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New Honda NSX Looks Innovative

Friday, January 13th, 2012

We bring you some exciting news today! That is the news that a new Honda NSX is to be built. The original NSX was a thrill ride that cornered tremendously and went like stink, yet it only had 270bhp; staggering really when you think that it was the best Japanese supercar for a number of years. Now, of course, one has to consider the Nissan GT-R as the King of Japanese supercars…but for how long?

Old Meets New

The new NSX will likely be fitted with a fantastically high revving V6 once again which gets the thumbs up from us here! Furthermore, it will be a very clever hybrid in a bid by Honda to mate classic V6 reliability and performance with new technological ingenious. The fact that it will be a hybrid will also help reduce motor insurance for those looking to buy one. The NSX will include two small electric motors at the front in order to control independent drive in each wheel whilst also enabling the driver to tighten, or indeed loosen, the cornering line the car will take.

There will also be an electric motor embedded within the gearbox in order to enhance the power from the brilliant V6. It seems that Honda are approaching the new NSX with the very same attitude that they approached the first; handling and performance favoured over raw power. This is likely to be a lap time conqueror!

New Tech Will Benefit Overall Package

Honda’s boss, Takanobu Ito, has been commenting on the clever hybrid system, saying: “The NSX will enhance dynamic driving abilities without getting in the way.” So basically, the hybrid qualities will add to the overall brilliance of the car, as the new technology will work hand-in-hand with some traditional engineering. This isn’t going to be a traditional hybrid however by any stretch of the imagination.

The NSX will also be very fuel efficient as the car will use a type of kinetic energy recovery system as it will reclaim braking energy, and thus save on fuel usage. The weight distribution will, naturally, be very good also with the engine and battery pack being mid-mounted and the overall weight of the new NSX is promised to be low, much like the original aluminium model.

Do you think the new NSX will better than the original? And more interestingly, will it knock the Nissan GT-R off its perch?

Tags: car technology, Honda NSX, Hybrid, Motor insurance
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New Ford Mondeo Coming

Monday, January 9th, 2012

American car giant, Ford, have announced that a shiny new Mondeo is on its way, however, over here in the UK, we won’t be able to buy one until 2013, whilst the American market will be able to get their hands on one this year.

Rapide Resemblance

At first glance, the resemblance the new Mondeo has with an Aston Martin Rapide is quite uncanny, but is it really a surprise when you consider Ford and Aston’s ties? Ford, as of 2007, no longer own Aston Martin, yet they still do have a stake in the British company, and anyway, even if they have decided to make the Mondeo look like a Rapide, well, who can blame them?

The Aston Martin Rapide is a beautiful car, and this new Mondeo looks very pretty indeed. Ford, I think, has thoroughly stepped up their game in recent years. Whether they have a new design team, or whether they have just decided to get creative, it’s working, and all their cars are decent looking machines now. The Mondeo is also likely to be quite a bit cheaper to run than a Rapide whilst still looking like one, and another great thing about Ford’s is that they are always so reliable and cost effective, especially when it comes to car insurance quotes.

Comfort and Ride

A few weeks ago I was a passenger in the back of the latest estate Mondeo and I remember being very impressed. There was, of course, plenty of leg room, but the whole car just felt luxurious and, to be honest, quite executive.

The smell of new leather probably helped somewhat, but the car was a very impressive bit of kit. The ride was comfortable and quiet, and everything about it felt well built. The door, for example, made the exact noise you would want from a new, luxurious car. It felt, and sounded, robust, sturdy and hearty. It’s those little details that can make a car stand out.

New Features

We would expect much of the same with the new car, and Ford has said that it is, pretty much, an all new car. New features include a new multi-link rear suspension and electric steering, which will, using some nifty technology, keep you inside your lane if you begin to straddle two lanes.

The electric steering system will also steer you into a parking space, however, I’m not so sure I would trust such a device when parking in some of the tighter spaces. For example, if there was an electrical fault during the parking procedure it would likely end in tears with no-one to blame but the poor car; at least if you make a mistake yourself, you can blame human error.

The engine to have would be the petrol 2.0 litre Ecoboost Turbo. So, who’s interested? The new Mondeo is expected to sell well in the US this year before then doing the same over here next year. Now may be the time to think about ordering yours! Are you a fan of the blue oval?

Tags: Aston Martin, car insurance quotes, car technology, Ford Mondeo
Posted in Car Insurance | No Comments »

Electric Vehicles are on a fast track to the mainstream

Thursday, January 13th, 2011

Less than two weeks into the New Year it is interesting to see the growing momentum enjoyed by EV (Electric Vehicle) manufacturers. More businesses are interested in buying an electric car and some have stated that they are definitely going to purchase an electric vehicle at some point during 2011, while others are already investigating leasing an electric car. With petrol prices showing no signs of going down, long term, an EV will be the answer for a lot of companies.

