Archive → August, 2010

The 2010 Mini Cooper Takes Over

31 August, 20:52, by JP Tags: , , ,
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Here it comes the 2010 Mini Cooper ready for action. As it may be compared to the Ford Fiesta, which you might find at a Macon Ford Dealer, or to the Lincoln Mercury, that may be found at some Saginaw Ford Lincoln Dealers,  the Mini Cooper stands tall. Even when compared to the Honda Civic, which can be located at some Troy Honda Dealers the Mini Cooper takes the edge.

This little car has only a 1.6 liter, DOHC (Dual Overhead Cam) engine that produces 118 HP and puts out a 114 ft-lbs torque ratio. However, what the Mini Cooper lacks in power, it makes up in savings, quality and style.  The Cooper comes out ont top with an EPA of 28 city, 37 Hwy, and a combined of 32 mpg. The 2010 Cooper handles like a dream with its FWD ( Front Wheel Drive), 5 speed manual transmission drive type that is sure to make you fall in love. On the flip side the rear visibility in the convertible style is a bit of a hassle, and the ride is a little noisy and stiff. 2010 Mini Cooper 300x188 The 2010 Mini Cooper Takes Over

The safety points and rating are not bad at all as it made 4 out of 5 on the driver, passenger, and rear-side impact tests. The Mini Cooper, in addition to those made 5 out of 5 on the front side impact test and the rollover tests. The safety features included with the 2010 Mini Cooper are stability and traction control, day running lights, 4-wheel ABS, airbags for the front and the rear, and tire pressure monitoring.

The leatherette interior, for a start on the 2010 Cooper, comes equipped with a 4 person seating capability, 2 one-touch power windows along with power locks and mirrors. The rear seats tend to be a little cramped for leg room. In addition to that there are cruise control and audio controls on the steering wheel for ease and comfort. The stereo is an AM/FM, CD player with 6 speakers and an auxiliary audio input. The bass in the stereo system tends to be a little weak though. Overall, for an affordable, safe car that saves you money in the long run, there is no doubt that the 2010 Mini Cooper will take over a town near you.

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Prius Sales to Decline in Japan;

31 August, 18:37, by Sully Tags: , ,
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Toyota Prius 300x219 Prius Sales to Decline in Japan;

Toyota is anticipating decreased Prius sales in its Japanese market.  The Prius hybrid has been a major vehicle seller in Japan and it has helped the brand grow throughout Japan.  The model will be one of the most affected by decreasing demand as government subsidies for alternative energy models are cut off.  St. Petersburg Mazda Dealers sell Mazda models which will also be affected by the cut off of government subsidies in Japan.  There are several domestic automakers that are looking to take advantage of current U.S. government subsidies in the form of tax incentives.  These tax incentives will be available for models such as the Chevy Volt which is found at Akron Chevrolet Dealers and other Chevy dealerships.

Also, Washington DC Honda Dealers will continue selling Honda models that are hybrids with incentives such as the Honda Civic hybrid or the Honda Insight hybrid vehicle.  These vehicles are eligible for a large $7,500 tax incentive for new vehicle models. However, like its Japanese rival, Honda sales in Japan will be affected as there are currently a decreased demand for vehicles, especially for hybrid models.  As incentives decrease throughout the world due to cash strapped governments, automakers are bracing for a potentially tough time ahead.

Some automakers believe that the industry will rebound, however time will tell.  Certainly the Chinese auto industry is still growing at a fast rate, and there are other regions in the world that have potential.  It seems that developed countries such as the USA, Japan, and European countries have the hardest hit economies in terms of auto growth as well as economic growth.  Those countries that are developing have not established major international trade economies and have a lot of potential for growth in their automotive industries and other industries.  But, the United States and Japan have been hit by the recent recessions, and their smaller populations compared to other large developing countries may result in continually low auto sales.

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Honda CR-Z Offers a Sporty Hybrid Choice;

31 August, 16:59, by Sully Tags: , ,
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honda cr z 2 big 300x151 Honda CR Z Offers a Sporty Hybrid Choice;

The Honda CR-Z is an exciting new hybrid offering from Honda.  The CR-Z will feature a sporty design with hybrid capability.  Few new hybrids are sports oriented, although the Chevy Volt which will be available at FL Chevrolet Dealer businesses certain features a sportier design than many other hybrids.  Hybrid vehicles have been more traditional in their look, although a few automakers are going to take some risks with design.  Mercedes Benz hybrid models offer the latest and some of the best looking designs and can be purchased from Pittsburgh Mercedes-Benz Dealer businesses and others.

