Hybrid Automobiles May Keep Guzzlers Running

Good news! New Hybrid SUVs are better at offering lots of miles per gallon!

> Win a Brand New Lexus Hybrid – enter here.

I found repeatedly mentioned on the Internet reveals that for “…every Ford Escape Hybrid bought from the hybrid auto market, car manufacturers makes room for a Lincoln Navigator”.

Yes, that’s inconveniently right. And you can guess what would that mean, that well meant people who bought hybrid cars for the sake of positive externality and such, such as the nation saving on gas; they are only passing the right to use gasoline for somebody else. Read more »

Does your car have a keyless entry system?

Modern day technology has spoiled us in more ways than we can fathom. We have products and inventions that our grandparents have trouble grasping the concept of and today’s youth will never know the “good old days” before all of these lovely inventions. The automobile industry has spoiled us in so many ways in recent years, but my personal and still all-time favorite is the keyless entry.

I used to hate fumbling with my keys when it was raining, snowing or freezing cold while trying to get the doors unlocked as quickly as possible. When it was pitch dark outside, I loathed trying to find the keyhole without standing there for entirely too long. I ended up scratching my car a few times just from trying to find the keyhole.

I was also paranoid when it was dark and deserted outside and I was trying to unlock my car. It was too perfect a scenario for something horrible to happen. Luckily, it never did. Keyless entry has eliminated all of those stressful moments from my life. I am now free to get stressed over other situations and need to find something else to complain about.

Now, when it is raining or snowing, I can have my car unlocked before I reach it, just by pushing a little unlock button on my keyless entry remote. I don’t even have to pause when I get to my car, I simply open the door and make myself comfortable inside. Most cars now come with a keyless entry system already installed in them. If you have an older car that doesn’t yet have this luxury, perhaps it is something worth considering. Read more »

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Only a number of brands can match the bitchy, prosodic fabulousness of “Maserati.” And few cars in the world can match the voluptuous regality of Maserati’s GranTurismo. In other words, it’s beautiful whether you’re saying it or seeing it. Compared with the similarly designed Aston Martin DBS (long hood, front-midship engine layout), the GranTurismo succeeds not with ornamentation but through the emotional, almost whimsical curvature of its plus-size body. The fact that a raucous, Ferrari-derived V-8 resides under the long hood is just icing on one helluva beautiful cake.

Two main novelties are at the heart of the new Maserati: the 440 hp V8 4.7 engine and the electro-actuated gearbox with fast MC-Shift arranged in the transaxle layout typical of high-performance sports cars that represents the technological DNA of all Maseratis.

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Even with the current economic turmoil, some car makers still want to gain the crown of making beautiful and fast cars. Although it may seem ludicrous to launch a $1.9 million supercar in today’s economic climate, the 2009 Aston Martin One-77 serves as a halo car for the iconic British brand.

“Quite simply it had to be the ultimate expression of Aston Martin,” said CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez. “As you can now see, we have achieved that goal in magnificent style.”

Though the sharp edges, quirky headlamps, and ribbed side panels may spur debate among Aston enthusiasts, the One-77 is refreshingly unique. Certain cues – notably the fluted grille and wrap-around taillights – are still present, but the car can’t be mistaken for a “pedestrian” Vantage, DB9, or DBS.
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At about $240,000, it’s the most expensive Alfa road car ever: a Ferrari-priced Alfa. Think of it as a halo vehicle, the perfect high-profile flag-waver and ambassador for Alfa’s U.S. market re-entry — the perfect beacon, too, to remind lapsed European owners that Alfa’s star once again shines bright.

There have been endless predictions that the famous and once-revered Alfa Romeo marque would return to the U.S., having departed in 1995. And later this year, it is really going to happen—with just 84 cars from a limited production run of 500. The $250,000 8C Competizione is a special-edition, two-seat sports coupe that will serve as a kind of ambassador for the line of Alfa cars that should follow.

