Kia is known for their mini cars and sedans. But they recently introduced their new midsize truck-type SUV, the 2009 Borrego. Borrego is a seven-passenger SUV with three-row seating that uses body-on-frame construction. And you have the choices if you want a two- or all-wheel drive and select either from V6 and V8 engine.
Kia identifies Borrego's main competitors as Ford Explorer, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota 4Runner, Honda Pilot, and Jeep Grand Cherokee. These models have suffered market sales declines too and this is the situation that Borrego's facing when it was introduced in the market.
Tom Loveless, Kia's Vice President of Sales, says Borrego is incremental business for the company and that, in spite of rising gas prices, consumers will "buy what they need." He talks about the Borrego attracting "affluent suburbia" consumers that Kia does not currently reach. He identifies these shoppers as 35 to 45 years old, married with $85,000 in household income, and repeat SUV buyers. Loveless also talks about Borrego's best-in-class fuel economy of 15 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.
This model is the first one to be introduced in the market, some LX trim, as well as upmarket EX. By the end of 2008, the company will introduce a top-of-the-line Limited model.
LX models powered by the standard V6 engine are available with rear- or all-wheel drive, but the optional V8 is only available with AWD. The only option for the LX is a Convenience Package that includes a power driver seat and leather seat trim.
The upcoming Limited is available with rear- or all-wheel drive, but the V8 is the sole engine offering. The Limited will only be available with a black-painted exterior. All of Borrego's optional equipment will be standard on the Limited, and unique features including Bluetooth cell phone connectivity, push button start with smart key, and power adjustable pedals will be added.
Borrego's unique frame uses hydro-formed side rails, and Kia says high-strength steel is used for 64 percent of the chassis. A double wishbone suspension is found up front, while a multi-link unit holds up the rear.
Borrego's full-time four-wheel-drive system is supplied by BorgWarner, and the company says it is not the same system used on the smaller Sorento. The four-wheel-drive setup allows the driver to select 4Hi, 4Low, or Auto settings depending on driving conditions.
This features and this model makes me crave more for SUV's. I love this kind of of vehicles. The bulky and spacious ones. Borrego has a lot to share and prove to the market. That's why some reviewers are already excited to try this ride.
For some, the most inexpensive ride possible is of the essence. And cheap used cars, while offering a good value because depreciation has already taken affect, are just not an option to those who want that all-important new car feeling of ownership, style and reliability.
These inexpensive new cars have good value, high-tech design, fuel savings and a zippy drive. Though all the cars in this affordable group offer great value and practicality for different drivers, we think the Mazda3 really stands out as a top pick.
But of course, if you have enough money and really wants the best deal, you can use and look for some expensive and high-end cars that are new in the market for your options. But as you can see the similarities and differences, they both have almost the same features. For some models, you will just pay for the name/manufacturer, that's why they really cost thousand of dollars.
Here are the Gallery of 17 most Affordable Cars.
The silver 2008 Mazda3 i Sport 4-door we had in our hands, which starts at almost $14,000, doesn't look like a cheap new car. This would be the number one, because as you can see, this Mazda model has everything to offer and have great body features.
On the road, the 2.3-liter 4-cylinder Mazda3 i Sport received above average marks for acceleration, speed, handling, braking and suspension. And perhaps even better, the gas mileage on the automatic version hits an impressive 26 mpg city and 34 mpg hwy.
Safety is always an important concern for car buyers, no matter what the price range. You won't be disappointed with all these affordable car models that we feature just for you.
The same features as the other expensive models such as the dual-front airbags featuring passenger weight/position sensors, side-impact door beams and anti-lock braking. You can also add up some of the safety parts like what you see in those expensive car models.
You have all the options and decisions which car to buy. Good luck to your car search.
Don't expect big and bulky hybrid vehicles from Honda Motor Co. soon.
"The company plans to put hybrid systems into compacts and subcompacts because that's where the green technology achieves its greatest efficiencies", said Masaaki Kato, president of Honda R&D Co., the automaker's product development arm.
This strategy of Honda is really different from their rivals that set off and make all their luxury sedans and SUV a family of hybrid vehicles.
Toyota Motor Corp. is making it's next generation Prius 2010 model, bigger than the current one. They will also introduce the Lexus hybrid at the Detroit auto show in January.
Nissan Motor Corp will concentrate on their first in-house hybrid which is the Infiniti. Ford Motor Corp and General Motors will have their focus on the production of their hybrid SUVs and pick-ups.
