2011 Hyundai Equus Review & Prices

The Equus has been highly anticipated by many Chicago Hyundai Equus enthusiasts because it has many of the same features as a high-end luxury vehicle with a price anywhere from $12,000 - $35,000 less. The leather is soft. The seat is plush and comfortable, and the headliner is made from of Alcantara suede, just like that in an S65 AMG. The 2011 Hyundai Equus even has French stitching on the leather-wrapped dash.

This full-size, rear-drive luxury sedan will give Hyundai a budget alternative to a Mercedes S-Class, Lexus LS, Jaguar XJ or other top-notch sedans. The Equus rides on a 5-link suspension (front and rear) featuring lightweight aluminum control arms while Hyundai has worked in partnership with ZF-SACHS to develop an air-suspension that is electronically governed to minimize body roll, nose-diving and other undesirable characteristics.

Other notable highlights include the standard Vehicle Stability Management which integrates the Lane Departure Warning System, Pre-Safety System, Third Generation Smart Cruise Control (SCC) and other sub-systems, as well as the addition of a Knee Air Bag for the driver that brings the total airbag count to nine.

Hyundai says the price of the 2011 Equus should start at $50,000-$60,000 and the vehicle will be extremely well-equipped, meaning the Equus would undercut prices on comparable competitor vehicles.

2011 Nissan Altima Review

 In 2009, Nissan sold 203,568 Altimas, which earned it the bronze medal behind the Toyota Camry (356,824 units sold) and Honda Accord (290,056), but put it only a scant 20,000 units ahead of the Ford Fusion. So, when changes to America's number-three-selling midsize family sedan were announced, we knew we had to see firsthand whether Nissan improved its car -- and potentially, its position on the sales podium.

Now the changes aren't huge. The Altima received a head-to-toe redesign back in 2007,which was largely responsible for those strong sales numbers. To keep things fresh without losing the formula, Nissan product planners have wisely kept this update subtle.

The biggest change the 2010 Altima receives is to its front end. The one-piece front-bumper fascia receives understated chrome edging to the three slats of its tweaked grille. Vertical creases now break up the intake area of the lower fascia into three separate parts and give the Altima a beak reminiscent of a VW Jetta's. The hood has been reshaped to include a bump in the center and is now straight at its leading edge. More noticeable is that the headlights have lost their large amber reflective element.

2011 Toyota Camry Hybrid Review

The best-selling passenger car in America for 8 striaight years, the Toyota Camry, is now available for the 2011 model year as a fuel-saving hybrid sedan at Carson Toyota. This new Camry Hybrid is rated at 31/35 MPG (33 combined), and provides power via both the gas engine and the electric motor, or both.

The 2011 Camry Hybrid model owes its outstanding efficiency to Hybrid Synergy Drive, which produces a combined 187 horsepower and varies power between the gas engine and electric motor, or combines both, as needed. The first part of Hybrid Synergy Drive consists of a 147-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder Atkinson-cycle engine coupled with an electronically- controlled planetary-gear continuously variable transmission.

The second part combines a small high-torque 40-hp electric motor, an ultra-small inverter with a specially designed compact battery and a transaxle to seamlessly combine power from the electric motor and gasoline engine. Because there are situations in which the gasoline engine in a Toyota hybrid shuts completely off, air conditioning and power steering systems are driven electrically.

Los Angeles Toyota shoppers can further reduce energy by using Camry’s “ECO” button which limits energy consumption by the climate control system, and under certain conditions can actually help improve fuel economy. Special attention was also paid to vehicle underbody aerodynamics, including the use of wheel spats and underbelly pans, which help yield a coefficient of drag of just 0.27.

The 2011 Camry Hybrid is certified as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) and is one of just a handful of cars that meet this strict standard. It produces over 70 percent less smog-forming emissions than the average new car

2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid Review

The 2010 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid ranks 3 out of 8 Full Size Pickup Trucks. This ranking is based on our analysis of 18 published reviews and test drives of the Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Hybrid, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The 2010 Silverado 1500 Hybrid combines improved fuel economy with decent truck capabilities. However, it may take you a while to recoup the extra cash you'll lay out for the Silverado Hybrid's price premium over the gas-only Silverado.

