Autopartswarehouse

First pictures of the Chevrolet Cruze released

In anticipation to the much awaited debut of the Cruze at the Paris Motor Show in October, Chevrolet has released some pictures of its all-new small family car at the GM Lordstown Assembly Plant.

Here are the pictures:

This upcoming compact car Daewoo Lacetti several of its badge engineered variants including the Chevrolet Lacetti (Europe), the Chevrolet Optra (Mexico) and Holden Viva (Australia and New Zealand), as well as the non-related Chevrolet Cobalt (United States and Canada). The Cruze “was developed by a global design and engineering team and will be built in multiple locations around the world,” according to GM.  This will go on sale next spring and three engines will be offered at launch: 1.6-litre 110bhp and 1.8-litre 138bhp petrol units, both with variable valve timing or a 2.0-litre 148bhp common-rail turbodiesel.

Chevrolet says the car features ‘bold styling cues’ and the bodystyle includes an arching roofline, sloping rear-pillars large and sweeping headlamp units that wrap around the nose of the car. Other design themes include a concave shoulder line, and two-tier grille.

Taewan Kim, Cruze’s chief designer said in an interview that they wanted the design of the Cruze was “to be bold, not evolutionary”. “We wanted to take a big step forward, making a strong design statement for Chevrolet products around the world”, he added.

This is another car that our avid Autopartswarehouse readers have been looking forward to. We will try to provide more news and updates in the following months until the release date of the Chevrolet Cruze.

The Mitsubishi Outlander

In my previous post, I wrote about compact SUVs receiving Top Safety picks from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). One of those top rated SUV when it comes to safety is the Mitsubishi Outlander.

The Mitsubishi Outlander is quite an interesting SUV, so here’s a brief background.

Created by one of the world’s car manufacturers, Mitsubishi Motors, The Outlander, a compact crossover SUV, originally known as the Mitsubishi Airtrek, was introduced in Japan in 2001. It was based on the Mitsubishi ASX concept vehicle exhibited at the 2001 North American International Auto Show.

The name Airtek came into the picture in order to “describe the vehicle’s ability to transport its passengers on adventure-packed journeys in a ‘free-as-a-bird’ manner”, and was “coined from Air and Trek to express the idea of footloose, adventure-filled motoring pleasure.” The Outlander nameplate which replaced it evoked a “feeling of journeying to distant, unexplored lands in search of adventure.”

In order to increase the overall length of the car when it was released in 2003, The Outlander was given a modified front grille and headlights.

In 2005, the second wave of the vehicle was introduced and most markets named it The Outlander. It was built on the company’s GS platform, and used various engines developed by Mitsubishi, Volkswagen and PSA Peugeot Citroën. PSA’s Citroën C-Crosser and Peugeot 4007, which are manufactured by Mitsubishi in Japan, are badge engineered versions of the Outlander.

Hopefully, this background helped frequent Autopartswarehouse readers as well as those who are contemplating about making The Mitsubishi Outlander their choice of car.

The Outlander, Tiguan and 4 other compact SUV earned the institute's Top Safety Pick award.

Safety is a probably one of most important things to consider when buying a vehicle, that is why crash tests play a very significant role in determining if these vehicles exceeds or fails safety hazards. In the recent crash tests regulated by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the US, a good number of compact SUVs received high scores.

Mitsubishi Outlander: good performance in front, side, and rear tests and standard electronic stability control.

Most notably the latest Mitsubishi Outlander and Volkswagen Tiguan both scored good ratings in the front, side and rear-impact tests, as did the Nissan Rogue, Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute. The Honda CR-V, Honda Element and Subaru Forester have also received high marks in earlier crash tests.

Volkswagen Tiguan: “In the latest tests, the Tiguan’s performance is a standout,” said institute President Adrian Lund. “It sailed through the front and side crash tests without a single downgrade for structure or measures of injury likelihood recorded on the dummy. This is one of four models in this group that afford superior crash protection in their class.”

According to Adrian Lund, the Institute’s president, the Outlander and the Tiguan were equipped with standard electronic stability control — which guards against rollovers — and side air bags.

The safety equipment helped the vehicles show improvements across the board, including in the side tests.

