Welcome Back, American Muscle!

My main blog sponsor, American Muscle, has kindly agreed to renew for another year. American Muscle sells all kinds of Mustang parts. I'm not sure if they even sell anything besides Mustang parts. If you want to take a look, just click on the banner up top.

They recently sponsored a hilarious and disgusting contest called "Live in it to win it", where one of several contestants who could last the longest living in a red 2009 Mustang would win it. The winner lasted 11 days.

Why CARS (Cash For Clunkers) Won't Come Back

Mark Tapscott, over at the Examiner (http://www.examiner.com/examiner/x-12977-Cars-Examiner~y2009m7d31-How-long-before-CashforClunkers-becomes-a-permanent-federal-entitlement) , predicts that the cash-for-clunkers program (CARS) will be extended indefinitely because it is popular, and gives the Obama administration another way to spend money.

I disagree.  I think that if Congress extends CARS (doubtful), it will be a one-time shot.  The main reason is that there are still fiscal conservatives in Congress--the Blue Dog Democrats and the Republicans will team up to end the program.  The  Greenies won't support an extension because the current program, being a compromise, watered down the original premise of forcing people to trade up only to high-mileage cars.

CARS was fun while it lasted, but I predict it will shortly be as dead as one of the engines in my previous post.

Video: Cash For Clunkers Engine Death

Here is a video from a CARS program engine disablement (sodium silicate solution instead of oil) of a Jeep Grand Cherokee. The engine fights long and hard, but dies in the end.



This Volvo S80 looks like a nice car, I'm amazed it qualified. Maybe it had major issues, like a bad transmission, or something. Still, what a waste. The engine sounds almost like it is sad to go.



This Oldsmobile looks more like a heap. The engine starts out sounding throaty, then dies with a mousy squeek.

Video: Kid Freaks Out (A Little)

A rich kid gets a surprise birthday present--a beat up pickup truck. He gets mad because he'll look like a "poor kid" if he drives it. He gets a baseball bat...



Now, I don't think he's 100% serious, because if you notice, he doesn't damage the glass or the front end. He just beats up on the bed side a little.

Mahindra Planning A CUV For U.S.?

I was looking at Mahindra's North America web site (http://www.mahindrana.com/indian-cars-and-trucks.html) , which advertises its two door and four door diesel pickups (planned for fall of 2009), and its SUV, promised for 2010. 

If you click on "future vehicle", you see an artsy picture of what looks like a minivan, or perhaps a crossover, called the MUC.   I suspect this is a version of the Xylo (see http://www.lnkr.net/archives/prem/technology/mahindra-xylo-more-images/2011 for photos) which is something like short minivan with swinging doors.

Mahindra is talking big, I wonder if they will deliver?

CARS: Watch The "Doc Fee" Trick!

Joe over at MyFordDreams2 was talking to a Mercury salesman about the CARS (aka cash for clunkers) program, and the guy tried to tell him that there was $50 documentation fee.

As I posted previously, (see here) and I'll do it again as a public service:

Dealers are not allowed to charge fees to customers to participate in the CARS program. If you dealer tries to do so, above and beyond their standard fees, they are trying to cheat you.

The proof is here, from www.cars.gov/faq:

Can dealers charge me a fee for buying or leasing a vehicle under the CARS program?

While dealers can charge their normal types of fees, the CARS Act specifically prohibits dealers from charging a fee for purchasing or leasing a vehicle under the program.

Why NUMMI Is Probably Closing

With GM out, Toyota has to decide if it wants to keep NUMMI going.  Here are a few reasons why they won't.

• NUMMI is the most expensive, labor-wise, of any of Toyota's plants in NA (Detroit Free Press)
• The Corolla is also built in Canada, at the TMMC plant
• The Tacoma is also built in Mexico, in Tijuana.

Cash For Clunkers Details

In addition to the already released rules, some additional details have been posted by NHTSA at the www.cars.gov web site:

• Only one voucher per customer.  You can't trade in 2 cars for 2 vouchers for 1 new car. 
• Leases may be purchased with the voucher, however, the least must be for at least 5 years.
• Dealers can not charge extra fees such as administrative fees for the CARS program.
• Customers may have to pay sales taxes on the voucher amount, depending on state law.
• The CARS voucher is on top of other incentives from the manufacturer (dealers can't keep the manufacturer incentives back)
• The CARS voucher is in addition to other government programs, such as the hybrid vehicle credit.

So, if your dealer tries to charge you an extra "doc fee" for CARS, call him out on it.

Cash For Clunkers: Engine Death

The NHTSA has released instructions for dealers on how they must destroy the trade-in car's engine.  Dealers are to replace the engine oil with about 2 quarts of sodium silicate solution, and run until the engine siezes. The sodium silicate in the oil path will heat up, and form a glass-like structure.

For some reason, the thought of thousands of engines running until they die is sort of sad to me.  It's like... euthanasia.

Appendix B to Part 599 - Engine Disablement Procedures for the CARS

 

Engine Disablement Procedures for the CARS Program

THIS PROCEDURE IS NOT TO BE USED BY THE VEHICLE OWNER

 

 

Perform the following procedure to disable the vehicle engine.

 

1.                  Obtain solution of 40% sodium silicate/60% water.  (The Sodium Silicate (SiO2/Na2O) must have a weight ratio of 3.0 or greater.)

2.                  Drain engine oil for environmentally appropriate disposal.

3.                  Install the oil drain plug.

4.                  Since the procedure is intended to render the engine inoperative, drive or move the vehicle to the desired area for disablement.

5.                  Pour enough solution in the engine through the oil fill for the oil pump to circulate the solution throughout the engine.  Start by adding 2 quarts of the solution, which should be sufficient in most cases.

            CAUTION:  Wear goggles and gloves. Appropriate protective clothing should be            worn to prevent silicate solution from coming into contact with the skin.

6.                  Replace the oil fill cap.

7.                  Start the engine.

8.                  Run engine at approximately 2000 rpm (for safety reasons do not operate at high rpm) until the engine stops.  (Typically the engine will operate for 3 to 7 minutes.  As the solution starts to affect engine operation, the operator will have to apply more throttle to keep the engine at 2000 rpm.)

9.                  Allow the engine to cool for at least 1 hour.

10.              With the battery at full charge or with auxiliary power to provide the power of a fully charged battery, attempt to start the engine.

