Saturn: That Was Then, This Is Now


Step back in time with me if you would, about 20 years to be precise, to an era when automaker General Motors was busy making plans for their all new company, Saturn. This wasn?t to be just another GM division mind you as Saturn was created as a separate import fighting company meant to take on the likes of Toyota and Honda. By 1990, the first Saturn cars rolled off a bucolic Tennessee countryside assembly line signaling a new cooperation between workers and management. Immediately, the funky little ?S Series? of sedans, wagons, and coupes were a hit and GM was soon lauded for taking a bold initiative.

Today, Saturn is much different from the brand that took on Japan?s top automakers. Instead of being a separate, wholly owned car company the make is now one of General Motors? many automotive divisions. The S Series sold well and the introduction of subsequent models helped the brand, but ultimately parent GM decided to pull the company within the General?s fold as it chose to close down Oldsmobile instead. Current models being sold by Saturn are much different from what was originally offered, but the company has managed to keep one huge attribute that originally propelled the brand forward: people are first. Let?s take a look at Saturn?s current line up and the vehicles soon to be introduced.

ION ? After a decade of service, the S Series was retired in favor of the comparably sized ION. Unlike the S Series, the ION does not include a wagon, but it does include a four door coupe and sedan. Unfortunately, the car is not very competitive with similar models and GM is looking at an Opel-inspired car to take its place by the end of this decade.

VUE ? A recent makeover has kept the VUE, Saturn?s small SUV, competitive. In addition, a pending hybrid model is expected to strengthen the line and talk of an all new compact model showing up in 2009 has the auto world abuzz.

RELAY ? Saturn?s first minivan is a clone to models sold by Chevrolet and Buick. Unlike earlier Saturn models which featured polymer side impact panels [to limit dents], the RELAY is all sheet metal and simply a copy of other divisions? vehicles. Still, the RELAY has filled an important hole in the Saturn line up by offering a larger vehicle for loyal Saturn owners.

SKY ? Forget what you might have thought about Saturn previously. The SKY roadster is a hit for one big reason: it is absolutely sexy. Sharing components with the Pontiac Solstice, the SKY has radically transformed the brand?s image all by itself. Priced under $25,000, the SKY is competitive with the Mazda Miata and is a low cost alternative to the BMW Z4.

AURA ? Another vehicle built to battle the division?s bland image, the AURA steps in to the midsize category replacing the L Series which was discontinued two years earlier. Based on GM?s Epsilon platform, the AURA borrows heavily from GM?s German division -- Opel ? while incorporating a style and design that favors the Saturn SKY.

OUTLOOK ? To be introduced before the end of 2006, the OUTLOOK will be Saturn?s first bigger SUV. Although considered to be a ?crossover? by many, the OUTLOOK is a 7 passenger SUV meant to complement the smaller VUE. With the addition of the OUTLOOK in the Saturn fold, GM will take a break before tinkering with the Saturn line up.

Truly, Saturn of 2007 will look much different from Saturn of the 1990s. For years, Saturn dealers were content to sell only one model ? the S Series ? but today?s Saturn is going well beyond all of that. With a hybrid VUE in the line up and other variations of existing models also being planned, the once spartan Saturn line up is nearly filled to capacity. This is great news for Saturn loyalists looking for choices beyond the base models and a promise that GM is investing money in its import fighting division.

Clean And Efficient Acura Engine Performance

Since its launch in 1986, Acura has been committed to bold innovation, precision manufacturing, and exhilarating automotive performance. To sustain these thrusts, Acura sets its own standards in automotive design and engineering, especially in its production of auto parts. For instance, the carmaker sees that good engine performance goes hand in hand with clean and efficient fuel combustion. With this in mind, the researchers and engineers make sure that every component, such as the Acura Fuel Pressure Regulator, is carefully crafted to comply with emission standards.

How does the Acura Fuel Pressure Regulator contribute to cleaner air and more efficient fuel consumption? Located along the fuel rail, the Regulator serves as a vital component of an Acura engine's control unit. It is a cylindrical metal object connected to the rail situated around the engine, and mounted on the firewall. The fuel rail, meanwhile, is the pipe that brings fuel to all the injectors and the cold start valve.

