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The New Mercedes E Class On The Spotlight

Mercedes mid-level E-Class is not only their best selling model, it’s also one of my favorite prestige cars. The E350 and E550 saloons have been redesigned for 2010, complete with new styling and a host of new electronic gadgets. All very impressive but I wanted to see if the E-Class was still the same.

At First Glance

I don’t like change. So I was not happy when Mercedes announced that the new E-Class was coming for 2010.

See, I don’t just like the E-Class – I love the E-Class. To me, the E Class was the medicine for rush hour traffic: A road going smooth piece of machinery that’s like sitting in your favorite armchair. Just getting into an E Class relaxes one of all the stresses of the day.

Like the old E, the new E’s cabin is a wood-trimmed lined with soft, high-quality plastics. Genuine leather comes standard on the E550. The transmission stick has moved to the steering column, freeing space for two cup holders, a big center armrest, and the dial controller that runs many of the car’s functions, including navigation, stereo and Blue tooth speakerphone.

The E provides plenty of room up front and quite a bit in the back, although rear legroom gets tight if the front seats are adjusted all the way back. Booth capacity is 15.9 cubic feet; you can expand that, but only if you pay extra for a split fold rear seat. Why Mercedes charges extra for this feature, when most cars have it for free, is beyond me.

The 2010 E has a host of new gadgets, including Attention Assist, somehow deduces from steering inputs if the driver is falling asleep and sounds an alarm. Options include a night vision camera that highlights pedestrians (costs extra) and a parking assist system that tells you when to turn the steering wheel (costs extra) Some cars have an optional drivers seat with active air bladders. The massage function is nice, but I’d probably save the extra cost and settle for the standard 14 way power seat.

On the Road

Drive the V6-powered E350 saloon, I can’t see anyone needing any more power than its 268 horsepower engine delivers. For those people who live outside of my imagination, the E550 offers a 382 hp 5.5 liter V8 a beautiful engine that delivers its power smoothly and gently, unless you floor the accelerator, in which case it propels you down the road at a rate of knots. The E550 also comes with air springs, which produce an impossible blend of sharp handling and a smooth ride.

Still the one

Having finished my test I conclude that the new E-Class may have new styling and lots of new gadgets, but it’s still the same smooth piece of machinery it always has been. And it’s still the standard by which I judge prestige saloons.

As is the case with most cars, the E-Class isn’t the best pick for everyone. While the lower prices are a nice surprise, the E class still isn’t cheap, especially once you start adding in options.

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Chrysler As A Company Started Long Before The Fiat Deal

Chrysler history all began way back in the year 1908 when Walter P. Chrysler began his business by taking part at a Chicago auto show. He was thirty three years old and was employed by the railways. But, automobiles was his true love and when he saw a white colored Locomobile he fell for it and went into debt just so that he could own it. Then followed many months of tinkering about this car and it was only later that he learned how to drive this car.

In another four years, Chrysler turned his obsession for automobiles into a career. As a production manager for Buick he worked hard and rose to become the president as well as General Manager of a GM division. This was his first serious involvement with automobiles. He then, after having quit his previous job in 1920, took to resuscitating an unsuccessful Willys Overland company and repeated this job with another firm called Maxwell Chalmers. Four years down the line (1924) he was successful in launching his first car that bore his name.

It only took three more years for Chrysler to achieve success during which time he had bought out Maxwell which was to be the stepping stone to creating the successful car manufacturing company called Chrysler. He created the Desoto and Plymouth as well as Dodge and of course Chrysler. It required just five more years before Chrysler became a complete auto manufacturer and this in fact was a major milestone in the Chrysler history timeline. He was now big enough and confident enough to take on the big two auto giants: GM and Ford.

In his futuristic design, the 1934 Airflow, it did not sell as much profit as the others did, but the company persevered throughout the Great Depression of the 1930’s – The “Dirty Thirties”. In World War II, the company was tasked in manufacturing military vehicles. The next landmark in the Chrysler history was Hemi V8 engine which was launched in 1951. Since then, Chrysler has led the way in developing new technologies from scratch and has always helped the company in being able to create high quality cars.

The next major landmark in Chrysler history was the introduction of Hemi V8 engine which took place in 1951. Since then, Chrysler has led the way in developing new technologies from scratch and this has always helped the company in being able to mass produce high quality cars. Since then the company has seen its fair share of ups and downs; there is however no denying that whatever vicissitudes the company has faced, it has always managed to produce right cars and at the right times.