Full size pickup trucks have long been a target for green-based complaints but the Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid makes that target a little harder to hit.   While the fuel economy isn't going to set Al Gore's heart aflutter, the Silverado Hybrid and its corporate cousin, the GMC Sierra 1500 Hybrid, is the most fuel-efficient truck you can buy -- and buying it requires little sacrifice in terms of capabilities. Motor Trend says, "Despite the eco-friendly gasoline-electric drivetrain and miserly (for a truck, at least) fuel economy that goes with it, this is a legitimate full-size pickup."

However, the Silverado Hybrid starts at the high end of the full size pickup class (though it does come very well equipped for the money). Even with an available $2,200 tax credit for buying the truck, the Silverado Hybrid's price tag means it doesn't make sense for every buyer. People who drive in a lot of stop-and-go traffic are likely to get the most benefit from the Silverado Hybrid, because it can run on electric power alone at slow speeds, and its engine shuts off when it's stopped in traffic, which saves a lot of fuel. Still, even with the tax credit, if gas prices stay below $3.00 a gallon it should take about four years to save enough on gas to cover the Silverado Hybrid's price premium.  Of course, if you spend more time in traffic or gas prices go back up, the payoff comes a lot sooner.

Compared to the gas-only Silverado, the Silverado hybrid has a 40 percent increase in city fuel economy, and achieves gas mileage similar to a midsize sedan's. At the same time, it has a comfortable and roomy cabin and a useful cargo bed.  While it may not be able to out-tow or haul a gas-only truck, its capabilities are certainly in line with what most buyers need, and its fuel bills are in line with what most buyers want.
Other Trucks to Consider

The Silverado Hybrid has similar capabilities to the conventional Silverado, but if you frequently tow or haul large loads, the gas-only Silverado may make more sense.  At its beefiest, the Silverado can tow over 10,000 pounds, while the Silverado hybrid tops out at just over 6,000.  If your truck needs are more than the Silverado Hybrid can handle, you should also check out the Ford F-150.  The F-150 can out tow and haul the Silverado Hybrid, and while it only uses gasoline for power, it does have an ultra-efficient (for a truck) SFE trim that maximizes fuel economy. The Silverado is also available in a non-hybrid, super efficient XFE trim. Both the Silverado XFE and F-150 SFE get 15 miles per gallon in the city and 21 miles per gallon on the highway.

Details: The Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid

The Silverado Hybrid is available in two trims: the work truck-oriented HY1 and more luxurious HY2. Unlike most other trucks, it is only available in one configuration: a four-door crew cab with a six-foot short bed.  A 6.0-liter V8 is standard.  The Silverado Hybrid was introduced in 2009.  For 2010, it gains flex fuel capabilities.

Luxury Hybrid SUV Lexus RX 400h Review

Lexus RX 400h is world's first luxury gas electric hybrid SUV car. The hybrid car would be powered by V6 Hybrid Synergy Drive system. It will also be rated as Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle which is one of the toughest emission rating in auto Industry.

The other attraction for this hybrid car will be its Vehicle Dynamic Management or VDM. Its functionality is that it would anticipate whenever the vihicle tends to skid or slide and it also helps in controlling the situation by brakes and throttle control.

The 3.3-liter, V6 engine and 400h hybrid powertrain with powerful electric motor improves the fuel efficiency and low and mid acceleration. It could operate on gas or electic motor or combine both to have great fuel efficiency. The fuel consumption for this car is approximately 27.6 mpg. 0-60 km speed could be reached at sub-8 second time.

The  Lexus RX 400h Hybrid car charges batteries by reclaiming energy at the time of braking popularly known as regenerative braking system. When the brakes are applied electri motor acts as generator which in turn captures kinetic energy and convert it to electric energy which is lost in conventional cars in the form of heat through brakes.

