Car News 2010 Mazda 3 Sedan

Mazda releases a few shots of its much-loved compact.

The next Mazda 3 arrives amid lofty expectations. At Car and Driver we’re big fans of the current model. The 3 took second place in a comparison test of sensible four-doors, and the Mazdaspeed 3 has had a position on our 10Best list for the past two years. In fact, the 3 is so popular that the automaker claims it accounts for almost a third of annual Mazda sales.

Mazda has released a handful of pictures in anticipation of the sedan’s debut at the 2008 Los Angeles auto show (the hatchback that will bow later). As we suspected from our latest set of spy shots the 3 has been radically redesigned with styling similar to the new Mazda 6.

Up front the nose is all-new with sharp headlights and large air intake ducts above the slim fog lights. In back, there are new LED taillamps and dual-exhaust outlets. The car’s profile hints that the dimensions have grown slightly although we’re waiting on full specifications.

Power will come from the 168-hp, 2.5-liter four pot from the 6 (replacing the 2.3), while the 2.0-liter carries over. Mazda promises a more refined ride, sporty handling, and top-of-class fuel economy.

No details have been released about the interior, but we expect to see some changes in the cockpit. Nor is there new information on the zoomy Mazdaspeed 3 yet.

What Should You Look Out For When Getting Cheap Auto Insurance?

When shopping for auto insurance, it is important that you seek out the best deals for your money. Many are under the impression that car insurance rates are determined by the overall quality of the automobile insurance that is provided. However, there are many companies out there that offer cheap auto insurance and offer quality benefits, and services. Here, you will be introduced to a few things that you should look out for when it comes to getting cheap auto insurance. Whether you are shopping for rates that will cover a used vehicle, or a new one, these helpful techniques will assist you in your endeavor.

One of the very first things that you should do when searching for the cheapest auto insurance rates is to make a personal commitment to shop and compare. It is important to not just compare the prices of the coverage that is offered by various insurance companies. It is equally important to compare the services and the benefits that are associated with the coverage itself. Many times, you may find that a higher costing insurance coverage may not offer as many benefits to you as a low costing insurance can, or vice versa. However, if you take the time to shop and compare every aspect of the coverage, you are sure to find out some things that catch your interest.

The next thing that you should look out for when it comes to shopping for car insurance is discounts. Yes, many car insurance companies advertise discounts for safe drivers, and similar discounts but did you know that many companies have discounts available that they do not advertise? When calling about your potentially new policy in car insurance, you should ask about discounts, like:

• For keeping your car in a locked yard

• Keeping your vehicle in a garage

• Safe driving discounts

• Driving course discounts

• Discounts for military personnel

• Senior Citizen discounts

• And, similar discounts!

You will probably discover that you qualify for more discounts than you ever imagined. However, you must understand that most auto insurance companies will not advertise these discounts. It is important that you inquire about these when you call to establish your rates for coverage with that particular company.

There are many features that can add additional discounts to your auto insurance policy. When inquiring about and seeking out cheap insurance plans, you should research these features to determine if any of them qualify you for additional discounts. You will be surprised to find that items such as certain brake systems, and airbags can prove to be beneficial when it comes to lowering the cost of your insurance.

In conclusion, there are many different things that you should look for when it comes to your car insurance. The items mentioned throughout this guide can lead you to save hundreds on your car insurance each year. If you are looking to obtain cheap car insurance, you must know and understand the basics behind the prices that are charged for car insurance.

New 2009 Mercedes-Benz SL65 AMG Black Series

AMG’s latest release promises 661 horsepower and a top speed of nearly 200 mph.
Mercedes has finally divulged the official details on the SL65 AMG Black Series, and it’s even more impressive than our spy reports indicated.

AMG engineers took the SL65 AMG—already a ridiculously fast car—and began removing weight. First they removed the heavy mechanism for the folding hardtop and replaced it with a fixed roof that cuts a flatter line across the car. The front splitter, hood, trunklid, and rear spoiler are all made of carbon fiber to further trim weight. Overall, Mercedes says curb weight is down 550 pounds versus the SL65, to around 4000.

Power comes from the same twin-turbo 6.0-liter V-12 engine as the regular SL65, but with a heavy dose of adrenaline. That engine already produces 604 horsepower, but AMG saw fit to endow the Black Series with 661 horses at 5400 rpm. Torque output is unchanged at 738 pound-feet, although Mercedes says the engine is detuned from 885, likely to keep the heavy-duty five-speed automatic transmission alive. The Black Series’ transmission, however, adds a fourth transmission setting, M2 manual mode, which shifts a claimed 25 percent quicker than M1 mode. As before, there are also Comfort and Sport settings for the automatic modes.

Many Tata Nanos to be used as taxi cabs?

2010 Tata Nano Standard Version - Click above for a high-res gallery


India currently has just under 1.2 billion residents. Moreover, its population is set to overtake China any monsoon now. As India's economy continues to grow (currently the world's 12th largest) all those people now have places to go. We've all seen crazy pictures of fantastically overloaded Indian trains and buses with people hanging out of windows, but not only is that very dangerous, if you have a business meeting the last thing you want to do is sit on a dirty old roof with three dozen of your closest friends. Indians need taxis. Trouble is, cabs (and cars in general) are expensive to buy and poverty is still rampant. Enter the Tata Nano.

