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Thursday, May 28, 2009

Know the most Important Part about your Car Insurance

What types of cover do you will get in Car Insurance?

Comprehensive Third Party Fire & Theft
Liability for death of or injury to third parties
(including passengers).
Liability for damage to property
(limit £20,000,000 any one accident).
Liability of passengers
to other parties.
Legal costs
incurred with our consent. (limit £5,000,000 any one accident for loss or damage to property)
Loss of or damage to the car
as a result of fire or theft.
Accidental damage to the car
(including its accessories).
Replacement of locks following theft of keys
(limit £750 any one claim)
Personal accident benefit
of £5000 for you and / or your spouse for death or certain medical conditions.
Foreign use - up to 30 days cover in any EU and certain other associated countries during the policy year.
Medical expenses
up to £250 for each person in the car.
Replacement of child car seats following their loss or damage or impact damage to the car
Personal effects
up to £250 for any one occurrence.
Accident Recovery Service
Motor Legal Expenses & Legal Helpline. optional optional
Enhanced Courtesy Car Cover optional optional
UK & European Breakdown Cover. (Subject to certain limitations) optional optional
Extended Foreign Use optional optional

Am I insured to drive someone else's car?

No, Third Party Liability whilst you are driving another vehicle is not generally available except when

the vehicle does not belong to you and is not hired to you under a hire purchase agreement
there is no other insurance policy which insures you
the vehicle is not being driven to secure its release following seizure by, or on behalf of, any government or public authority.

Is young drivers under 25 years of age are Insured?

Yes. However, for comprehensive cover, in addition to the standard excess of £100, a further young drivers excess applies. For further details see the Frequently Asked Questions on excess.


What is the maximum age to get insurance?

Normally offer a quote for a new customer up to the age of 75, depending on the insurance history.

What are my cancellation rights?

When you receive your policy documents you will have 14 days in which to cancel the policy if you no longer require the insurance. If you wish to cancel the policy please contact us on 08457 464646 or write to The Co-operative Insurance, General Insurance Customer Support Centre, 2nd Floor, Miller Street, Manchester M60 0AL and return your Certificate of Motor Insurance.

If you cancel the policy within 14 days of receipt of the cancellation notice the premium you have paid will be returned to you less a pro-rata charge for any time on cover.

To be entitled to a pro-rata refund of the premium paid, you must telephone or write to us on or before the 14th day of receipt of the policy booklet and the cancellation effective date requested must be within this period.

If you cancel your policy after this time any refund of premium will be the premium paid less a pro rata charge for the period the policy has been in force and may be subject to a cancellation fee.

Does my policy cover me to drive abroad?

Yes. In addition to providing the minimum compulsory liability insurance required in any country which is a member of the EU, the policy provides the same cover throughout the EU and certain other associated countries as in the UK, for up to 30 days per insurance term.

Extended Foreign Use is available as an optional extra and extends the cover provided in the UK to all member states of the EU and the associated countries for the entire policy year, subject to a limit of 90 days per trip.

Cover for Electronic Equipment

There is no limit on loss of or damage to electronic equipment (e.g. audio or satellite navigation equipment) permanently fitted to the vehicle as standard by the vehicle manufacturer.

There is a limit of £500 on loss of or damage to electronic equipment permanently fitted to the vehicle post-manufacture.

There is a limit of £250 on loss of or damage to personal effects, which includes electronic equipment not permanently fitted to the vehicle, provided the cover is Comprehensive.

What is Personal Effects Cover?

Personal effects cover is available where cover is Comprehensive.

There is a limit of £250 on loss of or damage to personal effects (e.g. coats, bags and CDs) whilst in or on the vehicle. This includes electronic equipment not permanently fitted to the vehicle.

There is no limit on loss of or damage to child car seats, which we will replace following an accident resulting in impact damage to the vehicle even where there is no apparent damage to the child car seat.

What is Enhanced Courtesy Car Cover?

Enhanced Courtesy Car cover is an optional extra which supplements our standard courtesy car cover by providing access to a similar replacement car to your own (subject to certain limitations) for up to 14 days if your car is stolen and not recovered, immobilised as the result of an accident or written off.

Know Courtesy rules more

UK and European Breakdown Cover

UK and European Breakdown Cover is a comprehensive and reliable breakdown service available as an optional extra, which provides peace of mind that you are fully covered for any repair or recovery costs associated with a breakdown.