11.              If the engine will not operate at idle, the procedure is complete.

12.              If the engine will operate at idle, repeat steps 7 through 11 until the engine will no longer idle.

13.              Attach a label to the engine that legibly states the following:

 

                  This engine is from a vehicle that is part of the Car Allowance Rebate System                             (CARS).  It has significant internal damage caused by operating the                                       engine with a sodium silicate solution (liquid glass) instead of oil.

 

14.              File this document in the file for the new vehicle purchase.

G8 Dead Again

After studying the issue, Bob Lutz says on GM Fastlane Blog that there isn't a business case for the G8 after all, sorry to get your hopes up.

That’s all still true. But I have to say that, with my new “marketing” hat on, upon further review and careful study, we simply cannot make a business case for such a program. Not in today’s market, in this economy, and with fuel regulations what they are and will be.

What was interesting to me was the hint dropped that GM might try to make it a police car. GM currently sells the Impala as a police vehicle, but it hasn't made a very large dent in Ford's Crown Victoria sales. A RWD Caprice might have really gotten some attention, but it was probably too expensive to pull off.

This leaves Ford as king of the police cruisers for now, but it is no secret that the Crown Victoria's days are numbered. According to rumors on the web (such as Blue Oval Forums), the plant that builds the Crown Vic will close in 2011, which means tha that the last cars would be built as 2011 or 2012 models.

Will Ford give up the police cruiser business to the Dodge Challenger, or the expensive and not-yet-existent Carbon? Currently, it is commonly thought that the police want a rear wheel drive vehicle. Ford won't have anything to sell after 2012. Will they perhaps put lights and pusher bars on the Taurus SHO?

The New Toyota Venza 2009

Whichever label you want to give it, the new Toyota Venza appears like a winner.

Think of the Venza as a station wagon and you'll probably get the point. Of course, it does not look precisely like any station wagon we've seen before. Unveiled at Detroit's North American International automobile show in Jan, Venza drew heaps of attention. Among vehicles currently available, it reminds us most of the Ford Edge crossover.

There's plenty of the Lexus RX350 in this Toyota, too, though the Venza is pressed down nearer to the ground, and sleeker. Its front end is taller, but definitely molded in the theme of Toyota's current Camry sedan. The Venza's rear glass has a nice, long rake, and its taillights wrap around the rear fenders onto the hatch. Its standard wheels measure 19 inches in diameter, whilst 20-inch spoked alloys are optional. In sum, the Venza is an example of the more hunky, engaging cars Toyota has launched in a little time.

A look at its dimensions brings the crossover label into proportion. At 109.3 inches and 189 inches, respectively, the Venza's wheelbase and overall length match both Bell Road Toyota's Camry sedan and Highlander sport-utility inside fragments of an in. Put simply, the Venza's footprint on the pavement matches both Camry and Highlander closely. Yet with an overall height of 63.4 inches, the Venza slots right in the middle of the Camry and Highlander. It's ride height falls somewhere in the middle, too.

The 2009 Venza seats 5, like the Camry, instead of 7 like the Highlander. Its rocker height, or the lip around the base of its passenger doorways, is low, making it simple to lift feet within, yet the hip point for seated occupants is higher than the typical sedan's. The mix should deliver a mix many buyers seek : straightforward ingress and egress, with a higher seating position for an enhanced view around tall cars on the road.

The 2009 Venza should reach showrooms with the traditional model year changeover in early fall 2008. It'll be built at Toyota's assembly plant in Georgetown, Kentucky.

If you find this article interesting, you should also check out thesupercars.org to read about some of the fastest & most expensive sports cars in the world, also visit Toyota Yaris used.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Lowell_N_Winters

The Mitsubishi Outlander GT Prototype

Building on the success of the Mitsubishi Outlander, Mitsubishi Motors North America today conducted the World debut of a distinctive new model that takes the compact SUV to another new level of performance and sportiness - the Mitsubishi Outlander GT Prototype. The all-new design study is the centerpiece of the Mitsubishi Motors exhibit at the New York International Auto Show, which continues through April 19.

The Diamond white Outlander GT Prototype infuses performance and design inspiration from Mitsubishi's Lancer sport sedans and provides clear indicators of the future of Outlander.

"The Outlander GT Prototype is packed with technology, performance and premium features that are uncommon in the compact SUV class," commented John Koenig, executive vice president of Mitsubishi Motors North America. "Along with its faster heartbeat, we also wanted to quicken pulses by channeling the look of our sportiest cars."

A front grille design inspired by the Lancer Evolution's "jet fighter" look is clearly in play on the Outlander GT Prototype, which sports complementary new design elements, such as a reshaped front bumper, side mirrors, fenders and hood. Reshaped Bi-Xenon HID headlamps, a new rear bumper and side sills, plus a bold polished finish on the already standard aluminum roof panel accentuate the sporty appeal.

The Outlander GT Prototype also benefits from improvements to the all-aluminum 3.0-liter SOHC MIVEC V6 currently found in the Outlander XLS, including a reduction in intake restriction plus optimized camshaft timing and compression ratio. The engine changes raise maximum output by 10 horsepower, for a total of 230 horsepower, with an improved torque curve for more responsive city driving and enhanced fuel economy and emissions.

To further increase fuel economy, the Outlander GT Prototype features an upgraded shifting program and Idle Neutral Logic, which automatically, and smoothly, shifts into neutral during vehicle standstill. It reengages at the slightest lift of the foot off the brake pedal, thereby providing instantaneous response.

About the Author

For more information about Mitsubishi Motors and the new Outlander SUV then visit the website or contact the Senior Manager of Corporate Communications.

The Subaru Impreza

It costs a small fortune to get a garage to look at your subaru let alone tune it for you. What if there was a way to do it yourself, even if your a novice mechanic. Well now there is.

You will learn

The essential checks you can perform to reduce the garage costs on your car. Effective maintenance is essential for making sure that your lovely subaru continues to give long lasting and reliable service.

You will als learn about the subaru intake and exhaust systems - Look at how to improve the stock Subaru intake and exhaust and how an aftermarket exhaust and intake can help put back some of the aural character that is lacking on the standard WRX. Learn the four critical things you can do to improve the intake system on your Subaru.

Now i was no expert on car mechanics, sure i could change my oil and fit new spark plugs the whole thing about engines just seemed to complex for me. Don't get me wrong i'm not saying i'm a qualified mechanic after this course, but i can now get more power and speed from my subaru with a few simple steps.

When it comes to modifying your subaru impreza, I have not found a place online that comes even a close runner up to what you will find here. This information will take you right to the heart of tuning and modifications. Best of all you do it yourself without the hefty garage bill.