Specifications for 2005 Lexus RX 400h hybrid car

`` Powertrain: Engine - 3.3 liter V6
`` Electric motor(s) - Permanent magnet
`` Estimated total horsepower - 270
`` Expected EPA emissions rating - Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle (SULEV)
`` Transmission - Electronically-controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (ECVT)
`` Length: 186.6 in.
`` Width: 72.6 in.
`` Height: 66.1 in.
`` Wheelbase: 106.9 in.

Hybrid car. How It Works. Some Basics About Hybrid Cars

Hybrid Car

Let us first see how conventional and electric cars work. The conventional cars uses gasoline powered internal combustion engine which is and the car gets its all the power from this. An electric car gets its power from batteries. The Hybrid cars is one which can run on electric motors or gasoline powered engines or combination of both which creates higher mileage possibility.

The basic features of hybrid cars are:

Smaller engine:
The smaller engine provides enough power to car to run on free way but when the car needs to run uphill batteries comes to its rescue and the car runs on both batteries and gasoline engine. There is no effect in performance and driver could be unaware of the shift from battery to gasoline or vice versa.

Engine shutof:
When car puts brakes or when the car reaches red light the engine shuts down and car is powered by gasoline without driver knowing it

Efficiency:
The efficiency of the hybrid cars is achieved by
# Using lightweight materials for making body of car.
# Recovering energy and storing it in the battery
# Using advanced aerodynamics to reduce drag
# Using low-rolling resistance tires
# Engine shut off at redlight and when car pauses for a while.

Electric Car - History. Second Part

On 1971 the Lunar Rover was driven on the Moon, it was used electrical vehicle, because there is no oxygen to burn gas. Vehicle was developed by Boeing and Delco Electronics. Rover was driven by DC motor in each wheel with non-rechargeable batteries.

It seems that there was no chance to bring back electric car. But price of oil extremely increased in 70s and 80s. Consumers wanted to have car with minimal fuel cost fluctuation. Car companies again started to think about electric car motor and created prototypes. And in 1990 General Motor presented the GM Impact electric car concept and promised to sale electric cars widely.

The government agencies like U.S. Environmental Protection Agency impressed by impact electric car concept obliged car makers to reduce car emission and start to produce zero-emission cars like electrical vehicle. But unfortunately car companies made self-sabotages and tried press on agency using lobbyists and lawsuits, because producing of electric cars was not profitable comparing with gasoline analogues. U.S. Environmental Agency had to cancel car makers’ obligations.

Big car companies went out from electric car industry. Therefore new small companies were designing and producing electric car. The good example is Indian REVA electric car company, which sells its car mostly on Europe market.

Americans more like sport utility vehicles which are affordable only with low gas prices and car companies interested produce big cars, because they brings more money. But 2000s energy crisis again renewed interest in hybrid and electric car motors. Sport utility vehicle is not in favor today. Chevrolet Volt is hybrid car with ability to work on electricity and charge the batteries from gasoline engine was announced of the 2010 release. Also Nissan announced in 2009 Nissan Leaf midsize electric car, which can be available for sale in 2010.

Car Tires - How To Prolong Life

 
Paramount importance to ensure safety when driving a car has a condition of his tires. There are some "golden" rules under which you can achieve maximum mileage, increase safety and significantly extend the life of his tires.
 
1-e rule. Regularly check your tire pressure car. Because of the unequal pressure in the tires can be a bad handling car. In addition, uneven tire pressure can lead to uneven wear their protectors.

wear on outer edges

2-e rule. Need to regularly swap car tires. Thus, it is necessary every 5-10 thousand kilometers swap tires that are on the front wheels, the rear wheels. This procedure must be performed due to the fact that the tires on different axles of the car wear out in different ways. When moving the tires need to be sure to check the pressure in them.

3-e rule.Third rule. Need to check the installation of tires on rims in the direction of their rotation. This direction is usually indicated on the sides of tires. If you set the bus in the opposite direction, their characteristics are not optimal in all modes and conditions.

