Nissan COTY Trophy for leaf 2011

Now, before someone adds a comment of the sort "in other related news, Audi unveiled the new A6", let us make it clear that we're not reporting on the actual Car of the Year (COTY) 2011 results, which were announced in late November 2010, but on the special ceremony that took place at the Pavillion Gabriel in Paris earlier this week to hand over the trophy to this year's winner, the new Nissan Leaf.
The trophy was received by Nissan Motor Co.'s President and CEO Carlos Ghosn, who of course, was extremely happy with the results.
"It is a great honor for Nissan LEAF to be recognized as the European Car of the Year - the first all-electric car to receive this distinction, " said Mr. Ghosn. "Like previous Car of the Year winners, Nissan LEAF is an appealing, competitive car, with no compromise on style, features, safety, performance or handling. Yet it stands apart as an innovative car that reflects a clear vision of the future of transportation - a vision of sustainable mobility."

Speaking at the ceremony Håkan Matson, president of the CoTY jury said: "I am convinced that we will see other electric cars named Car of the Year in the future. But when we do, we must always remember that only one can be the first. And that is why Nissan LEAF Car of the Year 2011 is - and will remain - so very special," said Håkan Matson, president of the CoTY jury, speaking at the ceremony.
You can view the results in detail here, but we'll remind you that the 58 jury members from 23 European countries placed the all-electric Nissan Leaf in first place with 257 points, followed by the Alfa Romeo Giulietta with 248 points and the Opel Meriva small MPV with 244 points. This is the second time Nissan has won the COTY, the first being in 1993 with the Micra, which became the first ever Japanese model to win the accolade. 

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Toyota Avensis BTCC 2011

The touring car version of Toyota's Avensis sedan has moved a step closer to its competition debut following extensive wind tunnel testing at MIRA's aerodynamic analysis facility. The Avensis NGTC (Next Generation Touring Car) is being constructed by GPR Motorsport and is scheduled to hit the tarmac for the first time in the opening rounds of the Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) at Brands Hatch on 3 April. As you can see in the photo below, the NGTC specification Avensis was joined in the MIRA wind tunnel by a road-going model equipped with a rear wing as the TOCA technical staff wanted to establish a baseline for the car’s aerodynamics.
“We needed to fix a position for the rear wing, based on the aerodynamics of the road car, which gave the levels of downforce we were looking for,” said the championship’s technical director, Peter Riches. “I am pleased to say that this was quickly achieved, and it means that we now have a base line for all cars built to the NGTC regulations and have saved a lot of development time and potential expense for the teams.”

Toyota Avensis BTCC concept 2010

The Japanese firm is not competing in the series with a works team, but does supply the donor cars and body shells to GPR Motorsport. Up until now, two private teams - Dynojet and Speedworks - have taken up the challenge to run in the Avensis, but the company said it hoped that their example will be followed by others "looking to take advantage of the reduced costs of development associated with the new car".

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Audi R8 Spyder 2011

If the factory ready Audi R8 Spyder isn't quite to your liking, perhaps the tuning folks over at Sport Wheels can help you build the roadster of your dreams, albeit at a very, very steep price. If our calculations are correct, the full treatment will cost you around €62,000 (US$85,000 at the current exchange rates) or about half the price of an all-new R8 Spyder in Germany.
The tuning house begins from the outside with numerous carbon fiber parts including the front bumper (€7,799), brake cooling ducts (€1,259), front spoiler (€1,799), rear bumper (€4,799), rear diffuser (€3,799) and fixed wing (€1,999).
Next up are the engine and exhaust system upgrades (€6,048), which help boost output to 600HP and 580Nm of peak torque. Stopping power can be further improved with MOV´IT-CER ceramics brake calipers, but at a ludicrous cost of €21,990. 

Those sexy looking alloy wheels sized 20-inch up front and 21-inch at the back with Dunlop Sport Maxx tires are priced at €4,599, while the tune is completed with an aluminum coil-over suspension for €7,349.






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Car Number Plates - Some Things to Think About

When it comes to making your car your very own, there are many things to consider. For example, you are going to take the matters of colour and design of your car into serious consideration. Your car is a after all a great way to express your creative side. For many people, a car is as important as a home. This makes sense, since cars are serious investments, being for most people the second most expensive thing they ever buy. This also makes sense because of how much time we end up spending in our cars, especially if you use yours to get to work and have to drive a long way! The truth of the matter is that many people are inseparable from their cars. If this sounds like you, then you may want to put some serious though into the car number plates that you have.

