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volvo v70 »eurocarblog
January 9, 2012 | Author tamolaxu
Source: http://www.eurocarblog.com/tag/volvo+v70
After news that Volvo wouldn’t be making a flagship sedan to compete with the likes of the BMW 7 Series, Mercedes S-Class and Audi A8, it has revealed its
and models. We wonder about the future of the
at this stage, but the brand has so far made the sensible decision to update the S80 luxury features first, before making a whole new model.
The main feature on both models is the new Volvo Sensus Infotainment system, with a five or seven-inch screen located in the centre of the top of the dash. There is a classic Volvo safety message behind this choice as the company claims that the position of the screen makes it easier for the driver to keep their eyes on the road.
The Volvo S80 Executive has new interior features with leather upholstery across the instrument panel, seats with massage function and even a rear bar fridge for passengers giving it that limo feel. The V70 R is a sporty model with new 18-inch wheels, LED lights integrated on the rear vision mirrors, aluminium trim on the inside and new leather seats. They’re not exactly whole new models but maybe Volvo is just testing the luxury waters a little.
Understanding how insurance coverage costs depend on various parameters
January 2, 2012 | Author tamolaxu
The way insurance coverage works is very interesting. Two people buying the same car in the same city might not get the same insurance premium rates. The same person, buying the same car in two different states might not get the same rates either. Of course, insurance rates will vary within a city, for the same person depending upon the car too. Insurance rates depend on a single bottom line of how much risk is involved. If there is a risky scenario and there are chances of claims, then the premium goes up. If it is a safe bet where the chances of future accident claims are very low, then the premium will come down. Here are some of the parameters that will therefore decide how expensive the coverage will be.
The make of the car
If it is a brand new SUV, there are two kinds of risks involved from the insurance provider’s perspective. Firstly, one would be tempted to drive very fast, increasing the chances of an accident. Secondly, the damage repair cost for an SUV would be very high. So, the premium for the auto insurance coverage of such a car would be very high too. That is the reason the lowest rates are usually offered to medium range family sedans which are safe and not so expensive either.
The profile of the car owner
The profile of the one behind the steering wheel has got a lot to do with the insurance rate. For example, someone who hasn’t violated a single traffic rule in more than 3 years is less likely to be involved in an accident and vice-versa. Similarly, someone who has an excellent credit history can be considered responsible, consistent and mature in the way he handles things. These are two indicators that such a customer is a safe bet and can be offered low rates for auto insurance.
The chances of an accident
If you drive less, the chances of being involved in an accident are low. So your premium goes down. It will also go down for a city where the roads are good, weather conditions are usually fair and the number of vehicles is low. All these conditions suggest that there will be fewer accidents. Lastly, someone who is less likely to drive often, such as seniors or housewives, will get discounts which working professionals commuting daily to work wouldn’t get.
Pennsylvania – Factors that Affect Auto Insurance Rates
November 29, 2011 | Author tamolaxu
Car insurance is a fairly major expense for most drivers today, so it pays to shop around for the best rates possible in Pennsylvania. One way to ensure you are getting a good price is to understand the factors involved in determining the cost of car insurance for each individual situation. No two insurance policies are created equal, and there are a number of factors that can affect how hard your insurance will hit your wallet. By learning what these factors are, you can negotiate the best bottom line with the insurance company of your choice.
Age - Your age may not be a factor you can control, but it is certainly one the insurance companies consider. If you are under 25, you will probably end up paying more. This might also be true if you fall into the “senior” category, since older adults also tend to be a higher risk.
Gender - Another factor out of your control, but the sad truth is that men are generally considered higher risk than women behind the wheel. If you are a man between the ages of 16 and 25? Prepare for higher rates and shop around to find the best bargain.
Location - Some states typically charge more for insurance premiums than others. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania cities like Philadelphia rate fairly high. However, by understanding the averages in your specific location you have bargaining power when you shop with different companies.
Driving Record - This one probably goes without saying, but people with clean driving records usually make out pretty well on insurance premiums. If you do get a ticket, find out if you can take a defensive driving course to remove the violation from your record. A day in driving school might make a significant difference in your insurance premiums.
Liability Coverage - States like Pennsylvania require a minimum amount of liability coverage, but some drivers go for larger amounts. Weigh the cost of the coverage carefully to see if you really need more than the minimum requirement.
Deductibles - The higher your deductibles, the lower your insurance premiums as a rule. Switching a deductible from $100 to $1000 might save you a lot of money over a year’s time. However, it is important to make sure you have the $1000 deductible sitting in the bank before you raise the amount, to ensure you will be covered if an accident occurs.
