Ten cars we wish automakers would build

 

(Photos courtesy of manufacturers) 

Ten cars we wish automakers would build - Forget about sales numbers and balance sheets. Forget about ground clearance and tire regulations and laws that make cars vanilla. Forget about Camrys and Accords. Forget about reality. This is about the dream cars manufacturers should build. Cars that serve the minority. The 1 percent. The drivers.

Here are 10 cars that could be built using parts (engines and transmission, largely) that already exist. In that sense, they aren't utterly impossible. Most won't be built because they're too wild. Or too deadly. Or too costly. Others, however, should already exist.

Whatever the case, we want every single one.

 

Audi R8 Tom Kristensen Edition

Forget Hollywood's Walk of Fame. Tom Kristensen is a living legend among drivers and race fans, with his palm print immortalized a record eight times in the Saint Nicolas district of Le Mans, France. How does a race driver get his hands cast in bronze for display in a small French town? Simple: Win at the 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The R8 Tom Kristensen Edition honors the famous Dane with a special version of Audi's new 4.0-liter twin-turbo V8. Massaged to make 610 horsepower and 516 pound-feet of torque, it matches the output of the R8 he drove to victory back in 2000. The Quattro all-wheel-drive system is scrapped in the interest of weight savings and rear-drive nirvana, while a three-pedal, six-speed sequentially shifted manual will be the only gearbox. To top it off, the R8 TKE's full-carbon bodywork is painted to match the silver and red livery of the winning No. 8 car.

This one is as easy for Audi as, say, one Le Mans win.

 

Chevrolet Sonic Boom

Chevy does well for itself with performance players at either end of its product line. The Corvette ZR1 successfully takes the fight to the bank-account-draining exotics, while the Sonic RS brings bold design to a competitive subcompact segment. But its standard 138-hp 1.4-liter mill isn't even competitive with the other hot rods in the class: Ford's Fiesta ST and Fiat's 500 Abarth.

By combining the best thing that ever happened to a Corvette with the only relevant small car Chevy has ever built, the brand has an undeniable image changer. Shoehorning the ZR1's supercharged LS9 V8 into this diminutive hatch is no small task. The longitudinal arrangement means losing the backseat and coupling the transaxle directly to the engine. But it's worth it. We're talking 638 hp driving the rear wheels through the C7's all-new Tremec seven-speed manual with active rev-matching technology.

Think BMW 1 Series M Coupe, if the M Coupe had an engine for each of its rear wheels. This isn't playing by the traditional Motor City code of warfare, and that's a good thing.

And Chevy thought its current ZR1 was crazy.

 

Ford F-150 SVT Super Raptor

Good ideas are born out of necessity. The day we watched a YouTube video of an SVT Raptor launching more than 90 feet to its death was the day we realized Ford needs to build a more robust (and far more powerful) beast.

The Super Raptor is the beast to vault hooning to another dimension: a redneck's ultimate fantasy. Ditching the weak-sauce 6.2-liter V8 (411 hp? Hah, that's cute) and replacing it with the 662-hp 5.8-liter supercharged Shelby GT500 V8 is just the beginning. Never again will you be burdened with annoyances like "approach speed." With 37-inch self-inflating beadlocked tires and 25 inches of Ram-trampling suspension travel damped by electronically adjustable magnetorheological shocks co-developed by Delphi and Fox Racing, the Super Raptor is every wannabe desert racer's reason for living. It's a literal trophy truck for the street.

The Super Raptor's version of "launch control" monitors midair throttle for perfect body pitch and automatically softens the suspension upon detecting an impending touchdown. When roaming the urban jungle's highways, the suspension can stiffen for a wallow-free ride. True, you may never see the inside of another parking garage, but real badasses don't need shade anyway.

Come on, Ford. Build one they can't break.

 

Honda CRZ-Y

Honda's CR-Z could be a hit with the sport hybrid crowd, assuming those people actually exist. Right now the biggest hang-up is its 130-hp 1.5-liter IMA engine trying to drag around 2,700 pounds. The result is a worse power-to-weight ratio than a Kia Rio.

There are rumors of a non-hybrid powertrain, but our solution retains the car's initial eco-friendly philosophy without being such a wuss about it. Raiding the parts bin across the street, the CRZ-Y utilizes SH-AWD hardware from its Acura brethren. But rather than try to cram an Acura RLX engine into its schnoz, the 310-hp V6 and seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox are mounted beneath the hatch to drive the rear wheels. Individual electric motors drive the front wheels, just like the upcoming 2015 Acura NSX. Total output is 370 hp.

On the steering wheel is a manual regeneration switch to force-charge the hybrid battery pack and a push-to-pass button to channel the juice back through the system for a brief boost of 30 additional horses. Sure, you'd sacrifice the rear seats, but some cargo space could be had by utilizing the remaining space under the hood. We wouldn't even mind if the CR-Z looked exactly the same, though our version looks a few orders of magnitude cooler.

If you're running off "the power of dreams," it can't hurt to dream a little bigger.

 

Infiniti XS 

Infiniti lost the custody battle for the sixth-generation R35 GT-R, due largely to heritage making a strong argument in Nissan's favor. Still, this doesn't excuse the fact that Nissan's premium brand is yet to fill the throne atop its product line. Infiniti needs a halo car and we've got its angel right here.

Based on the Emerg-E Concept, the Infiniti XS super coupe utilizes a repurposed version of the GT-R's twin-turbo V6. Stroked to 4.0 liters and arranged longitudinally behind the front seats, it's coupled to the GT-R's six-speed dual-clutch gearbox, which sends power to a fortified ATTESA E-TS all-wheel-drive system. Making an easy 800 hp in full attack mode, Nissan's new dial-an-engine feature will allow for deactivation of two cylinders, effectively turning this gas gulper into a more socially responsible 2.7-liter V4. Godzilla will always be cool, but it's nothing compared to life in XS.

It's the car Infiniti president Johan de Nysschen will build if he has the guts.

