Laugh at High Gas Prices With a 235-MPG VW

With gas prices going through the roof and regulators requiring cars to be ever more miserly, Volkswagen is bringing new meaning to the term “fuel efficiency” with a bullet-shaped microcar that gets a stunning 282 235 mpg.

Volkswagen’s had its super-thrifty One-Liter Car concept vehicle — so named because that’s how much fuel it needs to go 100 kilometers — stashed away for six years. The body’s made of carbon fiber to minimize weight (the entire car weighs just 660 pounds) and company execs didn’t expect the material to become cheap enough to produce the car until 2012.

But VW’s decided to build the car two years ahead of schedule.


According to Britain’s Car magazine, VW has approved a plan to build a limited number of One-Liters in 2010. They’ll probably be built in the company’s prototype shop, which has the capacity to build as many as 1,000 per year. That’s not a lot, but it’s enough to help VW get a lot of attention while showing how much light weight and an efficient engine can achieve.

VW unveiled the slick two-seater concept six years ago at a stockholder’s meeting in Hamburg. To prove it was a real car, Chairman Ferdinand Piech personally drove it from Wolfsburg to Hamburg. At the time, he said the car could see production when the cost of its carbon monocoque dropped from 35,000 Euros (about $55,000) to 5,000 Euros (about $8,000) — something he figured would happen in 2012. With carbon fiber being used in everything from airliners to laptops these days, VW’s apparently decided the cost is competitive enough to build at least a few hundred One-Liters.

VW’s engineers — who spent three years developing the car — made extensive use of magnesium, titanium and aluminum to bring it in at less than one-third the weight of a Toyota Echo. According to Canadian Driver, the front suspension assembly weighs just 18 pounds. The six-speed transmission features a magnesium case, titanium bolts and hollow gears; it weighs a tad more than 50 pounds. The 16-inch wheels are carbon fiber. The magnesium steering wheel weighs a little more than a pound. How much of the concept car’s exotic hardware makes it to the production model remains to be seen.

Low weight only gets you so far in the quest for ultimate fuel economy; aerodynamics plays a big role. The One-Liter is long and low, coming in at 11.4 feet long, 4.1 feet wide and 3.3 feet tall. It features an aircraft-like canopy, flat wheel covers and a belly pan to smooth the airflow under the car. The engine cooling vents open only when needed, and video cameras take the place of mirrors. The passenger sits behind the driver to keep the car narrow. The car has a coefficient of drag of 0.16; the average car comes in around 0.30 and the Honda Insight had a Cd of 0.25.

As for the engine, the concept had a one-cylinder diesel engine producing 8.5 horsepower and 13.5 foot-pounds of torque. Car says the production model will use a two-cylinder turbodiesel for a little more oomph. Doubling the number of cylinders is sure to cut fuel economy, so VW may install a diesel-hybrid drivetrain. The engine turns off at stop lights to save fuel, then automatically restarts when the driver depresses the accelerator pedal.

(Update: The car reportedly has anti-lock brakes, stability control and airbags. According to Canadian Driver, “Volkswagen says the One-Liter Car is as safe as a GT sports car registered for racing. With the aid of computer crash simulations, the car was designed with built-in crash tubes, pressure sensors for airbag control and front crumple zones.”)

Presenting The New Ferrari 458 Super Model Car

Presenting the new Ferrari 458 super model car in market with exciting features with including finest features this is the amazing features of latest model car its shape and size is different from others this car has a synthesis style passion, cutting-edge technology and creative flair.

This is a new generation of super model car with elegant design and fantastic red color it really looks chill if you have a craze of red car then this model is best for you this is entirely new model in market it has great engine power its design is also great it has amazing instrumentation, aerodynamics, ergonomics and handling.

Ferrari is the finest company which offer several excellent model car in market this is Italian model car with good internal features its seat is smooth you feel comfortable on this car you can easily go for long drive.

The new Ferrari model has high torque even at lower engine speeds and allowing the car to achieve its maximum speed in top equipment it has also an arid weight of 1380 kg with a power-to-weight ratio of 7.16 lbs/kW.