Personalised Number Plates

When you are shopping around for personalised car number plates, you will be tempted to go to a local business. This used to make sense for many different reasons, but in today's world there are better options. When you use the internet, you are able to have a wider variety of choices. As a matter of fact, the internet allows auto owners to have more options than ever before. When you have more options, you also have the ability to save money. You will be able to save a few pounds, which in today's economy does certainly count. We are all trying to cut back on unnecessary expenses, and if you can get high quality plates for a low price online, you should certainly take advantage of the opportunity.

Not all Sites are Genuine

Keep in mind, however, that there are many car number plates websites that are not legitimate or which do not do great work. You can often single these websites out because they do not have great customer followings or very low organic rankings on Google. They also try to lure you in with free gifts and deals that seem too good to be true. One of the best ways to check on them (and any other online vendor) is to have a look at their reviews. When you are looking for plates, however, there should be a few things that you are keeping in mind. You should be concerned with, first of all, the quality of the plates. You want plates that look good. Second, you will want a website that give you control over the design.

Check Out the Reviews - Google Does!

So when it comes to getting car number plates via the web, you can't go wrong if you check out the customer reviews and testimonials. These are most always written by people just like you who have used the company and have been supremely satisfied. This sort of feedback is important, especially when it comes to shopping online and rumours say is already being used by Google when deciding who to put into their results, especially it seems for the local 'Places' listings. So if others have used a website and have been satisfied enough to write good things about it, then there is no reason to believe that your experience will be any different. So go ahead and order.


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How To Buy A Safer Car

In America, we're constantly bombarded with car commercials that all promise us a safer ride - as long as we buy the newest, most technologically up-to-date model. But how do we know which vehicle is really the best and safest - so that, even when we are involved in a car accident, we can minimize the chances of personal injury and wrongful death?

Well, there's an easy way to check on the safety rating on whatever manufacturer model you're considering - just visit the Federal Department of Transportation website, www.SaferCar.gov.

Beginning with the 2011 model year, the government has established a new and much more rigorous safety rating for all new cars. The upgraded ratings system, unveiled in October of 2010, will evaluate side pole crash testing and crash prevention-technologies. Not only that, but being a crash test dummy is no longer just a man's world - for the first time ever, female crash test dummies are being used in crash simulations to study a car accident's effect on women.

Secretary of Transportation Ray LaHood said of the new ratings system, "We're raising the bar on safety. Through new tests, better crash data, and higher standards, we are making the safety ratings tougher and more meaningful for consumers."

The old ratings system, just like the new one, is based on a 5 star rating, with 1 star being the lowest and 5 stars the highest. The problem with the old system was that too many vehicles were able to reach the highest ratings, giving consumers little guidance on choosing between models. Because the standards are now higher, ratings now have much more variance.

Now, the safety of passenger cars, SUVs, vans and pickup trucks in three broad areas - frontal crash, side crash, and rollover resistance - are evaluated. New technological safety features, such as electronic stability control, lane departure warning, and forward collision warning, are also taken into account in the final rating.

One of the most significant changes to the ratings program for consumers is the addition of an Overall Vehicle Score for each vehicle tested. The Overall Vehicle Score combines crash test results and compares them to the average risk of personal injury, wrongful death and rollover potential of other vehicles.

SaferCar.gov also contains valuable information that's important to current car owners as well, including the latest safety recall information and service bulletins for most car models. A car owner with a safety complaint about his or her vehicle can also report it to the The Office of Defects Investigation (ODI) on the site.

This is an incredible resource for any car owner as well as anyone shopping for a new car. Your tax dollars paid for it - so make sure you get your money's worth!

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Exotic Luxury Cars And Vehicles In San Ramon Ca

Why you should buy a previously leased car?

1. Buying a previously leased luxury auto gives you the ability to buy a luxury vehicle or exotic car that otherwise, you may not be able to afford.

2. It has an extended warranty and will have recently gone through a pretty intense inspection.

3. Some luxury auto manufacturers may include a car history with your pre-owned vehicle.

4. Some luxury autos may include other incentives such as a free oil change, 24 hour road side service, detailing and low financing rates.

5. Since most exotic car lease returns are luxury cars, they are more likely to be in better condition and have lower mileage because of lease contracts with luxury auto dealers.

6. Some exotic car dealers may also offer an exchange or return.

Purchasing from a manufacturer or dealer, however, is not the only way you can buy a lease car. If you are already leasing a car, you will have the option to buy the car once your lease has expired. Why would anyone want to do this?

- The buy-out price in your exotic car or contract may be a great deal.

- You are familiar with the luxury vehicle, you know its history and how reliable it is or is not.

- You may not want to go through the process of shopping for another luxury vehicle or starting a new luxury auto lease.

- You wish to avoid a penalty, like too many miles on your luxury sports car.

