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Monday, May 30, 2011

car history "old-new-modern car"


It is important for all interested in cars that know about this date if simple industry or at least companies operating in this area to be aware of any problem that can bypass the face while driving, I am thinking here, for example failure in his cars, it is important for you to read this article to the end and get started now
oldest car

modern car

To know who invented the first car you must first define what car is. Some said steam-powered coaches are cars and people like Daimler-Benz (who started Mercedes Benz) say that cars are light carriages for personal transport with three or four wheels, powered by a liquid-fueled internal combustion engine. As you see the definition of a car can be different, and therefore the automobile could have been invented by any number of people at different times in history.

The first written record of a self-propelled vehicle was Leonardo da Vincis. He toyed with the idea in the 15th century. He even designed and drew several different so called car models in his notes.. The steam engine was considered to be invented by James Watt in 1765 and was perfected by both English and French scientists over the next century.

Nicolas-Joseph Cugnot, William Murdoch and Richard Trevithick all came up with steam-powered beasts that were so huge and heavy that they need a fully flat surface to move on. In fact, iron rails were installed on roads in Paris and London for the next 120 years so these cars could move on them. They were basically smaller versions of trains.

During the Steam Era you could find all sorts of funny car inventions. In the United States, Oliver Evans invented an amphibious vehicle that can travel on wheels and on water with the help of a paddle wheel. Ivan Kulibin of Russia designed a car with modern day features such as flywheels, brakes and a gear box. Oddly enough, it was it was human-pedaled. Etienne Lenoir invented something he called a hippo mobile that proved to the masses that automobiles can handle long trips. He drove all the way from Paris to Joinville Le-Pont.

One of the first to mass-produce cars was Karl Benz. His cars appealed to many due to being able to move at 45 km/h (28.2 mph). In France, Panhard et Levassan was the first ever company to be formed exclusively for the sole purpose of making cars. The Duryea brothers (Frank and Charles) were the first automobile manufacturers in the United States, and they were swiftly followed by Ford and Winton.

A special mention goes of course to Henry Ford. Contrary to popular belief, he didn't actually built cars. Well, his company did, but what he personally invented and perfected was the manufacturing line in car building. He used one worker for one task and had an ingenious system of dropping the car's body on its wheels. He also added modern features such as the car radio after getting the idea from private jets.

There were different eras to the automobile's history. And each brought different improvements to the car. In the Vintage Era, internal combustion engines and the overhead cam engines were modified.
A prime example of this is the Austin 7. During the Pre-War Era, fully-closed models were produced for the first time and trunks were added. The Post War Era gave birth to cars which have more resemblance to modern automobiles. Arty and sleek cars, like the Mini Cooper, have left a memorable imprint on automobile history.

Whether you're driving a luxury car, a sedan or a piece of junk that can hardly be called a car, it's a nice feeling to know how far the car has evolved from being steam-powered coaches to modern practical vehicles.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster in the market

New pictures of the 2012 SLS AMG roadster.

Off come the SLS gull wing doors, away goes the roof structure and on goes a set of conventionally hinged doors to match the convertible soft-top. It's a power-operated three-layer cloth roof with heated glass rear window, capable of transitioning from 'English summer... ‘Closed to 'it's stopped raining!' open in 11 seconds. The roof folds in a z-shape to rest behind the seats and above the boot space, which at 173 liters only loses 3 liters to the SLS coupe, and performs its quick-change act at speeds up to 31mph. You can have your SLS AMG Roadster soft-top in either black, red or beige depending on which of the nine standards exterior and eight interior colors you choose.
Inside it's largely the same interior from the SLS, with lower sills and new armrest and door card design to match the conventional doors. Air scarf headrest climate control is optional, but fixed roll hoops, eight airbags and a slot-in Plexiglas air deflector are standard with the SLS AMG Roadster. Also on the interior options list are Bang and Olufsen BeoSound AMG hi-fi, and AMG Performance Media: a timing and telemetry system which includes mobile internet access.
Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster
Chassis and dynamics
Removing the roof from the SLS coupe has required additional strengthening of the aluminum space frame structure. Extra bracing has been installed behind the dashboard, in the side sills and behind the cabin, along with strengthened A-pillars. The end result is that the Roadster tips the scales at 1660kg, 40kgs more than the coupe. Comparing the SLS Roadster with other front-engine V8 two-seaters, an aluminum-bodied Aston Martin V8 Vantage S Roadster has a 1690kg kerbed weight, whilst the composite-bodied Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport convertible is a relatively svelte 1492kg.

The SLS AMG Roadster comes standard with fixed-rate damping, but AMG Ride Control three-stage adaptive damping is on the options list. New with the roadster, it offers Comfort, Sport and Sport + suspension settings, and will be offered on the SLS coupe after the Roadster is launched.
Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster
 Power and performance
The SLS AMG Roadster retains the 6.3-litre AMG engine of the coupe, matched with the seven-speed AMG Speed shift transmission, which retains the transaxle location and carbon fiber torque tube for 47:53 front: rear weight distribution. The V8 puts out 563bhp at 6800rpm, and 479 lb/ft of torque at 4750rpm. Mercedes quotes a 3.8sec 0-62mph time, and a 197mph top speed for the SLS AMG Roadster. 
With those kinds of stats you can guess the fuel economy isn't going to silence the Hollywood Pries contingent - 21.4mpg combined, and 308g/km of CO2, with a dynamic energy recovery system to reduce alternator load on the engine but no automatic stop-start or cylinder-deactivation function. Best practice the whole-life energy consumption and questionable cleanliness of hybrid tech mantras, or buy some carbon offset credits to salve your conscience.
When can I buy the Mercedes SLS AMG Roadster?
If you've been tempted by AMG's brawny two-seater but didn't like the gull wing doors, then salvation arrives on Mercedes dealer forecourts in November 2011. Pricing for the UK market has yet to be announced, but an SLS coupe currently starts at £168,395 and the European list price for the Roadster will be €195,160 (£169,208) including VAT. Expect a premium for the soft-top SLS when it arrives in the UK, just in time for winter. 

