HOW TO IMPROVE YOUR PORSCHE INTERIOR

Floor mats can make your car regain its appealing interior. There are several types of mats to choose from. If you want to avoid shampooing and cleaning them often, because you do not have the time, then an all weather mat is what you should pick.

Seats are also a very conspicuous part of your car's interior. 

Bucket seats are some of the most common designs favored by people who love racing, because they can simulate the racing feeling. you should consult an expert unless you are sure what you are doing. Getting things right is important to avoid losing money and ruining parts of your car's interior. 

Hybrid cars More Environmentally Friendly and Reduce Our Carbon Footprint

Hybrid cars have become an alternative for the car to keep the environment healthy with no pollution. In fact, hybrid cars have more to offer than the more environmentally friendly and reduce our carbon footprint. Oil prices, and then prices at the pump, increasing at an alarming rate and fill your tank it costs far more than a year, six months, or even a few months ago. This technology is now well developed, but is recognized as a serious progress.

Hybrid cars combine the benefits of gasoline engines and electric motors and can be configured for different purposes, such as fuel economy, increased power, or additional auxiliary power for electronic devices and power tools.

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Toyota at the EcoVelocity

 

EcoVelocity is a festival of green motoring, this year it will take place in September at London's Battersea Power Station. Toyota will take this opportunity to showcase Toyota and Lexus models with low emissions, including electric and full hybrid models.

The Toyota Prius and the Toyota Auris both have CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km, making them exempt from the London congestion charge. Both models will be at the show ready for test drives and to help explain how their respective technologies work. The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), which is powered by batteries, can run further and at high speeds than a conventional hybrid on its electric motor alone resulting in zero CO2 emissions and zero fuel consumption.The Toyota Prius and the Toyota Auris both have CO2 emissions of less than 100g/km, making them exempt from the London congestion charge. Both models will be at the show ready for test drives and to help explain how their respective technologies work. The Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV), which is powered by batteries, can run further and at high speeds than a conventional hybrid on its electric motor alone resulting in zero CO2 emissions and zero fuel consumption.

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important Things To Know About Buying a New and Used Green Car

Depending on how you use your new car you'll find that some makes, models, or fuel types will net you more savings than others. Electric cars are an ideal choice if you mainly drive your car in the city, as stop and go traffic negates the environmental benefits of fuel-efficient petrol cars, diesel, bio-fuel, and LPG fuelled vehicles. For those who regularly travel long stretches of highway, a hybrid vehicle is most likely to benefit you most. Electric cars are still more eco-friendly, but have a limited range compared to a hybrid. As battery technology improves, and recharge stations become more common, this consideration will become less important, but in the meantime, it is an important factor to consider.

The Department of Infrastructure and Transport's Green Vehicle Guide website is an excellent resource for deciding which green car is right for you. It offers a fuel calculator, to figure your total annual fuel cost and annual CO2 tonnes used, as well as tools to comparing specific vehicles, and a green vehicle ratings guide.

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Make the Honda Fit Shuttle Look Cool and Sporty

To make the Fit Shuttle more appealing to the younger crowd looking for something more dynamic in looks and handling, Mugen developed a series of styling and performance parts. These include an aero kit comprising of a front bumper with optional LED fog lights, a Mugen grille with an illuminated ‘Hybrid’ logo, side skirts, a rear apron that makes space for a bespoke tail pipe and a roof spoiler. The car’s looks can be further enhanced with carbon fiber mirror caps and a choice of 15- or 16-inch alloy wheels in numerous designs.

Interior modifications are limited to a door sign light, a carbon mirror cover and two-tone floor mats. Mugen also offers a sport exhaust system, a lowered suspension kit, high-performance brakes and sport air filters.

When the people over at Honda’s tuning partner Mugen aren’t working on more interesting and unique projects like the Civic Type R and even the CR-Z, they are usually kept busy with the brand’s more mundane vehicles such as the newly introduced Fit Shuttle. The Japan market only Fit Shuttle is a slightly taller, longer and more practical version of the Fit (also marketed as the Jazz in certain countries) which itself is a tall five-door subcompact model. 

