Auto Parts

Corvette Z06 tops Motor Trend list of shortest-stopping vehicles

2011-12-16T18:15:00.001-08:00

By Jeremy Korzeniewski

Any modern performance car worth buying puts just as much emphasis on stopping as it does on going. After all, what's the point in being able to hit ludicrous speed if you can't manage to get it back down without heading fascia-first into an unmovable object?

So, what's a good stopping distance? According to the crew at Motor Trend, 100 feet from 60 miles per hour is a pretty good starting point. And the best of the best do the deed in significantly less. How's about 93 feet, recorded by both the 2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06 Carbon Edition and the 2008 Ferrari 430 Scuderia.

There's a smattering more Corvettes and Ferraris in the under-100-feet club, plus a couple Audis, Porsches and Vipers, along with a lone Lamborghini and the 2011 Nissan GT-R. If you're willing to allow non-DOT-approved tires, a prototype Lexus LFA managed to halt from 60 in 94 feet.

Speaking of tires, it seems that the best stopping treads are the Michelin Pilot Sport Cups, which are joined on the list by the Pirelli Pzero Corsas and a couple sets of Bridegstone Potenzas.

We've got to hand it to the Corvette Z06 for topping the list, especially since it's one of the least expensive vehicles in the under-100 club.

Audi Urban Concept Sportback ready for wireless charging in the city

2011-09-15T03:39:00.000-07:00

By Sebastian Blanco

Not as easily spotted as its Spyder relative, the Audi Urban Concept Sportback more closely matches the renderings we saw before the start of the Frankfurt Motor Show. That's not to say we were totally prepared for the quirkiness of either version, but at least the Sportback's carbon fiber reinforced plastic body was somewhat known to us.

Under the CFRP, the Sportback and Spyder share the same all-electric powertrain. That means two electric motors with a combined output of 15 kW (20 PS) of continuous power and 47 Nm (34.67 lb-ft) of torque as well as a li-ion battery that has 7.1 kWh of usable energy (total size unknown) and offers a range of 45 miles. Getting from zero to 62 mph (the concept's top speed) takes a gentle 16.9 seconds, which would be fine if Audi ever releases this vehicle for sale in its intended environment: the city.

Perhaps even more appropriate for a city getabout, the battery pack can recharge in just an hour from a standard (in Europe) 230-volt household current. If you have access to a 400-volt, three-phase current fast charger, that drops to approximately 20 minutes. Both concept vehicles are also ready with Audi Wireless Charging (AWC) technology, which uses contactless induction from a 3.6kW primary coil installed into a parking spot, say, to automatically start refilling the battery pack when you pull the car into place. Audi didn't say how long this wireless charging takes, just that it "is comparable to that of other charging technologies."

Get more details on Audi's new 1+1 seater in the press release after the jump and check out detailed pictures in the gallery above.

Toyota safety tech can take steering control to avoid impact

2011-07-25T04:35:00.000-07:00

By Zach Bowman

According to The Detroit News, Toyota is working on a new pre-crash system that will actually take control and steer the vehicle to minimize impact in the event of an unavoidable collision. The system combines super-sensitive radar with a camera array in the front fascia to detect possible impacts. On-board computers then calculate the correct levels of braking and steering required to avoid the crash, and if the driver fails to act, the automatic system takes over.

Like most manufacturers, Toyota has the admirable goal of reducing injuries and fatalities in its products to zero, though The Detroit News reports that the automaker wouldn't comment on when we could expect to see the innovations on the road. The pre-crash steering is specifically designed to reduce the chance of a vehicle-pedestrian impact, and Toyota is also working on systems to accommodate drivers who have heart attacks while behind the wheel.

It's true that vehicle fatalities have seen a steady decline over the past few years thanks to improved safety technology, but as cars get safer, drivers become even more detached from the task at hand. Economists call it a Jevons Paradox; drivers have effectively consumed the safety benefits supplied by car companies to become lazier and less safe than they would be without the tech. Maybe Toyota should find a way to force drivers to put down their phones, shut off their infotainment screens and simply drive. Just a thought.

2012 BMW M5 configurator comes alive, threatens bank accounts everywhere

2011-06-20T22:17:00.000-07:00

by Zach Bowman

John Milton had some pretty strong views on temptation. The famous poet and author of Paradise Lost wholeheartedly believed that one could not truly know one's goodness without facing genuine temptation on a regular basis. After all, how could you know whether you're straight-laced as a saint or crooked as the devil's own claws if you circumnavigated the world's vices? Fortunately for us, BMW has been so kind as to pull back the sheets on the company's 2012 M5 configurator. If ever there was a reason to fall into lust, this is it.

Right now, you can only pick from a handful of exterior colors and a pair of wheel options, but the German automaker says that more choices will arrive soon. For the moment, you can spend a few sacred moments meditating on whether your menacing sedan would look better in Monte Carlo metallic or Alpine White and what sort of peril you'd have to endure in order to secure the funds necessary to buy this beast for yourself. Don't worry, your secret's safe with us.

I DRAW CARS book coming for budding car designers

2011-06-08T06:26:00.000-07:00

by Jeff Glucker

Love cars? Surely, then, you spent many a classroom hour doodling them all over their book covers and binders. Sometimes they looked kinda cool, while other times you wish you had used pencil instead of pen. A new book is in the works that will help budding automotive designers hone their skill, and the octavo will serve as both a sketchbook and a reference guide. It's called I DRAW CARS, and you can help bring it to life.

The team behind the book is currently asking for help on the Kickstarter.com website, and they've nearly hit their goal. There is still room to help out, and for some we'd think this would be money well spent.

I DRAW CARS was created to inspire and guide those who are intrigued by automotive design. The guide portion of the book breaks down the various vehicle segments being produced, as well as the various angles and perspectives one might choose to pen a design. The templates utilize non-photo blue ink, which means you can scan your design into a computer and the template won't come through, leaving just your image behind.

The project aims to put a great tool in the hands of those who dream to someday design the real thing. Check it out at the official website, and head over to Kickstarter if you feel like pitching in.

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Insurers to use young driver behaviour to calculate premiums

2011-05-24T15:44:00.000-07:00

The ECJ’s ban on using gender as an assessment factor when calculating insurance policies may
soon mean men have access to cheaper car insurance but for many young drivers in 2011, insurance premiums are simply too expensive or unavailable altogether. That could all be set to change, however, with the introduction of a ‘pay-how-you-drive’ initiative by the Co-Operative Insurance.

The Co-Op’s new insurance policy, aimed exclusively at the 17-25 age group, includes the installation of a Smartbox – like a black box recorder on an aeroplane – to record how the young driver handles the car on the road, sending information back to the insurance company so that they can then determine whether they need to reduce or increase the policy holder’s premium.

According to the Co-op, over three quarters of young drivers will be helped to achieve much lower premiums, averaging a saving of £328 per year, per person.

The policy will still be include a No Claims Discount with the policy, making it a particularly attractive one to those wishing to get a foot on the ladder of their car insurance career. Performance-based reviews will occur every three months to determine whether or not the young driver in question will receive a ‘safer driving discount’.

The Smartbox will send information using satellite technology back to the insurance company on factors like speed, acceleration and braking, cornering, and what time of the day or night the young driver is driving at. If the driver proves to be diligent, they stand to make an 11 per cent saving on their premium. Drive badly, and they could see an increase of as much as 15 per cent.

The Parliamentary Transport SelectCommittee investigation, a document commissioned by the
government this year, outlined how the challenges faced by the insurance industry have been
addressed, with investigators having made recommendations on how to tackle and get around
issues such as the cost of insurance for young drivers.

According to a related article in moneysupermarket.com car insurance news, there are other things that young drivers can do decrease their car insurance premium, such as adding and older, more experienced driver as a named driver. It does, however, warn that young people and their parents must not, under any circumstances, add that driver as the main driver. This practice is known as ‘fronting’, is tantamount to fraud, and offenders will be prosecuted.

Ford's plan to make commutes more efficient, optimize EVs

2011-05-10T22:09:00.000-07:00

by Damon Lavrinc

Android developers across the world have descended on San Francisco for this week's Google I/O conference, and Ford is getting in on the action with its announcement to utilize Google's new Prediction API to increase efficiency and decrease commute times.

The Prediction API has a range of location-based uses, but Ford's plan involves tapping into your driving habits, gathering historical commute and errand data, and then optimize your route depending on traffic, weather and a host of other information.

Cutting down commute times and increasing fuel efficiency are at the top of the list, but it's obvious Ford is primarily planning to use the tech for its future all-electric and plug-in hybrid-driving vehicles. By determining drive routes ahead of time, storing that information in the cloud and directing drivers to the most efficient roads, Ford can eliminate some of the range anxiety EV drivers have to contend with.

Tomorrow, a group of Ford researchers will be showing off concept version of the system at Google I/O, complete with a prototype use case that involves the driver opting in for the service (Ford is adamant that personal information security is of the utmost importance) and then utilizing the Google Prediction service to determine the most efficient route. The vehicle would ask the driver, "Good morning. Are you going to work?" and if the driver responds, "Yes," the system will choose a route that's optimized for the powertrain. This could also include EV-only zones, something that's being experimented with throughout Europe.

We'll have more on Ford's implementation of the Predictive API tomorrow...

BMW Brilliance Automotive previews 5 Series plug-in hybrid prototype

2011-04-07T15:57:00.000-07:00

by Aaron Richardson

In the lead-in to the Shanghai Motor Show, BMW has teased an upcoming plug-in hybrid 5 Series that will be exclusive to the Chinese market. The prototype of this greener version of BMW's midsize sedan is based on the China-only long-wheelbase 5 Series platform.

The car is part of a joint venture between BMW and Chinese automaker Brilliance. The car is the tip of an eco-friendly iceberg BMW has aimed squarely at China, a country with an increasing appetite for premium-segment cars and a serious need for green-focused, energy-efficient vehicles.

Despite its size, BMW says the plug-in 5 Series will manage nearly 250 miles on a single charge and tank of gas, with up to 47 miles of those on electric power only, provided you don't creep past 37 miles per hour. Those numbers certainly aren't what you'd call impressive, but they're a step in the right direction and they'd likely be a major help in the thick traffic snarls that China's major cities are famous for. As for the U.S. market, a full plug-in 5 Series is unlikely, but BMW is understood to be planning to bring a traditional mild hybrid version of the car to our shores.

Hot Wheels holds 3D race on side of historic Aussie building

2011-03-21T05:24:00.000-07:00

by Aaron Richardson

Hot Wheels teamed up with an Amsterdam-based company called Muse Digital to create a 3D commercial that can be projected onto buildings. In this case, Hot Wheels had Muse make them a 3D, computer-generated race between four of its iconic models.

The race was projected onto the side of the historic Sydney Customs House. So advanced are the projected 3D graphics that the building appears to get destroyed throughout the course of the race, as familiar orange track bursts through the walls and a number of other calamities ensue.

The video itself is pretty campy, but the technology behind it is seriously cool.

Subaru's RWD Sports Car getting 2.0-liter non-turbo engine, confirmed for America

2011-03-01T06:39:00.000-08:00

by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Peanut butter and jelly. Beer and brats. Wine and cheese. Subaru and all-wheel drive. It's true – Subaru has done an enviable job convincing Americans that its automobiles are synomous with all-wheel drive, and the idea of a Subie that eschews four driven wheels for a powertrain sending its horsepower to the rear wheels only sounds like heresey to the diehard WRX driver.

But it shouldn't... at least, that's what Subaru is now trying to convince the masses with its new rear-wheel-drive Boxer Sports Car Architecture. It's worth noting that the automaker has confirmed for the first time here at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show that the upcoming production version of this sports car is coming to America. If all goes to plan, production will commence in the spring of 2012 at a Subaru production plant in Japan.

Will Subaru's American enthusiasts come to accept a rear-wheel-drive sports car from their beloved Japanese automaker? How about one that's being jointly developed with Toyota? That remains to be seen, but we'd guess the answer depends a lot on how well Subaru is able to tune the chassis to deliver proper sports car driving dynamics. To that end, Subaru (which is doing the hardcore chassis engineering on the joint Toyota/Subaru architecture) has done all it can to lower the car's center of gravity, using its tried-and-true boxer engine design that Subaru claims "is without a doubt the most suitable engine for the RWD Sports Car." There are some features to back up that claim, including all-aluminum construction and the lack of a balance shaft due to the engine's inherently smooth operation – both of which contribute to a minimal amount weight hanging off the front end of the car.

Note that the engine in this engineering study displaces just 2.0 liters and is naturally aspirated. Clearly, this isn't going to be a car that relies on sheer power for performance. According to Subaru: "Instead it maximises the potential of this newly developed chassis to achieve the fundamental characteristics of a rear-wheel-drive sports car by delivering sporty performance as driver and vehicle work in unison, as well as providing agile response afforded by its short wheel base."

It's interesting to note that the boxer engine sits lower and further back in the engine bay than other Subaru models due to the lack of a front differential or driveshafts. Such an arrangement centralizes weight and mass towards the center of the car, which aids handling and ought to help provide neutral dynamics and facilitate quick directional changes. Front struts work with a rear double-wishbone suspension arrangement, and just 101 inches (2,570 millimeters) seperates the front and rear wheels.