The Alfa Romeo that left America was a traumatized, slow-selling, troubled company, plagued by poor quality and underachieving cars. The Alfa that reenters is now stronger, its cars more stylish; it’s now a brand that offers a genuine alternative to rival (read German) European premium automobiles. Plus it has an extraordinary and beguilingly beautiful new flagship, the 8C Competizione. It’s this car, with both Ferrari and Maserati blood flowing in its veins, that leads Alfa Romeo’s charge back to America.

The 8C, reviving the name of the magnificent supercharged eight-cylinder Alfa sports cars of the 1930s, has had its own on/off saga. It was first shown in 2003 as a concept car at the Frankfurt auto show and in production form at the 2006 Paris show. Its exciting retro styling is the work of Wolfgang Egger, who has since left Alfa for Audi.

Additional Resources Here:

2009 Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione Features

Top 10 Most Beautiful Cars Of 2009

On the 30th of December 2008, Nissan announced pricing for its 2009 370Z sports car, which debuted in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show. Starting at $29,930, the 370Z Coupe is about $1,500 more expensive than the 350Z it replaces. The base model comes with a 6-speed manual, while upgrading to a 7-speed automatic brings the total to $31,230.

Nissan knows as well as anyone the dangers in redesigning a popular car. Through the 1990s, it “improved” its Z-car until the bloated 300ZX carried virtually none of the charm (not to mention the sales volume) of the original 240Z. Nissan returned the line to its former glory with the 350Z, and has been rewarded with a brilliantly successful six-year run. And with the 2009 370Z, which is making its debut this week at the Los Angeles auto show, it has proved it has finally learned how to build on success.

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Hannah Montana star Miley Cyrus had receiver her learner’s permit last Wednesday and I think she’s going to enjoy it because her mother hand her down her old automobile, a Porsche Cayenne.

“Tish got a new car recently, so she’s giving Miley her old car,” a source tells PEOPLE. “She’s so excited. Her mom lets her drive to work when she’s with her.”

The Anatomy of A Porsche Cayenne 2008 model

The Porsche Cayenne ranks in the bottom half of this highly competitive group though it offers one of the nicest interiors in the classit has an underpowered base engine combined with a steep sticker price.

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The fastest production model ever to be built by Aston Martin made its world debut at the Paris Motor Show on September 23, 2004. With a maximum speed in excess of 200mph (321km/h) and a 6.0 litre V12 engine developing 520 horsepower, the Vanquish S has been designed to deliver even greater performance, complemented by subtle suspension and steering changes and a number of interior and external style revisions.

Rather than relying on some form of supercharging—and there is not much room under the Vanquish hood—the Aston V-12 has been developed in the old-fashioned way. It’s gotten a higher compression ratio, new cylinder heads with subtly reshaped combustion chambers and fully machined inlet ports, new forged connecting rods, a revised injection system, and a remapped electronic control unit. It revs higher than it did (maximum power is at 7000 rpm), allowing shorter overall gearing but still achieving a claimed top speed of more than 200 mph. The Vanquish we tested in 2001 hit 60 in 4.4 seconds and 100 in 10.3, and it’s likely the S will improve on those times by a couple of 10ths.

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Want a very fast car? Are you financially well enough to buy a $1.5 mil car? Want diamonds in your dashboard? Want to own one of the most powerful and luxurious car in the market? I think your thinking of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is the most powerful, most expensive, and fastest street-legal production car in the world, with a proven top speed of over 400 km/h (407 km/h or 253 mph). It reached full production in September 2005. The car is built by Volkswagen AG subsidiary Bugatti Automobiles SAS and is sold under the legendary Bugatti marque. It is named after racing driver Pierre Veyron, who won the 24 hours of Le Mans in 1939 while racing for the original Bugatti firm. The Veyron features a W16 engine—16 cylinders in 4 banks of 4 cylinders.

