Citroen C3 Picasso

Citroën C3 Picasso - AM Awards 2010 'New Car of the Year' We are pleased to announce that C3 Picasso has been crowned 'New Car of the Year' at this year's prestigious AM Awards. Around 1,000 guests, from right across the UK motor industry, were present to see the AM judging panel choose the C3 Picasso as the outright winner from a shortlist including VW Golf, VW Polo and Ford Ka. The AM judges - all leading industry professionals - were particularly impressed with the practicality and versatility of Citroën's new compact MPV - as well as its value-for-money. In the Awards programme, AM's Editor, Jeremy Bennett, commented, "A boxy design and additional functionality helped boost sales beyond forecast - the C3 Picasso has proved to be the right product at the right time as hard-pressed drivers look for multi-purpose models with style." Great news for the brand and the dealer network - just days after the launch of the highly-acclaimed DS3!

Citroën C3 Picasso - AM Awards 2010 'New Car of the Year' We are pleased to announce that C3 Picasso has been crowned 'New Car of the Year' at this year's prestigious AM Awards. Around 1,000 guests, from right across the UK motor industry, were present to see the AM judging panel choose the C3 Picasso as the outright winner from a shortlist including VW Golf, VW Polo and Ford Ka. The AM judges - all leading industry professionals - were particularly impressed with the practicality and versatility of Citroën's new compact MPV - as well as its value-for-money. In the Awards programme, AM's Editor, Jeremy Bennett, commented, "A boxy design and additional functionality helped boost sales beyond forecast - the C3 Picasso has proved to be the right product at the right time as hard-pressed drivers look for multi-purpose models with style." Great news for the brand and the dealer network - just days after the launch of the highly-acclaimed DS3!

BMW X5M and BMW X6M - SUVs With M Power?

At my visit to the last Frankfurt Motor show, I was able to view the new X5M and X6M up close. The standard X5 and X6 are both stunning off-road but when BMW have worked their magic on them and produced an M version - they really are something special.

Some purists are asking why BMW have produced an M version of an SUV. Their opinion is that the M treatment should be used only to produce road going racers like the original E30 M3. Whilst there has been nothing quite like the E30 M3 since, all M models are spectacular cars in their own right.

For me personally, the X5M and X6M particularly catch my imagination as I like to see how the two very different concepts of an SUV and M power can be combined to produce something special. On reflection, maybe that should be three very different concepts as the X5 and X6 are already a combination of off-road and luxury car.

Whilst the X5M and X6M are unlikely to be seen on the race track (possibly with the exception of Paris-Dakar), their performance would certainly be a match for many with 555BHP and 0-62MPH in 4.5 seconds from the V8 4.4 litre twin turbo engine and intelligent x-Drive system.

Sitting in the driving seat of both cars, they are unmistakeably BMWs but the new style electronic auto gear knob bearing the M logo says that they are something special. Whilst on the subject of auto transmission, those same purists argue that no M car should be an auto. I beg to differ. If I won the lottery tomorrow and went out to buy one of these cars, I wouldn't be taking it on a race track so why would I need a manual gear box?

Away from the race track, the future is auto. Having to maneuver a metal rod into invisible channels to change gear while pushing an extra pedal is a thing of the past in my opinion. On the congested roads of modern times, an automatic is far more sensible.

There are still the age old arguments used by those who last drove an auto in the early 1970s or perhaps have never driven one at all. Rubbish such as an auto is dangerous because it could change up in mid corner or that they can drive faster with a manual transmission, is still waffled out even today.

I say that a modern electronically controlled auto transmission is far more capable than the gear changing skills of most of us on today's roads. As far as I am concerned, an M car with an auto makes perfect sense and when it is in an X5M or X6M then we are all one step closer to utopia.

The Peugeot iOn

Peugeot, an automobile car major, is a famous French car manufacturing company that is loved all over the world for its outstanding cars by the people and the connoisseurs alike. Peugeot has constantly been bringing new ideas and concepts to the fore and this is one feature its products are lapped up by the car lovers. Peugeot is known for producing sleek, aerodynamic machines that are amazingly robust. Its cars are not only fast and fuel efficient, but in fact look like works of art on road.

Knowing only too well that the petroleum reserves of the world are limited and diminishing day by day, Peugeot started working on diesel electric hybrid versions long time ago. Despite being very successful in the traditional petrol and diesel cars, it knew that a day would come when alternatives to petrol cars would be in demand as the petroleum reserves of the world is depleting everyday.

Right now, Peugeot is building the latest petrol version of Peugeot RCZ, which promises to take the Peugeot cars to a new level of quality and capability. Initially proposed as a concept car in 1997, the excellent reception Peugeot RCZ got made the company serious in its production.

It is based on the mechanical of 308 hatchbacks. It has got a much shorter wheel base with its reduced length cabin providing much room for two. Its interiors have got very good looks, tempting enough to seal the deal who fall into love with it once they drive the car.

In the context of concern for the environment, Peugeot has once again shown its ability to create new responses and adapt to its offer to meet the changing needs of the world. Recent developments in battery design have thrown up many possibilities in electric travel and with gradual replacement of Nickel Cadmium batteries by Lithium batteries, lesser recharges and greater distance covering with one recharge is now possible.