UK and European Breakdown Cover will offer the following benefits:

Europe-wide rescue and recovery service
Up to 1 hours labour to repair your car at the scene
Recovery of your car to a suitable repairer or to your home
Transport of the driver and up to six passengers home or an intended destination;
Or one night’s bed and breakfast accommodation; or
Replacement hire vehicle for up to 24 hours
Repatriation of the driver, vehicle and up to six passengers to the UK

What is Extended Foreign Use?

Extended Foreign Use is available as an optional extra and extends the cover provided in the UK to all member states of the EU and the associated countries for the entire policy year, subject to a limit of 90 days per trip.

for Full details on this get here

What is a Carbon Offset?

A carbon offset is a way of reducing carbon dioxide in the atmosphere by funding renewable energy or reforestation projects. The projects offset an equivalent amount of emissions to that produced by driving. This is a way of compensating for the contribution from driving to climate change.

What if I want to make a change on my policy?

What if I want to make a change on my policy?

It’s important that all the details in your policy are accurate and that you are happy with the cover provided, so it makes good sense to check that everything is in order now.


Please contact us on 08457 46 46 46 if:
• Any of the information contained in the Policy Details or Certificate of Motor Insurance is incorrect
• You change your name, your address or your vehicle
• You wish to amend the cover provided by your policy (for example, you may want to increase your level of cover from ‘third party fire and theft’ to ‘comprehensive’, or make changes to the driving restrictions, or increase the amount of voluntary excess you pay)
• You wish to change driver details on your vehicle.


Remember that if you change your vehicle you must obtain a new Certificate of Motor Insurance before you use the replacement vehicle.


If you make any further changes to your policy cover other than at renewal, or if you request duplicate documents, we may charge you an administration fee of £12.50. The administration fee will be in addition to any increase in premium that may occur.

Cancelling the policy may incur a separate cancellation fee.

What is No Claim Discount?

For every year of claim-free driving you will earn a discount towards the cost of renewing your motor insurance, up to a maximum of 9 years. This is subject to you providing documentary evidence from your previous insurer.

The No Claim Discount can only be used on one policy at a time so the other policy has to be lapsed or cancelled before you can use it on this one. You cannot share it across two policies.

Scale of No Claim Discount (available to new customers)

Varies from 25 % to 75 % depends on the Claim FREE years

Friday, May 22, 2009

Opel Ampera the Car with Green and Sculpture












Re-Think Mobility
Opel Ampera : A new category of Mobility .With its revolutionary “ Voltec” Propulsion technology the Opel Ampera delivers 60 Km emission-free battery range and more than 500 Km extended range .

Five doors,four seats.370Nm instant Torgue ,160Km/h: a real car for everyday driving .


Find out more about the Opel Ampera and its production launch in 2011

Benefits

Saving & Winning
Extended Range Electric Vehicles ( E-REV) deliver reduced oil consumption ,support energy diversification, and reduce emissions. That said ,the Opel Ampera is well-suited to the needs of most European drivers,the majority of which commute less than 50 Km from home to work and back.

With its Voltec propulsion system the Opel Ampera can Drive 60 Km on electricity alone ,with zero emissions.And recharging is easy : the Ampera can be plugged into any house 230 v outlet

How far Can you Go ?

Clear Answer : 60 Km an battery and more than 500Km extended range with the 1.4 Liter (82Hp) gasoline –fueled engine –generator provides electricity to power the electric drive unit while simultaneously sustaining the charge of the battery .

Watch the animations to see how far you could drive starting from Geneva ,site of Opel
Ampera’s 2009 world Premiere

What’s the Cost

We estimate that an extended range electric car will save about 1,700 liters of gasoline per year based on 60 Km of daily driving ( 22,000 km per year ) .As a baseline comparison : 0.09 Euro per Km using gasoline priced at 1.16 Euro per liter.

In other words ,the cost of an electrically driven kilometer in the Opel Ampera is about a fifth of the cost of a kilometer driven in a conventional gasoline vehicle,at current fuel price .

What is the Output

The electric drive unit delivers 370 Nm,Zero to 100Km/h acceleration in around 9 seconds ,and a Top speed of 160km/h .Driving electrically is great fun: the instantaneous ,nearly silent torque under your right foot feels like flying .

