Saturday, December 26, 2009

2010 Lotus Exige S Type 72 Special Edition

2010 Lotus Exige S Type 72 Special Edition

2010 Lotus Exige S Type 72 Special Edition



The Lotus Exige S Type 72 celebrates the most successful F1 car of all time, the Lotus Type 72 Formula One car, which achieved 20 Grand Prix victories between 1970 and 1975.

The Lotus Type 72 was driven by such Lotus greats as Jochen Rindt, Emerson Fittipaldi, Ronnie Peterson and Jacky Ickx and won three Formula One Constructorsâ€TM Championships (1970, 1972 and 1973) and two Driversâ€TM World Championships (the first being won by Jochen Rindt in 1970 and the second by Emerson Fittipaldi in 1972).

The colour scheme of the Exige S Type 72 commemorates the famous and easily recognisable black and gold Lotus Type 72 livery and is finished by the same sign writer who painted racing cars for Team Lotus.

Performance through light weight has long been a Lotus philosophy. The 935kg Exige S Type 72 sprints to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds and to 100 km/h in 4.7 seconds, before reaching a top speed of 145 mph, 233 km/h. The Exige S Type 72 also offers class leading fuel economy and emissions, with fuel economy of 6.5 litres/100 km (43.5 mpg) on the Extra Urban Cycle and CO2 emissions of 199 g/km.

The Exige S Type 72 is a powerful supercharged mid-engined sportscar that is equally at home on the racetrack or open road. The intercooled engine has VVTL-i technology ensuring impressive performance all the way to the rev limiter at 8500 rpm.

The Sport Pack comes as standard on the Exige S Type 72 which has a bespoke high quality interior, including black micro fibre ProBax sports seats with gold stitching. Each car comes with a special build plate commemorating one of the F1 car's 20 Grand Prix victories. The exterior of the Exige S Type 72 features unique black and gold light weight wheels and is finished with hand-painted gold Type 72 and Exige S logos, (the Sport Pack also includes a T45 steel main roll hoop, Lotus Traction Control, twin oil coolers and an adjustable front anti-roll bar).

All Lotus cars offer outstanding handling and performance, and the Exige is no exception offering excellent dynamics and great driver involvement. Lotus ride and handling gives an inspiring driving experience and the mid-engined layout of the Lotus Exige S Type 72 offers fantastic balance and agility.

Luke Bennett, Operations Director for Lotus Cars Limited stated, "The Lotus Exige S Type 72 is an evocative sportscar, combining cutting edge handling and performance with the iconic Type 72 colour scheme, one of the most famous racing liveries of all time. The Exige provides an intense driving experience either on road or track and this limited edition is a worthy car to celebrate such a legendary racing car."

Clive Chapman, Director of Classic Team Lotus said, "The Type 72 was a very significant car for Team Lotus and indeed for the world of F1. It was a revolutionary design that pioneered the use of side mounted radiators to achieve its distinctive "wedge" profile, which delivered a significant aerodynamic advantage. Furthermore, by minimising unsprung weight and using a torsion bar, rising rate suspension, tyre performance was excellent. The Lotus Type 72 design was so advanced that it was competitive for an extraordinary six years."

The Exige S Type 72 options include: Air Conditioning, Limited Slip Differential and the Performance Pack, which includes a power increase to 240 PS, larger AP Racing brakes, enlarged roof scoop (compared to the standard Exige S) and Lotus variable traction control and Lotus launch control.

To commemorate the impressive number of Grand Prix wins the Type 72 achieved, Lotus will be producing 20 of this special edition for the UK, a further 20 cars for mainland Europe and there will be a limited run of cars in Japan and selected markets around the world.

Lotus Exige S Type 72 prices:

UK Price: £35,995 MRSP, excluding on the road costs of £950

Euro zone price: €40,332, including delivery and other on the road costs, excluding local country tax.


Exige S:
199 g/km CO2

8.5 l/100 km (33.2 mpg) Combined Cycle

11.9 l/100 km (23.7 mpg) Urban Cycle

6.5 litres/100 km (43.5 mpg) Extra Urban Cycle


2010 Lotus Exige S Type 72 Special Edition

Thursday, December 24, 2009

Merry Christmas !


Best wishes for a Happy Holiday Season and the New Year.


Some Tips for Perfecting your Parking Skills

insuranceWhether you live in a busy, bustling city or a quiet country dwelling, being able to drive safely and confidently is important, and one of the most common things that drivers of all ages find tricky is parking. Though absolutely essential, the seemingly simple act of parking a car can become cumbersome and time consuming due to several factors, from surface terrain and reduced visibility to even an unfamiliar new car.

To avoid accidents and save time, there are plenty of small tips to bear in mind the next time you go to reverse park into a tight space, or parallel park on a congested street, but here's a few of them to get you started.

Small scrapes and bumps are very common in car parks, where space is usually of a premium. When you find the best spot to park in, first decide whether to reverse in or go nose first, and then remember to go slowly. Though you'll hopefully not cause any serious accidents while parking, it can still be expensive to fix that scratched paint work if you're not careful. Simply reducing your speed immediately gives you a far greater margin for error and allows you time to consider each movement and amend any mistakes as you go.

Next is observation. By being aware of what is around you on all sides, it can reduce the likelihood of accidents and will improve your spatial awareness, so when you come to get out of the car, you won't find that you're parked too close to even open your driver's door! A simple fix to prevent you from denting your bumper (or anyone else’s) is parking sensors. They can be used both front and rear and will help you park more accurately in no time.

In a busy street or packed multi-storey car park, it’s easy for drivers to get competitive over parking spaces. Don’t. Remember that keeping control of the car is essential at all times, so you should try to avoid any actions that could provoke other drivers. Maintain common courtesy while parking that you would use throughout your day to day life, as this will keep you relaxed and focused as you go to park.

