Jakarta, 26 November 2009 - PT Mazda Motor Indonesia (MMI) langsung ngebut memperkenalkan produk barunya The New Mazda2. Setelah resmi diperkenalkan, Rabu kemarin, MMI langsung menggelar pameran dan test drive mulai Kamis (26/11) ini sampai Minggu (29/11) besok. Bagi yang ingin mencoba silahkan datang ke Senayan City.

MMI memang berharap banyak pada hatchback terbarunya ini. Yoshiya Horigome, Presiden Direktur MMI, bahkan menyebut angka 300 unit sebagai target penjualan bulanannya. Padahal di segmen ini, Mazda2 harus bersaing dengan beberapa nama lawas seperti Honda Jazz, Toyota Yaris, Suzuki Swift, Chevrolet Aveo, atau Hyundai i20.

Untuk Indonesia, mobil dengan mesin 1,5 liter ini diperkenalkan dua varian tipe S dan tipe R yang masing-masing memiliki transmisi manual (M/T) dan otomatis (A/T). Perbedaannya antara lain penggunaan dual airbags system, trip computer dan exterior indicator temperature, serta tombol kontrol audio di stir kemudi.

Sedangkan untuk harga dimulai dari Rp 175 juta (Mazda2 S M/T), Rp 185 juta (Mazda2 S AT), Rp 193 juta (Mazda2 R MT), dan Rp 200 juta (Mazda2 AT).

Rentang harga inilah yang diklaim sebagai salah satu modal jualan Mazda2 dibandingkan kompetitornya. “Dengan harga ini Anda bisa mendapatkan berbagai fitur yang canggih di Mazda2,” kata Horigome.

Langkah pengenalan kepada publik adalah salah satu strategi yang dilakukan MMI. Mereka memajang Mazda2 di dua lokasi, Plaza EX dan Senayan City. Namun hanya di Senayan City ada fasilitas test drivenya. Mau tahu rasanya? Cepeten aja…

Okay, I promised a Racing story to my new Bronco Buddies. However, when mentioning my rental car earlier, with the V2 engine…(hee hee,) I was reminded of my “Kia test drive” experience. Since I cannot recount this story without tears in my eyes from the hilarity of my own stupidity, I shall share it with my groovy regular readers. (Hopefully that is you.) Here is the deal. UTBH and I decided to go look for a new car for me. I spent part of college cruising around in a 1989 Mustang. This special car had 250,000 miles on her and I bought her off some guys on a street corner for about $1,000 cash. The exhaust pipe had two holes in it, they were awesome. When I tromped the gas in this nifty V8 5.0 it sounded as if I had this insanely supped up exhaust system. Men at my college would cheer when I drove by, nothing like being inconspicuous. Being already 10 years older than the college set, I was just so thrilled to gain even more attention than usual. (Sarcasm.)

I am not meaning to mention UTBH in every single story. The reality is that we both have tremendously adventurous personalities and I know during our years together, we mutually had the time of our lives. Loads of fun. We decide it is time to dump my lovely Mustang (as parts were falling off the car literally,) and check out these cheap KIA’s being advertised. I think they are really lame cars but the warranty appealed to my whole family. We cruise late one night, right before they close to the KIA dealer in Huntington Beach. Now I swear to the Lord, this is a true story. We get there, I ask to take a car out for a test drive. We drive around the block. I take the car wide open down Beach Boulevard to see what she can do. As I expected nothing and apparently the wimpy Sales Man did not appreciate my maxing the RPMs in his dinky KIA.

We return to the Dealership and pick out another car to test drive. The Sales Man is clearly annoyed with me already, not amused by my previous jaunt. (I think I made him car sick.) He hands me the keys to this car wedged in between a few others. I hand Sales Man the key back and state clearly, “there is no way I can get that car out of that space, you back it up and put it on the street for me.” He rolls his eyes as if to say, “stupid female, hurry up, we are closing and you are not buying a car.” I hand the keys back to him. He hands them to me, “it will be fine.” I hand the keys to UTBH, “you back the car onto the street.” UTBH hands them back to me, “hurry up, it will be fine.” I back up the car. Crack, Boom, Bash, Slam, Oh $#@*!!!!

Now I am sitting there trying not to bust out to my two male passengers, “I told you so, duh.” The Sales Man is repeating, “Oh my God, Oh my God, you just cracked up the back end.” I kindly correct Mr. Sales Man, “no worries, I think I just took out that one side panel. Let’s all be positive here.” This is the kicker though. This is the humiliating line that made me lose all composure and start crying from laughing so hard. UTBH leans over the front seat, gets right near this man’s face and serious as cancer asks, “Since this one is damaged, will you sell it to her for a discount?” I died. I could not believe what I just heard, he was serious. Even the Sales Man had to start laughing. We get out of the car. The ENTIRE car dealership ran outside to check out the dumb blonde that just crashed the KIA on the test drive. I am inquiring again about the warranty. UTBH is whispering in my ear, “do you think if we run they will chase us?” Uh yea, they have my driver’s license. “Oh yea.” The Manager kindly explained that I was not the first moron to put a $2K dent in a car on a test drive, their insurance would cover it, please have a nice night and — don’t come again.

The best part of the entire experience was coming home. Bro # 1, my parents, the kids, they are all gathered around to see if we were bringing home a new KIA. We pull up. “How did it go?” UTBH explains that I cracked up the car so we were not welcome any longer to purchase a KIA. They didn’t believe us. “Ha Ha, you guys are funny; no how did it seriously go?” As realization slowly sinks in that yes, I did trash the car and yes, I am that dumb, they are hysterical. Word got out and now I have a permanent reputation in my household which I will never live down. My great-grandchildren will be hearing this story.  UTBH imagined that my photo had been faxed to every car dealership in the state, “beware of this lady, lead foot and atrocious reverse skills!”  I bought a 4-wheel drive mini-truck instead….they are much more durable.

