Advance Auto Zone

The auto industry has always been a dynamic entity with car manufacturers improving their models year after year. One of these car companies dedicated to offering better versions of their current vehicle models is the German brand Porsche.

The company’s flagship for as long as we can remember is the 911, and for the 2008 model year, they will be introducing to the market a soft top version of the iconic model. This comes as no surprise since for the past twenty years, Porsche has been offering convertible versions of their flagship cars. The open top version of the 911 offers good advantages over the coupe. It is a known fact that convertibles have the most striking body style ever used by an automobile. This open top configuration of the Porsche 911 does not negatively affect the performance of the car.

Differing on the configuration of the roof, the 911 coupe and the convertible uses the same engine. The engine of both 911 units is a 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer engine. The engine is boosted with twin turbochargers and features the Variable Turbine Geometry which enhances further its fuel efficiency. The powerplant concealed by the 911 Coupe and Cabriolet can produce as much as 480 horsepower. This amount of power complements the lightweight design of the convertible, allowing it to go perform at a high level.

The torque produced by the standard engine can further be enhanced with Porsche’s “Sport Chrono Turbo Package”. With the optional package, the torque produced by the engine will reach 680 Nm. With that much torque, the Porsche 911 Cabriolet exhibits exceptional acceleration. With a manual transmission, the Cabriolet can reach speeds of 100 kilometers per hour from a standstill and the vehicle can accomplish such a feat in just four seconds. That time is shortened to just 3.8 seconds if the Tiptronic S Transmission is used.

The top speed of the cabriolet is rated at 193 miles per hour or 310 kilometers per hour. At that speed, the Cabriolet will need high quality brake components such as EBC rotors to keep the car’s power in check. While the Cabriolet is engineered as a high performance sports car, its fuel efficiency is quite a surprise. With its high power output engine, the cabriolet is rated to have a gas mileage of 21.9 miles per gallon.

While both the coupe and the cabriolet are designed to be lightweight, the cabriolet is 70 kilograms heavier than the coupe version of the 911. The 70 kilograms is the added weight of the reinforcements necessary to reduce vibrations of the car’s body especially on high speed operation.

Another added weight to the cabriolet is the rollover protection installed at the back of the second row of seats of the cabriolet. This variety of protective features makes the 911 one of the safest cabriolets in production today. Its soft top can be opened or closed according to the driver’s preference in just 20 seconds.

In terms of stability, the 911 Cabriolet handles and offers drive comfort just like its coupe counterpart. What gives the cabriolet its good stability is the Porsche Active Suspension Management. The said feature is standard on all trim levels of the Porsche 911 and in every body style. Other features which contribute to the cabriolet’s good performance are the Porsche Stability Management and the Porsche Traction Management. The latter is a feature which adjusts the power sent to the front or rear wheels according to the demand of the road. An onboard computer gives and allows for an instant reaction to the car’s traction needs. This makes the 911 Cabriolet one of the most responsive all-wheel drive system.

Enhancing its performance further is the convertible’s rear spoiler. The integrated spoiler is automatically deployed when the car reaches speed of 75 kilometers per hour or 120 miles per hour. The spoiler creates a negative lift for the rear axle making it the 911 Cabriolet the only convertible with that distinction. All in all, the Porsche 911 Cabriolet is one of the most advanced cars in its segment and come the 2008 model year, this will be one of the most sought after convertibles for performance enthusiasts.

Anthony Fontanelle is a 35-year-old automotive.buff who grew up in the Windy City. He does freelance work for an automotive magazine when he is not busy customizing cars in his shop.You can also visit activebrakesdirect.com/ebcrotors.html” title=”EBC rotors EBC rotors for more infomation.

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Car manufacturers believe that a single alternative fuel cannot wipe away the dependency of the global community on petroleum products. Volvo Cars is one of the many carmakers adhering to this philosophy. The company has even developed a vehicle that not only runs on one or two alternative fuel but five alternative fuels.

A prototype of this car was recently unveiled by the Swedish car manufacturer. Called the Volvo Multi-Fuel, the vehicle is capable of running on hythane, a combination of hydrogen and methane; biomethane; compressed natural gas or CNG; bioethanol E85; and conventional gasoline. Switching between these fuels can be achieved by simply pushing a button.

The engine of the prototype is a five-cylinder 2.0-liter engine which is capable of producing 200 horsepower. It was first unveiled as a concept at the Michelin Challenge Bibendum 2006. The prototype though was just unveiled more recently.

