My cool car

2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid - Owner Review by Cheryl Snider

2009-11-15T19:13:00.000-05:00

Our new 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid is shining like a polished gem in the driveway. We wanted this car so badly that we ordered it before the $3,400 tax credit amount changed at the end of March, and waited while our name rose to the top of the waiting list to have our car built for us. Once we received notice that they were starting to make our car, it took about a month to be finished and transported to the dealer.

After driving our new Fusion Hybrid now for almost 2,000 miles, it's the nicest car we've ever owned. One statistic that shows on the electronic dashboard is overall miles per gallon. This started at a disappointing 32 and has steadily risen as we drive it. Currently it is 38.6 MPG. We do mainly a mix of city and suburban driving, but it's summer and gas mileage is not optimal while running the electric air conditioning. We expect it to easily go above 40 MPG this fall and winter when we can drive it up to 40 MPH using just the electric motor. There have been some cool mornings already when the promise of that performance has shown.

The safety features included on our Fusion are amazing. We have blind spot information system (BLIS) which tells us with a blinking yellow spot on the side view mirror if there's a car in our blind spot when moving from lane to lane on the highway. This safety feature also senses cross traffic when backing up. This can't be beat when trying to back out of a tight space in a parking lot. We also have the back up camera which provides clear and sharp images on the side of the rear view mirror. It works amazingly well, even at night, to show the driver what's behind the car when backing.

One of our concerns with a hybrid car was how well it would start up from a stop. We were used to a smaller car with a larger motor, but the Ford Fusion Hybrid has not disappointed. The regenerative braking system is solid feeling and precise. The continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT) shifts imperceptibly as the very quiet gas and electric engines interchange very smoothly. When driving it, Fusion just feels like a "tight" superb car.

So far our only dissatisfaction with this car is our own choice of a black fabric seat interior. It seems every speck of dust and hair we shed shows up on the dash or seat. A better choice would have been the medium light stone interior. That must mean this 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid was the perfect choice for us. We are very happy owners.

Cheryl Snider has been writing articles on various subjects for many years. Come visit her latest websites that discuss Bath Lighting Fixtures and other Ladies Walking Canes Accessories.

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

Mazda Parts: Guaranteed to Fit and Perform at the Optimum Level

2009-11-12T18:40:00.000-05:00

Mazda is currently one of the world’s largest automobile manufacturer companies in terms of global unit sales. The brand actually had its origin as a Japanese company. Mazda has established itself in the field of manufacturing Cars, Trucks, SUVs and other vehicles and came a long way in the field of automobiles manufacturing since its establishment in 1920.
Mazda has developed a new trend in the world of cars with excellent engineering and ingenious designs. From a small, Japanese, machine-tools Company called Toyo Cork Kogyo Co., Ltd founded by Jujiro Matsuda, the company soon ventured into automobile production and now stands at the top.

Affordable price and thrilling experience – these are the very assets of Mazda automotives. Due to these features the brand has gained popularity across the globe. Owning a Mazda car is an excellent investment and a status symbol. If one owns a car like Mazda Tribute or Mazda 6, it deserves nothing less than the best maintenance and care. A car like Mazda is made up of its excellent motor parts and to maintain it in its best way it’s important to use the original Mazda Parts. A Mazda car promises Style, Spirit Power and Performance but only with genuine Mazda parts.

Mazda parts are well equipped and full of power as well as are widely accessible. When it comes to Mazda, style never comes after function. Vehicle parts, like the Mazda 626 alternator, radiators, fuel tanks, pickup engine parts, bumpers, tail lamps are crucial to your vehicle's effectiveness. It means that getting original Mazda parts is an absolute need.

All the major Mazda motor parts and other accessories are available online at best discounted prices on various online motor parts store. FC3S, RX-7, FD3S, RX-7 , SA22C RX-7 and Miata Roadster are easily available on the internet. In the crowed of hundreds of online stores with the continuous craftsmanship and ingenuity it is difficult to find the genuine Mazda parts.

What's New in 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10? by Geoff Ryan

2009-11-10T17:50:00.000-05:00

new Viper is a 2-passenger, 2-door sports car available in two different trim levels - the SRT10 convertible and the SRT10 coupe model. Both the trims are provided with a standard 8.4 liter V10 engine that produces mammoth 600 horse power of throughput. The 2010 Viper SRT10 is heavily modified when compared with its previous generation model. It is redesigned with fine sharp angled body. Moreover, the engine is enlarged and now it can produce torque of 711 N-m.

The Viper SRT10 coupe model was released in 2005 as a model vehicle for the year 2006 at the Detroit Auto show. The vehicle shares several of its body panels with the convertible style, but takes its rear and side styling cues from the coupe design.

