Setting a Proper Budget for a Vehicle Restoration

Not having enough in the budget to restore your classic muscle car can be quite disappointing. Muscle cars often bring back childhood or early adulthood memories. A proper budget to make sure that the muscle car restoration project goes as planned is vital. It takes more than just having a vision and a person that can complete the restoration. Always do your research so that you can construct the proper budget.

Create a Restoration Project List

A list is important. This is where you will write down every item that needs to be handled in the restoration. The list should include the body work that needs to be done, as well as the exterior design you want to achieve.

It will help you be more organized with the list if you break it down into sections. The more detailed your list is, the easier it will be to construct the proper budget.

Price Individual Pieces

There are several avenues available for finding parts for your muscle car. Some salvage yards may have usable parts, and of course, there are fabrication shops that can make parts to factory specifications. It is important that you price pieces yourself to ensure that you are getting the best price.

Now, when pricing parts and body pieces, search with a few different options. If the items are not local, include the shipping in your total price. Not including the shipping costs can severely impact your budget. 

Obtain Multiple Quotes

After you have the parts priced and your list ready to go, it's time to start sourcing restoration shops if you aren't completing the project yourself. Some shops will use the sources you've found to obtain parts, as this takes some time off of the project itself. The more you can provide, the easier it is for the shop to complete the project. Obtain a few quotes and select the one that suits your budget the best. This isn't always going to be the cheapest quote. Customer satisfaction, experience and understanding your vision are also important.

Base your budget upon your research and the quotes you receive. Always have a bit of a contingency budget available too. Just as with home improvement projects, automotive restoration projects are prone to the unforeseen. Once a vehicle is completely stripped, the restoration team can really see what you have to start with. More parts or fabrication may be required.

Why a Strong Dollar Means Fatter Margins for Jeep Renegade

Fiat Chrysler is all set to launch its new Jeep model called Renegade in March which is expected to boost the sales as more and more Americans are going after SUV’s due to the recent fall in oil and gas prices. Renegade would be made in Italy and it will be imported to U.S. for sale. This would translate huge profits for Fiat Chrysler as the Euro far weaker in value compared to Dollar at the moment. Renegade is deem to give huge competition with distinguish features and adequate pricing against other vehicles in the same category namely Kia Soul and Nissan Juke.

Low Gas Price Boosts The SUV Sales

There has been a huge decline in the value of euro which has fallen to $1.10 and it is the weakest against dollar in over a decade. Gas prices in U.S. have also registered a sharp decline by 33 percent in last three months due to decline in global crude oil price. Now the national average for the gas is revolving around just $2.04 a gallon which has spurted the increase in SUV sales.

Features Of Jeep Renegade

Jeep new offering Renegade is expected to revolutionize the fast growing sub-compact crossover segment which is highly appreciated by the customers. This segment already has some of the successful vehicles like Nissan Juke, Fiat 500x, Kia Soul and Honda HR-V. Renegade boasts a seven-slot grille along with a vertical windshield and rugged stance which lends a tougher, bolder and solid impression. Renegade also have modern features such as adaptive cruise control which allows the car to move at a prevailing speed.

Better Interiors, Affordable Price

The interiors of the new Jeep model has been furnished with effortless solid, smooth yet soft feel. There are also distinctive fun touches which include the use of paintball splash for marking the red zone on the tachometer. Customers would be given options to switch between different driving modes such as snow, sand and mud which essentially depend upon the terrain and conditions. It also possesses two roof panels which can be removed and placed in the truck to give a convertible like feel.

Renegade is also available in a Trailhawk version which offers great driving experience for off-road purposes and it’s priced at $ 24,795. The sports version is pitched at $17,995. Fuel efficiency has not been determined but it is expected to give atop mileage of 30 miles (48 kilometres) per gallon.

Jeep Renegade Brings In A New Evolved Segment

The iconic brand Jeep has gone through a tightrope in creating the Renegade which is an epitome of beautiful design and remarkable features. In order to boost its production capability Fiat is set open two new factories one is Brazil and another in China by the end of March and year’s end respectively. Initially these two plants would forge out the cars for the Latin America and Asia based customers. Jeep brand chief Mike Manley has asserted that Fiat is set expected to evenly split the Renegade sales among the three major markets namely U.S., Europe and Asia.

Local Motors' 3D-printed car meets the Detroit Auto Show

Recently, Local Motors have showcased their 3D-Printed Car at the Auto Show. This is world’s first 3D-printed car and known as Strati, it is two-seater car, which is made up of plastic components and can reach the speed of 25 miles/hour.

Printing Process: 

This made in Detroit, Strati is two-seater car and it takes only 44 hours to print it. Crowdsources, a Phoenix-based company designs its cars, which look like the oddball Rally Fighter. Local Motors is responsible to build the Strati and brings on the floor of the North American International Auto Show, which is going to held in Detroit with all printing and routing equipment, which is here just for the occasion. The printing of this car takes only 44 hours, which in about two full working days after which all components including rough ones routed and polished to complete the final finishing look. According to Local Motors CEO Jay Rogers, first of three vehicles of Local Motors are ready to hit the market, whereas; each Strati will have the price range of $18,000 and $30,000. This two Seater car is made up of plastic components and it can hit the road with the speed up to 25 miles per hour.

About Local Motors Strati: 

The whole manufacturing and assembling process can be done in "micro-factory," of Local Motors, which is 40,000-square-foot space, containing everything needed to print, design, build, or sell a car. The company is planning to inaugurate its two micro-factories in 2015, one in near Washington, DC in National Harbor and another in Knoxville, Tennessee. It is expected that the DC location will breaks ground in the third quarter of 2015 where first fleet of 3D-printed cars will be sold. Factories are still looking for the approval because they need a local zoning law changes as per the Washington Post. As per few reports, the Strati is not yet legal for highway, and it can take few months to one year.