 

Mazda MX-5 Miata Coupe

The 2013 Mazda MX-5 Miata (or just "MX-5" to the guy trying to distance himself from the stigma) is one of the best cars ever built for the driving enthusiast. But it's never been the focused driving machine it should be. It lacks two crucial components: structural rigidity and power.

The solution is obvious. Not only are fixed roofs "manlier," they also serve to improve handling, make bodies more aerodynamic, and in most cases, improve cargo space. And considering we live in an age where Kia Optimas are pumping out 274 horses, there's no excuse for this Miata coupe to make less than 200 hp. Under its hood sits a proven 263-hp 2.3-liter four-cylinder from the 2013 Mazdaspeed 3. This coupe transforms the current MX-5 from cute and fun to purposeful and capable. It should have been built 15 years ago.

Don't pretend otherwise, Mazda.

 

Mitsubishi Outlander Evolution

The Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution XI is a long way out at best, and that's if natural selection doesn't catch up with it first. We can only handle uncertainty for so long, which is why the Mitsubishi Outlander Evolution must happen now.

Starting with the 2013 Outlander shell, Mitsubishi Ralliart U.K. will provide its FQ-400 version of the 2.0-liter 4B11 engine (which includes a new ECU, fuel injectors, turbocharger, intercooler and exhaust system) to push output to 403 hp and 387 lb-ft of torque. Mitsubishi's six-speed dual-clutch gearbox will handle shift duties, while the Super All-Wheel Control system manages torque distribution across front, rear and center differentials. If it wasn't obvious already, this thing was built for the dunes of Dakar, which means it's easily over-engineered for any actual road you might visit.

If Ford can make a success of the SVT Raptor, there's room in the world for this badass Outlander.

 

Nissan Versa V6

Popularity isn't always desirable, especially if it's earned by being the cheapest mass-produced subcompact available in North America. With that in mind, Nissan's Versa makes the perfect charity case for developing a lust-worthy car of our dreams. Exploiting Nissan's alliance with Renault, the Versa will channel the original Renault R5 Turbo and Clio V6, evolving into a spectacular two-seat, midengine, rear-drive homage to homologation.

Fenders stretch and flare over huge 285-millimeter rear tires driven through a six-speed paddle-shift sequential gearbox, sourced from Renault's Alpine A110-50. The engine (a derivation of Nissan's naturally aspirated VQ35 V6) generates 400 French-tuned hp and 311 lb-ft of torque from air drawn through its ducted fender flares. Launch control and effortless sub-4.0-second 0-60-mph times are expected, but a new Pendulum Turn Mode feature will combine torque vectoring and the company's SynchroRev match technology for hairpin-destroying speed.

Nissan, this is your ticket back to being cool. Think about it.

 

Porsche Cayman GT3 RS

If Cinderella were a car, her name would be Cayman. Cayman isn't tasked with scrubbing floors and toilets around Stuttgart and forbidden to attend royal balls, but she is destined to forever live in the cold shadow of her elder sibling: 911 Carrera. Frankly, we're tired of Porsche pretending to throw us a bone with an inferior (yet still pretty good) substitute that is the Cayman R. We demand an uncompromised effort, the sum of Porsche's greatest parts, which would culminate in the Cayman GT3 RS.

A direct-injected 475-hp, 3.8-liter flat-6 fitted with forged pistons and titanium connecting rods is centrally mounted and paired with the latest-generation seven-speed PDK. Its carbon-skinned aluminum unibody weighs no more than 2,800 pounds. All the usual high-tech goodies like dynamic engine mounts and Porsche torque vectoring are included, as are forged aluminum center-lock wheels wrapped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup rubber. The 911's track record speaks for itself, but it's standing in the way of a more proficient platform starving for power.

Porsche, we dare you to prove us wrong.

 

Tesla Model R

With its Lotus-based Roadster a distant memory, Tesla Model S family sedan production in full swing and a new gullwing Model X SUV on the horizon, Elon Musk and the Tesla team are due for a dedicated all-electric performance car. The Model R coupe trades passenger seats for a more useful cargo, something Musk himself claims is the future of electric mobility.

Its stressed battery-casing substructure grows slightly to accommodate additional lithium-ion cells, totaling 100 kilowatt-hours, but that energy feeds two competition-spec supercapacitor modules. These supercapacitors, seen in use on Toyota's TS030 Le Mans Prototype, are designed for the perpetual dumping and scavenging of enormous amounts of power on command, in an instant. This means that your maniacal driving tendencies won't be as wasteful. With a Model S Performance motor mounted on each axle, the all-wheel-drive Model R produces a synergistic total of 832 hp and can send an asphalt-rippling 886 lb-ft of torque to the ground.

Musk has already proven he's not a wuss. The Model R can only reinforce the notion. ( Edmunds.com )

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When Non-Driving Factors Affect Auto Insurance Premiums

When Non-Driving Factors Affect Auto Insurance Premiums - Automobile insurers may use factors unrelated to driving, like education and occupation, in determining rates.

Now, a consumer group is urging state insurance commissioners to restrict insurers' ability to use those factors, arguing that the result has been unfairly high rates for lower-income drivers. Stephen Brobeck, executive director of the Consumer Federation of America, said in a call this week with reporters that premiums should mainly reflect factors like accidents, speeding tickets and miles driven.

The federation analyzed auto insurance premiums quoted on the Web sites of the five largest insurers (State Farm, Allstate, Geico, Progressive and Farmer's) to price minimum liability coverage in five cities. Using an example of coverage for a 35-year-old woman with a good driving record, the study obtained quotes while varying characteristics like marital status, education level, occupation, home ownership and gaps in insurance coverage. Her driving record was the same in all instances.

The group found that in most cases, annual premiums were much lower if the woman was a married homeowner with a college degree, a professional job and continuous insurance coverage. In four of the examples, the premiums fell by at least 68 percent.

