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Showing results for tags 'motoring'.
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205,000 Suzukis may face potential recall due to airbag sensor flaws
RchLuvSlly posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
If you live in the USA and you're a proud owner of either a Suzuki Grand Vitara (MY 2006-2011) or the Suzuki SX4 (MY 2007-2011), it is likely that these vehicles are in for a recall. Yes, you heard it right. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), either of the aforementioned models has some flaws regarding seatbelt and airbag sensors. There have been at least 128 complaints filed related to seatbelt lights, airbag indicators, and airbag warning lights. In total, the number of troublesome Suzukis has reached 205,000 units. Fortunately, Suzuki - as it is supposed to, I think - seems to be aware of the issues. The Japanese automaker has confirmed that the passenger seat load indicator on their lineups for the 2009 model years has an error in its programming indeed. In addition to that, there's also this open-circuit problem that prevents the sensor mat from appropriately determining whether a person sitting in the front seat is an adult or a child. Bad news for Suzuki, these issues affect both the Suzuki Grand Vitara and the Suzuki SX4. Aware that their cars have airbag issues besides the ones mentioned earlier, the Japanese automaker has taken necessary action by upping the seat cushion bottom warranty for its cars to either 10 years or a total of 120,000 miles. Fortunately, it seems that there has yet to be any report of injuries. Nonetheless, you should still expect a recall from the automaker from the land of the rising sun. Well, it seems that Suzuki is really in trouble. Aside from this potential recall issue, the company has also filed a bankruptcy plan not so long ago and it has been court-approved. -
Dutch car manufacturer - Spyker - will return to Salon Prive with two models featured on both the Concept Lawn and as part of the Audemars Piguet British Super Car Show at Syon House in September. Spyker has recently revealed the production-confirmed B6 Venator, which will feature on the Concept Lawn, with a Spyder (convertible) version also expected to be revealed later in the year. The Spyker B6 Venator Concept is a compact, two-door mid-engine sports car that Spyker claims will offer the discerning driver of the highest standards a new choice, delivering a rare combination of heritage, design, performance and exclusivity. Designed by Victor R. Muller, Chief Executive Officer of Spyker N.V., the Spyker B6 Venator Concept makes a contemporary statement whilst paying homage to its past. Highly detailed design, bespoke materials and aviation-inspired elements are a core part of the Spyker DNA. With the announcement of the Spyker B6 Venator Concept, the company once again proves its Latin axiom: Nulla tenaci invia est via (For the tenacious no road is impassable). The name 'Venator' is Latin as well, meaning 'Hunter' - a nod back to Spyker's Hunter fighter aircraft of the early 20th century. The Spyker B6 Venator Concept will begin production in early 2014 for key markets including Europe, the Middle East, Asia Pacific and India, followed by the U.S.A in autumn 2014. The C8 Aileron, last seen at this year's Geneva Motor Show, will be displayed as part of the Audemars Piguet British Super Car Show, proudly demonstrating why this year's production of the model has already sold out. Salon Prive's David Bagley said, "I'm delighted to have Spyker at Salon Prive once again and showing a stunning lineup on both the Concept Lawn and as part of the Audemars Piguet British Super Car Show. We have a brilliant show coming together this year, the biggest and best ever in fact, and we're very much looking forward to seeing it all come together over the three days in September." The eight Salon Prive will run from Wednesday the 4th of September to Friday the 6th of September at Syon Park, London. Several new product debuts, as well as the Chubb Insurance Concours d'El
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The Lamborghini Cabrera spotted for the first time ever Earlier, about a week ago, I told you that the Lamborghini Cabrera was likely to make its appearance at this year's Frankfurt Motor Show. Now, things are getting closer to reality. The supposedly long-awaited Gallardo replacement has finally been spotted for the first time ever and it has been attracting plenty of hype on the World Wide Web. The previously rumoured Lamborghini Cabrera Unlike what most people believed before, it seems that Italian automaker Lamborghini has changed its mind and that the Cabrera will no longer borrow styling cues from the Lamborghini Aventador. Judging from its front fascia from what I can see in the picture, the model is looks pretty similar to the current generation Lamborghini Gallardo. Yet, the bonnet feels rather long somehow, keeping in mind that the raging bull is supposed to carry a mid-mounted engine. It's also likely that the Cabrera will count on a 600bhp V10 engine mated to an AWD drivetrain and an automatic transmission. Oh, a RWD drivetrain may also show up later as a special edition, I believe. Sadly there isn't much else I can tell you for now since the super car isn't likely to be offered for sale for another two years anyway, so we still have plenty of time to find out more, don't we?