Fo journeys up to 60 Km the Opel Ampera runs on the electricity stored in the 16-k Wh, lithium-ion battery and emits zero CO2. When internal combustion engine is used to supply the drive unit with electricity ,it runs at a fixed speed ,which makes it more efficient than a normal car engine . In range –extended mode the Ampera consumes only 1.61/100 Km and emits less than 40g/km of CO2.

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

Automakers, Obama announce mileage, pollution plan

WASHINGTON (AP) - President Barack Obama wants drivers to go farther on a gallon of gas and cause less damage to the environment - and be willing to pick up the tab.

Obama on Tuesday planned to announce the first-ever national emissions limits for cars and trucks, as well as require a 35.5 miles per gallon standard. Consumers should expect to pay an extra $1,300 per vehicle by the time the plan is complete in 2016, officials said.

The administration officials spoke on the condition of anonymity ahead of the formal announcement by Obama.

The plan also would effectively end a feud between automakers and statehouses over emission standards - with the states coming out on top but the automakers getting the single national standard they've been seeking and more time to make the changes.

Obama's plan couples for the first time pollution reduction from vehicle tailpipes with increased efficiency on the road. It would save 1.8 billion barrels of oil through 2016 and would be the environmental equivalent to taking 177 million cars off the road, senior administration officials said Monday night.

New vehicles would be 30 percent cleaner and more fuel-efficient by the end of the program, according to officials familiar with the administration's discussions. The officials also spoke on condition of anonymity because the formal announcement had not been made.

The plan still must clear regulatory hurdles at the Environmental Protection Agency and the Transportation Department. Automakers appear to be in support.

Administration officials said consumers were going to pay an extra $700 for mileage standards that had already been approved. The comprehensive Obama plan would add another $600 to the price of a vehicle, a senior administration official said.

The extra miles would come at roughly a 5 percent increase each year. By the time the plan takes full effect, at the end of 2016, new vehicles would cost an extra $1,300.

That official said the cost would be recovered through savings at the pump for consumers who choose a standard 60-month car loan and if gas prices follow government projections.

In a battle over emission standards, California, 13 other states and the District of Columbia have urged the federal government to let them enact more stringent standards than the federal government's requirements. The states' regulations would cut greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent in new cars and trucks by 2016 - the benchmark Obama planned to unveil for vehicles built in model years 2012 and beyond.

The Obama plan gives the states essentially what they sought and more, although the buildup is slower than the states sought. In exchange, though, cash-strapped states such as California would not have to develop their own standards and enforcement plan. Instead, they can rely on federal tax dollars to monitor the environment.

The auto industry will be required to ramp up production of more fuel-efficient vehicles on a much tighter timeline than originally envisioned. It will be costly; the Transportation Department last year estimated that requiring the industry to meet 31.6 mpg by 2015 would cost nearly $47 billion.

But industry officials - many of whom are running companies on emergency taxpayer dollars - said Obama's plan would help them because they would not face multiple emissions requirements and would have more certainty as they develop their vehicles for the next decade.

Auto executives, including General Motors Corp. CEO Fritz Henderson, and executives from Ford Motor Co., Toyota Motor Corp., Honda Motor Co., Daimler AG and others planned to attend the White House event. United Auto Workers President Ron Gettelfinger also planned to attend, as did Michigan Gov. Jennifer Granholm and California Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Monday, May 18, 2009

CITROËN C3 Pluriel attracts attention


















INTRODUCTION

CITROËN’s C3 Pluriel really does embody the words fun, fresh and functional. It’s five cars in one - a 3-door saloon, a Panoramic Saloon, a Cabriolet, a Spider and a Spider Pick up. And as well as looking great, the CITROËN C3 Pluriel drives brilliantly and is packed with an unrivalled level of equipment, safety features, technology and storage.

The CITROËN C3 Pluriel combines the practicality of a supermini with the excitement of a convertible. It’s a deceptively spacious 4 seater (in fact, it’s one of the roomiest in its class), and the secret of its versatile appearance is in the roof design, which features an electric full-length retractable roof and removable roof arches. It looks stylish too, and draws attention wherever it goes.

Safety is paramount in the CITROËN C3 Pluriel. All models feature anti-lock braking (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution and Emergency Braking Assistance. You can find out more about these in the Technology section. Four airbags, 3-point inertia reel seatbelts, a specially stiffened body shell, reinforced windscreen pillars and roof arches, plus strengthened seat backs and head rests all add to the sense of safety and stability. It’s no surprise it has a four-star EuroNCAP rating.