Also, Birmingham Hyundai Dealers sell Hyundai vehicles that are fuel efficient and sporty in some model designs.  The Honda CR-Z is a two seater which is not uncommon for hybrid or electric vehicle models in order to save on fuel usage.  The CR-Z is a sort of reincarnation of the CR-X two-seater which was in production from the years of 1984-1992.  The model is also similar to the first generation of the Honda Insight as well.

The CR-Z gets 31 mpg in the city and 37 mpg on the highway with a six-speed manual transmission and 35/39 with the continuously variable transmission.  These mpg ratings are lower than the Honda Insight which gets 40/43.  The CR-Z however is a much more fun vehicle to drive because of its sportiness.  It is not a real sports car like a Mazda Miata but it was not really intended to be a true sports model.

The CR-Z features excellent handling and a small design which makes driving fun.  The CR-Z has been on sale few a week and the interior of the model is larger than one would expect in a two-seater.  The CR-Z features sporty driving capability and an interior with some of Honda’s latest features.  The performance of the CR-Z is better than the Honda Insight which is why the vehicle gets less mpg.

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European Microvan From Chevrolet.

30 August, 10:00, by Sarah Tags: , ,
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Chevy Orlando European Microvan From Chevrolet.

 

Concept cars are often quite inventive and it is rare and exciting when we actually see them come to life.  There are some awesome Ford Specials going on right now for the 2010 model year, as dealerships are trying to make room for the 2011 inventory that is rolling in.  Chevrolet released their concept car, the Orlando, back in 2008 at the Paris Auto Show.  Currently, there are only rumors that the Orlando will be available in the United States, but it is set that the Orlando will be released in early 2011 in Europe, Asia, and Canada.  This seven passenger vehicle is in its own class, really.  It looks a lot like a Mazda5, but it also has influences from crossovers, compact SUVs, and minivans. 

Other features of this car that would prevent drivers from going to Peoria VW Dealer is the theater style seating for the second and third rows.  With elevated seating, everyone has a great view out the front windshield.  Another great feature we have yet to see on any of the vehicles from Hartford Hyundai Dealer is a special holder for your MP3 player near the stereo behind a plastic secure cover.  This allows you to plug your MP3 player into a USB port so it charges while you are listening to your own music. 

There are plans to release two engine options in Europe.  Drivers can choose from a 1.8 liter four cylinder regular gasoline engine that produces 141 horsepower or the larger 2.0 liter four cylinder diesel engine that pushes 131 horsepower low and 163 horsepower high.  The Chevy Orlando is set to win some safety awards, as all trim levels come standard with electronic stability control and six airbags.  While there will be three trim levels to choose from, all drivers of the Chevy Orlando will enjoy air conditioning as well as power mirrors and other accessories.

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Mercury Hybrids: Affordable Luxury

28 August, 00:54, by Sarah Tags: , ,
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Mercury Milan Hybrid Mercury Hybrids: Affordable Luxury

For those folks who are in the market for a new car, looking at Cincinnati Car Lots can be a great place to start your search.  But, if you have already decided that you want to find a hybrid model and start doing your part to reduce pollution emissions in America, there are a few vehicle options to choose from.  There are diesel engine models at VW Arizona Dealers, and they also have some hybrid models.  There are the electric cars that will soon be released in limited amounts in high urban areas.  But the go-to for eco-friendly cars still is the hybrid.  Well, even the upscale brands are realizing the importance and value of offering hybrid models to their consumers.  Mercury, a division of Ford, only has four models in their entire line up, and two of them have a hybrid option.

For people who want a sedan, there is the Mercury Milan Hybrid.  With a base price around $28,000, you will pay less than you would at Acura New York for the same level of quality.  Drivers will love getting 41 mpg around town and 36 mpg on the highway.  Not much has changed for the 2011 model compared to the 2010 Milan Hybrid.  Both come with a 2.5 liter four cylinder engine coupled with an electric engine.  That electric engine uses a nickel-metal hydride battery.  The two systems are joined by CVT, or continuously variable transmission, which makes the driving experience more efficient and incredibly smooth and seamless.  The new components available for 2011 include spotter mirrors and MyKey, both of which are standard features.