2010 Toyota 4Runner Trail Edition

The wait is over!  The all new re-designed 2010 Toyota 4Runner models have arrived in our showroom.  The designers have really outdone themselves and loaded up this vehicle with tons of standard options.  If you want one of the last true SUV’s built on a rugged, durable truck frame, then this is the sport utility vehicle for you.

While other manufacturers have changed their SUV line-ups to unibody construction (giving their vehicles a more car-like ride), this new 4Runner will have no trouble in the dirt, over the rocks, through the sand, and anywhere else you want to go.  But don’t get me wrong, it’s no buckboard wagon on paved asphalt either.  You’ll enjoy a confident, sure-footed, smooth ride from this sexy beast. 

Noel Graham, Internet Director for North Hollywood Toyota reports, “I was amazed!  I hopped in thinking I was driving the top-of-the-line Limited edition before I realized it was the SR5.  I’d put this truck up against a Range Rover any day.  Honda and the rest can’t even touch it.”  Check out Internet Sales Manager, Maher “Mike” Merhi, testing out the Party Mode button:

You can test drive one today and earn two complimentary movie tickets just for doing so (while supplies last, so call ahead if that’s what you’re counting on).  North Hollywood Toyota – Scion is located at 4606 Lankershim Blvd in the NoHo Arts District of North Hollywood, CA 91602.  Call the NoHo Toyota 4Runner Hotline at 800-800-6730 for current vehicle availibility.

The 2010 Ford Raptor was build for the true off-road enthusiast.  Check out this video that shows the dynamic capabilities of the truck.  Jamal Hameedi, cheif engineer of the Ford SVT comments on the truck’s ability to jump (the truck was actually built to jump) and he also touches on the trucks Hill Descent Mode.

Runde Auto Group’s customer, Brian Hauber, took this footage of his new Raptor going down a hill in the Hill Descent Mode. I think it’s safe to say that he loves his new Raptor so far.

We still have a white 2010 Raptor for sale at our Ford store in Manchester, IA. Here is a short video walkaround of it.

If you’d like to check out this truck in person, please give our sales staff at our Ford store a call at 888-927-2630. If you’d like to check out our entire inventory, go to www.RundeAutoGroup.com — Or call us at 866-735-5200.

Hmmm sudah lama juga nggak bikin upload berita baru. Bukan apa-apa kebetulan saya mendapat undangan Asean New Mazda2 Media Test Drive di Chiang Mai, Thailand, 19 November kemarin. Jadi emang agak-agak jauh dari soal upload… hehehe

Tapi nggak papa, saya menjadi satu dari 10 wartawan Indonesia yang mendapat pengalaman pertama mengendarai Mazda2. Mobilnya sendiri akan resmi diluncurkan PT Mazda Motor Indonesia (MMI) awal pekan besok.

Nah, kalo pengen tahu seperti apa Mazda2, foto-fotonya, atau pengalaman saya mengendarai mobil yang akan meramaikan pasar miliknya Honda Jazz, Toyota Yaris, Suzuki Swift, atau Hyundai i20 ini? Tunggu saja ceritanya

V-am promis ieri un articol surpriză. Ăsta e.

De mic copil, am fost fascinat de maşini. La 4-5 ani, ştiam majoritatea mărcilor după embleme, şi încet-încet şi după modele. Şi încă de pe atunci ştiam că există un nume care e pe primul loc în industria automobilistică: Mercedes-Benz.
Normal, auzisem de Ferrari, Lamborghini şi alte mărci de genul ăsta, dar acelea erau de alt calibru. Mercedes reprezenta imaginea luxului, era practic definiţia unei limuzine. Ai mei aveau atunci un Mercedes 200D, o cobră. Era veche, avea problemele ei, dar îmi plăcea la nebunie maşina aia şi emblema aia. Normal, acum, privind în urmă, nu era cine ştie ce vârf al tehnicii auto, dar totuşi, era un Mercedes.

Şi de pe atunci, visam să conduc un Mercedes. Iată că astăzi mi-am împlinit un vis, prin amabilitatea celor de la Autoklass Center.

Modelul testat: noua clasă E. Cu specificaţii tehnice şi poze o să revin luni, momentan pot să vă zic că era modelul Avantgarde, full-options, cu 280 de cai putere, transmisie hidramată cu Distronic Plus. Iar acum să continui cu impresiile, că până la urmă, acestea contează cel mai mult.

Când m-am urcat la volan, m-am simţit foarte mic. Maşina produce o primă impresie foarte puternică. Apoi, am apăsat pe butonul de pornit motorul, am băgat în drive şi am purces încet, cu grijă şi atenţie mare, şi ceva emoţii, la drum. După 2 minute, deja mă acomodasem cu ea. Să mai zic de scaunul cu masaj? De volanul care s-a reglat automat pe înălţime?  De tunerul tv încorporat, de trapa panoramică, şi zeci de alte chestii? Însă ce mi-a plăcut tare mult a fost genialul Distronic Plus. În caz că nu ştiţi ce face, e foarte simplu: maşina accelerează şi frânează singură în funcţie de maşina din faţă. În primă fază, stăteam oarecum panicat şi cu piciorul pe frână, în caz că, dar când am văzut că s-a oprit singură, am rămas oarecum… wow. Încă o chestie extraordinar de utilă este şi sistemul de asistenţă din oglinzi. Cum funcţionează? Păi foarte frumos. Sunt nişte micro-camere de filmat care acoperă unghiul mort, iar în oglindă vezi un triunghi, colorat galben. Eh, în momentul în care vrei să schimbi banda şi dai semnal, dacă ai vreo maşină în unghiul mort, triunghiul se colorează în roşu şi începe să pâlpâie, iar bordul emite semnale sonore de avertizare.

Dar pe lângă toate sistemele de siguranţă pe care le are, pe lângă confortul pe care îl oferă, maşina asta are… personalitate.