Finally, don’t forget the little things that will make the job of parking easier. Before you begin the manoeuvre, make sure you’re aware of what’s around you and, just as importantly, make sure fellow drivers are aware of you. Signal clearly and early, allowing drivers plenty of time to give you room to park, and be considerate of how much space you take up too - always aim for the minimum.

Though there are plenty of car insurance companies out there, follow these simple tips and hopefully your parking will be bump-free in the future.
http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/some-tips-for-perfecting-your-parking-skills-1621828.html

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

First Drive: 2011 Toyota Sienna

2011 Toyota Sienna
2011 Toyota Sienna minivan early next year.

The Sienna looks new inside and out, though careful reading of its spec sheet reveals it's got a lot in common with the last version. It just makes economic sense--though some shoppers will wonder if it made more sense to tear up the Sienna's floorpan and install fold-away second-row seats. The Sienna goes without that clever arrangement, while Chrysler and Dodge and Nissan tease shoppers with the promise of a two-seat, cargo-filled van.

To counter those come-ons, Toyota's putting a few spiffs in the Sienna. For one, you can haul a full 4x8 sheet of plywood inside, if you have to--even if you have to remove the second-row seats or scar them for life. If you treat your Sienna with more respect--and your passengers too--Toyota's seen fit to fit a pair of aircraft-style first-class seats on some Siennas. Tilt them back, tune in two videos on the 16.4-inch-wide LCD screen, and you could practically live in the Sienna, if you parked it on the right side of any Manhattan street. You could probably charge $1200 a month, in fact.

There are other arrows in its quiver, too. The Sienna still offers all-wheel drive, unlike every other minivan. A new SE edition has tighter tuning and 19-inch wheels, for those who refuse to give up the tendency to rub sidewalls for guilty pleasure. And for 2011, Toyota's turned back the clock to fit a four-cylinder engine in the Sienna--and with 187 horsepower and a six-speed automatic, the four-cylinder will give frugal shoppers a serious, convincing alternative to lavish V-6 power.

Toyota says the base price of the 2011 Sienna will come in below the current vehicle's $25,000 price point. At that point, it's a worthwhile investment that gives the Sienna a fighting chance against the plasticky Dodge Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country, the price-cutter Kia Sedona, the also-ran Nissan Quest and TheCarConnection.com's favorite minivan, the Honda Odyssey.

Monday, December 21, 2009

Friday, December 18, 2009

2010 Ford Focus ECOnetic Pictures

The new 2010 Ford Focus ECOnetic takes a successful formula to the next level by combining new technology with clever details, making the most fuel-efficient Ford Focus up to now.

2010 Ford Focus ECOnetic Car Picture

2010 Ford Focus ECOnetic

2010 Ford Focus ECOnetic New Auto

2010 Ford Focus ECOnetic

Dedicated Ford Fiesta, Focus, Mondeo and Transit ECOnetic models have already established themselves as credible alternatives for customers prioritising low carbon motoring and high levels of fuel efficiency. Now, the next-generation Ford Focus ECOnetic changes the rules again, and introduces Ford of Europe’s first production application of the optional Ford Auto-Start-Stop system.

2010 Ford Focus ECOnetic Auto Picture

Ford Focus ECOnetic

2010 Ford Focus ECOnetic New Car

Ford Focus ECOnetic

Thursday, December 17, 2009

Electric Renault Zoé Z.E. Confirmed for Launch in 2012

Renault Zoé Z.E. EV Concept Picture

Renault Zoé Z.E. EV Concept Picture

Renault's new electric-car concept, the Zoé Z.E, will go on the market in 2012.

Rinspeed's EV rental car-train combo

Rinspeed's EV

Every year, Swiss tuner Rinspeed dreams up another wild car for the Geneva Auto Show, from tuned Porsches to a submersible Lotus to last year's iPhone-controlled EV.

This year's car is tame, even — gasp! — production-capable when it goes on display in March. At 8.2 feet long, the two-seat electric UC? (Urban Commuter, you see) is Smart-sized, yet takes design cues from the larger Fiat 500. The car's 75-mile range and 68-mph top speed don't break any EV barriers, a helpful way to trim costs for Rinspeed's grand plan: an electric car-sharing service integrated with an elaborate electric train network.

Should you wish to travel more than 75 miles, simply drive to a designated station and pull up to a reserved spot on-board, where the QC? can be charged as you're whisked away to your next leg. With Europe's high taxes and sophisticated mass-transit systems, it actually sounds practical.

So far, other companies have taken small steps. In October, an California fleet company said it would rent electric cars at Danish train stations by 2010. Last month, Daimler began producing its electric Smart ForTwo in France, and also started a pilot car-sharing service in Austin, Texas, of gasoline ForTwos. In June, Ontario battery manufacturer Electrovaya
offered hourly EV rentals in Baltimore, and Paris is trying to build a rental fleet of 2,000 electric cars by 2010.

Rinspeed UC Electric Concept Set To Jolt 2010

Rinspeed UC? Picture

Rinspeed UC? Picture

The two-passenger UC? electric concept car is slated for a Geneva show debut from Swiss specialty carmaker Rinspeed.
In what may be the first instance of a question mark's use in a vehicle nameplate, Rinspeed on Wednesday previewed its two-passenger UC? electric concept ahead of its debut at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show. The Swiss specialty house said the name is short for "Urban Commuter" or "You see?"

The UC? is described as a "lightweight lovebug" and bears a passing resemblance to a Volkswagen New Beetle. It has a top speed of 68 mph and a range of 75 miles. It is operated with a central joystick and delivers 91 pound-feet of torque, said Rinspeed in a statement.

"The most important aspect of the vehicle is that there is a good chance that it will be built in series production," Rinspeed said.

