Pininfarina shows off Cambiano Concept in China

April 30th, 2012 Jurgen

pininfarina-cambiano-conceptPininfarina recently unwrapped their Cambiano Concept during the motor show in Beijing. The concept vehicle features the design lines that may dominate the luxury GT product of the brand in the future. The same design study was showcased during the auto show in Geneva in the past months.

The flowing lines of the Cambiano clearly says that it is driver-focused on one end but make sure that there is some space for the rear passengers. When you look at the design though of the asymmetric body, you might be reminded of Hyundai. There are also hints of the GranTurismo of the Maserati but that is not at all a surprise since that Maserati was inked by the Pininfarina designers, too.

The Cambio, which is named for the location of the Pininfarina headquarters, though will not hit the production line and is just an inhouse effort.

The concept vehicle is not all about pure beauty on the outside since the design was made with having a modern platform in mind. The Cambiano shall have 4 electric motors that depend on lithium ion batteries and can give out about 600 kW. There will also be a small diesel microturbine which will recharge the batter while on the run to give it a range of 800 miles. The range can be stretched when you recharge the vehicle when stationary using a plug socket. The numbers will lead you to a conclusion that the Cambiano can go from 0 to 100 kilometers an hour in a matter of 4.2 seconds.

The inside features a console that provides digital feedback to the driver just like what you can see in the Honda Civic. The numbers will tell the driver about the available range and the power being utilized. The big display on the center gives access to the infotainment system of the vehicle.

The Cambiano is a great vehicle but it is unlikely to go into production.If ever it will hit the production line, most likely Pininfarina will go for more subtle figures with a combo of a conventional engine and electric motors.

Leaked: 2013 RX by Lexus surfaces ahead of auto show in Geneva

February 20th, 2012 Jurgen

2013-lexus-rxLexus shares information that they will be unwrapping a range of vehicles including the new RX and RX F Sport which are due to roll out later this year. These models are based on the hybrid RX 450. Images of the two vehicles from the official brochure of Lexus have leaked over the internet.

The new images that surfaced shows the 2013 Lexus RX from different angles and also outlines details for the different options. It also includes information with regard to its pricing for the Japanese market.

The pictures reveal that Lexus implements their future design lines for this release. The aggressive design was first used for the 2013 GS but this was adjusted to fit the upcoming crossover.

The spindle grille of the RX450h Lexus F Sport gives the vehicle a manly appearance. There are also other elements like special badges, sporty steering wheel, better chassis, and front lip spoiler which will be seen on the F Sport RX.

There are no details nor confirmation from Lexus if they will be using a new drivetrain for the new RX but most likely the car manufacturer will upgrade the engine and use the 3.5L V6 engine giving out 306 horsepower from the GS 350. The RX 450h might get the 338 horsepower hybrid setup similar to that of the GS 450h.

The press briefing for the motor show in Geneva next month does not kick off until the first week of March but we can expect more information to surface about these new Lexus vehicles prior to the auto show.

To Buy: The New Mini or the New Fiat 500?

June 10th, 2011 Jurgen

So you have decided to buy a new import car as your next vehicle. Good for You! Import cars are wonderful in terms of reliability and luxury. But with all of the great imports on the market these days, which is the right car for you. If you are in the market for a European brand then you might be looking at a choice between two of the most popular models on the road today, the New Mini and the New Fiat 500. So which of these two great euro cars is the right fit for your budget and lifestyle? Let’s take a few minutes to look at the offerings both bring to the table and see which one is the perfect choice.

Fiat 500The New Mini offers the classic euro look and feel that has made it a favorite worldwide. While the exterior dimension shave not changed much, thanks to a new approach to the vehicles engineering, the overall interior space has been increased by a whopping 30+%. Of course one of the most exciting things about the new Mini lineup is the totally redesigned Coupe. The first attempt at introducing a coupe under the Mini flag was not an overwhelming success due to the fact that it was considered to much like the traditional mini just with a smaller footprint. The new breed of the coupe bring a whole new insight by offering 2 distinct packages (the Cooper, The Cooper S and the John Cooper Works Edition) to the table. Features of all include an automatically adjusting rear spoiler, Aerodynamic Roof, and extra wide “bulldog” stance for greater control and maneuverability. All in all the new Coupe offers a super sports car feel in a compact body carrying a true euro feel.