That's right, the world's cheapest new car is being eyeballed and ordered by many Indian entrepreneurs looking to start their very own cab company. Yes, Nanos are small and would make very lousy cabs in NYC or London. But to a person that's never owned a car before, it's (sorta) Versailles on wheels. And as the Nano is a no-frills, few features product, there's very little to break, so what does get broke will be cheap and easy to fix. In the biz, that's called "win-win." Besides all that, we're thinking that hundreds of thousands of Nanos darting all over Mumbai would be cute. Sort of like Rome in the 1950s

Hamilton seals first win of 2009 Hungary Grand Prix

The Englishman took the lead after pole-sitter Fernando Alonso's Renault made an early pit stop and dominated ahead of Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonen.

Red Bull's Mark Webber was third with Brawn's Jenson Button down in seventh.

The Australian replaces team-mate Sebastian Vettel, who retired, in second place in the world championship.

Vettel, who suffered a front suspension failure while running eighth on lap 27 of 70, slips to 23 points behind the Englishman with seven races remaining and a maximum of 70 points available.

Nico Rosberg was fourth for Williams ahead of Hamilton's team-mate Heikki Kovalainen, Toyota's Timo Glock, Button and the second Toyota of Jarno Trulli.

Red Bull, who dominated the last two races in Britain and Germany, put in a surprisingly uncompetitive performance but they were in much better shape than Button.

The Englishman qualified eighth, but was starting on a heavy fuel load and was optimistic he would have a strong race. Instead, he was unable to make any impression on the cars at the front.

For the first time this season, that meant McLaren, whose form here confirmed that the revised aerodynamics they introduced in Germany two weeks ago have transformed the car.

McLaren started the season with an uncompetitive car, struggling in most races to even get into the points. Hamilton, the reigning world champion, had not even managed to finish on the podium until winning this race.

But a new front wing, diffuser and engine cover introduced at the last race have improved the car's pace by about 0.8 seconds a lap

Hamilton qualified fourth, but used his Kers energy storage and power-boost system to challenge the leaders at the start.

Alonso got a good start from pole position and retained first place but Hamilton briefly got up into second place at the first corner before being repassed by Webber.

The Red Bull was expected to be the strongest car in the race but, while Alonso initially built a small gap, Webber found himself under pressure from Hamilton, who passed him on lap five and proceeded to pull away and close on the Renault.

Alonso, who had planned to do a three-stop strategy in contrast to the two stops of most of the rest of the field, pulled in for his pit stop on lap 11.

He was released a fraction too early before the right front wheel was fully attached and it parted company with the car part way around the lap and was forced to retire with the consequent damage and a fuel pump problem.

By the time all the front-runners had done their stops, Hamilton had a six-second lead over Raikkonen and he was able to control the race from the front.

Webber slipped behind Raikkonen after a problem with a front wheel at his pit stop and he was also passed by Toyota's Timo Glock as he rejoined.

Red Bull chose the opposite tyre strategy from the other front-running teams, running the harder of the two tyre options for the first two stints of the race before switching to the softer for the final stint.

Whatever the reason, the Red Bulls lacked their recent pace but Webber drove consistently well to the final podium position and make it a good race for him from a championship point of view.

By contrast, his team-mate Vettel had a disastrous weekend, making a poor start from second on the grid and running eighth in the early laps.

He was running behind Rosberg when he suffered a front suspension failure on lap 27 and was forced to retire.

Toyota, both of whose drivers qualified outside the top 10, used a long first stint to put themselves in contention for the minor points places.

Button finally showed some pace in the closing laps once the track was coated in rubber and he was back on the softer tyres after using the harder ones in the middle stint.

That lifted him to seventh from eighth, but he will still be concerned at a third consecutive uncompetitive race.

Hyderabad Auto Show 2009

This is for the first time that the Auto Show is being held in Hyderabad and 27 dealers were showcasing products of various makes. Beginning this year, the Auto Show would be held annually in Hyderabad.

Visitors going around the kiosk showcasing various brands of new four-wheelers that offer a great choice to car enthusiasts at the first edition of international auto show in Hyderabad on Friday.

Hyderabad, July 17 If in the first half of 2009 it registered a six per cent growth over last year, the automotive sector is poised for a better second half, according to Mr S. P. Shah, President of the Federation of Automotive Dealers’ Associations (FADA).

This confidence stems from the fact that interest rates have come down from the highs of 2008, the market sentiment is better now, the industry has come up with significant number of new models and, lastly, the festive season, known for good sales, that is ahead, he said.

Commercial vehicles

However, he felt that the commercial vehicle sales continue to be a cause for concern; this segment has borne the brunt of the global economic slowdown.
Speaking to newspersons at the Hyderabad International Auto Show 2009 (HIAS), Mr Shah said India has emerged the largest small-car market and is making inroads into the European market, aided by the Continent’s policy to encourage replacement of old cars.
Hyundai and Maruti have been stepping up volumes in Europe each passing month. This trend is likely to continue as more buyers are opting for smaller cars in Europe, he said.
The auto show, to become an annual event, attracted 22 automotive manufacturers, including of motor-cycles. The display included new BMW X6, Tata Nano and Bajaj 220 DTSi. At the Hyderabad International Convention Centre, where the Show is on, vintage cars and bikes held visitor attention. Also at the Show are 25 auto accessory, finance and insurance companies.

New Volvo CARS

The Swedish luxury carmaker Volvo today hinted at bringing in a couple of more models into India in the next 6-12 months.
Addressing a press conference, the Volvo Car India Marketing Manager, Mr Sudeep Narayan, said the Indian luxury car market has been growing rapidly and Volvo is gearing up to be part of this excitement. These new ones could include a cross over and an ‘S class’ sedan.
Since the launch of three models in India a year ago, the company now has a dealership network of seven and expects to take this up to 12 by next year. Next in line are dealerships in Ahmedabad and Bangalore.

Source: Hindu Business Line