Honda New Fit Shuttle Small MPV in Japan

 

The hybrid model is available only with front-wheel drive and a CVT, while the regular Fit Shuttle can be ordered either with front-wheel drive and a CVT or with all-wheel drive and 5-speed automatic transmission. While keeping the five-seat layout of the regular Fit (called Jazz in Europe), the Shuttle is longer and taller, with the extra space benefiting both the rear passengers and the cargo area.

The more practical version of the Fit is offered in two flavors, the base model powered by a conventional 1.5-liter i-VTEC four-cylinder gasoline engine and a hybrid variant combining a 1.3-liter gasoline unit to a 10 KW electric motor. After briefly postponing the presentation of its all-new Fit Shuttle due to a variety of problems that arose from the March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan, Honda on Thursday officially launched its mini MPV.

Pricing of the Japan-only Fit Shuttle starts at ¥1,610,000 (~US$20,030), with the hybrid model commanding ¥1,810,000 (~US$22,500).

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Hybrid 5-Seat C-MAX Ford Says No to 7-Seat Grand C-MAX for the USA

Ford’s plan it to compete head on the forthcoming Prius V minivan and possibly steal some customers away from GM’s Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf with the plug-in hybrid version. The company said the pure hybrid version of the C-MAX is targeted to deliver better fuel economy than Fusion Hybrid and travel at a higher all-electric speed than Fusion Hybrid’s 47 mph. It will also be the first of two new Ford Hybrids to use lithium-ion battery technology.

The C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid will be equipped with a 240-volt charging system allowing it –according to Ford- to fully recharge faster than Chevy Volt. Ford added that it is being engineered to “deliver more overall driving range than any other plug-in or extended range electric vehicle”. Both variants of the North American C-MAX minivan will be built alongside the all-new 2012 Focus and Focus Electric at the Ford Michigan Assembly Plant. Earlier today, we told you about Ford’s decision to increase production of the Focus-based C-MAX minivan at its Valencia plant in Spain to meet strong demand from European customers. We also noted that Ford was planning to launch the longer and more spacious 7-seat Grand C-MAX in the United States.

Well, it turns out there’s been a slight change of plans as the Detroit automaker just announced it won’t be bringing the petrol-powered Grand C-MAX to the U.S. after all. But not all is lost for fans of the Focus-based minivan as Ford will focus on the five-seat C-MAX in both hybrid and plug-in hybrid formats. The C-MAX Hybrid and C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid vehicles were previewed at the Detroit Auto Show this past January.

ford, small cars, hybrid, pure hybrid version of the C-MAX

Kia’s Optima Hybrid

The Optima’s parallel hybrid powetrain makes use of a modified 2.4-liter Theta II engine without direct-injection that runs on the Atkinson cycle and delivers 166HP and 151 lb-ft of peak torque. The four-cylinder gasoline unit is linked to a 6-speed automatic transmission and an electric motor capable of delivering 40.2 horsepower (30 kW) and 151.2 pound-feet of torque when electric only. When in hybrid mode, the combined output of the two motors comes to 206.2 horsepower and 195.4 pound-feet of torque. A set of lithium polymer batteries from LG Chem completes the hybrid package.

Kia claims the Optima Hybrid can deliver up to 35 miles per gallon in city driving and 40 miles per gallon on the highway. Standard features include 16-inch alloy wheels, eight-way power adjustable driver's seat, dual zone automatic temperature control with rear vents, push-button start with smart key and the company's UVO powered by Microsoft hands-free, voice-activated infotainment and communications system.

For an additional $5,000, customers can opt for the Hybrid Premium Technology Package, that ups the luxury ante with several comfort and convenience features. These include a panoramic sunroof, 17-inch alloys, four-way power adjustable front passenger's seat, driver's seat memory, heated and cooled front seats, heated rear seats and steering wheel, HID headlamps with automatic leveling, leatherette-wrapped center fascia, auto-dimming rear-view mirror, a navigation system with back-up camera and SIRIUS Traffic, and an upgraded eight-speaker Infinity audio system.
Kia is ready to talk pricing on its first ever hybrid vehicle in the States, the all-new Optima Hybrid, which we first saw at last year’s Los Angeles Auto Show. A sister model to Hyundai’s Sonata Hybrid, with which is shares the same gasoline-electric powertrain, the Optima Hybrid will reach U.S. showrooms in June with a starting price of $26,500, not including a $750 destination and handling fee that lifts the cost to $27,250. By comparison, the hybrid version of the Sonata starts at $25,795, excluding destination charges.