“The whole car is optimized for high performance, driving on any of the five different fuels,” says Mats Moren, the Project Leader Engine at Volvo Car Corporation. And since the vehicle is a Volvo, it is loaded with safety features. Its wide choice of alternative fuel also makes the vehicle more environment-friendly. This will allow consumers to choose which fuel will be more practical to use on the vehicle if Volvo lowers the cost of production enough for the vehicle to be mass produced and be made available to the public and the market. “It is a first step towards a hydrogen powered society. Perhaps we can develop the system even further, to run on a higher blend in the future,” says Moren.

The vehicle is equipped with four tanks to hold the different fuels. One large and two smaller tanks hold the gaseous fuels which are the hythane, biomethane, and CNG. The three tanks have a total volume of 98 liters. Another tank holds the liquid fuels which are the E85 and the conventional gasoline. “The small gaseous fuel tanks are made of steel, whereas the large tank has a durable, gas tight aluminum liner, reinforced with high performance carbon fiber composite and an exterior layer of hardened fiber-glass composite,” says Moren.

Apart from the necessary changes made to the vehicle’s construction regarding the storage of the different fuels, the design of the engine is similar to a conventional gasoline engine. Volvo spark plug wires and other similar components can be already found under the hood of the prototype.

The tanks used by the vehicle are placed under the luggage compartment floor which means that it does not reduce the loading capacity of the vehicle. Since there are gaseous and liquid fuels available for the engine, there are also two fuel fillers available - one for gaseous fuels and one for the E85 and gasoline.

“The Multi-Fuel is turbo charged to achieve high performance on any of the five different fuel types. That makes it great fun to drive and we are very proud of its performance,” says Moren of the vehicle. In conclusion, he added that: “I love this concept, a turbo charged engine with high performance, low fuel consumption and low emissions. On top of that it has a brilliant tank installation and can be run on a multitude of fuels – all wrapped in one beautiful car.”

Glady Reign is a 32 year old is a consultant for an automotive firm based in Detroit, Mi. she is a native of the motor city and grew up around cars hence her expertise in the automotive field. You can visit swedishpartsshop.com/volvosparkplugwires.html Volvo spark plug wires for more information.

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If you’re thinking about heading over to an upcoming used car auction, this will be the most important article you’ll ever read. Here’s why.

When it comes to used car auctions, many folks out there aren’t too keen on buying cars simply because they’re afraid they might get ripped off. Sure, things like this do happen, but think of all the great car deals you’ll miss out on, by avoiding going to a used car auction!

Here are 3 simple tips that will help you come out on top at used car auctions:

Tip #1: Have a car dealer accompany you to the auction

You might have noticed that most auctions sell used cars that have been inspected and are open to car dealers only. If you’re keen on visiting such an auction, make sure you get a knowledgeable car dealer to accompany you.

Of course, you can also head over to an auction that displays cars that aren’t inspected, since these types of auctions are often meant for the entire public.

However, more risk is involved because there isn’t a set standard for the used cars being sold. So you do need to be a bit careful before buying one.

Tip #2: Check out the car before immediately going ahead and purchasing it

You’ll find the cars are often sold as is, in most used car auctions out there. This means that neither guarantees nor warranties are offered to the buyer.

So to avoid getting conned by ‘rogue’ car auctioneers, you want to be at a used car auction as early as possible. This way, you can leisurely check out all of the features of the car as well as its overall condition.

Better yet, why not take along an expert on used car auctions. Doing this might not only save you time but also your hard-earned money.

And sometimes, things can happen pretty fast, (e.g. used car auction pros will be impatient to quickly close deals), and if you aren’t very familiar with the whole process, it helps to have an expert on the subject at hand.

Tip #3: Know that all bids are final!

One of the most vital things to keep in mind when buying a car at a used car auction, is that all bids are final once bidding has closed. If yours happens to be the highest bid for a particular model, and if it’s accepted by the seller, then you must pay in cash for the car you’ve bid on.

And depending on the seller, you can expect to pay a deposit of a minimum of five hundred dollars. In case you change your mind later on, you cannot get back your money, because the used car auction has a right to retain your deposit!

You see, this is how it works: the seller sells his car to the used car auction, which is then transferred to you. Even if you decide against paying the full amount, the auction is still obligated to pay the seller. Hence, if you fail to pay up, you can be sued for the entire cost of the car! This is why it’s so important to know what you’re getting into, before going ahead and buying the vehicle.

So the next time you decide to attend a used car auction, keep these tips in mind - chances are, you’ll end up buying a car that will prove to be good value for money!

CarSaleAuction is an online portal with expert articles regarding carsaleauction.com professional car auction advice. To discover effective methods for winning used car auctions, visit carsaleauction.com carsaleauction.com for free access.

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