Premiums tended to be high if the woman was single, rented in a moderate-income area, had a high school degree, worked as a bank teller or clerical worker and had a gap in insurance coverage.

The analysis first obtained quotes for the "standard" example -- a 35-year-old single bank teller with a high school degree and good credit record who rents a house in a moderate-income Zip code. The hypothetical woman had driven 15 years with no accidents or moving violations, and sought the minimum required liability coverage on a 2002 Honda Civic. Then, the researchers changed the criteria to see what the impact was on the quoted premium.

For instance, the "standard" quote of $2,696 from Progressive, for coverage in Baltimore, fell to $2,212 when the woman's status was changed from single to married. And when all the criteria were changed to more a "favorable" status, the quote dropped to $718.

J. Robert Hunter, insurance director at the consumer federation, said a difference of nearly $2,000 based on non-driving factors is "patently unfair" and "actuarially unsound."

Jeff Sibel, a spokesman for Progressive, said the insurer "works to price each driver's policy as accurately as possible, so that every driver pays the appropriate amount based on his or her risk of having an accident." He added: "To do this, we use many different rating factors, which sometimes include non-driving factors, that have been proven to be predictive of a person's likelihood of being involved in a crash. Because different insurers use different information, which can cause rates to vary widely, we encourage consumers to shop around to find the combination of price and service that's best for them."

Alex Hageli, director of personal lines for the Property Casualty Insurers Association of America, disputed the federation's position in an e-mail, saying that data have shown "consumers' age, marital status, place of residence and occupation to be among the best predictors of future loss." When such factors are "blended together" with criteria like driving experience, previous claims and vehicle age, he said, "these factors help to ensure that low-risk consumers can be better identified and pay less for insurance. In the final analysis, consumers benefit when insurance underwriting and rating decisions are based on a wide variety of fair and objective factors."

Loretta Worters, spokeswoman for the Insurance Information Institute, an industry group, said in an e-mail, "What's missing from the C.F.A.'s analysis is that every one of these factors that they attack is correlated, and highly correlated, with loss."

Mr. Hunter of the consumer federation said his concern with using factors like occupation and education is that such factors are "surrogates" for criteria that states aren't allowed to use in setting premiums, like income. At the very least, insurers should give less weight to non-driving factors in setting premiums, he said.

Los Angeles had the lowest quotes, he said, because California limits the use of non-driving factors in setting insurance rates. It is up to state insurance commissioners and legislatures to take action, he said, because auto insurance is regulated at the state level.

"We're not trying to say get rid of these entirely," he said. "We're saying, you have to look at the combined effect and study these factors more carefully."

Using non-driving factors drives up premiums, and forces many working families to drive without insurance, even though they risk paying fines or criminal charges for doing so. "Many low- and moderate-income citizens can't afford required insurance because insurers use unfair rating factors," he said. ( New York Times )

Do you think non-driving factors should be used to help determine insurance premiums?

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Six common tire myths debunked

Six common tire myths debunked - Tires are arguably the most important component on your vehicle. They are, however, among the least understood features. Allow me to list and pop a few common misconceptions about tires.

1. The tire-pressure monitoring system (TPMS) in my new car makes sure my tires are adequately inflated.

The truth: TPMS isn't required to issue a warning until pressure is 25 percent below the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation. That's "well below the pressure required for safe driving," according to AAA and "barely adequate to carry the vehicle's maximum load," says the Rubber Manufacturers' Association. TPMS is intended as a last-minute warning before imminent tire failure, not as a monitor to make sure your tires are properly inflated.

Buy a quality tire gauge and set your tire pressure to at least the vehicle manufacturer's recommendation, which is found on the driver's door jamb. I'd rather you set your tires 3 or even 5 psi high rather than 1 low. Tire-pressure gauges can be inaccurate, and tires leak as much as 1 psi per month. Higher pressure improves hydroplaning resistance and, if you're like many folks, you may not bother to check your tires again for six months.

2. When replacing only two tires, the new ones go on the front.

The truth: Rear tires provide stability, and without stability, steering or braking on a wet or even damp surface might cause a spin. If you have new tires up front, they will easily disperse water while the half-worn rears will go surfing: The water will literally lift the worn rear tires off the road. If you're in a slight corner or on a crowned road, the car will spin out so fast you won't be able to say, "Oh, fudge!"

There is no "even if" to this one. Whether you own a front-, rear- or all-wheel-drive car, truck, or SUV, the tires with the most tread go on the rear. Don't believe it? Watch this.

3. A tire is in danger of bursting if pressure exceeds the "max press" number on the sidewall.

The truth: The "max press" number has nothing to do with a tire's burst pressure. The "max press" and "max load" numbers indicate the pressure at which the tire will carry the maximum amount of weight. A new, quality tire will not pop at an even multiple of the "max press." I'm sworn to secrecy about the exact burst pressure, but I wouldn't hesitate to double the "max press" of any new passenger-vehicle tire on a new wheel. But hitting a big pothole at super-high pressures may cause a failure.

4. The "max press" is where the tire offers its maximum cornering grip.

The truth: If you didn't read the previous point, do so now. Many law enforcement officers cling rigidly to the misconception that the "max press" is secret code for maximum at-the-limit traction. It's a coincidence that many low-bidder tires offer increased grip at 40 or more psi. But that's all it is: a coincidence. If I were going to race a stock ex-cop Ford Crown Victoria on street tires on a road-racing circuit, 45 psi front, 35 psi rear wouldn't be a bad place to start. (The tail would be, in Nascar lingo, too loose for safe street driving.)

5. Low-profile tires fitted on large-diameter wheels improve handling.

The truth: The short sidewalls of low-profile tires enhance the tires' response when the driver first turns the steering wheel. That gives the driver the (often false) feeling the tire has tons of grip. But after that initial movement, it's the tread compound—the stickiness of the rubber—that determines how well the tire grips the road. Also, the combination of a large-diameter wheel and low-profile tire is usually heavier than the original equipment. This means the suspension may not be able to keep the tire in touch with the pavement.

