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- KTM challenges the pecking order with a 7:25 min lap of the Nürburgring (w/VIDEO)
- Ford, Holden, Lay Off Hundreds Of Workers Amid Slumping Demand
- Review: Nissan New Mobility Concept, JDM Spec
- South Korean Unions Urging GM To Keep Cruze In Korea
- Five Most Stylish Looking Hatchbacks
- Five Compacts With A Low Cost Of Ownership
- Five Awesome All Weather Cars
- Five Best Wagons Currently on the Market
- Five Amazingly Environmentally-Friendly Cars
- Five Awesome All Weather Cars
| KTM challenges the pecking order with a 7:25 min lap of the Nürburgring (w/VIDEO) Posted: 16 Nov 2012 01:21 AM PST Chrises Cars - KTM challenges the pecking order with a 7:25 min lap of the Nürburgring (w/VIDEO) Up until now, the fastest lap around the Nordschleife by a KTM X-BOW was 8.10 minutes, set in 2009 with a 237bhp ‘Club Sport’. That’s slower than a big lardy Renault Megane 265 Trophy, so KTM decided to ‘correct’ this oversight and find out what their Austrian sports car could really achieve. This time KTM wheeled out their 355bhp X-BOW RR, the car that serves as the basis for drivers competing in the official KTM racing series – X-BOW Battle. Despite its track-ready chassis and more powerful engine (than the standard 296bhp X-BOW R), the car is homologated for road use and was fitted with Pilot Sport Cup street tyres by Michelin.  Behind the wheel was Christophe Haase, who in 2008 won the GT4 European Championship in the KTM X-BOW GT. He’s also a class winner of the Nürburgring 24 Hours, so knows his way around the challenging 14.173 mile circuit. With just two laps available to conjure up the perfect time, Haase set out on a cold windy autumn afternoon and on his second flying lap was timed at 7:25.72 minutes in the 780kg X-BOW RR. Even so, Haase feels there’s still plenty of room for improvement, "We had a lot of wind and very little grip – but we have to hold something back for next year, don't we? I'm thrilled with the car. The Audi engine is also a stunner that offers any amount of torque. But the rest of the car is also great. “The suspension works perfectly and you notice that the XBOW is lighter than most other cars when you go into every corner. This makes twice as much sense on the technically demanding Nordschleife! In any case the lap time is amazing. I think it shows how good the X-BOW really is because the Nordschleife doesn't allow for any random good lap times. It’s always very tough, whenever you're here." The post KTM challenges the pecking order with a 7:25 min lap of the Nürburgring (w/VIDEO) appeared first on SkiddMark. The post KTM challenges the pecking order with a 7:25 min lap of the Nürburgring (w/VIDEO) appeared first on Chrises Cars - Bringing You The Latest Motoring News And More
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| Ford, Holden, Lay Off Hundreds Of Workers Amid Slumping Demand Posted: 15 Nov 2012 11:22 AM PST Chrises Cars - Ford, Holden, Lay Off Hundreds Of Workers Amid Slumping Demand Ford and Holden are laying off hundreds of workers at their Australian plants as sales of domestic brands continue to take a beating.
