The Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition racing car will finally be made available come January, a concept race car that was initially shown at the SEMA 2008 in Las Vegas. It comes equipped with the TDI Cup Edition Kit which includes a front bumper, side skirts and rear valance. The Jetta TDI Cup Street Edition will also feature a 2.0-liter clean diesel engine loaded with 140HP paired with a 6-speed manual transmission. Other notable enhancements include an 18” Charleston wheels with performance all-season tires, sports seats and a multi-function steering wheel that features paddle shifters when equipped with the DSG transmission.

(Source) Press

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No one can stop you from eating when you are on the road. Apparently, this is common for people who are driving in a hurry. And while many are advised to make sure that they can handle driving and eating at the same time, there are some food choices that can really be dangerous and even get you into unfortunate incidents if you are not careful.

These are normally sources of distractions which can get you into trouble. And while you claim to be careful, just take note that they can take your attention of the wheel. For reference purposes, here are the acclaimed 10 most dangerous foods while driving for you to check out:

• Coffee. Even with a travel lid, hot coffee can find its way out of the opening when you hit a bump.
• Hot soup. Many people drink it like coffee and run the same risks.
• Tacos. Any food that can disassemble itself will leave your car looking like a salad bar.
• Chili dogs. Huge potential for drips and slops down the front of clothing.
• Hamburgers. From the grease to the toppings, it could end up on your hands and the steering wheel.
• Ribs and wings. What’s more distracting than licking your fingers?
• Fried chicken. More greasy hands. You’ve got to wipe them off while you’re driving.
• Jelly donuts. It’s not possible to eat one without watching the center ooze out.
• Soda. Carbonation. Fizz in the nose. Lids that leak. Disaster.
• Chocolate. Try to clean melted chocolate off the steering wheel without swerving.

(Source) Press

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Kia Motors America formally launches the all-new 2010 Kia Forte Koup 2-door coupe this summer. This latest releases continues to bring the innovative style and features of the Kia brand, available in two trim levels, the EX and SX.

Among the highlights of the all new 2-door Kia Forte Koup include:

• 2.0-liter inline four-cylinder engine
• Four transmission options
• Supportive sport seats outfitted with more aggressive bolsters on the seat cushion and seat back for optimal comfort
• Bluetooth connectivity with steering wheel-mounted controls that enable voice-activated hands-free operation for compatible cell phones
• Six-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with SIRIUS Satellite Radio

Additional standard equipment on all Koup models includes air conditioning, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, cruise control with steering wheel-mounted controls, driver’s seat height adjuster, adjustable rear seat headrests, tilt steering column, rear defroster, center console with dual cup holders and storage area, dual map lamps with ceiling-mounted, drop-down sunglasses holder and variable intermittent windshield wipers.

(Source) Press

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Kia Motors America unveiled new pictures of the special edition 2010 Denim Kia Soul. From afar it looks like the same Kia Soul which initially came out but go a bit closer and you may notice the changes for this popular urban passenger vehicle.

Among the highlights of the 2010 Denim Kia Soul Special Edition:

• Unique denim exterior color
• White side-view mirrors
• White 18-inch alloy wheels
• Front fender turn signal indicator lights
• Wing-type rear spoiler
• White racing stripes completing the rally-inspired look.
• Audio Upgrade Package (center speaker, subwoofer, external amplifier and speaker lights that pulse to the beat of the music)
• An iPod connection cable for full functionality via the radio head unit and steering wheel controls
• Carpeted floor mats
• Moonroof
• Fog lights

The special edition Denim Soul is priced at $17,300 for a five-speed manual transmission and $18,250 for the automatic version.

(Source) Press

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When it comes to driving, proper scheduling of car maintenance in a need. And while most people are pre-occupied on the speed and how their car engines fare, NAPA Auto Parts reminds motorists how important it is to step on the brakes.

Given that Americans spend 4.2 billion hours a year constantly using their brakes in traffic, it’s obvious proactive brake maintenance is important. However, since brake replacement timeframes vary anywhere between 30,000 and 60,000 miles, recognizing brake warning signs is imperative to avoid a complete brake failure.

In an effort to keep drivers protected and save them money, NAPA’s 2009 Technician of the Year, Jack Gregory, offers advice on what those warning signs mean and why you should pay attention to them.

