August 25th, 2010
1. Esurance
My first stop was at Esurance, who has those eye-catching anime-style ads. Their focus has been on car insurance, though they’re now covering other types of insurance products as well. I discovered that the company doesn’t serve certain parts of the country, but they’ll point you to someone who can (their affiliates) if they can’t help you. For those areas they do serve, you’ll get a quote in 6 minutes. They’ve received several honors for excellent web usability, web consumer experience, technical innovation, long term service and support, and corporate equality.
2. NetQuote
Another place I tried was NetQuote. This free service starts off asking for your zip code and the type of insurance you’re looking for, after which they ask you a series of questions. NetQuote sends your information to agents located closest to your zip code, while in turn sending you a list of these providers within minutes. You are then put in touch with these agents who can assist you via email, fax or phone. In addition to auto insurance, NetQuote can also provide you with home, health, and life insurance quotes.
3. InsureMe
I also took a look at InsureMe, which pools together a list of insurers who can provide quotes. This is an online insurance site on top of other online insurance sites that’s in the business of aggregating information across the insurance industry and helping you with quote and rate comparisons. For my needs, InsureMe has listed insurers such as Geico, Progressive, Liberty Mutual and others.
July 2nd, 2010
Very few people realize that European breakdown cover single trip or annual protection can be extremely effective. To begin with should you need roadside assistance while traveling abroad and call for help from any of the leading UK breakdown cover providers you may be surprised to learn that the dispatch operator handling your call for assistance either speaks English or may even be located in the UK. In fact many people avoid using their car for European travel simply because of their fear of what to do in the event of a mechanical breakdown. While it is always essential to have your car completely checked out before you travel, the point of a European breakdown cover comparison and the consequent purchase of a protection plan is to remove from yourself this type of concern. Cover is available that will allow for tow home of your vehicle should it break down abroad to such a degree that it cannot be easily repaired locally. Other features of European breakdown cover are onward travel protection that will allow for a car hire and assistance with other expenses incurred as part of the need for roadside assistance. Motorcycle breakdown cover is also available for European travel.
June 14th, 2010
Mercedez revealed their Mercedes Benz R-Class. It is full sized MPv that being introduced on 2005 but the new 2011 Mercedes Benz R Class have more enhancement.
It will come with 3.5 litre V6 engine gasoline with 268 hp and V6 diesel with 210 hp. Both are tied to a 7-speed automatic. The fuel consumption is about 14 mpg city for the gasoline while 18-24 mpg for diesel.
It state that the R type will go on sale in August. Maybe Europe and US customer will get this MPV on sale this year.
June 13th, 2010
Curtains has been raised over 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan in Beijing. The new model i.e refreshed Tiguan is just in production for a little over two years and is getting a facelift. The new car is going to hit the roads this fall when the 2011 models arrive.
The new look for Volkswagen Tiguan is going to give the car a wider appearance with its new corporate horizontal bar grille. The car is also going to have new bumpers and a pedestrian friendly reshaped bonnet. Other then these cosmetic changes not much has changed for the car. The other models which got similar type of treatment are Mk VI Golf and next generation Touareg SUV.
The pricing for 2011 Volkswagen Tiguan might remain consistent.
June 11th, 2010
The 2009 Pontiac G3 is a five-door five-passenger subcompact hatchback offered in a well equipped single trim level. The G3 looks small on the outside, but provides maximum cargo space and a host of other features in its roomy cabin. This hatchback is backed by Pontiac’s extensive warranty coverage that includes 3-year/36,000-mile basic warranty, 5-year/100,000-mile drivetrain warranty, 6-year/100,000-mile corrosion warranty, and 5-year/100,000-mile roadside assistance warranty.
Power and Performance
Underneath the hood of the 2009 G3 is a 106-horsepower 1.6-liter ECOTEC four-cylinder engine. The G3 offers a front-wheel drive and a standard five-speed manual transmission. A four-speed automatic transmission is optional. The manual transmission’s EPA-estimated fuel economy stands at an impressive 27 mpg in city and 34 mpg on highways while the data with automatic drops down to 25/34/mpg.
Build and Styling
On the exterior, the 2009 G3 gets 14-inch steel wheels; rally-inspired front fog lamps; compact spare tire; and front all-season tires. Sport Package featuring 15-inch painted aluminum wheels, leather-clad shift knob, and leather-wrapped steering wheel; power tilt/sliding sunroof; and sunroof sunshield are available as options.
Standard interior features given on the 2009 Pontiac G3 include cloth seats; front bucket seats with driver and front passenger manual fore/aft, recline, and height-adjustable head restraints with accessory hook; driver lumbar; pass-through rear seat; air-conditioning; auxiliary input jack; six-speaker AM/FM stereo system with CD player; and MP3 playback. The G3’s interior can hold 42 cubic feet of cargo. XM Radio with a free three-month trial is available.
June 1st, 2010
The Jaguar F-Type has been a model lurking production approval for around 12 years now considering that it was first showcased as the XK180 Concept in 1998. Moving on from there, the financial crisis crippled the prototypes future and Jaguar rightfully decide to dump the project but it was back in 2008 that insiders from Jaguar started talking about the production of the F-Type again.
Under the new ownership of Tata, the good news is that the F-Type will finally be developed and it will be a driver-focused sports car which will feature top of the line engines as well as technologies. What is more is that the Jaguar UK plant closure work has been sped up and it will be China and India which will get new company factories in the not so distant future. Now whether the F-Type will be rolled out of the UK facility before closure is not a surety.
