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Citroen C5 Airscape

2008-02-15T09:33:00.000-08:00

Citroen C5 Airscape

Citroen is unveiling C5 Airscape at the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show. This exceptional concept car is a new take on the most beautiful of vehicles, the cabriolet.

C5 Airscape features powerful, dynamic exterior styling and an interior of exclusive design, made for driving pleasure and the comfort of three passengers. The original mechanism of the folding roof underlines the overall sophistication of design.

Styled for maximum appeal, C5 Airscape also delivers maximum performance. New-generation Snow Motion traction control provides a level of traction close to that of a four-wheel drive. Other useful features are provided by the UrbanHybrid system. This unit prevents noise and vibration when the engine stops and boosts engine torque when needed. At the same time, it shows real respect for the environment.

An expression of power and elegance

C5 Airscape is a car to turn heads. Its elegant proportions and sleek bodywork convey a sense of performance with a promise of power. The innovative folding top is an invitation to climb on board and take to the road. The interior layout, with its premium materials, delivers the highest standards of on-board comfort for the driver and all the passengers

Power and sophistication

A car of elegant lines, C5 Airscape conveys an impression of strength and sophistication, with its cleanly drawn body lines and ribbing at the top. The powerful look of the body is brought out by the raw, intense grey of the bodywork. This colour, whose intensity varies according to the light, gives C5 Airscape an elegant and precious look, consolidating its status as an executive vehicle.

Through its assertive front end, featuring large air intakes and long incisive headlamps, C5 Airscape makes a statement of performance. The headlamps - positioned on the bonnet with its two pronounced ribs - flank the large chrome chevrons stating Citroen's identity.

The profile of C5 Airscape reflects efforts to achieve optimal aerodynamic design. The roof line, particularly large windows and tapering chrome-plated door handles underline the flowing lines of the body, while the high waistline, clearly marked wheel arches and 19-inch wheels clearly identify C5 Airscape as a vehicle of status.

The powerful design of the front and rear ends highlight the on-road stance of C5 Airscape. The high-positioned rear lights extend the waistline and optimise the vehicle's dynamic looks. At the same time, a double chrome tail pipe underlines the car's luxurious design as does the concave rear window, which clearly identifies C5 Airscape as belonging to the family of large Citroen saloons.

The sophistication of C5 Airscape can also be seen in the original design of the folding roof, whose glazed upper part lets light flood into the cabin. Made entirely of carbon, this roof opens and folds away simply, without detracting from the looks of the concept car. It folds away automatically, without assistance, and without the driver having to open the upper part of the roof storage area in the boot. C5 Airscape reflects the purest traditions in vehicle design in that the metal-look roof with its textile lining resembles a roof made of canvas - the emblematic signature of executive cabriolets.

Leisure and sophistication

Fully upholstered in dark brown leather, the cabin of C5 Airscape conveys an appealing impression of sophistication. The particularly well designed seats suggest luxury and precision. The central section of the seats brings to mind the links of a watch strap, while the decorative stitching on the edges of the seats reinforces the taut, well-muscled look of the whole. To add the finishing touch to the executive design of the interior, the gear lever knob is set with leather and chrome. The chrome echoes the metal strip underlining the air conditioning controls and central console.

The design of the driving position on C5 Airscape was also dictated by the pursuit of driving pleasure. Refinement is the key word for the driver's surroundings, as reflected in the specific design of the instruments and their layout.

The driving position features a fixed-centred controls steering wheel that brings the main comfort functions and driving aids (navigation, radio, cruise control and speed limiter, on-board computer) within easy reach. Considered as points of contact, the pushbuttons feature an original covering resembling the texture of skin. They create a strong, fast-reacting sensory interface between the vehicle and the driver.

The sophisticated design of the instrument cluster on C5 Airscape reflects the requirements of optimised ergonomics and ensures that information is laid out legibly. The three dials feature annular needles, symbolising an advanced level of technology. The needles run around rather than across the dial for greater legibility and a more attractive design.

The air vents next to the dials underline this cabriolet's powerful character, as does the upper part of the instrument cluster, which takes the form of an air intake as on a competition car. The overall effect is enhanced by the clean, sculpted design of the dashboard. Its straight lines symbolise precision, while the soft curves symbolise dynamic performance. This configuration contributes to full driver control and exceptional driveability.

Driving sensations and improved respect for the environment

Styled for maximum appeal, C5 Airscape also delivers maximum performance. This concept vehicle is equipped with a V6 HDi engine associated with a particulate filter and able to run on biodiesel, along with an innovative Snow Motion traction control system for a performance close to that of a four-wheel drive, and UrbanHybrid technology for low fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. As a result, C5 Airscape boasts remarkable levels of performance that show real respect for the environment.

Technology serving the environment

Through its powerful engine, particulate filter and UrbanHybrid system, C5 Airscape illustrates Citroen's ability to reconcile vehicle performance with respect for the environment.

With its reversible alternator-starter and super-capacitors able to temporarily store large amounts of energy, the UrbanHybrid system delivers real benefits in terms of environmental protection, driving pleasure, acoustic comfort and vibration control.

In Drive mode, when this concept vehicle is travelling at under 6 kph and the driver's foot is on the brake pedal, the engine cuts out. For maximum driveability, it starts again instantly and automatically as soon as the driver releases the brake pedal. When the car is at a standstill, fuel consumption is zero and CO2 emissions are around 24 g over a combined cycle. Further, the onboard network (air conditioning, radio etc.) is powered by energy recovered during the deceleration and braking phases. This brings savings in fuel consumption and eliminates additional pollutant emissions.

Engine torque can be temporarily boosted, when overtaking for example, for a high-speed take-off.

When the car is at a standstill, the UrbanHybrid system prevents noise and vibration in the cabin, for the comfort of both passengers and passers-by.

Driveability and performance in all circumstances

The executive positioning of C5 Airscape is reflected by the presence of the 208 bhp 2.7 V6 HDi engine and particulate filter. Combining power and fuel economy, this engine develops 150 kW EEC (208 bhp DIN) at 4,000 rpm for torque of 440 Nm at 1,900 rpm. Right from the lowest speeds, it delivers smooth, gradual power with exceptional operating comfort. Driveability is further increased by a 6-speed automatic gearbox.

To deliver a high level of performance and improve active safety, C5 Airscape features Snow Motion, an innovative traction control system with extended functions. This system offers remarkable performance in terms of vehicle traction and "take-off" on surfaces with low grip, such as snow for example. The benefits, already significant with conventional tyres, are further increased when the concept car is shod with winter tyres. In this configuration, the performance of C5 Airscape is close to that of a four-wheel drive.

Taking the wheel of C5 Airscape is a total and continuous experience in driving pleasure. This is a car that brings leisure within easy reach.

Mazda Furai Concept

2008-02-15T08:41:00.000-08:00

Mazda Furai Concept

Furai is the sort of car that could only come from a company that incorporates the "Soul of a Sports Car" into everything it builds, but with an eye toward the future and the environment through the use of renewable fuels. Driving toward sustainability, Furai was initially tuned to operate on 100 percent ethanol fuel, the first time a racing three-rotor rotary engine has been fueled by ethanol. Research continues in earnest with partner BP into other renewable and future fuels, including ethanol gasoline blends like E10.

On any given weekend, there are more Mazdas and Mazda-powered cars road-raced in North America than any other brand of car. This is because every Mazda sedan, coupe and sports car really is developed with the highest possible dose of the company's trademark Zoom- Zoom - truly the Emotion of Motion.

However, Zoom-Zoom is more than simply vehicle performance. The look and style that is Zoom-Zoom can best be seen in previous NAGARE-based efforts, including the Mazda Nagare concept that debuted at Los Angeles in 2006; Mazda Ryuga, which was first shown a year ago in Detroit; Mazda Hakaze, which appeared in Geneva last year; and Mazda Taiki, the star of the 2007 Tokyo Motor Show.

"Nagare" is how Mazda's future models will sustain the Zoom-Zoom spirit by exhibiting their strong affinity for motion.

Manufacturers commonly showcase design studies with little or no intention of actually using the theme presented. Mazda's approach is the opposite: All of the Nagare concepts, including Furai, help evolve this evocative surface language for future use. Every vehicle Mazda sells embodies the soul of a sports car to achieve a true Zoom-Zoom dynamic character. Nagare is how this celebration of motion will be portrayed on interior and exterior surfaces in future models. Instead of form following function, the two merge as one.

Franz von Holzhausen, Mazda North American Operations' (MNAO) Director of Design and the person who lead the team that created the Furai, explains the concept behind the concept, "We were looking for a way to bridge the gap between Mazda Motorsports and the production vehicles in our lineup. The mindsets of road-car and racing car fans are quite different, so the purpose of Furai is to find a meeting point for these disparate interests."

He continued, "Furai achieves this by purposely blurring boundaries that have traditionally distinguished the street from the track. Historically, there has been a gap between single-purpose racecars and street-legal models — commonly called supercars — that emulate the real racers on the road."

Track cars are, by their competitive nature, ill-suited for practical highway use, as well as generally far from road-legal. Some supercars visit the track on occasion, but they are primarily road cars not properly equipped for racing. The aim of Furai is to bridge this gap.

That said, Mazda neither intends to race Furai, nor is it a supercar the company plans to build and sell in the near future. Rather, Furai is a design study that lives between those extremes. Without the restrictions imposed by serial production models, and with the freedom of an autoshow environment, Mazda is using the opportunity to evolve the company's Nagare design theme one more step closer to reality.

Instead of mimicking racecar components and design elements in a road car - the strategy preferred by supercar manufacturers - the "Mazda way" was to begin this project with the real McCoy: a Courage C65 chassis that earned its stripes during two seasons of LMP-2 endurance racing in the American Le Mans Series (ALMS). This sports car was successfully campaigned under the MAZDASPEED Motorsports Development banner by B-K Motorsports during the 2005 and 2006 seasons. Drivers Jamie Bach, Guy Cosmo, Elliott Forbes-Robinson, and Raphael Matos piloted the car to one victory and a total of nine podium finishes in 15 ALMS events. B-K finished third in championship standings both years; Bach and Cosmo were co- Rookies of the Year in 2005.

"Anticipating future rules changes in the ALMS, we created a new closed cockpit which would be more appropriate for a future production model," said von Holzhausen. "The major element we did not change is the 450-horsepower RENESIS-based R20B three-rotor rotary engine that provides Furai ample Zoom-Zoom. The ultimate Mazda in our minds is rotary powered; as a company, we have no intention of abandoning that valuable asset. When people think of the very best sports cars in the world, the rotary powered Mazda RX-7 is always on that list."

The Furai concept serves as a turning point in the Nagare developmental process. While the four previous concept cars explored different ways to express Mazda's emerging design philosophy and to explore an aesthetic, this one is all about function - every last texture and detail serves some functional purpose. In essence, the Furai creative process boiled down to guiding air over and through the body in fruitful ways. To prove that this concept goes far beyond static aerodynamic analysis, Mazda's design, motorsports and R&D teams worked together to construct Furai as a 180-mph rolling laboratory to demonstrate its functional capabilities on demand.

"The basic proportions of contemporary race cars are every designer's dream," enthused von Holzhausen. "Furai is less than 40-inches high but nearly 80-inches wide."

While Furai strikes an incredibly strong presence, the real beauty of the project - and it's most valuable asset as a real-world test-bed - is in the details that von Holzhausen and his team incorporated:

The body surface provides ample opportunity to feature core design elements such as aggressive headlamps and Mazda's trademark five-point grille.
The headlamp trim pieces function as guide frames to help cancel aerodynamic lift.
High-pressure zones just above the front wheels are relieved to serve the same end.
The air flow package takes air moving under the front of the car and guides it inside the body to the engine-cooling radiators.
Nagare textures incorporated in the side surfaces feed air to the rear brakes, the oil cooler and the transmission cooler.

An under-car diffuser that begins rising aft of the cockpit helps draw the volume of air flowing through the heat exchangers and engine bay out the rear.
The Mazda design and R&D teams worked closely with Swift Engineering to refine the aerodynamic characteristics, assuring that Furai remains glued to the ground at high speeds. Through its existing relationship with Swift Engineering, forged through development of the Mazda/Cosworth-powered Champ Car Atlantic chassis, the team used complex Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) software to tune various Nagare design elements to function at a high degree of efficiency. Drag, downforce, lift and overall esthetics were all key considerations.

Sourced straight from the race track, the Courage carbon-composite tub is essentially intact under the new Furai body, including the right-side driver's seat. Instead of the stark interior typical of race cars though, this cockpit is finished with more comfortable but still highly functional surfaces. An electronic display screen and shift paddles are built into the steering wheel.

In the chassis' original racing configuration, the passenger seat is filled with electronic gear, so those components were relocated elsewhere to provide adequate space for two occupants. The greenhouse is somewhat wider than the original cockpit to provide adequate head and shoulder room and suitable outward visibility. Doors attached with butterfly hinges provide a very efficient means of entering the cockpit. In this instance, the design team followed an approach that has proven very effective during years of endurance racing.

"One thing we learned from CFD studies is that we don't need much rear wing to balance the down force created by the front splitter and the Nagare features we've sculpted into the body" offered von Holzhausen. "Combustion air is provided by a variation of the Turbo Tongue device that Swift developed for Indy car use a decade ago. It rises slightly higher than the surrounding roof surface to ingest clean air above the boundary layer. Our final design works so well that we applied for a joint patent with Swift. Of course, it helps that it's a real piece of art, too, and one we had to incorporate into the design."

Irvine, Calif.-based Aria Group was responsible for creating new composite panels and they worked hand-in-hand with Mazda North American Operations' own in-house fabrication team to mate them to the Courage chassis. The dark matte finish with red and orange accents harkens back to the livery worn by Mazda's legendary 787B when it won the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 1991, making the company the first - and still only - Japanese company to ever win the endurance classic.

Furai not only probes future design possibilities, it also ventures ahead with alternative renewable fuels. Consistent with Mazda's recently announced "Sustainable Zoom-Zoom" initiatives, Furai's three-rotor powerplant has been tuned to run powerfully on ethanol (ethyl alcohol) and ethanol gasoline blends. There are exciting advances being made in renewable fuels, from current blends like E10 (10% ethanol and 90% gasoline) with research ongoing in making Ethanol from cellulostic materials, to future renewable gasoline components like Butanol, a higher order alcohol which is fungible with gasoline. The addition of these renewable components improves Mazda's understanding of how these fuels work with the company's technology. and reduces the consumption of fossil hydrocarbons and the emission of harmful greenhouse gasses.

John Doonan, Mazda's manager of motorsports team development, explains the thinking behind Furai's use of alternative renewable fuels: "One of our key technical partners in our motorsports activity — BP — helped facilitate our use of renewable fuels for this concept vehicle. Going forwards, we are working with BP to determine appropriate renewable fuels for the vehicle and potentially our team entry for the 2008 ALMS series. BP is a strong leader in the renewable fuels areas, recently announcing a $500M investment in the Energy Biosciences Institute, and we are proud to partner with them."

Doonan continued, "In 2007, ALMS required use of renewable fuels, so we're projecting ahead with this application to gain experience. BP has a very green focus in the marketplace, and it's Mazda's intention to sustain its Zoom-Zoom performance image on and off the racetrack. While Mazda's rotary has proven readily adaptable to various alternative fuels, including considerable work with hydrogen fuel, this is the first time it's been engineered for other renewable Ethanol blends."

Through the BP partnership, Furai has been specially tuned to operate on renewable fuels. BP engineers continue to work to optimize other fuels, including investigating new future renewable fuel components. This is Mazda's first experience with ethanol fuel in a three-rotor racing engine, and the results have been convincing that, once again, the Mazda rotary engine is unique in its ability to run well on multiple fuels.

Ethanol is derived from grains such as corn and wheat or soybeans. Corn, the predominant feedstock, is converted to ethanol in either a dry or wet milling process. Future advances for renewable gasoline components include utilizing a wide variety of cellulosic biomass feedstocks, including agricultural plant wastes (corn stover, cereal straws, sugarcane bagasse), plant wastes from industrial processes (sawdust, paper pulp) and energy crops grown specifically for fuel production, such as switchgrass.

But what Furai has shown the Mazda team is the real value of teamwork and key partners:

Racing Beat worked tirelessly to develop the world's only ethanol powered threerotor rotary engine.
Mother's Waxes and Polishes supplies an extensive range of waxes, polishes, and cleaners to keep the car looking its best at all times.
Together with Liferacing, AER developed a six-speed paddle-shift mechanism.
Brembo worked with the Mazda team to ensure the brakes were as effective on Furai as they were in competition
Sachs and Eibach worked together to bring an aggressive, but steetable, shock and spring package.
Nippon Paint provided the amazing three-feet-deep paintwork.
Castrol supplies all the high-performance lubricants.
Mazda's 2006 and 2007 ALMS tire development partner Kumho created the special tread patterns necessary for Furai's tires.
Wheels are from partner BBS, and are 14-spoke, centerlock aluminum.
Seatbelts come from Sparco Motor Sports.

Ferrari 575 GTZ Zagato

2008-02-15T08:14:00.001-08:00

Ferrari 575 GTZ Zagato

Yoshiyuki Hayashi is a famous Japanese car collector, who owns numerous cars of great historical value, including several Ferraris such as the 166MM, the 250 Spider California, two Daytonas - a coupé and a spider - and the Enzo.

In the classic tradition of the keen purchaser of exclusive cars who stimulated the creativeness of Italian coachbuilders in the 1950s and 1960s, Yushiyuki Hayashi asked Zagato if it would be possible to create a body for his 575M, in the style of the famous 250GTZ berlinetta.

When Zagato received this request, it informed Ferrari of the project, which would be a good opportunity to celebrate the model's anniversary, and then created a car that harked back to the 250 GTZ, built around the Ferrari 575.

Like its forebear, the 575 GTZ has an all-aluminium body, and, as a tribute to Ferrari and to two-seater Italian sports cars, it has joined the exclusive group of cars that are the fruit of the tradition of custom-built cars.

Like the 250 GTZ, it sports two-tone paintwork with styling cues and volumes that explicitly refer back to the 1950s, and sublimates the character of the many cars built by Zagato to clothe original engineering, with the pure style of traditional sports cars.

For Zagato, the project represented an opportunity to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Ferrari 250 GTZ of 1956, one of the most outstanding GT cars, which has already gone down in history.

The model, which was also commissioned by a gentleman driver and collector, in the best Zagato tradition, is a sublime synthesis of prestige and performance, elegance and sportiness, to the point that it can boast the highest value of any car in the luxury period sports car market. The 250 GTZ has won numerous competitions and concours d'élégance, and it represents a dream come true, because experts and fans consider it one of the most beautiful cars in the world.

The new 575 GTZ has the Ferrari prancing horse on its bonnet and the Z of Zagato on its side, an expression of eternal Italian excellence in its form and content. It is a winning combination, linking the most powerful, famous engineering in the world with the most refined, fascinating sporting style, both made strictly in Italy.

The concept of sporty elegance, functional design that does not merely follow the trend of the moment but strives for pure performance, and the ultra-light aluminium body are Zagato's strengths which become a universally recognised value.

Bentley Continental GTC

2008-02-14T10:56:00.000-08:00

Bentley Continental GTC

New luxury 2+2 convertible, will be officially unveiled at the New York International Automobile Show in April 2006. When the stunning convertible goes on sale later this year it will complete the Bentley Continental model range, following the introduction of the highly successful Continental GT in 2003 and four-door Continental Flying Spur in 2005.

With a top speed of 195mph (312km/h), a sophisticated all-wheel drive system, state-of-the-art 12-cylinder engine, advanced air suspension and ultra-stiff body structure, the Continental GTC displays all the poise, exhilarating performance and dynamic handling of the Continental GT. In common with its stable mates, the interior of the new Continental GTC provides an unrivalled standard of craftsmanship, utilising natural wood veneers and leather hides of the finest quality, which are on full display when you lower the elegant, electro-hydraulically operated soft-top roof.

"The Continental GTC is the most distinctive new Bentley yet," explains Bentley Motors' Chairman and Chief Executive, Dr Franz-Josef Paefgen. "It is very elegant and at the same time effortlessly modern. It will appeal to many different customers: people who are tired of driving sports cars that require too much effort; people who want to move up from more standard convertibles; and people who want to make a statement about what they drive, yet still own a car that they can use every day of the year."

The Continental GTC becomes the second convertible to grace the current Bentley range. It follows the recently announced return of the evocative Azure name for Bentley.s Arnage-derived flagship four-seater convertible.

While the Azure offers the ultimate glamour, sophistication and accommodation for adults in supreme comfort, the 2+2 Continental GTC is designed for customers looking to enjoy the phenomenal performance, style and excitement of the Continental GT with the additional benefits of classic open-top Bentley motoring.

When the stunning Bentley Continental GTC went sale in 2006 it completed the Bentley Continental model range, following the introduction of the highly successful Continental GT in 2003 and four-door Continental Flying Spur in 2005.

With a top speed of 195 mph, a sophisticated all-wheel drive system, state-of-the-art 12-cylinder engine, advanced air suspension and ultra-stiff body structure, the Continental GTC displays all the poise, exhilarating performance and dynamic handling of the Continental GT. In common with its stable mates, the interior of the new Continental GTC provides an unrivalled standard of craftsmanship, utilizing natural wood veneers and leather hides of the finest quality, which are on full display when you lower the elegant, electro-hydraulically operated soft-top roof.

The Bentley Continental GTC becomes the second convertible to grace the current Bentley range. It follows the recently announced return of the evocative Azure name for Bentley’s Arnage-derived flagship four-seater convertible.

While the Azure offers the ultimate glamour, sophistication and accommodation for adults in supreme comfort, the 2+2 Continental GTC is designed for customers looking to enjoy the phenomenal performance, style and excitement of the Continental GT with the additional benefits of classic open-top Bentley motoring.

Interior Design

By its very nature a convertible Bentley is the perfect car to demonstrate the unparalleled craftsmanship and luxury which abounds throughout its cabin. The symmetrical theme of the fascia, which echoes the shape of the Bentley wings, is reflected through the cabin and onto the leather hide tonneau cover. As with a tailor-made suit, the tonneau cover has carefully positioned stitch lines, highlighting its form and craftsmanship.

The front seats have a new sculpted rear which produces an additional 30mm (1.2 inches) of knee-space in the rear.

In the rear of the Continental GTC the centre console finishes with a veneered panel just behind the front armrests, therefore leaving the rear seats as an uninterrupted surface of leather hide, optimising the maximum space for the proportion of the car.

As with all Bentley interior design, great attention to detail has been paid to the jewellery in the car, using a mix of polished and satin metals, such as you might find in modern watch design. Between the rear seats there is access to allow skis to be passed through from the boot area. The boot can also hold two golf bags, and of course plenty of luggage, making this a truly practical convertible.

Exterior Features and Technology

The Bentley Continental GTC combines the finest Bentley traditions and craftsmanship with highly advanced automotive technology. Wherever modern solutions have been introduced on the car, however, these are never to the detriment of driving enjoyment or passenger comfort. What’s more, the full features list is almost entirely standard, meaning customers won’t be forced to trawl through an exhaustive options list at additional cost.

Key exterior features:

Traditional Bentley matrix grille integrated into bonnet and famed black winged ‘B’ badge to radiator shell, bootlid and wheel centers.
Twin bi-xenon headlamps with integrated washer jets to front.
19-inch 5-spoke single piece sports alloy wheels in painted finish as standard. (Alternative 19- and 20-inch sports alloy wheels available as extra cost options.)
Traditional Bentley twin oval stainless steel tail pipes.
Rain-sensing windscreen wiper system.
Choice of 15 exterior paint colors.
Powertrain

The Continental GTC is powered by Bentley’s magnificent W12 twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter engine, which will propel the car to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds and on to a top speed of 195 mph. This awe-inspiring piece of engineering is identical to the unit used in the coupe and four-door versions of the Continental and delivers phenomenal power (552 bhp) as well as that legendary wave of torque (479 lb-ft) from low revs that is the hallmark of every Bentley.

The 12-cylinder block has a 48-valve head with four camshafts that operate using continually variable valve-timing. Power is transmitted via a seven-bearing crankshaft to the car’s six-speed automatic transmission. To ensure compliance stringent emissions regulations, the twin turbochargers are designed with a unique bypass valve that automatically sends exhaust gases to heat the catalytic converters when the car is started from cold. This valve then operates as the turbocharger wastegate at all other times.

The Borg-Warner turbochargers are also the ideal solution for producing the flat torque curve, ensuring that the driver has instantly available performance without a hint of turbo lag or having to shift down through the gears. That mighty torque curve is constant, with no drop-off from its maximum output of 479 lb-ft at just 1600 rev/min all the way up to 6000 rev/min.

Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG

2008-02-14T07:25:00.000-08:00

Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG

Emotional performance courtesy of cutting-edge engineering: the new Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG in a nutshell. The roadster is powered by an AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine developing 386 kW/525 hp and 630 Newton metres - which makes it today's most powerful model with a V8 naturally aspirated engine in its class. The Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG comes exclusively with the all-new, innovative AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission. The newly developed power transfer concept features a compact, wet start-up clutch that replaces the conventional torque converter. The resulting direct connection to the powertrain, together with the double-declutching and Race Start functions, guarantees an extremely emotional, supremely dynamic driving experience. The Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG sets new standards in the open-top sports car segment thanks to this outstanding drive combination and the retuned, even more agile AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control - turning it into the sportiest SL-Class ever.

The new Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG will also be launched alongside the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG. Thanks to its 450 kW/612 hp AMG 6.0-litre biturbo engine developing 1000 Newton metres of torque, the V12 top-of-the-line model delivers effortlessly superior refinement in its purest form. Both Mercedes-AMG SL-Class Roadsters also hold in store extraordinary thrills and breathtaking dynamism thanks to the hallmark AMG equipment features. The vario-roof, which opens in 16 seconds and is also available in an optional glass version, continues to ensure an unrivalled driving experience.

The AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission is an all-new, unique concept, available exclusively in the new Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG. It combines the best of two worlds: the sporty, direct and agile feedback of a manual transmission and the maximum convenience of an automatic transmission.

Fitted with seven speeds, four drive modes, a double-declutching and Race Start function, the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission offers unprecedented versatility. MCT stands for Multi-Clutch Technology and only employs clutch elements to perform gearshifts.

The high-tech transmission is designed for high torque and maximum revs up to 7200 rpm. It also comes with sufficient reserves even under the highest loads thanks to its high-performance oil cooling system. An all-new, sophisticated electronic transmission control unit fully controls and monitors all processes.

A new two-stage torsion damper effectively eliminates vibrations. The AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission has been developed jointly by Mercedes-AMG GmbH and Daimler AG, although it will be used exclusively in AMG high-performance vehicles. It is produced at the Mercedes-Benz Esslingen-Hedelfingen production facility, Europe's largest manufacturer of planetary gear sets.

Four drive modes for tailor-made driving pleasure

At the heart of the new AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission lies the wet start-up clutch, which runs in an oil bath and replaces the previous torque converter. Thanks to its low rotational inertia, the transmission responds instantaneously and dynamically with no slip. Accelerator pedal movements trigger an instant traction response. Fitted with four drive modes: "C" (Comfort), "S" (Sport), "S+" (Sport plus) and "M" (Manual), the transmission provides gearshifting with no loss of tractive force and supports customised control strategies for maximum driving pleasure. In "C" mode the gearshifts are comfortable, coupled with a "soft" accelerator response set-up for outstandingly smooth power transfer. In "S" mode the engine and transmission interact with more "bite": the engine speed is allowed to reach a higher level in each gear; the downshifts also feel more spontaneous. The gearshifts are around 20 percent faster than in "C" mode. Switching to "S+" mode cuts another 20 percent off shift times, while "M" is the sportiest mode: here the AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine has even more bite, added to which the transmission shifts gear another 10 percent faster - a reduction of 50 percent compared with "C" mode. In "M" mode the gearshifts take just 100 milliseconds.

Ultra-fast, spontaneous multiple downshifts are another forte of the new MCT sports transmission. For instance, kickdown lets you move straight from seventh down to fourth gear or from fifth to second. In the "S" (Sport), "S+" (Sport plus) and "M" (Manual) modes the automatic double-declutching function is active. Every manual or automatic downshift is accompanied by precisely metered double-declutching - from "S" through "S+" to "M" incrementally. And this not only adds to the driver's emotional experience: the virtually load-free downshift minimises load-change reactions, which pays dividends particularly when braking into a bend on the racetrack.

New AMG DRIVE UNIT with innovative Race Start function

The new AMG DRIVE UNIT is the central control unit for the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission and all driving dynamics functions. The driver can change gears either using the new AMG selector lever with its leather/ carbon-fibre finish, or by nudging the AMG steering-wheel shift paddles. On the left next to the selector lever is the electronic rotary switch to select the four drive modes including activation of the new Race Start function. Underneath are three buttons for additional functions: the first controls the ESP Ò function, the second the ABC suspension system. The third adorned with AMG lettering is used to store the selected transmission drive mode and the suspension set-up. Briefly pressing the AMG button brings up the configuration options, while holding down the button allows you to program the required set-ups.

The Race Start function takes driving dynamics to an entirely new level: it enables the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG driver to call on maximum acceleration, while ensuring optimum traction of the driven wheels. While the vehicle is at a standstill, the driver needs to activate the ESPÒ sports function and press the brake pedal with their left foot. Having preselected the Race Start program using the rotary switch, a confirmation message comes up on the AMG central display. The driver then simply needs to confirm the Race Start function by pulling the "Up" shift paddle once, fully depressing the accelerator and taking their foot off the brakes. The optimum start-up engine speed is set fully automatically and the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG accelerates away in an instant - as an option even up to the top speed. The driver does not need to shift gear manually; the AMG transmission changes gear with lightning-fast shift times.

AMG 6.3-litre V8 naturally aspirated engine with 386 kW/525 hp

The AMG 6.3-litre V8 engine teams up with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission to form a perfect partnership for dynamic driving pleasure and outstanding performance. The Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 4.6 seconds before quickly going on to a top speed of 250 km/h (electronically limited). The high-revving naturally aspirated engine generates 386 kW/525 hp at 6800 rpm from a displacement of 6208 cubic centimetres, delivering maximum torque of 630 Newton metres at 5200 rpm. The unique combination of high-revving concept and large displacement achieves the best of both worlds: high pulling power at low engine speeds coupled with exhilarating high-revving flexibility - right up to 7200 rpm.

The AMG V8 is packed with a wealth of fascinating racetrack technology, including the lightweight, extra-rigid closed-deck crankcase and cylinder walls with a revolutionary TWAS coating as well as the valve train designed for high engine speeds with bucket tappets in the cylinder heads. The vertical arrangement of the intake and exhaust ports together with the variable intake manifold featuring two integral throttle flaps results in superlative cylinder charging and high power output.

The sophisticated electronically controlled fuel supply provides a consummately spontaneous response to accelerator movements in all driving situation; the

AMG sports exhaust with two oval, chromed twin tailpipes guarantees the characteristic AMG V8 vocals. The tri-metallic coating used in the catalytic converters results in a faster response from a cold start, more efficient emission control as well as superior long-term durability. The Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG fulfils all standard exhaust emissions limits such as EU 4 and the specific requirements of the U.S. market (LEV-II, On-Board Diagnosis II and oxygen sensor diagnosis).

AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control and 3-stage ESP®

The dynamic drive unit finds its perfect match in the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG suspension. The AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control has been further enhanced and not only comes with new spring and damper tuning but also completely modified elastokinematics. The front axle bearings, the spring links and the torque strut along with individual strut bearings at the rear have been retuned to deliver greater agility and shorter stopping distances. In partnership with the optimised speed-sensitive power steering the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG now feels even more direct and livelier - enabling the driver to fully utilise the linear steering and oversteer/understeer characteristics typical of a sports car, especially on winding roads or a private racetrack. The AMG sports suspension based on Active Body Control also enables the suspension set-up to be customised. At the push of a button, the driver can select a sporty, firm response with reduced roll angles, or go for a comfort-focussed setting for excellent comfort on long journeys.

Also new is the 3-stage ESP® with sports function. This system provides three different settings and is the logical development of the AMG ESP® philosophy. The driver can choose between the settings "ESP ON", "ESP SPORT" and "ESP OFF" by pressing the ESP Ò button in the AMG DRIVE UNIT - the activated setting is shown in the central display in the AMG instrument cluster.

AMG high-performance braking system and 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels

The AMG high-performance braking system rises to the exacting requirements associated with consummate driving dynamics. The front wheels are equipped with internally ventilated, perforated 360 x 36-millimetre composite disc brakes with six-piston aluminium fixed callipers, while deceleration at the rear comes courtesy of internally ventilated, perforated 330 x 26-millimetre brake discs with four-piston fixed callipers. The result is the shortest stopping distances, outstanding sensitivity and remarkable resistance to fading.

The 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with their alluring triple-spoke styling and titanium grey finish plus high-sheen star on the centre of the wheel are also new. 255/35 R 19 (front) and 285/30 R 19 (rear) tyres are fitted to the 8.5 and 9.5-inch-wide wheels. The 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels with their striking design blend in harmoniously with the new AMG bodystyling.

New AMG bodystyling ensures clear differentiation

The appearance of the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG now gives away its exceptional status more than ever before. The new-look front apron with a more pronounced wedge shape, black-painted radiator grille, larger cooling air intakes and lower transverse fin painted in black harmonises perfectly with the redesigned front end of the SL-Class, giving it a decidedly masculine aura. The distinctive AMG bonnet more than hints at the unique power unit underneath. Bi-xenon headlamps with their dark surrounds, and large round fog lamps set well to the side in chrome surrounds also emphasise the vehicle's width. The hot air from the additional engine oil cooler in the front wheel arch escapes through side air outlets in the front apron. New exterior mirrors featuring LED indicators with a pronounced arrow shape catch the eye as do the matt-silver-painted AMG trim panels on the front wings with "6.3 AMG" lettering.

The AMG bodystyling also includes the AMG side skirts and the powerful AMG rear apron with its large black diffusor insert. A visual and acoustic feast comes in the guise of the AMG sports exhaust with two chromed twin tailpipes. The AMG spoiler lip on the boot lid reduces lift especially at high speeds.

