A Closer Look At The New Mercedes SLS

March 9th, 2010

The Mercedes Benz 300 ‘Gullwing’ SL is one of the best sports car of all time. It is so named because of its very striking and unique roof hinged doors, the Gullwing was the Enzo of its time, stupendously fast, insane, outrageously expensive and yet so elegant. Clark Gable owned one, Andy Warhol painted one, Ava Gardner crashed one and its in the news. No Mercedes sports car since, not even the Mercedes-McLaren SLR, has come close to matching the Gullwing’s iconic appeal. And now the Mercedes SLS.

The SLR was a bastard-child of a supercar that neither McLaren nor Mercedes-Benz engineers truly felt was their own. McLaren’s Gordon Murray, designer of award-winning Brabham and McLaren’s grand prix racers are the driving force behind it all, thought the SLR overweight, the antithesis of his personal automotive touch. For Mercedes SLS engineers they were uncomfortable with McLaren’s free-wheeling, swift development culture and were skeptical of their methods. The culture-clash car that resulted was blindingly fast and supremely robust, but oddly styled and strangely uninvolving to drive.

All of which perhaps explains the all new Mercedes SLS AMG, a lightweight, high tech, 571 hp super coupe that represents the distilled wisdom of some of the best and brightest engineers at the world’s finest automotive manufacturing firm. And yes, it has gullwing doors.

Like the SLS, the Mercedes SLS is a front mid-engine coupe, with its 6.3-liter V8 positioned entirely behind the front axle center-line. The engine is based on the M156 V-8 from the SL63 AMG, but has been tweaked and primped sufficiently to warrant a new in-house codename — M159. Mercedes SLS claims over 120 parts and components that have been redesigned. The most notable change, however, is a dry sump system that allows the M159 to nestle low in the frame. The engine delivers 571 hp at 6800 rpm, and a 479 lb-ft. at 4750 rpm. Some 402 lb-ft is available from just 2500 rpm.
The engine drives the rear wheels via AMG’s new seven-speed dual clutch transmission, repackaged in a transaxle housing at the rear of the car to help deliver the SLS’s 48/52 front/rear weight distribution. Engine and transmission are inter-connected by a sand-cast aluminum torque-tube, inside which is a carbon-fiber drive shaft. The transmission offers four modes — basic, Sport, Sport+ and Manual — each with different shift protocols. The transmission has a launch-control mode that will allow full-commando starts with electronically controlled wheelspin to preclude engine constant bog downs.

Tips and Articles , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Houston Texas Car Dealership Offers Used Cars and Plenty of Ford Trucks

March 9th, 2010

Looking for used cars Houston TX ? The best deal on a Used Dodge Houston is at Russell & Smith Ford. When you must have affordable transportation, Russell & Smith Ford offers many options. This is the premier place for every auto situation. Offering a huge selection, you will easily find any model you choose. Over the last months, the economy has devastated the auto industry, but Toyota still remains very much alive.
When it comes to getting an auto loan, it is a simple, streamlined process. The number one Toyota dealership in Houston offers the best payment options and interest rates you will find. Because of their close relationship with a wide assortment of lenders, you can feel secure in the fact that you will get the very best rate and terms possible. When it comes to Toyota trucks, you won’t find a better selection no matter where you look. We have all been in a situation where auto financing was very stressful. You won’t find that when dealing with our company. The entire process is streamlined, providing you as our customer a simple transaction. Simply apply for credit online, and you will be notified within 24 hours of the results. Knowledgeable representatives are available to review your particular case in order to carefully consider the best option for you. This is a car dealership that works on a personal level with each customer, to make sure that you are absolutely thrilled both with your choice of vehicle, and the easy financing process.
Many people have different tastes when it comes to their automobile choices. Whether you are interested in Toyota trucks, used cars or something brand new, you can find everything in one location. When you need a loan, you want a super easy process that involves very little work on your part. Why stress when you are ready to get something new to drive? At Russell & Smith Ford in Houston, you can count on the best deals possible with no stress or hassles.