Peugeot iOn, a 100% electric car designed by Peugeot, is set to launch in 2010 and it will transform the face of electric travel forever. Need to recharge the battery has traditionally been the Achilles heel when it comes to battery operated cars, but with the introduction of lithium batteries, Peugeot iOn promises to be as comfortable as petrol cars and yet being environment friendly.

The cars' batteries can be fully charged in six hours with the option to charge it up to 80% in hour if there is a time crunch with its rapid recharge system. This characteristic enables Peugeot iOn, which is a zero CO2 emission car to be as comfortable and likable as any other petrol driven car. The car incorporates emergency call service feature, for which Peugeot is a leader in Europe.

Most Interesting Hybrid Cars of 2010

Although hybrid cars have slowly been gaining in popularity around the world, a very small percentage of consumers have actually switched to them. This is largely because they have remained much more expensive than traditional cars. It is unlikely that this will change in 2010, but prices on hybrid vehicles have been steadily coming down. 2010 offers more cars than ever before. Here are a few of the newest options.

1. Chevrolet Volt

The Chevy Volt has been hotly anticipated ever since it was announced, and it is expected to finally be released in 2010. This car operates on Chevy's Voltec technology. The first 40 miles of a car trip are powered by the on board lithium-ion battery. After that, a gas engine will power the vehicle for 300 more miles. Even better, it can be charged via a standard household power outlet. The price is expected to be around $32,500.

2. Fisker Karma

The Fisker Karma is a sleek sports car made by Fisker Automotive. Like the Volt, the first 50 miles are powered by an electric battery. Fisker claims that you only need to refuel this car once per year as long as you drive less than 50 miles per day. You can even opt for an option to have solar panels installed on the roof of the car, which can provide about 5 more miles per week of free driving. Although it is an electric hybrid, this car packs some serious power. Its top speed is 125 mph, and it can jump from 0 to 60 in 5.8 seconds. The price is pretty steep, at $87,900.

3. Hyundai Sonata

The Sonata is a popular line which Hyundai has been producing since 1985. Starting in March 2010, they will begin selling a hybrid version. This new car will be powered by a lithium polymer battery and will be based on their Blue-Will (another hybrid car from Hyundai) concept. Pricing has yet to be released, but traditionally Sonatas have been priced under $20,000.

4. Honda CR-Z

This new model from Honda features a hybrid gas and electric system. Although a six-speed manual transmission is standard, an automatic transmission is also available. Sales for these vehicles began in select countries in February 2010, and they are expected to become available in the United States in mid-2010. The current price in England is 16,999 British Pounds, which translates to about $25,250.

5. Toyota Auris

The Auris is a new hybrid car from Toyota. Similar in style and design to the Corolla, the Auris HSD Full Hybrid is slated for release in the second half of 2010.

6. Persu Hybrid

The Persu Hybrid is a very interesting vehicle which is being developed by Persu Mobility. You may have heard of this car when it was being developed under its previous name, the VentureOne. This vehicle looks like a car until you scrutinize it more carefully. Then you'll notice that it only has three wheels. As such, it is officially classified as a 3-wheel motorcycle. This plug-in hybrid vehicle is capable of making 45 degree turns, and it is scheduled for an exclusive California release in late 2010.

7. Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid

The Prius has thus far been the most widely known and celebrated hybrid car of all time. Beginning in 2010, they are introducing their first plug-in model. This car will be able to travel 14.5 miles on battery power before the gas engine kicks in. The great news is that it only takes 3 hours to fully charge the battery. The not so great news is that is won't be offered worldwide until 2011, and it is expected to cost $48,000.

Porsche Wheels For Different Models

Porsche is everyone's dream brand as far as an automobile is concerned and buying a Porsche genuine accessory itself is very difficult nowadays. There are companies that sell reliable Porsche factory original-look products including the Porsche pedals, the central console, unique styled door handles found in Porsche cars and of course most importantly the Porsche wheels.

Porsche wheels can be categorized based on different models. The first among them is the Porsche 911 alloy wheels. Buying a wheel that fits for all models of Porsche 911 is very difficult and there are companies, which provide Porsche 911 alloy wheels that fit to all models of 911 starting from the 1963 model. There can be some additional fitting to add more style to these alloy wheels. The next category Porsche wheels are that of the Porsche Boxster that is sports car launched in 1997. The wheels of this speedster are the most crucial part of this vehicle as the speed and performance of the vehicle directly depend on the quality of its wheels. Porsche Cayenne is another model of Porsche which is a midsized sports car having beautiful wheels. The performance of this car entirely depends on its wheels along with its powerful engine. This category of the Porsche Wheels available in the market also comes along with option of rim covers that embosses the prestigious Porsche logo over it.

The wheels available are manufactured and tested under every possible harsh condition. Another category of Porsche Wheels are that of the 2006 launched Porsche Cayman, which has got appreciations from all over the world because of its unique design.

Any person owning a Porsche Cayman can get its wheels in the market if he or she wants to change the original factory made wheels only thing is he should look for the right place to buy them from as it is very difficult to get the original like quality outside. The last category in the wheels available outside for people who wants to change them in the case of a damaged factory made wheels is that of the midsized sports car from Porsche that is the Panamera.