Vrea să fie condusă. Te roagă să o conduci. Te face să te simţi atât de bine la volan şi îţi menţine un zâmbet pe buze, indiferent dacă stai pur şi simplu în eternele coloane de la semafoarele din Bucureşti sau dacă te bucuri de puţin drum liber şi apuci să apeşi un pic mai mult pedala de acceleraţie. Nu ai cum să fii stresat în ea. E o senzaţie pe care nu ştiu cum să o explic şi pe care cred că numai un Mercedes o poate da. Nu e vorba neapărat de aroganţă, nu e vorba că te simţi superior, te simţi pur şi simplu bine conducând-o. Îţi oferă plăcere. E exact ce ar trebui să fie o maşină. Nu e doar să ajungi din punctul a în punctul b, pentru că până la urmă, nu destinaţiile contează, ci drumul. Şi maşina asta te face să vrei să stai cât mai mult pe drumul ăla şi să te bucuri de el. E sentiment pe 4 roţi şi oferă unele dintre cele mai frumoase senzaţii pe care le poate oferi un automobil. Şi fie că preferi să mergi calm, relaxat, fără să te grăbeşti, sau dimpotrivă, vrei să smulgi şi ultima picătură de putere pe care o are motorul ăla de oferit, maşina te ajută să faci chestiile astea. Da, e foarte uşor de condus şi mulţi ar putea să zică “păi ce, vreau să simt eu că merg cu maşina”, dar depinde de tine. Pur şi simplu sunt nişte chestii fireşti. Da, tu eşti în control, la volan, ea doar te ajută să ai o experienţă mai plăcută. Toate sistemele alea de asistenţă nu-ţi reduc din bucuria de a conduce, ci dimpotrivă, te ajută să te bucuri mai mult şi mai intens de maşină şi de ce poate face.

Aşa că da, Mercedes-Benz, în opinia mea, încă reprezintă vârful în tehnică auto şi scot probabil unele dintre cele mai bune şi performante maşini din lume. Reprezintă imaginea pe care lumea şi-a făcut-o despre ele. Luxoase, extraordinar de confortabile, dar şi foarte, foarte performante. Şi nu, nu sunt scumpe degeaba. S-ar putea să găseşti dotări asemănătoare pe alte maşini, un pic mai ieftine, dar nu cred că acele maşini vor oferi senzaţiile pe care ţi le oferă un Benz.

Cert e că, după ce conduci un Mercedes, începi să priveşti maşinile cu alţi ochi. Aşa că dacă aveţi bani la dispoziţie şi staţi pe gânduri, neştiind ce maşină să cumpăraţi, oscilând între diverse mărci, încercaţi un Mercedes. Fie că e C, E, S, sau orice alt model, sunt convins că există câte unul pentru gustul fiecăruia.

Vreau mai mult.

Abia aştept evenimentele organizate de Mercedes Benz România, să văd cum merg şi celelalte modele, cum se simt, şi să vă relatez de la faţa locului.

Revin luni cu poze şi specificaţiile tehnice. Şi preţul modelului de test.

Only 27 new vehicles made the list for the safest cars of 2010. In 2009, 94 vehicles made the list for top safety cars, which are 67 less than this year. Apparently the safety rating got a lot tougher, like the addition of a new roof strength requirement. The roof strength requirement aims to protect passengers against rollover crashes. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety added the roof strength test to address the increasing circumstances where people are injured or killed in accidents.

Honda not only got one of its vehicles to make the top 27 list, but two. The Honda Civic and the Honda Element were two of the Honda vehicles that performed very well on these rigorous safety tests. The Honda Accord missed the list by a synch due to minor details. The Institute named 19 cars and eight sport-utility vehicles as the top safety vehicles for 2010. Among them are the Audi A3, Honda Civic, Dodge Journey and Ford Taurus. Among major automakers with no top picks is Toyota Motor Corp. Toyota’s Camry came close with good front, side and rollover protection, but fell short in the rear-impact test. To become a top safety pick, a vehicle has to have the insurance group’s top rating of “good” in front, side, rollover and rear-impact crash tests and also have electronic stability control, which helps drivers maintain control of their vehicles in situations that might otherwise result in crashes.

Roof strength has long been a point of contention between the Insurance Institute and the auto industry, as well as among safety experts. Carmakers have never been fond of roof strength testing because they say these test do not show a conclusive relationship between roof strength and occupant safety. Carmakers also conclude that roof strength testing does not show how well a vehicles structure performs in crash collisions. A representative of the Institute, Mr. Lund, responded by stating that their research on rollover crashes showed that weaker vehicles roofs more often than not result in death.

Honda has been known for over a decade for its reliable and safe vehicles and once again has been recognized for it. Make sure to stop by your local Miami dealership to test drive your safe Honda vehicle.

2010 Honda Civic Sedan Available at your Miami Dealership

Sepertinya karakter gesit dan irit yang selama ini diusung oleh kendaraan roda dua sebentar lagi akan digeser oleh City Car andalan Suzuki, New Karimun Estilo.

Jika diumpamakan seorang artis maka Suzuki New Karimun Estilo bisa dibilang memiliki Triple Threat, gesit, bertenaga dan irit. Ya memang city car yang rencananya akan dilepas ke publik tanggal 23 Oktober mendatang ini terbukti sangat lincah dan gesit saat diajak merambah jalan urban Jakarta dan Bandung.

Sementara mesin berbahan alumunium 3 silinder berkapasitas 1000cc yang lebih kecil ketimbang model sebelumnya justru memiliki tenaga yang lebih buas. Tenaga sebesar 68 hp pada 6200 rpm dan torsi sebesar 90 Nm pada 3500 rpm dimuntahkan dari mesin mungil ini.

Kendati memiliki tenaga yang lebih besar, mesin ini sangat irit. Konsumsi bahan bakar yang dibutuhkan city car ini 1 liter untuk jarak jelajah 20 km untuk kecepatan kombinasi dan 1:31 l/km untuk kecepatan konstan.

Pada saat diuji dengan metode eco driving, New Karimun Estilo menempuh jarak sekitar 153 km ( Bandung-Jakarta via Padalarang) dan hanya membutuhkan 1.16 liter !