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Big stars from world of motorsports to attend Goodwood Festival of Speed
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
The Festival of Speed remains unique in its ability to attract the majority of the current season's Formula 1 teams and drivers, with seven current F1 teams confirmed for Goodwood including Red Bull, Ferrari, McLaren, Lotus, Mercedes, Marussia and Caterham. Current F1 drivers and leading characters in action at the Festival will include previous World Champions, Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton, on top of Nico Rosberg, Roman Grosjean, Max Chilton, Heikki Kovalainen and Adrian Newey among others. Past Grand Prix masters present at this summer's Festival of Speed will include Alain Prost (above), Nelson Piquet, Sir Stirling Moss, Sir Jackie Stewart and Nick Heidfeld among others. In total, 17 Grand Prix winners will be in action, with a total of 232 GP wins between them! One of the great Festival of Speed's moments will be relived at this year's event when Nick Heidfeld is reunited with the very McLaren MP4/13 that he so famously launched up the Goodwood Hill in a record time of 41.6 seconds back in 1999. From the world of rallying, IRC Champion, Andreas Mikkelsen(above) will be spitting gravel in the 2013 VW Polo WRC, as will Spanish double World Champion Carlos Sainz, whilst Mikko Hirvonen's Citroen DS3 WRC will also be in full flight on the Goodwood Forest Rally Stage. A host of other star drivers and riders, plus cars and motorcycles from each of the world's major motor sport disciplines, past and present, will also be featured at Goodwood, including champions from Formula 1, Indycar, the World Rally Championship, Superbikes, NASCAR, World Sports Cars and Touring Cars, plus Land Speed Record holders. Goodwood is recapturing many of the outstanding Festival of Speed moments from the 1993-2012 era, including over 350 great machines from all of the world, as far flung as New Zealand, Zimbabwe, Japan and the USA, all making a very rare return to the U.K. The 20th anniversary of the Festival will see many famous man and machine pairings reunited, including three-time Formula 1 World Champion Nelson Piquet returning to the cockpit of his celebrated Brabham BT52, in which he secured the 1983 crown. -
This is how you're supposed to appreciate the Volvo XC60, as an art
RchLuvSlly posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
The Volvo XC60 is one good alternative to take into consideration when it comes to buying an SUV. It's an exclusive crossover SUV that comes with city safety measures to guarantee your family's safety. However, it seems that the Volvo XC60 is not all about commuting. You can see that if you go to Zurich, Switzerland central station where the Swedish automaker has set up its art display. The locals recognise the art display as the Volvo Art Session and it has been around for the past few years. Here, Volvo has chosen highly talented artists, some of whom are skilled veterans while some others are newcomers, to present creative exhibits including a Volvo as the central point of the art. In this year alone, the Swedish automaker has chosen no less than six artists from across the European continent. This year, their task is to transform the Volvo XC60 into a creative work of art. It's unfortunate, though, I have to say, as the work of art won't last for long. This happens because the work of one artist will have to be erased so that the next artist can present his work and so on and so forth. Trying to be creative at one of the busiest places in Europe, some of the artists can't help but to make the Volvo XC60 a focal point in their creative art presentations. However, some others seem to be more creative - at least so I think - by making the car almost completely unnoticeable. -
Lexus will return to Salon Prive later in September this year to showcase its industry-leading range of full hybrid models. It will have a special focus on the F Sport versions of its cars, which combine sportier styling and performance with the peerless luxury, craftsmanship and advanced technologies that are associated to the Lexus brand. Among the line up will be the IS 300h F Sport, representing Lexus's all new sports saloon. Adopting Lexus Hybrid Drive technology for the first time, the new IS presents the latest interpretation of Lexus's L-finesse design philosophy. The effect is even more pronounced in the F Sport, with a stronger rendering of the spindle grille design and styling cues inside and out that take reference from the Lexus LFA supercar. As it delivers increased driving pleasure, the IS 300h achieves CO2 emissions from 99g/km and an official combined cycle fuel economy of 27.9km/L at the same time . It will be joined by the new GS 450h F Sport, representing the fourth generation of Lexus's luxury sports saloon. The GS's hybrid system combines a 288bhp V6 petrol engine with a compact but powerful electric motor. The GS 450h F Sport can accelerate from rest to 100km/h in less than six seconds and progress to a 249km/h top speed despite emitting a modest 141g/km of CO2. The Lexus RX - the original luxury SUV - has been consistently refined and developed over the years to the current RX 450h. It will be present at Salon Prive in F Sport trim too, demonstrating how Lexus has successfully interpreted its sporting theme across its full model range. Common with all current Lexus hybrids, the RX allows the driver to select different drive modes to prioritise fuel and emissions efficiency or performance, according to personal preference or driving conditions, including an EV mode for all-electric running with zero tailpipe emissions and fuel consumption. The LS 600h Premier is the flagship of the Lexus range, a limousine rich in advanced technologies and luxury features. The innovations include the world-first Lexus Climate Concierge, which maintains an ideal cabin environment by monitoring the individual facial temperature of each occupant to determine appropriate co-ordination of the ventilation, heating, heated seats and heated steering wheel. With handcrafted finishes, a supremely smooth V8 hybrid powertrain and a cabin designed for optimum comfort, the LS 600h fulfills Lexus' mission to deliver a world-class limousine.