4-e rule. Drive the car to gently and quietly. For example, sudden braking and drifting on turning significantly reduce tire life. This is especially manifested in the studded tires.

5-e rule. In carrying out the replacement tire must pay attention to their deterioration. If this wear on the tires evenly, then it means that their working conditions are optimal. If there is uneven wear their protectors, you should always check the corners and the steering wheel to balancing on a service station.

What is Xenon?

It is known that more than half of accidents on the roads due to poor visibility. That's why quality lighting is one of the most important factors on the road to ensure safety and comfort.

How to achieve this increase in brightness? One possible option - to put additional or more powerful lights. Give it to us more light? Certainly willing, but it still gives an extra load on the generator due to greater consumption of electricity.

And, you can put a metal halide discharge (HID-Lamp), or, as they are called in the people - xenon light, which is 2-3 times brighter than a conventional halogen lamp, and power consumption almost in half below. The driver, using xenon in his car at night driving sees more clearly the details of the road, pedestrians, cyclists, counting on the roads, so, manages to keep up with the situation if necessary. The car, in turn, becomes more economical, by reducing the load on the generator, which in turn lowers fuel consumption.

What is a Xenon lamp? This lamp is composed of the bulb encasing a capsule with two electrodes, filled with xenon (an inert gas) with the addition of mercury salts. To get light, uses an electric charge of high intensity. First, the lamp is supplied a charge capacity of 25,000 volts to arc inside the lamp appeared. After the appearance of the lamp arc, is supply voltage of 80 volts.

Safety, comfort and prestige of xenon proved in theory and in practice, and it certainly makes him a leader in lighting technology on the roads.

Electric Car – Informed Decisions

An electric car uses an electric motor for propulsion and is the best known alternative to expensive gasoline driven vehicles.  The electric car motor makes use of electrical energy to produce mechanical energy, or in other words movement.  Electric motors make use of the electrical energy to rotate and anything attached to the motor automatically harnesses that rotating movement.  Electric motors are not only limited to cars, you can find the smallest ones in watches and the largest ones are used to propel ships.

The electric car motor involves rotating coils of wire driven by a magnetic force that is exerted by a magnetic field on electric current.  This is how electrical energy is transformed into mechanical energy.
The principle behind alternating current or the AC motor is that every single second it is changing direction of the flow several times.  For this reason the current that runs through the electromagnet is AC, with the north and south poles on the electromagnet alternating as well.  This keeps the electromagnet spinning.

The DC electric car motor is actually a very good one and the Advanced Series is a best seller.  However you will need to consider the following carefully before you opt for a DC motor for your car.  Will you need to carry heavy loads and go up hill frequently?  If the answer to both is yes, then you will be better off choosing an electric AC motor.

If on the other hand these are not really important concerns, then a DC motor will be a good choice.  They provide very good torque right from the start and give the driver a good smooth ride.

Remember that with the electric car motor you definitely get what you pay for, so research well and seek the advice of a professional before you make a final decision.  Electric motors are not cheap and you cannot just go out and buy another if you make a mistake, it will prove to be a very costly mistake!

Electric Car Parts

 Have you had enough of exorbitant gasoline bills? Is a good part of your monthly paycheck going towards fuel costs? Would you like to change to an electric car that will give you virtually zero gas bills and contribute to a cleaner environment? If the answers are yes all the way, read on to find out all you need to know about the electric car parts you are going to need to convert your normal car to an electric one.

You should always buy your electric car parts from a reputable dealer; never go for used parts, they do not come with any sort of guarantee. Make sure your dealer is licensed and will give you a guarantee on the parts you buy. Also make sure there is a good return policy in place, should you wish to return a part for whatever reason.

In order to get an electric car you can either convert your existing car or buy a new, ready made electric car. In either case you need to know something about the electric car parts to make an informed decision about your purchase.

• Your battery charger is one of the most important items; you will need to charge your car everyday and poor quality battery chargers can make life very difficult for you.