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MSRP:
$39,600 – 51,850

The 2009 Volvo S80 is a four-door luxury car that features a wealth of technological advancements and several drivetrain options. As a carryover from the prior model year, the S80 maintains the same elegant exterior and comfortable interior filled with modern conveniences. While the fuel economy is moderate, the Volvo S80 simply cannot compete with the less expensive Saturn Aura, flex-fuel or hybrid models. However, the five-passenger sedan’s power surpasses most of the comparables on the market. Though the S80 is priced high, it is well worth the money.
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The BMW 1-series, available as a coupe and a convertible, seems poised to be a very exciting addition to the company’s lineup. The 1-series uses the same, highly regarded mechanicals as the benchmark 3-series, but wraps them in a smaller, lighter, and less expensive package. From a driving standpoint, one can hardly argue with the results. But what is open to debate is whether the cost and weight savings of the 1-series are significant or does the car too closely overlap to the 3-series.

Like the 3-series, the 135i convertible’s handling is sublime; the car eats up curves and begs for more. The steering – without the curse of the 3-series’ optional active steering – is pure and true. It was a pleasure threading the 135i along narrow winding parkways that can be a white-knuckle affair in other cars. And its nimble size was a source of pleasure as well. But the larger, eighteen-inch wheels mean that bumps are sometimes fairly pronounced.

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Need a very fuel efficient and affordable car? Check out the 2008 Toyota Prius Hybrid. The 2008 Toyota Prius is a full-featured midsize car that just so happens to be the most fuel-efficient car on the market. The fact that it now starts at less than $21,000 is icing on the green-colored cake.

MSRP: $21,500 – $23,770

Invoice: $20,210 – $21,816

MPG: 48 City / 45 Hwy

The Prius is first and foremost a hybrid — and the benchmark upon which all others are based. Capable of running on electricity alone or in concert with the small gasoline four-cylinder engine, the Prius is capable of fuel economy that no current mainstream car can match — even with the lower, revised 2008 EPA estimates. Like most hybrids, the 2008 Toyota Prius is best suited to drivers whose travels rarely take them farther than the city limits. Around town and in stop-and-go traffic, the Prius’ electric motors and regenerative braking are optimized to provide superior fuel economy and optimal power delivery. It’s OK on the freeway, but without consistent braking or coasting, the battery runs down, forcing the anemic four-cylinder engine to carry most of the load.

One disadvantage of the Prius and all other hybrids is their winter performance. Cold temperatures decrease battery capacity, just as they do for the average 12-volt battery. As a result, the engine must run at first to top off the battery and then more often throughout use to keep it charged. The mileage hit is not small. We’re talking several mpg on average. Chicago’s maddening weather actually came in useful in this test because I drove for days in temperatures below freezing and at times near 0 degrees. The trip computer said I was getting between 30 and 40 mpg in mixed driving. Then the temp shot up close to 60 degrees, and suddenly I was getting more than 50 mpg without even trying.

But all in all the Toyota is like any other car but somehow more fuel efficient and comes with in a very low price.

The Corvette team aren’t giving up.  They relentlessly chipping away at every reasonable argument a rational buyer can articulate for choosing some big-name, bucks-up, blue-blooded bahn-stormer over the crossed-flag cruise missile that Zora launched. This C6-1/2-generation Vette boasts more refinements and detail enhancements than one expects from a mid-cycle refresh of a supercar, but are they enough to steer the Porsche/BMW/Benz/Jag buyers into a Chevy store? To find out, we spirited a manual coupe and an automatic convertible away from the General’s Milford Proving Ground for a romp across rural southeast Michigan.

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The Honda Accord has moved up in the Top 10 ranks even though its sales are virtually flat compared with a year ago, because sales have fallen for the Dodge Ram pickup, which outranked the Accord last year. The Honda brand is advertising its gas mileage; the four-cylinder Accord gets an EPA-estimated 22 mpg city/31 highway. The V6 Accord, which shuts off two or three cylinders while cruising, gets 19 mpg city/29 mpg highway, which is respectable for a 268-hp engine. A redesigned Accord debuted in September, 2007.

