Nissan COTY Trophy for leaf 2011

Now, before someone adds a comment of the sort "in other related news, Audi unveiled the new A6", let us make it clear that we're not reporting on the actual Car of the Year (COTY) 2011 results, which were announced in late November 2010, but on the special ceremony that took place at the Pavillion Gabriel in Paris earlier this week to hand over the trophy to this year's winner, the new Nissan Leaf.
The trophy was received by Nissan Motor Co.'s President and CEO Carlos Ghosn, who of course, was extremely happy with the results.
"It is a great honor for Nissan LEAF to be recognized as the European Car of the Year - the first all-electric car to receive this distinction, " said Mr. Ghosn. "Like previous Car of the Year winners, Nissan LEAF is an appealing, competitive car, with no compromise on style, features, safety, performance or handling. Yet it stands apart as an innovative car that reflects a clear vision of the future of transportation - a vision of sustainable mobility."

Speaking at the ceremony Håkan Matson, president of the CoTY jury said: "I am convinced that we will see other electric cars named Car of the Year in the future. But when we do, we must always remember that only one can be the first. And that is why Nissan LEAF Car of the Year 2011 is - and will remain - so very special," said Håkan Matson, president of the CoTY jury, speaking at the ceremony.
You can view the results in detail here, but we'll remind you that the 58 jury members from 23 European countries placed the all-electric Nissan Leaf in first place with 257 points, followed by the Alfa Romeo Giulietta with 248 points and the Opel Meriva small MPV with 244 points. This is the second time Nissan has won the COTY, the first being in 1993 with the Micra, which became the first ever Japanese model to win the accolade. 

photos 

 
















Read more In Cars

Volvo V60 Diesel-Electric Plug-in Hybrid

The 2011 Geneva Motor Show will host the world premiere of the Volvo V60 Plug-in Hybrid, a near production-ready model that is said to return a very impressive 125 mpg US (1.9 lt/100 km), with CO2 emissions under 50 g/km. In order to achieve this, engineers entered a new variable into the plug-in hybrid equation: a diesel engine.
The V60’s front wheels are driven by a 2.4-liter 5-cylinder turbo diesel powerplant capable of 215HP and 440 Nm (325 lb-ft) of torque, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. At the back, there's a 70HP electric motor that powers the rear wheels and a 12kWh lithium-ion battery pack.
According to Volvo, the V60 Plug-in Hybrid “features the very best properties from three different car types in one sports wagon”, including an all-electric driving mode with a range of up to 32 miles (52 km).

“In order to get true car enthusiasts to think green, you have to offer them the opportunity to drive with low carbon dioxide emissions without taking away the adrenaline rush that promotes genuine driving pleasure. The V60 Plug-in Hybrid has all the traditional properties of a genuine sports wagon. What we've done is to spice it up with spearhead technology”, said Stefan Jacoby, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.
Jointly developed by Volvo and Swedish energy supplier Vattenfall, the V60 Plug-in Hybrid is scheduled to enter series production in 2012.

photos

Read more In Cars

Toyota Avensis BTCC 2011

The touring car version of Toyota's Avensis sedan has moved a step closer to its competition debut following extensive wind tunnel testing at MIRA's aerodynamic analysis facility. The Avensis NGTC (Next Generation Touring Car) is being constructed by GPR Motorsport and is scheduled to hit the tarmac for the first time in the opening rounds of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Brands Hatch on 3 April. As you can see in the photo below, the NGTC specification Avensis was joined in the MIRA wind tunnel by a road-going model equipped with a rear wing as the TOCA technical staff wanted to establish a baseline for the car’s aerodynamics.
“We needed to fix a position for the rear wing, based on the aerodynamics of the road car, which gave the levels of downforce we were looking for,” said the championship’s technical director, Peter Riches. “I am pleased to say that this was quickly achieved, and it means that we now have a base line for all cars built to the NGTC regulations and have saved a lot of development time and potential expense for the teams.”

Toyota Avensis BTCC concept 2010

The Japanese firm is not competing in the series with a works team, but does supply the donor cars and body shells to GPR Motorsport. Up until now, two private teams - Dynojet and Speedworks - have taken up the challenge to run in the Avensis, but the company said it hoped that their example will be followed by others "looking to take advantage of the reduced costs of development associated with the new car".

Read more In Cars

Audi R8 Spyder 2011

If the factory ready Audi R8 Spyder isn't quite to your liking, perhaps the tuning folks over at Sport Wheels can help you build the roadster of your dreams, albeit at a very, very steep price. If our calculations are correct, the full treatment will cost you around €62,000 (US$85,000 at the current exchange rates) or about half the price of an all-new R8 Spyder in Germany.
The tuning house begins from the outside with numerous carbon fiber parts including the front bumper (€7,799), brake cooling ducts (€1,259), front spoiler (€1,799), rear bumper (€4,799), rear diffuser (€3,799) and fixed wing (€1,999).
Next up are the engine and exhaust system upgrades (€6,048), which help boost output to 600HP and 580Nm of peak torque. Stopping power can be further improved with MOV´IT-CER ceramics brake calipers, but at a ludicrous cost of €21,990. 

