Lamborghini - A Ferrari Killer?

Lamborghini Reventon

By: IC

Just like when talking about Ferrari, Lamborghini projects a clear image of power and wealth to those who own one of these super vehicles. This is an Italian company founded by Ferruccio Lamborghini in 1963, so it can be said that this car manufacturing company is fairly new, but it has kept an excellent quality and performance record which rivals that of Ferrari.

V12 Murcielago LP640

Unlike Ferrari's founder (Enzo Ferrari), Lamborghini's founded did not have a passion for racing cars like Enzo did, quite the contrary, Ferruccio Lamborghini had a tractor factory!. This tractor factory was indeed the financial base used to create the car company Lamborghini.

The origins of the company as told by Ferruccio Lamborghini's son is quite amazing. It turns out that Ferruccio went to meet Enzo Ferrari at his factory to complain about he quality of the clutch in the Ferrari 250 GT which he owned at the time (this is a sports car model of the 1950's). Enzo Ferrari then sent him away by telling him to go drive tractors because he didn't know how to drive cars. Lamborghini then had his Ferrari's clutch dismantled and realized that the clutch manufacturer was the same company which provided the clutches for his tractors!, Lamborghini then found a spare part in his warehouse which the thought might solve the problem and voila!, it did the job indeed. Ever since, Lamborghini became a dissatisfied Ferrari client and aimed to beat Ferrari in his own game.

V10 Gallardo

Ferruccio then decided that his cars would have a V12 engine so he hired Giotto Bizzarrini who worked under Ferrari's engine development team in the past.

And as it turns out, Ferrari and Lamborghini are two automotive groups which are considered rival companies, and equivalents in quality as well as price.

Ever since its creation, Lamborghini has experienced continuous sales growth. It's cars are among the most powerful, expensive and exclusive in the world, they feature several exclusive characteristics such as high tech V10 - V12 engines, carbon fiber construction and custom styling by the most prestigious automotive designers such as: Franco Scaglione, Zagato, Marcello Gandini, etc.

V12 Lamborghini Diablo

Among the most recent popular models produced by this company we have: the V12 Lamborghini Diablo reaching a maximum speed of 330km/h; the V12 Lamborghini Murcielago; the V10 Gallardo; the V12 Murcielago LP640 and last but not the least the one of a kind Lamborghini Reventon debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt Auto show. This vehicle manufacturer is without a doubt one of the best in the world.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Ferrari - The Ultimate Driving Machine

Ferrari of the Future

By: IC

When we hear someone talking about "Ferrari" the first thing that comes to mind is money. Ferrari S.p.A is an Italian sports car manufacturer, this company started by sponsoring drivers and race cars and in its origins it was never thought of or intended to manufacture their own line of high performance/quality vehicles.

This company doesn't count with the vast history other companies such as Ford count with but it nevertheless counts with an extremely high reputation, top quality standards and well known "super cars".

Today, Ferrari is a symbol of wealth among those who possess such outstanding driving machines. Price tags on these vehicles as we all know, are equivalent to full mortgages and in some cases even more. This company has been known by its active participation in Formula One racing where it has earned great status throughout the years of success.

Ferrari, as a company has been voted as one of the best companies to work for in Europe by the Financial Times, which is a British international business newspaper which comes in second to the Wall Street Journal. The founder of the company was Enzo Ferrari who died at the age of 90, in fact, one of the top models among Ferrari was named after himself "The Ferrari Enzo".


In Formula One, Ferrari is one of the oldest teams in the championship as well as one of the most successful, it holds several Formula one Records and fourteen World drivers championship titles. Among the most recognized drivers Ferrari had in their team we have: Felipe Massa (from Brazil), Michael Schumacher (Germany), Luigi Chinetti (Italy), Alain Prost (France), Eddie Irvine (Ireland), Rubens Barrichello (Brazil), Kimi Raikkonen (Finland), among many others.

