Plug-In Hybrid Cars: A Cheaper Alternative

Because of the constant increase in fuel prices, many people are now considering getting rid of their gas guzzling conventional car and are now purchasing a cheaper alternative. Some people purchase cars with smaller engines for fuel efficiency and some people are now thinking of purchasing the car with the latest technology that enables them to cut fuel consumption by half.

These cars are called plug-in hybrid cars. With this car, you will be able to cut fuel consumption by more than half by taking advantage of the hybrid technology that many car manufacturers are now integrating in their new car models. Although plug in hybrid cars have existed for quite some time now, it was only about a few years ago that it was released in the market.

Plug-in hybrid cars are cars that combine the gasoline energy and the electric energy to run or to propel the car. Plug-in hybrid cars will enable you to run your car up to a hundred miles per gallon depending on the engine and the battery installed.

If you think that getting a good mileage per gallon is non existent, think again. With the technology being integrated by car manufacturers in their hybrid vehicles, it is now possible. This vehicle has two engines to run your car. One is the gasoline engine and the other is the electric motor. Just imagine a car that has an extension cord that you can plug-in in your home electricity outlet to recharge. You don’t even to worry about the cost of your electric bill because the recharging will just be equal to less than a dollar per gallon.

Just imagine a car that has two fuel sources. If one runs out, the car will still be able to run. You don’t have to plug in your plug-in hybrid car but if you do, your vehicle becomes an electric vehicle that will be able to run quietly, cleaner, cheaper and more efficient than conventional gasoline powered cars. You have to consider that the gasoline tanks are there for long driving purposes.

However, when you are only driving locally, you don’t need to fill your car with gasoline. All you need to do is plug-in your car to your home's electric outlet and once it is fully charged, your car will be ready to go using the electric motor.

Imagine the savings that you can get with a plug-in hybrid car.

However, these things are not the only benefits that you can get with plug-in hybrid cars. You will be shocked once you find out about the other benefits that you can get with a hybrid car. If you have a hybrid car, the service cost will tend to be lower because it is mainly electric.

Another great thing about plug-in hybrid cars is that it will be able to power your home in case of power outage. It can act as an electricity generator.

Recently, tax incentives have been imposed by the government to hybrid car buyers. This means that as a buyer of a plug-in hybrid car, you will be able to enjoy tax breaks.

You will also help improve the condition of the environment because it runs on the cleanest energy source available, which is electricity. This means that the car will produce no toxic emissions when it is running on electricity. Also, when it runs on gasoline, the emissions are also very low because of the small size of the gasoline engine.

These are some of the benefits that you can get with plug-in hybrid cars. So, if you think that you are spending too much on gasoline for your gas-guzzling conventional vehicle, you can start saving money by getting a plug-in hybrid car.

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Hybrid Cars: With Every Advantage There are Always Disadvantages

Hybrid cars are considered as the car of the future. It is able to effectively conserve fuel and at the same time, it only produces low levels of toxic fumes. Because of these benefits, hybrid cars are now growing in popularity every single day. Many people are now considering getting rid of their conventional cars and purchase a hybrid car to help in cutting fuel consumption cost.

Hybrid cars have two engines for it to effectively conserve fuel consumption. It has the traditional gasoline engine and it also has an electric motor and batteries. The two engines work together in order to cut fuel consumption. With this technology, you will be able to cut fuel usage by more than half. Just imagine, with a hybrid car, you will be able to go more than 60 miles to the gallon. With this kind of savings, hybrid cars are definitely the car of the future.

Hybrid car owners virtually don’t feel the increasing cost in fuel prices. This is the main advantage of the hybrid car. There are other advantages that a hybrid car can give you. Recently, the President of the United States has signed an agreement that hybrid car buyers will be able to enjoy tax incentives. This means that by owning a hybrid car, you will be able to save money on taxes.

There are other benefits that the government imposes on hybrid car owners, such as free parking, and free entry to car pool lanes. Some even offer discounted fees on toll gates.

The braking in hybrid cars is also configured to capture the energy released and uses it to charge the batteries inside the hybrid car. This means that unlike electric cars, hybrid cars don’t actually need to be charged from your home electric outlet.

However, with all the advantages that a hybrid car can give you, there are also disadvantages. The main disadvantage of hybrid cars is that the retail price is quite expensive. Only people who have enough money can purchase hybrid cars. However, the twist in all this is that hybrid cars are actually cheaper when compared to conventional cars in the long run. If you compute the total fuel consumption of both cars, you will actually see that you can save a lot more money on hybrid cars.

The only thing is that hybrid cars are expensive right from the car lot.

Hybrid cars are relatively heavy because of the heavy batteries installed inside the car. This is why hybrid car manufacturers integrates smaller internal combustion engines and are constructed with light materials and should be aerodynamic in order to maximize efficiency. This means that hybrid cars can never really go fast.

Another issue about hybrid cars is that it is very risky in accidents. What makes a hybrid car work effectively is also what makes it risky if it ever gets involved in an accident. This is because hybrid cars stores high amount of voltage in its batteries. This means that there is a high chance of getting electrocuted when you get involved in an accident. This also means that it is relatively difficult for rescuers to get the drivers and passengers out of the hybrid cars because of the dangers of high voltage in the car.

These are the advantages and the disadvantages of hybrid cars. Car manufacturers today are now looking for ways to get rid of the disadvantages of hybrid cars. In the near future, you will see that hybrid cars will be lighter and also contains less risk due to high voltage dangers.

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Rediscovering the Wonders of the Toyota Prius Hybrid Car

Motor Trends Car of the Year for 2004, North American Car of the Year in 2004, 2004 International Engine of the Year, 2005 European Car of the Year, 2006 Energuide Award in the Midsize segment, this and more are the accolades given to the Toyota Prius Hybrid Car. Undoubtedly one of the most popular and most regarded competitor in the ever growing hybrid car segment, the Toyota Prius has definitely made a marked in the motor industry.

The Toyota Prius is a Hybrid car that makes a bold statement against environmental issues and the rising gas prices. It is also the first ever mass-produced hybrid car for commercial purposes. Its name itself means first.

The Toyota Prius hybrid car was first sold in Japan in 1997 before it was distributed all over the globe 4 years later in 2001. Its popularity was boosted by environmentalists touting it as the car for the future to save our planet from air pollution. Sales in North America ws strong and increasing annually. By fall of 2006, the Toyota Prius hybrid car had the strongest demand and has the longest preorder and waiting list there is presently.

Toyota sees the Prius as a venue that would provide the consumers with a vehicle that would produce less pollution and to be very energy efficient. And Toyota certainly reached that goal. They created the Prius from the bottom up resulting to a true hybrid vehicle that is loved worldwide.

Toyota engineers came up with a couple of ways to develop the Toyota Prius hybrid car to be unlike other previous concept electric cars, the Prius doesn’t ever need to be plugged in for recharging. The two electric motor generators get its power from the gas engine, recharging while the engine power is being used. Also, through regenerative braking, a process that recovers kinetic energy when the car brakes and transforming it to electrical energy to recharge the batteries.

By 2004 a second generation of Toyota Prius hybrid car was released on the market. Capitalizing on the development of the new Hybrid Synbergy Drive technology, the previous Toyota Hybrid System was replaced in the new generation Toyota Hybrids. Many improvements were developed and infused in the technology making the Toyota Prius hybrid car even better than before.

Aside from the engine, Toyota added more room to the Toyota Prius hybrid car making it wider and taller allowing for taller people to sit erect inside the car and allowing more views of the road.

Because of the success brought by the Toyota Prius hybrid car and the public awareness it has developed, Toyota has extended its Hybrid lineup to their other vehicles. This includes the Toyota Camry hybrid and their top of the line Lexus marquee with the Lexus RX400H.

Truly, the Toyota Prius hybrid car has gone a long way. Its engineering superiority and its excellent reputation has made it a great choice for many people. Even a lot of notable famous people have bought themselves a Toyota Prius hybrid car to show their support to environmental awareness.

Toyota has definitely hit the nail in the head with the Toyota Prius hybrid car and we can expect to see more of this technology in the future. With Toyota's dedication to this endeavor, we can be sure that we can finally cut down on gas consumption and save our planet.

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Porsche turbo 1975 - now

In 1975 Porsche introduced the first Turbo. The engineers
experienced this new engine and Chairman Ernst Fuhrman
decided that they could use a turbo on a production car. The
first prototype was displayed at several European shows in
1973. In 1974, “911 Turbo” went on sale and at the time it had
a 3.0 liter 260 bhp engine.

