Monday, November 2, 2015

The Belly Of The car

In most of the cases, being lucky during a car auctions is something really good. You might have the luck to land on a good deal and thus, if you are patient enough and you are careful to keep your eyes on the offers, then you might be successful at landing on a goo deals. Therefore, you will be able to benefit from really good offers and you will feel most happy about it. The perks will be even larger if you manage to limit yourself to the budge that you really have and thus, you will be able to not go overboard with the buying of a car. However, what will happen if you don't find anyone there to help you in your quest to buy a car? Will that imply that you are advised to keep away from auctions, because you will not be able to handle the challenge? Nonetheless you will need to look after yourself and be careful when participating in an auction, even though you might not be experienced at participating in a car auction. Nonetheless, what you need to do is to actually become part of the auction and not always keep aside from becoming involved in the auction. Even though you land into trouble, you might find a way to pull you out of the situation. Look and scrutinize a car carefully Whenever you are scrutinizing over a certain car, you might need to look at odometers and start calculating. This isn't however the only thing on your list. You will also have to look at the mileage of the car and see how much it has been torn by the weather or by the conditions in which it has been kept. Also, you might want to find out how many owners the car had had in the past and also, look for other signs and imperfections. For instance, the cars which had run more might need more on the maintenance side while other cars might have been sturdier. Also, instead of looking at the mileage, you might want to be on the watch for different things that might occur while you are searching for the perfect car. One such thing is rust. When you are checking a car, you might want to get under it and start looking for rust over it. The rust might appear over some areas while it might be under the belly of the car. Or, in other cases, the signs might appear on the other side of the car. Therefore, you might want to give to the surface of the car some sort of rap. If you look under the wheels you might also be able to find some rust there. Therefore, if you find any signs of rust, that means that car has actually been used a lot in the past. If you see just tiny amounts of rust, then that is probably going to be OK but if the rust is pretty prevalent on exterior surfaces, then you might expect that the interior is also full of rust, which is not a good thing. Therefore, many owners might want to replace certain parts of a car and usually, they would do that with the parts that will become rusty in the future. Therefore, if you stumble across rust you might want to check the exhaust tube. If there are no holes or any other parts hanging from it, then the exhaust fumes part is OK. Also, you might benefit from observing how the driver during the car auction is maneuvering the car. Is he or she having trouble shifting the gear or does he or she have any problems moving the car? If so, then you might want to talk with the driver and make sure you are having no problems. Once again, it is advisable that you look carefully for any signs or damage to the car, because you will be the one paying for the repair of those if you decide to buy the car. If you happen to observe something that is not in place and that is not functioning the way it should, then an alarm should be triggered in your mind. The sounds could help you change your mind If you are a regular visitor to the car auction, then you will need to find out a lot more on cars. For instance you might even be able to distinguish between sounds that are usual in a car and sounds that are unusual. For instance, if you happen to hear any extra dings, chugs, pings or clanks then that means the car will be likely to have some problems in the future. Also, while you might be that kind of an expert to discern between sounds, you might still be able to have a general idea of what you should hear and what you should not hear. Therefore, it is important that you keep in mind what is good to hear and what is not. Once the auction finishes, you will then be able to visit a professional, for instance a mechanic and then find out what is happening to the sounds and from where they are coming from. A mechanic working in the field might help you answer some of these questions that you might have.