In an intriguing twist, the UC? is designed to link individual and public transport. Its makers envision that it can be loaded off and onto railway cars "to cover long distances by train, comfortably, without traffic jams and stress-free." Users would book time to recharge the UC? at a mobile carport with an integrated battery charging station.

Rinspeed said it envisions that large-volume manufacturers will build the car and says "intensive dialogues at the highest levels are already well underway" but does not disclose which companies could build the UC?.

Mini Beachcomber

Mini Beachcomber

Gah! Are they serious? What were they smoking in the Mini design studio when they came up with this?

What you see here is the Mini Beachcomber Concept, the 1960’s Mini Moke reimagined through what had to have been a purple haze. BMW’s bringing it to the Detroit auto show, though why is anyone’s guess. There’s been a lot of talk about a Mini crossover utility vehicle in the pipeline, and we can only hope this isn’t what it will look like.

“MINI crosses borders, enters new dimensions of driving pleasure, and wins over additional target groups” is what BMW says about the concept car. Sounds like something the marketing wonks at Pontiac could have been saying at an Aztek product review meeting. Seriously guys, WTF? This kinda goes against everything the Mini embodies, no?

Mini Beachcomber

It’s not that the Beachcomber is without its merits. It has such usable features as all-wheel-drive (which Mini terms the “ALL4 all-wheel drive”) and the four seats can be shuffled around to allow you to do a variety of tasks. But Mini has seen fit to do away completely with the roof and doors. Mini says it did this so as not to “limit the intensity of the occupants’ encounter with their surrounding world. This makes the driver and up to three passengers one harmonious entity communicating directly with their surroundings – whether cruising through town, enjoying rough tracks in the mountains or breezing along the beach.”

Or getting whacked in the face by a branch, but don’t let us ruin your fun being one harmonious entity.

Mini Beachcomber

And this quote from the press release had us chuckling: “Access to the front and rear seats is nevertheless exceptionally convenient and easy thanks to the omission of doors and the entry cutouts extending all the way down to the seat bottoms, allowing the driver and passengers to get in and out in one smooth and flowing process.”

Yeah, notice how smoothly you flow through those entry cutouts when you hit that huge rock in the trail and the Mini Beachcomber comes to an abrupt halt.

But c’mon, that’s not really going to happen, is it? There’s no way Mini is going to produce this, although the all-wheel-drive and such will be in their upcoming production Mini-ute. Seriously, can you just imagine the reaction from other 4X4 owners at the rock crawling competition if you were to show up in the Mini Beachcomber?

Photos: BMW

Mini Beachcomber

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

Mini previews the Countryman with Beachcomber concept

Mini Beachcomber

Mini BeachcomberMini provides the best clues yet to the appearance, size, interior layout and mechanical makeup of its upcoming small SUV at next month's Detroit auto show with the latest in a long line of production-based concept cars named the Beachcomber.

The flamboyantly styled off-roader borrows directly from Mini's upcoming Countryman--its new four-wheel drive planned to go on sale in North America in 2011, sharing key elements of its four-door steel body and four-seat interior together with its turbocharged 1.6-liter engine and newly conceived four-wheel-drive underpinnings.

Inspired by Mini's legendary Moke--a simple but robust, go-anywhere version of the original Alec Issigonis engineered Mini produced in small numbers between 1964 and 1968--the Beachcomber is not only being used to preview Mini's new urban off-roader but is also to explore design ideas that could find their way onto future derivatives of the Countryman, which is due to get its first public outing at the Geneva motor show next March.

“It's an ideas car that, depending on the sort of feedback we receive, may have a bearing on a future Mini production car,” Mini design boss Gerd Hildebrandt says of the Beachcomber. “It's based on our upcoming SUV but we've injected some added fun and off-road ability into it that we think could appeal to a certain type of Mini customer.” Mini Beachcomber

Central to the Beachcomber's appeal are pillarless body sides and the lack of any real doors or central roof panel--a layout that takes from the Moke and aims to place the driver and passengers closer to the action. The new Mini also features a series of fabric and composite panels that clip into place to provide occupants with protection from the elements.

Despite giving the Beachcomber open-air appeal, it is clear the open body design would be hard to produce given today's tough safety regulations. Although Mini is renowned for producing rigidly structured cars, it would also require some major modifications to the floorpan. Still, Mini officials do not rule out the possibility of the upcoming Countryman receiving a full-length fabric roof arrangement like that featured on the new concept car as optional equipment when it goes on sale.

Along with the open body, the design of the Beachcomber also places a big emphasis on off-road ability with generous ground clearance, cladding within the wheel arches and lower body sides, sturdy kick plates front and rear and 17-inch wheels shod with chunky tires clearly suited more at churning through mud than whisking you down the street. Further enhancing the go-anywhere ambitions are traditionally short overhangs, which help provide excellent approach and departure angles. Mini Beachcomber

Concept car flourishes aside, the Beachcomber's exterior styling combines the retro inspired appearance of the existing Cooper with a more technically orientated approach that Hildebrandt says will become more and more evident on upcoming Mini models. Eschewing the current trend toward edgy detailing and taut surfacing--as exemplified by parent company BMW's newly introduced X1, the exterior flaunts an almost old fashioned roundness, most notably within the front wheel arches, that is enhanced by modern detailing, as seen in the unusual shape and positioning of the headlamps, which have been taken from the Countryman in unchanged form.

Traditional cues include a negative radius grille and wrap around glass. Despite the apparent similarities with its existing siblings, however, the Detroit show car is much bolder and considerably larger than any Mini model that has gone before it. A body-colored grille, distinctively shaped headlamps and a high-set clam shell style hood dominate the front end. It also boasts a more heavily raked windscreen, a higher belt line and far greater ride height than any other Mini model down through the years. The side-opening tailgate mirrors that of Mini's early Cross concept shown at last year's Paris motor show and, in keeping with the robust nature of the Beachcomber, supports a spare wheel, although it will be replaced on the Countryman by a conventional hatchback.

