Inside The Mind Of An Automotive Geek

Another gorgeous car is breaking its cover off at the 2007 Tokyo Auto Show and this time, it’s a German car. Well, it will not be the A1 but Audi will reveal the most awaited Metroproject Quattro car concept at Japan’s most sought after car show.

The car is filled with the following features:

• New grille
• Roof with aluminum arches along the edges
• LED lamps that can be used as an all around
• 225/35R18 tires mounted on 10-spoke alloy wheels.

It also has a hybrid powertrain capable of handling “1.4-liter TFSI gasoline direct-injection engine rated at 150 horsepower and driving the front wheels” as released by the Inside Line. It is matched with a 41 horsepower electric motor on the rear as well as an S-tronic dual-clutch gearbox mated to the drivetrain.

The car is also given the controversial lithium ion battery capable of running on 62 miles in pure electric mode. It also boasts of a fuel economy which is enhanced through the presence of regenerative braking and an engine stop/start system.

Aside from all these, the car also has the 0-60 mph acceleration in less than 7.8 seconds which they say is matched with a top speed of 124 mph on premium fuel. So the car is also boasting of its fuel economy of 48 mpg.

Winter is fast approaching and I know you need a timely info about go-in-the-snow vehicles. Oh yeah, snow isn’t enough reason to make you sulk this upcoming season. Remember – la vita e ella (life is beautiful). And snow won’t make it a notch undesirable right?

Just in time for the winter, NADAguides.com, a leader in auto pricing and info, earlier announced the Top 10 go-in-the- snow vehicles.

The cars, trucks and sport utilities featured make the grade in a variety of inclement driving situations including snow, ice, sleet and rain. These vehicles also offer a bunch of equipment suited for cold weather.

NADAguide’s Top 10 Go-In-The-Snow Vehicles:

2008 Audi A4 Sedan - $28,900 Base MSRP

With its optional cold weather package that features heated front and rear seats, a removable ski sack, retractable headlight washers and an optional Quattro(R) permanent all-wheel drive system, the 2008 Audi A4 Sedan made the NADAguides.com favorite Go-in-the-Snow Vehicles list for its superb handling in a variety of road conditions in addition to its long list of cold-weather equipment.

2008 Cadillac STS - $42,390 Base MSRP

The 2008 Cadillac STS features optional all-wheel drive, all-speed traction control, a computer- controlled stability control system and ABS brakes with brake assist. It comes available with a rear-window defroster, a heated exterior rearview mirror and a remote vehicle starter system for cold mornings.

2008 Chevy Tahoe - $34,095 Base MSRP

The 2008 Chevy Tahoe features heated exterior mirrors, a remote vehicle starter system for chilly mornings, halogen fog lamps and StabiliTrak Electronic Stability Control that improves the Tahoe's handling during emergency maneuvers, such as loss of traction.

2008 Ford F-150 - $17,345 Base MSRP

With 4WD, a powerful 4.6-liter Triton(TM) V8, an optional snow plow prep package, rear window defroster, heated exterior mirrors, fog lamps, rack-and-pinion steering and the largest towing capacity in its class of a maximum 11,000 pounds, the F-150 is ready to go it alone or with a trailer in-tow, no matter the weather.

2008 Hummer H2 - $55,510 Base MSRP

The Hummer H2 comes equipped with a 325 horsepower V8, a 2-speed electronically controlled full-time 4WD system and traction control, as well as dual zone heating, triple-sealed doors, heated exterior mirrors, a hitch/winch receiver, all terrain tires and heated exterior mirrors.

2008 Jeep Wrangler - $18,660 Base MSRP

A remote vehicle starter, electronic stability control, all-speed traction control and an electronic roll-over protection system are just some of the features the Wrangler offers when Mother Nature's at her worst.

2008 Land Rover LR3 - $48,525 Base MSRP

The Land Rover LR3 comes completely prepared for virtually any bad weather driving scenario. It features 4WD, a rollover protection system, cornering brake control, emergency brake assist and anti-lock brakes, rack-and-pinion steering, stability control and a Cold Climate Package with heated front and rear seats, a heated windshield and heated windshield washer jets.

2008 Subaru Outback - $21,995 Base MSRP

The Subaru Outback features a tire pressure monitoring system, a digital computer equipped with ambient temperature information and road surface freeze warnings, all season tires, Vehicle Dynamics Control, traction control, heated seats and heated mirrors.

2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser - $22,545 Base MSRP

With available Active Traction Control and locking rear differential for improved traction and performance, as well as 4WD, water resistant seats, a rubber-type floor and a deck mat for easy cleaning when it comes to mud, dirt, snow and sleet, the 2008 Toyota FJ Cruiser easily made the NADAguides.com Go-in-the-Snow Vehicles list.

2008 Volvo XC90 - $36,210 Base MSRP

With available AWD, front and rear fog lights, an anti-skid system that enhances driving stability in slippery conditions, Roll Stability Control to help prevent accidental rollovers, a rear window defroster, heated exterior mirrors, heated seats, rain sensing wipers and rear door intermittent wipers, the XC90 made it to the list.

I know, I know. You are so excited about the event. I mean, who is not? Imagine the most gorgeous Maserati luxury cars and sports cars lined up in front of you? Don’t tell me you’ll not drool over their elegant designs and well engineered styles. Well, certainly not me because just like you, I am also a huge fan of Maserati cars.

And now, there they go again, and they will be in New York mind you. The 63rd Annual Columbus Day Parade will be happening on the 8th day of October 2007 and several Maserati cars will go lining up at the said show to pursue its goal of helping a particular charity by auctioning a Maserati car. Yes, and don’t be surprised if you will see the Powerful 2008 Maserati GranTurismo on the event as it goes on raffle. You don’t want to miss this rare chance, do you?

One among the Maserati cars you will see on the event will be the 1929/1931 Maserati Spyder which is equipped with a super power V16. Imagine a car with that much muscle in its engine. Don’t you think it’s scary? Well I don’t think so. The car was actually famous because of its 1829 record to a 2007 Quattroporte Automatic four-door sedan that goes 0 to 60 in 5.5 seconds.

A parade will follow after the show. The show will also use the 2008 Maserati GranTurismo for the raffle and the proceeds will be going directly to the Columbus Citizens Foundation and will be used for its scholarship program. The charity also is the organizer of the Columbus Day Parade.

The Auto Channel has revealed this list of Maserati cars on their official website early this morning. Among the Maseratis to be featured in the Columbus Day Parade are the following:

• 1929 / 1931 Maserati Spyder - V16
• 1953 Maserati A6GCS MM Spyder
• 1955 Maserati A6G54 GT Frua Berlinetta
• 1958 Maserati 3500 Vignale Spyder
• 1960 Maserati 5000 GT
• 1970 Maserati Ghibli Spyder SS
• 1971 Maserati Ghibli SS
• 2004 Maserati MC 12
• 2007 Maserati Quattroporte Automatic