Friday 15 June 2012

Audi publicizes Audi A1 Amplified Special version for European Market

The German automobile maker, Audi has announced a special version of the A1 model, called the “Ampilified”. According to Audi, the car which is able of making a total output over 120 horsepower is scheduled to be open in Europe in the close to future (correct date has yet to be announced).

The A1 Amplified Special Edition is available in 3 levels of trim, first level is the Amplified, and second level is the Amplified Plus and the third level is Amplified Advanced and available in two different external colors such as Misano Red and Glacier White. The first level of the car, the Amplified has been outfitted with some standard features such as black top, fresh back spoiler and mirror caps, a set of 5-spoke 17" alloy wheels and fit style seats.

The second level of the car, the A1 Amplified Plus comes with a back diffuser, LED lights, LED cabin lighting method, vital console with stainless steel pedals. In the meantime the top-of-the-line model, the Audi A1 Amplified Advanced has been outfitted with more exclusive features such as aerodynamic elements, redesigned spoiler, colored windows, Xenon headlights, 18" alloy wheels and much more.

Monday 30 January 2012

Smart Car Crash Tested

Hilarious video recording of smart four two crash tests (including hitting a concrete wall at 70mph) for a while now. Well, the NHTSA has finally crashed a few smarts in the name of insurance ratings security and the verdict is in: the smart is safer than you might think. The diminutive German car gets four stars for driver security and three stars for the passenger in the frontal crash test.



Side impact testing revealed five-star presentation, although a door did open throughout the test, "increasing the likelihood of passenger ejection." Granted, "Starflation" has been an issue for the NHTSA, but like an underachieving elected official, the smart is simply playing the opportunity game. The fact that the minuscule ride didn't explode into a million pieces of wound-irritating fiberglass is probably sufficient to surprise the average American consumer, who likely sees the smart as a small step up from a Segway scooter in terms of safety.

Thursday 21 July 2011

Interior and Comforts of Mazda Mazda6

The front seats of the Mazda6 are comfortable through a wide range of adjustments and have been improved for 2006. They are suitable for hard driving, with good upper body support and enough lower back support with the optional lumbar adjuster for all-day comfort. The leather Package adds cowhide to all the right places, with thankful perforations on the seating surfaces.

The rear seats are quite comfortable, whether in the sedan, hatchback or wagon. There's more than 96 cubic feet of useable space inside the Mazda6 sedan, according to the EPA measuring system, and that translates to plenty of room for four. You can squeeze in five in a pinch.

The interior design is complemented by carbon fiber, titanium and body-color finishes. The optional electroluminescent gauges are illuminated in red light, but are conventional white-on-black during the day, with nice, large and pleasing graphics. Switchgear is labeled well, legible during the day and illuminated in red at night. The heating/air conditioning system is easily controlled by three big knobs. The Bose radio does not look upscale, however, with shiny black buttons that are flush-mounted and similar in appearance. The seat heater switches are tucked away on the center console, however. Lots of open and covered storage is available, and the seat pockets and door pockets are huge. Cup holders are provided in the front and rear center consoles as well as in the door pockets.

The MazdaSpeed6 features exclusive bucket seats up front, scuff plates with stainless-steel inserts, and aluminum pedals. The cloth interior is a nice mix of fabrics, with durable looking seat bolsters and attractive door fabrics. The available Advanced Keyless Entry and Start System allows owners to open locked doors and activate the ignition just by having the electronic key with them.

The trunk of the sedan measures 15.2 cubic feet, and the compact, lateral-link rear suspension allows for a perfectly flat trunk floor. The trunk lid is designed with hinges that do not impinge on the storage space. The standard 60/40 split rear seat folds to expand luggage space. The release levers are in the trunk for security and the seat backs are spring-loaded so they fold instantly with just one pull of the release. The Mazdaspeed6 sacrifices fold-down rear seats for increased body rigidity. The 5-Door hatchback has a rear liftgate that opens to reveal a covered cargo compartment with 22.0 cubic feet of space, nearly 50 percent more than that of the sedan. Cargo space more than doubles to 58.7 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded, nearly as much as the wagon. The 60/40 split seats fold with the touch of a button and no need to remove the head rests revealing a nearly flat cargo floor. Cargo tie-downs and two hidden compartments in the side panels add versatility.

The Sport Wagon offers 33.7 cubic feet of luggage space with the rear seats up and a generous 60.4 cubic feet with them folded. Open the liftgate and you can stand fully upright, a really nice feature and a pleasant surprise the first time you discover it. Adding greatly to the wagon's utility are a retractable cargo cover shade and a barrier-type net, or dog fence, that emerges from the floor and attaches to the interior roof. Tie-down hooks are provided to secure your cargo.

Tuesday 22 March 2011

The importance of car shipping insurance

Car shipping has always been considered as a stressful task. But by proper research and planning the whole process can be executed smoothly. Most of the auto transport companies provide insurance during shipping process and this would give an assurance on the safety of your vehicle. The insurance coverage would cover the cost of repair needed as a result of some damages caused during the shipping process. The coverage amount differs from company to company. It is essentially important that before hiring an auto transport company, you must do proper research on the company for getting the appropriate coverage.

The car shipping companies with a valid license would have insurance for transporting the vehicle as well as insurance liability coverage. You must clearly understand the insurance coverage aspect while shifting the car. It is not a necessity that your car would get damaged during shipping. But insurance is a must just in case something goes wrong. Without insurance you may find yourself mending the car for damages caused during the shifting. It would be always better to take prevention better than worrying about the damages later.

Firstly, you must seek the insurance policy documents of the car shipping company. For confirming the authenticity of the documents, you can check with the auto transportations insurance provider. Sometimes, the insurance coverage offered by the company would not be enough to cover the expense of the vehicle replacement. During such times, you must contact the company's insurance agency and clarify the terms and conditions in the policy. You must ask the agency if it is possible to purchase additional coverage if coverage given by the auto transport company is inadequate. Also ask if the policy is having a limited coverage value. You must also know which parts of the vehicles would come under the coverage in case of an accident. Check if there are some exceptions to specific components which would not be covered. It is important to know what damages would be covered if the car is ruined during the shipping process.

Most importantly, the insurance coverage offered by the auto transport company should insure the car against theft and other damages. Make sure that the moving company provides you with a copy of the insurance policy so that you would have a word to say if something goes haywire. You must also make sure that before handing over the keys to the car shipping company, the car should be emptied of all personal belongings and extra fittings. Usually, the auto transporting insurance would not cover cost of loss of personal possessions which are left in the car while shipping.

It is completely your responsibility to make sure that the car would be covered if any damage happens to it while transporting. Unless you ensure the reliability of the company and its insurance before hiring them, the safety of the car would be at risk. So it is important to understand the reputation of the company and its previous service records for ensuring the credibility. Always remember the statement, prevention is better than cure.

Alfa Romeo Brera


The Alfa Romeo Brera is a sports car produced by the Italian automaker Alfa Romeo between 2005 and 2010. The Spider roadster was produced since 2006. Both cars were manufactured by Pininfarina.

The Brera originally appeared as a concept car at the 2002 Geneva Motor Show. It was designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro at Italdesign Giugiaro. The concept version was powered with a Maserati V8 engine producing around 400 PS (290 kW; 390 hp). The Brera was widely acclaimed, and production plans were subsequently announced for 2005.