MotorYP

The BMW i8 Concept is the next step in the evolution of BMW’s vision; Efficient Dynamics Concept, the most progressive and innovative sports car of its time. Its innovative plug-in hybrid concept combines the modified electric drive system from the BMW i3 Concept, fitted over its front axle with a high-performance three-cylinder combustion engine, producing 164 kW/220 hp and 300 Nm (221 lb-ft) at the rear. Working in tandem, they allow the two drive systems to display their respective talents to the full, delivering the performance of a sports car but the fuel consumption of a small car.

Acceleration of 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) in under five seconds combined with fuel consumption in the European cycle of under three litres per 100 kilometres (approx. 94 mpg imp) are figures currently beyond the capability of any vehicle powered by a combustion engine of comparable performance. Thanks to the eDrive technology with its large lithium-ion battery, which can be charged from a domestic power supply, the BMW i8 Concept can travel approximately 20 miles on electric power alone. And with the 2+2-seater, it offers enough space for four people, giving it a high level of everyday practicality.

The LifeDrive architecture of the BMW i8 Concept has been carefully adapted to enhance the vehicle’s sports car character, and to deliver unbeatable performance and excellent driving dynamics. The motor in the front axle module and combustion engine at the rear are connected by an “energy tunnel”, which houses the high-voltage battery. This gives the car a low centre of gravity  and the dynamic benefits that come with it. With the electric motor and engine over their respective axles, the space-saving and well-balanced packaging of all components, result in an optimum 50/50 weight distribution.

Perhaps you treated yourself to a luxury car over the festive period or you bought one for a spouse or loved one. If you’ve spent a lot of money on a vehicle you will definitely want to make sure you get the right insurance protection. Shopping around on comparison sites such as MoneySupermarket.com is a great way to learn all about the best options. Value, power and performance are key influencers when you are choosing a car and these are also the factors that insurers will examine to give you a quote. Cars are banded in groups between 1 and 50, where the latter is the most expensive for high-end performance models. Cost is probably not your primary concern if you own a luxury car but rather you will want to make sure the cover is comprehensive as there is a greater risk of for example theft.

If you do want to reduce the amount you are paying for insurance, still ensuring the maximum protection for your car, there are a number of ways that this can be achieved. Reduce the mileage that you cover and set a limit with your insurer – in their eyes this will reduce the chances of you having an accident. Driving in a sensible and safe manner is always recommended, this will build up your no-claims discount so that you can gain more competitive quotes from the off. You should also make sure that you park in secure places and if you have a garage, always keep your car safely inside it when you are not out on the road. 

Whether you own a beautiful Aston Martin, BMW, or a Jaguar to take on those country drives and show off to your friends, make sure you get the insurance cover you need.

Like with any accident involved with a vehicle, whether it be a car or something else, the affects of a motorbike accident can be devastating. However, there is an even greater risk to drivers of motorbikes than there is to those travelling in any other vehicle because the driver of a motorbike is not protected from the hard surface of the road or from other vehicles. Quite clearly a car driver or a passenger in any other vehicle is likely to be protected from damage because they have the metal body of the vehicle to protect them. This is not the case for motorbike riders, so extra precautions should always be taken, especially towards the upper part of the body and the head.

In the case of an accident, the head injuries for the bike rider could be serious, and the best way to avoid this is to make sure that you are always wearing a secure and well fitting helmet. There are now laws on wearing helmets when riding motorbikes, in order to protect the safety of the rider and any passengers. Wearing a helmet is important because it drastically reduces the chance of head injury in the event of a collision. There can also be damage to the spine, back and neck if a helmet is not worn.

The affects of a hit to the head in an accident can include brain damage, memory loss and in the worst cases even death. Remembering how vulnerable bike riders are is the first step, and another very important thing is to remember that bikes cannot always be seen by other drivers when they are on the road. The risk is particularly high at junctions and when there are cars parked at the side of the road, because this means it will be much more difficult for car drivers to see bikes when they are approaching them.

If you have been caught in an accident and you have received negligent medical assistance and you want to talk to medical negligence lawyers, then visit www.irwinmitchell.com where you can find lots of information to help you get justice.

In today’s tough economy, the difference between the luxury car industry and the non-luxury one has grown increasingly noticeable. In the non-luxury world, new car sales have dropped and the cost of cheaper used vehicles has risen along with demand. The average car age has risen to 11 years, according to R.L. Polk & Co., a statistic that only further highlights the average person’s financial aversion towards getting a new car.

