>>Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

Ferrari 612 Scaglietti

The Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is somewhat of a departure from the traditional Ferrari brand of two-seater coupes but remains true to the label with styling that is reminiscent of legendary racing Ferraris from the 1950s. The 612 Scaglietti debuted in 2004 as a replacement for the more svelte Ferrari 456M. The 612 Scaglietti is one of only a few Ferrari automobiles to incorporate four seats.
The Ferrari Scaglietti is a Gran Turismo car with two doors and a fastback coupe design. The 612 is manufactured at the Carrozzeria Scaglietti plant owned by Ferrari in Modena, Italy. The headlights and side scallops are reminiscent of the 1954 Ferrari 375 MM that was built by Roberto Rossellini in homage to his wife, Ingrid Bergman.
Another reason the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is unique for Ferrari is that it is only the second Ferrari to be made solely of aluminum. The first all-aluminum Ferrari was the 360 Modena. The 612 Scaglietti has a space frame that was developed in conjunction with Alcoa, the aluminum structure manufacturer. A space frame consists of interlocking struts that comprise a geometric structure that is lightweight and truss-like in appearance. The aluminum body is welded onto the space frame for extra rigidity and performance. The new Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano also incorporates this style chassis.
The 612 Scaglietti is front-engined, sporting a 5.7 liter V12 engine that is also used by the Ferrari 575M Maranello. The engine produces 533 horse power at just over 7,200 rpm and has a compression ratio of 11.2:1. The 612 Scaglietti's top speed is 199 miles per hour (315 kilometers an hour) and reaches 60 miles per hour from standstill in 4.2 seconds. Buyers of the 612 Scaglietti have the option of choosing from a conventional 6-speed manual transmission or the F1A paddle shift system similar to that used in the Ferrari 360 Modena.
Ferrari has also released a limited number of Scagliettis in celebration of the company's 60th anniversary. Limited edition 612 Scagliettis will feature an innovative electrochromatic glass roof that has adjustable opacity. Ferrari will manufacture just 60 of these Scagliettis, ensuring that they will remain special and rare.

Wayne Armstrong is the owner of Ferraristi.net, a Ferrari fan site for Ferrari fans

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

By: Wayne Armstrong

>>Chevrolet Expands Lineup With Captiva

Chevrolet Expands Lineup With Captiva

Following a dismal year, General Motors is looking to expand their lineup offering to bring the company back to profitability. Aside from revitalizing the slumping Saturn brand, General Motors is also expanding Chevrolet’s lineup with the new Chevy Captiva 4x4.

The Captiva signals the entry of six new models for General Motors’ most profitable division. The Detroit, Michigan based car manufacturer announced that they will be coming up with six new auto models for the next few years. These will be part of General Motors’ restructuring plan.

During the New York International Auto Show (NYIAS) held earlier this year, General Motors showcased three possible replacement for the aging Matiz. The Groove, Beat, and Trax are the concept cars which were seen as the next additions to General Motors’ lineup in the near future. With the 4x4 Captiva already planned for production, Chevrolet is reported to be developing a new model - possibly either the Groove or the Beat to place below the Captiva in its lineup.

As part of the company’s expansion, the Camaro will be resurrected for the 2009 model year. The popularity of the said car model in the past is seen as a great way to attract new car buyers into the Chevrolet fold. The Camaro is expected to generate interest in the brand which will eventually lead car buyers to be introduced to other auto models that Chevrolet has to offer.

Along with its expansion plan, Chevrolet also announced that they will be working with Vauxhall instead of the Asian carmaker Daewoo. Currently, small Chevrolet cars use platforms developed by the Korean car manufacturer. In the future though, Chevrolet will be sharing platforms with either Vauxhall or Opel. Vauxhall recently launched the Antara which is also being marketed by Opel under the same model name.

In Europe, the production of the Captiva will be handled by the Ukrainian Illichivsk factory. The vehicle will be equipped with standard features such as the anti-lock braking system for all wheels. This feature enhances the safety of the vehicle which can be complemented by efficient brake parts such as those found at Active Brakes Direct.

