2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata Test Drive
Cars.com's Mike Hanley takes a look at the 2008 Mazda MX-5 Miata hardtop convertible.
Monday, December 31, 2007
How to Keep Your Gear Safe and Your Truck Looking Like New
Whether you’re hauling for work or for play, it’s important to protect all the gear that goes into your truck bed. Truck owners frequently use their vehicles to haul all kinds of cargo that could potentially be damaged or stolen.
“People invest a lot of time and money into the equipment they use,” says Peter May, from Lund International. “Keeping it securely in your vehicle ensures it will work to its full potential and eliminates worry.”
One inexpensive, yet effective way to protect your gear is with a tonneau cover. Assuming you have installed a bed liner for basic protection, adding a tonneau cover will help protect the gear that goes into the bed, protecting it from debris and moisture. Whether hinged, roll-up, tri-fold or with snap closures, they protect your gear from extreme elements. Not to mention keeping everything safe from theft. Out of sight is out of mind. If something isn’t visible, it’s much less likely to be stolen.
When you’re hauling work tools, furniture or hunting, fishing or camping equipment, cover the side rails and tailgate to help keep them safe from the wear and tear of loading and unloading. Side rail caps, tailgate caps and tailgate protectors in polished diamond plate aluminum protect the bed’s finish and enhance your vehicle’s appearance.
If you are frequently loading ATVs, lawnmowers or other motorized equipment, a folding aluminum ramp is the way to go. With an extruded hole surface for a solid grip and raised edges to help keep tires safely on the ramp, it’s the safest, easiest way to load the vehicles. Ramps also eliminate the need for a trailer, saving you hundreds or even thousands of dollars.
The ramp’s heavy-duty design has a 1,000-pound distributed load capacity per ramp and yet, weighs only 17 pounds. The rubberized tailgate protector guards the tailgate finish, and easy fold-and-go design with carrying handle allows for convenient storage.
Taking your ATV along for hunting, camping or mending fences typically means you need to carry other equipment with you. ATV boxes mounted to your vehicle help to keep it all in place, free from the damaging elements and locked up safe. Binoculars, ammunition, a GPS unit, a two-way radio, tools and anything else that needs to stay clean and dry fits easily in the box.
The ATV boxes have aluminum diamond plate construction with a black powder coat finish that resists cracking and fading, and minimizes reflection from the sun. Sturdy latches and locks keep gear safe, and drain and ventilation holes for air circulation make cleaning a breeze.
With plenty of secure storage for work and play, you can put your mind at ease wherever you are and no matter what you’re doing. Your truck and your stuff will last longer and still look great.
For more information log on to http://www.lundinternational.com/.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
2008 Toyota Land Cruiser Car Review
Roadfly.com reviews the brand new 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser shot in Yellowstone National Park.
Motor Oil Facts, Not Friction
Many people don’t know how to select motor oil that will help them get optimum performance out of their car. People often just select the oil their father used, or they may take the suggestion of a counter person at an auto parts store who may not know any more about cars than they do.
There are meaningful differences in motor oils and choosing the right one can have a major impact on how well your car runs. Selecting the right oil is the quickest and cheapest way to improve your car’s performance and reliability.
Two components determine how well motor oil will perform in your car. One factor is the base oil, and the other is the combination of chemicals (additives) that are added to the base oil.
Base oils
The two primary types of base oils used are mineral and synthetic. Mineral oils are by-products of refined crude oil. Refining helps reduce the impurities but leaves molecules of all shapes and sizes. Synthetic oils are manmade compounds whose molecules are all the same size and shape; consequently, synthetic oil has less friction and performs significantly better than mineral oils.
There’s been sizable growth in the use of synthetic oils over the years. In fact, synthetic oils are often the factory fill in many new performance and luxury cars.
Additives
Regardless of the base oil used, chemicals must be added to give motor oil the characteristics needed to do its job. Typical additives that may be added to base oil include detergents to reduce the formation of residue, defoamants to deter absorption of air, anti-wear agents, antioxidants and others.
Although additives are typically only 15 to 25 percent of the make up of motor oil, they can impact a lubricant’s performance much more than the base oil. For instance, mineral based motor oil with a very good additive package can easily outperform synthetic motor oil with a mediocre additive package.
There is no easy way for a consumer to determine the quality of motor oil’s additive package. Price is often an indicator of quality since the more advanced additive technologies cost more to produce. Performance is the ultimate measure of additive package quality.