It certainly seems that all the necessary ingredients for an entertaining sports car are present and accounted for. Naturally, we can hope for expressive styling to match, though Subaru isn't commenting on the exterior appearance at this time. In any case, you can color us intrigued by this new rear-wheel-drive coupe from Subaru, and we look forward to finding out first hand if it drives as well as the company promises.

Average lifetime car insurance costs estimated at $84,000

2011-02-12T20:28:00.000-08:00

by Jeff Glucker

Unless you live in New Hampshire, here in the States, you're required to have some form of car insurance covering your vehicle. The annual cost to insure a car depends on an array of factors ranging from the type of vehicle to where you live to your driving record. You undoubtedly know what you pay for insurance on an annual or monthly basis, but do you know how much you will end up paying over the course of your driving life? According to Insurance.com, the average person will spend $84,388.

What does 'average' mean in the context of this study? In this case, researchers assume that you first insure your own vehicle at 21 years old, get married at 27, insure two teenagers for a few years and then stop driving when you turn 75. That passage of time is filled with a variety of claims, including accidents and other incidents that get sent across your insurance agent's desk.

Predictably, Insurance.com offers up a few suggestions for cutting your overall coverage expenses. Some are easier said than done (avoid traffic tickets) while others might actually be fun (defensive driving course). Check out the company's press release for the full details after the jump.

Torture-tested Ford EcoBoost V6 engine torn down at Detroit Auto Show

2011-01-18T06:26:00.000-08:00

by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Exactly as promised, Ford sent a couple of technicians to the show floor at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show in front of a live audience to disassemble the 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6 engine that was torture-tested for the equivalent of a few hundred thousand miles of rigorous duty on the dyno and in the engine bay of various F-Series trucks.

How'd it fair? Rather well, we'd say, and it managed to churn out 364 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque on the dyno after all the abuse it took. That matches up rather well with the factory ratings of 365 horses and 420 lb-ft.

As you might expect, there was a good amount of carbon build-up on the piston crowns and the valves – think of how much dust was surely ingested over the course of 1,062 miles of the Baja 1000 race, which this engine took part in, finishing first overall in its class – along with a 13-percent loss on one cylinder during the leak-down test. All other initial measurements were well within factory tolerances, and Ford will continue testing each individual piece from this engine to ensure its durability.

No doubt about it, this is an impressive showing for the EcoBoost engine.

BMW Unscripted follows Tiffany Coates around the globe

2011-01-03T04:05:00.000-08:00

by Zach Bowman

The last time we heard from BMW Unscripted, an ancient 5 Series was stalking the tall grass of South Africa in search of meerkats. Now the company has turned its attention to Tiffany Coates and her BMW R80GS. The duo have traversed the globe together, ranging over five continents and covering untold miles in the process. For Coates, no country or region is off limits, and she's spent time everywhere from Afghanistan and Pakistan to Alaska and Australia. Her travel is impressive, without a doubt, though we're more taken with the perspective that her gallivanting has given her.

"People always assume that the world is full of dangerous places, and they think, and they say as well, that I'm mad to go travelling where I do. I always replay, 'but, 99.9 percent of people in the world are really nice, decent people like you and I.'"

We can think of a few politicians that could use some time in the saddle of an R80GS. Hit the jump to have a look at a slice of Coates' life on the road, and remember not to let your fear rule you, people. There's a whole world out there just waiting to meet you.

How The Gas Tax Is Under Threat From Green Vehicles

2010-12-06T20:00:00.000-08:00

by Paul Eisenstein

Live in the right part of California and work for the right company and you might be able to buy the new Nissan Leaf for as little as $12,500, as Autoblog has reported, due to the raft of incentives that are available for buyers of the little battery car and other high-mileage, low-emission products.

In recent years, lawmakers have been racing to come up with incentives designed to encourage motorists to migrate to clean, efficient vehicles. It's a clearly noble effort, but one that deserves a closer look in an era of fiscal restraint.

Several states are looking at a more direct form of taxation: a per-mile usage fee on battery-based vehicles.

The feds, and most states offering such incentives, have put caps on their zero-emission incentive programs, and most will vanish by mid-decade. But, ironically, if these programs do what they're intended to, the fiscal impact could be felt for years to come. It turns out that going green could plunge state and federal balance sheets into the red.

The short-term costs are already potentially significant. At the federal level, a $7,500 tax credit could drain billions of dollars a year out of the Treasury if major automakers come even close to their battery car sales targets by mid-decade.

Such cash incentives – along with other perks, such as access to California's HOV lanes – are designed to motivate the move to vehicles like the Leaf and the new Chevrolet Volt. Once momentum starts building, these givebacks can be phased out, proponents contend. But they're missing a big part of the picture.

read more...

Renault unveils Sandero Stepway concept in Brazil

2010-11-16T15:56:00.000-08:00

by Noah Joseph

If you've ever heard of the Dacia Sandero, it's probably from Clarkson teasing James May about it on Top Gear. The no-nonsense, bare-bones hatchback – sold alternatively as a Renault in markets where its budget subsidiary Dacia doesn't exist – is a favorite of Captain Slow.

In South America, the Sandero also comes as a crossover version called the Stepway, and taller though it is, it's just as decidedly spartan. That didn't stop Renault from drumming up some excitement over the budget range, however, with the show car you see here.

Envisioned as a successor to the current model and closer to a junior Duster, the Sandero Stepway Concept dials up the glitz factor just a touch with a sporty body kit, three-tone paint scheme and enough blue LEDs to light up the trendiest of night clubs. Also, some flower decals... for some reason. The result is something akin to a futuristic cup of cappuccino...

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Umbrella Auto Design tricks out the Nissan GT-R's cockpit

2010-11-08T00:11:00.000-08:00

by Noah Joseph

If the Nissan GT-R is going to seriously take on the Porsche 911, it's going to need to do a bit better on the interior fit and finish. Nissan's own people realized that much when they launched the Egoist edition of the new GT-R, but what if you've already got your Godzilla in the driveway? What are you to do then?

Turn to Umbrella Auto Design, that's what. The Seattle-based tuners have announced an aftermarket retrofit for the GT-R's interior that swathes the entire cabin – seats, dashboard, console, instrument binnacle, steering wheel, door panels, shift levers, etc. in luxe and racy black ultra-suede with silver diamond quilting and top-stitch. They've even repainted the plastics in black to match. Looks pretty slick, and they can reportedly carry it out on any GT-R in about three weeks. Check it out in the gallery below.

Escort Passport iQ marries GPS with radar detector

2010-10-27T17:47:00.000-07:00

by Jeff Glucker

Escort has released its brand-new Passport iQ automotive accessory. We would call this a radar detector, but it appears to be much more than that. The Passport iQ, in addition to detecting radar and laser, has a built-in GPS unit, Bluetooth connectivity, red light and speed camera notifications, speed limit information and live traffic updates. All of this information is displayed on a five-inch, full-color touchscreen.

The price of the Passport iQ is $649.95, which, assuming it works as advertised, is peanuts compared to a few speeding tickets and a bump in car insurance rates. Escort offers the unit on a trial basis for free, for 30 days. It also comes with a 90-day free trial subscription to Escort's Defender Database, which comes loaded with thousands of speed trap locations.

The Latest Craze In Auto Accessories – The Train Horn

2010-10-04T17:17:00.000-07:00

If you keep up with the auto industry at all you’ve probably noticed that the mighty train horn is becoming a popular accessory to put on your car or truck. These aftermarket devices are a sure way to get your ride to stand out in a crowd.

This all started by people actually taking horns off of locomotives and putting it on their trucks. These horns were extremely loud but in most cases were also fairly large, cumbersome, and not that nice to look at. So naturally some extremely smart person saw an opportunity and started building them specifically for cars and trucks. These new train horn kits are smaller, typically chrome, and much easier to install.

They are quickly becoming a craze. If you search youtube you’ll find video after video of people showing off their air horns. Often times the video will be of someone driving down a crowded street and just letting a long loud blast that startles everyone within 100 feet. While this is certainly not the most responsible use of a train horn it still kind of funny.

You have a couple options if you’re interested in buying a train horn kit. First you have to decide how much you want to spend. Typically they range anywhere from $299 to $499 but can go all the way up to almost $1500. Next you want to think about just how loud you want your train horn to be. The less expensive kits usually put out around 150dB and can give a 5 second blast while the large kits not only put out more decibels but can sometimes blast for up to 15 seconds. The louder kits are also larger so take that into consideration. You probably won’t be putting the big kit in your Honda civic.

So if you’re interested in learning more about train horn kits get over to http://trainhornsdelivered.com where Marc has a great selection you can choose from.

Bentley's traveling roadshow shows off heritage piece by piece

2010-09-19T00:34:00.000-07:00

by Jonathon Ramsey

A cross-country road trip with enough spare parts to practically build another car? Sounds like something from Paris-to-Peking, but in this case it's actually the Bentley Heritage Roadshow -- and it's here in the U.S. Bentley's putting 1,000 rare items from its Heritage Parts and Accessories division on display, traveling across 8,000 miles of American countryside to do so.

Most of the Bentleys that have ever been built are still running today, and the marque's customers are fascinated with the range of available vintage, hard-to-find parts. Crewe is playing on this and laying it all out for enthusiasts via the traveling show – from owner's manuals to engine blocks. Follow the jump for the press release and have a look at the mobile chop shop in the photo gallery below.

General Motors mid-size sedans going all four-cylinder

2010-08-31T23:46:00.000-07:00

by Damon Lavrinc

Straight from the "No Surprise" department comes word from GMInsideNews that all of General Motors mid-size offerings will come equipped with four-cylinder engines as the only available powerplant.

GM has made it clear for the last few years that a large part of its future product strategy is to downsize its engine line-up in preparation for the new 2015 CAFE standards. The shift has already begun with the introduction of the 2011 Buick Regal, available with either a 182-horsepower direct injected 2.4-liter or a turbocharged 2.0-liter putting out 220 hp and 258 pound-feet of torque.

The next model to go all-four-banger will be the next generation Chevrolet Malibu, slated to arrive late next year and likely packing – to begin with – the same 2.4-liter four. A range of direct injected engines, both naturally aspirated and turbocharged, are in the works, so the General won't be hurting for options, but expect the V6 to stick around for GM's larger offerings, including the next Impala.

Suzuki Kizashi topples 200 mph at Bonneville for new Land Speed Record

2010-08-18T23:09:00.000-07:00

by Zach Bowman

The crew from Suzuki and Road & Track officially hold the new Land Speed Record for the Blown Gas Coupe Category. The team wheeled out their modified 2010 Suzuki Kizashi to the Bonneville Salt Flats and managed to average an impressive 203.720 mph across two high-speed runs, besting the previous record by a little less than a second and a half. R&T commissioned legendary engine builder Richard Holdener to rework the engine in the Kizashi before it hit the salt, and as a result, the car wore forged internals and a beefier turbo that shoved a full 16 pounds of boost into the four-cylinder as the Sam Mitani-helmed Suzuki headed down the dry lake bed.

Now that the Kizashi has one record under its belt, Road & Track is planning to try for a second, naturally-aspirated record by unbolting the turbo and going hog wild. Now all we have to wonder is how much it's going to take to convince Suzuki to offer those slick seam-welded steel wheels as an option on the Kizashi Sport. Hit the jump to take a look at a video of the car during its record-setting run, as well as a press release detailing the occasion.

Volkswagen releases initial pics, details on all-new Caddy

2010-07-22T17:13:00.000-07:00

by Zach Bowman

It's been nearly six years since Volkswagen took the knife to its workhorse Caddy, but starting next year, buyers can expect a host of changes. The company has just dished the details on its next-generation van before the vehicle gets its official unveiling at the IAA Hanover Commercial Vehicle Show this November. Don't expect anything too wild to crop up design-wise. The Caddy will swipe a few cues from the rest of the VW family up front, and new taillights will pop up as well. VW says that it will also offer roof rails for the first time on the new generation.

Take a peek under the hood, and you're likely to see one of four turbo-diesel engines, all of which are 13 percent more efficient than their predecessors. The range starts with two 1.6-liter mills producing either 75 or 102 horsepower depending on which model you choose, both of which come with start/stop technology. If you click off a little higher up the option sheet, you'll wind up with one of two 2.0-liter engines. Those produce either 110 or 140 horsepower depending on your needs and your budget. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Chrysler to set up separate Fiat dealers

2010-07-06T20:24:00.000-07:00

by Chris Shunk

When Fiat and Chrysler merged, it was assumed that Fiat and Chrysler-branded products would be sharing a common showroom floor. Well, you know what happens when you assume. The Detroit Bureau reports that when Fiat-badged vehicles arrive Stateside at the end of the year they will be sold in an all-new showroom bereft of any manner of Chrysler product. The news reportedly comes from none other than Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne, who adds that a total of 200 Fiat stores will come online in an undetermined time.

While Chrysler dealers are likely a bit upset that they won't have Fiat products to sell in their dealerships, they will reportedly get first dibs to claim one of the 200 stand-alone stores. And those dealerships must be equipped with both sales and service departments as well. The first Fiat to enter the Fiat-exclusive showroom will be the diminutive 500, which has been very well-received overseas. And more product is undoubtedly also on the way, as the 500 alone is not a big enough carrot to warrant buying a new dealership.