Around mid 80's Ferrari classified cars according to their engine displacement such as: V6, V8 and V12; furthermore Ferraris were also classified according to their body style such as:

- "M" which stands for "modificata" meaning modified, an example of this type of car is the 575 Maranello.
- "GBT" which are closed berlinettas or coupes.
- "GTS" which are convertibles recently using the sufix "spider". Some examples of such vehicles are: F355 Spider (going from 0-100km in 4.7 seconds) and the Ferrari 360 Spider which can go from 0-62 mph in just 4.3 seconds using its 90 degree V8 F131 engine.

Examined from every angle, Ferrari as a brand, company and vehicle; is and will be a synonym of power, status and quality.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

Do You Know The Factors That Make Fast Cars Fast?

By: Gregg Hall

When you ask someone if they had an open checkbook to buy any vehicle they wanted just about every serious car lover will choose a high quality sports car. Many people may debate what exactly encompasses the term of "high quality" but all will agree that when it comes to a sports car what matters the most is speed.

1994 Dauer 962 LeMans

In sports car circles the car that is known as the fastest is the '94 Dauer 962 LeMans which blasts from zero to sixty miles per hour in only 2.6 seconds. Compare this to the Ferrari ENZO which is not only Ferrari's fastest car but also the one that most novices think of as the fastest at 3.5 seconds in the zero to sixty time. There are actually numerous other sports cars like the Corvette, Viper, and cars from Audi and Renault that are all at under 3.0 in the 0-60 testing.

So, the question for the car enthusiast is, "what is it that makes these fast cars so fast?"

The aerodynamic sleek styling that makes true sports cars so appealing to sports car lovers contributes much more than mere looks. This is also one of the primary reasons why these high performance cars are so fast, they are simply slippery against the wind resistance as they speed down the highway. This is why the designs of sports cars are tested in wind tunnels, so that the best possible drag coefficient can be achieved.

2008 Dodge Viper SRT10 Coupe

The weight of a car is another major factor in the speed of a sports car. This is the reason why race cars as well as high end sports cars are made of lightweight composite materials that help reduce the overall weight of a vehicle. Another thing that you will notice with sports cars is that they do not have large trunks or storage compartments. In fact, you are lucky to be able to fit a bag of golf clubs in the trunk or hatchback of a true sports car, in addition they usually only have two seats and have much firmer and tighter suspensions.

Lastly, the way a vehicle handles when cornering or going around curves is crucial as well. A true sports car must be able to keep up its straight-line speed when taking tight curves at high speeds. This is why the best of the high performance sports cars in the world are also rear wheel drive, the rear wheel drive set up makes for better weight distribution as the car is making turns.

All of the styling in the world won't matter if your car isn't fast, nothing is worse than a car that looks fast that isn't. To take a word from my son, they are posers.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

A Look At The New Old Mustang-The Mustang With The Retro Body

By: Gregg Hall

Ford was smart to introduce its new Mustang and it was a good year for the 2005 Ford Mustang that made good sales in the sports car venue. The new Mustang GT, which came with V-8 power, started its pricing at $24,995 with a 300-hp motor. Even though this was the only car with a stock 300hp motor in its class any import tuner can put down more power then any mustang.

Perhaps one of the best selling and most notorious models of the Mustang is the V-6 model. The car is at almost 20 grand and comes with a V-6 motor. Ford has always given what the consumer wants but also hasn't given anything turbo charged yet that I have seen. Hopefully this new Mustang can give drivers what they are looking for in a car and if not they can resort to tuners which are and can be the best of the best. Here are some of the many details about the new Mustang that you won't see anywhere else.

It has 16-inch aluminum rims that are cast, the rims are painted to give it flair and show some diversity. It gives you four disk power brakes with all season type of tire but you can change them and get better tires which is recommended . It has huge rotors and calipers to handle the speed that the car will be slowing down from at some points during ownership. Still, you can get upgrades such as a BREMBO big brake kit.

Air-conditioning goes stock with the car and it also comes stock with a rear window defroster as well. Dual power locks and windows come stock in the new mustang.

The new Mustang comes with a 210-horse power motor that makes 4.0 liter SOHC V-6 engine. Probably produces around 200 feet pounds of torque. Also comes stock with a 5 speed manual transmission also can be bought in automatic with electronic overdrive.