According to company officials, “We have arrived with small platform, but after setting up the winding course at Detroit’s Cobo Center, we have produced the passenger seats for the two-seater electric roadster. The two-seater Strati is powered up-by a Renault Twizy–sourced EV power-train which is fitted in to the 3D-printed body of car. Soon the company will test the car on modern tracks where the speed will vary between 10 to 25 mph with the comfortable conversation with the driver, but the car driver stated that car could made-up to 50 mph per hour and the car represent perfect golf car status.

This car were first showcased in September 2014, which was mostly constructed through 3D printing, which sounds like future-minded and gutsy as the part of a young ambitious company. According to reports, no one has done such things publicly till date. To actualize the process of 3D printed car, Local Motors had made a partnership with National Laboratory in Tennessee, where it has take four months to unveil, the Strati.

Gogoro, the Electric Scooter Could Make Battery-Swapping Work

We all know that technology is growing day by day and now one more chapter in the world of advanced technology as after smartphones, smartscooters are ready to hit the market globally. Recently, Gogoro launched as smartscooter by occupying the stage at CES. Gogoro is electric scooter and work on the zero-emissions policy. This smartscooter is designed to get power from batteries and in present it is available in all over the world through the subscription from a wide range of network vending machines.

Technology on wheels: 

Gogoro is smartscooter, which is equipped with cloud connectivity, an integrated mobile app and in an addition 30 onboard sensors. It allows all the users to take an advantage of premium features like; customized regenerative braking, adaptive throttle control, to find the battery-vending GoStation and detailed scooter diagnostics. Apart from these extra features, riders can also track the driving details such as; top speed, time and they can also analyze the driving patterns in order to energy consumption to optimize power.
According to the Megan Zaroda, spokesperson of company, it is expected that Gogoro will ship its first product this year as they are targeting the megacities on worldwide level.


The more he added that other devices will integrate into this smartscooter and it is kind of portable power. Before four years, Gogoro raised US $150 million, when they was looking for funding to start its operations, but the price plan for Gogoro smartscooter is still surprise. In present, Gogoro's Smartscooter is targeting the teenagers and young people, who are in the age of 18 to 28 years. While coming to its component, it is consist of ultracompact G1 electric motor, which drive performance. This smartscooter is made up of Aeroframe monocoque chassis, which is light in weight with inbuilt programmable LEDs. You can drive it with maximum speed of 95 km/hour as it can reach to 50 km/hour in just 4.1 seconds.

This smartscooter is designed for customizability and it allows riders to choose any specific throttle acceleration, lock-and-unlock audio, lighting themes and the dashboard-screen color spectrum. According to officials of Gogoro, If user will take the monthly subscription plan, so he will be free to use unlimited battery swaps and this process will take only six seconds, apart from that use will get the free roadside maintenance for the time period of two years. Each full battery will provide a chance to run the scooter up-to to 100 km. Battery is consist of automotive-grade lithium-ion, which is cylindrical with a 18650-size of energy cells from Panasonic. It also provides near field communication connectivity, which is of 256-bit security encryption.

When it comes to looks, so no doubt it looks great with sleek lines as it is so common in most of the scooters and motorcycle in these days. As per the company officials, If user will handle the batteries carefully with regular diagnostics, so it can work till several years, as regular diagnostics is one of the key element.

Mercedes-Benz Shows Off Self-Driving Car of the Future

Mercedes had taken an innovative and influential step in developing a highly advanced car which might even look too much futuristic. Mercedes has revealed a concept car which boasts of self-driving capabilities at the Consumer Electronics Car in Las Vegas. This innovative and futuristic car has been dubbed as the F015 Luxury in Motion. It features a sleek four-door automobile which brings in a futuristic design and construction dynamics that would feel like a slice of future.

Mercedes Believes in Better and Advanced Future 

Mercedes is upbeat about its product which is turning heads at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Dieter Zetshe is the head of the Mercedes Benz cars and he stated that if you solely focus on the technology then you won’t be able to grasp the advantages of the autonomous driving which could change our society dramatically. He further affirms that this innovative car is beyond its role a mere transport product and it will become more like a mobile living space.

Features Of the Mercedes New Car

The low contour design of the new car is more oriented toward providing comfortable riding than just driving. This car is over 17ft long which is just similar to the length of a Cadillac Escalade SUV. This car provides lounge style char which can swivel 30 degree when the suicide-style door open and it allows the four people to sit facing one another. The two front chairs could easily swivel around to face the windshield if the manual driving is necessary in some case.

Its steering wheel can easily fold up into the dashboard when you are not using it. It also features six display screens in the instrument panel and side & rear panels which can relay information from the outside world or play movies and other entertainment content from online sources.

How Autonomous System Works In New Mercedes Car? 

This car’s autonomous systems are designed to be guided by the stereo camera, radar and ultrasonic sensors. You can differentiate whether the car is being run autonomously or not by looking the headlights colour beams. If the car is being driven autonomously the headlights and grille would light up in blue colour and white if driven manually.

F 015 is built from the industry based lightweight carbon fibre, high-strength steel and aluminium. This car possesses a rechargeable hydrogen fuel cell technically. This car uses an innovative method to charge up the battery by just parking the car on a charge pad.

This Car Is Just In Conceptual Stage

This car is no where likely to come on the streets before 2030. This car had however allowed the Mercedes to flex its technical and creative abilities and let it test to the utmost limit. Apart from the Mercedes many new cars are offering the self-driving basics which include the radar-based cruise control, autonomous braking system as well as lane keeping assist. It is being expected that by 2017 the brands like Cadillac, Audi, Tesla and Mercedes would allow the high end-models to travel autonomously.

