Nokia Europe

Nokia Europe:

There are many Nokia mobile phones available on the European market that impress with their unique designs and advanced capabilities. So, if you are interested in buying an amazing smartphone, then you should definitely take the Nokia offer.

Nokia Europe (Source: img.wpxbox.com)

The Nokia Lumia 710 is one of the Nokia products available on the European market that measures 119 x 62.4 x 12.5mm and weighs around 125.5 grams. The 3.7-inch TFT touchscreen makes images look filled with color and with accurate details. This stylish smartphone is powered by a 1.4GHz Scorpion processor with 512MB of RAM and 8GB of storage. The operating system available on this mobile phone is Microsoft Windows Phone 7.5 Mango that comes with a nice interface and various feats. I need to mention the 5MP camera with LED flash, face detection and 720p video recording capabilities. The Lumia 710 provides support for Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi, A-GPS, WAP 2.0, HTML5 browser and FM radio. The 1300mAh battery is able to offer up to 7.4 hours of talk time.

Another amazing Nokia phone is the incredible Nokia C5-06 which weighs only 93 grams and features a 3.2-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 360 x 640 pixels. This mobile phone is equipped with a 600MHz processor with 128MB of RAM and 40MB of storage, but you will be able to use microSD cards of up to 16GB. The Nokia C5-06 runs on Symbian OS 9.4 coming with various features including photo editor, QuickOffice document viewer and Nokia Maps. It features only a 2MP camera with VGA recording capabilities and a simple music player able to support various file formats. You will have the possibility to use Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, A-GPS and HTML browser with Adobe Flash support. The 1,000mAh battery guarantees 11.3 hours of talk time.

Nokia Europe (Source: esato.com)

You should also take a look to the Nokia 500 which measures 111.3 x 53.8 x 14.1mm and weighs around 93 grams. This mobile phone comes with a 3.2-inch touchscreen and a 5MP camera with video recording capabilities. Powered by a 1GHz ARM 11 processor with 256MB of RAM and 2GB of storage, the Nokia 500 runs on Symbian Anna. The connectivity options are various and they include Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, 3G, HTML with Adobe Flash support and A-GPS. This mobile phone is available in multiple colors and comes with some useful features including voice command, photo editor and predictive text input. This Nokia cell phone is equipped with an 1100mAh battery offers around 5 hours of talk time.

These are only a few of the Nokia phones that you can buy from the European market. You should also check out the Nokia C2-02 and Nokia E7-00.

Source : Google Reader

Free Phone Calls From Mobile Phones

Free Phone Calls From Mobile Phones:

You can get free phones as well as free phone service if you qualify for government assistance. If you make little money or you are part of a federal program such as food stamps or Medicaid, you will be able to benefit for free from such service even when it comes to mobile phones. The program that makes it all possible is called LifeLine.

Free Phone Calls From Mobile Phones (Source: 3.bp.blogspot.com)

If you are wondering how it all works, I will explain the procedure in a few words. LifeLine tries to provide free mobile phone services for those in needs by making available $10 per month for every individual that qualifies for its programs. Using these funds, TracFone and Virgin Mobile can make available, for those in needs, 250 free minutes per month. The phones that go with these plans aren’t paid from governmental funds. The devices are provided for free by the carrier interested in supporting this program. The government also keeps track of the number of low-income residents that apply for the service in each state. The records have revealed that most interested in this program are Americans from Alaska, Oklahoma and Alabama.

Like I’ve mentioned above, the free phones are provided by certain carriers. The list includes three main names: TracFone, Sprint and Nexus Communications. The names of the programs are as follows: SafeLink, Assurance Wireless and ReachOut Wireless. Also involved in this program are carriers that offer only discounted service. An example is AT&T. To get an idea of what types of free mobile phones you will be receiving, I will give you some examples. From SafeLink Wireless you will get phones like Motorola 175, LG 320 or Samsung 105. From Assurance Wireless you should expect to get the Kyocera Jax S1300 while from ReachOut, it’s unsure what you will get because they apply a random factor to the process.

