Tuesday, December 3, 2013

Paul Walker`s crash

Fast and Furious legend Paul walker died in an auto crash early hours of yesterday 1st Dec,2013,so sad we wont get to see him behind skyline,turbo charged prelude,american muscles and escort may his gentle soul RIP, FF crew and fans will surely miss you

Monday, September 16, 2013

BMW i8

The German Bayerische Motoren Werke in english Bavarian Motor Works  BMW is set to revolutionize its sport car presenting what is known as the most progressive sports car.
 http://www.bmw.com/com/en/newvehicles/i/i8/2013/showroom/index.html

Friday, September 13, 2013

Automatic transmission modes

       Automatic transmission(Automatic gearbox) have been around for sometimes now.It was invented  in 1921 by Alfred Hormer Munro of Regina,Saskatchewan Canada,so definitely its a familiar system in Auto world.Automatic transmission is a gear system/transmission system that automatically select gear ratios,velocity and movement base on the speed of the car freeing the driver from the shifting the gears manually.
     
Automatic transmissions can also be driven like manual transmissions Manual mode M or +,- mode.
  The US standard have modes ordered P R N D L  prior this mode arrangement is the P N D L R ever since the US standard mode arrangement there have been lot of modifications and adjustment to this arrangement due to technological advancement and need to include more efficient and high tech modes.

          Automatic transmissions have different types of mode depending on maker and model of the transmission.Below are some common modes in Auto transmisssions
     P (Park)
All auto transmissions have this mode,it mechanically restrict vehicle from moving by preventing transmission from rotating,locking the output of the shaft of transmission however some vehicle still tends to slip if parked on a slopy edge or surface its then advised that the handbrake be used after the selection gear have been shifted to park to prevent total movement.Car engines can be started when the shifter is on mode P(park) and N(neutral),this is because the open inhibitor switch all known as neutral safety switch wired in series with the starter motor engagement circuit is closed when P and N is selected.
      R(Reverse)
 This gear selection mode allows backward movement of the vehicle and it activate a switch that turns on backup light for improved vision.Selecting R in most vehicle the driver must come to a halt in other not to damage the transmission however some modern auto transmission have a safety mechanism which requires the brake pedal to be matched in order to allow the selection of reverse.The shifter can simply be move from R to N or N to D without depressing the button but it can`t be shift back to R without depressing the button
      N(Neutral)
This mode disengages all the gears with the transmission,hence it can move freely on its own weight and gain momentum without force.The vehicle might be stagnant if N mode is selected before the vehicle moves and on a plane surface.
       D(Drive)
  The drive shift allows the transmission to activate its full range of available forward gears and accelerate through it ranges of gears,the gear ratio present depends on the maker and model four,five,six or over
 
     OD(Overdrive)
 OD is is used in some modern transmission system it allow early computer controlled transmission to engage OD.The mode D locks off the automatic OD though similar or identical otherwise but the OD is engaged under steady speed or low acceleration.

     3(Third)
 This shift mode limits the gear transmission to the first three gears or sometimes locks the transmission in the third gear however if the maximum(Revolution Per Minute) RPM is reached it can cause engine damage so its recommended for  truck towing

    2(second)
 2 mode limits transmission to the first two gear or locks transmission in the second gear,its common on cars like ford,kia,and Honda models.Its recommended for snow/ice driving and climbing or descending a hill

      1(first)
 This mode locks the transmission in the first gear only in older model it will not change from 1 automatically except you shift manually while in newer vehicles it automatically shift out of 1 if a certain RPM is reached to prevent engine damage

      D5
This mode is equipped with auto 5 forward gear ratio and it uses all the 5 gears ratio.The mode D5 is commonly use for highway driving and found majorly in Honda and Acuras
      D4
 D4 uses 4 gear ratio that is it uses the first four gear ratios its also in Honda and Acura commonly use for city driving
      D3
Uses only the first three gear ratios,its commonly found in Honda,Acura,VW and pontiac with 4 speed auto it can also be use for city driving where the traffic is not too light
      D2 and D1
Uses the first two transmission gears in this mode D2 the car start in D2 and up shift to the third gear ratio and its commonly found in older ford transmission