The new Porsche was full of luxury. The standard Turbo had
air-conditioning, electric windows, tinted glass, headlamp washers,
a leather interior and Bilstein shocks. Originally, it was supposed
to be a limited edition, with only 500 models to be sold. However,
the demand was so high that more than 1000 cars were sold. It was
now clear that Turbo would have a secure future.

What attracted so many customers was its huge rear wing, widened
wheel and big tires. This great look combined with the powerful engine
made the Turbo look faster than any other 911.

In 1978, the model was improved by the increase of the engine
capacity to 3.3 liter and some other modifications. Now the engine
produced 40 bhp more. The rear wing was also revised: the two
separate grilles were replaced by one larger smooth surface, placed
a little higher in order to make room for an intercooler.

In 1979 though, the Turbo was withdrawn from US and Japan, as a
response to the second energy crunch.

In 1986, Turbo became again available in the US. This was the first
year Porsche used flares that were created in the stamping – process
of the fenders. In 1992 Porsche showed the Turbo S at Geneva's
Motorshow. It’s engine delivered 381 bhp. The car weighted 120
kg less then the standard Turbo and this helped making Turbo S
really fast. There were built only 80 Turbo S.

In 1993, the engine capacity was increased again, now reaching 3.6
liter. It was easily recognized by the Turbo 3.6 badge. Also, there was
a 93 Turbo 3.6 based 911 Turbo S built.

In 1996 Porsche launched yet another Turbo, based on the 993 series.
Its engine produced 408 bhp, featuring a six-speed gearbox and
four-wheel drive. It looked more elegant thanks to the less evocative
rear-wing. The wheels are 18 inch in diameter. It saves 20% of the
weight because the five spokes are hollow. The front wing has
air-ducts that lead extra cooling air to the brakes, making them more
powerful than before. They can stop the Turbo from 100 hm/h in 2.6
seconds and from 200km/h in just 5 seconds, increasing car’s safety.

Porsche has recently introduced the 996 Turbo. The styling is different
from the previous Turbo models. Its aerodynamics are improved, making
it much faster than the 993 Turbo. It gets to 100 km/h in only 4.2
seconds and has a top speed of 305 km/h. The new Turbo has a few
details that make it easy to recognize: bi-xenon headlights, air intakes
behind the doors and a movable rear-spoiler.

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Porsche the beginning- Dr. Ferdinand Porsche

It`s hard to say exactly which is the beginning of Porsche
story. It could be in 1950, when the famous Max Hoffman
introduced the Porsche 356 to the United States. Or in 1948
when the first automobile to bear the name Porsche was introduced.
But in order to understand Porsche’s heritage and its philosophy
we need to go back to 1875, when, in September, at the home
of a tinsmith in the Bohemian village of Haffersdorf, a son was
born. His name was Ferdinand Porsche.

Since his adolescence, Ferdinand Porsche showed glimpses of
technical genius: at the age of 18, he wired family's home for
electricity in 1893. Still, he didn’t show many signs of disciplined
engineering skills that will eventually become his trademark. Even
if the “Doctor” is usually appended to his name, it is in essence
honorary, since his only formal technical training was as a part-time
engineering student in Vienna.

By the age of 25, the young Ferdinand Porsche had entered the
field of automotive design. His first car design was already
accepted by Lohner & Co. of Vienna. Over the next 20 years,
Ferdinand Porsche, the temperamental but brilliant engineer
succeeded in associating with every major automobile manufacturer
in Germany. At the same time, he designed a dozen of the most
technically significant cars in history.

Working for Mercedes-Benz, he helped develop the most revered
Mercedes-Benz cars of all time: the SSK series. For NSU, he
designed Auto Union Wanderer and the Type 32, a precursor of the
Volkswagen Beetle.

After being dismissed from Mercedes for disagreeing with the firm's
staid engineering policies, Porsche decided to establish what later
became Porsche A.G.: his own engineering consulting group. In a
small office in Stuttgart, the senior Dr. Porsche gathered a select
group of engineers to work under the dramatic name, "Doctor of
Engineering Ferdinand Porsche, Inc., Construction Facility for Land,
Air, and Sea Transportation." One of his employees was his youthful
son, Ferry. His primary interest was one that any young man might
select: sports and racing cars

The senior Dr. Porsche and his team were kept extremely busy. The
consulting firm developed for Steyr (now the utility-vehicle wing of the
Steyr- Daimler-Puch combine), the Austria luxury sedan, but it did not
progress beyond the prototype stage. They worked a lot for Auto
Union, now Audi: the company developed the Front, the world's first
front-drive economy car. They astonished Auto Union with the mid-engine
Grand Prix cars and their supercharged V-12 and V-16 engines
which, together with Mercedes- Benz racers, dominated European auto
racing for nearly a decade.

After that, the firm created its best-known designs for NSU and Zundapp.
The pair of prototypes was characterized by Dr. Porsche's patented
torsion-bar suspension and a rear-mounted engine. Since neither
company moved rapidly enough to manufacture the designs, Porsche
sold the concept to the German government. Then, he oversaw the
construction of a plant on Wolfsburg to manufacture the design. His
drawings called the car the Type 60. The world came to know it as the
Volkswagen Beetle

After the second World War, the Porsche Company started to create vehicles
that beard its name, and so became knows world wide. Now, nearly a
century later, Porsche became the marque and the family that created
outstanding, often unique and surely lasting contributions to automotive
engineering and design.

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Porsche Chayenne

Ten years ago, the idea of a Porsche sport utility vehicle would
have seemed absurd. And the reason is not that it lacks experience
with off-road cars since their engineering have developed all-wheel-drive
military vehicles. It’s more that, compared to General Motors, Toyota
or Daimler-Chrysler, the automotive giants, Porsche represents a
tiny fraction of the production volume. For 50 years, the company
has produced quick, nimble, small sports car, or in other words, the
opposite of the SUV’s. When Porsche decided to invest in an SUV
and a new factory to build it, it became clear the times, as well as our
taste, have changed.

And now, after creating the most anticipated new Porsche in decades,
the company is proud that its SUV is what many expected it would be:
technically slick and remarkably fast, with on-road handling that belies
its bulk. Also, the Cayenne delivers what most SUV buyers demand, including
decent cargo space, more than enough capability for casual off-road use,
and impressive towing capacity.

When it comes to pricing, Cayenne is a true Porsche. A very expensive
Porsche. With tax and license, a loaded Cayenne Turbo can crack the
$100,000 barrier, and that alone will knock it off most shopping lists.
But for the connoisseurs, the Porsche Cayenne will be truly appreciated for
its performance and driving satisfaction.

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The History of the Hybrid Car: An Evolution for the Future

Due to the demand of having a car wherein everyone can consume less fuel and will not contribute to the air pollution, the hybrid car was finally created to meet this end. And due to the rapid advancements in the gasoline engine, the hybrid car has become extremely popular.

A hybrid car is a means of transportation using two power sources; it uses a rechargeable energy storage system found on board and a fuelled power source as the vehicle's driving force. The hybrid car pollutes less and uses less fuel.

Back in 1899, Ferdinand Porsche have developed and led the way to the very first working hybrid-electric vehicle. Other people followed suit in Ferdinand Porsche's invention. Many people who became interested in the hybrid-vehicle concept have been continually making hybrid cars. However, there was no major car manufacturer who invested in the hybrid concept and mass produced hybrid cars until the late twentieth century. The hybrid technology was mainly utilized in developing diesel-electric submarines during that interim period.

The diesel-electric submarines mainly operate very much the same as a hybrid car. However, the submarines main goal was to conserve oxygen rather than spend less fuel. During the later years, submarines have evolved and have begun using the nuclear power as a substitute for diesel.

During the 1990's, the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight were the first successful hybrid cars available in the market. It was two of the pioneers in the hybrid car concept which virtually changed the way the world thinks about cars.

An idealistic inventor, Victor Wouk, manufactured a hybrid electric and gas motor vehicle that siphoned fuel at half the amount as practically all the other cars being built then. He built the hybrid car thirty years before the Toyota Prius got the attention of the U.S. as an energy-anxious nation.

The account about the hybrid car and its inventor, who died in May, 2005, at age 86, is unfamiliar among even the most avid fans of the growing hybrid car association. In terms of hybrid car knowledge, it is in fact America that should have led all other countries. Wouk said that the government program that he developed about hybrids was unknown to everyone.