Tips and Articles , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Kids DVD Players - How to Choose a Portable Kids DVD Player

March 9th, 2010

If you’re looking to put in more peace and tranquility for the discs, possibly consideration about purchase a DVD player for kids in the car. It is a simple method to remain their kids occupied units that you are bounce to get restless and have a bad case of fussi, dances and “yetser us.” If I ask a portable DVD player for children, this piece of writing will give you a few things to think before you hand over your hard-earned cash.

except you plan to go away the vehicle at all times (not a great idea), require a bit to is fairly small and light enough to be transported. If your kids are extremely small DVD players, laptops are not designed to be particularly durable and resistant to drop. They are coated in hard plastic and has a rubber grip at the top, so little hands to tote around easily. If you are a bit “bigger, you can go for something a small less than playschool

Make certain the screen size is quite big. A small screen can be fine for casual viewing, except it is very difficult for the eyes for a full movie length. Seven-inch display size recommended minimum to avoid squinting and eyestrain.

Opt a portable DVD player that kids be able to operate alone. many models have a extremely easy to use interface with large buttons and easy to understand symbols play, pause and stop. Do not waste time with lots of other features … children just need a player to is functional and easy.

Make certain your DVD player has at least one headset jack. This is very, very significant … unless you like to pay attention Kung Fu Panda for the tenth time, while en route to the cottage! Two is better, other than what you be capable of dig up a headphone splitter (a Y-adapter) to more than one child be able to connect the headset at the same time.

If you require a portable DVD player to be capable of also be joined to an external monitor or TV. This allows them to use your player at home, too, and ought to not touch yours! E ‘is especially great when they have more friends, how to dig up to showcase their work and a DVD player instead of having to ask mom or dad to come and set up the movie for them.

significant … have an extra battery. Portable units are rechargeable batteries, but numerous of them only last two or three hours. Save time and effort to have at least one other battery ready to go. You be able to store the battery together with ropes and DVD, in a case. Most cases are well padded and has zippered compartments for easy storage and transport arranged.

Tips and Articles , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Are We Going To See A Fall In Vehicle Sales In 2010?

March 9th, 2010

2010 is going to be an important year for both cars and vans as it is quite unexpected on whether or not there is going to be a rise or fall in the sales of the motor industry. It has to be said that last year was one of the worst years the motor industry have had in a long time losing out on many profits and jobs. What on earth is going to happen in 2010.

There is not really a way to tell as yet, these are two ways that it could perhaps go.

One Outcome

The recession well and truly comes to a stop and people start to realise they have a bit of money. Then people will go mad and buy the car that they really want as they will have enough money to pay it off in stages again. Although I suppose this could happen I am not too sure that the average person could find the funds for a new car. If this happens I am certainly expecting a rise in the number of transit van leasing as well as minibus leasing simply because it will be cheaper to travel as a group.

The More Likely Outcome

The motor industry will see enough drop in general sales but a rise in eco-friendly vehicles. The general drop will be down to the tax increase that is set to steadily rise over the next year but of course if you have money you buy what is in fashion and it would seem that “green cars” are on the top of that list. Saving the world is now a big thing which is why people are starting to walk to work and ride bicycles everywhere, sooner or later this will make an impact on sales.

No more refrigerated van leasing then?

To be honest it could go either way here and the only way to find out is to sit and wait.

Tips and Articles , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Car Stunts That Really Work

March 9th, 2010

This isnt on about all of the car movies with the big budgets and of course ones with more CGI than 2012 (is that possible?) I am talking about the real stunts, ones that can actually be done. Although these stunts are certainly not recommended they are done by the professionals for shows, movies or just for fun! Here are just a few of the best.

Extreme Hill climbing

It would seem that the only way you can pull off something like this is by getting in a dune buggy and just going for it. If there is any vehicle around that could achieve something like this then it has to be this one. We are not talking simple hill climbing but close to vertical climbs that push a machine to its limits.

Rally Jumping

Jumping a car isn’t the easiest of things to do and although rally cars are built to maintain small jumps jumping 171ft certainly isn’t what the cars were designed to do. Someone has done it and survived surprisingly so it is certainly all possible. One of the many questions asked about this is, how far can you jump it?

Two Wheelers
This is something that is more commonly seen and just because more people have been recorded doing it, that certainly doesn’t mean that it is actually easy to do at all. It takes great skill to tilt the car in such a way that it will tip onto its two wheels. Obviously the really hard part is making sure you do not flip the car over.

Loop

I have to say that this is going to be the hardest one to pull off simply because the risks are a lot higher and if you fail you are pretty much dead. he easy bit is getting the speed at the right point so you do not fall straight off the middle part, it has happened. It really does take skill and knowledge of the car you are driving to do this one.

There is no way you should be going out and Luton van leasing or pickup leasing (I would recommend a car) as these stunts are dangerous and best left to the people that know what they are doing.

Tips and Articles , , , , , , , , , , , , ,