At 160.2 inches long, the Beachcomber is 5.3 inches longer than Clubman--to date the longest Mini model to be placed into production. It also rides on a wheelbase that is 2.3 inches longer than the Clubman's at 102.6 inches. The increased dimensions might call into question the relevance of the Mini name sitting up front on the hood and projected in oversized form upon the spare wheel carrier at the rear, but they have also provided scope for a roomy four-seat interior with individual sliding rear seats and a generously sized boot.

The dashboard with its large central monitor and toggle switches, and seats with their rounded forms, mirror the themes established in other Mini models. In keeping with the Beachcomber's apparent ruggedness and open air design, it receives rubber floor mats and neoprene upholstery for the seats. However, they will be replaced by more conventional trim on production versions of the Countryman, which will be produced at Magna in Austria rather than Mini's traditional manufacturing plant in Oxford, England.

Wednesday, December 9, 2009

Why Cheap Car Insurance for Women?

car insurance
"Woman driver!" Usually not a statement of praise. The truth is, though, the level of insurance, the board, is cheaper for women. That's a pretty big argument that maybe they are better drivers than men. The important point here, though, is that there is more than just sex to get cheap car insurance.

Why Cheap Car Insurance for Women - The simple reason is that the auto insurance industry to see women as less than the risk to ensure than men. Women tend to be safer drivers, taking fewer risks, and have fewer accidents. When women have their accident or injury likely to be small fender benders are not an accident that resulted in major damage or total vehicle.


Search For Cheaper Price - One of the best things one can do (male or female) is to shop around for the best insurance. The emergence of the Internet has made the process relatively easy. From the comfort and privacy in your own home you can shop various providers. There are even insurance rate comparison website available to further simplify the process. In addition, some companies offer up to 10% for online shopping.

Take advantage of the Woman's Cheaper Rate - If less expensive to ensure a woman driver, why not have a policy in his name and then make a man an insured driver on his policy? It will prove much cheaper than vice versa. If the policy is in the name of the person, adding a woman driver would tend to bring them down premium rates.

Some Tips to Reduce Premiums - Here are some ideas that could save everyone the extra money on their insurance rates.
1. Working on your driving record. Consider your driving habits. Remain within the legal speed limit, do not take risks, and give yourself plenty of time to get where you're going to go. A good driving record can significantly affect the price of insurance.
2. You can increase the deductible (the amount you pay first, before the insurance kicks in on the claim). Would be wise to have the amount of your deductible in savings just in case.
3. Can go for long periods of time without making a claim on your policy may be eligible to claim your discount without. Check with your insurance provider.
4. Discounts can also be given if the feature car immobilizer or a satellite tracking device.

Yes, cheaper car insurance for women than men, in general. There is, though, in ways that even greater discounts that can be achieved and for men to take advantage of cheaper prices of women.

Bentley Azure T: imperious luxury

Bentley Azure T

A new high-performance version takes this classic cabrio to another level

Bentley has got luxury down to a 'T' - meet the Azure T, a new high-performance version of the ultimate money-no-object cabrio.

Under the expansive bonnet is the firm's long-serving 6.75-litre twin-turbo V8. However, power is now wound up to 500bhp – that's 11 per cent more than the standard Azure – and there's 1,000Nm of torque to play with, so acceleration is incredible.

Push your right foot to the thick carpet and, with little more than a whistle from the turbos, you're whisked from 0-62mph in 5.5 seconds. It's an amazing sensation considering the car's 2.7-tonne kerbweight, but you'll pay the price at the pumps. Single-figure economy is more than likely, especially if you cover significant miles in town.

Turn a corner and there's little evidence of chassis flex, thanks to new carbon fibre cross-members at the front and rear. There's no hiding the Azure's size and weight, though. Even with the suspension set to Sport mode, it is best to save the storming performance for when you're pointing straight ahead.

Electric Rolls-Royce Phantom Only a Year Away

rolls_royce_phantom

Rumors of an electric Rolls-Royce Phantom are back, with the word being the super-luxe automaker could have one on the road within 12 months.

We’ve been hearing mumbling about this car for more than a year. It started when CEO Tom Purves said an e-Rolls would be perfect for well-heeled city dwellers. The car, he said, could build upon the drivetrain in the Mini E. The rumors picked up again in September when a Rolls spokesman let slip that an electric Phantom was under consideration back in Goodwood (or, more likely, Munich, since BMW owns Rolls).

Now AutocarUK cites an unidentified “company source” saying the e-Phantom could be on the road by the end of next year. Why the rush? Because BMW is a big sponsor of the 2012 Olympics in London, and my wouldn’t it look green bringing a flotilla of electric land yachts to the games?

Personally, we think an electric Rolls makes perfect sense. Most owners simply tool around town, so range isn’t a big issue. It could save owners some serious coin on emissions and road taxes in cities like London. And electric motors provide boatloads of torque and they’re quiet — two hallmarks of a Rolls-Royce.

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG straightens up

First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG straightens up and flies right
On one hand, it may seem like an odd time for Mercedes to be jumping back into the ultra-premium end of the car market, particularly in light of its recent less-than-standouts efforts (think: McLaren SLR and the salesproof Maybach).
But this isn’t the case with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. In fact, this isn’t really a Gottlieb and Karl joint at all – at least not by any traditional definition.

The SLS is actually an Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach project. Huh? It’s AMG’s first bumper-to-bumper, start-to-finish project – and having just torn around the California countryside and hot-lapped around Laguna Seca, we’re left wondering only one thing: Why did it take more than 40 years for this to happen? Well, perhaps we should cut Mercedes some slack, as it has only owned the high-performance arm since 1999, so perhaps the appropriate thing is to look at the SLS’ 2009 rollout as something of a tenth anniversary present to itself. In that light, the folks from Stuttgart know how to throw one hell of a party.