Free Phone Calls From Mobile Phones (Source: rellimzone.com)

To qualify for free mobile phones and free phone calls, you will first have to determine which program is available in the area where you live. SafeLink can be found in 36 states, ReachOut in 13 and Assurance in 27. To find out if your state is included in those numbers, you should visit the websites of the companies that make available the programs and enter you ZIP code. On the same websites you will also discover the requirements, because they vary from state to state, so it’s hard to specify a universal rule. The only thing that usually doesn’t change is that you have to make less money a year than 135% of the federal poverty line. Also eligible are those who benefit from government assistance.

Source : Google Reader

Internet Radio Nokia N95

Internet Radio Nokia N95:

Mobile phones have become capable of a wide variety of tasks. Such devices have become more than just instruments that you can use to keep in touch with your loved ones. For example, if you own a Nokia N95 you can easily listen to Internet radio. All you need to do is locate the right app and I can help you with that.

Internet Radio Nokia N95 (Source: cdn.mobiclue.com)

An app that makes it possible to listen to Internet radio on a Nokia N95 is Mundu Internet radio app. Using this app you will be able to choose between tens of thousands of radio stations and discover the station that gives access to your favorite genres no matter if you like pop music, classic music or jazz. In the case of this app, the streaming can take place over Wi-Fi or 3G, so you will be able to listen to your favorite station even if a Wi-Fi network is not available. The interface provided is intuitive and provides Twitter access as well as a section dedicated to personal preferences. No fee is involved by using this app. All you will need to do is create an account on Mundu’s website.

Nokia Internet Radio is another app you can use to stay in touch with your favorite radio stations. This app grants access to hundreds of radio stations and includes a comprehensive station directory that makes it easy to locate the Internet station that you want to listen to on your Nokia N95. You will be able to apply filters to your searches, because the app can perform searches based on name, country or genre. To make sure that streaming provides the best experience possible you should set the app to automatically match the bandwidth available.

VirtualRadio is an app that provides Internet radio via the simplest interface of them all. If you install this app on your Nokia N95 you will be able to access thousands of Internet radio stations. You won’t discover fancy controls and advanced features, because the app is meant to be used by all types of users, from experienced to inexperienced, and just play radio from the channel of your choice. You will hear your favorite music playing the moment you launch the app.

Internet Radio Nokia N95 (Source: onegoldensquare.com)

If you aren’t satisfied with the choices I’ve listed, you should take a look at Absolute Radio Player. This free Internet radio app makes available live streaming from Absolute Radio UK. You will discover rock music as well as classic music and an Internet radio service that can be controlled by users. This app is available in Nokia’s Ovi Store as well Mobbler, a similar app.

Source : Google Reader

Cheap Boost Mobile Phones

Cheap Boost Mobile Phones:

Boost Mobile is a well known carrier that offers a wide variety of mobile phones. You have the possibility of finding advanced mobile phones at affordable prices. Therefore, if you want to purchase a new mobile phone you should take a closer look at the Boost Mobile offer. Check out the phones I found on this carrier.

Cheap Boost Mobile Phones (Source: desinformado.com)

The Motorola Theory is one of these cheap Boost Mobile phones that can be yours for around $43.95. This mobile phone measures 112 x 61 x 12.5mm and weighs around 110 grams. Featuring a 2.4-inch screen with a resolution of 320 x 240 pixels, the Theory offers sharp images and an easy to read text. It also has a 1.3MP camera with fixed focus and a full QWERTY keyboard which makes it perfect for typing messages and emails. This phone offers support for Bluetooth 2.1, web browser and Java support. The 910mAh battery guarantees up to 5 hours of talk time.

Another amazing Boost Mobile phone is the Samsung Factor Gray that costs around $42 free of contract. This flip phone comes with a nice design and measures 97 x 48 x 17.8 mm. It features 2 displays: the external display is able to show date, time, battery level, signal strength and ID caller while the internal 2-inch display has a resolution of 128 x 160 pixels and support more than 262,000 colors and is the main screen. The 1MP camera comes with multi-shot, panorama and night mode. This mobile phone offers support for GPS, Bluetooth and a web browser. Regarding the battery, you should know that it offers up to 4.5 hours of talk time.