About the Author

If you want to get more out of your subaru check THIS out.

Audi: 100 years of Car Making History

Karl Freidrich Benz was the man who created the first true automobile, Henry Ford visualised and created the first assembly line for mass production of large numbers of automobiles, both men played a crucial part in auto making history, but we cannot talk about auto making history without mentioning Audi.

Audi was founded by August Horch in 1909, the year he was forced out of the company he founded in 1899. In the beginning, Horch continued to trade under the Horch brand, but after his partners sued him for trademark infringement, he was forced to come up with another name for his company; it was then that the Audi name came up.

During a meeting in Franz Fikentschers' apartment to come up with a new name for the company, Franz's son who was studying Latin at the time (common in those days), suggested that instead of Horch they used Audi which mean "Hark!" or "Horch" German for "hear" and the idea was accepted by everyone attending the meeting.

The first models produced by Audi were the 2,612 cc 2.6 litre 4 cylinder model, followed by a 3564 cc 3.6 litre model, as well as 4680 cc 4.7 L and 5720 cc 5.7L models. In 1921 Audi was the first German car manufacturer to build a left-hand drive production car, the Audi Type K.

Audi Models of the 1920's were luxurious and were becoming successful in the racing tracks, in the early 30's Audi merged with Horch, DKW and Wanderer to form Auto Union.

With the creation of Auto Union the four overlapping rings badge was created to represent the union of the four German car manufacturers. The Auto Union era is best known for its success in the racing tracks. The Silver Arrows dominated the GP car racing from 1934 onwards and established records that were only equalled in the early 80's by turbocharged F1 cars.

We'll skip the WW II and Post War periods, I jump all the way to early 80's when introduced the Quattro four wheel drive and the Audi Quattro, commonly know at the time as Ur-Quattro, a turbocharged coupé that dominated the rally tracks in the 80's and was the first German car to be produced in large scale featuring permanent all-wheel-drive (Quattro).

In 1985 Auto Union was officially dead and Audi shortened its name to Audi AG. Over the following years Audi introduced less successful models like the Audi 80 and the Audi 90.

Audi's big break happened in 1994 with the introduction of the Audi A4, a predecessor for the Audi 80, the Audi A4 gain recognition and sales went up which led Audi to develop more powerful and luxurious models like the Audi A6 and A8.

Two years later Audi released what became its most successful model to date, the Audi A3, built in conjunction with the Volkswagen Group using the same platform as the A4, the A3 was initially available only as a 3 door hatchback.

In 2000 Audi revolutionised sports car racing once again with the Audi R8 and dominated the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, winning 5 of 7 years it competed.

After 20 years of research with diesel engines the results were paid off with another revolutionary racing car the Audi R10 TDI, which again dominated Le Mans' racing tracks for four consecutive years, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, till it was replaced the new Audi R15 TDI.

All technological advances made by Audi in the racing tracks are used in its models nowadays. With their high fuel efficiency and low emissions the TDI engines are a reference, the petrol engines have high fuel efficiency thanks to Audi's Valvelift technology, not to mention the Quattro four-wheel-drive and all the other technological advances Audi makes year after year.

Prove to that is the Audi R8 a state of the art sports car that was successful in the racing and in less than 2 years gained respect of sports cars enthusiast form all over the world.

Audi's success is the reflect of the company's tagline Vorsprung durch Technik, meaning "Advantage through Technology".

About the Author

SEO Consultant, blogger and social media expert working for THUK Media Online Marketing

Who Tried to Kill the Electric Car?

Even though the electric car is starting to grow in popularity around the world again, over the years there have been a number of attempts to block the development and production of such vehicles but who tried to kill the Electric car? Unfortunately there are a number of suspects with regards to blocking the development of the Electric vehicle market which include:-

General Motors
In the 1990s General Motors was involved in the production of an electric vehicle known as the EV1 which was the first mainstream electric vehicle to hit the market. The introduction of the vehicle was made possible by changes to various emission laws in California and with the backing of the Californian authorities it seemed set to change the marked forever. However, without notice GM withdrew the EV1 from the marketplace and despite spending over $1 billion on research and development the project was mothballed.

Oil-rich countries
One of the main losers as and when the electric vehicle market becomes main stream will be the various oil-rich countries around the world which earn billions and billions of dollars supplying the fuel to power traditional vehicles of today. There is a feeling that pressure has been put on various governments around the world, including the UK and US, to try and block the development of electric vehicles as long as possible.

Governments around the world
When you consider that countries such as the UK earn billions and billions of pounds from the taxation of petrol (with some suggestions at more than 70% of what you pay on the forecourt is paid to the government) the introduction of electric vehicles would reduce this income substantially. However the UK is not alone in potential loss of income as and when the electric vehicle market goes mass market and many governments around the world appear to have done their best to block the development of the electric car.

For further information and further discussions with regards to the development of the electric car market please visit the Electric Forum The latest electric vehicles, regulations for this new market and news of future developments are discussed in depth.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mark_Benson

The Best 2009 Hybrid Vehicles

It goes without saying that hybrid vehicles are the private transportation of the future. The reasons include the fact that we have a finite supply of crude oil, the rising cost of gas over which we have very little control, our dependence on unfriendly nations for our oil supply, and the negative effects of gasoline exhaust on the environment.

Saving, be it the environment or on gas, is the primary reason most people buy these types of vehicles. To this end, it is anticipated that 2009 will be a big year for makers of hybrids because consumers are trying to reduce their consumption in the current economic downturn. It is during times like these that high gas mileage trumps size and becomes a major deciding factor when buying personal transportation.

King of the Road
The king of high mileage per gallon of gas is none other than the Toyota Prius. One of the first alternative-fuel vehicles to appear on the US auto market, the Prius offers 45 city and 48 highway miles to the gallon. The 2009 model has a bigger engine; therefore, provides more horsepower and has been designed with a very light frame aimed at pushing the gas mileage as close to 50 as is possible by improving the length of time it can run gas-free.

Close Runner-Up
The Honda Civic hybrid is second and it offers 40 city and 45 highway miles per gallon. It costs a bit more than the Prius, but has a sleeker look. The 2009 model has better battery packs and its regenerative braking system is capable of eliminating almost all emission from the vehicle. It is, also, the best choice for consumers who consider safety a priority when choosing a vehicle.

