Monday, May 31, 2010
Last year Aston Martin V12 Vantage has been released, but was banned for sale in the United States. Aston follow the American concept of time be respected. Retrieve bodyshell your most compact, honkin 'machines. This is called the musclecar. Of course, the interpretation of the theme musclecar Aston somewhat more polite, sophisticated and aristocratic than, say, a '70 Chevy Chevelle SS454.
Initially created for the entire world, the front end of a very solid car with the engine that there is no room for the structures necessary to meet U.S. crash regulations. In a barrier impact speed is needed, note the doll's chest deceleration rate limits.
The engineers had to think hard to meet customer needs. Analysis and computer models show a location where some additional aluminum longitudinal member can be installed to change the path and soften the burden of slowing. It tested well, and this car is the result. Extra weight is not significant. And the performance, handling and styling mods are not affected by the accident.
The V12 engine is a 5.9-liter, 510 horsepower kick, enough to zero time-to-60mph is claimed at 4.1 seconds. M / T has not tested for zero-to-60 on our paradigm. Transmission is rear-mounted six-speed manual, although an optional full AMT and automatically appear in other Astons. The Vantage V12 keep things relatively simple: none of the adaptive dampers from DBS, there is no choice of transmission, not a lot of menu-driven.
Unsaddled by Acura's Super Handling All-Wheel Drive, the front-drive RDX is more fuel efficient, faster, and less expensive. It's not decontented, mind you: Standard goodies new for 2010 include a rearview camera, electronic compass, auto-headlights, ambient footwell lighting, USB-connectivity, and Bluetooth with audio capabilities.
RDX was no slouch even with the added drivetrain mass, likened it to the Evo of crossovers when we said goodbye. Acura's SH-AWD is impressive; through planetary gearsets and electromagnetic clutch packs, it's capable of overdriving the outside rear wheel to create yaw, which reduces understeer. The downside is the roughly 200 pounds it adds to the curb weight. Without it, the RDX's fuel economy rises 2 mpg, up to 19/24 mpg city/highway. It's livelier on its MacPherson front and multilink rear suspension too.
Performance
- Turbo compressor
- 2,300 cc 2.3 liters in-line 4 front engine with 86.0 mm bore, 99.0 mm stroke, 8.8 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder
- Premium unleaded fuel 91 and petrol
- Multi-point injection fuel system
- 18.0 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank 15.0
- Power: 179 kW , 240 HP SAE @ 6,000 rpm; 260 ft lb , 353 Nm @ 4,500 rpm
- ABS
- 4.533:1 axle ratio
- Brake assist system
- Four disc brakes including two ventilated discs
- Electronic brake distribution
- Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management
- Immobilizer
- Spacesaver steel rim spare wheel
- Stability control
- Strut front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs, multi-link rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs
- Driver and passenger 3rd row windows
- Painted front and rear bumpers
- Day time running lights
- Driver power heated painted door mirrors indicator lights, passenger power heated painted door mirrors with automatic indicator lights
- External dimensions: overall length (inches): 182.5, overall width (inches): 73.6, overall height (inches): 65.2, ground clearance (inches): 6.3, wheelbase (inches): 104.3, front track (inches): 61.9, rear track (inches): 62.6 and curb to curb turning circle (feet): 39.2
- Front fog lights
- Projector beam lens Xenon bulb headlights
- Luxury trim leather on gearknob, leather on doors and alloy look on dashboard
- Pearl paint
- Driver side and passenger side rear side windows
- Fixed rear window with defogger and intermittent
- Roof spoiler
- Glass electric front sunroof
- Underbody protection for fuel tank
- Weights: gross vehicle weight rating (lbs) 4,894, curb weight (lbs) 3,752, gross trailer weight braked (lbs) 1,500 and max payload (lbs) 1,142
- Windshield wipers with automatic intermittent wipe
- 12v power outlet: front
- Air conditioning with fully automated climate control 2 and auto
- Anti-theft protection
- Manufacturer's own RDS audio system with satellite, Disc Autochanger and six-disc remote changer CD player reads MP3
- Cargo area cover/rear parcel shelf
- Cargo capacity: rear seat down (cu ft): 60.6 and all seats in place (cu ft): 27.8
- Cellular phone
- Clock
- Coming home device
- Compass
- Computer with average speed, average fuel consumption, instantaneous fuel consumption and range for remaining fuel
- Delayed/fade courtesy lights
- Cruise control
- Front seats and rear seats cup holders
- External temperature
- Floor covering: carpet in passenger compartment and carpet in load area
- Floor mats
- Driver front airbag with multi-stage deployment, passenger front airbag with occupant sensors and multi-stage deployment
- Bucket heated electrically adjustable driver seat with height adjustment, lumbar adjustment, five adjustments and tilt adjustment memory, electric and memory, bucket heated electrically adjustable passenger seat with two adjustments
- Height adjustable 3-point reel front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners
- Front seat center armrest
