VOLVO’S HYBRID BUS

After much expectation ,Volvo’s hybrid bus has finally hit the roads in Sweden and is carrying passengers now. This hybrid bus provides major fuel savings as a result of electric drive and shutting off the diesel engine at bus stops.

The jinx of hybrid technology not used in heavy vehicles have been broke by the Volvo hybrid bus. According to the company, the same hybrid technology can be used with many heavy vehicles such as trucks, construction equipment etc….

This hybrid bus is equipped with two engines, a diesel engine and an electric motor. The bus uses both the engines. When the bus brakes, the braking energy is recycled and stored in a battery mounted on the roof of the bus. This energy is then used to drive the electric motor. When the doors open at the bus stop, the diesel engine is shut off entirely. The bus then starts solely powered by the electric motor and first when the bus reaches a speed of 15-20 km/h, the diesel engines starts automatically.

This bus helps in reducing green house gas carbon dioxide by 30%. The emission of nitrous oxide also declines upto 40%. It is expected that the company will start its series of hybrid bus production in 2010. The company has already got orders from Switzerland and Luxemburg. The company has named the hybrid buses as Volvo 7700 hybrid bus.

PORSCHE 911

Though Porsche company has come up with many cars still the Porsche 911 series has not lost its charisma and still remains the favorite of many people in the world. The Porsche came to the market in 1963. This car was unveiled in the german market as a sports car. It is a rear engine vehicle with air cooling technology.

It remained as air cooled till the new series of 996 were introduced in 1998. Since its inception the 911 has been modified, both by private teams and by the factory itself, for racing, rallying and other types of automotive competition.

Astonishingly the Porsche 911 came fifth in the international poll for the award of car of the century. It is the third-oldest sports car nameplate still in production, behind the Chevrolet Corvette, and the Nissan Skyline.

Though the car is always sold as 911 there are some classification in it. Porsche 911 classic which was the first to hit the roads in 1963 and ran upto 1989. It has air cooled engines. This model’s successor was Porsche 964 which was in the market till 1993 until Porsche came up with another model Porsche 993.

Finally in1999 Porsche introduced the Porsche 996 model cars which came with water cooled engine. Porsche also worked with the looks of the car . Again in 2005 Porsche introduced another advanced model the 997 series which was a massive hit. The 997 turbo, 997 GT2 , 997 GT3 are the present versions.Hope the company will again come up with new models just lik they did in the past.

McLaren f1

Whenever we think of F1 race, we can’t stop ourself from dreaming about the exciting McLaren cars. These cars are one of the best in its class. The McLaren F1 is a sports car designed and manufactured by “Gordon Murray and McLaren Automotive”. On March 31, 1998, it set the record for the fastest production car in the world, 240.1 mph (386.7 km/h).

The car is lighter than most of its equivalent competitors as well as having a more streamlined structure than even its modern rivals, it features a powerful engine, it is somewhat track oriented but not to the degree it compromises everyday usability , it was conceived as an exercise in creating what its designers hoped would be considered the ultimate road car. Only 106 cars were manufactured, 64 of which were the standard street version (F1), 5 were LMs (tuned versions), 3 were longtail roadcars (GT), 5 prototypes (XP), 28 racecars (GTR), and 1 LM prototype (XP LM). Production began in 1992 and ended in 1998.

The McLaren car is built with aerodynamic structures which enables it to travel at high speeds.its top speed has touched upto 391km/h . The technical specifications of the car are given as follows.

Body style(s) : 2-door 3-seat coupé

Layout : RMR layout

Engine(s) : 60° 6.1 L V12

Transmission(s) : 6-speed manual

Wheelbase : 2,718 mm (107.0 in)

Length : 4,287 mm (168.8 in)

Width : 1,820 mm (71.7 in)

Height : 1,140 mm (44.9 in)

Curb weight : 1,140 kg (2,513 lb)

Designer : Gordon Murray & Peter Stevens

Ford Mustang

The Ford Mustang is the product of the famous FORD motor company. The name Mustang was taken from the fighter aircraft P-51 Mustang which was used in the world war II.The Ford Mustang’s body is based on the other product of Ford called the Ford Falcon. The production of the car began in march 9, 1964. In a very short span of time the car was revealed in the New York’s world fair in April 17,1964.

The Ford Mustang was the most successful launch of FORD. The Ford Mustang initiated the completion among the rival companies such as Toyota, GM etc… Mustangs grew larger and heavier with each model year until, in response to the 1971-1973 models, fans of the original 1964 design wrote to Ford urging a return to its size and concept.