Jaguar C-X75 Production Limited to 250 Units

Jaguar added that development of the micro-turbine technology that was showcased in the original concept C-X75 continues and will play an important role in the British firm’s future plans. Williams F1 said it will provide its engineering expertise in various areas including aerodynamics, carbon composite manufacture and hybrid technologies. "Never before has the company launched such an ambitious, world-beating vehicle programme," said Carl-Peter Forster, CEO Tata Motors. "This is the Jaguar of the future. The opportunity for innovation like this in the UK is part of the reason Tata Motors invested in Jaguar, and it's fantastic that products like the C-X75 can become reality." Jaguar did not get into any further details, but Williams F1’s involvement hints at a high-tech four-cylinder unit closely related to the 1.6-liter four-pot engine to be used in Formula One after the new regulations come into force in 2013.

The super rich automotive collectors of this world will soon have one more choice to add to their list as today, Jaguar officially confirmed the limited production of its flashing C-X75 hypercar that drew much attention at last year’s Paris Motor Show. To be developed in cooperation with Williams F1, the C-X75 will make use of hybrid powertrain with Jaguar aiming to have the car on sale in 2013. The British maker said only 250 examples will be built, each costing between £700,000 - £900,000, or US$1.16 million to US$1.44 million at today’s exchange rates, depending on market and local taxes.

To have it in the market within a considerable timeframe, Jaguar will replace the jet-powered setup of the original concept with a more conventional, yet still innovative for today’s standards, powertrain comprising of a state-of-the-art, small-capacity, highly-boosted internal combustion engine with one powerful electric motor at each axle offering all-wheel drive capability. Jaguar did not get into any further details, but Williams F1’s involvement hints at a high-tech four-cylinder unit closely related to the 1.6-liter four-pot engine to be used in Formula One after the new regulations come into force in 2013. We may not have any output figures for now, but Jaguar revealed that the C-X75 will be one of the fastest production cars in the world with a sub-three second 0-60mph (96 km/h) time and a top speed in excess of 200mph (322 km/h). Thanks to its lightweight construction and the use of the electric motors, the C-X75 will also be green emitting less than 99g/km of CO2. "The engine's compact size allows it to be mounted low in the car for optimum weight distribution and to retain the concept's stunning silhouette,” explained Bob Joyce, Group Engineering Director, Jaguar Land Rover. “This will make the Jaguar C-X75 a bona fide hybrid supercar capable of silent electric running with an extensive EV range in excess of 50km."

Ford’s Celebrates Production of One Million New Fiestas in 33 Months

Ford revealed that the construction time for a new Fiesta at the Cologne site currently stands at thirteen hours, an improvement of five-hours over a decade ago. The company said that the reduction in build time comes as a result of “ongoing improvements and investment” with some €100 million (about US$148 million) being invested in 2010 alone.The festivities over the new Fiesta continue at Ford with the production of the one-millionth current generation model at the company’s central European plant in Cologne, Germany. The production milestone comes less than two months after Ford announced that European sales of the new Fiesta reached the 1 million mark in the beginning of March, 2011. Current global sales of the new Fiesta stand at 1,350,000 unit since its introduction in October 2008.

The Cologne facility has been manufacturing the new Fiesta since 2008, with the factory churning out an average of 1,770 Fiestas and Fusions (a small crossover based on the previous generation Fiesta) per day. The plant employs 4,200 workers in each of the three production shifts and has an annually capacity of 400,000 vehicles.

Honda NSX

The Honda official didn't offer additional details on the sports car or a timeline for its launch. However, a Honda spokesman said the car is expected to use an electric motor to give the gasoline engine a boost, much like in the case of the CR-Z sport hybrid. But unlike the latter, the NSX successor will be positioned as a high-performance hybrid vehicle. Initial plans for an NSX successor were cancelled by former Honda president Takeo Fukui, who justified the move then as a cost-saving measure. The car was expected to have a front-mounted V10 engine developing at least 500 horsepower. The drivetrain ended up being used by the Honda HSV-010 GT racecar, the racing variant of the never-to-be-produced NSX V10.