More features come stock like power windows, power locks, key less entry, rear wheel drive so it can be used to drift if you want, leather depending on package. There are many features to the new mustang.

Ford also provides the system in which if involved in an accident the air bags will automatically deploy to try and save your life. The buyer or owner can add anything they wish to the car to make it unique. It is advised that you customize the car and make it the way you want it.

Even though there is the Mustang there are many other cars that are beyond what the Mustang can give you. The Supra is a good one, 240sx with a swapped motor is a good one there are a number of cars that you can buy to compensate with a mustang. Like the Nissan Skyline comes with a rb26dett stock and produces over 270 horse power stock and over 280 feet pounds of torque without any upgrades.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com

2008 Audi A6 Sedan Review

A mid-size luxury car, the Audi A6 is offered as both a sedan and a wagon. The wagon is called A6 Avant.

Price:
Starting price: $ 42,950.00
The Audi A6 falls somewhere in the middle of the luxury car category. It costs a little more than its peers in the premium Japanese markets, but less than the competing German-brand models. Re-sale value for the Audi is a bit lower than cars from Audi’s chief German competitors. So consumers planning to purchase a second hand A6 will find a relatively affordable proposition.

Like other Audis, the A6 is one of the most luxurious cars available in its price range even when compared to its huge and exclusive European competition in the current automobile industry. According to recent trends, performance generally comes after luxury. But, Audi has offered a range of turbocharged and direct-injection engines over the years which have given the car plenty of personality. Along with its reputation for upscale accommodations, the A6's main selling point is its winter-weather capability. Nearly all A6s are sold with the quattro all-wheel drive system which distributes power to all four wheels, though Audi typically offers an entry-level front-wheel-drive model as well.

There are 3 generations of the Audi A6 to consider. The current generation, which dates to 2005, offers by far the best package of attention-getting style, entertaining driving dynamics and sparkling furnishings. The second generation A6, available from 1998 to 2004, was also a fine luxury car, though its handling characteristics and exterior design never really set it apart from the multitude of excellent sedans and wagons in this price range.

With its clean lines and over-sized grille, the current Audi A6 is one of the most distinctive mid-size luxury cars on the market. The A6 Avant is also one of the few mid-size luxury wagons on the market, and with a 34-cubic-foot cargo bay behind its rear seat, it makes a practical yet elegant choice for families with a large dog or double stroller in tow.


Enhancements:
The A6 can be equipped with all the usual luxury car appointments, including a high-end audio system, voice-activated navigation system and Bluetooth wireless capability. Most are accessed via Audi's easy-to-use Multi-Media Interface (MMI) vehicle management system. It sounds complicated, but with its logical menus and ergonomically designed, all-in-one control knob, MMI is a snap to learn.

Performance:
The Audi A6 is available with either a V6 or V8 engine. The engines are smooth and refined, though the V6 is taxed by the A6's 4,000-pound curb weight. Acceleration is certainly passable, but most other V6-equipped luxury cars are quicker. The A6 rides comfortably on the highway, and while it's not the most athletic car in its class, our editors like its predictable, nimble feel through the corners.

The second-generation A6 sedan arrived on the market in 1998 and benefited from a ground-up redesign; an all-new version of the Avant wagon debuted the following year. This was the first Audi A6 to ride on a stretched version of the highly regarded A4 platform, and the two have been platform mates ever since. For the first two years, only a naturally aspirated V6 was available, but in 2000, Audi added a spirited twin-turbocharged V6 and a torque-rich V8 to the engine lineup for the sedan. Given that acceleration tended to be sluggish with the base V6, particularly on the hefty A6 Avant quattro wagon, Audi began offering a larger, more powerful six-cylinder in 2002. Additionally, the company introduced a Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) on front-wheel-drive models that year.

The original A6 came to market in 1995 as a lightly revised version of the old Audi 100 sedan and wagon. Although prices on used A6 models from this era are convincingly low, consumers should be aware that only one engine -- a 172-horsepower V6 -- is available on these cars. With the lightest A6 sedan weighing in at 3,400 pounds, acceleration is modest at best. However, much like newer Audis, this A6 was nicely appointed and offered a choice of front-wheel drive or quattro all-wheel drive.

