Skoda Auto, a Volkswagen-owned car company will enter another continent in October 2007, after the Australian International Motor Show 2007 in Sydney (October 11 – 21). Skoda Octavia and Skoda Roomster will be offered in 14 dealerships across the country.
"The launch in Australia is another symbol of Škoda Auto´s international expansion," said Fred Kappler, Škoda Auto BOD Member responsible for sales and marketing.
The vehicles that use two power sources in conjunction with one another are called hybrid automotives or hybrid vehicles. The history of hybrid power technology is very old. It dates back to the time when diesel electric submarines were first used.
The idea is quite simple, use two power sources to increase the overall efficiency.
Now the question arises that why it was needed. The answer is simple, it was realized that an average person would not be able to afford gasoline in the near future. CO2 emissions will also increase similarly an average person does not require a V8, he/she just needs enough power to reach his destination in time. A V8 as well as a small vehicle can accomplish this. So the hybrid vehicle was introduced.
How it works?
The hybrid vehicle works by using electric as well as gasoline power. Diesel electric vehicles are also there but there numbers are quite low. The hybrid vehicle works by using electric power when the requirement for engine power is low for example when starting the vehicle and up to the speed of 30-40 mph as the electric source cannot run a vehicle by itself.
What is the basic idea behind Hybrid automotives?
The basic idea is to use a smaller lightweight engine to run a vehicle up to a required speed and when the car has to accelerate then the electric source can add some extra power to gain more speed. As a 1.0 liter engine can also move at 75 mph just like a V8 although the V8 has more acceleration power so why waste fuel on a muscle car when a 1.0-liter vehicle can work for you.
Types of Gasoline Hybrid Vehicles
There are two main types of gasoline hybrid vehicles: parallel hybrid car and series hybrid car. The series hybrid car uses the gasoline engine to turn a generator that can either charge the batteries or run an electric motor whereas the parallel hybrid car can combine the two power sources to give more power or the same amount of power but with a better mileage.
Body Structure of Hybrid Vehicles
Now the question arises how the hybrid vehicle can deliver these types of performances when they have such a small engine. They do so by using lightweight materials like carbon fiber composites, low-rolling resistance tires and advanced aerodynamics to reduce drag. The hybrids can even turn the gasoline engine off when not needed such as when stopping at traffic lights. Some vehicles even use the electric power to gain a speed of 30 to 40 KM/h. Some vehicles also use regenerative braking. By this method when breaks are applied, the car decreases the speed by cutting some amount of power. This power is then used by the generator to generate electric power that can be stored for later use.
The price of these vehicles start from 23000$ and they reach up to 54000$. There are some hybrid SUVs are also available in the market.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/classics-articles/what-are-hybrid-automotives-179224.html
About the Author:For more information on hybrid automotives, please visit Hybrid Automotives
A royal blue 1967 GTO with 325 hp, 3 deuces and 4 on the floor, one of the most famous muscle car during the high-performance automobile history. Guys love the looks and the speed while the girls loved the guys who own the GTO. Just say GTO, people knew it was from Pontiac. It was also known as "The Goat", "The Legend" and "The Great One". There was a even a song called Little GTO that summed up what the GTO was all about. Prior to 1964, high speed performance cars were full-size hardtops and sedans that had the weight of a Sherman tank but had the largest displacement engines available. They were a little slow off the line, but once you got that tank rolling, they were like a runaway freight train.
Factory Hot Rods became real. In October of 1963, the GTO was born. Pontiac offered the GTO option for only $295. They quietly added to the option list of the 1964 Pontiac Tempest/LeMans. The GTO option package included a 325-horsepower 389-cubic-inch V8 with dual exhausts, a Carter AFB four-barrel carburetor, a mild hydraulic camshaft, and the kind of whip lashing neck pain street-grabbing torque that left a smile on your face. Other standard features included a manual three-speed transmission with a Hurst shifter (in those days the Hurst shifter was not only very good but also very cool), a heavy-duty clutch (very much needed), heavy-duty suspension, US Royal red-line tires, a 3.23:1 rear axle ratio, twin hood scoops, and an assortment of GTO emblems. The GTO emblem itself was just as famous as the car itself.