CES 2015: Toyota Opens Patents on Hydrogen Fuel Cell Technology

In a strong hope of a developed future of Hydrogen fuel cell technology being an alternative fuel source, the Japanese car maker Toyota has promised to offer around six thousand patents (related to the technology), which is owned by them, as royalty-free. Last Tuesday, the Japanese car maker Toyota made the much awaited announcement at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2015, which was held in Las Vegas.

Summary 

The pledge made by Toyota includes 5,680 Hydrogen fuel cell related patents, including the technologies that have been used in developing the company’s latest innovation Toyota Mirai. Approximately, 1,970 patents are related to fuel cell stacks, 290 patents are related to high-pressure hydrogen tanks, 3,350 patents are associated with the software used to control fuel cell system and rest of the 70 patents are related to hydrogen production.

Plan

The infrastructure required to support the electric cars has started to rise across many countries, even though the re-fuelling stations for hydrogen fuel cell powered cars are hard to find. Therefore the step taken by the Japanese car maker makes it all the more significant, by opening their patents for other companies to own and in the process boost up the places that the hydrogen fuel cell cars are starting to fill.

The announcement made by the company reflects their positive approach in supporting the development of infrastructure of the Hydrogen powered society.

Previously on many occasions, the Japanese Automaker has tried their hand with this initiative of developing hydrogen powered society. One such example is the developmental set up in California. Toyota made huge investments in improving the facilities of Hydrogen fuel cell technology in California and in the North Eastern states of America. Last year, the company extended their support towards First Element Fuels with a loan grant of $7.3 million covering around 19 different hydrogen fuelling stations of California.

The Japanese car making company welcomes the interested companies over negotiable individual contracts for the usage of related patents. However it must be notified that the pledge made by the company on Tuesday covers only the patents related to the fuel cell vehicles which will remain available until 2020 ends, whereas the patents that are related to the production of hydrogen and its supply are kept open over indefinite period of time.

There is a small catch in this pledge although, which is that the Japanese car making company expects the interested companies to share similar technology related information and make their patents related to fuel cell as open. But make no mistake thinking it to be a pre-requisite condition to be filled before approaching for patent negotiations.

Future of this technology: 

The company strongly believes that the first generation of Hydrogen powered vehicles, that are going to get unveiled in coming few years, requires good amount of collaboration between automakers/ car makers, state authorities, power generating firms and the family of researchers. The Consumer Electronics Show 2015 was probably the best platform to be had for such an effort to get initiated and for a whistle to be blown for the start of its on-field implementation.

Ford Auctions First 2015 Shelby GT350 Mustang, Proceeds Will Go to JDRF

1st model of Shelby GT 350 of Ford Mustang to be auctioned for charity 

The year 2014 has been an extraordinary year for the Ford, which is one of the most popular car manufacturing companies. The year has been accompanied by magnanimous car sales followed by accolades of glories for producing several prestigious premium class cars. The ultimate milestone of success has been laid by the company at the moment of 2014’s conclusion by stating to the media that the 1st model of Ford GT 350 Mustang of 2015 would be raised for an auction and the finances that will be collected in this process would be provided to a charity for their welfare.

Reason for selection of this particular model and the start of auction

Out of many prestigious models that have rolled out of the company so far, Ford Mustang has been chosen as a hot performance car by popular vote of the owner populace. However, a slight modification has been introduced in the previous model, and the new model is predicted to be a complete enthralling one. With an improved performance, Ford GT 350 Mustang has been anticipated to take over the market like wildfire. The car has been improvised with the latest suspension technology, and new engine has been introduced with improved brakes performance. Crafted with the skills of finest technicians, this model will raise the pride and prestige of the company to a complete new echelon of glory and innovation.

Unveiling of the model at the Los Angeles Auto Show have also revealed about the car’s special features. It has been incorporated with a 5.2 liter V8 tank that produces 500HP. The availability of such a high muscled car at an optimum price would ensure its domination over the automobile market in the recent future.

The first model would roll out from lot 3008 and would be raised for an auction on January 17th 2015 at Barrett Jackson Scottsdale Auction, and the money which would be raised in this process would be going for the welfare of Juvenile diabetes research.

Proceedings of the auction and the future collaboration

Over the few decades there exists mutual collaboration between Ford and Barrett Jackson Auction, which has significantly progressed over the time, owing to the huge profit both of these billionaire firms achieved from raising several priceless cars for auction.

There has been some expectancy that the bond will further strengthen with the rolling of the 1st model of Ford Mustang GT 350 for auction. The CEO of Barrett Jackson Auction, Craig Jackson has decided not to fix any initial price for the car, since it’s expected to raise an enviable sum of money owing to Ford’s stature. Ford has provided the flexibility of allowing their winner to choose color and package of GT 350 according to their free will.

Ford has been one promising company that has delivered excellent service for over decades, and it will continue to provide so. The first model of GT 350 rolled out of the company was in 1960, which made a significant milestone in steps of success of Ford. The latest model, all equipped with powerful brakes and suspension will surely make an impressive strike in the forthcoming automobile market.

Muscle Cars: Back with a Bang!

In today's world, speed is what people love the most. Technology is being developed to make this faster and at the same time maintain the efficiency. But there have been speed lovers in all ages. Even in the past, there were many people who were crazy about anything that worked at high speed. Thus the concept of racing came into the picture. Car racing is one very crucial field in racing.

What are muscle cars? 

People have always tried to enhance the technology to develop faster cars. One of the high-performance cars is called Muscle cars. As the name suggests, these cars are high speed cars with a very advanced engine fitted to it, the body of the car is not too big but the 2-door sports car generates very high speed. Its origin is in America. It is meant for use in street as well for occasional racing. It is not only being manufactured and developed in America but also in United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa. Its popularity and demand is growing across the globe.

Popularity of the car

The popularity of the muscle car had gone down but the great news is that it is back and with a bang. Tim Kunikis' creation is one worth watching and all those who believe in sensible driving should compulsorily experience a drive in his vehicle.