• The car battery pack has to be the best; your options include the common and affordable lead acid flooded type batteries; Absorption Glass Mat (AGM), which are maintenance free, more powerful and of course a bit more expensive; the Ni-MH is a maintenance free, very expensive battery but very long lasting than any of the others.

• The motor is the next important car part; this is the determining factor for the vehicle’s performance. The motor you buy should be technically sound, excellent quality and capable of high performance output.Apart from these main electric car parts there are several others and it would be a good idea to take a professional with you when you plan to convert or buy.

Electric Car Parts – Everything You Need To Know

The electric carriage requires three electric car parts to drive: a motor at powered an automobile, batteries that storage energy, motor’s controller that brings and control electricity from batteries to engine. The driver manages speed of car using accelerator connected with motor’s controller through potentiometer (resistor with variable resistance). Controller brings required level of power depending on what position driver sticks pedal of accelerator.

Controller uses pulsing principle to regulate the power on the engine. It means that when driver pushes accelerator pedal controller gets level of voltage on potentiometer. Depending on this level controller cuts the power from accumulator batteries and brings these portions to the engine. Let’s assume that driver pushes pedal on 30%.

Controller reads this level from potentiometer and cut power with equal portions (impulses) for example 20 thousand times per second.  So 6 thousand impulses have maximum voltage level, 14 thousand have zero level. After second controller again reads voltage level from potentiometer and calculates the number of impulses.

The number of impulses per second is important criteria for controller because impulse frequency causes the same engine vibration frequency. As human hearing frequency threshold is 15 thousand per second. So when impulse frequency is more than 15 thousand per second it keeps silent engine work for human.
DC controller works using principle described above. AC controller is much more complicated.

Because it produces three phase alternating current from batteries’ direct current. So it uses impulse principle for pulse the current and also it reverses polarity of the voltage 60 times per second using set of transistors.
As you see AC motors and controllers are more complicated for installation during electric vehicle conversion than DC motor, but they produce more power comparing with the same weight as DC engines.

Electric Car Motor – What To Look For

An electric car motor functions by using electrical energy to create mechanical energy.  You can run your electric motor as a generator but this is not recommended.  The electric motor can be powered by direct current (DC) from a battery powered device or by alternating current (AC) from an electrical distribution grid.  Increasingly advanced electric motors were created all through the nineteenth century.

When it comes to buying an electric car motor you need to invest in a really good one; this is one of the most important parts of your electric car.  When planning to convert your existing car to an electric one, do your homework well to find the best and most suitable electric motor for your car.  What you will need to take into consideration apart from pricing is whether the motor will be suitable for your car, the load it has to bear and the ground it has to traverse.  The motor you buy has to be a versatile one, that is powerful enough to give you high quality constant performance irrespective of driving conditions.

Another aspect of the motor that you will need to consider is whether to choose an AC or DC motor.  Your choice will have a direct impact on the cost and performance.  You can get some really affordable and fairly decent DC motors, but they falter when going uphill, cannot provide you with constant power and are just plain not suitable for carrying heavy loads.  If none of these factors are of any concern to you then by all means go for a DC electric car motor.  The Advanced DC Series wound motor is actually one of the best selling electric motors and provides excellent torque from the very outset.

The 3 phase induction AC motor is probably the most expensive and also the best.  The ultimate decision is yours; you need to choose what you think will best suit your needs and your budget.

Electric Car Parts – Buying Guide

Electric cars are the cars of the future; they are environmentally friendly, save on gas emissions, save on fuel costs and give you a smooth ride. The car runs on parts that are battery operated and has an electric motor. You can use this article as a rough guide to help you buy the right kid of quality parts for your electric cars. Did you know that electric cars have actually been around since the late 1800s? They have, but it wasn’t until the 1970s that spiraling oil prices and environmental concerns gave electric cars a renewed thrust into the limelight.

Technology has played a huge role in making these cars and the electric car parts more affordable. They are a whole lot more efficient and environmentally friendly, you actually get an IRS rebate if you own one; your gasoline bill nose dives to zero and you are suddenly richer in pocket!