Body Styles were important. Pontiac provided the GTO option on three LeMans bodies, the two-door coupe, hardtop, and convertible. More hardtops were produced and shown to be the most popular than the combined total of the coupes and convertibles. Engines with the single four-barrel carburetor outsold the Tri-Power models by a margin of three to one. I still remember the sound of my three deuces sucking air when the gas pedal was on the floor. Needless to say, you could also see the gas gauge move down toward empty. Fortunately, gas was only $0.20 a gallon. Can you imagine owning one today and driving it like a teenage of the 1960's?
What Made The GTO So Coveted? Some things you never forget such as my 1967 GTO with 3 deuces. It was a good thing it had a windshield because I would have had bugs stuck to my teeth from grinning so much. The thrill of standing still, shifting into first gear, revving up that sweet engine and letting out the clutch and being plastered to the back of the seat was pure adrenaline pumping. That was my first experience of "pulling G's". Last time I felt that type of adrenaline rush was during chopper auto-rotations in Nam. That was 40 years ago and I still love my GTO. Maybe it is the legend. Maybe we have gotten the legend mixed up with reality. All I know is I can't help but smile when I remember my little GTO.
It is hard to explain to my children why it was so special. I owned a 1955 Ford though it was pretty it just didn't have the appeal of the GTO. The royal blue was my favorite. I have a friend whose color was plum. Can you remember vinyl seats? I can! They were cool looking and very hot functionally. I remember leaving my skin on the seat many times getting out that car. Getting in the summer meant either cooking your legs or trying to keep a towel in the car to sit on. Once you started up that 389, you were transported to another world. The purr of that engine, the feel of the Hurst shifter and watching the gas needle drop was worth all the pain of sitting on a hot seat. What hot seat?
How Do You Get A Piece of History Today? There are many GTO's still available that are being offered by GTO lovers who have been taken care of by their lovers. You can find them on the web.
Pontiac also has brought back the name of the GTO. They are still pretty fast. In the long run against the 1964 GTO, they can outrun them for the distance but put the two together on a quarter mile strip and the early muscle car is still king. There is just something about the Goat. Once you drive one, old or new, you just have to own one.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/classics-articles/pontiac-gto-the-greatest-muscle-car-of-all-time-171343.html
About the Author:Jerry Johnson owns the Love My GTO website as well as several other successful webstores. You can find new and used GTO from the past or today at LoveMyGTO.com.
The Hummer’s conceptualization began in 1979. It was basically being designed for the US army and was to be built as a High Mobility Multi-Purpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV). At that time many companies were asked to put forth their best designs for the same. Out of the many that presented their ideas, the three that were chosen were those of General Dynamics, Teledyne and AM (American Motors) General. But this was just the beginning for the companies to prove their worth. The army was very demanding in wanting a vehicle not only of high quality but also that could withstand any kind of pressures, glide through any kind of terrain, and that would be light and easy to maintain! And voila AM General was able to give the most supreme prototype and in the least possible time! Their model called the Hummvee, proved to be just what the army had commanded. It came out with flying colors in the various tests to gauge its superiority. Then the first Hummvees, that was around 55,000 of them, were given for production over a period of 5 years in 1983 to AM General. AM General won this race too and within just 6 months the Hummvee was ready for use. With time the general public too could not resist the desire to drive these Humvees. Thus AM General decided to come out with a civilian version of the Humvee called the Hummer. In December 1999 the Hummer brand and the authority to market and distribute it were sold off to General Motors by AM General. AM General however still manufactures the Hummer.
The Hummer is an SUV-a sports utility vehicle and is the rage with those who are fond of sturdy, long and rough and tough cars. The Hummer seems to have no competitor in this area. The first and original Hummer is now called the H1. It is said that the Hummer was made as a result of Arnold Schwarzenegger’s persuasion as he had seen the Humvees and was very impressed. The popularity of the Hummer is such that the US boasts of several groups and clubs of Hummer owners who come together and drive them either for recreation or for some good causes. Well why good causes, read on to find out. As the Hummer is well known for its great strength and durability, it is often employed in disaster hit areas. Such Hummer owners provide their vehicle for these purposes and thus put them to use for a noble cause. In fact a group has been formed of Hummer owners who have been trained in first aid and CPR. Thus the Hummer has spread its wings to touch all of humanity.