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Bespoke automaker Rolls-Royce Motor Cars celebrated the opening of its new showroom in the famous city of St. Petersburg in Russia. The new showroom will help serve increasing demand for Phantom and Ghost models and will provide the most discerning clientele in the region, with direct access to the pinnacle super luxury brand. The dealership is located at the Astoria Hotel in one of the European cultural capitals, and will be under the fine care of Tatiana Fitzgerald - who is also the Managing Director of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars Moscow. The unique Rolls-Royce Bespoke personalisation service will also be available from the new showroom, underlining the further growing popularity of this service among owners in Russia. Nearly all Phantom family models and three out of every four Ghosts contain some element of individuality. Wraith, the most powerful Rolls-Royce in history, was presented at the grand opening in St. Petersburg, for the first time by the shores of the Baltic Sea. The ultimate Gran Turismo combines super luxury and refinement with power, style and drama. The bold, charismatic lines of Wraith are a brave step forward for Rolls-Royce and the car has received overwhelming feedback since its debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2013. Torsten Muller-Otvos, CEO, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, commented, "St. Petersburg, with its timeless beauty and elegance, forms the ideal backdrop to stage Rolls-Royce motor cars in this outstanding showroom. Our presence here marks an important milestone in the sustained development of Rolls-Royce in Russia." He added, "I am particularly pleased to see that a team with a proven track record in the world of super luxury will take care of the customers in and around St. Petersburg. Tatiana and her team have a wealth of experience and will add great momentum to the sphere of luxury in the Leningrad region." Tatiana Fitzgerald commented, "Rolls-Royce has a very rich history in St. Petersburg and is where the first Rolls-Royce touched Russian ground more than 100 years ago. We are really excited to write the next chapter of the Rolls-Royce story in Russia." Last year, Rolls-Royce celebrated a third consecutive record year as 3,575 cars were delivered to customers across the world, marking the highest annual sales in the 109-year history of the brand - with Russia continuing to be the best selling market in Continental Europe. 19 of the 107 dealerships in the world are located in Europe, including the new St. Petersburg showroom.
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Toyota MR2 Well, it's no longer a secret that the Bugatti Veyron is the world's fastest production car. With that being said, I can understand why there's a fair number of people in this world who desire to have one example of the supercar of their very own. Unfortunately, such a fast supercar bears a very high price tag and thus, not every single person in this world can afford to buy one. However, this doesn't necessarily mean that there's no solution to it, as in the case of this Toyota MR2. Bugatti Veyron plastic body kit Well, I can say that the owner of the car must really desire the Bugatti Veyron. He prepared everything to make his car completely look like the world's fastest production car ever built. The owner wraps his Toyota with a plastic body kit resembling the body of the Veyron. Mind you, the plastic body kit even comes with a fake rear engine compartment as well! Well, I think the owner is quite satisfied with his work. His original Toyota MR2 now looks just like the supercar he's always dreamed of, except for the somehow rather long wheelbase, perhaps. While the owner may have successfully transformed the exterior of his Toyota MR2 into that of the Bugatti Veyron, I wonder how he feels when people notice that the engine doesn't sound as awesome as that of the real W16 engine implanted on a Veyron. But then again, not everyone is aware of how a Bugatti Veyron really sounds, I guess. Toyota MR2 Spyder Although there's no mistake in pursuing one's dream, I would rather stick to the original MR2 or, maybe even better, the owner should have transformed the car into the Toyota MR2 Spyder instead as it will give him a better result, I believe.