Selain gesit, bertenaga dan irit tampilan New Karimun Estilo lebih terlihat segar. Desain grille dan bumper depan yang baru menonjolkan kedinamisan, cocok dengan segmen usia 20-35 tahun yang disasar oleh Suzuki untuk kendaraan ini. Sektor haluan ini juga dihiasi dengan lampu depan yang sekarang dilengkapi dengan hight adjuster, sangat membantu daya pandang saat berkendara di malam hari.

Sementara bagian buritan mendapatkan desain bumper belakang yang baru dan badge “ESTILO” yang lebih minimalis.

Interior juga mendapatkan sentuhan baru, tengok saja kluster indikator penunjuk bahan bakar dan jarak digital, lingkar kemudi three spoke yang sporty, serta warna two tone, beige dan brown yang membuat interior New Karimun Estilo lebih cerah.

Dengan target penjualan sebesar 900 sampai dengan 1000 unit hingga akhir tahun 2009 ini Suzuki New Karimun Estilo dibanderol dengan harga 127 Juta Rupiah.

Dear J-

Chalk it up to another one of those random stories you hear about — supposedly, the executives at GM flew out every quarter or so to try out the new vehicles being rolled out; the test drives would take place in GM’s Arizona proving grounds (and if you’ve ever had to live through a muggy Detroit summer, the dry desert heat must have been a treat).  Instead of pulling typical vehicles off the line, though, they’d be in specially-prepped vehicles, hand-massaged to sweat the details:  panel gaps, fit and finish,  squeaks and noises all carefully tweaked to perfection.  GM can make world-class vehicles; they just can’t do it for anyone but the top brass.

Besides blinding the executives to typical quality control issues, I wonder if they ever figured out what was happening; is what we present to our bosses an honest face, or have we all been guilty of sweeping issues under the carpet when company comes calling?  For all I talk about management transparency and letting information percolate down the ranks without impedance, it’s a closed feedback loop:  if the front-line reports are all uniformly good, of course the generals will believe victory is imminent.  GM executives were dumbfounded that their product was unappealing (for the most part, any mid-size not named Camry or Accord doesn’t have sufficient name recognition to be successful) after having driven some of the cars and seeing the published reports of Nüburgring trials where GM products were world-beaters because of their insulation.

There’s a difference between telling the truth to be honest and to be brutal, though; the former is meant constructively, and the latter, as a kind of torture:  let’s watch them squirm.  How would you have changed GM’s executive test drives, for instance?  If you read car magazines regularly, one of the features is always spy shots (many times by the estimable Brenda Priddy or her associates) featuring shakedown drives, where extreme conditions are used (heat, cold, altitude) to iron out any kinks over multi kilo-mile drives; I say have the executives spend a day riding along — mutely, and without jeopardy to the test drivers/data loggers’ jobs.  One culture supports the other; proverbially walking (or driving) a mile in their shoes, so to speak, brings us into closer understanding of daily pressures, and knowing more people has never been a detriment, in my experience.

Mike

Jakarta, 16 November 2009 - Majalah Time menobatkan mobil listrik yang diproduksi pabrikan asal Jepang Nissan Motor Corporation Ltd (NMC), Nissan Leaf, sebagai Penemuan Terbaik 2009. “Nissan Leaf merupakan solusi terbaik bagi masa depan di mana sektor transportasi tidak lagi tergantung pada bahan bakar minyak,” tulis Time seperti dikutip autoexpress, Senin (16/11).

Mobil yang diperkenalkan ke publik pada Juli lalu itu juga dinilai memiliki performa yang tak kalah dengan mobil bertenaga mesin dengan bahan bakar minyak. Meski mobil listrik, Nissan Leaf mampu melesat lebih dari 145 kilometer per jam. Sedangkan baterainya (220 volt) mampu bertahan hingga jarak 160 kilometer.

Carlos Ghosn, Kepala Eksekutif NMC, seperti dikutip Reuters, menegaskan perusahaannya akan membanderol mobil yang diklaim ramah lingkungan itu dengan harga yang terjangkau konsumen.

“(Memang) terlalu dini untuk menyebut harga kendaraan, tapi kami pasti membuat kejutan. Karena harga (harga) menjadi kunci bagi pasar,” tandas Ghosn tanpa memerinci kisaran harga itu.

Soal pengembangan pengembangan infrastruktur pengisian energi listrik baterai, Ghosn mengaku telah menggandeng 30 perusahaan lokal dimana mobil tersebut dipasarkan.

Di Amerika misalnya, perusahaan ini menggandeng Houston Reliant untuk pengembangan stasiun pengisian baterai. Begitu pula di Jepang, Eropa serta beberapa negara yang menjadi tujuan pemasaran mobil tersebut..

Nissan akan memproduksi Nissan Leaf 50 ribu unit per tahun di pabrik Nissan di kota Oppama – sebuah kota di Barat Daya Tokyo, mulai musim gugur 2010 mendatang.

Namun, bagi peminat mobil listrik di Indonesia harus bersabar dulu. Pasalnya Nissan Motor Indonesia masih belum berniat memasarkan mobil itu di tanah air. Alasannya masih terkendala infrastruktur stasiun pengisian baterai. “Faktor infrastruktur belum memungkinkan. Tapi nanti kalau sudah siap pasti (dipasarkan),” ujar sumber di Nissan Motor.

Sumber foto 01 | Foto 02 | Foto 03 | Foto 04 | Foto 05

MILANO – A dieci anni esatti dal debutto della Serie X, in Casa Bmw arriva la X1. Era infatti il 1999 quando il marchio bavarese presentò la X5, apripista del segmento SUV, con cui si proponeva l’ardito tentativo di abbinare il lusso, l’eleganza e la tradizionale sportività del marchio, ad una struttura da fuoristrada. Era una grande scommessa e come previsto, inizialmente incompresa. Il successo però non ha tardato ad arrivare e la moda degli Sport Utility Vehicle ha dilagato in tutto il mercato, spingendo quasi tutti i marchi a dire la loro.

