New BMW 328i actually more fuel efficient than old 335d diesel
Saying automotive journalists like diesel sedans is like arguing the color pink is going to do well with the 5-year-old-girl demographic this quarter. You’re not going to find too many dissenting voices. So, it should be no surprise that we love ourselves some BMW 335d. With plenty of power and impressive fuel economy, the outgoing diesel is a mechanical wonder child. And yet, thanks to the new F30-generation BMW 328i, with its 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine produces 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, there’s some competition for the title of most fuel efficient 3 Series.
Admittedly, the 328i’s numbers are a far cry from the 265 ponies and 425 lb-ft of torque cranked out by the diesel-fueled 3.0-liter inline six in the 335d. Even so, the 2012 328i is considerably lighter and more aerodynamic. It also boasts a next-generation transmission, which helps the car get to 60 mph one tenth of a second quicker than the old 335d. That’s surprising, but not nearly as surprising as the fact that the 328i manages 1 mpg better than the diesel in the combined cycle. According to the EPA’s just-released figures, the 328i nets 24 miles per gallon in the city and an impressive 36 mpg on the highway. The 335i? 23 mpg city and 36 highway. Read more…
Mattias Ekstrom talks Audi A5 DTM and the 2012 DTM season
We still have just over 2 months until the DTM 2012 season kicks off at the Hockenheimring but we’ve already been treated to a lot from Audi and Mercedes-AMG as well as new (old) comer BMW. All three will have new cars as well. With Audi, we will see the A5 takeover after seven years of competition in the A4. The A5 DTM will also have to live up to four DTM titles out of those seven. Powered by the V8 engine, the output will be around 460 horsepower.
In a little more than ten weeks from now the new DTM season will start, marking a completely new era for the DTM. Are you excited about that?
I’m definitely very excited because we’ve been waiting for this for a long time in the DTM. A new manufacturer is joining the series and the regulations are new. At Audi, we’ve been doing a lot of development work over the winter. That’s why I’m very eager to finally go to Hockenheim and to see how good our work has been compared with BMW and Mercedes. Tests never really give you the right answer to this; that only happens at the first qualifying session and the first race.
The new DTM vehicles will be homologated on March 1. What does that mean for the next two weeks?
Obviously, our technical staff would be much better qualified to answer this question. But principally speaking there’s only fine-tuning work left at this stage. The key decisions were made a long time ago. Every manufacturer will now try and guard their little secrets up to the last moment. After March 1 the cards will be revealed a little more – also during the track tests.
Fiat 500 Nation
Yet another new layout for the small Fiat, will be ordered by next February, prices start from 14,500 euros, will be available in convertible version, the graphics are the colors of the American flag. Comes a sports package for Twin Air.
Fiat does not stop and continued churn in sbizzarisce special versions, after the Fiat 500C signed by Gucci, and the Fiat 500 First Edition, intended only for the Chinese market, the next Bologna Motor Show, will be presented yet another special version, you are the Fiat 500 Limited Edition American Nation, which will be produced in limited edition, only 500 units for the three-door hatchback. It will be also available as a convertible, always in a limited edition, also in this case only 500 copies. To celebrate the entry into the U.S. market of Turin city car, the bodywork is the call to the American flag.
Fiat 500 Limited Edition American Nation is offered with a unique body color, the exclusive metallic blue America, the shell of the mirrors has stars and stripes graphics, stickers on the side, the circles are 16-inch alloy wheels. The tribute to the United States is in the interior, the seats match the red and ivory white facia. For the convertible version, however, white is combined with hood blue instead of red. Both versions will be sortable by the end of February 2012, prices start from 14,500 euros for the sedan, which comes to € 18,000 for the convertible.
At the Bologna Motor Show will also present a new body kit for the Fiat 500, the “Pack byAbarth”, exclusively for the Fiat 500 TwinAir, which offers: alloy wheels “Total Black” 16-inch Abarth hubcaps, sill strips, rear spoiler, rear-view mirror housings red, racing graphics on the hood and sports pedals.
The price of the new sports package Fiat 500 Twin Air is 700 euros, is now available as an option, however, has a limit, you can only request combined with the cheeky Red body colors and Crossover Black.
Monthly Auto Insurance without a Down Payment
Vehicle coverage is necessary for many motorists, but purchasing an affordable policy may require some research. Making auto insurance installments can make it easier to pay for an expensive plan, and finding an insurer willing to provide coverage with no down payment can also lead to additional savings. One of the best ways to find one of these affordable options is to shop around online and make comparisons.
Individual coverage providers typically offer unique rates and different payment methods. Online comparisons can produce dozens of estimates and options for vehicle owners in need of adequately priced coverage. It is important for motorists to remember, however, that buying car insurance with no down payment still typically means that the policyholder must pay for their first month’s coverage upon signing.
One of the advantages to paying for vehicle coverage in installments is that the overall cost of the policy is spread out over the course of several months. This can help motorists better afford plans that include adequate levels of protection. However, payments are often accompanied by billing fees that can sometimes be as high as $10 a month. Although these additional costs are a seemingly small, there is the possibility that this extra amount can add up over time.