There is a larger option, the Mercury Mariner Hybrid.  For 2011, there is either front wheel drive or all wheel drive, and the price starts out at $30,115.  It is nice that this SUV gets 32 mpg on the highway and several of the features will remind you of the Ford Escape Hybrid.  Plus, there are some very comprehensive optional packages available to make the most out of your Mercury.

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Toyota Offers Humming Device for Prius;

25 August, 09:38, by Sully Tags: , ,
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toyota prius photo 300x224 Toyota Offers Humming Device for Prius;

In order to protect people around the world, Toyota, whose models are sold at Wichita Toyota Dealers, has offered a humming device for the Prius model.  The Toyota Prius has had complaints of being too quiet and as a result many people have reported accidents because of not being able of hearing the vehicle.  The vehicle will have a $148 speaker system that will go under the hood of the third-generation Pruis which is sold at Minneapolis Toyota Dealers among others.   The electric humming device will go on sale later this week and it will be available optionally with extra costs for installation.

Salem Dodge Dealer businesses do not sell any fully electric Dodge models yet, but many other automakers are looking to add electric or hybrid vehicle models in the coming years in order to compete with automakers like Toyota and Honda.  The sound that is emitted from the engine is about the same level of noise as a regular car engine and it is not that annoying to listen to as well.  Toyota is deciding on whether to offer the option overseas or not.

Many electric cars are too quiet even though they get great gas mileage, and vehicle quietness is not only limited to the Prius. There is a disadvantage that the blind and other pedestrians may have a higher chance of being hit by electric vehicles since many people rely on sound to let them know that a car is coming.   For those who have their backs turned to the vehicle or have other types of visual obstructions, the vehicle becomes very dangerous.

The vehicle might even be dangerous while people are driving alongside it, since many people also rely on hearing while they are driving to alert them of the presence of a vehicle.  The safety feature will likely reduce accidents with the Prius model as a result.

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Is Lincoln Going Green and Small?

23 August, 16:19, by Sarah Tags: , ,
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Lincoln C4 Is Lincoln Going Green and Small?

Imagine a small car that can comfortably seat six passengers.  Well, that might be a challenge for engineers at Chevrolet Peoria but Lincoln is on a mission with their latest concept car.  The Lincoln C is shorter than the small Ford Focus but boasts all the interior spaciousness of the 1961 Lincoln Continental, which was truly a boat on wheels.  Taking a cue from Volkswagen, the Lincoln C features a turbocharged engine that still is very fuel efficient.  And of course there is the Ford Sync feature, only it is new and improved with a talking and customizable avatar to be at your beck and call.

The Lincoln C features a 1.6 L four cylinder turbocharged EcoBoost engine that will still produce an impressive 180 horsepower and 180 pound feet of torque.  Plus, you get the small car gas benefits of 43 mpg on the highway but this car looks far fancier than the Versa from Salem Nissan Dealer.  It features hybrid technology so that the engine will turn off completely when you are stopped, and then as soon as you press the gas pedal, there is a small amount of fuel injected to the idle cylinder which ignites the spark plug and turns the engine back over.

While the concept car first debuted in Detroit at the 2009 North American International Auto Show, there are no serious talks of it becoming available for purchase.  With that being said, it has been mentioned that should it be on the market, it would be called the Lincoln MKC and would likely feature 17 inch tires rather than the slightly excessive 20 inch tires that are on the model now.  One other feature drivers would likely want changed are the four full sized suicide doors.  Anyone who has ever tried to load passengers or cargo in a crowded parking lot with suicide doors is familiar with the frustrating coordination that is required!

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Toyota May Confront Customers;

21 August, 04:08, by Sully Tags: , ,
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Toyota Prius008 300x225 Toyota May Confront Customers;

Toyota may become more confrontation toward customers over complaints of models such as the Prius and others that were indicated as having accelerator problems.  Studies came out that showed that Toyota models were not accelerating out of an electronic throttle control defect but were instead accelerating due to the pedal being stuck on the floor mat or other driver errors.  Ford Taurus models and others have not had this problem, and Toyota has had to struggle with reputation damage due to many complaints that their vehicles were accelerating out of control.  Other automakers such as Ford and GM whose Chevrolet models can be purchased from a Chevrolet Akron dealership have benefited from the news of Toyota’s recalls, however it may be that Toyota turns this around and ends up stronger because of the news that their defects might have been driver error.