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Price Range: $26,490 – $36,195

The Ford Explorer 2008 ’s five-door SUV styling is clean and uncluttered, while the interior is one of the finest Ford’s put in a truck yet.  Although engine performance is mediocre, the midsize 2008 Ford Explorer deserves consideration from anyone shopping for a traditional SUV with substantial towing and hauling capabilities. But for those who just need a family cruiser, newer seven-passenger crossovers provide more space, superior driving dynamics and slightly better gas mileage.

Performance

Two underhood options are available on the 2008 Ford Explorer: a “revised 4.0-liter V6 engine” that Kelley Blue Book says makes “210 horsepower” and “254 lb.-ft. of torque,” while those in need of more power can turn to a “4.6-liter V8 engine with 292 hp and 300 lb-ft of torque,” according to Edmunds. Reviews read by TheCarConnection.com show that neither engine is particularly impressive in terms of acceleration, with ForbesAutos describing the V-6 as “barely adequate.” Edmunds calls the engine performance on the Ford Explorer “mediocre” and says that the engines are “weak” when “compared to competing SUVs,” thanks in part to the fact that “a 4WD Explorer equipped with the V8 takes a mediocre 9 seconds to reach 60 mph.”

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“Just look at the thing!” That’s about the only selling line the 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage will ever need. If you’ve seen a V8 Vantage on the road, you know what we’re talking about. Few other cars look this, well, sexy. Thankfully, this baby Aston has impressive talent lurking beneath its gorgeous face. The 2008 Aston Martin V8 Vantage coupe and roadster are not just exceedingly pretty faces. Although it can’t quite keep pace with Porsche’s 911, this baby Aston has the performance and handling cojones to make it the envy of not only the neighbors, but driving aficionados as well.

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Shelby Supercars must have been so proud as its baby Ultimate Aero Twin Turbo was recently named “Fastest Production Car in the World”. The Shelby Supercars Ultimate Aero Twin Turbo has an average top speed of 255.83 mph. Its speed met the standards of Guinness World Records, proving that it really deserves the applause of every car buff all over the globe.

It has a turbo V8 engine outputting 1183 HP and 1094 lbs. of torque. It has a turbo V8 engine outputting 1183 HP and 1094 lbs. of torque. Thanks to a drag coefficient of just .357, wind tunnel testing calculates the vehicle to be aerodynamically stable to speeds up to 273 mph and it could also retain excellent idle characteristics.
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Mazda has gone GREEN! The 2008 Mazda Tribute Hybrid has flipped the idea of “going green” on its backside. With a wealth of incredible features and superior exterior styling, the Tribute Hybrid blows all other comparables away. It’s gotten some styling tweaks, including a new grille and interior, plus a rear window that now looks more like the Escape’s. Not only is it one of the most agile Hybrid SUVs on the market, competing with hardliners like the Ford Escape, it is also available with a towing package. The Mazda Tribute Hybrid both saves on gas and can tow a boat or ATV. With three different trim levels available, buyers can find exactly what they want with ease. Not only that, this hybrid offers two engine sizes as well. Also, the Tribute Hybrid can be purchased as a 4WD SUV.

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Completely redesigned, the Scion’s iconic xB has grown in size, style, power, and features. Remaining a fully loaded high-value package with either a 5M or 4A trans as its sole factory option, the slightly softer-edged xB now boasts a 158-hp engine, enhanced driving dynamics. The current Scion xB was all-new for 2008. Although it maintains the previous generation’s boxy profile, it is a much different vehicle, with larger dimensions and more thrust. A 2.4-liter inline-4 shared with the Scion tC and Toyota Camry boosts output to 158 horsepower and 162 pound-feet of torque. Fuel efficiency went down, but we think that’s an acceptable trade-off considering its substantial acceleration improvement.  xB was praised by critics for its defiantly unstylish appearance, its beefed up four-cylinder engine, its safety features, and its reasonable (but growing) price tag.