The most recent and a very well known Hummer model is the H3. The H1 and H2 Hummer models are known to be quite large. Unlike them, the five seater H3 has been made to cater to the sensibilities of the common who wishes to own an SUV but still wants it to not look too bulky. The H3 also has good fuel economy and is quite luxurious for the small cost it demands! It has good soundproof materials used in its windows and enough sealing to allow you to hear and speak comfortably enough. This is significant considering that the H3, like its predecessors, is prone to making noise. The H3 also has side curtain airbags as well as the normal driver and passenger ones, which provide added protection. Some of its other features include large knobs for HVAC, sunvisors that have pull out extensions, and large and very readable gauges. The other common features include a tilt-adjustable steering column, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, an audio system with a CD player, cruise control, air conditioning, an electronic rearview mirror with temperature and compass readings, antilock brakes (ABS), traction control, a tire-pressure monitoring system, and stylish leather seats. It has an OnStar system with one-year Safe and Sound service plan. This system informs the concerned people in case of an emergency and helps them to locate you and get you immediate help and relief. It even helps to keep thieves at bay, because the system can track your Hummer in case of theft.
With so much to offer, you must drive the Hummer!
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/suvs-articles/the-hummer-the-supreme-suv-172153.html
About the Author:Lance Dixon has been a leader in the Melbourne Prestige Car business since 1965. He owns and runs several prestige car dealerships in Melbourne.
For many years, the Porsche 911 has represented the epitome of true sports car driving. Generations have had childhood dreams of owning and driving their very own Porsche 911. For those wanting to finally make those childhood dreams come true by buying a high quality one owner 911, there are some things that you will need to be aware of before handing over your cheque. If you are not careful, your dream car could cost you far more than what you bargained for.
There is no doubt that driving your very own Porsche 911 is a dream worth attaining, so when you are searching for your dream Porsche 911, you must remember not to jump in too quickly. While the Porsche 911 was always built to last, you need to make sure that any one owner car that you inspect and potentially buy has been properly cared for.
Thoroughly check the service history
When you buy a Porsche 911, you need to feel confident that you are getting a car that has been expertly maintained. A Porsche 911 needs to be serviced by a Porsche specialist. Ultratune or your local mechanic will just not do. Thoroughly check the service history of the vehicle. Find out who has made mechanical repairs and serviced the car and check their Porsche credentials. If you are spending a small fortune, then feel free to contact the mechanic to discuss the service history of the vehicle.
Many Porsche 911s, especially older ones, will have had clutches and other major mechanicals replaced. Don't be turned off by this, you just need to make sure that the job has been done properly.
Has the car been raced?
There will be many Porsche 911s out there that have been put through their paces on the race track. Check for any signs that may indicate whether the car has spent time on the race track. Some of these telltale signs may include extra gauges, evidence that a roll cage has been removed and uneven tyre wear and body damage. Unless you are planning on racing yourself, then you should steer clear of any car showing such signs.
Get a professional inspection
If you buy a Porsche 911 and find that a few months down the track you need to replace anything mechanical, then you know you are going to be up for big dollars. It should go without saying that with any one owner Porsche 911 that you are serious about buying, you should get a professional inspection from somebody who knows and works on Porsches.
If you've never driven a Porsche before
If you've never driven a Porsche 911 before, or if you have spent only a small amount of time behind the wheel of one, then it will be a good idea to get some professional driving lessons as driving these cars will not be like driving your average family sedan. In the hands of an inexperienced driver testing their new car for the first time, the Porsche 911 can be a deadly weapon. This is especially the case with older Porsche 911s as the handling can really bite when you put your foot down hard, even on fairly straight roads.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/classics-articles/porsche-911-buy-the-dream-with-care-53029.html
About the Author:
The Land Rovers are originally British vehicles and have a manufacturing unit at Solihull in England. The first Land Rover was made in 1948 in England itself. It was designed by Maurice Wilks. He is known to have been inspired by an American jeep that he had seen at Wales. The first car was in fact itself called the Land Rover. But as time progressed, Land Rover became a brand that took to manufacturing newer cars under it. The Land Rover has passed through many hands, from the Rover group to the Premier Automotive Group, which is a part of the Ford Motor Company, and currently owns it.
