BMW M1 Hommage concept

CAR has the new issue to reveal, The BMW is preparing the M1 Hommage concept for production." We have the know-how, we have the right engine, we even have the infrastructure to build such a car,’ vows BMW board member Herbert Diess. The supercar was shot exclusively for CAR, and following interviews with BMW executives, the July issue reveals key project details including:

• • The timetable for production
• • The three-strong powertrain line-up
• • The lightweight body construction
• • The plan for ‘heron-wing’ doors, and a driver-focused, multi-layered interior
• • And why BMW’s new supercar won’t be called M1

The head of design Adrian van Hooydonk told the CAR that the car was nothing more than a celebration of BMW design and had no plans of making production version, when the BMW released the M1 Hommage concept at the Concorso d'Eleganza 2008 di Villa d'Este. The car was revealed with no engine, no interior, and it is simply had working headlight and a steering.

According to CAR, BMW is working on the production model. “We have the know-how, we have the right engine, we even have the infrastructure to build such a car,” said BMW board member Herbert Diess.

The July issue of CAR reveals the timetable for production, and why the car won't be called the M1 and the powertrain line-up. . Supposedly the lightweight body construction with ‘heron-wing’ doors will be driver focused with a multi-layered interior. It is expected to go head-to-head with the Audi R8.

MX-5: The Best of Its Class

The Mazda MX-5, still popularly known as the Miata is a sleek and well-engineered convertible. It is a 2-door, 2-passenger convertible sports car, available in 8 trims, ranging from the SV to the Grand Touring Power Retractable Hardtop. It is released as a Special Edition MX-5 with an exclusive Saddle Brown folding top. According to the usnews.rankingsandreviews.com, this car ranks first out of ten Affordable Sports Cars.

“The SV is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 166-horsepower engine that achieves 22-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard. The Grand Touring Power Retractable Hardtop is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 166-horsepower engine that achieves 21-mpg in the city and 28-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard.” It is available with a choice of an automatic transmission with paddle shifters or a five-speed manual transmission.

Edmunds.com says that the new exterior as "a stronger face, more rakish lines and accentuated fender contours." Head and tail lamps are mounted inboard for better compactness. Great designs evolve over time but the door mirrors continue the elliptical theme used in the original MX-5 Miata.

Passenger-side airbags and standard drivers–side airbags provides safety without sacrificing the beauty of the interior. It features an ear-blasting entertainment system which is made up of a BOSE 7-speaker AM/FM/6-CD. Overall, interior quality and appearance are way better than any past MX-5 Miata. The hardtop opens or closes in 12 seconds, and consumes no luggage space.

Reviewers see its soft top and new power-folding hardtop as the best in their class.

A Hybrid for Nissan

The Altima Hybrid Electric is Nissan's first hybrid car. It is a 4-door, 5-passenger family sedan. Nissan have had an agreement with Toyota in using some of its hybrid technology in the new Altima for the 2007 model year.

It is a 158-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine and 40-horsepower electric assist motor. Torque-wise it’s a stump-puller, with 162 pound-feet from the gar engine and 199 from the electric motor. Its mileage reaches up to 35 miles a gallon in the city and 33 on the open road. This hybrid has a 20-gallon tank, so it must reach an approximate distance of 700 miles.

They say that it is the first hybrid that drives like Prius, this Altima hybrid is also a full hybrid, so it can be powered purely by electricity at low speeds.

Here are some features included in the new Altima; 16-inch alloy wheels, Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition, power windows/door locks, 6-speaker AM/FM/CD system with auxiliary audio input jack, Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), Traction Control System (TCS) and dual-zone automatic temperature control that includes an Altima Hybrid-specific electrically powered A/C.

The 2008 Nissan Altima Hybrid ranks 20 out of 25 Affordable Midsize Cars. In the US, they are selling this only on states with strict clean-air regulations where the automaker needs near-zero-emissions cars, because they think they will have higher buyer interest. These are namely; California, Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Defective pumps overcharge customers as fuel prices soar

Every one of us could be in store for a sharp increase in vehicle costs as auto manufacturers are oblige to transact with adverse exchange rates, increasing raw material rate and new fuel-economy and productions rules. These issues are growing cost pressures on car producers and it shows the trouble will expected be passed on to purchasers.

As fuel rates persist to skyrocket to record highs, many consumers are ever more keeping cautious of just how much they are paying at the loading station or pump. However, latest information in the U.S. asserts defective fuel pumps can be partially responsible for the higher cost of fuel and customers are being overpriced with no further notice.

