BMW Z4 SDrive 35is

·             Thinking back, we remember the 1^st generation BMW Z4 M—the first, and the last. Sadly, M GmbH's Munich offices have decided not to introduce the 2^nd generation Z4 M, which brings me to the all-new Z4 SDrive 35is, a tweaked version of the standard twin-turbo 35i. Can this new model match up to the remarkable Z4 M?

·             Design & Engineering:

Some may argue that there is almost no difference in looks, compared to the standard Z4 35i. Apparently, there are some ways. For instance, there is the standard M Sport aerodynamic kit that includes a front bumper with larger intakes, silver horizontal fins on either side, silver wing mirrors, 18in-sport alloy M wheels, as well as the distinguishable SDrive 35is badges on the front wings. Under the hood, we see the prominent 3-liter twin-turbo charged engine, boosted with an extra 34 horses, and 50Nm. Coincidentally, the same tweaked engine is seen in the latest M model—the 1 series M coupé.

·            Interior

Opening the firm German build door, one immediately notices the M-badge doorsill, the words SDrive 35is splashed across the speedometer, and the obvious M logo on the assuring steering wheel. As with its predecessor, the tweaked Z4 features a muted, but driver-orientated interior. The standard sport seats are comfortable and supportive, while the spacious cabin features an array of cubbyholes, along with enough space behind the two seats to throw in shopping bags, teddy bears, the sort. In addition, the two-piece hardtop features anthracite coloured headlining, while the rest of the interior consists of aluminum carbon trim, contrasting red and blue stitching, grey colored dials, iDrive, sat nav, etc. In short, you have a simple interior with lots of discrete perks. 

·            Ride & Handling

Lets start with some facts and figures. The Z4 S, will do 0-100km/h in a zippy 4.8 seconds, four tenths faster than its rival—the Porsche Boxster S. The electronically limited speed stands at 250km/h. Driving in the city, turbo lag is evident due to the extra oomph given to it, but is made up for when pushed hard on the highways. Sadly, the engine is not as creamy as other BMW’s, such as the 523i, Z4 2.3i, 730i, etc. An auto-manual +/- gearbox is offered, along with classic M trend paddle shifters, allowing faster gear changes and more ‘joy’. Adaptive M sport suspension lowers the height by 10mm, and comes with VDC for enhanced ride characteristics. Out on the open roads, there is a sportier feel to the entire ride, as everything feels even more balanced and stable. Then comes the catch—over potholes, bumps, humps, etc., the lower and firmer suspension provides a back wrecking feel.  To make up for it, steering is much more responsive and alive. Weigh the sides yourself.

·            Verdict

A beast-within-the-beauty luxury convertible. Sadly, it lacks the magic of a true, charismatic M vehicle. 

o   Personal advice: Either you go for the standard Z4 twin-turbo charged 35iDrive model, or a Porsche Boxster S. The Z4 SDrive 35is still needs some refinement before it can be dubbed the (substitute) 2^nd generation Z4 M. 

o   Picture from:

o    http://www.caranddriver.com/var/ezflow_site/storage/images/news/car/09q4/2011_bmw_z4_sdrive35is-official_photos_and_info/gallery/2011_bmw_z4_sdrive30i_with_m_sport_package_photo_26/3097780-1-eng-US/2011_bmw_z4_sdrive35is_10_2_cd_gallery.jpg

o    http://www.autogaul.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/12/2011-BMW-Z4-cockpit.jpg

o    http://www.roadandtrack.com/var/ezflow_site/storage_RT_NEW/storage/images/future-cars/first/2011-bmw-z4-sdrive35is/gallery/photo_14/1592761-1-eng-US/2011-bmw-z4-sdrive35is-014_gallery_image_large.jpg

o    http://autoworld.files.wordpress.com/2009/12/bmw-z4-sdrive35is-2011-img_1.jpg

Survival of the Fittest? —Chinese Automobiles

            In the recent years, the Chinese automobile industry has popped up with a certain number of brands. Some for instance, include: Rich, Cherry, BYD, Chang’an, Wuling, etc. What is the future of the Chinese automobile makers? The three most familiar brands, and most likely to survive brands are: Cherry, BYD (Build Your Dreams), and Wuling. Why do I predict that in the long run, these three brands will be the pack leaders among their peers? I do so for a number of good reasons.

Let’s start with Cherry. Cherry has already been exporting their most economical, the Cherry QQ to a number of countries, such as: Singapore, Iran, the Philippines, South Africa, Thailand, and Vietnam, along with Sri Lanka. Surprisingly, the available engines for the QQ are both Euro III compliant, although suffer dramatically in the safety field. The QQ is the cheapest car in Singapore, South Africa, Vietnam, and Sri Lanka, along with the Philippines. In the Philippines, the QQ has already become Coca-Cola’s company car, replacing the previous Hyundai Getz. Due to a need of Cherry’s, this Chinese car company is most likely to survive in the long run.