Victor Wouk founded and sold two successful electric industrialized companies in the late 1940s and 50s and in 1962 he was approach by Russell Feldman, one of the founders of Motorola, who recognized the pollution from the automobile as one of the biggest problem of the environment and he wanted to discover the possible solutions with regards to this problem. But his experiment did not work much for the possible solution.

Having an idea, Wouk pondered the problem throughout the 60s and ultimately reached a clever solution. He combined the low-emission benefits of an electric car with the power of a gasoline engine to produce a hybrid vehicle. But Wouk did not get any response to his ideas for creating a hybrid car; in fact he was heavily criticized for not believing in a full-electric system.

With the help of his colleague, Charlie Rosen, who shared his belief about hybrid cars, gave him the chance to prove his ideas of creating the hybrid car as one of the solution to the rapid health cost of auto-pollution. And now the impressive capabilities of the invention of Wouk, the hybrid cars, can now be a very great help in terms of less fuel consumption and less air pollution.

Wouk and Rosen put up a new company particularly to developed their hybrid car idea and make it possible to be in the market and be used as an everyday car that belched far less harmful vapors than contemporary vehicles.

The Prius

Ever since the Toyota Prius was released in the market, it has been able to remain as the premier choice of hybrid cars available. It is true that old hybrid cars looks more like an alien car and cost far more than the conventional car. However, because of the latest technology installed in newer versions of hybrid cars, it looks more like a conventional car and is far cheaper than its predecessors. It is a fact that hybrid cars today looks very much like conventional cars. However, it will enable you to cut fuel consumption in half.

For example, the Honda Civic Hybrid car looks very much like its conventional version. However, when you look at it closely, the hybrid version of the Civic is able to conserve fuel much better than its gasoline counterpart. The Civic Hybrid can get you 50 miles in just one gallon of gasoline.

During the year 2004, Ford has developed and introduced the very first hybrid SUV, which is the Ford Escape Hybrid. A year later, Toyota also introduced their line of hybrid SUV called the Highlander Hybrid.

Because of the growing demand for hybrid cars, other car manufacturers are now following the footsteps of the other companies who already released a version of their hybrid car in the market. For example, Nissan is now planning to develop and introduce a hybrid version of the Nissan Altima.

Nowadays, over 300,000 hybrid cars are running on American roads wherein 95 percent of them are Japanese made. The hybrid vehicles are truly very different technology that can both save money and our environment.

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Hybrid Cars: What's All The Fuss About?

It is a fact that people simply loves hybrid cars. They love hybrid cars because of the benefits it can give them, t6o the other people and the environment. So, what is it about hybrid cars that it is now attracting more and more people to get one for their own?

First of all, if you have a hybrid car, you will be able to cut fuel consumption in half. When was the last time you pulled your car over to a pumping station? If you recently did, you will notice that the price of gasoline is on a constant rise. When compared to conventional cars, hybrid cars will enable you to cut fuel consumption in half. This means fewer trips to the gasoline station. Just imagine yourself driving a car that can travel more than 60 miles per gallon. This may sound good enough for you to get a hybrid car, but there are more benefits that you can get from hybrid cars.

Back in 2005, President George Bush has signed an agreement that lets the buyers and users of hybrid car enjoy huge tax breaks. Because of this, you will be able to save money on taxes. Another great benefit that you can get when you have a hybrid cars are free parking, and some states have imposed a law that hybrid cars should be discounted on toll gates.

Hybrid cars are also known to emit far lower levels of pollutants in the air. This means less air pollution. This will also mean that it will tend to reduce the effects of global warming and will enable you and other people to breathe cleaner air.

These are just some of the things that hybrid cars can give you. You will now ask what kind of technology is inside hybrid cars that makes it so fuel efficient and environmentally friendly.

Hybrid cars are integrated with the hybrid technology currently existing today. In fact, hybrid technology has existed for a long time. It is used on locomotives, it is used on submarines and it is used in some buses in some states and countries.

Hybrid technology is a combination of electricity and the standard engine. For example, in locomotives, it combines the diesel engine and electric engine, and in submarines, it combines the nuclear engine and electric engine. This is far more efficient than letting the conventional engine run on its own.

In hybrid cars, it combines the energy of gasoline engines and an electric motor to power the car. This means that with both engines running, it will lessen the load on the internal combustion engine. The electric motor will share the labor. With this technology it will allow you to save precious fuel and also let you emit far lower volumes of toxic fumes in the air.

For example, if your hybrid car is running idle, it will automatically switch off the gasoline engine and let the car run on pure electricity. This can save you a lot of fuel especially if you are stuck in a gridlock traffic jam.

Today, there are hybrid cars that are designed to run even when the gasoline engine is switched off. This kind of hybrid car will eventually get rid of gasoline station trips. And, it will let you travel without emitting toxic fumes. The gasoline engine will only act as a backup engine when the battery pack runs out of power. The braking and the engine will automatically recharge the battery pack preparing it for another purely electric run. This means that you don’t actually have to plug in your hybrid car to your electrical outlet for it to recharge.

So, if you need a car that runs cleaner, quieter and far more fuel efficient, you should consider getting a hybrid car.

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Lexus Hybrid Car: Driving in Luxury and Comfort without the High Cost of Gasoline

Spearheading Hybrid technology in the motor world, Toyota has several patents which are used by other auto manufacturers to avoid legal issues. Because they have been able to come up with a couple of firsts in the hybrid technology, Toyota is a definite front runner and has unselfishly shared some of these innovations to other car manufacturers.

But of course, those that belongs to the Toyota stable is fortunate to be able to be a part of this developments. Like their luxury marquee, Lexus, there have been a couple of vehicles that has been integrated with hybrid systems.

One of these is the Lexus RX 400H. Introduced first in the 2004 North American International Auto Show, this Lexus luxury vehicle is the second hybrid SUV to be mass produced. It was first released as a 2006 model. Lexus had a hard time filling the demands and had a virtual homerun with the Lexus RX 400H. With less noise than its conventional twin brother, this hybrid vehicle emits less gases and prevents frequent fill ups, you get more miles to the gallon, although not as much as the Prius. But then, it is an SUV.

The Lexus GS hybrid is another hybrid vehicle in the lineup that’s a part of the third generation Lexus GS. Equipped with the utmost comfort and features, this luxury midsize sports sedan has all the power and performance of its conventional mirror image but is more fuel efficient and environmentally friendly. The GS 450H comes with a 3.5 liter V6 engine and a high output electric drive motor that produces 340 total output horsepower. The sophisticated and sleek GS 450H has an estimated fuel consumption of 25 miles per gallon in the city and 28 in highway driving. For its price tag, you get features like Bluetooth technology, DVD navigation system, backup camera, homelink transceiver, a great sound system and other high end comforts and accessories.

Then there is the Lexus LS 600H L. It is the world's first ever full hybrid car that is provided with a V8 engine. Test driving and even just looking at this remarkable vehicle screams innovation. Pumping power to this highly impressive luxury car is a 5.0-liter V8 gas engine with a high-output electronic motor that produces 430 horsepower. When pairing this specification with a conventional car, one would possibly think of the gallons upon gallons of fuel this car would digest. But it is a hybrid, so this means fewer pit stops for refueling and less gas emissions. Coupled with a number of luxurious features and accessories, the Lexus LS hybrid is certainly a gift worth giving to ones self.

Saving up on fuel and helping the environment doesn’t have to mean that we have to drive a small car that has an engine that could barely climb up a hill. We do not have to sacrifice comfort, safety and power. With the Lexus Hybrid lineup, backed up with Toyota's experience and technology, we can have the best of both worlds.

Check out the internet for a Lexus hybrid car dealer near you, there are a lot of deals and special prices you can avail of. You can even read some reviews and check out which one would suit your lifestyle best.

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Porsche Cayman

In comparison of the engine, The Porsche Cayman is positioned
between the Boxster and 911. Still, it has its own different personality.
It is snappier, easier, and not burdened by heavy weight hanging
out the back and the need to manage the effect of that weight.

The Cayman is strictly a two-seater because the engine sits
where the rear seats would otherwise be. This means that the
engine is not quite readily accessible, although there's a way
into the oil filler via the boot. Under that long tailgate, is revealed
a generous luggage area to supplement the front 911/Boxster-sized
boot. Like all other Porsche, the Cayman is not very big, which makes
it very practical and usable. And for all its obvious Boxster genes,
the Cayman is very much its own car with its curvaceous rear
wings and neat fastback roof. As with other Porsches, there's a
movable rear spoiler, which deploys above 120km/h.