A Car Deal

Thankfully, the times are changing. Tough regulations, a challenging economy, and better informed consumers make it tough for the old-school, shady car dealers to stick around. But they are still out there. The question is - how do you avoid them? Most people can pick out a shady dealer, but their desire for a deal makes them ignore obvious red flags. Sometimes, low prices on the internet are low for a reason. A shady car dealer is cheap because he spends less money on reconditioning, meeting industry regulations, keeping current with licensing, bonding, and insurance, and employees. A reputable dealer will have a clean, open facility with many administrative, sales, and service employees. Licenses and bonds will be clearly displayed and available for inspection. A quick online search should reveal a significant web presence including state registrations, a well-designed website, online reviews, a Better Business Bureau membership, and several points of contact. A shady dealer will have few or none of these things in addition to some clear red flags: A hole-in the wall facility is a red flag. A car deal takes significant capital and administrative support to execute. Any dealer with one or two employees is unlikely to be in business tomorrow, much less handle your transaction ethically behind the scenes. Ask yourself, do you trust these people in this facility with your financial information and well-being? Do you trust them to be in business five-years from now? No service department is a red flag. Who inspects their vehicles? Who will fix your vehicle if it breaks down the day after you buy it? No web presence is a red flag. Positive reviews, several points of contact, social media, Better Business Bureau, and a well-designed website are all signs that this a dealer who cares about his online reputation and presence. A dealer with no web presence doesn't really care if you bad-mouth him on Google reviews. No documentation is a red flag. Here's a Car Pro tip: If it's not written down, it doesn't exist. If a dealer said he did a 1,487-point inspection on the car but can't show you a copy of the inspection, the inspection doesn't exist. If he says it's a good car but won't give you some kind of written warranty, the "good" car is just a car. Resistance is a red flag. How does he feel about you taking the car to your mechanic? How does he feel about providing you with an AutoCheck? Will he let you see a copy of the title? Will he let you call the bank that you are getting the loan with? Hesitation or resistance is a red flag. I could do this all day.

Wreced Yu car

You may have wrecked your car, but it's still worth much. If you believe this statement with all your heart, you need to make your decisions one step at a time. You have two options. 1) Make the necessary repairs for the damage in your car. 2) Sell it as a car and buy a new one. The first option will require more effort than the latter, but you will spend more if you buy a new car. As it has always been, the choice is yours. However, if you end up choosing the second option, you can't allow yourself to be dumb enough to take up the first car deal you encounter in your neighborhood or on the Internet. It helps to think like Sherlock Holmes a bit and observe what's in your plate. Besides, it's fun. Know what your car is worth If you bought the car yourself, obtaining the necessary information won't be a problem. But if it's a gift (or the like), then you have to find out every vital information with regard to your car and its market value-everything from the model to your car's title. You need all your papers so that you will be prepared for future transactions. Read up Do your research. Learn the tricks of the trade. Find out how junk car dealers do their business. When you do this, there's a lesser possibility of you being fooled and left with lesser money than you deserve for your car. You can't buy a mere marketing slogan like, "We buy junk cars for cash." There are thousands of junk car dealers all over the country. Salesmen will say anything as long as they it can give them the sale. You have to be clever and choose your decisions wisely. This may just be a car deal, but it's a deal nonetheless. You may need this as practice for bigger deals later on. Surround yourself with the right people And speaking of choosing your decisions wisely, it won't hurt to be surrounded with people you can trust as well. Family and friends are a start. It will greatly benefit you if you ask for the advice of family members and friends who have knowledge or already have an experience when it comes to selling cars. If you don't have someone close to you who can help you decide, you can join car-related forums on the Internet and ask advice from there. Collect and select What should you be collecting? Junk car dealers and companies of course. Collect the most promising companies and compare them. It's better of you pick a top 5 or a top 3 to help you select easier later. Because you've done your research about these companies and their deals, you will know which junk car dealer has the most benefits in your list. Be confident though, that you will enjoy a free towing from ever y dealer in your list. This business has a tight competition as well. They have to even out the perks.

