Archive for January, 2009
With so much emphasis on our global warming issues, we have all become accustomed to thinking ‘green’. Switching off lights, not leaving TV’s on standby, buying recyclable products – all are important ways we can do our bit to reduce our carbon footprint.
Yet, many ask, what is the point when big manufacturers are polluting the air so bad that our measly light bulb burning away in the hallway is hardly going to make a difference. People also wonder what the point of buying eco friendly products are when they have probably been made in less than eco friendly environments?
Well, Honda are one company that takes their responsibility seriously. Their goal is to produce top quality cars that are economical, fuel efficient, have minimal emissions, are affordable to all and that do not damage the environment in the building process.
Once you get a taste for the best, you tend to want it in all aspects of your life. BMW know this and have made a whole range of accessories for men, women and children to be able to celebrate BMW. You can choose anything from the little accessories such as key rings and good quality leather belts to textiles in the form of T-shirts and jumpers.
For BMW this is a good form of advertising but it’s also a way of supplying top quality products to their customers to keep them coming back for more.
In order to keep up with the Joneses of the motoring industry, Lexus have made some modifications to their IS 220d. These changes have led to the CO2 emissions down from 163 to 148g/km.
This is good news for those who use Lexus as company cars as the lower emissions mean that more of the original cost can be set off against corporation tax. This means a saving of £1,335 – not to be sniffed at, especially in our current economic climate.
In July 2008, Mini were awarded the prestigious accolade of winner of What Car’s Green Awards for their achievements in making a premium small car with little impact on the environment.
However, this simply wasn’t enough and they have pushed themselves for more pats on the head – this time winning the best hot hatch award for the third time in a row at the annual What Car ceremony.
Mini love nothing more than to shake things up a little and that is exactly why they like to bring out one design of Mini and then do regular little adjustments to the design, not necessarily to better it, but just to make it different and keep it fresh. It also means the chances of you ending up with the same Mini as your neighbour are very, very slim!
The current Mini model has just had its fourth variation released – The Mini Crossover Concept. With four doors, four wheel drive, four single seats and at four metres in length you can see a bit of a them going on here.
Honda has made the bright lights of Hollywood in no less than a block-busting movie starring Keanu Reeves. The Honda Civic Hybrid was chosen as the lead female roles vehicle as she is portrayed as a forward thinking, intelligent woman who cares for her environment.
The Day The Earth Stood Still opened on 12th December 2008 and is a remake of the 1951 film about an alien who lands on earth, throwing mankind into disarray. Jennifer Connelly takes the lead female role as a scientist who gets caught up with the alien (Keanu Reeves) visitation.
BMW are set to launch their first roadster with a retractable hard top at the 2009 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
This is their two-seater sports car with a choice of three engine sizes offering up to 306hp, a Double Clutch Transmission and an Adaptive M Suspension – the first BMW’s to have these specifications.
The electro-hydraulic roof can be raised or lowered in as little as 20 seconds. With softer lines and sweeping headlamps and taillights, this BMW has a much softer look than previous models. But don’t be fooled by this soft exterior – it’s still a beast under the hood with 0 – 62mph in 7.3 seconds with a top speed of 149mph.
We’ve all seen those cars on the road – the ones that just make your jaw drop because you know they are the height of luxury. There are the usual suspects but there also some understated vehicles that you simply would have no idea about unless you drove one. Trouble is, once you have, you just won’t want to go back to an ordinary car again!
It has to be said that while there is a recession on, it doesn’t affect everyone. And those lucky few who still have cash to splash should take a look at the very latest in luxurious vehicles while the rest of us turn green with envy!
Lexus have released two new versions of the RX 400h – Europe’s only hybrid premium SUV. The Lexus RX 400h Limited Edition comes with leather upholstery, heated electrically operated front seats and the latest in cutting edge on board entertainment and communications.
America may well be famous for super-sizing everything but it seems they have seen the light! Mini have reported a 29 per cent growth in their US sales for last year taking them up to over 54,000 units sold and 54,000 Americans that can no longer afford to super-size their burgers!
The US is now responsible for a quarter of the total Mini sales, showing that they truly have fallen in love with the typically British little car.
At the North American International Auto Show 2009, Ian Robertson – speaking for BMW AG – introduced the audience to the new Mini E. This is the entirely electric powered car suitable for everyday use and is completely emission free, showing that the Americans are taking their environmental responsibilities seriously.
This past weekend has just seen the Tokyo Auto Salon 2009 where the Honda Access Corporation have been showing off two new concept vehicles – the Sports Modulo S2000 Concept and the Sports Modulo Fit Concept.
With totally unique styling, the new Honda is all about chiselled lines and eye-catching looks. Based on the S2000 convertible roadster, the Sports Modulo S2000 Concept is a sports car for those who truly appreciate the superior performance that Honda has to offer.
I had to pop to the BMW garage this weekend whilst my car was in for a service and couldn’t help but indulge myself in a little window shopping. This is never a good idea unless you really are in the market for a new vehicle!
I have to say, out of the showroom offerings, there was one vehicle above all the others that stood out for me and that was the X6. An absolute beast of a car, this was, to my mind, more like a tank – in the nicest possible way.
In April of 2008, Lexus launched their IS-F on the UK market, with only 150 vehicles available. And now anyone can get one – if you have a spare 50k laying around.
But oh, how that 50k would be worth spending! 0 – 60 in 4.8 seconds with a top speed of 168mph coming from a 5 litre V8 engine. Sheer power wrapped in a complete beast of a shell that displays power as well as beauty, that commands attention and leavers on-lookers in awe.
This high tech sports saloon offering from Lexus sports an ‘F’ which could easily stand for ‘finesse’ or ‘flair’ but actually represents ‘Fuji’ – as in the Fuji Speedway – home of Toyota and Lexus testing facilities.
Good news to start the year off for new Honda owners or those looking to buy a new Honda!
Honda are so secure in the knowledge that their engines are the best around that they are offering three year warranties on select GX engines. This replaces the former two year warranty and became effective as of January 1st 2009. Honda GX, GXV and V-Twin engines are all covered by the extended warranty.
Christmas is over and funds are, once again, tight. Yet, life goes on and expenses still need to be met. So, how about digging around the net and bagging yourself a bargain in the car department? I know what you’re thinking – you need a car that is reliable, not some old banger that someone’s flogging off and that is unlikely to make it to the end of the road. Well, take a look at the Cooper BMW website and you’ll be pleasantly surprised!