6. All tires with the same designation are exactly the same size.

The truth: Think all 225/35R19s (or whatever tire size) are exactly 225 millimeters wide and their sidewalls are exactly 35 percent as tall as the tire is wide? Not exactly. And unlike what's commonly believe, these designations are not about production tolerances.

All the tires of a specific part number or stock keeping unit (SKU) can be can be slightly wider or narrower than the nominal width and their profile can be slightly taller or shorter than the stated percentage. Why? A wider, taller tire puts more rubber on the ground, which is good for a performance tire. A shorter, narrower tire uses less material, thus reducing costs in a business where profit margins almost never break into double digits. So tiremakers might scrimp a bit here and there. It's a bit like how a 2 x 4 is not, in fact, 2 by 4. ( Popular Mechanics )


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Stop Getting Ripped Off on Auto Insurance

Stop Getting Ripped Off on Auto Insurance - Now is the perfect time to give your auto insurance a tune-up. Here are ten tips on how you can do it.

Do you feel like you're spending more on auto insurance than you need to? Want 2012 to be the year you put money back into your wallet?

Good news: You're likely already doing things that can help you save.

In fact, a 2011 trends survey by the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) found that 53 percent of Americans have made an economic-driven change that could impact the cost of their car insurance in the past year.

Read on for some additional tips on potential car insurance savings that can help you stay on budget this year...

Tip #1 - Shop Around

The Internet has redefined shopping. And that holds true with auto insurance. In fact, it's never been easier to shop for a lower rate.

But don't shop by price alone, advises Insurance Information Institute's (III) Vice President Loretta Worters. "Buying insurance is not just to protect you financially, it's also to provide peace of mind. So, it's important to pick a company that is financially stable," she says.

She suggests asking friends and relatives about their insurers, or contacting your state insurance department to find out whether they provide information on consumer complaints by company.

Here are other shopping suggestions from Worters:

• Get at least three quotes.
• Give the same information to all three companies; this ensures your comparison will be more accurate.
• Check the financial health of insurance companies with rating companies such as A.M. Best and Standard & Poor's.

Tip #2 - Don't Over-Insure

There's a word for paying for something you'll never use: frustrating. Unfortunately, many people over-insure with auto insurance, according to Worters.

For example, collision and/or comprehensive coverage, which protect your car in the event it's damaged, may not be necessary on an older car. Worters' general rule: if your car is worth less than 10 times the premium, buying the coverage may not be cost-effective.

Information from NAIC's website also suggests that if a car is worth less than $1,000, you should consider only carrying liability coverage, which protects from damage you do to others or to property. This is because you'll likely pay more in premiums than the insurance will payoff, if and when you file a claim.

Tip #3 - Pay a Higher Deductible

Ironically, raising your deductible, the amount you'll pay out-of-pocket in the case of a claim, could be a great savings opportunity.

How? According to an III article titled "How Can I Save Money on Auto Insurance?," increasing your deductible from $200 to $500 could reduce your collision and comprehensive coverage cost by 15 to 30 percent. If you raise your deductible to $1,000, your savings could climb to 40 percent or more.

If you decide to pursue this potential money-saving route, make sure you have the funds to cover the deductible in the case of an accident.

Tip #4 - Cash in on That Wedding

If you got married since you last renewed your policy, be sure to let your insurer know.

"Generally speaking, you can save money when you get married since married people file fewer claims than singles," says Worters. Therefore, married people are considered less of a risk than single people and can often qualify for lower premiums.

On the other end of the spectrum, if 2012 is a year of divorce instead of marriage, you still might be able to save if your ex had a bad driving record.

Tip #5 - Remove Children from Your Policy

Is your son or daughter going off to college this year? If so, you could save by labeling him or her as only an occasional driver on your policy. This means your child will only drive your car while home for vacation or holidays. And the savings could be significant.

Parents typically see a 50 percent increase in their insurance premiums if a child under 25 years old is listed on their policy, says Worters.

However, to qualify for a potentially lower premium, most insurers will require that the college your son or daughter attends is at least 100 miles from home, according to "Auto Insurance FAQ's" from NAIC's website.

Tip #6 - Drive Less

Driving less is trending. At least that's what the 2011 NAIC survey on economy-driven trends found. It states that almost 40 percent of consumers are diving less, instead choosing to carpool, walk, or take public transportation more often. If you're a part of that 40 percent, you could qualify for a low-mileage discount.

"You could save 10 to 20 percent, depending on factors like which state you live in," says Worters. So check your mileage. If it's 10,000 miles per year or less, you could be in for some good news about your premium, according to an III article, "What Determines the Price of my Policy."

Tip # 7 - Buy a Different Car

Are you thinking about buying a new car this year? Don't forget to check the insurance prices for the various makes and models you're considering. It could make a big difference.

Car insurance premiums are based in part on the car's price, the cost to repair it, its overall safety record, and the likelihood of theft, according to Worters. And if you thought only pimped-out luxury rides got targeted by thieves, think again.

The three most stolen cars in the U.S. for 2010 were the Honda Accord, Honda Civic, and Toyota Camry, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau's "Hot Wheels" report.

So, before you pick out your new ride for 2012, make sure to research the car's stats and determine whether or not the insurance premium is in your budget.

Tip # 8 - Move Out of the City

Like marriage, you likely won't be moving out of the city based on auto insurance rates. But if you have moved out of the city, or if changes in your work allow you to drive and park in less urban areas, make sure your insurer gets the good news. Because to them, that's exactly what it is.

In fact, insurers consider cities so much more of a risk because of traffic (increased accidents), theft, and vandalism, that the 10 highest places to insure a car in 2011 were all populous cities, according to III.

And because we know you're curious, here are the three costliest places in the U.S. to insure a car:*

• Detroit, Mich.- Average annual premium: $5,941
• Philadelphia, Pa.- Average annual premium: $4,076
• New Orleans, La. - Average annual premium: $3,599

Tip #9 - Use an Anti-Theft Device

Since stolen cars mean insurance payouts, there are some anti-theft devices that will garner you substantial savings.

