Behold Muammar Gaddafi's ‘Libyan Rocket

Colonel Muammar Gaddafi has always been internationally recognised for his vibrant fashion sense, sleeping in Bedouin tents wherever he goes, wearing huge provocative buttons, being guarded by heavily armed women, just to name a few. An epitome of Gaddafi’s eccentricity is the car he designed for himself, which Libya claims is the safest vehicle on earth. However, don’t go into any details to back up the claim.

The Saroukh el-Jamahiriya, which means Libyan rocket, is a five-seater saloon with the nose and tail of a rocket and powered by a 230bhp V6. Launched at a conference called the Organization of African Unity and organized by Colonel Gaddafi in 2009, the Libyan Rocket comes with airbags, an electronic defense system and collapsible bumpers that supposedly help out in a crash.. Wonder what is an “electronic defense system”? Apparently, no one knows what it is or how it works.

Dukhali Al-Meghareff, chairman of the Libyan Arab Domestic Investment company which produced the prototype, touted it as revolutionary in automotive history. "The leader spent so many hours of his valuable time thinking of an effective solution. It is the safest car produced anywhere," Mr Meghareff said.

Renault can name new car Zoe as girls' case rejected

Renault can name a new car model Zoe, a French judge has ruled - throwing out a case brought by the parents of two girls called Zoe Renault.

The families had argued that their children - and to a lesser extent, other children who have the first name Zoe - could face a lifetime of mockery for sharing the name of a car.
But the judge found no evidence that it would cause the children "certain, direct and current harm".
The families say they plan to appeal.
"There's a line between living things and inanimate objects, and that line is defined by the first name," their lawyer David Koubbi told Associated Press.
"We're telling Renault one very simple thing: first names are for humans."
Following Wednesday's hearing, Mr Koubbi told reporters that the judge had accepted Renault's argument that Zoe "was not a first name, but just a common noun". He said that logic was perverse.
He also argued that all of France's thousands of Zoes could be affected, with playground teasing and, as they grow older, comments in bars such as "Can I see your airbags?" or "Can I shine your bumper?"
Serious business The all-electric Renault Zoe ZE (zero emission) is set for launch in 2012. Zoe - which means "life" in Greek - was apparently chosen to underline the car's environmental credentials.
Renault has already given several models women's names - including Clio and Megane - without facing any campaign of public opposition.
An unnamed Renault official told AP that the manufacturer had no plans to change the car's name.
"We're very happy with the judge's decision," the official said.
First names are taken very seriously in France - where parents used to be forced to select from an official list of approved names.
That is no longer the case, but officials can still argue against parents' choices if they feel they will subject children to harm or ridicule.

No Radio, but It Gets 100 Miles a Gallon

Three teams of engineers won shares of a $10 million prize Thursday in a contest to design a vehicle capable of traveling 100 miles on the equivalent of a gallon of gasoline

Among the exotic-looking vehicles that shared the Progressive Insurance Automotive X-Prize was the Very Light Car, winner in the "mainstream" class. The four-passenger vehicle, developed by the Edison2 team, achieved the equivalent of 102 miles per gallon. It weighs just 830 pounds and burns E-85 ethanol in a one-cylinder, 40-horsepower engine.
The goal of the contest, launched in January 2008, was to "revolutionize the auto industry." But mainstream auto makers have mostly shunned the competition and have since overshadowed it by accelerating plans to roll out ultra-efficient cars to sell to consumers.
The Edison2 team, which garnered a $5 million prize, was put together by Charlottesville, Va., real-estate developer Oliver Kuttner and included several veterans of the auto-racing industry.

The two other winning teams, which were awarded $2.5 million each at the ceremony in Washington, D.C., fielded even more exotic vehicles in what contest organizers called alternative classes.
Li-Ion Motors Corp.'s Wave II, a battery-electric car designed to seat two people side by side, achieved the equivalent of 187 mpg. Li-Ion said the car can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 12 seconds and hit a top speed of 80 mph.
The Wave II has an aggressive, aerodynamic look, the result of hours of testing in wind tunnels aimed at reducing friction drag. Las Vegas-based Li-Ion converts conventional vehicles to electric drive and makes the Wave II and another car, the Inizio,to order.
The other prize winner was the E-Tracer, a two-wheel electric vehicle developed by a Swiss team. The vehicle looks like a large motorcycle with a wraparound body. The passenger sits behind the driver.
The battery-powered E-Tracer has a small set of training wheels that fold out to stabilize the vehicle. Contest judges said it could get the gasoline equivalent of 205 mpg.

Prize-Winning Cars

Very Light Car
MPG: 102
Fuel: Ethanol
Top Speed: 100 mph
Developed by Edison2 of Lynchburg, Va.
Wave II
MPG: 187
Fuel: Battery
Top Speed: 80 mph
Developed by Li-Ion Motors Corp., Las Vegas
E-Tracer
MPG: 205
Fuel: Battery
Top Speed: 120 mph
Developed by X-Tracer Team, Winterthur, Switzerland

X-Prize winners will also be eligible for financial support from the Department of Energy to develop their designs for sale to consumers.
The competition represents an approach to developing and promoting super-high-mileage cars that big auto makers are leaving behind. Nissan Motors Co., General Motors Co., Toyota Motor Corp. and other auto makers are trying to position their planned electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles less as exotic science projects and more as easily approachable appliances.
The Nissan Leaf, for example, is an electric vehicle due to launch later this year that looks like a conventional five-door hatchback—except for unusually bulbous front headlights designed to minimize wind noise, which is more noticeable because the car's electric motors are so quiet.
Also due on the U.S. market later this year is GM's plug-in hybrid, the Chevrolet Volt. Toyota and Ford Motor Co. have plans to launch mass-market electric vehicles in 2011 and beyond.