If you hear the Land Rover’s rich history, you are sure to exclaim, “The Land Rover almost sounds like best out of waste!” And the reasons are plenty. The body of the Rover is very light and is made from an alloy called ‘Birmabright’ that is made from aluminium and magnesium. This alloy is extremely rust-resistant. These vehicles were in reality, forced to be made from aluminium, as they were made in the post war periods, where there was little steel and surplus aluminium available. This alloy was also found to be softer than steel and so could bend and mould easily, requiring less number of tools. Another peculiar thing about these cars was that, the earlier vehicles were mostly of green color. This was due to the excess of green paint available after the war! The military used this color to paint the aircraft cockpits! Who would think that a world class SUV would have been made in such a way! In fact it is said that the Land Rover was designed just to keep the Rover Car Company busy during the depression period! This first model was a simple vehicle, primarily made for farm and industrial use and was made such that it could traverse all terrain. The car was highly functional and could be cleaned fully when dirtied. It was even bulletproof! The Land Rover was first showcased at the Amsterdam Motor Show and was an instant hit. It attracted the entire world and the media played an important role in this. Even the non-motor magazines gave the car lots of coverage, making the car reach beyond its target customer group.
Many of the Land Rovers have been extensively used by the military due to their durability and sturdiness and astounding features. Endurance of these vehicles can be judged from the fact that many of the cars that were made at the time of the Land Rover’s introductory period, are still driven by people or appear at various shows or are being used after a little bit of restoration! This just shows that a Land Rover is certainly a lifetime investment. They are considered to be one of the safest cars to travel in and will never let you down.
1970s saw the dawn of the luxury Rovers that had all the features of a premium car besides the trademark ruggedness. The Range Rover (the first in this category) was so good that it is the first and only car to be kept in the Louvre museum at Paris as an exemplary form of modern sculpture. So much for the beauty of the Rover! It is simply incomparable. Range Rover was initially a two-door version but when its sales picked up it was made a four-door one. Increased demand and popularity amongst people, led the Range Rover to advance to better versions like the Land Rover Discovery, Defender, Freelander-which is a landmark by itself.
The Land Rovers have a fan base in the film industries across the world too! They have featured in many films! Land Rover celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1998.
The various well-known models of the Land Rover are the DISCOVERY3, FREELANDER2, DEFENDER, RANGE ROVER SPORT and RANGE ROVER VOGUE.
Despite being premium cars these cars have high maneuverability, are very fast, work astonishingly well for long distance travel, can withstand any kind of torture and are amazingly safe! If you want to experience what a true SUV is like, the Land Rovers are your best option.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/suvs-articles/land-rover-a-true-suv-186853.html
About the Author:Lance Dixon has been a leader in the Melbourne Prestige Car business since 1965. He owns and runs several prestige car dealerships in Melbourne.
For car lovers, the ultimate in sports car pleasure is to slip behind the wheel of a Ferrari. If it is your deepest desire to own a Ferrari, you will want to make sure to evaluate the Ferrari carefully before you make a purchase. In this way you can ensure that you are getting a quality vehicle that will be a good investment.
Once you have narrowed down which particular Ferrari you would like to have as your own, you will need to get an idea of how much that vehicle is worth. There are some good sources for Ferrari valuation. Although ordinarily a wealth of information about several different makes of cars, the Kelley Blue Book lists no pricing information for used Ferraris. Instead, try the N.A.D.A. Official Used Car Guide. Select the "Consumer" guide, and then enter the make and model as well as the year, and you will get back pricing information.
You can search online for the investment car dealer nearest you, although you will certainly have a larger selection to choose from if your search is not limited by geography. When you have a particular car that you are considering, you will want to take a close look at the car's history. One way to do that is to request a history report of the Ferrari for sale. There are several available online, including Experian Automotive and Carfax, which offers a guaranteed used car report for the history of the car.
In addition, you will want to inquire as to how the vehicle was maintained by previous owners. Poor maintenance can make for a car that is a poor investment, so checking on this critical area can be an important criterion for your Ferrari car evaluation. You will also need to find out if the vehicle has ever been in any accidents, or survived floods, both of which can potentially reduce the value of the car. It pays to have a qualified mechanic from a Ferrari dealer perform a pre-purchase inspection of the vehicle.
Since this is an investment, you will want to be sure to look at how well the vehicle in question will retain its initial value. Since they do not make anymore vintage Ferraris from the 1950s, for example, if you have one that is in great condition, the value will increase simply due to the scarcity involved. Value can also be based in part on its popularity, as well as the way people think about its value.
You can learn a lot about Ferraris for sale by joining a Ferrari club. Members can give advice on maintaining a new Ferrari or a vintage Ferrari. Here you will likely be able to gather information to help you find a great Ferrari.
Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/classics-articles/how-to-evaluate-a-used-ferrari-for-purchase-169985.html
About the Author:Jonthon Blocker is a Ferrari afficianado. Jonathon has driven a variety of Ferraris, and has developed an expertise on the collectible Ferrari.