Sunday, December 6, 2009

Choose Insurance Losses Right

car insurance
You want to buy the insurance policy? Do not hurry. There are some things that need to be considered when determining what insurance products you want to use, either for yourself or for your employer. Some tips can help you.


1. Separate the items / objects in accordance with its economic calculation
Choose items that really need to be insured, so you have nothing to lose. For example, if you intend to take fire insurance for the house and household furniture, then you do not need to enter the computer and all the trimmings into the calculation. Why? Because the recovery value for the computer company is very low if compared at the time of the purchase value of the computer or be insured at the time.
Another example, you will take the insurance of motor vehicles (cars) on the company's assets. If the cars that will be insured are aged over 10 years, the economic cost of insurance premiums will be greater. Another case if the company can set their own / self-insurance on the vehicle's assets.
 

2. Identify goods / objects are clearly
You should first identify the goods / objects that will be insured. For example, the Toyota Corolla sedan in 1998. At the company, such as a garment factory and its machinery, generators and other equipment associated with the event factory.
 

3. Choose your insurance company with a good reputation
Do not be fooled by insurance companies that provide premium rate (the amount paid for a given protection unit) is low or high premium discount. If you do, can-can the insurance company can not claim complete payment when you make a claim against them.
 

4. Give information clearly
Give very clear description of the object you are insured to the insurance / insurance broker. Instead, ask-more complete information about the insurance products they offer. You can ask about the types of insurance, extensive warranties, rate premiums, deductibles (the amount of expenses you will pay before the insurance company began paying compensation), cut or claim procedures.
 

5. Ask the scope of insurance coverage (insurance coverage) is best
You should ask the most extensive insurance before the insurance guarantee insurance policy is issued.
For example, for fire insurance you can ask RSMD Fire Insurance 4.1.A or 4.1.B earthquake (earthquake) flood (flood). Property insurance for buildings, you can ask property covers all risks (PAR). If you want to insure your vehicle, ask your motor vehicle insurance covers all risks RSMD 4.1.A, etc..
 

6. Select a package of insurance products
Instead of just choosing one insurance product, you are encouraged to select one package at once. That way you will get discount facilities and better services. For example the purchase of home insurance (fire insurance) following cars (Car Insurance) and personal accident for family members.
 

7. Request system "First Loss Insurance"
Special coverage for objects that have a value / a very large number, for example over Rp 100 billion, have the system of "first loss insurance" to the insurance that the premium you pay is not too large.
 

8. Ask the system "Adjustable Policy"
Value / amount of insurance stock merchandise usually indicates a different volume every day or every month. To fix this, you can ask the system "adjustable policy". With this system you will pay premiums in accordance with the volume / transaction really have to do.
 

9. Read, thorough and asked
Read it carefully and examine the contents of the policy statements and articles, chapters. Ask about the procedures that will claim you did before agreeing to an insurance policy issuance.
If there are errors in writing, either on the object of insurance or other information, immediately notify the insurance company / insurance broker. They will soon issue a written improvement in the policy.

Once you have approved the issuance of the policy in question, ask for the original documents and copies of the policy, complete with a receipt as a sign of ownership and payment of insurance premiums

By: M. Ichsan, Insurance Republic

source : translated from asuransi-mobil.com (source : portalasuransi.com)

Saturday, December 5, 2009

choosing a good car insurance by Triagus

car insurance
Ingredients:
Inevitably, a prolonged economic crisis that happened, felt
difficult by almost all sectors of business activity. This condition becomes increasingly difficult, if the company had to bear the risks that might occur on the assets supporting activities. Therefore, now is the time to transfer risk to the insurance company as a guarantor risk. But choosing a car insurance sometimes tricky.


You're looking for and confused choosing car insurance?, Maybe these tips can be a bit under consideration do not forget I enclose information / quote for car insurance can be the mother / father learned:


Directions:

1. Quality:
Make sure the insurance first to be elected, including insurance categories have got prediket Best General Insurance, Indonesian Best Brand Award, Indonsian Customer Satisfaction Award. Because with this certification clearly shows that the insurance is reliable, trustworthy, and proven responsibility in serving the customer claim.

2. Cost Own Risk (Own Risk):
Sometimes back and forth to the repair shop insurance is also something that makes lazy customers, especially some of the insurance claim the system to apply to the payment of fees OR (Own Risk) or the risk itself is an average of Rp 100,000 .- one based on per event, per collision, and so of course it makes you be much burdened with the cost claim to pay OR if frequent back and forth to the shop insurance, not necessarily satisfying the customer's machine shop work done by the workshop for the mock or non-authorized. Sometimes the paint striped body image Betong make your car as if it had tremendous impact this would make your car selling points decline. Although the customer can complain to the insurance, but how long the loss of your time wasted. It's good for a very busy and lazy Bulak insurance back to the workshop should select an insurance can receive 1 (one) claim it but a collection of some of the impact / collision events within different, so maybe in a year enough time to 1 garage insurance and pay a one time OR your car body back smoothly because the garage was done by a trusted or authorized repair shop (authorized). Save and efficient.

3. Claim Process:
As to the insurance claim process should be examined first, there are several car insurance when the customer receives the claim so convoluted it is to have it ready lah lah surveyornya wait, sometimes have to argue is the first survey. Yet sometimes take a few days just to wait for SPK (Work Warrant) issued the insurance to the repair shop could fix our cars. Things like this sometimes customers feel ignored and a lot of time to wait tebuang just a piece of paper / letter. Leave a process like this is already old, you should select an insurance claim is not complicated as fast less than 30 minutes of PRS was in your hands so you stay in the shop when
determining insurance.