      S(Sport)
Its a similar mode to Drive but the up shift changes much higher up the engine revolution range,this is maximizing the available engine output to enhance the performance of the vehicle due to this effect the S mode consumes more fuel than D mode.
    +,- and M
Manual mode selection of gears in certain automatic transmissions such as Porsche`s Tiptronic and Honda Steptronic and few other products with Tronic features,some don't have the M mode but have the + and - the driver can shift by toggling the mounted console shift
     W(Winter)
This mode engage the second gear instead of the first gear when pulling away from stationery to reduce the likelihood of loss of traction due to wheel spin on ice or snow this is similar to function D2 on GMs,kia, and Honda automatics,it can be access by moving gear shifter to mode D2 to start,then taking your foot off the accelerator while selecting D once the car is moving.The W mode is found in some Volvo,Mercedes Benz,BMW and GMs of European model
   B(Brake)
 B  is a mode selectable on some Toyota model in non-hybrid cars,this mode let the engine do compression braking also known as engine braking typically when encountering a steep hill,it has the same effect in slowing car without using brakes.



Tuesday, August 6, 2013

2011 MODEL C CLASS BENZ

       Since the introduction of the C Class Benz in 1993 the series have proved to be more relevant in World of sedan cars.The first generation of the C Class rolled from 1993 to 2000 with the following versions C180,C200,C230,C240,C280,C36 AMG,C43 AMG,C200 Kompressor,C230 Kompressor in petrol engines and C200,C200 CDI,C230 CDI,C250 D,C250 in diesel enigines.
         It engine ranges from 1.8L to 2.5L but can be higher in modified engines,4-5 speed in both manual and automatic transmissions except for the 2000 T-model with G56 that uses 6 speed transmission.These generation of C Class was blessed with engines powered from 120hp to 340hp.

      The second generation of C Class Benz lauched into market in 2000 produces different versions of the series from 2001 to year 2007 this generation of the model have more varieties than the previous generation C160,C180,C180 Kompressor,C200 Kompressor(M111)C200 Kompressor (M271),C200 CGI,C230 Kompressor (M111),C230 Kompressor(M271),C240,C280,C320,C350,C32 AMG,C55 AMG all in petrol engines and C200 CDI(102PS),C200 CDI (115PS),C200 CDI(122PS),C220 CDI(143PS),C220 CDI(150PS),C270 CDI,C270 CDI,C320 CDI,C30 CDI AMG in diesel.
            These series of C Class Benz came in Sedan,Coupe and Wagon,its base engine range from 1.8 L to 3.0 L engines and engine capacities from 127 horsepower to 362 horsepower.
            In the year 2007 the new generation of C Class was introduced and it still in vogue till present day,2011 model that i want to talk about is from the new generation of C Class benz.The 2011 W204 was unveil in 2011 at Detroit auto show with detailed features of the car,the new features in the new generation of C Class makes it more convenient and comfortable than the previous ones, among these features are  the engine start/stop system,command APS system
7 G TRONIC gearbox plus 7 speed automatic transmission,all the engine variant are now classified as blueEFFICIENCY unit which means reduction in fuel consumption without compromising power.All petrol engine models include direct injection i.e blueEFFICIENCY tech,multimedia system command online provide internet access when the car is stationary
           The 2011 W204 have some driving assistance systems like active lane keeping assist,active blind spot assist,assist drowsiness detention,park guidance including Parktronic, pre-safe brake, distronic plus proximity control,speed limit assist these features make this model C Class more than convenient and comfortable for driving and as well provide a lot of safety while on wheel.
keyless Go,rear view camera,heated front seat,its special features also include powerful electronic suspension that enhance its stability.The 2011 c class are in different specs and shapes such as coupes,classic sedans,AMG sedans,Avantgarde wagons built in different countries and locations i.e Germany,Australia,US,Japan,Canada etc.Whichever one you pick from the 2011 C class series,you have picked a car for men of class

