CARS WALLPAPER GALLERY

CAR OF THE MONTH, THE NISSAN 370 Z

THe 370Z Specs:

Engine: 3.7-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 aluminum-alloy engine

332 hp @ 7,000 rpm
270 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm

Nismo engine spec:

3.7-liter DOHC 24-valve V6 aluminum-alloy engine
350 hp @ 7,400 rpm
276 lb-ft @ 5,200 rpm

0-100 km/h, 5.4 seconds. 0-160 km/h, 12.8 seconds

HONDA INSIGHT

Where: On the used car market.

Why: If you don't need more than a two-seater, it is almost impossible to beat the Honda Insight, the very first hybrid car to hit the U.S. market. Only drawback: They aren’t being made any more, so finding one could take some searching.

How much: The Insight sold for $20,000 new; today, prices for used ones range from about $3,500 to $13,700.

Nice touch: When it comes to fuel efficiency, many drivers report 70+ real-world miles per gallon. According to the EPA, the Insight was the most fuel-efficient mass-produced automobile ever sold in the United States.

FORD ESCAPE HYBRID

Where: Ford

Why: If you really need an SUV, the Ford Escape hybrid is currently the one that gets the best fuel economy. Keep an eye out for the 2009 Saturn VUE 2-Mode hybrid, however. Though it's not yet available everywhere, it may just dethrone the Escape hybrid in its category.

How much: Starting at $26,640

Nice touch: It gets better fuel economy than many non-hybrid cars that are much smaller, especially in city driving where it is rated at 34 miles per gallon. It also meets California's strict emissions standards for SULEV (Super Ultra Low Emission Vehicle) and AT-PZEV (Advanced Technology Partial Zero Emission Vehicle)

HONDA CIVIC HYBRID

Where: Honda

Why: Probably the closest competitor to the Toyota Prius, some people prefer its aesthetics and the way it drives.

How much: Starting at $22,600

Nice touch: For those who don't like to be noticed, the Honda Civic Hybrid looks almost identical to its non-hybrid cousins. Combined fuel economy for city and highway is 42 miles per gallon, according to the EPA.

TOYOTA PRIUS

Where: Toyota

Why: Even four years after the second generation was introduced, the Prius still offers a best-of-class mix of fuel efficiency and low emissions. We expected that it would have more competitors by now, but it hasn't happened yet, which makes this car a perennial favorite.

How much: Starting at $22,000

Nice touch: This best-selling hybrid car has sold more than 1 million units worldwide and was named Green Car of the Year for 2008 by Consumer Reports. According to the U.S. EPA, combined fuel economy for city and highway is 46 miles per gallon.

IS TESLA SEDAN ELECTRIC CAR OF THE FUTURE??

Concept cars are both extremely fascinating and frustrating because, if and when they eventually go into production, they never look like the shinny ultra cool cars spinning on display at your local auto show.
So while it may be very difficult indeed to discern the future of automotive style and substance from concept cars, it is not to hard to predict the death of trends from current productions cars.

DODGE VIPER SRT-10

Car: Dodge Viper SRT-10
Time: 3.9 seconds
Engine: V10
Max Power: 600hp
Price (USD): 90,000

LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO COUPE

Car: Lamborghini Gallardo Coupe
Time: 3.9 seconds
Engine: V10
Max Power: 520hp
Price (USD): 178,550

CHEVROLET CORVETTE Z06

Car: Chevrolet Corvette Z06
Time: 3.7 seconds
Engine: V8
Max Power: 505hp
Price (USD): 70,000

FERRARI 599 GTB FIORANO

Car: Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
Time: 3.6 seconds
Engine: V12
Max Power: 611hp
Price (USD): 280,295

MERCEDES BENZ SLR 722

Car: Mercedes Benz SLR 722
Time: 3.5 seconds
Engine: Unknown
Max Power: Unknown
Price (USD): 482,750

PORSCHE 911 TURBO

Car: Porsche 911 Turbo
Time: 3.4 seconds
Engine: Twin turbo-charged V6
Max Power: 480hp
Price (USD): 122,900

RUF CTR3

Car: RUF CTR3
Time: 3.2 seconds
Engine: Unknown (Porsche 911 Turbo?)
Max Power: Unknown
Price (USD): 520,000

SALEEN S7

Car: Saleen S7
Time: 2.8 seconds
Engine: Twin turbo-charged V8
Max Power: 750hp
Price (USD): 592,700

SSC ULTIMATE AERO TT

Car: SSC Ultimate Aero TT
Time: 2.78 seconds
Engine: Twin-turbocharged V8
Max Power: 1183hp
Price (USD): 549,000

BUGATTI VEYRON

Car: Bugatti Veyron
Time: 2.5 seconds
Engine: W-16 (dual V8)
Max Power: 1001hp
Price (USD): 1.4mil

PEOPLE ATTRACTED TO CARS WITH ANGRY FACES

Consumers prefer cars to be angry-looking and dominant. That’s the official word from a team at the University of Vienna after studying a group of male and female volunteers. Each were asked to rate the design features on 38 passenger cars introduced between 2004 and 2006. After rating the vehicle’s physical traits, the researchers asked if the subjects saw “faces” (it’s a phenomenon called “pareidolia”) in the vehicles’ appearances. Lastly, they asked participants which cars in the group they preferred. Interestingly enough, the more a vehicle bore characteristics appearing mature, dominant, masculine, arrogant, and angry-looking, the better the research subjects liked the cars. While the study didn’t correlate actual sales figures with implied vehicle attitudes, it does add credence to the fact that emotion sways consumers towards certain models and adds yet another meaning to the familiar mid-cycle “facelift.”

WORLDS AMAZING SPORTS CARS

HONDA CR-Z

This is a concept of a new and upcoming Honda CR-Z which wil actually be yet another Hybrid… I’m not saying I’m not all for alternative car fuels or hybrid cars, but come on guys — not every single new car you guys make HAS to be a Hybrid, is it?

Oh well, it looks great (just like most of the new Honda’s) and I hope they make a non-hybrid non-diesel version. :p

HONDA FC SPORT CONCEPT

Another drop dead gorgeous concept car by Honda, this FC Sport Hydrogen supercar is more than just a goodlooking thing — it’ll save the planet while making you look like a billionaire!

Not too much talking — straight on the the beautiful pics I found on the green car site!

Look at that cut in the side. Awww! I love the huge logo on the back too — very nice!