Interior featuring new AMG sports steering wheel with three-spoke design

The interior of the new Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG offers an alluring combination of exclusive equipment details and a dynamic, practical look. The eye is drawn to the new AMG ergonomic sports steering wheel with its three-spoke design and aluminium AMG shift paddles. The grip area is specially shaped and covered in perforated leather, while the vertical spoke is embellished by a silver-coloured insert. Behind sits the new AMG instrument cluster with "6.3 V8" lettering on the rev counter and the new-look instrument cluster trimmed in nappa leather with double topstitching above the round gauges. As soon as the ignition is switched on, the speedometer and rev counter needles rotate in unison around the dials to their maximum values and then instantly revert to their original positions.

The AMG main menu integrated in the AMG instrument cluster displays the currently engaged gear including recommended upshifts, the "RACETIMER" with lap times, information on the engine oil temperature and battery voltage, along with the activated transmission drive mode including Race Start and the selected ESP Ò mode. New, exclusive equipment for the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG with AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission includes the AMG selector lever in a leather/carbon-fibre finish and the stylishly integrated AMG DRIVE UNIT with rotary switch for the four drive modes and buttons for ESP Ò , suspension set-up and the AMG mode.

Standard-fit AMG sports seats with optional AIRSCARF

The standard specification also includes fine nappa leather upholstery, genuine carbon-fibre trim and the multi-way electrically adjustable AMG sports seats with multicontour and memory functions, seat heating, AMG-specific perforation pattern and seat design, and AMG badge. The optional AIRSCARF neck-level heating system is a new addition. At the push of a button, it blows warm air through the head restraints - providing open-air motoring pleasure even if there is a chill in the air.

The new SL-Class also features the new-generation telematics NTG 2.5. The sophisticated units combine ease of use, logical menu structure and consummate entertainment. Features include speed-sensitive volume control, a keypad for entering telephone numbers and radio frequencies, an MP3-compatible CD or DVD player as well as a Bluetooth interface that wirelessly links a mobile phone to the hands-free system. Audio 20, Audi 20 CD with CD changer, Audio 50 and Audio 50 APS with DVD changer also now come with a 5-inch colour screen. The COMAND APS features a high-resolution 6.5-inch colour display, LINGUATRONIC voice-operated control system for audio, navigation and telephony, a music library function to store audio files and an SD memory card slot.

Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG with biturbo V12 producing 450 kW/612 hp and 1000 Newton metres

Top of the line in the exclusive 12-cylinder roadster segment is the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG. Its AMG 6.0-litre V12 biturbo engine produces 450 kW/612 hp with maximum torque of 1000 Newtonmetres - unrivalled figures even four years after the market launch. The Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in just 4.2 seconds, impressive testimony to the outstanding power of the AMG V12 engine; top speed is 250 km/h (electronically limited). Power in the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG is transferred by the AMG SPEEDSHIFT five-speed automatic transmission with three drive modes; a multi-disc limited-slip differential with a lock factor of up to 30 percent also guarantees optimum traction.

Visual features which distinguish the V12 top-of-the-line model from the Mercedes-Benz SL63 AMG include a lower transverse fin painted matt silver in the front apron, "V12 BITURBO" lettering on the matt-silver-painted trim panels on the front wings and the AMG sports exhaust with two chromed twin tailpipes featuring the V12 styling. The new AMG bodystyling including AMG bonnet and AMG spoiler lip is also part of the standard specification for the V12 top-of-the-line model. 255/35 R 19 (front) and 285/30 R 19 (rear) tyres are fitted to the new 19-inch AMG twin-spoke forged light-alloy wheels painted titanium grey with a mirror finish . In tune with its incomparable driving dynamics the Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG comes with a large AMG high-performance braking system using ultra-high-performance composite brakes at the front and rear. The front wheels are equipped with 390 x 36-millimetre brake discs while 360 x 26-millimetre discs provide the deceleration at the rear.

Lamborghini Gallardo Nera

2008-02-12T05:21:00.000-08:00

Lamborghini Gallardo Nera

Automobili Lamborghini has unveiled its new, exclusive model, the "Gallardo Nera", which is based on the Gallardo Coupé Model Year 07. This special edition model, limited to 185 units, is an impressive showcase for the extensive individualisation options offered by Lamborghini's personalisation service 'ad personam', which transforms each and every Lamborghini into a unique vehicle.

'ad personam' provides a wealth of options for enhancing the interior and body of the vehicle according to specific personal tastes. Other individualisation requirements can also be met, such as special colour paintwork. This allows the customer to create a unique sports car that reflects his personality and satisfies his own style down to the smallest detail.

The Lamborghini Gallardo Nera, which is available in Europe in the basic colour "Nero Serapis", while for USA in "Nero Noctis", features special paintwork in matt black on the side mirrors, rear spoiler, rear body panels, roof, selected front panels and on the door sills and rear apron. Additional details such as matt black rims in the "Callisto" design with the Lamborghini logo, brake callipers in silver, white side indicator lenses and darkened tail lights complement the martial look of the exterior.

The interior is styled in the colours "Nero Perseus" and "Bianco Polar" using the "bicolour sportive" equipment variant. A further "Branding Package" and the 'ad personam' equipment package provide additional distinctive touches. The additional leather package variant in "Bianco Polar" includes leather trims for the climate control operating panel, handbrake and gear lever console in addition to the inner door handles. The seats boast rhomboidal stitching in the "Q-citura" pattern, which can also be found on the Alcantara roof lining, door trims and the partition wall between the seats and the engine compartment. Instrument rings and decorative stitching on the steering wheel, plus white piping on the seats and mats, round off the modifications in the interior.

The Lamborghini Gallardo Nera includes, as standard, a navigation system, rear-view camera, on-board computer, alarm system, lifting system and a made-to-measure vehicle cover. Optional equipment for the model includes the e gear automatic transmission, an engine hood with transparent glass panels, a Bluetooth-compatible radio and carbon ceramic brakes.

Like the Lamborghini Gallardo Coupé MY07, the Lamborghini Gallardo Nera boasts the established V10-cylinder engine with a displacement of 4,961 cc and an output of 382 kW (520 hp). It sprints from 0 to 100 km/h in 4 seconds (0 to 62 mph in 4 seconds), and reaches a top speed of 315 km/h (196 mph). The drive train of the mid-engine sports car includes permanent all-wheel drive, based on Lamborghini's proven VT (viscous traction) system.

Innovations of the Lamborghini Gallardo model year 07 (Coupé and Spyder)

As already mentioned, the Lamborghini Gallardo Nera is based on the Lamborghini Gallardo MY07. The Coupé and Spyder versions of Lamborghini's most successful model of all time enter the year 2007 with slight modifications. The serial production car's enhancements include the steering wheel, flattened on the underside with partially galvanised areas; the galvanised instrument circles; the bespoke vehicle cover and the skyroof in imitation leather (Coupé).

The base colour "Marrone Janus" and contrasting colours such as "Bianco Polar" and "Azzurro Australis" (also Spyder) are now available as colour options for the interior.

Two are the new items for the Coupé: carpets coloured in dark brown, orange and red, and the Interiorline Unicolor sportive.

Furthermore there are available the following options for Gallardo Modelyear 07: Alcantara roof lining and Alcantara pillers, small interior carbon package, steering wheel in suede or perforated leather.

The most significant change can, however, be found in the brakes: for the first time, the highly efficient carbon ceramic braking system, which is already available in the Lamborghini Murciélago, is now offered as an optional feature on the Gallardo range. For extremely high brake performance requirements, on request the vehicle can be equipped with carbon ceramic brakes measuring 380 mm x 36 mm with six piston brake calipers, which reduce the brake pedal pressure and shorten the braking distance. With the standard steel brakes already producing first class performance, the optional carbon ceramic brakes provide absolute insensitiveness to fading. Further advantages are brought by a considerable reduction in weight and greater durability, in addition to the brakes' attractive aesthetic appearance.

Lexus LF-A Roadster

2008-02-12T04:46:00.000-08:00

Lexus LF-A Roadster

The engineers and designers at Lexus continue to use their groundbreaking LF-A premium sports car concept as a medium for expressing their ideas about what a high-performance sporting vehicle not only can be, but should be. In this latest expression of the LF-A, they have removed the car's top to create a high-performance roadster.

The LF-A Roadster is based on the sturdy yet lightweight carbon-fiber and aluminum body used for the LF-A coupe, which helps maintain the structure's strength and rigidity even without a top.

Like its coupe counterpart, the LF-A Roadster is powered by a high-revving V10 engine that approaches 5.0 liters in displacement. The V10, capable of more than 500 horsepower and test-track speeds greater than 200 mph, is mounted in front of the passenger compartment but behind the front-axle centerline in what the LF-A's engineers refer to as a "front-mid" configuration.

The engine is connected via a torque tube and propeller shaft to a transaxle that is controlled by paddle shifters. The torque tube is a structural member that adds rigidity to the drivetrain and chassis while also reducing vibration.

Styling is rooted in the Lexus L-Finesse design philosophy, conferring the LF-A Roadster's front end with a compact, low-profile, aerodynamic shape. Like its coupe counterpart, the LF-A Roadster stands just 48 inches tall, but the Roadster configuration adds a speed adaptive rear wing.

The rear is marked by a pair of wrap-around, arrowhead-shaped taillights that bracket a pair of large grilles. These grilles vent the heated air from the car's two rear-mounted radiators into the LF-A Roadster's aerodynamic wake. The radiators are fed cool air by two large intake ducts mounted just above the rear wheel wells. This aft radiator positioning not only allowed the designers to keep the car's front profile low and tight but also aided the LF-A's chassis engineers in their search for optimal weight distribution.

Helping to provide balance and scale to the design, which features an overall length of 175.6 inches and a wheelbase of 102.6 inches, are high-performance tires on turbine-styled alloy wheels. The front tires are 265/35R20s, while the rears are 305/30R20s. Like the LF-A coupe, the brakes consist of 14.2-inch cross-drilled, vented discs up front, and 13.6-inch cross-drilled, vented discs at the rear. The front brake calipers are six-piston units and the rear calipers use four pistons each.

An "F" logo, located on each front fender of the Roadster, indicates the vehicle's status as a part of the new "F" marque. The name is derived from the original "F" designation for the first Lexus LS prototype. That vehicle was internally coded "Circle-F," with the "F" standing for "flagship." The Circle-F designation further evolved into the code name Flagship One, or F1, and the first F1 concept developed into Lexus' first vehicle, the LS. Since then, the "F" code has come to signify a special vehicle program within Lexus that falls outside the normal engineering and development process. In addition, Fuji Speedway is the IS F's home circuit, and the shape of the F-logo was inspired by many of the track's turns. The all-new Lexus IS F sport sedan is the first production vehicle to carry the F marque.

Lexus LF-A Roadster Concept Preliminary Specifications

Body Type: Two seat roadster
Powertrain
Type: Front-mid-engine, rear-mid-transaxle
Engine: V10 (under 5.0-liters)
Transmission: SMT (sequential manual transmission)
Horsepower: More than 500
Top Speed: More than 200 mph
Tire Size
Front: 265/35R20
Rear: 305/30R20
Dimensions (inches)
Overall Length: 175.6
Overall Width: 74.6
Overall Height: 48.0
Wheelbase: 102.6

Saleen Ford Mustang S281 Supercharged

2008-02-01T16:48:00.000-08:00

Saleen Ford Mustang S281 Supercharged

More horsepower, more torque, more performance. Better handling, better braking. Clean, aggressive styling. Designed by the wind. More fun... more everything. This is the best S281 ever!-Steve Saleen

This is our first all-new car in this market segment since we began manufacturing automobiles more than two decades ago. And by 'new' I mean the changes are much more than skin deep. We have an all-new all-aluminum 281-cubic-inch, 3-valve V8 matched to a slick-shifting 5-speed manual gearbox.
The suspension is totally new with an advanced MacPherson strut design up front and a three-link live rear axle with a Panhard rod at the rear. The improvements in handling have to be driven to be believed.
We've got bigger brakes at every wheel so there's more 'whoa' along with the added 'go.'

And a 20-inch wheel and tire package is standard on every S281.
The wheelbase has been stretched six inches and the wheels are pushed out closer to the corners of the car, especially up front. Not only has this allowed us to significantly improve the S281 Mustang's ride characteristics, but also its overall handling and balance. And there's a bunch less weight on the nose of the car for better weight distribution.

Without the great base platform Ford has provided in the form of the 2005 Mustang's all-new architecture and the great cooperation we have received from Ford in the from of early design and engineering information, it would have been impossible for Saleen to have designed and certified the new S281 models in such a timely fashion.-Steve Saleen

Design

The first thing to capture any viewer's attention is the S281's dramatic styling-boldly new from stem to stern. Its signature long hood and short rear deck emphasize the Saleen muscle under the bonnet and its traditional rear-wheel drive. Note those Saleen alloy rims. They are big, wide and clothed in equally aggressive rubber that completely fills the prominent wheel wells. They shout "speed" and "style" with a capital S.
Up front are integrated turn signals along with available HID (High Intensity Discharge) headlights. Featuring unique Saleen-designed headlamp assemblies incorporating the industry's first bi-functional Xenon/HID lamp, these lights use moveable light shield technology to achieve both high and low beam functions in a single reflector with only one HID light source. They provide 40 percent more light in both low and high beam functions than conventional lamps. A high-performance sports car deserves high-performance lighting.
You will also notice a family resemblance with the Saleen S7 in the shaping of features such as the lower front grille opening, the hood "vents" the rocker panel side skirting, the rear spoiler and the rear diffuser. Designed by the wind. Beauty and function. Optimal aerodynamics and top-speed performance. Objectives the S281 achieves because of lessons previously learned in wind tunnel testing of the S7.
The S281 SC gets a hood, rear wing and quarter window treatment distinct from the S281 3-Valve.

While the S281 pays homage to other Saleens, including its predecessor, in certain of its design cues, the overall sophistication and refinement of the exterior surfaces pulls the S281 firmly into the 21st century.
"At Saleen we have our own design language" explains Steve Saleen. "It's evident in everything we do: S281, N2O Focus, S7. The new S281 is clean, distinctive and aggressive. It's retro, yet contemporary. And it's got great proportions.
"But I am equally proud of the subtlety, refinement and sophistication of the overall design" Saleen continues. "Saleen has come a long way in a very short time. A few years ago none of this would have been possible. But by tackling projects such as the S7 and the Ford GT, our core capabilities have grown enormously."

Engine & Transmission

Saleen has a couple of credos the company lives by. One of them is "Power in the Hands of a Few." "Power" can mean a lot of things, but first and foremost at Saleen it speaks to what lurks under the hood.
A muscular V8 infuses every S281 Mustang with tire-smoking performance. The 2005 4.6-liter V8 has new three-valve heads-two intake valves and one exhaust valve. The additional intake valve measurably improves engine breathing on the intake side.
The exhaust system is an innovative "variable design" featuring twin mufflers with vacuum-actuated valves that open above a specified back pressure. When these valves open, a portion of the exhaust gases is routed through a second set of tail pipes pointed at the ground.

This design offers numerous advantages. It allows the engine to be calibrated to produce higher torque. Secondly, it provides a free-flowing exhaust system, while still providing the capability for passing mandated pass-by noise regulations in the U.S., Canada and U.K. Thirdly, it makes for some lovely exhaust sounds at wide-open throttle.
The exhaust side of the engine also features a full 2-1/2-inch stainless steel exhaust system, running from the exhaust manifold outlet to the tip of the exhaust pipes.
Because of its all-aluminum design, the new engine weighs 75 pounds less than last year's V8, which, along with the increased wheelbase, reduces weight on the nose from 57 percent down to a much more ideal 53 percent for a front-engine/rear-drive performance machine.
As with last year's S281, three levels of performance will be available:

S281 3-Valve

The S281 3-Valve's 4.6-liter V8 is also fitted with an underdrive pulley system, including a front damper, designed to SFI safety specifications, integrated with the crank pulley. This system reduces parasitic loses from the pulleys and water pump.
A PowerFlash performance computer-a sophisticated Saleen-designed engine management control system-determines the precise fuel, air and spark requirement for every running condition. It operates in conjunction with a new-for-2005 engine knock sensor system, allowing the engine to make use of premium fuel for maximum power and torque while minimizing fuel consumption and engine detonation.
The engine is also fitted with a Saleen free-flow air cleaner element.
As a result of these improvements, the S281 3-Valve V8 produces 325 bhp at 5,200 rpm and 340 lb-ft of torque at 4,500 rpm, compared to 290 bhp at 5,100 rpm and 330 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 for last year's normally aspirated V8.

Supercharged S281 SC

Saleen was been using supercharging since the mid 1980s and introduced a supercharged version of the S281 in 1999. Once word got around about its performance capabilities, the S281 SC quickly displaced its normally aspirated S281 counterpart as Top Gun on the Saleen sales charts. With what Saleen has in store for the S281 SC for 2005, it will have even more spectacular performance.
Let's start with the "guts" of the operation, the supercharger. It's an all-new innovative design, so new and so innovative that Saleen has several patents pending on the design.
Saleen engineers started with unconventional wisdom. That meant tossing all current supercharger design theory out the window. When they had finished with their out-of-the-box thinking, Saleen's engine wizards had created a design unique in the annals of supercharging. A supercharger that "blows" all others away. A blower charming in its design simplicity and elegant in its compactness, light weight and high efficiency. It's called the Saleen Series VI integrated TwinScrew supercharger with two-stage water-to-air intercooling system.
Essentially, the Saleen design integrates the previously separate intake manifold, blower housing/assembly and intercooler into one compact unit that nestles neatly into the valley between the heads. This allows for a much wider intake manifold.
The blower assembly contains twin screws, which push 2300 cc of air per rotation versus 1600 cc for last year's supercharger. As a result, the supercharger turns slower for equivalent boost, producing lower stress and lower air charge temperatures. The higher supercharger efficiency, along with the lower air charge temperatures, allows for an intercooler that is smaller, lighter and more compact and which has virtually zero pressure drop from inlet-to-outlet side.
Where does the "two-stage intercooling" description come from? A second cooler located in the airdam below the engine radiator assists the intercooler integrated into the supercharger assembly.

The shape of the "snorkel" opening for the intake air tube is designed for maximum flow. And to maintain a constant volume of air as the air flows toward the rear of the engine, the housing widens and flattens-out over the engine.
Some other significant design features of the Saleen supercharger:

+ It features an integrated bypass for low-speed running; when you are driving at low speeds and don't require boost, the bypass helps reduce heat buildup in the engine. The Saleen design provides for optimal runner length, resulting in more torque and better low-end drivability.
+ All bends are opened up to provide smooth airflow.
+ It features long, beefy downdraft runners with minimal bends for maximizing torque and horsepower. On the previous design, the air had to make two 180-degree bends. The new design provides a straight, direct shot into the cylinders and about a 50 percent increase in flow compared to last year's supercharger.
+ The new design is much more maintenance-friendly. It has only one sealing surface; the previous supercharger had four. In addition, you only have to remove the eight screws that bolt the air tube to the plenum for access to all of the blower components. Previously, you had to remove the supercharger assembly from the engine and then disassemble it.

The overall efficiency gains-in the engine, the supercharger and the intercooler-mean the new supercharged V8 produces more horsepower and torque at a less stressful 6-7 psi boost than last year's supercharged engine at 7-8 psi.
The 281-SC V8 also benefits from a specific Saleen PowerFlash performance computer along with a Saleen free-flowing air filter.
The "suped-up" SC cranks out a neck-snapping 400 horsepower, 25 more than last year's S281 SC, and an eye-popping 420 lb-ft of torque, 5 more lb-ft than in 2004. If that 400 bhp figure looks familiar, check out the stats on the new Corvette. Comparisons between the Chevrolet 2-seat sports car and the Saleen S281 SC 4-seat sports car will be both necessary and required during 2005.

S281 E

The "E" in the name stands for "Extreme." This "take-no-prisoners" Saleen model, first introduced in 2002, is extreme in every regard. Because it is scheduled for a spring 2005 launch, some details are yet to be finalized. But this much you can count on: It will contain the latest in Saleen race-bred technology. At its heart will be a unique Saleen-manufactured 4.6-liter V8 built in-house. It will feature a forged steel Saleen crankshaft, Saleen forged steel connecting rods, Saleen forged aluminum pistons and Saleen ported heads with various valve train mods. It will be supercharged.
The power will be mind-boggling. The 2004 version of this engine produced 445 horsepower and 450 lb-ft of torque. The new engine is currently under development so the final figures aren't in. But if you took one of the numbers from the 2004 horsepower figure and added two zeros, you wouldn't be too far off the mark. Enough said?

Transmission

The S281 3-Valve and S281 SC Mustang models are equipped with an improved version of the current 5-speed manual gearbox. The ratios are the same as last year but the gear change mechanism has been revised for smoother shifting. In addition, both models receive a lower (higher numerical) final-drive ratio-3.55:1 versus 3.27:1 last year-for more aggressive acceleration.
An electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission is available. It is matched to a 3.31:1 final-drive ratio.
The S281 E V8 will be coupled to a Saleen heavy-duty 6-speed manual transmission and a high-performance flywheel/clutch disc assembly. Power will be delivered to the rear wheels via a Saleen custom balanced driveshaft and a performance differential assembly featuring a Saleen MaxGrip, speed-sensitive, limited-slip differential.

Chassis & Suspension

All of our market research and owner feedback told us not to change the basic suspension design of the S281 Mustang. The so-called 'experts' will tell you that a double A-arm suspension up front out-performs a MacPherson strut. And that IRS [independent rear suspension] beats a solid axle every day of the week. But I've evaluated more than a few expensive German imports with strut front suspension and they always get high marks for handling from the media. And I've driven and raced a number of ill-handling cars that had independent rear suspensions. 'Results' don't necessarily flow from design. They come from the proper execution of design. At Saleen, it's never technology simply for the sake of technology. If it doesn't pass the litmus test of higher performance and greater value, it's not going to be found on a Saleen automobile.-Steve Saleen

Body Structure

Precise, fun-to-drive handling starts with a highly rigid platform and body structure. The foundation for the new S281 Mustang is a high-strength-steel body shell that's completely new. It's 31-percent stiffer in torsion, meaning a twisting force of 15,500 foot-pounds can deform the body by only one degree. The body is also 49-percent more resistant to bending forces.
These dramatic leaps in body stiffness not only contribute to the 2005 S281's markedly improved dynamic characteristics but also have parallel benefits in accident protection.
Engineering a body with such high stiffness creates a passenger "safety cage" that helps protect the cabin from deformation and intrusion. The front structure is designed to absorb energy in a controlled manner and dissipate it before it can reach the passenger compartment. And the front rails have an octagonal shape to spread forces evenly at the firewall and progressively deform for increased protection in demanding, offset frontal crashes.

Front Suspension

Our customers demand an S281 Mustang with handling to match the car's acceleration potential. And this is an area where Saleen's racing expertise and racing experience played a major role in the S281's chassis development. We developed special springs, shocks and anti-roll bars to control body roll and to provide crisp cornering. And we use bushings made from high durometer rubber to achieve the direct steering response for which Saleen sports cars are noted. During the S281's development we tested the car on roads and tracks around the country to achieve what we believe is an optimum ride and handling balance.-Steve Saleen
Up front, the suspension departs so radically from its predecessor that it's really a MacPherson strut in name only. For 2005 the coil spring is mounted on a perch about halfway up the strut, replacing a design with the coil spring mounted on the lower control arm. This new "coil over" design results in an optimal 1:1 relationship between movement of the wheel and movement of the spring. With the former design, a one-inch movement of the wheel resulted in only a half-inch movement of the spring, a much less effective 0.5:1 ratio.
Positioning the spring on the strut provides another subtle advantage: a reduction in spring friction, known as "stiction" due to side loading on the control-arm mounted spring.
Similarly, the anti-roll (stabilizer) bar for 2005, which is tubular to reduce weight, also acts directly through the strut, not the lower control arm. This, too, results in an ideal 1:1 relationship between wheel and anti-roll bar movement compared to the 0.5:1 ratio for the previous design.
In addition, the 2005 S281 Mustang's front bar acts though a ball-jointed member versus a link with four rubber bushings. This reduces compliance in the system, resulting in more immediate, more direct and more precise anti-roll bar actuation.
The lower control arm (LCA) design for 2005 is also innovative. It consists of two steel stampings welded together into the shape of an I-beam. The resulting arm has the weight of a cast aluminum part and stiffness equivalent to aluminum but at a considerable cost savings.
The LCA is designed so that the typical conflicts between a bushing having to control both ride and handling inputs are minimized. Tire side loads follow a direct path into the front bushing. This bushing needs to be hard for precise handling and it is. Meanwhile, the large rear bushing is a sophisticated hydraulic design that effectively damps out annoying road vibrations and noise that would otherwise detract from ride quality.

Rear Suspension

For 2005, the S281 Mustang's solid axle rear suspension has new three-link architecture with a lightweight, tubular Panhard rod providing precise control of the rear axle. This technology stabilizes the rear axle as the wheels move, particularly during hard cornering.
Thanks to the Panhard rod, the 2005 rear suspension is four times stiffer laterally than the previous design. The added lateral stiffness provided by the Panhard rod, working in conjunction with an axle tube with increased wall thickness and a larger outside diameter, helps keep the tire flat on the road for greater cornering power and more precise handling.
For 2005 the coil springs are optimally located on the axle instead of on the lower control arms. This creates an ideal 1:1 ratio between movement of the axle and movement of the spring, resulting in better axle control.
The coil springs have a linear rate and are "assisted" during severe upward movements by a jounce bumper on the axle, which actually provides a variable rate to the springing under these conditions. The resulting reduction in third-order forces-in engineering terminology it's referred to as "jerk"-minimizes rear axle "abruptness" making for a much better ride.
Similar thinking went into the mounting of the standard rear anti-roll (stabilizer) bar. It acts directly on the rear axle, as opposed to the lower control arm in the previous design. Again, this creates an ideal 1:1 ratio between movement of the axle and the anti-roll bar for more precise roll control.
As in the front suspension, Saleen engineers designed performance springs and shocks, high-durometer bushings and an anti-roll bar to provide the S281 owner with the sporty ride and handling characteristics for which Saleens are world famous.

Shock Absorbers

The front and rear shocks are proprietary Saleen designs. During the course of shock development, Saleen engineers evaluated a number of European sports sedans and coupes, especially those of German persuasion, for ride quality over a variety of road surfaces.
"For much of this testing, we were followed around by an 18-wheeler development trailer, which included a shock testing machine, allowing us to 'analyze and develop on the fly,' said Saleen. "Our ability to test a spring, shock and bar package and make immediate changes, allowed us to subtract numerous hours, days and even weeks from a conventional suspension development program.
"Along with a considerable improvement in handling, the 2005 S281s also offer better ride. It's 'athletic'-it wouldn't be a Saleen if it didn't provide a firm, sporty ride-but it's supple. The numerous improvements to the car in body stiffness, longer wheelbase, and advanced suspension designs, only begin to tell the story. It's a case of one plus one equaling three. You have to drive one of the new 2005 S281s to appreciate what our engineers have achieved" Saleen continued.

Steering

The S281's rack-and-pinion steering system is similar to its predecessor's with one major difference: The steering rack is solidly mounted to the chassis versus rubber mounted. While the solid mounting contributes to the S281's precise and direct steering feel, potentially, it also provides a path for noise, vibration and harshness to follow directly into the steering wheel. The good news is that the combination of a rigid body structure, precise suspension tuning, including those special lower-control arm bushings up front, plus hydraulic engine mounts, result in considerably less transmission of NVH than last year.

Brakes

The four-wheel disc brakes fitted to the S281 3-valve and S281 SC Mustang models have the biggest rotors and stiffest calipers ever fitted to an S281 as standard equipment. Twin-piston aluminum calipers clamp down on 12.4-inch ventilated front brake discs, an increase of more than 15 percent in rotor size compared to last year.
In the rear, the brake rotors are 11.8 inches in diameter, more than 12 percent larger than on the 2004 model. In addition, the 2005 rear rotors are vented.
To handle the S281 E's considerable horsepower and torque, the Extreme is fitted with slotted, 1-piece, 14-inch front brake rotors. These same brakes, designed by Saleen, are optional on S281 3-Valve and S281 SC models. They are also the same-size brakes fitted to the new Ford GT.
A four-channel anti-lock braking system and all-speed traction control provide additional assistance during emergency maneuvers. When traction control isn't desired-like when a smokey burnout at the drag strip is in order-drivers can deactivate the system with a simple button on the instrument panel.

Wheels and Tires

Saleen-designed 20-inch alloy wheels are standard on all three S281 models. Up front, the wheels are 9-inches wide; the rears are 9 inches in width on S281 3-Valve and SC models. Ten-inch-wide rear wheels are standard on the E and optional on the other two S281 models.
All S281s are equipped with high-performance radials. Sizes are 275/35ZR20 all around on 3-Valve and SC models. Standard on the Extreme and optional on 3-Valves and SCs are ultra-high-performance Pirelli P-Zero Rossos, 275/35ZR20s up front with 275/40ZR20s fitted to the 10-inch wide rear wheels.
"There are no optional wheel diameters for 2005" explained Steve Saleen. "We wanted to achieve specific ride and handling goals and create a specific look across our lineup of S281s, and one of the ways we achieved that goal was by not compromising on wheel diameter. Those 20-inch alloys completely fill the wheel wells. It's a look that speaks to sportiness as well as style. It's a look that certain European makes have perfected" Saleen continued. "At the same time, we haven't had to compromise on turning radius. With the new platform and the new front suspension we're been able to achieve a significant reduction in turning diameter compared to last year's S281. You'll immediately notice the improvement when parking or when maneuvering in tight quarters."

Interior

A performance-focused driving environment is as much a part of a Saleen automobile as its Saleen engine, Saleen suspension and its race-proven aerodynamics. That 6-inch gain in wheelbase gave us the ability to really maximize the comfort and ergonomics of the new S281 Mustang. 'No compromise' is an apt description of the 2005 interior.?Steve Saleen
Six inches might not seem like a lot when compared to the S281's overall length, but you won't believe how much of a difference it makes until you slip behind the wheel of a new Saleen S281. Taller drivers will feel more at home with more head room and shoulder room. Rear passengers also enjoy more leg room and shoulder room in their sculpted bucket seats.
The S281 Mustang's modern architecture creates a much more comfortable driving position. It starts with Saleen leather seats featuring stylish louvered head restraints and performance bolstering for greater support, whether cruising for long distances on the interstate or for high-g cornering. It continues with power seat controls relocated to a more intuitive position on the outboard side of the seat and featuring ample fore/aft and cushion height adjustments, along with individual front/rear cushion height adjustment, power lumbar and manual seat back rake.
Add a three-spoke steering wheel offering rake adjustment, Saleen high-grip, racing-inspired brake and throttle pedals ideally positioned for easy heel-and-toe downshifting and a Saleen, short-throw shift lever that truly falls "right to hand" and you've got the makings of a world-class driving environment.
To not find a comfortable driving position in the 2005 S281 you'd have to be either Shaquille O'Neal or Mini Me!
Naturally, the interior features a number of Saleen exclusives. A few of these include unique Saleen gauges with black backgrounds, white numbers and easy-to-read silver needles with black inserts, satin aluminum trim, painted accents, Saleen door sill plates and S281 floor mats. Each car also comes with an individualized Saleen VIN number stamped in the chassis, on a dash plaque and on the front bumper. S281 SC and S281 E models also feature a Saleen twin gauge pod with readouts for boost and air temperature.

More standard features than ever before include one-touch up/down power windows, power mirrors, keyless entry and power locks, a heated rear window, interval wipers, a Shaker 500 audio system with 500 watts of output, a six-disc CD player, MP3 capability and a MyColor custom instrument panel. The industry-first, color-configurable MyColor instrument panel offers the ultimate in personalization. S281 owners can mix and match lighting at the touch of a button to create more than 125 different color backgrounds to suit their personality, mood, outfit or whim.

Safety Systems

Every S281 incorporates some of the industry's most comprehensive safety technology. The system is designed to provide increased protection in many types of frontal crashes by analyzing impact factors and determining proper air bag response in milliseconds.
It uses dual-stage driver and front-passenger air bags capable of deploying at full or partial power. In less severe frontal crashes, air bags inflate with less force-or not at all-helping reduce the risk of injury caused by inflation of the air bag.
But seat belts remain the best line of crash defense for vehicle occupants. S281s employ pretensioners to tighten front seat belts in the first milliseconds of a crash; energy management retractors gradually slacken the belt, if necessary, to reduce forces across the occupant's chest during the impact.
In addition to dual-stage driver and front-passenger air bags, the S281 features a system to tailor deployment of the front-passenger air bag. If the passenger-seat sensor detects no weight or very little weight, like a newspaper or a jacket, the passenger air bag is automatically switched off.
If more weight is on the seat, like a small child, the air bag remains deactivated and an instrument panel light alerts the driver with the message "PASSENGER AIR BAG OFF." Of course, the safest place for children remains the rear seat, properly restrained. If an adult is seated properly in the passenger seat, the air bag automatically is switched on, ready to inflate within milliseconds, if needed.

Among the dozens of standard safety and security features the S281 offers are:
+ SecuriLockTM: Passive anti-theft systems like SecuriLock help protect against drive-away theft through the use of an electronically coded ignition key. The system is designed to help prevent the engine from being started unless a coded key programmed to the vehicle is used. A miniature transponder with an integrated circuit and antenna is imbedded in the ignition key. A wireless radio-frequency transmission transfers an electronic code between the transponder in the key and the vehicle. If the codes match, a signal passes through the wiring system to the electronic engine control, allowing the vehicle to start.
+ Battery Saver: Battery Saver helps prevent accidental battery drainage from the S281's interior lights. The battery saver feature automatically turns off interior lights in a parked vehicle after a few minutes, such as when a door is left ajar. If interior lights are left on while the ignition is in the 'Off ' position, a relay is deactivated in 10 to 40 minutes cutting power to the interior lights.