The new Ferrari 458’s soundtrack is also typical Ferrari, with an exhilarating, powerful snarl emerging from the engine before it channels during to the drain three back tailpipes. This is such a great offer of Ferrari model car it runs fastest on road it is best for going long drive this is a good car I really like it!

Mazda planning RX-7 revival by 2012

Mazda is expected to launch its next-generation of the much-loved turbocharged RX-7 performance car by 2012, according to a report published by RoadandTrack magazine.

The RX-7 rebirth is a must for Mazda, with the affordable sports car market from Asia set to make a long awaited return with cars like the Nissan 200SX, Hyundai Genesis Coupe and ‘Toyobaru’ Coupe.

The current RX-7 is still a modern and highly sought-after sports car despite its age, and as the rendering above demonstrates, the new model will draw its inspiration from Mazda concepts such as the Kabura and Furai.

The new model is expected to be powered by the new 16X rotary engine, an evolution of the current Renesis 13B engine found in the RX-8.

In its naturally-aspirated guise the 16X rotary engine is expected to produce around 150-190kW with improved low-end torque.

However sources indicate Mazda is still experimenting with forced-induction – determined to meet emissions regulations which faulted the RX-8’s turbocharged ambitions.

Volvo S60 Special Edition

Volvo has just launched a special edition S60 to celebrate the end of an era. Only 880 Volvo S60 SEs will be offered in the U.S. when the car goes on sale later on this month. Prices for the special edition S60 will start at $30,950 for the front wheel drive version and from $32,750 for the all-wheel-drive model.

The Volvo S60 SE is powered by a 2.5 Liter turbocharged inline 5 cylinder engine that delivers 208 HP and 236 lb-ft of torque.

Standard equipment for the special edition will include: leather seating, electronic climate control, moonroof, sporty 17-inch aluminum wheels, heated seats, Rainsensor windshield wipers and headlamp washers. The Sewdish automaker is planning an all new S60 for 2010

How do you celebrate the end of an era? In Volvo’s case it’s by offering a very limited number of well-equipped VOLVO S60s that are packed with value, safety and premium features. The 2009 Volvo S60 SE culminates 9 years and 578,000 units built world wide in one distinctly styled sport sedan for under $31,000. Just 880 Volvo S60 SEs will be offered in the U.S. when the car goes on sale this month
The Volvo S60 SE will be offered in two variants: 2.5 front-wheel drive and 2.5 all-wheel drive. The front-drive version will have a base MSRP of just $30,950* while the all-wheel-drive car will have an MSRP of $32,750*. Included in the price is a laundry list of standard features including leather seating, electronic climate control, moonroof, sporty 17-inch aluminum wheels, heated seats, Rainsensor windshield wipers and headlamp washers. Aluminum mesh inlays adorn the interior and reinforce the Volvo S60 SE’s sporting character. Other touches include an exclusive "SE" badge on the trunk lid and SE-specific Monroney price labels.

Powered by an efficient 2.5-liter turbocharged inline 5-cylinder engine, the Volvo S60 SE enjoys 208 horsepower and an impressive 236-lb.-ft. of torque from just 1,500 rpm. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard and features a sporty "Geartronic" mode that allows the driver to manually shift. The Volvo S60 SE AWD incorporates Volvo’s renowned Haldex electronically controlled all-wheel-drive system that sends power to the wheels with the most traction. The Volvo S60 SE FWD is EPA rated at 19 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway. The Volvo S60 SE AWD is EPA rated at 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.

New fortwo review

smartManiacs are very pleased to have been loaned a new 451 fortwo.

Read on to see the latest smart and what we think of the new model.

You could certainly be forgiven for not realising that the car is an all new model. Subtle differences in the styling, to the bonnet line, headlamps, rear quarterlights and door lines don't give many clues to the transformation. The new car is around 20cm longer, and feels much more roomy in the cabin, at 6'1" I had no problem with head or leg room.

The cabin looks more upmarket, there are still the options for the dash pods to be added to base models. The stereo is more integrated than the old car, although clearly labelled buttons are present, the volume control is a rather fiddly knob on the front of the unit. The overall build quality of the car is much improved.