The car industry mainly utilises small cars and replaces their engines with a huge displacement engine. These cars have been designed to generate straight-line speed. It does not have the sophistication of high-performance European cars. Muscle cars have attracted youngsters to the showrooms. It has been seen that they tend to buy more of mid-size cars than the big ones.

Over the years there have been further improvements on the functioning of these muscle cars. The factors involving reduction of pollutions have also been incorporated to conserve the health of the environment.

These muscle cars are bringing up a lot of interest among the cars lovers and especially the ones who can concentrate on the rawness of the car instead of complaining about the sophistication. The thrill of these cars is very different. And only car lovers understand that the most. With the improvements on the rawness of the car, a good number of people are taking interest in the car.

Revival of the cars

The revival of these cars is owed to the blend of the old and new cars. The cars which are being manufactured now have the strong body lines and the powerful looking front portions of the predecessors.These muscle cars are bringing up a lot of interest among the cars lovers and especially the ones who can concentrate on the rawness of the car instead of complaining about the sophistication. The thrill of these cars is very different.

And only car lovers understand that the most. With the improvements on the rawness of the car, the number of people taking interest in the car is increasing. Thus there is a greater increase in the popularity of the cars after it has been recently revived.

Audi to Invest $29 Billion Through 2019 to Surpass BMW

From 2015 to the year of 2019, the well-known car manufacturer, Audi decides to expend 24 billion Euros, which is an increase of 2 billion Euros or 9 percent more than that of the former planning period. Its intention is to cross the rank of German challenger BMW. Seventy percent of the whole investment is intended for the expansion of latest models as well as equipments.

Audi tries to restrict the amount of stringent CO2 all over the world with a new generation of the special combustion engines and different efficiency technologies and new features in the parts of connectivity and also the driver’s assistance.

About the planned investment

Audi even plans to generate extra production capacities internationally in the next 5 years with a significant investment. And More than 50 % of the proposed investment will go on the German spots in Ingolstadt as well as in Neckarsulm.

Rupert Stadler who is the CEO of the Board of Management of this company, said that his industry is attempting to place the most priority on the issue of sustainable growth. For this reason, they are making large investments in the particular fields of electric car, lightweight construction etc to catch up the standard of BMW. The overall investment amount of 24 billion euro includes about 17 billion Euros of investment on the property and different tools and 7 billion Euros of costs of capitalized development.

In order to fulfill the considerable CO2 limits, the industry is giving effort not only on the new model of fuel-efficient gas and diesel engine, but even on some plug-in hybrids like the Audi A3 Sportback e-tron that became accessible in the first markets during the ending part of the year.

Different other programs for the future

The production works in Ingolstadt is now being organized for new models. A widespread rebuilding work will begin in Neckarsulm in the year 2015 with the intention of preparing the factory for the next model of the Audi A8 luxury car. The employees will also increase in regard to the investment in the major factories in Germany. During the earlier period of 12 months, this Audi has employed roughly three thousand new workers in Germany only.

Globally, the Audi Group’s workers have now increased to the record number of 80,000 workers. In Mexico as well as Brazil, this company is spending on new plants in order that it can wholly use the growth potential of the continent of America and even to become free of the exchange-rate changeability in the future.

The company started a training center to offer qualifications to fresh workers in San José Chiapa recently. In addition to this, 1,200 individuals who have already been hired, the company plans to deal with an additional 850 laborers in Mexico itself in next year. In the year 2016, the Audi Q5 will start the assembly lines.

Audi perhaps achieved the level of 1.7 million vehicles supplied in 2014. By the year 2020, the firm plans to be the most ideal brand on a sustainable basis.

BMW's Self-Parking Tech Relieves Drivers From Circling the Lot

BMW is expected to highlight their recently previewed automated parking technology at the International CES in Las Vegas next month. The company will be demonstrating the new technology at the trade show in their electric i3 model. The Remote Valet Parking Assistant technology features 36-degree collision avoidance apart from environmental recognition and secure position.

The technology makes use of four advanced laser scanners, which have the ability to identify impediments such as obstacles and columns and can chart a route to a parking spot that is completely reliable. The technology also calculates the time it will take to return the vehicle to the driver at a given time, based on the total time it took the system to navigate and locate a parking spot. The added benefit of this parking assistant is that it is operable through a smart-watch as well.

Technology for controlled environment: 

The company has clearly suggested that it might take until 2020 for the complete implementation of the technology but still it is not something, which can be used on a daily basis on parking streets or lots. This will be limited to automation-friendly and very specialized parking structures.

It is a concept of combining a controlled environment with the technology to make a car react. Literally, this feature will be bonus for people with luxury cars and can be easily used at casinos and golf courses. According to telemetric program manager with Frost & Sullivan, Praveen Chandraskar, even though this technology meant for the controlled environment is easily 7-8 years away, what can cause a challenge is making the technology usable in the uncontrolled environment

Effortless parking: 

Even though parking assist technology is already a feature in many vehicles but at the moment it still requires a person to be in the driver’s seat. According to Michelle Krebs, industry analyst for AutoTrader.com, Ford and Lexus already have the parking assist technology added in their vehicles from quite a while. She added that we are taking steps towards making the parking assist to be fully automated but it might take some time for a car to Self Park.

According to Kerbs there are many insurance and regulatory issues that have to be addressed first. Another main aspect to be remembered is about creating trust among the customers about this technology. According to their survey, nearly 65% of the customers deemed the technology way too dangerous but are looking out for features, which has already been included in the technology.

What’s waiting for customers in future? 

Even though most of the customers are still not convinced about the technology, luxury car makers like Audi and BMW have already started using their own automated parking solution. BMW is a step ahead with their smart -watch-enabled control for Remote Valet Parking Assistant.