User Car salema

When you say "used car salesman," a very specific picture starts to form. Greasy, aggressive, sweaty handshake--everyone has had a bad experience with this type of pushy salesman. It is unfortunate, but when you need a vehicle at a low price, sometimes the only way to get the deal you need is to go to a used car dealership. The fact is that while the stereotype exists for a reason, many pre-owned lots are actually very reputable establishments with employees who genuinely want to give you a great deal. However, even when your defenses are already up, it can be difficult to spot the wolves among the sheep. Here are a few methods that can help you determine if you've found a gem or walked into the lion's den. Dirty Office When a company cares about their customers, it is reflected in the cleanliness of the establishment. A dirty bathroom, a disorganized desk, ripped waiting room chairs--anything of the like screams that this car dealership is too concerned with fooling customers with numbers to take the time to grab a scrub brush. If you feel uncomfortable sitting in the office, there's a good chance you'll feel uncomfortable driving away in one of their vehicles. Aggressive Up-sale Ultimately, sales boils down to two major philosophies--the consultant and the peddler. The consultant is someone who genuinely wants to help you find something that will make your life better. This type of salesman wants to meet your true needs while educating you about what is available. On the other hand, the peddler has already decided what you're going to buy before you've finished parking, and his goal is to convince you to take whatever he wants to sell. You'll be able to spot the difference in their method of up-selling. The consultant will ask you questions, listen to your answers, and recommend several different options for you to choose from based on your needs. The peddler may ask questions, but he is merely looking for buzzwords in order to figure out which features he can push on you. This will be especially evident when you resist the first up-sale. The consultant will usually understand why a feature may not be important to you. They may potentially give a counter argument, but they will ultimately move on. In contrast, the peddler will continually return to his main selling feature, because whether you need it or not, whatever he wants you to buy gives him the biggest bump in commission. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/8775479

Friday, March 11, 2011

Morgan Plus Four Experience



Morgan Plus Four Experience

Cornwall, a county somewhat removed from the rest of Britain, a land of mists and moor, rugged cliffs and, well some great roads actually!
My wife and I decided that we needed a break from the humdrum of daily life, and decided to stay for a long weekend in one of our favourite hotels in Cornwall. We hadn't had a break for over a year, so I decided to go a little over the top and hire a Morgan classic sports car for the weekend.
The model supplied was a 2.0 litre "plus four" 2 seater convertible. With its running boards and spoked wheels, the car looks like something from the "golden age" of motoring.
Getting into the car is a little awkward, but the doors open and stay open at ninety degrees which helps. It's quite a long way down into the leather bucket seats, but once you have managed to get your right foot inside the car you feel very comfortable indeed.
The seats are adjustable for legroom and the angle of the backrest, and there is certainly plenty of legroom in terms of length, but the width means that both the driver and passenger are limited in width. However, ones legs rest on well padded material, so it's really surprisingly comfortable.
The first thing one notices once one is sitting in the car is the front view. A long, narrow bonnet and front wings topped with side lights is most impressive. The front of the car looks a long way away!
Inside the car one is almost sitting on the rear wheels, so there is no boot space, other than a shelf behind the seats, but this was enough for two large overnight cases. Any sort of suitcase bigger than that which would be allowed in the cabin of a passenger jet would be too big to fit in the car.
The mechanism for the fold down roof is a simple affair. One simply undoes two press studs that secure the side of the roof to the side of the car, and then undoes two clips, one on each side of the top corner of the windscreen, then folds the whole thing backwards. The rear of the roof is held by two bonnet type spring clips, and these are undone by means of a lever inside the car, on the side behind the driver's door. Lifting the back of the roof in this way is the easiest way to get into the "boot".
The best way to drive this car is with the roof down. With the roof up, one is adequately protected from the elements, (it rained very hard on our second day with the car), and the one modern accessory, the heated front screen, is very efficient at keeping condensation forming on the screen. However, getting in and out of the car with the roof down is much more difficult than with it up, and visibility to both rear quarters is severely restricted by the side of the roof. However, this is a car of yesteryear, and built for its own sake, rather than to fulfil the latest safety requirements.
That's probably why the steering wheel, a steel and wood rimmed affair is so refreshing - no airbag!
The particular model we were hiring was powered by a two valve per cylinder two litre engine. With one hundred and twenty six horse power it's no mean machine, and with a 0 - 60 time somewhere over nine seconds it's not particularly fast either.
However out on the road I loved it. An active rear axle, where the axle travels up and down on a fixed pin, means that the car corners absolutely flat. The exhaust note is a pleasant change to the sterile silence of today's modern motorcars, and the whole experience of being in a classic British sports car gives you a feeling of gentle superiority.
Because it's not a modern sports car, luxury car or supercar, people seem to smile when they see you, rather than take offence at an expensive, modern luxury car.
The Cornish lanes are made for this car. Because you can see the dimensions of the car so easily, and because it is a relatively narrow vehicle, you can just "point and shoot" where you want to go. The steering has no power assistance, but is pin sharp and combined with an almost lazy power delivery from the engine, one can swoop around the lanes without too much worry about what may be coming the other way.
Inevitably, given the limited width of the foot wells, the pedals are close together. The accelerator pedal is an organ type, so you can rest your whole foot on it, and the clutch and brake pedals protrude from the floor. And herein lie my two points of dissatisfaction.
Firstly, there is no way to stretch your left leg, as you cannot get your foot behind the pedals. This means that any long journey is going to be tiring, as your left leg remains bent at the knee the whole time.
Secondly, the brakes. Servo assisted front disc brakes with rear drum brakes result in a lack of "feel". One has to press down hard on the brake pedal, and there is quite a bit of travel in the pedal before the brakes start to work. One gets used to this, but it's hard work all the same.
In conclusion, a great fun car that does exactly what you would expect. Not fast, not a practical day to day car, but a real driver's car with great handling. A classic.