Technology & Manufacturing

Saleen is a totally different company today than it was even a few years ago. The company's capabilities have accelerated with its work on the S7 and the Ford GT. Its expertise in crafts such as clay modeling and technologies such as CAD/CAM for design and tooling has taken the S281 to new levels of fit and finish. As one example, for the S281, Saleen created a full-size clay model and then did the final refinements in CAD.
We have invested heavily in tooling and manufacturing expertise. We're as capable in these areas as companies producing millions of vehicles a year. The tolerances we build to, the gaps between panels, the finish on our composite parts are all world class.
Our expanding technical capabilities are reflected in such areas as our Saleen-designed Series VI integrated TwinScrew supercharger. We've got several patents pending on its unique design. But they are also evident in the S281's HID headlights, brakes, suspension and exhaust system.
We will begin manufacturing S281 3-Valves in November-December. Right after the first of the year we'll start producing the SC. Next spring we'll roll out the Extreme. Convertible versions of all three models will arrive sometime next summer.
We'll build cars both in Irvine, California and in our new Troy, Michigan facility, with the bulk of the cars coming out of Irvine.-Steve Saleen

Marketing

If you take into account overall performance and styling, as well as traditional Saleen attributes such as "limited production by design" and resale, the new Saleen S281 represents an even greater value than its predecessors.
At an MSRP only slightly higher than last year-$38,999-the new S281 3-Valve offers exponential improvements in acceleration, handling, comfort and ergonomics, considerably more standard features, along with levels of fit, finish and refinement light years better than the previous model.
Coinciding with the release of the first "all-new from the wheels up" Saleen S281 since 1984, the company has created a dealership initiative to handle the pent-up demand that has developed for the 2005 S281. The sales, marketing and training programs in place at current Saleen dealerships are being revised and expanded and the number of Saleen certified dealers nationwide is being substantially increased.
I sincerely believe that the S281's refinement and sophistication will appeal to a broader range of discriminating buyers who might have looked at high-end European cars in the past.
When we tested the 281 SC in marketing clinics, one of the questions we asked was, 'Based only on styling and performance, how much should this car cost?' The answer that came back most frequently was, '$75,000.' This is around $30,000 more than the actual price.
The positioning of the 281 SC at below $45,000 places it squarely in Corvette territory.

Consider the following. Both have 400 horsepower, but the Saleen is a little quicker. Both have similar price tags, but the S281 SC is less expensive.
In the past I would have had a weaker argument positioning the Saleen S281 SC against the Corvette in the areas of refinement, sophistication, comfort, fit and finish. But not any more. The 'Vette's got two seats. We offer four. We both sell a fully certified car. If you want the same sort of exclusivity offered by the Corvette and European cars such as Porsche and BMW, you should be looking at a Saleen.
I encourage you to compare them. In fact, I dare you to compare them.-Steve Saleen

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
GENERAL
Curb Weight, lb. est 3550
Weight Distribution, F/R 53/47
Fuel Capacity, gal. 15.7
Wheelbase, in. 107.1
Track, F/R 63.9/62.8
Width 74.0
Length 189.1
Height 56.0
Trunk Space, cubic ft. 12.3
ENGINE
Type 4.6L, 3V, SOHC V-8
Bore and Stroke 3.55 x 3.54 in.
Displacement 4.6 liters, 281 cu in.
Exhaust System Saleen Stainless, 2.5 in. Variable Exhaust
Horsepower est 400 bhp @ 5800 RPM
Torque 420 lb-ft @ 4000 RPM
Fuel Premium Unleaded 91 Octane
Saleen Intercooled Supercharger Saleen Series VI Integrated TwinScrew Supercharger With Two-Stage Water-To-Air Intercooler System; Cast 356-T6 aluminum alloy construction

Hummer HX Concept

2008-01-31T04:18:00.000-08:00

Hummer HX Concept

With its unmistakable HUMMER design and a compact, go-anywhere driving ethic, the HUMMER HX concept challenges the hierarchy of the trail. HUMMER displayed the nimble, reconfigurable off-roader at the 2008 North American International Auto Show.

More compact than a HUMMER H3 - 81 inches (2,057 mm) wide, with a 103-inch wheelbase (2,616-mm) - the HX concept is an open-air, two-door off-road vehicle that packs the off-road acumen for which HUMMER has become legendary, along with an easily convertible body that acclimates to varied trail conditions, cargo needs or passenger whims. Its design is based on the ideas developed by a trio of young designers who are new to the HUMMER studio.

"The HX is HUMMER's vision of an agile, trail-ready, open-air vehicle that fits the lifestyles of everyone who needs or wants to drive off road," said Martin Walsh, HUMMER general manager. "Of course, it carries exceptional off-road capability and the distinctive styling for which all HUMMERs are known."

The HX offers an open-air driving experience via a pair of removable roof panels above the driver and front passenger, and a modular, removable rear roof assembly. With the roof panels and roof assembly removed, the HX is transformed into a true convertible.

Easy removal of the roof panels and rear-roof assembly enables quick conversion from a closed vehicle to an open one. The HX also was designed with several roof assemblies, allowing this versatile vehicle to be configured as an SUT (with the roof assembly removed), a stylish slant-back or a traditional, wagon-like design that offers a bit more cargo space.

The HX was shown with a slant-back configuration, wearing a desert-inspired matte olive paint scheme, at the North American International Auto Show. Additional convertible features include:

Removable doors - easily removable pins in the exposed hinges allow the doors to be removed quickly - an appreciated feature of many serious off-roaders
Removable fender flares - attached with quarter-turn quick-release fasteners, the composite fender flares can be quickly removed for additional trail/rock clearance, or if the flare is damaged during off-road driving
"The modular design of the roof and removable body panels mark an evolution of HUMMER's design aesthetic," said Carl Zipfel, director of design. "These features demonstrate a deeper understanding of enthusiast desires when it comes to off-road driving - and the slant-back design gives the HX a look all its own."

Purposeful exterior

The design of the HX was driven by input from three young designers who were new to GM and the HUMMER design studio. As part of their "initiation," they were charged with developing concept drawings for a smaller, youthful HUMMER and the HX is a direct result of their creativity. The HX concept is based on one of the designers' original illustrations, but incorporates the best ideas and elements from the other designs.

"HUMMER appeals to young people globally and served as a perfect first assignment for our newest talent," said Ed Welburn, vice president, Global Design. "Today's graduates from top design schools are ready to hit the ground running. The HUMMER design challenge gave our newest designers an opportunity to sprint."

Inside and out, the HX carries a purposeful aesthetic that, from initial sketches to finalized clay models, was refined in only six months.

"This is the HUMMER design language stripped down to its essence," said David Rojas, creative designer. "The HX has an aggressive appearance and great proportions, with beauty lying in its functional austerity."

On the exterior, the lightweight theme is evidenced in the appearance of exposed, billet aluminum suspension components that feature CNC-machined lightening relieves, as well as clean, unadorned bodywork and minimal trim. The lightweight theme is taken to its extreme when the roof panels, roof assembly, fender flares and doors are removed.

Classic HUMMER design cues make the HX instantly recognizable, including the round headlamps located in square housings, an upright windshield profile, minimal overhangs, hood vents and prominent air intakes. The air intakes are functional and feed a V-6 engine beneath the hood, while the hood vents are active - they articulate to allow hot underhood air to escape.

And while the headlamps and grille are clearly HUMMER cues, they've evolved on the HX with a "chopped circle" motif. The grille slots and headlamps, as well as elements on the interior, have the appearance of circles or ovals that have been clipped at the top and bottom, creating a unique appearance that speaks to the vehicle's purposeful aesthetic.

"The 'cut-off' circles suggest larger, heavy-duty components that were trimmed to fit the compact HX," said Rojas.

And while it is unadorned by extraneous embellishments, the HX's exterior is nonetheless outfitted with features that speak to HUMMER's legacy of technology and innovation, including HID headlamps with focusing rings that adjust automatically when they're turned on - much like the lens of an auto-focus SLR-type camera. LED technology is used for the front turn signal lamps and taillamps.

Aeronautically inspired interior

From aircraft-inspired seats to integrated, off-road-ready tools, the HUMMER HX's interior has a beauty that lies in its purposeful intent. It was inspired by the functional and lightweight elements found in aircraft.
"Aeronautical parts are designed to be both lightweight and strong, and that is the feeling exuded by the HX's cabin," said Stuart Norris, interior design manager. "There isn't superfluous trim or decoration - it is a purposeful design that conveys beauty through strength."

Reinforcing the stripped-to-the-essence feel, the exterior's matte olive color carries over onto the interior's largely sheet metal-covered panels. The color is accented with pressed or extruded aluminum components, such as the handles, switches and other necessary parts.

Furthering the aeronautical influence is the instrument panel, which uses an exposed, extruded aluminum cross-vehicle beam as its foundation. On the beam, the instrument cluster and other vital controls are mounted; and it also features a unique, removal top cover that provides significant storage capability.

"The instrument panel is a styling element of the HX, and the removal of the top cover reveals a secondary design that enhances the vehicle's core design ethic," said Norris. "With the top cover removed, the interior conveys even more of a basic essence - and the structure beneath the cover is beautiful to those who appreciate finely crafted metal."

A rubberized floor and ballistic nylon-material covering on the instrument panel and other interior components reinforces the functional aesthetic.

Seating and console details

Like aircraft seats, the HX's seats are constructed on a lightweight framework with minimal components that feature lightening holes and strength-enhancing cross braces or triangulations. They are mounted on exposed, aircraft-style tracks and trimmed with a weather-resistant neoprene material.

The HX seats four, with a pair of bucket-type seats in the second row. The rear seats mimic the front seats' design and can be removed to generate more cargo room. All the seats feature a four-point, racing-style safety harness.

The inner seat track on both front seats is located beneath the outer edges of a prominent center console. The console offers exceptional storage capability and houses a unique shifter that mounts low and out of the way when the vehicle is parked - also hiding from sight the engine starter button. It has a spring-loaded cover that pops up when the driver is ready to select a gear.

The console also houses a resting place for phones, MP3 player and iPods or iPhones. In fact, there is no conventional radio in the HX, only integrated speakers. Passengers plug in an iPod, or similar device, to a USB connector to play music in the HX.

"From the console to the cargo area behind the seats, there are simply untold storage possibilities within the HX," said Norris. "It's like a four-wheel backpack that's already fitted with the necessities."

Gauges and tools

The "cut-off circles" motif of the exterior is seen even more so on the HX's interior, as the gauge cluster, instrument panel vents and even the steering wheel carry the design element.

A three-element gauge cluster - each of the three instrument "pods" carries the cut-off circle design - delivers crucial driver information in either a highway or off-road mode. This conceptual reconfigurable gauge layout uses LCD screens with multiple layouts, including a navigation system. The nav system features GPS and compass information; and is designed to upload trail information before setting off on an excursion.

The center gauge pod houses a speedometer and tachometer, but changes to a wheel angle indicator when the transmission is in the low position. This off-road mode changeover from the highway mode gives the driver information that is more pertinent to the driver conditions. The trail view of a camera mounted in the rear-view mirror can be displayed on the instrument panel, too.

The off-road mode features of the instrument panel comprise the virtual tools of the HX, while others are mounted for physical use, including a folding shovel, flashlight and first-aid kit. They all carry the "clipped circle" design motif found throughout the vehicle.

Ready for rocks, trails and more

With its compact dimensions, almost no overhangs and grippy 35-inch tires, the HX is ready for all terrains. Like all HUMMER production models, the HX has sturdy, body-on-frame construction, onto which is mounted front and rear independent suspensions.

The front suspension features an electronic-disconnecting stabilizer bar for enhanced maneuverability when driving off road, and the rear suspension is located with Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC)-machined, billet trailing arms. Heavy-duty shocks with piggyback reservoirs were custom-made for the HX by renowned racing shock manufacturer Fox; one is mounted at each wheel position.

A full-time 4WD system pulls the HX over, through and around off-road obstacles. It transfers torque to the front and rear axles, each of which is equipped with a locking differential. The torque meets the trail via custom 35-inch-tall off-road tires that are mounted on a set of custom, bead-lock-style wheels that have a two-tone appearance; dark-painted wheel centers complemented by silver-anodized outer rims.

A complete underbody armor kit, including a front skid plate, powetrain protection and more, protects the HX from wayward rocks and other potentially damaging objects. A power-operated winch is located in the front bumper, and the HX has recovery hooks mounted on the front and rear bumpers, just in case its help is required for wrangling others out of unfortunate off-road situations.

Motivation for the HX comes from an E85 FlexFuel 3.6L SIDI V-6 that is backed by a six-speed automatic transmission. The transmission is teamed with the 4WD system to offer exceptional low-speed traction and crawling capability. Four-wheel-disc brakes provide confident stopping power.

SPECIFICATIONS

Body style / driveline: two-door, four-seat open-top, four wheel-drive
Construction: welded steel frame, electro galvanized steel
Engine type: 3.6L V-6 VVT (variable valve timing) with spark-ignition, direct injection
Displacement (cu in / cc): 217 / 3564
Bore & stroke (in / mm): 3.70 x 3.37 / 94 x 85.6
Block material: sand-cast aluminum with cast-in bore liners
Cylinder head material: cast aluminum
Valvetrain: DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder, variable valve timing (VVT)
Fuel delivery: direct high-pressure fuel injection
Compression ratio: 11.3:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm): 304 / 227 @ 6300 rpm (est)
Torque (lb.-ft. / Nm @ rpm): 273 / 370 @ 5200 rpm (est)
Fuel Type: unleaded regular or E85 ethanol
Transmission: Hydra-Matic 6L50 six-speed electronically control automatic transmission
Suspension:
front: independent SLA, custom Fox Racing coil-over shocks; 2-in shocks, 2.5-in springs
rear: semi-trailing link, custom Fox Racing coil-over shocks; 2-in shocks, 2.5-in springs
Wheel travel (in / mm):
front: 9 / 228
rear: 11/ 279
Brakes: four-wheel disc; Brembo 6-piston calipers (front); Brembo 4-piston calipers (rear)
Rotor diameter x thickness (in / mm): 15 x 1.25 / 381 x 31.75
Wheel size & type: 20-inch x 9-inch
Tires: 35-inch custom Bridgestone Dueler
Wheelbase (in / mm): 103 / 2616
Overall length: 171 / 4343
Overall width (in / mm): 81 / 2057
Overall height (in / mm): 72 / 1829
Track (in / mm): 67 / 1702 (front); 68 / 1727 (rear)
Minimum ground clearance front (in / mm): 13 / 320
Approach angle (degrees): 56
Departure angle (degrees): 51
Breakover angle (degrees): 25
Grade capability (percent): 60
Side slope capability (percent): 40
Water fording capability (in / mm): 24 / 610 (at 5 mph)
Seating capacity: 4

Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione

2008-01-30T16:56:00.000-08:00

Alfa 8C Competizione, world premiere

The definitive version of the gorgeous exclusive Alfa 8C Competizione, Gran Turismo car that is to be produced in a limited edition makes its debut in Paris. The car, designed by Alfa Romeo, is directly derived from the concept car that aroused such admiration at the 2003 Frankfurt Motor Show and has benefited from the best technical and industrial know-how that the Alfa-Maserati Sports Centre can offer. The cooperative venture between both manufacturers was conducted with a view to ensuring integration between the Alfa Romeo design departments and the Maserati production departments.

The 8C Competizione is inspired by Alfa Romeo's glorious past, projecting its brand values of technology and emotion into the future. The historical allusions begin with the evocative name, recalling the great sporting tradition of Alfa Romeo. The 8C code was used to identify cars (racing and on-road) of the Thirties and Forties equipped with the revolutionary eight cylinder engine produced by the famous designer Vittorio Jano. The term 'Competizione' is intended as a homage to the '6C 2500 Competizione', a sports coupé driven in 1950 by the duo Fangio and Zanardi in the famous Mille Miglia race.

The name, '8C Competizione' is not an arbitrary invention but a distinctive mark of Alfa Romeo's own sporting history. A veritable legend that has arisen out of the innumerable victories won on circuits throughout the world through the skill of men and their passion for racing, engine research and advanced technology and a reawakened taste for new challenges.

This link with the values of Alfa Romeo's history adds extra poignancy to the term 'Competizione'; when projected into the future it represents the sense of constant dynamism that distinguishes a brand engaged in a quest for excellence, increased competitiveness and technological innovation. This is the explanation behind the role of the new car, which is not a point of arrival but a point of departure designed to reaffirm Alfa Romeo's unique place in the world: its ability to match a thrilling shape to driving satisfaction.

Styling and aerodynamics: tradition and innovation

The attractive shape created by the Alfa Romeo Style Centre makes this car with its two bucket seats unique in the Gran Turismo scenario. The designers have worked hard to ensure that the aerodynamic and performance demands have not altered the car's original concept. The style maintains an incredibly clean shape, uncluttered by any element interfering with the overall harmony.

The solutions introduced on the Alfa 8C to achieve the highest levels of aerodynamic efficiency are not limited to the shape. Air wraps around the car and follows its natural course, unhindered by corners and unevenness. All the pillar and glass surfaces and profiles together with the door mirror shape and position have been optimised by mathematical modelling and also by wind tunnel tests and tests on actual models. Much attention has been devoted to the creation of a ground effect that has allowed a negative Cz (lift coefficient) to help increase stability at high speed, as on racing cars.

The compact dimensions concentrate the aggression of a car designed to ensure maximum driving efficiency.

The car surfaces are highly sculpted and skilfully moulded. In detail, the body is given extra dynamism by the horizontal furrow cut into the side above the front wheelarch. The big wheels and powerful musculature of the rear wings emphasise the model's personality and strength without detracting from the lines that flow smoothly, almost as though to underscore the formal good looks of the individual exterior details: the drop-shaped headlight embedded, gem-like, in the front wing, the led tail-lights that are a blend of technology and rationalism, the spare door handle. The front end still displays the distinctive Alfa Romeo traits, with a new interpretation of the 'whiskers' and shield.

The innovative shape heralds the details and proportions of future Alfa Romeo cars but is also redolent with past thrills and historical allusions: the 33 Coupé Stradale, the Giulia TZ and many other great names of motoring history. The Alfa Romeo style centre also developed new colours to emphasise the shape of the 8C Competizione that match the car's sinuous shape while also suggesting modernity and a hint of technology.

8 cylinder 4.7 engine: Italian 'belcanto'

The engine is the beating heart of any Alfa Romeo. In this case it takes the form of a brand new 90° V 8 cylinder unit with a cylinder capacity of 4691 cc that was designed with one aim in mind: to ensure extraordinary performance while still offering a smooth drive and being usable in all circumstances, from the track to city traffic.

The top engine performance figures may be summarised as a maximum power output of 450 bhp at 7000 rpm, a peak torque of 470 Nm at 4750 rpm and a top speed of 7500 rpm.

The layout of internal fluid movements and the cylinder head cooling system is designed to achieve high duct permeability and effective intake load cooling to maximise volumetric efficiency and engine performance.

Harmonisation of the intake and exhaust geometry together with the introduction of continuous variable valve timing on the intake camshafts and optimisation of the combustion chamber and engine calibration means that 80% of torque is available from 2000 rpm.

In sporty driving conditions over mixed routes, the power unit offers impressively short response times due to the high permeability of the intake duct and the low inertia of the flywheel-twin plate clutch system.

A crankshaft with counterweights at 90°, fully balanced through careful selection of connecting rods and pistons, ensures the engine runs with low vibration levels.

The engine block and base assembly is in aluminium with 5 main bearings to ensure the structure is very rigid with little loss due to friction. The cylinder heads are also in aluminium alloy.

All the ducts (water, oil, secondary air) are cast directly into the engine to produce a system with great rigidity, low dimensions and guarantees of safe installation, i.e. great reliability.

Casting accessory systems into the main engine casting and the use of very rigid, thick-walled components ensures that little noise radiates from the engine and the components are very reliable.

Longitudinal engine packaging has also received particular attention, as evidenced by the introduction of a single chain timing system that guarantees exceptional lifetime dependability.

Special attention has also been devoted to the acoustic definition and tuning of the intake and exhaust in the quest for a sound timbre that enhances the car's character and makes it unmistakable. The result is a full, distinctive sound, emphasised by the permeable intake system and an exhaust system with electronically controlled valves that enhance the car's sound without infringing any type-approval or environmental constraints.

Transmission, robotised gearbox and self-locking differential

The engineers used a layout familiar from other Alfa Romeo cars on the 8C Competizione: the transaxle architecture with gearbox at the rear that is an acknowledged asset of Alfa Romeo cars. This layout allows outstanding dynamic performance while also offering the active safety for which Alfa Romeo cars are fabled.

The engine-gearbox unit is designed in accordance with a transaxle configuration that ensures the weight distribution is very effective for vehicle handling. Due to the small axial engine size and the integration with frame components from the drawing board, the entire power unit can be housed well back to ensure the required sporty configuration.

The 6-speed gearbox with computerised speed selection by means of levers behind the steering wheel is designed to ensure ultra-slick gear shifts and may be used in Manual-Normal; Manual-Sport; Automatic-Normal; Automatic-Sport and Ice modes. The self-locking differential allows acceleration and stability to be managed with extraordinary efficiency in all situations.

Suspension, wheels and braking system

In the very best Alfa Romeo tradition, the engineering is directly derived from the race track. The suspension on the new model is no exception, with a double wishbone layout, forged aluminium axle carrier and arms and extra strut for toe-in control.

The braking system offers perforated, ventilated discs with aluminium brake callipers to ensure prompt, effective braking even with heavy use. To ensure the car stays glued to the road, it is fitted with 20" tyres specially developed to ensure outstanding performance: 245/35 at the front and 285/35 at the rear, fitted on perforated rims in fluid moulded aluminium to ensure lightness and maximum brake ventilation efficiency.

To ensure the car is entertaining and safe in any driving condition, the 8C Competizione comes with the latest Alfa Romeo VDC, an advanced stability and traction control system to ensure the driver feels at one with his car.

Rigid, light structure

A rigid, light structure is the rule when configuring a good high performance car. This is also the guiding principle behind the 8C Competizione. In detail, the compact frame is in steel to achieve the greatest torsional rigidity to ensure an accurate, safe drive at all times while the body is in carbon fibre. This choice was motivated by the need to minimise weights while also optimising the car's centre of gravity for better agility and handling on demanding routes.

Interiors: personality and technology

The car's distinctive look comes from extensive use of composite materials on the facia and interior panels. This is a technical choice but also reinforces the car's spirit and emphasises its personality. The same thinking lies behind the adoption of anatomical seats made out of carbon fibre that can be adjusted and customised on the basis of the driver's physical characteristics (a facility previously reserved for racing cars).

Everything is designed and produced to ensure the greatest user-friendliness for the driver and whoever is lucky enough to share the thrill: relaxed driving position, intuitive instruments that are always visible, robotised gear levers secured to the steering column and easy to reach without removing your hands from the sporty steering wheel.

The carefully-crafted and detailed finish naturally allows the car to be customised to the driver's taste and a choice of different interior environments is available.

The absolute satisfaction of a sporty drive

To see it is to love it: wide tyres, low-slung ride and styling of poised aggression. To die for, in fact. Hear the engine and weep: a full, convincing throaty roar. Now all that remains is to sit behind the wheel, engage first gear and you are off to try out your Alfa 8C Competizione. You are left with one doubt: how will you drive a sports model whose bonnet conceals a 4700 cc eight cylinder engine hat unleashes 450 bhp of power and 470 Nm of torque when you touch the accelerator. The unexpected answer is: with great ease - even more easily, simply and instinctively than your normal car in fact. Provided you allow yourself the time and satisfaction (because this is about pleasure, after all) of getting used to the more direct controls and prompter responses: the sort you could only expect from a true sports car on mixed routes or - even more so - on the track where speed and transverse acceleration are much more controllable.

The new Alfa 8C Competizione is self-avowedly an Alfa in its uncompromising sense of control and driving satisfaction. Driving comfort and dynamic behaviour have always been specific features of Alfa Romeo cars: on this car, they amount to a real strength.

Alfa 8C Competizione: a legendary name for a unique car

Since the very beginning, the Alfa Romeo spirit has been driven by a constant quest for technical perfection, achieving performances that are better and better. This is all about the engine: the beating heart of every Alfa Romeo car. Racetracks throughout the world have provided the perfect backdrops for truly unique technical and technological progress, with Alfa Romeo always occupying the highest position on the winners' podium.

The key to Alfa Romeo's engineering prominence was the 8 cylinder engine developed during the first half of the Twenties by a young engineer named Vittorio Jano. His original brief was to revise the 6 cylinder engine to meet the needs of standard production model buyers and also to stand up to the competition offered by rival manufacturers in races.

The first 8C was tested in 1923, with the P1, already fitted with a compressor and twin spark ignition, and then the P2. Its debut could not have gone better: in 1925 the Alfa Romeo P2 won first place in the first World Championship. The positive effects of these innovations were not restricted to the engines of production cars but the glory of this result was included in the 'Alfa Romeo - Milan' badge in the form of the laurel crown that was to adorn all Alfa Romeo cars from that day on.

At the beginning of the Thirties, the powerfully reliable 8 cylinder engines - now in light alloy - purred like cats under the bonnets of stylish cabriolets and coupes (whose bodies were built by the Milanese Zagato and Castagna) and roared like lions in the dust of races such as the Mille Miglia and Targa Florio, that added to the impressive list of victories. The thrilling wins achieved by the Alfa Romeo 8C in 1931, 1932, 1933 and 1934 at Le Mans deserve special attention (the car was later called the 'Le Mans' in the wake of these great successes).

The 8 cylinder engine achieved its technical peak in the Alfa Romeo Tipo B engine, known as the 'P3' to highlight its technological relationship with the P2. Campari, Nuvolari, Caracciola, Borzacchini, Marinoni, Guidotti and Fagioli were just some of the champions who owed their successes to the 1932 and 1934 versions of the 8C engine in the face of the challenges posed by the most prestigious circuits in the world.

The continual progress and consistent technical research culminated in the 8C 2900, the unbeaten star of racing from the Mille Miglia to the Le Mans 24 hour. The car, an extremely stylish 8C with its body built by Touring especially for Le Mans, was driven peerlessly by its driver Biondetti. This engine was exceptionally long-lived: an 8C 2900 B driven by Biondetti and Romano won the Mille Miglia again in 1947, proving yet again and over an exceptionally arduous route, that Alfa Romeo engines were possessed of truly extraordinary power and reliability.

World War II only halted the victorious progress of the 158 for a short period. The legendary 'Alfetta', a distillate of superlative automotive engineering qualities, first saw the light in 1946. In the words of Juan Manuel Fangio, driving this 8 cylinder car was like 'holding the bow of a Stradivarius in your hands'. First the 158 and later the 159 brought Alfa Romeo laurels in the first two modern Formula 1 world championships, with Nino Farina in 1950 and with Fangio in 1951.

After the Formula 1 victories, Alfa Romeo decided to withdraw from racing to devote itself to the demands put on it by its latest arrival, the 1900 and later the Giulietta range. 1967 saw the return of the powerful 8 cylinder engine fitted to racing 33 models and responsible for the attractive, resolute shape of the road version of the 33. This car also enjoyed a very encouraging racing debut, with Teodoro Zeccoli taking top position on the winners' podium after the uphill race in Fleron, Belgium, in a 33/2 Sport Prototype.

Other 33 cars met with considerable success on tracks and circuits throughout the world during the Seventies. This technical perfection was transferred to standard production cars such as the Montreal, a car of great prestige and performance, whose 8 Cylinder engine was derived from the unit fitted to the 33 models used for racing. In 1977, the 8 cylinder engine was fitted to a limited series of the Alfetta GTV, produced by Autodelta which thus continued the sporting tradition applied to engine production.

Now the legendary heart of that engine comes back to beat under the bonnet of the new Alfa 8C Competizione.

Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept

2008-01-30T13:08:00.000-08:00

Audi R8 V12 TDI Concept

Audi is presenting a revolution in the top class at the Detroit Auto Show 2008 - the first 12-cylinder diesel engine in a high-performance roadgoing sports car. The V12 TDI with a displacement of six liters powers a concept car based on the Audi R8. This unit generates a huge 500 hp and 1,000 Newtonmeters (737.56 lb-ft) of torque. Audi is writing a new chapter in diesel technology with this power unit. Equipped with the expertise that Audi has built up through its motor sport activities, the R8 V12 TDI in matt "Grace Silver" embodies superb road handling, pioneering technology and fascinating design.

The V12 TDI is closely related to the engine in the Audi R10, the two-time Le Mans winner - so it catapults the Audi R8 into supercar terrain concerning performance too. It sprints from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 4.2 seconds and its top speed is well over 300 km/h (186.41 mph). The peak torque, reached at only 1,750 rpm, paves the way for effortless acceleration that is unrivaled even at this level.

The new V12 TDI belongs to Audi's family of V engines but has the ideal included angle for this engine type of 60 degrees between cylinder banks. Its highlights include the new chain drive layout that includes the two newly developed high-pressure pumps for the common rail injection system. Its sound is as thrilling as you'd expect in a sports car of this caliber. For all the subtle smoothness that typifies this design principle, the twelve-cylinder unit is full-bodied and equipped with energetic overtones that make no secret of its performance potential.

The Genes of the Winner

Thanks to their high performance and pulling power, all Audi TDI engines are ultra-dynamic sources of power. The brand has often enough demonstrated its sporty character in its production cars, especially the six- and eight-cylinder 3.0 TDI and 4.2 TDI. Audi has also been writing a new chapter in its success story on the racetrack since 2006. The diesel engine in the R10 sports prototype won its very first endurance race at Sebring, Florida, when it was pitted against an entire field of gasoline-engined challengers. But its most crucial victories were surely in 2006 and 2007 in the 24 Hours of Le Mans, when it simply outclassed the international elite.

The V12 TDI race engine in the R10 produces over 650 hp from a displacement of 5.5 liters, giving it the potential for a top speed as high as 330 km/h (205.05 mph) depending on the gear ratios. Its power and sturdiness immediately impressed both fans and experts, who were impressed by its restrained noise level. Unusual for a race engine, this powerful Audi diesel makes barely more than a whisper.

Long traditions of motor racing and production technology complement each other at Audi. The FSI engine of the R10's predecessor, the R8, captured five wins at Le Mans with a direct gasoline injection system. Audi is also looking to maximize the advantage by using the race-tested FSI principle in its production models. The latest examples of this are the V8 with high-revving concept in the RS 4 and the production version of the Audi R8.

The Drivetrain

The roadgoing version of the new V12 TDI is built at the Györ plant, in Hungary. And the R8 V12 TDI still has a massive 500 hp on tap. In developing the six-liter engine, it was a clear priority to integrate it into the current family of Audi V engines, of which many thousands of versions with 6, 8 and 10 cylinders have already been built - both gasoline and TDI.

Audi's engineers were in an ideal position to use their experience building the racing engine to develop the road version. Like the other power units in this range, the distance between cylinder bore axes on the V12 TDI is 90 mm (3.54 in.). Yet its included angle is 60 degrees, not 90 degrees. This means no free inertial forces or mass moments of inertia can occur with the V12. The results are refined in every respect.

The 83.0 mm (3.27 in.) bore and 91.4 mm (3.60 in.) stroke produce a total displacement of 5,934 cc - just like the 3.0 TDI. At only 684 mm (26.93 in.) long, this large diesel engine is very compact and just 166 mm (6.54 in.) longer than the V8 TDI. This compact length is key to accommodating the V12 in the midengined Audi R8.

The V12 TDI crankcase is made from gray cast iron with vermicular graphite - a high-tech material referred to as GJV-450 that is already used on the V6 and V8 TDI engines. GJV-450, made by a patented casting process, is about 40 percent more rigid and 100 percent more fatigue-resistant than gray cast iron. This enabled the developers to make its walls thinner, cutting its weight by around 15 percent compared with conventional gray cast iron.

The two cylinder heads are each made from three main elements. These are a base section made from a high-strength aluminum alloy incorporating the intake and exhaust ports, an oil-bearing upper section, and a reinforcing ladder frame supporting the two camshafts.

The valves are actuated by low-friction roller cam followers; the compression ratio is 16.0:1. Map-controlled swirl variation of the combustion air has been adopted from the V6 and V8 TDI engines. This produces permanently optimized swirl concerning both emissions and high performance.

Ultramodern Injection Technology

As is the case in the Audi V engines, the no-maintenance chain drive is mounted at the back of the engine, where it occupies little space. Its layout has changed on the new V12 TDI. The camshafts' sprocket engages in an intermediate gear via which two Simplex chains drive the camshafts. Two more chains drive the oil pump and the two high-pressure pumps actuate the common rail injection system.

The two new dual-piston high-pressure pumps form part of the common rail injection system supplied by specialty manufacturer Bosch. The two pumps build up a pressure of up to 2,000 bar in the rails. The piezo injectors with eight-hole nozzles have also been fundamentally revised.

The high pressure distributes the mixture optimally throughout the combustion chamber. The result is that the ignition process is faster, more homogeneous and more acoustically refined. The more efficient combustion process also increases power output, cuts consumption and reduces pollutant emissions.

The current generation of so-called inline injectors makes effective use of the piezo effect: piezo crystals expand in a fraction of a millisecond when an electrical voltage is applied. The number of injection processes per operating cycle can be varied across a wide range thanks to piezo technology - reaching as many as five fuel injection operations in the case of the V12 TDI.

As well as the main injection, pilot and post injections are possible. Pilot injections tone down the acoustic harshness of the combustion process. Retarded post injections are designed specifically to increase the temperature of the exhaust gas, promoting regeneration of the two standard particulate filters.

The two turbochargers are located on the outside of the engine's V, each of them supplying one bank of cylinders. Thanks to their variable turbine geometry, the full flow of exhaust gas always passes through the turbine, so the chargers respond slickly - even at low engine speeds - and operate very efficiently.

The two turbochargers, which generate up to 2.6 bar of boost pressure, play a crucial role in producing the huge torque of 1,000 Nm (737.56 lb-ft) that the V12 TDI maintains from 1,750 rpm to 3,000 rpm. In developing 368 kW (500 hp), the diesel achieves a specific output of 62.0 kW (84.3 hp) per liter displacement.

Two large intercoolers reduce the temperature of the compressed air. The V12 has a twin-pipe exhaust system with two particulate filters. The intake system is similar in structure with one air cleaner per cylinder bank, with an airflow meter behind it. Two control units, sharing the workload in a master/slave principle, manage events in the engine.

