Who said the first car was produced in 1908??
There were cars in the Bible....
~ ~ ~
God drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury.
David's Triumph was heard throughout the land.
And there were Hondas... because the apostles were all in one Accord
Showing posts with label Cars. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Cars. Show all posts
Friday, January 05, 2007
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Cars of 2008: A Sneak Peek
Cars of 2008: A Sneak Peek
BusinessWeek Online
By Matt Vella
If there's one constant question in the auto industry, it's "what's next?" Every new model year creeps further and further onto the previous one's turf, with new vehicles now slated for introduction to the public up and down the calendar.
Automakers certainly haven't been shy about showing long-off product way ahead of time for numerous reasons: to ward off competition, to reassure investors, and to generate buzz. What's more, with a growing number of concept models being shown in nearly production-ready stages, getting a preview of what'll be on the road a year or so out has never been easier.
Now, in late 2006, as the bulk of 2007 models are just becoming available to consumers across the country, the industry already knows quite a bit about what 2008 has in store. Even a brief survey of some of that model year's announced vehicles confirms that various of this year's trends are likely to continue.
Emphasis on Efficiency
So, given the details that have already been tipped, what do we know about 2008? Look for an industry that continues to focus on: fuel efficiency and clean energy, excitement-generating low-volume vehicles, innovative new models aimed at new markets, and workhorse vehicles aimed to maintain financial momentum.
The explosion in popularity of gas-electric hybrids has not gone unnoticed, even if many industry veterans still harbor questions about the vehicles' true efficiency. What's certain is that the market leader, Toyota, isn't happy to sit still. It will continue pouring hybrid drive systems into new vehicles. Meanwhile, General Motors, the world's largest automaker, will no longer sit out the hybrid craze as of 2008.
Lexus, Toyota's successful luxury division, is finally going after the granddaddy of large luxury sedans, DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz S Class. The LS 600h L is intended as the company's new flagship, with more technological bells and whistles than imaginable.
Of course, the banner technology is a hybrid drive system like the one found in comparably plebian Prius cars. The LS should feature an engine that pumps out more than 400 horses as well as a plethora of techy gadgets to keep drivers and passengers occupied and safe.
Energy Trailblazers
GM is getting ready to bring on its own pack of hybrids.It's even putting its new two-mode system into huge SUVs like the GMC Yukon.
No word yet on the exact gas mileage this 2008 will get, but the company says to expect a 25% increase. If that's the case, it would mean the availability of a gigantic vehicle earning fuel economy of over 20 miles per gallon combined—quite a feat for such heavy vehicles that required thirsty V8 engines.
Some are even thinking beyond gasoline. Honda has always been a trailblazer in clean energy. After all, it — not Toyota—was the first Asian manufacturer to sell a fuel-sipping gas-electric hybrid to American consumers.
The Honda FCX, which debuted at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show, is the next big thing, or so Honda hopes. It is powered by a hydrogen fuel.
The company wowed green energy fans when it announced that it would begin selling a market-ready version of the model next year to Japanese customers. Like the second-generation Prius, the FCX's exterior adopts a futuristic look that suggests the advanced technology underhood
Cars of 2008: A Sneak Peek - Continued
Crazy for Convertibles
Other manufactures have deployed 2008s to generate excitement for variants available on the market right now. And there's nothing better to get the heart racing than a sexy drop top.
Chrysler's aging Sebring sedan, for one, was in desperate need of a refresh, which is exactly what it got earlier this year. But even the updated model drew one question from the lips of on-lookers: what about the convertible?
At the L.A. Auto Show, Chrysler answered those questions with a substantive sneak peek at the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. The car will be available with an optional hard top, the newest de rigueur feature in convertibles weighing in around $30,000.
Audi's TT sports car, meanwhile, was a stunner when it came out and a sales winner for the company. Now the brand has re-penned the car, giving it more aggressive lines in hopes of helping it compete with fare from the likes of Porsche. The 2008 model year roadster will be available with Audi's 3.2 liter V6 that pumps out a growling 250 horses.
