Car online magazine

Starting March 21st, the doors to the 2008 New York International Auto Show will open and attendees would be able to witness the newest and the best vehicles that car makers have set on display.

Mercedes Benz would be taking advantage of the mentioned event to show off three of its newest SUVs. According to the automaker, these three SUVs have been equipped with their diesel engines which has been known as the cleanest and the most state of the art diesel units in the world. The three vehicles which would be coming with the mentioned engine are the ML320 BlueTEC, the GL320 BlueTEC, and the R320 BlueTEC.

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Gone were the days when we would all troop to our living rooms to watch �?Knight Rider’ on our television sets. But one person can take home the vehicle used in the TV series when Ford puts two of these Knight Rider vehicles under the hammer.

Come March 29th, the Ford Motor Company would be bringing two KITT (Knight Industries 3000) Ford Shelby Mustang units used in the show �?Knight Rider’. The vehicles would be put up for auction at the upcoming Barrett-Jack Collector Car Event which is in its sixth year already.

The KITT Ford Shelby Mustangs to be auctioned are actually products of the collaboration between Ford and NBC. They worked together to have a vehicle which would be used in the TV station’s TV series �?Knight Rider’. The vehicles - the Super KITT and the Attack Mode KITT - would be put up for sale as a pair.

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Last year, the auto industry has been receiving news about one recall after another. So far this year, there have only been quite a number of such. One of the most recalls is General Motor’s where they are recalling over 207,000 units of the Buick Regal and Pontiac Grand Prix. Only those Buick Regal GS and Pontiac Grand Prix GDP units manufactured from 1997 up to 2003 are affected, specifically those who come with the 3.8 liter V6 engine which is supercharged.

According to the car maker from Detroit, they are recalling the vehicles because they have found out that the vehicles have the chance that they would develop oil leaks. Once that happens, the oil leaks could lead to fires which could endanger those who may be inside and around the vehicle. A fire could start when leaking oil could find its way to the exhaust manifold and when it is heated enough, any kind of spark on the road could make it catch fire.

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The average of fuel prices has gone up again this March. According to the American Automobile Association’s Chicago chapter in their Fuel Gauge Report, they had found out in Illinois, regular unleaded gasoline’s price has added 23 cents last month. They are looking at around $3.26 as the price per gallon this month. Compared to last year, that price is 74 cents higher. This goes to show that we all might have to tighten our belts if we would like to see our vehicles still running.

Here are some estimates of how the prices would be this March in several areas:

In Cook County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.37, which is up 22 cents compared to last month and 77 cents higher than last year’s price-per-gallon. In DuPage County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.24 per gallon, which is a 20-cent increase from February and 78 cents higher than last year. In Kane County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.25 per gallon, which is 22 cents higher compared to last month and 75 cents higher than March 2007’s price. In Lake County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.22 per gallon, which is 23 cents higher than last month and up by 75 cents compared to this time last year. In McHenry County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.24 per gallon, which is 26 cents higher than February’s average and 74 cents higher than March 2007’s price. In Will County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.26 per gallon, which is 23 cents higher compared to last month and 77 cents higher compared to last year. In Champaign County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.14 per gallon, an increase of 27 cents from February and an increase of 67 cents from last year. In McLean County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.20 per gallon, which is 22 cents higher than last month and 68 cents higher than last year. In Peoria County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.29 per gallon, which is a 34-cent increase compared to last month and a 76-cent increase from March 2007. In Sangamon County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.18 per gallon, which is 25 cents higher than last month and 66 cents higher than last year. In Winnebago County, Ill., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.28 per gallon, an increase of 24 cents from February and an increase of 73 cents from March 2007. In Allen County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.29 per gallon, which is an increase of 32 cents from last month and 76 cents higher than March 2007’s price. In Lake County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.20 per gallon, a 24-cent increase from February’s average and a 74-cent increase from a year ago. In Porter County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.24 per gallon, which is 26 cents higher than last month and 79 cents higher than last year. In St. Joseph County, Ind., self-serve regular unleaded gasoline averages $3.26 per gallon, which is 30 cents higher compared to last month and 75 cents higher compared to last year.

