Acura Opens New Design Studio
January 5th, 2010 | 
Author: 
The studio is design to achieve a high level of energy efficiency and expected to become a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) building by the US Green Building Council or USGBC. There were various measures adopted for the design and construction of the studio with the aim of achieving LEED gold certification.
There were already a couple of Acura models which include the Acura MDX luxury sport utility vehicle and Acura TL luxury performance sedan that have been designed, engineered, and developed by the HRA. Transferring Acura design activities into a state-of-the-art independent studio gives it a more defined focus that distinctly characterized the Acura brand.
The key technologies in the Acura Design Studio include a computer generated virtual simulator that allows design stylists to showcase virtual vehicles in a one-to0one ratio. The other features in the facility design includes the parallel arrangement of the interior and the exterior design areas on the styling floor which enable designers to better collaborate with each other in producing a new vehicle.
With the latest expansion of the HRA product design and development capabilities in North America, the Acura Design Studio together with Honda Design Studio in Torrance, California and the Advanced Design Studio in Pasadena, California further broaden the existing HRA’s in Los Angeles Center for research and design.
A groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Acura Design Studio last march 27, 2006. At the same time it marked the 20th anniversary of the creation of the Acura brand. Acura was the first Japanese luxury nameplate and very first Japanese luxury automaker to develop, designs, and manufacture vehicles in North America. Likewise, almost two-thirds of the all Acura vehicles are sold in America are developed, designed, researched, and assembled exclusively in North America.
In an effort to achieve a Gold rating by the USGBC, the Acura Design Studio has included many energy-saving attributes like for example the Energy Star reflective roof to reduce heat gain and lower air conditioning requirements, reclaimed water used for landscaping, and an intelligent lightning system that makes greater use of natural light. Honda has other LEED gold certified facilities found in Gresham, Oregon, and Raymond, Ohio.
The HRA has started its operations in California way back 1976 with local market research activities and from then on has steadily grown its capabilities for over the past 30 years of which include all aspects of new vehicle design and development.
And with the addition of the Acura Design Studio, the company will now operates 13 major R&D facilities in North America with more than 1,200 designers, support personnel, and engineers that are engaged in the development of automobiles, power equipment, and motorcycles products not only for North American market but also for distribution worldwide.
By: Zeke Gervis
About the Author:
Zeke Gervis has a degree in Human Resource Management. He is an F1 fanatic and is a collector of racing memorabilias. At present, he enjoys working at a consulting firm in Iowa.
Posted in Automotive | 
Tags: Acura Tl, Design Areas, Gold Certification, Key Technologies | 
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Lexus: Toyota’s Pride
For threeyear old cars all aspects the blocks when it exceptional from all over the new york auto show lexuss model ls 460 was honored to share the recipient of.
The same system like to be distinguishedbrbrearly this year award was symbol of toyotas efforts in the blocks when it comes to share the.
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A Review Of The 2009 Ford Escape
The Ford escape from 2009 boasts a 2. 5 l four cylinder engine, replace and a 2. 3 l engine which came in last year’s version of the model. It also has exceptionally high reliability and safety standards, which of course for a family car a very important. And you won’t be disappointed by the performance either as it has been vastly improved over previous models.
The four speed automatic transmission which was used in last year’s version of the model has also been replaced with a standard five speed transmission and there is also a six speed transmission available. With optimised gear ratios, the performance is somewhat enhanced as well.
There are various other aspects of redesigned this particular car with various tweaks and safety and reliability and performance. It is also a comfortable and pleasant to use car with ideal handling. It is also very compact for an SUV, although it does not compromise on interior space and quality.
The car is very versatile, since it has plenty of seating space and is also very comfortable for a large family. This makes it a perfect offer touring around him, but also the car can do much more than that with ease. Folding back to rear seats offers you over 66 cubic metres of storage space, making car ideal for moving large quantities of goods around when you need to.
The economy is perfectly respectable as well, something that Ford has often been famous for providing. It is about 10% more economical and gas than the previous model from last year so that will certainly be a welcome change from any people with the increasing gas prices.