VW Peoria sells models which so far have not been known to accelerate randomly.  Toyota may become more aggressive in its defense that its vehicles are not defected but rather that driver errors contributed to the majority of recall problems or recall complaints.  When a Toyota engine revs, it might be due to cold start up, idle transmission, power steering idling, air conditioning, or other factors, but Toyota owners should never panic if their engines rev.

In some of the accidents that happened, the accidents may have resulted from owners becoming panicked or other driving errors.  It is hard to say which errors were responsible for which accidents, however it is known now that Toyota’s throttle control is not responsible and that Toyota does in fact manufacture high quality automobiles.  Toyota may respond to future complaints that there is a high likelihood of driver error as opposed to a manufacturing defect which is what firstly comes to mind now for many consumers.  Toyota may also continue new campaigns to rebuild its image.

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2010 Honda Insight.

17 August, 17:15, by Sarah Tags: , , , ,
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Honda Insight 2010 Honda Insight.
There is a common misconception that the Honda Insight is a brand new model from Honda just for 2010; however, many years ago there was the first generation that was released but its overly futuristic design never took hold.  Now, this low priced fuel efficient compact sedan is set to give Toyota and the current VW Specials a healthy dose of competition.  You won’t be able to find this little car at any Ohio Ford Dealer, and with an estimated fuel economy of 41 mpg, it should be some good competition for the top reigning Toyota Prius.  Sure, there are some amazing hybrid models at Birmingham Ford Lincoln Mercury, but this is the first hybrid that is specifically taking aim at the Prius.

This four door hatchback starts out with a base price of $19,800 and is available in two trim levels; LX or EX.  The base model LX will give you 15 inch wheels, auto climate control, CD player with auxiliary jack, tilt and telescoping steering wheel, full power accessories, and height adjustment features for the driver seat.  If you upgrade to the higher trim level, you are going to get alloy wheels, cruise control, variable intermittent windshield wipers, USB port for music and iPod integration, turn signals on the side mirrors, and paddle shifters on the steering wheel.  Honda made the buying process simple and is only offering a navigation system option for the EX model, but that option does come with voice activated controls and Bluetooth.  You are going to get a modest 15.4 cubic feet of cargo storage, and when you fold down the 60/40 back seats, you are upgraded to 31.5 cubic feet.  Plus, drivers report that the braking system of the Insight is not as sensitive or grabby as that of most hybrid models.

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Next-generation Prius to be Revealed in 2011;

16 August, 10:39, by Sully Tags: , , ,
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2006 toyota prius 300x199 Next generation Prius to be Revealed in 2011;

The next generation Toyota Prius will be revealed in 2011.  Many automakers such as Ford whose models can be test driven at a Pittsburgh Ford dealership and Honda will look to see what new features the next generation model has.  The Toyota Prius is current in its thrid generation and the fourth generation has many enthusiasts in great anticipation.  The fourth generation Prius is going to be created with the North American market primarily in mind, as the Prius sells in this market quite well.  Competitors like Ford and GM whose models can be purchased at a Cincinnati Ford Dealer will take note of the features and capabilities that Toyota is including with their next generation model so that they can offer their own additions.

Also be sure to check out Volkswagen Specials for discounts on many different VW vehicle models and other discounts. So far there are no new details on the next generation Toyota Prius, but many expect the model to have a better fuel efficiency and a longer extended range than the previous generation.  In each upgrade in the past, Toyota has improved the vehicle’s range and horsepower and other capabilities.

The latest generation of the Toyota Prius currently has best mpg out of any hybrid vehicle and it is the top seller among hybrid vehicles.  Toyota will likely look to continue this tradition with its next vehicle model and it will again likely have the top mpg rating out of all the hybrid models on the market.  Toyota has had many years to perfect their hybrid technology and they have been at the forefront of new hybrid developments and feature additions.

The next generation Prius may be an extended range vehicle like the Chevy Volt or it may be a dual engine hybrid that combines the power output of both the electric and the gasoline engine.    We will have to wait to see more details about the new Prius!

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