Opening 200 new dealerships will not be cheap, as a new full-service dealer can cost $1 million or more. There are also the costs associated with marketing a new brand in the U.S., which will likely cost well over $100 million. Since Fiat vehicles haven't been available here in States in a couple decades, the folks in Turin, Italy will likely have a lot of work to do to spread the word. Those who actually remember the Fiat brand in the U.S. market will likely need the most convincing, as horrible quality woes were a main factor in the brands failure.

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HKS Racing Controller for PS3 just makes sense

2010-06-23T19:50:00.000-07:00

by Jonathon Ramsey

A steering-wheel-and-pedal setup for your PS3 starts at around $50, but you'll spend at least double that to get into the good stuff. HKS has teamed with InterWorks on a game controller solution that stays at the $50 mark but could work just as well as a wheel while being a little less intrusive.

The hot-coal red Hipermax III replaces the analog joysticks with a thumb wheel on the left side and throttle and brake buttons on the right side. The wheel has center stripe to aid steering, and the precise inputs of the throttle and brake controls are registered in the digital readout in the center of the controller. For the moment this is PS3-only, and while HKS hasn't released a price, it's pegged to come under $55.

U.S. safety bill could triple cost of automotive black boxes to $5,000

2010-05-31T17:28:00.000-07:00

by Zach Bowman

When word first came down that Congress was looking to mandate that all new vehicles to be sold with Event Data Recorders, we knew that the added tech was going to be pricey. According to Automotive News, if legislators have their way, the new automotive black boxes will need to be both fire resistant and waterproof. Add in a significant amount of recording time before and after an accident, and suddenly the price tag per unit could soar up to a lofty $4,000 to $5,000. Currently, the EDRs track about five seconds worth of information just before an accident, though some legislators are pushing for up to 75 seconds of recording pre-crash. Between the fire insulation and added recording time, analysts believe the devices will swell to shoebox size, also creating a new packaging issue for automakers.

And who's going to be shelling out the cash for the indestructible, mammoth recorders? The short answer is the automakers, though you can bet they won't just be soaking up the cost out of the goodness of their hearts. Odds are that $4,000-per-box price tag will be passed right along to consumers if such devices become law, so don't be surprised to see sticker prices climb if the boxes become mandatory in 2015.

McLaren gives Button and Hamilton extra bling for good luck

2010-05-15T21:30:00.000-07:00

by Noah Joseph

We've seen F1 teams pulling all kinds of shtick in an effort to edge out the competition. But embedding diamonds into the helmets and steering wheels? Well, it seemed to work in 2008 for Lewis Hamilton, and he, for one, is hoping it'll work again this year at the upcoming Monaco Grand Prix.

McLaren has partnered with Steinmetz Diamonds to carry off the bedazzling, creating commemorative wreath emblems for both its world champions. The results were unveiled on Wednesday at Steinmetz's villa in Monte Carlo, and both Hamilton and Button will be using them during this weekend's race. Only in Monaco, kids. Details in the press release after the jump.

Saab 9-5 Estate leaks out

2010-04-27T04:51:00.000-07:00

by Jonny Lieberman

For many moons now, your humble Autoblog crew has been following the new Saab 9-5 around the globe. Not intentionally mind you, but it seems that Saab has been dragging their 9-5 show car out to every show we've covered since before Obama was elected. Which is many, many shows (turns out it's been since Frankfurt). And while we're big boosters of the new 9-5, something's always been... lacking.

That's right, a fifth door. And this totally suspect, but nonetheless quite intriguing, photo seems to indicate exactly that – a Saab 9-5 Estate (also called the 9-5 SportCombi, maybe) – is nigh. That's yet another victory in the eventual, inevitable and ultimately exciting comeback of the once totally dismissed station wagon.

Now it's true, we've covered this territory before. More than once. And back then we felt the same way about the upcoming 9-5 Estate as we do now – it's very, very sexy. Or at least, as sexy as a wagon can be. Which, to us auto journo types, is quite sexy. Regardless, too many a Saab'o'phile, the very essence of the brand is a hatch. Without that fifth (or third) door, a Saab just isn't very Saab like. Therefore this here blurry image, which looks like it was hastily photographed from a presentation or sales brochure, fills Saab boosters with great hope. Go, go Griffin.

Chrysler wraps Auburn Hills HQ in honor of Truck of the Year award

2010-04-08T00:09:00.000-07:00

by Zach Bowman

Chrysler has decided to celebrate the Dodge Ram winning the Motor Trend Truck of the Year award by barring employees at its Auburn Hills headquarters from seeing the sun for 120 days. The company has turned its HQ into one big billboard with a 14-story building wrap. The 140-foot tall, 120-foot wide graphic features a massive 2010 Dodge Ram Heavy Duty atop a pile of rocks.

The company says the wrap is part of a nationwide campaign to get the word out about the Ram's win, and that around 200,000 people will see the display every day as they travel along I-75. The install took a total of three days, and Chrysler says that the truck featured in the wrap is a 100 feet long and 41 feet tall. No word on whether or not those specs will line up with what we can expect from the 2015 pickup. Hit the jump for a look at the press release.

Never blow up your battery with Michelin Smart Jumper Cables

2010-03-21T17:17:00.000-07:00

by Sam Abuelsamid

Virtually every driver will, at some point, get that sinking feeling that comes when your car doesn't start. Digging out a set of jumper cables to boost a battery is a rite of passage. Jump-starting a car can be a slightly tricky process, though. The positive and negative terminals of the booster and "boostee" need to be connected properly or the battery can be blown up. Which is, you know, sub-optimal. Over the past decade, a number of devices have come out to help ease the battery-jumping process, including portable booster batteries and even jumper cables that plug into a 12V outlet inside the car. Those plug-in cables will never be connected with reverse polarity, but they might not be able to carry enough current to actually crank your engine.

Enter the Michelin Smart Jumper Cable. Instead of the usual color-coded clamps for your battery's positive and negative terminals, the cables are all Michelin blue. Halfway down the cable is a box of electronic smarts. Just put one clamp on the positive terminal of the battery and the other on any piece of bare metal and the electronics will detect whether you've made a complete circuit and illuminate an LED on the central box. When the second battery is connected, the electronics automatically determine the polarity and switch it as needed. A set of these smart jumper cables runs about $30 to $40.

Ford Mustang Lights: Great Deal to Safety

2010-03-08T03:59:00.001-08:00

Visibility is one of the most essential part when you are driving, a driver should be able to spot where they are going to elude hitting something or anyone .Car lights are very significant to a driver’s safety because they enhance the visibility on the street and maintain the driver and the passengers safe and sound especially in driving through feebly lighted areas. There are numerous types of lights used in cars specifically in Ford Mustangs; each with its own specific and important function and definite location in the automobile.

The Ford Mustang Headlights is sometimes referred to illumination produced by the lights installed on the front of your Mustang vehicle. The equipped light itself is in principle termed as headlight. Others may say that the term headlight is used to represent both the construction itself and the light formed. Mustang headlights without a doubt improve your line of vision when driving specially during the day. Mustang headlights can deliver the clear view you needed on the road. Mustang headlights are also very important to use whenever it rains or snow because the headlights on your Ford Mustang will absolutely increase your capability to see and contrive your movements during these times and definitely these will make your cars much more noticeable to other vehicles and pedestrians on the roadway.

The Taillight or stop lamp is set up at the back end of the car. It produces a red light when the brake is activated therefore giving warning to the vehicle at the back indicating that your car would stop. This will enable the driver of the preceding car time to slow down. Mustang Tail lights is made up of the tail lamp bezel or tail light frame. Mustang Tail light lens improves the car’s style while adding security to the driver and the passengers. They have wire casing fixed over the lenses for safeguard and an extra hard and fashionable look. Latest Mustang models use lucid bulbs and red reflector.

Safety issues are always raised when buying a car that is why car producers provide their cars with the latest and ground-breaking features that could be positioned on their vehicles to make them dependable and safer. One of this features are the Fog lights. They are set up and mounted on the framework of your Ford Mustang. Fog lights give extra lighting during rough weather specially on rainy and winter season, helping you find the road safely. Mustang fog lights work as a complement to your headlights. Ford Mustangs used halogen bulb as fog lights to produce brighter beams. Fog lights are particularly intended to cut all the way through the fog to give you enhanced visibility. They are set up to harmonize with the stumpy beams of your headlights; collectively they work to maximize your visualization on the road.

Our genuine effort to increase your knowledge base on various auto parts. We are selling Ford Mustang Parts across USA if you don't find what you are looking for doesn’t hesitate to drop us an email and we will get back to you with it. We provide high quality Ford Mustang Headlight.

Foose/Deere 4020 vs John Deere 620 Orchard

2010-03-07T22:19:00.000-08:00

by Alex Nunez

Chip Foose's John Deere 4020 is pretty kickass, but the reality is this: You needn't enlist the services of a famous pro rodder to get a slick-lookin' John Deere tractor. Take, for instance, the John Deere 620 orchard model shown above. Standard-issue 620s have a traditional tractor look to them, but the ones fitted with the additional orchard equipment a streamlined appearance that looks like it's a set of giant-sized moon caps away from making a land speed record run at Bonneville.

In fact, all that extra bodywork has nothing to do with aerodynamics or improved performance; its shielding designed to let the tractor operate in an orchard without the tires causing damage to the the tree branches. So, not only does this 620 look great, it does so for totally functional reasons.

And so, we come to tonight's poll: Which one of these tractors would you rather have? Follow the jump and declare your Deere.

[John Deere 620 image via TractorClocks.com]

Mini gets Connected in the Countryman, doesn't exactly say how

2010-02-23T00:50:00.000-08:00

by Jonathon Ramsey

Mini will be debuting a new system dubbed Mini Connected at the Geneva Motor Show, which the brand describes as a new, exciting innovation in infotainment. However, we have little idea of what Mini Connected actually does beyond using "a newly developed USB interface whose unique functionality allows maximum integration of the iPhone into the in-car audio and infotainment system."

We do know you can get web radio in your Mini now, and there's Mini: Mission Control in which "vehicle-related signals are used to generate constantly changing, situation-dependent messages." Other than that, Mini Connected will be launched as an option on the Countryman. We'll have to wait until Geneva to bring you the rest, but you can make the jump to glean all you can from the press release in the meantime.

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Tanner Foust Moving To European Rallycross Championship for 2010

2010-02-12T17:31:00.000-08:00

by Jonny Lieberman

Tanner Foust has about the most solid "car guy" curriculum vitae there is. Drift king, stuntman, rally champ, X Games legend, TV star, momentary Top Gear USA host, two-time U.S. representative for the International Race of Champions and of most important/impressive, Autoblog Podcaster. Well friends, let's go ahead and add Rallycross participant to Tanner's already padded resume.

When/Where/Why? Foust will be competing in the 2010 European Rallycross Championship as the sole American representative. Tanner will be traveling to Europe for the first four races before returning to the United States and bringing the races with him. For those unfamiliar with the discipline, rallycross is similar to rally racing, only the cars are typically 50 percent more powerful (600 horsepower as opposed to 400 hp) and the quick stages consist of dirt, jumps and tarmac. Tanner will of course be driving the same 600 hp devil of a Ford Fiesta he took to a bronze medal at last year's X Games.

Says Foust, "I've been watching European-style Rally Cross for years. I love the combination of dirt, pavement, jumps and door-to-door action – it's like a real-life videogame. I'm really excited to be on the leading edge of this discipline as it grows in the U.S. It's been popular in Europe for years – the fans here are going to love it." We're fully in agreement with Tanner on that last bit. When it comes to Rallycross, there's very little not to love. Press release after the jump.

Toyota will now send needed pedal repair components directly to dealers

2010-01-30T17:11:00.000-08:00

by Michael Harley

In an effort to stem the flow of potentially defective accelerator pedal parts at the source, Toyota announced earlier this week that replacement pedal components had begun shipping directly to its factories. While the announcement was a welcome step in the right direction towards a long-term resolution, Toyota retail dealers – face-to-face with millions of concerned customers seeking a fix – were understandably angered that the automaker had apparently left them out of the loop.

That changed late Friday, when Toyota announced that gas pedal parts had started shipping directly to the dealers too. Brian Lyons, Toyota company spokesman, said the parts "are on their way to the dealers in preparation for the recall launch." The so-called "recall launch" will be more clearly defined next week when the automaker officially announces how it intends to solve the problems potentially affecting 4.2 million of its vehicles worldwide.

Right now, Toyota's "solution" (reportedly involving shims) is being reviewed by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration – Toyota presented it to NHTSA on Thursday – which must approve it before the automaker moves forward. Even then, Toyota will need to train dealers and mechanics on how to make the repairs and educate vehicle owners on the process.

Using Aftermarket Parts and Its Effect on Your Auto Insurance Premium

2010-01-21T13:43:00.000-08:00

Getting involved in a car accident is nasty business, but not as nasty as when your vehicle is uninsured. Having your car covered by the policy of an auto insurance company can help you out greatly with the repair of your car (and of the other party’s car, if that is the case), medical bills, and even legal representation, should it come to that. But with regard to car repairs, there might just be some things you need to know and discuss with your insurer.

