Care to take a peek at the list of the world’s most expensive cars? It’s okay, you don’t have to pay. All you have to know is why these models are so costly and only affordable in the imagination. Are they expensive because of the brand’s legacy in the automotive industry? Or because of car’s power, even perhaps of the brake technology? All these questions will be answered, and you will surely agree by the end of the list that these cars are truly worth the figures in their price tags.

At the number one spot, the legendary Bugatti Veyron reigns supreme. This beast has the most powerful engine—the W16 which has 16 cylinders in 4 banks of cylinders pumping all throughout. With a price tag of $1.7M, you will agree since it is the most powerful and fastest street-legal production car in the whole world. Its top speed of 400 km/h, and a whopping 1001 horsepower! This explains why a lot of people are drooling over this car, but can’t afford to drive one. Unless you are Simon Cowell, then all of your very constructive criticisms will definitely pay off.

Next one on the list is the Ferrari Enzo which can be purchased for $1M. Complete with carbon-ceramic brake discs, F1-style sequential shift transmission, 12-cylinder engine, and a carbon-filter body—this Ferrari supercar is definitely one of the things you will hunt once you get a hold of a million dollars. Wrapping up the top three spot, is the Pagani Zonda C12 F with a tag price of $741,000. With a 602horsepower-generating 7.3 V12 powerplant, this car is definitely worth its price. While it is only young as it debuted at the Geneva Motor Show last 2005, it is very promising both on the road, and in the market.

And then there’s the Koenigsegg CCX which boasts a price tag worth $600,910. This Competition Coupe is equipped with a 32-valve V8 powerplant based on the Ford Modular engine architecture, which was enhanced with “twin Rotrex centrifugal superchargers”. Capping off the top 5 is the Porsche Carrera GT—this is kind of self-explanatory as it is Porsche’s premium supercar with a price tag of $484,000. The bottom five (but are still pretty high and hard to reach) are the following: Mercedes SLR McLaren=$455,500, Maybach 62=$385,250, Rolls-Royce Phantom=$320,000, Lamborghini Murcielago=$279,900, and the last but definitely not the least, is James Bond’s Aston Martin Vanquish=$255,000.

Source: 999 today 

Yes, $2,500 is what Tata’s new car is worth. If one must ask what’s the catch, why is this car so (ahem) affordable? We all certainly hope that it did not sacrifice its brake system and airbags. So upon hearing this, the first question that pops in our head is, “what is it lacking to have such an affordable price tag?”

Not to worry though, for Tata’s car (nicknamed as the People’s car for its name has not been revealed yet) is improving to comply with safety and environmental standards. Many critics have already been downsizing the car, saying that it will not pass emission tests in the States and in Europe, but this is all still in the works, according to Anurmita Roychowdhury of the Center for Science and Environment in New Delhi. This means, that mandating of air bags and antilock brakes with full-body crash tests are in the works, so Tata is preparing its creation for that. However, Ms. Roychowdhury presumes that the car will cost more when these take into effect.

According to Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety in Arlington, Va., “In most American cars, safety features alone cost more than $2,500. If what we’re talking about in India is people having the option of getting off the streets, from motorcycles and bicycles where they are at risk from bigger vehicles, this may actually be an improvement of the safety environment,” he said in a recent interview.

According to witnesses reported by Tuscaloosa news.com, the car was “a tiny, charming, four-door, five-seater hatchback shaped like a jelly bean, small in the front and broad in the back, the better to reduce wind resistance and permit a cheaper engine.” A.K. Chaturvedi, senior vice president of business development at Lumax Industries simply said that “It’s a nice car—cute.”

Source: Tuscaloosa news.com

Parking your car is no walk in the park. It involves a lot of accurate calculations and a great skill that only veteran drivers can acquire. So in a driver’s mind, they all hope to see the day when the car is able to park all by itself. Well, that day is almost here.

Along with the advancement of car brake technology, Lexus has made it possible for drivers to park using only the reverse and brakes of the Lexus LS 600h L. It cannot park all by itself, but it is the closest thing that we can get to that as of today. Why? Because only the Lexus LS 600h L is equipped with the right technologies and car parts. Comprised of an army of sensors, backup camera and electric power steering, the car can easily show any driver how to do a parallel parking. The process is pretty simple, but it doesn’t involve any super-artificial intelligence. All the driver has to do, is to “Stop the LS when the driver is level with the car at one end of an available parking space, pull forward and stop when the driver is level with the front bumper of the car at the other end of the space. Select reverse, make sure the flag icon on the navigation system’s screen is clear of any obstacles and the targeted parking area is bound by a green box, and the car is ready to do its thing,” according to an article by driving.ca.

The braking system of the Lexus LS 600h plays a very important role, given that the car can move all by itself, so it must at least give the power of control to the hands of the driver. So for all of you drivers, your dreams have almost come true. Check the Lexus LS 600h when it hits the market.