The numbers are still small but with fuel efficiency regarded as the biggest factor influencing purchasing decisions, it is believed by many that hybrid and electric vehicles will see the lion’s share of growth over any other vehicle category in the next few years. Numbers are expected to increase in the coming years as prices start to drop and it is more than likely to take about five years for low and zero emission cars to reach a level where they are affordable enough for mainstream adoption. Once this happens it will become common place for these vehicles to covered by single driver car insurance through to any driver car insurance throughout the land.

Just six years ago fuel efficiency was forecast to become the number one consumer concern when buying a vehicle and this has seen a huge shift in the thinking of the auto industry executives. No EV manufacturer wants people running out of power on the motorway, just as they do not want to see the cities clogged up with pollution spouting vehicles which are only on the roads for 15 miles each day.

The new-found popularity of green cars will be further underlined later this month at the Detroit Auto Show, where electric, hybrid and fuel efficient vehicles are going to dominate proceedings. Toyota, Honda and Chevrolet amongst others are all expected to début cars boasting significantly improved fuel efficiency. Sports car enthusiasts will not like it, but the march of the green car is looking unstoppable.

After what at best can be described as a “challenging year” for Toyota, (particularly in the US), the Japanese firm has unveiled a whole new family of hybrid models, creating what it calls a Prius family. The new Prius V is a five-sweater family car with an increase in boot space of 50% on the current Prius model. The car will be powered by a 1.8-litre petrol engine combined with an 80bhp electric motor. It is due to go on sale this summer in the United States, it’s unlikely to make it to the UK forecourts before early next year, but it signifies the start of a major hybrid offensive by Toyota, who intend to introduce 11 new models to its hybrid line up in the next 2 years, seven of which will be brand new.

Tags: Car Insurance, car technology, Electric Cars
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Jaguar success greeted by car makers universally

Tuesday, October 12th, 2010

It comes as no surprise that a Jaguar car is the star of the opening week of the Paris Motor Show but the vehicle is far from what one would normally expect from the manufacturer.

The Jaguar C-X75 Supercar has undoubtedly been the big hit of week one in Paris. With a top speed of over 330 kph and acceleration of 0-62 mph in 3.4 seconds the C-X75 can never been viewed as tardy. It may come as some surprise then that the model is powered by batteries. The electric car has wowed motoring journalists and the public alike and although the supercar is just an experimental model, car manufacturers around the world are delighted with the response.

Car makers such as Nissan, Mitsubishi, General Motors and Renault view the enthusiasm that has greeted the Jaguar as very good news, for the first mass produced electric cars will be making their debuts on the world stage next year.

The Nissan Leaf, General Motor’s Ampere, Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV (which will be marketed in Europe as the Peugeot iON or Citroen C-zero) will all be unleashed in great numbers next year. Not surprisingly the car makers are more than a little nervous about the reception they will receive from consumers who are being battered by job losses and austerity measures.

In the UK, motorists considering getting a motor insurance quote on one of the new electric cars will be desperately hoping that the £5000 subsidy promised by the last Labour Government will still be in place at the turn of the year. The subsidy will still make the Nissan Leaf for example around £18,000 which by and large will make it the same price as a normal diesel model.

It does seem that the subsidy will still be there, as governments across the globe are keen to support the new technologies that promise to reduce carbon emissions and so lessen the pollution problem in major cities. Indeed it is rumoured that the US Government only baled out GM last year because of the proximity to launch of the Ampere. US citizens will also get a subsidy from the government when purchasing an electric car, in their case it will be $7,500.

Industry experts predict governments will probably have to subsidise purchase of the new vehicles for around four years before the cars can stand alone in the market place. That is the reason why the enthusiastic reception for the Jaguar was greeted by all car makers.

Tags: Car Insurance, car technology, Jaguar, Paris Motor Show
Posted in Car Insurance, car technology | No Comments »

Renault DeZir, the future is getting closer

Thursday, September 23rd, 2010

Renault has a lot riding on the electric DeZir. It is the first vehicle produced under the new design director, Laurens van den Acker, who has been put in charge of breathing new life into the Renault range after Patrick le Quement’s departure. The DeZir will be the first of six new Renaults to be overseen by Mr van den Acker during the next two years and Renault hope that many drivers will be getting a motor insurance quote for a new Renault car.

The DeZir car heralds a new design for Renault, which has seen the small car market become increasingly stylish and smart. Renault hopes that the DeZir will have everyone talking about Renault again as a manufacture of seductive, beautiful cars.

