleaded fuel 91 Multi-point injection fuel system 23.8 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank 19.8 Power: 317 kW , 425 HP SAE @ 7,000 rpm; 361 ft lb , 489 Nm @ 4,750 rpm

New Mercedes E-Class Successfully Launched

News from Stuttgart – The new E-Class has gotten off to a very successful start, with more than 40,000 units delivered to customers since the market introduction in spring 2009. Mercedes-Benz expects sales of the new E-Class to receive a further boost in the coming months from the vehicle’s introduction in key markets including the U.S. and China and the launch of the new station wagon in fall 2009.

The new E-Class models have outstanding fuel economy. The sedan’s four- and six-cylinder engines have direct injection systems and consume far less fuel than their predecessors despite their greater output. This month also marked the sales release of two new four-cylinder engines, which combine higher fuel efficiency with the level of driving comfort that is typical of Mercedes-Benz.

The two new units round out the Mercedes-Benz engine range in the business class. The E 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY with 100 kW/136 hp consumes 5.2 liters of diesel per 100 kilometers. And the new E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY with direct injection delivers 135 kW/184 hp and consumes only 7.2 liters of gasoline per 100 kilometers. The model program of the sporty coupe also includes two new four-cylinder engines that require significantly less fuel while offering a clear increase of output and torque. The E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY coupe consumes just 5.1 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers while emitting only 135 grams of CO2 per kilometer, which makes it one of the most economical automobiles in its class.

The special characteristics of the new E-Class include not only a high level of environmental friendliness, but also a unique combination of driver assistance systems. Approximately a dozen different assistance systems are available to customers, including new Mercedes-Benz developments such as Lane Keeping Assist, Speed Limit Assist, and Night View Assist. These technologies make the E-Class a “thinking” partner that can not only see, feel, and respond to dangers by means of its “reflexes,” but also act independently to prevent accidents or minimize their effects.

The new E-Class is the successor of an internationally successful Mercedes-Benz model. About 1.5 million sedans and station wagons of that predecessor model, the 211 series, have been delivered to customers since its market launch six years ago. Over the past 60 years, the eight generations of the E-Class sedan have thrilled ten million customers worldwide, making it the most successful business sedan in the world.