Going back to were we started, the engine, the Cayman has 3.4
litres, a mix of the cylinder barrels of a 911 with the crankshaft of a
Boxster. A 911 engine is of 3.6 or 3.8 liters and a Boxster S has a
3.2-litre engine. It's a strange thing, but even though today's Porsche
engines are water-cooled, they still overlay their intake and exhaust
notes with a breathy whine like that of the giant air-cooling fans of old.

Basically, the Cayman is a mix and it doesn’t have a huge number
of new and unique parts. In short, the Cayman is a structure two
and a half times stiffer because it’s just a Boxster with a roof. In turn,
that means that the driving experience becomes much more focused
because its suspension can have tauter, sportier setting.

Porsche Cayman reaches a maximum speed of 275 km/h and gets
from zero to 100 km/h in 5.3 seconds, even if the fuel thirst is low
for such pace. The Cayman is especially good with the optional
Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM), but unlike a 911,
it works well enough without it, thanks to a ride that's firm but seldom
turbulent. PASM makes the Cayman sit 10mm lower, and in its
Sport mode it tautens the damping. And it feels absolutely fantastic
when you have the Chrono option (complete with stopwatch for timing
your hot laps).

Bottom line, Porsche Cayman is a remarkable illustration
of a rigid, solid-roofed bodyshell's advantages. The Cayman S has
all the positive Porsche attributes you could want, and none of the
snags. It's not the fastest Porsche, not the fiercest, not the most
breathtaking. It is a pooling of other Porsche parts, which means
that the Cayman is not expensive to develop but it will generate big
profits. The new car, by the way, takes its name not from a tax-haven
archipelago, but from a type of crocodile.

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Porsche Approved

When a pre-owned Porsche meets the high quality standards set
by the brand, it will receive the name Porsche Approved. So if you
want a Porsche but you can’t afford a brand new one, a Approved
vehicle is your best choice since you can be sure that it will meet
your expectations.

But what is the difference between a Porsche Approved certified
vehicle from a conventional pre-owned vehicle?

First of all, the Porsche Approved cars are inspected by factory
trained technicians and if they find any faults, repairs are carried
out in line with the strict Porsche quality criteria.
Secondly, every Porsche Approved vehicle comes with a
comprehensive Warranty:
- If sold while under the new car warranty, Coverage is up to
6 years or 100,000m/160,000km total, whichever comes first
- If sold once the new vehicle warranty has expired, Coverage is
2 years from the date of sale or up to 100,000m/160,000km,
whichever comes first.
And last but not least, you will get membership in Porsche Road
Assistance that offers exclusive support server & security.
The result of owing a Porsche Approved is that you will enjoy
driving a safe, quality value which really cannot be described as
a pre-owned vehicle.

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Porsche and Formula One

When Porsche entered into races, Porsche astonished the world
with its performances. But participation in Formula One races
brought mixed results. In the 1961-1962 season, Porsche participated
as a constructor but produced just one win in a championship
race, claimed by Dan Gurney at the 1962 French Grand Prix.
In a non-championship race, one week later Stuttgart's Solitude
it repeated the success. At the end of the season, Porsche retired
from F1 due to the high costs.

In 1983, Porsche returned to Formula One, supplying engines
badged as TAG units for the McLaren Team. It was a success
as the Porsche-powered cars won two constructor championships
in 1984 and 1985 and three driver crowns in 1984, 1985 and 1986.

Less than ten years later, in 1991, Porsche returned as a engine
supplier, but this time the results were disastrous: Footwork, the
Porsche-powered cars, didn’t score a single point and at over half
of the races it even failed to qualify. Since that year, Porsche has
not participated to Formula One.

Still, lightly-modified Porsches participate in many competitions
around the world, mostly in amateur classes for enthusiasts. The
only professional category is the Porsche Michelin Supercup raced
as a support category for European Formula One rounds.

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Porsche 968

Porsche 968 is basically the successor of the Porsche 944.
It has a low nose and wide wheel arches that helps accentuating
the beautiful lines of this classic shape that in a Porsche Guards
Red is a real head turner. It has also the classic GT front engine,
rear wheel drive layout with the added advantage of a rear transaxle
giving almost perfect weight distribution.

Instead of the hidden headlights of the 944, the 968 has visible
pop up headlights, similar to the Porsche 928. This brings the
look of the car inline with the new Porsche 997-911. This change
has also a practical advantage: the headlights can be washed
along with the rest of the car instead of having to pop them up to
wash them.

As for the interior, it remains the same as produced in the 944,
keeping the famous “oval dash”. The designers used the same
robust materials which have given all Porsche owners many years
of trouble free motoring.

The exterior has a few differences: the door mirrors have
been streamlined with the tear drop effect and the wheels
have 5 spoke Cup design alloys. The rear bumper is more
blended and with integral rear light clusters, making it almost
indistinguishable from the bodywork. All these bodywork changes
made the 968 look a lot like the 928, and added the engine heritage,
some people have referred to it as “the daughter of 928”.

The engine is a version of the one first used on the 944 S2: it is a
4 cylinder, 3 liter, 16 valve unit. And they added VarioCam for
optimum power throughout the speed range. It has 240 HP
at 6200 rpm and a torque of 305 Nm at 4100 rpm, given by the
improved combustion chamber and inlet manifold design. At the
time of production, it was a remarkable engine, having the highest
displacement per cylinder of any car engine and also the highest
torque output of any unblown 3 liter engine. Clearly, the result of
Porsches investment in this engine paid off.

The rear-mounted gearbox is a 6-speed manual or 4 speed tiptronic.
It is the first ever mounted on a production car. The chassis has
almost perfect weight distribution and very stiff characteristics.

Usually, most cars start to fail when it comes to breaks and the
reason is that it doesn’t matter how fast the car is in a straight
line if you can’t take a bend (turn) at the right safe speed. But Porsche
brakes have always been the envy of most road sports car
manufacturers. You will notice little or no or no discernable fatigue
even under harsh use of Porsche 968. ABS adds even more
safety to the already excellent braking system. Also, what makes
the brakes so effective is that the wheels themselves are designed
to prevent the tire from coming off the rim in the event of a sudden pressure
loss.

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Porsche 911 highlights

The 2005 Porsche 911 redesigned rear-wheel-drive models.
The models are available as coupes and convertible Cabriolets.
They all have a rear-mounted, horizontally opposed 6-cyl engine.
The redesigned Porsche 911 has subtly altered styling and dimensions
and changed the interior. There are two types of 911: The Carrera, with a
325-hp 3.6 liter engine and The Carrera S, with 355-hp 3.8 liter.

The 6-speed manual transmission is standard to all 911s. Optional,
we can choose the 5-speed automatic with manual shift gate and
steering-wheel controls. Standard, the 911s have antilock 4-wheel
disc brakes, antiskid/traction control and front side airbags. The
redesigned Careras include side airbags in the windowsills for head
protection. In the convertibles models, we find a power top and heated
glass rear window. A suspension with lowered ride height and shock
absorbers are standard on the Carrera S and optional on the Carrera. This
system helps adjusting firmness within driver selectable Normal and
Sport models. All other Porsche models have 18 inch wheels, but the Carrera
S has 19s. An option for the Carrera is a Sport Chrono Package. It includes
a dashboard-mounted stopwatch and it allows altering various engine and
chassis controls in order to improve driving performance. All 911s offer
a navigation system.

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Porsche floor mats

Floor mats are probably not the first thing you are thinking
when you buy a new Porsche. Yes, you think more about the
Boxster engine and the acceleration and the bodyshell color,
but unless you're going to hand your keys to the butler every night,
Porsche floor mats are an essential purchase. We are talking
about Porsche floor mats. The floor mats are important for
every car and even more when you are thinking about a Porsche.

After all, they will cover some extremely expensive carpet.
The combination of high quality and good looks that will complement
the interior of your car, no matter what floor mats you choose.
You will be driving a car worth a hundred grand and you won’t
want your Porsche 911 floor mat, Porsche Boxster floor mat, or
other Porsche floor mat on the carpet look like it came from the
dollar store. You can find protective and attractive high-end floor
mats for year-round use in fair climates, and also heavy-duty
rubber floor mats if you use your Porsche to trek through deep
winter locales.

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Porsche checking fluids

In order to avoid big, expensive problems, you should check
under the hood of your Porsche on a regular basis. By following
these simple monthly checks you will find and solve these potential
problems.