This trouble is approximately happens to some rural places where older loading stations have just kept on using their original and old pump. The stations’ minor sales amount and low income limits mean improving or changing the pumps with latest products that can hold the higher prices is almost not possible. A new pumps price is between $10,000 and $15,000 apiece, while upgrading cost over $650 for every pump.

A momentary answer for this problem has done, called ‘half pricing’, is permissible in some places. The procedures engage posting the price of half a gallon of fuel, and after that, doubling-up the sum shown on the pump after loading.

This isn’t the first time the crisis has take place, on the other hand. In 2005, the jump past $3 per gallon led a lot of stations to improve or change their pumps with meters capable of $3.999. The upgrade was quite limited, and now lots of of those holders are experiencing very similar circumstances again and again.

The GT-R Concept

The Nissan GT-R is a coupe created by Nissan, and released in Japan on December 6, 2007. Nissan showed the GT-R Concept as the prospective successor to the R34. It is expected to be released internationally by early June of 2008.

“It is powered by an all-new 3.8-litre twin turbo V6 "VR38" engine, featuring plasma-sprayed bores and a special twin-turbo exhaust manifold system. The Nissan GT-R's new engine produces 480PS (353kW) at 6400rpm and maximum torque of 60kgm (588Nm) from 3200 to 5200rpm.” It can reach the top speed of 193 mph.

It has got a super lightweight forged aluminum wheels with knurled bead area, which was designed to maximize tire adhesion to the wheel under extreme condition. Its body construction consist of super silver special metallic paint, with an 8-stage process including three clear coats and hand polishing to achieve a lustrous, liquid effect.

This car also features a long list of safety and environmental features, including, for enhanced visibility inside and out of the vehicle, high-mounted LED stop lamps, bright LED rear combination taillights, "super wide beam" headlights, heated door mirrors and flat-blade wipers.

For me, it may not the best looking car in the world but who cares as long as it is incredibly fast. And in any sense, I'll reserve judgment for its looks until I see one in person. This thing is surely going to be a beast on the road. I'm sure it'll be a blast to drive. Pricing for the sports car starts at $69,850 - $71,900 for the premium edition.

Ford - A cheerful situation for a turnaround

As several cheering marks begin to become known from Ford Motor's turnaround tactics, a lot of the credit is probably go to Mark Fields (president of Ford Motor Co.) Also known as the “The Leading Man”.

Ford Motors proclaimed $100 million earnings in the quarter, although sales lagged General Motors and Toyota. I think Ford as a totally underrated corporation that at last is manufacturing first-rate vehicles, in many places around the globe, moreover, I don't believe expensive gasoline costs will have greatly outcome on the turnaround.

Ford's continuing Way Forward improvement preparation - with full-year profitably assurance for coming 2009 - has become face-to-face into a trade and industry slump that has effect sales all over the industry.

Soaring gas prices have caused purchasers to insist many small cars, which are worse profitable in all compare to the large SUV’s that have influenced Ford's incomes for long time. Its upcoming brand-new small car model, Fiesta, won't arrive to public in the USA until 2010.

If the profitable quarter keeps on going, Ford Motor for this time is promoting for merely 14 times next year's profits. With incomes about to $40 billion in the quarter, a business person who is smart and high-personality definitely might cut the fat as of that as well as reverse a profit, and that is precisely what turnaround expert CEO Alan Mulally is doing.

I'm pleased that citizens and the stock market at last understand that Ford is creating a brilliant product. Ford has been for many years but in reality they seem to have gotten it as one now. Cars are lastly receiving as much consideration as trucks and it confirms.

BMW M1 Homage

BMW introduced the world to their M1 Homage concept at the Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance last April 2008. The concept vehicle uses a mid-engine layout and borrows its styling from both the original M1 and the Turbo show car. The reason the car was introduced is to mark the 30th anniversary of the BMW M1, which to this day is still one of the most stunning sports cars ever created. It's been thirty years since the first BMW M1 supercar rolled out of the company’s facility in Munich, Germany.

The styling is directly influenced not only by the original M1 but also from the M1’s inspiration which is the BMW Turbo Concept. In the original M1, the body was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, an Italian automobile designer. Taking inspiration from the 1972 BMW Turbo, the M1 is remembered as a very smooth and well polished supercar in the true BMW tradition.

I've always been a fan of the old M1's looks. I thought they were outdated already but with this new vehicle, it looks like the company has just bred a new M1.

Cool features from the M1 Homage include "invisible headlamps" and a squat version of the trademark BMW grille. The new wave “cheese grater” wheels and the double roundels at the rear corners were also very noticeable and they added sophistication to the car.

I’m less convinced though that this car would be making its way to the for real as a production vehicle after seeing it at the show. I hope that they would actually produce it. I surely would want to see one at a local BMW dealer’s.