4. Work:
Many are applying some insurance rates cheap, but what if the result of the workshop was not qualified associates mock alias and not satisfying the customer.
Sometimes even the paint of your car looks a mess, make your car body image as if it had tremendous impact this would make your car selling points decline. Although the customer can complain to the insurance, but how long the loss of your time wasted. Pay attention to this and select the insurance with a trusted partner workshops and official (authorized). Remember that your vehicle is a valuable asset, do not Sepelekan using dubious insurance services just because the difference in price premiums just a few dollars

5. Spare Parts (Spare Parts):
Spare parts are the most important part in your car, make sure the insurance guarantee spare part that used the original with warranty. Be careful with insurance that does not guarantee this so fatal consequences.

6. Responsibility to Third Parties (TJH / TPL) and the PA (Personal Accident):
This feature should be observed carefully because at the time of the accident hit a motorcycle crash example sometimes - sometimes 3rd party even more severe damage than us. Here dipelukan role of this feature, we suggest you choose an insurance with the responsibility to the big three,
so you are not burdened with extra costs. Likewise with personal accident protection features driver / passenger it is also very necessary. Select insurance which is included with this feature.

7. Free Service Protection 24 Hours:
This is a very, very important when we choose car insurance, car insurance that many rely on and provide cheap rates only protection but service was not satisfactory, no 24-hour service, no telephone service sometimes difficult to be reached even nothing is said, sometimes Sometimes the area is also very limited protection was sometimes only Jabotabek area only.
Exiting the Jabotabek, you can not worry if there is a problem with your car like a strike on the highway due to a flat tire, need a crane, a key left in the car, run out of fuel, etc.. Leave this concern, select the insurance with 24-hour alert and wide area protection in Indonesia. So if you are touring out of town as far as to Medan or Bali not worry if there is a problem with your car. This feature needs to be considered for those of you who love to travel far (touring).

8. SRCC (Strike, Riot and Civil commotion - Riots, Strikes and Huru Hara & Flood):
This feature is highly recommended insurance that will ensure the risk resulting from a disturbance of public order committed by a group of people, and the actions the authorities in taking actions against such interference, whether related to the strike and counteraction to work, and civil unrest which took political bemotif. Also ensure the expansion of insurance losses caused by water overflowing out of the normal limits of the river, lakes, swamps, jebolnya floodgates, dams jebolnya, continuous rain that can not be accommodated by water channels. Damage due to flooding include damage to the interior, exterior, dashboard panels, mechanical, electrical and other damage to the insured vehicle bemotor. Select insurance already included this feature.

9. Flexibility In Payment:
Choose your car insurance premium payments flexible, can be done with cash, transfer, or credit card (Visa / Mastercard). This may help your financial management. 


source : translated from http://triagus.multiply.com/recipes/item/16

Friday, December 4, 2009

Chevrolet Cruze LTZ road test

GM India intends to change the perspective of the Indian consumers by setting up Chevrolet as a young brand. The Cruze is the first one with the distinct new Chevrolet family look. The current Chevrolet range in India has different origins from different brands owned by General Motors across the globe like the Subaru, Holden, Chevrolet, Daewoo etc. Does the Cruze have what it takes to give GM a brand new identity?

The Chevrolet Cruze is based on the new Global Delta Platform or the 300 series platform with the Cruze’s project name being J300. This is GM’s new platform for compact front-wheel drive sedans and hatchbacks. The Delta platform uses independent suspension for the front and torsion-bar type suspension at the rear. The upcoming Chevrolet Beat is also based on the 300 series platform.

The Chevrolet brand in North America retains a family look which is what GM India is trying to do for the Indian market also. The new family look will retain a similar front fascia with a dual port grille with a new bowtie logo.

The Cruze carries a very bold and modern hood with a high crown and prominent strakes led by a large bowtie Chevrolet logo. The front grille is a black honeycomb mesh separated by a body-coloured crossbar with chrome surrounds, and dual bezel headlamps which protrude till the front fenders. The headlamps aren't capable enough considering the speeds the car is capable of. They need improvement.

The roofline of the Chevrolet Cruze is very coupe-like and the crisp swage line makes the shoulder of the Cruze look low. The apparently low shoulder and large wheels give the Chevrolet sedan a sportscar-like look, and the C-pillar reminds us of the old Audi TT. The sedan’s long wheelbase of 2685mm with little overhang front and rear, shallow greenhouse, flared wheelarches, seven-spoke alloys and the lightline above the rocker panels all make the Cruze look sporty.

The Cruze’s monocoque has a Body-Frame Integral structure made of high-strength steel. The Chevrolet Cruze has scored a 5-star rating in the Euro NCAP ratings. The Cruze scored well in both occupant and pedestrian safety. Look the EuroNCAP’s Chevrolet Cruze assessment video.

To enter the Cruze, all you have to do is walk up to the car with the key in your hand or pocket, and pull on the door handle. The PEPS system will detect the key and unlock the doors automatically! The Cruze's interior looks modern and eye-catching. The dashboard is clearly divided into sections for the driver and the passenger, with the passenger getting a clear two-tone light and dark blue expanse of plastic which looks good but doesn't feel so good to the touch. The instrument cluster is dominated by the speedometer and tachometer, which sandwich a multi-function display that gives the driver all the information he could require. Above the display are the temperature and fuel gauge.

From the driver's seat, everything feels good - the car doesn't feel big except for the long bonnet. The steering wheel feels meaty and is just as big as we'd like it to be. The mirrors are usefully large, but we'd have preferred them to be a little bit bigger for our crowded traffic conditions. We don't like the seats of the Cruze too much, because they seem to be bolstered a little too much at the sides - only thin people will not feel a little uncomfortable in these seats. However, the Passive Entry/Passive Start system makes the driver feel like a million bucks, with a button to start or stop the engine present on the dashboard to the left of the steering wheel. This feature is a segment first. There is an emergency slot in the cubbyhole behind the gear lever into which the key can be inserted, but getting that flap open can be quite a task, as we discovered when we tried it. We recommend keeping a flathead screwdriver handy if you own a Cruze.