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How To Choose Phoenix Auto Glass Specialists

If you have ever driven down a newly laid road too close behind another vehicle then you will be all too aware of the problems relating to a chipped windshield. It is far too easy to end up with damage that obstructs your vision. What may start off as a small chip or crack can quickly and silently extend throughout the glass. Should this problem sound familiar to you then you have two options: you can replace the full windscreen or possibly have the damage repaired. Before you visit or contact a Phoenix auto glass specialist you should learn a little more about the topic so that you choose the right firm.

The time and cost associated with fixing or replacing a damaged windshield vary greatly. It is important to know what type of work will be needed as then you can make the correct plans. It may often take all day for a garage to change a windshield; though the work does not take long, the bonding process needs to be carried out sufficiently. If the glass does not sit correctly in the frame then water can come through and the glass may even fall out.

As with any service it pays to get quotes off as many firms as possible. In Phoenix there are many auto glass repair specialists; you are almost spoiled for choice. The most difficult aspect will be finding a company that is professional and yet value for money.

Without knowing the rules that govern when a windshield needs to be replaced you may easily find yourself talked into paying for a new pane of glass when it was not actually required. Whether or not you can make do with a simple repair to the windshield will depend upon the location and extent of the damage; those cracks in the center have a tendency to spread faster.

As soon as you notice any damage you should seek out help. The longer you wait the greater the problem will be and more expensive to fix.

The cost of a repair to a windshield is often less than fifty dollars. But for a completely new replacement be ready to pay more than two hundred bucks.

The best place to find and compare Phoenix auto glass repair firms is on the internet. You will find a wealth of information that will help you make the right decision in a short time.

Want to find out more about replacement car window, then visit Author Name’s site on how to choose the best Phoenix auto glass tinting for your needs.

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How Emergency Road Services Can Help You

Emergency road services are some of the most helpful and reassuring services you could purchase. For a low fee, you can guarantee that you will be helped if any problem happens to you on the road. This is a god-send, especially for people who travel frequently or have long commutes. Getting into an accident, getting a flat, running out of gas: these are all things that you can be helped with and much more.

These services have two real variations. The first is the high tech variation where, for a higher price, you can get a system installed in your car which connects the vehicle directly to the company database via satellite. They are alerted if your locks are forced, if you get into an accident, or if you contact them yourself.

The second major type of service involves you having to call their help center yourself when you encounter a problem. Though not quite as convenient as the other service, this one is far cheaper and still gets you the help you need. As long as you have a cell phone with you during the disaster along with the card with the company number and your identification code, you will be fine.

Getting in an accident is, at best, a major inconvenience and, at worst, life-threatening. This is why you have to get these services. When the airbag is deployed, an automated system will immediately contact the company. The satellite allows them to pinpoint you position. Someone will stay on the line with you until an ambulance or police assistance arrives. Think how helpful this would be if you were badly hurt and could not get to your cell phone to call for help yourself.

Though the other system does require you to do the calling (because there are no sensor connecting you to a satellite system), it can still be a big help. It will allow them to do the work for you and get there fast with a tow truck or emergency vehicle. It will certainly save you the strain of trying to find the numbers yourself.

The other type of system requires you to call if you get in an accident. This emergency road service plan is much less convenient because a bad accident could ruin your cell phone or render you unable to call. It is still an excellent service to invest in, though.

For both of them, you will be able to contact someone if your car breaks down. If you get a flat, they will come change it. If your engine overheats, they will send someone with supplies. Tow trucks are always ready and waiting. They may not tow you far, but they will get you to a garage.

The memberships are yearly and are different depending on how fancy you want to get. The average rate for the non-automated service is only fifty dollars a year. It is worth it just for the peace of mind.

There comes a time when you need roadside assistance during an automotive crisis. Consult with the Towing Ontario for more information on responsive, resourceful, and reliable emergency road service Toronto.

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Adding Up Some Spice To Your Car

The purpose of tuning is to beef up cars performance and style. Lots ways exist to help you make the most out of your car. However, if you have never tuned for performance before, it can be a difficult topic. Unlike tuning strictly for style, performance customization requires that you adhere to modifications that offer real performance benefits, rather than just good looks. While many elements of the various tuning styles offer performance upgrades, some can actually take away from your performance. Here are the best clues and tips to help you maximize car performance while still making your car look hot.

*Body Kits* – Body kits can add a dramatic racecar inspired style to your current car. However, you’ll need to know what to look for in order to maximize the cars performance. For instance, body kits that include front bumpers can help you streamline your car to a greater extent, helping air to flow better over your car, rather than underneath it. Side skirts also help add performance and help your car hold the road better. Finally, back spoilers provide more down force on the rear of the vehicle, while diffusing airflow.