Cheap Boost Mobile Phones (Source: gsmdome.com)

The Sanyo Mirro should also be on your list. It’s available for around $65 on Boost mobile and comes with a glossy look. This flip phone measures 97 x 51 x 18mm and weighs 112 grams. It features an external 0.9-inch mono OLED display and a 2.4-inch internal screen with a 240 x 320 pixel resolution. With the help of the 1.3MP camera with self-timer and various camera settings you will take decent. The Mirro offers various messaging options and connectivity choices including Bluetooth, GPS and web browser. Other useful features available on this phone are a to-do list, a calculator, a voice recorder and a calendar. The 1000mAh battery provides up to 5.8 hours of talk time.

These are only a few of the mobile phones you can purchase from Boost Mobile. You should also check out the Sanyo Juno, Motorola Clutch Plus and the Samsung Galaxy Prevail.

Source : Google Reader

How To Upload Videos From Iphone 4g To Facebook

How To Upload Videos From Iphone 4g To Facebook:

The iPhone 4 comes with a reliable camera and social networking integration, so the desire to upload videos and photos on Facebook from your iDevice is understandable. The good news is that the process of getting such media on your Facebook account is not complicated at all and can be handled from an iPhone 4 as well as from an iPhone 3GS.

How To Upload Videos From iPhone 4G To Facebook (Source: alphadigits.com)

The first step you need to complete involves downloading the latest version of Facebook for iPhone on your smartphone. If you already have the Facebook app installed on your iPhone, all you will need to do is make sure that the app is upgraded to the latest version available. Then, if photos are of your interest, you should locate the “Photo” button located on the app’s top center. By tapping this button you will see that two options are made available. One of the options says “Take Photo or Video” while the other one says “Choose from library”.

The third step involves choosing the “Take Photo or Video” option if you want to take a brand new picture and share it directly on Facebook by tapping the “Use” button which appears in the picture’s bottom right corner. After you press the “Use” button you will be able to add to your photo a customized caption that you can save by pressing the “Upload” button available. In just a few seconds your newly taken photo will be on Facebook. The same applies for videos taken on the spot. You just need to use the camera option that allows you to record surroundings.

How To Upload Videos From iPhone 4G To Facebook (Source: iphoneleaks.net)

If you want to upload on Facebook a photo or video already available on your iPhone, you should tap on the “Choose From Library” option. After you touch this button, the iPhone’s Photo Albums will be automatically opened. From there you can go to the location where your photos and videos are stored. After you locate the photo of your interest, you should decide on its caption and only then tap on the “Post” button that’s available in the top right corner. You will then be able to see your photo or video on Facebook.

If you want to add a new photo or video in an existing Facebook album, you will have to access the top left menu button that reveals the sidebar of Facebook for iPhone. You will then have to tap on the “Photo” icon available on the sidebar in order to make visible the list of photo albums available. Afterwards, you will have to select an album and tap on the “+” icon displayed. The rest of steps remain unchanged.

Source : Google Reader

Best Cell Phone Deal T-mobile

Best Cell Phone Deal T-mobile:

T-Mobile is the kind of carrier that tries to surprise its customers with interesting and exciting deals. That’s why you will always find great cell phone deals on this carrier, no matter if you’re trying to get a high-end phone at an acceptable price or if you are looking for a phone that’s first of all budget friendly.

Best Cell Phone Deal T-Mobile (Source: newcellphonesblog.com)

One of the best deals you can find on T-Mobile is the HTC Amaze 4G. I consider this smartphone to be a great deal not only because of pricing, but also because of its feature package. In terms of pricing you will discover a smartphone offered by T-Mobile in exchange for $259.99 and with a two-year contract. The design department reveals a 6.1 ounces device that measures 5.12 x 2.58 x 0.46 inches. These measurements classify the HTC Amaze as a chunky phone, but at least, because of the metal construction and the quality finishes, you will be the owner of a sturdy handset.