- Garage door opener
- Two height adjustable active head restraints on front seats, three height adjustable head restraints on rear seats
- Headlight control with dusk sensor
- Internal dimensions: front headroom (inches): 38.7, rear headroom (inches): 38.3, front hip room (inches): 54.4, rear hip room (inches): 53.0, front leg room (inches): 41.8, rear leg room (inches): 37.7, front shoulder room (inches): 58.2 and rear shoulder room (inches): 56.3
- Low tire pressure indicator
- Memorized adjustment with two settings on door mirror position with four driver's seat positions
- Navigational systems : information type: 3D and voice DVD and color
- Parking distance sensors rear and camera
- Remote power locks includes trunk/hatch
- Power steering
- Front power windows with two one-touch, rear power windows
- Front reading lights
- 3-point reel rear seat belts on driver side, passenger side and center side
- Rear seat center armrest
- Three asymmetrical split bench front facing rear seats with zero adjustments fold flat to floor
- Automatic operation rear view mirror
- Steering wheel mounted remote audio controls
- Front and rear side curtain airbag
- Leather seat upholstery with additional leather
- Seating: five seats
- Service interval indicator
- Front side airbag
- Smart card / smart key manual, includes central locking and includes memory seat adjustments
- Ten speaker(s) manufacturer's own
- Leather covered steering wheel with tilt adjustment and telescopic adjustment
- Tachomete
- Telematics
- Illuminated driver and passenger vanity mirror
- Ventilation system with micro filter
- Voice activating system includes radio settings, includes phone, includes navigation system and includes air conditioning
The Global Positioning System (GPS) is a space-based global satellite navigation system that provides reliable location and time information in all weather and at any time and anywhere on or near the earth where there is unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. It is maintained by the United States government and freely accessible by anyone with a GPS receiver. The system was created and realized by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD).
The GPS consists of three parts: the space segment, the control segment, and the user segment. The U.S. Air Force develops, maintains, and operates the space and control segments. GPS satellites broadcast signals from space, which each GPS receiver uses to calculate its three-dimensional location (latitude, longitude, and altitude) plus the current time.GPS has become a widely used aid to navigation worldwide, and a useful tool for map-making, land surveying, commerce, scientific uses, tracking and surveillance, and hobbies such as geocaching and waymarking. The precise time reference provided by GPS is used in many applications including the scientific study of earthquakes and as a time synchronization source for cellular network protocols.
The design of GPS is based partly on similar ground-based radio navigation systems, such as LORAN and the Decca Navigator developed in the early 1940s, and used during World War II. In 1956 Friedwardt Winterberg proposed a test of general relativity using accurate atomic clocks placed in orbit in artificial satellites. To achieve accuracy requirements, GPS uses principles of general relativity to correct the satellites' atomic clocks. Additional inspiration for the GPS came when the Soviet Union launched the first man-made satellite, Sputnik in 1957. A team of U.S. scientists led by Dr. Richard B. Kershner were monitoring Sputnik's radio transmissions. They discovered that, because of the Doppler effect, the frequency of the signal being transmitted by Sputnik was higher as the satellite approached, and lower as it continued away from them. They realized that since they knew their exact location on the globe, they could pinpoint where the satellite was along its orbit by measuring the Doppler distortion.Modernization
- In 1972, the U.S. Air Force Central Inertial Guidance Test Facility (Holloman AFB), conducted developmental flight tests of two prototype GPS receivers over White Sands Missile Range, using ground-based pseudo-satellites.
- In 1978, the first experimental Block-I GPS satellite was launched.
- In 1983, after Soviet interceptor aircraft shot down the civilian airliner KAL 007 that strayed into prohibited airspace due to navigational errors, killing all 269 people on board, U.S. President Ronald Reagan announced that the GPS would be made available for civilian uses once it was completed.
- By 1985, ten more experimental Block-I satellites had been launched to validate the concept.
- On February 14, 1989, the first modern Block-II satellite was launched.
- In 1992, the 2nd Space Wing, which originally managed the system, was de-activated and replaced by the 50th Space Wing.
- By December 1993, the GPS achieved initial operational capability.
- By January 17, 1994 a complete constellation of 24 satellites was in orbit.
- Full Operational Capability was declared by NAVSTAR in April 1995.
- In 1996, recognizing the importance of GPS to civilian users as well as military users, U.S. President Bill Clinton issued a policy directive declaring GPS to be a dual-use system and establishing an Interagency GPS Executive Board to manage it as a national asset.