For those who are looking for something a little less ostentatious, perhaps the better choice would be the new Fiat 500. The 500 offers luxury features and high performance engineering similar to that of the Mini Coupe while at the same time being a little more conservative in its style. The 500 does provide for a wider range of customization options and the 500 is priced slightly lower than a similarly equipped Mini Coupe, but let this not fool you. The 500 offers almost the same driving experience as the Mini. You can choose from 12 body colors and 6 contrast trim colors as well as a wide array of choices for wheels, trim and other accent points. The safety package of the 500 offers a revolutionary approach to crash energy control and distribution. The entire inner space of the vehicle has a reinforced ring made of very strong energy transfer materials. This protection ring is able to move the energy of the impact around the vehicle occupants to the opposing side where it can be safely dissipated.
Both of these cars have been featured on a wide range of websites including the popular Jurgenscarblog.com site and many more. These sites have profiled the cars in detail in the hopes of helping consumers choose between the two. The good news is that there is a lot of information out there to help you make the choice. The bad news is that when having to choose between the New Mini and the New Fiat 500 the choice is not easy as they are both incredibly great cars and offer a lot of motoring joy for the price.

Tips When Buying a Used Car

May 20th, 2011 Jurgen

Buying a Used CarWhen it comes time to buy a new vehicle, you may find it more economical to actually purchase a quality used vehicle instead. Many times purchasing a certified or even a high quality used car can provide you with a vehicle that is just as good as a brand new vehicle, but for a fraction of the cost. The important thing, however is to make sure that you are indeed buying a quality used car and not someone else’s headaches. Let’s look at some tip that you can use to make sure that you are getting a great used car and not a lemon.

First make sure that you get a car fax report on the vehicle before you agree to the purchase. This report can tell you about any serious maintenance issues that the car may have had during its life. You will also find out about any accidents and recalls that the vehicle may have been involved in. While most reputable dealers will be happy to disclose this information, if they balk at the idea of turning it over, you should not continue to deal with them. If it seems to be only a problem with the salesman, ask to see a manager and see if you can get the report from them. If not, find a different auto dealer.

Secondly make sure that you have an independent inspection performed on the vehicle, specifically the drive train, the engine, the brakes, and the steering system. These are the most important aspects of the vehicle, and they are also the most expensive to repair when things go wrong. A good piece of advice is, if the seller does not agree with you having your own mechanic look over the vehicle before the sale, then you should not continue with the deal.

Before you agree on a purchase price, make sure that you check the current value of the vehicle using a source such as the Kelly blue book or Carlton Vehicle Value guide. These guides also now provide access to their information via the internet by using their website or even a smartphone app. This way you can get the information that you need about the real value of a vehicle and know if you are about to pay too much. Make sure that you get some kind of warranty of at least a satisfaction guarantee on the vehicle when you buy it. This will help ensure that you are not left holding the bag when something goes wrong a couple of weeks down the road. Have the seller state in writing that there is nothing wrong with the car that you do not know about and then list the things that you have discussed about the cars condition. This will help you if you need to go to court down the line over a problem that they did not disclose to you. Again, if they do not want to do this then they might have something to hide. Walk away from the deal.

 

Before you buy any used car, get as much information as you can about buying used cars similar to the ones that you are looking at by checking out resources such as Jurgenscarblog.com and other blog sites that are independently operated. This will help you to be better informed and reduce the risk of getting dropped in the sale.

The Cheapest Cars to Insure Today

May 11th, 2011 Jurgen

When one is looking to buy a new car or even a quality used car, they may not be aware of the fact that the purchase price that they see on the sticker is not the total cost they will have when buying the car. There are other costs that need to be considered such as the cost of the sales tax, road tax, title and vehicle license fees. Then, there are costs that are associated that are ongoing such as the cost of regular maintenance and of course things like tires and gas. One thing that is an ongoing expense that can run rather costly is the cost of the cars auto insurance coverage.

While it is true that a certain amount of the calculations involved in the price of car insurance are related to the driver (such things as their driving record, age and years driving), there is a significant portion involved with the choice of the actual car being insured. An example is that sports cars are more expensive to insure than family sedans, luxury cars are more expensive to insure than economy cars and pickup trucks are more expensive to insure than hatchbacks.
Car Insurance
So what are the cheapest cars to insure today? Lets look at a couple of the most common vehicle styles that are economical to get coverage on. You may be surprised at what is actually able to be insured at a lower cost. For those who are looking at a luxury car such as a Lexus or a Mercedes, the cost of the insurance may be a little overwhelming, the good news is that there are alternatives such as the Mazda 626, the Toyota Avalon, and the Ford Crown Victoria that offer comparable luxury and are considered much cheaper to insure.

If you need a truck for work, you may discover that the cost of insurance of the vehicle is significantly more than that of your family car, alternatives to this are instead of buying large pickup truck, consider a more economy truck such as the Dodge Dakota instead of the Ram, the Chevy S10 instead of the Silverado and the Ford Ranger instead of the F150 or F350. The trucks here to stay away from insurance wide are the Dodge Ram 1500, the Ford King Ranch and the Toyota Tacoma. These are among the most expensive trucks on the road today to insure.