Third in Line
The third most fuel efficient hybrid vehicle is the Smart For Two. The smart car burst onto the market in Europe and is slowly becoming popular in the U.S. It offers 33 city and 41 highway miles per gallon. The major drawback to the Smart For Two is its size. It is very small, light, and has comparatively low horsepower compared to the other hybrids. However, it can be considered cute, affordable, and is perfect for city dwellers who don't want to spend too much money on a car. The 2009 model comes with a transmission that can be changed between manual and automatic.

Another Good Choice
The BMW Mini Cooper is another great choice of hybrid because of its high gas mileage. It offers 28 city and 37 highway miles to the gallon. The 2009 model comes in automatic and manual. It is built with BMW's pure quality, has an updated suspension thus providing a smoother ride, and has enough horsepower to hold its own on any U.S. highway.

Hybrid vehicles can be more expensive than all-gas vehicles; however, in the long run they will save the consumer and have a positive impact on the environment. Furthermore, nothing says "I'm hip and aware!" as being behind the wheel of a 2009 fuel efficient hybrid vehicle.

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Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Patricia_S._Brown

The BMW Hydrogen 7 Series

BMW is one of the world leading car manufacturers, this is due to all the years of experience, design, technology, and from some years till now, software that runs all over each car model, making it one of the most technological cars manufacturers too.

Each BMW has been using the usual fuel around the globe, but the global concerns, the climate change started years ago to make people start researching and developing other resources, the planet needs that, car manufacturers need to accomplish the transformation.

Hydrogen 7 is one of the BMW projects, the German car manufacturer has implemented all hydrogen technology inside is luxury vehicle, the BMW 7 Series, one of the most impressive cars not only because of the comfort, size, performance, but remember this car is also a heavyweight.

This means that in a world where hydrogen isn't available yet, at least as the usual car fuel, BMW couldn't send the car outside to the streets just using hydrogen, so this BMW Hydrogen 7 has also a combustion engine, nothing better for the driver than having that chance of deciding which fuel the car will burn, of course that the cheaper the better.

BMW Hydrogen 7 relies in a 7 Series with 12 cylinder, for those who care about speed the car will not reach all the speed that all that power car give has it's electronic limited to 230Km/h and it remains that way, whether the driver choses gasoline or hydrogen.

Fuel consumption is always a concern, this BMW can offer more than 200Km if the driver uses only hydrogen, that's probably not that much for most drivers around the globe but remember that this car must have place for a gasoline tank, which can deliver an additional 500Km, of regular driving of course.

Like the idea of driving a BMW Hydrogen car, maybe you do but the German car manufacturer isn't interested in the selling process, at least by now so this 7 Series model will not be available to the general public, BMW car will be leased to some costumers.

The Abarth Cars

Abarth Cars was founded by the Austrian born Karl Abarth, a designer who later became an Italian citizen and changed his first name to Carlo. Between nineteen twenty five and nineteen twenty seven Abarth worked as a motorbike designer for Castagna, whilst still only a teenager. Abarth was also a keen motorbike rider and raced in many races. Abarth went on to win the European Championship five times, but sadly had an accident in Austria which forced him to stop racing and instead focus his efforts towards engineering and designing a sidecar.

After moving to Italy permanently, Abarth set up Abarth and co in nineteen forty nine. The nineteen sixties saw successes for the company in regards to racing and hill climbing. Racing against Ferrari and Porsche, the cars commonly raced in the eight hundred and fifty and two thousand cc categories. As well as producing performance cars for racing, Abarth Cars also made exhaust pipes for racing and high performance cars. Tuning kits were also produced, and calibrations between Porsche and Abarth saw various racing cars produced.

In the summer of nineteen seventy one Fiat bought Abarth Cars, and the racing team was acquired by the Italian racing car manufactured, Osella. Abarth was used as a racing subsidiary of Fiat, helping with the Fiat rally cars. The Abarth marque was also used for some of the high performance cars produced by Fiat, such as the Ritmo Abarth 130 TC.

The Abarth brand was resurrected in two thousand and seven, with Fiat launching the Punto Abarth and Punto Abarth S2000.

Classic Cars For Sale has Abarth cars for sale. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Webbed

The Nissan Navara

As a double cab, Nissan navara has an advantage over others when it comes to car size. And though, it is not always true that bigger is better, when it comes to vehicles specifically for loads, it definitely make sense. Because of that, it had been favored by many who are looking for vehicle that is truly apt for work.

Basically, it is built in Spain. It is of the same production line with Pathfinder, one of those to which it is being often compared with. As it is very important today to wisely pick the car that you will be having, it is being dubbed as the best that you can have as it is being claimed to combine both luxury and quality.

However, there would always be two sides in a story. If there are those who favor and appreciate it, naturally, there are also those who got negative things to say about it. That is just normal though as no car is really perfect. There would always be flaws and drawbacks that can be seen in different perspectives.

If you can live through the drawbacks of Nissan Navara though, it can be a very useful pick up to use. One of its strengths is the fact that it is a spacious car that can carry quite a load. It is very much suitable to businesses and other specific tasks as moving furniture and transferring products.

To know how great or not-so great of a ride is Nissan Navara is, it is important to check on its features and capabilities. There are three points that can be used as basis of the judgment.

• Load Space - As been mentioned earlier, it has a more space for loads than other double cabs. It even has an additional feature of self-locking cleats for securing loads. This keeps from rolling about from one to another which can possibly cause damages.

• Appearance and Features - Though Nissan Navara is one that can be considered as a workhorse of a vehicle, it has a nice exterior and interior design. It is of smooth silhouette with fog light, roof rail, automatic headlights and washer and even electric windows and mirrors. Inside, it had upholstered seats, CD player, bluetooth connectivity, remote central locking and even satellite navigation. And so it can basically provide the comfort and convenience other luxury cars can give.

• Engine - Generally, Nissan Navara is not really a quiet car. However, its engine is more powerful than other of its category. And though it runs in diesel, it can be pretty powerful.

As a summary, the Navara has both advantages and disadvantages but the former outweighs the latter. Though it is more of a car of functionality, it is able to provide luxury and comfort to its passengers. And with that, Nissan Navara makes quite an impressive ride.

Nissan Navara has an impressive record for a ride. Know more about it you can be sure that you are opting for a double cab of truly high quality.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Maurice_Manhattan

The Skoda Cars

Current hectic period requires rapid transfer from one place to another either for businesses or some other purposes. People generally prefer taking their own vehicles. Simultaneously with the increase of private vehicles on the roads increased the requirements for professional car sale, car repair and car rental shops providing their services at affordable prices most of all. A car is known and sold on the name of its manufacturer.