Lund added, “This is a huge change from just five years ago when most small SUVs were rated either marginal or poor in our side test, and standard side air bags and electronic stability control were rare.”

However, there were also a number of compact SUVs that didn’t achieve impressive results. These were the Jeep Patriot, Jeep Wrangler, Suzuki Grand Vitara, Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent who only had acceptable ratings.

This could a basis for future car buyers especially the Autopartswarehouse fans who put safety and security first in choosing their own dream ride.

The New 2009 Audi A4

The Car Connection provided an overview of the new 2009 Audi A4 and had an overall rating of 8.4 out of 10. Below is the their short review per category.

Styling 8/10
Some details are jarring, but the 2009 Audi A4’s handsome genetics are on full display.

Performance 8/10
The 2009 Audi A4 has ample V-6 power and the secure handling of front- or all-wheel drive, but Drive Select needs more refinement.

Comfort and Quality 8/10
The 2009 Audi A4 has a roomy interior with high-quality materials, though some seat and trim details need more attention.

Safety 9/10
The 2009 Audi A4 has extensive safety features, but hasn’t been tested yet.

Features 9/10
The 2009 Audi A4 offers a high level of standard equipment, and some high-tech options that ratchet its price tag up above $40,000.

Definitely, 2009 will be a good year for Audi and that this would one of the most rated cars next year. Though this car would not rack up performance-wise against new makes from other competitors, they found a way to pull off some great features with the car’s advanced options for audio system as well as a keyless entry system is offered that Autopartswarehouse readers will surely love.

The new 2009 Audi A4 is one of those cars you’ll watch out this Spring with an expected starting price of $29,000. So much attention has been given to this car, let’s just hope that it’s worth all the hype.

Hello Volvo! The 2008 Volvo C30

MSRP: $22,950 to $25,700

Invoice Price: $21,573 to $24,158

Volvo is known worldwide as a family car. Packed with all the necessary safety features to take you to your destination of choice safely and efficiently, family men and couples with kids adore this reliable ride. So what sets the new 2008 Volvo C30 apart from all its Volvo predecessors, well for starters, the C30 is aiming to gain a market for DINKs (dual income no kids) or for hip couples whose youngsters have fled the nest.

And while it does look sleek and sporty, does it offer a sports-car performance for its drivers?

The Volvo C30 Design: 5/5 

The 2008 C30 was designed under the guidance of Peter Horbury before he made the move to lead Ford Motor Company’s design team in North America. The C30 is sleek and curvy with an attention-grabbing hatchback rear that you can tell was inspired by the Classic 1800ES from the 1970s. Undoubtedly a very handsome ride with its ultra-modern and distinctive appearance.

Definitely a cool Volvo.

The Interior: 3/5

Strictly four passengers please! This 2-door sports coupe is definitely NOT a family car. While you can park a couple of adults on the C30 backseats, the ride won’t be so comfortable if they’re over 6 feet tall. You can do something about the modest trunk capacity though. Simply fold the backseats and you’ve got more space for your beloved pooch or extra luggage.

Safety Features: 5/5

As can be expected from Volvo, the popular automaker has loaded this sports coupe with all the available safety features on the market. You’ve got front, curtain and side airbags, an IDIS or Intelligent Driver Information System and stability control.

Trims and Engine: 4/5

Available in two cool trims, namely the T5 Version 2.0 and the T5 Version 1.0, the C30 comes with a single I5, 2.5-L, 227-HP engine that is capable of 28-mpg on the freeway and 19-mpg when cruising the city streets. It also comes with  5-speed automatic transmission or 6-speed manual transmission. Though not incredibly speedy, you won’t have a problem with lag when you use this trendy auto.

Conclusion:

Definitely a great car from Volvo. If speed isn’t much of an issue, then the C30 is one of the better auto investments you can make.

The Gas Monsters of the 70s

With the gas prices soaring up, this post is perfect. Think of it as commiserating. Cutting to the chase of it all, listed below are the vehicles that thrived on being gas guzzlers way back in the 70s, when bell bottoms and huge sunglasses were directly proportional to being cool.