Vehicle - Low profile vehicles tend to cost less to insure than flashy sports models. This is because those sleek models also cost more to repair and replace. Your car may also deserve a discount if it provides particular safety features or anti-theft devices.
Knowing the factors that affect your car insurance premiums will go a long way in helping you shop for the best rate. By keeping these considerations in mind, you can compare similar policies at many different companies.
Information On VW Beetle Parts
October 26, 2011 | Author tamolaxu
:: There are some good stores that sell new and used VW Beetle parts for replacements for your vehicle. In fact, come stores are very competitive with their prices so that you can save money; especially if you are on a tight budget. If this is a car that you would like to keep forever, it is important to keep it in tip top shape and running smoothly. Eventually some VW Beetle accessories may need to be replaced and it is best to know where to go for your products in a moments notice. Lets get some more information about finding some good stores that sell quality parts at an affordable price.
It is very important to take the time to find an experienced and trustworthy dealer that offers these types of items. Sometimes if you check with friends or relatives, they may know of a reputable place that they have bought decent products from in the past and had really good luck with the store. Another great option is to search the Internet. There may be several websites that offer quality products at low prices to fit anyones budget. You will find that online sites will offer discounted rates on their products, which means you will benefit from such great deals. However, make sure that you verify the pertinent information such as the brand, make and year so your auto parts will be comparable to your original ones of your vehicle. Some stores will receive their parts from junk yards, auto salvage yards or recyclers. A good dealer will not sell any part unless it is in good condition for your vehicle. You will also find that some online stores may provide guarantees for parts or replacements. That will be something you should also check before making that purchase. It will be your preference of what will fit your needs.
If you search for sites on the internet, you will find it more convenient to see photos of the items up close to make it even easier to shop. Again, make sure you have all the information you need at hand such as the make, model and year of your vehicle. That will speed up the process of searching for the right products. You will even find new Beetle parts at competitive prices for your convenience. However, there are reputable dealers that make sure that anything that is used is still in good condition before you make that purchase. For VW Beetle engines, there are plenty of stores that will have a good inventory of replacements for different model years as well. In any case, once you find a reputable dealer, you will always be able to turn to them for some quality VW Beetle parts at a moments notice.
Source: http://www.submityourarticle.com/articles/Hype-Williams-8614/vw-beetle-engines-178022.php
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2012 Honda Civic EX Sedan Road Test – Review – Car and Driver
August 13, 2011 | Author tamolaxu
It’s been a compact-car sales leader for decades, a pace setter in technical innovation since the clever emissions-reducing CVCC (“compound vortex controlled combustion”) engine in 1975, and a car whose fun-to-drive index has almost always ranked at the top of its class. Now here we are with the latest renewal—generation nine—and we confront the inevitable questions: Does the latest
carry on the enviable tradition of its honorable ancestors? Is it still transportation for the spirit as well as the body?
Exterior design leader Toshiyuki Okumoto tells us that fun-to-drive is part of the persona. But he says he draws his dynamic inspiration—“energy coming from inside to outside”—through yoga, which may be spiritual but ain’t exactly kinetic.
The Car An EX sedan with an automatic transmission—the variation tested here—isn’t exactly the most exciting Civic. Invited to help ourselves from the 2012 inventory, we’d go with the sportier and much more powerful
. But the EX trim level at the upper end of the Civic range gets a lot of the sales action—it’s what they call the “volume car” in the cubicles of marketing departments.
Consistent with previous policy, Honda’s trim levels tend to be complete packages; there are essentially no stand-alone options. The base DX sedan starts at $16,555. For $18,605, the LX trim adds cruise, an upgraded stereo with steering-wheel-mounted controls and a USB input, power windows and locks, and air conditioning. The EX sedan tested here is $21,255 and has a substantial list of standard features: power sunroof, Bluetooth connectivity, tilting-and-telescoping steering column, 16-inch aluminum wheels, and four-wheel disc brakes, to hit the highlights. If you want navigation and satellite radio, add $1500.
All-New?
Like car companies do with every redesign that comes along, Honda calls the latest Civic not merely new, but all-new. Even though the ninth-generation car’s footprint is unchanged from that of gen eight, that statement holds more truth here than in most applications. The wheelbase has shrunk by 1.2 inches to 105.1. (The coupe’s wheelbase diminishes by 1.1 inches to 103.2 inches.) Alterations to the wheelbase entail fundamental changes to a vehicle’s basic architecture—vindication for the “all-new” descriptor.
