I am off to the UK followed by America!!

Here we go!!

AutoProject started working on their wide body kit for the AMG C63. Quite frankly I am liking the direction they are taking. Matter of fact I like the finished product in which I will post in a few days.

Riyadh, 26 November 2009 - Pabrikan otomotif asal Korea Selatan, KIA Motors Corporation, akhir Desember akan meluncurkan varian sedan mewahnya, KIA Cadenza, di ajang perhelatan Riyadh Motor Show 2009.

Seperti disebut autoexpress, varian sedan yang akan menggantikan sedan Amanti itu akan ditawarkan dalam dua pilihan mesin. Pertama, mesin berkapasitas 3.500 cc Lambda Valve 6,. “Tenaga yang dihasilkan mesin itu mencapai 273 daya kuda,” tutur sumber KIA.

KIA juga mengklaim akselerasi kecepatan 0-100 km per jam dicapai dalam tempo 7.2 detik, efisien dalam konsumsi bahan bakar, yaitu 11.25 kilometer per satu liter.

Tipe kedua adalah, mesin 2.400 cc yang dilengkapi dengan teknologi Theta empat silinder yang mampu menyemburkan tenaga hingga 175 tenaga kuda.

Generasi pertama nanti, KIA hanya menawarkan varian dengan sistem penggerak roda. Nantinya tidak menutup kemungkinan diproduksi varian dengan sistem penggerak empat roda (all wheel drive).

Meski hanya menampilkan gambar luarnya saja, KIA juga sedikit memberikan gambaran tentang interior mobil. Di bagian ini, perusahaan otomotif Negeri Ginseng itu memperkuat sentuhan pada KIA dashboard, mood lighting yang memberikan kesan bersahabat dengan penumpang.

Begitu pula dengan lingkar kemudi, sandaran jok yang dapat direbahkan, ventilasi udara pada bagian jok depan, serta piranti anti kabut (automatic defogging) pada kaca depan.

Namun sayang, hingga saat ini belum ada keterangan resmi ihwal harga yang bakal dipatok untuk varian sedan itu.

Foto 01 | Foto 02 | Foto 03 | Foto 04 | Foto 05

Staten Island residents, this one’s for you! This 1993 Nissan Maxima is available on Direct Donations (Item #122385). Currently this vehicle resides on Staten Island, so if you are a Staten Island organization, this is a no-brainer.

You can request the donor’s contact information through Direct Donations. Below are 7 easy steps to using Direct Donations in case you need a refresher:

1) Go to www.mfta.org
2) Log-in to the MFTA Member Area by entering your username and password in the upper right-hand corner (remember, your username is your email)
3) Click on “Direct Donations” on the right-hand side of the welcome page (under “Get Stuff”)
4) Check boxes next to items you are interested in
5) When you have selected all of the items you are interested in, hit “Send Request” at the bottom of the page
6) When you receive your request with the donor’s contact info., call immediately, all items are first-come, first-serve
7) Follow-up with Julia (jmetroATmftaDOTnycDOTgov)

Check back often! You never know what you might find.

Dlaczego tak lubimy auta klasy Premium? Czy jest to spowodowane ich urodą, mocą, wyposażeniem? Czy raczej mają świadczyć o statusie społecznym? A może po prostu chcemy mieć wymarzony samochód marki, której nazwa elektryzowała nas od maleńkości? BMW, które od jakiegoś czasu skupia naszą uwagę na następcy obecnej piątki zaprezentowało dzisiaj to auto. Jego wygląd nie jest jednak niespodzianką, gdyż już od pewnego czasu mogliśmy zaobserwować poszczególne elementy nowego pojazdu z Monachium. Takie działanie może zmniejszyć zainteresowanie samochodem, jednak auto w całości prezentuje się znacznie lepiej niż częściowo odkryty „pysk”. Tak więc, czy nowa 5 powtórzy sukces E60? Odpowiedź przyjdzie z czasem…

Parked cars on Bridge Road, Richmond.