Original equipment manufacturer (OEM) parts are automotive parts made by a certain vehicle’s manufacturer. Aftermarket parts are essentially non-OEM parts, manufactured by third-party vendors. As part of the process of you shopping around for the ideal insurance company for you, you must determine what an insurer’s policies are regarding the use of OEM and aftermarket parts. There are two reasons for this: First, you might be the type of person who likes to be set apart from the rest of the world, even with the car you drive. You don’t want to be just another owner of the usual BMW or Mercedes Benz, but you’d like your car lowered, looking more aggressive with a new back fin, spoiler, or wing. Chances are, you’ll be using aftermarket parts for these modifications, and your insurance company might not like that and may increase your premium or discontinue coverage entirely when they find out. Hence, you must know what their policies exactly are regarding the use of aftermarket parts.

The other reason you must discuss this issue with your insurer is that they might actually use aftermarket parts themselves for the repair of your vehicle in case of an accident. If you’re the exact opposite of the guy in the previous example, then you’ll want only genuine BMW parts for your BMW, or Mercedes Benz parts for your Mercedes Benz. You want to maintain the quality of your car being 100% the brand that it is, and not some mutt of a vehicle with shoddy attachments on it. And, as this is an existing practice for some, insurers may cheat on you so they can save on money. They may go for well-done repairs with aftermarket parts which may pass for OEM parts in the eyes of the unassuming guy, who will only later on find out about the deception when he decides to trade or sell his car and the real value of his car is revealed by expert inspectors. When your auto insurance company handles the repair of your vehicle, the goal is to have your car returned to its pre-accident condition. But the reason post-repair inspectors now exist is to assess if that goal has actually been achieved. You must be wise yourself to know how to demand that OEM parts alone be used in the repair of your car post-accident. Though you most likely would have to pay much for the use of OEM parts instead of aftermarket ones, there will be no hassle selling or trading your vehicle because its quality has been maintained, and hence its value is not unduly diminished.

For more information regarding car insurance, insurancespecialists.com is a great site to help you with all your insurance needs.

GM wooing current Pontiac owners with free service

2010-01-19T22:59:00.000-08:00

by Chris Shunk

When General Motors put Oldsmobile out to pasture, many owners defected from GM brands all-together. In an effort to make sure history doesn't repeat itself with soon to be displaced Pontiac owners, the General is extending an olive branch in the form of a year of free maintenance.

Automotive News reports that GM is offering four years of free service visits – including oil changes and tire rotations – to specific Buick-GMC dealerships for owners of 1999 and newer Pontiac vehicles. Brian Sweeney, general manager of Buick-GMC, told AN that the plan is to "to keep the relationship with the Buick-GMC dealer." Customers will be given specific Buick-GMC dealers to utilize for the free service in order to help the dealers develop a relationship with said customer in hopes that they will use that dealership to purchase future products.

A potential problem with the plan is that Pontiac and Buick/GMC models aren't exactly in the same price range, though (potential) future products like the Buick Excelle and the GMC Granite concept could be priced competitively enough to keep some Pontiac owners in the GM family.

With new service customers on the way, we're sure the Buick-GMC dealers are excited about this program. Many Buick-GMC dealers used to sell Pontiacs as well, so many of the brand's former customers won't even have to go to a new dealer to cash in on the free maintenance.

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MyFord Touch proves that the shape of things to come is awesome

2010-01-06T21:50:00.000-08:00

by Jonny Lieberman

Ford began its MyFord Touch presentation with a simple question: "People line up for iPhones – why not cars?" What is it about certain pieces of technology that makes them a "must have"? And since the iPhone is really just a merger of two things we already have (a cell phone and PC), is it possible to blend something into a car that will get 'em lining up around the block? Quite obviously, Ford's hoping the answer is yes.

MyFord Touch – and if you buy a Lincoln, MyLincoln Touch – is a piece of driver connect technology like SYNC, only much more advanced. In fact, you can think of MyFord as SYNC 2.0. Or, you could, if not for the fact that there already is a SYNC 2.0. Regardless, in-car technology can do myriad of things these days, and Ford thinks it's found a way to group and display all of a vehicle's functionality in a logical, intuitive and useful way. Sadly, Ford is internally calling this "simplexity," as in making the complex simple. Or, as we wrote in our notes, "barf." Thankfully, the public will know it as MyFord Touch.

Ford wants you to think of MyFord Touch as an electronic Swiss Army knife. Physically speaking, here's what you get: A large, eight-inch touchscreen display in the center stack, two 4.2-inch LCD screens to the right and left of an analog speedometer (the exact same screens you'll find in the Fusion Hybrid) and two steering wheel-mounted five-way button controls. Using Ford's award-winning HMI (human-machine interface) setup, MyFord Touch seeks to allow a driver to control in-car technology through either voice, touch or the wheel-mounted controllers. As Ford termed it, VUI (voice user interface), TUI (touch user interface) and GUI (graphic user interface).

While that might sounds a touch (no pun) complex, it isn't. How's that possible? Grouping. Ford has gone ahead and broken down all of the possible non-driving-related tasks into four groups: Phone, Climate, Navigation and Entertainment. Is Ford 100 percent accurate with their groupings? Like in submarine warfare, close enough. Not only are there the four groups, but Ford also chose a color for each group. That last part is more important than it might first seem and here's why...

As far as the large, eight-inch touchscreen goes, its four corners each contain a button for one of the four groupings. Phone is brown, Navigation is green, Entertainment is purple and Climate is blue. We haven't had a chance to play with MyFord Touch yet, but we understand that the system is quite customizable. Don't like that shade green? Think Climate should be red and not blue? Not a problem.

Returning to the two 4.2-inch LCD screens, the one to the left contains all your usual mileage and fuel information: trip computer, radar cruise control distance indicator, vehicle information and even a tachometer, if you like. In other words, information directly related to operating the car. The screen on the right however, displays information from the four MyFord Touch groupings. The idea is that after a little practice, you will be able to know which group you're looking at simply based on color – you won't have to read anything – and your eyes will spend more time on the road. A noble goal, for certain.

Going with that mantra and/or old Doors song, the five-way thumb controls (up, down, left, right, click) keep your hands on the wheel. The left controller is for the left screen, and (shockingly) the right is for the right one. Of course, even better than using a touchscreen or working wheel buttons is using your own voice. Ford assured us that the voice recognition system shipping with MyFord Touch is much more conversational than the VR system currently shipping with SYNC. Instead of talking your way through a series of menus (SYNC asks you what source you want, for example iPod, then asks you what track or artist), MyFord Touch should just require you say, "Play 'John the Fisherman' by Primus" and be done with it. Emphasis on should.

Here's a couple nifty details, and please keep in mind that we didn't get to play with MyFord Touch – yet (expect a video coming soon from CES). Users will be able to take all of their MyFord Touch settings with them from vehicle to vehicle – just plug in an SD card or flash drive and you're good to go drive another MyFord Touch-equipped car. Your color scheme, your radio presets, your music tags, your seat position – whatever – all go with you. It will even welcome you by name, no matter the car. With the music tags, MyFord and MyLincoln Touch are the first systems that allow you to tag songs on the fly. Ford didn't go into great details on this, but we imagine you could would be able to hear something on the radio, tag it, and then let MyFord Touch search for it. This could be especially cool with the SYNC app that let's you listen to internet radio.

The first vehicle this new system will be available on is the 2011 Lincoln MKX, which will debut at next week's Detroit Auto Show. As such, we'll be looking at MyLincoln Touch as opposed to MyFord. Differences? Not really, but the two come standard with different colors (MyLincoln's are yellow for Communication/Phone, green for Navigation, red for Entertainment and blue for Climate). Shouldn't the colors be identical? Probably, but they are customizable and portable, so it doesn't really matter. After the MKX, look for this technology in the refreshed 2011 Ford Edge and then the all-new 2011 Ford Focus. Eventually, 80 percent of all Fords will be available with MyFord or MyLincoln Touch. Just speculating here, but we wonder if the 20 percent not getting the good stuff is Mercury...

Besides all the little details, the big picture we took away from the MyFord Touch is Ford is seriousness. These people knew going halfway wouldn't be good enough. The screens are beautiful. Before seeing MyFord Touch, we already thought that Ford had the best navigation/entertainment stuff in the industry (SYNC is really, really good – especially with Sirius Travel Link). MyFord Touch brings Ford a generation (or two) beyond the competition. In other words, no one could even compete with Ford's old stuff. How on earth will they manage against MyFord Touch?

Hummer HB compact off-roader

2009-12-28T20:42:00.000-08:00

by Jeremy Korzeniewski

With Hummer's future seemingly in the hands of China's Sichuan Tengzhong Heavy Industrial Machinery Co. Ltd, questions naturally turn to the automaker's barren product cupboard. How will Tengzhong replace Hummer's current crop of SUVs? With the news that the Chinese automaker would like to focus on more environmentally friendly models, a Romanian designer by the name of Andrus Ciprian envisions something along the lines of the compact HB concept you see above.

A Hummer wouldn't be a Hummer without significant off-road capability, and Ciprian suggests that the HB would retain a body-on-frame design in lieu of a lighter unibody, though hewn from aluminum and carbon fiber instead of steel. Under the comely concept's hood sits a biofuel-capable V6 engine. But those aren't the most interesting bits of the concept, the stance and general proportions of which would look perfect on the front of a Traxxas RTR box.

Ciprian included two separate windshield designs, one of which sees the screen sectioned into thirds with a slew of cameras relaying additional information to the pilot. We'd go with the more production-likely single-piece glass. In any case, see the stunning high-res renderings in our gallery below and let us know what you think.

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Et tu, Clarkson? Top Gear names Toyota Prius its "City Car of the Year

2009-12-06T23:36:00.000-08:00

Jeremy Clarkson seems to hate anything that "greens up" or in any other way adds an "eco" label to his cars – and some environmentalists don't exactly appreciate the television host either – so it's with some amusement that we learn that the Top Gear team has named the Toyota Prius the "City Car of the Year." Turns out, the Prius really can appeal to almost everyone.

Clarkson was not specifically quoted in the Prius praise piece – remember, this is the guy who called Honda's Insight "Biblically terrible" and pretended to run out of energy in a Tesla Roadster – but his mates said the 2010 Prius gets "awesome numbers" of 60 mpg (U.S. gallons, as measured on the UK scale) and emits just 89 grams of C02 per km. And all this from "a proper family five-door hatch." BBC Top Gear Editor Conor McNicholas even called the third-gen model "something quite ground-breaking." Press release pasted after the jump.

Buick confirms 2011 Regal 2.0T to come with manual transmission. Wait... wha?

2009-11-19T16:19:00.000-08:00

by Chris Paukert

Trivia Time: When was the last time a U.S. market Buick was available with a manual transmission? Honestly, we can't recall anything more recent than a buddy in high school having a hand-me-down mid-Eighties Somerset coupe with a stubby, workmanlike five-speed. Even back then its presence in our friend's hooptie was a genuine curiosity and a source of perpetual amusement.

Naturally, we posed this same question to a few Buick PR-types this morning at a first drive event upon learning from vehicle line executive Jim Federico that the reborn 2011 Regal will receive a six-speed manual transmission option (mated to a blown 2.0-liter four, no less). The answer? Shoulder shrugs and sheepish looks. Curiously, nobody even tried to answer our query with a red herring like the ill-fated Reatta coupe (it only came with a four-speed automatic).

So we now know when a Buick will next feature God's Own Gearbox (probably in the third quarter of 2010), but we still can't crack this historical chestnut – so we beseech thee, Autoblog Nation... what year was the last Buick built with a DIY transmission – and what car was it in? Hit us with your best shot in Comments.

Dartz Prombron drops the whale penis

2009-11-10T22:04:00.000-08:00

by Jonny Lieberman

First of all, yes – this is pure Mercedes-Benz propaganda. We're fully aware of that fact. Second, despite it all, we're very jealous of what takes place in this video. In order to show off just how much junk you're able to fit inside the new E-Class Wagon -– or "Estate" in Mercedes parlance. How they settled on building a giant slot car track (or more precisely, sneaking it past the corporate money men) is beyond us, but we're glad they did.

So, how much junk? Quite a bit. Specifically, 1,275 pieces of track, including a section that snakes through the E-Class. All told, the track is over 400 meters long (about a quarter mile) and takes the 1/32 scale DTM cars four minutes and forty-seconds to complete. The track layout was designed beforehand on a computer because otherwise, well... they'd still be building it. Watch the full video after the jump.

F1 teams play musical engines as Cosworth emerges the favorite for 2010

2009-10-22T06:16:00.000-07:00

by Noah Joseph

As it turns out, the addition of four new teams, the departure of BMW Sauber and a massive game of musical chairs in the driver's market aren't the only big changes in store next year in Formula One. As this year's championship winds to a close, reports emerge that several teams are switching their engine partners for next year.

Following earlier reports that McLaren could fully divorce from Mercedes and acquire arch-rival BMW's engine operations, new reports indicate that both Red Bull and Williams are switching engine suppliers for the upcoming season. Williams announced a couple of weeks ago that it was terminating its deal with Toyota early due to dissatisfaction with the performance of the Japanese engine package. While the independent British team had reportedly been negotiating with Renault, inside information now indicates that Williams will take advantage of the new Cosworth package for next season instead.

