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Archive for September, 2009

The Tesla Model S The Spark In Electric Cars

Why is it that most electric cars look like theyve been designed by five year olds? The Gee Wiz the Nice MyCar the Sakura Maranello 4 all cars that would without the benefit of CGI fit quite comfortably into the next Pixar Cars Movie. Why? When electric car designers roll up their sleeves and sit in front of a drawing board do they suddenly regress to an age where trees look like lollipops and sheep bear a striking resemblance to the clouds above them. Funky innovative ground breaking designs that are hardly ever practical. That was until the launch of the Tesla Model S.

Now many people will point to the Tesla Roadster. That doesnt look like its been designed by a child. And no it was wasnt it was designed with help from Lotus. A beautiful looking car without a doubt but hardly practical. In fact rumours abound over the internet that Governor Schwarzenegger one time android and full time green warrior would like to return his roadster as he has difficulty fitting in it.

So why is the Model S any different? Put simply it looks fantastic and it is extremely practical. Designed by former Mazda man Franz Von Holzhausen the Model S would look just as at home on the streets of London as it would in the Hollywood Hills. Drawing inspiration no doubt from the likes of Jaguar and BMW The Model S has distinctly European looks and will appeal to a worldwide market which is more than can be said for many other normal American cars.

With a price tag of just under 50000 after a 7500 tax rebate the Model S may look slightly expensive but if this price is achievable it will only be 4000 more than a BMW 5 Series 528i certainly not a price that could prove prohibitive. So what do you get for your hard earned cash? The base model will come equipped with a battery pack with a 160 mile range add more cells and a range of 230 miles can be achieved move up to the high capacity battery pack and the Tesla Model S will offer a range up to 300 miles. Tesla have also announced plans to allow owners of base models the ability to rent higher capacity battery packs when they need to make longer journeys although it is not yet that clear how long it will take to change batteries. Charging time could be as little as 45 minutes on a fast charge although a full charge is more likely to be in the region of four hours making overnight charging the best option.

With regard to performance the Model S will certainly be no slouch nought to sixty times are expected to be under six seconds with a top speed electronically limited to 130 mph. A sport model slated to be released in the second year of production is expected to trim another second off the 0 60 time.

Its not just technology that produces power for the car a video screen in the centre console that is effectively a small computer with 3G internet access a computer that Tesla can access with your permission to diagnose any problems controls the cars systems including sat nav audio air con plus many other features and its a touch screen too.

With seating for up to seven the Tesla Model S shows what can be achieved when the right people get together hopefully Tesla will get adequate funding from the American government to push this technology through before they spend it all on Chevy Volt a car that certainly wont sell worldwide.

About the writer:  Dave Foord is the content writer for a number of websites. Chances are you wont be able to get hold of a Tesla Model S for a few years yet. If you are in the market for a cheap new car take a look at the new Honda Insight or the new Toyota Prius.

The Redesigned 2008 Volvo Xc70 Cross Country

Volvo vehicles have always been renowned for their safety and high quality Volvo car parts. And to add to the long list of quality Volvo transports the Swedishbased automaker will once again present consumers with another masterpiecethe redesigned 2008 XC70 Cross Country which will showcase improved drivability luxury and safety.

The XC70 comes from the same Fords EUCD platform as the S80 sedan and Land Rover LR2 however the XC70 has an additional 2 inches in wheelbase and 4plus inches in length as compared to its predecessor.

In terms of the engine it gained a cylinder but loses the turbo. The standard gearbox which was previously fivespeed was changed into a sixspeed automatic. Inside the XC70 is more refined interior with the addition of technical features.

Some of the notable features of the XC70 include adaptive cruise control blindspot warning system drowsydriver alert and a collision warning system with automatic braking. Moreover the safety cage that surrounds the occupants makes use of four kinds of highstrength steel for added protection.

Volvo is also taking advantage of its partsbin relationship with Ford by obtaining the Hill Descent Control from Land Rover. There is also the standard Haldex allwheeldrive that when coupled to a standard Dynamic Stability and Traction Control provide the gripping power similar to that of a rally car. The MacPherson struts at the front mated with a multilink rear suspension keep onroad driving conditions luxurious.