• Hear loud or frequent squeaks or grinding – A sound mechanism built into the brakes alerts drivers when replacements are needed. If a metal scraping sound occurs, the brakes have worn down to the rotors and need to be fixed.
• Smell an acid, burning odor – Problems with calipers sticking or hanging up, as well as problems with the brake hose can produce the scent. Heavy braking also can cause an unpleasant odor. “As soon as the driver smells the odor, I recommend bringing the vehicle to an ASE-certified technician who can diagnose the source and fix the problem before it gets worse,” said Gregory.
• Feel your brake pedal “squish” or become difficult to depress – Squishy brakes indicate air in the brake system caused by problems with the master cylinder, possibly a leak. Difficult to depress brakes are also often caused by a malfunctioning power booster.
• Feel shuddering or a continuous vibration in the steering wheel – Brake rotors or brake drums can trigger the vehicle to shake. “If you feel this shuddering for an extended period of time, it’s a warning sign to have your brakes inspected,” notes Gregory.
• See rust or metal flakes peeling off your brakes – When the vehicle brake pads are worn and hit the rotors, rust or metal flakes appear.
• See the brake system warning light turn on – A vehicle’s brake light usually warns the driver about worn brake pads. “The brake light can also indicate low fluids levels in the master cylinder, possibly caused by a leak,” added Gregory. “Either way, it’s important to have the problem addressed quickly before the brake system completely malfunctions putting you and others in danger.”

(Source) Press

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What does a car spoiler do to a car? Well for one, it improves and adds another dimension as far as car art is concerned. But for new cars, it tends to provide an additional feeling of being unique, something that the latest Hyundai Genesis Coupe has released.

Hyundai released Genesis Coupe RW(Racing Wing Pack) model upgraded practical things in Korea market, which is equipped a rear spoiler to show the high-performance image.

With a focus on customer preference and convenience, new specifications were applied. Qualified, high-performance image of the RW model to maximize the Genesis Coupe merchantability added to improve the model.

DMB intelligent navigation is optional. In this option, the clock, air conditioning, audio information display changed to the information display of driving status such as torque and multi-gauge. In addition, high-pass system (ETCS, Electronic Toll Collecting System) is applied on all models to improve convenience of the highway driving. It’s only useful in South Korea highway system.

When you select automatic transmission, paddle shift attached to the steering wheel is enabled to that customers can enjoy even more dynamic driving and at the same time, their sense of economic driving was also considered.

Suggested price is between 22,970,000(KRW) and 34,280,000(KRW).

(Source) Aving

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We have seen a lot of alternative fuels being experimented on and apparently this one takes the cake. Can you imagine a car running on chocolate? That car must have some kinda sweet tooth to run swiftly on chocolate-based biodiesel!

This story from TG Daily says researchers at the University of Warwick in the UK have now built a Formula 3 racing car capable of taking corners at 125 mph… running on biodiesel made from chocolate:

The car meets all Formula 3 racing standards except for its biodiesel engine, which is configured to run on fuel derived from waste chocolate and vegetable oil. Formula 3 cars currently cannot use biodiesel. The team hopes to enter it in some sort of race soon, though, said [project manager James] Meredith.

Components made from plants form the mainstay of the car’s make up, including a race specification steering wheel derived from carrots and other root vegetables, a flax fibre and soybean oil foam racing seat, a woven flax fibre bib and plant oil-based lubricants.

The biodiesel engine is configured to run on fuel derived from waste chocolate and vegetable oil. It also incorporates a radiator coated in a ground-breaking emission destroying catalyst.

(Source) Domestic Fuel

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Fiat unveils a new compact vehicle in the Abarth 500 Esseesse, a brilliant little Italian motor named after an Austrian racer. They had to use the Italian ‘EsseEsse’ for short, because SS is a bit too redolent of the last time Europe was ruled by one all-powerful group. This car from Fiat is certain to be another great addition that combines compact class with wise motoring today.