The Audi R8 V12 TDI concept already fulfills the Euro 6 emissions standard that is likely to take effect in 2014 and calls for sharply reduced nitrogen oxides. By also designing in ultra-precise fuel metering by the common rail system, Audi's engineers have made full use of current clean diesel technology.

The heart of the system is a special catalytic converter downstream of the oxidizing catalyst and the particulate filter. The second component in the system is an additional tank containing an aqueous urea solution. Small quantities of the solution, known as "AdBlue," are injected into the exhaust system. The hot exhaust gases break the solution down to form ammonia that splits the nitric oxides into nitrogen and water. The system remains effective for the entire service life of the vehicle.

The dynamic character of a sports car depends not just on its performance and torque; the transmission ratios have to be right too. In keeping with the character of a high-performance sports car with unbeatable torque potential, the transmission in the R8 V12 TDI has six manually operated gears.

The manual transmission is very compact in design. Together with the smalldiameter double-plate clutch, this means it can be installed low down. The manual transmission has very short shift travel and utterly precise guiding of the shifter into the open gear lever gate. It is made from polished aluminum, has an agreeable feel and exquisite sports car looks.

Such a high-performance Audi also has quattro permanent all-wheel drive. In the case of this mid-engine sports car, power is distributed variably between the front and rear wheels from a starting ratio of 40:60 to optimize the handling.

The Design

The R8 V12 TDI concept with matt "Grace Silver" bodywork looks even wider and more resolute than the core model. It shows its potential through its muscular proportions, accentuated wheel arches and even larger air apertures. The rhombuspattern cover on the air inlets and outlets is the hallmark of Audi's sporty top models and a familiar feature of the current RS generation.

Typical of the side view of the R8 is the sideblade. Much wider in the bottom third, it visually accentuates the engine's position as well as acting as an enlarged air deflector.

The continuous aluminum spoiler lip that connects the front and rear diffusers with side air baffles below the enlarged sills also pays tribute to this version's highly developed dynamic talents.

And yet the R8 is unmistakable for its powerful, elegant basic proportions. The selective but always precise use of lines is another typical Audi characteristic, as is the curved arc of the roof. One new aspect is the glass roof of the passenger compartment with two large transparent sections. These, together with the glazed engine compartment behind, create a radically new formal element. The unmistakable NACA duct in the middle of the roof is a functional detail that is normally reserved for racing cars. Its ingenious shape accelerates the air drawn in here for the two cylinder banks of the V12 TDI engine.

The V12 TDI is displayed as the beating heart of this sports car, like a work of art inside a large showcase. Its look, underscored by the air deflectors located beneath the restyled rear glass lid, differs clearly from its production counterpart. The engine can even be seen after dark, when white light-emitting diodes illuminate the engine compartment - as on the production R8 version. This "showroom" can additionally be fully lined in genuine carbon fiber, for a particularly exclusive The continuous line running from the front apron across the wheel arches and flanks to the tail end, then back down the other side, is one of the latest design hallmarks of the Audi brand. This "loop" naturally encompasses the air apertures, the headlights and the taillights.

Unmistakable Face by Day and Night

The passion expressed through the elaborate design of the lights is another typical Audi trait. Nor is anyone likely to overlook this Audi sports car from behind: the LED taillights have a three-dimensional look that can't be missed.

But the absolute highlight is the all-LED headlights of the study vehicle. With their lenses and reflectors, not only do these innovative light sources have a ground-breaking appearance, they also have an enormous functional advantage: LED light, with its color temperature of 6,000 Kelvin, resembles daylight much more closely than xenon or even halogen light. Better light means the driver will have much less fatigue when driving at night.

TechArt Porsche Carrera GT

2008-01-30T11:07:00.000-08:00

TechArt Automobildesign Refines the Porsche Carrera GT

Is it possible to make a Porsche Carrera GT even more sporty and exclusive? Yes it is! TechArt Automobildesign ( www.techart.de ) now customizes one of the rare mid-engine super sports cars for one of its long-time customers.

The TechArt designers have developed aerodynamically efficient custom-tailored body components made from exposed carbon fiber that serve as a visual contrast to the metallic-orange special paint. A new air outlet on the upper half of the front fascia and a one-piece spoiler lip on the lower half give the front of the two-seater an even more dynamic appearance. The low-reaching front spoiler reduces lift on the front axle at high speeds further and thus further optimizes directional stability.

TechArt has also developed a three-piece gurney flap that serves as the aerodynamic counterpart in the rear. The center piece of the separation edge extends together with the pop-up rear wing and in combination with the fixed spoiler edges on the left and right produces additional downforce on the rear axle.

While suspension and tires remain untouched the peripherals of the 5.7-liter V10 engine are upgraded with a TechArt stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system and a modified intake system. Both benefit not only the engine sound that escapes through the two production tailpipes; the modifications also increase maximum power output from 612 hp / 450 kW to some 635 hp / 467 kW.

Further room for improvement of the Carrera GT lay in the cockpit. TechArt customized the interior with an ergonomically shaped sport steering wheel with leather/carbon fiber rim, and a shifter made from exposed carbon fiber. Requests for even more exclusive and colorful fully leather interiors are answered by the TechArt upholstery shop.

Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept

2008-01-30T10:13:00.000-08:00

Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept

The show-stopping Acura "Advanced Sports Car Concept" made its world debut today at the 2007 North American International Auto Show. The dynamically styled concept provides a preview of the design direction for the successor to the Acura NSX.

Created to take exotic sports car styling to a new level, the concept is designed to incorporate a powerful front-mounted, V-10 engine and a new high-performance, rear-wheel-drive based version of Acura's exclusive Super Handling All-Wheel Drive(TM) (SH-AWD(TM)).

"The Acura brand will always be a home for people who love to drive," said Takeo Fukui, president & CEO of Honda Motor Co., Ltd. "As we advance toward building a car like this, I can tell you it will feature advanced technology matching our passion for performance."

The concept's exterior demonstrates a dynamic fusion of advanced technology and emotion. The long, pronounced hood features deeply sculpted lines and embossed air vents, both of which hint at the powerful engine beneath. The exterior lines run the length of the body, creating a ribbon-like effect from the front headlights to the rear wheel arches, evoking a feeling of movement and power.

Although modern in its appearance, the Advanced Sports Car Concept retains the subtle cues associated with its predecessor, the NSX. The concept's slim, LED headlights are pushed wide and designed to mimic the pop-up headlights found on the first generation NSX. Other styling hints include a modern take on wraparound rear taillights and the all black cockpit.

"Our intention was to design an exotic sports car that gracefully combines advanced technology and strong emotion," said Jon Ikeda, principal designer, Acura Design Center. "The technical, machined surfaces and keen-edge design are balanced with sweeping curves and dramatic lines, all of which results in the ultimate exotic sports car."

Wide and low to the ground with a 108.8 inch wheelbase, the concept is anchored by grippy 19 inch front and 20 inch rear performance tires which are mounted to custom billet-machined, polished aluminum wheels. Powerful, ventilated carbon ceramic brake discs and eight-piston calipers accent the wheels. Bold wheel arches and flares add to the concept's aggressive appearance.

The low slung cabin is constructed entirely of tinted glass and sits flush against the body. Door handles are also flush mounted, allowing the sports car to retain a clean and aerodynamic appearance. The Advanced Sports Car Concept features a carbon fiber underbody and the rear is finished with aggressive quad exhaust pipes and integrated rear diffusers, further communicating its high performance potential.

The Advanced Sports Car Concept was designed by the Acura's Los Angeles-based design team that will be based at the new Acura Design Center, opening this summer.

Maybach Exelero

2008-01-30T10:00:00.000-08:00

Maybach Exelero

The Maybach Exelero is a high-performance concept car designed and built by luxury marque Maybach, and presented in May 2005. The 690 hp (SAE) (514 kW) two-seater with a bi-turbo V12 engine is a one-off design commissioned by Fulda Tyres. Fulda is using this Maybach as a reference vehicle to test a new generation of wide tyres. The German luxury car manufacturer created the one-off model as a modern interpretation of its legendary streamlined car of the 1930s. There are various allusions to the historical predecessor, which was likewise based on a powerful Maybach automobile, in this case the Maybach SW 38, and was also used by Fulda for tyre testing.

Specifications

Length : 5.89 m (19.3 ft)
Width : 2.14 m (7.0 ft)
Weight : 2660 kg (5864 lb)
Engine : V12 bi-turbo from Maybach 57 S 690 hp (SAE) (522 kW), 1020 N·m (737 ft·lbf)
Top speed : 351 km/h (218 mph)
Tires : 315/25 ZR 23
Fuel used for Top speed test: 110 octane (6€/liter)

A one-off custom-built Maybach was unveiled in May 2005 at the Tempodrom in Berlin. Commissioned by tyre company Fulda, the Exelero is a chopped-down two-seater coupe, though it's more than just a show car - in tests at the Nardo high-speed oval, the prototype reached a speed of 218.38mph, despite weighing over 2.66 tonnes. It is capable of acceleration from 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds.

The car's design was the result of a competition amongst students at the Pforzheim Polytechnic Department of Transport Design, which has worked on show vehicles for Fulda in the past. The design of 24-year-old Fredrik Burchhardt was chosen, and his work was co-ordinated with that of the Maybach design centre in Sindelfingen.

The project, based on the Maybach 57 limousine, required a certain amount of re-engineering; the A-pillar and doors had to be shifted rearwards, and the steering column, pedals and gearshift all re-located. The standard 550bhp V12 engine was bored out to 5.9 litres, and tuned for 700bhp and over 738lb ft of torque. With final dimensions of 5890mm long, 2140mm wide and just 1390mm high, the car was kitted out with a full-spec interior, including leather, neoprene, aluminium and carbonfibre finishes.

Maybach says the car, built by Stola in Turin, is "a one-off vehicle created to showcase the new ultra-high performance Exelero tyre range from leading tyre manufacturer Fulda"; it's not the first time the two companies have teamed up, as back in 1938 Fulda demonstrated its tyres on a Maybach SW 38 limousine. There are, however, "no plans to produce the model in series", though it has been certified for on-road use.

Ford Mustang Shelby GT-H

2008-01-30T07:53:00.000-08:00

MUSTANG MUSCLE FOR RENT: FORD, SHELBY, HERTZ TEAM UP ON SHELBY GT-H

In a throwback to the famed Shelby GT350H "Rent-A-Racer" program from the 1960s, Ford Motor Company, Shelby Automobiles and The Hertz Corporation are partnering to produce a special run of performance-modified Ford Mustang GTs – designated Shelby GT-H, for "Hertz" – that will be available for rent later this spring exclusively through Hertz. Approximately 500 units will be available through the Hertz Fun Collection at select airport locations Arizona, California, Colorado, Florida, Hawaii, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington.

Forty years ago, Carroll Shelby and The Hertz Corporation came up with an ingenious plan to help get a batch of high-performance, special-edition Shelby Mustangs into the hands of rental customers who also happened to be car enthusiasts. Ford supplied the new Mustangs with V-8 engines and mostly automatic transmissions, Shelby added extra performance and style, and Hertz gave the public access to the kind of unique driving experience that one would normally only find on a racetrack. Today, the story of the Shelby/Hertz "Rent-A-Racer" is legendary and surviving Shelby GT350H Mustangs are among the most sought-after collector cars in the world.

To connect the magical past of the original Shelby GT350H with the modern capabilities of the new Ford Mustang, Shelby, Ford and Hertz have again teamed up, and – together with the Ford Racing Performance Group – have given the 2006 Ford Shelby GT-H a very classic, muscular look as well as some true performance credentials.

"Like the original Hertz cars, the Ford Shelby GT-H will be fun to drive," said Carroll Shelby, CEO of Shelby Automobiles, Inc. "We started with a terrific Mustang and modified it with some Ford go-fast parts and gave it a distinct look for Shelby-style driving. Whoever gets the opportunity to rent one of these unique cars will get an experience of a lifetime."

Hertz Fun Collection

Further enhancing its position as a leader at U.S. airports in the leisure car rental market, Hertz launched its Fun Collection in January 2006. Featuring vehicles tailor-made for travelers seeking exciting driving experiences, the Fun Collection adds more entertainment to the driving experience as each car comes equipped with SIRIUS Satellite Radio.

The 2006 Ford Shelby GT-H Mustang will be available at select airport locations that feature the Hertz Fun Collection including Phoenix, Arizona; Los Angeles, Orange County, San Diego and San Francisco, California; Denver, Colorado; Fort Lauderdale, Miami, Orlando, Tampa and West Palm Beach, Florida; Maui and Honolulu, Hawaii, and Las Vegas, Nevada. In addition, the car will be available in Boston, Massachusetts; Portland, Oregon, and Seattle, Washington.

With the addition of the Ford Shelby GT-H Mustang into the Fun Collection, Hertz now offers 36 models that can be specifically reserved, ranging from mid-size to luxury cars, convertibles to SUVs and is the only nationwide car rental company able to allow customers to reserve the specific make and model vehicles at the time of reservation. More than 8,000 Fun Collection vehicles are available at 18 major airport locations in the United States.

"With 2006 marking the 40th anniversary of the Shelby GT350H joining the Hertz fleet, we’re thrilled to be bringing legendary Mustang driving excitement back to our rental customers," said Walt Seaman, staff vice president, Worldwide Fleet, Maintenance, and Car Sales Operations for The Hertz Corporation. "The Shelby GT-H is a fun, powerful Mustang to drive, and will be a special part of the Hertz Fun Collection. As all cars in the collection are reserved by exact make and model, customers can rest assured that when they reserve a Shelby GT-H Mustang to drive, they will receive the Shelby GT-H Mustang upon arrival."

Extra "Show"

Like its predecessor, the 2006 Ford Shelby GT-H will be instantly recognizable – thanks to several eye-catching styling enhancements that are so much a part of the Shelby Mustang heritage. First and foremost, each Shelby GT-H will wear Black exterior paint set off with Gold racing stripes, a hallmark of Hertz’s vehicle history dating all the way back to the 1920s.

While it’s true that the Shelby GT350H was eventually made available in other color combinations, the Black-and-Gold combo is often referred to as "Hertz colors" by most Mustang aficionados. Shelby’s traditional "Le Mans" dual overbody racing stripes are combined with a set of rocker stripes that include special "Shelby GT-H" nomenclature. Each car will also wear a Hertz Edition emblem on the front fenders, and feature Hertz Shelby GT-H sill plates and a numbered dash badge with Carroll Shelby’s signature inside the cockpit.

To give a hint of the Mustang GT 4.6-liter 3V V-8 engine’s added capability, the Ford Shelby GT-H is fitted with a custom Shelby Performance hood with pins, and a brushed aluminum grille with running horse emblem. A unique front fascia with integrated lower grille, as well as a set of body side scoops – reminiscent of classic Shelby Mustangs is incorporated for a distinct look. To further catch the enthusiast’s eye, the Mustang GT brakes are dressed up with painted calipers, which can be seen through the GT-H’s 17-inch aluminum wheels wearing P235/55ZR17 performance rubber.

Added "Go"

Ford Racing Performance Group is supplying its popular Power Pack (FR1) to add a genuine 25-horsepower Ford performance kick to the 300-horse Mustang GT 4.6L V-8/Five-speed automatic transmission powertrain and an increase of 10 lb.-ft. of torque. The package includes Ford Racing’s 90mm Cold Air kit, the Muffler Kit, a new X-pipe similar to the one used on the new Ford Shelby GT500 Mustang, a performance calibration and a cat-back performance exhaust for that throaty sound that will make this car unmistakably a Shelby Mustang GT-H.

"Any Mustang that traces its roots to a Shelby GT350H has to boast increased performance and handling over its factory stock configuration," said Cisco Codina, group vice president, Ford North America Marketing, Sales and Service. "Ford Racing’s involvement with niche performance Mustang builds like this Hertz project is a natural for us as well as for Hertz and Shelby."

To put that extra horsepower to the ground, the Ford Shelby GT-H also comes with the Ford Racing Handling Pack (FR3) installed, including special-tuned dampers inspired from the FR500C, lowering springs, sway bars and a strut tower brace – plus a Ford Racing 3.55:1 ratio rear axle assembly for extra off-the-line acceleration.

Ford Racing will be working hand-in-hand with engineers and technicians at Shelby Automobile’s assembly facility in Las Vegas during the build-out of the GT-H for delivery to Hertz. With total production expected to number only around 500 units exclusively destined for Hertz rental fleets across the country, this special-edition Ford Shelby GT-H is sure to give Hertz customers a truly exclusive driving experience like only Shelby and the Ford Mustang can deliver.

"This GT-H project has been terrific," said Amy Boylan, president, Shelby Automobiles Inc. "My team here at Shelby Automobiles is very excited with what we have put together with Ford, and Hertz – a pony that not only has a special look, but can really run, too. Those who get to rent a GT-H in the coming months will have the opportunity to enjoy a car that looks, accelerates, handles and sounds the way a high-performance Shelby-ized Ford Mustang should. It will prove lots of fun for Hertz customers looking for some real driving excitement."

Infiniti G37 Coupe

2008-01-29T17:32:00.000-08:00

Infiniti G37 Coupe

The all-new 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe, which makes its world debut at the 2007 New York International Auto Show, combines the exhilarating performance, stunning styling and modern, sporty interior of the original Infiniti G Coupe and accelerates each to new levels. Among the key enhancements to the new second-generation G Coupe are a larger, more powerful 3.7-litre V6 engine, available advanced 4-Wheel Active Steer system, a dramatic new exterior design and a refined interior with intuitive, integrated technology. The G37 Coupe joins the recently introduced, all-new 2007 Infiniti G35 Sedan in Infiniti showrooms nationwide in August.

"The new G35 Sedan, which has been named to both Car and Driver's '10 Best Cars' and Automobile magazine's 'All-Stars' list, has set the stage for the introduction of the new G37 Coupe," said Mark Igo, vice president and general manager, Infiniti Division. "The new Coupe builds on the styling, performance and interior enhancements of the G Sedan, adding the dynamic style, sporty atmosphere and expressive driving character expected of a class-leading luxury sport coupe. The line starts here."

Exhilarating Performance From a New Engine Design

Leading the enhancements to the 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe is the first-ever application of the new 3.7-litre V6 engine with VVEL (for Variable Valve Event and Lift).

Estimated at 330 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque, the new "VQ37VHR" contains approximately 35 percent new and unique parts from the new VQ35HR engine introduced in the 2007 G35 Sedan just last year. Both the Coupe's VQ37VHR and the Sedan's VQ35HR engines are based on the award-winning VQ engine series, named one of the "Ten Best Engines" by Ward's Auto World magazine for 13 consecutive years.

Along with utilising a larger displacement than the previous 3.5-litre powerplant, the G37 Coupe's new VVEL system combines hydraulic-controlled variable valve timing and electronically controlled variable valve lift on the intake side to help improve performance and response. The VVEL system is also expected to improve emissions and fuel efficiency. The VVEL intake camshafts, featuring continuously variable lift control teamed with the Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System (CVTCS), allow for a 7,500 rpm redline.

The engine also features increased cylinder block height (from the previous 3.5-litre design), ladder frame construction for greater rigidity, large crank journal and pin diameters, asymmetric piston skirts, twin knock sensors, an electronically controlled "drive-by-wire" throttle system, molybdenum coated lightweight pistons, Iridium spark plugs and a symmetric twin air intake system.

A new, specially tuned dual exhaust system has been designed with equal length exhaust manifolds and low muffler exhaust backpressure to help improve engine breathing. Both intake and exhaust enhance driving pleasure with their authentic performance notes.

Rated at an estimated 330 horsepower, the new engine is not only considerably more powerful than the previous generation G Coupe (rated at 275 hp with 5AT, 293 hp with 6MT), but is expected to offer increased fuel mileage and reduced emissions levels. Overall vehicle fuel economy improvements are estimated to be nearly one mpg better than the G35 Sedan and nearly two mpg better than the previous generation G35 Coupe (actual EPA mileage estimates and emission information to be announced at a later date).

"The new 3.7-litre V6 is a true powerhouse - becoming more enjoyable as you drive it," said Igo. "And, this powerplant also features Infiniti's trademark "Swell" acceleration - introduced on the new G Sedan last year - with special tuning that builds horsepower almost continually to the redline like a building wave."

The G37 Coupe engine is backed by a choice of an upgraded electronically controlled 5-speed automatic transmission with manual mode, downshift rev matching, DS mode and ASC (Adaptive Shift Control) that allows for quicker shifts in sporty driving situations and available genuine magnesium paddle shifters; or a newly revised, lightweight 6-speed manual transmission.

Performance Platform and Suspension

Developed at test circuits throughout Europe - including the famed Nürburgring - the G37 Coupe was conceived as a performance thoroughbred. Handling and ride performance increases come from the G37 Coupe's enhanced FM (Front Mid-ship) platform, which has been stiffened 36% from the previous generation, is lower in overall height and has a wider front and rear track width.

The G37 Coupe's 4-wheel independent suspension design features lightweight aluminium components and large front and rear stabiliser bars, increased spring rates and optimised suspension damping.

The front suspension is a double-wishbone design, with a single pivot lower wishbone and a long upper link. The multi-link rear suspension separates the shock absorbers and springs, locating the shock absorber inline with the wheel centre. These designs help minimise alignment changes and reduce suspension friction for nimble handling and smooth riding characteristics.

Steering is provided by a twin-orifice vehicle-speed-sensing design, which provides optimum steering effort at both high and low vehicle speeds. Standard on all G37 Coupes is Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC), which assists in enhancing vehicle stability under a variety of driving conditions.

Also available on the new G37 Coupe is Infiniti's exclusive 4-Wheel Active Steer system (4WAS), with unique chassis configuration that features automatically variable front steering ratios and rear suspension geometry that adjusts to steering input and vehicle speed via motor-driven controls. The system's electronic control unit calculates the desired vehicle dynamics from a series of sensors, including vehicle speed and steering angle, and separately directs both the front and rear actuators to change steering gear ratios and rear geometry by moving both the front steering gear and rear suspension lower links - thus providing sports car-like agility and secure stability.

Braking performance is provided by standard 4-wheel vented discs with 4-channel, 4-sensor Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA). The standard G37 Coupe adopts the "sport" braking system of the recently introduced G35 Sedan. The G37 Coupe Journey with Sport Package and G37 Coupe Sport 6MT are further enhanced with aluminium four-piston callipers (front)/two-piston callipers (rear) embossed with Infiniti lettering and large ventilated rotors - 14.0-inch front and 13.8-inch rear.

Also available on G37 Coupe is Infiniti's Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) with Preview Braking, which provides a precise following distance from the vehicle ahead. It also identifies sudden braking situations with laser sensors to determine distance and relative speed of the vehicle ahead in the same lane and "pre-pressurises" the Brake Assist system before the driver steps on the brake pedal.

A new 18-inch wheel and tyre package is standard on G37 Coupe, featuring a "split 5-spoke" 18x8-inch aluminium-alloy wheel design with P225/50VR18 all-season tyres. A new 10-spoke 19-inch wheel and tyre package, with lightweight cast aluminium wheels and high performance tyres, is also available. A Tyre Pressure Monitor System (TPMS) is standard on all 2008 G37 Coupes.

To enhance the already high level of dynamic performance, the G37 Coupe 6MT and G37 Coupe Journey with Sport Package come standard with unique sport suspension, a Viscous Limited Slip Differential (VLSD) and a new wheel and tyre package with 19x8.5-inch front wheels with 225/45WR19 front tyres and 19x9-inch rear wheels with 245/40WR19 rear tyres.

Seductive Styling

The G37 Coupe's advanced performance systems are wrapped in an all-new seductive skin, giving the vehicle a kinetic feeling with emotional surface expression, sweeping character lines and tight panel gap lines.

"Compared with its predecessor, the G37 Coupe is longer, lower and wider - indicative of the power and technology of the vehicle," said Igo.

Exterior highlights include flowing front fender curves, a wave-style hood, expressive front fascia with Infiniti's signature double-arch grille and L-shaped High-Intensity Discharge (HID) bi-xenon headlights with integrated fog lamps. As with the new G35 Sedan, Infiniti developed a specialised production process for headlight installation to impart tight build tolerances and an exacting fit of the complex front fascia. The aluminium hood is secured by dual latches located at the two front corners to ensure an excellent fit.

The strong side character line and side sills integrate with the large wheel wells and the 18- or 19-inch performance-oriented wheel and tyre packages to transmit an added sense of power and vibrancy.

The rear of the G Coupe features broad rear fenders, flowing into the large LED taillights - an Infiniti trademark, refined rear bumper, integrated RearView Monitor camera (when equipped), rear underbody air diffusers and large dual exhaust outlets with chrome finishers.

An available rear spoiler gives the G37 Coupe zero rear lift, matching the standard zero-lift front aerodynamics.

The G37 Coupe Sport 6MT models and G37 Journey with Sport Package add an enhanced performance look, with a unique front fascia, special side sills and standard 19-inch aluminium-alloy wheels with high performance tyres.

Eight exterior colours, including two all-new colours, are offered.

Sophisticated, Luxurious Interior

The 2008 G37 Coupe interior design features sophisticated craftsmanship, with a cockpit-oriented front driver and passenger area, Infiniti signature "double wave" instrument panel design featuring the Infiniti-signature analogue clock and dramatic, full-length centre console with a leather and aluminium-clad shifter. Special aluminium-alloy interior trim, inspired by elegant, handmade Japanese Washi paper, is located across the instrument panel, on the centre console and on the door panels. Genuine African Rosewood trim is also available.

The instrument panel features Infiniti electroluminescent instrumentation with white-and-violet illumination and integrated multi-function information drive computer (average fuel consumption, real-time fuel economy, average speed, elapsed time, running distance, distance to empty, outside air temperature, warning displays, odometer and automatic transmission shift indicator) display.

Drivers grip a double hand-stitched leather-covered steering wheel, designed for maximum comfort and usability with wheel-mounted audio and cruise controls. Available genuine magnesium paddle shifters for the 5-speed automatic transmission fall readily to hand and add control (G37 Coupe Journey with Sport Package only).

The 8-way power driver and 4-way front passenger seats (8-way on G37 Coupe Journey, G37 Coupe Journey with Sport Package and G37 Coupe Sport 6MT model) are appointed with Infiniti's exclusive premium leather and feature 2-way adjustable head restraints and a unique rear-seat access system, whereby the front seats will move forward automatically at the touch of a button to allow passengers into the rear seat.

The G37 Coupe Journey with Sport Package and G37 Coupe Sport 6MT add special 14-way sport-styled seats with thigh extensions and power adjustable torso and thigh bolsters for the driver, unique steering wheel stitching and high-grip aluminium pedals.

Technological and convenience features abound in the new G37 Coupe. Standard is the Infiniti Intelligent Key with push button ignition, Remote Keyless Entry system, a tilt/telescoping steering column with increased travel, illuminated glove compartment and automatic temperature control.

Also standard is a 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with mp3 playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS) and centre console-mounted auxiliary input, as well as a 7-inch colour display.

Available is an 11-speaker Infiniti "Studio on Wheels"™ by Bose®, combining a 3-way front door speaker array using 10-inch woofers with an audiophile-quality head unit incorporating double oversampling 24-bit 96KHz Burr Brown® Digital Analogue Converters (DAC). Also available is a Bluetooth® hands-free phone system, new touch screen Infiniti Navigation System with available XM® NavTraffic™ real-time traffic information (subscription required), voice activation for navigation, audio and HVAC functions, and a 9.3-gigabyte Music Box hard drive with compact flash drive slot.

Three interior colour combinations are offered - Wheat, Graphite and Stone.

Safety Performance and Technology

Available on the new G37 Coupe is an Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS), which automatically controls the headlight lighting pattern according to steering angle and vehicle speed to help provide better visibility at night.

Standard on all G37 Coupes is an Advanced Air Bag System (AABS) with dual-stage supplemental air bags with seat belt sensors and occupant classification sensor, front-seat side-impact supplemental air bags and roof-mounted side-impact curtain air bags for front- and rear-seat occupant head protection.

Also standard are 3-point ALR/ELR seat belts (driver's side ELR only) and front seat belts with pretensioners and load limiters and adjustable upper anchors, driver and front-passenger knee bolsters, front seat Active Head Restraints and the LATCH (Lower Anchors and Tethers for CHildren) system. Available as part of the Technology Package are brake-operated pre-crash seat belts with motion sensor on the brake pedal.

The G37 Coupe features Zone Body Construction with front and rear crushable zones to help disperse crash energy around the passenger compartment. For occupant safety, the engine is designed to move under the occupant compartment in a high-speed frontal collision, while a breakaway construction of the propeller shaft (connected with the engine-drop function) and the double-wall construction of the bulkhead helps to minimise cabin deformation, especially in the lower leg area. In addition, the brake pedal is designed to collapse to help reduce lower leg injuries in a severe crash.

Three Well-Equipped Models

The 2008 Infiniti G37 Coupe is available in three models: G37 Coupe, G37 Coupe Journey and G37 Coupe Sport 6MT. In addition to the long list of standard features on all three models, several options and packages are available.

These include the Premium Package, with a power sliding glass moonroof, 11-speaker Infiniti "Studio on Wheels"™ by Bose® audio system with iPod connection, memory system (driver's seat, steering wheel and outside mirrors) with synchronisation, power tilt and telescoping steering wheel, anti-glare rearview mirror with compass and HomeLink© Universal Transceiver, Bluetooth® hands-free phone system, and heated front seats and door mirrors.

Also offered is the Sport Package (available on G37 Journey model and standard on G37 Coupe Sport 6MT), which includes 19-inch wheels and tyres, Viscous Limited-Slip Differential (VLSD), sport-tuned suspension, sport brakes, unique front fascia and side sills, sport-styled seats and steering wheel stitching, aluminium pedals and paddle shifters (G37 Coupe Journey only).

The Infiniti Navigation Package adds an advanced navigation system with touch-screen capability, available XM® NavTraffic™ real-time traffic information (subscription required), voice activation for navigation, audio and HVAC functions and a 9.3-gigabyte Music Box hard drive with compact flash drive slot, and RearView Monitor. The Technology Package includes Infiniti Intelligent Cruise Control (ICC) with Preview Braking, Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) and, available for the first time on G Coupe, a "Pre-Crash Seatbelt" system.

Also available is the Infiniti 4-Wheel Active Steer system; Performance Wheel and Tyre Package with 19-inch high performance tyres featuring lightweight cast aluminium-alloy wheels; Moonroof; Rear Spoiler; and African Rosewood interior trim.

"When the original G Coupe was introduced, it proved to the world that exhilarating sport coupe performance doesn't have to come in a machine-like box," said Igo. "This new G37 Coupe, which we're proudly showing for the first time anywhere in New York, is pure G and pure Infiniti - and ready to take centre position on the world automotive stage."

Hummer H2

2008-01-29T12:57:00.000-08:00

Hummer H2

HUMMER announced the 2008 H2, with a completely redesigned, more refined interior that combines luxury with HUMMER's legendary ruggedness; enhanced safety features and a more powerful engine that is coupled with a new, six-speed automatic transmission. The new powertrain combination improves efficiency when compared with previous models.

"The 2008 HUMMER H2 represents a major step in the evolution of this iconic vehicle," said Martin Walsh, HUMMER general manager. "From performance to comfort to safety and overall refinement, the new H2 lineup delivers more of what customers expect from HUMMER; they will be especially impressed with the new, more refined interior."

HUMMER revealed the 2008 H2 at the New York Auto Show. The powertrain, interior and exterior changes also are included on the H2 SUT. The '08 H2 and H2 SUT go on sale later this year.

The new powertrain combination consists of a 6.2L all-aluminum small-block V-8 engine, rated at 393 horsepower (293 kW) - an increase of about 20 percent over the previous engine - and a Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic transmission. Performance-optimizing engine technologies, such as variable valve timing, and the six-speed's wide gear ratios, including a "tall" overdrive gear, enable the improved performance and efficiency over previous models.

"This is one of those rare instances where enhanced performance is matched with improved efficiency," said Walsh. "More power in the H2 helps make highway maneuvers, such as entering from a freeway on-ramp, feel effortless while simultaneously bolstering towing capability."

All-new, luxury-appointed interior

While drivers will feel the '08 H2's improved performance on the road, they'll appreciate it more while experiencing it in the all-new interior. It features a completely redesigned instrument panel, new seats - including a full third-row seat for two passengers- new door trim panels, new controls, new rear-seat heating/air conditioning system, new rear-seat overhead DVD entertainment system and a new family of premium radios.

"The new interior delivers a refined, premium feel while maintaining HUMMER's trademark ruggedness," said Dennis Burke, interior designer. "Everything from the flushness of the controls to the feel of the materials exudes craftsmanship in the H2's new interior, while the fine details, like leather seat piping, create a consistent, premium interior design style across the entire HUMMER family."

Seats in the H2 have a new, chiseled appearance and offer improved comfort. In fact, HUMMER engineers focused on every detail to improve interior comfort. For example, the front seat safety belts are now mounted to the vehicle's B-pillars rather than to the seats themselves. This change enabled engineers uncompromised comfort tuning for the seats. Front seat safety belt pretensioners are new, too, and are standard.

Complementing the new seats are new door trim panels and an all-new instrument panel and six-gauge instrument cluster that features a more refined appearance and better tolerances. In fact, the new interior is designed with interior gap tolerances of one millimeter or less. Soft-touch materials and new, more tactile controls enhance the feeling of craftsmanship. A new center stack houses the climate controls and a new family of GM radios - including a standard premium Bose audio system and an available surround sound system. The instrument panel also features new vents that enhance heating or cooling comfort throughout the vehicle - particularly for the second- and third-row seats.

Numerous available comfort and convenience features are either new or carried over into the '08 H2, such as a new rear-seat overhead DVD entertainment system, a navigation system, a rear-view camera system and heated windshield washer fluid. OnStar and XM Satellite Radio are standard.

The '08 H2 also offers a remote starting system that enables the vehicle's interior to be heated or cooled prior to driving.

Driving experience

The heart of the '08 H2 is a new, 6.2L V-8 engine that uses variable valve timing technology to maximize performance and fuel efficiency. It is rated at 393 horsepower (293 kW) and 415 lb.-ft. of torque (574 Nm). The engine also features lightweight materials, including an aluminum cylinder block, which helps reduce the vehicle's overall mass.