A car as unique and inspiring as the CITROËN C3 Pluriel also has some unique and inspiring accessories - each designed specifically to enhance or personalise your CITROËN C3 Pluriel, or add to its convenience, storage and safety features. For example, there’s a rain cover to protect the CITROËN C3 Pluriel from sudden downpours when it’s parked. Or the roof arch storage stand. Or the contoured mudflaps that reduce the effects of road spray and prevent paintwork damage, and the Tom Tom sat-nav to get you to your destination.

There’s a choice of three engines - and each blends performance and economy in the city, or the open road. There’s the 1.4i petrol and 1.4HDi diesel engines, plus the 1.6i 16V engine with SensoDrive paddleshift five-speed sequential gearbox - for those who prefer instant fingertip gear changing.

The CITROËN C3 Pluriel - open to anything as long as it’s fun.

EXTERIOR



The CITROËN C3 Pluriel attracts attention wherever it goes. And it’s no surprise with its distinctive styling featuring body colour bumpers and skirts, and when it’s guaranteed to look good, roof arches that contrast with the exterior body colour. But the CITROËN C3 Pluriel really turns heads when it’s in one of its five different body configurations - you just need to check the weather and decide which one you prefer today.

Techno style headlamps and rear lights add to the fun, contemporary look and to make your CITROËN C3 Pluriel even more eye-catching, the ‘Elegance Pack’ on selected models takes the style dial even higher, featuring aluminium bumper inserts, rubbing strips and door handles.

There’s a great choice of attractive paint colours and finishes for your CITROËN C3 Pluriel, including pearlescent or metallic paint options. Plus, your exterior choice of colour is reflected in the interior to create a contemporary look and feel.

INTERIOR

Inside, the CITROËN C3 Pluriel is about comfort, style and modern chic. It has variable power-assisted steering, height and tilt adjustable leather steering wheel for the optimum driving position, aluminium effect front vents, electric windows front and rear, electric door mirrors, and a 6-speaker CD player.

Creating space is no problem either. Simply fold the rear seats down and you have an extensive, completely flat floor from the back of the front seats to a downward opening tailgate that makes loading easy.

Whichever colour exterior you choose, there’s a perfectly co-ordinated and upholstered interior, and all models feature body-colour inserts on the front doors and rear panels to further enhance the CITROËN C3 Pluriel’s individuality.

DRIVE

The CITROËN C3 Pluriel is fun to look at and fun to drive. Its long wheel-base, wide tyres and reinforced body shell ensures it handles responsively whatever the road conditions. The digital display provides all the driver information you need clearly, while unnecessary glare can be minimised when driving at night by selecting the ‘black panel’ instrument lighting. The elevated front seats and windscreen provide excellent visibility of the road ahead. And a programmable, audible ‘over speed’ warning helps you keep your speed in check.

And with its range of active and passive safety features, such as hazard lights that automatically activate when you brake sharply, front and lateral airbags, ABS, Emergency Braking Assistance (EBA) you can feel safe and secure however demanding the roads are.


PERFORMANCE

On the open road or in the inner city, the CITROËN C3 Pluriel’s range of engines balance performance with fuel economy. Choose one of two petrol engines or the popular diesel option. The CITROËN C3 Pluriel 1.4i offers an attractive combination of performance and economy.

Raise the bar with the dynamic 1.6i 16v SensoDrive engine and experience the power of 110hp and the fingertip paddle-shift gear changes from a five-speed sequential gearbox. And if you want to keep running costs as low as possible, the CITROËN C3 Pluriel 1.4HDi diesel offers great driving pleasure and an impressive 60.1 mpg on the combined cycle.

Sunday, May 17, 2009

Free Auto Insurance Quotes Online

More and more people are discovering the benefits of shopping online. Here's how to get free auto insurance quotes online and get cheap rates quickly and easily.

Where can I get free auto insurance quotes online?

There are a ton of websites that will give you free auto insurance quotes online. The bigger sites are operated by the larger companies and only give you their quotes. But because rates can vary by $1,000 or more from one company to the next, you need to go to a site that will give you quotes from a number of auto insurance companies.

Not only can you get multiple rate quotes from these sites, the better sites also have an articles section where you can get auto insurance tips, and a chat section where you can talk with an insurance expert online and get answers to your questions (see link below).