Thursday, March 10, 2011

Morgan Plus Four Experience


Morgan Plus Four Experience

Cornwall, a county somewhat removed from the rest of Britain, a land of mists and moor, rugged cliffs and, well some great roads actually!

My wife and I decided that we needed a break from the humdrum of daily life, and decided to stay for a long weekend in one of our favourite hotels in Cornwall. We hadn't had a break for over a year, so I decided to go a little over the top and hire a Morgan classic sports car for the weekend.

The model supplied was a 2.0 litre "plus four" 2 seater convertible. With its running boards and spoked wheels, the car looks like something from the "golden age" of motoring.

Getting into the car is a little awkward, but the doors open and stay open at ninety degrees which helps. It's quite a long way down into the leather bucket seats, but once you have managed to get your right foot inside the car you feel very comfortable indeed.

The seats are adjustable for legroom and the angle of the backrest, and there is certainly plenty of legroom in terms of length, but the width means that both the driver and passenger are limited in width. However, ones legs rest on well padded material, so it's really surprisingly comfortable.

The first thing one notices once one is sitting in the car is the front view. A long, narrow bonnet and front wings topped with side lights is most impressive. The front of the car looks a long way away!

Inside the car one is almost sitting on the rear wheels, so there is no boot space, other than a shelf behind the seats, but this was enough for two large overnight cases. Any sort of suitcase bigger than that which would be allowed in the cabin of a passenger jet would be too big to fit in the car.

The mechanism for the fold down roof is a simple affair. One simply undoes two press studs that secure the side of the roof to the side of the car, and then undoes two clips, one on each side of the top corner of the windscreen, then folds the whole thing backwards. The rear of the roof is held by two bonnet type spring clips, and these are undone by means of a lever inside the car, on the side behind the driver's door. Lifting the back of the roof in this way is the easiest way to get into the "boot".

The best way to drive this car is with the roof down. With the roof up, one is adequately protected from the elements, (it rained very hard on our second day with the car), and the one modern accessory, the heated front screen, is very efficient at keeping condensation forming on the screen. However, getting in and out of the car with the roof down is much more difficult than with it up, and visibility to both rear quarters is severely restricted by the side of the roof. However, this is a car of yesteryear, and built for its own sake, rather than to fulfil the latest safety requirements.

That's probably why the steering wheel, a steel and wood rimmed affair is so refreshing - no airbag!

The particular model we were hiring was powered by a two valve per cylinder two litre engine. With one hundred and twenty six horse power it's no mean machine, and with a 0 - 60 time somewhere over nine seconds it's not particularly fast either.

However out on the road I loved it. An active rear axle, where the axle travels up and down on a fixed pin, means that the car corners absolutely flat. The exhaust note is a pleasant change to the sterile silence of today's modern motorcars, and the whole experience of being in a classic British sports car gives you a feeling of gentle superiority.

Because it's not a modern sports car, luxury car or supercar, people seem to smile when they see you, rather than take offence at an expensive, modern luxury car.