The 6.2L V-8's technologically advanced features also help it meet new federal emissions standards a year before mandatory implementation.

A new six-speed Hydra-Matic 6L80 RWD electronically controlled automatic transmission backs the 6.2L engine. The six-speed automatic has a wide, 6.04:1 overall ratio - including two overdrive gears - that helps deliver an excellent balance of performance and fuel economy. Also, the 6L80 has a "tap up/tap down" capability that allows the driver to manually select upshifts and downshifts with a button on the column shifter.

The new powertrain combination helps the 2008 H2 and H2 SUT deliver an additional 1,500 pounds (680 kg) in towing capacity - an increase from 6,500 pounds (2,948 kg) to 8,000 pounds (3,629 kg). A host of additional powertrain revisions also contributes to the H2's improved performance and efficiency, including:

Larger-capacity cooling system complements larger, more powerful engine
Electric engine cooling fans reduce "drag" on engine, enabling more horsepower
Regulated voltage control maximizes fuel economy by charging electrical components only when necessary
New LAN electrical architecture is more efficient and uses less electrical energy
Standard 3.73 rear axle ratio
Off-road acumen also was enhanced with the new powertrain system. The 6L80 transmission's tap up/tap down feature provides more control on grades and it offers automatic grade braking. It also improves the off-road crawl ratio to approximately 39:1 - an improvement of about 20 percent.

The transfer case is improved in the '08 H2; it is stronger with improved performance. A new traction control system also is standard, which helps ensure sure-footed traction in most driving conditions.

Driving performance off the road or on is enhanced by a revised steering gear that has a quicker ratio and improved on-center returnability. The driving experience also is quieter and more refined, thanks to new, tuned air intake and exhaust systems.

Safety standard

Complementing the H2 lineup's performance and comfort changes are enhancements to the safety system. They include several new standard features:

Roof rail head curtain side air bags for first-, second- and third-row passengers with rollover sensing system
Safety belt pretensioners (first-row seats)
Electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation technology
New traction control system
Tire pressure monitoring system
Also new is a panic brake assist feature - the first application for a full-size GM truck or SUV - which detects emergency braking situations and maintains maximum brake pressure to help stop the vehicle more quickly and with more control. It is a standard feature on all H2 models. Also, the standard OnStar system now offers the optional Turn-By-Turn navigation system. Additional optional features that contribute to a safer driving experience include HUMMER's Rear Vision System - a rearview camera system - and a navigation system.

Exterior enhancements

All 2008 H2 models are distinguished from previous models with functional changes that maintain HUMMER's instantly recognizable design identify. The iconic, seven-slot grille features larger openings and the lower grille also is enlarged, accommodating the cooling needs of the more powerful 6.2L V-8 engines. The lower bumpers on '08 models are painted silver (previous models had black lower bumpers).

The soul of a HUMMER

While the '08 H2 is offered with a new powertrain and interior, its foundation remains the same: a fully welded ladder-type frame that features a modular, three-piece design incorporating a number of hydroformed components. This design delivers outstanding strength, stiffness and dimensional accuracy.

The H2 has short overhangs for radical approach and departure angles, and exceptional ground clearance for minimal impact on trails. Standard 17-inch wheels, heavy-duty independent front suspension and a five-link rear suspension provide superior handling, carrying and towing capability. The solid rear axle ensures durable sure-footedness, particularly in tight, off-road situations. Also standard is underbody protection and rocker protection. These elements help the H2 deliver on HUMMER's mantra of capability, including traveling through streams 24 inches (508 mm) deep, climbing 16-inch (406-mm) steps and rocks and paddling through deep sand or snow.

A new, four-channel anti-lock braking/traction control system (ABS/TCS) provides optimum control on slippery surfaces. In addition, the ABS can detect and adjust its braking capabilities to rough off-road surfaces like gravel and potholes. The TCS also includes the ability to gain traction through a single wheel, if necessary, and more wheel slip in a second traction control mode for sand and desert racing conditions.

A self-leveling rear air spring suspension system is available for extreme off-road and towing requirements.

H2 SUT - maximum utility and fun

Like the H2, the H2 SUT carries passengers and cargo, but does so with a twist: an open cargo bed enables convenient storage of larger items. When cargo requires more space, a 4-foot by 6-foot (122-cm by 244-cm) pickup bed can be created by powering the rear window into the Midgate, then folding forward the Midgate and rear seat. With four passengers on board, the bulkhead at the rear of the SUT's passenger compartment remains upright, still providing ample cargo-carrying capacity.

Practicality aside, the H2 SUT also offers an open, invigorating driving experience. At the push of a single button, the driver can lower all four side windows and the rear window. Using a separate switch, the standard sunroof can also be opened, giving SUT a truly open-air feeling.

Ford Mustang Bullitt

2008-01-29T07:53:00.000-08:00

Ford Mustang Bullitt

Four decades after hitting the big screen and redefining the on-screen car chase, the Ford Mustang Bullitt returns to the streets in 2008, blending the best Mustang ever with the latest Ford Racing technology.

This modern classic delivers a balance of power and performance, thanks to special chassis and suspension tweaks as well as the 315 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque that Bullitt delivers through its 4.6-liter V-8 engine.

"The 2008 Mustang Bullitt embodies the true spirit of the 1968 movie car," said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. "Like the original Bullitt, this car dials the driving dynamics up a notch for Mustang enthusiasts who love the performance, handling and the sweet sound of Ford power that only Mustang can deliver."

The 2008 Bullitt arrives in dealers early next year, with a starting MSRP of $31,075 (including destination and delivery) and limited production of 7,700 units for the U.S. and Canada.

The launch of the limited edition 2008 Mustang Bullitt coincides with the 40th anniversary of the release of the Warner pos. Pictures film that gave the original car its name. In the movie, legendary actor Steve McQueen drove a Dark Highland Green 1968 Mustang GT that gained cult status among Mustang enthusiasts, thanks to a seven-minute scene that film and car buffs believe defined the modern movie car chase.

Bullitt Chassis Delivers a Balance of Performance and Comfort

Ford engineers modified the 2008 Mustang Bullitt's chassis and suspension to fine-tune handling and ensure the extra horsepower and torque from the 4.6-liter V-8 is put to good use. The live rear axle uses a unique 3.73:1 gear that helps launch the Bullitt with vigor.

Stock Mustang GT shocks and struts were swapped out for new units that allowed engineers to dial in a more aggressive driving dynamic while still maintaining the outstanding ride and balance of the base Mustang GT. A tower-to-tower pace designed specifically for the Bullitt lends additional torsional and lateral stiffness to the chassis for improved cornering and holds a unique serial number for each Bullitt.

"The 2008 Mustang Bullitt delivers balanced performance," said Paul Randle, chief engineer. "Comfort is not compromised for performance. Performance is on demand. You can easily take Bullitt from the track to the street and back onto the track with confidence."

The pakes also have been improved versus the base Mustang GT's. More aggressive front pads were developed specifically for Bullitt and improve fade resistance and pedal feel.

The 2008 Mustang Bullitt wears unique cast-aluminum Euroflange wheels, offering a modern twist on the original movie car. The Dark Argent Gray spokes feature a satin finish, while a pight-machined lip completes the look. Calipers are colored to match the wheel. The wheels are wrapped in the same P235/50ZR 18 BF Goodrich g-Force T/A KDWS tires used on Mustangs at the Ford Racing High Performance Driving School at Miller Motorsports Park in Utah.

Powered by Ford Racing

Bullitt packs firepower under the hood. The 4.6-liter, 3-valve V-8 delivers 315 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 325 pound-feet of torque at 4,250 rpm.

Engine calipation is designed to increase throttle response for a snappier acceleration feel. The redline has been boosted by 250 rpm to 6,500, with top-end speed bumped to 151 miles-per-hour. Gears are selected via a Tremac 5-speed manual transmission, and the shifter is topped with a polished aluminum shift ball designed specifically for the 2008 Bullitt.

The car features the first use of an open-element air filter in a factory-produced, fuel-injected Mustang. Inspired by Ford Racing, the intake is tucked neatly behind the driver side headlamp, mounted in an air box that was tooled up specifically for the Mustang. The hood liner was extensively modified to provide a full seal to the air box, ensuring that the engine is fed a steady diet of cooler air.

"Colder air reduces intake losses," said Randle. "The new cold-air intake has shown a reduction in rise over ambient temperature from 50 degrees down to 17 degrees Fahrenheit. That equates to more horsepower and more torque in all driving conditions."

Engine performance is further enhanced through the use of an innovative adaptive spark ignition system, new for the 2008 Mustang.

The system can sense, within a few seconds, what type of fuel is being injected into the motor and adjusts the spark to provide maximum torque at any given speed - and as much as 10 pounds-feet more between 1,000 and 4,000 rpm.

Bullitt can run on either premium or regular fuel. Ford recommends premium fuel for optimum performance, but the adaptive spark ignition will adjust the spark to burn regular fuel without damaging the engine.

"With all the improvements we've made to the engine and the taller 3.73-to-1 rear gear, the Bullitt will plant you firmly in the driver's seat when you stand on the throttle. We've seen zero to 60 times drop by up to three tenths of a second," said Randle. "There's also plenty of power on tap at any speed. The car definitely feels lighter on its feet, and it is."

The custom-designed exhaust system continues Mustang's traditional use of a true dual-exhaust system with a new H-pipe specifically developed for Bullitt. The all-new mufflers, featuring larger 3.5-inch chrome tips (versus the 3-inch tips on the standard Mustang GT) are tuned to minimize backpressure, maximize horsepower and provide the Bullitt with its powerful exhaust note.

"We wanted to get the exhaust note as close to the original movie car as possible, so we based it on a digitally mastered DVD," said Randle. "We wanted something that would rumble your heart, literally buzz you - and the Bullitt team delivered."

Capturing the Bullitt's Undercover Look

The original 1968 Ford Mustang Mustang Bullitt's stealth-like appearance wasn't necessarily intentional. In typical Hollywood fashion, the movie crew removed all exterior badges and logos from the car - including the iconic pony badge on the grille.

The 2008 Mustang Bullitt calls back the original movie car in painstaking detail - right down to the dark green paint and lack of exterior badges, scoops and spoilers.

The only visible identification is the word "Bullitt" dropped into a gun-sight graphic in the center of the faux gas cap on the decklid.

"The 2008 Mustang Bullitt, like the movie car, is a wolf in sheep's clothing," said Doug Gaffka, chief designer. "Mustang is - and always has been - such an icon that it's recognizable without the badges. But Bullitt's clean exterior doesn't give away the Ford Racing-inspired power and performance lurking under its skin."

The new Bullitt wears a close match to the movie car's 1968 Highland Green paint, officially called Dark Highland Green. This distinctive color has only graced one other Mustang, the 2001 Mustang Bullitt. Gaffka assures Bullitt enthusiasts that the color will remain an exclusive Mustang Bullitt color. Non-purists can opt for only one other color - black.

The Mustang Bullitt uses the standard Mustang GT's front fascia. A new black-mesh grille is devoid of the standard chrome pony and is accented by a satin aluminum strip that represents the chrome grille surround on the 1968 car. The rear fascia also is shared with the standard Mustang GT and houses Bullitt's unique dual exhaust tips. Dark Argent Gray painted pake calipers closely match the wheel spokes, while staying true to the original.

Bullitt Interior Delivers Comfort with a Purpose

The interior is pure Mustang Bullitt, understated and dressed in Charcoal Black leather and Satin metallic trim. The centerpiece of the interior is the hand-machined, aluminum swirl dash panel appliqué.

"The machined appliqué differentiates the Bullitt from any other Mustang in the line-up," said Gaffka. "It's also perfect for the Bullitt. The graphic presentation pings back the feel of the '60s while still staying true to the Mustang's modern interior design."

Satin aluminum bezels circle the air vents and gauges, complementing a satin aluminum shift ball that replaces the standard leather-wrapped shifter on the Mustang GT. The pedals wear race-inspired aluminum covers that further reinforce Bullitt's performance intentions.

The interior is graphically clean. The only identifying marks visible inside Bullitt are the logo and gun-sight graphic mounted in the center of the leather-wrapped steering wheel and the word "Bullitt" embossed into the metal sill plates.

The Dark Charcoal leather seats pick up the diamond perforation inserts from the base Mustang GT. The seats are patterned after those in the Shelby GT500 providing added lumbar and bolster support. The seats are constructed using the new soy-based foam developed by Ford and introduced on the 2008 Mustang. The soy foam, made up of 24 percent renewable content, is produced through a process that requires less energy and emits less CO2.

The Bullitt package enhances the Mustang GT Premium package with the following:

3.73:1 Limited Slip Rear Axle
Ford Racing Power Pack (cold air induction system)
High Performance Calipation
Performance Friction Carbon Metallic® front pake pads
Ford Racing Strut Tower pace
Sport -tuned suspension (shocks/springs/stabilizer bar)
Modified "H" Pipe
Dark Grey pake Calipers
18-inch Euro-Flange Bullitt Wheels with Charcoal Satin Finish
3.5-inch Packed Exhaust Tips
Distinct Upper Grille
Bullitt emblem on faux fuel cap
Black interior with upgraded steering wheel
Charcoal Black sport leather seats
Unique IP finish (hand-machined aluminum swirl)
Satin Aluminum interior accents (ball shifter/sill plate/pedal covers)

Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept

2008-01-29T07:07:00.000-08:00

Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept

Having earned critical acclaim, industry awards and brisk sales, Cadillac CTS has moved into the vanguard of contemporary design. In doing so, Cadillac designers faced the question of what to do next. Their answer celebrates that design legacy with the exhilarating Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept, which premiered at the 2008 North American International Auto Show.

The Cadillac CTS Coupe takes Cadillac's acclaimed Art and Science design language and adds more of both. More expressive, more technical and very personal, the Cadillac CTS Coupe extends the dramatic design of its sedan predecessor with all-new sculpted bodywork aft of the front fenders.

"The CTS Coupe Concept is a dramatic design statement," said Ed Welburn, VP, GM Global Design. "We did not create it as the result of sifting through reams of market data, nor is its shape trimmed to suit the input collected at a consumer clinic - it is emotion on four wheels and the very essence of what defines Cadillac today."

The Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept has a classic 2+2 interior layout, highlighted by black leather and Alcantara microfiber trim that is complemented by yellow ochre-colored seat inserts and leather stitching. It is designed to accommodate a range of engines for the global luxury market, including Cadillac's popular 3.6L Direct Injection V-6, as well as a new 2.9L turbo-diesel currently in development.

"This Coupe Concept is a natural extension of our design language, and of the CTS itself," said Jim Taylor, Cadillac general manager. "Very simply, the dramatic design of the sedan begged the question of what it would look like in the unbridled form of a Coupe."

Generated from the spark of the CTS design team's imagination, the Cadillac CTS Coupe casts a profile unlike anything else on the road. Its fast-rake styling - it has the same wheelbase as the CTS, but an overall height that is approximately four inches (101 mm) shorter - blends with hand-sculpted bodywork that bulges around the wheels, giving the vehicle a ready-to-pounce stance that is dramatic, powerful and sleek.

"Just about every decade, Cadillac designs a breakthrough car that becomes synonymous with the brand's character of the period, such as the 1938 60 Special, the 1959 lineup, the 1975 Seville and the 2003 Sixteen Concept," said Clay Dean, global director of design, for Cadillac. "The CTS Coupe Concept is the next great design, carrying the baton from the Evoq Concept that ushered in the Art and Science era in 1999."

A design gem

Among the Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept's signature design cues are a number of elements that suggest the look of a carefully cut diamond - particularly at the rear. These elements are seen in everything from the chrome header above the rear license plate holder to the indents that comprise the basic form of the rear fascia.

"The diamond-cut elements enhance the sleek profile of the car," said John Manoogian II, director of exterior design for Cadillac. "The CTS Coupe uses the elements, along with other nods to classic Cadillac cues - such as vertical headlamps and taillamps - to acknowledge the brand's heritage without resorting to nostalgia. It is a forward-looking design in every sense of the term."

Although based on the sedan, the Cadillac CTS Coupe shares only the instrument panel, console, headlamps, front fenders and grille with the production model. Unique elements include:

Classic hardtop styling, with no B-pillar
CTS production windshield laid at a faster angle to create a sleeker profile
Chrome, split seven-spoke wheel design; 20-inch front wheels and 21-inch rear wheels
Sculpted lower front fascia with unique brake-cooling vents
Slim-profile outside mirrors
XLR-type hidden door handles with proximity remote opening
Unique front fender vents
Diamond-cut rear fascia with mesh lower grilles and center-outlet exhaust
Taillamps with a subtle fin profile and are highlighted with LED lighting technology with light pipes
Rear spoiler integrated into the center high-mounted stop lamp
Sculpted roof-mounted antenna for OnStar, XM Satellite Radio, etc.
"The cliché is to say that there were no compromises in the design, but that is absolutely accurate in the case of the CTS Coupe," said Manoogian. "Each line and angle of the bodywork was carefully honed, and the final design's proportions were judged by the eyes of the design team, not computer-generated math data."

The surfaces of Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept are complex, inviting careful inspection. The rear fenders, for example, were sculpted by hand in the design studio until they provided a perfect, muscular form that wrapped tightly over the wheels. At the top, the rear fenders are beveled - owing to the diamond-cut theme - and become part of a horizontal plane that runs from the leading edge of the taillamps and merges into the roof.

"At first glance, the design appears effectively simple, because there are no extraneous moldings, spoilers or other protrusions, but the more you look at it, the more complex it becomes," said Manoogian. "The angles and bevels were carefully carved to enhance the car's sleek shape, but aren't 'busy' or distracting - there's really nothing quite like it."

Personal passenger environment

A classic 2+2 interior environment enhances the Cadillac CTS Coupe's personal feel. It shares the hand cut-and-sewn instrument panel and center console with the CTS, but features unique front and rear seats, a continuous console running between the front and rear seats, and custom door panels.

"The CTS Coupe is a personal car - something a customer would choose to reward him or herself - and the passenger environment reflects that," said Eric Clough, interior design director. "The interior uses the already excellent CTS design and takes it to a new, bolder level."

Custom-trimmed sport seats from Recaro are located in all four positions. They support the grand-touring nature of the car and are covered in rich, black and suede-like microfiber material, with yellow ochre-colored inserts. The yellow ochre color provides dramatic contrast with the black surrounding trim, but is a subdued hue consistent with the interior's overall feeling of refinement. Yellow ochre stitching also is used throughout, including the seats, instrument panel, shifter knob and more.

Black microfiber fabric covers the front armrest, as well as an armrest located between the rear seats. The armrests are part of a continuous console that stretches from the instrument panel to rear seats. Carbon-fiber trim accents the console. The interior also features ambient lighting throughout, creating a distinctive environment at night.

Like the sedan, the CTS Coupe Concept's interior is home to a host of technologies, including a premium Bose audio system, 40-gigabyte hard drive and XM Satellite Radio. OnStar with Turn-by-Turn Navigation enhances the vehicle's onboard navigation system, which - like the CTS - features a screen that rises out of the center of the instrument panel.

Performance-bred powertrain and suspension systems

As is the case with its design, the Cadillac CTS Coupe extends the acclaimed capabilities of the sedan in terms of performance technology. This includes the capability to support a broad engine range of gasoline and diesel engines.

The Cadillac CTS Coupe, of course, ascertains the sedan's 3.6L V-6 engines, including the 304-horsepower (227 kW) Direct Injection power plant. The Coupe Concept also is designed for a new 2.9L turbo-diesel being developed for international markets. This new engine, tailored for use in the CTS, will deliver an estimated 250 horsepower (184 kW) and 406 lb.-ft. of torque (550 Nm).

A six-speed manual transmission backs the engine, sending torque to an independently sprung rear axle. The CTS Coupe's sport-tuned suspension gives it a slightly lower ride height than a production CTS - a look enhanced by the car's rakish shape and large, 20-inch front and 21-inch rear wheels.

Behind the chrome, split-spoke, aluminum alloy wheels is a set of high-performance brakes, featuring cross-drilled rotors. Six-piston calipers clamp down on the front rotors, while four-piston calipers grab the rear rotors. All of the rotors have a distinctive, yellow-painted finish.

CADILLAC CTS Coupe CONCEPT SPECIFICATIONS

Vehicle type: two-door, four-passenger rear-wheel-drive coupe
Wheelbase (in / mm): 113.4 / 2880
Length (in / mm): 187 / 4750
Width (in / mm): 73.6 / 1870
Height (in / mm): 54.7 / 1390
Track (in / mm): 61.8 / 1570 (front); 62 / 1575 (rear)
Powertrain: 2.9L turbo-diesel; six-speed manual transmission
Suspension: four-wheel independent: MacPherson strut front; multilink rear, progressive rate coil springs, monotube shock absorbers
Brakes: four-wheel disc; crossed-drilled rotors
Wheels: cast aluminum; 20-in front, 21-in rear

Personal Injury Insights and Settlement Agreement

2008-01-28T11:53:00.000-08:00

1.Personal Injury Insights

Remember, there’s nothing that has a greater impact on evaluating a personal injury insurance claim than the damage done to your body, the medical bills that are a direct result of that injury and the “pain and suffering” you were forced to deal with.

What else does the injury mean to you, besides botching up your body (and sometimes your love life)? Body injuries mean a ton of financial expense’s, including repairing your motor vehicle, lost wages, a shock to your life style, a tremendous inconvenience and short or long periods of pain and discomfort – all of it a direct result of your injuries.

Even more, there's a long list of possible medical expenses. For instance: Doctor/Chiropractor, Prescription Drug Bills, Ambulance, Emergency Room Care, Hospital or Clinic, Specialist and/or Dentist, Laboratory Fees and Services, Diagnostic Tests, X-Rays and (CT) Scan, Prosthetic Appliances or Surgical Apparatus (Canes & Crutches), Physical Therapy, Registered and/or Practical Nurse Fees, Gauze and Tape, Ace Bandages all of which the insurance company must pay whether they like it or not!

Do not forget about Creams, Lotions, Ointments, Balms and Salves, etc. (Should the lady in your life apply any of these to your aching body I'm sorry to tell you this but her labor is not an expense you can claim).
Your Bodily Injuries: It's true that the vast majority of motor vehicle accidents cause minor injuries. While bodily injury pain can be specifically measured the limits of what you can endure cannot. Each person has a different "pain threshold" – that is, the point at which we begin to feel physical pain. The quality and amount of pain you feel is not strictly dependent on the bodily injury inflicted. A pain has a lot to do with your previous experience, how well you remember it, and your ability to understand what caused you that pain, and its consequences, the last time around.

Strain and stress magnify physical pain plus personal anxiety will greatly increase it. Also do not forget about emotional reactions to the injury. Some degree of mental distress can be caused by a bodily injury. The severity and duration depends on a number of factors:
• the type of individual you are,
• the ultimate consequences of the injury you sustained,
• the life stresses or strengths you're experiencing at the time of your injury.

One thing you must keep in mind when it comes to muscle injuries is that when one part of the body demands rest (by sending out a pain signal) and – without your even realizing it – you help your body by placing a new burden on other muscles. Although those muscles may not have been directly injured in the accident, they can still get buggered up and produce a lot of pain because of their new role.

2.Settlement Agreement

Close to ninety-five percent of insurance claims conclude by reaching a settlement. It is important, however, that you not accept a premature or inadequate car accident settlement just to get some money quickly. You may very well regret it later. Take your time; in every state you have at least a year or more to settle your claim or file a lawsuit.

Care should be taken to come to a car accident insurance settlement that takes all reasonable future injury-related problems into consideration. Your physician should be consulted for information on your prognosis for recovery and any potential problems that could occur down the road. Then, armed with all pertinent information, and after negotiating with the claims adjuster either on your own or with the assistance of an attorney, you may be able to reach a settlement that is satisfactory to you. If you do, congratulations! Now how do you get the money? Not so fast!

Once you have settled your claim, the insurance company will want to make sure that you cannot come back to their insured later and sue for more money. They will, therefore, ask you to sign a form called a Release and Waiver. You want to be certain that the conditions on the waiver are reasonable, and that the money will be paid to you promptly. As with any legal document, it is important to have an car accident lawyer review it and advise you before you put your signature on it. After you sign it, it will be too late to question any of the conditions or terminology used.

Caution: As the releasing party, by settling your claim and signing the Release and Waiver, you are required to give up all known and unknown claims against the driver that caused the accident. This means, for example, that if your back pain from the accident suddenly makes a return appearance a year from now, you cannot go back and sue the other driver from the accident for additional compensation. Make sure you understand what you are signing and what will happen after you sign. An attorney will make certain that you are fully aware of your rights and what rights you are giving up by signing this document. That is why it is so important to seek legal counsel to assist you with this process.

Once you sign and return the Release and Waiver, the insurance company will send you either a bank draft or a certified check. At that point, the money is yours.

Filing Car Insurance Claim & How to Deal With Auto Insurance Claims

2008-01-28T11:49:00.000-08:00

1.Filing Car Insurance Claim

One of life's least enjoyable moments can be even a teeny-tiny car accident. Nevertheless, accidents happen, and sooner or later, we all have the experience of meeting one of our fellow road travelers up close and personal. Look through the following seven steps of filing your claim will help you get over this speed bump as smoothly as possible.

Comprehend your policy
Sit down and carefully read your insurance policy before a loss. If you have any questions about what is or is not covered, call your agent or company.

Exchange information
If an accident happened, get the other driver's name, address, phone number, insurance carrier, and insurer's phone number. Give the same information about yourself to the other driver. Insurers' telephone numbers can be found on the proof-of-insurance cards that should be carried on your person when operating a motor vehicle.

Identify witnesses
Take the names and phone numbers of the witnesses in case their account of the accident is needed.

File an accident report
To have an accident report prepared contact local law enforcement officers. If you can’t reach law enforcement, accident reports and detailed instructions are available at all police departments, sheriff's offices, your local Department of Motor Vehicles office, and on your local Department of Motor Vehicles' web site.

Inform your insurer
Come into contact with your insurance company about the accident as soon as possible. The accident report will be reviewed by an insurance adjuster who will determine who caused the accident. If you don’t cause the accident, you can have either your insurance company or the at-fault driver's insurance company handle the repair or replacement of your vehicle. If you are the client of the other driver's company, you will not have a claim on your automobile policy and you will not have to pay a deductible.

Do not release insurers too early
Until the damages are settled to your satisfaction, do not relieve your insurance company of its responsibility. For instance, have your insurance company handle the claim if the other party's insurance company questions its policyholder's negligence or offers an unacceptable settlement.

Take into account these settlement factors
Bodily injuries: Monetary settlement may be entitled for you for injuries caused by another at fault (liable) party. Some injuries can become apparent in several days.

Damages: Reasonable cost of repairs to your vehicle is paid by the insurance company. the damage is evaluated by an insurance adjuster. Normally, insurance companies and auto body shops negotiate disagreements about what should be repaired. You have the right to obtain another appraisal at any auto body shop, if you are not satisfied with their conclusions.

Appraisal clause: An appraisal clause is included in most auto insurance policies, which can be used to help resolve disputes between you and your insurance company about physical damage claims. You or your insurer can initiate the appraisal clause, if you cannot reach an agreement with your company. To resolve the dispute your appraiser and your insurer's appraiser then select an independent umpire. Read carefully your policy or ask your agent or insurance company for more information about the appraisal clause.

2.How to Deal With Auto Insurance Claims

Insurance exists with the purpose of paying for claims. An insurance company and a policyholder conclude an agreement. It is important to read and understand your policy as it include all duties, reasons for claims, amount of money you may get, exclusions, and failure causes. No one insurance company can just refuse to satisfy legitimate claims if there were no violations.

Buying an auto insurance policy, you agree to behave in a prescribed way and perform certain duties after a loss has occurred. You may find these duties in the section of the policy entitled “Conditions”. If you failure to perform one duty at least, the insurance company may refuse to pay the claim.

Usually you are required to inform the insurance company of any loss that has happened. This may include the time and place of an accident, information about damages and injured person etc. Some of the insurer requires your help in the investigation, settlement or defense of claims.
Obligation to provide a defense for you if you are sued may also be included into your auto insurance policy. In that case the insurance company selects a lawyer and pays for all legal fees.

In your part you must inform the insurance company of an accident at once. Otherwise the insurance company may accuse you of preventing from doing an investigation or taking any other actions. As a result the insurance company may reduce the amount of claim or even deny to pay for charges on the legal ground.
All you steps should be coordinated with your insurance company. It that case you will be protected from company's repayment refuse.

However the insurance company may refuse to pay a claim produced by its policyholder. It may be caused some instances. For example, your insurer may decide that your auto insurance policy doesn’t cover such type of damages or a court found you guilty of auto insurance fraud.

If you feel that you haven’t got the appropriate solution of your claim, ask for reassessment of your claims from the appraisal service or the arbitration service of your insurance company. Besides you can turn to your own state’s insurance department for help.

You may also call the consumer complaint department. Ask the name of the person whom you talked in the consumer complaint department and send photocopies of all the documents to him. In some cases he may be able to help you.

Finally you may call a toll free consumer information service 1-800-942-4242. This service is sponsored by the insurance industry and is available Monday to Friday, from 8:00 am to 8:00 pm. Specially trained personnel can assist and answer your questions relating to auto insurance complaints.

If you steel have any doubts concerning legality of the insurance company’s decision, consult with an attorney, who is specialized in handling auto insurance cases.

Anyway, an insurance company pays for claims only up to your coverage limit. All fees that exceed a policy limit are your responsibility.

Denial Car Insurance Claim & Dispute with Insurance Company

2008-01-28T11:46:00.000-08:00

1.Denial Car Insurance Claim

There are many reasons a car accident claim can be denied, valid or not.

Some common reasons for denial are:

• No car insurance coverage was purchased for the claim presented. For example, if you drive an older vehicle, you may carry only liability insurance and have no collision coverage because it is expensive. A claim under your policy for damage to your own vehicle will rightfully be denied.

• You made an Uninsured Motorist Claim under your policy and it turns out the other party to the accident was insured.

• You do not qualify as a named insured under the policy. For example, you are a teenager and you are specifically excluded under your parents’ policy because your parents do not expect you to drive their vehicle.

• Your coverage has lapsed because you failed to pay your premium before the end of the grace period.

• The amount of damage claimed exceeds your policy limits and the insurance company will not cover the excess.

• You bought a new car and failed to notify the insurance company to add it to the policy within the specified time given in the policy.

If, after reading the insurance company’s reasons and reviewing your policy, you still believe coverage has been wrongfully denied, there are some steps you may take to try to remedy the situation. You have certain rights under your policy and under state law. Your insurance company has a duty to fairly and promptly settle your car accident insurance claim in good faith.

Steps you can take if coverage has been wrongfully denied:

• Write back to the insurance company to tell them where their mistake is and provide them with documentation to support your response.

• Appeal the company’s decision to the State Insurance Commissioner.

• Hire an insurance bad faith attorney to discuss the error with the insurance company.

• Sue the insurance company for bad faith, breach of contract, and/or violations of your state’s insurance code.

If the insurance company realizes its mistake, or you are correct in that the adjuster made an error, they will reopen your claim and move forward with their investigation. Where you don’t understand their reason for denial, ask for clarification. It would be wise to consult an attorney to make sure they are not erroneously denying your claim.

CAUTION: Your insurance company is required to act in good faith when handling your car accident claim. If the insurance company unnecessarily denies your claim or fails to promptly settle it, you can sue them for bad faith, breach of contract, and violations of your state’s insurance code. It is crucial that you seek out an auto accident attorney who is experienced in insurance coverage litigation if you believe your insurance company is not handling your claim fairly.

Note that if your car accident claim is with the insurance company for the other driver involved in the car accident, a failure to settle promptly or fairly is not a denial of the claim. You should contact an attorney to either negotiate a settlement for you or to file suit against the responsible driver. Under some circumstances and in some states, you may also file a complaint with the State’s Department of Insurance for Third Party Bad Faith.

2.Dispute with Insurance Company

Most insurance policies contain an “appraisal clause” which means that disputes between insurers and policyholders must be arbitrated (where a neutral party decides the outcome of the dispute) and not litigated (decided in a court of law). Basically, each party hires an appraiser to look at the claim and proposed settlement figures. If the appraisers can't agree on a fair settlement of your claim, they will submit their differences to a neutral third appraiser (commonly known as an umpire), and a decision by any two of the three is usually binding upon the parties.

Costs. Although arbitration is less formal and usually less costly than litigation, it is not free. Each side pays the cost of its appraiser and splits the cost of the third appraiser, if there is one. Obviously, if the appraiser fees are more than what you were looking for from a settlement offer, the process isn’t worth your time. Therefore, consumers should analyze the difference between the settlement amount they are seeking and the amount offered to see if going through the process is financially sensible.

Other important points.
• Either party can normally invoke the appraisal clause when a settlement amount cannot be agreed upon.
• The arbitration process can take anywhere from a couple weeks to a couple months and can only be used in matters where damages are the only issue.
• If your insurer does not honor the arbitration decision, it is acting in bad faith and you may then take them to a court of law. Hiring an attorney is highly advisable in this situation.
• Appraisal clauses are between insurers and their policyholders only.

Car Totaling & Claims FAQs

2008-01-28T11:43:00.000-08:00

1.Car Totaling

If you have had an automobile accident, you will likely want to file an auto accident insurance claim with your own car insurance company, the other driver’s insurance company, or both. Once you make a claim, a Claims Adjuster, Insurance Adjuster, or Claims Representative will contact you. These are all different names for the same thing; this is the person who will get all of the information from you about your accident, determine if there is coverage under your policy, gather the facts, do the investigation to determine who was at fault, decide on the value of your auto accident insurance claim, and, if everything goes as planned, pay you. The process isn’t complicated, but if you’ve never gone through it before, there are some important things you need to know.

Whether it is your insurance company’s adjuster or the other driver’s, many of the questions asked and documents requested will be the same. They will want to know what happened, the people and vehicles involved, what was damaged, and if anyone was injured. They’ll want photos taken of your vehicle and an estimate for the damages, a copy of the police report if there is one, and contact information for any witnesses.

