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With the recent spikes in fuel prices, everybody has been thinking of getting a hybrid. Well, don’t get your hopes up. When I say everybody, I mean EVERYBODY. So… Yeah. Wait in line. Many dealerships have waiting lines – Toyota has a list of up to 60 names who want the Prius in their garage instead of yours.

These hybrids are selling like pancakes. They sell the minute they arrive at the dealerships. But, mind you, these things don’t come cheap. According to the LA Times, even second hand hybrids are selling. Several vehicles like the Prius and the Civic are sold at premium prices (In spite of second hand condition).

At last check, Hybrids accounted for only 2% of America’s total car sales. But that is changing at an unprecedented rate. This year, sales climbed from a 25% growth to a whopping 58% growth, in a span of five months.

Rising fuel prices are pressuring the consumer to make economic choices. This is good. This will have positive externalities for the environment and technology. Think about it, if the growth rates of buyers continue to increase, it’ll be enough to swing heads. Manufacturers will see it as a more lucrative opportunity. So in a way it’ll pressure them to invest in fuel-efficient technologies. This means less fuel, less carbon emissions, more for the rest of us. In a way the pressure of rising fuel prices has a good effect.

Now, I want a hybrid. I’m pretty sure you do too. So, I took the liberty of gathering the best choices. According to the experts, these are the top 5 fuel-efficient vehicles:

1)      Toyota Prius

2)      Honda Civic Hybrid

3)      Nissan Altima Hybrid

4)      Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD, Mercury Mariner Hybrid 4WD, Mazda Tribute Hybrid 4WD

5)      Toyota Camry Hybrid

Of course, you can go and check all the others. But these are what the experts like. Do you notice anything? American manufacturers only account to one name on the list. I think its about time they see the light. Don’t you think so?

Sources: About.com

We’ve all encountered those reckless drivers on the road. Sometimes, you just want to pull your window down a shout all sorts of insults to that driver. Don’t worry, now you can do it easily – without thinking of words, without even uttering them.

Presenting the Drivemocion emoticons, this device expresses a driver through sign animations. Drivemocion has a complete range of message icons, from angry to flirty and from happy to sad. All messages are displayed in the user-friendly message screen which is mounted at the rear window. It is operated via remote control.

The latest poll says that the most used icons are both apologetic/sad and anger/shouting. Extremes are a way to describe it.

The makers claim that the product will be fun and conducive to communication while driving. It can be used to lighten up the highways or bridge multi-cultural boundaries – including language barriers. The product gives us a chance to grow with the ever-expanding cultures that are present in the American roadways.

I think this is a fresh device for the driver. It would be a good customization add-on to any vehicle. But for those on a budget, I don’t think it will be feasible. Still, it’s a great accessory to have. Furthermore, it can have greater use in the future. As what the makers said, it will be a very good medium of communication for drivers around the motorways.

Picture this though. You cut a trucker in the highway and you flash the apologetic icon. Do you think that would make him less angry or angrier?

Think about it.

The prototype Jaguar E2A, which was driven by four of the world’s greatest drivers is being auctioned at California on August 15. Speculators have estimated a selling price of over $7 million.

The car is in wonderful condition. It has been preserved under one family for over 40 years. Jaguar stopped from fully-focused works after 1956, but the name has been preserving a customer teams such as Briggs Cunningham in the US and Ecurie Ecosse in the UK.

The car still has to test several features to put it in great condition. This includes a rear suspension system, as well as other key features.

Visually, the car still maintains its appeal. Its bodywork is the appealing D-type. It maintains a wonderfully proportioned body, powered by a fuel-injected 3 litre XK engine.

This car will surely get most of the attention in this upcoming auction. Its specs and features are outfitted for competition.

Can you imagine driving this thing around the neighborhood? More or likely, it will be stashed away in some rich man’s garage, who will brag about it during dinner parties. What an injustice.

This car deserves to be driven on the road at a hundred miles per hour, cops chasing you from left and right. That’s what I would be doing if I had this car.

The great thing about this deal too, is that you can install all sorts of auto parts to modify the car’s performance. You can give it enough technology to make it last for a longer time. Of course it costs much, but the payoff will probably be worth it. The suspension system has to be crafted in the same pattern as the body. And there’s the issue of wear and tear in the auto body, but that should be erased by a new paint job.

The engine can be upgraded with the latest specs available in the market. This will make the car a better vehicle for driving. But, car enthusiasts like the car as it is. It’s called preservation. It should remain the same, as it was for the great men who drove it.

I’ll try to keep you guys posted on who buy it…

Sources: Classic Cars Magazine

Now we are all familiar with the Mini. Bavarian Motor Works (BMW) bought this franchise and opened new doors for this compact car. Throughout its life the mini has constantly evolved. Starting out primarily as an efficient compact car to serve a looming oil crisis, the Mini under took numerous makeovers. It became a symbol for rallies. It became a sports car with a twist (thanks to Cooper). The car even made more strides when BMW bought the design. The Mini now stands for so many things, not just about cars but it has significance in society and culture as well.

The Mini now stands for not just efficiency, but also class. Have you seen these cars? They look so cute and pretty. Good enough to eat! New engines, new systems, new gleam, etc. Of course, they maintained some text book trademarks like the decal on the roof. Did you know that roof decals were made so that the Mini would stand out from government helicopters? It was a rally thing. Anyways, point is, the Mini has aged like fine wine.