If you are about to get about to make a new car purchase or even the purchase of a quality used car, make sure that you do all the research needed to ensure that you are prepared for the extra expenses of an auto purchase and understand the ongoing costs. Website such as Jurgenscarblog.com and other offer the best advice on what top really expect from the purchase of vehicle. Other internet sites such as the Kelly bluebook price site and the sites of popular major chain auto part stores can give you an idea of the vehicles resale retention, the current going price (if you are purchasing used) and the amount that you can expect to spend on a regular basis for upkeep. Keep all of this in mind before you purchase and you will be able to make a better decision about which car is best for your needs and long-term financial situation.

Why I Love The Ferrari California

May 1st, 2011 Jurgen

There are some cars for which it is simply intimidating to actually get behind the wheel, and give the accelerator a squirt to see how it responds, but although the Ferrari California may look refined and elegant, it also has the sports performance and immediate response that would be expected from a Ferrari. The styling is also very much a Ferrari car, and will certainly impress whether it is tearing up the tarmac at the racetrack, or simply cruising in the sunshine.

As a sports car manufacturer, there is no doubt that Ferrari is the biggest name in the business, combining style and desirability with the performance and speed that would be expected from such a noted brand with its rich racing pedigree. One of the great things about the Ferrari California is that the transmission is oneFerrari California of the best features boasting its dual clutch design, boosting the gear changes to their ultimate smoothness, and helping to match the speed of bigger brothers because of the improved acceleration this design brings with it.

Another feature which really makes the Ferrari California a bit more practical along with the exceptional performance figures is the folding metal roof. This offers the full protection that would be expected when driving a hard top if there is rain or unpleasant weather, while allowing the flexibility to take the roof off when the weather is good. It is this flexible style, which is not only a first for Ferrari, but a feature that significantly expands the appeal of the car. People who love cars like the Ferrari California might be interested to hear about jurgenscarblog.com, which is a very good site for car lovers, and has a lot of information about a wide range of different cars and styles of car too.

Getting the best out of the Ferrari California will really depend on the driver and what it is they are looking to get from the vehicle. Because it is a car which has something for the sports car enthusiast, and also features that will also please those who like a bit of luxury in their grand touring cars, the California is one of those cars that can do those things that people would want from a soft top sports car, with the added benefit of being able to put up a hard top when the need arises.

The prancing horse logo is one that does not appear on too many cars, but the California is a bit of a departure from their usual fodder for Ferrari, but one that is certainly worthy of bearing the prancing horse, and also one that will bring a lot of fun and pleasure to many people. The Ferrari California is not only a car to be driven at high speeds, but is also a car that deserves to be enjoyed as simply a good car to drive, wherever the road leads. Getting behind the wheel of a Ferrari will always be a special occasion, but the California is certainly one that is offering mass market appeal along with usual Ferrari performance.

The Best Roadsters On The Market In 2011

April 5th, 2011 Jurgen

Buying a new car at the moment is taking a step into what is very much a buyers market, and especially when it comes to the upper market cars where dealers have seen a particular competition for the customers that are looking at the roadsters. The number of people who can afford a sports car has dropped significantly, so those people who are looking for roadsters can get some amazing deals that really do make for some superb cars at prices that are almost unheard of.

The key for a successful roadster is to deliver sports car speed and handling at a price tag that is achievable for a significant amount of people, and when it comes to this particular segment of the car market, there is no doubt that is the Japanese and Korean companies who are at the forefront of the game. Combining great performance with a fun driving Mazda MX-5
experience and competitive pricing is what having a roadster is all about, and there are a number of different models that can be chosen from which are competitive.

For people who are thinking about buying a new car, and are looking for a website that can offer a lot of knowledge and expertise about different manufacturers and types of cars, jurgenscarblog.com is a wonderful resource with a lot of different articles and features on cars that may be of interest. When looking at the brands of roadsters that tend to dominate the market at the moment, there is no doubt that Mazda is one of the biggest players in the field, with the MX-5 and the RX-8 models being especially popular for those looking for a little fun from their cars as well as sheer performance. The Hyundai Genesis coupe and the Nissan 370Z also have a lot to offer the buyer, with both the performance and the drive-ability to impress.

However, for those who are setting their sights a little higher, one of the main American brands comes into play, with the Chevrolet Corvette cementing its perennial status as one of the best roadsters out there. Competing with this are the offerings from Porsche and the Mercedes Benz SLK which are also very good cars in their own right, and well worth considering. For those who are looking for something a little rarer and more unusual to hit the blacktop in, there are a few smaller brands that might also be worth considering. Lotus has a couple of cars such as the Elise and the Exige that are very good and tremendous fun to drive, and to stretch the budget a little further, cars like the Dodge Viper and the Lexus SC are also worth test driving to see if they match your needs.