Some of the questions both insurance company adjusters will ask are:
• What happened in the accident?
• Where did it occur?
• Who was driving?
• Any passengers in the vehicle? Names/contact information/ages?
• Was a policeman called to the scene? Did the officer prepare a report?
• What vehicles were involved? Makes, models, years, colors, registered owners?
• Were the vehicles damaged? What parts? Were the cars drivable?
• Was anyone injured? Did anyone leave by ambulance?
• Any witnesses? Contact information?
• Does the other party have insurance? Insurance company name and contact information?

Beyond these questions, there are some differences between not just what the insurance company will ask, but the attitude they take depending on whether it is your own insurance company or the other driver’s. Of course your own insurance adjuster will want to know if you were injured and will ask for details of your injury and treatment, but they are only responsible under your policy for paying your medical bills up to your policy limits. They do not, however, pay for your lost wages or your pain and suffering unless you live in a no-fault state.

If, however, you are talking to the other driver’s insurance company, their job is to keep your car accident insurance claim as small as possible. Why? If their insured was at fault for the accident, they may be responsible for paying not just for your medical bills and the damage to your vehicle, but your lost wages, other expenses you incurred or will incur in the future, and general damages which include your pain and suffering. Since they could be on the hook for a lot more money than your own insurance, you’ll find some skepticism when being questioned and you have to be careful about what you say. They will try to get you to state that you have no injury, or try to minimize your personal injury claim, and get you to sign a Release and Waiver before you know what’s going on. If you were injured, you may want to speak to an attorney before talking to the other driver’s insurer so you avoid saying or signing the wrong thing which could hurt your chances of making a personal injury claim or getting paid what you deserve down the road.

What the other driver’s insurer may ask:
• What part of your body was injured?
• Have you had any injuries or treatment to that body part ever before?
• When was the last time you were treated for an injury to that body part?
• What was your doctor’s diagnosis at that time?

This line of questioning is meant to set you up. Suppose your lower back was injured in the accident. Most people have had some back problems at some point in their lives. If you tell them that 10 years ago you injured your back at work, they may try to say this was just an aggravation of the old injury and assign it less value even if it’s been fine for the last 9 years. This is why talking to a car accident attorney first may be your best bet to protect your rights, and be certain you will get a fair settlement.

2.Claims FAQs

The company is not paying fairly total loss. How to establish a vehicle's value?
Consider such sources as book value and dealer quotes. If you or the insurer disputes the vehicle value basing on those sources, the accurate determination can be made comparing with similar vehicles available in the market. The condition of the vehicle, mileage and options matters in determining your vehicle's value.

The other insurance company won't pay for a rental car on my liability claim. Don't they have to?
Not in all situations. The insurer should cover the cost of a rental as part of your damages from the accident, if you have no other vehicle available. At least until they determine the loss on your car. This issue isn't determined in any insurance statutes.

Can an insurance company write an estimate using parts not made by the original manufacturer or salvage parts?
Yes, they are required to put new parts on a used vehicle. An insurance company has to return the vehicle to its condition before the damage.

The insurance company revised the estimate and paid based on the revised estimate. Can they do this?
Yes, if the estimate guarantee properly repairs your vehicle. Ask your body shop to review the revised estimate. If they can't properly repair your vehicle basing on the revised estimate, they should contact your adjuster.

Can the insurance company say where to repair a vehicle?
Yes, if the insurance company guarantee the work. However you may to go to the repair shop of your choice, but you should be ready to take responsibility for the additional costs. Your insurance company may only be obligated to pay for the lowest estimate.

What is comparative fault?
Pure comparative fault allows your damages to be reduced by the percentage you are at fault in a loss. Insurers may investigate an accident and make a decision as to the percentage of fault of all parties involved. They will make voluntary offers based on this opinion. If you disagree with their evaluation, you should consult an attorney or turn over the matter to your own insurance company to handle under your collision coverage.

Car Insurance Property Damage Claims

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1.Car Insurance Property Damage Claims

When you are involved in a car accident and the other driver is at fault, you may choose to go through your own insurance company to have your vehicle repaired or the negligent driver’s insurance company. So what’s the difference? If you make a car accident claim with your own insurance company, you will likely be charged a deductible. If you have rental car coverage on your policy, you will have access to a rental car while your car is in the shop, up to a daily or weekly limit set out in your policy. When the claim is settled, your insurer will subrogate against the responsible party’s insurance company and get the money back. This may or may not include your deductible. If it does, you will eventually be reimbursed. If it doesn’t, you’ll be out the amount of your deductible (typically, $200-$500).

If, instead, you go through the other driver’s insurance, as long as liability is clear, they will pay for your car repairs and a rental car and you will not be charged a deductible. Either way, an adjuster will likely question you about the accident and then arrange for photos to be taken of your vehicle.

What if liability is unclear?
If you are partially at fault for the accident or it’s not clear who was at fault, it’s best to go through your own insurance company and then let the two insurance companies duke it out in subrogation. Your insurance company may get some of their money back that they paid out to repair your car, and you may get a percentage of your deductible back if the companies agree on how fault should be apportioned.

Where it will make more of a difference to you is with regard to your injuries (if you were injured) in the accident. If you were partially at fault, you will only collect a percentage of your damages, including your pain and suffering damages (compensation for the physical and mental distress suffered as a result of an injury). If it’s not clear who was responsible, it may have to be decided in court or by an arbitrator. If you were injured, and liability is not clear, even if the insurance companies decide on a percentage with regard to the property damage, you should hire a personal injury lawyer who will advocate for your position and get you a larger percentage of your damages for your injury.
How about if your car is a total loss?
If your car was a total loss (it would cost more to repair than the value of the vehicle), and you are making a property damage claim for it with the other driver’s insurance, don’t be surprised if you wind up having to negotiate with them regarding the value of your vehicle.

What if you also have an injury?
If you are injured, when you talk to the other insurance company about property damage, be careful what information you give them. The adjuster may try to get you to state that you have no personal injury claim or try to have you minimize your claim. Talk to a personal injury lawyer so you avoid saying or signing the wrong thing and hurt your chances of making an injury claim down the road.

Fault vs. No-Fault state
The relationship between fault and who ultimately pays for damages and injuries determines the outcome in car insurance claims and car accident cases across most states. There are some states, however, that operate under no-fault laws. Essentially, under no-fault laws, it doesn’t matter who was at fault. Each person’s own insurance company pays for his or her expenses, depending on that state’s specific laws and rules. No-fault does not usually apply to property damage. Even in a no-fault state, you may either go through your own insurance or the other party’s insurance if the other party is at fault. Only Michigan requires a PPI policy—Property Protection Insurance—which pays for damage to your vehicle no matter who was at fault. It is similar to collision, but you will pay no deductible.

Note: Although the adjuster will likely take photos of your damaged vehicle, you should take your own pictures if you can in case there are any questions later on about the damage.

Car Accidents in a No-Fault State

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1.Car Accidents in a No-Fault State

If you have been injured in an automobile accident, in about a quarter of states, it does not matter who was at fault in order for you to recover money under an insurance policy. Regardless of who was at fault, in a no-fault state, your own insurance policy will protect you and provide you with immediate medical treatment. That’s the good news. The not-so-good news is that in no-fault states you are limited in your ability to sue the negligent driver for damages.

There are currently nine states that are considered “No-Fault” and three additional states which are “Choice” states, where you are given a choice of purchasing a no-fault policy or a “tort policy”. The tort policy is the same type of fault policy as in the majority of states. If you have a tort policy in a choice state, the claims procedures are the same as if you are in a fault state and you retain your right to sue the neligent party with few limitations. In general, tort policies have higher premiums.

The No-Fault states are: Hawaii, Florida, Kansas, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, North Dakota, New York and Utah. The Choice states are Kentucky, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, plus the District of Columbia.
Under a pure no-fault system, your own auto insurance policy would pay for any economic damages including medical bills and lost wages up to your policy limits. You would be prohibited from suing a negligent driver for general damages such as pain and suffering, loss of companionship, etc. Currently, there are no pure no-fault states. All of the no-fault states have somewhat of a modified system where your insurer pays for your economic damages up to the policy limits, but you may be allowed to sue for non-economic or general damages (i.e., pain and suffering, loss of services, etc.) if those damages exceed a certain level. In some states that level is $250,000; in others it is higher, and in still others, you or your family may sue only if the injuries are “serious” or resulted in death, regardless of the dollar amount.

The section of your policy that covers you for bodily injuries (and your bodily injury claims) in a no-fault state is called Personal Injury Protection, or PIP. Although different states cover different things, in general, PIP covers your medical bills, lost wages, funeral costs and death benefits up to your policy limits. Most of the states have a minimum of $10,000 coverage for PIP which can be increased for a higher premium. In some states you can decrease your premium by applying a deductible.

No-fault insurance coverage can be very complex and you may want to consult a personal injury lawyer to help you through the process. Here is an example of how complicated it is in Massachusetts. There, every driver must carry personal injury protection (PIP) coverage with a minimum of $8,000 per person which covers the following benefits:

• Medical expenses (including eye glasses, prosthetic devices, funeral services and professional nursing);
• Seventy five (75%) percent of lost wages or lost earning power if unemployed; and,
• Payment to people for necessary services they rendered to the household, which the injured party would have performed without pay (i.e. cleaning, etc.).
Your Massachusetts PIP coverage will only pay the first $2,000 of your medical bills, but will cover up to total of $8,000, if you have no other health insurance. The expenses or losses must be incurred within two (2) years from the date of the accident.
In Massachusetts, you may sue the negligent driver for general damages only under these circumstances:
• Your reasonable and necessary medical bills exceed $2,000, or
• There is permanent or serious disfigurement, or
• A fracture, or
• Partial or complete loss of a body part, or
• Loss of sight or hearing, or
• Death

All of the other No-Fault and Choice states are variations on this theme, but with some major differences in limits and rules for filing suit. Check with your insurance agent, your insurance company, your state’s Department of Insurance, or a car accident lawyer if you have any questions about your state’s rules, individual coverages or your right to sue.

Car accidents and Bodily Injury Claims & Car Accidents in a Choice State

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1.Car accidents and Bodily Injury Claims

When you are injured in a car accident and the person at fault is either the driver of the other vehicle or, if you are a passenger, the driver of the car in which you are riding, you may file a bodily injury claim with that driver’s insurance company.

The person who handles your claim is called a claims adjuster, and he or she will want to take a recorded statement from you regarding the facts of the accident, the damage to the vehicles, and in what way you were injured. Please keep in mind that it is the adjuster’s job to have you minimize your car accident claim so the insurance company doesn’t have to pay out a lot of money to settle it. If you have more than a very minor injury, you may want to speak to a lawyer first so you avoid saying or signing the wrong thing and hurting your chances of getting the settlement you deserve to make you “whole” again. Without an attorney, be prepared to answer on your own, questions such as:

• What injuries do you have?
• Did you leave the scene of the accident in an ambulance?
• What medical treatment have you received?
• What medical providers have treated you?
• What was the doctor’s diagnosis?
• Are you still being treated?
• Do you have a history of injury to the same body parts?
• When was the last time prior to the accident that you were treated for pain to these body parts?
• Do you have any residual pain or injuries?
• How much were your medical bills?

Whether you deal with the adjuster on your own, or with the assistance of a car accident lawyer, in addition to the above questions, here is what to expect. You will be asked to supply sufficient documentation to support your claim. This may include a request to sign a medical authorization, allowing the insurance company to obtain your medical records and bills from your treating healthcare providers. You will be asked for proof of lost wages or lost income. If you are self-employed, this may include your income tax records for the previous year or more. Documentation supporting other expenses you may be claiming will be requested, as well, such as receipts for travel to medical appointments, cancelled checks to pay a housekeeper if you couldn’t take care of your home yourself, etc. Then you or your attorney will have to negotiate a settlement.

Note that bodily injury claims may have a dollar limit or strict rules regarding when you can and cannot sue in some states where they have only “no-fault” auto insurance policies. Most states are “fault-based” and if the party you are filing a claim against was partially or totally at fault for the accident, you should get a fair settlement or you are allowed to sue. In a no-fault state, however, you file your injury claim not with the responsible party’s insurance company, but with a special coverage on your own policy called Personal Injury Protection (PIP). You may still sue the responsible party, but only if there were serious injuries or death. Other rules may apply, as well.

2.Car Accidents in a Choice State

If you live in the District of Columbia, or the states of Kentucky, New Jersey, or Pennsylvania, you live in one of the very few areas of the country where drivers actually have a choice of what kind of car insurance they may purchase. In these states and Washington, D.C., you may choose either a “Tort” policy or a “No-Fault” policy for your vehicle. If you have been injured in a car accident, which type of policy the parties have will determine how your bodily injury claim may be handled. (See articles on Bodily Injury and Bodily Injury in a No-Fault State.)

A “Tort” policy follows the same bodily injury insurance claims procedures as in “Fault” states. Regarding a car accident, a tort is a wrongful act that renders the negligent driver liable to the injured party for damages. A tort policy, therefore, is one that provides the insured with coverage if someone is injured and files a car accident claim against the insured’s policy. Unlike no-fault where everyone is covered under their own policy, with a tort or fault-based system, the negligent party’s insurance pays the damages of those who are injured and not responsible for the accident. In general, there are few limitations on suing the responsible party.

If you choose a “No-Fault” policy in one of the Choice States, there is coverage under the policy called Personal Injury Protection, or PIP, just like the “no-fault” only states. If you are injured and someone else is at fault, your medical and some other expenses will be covered by your own PIP coverage up to your policy limits. Just like with the no-fault only states, there are some differences in coverage depending on the state. In Kentucky, for example, basic PIP coverage is $10,000 combined for medical expenses, loss of income or services, and funeral expenses. You forfeit your right to sue the other driver for the cost of your medical treatment, and non-economic damages (e.g. pain and suffering), unless: the injury involves a broken bone, permanent disfigurement, medical expenses over $1,000, permanent injury or death. The law also allows Kentucky auto insurance companies to sell you back the right to sue (even though you carry PIP) for an increase in your premium.

In New Jersey, the no-fault policy may include much higher PIP limits than in many other states, of $250,000 per person, per accident, unless a lower limit is selected for a lesser premium. However, New Jersey’s no-fault policies include up to $250,000 coverage for permanent or significant injury as defined in the policy regardless of the limit selected. This is your own coverage, without suing the negligent party.

Pennsylvania offers both a tort policy and a limited tort policy, rather than “no-fault”. Under the tort policy, you have an unlimited right to sue. Under the limited tort scheme, you can sue for direct expenses, but not for non-economic damages (like "pain and suffering") unless your injuries are very serious. Purchasing a policy under the limited tort system reduces your premium. Due to the complexity of the system, if you are injured by a negligent driver, it would probably be best to consult with an attorney.

Under the no-fault system in Washington, D.C., you can purchase personal injury protection (PIP) coverage for you and your passengers. This policy is any combination of coverages for medical expenses, loss of income, and funeral expenses. You may still be able to sue the negligent party if the injury qualifies under one of the many exceptions to the no-fault rules there. Consult an attorney to learn about what those exceptions are and how they work.

In general, if you are in a choice state, because the laws are still in flux with regard to the no-fault and limited tort policies offered, it is always best to contact an attorney well versed in insurance law and personal injury cases to assist you with your claim.

Auto Accident Lawyers & Auto Insurance Frauds

2008-01-28T11:27:00.000-08:00

1.Auto Accident Lawyers

Automobiles can cause serious accidents leading to serious injuries. Negligence and rashness of drivers cause a large percentage of auto accidents. Some are due to intoxication or drug influenced drivers. A number of automobiles accidents are caused by poorly designed roads and improper traffic signals. Defective vehicle or tire can also cause them.

When involved in an auto accident, it is strongly recommended to know how to react in order to protect your rights and to make sure that you do not commit errors that can results in big sum. You should remember certain measures you should take to keep in control with the situation. In times of auto accidents, do not leave the premises because it is against the law and it will be difficult to show who is to be held liable for the accident. It is better to get medical attendance right away. When police come, make an official report to protect your legal rights in the future. Besides, you can also write down essential details such as the names, phone numbers, license plate numbers and addresses of the persons involved or who has witnessed the accident. You can also take pictures of the auto accident scene, if possible. It is advisable not to discuss the accident with anybody other than your auto accident lawyers.

Nowadays, in our fast paced world auto accidents occur too often. The results vary. Majority consequences are minor property claims. Some automobile accidents result in substantial property damage, serious personal injury or death. The immediate aftermath of a serious auto accident are simply overwhelmed by the barrage of telephone calls, insurance paperwork, accident reports, treatment costs, medical bills, paperwork and other correspondence that are received immediately after an auto accident. It is almost impossible for someone who has been seriously injured and in the process of recovering to deal with this mass of paperwork, procedures and deadlines. Most of the time, while victims are under treatment for their injuries, the insurance companies are trying to lessen their damages through personal injury payout or auto accident settlement. As a result of these immediate aftermaths, car crush victims do not receive right compensation to which they are entitled.

Personal injuries can vary from small to critical state. The results of them are hospitalization, therapy, ongoing medical visits and loss of income. Assistance of skilled auto accident lawyers is very important. Insurance companies usually defend accident cases. Their purpose is to make and accumulate as much money as possible. On the other hand, an experienced auto accident lawyer uses his knowledge and expertise for the client's benefit. Auto accident lawyers are the most credible persons to advice you of your legal rights and options and defend you in your legal battles. You should get the services of an auto accident lawyer early on in order to be enlightened and be assured of your case.

2.Auto Insurance Frauds

The insurance industry wastes $30 billion each year because of insurance frauds. If you think it doesn’t concern you, you are wrong. In fact, becoming a fraud victim you pay for all these expenses. First of all, only one your or the perpetrator’s mistake can have fatal consequences to your health or even take your life or your loved ones. Besides, insurance companies keep a documentation of personal driving records to measure the insuring risk of every motorist. And in accident cases your record will be blemished. No matter the accident was staged or no. It also causes everyone’s premium increase as the insurance company tries to cover bogus insurance claims. And knowing of the most spread auto insurance scams can help you to protect yourself.

There are the following auto insurance frauds:
1. Staged car accident. There are also used different tactics.
The perpetrator gets in front of a victim’s car and suddenly slams on his/her brakes. This causes the rear-end car accident.
Another tactic is used in multiple turn lanes at an intersection. A perpetrator will continue to take the multiple left turns until the victim suddenly maneuvers into the lane in which the perpetrator accelerates to initiate contact.
The next tactic is also used in an intersection with the absence of any neutral witnesses. A scam driver rams into a passes car in the intersection. Then bogus witnesses affirm that the victim ran a stop sign or red light.
The last tactic is used in heavy traffic, when anybody is merged. With the help of head lamps the perpetrator gives signs like pretending to let the victim car to merge, but when it begins flow into traffic, suddenly speeds up to cause the collision. Then the scam driver denies giving any signs.

2. After an honest accident or a staged one, a perpetrator can cause additional damage to his/her vehicle in another place, insisting, that it was you, who caused the damage. They also can fabricate papers, which attest the damage. As a rule, shady lawyers, doctors, auto repair shop, insurance agents take part in the fraud. But usually, these claims are less than 1000$, as insurance companies doesn’t attend to such payments.

3. False helpers come into play after a staged accident as well as not. They offer to help proposing an auto repair shop, a doctor, or a lawyer. Usually all these persons also take part in the scam. They charge you inflated rates trying to collect more from your insurance.

Now, you know the most popular auto insurance scams and can try to avoid being their victim. Also, beware of drivers, who may be following you too long. They may examine your riving habits. Driving a car, leave plenty of room in front of you in order to stop.

If the accident has happened, however, but you suspect it to be staged, make the following steps:
1. Take notes of everything about the other car, get Drivers License, vehicle registration and insurance.
2. Make note of the passenger’s number; get their names, address, and phone numbers; if they were wearing seatbelts or not.
3. If there are any witnesses, get their names, address and phone numbers.
4. Call the policy.
5. If you have a camera, take as much pictures as you can. It doesn’t give perpetrators any chance to lie.
6. If you have any doubts about accident’s honesty, inform your insurance company about your suspicions.

Accident: What to Do?

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Accident: What to Do?

Driving a car you have chances to be involved in an accident, no matter how experienced driver you are. If it has happened, don’t lose your head and do your best to reduce harmful consequences. You should take the following steps:

1. First of all, call 911. If any one is injured, he needs a medical care. In any case, you need to get a police officer to the accident’s place.

2. Get other driver’s and his passengers’ information: their names, addresses, phone numbers and license plate number. If the driver has insurance, get his insurance information: the company name, policy number and phone number.

3. Get the names, phone numbers and addresses of any witnesses that have seen the accident.

4. Never say that the accident was your fault, even if you think so. Or force others to admit their guilt. The police and the insurance companies should decide who caused the accident.

5. Write down the investigating police officer's name and badge number. You need to get Police’s official report later. Besides it is illegal to leave the scene before police arrive.

6. Notify your insurance company as soon as possible. Your insurer may also want to investigate the accident, if there was much damage.

7. Get in touch with the other driver's insurance company. Especially if you are sure the other driver was at fault. In that case his insurer will cover all payments that concern with repairs to your car.

8. Choose a workshop. Get to know whether a specific shop is written into your policy or not. If there are no additional conditions in your auto insurance policy you can bring your car to any shop you think fit. But if the repairs to your car cost more than the insurance company’s estimation, you’ll have to pay the difference.

9. Consider a filing a claim necessity. You may pay for all the repairs out of your own pocket, if it exceeds your deductible a little. In that case, the insurance company will not raise its charge and you’ll be able to save on auto insurance premiums next time.

10. Obtain copies of all files. Get copies of: the police report, the complete claim file, and any other documents related to the accident including medical and repair bills. You may require this information predominantly if you have any problems with insurance payments.

11. Think about getting a lawyer. If the accident has been small, you needn’t legal help. You may need a lawyer if:
- the accident was major or someone was hurt;
- the other driver was uninsured;
- you haven’t got any of the benefits, which has been written into your auto insurance policy. But be ready to give a lawyer 25 percent of money from insurance.

The Price of Auto Insurance Policy & What Auto Insurance Policy is

2008-01-28T11:12:00.000-08:00

1.The Price of Auto Insurance Policy

The prices of auto insurance policies vary by company. But all insurers divide drivers into groups of risk and issue from this classification when determine the price.

The premium you pay for your auto insurance policy depends on the following factors:
1. Your sex: women are more attentive drivers and have less accidents than men.

2. Your age: if you are under 25 (for some insurers, under 30), you are considered at higher risk of having an accident.

3. Your marital status: single drivers have more accidents than married ones.

4. Type of your vehicle. Everything is important here: the value, size, weight, age of your vehicle, the cost of replacement parts. The larger, heavier, and cheaper your car are, the less your auto insurance policy costs.

5. Your personal driving record. If your driving record is irreproachable, though, your premium will be lower. Obviously, drivers who broke rules of roads or have accidents will have to pay more for insurance than safe drivers.

6. When and how often you use your vehicle. Your premium is higher if you use your own car for business or are driving in rush hours. Certainly, if you use your car only on the weekends, you are considered to be at lower risk.

7. Where you live. There are small amount of accidents or vandalism in rural areas. Accordingly, there is a bigger chance for your car to be damaged in big city.

2.What Auto Insurance Policy is

Auto insurance policy is a contract between the insurance company and you specifying each party's rights and obligations. Auto insurance policies are purchased to protect you against financial loss associated with motor vehicle accidents. If you are involved in an accident or have your car stolen, owning the right kind of auto insurance can help to ease a difficult situation. You pay the premium from time to time and the insurance company pays your losses as described in your policy.

If you own a car, a motorbike, a boat or any other vehicle auto insurance is an official requirement. There are six different levels of auto insurance coverage. But you are required to purchase only some coverage, depending on your state and/or your lender. Certainly if you want to secure yourself extra, you may purchase a greater coverage. Picking a new policy, make sure you understand all auto insurance considerations in details and you have the right coverage.

When buying a new car or a used one, you may need to purchase an auto insurance policy. If you have a car loan or rent a car your lender may also require some additional coverage.

Most auto policies period of validity is within six moths to a year. Your insurer should notify you by mail when it’s time to renew the policy and to pay your premium. Keep in mind that your marital status, number of children, asset levels have impact on your auto insurance premiums. And in the case of any family situation changes, you may reconsider your policy.

Make Clear Your Insurance Policy & No Claims Bonus

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1.Make Clear Your Insurance Policy

Typical insurance policy consist of the following paragraphs:
1. The declarations page provides information about the individual purchasing the policy; the
dollar amount of the policy; the type, extent, and cost of coverage; the date and time coverage
begins and the date the policy expires.

2. The insuring agreement includes losses the policy will cover and provides for your legal
defence up to the policy limits.

3. The exclusions say what the policy will not cover, sometimes referred to as the “fine print.”
Typical exclusions are:
• Intentional damage to your own automobile.
• Damages caused when your automobile is used as a public or delivery vehicle, unless your policy states that it will be used for this purpose.
• Damages caused while your automobile is being driven by employees of a garage, parking lot or auto sales agency.
• Household drivers who are excluded from coverage. Make sure you read and understand all exclusions in the proper way. If you have any doubts ask your agent to explain what you need.

4. The conditions enumerates the rules of the auto insurance policy and your duties in case of loss. Usually you are required to:
• Report the loss to your company as soon as possible.
• Use reasonable care to prevent further damage to your car.
• Give reasonable cooperation to the company.
• File proper proof of loss with the company.
• Forward all documents of lawsuits under your policy to your company.
If you broke any rule listed in the conditions, any claim you file may be put at risk. Remember your responsibilities in any case and consult the conditions section of your policy immediately upon incurring any loss.

5. The endorsements provides with any changes in coverage that were added to your insurance policy. It should be typed on a form called an endorsement and attached to your policy or included with your renewal notice.

6. Any premium notice increasing the premium as a result of accident claims have to give the specific reason for the increase and the percentage or dollar amount of the increase.

Remember, an insurance policy is a legal contract. Read your policy carefully to make sure you
understand all of the provisions. Ask your agent/producer to explain anything you do not understand. If your agent cannot explain the policy to your satisfaction, contact the Department of Insurance, another agent/producer, or the insurance company directly.

2.No Claims Bonus

To describe the number of years you have had Car Insurance without making a claim a term No Claims Bonus is used. For example, if you have had Car Insurance for 4 years and you have not made a claim in that time, then you have 4 years No Claims Bonus.

The single biggest factor affecting the cost of your Car Insurance premium is probably No Claim Bonus. Each year that goes by without you making a claim is another year of No Claims Bonus. In general, the more No Claims Bonus years you have, the cheaper your premium will be for the car you need to insure.

It is because car insurance companies can see that your history regarding making any claims is a good one. If you want to alter your provider, Car Insurance companies will usually ask you to prove your No Claims Bonus in the form of a renewal notice or a letter from your current Car Insurance company.

If you don’t make a claim for several years, but then make a claim, the Car Insurance company will usually apply it's rules of how much to knock back your No Claims Bonus Years. Several car insurance companies such as Accept Direct offer to protect your No Claims Bonus for an extra fee during the quotation process. If you have a full no claims bonus, it can also entitle you up to 75% discount on your car insurance premium.

Coverage Levels

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1.Coverage Levels

Every driver needs car insurance to avoid great material loses in an accident cases. And most states require it by law. Before you purchase an auto insurance policy you should decide what coverages to include in your personal insurance package and their limits. There are six basic and some additional coverages. Each of them defends you against different types of material losses which are concerned with auto accidents. All levels cover payments only up to the coverage limits.

1. Bodily Injury (BI) Liability
It is a compulsory coverage level in most states. This level covers all payments concerning injuries or death cases of others in an auto accident, if you or someone else, driving your car with your permission, is legally responsible. A policyholder and his/her family members listed in the policy are covered when driving someone else’s car with their permission. Your legal defense costs are also included.

2. Personal Injury Protection (PIP) or Medical Payments.
PIP is an optional coverage level in most states. This coverage pays for medical bills, lost wages, the cost of replacing services, funeral expenses and etc. And it is used in your or your passengers’ injury or death cases, not considering of who is responsible. It also covers you in any accident involving a vehicle, no matter you are on foot, on a bicycle or in someone’s car. These payments are commonly limited to 1-3 years after the accident.

3. Property Damage (PD) Liability
If you or someone driving the car with your permission, damage somebody’s vehicle or property, PD liability will cover its charges. In most states this coverage is mandatory.

4. Collision Coverage
If you have a vehicle loan this coverage is required. It covers pays for damage to your vehicle or a vehicle you are operating caused by potholes, a collision with another car, object or as a result of flipping over. Your collision coverage will give you money back for the repairing your car expenses even if you are at fault.

If your auto insurance policy doesn’t satisfy you, you may cancel it at any time by giving notice to the insurance company. But you should be ready to pay a penalty for such action.

If you are determined to cancel your auto insurance policy, first of all, notify the insurance company of your decision by the letter. In addition it will be the testimony on behalf of you when you deal with another insurer. Don’t just stop paying your premium. In such circumstances you will be considered as a defaulter and the insurance company will cancel you. It will ruin your credit report. Besides you’ll have to pay higher premiums for your auto insurance policy next time.
In most cases you’ll have to pay the penalty for premature cancellation auto insurance policy. Its amount depends on your insurer and how much time left on your policy. The more time remains, the higher the penalty will be. You can avoid these expenses, if postpone the cancellation to the expiration of the policy.
Canceling your current auto insurance policy, make sure, that your new policy will take effect as soon as the old one end. Otherwise you can go to a critical situation, having an accident and your material well-being will be under the threat.

Why the insurance company can cancel your auto insurance policy.

The insurance company can not cancel your auto insurance policy, except for reasons specifically confirmed in it. Normally the insurer may cancel your policy if you:
- fail to pay your premium on time;
- gave false information to the insurance company;
- are guilty of auto insurance fraud;
- lose your driver’s license;
- didn’t inform your insurer about change of risk (buying another type of car);
- have too many accidents or speeding tickets.

In contrast to cancellation, the insurer may use a lot of reasons to refuse to renew your auto insurance policy, except a reason that would be prohibited by law. It may be your bad driving record or a great amount of speeding tickets.
If the neighborhood has changed, accidents or crimes have become more frequent, the insurer may consider this area as a high-risk and increase its rates.
In most states, the policyholder must be notified by insurance company 30 days prior to the end of the policy term. Especially if the insurer intends to non-renew the policy.

As you can’t legally drive without auto insurance in most states, you must care of buying a new policy. First of all, find out exactly why you are being cancelled and do your best to improve the situation. In any case a new insurer will ask you about the cancellation’s cases.
If the matter of not paying your premium in time, you may try to pay the charge and avoid the penalty. If you have had an accident, take a defensive driving course. It may change your high-risk status. You can also raise your deductible and pay a large part of repair costs yourself. Or you may consider purchasing high-risk insurance. It is specially designed for those who have a bad driving record or are the credit risk.

Auto Insurance Broker & Auto Insurance Deductible

2008-01-28T10:51:00.000-08:00

1.Auto Insurance Broker

Auto Insurance Broker is a person who sells Auto Insurance Policies and also manages the auto insurance matters of their customers. They actually work as authorized representatives of the people who have bought Auto Insurance Policy and who are thinking of buying one.

Auto Insurance Brokers are the persons who are trained in Insurance and help the aspiring Auto Insurance Policy buyers to choose the right insurance policy. Not only that the Auto Insurance Brokers also help their customers to get their well-deserved insurance money from the Auto Insurance Company when a situation of Insurance Claim rises. So, it is easily understandable that there are lots of advantages of appointing an Auto Insurance Broker.

The Benefits of having an Auto Insurance Broker:
• The first advantage is that the Auto Insurance Broker serves as the Communication Point of his customer with the Auto Insurance Provider.
• The Auto Insurance Broker answers all the Insurance related questions of his client. He pays heed to all the ideas and concerns that his client shares with him.
• An Auto Insurance Broker is always available to his clients whenever they need him. The Auto Insurance Policyholders who have an Auto Insurance Broker is not required to rush to the Insurance Company for every small issue.
• An Auto Insurance Broker works with the aspiring policyholder to provide him an Insurance solution according to his needs.
• A trained Auto Insurance Broker shares his knowledge with the policyholder and helps him to understand every minute detail of the Insurance Policy and Insurance Coverage.
• An Auto Insurance Broker advises his clients about how to keep the Insurance Costs low.
• The Auto Insurance Broker not only recommends the right Insurance Policy to his client but also guides him through out the Insurance Application Process.
• The Auto Insurance Broker helps in processing the Insurance Claim and a keep a track of the proceedings until the policyholder receives the Insurance Money.

2.Auto Insurance Deductible

When you purchase auto insurance policy, you have to determine your deductible. It is the amount of money you agree to pay for future damages in the event you break your or someone else’s car. An insurance company will pay the rest of the cost up to the coverage limit. Deductible is also used in non-collision related damages to the car.

If you low your deductible on your auto insurance policy, you will raise your premium. Ask your insurer for a quote for a high ($500/1000$) and a low (100$/250$) deductible and then estimate your costs. Remember, if the accident happens during the first year, your total costs may be higher with a high deductible.
In any case, doesn’t raise your deductible so high that, should you have an accident, you can't cover your part of the cost.

Consider your chances of sustaining damage to your car and then take a final decision. The better chances you have, the lower deductible should be. Besides it's usually more profitable to get a low deductible for comprehensive coverage than collision coverage.

3.Cancellation & Non-Renewal

Cancellation and non-renewal are very different things though they may seem like they have the same affect on you. Cancellation is when the insurance company stops a policy before the end of its term. Non-renewal is when the company determines it will not allow you to continue your policy to a new term. This affects on your future.

It is not allowed for insurance companies to cancel a policy that has been in force for more than 60 days except:
• If you fail to pay the premium.
• You have committed fraud or made serious distortions on your application.
• Your driver's license has been revoked or suspended.

Non-renewal is different from cancellation. Either you or your insurance company can determine not to renew the policy when it expires. Most states require that before insurance company drops your policy, it has to give you a particular number of days notice and explain the reason for non-renewal. Call the insurance company's consumer affairs division, if you think the reason is unfair or need a further explanation. If you don't get a sufficient explanation, call your state insurance department. Non-renewal reasons are restricted by regulations.