The centre console is topped by the display for the audio system. This blue-on-black display is easy on the eyes, especially at night. The controls for the six-disc changer are situated underneath the display. The system plays clearly and loudly - however, we'd have liked more punch at the low frequencies. The audio system also has an auxiliary input in the centre armrest, but no USB or iPod connectivity. The design element that makes up the 'V' at whose centre the hazard button is is an eye-catching one. The door locks can be activated or deactivated with the button on the right and on the left the button is blank. We assume that it is for the ESP switch that other markets have. The last row houses the controls for the climate control, which is quite effective. It chills the cabin sufficiently in a reasonable period, but directing the airflow wasn't something easily achieved.

There is more than enough legroom and headroom for the front passenger, although a tall driver who likes to sit high might find his head quite close to the roof. It's a different story in the back, however - not only is getting in and out hard thanks to the car being low, the big wheel arch and dipping roofline contribute towards a shape which is not conducive to weak knees, bad backs or graceful exits. Once inside, things don't get much better - the roof is quite low, and the lack of legroom is quite shocking. This car will sell in a primarily chauffeur-driven segment in our market, which is something the Cruze needs to cater to as well if it needs to be popular. Boot space is reasonable, although the high sill can make putting heavy objects into the boot a task for short people.

A feature worth a special mention is the lighting: our test car's exterior color matched the ice-blue lighting of the dials, which looked good. The dashboard illumination looks good at night, and a nice touch are the backlit buttons on the steering wheel.

Powerplant

The Cruze is powered by a transverse 2.0-litre VCDi motor (engine code: RA 420 SOHC) which even does duty on the Chevrolet Captiva. This common-rail diesel engine is designed by V.M. Motori S.p.A. which is an Italian based manufacturer. The engine is currently produced under license by GM Daewoo and not V.M. Motori; and the engine is BS-IV ready and is already serving in European nations with Euro-IV norms. This is a 16-valve belt-driven SOHC 1991cc engine which churns out 150bhp@4000rpm power and produces a maximum torque of 327Nm @2600rpm powering the front wheels of the Cruze through a 5-speed manual transmission.

The turbo lag can be felt as the engine struggles to push when at speeds lower than 1800rpm. However, when the speed crosses 1800rpm and the variable geometry turbocharger spools up, the engine surges forward as it unleashes its power and it is highly responsive within its powerband. Twin gear-driven balance shafts and the four-point cradle engine mountings cut down on noise and vibration.

The engine is quite clattery at idle but is otherwise refined. During testing, the Cruze galloped from 0-100kph in 10.3 seconds which is only 0.2 seconds slower than a Civic and completed the quarter mile run in 17.5 seconds and clocked a top speed of 201.8kph.

Transmission

The Chevrolet Cruze in India is available only with a five-speed manual transmission (D33 transmission). The gearbox has been designed with tall gear ratios to obtain the maximum efficiency from the powerhouse of an engine.

Accelerating from very low engine speeds can become a problem and shifting to lower gears is the only option to overtake quickly. The short-throw lever makes shifting easy; however, due to a very close gate, the driver can mis-shift into the wrong slot. During our testing, the Cruze clocked 30-50kph in the third gear in 6.1 seconds and took 11.2 seconds in the fourth to attain the same speed, in the fifth gear in the 50-70kph, the Cruze took 15.3 seconds. The overdrive gear is a very tall gear and perfect for highway cruising.

Fuel Efficiency

The Chevrolet Cruze returned us an overall fuel efficiency of 11.2 kpl and in our test, which is mostly pedal to metal drive, the Cruze travelled 10.5 kilometres on a litre of diesel.

The suspension of the Cruze comprises front McPherson struts and rear torsion beam with gas-filled dampers which gives the occupants a firm and composed ride at both low and high speeds. The gas-filled shocks absorb most of the ruts and jounces well without affecting ride quality. Chevrolet India offers only a single tyre size (205/60/R16) compared to the Australian variants which have an additional option of 215/50/R17s.

The engineers in Chevrolet have tweaked the handling characteristics of the Cruze. The Cruze handles brilliantly and is one of the best handlers in its segment. Whether on straight roads, sweeping corners or winding hills, you won’t be let down. Our test car rode on JK Vectras which gripped well but squealed loudly at high cornering speeds, undermining driver confidence. However, the long wheelbase of 2685mm and a wide front track of 1544mm kept the Cruze firm on most surfaces. Even at speeds in excess of 190kph, the car felt well planted with no signs of nervousness. We would have loved to see the Cruze on a softer tyre compound like the Michelins or the Pirellis have which are also quieter on concrete roads compared to the Vectras. The U-shaped suspension with torsion beams at the rear help to reduce the body roll which is quite negligible due to the long wheelbase and low ride height; and the roll steer is designed to cut out tyre slip angle while cornering as the Cruze has wider rear track of 1558mm compared to the front track of 1544mm.

The steering wheel of the Cruze is connected to the wheels by a simple rack-and-pinion steering linkage system. The steering wheel is light at low speeds and weighs up a little at high speeds. Even though the steering is light, it doesn’t feel artificial at any point and is always responsive. The powerful motor along with excellent ride and handling characteristics make the Cruze stand out in its segment. The Cruze has a ground clearance of 165mm which isn’t bad; however the approach and departure angles of the car can cause some moments of worry for drivers.

The disc brakes at the front and rear of the Cruze are quite effective and brake progressively. Brake feel is good and in our brake test, the Cruze travelled 36.5 metres from 80kph to a complete halt.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze Live From Los Angeles 2009


2011 Chevrolet Cruze Los Angeles 2009

The 2011 Chevrolet Cruze compact car promises to redefine fuel efficiency for the small-car segment, and its 1.4-liter four-cylinder range of engines could herald a new era of fun-to-drive cars for Americans, even if the SS version of the Cruze never materializes.