BYD. They make sedans, cars, station wagons, and electric vehicles. Although BYD cars are not exported to as many countries as Cherry, their electric vehicle seems to be catching a certain investor’s eyes—Warren Buffet. He purchased $232 million stake in China’s BYD Co. The Chinese company has risen from the shadows, and is the world’s largest producer of rechargeable batteries for cellular handsets, such as Nokia Corporation. With an expanding line of green automotive technologies, including lithium-ion batteries, a line of hybrid, all-electric vehicles, and now Buffet as a major shareholder, this is why I believe that BYD is also another company most likely to survive.

Wuling. Originally an independent company, it is now a joint venture between General Motors, Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation, and Wuling Automobile Company Limited. Wuling specializes in small vans, targeted at the farming industry. The van is popular amongst farmers and small businesses in China, as the van incorporates 800cc engines, which provides fuel efficiency, multiple seats, and American supervision. With increasing record sales of more than 1 million vehicles in the past few years, Wuling is also one of the most probable companies to carry on strong.

Even with Chinese car automakers beginning to emerge from the shadows, nevertheless with time, only the fittest amongst themselves shall survive… 

How To Replace a Car Battery

As you trundle along towards your car, you reach for the remote, hit the unlock button and…?! Somehow, you don’t seem to be able to unlock your car! By the time you manage to get in, by using the old-school key, you realize that you cannot start your car. This most probably means that your car battery has gone flat. As that happened to me this morning, trust me—by the time the mechanics arrive, you’ll want to know how to get it fixed yourself.

This has to be the best step-by-step instructions out there.

1.     Purchase the new battery recommended and rated for your car (the parts dealer and your mechanic will have that information). Be aware that the old battery is usually exchanged for the new one for recycling purposes, so you can either take it with you or drop it off later.

2.     Open the hood of your car and locate the battery.

3.     Disconnect the cable terminals from the old battery's terminals (negative/black first and then positive/red).

4.     Remove the frame or bracket holding the battery in place, and lift the battery out.

5.     Clean the cable terminals with a wire brush, baking soda and water if they're corroded or dirty.

6.     Use a wire brush or a battery terminal cleaner (a very inexpensive tool) to scrape the inside of each cable terminal to expose new, clean metal to the new battery terminal. If the cable terminals are damaged, they need to be replaced.

7.     Lower the new battery into position, with the positive and negative poles in the same relative positions as before, and secure the frame.

8.     Connect the cables to the new battery securely - positive to positive and then negative to negative. The cable ends should not be able to move at all; any looseness can prevent your car from starting.

9.     Test the battery by starting the engine.


Find out even more at | eHow.com

For extra help, I find that this video straightens things out even more:
http://www.ehow.com/video_512_replace-car-battery.html#ixzz1MP4G1rHX

Mercedes-Benz S-Class

•       Referred to as a milestone in manufacturing, let’s see what the new
facelift has done to this icon of motion…
•        Design & Engineering:
At first glance, the face lifted S-class is immediately contrastive
from the pre-facelift model. LED daytime running lights flank the face
of the car, along with a sharper front and rear. The new bumper design
increases both standard and long wheelbase versions by 20mm. The
latest addition to the S-range would be the S400 hybrid, now the world's mos economical luxury saloon with a 



petrol engine.
•       Interior
Touch the re-designed multifunction genuine leather steering wheel.
Immediately, the word luxury rings through the all-around standard
speakers. Glancing down, you realize that the digital speedometer is
actually an LCD screen. As you glance to the center console, it looks
simple enough to use—even with all the technology hidden inside. For
instance, ambient lighting can be adjusted to your taste, along with

built in massage seats, optional Split-Screen—a feature
 that allows a
passenger to watch TV, while the driver utilizes the GPS at the same
time. Mercedes ups the class by using an actual timepiece—enhancing
the word ‘class’. Being Merc’s flagship car, customers have a wider
scope in personalizing their car, from simple things like wood grain
to the quality and colour of the leather. Moving into the back, one
perceives that space is of no shortage—whether on short/long
wheelbase. Rear passengers are pampered by central and side
air-conditioning, an option of rear-massage seats, vanity mirrors,
side window sun curtains, electrically adjustable seats, etc. Though
less than Lexus’s flagship, the LS, the S-class still manages to
satisfy all. The word safety doesn’t need to be mentioned, as it comes
standard on all Mercedes’s—from all around airbags and night vision,
to Brake-Assist Plus and PRE-SAFE As you make your exit from the
vehicle, closing the doors are effortless, as the S-class now
incorporates soft-close suction doors, providing an even more relaxing
and luxurious feel.
•       Ride & Handling
“The ride feels so smooth as if driving on glass, or sitting on a
duvet, completely drunk.” Having heard this statement being repeatedly
said by other S-class owners, you must wonder how? Well, for starters,
on the S300 and S350—the most sought after trims, a butter smooth 7-G
TRONIC transmission is mated to quiet and refined V6’s. Software
controlled anti-roll bars are able to take on the S-class on the fly,
churning out a car refined at low-speeds, yet agile and safe at
high-speeds. Ride quality is nevertheless smooth. Other more popular
engines are the S500 V8, S600 V12 bi-turbo, and the re-known S63 and
S65 bi-turbo AMG’s.
•       Verdict
The face lifted S-class always has, and always will be the most
discreet limousine out there. Nothing seems to match up to a car that
commands so much respect and awe.