Source: driving.ca

Proms, the big game, the hot jock, the pretty drama queen, the coolest video game and the weirdest insect—these are usually the things that we were occupied with when we were 17 years old. (Read: 17. Years. Old.) But for the Brit native Edward Wilson, 17 is just the right age to make a significant car technological advancement.

Your car brake system just got better with SlowSafe, the 2007 Young Engineer for Britain winner. This is basically an enhancement to the car brake lights, but complete with sensors to measure the car’s rate of “slowing down”. The LED brake lights will then illuminate in coordination with this, signaling the driver behind to slow down as well. If the car is braking faster, then the beam of the brake lights gets more intense.

This brainchild of Wilson was intended to put a stop to the car rear accidents which had a total of 69,183 in the UK, according to the report by Auto Express. Not only for improving safety, Wilson also said that the SlowSafe could help with traffic flow too. The best part about this product is that Wilson managed to create a retro-fitted design. This means that it could be installed to any car model. Just as well, Wilson is now having some talks with carmakers to have SlowSafe come with the latest production models.

So for the teenagers out there, getting your license is indeed an achievement. But why not try to do more, why not try to go “the extra mile”? Edward Wilson did. And he will probably be driving the fastest McLaren by the time he’s 20.

Source: Auto Express

Before, car technology is all about safety and how to make the engine go faster. The car brake system has been totally enhanced to make cars more efficient, all the more with the advent of car accidents and. But with the fast evolution of the car brake technology, carmakers have begun to focus on other things too. Other things such as the latest car gadgets and how they can make driving a little easier, while maybe even enjoying a dose of entertainment. Hence, here is what you can expect to see in the market to upgrade your driving experience.

For the entertainment section-

Chrysler has a good idea on what to do to bring entertainment to the car. The 2008 Chrysler Sebring is all decked out with the MyGIG(TM) Multimedia Infotainment and Entertainment systems, and it comes complete with a free 12-month subscription to SIRIUS satellite radio. Also available with the package is a 6.5-inch full-color touch screen display, DVD playback, with an integrated USB 2.0 port, which will let you download and store all the digital media you need.

Now, a lot of GM cars come clad with an Apple iPod integration technology. In the 2007 Chevy HHRs, the Personal Audio Link (PAL) was pretty impressive. It comes in the form of an adaptor, which was about the size of playing cards, and it allows the drivers to plug-in their iPods and listen away. Their HHR’s factory-installed stereo system will allow them to enjoy this, and there is also no need to worry about the battery. The PAL will take care of your iPod. At the end of the year, according to NADA guides.com, GM wants to make PAL available to all of its models.

For communication-

The 2008 Mercedes C300 Sport Sedan is now available with Bluetooth for a more convenient hands-free calling. The Bluetooth technology is a very helpful way of letting drivers answer their phones while still being able to keep focus on their driving. The 2008 Ford Focus also offers a device that is similar to the Bluetooth’s functions. Their “hands-free” concept is an all-in-one communications and entertainment system called the SYNC(TM). You can virtually “hear” text messages instead of reading them, and you can even play music from a phone, or any portable music player with a USB drive.

Amazing technological innovations. With all these gadgets offered, you are surely geared-up even for a long drive. But there’s more. Check out tomorrow’s post for the hottest cars with the latest technologies.

(source: Yahoo Biz )

Honda (UK) has launched an all new Civic Hybrid equipped with a high-spec, voice controlled Sat Nav and intelligent brake technology. These new features are a first to be installed in a Hybrid as standard equipment.

The intelligent brake technology is employed in a new regenerative braking system. A brake pedal sensor detects the driver’s braking force and reaction time and then calculates the correct amount of hydraulic braking and regenerative braking required to slow or stop the vehicle. The regenerative braking comes from the electric motor/generator, which helps slow the car down. This assistance cuts down the workload for the hydraulic brakes, thus extending the life of the brakes and their components. At the same time, the Hybrid’s electric motor recovers the energy used during deceleration, and uses it to charge the car’s high voltage battery.

The Civic Hybrid EX is a combination of a petrol engine with an electric motor and also features leather upholstery and Honda’s Hands Free Telephone (HFT) equipment, which uses Bluetooth technology to allow mobile phone calls to be made safely on the move.

It’s the first time a Hybrid has featured factory-fitted Sat Nav as standard equipment, meeting a growing demand in the sector, particularly from corporate customers wanting high-spec, low emission cars.

Controls for the HFT kit are mounted on the steering wheel, while the DVD Navigation unit in the Civic Hybrid EX replaces the existing 6 CD changer, mounted in the dashboard above the air-conditioning controls.

As well as offering maps of the UK and Western Europe, it can monitor traffic congestion and advise the user on alternative routes.

