Car brand for your decision

Peugeot reveals new hybrid concept for Paris
A new four-door hybrid concept by Peugeot will make its first appearance at the Paris Motor Show.

Jaguar X-Type with over 500 new components

Jaguar has sought a revision of its struggling X-Type, with over 500 new components installed and looks borrowed from the larger XJ, including a squarer front grille that freshens up the drooping oval of old.


The latest generation of X-Type will feature new trim and equipment options but more importantly, a new 2.2-litre diesel with optional auto' transmission will be added to the range. Priced at £1,450 extra, the new transmission uses a six-speed set-up and additionally offers a one-touch Sequential Shift system.

Jaguar is keen to promote the X-Type as better value for money, with prices only slightly altered despite its apparent improvements. Starting at an unchanged £21,500 for the base 2.0-litre diesel saloon, the new 2.2-litre oil burner will cost £22,500 for the saloon and £23,900 for the estate.

Making its debut at the Tokyo Motor Show at the end of the month, the new X-Type will go on sale in March 2008 in the UK and a month later in European markets. The US won't get the X-Type after March. credit:carenthusiast

Chevy's new family car cruises in for 2009

Chevrolet has released the first-ever pictures of its global family car, the Cruze, due to hit UK showrooms next spring.

The compact, four-door offering will make its official debut at October's motor show in Paris. Three engines will be offered to customers at launch next year: two petrol burning units and one with diesel power. The former options will include a 1.6-litre and a 1.8-litre, while the latter is a 2.0-litre turbodiesel producing 150bhp.

Design cues for the Cruze come from some of Chevy's sportier offerings, such as the Corvette, incorporating a twin-cockpit interior and the trademark two-tier grille.

Chevrolet insiders say the aim for the Cruze's design is to portray boldness rather than evolution and make a 'look' footprint for the company's future products. It claims this latest model is the start of an introduction period of new models, including the latest Camaro.

Word from officials at GM Europe is that the Cruze will start at around £11,000, although exact pricing information will be released closer to the car's launch. credit:carenthusiast

10 ways trick to save your money on gas

It’s no surprise to hear gas prices have gone through the roof lately, peaking at over $4 a gallon in many cases. It seems every American would give almost anything to reduce these prices, but can’t afford to give up their habit of driving. What are you to do when your wallet can’t support gas prices anymore? Don’t jump right to riding your bike everywhere, but instead try a few of these tips to help lower what you’re paying at the pump.

1. Get to work a different way

People spend most of their gas money traveling to and from work daily. Try assessing whether or not you really need to drive. You may try riding your bike or walking if your work in close by. If not, take a train or bus as the fares will probably cost less than driving to work yourself. Besides these alternatives there is always the tried and true tactic of carpooling to reduce how much you spend daily on gas.

2. Consolidate trips

If you know you need to go to the grocery store, vet and cleaners this week do all three trips in one. By doing this you will cut down on the amount of small trips you make throughout the week, thus saving yourself some gas.

3. Park it and walk

If all of your errands are located in one area, park your car and walk to each different store. If there is no need for you to drive, why waste the gas? Walking is also better for your health so you win all around.

4. Stop looking and park it

When parking, go with the first spot you see in stead of looking around for a “better spot”. Driving around the parking lot will just waste gas. And like I said, a little walking won’t hurt you.

5. Join the club

Save money on gas by joining loyalty clubs at gas stations or grocery stores with gas station. Grocery stores usually offer you discounts at their gas stations with your food purchases. Also, check online to find out the cheapest gas prices in your area. Simply do a search for “lowest gas prices” and you’ll encounter sites that can give you information about the price of gas at different stations in your area.

6. Fill up when you’re empty - and not before

Some people trick themselves to think they are saving money by only buying a half or fourth tank of gas. However, these little amounts will add up to the same as a full tank eventually and waste you gas by driving to the station each time. Wait until your tank is empty before filling up and fill it up all the way.

7. Get frequent tune-ups

Make sure you car is always operating at its best as this is when it uses gas most efficiently. Get regular tune-ups and oil changes as well as check the pressure in your tires. Maintaining your car will improve your gas mileage as well as increase the life of your car.