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It seems that the Chinese really have a taste for pink cars. Previously, there were already quite a few cars spotted in the pinky wrap. Yet, it seems that the Chinese haven't had enough of pink cars already. Recently, another car coloured in pink was spotted again in the country where pandas come from. This time, it's the Cadillac CTS trying the colour. Well, you see, I myself would rather the car stay in its original colour than pink. The reason is quite straightforward. Somehow, the Cadillac CTS is quite a masculine car. So, can you imagine what kind of man would love to get behind the wheel of such a pink coloured Cadillac? Or, is it possible that the Chinese believe that pink is a lucky colour somehow? Well, fortunately, the car isn't entirely wrapped in pink. It still has some masculinity left intact, thanks to the black wrap extending from its engine hood to the roof and the trunk, in addition to the side mirrors. However, I really wonder whether the owner of the Cadillac CTS in question is a man or a woman. And, if the owner is a man, I wonder what kind of a man he is.
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Production ready Vencer Sarthe to be unveiled in Salon Prive
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
[extract] If there is space for anything in this world, it is the addition of another Sportscar maker. New Dutch start up Vencer are about to enter the world of tailor made sports cars with their first model -
Well, if you're quite a fan of car movies, especially the ones intensely packed with actions, doing some stunts in or probably around a car may sound familiar. However, we all know that you shouldn't try those kinds of stunts at home. Yet, the young teenage boy in the accompanying video doesn't seem quite knowledgeable about it. Well, either that, or he simply doesn't really agree at all that those stunts are not to be tried independently - without any safety precautions, too. You see, the young boy managed to persuade a young girl to drive a Nissan Sentra right into him at a speed that I would say is no less than 60km/h. Honestly, I don't know how he could have persuaded that young girl, keeping in mind that most girls are not bound to do something so dangerous. At first glance, I thought that this boy would definitely end up in a hospital, maybe even getting himself to the ER (Emergency Room). However, it turned out that I was totally wrong. The boy actually managed to spin in the air and come back again on his feet. Well, I think I should give the boy a thumbs up at least. However, I don't understand why the girl driving the Nissan Sentra mentioned that she couldn't drive and that she couldn't see a thing. For things to make sense, I think it should have been the boy who should have said such things. Well, it's confusing but it's also hilarious on one hand, isn't it? Still, though, keep well in mind that this is not something you are supposed to try at home!
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If you take part in motorsport driving, or ride a motorcycle (especially), I would recommend that you do not take your helmet for granted, under any circumstances. This is because you may regret it afterwards. You see, you never know when the unexpected may take place. If you aren't really buying what I am trying to say here, I suggest that you take a look at the picture involving the helmet previously worn by a Spanish F1 test driver, Maria de Villota. If you aren't quite aware or can't recall, Maria de Villota came across a horrifying incident while testing a Marussia Formula 1 racecar nearly a year ago. As for the cause of the incident, it has yet to be clarified. All that we know is that she crashed the F1 car she was piloting at that time due to some unexplained acceleration. According to eyewitnesses, though, the car had been misfiring. Had it been true, I wonder why the engineers weren't really concerned about it. Anyway, it was really a misfortune as Maria de Villota was actually trying to come back to the paddock and she was piloting the Marussia F1 car at a low speed, too. At that point of time, as a matter of fact, she had completed a straight line aero test. Due to the unexpected acceleration, the Marussia F1 car rear ended one of Villota's team trucks. Ironically, the truck was actually the one which brought the Marussia F1 car onto the track in the first place. Unfortunately, the liftgate of the truck was partially lowered at that moment and Villota's head happened to strike it. Well, I bet you can guess what happened next. After the incident, Villota went into a coma lasting four days. Fortunately, the doctors managed to save her life but, well, the same couldn't be said of her right eye. Yes, the horrifying and unfortunate crash cost Maria de Villota one of her priceless eyes. No longer an F1 test driver, Maria de Villota is now working as a road safety advocate in the country where she was born. Working as a road safety advocate, she never gets tired of showing her horribly damaged helmet to her audiences, hoping that more people - especially the more aggressive young drivers - will be more careful and always put on their helmets whenever necessary, for their own sake. For your information, I am confused whether she's stubborn or that she's persistent and just have a strong will. You know, after the horror she encountered, she has revealed that she still wants to get back into the F1 racing world, making an eventual comeback when the time comes.