The new coupe model looks like the previous model Viper GTS and the double bubble roof shape remains the same, along with its lovely taillights. In addition to style upgrades, the Dodge Viper model also gets some interior upgrades too.

The new Dodge Viper SRT10 convertible model comes with the 10 cylinder 8.4 liter OHV engine that can produce 600 horse power at 6100 rotations per minute and torque of 560 lb ft 5000 rpm. The fuel economy of the vehicle is 12 miles per gallon in the city streets and 22 miles per gallon on the highway roads. The six speed manual transmission with the overdrive is standard in both the trim levels.

When the 2010 Dodge Viper SRT10 becomes a reality, there should be plenty to cheer about, for the sports car fans throughout the world.Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Geof_Ryan

Dodge Challenger Makes a Comeback

2009-11-06T19:38:00.001-05:00

The Dodge Challenger was a car that was first released in the 1970s and at that time every teenage boy in the United States wanted one. Now however they are coming back and it seems that the love for the Dodge Challenger will start all over again. Due to be released in 2008 you can be sure that there will be a lot of people that will lose a few nights sleep as they start to get excited about the release of this legendary car.

The Dodge Challenger secured a place in Americana car culture forever as the classic 1970s muscle car that every teenage boy wanted. There was always that one really cool guy in school that had rich parents and they bought him a Dodge Challenger, usually bright orange to draw even more attention to this fast car. Ladies flocked to the guy with the cool car and the guys wanted to be his friend, riding in the Dodge Challenger was a privilege and honor to most high school kids. Then there were always those guys that somehow got their hands on an older model Dodge Challenger or one that had been in an accident that they worked on in a garage for weeks on end to fix it up and hot rod it around campus.

A concept of the 2007 Dodge Challenger was revealed at the North American International Auto Show recently and people went wild for it. Although it does not appear as though a Dodge Challenger will actually be available to the public in 2008, the 2007 Dodge concept was a spectacular sight. They even made it bright orange to remind the crowd of just what the Dodge Challenger had been nearly thirty years ago. The exterior may be the same as the 1970s version of the Dodge Challenger, but the 2007 Dodge concept Challenger had many differences under the hood and body. The new Dodge Challenger has a brand new platform that is also found in the Chrysler 300, Dodge Magnum and Dodge Charger. This LX platform is impressive from start to finish, as it is one of the most highly refined and responsive chassis available in any American manufactured automobiles. The importance of a solid underpinning, like the LX provides, is essential when handling the amount of horsepower generated by the famous Hemi performance engine. The 6.1-liter SRT8 models generate 425 horses and 420 pounds per foot of torque, which can be a lot for a driver to handle without a well-built chassis to support the power.

The similarities in appearance between the old Dodge Challenger of the seventies and the new 2007 Dodge concept car are evident to event he amateur eye. However, the new version is slightly longer than the original, by nearly half of a foot and it is two inches wider. This does not seem to impact the stunning presentation of the nostalgic vehicle to most people because the overall look is still so cool. The updated mechanical features and power of the classic Dodge Challenger will only help to increase the likelihood of the cars success in the market in 2008 or whenever Chrysler decides to release it. The way things have been going in the automotive industry; Detroit could sure use the boost from a popular new car coming out of the once dominating car capital of the world. We will just have to wait and see how well the Dodge Challenger can comeback after three decades of hibernation, the challenge it on!

Not everyone will remember these cars but we can all agree on one thing and that is that they were defiantly in need of a facelift. When they were first released they were new and looked perfect for that market. But now Dodge need to make sure that you do not look like you are driving a dust cart.

Mercedes SLK undergoes face lifting by DWYANE THOMAS

2009-11-05T10:30:00.001-05:00

Once you see the spy photos of the new Mercedes SLK, you might react that it would have been designed because of the good results from the Mercedes Formula 1 team that was headed by Fernando Alonso and Lewis Hamilton.

A smaller roadster SLK, the new Mercedes SLK has the nose of the Formula 1. Aside from this, it still has several features that were adopted from the Formula 1. Examples of these features are the bigger lights – the head and the tail, and the new shape with some triangular bars beneath the nose of the front bumper – to resemble the Silver Arrows.

As a proof that Mercedes never lets its cars behind when it comes to innovations, the improved version of the car will come along with an updated interior to match the rejuvenated appearance of the exterior. Engines used in the old version will remain in the new version but the CLS 350 CGI with 292 bhp is rumored to join the engine options for the new one.

