nissan 370Z in need for speed undercover

The Least and Most Polluting Cars of 2009

Top 20 Least Polluting Vehicles of 2009
20th place (tie): Saturn Astra, Ford Focus, Mazda3, Pontiac G5, Nissan Versa
A number of cars post a CO2 per year rating of 3,552 kg. The Saturn Astra with a manual transmission, the Ford Focus with an automatic transmission (which should get better with the double-clutch model in 2010), the 2.0-liter Mazda3 with a manual transmission (the only Mazda on the list), the Pontiac G5 with an automatic transmission and the Nissan Versa with an automatic transmission.

19th place (tie): Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 (manual)
Equipped with a manual transmission, the Chevrolet Cobalt and Pontiac G5 improve their score to 3,504 kg/year of CO2.

19th place (tie): Hyundai Elantra (manual)
The Hyundai Elantra with a manual transmission also releases 3,504 kg of CO2 per year.

18th place (tie): Ford Focus, Hyundai Elantra, Nissan Versa, Toyota Matrix, Pontiac Vibe
Measuring in at 3,456 kg/year of CO2 are the Ford Focus manual, Hyundai Elantra automatic, Nissan Versa manual, and Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix models equipped with the 1.8-litre engine with automatic.

18th place (tie): Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD
The Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD is the only SUV of this Top 20, releasing 3,456 kg/year.

17th place: Pontiac Wave, Chevrolet Aveo, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Matrix, Honda Civic
Several cars produce 3,408 kg/year: the Chevrolet Aveo and the Aveo5 with an automatic transmission (and their cousins, the Pontiac G3 and Suzuki Swift+), the Honda Civic with a manual transmission as well as the 1.8-liter Toyota Matrix and Pontiac Vibe with a manual transmission.

16th place: Nissan Sentra (2.0L, CVT)
Sitting all alone in 16th place is the Nissan Sentra with a CVT automatic transmission, releasing 3,386 kg of CO2 per year.

15th place (tie): Mini Cooper, Clubman, Convertible, Hyundai Accent, Chevrolet Aveo, Saturn Aura Hybrid
Many cars produce 3,312 kg/year: the Chevrolet Aveo and the Aveo5 with a manual transmission (and, of course, the Pontiac G3 and Suzuki Swift+), the Hyundai Accent with a manual transmission, the non-turbocharged Mini with an automatic transmission (Cooper, Clubman or Convertible) as well as the Saturn Aura Hybrid.

15th place (tie): Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid
Like the Saturn Aura, the Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid produces 3,312 kg/year of CO2.

14th place (tie): Chevrolet Cobalt XFE, Kia Rio, Hyundai Accent, Mini Cooper S, Clubman S, Convertible S
Checking in at 3,264 kg/year of CO2 are the Chevrolet Cobalt XFE (and the Pontiac G5 XFE), the Kia Rio with an automatic transmission, the Hyundai Accent (automatic), the MINI Cooper S (Coupe, Clubman or Convertible) with a manual transmission as well as all the John Cooper Works.

13th place: Volkswagen Jetta TDI Clean Diesel (DSG)
With the new clean diesel technology and a double-clutch transmission, the Volkswagen Jetta TDI Clean Diesel produces 3,240 kg of CO2 per year.

12th place (tie): Kia Rio (manual)
The Kia Rio equipped with a manual transmission does better than the comparable Hyundai Accent with 3,216 kg of CO2 per year.

12th place (tie): Toyota Corolla (non-XRS, manual)
The Toyota Corolla with a 1.8-liter engine and a manual transmission produces 3,216 kg of CO2 per year.

11th place (tie): The clean diesel Volkswagen Jetta TDI
The clean diesel Volkswagen Jetta TDI Clean Diesel with a manual transmission releases 3,186 kg of CO2 per year, the same as the wagon version.

10th place: Toyota Corolla (non-XRS, automatic)
The Toyota Corolla with an automatic transmission fares better than the manual version at 3,168 kg/year.