With an increasing number of holiday festivities being held in the home this year, we’re all looking for creative and cost effective ways to spruce up our table settings and create a look that will impress our guests. When it comes to setting your Thanksgiving table, options for the adventurous host are limitless. What are the hottest trends for you to bring to your table this year? Here are a few ideas that will take your Thanksgiving table from ordinary to extraordinary:

Color, Texture and Mix – Match:

In table linens and accessories, this year we are seeing rich, saturated colours. We are also seeing a lot of texture and the mixing and matching of patterns with solids. There are a lot of options out there to do something warm and inviting.

Color Trends

Warm tones have always been popular for Fall and that continues with some of the biggest trends in colour combinations this year. Some of those include:
- Deep Spice and Aubergine with muted Gold accents – Dark Chocolate with Blues and Gray accents – Olive Green, Aubergine and softer greens as accents – Dark Chocolate, Taupe and Natural

Tabletop Decor

- Use things that you already have in your home – pull out your 3 or 4 of your favourite vases of different heights. Use complementary colors of fresh flowers for a simple and stunning arrangement. Fill three or four vases and/or glass bowls with different colors and sizes of ornaments, fruits, leaves – anything with color and texture that will create visual excitement.

- Your guests are all unique – why not celebrate their individuality? Use different patterns and/or colors of napkin rings that match their unique personalities. Are they simple or sophisticated? Fun or formal? Unpredictable or conservative? Show them you care with a little customization to complement your table linens.

- Candles are always a dramatic and cost effective way to make a statement – use votives at each place setting with a name card and emphasize beautiful table linens for a classy and simple look. Or go more dramatic and cluster your favourite candle sticks of varying heights and looks as a centerpiece. Use colors that complement or match your dishes, glasses and table linens.

- Nothing brings subtle sophistication to your table like a well-selected runner. Use one the length of the table plus 12 inches to hang over the edge (usually a 90″ or longer) as the perfect centerpiece. If you are using a solid tablecloth or placemats, make sure to jazz it up with a festive pattern. If you have a patterned look already, use a vibrant solid runner that picks up on one of the colors in your runner.

- Use 2 napkins instead of one with a napkin ring. With a solid napkin inside, and a more decorative napkin on the outside.

When setting your table, just remember: do what feels right for the mood. A casual gathering calls for a relaxed setting. A formal meal should feel that way at the table. Either way, it doesn’t take much to elevate your in-home dining experience. Replacing an old tablecloth with something fresh an exciting, and adding a few simple table accessories can go a long way to impressing your guests. It’s that time of year when family gatherings abound and everyone spends countless hours congregating around the dinner table. With the hours spent preparing the perfect meal, make sure you don’t forget to finish it off with the perfect setting.

Right now at Courtesy of Lafayette, take advantage of 0% APR for 72 months–Drive the American Dream!

(AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa)

Yokohama, 20 November 2009 - Nissan Motor Corporation, Kamis (19/11) akhirnya resmi meluncurkan varian sedan terbarunya, Nissan Fuga. Peluncuran dilakukan di kota Yokohama, kota dimana kantor pusat Nissan berada. Mobil ini baru akan dipasarkan di Jepang. Untuk pasar Eropa dan Amerika direncanakan awal 2010, dengan nama Infiniti M35 hybrid.

“Nissan menargetkan penjualan 11 ribu unit (untuk pasar Jepang) pada tahun bisnis ini (2009/2010),” tutur Toshiyuki Shiga, Kepala Operasional Nissan, seperti dikutip The Jepan Times Online, di Yokohama, Jumat (20/11).

Varian sedan Nissan ini ditawarkan dalam dua tipe mesin yaitu VQ25HR 2.500 cc V6 dengan tenaga 225 daya kuda pada 6400 rpm dan torsi 258 Newton Meter pada 4800 rpm. Sedangkan tipe kedua, VQ37VHR berkapasitas 3.700 cc V6 dengan teknologi Variable Valve Event and Lift (VVEL) system.

Mesin ini mampu menyemburkan tenaga hingga 333 daya kuda pada 7000 rpm dengan torsi 363 Nm pada 5.200 rpm. Kedua tipe mobil itu dilengkapi transmisi otomatis tujuh tingkat percepatan. Mobil yang disebut-sebut sebagai pesaing berat Lexus Hybrid HS itu juga dilengkapi sejumlah fitur baru, diantaranya Forrest Air Conditioner (AC), Eco Pedal, Navigation Cooperative Intelligent Pedal, serta Activity Stability Response.