And speaking of rumors, a diesel version of the SLK is also being talked about. The reason behind this hear-say is probably the European market’s in dire need of diesel. Diesel fans will have to wait if the rumor is true when the new Mercedes SLK will be unleashed in the Frankfurt car show sometime in September. About Mercedes SLK

After the tremendous success of Mazda’s MX-5 or the Miata, the public witnessed several ingressions of roadsters from many car manufacturers in the middle of the year 1990. Almost all manufacturers – be it big or small, famous or not so famous – engineered their own roadster. As Mercedes-Benz’s response on this matter, in 1997, it designed the SLK. It was both a coupe and a cabrio. It had a striking metal roof that folds and stores itself just like in a usual cabrio.

The car’s name was chosen to exude the German company's intentions for the car. These intentions are that it should be Sportlich (sporty), Leicht (light) and Kompakt (compact).

As to the sales, the Mercedes SLK was successful since then. As a matter of fact, after SLK was introduced customers still had to wait several months to get in their hands the brand new Mercedes SLK after ordering it.

The SLK was initially powered by 2.0 lt. and 2.3 lt. normally-aspirated or mechanically compressed engines that produce 136 hp to 193 hp. During the early 2000, the car had undergone changes and along with these are new varieties of engines. The present engine line up is comprised by a 2.0lt 136 hp normally aspirated engine, a 2.0lt, 163hp compressed engine, a 2.3lt 193hp compressed engine and, as its maiden release, a 3.2 V6 producing 225hp. The last mentioned engine a performance of 0-60 mph in just less than 6.5 seconds.

The SLK was soon followed by the Peugeot 206cc, Lexus SC and the Mercedes-Benz SL-Class.

The SKL comes as 350, 230, and 280; all are equipped with top of the line Mercedes power steering pump.

First launched in 1996, the Mercedes SLK 350 initiated the building of the current folding hard-top craze for roadsters. Like any other Mercedes-Benz auto mobile, this model experienced several innovations. It has a refined wedge-shaped SLK look with more curves in the flanks and Mercedes' corporate F1-style nose. The last feature that was mentioned establishes a direct link that is visually comparable to the SLR super car.

With the standard folding hard-top, the 350 has three choices of engines. Among these are the 161bhp, four-cylinder SLK 200K and the 268bhp, V6 SLK 350. Both engines come with a six-speed manual gearbox as standard, with power that is going to the rear wheels. The 200K can come with an optional five-speed auto 'box’. The SLK 350, on the other hand, can get the new 7G-Tronic seven-speed auto that was recently released for the S-Class.

The Mercedes SLK 350 utilizes a brand new 3.5-litre V6 engine. Due to the engine's variable camshaft control on both intake and exhaust sides, the car has a flatter torque curve and improved fuel economy.

The Mercedes SLK 230 was first introduced in 1997 for 1998model year. It was built with the aim of competing with Porsche Boxster and BMW Z3. It uses 185 hp 2.3 L supercharged I4 engine and an automatic transmission. In 1997, the SLK was among the “Car and Driver's Ten Bests”.

In 1999, a 5-speed manual transmission was augmented. The car’s being sporty was brought by the use of 215 hp 3.2 L V6 and 6-speed manual transmission in the 2001 model.

With front wheel 7J x 16 Standard aluminum-alloys five-spoke design, the SLK 280 has ventilated front and solid rear brakes. It uses manual for the standard transmission. An amazing aspect in this car is that its 0-60 mph can be reaches in just 6.1 seconds. This car uses 6 cylinder engines and is a rear wheel drive.

Mercedes Benz Review - How Mercedes Benz Embodies Luxury and Good Performance by Ian James Stewart

2009-11-03T14:04:00.000-05:00

If there is one car brand in the whole world that is synonymous with class and timeless style, it is none other than Mercedes Benz. Many other reviews will tell you the same thing. It is no wonder though that this German classic is the favorite of the many important personalities in the world. We often see Mercedes Benz in the limelight because it is the car of choice of some of the most respected dignitaries and world leaders as well as celebrities. This is the first brand that comes to mind of many individuals when they hear the phrase "luxury car." If you think though that this car is all about looks, think again. This brand enjoys the reputation of being one of the safest cars in the world and it has been regarded as such since the first one was introduced.

If you will read other Mercedes Benz reviews, you will discover that this car is one of the best selling brands in the world not only because of the status that it provides but because it is a vehicle that provides peace of mind. If you want to put your worries away when choosing a car, then you should look nor further than this brand which is symbolized by the three-pointed star.