Meanwhile, Red Bull could end up with the Cosworth package as well. The team has revealed that it is considering staying with Renault or alternatively switching to either Mercedes, Toyota or Cosworth. Unsatisfied with the Renault package and with McLaren reportedly vetoing RBR's tie-in with Mercedes, it's now apparently down to Toyota and Cosworth. Insiders point out that with the ban on engine development still in place for the returning manufacturers, Cosworth is the only provider capable of developing a new engine.

The two veteran teams would be joining Manor, Campos, Lotus and USF1 under Cosworth power. Ferrari, Renault and Toyota will, of course, continue building their own engines. If McLaren doesn't absorb BMW's engine department in time, it will likely stick with Mercedes, while Brawn and Force India are expected to continue with Mercedes power as well. That leaves Toro Rosso, which has yet to confirm if it will continue using Ferrari engines as it has for the past three seasons. Know all about car finance, car finance calculator, car loan, car loans at lowest rate.

Viper app allows remote start of your car with iPhone

2009-10-13T22:01:00.000-07:00

by John Neff

As the iPhone continues to introduce apps both silly and indispensable, it should come as no surprise that there's now an app for starting your car remotely. Introduced by car alarm company Viper, the SmartStart app comes in two flavors: a $299 package if you already have a compatible Viper alarm system or a $499 deal for a stand alone unit that comes with everything you need to start operating your car with Apple's Jesus phone. In addition to remote start, the SmartStart app can also lock and unlock your car, open the trunk and sound your panic alarm.

Previously we've seen the ZipCar app for the iPhone tout lock/unlocking capabilities, but this is the first time an app has enabled your iPhone to actually turn on a car. What's next? Well, we're going to start holding our breath for an app that's lets us drive our cars using the iPhone, just like James Bond did with his 7 Series in Tomorrow Never Dies. Big breath, big breath...

Follow the jump for a video of how the system works and what it can do.

McLaren MP4-12C production plans include retractable hardtop?

2009-10-08T00:30:00.000-07:00

by Noah Joseph

Reports emerging from the UK are giving us a hint at what to expect in the near future from McLaren Automotive in its bid to make an assault on the exotic supercar market. The reports stem from plans filed by the F1 team's nascent road car division and its new manufacturing facility next to the current McLaren Technology Center in Woking, England.

According to Autocar, part of the layout for the new facility has been dedicated to "RHT Sub Assembly", indicating that McLaren could be preparing to produce a retractable hardtop version of the new MP4-12C. While the notion of fitting a lightweight supercar with a heavy folding roof mechanism may seem antithetical to its ethos, Ferrari made huge advances with the roof on the California, and McLaren will be looking to show up its chief rival. Insiders suggest the McLaren's folding roof could be made of either aluminum alloy or possibly carbon fiber.

The overall timeline for production, however, suggests that McLaren may have to begin producing the MP4 where the outgoing SLR has been assembled in its current facility. McLaren has ambitious plans for a new factory adjacent to its existing headquarters, but with delivery of the first new supercars scheduled for November, the new underground facility isn't likely to be ready in time.

GM issues service bulletins for 2010 Chevy Camaro

2009-09-30T00:38:00.000-07:00

by John Neff

Owners of the 2010 Chevy Camaro may want to swing by their local dealer between stop light drags. General Motors has issued a service bulletin for its reborn pony cars that affects three issues that may become problems for some owners. The first issue involves reprogramming the HVAC module, which will reportedly prevent HVAC evaporator freeze-up after long highway drives. The second issue involves tightening the nuts that affix the rear spoiler to the trunk lid, but only applies to vehicles with VIN numbers A9126194 or lower. The third and final issue involves inspecting the engine harness of all V8-equipped models to ensure that the heater hose clamps aren't touching the harness bracket.

It should be noted that this is not a recall, just a service bulletin and Camaro owners are encouraged to have these items addressed the next time they visit a dealer for service.

2010 Nissan Altima leaked online, internet almost fails to notice

2009-09-22T20:51:00.000-07:00

by Jeremy Korzeniewski

The image you see above is the updated 2010 Nissan Altima. No, really... it may look eerily similar to the mid-size sedan currently on dealer lots across the country wearing window stickers that say 2009, but the 2010 model is in fact slightly restyled.

Especially noticeable is the reworked front fascia, which now features a slightly more prominent upper grille and a lower intake that's molded in body color plastic instead of black. Flanking that lower opening are new foglights that sit inside boomerang-shaped recesses. We can't make out much of the car's hind quarters, but it seems the tail lamps have grown a in size.

The story of how this image was leaked is also at least mildly interesting. As we reported earlier today, all Altimas and Maximas from the 2009 and 2010 model years were recalled due to faulty upper front strut insulators, despite the fact that a total of zero 2010 Altimas have so far been sold. Automotive News used the image above of the 2010 Altima for its story, but nearly everyone – save the eagle-eyed chaps at Motor Trend

Yes, we made fun of the GT3 RS's pink lips when we saw the PR shots. But in person the Guards Red accents look, well, Guards Red. However, even in the

2009-09-15T20:39:00.000-07:00

by Jeremy Korzeniewski

According to a report from earth2tech.com, Ray Lane, an investor with Kleiner Perkins, has let slip news that Fisker is developing a new plug-in hybrid automobile to slot below its planned Karma sedan with a base price of just $39,000. No indication is made whether that price would be before or after the $7,500 federal tax rebate it would likely qualify for.

Kleiner Perkins is one of the major investors in Fisker Automotive, so there's reason to believe Lane has knowledge of the inner workings at the young automaker. Earlier, company CEO Henrik Fisker said that the automaker was looking to the Department of Energy for a loan of an undetermined amount in order to build a lower-cost plug-in automobile.

We haven't recieved word that Fisker's DOE loan was approved, so we're not really sure where the funds to develop the new machine will come from. In any case, the Fisker Karma isn't slated to go on sale until late 2010, so the lower-cost PHEV very likely has quite a ways to go before it hits the pavement to do battle with the likes of the Chevy Volt. Thanks for the tip, Jon!

Porsche to offer proper paddle shifters on all models?

2009-09-02T21:39:00.000-07:00

by Sam Abuelsamid

The new Porsche 911 Turbo is packed with sports car goodness, primarily with the inclusion of a new steering wheel with proper paddles for tapping your way through the gearbox. The replacement of the silly up-down switches on the spokes will be an option on the Turbo and it seems like the wiring from the wheel to the column is the same regardless of which style you choose.

That means the new wheel can plug into the connection on any new Porsche steering column including the 911, Boxster or Cayman. So if you aren't content with Porsche's admonishment that the two-switch setup is technically superior, you will soon have another way to pay an absurd premium for an option on your Porsche.

Audi to enter EV race with electric R8 supercar

2009-08-23T22:38:00.000-07:00

By MARTON PETTENDY

Plug power: Audi is set to unveil a "very, very sporty" electric car at the Frankfurt motor show. Digital image: Chris Harris.

Electric version of the R8 super-coupe is almost certain to be Audi’s first EV

AUDI has confirmed it will finally enter the electric vehicle (EV) race at next month’s Frankfurt motor show, where the German luxury car-maker now appears almost certain to unveil both plug-in and convertible versions of its R8 supercar.

The Volkswagen premium brand, which has hitherto dismissed petrol-electric hybrid technology as an interim measure that is also inferior to its modern TDI turbo-diesel engines, has previously denied long-running speculation that it is working on an R8 EV.

However, Audi’s global sales and marketing chief has now confirmed the company will enter the electric car arena with a “very, very sporty” model to appear at Frankfurt on September 15, in a “top-down” approach that is expected to see the ‘R8E’ debut alongside the new A5 Sportback and convertible R8 Spyder, which has been spied in testing at the Nurburgring.

“I’m not confirming R8, but at the top end and something very, very sporty, we are going to show in the upcoming Frankfurt motor show in September what we think the right way is of getting into the electric era is,” said Audi AG board member Peter Schwarzenbauer yesterday.

Speaking at the opening of Audi Australia’s new $50 million ‘Lighthouse’ dealership and national headquarters in Sydney, Mr Schwarzenbauer questioned the small EV strategy adopted by its most direct luxury rivals in BMW and Mercedes-Benz.

Left: Audi A1 concept. Below: VW Up! concept.

“If you go back to the past all major new technology was introduced top-down. I have a hard time to understand that now the only discussion about electric cars is very small cars,” he said

“BMW has 500 Minis running around with batteries, Smart on the Mercedes side will have a battery in it and I have a hard time to understand what the business case should be in all of this, because if you look around the current battery package to really drive a car around costs roughly €12,000-15,000 ($A20,700-$25,900) – just the battery package.

“So now if you take a small car, which also costs around €12,000-$15,000, that means you are doubling the price, just by putting a battery (in it).

“I don’t know how much environmentally you have to be convinced that you spend the double of the money to drive electric. So I don’t see that this is a real business case and I think the electric car technology has to be introduced like all the other technologies in the world – top down.

Mr Schwarzenbauer said Audi’s EV rollout would differ markedly from both its premium German competitors and its parent company, which he revealed would showcase a small EV at Frankfurt. Volkswagen has committed to releasing its first EV, likely to be based on the Up! concept, in 2013.

“Our approach (to EV) will be a completely different one – we will start at the top-end,” he said. “We are going a different way.

“Volkswagen is going the direction of bringing a small car to the market and we think for a premium brand it makes much more sense to start a top-down approach, so our approach is to start at the high end.

“The one we are launching in Frankfurt, or showing in Frankfurt, will be for the Audi brand and I’m sure that Volkswagen has also something around electric in Frankfurt.”

Audi’s most senior salesman said the company’s EV plan would not require government assistance of public subsidies because buyers of top-shelf vehicles like the R8 would more readily pay the price premium for a battery-powered vehicle than small-car purchasers.

“I think that the price sensitivity at this end of the market – where we talk about a car which is in the range of an R8 – it is easier percentage-wise to put a battery in for €12,000 to €15,000. It is easier to compensate and accept by the consumer than putting it in at the low end.

“So we think that this might be more successful to introduce such a technology than going on the smaller car. We think it’s safer to go on the high end. We can launch this without any government incentive.”

Mr Schwarzenbauer’s comments came the day after the German government called for financial incentives starting in 2012 to support the sale of electric cars, which are expected to number one million in that country by 2020. Details of the plan proposed by German chancellor Angela Merkel’s cabinet are due to be discussed in the next legislature period in spring.

As we’ve reported, Audi Australia managing director Joerg Hofmann last week fuelled speculation the mid-engined R8, which is now available with a Lamborghini-sourced 5.2-litre V10 in Australia, could come with electric power when he suggested it would be the perfect platform on which to introduce new technologies.

“I believe there is plenty of scope (for further drivetrains to appear in the R8),” said Mr Hofmann at this month’s launch of the R8 5.2 FSI quattro. “With the R8 you can do quite a few things. There is a lot we can do in the future.”

It is unclear whether the topless R8 Spyder will emerge with the coupe’s existing 309kW/430kW V8 or 386kW/530Nm V10 at Europe’s largest motor show, where Mercedes-AMG will debut its all-new gullwinged SLS supercar, initially powered by a 6.2-litre V8 before becoming available as a petrol-electric hybrid.

It is also unknown if the R8 EV will be an all-electric plug-in vehicle, which is unlikely, or whether it will be an electrically assisted hybrid with an engine/generator to charge a battery that provides additional drive to the rear wheels or, as with the SLS, to power electric motors that drive the front wheels.

Mr Schwarzenbauer reiterated Audi’s stance that hybrid is an interim step in the march to the all-electric vehicle that was yet to match the efficiency of its own turbo-diesel engines.

“I think hybrid is a technology where you have to get engaged in it, not because we think hybrid is the solution but hybrid is a step towards fully electric driving, so you need the experience.

“On the other hand if you look at purely the facts of what fuel consumption is all about then you see that some of our competitors, especially here in the Australian market, they have one model offering a hybrid.

“We have currently 21 models in the Australian market with a fuel consumption below 7.0L/100km, so I think it is always sometimes more interesting to write about new technology like hybrid, but the facts are different.

“The facts are that not one hybrid can really achieve what we can do today with a modern TDI engine.

“We have done a mileage marathon in the US driving from New York to Los Angeles driving across the country with hybrid technology and TDI technology and there was not one hybrid model – I won’t mention any names – which even came close to the consumption of what a TDI model can do.

“But of course the public perception is that diesel is an old technology. Maybe we’re not good enough in communicating how modern today’s diesel really is,” he said, adding that conventional internal-combustion engines had still more to offer.

“Not only on the diesel but on the petrol side, we still think that the combustion engine still has additional potential. We have committed ourselves to reducing the consumption by another 20 per cent by 2012, so we still see potential in the combustion engine.”

Multi-million dollar Ferrari 250 TR crashing at Monterey Historics

2009-08-17T21:54:00.000-07:00

by Jonny Lieberman

Some of us weren't able to attend the Monterey Historic races over the weekend, but the first thing we heard once the laptop spooled up was that a very expensive Ferrari 250 TR smacked into a bunch of tires at Laguna Seca. This has turned into the crash heard 'round the world for a few simple reasons. Make that thirty four reasons, to be exact. That's right Ferrari only made 34 250 Testa Rossas from 1956 to 1961. Actually, let's just make that 21 reasons, as the 250 TR is the preferred version of the car, and only 19 customer cars and 2 racers were built between 1958 and 1959. And while a 1957 250 Testa Rossa just sold this past May for $12,200,000, making it the most expensive car, well, ever -- the 1958 TR that cashed this weekend is "only" worth about $8 million.

