Hyundai Genesis - Hyundai Reborn!

By Martin Fretwell

About ten years ago my wife and I went to Paris with friends in their Hyundai estate. As I had lived in Germany at one stage, I was used to driving on the wrong side of the road, so I drove. As it was someone else's car, I didn't go quite as fast as maybe I would have in my own car, (at the time a rather nice Nissan 200SX) but nevertheless the Hyundai proved an adequate cruiser despite the 1600 cc engine. It was also surprisingly quiet for an estate, they are usually a bit "boomy" and the estate was certainly big enough for all our luggage (the friend has a bit of a "thing" about shoes and so had one suitcase more than anyone else and we still had room for all the cheap French beer and wine we were bringing back

On balance the Hyundai was an adequate car. No frills, (no aircon or cruise for example) but a reasonable drive and eminently suitable for our little jaunt.

Move on about ten years and the friends have had a variety of cars by now, but the new Hyundai S Coupe is launched (you know the one that looks like the Toyota Celica) and they decide to give the new Hyundai a try. Nice styling, a shark lime air intake just in front of the front wheel arch adds to the look. It goes well, has air and leather and all in all is an adequate sports coupe.

And that's where I had a problem with Hyundai. Now if you didn't know, Hyundai build ships. Hyundai also build monster trucks, they also build power stations. They are a huge construction company. In all these fields of operation adequate is just fine. Time was when Rolls Royce described their performance as adequate, and with Rolls Royce that was fine - because you just knew that their definition of adequate meant something a whole lot different to adequate from a shipbuilder. For a shipbuilder, I guess adequate means it will float.

But with cars, adequate just isn't good enough.

But it looks like Hyundai finally have the message as the new Genesis is something more than adequate. Now funnily enough there is no badge and you could be forgiven for thinking this is a lexus, or maybe a baby Merc. The lines down the bonnet to the merc like grille reminded me of the BMW 5 series a little. Why no badge - well Hyundai = adequate and so does their badge, so, they've left it off!

Now here we have a serious attempt by a major manufacturer to enter the American market. And they're doing it in style, but at a sensible price. $30,000 for a V6 which will rocket you to 60 in under 6 seconds. And there's a 4.6 litre V8 version too!

And how about toys and gadgets? Well there's an eight inch satnav, reversing cameras (for the wife) radar cruise control cooled seats air conditioning (USA well of course). As to the handling, Hyundai say it's been specifically designed to be stiffer than the latest BMW 5 series, having 5 link suspension front and rear and the drive is to the rear wheels through a six speed auto ZF gearbox.

Well done Hyundai - the new Genesis is going to make the "established" car makers sit up and take notice.

Style, performance and luxury at a reasonable price, keep em coming!

I really do drive a Merceded S Class, (S55 AMG) but I was enthralled to see the latest Hyundai as it looks so similar to my own car, but at a fraction of the price. It has all the bells and whistles too.

http://www.theverybestautos.com/hyundai-genesis

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Martin_Fretwell

Renewable Energy As a Viable Alternative - If Not Now, Then When?

by Gary_W_Patterson

As traditional energy resources (read: fossil-based fuels) are being depleted, more and more countries are turning to renewable energy. As the definition implies, renewable energy sources are not depletable. Instead, they can be replenished as they are being used. This makes renewable energy a very appealing alternative to our overdependence on other natural resources such as fossil fuels, which are not only pollutants but are not replenishable. Renewable energy comes in many different forms. Below is a review of the most popular forms that are receiving attention in the emerging green marketplace.

Solar power is perhaps the most well-known renewable resource. In fact, its popularity is growing with consumers who are beginning to install solar panels to help power their homes with natural sunlight. Solar power works on collecting sunlight, which is converted into energy and becomes a power source for machines and equipment. Solar panels are currently being tested on vehicles to generate power without using fuel.

Biomass energy is created from organic material obtained from plant and animal matter and their byproducts. It is a renewable energy source based on the carbon cycle, unlike other natural resources (e.g., coal and petroleum) that are based on fossil fuels, which emit carbon dioxide (a pollutant). There are many different sources of biomass energy, including wood, crops, manure and certain types of garbage. From these sources, methane gas and ethanol are created to make alternative sources of fuel. This may be a boon to car manufactures in their efforts to create cars that are more environmentally sound and energy-efficient. Namely, cars that can run on ethanol and biodiesel instead of gasoline.

Hydropower uses water to create energy. Some regions of the country (like the Northwest) use hydropower energy plants to power entire communities. However, there are problems associated with hydropower plants that strict environmentalists are quick to point out. They argue that hydropower plants threaten to disturb and/or adversely affect natural habitats that involve water. Instead of allowing water to flow freely, water is being redirected and controlled in a way that alters the natural order of ecosystems.

