Monday, November 26, 2007

Lexus LS 600hL: the World’s first V-8 All-Wheel-Drive Hybrid

Lexus, the luxury car division of Toyota Motor Corp., presents the Lexus LS 600hL as the world’s first V8 all-wheel-drive hybrid. It is also the Lexus that is capable of parking itself, apart from having the performance comparable to a sport sedan.

Powered with a 5 L V8 hybrid that provides 290kW/520Nm of torque, the Lexus LS 600hL is capable of running 0 to 100 km in 6.3 seconds. And it only consumes as little as 9.3 liters of 95 RON petrol for every 100 km.
The 2.4 tonne kerb weight leaves a fairly petite carbon footprint of 219 grams per kilometer, as the weight is being clawed through a tight bend with surety via a Torsen all-paw system.

The LS 600hL has the first application of LED low-bean headlights. But, what is more thrilling is the Intelligent Park Assist (IPA) system sustained. The technology makes use of a rear camera and ultrasonic sensors in identifying a parking space and calculates the correct steering angle to guide the vehicle without curbing the 19 inches rims or perhaps bending fenders. And, the driver’s involvement only comes from putting pressure on the gas pedal.

Aside from the intuitive park assist, the LS 600hL is also equipped with an advanced pre-collision system that readies the car for an unavoidable accident. It also has antilock breaks, vehicle stability control and traction control to provide assurance of safety to drivers in the event of an accident.
The LS 600hL also features push button control on side and rear window blinds, and automatic controls on body heat sensor.

According to Jesse Munoz, technical instructor for Toyota, Lexus and Scion AK, the LS 600hL is compared to other cars like talking about apples and oranges. He said that the new Lexus brought the luxury car to the next level, significant observed from a personal entertainment standpoint. He pointed out the Mark Levinson Reference Surround hi-fi sound system, multi-display 9 inches LCD flip-down screen and 450-watt 19-speaker audio system. To provide private audio playback, there are also high quality wireless headphones. He said, “… it’s also got a rear ottoman seat with shiatsu massage â€" it’s something you just got to experience to believe. It’s just amazing.” With the impressive 16-way power-adjustable heated/cooled ventilated seat, all occupants are sure to breathe purified air, arriving with a touch of the interactive screen that also serves the voice-activated navigation system.

Overall, the Lexus LS 600hL hybrid is another technology-packed luxury car with enhanced performance in significant aspects, not just for being equipped with premium Lexus oxygen sensor, but well-innovated auto parts to optimize quality and precision.

About the Author
Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car racing fanatic. At present, he works as a marketing manager at an advertising agency in Cleveland.

Cheap Car Insurance : A Cost-Effective Protection

People in all ages have aspired to lead a comfortable life. A life with some luxuries. A feeling which always existed but fulfilling which was not always easy. Modern times, however, has changed all that. People now can spend on luxury items. Talking about luxury items, one item that must be included in the list is car. A feat people found it difficult to achieve earlier but thanks to several financial services getting a loan for purchasing a car is very easy now a days. What makes this offer even more attractive is the fact that the rate of interest is slashed considerably making it truly a friendly offer.

However, if after purchasing a car one thinks that one's trouble is over then one is sadly mistaken, for one has to now turn his attention towards protecting it. It is important, for repairing a car is very expensive and if one has not thought about it then one would end up paying exorbitant amount for the purpose. Car damage is a very viable threat simply because the rate of accidents are on constant rise. Even statistics attest this fact. The rate of accidents in UK in the last ten years have increased manifold. Cars are the biggest casualty and many times the damage inflicted is huge. It is here that car insurance comes into play and ensures that one is spared from the pains of arranging money for the repair of the car. Not only this the amount charge for this purpose is also so meager that it would only be right to term car insurance as cheap car insurance.