Our own meraviglioso photographer Drew Philips had Nikon in hand near Laguna's famed Corkscrew and was able to capture the tragic off-track excursion -- which is why we have these amazing photographs. In fact, Autoblog reader James Iovino was so smitten with Drew's work that he took all the individual photos and video-ized them. Which is not only a word we just made up, but pretty dang cool to watch. That is if watching a near-priceless Ferrari jump across gravel and slam into a bunch of dirty old tires can ever be cool. But hey, at least the TR got beat up on a race track instead resting in a garage during an earthquake. Besides, everything ought to buff right out.

WaPo blogger wants to buy Camaro, gets dealer runaround instead

2009-07-22T01:15:00.000-07:00

by Alex Nunez

For many, car-buying is an experience that rates somewhere between pouring a basket of scorpions into your underwear and a visit to the dentist from Marathon Man. Some dealerships feel like hives of villainy more wretched than even the Star Wars Cantina, though being held at gunpoint by Greedo is likely preferable to enduring the overall auto-buying process at one of those retailers. After all, as Han Solo demonstrated, one can actually "deal" with Greedo in a satisfactory manner.

Dealing with anyone in a satisfactory manner was, unfortunately, not in the cards for Washington Post blogger Vijay Ravindran, who probably would have had better luck negotiating a peace treaty with the Rancor monster in Jabba's palace. Ravindran, guest-posting at WaPo's Achenblog, reports that with his nine-year-old Bimmer beginning to feel a little tired, he was ready to make the move to a new car. Now, Ravindran is one of these people who admits that "domestic sports coupe" is not a thought that had ever tickled his synapses before, but the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro's drop-dead looks changed all that. Ravindran started with a nearby dealer that advertised Camaros in the newspaper, and things pretty much tanked from there. He called the dealer, left a voicemail requesting a test drive, and promptly never heard back. Good thing the auto market is so strong right now that dealers can turn away prospective customers so easily.

Ravindran's efforts were similarly futile as he expanded his search to other area Chevy dealers, each of whom appeared to have an aversion to the general concept of getting him into a car. Or responding to his queries at all. The dealer that did finally engage him excelled only at giving him a slimy runaround. Granted, we understand Camaros are hot commodities right now and that they may be hard to get, but Ravindran's story flies directly in the face of GM's post-bankruptcy spin about great dealers, great service, etc. You can read Ravindran's whole tale at Achenblog. As for Vijay Ravindran himself, he's no dummy: he's pretty much given up on his Camaro quest.

Techco unleashes 600 horsepower Corvette supercharger system

2009-07-13T00:22:00.000-07:00

by Drew Phillips

If you haven't heard much about Techco, you soon will. The Anaheim-based aftermarket company launched a bevy of performance products for the Chrysler LX platform and Ford Mustang earlier this year, and recently stuffed its reverse-revolution twin-screw supercharger system underneath the hood of a brand new C6 Corvette. The result? 600 horsepower and 535 lb-ft torque at just six pounds of boost.

Designed and engineered by the same team that created the Series VI supercharger for the Saleen Mustangs, the Techco Corvette supercharger displaces 3.0 liters and features a standalone 8-rib drive system, patented dual A-Frame Intercooler system, high-volume fuel rails with 54 lb/hr injectors, and more. Corvette owners will also be pleased to hear it fits underneath the stock hood.

We recently got the chance to get behind the wheel of Techco's demo Corvette for a short drive, and were simply amazed at the dual nature of the car. From the outside it appears to simply be a stock Corvette - it looks stock, sounds stock, and even drives stock if you lay off the throttle. A unique drive system helps to keep things quiet, muting the sound of the supercharger. Get on the gas, though, and the blown LS3 propels the Corvette past legal speeds in the blink of an eye. With a package price of just $8,500 and an optional 10 psi kit, it's a pretty good bargain as well. Full details in the press release after the jump.

Triumph Daytona motorcycle assembled from Lego bricks

2009-06-30T20:36:00.000-07:00

by Jeremy Korzeniewski

Further proof that you can literally fashion anything if given access to enough interconnecting Lego bricks is this Triumph Daytona 1200 motorcycle. The machine has apparently been on display for quite some time at Legoland Windsor in Berkshire, England and is obviously assembled from thousands of individual pieces. We especially like the detailed engine, which is complete with linkages for the carbs and throttle cables.

As cool as this creation is, how much better would it be with a fully functional Lego engine? Of course, having a full-scale building-block motorcycle would also require a matching helmet. May we suggest this one? Click past the break for a video of the LEGO Triumph Daytona on its display stand and click here for more automotive-themed Lego madness.

Automotive Parts and Accessories for your Vehicle

2009-06-22T07:09:00.000-07:00

If you’re a vehicle owner and find yourself looking at a damaged part of your vehicle, don’t start shopping for parts on local salvage yards. You might get the raw end of the deal there. The best thing you can do is to shop for auto parts and accessories online. The car parts industry has improved over the years and you can now enjoy the convenience of Internet ecommerce to buy quality used auto part and accessories. In fact you can purchase whatever auto part and accessories you need from auto parts and accessories online seller.

One of the biggest benefits of buying auto parts and accessories online is convenience. With simple click and point of the mouse, you will be able to easily find what you are looking for on the Internet. Whether you are looking for used auto part, hard to find accessories, rebuilt engines or used transmissions, you can find it in an online car part vendor site. You can avoid the hassle trudging through several salvage yards and hauling back the auto parts you bought. By shopping for auto parts and accessories online, you can simply order what you need and the merchandise will be delivered to you quickly.

Another advantage of shopping for auto parts and accessories online is accessibility. No matter what time of the day, you can always shop for used auto part and accessories that your vehicle needs. Sometimes, it would be difficult to find the right auto parts and accessories that can replace the damaged ones. Simply go online and order the specific used auto part and accessories you need. The online auto parts and accessories vendor will look for replacements on your behalf. An online auto parts and accessories vendor normally has contacts with manufacturers, salvage warehouses, and other suppliers. Allow them to look for the used auto part that you need and they will deliver it to you.

Quality is the biggest concern when buying used auto part and accessories. Because of modern remanufacturing processes, the quality of the used auto part and accessories you can buy online is guaranteed. There is a strict industry standard being followed in the auto parts and accessories market. In order to continue their businesses, online auto parts and accessories vendors ensure that their items are following the standards set by the industry. Usually, parts and accessories have been tested for performance especially if you are buying used engines or transmissions. So you will seldom encounter a problem if you buy used auto part and accessories online.

Consumer security is also protected by online auto parts and accessories sellers. If you purchase auto parts and accessories online, you will be required to pay through credit cards. Modern ecommerce security and site security features are already in place now to make your purchase safer. Your personal information will not be compromised if you buy online. A good online auto parts and accessories seller also protects your interest by providing warranties for its products. You can also get a return privilege if ever you see defects on the items you bought. These are the guarantees and protection you can enjoy from an online auto part and accessories seller.

Internet technology changed the entire online auto parts and accessories market. You can now enjoy the convenience and safety of online shopping if ever you need replacements for damaged auto parts and accessories. You can also get quality used auto parts and accessories at a much lower price from an online auto part and accessories seller.

What Grille Guards Can Do for Your Truck

2009-06-17T18:06:00.000-07:00

by: Kay Zetkin

Isn’t it an appealing thought to make your truck look better while still protecting it? You can actually accomplish this through several ways. However, few ways are as dramatic as installing grill guards to your truck.

Are you familiar with truck grill guards? You may say you are, on sight at least. However, are you aware that these devices offer tremendous advantages for your truck, especially if you are using it for off road riding and job sites? Probably not. Very few actually know about this.

Most models of truck grill guards are formed by tubular steel. The front end of your beloved truck is very much protected by having this device installed there. Aside from the usual protection it offers to the grille, itself, grill guards also protect the radiator that is typically behind the grille. You can have truck grill guards based on your preferred finish. There are several kinds of finishes available, as most truck accessories usually do. You can match your grill guard to your other truck accessories to give it a certain complete look.

When looking for a grill guard for your truck, you have to remember a few important things:

1. Remember that you have to purchase the grill guards designed to fit the specific make and brand of your vehicle. By doing this, the possibility of having to drill new holes in your truck’s underside in order to provide a perfect fit for your new grill guard is eliminated. Several companies actually offer custom designed truck grill guards for many truck makes or brand.

2. It is also important that you purchase an entire truck grill guard package, complete with skid plate and/or skid plate and other component pieces.

3. Lastly, make sure that you consider the gauge of steel that your choice of guard is constructed with. Thicker is better since it would guarantee more protection. However, your grill guard will be heavier and would involve more pounds of gasoline to load your truck.

If you have already decided on all these items, next thing you have to decide is the finish you prefer. Many companies offer stainless steel, chrome and powder coated black truck grill guards. As far as longevity and looks are concerned, each of these types of finish has something different to offer. Remember to check with your grill guard retailer and find out the length of warranty that they apply to each type of finish.

Then, next is the issue of style. This option depends on the appearance of steel it is made with. Finally, you must decide on the installation of your new grill guard. Some brands can be easily installed on their own by you while just having to bolt it in place. Meanwhile in installing other brands, like the OEM options, you need a skilled mechanic’s assistance. You can actually choose a few options according to your mechanical abilities.

Want to make your car sound turbocharged? Get the Turbo Whistler!

2009-06-01T00:28:00.000-07:00

by Drew Phillips

Have you ever wanted your car to sound turbocharged without having any of the functional benefits? Yeah, neither have we, but apparently someone thought it was a good idea to make such a product. Knowing some of the things people put on their cars, we have no doubt it will find a few buyers too. Named the Turbo Whistler, this aluminum device clamps onto your tailpipe (no welding or drilling necessary!) and emits a sound similar (a term used very loosely in this case) to the whistle of a turbocharger under throttle. The company's web site claims that it will trick all of your friends into thinking your vehicle is benefiting from forced induction. Our guess is that if they don't know the difference, they will also believe you when you tell them your Honda Accord is also a "10-second car." Watch the Turbo Whistler in action in the video after the jump.

Mosley drops two-tier system, Ferrari takes FIA to court

2009-05-18T01:35:00.000-07:00

by Noah Joseph

With the May 29 deadline for registering for the 2010 Formula 1 season fast approaching and the bulk of the current teams threatening to walk out of the series, FIA chief Max Mosley and F1 commercial director Bernie Ecclestone met in London on Friday with the heads of each Formula One team to iron out a deal that would allow the sport to accelerate past the standoff and into the next season. How that meeting went, however, depends on who you ask.

First of all, both Mosley and Ecclestone confirmed that the proposed two-tier system that would have forced teams to choose between either severe aerodynamic penalties or restrictive budget caps has been scrapped. That was the major sticking point that the Formula One Teams Association and its members (i.e., all the teams currently on the grid) objected to. However, the meeting's conclusion was still described as a stalemate, given that the teams are still threatening to leave and that a substitute for the two-tier system approved by the FIA's World Motorsport Council has not been agreed upon. Mosley proposes a drastic £40 million ($60 million) budget cap to be imposed on all the teams, large or small, veteran or newcomer. While the teams in general agree that a budget cap is logical, they have yet to agree on the amount, while some of the teams are suggesting that other solutions be sought instead.

The parties are set to meet again this coming Friday in Monte Carlo, ahead of the Monaco Grand Prix, to resume discussions. But Ferrari, for one, is hedging its bets. With Mosley insisting that the sport could do without its longest-standing team, the Scuderia has filed a court injunction against the FIA's regulations. Ferrari is believed to have been given veto power over any substantive regulation changes, a clause that the team says has not been respected. Mosley, in turn, insists that one team cannot dictate the rules of the entire sport. Other Italian sporting bodies have stepped up to back Ferrari, as organizers of Rome's proposed grand prix threaten to cancel the project in the absence of their home team, while the Italian Olympic Committee throws its weight behind Ferrari as well. Maranello's injunction will be heard in court on Tuesday, when we'll find out if the Scuderia has legal backing to its objections.

Rubber Truck Bed Mats And The Smashed Ranger

2009-04-11T04:37:00.000-07:00

By: Al Bullington

Not too long ago a neighbor asked me to help him split and stack a big firewood pile. Sure, I thought. As this project progressed, my mental anguish increased and my appreciation for rubber truck bed mats increased. Here's the story...

See, the neighbor has a son with lots of energy and there were several other kids there too. So they get in a race to see how fast they can build a wood pile. Now the neighbor's late model, like-new, Ford Ranger pickup comes into play.

There's a short pickup haul from the splitter to the finished firewood pile. The shiny red Ford is the truck for the hauling. So at first the wood is loaded, with the neighbor son in charge, at a careful pace. Heavy, seasoned oak pieces are carefully placed in the Ford. Then as the afternoon wears on, the competition for speed increases.

