Tagged: Cars

Model-year makeover: 2011 Dodge Avenger – Updated, more powerful

2011-Dodge-Avenger

Chrysler has unveiled a completely overhauled Dodge Avenger inside and out, as the company has done with the 200, formerly known as the Sebring.

The exterior of the Avenger features a new, lower fascia and grille. It has a more aggressive stance, with a lower ride height and wider tires. Inside, there is a new instrument panel, steering wheel, and upgraded seats with more cushion material. Other changes include sound-deadening treatments integrated throughout the vehicle. In our tests of the previous Avenger, we noted that suspension noise was pronounced. In a brief drive, the revised Avenger feels more refined, in its handling and noise suppression.

The base engine is a recalibrated 2.4-liter engine mated to a six-speed transmission. Where the Avenger comes to life is with the optional 283-hp Pentastar V6 engine with six-speed automatic transmission. Other features on the new Avenger include remote start, integrated controls on the steering wheel, Bluetooth with voice command, and an integrated USB port. Plus, it has a music identification system and hard drive that can store about 6,700 songs.

We look forward to purchasing and putting this new Avenger through its paces on our track, as the previous generation was notable as one of the least impressive vehicles in its class.

The new Avenger hits dealerships at the end of the year. Pricing will be announced closer to its on-sale date.

—Liza Barth


New Cars That Can Learn

If you are asked which country you thought were at the forefront of technology advancement and innovation, you would probably think of Japan first.This is no more apparent than in their car technology, which is often adopted all over the world and is considered second to non by many experts. Now they are set to take the whole car industry by storm as one of their technology companies has been busy developing a new system that allows cars to actaully learn, and they are looking to sell it to all the big car manufacturers.

There is nothing revolutionary about a micro-chip in a car, they have in fact been used to control things like ABS and traction control for a long time now. A couple of years back cars started to made that could self- monitor a great deal more elements than simply fuel levels and engine temperature. They could now report on tire pressures, chassis forces, multicore cables and even road surface conditions. The company in Japan known as Copal Electronics have taken the micro chip to the next level however and using new solenoids technology developed a car that can not only look after itself but can learn. If the car is driven around a corner in the wet at 30mph for example, and the rear wheels slide out, the car will note the road surface condition, speed, tire pressures, corning angle, weight of the car and many other factors and then make very subtle changes to things such as the circuit breakers sensitivity so that the same does not happen again.

Experts have said that as the technology develops and the cars have been learning for a good few years, they will eventually be able to preempt and avoid all sorts of driving problems and accidents. It is thought that the technology will be trialed in a few specialized cars first, but if the deals go through with the major manufactures, we could be seeing in the family salon before too long.


Private Sales for Purchasing your Car

Lots of people are now in a very difficult situation due to the current economic climate.  For those who are looking for a new car, it might be a perfect time to buy .  And it is for this very same reason that some people may be forced to sell their second car and may want to do it quickly, meaning the buyers can avail of really good opportunities. 

Sellers trying to get shot of their car quickly will be more willing to drop their price to make this happen.  Buyere should keep an eye on local classified listings for all the best possible bargains about.  Because sellers find it just as hard to sell their cars as the used car dealers do, this is great news for the buyers. 

When purchasing one of these cars, buyers have to make sure that they check it out properly before committing.  As there are usually no warranties connected to these sales, any potential problems then become problems for the new owners.  Taking the car out on a test drive if the opportunity arises is a must for the prospective new owner.  Sellers of these cars will more likely than not be very wary of letting the prospective buyer out in the car on their own for the test drive, so they will more often than not, accompany them.  Or you can leave your driver’s license with them so that they know you are coming back.  If the opportunity arises, prospective buyers should take the automobile out for a long as possible on the test drive.  This way they will be able to determine how the car drives over a longer period.

They should also be accompanied by a friend or a mechanic. Look at the engine and enquire about its recent health.  Most people will tell you if there have been any repairs recently on the car or if there is something that needs to be repaired. 

 

For all your daily thoughts and published news and blogs