The model and year of manufacture give it an additional identity. Skoda Auto is the name of a Czech - based automaker. In early 90´s the Skoda company became a subsidiary of Volkswagen Group, one of the leading automobile manufacturer in Europe. Skoda cars are specially designed to suit the European roads and are equipped with the best available accessories. Vehicles of Skoda Auto company are constructed with utmost care to provide the right kind of protection to the people in the event of accidents.

KARIREAL SLOVAKIA - authorized dealer of Skoda cars in central Europe - offers a large fleet of Skoda vehicles such as Skoda Octavia, Skoda Fabia or Skoda Superb offering attractive design, safety features, comfortable interior, large luggage boot and affordable prices. You can learn more about Skoda vehicles from automobile magazines or go online and get more information about Skoda car sale on www.karireal.sk. If you rely upon your car to get to work, to pick up your children or to simply get around town, you know how important having the right vehicle really is.

It is also important to know that whatever happens with your car you have experts to help you. Experienced team of KARIREAL SLOVAKIA - authorized dealer of Skoda vehicles - can provide you the right kind of any motoring services at the right time. KARIREAL SLOVAKIA care about offering you quality car repair and tire repair service and satisfying your demands with great prices of its car rental. NON STOP assistance and NON STOP rescue service of KARIREAl SLOVAKIA is available in any case of emergency.

Car wash, roof box rental and storage of vehicles and tires are also included among the services of KARIREAL company. Visit www.karireal.sk to know more about car sale, car rental and car repair which will surely convince you to order and test the customer - oriented services of the KARIREAL SLOVAKIA company. Skoda car sale Skoda car service Skoda Fabia Skoda Octavia

Tragic Stupidity: Five Die In Canton, MI

Yesterday, a 19 year old idiot with a suspended drivers license tried to beat an Amtrak train, and lost big. His Ford Fusion was struck in the side as he tried to race through the crossing. The barriers were down, and the lights were flashing, and the train was moving at around 60mph. He had 4 others in the car with him, ranging from 14 to 21. Apparently dissatisfied with waiting for the train to come, he raced around a waiting car through the opposing lane, and didn't even slow down to check the crossing. His timing was perfect and lethal.

Detroit news story here.

This photo shows what is left of the Fusion. This is the whole car--it was smashed nearly flat from the side. I can only imagine what a mess it was for the fire and police departments to clean up.

This video was recorded from the security camera of a nearby business.

One of the wise-guys at AR15.com made this, in response to a Facebook memorial page:

It's mean, but I agree with the sentiment. Dan deserves a nomination for the Darwin award for 2009.

Acura TSX the Biggest Competitor of 2010 Honda Accord?

Acura TSX is the one of the trendiest cars designed by Acura/Honda in recent times. During the year 2003, it was available only in Canada and United States whereas the company plans to launch this car in Mexico this year. Honda also plans to replace this model with the previously made Acura RSX.

There are almost three places where this car is manufactured namely Saitama, Sayama and Japan. The basic design of this car is inspired from CL-series Accord. To cover the marketing in Japan, Europe and Australia, the interior design of this car has been changed. TSX has continued sales in North American market alongside the mid-sized Acura TL. The 2008 produced TSX model has a 6-speed manual transmission, four cylinder engine and front wheel drive. This car was launched for the first time in the year 2004.

Just after one year, in 2005 it got updated with various facilities including XM Satellite Radio, Steering Wheel Mounted Audio and four way power passenger seat along with Cruise Controls. There were also some changes made in the 2006 including standard integral Fog Lights, 5 hp power additions to the engine, standard side skirts, sporty looks and more stylist wheels etc. From its safety point of view, Multi-Information Display was added in the instrument panel. Some of the additional facilities include the Bluetooth compatibility and an advanced audio player.

But, looking at the current market, apparently the latest generation Acura TSX might actually turn out to be the biggest competitor of the Honda Accord in those market where both the Honda as well as Acura models are being marketed, especially the North American market.

Check out the latest Acura TSX Wallpapers and varieties of Acura Wallpapers here

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The Mercedes GLK

The days of the huge, ponderous SUV are over. Not so much because people don't want a sport/utility vehicle, but the one that they are interested in purchasing offers many of the same capabilities in a smaller package.

The compact Mercedes GLK is the newest in a family of sport/utility vehicles that have changed the way people think about Mercedes-Benz. Sure, the safari-like GL remains popular with some buyers while the large ML continues to hold sway in a category where every luxury make has a presence. But the five passenger GLK shows that the same suspension, agility and design afforded to its larger brethren works quite well on a smaller scale.

Smaller Scale, Big Cabin

Although from the outside the Mercedes GLK looks much smaller than it actually is, it is on the inside where buyers learn just how much room is available to them. Head, shoulder and foot room is more than ample and, with two sunroofs, the interior seems even larger.

As expected, the seating in the GLK is at the top of its game. That shouldn't be a surprise to Mercedes devotees, but it is a refreshing change for a vehicle in this segment. Too often a compact SUV sacrifices some comfort in order to keep its price down, but the Mercedes GLK flies against that trend by delivering full luxury without compromise.

Robust Engine, Off Road Capability

Under the hood, the 3.5L V6 engine is paired with a seven-speed automatic transmission, offering the right amount of power and delivering a combined 18 mpg whether you choose the front wheel drive or all wheel drive model. Most customers seem to prefer the latter, giving them the best ride under all sorts of road conditions. And, a pair of off road packages allows drivers to take the Mercedes GLK where its bigger brethren roam, just the sort of option needed to win the mud season wars.

The brake system is yet another area where Mercedes shines, which means that the GLK has a wonderfully short braking distance. Traction control, brake assist and anti-lock brakes work to bring the GLK to a full stop while the SUV's independent front and rear suspension help to keep the Mercedes under the driver's complete control at all times.

Let's Take Out The Boat

In the GLK, Mercedes has also solved a problem that sportsmen have with most compact SUVs - they simply aren't designed with a large towing capacity. But Mercedes configured the GLK to not only perform well on and off road, but to do so while pulling as much as 4400 lbs of boat or camper behind it. Try to find that much towing capability in most compact luxury SUVs and you'll be hard pressed to come up with a comparable package without paying extra for it.

And as expected the Mercedes GLK comes fully equipped with all of the technological gizmos you expect from surround sound audio system, navigation unit, active front head restraints, antitheft alarm system and more - offering perhaps the best blend of safety, security, technology and drivability of any compact luxury sport/utility vehicle on the market.

Max Rossi writes for FCPgroton.com http://www.fcpgroton.com/ a worldwide foreign auto parts distributor. Get European car parts at affordable prices.