The careful firewood placement evolves into firewood tosses. Now mind you these are heavy, hard oak slabs and the tosses are from fifteen to twenty feet out. As things progress, the wood starts to bounce on the bed of the truck. You can almost feel the dents. You sure can hear them. The blows fall faster and harder. The pace quickens.

Now the wood is raining on the fenders, on the rear window, inside, outside, everywhere the blows land. It's like a demolition derby. It's total destruction of a perfectly good truck. Dents, scratches and damage everywhere. It's a destroyed truck in just a few hours. It's amazing.

No truck bed mats can protect a truck from gross damage like that.

But rubber truck mats can stand up to almost any damage a SANE person would cause in normal use. Save your truck from expensive damage with some cheap bed mats.

Off Road Tires

2009-03-29T07:39:00.000-07:00

By Richard Romando

Adventure sports are very popular and boast of a huge fan following worldwide. The adrenaline rush and extreme sporting action is not something everyone would opt for thus watching the sport becomes the next best option. Apart from their skills, competitors are highly dependant upon their vehicles, components, and tires. Off road tires have all terrain treads and can easily maintain balance on uneven surfaces. Off road tires are not suitable for regular paved roads and are used for motor cross seasons, all-terrain races, and sand rail competitions.

Off road races could involve bicycles, motorbikes, or motor vehicles. Competitors could be required to traverse paths that are sandy, all terrain landscapes, dirty and mountainous. It is obvious that regular tires would cease to perform on such terrain and hence the use of off road tires is advocated. It is advisable not to use off road tires for regular use as they are designed especially for off road activities. Extreme conditions, high speed, and quick wear prevent off road tires from regular use. They are not designed for such usage, tend to be noisy and wear faster. These special tread patterns wear off quickly if used on asphalt roads and paths. When used on a competitive level, off road tires need to be changed more often than regular tires. In most cases off road tire expenses are borne by sponsors and manufacturers themselves.

Off road tires are available in various sizes and widths. Off road tires are classified into two major types. They are all terrain treads and mud treads. All terrain treads are apt for off-highway conditions and its closed tread design reduces noise on highways and is well suited for rocks as well as sand. They are not very good on muddy terrain but certain designs are able to combat such problems. Mud off road tires can cope in muddy situations, deep snow, and rocks. They may not perform all that well in case of rain and icy paths.

Gm Plans Diesel-powered Cadillac, Saturn Cars by 2010

2009-03-11T01:28:00.000-07:00

Author: Anthony Fontanelle

The General Motors Corp. plans to build diesel-powered vehicles under the Cadillac and Saturn brands in the United States by 2010. This information, as reported by Automotive News online journal, was divulged by the company’s head honcho Bob Lutz.

As gasoline prices continue to increase and more people become anxious about global warming issues, automakers are starting to make alternative fuels a bit more of a priority. The Toyota Motor Corp. has already announced that everything will be a hybrid. But the team at GM is taking a somewhat diverse approach.

Lutz recently dropped a pretty major bomb saying that the largest American automaker is working on a diesel-electric hybrid platform and it just may be flaunted in September at the Frankfurt Auto Show. Watchers in the industry said that the model will likely be an e-flex Opel Vectra.

In a video blog on the company's website dated Thursday, Lutz confirmed that the Detroit automaker would use clean diesel engines in passenger cars, sport utility vehicles and other light-duty trucks. He stressed, however, that emissions hardware and control systems needed to meet the standards would add another $2,000 to $2,800 to the $1,000-$2,000 premium that already exists for diesels over gasoline-engine cars.

A diesel car in Europe is not that big a deal, but when the Detroit Motor Show rolls around in January, the Detroit automaker plans on sporting the same e-flex technology in a Saturn, most likely the Aura sedan. And then, “it'll end up in a Cadillac, and there will be a front-wheel-drive version of the engine in 2009 or 2010 calendar year.”

The automaker will show the same variant at the Detroit auto show in January on a Saturn, most likely the Aura sedan, the industry journal stressed. The diesel engine will power the Opel Vectra in Europe by next year, and the next-generation Aura in the United States if all goes as planned, it said.

This time around, GM will not only be showcasing a stylish Saturn vent visor or a striking Cadillac façade - the automaker intends to deliver a slice of what is to come regarding its lineup. The e-flex powertrain was first shown in the Chevy Volt which was displayed earlier this year. It is where “a traditional engine such as a diesel or gasoline engine, recharges a battery pack that provides power for an electric motor.”

The United States will gradually begin enforcing the world's strictest regulations for harmful nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter (PM) emissions starting from 2008 model year cars, and GM has been tepid about clean diesel engines as a remedy for bolstering fuel economy citing the high cost of development.

The Detroit automaker would be joining diesel front-runners such as the DaimlerChrysler AG and Volkswagen AG, as well as Japan's Nissan Motor Co. and the Honda Motor Co. in promising diesel vehicles compliant with the U.S. Tier 2 bin 5 emissions standards. Toyota has yet to join the growing list, saying clean diesels would end up being more expensive than gasoline-electric hybrids, a segment the automaker dominates.

Company sources said that GM will show a diesel engine at the Frankfurt auto show in September on an e-flex Opel Vectra, In GM's e-flex powertrain, a traditional engine recharges a battery pack that provides power for an electric motor.

Historically, diesel engines have been difficult to initiate, as they are typically designed to be large torque monsters in most applications. But at idle they sip comparatively little fuel, so truckers take pleasure in A/C and television in their crew cabs while the engine runs overnight. But there is certainly no reason to run a modern diesel any longer than necessary.

About the Author:

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/automotive-articles/gm-plans-dieselpowered-cadillac-saturn-cars-by-2010-181398.html

Brembo to temporarily lay off 1,800

2009-02-16T16:48:00.000-08:00

by Dan Roth

With fewer cars being produced and sold, automotive suppliers face the same challenges as automakers. Italy's Brembo, producer of some of the most delectable braking hardware, will be laying off more than 1,800 workers to cope with a fourth quarter loss. The cuts will more closely align Brembo's production with newly decreased demand, and will affect workers at Brembo's locations in Italy, Mexico, and Poland. There is a government/industry fund that Brembo wishes to tap to help pay for the layoffs, though the cuts may be for a longer term than "temporary" implies. Brembo's orders have fallen drastically, and signs of recovery have yet to materialize.

Tonneau Covers

2009-02-05T22:56:00.000-08:00

TONNEAU COVER is a bed cover for a pickup truck. They can be hard or soft. Hard Tonneau Covers are usually hinge or fold. Tonneau Covers were used for an open rear passenger compartment of an SUV or truck and, by extension, a body style incorporating such a compartment. Tonneau is a French word which means cask, container, or cover. Most Tonneau Covers were fixed in place as an optional element at purchase, but some Tonneau Covers could be removed and customized. Early Tonneau Covers had a rear-facing hinged door but single or dual side doors were soon introduced to the Tonneau Cover market.

Hard - peak your truck bed with security and best looks. It is typically equipped with heavy-duty locks and durable shocks. Hard tonneau covers boast the best materials, too. Most hard tonneau covers can be paint-matched to your truck. Choosing to buy and fit a hard tonneau cover is without a doubt the correct decision. Tonneau covers made from other materials, no matter how well they are made, just aren't as weather-proof, securable, durable and as good looking as a hard tonneau covers.

Tonneau Cover Installation

Installing a Tonneau Cover is easy! Most Tonneau Covers don’t require drilling. Soft Tonneau Covers are the easiest to install — They can be installed in less than 20 minutes. Folding Tonneau Covers may require a little additional effort as they need some side supports that are aligned to the truck rails and these usually need some work and a little drilling. Hard top Tonneau Covers and Retractable Tonneau Covers take the most time for installation. These usually require some drilling to mount the corner bolts and the rest of the hardware.

Definition: Auto / Automobile

2009-01-28T00:41:00.000-08:00

Auto is short for automobile, this is use in transporting private or public passengers, its made up of wheels and engines that makes it run. Its widely define specifically that designed to run basically on the roads that has a seat for some numbers of people. It has 4 wheels and designed basically for people rather than products.

There are some words use to describe it:

auto
vehicle
car
automobile
jeep
truck
SUV (Sports Utility Vehicle)
Automotive

There are different kind of vehicles that has such speed and physical feature to make it look good. Most car owners choose those car that can last longer.

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All Terrain Off-Road Tires

2009-01-24T14:16:00.000-08:00

Designed for extreme off-road conditions and little else, rock crawling and mud terrain truck tires employ aggressive tread designs that extend to the sidewalls, giant lugs with deep voids, and reinforced sidewall construction to create tires that will grip any surface and remain durable in the process.

Extreme terrain offroad tires typically carry many of the same features, and consequently many mud terrain tires make excellent rock crawling tires, and vice versa. Extreme terrain offroad tires come in either radial or bias ply, but do their job best in a low air pressure bias ply, which allows the tread to conform to surfaces for increased traction.

Yet despite that extreme terrain offroad tires are composed of durable, cut and puncture resistant compounds, they usually do not produce very much mileage when driven on the street, particularly at high speeds. In addition, due to the wild tread designs and huge lugs, extreme terrain tires can cause a bumpy ride and are quite noisy on the road.

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All Season Tires

2008-12-28T05:55:00.000-08:00

All season truck tires usually have no business going off-road, as their composition and tread designs are not built to handle beatings from off-road conditions. They do, however, provide long-lasting tread that excels on wet or dry paved roads and offers tremendous longevity. Most stock vehicles come equipped with all season tires. For vehicle enthusiasts adding larger truck tires just for show, all-season truck tires are likely the most efficient way to go. Granted, you won't get that aggressive look that's quite popular as of late, but that may be a small price to pay for truck tires that will last you tens of thousands of miles longer than more aggressive truck tires.

Choosing the Right Type of Tires

2008-12-21T02:40:00.000-08:00

Before plunging headfirst into the sea of offroad tires trucks and coming out with the meanest, most intimidating monsters you can find, you have to at least know what type of monsters will best suit your offroad tires needs. First and foremost, you need to ask yourself a few questions. What type of off-road activities will you be doing the most? How much on-road and off-road driving will you do? What qualities in particular are you most concerned with -- durability, performance, traction, appearance, or ride quality? How much are you willing to spend? Taking some time to consider these important questions can help to narrow down what type of off-road tires are best for you.

Sizing Tire

2008-12-13T16:12:00.000-08:00

Tire sizing can be a tricky thing, mostly because the size of offroad tires you have in mind is dependent upon a number of factors. The most obvious question is first whether your vehicle is capable of handling the size of off-road tires that you want, and if not, what modifications do you need to make in order for the offroad tires to fit? Unfortunately, there aren't any universal, all-authoritative guides available to simplify the process, since customization and modification is vehicle-specific. Your best bet for getting a better idea of your vehicle's specifications is to contact the manufacturer. This will give you a general sense for what your vehicle is capable of so that you don't exceed its limits, or that you have the right parts installed in case you do. In terms of choosing the right lift kit, accessories, and knowing what modifications to make, factory service manuals, off-road magazines, internet message boards, manufacturer's guides, and a number of other resources are available to assist you.

2010 Mustang

2008-12-11T16:11:00.001-08:00

With the recent release of the 2010 Mustang, ushering in a totally new generation of Ponies, interest in this classic muscle car has never been higher. No matter what version of the Mustang you have, you've probably been bitten by the customization bug. Whether you just got your first Mustang, or have been a proud owner of one of these great cars for longer than you can remember, AmericanMuscle can fulfill all your Mustang modding dreams.

And the best place to start your customization adventures is with a set of brand new Mustang rims. Our monstrous variety of Mustang wheels means you can pick out ones that perfectly highlight your tires, your body kit and help to tie the overall design of your personalized 'stang together.
But rims are only a good start. Keep going and you might find that your stock Mustang hood needs an upgrade. And if you navigate over to AmericanMuscle, you also *might* find some of the highest-quality, aggressively-styled aftermarket hoods available on the Internet. It's one of the first parts of your car that people are going to see, but only for a minute while you blow by them, so leave them with something to talk about.

Moving to the interior of the car, floor mats are an especially easy modification to make, and one that really lets your particular Mustang stand out from the rest of the crowd and their dull, factory accessories. We carry mats for GTs, Cobras, Bullitts, Mach 1s, for both coupes and convertibles and in several colors and styles. And best of all, these mats are all made of the same durable, attractive material that will last as long as your pony does.

Audi R8 V10

2008-12-10T21:09:00.000-08:00

Audi is cranking up the juice on its flagship R8 sports car with the introduction of the Audi R8
V10 5.2 FSI quattro, which got an early reveal on the web today. The Audi R8 shares some less visible bits with its corporate cousin, the Lamborghini Gallardo, but until now the Lambo's V10 engine has remained exclusive to the Italian side of the family. The Audi R8 V10 will be the street going version of the Audi R8 LMS that debuted a couple of weeks ago at the Essen Motor Show in Germany.

It's 5.2L V10 is rated at 525 horsepower and 390.91 lb-ft of torque in European spec form. Those numbers fall a bit shy of the latest Lambo Gallardo LP560-4 even with the same displacement, which ensures that the Lambo can still command a price premium over the German machine. The U.S. version of the Audi R8 V10 should remain pretty close to these numbers. That will be enough to push the 0-62 sprint under four seconds to 3.9 seconds. Unfortunately, the R8 is still saddled with the same craptastic 6-speed R-tronic as the only alternative to its proper manual gearbox.