Saturday, May 28, 2011

US safety regulators probe Nissan, Jeep problems

Jeep Wrangler
DETROIT – Auto safety regulators are investigating brake problems with the Nissan Altima and complaints of air bag troubles with the Jeep Wrangler.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said on its website Friday that brake fluid can leak on the Altima midsize car, causing a loss of stopping power.
The investigation, which began on Monday, covers about 440,000 Altimas from the 2007 and 2008 model years. The agency said the brake master cylinder can leak internally, causing a warning light to illuminate. If the light is ignored, the cars could eventually lose braking power.
NHTSA said it has received 20 complaints, none of which resulted in crashes or injuries.
The agency noted that in 2008 and 2009, Nissan recalled about 180,000 Sentra small cars from the 2007 and 2008 model years to fix a defect that caused leaks in the brake master cylinders.
Nissan said in a statement that it is committed to safety and will work with NHTSA in the investigation.
On the Jeep Wrangler, made by Chrysler Group LLC, NHTSA said that the front driver's air bag can fail to deploy because of a broken electrical circuit. The investigation, also opened Monday, covers about 222,000 vehicles from the 2007 and 2008 model years. The agency has received 29 complaints, but no injuries have been reported.
NHTSA said it contacted 14 of the 29 owners, and six of them had right-hand-drive models typically used by postal carriers.
Chrysler also said it is working with NHTSA on the investigation.
Investigations can end with recalls or findings that there are no defects.
Last week, NHTSA announced that a probe into steering problems with Toyota Corollas found they were not caused by parts failures and no recall was ordered.
source: yahoo news

Volvo P1800 celebrates 50 years

Volvo P1800 celebrates 50 years
There is a big and international company will celebrates 50 years in this year
So far, 2011 has been a significant year with the Jaguar E-Type, Aston Martin DB4-GT Zagato and BMW 'Neue Klasse' all celebrating their 50 year anniversaries. The Volvo P1800, which celebrates its half century anniversary this year, is yet another car entering this exclusive club.
The svelte Swedish coupe is ‘perhaps Volvo’s most internationally renowned model,’ according to the brand, and it's easy to see why. Planned in Sweden and designed in Italy, the P1800 was unveiled in Brussels, built in Britain and became a huge success in the USA. 
Conceived with the simple aim of attracting customers into Volvo showrooms, the P1800 was a self-indulgent departure from Volvos of the past. The P1800 was a significant model for Volvo. It was a huge sensation from a sales perspective and, from an image viewpoint, it was infinitely more successful.
While the P1800's eclectic history and arresting design proved popular the world over, the car's infamy was cemented following an appearance in the British television program, The Saint, in the 1960s. Though producers initially wanted an E-Type Jaguar to star alongside Roger Moore’s character, the British firm declined. Volvo stepped to the plate and provided a P1800, which allowed the car to become a cult hit. It is still often referred to as ‘The Saint’s car’.
The distinctive coupe's lines didn’t change over the car's entire 12-year life span. Volvo only altered minor details and added the 1800ES shooting brake to the line-up in the early 1970s. 
Volvo says the P1800 was intended to be ‘a car that looked like a Ferrari, but cost and functioned like a Volvo.' The infamous Irv Gordon car that has covered over 4,500,000km over its lifetime on the same engine is testament to this durability, whilst rising prices on the classic market mark out the P1800 as a truly useable classic that is an integral part of Volvo history.



Friday, May 27, 2011

buying used car

Did you decide buy used car?
Tips for buying used car
When you decide to buy a used car, you have already taken a smart and wise decision. Everyday new models are being introduced into the market and you can easily get a car that is as good as a brand new car at a lower price. Often car buying gets overwhelming for the buyer as each new brand is vying for customer's attention.  The new cars always come with additional features and amenities with a higher price. To buy used cars in Canada, people have numerous choices and there is always a great possibility to find the best deal.
It is more economical to buy a pre-owned car than a new one as you can save a lot of money. Due to the current economic problems, it is always better to get a used car at half the price of a new car. Within couple of years, a brand new vehicle depreciates very quickly. The value of the new cars goes down very quickly and when you buy a new car, you are only paying for the fresh aroma and warranty. When a new car is bought, there is no guarantee that you will get a completely flawless car. New cars also may come with manufacturing imperfections and bad design issues.
you can easily purchase a fully loaded model used car that you may not be able to afford with a new car. There are varieties of used cars and you can choose easily from among your favorite brands. Online research will help you to find the car of your interest at competitive rates. But you have to physically examine the car before you buy. There are several advantages when you buy a used car and you get the opportunity to drive the car of your dreams.