Buying Green Cars picture

trend modifications audio cars

Modifying your car has been a popular pastime for many years. By modifying your car you are able to put your own unique personal touches on the vehicle to make it stand out from the rest. There are many cosmetic modifications that don't make the car run any different, but then that's not the point 90 percent of the time! More often car modification is done just to make your car look better or give it a more aggressive race like appearance. These types of modification are simple and will make your car stand out from the rest with very little work. As for the cost of car modifications, that is an altogether different story. Parts are freely available off the shelf from companies such as Spareco, Koni and Spax. For example you can buy Spax suspension, Janspeed exhausts, Momo rims and steering wheels, body kits, light alloy pedals, leather or led lit gear knobs, Corbeau race seats and even race harnesses.

Honda VFR 1200F

The Powersports division of American Honda Motor Company today announced the globally anticipated 2010 VFR1200F – the bike that was touted to showcase the next generation of Honda technology. The VFR has always been Honda’s technology flagship, and the new machine not only holds true to the tradition but also brings back to life Honda’s V4 heritage. The bike draws heavily from the state-of-the-art MotoGP tech to cater seamlessly to all genres of riders.
Staying true to Honda’s promise of a tech-fest, the bizarre looking new bike incorporates a whole array of the latest wonders of the biking technology. The new generation V4 engine leads the technology bonanza of the VFR and as Honda puts it, ‘sets the stage for Honda’s next 50 years.’

The 1237cc 76 degree V4 powerplant dishes out more than 175PS at 10,000rpm and a torque of 129rpmat 8750rpm. The bike, for the first time in the history of two-wheelers, also features a dual clutch automatic transmission that can also be used in the manual mode. The bike also features F1-car like paddle shifters in manual mode.

The rest of the features of the bike are way too many to list down in a small news report. Here, however is a brief of all the new stuff that the bike features.
• Honda MotoGP V-4 engine technology and architecture bring cutting-edge performance to the VFR1200F.
• Unique cylinder layout with rear two cylinders located innermost on the crankshaft and front cylinders located outboard narrows the rider interface aboard the VFR1200F.
• Throttle By Wire for next-generation throttle response.
• Optional Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission with manual mode and automatic mode with two D/S modes and paddle-style shifters offers unparalleled freedom through innovative technology.
• Next-generation shaft drive system with offset pivot point and sliding constant-velocity joint for a new level of shaft-drive performance and control.
• Transferable one-year, unlimited-mileage limited warranty; extended coverage available with a Honda Protection Plan.

Engine/Drivetrain
• Light and compact 1237cc liquid-cooled 76-degree V-4 pumps out amazing levels of power with a distinctive V-4 feel and sound.
• Symmetrically Coupled Phase-shift Crankshaft uses 28-degree crankpin offset to eliminate primary engine vibration.
• Asymmetrical exhaust lengths between front and rear cylinders boost power production and enhance power feel.
• Lightweight and compact Unicam® valvetrain allows for significantly smaller cylinder heads.
• Honda slipper clutch in manual-shift model allows unencumbered sport riding.
Chassis/Suspension
• GP technology layer-concept aero fairing for unrivaled air management.
• Honda Pro Arm® single-sided swingarm with single gas-charged shock delivers cutting-edge rear suspension action; features handy remote spring preload adjuster, rebound damping adjustability and 5.1 inches of travel.
• Stout, sport-oriented 43mm inverted cartridge fork with spring preload adjustability and 4.7 inches of travel.
• New controls with smoother and more precise tactile feel enhance the riding experience.
• New-technology seat construction permits a higher level of seat shaping and forming details.
• Saddlebag mounts come standard on both versions of the VFR1200F

Model: VFR1200F / VFR1200F with Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission
Engine Type: 1237cc liquid-cooled 76° V-4
Bore and Stroke: 81mm x 60mm
Compression Ratio: 12.0:1
Valve Train: SOHC; four valves per cylinder
Induction: PGM-FI with automatic enrichment circuit, 44mm throttle bodies and 12-hole injectors
Ignition: Digital transistorized with electronic advance
Transmission: Six-speed (VFR1200F) / Six-speed automatic with two modes and manual mode (VFR1200F with Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission)
Final Drive: Shaft
Suspension: Front: 43mm cartridge fork with spring preload adjustability; 4.7 inches travel
Rear: Pro Arm single-side swingarm with Pro-Link® single gas-charged shock with remote spring preload adjustability and rebound damping adjustability; 5.1 inches travel
Brakes: Front: Dual full-floating 320mm discs with CBS six-piston calipers with ABS
Rear: Single 276mm disc with CBS two-piston caliper with ABS
Tires Front: 120/70 ZR17 radial
Rear: 190/55 ZR17 radial
Wheelbase: 60.8 inches (1545mm)
Rake (Caster angle): 25°30’
Trail: 101.0mm (4.0 inches)
Seat Height: 32.1 inches (815mm)
Fuel Capacity: 4.9 gallons
Color: Red

Curb Weight*: 591 pounds (VFR1200F) / 613 pounds (VFR1200F with Dual Clutch Automatic Transmission)

Tiny concept cars at the Frankfurt auto show

The Citroen Revolte features suicide doors and a lounge-style rear seat.

Small is clearly in, as these concepts show. And since concept cars are a bellwether for upcoming automotive trends, expect downsizing to be commonplace among new cars. Most of these concepts are lightweight city cars, easily maneuverable and economical. Mini's entrants add a sporty flavor, while Citroen and Hyundai go for the futuristic. Mazda showed off a stripped-down version of its MX-5, more weekend racer than everyday driver.

