Enough of the gas-guzzling vehicles around! This time Indian roads are all set to grab the Hybrid vehicles since both Honda Siel Cars India and Mahindra and Mahindra have specified that they will make their Hybrids viable by next year. Even other automakers, for instance Toyota and Ford, have expressed their interest for the hybrid vehicles in the country.
By combining this new model with the current Insight and Civic Hybrid,
Honda also announced that another production line at its Suzuka Factory, is now producing Insight, leveraging Honda’s flexible production system. This extra capacity on line No. 3 has been opened up to cope with the high level of demand in Japan where the new Insight has exceeded all expectations.
Ito succeeds Takeo Fukui as CEO of Honda, having been President of Honda’s R&D operation previously. Like his predecessor, Ito has a background as an engineer and was instrumental in bringing the revolutionary NSX from concept to reality. Ito was in charge of one of the most challenging development areas as the Project Leader for the NSX’s ground breaking aluminium unibody construction.
To continue contributing to the global effort to reduce CO2 emissions, Honda will remain focussed on research and development of technologies that improve fuel-efficiency and will strive to deliver products with improved environmental
The CR-Z concept car made its world debut at the 40th Tokyo Motor Show in 2007. The CR-Z sporty hybrid will feature advanced technologies that deliver enjoyable driving for all, while reducing the car‘s environmental footprint.
http://www.greencarsite.co.uk/econews/Honda-CR-Z-hybrid.htm
This one has been in the rumor mill for long and has finally made its way out of the mill, with a badge saying ‘its true’. Prius is on its way to become a brand for Toyota. Toyota envisages the Prius marque to span an entire lineup of hybrid vehicles, with a distinctive styling that will yell loudly about the vehicles’ green credentials.
Jacqueline Mitchell
Gas prices are up. The economy is down. For some, neither matters--all they want is to be able to drive faster than anyone else on the road, whatever the cost.
And the cars that can deliver that promise are built solely for speed. They're not the kinds of cars that are particularly good for anything else, such as dropping off the kids at school (unless they're running exceptionally late that day) or picking up a carton of milk on the way home from work.
These cars reach obscene speeds in mere seconds, the same amount of time that normal cars need just to warm up. Just ask Tom duPont, publisher of duPont Registry, a gallery of fine automobiles.
"A Bugatti test driver took a $100 bill and plastered it on the dashboard," recalls duPont, who was invited to strap into the passenger seat for a demonstration drive. "He told me I could have it if I could grab it once we took off."
The French-made Bugatti Veyron races from 0 to 60 mph in 2.5 seconds and effortlessly cruises to a top speed of 253 mph. Most probably can't imagine what that feels like, but duPont learned firsthand.
"The car accelerates so fast that you can't touch [the $100 bill]," he said. "You can't move your hands.”
Slideshow: The World’s Fastest Cars
Pictures: Top 13 Most Fuel-Efficient Cars
In Pictures: World’s Worst Gas-Guzzling Cars
In Pictures: Cars of the Football Stars
In Pictures: World’s Cheapest Cars
Even if duPont had managed to defy the laws of physics and become $100 richer, that wouldn't have afforded him a Bugatti Veyron or any of the other nine vehicles that made our list of the fastest cars in the world. DuPont cautions that superfast cars "aren't for the faint of heart financially or physically." The Veyron is the most expensive ultra-fast car on our list, with a price tag starting at $1.5 million.
But the Veyron is not the fastest car on the road, according to the Guinness Book of World Records. In March 2007 it tested the American-made SSC (Shelby Super Cars) Ultimate Aero and crowned it the Fastest Production Car in the world.
The $654,400 twin-turbocharged car boasts a top speed of 257 mph and goes from 0 to 60 in 2.78 seconds. Snagging this title marked a first for a U.S. auto manufacturer since the Ford GT40 claimed the Guinness record in 1967 with a top speed of 167 mph.
Rounding out the top five fastest cars are the $695,000 Swedish-made Koenigsegg CCX, top speed 250 mph; $595,450 American-made Saleen S7 Twin Turbo, top speed 248 mph; and the $700,000 British-made Bristol Fighter T, top speed 225 mph.
There are only a handful of these vehicles available in the world. Bugatti has said it will build a total of only 300 Veyrons since the model was introduced in 2005; Bristol custom-builds 20 Fighters each year.
Top ten Sexiest Luxury Cars
The Most Desirable Car In The World
Lamborghini Gallardo by P-Factor
Buyers who want these cars are placing their orders two years in advance, says Bassam Al-Farraj, founder and publisher of Rich Guy magazine. People who just can't wait that long will pay a premium, he says.
He adds, "I've seen people pay a million for the Ferrari Enzo," which is no longer in production but has a base manufacturer's suggested retail price of $670,000.