The Mustang was a two-seat, mid-mounted engine roadster. This was again remodeled as a four seater. To cut down the cost of production some parts like the suspension and drive train components were taken from the earlier cars like the Ford Falcon and the Ford Fairlane.

In addition to its fame the Ford Mustang was the first car to be used in a James Bond movie “Goldfinger” which came to the screens in 1964. Since its inception in 1964 the car has never lost its fame.

SUZUKI HAYABUSA

Suzuki Hayabusa is one of the world’s fastest bikes. Suzuki introduced the sportbike Suzuki GSX1300R, popularly known as “Hayabusa”, in 1999. Since its inception the Suzuki Hayabusa was widely regarded as the fastest motorcycle in the world until major Japanese motorcycle manufacturers voluntarily imposed speed regulators in their bikes for safety purpose.

The Hayabusa derives its name from the Japanese term for the Peregrine Falcon, the fastest bird on the planet which can reach the speeds in excess of 300 km/h in its hunting dive. The Hayabusa's 4-stroke, four-cylinder liquid-cooled 1299cc engine enables it to generate an enormous peak power of 175 bhp at 9800 rpm and reach from 0-100 km/h in three seconds flat.

The Hayabusa's roaring success made other motorcycle manufacturers to come up with similar speed demons like the BMW K1200S and the Kawasaki ZX-14R. But still Hayabusa tops the list of super fast bikes which have fascinated more people.

Suzuki Hayabusa Technical Specifications:

Specs Engine : 1299cc, 4-stroke, four-cylinder, liquid-cooled, DOHC, 16-valve, TSCC

Bore x Stroke : 81.0 x 63.0mm

Compression Ratio : 11.0:1

Fuel System : Keihin/Denso Fuel Injection

Lubrication : Wet sump

Ignition : Digital/Transistorized

Transmission : 6-speed, constant mesh

Final Drive : #530 chain

Overall Length : 2140mm (84.3 in.)

Overall Width : 740mm (29.1 in.)

Overall Height : 1155mm (45.5 in.)

Seat Height : 805mm (31.7 in.)

Ground Clearance : 120mm (4.7 in.)

Wheelbase : 1485mm (58.5 in.)

Mitsubishi Montero

One of the leading Japanese automobile manufacturer, Mitsubushi has now unveiled an advanced SUV(Sports Utility Vehicle) which is named as Mitsubushi Montero. This SUV is marketed in India by Hindusthan motors.

The Montero has redefined the spirit of SUV’s with its stylish interiors and its head turning exteriors. Montero throbs a 3.2-liter turbocharged Direct Injection Diesel engine that delivers generous power of 164 bhp without compromising the fuel economy. The Montero is equipped with a independent suspension system and also with wheel traction control.

The Montero’s first name was pajero but later it was renamed as Montero. It is called as Mitsubushi Shogun in the United Kingdom. Montero is referred as the mountain warrior. The Montero has been so successful that the present SUV comes under the fourth generation.

The frist generation of Montero were produced in 1982. Starting from then till now four generation of Montero models have come into market. The fourth generation was introduced at the Paris Motor Show on September 30, 2006. New interior and exterior styling were accompanied by enhanced safety with dual-stage SRS front airbags as well as new side-impact and curtain airbags. The Super-Select 4WD II system was retained, complemented by an improved Active Stability & Traction Control (ASTC) system and electronic brakeforce distribution.

The engines were upgraded with the 3.2 L Diesel now producing 125 kW (167 hp/170 PS) and the 3.8 L V6 gaining MIVEC variable valve timing to boost power to 184 kW (247 hp/250 PS). Both engines meet new Euro IV emissions standards. The 3.0 L V6 is retained for the Japanese and GCC markets.

MAHINDRA XYLO

One of the leading Indian automobile manufacturer Mahindra has come with an amazing car which they have termed as Xylo . This car will prove to be a tough competitor for Toyota’s Innova and Qualis. The company has again proved that they are very good in producing the finest SUV’S.
The Mahindra Xylo with its bullish looks so manly. It seems that the company has come with this SUV to increase the pulse of people. Packed with an all new 2.5 litre engine that generates oodles of power and football field sized interiors, the Xylo is sure to find a solid fan following. This vehicle is defining in more ways than one for not only does it come as a great value for money proposition, it also makes us predict Mahindra’s future projects.
This car has been aimed to put the sedans out of fashions. This car is equipped with most stylish interiors just like the sedans. Mahindra has concentrated more on the looks this time unlike its previous model Scorpio. This car is packed with technical innovations.
The ultrasonic sensors embedded in the rear of the car that assist reverse parking. And the digital drive assist system that downloads all kinds of drive related information to you on the fly. This car has more features that can put aside the sedans in the garage forever.