Options and Alternatives to Monthly Car Insurance Payments
Paying for vehicle coverage with monthly installments may increase a motorist’s potential to miss a payment. Unlike many other services, if a vehicle owner makes a late auto insurance payment, their policy may be canceled, and the motorist in question may experience a lapse in coverage. In some states, this lapse may be met with potential fines or other legal consequences. For example, in Missouri Uninsured Motorists could have their driving privileges suspended and be fined up to $300 for the first offense.
It is important for vehicle owners to contact several insurers before making a purchase to learn about alternative payment methods that may reduce these risks. Several companies may offer online services that allow installments to be automatically deducted from a predetermined account. These options are also frequently accompanied by discounts that can help reduce rates.
To avoid a possible lapse in coverage, motorists may want to consider an installment plan that requires payments every three or six months. These alternative options can also reduce the number of billing fees that a driver must pay, and consequently, reduce the overall price of a plan. Before making a purchase, vehicle owners are encouraged to take advantage of online resources and research as many options as possible.
Ariz. and SC Lawmkers Try to Limit Steering in Glass-Repair Industry
Bills currently being considered by the Arizona and South Carolina legislatures would put in place anti-steering laws related to motor vehicle glass repair.
The bills would keep glass-repair shops or third party administrators who have an ownership interest in a glass-repair shop from referring or steering business toward the facility that they’re associated with.
They would also be barred from soliciting repair business from car owners based on information obtained during the claims process.
As with most steering bills, the authors’ aim is to maintain policyholders’ choice when getting their cars fixed after a claim and to level the playing field for repair shops in the state.
But the insurance industry says beefing up the states’ anti-steering laws would make the repair process less streamlined and that the move could ultimately end up increasing the average cost of car insurance in Arizona and South Carolina.
“This bill would severely limit auto insurers’ ability to choose business practices that best serve their customers, limit choices available to consumers for repairing damaged auto glass and potentially increase costs that impact insurance premiums,” said Bob Passmore, the senior director of personal lines at the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America (PCI), in a statement.
PCI says consumers benefit from insurers’ ability to recommend shops and to use direct repair programs where coverage providers have a list of preferred shops that they suggest to policyholders. These partnerships generally work so that insurers get lower repair costs while the shops get a steadier flow of business.
The industry group contends that these practices make it easier for insurers to match consumers up with reputable shops and to contain costs.
The South Carolina House of Representatives voted to pass its bill in a 104-1 vote, and it is now in the Senate Banking and Insurance Committee.
The Arizona legislation has not seen any votes so far.
Categories: Auto Insurance Tags: Ariz., GlassRepair, Industry, Lawmkers, Limit, Steering
2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible kicks out 650 hp, limits top speed
Twenty years ago, Ford debuted the 1993 SVT Mustang Cobra at the Chicago Auto Show and introduced the world to its high-performance skunkworks department, known as SVT or Special Vehicle Team.
Today, Ford celebrates SVT’s platinum anniversary the only way it knows how: with another Mustang variant. And as suspected, it comes in the form of a topless Shelby GT500.
Just as a refresher, at the 1992 show in Chicago the SVT Cobra put out 235 horsepower from its Vanilla Ice-approved 5.0-liter V8. Twenty years later, displacement has grown by less than a liter, but thanks to some 21st century tech and a massive supercharger, the 5.8-liter V8 in the 2013 Ford Shelby GT500 Convertible makes the same 650 hp (and 600 pound-feet of torque) as its coupe counterpart, laying claim to the most powerful production V8 in the world.
In addition to the carbon fiber driveshaft, upgraded clutch, transmission and axle, SVT fitted its own specially developed Bilstein electronic adjustable dampers, along with six-piston Brembo calipers squeezing massive discs up front.
Like the coupe, the Bilstein setup is part of the Performance Package (why it’s not included as standard is beyond us) and Ford will also offer a Track Pack that includes an external oil cooler, differential cooler and transmission cooler to keep temps in check when flogging the drop top around the tarmac.
And before you ask: No, the GT500 coupe’s 200 mph top speed doesn’t carry over to the Convertible. In a rare moment of sanity, Ford’s engineers saw fit to limit the GT500 ‘vert to 155 mph – like the rest of the roofless Mustangs. Hit the jump for the full details. Read more…
The 2013 Audi RS 4 Avant
The Audi RS 4 Avant uses the same high-revving, normally aspirated V8 engine that powers the RS 5 Coupe. The 4,163 cc powerplant produces 331 kW (450 hp) at 8,250 rpm for a specific output of 108.1 hp per liter. Its maximum torque of 430 Nm (317.15 lb-ft) is available from 4,000 to 6,000 rpm. The responsive V8 with its red-painted cylinder head covers accelerates the RS 4 Avant from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in 4.7 seconds on its way to a governed top speed of 250 km/h (155.34 mph). This can be increased to 280 km/h (173.98 mph) upon request.