May 23rd, 2010
GM will introduce the 2010 GMC Terrain to the public at the New York Auto Show. In the build-up to the show GM has released all of the details of the new vehicle including the press photos, which show very dramatic and rugged, block styling for the five-passenger crossover SUV.
In fact, the new Terrain is actually a 2010 Chevrolet Equinox with a new exterior. However, he Terrain is going for a much more aggressive look than its brother model.
Under the hood, the Terrain offers the same engines as the Equinox – a 2.4 liter, 182 horsepower four cylinder engine and a 3.0 liter, 264 horsepower V6. The 2.4 liter will be available in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. The front-wheel drive version is claimed to deliver 30 mpg in highway fuel economy. Both engines will be coupled with a six-speed automatic transmission.
The 2.4 liter models will also be equipped with GM’s first application of Active Noise Cancellation technology. Active noise control uses microphones to detect unwanted sounds in the passenger compartment. The system then uses the vehicle’s audio system to send canceling sound waves so that passengers are treated with a quiet driving experience.
The interior of the Terrain is also slightly different from the Equinox in terms of color choice and the selection of materials. The rear-seat passengers of the new SUV are in for a treat. The rear seats move fore/aft as well as recline. In addition, the vehicle is equipped with DVD players for the rear seat passengers.
The new Terrain is also equipped with standard rear vision camera and is expected to achieve segment-best safety ratings. Safety features include the four-wheel disc brakes with StabiliTrak electronic stability control and traction control and six standard air bags. OnStar, with a one-year Safe and Sound service, is also standard on the Terrain.
The 2010 GMC Terrain is the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox with a different look, but it is a very different look indeed. GM, who is known for just rebadging its models between different brands has really pulled out the stops to differentiate the Terrain and the Equinox in terms of styling. The rugged, aggressive styling of the new Terrain will not appeal to all, but it should make a hit with many customers when it is debuted at the New York Auto Show.
May 15th, 2010
The 2009 Kia Borrego is a new midsize SUV that brings power, luxury and sophistication to ever-expanding Kia lineup. It is available with a strong V8 engine and six-speed transmission for the first time in a Kia vehicle. The Borrego made global debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Kia says Borrego is one of the first production offerings based off of the new design direction Kia continues to unveil through concept vehicles including the Kue, KND-4, Kee and KOUP. It presents a straightforward and clean look intended for those who enjoy an active yet uncomplicated lifestyle.
Power and performance
The new Borrego is powered by a DOHC, all-aluminum 3.8-liter V6 as well as Kia’s first-ever DOHC 4.6-liter V8 engine, also all-aluminum engine which are more powerful than any in Kia car to date. The V6 pumps out a competitive 276 horsepower at 6,000 rpm with 267 pound-feet of torque at 4,400 rpm, the all-new V8 is rated at a class-leading 337 horsepower at 6,000 rpm with 323 pound-feet of torque at 3,500 rpm. By the merit of its power, the Borrego is more powerful than the Toyota 4Runner, Nissan Pathfinder, Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer, Chevrolet Trailblazer, Jeep Grand Cherokee and GMC Acadia. The 2WD or 4WD Borrego runs on regular unleaded fuel compared to the Pathfinder, which requires premium unleaded.
With class-leading towing of 7,500 pounds when partnered to the V8, and 5,000 pounds with the V6, the new midsize SUV offers unmatched capabilities for a weekend of camping or outdoor lifestyle activities. A new six-speed automatic transmission mated to the V8 engine and with this it achieve best-in-class fuel economy for an engine of its kind with an EPA rating of 15/22 city/highway for the V8 with 2WD and 15/20 city/highway for the 4WD – perfect for families on the go as well as for long road trips. When the V6 is under the hood, Borrego is able to achieve competitive fuel economy of 17/21 city/highway (2WD) and 16/21 city/highway (4WD).
May 13th, 2010
BMW will bring out their new 1-Series in 2011 in time for the 2012 model year. At least five models are being considered in the future 1-Series line up by BMW – a 3-door hatchback, a 5-door hatchback, a 2 door coupe, a 2 door convertible, and a small crossover vehicle. Also, as part of this 1-Series debut, a new Super Sport version is expected that will come to the US in either late 2011 or 2012.
The entry level model is currently being called the 115i and is expected to have a 1.3L turbocharged engine that is capable of producing 136 horsepower. The next 1-Series and 1-Series Super Sport models will also use the Efficient Dynamics system which should include an integrated starter generator and a start-stop feature for the automatic transmissions. Direct injection technology will also be expanded throughout the powertrain line up.
At the other end of the spectrum, the US version of the BMW 1 Series Super Sport is expected to feature a 2.0 or 2.2 liter, approximately 300 horsepower twin-turbocharged, four cylinder engine. The model will be rear wheel drive with a six-speed manual or a semi-automatic transmission.
The base model and the Super Sport will have different external looks. The Super Sport look will include dual round headlamps that are very similar to those that were seen on the BMW concept vehicle, the 2002 tii.
The new model will also be larger than the current 1-Series. The larger footprint, which includes a front and rear trackwidth increase, will improve the car’s dynamics and ride and handling. The rear seat should also be improved for passengers. The current 1-Series has often been criticized that no full-size adult can fit in, and engineers are planning on taking advantage of the increased footprint to make a change to improve the ergonomics.
It has been difficult for BMW to expand the 1-Series lineup without taking sales away from their other models. On the low end, the have the Mini, and on the high end there is the 3-Series. They may just have the right mix and the right timing with the new 2012 1-Series lineup.
