In recent years it has been the Japanese and Korean car manufacturers that have cornered the reliability stakes of motor vehicle manufacturing and they continue to do so without any real competition from their European counterparts. In fact, not one motor vehicle hailing from the occident has made it onto the elite list of the top 10 most reliable cars on the road.
Right up until twenty years ago, motor vehicles may have been sexy and sassy but they weren’t necessarily built with the long haul in view. Manufacturers concentrated more on sleek lines and aerodynamics rather than on steadfast reliability.
But all this changed in the 1980’s with the introduction of extended vehicle warranties. For the first time, manufacturers were held responsible for teething problems and other manufacturing faults and from then on in it wasn’t so much the good looks and charisma that sold the end product but the reliability factor that eclipsed all others in importance.
Increasingly more time and technology have been earmarked to improve safety features and the knowledge that the manufacturers would have to bear the cost of repair themselves has motivated a system greatly beneficial to the motorist.
The Europeans haven’t been knocked off their lofty pedestal completely; they are still the sector leaders in motor vehicle technology and remain the prime innovators of the industry. However, if you have any intention of buying a new car, or even a used car in Cape Town, we would advise you to have a good look at the list of the safest and most reliable cars on the road today.
Below are the top 10 most reliable cars on the road according to the warranty claims against each:
1. Honda Accord - what it lacks in style and pure sex appeal it gains in resolute reliability! Only 9.9% of Hondas needed to be repaired over a two year period and with a marketing message “Isn’t it nice when things just work?”, it seems more than apt that the Japanese-produced Honda claims the respected and important title of ‘most reliable’.
2. Subaru Forester - Japan can add the silver to the gold in the reliability Olympics as this car clocks in at second place. Not the best looking of motor vehicles, it is tough and tenacious, especially on difficult and rugged off-roads. With a spacious interior and dependable handling, it is a popular choice - but keep an eye on the consumption as it does have a reputation of being a bit of a gas guzzler.
3. Mazda MX5 - Well, well, well, the Japanese are clearly dominating these games and walk away with yet another winning model. This time it is from the Mazda stable, considered one of the top most trustworthy manufacturers. This elegant and sporty car has re-invented dependability and is today considered the most reliable convertible ever produced.
4. Mitsubishi Carisma - this makes it four in a row for Japan and although car fundis won’t go to the ends of the earth for this somewhat dull offering, it is still a great investment for the family man.
5. Toyota Yaris - yet another spectacular Japanese innovation, is right up there with the safest of vehicles on the roads. It recently claimed the highest crash test rating and its rather unsightly bonnet conceals a unique Minimal Intrusion Cabin System, which disperses energy from impact through the body.
6. Honda Civic - The powerful Honda stable has two in the top ten with the Civic model. The most popular of the Honda range, the Civic boasts a sizeable interior, making it the ideal family car.
The remaining manufacturers that have made it onto the top ten are Nissan, Hyundai and Lexus, so if you are considering replacing your set of wheels with a new or used car, forget the graceful lines and outsized engines and opt for safety instead by going east, young man.
By: Amelia Stenson
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
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Sunday, February 22, 2009
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Hybrid Cars, The Prototype Of Modern Vehicles
Mercedes-Benz has taken the wraps off of its first hybrid car for passenger, the S400 Blue HYBRID. Based on the S350, this mild hybrid auto pairs an electric motor/generator and the first lithium-ion battery in a production car with a specially tuned version of the company's 3.5L V6 driving the wheels through a 7-speed automatic transmission.
Lithium-ion batteries are ideally suited for use in hybrid vehicles to help reducing fuel consumption and thus also CO2 emissions. At the same time, the Daimler engineers are investigating to what degree this technology can be applied to other vehicle concepts, such as electric and fuel cell-powered cars.
Current hybrid vehicles use nickel-metal hydride batteries, but the lithium-ion alternatives are known to offer greater efficiency, as well as a better overall weight-to-power ratio. The problem with integrating the Li-ion technology was in securing their stability—they became far too hot to be a viable option in a hybrid vehicle. Fortunately, Mercedes-Benz has 25 patents it is confident solves the dilemma of battery overheating, whether they stay on target for 2009 is another matter, but we certainly wouldn't doubt them.
The assist from the electric motor gives the S400 an agile feel and more immediate throttle response, although it doesn't feel as strong as our V-8-powered base S-class, the 382-hp S550. The kick from the electric motor is limited to only about 15 seconds because of the relatively small lithium-ion battery pack, and the electric motor only works up to 4000 rpm. But the boost is useful for low-speed acceleration and even in passing maneuvers. In all other driving situations, the S400 feels pretty much like a conventional S350.