1970-1973 Chrysler Imperial This car’s average miles per gallon (MPG) was 10 to 16. Way back when it was still brand spankin’ new, the Chrysler Imperial saw the 40 to 65 cents’ worth of gas. There were changes made in the grille and the front fascia over the years. By 1975, it finally bowed out of the market due to poor economy.

1977-1979 Lincoln Mark V This was one car which truly thrived on luxury. It had editions made with the help of world-renowned designers such as Cartier and Gucci. This Lincoln had an MPG that was somewhere between 3.5 to 7. During that time, the average cost of one gallon of gas was 65 cents to 90 cents.

1970-1979 Lincoln Continental Here is another Lincoln that was a gas guzzler in the 70s. The Lincoln Continental is eye-catching mainly because of its colors and its use of chrome, vinyl and steel. Under its hood is a 460 cid V8 engine and has an MPG of 7 to 12. For each gallon of gas, the owners of this car had to shell out 40 cents to 90 cents.

1971-1973 Buick Riviera Designed outrageously, this Buick had an average MPG that is between 5 and 8. Up until this day, this Buick Riviera model of the 70s is still worth as much as $25,000. Oh, were you going to ask about its way back when cost of gallon? It’s somewhere between 44 cents and 65 cents.

1971-1978 Oldsmobile Toronado Comfort and style. That’s what the 70 Oldsmobile Toronado was all about. Even made more appealing was the XSR prototype model, as this actually had retractable tops (powered). But back to “those days”: The cost of one gallon of gas for this pretty car was between 44 cents and 77 cents. Its average MPG was between 10 and 15.

1971-1978 Cadillac Eldorado 500 cid V8 engine had undoubtedly been a gas guzzler in its time. But never mind that, as it is truly made even more beautiful with each time it had undergone some revamp. The average MPG of this breathtaking car is somewhere between 16 and 18. And just exactly how much did one gallon of gas cost those days for this car? It was reportedly 44 cents to 77 cents.

1974-1976 Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Talisman If its style you’re after and if you’re filthy rich, then the Cadillac Fleetwood Brougham Talisman is what you might be looking for. Sleek and elegant, this car had an average MPG of 11 to 16. You would’ve needed to dig into your pockets for each gallon of gas is acquired. The cost of one gallon of gas was 53 cents to 59 cents.

1976-1978 Chrysler New Yorker Brougham Sculpted bumper, noticeable wheel skirts and a spacious backseat – These are what made the Chrysler New Yorker Brougham a winner in terms of looks. It was a winner, too, when it came to devouring gas. Its average MPG was somewhere along 14 to 17. It had cost 59 cents to 77 cents for just one gallon of gas.

1976-1979 Cadillac Seville This was the car based on the Chevrolet Nova and was Cadillac’s most compact and yet most luxurious sedan. Fancy this? Its average MPG was somewhere between 17 and 21, with its gas costing 59 cents to 90 cents per gallon. Still fancy this? Of course! If you’re rich and you can afford it, why not?

source: Chicago Tribune

Meet the Davids of the Automotive World: Small Cars are Now In (Part II)

In the last post, five compact cars were already mentioned. Do you want to know the other five which made it to the top 10? To skip beating around the bush, let’s start with the Honda Fit. But hoe fit is the Fit, really? Well, its tagline is supposedly “The Fit is go!” The Honda Fit for this year comes in two attractive colors: Blaze Orange Metallic and Storm Silver Metallic. Whatever color you choose, you’re sure to enjoy driving this small car around. The inside of the car is made roomy and convenient with the help of second row Magic Seat. The so-called Magic Seat can be laid down flat to give you more room for your cargo. The Honda Fit is powered by a 1.5-liter, 16-valve, SOHC VTEC engine which kicks of 109 horsepower (hp). It has a 5-speed automatic transmission. With its Drive-by-Wire throttle system, you are given more control and smoother acceleration. Safety is not an issue with this compact car, as it comes standard with the needed airbags and crush zones, which has an effective absorbing capacity. If a fun drive that’s environment-friendly is what you’re after, then go for the Fit.