Trends have remained much more consistent in the luxury market, where the economic downturn has had a minimal impact on sales. For those who are less constrained by financials and who don’t have to worry as much about insurance quotes and maintenance costs, the luxury market remains as appealing as ever. In fact, most high-end dealerships report that business this winter has risen in the range of 5 to 10 percent over last year. While many wealthier Americans have certainly been hit hard by the recession, analysts speculate that people are highly unwilling to downgrade cars once they have experienced a luxury model. Attractive leasing values for high-end cars – due to, in large part, their strong resale values in a vibrant used car market – has further allowed luxury aficionados to drive the vehicle they want without having to make a long term commitment.

For the most part, strong luxury sales do not trickle down into the general market. This holiday season would appear to be an exception, however. During this time of year, luxury dealers offer clearance sales, attractive financing options, and a deluge of television commercials intended to draw wealthier buyers into the store. The rise in holiday sales in recent years has shown this approach to be an effective one.

This winter, non-luxury models have begun to follow this lead. Several manufacturers, most notably Honda, have aired commercials directly criticizing those who overspend on a luxury car for Christmas. These commercials still help repackage a year-end clearance into a holiday season sale. Dealerships, meanwhile, have begun offering those same financing incentives. With car sales surprisingly strong this winter, and with analysts estimating that luxury car shoppers have been increasingly drawn to cheaper models, even the non-luxury industry has shown strong signs of improvement this winter.

With the holiday market driven largely by the sale of high-end models, they may have their luxury counterparts to thank.

Designed to be the most luxurious and fuel-efficient Chrysler flagship sedan ever, the 2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Series combines ultra-premium leather, once limited to some of the most exotic Italian luxury cars with world-class refinement and handling, state-of-the-art safety and connectivity features and eight speed automatic transmission with Pentastar V-6 engine for 31 best-in-class highway mpg.

“The new 2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Edition is more than just our flagship car, it’s the trophy for the tireless majority, an automobile designed and built to meet the most discerning of expectations,” said Saad Chehab, President and CEO – Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “It’s fitted with a paddle shifting eight-speed transmission found only on cars twice its cost, dressed with the highest grade Italian Poltrona Frau leather and finished with hand sanded real wood found only in exotic cars, all to deliver a surprising combination of hyper craftsmanship, style, technology and ‘uber’ best-in-class fuel economy at 31 mpg.”

The new 2012 Chrysler 300 Luxury Series expands the Chrysler flagship sedan lineup further with a fuel-efficient V-6 engine option, in addition to the top-of-the-range Chrysler 300C Luxury Series sedan with its powerful 363 horsepower 5.7-liter HEMI V-8 engine with Fuel Saver Technology.

World-class luxury with expressive styling details
The all-new Chrysler 300 and 300C Luxury Series are the most highly appointed sedans the brand has ever offered.

Exclusive interior features found on the Chrysler 300 and 300C Luxury Series sedans include either Black or Mochachino Poltrona Frau “Foligno” leather-wrapped instrument panel, cluster brow, center console side panels and upper front and rear door panels. Premium Nappa leather covers the door armrest, bolster and center console armrest. Black or two-tone Mochachino seats are wrapped exclusively in supple Nappa leather and include 12-way power-adjustable driver and front-passenger seats (including four-way power lumbar) with two-mode ventilation and two-mode heated seats for both front and rear passengers. Black or two-tone Mochachino leather wrapped steering wheel, with all-new die-cast paddle shifters, features a unique chrome accent ring to highlight the segment exclusive 360 degree heated rim. Completing the interior environment is specially selected Natural Pore Mocha wood trim featuring a matte finish to enhance the beauty of the real wood.

On the exterior, large 20-inch polished face (rear-wheel drive (RWD) only, 19-inch with all wheel drive (AWD) and painted pocket aluminum wheels, provide the 2012 Chrysler 300 and 300C Luxury Series sedans with an even more planted and road holding look. Platinum chrome fascia accents, exterior mirror caps and door handle accents provide an even more upscale look. Topping off the unique exterior is a platinum chrome finished grille surround with platinum chrome mesh grille for a truly distinctive appearance.