Ford will cut 330 jobs at plants in Geelong and Broadmeadows in Victoria state, while Holden is cutting 170 jobs in Adelaide. Ford and Holden have committed to keeping their domestic production facilities going until 2016 and 2022 respectively, but the strength of the Australian dollar, high export tariffs and demand for smaller, more fuel efficient cars (rather than the large sedans traditionally built by Ford and Holden) have led to declining fortunes for the two automakers. Holden is facing its worst sales numbers in nearly two decades, with demand for the Commodore sedan at an all-time low and the Cruze compact facing a tough field including the Mazda3 and Toyota Corolla, which top Australias sales charts. Both Ford and Holden have received hundreds of millions of dollars in government grants over the past year, with many pundits questioning their wisdom as the auto industry’s fortunes continue to sink. The post Ford, Holden, Lay Off Hundreds Of Workers Amid Slumping Demand appeared first on Chrises Cars - Bringing You The Latest Motoring News And More
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| Review: Nissan New Mobility Concept, JDM Spec Posted: 15 Nov 2012 11:13 AM PST Chrises Cars - Review: Nissan New Mobility Concept, JDM Spec Today, I had a chance to do what I was never able to achieve in my meandering career in the automotive business: I could drive a concept car. In the past, I was able to drive pre-production models, mules, even prototypes (the latter very carefully, they are obscenely expensive to replace.) But I never drove a concept car. Concept cars usually are built to go on display at car shows, and "go" can be taken literally: Many don't even have an engine. The concept car I will be driving is Nissan's "New Mobility Concept", something Nissan calls an "ultracompact" car. The NMC has four wheels, but they stand only 47 inches apart. The car is electric with a nominal range of 62 miles. On a 200 volts circuit, the 7kWh battery charges in 4 hours, or so they say To call it a "car" could be seen as a bit bold. To liken it to golf carts would do an injustice to the favorite conveyance of putterers. In a golf cart, you can sit two abreast, usually with two more in the second row. The NMC is for "1.5 people" says Nissan: They sit in tandem, one in front, 0.5 in the back on an uncomfortable seat that looks ver the head. like a camping toilet. The seat in front is high-backed, adjustable and comfortable. There is a roof over the head. There are two safety belts for the driver: a tree-point standard lap & shoulder belt, along with a two-point belt that threads for the top of the car over your shoulder and under your armpit down to the floor, providing for five-point race car style safety. There is an airbag in the steering wheel, I am told. The NMC has disk brakes front and rear, and features fully independent suspension. When I ask whether it has McPherson struts or a fully-fledged double wishbone suspension, an expert summoned by my chaperone makes a funny face and walks away. The NMC is a rebadged Twizy, the car made by alliance-partner Renault. Announced in 2009 at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the car went on sale this year in Europe, and quickly turned into the best-selling EV in Germany and France. In Europe, the car is classified as a "heavy quadricycle," a slower version can be driven without a driver's license. When the Twizy was shown at the IAA, Autocar said it had "gullwing doors." The NMC's doors (available in the higher trim, the riff-raff remains exposed to the elements) are more like guillotine doors, better known as LSD doors in the U.S. According to Schmitt's rule, cars displayed with gullwing or LSD doors at car shows will never make it into mass production – let's hope this is the exception. I did mention that it is a pure plug-in, right? This is where you plug in. Professional car reviewers will decry a sea of hard plastic (in this case, a pond) in the dash, and the lack of a manly implement: The stick shift. The NMC has neither manual nor automatic transmission. It has two buttons, one for Drive, the other for Reverse, press both for Neutral. What's holding back the NMC's launch in Japan is the foot-dragging by regulators who haven't found an appropriate slot. Nissan hopes that a category below kei cars will be found soon. Under a special permit, I drive the NMC today with a yellow kei tag through the streets of downtown Yokohama.. We do that with an escort. "We" is two members of the Japanese press, and me, lined up like a string of white ducklings behind a blue duck, a Leaf. The intercoms crackle. San ni ichi – ike! The convoy is underway. The convoy rolls without me. I am still in the pits, cranking the key to get the NMC going. But nothing happens. I quickly learn that I did not pay attention during the familiarization: I need to turn the key and hold it until something happens. I do that, something does happen, and I am on my way. Probably breaking sundry Yokohama inner-city speed limits, I make chase for the white convoy. The NMC has a top speed of 80 km/h (50 mph), I am told. I ignore the speedometer. The car has a tendency to understeer in the threshold region, especially in the higher lateral acceleration range. Or maybe it oversteers. Tell you the truth, I can't tell an oversteer from an overbyte, the NMC steers effortlessly and nimbly weaves around bicycles and cars. I move my seat backwards a few notches until a muffled sound makes me reverse the operation."How are we doing back there?" I shout over my shoulder. "Just fine!" I hear. The voice belongs to Chris Keeffe, in his day job spokesperson of Nissan. He volunteered to ride with me as 0.5 person to "keep me company." He probably wanted to be sure that I won't make off with the vehicle. Speaking of sounds: When I take my foot off the "gas," the NMC does not coast, it stops. It also begins to chirp after a few seconds, as if to signal: "Let's go!" Foot on the pedal, no more chirp. Much too early, the NMC ride through downtown Yokohama ends. I want to take the NMC home with me, but Nissan won't let me. It won't even disclose price nor start of production. To experience more of the NMC, two options remain: 1.) Join the Yokohama neighborhood watch. Nissan donated a few NMC to the cause, where it excels in patrolling narrow dark alleys. The neighborhood watch recruits senior citizens, so I qualify and sign up. Full report follows if they take me. 2.) Rent one. This is possible as of today. All you need is a valid driver's license, a trip to Yokohama, and to sign up here.. Disclaimer: Nissan donated a few kilowatts, that's it. The post Review: Nissan New Mobility Concept, JDM Spec appeared first on Chrises Cars - Bringing You The Latest Motoring News And More
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| South Korean Unions Urging GM To Keep Cruze In Korea Posted: 15 Nov 2012 09:47 AM PST Chrises Cars - South Korean Unions Urging GM To Keep Cruze In Korea Labor leaders in South Korea are scrambling to convince GM to retain production of the Chevrolet Cruze in South Korea, though GM says that the move to 5 global facilities is a done deal.