Le dimensioni a dir poco abbonanti hanno ben presto ceduto il passo al “downsizing” delle misure complessive, delle cilindrate e quindi dei consumi ed emissioni. La scommessa si è rivelata un grande successo, tanto che ad oggi una Bmw su tre, in Italia, fa parte della gamma X. La X1 è un crossover compatto, con una lunghezza totale di 4,45 m (11 cm in meno rispetto alla X3), che punta ad insidiare il terreno di Toyota Rav-4, Ford Kuga, VW Tiguan, Mercedes GLK e Audi Q5. Si è scelto di proporla sia con le 2 che con le 4 ruote motrici, per coprire le richieste del mercato, quello delle Premium Compact, sostanzialmente diviso al 50%. La versione “sDrive” (trazione posteriore) si propone come l’opzione più efficiente, mentre sulla “xDrive” (integrale) arriva con un inedito dispositivo, derivato direttamente dalla X6, il “Performance Control”. Sulla X1 però non c’è il differenziale, ma piuttosto un sistema elettronico che, attraverso l’intervento sui freni (DSC), la distribuzione della coppia motrice (xDrive) e l’aumento della coppia selettivo, previene lo slittamento delle ruote. La gamma è molto ampia e da subito sono disponibili 2 motori diesel, 2.0 litri da 177 o 204 CV (versioni 20d e 23d) ed un benzina, 3.0 litri di cilindrata e 258 CV. Le versioni “18d” (2.0 litri da 143 CV) saranno disponibili da dicembre e bisognerà aspettare marzo 2010 per le versioni a benzina “18i” (stessa cilindrata e potenza). Abbiamo provato la X1 nella versione “xDrive23d”, apprezzando particolarmente l’estrema agilità del mezzo in città, dove la posizione di guida alta, le dimensioni compatte ed un sterzo piccolo e diretto lo rendono decisamente più a misura d’uomo, rispetto ai grandi SUV. I 204 CV garantiscono una guida briosa, nonostante i 2.160 Kg di peso che, in alcune situazioni si fanno sentire. A dispetto delle dimensioni compatte, lo spazio interno percepito e reale è davvero notevole e per i passeggeri posteriori risulta anche più comoda della X3. Il bagagliaio invece offre una capacità da 420 a 1.350 litri. Le versioni 23d e 28i sono disponibili esclusivamente con trazione integrale e cambio automatico, sulle manuali invece è diserie il dispositivo Start/Stop. La versione d’ingresso alla gamma è la sDrive 18i a 29.500 €, ma per la più equilibrata 20d si parte da 33.600 €.

Stefano Semeraro

VICENZA – Fuori dagli schemi e praticamente impossibile da costringere in uno dei classici segmenti, ecco la nuova “creatura” Bmw. La Serie 5GT è il frutto di un avanguardismo stilistico che si colloca più o meno a metà strada fra una berlina ed una station wagon, con un frontale imponente ed un profilo del padiglione da coupè (che ricorda la X6), creando una nuova nicchia di mercato dove il carattere Bmw emerge da ogni dettaglio e dal sempre equilibrato rapporto fra sportività ed eleganza.

La prossima generazione della Serie 5, a differenza di quanto ci si potrebbe aspettare, non avrà alcun legame con la neonata Serie 5 GT che, invece, condivide praticamente tutto, sotto il profilo tecnico e tecnologico con la Serie 7. Adotta infatti lo schema delle sospensioni ed anche le quattro ruote sterzanti dell’attuale generazione dell’ammiraglia, da cui deriva anche il “Night Vision” che, grazie ad una telecamera ad infrarossi, consente di visualizzare sul monitor del navigatore cosa c’è nei 300 metri che precedono la vettura, anche in caso di una quasi totale assenza di luce. La sua peculiarità risiede però nella zona posteriore della carrozzeria, dove trova posto un portellone apribile come baule o come una classica quinta porta, per sfruttare appieno i 440 litri di capacità (che diventano 590 litri facendo scorrere in avanti i sedili posteriori). La Serie 5 GT è lunga 4.998 mm, larga 1.901 e alta 1.559 e la sua versione “entry level” (535i) pesa 1.940 Kg. Sotto il profilo dinamico potrebbe sembrare un problema, ma abbiamo avuto modo di provarla, constatando come in realtà non lo sia affatto. Si viaggia in souplesse, avvolti da un silenzio ovattato, anche quando sia l’auto che il pilota sono in modalità “Sport”, in un abitacolo reso piacevolmente luminoso dal tetto panoramico in cristallo. La gamma parte dalla 535i GT, equipaggiata con il 6 cilindri biturbo di tre litri e iniezione diretta di benzina da 306 CV. A seguire l’8 cilindri da 4,4 litri biturbo da 407 CV che spinge la versione 550i GT ed il classico 6 cilindri di 3.0 litri alimentato a gasolio (530d GT) con 245 CV. Tutte le versioni sono inoltre equipaggiate con il nuovo cambio automatico a 8 marce realizzato dalla ZF, già adatto a supportare l’alimentazione ibrida. I consumi si attestano rispettivamente sugli 8,9, 11,2 e 6,5 litri/100 km di percorrenza nel ciclo misto. In un secondo momento arriveranno anche le versioni con trazione integrale. Come presumibile i prezzi sono adeguati al segmento “premium”: si parte dai 58.000 euro della 530d GT Eletta per arrivare agli 84.500 euro della 550i GT Futura, passando per i 58.500 della 535i GT Eletta.

Stefano Semeraro

VENEZIA - Dopo vent’anni di carriera e 3,6 milioni di esemplari prodotti, siamo ormai giunti alla quinta generazione della Subaru Legacy, come di consueto accompagnata dalla sua variante Outback. E’ cambiato praticamente tutto nelle misure e nell’estetica, ma il radicamento nella tradizione del marchio ha consentito di concentrare gli interventi migliorativi proprio su quei dettagli che rappresentano l’anima delle Subaru e quindi affidabilità, sicurezza ed una tenuta di strada di prim’ordine.