The Cornish lanes are made for this car. Because you can see the dimensions of the car so easily, and because it is a relatively narrow vehicle, you can just "point and shoot" where you want to go. The steering has no power assistance, but is pin sharp and combined with an almost lazy power delivery from the engine, one can swoop around the lanes without too much worry about what may be coming the other way.

Inevitably, given the limited width of the foot wells, the pedals are close together. The accelerator pedal is an organ type, so you can rest your whole foot on it, and the clutch and brake pedals protrude from the floor. And herein lie my two points of dissatisfaction.

Firstly, there is no way to stretch your left leg, as you cannot get your foot behind the pedals. This means that any long journey is going to be tiring, as your left leg remains bent at the knee the whole time.

Secondly, the brakes. Servo assisted front disc brakes with rear drum brakes result in a lack of "feel". One has to press down hard on the brake pedal, and there is quite a bit of travel in the pedal before the brakes start to work. One gets used to this, but it's hard work all the same.

In conclusion, a great fun car that does exactly what you would expect. Not fast, not a practical day to day car, but a real driver's car with great handling. A classic.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Cars - Audi R8


Cars - Audi R8


Audi, as part of the Volkswagen Group, wasn't always known for their sports cars. Most Audis are sleek, stylish and fast, but they never really stacked up against legitimate sports cars like models from Ferrari and Porsche. All of this changed in 2006 with Audi's introduction of the R8 V10 road car.

The R8 V10 road car wasn't exactly a new design idea by Audi. In fact, the R8 was nearly a decade old by the time Audi decided it should be produced for basic road ownership. There were two models of Audi R8 built in 1999 for the 24-hour Le Mans, the R8R and R8C. There was also the Audi R8 racecar built in 2000, and there's an Audi R8 Le Mans Concept 12-cylinder diesel in the works.

Audi announced its plans to transform the R8 into a V10 road car in 2005 and had planned on it being available by 2007. The idea was to create something unique and original while not completely abandoning the R8 concept that made Audi's racecars so successful. The production went to one of Audi's subsidiaries, quattro GmbH.

The end result of quattro's involvement was a mid-sized, 2-seater sports coupe with a longitudinally-mounted mid-engine and the patented permanent four-wheel drive system. The R8 is said to be very similar to the Gallardo from Lamborghini, and the V10 engine it uses certainly earns it a top slot in the high performance category.

There have since been other versions of the R8, including the R8 Spider and a V8 version of the automobile. The original R8 V10 by Audi was available in most locations around the globe by the end of 2008, and the car is still in production today.

The similarities found between the R8 V10 and the Lamborghini Gallardo models are present for a reason - Audi AG owns Lamborghini. So they decided to use some of the same parts and design features, including the chassis, floorpan, transmission and the large, powerful engine.

Audi's R8 V10 is also unique in many aspects. The body's aluminum-composite construction is a newer material that provides the ultimate strength with a lighter weight than most other carbon materials. There's also a thorough safety feature on board, called the Bosch ESP 8.0 Electronic Stability Programme. This includes ABS, distribution, regulation, differential and airbag features.

For most car enthusiasts, Audi's R8 is just another in a long line of sleek-looking sports cars without the powerhouse V10 engine. The V10 is basically the same engine used in the super-fast Lamborghini, only with a few improvements.

Audi's R8 V10 uses a 5.2 liter FSI internal combustion engine. It can reach a top speed (electronically controlled) of 200 MPH and can reach 60 MPH in only 3.9 seconds. The V10 produces 516 horsepower and, overall, the R8 costs around $146,000 USD.

Toyota Hybrid Sports Car


Toyota Hybrid Sports Car



Every loyal customer to Toyota and the people behind the company itself are looking forward to 2008. Why? Because that is the slated release for the much-awaited Toyota hybrid sports car dubbed the Volta. Toyota has always been known to set itself apart from all other car manufacturers, releasing some of the most outrageous designs that seem to grow onto society once the cars establish themselves as bestsellers.

