Archive for September, 2009

A Look at Concept Cars

A concept car has many roles to play in the automotive industry. Concept cars can be used by manufacturers to estimate the public opinion of a new model or even an entire design philosophy. Concept cars are also used as experimental design projects called styling exercises.

Concept cars do not go for mass production until and unless these cars are approved by a large number of consumers. These cars go into production once the car makers verify the reaction and the feedback of the customers with respect to looks, style, design and technology.

Most of the concept cars are renovated before going into mass production, while some undergo minor changes and some are not even produced for public use.

Design of Concept Cars

The materials used in the production of concept cars differ from car makers to car makers. Most of them use non-traditional, exotic and cheap materials like carbon fibre, plants, fabric and even paper to design their concept car. On the other hand, there are some car makers that use refined alloy to deliver unique car layouts. Some of them even give special attributes that are never found on cars and are just impractical when it comes to production.

Very few among an ever escalating list of concept cars actually get converted into fully drivable cars with a working drivetrain. The reason is the impractical and unprofitable materials used for designing. Moreover, if these cars are put into production, these concept cars often have to borrow the drivetrain from other production cars owned by the same company. However, the drivetrain has to be refined and modified to eliminate certain defects and imperfections.

Role of Concept Cars

Concept cars do play an important role in the car industry. These cars help to visualize the image of the future car industry. Concepts are mainly used by car designers and car manufacturers to determine public opinion or consumer’s reaction to an innovative, unusual and weird car design. When the public exhibits positive response for the concept car models, they go for mass production and if they show a negative response, manufacturers drop the idea of introducing them to the market.

Car manufacturers go beyond imaginations and boundaries of production technique to showcase their advanced technology and imaginative concept. But they experiment or perform styling exercises to gain public attention and make a firm decision of what to roll out next.

Carazoo.com is the First Car Portal in India with Interactive Car Animations.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/a-look-at-concept-cars-1286349.html

Sports Car Rental - Can You Really Rent A Super Car?

Fast cars. Many dream of them, some own posters, some own model cars, and so few get to sit in the driving seat. Imagine Ferrari, Bughatti, McLaren and the jaw drops! Can sports car rental allow you to rent out a supercar? Who doesn’t dream of sitting in the latest Lamborghini? Who doesn’t dream of sitting in that nice red Ferrari Stradale, Enzo or whatever else rocks your boat? Fast cars are beautiful, sublime, and when the engine roars our hearts can seem to skip a beat. For many it is a distant dream, a one of occasion in the day when we might see one driving past. We may wonder - how they can afford such a car. Many times though the truth is far from reality. Many of these cars come from sports car rental. So few people actually buy a supercar. Why? Because they are not only expensive to buy, but running costs are prohibitive. Add insurance on top, and you need a small fortune to own such a car. Ok, if you are a multimillionaire, but even then, do you want to take on the costs of this car? Be a bit more thrifty Warren Buffet the investment giant would say! Instead many opt for sports car rental, and the good news is that you don’t have to be a millionaire! Many people are enjoying fast cars, and this is thanks to sports car rental. This is big, and many people take it up on the offer! With so many places that offer sports car rental, you are bound to find your favorite car. Why sit with a poster? Why sit with a model car, which doesn’t make the sounds, which doesn’t offer the feel of being in the driving seat? Sports car rental allows you to take your favorite car for a spin. For a whole day that car is yours, and it is the most thrilling experience you can experience. Your friends will be your envy, they will look in amazement. And you will be in the front seat having all the fun! The thought of how much will this cost, comes to mind. However, the good news is that it won’t cost you the price of the car, nor will it cost you 10% of what the car will cost. In fact a look at these places that offer these cars for rent will show you the most amazing and affordable prices. For many it is a direct route to owning the car. You start with a poster, go onto a semi expensive scale model, rent, and then many people find the ways and means to buy. That is if they choose to, but many people still rent the car, rather than buying outright. The choice is yours and sports car rental is a great way to experience supercars.