Staying With Strong Markets
Another important trend in the 2008s already revealed is sustaining momentum. Notably, domestic manufacturers are hoping to predominate in markets that have traditionally been strong for them or ones in which their fortunes may be improving.
Ford built its brand on tough trucks, primarily the F-Series. And though Asian manufacturers like Honda, Toyota, and Nissan are trying to make incursions into the embattled domestic's territory, Ford is still the market leader for pickups. For now.
The company will introduce new version of the Super Duty series, an upsized and up-powered line, partly to maintain its edge and to further hone its rep. One model is slated to pack a torque-laden 6.4 liter, 350 horsepower diesel engine as well.
Saturn is on a roll. The company, long known for dowdy, plastic cars, is reshaping itself with the help of some striking new models, including a roadster, mainstream sedan, and large SUV-type crossover. For 2008, Saturn will launch a redesign of the smaller Vue SUV. Both the exterior and interior will be entirely redesigned to mesh with new models that sport aggressive and sexy styling.
Finding Customers
Perhaps the biggest trend in the 2008s the industry already knows about is prepping vehicles to acquire new segment customers. Manufacturers both foreign and domestic are banking on new models to help drive sales.
Buick's Enclave crossover, due as a 2008 model, will be based on General Motors' new Lambda platform and, therefore, will closely resemble sibling vehicles like the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, and possibly a future Chevrolet product. The new product will reportedly take the place of the Rainier SUV and Terraza minivan, its seating, cargo capacity, and fuel economy making it a bridge between those two types of vehicles. Expect V6 and V8 engine options as well.
Land Rover is recasting its former Freelander small SUV as the LR2 to sell to Americans as a 2008. The new model adopts the geometric look of its larger siblings, the LR3 series. The model should carry a base price of around $35,000 and is intended to bring younger, less affluent buyers into the Land Rover fold.
Unlike previous incarnations, this model has improved ground clearance and is expected to provide better off-road capability, partially as a result. It will reportedly share its inline-6 engine with the newly unveiled Volvo S80.
Even with the gas crunch letting up a little and driving season winding down, small is in. The big news is that small is no longer the sole purview of economy cars. Audi made a big splash with its diminutive A3 at hatch that can be optioned up to cost more than $40,000. Volvo isn't happy to let Audi have all the turf. It's introducing the C30 hatchback in the U.S. as a 2008. Although it's small, the car sports a host of safety features that make it worthy to wear the Volvo brand name.
Go to BusinessWeek Online to view the slideshow
Vella is a reporter for BusinessWeek.com in New York.
BusinessWeek Online
By Matt Vella
If there's one constant question in the auto industry, it's "what's next?" Every new model year creeps further and further onto the previous one's turf, with new vehicles now slated for introduction to the public up and down the calendar.
Automakers certainly haven't been shy about showing long-off product way ahead of time for numerous reasons: to ward off competition, to reassure investors, and to generate buzz. What's more, with a growing number of concept models being shown in nearly production-ready stages, getting a preview of what'll be on the road a year or so out has never been easier.
Now, in late 2006, as the bulk of 2007 models are just becoming available to consumers across the country, the industry already knows quite a bit about what 2008 has in store. Even a brief survey of some of that model year's announced vehicles confirms that various of this year's trends are likely to continue.
Emphasis on Efficiency
So, given the details that have already been tipped, what do we know about 2008? Look for an industry that continues to focus on: fuel efficiency and clean energy, excitement-generating low-volume vehicles, innovative new models aimed at new markets, and workhorse vehicles aimed to maintain financial momentum.
The explosion in popularity of gas-electric hybrids has not gone unnoticed, even if many industry veterans still harbor questions about the vehicles' true efficiency. What's certain is that the market leader, Toyota, isn't happy to sit still. It will continue pouring hybrid drive systems into new vehicles. Meanwhile, General Motors, the world's largest automaker, will no longer sit out the hybrid craze as of 2008.
Lexus, Toyota's successful luxury division, is finally going after the granddaddy of large luxury sedans, DaimlerChrysler's Mercedes-Benz S Class. The LS 600h L is intended as the company's new flagship, with more technological bells and whistles than imaginable.