Advances in lubrication
Some of the biggest technological advances in lubrication are now coming through advancements in chemical additives. These breakthroughs have been developed by a handful of companies that specialize in high-performance lubricants, as opposed to major oil companies whose primary focus is refining and selling crude oil by products like gasoline and other fuels.
One high-performance lubricant company, Royal Purple, has developed lubricants that outperform both leading mineral oils and other synthetics. Their oil has been proven in numerous independent tests to dramatically reduce engine wear, increase horsepower and torque, and reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Cars using their oils can also go further between oil changes, saving the owner time and money, and reducing the impact on the environment. More information about their products is available at the Web site www.royalpurple.com.
How to Choose
Mineral-based (conventional) motor oils. These are the cheapest and most widely available oils. They typically use standard additive packages that provide minimum levels of performance and protection.
Synthetic motor oils. These man-made oils are more expensive that mineral-based oils but are still widely available. Their performance advantages come predominantly from the synthetic base oil used. They have a longer service life and offer some improvements in protection. They typically use the same additive packages found in mineral-based oils.
High-performance ‘specialty’ synthetic motor oils. These motor oils are the most technologically advanced oils. Although they significantly outperform mineral based or synthetic motor oils, they are about the same price as standard synthetic motor oil. They are typically only available through auto parts stores and select oil change centers. These oils primarily differ in their use of more advanced, proprietary additive technologies.
Still confused? For a used car with little life left in it, stick with the cheap mineral-based motor oil. For a car you plan to keep for a few years and want to get a little better performance from, you should at least upgrade to synthetic motor oil. To get the most performance out of your car, truck or RV, or to protect a vehicle you really care about and want to last, upgrade to a high performance motor oil.
Courtesy of ARAcontent
Saturday, December 29, 2007
2008 Land Rover LR2 Quick Drive
Cars.com's Joe Wiesenfelder walks you through the 2008 Land Rover LR2.
2008 Volkswagen Touareg
Volkswagen has done a major refreshing of the Touareg SUV with more chrome, upgraded audio and even a V8 engine.
Motor Trend Names Toyota Tundra 2008 Truck of the Year
Motor Trend (www.motortrend.com), the world's automotive authority and part of SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA, today announced the selection of the all-new Toyota Tundra as its 2008 Truck of the Year™. The complete report on Motor Trend’s 2008 Truck of the Year™ will be published in the magazine’s February issue, available on newsstands January 1, 2008.
“Toyota’s introduction of a full-size pickup truck in the U.S. was a seismic event and one of the most highly anticipated vehicle launches in recent years,” said Angus MacKenzie, editor in chief of Motor Trend. “The question on everybody’s mind was whether Toyota could use its manufacturing and marketing muscle to compete with the big boys on their home turf. The answer can be found in one of the biggest and most capable vehicles in the segment, and one that can compete with any American-made pickup truck, at any level.”The Tundra’s three different powertrains, one V-6 version and two V-8s, include a 5.7-liter V-8 that MacKenzie called “a high-tech wonder and torque monster.” The Tundra won over the judges with its class leading performance, and excellent load carrying and towing capabilities, combined with its impressive smoothness and refinement.
“This is an ambitious truck that is suited for its primary market,” said MacKenzie. “That Toyota, right out of the gate, offers 44 different flavors of the Tundra with different bed sizes, wheelbases, cab configurations and trim packages, is impressive. With the arrival of the Tundra, we now have a Japanese truck whose dimensions and performance make it a serious rival to the F-150, Silverado and Ram.”
MacKenzie addressed the recent Tundra recall. “Recalls are inevitable in an industry producing complex pieces of machinery like cars and trucks. The problem noted by Toyota was tracked to a single component from an outside supplier in about 15,000 Tundras, and did not show up on the vehicles we tested. We are satisfied the company has moved fast to rectify the issue, and that it does not alter our view of the fundamental excellence of the vehicle.”
The 2008 Field of ContendersThe Toyota Tundra was one of four trucks eligible for the Truck of the Year title. The other contenders were the Chevrolet Silverado HD, GMC Sierra HD and the Ford F-Series Super Duty. To be eligible for Truck of the Year, a vehicle must be totally new or redesigned, and released in the 12 months prior to January 1, 2008 (vehicles with modifications such as new engines or that are variants of existing models are not eligible).
About the Testing and Evaluation Process
Motor Trend subjected all Truck of the Year contenders to a series of rigorous on- and off-road testing at the Yucca, Arizona proving grounds. Editors tested two versions of each contender, with different engines, transmissions and body configurations to better evaluate the breadth of capabilities in such diverse areas as towing power, dirt and gravel road handling and stop and go traffic.