To find the latest and greatest sports cars for rental check out sports car rental and rent exotic cars and find them at the most amazing and affordable prices!

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/sports-car-rental-can-you-really-rent-a-super-car-1283571.html

The ins and outs of modifying your car

Modifying cars has been going for many years. In recent years people may have seen films and TV shows with radically different cars on screen compared to the model that rolls off the production line. A prime example is the supercharged exotic cars in the Fast and the Furious film series. The films centre on the subculture of racing drivers who modify their cars to look and perform way beyond expectations.  

The popularity of these films and the culture they’ve highlighted means more people are looking to alter their cars to get a unique look or an extra boost in performance. What many drivers are unaware of is that some of these modifications can be dangerous or even illegal to add to their vehicle and could invalidate their insurance.

Performance modifications are often a key question when applying for car insurance and can add serious amounts to your premium. If you fail to declare any modifications you could invalidate your insurance agreement which would leave you seriously out of pocket should you have an accident or need to make a claim.

Visual modifications can be cheaper than expensive after-market performance parts such as body kits or interior decoration such as floor mats and gear knobs. A large portion of these will not affect your insurance as they do not affect the safety features of the car. It is worth checking prior to any modification you have planned and keeping your insurer notified though.

Another common modification is a new car radio or CD player; many modern car audio products have lots of features and so makes them pretty irresistible to car thieves. When choosing a car stereo make sure it has a removable face panel and take this with you whenever you are, not left in the car. This way the car thief will know that even if they stole the unit out of the car it would be useless.

Modifying cars can be a fun and expressive medium and as long as you take care not to compromise your car’s functionality and safety. This way you can achieve a unique looking car that is the envy of all your friends, but also be covered via valid insurance and protected from threat of theft at the same time.

(ArticlesBase ID #1278593)

Phil has been writing on various car finance related subject such as used cars and car loans to help find the right car for you

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How Green Is Your Car?

There has for some time now been a movement afoot to make motoring a greener pursuit. Whatever one’s views on global warming – and there are respected scientists on both sides of the argument, making it a question that needs to be debated – there is no doubt that a car with poor fuel efficiency and without the necessary engineering in place can be a serious threat to the environment. Even if it is not contributing to climate change, there is no doubt that emissions from a car can contribute to a poorer atmosphere, with pollution making it more dangerous for many people to live in cities. Clearly, something has to give, and the movement to find cleaner, greener ways to drive is a step in the right direction in that sense. 

The big hope for many on the green side of the argument has been – for at least the early stages of the argument at least – the electric car. Capable of operating without burning any fossil fuels itself, the electric car has been posited as one of the best ways to drive down carbon emissions and contribute to a better environment. The problem seems to be that electric cars, an idea that has existed for some time now, seem to be getting no closer to the day when they will be a hundred per cent efficient. There are few places where driving an electric car would be practical, given that they require recharging a lot more often than a normal gas-run car needs filling up. However much you may wish to see cleaner air for all, the fact remains that this is a genuine drawback. 

Hybrid cars are the compromise between the still dominant fossil-fueled automobile and the electric car. They are partly fueled by gasoline and partly electric or hydrogen-powered. Currently they are not seen by the majority as a realistic option because of the upfront expense of purchasing one. Although this cost can be redeemed in the space of about five years, this has not convinced too many people to buy one – partly because many people intend to trade their vehicle in before they have had it that long, and partly because whatever the fuel economy in the long term, they find the cost prohibitive right now. It is all very well dangling the promise of future savings in front of someone, but if they cannot afford the immediate cost there is little effect. 

Honda have recently entered the debate on green vehicles with the unveiling of the FCX Clarity, and this is earning the applause of a wide range of people, including self-professed green skeptics like the British car expert James May, who points out that the Clarity loses nothing in comparison with a combustion engine, and the fact is that hydrogen is no more expensive than fossil fuels from a refuelling point of view. However the Clarity is not expected to commence mass production until 2018 and currently can only be leased – and even then only in Southern California. That said, when it is available it will have the added bonus of requiring less frequent servicing due to running on a power plant as opposed to a combustion engine. For the time being, we continue to wait for the ideal green solution.