In addition, the Honda Sat Nav system can be controlled by voice recognition. Just hold the correct button, say the word ‘Restaurant’ and the system will locate the nearest places to eat, and then direct you to them.

According to Honda, customers are demanding a higher level of equipment.

“In the fleet market in particular, many drivers demand kit like Sat Nav, because they use the car for business on a daily basis. The new EX will allow us to meet those needs, and therefore we should appeal to an even wider range of businesses and user chooser drivers,” explains Harvey Hughes, Manager — Corporate Operations adds Hughes.

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. announced the release of the all-new X-TRAIL sport utility vehicle (SUV), which goes on sale today at Nissan dealers nationwide. The new Nissan X-TRAIL, the first full redesign of the vehicle since its introduction in 2000, is engineered to be a tough, versatile SUV that stimulates a driver’s spirit of adventure. It will be marketed under the tagline “SHIFT challenging spirit.” The new model will also feature reliable safety systems such as an excellent braking system.

The original Nissan X-TRAIL was developed with the goal of providing customers with a versatile four-passenger, four-wheel drive vehicle at a two million yen price point. Since its launch, the popular X-TRAIL has been noted for its superior performance, functionality and authentic SUV experience. The all-new X-TRAIL promises to take the SUV experience to an even higher level, maintaining the original’s tough, rugged design while adding elements that maximize owners’ enjoyment of outdoor sports.
X-TRAIL’s “toughness” is highlighted by its enhanced all-weather capability, provided by Nissan’s latest electronically controlled four-wheel drive (4WD) system, the ALL MODE 4×4-i with yaw moment control. Also new for this generation Nissan X-TRAIL is Hill Descent Control (HDC) and Hill Start Assist (HSA). All three systems are designed to provide piece of mind for the driver through superior control and stability.

X-TRAIL also features a vehicle-speed-sensitive electric-assisted power steering system, with light steering effort at low speed and provides a reassuring steering feel at high speed, while using an electric motor to reduce fuel consumption. Braking is provided with a four-wheel Anti-lock Braking System (ABS) with Brake Assist (BA) and Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), which adjusts braking force to the front and rear wheels depending on the number of passengers and cargo on board.

To be able to be in the top three of its segment for product and service quality, Renault returned to the luxury car segment with the New Laguna.

Manufactured in the Sandouville factory in France, New Renault Laguna was designed from the outset to give true driving pleasure. It has a dynamic, streamlined and elegant form, positioning it naturally in the realm of grand tourers, with an even more exclusive and distinctive profile for the Sport Tourer. Its class-leading dynamic performance is a benchmark.

Its chassis is responsive and its steering is particularly precise. Whilst being bigger and more spacious than its predecessor, New Renault Laguna is notably lighter by an average of 15 kg and is available with a wide range of powerful and economical engines from launch, all with six-speed manual and automatic gearboxes.

New Renault Laguna provides a real sense of peace of mind for all its occupants. In terms of protection, it benefits from Renault’s acclaimed real-world accident knowledge and all of the latest technologies, in particular, side impact with an innovative thorax double airbag. The sophisticated air conditioning system offers class-leading thermal comfort.

Equally, much attention has been focused on New Renault Laguna’s acoustics which are again top-of-the-class. With an economical and ecological ‘Renault eco2’version, New Renault Laguna dCi 110 hp only consumes 5.1 litres per 100 km on a combined cycle, or 136 g of CO2 emissions per km. New Renault Laguna is respectful of the environment right from its production through to the end of its lifecycle. New Renault Laguna will be launched from 12 October 2007 as the future reference point for the family saloon segment in terms of usage, maintenance and repair costs.

New Renault Laguna has taken full advantage of Renault’s acclaimed expertise in the field of safety, both active and passive. Complementing the impressive dynamic performance of its chassis, New Renault Laguna can boast the best braking performance of its category, particularly in the endurance test while braking when hot (only 40 meters distance measured with 16 inch wheels performing 10 consecutive braking operations from 100 to 0 km/h). The brake discs and calipers are sized accordingly, with definitions of 57 280/24 to 296/26, ventilated at the front, and a 38 300/11 at the rear.

A new calculator / hydraulic block now integrates the electronic emergency brake assistance (EBA), which is more exact when operated since it does not react to mechanical variations. The chassis quality, combined with a numerical model more sensitive and auto-adaptive to the vehicle dynamics, enables the driver to react more swiftly and appropriately to emergency situations. The ABS and ESP systems, fitted as standard on the car, are more efficient, reacting at just the right moment without the driver having to anticipate and thus avoiding violent jerking when braking.

Getting the a new entry-level model for the Honda Accord sedan range will not only mean getting safe and powerful vehicle, it is also affordable.

