Archive for the ‘alfa romeo’ Category
Toyota: FT-86 Will Be ‘Best in the World’ for Drifting
Friday, November 11th, 2011
Amid repeated promises from new president Akio Toyoda that it will start making exciting cars to pull itself out of its slump, Toyota officially unveiled the FT-86 concept edition of its 2012 “affordable” compact rear-drive sport coupe at the 2009 Tokyo show.
As we’ve previously reported, the FT-86 is a joint effort with Subaru, which engineered the car to Toyota’s performance targets, and will be building both the Toyota and its own version. Subaru didn’t unveil its version at the Tokyo show, instead leaving all the glory to the Toyota. Subaru’s version is expected to debut sometime next year.It’s a proper sports-car platform, though the suspension fundamentals are familiar from the Legacy. The engine is a Subaru boxer 2.0-liter four with a Toyota head unit, normally aspirated to keep the price low but with direct gas injection. Expect 160-180 horsepower, which should be able to provide decent performance because the car is light thanks to its compactness — just 164 inches long, which is sub-Audi TT, but with a comparatively stretchy 101-inch wheelbase. It’s also possible it will use aluminum in its construction.
A six-speed manual transmission is mounted directly behind the engine, but the motor itself is low and well aft — further back than in existing Subarus — so weight distribution will be helpful to the dynamics. When asked about the actual balance, chief engineer Tetsuya Tada replied: “Many people think it should be 50:50, but we did lots of tests and that isn’t the best for drifting. That’s why the gearbox is at the front not the rear. Drifting and sliding the tail is the most important thing, and this car will be the best in the world for that.”He added, “We have built lots of prototypes and taken them to the Nurburgring, but this isn’t just a car for the track. The steering will react instantly, and you’ll feel it not just on the track but on every junction on the way to the supermarket.
tokyo show
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Parents Advised of Options for Auto Insurance Coverage of Teens
Wednesday, October 19th, 2011
Every year, and this year included, thousands of teenage drivers would hit the streets. After learning how to drive and most especially after obtaining their driver’s license, teenagers are most often careless and excited while driving. Because of this, they are considered as high risk auto insurance drivers.
Case at hand: In a study released by the Insurance Information Institute (III), a quarter of them use cell phones to send text messages and answer calls while driving. About the same percentage also eat and drink behind the wheel. Some attribute this for immaturity or lack of experience. However, the point is, this negligence adds to the risk of having vehicular accidents.
Because of this, columnist and auto insurance expert, Phil Mulkins, recommend that parents must educate teens not only in the hazards of reckless driving, but also of the long effect of paying for costs of insurance. The price of paying for cost of accidents is relatively higher when one is the initiator or cause of the accident.
Mulkins stressed that insurance companies usually have different programs that covers teenagers. He advised that it would be less costly if parents or guardians would enroll them on a policy of their own. More so, there are discounts for multiple car insurance that could be availed of by parents.
As of date, most states implement minimum liability insurance. Some experts believe that such may not be ample to assist those who are insured from any legal actions that may arise. Mulkins said that since accidental damage caused by young drivers may exceed the minimal mark, most civil laws require that parents or guardians be also held financially liable. It would be for the best to use the “25-50-25” policy limit set-forth by most states.
A “25-50-25” insurance policy refers to bodily injury and property damage coverage or BIPD. It simply means coverage of $25,000 per person to a maximum of $50,000 per occurrence for injury one may cause to person/s, and $25,000 coverage for property damage.
An umbrella policy on the other hand, he said, is also a good option. It is designed to give added liability protection way-above the normal limits of motor insurance policies. It could give an additional $1 million when liability on the current policy had been exhausted. It usually adds $150 to $300 yearly depending upon the insurer.
III is an organization founded to improve a better understanding of insurance for the public. One of its goals is to inform the public on the workings of the insurance industry and releases reports concerning consumers such as teenage drivers.
MoneyExpert TV on car insurance
auto insurance, because of this, most states, parents or guardians, property damage
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Moving Motor Show « Longlife
Wednesday, October 12th, 2011
At the end of June, young and young minded motoring enthusiasts will be given the opportunity to see two life-sized characters from the upcoming Disney/Pixar flick, Cars 2. The appearance of the high speed duo is expected to be one of the main highlights of the Goodwood Festival of Speed and the Moving Motor Show.
The four day event is widely regarded as the best celebration of heritage and motoring culture in the world. It is little wonder that Lightning McQueen and Finn McMissile have decided to come along and check out the festivities.
The celebrity vehicles will be shown off alongside a number of other profile cars and a select group of legendary racers. Keen motor-sports fans will undoubtedly be looking forward to seeing Stirling Moss get behind the wheel of a classic Grand Prix car. They may also be lucky enough to catch guest appearances from Emerson Fittipaldi, John Surtees, Damon Hill and Richard Attwood.
Goodwood Festival of Speed founder, Lord March said, “I am really looking forward to having so many great cars and drivers here at the Festival of Speed to celebrate our 2011 Racing Revolutions theme. For me it is always magical to see so many of the world’s greatest drivers, riders and machines in action.”
Parents might struggle to tear their children away from the specially designated Cars 2 area, opposite the grand Goodwood House. However, the youngsters may be more interested in exploring the rest of the site when they hear that Jenson Button and Lewis Hamilton are on the walkabout.
Young sports car enthusiasts will undoubtedly want to pay a visit to the Junior Festival of Speed and the Goodwood Action Sports Centre. There will be fun for the whole audience as free style motocross rider Robbie Maddison and BMX stunt riders Kye and Leo Forte will show what is possible to do on two wheels.
Wealthy drivers who are visiting Goodwood may be tempted to make a bid in the auction for Paul McCartney’s old Lamborghini 400GT 2+2. This once ground breaking motor is expected to sell for anything between 100,000 and 120,000. A 1988 Porsche 959 and a luxury 1928 Bentley 3 litre speed model will also be sold off during the event.
http://www.longlife.co.uk/blog/index.php/tag/moving-motor-show/
enthusiasts will, festival of speed, goodwood festival, goodwood festival of speed, looking forward
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