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The Chevrolet Aveo may no longer be produced in South Korea
RchLuvSlly posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Bad news has just struck workers at the South Korean General Motors (GM) plant. According to American automaker Chevrolet, it isn't likely to perform production of the next generation Aveo in the aforementioned Asian country. The announcement came last Thursday, mentioning that the next generation compact car from Chevrolet, the Aveo, would be produced in China and US exclusively instead. Unfortunately, this has provoked a reaction from the worker union. If GM sticks to its plan, a threat of the union striking seems inevitable. Honestly speaking, this announcement from the US-based automaker came at such an improper time. GM Korea and the union are actually holding wage talks and have not had a smooth start. This is even more reason for the union to launch their strike, with the strike being the union's biggest legitimate weapon they can use to defend themselves. According to GM, though, it seems that it is no longer profitable for the company to keep building the Aveo in the country despite the fact that South Korea has been producing 40 percent of all Chevrolet cars that are sold worldwide. The reason for GM to switch production to other countries is mostly due to the rising wages in South Korea. And, the Aveo isn't the only model affected. GM has also announced that it will no longer produce the Chevrolet Cruze in the country, either. Taking everything into account, it seems that GM will stick to its plan indeed. On the other hand, it seems that the workers in the union are also determined to launch their strike. With that being said, this may turn out to be quite a huge problem, not only for Chevrolet and the workers but probably for us as well who are thinking about buying a Chevy. -
The use and types of power steering systems Power steering has always been something that most, if not all, drivers in this world desire when it comes to driving a car. Without power steering, the steering wheel of a car often feels heavy for the driver to turn. Needless to say, this is not convenient at all. The power steering system that used to be available in most cars in the former days utilised a hydraulic system. Hydraulic power steering system In order to assist the movement of the steering wheel, a hydraulic power steering system counts on high pressure fluids. So, when the steering wheel is turned, the hydraulic power steering system will open up the pressurised fluid or flow such that it makes turning the steering wheel to the desired direction feel lighter. Electric power steering (EPS) system However, nowadays, it seems that most, if not all, automakers are leaving the hydraulic power steering system behind. They are more enthusiastic towards what is known as the electric power steering system. This new steering system works by taking advantage of an electric motor in addition to a control unit that features quite a few sensors. In order to function properly, the motor requires a battery as well as electric power. As everything is controlled by an electric module, the electric power steering system requires only minimum maintenance. If you are wondering how you will be able to tell whether a car uses hydraulic or electric power steering system, it isn
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Drivers, behold 'Points', the internet-enabled digital street sign
RchLuvSlly posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
You know, asking for directions is inevitable if you are driving around a place you aren't that familiar with. Unfortunately, doing it over and over again may somehow become quite an annoyance and it'll feel tiring, too. This is probably why street signs were built in the first place. However, street signs are not always easy to read, especially if you are driving at night. In order to see what is written on a street sign at night, it is often the case that drivers have to slow down their car or even pull over and take a close look at the sign. Nevertheless, thanks to the evolution of digital technologies these days, drivers may no longer have to deal with such cases as mentioned earlier. This is especially true if the countries in the world finally start using 'Points'. It's a digital street sign developed by Breakfast Products. It took the company no less than three years to be able to build such an impressive device. Yet, the result is, well, quite impressive indeed if the sign works just as it's advertised. 'Points' has a pole that is about as tall as a human being where it displays a five-segment interface menu. This menu is continuously updated by utilising an internet connection. This digital street sign fetches data from a number of onboard sensors in addition to social networks such as Foursquare, Twitter, and even RSS feeds, among others. Then, based on the data, 'Points' will display information on its three directional arms. Seeing the directional arms in motion, I believe some of you may wonder if the electrical wires inside them will be tangled. Well, as Breakfast Products takes advantage of rotary electrical interfaces and micro transmissions (consisting of 11 gears as well as multiple motors), tangled wires are really nothing to worry about in the case of 'Points'. As a matter of fact, the arms can swing smoothly up to 360 degrees regardless of how bad the temperature or weather may be at any given time. Additionally, this digital street sign also uses a processor which can remain cool most of the time, preventing the power from being drained quickly. Oh yeah, did I mention that 'Points' is mostly made of aluminium? Aluminium is chosen for the sake of durability and strength in a diverse set of environments. Earlier, I mentioned that drivers would possibly no longer have to slow down or pull over to read street signs, didn't I? Well, this is very possible because 'Points' utilises over 16,000 ultra-efficient and super bright LEDs. So, even during the night, you'll be able to clearly see what's displayed on this particular digital street sign. Although 'Points' is made in America, hopefully it makes its way here to Singapore as well. -
With a USD$1.14 million (S$1.42 million) price tag to it, the McLaren P1 is definitely not just another car. Yes, it's a super car built by British automaker, McLaren Automotive, which has very good credibility, thanks to its reliable production cars. However, it seems that nobody really is perfect, not even the guys behind the U.K.-based car manufacturer. You see, during the recent Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza event held in Italy, the super expensive Italian car happened to show its weakness, just when it was least expected. Honestly, it would have been a lot better had the case be just some malfunctioning minor features. However, it was quite an embarrassment for McLaren that its P1 failed to start completely that day. Furthermore, things have become even more embarrassing for the Brits because it seems that there's no such thing as keeping the embarrassment local nowadays. Thanks to the Internet and the massive number of people carrying cameras along with them wherever they go today, the mishap can now be watched over the internet! The McLaren representatives in charge that day had to tow the car onto a trailer in the end, after having failed to start it no matter what they tried to do. The representatives have yet to figure out why the McLaren P1 wouldn't start at all. The only thing noticeable was a couple of error messages displayed on the dashboard screen. One of the error messages read 'Park Brake Fault - Call McLaren Service Centre' and the other one read 'ESC Fault Vehicle Limphome - Go to McLaren Service Centre'. Essentially, they both suggested that the car be towed to a McLaren service centre, just like what the McLaren reps did eventually. These error messages somehow lead me to wonder if there's nothing the owner can do without bringing the super car to the service centre in the case that something goes wrong. Well, I believe that McLaren would have preferred such a thing to take place somewhere more 'private', such as at its plant, rather than at a place filled with multi-millionaires. In other words, those people at the Villa d'Este Concorso d'Eleganza event are undoubtedly capable of purchasing one example or more of the Italian super car. What a shame and a bad thing it is to happen, at a wrong place and at the wrong time!