Monday, August 5, 2013

2003 C Class Merceds-Benz C230 Sedan

(c)photo @ cargurus.com


  Still on C Class Benz,few days ago i wrote about 1999 model C Class Mercedes-Benz here is an advancement on the Class another model that makes the series more relevant than its counterpart sedan cars,2003 series introduced following the 1999 series prove more comfortable,sporty and more balanced  than the previous series aside theses features the 2003 model has a sexy look and a beautiful body blend with strength and speed like the previous editions quality is not compromised.
Unlike the 1997-2000 series of C Class the 2003 C230 supercharged sedan is more economical going by the base engine  1.8L with a 4 cylinders,16 valves engine of Double Overhead Cam (DOHC),the cylinders are in line 4,the C230 is a rear drive sedan with a manual transmission of 6 speed,without doubt speed is not a difficult task for this nice looking machine of 189horsepower at 5800 rpm,torque 192ft lbs at 3,500 rpm,turning cycle 35.3ft
(c)photo +CarGurus.com    



The 2003 model C Class have a curb weight of 3185lbs very reasonable,ground clearance of o ft 6.3in(6.3in),width 5ft 8in(68in),length 14ft 10.2in (178.2in),front track and rear track  4 ft 10.8in(58.8in)  4ft 9.6in 957.6 in) wheelbase 8ft 10.8in(106.9in),height 4ft 7.1in and a cargo capacity of 12.2 cu ft


(c)photo @cargurus.com






In its interior is a sporty look ,sport front seat,a comfortable folding with storage center armrest,rear ventilation ducts,power mirrors,heated mirror,4 one-touch power windows,cruise control,side /curtain airbags for more safety in an event,navigation system though optional of sudden impact,speed proportional power steering,audio controls on steering wheel these are features that makes this machine more comfortable in the interior and also a tilt and telescopic steering wheel 

(c)photo @cars-directory.net
12 V front power outlets,four wheel independent suspension,multi-link suspension for both front and back suspensions this is one of the features that aid stability and traction control in the C230 C Class Benz.
(c)photo @cars-directory.net

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Brief history of Mercedes-Benz

         Mercedes-Benz has always been a relevant and respected name/product among the German cars.Mercedes-Benz is a German manufacturer of automobiles,buses,trucks and coaches.Currently Mercedes is a division of the parent company Daimler AG formerly known as DaimlerChrysler AG after it was previously owned by Daimler-Benz.
      Mercedes-Benz has its origin in Karl Benz`s creation of the first automobile in January 1886 it was put to completion by Gottlied Daimler and Engineer Whelm maybach when they convert a carriage into an automobile by addition of a petrol engine also in 1886.
      Mercedes automobile was first marketed in 1901.The first Mercedes-Benz brand name vehicles were produced in 1926 and following the merger of Karl Benz`s and Gottlieb Daimler`s company into the Daimler-Benz company.

       Mercedes-Benz has over the years introduced many technological and safety innovations that have become common in modern day vehicles.Among other innovations is the recent introduction of  BLU-EFFICIENCY injection system that reduce fuel consumption without compromising power and engine capacity no doubt non of the automobile manufacturers have used this before.If you are thinking of a strong car with reasonable speed that`s durable without comprising quality you might want to get a Mercedes-Benz.

cars-directory.net


Friday, July 26, 2013

1999 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

     Mercedes introduced C-Class series into market in 1993 to replace the 190E series also known as baby benz,just like its predecessor the C-Class proved immensely popular,though the C-Class series kept the sporty look of the baby benz with a smoother and more rounded appearance offering better performance and more interior room
      Upon introduction in 1993 benz C-Class series was the first Mercedes Benz model with a complete multivalve engine.The first series of the new family was four cylinder engine in petrol and diesel unitswhich ranges from 1.8L to 2.2L with power beginning from 121hp to 190hp,190hp in 6 cylinder engines intriduced in 1995,the supercharged petrol version was also introduced in 1995 C230 kompressor using supercharger to generate 190hp@5300rpm.The improvement in engine size and performance continues as the year passes even till date,now to my 1999 models my favourite of the models C55 Kompressor
ENGINE 
460hp(horsepower)
Top speedof 180mph
0 to 60 in 4.7secs
2.2L to 2.8L in 1999 series but up to 5.5L in modified engines with V8
Torque 200ftibs@2500rpm