- In 1998, U.S. Vice President Al Gore announced plans to upgrade GPS with two new civilian signals for enhanced user accuracy and reliability, particularly with respect to aviation safety and in 2000 the U.S. Congress authorized the effort, referring to it as GPS III.
- In 1998, GPS technology was inducted into the Space Foundation Space Technology Hall of Fame.
- On May 2, 2000 "Selective Availability" was discontinued as a result of the 1996 executive order, allowing users to receive a non-degraded signal globally.
- In 2004, the United States Government signed an agreement with the European Community establishing cooperation related to GPS and Europe's planned Galileo system.
- In 2004, U.S. President George W. Bush updated the national policy and replaced the executive board with the National Executive Committee for Space-Based Positioning, Navigation, and Timing.
- November 2004, QUALCOMM announced successful tests of assisted GPS for mobile phones.
- In 2005, the first modernized GPS satellite was launched and began transmitting a second civilian signal (L2C) for enhanced user performance.
- On September 14, 2007, the aging mainframe-based Ground Segment Control System was transitioned to the new Architecture Evolution Plan.
- The most recent launch was on May 28, 2010.[19] The oldest GPS satellite still in operation was launched on November 26, 1990, and became operational on December 10, 1990.
- On May 19, 2009, the U. S. Government Accountability Office issued a report warning that some GPS satellites could fail as soon as 2010.
- On May 21, 2009, the Air Force Space Command allayed fears of GPS failure saying "There's only a small risk we will not continue to exceed our performance standard.
Sunday, May 30, 2010
I even picked up a few goodies for the 5 winda project!!
The drive was killer and the weather was tops..... It was 40 day weekend.... celebrating the 40 Ford.... Hung out with Gary Weldon(Bonneville Racer) Bob "Tindalini" Tindale,Bob Westbrooke, Dvie Mckee and the McCelllands.......Jim and Wes.
It was good to see Rob and Kyle from Pa.
Goood Times!!!
Dave McKee took the pics.....
Thursday, May 27, 2010
I have adult ADD, I am sure of it. But I was able to sit with a razor blade and scrape all of the paint off of the gauge cluster with a razor blade. I think it turned out great. There is some pitting, but we are going to leave it. Here is a before and after. We also threw down some primer to protect some of the exposed metal. I wanted to go with the oxide to break up all of the black.
Wednesday, May 26, 2010
This how Mickey Rat Rolls..... ha ha ha ha.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Chrysler announced a new design and the price of the Jeep Grand Cherokee 2011. New Grand Cherokee has fantastic features, such as the revised cabin, all new sheet metal, the new 3.6-liter V6 Engine Pentastar and upgraded suspension. New 2011 Grand Cherokee Laredo 4 x 4 will start to $ 32.995, and Grand Cherokee Laredo 2011 4 × 2 starting at $ 30,995.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
The new V6 increases gas mileage by 11%, for 23 mpg highway (US) — over 500 miles per tank. The interior provides over four inches of increased rear-seat knee and leg room, and 17 percent more cargo volume (as released first on allpar.com). Numerous safety features are standard, and options include Blind-spot/Rear Cross-path detection and Adaptive Cruise Control with Forward Collision Warning, along with FloTV, satellite TV, and Internet router.
The Laredo includes keyless entry, stability control with anti-roll, hill start assist, trailer sway control, side curtain airbags for both rows, active head restraints, power driver's seat, fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, satellite radio, and 17-inch aluminum wheels; the 360 horsepower Hemi V8 will be optional. That model starts at $32,995.
The Laredo includes keyless entry, stability control with anti-roll, hill start assist, trailer sway control, side curtain airbags for both rows, active head restraints, power driver's seat, fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio controls, satellite radio, and 17-inch aluminum wheels; the 360 horsepower Hemi V8 will be optional. That model starts at $32,995.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Limited adds Quadra-Trac II® with Selec-Terrain (if you get the 4x4), front and second-row heated leather seats, memory settings, High Intensity Discharge auto-leveling headlamps, CommandView dual-pane panoramic sun roof, rear back-up camera, rear park assist, premium audio, automatic temperature control, 18-inch aluminum wheels, Garmin® navigation, rain-sensitive wipers, and bright door handles. The price for Limited is $39,995 including destination.
The ultimate Grand Cherokee, the Overland model, adds the Quadra-Lift air suspension (if you get the 4x4), premium interior with Nappa leather-trimmed and heated seats, vented front seats, wood/leather-wrapped heated steering wheel with memory, power tilt/telescope steering column, wood bezels, leather-stitched instrument panel/doors/center console armrest, power liftgate, and 20-inch aluminum wheels. That model starts at $42,995 including destination.