(ArticlesBase ID #1276515)

Would you like to spend less on car insurance for your 17 year old or other teen driver? Get helpful tips and free automobile insurance quotes today!

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Saving Energy by Maintaining your Car

There are many cars on our roads nowadays and it is important to save energy when driving your car. There are several tips that you can utilize that will help you save energy. Vehicles use oil most commonly in the form of gasoline to operate and you can save a lot by improving the gas mileage in your vehicle. When you want to warm up a vehicle, driving it and not leaving it idle would be best.

It is also very important when driving to note that a lot of gas is wasted every time you are speeding, braking hard as well as accelerating rapidly. Avoiding these small habits can save you up to thirty three percent of your gas mileage when driving on highways as well as five percent when driving in the city. A good way to do this is by doing speeds that do not exceed sixty mph and this will rapidly drop your gas mileage. It is also proven that extra weight in the vehicle will decrease the gas mileage of your vehicle depending on the amount of weight and it is therefore necessary to clear out your vehicle before you start to drive your car.

However, if you have extra stuff that you must carry along you should make sure that you put the stuff inside the car or alternatively in the trunk as opposed to putting stuff on the roof rack. This will reduce drag because loaded roof racks are known to decrease the fuel economy of your vehicle by more than five percent. Another good way to cut your mileage as well as vehicle maintenance cost is by checking into carpooling, telecommuting as well as public transit. All the vehicles are manufactured with their specific grade of motor oil and it is very important to use the recommended ones. Failure to do this will significantly lower your vehicle gasoline mileage by up to two percent.

Your vehicle tires should also be properly inflated as well as aligned and this will greatly improve the vehicle’s gasoline mileage approximately by more than three percent. There are also a number of fuel economy problems that normally occur such as worn out spark plugs, low transmission fluid, dragging brakes as well as other transmission problems. To avoid all these fuel economy problems you are supposed to regularly get engine tune ups as well as car maintenance checks.

Another good way to improve your vehicle’s gas mileage is by replacing any clogged air filters and this greatly improves the gas mileage by as much as ten percent and at the same time protects your vehicle’s engine. Another good way you should adopt when driving is combining small errands that you may have into one trip. This can make you cover the whole trip with the same amount or even less fuel than you could have been able to do when making several small trips. This is because the short trips are taken each from a cold start which consumes too much fuel. It is however necessary to acquire the vehicles that are highly fuel efficient or a hybrid.

 

(ArticlesBase ID #1273952)

Do you have young drivers and need to find really cheap insurance? Get great tips on how to find affordable insurance coverage for teens.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/saving-energy-by-maintaining-your-car-1273952.html

The Services of Miami Limos

The company has been able to provide transportation services which have taken quite some time now. A decade is gone since the commencement of the company which today stands as strong as it is. The services that are offered here have been proved as more reliable compared to different local companies. This one is readily offered for vacationers, private parties and meetings among others. If you are a traveler who has just arrived from a vacation or you are even leaving for one, the Miami limo is dedicated to offering transport services, to or from the ports. The staff that works with the Miami Limos is always ready to assist as they are such a friendly lot.

The Miami limo coverage services takes up to a dimension of the Pensacola to the Key West as well as all the cities that are din the same proximity including; South Beach, Miami Beach,  coconut grieve, Aventura, Parkland and many other regions around this area.

The company puts in much effort and commitment towards customer satisfaction. It is also widely dedicated to excellence. Miami limo has its visions based on fleets which are made from the modern models. Its vehicles are operated by professional, discreet, and courteous Miami Chauffeurs. The main aim of the Miami limo is to establish a long term relationship with the clients and see them come again during their next vacation.