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Recently, we've been getting some teaser images from the Japanese automaker Toyota for its upcoming 2013 model year Corolla in New Zealand. Well, for those of you asking yourselves how much longer you are supposed to wait to see the whole thing, worry no more as your wait is about to be over. Toyota has released quite a few commercials unveiling the latest generation of its Corolla lineups. However, if you happen to keep a pet cat, you may want to consider putting your cat away from the car. You'll definitely find out the reason as soon as you have watched the accompanying videos. In these videos, there's this Persian pet cat which just can't seem to get enough of the comfort that the all new 2013 Toyota Corolla (NZ) is capable of offering. As a result, it keeps wanting more and more to be inside the car over and over again. Funny thing is, the cat is really willing to do whatever it takes just in order to be taken by its owner to the vet in the car it just seems to love so much. Oh, how cute
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Final preparations underway by Rolls-Royce to re-enact the 1913 Alpine Trial
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Later this month, 40 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts will depart from Vienna, and journey through cities like Austria, Slovenia, Croatia and Italy before returning on 29th June in a bid to faithfully re-enact the 1913 Alpine Trial. With the date drawing closer, final preparations are underway with Rolls-Royce Motor Cars' Authorised Dealer in Essex, P&A Wood, playing an essential role in ensuring cars are in perfect condition. Eight of the 40 Rolls-Royce Silver Ghosts participating in the rally, many over a century old, have been meticulously prepared by the dealership -
Caterham to unveil cheaper, entry level track car based on the Seven
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Caterham will release a new, more affordable and entry level version of the iconic Seven that pays tribute to the philosophy that inspired its creation. The Caterham 7 is a super lightweight sports car produced by Caterham Cars in the U.K. It is based on the Lotus Seven, a lightweight sports car sold in kit and factory built form by Lotus from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. After Lotus ended production of the Seven, in 1972, Caterham bought the rights to the design, and today makes both kits and fully assembled cars. Now Caterham is all set to unveil a new car based on the iconic 7 but with an accessible price tag at under -
BMW's Intelligent Headlamps, now keeping more people safer
RchLuvSlly posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Do you often drive when nighttime falls? Well, my father, for one, quite so often does just that. And, if you do so, too, chances are you often find yourselves kind of blinded by the illumination of cars which are coming from the opposite lane. That's not to mention that there's a great number of cars that utilise Xenon bulbs these days, blinding you even more. However, the frequency of you getting blinded by oncoming traffic is about to decrease, thanks to the so-called 'Intelligent Headlamps' feature. This is an illumination technology that comes from highly reputable German automaker BMW. To be honest, this technology isn't entirely new as it was first introduced back in July last year. Back then, it was introduced exclusively for the BMW 7 Series. Don't get me wrong, it wasn't standard even on the really expensive models from BMW. Instead, customers who desired to have the feature available on their BMW 7 Series would have to purchase the optional Adaptive LED Headlamps package. Nevertheless, probably realising how its technology may actually decrease traffic accidents significantly, ultimately leading to saving a whole lot more people, the luxury German car manufacturer is now offering the technology on the company's new 3 Series Saloon and Touring lineups as well. You'll only have to make sure that the models do have a Visibility package available on them. So, what this feature does is it detects the situations of the road and traffic ahead and then adjusts the lighting that comes from the headlamps of BMW cars accordingly. This way, it prevents the lighting from blinding drivers from the oncoming lane. Not only will it prevent drivers on the oncoming lane from being blinded, it won't emit much glare to the driver ahead of you, either. With that being said, nighttime driving will surely become safer, by a significant degree. Simply put, the technology provides optimal illumination. To make things even better, this technology is useful not only during nighttime but also when the weather isn't very friendly. In order to work its charm, this feature has to work side-by-side with BMW's 'High-beam Assistant' technology. However, my words and words alone may not really give you any ideas on what on Earth I'm talking about. Therefore, I think you may want to check out the accompanying videos. That's even more so in case you happen to be planning to purchase a BMW yourself. BMW's Intelligent Headlamps with High-beam Assistant Real life demonstration -