The Cruze accounts for between 50 and 60 percent of the 260,000 vehicles made at GM Korea’s Gunsan plant. A new Cruze is expected to hit the market in 2014, and the new model is expected to be built in Europe, the United States and other locations across the globe. European production of the Cruze will be an important step for GM to help ease some of its overcapacity problems. South Korean union workers have used strong rhetoric when discussing the Cruze’s future, stating that it is the “lifeline” of the Gunsan plant (GM has two other plants in Korea) and that “…it [GM] will face enormous resistance…” from workers if Cruze production leaves South Korea. With an all-new model due at the end of 2014, GM is exploring other options including “…continuing to produce the current Cruze model.” Hmm… The post South Korean Unions Urging GM To Keep Cruze In Korea appeared first on Chrises Cars - Bringing You The Latest Motoring News And More
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| Five Most Stylish Looking Hatchbacks Posted: 15 Nov 2012 09:38 AM PST Chrises Cars - Five Most Stylish Looking Hatchbacks The popularity of hatchbacks has fluctuated over the years. These cars were never seen as being very sporty, but they have certainly always been considered one of the best when it came to functionality. For people who have to haul cargo or larger loads and who don't want to have to worry about having their groceries or large purchase fit in their small trunk, hatchbacks are the perfect next-new-car choice. These cars are not sporty (many car-makers offer hatchback, sedan and coupe models of their most popular cars), but they are certainly practical, and some of the newer hatchback models have a style that many shoppers find unique and even attractive.
If you think a hatchback is in your future, you will want to test-drive these models.
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| Five Compacts With A Low Cost Of Ownership Posted: 15 Nov 2012 09:38 AM PST Chrises Cars - Five Compacts With A Low Cost Of Ownership It is one things to have a car that costs less than other similar models. Actually paying for the car over its lifetime is something completely different. Some expensive cars require very little maintenance and have low fuel costs. Some cheap cars are constantly in need of repairs and may not be very fuel efficient. So the overall cost is only part of the picture. Variables that can help decide the overall cost of a car include fueling costs (and fuel efficiency), repair costs (overall reliability and cost of parts) and resale value. So it may take a little bit of research and number crunching to figure out exactly which cars have the lowest overall cost of operation. However, doing this could help you save money in the long-run.
Here are some of the cars that are the cheapest overall to own. Honda Fit The Fit is a compact car that has earned praise for its fuel efficiency and overall performance, especially when it comes to city driving. This car is also one of the most reliable on the roadway, with many estimates putting it at well under $2,000 per year to operate (including fuel costs for regular driving/daily commuting and repair costs). With regular maintenance, such as oil changes and tire rotation, there is no reason this car will need any major repairs for the first five or so years of ownership. The Fit’s sub-$18,000 price tag adds to the attractiveness for frugal drivers looking for a reasonably priced car that is also cheap to own and drive.
Honda Civic This car is another Honda offering that has a low price tag and a low cost of ownership. There is a reason that so many Civics, both new models and old, are on the roadway. These cars are great when it comes to fuel efficiency, with manual transmission models even able to beat some hybrid sedans when it comes to miles per gallon numbers. Civics are also known for their reliability, with most cars requiring no more than basic maintenance for five years or longer.