However, to gain from cheap car insurance one would do well to take care of a few things. First of all one must ensure that the policy comes to life as soon as it is signed, one must also see that what are the types of accidents that the car is protected from. Apart from it one must also see to it that no wrong information is provided to the insurance company as well as the fact that there is no default on monthly premiums.

If efforts like these are taken then one can be rest assured that cheap car insurance would go a long way in helping people out in the hour of crisis.

About

The Porsche: Germany's Top Luxury Car

When people think luxury, they think of the Porsche. With its cars' high price tags, powerful engines, and smooth, sleek lines, there's no question that Porsche is one of the most prestigious automakers in the world.
The genius behind the company was a man named Ferdinand Porsche.
Born in what is now the Czech Republic in 1875, he demonstrated astonishing mechanical aptitude at a young age. He was the third of five children. His father, a plumber, expected Ferdinand to take over the family business--but Ferdinand had other dreams. At eighteen, after completing an apprenticeship with his father, he took a job in Vienna with the firm Bela Egger & Co.

At the company, Ferdinand demonstrated impressive skill for his age. He built an electric wheel-hub motor, and was soon attracted across the street to rival Jakob Lohner & Co. This company was actively developing electric cars, and Ferdinand felt his skills could be better used there. And they were--three years after joining the company, Porsche had built an entire electric car.

This historic car, the Lohner-Porsche, was innovative in several ways. The two wheel-hub motors on the front wheels had an output of 2.5 horsepower, generated an astonishing 120-rpm, and were completely silent. The battery could travel 50 kilometers between recharges. The car could travel up to 50 kilometers per hour.

But this was only the beginning. Porsche began experimenting with internal-combustion motors, and his next car, the System Mixt, had internal-combustion wheel hub motors. Porsche went on to win several speed records and widespread acclaim--his name was now well-known not just in engineering circles, but also to the general public. In 1905, he won the coveted Poetting Prize as Austria's most outstanding engineer.
In 1906, Austro-Daimler offered to make Porsche its chief designer. Porsche accepted the job, and in 1910 he designed an 85-horsepower car for the Prince Henry Trial, an international competition named in honor of Prince Henry of Prussia. Porsche's designs won the top three places at the trial.

With the start of World War I, Austro-Daimler began to focus on producing war materials such as trucks, airplane engines, and mechanized weapons. Porsche saw his star rise further in these years; in 1916, he became Austro-Daimler's managing director. He was also awarded an honorary doctorate from Vienna Technical University. This honor was very meaningful to him. Ever afterwards, he was known as Professor or Doctor Porsche, and incorporated the honor into his company's name.

Dr. Porsche had competed in rallies and speed competitions since he became interested in building cars. He believed that by building racecars, he could improve the performance of all his vehicles. As a result, he developed an interest in building small, light, high-performance cars.
Unfortunately, he and Austro-Daimler did not see eye to eye. The company's board did not agree with the direction Porsche wanted to take, and eventually Porsche left. He went on to a position at Steyr, but the Great Depression made car-making an unprofitable business. The company collapsed, and Dr. Porsche was unemployed.

So he moved to Stuttgart, a town with a strong connection to the automotive industry and the location of several prominent car companies, and started a consulting business. His team consisted of people he had worked with before, and a few family members--including his son, Ferry.
The company's aim was to help other companies design better cars--not to design them itself. So in the beginning, none of the cars the company designed had the Porsche name. That changed when the government, now under Nazi control, came to Porsche with a project: design a car "for the people"--a Volkswagen.

Porsche as a company has always been closely tied to Volkswagen; many of the components of the early Porsche cars came from the Volkswagen Beetle. Porsche's Volkswagens were popular, affordable cars that survived after the collapse of the Third Reich. Porsche and his son, and later his grandson, went on to design such ground-breaking cars as the 911, the Boxster, the Spyder, the Roadster, the Carrera, and many others.

Porsche survived the Great Depression, the Third Reich, and dramatic corporate restructuring to keep its place at the forefront of the automotive industry. No matter the country, everyone knows that Porsche cars stand for luxury, power, and performance.