The car is comfortable with a high quality interior an abundance of extra features. It has a decent entertainment system built in which comes as standard.
One of the safest cars on the market, it makes it a perfect choice for a family car or touring car. Insurance premiums should also be fairly reasonable and, being Ford, it is fairly cheap to run and parts of cheap and easy to get.
By: Andy Zain
About the Author:
Andy Zain is the admin of Ford Escape Forum , a place where fans and owners can get the right information for tuning, customization and general discussions on anything about Ford Escape. Get the information you need when you visit Ford Forums
Checklist For Purchase Of New Cars
Buying a new car is not only an exciting moment but is also a rare occasion. It is not an everyday purchase. You would definitely like to hold on to the car for at least a few years, if not for decades. Hence, lot of care and thought should go into the purchase of new cars. Here is a rough checklist for purchase of new cars, which might come in handy whenever you think of new cars.
? Evaluate the purpose of the car that you plan to buy. Think over carefully whether you want a sedan or a van or an SUV. Decide whether you would require a 4-door model or a 6-door type. If your car is only for general transportation, then you might not need a luxury model like Mercedes Benz. If the car is for the entire family, then a multi utility vehicle (MUV) or a sports utility vehicle (SUV) might be ideal.
? Once you had decided on the type of the car that you need, give a deep thought to the price of the car. The car should suit your budget and income levels. If you are planning for a refinance for the car, the repayments should be affordable for you. The ideal price of a car is considered as 50% of the annual income of a person, according to experts in the auto finance industry. For example, if your annual income is $60,000, then the value of the new car purchased by you should not exceed $30,000.
? When the type of the car and your budget are clear, hunt carefully for all the cars of different brands that suit these criteria. If you are thinking of a Cadillac CTS, it would be prudent to take a look at similar cars like Nissan G35, Lexus IS, Acura TL and BMW3 also. Study the features of each of these models and go for a test drive of all of them before making a final decision.
? Negotiate for the car finance, if you are opting for a car loan. Bargain with several lenders to get the lowest rates and better repayment options. Discuss with several authorized car dealers, who would be able to advise you properly on the model and type you should purchase and also help you with the lenders in car loan.
? Consider the points like the mileage of the car, the possible future maintenance costs, the insurance costs, and warranties for the car and the parts. The same oil change might cost you $25 for a Toyota, while it might be $100 for a Mercedes Bens. These factors would affect you significantly in the long run, if you do not take them into account in the beginning itself.
These are only a few checklists provided for guidance in the purchase of new cars. If you apply your mind, you might be able to think of a few more relevant points that are applicable to you personally. Thinking deeply before the purchase of new cars is always beneficial in the long run.
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Kia’s Big Step Forward
Correy Putton asked:
Korean car companies have been making waves in the automotive industry, both in the aspects of design and performance. They are carving a niche for themselves in the US and global market. Kia, for example, has been increasing its foothold in the US market, figures last year shows a growth of 6.4%. In December alone, the company sold 30,000 plus units which was the best sales month in the entire existence of the oldest car manufacturer in Korea.
And with the unveiling of their new concept car, the Kia Kue, the company strengthened its name as one serious contender in the crossover SUV market. Riding on radical designs, the genius engineering of Kia parts and other components, and the design of the concept car itself, the company is showing what they can do in terms of designing new and exciting cars.
While some crossover SUVs focus on hauling capability, the Kia Kue puts much attention to the performance of the car. Although it is just a concept car, this shows the direction Kia will be taking in the near future. Providing crossover SUVs with performance enhancing features with the same hauling capacity of an SUV will no doubt impact the financial status of the company and increase its popularity in the market.
The direction in design by which Kia is taking is more probably because of their acquisition of the service of the much-praised Audi designer Peter Schreyer. This concept car is the first output of Schreyer’s California design studio. If this is the sign of things coming from Kia, any other design coming out of that studio will surely be welcomed.