The new line of cars were made even safer thanks to the new technology known as PRE-SAFE. This is a safety system that is automatically activated when the car is about to collide with an object such as another car. This is an intelligent system that is triggered by a sudden stop or a skid. No other car brand has the PRE-SAFE system and that is why no other car brand is safer than a Mercedes Benz

Being seen driving or riding a Mercedes is of course a different story altogether. Owning a Mercedes Benz is like getting an instant status upgrade. It is a privilege that not everyone can possess. Check out other Mercedes Benz reviews and you will read the same thing.

As other Mercedes Benz reviews put it, this car is not simply about superficial qualities. This car is as much about substance as it is about style. In fact, this car provides the best value for money. When you choose a Mercedes Benz, - whether it is a CLK, an E Class, an M Class or a S Class, you know that you are not just getting luxury, you are getting comfort and performance that can be considered the best in the world.

Use the following link to find more mercedes benz reviews http://www.mercedesbenzreviews.net.

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

Porsche Or Ferrari - What You Need To Know.

2009-11-02T19:17:00.000-05:00

Porsche and Ferrari are German and Italian sides of the same coin, interpretations of the sports car idea. Both founded by a dominant patriarch, both honed in racing, both more than 50 years old, both with engineering and styling integrity. Whether on the track of Le Mains or on the streets, the two have always been put head-to-head and compared. Even the most naive motorist associates these two names with both performance and style.

We've decided to compare the methodical Porsche 911 Carrera 4S and the passionate Ferrari F430 because both of them astonish with their performance while attempting to maintain a reasonable amount of practicality but do not pretend to be anything other than sports cars.

A modern sports car should feature these characteristics: it should be started easily, maneuvered around town, blasted on a couple of country roads, it looks and performs the part on a racetrack but at the same time it is very safe.

The easier way to separate the two cars is by measuring figures since both of them have mastered the modern sports car requirements and basically there's no other way to choose between these two phenomenal cars.

What initially impresses is Ferrari's lightning fast 4-second 0-100km/h acceleration and thrilling exhaust tone. As the occupants are pinned to the seats, the new generation 4.3-litre V8 pushes out 368 snarling kilowatts. Porsche's acceleration also offers that kick in the pants a super car should deliver, although it is 0.8 seconds slower at the 100 km/k mark.

With such acceleration performance, it comes natural for both cars to excel in the braking department. The two cars offer optional ceramic discs for impressive stopping.

Porsche's engine gets the upper hand as it is more refined and on the economy rank leaps ahead Ferrari with a 11.8 liters per 100 km as opposed to 18.3 liters. Both cars deliver the power through impressive 6-speed gearboxes and offer top rate handling performance.

Both F430 and Carrera4S offer great interior comfort and even if the space is limited, the occupants don't feel claustrophobic and flustered. Although an impressive mix of suede, carbon fiber and aluminum abound in the Ferrari, the Italians stand no chance when it comes to the high finish level attained by the Germans.

Speed and silence are key elements for any super car. The look and appearance is the biggest draw card. The Carrera 4S is a typical Porsche, despite the new proportions. It is a great looking car, like any other 911 but somehow the styling no longer creates the jaw dropping reaction that the Ferrari does. Indeed, traditionalists may say that Porsche pays homage to its roots, but the truth is that Ferrari F430 simply draws the attention.

However, even if Ferrari F430 takes your breath away with its appearance, the super car title goes to the Porsche Carrera 4S with a more complete all round package.

The History Of The Porsche

2009-11-01T17:31:00.000-05:00

Ferdinand Porsche played an important role in the development of airplanes and racing cars, and the construction of tanks for the Wehrmacht. He is an automobile engineer with more than a thousand patents to his name. He was appointed chief engineer at Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart in the 1920s. Later on, he set up his own engineering workshop and designed among others the Volkswagen. At the plant where Volkswagen was made, Wolfsburg, he was chief of operations and at the end of the war he was interned by the Allies.

He was released a few years later and started building his first car with his son, Ferry Porsche. The car was named the Porsche 356 and it was a sports car and a reminiscent of the Volkswagen. It had the same four-cylinder boxer engine that was rear-mounted, just like the VW. It was far from being a powerful sports car, developing only 40 bhp and a maximum speed of 87 mph (140 km/h). First produced as a convertible and later as a hard top it distinguished by the very elegant and innovative body. It was developed in the workshop of Erwin Komenda, a master of restrained streamlining who had been in charge of sheet metal and design techniques at Porsche since the VW Beetle. The new style of closed coupe was designed by Komenda and it soon became the embodiment of the sports car, thanks to its fastback.

This tradition was continued by Komenda and Ferdinand "Butzi" Porsche, the founder's grandson, with the 911.