Due to the maintenance of a good reputation, Miami Transportation Company has moved miles ahead of other transportation companies in the region. Also the issue of proper customer relationship has played a key role since every customer will remember the company whenever they have a need to be served. Their response to customer service is done with a lot of efforts to meet the client demands.

(ArticlesBase ID #1272821)

The Author is a professional writer, presently writing for Miami Sedan Service related topics for Miami Finest

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/the-services-of-miami-limos-1272821.html

Silverado headlights – check out the new ones

Though it may appear the choice of a car is made by the individual alone it is actually made by the lifestyle of the individual and many factors not an intrinsic part of the individual contribute to the choice.

An individual often doesn’t choose the area where the person lives and may have ended up in a place because work takes people to places. But the area where a person lives does affect the choice of the car. For example some people live away from large cities and travel long distances every day.

When you do a lot of your driving out side the city you need very good headlights. And vehicles meant for such conditions do have some of the best headlights. Therefore car owners can be assured that while driving at night the road ahead will be well lit and they will have enough time to react to emerging situations.

However headlights can lose the edge to their performance or they may get damaged. And at such a time you will need to replace them. Though it may seem like an expense but it is also a great opportunity to improve the looks and performance of your car with the latest Silverado headlights.

Technology has been on a constant march and Chevrolet Silverado headlights have improved as a result. Each sub component of the headlight such as the light source, the reflector and the housing now have modern innovations to thank for an much improved performance. And since high technology goes with high style the latest headlights look very stylish as well.

You can check out the latest Siverado headlight options on the internet. This is a fast and convenient way to evaluate options. You will be able to get detailed information and also compare prices. You can hope to find some great deals as well. In any case Silverado headlights are not very expensive, specially if you consider the benefits they offer. They are also easy to install so you do not have to spend much time or money for doing that. You can find a wide range of Silverado headlights at www.ilovebodykits.com.

Louie Liu has been in the car aftermarket products industry for 5years. He has specialized in body kits, headlights, cold air intakes and other aftermarket products. He has deep knowledge of a wide range of products including knowledge of benefits of body kits and other products, product options and how to choose a car aftermarket product. You can learn about a wide range of body kits and other car aftermarket products at his site www.ilovebodykits.com.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/silverado-headlights-check-out-the-new-ones-1269366.html

Bring Your Car To The Middle of Nowhere

Any form of vehicle, whether a small sedan or big SUV’s, would always be secured by the owners if ever they need to permanently transfer to a far away location. Sometimes, when owners have become personally attached to the vehicles, they would hire the services of an automobile transport company to make sure that the car reaches the country to where they are going.

Before, bringing one’s vehicle to another place seems like a very tedious and burdensome task. Now, with the availability of transporters, people look like they are more than willing to have transporters move their vehicles to their places of destination regardless whether it involves another state or another country.

When it comes to budget, transporting vehicles from one place to another might seem to be a bit expensive especially if you are moving more than one vehicle. If you are going to push through with your plan of having your Mustang tagging along with you in a distant city, you must advise the transport company and give a specific or exact date when you will need your car at the place where you are going so that proper arrangements could be made.

If the vehicle that would be transported is big and there are more than one car that needs to be transported, then bigger transporters will be required, transporters that would be able to hold multiple vehicles and transport them all together. Vehicle transportation this way is much cheaper than moving vehicles one at a time.

Today, car transport services are very in demand especially in urban areas where professionals often get new job assignments abroad or in a faraway state and they need to relocate. These transport services even make it possible for them to forego having to sell their old care and buy a new one.

So, if you need to bring your car to another state or another country, look for a trustworthy car transport service that would carefully bring your car to your destination. Make sure that your car is properly registered and has all the necessary documents needed to pass any inspection. That way you would not have any trouble driving your car in your new place.