- You want to avoid extra fees from excess wear and tear on your exotic car or luxury vehicle.

When you are considering buying your exotic car, make sure you check for the true market value and compare it to what the lease return dealer wants to sell it for. If the true market value price is less than the offer in the contract, you will probably want to try and negotiate. Just remember, the dealer does not want to keep an exotic car or luxury vehicle. They want you to buy a luxury sports car, so they may make you a pretty amazing deal. It never hurts to try!

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Mitsubishi Lancer 1.5 Juro

The Mitsubishi Lancer nobody really wants but almost everyone gets across the pond has become a bit more desirable in the UK with the launch of a new special edition, which as usual translates to additional equipment at a more competitive price. The new edition is called Juro and is based on the Lancer 1.5 GS2 hatchback, which is powered by a 1.5-liter petrol engine gasping out 107-horses and 143Nm or 105 lb-ft of peak torque.
The Lancer Juro comes equipped with black leather seats and an integrated Kenwood multimedia system that comprises Garmin Satellite Navigation, Parrott Bluetooth, iPod connection lead and reversing camera as standard.
Other standard features include 16-inch alloy wheels, climate control, alarm, leather steering wheel with audio controls, electric windows, mirrors and locks, and a color-keyed rear spoiler to keep all those ponies close to the ground.
In the UK, the Lancer 1.5 Juro hatch is priced at £14,749, which includes free metallic paint and VAT.

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Car, Truck, Or Van Driving Suggestions For Wet Roads

You need to get in the routine of regularly inspecting your vehicle tires. It is a reliable idea to always check your vehicle tires just before you hit the road. To make sure your vehicle tires are performing at their best, be sure you achieve the following normal maintenance:

Be certain that you keep your vehicle tires properly inflated. The acceptable air pressure for your vehicle tires is stated clearly by the automobile manufacturer and is actually found on the automobile placard somewhere on vehicle door edge, door post, glove box door or fuel door. It is moreover listed in the vehicle owner's manual. The number found on the side of the vehicle tire isn't the correct air pressure. It is the maximum air pressure for that vehicle tire.

While you are outdoors driving your vehicle, you need to realize how to recover from a slide. Skids can even happen to the most cautious drivers. If your vehicle does indeed slide, bear in mind to not thump on the car or truck's brakes, and don't pump the brakes when you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS). In its place use force to the vehicle brakes in a solid method and turn the vehicle in the direction of the slide.

Maintain a secure space from the vehicle in front of your car.

It requires about three times longer to slow down and then stop on wet streets than on dry roads. Because more distance is necessary to stop, it is key not to tailgate. Remain a little greater than two vehicle lengths between your car and the automobile ahead of you.

Learn how to recover from hydroplaning.

After it rains, water generates a barrier linking the road surface and your vehicle tires. The liquid film that forms may cause your car to loose traction and drift or hydroplane on the waters surface. If this takes place, don't hit the brakes. It is better to take your shoe off the gas, hold the steering in place, and gently apply the breaks. If you own a manual transmission, move in the clutch and allow the vehicle slow down on the car or trucks own.You need to get in the routine of regularly inspecting your vehicle tires. It is a reliable idea to always check your vehicle tires just before you hit the road. To make sure your vehicle tires are performing at their best, be sure you achieve the following normal maintenance:

Be certain that you keep your vehicle tires properly inflated. The acceptable air pressure for your vehicle tires is stated clearly by the automobile manufacturer and is actually found on the automobile placard somewhere on vehicle door edge, door post, glove box door or fuel door. It is moreover listed in the vehicle owner's manual. The number found on the side of the vehicle tire isn't the correct air pressure. It is the maximum air pressure for that vehicle tire.

While you are outdoors driving your vehicle, you need to realize how to recover from a slide. Skids can even happen to the most cautious drivers. If your vehicle does indeed slide, bear in mind to not thump on the car or truck's brakes, and don't pump the brakes when you have an anti-lock braking system (ABS). In its place use force to the vehicle brakes in a solid method and turn the vehicle in the direction of the slide.

Maintain a secure space from the vehicle in front of your car.

It requires about three times longer to slow down and then stop on wet streets than on dry roads. Because more distance is necessary to stop, it is key not to tailgate. Remain a little greater than two vehicle lengths between your car and the automobile ahead of you.

Learn how to recover from hydroplaning.

After it rains, water generates a barrier linking the road surface and your vehicle tires. The liquid film that forms may cause your car to loose traction and drift or hydroplane on the waters surface. If this takes place, don't hit the brakes. It is better to take your shoe off the gas, hold the steering in place, and gently apply the breaks. If you own a manual transmission, move in the clutch and allow the vehicle slow down on the car or trucks own.


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