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UPDATED "Cash For Clunkers": Check If Your Car Qualifies

Updated: I re-did the table with the new data from Edmunds, after NHTSA updated some of their mileage numbers.

Use my handy applet below to look up your car to see if it might qualify for the CARS "cash for clunkers" voucher from the Uncle Sam. This is a list of cars from Edmunds that gets 18 MPG or less and has an expected fair market value of less than about $4,500. Edmunds was kind enough to post the raw data (here) and I massaged it a little and stuffed it into a Google Docs spreadsheet.

You may need to wait a little while for the data to load.

To use the applet, pick your car's age and make from the drop down list.

Update: Edmund's data only goes back to 1990, that's why that 1984 Saab isn't on there. Only cars younger than 25 years old are eligible, so the oldest model year that would qualify would be a 1984.

The 2010 Toyota Camry

The Toyota group revealed the 2010 Toyota Camry model at the North American International Auto Show in the year 2009. The visual changes to the vehicle include front fascia, LED tail lamps, larger head lamps and the new wheel cover designs.

Looking at the luxurious features, Sound system with the USB connectivity and a backup camera is incorporated to the navigation device as well. The newly designed engine 2.5 liter 2AR FE I4 replaces the 4-cylinder models in the non hybrid vehicles, which are now available as either 6-speed automatic transmission or the 6-speed manual transmission.

The powerful 133 kilo watts model and also the Smart key System are available to the Camry SE edition. The vehicle Stability Control is standard on all the Camry grade models. The production of the new 2010 Camry began in the month of January, 2009 and sales started from the month of March. The model was sold in the month of March, 2009 as the model vehicle for the year 2010.

As far as the safety features of the vehicle are concerned, the Camry is equipped with the dual frontal air bags, driver's knee air bag, rear and the front row side curtain air bags and the side torso air bags mounted at the front side. The other safety features in the vehicle include anti lock brakes, electronic brake force distribution, a system to monitor tire pressure and the brake assistance system.

The traction control system and the vehicle stability control are made common in all the 2010 Camry models. The safety of the Toyota Camry is improved by using the ultra high strength steel, which whould be hot stamped to the Camry's center and the front pillars, rocker structures and the roof. The Camry has also gained good rating in the overall impact crash test and the frontal offset safety tests conducted by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

Check out the latest Toyota Camry Pictures and take a tour of the other Toyota Car Pictures here

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Hybrid the Environmentally Friendly Car

Not everyone is comfortable with a fuel efficient vehicle that only has two wheels like a moped or a motorcycle. There shouldn't be a push for a person who isn't confident in their ability to operate one to have to do so. This can result in a accident occurring and that isn't worth saving money on fuel costs.

For other people, those types of vehicles just aren't practical. You may have a family so you need to drop the baby at daycare and another child off at school. You can't do that without a regular vehicle.

You may live in an area where it is too cold for most of the year to get any real use out of those two wheeled options even though they are fuel efficient. There is no need to worry though as you do have some really good options.

One of them you have likely heard a great deal about: the hybrid car. This is a type of vehicle that operates using two different fuel sources. One of them is gasoline and the other is either solar power or electricity. With the solar power, there are cells that charge during the day. With the electricity there are batteries that have to be recharged on a regular basis.

Regardless of which one you choose, gasoline will be the back up fuel source. This means when you don't have any more solar power in the cells or any more electricity in the batteries you will switch over to the gasoline that is in your vehicle.

Once you have the opportunity to recharge the main energy source, it will switch back over. You don't have to do anything to get the vehicle to go from one power source to the next. It will be an automatic switch over and it can happen in the middle of your commute to work. You won't lose power in the vehicle so don't worry about the speed limit that you are driving.

A hybrid vehicle is designed to be able to save energy in ways that ordinary vehicles can't. Pushing on the brakes of your vehicle is a common practice. It helps you to slow down when you need to as well as to completely stop your vehicle. In a regular vehicle the braking process results in more fuel being used. This is because they car has to get back to a certain speed and it takes fuel to do so. Hybrids rely on a process known as regenerative braking. Instead of using more fuel you will actually create more energy each time you step on the brakes.

All hybrids also have an automatic shut off sensor. This means when you roll up to a stop sign the engine will completely stop. As soon as you step on the accelerator pedal, it will restart. As a result, the excess idling that adds up and wastes fuel is completely eliminated.

A smaller motor is used in hybrid vehicles so it takes less fuel to give them the necessary power. However, you don't have to worry about not having enough power to go the proper speed limit or anything like that. Some people have a fear that a hybrid car will be slow and that it will just leave them stranded due to not enough energy. This isn't a scenario that will ever become a reality for anyone with a hybrid vehicle.

They are very well made and for years they were researched before offered to the general public. In fact, hybrids were tested by companies all over the world including the various branches of the United States military.

For those individuals who want to continue driving larger sized vehicles, a hybrid can be the perfect solution. There are small vehicles but also the large ones including the Yukon by GMC and the Tahoe by Chevrolet. Both of these were added in 2008 to meet consumer demands. These hybrid vehicles are expensive though and that is what often prevents consumers from buying them.

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Ready to learn more about Hybrid Cars? Visit The Hybrid Car Website.

Best Audi Performance Parts

If you own an Audi vehicle you are already aware of how Audi performance parts will immediately improve the look and feel of your car. Audi's are some of the most fun cars to upgrade. They are favorite cars for car owners to upgrade and show off. There are many upgrades you can find online from many audi performance parts websites that will give you ideas of what you can purchase to increase the power of your car or simply change it's appearance.

It doesn't matter which Audi car you own, there are a wealth of performance features you can add. There are many auto parts websites on the internet that literally give customers the opportunity to browse through their catalog of performance parts. You may already have in mind the type of upgrade you want to make on your Audi but after viewing an entire online Audi performance parts catalog, I'm sure you will change your mind and buy something better because there are literally thousands of performance parts available for you to see.

It doesn't matter which year or make your Audi is, most online Audi performance parts will carry nearly any part that you're looking for. This is the major difference between online auto parts sites versus offline local parts stores. It is more convenient to find the exact part you need via the internet than visiting local stores in the neighborhood.

Many of these websites offer coupons and savings when you purchase parts from their website. Some websites include free shipping which is a benefit when ordering online. Waiting a few days for your favorite performance part to arrive is nothing when you are receiving a great deal. Many sites are always trying to satisfy customers by offering them the lowest pricing possible, especially compared to offline stores. The best places to purchase audi performance parts is definitely online, you will save time and money.