Europeans are, of course, neck-deep in such cars, but American buyers have only recently come to appreciate the virtues of such vehicles--and U.S. fuel economy regulations have only recently come to incentivize their production and sales.

But beyond the efficiency of the car, Chevrolet hopes to make the Cruze something of an enthsuiast car, seeking "excellent fuel efficiency and durability--while also being fun to drive." That bodes well for the Cruze-based Buick sedan also expected to be coming soon. That car will take its place below the recently revealed Regal in the new Buick lineup.

Leveraging Chevrolet’s design and engineering talent in Asia, Europe and North America, the Cruze brings to market a globally engineered and designed car with strong levels of quietness, quality and attention to detail.

There will be three different time levels, LS, LT and LTZ trims. The engine lineup includes both naturally aspirated and turbocharged engines, including a 1.4-liter turbo and a 1.8-liter naturally aspirated mill. Six-speed automatic and manual transmissions are available.

The turbo is standard on LT and LTZ models, with power ratings estimated at 138 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque. The 1.8-liter naturally aspirated mill, meanwhile, will be rated at 136 horsepower and 123 pound-feet of torque.

Wednesday, December 2, 2009

Success Car Insurance Claims filed

car insurance
Success Car Insurance Claims filed

No need to worry about the compensation procedure or insurance claims that said some people a bit convoluted. Perhaps it also makes you afraid for insurance. Though accidents, damage, and auto theft can happen to anyone, including you. Therefore, it is important to protect it by insuring the vehicle to a trusted insurance companies.

Here are some steps that can be done to launch and success of car insurance claims that you add:

1. Check the condition of the vehicle
If you have an accident, immediately pulled over to a safe place to check the condition of the vehicle. If any party injured, immediately contact authorities to help follow up the case of an accident. After that, make sure to exchange data and information with third parties involved in an accident, such as name, address, contact details and name of insurance company each. Do not forget to record the number of car and police vehicles, as well as contact numbers witnesses (if any).

2. Do not disconnect liable
And whatever you do, do not claim responsibility for the incident before being found guilty by the authorities, and do not offer to pay compensation to third parties prior to approve it because the insurance company can cancel your insurance claim. However, if the third party claimed responsibility for the incident, then it can be a profitable note. Create a letter accompanied by a written agreement with the stamp.

3. Take pictures of objects in the scene
If you have a camera or camera phone, use to take some pictures from the accident scene. Take close-ups from different angles showing the shooting damage to the vehicle. Record the time and the scene of the accident.

4. Report of insurance company
Report the incidence of accidents to the insurance company as soon as you experience it. You may be asked to relate details of the accident and filing a claim form. Each insurance company has its own policy on this matter. Generally, claims filing deadline no later than 3x24 hours after the incident, equipped with a number of supporting documents such as copies of vehicle registration, driver's license, insurance policies, and other documents.

5. Police
If you experience vehicle vandalism by the hands of ignorant or stolen, or an accident that occurred not because of your negligence (such as driving over the speed limit or under the influence of alcohol), then report the matter to the police to obtain a certificate or official report police.

6. Possible pay
Prior to making an insurance claim, remember that you probably will have to pay some costs, especially if the accident occurred due to your mistake. Therefore, do check in advance about what costs should be paid to re-read the insurance policy document, or directly contacting your insurance company.

However, if the incident occurred through no fault of you, or the claim is resolved by a third-party insurance company, then no charge should you spend.

7. Filing claims
After the claims filed, would have sent officers to check the insurance company the damage. If the vehicle needs repairs, the insurance company will appoint a specific repair shop to fix it. However, it is also possible that you as the insured party suggested another garage. But the claim filing process usually can last longer, especially if the insurance company objected to the estimated cost required to repair the vehicle.

8. Repairs
If an accident occurs due to third-party errors and claimed responsibility, then the insurance company must pay the damages. Procedures that you need to live the same with the above. However, if the third party is not insured then your insurance company to cover the cost of repairs.

9. Find out the failure of the claim
If the underlying claim was rejected by the insurance company, then find out what caused the failure of the claim by requesting a written statement. If you do not agree with the reasons for such rejection or feel unfairly treated, then do further talks with the insurance.

Author : Yulia Permata Sari
source : Translated from www.mediaindonesia.com

Sunday, November 29, 2009

2010 Wimmer RS Ferrari F430 Scuderia

2010 Wimmer RS Ferrari F430 Scuderia

At the Essen Motor Show, Wimmer RS will present its tuning programme for the stunning Ferrari F430 Scuderia. The famous red sports car excels as a true race ride with striking sport characteristics and dynamics, which are taken to a whole new level with the new refinement programme from Wimmer.

The tuned F430 Scuderia gets a specially developed power kit, which can be heared and felt. It is consist of new Wimmer engine control software and sport valve exhaust system with remote control. Fitted with the new power pack, the Wimmer Scuderia’s 4.3L V8 petrol engine boosts 38 hp more than the stock output of 483 hp, which corresponds for a top speed increase to 321 km/h. With this performance data, the F430 Scuderia accelerates form zero to 100 km/h in just 3.84 seconds, to 200 km/h in 11.03 seconds and hits the 300 km/h in 34.9 seconds. The refined Ferrari is also fitted with a KW HLS system (Hydraulic Lift System) that lifts up the front axle with 45 mm if needed.

The F430’s ultimate sport appeal is further strenghtened by a 19” BBS FI alloy rims wrapped in speed tyres from Dunlop in dimensions 225/35 R 19 on the front axle and 305/30 R19 on the rear one.

2010 Wimmer RS Ferrari F430 Scuderia







2010 Wimmer RS Ferrari F430 Scuderia