8. Do you REALLY need a Hummer?

If you drive an SUV, Hummer or other gas guzzling car, reevaluate if you really need it. Here’s a hint-if you live in the suburbs and work at an office you probably don’t. Look into getting a hybrid or a smaller car. Although the upfront cost may seem large, in the long run you will use less gas and the savings add up.

9. Stay consistent

When driving on the highway, try to keep a constant speed. Acceleration uses gas, so put it on cruise control to save up a little. Also, try and pick routes that require less stopping as the acceleration after the stop will use up gas as well. Try country roads where you can leave your windows open and turn off the A/C, adding to your decrease of gas usage.

10. Lighten your load

Remove unnecessary items from your car as the extra weight can reduce your gas mileage. Take a look in your trunk and decide if you really need to keep your golf clubs on hand 24/7.

New Jazz - You are So Jazz!!!

Honda's new Jazz arrives this autumn; it is more spacious than ever with more power and improved fuel consumption. Honda's stated aim is to build a small car with a 'big car feel'.

The new Jazz is 55mm longer and 20mm wider than the current model, the increases carrying over to greater interior room. Luggage capacity has grown by just over 40-litres and the rear seats have been redesigned to fold away more easily.

Slimmer windscreen pillars and larger windows - combined with retractable rear head restraints - should improve front and rear visibility. To allow more light into the cabin an optional glass roof, made of heat absorbing glass, is also available.



Honda has revised the suspension to improve the ride, while the wheelbase has increased by 50mm and the front track by 35mm to improve both stability and handling. Vehicle stability assist is available to provide an extra margin of safety.

Other safety features include a redesigned front crumple zone to better disperse crash energy. Front, side and curtain airbags are fitted and the front passenger airbag can be disabled to allow a child seat to be fitted in the front passenger seat.

Power comes from 1.2- and 1.4-litre engines with 89bhp and 99bhp respectively. Fuel economy is improved too: on the combined cycle the 1.2-litre Jazz returns 55.4mpg while the 1.4 manages 54.3mpg (in comparison to 51.4mpg for the outgoing 1.2-litre Jazz). Carbon dioxide emissions are similarly modest at 120g/km for the smaller engine and the larger unit gets a 123g/km rating with manual transmission or 120g/km with the updated six-speed automated manual i-Shift transmission.

There is no official information on what the new Jazz will cost but a slight increase over the current model seems reasonable. Exact trim levels and pricing details will be announced closer to the car's unveiling at the Paris Motor Show. credit:carenthusiast.com

Are You Ready for BMW 7 Series?

BMW has revealed technical highlights of the new 7 Series, including a range of turbocharged engines, adaptive damping and optional four-wheel steering.



Three engines will be offered at launch. The 730d has a 3.0-litre turbodiesel engine delivering 245bhp and 398lb.ft, while the entry level petrol engine is a 3.0-litre twin-turbo straight-six delivering 326bhp and 332lb.ft; the latter is fitted to the 740i and long wheelbase 740iL. The most powerful unit will be a 4.4-litre, twin turbo V8. First seen in the X6, it produces 407bhp and 442lb.ft and powers the 750i and 750iL.



The new 7 Series has double wishbone front suspension while a five-link set-up controls the rear end, along with four-mode variable damping that lets the driver choose between Comfort, Normal, Sport and Sport Plus. Dynamic Stability Control + is standard on the new 7 Series: this includes brake drying and brake fade compensation among its features. Optional Integral Active Steering allows up to three degrees of rear-wheel steering and is claimed to improve low speed manoeuvrability and high-speed stability.

BMW is claiming a world first for the 7 Series by placing side-facing cameras in the front bumper. The optional cameras display an image on the new larger iDrive screen and offer a view round obstacles. Other innovations include an improved night vision system that can recognise pedestrians. There are also lane departure and blind spot warning systems, while cars with head-up display and lane departure warning are able to read speed limit signs and display the current speed limit in the head up display.

The new Seven benefits from BMW's EfficientDynamics program. The results are modest fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions figures. Even the 750i can return 24.9mpg on the combined cycle.


credit:carenthusiast

Hybrid Car - Thing to know

Let's face it; we need to do our part to save the environment. Well, if you own a car or have heard the news, there is something called hybrid cars? What exactly is a hybrid car? Do you know? Well, if you don't, do yourself a favour and read on.