 CHASIS&BODY
width 67.7 in
height 56.1 in
length 177.4 in
weight 3300lbs
wheelbase 105.9 in
INTERIOR
Rear hip room55.0 in
Rear head room 37.0 in
Rear leg room 32.8 in
Rear shoulder room 54.3 in


photo@cardomain.com
PERFORMANCE
5.5L engine this is a bit bigger than the previous C-Class engines,these replaced the DOHC 4 valve heads these new SOHC heads having three valves per cylinder and double spark plugs this system logically reduce emission and fuel consumption without sacrificing power.These V8 engines could achieve up to 460hp at 5850rpm with a torque of 410Nm(320 ft lbs) at 3250 rpm more torque y than it competitor BMW M3 and the previous C-Class due to the modification and adjustments in its engines
                                                                                                    
photo@cardomain.com










It suspension was also replaced with a racing tuned suspension to increase its stability.It four speed transmission was replaced in 1999 with a standard five speed automatic gearbox with Tiptronic function to compliment for the bigger engine capacity introduced to the C-Class series.

BODY MODIFICATION
    A darker rear lights was introduced,new wheel rims,interior trims and the door mouldings.The front and rear bumpers were also changed in shape to give a sporty and modern look.

The particular 1999 model C-Class in the picture above from cardomain.com is a C45 modified to Renntech E55 it has the following modification that makes it differ from others in the series these are modified RENNTECH engine,air and fuel delivery system,AMG brakes,KONI shocks,Renntech transmission,AMG wheels and RENN exhaust.So if you`re looking for a comfortable runabout vehicle that combines speed and durability without compromising strength you might want to consider this series of Mercedes-Benz 

blog links 
www.cardomain.com
www.mercedesbenz.ccom/edmuds





Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Saleen S7 Twin turbo


 Saleen S7 twin turbo 750horsepower was built by Steve Saleen in America,Steve Saleen is a man believe to be most successful Mustang tuner,S7 was the only car produced by Saleen not based on existing chassis,with blend of sleek and sexy styling,outrageous power,and geniue racing heritage Saleen S7 definitely have got a street cred.The Saleen S7 featured on Aug 19,2000 at the Monterey Historic race,all aluminum 427 is remarkably tractable and flexible for such a high output unit of 550hp(horsepower) at 6400rpm,in 2005 the S7 was replaced by the S7 twin turbo,which featured a more powerful twin turbo system that boosted engine power to 750hp(760Ps/559kw) and a top speed of 248mph(399km/hr)
The body of the car was made entirely from carbon fiber with the use of scoops,spoilers and other aerodynamic features to create split-channel airflow all through the car and at 160mph(257km/hr).the car create its own weight in down force to keep the car on the road
S7 was built and designed to be both luxurious and functional,leather appears through the cabin with aluminum accents and the S7 comes with a set of custom fit luggage,due to its mid-engine layout,it has two trucks front and rear and some other features like LCD monitor,rear view camera,quick release steering wheel,and the asymmetrical layout,with the custom fitted driver's seat positioned towards the centre both improves driver's visibility and center his or her weight in the vehicle
S7 chassis comprises a space frame design consisting 4130 lightweight steel and aluminum composite reinforcing panel.
The standard electronic includes remote control operated doors,hood,trunk and engine compartment openers,electronic power steering with redundant safety circuit,110 volts inlet for maintaining vehicle battery,electronic fuel pump shut off upon crash impact,rear view camera system with flip up monitor and navigation.
Saleen S7 twin turbo is a limited production hand built high performance supercar.
SPECIFICATIONS
Rear mid-engine,rear wheel drive
750hp
Ford 427 engine 7.0litres
Transmission 6speed manual
Wheelbase 106in(2,692mm)
Length 188in(4,775mm)
Width 78in(1,981mm)
Height 41in(1,041mm)
S7 can accelerate from 0-60miles per hour(97km/hr) in an estimated 2.5 seconds and to 100miles per hour in an estimated 5.9secs and can complete a standard quater-mile in an estimated 10.5secs,reaching 248mph(399km/hr)
So if you are thinking of a supercar with a blend of speed,high performance with stylish and sexy look,you might want to consider Saleen S7 twin turbo

Friday, January 18, 2013

BUGATTI VEYRON EB 16.4

BRIEF HISTORY
Bugatti veyron is named after a french racer who won the 1939 24hrs of Le Mans in a Bugatti
Bugatti have always been a relevant name in Italy auto world until it was sold to Germany in 1998.The Volkswagen CEO Ferdinard piech came with the idea of building Bugatti Veyron 16.4 from the formerly Ettore Bugatti and equally challenging were impressive requirements the exceptional serial production vehicle had to meet:
A top speed of over 400km/hr
736kW-1,001 HP(Horsepower)
High-tech functions and power
Aesthetics and safety in perfect harmony
Modern style.
No doubt the Bugatti Veyron's exterior styling proves it a classic modern style super sports car.Innovation for top performance,extensive security and high acceleration capacity are. Significant elements for this super sports car.Ettore Bugatti once in a while made technical compromises for the sake of aesthetics integrity but the Veyron 16.4 has broken that tradition.