Smart-watch is currently the style statement and the company has used the same for added attraction. This technology to be used in public platform will require artificial intelligence hence as if now, the company has restricted to the used in the controlled environment.

Frontal Car Crash Test gives Several Top Manufacturers poor rating, while Toyota Receives Good

The frontal crash test by Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has become a serious benchmark for ensuring traveller’s safety since it made the first appearance. Nowadays car manufacturers from U.S. is checking the newly build car’s efficiency to reduce the damage when it faces frontal crash with another vehicle or tree or poll. Recently IIHS performed a frontal overlap car test with four majorly sold minivans in U.S., which are The Chrysler Group LLC Dodge Grand Caravan, Toyota Motor Corp Sienna, Nissan Motor Co Quest and The Chrysler Town & Country.

Minivans are hugely popular in U.S. villages and small town because of its capability to carry small to large carriages and also almost all delivery agencies use this type of minivan for transportation in U.S. towns. Crash test is being done to check how the car defence prohibits the hit to make severe damage. According to the test report, except Toyota Motor Corp Sienna, rest of the candidate minivans performed very poorly in the test. Toyota’s minivan joins Honda Motor Co Odyssey, which received ‘best safe pick-up’ rating from IIHS earlier.

How the test is being performed?

This test by IIHS only replicates the actual event of what happens during a road accident involving the frontal part of the car. In this test, around 25% of the front of a car hits an obstacle at an average speed of 40 miles per hour. The camera and sensors installed at different parts of the car, evaluates the car’s response to the hit.

Detailed report:

Minivans are popular mainly within parents and family-minded customers because of its road safety feature. According to the test report, three of four candidate models, namely The Chrysler Group LLC Dodge Grand Caravan, Nissan Motor Co Quest and The Chrysler Town & Country, when hit with an overlap obstacle, showed severe damage to the car and allowed high degree of intrusion involving the driver’s area.

A spokesperson from the institute stated that the Nissan minivan structure just collapsed like ‘a house of cards’. The Chrysler automobile minivans also showed severe damage as the steering wheel moved out of the coordinated place. This results in making the airbag less efficient and simultaneously driver’s head hits the dashboard. IIHS test report given The Chrysler Group LLC Dodge Grand Caravan,Nissan Motor Co Quest and The Chrysler Town & Country very poor rating, while Toyota Motor Corp Sienna received an acceptable rating prescribing the car safety to be ‘Okay’.

Toyota Sienna was also ranked in ‘Top Safety Pick up+’ car list, as it warns the driver prior to any possible front collision and also features an automatic brake system.

Response from the manufacturer:

After the release of test report, concerned manufacturers released mixed responses. Nissan released an official statement which says the company will continue the revision of the models and will improve the safety. While Chrysler automobile group stated that this single test cannot state their car to be damage prone.

BMW Decides To Manufacture the Takata Airbag Inflators in Germany

The Germany based BMW has announced its plans to help the Japanese counterpart company in delivering the replacement inflators quicker by assisting them in moving their production facilities from Mexico to Germany. BMW has explained that their decisions are in wake of the serious issues regarding the quality of the manufacturing at the Mexico plant raised by the U.S. safety regulators.

What Made BMW Take such Dramatic Steps? 

Automobile manufacturer who actively uses the Takata inflators also includes the Toyota Motor Corp. The Takata inflators seem to have the potential of blowing up with excessive force and spraying occupant with deadly sharp metals. It should also be noted that it isn’t feasible to switch to other suppliers in order to meet the demands for the replacement parts at this juncture.

Therefore the U.S. safety regulators are lending a helping hand by supporting BMW efforts in shifting the inflator production plant from Mexico to Takata plant in Freiberg, Germany. The Takata inflators are being currently investigated in at least five death cases in U.S.

German Facility Promises To Boost Production Capacity

Japanese company has the ability to produce 200 inflators per hour on its single production and at the moment it just has two of them in active use. This concludes that that it would be able only 1 million replacements in next five months at this snail pace. But the demand stands at 32 million for replacements parts. Therefore this shifting of production facility is taking place in order give a genuine boost to the production capacity of Takata.

Takata Runs into Serious Trouble

U.S. regulators have asked several questions relating to the Mexian plant production quality defects. The officials from Takata, Chrysler Group, Honda Motor Co and NHTSA would be testifying to a U.S. Senate panel in this regard on Thursday. Furthermore NHTSA has also ordered Takat and five other automobile manufactures to expand the U.S. recall of vehicles with the defective air bags.

Automobile Manufacturers Look For Alternatives

Companies like BMW, Toyota and Ford Motor Co are looking for quick solution to the problem of getting replacement parts. They are planning to buy replacement parts from the rival supplier but even such option is unviable as it would more than a year to get an alternate inflator production line in place.

Some of the automakers are looking to use completely new parts from other suppliers but they soon found that doing such a thing would require bringing in extensive changes in their cars. Companies like Honda, Toyota and Ford had considered this option. However problem would not cease to exist by implementing this as the suppliers would still fall short of keeping up with the demand. Even the companies go ahead with this proposition and build cars as per the exact specifications of the new inflators still it will take around a year to get it in the market.

Therefore the companies like Nissan, Mazda Motor and General Motors have dropped this idea and hope that Takata would be able to solve its supply problems in due time.

Graphene-Based Supercapacitors for Battery-Free Electric Cars

Photo credit: AlexanderAlUS, CC

Change in Power Battery free Electric Cars

Latest technology has brought about a change in power battery free electric cars within five years with scientists developing graphene based super capacitors which are light and can be used to create electric vehicles that are powered by their own parts of the body rather than the batteries.

Electric cars is considered as the future of sustainable transport but are held back due to the fact they need heavy, slow releasing batteries to power them and the top end Lithium-ion batteries available in the market tend to charge really slowly besides weighing a lot.