First of all, you should check the oil, but only when the engine is warm.
That’s because it expands when it's hot and contracts when it's cold;
different temperatures will give you different readings. And since you’re
already checking the fluids you should also check the
brake fluid. It's easy to do and only takes a minute.

Radiator fluid, or coolant, is the most important part of your Porsche's
cooling system, which protects your engine from overheating. Low
coolant can lead to a breakdown and expensive repairs. Before
checking the power steering fluid (which is also easy on most cars)
you should see if you have it. Try to parallel park with one hand and
eat an ice cream cone with the other. If you can do that, then you have it.

If you have an automatic transmission, you'll want to check the
automatic transmission fluid (ATF) every month. Also, if your Porsche
has a hydraulic clutch that connects the clutch pedal to the
transmission, you should check that fluid too.

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Porsche Chayenne - the engine

With every new automobile, Porsche tried to redefine the meaning
of performance, by creating a more powerful engine. Cayenne Turbo
makes no exception to this rule. Like all Porsche engine, it is hand
assembled and the twin turbo V8 rises to an exacting level of technical
excellence.

Motronic ME7.1.1.is a system that controls the split-second precision
of the Cayenne V8 and V6 super engine. This new highly intelligent
engine management system balances impressive power with great
smoothness. All this to prove that Cayenne`s "brain" matches its brawn.
The Motronic system is built to monitor a wide range of sensors and
engine components. It compares streams of data with corresponding
sets of reference values, all this in a speed of milliseconds. Then, if it
finds any differences, the system adjusts key engine functions, such as
the ignition of fuel injection, based on this comparison. Into Motronic
management are included other key systems, such as onboard diagnostics
and cylinder-specific knock control, with automatic adaptation to any
change in fuel quality. All this for optimal performance in all driving conditions.

This process is seamless and automatic so the engine has a great
level of power and torque. Also, another great result is better fuel
economy and lower emissions in the exhaust stream.

Another function of the Motronic system is the managing of air flowing
into the engine to ensure maximum levels of performance. It does that
by regulating boost pressure on the Cayenne Turbo.

The Cayenne model includes another system, the resonance induction
system with a variable-length intake manifold. This is also an inventive
engineering concept that uses pressure waves created by the inlet
valves. It does this to increase the density of the incoming air, which,
in the end, will increase the amount of energy released during combustion.
There are two intake tubes, and depending on the speed, the system
will select one of them. The longer tube is used at lower speeds in order
to maximize low-end torque. At around 4250 rpm, it switches to shorter
Intake tube so that it maximizes power output with a more eager throttle response.

The Porsche Cayenne engineers wanted to improve combustion for
more power, better fuel economy, reduced emissions and less
maintenance. To do so, they created a static high-voltage ignition
system with separate ignition coils on each individual spark plug.
This is an advanced method that allows a longer spark-plug life.
The sequential fuel injection system is equally advanced. A returnless
fuel supply system serves each injector in order to continuously
adjust the precise air/fuel mix. The result is of course a better environment,
because it controls the emissions.

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Challenges of car rental in Germany

In spite of not being the common favorite among tourists, Germany, a country that is totally rich with culture and heritage has somewhat been able to generate a good following still. Still trying to forget about their gloomy past, Germany hasn’t quite been able to detach itself from the awful Holocaust era during World War I. Still, as being one of the most progressive countries in the world, Germany has somewhat been able to pick itself up from the ashes of its dark and awful past to show the world that they’re not a conceited and arrogant nation after all.

With the well-balanced mix of modernity and lush country sides, touring around Germany is sure to be a wonderful adventure that you’re sure to remember – if only you have a car to use for your sightseeing. Car rental Germany isn’t really that hard to book, well, just to be safe, a good piece of advice is to book you car rental Germany, way before you even set foot in the country.

As industrialized and urban as they may be, unfortunately, Germans aren’t really that fluent in conversing in English so it’s highly likely for you to not be able to be able to communicate well with them. It’s best that you find a good, reputable and affordable car rental for Germany while you’re still planning your trip, this way, you can spare your self the hassle of ending up with a vehicle that you’re not comfortable in, much worse, nothing at all. While planning out the places you want and most likely will visit during your stay in Germany, map out the distances from each of your chosen places, try to assess if it’s really more practical to avail of car rental Germany or if it’s still best (and cheaper) to just take the mass transportation vehicles.

Also, how long are you actually going to stay in Germany? Would your expenses actually allow you to still avail of car rental Germany? Also, another very important point to remember is, driving in Germany – as well as in other European countries, requires you to drive on the right side of the road. A lot of people have actually had some difficulty with regards to this so you might as well take note of this before actually booking for your self a car rental for Germany. If this proves to be a hassle for you, ask your vacation companions if they’re comfortable driving on the right side of the road, anyone who’s more than willing to act as your designated driver will solve your problem easily.

However, if you’re traveling alone or your companions can’t drive on the right side of the road, worse, if they can’t drive at all but you’re sure that car rental Germany is what will make your stay in Germany worthwhile, prepare your wallet for booking your self a professional driver. Ask the car rental Germany agency to book you with someone who speaks good English, doesn’t need to be superb nor remarkably fluent but someone who can at least understand what you’re saying and vice-versa.

There’s nothing worse than being stuck in a foreign country with a hired driver who you can’t communicate with, aside from being a total waste of money, you’re bound to leave Germany with a big headache. Don’t be daunted by this “little obstacles”, just plan ahead and you’re sure to be able to enjoy your vacation in Germany completely with no hassles plus you’ll be somewhat of an expert when it comes to car rental Germany.

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Porsche vs Ferrari

Porsche and Ferrari are German and Italian sides of the same
coin, interpretations of the sports car idea. Both founded by a
dominant patriarch, both honed in racing, both more than 50
years old, both with engineering and styling integrity. Whether on
the track of Le Mains or on the streets, the two have always been
put head-to-head and compared. Even the most naive motorist
associates these two names with both performance and style.

We’ve decided to compare the methodical Porsche 911 Carrera
4S and the passionate Ferrari F430 because both of them astonish
with their performance while attempting to maintain a reasonable
amount of practicality but do not pretend to be anything other than
sports cars.

A modern sports car should feature these characteristics: it should be
started easily, maneuvered around town, blasted on a couple of
country roads, it looks and performs the part on a racetrack but at the
same time it is very safe.

The easier way to separate the two cars is by measuring figures since
both of them have mastered the modern sports car requirements and
basically there’s no other way to choose between these two phenomenal
cars.

What initially impresses is Ferrari's lightning fast 4-second 0-100km/h
acceleration and thrilling exhaust tone. As the occupants are pinned to
the seats, the new generation 4.3-litre V8 pushes out 368 snarling
kilowatts. Porsche’s acceleration also offers that kick in the pants a
super car should deliver, although it is 0.8 seconds slower at the 100 km/k
mark.

With such acceleration performance, it comes natural for both cars to
excel in the braking department. The two cars offer optional ceramic
discs for impressive stopping.

Porsche’s engine gets the upper hand as it is more refined and on
the economy rank leaps ahead Ferrari with a 11.8 liters per 100 km
as opposed to 18.3 liters. Both cars deliver the power through impressive
6-speed gearboxes and offer top rate handling performance.

Both F430 and Carrera4S offer great interior comfort and even if the
space is limited, the occupants don't feel claustrophobic and flustered.
Although an impressive mix of suede, carbon fiber and aluminum abound
in the Ferrari, the Italians stand no chance when it comes to the high finish
level attained by the Germans.

Speed and silence are key elements for any super car. The look and
appearance is the biggest draw card. The Carrera 4S is a typical Porsche,
despite the new proportions. It is a great looking car, like any other 911 but
somehow the styling no longer creates the jaw dropping reaction that the
Ferrari does. Indeed, traditionalists may say that Porsche pays homage to
its roots, but the truth is that Ferrari F430 simply draws the attention.

However, even if Ferrari F430 takes your breath away with its appearance,
the super car title goes to the Porsche Carrera 4S with a more complete all
round package.

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Porsche Panamera

In 2009 is set to be launched a four-door, four-seat coupe,
called Porsche Panamera. The car, powered by a modified
version of the 4.5 L V8 found in the Cayenne, equipped with
the FSI system will be front engined and rear wheel drive.
Although it is extremely unlikely, rumors is that an option
for the Panamera will be the V10 engine from Porsche's
limited-run Carrera GT supercar.

