|
Latest Articles:
Illegal street racing is not
something to be taken lightly.
Illegal street racing is not a new trend. Ever since
transportation has been available to the masses, people (often young) have
taken to the streets to challenge one another. Throughout the 1960's and
early 1970's, this activity was fueled by muscle cars and big block engines.
Today, the technology has changed but not the act itself. Here's what one
reader had to say:
I would just like to comment on illegal street racing as an
incident in my home city of Toronto, Canada
has just recently occurred. A cab driver was killed in an accident (and I use
that term loosely as it could have been avoided) caused by two young people
racing.
I firmly
believe two things regarding this matter. Firstly, harsher punishments should
be implemented for youngsters who are charged with crimes of this nature. The
consequences are simply not enough to deter the youth from their reckless
nature. I know this because I was once a heedless adolescent myself.
What I
really wanted to express my opinion on was how I feel that auto racing on a
private track is such a great alternative for kids with the need for speed.
Young people have tendencies to drive dangerously fast because it is exciting
and risky, and what better way to let out those emotions than in a controlled
environment.
Nobody
is saying the kids shouldn't want to drive fast and show off their muscle,
but at least do it on a track where they are away from pedestrians, other
motorists, etc. I think this is something police should consider promoting to
youngsters, in hope of reducing illegal street racing and creating a safer
atmosphere for everyone.
-
Will P Circelli
Small
cars making a big splash in North America.
Small cars don't only offer great fuel economy.
It's been a while since the sub-compact car market has garnered such
attention in North America. Our friends in Europe have always known the virtues of small cars. But
here in North America, SUV's have dominated
parking lots at the local Pier 1 for more than a decade. However as current
gas prices inch forward and with future prices looking uncertain (they're
certainly going to be higher than today) more people are buying small,
fuel-efficient cars. We've seen a lot of activity in the segment recently. Toyota has introduced the Yaris, Hyundai has
significantly revised the Accent, Kia has updated the Rio,
Honda has introduced the Fit, and Nissan will introduce the Versa in May of
this year. And let's not forget Scion with the xA and xB.
Having a
car in the sub-compact market makes sense for a variety of reasons. First, it
introduces new, young buyers to the brand. If their experience is good
they'll stick with the brand as they grow up and move to a larger vehicle. Toyota, Honda, Hyundai,
Kia, Nissan, Volkswagen, Mazda and others all got their start in the
sub-compact car market. Secondly, it provides a safety net during economic
downturns. If gas prices rise unexpectedly, the knee-jerk reaction is to get
a small, more fuel-efficient vehicle. And these cars are fuel-efficient. The
new Honda Fit for example, gets an estimated 33 miles per gallon in the city,
38 mpg on the highway.
Small
cars offer few compromises.
But these are no one-show ponies. Beyond fuel efficiency they offer
respectable performance. The Toyota Yaris has 106 horsepower which may not
sound like much, but tipping the scales at only 2315 lbs, it has a
power-to-weight ratio close to that of the 220 horsepower Hummer H3. And
these cars can carry just about anything. With the rear seats up, the Honda
Fit can swallow 21.3 cubic feet of gear. A Ford Crown Victoria by comparison can hold 20.6 cubic
feet worth of cargo in the trunk.
The domestics
haven't invested much in small cars recently, if ever. The Chevrolet Aveo is
essentially a re-badged Daewoo and doesn't offer the level of refinement as
the others. The Ford Focus is larger and more expensive, as is the new for
'06 Dodge Caliber. But with the uncertainty of gas prices and growing
competition in the segment, GM, Ford, and DaimlerChrysler would be wise to
offer competitive offering in this segment and introduce first time buyers to
their respective brands. For most manufacturers, having competitive
sub-compact cars has grown the business and created brand loyalty, something
the folks in Detroit
have been trying to do for a while now.
-
Brett Rabinowitz
If you're looking for great
fuel economy, you'll be interested in these vehicles.
According to the United States Department of Energy, these
vehicles have the best fuel economy in their respective classes.
Vehicle
with the best fuel economy overall - Honda Insight hybrid
(60 mpg city / 66 mpg highway)
Once again the Honda Insight hybrid has taken top honors as being North
America's most fuel-efficient vehicle. With a 1.0 gas engine mated to an
electric motor, the Insight produces 71 horsepower. The Insight was designed
to make the most of that power using low resistance tires and by having a
co-efficient of drag of .25 (the lower the number the better a vehicle is
able to cut through the wind. A typical family sedan has a co-efficient of
drag of about .31). The Insight's shortcomings include a cramped interior,
seating for two, and oddball styling.
Mid-size
car with the best fuel economy - Toyota
Prius hybrid
(60 mpg city / 51 mpg highway)
Unlike the Honda Insight, the Prius is capable of carrying 5 people plus
their gear. The Prius generates a total of 110hp from its gasoline engine and
its electric motor. Now in its second generation, the Prius makes few
compromises to passenger comfort. The sleek shape yields a low co-efficient
of drag (.26) but Toyota
has managed to do this with a larger, more driver friendly vehicle than the
Honda Insight.
Compact
car with the best fuel economy - Honda Civic hybrid
(49 mpg city, 51 mpg highway)
Touted as being North America's cheapest
hybrid, the Honda Civic Hybrid takes the great design of the regular Civic
and makes it even more efficient. With a total output of 110hp, the Civic
hybrid is very competitive for its class. The hybrid version of the Civic
costs about $5000 more than basic sedan but it includes many more standard
features, and some features (like automatic climate control) that are not
available on the regular Civic for any price.
Subcompact
car with the best fuel economy - Volkswagen New Beetle diesel
(37 mpg city / 44 mpg highway)
The New Beetle diesel stays on the list even in the face of an onslaught of
hybrid offerings. Making 100hp, the New Beetle diesel may not sound all that
powerful but the 177 lb-ft of torque will shame every other vehicle on the
list. Of course diesels still pollute more than hybrids but they offer few
compromises and their long-term reliability and durability is rock solid,
something that cannot yet be said for hybrid vehicles.
Station
wagon with the best fuel economy - Pontiac
Vibe and Toyota Matrix
(30 mpg city / 36 mpg highway)
The Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix are the result of a joint venture of Toyota and General
Motors. Both vehicles come equipped with Toyota engines but much of the design and
engineering came from General Motors. The Matrix and Vibe are versatile
vehicles suited to adventurous, active lifestyles. With a fuel-efficient 1.8L
4-cylinder producing 126hp, the Matrix and Vibe are not going to win many
street races but they make up for it in smoothness, efficiency, and
refinement.
Large
car with the best fuel economy - Hyundai Sonata
(24 mpg city / 34 mpg highway)
The Sonata is the surprise of the list beating out tough competition to be
rated as the most fuel-efficient large car. The 2.4L 4-cylinder engine is
smooth and relatively powerful. Unfortunately, the suspension is soft, geared
more towards comfort than handling. A BMW this is not. Build quality is
great, clearly showing that Hyundai is no longer a second rate manufacturer.
This car is all about comfort and efficiency, a formula that worked wonders
for the Toyota Camry.
- Jamie
Woods
|