For instance, says Worters, signing up for LoJack - which uses a hidden transmitter to let police track your car if and when it gets stolen - could net you a 15 to 20 percent discount.

Just make sure that whatever savings you get pays for the anti-theft device, if that's your primary purpose for using it. Of course, getting your stolen car back is kind of a nice thing, too.

Tip #10 - Take Advantage of Any and All Discounts

From being a good student to simply aging, there are a number of auto insurance discounts that you could potentially qualify for. But, don't expect your insurance carrier to automatically sign you up for discounts for which you qualify.

To get you started, here are a few common discounts:**

• Mature Driver - Many insurers lower rates by 10 to 20 percent for drivers over 50 or 55, according to Worters.
• Good Credit Score - Better credit usually equals a better rate, but not all states allow for credit-based insurance scores.
• Good Student Discount - Usually requires a B average for a full-time student.
• Passive Restraints - This is for seat belts that automatically buckle when you start the car.
• Driver Education Course - Completing a defensive driving course could qualify you for savings.
• Bundled Insurance - Get your auto and home or renters insurance with the same company.
• Pay in Full - Applies when you pay your entire premium in one payment rather than installments.

*Average insurance rates come from the Insurance Information Institute, as of August 2011, and are based on business driving for a 2012 Chevrolet Malibu LS. Assumes $100,000/$300,000/$50,000 liability limits, collision, and comprehensive with $500 deductibles, 100/300 uninsured motorist coverage, and any mandatory insurance coverage.

**All discounts not available from all insurers and amount varies with coverage and carrier. ( yahoo.com )

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The Porsche covered in crushed diamonds (but can it take you to the weekly shop at Waitrose?)

Talk about a pimped-up ride: The Porsche covered in crushed diamonds (but can it take you to the weekly shop at Waitrose?) - German Porsche-tuner Gemballa has created one of the most over-the-top cars in history - a car encrusted head to toe in diamonds.

But before every rapper in the world rushes for their AmEx, this is just a demo model - real, driveable versions would have to have compromises such as windshields you can actually see through.

‘When Gemballa peaks of diamonds, we really mean it’, explains CEO Andreas Schwarz. ‘Our complex process uses genuine diamonds as its key ingredient - not metal pigments, glass fragments, or crystals.’

A demo car showing off Gemballa's new diamond 'paint': The paint is made from diamonds ground down to a dust that still sparkles, so it can be applied to cars like a paint. The German company claims that the sheer number of tiny diamonds in the coating leads to an 'incomparable' shin

The paint is made from diamonds ground down to a dust that still sparkles, so it can be applied to cars like a paint. The German company claims that the sheer number of tiny diamonds in the coating leads to an 'incomparable' shine.

As yet, Gemballa has not released a price for the paint - or for the carbon-fibre supercars it intends to spray with it.

Gemballa makes tuned-up supercars based on Porsche and McLaren models.

'Apart from having the strongest light refraction properties of all the precious stones, which explains their seductive twinkle, diamonds are one of the hardest naturally occurring substances known to man,' says the company.

The requirement that the coating had to be applied like paint defined the dimensional limit of each individual gemstone.

'The challenge,' says a company spokeperson, 'was to grind the diamonds into a size small enough for their intended purpose, without losing their brilliance. Since a diamond reflects light according to the number of facets showing, this actually turned out to be an advantage.'

A Gemballa custom Porsche GTR: The company is famous for its rather over-the-top custom Porsches

'The greater the number of stones present in a given area, the greater the refractive surface, so the thousands of facets reflecting the light through the innovative process creates an incomparable shine.'

With a company philosophy that has always been focused on the ultimate and the best, this new diamond finish fits the Gemballa portfolio perfectly. And as diamonds are a form of carbon formed under extreme heat and pressure, they are the perfect finishing touch for the carbon-fibre bodywork of Gemballa's ultra-exclusive cars.' ( dailymail.co.uk )

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Flying car gets closer to reality with test flight

Flying car gets closer to reality with test flight - Flying cars aren't just science fiction anymore.

Woburn, Mass.-based Terrafugia Inc. said Monday that its prototype flying car has completed its first flight, bringing the company closer to its goal of selling the flying car within the next year. The vehicle — dubbed the Transition — has two seats, four wheels and wings that fold up so it can be driven like a car. Last month, it flew at 1,400 feet for eight minutes. Commercial jets fly at 35,000 feet.

Around 100 people have already put down a $10,000 deposit to get a Transition when they go on sale, and those numbers will likely rise after Terrafugia introduces the Transition to the public later this week at the New York Auto Show. But don't expect it to show up in too many driveways. It's expected to cost $279,000.

And it won't help if you're stuck in traffic. The car needs a runway.

The flying car has always had a special place in the American imagination. Inventors have been trying to make them since the 1930s, according to Robert Mann, an airline industry analyst who owns R.W. Mann & Co. in Port Washington, N.Y.

But Mann thinks Terrafugia has come closer than anyone to making the flying car a reality. The government has already granted the company's request to use special tires and glass that are lighter than normal automotive ones, to make it easier for the vehicle to fly. The government has also temporarily exempted the Transition from the requirement to equip vehicles with electronic stability control, which would add about six pounds to the vehicle. The Transition is currently going through a battery of automotive crash tests to make sure it meets federal safety standards.

Mann said Terrafugia was helped by the Federal Aviation Administration's decision five years ago to create a separate set of standards for light sport aircraft. The standards govern the size and speed of the plane and licensing requirements for pilots, which are less restrictive than requirements for pilots of larger planes. Terrafugia says an owner would need to pass a test and complete 20 hours of flying time to be able to fly the Transition, a relatively low hurdle for pilots.