The ultimate Grand Cherokee, the Overland model, adds the Quadra-Lift air suspension (if you get the 4x4), premium interior with Nappa leather-trimmed and heated seats, vented front seats, wood/leather-wrapped heated steering wheel with memory, power tilt/telescope steering column, wood bezels, leather-stitched instrument panel/doors/center console armrest, power liftgate, and 20-inch aluminum wheels. That model starts at $42,995 including destination.
Jeep Grand Cherokee
The Selec-Terrain™ traction control coordinates up to 12 powertrain, braking, and suspension systems, including throttle control, shifting, the transfer case, and stability control. It is included with the Off-Road Group and Hemi, and is standard on Limited and Overland, provided either Quadra-Drive or Quadra-Trac II is specified. The driver can choose between:
- Sand/Mud: Traction control and Quadra-Lift are more sensitive to wheel spin, and torque is tuned; 50/50 torque split
- Sport: Cuts the traction control back, lowers the Jeep by half an inch, and puts up to 80% of power to the rear wheels
- Automatic operation with torque split at around 40/60 front/rear
- Snow: Traction and Quadra-Lift tuned for snow-covered roads; the torque split is around 50/50
- Rock: The suspension raises to the maximum 11.1 (some documents claim just 10.7) inches height and the transfer case, differentials, and throttle coordinate to provide low-speed control; around 50/50 torque split
Land Rover Range-e Diesel Hybrid uses the basic concept of the Range Rover Sport, Land Rover is equipped with 3.0-liter V6 turbo diesel mixing speed automatic transmission ZT eight.
Hybrid machine claims to produce a maximum speed of 120 mph, some 20 miles on battery power and CO2 emissions of less than 100 g / km.
The new compact place in 2013 Range Rover. With 2WD variant will emit less than 130 g / km of CO2 and will be "the lightest, most efficient fuel Range Rover ever,"
Now Land Rover — who still hasn’t officially dubbed the production model the ‘LRX’ — says that both 2WD and 4WD versions of the vehicle will be on sale in 2011… followed in 2013 by a diesel hybrid.Previously, Land Rover had admitted to working on a plug-in hybrid diesel-electric version of their popular Range Rover Sport, which they said could be able to go 20 miles on a charge, have a 20 minute fast charge time and go on sale in 2012. This is the first we’ve heard of other models in the Range Rover line up getting the hybrid treatment — although it certainly makes more sense to do it to a smaller vehicle.
The 2WD, diesel hybrid, and plug-in options all highlight just how much of a struggle it is for a company like Land Rover to meet the needs of the times. Purists will surely scoff at the idea of a 2WD Land Rover, but when the company is up against such stringent requirements, what else are they to do? Wither and die?
Land Rover is set to reveal a new Defender for 2013. This can be extremely tricky because the reason Britain’s Jeep remained largely untouched since its birth is because of its loyal following. Customers like its basic utilitarian structure, which has made it a European workhorse. What will not help the new Defender’s acceptance with the loyalists is that it will likely be based on the Discovery in order to reduce costs. This will include trading in the coil spring suspension for an independent setup that may include air bags for adjusting ride height.
Land Rover currently sells about 25,000 Defenders per year. It’s now hoping that the updated and modernized vehicle will push sales to 40,000. No word yet on if this means a return of the Defender to the U.S. Land Rover had to stop selling the Discovery here in 1997 because of safety regulations, but a modern car may finally account for current rules.
Land Rover currently sells about 25,000 Defenders per year. It’s now hoping that the updated and modernized vehicle will push sales to 40,000. No word yet on if this means a return of the Defender to the U.S. Land Rover had to stop selling the Discovery here in 1997 because of safety regulations, but a modern car may finally account for current rules.
Aston Martin Rapide, the first four-door coupe, Aston Martin, began to be marketed in the United States. The definition of fusion of sports car with luxury sedan comfort, with new price $ 199,950 you can have. That low price in the class Aston Martin rapide. In addition to the first four-door vehicle, the Aston Martin Rapide is' the first model of land made outside the UK. This model is produced in Graz, Austria in cooperation with Magna Steyr. Magna is known as the option to outsource the production car class in Europe. BMW, Mercedes-Benz and Porsche, including the customer. But the truth is not what happened. Aston Martin's plant capacity fully Gaydon. Since the collapse of the global economy, the Aston Martin to re-think to add production capacity. Middle of the road, in outsourcing.
With that price, the Aston Martin sports car that promises very impressive. Has been very impressive standard specification Aston Martin says that the launch schedule of this model at the beginning of the second quarter of 2010. Specifications include an audio system designed specifically for Aston Martin Rapide, Bang & Olufsen Beosound. Bang & Olufsen has a reputation as a Rolex watch for the highest sound quality. Another standard feature is covering the hot seat memory, dual-cast brake and adaptive damping systems.