You shouldn't necessarily think the non-renewal is because of something you did. The insurance company may determine to drop that particular line of insurance or to write fewer policies where you live. On the other hand, if you did do something that enlarged the insurance company's risk considerably, like driving drunk, the premium may rise and you may not have your policy renewed.

If your insurance company did not renew your policy, it does not mean that you will be charged a higher premium at another insurance company. If your policy was cancelled, then you may be required to pay higher premiums elsewhere, or may even have trouble finding other coverage.

Car Insurance Rate & Additional Policy Benefits

2008-01-28T10:40:00.000-08:00

1.Car Insurance Rate

A large number of factors influence automobile insurance premiums. You can control some of them, but others are incontrovertible facts of life. Statistically, a sixteen-year old boy with a 300 horsepower sports car in a big city is far more likely to have an accident than a 35 year-old married guy driving a minivan around the suburbs.

Are you interested? Read about other factors which can have a great impact on your car insurance rate.

Car Insurance Rate Calculation Explained
Read the explanation of car insurance rate calculation. Get to know why you get such a difference in the price of your car insurance.
Cheap Car Insurance
The information will guide you through factors that affect your car insurance rate. Study factors you can change and factors you can’t change.
Credit & Car Insurance Rate
This information explains to you why your credit history influences your car insurance rate. Familiarize yourself with two possible scenarios. Get to know how to improve your score.
Insurance Rate after One Accident
If you are going to purchase car insurance, you need to read helpful information about possible consequences of one accident.
Occupation Influence
Get to know how your occupation can influence your premium. See also where your occupation falls in the Occupation Report.
Rate Affecting Events
Study the material to find out what three events in our life can influence car insurance rate. Look through helpful advice.
Two Channels to Buy Insurance
Your rate may depend on the channel of buying your insurance. Get to know main of them. Explore the reasons of different rates.

2.Additional Policy Benefits

Are you looking for the right car insurance quote for you but can't decide what benefits you should add? Look through common additional benefits offered by UK motor insurance companies.

Different insurance companies offer different benefits. Of course the more benefits you have, the more you have to pay. The most common benefit is the addition of a free courtesy car in the event that your vehicle is off the road due to an accident. Legal protection can also be added, some companies will propose legal help following a 'not at fault' incident. Some car insurance companies offer roadside breakdown service, but not all – often it is cheaper to shop around. Also, it is better to decide whether it's worth paying extra for overseas driving cover.

There are also ways to decrease your premium and get a more competitive quote:
• No claims bonus – Each year you insure your car and do not make a claim you can have a 'no claims bonus' (sometimes known as 'no claims discount'). In some cases a five-year no claims bonus can save you 65% on your premiums.
• Protected no claims bonus – This gives you a possibility to pay a premium so that in the case of an accident you don't lose your no claims bonus. You'll save pounds in the case of any claims you do have to make, although it costs extra to protect your no claims bonus.
• Excess charge – Many companies issue policies that have a 'compulsory excess' (and sometimes a 'voluntary excess'). This refers to the amount of money you are willing to pay in the case of an accident. So if your excess was £100 and the total cost of repairs was £300 then you would pay £100 and the insurance company would also pay £200. Nevertheless, if the cost of repairs was £100 or lower you would pay the total cost. The more money you're willing to pay in excess, the lower your premium.

Shopping Around & Without Auto Insurance

2008-01-28T10:30:00.000-08:00

1.Shopping Around

It is always difficult to decide where to go and which insurers to choose. Familiarize yourself with useful advice which help you to find the right car insurance quote for you.

The internet has made shopping around comfortable without the need to wait on call centers. Moreover, some insurers may provide a 20% discount to people who buy their car insurance online.

Generally there are four options available when seeking and buying car insurance. These are:
• Insurance Brokers – The purpose is to deliver the customer choice by utilizing their computer systems. Nevertheless, a broker can only ever present the insurers he has deals with.
• Direct Insurers – They cut out the brokers because commissions paid to them can be saved if the insurer gives the advantages to you. These include: Direct Line, e-Sure, Admiral, Hastings, 1st Alternative, Churchill, Privilege, Norwich Union Direct and Cornhill Direct, Elephant and Budget.
• Branded Providers – Popular reputable names who have added insurance to their extensive list of products. These include: Virgin Money, Tesco, Sainsbury's, MBNA, Marks and Spencer, the Post Office, the major car dealerships and Kwik Fit.
• Full Search Provider – With a full search provider you can enter your data and perform a full search of the market to receive a list of potential car insurance providers that will include insurers, direct insurers, brokers and UK brands.

It is always better to find out more about the company's financial reliability, if you're concerned the cheapest quotes are from insurers you're unfamiliar with. You can do it with the help of the Standards and Poors website. It has the following ratings:
• AAA - Utterly strong
• AA - Very strong
• A - Strong
• BBB - Good
• BB - Marginal
• B - Weak

2.Without Auto Insurance

Think over the consequences of not having auto insurance. Get to know about the penalty of driving without auto insurance. Find out how to budget for car insurance.

When young adults graduate college they are eager to start their first "real world" job, have their own place and purchase a brand new car - one that does not need a screwdriver to start. College students are graduating with not only a college degree and a dream, but also they are graduating with an essential amount of debt. In fact, a lot of students graduate with an average of $3,262 in credit card debt - 10 percent of that group owing more than $7,000 in credit card charges.

Students forget about other life costs, such as health care, 401K deductions, income taxes, car payments, auto insurance, rent, utility bills, student loans, credit card bills and food expenses into their monthly budget. "After you graduate and get your first job, you forget to think about all of these expenses," said a graduate from Ohio University. "Unfortunately, reality sets in pretty fast and you realize you do not have the money for living - it is a hard lesson to learn!"

Graduating College
You may ask why there is so much credit card debt among college students "Many credit card companies have kiosks on college campuses providing students with free pizzas and t-shirts to try and allure them to sign up for a credit card," mentioned David Roush, CEO of Insurance.com. "The problem is a lot of college students do not have enough income or financial knowledge to afford a credit card - a problem that is following students in their lifetime and results in financial despair."

In addition to the great credit card bills, students are also graduating with student loans varying from $10,000 to $52,000 or more. Often students think that they will be able to pay everything off once they receive a job and begin earning "real" money, but that simply is not the case.

A lot of new graduates have not only the problem of loan bills, they also have other necessary expenses, such as auto insurance - one bill you legally cannot drive without! "Driving without auto insurance is illegal in all 50 states, but many young graduates choose to go without auto insurance because they think they cannot afford to have it," noted Roush. "It is a frightful thought when 15.3% of all automobile accidents are caused by drivers between the ages of 20 - 24."

While deciding not to pay for auto insurance may seem like a nice idea at the time, graduates are not taking into account the expense of getting caught without auto insurance or the cost of getting into an automobile accident. "Imagine if you had to pay the medical bills of someone who gets into accident when you are at fault - suddenly paying for car insurance does not seem so bad," says Roush.

The Penalty of Driving Without Auto Insurance
According to the Insurance Information Institute, the cost of driving without auto insurance can range from state to state, depending on the percentage of drivers who are uninsured in that state. For example, in Massachusetts residents have penalty from $500 to $5,000 and get a one-year jail sentence. In Florida, Louisiana, Connecticut and New Jersey, drivers operating a vehicle without the state required minimum will have their vehicles impounded - which can cost them thousands depending on how long it takes them to get their car out.

Budgeting For Auto Insurance
As you look for auto insurance, make sure to examine if the insurer offers a 6-month or 12-month payment plan to help you manage your auto insurance payments better. In addition, many auto insurance providers propose a variety of discounts, including alumni discounts. It will be good to ask if your college or university is eligible for a discount, because every bit helps when you are first starting out on your own.

Insurance Companies Ask Questions & No-Fault Auto Insurance

2008-01-28T10:21:00.000-08:00

1.Insurance Companies Ask Questions

Find out about questions which are asked by auto insurance companies. Read them and try to answer truly. Explore which answers will cost you and which won’t.

Listed are what insurance companies looking for and some common questions on insurance forms. Every company has their own underwriting department, another big reason to comparison shop as many insurance companies as possible. It is useful to know which answers will cost you and which won't. In addition to your regular name, address, age etc. you'll be asked you SSN (Social Security number) and VIN (vehicle identification number). You need to have those two numbers available, without them, the insurance company will be unable to obtain your claims history, and without it they won't activate your policy.

• Try to answer questions as truthfully and as short to the point as possible.
• Don't explain or volunteer any information that is not asked for.
• There are people that talk themselves into higher premiums or rejection by volunteering information that would not have been asked.
• Have you asked someone the casual question, how are you doing today and they tell you, for the next 30 Minutes. You were being polite, right. You were expecting the answer "Fine" instead you got their life history.
• The point is: answer as short and to the point as possible.

How Much Coverage Do You Need?
Usually, auto insurance policies have several sections, but only three are mandatory in every state: liability per person, liability per accident and liability for someone else's vehicle. A lot of states require drivers to take $20,000 to $30,000 of liability per person in an accident, with a cap of $40,000 to $60,000 per accident. That may not enough for some people. If you have more than $100,000 in assets, you should raise your coverage to $100,000 of liability per person and $300,000 per accident, plus $100,000 for property damage.
If you have over $200,000 in assets, consider an umbrella policy that covers anyone injured in your house or car up to $1 million or more. Such coverage as medical payment, rental car insurance and emergency replacement is costly and often redundant. A lot of insurance companies offer these extras. Also a lot of them will drop or raise your premium if you make a claim on such coverage.

Are You Married?
In the world of insurance, if you're 25 and married, you're as safe as a 55-year-old. If you're not, auto insurance will cost you more. Usually young singles pay at least 10% more for car insurance than their married peers. Being divorced also hurts with some companies.

2.No-Fault Auto Insurance

Get to know what no-fault auto insurance is. Find out what no-fault laws in different states have in common.

Although liability insurance is the first thing you have to think about when you did damage to other people or their property, sometimes it’s not always apparent to those who matter that you are, indeed, the one to blame. It is usually difficult to determine who actually caused the accident in question. This kind of dispute can involve both you and the other driver in a seemingly endless Twilight Zone of costly legal maneuverings. Nothing is being done for the victim, while all that is going on.

This is where, ideally, no-fault insurance can come. If an accident victim’s own insurance company is taking care of their medical expenses despite who caused the failure, it eliminates the expense and mind-numbing delays caused by legal actions, the poor person who got crunched can get medical treatment, and the biblical king and fortuneteller can be fired.

According to the Insurance Information Institute, 12 states and Puerto Rico have put no-fault insurance into effect as law, and some have “add-on” plans designed to increase your adventures without getting in the way of your right to go after some blankety-blank with a liability claim who’s injured you or damaged your property.

There are several things no-fault laws have in common:
1. The insurer pays you and anyone else covered by your policy for lost wages, medical expenses, the fee for hiring others to do household work, yard work, and other chars around the old homestead, and even funeral expense up to certain limits.
2. No-fault insurance does not cover property damage, but cover other portions of a good policy from a reputable insurer.
3. You will be not compensated for any pain and suffering. You have to sue to get paid for that, unless you have one of “add-on” policies.
4. You can’t usually sue other expenses until they covered by the no-fault insurance go past a certain amount, even though you feel they royally deserve it. You are lawsuit-exempt too until their expenses exceed that same limit.

Some states obliged drivers to buy plain old traditional liability insurance in order to protect themselves against those unpleasant old annoying fault-based lawsuits that are permitted within certain states’ no-fault rules and regulations. However liability payments can be reduced by the payments received under the no-fault conditions.

No-fault policies that have add-ons added on include advantages less generous but similar to the purely no-fault programs, and with these add-ons, the victim in a wreck maintains that precious, God-given right to sue for pain and suffering.

No-fault laws are different in various states. Monetary thresholds range from $1,000 in Kentucky to $4,000 in Minnesota. The medical advantages limit in Utah is only $3,000 while in Michigan, there is no medical benefit limitation. But it does not mean you should become a doctor, move to Michigan, get involved in a no-fault insurance scheme, and get rich off that state’s unlimited medical advantages compensation. The temptation to cheat is strong, though, as fraud investigators are finding out with an amazing number of dishonest medical and other shady professional providers coming under examination. Unlawful medical treatment, all kinds of increased expenditures, and the padding of other claim-related expenses in fraudulent personal injury protection (PIP) claims are rocketing premiums higher than the space shuttle in many no-fault states. This criminal phenomenon is getting to be so widespread, it’s actually threatening the continued existence of no-fault insurance coverage. These kinds of abuse and system-cheating shenanigans prompted one state, New Jersey, to take violent steps to stop these swindlers, and other states are looking hard at New Jersey’s latest protocol to form their own no-fault law revisions. With enough review, revisions, and crackdowns on the crooks, no-fault insurance may be here to stay.

How to Insure Your Teenage Driver & How to Save Money

2008-01-28T10:17:00.000-08:00

1.How to Insure Your Teenage Drive

Check out how to insure your teen driver in proper way and save money.

Your children grew up and began to drive a car. So you should inform your insurance company of an additional teenager driver’s presence. As teenagers are inexperienced drivers, they usually have a lot of accidents and violations. Unfortunately, this fact will increase your insurance rates. A daughter will increase your car insurance premiums by 50 percents, at the same time a son will raise insurance rates by 100 percent. It is also worthwhile to raise liability limits.

If you want to save money, you may insure a teenager driver on your own policy or buy their own with your insurance company. It will enable you to get a multi-policy discount.
Taking driving courses by a teenager driver and getting at least a “B” average in school may reduce slightly your rates.

When you are going to buy a car for your child, consider purchasing safe and handy car. Small cars encourage speed and reckless driving; trucks and SUVs are more rollovers-prone. But to convince your teen driver will be very hard.

Explain your teen the dangers of combining driving with alcohol, lack of sleep and distractions. Always wear your seatbelt. And don’t expect that your son or daughter will keep the rules if you don’t do it. Driving safely will keep your child alive and healthy. In addition a good driving record of your teenager driver will also reduce his or her auto insurance charges in future.

2. How to Save Money

Learn how you may save money on your auto insurance premiums.

Auto insurance companies determine rates in different ways. However if your policy costs too much, there are many ways to reduce your auto insurance premiums.

1. Comparison shop. Auto insurance rates vary from company to company. So, ask friends and relatives for their recommendations. Get quotes from different types of insurance companies. Use consumer information provided by your state's insurance department. These guides tell you what coverages you need and provide comparisons of prices charged by major insurers. Before dealing with any insurance company, check its financial responsibility through independent rating companies and by consulting consumer magazines.

2. Increase of your deductible. Deductible is the amount of money you’ll pay in accident cases and the insurance company will pay the rest up to your coverage limit. The more you agree to cover yourself, the lower rates will be.

3. Buy a “low profile” car. Before buying a new car or used one, check its theft rates and repair cost. The higher they are, the higher your insurance rates will be.

4. If your car worth less than 2,000$, you may drop collision and comprehensive coverage. Because you'll probably pay more for the coverage than you would ever collect on a claim.

5. If you and your family members are covered by health insurance, you don’t need to buy the PIP coverage.

6. You can save service charges by paying premiums in one lump sum rather than monthly payments.

7. Include in your policy only necessary drivers. A lot of people on the policy will raise your premiums.

Also all auto insurance companies offer discounts for good drivers and those who take care of safety measures. Discounts vary depending on your insurer and you can lower your rates from 5 to 35 percent. The most frequent reasons to give discounts are the following:
- Safety features - airbag, anti-lock brakes, automatic seatbelts and other passive restraint systems.
- Anti-theft devices - alarms, ignition and fuel cut-off systems, hood and wheel locking devices, window identification systems, electronic locks and others.
- Buying different types of policies from the same insurer.
- Insuring more than one car with the same insurer.
- If you are insuring your car with the same company for a certain number of years.
- Formal agreements not to drink and drive.
- Low-mileage or restricted mileage. This discount for those who drive a lower than average number of miles per year. But you'll have to provide accurate mileage information each year. It can also apply to drivers who carpool to work or use public transportation to commute to work.
- Getting insurance through a group plan from employers, or through professional, business, alumni groups and other associations.
- Good credit rating. Check your credit history and correct inaccuracies. If your credit reports contain errors or inaccurate information, you may end up paying more for insurance than you need to.
- Absence of any accidents or moving violations for a number of years.
- Completion of driver's education courses for teenagers.
- Completion of defensive driving or accident prevention courses for adults.
- If you are over 50 or in some cases 55 and retired.
- If you are a nonsmoker.
- If there are student drivers with good grades or college students away from home on the policy.
- Other discounts.

How to Choose an Auto Insurance Company

2008-01-28T10:15:00.000-08:00

Look through the things you should think over while choosing an auto insurance company.

The right choice of auto insurance company is very important. You will deal with it if you have any accidents or damages of your car; and coverage levels are essential as well as its services. There are a lot of things you should bear in mind, when selecting an insurance company:

1. Before you purchase your auto insurance, consider whether you want to buy through a "direct" insurer, an agent, a broker, or a group plan.
Agents and direct insurers represent one insurance company and offer only the products of that company. A broker deals with a limited number of insurance companies and can offer their products. A group plan may be serviced either by an agent or a broker system. Group plans may be offered through work, alumni, or other group affiliations.

2. Provided services
It is not advisable to do business with an insurance company or its agents who can’t answer your questions or handle your claims not efficiently and quickly enough. You can check a national claims database and your state insurance department to see what complaint information on a company exists. You should compare complaints with the number of sold policies. You can also talk to other customers who have used this insurance company. Make sure that your auto insurance company will be easy to get to if you have a question.

3. License availability
Each state has its own laws and licensing conditions. And not every insurance company meets its requirements. You should deal with a company licensed to operate in your state. Only under such circumstances your state insurance department will be able to help you if there are any problems. The state insurance department can give you the list of licensed auto insurance companies.

4. Available coverage levels
Make sure that the chosen insurance company is able to meet your requirements and offer necessary coverages.

5. Rates
Auto insurance rates vary from company to company. It will be worthwhile to get at least three quotes on identical levels of coverage and service from different types of insurance companies and agents. Usually state insurance departments also provide comparisons of prices charged by major insurers.

6. Financial responsibility
You need an auto insurance company to protect yourself against material losses when you have an accident. And your material well-being depends on your insurer’s financial solidity. That’s why choose a company that is active for many years. You may check insurer’s financial responsibility through independent rating companies and by consulting consumer magazines.

High Risk Auto Insurance

2008-01-28T10:12:00.000-08:00

Explore who is high risk driver. Clear up some factors, which are used by insurance companies to rate drivers as high risk. Know about how high risk drivers can improve their score.

High risk driver
Insurance companies use some factors to rate drivers as a high risk.

Driving record. You probably know that accidents that are your fault will increase your car insurance premiums, but tickets and not-at-fault accidents will also. Why? For each speeding ticket you get, your chances of being involved in a traffic accident rise by 100%, and being involved in multiple car accidents, (even if you're "not at fault") may suggest a pattern of reckless or careless driving.

Personal profile. You can not do much about it. All insurance companies will always consider men a greater risk than women, teens greater than adults, and urban dwellers greater than rural folk.

Continuous coverage. If you've carried car insurance coverage continuously over the past few years, it will affect your ability to get a policy now. It happens because the assumption is that you've either been driving without coverage or had your policy canceled by the previous insurer.

Your credit history. Your credit is a factor that increasingly influences other areas of your life, including insurance, though it may not seem fair. Statistics demonstrates that drivers with poor credit file more auto insurance claims, and so companies use this info to classify high risk drivers.

Improving the cost of car insurance for high risk drivers
If you want to get out of the high-risk driver category, be ready to spend much of time. Probably, you may need to change basic behaviors – speeding for example.

There are factors that will fade with time. A lot of insurance companies rate a driver with no points for three to five years as a good risk.

But there are some things you can do to cut high risk auto insurance costs now. Think over driving an older car and dropping collision and comprehensive coverage's. Or you can carry lower amounts of other standard coverage's, if you can accept the risk.

And keep in mind that shopping online is a great way to access high risk auto insurance companies in your area. It is possible to compare several offers!

High risk Car insurance quotes
Online car insurance shopping services can be very useful for the high risk driver. That's because they have instant access to the high risk auto insurance companies in your area. You don't have to shop around, and more often than not, you'll get several quotes from one application.

Discount Auto Insurance

2008-01-28T10:08:00.000-08:00

1.Discount Auto Insurance

Get familiar with discount auto insurance. Clear up different types of discounts offered be the auto insurance companies.

Discount Auto Insurance refers to the Discounts offered by the Auto Insurance Companies in order to acquire a wider customer base. This Discount Auto Insurance comes in different types of Discounts which are nothing but a part of the Insurance companies’ policy to win over the customers.

Different Types of Discounts offered by the Auto Insurance Companies are the following:

• Multiple Car Discounts
If a person owns more than one car and is ready to get all his cars insured by a same Auto Insurance Company then the Insurance Company can happily offer him great Discounts. This is because through the Insurance Policies for the multiple cars the Auto Insurance Company is getting more business and earning more money.
The reason behind these Discount Offers can also be the point of view that if a person holds multiple cars then the extent of using each car becomes quite low leading to reduced chances of Insurance Claims for each car.

• Multiple Policy Discounts
If a person buys more than one Insurance Policy from an Insurance Provider, then he has the chance to obtain good Discounts. So, by making Home Insurance, Life Insurance, Health Insurance and Auto Insurance by the same Insurance Company one can avail some Special Discounts because of giving the Company a lot of business.

• New Vehicle Discounts
Some Auto Insurance Companies offer Auto Insurance Policies at a Discounted Rate for the new cars. This is because, as a new car carries Warranty, new Safety Features, they are assumed to carry lesser risk compared to the old vehicles.

• “Good Driving” Discounts
If a policyholder possesses a Driving Record which contains not a single instance of Car Accident then, the Auto Insurance Companies may offer “Good Driving” Discounts.

• Safety Device Discounts
If the car which is to be insured is equipped with car alarms, safety locks, anti-lock brakes and other safety devices then the Auto Insurance Company may offer some Discounts because of the lower risk potential of the car.

2.Do You Know?

Get to know the things you should remember dealing with auto insurance companies and policies.

Do You Know?
Look through the things you should remember dealing with auto insurance companies and policies.

1. If your car in the rear in an accident it doesn't mean automatically your fault.

2. The best resource to determine liability is independent witnesses.

3. If after the accident necessity in renting car arises, check with the liable driver's insurance to determine the amount of rental car coverage.

4. If your vehicle is absolutely ruined in the accident, your auto insurance policy will not cover the cost of renting a comparable vehicle unless you purchase a policy with that specific coverage.

5. The US insurance policy provides coverage anywhere in the United States, US possessions, or Canada. Mexico isn't covered but some companies sell endorsements to your policy to cover your car in Mexico.

6. There is no “grace period” for continuing your policy beyond the premium due date.

7. If you can't send your premium by mail on time, deliver it to your agent’s office personally and don't forget a receipt. The date your agent is paid is considered to be the date the insurer is paid.

8. Your agent is not required to call you to remind you that your premium is due.

9. An insurance company has 30 business days for accepting, denying, or giving a reason why it cannot accept a claim.

10. An insurance company can cancel your policy for any reason within the first 59 days (except three cases). The exceptions include your employment status, status as a renter, and your not previous having had a policy (unless you were legally required to have one). In any case a company must give you the reason of canceling your policy.

Commercial Auto Insurance & Direct Auto Insurance

2008-01-28T10:03:00.000-08:00

1.Commercial Auto Insurance

Get to know the benefits of commercial auto insurance. Find out the features of it. Consider things that are required for Superior Claims Service.

Commercial Auto Insurance is essential for the businessmen who use cars, trucks and autos for their business. They have to look for a Commercial Auto Insurance Policy which offers quality insurance and good Coverage at competitive rates and low Premiums.

Benefits of Commercial Auto Insurance
• Commercial Auto Insurance provides Coverage for Automobiles and Drivers both in case of Loss or Damage of vehicle and Injury of Driver resulting from an accident.
• Customers can get Customized Commercial Auto Insurance Policy which provides coverage according to his needs.
• Commercial Auto Insurance work as a protection to the business as it prevents large burden of Liability Costs occurring due to accident involving the Commercial Vehicles.

An Ideal Commercial Auto Insurance should consist of the following Features:
• Drivers should be included under the Coverage.
• All types of Commercial Vehicles starting from trucks to autos should be given coverage under the Commercial Auto Insurance Policy.
• Commercial Vehicles of all types of business including new business ventures should get Commercial Auto Insurance Coverage.
• Small and large business organizations should get the option of choosing Commercial Auto Insurance Policy according to their specific requirements.
• Business organizations opting for Commercial Auto Insurance should get the freedom to choose from different Pay Plan Options for paying the premiums for their policy.
• Businessmen who have taken Commercial Auto Insurance Policy for their Commercial Vehicles should get 24 hours Customer Service.
• If the Business requires a state filing for establishing Insurance Claim in case of accident, then the Commercial Auto Insurance Company should take care of that.
• Commercial Auto Insurance Policyholders should get Superior Claim Service, because when an accident takes place, vehicles need quick repair for smooth operation of the business.

Superior Claims Service requires the following things:
• Repair Options for Light Commercial Vehicles
• Presence of In-house Field Specialists for Extensive Damage caused to large commercial vehicle like trucks.

2.Direct Auto Insurance

Know about direct auto insurance. Familiarize yourself with possible risks.

Direct Auto Insurance is nothing but insuring an Automobile against all possible risks. This Direct Auto Insurance requires that a person should pay the Auto Insurance Company a certain amount of money at regular intervals or pay a sum to get his car insured and in return the Auto Insurance Company shall pay all the Liability Costs, Repair Costs or Replacement Costs according to the policy in case of car accident or any other mishap involving the insured car.

Need of Direct Auto Insurance
The actual need of Direct Auto Insurance emerges from the idea of protecting an automobile and Automobile Owner against all possible loss and damages that can be generated because of the automobile itself. So, to understand the need Direct Auto Insurance, understanding of the risks to which the automobiles and automobile owners are exposed is very important.

The Possible Risks
• The first risk to which an automobile is exposed to is the risk of Road Accident. This accident may be a minor one or may be severe one. If a person's new car meets a severe accident then one can easily understand the plight of that person. Other than the damage of his own car the person also becomes liable to pay for the damages caused to other car and others' property. In this case only a Direct Auto Insurance can act as a savior to the car owner.
• Another risk is that a car can suffer from Vandalism which can result in severe damage of the car and the Repair Costs and Replacement Costs can be really high.
• An automobile is also exposed to risk of being stolen. If a new car is stolen then the car owner is bound to suffer from a huge Financial Loss. In this case only a Direct Auto Insurance can compensate his loss.
• A car can also be damaged by flood, storm or any other natural calamity.
So, it can be unarguably said that Direct Auto Insurance should be done at all costs and every car must be insured adequately. There are so many Direct Auto Insurance Companies in the market which offer different Auto Insurance

Car Insurance Quotation Worksheet & Car Rentals Insurance

2008-01-28T09:59:00.000-08:00

1.Car Insurance Quotation Worksheet

Here you'll find worksheet that can make your auto insurance shopping much easier.

You may use this worksheet to shop for insurance. You'll gather all the necessary information to apply for auto insurance and make cost comparisons.

If the agent/producer or company misquotes the premium and the policy is in effect for less than 60 days, the policy is re-rated and the correct amount is charged. Policies in effect for more than 60 days must continue coverage at the quoted rate unless you misrepresented information to the insurance company or the agent/producer.

Directions:
1. Fill in the rating information before you begin comparison shopping for insurance. If your son or daughter has a car registered in their name and you intend to obtain coverage for them as well, their rating information should be completed on a copy of this worksheet.

2. Call or visit several insurance agents/producers to obtain premium quotes. Write down the name and telephone number of the agent/producer and the company represented.

3. Make a note of any variations between companies’ limits and deductibles.

4. Ask for any applicable discounts.

5. Define how and where claims are reported. Make sure in its convenience for you.

6. Price isn’t the only consideration when purchasing insurance. Consider an agent/producer’s and a company’s reputation for reliable service and fair claims processing.

2.Car Rentals Insurance

Are you going to rent a car? Read an important information about car rental insurance. The tips given here will help you to take the right decision.

You may wish to take out insurance when renting a car whether for vacation or corporate trip purposes or even your own vehicle is being repaired.

Individuals who avail car rentals, in most cases, certainly takes out car rental insurance lobbied by car rental firms mainly because it is necessary in case they will met an accident while driving a rented car.
In fact, it is really a necessity to pay insurance for your car rentals, but not in all cases. Practically, paying insurance for your car rentals will end up in paying additional fees to your car rentals even though you have already paid for it on the rental contract. And hidden costs are again a major headache in your car rentals.
The best thing to do, in order to determine if you really need to either write a check or pay in cash for the insurance that most car rental firms collects, is to make some research to find out exactly the kind of insurance coverage that you already have. In most cases, you will find that your own car insurance is enough to secure your financial interest in case of damages in your rented car.

All people who owns vehicle have their insurance policy that provides them some extent of the coverage in cases of damage, theft, or any other mishap done to the car. In most cases the sane coverage is also effective to car rentals, although most of these policies vary. If your car is fully insured, the same thing also applies even if you are driving any rental car.

Before rejecting any car rental insurance offer by your car rental firm, ensure that you have communicated with your insurance agent or any representative from the insurance company that holds your policy to verify and ensure that your insurance covers car rentals. You will really end up losing thousands of dollars for your bill later on, if your car insurance does not provide any coverage to car rentals.

Nevertheless, it can be avoided by phoning your insurance company in advance. Even if you are not going to rent cars in the future, it is still a nice idea that you find out today whether your policy offers car rental coverage. You can employ any information that you can get today for future reference.

If your own car insurance does not fully or sufficiently cover car rentals, it does not mean that you will have to pay large amounts of money for the insurance fee that car rental firms will charge you. You can take options that your car rentals are covered in case of any accident, resulting to damages to the car. In fact, there are insurance companies that provide specific policies for their clients who frequently use rented cars.
Among them is the so-called non-owner car liability insurance policy where it provides comprehensive protection for drivers who do not have a car of their own. In spite of the fact that you do not have your own car insurance policy, this policy will offer you the financial security you need without submitting to the high insurance demands of your car rental firm.

If you want to take out any of the aforementioned insurance policies, remember that your goal is to pay the expenses that you really need as well as saving money for other more important expenditures.

Avoiding Auto Insurance Problems

2008-01-28T09:49:00.000-08:00

1. Avoiding Auto Insurance Problems

If you have auto insurance you need to know how to avoid problems. Read about them in the article.

Avoiding Auto Insurance Problems
1) It is better to have all drivers listed
Examine your policy thoroughly on each renewal to be sure that all licensed drivers of your vehicle are listed and shown on the policy.
For instance - The auto and insurance is shown in the husbands name yet no where on the policy is the wife's name even mentioned though she has driven for 20 years crash free. What if she receives another auto and has no previous insurance experience to present? There is another area of concern with drivers 25 yrs old. People might believe they are saving money by not presenting them as drivers. But what happens when they do receive their own vehicle and can't demonstrate accident free insurance experience. It's just a matter of time and they will receive their own car.

2) Payment Cancellations.
It is good to pay on time for your auto insurance. Cancellations for non payment, non adequate fund cancellations are undesirable and can cost much to you. Be responsible and if you have a cancellation problem act instantly with your broker to decide it. Don't set aside it!

2 Car Accidents & Auto Insurance

Clear up some important facts about car accidents. Explore what can influence car crashes. Find out how you can save yourself.

On average, a motor vehicle crash happens every 5 seconds, a person is injured in a crash every 11 seconds, and a fatal injury happens every 12 minutes. These are frightful thoughts as you head out the door to school, work or to the shop and convincing evidence of why auto insurance coverage is so necessary.
Nevertheless, you can feel a little easier knowing that the accident fatality rate per 100 million vehicle miles traveled is the lowest it has been since record keeping began 30 years ago, registering at 1.46, and remained below 1.50 for the second consecutive year in a row. It is known, that the quantity of police-reported motor vehicle accidents happening on the roads dropped to under 6.2 million from more than 6.3 million in 2003, and people injured in these accidents continues to steadily decrease as well.

This reduction happened as a result of the countrywide campaigns, the purpose of which was to increase safety belt use and reduce handicapped driving. Currently the seat belt law is mandated in all 50 states, which greatly helped decrease the number of persons killed in auto accidents in 2004. The national campaign for drinking under the influence has also greatly helped decrease alcohol-related fatalities for the second consecutive year in a row.

Time is important.
Crashes are still happening even with all these new preventive measures. This is why the attention was paid to on which days and at what time crashes are happening. According to the NHTSA, Saturday and Sundays nights between Midnight and 3 a.m. are the deadliest 3-hours on the road, with a total of 2,451 fatal crashes in 2004, seventy-six percent of these accidents involved alcohol.
Not only time of a day is important but also month. The Early Edition Report shows that August is full of fatal crashes in one month and December had the most overall automobile crashes, totaling 601,000 - you need to remember these facts during your vacation and holiday travels!

Your Car
The vehicle you operate can also play a great role in your car crash. Passenger cars and light trucks accounted for nearly 95 percent of the 11 million vehicles involved in motor vehicle accidents in 2004. Large trucks are involved only in 15 percent of the vehicle crashes. Moreover, we saw an increase in vehicles rolling over during a crash. Of the vehicles that rolled over, utility vehicles presented the highest rate at 36.2 percent in fatal crashes, 9.6 percent in injury crashes and 2.4 in property-damage-only-crashes. Regardless of the crash severity, the majority of these crashes happened during daylight, in normal weather conditions, while the vehicle was going straight.
Protect yourself with auto insurance.
Crashes do happen, but you can keep some simple safety rules while driving. These include wearing your seat belt at all times, obeying the speed limit, being careful and having auto insurance. By having auto insurance, you are able to protect yourself, your family, passengers and other drivers from having additional heartache and financial burden.

Auto Liability Insurance

2008-01-28T09:48:00.000-08:00

Find into about auto liability insurance. Check out the information about two types of liability coverage provided by auto liability insurance policy.