Toyota Yaris
Scion xD This Scion is arguably the most stylish car on the list. It boasts a number of positive traits, not the least of which is its modern-feeling interior and its stylish body. This car is ideal for urban commuters who want their car to have more of a personality than a standard Civic, Corolla or other compact. With good fuel economy and a reasonable price tag, this car is a popular choice for frugal drivers. Scion is younger than the other car-makers who make cars for the compact market, but it does have a reasonably good image when it comes to overall reliability.
Nissan Versa Nissan has always enjoyed a great reputation for reliability. The Versa is a compact sedan with a simple feel and some nice extra features. With fuel efficiency stats that can match the other cars on this list, it is certainly a cheap car to fuel, and also a good choice when it comes to the overall cost of maintenance.
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| Posted: 15 Nov 2012 09:38 AM PST Chrises Cars - Five Awesome All Weather Cars Having a car that can handle all sorts of road conditions is ideal for people who live in places where rain storms or snow and ice can cause driving difficulty. Though good all weather cars cannot make commutes in poor weather conditions completely stress-free, they can help to make it easier to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at you. The biggest tool that all-weather cars have is all-wheel-drive. With all four tires receiving power, it is easier to grip the road, accelerate, brake and turn when the road is slippery.
Want to have an easier time driving in rain, sleet snow and ice? Here are the cars for you.
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| Five Best Wagons Currently on the Market Posted: 15 Nov 2012 09:38 AM PST Chrises Cars - Five Best Wagons Currently on the Market People who purchase a wagon instead of a sedan are obviously looking for a bit of extra space. These cars can have their own type of stylishness, but they are best for hauling people and cargo while retaining a car-like driving experience. Generally more drivable and fuel efficient than SUVs and minivans, wagons have again become popular amongst drivers who have to carry large loads and who have to drive families or carpool members to work or school. Want a spacious ride without giving up positive sedan traits like fuel efficiency and drivability? Take one of these awesome wagons for a test drive. Ford Flex The Flex brings to mind those classic station wagons that dominated the family car market during the 50s, 60s, 70s, and even up to 80s. This is a great car for driving people and hauling cargo. It can comfortable seat up to seven (six large adults), and it has great trunk space. The Flex is also one of the most powerful wagons on the market. It boasts a 350 horsepower engine (and still manages to get about 20 miles per gallon, which is pretty impressive for such a powerful, heavy vehicle). For overall drive-ability and roominess, this is the best wagon currently on the market. VW Passat The Volkswagen Passat Wagon is a popular choice for small families. It gets a class-leading 27 miles per gallon combined, easily topping 30 when driven on the highway. People who want to combine VW’s performance with spacious interior and good fuel economy will think that this is one of the best deals on the market (at just over $25,000). The TDI version of the Passat can get even better fuel economy, topping 35 miles per gallon. No, it is not as spacious as the Flex and not as luxurious as the MKT, but it certainly fills its niche well and is a viable option for wagon-seekers. Suzuki SX4 Crossover For budget-minded drivers, the SX4 is one of the best options on the road. With a $15,000 price tag (for base models), it is certainly fits in the budget category. Also, its hatchback version comes with four-wheel-drive,making it arguably the cheapest 4×4 on the market. Suzuki is also enticing buyers with a long warranty that rivals the likes of Hyundai and Kia. A number of models and upgrade packages make it possible to really get a tricked-out Suzuki SX4 Crossover while still staying under your planned budget. Lincoln MKT Wagon On the other end of the price spectrum is the Lincoln MKT Wagon. This stylish luxury car has all the trimmings you’d expect from the Lincoln brand. The spacious interior is quiet and has a high-class feel. A third row of seats makes it possible to carry a high number of passengers without feeling cramped or crowded. Basically, this is great choice for people who want a definitive luxury sedan experience, but also need the practicality of a wagon. The fuel efficient V6 engine provides both power and economy, while optional entertainment features make this a great stand-in for a minivan or family-sized SUV. A ne hybrid version of the MKT is expected to get over 40 miles per gallon when it goes on sale in the fall of 2012. Toyota Matrix The Toyota Matrix is one of the many practical cars offered by the successful Japanese car-maker. This car manages to be both compact and spacious. It is based on the Corolla and has a similar stance, though a much lager feel. The cabin can seat five comfortably, and Toyota’s regular reliability and fuel efficiency make it an ideal choice for frugal wagon shoppers and those who want a car that has good overall value.