Of course, the banner technology is a hybrid drive system like the one found in comparably plebian Prius cars. The LS should feature an engine that pumps out more than 400 horses as well as a plethora of techy gadgets to keep drivers and passengers occupied and safe.
Energy Trailblazers
GM is getting ready to bring on its own pack of hybrids.It's even putting its new two-mode system into huge SUVs like the GMC Yukon.
No word yet on the exact gas mileage this 2008 will get, but the company says to expect a 25% increase. If that's the case, it would mean the availability of a gigantic vehicle earning fuel economy of over 20 miles per gallon combined—quite a feat for such heavy vehicles that required thirsty V8 engines.
Some are even thinking beyond gasoline. Honda has always been a trailblazer in clean energy. After all, it — not Toyota—was the first Asian manufacturer to sell a fuel-sipping gas-electric hybrid to American consumers.
The Honda FCX, which debuted at the recent Los Angeles Auto Show, is the next big thing, or so Honda hopes. It is powered by a hydrogen fuel.
The company wowed green energy fans when it announced that it would begin selling a market-ready version of the model next year to Japanese customers. Like the second-generation Prius, the FCX's exterior adopts a futuristic look that suggests the advanced technology underhood
Cars of 2008: A Sneak Peek - Continued
Crazy for Convertibles
Other manufactures have deployed 2008s to generate excitement for variants available on the market right now. And there's nothing better to get the heart racing than a sexy drop top.
Chrysler's aging Sebring sedan, for one, was in desperate need of a refresh, which is exactly what it got earlier this year. But even the updated model drew one question from the lips of on-lookers: what about the convertible?
At the L.A. Auto Show, Chrysler answered those questions with a substantive sneak peek at the 2008 Chrysler Sebring Convertible. The car will be available with an optional hard top, the newest de rigueur feature in convertibles weighing in around $30,000.
Audi's TT sports car, meanwhile, was a stunner when it came out and a sales winner for the company. Now the brand has re-penned the car, giving it more aggressive lines in hopes of helping it compete with fare from the likes of Porsche. The 2008 model year roadster will be available with Audi's 3.2 liter V6 that pumps out a growling 250 horses.
Staying With Strong Markets
Another important trend in the 2008s already revealed is sustaining momentum. Notably, domestic manufacturers are hoping to predominate in markets that have traditionally been strong for them or ones in which their fortunes may be improving.
Ford built its brand on tough trucks, primarily the F-Series. And though Asian manufacturers like Honda, Toyota, and Nissan are trying to make incursions into the embattled domestic's territory, Ford is still the market leader for pickups. For now.
The company will introduce new version of the Super Duty series, an upsized and up-powered line, partly to maintain its edge and to further hone its rep. One model is slated to pack a torque-laden 6.4 liter, 350 horsepower diesel engine as well.
Saturn is on a roll. The company, long known for dowdy, plastic cars, is reshaping itself with the help of some striking new models, including a roadster, mainstream sedan, and large SUV-type crossover. For 2008, Saturn will launch a redesign of the smaller Vue SUV. Both the exterior and interior will be entirely redesigned to mesh with new models that sport aggressive and sexy styling.
Finding Customers
Perhaps the biggest trend in the 2008s the industry already knows about is prepping vehicles to acquire new segment customers. Manufacturers both foreign and domestic are banking on new models to help drive sales.
Buick's Enclave crossover, due as a 2008 model, will be based on General Motors' new Lambda platform and, therefore, will closely resemble sibling vehicles like the Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia, and possibly a future Chevrolet product. The new product will reportedly take the place of the Rainier SUV and Terraza minivan, its seating, cargo capacity, and fuel economy making it a bridge between those two types of vehicles. Expect V6 and V8 engine options as well.
Land Rover is recasting its former Freelander small SUV as the LR2 to sell to Americans as a 2008. The new model adopts the geometric look of its larger siblings, the LR3 series. The model should carry a base price of around $35,000 and is intended to bring younger, less affluent buyers into the Land Rover fold.