Although the electric motor cannot power the S400 by itself, it does allow the gasoline engine to shut off when slowing to speeds below 9 mph, when coming to a stop, and when idling. When stopped, and with the gasoline engine asleep, the lithium-ion battery powers the accessories such as air conditioning as well as the electro-hydraulic steering. When the driver lifts his foot off the brake pedal, the gasoline engine whirs quickly to life without any hesitation or odd vibrations.
Thomas Weber, member of the Daimler AG Board of Management and responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development says: "What we have here is a groundbreaking key technology that is going to be a decisive factor for the future success of the automotive industry. That is a tribute to our intensive research efforts, which we have been conducting in this area since 1992."
With the new S-Class, Daimler has become the first European automobile manufacturer to launch a vehicle with a hybrid engine and the innovative lithium-ion battery. The S 400 Blue HYBRID consumes only 7.9 liters of gasoline per 100 km in the NEDC. This results in very low CO2 emissions of only 190 grams per kilometer, a very low value for this vehicle class and power class, making the S 400 Blue HYBRID the world's most economical luxury sedan
What’s more important to consumers is that the battery pack is installed in the engine compartment, where it replaces the conventional starter battery. This means that the interior space and boot capacity of the S400 remain unchanged. Additionally, thanks to its compact dimensions and modular design, the additional weight of the overall hybrid system including the comprehensive safety systems is only 75 kg or 165 lbs.
By: ghostevyta
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
For more information about hybrid autos, you can visit CarHybrid.com. There you can find the hybrid news and hybrid review of the best hybrid cars and hybrid vehicles in the world.
Lithium-ion batteries are ideally suited for use in hybrid vehicles to help reducing fuel consumption and thus also CO2 emissions. At the same time, the Daimler engineers are investigating to what degree this technology can be applied to other vehicle concepts, such as electric and fuel cell-powered cars.
Current hybrid vehicles use nickel-metal hydride batteries, but the lithium-ion alternatives are known to offer greater efficiency, as well as a better overall weight-to-power ratio. The problem with integrating the Li-ion technology was in securing their stability—they became far too hot to be a viable option in a hybrid vehicle. Fortunately, Mercedes-Benz has 25 patents it is confident solves the dilemma of battery overheating, whether they stay on target for 2009 is another matter, but we certainly wouldn't doubt them.
The assist from the electric motor gives the S400 an agile feel and more immediate throttle response, although it doesn't feel as strong as our V-8-powered base S-class, the 382-hp S550. The kick from the electric motor is limited to only about 15 seconds because of the relatively small lithium-ion battery pack, and the electric motor only works up to 4000 rpm. But the boost is useful for low-speed acceleration and even in passing maneuvers. In all other driving situations, the S400 feels pretty much like a conventional S350.
Although the electric motor cannot power the S400 by itself, it does allow the gasoline engine to shut off when slowing to speeds below 9 mph, when coming to a stop, and when idling. When stopped, and with the gasoline engine asleep, the lithium-ion battery powers the accessories such as air conditioning as well as the electro-hydraulic steering. When the driver lifts his foot off the brake pedal, the gasoline engine whirs quickly to life without any hesitation or odd vibrations.
Thomas Weber, member of the Daimler AG Board of Management and responsible for Group Research and Mercedes-Benz Cars Development says: "What we have here is a groundbreaking key technology that is going to be a decisive factor for the future success of the automotive industry. That is a tribute to our intensive research efforts, which we have been conducting in this area since 1992."
With the new S-Class, Daimler has become the first European automobile manufacturer to launch a vehicle with a hybrid engine and the innovative lithium-ion battery. The S 400 Blue HYBRID consumes only 7.9 liters of gasoline per 100 km in the NEDC. This results in very low CO2 emissions of only 190 grams per kilometer, a very low value for this vehicle class and power class, making the S 400 Blue HYBRID the world's most economical luxury sedan
What’s more important to consumers is that the battery pack is installed in the engine compartment, where it replaces the conventional starter battery. This means that the interior space and boot capacity of the S400 remain unchanged. Additionally, thanks to its compact dimensions and modular design, the additional weight of the overall hybrid system including the comprehensive safety systems is only 75 kg or 165 lbs.
By: ghostevyta
Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com
For more information about hybrid autos, you can visit CarHybrid.com. There you can find the hybrid news and hybrid review of the best hybrid cars and hybrid vehicles in the world.
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