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Find Performance Parts For All Audi Models At Audi Performance Parts

The New Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara

Maruti Suzuki launched the new advanced variant of its SUV Grand Vitara in India. The new model is priced in the range of Rs. 16.67 lakh to Rs. 17.97 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). The new model comes with 2.4L petrol engine with both manual and automatic transmission. The new model has 2.4L VVT petrol engine which stands for Variable Valve Timing and delivers a max power of 163.5 bhp at 6000 rpm and a torque of 225 NM at 4000 rpm. According the company, the new Vitara that stood for style, safety and off-capabilities will now be more fuel efficient and more powerful than its earlier versions.

"Highly popular the world over, the Grand Vitara is one of the global strategic models in Suzuki Range. For all those customers, who are increasingly looking at SUVs, the Grand Vitara 2.4 offers more power and the best in class 4X4 drive at a highly competitive price," Maruti Suzuki India (MSI) Executive Officer (Marketing and Sales) Mayank Pareek said in a statement.

The new features of new Grand Vitara includes a new Multi Information Display (MID) which provides more easy to read and accurate vehicle information like cruising range, Average speed and instantaneous fuel consumption readings.

One of the most popular car questions about the Hyundai i20, is whether it comes in diesel.

The Peugeot 205 GTI

The French automobile producer Peugeot manufactured the 205 for fourteen years, between nineteen eighty three and nineteen ninety seven. The production of the car in the UK ceased a year earlier, in nineteen ninety six. The higher performing GTI hatchback was equipped with either one point six or one point nine litre engines, producing over one hundred and five break horse power for the smaller of the two engines. The 205 was awarded the "Car of the Decade" in CAR magazine in the nineties, and the 205 GTI is often cited as the hottest of the "hot hatches".

For the inexperienced driver the 205 GTI will likely be more difficult to drive than its modern day counterparts, with the lack of electronic driving aids and the oversteer experienced when cornering hard. The initial one point six litre engine produced just over one hundred and five break horse power, but the power was increased by around ten break horse power when the new XU5JA engine was fitted which had larger valves shared with the one point nine engine. The one point nine litre engine produced one hundred and twenty six break horse power, yet the power was decreased in the late models, down to one hundred and twenty. The decreased power was seen as an answer to the increased insurance premiums for the car which was badly affecting sales.

There were subtle differences between the one point six and one point nine litre models. The one point six model had clothed seats, smaller alloys, and disc / drum brakes. The larger engine variation had half leather seats, fifteen inch alloys, and all round disk brakes.

Classic Cars For Sale has Peugeot cars for sale. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Andy_Webbed

The 1.5L Petrol Engine Option Honda Jazz

Honda recently launched is premium hatchback model Jazz in India. The model received a lukewarm response from the Indian car buyers mainly owing to its hefty price tag. If the overall response is not extremely encouraging, it is not disappointing either. In spite of being a premium car, Jazz has managed to pull crowds to the showroom and the company booked 1000 Jazz in the first week itself. Deliveries of the new Jazz model have started from June 10 onwards.

"We are happy at the response received by Honda Jazz; we are sure that the customers of Honda Jazz will appreciate the product and help us win new customers," said Honda Jazz, Mr. Jnaneswar Sen, Vice President, Marketing, Honda Siel Cars India. Jazz will be manufactured at Honda's Greater Noida plant and sports a localization level of 77% from day one. The Jazz has also been certified to give 16.1 KMPL tested by ARAI.

Current model of Honda Jazz comes with a 1.2 Litre i-VTEC engine generating 90 bhp but Honda is ready to increase the power of the new Jazz already. It intends to launch the 1.5L petrol variant in 2010. Apart from the 1.5L engine, it will also have an optional automatic transmission but that would be at the cost of additional one lakh rupees.

What remains to be seen is that is the Indian customer ready to shell out a price for small car just for its luxury, Honda's reliability and its brand image.

One of the most popular car questions about the Hyundai i20, is whether it comes in diesel.

The BMW 5 Series

The BMW 5 series cars have been one of the most renowned luxurious car models worldwide and now you can expect even better performance as well as high class design with the latest generation. So, let us see what was on the cards earlier and what's new in the latest generation.

The E12 was the first contender in the BMW 5 Series line up, which came with 1.8L M118 I4, 1.8L M42 I4, 2.0 liter M17 I4, 2.0 L M64 I4, 1.8L M10B18 I4, and a powerful 3.0L I6 engine that produced 131KW power, and the strongest of all engines of that time - the 3.5 liter I6 that produced 163 KW output.

Later on, the E28 was rolled out into the market in 1982 and was under production until 1988. It was basically a 4-door luxury class high performance sedan, which was offered with 2.7L I6 engine that produces 95 KW power, 3.4 L I6 engine with 136 KW power output as well as the 3.5L I6 engine that produced output of 191 KW.

It was available in both 4-speed automatic as well as 5-speed manual transmissions. The new Sedan trims in the 5 series include the 528i, 535i, and 550i. And all the latest models come with larger 17 inches wheelbase, along with high end specs including moon-roof remote AC and climate control system, 6-CD Changer music system, GPS, DVD, Bluetooth connectivity and lots more.

Take a look at the amazing BMW 5 series car pictures, along with their specs and other interesting details on our massive online collection of the BMW 5 Series Pictures and wallpapers.

You may also like to see some more fascinating BMW Car Pictures here

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History SEAT Leon

The vehicle has its assembly plant at Martorell, Spain. The vehicle is built on the Volkswagen's Group 'A' Platform series. The vehicle is closely related to the Volkswagen Jetta, Audi A3, Volkswagen Bora, Audi TT, Volkswagen Golf Plus, and Volkswagen Gulf.

The SEAT Leon was released in two different versions, Leon MK1 in the year 1999 and the Leon MK2. The Leon Mk1 was built on the Volkswagen Group A4 (PQ34) platform. This model was produced up to 2005 without any further modifications in the design and later in the year 2005, the SEAT Leon MK2 was launched as a predecessor to the SEAT Leon MK1 model.

The initial Leon model was the hatchback model of the SEAT Toledo. The best selling Leon Mk1 was marketed as a cheaper variant and the sportier of the Golf. In order to appear as a sports car, to improve the handling of the vehicle, the car is provided with the firm suspension. The expensive versions are provided with the powerful engines.

