The Audi R8 & Lexus LS460

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The Audi R8
When the German Rudof Christian Diesel first unveiled his new prototype in 1892, he thought he had invented a cheap and reliable power engine for the masses. Even now if you ask a diesel driver to describe their engines performance the word economical will soon crop up, however the German car manufacturer Audi is now looking to challenge that perception of the diesel engine with the worlds first diesel super car, the Audi R8 V12 Tdi.

It is safe to say that the words performance and diesel are not often used together, diesel engines are renowned for their ability to produce more miles per gallon than their petrol counterparts, whilst also producing considerably more torque from much lower down the rev range. Unfortunately diesel does have its drawbacks, including leaving the driver with hands smelling of diesel after filling up at, and belching out huge clouds of black smoke when accelerating to any motorist that may be following behind.

However in 2006 Audi set out to change the public's perception of the diesel engine when it took its R10 diesel powered prototype to race in the famous Le Mans 24 hour race. The 24 hour Le Mans was a happy hunting ground for Audi who had already won the race five times previously with its petrol powered R8, and beat off stiff competition from Bentley and BMW in the process.

On its first race at Le Mans the diesel R10 was a winner, and so the belief of what a diesel engine was capable of began to shift. Audi has swiftly followed this up with further successes at Le Mans and in the American Le Mans series, and now it has launched its first diesel powered super car in the shape of the Audi R8 V12 Tdi.

The diesel Audi R8 looks almost identical to the petrol powered model especially with its LED car bulbs, however very eagle eyed spotters will notice that the carbon fibre side blades are slightly larger, which allows them to scoop larger volumes of air into the twin intercoolers. Being a diesel the R8 has an abundance of torque, over 700 lb ft, meaning you could leave this car in sixth gear all day and still be first away at the traffic light grand prix.

With all that torque available from right at the bottom of the rev range the Audi R8 diesel is no slouch hitting sixty in just over four seconds and accelerating up to 180 mph. Unfortunately like all diesels the R8's power band is very narrow and maximum revs occur at just 4500 rpm, however you can console yourself with the fact that the diesel powered R8 produces considerably less carbon dioxide than its petrol equivalent.

The making of the diesel powered Audi R8 has really pushed the performance boundaries of the diesel engine, however until Ferrari include a diesel powered car in their model range, I think its safe to say that the petrol engine still has plenty of time left.

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This year would be the time when the automobile world and the rest of the market would come to know the 2007 Lexus LS-460. This vehicle would soon be rolling out of its manufacturing and assembly plants and would be later on shipped to the auto market of North America for sale. Now this new one would hold more technology features compared to all the other vehicles that are offered at present. This is according to the Telematics Research Group (TRG).

One of the major features that the 2007 Lexus LS-460 has to offer is the factory-installed 30GB hard drive disk that could be used not only for music but for navigation as well. Although the 2007 Lexus LS-460 is not the only one to offer a hard disk with a great amount of space, it is important to note that the Mercedes Benz S-Class (the other vehicle that offers such a feature) is only able to use such a feature for navigation purposes.

Aside from the 30GB hard drive, the 2007 Lexus LS-460 also has cameras. These cameras are actually installed for the purposes of lane departure warning as well as park assist. This vehicle holds three cameras and these would lend out an eye during parking. These would also help out in warning the driver when the 2007 Lexus LS-460 veers out of the lane.

Other features that this high-technology packed vehicle has include a touch-screen and voice activated navigation system, a Bluetooth phone control, monitored telematics, live traffic reports, as well as a 19-inch speaker audio system that is able to read compressed audio formats like MP3.

According to Phil Magney, the president and principal analyst of TRG, claims, “The 2007 Lexus LS-460 includes more technology that any other passenger vehicle offered for sale in the US. Based on our criteria of 30 technology features in the areas of telematics, infotainment, and driver assist technologies, the 2007 Lexus LS-460 scores the highest of all vehicles.”

Audi R8 Sports Car & Chevy ZR1

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Audi R8 Sports Car

What makes this one of the best Audi sports cars is the design of the engine. The engine is a 4.2L V8 engine. A 4.2L engine refers to the cylinder capacity in the engine. A 4.2 litre engine is the same as 4200cc. The V8 refers to the shape of the cylinders. Essentially there are two types; straight cylinders where they are all in all line or a V shape where you have 4 cylinders on one side and 4 on another.