Features:

• Engine 1.4-litre turbocharged four-cylinder in-line
• Power 160bhp
• Max torque 230Nm at 3,000rpm
• Transmission Five-speed manual
• Top speed 131mph
• Standard features 17in alloys, ABS with EBD, Torque Transfer Control, ESP with Anti-Slip Regulation, high-performance drilled and vented brake discs, hill holder, radio/CD/MP3 player, Bluetooth and USB, sports seats, Sport button with boost function, rear privacy glass, electric mirrors, height-adjustable steering wheel and seat, seat memory, air-con
• Optional extras Electric sunroof, sat-nav, chequered roof, scorpion bonnet decal, side-stripe, auto air-con, leather interior, 50/50 split-folding rear seats

(Source) Daily Mail

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When Hyundai initially unveiled the Elantra Touring, it is notable that the compact sport wagon went barely noticed. But now, it seems Hyundai is reaping the benefits of this vehicle as more shipments of the said model were reportedly heading Canada’s way.

Now, shipments are heading here and president Steve Kelleher couldn’t be happier. “The compact segment is huge in Canada,” says Kelleher, noting sales in this segment account for about half of all cars sold in this country, “and 25% of that segment is five-door models. We haven’t had a product in that segment — and now we do.”

In fact, with global auto sales shrinking, Kelleher has been promised he’ll get as many Elantra Tourings as he wants from the factory in Ulsan, Korea. “This is the first time we’ve been able to get as much product as we want, so we’re excited. We’re ready to go after the market.”

The 2009 Elantra Touring is a long-wheelbase version of the Hyundai I-30, which is sold in Europe and elsewhere. It was developed at Hyundai’s design centre in Germany and its DNA is apparent — it rides and handles like a European product.

The Touring GL, starting at $18,795, adds heated power mirrors, front tweeters to the audio system, a height adjuster and lumbar support to the driver’s seat, trip computer, fog lights, cruise control and a security curtain for the cargo area, plus a tilt and telescopic steering wheel.

(Source) Canada.com

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Kia Motors adds another award to its repertoire of vehicles as the 2010 Kia Soul has been named as the “Grooviest Interior” on the Ward’s AutoWorld “Interior of the Year” list. Recently launched in Miami and on sale now in dealerships nationwide, Soul was one of only 11 vehicles honored for offering great looks and great value along with extensive safety features, comfort and convenience features.

“We are extremely pleased with Ward’s recognition of the Soul as a youthful, aesthetically pleasing vehicle that offers consumers tremendous value,” said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing of KMA. “As we continue to focus heavily on design, both with the Soul and our upcoming 2010 Kia Forte, we are confident that consumers will recognize our continued commitment to providing stylish vehicles with an emphasis on value, safety and quality.”

Available in four trims (Soul, Soul+, Soul! and Soul sport) and with a base price of $13,300, Soul offers consumers a highly personalizable vehicle with an equally “groovy” yet user-friendly and practical interior space. With design elements influenced by the car’s audio system, Soul offers an uncluttered dashboard with a three-dial instrument cluster, LCD illumination and floating center stack design that provides access to the AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system outfitted with SIRIUS Satellite Radio capabilities and three months complimentary service.

Standard USB and auxiliary input jacks also are in the center console with full iPod and MP3 controllability via the audio head unit and steering wheel controls achieved with an optional accessory iPod cable.

Passengers also will be treated to unique patterns and style regardless of trim. The Soul+ trim offers funky black cloth seats with “glowing” Soul logo inserts while the Soul! trim comes with a distinctive sand-black interior with houndstooth-patterned inserts. The Soul sport presents a bold red-black interior trim with red-trimmed cloth seats and metal-finish interior accents. Further enhancing the personal lounge feel, an Audio Upgrade Package (optional for Soul+, standard for Soul! and Soul sport) offers speaker lights that pulse to the beat of the music or simply add mood lighting to the interior cabin.

(Source) Press

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In what many are comparing to the 2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan, the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe promises a lot of new features for car enthusiasts looking for affordable and feature-filled cars in the market. It’s the companion to the Hyundai Genesis sedan, a credible car in its own right that was voted 2009 North American Car of the Year by automotive journalists. But you aren’t apt to get the two mixed up. The sedan is a refined family vehicle.

The two-door, in contrast, is sleekly low slung with race car-like styling and two choices of engines, a 2.0-liter turbo four cylinder generating 218 horsepower and a 3.8-liter V6 churning out 306 hp.

The 2.0-liter model starts at $22,000 and is priced around $25,000 with options. The limited edition 3.8-liter version starts at $29,875 and can run with extras up to $32,000 or so. According to Zarres, it is the lowest priced rear wheel drive car in America with more than 300 hp.