So, a hybrid car, or generally know as a hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that uses tow or more power sources to propel. The more common power sources are rechargeable energy storage system commonly known as RESS, a fuel powered source, air or human powered vehicle with electric or gas engine.

However, most hybrid cars are commonly referred to as hybrid-electric vehicle (HEV). This includes internal combustion and electric motors. So, what exactly is a HEV?

A conventional propulsion system and RESS are usually combined together to make a HEV. Yes, you read it right; they are combined. They are combined to achieve better fuel economy..

HEVs are considered the premium for hybrid cars. Thus, this tells us that they are more expensive. This is usually due to the car having more electronics and also extra batteries. However, some hybrid cars are considered more expensive because of their design. One important thing to note is that when you sell your hybrid car it is not the same as selling your normal car. The selling price depends on the usage of the car.

Why choose hybrid cars? The most obvious benefit of having a hybrid car is that we can do our part to save the planet as a hybrid car is environmentally friendly. The other thing you have to trust me on is that a hybrid car is fun to drive. If you ever have an opportunity to test drive a hybrid car, you should jump at it right away.

I am sure you are dying to know the other benefits of driving a hybrid car and I am sure I have to do better to convince you that a hybrid car is much better than a conventional car.

We all know that the price of fuel is just going up. And, with the higher standard of living, not many can afford. You have to trust me on this as it is proven that the fuel consumption of a hybrid car is much lesser than a conventional one.

Durability of a hybrid car is like the durability of a range rover. Sounds unbelievable but you have to trust me. Its gasoline engine, brakes and also batteries are so durable that the cost of maintaining them are close to nothing.

Are you ready to own a hybrid car? Well, let me tell you this; in a about 10 year's time most cars on the roads will be hybrids. Even the most popular hybrid car company, Toyota is going to increase production to a million in less than a decade's time.

Your next step? Put this to the test right away. Maybe you should start plannig to do your part to save the planet by trading your conventional car with a hybrid car. credit:articlesnatch

New Engine for Audi A5

Audi has added a new engine to the A5 line-up. The 2.0-litre TFSI unit sits between the 1.8 TFSI and 3.2 FSI models in the A5 range. Like the 1.8, on which it is based, the new engine is turbocharged and Audi has added variable valve lift. As a result the power output is 208bhp and peak torque of 258lb.ft is available between 1,500 and 4,200rpm. By comparison the 3.2-litre FSI engine delivers just 243lb.ft from 3,000 to 5,000rpm.



Performance claims for the new model are 0-62mph in 6.9 seconds and a maximum speed of 155mph. On the combined cycle 42.8mpg is possible, which makes the 2.0-litre more economical than the 1.8. As a result CO₂ emissions are low at 154g/km, which puts the 2.0 TFSI in vehicle tax band D.


Priced at £28,760 - or £30,285 for the quattro version - the A5 2.0 TFSI will be in showrooms from August. Customers wishing to join the queue can place their order now.

credit:carenthusiast

About MINI John Cooper

Small but powerful summed up the MINI stand at the Geneva motor show as the company unveiled its new John Cooper Works model. Packing 208bhp from its turbocharged 1.6-litre engine, the JCW is the most powerful production MINI yet.

It covers 0-62mph in 6.5 seconds as a hatchback, or 6.8 seconds if you opt for the Clubman version, while top speed is 148mph for both. The JCW comes with the suspension and brakes of the MINI Challenge racer to cope with the power. There's also a new traction control system to keep things in check.


The Hatch gives a respectable 40.9mpg combined economy and 165g/km of carbon dioxide emissions. The Clubman returns 39.8mpg and 169g/km.

All JCW models have 17-inch alloy wheels in a unique style as standard and there's the option of a body kit to make the car look even sportier. Inside, all feature air conditioning, sports steering wheel, anthracite headlining and an upgraded stereo.

The MINI John Cooper Works Hatch will cost from around £20,500 when it goes on sale in the UK this July. The Clubman will set you back from £21,700 and is on sale at the same time. credit:carenthusiast