The engine features FSI technology which allows the car to accelerate at a faster rate. It can go from zero to sixty miles per hour in about four and a half seconds. It can be used in either a manual or automatic transmission. The manual transmission is a six speed one and the automatic transmission uses R tronic technology for automatic gear reading. The R8 can work at up to 420 horsepower at about 7800RPM. It also uses aluminium alloy cylinder heads that are more durable and powerful. Aluminium is also lighter than steel which means you get fuel economy out of the engine.

Many notable features are included in the R8. The R8 includes unique Bi-Xenon headlights that use gas discharge lamps that can be controlled electronically in terms of intensity. LED lighting is used in other parts of the car. Other exterior features include a retractable rear spoiler and carbon sigma accents.

Many technological features are also notable. The sound system uses Audio Concert Radio technology with a seven speaker output and a six CD changer. It also offers Sirius satellite radio with subscription and Bluetooth capability.

The navigation system used here is DVD based and features a 6.25 inch LCD screen to help with not only navigating the sound system but also for researching locations and directions. Cars are becoming more technology innovative and Audi is no exception. At the time of writing this article, Audi is owned by Volkswagen, who is one of the few car manufacturers that is not suffering as much as some car makers during the credit crunch. As a result, money can be spent on the development of good, quality engines.

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Chevy ZR1

The most powerful production car made is the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1. Moreover, it is American-made and is able to beat Ferrari's and Lamborghinis.

This $105,000, 2009 Corvette has a 638-horsepower motor which gives off an aura to those around it. The zero-to-60 time achieved in 3.4 seconds beats the $1 million Ferrari Enzo. The Vette's rear brakes are similar to those on a $1.6 million Bugatti Veyron. Many onlookers do not often know the performance because it resembles its' humbler regular coupe version. However, once you drive it, you will know the difference right away. It is a super exotic car that masks itself with Chevy's bodywork.

Besides it being very recognizable, not much is shared with its basic cousin unless it is the interior, engine block and springs. Most noticeably, is the supercharger on the hood.

On the outside, the ZR1 utilizes the 2006 Z06 body casing with even more light weight aluminum and high-tech body construction. The Z06 has a standard steel and fiberglass body. To compensate for the added weight from the supercharger, larger wheels and upgraded brakes, the roof is made of carbon-fiber material. Although, the weight distribution is better than that of the Lamborghini Murclielago and the Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano.

Though the whole ZR1 concept seems to drive infinite without stopping, it is surely does stop from the huge Brembo carbon-ceramic brakes decrease speed as if they were rewinding a tape.

So is the ZR1 the best thing besides apple pie? Well, of course not. It really deserves an interior design compatible with a $100,000 car, mainly one without a cheap chevy model's steering wheel. By having 638 horsepower most who drive it need to try and let it run freely. The all new herculean ZR1 is considered the more beguiling because it is so refined - a quality few people associate with Corvettes. Though not perfect, the ZR1 is the most perfect 'Vette yet, and everyone can get behind that.

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Yamaha R15

Yamaha R15 India model hit the roads just about a 5 months back, in June 2008 and has already set minds of young bike lovers on fire. Not to mention its awesome torque and incredible capacity to ride as a smoothie on bumpy roads too. The bike has looks of a city tourer but has what it takes to be on the Indian bike racing tracks. No doubt being equipped with the latest MotoGP technology, as of today Yamaha R15 seems to be the most talked about bike of the Indian roads.

The test drive and a Yamaha R15 review by us reveals that it is a 4-stroke, 150cc engine with liquid cooling. The bike doesn't rattle or become cranky upon long ride and makes amazingly very less noise. The mono-cylinder engine is equipped with aluminum forged piston and a 6-speed gearbox. The bike also has disc brakes on the rear. It is in Yamaha R 15 India, that all-aluminum DiASil cylinders have been used. These cylinders will optimize fuel efficiency and make the engine much light in weight.

The Yamaha R15 India model reflects a gorgeous look and has monocross suspension which renders great shock absorption power. The Deltabox frame of the chassis not only adds to its chisel shaped looks but also guarantees some cool stability to the bike. The capacity of the fuel tank is 12 liters.