Honda's biggest hybrid is the Civic. And in the future, it's all about getting smaller.
Next year, these are the plans of Honda Motor Corp. They will have the hybrid model which is smaller than the current Civic. After that, a much smaller sports hybrid and Autopartswarehouse is excited with this one, the CR-Z. And by 2012, a hybrid Fit will be added to the production.
Any chance of revisiting the Accord Hybrid or rolling out something bigger? "Not in the near future," says Kato.
Kato says hybrid systems are best used in small cars because small hybrids most often are used for city driv-ing, where regenerative braking constantly recharges the batteries.
"Cars that drive stop-and-go are most suitable to hybrid technology," Kato said.
The first test for its hybrid strategy comes in April, when Honda launches its highly anticipated dedicated hybrid to take on the Prius. The car will be priced below the Prius — and, not surprisingly, it will be smaller.
Can't you see that cars in the future will be smaller hybrids which is much better than trucks and SUVs. You can do the same thing to your smaller sedans that you can't do to this big vehicles plus you already have a hybrid car. Hope this wouldn't cost too much.
After years of waiting, Smart ForTwo is finally headed to the land of free and hometown of the Escalade. If you've been travelling in places exotic like Canada and/or Europe, maybe you have seen the original Smarts scooting and speeding around. Depending on your point of view, you've either thought, "Those things would never work in America," or "Golly, I wish we had those in America." And now, we can see whose side will win because Roger Pensake is bringing the second-generation Smart two-seater - in coupe and ragtop forms - to his vast dealer network, and he's promising that a $99 deposit will get you a Smart of your own within six months. So far, 30,000 have already signed up for that deal, so it appears that the Age of the Microcar is off to a good start.
Is it scary on the highway?
With a 70-hp three-cylinder hanging over the rear wheels, the ForTwo doesn't have a surfeit of power, but it will climb to an electronically limited 90 mph (which our test car's apparently optimistic speedometer reads as 95 mph). And as you can see the body is only that little to support all the pressure and it's speed. It's wuite fast that it can be used a racing car.
Choosing your line is also important in the Smart, because at 80 mph, you don't want to make a lot of steering corrections. Occasionally I'll pass an eighteen-wheeler and get buffeted with a crosswind, which sets up a white-knuckle seesawing at the wheel, this is really scary right? But this vehicle can be easily be balanced and directed to what the driver wants and get back on line.
You can see the efficiency, convenience and the uses of this little but really helpful ride. And it also looks cool. All told, the Smart will handle any reasonable highway situation you throw at it, but you need to maintain situational awareness at a higher level than in most other cars. You may not be relaxed, but you're never bored, either.
Concept cars has given designers and car manufacturers the chance to make their wild imagination work in their car models and concepts. BMW has come up with something as strange as it is innovative -- a shape-shifting car covered with fabric. Yes, with cloth!
Instead of steel, aluminum or even carbon fiber, the GINA Light Visionary Model has a body of movable metal frame that enables the driver to change it's shape covered with a stretched fabric all over it. This model which actually runs and drives is an artistic work headed straight directly for the BMW Museum in Munich so the production will not be open and visible to all, but building a practical car wasn't the point.
Chris Bangle, head of design for BMW, says GINA allowed his team to "challenge existing principles and conventional processes."
"It is in the nature of such visions that they do not necessarily claim to be suitable for series production," company officials said in unveiling the car Tuesday. "Rather, they are intended to steer creativity and research into new directions."
Bangle and his team GINA which means, "Geometry and functions In 'N' Adaptions" - six years ago but kept it under, i mean keeps on wrapping it until Tuesday. BMW said, this model's skin is made of polyurethane-coated Lycra - is resilient, durable and water resistant. It's stretched over an aluminum frame controlled by electric and hydraulic actuators that allow the owner to change the body shape. Want some accesories like spoilers and fenders? Worry no more, "The drastic reinterpretation of familiar functionality and structure means that drivers have a completely new experience when they handle their car," BMW says.
GINA has just four panels - the front hood, two sides and the rear deck. The doors opens in jack-knife fashion and closed smoothly. Access in the hoods and engines are through the slit in front. The fabric is translucent so the taillights shine through, and small motors pull the fabric back to reveal the headlights.
The interiors are really great and innovative. The gauges and steering wheel are cool. And the headrest rises from the seat when the driver seated to make it easier to get in and out of the car.