The Audi R8 V10 now also inches closer to the magical 200 mph mark with a terminal velocity of 196 mph. The Audi R8 V10 version gets a new set of all-LED headlights for both high and low beams and the scoops on the side blades now bulge out to suck in the extra air needed to feed and cool the larger engine and new design wheels and tires. A new rear diffuser also helps keep the rear end planted where a set of twin oval tailpipes replace the quad exhausts on the standard model. The R8 V10 will be available in Germany starting next spring with a base price of EUR 142,400 (approx $180,000) and will make its official debut in January at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. This car now should hang with some serious motorcycles now.

The Case for Radial Off-Road Tires

2008-12-06T02:31:00.000-08:00

Although Bias off-road tires are ideal for the extreme off-road enthusiast, this is not to suggest that radial off-road tires aren't effective on harsh terrain. On the contrary, the latest radial truck tires perform quite well in off-road situations, and are designed with versatility in mind to produce better road handling characteristics, even at high speeds. While radial offroad tires may not provide the same traction or performance as a set of low air pressure bias offroad tires, their longevity, handling, and smooth ride on paved roads makes up for it. Radials are perfect for the weekend off-road enthusiasts who see a lot of driving time on paved roads.

Bias Truck Tires versus Radial Off-Road Tires

2008-11-22T07:16:00.001-08:00

Any driver will tell you that radial truck tires have innumerable advantages over bias ply truck tires. In fact, the tire industry has almost completely abandoned manufacturing bias truck tires, save for a few exceptions. Yet despite that bias truck tires come attached with a number of disadvantages, they still have their advantages when it comes to offroad conditions.

Are You Ready for Taller Off-road Truck Tires?

2008-11-12T03:49:00.000-08:00

Buying a set of taller off-road tires for your 4x4 is like making a marriage work; it involves sometimes drastic changes, sacrifices, and commitment, along with constant care and maintenance. On the other hand, at least you won't have to remember anniversaries.

The first thing to keep in mind is that upgrading to taller truck tires means upgrading a number of other truck parts in your vehicle as well. Additional inches of vehicle clearance are needed for the truck tires to fit without rubbing against the vehicle fenders. Truck parts like a suspension lift, body lift, or a combination of both can provide those additional inches. For off-road purposes, a suspension lift is preferable for the increase in wheel travel ability, whereas a body lift simply allows for the fitment of larger offroad tires without any offroad performance enhancements.

Larger truck tires also mean that your vehicle will be working harder to tote additional weight, which can result in significant strain to your axles and shocks, and also alters the gear ratio set by the manufacturer.

To compensate for these changes, new ring and pinion gears and performance shocks (many complete lift kits typically include shocks) are strongly recommended. To counteract the additional weight and loss in performance, custom intakes, exhausts, computer chips, or any other performance-enhancing truck parts are also advised.

Off-Road Truck Tires - The Truth

2008-10-31T06:14:00.000-07:00

Whether you're sand-racing, rock-crawling, mud-plowing, or whatever other off-road activities conceivable, it's important to understand precisely why you need a set of off-road truck tires.

A common misconception with regard to offroad tires is that you need them for improved traction on rugged terrain, and naturally, the general consensus suggests that larger tires equate to more traction. While such an assumption makes sense, it is not entirely accurate. True, the right off-road tires can provide some additional traction in off-road conditions, but there are better, more efficient ways to improve traction than simply bulking up the rubber.

If traction is your primary concern, trucks parts like a traction differential (locker) with stock offroad tires are more beneficial for your rig than just adding a set of taller, more aggressive offroad tires. Or for that matter, a winch is probably a smart idea before anything else.

A locker or other 4x4-related truck parts could inspire excessive boldness, causing you to get caught in some real jams and then youâ€™ll wish that you opted for the winch instead. The point is larger off-road tires are meant first and foremost for the purpose of raising the height and ground clearance of your rig to enable steeper ascent and descent in off-road terrain.

Simply put, when driving over boulders, slogging through mud, coasting across the desert, or even just making your way through the occasional forest trail, higher ground clearance facilitates negotiating certain obstacles.

Not to downplay the traction aspect of offroad tires, as a set of mud terrain bias offroad tires will most definitely perform better in the mud than a set of all-season radials.

Rather, improved traction is more of a secondary function that still bears importance, but should not the sole consideration when it comes to buying truck tires, as there are far better truck parts available for meeting that goal.

Best Tops for Every Jeep, Trucks and SUV Owners

2008-10-10T07:12:00.000-07:00

Did you know that Jeeps, 4x4s and trucks have always been known for their abilities off-road? And they are also popular with its endurance. It is the reason why vehicle owners put much effort in putting accessories and modifying their rides to make it more appealing compare to the others.

Now, Jeeps are widely open, jeep enthusiast look for the most suitable tops for their vehicles. It is another way to jazz up your rugged vehicle and a sure way to protect you and your passengers against accident. These best tops vehicle make can be used and installed for jeep, truck and SUV's. Whatever weather you may encounter on the road, you are assured that your top got you covered.

Do what you think is the most affordable and most practical modification in your rig. Doing an overhaul in your exterior by adding a top that will give you an eye-catching vehicle and a more comfortable ride is one good tip. It is not only your protection from inevitable weather and corrosion. It will also prevent your vehicle's rig from unwanted damages due to pollution, air pressure and other elements.

Forget old stuff, out of style Jeeps or trucks behind. Now is the time to jazz it up, make a good modification and put a magic touch on it. Put a bestop vehicle make and other accessories that will not only provide style and elegance, but also various benefits on your rig's functionality.

A lot of reliable online and offline parts and accessories stores are out there. Be sure to find the right tops that will exactly fit to your type of vehicle and those that are easy to assemble and maintain.

Off-Road Tires for Beginners Choice

2008-09-06T07:03:00.000-07:00

Selecting the Right Offroad Tires: Do you want to buy new offroad tires? So, you better read on cause this is for you. If you want to grab the biggest, most wicked-looking off-road tires available, there are lots of things you should consider before having any.

Reality about Off-Road Truck Tires: Whether you’re on sand-racing, rock-crawling, mud-plowing, or whatever other off-road activities you belong right now, it’s important to understand precisely why you need a set of off-road truck tires. A common misconception with regard to offroad tires is that you need them for improved traction on rugged terrain, and naturally, the general consensus suggests that larger tires equate to more traction. While such an assumption makes sense, it is not entirely accurate. True, the right offroad tire can provide some additional traction in off-road conditions, but there are better, more efficient ways to improve traction than simply bulking up the rubber. If traction is your primary concern, trucks parts like a traction differential (locker) with stock offroad tires is more beneficial for your rig than just adding a set of taller, more aggressive offroad tires. Or for that matter, a winch is probably a smart idea before anything else. A locker or other 4x4-related truck parts could inspire excessive boldness, causing you to get caught in some real jams and then you’ll wish that you opted for the winch instead. The point is larger offroad tires are meant first and foremost for the purpose of raising the height and ground clearance of your rig to enable steeper ascent and descent in off-road terrain. Simply put, when driving over boulders, slogging through mud, coasting across the desert, or even just making your way through the occasional forest trail, higher ground clearance facilitates negotiating certain obstacles. Not to downplay the traction aspect of offroad tires, as a set of mud terrain bias offroad tires will most definitely perform better in the mud than a set of all-season radials. Rather, improved traction is more of a secondary function that still bears importance, but should not the sole consideration when it comes to buying truck tires, as there are far better truck parts available for meeting that goal.

Different Uses of a Body Lift Kit

2008-08-29T07:42:00.000-07:00

Private vehicle owners nowadays give extra effort in making the necessary modification to their vehicles just to maximize its performance. Body Lift Kit is one of the mostly needed vehicle kits for today. It doesn’t only trim up your vehicles for larger tires but it also gives them a brand new rugged look.

You can spend some money on performance shocks or simple brackets to increase the height and jazz up the look of you rig. You can also ditch the stock springs and shocks to have a set of adjustable airbags; but the best addition you can make to your vehicle is through a body lift.

Small as they may be, these kits can make a big difference to your vehicles when used. Just like over say, “small but terrible”. Those who owned 4x4’s, trucks and SUV’s are likely the ones to install such performance parts from reliable sources like Body Lift Kit Net. Rising the vehicle’s body provide better ground clearance which they really need especially when they take their rigs for off road driving and adventures.

Lift kits aid drivers in their usual problems on jagged and uneven roads. They allow the installation of larger tires that do not only give your auto a more muscular look but also provide better weight support for big vehicles. Small and ordinary tires may not be able to handle a rough terrain that is why it’s important that you have these kits to give room for off road tires.

Although a body kit is installed for best performance, it also comes with potential side effects. This vehicle handles differently from an ordinary vehicle in driving conditions which may occur on streets, highways and off road. The steering, braking and handling raised vehicle will differ from standard passenger cars and trucks. If larger tires are installed the speedometer will read lower than the vehicles actual speed. Unnecessary sudden maneuvers, unexpected stops, sharp turns and other abrupt driving conditions could cause loss of vehicle control. You can roll over or encounter other accident that could result in serious injury or death to driver and passengers. That is why safety measures like reduced speed, seatbelts and careful driving should always be observed.

There is an abundant online lift kit shops in the web like Body Lift Kit Net. With just one click, you may readily purchase top of the line performance products of a particular brand and type.

Truck Bed Covers | Best Top | Bumpers

What Truck Lifts can do to your Trucks?

2008-08-23T05:16:00.000-07:00

Truck enthusiasts define Truck Lifts as an automobile system that is composed of springs that’s used to raise a vehicle. The process involves suspending the body, frame and power train of the truck's wheel. That could make your truck look good.

Most truck drivers want their truck to be lifted because it lessens the jarring of the automobile while some just simply want to improve the look of their truck. After all, truck lift kits have become tremendously popular among people who wish to give their automobiles a unique or beefy look. Truck enthusiasts definitely want to make heads turn. They monster-size their rigs with a beefy truck lift kit for imposing style and impressive handling.

Truck lifts is very necessary if you’re planning on taking your vehicle off-roading. By suspending your truck, you gain additional clearance from the ground, which protects the underside of your vehicle from bulging rocks, sharp inclines, and foreign objects in the road. If you have ever bottomed out, either off-roading or heading up a steep driveway, you know from that disconcerting scraping sound that hitting the ground is bad for your automobile. Accelerated automobile wheels keep a close contact with the road surface; thus making your driving safer and an enjoyable one at all times.

With the perfect lift kit, you're free to tackle even the toughest trails. Each truck lift kit at Truck Lifts Direct is built for your vehicle and includes all the parts you need.

Suspension upgrades gain you clearance for bigger tires, control for adverse terrain, and stronger parts to handle the abuse of real-world off-roading. Unfortunately, lift kits are also complicated systems, so be careful and it must be well engineered for safety and performance. With this, you need to find truck lift kits that are easy to install. Another thing would be that you have to keep in mind when searching for the perfect truck lift kits are the ups and downs of the change in ride height.

For instance, adding a lift kit and larger than stock wheels and tires can affect the vehicle's tow hitch. You may now need a new rear bumper because of the change in ride height. Also, in some extreme cases, the trailer tongue can't even reach the hitch. With long trailers, such as a four-horse stock trailer or a boat trailer, you may be able to mate trailer and hitch, but the trailer angle from front to back could be enough to cause the trailer to scrape the rear end on the road.

With these factors to consider, all you need to do is to search online shops for the perfect lifts for your truck! These sites are just a click away! Doing so would be extremely easy. Just remember lift kits are also complicated systems, so be careful and it must be well engineered for safety and performance.

Tires | Cars

Different Uses of a Body Lift Kit

2008-08-12T05:46:00.000-07:00

Resource Box:

Truck Lift Kits and other auto parts and accessories Truck Bed Covers, Bumpers for everyone.

Sample Fender Flares

2008-08-09T06:22:00.000-07:00

4X fender flares were made by the famous brand of WARN. This type of fender flare is best for all types of truck and vehicles that has larger tires and custom wheels. What's great about this type of flare it can be mounted inside the fender well using the unique styled screws together with heavy-duty 3M adhesive tape, these flares are also sealed to the fender rim. Using the durable construction of this fender flare, it keeps off moisture, dirt and also helps in having rust. The hardwearing materials used in this device is Warn's exclusive armor guard which is a high impact ABS co-laminate. It is actually the number one material to get maximum flexibility and durability for your rig.

Warn 30210 4X Front Fender Flares

Putco Stainless Steel Fender Trim

Body Lift

2008-08-07T03:36:00.000-07:00

A body lift is a common and cheap method to run larger tires on a vehicle. It involves installing a puck where the body mounts to the frame in order to increase the clearance between tires and the body. This is often used to allow the placement of a larger motor for an engine swap. It is considered by many to be inferior to a well built suspension lift. The downfall to installing pucks for spacing is that over time the rubber in the puck tends to deteriorate. This causes the body to sag, and will eventually become unsafe. While the controversy continues about body lifts versus suspension lifts, a properly installed aftermarket body lift kit can give the desired effect just as safely as a suspension lift.

Complete source: Wiki

Ford Body Lifts:

Body lifts are 3" tall unless noted.