The 911 became easily recognizable: it had attractive sloping bonnet and what later became characteristic "frog eye" headlights, curves running from the top edge of the windscreen to the rear bumper and a straight waistline. From a functional and technical point of view it was more like BMW 1500, although it retained the stylistic features of the original Porsche. The new 911 will become the foundation stone of Porsche's identity, even though the design was not always appreciated. During the 1970`s and 1980`s, the designers attempts to distance Porsche from its legendary design brought the company to the edge of disaster. The more modern 924 model, "a people's Porsche", developed with Volkswagen, as well as the 928 were far from fulfilling the expectations.

In the 1990`s, the company realized that what for over twenty years was perceived as a straitjacket, it was in fact a market advantage. During the 1990`s, Porsche became highly profitable since they now knew that the typical Porsche features were timeless. Nearly forty people now worked in the design department on further developments of the long-running 911. These developments included the 911 GTI, a powerful combination of sports and racing car, put forward by the in-house designer Anthony R. Hatter. In 1999, chief designer proudly presented the new Boxster which enabled Porshe to establish a second independent range of models.

BMW 650i Pros And Cons

2009-10-31T15:39:00.000-04:00

The BMW 6 series was relaunched in 2004 with the BMW 645i. This car was a two door, four passenger luxury sports car. This car is ideal for a sports car enthusiast who would prefer a larger, more practical car compared to the 650's 2 passenger, lighter peers. In 2006, BMW upgraded the 645i to a 650i by increasing the engine a little. When including options and taxes, the 650i tends to run at about $80,000, so it's not exactly cheap. Here are the pros and cons of the car:

Pros

Amazing handling: The car is amazing to drive. When you drive the car, you feel as if you have total control over the vehicle. A car such as the Mercedes CLS (also priced near $80k) just cannot match this car's handling. The BMW 650i definitely has the handling one would expect from a German-made luxury sports car.

Gadgets: The BMW 650i comes with BMW's Idrive, an all-encompassing electronic system. The Idrive controls the navigation system, music, air conditioning, as well as communication system. The Idrive also has voice command, making it easy to use when driving. Some believe the Idrive is a bit difficult to operate. That's hogwash. Within two weeks of owning the car, anyone competent enough to use a computer or a DVD should be able to operate the Idrive flawlessly. The Idrive is the gadget-lover's ultimate car toy.

Interior: The interior of the 650i is beautiful. It has modern, classy feel to it. Your taller passengers will certainly appreciate being seated in the front though, as the back is not exactly spacious.

Acceleration: With a V8 and 360 hp, the car isn't exactly going to be outrun by a Civic. The acceleration and amazing breaks can also help you get out of accidents that other cars wouldn't be able to avoid.

Cons

Reliability: Expect to make stops at the service center every now and then. While it is a wonderful car, it is prone to electronic and tire issues.

Price: At about $80,000, it's not exactly in the everyman's budget. But if you are willing to spend this much money on a car, the 650i is definitely a good one to check out. Source:Free Articles

Mercedes SL body kits for cutting edge looks by Louie

2009-10-30T20:42:00.000-04:00

There is a desire in most of us to be at the cutting edge of things where new developments take place all the time. Of course in most products we use we can't ourselves be involved in the developments. But on occasion we do have the opportunity to define what the next generation of products are going to be like.

One such occasion occurs when you buy a car that is at the forefront of car technology such as a Mercedes SL Class. You now have the opportunity to take the looks and aerodynamic performance of the car beyond the very advanced level it is already at. This as you can imagine is the cutting edge of automobile design.

You will find SL body kits are a great help in taking forward the looks of the car. These Mercedes SL body kits are designed by very talented designers who can stand shoulder to shoulder with the designers of the car itself. You can choose to go forward with a quiet sober understated approach or you can choose to go over the top with an out going high impact design. That choice will reflect your personality and attitude. You will also need to choose the material of the components of the body kits. The light carbon fiber based body kits are preferred for performance cars because they do not add much to the weight of the car.

You can save time and effort by viewing options available to you online. On the internet you can also get in depth information on a related topic if you need to. Which you probably will since you are now at the cutting edge of automobile design. For example you can study examples of similar cars and other cars and know of what directions others are choosing for advancing the looks of their car.

Once you have selected the body kits you should also identify a professional to install them for you. Proper installation will ensure you get a long and trouble free service from the body kit components. You can see the latest Mercedes SL body kits at www.ilovebodykits.com.
Louie Liu has been in the car aftermarket products industry for 5years. He has specialized in body kits, headlights, cold air intakes and other aftermarket products. He has deep knowledge of a wide range of products including knowledge of benefits of body kits and other products, product options and how to choose a car aftermarket product. You can learn about a wide range of body kits and other car aftermarket products at his site