What auto insurance discounts can I get?

When you fill out the online questionnaire for an insurance comparison site you'll be asked what discounts you want. Here's a list of the discounts that will save you the most money:

1. Increase your deductible - Depending on how high you raise it this can save you 30% to 50% on your auto insurance premium.

2. Combine your insurance - Placing your auto and homeowners insurance with the same company will save you up to 15% on your premium.

3. Install security devices - Outfitting your car with a burglar alarm or other theft-prevention device can get you a good-sized discount.

4. Eliminate unneeded coverage - You may want to eliminate your comprehensive and collision coverage if your car is more than five years old, or if the cost of your annual premium is the same as the value of your car.

Bottom Line

It only takes a few minutes to get a free auto insurance quote online and you could save $500 to $1,000 every year you own your car. So why not head over to an insurance comparison site right now and find out how much you can save.

Friday, May 15, 2009

Priced at just £11,995, Twingo Renaultsport 133 offers on-the-road































With a heritage of iconic cars such as the R8 Gordini, 5 GT Turbo and Clio Williams, the Renault range has always featured affordable performance cars based on mainstream production models. Twingo Renaultsport 133 is latest car to enjoy that distinction.


Priced at just £11,995, Twingo Renaultsport 133 offers on-the-road thrills at an affordable price. Unlike some of its competitors, 133 is easily distinguishable from the standard car with extended wheel arches and sills as standard.

Sporty looks, style and performance as standard

There is no doubting the Twingo Renaultsport 133’s vigorous performance, tenacious road holding and refinement, whilst its exterior and interior styling makes it obvious that this is a car in which to have fun.

The Twingo comes with specific Renaultsport chassis and steering tuning as standard, ensuring it offers optimum performance and handling. There is no wait necessary for the ‘Cup’ chassis either as Renault Sport Technologies has developed this for Twingo from launch, along with a new naturally-aspirated 1.6-litre VVT engine delivering 133hp at 6,750rpm with 160Nm of torque at 4,400 rpm.

Twingo Renaultsport 133 has a long list of other standard equipment that can be found from the left hand menu. From ESP with manual deactivation to the gearshift indicator light, 133 has been designed to deliver sports performance while at the same time ensuring that the car is easy to use on a day-to-day basis. A choice of five colours are available on 133: Capsicum Red or £375 optional metallic Pearl Black, Extreme Blue, Mercury Silver or Mirage Grey. The latter is a new colour exclusive to the Renaultsport version.

'Cup' chassis available from launch

An option available on Twingo Renaultsport 133 is the ‘Cup’ chassis. Priced at £650, it features a 4mm lower ride height, stiffer springs and dampers, 17” dark grey Anthracite alloy wheels and 195/40 tyres.

New Mégane Renaultsport 250













As the latest in a long line of Renaultsport models, the New Mégane Renaultsport 250 stands out through its unrivalled combination of exhilarating performance and handling. The mix of its 250hp engine and stunning new coupé design demonstrate that Renaultsport remain top of their class.



Going on sale later this year, the New Mégane Renaultsport 250 has had its first public unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show.



The 2-litre 16-valve turbocharged petrol engine now boasts maximum power of 250hp at 5,500rpm and peak torque of 340Nm from 3,000rpm, an improvement of 20hp and 40Nm over the previous Mégane Renaultsport R26. The Renaultsport engine's twin-scroll turbo is exceptionally responsive and is particularly responsive at lows revs, with 80 per cent of maximum torque available from just 1,900rpm.



The New Mégane Renaultsport 250 has inherited the same suspension arrangement as the current Mégane Renaultsport. Thanks to an independent steering axis layout at the front, the suspension and steering functions have been separated to ensure a particularly high standard of handling and traction performance. Just as with the Renaultsport versions of Clio and Twingo, the New Mégane Renaultsport 250 is available with a choice of two chassis settings: standard or Cup, the latter with a limited slip differential.

The New Mégane Renaultsport 250’s stunning coupé design features a front bumper incorporating LED daytime running lights, a splitter from the design of the nose of the R28 Formula 1 car, a central rear exhaust, rear diffuser and 18-inch alloy wheels.



Inside you’ll find all the features you’d expect: Renaultsport front seats and steering wheel together with a digital speedometer with analogue rev-counter, visual and audible gearshift indicator and aluminium pedals, all signed off with the Renaultsport logo on the headrests, rev-counter and fascia.