The Transition can reach around 70 miles per hour on the road and 115 in the air, spokesman Steven Moscaritolo said. It flies using a 23-gallon tank of automotive fuel and burns 5 gallons per hour in the air. On the ground, it gets 35 miles per gallon.

Mann questions the size of the market for the Transition. The general aviation market has been in decline for two decades, he said, largely because of fuel costs and the high cost of liability for manufacturers. Also, fewer people are learning how to fly.

"This is not going to be an inexpensive aircraft to produce or market," he said. "It has some uniqueness, and will get some sales, but the question is, could it ever be a profitable enterprise?"

Mann sees the western U.S. as the most likely market, where people could fly instead of driving long distances.

Terrafugia has been working on flying cars since 2006, and has already pushed back the launch once. Last summer the company said it would have to delay expected 2011 deliveries due to design challenges and problems with parts suppliers.

With the appearance in New York, the company hopes to attract the eye of customers as well as investors.

"We are introducing ourselves as a viable company to the automotive world," Moscaritolo said. ( Associated Press )

READ MORE - Flying car gets closer to reality with test flight

Hacking Seen as Rising Risk With Car Electronics

Hacking Seen as Rising Risk With Car Electronics - Drivers can talk with each other via Bluetooth phone connections, ask their cars for directions and dial up satellite radio. The same cars use electronic components to signal the gas pedal to accelerate and control stability.

What increasingly worries scientists is that entertainment computers could be manipulated to tell the safety computers what to do.

“There clearly is a vulnerability,” said Adrian Lund, president of the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, based in Arlington, Va. “All these electronics we’re bringing into cars seem to exacerbate that.”

A National Academy of Sciences panel, including Lund, elevated the concerns in a report Jan. 18 reviewing U.S. regulators’ work in finding the cause of unintended acceleration in Toyota Motor Corp. vehicles.

While safety and entertainment systems are intended to be separate, “it is not evident that this separation has been adequately designed for cybersecurity concerns,” the academy wrote. It agreed with U.S. regulators who said they found no evidence the Toyota incidents were caused by faulty electronics.

Automotive engineers at a conference in Washington last week said they aren’t immediately concerned that a hacker will take over a car and drive it off a bridge. Instead, they said, they want to help automakers spot vulnerabilities while they’re hypothetical and ease fears of consumers who are already familiar with cyberattacks in other areas.

Listening In

Car thieves could exploit security weaknesses to remotely open and start a car, or a spy could listen to conversations inside a car, Stefan Savage, a University of California-San Diego computer science professor, said in a telephone interview. He co-authored a paper last year after discovering ways to hack into cars.

Any electronic system in a car from brakes to radios is a potential target for hackers, said Andre Weimerskirch, chief executive officer of Escrypt, a closely held security company in Ann Arbor, Michigan, with automotive clients. While the risk is hypothetical so far, automakers and regulators need to address it now, he said in telephone interview.

“Once you have access through the infotainment system, the question is could a hacker get access to the safety-critical components,” Weimerskirch said.

Weimerskirch spoke last week in Washington at the annual conference of SAE International, a group of automotive engineers whose members are helping draft an industry standard for car electronics.

Fast-Moving Technology

Savage and co-author Tadayoshi Kohno, from the University of Washington, found vulnerabilities in telematics systems, which make the connections between cars and mobile communications. They also successfully inserted an infected CD into a car’s compact-disc player and directed it to control safety systems. They aren’t aware of any real-world examples of car hacking.

“The issue for the industry and for the government is that you’re one really bad situation away from it becoming a thing that people think about,” Savage said. “Much better to try to address it early.”

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which regulates automotive safety, needs better expertise in vehicle electronics, the science panel’s report concluded after studying the agency’s response to the Toyota incidents.

“This technology is changing so fast that NHTSA needs to make sure they can keep up,” Lund said.

Standards, Research

NHTSA is researching auto cybersecurity, Lynda Tran, an agency spokeswoman, said in an e-mail.

“The agency recognizes there are potential vulnerabilities, especially those related to future connected vehicles, that need to be fully understood and addressed,” she said. “NHTSA has been conducting exploratory research and is now planning further efforts that would evaluate the vulnerabilities and possible counter-measures on an industrywide basis,” including more research and evaluation.

Both SAE and the United States Council for Automotive Research, whose members include General Motors Co. (GM 0.00%, news), Ford Motor Co. (F 0.00%, news) and Chrysler Group LLC, have groups working on engineering standards aimed at cybersecurity.

Unlike automotive standards that specify performance minimums, a security standard would have to specify what systems shouldn’t do, Savage said, such as not allowing a CD to send signals to the brakes. Improving electronic security in cars takes a combination of hardware, software and more personal expertise, he said.
Potential Sales

“The knowledge how to do it is known, but it’s not a market where you have off-the-shelf products,” Weimerskirch said.

The cost to automakers and their suppliers will depend on the model of car and level of desired protection, he said. It’s unlikely car companies will offer special security systems as an option because automakers wouldn’t want to imply that customers would need to buy something to protect their cars, Savage said.

“It sends the wrong message,” he said.

Coverity Inc., based in San Francisco, and Hewlett-Packard Co. (HPQ 0.00%, news)’s Fortify unit are among the companies that may gain sales to manufacturers, Weimerskirch said. Computer security companies such as McAfee Inc., a unit of Intel Corp. (INTC 0.00%, news), might also try to sell automotive-security products, he said. A spokesman for McAfee didn’t immediately respond to a phone call seeking comment.

Industry Has Time

Escrypt, which gets about 50 percent of its revenue from automotive work, hopes to profit as well, Weimerskirch said, declining to disclose which automakers employ the company.

The one comfort for automakers rushing to address cybersecurity concerns may be that it takes a great deal of effort to hack a car, Savage said. He worked with a team on his research for more than a year.