Unlike previous incarnations, this model has improved ground clearance and is expected to provide better off-road capability, partially as a result. It will reportedly share its inline-6 engine with the newly unveiled Volvo S80.
Even with the gas crunch letting up a little and driving season winding down, small is in. The big news is that small is no longer the sole purview of economy cars. Audi made a big splash with its diminutive A3 at hatch that can be optioned up to cost more than $40,000. Volvo isn't happy to let Audi have all the turf. It's introducing the C30 hatchback in the U.S. as a 2008. Although it's small, the car sports a host of safety features that make it worthy to wear the Volvo brand name.
Go to BusinessWeek Online to view the slideshow
Vella is a reporter for BusinessWeek.com in New York.
Do you want a spy in your car?
By Ian Dickson
October 06 2006
These days it’s virtually impossible not to be recorded on CCTV at some point throughout the day. When you bought your sandwich at lunchtime there’s a strong chance you were caught on camera, and you will again when you go out after work or go to the gym. In fact, today the average person has had their image taken about 300 times.
But it seems you can’t escape Big Brother when you climb behind the wheel of your car either. New black-box technology has allowed insurance company Norwich Union to keep track of where people drive and for how long under a new pay-as-you-drive insurance scheme. It started off as a trial period among 5,000 young motorists, but has proved so successful that it will now be offered as an alternative to conventional schemes.
However, there’s the controversial element that these black boxes can also record how fast motorists have been travelling, which could potentially incriminate thousands of people who creep over the speed limit on a daily basis. The question is, who has access to this information and, crucially, will the police be allowed to get their hands on it?
Nigel Humphries, a spokesman for the Association of British Drivers, is sceptical of such technology keeping tabs on drivers. He said: “We would hope that the data protection act would stop insurers passing any information on. But the last thing you want is insurance companies knowing where you are all the time. With pay-as-you-drive you haven’t got a predictable insurance scheme and there is the potential for insurers to rip you off. We don’t like the fact that insurance companies can monitor your speed either. This sort of spying is not the right way to go about it. Inevitably, we’re heading towards speed limiters and cars that are controlled externally.”
The police might not have to catch you speeding any more. Insurers could have a database full of evidence.The black box technology works like this: a device installed in your car tracks your movements and relays this information though to your insurer, who then bills you at the end of the month for every mile travelled. In principal, the idea is great. It’s cost effective and is priced to encourage motorists to drive at off-peak hours when they’re less likely to have an accident. As for recording speed, a Norwich Union spokesman stresses that any information will not be passed on except in extreme cases of dangerous driving when the police request it. He said: “Under no circumstances will we share information on speeding drivers. We don’t monitor speed.”
However, according to Norwich Union’s small print, information collected on drivers can be used against them. It said: “If approached, we will only provide information about you to those legally entitled to it, and where we are obliged to release it.” Time will tell exactly how much information insurers are allowed to release to the police about motorists who sign up to these pay-as-you-drive schemes, but road safety charity Brake welcomes the new insurance scheme, despite the civil liberty implications.
Get an insurance quote
A spokesperson said: “Pay as you drive insurance is a step in the right direction. We are pleased insurance companies are thinking about the safety of young drivers and discouraging them from driving at night which is when they are most likely to die on the road. The civil liberties question is a non issue particularly when the scheme is a voluntary one. As far as we are concerned the right to life is the most important of all and any scheme which seeks to protect it should be welcomed.”
Pay-as-you-drive insurance encourages young people to stay off the roads at night when they're more likely to have a fatal accidentOf course, whatever side of the fence you sit on, there’s no doubt that a lot of good can come out of an insurance scheme like this. Cheaper premiums for people who drive occasionally, the ability to track your car should it be stolen, and, hopefully, a reduction in the number of young people killed on the roads each year. Research conducted during the trial of the technology saw a 20% reduction in the number of young people killed or injured on the roads and a third sliced from the average insurance premium.