Both the front and rear ends are fitted with tubeless tyres that not only enable the rider to get a better grip on the road but also give fuel economy. The Yamaha R 15 India is fitted with multi-reflector headlamps and is environment friendly as well conforming to all emission regulatory norms. This hefty bike is otherwise easy to handle, but it is the Yamaha R 15 price that is too hefty for all to afford.

The Yamaha R15 India motorbike is the first super sports bike but as it comes with a price tag of above Rs.80,000, one will think several times before one could realize the dream of owing a Yamaha R15. There are many people who vote for high-end pulsar for the same price and even less. But Yamaha engineering should not be over looked for price sake on any day.

The Yamaha YZF R15 is a stunning looking motorcycle. It is also a pretty ordinary looking motorcycle. No, really. Look at its R1 lines from any front-ish angle, and it will blow you away. From the rear, though, it looks more or less like any other bike, aside from the bulk of the fairing.

The tail light could have been more stylish and I think a sleeker tailpiece would have lent the bike more crispness visually. I also think that, while effective, that rear mudguard is really awkward looking. There are other models, like the international R6 that sport similar units, but still. If I were riding the Yamaha R15 around, especially in the dry, I'd remove the whole thing.

Brawn BGP001

The Latest Brawn BGP001 - front-wing design has already taken a lead in the Formula One in Melbourne, Australia. I just saw the start of the Melbourne 2009 Formula One Grand Prix and the Brawn BGP001 - front-wing design is a revelation and an engineering design marvel.

With new design allowances made by Formula One, the Drivers sitting so far behind are finding it exceedingly difficult to judge and ascertain the width of these new Changes on front-wing and have a tendency to clip the tire of their compatriots. However, both the Brawn Racing drivers have answered the early criticism and proved that the Brawn BGP001 - front-wing design is a fantastic design.

The designers may have carried out their research and may look at adjusting is to either the width by an inches on both sides or making it curved so that the corners of the wing don't stick out so much. So the corners must be curved and the entire Brawn BGP001 - front-wing a couple of inches narrower. But this is subject to debate and no winning team likes to change or alter anything very quickly.

Its important that these design changes are approved only after a 100% test in race conditions as it could be very dangerous for the drivers, not forgetting the huge financial expense that may incurred in changing the design, development and production of any further new innovations on the Brawn BGP001 - front-wing! Well done The Brawn Team for winning the Australian Grand Prix 2009!

Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R

The Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R motorcycle is a top-of-the-line crotch rocket. As one of the most popular crotch rockets or sport bikes in the motorcycle category it is probably most well known for its speed. It came into this world in 1999 and with ongoing testing it was the fastest production motorcycle in the world.

It enjoyed an excellent reputation among sport bikes however in 2000 the Japanese motorcycle manufacturers decided that they would have to change some of the specs. They were worried about the regulation that was bound to happen among various governments and they didn't want to have any problems.

So in 2001 and the following years through 2008, they added what is called a timing retard to the fifth gear and a rev limiter. This changed the maximum speed to 186 mph from the 198mph that was enjoyed on the earlier model.

It has six gears however most will keep it in third pretty much for tooling around town and up to 60 mph on the local tracks.

The Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R has a cool 3-way switch on the right handle bar. Choices are - one for full power and response and the other two switches reduce action and output.

And of course - it's a crotch rocket so you're going to be sitting close to the ground. It sits a little lower than some other models and the bars are not as narrow. But most crotch rocket lovers like this.

The translation of Hayabusa from the Japanese language is peregrine falcon. Thee peregrine falcon can travel faster than 200 mph. This Suzuki motorcycle certainly meets that definition.

In 2008 the crotch rockets or sport bike competition soared when the BMW K120S and the Kawasaki Ninja ZX-12R were brought to the marketplace.

Suzuki is no longer called the GSX1300R in some countries because Suzuki dropped it and they call it simply the Hayabusa.

The Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R can go a quarter mile in 9.62 seconds at 149 mph. It can go from 0-60 mph in 6 seconds and from 0-180 in 15.9 seconds.

The 2009 models come in white and silver, black and gray, black and gold and silver and gray. In 2008 the Hayabusa sold for $12,000 or so. Although now, individual deals can be made with local dealers. And if you're lucky enough to find a used Hayabusa that's not all beat up, that's good too and can save you a lot of money.