Normally, an Acura Fuel Pressure Regulator maintains a constant pressure in the fuel system. Regulation is achieved when the spring-loaded, diaphragm-like valve opens a fuel line, which re-routes excess fuel to the fuel tank. The valve, though, can only uncover a fuel line when excessive pressure is applied. A component that helps the fuel pressure regulator is the vacuum. Connected to the regulator, the vacuum reduces emissions during deceleration. It also opens the fuel return valve wider and supports the fuel pressure regulator once the latter starts to tear. The vacuum provides an automatic self-adjusting pressure regulator and emissions control.

No doubt, clean engine performance is highly dependent on precisely designed auto parts. Such is the case with Acura's roster of luxury sedans and SUVs. With the inclusion of key engine components like the Acura Fuel Pressure Regulator in the automotive system, the Japanese-bred luxury carmaker has been able to comply with even the most stringent emission and fuel efficiency regulations in US and other countries where Acuras are produced. The result is a lineup of luxurious, powerful, and environment-friendly vehicles.

Chevrolet Aveo Is The Car To Woo Every Car Lover

Chevrolet is one of the most renowned and trusted car manufacturing companies. The kind of advanced technology used by them in their car models is beyond excellence. They are not only long lasting; but also add to the performance of the car. Its one recent car model that has earned worldwide acclaim is Chevy Aveo. This car has been designed in the sedan category and is a luxurious gift of General Motors to the car lovers. Chevrolet Aveo is available in 3 variations ? Aveo 1.4, Aveo 1.4 LS and Aveo 1.6 LT. The leather upholstery, sporty instrument cluster with chrome sound, alloy wheels and anti-theft alarm are some of the newly added features to lend style to this car model.

The multiplicity of accessories, stylish looks, affluent interiors and comfort level offered by Chevrolet is par brilliance. It is because of this only that Chevrolet aveo price is intended for such facilities. You can have a look at the aveo 1.4, 1.4 LS and 1.6 LT in this class of luxury cars with aveo price varying between Rs. 5, 96,903 to Rs. 6, 97,087. Cars are bought to take pleasure in the fulsomeness, mollify, style and smooth driving. Going with the rising demand of masses, General Motors (GM India) have been making cars, trucks and sports utility vehicles for all the group of people. One such series of cars manufactured by GM, under the class of its brand name Chevrolet, are aveo. This series is a tremendously stunning in nature among its competitors present in the market.

Security has always been a special concern while developing this car. The 5 MPH impact proof bumpers, air bags and anti-lock braking system allows you to have a safe drive and all of them protects you in times of disaster. The reason behind this victory rate is that the GM people have been dedicated towards providing fineness with ease and style to its customers in their car models. They have been using some of the most technically advanced conveniences in the cars, so that they driving may become easier and safer. Even, the Chevrolet aveo performance reviews state that the car has marvelous power and pick-up. This makes it the most approving car in the luxury section. The car enthusiast also gets to know about the design and make of the car, including interiors. Another thing to know from performance is that it has maximum torque power.

Exemplary Chevy Parts Improve Car Performance

Chevy Parts are varied and many. For those who a drive a Chevy truck or car, better to brush up on a few basic information regarding the important parts of an automotive car system. There's the fuel system, the brake system, the filtration system, the suspension and steering. There are undoubtedly a few others that did not get mentioned. However, these are the basics and anyone who wishes to know how to respond with a measure of confidence to car emergencies when they spring will do very well to wrap their minds around these.

Knowing what part and what assembly is responsible for the major car operations that take place will prevent one from going into utter panic at the notion of an engine problem, a broken pedal or a missing side view mirror. These things happen. One need not lose one's cool under circumstances that involve these troubles.

Being informed of what works and what doesn't, will also aid one in taking measures to make sure that the car stays in top form. A car is not a lifetime investment?simply because people think it isn't. For a number of people, a car lasts for no more than 10 years at best. Beyond that, the junkyard awaits. However, not all cars need to suffer through the same fate.

So long as one takes care of the car, it can last for as long as one wishes. In this case, replacements are a given. For one's ride to keep turning in remarkable road performances, regular replacements of Chevy Parts are called for. Parts strain, wear, tear and eventually collapse. The bright side, of course, is that by adding on replacements, one can extend the life span of a car considerably. Thus, for those who own a Chevy ride or two, ordering for replacement Chevy Parts must be accepted as a fact of life.