Each year, the editorial staff of Motor Trend has evaluated eligible vehicles for its Truck of the Year based on three key categories: Significance, Superiority and Value. Significance refers to innovation in engineering, technology, design, safety and packaging. Superiority levels the playing field and looks for class-leading levels of vehicle dynamics and performance, build quality and execution, and how well the vehicle performs its intended function. Finally, the all-important Value question asks, “What does this vehicle deliver in relation to what the consumer has to pay to purchase and own it?”
High-resolution images of the winner are available upon request and at www.motortrend.com/media. Multimedia coverage of the testing and selection process will be broadcast on Motor Trend Radio, hosted by Bob Long.
About MOTOR TREND
Motor Trend, part of SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA, was founded in 1949 and has a circulation of 1.1 million and a total readership of 7.1 million. Internationally recognized as one of the leading brands in automotive publishing, Motor Trend comprises Motor Trend Magazine; motortrend.com; Motor Trend Radio; Truck Trend; Motor Trend International Auto Shows; Motor Trend en Espanol; and the renowned Motor Trend Car, Sport/Utility and Truck of the Year Awards program. SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA is a division of Source Interlink Companies, Inc., (NASDAQ: SORC), a media and marketing services company. Source Interlink (www.sourceinterlink.com) is one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences and a leading distributor of home entertainment products, including DVDs, music CDs, magazines, games, books and related items.
Source: PRWeb
Mercedes Benz SLR 2007 Passenger Vehicles Recall
On certain passenger vehicles, the windshields were not installed correctly. Either the primer or activator was missing at the time of installation.
For more information, visit the NHTSA web site.
Volvo XC70 2008 Sport Utility Vehicles Recall
Certain sport utility vehicles fail to conform to the requirements of Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard No. 120, 'Tire selection and rims for motor vehicles other than passenger cars.' The wheel information label located on the rear driver's side door pillar was printed missing the wheel size (rim) information. The purpose of this standard is to provide safe operational performance by ensuring that vehicles to which it applies are equipped with tires of adequate size and load rating and with rims of appropriate size and type designation.
For more information, visit the NHTSA web site.
2008 Cadillac CTS
Aggressive and elegant, expressive and sophisticated, the 2008 Cadillac CTS exudes a dramatic design presence.
Volvo XC90 2007-2008 Sport Utility Vehicles Recall
On certain sport utility vehicles, under certain conditions, the climate control module (CCM) may receive a 'shut-down signal' from the engine control module (ECM) after ignition key insertion. If this condition occurs, the climate control functions will not be available (including the defroster) during that driving cycle. Inoperative defrosters under inclement weather conditions could cause impaired visibility which has the potential to result in personal injury and/or vehicle and property damage.
For more information, visit the NHTSA web site.
2008 Mini Cooper Clubman
From the 2007 LA Auto Show, Cars.com's Suburban Dad, Patrick Olsen, and Mother Proof's Chief Mom, Kristin Varela, compare their first impressions of the 2008 Mini Cooper Clubman.
2008 Aston Martin DBS
Charismatic and capable, the Aston Martin DBS is both faster and more refined than a DB9.
2008 BMW 1 Series/ First Impressions
From the 2007 LA Auto Show, Cars.com's Joe Wiesenfelder walks you through the 2008 BMW 1 Series.
Friday, December 28, 2007
Toyota's A-BAT Compact Pickup Concept
PickupTruck.com shows Toyota's new A-BAT concept. Toyota's Advanced Breakthrough Aero Truck (A-BAT) is a concept compact pickup that's slated to debut at the 2008 North American International Auto Show.
2008 Infiniti G37 S Quick Drive
Cars.com's Joe Wiesenfelder walks you through the 2008 Infiniti G37 S.
Thursday, December 27, 2007
Genesis, Hyundai´s New Beginning
Marking a new beginning, Hyundai Motor Co. today announced Genesis as the official name of its eagerly anticipated luxury sports sedan. Benchmarking and bettering the competition, the Hyundai Genesis redefines luxury by presenting a credible alternative to the premium automobile offerings from Germany, Japan and the United States.
Adopting a rear wheel drive architecture and numerous technical innovations, Genesis opens a new era of high performance Hyundai motoring. At the same time, the company has unveiled the Genesis emblem consisting of the Genesis logotype set in a black hexagonal shield framed by a pair of wings. The wings, executed in a hyper-metallic silver, symbolize the spirit of flight and soaring above it all. However, the Genesis emblem will only be applied to the Korean and Chinese markets.