A better option is to use supercapacitors devices which could release a large energy burst though they are difficult to store much energy as batteries and hence plenty of them would be needed to power a car. Scientist have worked their way to combine batteries and supercapacitors to make batteries powerful as well as lighter in the shortest term though the ultimate goal is to create super capacitor which would also store a large amount of energy.

Since batteries seem to be the limiting element in the popularity of electric car, they are also one of the most expensive components of the vehicle, having limited range when compared to gasoline powered vehicles.

Supercapacitors Film to replace Battery

There have been remarkable changes recently wherein a team of researchers have developed a supercapacitor film which could replace the requirements of battery within the next five years and the collaboration between scientist at Queensland University of Technology and Rice University has resulted in two papers, published in Nanotechnology and Journal of Power Sources.

The supercapacitors comprises of two layers of graphene having an electrolyte layer at the centre and while the film is strong and very thin, it is able to release a large amount of energy in the shortest possible time, which is a necessity.

The ordinary batteries would take a huge amount of space while the super capacitor film can be integrated in several areas of the vehicle like the roof, floor, doors and the body panels.

The super capacitors of this size would be capable of providing the vehicle with the right amount of energy which the vehicle would be needing while at the same time making the vehicle much lighter.

A Graphene – Charges Quickly

Marco Notarianni, a PhD researcher of QUT stated in a press release that, `since vehicles would need extra energy spurt for acceleration, supercapacitors could be helpful which holds a limited amount of charge and are capable of delivering it swiftly thus making them the appropriate complement to mass storage batteries.

He was the lead author of the Nanotechnology paper - `Super capacitors offer a high power output in a short time, meaning a faster acceleration rate of the car and a charging time of just a few minutes, when compared to several hours of a standard electric car battery’.

Supercapacitor film which is grapheme has the potential of charging fully in a matter of minutes instead of the several hours taken for a conventional battery and though it would charge, releasing energy faster than standard batteries, they presently do not hold so much energy which the scientist are probably intending to change with further research.

Hydrogen Powered Audi A7 Sportback H-Tron Quattro Four Door Luxury Saloon

Audi – Progress Through Technology

Audi AG, a German automobile manufacturer is known for its designs, produces, markets, engineers and distribution of luxury automobiles as well as its overseas worldwide activities from its headquarters in Ingolstadt, Bavaria, Germany.

The Audi brand vehicles are manufactured in nine production facilities all over the world. Audi has been a major owned – 99.55% subsidiary of Volkswagen Group right from 1966, which was followed by a phased purchase of Audi AG predecessor, Auto Union from Daimler-Benz. It was re-launched by Volkswagen with the Audi brand with the 1965 introduction of the Audi F103 series. Each of the four rings of the Audi logo represents one of the four car companies which banded together to form Audi’s predecessor company, Auto Union.

The company ethos and core belief – `Progress through Technology’ is what drives the development of every Audi vehicle. Right from driving clinics to picking up latest vehicle there are several ways an Audi lover could strengthen their connection to the brands which portrays the pinnacle of luxury performance.Audi is recognized for its awesome standards, uncompromising quality and relentless performances and though one may be associated with those qualities with this particular brand, the characteristics tend to describe the employees as well who have been instrumental in their contribution to the final design of the brand.

Sportiest Car in Luxury Segment

Audi inspires the revolutionary engineering and progressive design which has become synonymous with the Audi brand together with innovative solutions. The Audi is available for those who tend to enjoy the finer taste in life.

It stands for sportiness, lightweight design together with the quattro permanent all-wheel drive, according to the new chief designer, Marc Lichte. He further states that, `In the Audi prologue, we are expressing this know-how in a new form; we have put the sportiest car in the luxury segment on wheels.

Our team took new approaches in both exterior and interior design’.Audi’2014, Auto Show festivities in Los Angeles would be presenting the design concept on which the future models would be based and called the Audi `Prologue’,would be signalling a marked change in the brand’s design direction under Marc Lichte.

Some of Audi’s models are in the twilight of their production life cycles such as Audi’s A4, A5, A6, A7 and A8 resulting in Lichte having a difficult though a rewarding task ahead of shaping the Audi’s line-up of cars.

Technology Combination of Comfort/Efficiency/Power

Audi design would now be showing progressive technology in a more powerful manner where the two door coupe will be having a flowing elegant shape in a sporty as well as taut design. The architecture melds with display together with the operating concept creating a new kind of unit in the clear and unobstructed interior while the complete front area of the instrument panel has a large touch display with a portion of the user interface operating with a new kind of OLED display which is made of organic LEDs.

The show’s car technology is a combination of comfort, efficiency and power and the 4.0 TFSI provides up to 445 KW of power and 750 Nm of torque, accelerating the Audi prologue from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.7 sec. It has a dynamic all wheel steering wherein the rear wheels have the capabilities of turning up to five degrees, making it responsive as well as stable while driving.

2015 Ford Mustang RTR- Hottest Car in SEMA Award

Mustang RTR is the idea of World Champion drifter Vaughn Gittin Jr. While manufacturing RTR, his aim was to launch something interesting to the Mustang world, which appeals to all younger generations, and traditional muscle car fans and the entire automotive admirers.

The Mustang RTR uses the best of several automotive cultures and elegantly engages them together into an ultimate product, which anyone can surely appreciate. Vaughn has effectively transformed his dream into a reality by means of the Mustang RTR. His new generation model of Mustang that appears in the form of a dealer-installed package is at present obtainable in some Ford dealerships all over the world.

Release of a New Car Model for 2015

Recently, a few days before, Pro drifter Vaughn Gittin, Jr. has disclosed his racy new model Mustang RTR at 2014 SEMA Award ceremony in Las Vegas. The car has already won the hearts of the automotive market to a certain extent. This car also won the Hottest Car award by beating the rival one, Chevrolet Camaro.