Hyundai Verna Fluidic- Price, Power And Mileage

It has been so long Hyundai Verna fluidic on roads with a tremendous growth record of sell. The futuristic design of the car is a key feature which makes it popular among customers. Hyundai Verna Fluidic is blessed with both options diesel and petrol engine and offers a plush drive to owner. The carmaker Hyundai didn't left a chance to impress customers and they bestowed all features in this sedan car. It's a very good option for those who don't want to spend much amount but want a perfect blend of classic interiors and sporty exteriors. The car has luxury appearance and elegant looks, which makes it a style icon for youngsters as well as for professionals. Fluidic is sounded with high class technology and features which makes your journey comfortable and don't give a chance to left your vehicle. To know more about the features of Hyundai Verna Fluidic, read below mentioned points.

  1. Power of Hyundai Verna Fluidic As mentioned earlier the Fluidic is available in both variant petrol and diesel engine. The two models are available with petrol engine powered by 1599cc, 1.6-litre petrol engine based on VTT technology with five-speed manual transmission gear box. The engine produces top power of 103.2 PS at 5500rpm and generates maximum torque of 14.9kgm at 3000rpm. The diesel variant of the car is capable to generate maximum power of 110 PS and 24kgm of torque at 1900rpm. The diesel variant is powered by a 1.5-litre diesel engine which churns out the displacement of 1493cc.
  2. Acceleration & Pick-Up The acceleration is good and experts say it is one of the fastest sedans in this segment. The new Hyundai Verna Fluidic diesel variant is capable to reach at the mark of 60kmph in just 4.71sconds and petrol variant touches this mark in just 4.87seconds. The maximum attainable speed of both variants is 195kmph.
  3. Mileage of Hyundai Verna Fluidic This Car is popular among the Indian customers due to their good fuel economy and mileage of the car is varies as per the variants. According to the road test experts and company the Hyundai Verna Fluidic Petrol is capable to deliver the mileage of 17.43kmpl which is really an appreciable figure. The fuel tank capacity of Hyundai Verna Fluidic is 43litres. On the other hand the diesel version of Hyundai Verna Fluidic is offers a decent mileage of 22.32kmpl.
  4. Safety & Handling If we talk about the main safety features then Hyundai Verna Fluidic is loaded with six airbags and ABS (Anti-Lock Braking System) which ensures drivers and other passenger's safety. The dynamic body of Hyundai Verna Fluidic is blessed with many safety features such as auto-folding electric mirrors, rear and front camera for parking, parking sensors and keyless entry etc. The car doesn't lose its balance even at the top speed, so the handling is also very good.
  5. Price The introductory price of Hyundai Verna Fluidic is Rs.7.37lakhs which goes up to Rs.11.70lakhs as per the models and features. Overall it's a very good sedan car in this segment and with a brand tag of Hyundai, it ensures the quality.

Finding The Best Deals On Spokane Used Cars

The Spokane used car market has grown and evolved and now it is very competitive and filled with tempting offers and deals. The car prices have softened but the market remained strong. People are very attracted to the fact that by paying the same amount of money as or a new car with no accessories they can purchase a Spokane used car with everything tons of options. Buying a used car has now become a safe investment.

Now with the development of the Internet, the used car market of Northwest has grown to a larger extent, and people can browse between many cars without even leaving the house.

You can find sites that specialize in Spokane used cars with lots of offers and deals. You can find the lowest prices on these sites together with pictures and information about the cars available. After deciding upon the car that best fits your needs you can contact the site's owners via email or telephone and discuss the deal further.

If you intend to purchase a used car you must do some verifications in order to make sure that you found a good deal indeed. Among these you should:

-Take the car on a drive test. The best thing would be, if the owner agrees, to take the car to an authorized mechanic to check if everything works fine under the hood.

-Do not go for the first offer that you find attractive. If you found a car that you like, check the prices of the car at other dealers and see how they compare to the price that you found.

-Try to find out some information about the car's past. See if the car was 'treated' properly by its former owner, if it has been involved in an accident or if it was ever flooded. Its condition tells much about its past in most cases.

You can find a large number of spokane used cars because the used cars market in the northwest is continuously expanding, so if you want to find the best deals and cars try browsing the Internet. You will discover that it is the easiest way of finding the spokane used car that you need!