BMW says GINA is built on a space frame that provides all the safety of a conventional car, but we suspect people - not to mention BMW's lawyers and government regulators - wouldn't embrace fabric bodies. Still, the company says GINA could influence the design of future Beemers.
This is the Peugeot RC concept, which will be unveiled at the Paris motor show this October.
The four-door, four-seat coupe introduces a new design face for the range, likely to be seen first in production on the new 607 and 407, due around 2010/11.
This model and concept looks better than the Peugeot 908 RC concept in design and proportionality. It’s a big improvement over today’s over-sized production grille, which dominates the face of all Peugeot models.
The RC also showcases new green technology in the form of a hybrid drivetrain that is claimed to have a potential maximum power output of 313bhp and emissions of just 109g/km.
Details are sketchy in this four-seat, four-door coupe concept. Peugeot said it has "highly innovative hybrid architecture" with the hp and zero emission features.
This was also called a laboratory of future ideas, which was stated at The Paris Motor Show, bringing together numerous stylistic, engineering and technological ideas in a single vehicle.
This concept is hybrid which contributes to the low-cost fuel consumption, diesel-used and the environmentalist part of all the manufacturers and still has it's gorgeous and great looking details. Which all car dealers and buyers are looking forward to and wants in a car.
Hope we can see this great-looking car on the roads in the future. But I'm still clueless on how much this will cost if this have all the features and specs of a great car. But I'll still be on it's side, great offers it has.
Autopartswarehouse have been spying the automotive world since they began. They're listing all the best and worst cars, from trucks to sedans. From simple ones to hybrids and from big rides to the small cars.
In the U.S. News. Affordable small cars has it's clear ranking of the manufacturers whose been struggling in the market. Honda would be the best one and the top two would be as follows, Toyota's Scion and the Mazda would round out the top five.
Top Five Affordable Small Cars
Honda Civic
The family car. It has all the convenience from the smooth ride to the comfortable interiors based on all the reviews, they all love the leather seats and a navigation system. However, some are put off by the outlandish two-level dashboard with digital speedometer.
Honda Fit
This compact five-door Fit has the soul of a sports car and the practicality of a wagon according to reviewers. Its fun-to-drive handling, nice appointments and flexible folding rear seat are highlights.
Honda Civic Hybrid
Honda's Green Civic hybrid already won a spot as a stand-alone model due to it's hybrid electric drivetrain. This model was praised because it is similar to the usual Civic's grown-up car manners and appearance. Reviewers say that it is most similar to the driving experience of a slow car.
Mazda Mazda 3
Mazda 3 wins over enthusiast drivers who enjoy its accurate, direct steering and well-controlled suspension. Lots of car enthusiasts love this model because of the appearance and functionality combined. But there's a negative part of it that side airbags don't come with every level of of equipment, and electronic stability control isn't available at all.
Scion xB
Love or hate this model, Scion xB combines plenty of space and low price tag. Added to it's great features are the fuel efficient performance and highly customizable, you will be definitely be approved by reviewers because this model is recommended.
Bottom Three Affordable Small Cars
Chevrolet Aveo
This is definitely a cheap car and nothing more to describe but cheap. Got underpowered engines that delivers gas mileage to this small and slow car. The seats and the steering are both negative and earned lots of criticism. Finally the Aveo's safety was also poor and didn't meet reviewers level.
Suzuki Reno
The Suzuki European styling gives this model a clean appearance and the interiors has a great space good for the car's tiny size. But the engine is too noisy and slurps down fuel. And this ain't right for small cars like them.
Suzuki Forenza
With Forenza, Suzuki promises a compact car with it's subcompact price. The negative part of this was the model is bigger from the rest of the affordable small cars, its appeal is considerably smaller -- at least according to reviewers. Some more negative parts that got criticism was the lack of power, poor handling and bad scores on some safety tests.
Most students are already planning to go back to school or already back in their own business. Whether it's just around town or across the country, parents do really think and these young minds that having their own car are a necessity aide from the books and pens they need for school.
"There are so many options these days, in both the new- and used-car realm, for safe, fun and affordable back-to-school rides," said Jack R. Nerad, executive editorial director and executive market analyst for Kelley Blue Book and kbb.com.
Of course, parents and their kids have different choices. Kids want fast and cool models but parents opt for the practical and the safest one, of course. In this article, we can give you all the option and car models, you can consider some of them and talk over it with your kids.