The Kia Rio is next on the list. Its style may not be as attractive as its competitors but you can count on the good stuff when it comes to this car. If safety is on top of your checklist when it comes to buying that perfect car, then you can breathe a sigh of relief. The Kia Rio actually scored pretty high on the NHTSA Driver’s Crash Rating, getting a four out of five. This car is offered in three trims: the base, LX and SX. This 4-door sedan houses a 1.6-liter I-4 engine under its hood. It gives off 110 horsepower (hp) and 6,000 rpm. Its torque is 107 lb-ft at 4,500 rpm. It’s a front-wheel drive, in case you were wondering. This car can accommodate up to five people. That’s pretty roomy enough for a small sedan.

Bold in style, great in performance. That’s the Scion xD for you. It comes standard with a 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine that is able to give off 125 horsepower (hp) at 6,000 rpm. It makes use of unleaded fuel 87 and a multi-point injection fuel system. For its standard safety features, the Scion xD for 2008 comes with four-wheels ABS, brake assist system and electronic brake distribution. Its hard-hitting suspension can be to your advantage. With its clean and sleek yet sporty look and notable performance, this car might be attractive enough to call for some buyers.

MINI Cooper. Who hasn’t heard about this small car wonder? To get right into the heart of it all: This eye-catching car becomes even more attractive with its new body style. Under its hood is a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine with 118 horsepower (hp). There are two models available: the base and the S. A hood scoop as well as handy sport suspension is standard in the S model. It can accommodate four people. So if you’re up for a functional yet attractive enough ride, then the 2008 MINI Cooper might be for you.

The car that ends the list is the Nissan Versa. If you want an affordable yet reliable car to grace your garage, look no further than the 2008 Nissan Versa. It is a spacious sedan that will definitely give you a comfortable ride. This car is offered in eight different trims. All trims come with 1.8-liter I4 engine. The transmission for each trim differs, though. All eight trims have a four-wheel drive. Safety features include 4-wheel ABS, head and side airbags and child seat anchors. The ride you’ll get from the Nissan Versa is made more enjoyable and convenient with the CD MP3 playback, iPod integration and satellite radio. Whether you’re thinking of getting the 4-door hatchback or the sedan, the 2008 Nissan Versa is a good investment when you’re after quality and affordability.

And there you have it: The complete top 10 Hot Compact Cars.

source: AOL Autos

Meet the Davids of the Automotive World: Small Cars are Now In (Part I)

With the price of gasoline rocketing sky high, the small cars suddenly held an appeal to everyone. Most people have turned their eyes away from the large pickup trucks and Sport Utility Vehicles (SUVs). Now is the time for those cutesy compact cars to hog the spotlight. It’s about time, too. Haven’t they heard the saying that big things come in small packages? Listed below are the first five compact cars that have nothing “small” about them in terms of performance and functionality.

Sleek and shiny with dual exhaust tips, dual reflector headlamps and a laser seam welding. World, say hello to the Volkswagen Rabbit! Although the word “rabbit” conjures something cute and fluffy, there’s nothing fluffy or cute about this car. This 2-door compact car is powered by a 2.5-liter, five-cylinder, in-line engine that is able to kick off 1780 horsepower and 177 lb-ft worth of torque. It can go from zero to sixty in eight seconds. It has a more rigid body, thanks to to laser seam welding applied to it.

The brand spankin’ new 2008 Toyota Yaris is made even better. It comes standard with a multi-reflector halogen headlamps, color-keyed grille surround, outside mirrors and outside door handles. The attractive color-keyed doesn’t end there. As they say, “Wait! There’s more!” Included in the color-keyed system are the front and rear under-bumper spoilers and side rocker panels. The inside of the Yaris is spacious enough, with a standard 60/40 split fold-down rear bench seat. Other standard features meant for comfort are adjustable front seats, interior map light, center console with storage (covered), and a heavy duty electric rear window defroster. This is one rabbit with a mean punch. It’s so packed together you can’t afford to complain.

Along with the standard CD/MP3 player and ambient lighting is the SYNC voice technology come a Euro-inspired suspension, an all-new interior and improved safety features. These are what make the whole of the 2008 Ford Focus. This car may be small but don’t underestimate it just yet. The best part about this car? It’s environment-friendly! Its 2.0 Duratec engine with a standard five-speed manual transmission. It also boasts of an all-new cooling exhaust system to enhance performance and efficiency. With a Ford Focus, you get a smooth ride that helps contribute in preserving the environment.