If until now you weren’t that impressed I think that the 4.3-inch Super LCD touchscreen that you will discover on the front cover will convince you that the Amaze is worth the investment. This display is able to support a maximum resolution of 960 x 540 pixels and images and texts that look crisp and sharp. Responsiveness is not an issue for this touchscreen that also comes with built-in accelerometer, proximity sensor and pinch-to-zoom support. For input purposes you will have available only HTC’s virtual keyboard. The hardware department also makes available a dual-core processor, a front-facing camera with a resolution of 2 megapixels and an 8-megapixel camera that comes with many settings and features. Software wise, you will be using Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread and the HTC Sense 3.0 interface.

Best Cell Phone Deal T-Mobile (Source: ownermanualbook.com)

If you are looking for one of the best deals of T-Mobile in terms of pricing, you should consider the Samsung Exhibit 4G. That’s because this T-Mobile smartphone has recently been the victim of all sorts of discounts, so you can even get it for free as long as you are ok with a two-year agreement. The design of this Samsung device won’t surprise you, because you will be looking at a typical candy bar phone. A little unusual are the rounded corners at the top and the interesting angles used for the phone’s bottom. On the front cover you will discover a 3.5-inch touchscreen with a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels that provides bright and colorful image display as long as you avoid using it in direct sunlight. You will also discover two cameras, a 1GHz processor and Android Gingerbread with TouchWiz user interface.

Source : Google Reader

Apple Iphone 4g Cases

Apple Iphone 4g Cases:

The best place to buy an amazing iPhone 4 case is the Apple Store. You will have the possibility to find various and outstanding cases that can protect your smartphone against scratches, bumps and other possible damages. Take a closer look at the iPhone cases I found. Maybe you will see something interesting.

Apple iPhone 4G Cases (Source: trait-tech.com)

The Kate Spade New York Agenda case is one of the iPhone cases that impress with their unique design. This $39.95 case is made of durable material and protects the iPhone against scratches and accidental drops. Available in various colors, this unique case allows you to easily access the phone’s controls and ports.

Another amazing iPhone case is the Uncommon Deflector case which is available for around $34.95. This product is the perfect combination between unique style and ultimate protection. It’s made of unbreakable polymer and comes with vibrant colors and patterns. The case protects the smartphone against bumps and scratches and allows you to access the phone’s functionalities.

The Belkin Grip Candy TPU case should also be taken into consideration because it costs no more and no less than $29.95. Made of durable, but flexible TPU material, this case offers impact protection and scratch resistance to the iPhone 4. It is available in a two-tone translucent palette and features various cutouts which allow you to use your smartphone at full capacity.

The HEX Code Wallet case is one of my favorite iPhone cases because it comes with an elegant design and offers many storage areas. This case is made of high quality leather and protects the iPhone against scratches and dust. Inside the case you will find three credit card slots. With the help of a snugly elastic you will be able to secure the iPhone inside the case. The price of this interesting iPhone cover is around $49.95.

You should also check out the ZeroChroma Teatro-S case which is available for around $39.95. This case is made of durable polycarbonate that protects the smartphone against impacts, shocks and scratches. It features an anti-slip rubber stand-tip that provides up to 14 viewing angles. That means you will be able to watch movies, videos and use FaceTime without having to also buy a special stand.

Apple iPhone 4G Cases (Source: cache.gifts.com)

I should also mention the iBike Dash Cycling Computer that transforms your iPhone into a full-featured cycling computer. This water and shock-resistant case protects your iPhone against all possible damages and allows you to enjoy biking while the iBike app offers all the information you need regarding maps and dashboard graphics. The price of this useful case is around $149.95.

Source : Google Reader

Smashing Atom: Ariel Atom V8 vs. Large Hadron Collider

Smashing Atom: Ariel Atom V8 vs. Large Hadron Collider:

The upshift time for the Atom’s Sadev ST-90 six-speed sequential racing gearbox is about 40 milliseconds—a tenth of an eye blink. In those 40 milliseconds, the atoms zipping beneath us around the underground loop of the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) would have traveled nearly 7500 miles, more than twice the distance from Seattle to Miami. By the time I’d reached 60 mph in about three seconds without trying, the LHC atoms were 560,000 miles away—nearly 325,000 miles beyond the moon. Game over, little car. Even when you have 475 horsepower and a feather-light (claimed) 1213-pound curb weight, 99.9999991 percent of the speed of light is not a velocity to be trifled with. Even more humiliating for the Atom V-8, the LHC may have just observed a speed even faster than that of  light.

