About American Cars

This is the car that is touted to be the one that will finally beat Porsche, as the best supercar ever made. It had been first introduced in Europe in 2006 but this summer, Audi R8 will finally be available in America and would burn those interstate highways like no supercar would. In its acclaim of Audi R8, Evo Magazine states that “Audi humbles Porsche. A new dawn starts today.” In 2007, another popular auto magazine, Autocar named it as the Best Handling Car and Fastest Car In The World.  Audi R8 is powered by 4.2 L FSI V8 developing 420 PS (414 hp/309 kW), the same engine used in the B7 Audi RS4.  Above all, it’s the best looking and the sharpest car I’ve ever sighted for a very long, long time. If I imagine myself as to what a perfect sports car should be, then Audi R8 fits that feature to a T. (image from http://autoshow.autos.msn.com/)

Image source: www.revmods.com

Corvette Z06 has actually been a closet fuel miser, but few people have known the reality. The Z06 is the current king of the hill ‘Vette, with a tire-shredding 500 horsepower on tap, and managed an impressive trip average of 23.4 mpg…a fast car is not automatically a gas hog.

Why is a Z06 a good buy when it comes to gas?

It’s science at work here. Weight and aerodynamic drag are two primary enemies of fuel efficiency, which explains why heavy, blunt-faced, traditional sport utility vehicles and minivans generally suck down fuel and the sleek, relatively light-weight Z06 burns conservatively.

So if you are the 40 something or 50 something baby boomer accused of buying a Corvette because of a mid-life crisis, you can retort by pointing out your Corvette gets more miles-to-the-gallon than your buddy’s Land Rover or minivan.

If you have seen Triple X (2002) movie, you are familiar with the automobile that no less than Vin Diesel used to tap into an international syndicate who is guilty of illegal operations. Pontiac is owned by Holden from Australia but it was produced by General Motors and was distributed all over the US, later in Canada and Mexico. In the General Motors car product line, Pontiac is considered a mid-range automobile.    Designed by the controversial John Delorean, the 1967 GTO sported the stacked headlights and the thirsty 389 cid V8 motor good for 364 HP. Of course in the Triple X movie, the car was customized for the use of  the secret agent. Car goodies such as rockets on the headlights and an eject seat and nitrous were all featured in the film. 

General Motors (GM) has started working on its Volt concept in an attempt to hit production lines in 2010. In fact, AutoWeek.com reports that GM will be starting testing the Volt propulsion systems this month.

GM is said to experiment on the lithium-ion-powered battery packs using Chevrolet Malibus. The technology called E-Flex will be taken to the road to monitor its performance.

I have high hopes for this one. I have always believed in the capacity of GM to produce outstanding cars. The fact that its hands are now working to put the Chevrolet Volt concept into reality shows that GM is serious about this vehicle concept.

Image Source: http://msnbc.msn.com

Living in a cramped up urban area can sometimes get in the nerves of car drivers. Overpopulated city equals fewer parking spaces, that’s it for them. Sometimes you find yourself swearing since the only available empty parking space is so small, that you couldn’t open your car doors if ever you take that spot. Thanks to the car beside the empty space. He probably needs more parking 101.

But of course, innovation and creativity has an answer. Joalto Design Inc. managed to conceptualize a design that made parking in cramped spaces less of a hassle. They tested their design with the 1993 Lincoln Mark VIII, but sadly, when they sent the car back to Ford, Ford rejected the idea of having “roll down” doors.

Video link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qwj7XxdsFY