9th place (tie): Honda Fit (manual)
The Honda Fit with a manual transmission releases 3,120 kg of CO2 per year.

9th place (tie): Honda Civic (manual)
Although equipped with a bigger engine than the automatic-transmission Fit, the Honda Civic with a manual transmission produces about the same amount of CO2, with 3,120 kg/year.

8th place (tie): Honda Fit (automatic)
The Honda Fit with an automatic transmission produces 3,072 kg of CO2 per year.

8th place (tie): Toyota Yaris (automatic)
The Toyota Yaris with an automatic transmission posts the same performance as the Fit, with 3,072 kg/year.

7th place (tie): All 1.6-liter Minis – Cooper Clubman and Convertible
With a manual transmission produce 3,024 kg/year.

7th place (tie): Toyota Yaris (manual)
The Toyota Yaris with a manual transmission releases just over 3 tons of CO2 per year, with 3,024 kg.

6th place: Ford Escape Hybrid 2WD
Without the all-wheel-drive system, the Ford Escape Hybrid produces just under 3 tons of CO2 – 2,928 kg/year to be exact.

5th place: Nissan Altima Hybrid
One of the sportiest driving hybrids around, the Nissan Altima Hybrid checks in at 2,784 kg/year.

4th place: Toyota Camry Hybrid
The Toyota Camry Hybrid tops the large sedans category, with 2,736 kg of CO2 each year. But watch out for competition from the new Ford Fusion Hybrid which will arrive in showrooms later this spring …

3rd place: Smart Fortwo
Despite its small size, the Smart fortwo and the convertible version produce 2,592 kg per year. Surely, you’d think that this car could do better!

2nd place: Honda Civic Hybrid
The Honda Civic Hybrid may not have the look of a green car but it produces just 2,160 kg/year.

1st place: Toyota Prius
This was to be expected. The most fuel-efficient car in the country is also the least polluting vehicle, with 1,968 kg of CO2 per year. And that’s not all. The next-generation Prius is more fuel efficient; it seems as if Toyota will hold on to its first place position in this category.

Source;
http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/showpage/LeastPolluting2009.aspx

Source for the MOST POLLUTING CARS OF 2009
http://en.autos.sympatico.msn.ca/showpage/MostPolluting2009.aspx

Ferrari F430 scuderia [1024X768]..

Lamborghini Gallardo Superleggera [1024X768]..

ebay find: Whoa! A Chevrolet Cobalt 'Star Wars' Edition

Complete with proton torpeedo upgrade!
"This Paint features a detailed Star Wars likeneses like the Darth Vader reaching his hand out as if he's congering up the red realistic fire and the Dumbbell nebula. Next to him are the Imperial Walkers & Storm Trooper. Also featured are Photo reproductions of Nebulas and gallixies Etc. Photographed by the Hubble telescope. The Hubble is featured on drivers side over the planet Saturn along with the Horsehead nebula and Helix nebula. Both doors feature spiral galaxies NGC 1300 & M81. Passanger (blue) side features the Eagle and Trifid nebulas along with the NGC 346 emission nebula & Pleiades star cluster NGC 1432 with Boomerang nebula in door jam. Front view features the SN1987a Supernova remnant with The Mice center and Orion nebula next to R2D2/C3PO. Next to that is Han Solo Frozen in carbinite with a stunning Toxic Green Yoda congering up the realistic blue fire and light saber. AWESOME!! The hood features X-Wing Fighter, Millenium Falcon, Imperial & Corellian Fighters and Death Star plus much more. We used House of Kolors Auto Finishing products, basecoat and candy colors to produce and create this truly fabulas art work over original factory paint. This is a one of a kind Custom Painted car. The paint is smooth and super shinny. Many hours have been spent buffung and polishing this car. Painted Aug. of 2008, John and myself worked over 200 hours from preping, creating, producing and finishing this stunning professional paint job in just 4 weeks in August, showing it Laybor Day Weekend. We have shown this car several times and took home the Best Graphics Award at Harps Lake, Wisconsin Laybor Day weekend. Sure to win more. We have gotten a huge responce and great comments. The Custom Paint extends under the hood, door jams and rocker panels. This car was professionally cleaned and prepaired prior to paint. Front end and doors were disasembled so all edges and undersides were cleared. Sales tax, Licence and pick-up is resposability of winner. We will work with winner to secure a pleasent sale and delivery. Your satisfaction is our goal. Car offered as is. This paint has held up to driving condition. Any extra work is possable but possably at additional cost. The interier has been kept clean but not new. This car preforms very well, its comfertable a pleasure to drive with good gas econamy and a head turner. Good Luck and May the Force Be With You.