*Alloy Wheels* – Alloy wheels and tyres can help you hold the road or track much better. However, you’ll need to avoid chromed steel wheels. These are actually heavier than aluminum wheels, and can take from the performance of your car. Remember, the purpose of performance tuning is to lighten the car, rather than adding more weight. Rather than chromed steel, opt for aluminum wheels. These are much more lightweight and offer performance benefits.

*Custom Tyres* – If you are going to be racing your car, you’ll need tyres with more grip that what standard options offer. Z rated tyres are made of softer compounds than touring tyres or other consumer rated tyres. However, remember that softer rubber wears out more quickly than harder compounds. As a result, you’ll likely need to replace your tyres more often. Having more than one set of tyres (one for races and one for normal driving) can remove this problem.

*Suspension* – Your car’s suspension can also detract from car performance. Adding custom sway bars, coil over kits and strut bars can help you attain the suspension you need. This will make the difference between slowing down through a turn and being able to accelerate through a turn. It also helps eliminate problems like suspension sway and shifting during driving.

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How To Choose The Right Car To Cruise

Like lemonade stands and drive-in movies replaced by today’s mega-theatres and air-conditioned malls, cruising has evolved to include not only today’s safer convertibles, but other vehicles that lend themselves to the particular tastes of the driver.

They say getting there is half the fun, and if you’re driving one of this year’s newer vehicles to your vacation destination that really will be the case. You’ll be seeing a lot of pickups, SUVs and convertibles out there; and unlike in past years when people might rent fun cars specifically to drive while on holiday, the latest trend is for people to travel in their own vehicles. It’s a comfort thing as well as being more economical.

So-called cross over vehicles, which combine the features of a car with those of a saloon, minivan or sport utility vehicle, are really gaining in popularity. They are the widest, most imaginative group of vehicles to enjoy in the history of the industry. Vehicles that fall into this category include the Peugeot 3008, the Nissan Qashqai, The Renault Scenic to name but a few. They cover a broad range of prices from under 15,000 to well over 40,000.

*Safety Issues*

They are very versatile, there’s no doubt about that. But like the traditional SUV, they tend to be tall, and taller vehicles by their very nature can roll over easier, so you still need to be extra careful when taking corners.

Rollovers can also be a worry for another popular summertime car: convertibles. They tend to be slower to respond to driver inputs because they are heavier than your average saloon, but they have come a long way. Convertibles used to be flimsily made and clumsy to drive, and really rattled over rough roads. Now they are better built, with better suspensions, and are much safer. Along with front airbags, many convertibles can be ordered with side impact airbags, while a few have pop-up roll-over bars that automatically provide extra protection for occupants. Most also offer electronic driving aids like anti-lock brakes and electronic stability systems.

Cruising still has the devotion of the driver as it has for years, but with some billions of registered drivers on the road, it does require us to be more conscious. Not just about safety, but other drivers, and local laws as they relate to aggressive driving and mobile phone use. So, toss the mobile phone in the glove box, strap on your seat belt and enjoy your next road trip.

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Volkswagen Celebrates 60 Years of Transporter

60 years ago came out the first copies from the Transporters production line of the Volkswagen factory in Wolfsburg. Six years later, after the production of 160,000 units, the production moved in the first generation VW’s Transporter factory in Hannover.

In the first phase VW Transporter T1 was produced for 17 years with one engine – 25 hp and a maximum payload of 750 kilograms. Subsequently, the engine’s Trasporter is improved so as to provide for the 44 hp version of T2 and T5 is now offers a version of 180 hp.

Most of Volkswagen are particularly proud of loyal customers who choose a Transporter, 59% of customers who choose a new Transporter as drivers who have tried one of Volkswagen’s commercial vehicle and 81% of them are former holders of Transporter.

In the case of Multivan, Volkswagen has welcomed people from the same fidelity mentioned above. VW Germany found that 72% of his Multivan clients have led a car factory Volkswagen AG.

Volkswagen Transporter T2 was developed from a sketch created by Ben Pon, Volkswagen importer in the Netherlands. He drew a sketch of his transporter in 1947 in a block-notes and convinced then the Director of Volkswagen, Heinrich Nordhoff, to implement his idea into production. Volkswagen Transporter T2 was built on a platform inspiration from his VW Beetle T1, with significant modifications to adapt the large payload capacity and a new body.

So now the Germans are celebrating six decades since the debute of Volkswagen Transporters, which is considered one of the most reliable vans in history. The German company will continue to produce the model as long as it is appreciated and wanted on the market, offering, as the times passes, more powerful engines and better interior conditions, along with the great exterior design that Volkswagen is used to accomplish.

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