Porsche Panamera will be produced in the new plant at Leipzig
alongside the Cayenne. It is the first V8-engined sports car built
by Porsche since 1995, when the 928 was discontinued and
some consider it a suitable successor to the two-doored 928.
The company built the new model as a direct competitor to the
Mercedes-Benz CLS 55 AMG and Maserati Quattroporte and
(to a lesser degree) a less expensive alternative to expensive
vehicles such the, Ferrari 612 Scaglietti, Bentley Continental GT
and Aston Martin Rapide.

Like Porsche Carrera`s name, the Panamera`s derives from the
Carrera Panamerican race. Before it, there were other four-door
sedans prototypes, such as the 1991 Porsche 989 prototype
or the even earlier 4 door prototype based on the 911, but they
never went into production.

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Porsche Chayenne interior

Porsche offers three versions of the four-door Cayenne: the Cayenne,
The Cayenne S and the Cayenne Turbo. The standard models of the Cayenne
and Cayenne S come with features such as: 18-inch alloy wheels,
stability control given by the Porsche Stability Management, leather
seating, power seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and a
350-watt, 15-speaker Bose audio system. Since it’s a true Porsche,
Cayenne’s ignition switch is on the dash’s left side. The gauge
cluster is nearly perfect but the climate and radio controls are
indecipherable cluster of buttons and knobs. The good thing is that
the satellite steering wheel controls are standard which means that
they will be easier to find. The Turbo model comes not only with
additional power but also with more technical and luxury features.

Among those we enumerate: an adaptive suspension with automatic
ride height and damping adjustment (Porsche Active Suspension
Management), bi-HID headlights, a CD-based navigation system,
heated seats front and rear, seat memory, sonar front/rear parking
assist and power adjustment for the steering wheel. But the options
the Cayenne offers are meant to increase functionality and personality.
These options are: four-zone climate control, bolstered sport seats,
various wheel/tire upgrades and trailering preparation. With a maximum
cargo capacity of 63 cubic feet, the Cayenne has slightly more capacity
than the Range Rover but less than the Infiniti FX45.

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Porsche Boxter

The Porsche Boxster and Boxster S are fast, powerful cars and most
of all the best-handling production roadsters on the planet.
Introduced in 1996, it remained essentially unchanged, other than
moderate horsepower and interior-options tweaks. That’s what
Porsche usually does with the successful models: it retains car
look and configuration for ages.

A more powerful second-generation Boxster was introduced in 2005
and it keeps Porsche’s conservative evolutionary path. Like its
precedent, it is a mid-engine, six-cylinder two-seater that looks like
Porsche Spyder. Still, over half of Boxster`s structure and electronics
are borrowed from the 911 Carrera.

The 2005 Boxster looks sprightlier than its 2004 equivalent, thanks
to the revision of the torque and the 15 added hp and the extra power
coming on strongly between 2000rpm and 4000 rpm. The 2005
Boxster S virtually equals the acceleration and top-speed performance
of Porsche's expensive 911 Carrera. The Boxster exhaust has been
tuned to play a distinctive tromboning wail like no other car. This is a
amazing thing thinking that both engines are smaller versions of the
six-cylinder in the Carrera.

The transmission for base Boxters is five-speed manual but the optional
variant offers a six-speed. Both models can also be fitted with a
five-speed Tiptronic, the superb Porsche-designed automatic transmission
that began the trend toward manually shifted automatics.

The bodywork and the interior of the Boxster are of high quality, but considering
that there’s noting tricky or purely decorative, we can definitely say that
these are not opulent cars. Still, the interior has been improved since the
old car was often criticized for being to cheap-looking. The center console
has been upgraded with revised switch-gear and titanium look paneling.
The seats are more supportive and body-shaped in the new version,
making them look absolutely superb. Unlike other roadsters, the Boxster
has no problem swallowing luggage for a long trip: it has two trunks, a
small one in the rear and an amply deep one under the front hood.

One of The Boxster`s best qualities is the powered convertible top, very quick
to retract or re-erect. In the new Boxster, the top can be operated at speeds
up to 30 mph. The triple-layer padded cloth tops (with a heated-glass rear
window) is as weather-tight and quiet as most metal roofs.

The Boxster is called a mid engine-car. The reason is that the sweet six-cylinder
engine is mounted behind the seats, just fore of the rear axle. So if you wand
to see what’s under the hood once in while, well…you can’t do that with The Boxster.
The only way to see the engine is from underneath or by meticulously removing
body panels, which mechanics must do to service the engine. But, the good
news is that having the engine mounted closer to the center of the car makes
for better weight distribution. And that’s what makes the car handle so well.

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Porsche - a brief history

Ferdinand Porsche played an important role in the development
of airplanes and racing cars, and the construction of tanks for
the Wehrmacht. He is an automobile engineer with more than
a thousand patents to his name. He was appointed chief engineer
at Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart in the 1920s. Later on, he set
up his own engineering workshop and designed among others
the Volkswagen. At the plant where Volkswagen was made,
Wolfsburg, he was chief of operations and at the end of the war
he was interned by the Allies.

He was released a few years later and started building his first car
with his son, Ferry Porsche. The car was named the Porsche 356
and it was a sports car and a reminiscent of the Volkswagen.
It had the same four-cylinder boxer engine that was rear-mounted,
just like the VW. It was far from being a powerful sports car,
developing only 40 bhp and a maximum speed of 87 mph (140 km/h).
First produced as a convertible and later as a hard top it distinguished
by the very elegant and innovative body. It was developed in the
workshop of Erwin Komenda, a master of restrained streamlining
who had been in charge of sheet metal and design techniques at
Porsche since the VW Beetle. The new style of closed coupe was
designed by Komenda and it soon became the embodiment of the
sports car, thanks to its fastback.

This tradition was continued by Komenda and Ferdinand “Butzi”
Porsche, the founder’s grandson, with the 911.

The 911 became easily recognizable: it had attractive sloping
bonnet and what later became characteristic “frog eye” headlights,
curves running from the top edge of the windscreen to the rear bumper
and a straight waistline. From a functional and technical point of
view it was more like BMW 1500, although it retained the stylistic
features of the original Porsche. The new 911 will become the
foundation stone of Porsche’s identity, even though the design
was not always appreciated. During the 1970`s and 1980`s, the
designers attempts to distance Porsche from its legendary design brought
the company to the edge of disaster. The more modern 924 model,
“a people’s Porsche”, developed with Volkswagen, as well as the
928 were far from fulfilling the expectations.

In the 1990`s, the company realized that what for over twenty years
was perceived as a straitjacket, it was in fact a market
advantage. During the 1990`s, Porsche became highly
profitable since they now knew that the typical Porsche features
were timeless. Nearly forty people now worked in the design
department on further developments of the long-running 911.
These developments included the 911 GTI, a powerful combination
of sports and racing car, put forward by the in-house designer
Anthony R. Hatter. In 1999, chief designer proudly presented the
new Boxster which enabled Porshe to establish a second
independent range of models.

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Porsche 977 bodyshell

A new Porsche 911 is always fascinating because it’s interesting
to see how after more than 40 years of development the Porsche
team still manages to bring changes and improvements to this
icon model.

The new 997 bodyshell combines the sleek modern looks of
the 996 series with the popular retro styling cues from older 911s.
The front end is completed with round lights and separate
parking/fog/indicator lights. This change, combined with wider
hips echoes the last of the air-cooled 911s, the 993. Other changes
in the bodyshell are the new door handles, wing mirrors and the
stylish cut of the rear wings into the bumper/lights.

Even if the 997 looks a lot like the previous model, the 996, the new
car is actually 38mm wider which creates a more aggressive
appearance. With each new model introduced, Porsche has aimed
to reduce the drag co-efficient helping the 911 slide through the air
more effectively, and so aiding performance. The same thing has been
done with the new car, and if we compare the 993 Cd of 0.34 to the
997`s 0.28 we can see how far the aerodynamic game has moved on.
The latest body shell and rear wing combine with new underbody
paneling to also offer increased levels of down force for this latest
evolution of Porsche's finest.

The latest Porsche model is the best handling 911 ever. Improving a
car's rigidity helps ensure the suspension can work more effectively
and while not making such a quantum leap as the team did with the
996. Porsche improved torsional rigidity by 8% and added as much
as 40% more flexural strength.

For the new car, Porsche wanted to improve crash safety so they
added two new air bags located in the side of each front seat back-rest,
designed to protect the thorax. They kept the previous two front and two
side airbags, which means that now there are six in total. For the same
reason, crash safety, the reinforced body shell features further protection
such as a more extensive use of super high strength steel.