The FORCE will be Strong as you drive this very comfotable and gas economical car."

Source (with more pics);
http://jalopnik.com/tag/chevy-cobalt/?id=5160916

Honda Malaysia scores highest monthly sales ever thanks to new 2009 Honda City

The Honda City seems to be defying the current financial downturn as it has helped propel Honda Malaysia Sdn Bhd achieve its highest monthly sales ever in history, bringing Honda market share up to 10% of the Total Industry Volume, in a market that has shrunk by 17.5% year on year. Honda scored 1,693 units of the Honda City in January 2009, which is nearly 50% of total Honda sales of 3,815 units. The Civic, Accord and CR-V scored sales of 734, 803 and 413 units respectively. Honda dealership traffic has also doubled ever since the City’s launch. Honda Malaysia has bumped up production for the City by 20% to shorten the waiting period and the Pegoh Plant in Malacca is running at full capacity on two 10-hour shifts and even the occasional runtime during holidays. Read our past coverage of the 2009 Honda City linked below.

Source;
http://paultan.org/archives/2009/02/27/honda-malaysia-scores-highest-monthly-sales-ever-thanks-to-new-2009-honda-city/

Novitec Rosso ferrari F430 RACE part3 [1280X853]..

Novitec Rosso ferrari F430 RACE part2 [1280X853]..

Novitec Rosso ferrari F430 RACE part1 [1280X853]..

BRABUS SLR Roadster with ULTIMATE 112 tender [1280X850]..

More Info. on Honda's plan for a bioethanol research plant

Tokyo, Japan - Honda Motor Company has announced that it plans to build a new research facility for bioethanol production technology from non-edible cellulosic material, such as the stems and leaves of plants. The facility will be built in Kazusa Akademia Park in Japan.

The new facility of Honda R&D will be a single, 1,050-square-metre building, with construction scheduled to begin in April 2009. The company’s goal is to begin operations in November 2009.

Honda has been collaborating on research into bioethanol production technology since 2006 with RITE (Research Institute of Innovative Technology for the Earth) and has been conducting research on the bioethanol conversion process in an experimental plant since April 2007. The new building will allow for research using a large-scale experimental facility that will enable more accurate evaluations.

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/02/26/honda-plans-bioethanol-research-plant.htm

Honda builds best vehicles: Consumer Reports

Yonkers, New York - Honda has earned class leader status for building the best all-around vehicles for American drivers, according to Consumer Reports. It is the third consecutive year that Honda has been so named.

At the opposite end of the annual ranking is Chrysler, which fared worse than last year. The magazine said that the company’s poor-performing products and sinking reliability reports have kept all Dodge, Chrysler and Jeep vehicles off its “Recommended” list.

With an overall score of 78 out of 100 points, Honda was followed closely by Subaru at 75, and Toyota at 74, in the overall score. Subaru is the only automaker with every one of its tested vehicles as recommended, although it has a relatively small model lineup.

Fourth place went to Mazda at 73, followed by Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Volkswagen and BMW, all tied at 72 points.