The 2.0 i-VTEC derivative has a vital statistics of 114kW maximum power and 190Nm torque. Coupled to a five-speed manual gearbox this allows the Accord 2.0 to accelerate from rest to 100km/h in 9.3 sec, while top speed is 217km/h. The automatic version dispatches the 0-100km/h sprint in 10.3 sec, and boasts a maximum speed of 215km/h.

The cost of owning an Accord 2.0 is further reduced by the standard five-year/100 000km service plan, and three-year/100 000km warranty, while the purchase price also includes a one-year roadside assistance package.
The Accord 2.0’s chassis construction features Honda’s proprietary G-control design, which allows the front frame to absorb more impact energy because it is longer, stiffer and straighter. The arch-shaped front side frame absorbs impact energy, and then channels that energy back below the cabin area into the floor frame to minimize cabin intrusion. In addition, the cross members of the adjoining main frame surround the fuel tank, providing a protective perimeter frame. This arrangement assures high body rigidity, and improved crashworthiness.

The Accord 2.0 is equipped with dual front, side and curtain airbags, side impact beams in the doors, front and rear inertia reel seatbelts with pre-tensioning, Isofix child seat indicators and childproof rear door locks.
Active safety systems include ABS anti-lock control for the all-disc braking system, operating in tandem with electronic brake force distribution (EBD), and emergency braking assistance (EBA).

The Accord 2.0’s headlights activate automatically, and the car features an auto-dipping rear-view mirror. Other security measures include a transponder-equipped key linked to an immobilizer, and an alarm system.

The seventh generation, four-door Accord is distinguishable by its aggressive-front-end treatment, dominated by the V-shaped grille and prominent ‘H’ of the Honda badge. It’s a look reinforced by the low airdam with integrated fog lamps, the powerful sweep of the bonnet line and the slim, multi-element headlights.
Inside, space, quality and ergonomics are valued. The sculpted front bucket seats and individually contoured rear bench seats are upholstered in genuine leather, complemented by soft-touch, textured plastics and glossy wood veneer finishes. Those front seats are electrically adjustable, including for height, while the driver’s seat also features adjustable lumbar support. The driver also gets a three-spoke steering wheel that’s fully adjustable for rake and reach, and features controls for the audio and cruise control systems.

One car magazine reports that BMW has modified its 3.0d and 3.0sd X5 large SUVs for the UK market, which was prompted by the proposed £25 London Congestion surcharge for VED band G vehicles. From December, the 232bhp 3.0d will now achieve CO2 emissions of 214g/km, down from 231g/km, while the 282bhp 3.0sd will drop to 216g/km, hence dropping into VED band F.

The various improvements was achieved by fitting a regenerative braking system, an intelligent alternator and intelligent airflaps behind the radiator grille that improve the car’s aerodynamics at speed – features that have recently appeared on other BMWs as part of its Efficient Dynamics program.

The revisions will make these two models, and the hybrid Lexus RX400h and Volvo’s XC90 D5 the only large, premium-brand four-wheel drives that do not attract the proposed £25 charge. BMW is also working to improve its 318d 3-series, which currently emits 122g/km, to get it below the 120g/km threshold.

Other vehicles that would be improving their current technologies are Volvo, Nissan, Audi and Citroen.
Volvo C30 will have a low CO2 emission by 2008 and a new Powershift dual clutch transmission for the Volvo C30, S40 and V50.

Meanwhile Audi is launching an A3 1.9 TDI hatchback with engine, transmission and aerodynamics optimized to reduce CO2 output to 119g/km and increase fuel economy to 62.7mpg (combined). The car has five-speed manual transmission, develops 105PS @ 4,000rpm, 250Nm @ 1,900rpm, and reaches from 0 to 62mph in 11.4 seconds, with a top speed of 120mph.

Citroën’s C5 Airscape concept cabriolet just announced sports a folding carbon-fibre roof which resembles a canvas one. Fuel economy is managed by an ‘UrbanHybrid’ system that includes a reversible alternator-starter and super capacitors. This system allows onboard equipment, such as the air conditioning or audio system, to be powered by energy recovered during braking and deceleration, while engine torque can be temporarily boosted when required.

The ‘UrbanHybrid’ system, which helps reduce CO2 emissions by 24g/km on the combined cycle, incorporates the stop-start system deployed already in certain other Citroen models, with a bio-diesel compliant 208bhp 2.7HDi V6 engine equipped with a particulate filter, further minimizing any impact on the environment.

Nissan has announced in Japan that all its future new models and refreshed current models will be equipped with a fuel efficiency gauge which provides the driver with both instant fuel-efficiency and average efficiency readings.
Based on Nissan’s trials, drivers have tended to improve their ‘eco-driving’ habits over time, prompted by the real-time fuel-efficiency readings. Driving improvements also included smoother acceleration and braking, which potentially could lead to an average 10% improvement in fuel-efficiency. In January this year Nissan introduced the eco-driving information service through its CARWINGS navigation system in Japan to promote more economical driving habits.