People who are going to the dealers looking for a new roadster will be particularly popular with dealers at the moment, who are desperately looking to sell the cars they already have, so by taking stock of the funds available and what would normally just be out of the price range, with a bit of negotiation, a great roadster at a great price is very possible.

The Best Value In Sedans In 2011

March 24th, 2011 Jurgen

Practicality and reliability are the most important things for most families looking for new cars, and in terms of being the best vehicles for a family, or even for normal commuting use, most people will look at the sedans to offer the type of car they want. There are plenty of manufacturers that have sedans on the US market, and competing to get the best prices, and also to offer the best value for money on the forecourt is the focus for many of these major manufacturers in Hyundai Sonata2011.

Although it may not necessarily be the primary driving force, fuel efficiency will also be a very important part of any decision to buy a car where the value received is important, and there are some cars offering particularly impressive figures for fuel performance. The Hyundai Sonata and the Kia Optima both offer fuel performance of over 35 mpg, but the real class leaders are the hybrid cars, although this can lead to a higher purchase price on the car itself.

Sedans tend to be a little more comfortable than the smaller cars that tend to be on the market, and with value being an important part of any purchase, finding a comfortable car that will be suitable for a long drive is also an important part of getting value for their car. Especially for those who are buying their car in cash, if the dealer isn’t willing to budge on the price and offer the kind of discounts that may be desired, negotiating the comfort in the car might also be a good place to start.

Many people will actually want a little help when trying to get the best value for their new sedan, and looking at a website like jurgenscarblog.com, which has a great deal of resources for those looking to buy a new car. Trying to find the cars that not only offer great price and efficiency, it will be the overall package that will ultimately decide how much value is available from such a vehicle. Looking at features like safety, comfort and performance, along with the on the road prices for such vehicles will lead to finding the best value package overall. For those who are looking to support American motoring, among the most popular are the Ford Fusion and the Chevrolet Malibu, which both offer a good overall package, but the competition from the Far East is very enticing for many buyers.

Buying a quality sedan is something that many families will look to do from time to time, and getting the maximum possible value from the purchase is something that is very important for every buyer. With the problems that have afflicted the motoring industry over recent years, there are some very good deals to be found at the moment, with competition on prices being very fierce. By shopping around, and being flexible in their approach to which sedan to buy, consumers can get some exceptional deals on the forecourts this year, with dealers being particularly eager to get any business that is likely to come their way.

The Best Value In Hatchbacks For 2011

March 11th, 2011 Jurgen

Getting the most from your dollar when buying a new car is something that most buyers will be looking to get in the current economic climate, and those who have the ability to pay up front for a new car are definitely in the box seat when it comes to negotiating on the price. Finding a dealer who can negotiate a good price will also be a positive move for those who are buying a hatchback, and with this combination it is possible to get a very good deal indeed on a new vehicle.

One of the main trends when it comes to getting the best value in the hatchback field at the moment will have to include more than just the cover price, with the fuel efficiency and how well featured the car is also are an important part of the value of any vehicle. With the price of gas looking as though it will only be on its way up at the moment, and achieving good mpg from a new car will be a big part of the value it can deliver.
Toyota TRD Aurion
This doesn’t necessarily mean that power and size need to be sacrificed however, with plenty of hatchback offering above 35 mpg on the highway, and the large majority of the class offering figures above 30 mpg. It is usually case that the smaller vehicles will tend to have the better fuel efficiency, with the Ford Fiesta and the Toyota Yaris offering class leading figures in this factor. For those who are looking for the most up-to-date news and great resources on practical cars, one of the best sites to look at is jurgenscarblog.com, which is a wonderful site for those looking for the best resources on this topic. It isn’t just practical cars however, as it will offer information on all types of cars as well as the hatchbacks mentioned here.

When it comes to actually buying a hatchback, the bottom line will really be the price that is paid at the dealer for the car, and although cheapest isn’t always the best option, there are some very competitively priced cars on the forecourts for 2011. As well as the usual suspects in terms of good pricing such as Kia and Toyota, Ford and Chevrolet also have models that are available as new for under $13,000. However, making sure that the fitting and features on the car is suitable for the use to which it will be put is certainly a good idea, and making sure that it is also comfortable enough for everyday use is also useful.

Getting great value from a new hatchback isn’t that hard with the new car market still feeling the after effects of the credit crisis a few years ago, so those who have the money to pay up front can really get some exceptionally good deals when haggling with the dealer. By making sure that the price is right for the vehicle, and it has everything necessary to do the job, then getting a great value hatchback is a very realistic possibility.

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