ENGINE&BODY
Veyron 16.4 is a 16 cylinders engine with two(2) V8 cranks
W16 power plant that displaces 8.0L
7 gears clutch transmission
Fuel consumption in combined 24.9l/100km,fuel consumption in town 41.9l/100km,fuel consumption out of town 15.6l/100km
CO2 emission combined 596g/km
Energy costs at a milleage of 20,000km
The Veyron 16.4 weighs 1,888kg
Width 1,998mm(78.7in)
Wheelbase 2,710mm(106.7in)
Height 1,159mm(46.6in)
4.47m in length
10 radiators to cool the engine when on high speed
Titanium piston rod &screws
Magnessium valve caps
16 cylinders by 2 crank V8


TECHNOLOGY
16 cylinders four-wheel drive Bugatti Veyron 16.4 may well be the must sophisticated vehicle of all times.Must of the component put beneath the hood of veyron are ingenious innovation that were formerly deemed possible only by visionaries like Ferdinard piech.Boasting of 400km/hr maximum speed,the veyron is no match in super sports car category with it 736kw(1001 HP).Its ample power reserve even at high speeds,the veyron only needs 270-280HP ,that is the 7-gear clutch transmission works with a torque of up to 1,250 Newton metres,the electronic stability program ensures the necessary flexibility and maneuverability at any speed.The veyron reaches velocities that would literally lift the car off the ground but the ingenious aerodynamics,keeps it firmly to the road even at full speed,adjusting the back spoiler,reducing ground clearance,opening and closing the lids,it.all adds to the perfect balance between propulsion and downforce,A super sports car like this may not seem to be brought to a halt easily but veyron's ceramic brakes slow it down faster than it accelerates.This is exceptional it takes veyron 16.4- 2.5seconds to move from 0-100km/hr and even less time like 2.3seconds to come to a halt from 100(reference point.)To reduce risk of injuries in accidents.Buggati had a formula 1 safety concept adopted for the veyron.combination of all these technical details makes Veyron an exceptional super sports car.
Apart from the award of the best driven car Veyron won in 2005,with it ummatched speed,ingenious innovation and performance,Bugatti veyron is a legend in the world of super sports cars,currently Bugatti veyron is the must expensive car in the world going for $2,400,000 the must expensive legal production far more expensive than its counterpart super sports cars like -
Pagani Zonda $1,850,000
Aston Martin $1,850,000
Lamborghini Reventon $1,600,000
Koenigsegg Agera $1,600,000

No doubt this legend called Veyron has left a print in the path of super sports car


Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Mustang 1969 GT350

Lemme start with a brief history of mustang,In 1961,the vice president and general manager of ford division had a vision,A vision of a car that would seat just four(4)people and have bucket seats,weigh less than 2500pounds and not longer than 180 inches and sell for less than $2500.00,out of his vision Ford mustang was born and got approval on march 9,1962.18months after is approval the first one was released after several media advert carrol shelby GT350 1964 model.Now to my favourite mustang


Mustang GT 350 shelby 1969 Model
Yea..I love this particular mustang for few reasons that I will like to share here
The 1969 Model Mustang brought a major restyling to the Mustang.The fastback 2+2 was replaced by the New sportsroof.The 1969 Model mustang were about 4inches longer than their 67/68 predecessor with the wheelbase still at 108 inches these features gave the 1969 Mustang a facelift,special engines for 1969 model is not left out as there are only 2 special engines offered for 69.the boss 302 and 429 both engines in limited production units.these engines has 351 Cu in 5.8L V8 with these features Mustang 1969 is surely a car to have on your wishlist.forget about the age Mustang is a car of all ages