The original car produced in the year 1999 came with the options of 1.4 liter 16 valve petrol engine that produces 55 kilo watts of power, 1.6 liter 8-valve producing 77 kilo watts and provided the two variants from the Volkswagen group, 1.8 liter turbocharged power plant and the VR6 engine producing 150 kilo watts.

Having seen the history of Seat cars, it is time to take a look at some of the impressive SEAT Leon pictures and observe the difference in the various generation models, and the goodness of each of the models.

Check out the latest SEAT Leon Wallpapers and many more red hot SEAT Wallpapers here

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The Corvette Sting Ray

Some cars are able to leave its mark in the mind of the people that other cars are unable to replace. Same is the case with the Corvette Sting Ray. The car's interior was well decorated and it offered many different features. The company was able to introduce new generations one after another.

People often confused this car with the Stingray which stayed in the market from 1968 to 1982.

C2 was the second generation and the third generation was introduced as the C3. Both the cars are significantly different from one another. One of the main differences is the spelling. Bill Mitchell was the creator of the C2 Sting Ray who was the styling chief of the GM.

The interior was improved in order to make it more comfortable for the passengers. New windows were introduced at the rear but later on were removed as it was blocking the view.

Panels of Fiber glass were used as in the older versions. Dual headlights were also placed with the pop-up feature. This added more beauty in the car and due to this the popularity of the car increased. The best thing about these lights is its aerodynamic feature. This was not introduced in any other car before.

The company didn't stopped here and kept introducing new features in the car. These features made this car more popular and were able to compete in the market effectively. These features include:

- Side-mounted exhaust, but this feature was optional and it depends on the buyer whether he wanted to get it installed or not

- Convertible roofs that one can fold and store at the back of the driver's seat

- Trunks without lids

- Customer can even get the Stay Ray with fixed top

Many different options were available to meet the requirements of customers and this made the car more popular. This is the reason why its popularity isn't decreasing over the years. The company is bringing improvement in the model to keep it competitive.

It offers great speed to speed lovers and comes in 3 different types of engine to suit the customer's choice. The different engine choices available are 327, 396 and the 427 CID and the horse power of the engine ranges from 250 up to 435. It offered the driver to experience the independent suspension in this car and it also have disc brakes installed in all (four) of its wheels.

The car was able to gain fair market and was able to give tough competition to its rivals. You should try it once in your life and will definitely feel the difference in the drive. You can never forget the experience of driving this car.

This was a short history of Corvette Sting Ray, and it is hoped that information in this article will help you to familiarize with its history.

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The 2009 Honda Accord Coupe

Not since the long-missed Acura NSX sports car has a Honda product prompted people to ask, "What is THAT?" The 2009 Honda Accord Coupe inspires the same curiosity by those who have never seen one-and even a little amazement to learn it's a Honda, and an Accord. It has an authoritative, road-serious look, and with the available 271-horsepower V6 and sport-tuned suspension, it has the power to match.

Coupe Du Jour

Say "Honda Accord" and most will think: boring but reliable and economical transportation. The 2009 Honda Accord Coupe requires new word associations: "attractive and fast." The Accord Coupe is far more than an Accord with the rear doors welded shut. The most obvious feature is its styling. For us, it's like a cross between a BMW 3 Series and an Aston-Martin DB9. It enjoys Honda's tradition of durable attractiveness-styling that doesn't go quickly out of style. Compared to the Accord Sedan, the Coupe is narrower and shorter. It has more aggressive suspension tuning and a lower final drive ratio for better acceleration.

Inside, the upscale feel continues. A multi-curved black dash is accented with a polished aluminum-colored band across the bottom. The top-of-the-line tester that Honda provided boasted supportive leather seats. Access to the back seat is as easy as it gets with a coupe. Once seated, there's adequate room for two average-sized adults. The Coupe has two fewer inches of headroom than the sedan, so basketball players and those with a larger than average behind will bump their heads on the ceiling. The center rear seat is for urgent situations only.

Power Levels

Two engines are available: A 190-horse, DOHC, four-cylinder, and the potent 271-horse SOHC 3.5-liter V-6. The six, which features four valves per cylinder and variable valve timing, makes a strong 254 pound-feet of torque at a relatively high 5000 rpm. Transmission choices are a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic. The automatic suffered from a bit of lag between when we asked for full throttle and the transmission downshifted to the needed gear. That gave the BMW too much of a head start. The four-cylinder with the five-speed manual gets 22 miles per gallon in the government's city driving cycle and 31 on the highway. The V-6 automatic gets 19 in the city and 28 on the highway.

A limiting factor in the Accord Coupe's ability to keep up with a 230-horse BMW 328 or a 300-horse 335 on winding roads are its less-than-sticky Michelin Pilot HX MXM4 all-season tires. Drive too deep into a tight corner before getting on the brakes and the anti-lock braking system will flutter like a frightened dove and the car will slide wide of your intended path. The Coupe's handling seemed nicely balanced but we kept radically overestimating the level of grip. The Accord Coupe will require a switch to ultra-high-performance summer tires to keep up with a well-driven BMW. Since Michelin doesn't make ultra-high performance tires in the Coupe's P235/45R18 original equipment size, options include the Bridgestone Potenza RE050A or the low-cost Kumho Ecsta SPT. Fitted with either, the Honda-BMW match-up will be determined mainly by the drivers' skills and determination. With sticky tires on the Honda, even 335i drivers will have to keep an eye on the rearview.

Top Models

The Accord Coupe comes in three trim levels: The base LX-S, the mid-level EX and the top of the line EX-L. Only the EX-L is available with a V-6. Pricing begins at around $23,000 and explodes past $32,000 for the EX-L V-6. This eighth version of the Accord Coupe was first introduced in 2008 and was changed little for 2009.

Standard in the V-6 Coupe is a 270-watt AM/FM/6-disc in-dash audio system with seven speakers. Standards include MP3/auxiliary audio input jack and XM satellite radio. We found the speed-sensitive volume control a very nice feature, especially when slowing after a mountain-road charge. A continually annoying trait of Hondas is reflections cast into the windshield and backlight at night and even under certain daylight conditions.

The Accord Coupe is a classically beautiful, strong performing two-door, four-seater. A dozen years ago it would have been among the top-performing sports coupes on the market. Add a set of sticky tires and a skilled driver and it is today, too.

AutoMedia.com, boasts more than 60,000 pages of original auto articles, including more than 2,100 features researched and written by leading automotive experts, covering car buying, maintenance and technology. For automotive advice you can trust read more about the 2009 Honda Accord Coupe, including the latest pricing, rebates and incentives along with photo galleries and details on all Honda Models.

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