Yes wine. Recent upgrades to the Mini are both strange and beautiful. Enter the Aznom Chateau Clubman S. It is a modified mini from one of Italy’s most innovative coachbuilders. They made a wine cellar in the Mini! Check the picture out!

The Mini wine cellar has the capacity to carry six (Yes, six!) of your finest wines. Whether you’re a Châteauneuf-du-Pape or Asti Spumante person, the Mini can house your wines. The wine holder is made from Gaucho leather and Alcantara interior styling. It is trimmed with iridescent brown and gold on the outside. The deck is made from fine-grain wood.

Word is, there will only be 12 available models for purchase. Does it matter?

I need a second to think this one over. What are they trying to do with this concept? First off, I think the wood material is going to be an issue. Wood will be prone to all sorts of damage. It will be working against weather elements, engine heat, etc. Not to mention the threat of insects – termites? There’s a reason why wood isn’t used for car material. Well the interior can be wood, but not those parts which work closely with the engines.

How are they going to sell this one???? Well, maybe millionaires grow in trees in Europe.

Would I want to be one of the twelve owners? Not unless I was a bona fide millionaire. Even then, I’d probably think twice about it.

Good luck to Aznom. You guys are going to need it!

Sources: TopGear

Chrysler recently celebrated the much-awaited debut of the new 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 ®. The Dodge Challenger is now in Chrysler’s vehicle line-up. The SRT8 is a modern muscle car which will be followed by a full-lineup in 2009. The Dodge Challenger has captured the interests of many American drivers. Chrysler claims that it ranks among their top vehicles in terms of consumer interest.

The Challenger is manufactured at Chrysler’s Brampton Assembly Plant. It is the same plant that manufactures the Dodge Charger and the Chrysler 300.

The SRT8 houses a 6.1-liter HEMI, V8 engine that can deliver up to 425 units of horsepower and 420 pounds of torque. The car comes in 5-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick. It can accelerate from 0 to 60 in a span of 5 seconds. It can reach 100 miles per hour in 17 seconds.

The 2008 Dodge Challenger SRT8 has an entry level of US$37,995, which already includes the US$675 destination charge.

It’s no secret. America has a love affair with speed. This car will surely keep the flame going, considering the tremendous amount of buzz it is producing from car enthusiasts. However, for me, the engine can be an issue. With rising fuel prices, is America really going to accept a V8? Yes, the vehicle will be a success, no doubt about it. But American car makers should consider more innovative methods of engine development.

The car looks good, no doubt about it. I bet it performs even better. But I think American manufacturers should look to more sustainable development options.

In comparison to the Asian manufacturers – Honda, Toyota, Mitsubishi, etc, the American manufacturers have been witnessing decreasing sales numbers. I firmly believe this is a testament to the Asian counterparts’ dedication to fuel economy and simplicity.

America produces a chunk of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. The debuting of another V8 can further aggravate the situation.

It sounds preachy, but car makers today should also look in to environmental concerns. It has greatly rewarded the Japanese makers, why can’t Chevy try that approach. This may come of as gibberish. But I think it’s a better pathway for the American car makers. The trend today should be shifted to efficiency. And the American car makers should set the tone.

It could be nothing. But then again, it could also be everything.

Sources: TopSpeed

Audi has always been producing radical stuff. Their latest venture is a makeover of the A3. Audi streamlined by a host of mechanical upgrades, including the installation of new LED running lights and altered designs in the front bumper.

The S3 hatch is now available in a five-door sport version. The new S3 houses a two-litre engine that can reach 62 miles per hour in just 5.8 seconds. It consumes 28 miles for every gallon of gasoline. It also features Audi’s new seven-speed S-tronic transmission, which is similarly patterned after Volkswagen’s DSG system – Both have two dry clutches to improve efficiency. And, as if the car was not already a lair of technological gadgets, the A3 even has a magnetic ride as an option for higher spec models.

Audi keeps on bringing good stuff on the market. However, the exterior of the sport A3 and the old one are not really distinct. These will prove to be a problem for Audi. If you compare both, they look like the same car. And to some consumers they would settle for the cheaper, yet older, model. This can make the A3 sport a hard-sell.

Sources: TopGear

DETROIT – The National Highway Traffic Administration (NHTA) kicks off Earth Day with a strong policy proposal for 2015. NHTA will propose today about installing new standards for Corporate Fuel Economy at 31.6 mpg by 2015. It’s a step forward for the federal standard 35 mpg that was ratified by congress last year for the year 2020.

Because of these developments, many auto brand projects have been put on hold. Early this year General Motors (GM) cancelled a $3billion project for the Ultra V8, which should have replaced the Cadillac Northstar V8.

Speculators claim that, though the proposal is ambitious, it is still achievable. Implementing such policies would help the environment greatly by reducing emissions and reducing fuel consumption.

There are many rules and stipulations in the policy. You can check the full article at Motortrend.

I think this project is good. But with regard to feasibility, I’m not sure. Best guess? The proposals will get delayed and delayed until it’s forgotten.

Anyways, happy earth day!