With a blood red colour, scissor doors, slim-line LED headlights and a paint-splattered inside, the designers at Renault have produced a breathtaking piece of art. For a small car it has larger car proportions, it is almost two metres wide and just over a metre high. The 830kg body sits low on 21-inch wheels, and a thrilling red glow rhythmical throbbing along the spine of the vehicle. This symbolizes a heartbeat which starts at the huge badge at the front and passes through to the back of the driver’s seat and exits through the aluminium air intakes in the doors. Clearly, Renault wants the message to be ‘Wow’. While they also hope this will help them look forward to a bright future. The Dezir does certainly look futuristic; it’s clear; however, that it takes its style from Europe’s rich sports car heritage.

The DeZir is a two-seater coupé with 148bhp electric motor with lithium-ion. There is not a rear window, however two cameras have been included which will offer the driver a panoramic view. Renault says the interior will suggest lightness and inside will feel like floating on a cloud.

Overall the interior is mostly white leather with a few touches of the blood red from the exterior. The one piece seat provides a cocoon like comfort. The vertically-mounted lithium-ion battery is found behind the seat and provides the car with a range of 100miles, which is the norm for an electric vehicle. There are three charging options; a standard charge using a household plug will have the vehicle fully charged in eight hours. Second option is a fast charge using a 400v three phase which will charge to 80% capacity in just 20 minutes or thirdly a fast battery charge using Renault’s Quick Drop technology. To further help with the vehicles range and performance, the weight has been too kept to a minimum. Inside the car, driving is enhanced by a clever sound system, a touch screen display and a smart navigation system.

Tags: car design, Car Insurance, car technology, renualt
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Low Carbon Vehicles in focus

Tuesday, September 14th, 2010

Motorists will be joining technology experts, politicians and many dignitaries interested in the new green technologies at the LCV 2010 exhibition later this week.

The show which is now in its third year is being held at the Milford Proving Ground, in Bedfordshire, and will be highlighting the advances made in Low Carbon Vehicles up to present day. This will give an insight into the groundbreaking technologies that will be available to motorists in the next few years.

Although it is not open to the public, almost everyone there will be motorists and as such will be treated to a drive in cars that members of the general public will be getting a motor insurance quote for in the near future.

The new Honda Clarity, which is powered by hydrogen fuel will be available in the ride and drive circuit on Thursday. The show will be the first opportunity anyone has to drive the Jaguar Land Rover Limo Green model and Intelligent Energy’s Fuel Cell Taxi will be available on the ride and drive circuit at some point of the show.

Delegates will get the chance to drive the much touted and long awaited Nissan Leaf and Vauxhall’s shining star on the LCV front the Ampera, will be on show though not available for test drives.

The Secretary of State for Transport, Philip Hammond, will be speaking at the show and giving an insight into the government’s commitment to LCV, and will hopefully confirm the £5000 subsidy promised by the previous government on LCV’s due to start next year. Paul Everitt, the Chief Executive of the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders, will be stressing the need to keep the UK at the centre of Low Carbon Technology and Michael Hurwitz will give an update on the Office of Low Carbon Emissions plans for creating plug in vehicle facilities around the country, without which the whole industry could falter.

As is fitting for the show, delegates will be ferried around the Exhibitions by the new Zytek eVito electric Taxi.

Tags: Car Insurance, car technology, LCV Exhibition, pollution
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Volvo eyes the uncrashable vehicle

Friday, September 3rd, 2010

Imagine driving along a country road unaware that a tractor is about to appear out of a side turning hidden from sight around the next bend in the road. The driver has no idea but the car does. Sensors in the vehicle have identified its shape and size and predicted the tractors course and speed. An on-board computer calculates a strategy and without the need for human help, a quick burst of speed and a directional tweak is engaged. The tractor pulls out with a few inches to spare instead of hitting the car. This is not science fiction, well yes at the moment it is, but Volvo is working to make it a reality within the next 10 years.

Their aim is to manufacture a car that is uncrashable. Volvo want to build cars that will not crash, with safety strategy a chief priority. They make a bold claim that in 10 years time no one should ever be killed or even moderately injured as a driver or passenger in one of their vehicles. Volvo has an excellent safety record, but even for them it is a tall order. If a car is uncrashable will a motor insurance quote be cheaper? Only time will tell if that will be the case.

Volvo have always been a leader in car manufacture; they were the first car manufacturer to fit safety cages, laminated windscreens, lateral airbags and three-point safety belts. It looks an impossible job, but if anyone can it is Volvo. In 1970 Volvo started to collect data on accidents. They used not just data from themselves but also the insurance industry and the police. Overall it studied more than 40,000 accidents involving 60,000 cars. Volvo will have two car generations before the ten years is up and is currently exploring a number of new technologies.

Tags: Car Safety, car technology, Volvo
Posted in Car Insurance, Car Safety | No Comments »