Electric car parts should always be shopped for at reputed dealer stores; you will need the car model, make and engine size and number handy for your purchases. The NiMH battery is the expensive part, but as it outlasts all other ordinary electric car batteries, it is worth the investment.

When purchasing your electric car parts, do it online from licensed dealers. You should read up on product descriptions and customer reviews and make price comparisons from different dealers before you venture to actually buy. The reviews will give you valuable information on the dealer, his product quality and service standards.

Try to avoid buying car parts that are used; it is rather a risky thing to do as these parts don’t come with any guarantee. Moreover, when it comes to your vehicle remember that you need to invest in the best; your life is at stake in that car!

Always buy parts that come with an exchange policy so that you can return any parts that do not fit your requirements perfectly. If it is at all possible you should take an experienced person with you when you need to buy electric car parts.

Anti - Crisis Cars 2010

  Automobile industry crisis also touched upon, and suffered from it not only little-known company, but also quite serious producers with a worldwide reputation. The fact that the person was not profitable to buy very expensive cars that consume a huge amount of fuel today, even those who need their own car, try to buy cost-effective machine, the contents of which do not require huge expenditures.

 Volkswagen cars are known worldwide, they are renowned for their excellent quality and simplicity. In addition, all models, this brand looks simply amazing, they are stylish and modern, that is not unimportant for the modern cars that pretend to be - a leader. Among the cars of this mark each consumer can choose the option that is acceptable for him. For example, Volkswagen Passat - a very powerful and reliable car, but it also looks very attractive and easy to use.  

 Volkswagen Golf R32 - one of the most popular models of this brand, it is economical and practical, to manage such a car - pure pleasure, moreover, now Golf can pick up speed or nearly no less than many sports cars. 

 Volkswagen Touran - universal car for all occasions, it is convenient and reliable, has a very spacious interior, which can easily fit a large and happy family and he was not afraid of relocation and transportation of various cargoes.

 
  Volkswagen Jetta - one of the newest cars of this brand, its visual appeal and elegance is indisputable, at the same time, no doubt, and in its technical viability, because developers have to work hard to create this beautiful model.

Enumerate the models produced, the manufacturer Volkswagen over the years of its existence can be infinitely long and each of them will be in its own attractive and interesting, maybe that's why, today celebrated a special interest to them, not just abroad but in our country . This is a luxury German car is not the first year is the sales leader among middle-class cars.

Electric Car - Save On Gas Bills?

GAS bills could go through the roof for millions of us in the next 10 years.Centrica, the parent company of British Gas, even say the average annual bill could rise by up to 70 per cent. This means that families could soon be paying around £1000 a year for their gas.But there are ways and means of keeping your bill to a minimum, so here's our guide to beating the soaring gas costs.Read more...

Would you like to know how to save on gas bills? There are electric car kits, which are all the rage right now; they help turn your car into an electric driven one whereby you save on gasoline costs, reduce pollution and become fuel efficient.

In case you are skeptical about using one of these conversion kits and believe erroneously that it will reduce the performance of your car, rid your self of that notion. The electric car kits have nothing whatsoever to do with the performance of your car; their function is to convert energy into electricity, which energy would have been wasted anyway. What a converted car is doing is recycling waste energy not draining energy out of your car.

electric car motor photo

This article would be incomplete without a rundown of the benefits of making use of one of these electric car kits to convert your car to an electric car.

• Benefit number one is your gas bill drops down to ground zero
• Engine life is extended and performance enhanced
• You get an IRS refund for ‘technically going green’
• You are making your contribution to the environment by reducing greenhouse gas emissions considerably
• The cost of driving an electric car is only a few cents to a mile and refueling can be done anywhere there is an electrical outlet.
• No more oil, coolant and filter changes

Using electric car kits, almost any vehicle can be converted to an electric one. Electrical power is provided through a battery pack and you will need to install an electric engine beside the gas powered one, which can be rather pricey. However, when you consider the long terms savings on gas, it is well worth the cost.