Forrest AC berfungsi bukan hanya mengatur tingkat suhu udara semata atau kecepatan putaran kipas saja, tetapi juga memproduksi aroma kesegaran untuk ruang kabin. Sementara Eco Pedal adalah piranti untuk mengontrol dan mendongkrak tingkat efisiensi konsumsi bahan bakar.

Fitur Navigation Cooperative Intelligent Pedal merupakan piranti pintar untuk membantu pengemudi mengatur kecepatan mobil di saat melintas di tingkungan. Caranya kerjanya, pedal akan secara otomatis memperlambat kecepatan begitu mengetahui mobil mendekati tingkungan.

Sedangkan Activity Stability Response, sesuai dengan namanya berfungsi untuk membuat kendali mobil tetap stabil meski melintas di berbagai lintasan. Cara kerja piranti ini adalah mengontrol kemudi, pedal gas, serta kinerja mesin di saat mobil melintas di lintasan berbelok, menikung maupun menurun. Mobil ini dibanderol 3,99 – 5,5 juta yen atau sekitar Rp 400 – Rp550 juta.

Sumber foto

The price line for new cars in Australia has just dropped to $11,990 – including on-road costs – thanks to Proton.

The Malaysian carmaker has acted early to head off the potential price threat from Chinese imports, and to try and reach critical mass in local showrooms before the Geely and Great Wall brands gain traction in 2010.

The Proton price fighter in the S16, a four-door sedan with a 1.6- litre engine, and the company is aiming for around 1800 sales a year. The S16 is a major gamble for Proton, which has never gone beyond a bit player in Australia despite good looking cars including the baby Savvy. It has struggled to meet quality expectations and performance targets for local buyers.

via Proton S16 cheapest car | Review | carsguide.com.au.

A fashonista refueling in the Melbourne suburbs, ca. 1970.

Tokyo, 19 November 2009 - Japan Automotive Hall of Fame, menobatkan Honda Insight sebagai Car of The Year 2009 – 2010. Galeri otomotif terbesar di Jepang itu menilai, memiliki teknologi canggih yang dikembangkan Integrated Motor Assist, Honda Insight juga ramah lingkungan dan harganya terjangkau.

Di Jepang mobil ini dibanderol 1,89 juta yen atau sekitar Rp 200 juta. Pada April lalu, mobil ini telah digelari sebagai ‘Best Selling Car’ di Jepang.

“Kami sangat bangga dengan penghargaan Car of The Year ini. Ini memberikan kesempatan kami untuk menekankan strategi guna membantu melestarikan lingkungan melalui kendaraan hibrida dengan harga yang terjangkau,” papar Takanobu Ito, Presiden dan Kepala Eksekutif Honda Motor Company seperti dikutip www.worldhonda.com, Kamis (19/11).

Honda menyebut, sedan yang dikembangkan dengan konsep standar kompak generasi baru itu, merupakan kendaraan yang sesuai dengan tuntutan konsumen. “Yaitu ramah lingkungan, nyaman, mudah dikendarai, serta harga terjangkau,”

Honda Insight dibekali mesin Variable Timing and lift Electronic Control (i-VTEC) 1.300 cc SOHC hybrid system yang baru dikembangkan oleh IMA. Mesin itu juga dilengkapi standar Eco Assist sehingga efisien konsumsi bahan bakar.

Tenaga maksimal yang dihasilkan mencapai 88 PS pada 5.800 rpm, torsi maksimal 12,3 kgm pada 4.5000 rpm. Sumber penggerak lain dari mobil ini adalah motor listrik dengan tenaga maksimal yang dihasilkan 14 PS dengan ukuran Intelligent Power Unit (IPU) lebih kompak.

Seperti umumnya mobil hibrida dan listrik, Honda Insight juga dilengkapi kinetic energy recovery system (KERS). Perangkat ini berfungsi menyimpan energi kinetik yang terjadi saat mobil direm dan kemudian dikrim ke batere. Torsi motor listrik 9,4 kgm pada 500 rpm.

Untuk memindahkan tenaga dari mesin dan motor listrik ke roda, Honda menggunakan Continously Variable Transmission (CVT). Konsumsi bahan bakar berdasarkan tes Lembaga Perlindungan Lingkungan Hidup (Enviromental Protection Agency/EPA) di Amerika serikat mencapai 43 mpg atau 18 kilometer per liter.