The latest model is also 50 kg heavier than the 996. The reason is that
modern crash safety regulations kind of force the new cars to come with
increased weight, despite the usage of a large range of weight saving
measures, including an aluminum bonnet.

Aside from the crash safety improvements, much of the additional weight
can be attributed to the higher standard specification of the new cars.
Power to weight is similar with the latest car offering 233 bhp per tone
against it’s predecessors 238 and the new models improved aerodynamics
must help it post Porsches claimed performance figures, which are
identical to the 996.

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Porsche 914

Introduced in September 1969, the Porsche 914 was a sporty,
mid-engined two-seater with a targa top and a 4 cylinder boxer
engine. The idea for this new model came up as Volkswagen
and Porsche collaborated to create a new car. VW would take
914 bodies and finish them as 914/4s, and Porsche would take
their portion of the body shells, and build 914/6s. When sold in
North America, however, all 914s would be considered Porsches.

Porsche 914 is not like other Porsches. It has pop-up headlamps,
a vertical rear windshield, and a flat deck lid covering the rear
trunk and engine. It has no backseats so when you sit down,
you are practically on the floor, which is on the road.

The interior of the 914 is quite simple, not luxurious but with all
necessities. There’s not too much space other than the
passenger seat. The transmission is like the 928's with 1st
down and to the left. The 914 has a targa top, and like
911's, it stores in the trunk. But if you take off the top and
roll down the windows, the Porsche 914 is a pretty nice
little roadster.

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Porsche 911 Turbo

In 2006, Dr. Ing. H.c. Porsche will extend it’s current product
line with the addition of a new 911 Turbo, the sixth generation
of the 911 series. This top-of-the-range model will have its world
premiere at the Geneva Motor Show on February 28, 2006 and
as from June 24, 2006 it will be available in German dealerships.

The 911 Turbo (type 997) has a few improvements. It has an
output of 480 bhp at 6,000 rpm, a 3.6 litre engine, a rated torque
of 620 Nm and a maximum torque available between 1,950 and
5,000 rpm. All these numbers are translated into driving
performance, as the 911 Turbo with six-speed manual transmission
only needs 3.9 seconds to get from zero to 100 km/h. The coupe
reaches 200 km/h in 12.8 seconds. Despite these performance
statistics, Porsche developers succeeded to keep the average
consumption to 12.8 liters per100 km.

For those who need even more speed, the 911 Turbo offers the
optionally Tiptronic S automatic transmission. This way, it can reach
100 km/h from a standing start in just 3.7 seconds and 200 km/h in
a mere 12.2 seconds. Both manual and automatic transmissions
have a top speed of 310 km/k. Available for the first time, the optional
“Sport Chrono Package Turbo” enhances the vehicle’s flexibility even
further.

The Porsche 911 Turbo features a redesigned all-wheel drive with
an electronically controlled multi-disc clutch. The result will be the
transfer of the available power to the road. That’s because, depending
on the driving conditions, this system will determine the optimal torque
distribution to ensure the best-possible drive. Also, Porsche Traction
Management (PTM) ensures variable power distribution to the two
driven axles. This means that on the road the 911Turbo will prove
outstanding traction in the rain or snow, high agility on narrow country
roads and optimal active safety even at high speeds.

The new 911 Turbo’s driving performance is duly tempered by its brake
system, which comprises monobloc fixed-caliper disc brakes with six
pistons at the front axle and four at the rear. The diameter of the internally
ventilated and perforated brake discs at the front and rear wheels is 350
millimeters. An optimized ceramic brake system that Porsche offers is
Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB). This high-tech system
reduces with 17 kilograms the standard brake system and provides an
excellent fading stability.

The major bodywork change of the 911 Turbo is the modified front end with
its distinctive, tautly drawn cooling air inlets. Combined with the standard
oval bi-xenon headlights, it will define the new unmistakable image. From
the rear perspective too, the Turbo will seem more powerful. This is due
first and foremost to its tail end, 22 millimeters wider than that of the previous
model, to which the redesigned wing spoiler element has been aligned.

Secondly, the lateral air inlets behind the doors have been redrawn and now
they offer a more efficient supply of cooling air to the charge-air intercoolers.

The basic price for the 911 Turbo is 115,000 Euros. In the USA, from July
8, 2006, the vehicle will be available at $122,000 (not including taxes).

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Porsche

Almost a century after its founder started designing automobiles, Porsche is still going strong and that’s the result of a premier cure for a mid-life crisis similar to Harley - Davidson. Porsche's lineup includes four model lines: the Boxster, the 911 models, the Cayenne SUV, and the Carrera GT. And if these vehicles are too expensive, Porsche also offers watches, luggage, and tennis rackets bearing its name. Descendants of the founding family still control the company and these days it has enlarged its area by offering consulting services to other companies involved in auto and furniture manufacturing, mechanical and electronic engineering, and construction.

Over the years, Porsche transformed itself from serious
money-loser into one of the most profitable car companies in the world, all this while other car manufactures toil over cash incentives, market share and strategies for the chinese market. Porsche has constantly rolled out new products and despite the costs and risks is has quadrupled its annual unit sales in just under a decade. The most recent debuts are the Boxster and the Cayenne. And so far, the key of their success seems to be the long product life cycles and the company intends to maintain this strategy.

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Porsche 64

Many consider the Porsche 64 (also known as the VW Aerocoupe,
Type 64 and Type 64K10) as being the first automobile by
Porsche. It was built mainly from parts from the Model 64 VW
Beetle and there comes the model number. Its flat-four engine
produced 50 bhp and gave a top speed of 160 km/h.

Porsche Burro designed the body after wind tunnel tests made
for the Type 114, a V10 sports car that was never produced.
Dr. Porsche wanted to enter the car in the 1939 Berlin-Rome
race. The bodywork company Reutter built three cars in
shaped aluminium. Out of the three, one was crashed in the
early World War II by a Kraft durch Freude (Volkswagen)
bureaucrat. The two remaining were used by the Porsche
family. Later on, they put one of them in the storage and used
only one. In May 1945 American troops discovered the one
put in storage, cut the roof off and used it for joyriding for a few
weeks until the engine gave up and it was scrapped. Pinin
Farina restored the remaining Porsche 64 in 1947, as it was
owned and driven by Ferry Porsche. In 1949, the Austrian racer
Otto Matte bought it and won the Alpine Rally in 1950 in it.

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2005 Porsche Carrera GT

Unofficially, the Porsche Carrera GT is a racecar, a racecar
built for the street. What makes it a racecar is not
necessarily the huge power produced by its V10 engine
or the carbon fiber construction that keeps everything very
lightweight – although these features surely make it a fast
car. It’s more the sum of its parts that make this car worth
every bit of its $440,000 price tag.

The Porsche Carrera GT was introduced as a 2004 model
and until 2005 there were already a few changes in order
to make the Carrera GT the new Porsche super car. These were
minor updates in order to make it a little more street friendly.
Between the supplemental bar hoops is now mounted a glass
screen. The seats height is adjusted along with the additional
bolstering in the thigh area. The Carrera GT is easy recognizable,
as it’s a low, sleek, lightweight roadster, very beautiful on the
outside as it is on the inside. Two removable panels that can
be stored in the front trunk make the foul weather protection
available.

The car has unique features, among which are: 5.7 liter, 605
horsepower V10 engine, monocoque chassis with
Porsche-patented engine and transmission mounts made of
carbon-reinforced plastic and the first use of a ceramic
composite clutch in a production car. A very important aspect
is that The Carrera is safe and stable at speeds up to 205 mph,
thanks to its aerodynamic and race-bred suspension package.

The design of the suspension is so sophisticated that the
shape of its components improves the Carrera GT`s aerodynamics.
The designers used lightweight materials such as magnesium
for the car’s substantial wheels and the frames of its special sport
seats, the result being a faster and safer car. To prove so, The
Carrera GT accelerates from a standing start to 62 mph (100km/h)
in only 3.9 seconds reaches 100 mph (160 km/h) in less than seven
seconds, 125 mph (200 km/h) in less than 10 seconds, and can
achieve a top test-track speed of 205 mph (330 km/h).

What makes this car have these impressive results is it’s 5.5
liter, normally aspirated V10 engine for racing created in the
development center in Weissach, Germany. That engine’s bores
have been enlarged to displace 5.7 liters in the Carrera GT. It has
a very low center of gravity, a 68-degree V angle and four
valves-per-cylinder heads. Since the block, crankshaft and
camshafts are all made of light alloys, the engine weights
only 472 pounds (214 kg).