The costs certainly look appealing. On top of the one-off set-up fee – likely to be around £50 a month – the prices work on a sliding scale depending on your age and the time you drive. For 18 to 23-year-olds, they will pay £1 per mile when they travel between the twilight hours of 11pm and 6am – the time when most people of this age group are killed or injured. However, should they travel outside these ‘peak’ times they will only pay 5p per mile. Drivers aged 24 to 65 will pay about 1p per mile for off-peak motorway journeys, which will rise to 16p during peak times such as during the morning rush hour.
October 06 2006
These days it’s virtually impossible not to be recorded on CCTV at some point throughout the day. When you bought your sandwich at lunchtime there’s a strong chance you were caught on camera, and you will again when you go out after work or go to the gym. In fact, today the average person has had their image taken about 300 times.
But it seems you can’t escape Big Brother when you climb behind the wheel of your car either. New black-box technology has allowed insurance company Norwich Union to keep track of where people drive and for how long under a new pay-as-you-drive insurance scheme. It started off as a trial period among 5,000 young motorists, but has proved so successful that it will now be offered as an alternative to conventional schemes.
However, there’s the controversial element that these black boxes can also record how fast motorists have been travelling, which could potentially incriminate thousands of people who creep over the speed limit on a daily basis. The question is, who has access to this information and, crucially, will the police be allowed to get their hands on it?
Nigel Humphries, a spokesman for the Association of British Drivers, is sceptical of such technology keeping tabs on drivers. He said: “We would hope that the data protection act would stop insurers passing any information on. But the last thing you want is insurance companies knowing where you are all the time. With pay-as-you-drive you haven’t got a predictable insurance scheme and there is the potential for insurers to rip you off. We don’t like the fact that insurance companies can monitor your speed either. This sort of spying is not the right way to go about it. Inevitably, we’re heading towards speed limiters and cars that are controlled externally.”
The police might not have to catch you speeding any more. Insurers could have a database full of evidence.The black box technology works like this: a device installed in your car tracks your movements and relays this information though to your insurer, who then bills you at the end of the month for every mile travelled. In principal, the idea is great. It’s cost effective and is priced to encourage motorists to drive at off-peak hours when they’re less likely to have an accident. As for recording speed, a Norwich Union spokesman stresses that any information will not be passed on except in extreme cases of dangerous driving when the police request it. He said: “Under no circumstances will we share information on speeding drivers. We don’t monitor speed.”
However, according to Norwich Union’s small print, information collected on drivers can be used against them. It said: “If approached, we will only provide information about you to those legally entitled to it, and where we are obliged to release it.” Time will tell exactly how much information insurers are allowed to release to the police about motorists who sign up to these pay-as-you-drive schemes, but road safety charity Brake welcomes the new insurance scheme, despite the civil liberty implications.
Get an insurance quote
A spokesperson said: “Pay as you drive insurance is a step in the right direction. We are pleased insurance companies are thinking about the safety of young drivers and discouraging them from driving at night which is when they are most likely to die on the road. The civil liberties question is a non issue particularly when the scheme is a voluntary one. As far as we are concerned the right to life is the most important of all and any scheme which seeks to protect it should be welcomed.”
Pay-as-you-drive insurance encourages young people to stay off the roads at night when they're more likely to have a fatal accidentOf course, whatever side of the fence you sit on, there’s no doubt that a lot of good can come out of an insurance scheme like this. Cheaper premiums for people who drive occasionally, the ability to track your car should it be stolen, and, hopefully, a reduction in the number of young people killed on the roads each year. Research conducted during the trial of the technology saw a 20% reduction in the number of young people killed or injured on the roads and a third sliced from the average insurance premium.
The costs certainly look appealing. On top of the one-off set-up fee – likely to be around £50 a month – the prices work on a sliding scale depending on your age and the time you drive. For 18 to 23-year-olds, they will pay £1 per mile when they travel between the twilight hours of 11pm and 6am – the time when most people of this age group are killed or injured. However, should they travel outside these ‘peak’ times they will only pay 5p per mile. Drivers aged 24 to 65 will pay about 1p per mile for off-peak motorway journeys, which will rise to 16p during peak times such as during the morning rush hour.
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