Japan Goes Italian

Toyota's hybrid sports car can only be a real head turner. This is what's expected when you have an elite group of designers to give the new concept car a new, nice Italian twist. Pictures of the concept car have emerged from the company itself and the first thing that may come to mind is the Lamborghini Diablo; only the Volta is eco-friendly.

Toyota believes that hybrid technology can also be used in high-performance vehicles such as the Toyota Volta. After all, it is rumored to go from 0-60 in 4 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph; not as fast as the Diablo or any Ferrari but the important thing is how much gas this vehicle doesn't use.

The Name Game

The 2008 new Toyota Volta will be paying homage to Alessandro Volta, the man who came up with the electric battery in 1800. It is only very apt considering that this vehicle does run on a type of battery. The Volta runs a V6 engine and there's an electric motor on each axle.

The electric motor will be used to operate several things at the same time such as, for example, a computer that operates the movement of the wheels, activation of brakes, etc.; basically something known as drive by wire, a technology that is fitted into modern fighter jets, so you can imagine how much time in design was spent on this near-future release. This technology also allows for an awkward feature that can have the passengers reposition the steering wheel and pedals in front of them.

Economy

Two centuries after the invention of the electric battery after which the new hybrid is named, Toyota aims to have the Volta out and running by 2008. It is expected to have a tank that holds only 13.7 gallons that will allow it to go 435 miles when filled up. Plus, if 408 horsepower isn't enough, you will just have to weight for later versions of the Volta because this is the top speed estimated for the initial release.

Toyota France expects to release this to the European market in 2008. However, Germany might be happy to know that the car will be for sale there by December of 2007. Experts are speculating that prices for the Toyota hybrid sports car will range from $72,000 to $165,000 in the US market once it hits North American shores.

Whether or not the market is ready for this sports car, Toyota itself is ready to prove that hybrid technology does belong in the automobile industry and will suit any purpose and application.

Friday, February 11, 2011

2011 Opel Astra ecoFLEX Pictures

2011 Opel Astra ecoFLEX Pictures


2011 Opel Astra ecoFLEX


2011 Opel Astra ecoFLEX Pictures



The new Opel Astra ecoFLEX for average consumption of 3.9 l/100 km and CO2 emissions 104 g / km. Ultra-efficient Astra 1.3 CDTI ecoFLEX with 95 HP using the Start / Stop and a variety of mechanical and aerodynamic improvements to propose a modern car if he sees an equal footing with the market's most "virtuous" media as a diesel Volkswagen Golf 1.6 TDI Bluemotion, Citroen C4 1.6 HDI and e-Audi A3 1.6 TDI e.

The Astra ecoFLEX is powered by the engine 70 kW/95 hp 1.3 CDTI turbo-diesel. Initial torque 190 N m (140 lb-ft) between 1750 and 3250 rpm, using common rail, fuel injection system working at a pressure of 1600 several bars and turbocharger with variable geometry. Fuel consumption ratings for sports tourer variant is 4.1 l/100 km for emissions of 109 g / km of CO2. Astra ecoFLEX is part of the range Opel ecoFLEX diesel with low CO2 emissions, which also includes the Corsa 1.3 CDTI 95 hp (94 g / km) and Insignia 2.0 CDTI with 118 kW/160 hp (129 g / km).

The New Alfa Romeo 159 Super

alfa romeo 159 Pictures


alfa romeo 159 super interior


alfa romeo 159 super

The new Alfa Romeo 159 will released the first detail and image for the 2011 Alfa Romeo 159 Sportwagon and Sedan.In 2011, Alfa sports car manufacturer will offer two products Super 159 sedan that has been updated from the previous, version 159 and Wagon.

Version Super, Alfa given as to the overall newest products. Super Alpha at the eksetrior full satin to mirror on the door, wheeled 17-1nci, plus five double-spoke design and dark touches that add to the Super Alfa more elegant. In the interior Super Alfa to expand its facilities with the navigation system maps of European countries, the Blue & Me system with Bluetooth connectivity, and leather multi-function steering wheel, and many other facilities. Not only is the body of the Super 159, to add some sporty aura interiorpun using carbon fiber. Car output Milan, Italy, supported by JTDM 2000cc engine that produces 136 hp.