“The average person, they’re much more likely to get their car stolen in the traditional way and the average person is not concerned about somebody bugging their car,” he said. “That’s a big advantage that the industry has and it gives them time.” ( bloomberg.net )

READ MORE - Hacking Seen as Rising Risk With Car Electronics

Ten Car Insurance Myths

Ten Car Insurance Myths - Understanding all the legal mumbo-jumbo of an insurance policy is hard enough. So auto policy holders should know what's fact and what's fiction about what insurers look for when determining premium rates. Here are 10 auto insurance myths debunked.

1. The color of my car matters.

Red cars may be a hot ticket item, but they do not drive premium prices up as is widely believed. Car insurers are more interested in the make and model, year, body style, engine size and, in some areas, location (street parking versus driveway/garage-kept vehicles, for instance). What does count, however, is drivers' behavior. Moving violations, like speeding or reckless driving that result in "points", certainly affect the cost of premiums no matter what color the vehicle happens to be. You may care what color your car is, but insurance companies don't.

2. My old car won't be a target for theft.

Wrong. According to a National Insurance Crime Bureau report, car thieves preferred older models because they are easier to steal. In fact, a 2007 bureau report that listed the most stolen vehicles included a 1995 Honda Civic, a 1991 Honda Accord and a 1989 Toyota Camry.

The insurance bureau's report also suggests that thieves' preference varies from state to state. Crooks in Texas grab trucks, while thieves in California prefer Hondas, Toyotas and other imported models.

3. I'm covered if my car is stolen, vandalized or damaged by hail, wind, fire or flood.

Comprehensive and collision coverage are optional when purchasing an insurance policy. So it's not an "automatic" if a tree limb smashes your windshield or vandals spray-paint graffiti on your door. Comprehensive and collision riders are usually required if you're leasing or financing your vehicle; but once the car is yours, you must request this additional coverage.

4. Credit scores don't affect insurance rates.

Most car insurers take a lot of factors into consideration when determining your premium rates. Since your credit score is an indication of how well you manage your financial affairs, many companies look at this number if you want to purchase, renew or change an insurance policy. (Credit is one factor that may affect your rate.)

5. My insurance company can cancel my policy at any time.

Unless you give them an adequate reason to do so, car insurers can't arbitrarily cancel a policy in the middle of a term. Grounds for cancellation may include fraud or non-payment of premiums.

6. My friend borrowed my car, so he's responsible if there's an accident.

Car insurance companies follow the car, not the driver. So you are ultimately responsible for an accident and any damages that occur.

7. Personal property inside my car is covered.

Sorry. If your expensive golf clubs get ruined when your car is rear-ended, you're out of luck. Likewise, if expensive items like a laptop or fur coat are damaged or stolen from your car in the course of an incident, you may file a claim through your homeowner's (or tenant's) policy but not through your car insurance.

8. I'm automatically covered for a rental car.

If your car is stolen or damaged, rental car reimbursement is not automatically included in your policy. But it is one of those very affordable additions. According to the Insurance Information Institute, rental reimbursement coverage is available for $1 to $2 a month with most insurers.

But take heed: Even with this additional coverage, there may be limits on how many days you can rent a car, or how much is allowed per day toward rental costs (including a maximum cap).

Speaking of rentals, don't assume your coverage will be sufficient if you're using a credit card for the transaction. Each credit company has its own policy inclusions and exclusions. So check the fine print first, or you may get stuck with a hefty bill.

9. Drivers of sports cars pay more insurance because of more tickets.

This may be true if you're also a high-risk driver (younger than 25) or have a checkered driving history with multiple moving violations. But according to a study published in 2009 by Quality Planning, drivers of the Hummer H2/H3 led the pack with the most violations and, more than likely, higher premium rates. Others on the list included drivers of the Scion xB multipurpose wagon and the Subaru Outback station wagon — definitely not hot sports cars.

10. Having no-fault insurance means it's not my fault.

No-fault insurance varies from state to state. But in a nutshell, it means you and the other party will be covered for immediate expenses, such as medical attention or lost wages, while the insurance companies arm-wrestle about who will pay for the accident itself.

But you may still be liable for repairs and other damages if the insurance companies ultimately determine the accident was your fault.

The Bottom Line

It may take a little reading of the fine print and asking questions of your agent, but you can save yourself a lot of headaches and pain in your wallet if you understand fact from fiction about your auto insurance policy. ( Investopedia)

READ MORE - Ten Car Insurance Myths

Do you need rental car insurance?

Do you need rental car insurance? - Many people think they have adequate insurance coverage when driving a rental car, either through their personal car insurance policy or via extended coverage on a credit card. In many cases, that's not true.

Without adequate coverage, you could be held responsible for all or some of the expenses associated with an accident -- even if the accident is deemed not your fault or is the result of a defect associated with the car. And the possibility of driving an unrepaired rental car that's been recalled is substantial. A recent report by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said that 30 percent of recalled cars in the U.S. aren't repaired, since there is no law requiring recalled cars to be repaired.

Determining if you have adequate rental car insurance coverage is not as simple as confirming you have rental car coverage on your personal car insurance policy. This coverage can vary widely by state and insurer. For example, drivers who have some rental car coverage on their personal car insurance policy may find that it only covers rentals when your car is in the shop -- but not if you rent a car for travel. Other policies may not provide enough coverage due to policy limits. For instance, in the event of a total loss you may be limited to the value of your personal car, which may not be enough if the car you are renting is worth more.

Many credit card companies offer the "perk" of added rental car insurance when the cars are rented using that specific credit card. However, the most common perk is the reimbursement of your deductible, which is usually only reimbursed after your insurance company settles the claim.

If your credit card company provides rental car coverage beyond reimbursing the deductible, make sure you read the fine print carefully. Some cards require you to pay the bills first and will reimburse you later. Some limit or don't cover cars that are rented for an extended period of time, and some credit cards won't cover certain types of cars that are rented.

Even if you do have adequate coverage, you will still be responsible for your deductible, if applicable, and your coverage will be limited to the coverage and amounts you have purchased. If this coverage is not enough, you will be held liable for the remainder by the rental car company and potentially by any injured parties.