ARCHITECTURE
Underpinning the Rapide concept is Aston Martin's VH architecture, developed to offer exceptional manufacturing flexibility. This high-strength, low-mass architecture forms the backbone of the current generation of Aston Martins, spearheaded by the DB9 Coupé and flanked by the DB9 Volante and the Vantage.
The extruded aluminium construction of the VH architecture can be modified in both length and width, providing a myriad of packaging options, and the chemically-bonded structure (using glues derived from aircraft manufacture) is mated with bodywork that mixes aluminium and composite materials. The architecture’s flexibility is further demonstrated by its use in the DBR9 racing car, where it is combined with carbon-fibre composite body panels to produce a modern race car of rare beauty.
EXTERIOR
The visual language of Aston Martin is highly distinctive. Across a range of three cars, the company's design team, led by Design Director Marek Reichman, fulfils Aston Martin’s core values – power, beauty and soul – with bodywork that is taut, poised and muscular. “The brand is about the driving experience,” says Reichman, explaining how the concept is intended to provide everything customers have to come to expect from an Aston Martin, and more. “We wanted to make the most beautiful four-door car in the world,” he says, as he traces the Rapide’s development from a series of exploratory sketches in the Summer of 2005 to the finished, fully-functioning prototype. In the process, Reichman and his team explored the way the Rapide might be used, where and when it would be driven, even who would be driving. The four-door body was a natural way of providing access to the Rapide’s increased interior space, part of Aston Martin's commitment to design usability. “If there’s a space then you should also offer accessibility, otherwise you’re not being honest,” explains Dr Bez.
Reichman describes the 'beautiful harmony' of the line that runs through the Rapide's bodywork, giving the car the appearance of motion even while stationary, an athlete in flight, rather than crouched and coiled upon the starting blocks. “It’s not a wedge, it’s graceful and flowing,” he explains, “we decided to let the lines flow right through the body to the tail, which ends very beautifully. In silhouette, the Rapide shares the same sinuous line as its two-door siblings, although when compared with the poised stance of the Vantage with its sprinter-like forward thrust, the Rapide is a long distance runner.” Reichman believes that proportion is fundamental to how a car is perceived. “There are forms that appear at ease and forms that appear tense and uncomfortable,” he says, “we wanted to make everything on the Rapide work in harmony.” Achieving this required the intuitive skills of Aston Martin’s modelling team, who work with both raw clay models and advanced computer modelling. “We put character and feeling into the surface,” says Reichman. “Our designers and modellers work with a sculptural language here at Aston Martin - the play of light on the surface are incredibly important to us.” Full-scale models are viewed in daylight and dusk conditions, for example, to ensure that the dramatic surface forms remain an integral element of each and every Aston Martin. Reichman believes that technology like the VH architecture allows him “to keep the form language and soul of the product.”
INTERIOR
The Rapide continues Aston Martin’s reputation for highly-tailored, individual cockpits. The trademark glass starter button is a small element of theatre that is also beautiful and tactile, the perfect first point of contact with the car. Providing sporty accommodation for four passengers in such a low and beautiful coupé presents a formidable packaging challenge.
Sitting low to the ground, just four centimetres higher than a DB9, the interior is an exquisite leather-swathed package, with custom-embossed shagreen hide specially sourced for the Rapide. “It’s very cosseting,” admits Reichman, “it’s about creating a personal experience of the journey.” Like a set of exquisite hand-tooled luggage, the interior is compact yet also surprisingly spacious, with great attention to detail, like the extensive map and accessory storage and the mood lighting that maximises the feeling of volume.
Aston Martin has always been about truth to materials: wood is valued for its structural properties and appearance, as are aluminium, glass and leather, while carbon fibre is utilised for its strength and weight-saving abilities and not just a showy finish. A transparent polycarbonate roof brings an increased sense of spatial awareness, opening up the passengers' vistas beyond the driver’s focus on the road ahead. This ultra-light transparent material is a first for the company. The Rapide has dual climate zones, and the luxuriously appointed rear seats come with their own DVD screens and controls for the audio system and environmental system.
TRADITION
Aston Martin has always acknowledged the need for elegant, high-speed touring sports cars. The four-door, four-seater saloon displayed at the 1927 Olympia Motor Show began a long tradition of cars that combined elegance, style and power with usability. The Olympia car was a closed-body tourer that sported long, flowing lines for the era, tapering to a luggage trunk and mounted on a tubular frame. The car was also low to the ground, purposeful and sporting. Four years later another four-door saloon was exhibited, with an aluminium-panelled body by Bertelli, finely engineered, detailed and upholstered throughout, with intriguing touches like the roof-mounted opening glass panel above the rear passenger compartment.