AVOIDING RIP-OFFS AND MISTAKES ON CAR REPAIRS

One of the largest rip-off and scam operations that have been operating since Henry Ford rolled the first Model-T off the assembly line, is the Auto Repair Industry.Like any other industry, these operations have a target demographic. Having worked in the industry for over 25 years, the writer of this blog knows all too well that ignorance pays off big. Targeting Older folks and women, with the "keyword" being "safety" , has a huge payoff when selling uneeded parts and services at Auto Repair facilities. The silent agenda of the counter salesmen and auto service writer at dealerships and tire outlets across America has always been to hit your sales quota the easy way by preying on the weak , unknowing and uneducated, but yet trusting soul. A great deal of Vehicle owners are absolutely clueless when someone tells them, they have a bad Oxygen Sensor or that thier Mass Air Flow Sensor is bad. Thats just an example. Parts swapping until the problem is fixed happens everyday, but its not a problem for the slick tongued salesman, the customer just wants the car fixed, and wants it fixed now!! Money isn't a problem either, as most major repair chains offer Credit Card deals, like 90 days, same as cash. This will alow them to squeeze out evry dime they can.Stay on top of How To Avoid Auto Repair Rip-Offs and Mistakes and learn how to avoid the wrong shops, Covering topics from simple routine oil change information, that everyone needs to know, to major repairs. Fortunately, there are still some honest mechanics still out there! Learn to ask all of the right questions and how to spot a shoddy operation. An educated consumer saves money and headaches! Don't be a victim!!

Look for weekly updates and subscribe to this blog, there will be information you will eventually need to know, especially if your a woman, or or a senior citizen!!

2010 Yamahas

The 2010 Yamaha R6 gets new colours and an ECU upgrade

Yamaha have announced the 2010 YZF-R6 and, well, apart from new colours the bike seems to the same as the 2009 model. Yamaha claim the R6’s ECU has been remapped and the exhaust system has been redesigned, for a bit more torque at lower revs and improved mid-range power delivery.

The other ‘new’ bike announced for 2010 is the XJ6 Diversion F, which comes with a new fairing for improved aerodynamics and weather protection. The bike is available in blue and black.

The 2010 Yamaha FZ1 and FZ1 Fazer also get revised ECU mapping for more consistent low- and mid-range power delivery.

And finally, there’s the 2010 Yamaha TMax, which is now in its 10th year of production and is now available in white, with a two-tone seat and titanium-polished wheels.

Yamaha say they understand if you aren’t thrilled to bits. No, well, they don’t. But we do wish their 2010 bikes were a bit more exciting…

From top: The 2010 Yamaha XJ6 F Diversion, Fazer, FZ1 and TMax

Audi R8 Spyder Officially Revealed

We've already brought you the leaked photos, but today, on the eve of the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi went ahead and officially released the topless Spyder 5.2 FSI Quattro completing the range of the R8 supercar that was offered up until now exclusively in coupe form. Featuring a lightweight cloth top that automatically opens and closes with a touch of a button in 19 seconds, the R8 Spyder comes equipped with the most powerful engine in the R8 line-up, the 5.2-liter V10 that generates a hefty 525 horsepower.

Along with the hard top, the R8 Spyder lost the coupe's trademark side blades but gained a anodized aluminum coating for the windscreen surround and a newly designed engine cover that houses two arched cowls, which extend to the spoiler lip and include large, integrated air vents.

If you must know, the cover over the storage compartment for the cloth top, which by the way, is offered with a choice of three colors, is made from a carbon fiber composite material.

Inside, what makes this R8 different (other than the fact that its passengers can have an unobtrusive view of the sky, that is), is the specific trim and some special goodies such as the leather for the seats which is colored with pigments to reflect the infrared component of sunlight keeping the seats up to 20 degrees Celsius cooler (always according to the automaker).

The Spyder also comes equipped with a heated glass window, which is separate from the cloth top and can be raised and lowered at the press of a button, with the top up or down. as well as with an additional net-like wind deflector.

Audi says that the soft top's approximate weight is 30 kg (66 lb) while the necessary reinforcements in the area of the sills, the center tunnel, the rear wall, the floor pan and the A- and B-pillars, result in a weight increase of just 6 kilograms (13 lb) over the R8 Coupe.

The overall weight of the Spyder 5.2 FSI with the manual transmission is 1,720 kg (3,792 lbs) or a mere 25 kg (55 lbs) more than the respective R8 Coupe model.

The 5.2-liter V10 engine that produces 525 horsepower is coupled to a six-speed manual gearbox as standard or an optional automatic six-speed transmission optionally that send power to all four wheels.

Audi has announced a 0-100 km/h (62 mph) sprint time of 4.1 seconds, meaning that the Spyder is two-tenths of a second slower than the coupe. The Spyder hits the 200km/h (124mph) mark in 12.7 seconds while top speed is 313 km/h (195 mph) with the six-speed manual transmission.

Those that opt for the stick shift will see a theoretical average consumption in the combined cycle of 14.9 lt/100km (15.8 US mpg). With R tronic, this figure improves to 13.9 liters (16.9 US mpg).

The open-top two-seater will be launched in its home market in the first quarter of 2010 with a base price of €156,400 which comes to around $228,600 USD with the current exchange rates.