CITROËN C3 Picasso the real Nice car

The all-new CITROËN C3 Picasso may take some inspiration from its elders, yet it takes funky styling, cheeky character and striking good looks to another level entirely. A mini-MPV of quite stunning poise and revolutionary design, it’s far bigger on the inside than its outward appearance may suggest. And there’s no sense of compromise here. The CITROËN C3 Picasso is practical, but great fun. Roomy, yet agile and easy to park. Safe and adaptable, but certainly not lacking in head-turning style or driving pleasure.
One of its many plus points is the reassuring feeling it gives you and your passengers. Despite being one of the most compact MPVs on the market, its bristling presence still manages to make you feel safe, sturdy and confident in any environment. To some, the CITROËN C3 Picasso is an urban phenomenon, perfectly suited to the city bustle with its nippy engine and great visibility. Others picture it ruling the country lanes, with its rugged looks, great handling and oodles of interior space for kids, outdoor gear, pets or groceries. That the debate continues means CITROËN has cracked it yet again. It’s perfect for both.

£2,000 scrappage allowance* for your qualifying old car

Or 0% APR

over 3 years with a minimum 20% deposit on selected non scrappage models

Available on this model when purchased by 30/09/2009

£12,595 'On the Road' M.R.R.P

£12,595 OTR price


Let’s talk about room, too. There’s plenty to discuss here – the new CITROËN C3 Picasso gives you up to 1,506 litres of flat space behind the front seats, more than any of its rivals. And if you manage to use all of that, there are plenty of other handy compartments throughout the cabin for safely storing personal belongings. The CITROËN C3 Picasso’s boot also has two positions which enables space for up to 385/500 litres of storage.

The CITROËN C3 Picasso comes with a choice of two petrol and two diesel engines, so there’s one for every preference. CITROËN’s 1.6HDi engines give great fuel economy and low emissions without conceding horsepower. And if you prefer petrol, the 1.6 16valve VTi puts a reassuring 120hp under your right foot, while achieving surprising fuel economy figures.

So here’s the distinctive face of the new CITROËN C3 Picasso – a welcome addition to the famous CITROËN Picasso family.

Find OUT More about Electric Evolution. BE a Part of IT

We believe the best way to address the problem of emissions is simply not to produce any emissions at all.

The Renault-Nissan alliance is leading the global automotive industry in developing zero-emission vehicles and bringing them within the reach of everyone. Yet our strategy goes beyond the vehicle itself. We are investing in renewable energy sources to help build, power and recycle them. And put in place the global infrastructure to make this happen.

CO2 emissions: FCVs and EVs produce the same: none at all.

Efficiencies in electric vehicle technology go beyond the powerful, light, easily rechargeable lithium-ion batteries. EVs have the highest rate of tank to wheel energy conversion, and the CO2 emissions from source of fuel to driven wheel are massively reduced compared to conventional power units.
EVs have a better conversion rate compared to other fuel cell technology. In addition, FCVs and EVs produce no emissions, and EVs use 100% of the energy it produces (compared to 80% for a standard fuel vehicle).
Nissan’s global commitment to bringing more of zero-emission cars to more people
has led to the formation of new alliances and partnerships with governments and leading organisations.

LAND ROVER FREELANDER 2S Car that have Elegance and Power

Land Rover is the Brand that Makes car owner a Feelings of owning a Real Powerful Machine Recently they had launched FREELANDER 2S which have decent price to have it in all Budget it comes with Price of GBP 21,295.00 . If you are thinking to buy a real powerful Machine with lots of Space why not try this one check out more details shown in the Pictures .

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.

The 2009 Honda Fit ranks 1 out of 35

The 2009 Honda Fit ranks 1 out of 35 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 25 published reviews and test drives of the Honda Fit, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

Redesigned for 2009, the larger, sportier Fit still has quality and utility that few subcompacts can match. Although it's an expensive car compared to other subcompact cars and hatchbacks, the Fit is a good value over time. It's even the 2009 U.S. News Best Car for the Money in the subcompact class.

Following its first ride on North American roads, the Honda Fit quickly became an auto industry darling for its fun driving dynamics, fuel efficiency and unique cargo and seating modes. It's been one of Car and Driver's "Top 10 Urban Vehicles" for 2008, and a "10Best" for both 2008 and 2009. It was also the recipient of Popular Mechanics' Automotive Excellence Award for 2007. Just two years later Honda has introduced a new and improved Fit that's once again captivated the automotive press with its personality and spaciousness. In addition to a 10Best recognition, the Fit is a nominee for 2009 North American Car of the Year, is a Consumer Guide Best Buy, and was selected as one of Automobile Magazine's All-Stars for 2009.

Even the car's perceived shortcomings -- a hefty price tag considering its size and class and no stability control option for the base trim -- do not prevent the overwhelming majority from labeling the Fit one of the best small car or hatchback options. But if you consider the absence of stability control a deal-breaker, keep the VW Rabbit with its impressive cargo space and standard electronic stabilization program on your shortlist of hatchbacks. The Rabbit's MSRP can be somewhat high, however, and its EPA numbers are lower than many subcompacts. Value-conscious shoppers looking to avoid frequent fill-ups should check out the Toyota Yaris.

The 2009 Fit is now slightly larger and has sacrificed some of the last generation's fuel efficiency to improve its all-around driving experience. The windshield has been moved forward by 4.7 inches to add to improve visibility and add to the sense of spaciousness. Rear passengers are treated to 1.6 extra inches of rear legroom. The engine's 9 horsepower increase and variable valve timing provides more pep out the gate, while a stiffer chassis facilitates tauter handling. Despite all the recent changes, the 2009 Fit still comes in two trims, the base model and the Fit Sport.