Più europea nel gusto e decisamente più moderna, rappresenta il top in casa Subaru, offrendo le più sofisticate tecnologie disponibili, un elevato comfort di marcia garantito da un equilibrata taratura delle sospensioni e dall’impercettibile motore boxer, senza contare un livello di sicurezza premiato non solo con le 5 stelle dell’EuroNCap, ma anche con il massimo punteggio in Australia e negli USA. Di certo non è facile confrontarsi con il blasone delle auto tedesche, ma guardando alla sostanza, Legacy ha compiuto dei passi importanti alla ricerca di un comfort di alto livello ed un migliore sfruttamento dello spazio, puntando al contempo ad una dinamica d’eccellenza garantita anche da un nuovo telaio, oltre che dall’ormai collaudato sistema di trazione integrale Symmetrical AWD. Abbiamo avuto modo di provarla nella versione “Sport” equipaggiata dal propulsore 2.0 litri a gasolio con 150 CV, apprezzando una particolare cura dedicata all’abitacolo, dove ad un design sportivo e piacevole si unisce una attenta selezione di materiali utilizzati. Di luce ne entra tanta e questo lo si deve ad un’ampia superficie vetrata, ma di rumore non ne entra affatto, a meno di qualche fruscìo aerodinamico, con un motore che, a velocità autostradale, sonnecchia a 2.300 giri/min. Tecnicamente la più importante novità risiede nell’inedito cambio automatico a variazione continua, dotato anche di paddles al volante, capace di garantire una piacevole fluidità di marcia, una rapida risposta ai comandi dell’acceleratore, riducendo al contempo consumi ed emissioni. Si chiama “LinearTronic” ed è gestito da un’elettronica adattiva che consente di adeguarsi alle condizioni della strada, oltre che allo stile di guida. In alternativa ci sono due propulsori a benzina, rispettivamente di 3.6 litri da 260 CV e 2.5 litri con 167 CV e ovviamente le versioni con doppia alimentazione (benzina/GPL) che nonostante il periodo di congiuntura, hanno permesso dall’inizio dell’anno di registrare un + 12% nelle vendite. Una crescita costante negli ultimi anni ha permesso a Subaru Italia, come ha orgogliosamente ricordato l’AD Mario Sacchiero, di diventare il 3° mercato in Europa per il marchio delle pleiadi. I prezzi partono da 31.980 € per le versioni a benzina, mentre per il 2.0 litri a gasolio il prezzo base è stato fissato in 33.980 €.

Stefano Semeraro

This is test only. Please ignore this message.

Ontem estava de passagem em Umuarama no Paraná, passando em frente à concessionária Fipal vi que havia um Fiat 500 de test drive e dois em exposição, como ainda não conhecia o carro resolvi parar para velo, eu entrei na concessionária, e fiquei uns 5 minutos esperando ser notado por algum vendedor, já achei uma falta de educação da parte deles, quando cheguei numa das mesas para pedir um vendedor, para pelo menos ver o 500, a mulher pergunta se eu iria comprar o carro, disse que queria apenas velo, ela disse já não esta vendo? Depois disso eu sai da loja… Resumo da historia, não vi o carro e tenham certeza, não entro nunca mais naquela loja, poxa Fiat você deveria treinar melhor seus vendedores, aqui fica o meu depoimento da educação disponibilizada por eles,ou da falta dela né…

Antes que algum leitor diga que estou reclamando da Fiat, eu quero dizer que não estou falando da Fiat estou falando da concessionária Fipal de Umuarama.

Rafa GM

Q:  is there a radio with the chair? if not would i be able to put on in? thanks
A:   Yes, but it is not working, unknown what is wrong.

Q:  I just wanted to say how impressed we have been to follow BOTH of the chair auctions and to see how the Proctor police has handled the idiotic comments! You have given us so many laughs as we also drag race at BIR, so have followed this chair story since it broke! We only wish that the original bid of $40,000 would return because with the way the economy is right now, your community could really use it! Keep up the great work, keep the humor coming and best of luck on the sale of the chair – I hope it continues to go MUCH higher!
A:   Thank you

Q:  Do you think this would be safe to take ice fishing? Also, is there a phone charger plug? Thanks much- from Wisconsin
A:   No phone charger plug, best of luck if you take it Ice Fishing. 

Q:  What would it take to make this street legal, beside some mirrows & turn signals
A:   Please check with your State DMV Office

Q:  Hello, I have a couple of questions: 1. Was this whole DWI in a chair staged? 2. If I win this chair can your dept. show proof that this was a real DWI case? 3. Is there any law that would prevent me from giving the chair/toy back to the man that lost it after I win the auction? Thank you
A:   This was a real case, nothing was staged. Yes, we have court documents and if you are the winning bidder, what you do with the chair is up to you.

Q:  Did you let all the high bidders from the previous auction know that the item has been relisted? 
A:   EBay removed the listing and in doing so there is no way for the city to contact the previous bidders.

Q:  is this chair a one owner and how many miles are on it thanks. shawn
A:   This chair has had a previous owner and the mileage is unknown.

Q:  where can i see this can i take it for a test drive ? 
A:   This can be seen at the Proctor Police Department, MN and no test rides are allowed for liability reasons.

Q:  Hello, does this vehicle have a seat belt? Also, do you know if there is enough clearance under the wheel wells for me to put chains on the wheels if need be this winter? Thanks, Tissueguy. Nov-03-09
A:   No seat belt, but I do believe there is room for chains

Q:  I am from Georgia, Cuthbert Ga. we have a lot of red clay roads, can you advised me how she handles on muddy red clay roads? and do you think I could get a 6″ body lift under her? does it have mud grips or racing slicks? thanks for your time,  Nov-03-09
A:   This machine is equipped with lawn Mower tires. Have fun in the Georgia muddy red clay roads if you are the winning bidder.