The 2015 Ford Mustang RTR is accessible with one of the 2015 Mustang’s V8 engines, along with a Spec 1 package, which directs simply on the alterations of appearance and a Spec 2 package comprising appearance and functional upgrades.

Over a dozen of customized Mustang cars were brought on show while distributing the SEMA Awards. As per the experts opined, Ford has used this moment absolutely to introduce the 2015 Ford Mustang RTR.

This car is said to have cleared almost a quarter mile distance in only 11.14 seconds at the speed rate of 121.5 mph. In this context, the engineers had stated that the car has something more to offer. The release of the 2015 Ford Mustang RTR among a number of impressive mustangs make one feel that the company was bringing in the next amazing car into the market.

The Design of 2015 Ford Mustang RTR

The latest Ford Mustang that has now been announced possesses a revolutionary measure in terms of technology as well as design. Being equipped with an advanced four cylinder 2.3-liter Ecoboost engine, this Mustang has raised from a simple muscle car to somewhat that is a combination of power with economy. Buyers will even have the option of more than 300 horsepower In case of 2.3-liter or the 435 horsepower in case of 5.0-liter V8 base engine.

Since its origin in the year 2009, the RTR has turn out to be one of the most accepted automotive brands in the whole world. The 2015 Ford Mustang RTR would be obtainable in two forms. The exterior upgrades accessible to the Spec 1 as well as Spec 2 packages comprise a chin spoiler, a back spoiler, a back diffuser along with side splitters and also a new upper grille and lower grille package.

Besides this, there are the flexible dampers, sway bars and also lower springs in order to develop overall posture. The RTR moreover has a new tuning system that comprises a supercharger, a traditional ECU, and also a modified Magnaflow exhaust.

In the award giving ceremony, Vaughn Gittin Jr stated Ford has indeed made a wonderful contribution with the latest 2015 Ford Mustang.

Jaguar Land Rover Comes Up With Financing Programme

Sometimes, the users face difficulties regarding finances while buying the new sport sedan accumulating the desired features. Keeping this mind, the new Jaguar land Rover launches the financing program that would eliminate the intricacies.

Hence, you can now purchase the car easily fulfilling your desires. Here, you can get the finances from the authenticated organizations maintaining the legal proceedings. It ties up with the financial institutions that would help you with the complete budget.

However, before you obtain the opportunity read the entire terms and conditions knowing the rules and regulations. You need to follow them during the purchase procedure ensuring that you receive the valid services.

Know the Suitable Conditions

While you go for the financing make sure that, you perform all the legal proceedings. It would help you to acknowledge the valid opportunities without any glitches. Ensure that you receive the accurate amount from the organization that you need to complete the purchase.

Moreover, know the interest rates and other features that are essential to meet the monetary crisis. After you get confirmed of the entire system, incorporate the necessary features that help you to get your dream car.

Obtain the services from the authenticated dealer ensuring that you would acknowledge the genuine opportunities. In addition, learn the conditions that you need to fulfill if you are obtaining the finance from the organization.

Experience a Pleasurable Drive

After you purchase the car with the advanced features, you can go for a long drive where you can realize the ultimate pleasure. Moreover, inside the vehicle you can explore other useful attributes that contributes to a safe drive.

You can even go through the online reviews that reveal the important information regarding the features. So, you can get a clear idea knowing how to operate the system installed within the smart car. Alongside, you can browse the reviews and other user experiences that would help you to understand the complete situation. Get familiar with the prices and other options ensuring that you purchase the right option.

The Technical Efficiency

The Jaguar land Rover consists of the suitable technical features that are useful for a better ride while on the roads. Also, it would help the driver to manage the complete system maintaining the safety. Hence, the commuters can enjoy a comfortable journey without any risk factors.

The users therefore can purchase the particular sedan knowing the safety measures that would save the precious lives. However, it is important that you understand the entire operational features that would help to utilize the proper option during urgencies.

So, without any worries you can start your journey with the Jaguar land Rover, the popular sports sedan.

It ends with the fact that the Jaguar land Rover accumulates the beneficial options that help you to recognize the feasible opportunities.

Once, you are able to acknowledge the suitable finances you would not face any barriers while purchasing. Finally, you are able to realize the cozy feeling inside the car that would give you the ultimate comfort.

Why Are Genuine Auto Parts So Important?

Genuine OEM auto parts are vital for the repair and maintenance of every vehicle on the road. People sometimes want to buy different parts to save money, but only OEM parts can work in the vehicle properly. Every driver who needs to repair their vehicle must remember that they are getting OEM parts for every repair. Someone who is purchasing these parts on their own must make sure they are getting OEM parts, and someone who is at the auto shop must ask if OEM parts are being used.

Lining Up Parts

OEM parts come directly from the manufacturer of the vehicle. Owners of cars and trucks must make sure they are searching for OEM auto parts that are made by the manufacturer of their vehicle. There are very few parts that overlap, and it is best to make sure the name of the company is printed on the box.
The parts that are made by the manufacturer are going to line up when they are used anywhere on the car. The combination of OEM parts and other parts could result in a poor repair, and a lack of OEM parts could break down a car quickly.

Choosing The Model And Year

When the owner of the car or truck is choosing their parts, they must pick the right model and year for their parts. Cars and trucks change slightly depending on the design, and the design tends to change from year to year. Two cars that look identical will not necessarily have the same engine and interior parts. The best way for someone to avoid problems is to check the sticker on the inside of the driver door. This sticker says exactly what model the car is, when it was built and will point the driver in the direction of the right parts.

When people are trying to repair their own cars, they need to purchase genuine OEM parts. However, when people are at an auto shop, they must ask the mechanic is OEM parts are being used. These parts will help cars last longer, run better and retain more value.

Mercedes S-class S350 CDI- A (S) Class Apart

While you are mesmerized by concept, cars and imagination flies with flying cars of the 21st century dream. The S-Class is where you would want to be. It offers unparalleled luxury coupled with solid performance, efficiency and adequate safety.