Also announced is the production of the Kia Soul which was also shown during the previous Detroit Motor Show as a concept car. Does this means that we can look forward to a full scale production of the Kia Kue? We can only guess, but if ever this concept car be manufactured for the market, its high quality design and performance level will surely have a lot of buyers.
The Kia Soul, which will be available late 2008 or early 2009 as a 2009 model, was designed in California and would be built entirely on the company’s Korean assembly plant. It is a 5-seater small car aimed at young single males as its buyers. The Kia Soul carries a 2.0 liter 4-cylinder engine with a five speed automatic transmission. Its name refers to the capital of South Korea, Seoul and to soul music.
Kansieo.com
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Tags: Car Companies, Car Manufacturer, Korean Car, Peter Schreyer |
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Dodge Cars and Trucks For 2007
Owen Walcher asked:
The Dodge brothers, John and Horace, began their careers as bicycle mechanics in their father’s shop in Michigan. Their bearings and other parts were in demand with the early automobile industry, and they helped design motor parts for early Oldsmobiles.
It wasn’t long before the two brothers were approached by Henry Ford. In 1902, impressed by their skills, Henry Ford offered them a one-tenth share in his new automobile company.
After 12 years in this partnership, the Dodge brothers left Ford’s company and started their own automobile manufacturing company. Thus, in 1914, the Dodge Brothers Motor Vehicle Company was established. The “Old Betsy” was their first car, built that year.
In 1925, the Dodge Brothers Company was purchased by Dillon, Read & Company, and in 1928, the Chrysler Corporation took over a much larger Dodge Brothers. It continued expanding its line of vehicles, which included the WWII Power Wagon – a vehicle that garnered enough acclaim to continue production a decade after the war.
Following Chrysler’s takeover of the British Rootes Group and Simca of France, and the resultant establishment of Chrysler Europe in the late 1960s, the Dodge brand was used on light commercial vehicles, most of which were previously branded Commer or Karrier, and on pick-up and van versions of the Simca 1100. In the 1960s and 1970s Dodge contributed to America’s fascination with high-performance “muscle cars” by manufacturing the 505 Charger Daytonas for stock-car racing and as production cars.
Dodge and Chrysler brought the domestic convertible back to the roads in the 80s in the form of the Dodge 400 and the Chrysler Lebaron. In the 90s, the eagerly anticipated Dodge Viper put the muscle back in “muscle cars.” All of which soon culminated in the new, aggressive look on the Dodge Ram Pickup, Dodge Dakota and Dodge Durango.
For the model year of 2007, Dodge, a part of Chrysler, has lined up some new and some reworked models for its fans. Let’s take a look at a few specifications of the 2007 Caliber, Charger and Nitro -
2007 Dodge Caliber
It would seem that Dodge decided a compact hatchback is a swell idea in light of America’s recent and slightly elevated interest in smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. The Caliber is not a hard-core fuel miser, though, and is instead a pretty normal-sized compact. It features an all-new chassis design, and is being built at DaimlerChrysler’s retooled Belvedere, Illinois, plant.
For the Caliber’s initial launch in North America, Dodge has three styles available (SE, SXT and R/T) and a hat trick of four-cylinder, twin-cam engines: a 1.8-liter, a 2.0-liter and a 2.4-liter. The goal of improved fuel economy has also played a role in the Caliber’s transmission offerings. While the 1.8-liter gets a traditional five-speed manual, the 2.0-liter and 2.4-liter engines have a continuously variable transmission (CVT).
2007 Dodge Charger
The 2007 Dodge Charger SRT8 Super Bee is the first special edition of the “Charger on Steroids” from Chrysler Group’s Street and Racing Technology Division (SRT). Powered by the SRT-engineered 6.1-liter HEMI® V-8 producing 425 hp and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, the Dodge Charger SRT8’s powertrain represents a new level in HEMI performance, with 85 additional horsepower.