Geothermal energy uses heat from the earth stored below its surface. Volcanoes, hot springs, and geysers are natural sources of geothermal energy. With this source geothermal power plants are built near geothermal resources, usually located within one or two miles of the site.

Wind power is another commonly used renewable resource, which converts wind into electricity. Remember the good old windmills seen in the Dutch countryside? Yesterdays windmills have turned into modern wind turbines. Many countries throughout the world, including the United States, are taking advantage of this source of energy for an obvious reason: It is readily available, particularly in areas now described as wind corridors, such as Texas and parts of the Midwest.

While renewable energy has many benefits as it relates to the environment, it does have some drawbacks that are worth noting. One of the main problems is that it is difficult to generate the same amount of energy that can be generated from traditional sources (fossil fuels). Also, some of the methods described above cannot be used everywhere because many renewable resources cannot be transported, and even those that can come with a high transportation price tag. This means that a specific method has to physically be constructed around a specific renewable resource. This can compound problems for the construction of power plants. Expensive transmission infrastructure and permitting processes would also be required to get power from the area generated to consumer locations.

Scientists are currently working on ways to get the most out of using renewable resources and are creating better and more methods to make renewable resources more widespread and easier to use. In the end, if renewable energy resources are to replace traditional sources of energy, they will have to seen as having all of the benefits of traditional methods. Although recent developments have shown that scientists are well on their way to making renewable energy more readily available, we are not quite there.

Current congressional leadership favors a greener world by way of issuing carbon taxes and stricter regulations, many of which are untested and fraught with political pork issues. This situation will definitely create winners and losers, which points to the urgency for businesses and consumers alike to begin planning for the inevitability of a greener world, with all of its associated pros and cons and unintended consequences.

Bottom line? - Apply this information to improve your profitability, reengineer business models, and strengthen or gain competitive advantage in the marketplace. And apply the free Fiscal Test at http://fiscaldoctor.com/fiscaltest.html

From Gary W Patterson, http://www.FiscalDoctor.com - Copyright 2008

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Gary_W_Patterson

Gary W Patterson - EzineArticles Expert Author

Buying a Used Moped on eBay

By Jeremy Conlin

Mopeds and scooters are selling like hot cakes as fuel prices have reached all time highs. USA Today reported in August that dealerships across the country are often sold out of moped lines or have only a few models and styles available to choose from. If you are having a difficult time finding the model and style options locally you might try looking on ebay for a used moped. Ebay is the largest internet auction site online. They often have hundreds of listings for used mopeds and scooters posted by individual owners from across the country.

When buying a used moped on ebay you want to keep a couple of things in mind. First of all you want to get yourself a great deal if not at least a fair deal. There are several key factors to analyze when looking at ebay listings to insure you get a good deal. Lets take a look at them one by one. If you are new to ebay you can register as a new user with ebay in a matter of a few minutes, and begin searching the auction listings for terms such as "used mopeds" or "used scooters". As you click on the individual auction listings, take note of the sellers rank. Are they ranked by ebay with a good sellers standing? Are they new and have only conducted a few transactions or are they an established seller with thousands of transactions. I would advise not purchasing a high priced item such as a moped from a new seller with under fifty transactions to be on the safe side. As you analyze the auction listings jot down any pertinent information about each one that catches your eye. Select "watch this item" on the individual item pages to easily get back to the deals that are most attractive.

When you have a list of your favorite auction items choose one to bid on that comes out on top. Some factors to weigh in for making this choice are brand reputation, color and style, miles per gallon rating (70-90 is good), miles on the odometer, wear and tear on the frame, recent servicing, previous ownership, and current location of the moped. If these items are not addressed in the auction listing you can easily "ask the seller a question" on the right sidebar under "meet the seller".

The next thing to factor in before you place bids on your favorite listing is the cost of getting your moped delivered if you win the auction. If it is located far away from you geographically the clear option will likely be to have it shipped to you. Some sellers offer free shipping and this can make it a great deal, but if not you will want to get a shipping estimate from ebay. The cost will likely be about four to six hundred dollars to ship directly to you. If you can win the item for a good bid price then this would be the most convenient and time saving way to have it delivered. A second option for the more budget conscious is to use the "advanced search" option located to the right side of the ebay search tool. Here you can select mopeds & scooters under "powersports" in the drop down menu. Then select listings within five hundred miles from your zip code or from the nearest big city to you. From my recent search of San Francisco, Ca I got back sixty five listings to comb through which is a great selection of deals. If I were to bid on and win an auction I would set up a time to pick up the moped with the seller, and then tow a small Uhaul trailer to go pick it up. Even with the current cost of gas this would save a pretty penny in shipping and might be the best option if you find a great listing in your area.