With Genesis, Hyundai opens an exciting new chapter in its 40 year-long history to compete at the very highest levels of the automotive business.
At the pinnacle of the Genesis motoring experience is the all-new Tau V-8 engine which will deliver 375 horsepower to the rear wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Hyundai's silk-smooth V-6 Lambda engines will also be offered in 3.3- and 3.8-liter editions. Hyundai pledges excellence at every step of the Genesis ownership experience from purchase to delivery and after-sales service.
Source: PRWeb
Plug-in Hybrids
They're here now. Overview of Electric- Hybrid Vehicles. Plug-In Partners is a national grass-roots initiative to demonstrate to automakers that a market for flexible-fuel Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (PHEV) exists today.
AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE Names the Audi R8 Automobile of the Year
AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE, America’s leading automotive lifestyle publication (www.automobilemag.com) and part of SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA, today announced that the Audi R8 is its 2008 Automobile of the Year. The magazine also named the R8 Design of the Year and GM’s Two-Mode Hybrid System Technology of the Year.
The winners are featured in the pages of the February 2008 issue of AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE, available on newsstands beginning January 2, 2008.
2008 Automobile of the Year: Audi R8
Audi’s first foray into the sports car arena impressed the editors with its depth of abilities, which include straight-line speed, deep reserves of power, generous suspension travel, laser-like directional stability, and the surefootedness of all-wheel drive. The R8’s glass-encased, 420-hp, 4.2-liter V-8 engine has the sound of a traditional Italian supercar. Editors called it a great real-world sports car in the vein of the Porsche 911, but with the exotic presence of a Ferrari.
“The R8 absolutely captivated the automotive world this past year,” said Jean Jennings, President and Editor-in-Chief of AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE. “It propels Audi into a whole new league of driving dynamics, and it emphatically caps Audi’s steep ascent from the somnambulant lull in which it languished in the early 1990s. The R8 is a thrilling new sports car from a company that’s stronger than it’s ever been.”
Design of the Year: Audi R8
The arresting R8 features a bright metal blade on its side, an unmistakable and dramatic design feature shared with no other car. For Design of the Year, AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE looks for innovation, style, beauty, engineering, dynamics, heritage and public approbation, and editors noted that the R8’s design is outstanding in almost every way.
“We honor the designers and the engineers who have so perfectly realized a truly civilized grand touring coupe,” said Design Editor Robert Cumberford. “It is far more comfortable than cars of equal performance, and it features a highly focused environment for the driver but a relaxed and more open space for the passenger.”
Technology of the Year: GM’s Two-Mode Hybrid System
AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE editors also called General Motors’ Two-Mode Hybrid System the most significant gasoline-electric propulsion advancement since the original Toyota Prius. With oil approaching $100 per barrel, big trucks that don’t guzzle gas on an ordinary commute could be a God-send.
“Two-Mode blends the best attributes of internal combustion and battery-powered electric motors,” said Technical Editor Don Sherman. “Chevrolet Tahoes and GMC Yukons equipped with the technology can achieve 20 miles per gallon or more, which is equivalent to the capability of a four-cylinder mid-size sedan in city driving.”
Sherman noted that because Two-Mode is a second-generation approach conceived by transmission experts instead of engine specialists, gasoline and electric power sources are more ingeniously combined with fixed and variable gear ratios to achieve higher efficiency over a broader range.
Since GM partnered with BMW and the former DaimlerChrysler to develop Two-Mode for front-, rear-, and four-wheel-drive applications with gasoline and diesel engines, consumers should begin to see it in more cars, pickups, SUVs, and crossover vehicles.
About AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE
AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE, part of SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA, has a circulation of 550,000 and a total readership of 3.6 million. Recipient of more editorial awards than any other major automotive publication, AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE is designed to appeal to the interests of passionate automotive enthusiasts. Its diverse editorial mix includes behind-the-wheel experiences in the world’s most fascinating cars, as well as personalities, travel destinations, automotive art, vintage cars and industry trends. SOURCE INTERLINK MEDIA is a division of Source Interlink Companies, Inc., (NASDAQ: SORC), a media and marketing services company. Source Interlink (www.sourceinterlink.com) is one of the largest publishers of magazines and online content for enthusiast audiences and a leading distributor of home entertainment products, including DVDs, music CDs, magazines, games, books and related items.