Featured on all Dodge Charger models, a five-speed automatic transmission with AutoStick provides a full range of transmission performances to match a variety of driving styles, situations and road conditions. The new 2007 Dodge Charger features rear-wheel drive with near 50/50 weight distribution and advanced technologies that offer superb ride and responsive handling in all surface and traction conditions.
2007 Dodge Nitro
Dodge calls the 2007 Nitro its first midsize SUV, but it is more of a compact SUV. Dodge probably thinks “compact” sounds too feminine for an SUV geared to attract more men than women. However, the Nitro’s styling and hardware speak for itself. Although it’s built on the same platform as the Jeep Liberty, the Nitro was engineered primarily for street use.
Four-wheel drive will be an option, but there’s no low-range gearing or big off-road tires. The Nitro offers two solid V6s. Base and SLT models get a 3.7-liter with 210 horsepower and 235 pound-feet of torque, while the R/T gets a 4.0-liter six with 255 hp and 275 lb-ft of torque. There are three transmissions: a six-speed manual, which comes standard in the base model, a four-speed automatic, and a five-speed automatic which only comes with the R/T’s 4.0-liter V6. At 178 inches, the Nitro is about 4 inches longer than the Jeep Liberty and 10 inches shorter than Chevrolet’s Equinox.
Today, Dodge is a part of the Daimler Chrysler AG and is based out of Stuttgart, Germany. The Dodge brand has become famous primarily for its trucks. This is a reputation that the company is now trying to change by introducing the new Dodge Charger and the Dodge Challenger. So, that’s more to look forward to from Dodge!
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Tags: Bicycle Mechanics, Dodge Dakota, Dodge Ram, Stock Car Racing |
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Get a New Car Loan
When you go about getting yourself a great deal on the type of used cars that is going to last you for a long period of time you might end up thinking that it’s something that is based upon a roll of the dice or something to that extent. The reality is however that it really depends on each exact amount of time and research that you are willing to put in to in order to empower yourself with the knowledge that is required in order to get the best possible deal on a New Car Loan that you can get for yourself. The bad credit used car loan that you will end up getting for yourself really is going to end up helping you get a very easy to manage and budget priced because the monthly payments are going to be fairly lower than at what you would normally expect from a car dealership as well as the interest rates on it should also be considerably lower than what you would get from used car dealerships. The reason you and make sure that you do this actually correctly is because you not want to end up having to get locked in to why it is known as an upside down car loan. This is aware you end up having your New Car Loan being worth more than what the price on a used car but you are trying to purchase or are purchasing it is. You should not be afraid about this though because there are a few different things you can do that can guide you in finding yourself the best financial deal on a bad credit used car loan.
By: Car Loans
About the Author:
Car money real fast provides exceptional New Car Loans services for the people of all credit situations including bad credit. Get car loans online now though you have bed credit.Car Money Real Fast offers a variety of Car Finance Loans at relative low interest rates. Get the best used car loan low prices with easy instant approval basis.
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Austin Receives Ford Escape Hybrid Case Taxi Study
If you have not yet heard about it, the Ford Motor Company has been roaming key cities in the United States and it has been presenting the Ford Escape Hybrid. It is all part of increasing awareness of city officials and of common citizens on the advantages and benefits that hybrid vehicles, like the Ford Escape Hybrid, have to offer owners, drivers, and the environment as a whole.
The company has already presented these pieces of information to various cities in the US which includes San Francisco in California, New York, and Chicago in the state of Illinois. And wherever they go, these cities are also able to successfully have hybrid-electric vehicles used for various purposes. This move is also part of these cities’ goals to have cleaner air and to assist their citizens save on the high priced fuel. The benefits of hybrids range from simple economic to hugely environmental. And maintenance is easy for sources of Ford Galaxie parts are also now offering replacement parts for this type of revolutionary vehicle. San Francisco, New York, and Chicago have now turned to hybrid electric vehicles for use in their areas as taxi cabs and even as municipal fleet vehicles.