Hand-built at Audi’s plant in Gyor, Hungary, the 4.2 FSI engine combines its impressive power with exemplary efficiency, consuming on average less than 11 liters of fuel per 100 km (21.38 U.S. mpg).
With its high efficiency and long top gear, the standard seven-speed S tronic also contributes to the vehicle’s good fuel economy. Drivers can let the lightning-fast dual-clutch transmission shift automatically or change gears manually using the selector lever or the paddles on the steering wheel. For explosive starts, drivers can also activate Launch Control, which manages the engagement of the clutch at an optimum starting speed and minimum wheel slip.
Top traction: quattro drive with crown-gear center differential Read more…
Audi A1 Sportback
The Bologna Motor Show 2011 will be an opportunity to attend the international presentation of the new Audi A1 Sportback five-door version of the compact car the German carmaker. This model is one of many innovations that the Four Rings exhibit in Bologna, including the Audi Q3 and Q5 SUVs and sports cars of the Audi range S. The A1 Sportback is still the model of interest of the Audi stand. Appointment from 3 to 11 December in Hall 16 to see this car live just born and already capable of arousing great interest.
It’s been just a few days of the official unveiling of the first photos of this model designed to target young and urban. The Audi A1 Sportback will be available at dealerships beginning in 2012. And ‘offer seven engines, all four cylinders (four petrol and three diesel TDi TFSI) and equipped with direct injection and turbocharging.
Inside, despite its compact size, we find a rather spacious interior with a production that wants to be dynamic and elegant. The design can be customized on request, with the application of a roof spoiler with a bow and in contrast to the body. The Audi A1 Sportback goes on sale at the price of 17,830 euros.
Among the other news that Audi will present at the Motor Show 2011 are the Audi S6 Avant Italian premieres and Audi S8, the high-end sports brand, with the new 4.0 TFSI engine with a cylinder-on-demand. Besides the new premium compact SUV Audi Q3 will also Audi Q5 2.0 TFSI hybrid versions (total output 245 hp). Complete stand the Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI quattro Spyder GT-R tronic, 560 hp.
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Progressive Insurance Monthly Profits Remain Relatively Stable
Progressive monthly profits dipped slightly last month, dropping 1.7 percent between December 2011 and January 2012.
January profits for the insurer were $75 million, down from $76.3 million the month before.
Those are pretty good results considering the fact that losses and loss adjustment expenses for the company were up 30 percent for the period. Investment income was also down 4.7 percent.
Buoying the results were growth in premiums written and the performance of securities. Premiums grew 44 percent, going from $1.01 billion up to $1.46 billion. And securities performance went up from a $22.7 million loss in December to a $11.9 million gain in January.
The year-to-year results, however, were not as favorable.
Compared with January 2011, monthly profits were down 33.4 percent, or $37.6 million. Two of the factors contributing to that development were declining gains on securities (they fell $20 million between the first month of 2011 and January 2012) and increases in underwriting, loss and loss adjustment expenses (they grew by a total of $97 million).
Still, net premiums written grew by 6 percent ($83.3 million) between January 2011 and January 2012.
Progressive, which specializes in selling policies to consumers who compare car insurance quotes online through their website or over the phone, remains one of the largest private passenger auto insurers in America. According to the latest data released by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners, Progressive is the fourth-largest auto insurer in the country in terms of market share.
It has seen significant growth as consumers are increasingly opting to research and purchase coverage through direct channels rather than through agents.
According to the most recent financial release, Progressive had about 8.58 million personal auto policies in place in January 2012. Of those, 45.3 percent were serviced directly through the company. In January 2008, only 37.3 percent of the company’s policies were serviced directly.
To read the experiences of current and former Progressive policyholders, readers can find user-submitted Progressive auto insurance reviews online.
Categories: Auto Insurance Tags: insurance, Monthly, Profits, Progressive, Relatively, Remain, Stable
High Risk Car Insurance Costs
The cost of auto insurance can fluctuate for many reasons, but primarily premiums are based on risk. Automobile accidents, insurance claims and moving violations are recorded on a motorist’s driving record, which is used by insurers to calculate coverage costs. Vehicle owners who maintain clean driving records and demonstrate a small chance of filing a claim in the near future typically encounter lower rates. High-risk drivers, however, are usually charged more for vehicle coverage.
When a motorist is statistically more likely to file a claim in the future, insurers raise premiums to compensate for the possibility of economic loss. There are many different reasons why a motorist would need to purchase high risk car insurance instead of low cost coverage, but while in the non-standard market, drivers can often take advantage of several adequately priced options. Although many insurers specifically target motorists in the preferred or standard markets, higher-risk insurers or state run programs may offer affordable alternatives.
Insurance companies often rely on unique methods for rating motorists. As a result, prices can fluctuate significantly between insurers. For higher-risk drivers, this can translate into lower rates or more reasonably priced options. To efficiently shop around, motorists should compare quotes online. The Internet can produce dozens of estimates from one website, giving vehicle owners the ability to quickly search for the lowest prices available.
Options for Motorists with High Risk Auto Insurance Read more…
Categories: Auto Insurance Tags: Costs, High, insurance, Risk