In our tests the base model Pure returned around 55mpg, being a non-turbo version I felt that the little car had lost some of it's fun and soul, gearchange seems a little ponderous, and the tone from the 1.0 litre engine, although quieter, is not as pleasing as the 700cc engine. On the open road the new car feels more settled thanks to the longer and wider wheelbase, however it is still affected quite badly by crosswind and the slow gearbox makes it a little jerky round town with anything less than complete concentration.

The familiar seats have been replaced by a new and more supportive seat. I was very impressed with the comfort of these over long distances, as I found the old seat somewhat bench-like and unsupportive. The tailgate also houses a storage box ast standard, however there are optional uses for this, such as a picnic set.

Toyota IQ and Urban Cruiser

cars announced by Toyota should be a truly important addition to the forthcoming Geneva Motor Show. On display will be the IQ urban car and the brand new model, the Urban Cruiser. The IQ was first seen in concept form in Frankfurt in September 2007 and time-wise in terms of development it has beaten the Volskwagen UP!, which was displayed only a few stands away at the same show.

Three passenger spaces have been confirmed, despite the length being less than three metres. Also confirmed is the shape of the prototype, with large wheels and a smoother drive. Even though the glimpses we have had of the IQ seem to be similar in concept to the Smart For Two, Toyota insists that the technology, the security and the design research represent an automotive revolution. As of yet, the specification details and performance stats, as well as the pricing have not been released, but we do know that the car will not be available on the market before the end of 2008. As for the engine, on
the Italian site we recently covered a possible collaboration with Yamaha.

world premiere at the show will be the Urban Cruiser, a compact SUV designed for city use with fuel consumption and emissions reduced to a minimum. For the time being, we have little information and only one photo, but in Geneva we will discover more on this new car, that at first glance reminds us of the design of a few models sold in the States such as the Xb by Toyota’s Scion brand.

Always concerned about the environment, Toyota will put forward the brand new hybrid prototype ‘Plug-In’. At Geneva Toyota plans to display the 1/X Plug-In Hybrid concept with Flexible Fuel Vehicle (FFV) technology, as well as the personal mobility concept i-Real.

pakistan-new-model-of-honda-accord-cr-v-launched

Honda Atlas Cars launched new model of Honda Accord and Honda CR-V Saturday.
Speaking on the occasion, chairman Honda Atlas Cars Yusuf H. Shirazi said that the auto industry in Pakistan needed a long-term and consistent Auto Policy to achieve the vision of 500,000 units by the year 2011, which would go a long way since engineering is the springboard for industrial development.
He said that the company contributed Rs 15 billion revenue as Pakistan had a viable economy, blessed with right entrepreneurship, right professionalism and right workmanship.
He said that the company believed in globalization, which depended on localization of investment, production and export.
He said that was being generally also followed by some developing countries – notably by India, Malaysia and China with tariff & non-tariff barriers, Incidentally, in that also lies increased investment GDP growth and employment leading to alleviation of poverty – and nothing else.
Speaking on the occasion Mr. Atsushi Yamazaki, President & Chief Operation Officer of Honda Atlas Cars (Pakistan) Limited highlighted the principles of Honda philosophy defined by the founder, Mr. Soichiro Honda as the Three Joys of buying, selling and creating. He said that with time, societies evolve and people seek new kinds of value. A corporation’s understanding of its social responsibilities must likewise evolve.
Earlier, G.M Marketing & Planning Division Ayaz Hafeez, said that Honda Accord had been selected as one of the 10 Best Cars by Car & Driver Magazine a remarkable 21 times in the last 25 years – more than any other vehicle in the award’s history
He said that the Accord, a global flagship model of Honda, is one of the world’s best selling vehicles over the last 32 years. Since its worldwide debut in 1976, the Honda Accord has consistently earned a worldwide reputation for its elegance, quality & reliability.
He said that they were confident that the all-new Accord would further strengthen their brand in the passenger car market by enjoying customer’s acceptance and patronage. He said that they wanted to add pleasure to our customer’s daily driving life.
Talking about their new addition in leisure vehicle CR-V with a perfect blend of styling, drivability & functionality. He said that its was ideal for any occasion, wherever one wants to go, may that be a beach, an exclusive restaurant, a winding mountain road, office or simply for shopping.