The Captiva will also come with a traction control system. This feature is designed to prevent or eliminate traction loss as a result of excessive throttle. The system is usually anchored on electro-hydraulic technologies. The system can retard or even suppress combustion in either one or multiple cylinders. It can also reduce the amount of fuel supplied to the combustion chambers. The system can also engage the brakes to ensure maximum traction.

The Captiva will also be equipped with an electronic stability program. This system helps the driver in controlling the vehicle by determining the driver’s steering wheel input and the reaction of the vehicle. If the system detects a possibility that the driver will lose control of the vehicle, it will take action to override and correct the driver’s input.

Another safety feature that the captive will be equipped with is the Active Rollover Protection. It enhances the safety of the occupants of the active by using sensors which can detect if there is a possibility that the vehicle will tip over. The system can then take actions to prevent rollover like engaging the brakes on a select wheel or wheels as the case may be.

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 visit Active Brakes Direct for more information.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

By: Anthony Fontanelle

>>The Five Best Rated Cars of 2007

The Five Best Rated Cars of 2007

Are you in the market for a new car? Here is the best piece of advice I can offer you before you make any decision. Do your homework. Every year, hundreds of Americans buy a car and later on come to regret their purchase. It’s called buyer’s regret and there is no excuse for it with the internet at your fingertips.

Car and Driver Magazine wants to help. Every year, they evaluate all of the new cars released by the manufacturers. They make their judgments based on three general areas. They want to know how well a car performs its intended functions. A sport car is supposed to be fast and exhilarating so they expect it to be. Next, they look at factors like its driving manners, a new and exciting body design or interior, or a powerful engine. Finally, they want to know its worth the dollar amount asked. If it an inexpensive car is fast, fun, and practical, then it will certainly be graded well above others.

1. BMW 3-Series – This gem is a 300-hp twin-turbo 3.0-liter version of the classic six. The 3-series zips to 60 in 4.8 seconds and corners at 0.89 g while offering more luxury and space. It also delivers better fuel economy and a quieter, more comfortable ride than its competition. The 3-series is the definitive sports sedan, delivering the driving satisfaction of a sports car in the body of a practical machine.



2. Chevrolet Corvette - The composite body of the Corvette hearkens back to the seminal 1953 model. Newer materials, like balsa-core composite floor panels used in the floor panels, combine with a sophisticated structure to yield a car that remains light and agile, despite higher power, bigger brakes, and grippier tires. The Corvette’s combination of heritage and sophistication gives it a uniquely American blend of performance, swagger, and everyday livability.



3. Chrysler 300 – The 300 is known for its styling but it’s what’s on the inside that keeps everyone coming back. Under its hood, there is either a mild V-6 engine for the faint of heart and then there is a wild Hemi V-8s, with up to 425 horses coupled to a five-speed automatic with manual control. The 300 has a huge back seat (even huger in the new-for-’07 long-wheelbase versions), a capacious trunk, and fold-down rear seats to provide cargo utility. The cabin is structurally rigid, free of road-induced vibrations, and impressively quiet.



4. Honda Fit – The Fit, with its 109 horsepower producing engine, won’t generate any kind of acceleration like a Ferrari or Corvette, but it generate some pretty attractive fuel-economy numbers. It gets on average 33 city miles per gallon, with 38 highway mpg, according to the EPA. Now, factor that in with its relatively cheap price (anyone can afford one), room enough for four adults, exceptional cargo adaptability with sports-car agility, and you get full fledged economical car with its own unique appeal.



5. Volkswagen GTI - The GTI knows how to cut like no other competitor, thanks to its high-powered, turbocharged, direct-injected 2.0-liter four engine that develops 200 horsepower of smooth feeling goodness. More importantly, this little power-packed engine is light enough to maintain excellent balance in the front-drive chassis. While it has the mentality and feel of a race car, the car’s designers didn’t forget about you, the driver. The GTI possesses an interior finish that belies its price, an optional navigation system, and a long list of other standard features that more expensive cars don’t even offer.

For further information on any of these automotive ideas listed above be sure to check out magazines such as Car and Driver at Magsforless at www.magsforless.com. They sell over 75 different magazine subscriptions with hundreds of other cheap magazines to choose from.

Article Source: http://www.ArticleBiz.com

By: Joel Simkhai