Keep Reading: Smashing Atom: Ariel Atom V8 vs. Large Hadron Collider – Feature

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What the H?: Everything You Need to Know About a Hydrogen-Fueled Future

What the H?: Everything You Need to Know About a Hydrogen-Fueled Future:

By the end of the decade, fuel-cell vehicles from GM, Honda, Hyundai, Mercedes-Benz, and Toyota are due to start trickling into dealers. They’ll be reliable and versatile, though they’ll cost a small fortune, and refueling them will be difficult. Clearly, fuel-cell vehicles have a lot of  hurdles to clear as they make their way to consumers. Here’s how they’ll get there:

Keep Reading: What the H?: Everything You Need to Know About a Hydrogen-Fueled Future – Feature

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Hyundai Veloster DCT Test: Slow Shifts, Slow Car – Instrumented Test

Hyundai Veloster DCT Test: Slow Shifts, Slow Car – Instrumented Test:

About that name. It could be rooted in the word velox, Latin for swiftness or speed, as in velocity. (Think velocipede, velociraptor, Velocette, Veloster.)

If that’s the source, our first trip to the test track with a Hyundai Veloster suggests that the name was invented by someone drawing inspiration from the uninhibited sheet metal and certainly not acceleration numbers: Zero to 60 mph in 8.5 seconds isn’t swift, and a quarter mile in 16.7 at 84 mph isn’t speedy.

Keep Reading: 2012 Hyundai Veloster DCT – Instrumented Test

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Aaron Robinson: Reality Goes Walkabout as Pebble’s Auctions Turn Classics into Assets

Aaron Robinson: Reality Goes Walkabout as Pebble’s Auctions Turn Classics into Assets:

Which one of you, I wondered, got out of bed this morning saying, “Yes, I will pay $560,000 for a 1911 Simplex Model 50!”?

August is the vacation month, and reality takes a big one during the Pebble Beach concours weekend in Monterey, California. Money seems to perfume the air and gurgle out of the drinking fountains. Economic recessions are strictly banned, especially at the star auctions where the crack of an auctioneer’s gavel signals the liquidation of another sculpture in lacquered metal and leaking oil.

Keep Reading: Aaron Robinson: Reality Goes Walkabout as Pebble’s Auctions Turn Classics into Assets – Column

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Smile! Your Car’s on Camera: We Ride Along to Learn What the Cops Know About You

Smile! Your Car’s on Camera: We Ride Along to Learn What the Cops Know About You:

Cruiser-mounted cameras can scan about 700 license plates an hour. We ride along with a cop to learn what automatic scanners know about you.

“Might wanna watch the floor over there,” says Officer Brian Walczak, 42. “They just detailed my cruiser, lots of  Armor All.” No sooner has he issued this warning than my loafers skate across the passenger-side footwell, whose vinyl surface possesses the frictional properties of Jell-O. I fall into the seat with a whooshing thud.

Keep Reading: Smile! Your Car’s on Camera: We Ride Along to Learn What the Cops Know About You – Feature

Cruiser-mounted cameras can scan about 700 license plates an hour. We ride along with a cop to learn what automatic scanners know about you.

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Bentley Continental V8 GT/GTC EU Prices Leaked, Don’t Expect Huge Discount in the U.S.

Bentley Continental V8 GT/GTC EU Prices Leaked, Don’t Expect Huge Discount in the U.S.:

When Bentley announced that it would offer V-8–powered versions of its Continental GT and GTC, it went without saying that the new models would be less expensive than their 12-cylinder counterparts. Our sources indicated that the discounts wouldn’t amount to much, however, and that information has been backed up by a seemingly credible EU pricing sheet leaked to autoevolution.

The document shows a pre-tax discount of about 12 percent when buyers spec the 4.0-liter twin-turbocharged V-8. If U.S.-bound models arrive with the same pricing structure, the V-8–powered Continental GT coupe will start at about $170K and the GTC convertible at around $190K. For that, you’ll have to deal with the indignity of four fewer cylinders and less power—although the V-8’s 500 hp and 487 lb-ft of torque is still pretty substantial. (The W-12 pumps out 567 hp and 516 lb-ft of torque.) We expect to know final U.S. pricing details when the new Continental GT models are officially unveiled at the Detroit auto show next month.