Sumber foto

În toamna acestui an, Renault a lansat modelul Fluence, o berlină elegantă cu linii fluide. Menit a se impune in fata concurentei prin capacitatea sa de seductie, Renault Fluence are un design care exprima sportivitate si robustete. De asemenea, interiorul confortabil si varietatea de tehnologii si echipamente puse in slujba utilizatorilor fac din Renault Fluence un model de referinta al categoriei sale.
Creat pentru clienţii de berline clasice, Renault Fluence va fi produs la uzina Oyak-Renault din Bursa (Turcia), în locul berlinei Mégane II, pe aceeaşi linie de producţie… (mai mult)

The ‘Premier’ & ‘Kingswood’!

Di Jual Cepat Mobil Timor tahun 2002, mesin 1300 cc, DOHZ, Plat B barang di Surabaya (Pernah di pakai untuk TAXI) jumlah 70 unit Harga ada yang mulai 20 jt dan 25 jt. (Harga Nett dari Perusahaan), Surat Lengkap……Melayani pengambilan 1 Unit…Anda Tertarik Bisa Hubungi Denie (05617960609)

In the interest of full disclosure, this review was completed on the author’s own 2009 Lincoln MKS.

In mid-2008, Ford introduced the 2009 Lincoln MKS.  It is to be Ford’s halo car in the American car market.  Built off of a modified Volvo S80 platform, which is also shared with the 2010 Ford Taurus, the MKS is the technology-laden car that is supposed to pull Lincoln into the 21st century.  While some will argue that it is the successor to the Lincoln LS, which was discontinued after the 2006 model year, I believe that the smaller Lincoln MKZ actually follows more in the LS’ footsteps.  That begs the question of where in the Lincoln lineup the MKS is supposed to fit.  It’s got front wheel drive, unlike the Town Car and LS.  Unlike the MKZ, It also has comparable front seat room to the Town Car, while being a few inches shorter in the rear leg room department.  Rumors abound though, that the 2010 or 2011 model year will be the Town Car’s finale.  Add to that the sporty intentions of the MKS (with optional 20″ wheels), and it is a true quandary as to where exactly it fits into the Lincoln lineup.  For right now though, the MKS is Lincoln’s flagship car.

My opinion is that the MKS is meant for drivers who want a mobile communications center or a road-bound living room, but who also might enjoy a little extra sportiness thrown in for good measure.  The MKS goes from comfortable and quiet boulevardier to sporting bull with just a rightward flick of the SelectShift 6-speed automatic transmission’s gear lever.  This puts the transmission into what Lincoln calls “SST Mode”, which locks out the 6th gear, holds lower gears longer, and quickens downshifts, for faster responses and better acceleration.  The buttery smooth transmission (one of Ford’s best efforts to date) turns the car from docile to somewhat playful.  You still know you’re piloting a 4,100+ pound car (add 150 pounds if you check the box for All Wheel Drive), but the Sport Mode, and associated Manual mode, definitely boost performance, giving the MKS a more sporting attitude.  Beyond Sport Mode, Lincoln has seen fit to give you manual control over the transmission.  After selecting Sport Mode with the gear shift lever, simply push forward for downshifts, or pull back on the gear lever for upshifts, giving you manual control over the transmission, which is useful when going up and down steep hills.  Most of the time, however, you will find that either the regular automatic mode or Sport Mode will suffice.

The first impression of any new car, especially on a test drive, is its outward appearance.  The Lincoln MKS has a coupe-like look, with a large “Split Wing” grille in front, which appears to be Lincoln’s new corporate face.  After seeing the 2010 Lincoln MKZ and 2010 Lincoln MKT, this appears to be the new corporate face of Lincoln.  The design of the MKS is far removed from traditional Lincoln vehicles, which is refreshing and at the same time is more like foreign sports sedans.  The sides of the car feature a high beltline and sculpted lower doors, with a tasteful chrome strip at the bottom of each door, and enough side glass to maintain high outward visibility – unlike the current trend in automotive design.  The overall shape has already been emulated by the new Buick LaCrosse, and is one which should stand the test of time.