THE JOURNEY
Every journey in an Aston Martin is an occasion, proving that the most enjoyable way of getting between two points isn't always a straight line. The Vanquish S, DB9 Coupé, DB9 Volante and Vantage are all designed to sharpen the senses, extracting every grain of texture from the road surface, with high levels of driver feedback and involvement. Yet when conditions preclude making progress or spirited driving, an Aston Martin adopts a relaxing, restrained character, with the massive reserves of torque and power combining with the uniquely cosseting interior to envelop the driver and their passengers in the Aston Martin experience.
The Rapide continues this tradition - a fast, cross-country machine that excels in any driving conditions. The Aston Martin customer doesn’t need to have their choice dissected in minute detail: these are cars which appeal primarily to the heart, strong emotional design that is also subtle and discrete. The Rapide is a uniquely personal machine, its interior representing the very best of the company’s immensely skilled workforce, demonstrating how each Aston Martin is still tailored to a customer’s precise requirements. It also represents the high degree of personalisation offered by ultra-modern production facilities and a model line-up underpinned by a flexible architecture - a new model that could broaden the range to cater for every requirement.
Underpinning the Rapide concept is Aston Martin's VH architecture, developed to offer exceptional manufacturing flexibility. This high-strength, low-mass architecture forms the backbone of the current generation of Aston Martins, spearheaded by the DB9 Coupé and flanked by the DB9 Volante and the Vantage.
The extruded aluminium construction of the VH architecture can be modified in both length and width, providing a myriad of packaging options, and the chemically-bonded structure (using glues derived from aircraft manufacture) is mated with bodywork that mixes aluminium and composite materials. The architecture’s flexibility is further demonstrated by its use in the DBR9 racing car, where it is combined with carbon-fibre composite body panels to produce a modern race car of rare beauty.
EXTERIOR
The visual language of Aston Martin is highly distinctive. Across a range of three cars, the company's design team, led by Design Director Marek Reichman, fulfils Aston Martin’s core values – power, beauty and soul – with bodywork that is taut, poised and muscular. “The brand is about the driving experience,” says Reichman, explaining how the concept is intended to provide everything customers have to come to expect from an Aston Martin, and more. “We wanted to make the most beautiful four-door car in the world,” he says, as he traces the Rapide’s development from a series of exploratory sketches in the Summer of 2005 to the finished, fully-functioning prototype. In the process, Reichman and his team explored the way the Rapide might be used, where and when it would be driven, even who would be driving. The four-door body was a natural way of providing access to the Rapide’s increased interior space, part of Aston Martin's commitment to design usability. “If there’s a space then you should also offer accessibility, otherwise you’re not being honest,” explains Dr Bez.
Reichman describes the 'beautiful harmony' of the line that runs through the Rapide's bodywork, giving the car the appearance of motion even while stationary, an athlete in flight, rather than crouched and coiled upon the starting blocks. “It’s not a wedge, it’s graceful and flowing,” he explains, “we decided to let the lines flow right through the body to the tail, which ends very beautifully. In silhouette, the Rapide shares the same sinuous line as its two-door siblings, although when compared with the poised stance of the Vantage with its sprinter-like forward thrust, the Rapide is a long distance runner.” Reichman believes that proportion is fundamental to how a car is perceived. “There are forms that appear at ease and forms that appear tense and uncomfortable,” he says, “we wanted to make everything on the Rapide work in harmony.” Achieving this required the intuitive skills of Aston Martin’s modelling team, who work with both raw clay models and advanced computer modelling. “We put character and feeling into the surface,” says Reichman. “Our designers and modellers work with a sculptural language here at Aston Martin - the play of light on the surface are incredibly important to us.” Full-scale models are viewed in daylight and dusk conditions, for example, to ensure that the dramatic surface forms remain an integral element of each and every Aston Martin. Reichman believes that technology like the VH architecture allows him “to keep the form language and soul of the product.”
INTERIOR
The Rapide continues Aston Martin’s reputation for highly-tailored, individual cockpits. The trademark glass starter button is a small element of theatre that is also beautiful and tactile, the perfect first point of contact with the car. Providing sporty accommodation for four passengers in such a low and beautiful coupé presents a formidable packaging challenge.
Sitting low to the ground, just four centimetres higher than a DB9, the interior is an exquisite leather-swathed package, with custom-embossed shagreen hide specially sourced for the Rapide. “It’s very cosseting,” admits Reichman, “it’s about creating a personal experience of the journey.” Like a set of exquisite hand-tooled luggage, the interior is compact yet also surprisingly spacious, with great attention to detail, like the extensive map and accessory storage and the mood lighting that maximises the feeling of volume.