Those sexy looking alloy wheels sized 20-inch up front and 21-inch at the back with Dunlop Sport Maxx tires are priced at €4,599, while the tune is completed with an aluminum coil-over suspension for €7,349.






 photos

Read more In Cars

Car Tire Tips For Consumers In Macedonia Ohio

It's been stated that your auto or truck tires are the lone thing linking you and the road. To give you firm handling, and superior traction, make sure you get your tires checked regularly. Bald tires are a bad idea anytime.

If you want to prevent tire harm you ought to test your tire's air pressure one time a month.

The proper tire pressure is found on the vehicle placard & can be found in the car owner's manual, beneath the gas tank lid , all along the driver's side door edge, and all along the door post.

Your air pressure found on the side of your tire is not the right air pressure for your car. That number is the utmost air pressure for the tire. Always also bear in mind to test the air in your spare tire.

Make sure you test your tire pressure one time a month. Inaccurate air pressure often is the principal cause of tire destruction

You need to prevent getting stranded or paying out costly towing fees. Verify your air pressure on your spare on a regular basis. When you've got different rims than came on your car originally, make sure that the bolts on your spare tire are the right fitting.

Failure to keep your tires properly inflated can encourage wear and will have a negative effect on your autos handling.

If you are checking and adjusting tire pressure, the following need to be kept in mind:

Check the air pressure at the time the tire is cold. Tires get hot even after traveling just a mile. If you have to drive to pump air to your tire, confirm your air pressure just before you leave. Air pressure moves 1-2 pounds for every 10 degrees of temperature difference. Air pressure goes up in warm weather and down in cold weather conditions.

To avoid hydroplaning and skidding your tires have to have proper tread depth. The minimum tread depth is 1/16th of and inch.

Ask over anyone to tell you the best technique to verify your tread depth, and they are going to tell the penny test. What's the penny test? Get a penny and rest it in the tread of your tire. If part of Lincoln's head is covered by the tread, the tires have enough tread. In the event you can see Lincoln's entire head, you should buy a new set of tires.

You might want to also test your tire tread for asymmetrical wear. Uneven abrasion shortens the life of your tires.

Your car tire pressure needs to be the same on the tires of each axle, but may be different on the front and rear axle.

Valve caps have to be tightly closed to defend the valve from dust and filth and prevent it from leaking. Install absent valve caps immediately.

Use this opportunity to inspect your tires to be certain that you have nothing stuck in them or they have no deformities.

Be certain to regularly inspect your tread depth.

If you ever think you have uneven wear it is best to take your car to your tire dealer.

Repeated tire rotation extends tire life. The best way to avoid uneven wear and tear is to have your tires rotated every 6,000 - 8,000 miles or as specified in your vehicle's owner manual.

Curbs may demonstrate to be great trouble to your tires.

Move toward curbs with attention, When you drive over them very fast or at the incorrect angle, the shock may trigger the tire to crack. Stay away from potholes or wreckage in the road when doable. Keep away from sharp stops & starts. Remember to check your owner's manual for your autos maximum load. Overloading your car could shorten your tire's life.

Make sure you trade your tires with the same type of tires that came on your car's original equipment. This consists of tire size, type and speed rating.







Read more In Cars

Exotic Luxury Cars And Vehicles In San Ramon Ca

Why you should buy a previously leased car?

1. Buying a previously leased luxury auto gives you the ability to buy a luxury vehicle or exotic car that otherwise, you may not be able to afford.

2. It has an extended warranty and will have recently gone through a pretty intense inspection.

3. Some luxury auto manufacturers may include a car history with your pre-owned vehicle.

4. Some luxury autos may include other incentives such as a free oil change, 24 hour road side service, detailing and low financing rates.

5. Since most exotic car lease returns are luxury cars, they are more likely to be in better condition and have lower mileage because of lease contracts with luxury auto dealers.

6. Some exotic car dealers may also offer an exchange or return.

Purchasing from a manufacturer or dealer, however, is not the only way you can buy a lease car. If you are already leasing a car, you will have the option to buy the car once your lease has expired. Why would anyone want to do this?

- The buy-out price in your exotic car or contract may be a great deal.

- You are familiar with the luxury vehicle, you know its history and how reliable it is or is not.

- You may not want to go through the process of shopping for another luxury vehicle or starting a new luxury auto lease.

- You wish to avoid a penalty, like too many miles on your luxury sports car.

- You want to avoid extra fees from excess wear and tear on your exotic car or luxury vehicle.
 

When you are considering buying your exotic car, make sure you check for the true market value and compare it to what the lease return dealer wants to sell it for. If the true market value price is less than the offer in the contract, you will probably want to try and negotiate. Just remember, the dealer does not want to keep an exotic car or luxury vehicle. They want you to buy a luxury sports car, so they may make you a pretty amazing deal. It never hurts to try!

photos

Read more In Cars