Come to http://www.autosmoving.com and see how we can work for you.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/bring-your-car-to-the-middle-of-nowhere-1266136.html

DIY Electric Car Conversion Kit Guide

There are electrical vehicle conversion kits available from vendors and they can be employed for conversion in a do-it-yourself fashion. When making the transition, it is firstly vital to check and see what type of car will best be suited for the electrical auto conversion kit and which one best suits individual wishes. The majority of the electrical automobiles have a driving range between 30 to 70 miles so, if you may simply be commuting in this range then having an electric car conversion kit fitted in your vehicle sounds correct.
The second crucial aspect regarding the electrical automobile conversion kit is knowing which type of car its best suited for. The fancier electrical vehicle conversion kits have even been utilized in autos that may be used for short races and speedier accelerations, but these are few and far between.
a typical electrical car conversion kit may enable the car to go at a velocity of nearly twenty-five mph with a cargo between two and 4 passengers and costs less than $10,000. The electrical auto conversion kit should be well designed and manufactured and may include the motor, controllers, battery-chargers, as well as fiberglass car bodies.

At present , there are only a few electric vehicles available and so converting the gasoline driven car with aid from an electric automobile conversion kit is a good selection to make as building your own electrical vehicle is a fun-packed experience that is both rewarding and thrilling and poses a challenge to the user. There are a number of factors that need to be considered before settling on one actual electrical car conversion kit.

you’ll begin with picking the driving range that you intend to travel with your electrical auto and choose a kit which will best serve your purpose. Then, you must be acquainted with the elements and know the way to take away the ICE components and replace them with the electrical vehicle elements. Next, install the motor, elements, battery box and batteries and also install the propulsion wiring, auxiliary power system and the traction pack changing system as well as displays and controls. Make sure that everything will have been tested before really putting the electrical car in to ordinary use. Get your guide for electric car conversion at Gas2Electricity.com!

Electric Car Conversion Kits- Growing Popularity

(ArticlesBase ID #1263805)

Dana is the author and owner of dozens of research sites. She spends much of her time researching products and posting results for all the viewers.

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Driving and Mobile Phones - Fact Sheet

There is increasing concern about the safety of drivers who use their mobile phones while driving. This has been exacerbated by the increased use and popularity of SMS text-messaging, and potential dangers of high-tech mobile phones featuring email, video, games and delivery of advertising messages.

Hands-free Mobile Phones

? One in five people (18 per cent) admits they often use their mobile phone without a hands-free kit while driving (source: 2007 AAMI Crash Index)

Text-messages

? Four in 10 drivers have sent or read a text message while driving (39 per cent) (source: 2007 AAMI Crash Index)

? Texting while driving is most common among drivers in South Australia (48 per cent) (source: 2007 AAMI Crash Index)
mobile pHones and driving safeTy Tips

? Always use a hands-free device if you must speak on the phone while driving – ensure it is set up and working before you start to drive.

? Plan your trip and only make calls when stationary – try to make calls before you begin your journey, or after you reach your destination, or during rest breaks in long trips.

? Avoid making and accepting calls when driving in heavy traffic or bad weather conditions – inform the person you are speaking with that you are driving and may have to end the call if driving conditions change.

? Do not engage in complex or emotional telephone conversations while driving – they are distracting and can be dangerous.

? Use your phone’s message service to answer calls where possible – if a call is unnecessary or it is unsafe to answer, allow it to be diverted to voicemail or an answering service.

? Pull over safely if you stop to make or answer a call, or to retrieve a message – don’t stop where you could be a hazard to other vehicles or pedestrians.

? Never take notes, look up phone numbers, or read or send SMS messages while driving – always keep your eyes on the road. If required, use a directory assistance service that connects you directly to the number (source: Australian Mobile Telecommunications Authority).

(ArticlesBase ID #1260156)

Using a mobile phonw when driving is dangerous and can cause accidents. AAMI, providers of Car Insurance in Australia, have developed this useful fact sheet to help drivers stay safe on the road.

Article Source:http://www.articlesbase.com/cars-articles/driving-and-mobile-phones-fact-sheet-1260156.html