Aston Martin has always been about truth to materials: wood is valued for its structural properties and appearance, as are aluminium, glass and leather, while carbon fibre is utilised for its strength and weight-saving abilities and not just a showy finish. A transparent polycarbonate roof brings an increased sense of spatial awareness, opening up the passengers' vistas beyond the driver’s focus on the road ahead. This ultra-light transparent material is a first for the company. The Rapide has dual climate zones, and the luxuriously appointed rear seats come with their own DVD screens and controls for the audio system and environmental system.
TRADITION
Aston Martin has always acknowledged the need for elegant, high-speed touring sports cars. The four-door, four-seater saloon displayed at the 1927 Olympia Motor Show began a long tradition of cars that combined elegance, style and power with usability. The Olympia car was a closed-body tourer that sported long, flowing lines for the era, tapering to a luggage trunk and mounted on a tubular frame. The car was also low to the ground, purposeful and sporting. Four years later another four-door saloon was exhibited, with an aluminium-panelled body by Bertelli, finely engineered, detailed and upholstered throughout, with intriguing touches like the roof-mounted opening glass panel above the rear passenger compartment.
THE JOURNEY
Every journey in an Aston Martin is an occasion, proving that the most enjoyable way of getting between two points isn't always a straight line. The Vanquish S, DB9 Coupé, DB9 Volante and Vantage are all designed to sharpen the senses, extracting every grain of texture from the road surface, with high levels of driver feedback and involvement. Yet when conditions preclude making progress or spirited driving, an Aston Martin adopts a relaxing, restrained character, with the massive reserves of torque and power combining with the uniquely cosseting interior to envelop the driver and their passengers in the Aston Martin experience.
The Rapide continues this tradition - a fast, cross-country machine that excels in any driving conditions. The Aston Martin customer doesn’t need to have their choice dissected in minute detail: these are cars which appeal primarily to the heart, strong emotional design that is also subtle and discrete. The Rapide is a uniquely personal machine, its interior representing the very best of the company’s immensely skilled workforce, demonstrating how each Aston Martin is still tailored to a customer’s precise requirements. It also represents the high degree of personalisation offered by ultra-modern production facilities and a model line-up underpinned by a flexible architecture - a new model that could broaden the range to cater for every requirement.
Special mix of shows by Aston Martin. Detail in the modification of carbon black metallic paint with a bespoke, black Obsidian with piano black accents and hand stitching. In Audio System, Aston Martin has Bang and Olufsen Beosound DBS 1000 watts power and 13 speakers.
New Aston Martin DBS Special Carbon Black 2011 Special Edition will be touring in Los Angeles, Washington, San Francisco, Dallas, Miami and Chicago.
The different driving experiences we offer have been specially developed by Aston Martin to meet the demanding requirements of Aston Martin owners. Each experience is designed to be one-to-one in nature with experienced hand-selected instructors who have extensive knowledge of Aston Martin cars, track and road driving. The selected venues around the world were chosen because of their ability to offer the most unique and exclusive experience for our customers, we hope you agree!
ARCHITECTURE
Underpinning is Aston Martin's VH architecture, developed to offer exceptional manufacturing flexibility. This high-strength, low-mass architecture forms the backbone of the current generation of Aston Martins, spearheaded by the DB9 Coupé and flanked by the DB9 Volante and the Vantage.
The extruded aluminum construction of the VH architecture Can be modified in both length and width, Providing a Myriad of packaging options, and the chemically-bonded structure (using glues derived from aircraft manufacture) is mated with bodywork That mixes aluminum and composite materials. The architecture's flexibility is further demonstrated by its use in the DBR9 racing car, Nowhere it is combined with carbon-fiber composite body panels to Produce a modern race car of rare beauty.
Underpinning is Aston Martin's VH architecture, developed to offer exceptional manufacturing flexibility. This high-strength, low-mass architecture forms the backbone of the current generation of Aston Martins, spearheaded by the DB9 Coupé and flanked by the DB9 Volante and the Vantage.
The extruded aluminum construction of the VH architecture Can be modified in both length and width, Providing a Myriad of packaging options, and the chemically-bonded structure (using glues derived from aircraft manufacture) is mated with bodywork That mixes aluminum and composite materials. The architecture's flexibility is further demonstrated by its use in the DBR9 racing car, Nowhere it is combined with carbon-fiber composite body panels to Produce a modern race car of rare beauty.
Every journey in an Aston Martin is an occasion, proving That the most enjoyable way of getting Between two points, Is not always a straight line. The Vanquish S, DB9 Coupé, DB9 Volante and Vantage are all Designed to Sharpen the senses, extracting Every grain of texture from the road surface, with high levels of driver feedback and involvement. Yet Pls conditions preclude making progress or Spirited driving, an Aston Martin adopts a relaxing, restrained character, with the massive reserves of torque and power combining with the Uniquely cosseting interior to envelop the driver and passengers on their experience in the Aston Martin.