The original NSX was powered by a mid-mounted V6 engine producing 270 horsepower (with a 5-speed manual gearbox). The NSX went out of production in late 2005 after a 14-year long career.The Shanghai Auto Show brought some exciting news for Honda fans as the Japanese automaker revealed plans for the development of a new sports car that will be the spiritual successor to the iconic Honda NSX (Acura NSX in North America). Speaking on the sidelines of the show, Honda Motor Company president, Takanobu Ito, said the new car won't feature the V10 engine that had been planned for the next NSX, as the company scrapped this project back in 2008, during the global financial crisis. Ito told reporters that the future NSX would be exhilarating to drive but also environmentally friendly.

Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf Receive Top IIHS Safety Ratings in Crash Tests

Since both cars are fitted as standard with electronic stability control systems, they also qualified as winners of Top Safety Pick, the Institute's award for state-of-the-art crash protection. "What powers the wheels is different, but the level of safety for the Volt and Leaf is as high as any of our other top crash test performers," says Joe Nolan, the Institute's chief administrative officer.

"The way an electric or hybrid model earns top crash test ratings is the same way any other car does. Its structure must manage crash damage so the occupant compartment stays intact and the safety belts and airbags keep people from hitting hard surfaces in and out of the vehicle," Nolan added.The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) released the results of the first-ever U.S. crash test evaluations of plug-in electric cars, with the two EVs earning the highest safety ratings. The Chevrolet Volt and Nissan Leaf were awarded the top rating of “good” for front, side, rear and rollover crash protection.Classified as compact cars from their exterior dimensions, the Volt and Leaf are closer to midsize and larger cars when it comes to their curb weights, due to their hefty battery packs. At 3,370 pounds (1,529 kg), the Leaf is heavier than the Nissan Altima (3,200 lbs), while the 3,760-pound Volt (1,705 kg) outweighs the Chevrolet Impala (3,580 lbs).

"The Leaf and Volt's extra mass gives them a safety advantage over other small cars. These electric models are a win-win for fuel economy and safety,"
Scroll down to see how the IIHS tested both the Nissan Leaf and the Chevrolet Volt.

Mitsubishi i EV

Standard equipment includes an electric air condition system and cabin heater, power windows and mirrors, 4-speaker 100-watt audio system and the MiEV remote system that allows the battery to be charged via timer and the pre-activation of the air conditioning or heater.
Powered by Mitsubishi's MiEV technology, the rear-wheel drive i features a 66 horsepower synchronous electric motor, a 330V lithium-ion battery pack that can store up to 16 kWh and a single fixed reduction gear transmission. The electric motor produces a peak torque of 145 lb-ft (196 Nm) and allows for a top speed of 80 mph (129 km/h).

The car has a driving range of 85 miles (137 km) on a complete charge. Full charging takes 6 hours on a 240V/15A Level 2 home EVSE Eaton charging system and 22.5 hours on a conventional outlet. However, the batteries can be charged up to 80 percent of their capacity in 30 minutes at a public quick-charging station. The batteries have an 8-year/100,000 mile warranty.The main reason for which Mitsubishi will drop the Eclipse, Endeavor and Galant models from its U.S. range is to focus on developing zero-emissions vehicles like the Mitsubishi i (also known as the i-MiEV in Europe). The Japanese carmaker announced at the New York Auto Show that the plug-in EV will arrive in U.S. showrooms in November 2011, with prices starting from $20,490 (€14,100) for the standard ES model and $22,490 for the better-equipped ES version, government subsidies included.

Benefiting from up to $7,500 (€5,160) in federal tax credit, the Mitsubishi i is the most affordable 100% electric-powered mass-market production vehicle available in North America. At $20,490, the i is almost $5,000 cheaper than the Nissan Leaf ($25,280), although the latter is a compact model, while the Mitsubishi i is a sub-compact.The Mitsubishi i will arrive in U.S. showrooms by November 2011 in California, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii. Northeastern U.S. market launch will take place in March 2012, with nationwide availability expected by December 2012.