All of the cars on our list are street legal. So if you really do want to use one of them to cruise around town (or test the limits of how late in the morning you can leave for work), that's up to you. When researching which cars truly go fastest--with the automakers themselves , we excluded cars that are built and equipped for the sole purpose of racing on a track. We also excluded vehicles that are no longer in production.
If the wait is a bit too much to bear for one of the aforementioned cars and you are on a slightly tighter budget, you could check the second half of our fastest-cars list--some no less expensive, or more available. But you might get lucky.
They're the $741,000 Italian-made Pagani Zonda F, top speed 215 mph; $325,560 Netherlands-made Spyker C8 Double 12 S, top speed 215 mph; the $430,000 Italian-made Lamborghini Murcielago LP640, top speed 213 mph; $497,750 U.K.-made McLaren Mercedes SLR, top speed 206 mph; and the U.S.-made Silva GT3, which clocks in at 205 mph and sells for $75,000.
Would you ever purchase one of these cars, or are they just nice to look at? Add your thoughts in the Reader Comments section below.
Despite the high prices and lack of local roads on which one can actually drive these cars at their maximum speeds, demand for these luxury treats is heating up, says DuPont. Wealthy buyers in new markets like China are searching for expensive rewards for their newfound riches.
"Only the top 2% of the economic pyramid of the world are buying these cars," says duPont. "It is a reward for achieving personal success in life. There is new wealth emerging in developing countries, and they want the same luxury rewards."
And if any of those people happen to take you for a test drive, they may, with luck, put a $100 bill on the dashboard. Good luck grabbing it, but you're probably best off just enjoying the ride.
http://arabia.msn.com/Autos/Concept/2008/may/FastestCars.aspx![Reblog this post [with Zemanta]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_urpQqNpPf3YBSBHcdI0jQTlbC5789RLWVfFRP62P64K4ju0Dxl6jm3M9UBY1BWn-o8Q8-22L3QPHC8exXC74PN6ySsWQ5EEVwvlD82I-m9pwmqdbf1G-viZTfJTSMLy5kvx2r4NJvE9kSrwI5Z0Z_f=s0-d)
The 2009 Pontiac Solstice ranks 6 out of 8. This ranking is based on our analysis of 55 published reviews and test drives of the Pontiac Solstice, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The 2009 Pontiac Solstice is eye-catching and fun to drive. Altogether, it makes a solid choice for anyone shopping for a sporty roadster.
The ‘09 Pontiac Solstice is a jaw-dropping, spunky sports roadster. Though test drivers find it has its fair share of faults -- most notably in its interior cabin -- many are still attracted to its seductive design and sprightly performance. In fact, Consumer Guide says that it's a "fun-to-drive American sports car--even if they don't always impress for refinement, décor, or design detail." For 2009, the Solstice receives a removable panel roof, as well as new tail lamps and a rear spoiler.
In the market for a sports roadster? Be sure to also check out the Saturn SKY. It shares a platform with the Solstice and even receives similar reviews, but some find its styling cues slightly sportier. If, however, you value driving-thrill over sleek styling, look past both models and buy a MX-5 Miata instead. Neither the Solstice nor the SKY can match its top-notch handling dynamics. Plus it's available with a power retractable hard-top.
If you're seriously considering a Solstice, now is the time to act fast. Due to a record sales slump, General Motors has recently announced that it is shutting down Pontiac. This means that you may be able to get a great deal on a new Solstice -- with warranties being honored by other GM-brand dealerships, like Chevrolet and Cadillac. Still, keep in mind that because the company is being nixed, the value of Pontiac vehicles is likely to depreciate at a fast pace. If, however, you plan on holding onto your Solstice for a long time -- that shouldn't matter.
http://usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/cars-trucks/Pontiac_Solstice/
The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe ranks 1 out of 8. This ranking is based on our analysis of 9 published reviews and test drives of the Hyundai Genesis Coupe, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe is a great value, offering rear-wheel drive sports car abilities for significantly less than the competition. Still, it lags behind rivals in sports performance.
The all-new Genesis Coupe is Hyundai's sportiest vehicle yet. Sharing a platform with the award-winning Genesis sedan, the Coupe is consistently compared to the much desired Infiniti G37 -- except it costs significantly less. In fact, most auto writers agree that while the Genesis Coupe isn't without its flaws, it's definitely a great value.
Still, the Genesis Coupe can't match the performance dynamics of class rivals, like the Nissan 370Z -- which has a higher starting price, but is a sexier, much more capable street machine. Before settling on a Hyundai Genesis, be sure to test drive a Z. The Mazda RX-8 is also worth a look, as it too bests the Genesis Coupe's performance.
The Genesis Coupe 2.0T is available in base, Premium and Track trims. In addition to base and track, the 3.8 is also offered in a Grand Touring trim.
 |