o       Personal advice: Go for the S350 as the S300 lacks power on the go.
If you’re eyeing the S500, must as well step it up a notch and go for
the S600. The S500 seems to be a niche filler in between the S400
hybrid and S600. Looking for speed, comfort, and exhilaration? Don’t
go for the S63/S65 AMG. A normal twin-turbo charged BMW 760li does the
job a lot faster.
o       Pictures from:
o       http://media.il.edmunds-media.com/mercedes-benz/s-class/2010/fd/2010_mercedes-benz_s-class_actf34_fd_1_815.jpg
o       http://cdn-www.rsportscars.com/images/mercedes-benz/2010-mercedes-benz-s-class/mercedes-benz-s-class-2010-rear-quarter-main_w800.jpg
o       http://vehicle-pedia.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/mercedes-benz-s-class-facelift-2010-27.jpg

Volvo S60

In the past, the word ‘Volvo’ was referred to grannies, snails, along with the word ‘boring’. With the introduction of the funky S60 in the market by new parent owner GEELY, things seem to change…
·         Design & Engineering:
Modern. Sleek. Aesthetic. These are the words that come to mind when I glimpse at the fierce, ready-for-anything face of the new S60. Characteristics of the XC60 are visible on the face of the car, simply with the word ‘sexy’ mixed in. Conventional headlamps stay put on both the 2.0T and T6 trim, with an option of bi-xenon headlamps. Brushed aluminum outlines the rear and front of the car, increasing sportiness. From the side, the roof seems to slope upwards, giving the S60 a swifter and more aerodynamic look. The rear seems a tad narrow, due to its somewhat pinching design. Eye-catching 18in. rims come standard on all trims. This new S60 seems to wear the classic VOLVO sash across its grill with the help of re-known designer Steve Mattin quite well…

·            Interior
A leap above other VOLVO’s, just on par with German rivals. Interesting to look at. Open the driver’s door, and you’re greeted with a grippy and highly adjustable steering wheel, S80 style speedos, 7-inch display screen, along with an array of buttons to play with. A remarkable 8-speaker stereo with AUX-in/USB input enables tunes on the go at all times, making sure those at the back still have a good time. The S60 is relatively spacious for rear passengers, with more than enough head and legroom. Boot space is cavernous enough to swallow 2-3 golf bags. With the introduction of Volvo’s City Safety, there is a 99.99% chance that you will never crash into anything or anyone while you luxuriate in the vehicle. Settle into the soft, high-quality ergonomic leather seats, and you’re ready to go.

·            Ride & Handling
Let’s start with the 2.0T, 6-speed, 4-cylinders-in-line 16-valve engine, that is able to leap from 0—100km/h in 8.2 seconds. Thankfully, there are no signs of turbo lag. Acceleration is swift and snippy, and surprisingly not lethargic at all! Sticking to its roots, paddle shifters are omitted on the steering wheel, as old-school +/- manual shifts stubbornly stay put on the gear shifter. Mated to a lively, leather-wrapped steering wheel, whether working with the default Comfort chassis, or the optional Dynamic chassis, body control is quite impressive. Bumps and uneven roads are soaked up by the car, and barely felt on board. As with all Volvo’s, wind and road noise are barely evident. Moving on to the T6, 6-cyliner-in-line, 24-valve engine, with a sprint from 0—100km/h in 6.5 seconds. Incredulously fast. Acceleration in this trim is brisk and robust, with all the needed traction available from the All-Wheel-Drive system. Firmer bushings, stronger damping rods, and a stiffer front sub frame all work together to increase sportiness on the standard Dynamic chassis. Then comes the BUT—as the T6 embodies an AWD system, understeer is evident when going round bends. Also, fuel consumption on this model is relatively thirsty at 9.8km/l.

·            Verdict
Impressive. Not much to argue about with this car, due to the moderate pricing, array of safety features, technology, quality, and drive. The 2.0T is the most practical model to buy—safety is still there along with technology quality, drive, features, etc, ALONG with a much better fuel consumption. The T6 trim is for those who appreciate safety and quality, but have a desire for more spunk. Nevertheless, both models are a tempting and sexy alternative to German rivals.

o   Personal advice: What is your lifestyle? Find out yourself and then choose between the 2.0T and T6 engines—both enjoyable to ride in.
   

 Pictures from: http://automiddleeast.com/wp-ontent/uploads/2010/11/2011-volvo-s60-f3q-a2.jpgo    http://www.tunner.org/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/2011-Volvo-S60-T6-AWD-interior-view-575x359.jpgo