Now that you have some ideas on buying a used moped on ebay its time to start bidding on your top choice. I would most importantly only bid on one item at a time since you don't want to risk the possibility of winning two auctions simultaneously. Generally it is best to bid on one item at a time, set good bid increments, and know when the auction ends so you can up your bid near the end if you feel you could go higher. For some good ballpark bidding advice you can visit kelly blue book for a value estimation on used mopeds you want to set bids for. Ebay is continuously posting new items so if at first you are outbid, don't despair there will likely be more used mopeds listed for your bidding pleasure in a matter of days. That pretty much sums it up for buying a used moped or scooter on ebay. If you do your due diligence as a buyer, know what your bidding on, and bid accordingly you can get a great deal on ebay for a moped.

For more information on moped brands, gas saving tips and for current moped auctions visit the authors website at http://used-moped-auctions.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jeremy_Conlin

What is Biofuel?

By Chuck R Mitchell

What is Biofuel? (also called agrofue) It can be broadly defined as solid, liquid, or gas fuel consisting of, or derived from biomass. The definition used here is narrower: biofuel is defined as liquid or gas transportation fuel derived from biomass. Biomass can also be used directly for heating or power: this is commonly called biomass fuel: see biomass heating systems. Biofuel is considered a means of reducing[2] greenhouse gas emissions and increasing energy security by providing an alternative to fossil fuels.

That is why biofuels are used globally: biofuel industries are expanding in Europe, Asia and the Americas. The most common use for biofuels is in automotive transport (for example E10 fuel). Biofuel can be produced from any carbon source that can be replenished rapidly e.g. plants. Many different plants and plant-derived materials are used for biofuel manufacture.

Humans have used biomass fuels for heating and cooking since the discovery of fire. Following the discovery of electricity, it became possible to use biofuels to generate electrical power as well. However, the discovery and use of fossil fuels: coal, gas and oil, have dramatically reduced the amount of biomass fuel used in the developed world for transport, heat and power.

Liquid biofuels have been used since the early days of the car industry. Nikolaus August Otto, the German inventor of the internal combustion engine, conceived his invention to run on ethanol. Rudolf Diesel, the German inventor of the Diesel engine, designed it to run on peanut oil. Henry Ford originally designed the Ford Model T, a car produced from 1903 to 1926, to run completely on ethanol. However, when crude oil became cheaply available (thanks to oil reserves discovered in Pennsylvania and Texas), cars began using fuels derived from mineral oil: petroleum or diesel.

Chuck is a college student and is studying biology. He is studying addition methods of new alternatives in energy and you will read some of his articles and research in these areas. To find out more about biofuels go to http://new-biofuel.info

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Chuck_R_Mitchell

Volkswagen New Beetle Review

he Volkswagen New Beetle was the cute car that started the retro-futurist design craze, which is still going strong. It was a modernized version of the legendary VW Beetle and struck a chord with consumers who had grown tired of standard conservative car designs and had fond memories of the "Bugs" from their youth.

Now on sale in the North American market for more than a decade, the Volkswagen New Beetle hasn't really changed. It's still a good car, but it's not as functional as other offerings in its class. Buyers also have little reason to pick up a new New Beetle over a certified pre-owned model.

Current Volkswagen New Beetle

The Volkswagen New Beetle is available as a two-door hatchback or a two-door convertible. Although the front-wheel-drive compact is based on the previous-generation Golf platform, it has less interior space than the Rabbit (and most compacts in its class). The front seats are roomy, but the same can hardly be said of the back. Trunk space is tight and even more limiting on the convertible. The convertible comes with a manual-folding top (and a glass rear window) as standard. A power top is available as an option.

Overall, options are few. The New Beetle is loaded with standard equipment, including air-conditioning, a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, cruise control, full power accessories, faux leather seating and a CD/MP3 stereo with satellite radio and auxiliary audio jack. A 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine provides 150 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. Traction control and stability control are standard on all models, as is a five-speed manual transmission. A six-speed automatic is optional.

In road and comparison tests, we found the Volkswagen New Beetle to be a fun car to drive. It isn't a spirited experience, but excels at what it was built for -- cruising and being seen cruising in. The engine revs smoothly and pulls well, though no one will mistake it for lively. The suspension is on the soft side of sporty. Those interested in the convertible should be aware that rearview visibility is poor with the top up (small rear window) and down (stacked soft top).

Past Volkswagen New Beetle Models

Technically, the Volkswagen New Beetle is still in its first generation, but that's not to say there haven't been changes since its launch for 1998. Earlier models (up to 2005) used GL, GLS and GLX designations to reflect the various trim levels. From 1998-2005, the base engine was a 115-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder. A 100-hp 1.9-liter Turbo Direct Injection turbodiesel was also offered (the TDI trim) until the end of 2006, when it failed to meet new emissions regulations.