About the Author
J Vince is managing director of the ECommerce Gifts and experience day company http://www.thanksdarling.com For a range of motoring and sporting gifts visit www.thanksdarling.com/categories/cricket,-golf-and-motorsport-gifts.htm

Rental Car Bargains

With the rise in gas prices, driving causes a lot more headaches than it used to. With this in mind, rental car bargains are more important for any one that needs a rental car. When travelling and having requirements for a rental car, relying on a reputable company is very important. Alamo Rent A Car can help you to have a hassle free enjoyable holiday trip.

Car rental companies are competing more and more in the market nowadays. These companies are going on a high demand in the market. There may be various reasons behind this sudden surge. People usually travel from one city to another city or one country to another country for their business purposes or personal holiday trip. A rental car is essential to individuals when they are require a rental service, or their car is under repair.

There are various types of cars found within a car rental company. You can choose any of them depending upon your choice and need. If you are going on a smoother road then you need a sleek car, or if you are traveling on a road that is not in a good condition then you need a much stronger car. Whatever car you need, a good car rental company is always ready to provide it for you.

Choosing the right car rental company depends on several factors. The top car rental companies provide fast, friendly, and efficient services. These car rental companies offer extensive car fleets to their clients. They also arrange for specific car models if needed by their clients. In order to rent a luxury car models, individuals have to book well in advance.

Top car rental companies may provide child seats, delivery and collection options, fuel buy options, and ski racks if individuals require them. There are several top car rental companies ready and willing to serve customers.
The Internet has made locating car rental companies simpler than ever before. Top car rental companies always provide online reservation facility on their own website. This facility helps individual to save their precious time and allow for online bookings.

Top car rental companies are also providing bargaining facility on their rental rates. This facility helps customer cut down the rental rate with the same services.

So if you are looking for a best car rental company that offers Rental Car Bargain facility, don’t hesitated to reach us at http://www.alamo-me.com/html/rental-car-bargains.htm.

About the Author
Seo Consultant

Used Car Loan �" Treat Yourself with Comfort and Luxury

Driving a car home has always been a dream for all of us. If you want to buy a used car and need financing for that then used car loan will prove to the best among different types of loans available nowadays. Used car dealer are exclusively providing such loans with various flexible packages and it’s becoming more and more popular among car buyers.

Normally you will find it in two forms �" secured and unsecured. Going for secured used car loan will force you to pledge some security as collateral against the financing. This security can be any of valuable assets like your home, real estate or jewelries, the car in consideration etc. On the other hand unsecured one does not require any collateral to be pledged. So people who are not having any property to place as security like tenants, non-homeowners, PG’s can avail the requisite money and drive home a car. If the car buyer is having any credit problems then also no problem, options are there for him as well. He will get an opportunity to negotiate with the lender in spite of his credit score. This loan provides money to purchase any second hand car. But model should always be at least 5 years old. Some car financing companies are ready to finance 90%-100% of the money required to buy the car. But borrower’s present financial standing plays a major role in deciding this figure. Lenders do check borrower’s credit status and his ability to repay the amount. So if you are having a good credit record chances are there you will get a used car loan at reduced figures.
A repayment period of 2 �" 5 years will be provided to you to pay off the money back. One of the best ways to secure used car loan is to go for dedicated financial companies rather than traditional finance companies as they are having more liberal lending policies. And to search for a few nothing is better than online. Go online and search for the best used car dealer ready to offer you a loan which suits you the most. So don’t be late to drive a car! Summary Used car loan complements the cash required to buy second hand cars. These loans come in two manifestations viz. secured or unsecured. The rates are affordable and repayment tenure is quite flexible. So go for an exhaustive search and squeeze in the best deal.
About the Author
Christian Phelps is a Masters in Accounting and Financial Management from Lancaster University Management School . He has been working with loan for self employed since his academics got over. To find bad credit car loans, used car financing, car loans online, car loan for people