Top 10 New Cars
- 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt
- 2008 Ford Focus
- 2008 Honda Fit
- 2008 Hyundai Tucson
- 2008 Mazda3
- 2008 Scion xB
- 2008 Subaru Impreza
- 2008 Suzuki SX4
- 2008 Toyota Matrix
- 2008 Volkswagen Rabbit
Top 10 Used Cars
- 2008 Chevrolet Aveo
- 2007 Dodge Caliber
- 2005 Ford Crown Victoria
- 2004 Ford Focus
- 2004 Honda Civic
- 2006 Hyundai Elantra
- 2004 Mazda Tribute
- 2004 Mazda3
- 2004 Nissan Altima
- 2004 Pontiac Vibe
Hey there parents and kids, choose the best and the most vehicle that can suit all your needs.
Back to school would be really great for your kids and for you as well because you don't have anything in mind.
The Phoenix Concept- is a two-seater futuristic and electric car that uses different energy regeneration sources to increase energy efficiency. The designer is RCA student Sergio Loureiro da Silva.
He made this concept based on the idea of reducing the use of energy by adopting alternate energy regeneration systems. And we all hope that all electric cars can apply this one and Autopartswarehouse can help them with the development of this idea.
As Sergio explains "Outside the car industry technologies have been developed in order to regenerate power,
like kinetic watches, wind turbine, geothermic energy absorption even a
sustainable dance floor is developed that regenerates the energy from
the bouncing of the floor.
He used this idea because as we can see, motorcycles do really saves electricity, gas and fuels in all possible way. That's why this car was like two single motorbikes attached to each other because in this design, he can brought up the idea of central kinetic axis that generates the power of the movement.
A wind turbine was attached in front to that generates the wind movement when slowing down the vehicle. And the rear wheels are designed to reduce the amount of pieces between the engine and the wheels to reduce friction too.
The suspension system was also designed to create a kinetic movement to create energy that makes the car move. As we can see, almost all of it's parts are designed to make some kinetic movement to lessen the energy or electric usage.
"Drivers that have lived in a virtual computer game word that want to drive a vehicle closer to a spaceship, something that can provide them with different sensations." The overall top shape is inspired from the wings of a bat ray, that glides through the water.
This is suited for car enthusiast that wants to drive a new concept car and to have something to learn. While driving you can look at some parts that produce the energy and see why is the car moving just using some kinetic movements. Hope I can see this on the roads soon.
Porsche has revealed it's Cayman S Sport, a special version with 300hp adapts the styles and borrowed some elements from 911 GT3 RS. It will go on sale in Autumn 2008.
This Cayman was originally seen in the market in November 2005.
This latest sports version was powered by 3.4-liter flat-six engine which develops over 300 bhp and combined with the engine concept of the Cayman S and the visuals of the iconic 911 GT3 RS.
In addition to this new sports car. Will add powerful engines, offers a high level of sports driving feature and different color combination.
The Design
The model of this Cayman S is striking like the 911 GTR RS colors like Green and Orange and proudly having the graphics of black in it's sides. Making the features strong and more detailed.
More colors will be available after the introduction this autumn like the Black, Guards Red, Speed Yellow and Carrara White, as well as Arctic Silver Metallic available at extra cost.
With it's black painted alloy wheels, which caught our attention, the exterior mirrors and air intake grilles, this sports car proudly displays it's right to be in the sports car section and being one of them in the road.
While in the interior part, the alcantara finish on the gear shift, the handbrake lever, and the rim of the steering wheel makes you real hot and want some more performance when inside this ride and having a great ambience.
Features
Over and above the feature of this Cayman of having 303 hp (223 kW) power unit. The sporting quality of this is futher emphasized by offering it's Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) which lowers the car by ten millimeters.
Bi-Xenon headlight, the Sports Chrono Package and the leather sports seats are those of it's great quality that enhances it's appeal and an sports exhaust and two tailpipes completes the picture.
This features differs and are limited to exclusive series and edition number were indicated on a plaque on the glove box.
Production of the Cayman S Sport will be limited to 700 units worldwide, and is priced from £49,890.
Sports car has different features and strong details, and this one especially from Porsche has really good offer and can be caught this autumn of 2008. And you can also tests and explore all the potentials of this new car by their Porsche Driving Experience course. A really must-have offer.
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