Price Range: $16,230 – $17,275

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The 2008 Smart ForTwo is dynamically excellent in almost all respects compared to its predecessor. It rides well, it holds the road, it maneuvers as if it’s controlled by a video-game joystick, and its performance is quite respectable. The U.S.-spec model we drove in Madrid is powered by a 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine that produces 70 hp and 68 lb-ft of torque. That’s enough to push the 1654-pound featherweight from 0 to 60 mph in about 13 seconds and on to a governed top speed of 90 mph. Smart expects the car to earn EPA combined fuel-economy ratings of about 40 mpg. Read more »

The 2008 Nissan Frontier has a great off-road and hauling capabilities, in addition to its ample power and attractive exterior. Though, it doesn’t have the quality materials or interior space of some of its competitors.

The 2008 Frontier is available with two engines. The King Cab’s XE engine is a 2.5-liter, four-cylinder with 152 horsepower and 171 pound-feet of torque. The SE, NISMO and LE trims for both King and Crew Cab have a 4.0-liter V6 engine with 261 horsepower and 281 pound-feet. Drivetrains also vary dependent on trims. The base model has a five-speed manual transmission, but Frontiers also come with a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission.
MSRP:
$16,530 – 28,330

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Dreaming to have your own car? Well, dream no more! Because FundMyVehicle.com can make your dream come true. It is the #1 online auto loan web site. FundMyVehicle.com makes it fast and easy for you to instantly get connected to the car, truck or van you’ve been looking for. Fund My Vehicle was founded to give consumers quick, easy and free access to the auto dealership network.

FundMyVehicle is now a leading provider of online auto loans, putting consumers directly in touch with auto dealerships throughout the United States, irregardless of their credit history. Fund My Vehicle continues to grow its membership base and develop innovative products to help consumers better understand their financial options. Fund My Vehicle will connect you with one of the largest national auto networks, mapping the best choice for you based on your zipcode.

The 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata ranks in the top half of its class because of its tight, balanced handling and zippy acceleration. What’s more, reviewers see its soft top and new power-folding hardtop as the best in their class, though the MX-5 falls short of competitors on interior room. As the highest-ranking Affordable Sports Car by US News, the Miata proves to be a smart choice for anyone in the market for a great performer at a bargain price.

With its balanced handling, quick and precise steering, and crisp-shifting six-speed manual transmission, the 2008 Mazda MX-5 is a true sports car. It virtually tied the Porsche Boxster other site’s test scoring, but at about $27,000, it’s roughly half the price. The manual top can easily be lowered or raised with one hand from the driver’s seat. 

All Mazda Miatas are powered by a 2.0-liter, inline four-cylinder engine good for 166 horsepower – not much less than the previous-generation’s turbocharged Mazdaspeed high-performance model. Depending on trim levels you’ll find this power routed to the rear wheels through a five- or six-speed manual transmission, or an available six-speed automatic for shiftless types — though with the automatic, hp drops to 158.

MSRP: $27,000

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The new Ferrari 430 Scuderia will join the road-going V8 line-up alongside the F430 coupe and the F430 Spider.The 2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia is designed for those sports car enthusiasts who happily give up some comfort to obtain the ultimate driving experience. Ferrari took off 220 lbs. over the standard F430 while increasing horsepower from 483 to 510.

Superb performance both on and off the track is assured by a series of cutting-edge solutions. There is the latest software – F1 Superfast – which reduces gearchange times to just 60 milliseconds, and new traction control which, for the first time, combines the E-Diff electronic differential and the F1-Trac traction and stability control in a single integrated system.

Vehicle dynamics, control and performance thus represent the zenith of Ferrari’s achievements in terms of developing road-certified sports cars.

Check out the unveiling of the  2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia.

MSRP: $262, 306

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