Q:  Is there a horn on this chair? Is there turn signals? If I bid win and buy this chair is there enough room for my girlfriend to ride in it with me? And how is the gas milage due to I will have to drive it home to Fargo ND?  Nov-03-09
A:   No horn, No turn signals, it would be very tight with the girl friend. Good luck on your trip to back to Fargo if you’re the winning bidder. 

Q:  Has anyone checked to see if there is any change in the seat cushion or other valuables or is it untouched? Nov-03-09
A:   I looked and nothing is there. It’s just not my day.

Q:  You mention the vehicle can reach speeds of 20-40mph. My top of the line lawn mower can barely hit 6mph. Is this vehicle’s engine supercharged? Or is Proctor’s Radar Gun requiring a calibration??? Nov-03-09
A:   We have never clocked this vehicle on radar – this is what we have been advised. We have also been advised that this vehicle has a 6 speed transmission with reverse. You are more than welcome to stop by the police department and inspect the vehicle before placing a bid. 

Q:  Hi & Greetings from Maine !!! Can I trade say,,,,50-100 lbs of Lobster for the chair? Perhaps the lobster could be used to feed the needy,,,a win-win 4 every-1 Also, Is this “chair” capable of “off roading” like a quad runner ? Thanks !! Nov-03-09
A:   I wish I could take that offer but the Law and tax payers would not be happy. Sorry, but I must turn down your offer. I’d also keep this vehicle on pavement or a hard surface. 

Q:  Would you know if this chair could beat a Segway in the 1/4 mile ? My best friend is a Mall Cop and says that his Segway can spank this Chair in the 1/4 … I intend to bid to win, but i also would like feel confident that (if i spend huge cash) i can beat him on his Segway i2 with 19 inch wheels. Thanks  Nov-03-09
A:   Have no idea, we have not run any test runs. But I would like to see the race. 

Q:  Almost forgot, does it run on alcohol or gas? Nov-03-09
A:   Gas

Q:  You have a seller score of Zero, what’s up with that? Nov-03-09
A:   The city is new to eBay and we are learning very fast.

Q:  Did not know if you knew that the cushion was not thrown away but it is being offered for sale on ebay as well http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280418173296&category=43970&_trksid=p4340.m263&_trkparms=algo%3DSI%26its%3DI%252BC%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D10%26ps%3D63#ht_600wt_914. Would it be a conflict of interest for the buyer of this chair to also purchase the cushion? Thanks and keep up the great work! Nov-03-09
A:   Even though the city was advised that the cushion was thrown away, the City will not be pursuing the cushion. If you wish to bid on the cushion please feel free to do so. Thank you 

Q:  how long to I have to pick up or have this awesome chair shipped? Nov-03-09
A:   We will work with the winning bidder; Total payment is required after 7 days of the sale.

Q:  if this chair reaches near the money that was bid the last time and you have a deadbeat bidder who does not pay what is the city going to do to the bidder? thanks kevin Nov-03-09
A:   Take lawful action against that deadbeat bidder.

Massachusetts, 04 November 2009 - Para peneliti Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Amerika Serikat, kini tengah berupaya untuk menciptakan robot pintar yang mereka beri nama Affective Intelligent Driving Agent (AIDA). Robot tersebut, dirancang untuk menemani pengemudi mobil di saat mereka berkendara.

AIDA yang terintegrasi dengan beberapa komponen dalam mobil dan juga GPS (Global Positioning System) akan membantu pengemudi.

Bukan hanya untuk teman ngobrol semata, tetapi AIDA juga bisa menjadi navigator sekaligus memberitahu bila bahan bakar mobil telah menipis.

Sehingga, pengemudi bisa melakukan efisiensi bahan bakar atau tahu kapan saat mengisi tanki bahan bakar.

Robot ini dibuat dalam ukuran kecil dan di pasang di dashboard mobil. AIDA juga dirancang untuk menampilkan isyarat-isyarat tertentu sehingga mampu berinteraksi dengan pengemudi. Misalnya, mampu menunjukkan ekspresi gembira dengan tersenyum, atau sebaliknya sedih. T

ak hanya itu, robot itu juga dirancang dalam sepekan mampu mempelajari kecenderungan rute yang ditempuh mobil. Walhasil, dia akan merekam dan menemukan lokasi rumah serta berbagai tempat yang kerap dikunjungi pengemudinya.

Bahkan, mampu memberi masukan ihwal lokasi toko yang bisa dikunjungi pengemudi. Lebih dari itu, saat jalanan macet, sang robot juga bisa memberi alternatif jalan yang harus ditempuh untuk menghindari macet.

“Dengan kata lain, robot ini menggabungkan pengetahuan tentang kota dengan pemahaman terhadap kebutuhan pengemudi. Disitulah AIDA dapat membuat kesimpulan penting,” tutur Assaf Biderman, Associate Director Laboratorium SenSeable City, seperti yang dikutip situs resmi MIT.

Disebutkan, robot AIDA ini tengah dikembangkan oleh Personal Robots Group dari MIT Media Lab, MIT SENSEable City Lab, dan Volkswagen Group of America Electronics Research Lab.

Sumber foto

(REUTERS/Toru Hana)

Tokyo, 03 November 2009 - Pabrikan ban asal Jepang, Bridgestone yang selama ini tercatat sebagai pemasok ban untuk balapan bergengsi Formula Satu (F1), Senin (02/11) mengumumkan mundur dari F1 setelah musim balapan 2010.

Bridgestone telah memasok ban gelaran balaan tersebut selama 13 tahun dan menjadi pemasok eksklusif seri grand prix sejak 2007. Kini kontrak akan berakhir pada musim balapan 2010. Kontraknya sekarang ini akan berakhir pada akhir musim 2010.

Sumber di Bridgestone seperti dikutip worldcarfans menyebut, pengunduran diri itu merupakan dampak dari krisis ekonomi global yang mengaibatkan merosotnya permintaan mobil.