Thursday, May 14, 2009

Scrappage benefit 'lost in 88 days'

The £2,000 incentive under the Government's "cash for bangers" car-scrappage scheme will be wiped out in just 88 days due to depreciation, it has been revealed. Skip related content


From Monday, owners of cars 10 years old or more will get £2,000 if they trade in their old model and buy a new one.

But according to price comparison company uSwitch.com, vehicle depreciation is set to be the "thorn in the side" of the scrappage scheme.

The company said on average, the initial £2,000 incentive is wiped out in depreciation in just 88 days of owning the new car.

In total, new vehicles purchased under the Government's car scrappage scheme are set to lose £12.5 billion in depreciation after just one year, it said. Purchasing one of the top 10 most popular new cars costs £16,232 on average and this value plummets by 49% in the first year alone, while the UK's best-selling car - the Ford Focus Style - loses £8,635 or 51% of its value in the first year.

Drivers should read the small print on car insurance policies as the write-off value varies substantially between policies.

Mark Monteiro, of uSwitch.com, said: "The Government's car-scrappage scheme has been introduced to give the ailing motor industry a much needed shot in the arm by enticing motorists to participate with a £2,000 incentive.

"However, while this is a positive bonus for consumers, it seems even this payout can't hold its weight against the magnitude of vehicle depreciation, which dents the value a car from the moment you drive off the forecourt."

He went on: "When choosing a new vehicle, motorists should ensure they research the rate of depreciation of their desired new car, as research highlights how some of the top 10 most-popular vehicles hold their value far better than others. Any motorists tempted to take advantage of the scheme should research the cost of insuring their desired new vehicle as a matter of priority, as the cost could be significantly higher than they are currently paying for their old banger.

"All drivers who are planning to switch their old cars for a newer model need to be prepared for a hike to their premiums of up to 30%."

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

Why to choose Toyota Pirus























Projector-beam halogen headlamps with auto-off feature
LED (light-emitting diode) headlamps with auto leveling, auto-off and headlamp washers
Integrated fog lamps
LED taillamps
Color-keyed foldable power heated outside mirrors
Hybrid Synergy Drive® blue accent badges and headlamps
15-in. 5-spoke alloy wheels with P195/65R15 tires and wheel covers
17-in. 5-spoke alloy wheels with P215/45R17 tires
Washer-linked variable intermittent windshield wipers
Rear window with electric defogger with timer and intermittent wiper
UV reduction glass windshield
Driver and front passenger water-repellent side windows
Aerodynamic rear deck spoiler
Power tilt/slide moonroof with Solar Powered Ventilation System and Remote Air Conditioning System
Roof-mounted XM Satellite Radio antenna

Navigation Package
Voice-activated touch-screen DVD navigation system with JBL® AM/FM/MP3 4-disc CD changer, eight speakers, integrated satellite radio capability, XM NavTraffic® ] capability, hands-free phone capability and music streaming via Bluetooth® wireless technology, and integrated backup camera
Safety Connect
Advanced Technology Package (includes Navigation Package)
Dynamic Radar Cruise Control (DRCC)
Pre-Collision System (PCS)
Lane Keep Assist (LKA)
Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA)
Solar Roof Package (includes Navigation Package)
Power tilt/slide moonroof with Solar Powered Ventilation System and Remote Air Conditioning System



MECHANICAL

Gasoline Engine
Type
Aluminum double overhead cam (DOHC) 16-valve VVT-i 4-cylinder
Displacement
1.8 liters (1798 cc)
Bore x stroke
3.17 in. x 3.48 in.
Compression ratio
13.0:1
Valvetrain
Four valves per cylinder with Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i)
Induction system
Sequential multi-point EFI with Electronic Throttle Control System with intelligence (ETCS-i)
Ignition system
Electronic, with Toyota Direct Ignition (TDI)
Power output
98 hp @ 5200 rpm (73 kW @ 5200 rpm)
Torque
105 lb.-ft. @ 4000 rpm (142 N•m @ 4000 rpm)
Emission rating
Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (AT-PZEV)
Electric Motor
Motor type
Permanent magnet AC synchronous motor
Power output
80 hp (60 kW)
Torque
153 lb.-ft. (207 N•m)
Voltage
650V maximum
Traction Battery
Type
Sealed Nickel-Metal Hydride (Ni-MH)
Power Output
36 hp (27 kW)
Voltage
201.6V
Hybrid System Net Power
134 hp (100 kW)
Mechanical/Performance
Transmission
Electronically controlled continuously variable transmission (ECVT)
Front Suspension
Independent MacPherson strut with stabilizer bar
Rear Suspension
Torsion beam
Steering
Electric Power Steering (EPS); rack-and-pinion with electric power-assist
Turning circle diameter, curb to curb (ft.) 34.2 34.2 34.2 36.0
Brakes
Power-assisted ventilated front disc, solid rear disc with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) and integrated regenerative braking
Coefficient of drag (Cd) 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25