Monday, May 24, 2010
Generation five-door hatchback Fiat Uno 2011 launch in South America, and will be marketed in Brazil. Fiat Uno Flex fuel has a new 1.0-liter engine can produce 73 hp and 83 hp in the 1.4-liter with five-speed manual gearbox is standard.
New Fiat Uno in 2011 has a version of the green concept, called the Uno Ecology, with lower emissions and fuel economy better and create renewable materials can be recycled. On the exterior, the New United Nations has a roof mounted solar panels help keep the batteries charged. .. Woww can stop / start systems reduce fuel consumption.
The 2011 Fiat Uno front airbags and seat belts with pre-tensioner, non-compulsory items for every version of the new Fiat Uno models, complement the hood’s action, reinforcing safety. On the mechanical aspect, the new 2011 Fiat Uno incorporates solutions which ensure its stability and facilitate the driver maintain control of the vehicle in every situation. For the new 2011 Fiat Uno, the brakes were sized according to the version and the presence, or not, of ABS system.
Finally 2011 Fiat Uno, to create braking on slippery roads safer provides an anti-block system (ABS) on brakes as an optional item in all versions. The new 2011 Fiat Uno marks the premiere of the Fire Evo family of engines that strong points are reduction in fuel consumption and better use of energy, with lower emission of pollutants and noise. Developed by FPT – Powertrain Technologies in Brazil, the Evo family equips every versions of the new 2011 Fiat Uno with 1.0 liter and 1.4 liter engines. This construction reduces the engine friction on both sides.
The new 2011 Fiat Uno Fiat Uno comes to the market in 4 versions with various color such as yellow, red, black, etc, initially all of them with four doors (the two-door versions will be available on coming months. Vivace 1.0 Flex. Way 1.0 Flex. Attractive 1.4 Flex. Fiat Uno Attractive 1.4 Flex incorporates, in addition to the Fire 1.4 Evo engine. The new Fiat Uno has a contractual warranty of one year with no mileage limit.
The new 2011 Fiat Uno Fiat Uno comes to the market in 4 versions with various color such as yellow, red, black, etc, initially all of them with four doors (the two-door versions will be available on coming months. Vivace 1.0 Flex. Way 1.0 Flex. Attractive 1.4 Flex. Fiat Uno Attractive 1.4 Flex incorporates, in addition to the Fire 1.4 Evo engine. The new Fiat Uno has a contractual warranty of one year with no mileage limit.
Friday, May 21, 2010
Thursday, May 20, 2010
As we try to re-assemble the Pickle we are finding that we are missing small pieces. So we headed out to Desert Valley Auto Parts, a salvage yard that specializes in classic auto parts. I could go there everyday. There were many, many great cars and I took a couple of pics with the phone. Every time I go, I see something new.
Great grill.
Here is what looks like an old custom. It has been cut into convertible and you can see where someone chopped the windshield and wing window. I would love to know the history on this.
A teenage gas station attendant (Chuck Courtney) is obsessed with hot rods and racing. His Dad (Tyler McVey) objects to hot rod racing and thinks his son is a "crazy teenager!"
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
Chris Parese came over and we mounted the fuse box from the kit I got from GEM Wiring. And when I say "we" I mean Chris did most of it. Then he wired the engine up. I did none of that because it would have been a real bummer to have the car burn to the ground the first time I tried to start it. I know my limitations. Wiring schematics make absolutely no sense to me. I may as well be trying to read Latin.
We cut out all of the wires to the gauges leaving enough to pigtail them. Seems like we cut out miles of wire.
The folks also came over and we dropped in 4" lowering blocks from Night Prowler's.
And we also painted the rims so that there would be a thin red line around the edge of our full moons. Here is a before and after shot.
Friday, May 14, 2010
Hi all ,
Finally haltech Ps1000 in my campro turbo already . Took 2 days to wire up and do some modification. Install external igniter and then install 510cc injectors . Currently tune on the road to get partial throttle map done first. Got snapped some photos , picture to show how messy the wiring :P . I don't have to convert drive by wire become drive by cable. I mean the throttle control . Haha ... Drive by wire work well , even i had the injector and ignition system removed and use haltech to control ... But only i can't get rid was the CEL :P ... Well that CEL doesn't matter for me ... As long engine can run , air cond ok and idling ok .... Check engine light forget about it ..... :P
Hopefully i got time to out on dyno and run a result .
Tomorrow will be busy to install PS500 on a V-tec B20B
Monday, May 10, 2010
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
To my great friend and the BEST Texan Ever,...... Bob Owens....
Need a part..... call the MAN!!>>>>>>> BOB OWENS!!!!!!!!!!
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