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| Five Amazingly Environmentally-Friendly Cars Posted: 15 Nov 2012 09:37 AM PST Chrises Cars - Five Amazingly Environmentally-Friendly Cars Yes, getting a car with good fuel efficiency can certainly help your wallet. In many cases, it can also help the environment. While industrial pollution is the biggest culprit when it comes to global warming and environmental problems, automobiles are not far behind. For most people, unfortunately, completely getting rid of their car is not an option. The best way to help the environment is to get a car that has low emissions and technology that can help it consume less fuel (or, in a few cases, no fuel at all) That way, you can spend that money on car insurance.
Want to drive green? Here are the best options for your next car: Fiat 500 Fiat has not been on the American side of the Atlantic for several decades. It is making a return this year, followed by a lot of buzz. Fiats have always been a great choice for people who want small cars that can really perform well in the city. The 500 fits this mould well. This car is small, even smaller than the Mini from Cooper. It is, however, a great option for eco-conscious drivers. Its fuel-sipping engine helps limit emissions. It can get 40 miles per gallon on the highway, and well over 30 in stop and go city driving. This makes it a really a good choice for the environmental, even compared to other compacts. It’s a big plus that this car has a lot of the charm and the kind of frugal but cool style that Fiat has always been known for. So not only is the 500 a green ride, it is also a stylish one.
Volkswagen Golf TDI The TDI is a good car for green-minded travelers. Many eco-conscious drivers forego TDI engines (which run on clean diesel) in favor of hybrids. However, cars like the Golf are worth looking into. This vehicle can get over 40 miles per gallon on the highway, comparable with most hybrids. The Golf has better performing engines than most hybrids as well, so it is possible to be green and also have some fun in the process. Modern diesel is much cleaner than the smoky, smelly diesels of the past, so they have become one of the greenest options on the road. Ford Fusion Hybrid Ford has gotten its car-making business back on track with new offerings like the Fusion. This modern hybrid is good for the environment, not too hard on the wallet, and also rather fun to drive. With over 40 miles-per-gallon combined, it is certainly near the top of the fuel efficiency rankings. Future models are expected to be even greener. The Fusion doesn’t make drivers feel like they are sacrificing anything to save the earth. It has a lot of tech features, including Ford’s SYNC system and touch screen navigation controls.
Toyota Prius This car was the original hybrid and is still the top choice for many environmentalists. It has a class-leading 50 miles per gallon rating, beating out virtually every other hybrid, except for all-electric cars and plug-in hybrids, neither of which are completely developed. The Prius has been updated in recent years. The cabins are more spacious and comfortable and new features, such as standard touch-screen nav and stereo controls, make it a good choice for people who want more than good miles-per-gallon numbers out of their car.
Hyundai Elantra The Elantra is a compact that has really developed from a cheap budget choice into a true contender in the compact market. It is stylish and feature-rich, and it gets 40 miles per gallon out of its gas engine. This car is roomy and stylish enough to turn heads, a great quality for a budget-priced compact. It is also one of the most efficient non-hybrids on the road, so green-minded drivers can rest easy knowing that the Elantra won’t overdo it when it comes to emissions.
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| Posted: 15 Nov 2012 09:37 AM PST Chrises Cars - Five Awesome All Weather Cars Having a car that can handle all sorts of road conditions is ideal for people who live in places where rain storms or snow and ice can cause driving difficulty. Though good all weather cars cannot make commutes in poor weather conditions completely stress-free, they can help to make it easier to handle whatever Mother Nature throws at you. The biggest tool that all-weather cars have is all-wheel-drive. With all four tires receiving power, it is easier to grip the road, accelerate, brake and turn when the road is slippery.
Want to have an easier time driving in rain, sleet snow and ice? Here are the cars for you.
The post Five Awesome All Weather Cars appeared first on Chrises Cars - Bringing You The Latest Motoring News And More
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