Price Range $ 22,000 to $ 27,300

Monday, May 11, 2009

Why Choose Volvo C70 Ice White










Why Choose between a car that’s Practical and the car that you really want?
Volvo C70 Ice White is a true four –seater coupe that effortlessly transforms into a stunning convertible and includes GBP 2,350 worth stylish extras .


Along with volvo’s usual class-leading safety technology the c70 Ice White Comes loaded with the latest features

a) Retractable hardtop
b) Ice White colour
c) 2.0D engine manual ( available in 6 speed powershift as cost option )
d) New interior colour combination ( Off black interior with Leather calcite Cream)
e) New 18” Aluminium Midir Diamond –cut wheels
f) Four-seater with comfortable rear seats for 2 adults
g) 404-litre cargo capacity
h) Door –mounted inflatable curtain airbags


All come with a Price GBP 24,495

Saturday, May 9, 2009

MICHELIN® HydroEdge® tires offer an outstanding 90,000-mile warranty



Our Premier Passenger Tire. MICHELIN® HydroEdge® tires offer an outstanding 90,000-mile warranty, modern aesthetics, and better wet braking than the competition.

Features and Benefits
Lasts Up To 33,000 Miles Longer Versus the Competition3
MaxTouch Construction™, features a unique contact patch shape that evenly distributes the forces of acceleration, braking, and cornering.

The Most Fuel-Efficient Tire in the Category4
EnergySaver Construction™ marked by the Green X label helps deliver excellent fuel efficiency by requiring less effort from your engine.

Better Braking — Up To 14 Feet Shorter Than the Competition
A silca-based compound and wide center-groove design create a sure-grip tread, helping HydroEdge® tires stop up to 14 feet shorter in wet weather conditions versus the competition.

A 75th birthday for the '34 Ford




Two years ago, the hot-rodding world pulled out all the stops to celebrate the diamond jubilee of the iconic 1932 Ford, the hot-rodder's hot rod.

The high point of that jubilee was a gathering of the 75 most significant '32s in conjunction with the Grand National Roadster Show of 2007. It was held in its own hall at the L.A. County Fairplex in Pomona and was awash with fabulous Fords and hot-rod royalty.

Now, two years later, the 1934 Ford turns 75, with considerably less pomp and circumstance but no less love from its devotees.

The Model 40, as both the 1933 and 1934 Fords were designated, had a graceful grille in front and--while so many '32s are now and were then fenderless--most Model 40 survivors wear full, sweeping fenders over the front wheels and down the sides.

While much of the '32's notoriety flowed from its all-new, affordable V8, those first eight-cylinder engines were problematic to make and prone to numerous failures, many of which would have resulted in massive recalls were they issued today. But by the time the Model 40 Fords came out, the teething problems of the V8 had largely been cured.

So the '33 and '34 Fords were really better cars, mechanically, to begin with. And because the '32s often command more attention, a buyer could usually get a better price on a '34, all other things being equal.

Nonetheless, even in this diamond-jubilee year, celebrations are decidedly muted for this car. We attended a pretty good one this week at the Wally Parks NHRA Motorsports Museum. The museum has several Model 40s on display, including famous representatives such as the innovative, record-setting Pierson Brothers Coupe and the California Kid, now more famous than the Martin Sheen movie of the same name for which it was made. The cars will stay on display at the Parks museum through Father's Day. For more, visit www.museum.nhra.com.

Then, as part of the museum's regular monthly Prolong Twilight Cruise Night, organizer John Duran added a healthy, shining row of '33 and '34 Fords to the sprawling, eclectic mix of rods and customs that usually fill the museum's parking lot. There were yellow and orange, blown and unblown, black and purple, street and competition cars lined up next to the fence by the front entrance.

Bob Slovick was first drawn in by two movie cars.