If you learn that you are not adequately covered when renting a car, you can purchase additional coverage from the rental car company. Most rental car companies offer a wide variety of coverage, ranging from those to cover the deductible on your personal auto insurance policy to extensive coverage that would protect you, your passengers, the rental car, your belongings and the other people and cars involved. Ask about these optional products and be sure to read all the documentation to understand the coverage you are purchasing before you sign the rental agreement. ( bankrate.com )

READ MORE - Do you need rental car insurance?

World's only remaining 'Ghost Car' headed for auction... incredible images of the Plexiglas Pontiac expected to fetch almost $500,000

World's only remaining 'Ghost Car' headed for auction... incredible images of the Plexiglas Pontiac expected to fetch almost $500,000 - An extraordinary transparent car is set to fetch as much as $475,000 when it goes up for auction.

The motor, dubbed the 'Ghost Car', is a Pontiac Deluxe Six which, bizarrely, has been covered in the see-through material Plexiglas.

Built in 1939 by General Motors and chemical company Rohm and Haas at a cost of $25,000, it was the first transparent full-sized car to be made in America.

One of a kind: The 1939 motor is a Pontiac Deluxe Six which has been covered in Plexiglas, developed just a few years earlier in 1933

Innovative: General Motors and chemical company Rohm and Haas built the vehicle for $25,000 - an astronomical price during the 1930s

A BRIEF HISTORY ON THE PIONEERING PLEXIGLAS PONTIAC

• The collaboration between GM and Rohm & Haas was made for the 1930-1940 World's Fair in San Francisco
• At a cost of $25,000, it was the first transparent full-sized car to be made in America
• Two Ghost Cars were made but the 1939-1940 Pontiac Deluxe Six is the only won known to survive
• It toured the nation's dealerships and went on display at the Smithsonian until 1947, and was subsequently owned by a series of Pennsylvania Pontiac dealers
• This model has a three-speed transmission, a six-cylinder engine, coil spring independent front suspension, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes

Billed as a vision of the future, it was made for the 1939-40 New York World's Fair, where it became a sensation at General Motors' 'Highways and Horizons' pavilion; and it continues to cause a stir today.

Just two were ever made and this model, which has a three-speed manual transmission, and is thought to be the last of its kind.

It has clocked up just 86 miles in its lifetime; and now its set to go on sale for the first time since the early 1980s. It last sold for an undisclosed amount.

American auctioneers RM expect it to sell for between $275,000 and $475,000 when it goes under the hammer on July 30.

A spokesman for RM Auctions said: 'The car is in a remarkable state of preservation.

'It's a testament to the longevity of Plexiglas in an era when automotive plastics tended to self-destruct within a few years.

'Although it has acquired a few chips and cracks, it is structurally sound and cosmetically clear, showing off the Ghost Car's innards as it did in 1939.

'This motor still turns heads as much as it ever did. It is not, obviously, suited for touring but as a unique artefact from automotive and cultural history.'

Ready for the road: A Pontiac Deluxe Six as it would have appeared in car showrooms in the late 1930s

Seventy-two years of wear: The Plexiglas does have some chips and cracks but is mostly in good condition, according to auction notes

The car has was the result of a collaboration between General Motors and Rohm & Haas, who developed the ground-breaking material Plexiglas in 1933.

The material went on to be used in military planes during World War II and then expanded in to signs, lighting, fixtures, trains and other cars.

Rohm & Haas used drawings for the Pontiac four-door Touring Sedan to create an exact replica body out of the transparent acrylic.

It was completed with structural metal underneath, which was given a copper wash, and chrome-plated hardware.

Rubber moldings were made in white, as were the car’s tires. The only recent mechanical work has been replacement of the fuel lines.

The model also boasts an L-head six-cylinder engine, coil spring independent front suspension, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes.

According to the GM Heritage Center, a second car, on a Torpedo Eight chassis, was hurriedly constructed for the 1940 Golden Gate Exposition on Treasure Island, a man-made island in San Francisco Bay.

Not for touring: The collectible is unlikely to be seen on the road

Transparent: Wires and a spare wheel can be seen through the trunk of the car

Once their respective showcases had closed, both 'Plexiglas Pontiacs,' or 'Ghost Cars' as they were sometimes known, toured the nation’s dealerships. The 1939-40 Deluxe Six is the only one known to survive.

Following the dealership tour, it went on display at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. and was reportedly there until 1947.

It was later owned by a succession of Pennsylvania Pontiac dealers. It appeared at the first annual meet of the new Pontiac-Oakland Club International in 1973 and was purchased by Don Barlup of New Cumberland, Pennsylvania. Barlup commissioned a partial restoration from S&H Pontiac of Harrisburg and sold it to collector Leo Gephart in 1979.

The current owner’s father purchased it from Gephart in the early 1980s, and it has remained in the same family ever since.

Not surprisingly, it has no conventional vehicle identification number; even the machined boss for the engine number is blank.

A collection of period photos and other memorabilia accompanies the car, which still turns heads as much as it ever did.

Mechanics: The model has an L-head six-cylinder engine, coil spring independent front suspension, live rear axle with semi-elliptic leaf springs, and four-wheel hydraulic drum brakes

Turning back the clock: The dial on the 1939 car shows the wear of its 72 years

At the wheel: The steering wheel features rings of chrome-plated hardware, and Pontiac's insignia in red

Artefact: The car has clocked up just 86 miles in its lifetime; and will to go on sale for the first time since the early 1980s

Sensation: Billed as a vision of the future, the car was made for the 1939-40 New York World's Fair in San Francisco, pictured here

Vintage: The Transparent Car, on display at General Motors' 'Highways and Horizons' pavilion in 1939, has continued to cause a stir since its debut ( dailymail.co.uk )

READ MORE - World's only remaining 'Ghost Car' headed for auction... incredible images of the Plexiglas Pontiac expected to fetch almost $500,000