Posts Tagged ‘car news’

Durability And Toughness Mesh Together In The Lastest Chevy Trucks

Posted on August 25th, 2009 by by Abel Rodriguez

Chevrolet trucks are known to be very tough. The 2008 model year demonstrated Chevrolet’s dedication to creating the best trucks in the industry by introducing three uniquely outstanding truck models to the world. That is why the Avalanche, Colorado, and Silverado are the best trucks in their class. Check out Chevy auto parts online to see what is available.

Dependability is key to tough guys who need to travel over rough terrain and the Chevy Silverado fills the bill. Chevy owners are the most confident and content truck owners in the world. Having engine sizes and chassis capacities to haul any load, these trucks have the towing capacity to get the job done. With the technology under the hood to make it the industry leader, the Silverado’s powerful 6.6L V8 Turbo diesel can definitely haul the biggest loads in rough terrain or miles down the longest interstate highway. The cab’s rear door is able to swing open an amazing 170-degrees. For hauling things in the back seat, this makes it really easy to reach everything in the cab.

Innovation in the truck industry has brought in a new category of truck known as the SUT, Sport Utility Truck. Really all it is is a SUV with a short truck bed. In this market, the Chevy Avalanche is the preferred model. What sportier truck enthusiasts love about it is that it is so flexible. Most obvious is the innovative system to make the truck bed longer. What happens is that the rear seats fold down, rear glass removes, and the midgate system drops down. Essentially it turns it from a crew cab short bed to a two door long bed pickup. After the midgate is folded down, you could even use the rear bed as a comfortable sleeping quarter if necessary. Outdoor enthusiasts really love the sporty flexibility of this midgate feature. Mountaineers will love it, because they can put two tents in the truck bed without having to pitch a base camp tent.

Environmentally conscious truck drivers will love to have a fuel-saving truck that can also same performance. The Chevy Colorado is now using a smaller 3.5L engine and still packing a nice punch. As a model co-developed with the Japanese manufacturer Isuzu, this pick-up truck has all the much sought after features such as durability, flexibility, comfort and power all rolled into one.

Because there are times when trucks have to go long distances with a load, it was a great idea by Chevrolet to make more options for entertainment and communications. In 2008 Chevy trucks, each were equipped with CD and MP3 capable entertainment packages. Also you will find a state-of-the-art RDS compatible radio system. The latest Avalanche model offers blue tooth, navigation radio, XM satellite, and OnStar. Everything you need to stay connected to the world.

GM actually now uses a new technology that can save on gas. It is called the Active Fuel Management system. This innovative technology switches the engine from 8 cylinder to a more fuel efficient 4 cylinder mode for times when there is not much need for lots of power. The truck’s electronic system does this on the fly without manual intervention.

An environmental statement made by Chevy’s new truck line, is their new ability to burn cleaner E85 ethanol-blended fuel. Ethanol is much more efficient when it comes to the gases that come out the tailpipe when compared to gasoline made from refined petroleum only. Climate change is becoming an issue that the auto industry can no longer ignore and Chevrolet is truly creating an “American Revolution” in terms of changing the status quo in Detroit.

Chevy trucks these days are tough and environmentally friendly. It doesn’t have to be one or the other. If you don’t have a reliable truck, check out what Chevy is doing nowadays. You will be amazed at what they are offering in a new truck. Being tough and being smart are not different things, when it comes to buying a Chevy truck, they go hand in hand. Consider the new features and how it can improve your life… once you do that, you will be holding the keys to a new Chevy truck.

Conflicted History: The Supercar BMW M1

Posted on August 16th, 2009 by by Edgar Ferrymile

Back in the early 1970′s BMW decided that it was high time that it took on the established supercar elite of Porsche and Ferrari and that the best way to achieve this aim was to design and build a car that could compete in the popular Group 5 race series.

The regulatory standards told BMW that they would have to make 400 of their BMW supercar to be road worthy. This supercar was named the BMW M1. Unfortunately, the M1 turned into a historical story of how not to build a supercar due to the trouble the company had in trying to make it road worthy.

Initially the BMW motorsport department turned to Lamborghini to use their experience to help design and build their new racer. The result was a sleek, low slung, mid engine supercar with body work designed by Ital Design and a 3.5 litre engine that could be turbocharged to produce 850 bhp in Group 5 racing spec.

Unfortunately Lamborghini was in dire financial circumstances at the time, which meant that the project suffered frequent delays and in the end the whole project had to be moved to the BMW motorsport department in Baur, Germany. However, by the time the M1 was ready to be launched in 1978, two years after its initial conception, Group 5 racing rules had changed meaning that the M1 was no longer practical.

All of the work that was required for the M1 was not wasted because BMW decided to form a race series in which the M1 super car could race. They called it the Procar BMW M1 Championship. It was a great idea since it was a support race for the Formula 1 Championships of the World race. The F1 stars like Ayrton Senna, Nikki Lauda, and Nelson Piquet were pitted against each other in the same vehicle.

The race was a success, but the BMW M1 never reached the hopes of its designers. The trim allowed for 277 horsepower, and 0 to 60 in 5.6 seconds. The top speed was 162 miles per hour. 456 models of the M1 were built, and today collectors of vehicles still seek this machine.

The M1 BMW was a supercar with great performance, making it a legend not only in speed but quality and lower running costs. The twin kidney shaped front grille with the pop up headlamps and black slats on the rear windshield only added to the design.

Despite the lack of success the BMW series had this did not mean certain aspects of the car were not reused later on. The engine was used in the BMW M5. The design was also brought back for a concept car called the M1 Homage.