The 9th of August has been the scheduled date for the City of Austin in Texas. And what the Ford Motor Company would be doing here would be to present the case study that they did on the Ford Escape Hybrid units that have been used as taxi cabs. The company would be presenting the data and information on this study to Austin’s mayor, Mayor Wynn, along with the representatives from the city. Representatives from various organizations like Austin Energy would also be there as well as managers of local commercial fleets.
Presentation of this case study would be done on the mentioned date and would be held at Austin’s city hall. At 11 in the morning, the Hybrid Taxi Technology Clinic would then begin and after half an hour, any person who had questions about hybrid vehicles would be able to shoot these away at the Ford Motor Company’s experts.
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Tags: Ford Escape, Ford Escape Hybrid, Hybrids, Replacement Parts |
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Lexus for Luxury
Considering the price, a Lexus is almost too good for £71,000 or even for £65,000 with some extra kit and space. However, £57,100 is perceived a little much for a four-door saloon. But with that price you’ll get the world’s most sophisticated luxury car, the original of which was priced £40,000 eighteen years ago.
The latest Lexus model, the Lexus 460, is considered much larger and more rounded when compared to the original and the mark-two version. Lately, Lexus designers have made use of fashion to put elegance on Lexus vehicles.
This new Lexus flagship has no doubt been upgraded – the auto maker has given it multiple airbags and all sorts of electronic stability and safety systems sure to satisfy future owners and enthusiasts alike. Traction control and assistance systems, which belong to the category, can be switched off by the drive at will. Warning devices, on the other hand, only become prominent when necessary, such as in case a car ahead suddenly slows down or stops.
On the technical issues, Lexus increased the engine size a little; from four liters in the original to 4.3 liters in the mark two. Currently, engine size for this model is now 4.6 liters. Such engine allows the car to run 0 to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds, and delivers a top speed of 155 mph.
Another significant feature is the switches and buttons made available everywhere in the car and the best thing about them is that you don’t have to read the owner’s manual to know how to operate them. That’s a lot more of a user friendly control panel which everyone will especially be thankful for.
On the exterior, the radiator grille was changed from just being a big square grille to a one closely similar to the Mercedes Benz S-class’. Not exactly the most original of the lot you may say, but Lexus vehicles certainly live up to its reputation of being one, if not the best in the industry.
Some owners and test drivers have been reported to point out a detectable engine noise on the latest car, though not much to be considered loud. Regardless this new Lexus model has been gaining praises, including that of its interior smelling of real leather which was used in the upholstery.
Priced at about £55,000, though itcouldn’t be closely compared with the prestige of Audi or BMW with regards to a cross-country dash, the Lexus delivers luxury, safety, comfort, and reliability all in one swoop.
By: Evander Klum
About the Author:
Evander Klum is a Business Administration graduate who hails from Alabama. He enjoys extreme sports and he is also a car racing fanatic. At present, he works as a marketing manager at an advertising agency in Cleveland.
Cars For Sale, Cheap Cars For Sale
Used Cars For Sale asked:
Cars for Sale, Cheap Cars for Sale:
Who in their right mind would not like to buy a good used car for a very low price? Not many of us, that’s for sure. Most people love getting good deals and there are few products that many seem more obsessed about getting good deals on than cars.
While it’s possible to get a good deal on a new car, it is in the arena of pre-owned or used cars where it is possible to get some really good deals on cheap cars. And there are several ways to buy a cheap used car.
One can look through the local newspaper in order to find cheap cars for sale within the area where you live. While the selection of cheap used cars for sale listed in local newspapers is often very limited, great deals can sometimes be found, especially if you find a seller who is either lazy or does not know the value of the car they are selling.
A second way of buying a cheap car is through a used car dealership. Often used car dealerships have limited selection in the way of cars you can buy from them. Also, used car dealerships may sell the cars they have for sale at higher prices than what you could find if you buy a car from a private seller who advertises in the newspaper. However, many used car lots and used car dealerships do thoroughly examine the cars they sell. Now here is an opportunity for you to buy good condition cars at extremely low prices. Join now and get great deals on Cars for Sale / Cheap Cars for Sale.
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