Auto Liability Insurance refers to that Auto Insurance which provides Liability Coverage. In reality, we find that almost all Auto Insurance Policies offer Liability Coverage. This is because the Liability Benefits are the insurance benefits that the policyholders most commonly require.
Buying an Auto Liability Insurance Policy is a must for all the automobile owners. They can get two types of Liability Coverage under an Auto Liability Insurance Policy.

The Two Types of Liability Coverage provided by Auto Liability Insurance Policy are discussed below:
• Bodily Injury Liability Coverage
Bodily Injury Liability Coverage pays for the Medical Bills and Lost Wages. When other people suffer from bodily injury due to an accident made by the policyholder’s car, then they can move to court to take legal action. In this case, when a lawsuit is filed against the policyholder, the Bodily Injury Liability Coverage of the Auto Liability Insurance policy provides legal defense to the policyholder. Auto Liability Insurance Policy generally offers Dual Coverage Limit in case of Bodily Injury Liability Coverage. There are limits on the amounts that can be paid in maximum, per person and per incident of accident.

• Property Damage Liability Coverage
Property Liability Coverage covers the property damage expenses caused to others in the car accident by the policyholder. This type of coverage of Auto Liability Insurance pays the Repair Cost and Replacement Costs of the things that are damaged by the policyholder’s car. If the party who has suffered from the accident files a lawsuit against the policyholder, then this coverage helps the policyholder by paying his Legal Fees.

This type of Liability Coverage has over limit to the amount that can be paid per accident. The Coverage Limits can be selected by the policyholders. If they choose limits which are too low, then they remain exposed to Financial Risk. In case of any accident if damages exceed the selected limit, the amount above the limit have to be paid by the policyholders. This may affect the savings and future earnings of the policyholder. So, one should choose the liability Coverage Limit such that his current assets and future net worth remain protected even in the case of a car

Auto Insurance: Truth and Myths

2008-01-28T09:46:00.000-08:00

Check out what actually auto insurance is and what your ideas are far away to be truth.

Auto Insurance: Truth and Myths
Auto Insurance Is...

Protection. With the help of auto insurance you may transfer risk for a loss. Paying premiums
to an insurance company you'll be reimbursed if you have an accident. The amount you can collect and under what circumstances are outlined in your policy.

Required. Licensed vehicles must have minimum insurance coverages depending on the state law.

Varied. Every state has its own established minimum policy requirements. But you may purchase additional coverages to increase your safety level but also and premiums you pay to an insurance company.

Auto Insurance Is Not...

A savings account. The premium you pay is not deposited into an “account” for you to withdraw in the event of an accident. Your policy may be not enough to cover the cost of a major claim.

Complete. Every policy has limitations on what it covers and to what extent. You may not be fully covered in every situation. Your policy will explain the limitations.

Guaranteed. An insurance company has the right to cancel your coverage or not to renew your policy, depending on your driving record and other factors. But the reasons for it should be assigned in your policy or state laws.

Auto Insurance Types

2008-01-28T09:43:00.000-08:00

Familiarize yourself with three types of auto insurance: collision, comprehensive, liability. Read the brief description each of them.

There are two main types of automobile insurance in the United States: collision policies and liabilities policies. In most states it is required that the automobile owner carry at least liability insurance on any vehicles which are used on the road. You are not required to carry collision insurance, but most lenders require that you carry collision insurance if you are still making payments on your car to the lender.

Collision Insurance
The insurance policy which pays for damages to your car if you are in an accident and you are the one at fault in the accident is called collision insurance. Your insurance policy will pay for costs up to the fair market value of your vehicle. Besides, often the fair market value of the car is less that the amount which you still owe on the vehicle. In this case, you may want to look into gap insurance.

Comprehensive Insurance
This type of insurance is similar to collision insurance, except that comprehensive insurance pays for damages to your car when you are not at fault. It also pays for vehicle damages for things like vandalism, floods, storms and other acts of God. The amount of deductible which you pay on your policy influences the amount of premium cost that you pay for comprehensive and collision insurance.

Motorists often select deductible amounts of $250, $500, or $1000. Such amount you pay in repair costs first, before the insurance policy kicks in. Apparently, the more that you are willing to pay, the less the insurance company will need to pay, thus lowering the cost of the premium to you.

Liability Insurance
This insurance pays for all expenditures related to repairing any other cars involved in the accident. Liability insurance doesn't cover repair costs for your own vehicle, since comprehensive and collision insurance covers those costs. Liability insurance has a risk, since if the accident is your fault, you will have to pay for repairs to your own car.

You no longer are required to pay premiums for collision insurance, it will save you money in premiums to reduce the collision coverage. Be sure that you are protected as well as can be from the financial results of personal repairs cost due to an accident. You should consider, for instance the value of your automobile. You probably should drop the policy, if it has a value of $1000 $1500. If your $1000 car suffers $800 worth of damages in an accident, but the premiums on your $500 deductible policy are costing you $300 per year, it just doesn't make financial sense to continue to pay insurance premiums.

It makes sense to continue to carry collision insurance, if you are driving a $30,000 car. You can increase the deductible on the policy in order to pay smaller premiums. You will need to find out how much risk you can afford to carry yourself and how much will need to be covered by the insurance company.

Auto Insurance Buying Mistakes

2008-01-28T09:35:00.000-08:00

1. Shopping for the Lowest Price Available
Compare not only price, but policy features as well, because you get what you pay for. Not all auto insurance companies propose enhanced benefits like superior claims handling, customer service guarantees, and roadside rental car delivery. Discover all of the benefits included to see the true value you receive.

2. Underestimating the Value of OEM Parts
When your car was built, the manufacturer carefully chose every part. Do you want the replacement parts to be less carefully selected, if your car has to be repaired? Make sure that your auto insurance company specifies genuine Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) replacement parts in collision repairs after accidents. A lot of companies use less expensive aftermarket parts that may decrease the value of your car, affect its appearance and jeopardize the warranty.

3. Selecting Inadequate Liability Coverage
Liability insurance helps protect you and your assets if you cause an injury to others or damage the property of others with your vehicle. If you select lower liability limits, an accident that causes serious injury can result in medical bills and lost wages that could far exceed your minimum coverage and leave you financially exposed. Be sure you’re fully protected.

4. Missing Out on Potential Discounts
It is possible to get discounts for low-mileage driving, having multiple policies through the same insurance carrier, using anti-theft devices, taking defensive driving courses, and more. Make sure to ask which discounts are available.

5. Neglecting to Consider a Major Life Change
Keep your policy current. For instance, forgetting to add a new teen driver to your policy can cost you dearly in the case of an accident. You may need to change your auto insurance if you purchase a new home, car or other property; change your marital status; start a business; move; or retire.

Car Insurance Companies

2008-01-28T09:20:00.000-08:00

Are you looking for low cost automobile insurance? Are you searching for the cheapest rates and reliable car insurance company? The following information will help you to choose the best variant for you.
Each company has its coverages, rates, and service. You can pay less with one company than with another for the same coverages. It is an important financial decision to select the best insurance company for you. Make sure that your insurance company has the financial strength to protect you and your family.

AA Car Insurance

The AA breakdown service is often referred to as the ‘fourth emergency service’. However, as a car insurance broker, helping its clients find the cheapest car insurance (also known as ‘motor insurance’) quote, the AA has become a major player among UK car insurance companies.
The AA car insurance company offers quotes available for classic car insurance, for cars more than 15 years old that travel less than 7,500 miles a year, and motorcycle insurance. The AA will search a panel of more than 20 leading insurers to find the best available quote for you.
There are several reasons to select the AA. Among them are up to 70% no claims discount, up to 90 days car insurance cover across EU countries, a dedicated 24hr Claimline, a claims assistance service to help recover uninsured losses, and a courtesy car while yours is repaired.

Admiral Car Insurance

Admiral was started in 1993. Its purpose was to propose lower premiums to more people. It has since established itself as one of the prominent UK car insurance companies with its aim to provide a service for more than just those who are traditionally seen as safer drivers. This company provides low cost car insurance (also known as ‘motor insurance’) for young drivers, people living in cities and those driving performance cars.
Admiral offers a lot of additional benefits with an instalment protection plan and personal accident plan available. Moreover, whether selecting their third party, fire and theft insurance or their comprehensive car insurance there is hire car cover available as well as breakdown cover, roadside assistance, home assistance, and nationwide recovery, and van insurance available for commercial vehicles., the company proposes optional breakdown and legal cover.

Allstate Car Insurance

It is difficult to select an auto insurance company, but choosing an agent that can provide the service that best suites your needs is something you can't overlook.
New Packaged Features
Besides, Allstate has developed a better, more affordable way to help keep safe drivers covered
and rewarded with features like:
– Deductible Rewards
– Accident Forgiveness
– New Car Replacement
– Safe Driving Bonus

Amica Car Insurance

Characteristics

– Amica is the oldest mutual insurer of automobiles in the nation
– Amica has been protecting drivers for nearly 100 years.
– If you are an insurance carrier, Amica Car Insurance is looking for Insurance Companies to join its team and give users more choices to comparison shop for car insurance.

Amica Mutual Insurance
J.D. Power and Associates has ranked Amica "Highest in Customer Satisfaction Among National Auto
Insurers" in its 2003 National Automotive Insurance Satisfaction Study.

A.M. Best Company, an outstanding insurance industry analyst, has repeatedly given Amica its highest
rating, A++ (Superior). This rating is assigned to companies which have on balance superior
financial strength, operating performance, and market profile when compared to the firm's
established standards. Things that may affect your rates

Auto Insurance Coverage Options
Auto insurance offers you an important financial protection against bodily injury and property
damage that arise from automobile crashes.

Asda Car Insurance

Asda, part of the Wal-Mart family, is one of the most prominent supermarket chains expanding its brand into the UK car insurance (also known as ‘motor insurance’) field. It hopes to propose value for money as well as additional features and advantages for the buyers.

Whether selecting their third party, fire and theft insurance or their exhaustive car insurance cover, Asda promise to find you the best price available from their panel of car insurers, with a 24hr claims helpline.

Their exhaustive cover includes a courtesy car option, approved repairers with a three-year workmanship guarantee and up to 70% no claims discount for careful drivers. This policy also includes crash recovery. They will take your car to the garage and take you home in the case your car cannot be driven after an accident.

Barclays Car Insurance

Barclays is an established banking name that proposes a great variety of car insurance (also known as ‘motor insurance’) cover and advantages. It is expanding its service in the UK car insurance market with policies backed by a genuine banking giant. Their third party, fire and theft coverage provides legal services, for an additional fee, and a guaranteed courtesy car (at extra cost), which is also available in the event of theft or a write-off.

Bell Direct Car Insurance

Bell Direct is part of the Admiral Group and a UK car insurance (also known as ‘motor insurance’) company. It provides cheaper car insurance for drivers with low or zero no claims bonus. Bell is sure that many good drivers are often short of no claims bonus through no fault of their own and want to propose them cheaper car insurance as a result.

There are many advantages for the Bell customer. These include a bonus accelerator policy, with the help of which drivers earn a full year’s no claim bonus in just 10 months as long as you don’t make a claim.

Moreover, with Bell’s exhaustive cover there is a free courtesy car when you employ one of their approved repairers, free 24hr accident helplines and free European cover allowing you to drive abroad for up to 90 days.

Bradford & Bingley Car Insurance

Bradford & Bingley say that they are all about choice. That is why they look for some of the UK’s prominent car insurance (also known as ‘motor insurance’) providers to find what they believe is the perfect deal and the excellent car insurance quote for you.

Their exhaustive search will help you to find competitive premiums and the cover you need. There is a great variety of discounts available and Bradford & Bingley will ensure that you qualify for as many as possible. Moreover, they will propose a courtesy car while your vehicle is being repaired.

The exhaustive cover available should include personal injury, accidental damage, personal items left in the car and driving abroad within most areas for a limited period as standard. Optional extras include payment protection, motor legal protection and breakdown assistance.

Budget Car Insurance

Budget is part of the Budget Group of Companies that has grown to be one of the UK’s largest personal lines intermediaries with more than a million clients, main contact centre operations and with about 2,000 employees. Now it is one of the most important car insurance companies in UK.

Budget is a leading direct insurer, which has the aim to find the cheapest car insurance (also known as ‘motor insurance’) quote for its customers from a panel of 20 top insurers. It also has specialist lines for van insurance, with 12 top insurers to contact, and motorcycle insurance available.

Budget’s clients save an average of £118 when they switch to Budget, according to a comparative internet survey in April 2005. Among the services they propose is a courtesy car with comprehensive cover, window glass cover (£50 excess), claims repairs guaranteed for three years (subject to status) and emergency assistance subject to terms and conditions.

Chubb Group of Insurance Companies

Chubb group of insurance companies can help you protect your favorite car.
– Chubb group of insurance companies offers you a great variety of coverages and services, which will impress you.

Advantages:
Chubb sends its products to the right clients, works in areas where the company's client base is most likely to benefit, develops new products that meet client needs.

New Packaged Features
Chubb Group of Insurance Companies creates a multi-billion dollar organization providing property.
Chubb has offered property and casualty insurance to businesses and individuals around the world since 1882. Branches and affiliates throughout North America, Europe, Asia and Australia, Latin America are included into Chubb's global network.

Churchill Car Insurance

Churchill is one of the famous UK car insurance (also known as ‘motor insurance’) companies. The prominent nodding dog is famous for saying ‘yes’ and the company hopes to reflect this with some of the cheapest car insurance quotes available.

Churchill has special policies available for van insurance on vans up to 2500cc and on motorcycle insurance. Careful drivers can earn up to 65% no claims discount. There further discounts for drivers over 50 or with low mileage.

Besides, the company, which promises a fast, obstacle free service, hopes to propose a flexible variety of cover to suit the client with a free courtesy car available while your vehicle is repaired by one of their recommended repairers. Additionally, the company proposes optional breakdown and legal cover.

Diamond Car Insurance

Diamond has one key purpose – to propose cheap car insurance (also known as ‘motor insurance’) to women. Diamond, a UK car insurance company, was created only for women drivers, based on the theory that generally women are involved in relatively minor accidents when compared to their male counterparts. This means Diamond can propose cheap car insurance for women with the savings they make on claims going to customers.

Despite the savings, Diamond is keen to point out that none of the advantages are lost for their clients. With their fully exhaustive insurance you can get a free courtesy car while your vehicle is repaired at an approved repairer, £100,000 legal expenses cover, £5,000 personal accident benefit, unlimited windscreen cover and free repair for small chips.

Moreover, there is an ‘accelerator policy’ for those who have just passed their test, have never had car insurance in their own name, or have less than five years no claims bonus.

Direct Choice Car Insurance

Direct Choice is part of Taylor Price & Co, which was one of the first direct response insurance providers in the UK. The purpose of Direct Choice is providing you with the three cheapest online car insurance quotes from leading UK car insurance (also known as ‘motor insurance’) companies.

The company proposes products based on personal circumstances. It offers an individual insurance policies for sports car insurance, performance car insurance, imported car insurance and company car drivers. There are also additional quotes for van insurance and motorcycle insurance.

There are many optional extras available including legal expenses cover up to £50,000 for pursuing losses not covered in your basic car insurance policy. Besides, they may provide you with an auto extra/road rage insurance deal that will pay up to £25,000 in the event of a death or serious injury in a road accident.

Direct Line Car Insurance

From humble beginnings in April 1995 with car insurance (also known as ‘motor insurance’) as their sole product, to now more than five million clients and a wide range of services, Direct Line has come a long way. Nevertheless, they have never lost sight of their original focus and they remain one of the famous UK car insurance companies.

Direct Line recognizes every year that your named drivers haven’t made a claim on your car insurance policy and if you’re hit by an uninsured driver Direct Line will cover your excess and your no claims discount will not be affected. Besides, they promise to return all repaired cars cleaned inside and out.

The company proposes optional extras including a guaranteed hire car and legal protection up to £100,000. Direct Line provides you with a number of no claims discount options including matched no claims discount on your second car, and a multi-car discount. Additionally, you can add breakdown and European breakdown cover.

EasyMoney Car Insurance

EasyMoney is part of the EasyGroup formed in 1998 following the success of the EasyJet low-cost airline launched in 1995. Since then the group has expanded quickly and in 2005 start to propose low-cost UK car insurance (also known as ‘motor insurance’).

The EasyMoney car insurance service describes itself as ‘cheap, simple and no frills’. However, there are still a great variety of advantages available to third party, fire and theft and comprehensive cover buyers.
The company’s comprehensive car insurance includes up to 65% no claims discount, with the option for protected no claims discount after five years, repairs guaranteed by the authorized repairers for three years, up to £50,000 legal expenses and a discount from EasyCar car rental if your vehicle is being repaired.

Elephant Car Insurance

Elephant is one of the famous online UK car insurance companies, which purpose is to offer cheaper car insurance due to their lower overhead costs. They were established in August 2000 and now have more than 350,000 clients. They hope to propose cheaper car insurance (also known as ‘motor insurance’) quotes, particularly for those in traditionally high-costs areas.
There are many advantages available with their service including free European cover available with all policies and free windscreen cover available with all fully comprehensive policies.

Among the other available advantages is a free courtesy car when you use one of their approved repairers and windscreen etching. They also propose additional breakdown cover, van insurance and motorbike insurance.

Esure Car Insurance

Esure was launched in 1999 to provide customers with cheaper car insurance (also known as ‘motor insurance’) cover online. Esure has quickly become one of the fastest growing UK car insurance companies with more than one million clients.

There are numerous incentives to take out car insurance with Esure including a no claims discount, up to a massive 75%, and a free courtesy car if your vehicle is being repaired by one of their approved repairers under their comprehensive cover. There is also a five-year guarantee on repairs and parts if you address one of their approved repairers and flexibility to make cover limits larger.

There are also additional advantages available including motoring legal protection to help you recover your losses and breakdown assistance, available 24hrs a day, to keep you and your car on the road. Esure proposes to replace car stereo items and provide a courtesy car if you address an approved company.

Geico Car Insurance

Geico Auto Insurance Program
The Geico Auto Insurance Program proposes American Society of Microbiology members quality car
insurance with complete 24-hour sales, policy, and claims service. If you are an ASM member, you can also
qualify for an ASM Member Discount, besides GEICO's already low rates.

Best Online Car Insurance Quotes
Geico is possessed by Berkshire Hathaway. Warren Buffet, the 2nd richest man in the US, run Berkshire Hathaway. Get to know more
about long track record and financial stability! They are known for their low insurance rates,
claiming to save drivers up to 15% or $500.

Benefits Geico Auto Insurance
– The Geico Auto Insurance discount program has just been extended to include Connecticut
alumni! Now more alumni can benefit from the great discount with GEICO Auto Insurance.
– The discount is available in 42 states and the District
of Columbia.

Kwik Fit Car Insurance

Kwik-Fit is perhaps most commonly known as an expert in automotive repairs, and replacements including tyres and exhausts. Nevertheless, it now proposes a number of cheap car insurance (also known as ‘motor insurance’) options to make it one of the most famous UK car insurance providers.

The company has a panel of more than 75 prominent insurers and among its incentives Kwik-Fit proposes a free Kwik-Fit Autosave Card, which gives you 10% off all the maintenance costs of the insured car at any Kwik-Fit centre in the UK. It proposes additional extras including breakdown cover, a hire car, legal expenses cover and a payment protection plan.

Moreover, Kwik-Fit may provide you with a classic car insurance service on cars up to the value of £30,000 and a no claims bonus is not required. You may get limited mileage discounts from 1,500miles to 20,000miles per annum and legal benefits insurance is automatically included

Bugatti Veyron

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Bugatti Veyron

After four years of development, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4, as it will now be called, is ready for series production. The most exclusive sports car of all time is following in the footsteps of the legendary Bugatti, those universally-coveted limousines and unbeatable racing cars of the 1920s and 1930s which today are among the most sought-after creations from the early days of automobile construction.

This brings to an end the era of design models and concept cars which since the late 1990s have signposted possible paths to the Bugattis of the future. Design and technological concept have finally become reality in the Veyron model’s final form and will be available from the beginning of 2004 as a strictly limited edition of just 300 cars. Technologically futuristic and packed with creative engineering, the first Bugatti of the 21st century has arrived.

Merging the Past and the Future

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4’s home is in Molsheim-Dorlisheim, the French town where, almost 100 years ago, Ettore Bugatti began to realize his lifelong dream of being a car manufacturer. The new workshop is not just where the engine and vehicle are assembled and tested, it is also the place where customers collect their Bugattis and drive them out onto the streets for the first time.

The aim is to turn Molsheim into an all-round Bugatti center once again. While up to 70 new vehicles a year are built by hand in the new facility, neighboring specially-equipped workshops are the scene of expert restoration work on historic Bugatti vehicles. Both past and future have found a new home here.

High Performance

The car’s safety systems have been designed to cope with its extraordinary performance, acceleration and speed. The single-piece carbon-fiber monocoque alone scores maximum points in crash tests, while airbags give the driver and passenger additional protection. The high-speed tires designed specially for the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 (for vmax. > 350 km/h), sizes 265-680 ZR500A (front) and 365-710 R540A (rear), incorporate a further innovative safety feature in the form of the PAX System fitted to the wheels and tires, ensuring safe handling even after sudden pressure loss.

Another Bugatti Veyron 16.4 component with a safety element is the rear spoiler. As well as providing the necessary downforce during high-speed travel, it acts as a kind of ‘parachute brake’ during emergency braking. Once precisely-defined deceleration forces are registered the spoiler tilts and the additional air resistance this generates reduces the braking distance to that of a lorry.

The Art of the Machine

The W16 alloy engine developed by Bugatti for the Veyron 16.4 will have a special and absolutely unique place in the history of sports car construction. Its design employs the space-saving VR principle with two particularly slender eight-cylinder blocks arranged at a 90° angle to each other.

1001 horsepower equip the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 with a level of acceleration unheard of in the sports car segment, propelling it from 0 to 62 mph in just 2.5 seconds and past the 200 mph mark in a mere 24 seconds. Thanks to its 923 lb-ft, the Bugatti Veyron 16.4’s enormous propulsive power is not exhausted until it reaches 252.3 mph (406 km/h): the maximum speed for which chassis and drive train have been designed. Any further performance escalation is limited by current design and construction.

Also unique is the power transmission via an innovative directshift gearbox. Without any interruption in the power flow, the sequential seven-speed gearbox transmits the engine’s power to the wheels via permanent four-wheel drive. Put simply, this means uninterrupted acceleration from a standing start to maximum speed: a feeling previously known only to jet pilots.

Exclusive, Classical, Functional

Both exclusive and highly functional, the interior of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 will transport you to a world of your own. Superb leather, also two-tone if desired, quality metallic trim and beautifully designed and ergonomically laid-out controls characterize the Veyron cockpit.

The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 instruments, with a large central rev counter surrounded by four smaller additional instruments also conjures up memories of the marque’s legendary motor sport past. The deliberate avoidance of superfluous instruments and modern extras are an unmistakable statement of the car’s uncompromising sportiness.

Unchanged on the series version of the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is the classical two-tone paintwork. The designers have selected five separate color combinations for the car: Each of the combinations features the bonnet, roof and rear in the darker of the two colors, with the sides and front wheel arches in the lighter color.

Dodge Viper SRT-10

2008-01-27T17:16:00.000-08:00

We'll take credit for being the first to notice that the cover of Road & Track's February issue gave up the goods on the 600-hp power rating of the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT-10, but we'll pass the honor of being the first to post the Viper's catalogue of press material to our friends over at Jalopnik who, in turn, acted only after said Feb. issue of R&T was released to the public.

The snake's out of the bag now, and the big news is a bump in displacement for the Viper's V10 motor from 8.3 liters to 8.4, which is accompanied by a corresponding increase in power to the aforementioned 600 hp (up 90 hp) and 560 ft-lbs. of torque (an increase of 25). As many already know, McLaren Performance Technologies (the U.S. company, not the German one associated with Mercedes-Benz) assisted Dodge in massaging the V10, though one could still argue that with 8.4-liters of displacement, the Viper's engine is still not reaching its full potential.

The only change to the car's exterior is the new hood with six vents that will help dissipate the crazy amount of heat coming from below. Of course, heat will likely waft off the new Viper pretty fast considering its owners will be able to reach 60 mph even faster, sometime in the mid to high 3-second range, and return back to 0 mph in less than 100 ft.

There's lots more to learn about the new Viper, so check out more info and the full press release after the jump, and don't forget to gander at our mega high-res gallery of Dodge's updated halo car with a total of 22 pics you can use as your desktop wallpaper.

[Source: Dodge, Jalopnik]

Other improvements to the Dodge Viper including a beefed up Tremec T56 six-speed transmission and twin-disc clutch that replaces the current model's single-disc unit. A new limited-slip diff supposedly allows the engine's grunt to get to the ground more often than before, and the Viper's tires are now longer run-flats, though they're still the same size.

In the realm of style, customers can now order their Viper with three wheel designs and five new colors including Venom Red, Snakeskin Green, Viper Violet, Viper Orange and Bright Blue.

PRESS RELEASE:

Even More Venom: Dodge Unleashes New 600-horsepower 2008 Viper SRT10

Additional 90 horsepower on tap from new 8.4-liter Viper SRT10 V-10 engine
Dramatic new hood features restyled, functional air extractors
0-60 mph in under four seconds, 0-100-0 mph in just over 12 seconds, braking in under 100 feet
New exterior, interior colors provide customers with increased customization options
The new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 boasts more of what performance aficionados crave: kick-in-the-pants, throw-back-in-the-seat power, combined with benchmark braking, world-class ride and handling, a race-inspired interior and bold exterior styling.

While every SRT vehicle offers balanced, overall performance, the heart and soul of the new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is its standout powertrain. For 2008, SRT ups the ante with a new, 8.4-liter aluminum V-10 engine that produces an astounding 600 horsepower and 560 lb.-ft. of torque.

"A legendary big-game hunter once said, 'Bring enough gun!' – and with the new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10, we've created some very powerful artillery for sports-car enthusiasts," said Kipp Owen, Director – Street and Racing Technology (SRT) Engineering, Chrysler Group. "With 600 horsepower – 90 more than before - and 0-to-60 performance in less than four seconds, the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 sets a new benchmark for the ultimate American sports car."

The new 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 will arrive in Dodge showrooms in North America this summer with a new level of customization options, including five new exterior colors, four new interior color combinations and a new wheel design.

Standout Powertrain
When SRT powertrain engineers set out to get more venom from the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10's powerplant, their objectives included not only increasing performance, but also complying with stringent regulatory requirements, such as federal Tier 2, Bin 5 and California's Low Emissions Vehicle (LEV) 2 mandates.

Working with specialists from McLaren Performance Technologies and Ricardo, Inc., SRT engineers began by following the racer's basic formula for more power: bigger displacement, more efficient breathing and higher engine speed.

The new Dodge Viper SRT10's deep-skirted V-10 aluminum engine block was revised for a 1-millimeter larger bore, raising the displacement to 8.4 liters from 8.3 liters. With strengthened bulkheads and improved water jackets for better cooling, the block includes pressed-in iron cylinder liners and cross-bolted main bearing caps for strength and durability.

The Viper SRT10's 8.4-liter engine breathes through new cylinder heads equipped with Computer Numerically Controlled (CNC)-shaped combustion chambers, larger valves and Variable Valve Timing (VVT). VVT electronically adjusts when the exhaust valves are open and closed according to engine speed and load, allowing the engine to "breathe" cleaner and more efficiently.

The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 V-10's two-piece intake manifold combines a cast aluminum lower with smooth runners for better air flow, bolted to a die-cast aluminum upper plenum. A revised air-cleaner box with a low-restriction filter sends air through a dual electronic throttle control into the intake module.

The air-fuel mixture in the cylinders is ignited by platinum-tip spark plugs fired by new individual plug coils mounted on the cylinder-head covers.

Within the cylinders, pistons are equipped with larger-diameter floating pins with bronze bushings for high-load capability. Forged powder-metal connecting rods are secured with aircraft-quality fasteners for increased fatigue strength.

Engine lubrication is managed by a larger oil pump and a swinging oil pickup adapted from Viper competition engines, to improve oil pressure in high-rpm and hard-cornering conditions.

Spent gases exit through tubular air-gap headers, which not only improve exhaust flow, but also ensure quick catalyst light-off for improved emission control. The headers' stamped stainless-steel outer shell acts as a thermal heat shield for the individual stainless-steel runners that contribute to better flow separation and exhaust tuning.

SRT engineers didn't stop there. Upgrades were developed to handle the 8.4-liter V-10's increased horsepower and torque levels, while improving traction, driveability – and durability.

The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10's V-10 channels its power through a new, smaller-diameter, twin-disc clutch (a change from the previous larger-diameter, single-disc setup). The new clutch reduces rotating inertia by 18 percent, resulting in reduced clutch-pedal effort and improved engagement feel.

The transmission is the latest evolution of the Tremec T56 six-speed manual, known as the TR6060. It features 10 percent wider gears for higher torque capacity and a new synchronizer package. A new shifter system results in reduced shifter travel. Club racers will applaud a new provision for adding an external transmission cooler.

Benchmark Braking
Stopping power is another key attribute of the Dodge Viper SRT10 formula, with 14-inch brake rotors gripped by Brembo 44/40 dual opposing piston calipers in the front and Brembo 42/38 dual opposing calipers in the rear. An anti-lock braking system (ABS) prevents lockup during hard braking. This system results in a benchmark braking performance of 60-to-0 mph in less than 100 feet.

World-class Ride and Handling
The ride and handling of the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 is defined by a race-bred, fully independent, four-wheel suspension featuring lightweight, high-performance aluminum control arms and knuckles, damped by lightweight coil-over shock absorbers.

Where the power goes right to the road, SRT engineers retained the tried-and-true Dana M44-4 rear axle and outfitted it with a new GKN Visco-Lok speed-sensing limited-slip differential for improved traction.

The Dodge Viper SRT10 rides on polished, forged aluminum, 18 x 10-inch front and 19 x 13-inch rear wheels now available in three styles: the five-spoke, the H-spoke and the all-new Razor wheel with five U-shaped spokes. The wheels are clad in Michelin® Pilot® Sport PS2 tires. The four-groove tread-design tires provide maximum grip, reduced road noise and superior handling in both wet and dry conditions.

Bold Exterior Styling
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 remains available in two body styles – Roadster and Coupe. Both feature a dramatic new hood with a larger, more efficient hood scoop for air induction and larger, functional hood louvers to facilitate a greater cooling effect for the more powerful 8.4-liter, 600-horsepower V-10 engine underneath.

Eight exterior colors will be introduced throughout the model year – five of which are all-new including Venom Red, Snakeskin Green, Viper Violet, Viper Orange and Bright Blue. Racing stripes continue to be an option with six dual painted stripe colors available: white, black, silver, graphite, blue and red.

Several exterior differences exist between the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Roadster and Coupe. In fact, the only body panels they share are front fascia and fenders, hood and doors. However, all of the iconic Viper SRT10 design cues have been maintained including the signature crosshair grille, deep-cut side scallops, swept-back fenders and lowered hood lines.

The Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe's hard top with its "double bubble" styling makes it even more torsionally stiff than the Roadster. The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe offers increased downforce and high-speed stability with its sloping roofline and deck-lid spoiler. Plus, the Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe has an additional 6.25 cubic feet of trunk space than the Viper SRT10 Roadster, for a total of 14.65 cubic feet. The roof and headliner structure offer more room to accommodate a safety cage, while maintaining as much headroom as possible.

Race-inspired Interior Design
The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Roadster and Coupe cockpit retains its characteristic red push-button starter and performance-oriented, highly functional instrument panel with center-mounted tachometer and 220-mph speedometer.

Five interior colors will be available in 2008: black, and four new color combinations in black/red, black/blue, black/slate or black/natural tan. A choice of bezel finishes on the center instrument panel and console adds to the increased level of customization.

"The 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 delivers die-hard performance enthusiasts a perfect combination of outrageous power, exceptional performance and stunning good looks," said Mike Accavitti, Director – Dodge Motorsports and SRT Marketing and Product Planning. "And now with a whole new range of interior and exterior colors and options to choose from, the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 redefines how a customer can personalize their Viper."

2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Safety and Security
The following safety and security technologies are featured on the 2008 Dodge Viper SRT10:

Adjustable Pedals: Allow brake and accelerator pedals to move toward or away from the driver to help driver achieve a safe and comfortable seating position for improved control
Advanced Multistage Front Air Bags with Occupant Classification System (OCS): Inflates with a force appropriate to the severity of the impact. The OCS measures the conditions for activation or deactivation of the passenger side front air bag based upon the weight of the occupant
Anti-lock Brake System (ABS): Senses and prevents wheel lockup, offering improved steering control under extreme braking or slippery conditions
BeltAlert: Periodically activates a chime and illuminates an icon in the instrument cluster to remind the driver and front passenger to buckle up if a vehicle is driven without the driver being properly belted
Center High-mounted Stop Lamp (CHMSL): The shelf-mounted center high mounted stop lamp uses light emitting diodes (LEDs) for longer life
Constant Force Retractors (CFR): Distribute force or load exerted on a seat belt, and then gradually release the seat belt webbing in a controlled manner
Crumple Zones: Designed to compress during an accident to absorb energy, decreasing transfer of that energy to the occupants
Energy-absorbing Steering Column: The manual-adjust steering column uses two hydroformed coaxial tubes that can move relative to each other to allow the column to move forward for enhanced energy absorption during a crash. The power-adjust steering column employs a calibrated bending element that deforms during column stroke for optimal energy management
Interior Head-impact Protection: Interior pillars above the beltline and instrument panel – including areas around windshield and rear window headers, roof and side rail structures, and shoulder-belt turning loops – specifically designed to limit head-impact force
Knee Bolsters: The lower instrument panel and the glove-box door are designed to properly position the occupant, enabling the air bags to work effectively
Remote Keyless Entry (RKE): System enhances personal security by locking and unlocking doors and turning on interior lamps.

The system also arms and disarms the Vehicle Theft Security Alarm
Three-point Seat Belts with Pretensioners: Three-point lap and shoulder belt retractors incorporate a pretensioning feature to enhance occupant protection in an impact by managing occupant energy
Tire-pressure Monitoring (TPM): Pressure-sensor modules within the valve stems of all four wheels send continuous radio-frequency signals to a receiver, and the system informs occupants when the pressure is too low.