Until recently, turbocharged gasoline engines have been a big part of the New Beetle's trim lineup. Sold from 1999-2006, the New Beetle 1.8T was powered by a 1.8-liter turbo four-cylinder, which put out 150 hp. For 2002, VW added the Turbo S trim to the coupe lineup. It was equipped with a retuned 180-hp version of the 1.8T turbo engine and a six-speed manual transmission. The Turbo S was discontinued after 2004, while the current 2.5-liter engine showed up for 2006.

Throughout the years, Volkswagen has released several special-edition models, including limited-edition colors and trim packages. For 2002, VW added a Sport edition, which essentially was a 1.8T with a five-speed manual, 17-inch wheels and a leather interior. The convertible was launched for the 2003 model year.

source : http://www.edmunds.com/volkswagen/newbeetle/review.html

BMW Z4

The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car by the German automaker BMW, known as the E85 in roadster form and E86 in coupe form. Production started in 2002, and thus replaced the BMW Z3. The design addresses many criticisms of the Z3; the Z4 is larger, and has a significantly stiffer chassis. It is built in Spartanburg, South Carolina. Initially, the Z4 was available only as a roadster, but in 2006 a coupé version was officially launched.

The Z4 was designed by Chris Bangle and began the controversy over his "flame surfacing" design and aggressive styling choices, which can also be seen on most modern BMW cars, most noticeably the 7 Series and 5 Series. As of 2007, the entire BMW car line, including the BMW 3 Series and X5 SAV, had incorporated Chris Bangle's design theme.

The Z4 features a strut type front suspension like its predecessor, the Z3. The rear suspension, however is considerably different from that of the Z3, which was based on that of the E30 BMW 3 Series. Instead of a semi-trailing arm suspension, the Z4 uses a more advanced multi-link suspension.

Features
The Z4 offered a choice of four straight-six engines: 2.2 L, 2.5 L, 3.0 L, and 3.2 L. All are variants of the BMW M54 engine. In the European market, a 2.0 L straight-4 is also offered. The 2.2 L, 120 kW (170 bhp) version can reach 100 km/h in 7.7 s, but is not sold in the United States.

The 2.5 L engine produces 141 kW (192 bhp) at 6000 rpm. BMW claims a 6.8 s time to 100 km/h (62 mph) with a manual transmission. It weighs 1,335 kg (2,932 lb) with a manual transmission—30 kg (66 lb) lighter than the 3.0 L version, but still heavier than the 2.5 L Z3's weight of 1315 kg (2899 lb).

The 3.0 L, 170 kW (215 bhp) (at 5900 rpm) straight six has a claimed time to 100 km/h (62 mph) of 5.9 s.

The 3.2 L motor produces 246 kW (330 bhp) at 7900 rpm and (262 ft·lbf) of torque at (4900 rpm)[1]

The most powerful car of the Z4 line-up is the Z4 M. It features a naturally aspirated, in-line six cylinder engine, used in the third generation of the BMW M3. It produces 340 bhp at 7900 rpm, and 365 nm (270 lb-ft) of torque. 0-100 km/h takes 5 seconds, and the top speed is limited to 250 km/h.
2003 BMW Z4 roadster
2003 BMW Z4 roadster

Five-speed manual gearboxes are standard on all models except the 3.0 L and the M Roadster, which has a 6-speed Getrag. 5-speed or 6-speed automatic are available on all non M cars. The M Roadster shares its 6-speed Getrag 217 manual gearbox with the M3. [2]

A Sport package is also available, which adds stiffer and lower suspension, larger wheels with run-flat tires, and Dynamic Driving control, BMW's Vehicle Stability Control system.
2006-2007 Z4 3.0si
2006-2007 Z4 3.0si

In 2006, BMW updated the Z4 line by installing its new N52 I-6 engines. In the 3.0si, this engine makes 190 kW (255 bhp) and 220 lb·ft (298 N·m) of torque. The N52 features a magnesium block construction, which consists of an aluminum interior for the cylinders, and an outer magnesium block. This produces an engine block that weighs only 50+ pounds. The engine features BMW's Valvetronic variable valve timing system for increased performance, are considerably more powerful through the middle of the rev range, and also improve fuel economy noticeably. A final benefit of the N52 engines is that they improve handling and turn-in due to the decreased weight over the nose of the car. This is particularly noticeable when compared to the Z4 M, which continues with the heavier S54 iron block engine.

In addition to the powertrain updates, BMW made mild revisions to the styling of the Z4, added several electronic features, and increased the brake size on the 3.0si models.

source : http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_Z4#2008