After taking in the lines of the MKS, you approach the driver’s door, and find that MKS is the first to feature Ford’s next generation keyless entry pad, which is blacked out until the heat and pressure from your fingers lights up the numbers.  With the key fob in your pocket, merely touching the keypad causes the driver’s door to unlock, giving you an entryway into what is a completely non-traditional Lincoln interior.  From the stitched leatherette dash cover to the Scottish “Bridge of Weir” leather seats, leather-covered door panels and nicely chromed switch gear, this interior exudes luxury, and bests the MKS’ competitors (BMW, Lexus, Mercedes-Benz), in this reviewer’s opinion.  The seats are supple, and unlike many of its rivals, the leather is not stretched but rather draped over the seat cushions.  Both front and rear seats are heated, while the front seats are air-conditioned as well, so the center sections of each seat are perforated.  Once seated, you notice more chrome in the instrument panel, as well as a strip of real wood crossing the dash horizontally, framed in another chrome strip.  Everything at your fingertips is soft-touch, and is crafted of high-quality materials.  The only visible parts of the interior which are made of hard plastic are the airbag cover above the glove box, the center stack, and a few framing pieces.  The rest is leather, leatherette, or soft-touch plastic.

After adjusting the 12-way power driver’s seat and the power tilt/telescoping steering wheel and power mirrors, pushing the Engine Start button fires up the engine, which quickly settles into a low idle.  The 14-speaker THX II-certified sound system comes to life,and the 8″ touchscreen for the audio and satellite navigation system welcomes you.  The MKS comes with SYNC, the voice-activatied communications and entertainment system created by Ford in conjunction with Microsoft.  By pushing a button on the steering wheel and speaking to the car, almost any function you’d need while driving can be summoned by voice alone, and it just works.  Very rarely have I had any trouble getting SYNC to recognize the command I’d given it.  The screen is large enough on the MKS that you can view the navigation map, audio information, and climate control information all on one screen, or you can give the focus to any of the three.  The on-screen menus are easy to understand and use, and within a few minutes, you’ll have the car set up just the way you like it.

One of the first things you’ll notice while driving the MKS at speed is its serene atmosphere.  The acoustically treated windshield and side glass, as well as plenty of sound deadening material, gives the MKS an almost unrivaled quietness, especially for a car starting in the high-$30,000 range.  When driving with the stereo at a normal listening level, you can have a conversation with your passengers at barely above a whisper, and surrounding traffic becomes almost purely visual, barely heard.  Ford’s engineers apparently spent a lot of time engineering the sound out of the car, and the stereo into the car.  The stereo has separate speakers for high, middle, and low frequencies, which translates into very clear sound, making distortion is a thing of the past.  Lincoln has been putting THX-certified stereos in its cars since the LS in the mid-2000s, and that time and experience all culminate in the MKS’ audio setup.

Once up to speed, steering feel is light, and a bit uncommunicative. This may be a problem for a sport sedan, but for a luxury sedan such as the MKS, which is geared for comfort and cruising, it’s expected, and the car is a pleasure to use on both the highway and in rush hour traffic.  You won’t want to drive into corners going overly fast, but the 20″ Michelin Primacy MXV4 tires provide plenty of grip in both wet and dry, and give plenty of confidence in most situations.  Be careful when going down windy roads, however, as this car is wider than most, so it takes up a lot of whatever lane you’re in at the time, and hustling all that weight side to side takes time.

All this going (and turning) has to come to an end, and the MKS’ brakes are geared for comfort.  While not confidence-inspiring at first, once you’re used to them, you realize that they are quite progressive and easy to modulate.  Panic stopping brings the big car to a halt in a distance which is average for a car of this size and heft, thanks to big disc brakes at each corner.  After a few miles, you’ll be used to it and stop accordingly.  Remembering that this car’s main purpose is to provide a comfortable cruise to its driver and passengers, this car delivers when not adversely provoked.

All this comfort comes at a price.  The weight of all the electronics and materials that Lincoln engineered into the MKS to make it so comfortable and smooth lead to a penalty at the gas pump.  If you’re used to a smaller car, the 17/24 city/highway mpg might cause you to shy away from the MKS.  The MKS’ city fuel mileage is right in line with its competitors, while its highway mileage is about 2 mpg less.