To stop this “monster” Porsche`s team used a high-tech
braking system. Developed for demanding motorsports
applications, ceramic brakes are the first to work for on-road use.
The massive 15 inch ventilated discs and six-piston calipers have
the amazing capacity of bringing the car to a sure and safe stop,
matched only by the stunning acceleration of Carrera GT.

Porsche Carrera GT is definitely a exotic appearance, a
car that can do it all: fascinate you with its good looks, astound
you with its performance and abilities on the race track.

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Getting thrifty car rentals

When planning to travel to other countries or even just to a different state, car rental has always been a must especially for traveling business men who need to go to one place to another. However, is spite of whatever “status” they may have, business men as well as ordinary travelers still opt to find and avail of the most thrifty car rentals that they could find. Thrifty car rentals usually abound, whether it be on directories, the internet or wherever it is that you can find service advertisements. It really just a matter of choosing the best thrifty car rental for you and your needs.

Convenience is always a must whenever a person travels, this is pretty much while a lot of people opt to avail of thrifty car rentals, aside from having the convenience of being able to go whichever place they want without the hassle of hopping from one kind of mass transportation to another, they still get good value for their money.

A good example of a reputable thrifty car rental service company in the country is the Alamo car rental company. A lot of people actually recommend availing its thrifty car rental service, because of aside from being practical, they provide good and efficient service to their customers. From providing their customers with a wide range of vehicles to choose from, cars, RVs, basically just whatever type of vehicle that you may need for you travels. They also have various travel programs that you can choose from, this thrifty car rental has actually created various customer programs to suit each and every one’s needs and demands. From corporate programs to government contractor programs, thrifty car rentals surely is their line of expertise.

Another good reason for choosing the Alamo car rental service as your thrifty car rental option, is their strict adherence to quality of service, they’ve really made a name fro themselves by making sure that their customers needs are always kept and they’ve made it a point to keep their good customer feedback by assuring their customers (as well as those who are just browsing) that they provide quality, yet thrifty car rentals.

Thrifty car rentals should never really be a hassle to your traveling needs (or demands), it is pretty easy to land on a huge list of companies that are able to provide quality yet thrifty car rentals. Just be sure to keep a keen eye on the companies that you are choosing from, unfortunately, is spite of a lot of thrifty car rentals who really do try to make an honest living by providing good, quality service to its customers, some sleazy thrifty car rentals still circulate in the market. Be sure to be cautious still when choosing, some may offer really low rates but their cars may be not of real good quality, simply put, the reason why they’re offering thrifty car rentals may be because of their defective cars.

Look out for "signs" when you’re choosing. Ask around, from your family, friends, colleagues and especially your travel agent in which of these thrifty car rentals would they actually recommend. Weigh out your options based on your needs, wants and most importantly, you budget. Of course, having a limited budget shouldn’t really just force you to end up settling with just any thrifty car rental service, shelling out a little more may not really hurt you. In the end, when it comes to looking for thrifty car rentals, it really is more of the quality of service that they provide which should matter to you.

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National Car Rental, Quality Through the Years

The National Car Rental is one of the oldest and the pioneer in the car rental business. In 56 years of business, the National Car Rental has pioneered amongst its most famous, the one way rental feature, for those people who’d want to rent a car in one town and leave it in another, which makes it more convenient for the renter.

National Car rental was also the first car rental company to computerize its reservation operations. With the introduction of “Telemax” computers to their system, reservation process ahs improved moving to a faster and more hassle free renting.

And since the airline industry deregulation in 1976, causing increase in airline travel costs, national car rental gave flat rates for car renters, who chose renting cars rather than flying.

National car rentals is also one of the earliest companies to start corporate account business back in the 70’s. Through this program, National has focused on the corporate traveler more so than any other company. It was also the first in the rental industry to start a frequent renter program. It was also the first to use paperless car rentals and use computers to make dealings faster; they called this the “Emerald Club” and the “Paperless Express Rental Agreement”. The “Emerald Aisle” program enables customers to select the cars that they want, with paperless ease, bypassing the rental counter, and getting them on their way faster and more efficiently. The “Choice Rental Process” in addition enabled customers to choose the exact car that they want, and “QuickRent” that gives non Emerald Club members to skip the rental counter when they complete the deal online.

National car rental is now affiliated with many different companies, all to improve the customers renting experience. These companies include, Air Canada, Air Miles, Air France, Alaska Airlines, Alitalia, America West airlines, American Airlines, ATA airlines, Delta Airlines, Continental Airlines, Frontier Airlines, Hawaiian Airlines, Iberia airlines, Midwest airlines, Lanchile, United Airlines and Northwest airlines all having frequent flyer and miles/kilometer programs that can be applied to car rentals as well, some of these airlines even consider national car rental miles, for air miles.

Other affiliates include Coast Hotels and Resorts, which give lower rates for national customers that stay in their Hotels, Hilton Family of Hotels, which let you ear 250 HHonors form their Hilton Honors Points and miles, for every rent from national car rental, as well as American Express who lets you earn points when you’ve enrolled for their program for national car rental.

Aside from all the discounts a features that you will acquire through their affiliates, National Car rentals offer a wide range of vehicles for you to choose from, the classes of cars that you could possibly rent form national cars are endless, the types of vehicles that you’ll be able to rent are classified as subcompact, compact, intermediate, full-size, premium, luxury, sports utility, Mini van and convertible.

National Car rentals also have special offers for their customers, one of which is the “Last minute specials to go” which offers different specials every week at different locations. The other special, the “Great internet rates - Book ahead special’ gives discounts fro those that reserve their cars early in the internet. The weekend value Rates – Book ahead special offers lower weekend rates. National car also offers internet only discounts also a book ahead special, which applies to mini vans and SUVs.

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The Ins and Outs of Europe Car Rental

Europe, a continent filled with so much culture and history. A lot of people actually flock to Europe year after year to visit its sights and experience its rich culture. The modern yet still quite laid-back lifestyle that Europeans have been known for has always fascinated tourists, from being true-blue sophisticates who are very much adept to fashion, literature, history, culture and the arts, this is why a lot of people have been drawn to Europe’s simple yet elegant charm time and time again. Of course, traveling around Europe will be really much of a hassle if you don’t have the proper transportation to quickly and conveniently take you from one spectacular tourist destination to another. The most probable solution to this dilemma is a car, ever ready, you’re sure to get to where you want to go at your leisure. Europe car rental however may be quite tricky to some. Let’s face it, a lot of the countries in the European continent isn’t really comprised of English-speaking people and if they do speak a little English, it’s still highly likely that you won’t be able to understand what he/she is saying, it really is best, especially when it comes to Europe car rental, to book everything in advance. Even before your plane lands in the airport tarmac, make all the necessary arrangements that you need to have.

To help you get started on your Europe car rental quest, try to coordinate it with your trip. Which country/countries are you actually going to? Which one/ones will actually really need for you to rent a car (please be reminded that there are some European cities where it’s more favorable to walk instead of taking mass/private transportations)? How much will you actually need to spare for your Europe car rental fees? Is it worth it? Also, try to map out the places that you’re already planning to visit, calculate the distances that you’ll need to travel from one place to the next and if it’ll really be a lot easier (and cheaper) for you to rent a car than take mass transport then by all means, go check out the various Europe car rental agencies available in your area. You need to have everything fixed and taken care of before you embark on your great European adventure.
There are a lot of available Europe car rental agencies who are willing to lend you their services at really affordable prices – well to some extent. From small, typical European cars to luxury cars and RVs, you’re bound to get the vehicle of your choice since there are numerous Europe car rental agencies in the market.

Try to start your search for the ultimate Europe car rental agency by asking your travel agent on which Europe car rental agencies he/she can recommend. Also, if you have friends or relatives who’ve been to Europe, try asking them on which Europe car rental agency they prefer and if it really is a lot more convenient (and worth it) to rent around car for your grand European vacation. Also, help educate your self more with regards to Europe car rental by browsing through the internet. Surely, the internet really is best-known for easy-access research and it really is quite definite that you’ll land your self on a reputable Europe car rental service that will hopefully be able to cater to your needs, wants and budget. Plus, all the necessary transactions can even be done through the internet. So the hassles of trying to find a good enough Europe car rental specialist and booking their services, will clearly be not something that you have to go through anymore.

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