"American Grafitti and The California Kid really took me in, made me crazy" he said.

He built a '34 with a 427 big-block topped by a massive Weiand blower. The plates read, "BLON 34." Did he consider a '32?

"No," he said. "I just like the look of the '34, it's more rounded; the '32 looks kind of square."

Petersen Automotive Museum director Dick Messer drove his own '34 Tudor to the show.

"It's like driving a normal automobile," said Messer of his highly modified, highly modernized car. It sports a Corvette drivetrain, air conditioning and power seats. "I drive it all the time."

Messer understands the difference in public perception between the '34 and the '32.

"The '32s were like, 'Oh man, I got a Deuce,' the '34s were like, 'Oh yeah, I got one of those, too."

Art Bereuter spent seven years building his orange--unchopped--1934 Ford 3-window. Now it has a 420-hp Cleveland V8, a C6 transmission and a nine-inch Currie rear end. Why a '34 instead of the '32s everybody else has?

"I had a car before this, a '29 sedan delivery," he said. "Then I saw this car, I don't know, I wanted it."

The same thing happened to longtime NHRA announcer Dave McClelland.

"The '34 is the car I've lusted after since I was 16," McClelland said. "I saw a '34 3-window when I was in high school, I told my dad I wanted it, took him over to where the car was parked. My dad said, 'Absolutely no way are you going to have this car.' I ended up with a '39 Plymouth. But I maintain that his rejection of my '34 is what led me to my life of cars."

McClelland still has not gotten a '34 but, he says, he's not dead yet.

"I walk past a line of cars like that and it's just terminal lust."

Friday, May 8, 2009

FIAT 500C MAKES INTERNATIONAL PUBLIC DEBUT AT GENEVA





A worldwide preview of the new Fiat 500C will be taking place at the Geneva Motor Show in early March, before its launch throughout Europe in the spring. This original cabriolet pays homage to the open-top 1957 model, whilst offering leading-edge solutions for mechanical installations, powerplants and interior comfort. All this in authentic Fiat tradition, giving access to higher segment engineering and state-of-the-art technology.

Featuring an innovative soft top – an unrestricted window to the sky – the new 500C is exactly the same size as the basic model (3.55 m x 1.65 m x 1.49 m), and utilises the same three powerplants: 1.3 litre 75 hp MultiJet Turbodiesel coupled to a 5-speed manual transmission, and the two 1.2 litre 69 hp and 1.4 litre 100 hp petrol engines, available with either manual or robotised Dualogic transmission. Providing different features, all three engine types are responsive and flexible, offering strong performance based on sophisticated technology. Standard features include in-built reliability, robust construction, high quality build and environmental friendliness.

Moreover, as proof of Fiat Automobiles’ commitment to ecology and sustainable mobility, the new 500C incorporates the company’s recently announced Start&Stop system, an innovative device which initiates engine shutdown and subsequent re-ignition. To this end, at every complete stop, when shifting to neutral and releasing the clutch, the engine is switched off, and then restarted simply by selecting a gear.

Created by the Fiat Styling Centre and manufactured at the Tichy plant in Poland, the Fiat 500C incorporates all the strong points of the basic model, namely top-of-segment safety features, proper accommodation for four adults, and generous luggage space combined with easy loading potential, even with the soft top fully open, thanks to a clever parallelogram hinge system.

A highly original exercise in design, the soft top of the Fiat 500C stands out for its refined electrically operated linkage and engineering solutions of great quality and finish, such as the glass rear window and the built-in centrally positioned high mounted stop light. Available in three colours (ivory, red and black), this original soft top will be matched with several body colours, two of which have been conceived specifically for the new car in a brilliant Pearl Red and a special Warm Grey.

Thanks to the adoption of the innovative sliding soft top combined with a design concept which retains the vehicle’s all-round protection, the Fiat 500C offers a delightful motoring experience at any time of the year. All told, its many special features make this new car one of the best equipped cabriolet models currently available in the city-car segment.

The 500C is further proof of Fiat's undisputed leadership in this vehicle class, where continuous innovation ensures that its position as the industry's standard is maintained. In fact the car sets new standards in terms of comfort and safety, engineering and appointments whilst maintaining a unique and inimitable Italian style. A new cabriolet has been created which provides excitement and sustained driving pleasure, combining captivating lines with the performance of flexible, environment-friendly, low consumption engines.