Design: 

This is out-and-out a luxury car, which itself is signified from the 3-pointed star atop the grille. This is the first S-Class developed with a long-wheelbase saloon first, in the company of the short-wheelbase variant generating from it – which according to Mercedes gives it an unprecedented level of torsional rigidity at 40500 Nm/deg. In order to keep the body light, it is a steel-aluminium chassis – which increases accident safety and stiffness with an evenly distributed weight of 2215 kg. The front and rear tracks are slightly wider leading to a modest increase in interior volume. All use the trademark 7G-tronic plus 7 speed transmission with an optional paddle shift for manual control. In addition, it comes equipped with standard suspensions and dampers though MBC (Magic Body Control) is reserved for 8-cylinder models.

Interior: 

With plenty of interior space at 1m legroom and 920mm headroom, riding it is an absolute delight. The material and leather used on seats, armrests, fascia and steering wheel are immaculate and rivaling the best. There are warm/cool cup-holders and warmed armrests too. There are no prominent lights, 300 LEDs are responsible for that and cleverly placed and comes with a choice of 6 colors. WiFi and Bluetooth are standard and so are 3D mapping with a 12.3-inch touch screen with a number of optional upgrades. This comes with ornate speaker grills, grooved air-vents and traditional hides – an amalgamation of tradition and avant-garde technology.

Performance: 

The car is built with finesse in mind and hence any response is minimally disturbing. It shuns the hard acceleration more a smooth elegant start. While the engine’s idle is slightly audible from cabin, at cruising speeds, it is almost inaudible. The V6 model has a laidback approach with no urgency. Cruise is steady and ample reserve torque provides flexibility and is as impressive from the driver’s seat as from the back. Fuel consumption is respectable for this class of performance.

Ride and Handling: 

Though the magic active suspension system only comes on the higher-end models, the suspension has two modes – Comfort and Spot. A ride feels like you are completely blanketed from the road, instead of engaging with it. New speed-sensitive variable-ratio steering and a torque-vectoring brake system makes turns sharper. The engine does grumble under hard acceleration and strained at maximum speeds so a cruise is the best. The car is fitted with ESP to prevent drivers from going overboard. Turning off the ESP leads to a slight under steer but better balancing in corners. The suspensions do a very fine job and you would rarely notice any undulations.

Verdict: 

Owing to the luxury and ride performance this offers, it is a no-brainer to think twice before recommending. It excels in all the key areas and hits the right note while also having some driver-amusement.

KO- TAG; New system warns drivers of pedestrians

An embedded system alerts the driver about the risk of collision and automatically activates the brakes of the vehicle of its own. Through Wi-Fi waves that the embedded the system identifies the presence of pedestrians equipped with tag (transponder). KO- TAG It is through Wi-Fi waves that the embedded system identifies the presence of pedestrians equipped with the tag. It is equipped with an automatic detection and tracking of ultra- sophisticated pedestrian spotted the child while he was still walking on the sidewalk, hidden behind parked vehicles.

The car stops instantly, avoiding the collision. This is a scene that going to takes place in a few years as the technology is still in the prototype stage. It has been submitted by Erwin Biebl team at the Technical University of Munich (Germany). Its principle is based on the wave communication between pedestrians or cyclists and the car in motion. The latter has an embedded system consisting of a set of antennas that emit a radio signal. The advantage of this technology is that it is not hindered by the presence of obstacles like cars, bus etc. Pedestrians are the ones equipped with a transponder.

 The transponder, a kind of beacon and when it receives signals from the car, it immediately sends back a similar signal indicating its presence. This signal is then picked up and located by the embedded antennas. The transponder comprises in addition a small inertial unit which measures in real time the movements of the person. Valuable information continuously feeds to the car. The onboard computer can calculate precisely the movement of the individual and define when there is a risk of collision.

If the time before the impact is greater than a second, the system sounds an alarm to warn the driver of imminent danger. If this time is less, this is the car that makes the decision to apply brake to avoid the collision, even if the pedestrian is not yet visible to the driver in the seat. It is this anticipation that makes the difference with existing detection technologies.

The technology available now is based on the use of a camera which identifies the pedestrian or cyclist and steps to monitor its behavior to initiate, if necessary, an emergency brake. “But if the pedestrian is hidden behind an obstacle, such as a parked car, it cannot be detected by the camera," said Erwin Biebl. But in this prototype model of Erwin Biebl the pedestrian and his movement can be identified and monitored by the on board system accurately. It will take some time before you see the new technology into the catalog of manufacturers. According to Erwin Biebl it will be marketed in 2020.

Lotus C-01 Superbike: Science Fiction Comes To Reality

The famous futuristic Superbike from the movie Tron was recently made but it is still in the prototype stage, this beautiful vehicle will be produced in only 100 in numbers and those lucky hundred discover this marvel of technology and design!

Lotus British brand has partnered with designer Daniel Simon to develop a model of bike very much inspired by the film Tron. The C-01 superbike looks like a fantasy designer, yet the concept is now a reality. Lotus has even planned to make a hundred aftershocks in partnership with the German manufacturer Kodewa.

The two companies have collaborated in the past on racing cars projects. Mr. Simon told that the creative process of the C- 01 has been borrowing a lot of love. They worked hard to create a motorcycle with very special features, such as highly refined body, a very low profile, sleek position, unique air intakes and with a clean design.

The super bike is available in three colors, the classic British racing green and Martini colors, the car develops 200 pounds in a stroke and it is a 200 horsepower four-stroke engine. At the moment, no price was given, but it is likely that the C-01 will not be affordable for everyone. We believe this bike clearly deserves to be in the list of most beautiful cars ever made. Of course, we are under no illusions about its price certainly likely to be exorbitant.