Car Sales Blacktown A Good Opportunity to Grab Your Car

Australia is one of the most beautiful places in the world. The place has seen a lot of developments and growing business and educational opportunities. This has attracted a lot of people. Since the population here is growing, there has been an increase in demands for personal vehicles. Travelling demands the use of cars. The city of Blacktown, Sydney has also seen a similar increase of people opting to buy their own vehicle.

In recent times, people have preferred to buy used cars rather than new ones. This category of population contact car dealers who mainly deal in used cars at affordable prices. Car sales Blacktown creates a huge excitement among them. A variety of car models from various manufactures are displayed at a lower price than the actual market rates. This gives them a good opportunity to grab a car, both new and used, at their convenience. Test drives are usually a part of the service provided during the sales. The car dealers putting up sales send in invites to all their customers and others in the vicinity. Information about the same is put up on their websites and on their social networking pages. Buying cars in any situation means that a huge amount of investment is required. Cars do not come with low price tags. There are Car Financing companies that help people to overcome the problem. Apart from banks there are many financial institutions that provide loans at cheaper rates. They look out for your regular incomes, history of past incomes, credit card balances and other loans that you might have taken for various reasons. So you need to be sure that you have a clean record in all these areas. A bad credit may lower the chances of the institute to provide with finance for your dream car. Easy car loans are available that may benefit you. Chose for a plan that is affordable and the interest in manageable.

Before finalizing on your car, some amount of research is required from your end. There are a few things you should know well in advance. This can be done by finding information over the internet. Some of them are listed below:

At the same time be careful of any frauds. Many cases of stolen cars being sold have been reported. If you come across any such cheat, report it to the concerned authority.

Be Ecologically Conscious – Go Green

Nowadays, the cars we take to job or to play are definitely responsible to air contamination mainly credited to the discharge of carbon dioxide. Of course, there are a few ways you can Help the environs without giving up your motorcar completely.

1.Purchase an electric automobile. These may not be appealing to all, but they are new and developed models that will travel farther, go faster, and even has safety device characteristics such as seat belts and soothe characteristics such as
2.Buy a hybrid car. A crossbred car is one that utilizes the technologies of electric and petrol mixed together in order to manufacturer a more fuel-efficient vehicle. Yes, these still give off some CO2 but are much friendly than their total gasoline opposite numbers.
3.motorcar pool. Get in concert will co-workers and move to work in concert. It is better to have one vehicle on the road than six.
4.utilize a bike. There are numerous new motorcycles on the market Today that can be a joy to ride while preserving not only the earth, but bucks since you will not have to bear for fuel.
5.Foot it to work. This may not be manageable if you live on the outskirts of town and work downtown, but if at all viable, walk to work all the days the weather allows.
6.use common conveyance. Taking the train or double-decker, can also Serve with saving the world and in the long run save you bucks, which would have been spent purchasing petrol and sustaining your vehicle.

Some of the preceding will not only Serve preserve our world, but walking and bicycling will even improve our wellness. Another gain of searching for transport that does not emit as much carbon dioxide is the economies you can find with auto indemnity and motorcar taxes. In the United Kingdom, the amount of motorcar tax you must is established by the sum of carbon-dioxide your vehicle gives off. Even not using your motorcar every day, such as car sharing you can economize bucks.

For any motorcar, that you do not use on a common road you must think of to get a SORN papers or you will have to bear motorcar taxation on the vehicle. For anyone that does not pay up the taxation or does not have a SORN can be in big trouble when their car is impounded and you have to a fine up to ?1000. Do not trust you can get around this because the DVLA does routine roadside checks to ensure that all abides by with the rule.

Weigh all your options to going green and make up one's mind which is best for you and your wallet. Going green can be a huge good for you and the earth.

Used Cars Tips – How To Protect Yourself Against Sellers Who Lie

In a perfect world, all car sellers would be 100% honest, but this isn?t a perfect world. After all, do you really expect car sellers to be all ?what you are looking at is a piece of junk and in addition to my $5,000 price tag you need to spend a few thousand dollars on repairs?? This isn?t going to happen. For that reason, protect yourself from sellers who outright lie or slightly stretch the truth. How can you do this?

Remember That People Lie: You don?t need to outright accuse all vehicle sellers of lying because some might have a great quality vehicle that needs no repairs or has had no issues in prior years. With that said, it doesn?t matter how ?nice? someone seems because if they have a car that they can?t sell without stretching the truth a bit, they are going to stretch. While you don?t want to be over-the-top paranoid, it is important to know that this practice does take place.