Thursday, February 10, 2011

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1

All those rumors about Chevrolet readying the Camaro ZL1 for a debut at the Chicago Auto Show turned out to be true as the guys from the Camaro5 forums snapped these pictures of GM's poster signs from the show floor. It won't be long before Chevrolet presentation starts, but you can get an idea of what to expect in the preliminary details posted after the jump.

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Nissan Esflow Coupe Concept that runs on Electricity at Geneva

The time has come for Nissan to release its plans for the rapidly approaching Geneva Salon. For this year's edition of the show, the Japanese automaker has prepared an impressive sports coupe concept named the ESFLOW. It has most of the right ingredients to satisfy purists, including a rear-wheel drive layout, a 0 to 100km/h [62 mph] sprint time of under 5 seconds, two seats and an aggressive design, but there's a catch: it runs purely on electricity.  

The Japanese automaker claims it has "captured the excitement of a sports car and the environmental benefits of an electric vehicle and blended them into one dramatic two-seater concept".
The ESFLOW has been created from the ground up as a pure electric vehicle using technology introduced in the Leaf EV. The concept model runs on two electric motors with an unspecified output that are placed above the axis of the rear wheels, in a mid-ship position. These motors independently control the left and right wheels, with Nissan claiming that the torque is optimized to ensure vehicle stability and control as well as efficient power regeneration.
The company says the electric motors produce enough torque in an instant for the car to reach 100km/h (62 mph) in under 5 seconds.


The motors are powered from the same laminated lithium-ion battery packs used in the Leaf, but in ESFLOW the packs are located along the axis of the front and rear wheel. The batteries are said to offer a driving range of over 240 kilometers or 149 miles on a single charge.
The car also features a composite body that covers an aluminium chassis which incorporates its own roll cage.
We don't have any photos of the interior yet, but Nissan said the cabin is "clean and open" with weight saving measures being a priority throughout its design.
And just in case you were wondering about the type of customer that Nissan envisions buying the ESFLOW, the automaker released a short fictional story which you can check out below.


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Opel Antara Facelift 2011


We've already laid eyes on Opel's and sister company Vauxhall's rehashed Antara, but the automaker just came out with a fresh batch of photos as well as some additional information on the compact SUV, including performance and fuel economy stats for the revamped engine lineup

The cosmetic changes are pretty much limited to the front fascia and rear lights on the outside and a revised center console plus new graphics for the instruments, and updated trim and upholstery, options inside.
For 2011, the Antara's engine line-up consists of two new 2.2-liter CDTI diesels with 163HP and 184HP, and a new 2.4-liter ECOTEC gasoline variant with 167HP.

The 163HP entry level diesel unit is available with front or all-wheel drive and manual or automatic transmission. The FWD model with a manual gearbox returns a combined fuel consumption of 6.3 lt/100 km (37.3 mpg US or 44.8 mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 167 g/km, and zero to 100km/h (62 mph) acceleration time of 9.9 seconds and a top speed of 189 km/h (117 mph).
The top-of-the-line 184HP diesel comes standard with all-wheel drive, and is available with both transmission choices. It completes the zero to 100 km/h sprint in 9.6 seconds, has a top speed of 200 km/h (124 mph) and returns 6.6 lt/100 km (35.7 mpg US or 42.8 mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 175 g/km.
Finally, the 2.4-liter gasoline engine is available with front-wheel drive and manual transmission or all-wheel drive coupled with manual or automatic gearbox. It features a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 10.5 seconds, a maximum speed of 190 km/h (118 mph), fuel consumption of 8.8 lt/100km (26.7 mpg US or 32.1 mpg UK) and CO2 emissions of 206 g/km (manual front-wheel drive version).
Along with the engines, the two available 6-speed transmissions are also newly developed, while improvements to the ABS system and the standard fitting of Hill Start Assist (HSA) which prevents roll-back when driving away on grades, complete the list of changes.
The 2011 Antara will launch in Europe this Spring.
 
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