Caterham aims to defend speed title at Cholmondeley Pageant of Power
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
After taking the honours last year, Caterham aims to defend its lap record at the 2013 Cholmondeley Pageant of Power to occur from the 14th till 16th June with its SP/300.R. This year, four British sportscar manufacturers will go head-to-head, with four distinct vehicles in an attempt to better last years timing of 61.89 seconds at the narrow circuit. Caterham's sports prototype racer will compete against exotic supercars and specialist track-day vehicles to defend its title. Caterham Drive Experience instructor, Scott Mansell, will once again take the wheel of the SP/300.R for this event. The racer will join supercars, classic and modern race cars, as well as specialist track-focussed machines, with the latter expected to do battle for the lap record. Caterham Cars' CEO, Graham Macdonald, said, "Last year's contest was extremely close and we expect it to be even tighter this year, given that there are four British manufacturers attending, each with exactly the same aim." The SP/300.R is powered by a 2.0-litre Supercharged Ford engine, producing 300bhp via a six-speed sequential gearbox. Flat out, it is capable of topping 289km/h and will reach 100km/h in 2.6 seconds. The sports prototype vehicle has attracted strong demand among the premium trackday community with sales across the U.K., North America and France. Visit http://www.caterham.co.uk for more information about the SP/300.R and Caterham -
Lamborghini Aventador and electric poles kiss one another in Thailand
RchLuvSlly posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
I don't know about you but, for me, it isn't that easy to imagine when the time will come for me to drive a Lamborghini Aventador, let alone owning one example of one of the world's finest supercars. However, of course, there're people luckier than me that they get to drive such a hyper-powered car within every single day. Only thing is, some of them are probably just not careful enough, like this Thai driver here. Mr. Somkiat Kruwongpaiboon, a 45-year old local businessman, told the police that one of his car tyres blew up as he was heading to his father's funeral ceremony, causing his proud supercar to spin. As a result, the unfortunate Aventador had to 'kiss' (by that, I mean crash into) a number of electric poles as well as trees with its front fascia before it finally came to a halt. Yes, you guessed it right, there's no way that the car wouldn't suffer from a heavy damage after such an incident. The Great Garuda in Hindustan myths However, it was a relief that the Thai businessman survived and only suffered from negligible injuries. According to him, the fact that he survived despite the severe damage to his Italian supercar was all thanks to the amulet he was wearing at that time. It was encrusted in diamond and in the shape of the Great Garuda (which is a God-like character from Hindustan myths). Well, it seems like there're times we need to believe in myths, too. Nevertheless, it seems that perhaps the 690bhp 6.5-litre V12 engine of the Aventador is just too much to handle. You see, that engine, along with its seven-speed single clutch transmission, can push the car from 0-100km/h in a mere 2.9 seconds. To top it off, the raging Italian bull won't stop gaining speed until it reaches at least 349km/h. Judging from the images, it seems like driving a supercar is one thing and, keeping it in one piece is a yet another. So, are you in for a ride in a supercar or would you rather play safe with the average car? -
Tesla Model S to greet Chinese and their whole bunch of children
RchLuvSlly posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Everyone knows that global warming is quite a severe problem these days. It suffocates the beloved planet we're living on. And, while there may not be a real significant thing we can do to help overcome global warming, maybe we can at least give some small contributions for a start. How about driving an electric vehicle? It makes pretty good sense to me. Now, when it comes to electric vehicles, there's a whole lot of options you can choose from. However, I would recommend that you consider the Tesla Model S in particular. This is one of only two models the American automaker Tesla Motors has in store and yet, it rocks in all the ways it knows best. To begin with, you'll find yourself stunned by its acceleration. In addition to that, there's nothing like its built-in 17" infotainment system that will please you like you never expected before. The good news is that Tesla Motors is reportedly preparing its Model S for the Chinese market. The car is likely to make its debut in the bamboo origin country in September this year when the Chengdu Auto Show opens its doors to the public. It's also said that the company will make sure it possesses and manages all its Chinese dealers, first of which is likely to be based in Beijing. The entrance of this American electric car to the Chinese market, I think, may as well mark the start of the company's penetration into other Asian markets. Oh, that said, I can't