Gather Information About the Car Beforehand: If you do your research online and do a search on a vehicle site or use a desktop car finder, you will get a lot of good information ahead of time. You should see some detailed pictures; get the vehicle?s make, model, year, and mileage. This information can and should be used for a small amount of research.

Test Drive the Vehicle: Unless you know the risks of buying a long distance car, you are encouraged to set your sights on local vehicles. This is because you can test drive and inspect the car. Test driving can alert you to any problems with that specific car, such as the need for a new headlight, new tires, or new brakes.

Research the Car in Question: Before you go and test drive a vehicle, do research on the vehicle itself. Testing driving is important for specific vehicle issues, but what about any know problems that may be plaguing entire models? Look at a customer reviews and see what current or former owners have to say. Then, look at recall information. If you find a car that had been recalled due to a part malfunction, ask the seller if that issue was fixed.

As stated above, there are benefits to searching for cars online first because you can gather information and do this research ahead of time. If you ever find yourself at a dealership lot on impulse, never agree to buy a car right away. Gather information on the vehicle make, model, and year and then return home to do a check online for recall information, customer reviews, and so forth.

Know You Have a Choice: So lets say that you agree to meet a vehicle seller to test drive their car. You get there and are basically looking at a car that isn?t nearly as good as it was made to sound online. What should you do? You have a choice. In fact, you have many choices. First, you can walk away. Second, you can buy the car at the price the seller is asking. Third, you can negotiate and get a lower price because the vehicle wasn?t so great after all.

Check Estimated Values: As stated above, you can negotiate a better price (if you want) if you ever catch the vehicle seller in a lie. But what type of price should you go down to? Instead of just pulling a figure out of midair, do your homework first. Visit the Kelley Blue Book website and plug in the make, model, year, and mileage. What you want to do though is three separate value checks on one car ? all the different conditions. So say you are faced with a poor car instead of an excellent car, you have a good value to toss back at the seller who lied.

Now that you know how to handle sellers who misrepresent their cars are you ready to start buying?

Hybrid Horsepower And The Motoring Enthusiast

Love them or hate 'em, hybrids are here to stay. But what's an enthusiast to do about it? While early generations of hybrids like the Prius were indeed geared toward operating economy, the newer generations of hybrids are making motor heads sit up and take notice. There is of course Porsche's 918 that, despite having 800 horsepower on tap, promises to return 78 miles to the gallon. To a motor head, that's automotive nirvana. But at $900,000 dollars, it's not a car that every Tom, Dick and Harry can afford. Ferrari has also announced a 900 horsepower hybrid that will be launched very soon, but in terms of affordability, we're not holding our breath on this one too.

At the opposite end of the spectrum, there's the Honda CR-Z. Designed as the replacement for the popular CR-X, it has gotten a lukewarm reception from most enthusiasts because of its anemic power output. For a generation that was brought up on giant-killing VTEC engines, the CR-Z's power train package leaves much to be desired. As a technology demonstrator though, it proves that it's possible to build frugal yet spirited cars. And spirited it is, because most people who have driven the car agree that a few choice aftermarket upgrades like a coil over suspension would make the car a blast to drive, given more power. Compounding the CR-Z's low power is the fact that hybrid systems weigh more. Even though a hybrid's electric motor delivers practically instant off-the-torque, the added mass cannot but affect a small hybrid's acceleration and handling. With 800 horsepower hybrid exotics, this would not be as evident a drawback as in a car whose 120 horsepower engine has to move 2,700 pounds.

From the makers of the most successful hybrid though comes the Lexus LF-LC, a hybrid concept car first shown to the world in Sydney, but which was also shown at the recently concluded LA Motor Show. With 500 combined horsepower from its twin electric motors and gasoline V8, this car's drive train is supposedly carrying the prototype for a high performance Lexus hybrid that will make its appearance in 2014. This segment of the market will perhaps be the most active in the near future because it's a niche that Audi, BMW, Jaguar and Mercedes have taken a serious interest in, in terms of hybrid offerings.

So, to those motoring enthusiasts who thought that the popularity of the Toyota Prius was a harbinger of doom, take heart. There's a lot of interesting tech, and cars, on the way.