Hiroshi Yasukawa, pimpinan program balapan Bridgestone mengatakan, kini sumber daya yang ada di Bridgestone diarahkan untuk pengembangan teknologi dan produk. Walhasil, perusahaan ini, harus meninggalkan kegiatan sponsorship termasuk memasok ban untuk balapan F1.

Seperti diketahui, pada awal 2009 ini Bridgestone masih membukukan keuntungan sebesar 37,24 miliar yen atau sekitar Rp 3,9 triliun. Namun, sepanjang Januari – Juni, perusahaan ini merugi 38,34 miliar yen atau sekitar Rp 4,06 triliun.

Bahkan pada Oktober lalu, Bridgestone menyebut akan memberhentikan 900 pekerjanya di Australia dan Selandia Baru karena pabriknya akan ditutup.

Sumber foto

Jakarta, 31 Oktober 2009 - PT Astra Honda Motor (AHM) membangun zona teknologi otomotif roda dua di Taman Pintar Yogyakarta. Selain menjadi media pembelajaran tentang teknologi sepeda motor yang ramah lingkungan, wahana ini juga menjadi sarana untuk sosialisasi berkendara yang aman dan nyaman.

Johannes Loman Wakil Presiden Direktur PT AHM, dalam siaran persnya, Jumat (30/10) menyebut, dengan motto “mencerdaskan dan menyenangkan”, wahana itu diharapkan menjadi satu zona yang paling digemari masyarakat.

“Kami berharap Zona Teknologi Otomotif Roda Dua akan menambah daya tarik Taman Pintar bagi masyarakat pengunjung, khususnya anak didik yang membutuhkan informasi tentang kemajuan teknologi sepeda motor,” tuturnya.

Dia menambahkan, wahana pembelajaran masyarakat yang berada di lantai dua Gedung Kotak Taman Pintar, Jalan Panembahan Senopati 13, Yogyakarta itu, merupakan salah satu wujud tanggung jawab sosial Grup Astra.

“Dan sekaligus menjadi sinergi PT AHM dengan Pemerintah Kota Yogyakarta yang memiliki kesamaan visi dan misi dalam pemberdayaan potensi lokal untuk sebesar-besarnya bagi masyarakat,” tandas Johannes.

Walikota Yogyakarta H. Herry Zudianto mengaku mendukung upaya yang dilakukan PT AHM tersebut. Menurutnya, keberadaan wahana itu menjadi sarana pembelajaran masyarakat tentang teknologi sepeda motor yang ramah lingkungan dan pengembangan ilmu pengetahuan secara umum.

Lebih dari itu, kata Herry, wahana ini juga menjadi sarana untuk memberikan pemahaman dan meningkatkan kesadaran masyarakat tentag berkendara yang aman dan nyaman guna menekan akan kecelakaan.

PT AHM mengemas materi pembelajaran dalam bentuk informasi, display, maupun program multi media yang bersifat interaktif. Diantara obyek yang dijadikan model belajar adalah model cutting Honda Supra X125 PGM-Fi sebagai tipe sepeda motor yang mengusung teknologi injeksi pertama di Indonesia.

Selain itu, asyarakat juga diberikan pemahaman tentang proses produksi yang ramah lingkungan dengan prinsip reduce, reuse, recycle, retrieve energy, serta recover sesuai dengan manajemen lingkungan. “Selain proses produksi yang bersih, kami juga menunjukkan penggunaan material yang ramah lingkungan,” aku Johannes.

Sedangkan pemahaman tentang keselamatan berkendara diberikan melalui Honda Riding Trainer. Perangkat ini dilengkapi menu tipe pilihan motor dan kondisi jalan, kondisi lingkungan, maupun cuaca.

As an eight year old I was first introduced to the world of PC gaming by my oldest brother who was studying computer engineering at university.

One year he brought home a computer he’d built and into our lives came Test Drive and Alley Cat.

The years passed, the computers changed and I met Jill of the Jungle (hmm now I know where my obsession with Lara Croft started!), Commander Keen, Wolfenstein 3D, Doom and a myriad of 64-bit goodness.

I’m incredibly excited at the thought of playing all my favourites again on my Eee PC, first stop Wolf 3D.

Sweet memories

Upload bana aittir…

Boyut: 1.98GB  

Bilgi: Eksiksiz Rip’tir. Bütün müzikler ve videolar içindedir.  

Crack: Mevcut.  

Key: NKEM-Q25E-LAUZ-4W3T

Rar şifresi yoktur.

MİNİMUM SİSTEM GEREKSİNİMLERİ:

İşletim Sistemi : Windows 2000/XP/Vista

İşlemci : Intel P4 @ 2.4Ghz or AMD Athlon 2800+.

GPU (Ekran Kartı) : ATI Radeon 9800 256MB VRAM or Nvidia 6600 GT with 256 MB of VRAM.

Ekran kartı en ez Pixel Shader 2.0 desteklemeli.

DirectX 9.0 uyumlu ses kartı

Ram : En az 512 MB

Hard Disk alanı: 8 GB

DVD Sürücü: 8x minimum

DirectX 9.0C

Yarışa girmeden önceki donma sorununun çözümü:
İndirdiğiniz oyun hatred tarafından yayılanıyor demektir ve bu hatayı düzeltmek için ufak bir ayar var;

http://testdrivetr.com/Downloads/TestDriveUnlimitedv1.0ProperWorkingFixedexeAll.rar bu ilacı indirin ve Hatred\euro\bnk içindeki ige klasörünü kopyalayıp oyunu yüklediğiniz yere gelip C:\Program Files\Atari\Test Drive Unlimited\Euro\Bnk klasörünün içine yapıştırmalısınız. İşte bu kadar…

DOWNLOAD LINK

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Everyday, I’ll be posting the 30 day sex challenge guides, both married and singles. Here is day 20:

The “sex as a test drive” theory places focus on only 1 of the emotional needs. How can this be destructive in the long run? Consider the differences between a test drive, a lease, and buying outright.

Read Proverbs 6:20 – 24.

Journal your answers to these questions, any thoughts from the passage and what you are praying for.