Now this is one really, really compact car. It actually runs on a 1-liter, three in-line cylinder aluminum engine block. It has a maximum torque of 68 lb-ft. Did anyone say transmission? It’s an automated manual five-speed. It can go from zero to sixty in just 12.8 seconds. The maximum speed of this small but eye-catching car is 90 mph. It has steel bumpers to reinforce both safety and value. When needed, this bumper can be replaced without too much cost. You don’t need to worry about the safety this tiny car can bring you because it actually passed the test. No, it really did.

Just when you think a tiny car couldn’t get any cuter, the Chevrolet Aveo suddenly comes along. Available power sunroof, the interior with perforated leatherette for pure comfort. That’s just scratching the surface of this car. The Chevrolet Aveo comes standard with a 1.6-liter 16-valve E-TEC II DOHC L-4 engine and a five-speed manual. There are four available trims for this mode: Aveo5 Special Value, Aveo5 LS, LS Sedan and LT Sedan. All of the trims except for the Aveo5 Special have the option of a four-speed automatic transmission. The body panel of the Chevrolet Aveo is precoated steel. This means that it is able to keep away rust-through corrosion. This car may look small but it’s really pretty powerful. With the five small yet hot cars already revealed, you can be on your toes for the next couple of days to unveil the other half of the top 10.

source: AOL Autos

A Monster of a Truck

You’ve always heard the word “monster” combined with other words. It is the case this time, except that the word “monster” is used as an adjective. “Monster” is the best word to describe this particular mining truck. The photo above is enough to chase away any notion that the term “monster” is overrated.

Francis Bartley is the person behind the design of this startling truck. He said that the market for this truck does not go past 75 units per year. And that is the global market he’s talking about. The truck called T 282 B weighs 224 tons when empty and is 47 feet and g inches long. If you’re wondering about just how tall it is, then you must know that it stands 24 foot and 3 inches. The load it is able to carry is roughly around 400 tons. The T 282 B is powered by a diesel engine which manages to spew 3,650 horsepower. It makes use of two electric motors located at the rear axles. In the designer’s words, “So it’s more like a huge electric railroad locomotive than a conventional truck.”

Curious about just how much it would cost? Bartley reveals that in the U.S., it would cost around $3 million. This truck is often used in the following differentmines:

- Wyoming and Australia’s coal mines
- Chile’s copper mines
- South Africa’s iron extraction mines
- Nevada’s gold mines

source: primidi.com

Ford Mustangs To Have A Church Built For Them

Religion is one of the longest standing (and reigning) institutions worldwide. Even before governments were set-up, religion was already there, running the lives of our ancestors. So many beliefs and sects have come out of it, which have been accepted and embraced by people. This resulted in churches and other religious institutions from sprouting left and right just so the people could have a place to worship. Due to the impact religion has done, you can’t fault Charles Ales for wanting to start his own sect. The problem here is that it doesn’t involve worshipping a higher being. Rather, it involves worshipping a four-wheeled entity called the Mustang.

Yes, you read it right. Charles Ales, a Kansas native, has decided to set-up what he calls The Mustang Church of America and Museum. He got the idea of putting up the church from his experience of dealing with other car aficionados whose obsession for cars borders (well almost) on religious fervor. Of course, being a car junkie himself also played a role in establishing the church.

“I’ve been around car nuts all my adult life,” said Ales. “You can mess with their wives, you can mess with their dogs, but you can’t mess with their cars. It borders on a religion with them, so I built them a church.”

The Mustang Church of America and Museum is measured at 100 x 70 feet and will open this summer. Ales will put his Mustang collections on display and has plans of hosting car shows, swap meets and even conduct blessings for two Mustang cars each year. Since they are a church, and Charles and his adopted son Robert Brunch just happens to be ordained ministers, they’ll be conducting Sunday services, just like what regular churches do.

However, what people will probably remember the church for is not the number of Mustangs it has on display, but for the mural it has on its wall. Instead of having a crucifix on the wall, Ales’ church will instead have a mural of Jesus driving a ’66 Mustang. Talk about Jesus racing down the highway just to save your life.

Sources: Top Gear, Auto Blog, POPFi