Premium amenities include the segment’s largest touchscreen infotainment system (8.4-inch) Uconnect Touch 8.4N with Garmin navigation, SiriusXM Traffic and SiriusXM Travel Link, LED-illuminated instrument cluster with driver-selectable color EVIC, power tilt and telescoping steering column with memory, power-adjustable pedals with memory, power backlight sunshade, premium 18-ounce Berber floor mats satin chrome lower door sills with “Chrysler” logo, dual heated/cooled cup holders, ambient lit foot well lighting, LED illuminated interior door handles and front and rear map pockets, premium carpeted trunk mat, HomeLink universal transceiver and power exterior mirrors with memory, driver mirror auto-dimming and auto-tilt in Reverse.

Available in RWD or with the segment’s most advanced AWD system, the 2012 Chrysler 300 and 300C Luxury Series models arrive at Chrysler dealerships in the first-quarter of 2012.

The Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (including $825 destination) of these Chrysler 300 models is:

• Chrysler 300 Luxury Series (RWD) $40,145
• Chrysler 300 Luxury Series (AWD) $42,495
• Chrysler 300C Luxury Series (RWD) $42,895
• Chrysler 300C Luxury Series (AWD) $45,245

Jaguar North America invites Houston area car enthusiasts to the “Jaguar Drive Experience” , a complimentary two hour performance driving event, with the latest Jaguar cars. This event will take place at the Sam Houston Race Park from December 8 through 11. Professional racing
drivers and performance driving instructors will introduce attendees to advanced driving techniques, before putting this knowledge into practice behind the wheel. This is a rare opportunity to have a first class drive experience behind the wheel of the 2012 Jaguar XJ, the all-aluminum sports sedan flagship from Jaguar.

During your two-hour driving session, guests will experience an autocross and dynamic driving course which showcases the performance of a modern rear-wheel drive vehicle equipped with Electronic Stability Control.

• A slalom handling course to experience grip, weight transfer, and stability at the limit of cornering adhesion.
• A skidpad to demonstrate at the maximum lateral G handling
• An accident avoidance course to show the responsiveness of the chassis under high speed transitions
• The acceleration/braking course to highlight the power of the Jaguar V8 engine, and the extraordinary stopping ability of the braking system
• A multi-surface driving demonstration course to showcase the exceptional ride quality and comfort
• A street drive in the all-aluminum Jaguar flagship the 2012 Jaguar XJ

About Jaguar

Jaguar Cars Limited is a premier manufacturer of luxury sedans and sports cars offering unparalleled design with tremendous performance. The company’s vision throughout its storied history has been simple: To produce beautiful, fast cars that are desired the world over. Jaguar strives to provide a world class ownership experience to every owner. Today’s Jaguar lineup consists of the XJ luxury sedan, XF sports
sedan and the coupe and convertible sports cars. Jaguar designs, engineers and manufactures exclusively in the United Kingdom, at the Castle Bromwich manufacturing plant in the British Midlands. Jaguar is fully engaged with sustainability initiatives and social concerns with continuous involvement in environmental and community programs.

The global economic turmoil of recent years has not left motor traders untouched. Staveley Head’s specialist insurance policies for motor traders are one way to cut costs, but reducing the business management budget must still be a priority for all traders. While the US market saw some recovery in September, sales of new cars in the UK were below that of the same month in 2010 yet again, making September the 13th month in which car sales fell. Overall, the UK car market for 2011 will likely record a 5% drop on 2010. While previous predictions had hopefully put 2012′s sales at a rise of 5% The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders now believes that 2012′s sales will simply flat line.

This gloomy outlook for motor traders need not mean that all is lost; sales have new cars have halted totally and it means that traders must now be mindful of their expenses and overheads. One of the largest costs associated with motor trading is sourcing proper insurance – a cost which can be lessened through reduction of premiums. There are three ways in which this can bedone.

Perhaps the soundest advice for motor traders is to seek the opinion of a quality broker, like Staveley. Specialists are likely to be aware of the many options available to the motor trade, and will be in a better position to advise on the measures that are likely to save businesses money.

Motor traders should also think about how many they plan to sell in a year. If it will be less than three, private motor insurance may save a considerable amount simply by insuring one car and then switching the vehicle covered, each time one is sold. On the other hand, a fleet policy may also be appropriate in cases of low vehicle turnover but higher volume sales. Traders could also consider working from home and taking out insurance which covers their drive, along with a road risks policy, which in some cases would be an acceptable and cheaper option for smaller operations.

A final consideration is the level of indemnity required. All traders should think carefully about the actual value of the vehicles they plan to sell, as savings can be made by taking out insurance for their lowest value. For example, if most of the cars sold are valued at £15,000, it would be sensible to avoid paying for a policy which covers cars valued at £30,000.