So if you're thinking about buying a Suzuki Hayabusa GSX1300R sportbike you'll get a high performance motorcycle - sport bike or crotch rocket that you'll be proud to own, do endless motorcycle stunts and wheelies and love to ride! But don't buy this crotch rocket - motorcycle as your first bike. Repairs can be expensive and one spill can end up causing a lot of damage. Get a used older bike and practice on that unless you're an experienced rider now.

2010 Mazda 3

The 2010 Mazda 3 is no stranger to the automotive press with dozens of spy shots popping up over the past few months and speculative renderings coming from all around the world. Because the Mazda 3 is Mazda's top selling vehicle in the U.S. it's not hard to see why it is drawing in so much excitement surrounding its unveiling at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November. The redesign couldn't come up at a better time for Mazda when, even in the midst of a languishing economy, the Mazda 3 continues to be a hot seller among the ultra competitive compact car segment against the likes of the newly revised Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla. Although nothing is set in stone (read: confirmed by Mazda) yet we have created a list of what to expect when the Mazda 3 is officially unveiled by Mazda: First, the current 2.3 liter motor will be swapped out in favor of Mazda's 2.5 liter currently in the 2009 Mazda6. This will bring power up to around 170 hp, from the current 150-156 hp of the Mazda 3 s-line and will offer both a six speed manual transmission and a five speed sport automatic transmission. The Mazda 3 i-line is expected to carryover its 2.0 liter engine and transmission options.

When it comes to design the 2010 Mazda 3 can best be described as evolutionary with a similar overall body profile and a few changes around the front and back. From the spy shots we can see styling cues borrowed from the new Mazda6 and up front, with flared wheel arches and an upwardly sculpted front bumper reminiscent of the recent Mazdaspeed RX-8 concept car. Following the Mazda6's march towards luxury car dominance, the upcoming Mazda 3 has been spotted with previously unseen luxury amenities in the compact car segment like integrated mirror turn signals, Mazda's advanced keyless entry system with push button start, mp3 hard drive, and numerous steering wheel based controls.

These new features are in addition to the current Mazda 3's options including HID headlights, auto rain sensing wipers, auto on/off headlights, Bose sound system with aux input, lighted vanities, auto down driver's window, one-touch moonroof and power seat controls. None of the new features listed above are set in stone (they were observed on what appeared to be a near final prototype model during testing) it is very likely that the features will remain and be available on the final retail product. The stage is set and Mazda will officially reveal the 2010 Mazda 3's design at the Los Angeles Auto Show which runs between November 17th and 26th.

Pros: Sporty yet classy styling that will age gracefully, minimal overhang in front and back, impressive stance (especially with headlights on), 17 inch alloy wheels on GT models.

Cons: Stock antenna is huge, 17 inch wheel styling is mediocre.

When ordering our long term 2008.5 Mazda 3 s GT model we were sure to spec it out with almost every option available with the sole exception being factory navigation (We went with a Garmin Nuvi 760 instead).

On top end 2008.5 Mazda 3 s GT models the car is outfitted with more aggressive styling cues like a body colored split grille, sportier bumper design, clear LED taillights and all-season tires wrapped around 17-inch alloy wheels. With a combination of sharp edges and flowing body lines typically found on entry level luxury cars, the Mazda3 is a real head turner and is often mistaken as a car that cost $30,000 or more.

On the topic of appearance, the design of the 17-inch alloy wheels left us a little confused. Mazda freshened the wheels with a new design but the newer, snowflake style of the 17-inch wheels looks out of place on a car with such clear sporting intentions. In spite of the snowflakes, the 2008.5 Mazda 3 has a very dominant stance and shows very strongly in photos.

Something that has plagued the Mazda 3's design since 2004 is Mazda's choice to use a long antenna at the rear center of the car to give it a more European look. While we agree that the antenna's placement does look sporty and very Euro, it's also way too big. In fact, the stock antenna measures more than a few inches tall and sticks out of the Mazda 3 like Elroy Jetson's hat.

Our first mod for our Mazda 3 was to swap out the antenna with a shark fin.

Other notable exterior features include turn in (folding) power mirrors, auto on/off headlights that come on automatically at dusk, fog lights, rain sensing wipers and adjustable HID headlights that can be adjusted to one of four levels (Level zero is when the lights are pointed at their highest and level three aims the lights lower towards the ground which is ideal for fog).