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Around a week back, the Minister of Science and Technology in China, Wan Gang, had an announcement. According to him, during the upcoming 2008 Olympics, the country would be meeting on the streets a thousand units of clean vehicles. Half would be powered by electricity and would have zero emissions. The other half would be running on hybrid fuel and would have low emissions.

At present, the country has implemented Euro 4 emission standards. Wan Gang also disclosed that the city of Beijing is currently working hard so that the emission standards would be up to par with European standards on emission. The Minister shared, “We are set to adopt a long term strategy by tapping into the most advanced technologies in the auto industry. Hybrid cars have become a worldwide hit in auto exhibitions. The global auto industry will definitely set their sights on developing energy-saving cars.”

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Cars.com recently released its 2008 Hybrid Buying Guide which is intended to help consumers choose which of the 2008 model hybrids are going to be the best buys. Cars.com also disclosed that they designed the guide to assist consumers in choosing which hybrid would suit their lifestyle. The guide also has specifications, price, and fuel efficiency numbers of the top chosen vehicles. One could also find comparisons of the chosen hybrids with non-hybrids.

Here are Cars.com’s top ten 2008 model hybrids:

1. Toyota Prius

MSRP: $21,100

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The longer you drive a car, the more you think that you know a lot. But still, there are some tips that you may not have heard before. Here are some:

Before taking any medications, check the label and see if it can cause you to be drowsy or if the medication can affect your driving skills. Children should be secured properly. There are different types of restraint systems for different ages and size. They should also be seated in the rear. If you have pets and you drive with them, remember that they should also be properly secured. There are restraint systems for pets as well. Focus on your task, driving, and focus on that alone. Even if you are in the car, lock your doors. When backing up, check your surroundings. You can hit a child or some items lying behind your vehicle. Children and pets should not ride in the cargo area for this is dangerous for them. Children and pets should not be left alone in a vehicle. Have the essentials in your car and the list includes a flashlight, food, water, blankets, a mobile phone, a first aid kit, and your car tool kit. Have IDs for each of your family members and include information like name, date of birth, allergies, illnesses, and blood type. Keep these IDs with your driver’s license.

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If you are going to buy a new Ford Focus or a new Ford Mondeo, you would be delighted to find out that you would not need a key to open the door or even start the vehicle. The Ford Motor Company added a keyless entry system as well as a keyless ignition technology to the vehicles. When the driver pulls the vehicle’s door handle, the door automatically unlocks. To start the vehicle, with just one press of the Ford Power button, the engine roars to life.

Safety is not compromised though for the driver must carry with him a special transponder key. This would inform the car that you are the owner and it would open the doors once it recognizes the key’s signal.

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At the 78th Geneva International Motor Show, Morgan, a sports car manufacturer from Britain, took the covers off a new hydrogen vehicle which they claim to have no emissions. This vehicle, named the LIFECar, gets its power from a fuel cell.

With the company’s first sports car with two seats as the basis, the LIFECar is something to look at because of the design. That design has also been combined with a concept vehicle done by another company that makes vehicle designs that are aimed to be solutions to environmental issues.

According to Morgan, their LIFECar’s performance can be like that of a vehicle which uses 1.8 liters of petrol fuel for every hundred kilometers. The company has also disclosed that the vehicle clocks in 137 kilometers per hour as its top speed.

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Avtovaz will offer Renault a large minority stake in the struggling company, the Interfax news agency quoted an official with the state concern that controls Avtovaz as saying.

OAO Avtovaz has been considering bids from foreign companies including General Motors Corp. (NYSE:GM) and Fiat SpA.

Avtovaz President Sergei Chemezov will present the project to Renault Chief Executive Carlos Ghosn on Saturday in the Russian city of Togliatti, Renault spokeswoman Rochelle Chimenes said. She declined to give further details.

Avtovaz, maker of the boxy Lada sedans that were a staple among the relatively small number of car owners during the Soviet era, has found it difficult to compete with higher-quality imports.

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