Wednesday, December 26, 2007
2008 Lexus ISF Review
Edmunds.com gives their review of the new 2008 Lexus ISF. We're not sure about the styling, but you can't argue with 400 horsepower.
Alternative Fuel Focus: Electricity
Autotrader.com DRIVE's Leesa Severyn talks about the future of electric cars.
Ford E-Series, Excursion, F-250 SD, F-350 SD, F-450 Superduty, F-550 Superduty 1997-2003 Trucks Recall
On certain heavy duty trucks equipped with 7.3L diesel engines, the camshaft position sensor located on the engine of the vehicle may function intermittently, possibly resulting in an engine stall. In the event of an engine stall, a crash could result without warning.
For more information, visit the NHTSA web site.
2008 Smart ForTwo First Impressions
From the 2007 LA Auto Show, Cars.com's Kelsey Mays gives his first impressions of the 2008 Smart ForTwo.
Maserati Granturismo 2008 Vehicles Recall
On certain vehicles equipped with the advanced passenger seat air bag weight sensor system. A malfunction can occur in the supplemental restraint system (SRS) electronic control unit (ECU) software when the battery is not fully charged. In the event of a crash, the passenger side air bag and passenger seatbelt pre-tensioner may not deploy increasing the risk of injuries.
For more details, visit the NHTSA web site.
2008 BMW M3 Sedan and Coupe
Online Videos by Veoh.com
BMW shows off its newest M3 at the 2007 LA Auto Show BMW shows off its newest M3 at the 2007 LA Auto Show.
2009 Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione Spy Shots
Catch a glimps of the new Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione on the track at Nürburgring. Only 99 of you will be lucky enough to drive this gorgeous vision in carbon fiber that takes your breath away.
Daimler & Benz: The Complete History
From the earliest workshop days to the grandest marque in the automotive world, the story of one of the most important enterprises of the twentieth century comes alive in this complete history.
The rich history of Daimler-Benz (now DaimlerChrysler) has its roots in the early experimentation with the use of the internal combustion engine by three men: Carl Benz, Gottlieb Daimler, and William Maybach. Benz, working alone, and Daimler and Maybach, working together, the two shops separated by a mere sixty miles, in the late 1880s simultaneously laid the foundation of what would become the German automotive industry.
At first there was competition between Benz & Cie. and Daimler Motoren Gesellschaft, as they engineered and styled the earliest motorwagens and began to develop markets for their products. These early efforts led to the establishment of an entire industry by the start of World War I.
But the war and its aftermath devastated these two companies, as it did the German economy overall. By the early 1920s it became apparent that the only way to survival was a merger, and thus, on June 29, 1926, the stockholders of both companies gave approval to the new company, Daimler-Benz, which led directly to the birth of one of the world's best-known brands: Mercedes-Benz.
In the hands of noted automotive photographer, author, and editor Dennis Adler, the history of the marque and the company unfolds through the decades, as Mercedes-Benz advances in fame, from the racing glory years to the present, becoming the standard that all automakers strive to meet. With archival (many never before published) and the author's own photographs, the beauty and power of the automobile comes alive, from the earliest models to the first crop of twenty-first-century Mercedes-Benzes. It is a story of excellence that is in many ways unmatched in the history of any industry. Today, as a global leader in design, safety, and overall excellence, Mercedes-Benz continues to lead the way.
Available at Amazon.com.
Audi Cross Cabriolet Concept
Online Videos by Veoh.com
Steve Siler takes a look at the Audi Cross Cabriolet, a concept car unveiled at the 2007 LA Auto Show.
Acura RL 2005-2008 Passenger Vehicles Recall
On certain passenger vehicles, prolonged high under-hood temperatures may cause the power steering hose to deteriorate prematurely causing the hose to crack and leak power steering fluid. Power steering fluid leaking onto a hot catalytic converter will generate smoke and possibly lead to an under-hood fire.
For more information, visit the NHTSA web site.
Hybrids Examined
Autotrader.com DRIVE's Tore Dietrich brings you an update from the hybrid car world; the Toyota Prius and to the offerings from Honda.
2009 Pontiac Vibe Preview
Online Videos by Veoh.com
The Pontiac Vibe gets a makeover for 2009. How does it compare to its Toyota twin, the Matrix?
Tuesday, December 25, 2007
Porsche 911 GT3, 911 GT3RS 2008 Vehicles Recall
On certain 2 door coupe vehicles, the switch console for the Porsche active suspension management (PASM) and the traction control (TC-off) switches was inappropriately installed. T