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Audi Re-Confirms Next A3 and R8 E-tron for 2012 Arrivals

Audi Re-Confirms Next A3 and R8 E-tron for 2012 Arrivals:

Audi confirmed 2012 on-sale dates this morning for its third-generation A3 and the distinctly less practical R8 e-tron.

While the R8 has looks to kill, the A3 will be the real star for Audi. The current A3 proved a global success for Audi, and the new car will arrive just in time to cash in on the booming demand for premium compact cars. It’ll also be one of the first vehicles to be built on the Volkswagen Group’s new MQB architecture, which is flexible enough that it will be used as the basis for everything from the new Volkswagen Up! to the next Volkswagen Golf to perhaps even the next Volkswagen Passat.

In the U.S., the A3 should be available in four-door sedan (previewed here in concept form) and five-door hatchback forms. When the A5 cabrio replaced the A4 cabrio, the cost to purchase an Audi droptop went skyward—currently a rather lofty $43,475 to start—so it wouldn’t surprise us if the next A3 convertible eventually came to the States, too. Other countries also will get a three-door hatchback (as seen in these spy photos).

Our engine lineup probably will carry over from the current offerings, meaning American shoppers will be able to choose from two turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder mills—one drinking gasoline, the other diesel. A hot-rodded version of the gasoline engine will be borrowed from the TT-S to power an Audi S3. And since a fully electric A3 has already been confirmed, that car may also proverbially hit dealers in this country (although we’d be surprised if any ever physically sit on a showroom floor).

R8 E-tron is a Go!

Audi previously confirmed the R8 e-tron for production in small numbers, but with no mention of the car for many months, it’s good to hear renewed commitment. Final details haven’t yet been announced, but the company has said it will weigh just 3527 pounds—that’s even lighter than the company’s estimated weight of 3605 pounds for the R8 with the 4.2-liter V-8 coupe and manual transmission. When we drove a prototype version of the R8 e-tron a couple of years ago, its four motors (one per wheel) were rated for a total of 313 hp and 502 lb-ft of torque. It’s unknown if those figures will stay the same in production, but a select and tiny number of customers will get to find out at the end of 2012.

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Range-Topping 2012 Chrysler 300 Executive Series Now Known as Luxury Series, Adds V6 Model

Range-Topping 2012 Chrysler 300 Executive Series Now Known as Luxury Series, Adds V6 Model:

Remember the 300C Executive Series Chrysler showed off at last April’s New York auto show? Here’s a recap: It was a range-topping, Hemi-powered 300C loaded to the gunwales with luxury features and tapped to go on sale this past fall. That, of course, didn’t happen, with Chrysler pushing the on-sale date to February. In the meantime, the company decided to switch up the car’s name—from Executive Series to Luxury Series—and extend the list of available powertrains to include the Pentastar V-6 in addition to the Hemi V-8. The Luxury Series still will serve as the flagship of the 300 range, and it adds steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters; otherwise, the Luxury Series is exactly the same as the previously announced Executive model.

That means Italian Poltrona Frau “Foligno” leather covering the instrument panel, cluster brow, center-console side panels and upper front- and rear-door panels. Nappa leather covers the door armrests, bolsters and center console armrest. Buyers can choose to have their sybaritic surroundings rendered in either black or a two-tone “Mochachino” color scheme. The drawing-room feel is rounded out by hand-sanded matte-finish wood trim. A long features list backs up the materials, and includes 12-way power seats, a heated steering wheel, an 8.4-inch Uconnect touch screen with navigation, a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power-adjustable pedals, a power rear-window sunshade, and a set of fancy floor mats.