Overall the 2008.5 Mazda 3 is very well built with striking exterior design features and significant luxury oriented options that not only make driving safer but vastly more convenient. Whether lighting your path amidst thick fog or automatically sensing and keeping rain off the windshield at varying speeds, the Mazda 3 makes driving more user friendly and fun.

Hummer H3

The 2007 Hummer H3 is smaller than the Cadillac Escalade, the Toyota Highlander, and the Ford Explorer – but it hasn’t lost any of the luxurious panache associated with larger SUV’s. In fact, the 2007 Hummer H3 has been re-born into a gentler, kinder Hummer for the modern world, boasting fuel-efficiency of 16 mpg city, and 20 mpg highway (not bad for a SUV), without compromising the brash look or the off-road prowess of its higher price cousins: the H1 and H2. Critics who once slammed the Hummer for being big, ostentatious, expensive, and a power-tripping fantasy miss the point – for $28,935 you can now get a well-equipped truck uniquely made for truck lovers. In addition, the comfortable leather seats, spacious inner cabin, the 220 horsepower engine, and bodacious exterior suggests the 2007 Hummer H3 is a lot more sophisticated than other SUV’s on the road.

Historically, we can trace the Hummer’s beginning to 1979 when the US military was looking for a new general-purpose vehicle to efficiently replace the Jeep. Although the Jeep was the motorized symbol of the army during Word War II, and the Korean War, by the 1970s it had become obsolete. As such, a call went out for the development of a High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) to meet the army’s need for moving troops and light equipment to/from the battlefield. In July 1980, AM General’s prototype Hummer was chosen over two other military contractors: Chrysler Defense and Teledyne Continental. Based on a steel frame with an aluminum and fiberglass body, the first Hummer sported a fully independent suspension, and a General Motors 370-inch diesel V8 engine. It produced 150 horses and was able to reach top speed of 60 mph. An automatic transmission put the power to the ground through an all wheel drive system with geared hubs. The tires that propelled the vehicle were 36 inches tall and air pressure could be adjusted from within the cockpit. As such, the first Hummer was a design and engineering marvel. Today there are more than 20 versions optimized for specific military applications.

The Hummer was introduced to the American public in 1990, with the start of Operation Desert Storm. The TV coverage showed U.S. Special Forces driving the Hummer to action in Kuwait and Iraq. That same year, movie star Arnold Schwarzenegger pulled up in one at the Academy Awards. His custom Hummer was the first civilian version and featured the Corvette’s V8 engine. Two years later, the first civilian Hummers were delivered and were much different from their military cousins. For starters, the “civvies” included insulation, sound deadening, and a semi-comfortable interior. However, the price of $50,000 to $90,000 put it in an exclusive category, out of reach for most people.

For 2007, the Hummer H3 has been substantially redesigned to meet the needs of a more demanding public. As such, the 2007 Hummer H3 is a very accessible vehicle that’s easy to get into and drive. Once behind the wheel, you may easily be fooled into believing you’re inside a more expensive Range Rover. There is plenty of room for five adults and the H3’s bucket seats are well supportive and extremely comfortable for long trips. The rear seats fold up, resulting in 55.7 cubic feet of cargo space. The rugged exterior, combined with its comfortable interior makes the Hummer H3 a very desirable niche SUV.

The Hummer H3 is really a tight vehicle that communicates the responsive feel of the road on smooth and rough terrain. The welded, ladder-type frame is based on the Chevrolet Colorado, and makes handling the Hummer H3 much tighter than it should. There are no rattles to be heard that may be otherwise expected of a more utilitarian vehicle. The Hummer H3 has bridged the gap between rural trails and urban living.

Powering the 2007 Hummer H3 is a lighter 3.5-liter, 220 horsepower engine that combines performance with fuel economy. The 2007 H3 achieves 16 mpg in the city and 20 mpg highway. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and the optional four-speed automatic delivers an impressive 225 pound-feet of low-end torque at 2800 rpm. By offering more torque lower in the rpm, you can feel more precise control for off-road handling in hard to reach places. The 17-inch high wheel clearance further makes it possible for the Hummer H3 to go where few SUVs dare to roam.

The only downside to owning the 2007 Hummer H3 is that the four-wheel drive is permanently engaged and the stability control does not come as standard equipment, but is available as an option. The 2007 Hummer H3 comes equipped with anti-lock brakes (ABS), dual front airbags, and an exceptionally strong frame for enhanced safety. Head curtain and side airbags can also be purchased as options.