The XC70 has also lots of features that will surely awe buyers like for instance its rear seats that easily convert from an adult size to a childbolstered seat. And thats not all! The seat belt spooling and airbag curtain deployments also conform accordingly. The cargo area has also aluminum alloy rails with movable anchors. On the outside the XC70 has more refined shoulders while the tailgate glass comes down lower than the side glass.

Leif Settergren Volvo Cars of North America program manager for the XC70 V70 and XC90 said “We defined the crossover segment with the first generation. We are the dominant player in this market.”

This was seconded by Anne Belec CEO of Volvo Cars of North America she said “The XC70 segment dynamic is changing with more crossovers and more players coming in. We’re playing it conservatively.”

The redesigned 2008 Volvo XC70 Cross Country is now available on various Volvo and Ford dealerships.

Here are the details on the 2008 Volvo XC70 Cross Country:

Engine
Engine: 3.2
Engine Type Description: InLine SixCylinder Engine
Power Train: Allwheel drive
Number of cylinders: 6
Engine Displacement: 194.8 cu.in.
Engine Bore: 3.31 in.
Engine Stroke: 3.78 in.
Horsepower: 235 hp
Horsepower rev: 6200 rpm
Torque: 236 lbft
Torque rev: 3200 rpm
Fuel type: Gasoline

Performance
Fuel consumption city
Sixspeed Geartronic transmission: 15 mpg
Fuel consumption highway
Sixspeed Geartronic transmission: 22 mpg

Capacity
Fuel Capacity: 18.5 gal.
Cargo Capacity: 71.4 cu.ft.
Towing Capacity: 3307 lbs.

Weight
Total Weight: 4092 lbs.

Exterior Dimensions
Height: 63 in.
Length: 190.5 in.
Width: 73.3 in.
Wheel base: 110 in.
Track Front: 63.5 in.
Track Rear: 62.2 in.
Turning Circle curb to curb: 37.7 ft.

Interior Dimensions
Head Room Front: 38.8 in.
Head Room Rear: 38.6 in.
Shoulder Room Front: 57.4 in.
Shoulder Room Rear: 56.5 in.
Leg Room Front: 41.9 in.
Leg Room Rear: 34.6 in.
Hip Room Front: 54.8 in.
Hip Room Rear: 55.1 in.

Misc
Environmental Classification: ULEVII

About the writer:  Glady Reign is a 32 year old is a consultant for an automotive firm based in Detroit Mi. she is a native of the motor city and grew up around cars hence her expertise in the automotive field.

The Practical Side Of Accessorizing Ones Volvo

There is no better way to improve on the looks of ones Volvo than having a hand in the selection of one’s Volvo accessories from Volvo. Volvo Accessories are crafted exclusively for Volvo vehicles. They are designed to match the specifications of the Volvo vehicle to ensure perfect fit. Thus when it comes to caring and enhancing ones Volvo investing in accessories will surely do the trick. A Volvo accessory is just the thing for anyone who wants to add that personal touch missing from ones vehicle. Through the use of accessories cars can easily reflect individual personality customizing it to fit one’s tastes as well as whims. Aside from improving the car’s appearance Volvo accessories also add comfort and convenience. The functionality of ones Volvo car model is thus improved with the addition of a number of Volvo accessories particularly those designed to increase engine power.

Since Volvo accessories are not created solely to serve aesthetic purposes but functional ones as well availing of them smacks wholly of practicality. One can install the Volvo front and rear park assist so backing into parking spaces between cars is easier to manage. This device also alerts the driver when the car is getting too close to an object in front. For bicycle lovers who like to set off during weekends the Volvo bicycle holder and bicycle lift is the perfect addon accessory for such trips. The Volvo bicycle holder is designed to let one carry up to two bicycles and an extra holder is also available in case one needs to take along more bicycles for a family outing.

Speaking of outings one can also have a Volvo roof box weekender installed. It is a compact and ergonomic 370litre roof box for additional luggage space. It is easy to secure to as well as detach from ones Volvo and able to manage a maximum load of 50 kg. In order to help ones Volvo carry extralarge objects the load basket is the perfect solution. It is an aluminum roof rack basket sturdy enough to withstand heavy loads bumpy roads and long travels. When winter comes getting snow chains is one effective protective measure to take against the slippery roads. So yes rain or shine sun or snow Volvo accessories are always welcome additions to one’s vehicle.

About the writer:  Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car racing fanatic. At present he works as a marketing manager at an advertising agency in Cleveland.