In the same vein, there’s more room within this similarly sized package. Honda claims an interior-volume increase of almost four cubic feet—now up to 95 cubes—versus the gen-eight sedan. The most readily apparent element of this gain is 1.6 inches of additional rear-seat legroom. Shoulder room has been increased—by three inches in the front and one in the back, according to Honda—interior plastics have lost their hard sheen, and skinnier A-pillars improve forward sightlines.
Dj Vu?
All the foregoing is tangible, and welcome. Where the all-newness is hard to perceive, though, is from outside the car. Honda redid the Civic’s sheetmetal—it now has a longer hood and revised headlights, as well as other subtle creases and timid sculpting—but unless you see new and old parked cheek by jowl, we bet you’ll be hard pressed to see this car as new.
The previous generation was a bold break with the past and a design that stood out from the herd when it was introduced in 2005. It was refreshingly rare for Honda, but with this new generation, the design department has reverted to form: no risks, no distinction. Still swoopy enough to look interesting—Honda calls it “one motion design”—but not enough to provoke envious glances.
One positive note—although it doesn’t mitigate the cautious styling—is that the redesigned Civic weighs a little less than its predecessor. Depending on model and equipment, it is anywhere from 20 to 55 pounds lighter, according to Honda. That’s not much, but it’s rare for a new car today.
Dj Vu All Over Again?
Another familiar element of the new Civic line lies under its sloping hood: the 1.8-liter SOHC 16-valve i-VTEC four, bolted to a five-speed automatic transmission. If you want a manual transmission—a five-speed—you have to go for one of the lesser trim levels (the EX was available with a manual last year). Your punishment for making this choice is that you can’t opt for Honda’s nav system, which is limited to the EX and EX-L trim levels. This means you can’t have satellite radio, either—it’s baked into the nav package.
But we digress. Honda made some friction-reducing refinements to the Civic’s mainstream four (there’s also the hybrid’s 1.5-liter version, paired with an electric motor). Output is unchanged—140 hp at 6500 rpm, 128 lb-ft at 4300—although the hp peak now arrives 200 rpm later. Considering its long-stroke design (81.0-mm bore, 87.3-mm stroke), the 6500-rpm power peak is pretty high. But it’s unlikely that owners will get there often, since the transmission wants to upshift as early as possible and doesn’t really invite manual operation.
All the foregoing is about fuel economy, of course, and that’s the good news. Honda dodged the expense of adding direct fuel injection to the 1.8 but still cites EPA ratings of 28 mpg city/39 highway for the 2012 Civic EX, gains of 3 mpg in both categories. We averaged 33 mpg. It’s also interesting to note that EPA highway ratings are 3 mpg higher for the EX than for DX or LX editions equipped with the manual gearbox. The other good news is that ambient noise levels in the new EX are distinctly lower than in the gen-eight model.
The bad news? That would depend on your expectations. The 2012 Civic EX achieves 60 mph in nine seconds flat and drones through the quarter in 17 seconds at 83 mph. If you’re looking for haste, buddy, you’re shopping at the wrong store.
But Does She Dance?
The other top priority in the Civic redesign was refinement—quiet operation, creamy ride quality, cushy comfort. We must admit that Honda accomplished these objectives, but at what cost? The company slowed the ratio of the electric power steering, allegedly to enhance linearity. What we observe is diminished road feel and reduced response. The suspension tuning is noticeably softer, diluting transient response and allowing more-pronounced body motions.
Braking, rarely a strong suit with Civics, is merely adequate—184 feet from 70 to 0 mph. Adequate also applies to grip—0.82 g on the skidpad, delivered here by a set of Continental ContiProContact all-season tires measuring 205/55-16.
On the other side of the ledger, the new Civic sedan isolates its driver and occupants from the outside world in a way its predecessors did not. Assembly and materials are high quality, and for the driver whose requirements are limited to competence and comfort, the 2012 Civic will do very nicely. But another cog in the transmission would make the going even smoother, allowing the engine to spend more time in the comfortable part of its power band. We’re disappointed that the Civic is sticking with a five-speed auto while others (e.g.,
) are graduating to six-speeds.
More important, the eager responses that have characterized Civics over almost four decades are missing. For those drivers who seek involvement, the latest Civic will be disappointing. With the exception of the Si, Honda has turned the Civic’s character dial toward bland—turned it almost all the way to the stop.
Article source: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/11q2/2012_honda_civic_ex_sedan-short_take_road_test