Outside, everything that’s chrome on lesser 300s comes in “platinum chrome” on the Luxury Series, including the mesh grille, mirror caps, and door handles. Rear-wheel-drive models ride on 20-inch wheels; all-wheel-drive versions get 19s. Pricing for the Luxury 300s is rich, but not particularly excessive. The V-6 Luxury Series starts at $40,145, the V-8 300C Luxury at $42,895. All-wheel drive adds $2350 to either model’s price. To put these prices in perspective, the 2012 300C requires a $38,995 entry fee. The basic 300 and 300C interiors took a big step forward with the car’s latest redesign, and this model looks poised to make another leap. That said, we’ll report how well the Luxury Series delivers on its namesake attribute as soon as we have the chance to paw one in real life.

Source : Google Reader

Advanced Internal Combustion Engine Technology Has Lowered EV Sales

Advanced Internal Combustion Engine Technology Has Lowered EV Sales:

Politicians battling each another in the current Presidential run-up prove once again that we can be a nation of heroes and villains. Today’s hero–Democrat or Republican–can end up as tomorrow’s goat.

It hasn’t been much different as we look for whatever will propel our vehicles in the future. Electric cars, hydrogen, CNG, etc., are getting their moments in the sun. And the internal combustion engine (A.K.A. ICE), our one-time hero – has been cast as the villain.

Not anymore.

Morgan Stanley Research recently projected that market penetration by electric vehicles through 2025 will be 4.5 percent, down from 8.6 percent. They site disappointing sales of new electric vehicles and lower fuel prices, though topping the list is the rapid commercialization of advanced internal combustion engine technology.

The best example of this is Mazda’s SkyActiv technology. See the 2012 Mazda3 First Drive by Dennis Simanaitis, where he nicely explains the technology behind these impressive new engines.

Now, a personal example. One of the more enjoyable things I do most months is photograph Jay Leno for our fellow Hearst publication, Popular Mechanics magazine. Recently I made the drive to his Big Dog Garage in a Mazda3 with SkyActiv. Traffic was light into Los Angeles and I got a 43-mile basically flat run in top gear. Average speed was 63 mph, a/c was off and the mileage? How about 44 mpg? That’s 5 mpg better than Mazda’s EPA estimate. Back home, in mixed city/highway driving and not trying to stretch mileage, we got 29.5 mpg.

If the Mazda was a gear-dog, using tall ratios to fake the mileage we’d scoff. But it’s not, Dennis pointing out the new direct-injected 2.0 four is 15 percent more powerful.

He also tells us one secret is the car’s 12.0:1 compression ratio, lifted to 14:1 in Europe. That is roughly the same ratio as Mazda’s new diesel engine, meaning the gas and diesel engines can be built on the same production line. Then we recall Mercedes-Benz engineers talking of future duel-fuel, gasoline-diesel engines. Variable compression ratios. And you know they aren’t the only automakers on the move with ICE.

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Related posts:

1. Sales Analysis – Mixed First Half of the Year

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Tata Nano Gets a Restart

Tata Nano Gets a Restart:

After a tough beginning that included everything from slumping sales, an abandoned factory, and spontaneous combustion, the Tata Nano city-car is getting a restart, of sorts. India’s Tata Motors, the Mumbai-based automaker that builds the Nano, is fitting an upgraded starter motor to models built up to mid-September 2011.

The change is being done to “enhance” the Nano’s performance, though some might question whether it’s related to a spate of fires that turned several early Nanos into smoldering wrecks. Tata Motors had already upgraded the Nano’s exhaust and electrical system. On sale since July 2009, Tata has sold approximately 110,000 Nanos.

Yet there were problems even before the Nano reached production. Tata Motors was forced to abandon a new factory dedicated to building the Nano when political disputes over land purchased for the sprawling site turned violent. More recently, the 4-door family car has simply failed to live up to sales expectations. Tata Motors has dedicated additional resources towards marketing and promoting the car throughout India, presently the only market where the Nano is sold.

The 2012 Nano is slated for several other improvements, including a choice of eight new colors, improved interior trim, along with a more powerful engine. Of course, the boost in power is relative, considering the 624-cc 2-cylinder gasoline engine in the new model offers 38 bhp, a 3 bhp improvement from the previous version. At least fuel economy gets a bump, with the latest Nano now offering up to 60 mpg.

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Related posts:

1. Tata Motors to Build a Golden Nano
2. Tata Nano Price Triples in First Export Market
3. India’s Tata Nano Sales Drop to Lowest Level

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