The editors said that while the top four overall scores belong to Japanese automakers, a Japanese nameplate is no guarantee that every car in a model range will be a reliable and good performer, citing that the Honda Element and Toyota Yaris scored too low in testing to be recommended. Conversely, despite overall scores of 63 points for Ford and 57 for General Motors, new models such as the Ford Flex, Ford F-150, Chevrolet Malibu and Cadillac CTS have done well in testing, and rank near the top of their classes in ratings.

The overall score for each automaker is based on the average of its vehicles’ overall scores in Consumer Reports’ road tests, and their average predicted reliability ratings from its annual auto survey. Manufacturers received a report card only if five or more of its vehicles were tested.

Of the three class leaders, Toyota regained lost ground after last year’s report, when the Camry V6, Tundra V8 4WD and Lexus GS AWD fell below average in reliability. All three have improved to “average” this year. Of the Asian automakers, Subaru, Nissan, Mazda and Hyundai improved their overall scores, and Nissan and Hyundai also improved their reliability rating. Of the four, Hyundai showed the most improvement, increasing its overall score from 66 to 70; the new Genesis also topped the upscale sedan ratings.

European automakers have lagged in reliability, but with notable improvements with several models from Audi, BMW, Saab, Volkswagen, Volvo and Mercedes-Benz. Mercedes showed the most significant improvement, and reliability was greatly improved across most of its lineup, with 67 per cent of tested vehicles now recommended, compared with none in the prior year.
All three Detroit automakers continued to be at the back of the class, although General Motors and Ford improved their overall scores. Chrysler had the lowest overall test score, with no vehicles recommended.

The magazine said there was some positive news for the domestic automakers, with latest models from GM now ranking among the best in testing, and the Buick Enclave, Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook, Cadillac CTS, Chevrolet Corvette and Chevrolet Malibu all scoring well. Some Ford models now rival competition from Honda and Toyota in reliability, and the Dodge Ram is now very competitive with other full-size trucks. Less than a quarter of recommended vehicles are from U.S. companies, a result of inconsistent reliability and performance, while about half are Japanese.

“While Japanese automakers continue to set the standard for the industry in terms of real-world performance and reliability, many domestic, European and Korean manufacturers are narrowing the gap by building better and more reliable cars,” said David Champion, senior director of automotive testing. “While some automakers are still dragged down by old product investments, we expect the race for the front of the class to become even more competitive, which may lead to some excellent values for consumers in the near future.”

Source;
http://www.canadiandriver.com/2009/02/26/honda-builds-best-vehicles-consumer-reports.htm

Rest in Peace Nick Laping

All the best to the Laping family, Nick will be sorely missed.

Honda tops Consumer Reports 2009 Automaker Report Cards... again

In what may be the least surprising news you read all day, Consumer Reports has released its annual 2009 Auto Issue that contains Automaker Report Cards. These report cards compile all of CR's road test data and predicted reliability ratings for all vehicles in its database, and Japanese automakers have again earned top rankings just as they have for as long as we can recall.

Honda, Subaru and Toyota came out on top after all the scores were tallied, with every single Subaru model earning a Recommended rating from CR. Honda was the brand that fared the absolute best in predicted reliability, with just its Element small SUV barely failing to make the grade as a Recommended nameplate. Toyota also fared very well in reliability testing, as we've come to expect from the world's largest automaker. European automakers managed to get a shout out for offering unmatched performance, comfort and safety along with incremental increases in overall vehicle reliability.

American automakers got their own separate report cards, which you can see by clicking here. Of the Detroit-based manufacturers, Ford came out victorious with its Flex and F-150 earning top ratings and many of the rest of its models scoring well. General Motors managed to sneak eight vehicles on the Recommended list: the new Pontiac G8, Cadillac CTS and Chevy Malibu, along with the Corvette and each of the Lambda-based CUVs. Chrysler pulled up the rear again this year among all automakers without a single vehicle earning a positive score from CR.

Source;

http://www.autoblog.com/2009/02/26/honda-tops-consumer-reports-2009-automaker-report-cards-again/