wait to see when the Model S will land on our shores here in Singapore. It seems that Tesla Motors is just getting stronger and stronger. Recently, this particular car manufacturer successfully managed to pay back the US government loan it once borrowed from the country's Department of Energy in full. Oh, by the way, did I mention just how spacious the Tesla Model S is? Believe it or not, it may as well accommodate a whole bunch of children, well, as long as they're all kindergarteners. According to Tesla Motors, its Model S is capable of carrying around six to seven kindergarteners. However, a recent test may prove that irrelevant. Thing is, the Tesla Model S electric car will not complain at all even if you push up to 16 kindergarteners into it, as shown in the video below. Well, minivans, you guys better get set to face a new competitor! Oh yeah, the car looks pretty sleek and attractive, too. And, to top it off, it features an all-glass panoramic roof. This is no ordinary sunroof, it opens wider than the panoramic roof of most, if not all, other sedans. To open its roof, simply swipe your finger on the 17-inch touch screen of the Tesla Model S and let the car work its charm. Taking advantage of glass material for its entire panoramic roof, a Tesla Model S can block up to 81 percent of heat and 98 percent of light. Also, just for your information, besides the Model S, Tesla also offers Model X, which somehow looks a little like a crossover to me. -
Nissan Leaf EV winning the hearts and wallets of cab drivers in the U.K.
PetrolHead posted a blog entry in MyAutoBlog
Taxi operators across cities in Europe are going through a quiet revolution as they start to shift from conventional diesel powered cabs to zero-emission - and near silent Nissan Leaf taxis. Two years after the EV went on sale in Europe, Nissan Leaf taxis are now operating in European cities like Holland, Switzerland, Germany, Portugal, Spain and the U.K. The world's best-selling electric vehicle (EV) is fast becoming a favourite among taxi drivers too, thanks to lower running costs and fueled by a desire to reduce airborne pollution in city centres. These road warriors are fast-becoming EV advocates showing colleagues the benefits of making the switch from diesel to electric. One of the strongest advocates is Amsterdam-based Taxi-E company. With a fleet of 13 Nissan LEAF's, the firms' drivers have covered over 700,000km - further than the distance between earth and the moon. The cars are quick-charged two or three times daily using 100 percent green energy, meaning they're always ready for passengers. The city of Zurich in Switzerland, will soon obtain ten Nissan Leaf supported by a network of city-wide fast chargers as part of the city's plans to make 15 percent of its taxi fleet electric by 2015. Capable of restoring the battery life by up to 80 percent in just 30 minutes, many customers arrive with partially full batteries, thus making the average stay - just 15 minutes. In Portugal, the first European country to sell the Leaf, Lisbon based owner-driver Jose Ferreira replaced his diesel powered taxi with a Leaf and has since driven more than 15,000km so far. Interestingly he reveals 70 percent of his customers liked the experience - and they would actively choose to ride in an electric taxi. Fuel and running costs are the biggest factors for taxi owner-drivers. Owner-driver Roberto San Jose from Valladolid, Spain, would have to spend more than -
Well, surely there are plenty of amazing things you can do in life. However, the kind of stunts you are about to watch in the video below is likely not included as one of those amazing things. While there are some pretty mind-boggling stunts you can do with a motorcycle, this guy is really pushing the limit, yet in a bad way. Every single motorcyclist is supposed to know that putting on a helmet is one really basic rule to obey when it comes to riding a motorcycle. However, I think some people are just ignorant, if not stupid enough, to take this rule for granted. Then, when things happen as opposed to their expectations, only then will they start to regret, which is hopeless, useless and, obviously, too late. However, the guy, whose video you are about to watch, doesn't seem to care about these rules. He tries to show off some motorcycling stunts without any helmet protecting his head despite the basic rule I just talked about earlier. Well, maybe he doesn't really care about his head anyway. He's kind of stupid, after all. Not wearing a helmet and yet, the guy is still daring enough to perform wheelies on a pretty busy, I repeat - pretty busy, road as you can see from the traffic density in the video. As you can tell, he may fail his stunt and fall onto the road at any given time and, when that happens, he will crash his head hard on to the asphalt! And, to make things even worse, chances are really high that one or more cars may run over him right after he falls. However, it's a good thing and quite a relief, too, that he didn't fail his stunt this time, at least that's how it seems to me. Still, this is not something you are encouraged to try, not even at the tiniest bit! Try to keep that in mind, will ya?