The V6 has a six-speed transmission with clutchless manual feature, paddle shifters on the steering wheel, 18 inch alloy wheels, leather seats, xenon headlights and power locks and windows standard. There’s also a host of accessories and safety features, including backup warning system, anti-lock braking, electronic stability control and Bluetooth-enabled hands free phone.

The Genesis coupe likely will replace the Tiburon, which has been Hyundai’s sportier model.

(Source) The Post and Courier

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Up for grabs is the luxurious and stylish Mansory Vincero oozing with $700,000 worth of upgrades. This tweaked Veyron now carries a value of $2.5 million, one of which is now available for sale in Abu Dhabi. The German-based exotic auto tuner boosted the car’s power to 1,109 hp, and the exterior is finished in high-gloss black and grey with chrome accents on the grille, front fenders and doors, and front and rear carbon fiber panels. Inside there’s two-tone black and white leather, ambient cabin lighting and custom F1-style shift paddles on the steering wheel.

The Bugatti Veyron is a pretty impressive package straight from the factory, but German-based exotic auto tuner Mansory obviously felt there was still room for improvement. Their conversion, produced in an ultra-exclusive limited edition of three for Abu Dhabi-based Prestige Cars, is dubbed the Vincero, Italian for (”I will win”).

With 1,109 hp and 967 lb-ft of torque produced by improved intake and exhaust systems along with Mansorys trademark engine tuning, thats no idle boast. The high-gloss black and grey version pictured here has chrome accents on the grille, front fenders and doors, and carbon fiber panels on the bonnet, rear engine cover, rear fascia and diffuser.

Fully custom forged wheels and LED headlight accents round out the exterior upgrades. Inside youll find two-tone black and white leather, alternating in smooth and woven finishes, ambient cabin lighting and custom F1-style shift paddles on the steering wheel.

(Source) James List

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While many are judging from the outer looks of cars, Nissan is busy building on the interiors of its car line. Branded as their aging suit, Nissan is aiming to build comfortable interiors made for the challenges and difficulties that aging drivers often have to face.

According to Nissan, technology such as this will help them design interiors that almost anyone can get into and know exactly where everything is and how to use it. It helps the engineering team answer questions such as “How do we understand which knob does what and how it’s supposed to work?” “Where do we expect to find it?” “How does the experience make people feel?”

Answering these questions will aid Nissan in creating interiors that offer everyone inside both comfort and complete functionality. From the information gathered, Nissan was able to put together the Prototype for their Best Usability Interior Stage-2 (BUI-2). Every interior component, right down to the steering wheel, was designed for maximum comfort and usability.

(Source) World Car Fans

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How would you feel about automating you car settings via one simple card? Well such a technology is here and it is called the Car Setting Card. Rather than make the necessary adjustments for comfortable driving, this card can automatically do it all for you. The card however is still in the testing stages and open to negotiations (to whomever would want to patent and buy this new technology).

The card sets automatically items such as seats, steering wheel, mirrors, windows, air conditioner, etc. Even drivers with no card may adjust the items according to his or her preferences, however the electronic automotive system emulate and store the settings as adjusted by the driver in memories of the data card.

This technology addresses mainly the troubling to access a car and set its several adjustments.

(Source) Zyrist

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This early, the Ford KA is a car that needs a lot to be improved. It is a car obviously rushed and sorely lacking in conceptualization. This car seems to be doomed as far as Ford’s entry into the small to compact cars category.

The seats are so hard that drivers may not approve of them. Steering wheel reach may be too far, a problem for shorter people who may end up trying this car out. The only steering wheel adjustment you can do with it is via vertical adjustment.

It seems that the interior concept was made to provide a roomy driving environment. However, it looks like adjustments were not even considered in the mix.

And for on-road safety, the headlights may have to be thought of. They simple provide poor illumination that can result into accidents especially during the night.

Obviously, Ford would have wanted to develop its own small car. Asking its engineers to reclothe a Fiat rather than asking them to design their own baby from the ground up is like asking Stella McCartney to sew some new buttons on an Ozwald Boateng suit. No one becomes an engineer in a car company so they can spend their life sanding the word “Fiat” off components and writing “Ford” on them instead.

(Source) Times Online

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