After driving the car and getting used to it, you start to look for those extra creature comforts in a car whose sticker price (as tested) reaches to almost $45,000, and boy do you get a lot for your money.  The short list of features includes the heated and air-conditioned front seats, heated rear seats, automatic headlights and high beams, rain-sensing wipers, backup camera, front and rear parking sensors, bluetooth and iPod connectivity, and dual sunroofs.  While the rear sunroof is fixed in place, the front one tilts up or slides back, and the power sunshade covering both can be opened with just two touches of a button (first press reveals the front sunroof, second reveals the rear one).  Add HomeLink buttons on the driver’s sun visor and puddle lights on the underside of the side mirrors, and you’ve got a car that makes it easy to get into and out of, regardless of ambient light.  The high-intensity headlights, and auto-dimming rear view and driver’s side view mirrors, make for a car that is helpful when the sun sets, and cuts down on glare from drivers behind you in trucks or cars with their high beams on.  With the adaptive headlights, more of the road ahead is illuminated, rather than just what’s directly in front of the car.  The headlights swivel up to 15 degrees to the left or right, moving with the steering wheel.

Conclusion:

With the introduction of the MKS, Ford has brought Lincoln’s flagship car mostly up-to-date with its competitors in the Technology, Fit & Finish and Quality departments, and all for a lot less money.  While its engine might be a bit less refined than that of its German and Japanese rivals, the MKS equals or betters them in the rest of its execution.  Squarely aimed at Lexus with its ride comfort and quietness, the big Lincoln manages to poke at Mercedes-Benz as well, leaving the true luxury sport sedan arena to BMW.  Meant as a way to drive your living room down the road, the MKS excels in most areas, and with a bit of tweaking on the part of Ford’s engineers, the Lincoln MKS may well best its rivals in all categories.  Time, as always, will tell.

Competitors: Lexus GS, Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan, BMW 5-Series, Acura RL

As-Tested:

Year: 2009
Make: Lincoln
Model: MKS

EPA Fuel Mileage: 17/24 City/Highway (16/23 for AWD models)

Base Price: $37,665.00

Options:

$5,715: Ultimate Package (which includes the Technology Package, Navigation Package, Rain-sensing Wipers, Dual Panel Moonroof, Adaptive Headlamps with Auto High Beams, Forward Sensing System, SYNC, Push-Button Start, Rear View Camera, THX II-certified Sound System)
$685: 20″ Polished Cast Aluminum Wheels

Total: $44,065

Destination: $800

As-Tested Price: $44,865

Ford has an online Window Sticker viewer.  Click here to view the Window Sticker for the actual test vehicle.

By John Suit

Up for sale is a beautiful and like new 07 Nissan Altima, 4 door, automatic with auto stick, smart key system, 30k miles, 4 cylinders so needless to say is super great on gas, still has the new car smell, very clean and reliable, perfect car for long distance commutes, lots of room, first 8.9k takes it, please call 619-941-4040 salvage.


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General Motors is in the midst of introducing its two newest additions to the GM lineup in dealership showrooms next year. The two new vehicles are the Buick Regal and the Chevy Cruze. GM is targeting new customers in hopes of turning around the market and make themselves a household name once again.

The 2011 Buick Regal is an all-new sedan that is much like its kin the 2010 Buick LaCrosse. The 5-passenger Regal Sedan has already been receiving 5 star safety ratings in Europe and China. The Regal will feature three different four-cylinder engines and the first models will have the 2.4-liter direct-injection engine. The sportier and smaller version of the LaCrosse will hit the market next spring and is aimed to attract more fuel-conscious drivers.

Another eagerly awaited Sedan introduced by GM is the Chevy Cruze. The 2011 Chevy Cruze is aimed to go against the 2012 Ford Focus, Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, and Nissan Sentra. The Cruze, which has already been introduced in Europe and Asia, has already started to see good reviews. The Cruze is powered by a turbocharged and direct-injected 1.4-liter engine that will offer fuel efficiency as high as 40 miles per gallon, with the same power as the 2.4-liter engine in today’s 2010 Chevrolet Cobalt.

Make sure to stop by your local Miami GM Dealership to see these latest additions of the GM family. Sales for these two vehicles are expected to be high so make sure to see them before its too late.

2011 General Motors Buick Regal