India to make Hyundai i10 for the world

In its most aggressive launch in the Indian market since the Santro eight years ago, Hyundai Motor India (HMIL) unveiled the much-awaited compact car i10 which will cost Rs 3.39 lakh with a boom and of course Shahrukh Khan.


The new car is expected to be a major volume player for the Korean car maker and may surpass the Santro (2 lakh cars were sold annually in India, as well as exported) in the next two years.

The i10 will be available in 10 colours. It will be exported to over 70 countries, Jae Kook Choi, president, Hyundai Motor Company, told reporters at the launch function for the i10.

Hyundai aims to sell about 2,00,000 units (i10, Santro and Getz together) in Asia, Europe, West Asia as well as other regions next year.

All reports regarding the issue that Hyundai may stop making the popular Santro (available in seven variants in a price band of Rs 2.9 lakh to Rs 4.18 lakh), are wrong. The i10 is positioned as a car for people who are looking to upgrade their existing car.

Placed in the compact segment, i10 will take on popular car models from the Maruti stable including Wagon R LX (Rs 3.31 lakh), Zen Estilo (Rs 3.24 lakh) and Tata’s Indica V2 Xeta (Rs 3.49 lakh). All prices are from an ex-showroom in Delhi.

According to figures made available by the Society of Indian Automobile Manufacturers, Hyundai Motor’s car exports gained 14 per cent to 67,625 units between April and September this year, constituting 68 per cent of all car exports from India in the half-year period.

Ford Mustang - Fast Sport Cars

By: IC

2008 Ford Shelby GT- H Mustang Convertible

Ford is a well known brand across the world, it owns 33% of Mazda known by its modern cars featured in films such as the Fast and the Furious, Jaguar, Aston Martin and many others. From its many car models, one of the most famous is the Mustang. Manufactured and engineered to be a muscle car, this particular car model stands away from the rest by it unique design and power. The best part is that due to this model's reputation the company keeps improving and redesigning it to deliver a high quality driving machine every single time.

Ford Mustangs are highly customizable sport cars and in recent years have shown many modifications to its design. The wheelbase in both versions (convertible and coupe) are 101.3 inches, the curb weight varies just a tiny bit from the convertible to the coupe models, the curb weight of a mustang 2 door convertible is 3257 pounds while the two door coupe is 3077 pounds. As far as fuel capacity both models, convertible and coupe can hold up to 15.4 gallons. Both models can comfortably accommodate 4 passengers.

As far as design, second and third Mustang generations were not as good as the first one but the machinery quality improved. Second and third generations range from 1974-1993. During the 1980s Mustangs were going through a hard transition when Ford announced that they would replace the rear-wheel drive Mustang with a Mazda-derived four wheel drive version, luckily for them and its clients the fourth generation of Mustangs came along, this generation of fords is almost as welcomed as the first due to the significant redesign this model went through.

2008 Ford Shelby GT Cabriolet Interior

The 1994 Mustang coupe was starting to show signs of potential and greatness but it wasn't until 1995 when the GTS model was introduced to the market. In 1996 Mustang's engine went through a major upgrade, this is when the Windsor 5.0 L engine was replaced by 215 horse power 4.6L SOHC Modular V8 engine and in 1998 the SOHC engine was increased to 225 HP through aggressive PCM calibration a larger exhaust and a modified fuel system.

As far as power, the 3.8 V6 engine sent developed 145-190 horsepower, the GT 5.0L V8 sends 240 hp to the back axle.

In 1994-2004 models Mustang GT's power was increased to 260hp and consumers have loved this car ever since, that's not even mentioning the awesome "MODs" available which include new decals, bumpers, paint work, rims, etc. Not only it is extremely reliable and stylish but many consumers have reported that it's stereo system beats any other manufacturer-installed car stereo in the market, it has an extremely good bass, the midrange is perfectly set as well as the highs.

Aston Martin is also an outstanding fast and high end Ford-owned driving machine which delivers great power, speed and style but that's another article.

Article Source: http://www.articlerich.com