dark motorcycles Ducati 1198S (2010)

Like Giulio Malagoli, the Monster's lead engineer, said of his creation, "Isa one hundreda percenta Ducati. For sure-a it'sa Monster."

Ducati knows what butters its exotic bike bread, and for you, Monster fan, they've created the new 696 in a sharp new package. The improvements to the chassis, suspension and braking are complemented by a smartly revised mill, with the bike's looks and accouterments as most delicious icing on the cake.

If you're an experienced rider looking for a multi-tool ball-of-fun with loads of character, or a new or shorter rider, or a long-time devotee of this line of minimalist Italian bikes, be sure to get your deposit in soon, as my guess is that they'll be flyin' out the door faster than free cheese. Hopefully you’re the patient type, though, as the bike isn't slated to appear in the U.S. until June-ish '08 as a 2009 model. The 695 will complete its full production run during that time, so there'll be some overlap for awhile. When the 696 does hit American dealers, we'll be getting the model with pillion cover and little flyscreen as standard, all for $8775.

2010 Ducati Monster 696

The 696’s simplified trellis main section is meatier (same stock as the 1098R) and now joins with a cast-aluminum subframe that blends so well that the eye can be fooled into thinking no subframe exists. A new hefty swingarm and unique footpeg hanger complete the package.

All three pieces of the chassis are new for the 696 and are the heart and soul of the excellent handling of the newest Monster.

All three pieces of the chassis are new for the 696 and are the heart and soul of the excellent handling of the newest Monster.
The heart of the Monster. A number of internal changes to the mill result in a claimed 80 hp and 51 ft-lbs, up by 7 and 6 respectively over the 695.

The heart of the Monster. A number of internal changes to the mill result in a claimed 80 hp and 51 ft-lbs, up by 7 and 6 respectively over the 695.

Overall dimensions remain largely the same save for a minute 4/10ths of an inch increase in the wheelbase (56.7 vs. 57.1); rake and trail are still 24-degrees and 96mm, respectively. One figure that hasn't changed is the rider-friendly 30.3-inch saddle height. Combined with a fuel tank reshaped for narrowness where it meets the seat, the rider triangle has only become friendlier and should be very endearing to the ladies with its easy reach to the bars. Despite a tighter design, cramped never came to mind on my two separate ride outings. It was equally as cozy droning the freeway as it was hustling through the tight mountain passes. Lest I'm accused of not being impartial, some taller riders, say those well over 6 feet, may feel a tad confined.

2011 olkswagen Golf Mk at Geneva motor Show (3-13march 2011)

Since 1974 Volkswagen has produced the massively popular Golf. It is VW's best selling model, and it is now in its 6th mark.

* Volkswagen Golf Mk 1 1974 - 1984
* Volkswagen Golf Mk 2 1985 - 1992
* Volkswagen Golf Mk 3 1991 - 1998
* Volkswagen Golf Mk 4 1997 - 2006
* Volkswagen Golf Mk 5 2003 - 2009
* Volkswagen Golf Mk 6 2009 - present

It replaced the VW Beetle, but not straight away. VW Beetle production kept going until 1978 in Germany and until much later in Mexico.

This transition from air cooled to water cooled engines was in part thanks to Volkswagen's access to Audi technology.

Here is something to ponder [and may win you a pub quiz]: What has the Golf and its variants [Bora, Jetta, Scirocco, Passat] all have in common?

The answer is easy if you know that Jetta is the German for 'Trade Wind'. The word Golf does not refer to the pleasant game which Europeans beat Americans at. It refers to the Gulf Stream, the warm water that originates in the Gulf of Mexico and that flows to the north west coast of Europe.

The Golf Cabriolet series has been an on-off affair for Volkswagen ever since the introduction of the original model in the beginning of the 1980s. At the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the Germans decided to give the Cabriolet another go with the presentation of a new model based on the 6th generation of the Golf that will be sold alongside the firm's Eos hardtop roadster.

The replacement of the roof with an electrically operated cloth top, the redesigned rear end and the more swept-back angle of the front windscreen frame along with the necessary structural reinforcements pretty much sum up the changes over the standard Golf hatchback upon which the Cabriolet is based.

At least in Europe, the Golf Cabriolet Mk6 will be offered with six direct-injection turbocharged diesel and gaosline engines with a power range from 105 PS to 210 PS. Scroll down for the photo gallery from the Geneva Show floors.
course:carscoop.blogspot.com

2010-2011 The MV Agusta F4 with New design

Italian motorcycle marque, Aprilia will acceptation a new baby displacement sportbike aimed at entry-level action riders into the U.S. Welcome the Aprilia RS4 125.

Sportbike Motorcycle First Look Archive

Suspension comes in the anatomy of a three-way adjustable astern 50mm Marzocchi fork, with a Sachs shock aswell featuring acclimation for preload, compression and rebound. The rear shock bond allows for adopting or blurred the rear as well.

Braking duties are handled by radial-mount Brembo monobloc pinchers and 320mm rotors up front, with a rear Nissin four-piston 220mm rotor arrangement.

The all-embracing administration cues don’t waver too far from the F4’s antecedent lines, which were about analogously admired as animalism worthy. No chat yet on the MSRP, which stands to acumen will concealment the $24,995 mark of the 2009 F4 RR 312 1078 awash actuality in the states.

Then there is addition spectacularly huge unknown. Who will in fact accumulation or ache from the new F4’s sales fate. Remember, Harley-Davidson is aggravating to assurance off the recently-acquired MV brand.

MV Agusta F4 2010 bike rider
MV Agusta abide to accommodate tantalising glimpses of the 2010 F4. Like the Brutale, the new F4 alone appearance sharpened-up administration rather than a complete architecture revamp. And forth with the Ducati 1198S, the new F4 is acceptable to still be one of the best searching motorcycles in the world.

MV Agusta F4 2010 rear lamp and exhaust

no doubt 2011 the Honda CBR 1000RR is one of the hottest bikes

It is extremely necessary on these high performance bikes to have HID's installed on them. These HID lights will shine your way as you cruse at blazing speeds on freeways, further the look and feel of the bike is also enhanced with these headlights give a dramatic face lift to your bike. As the main function of headlights they allow you to see further at night and better as well, easing the work for your eyes as they do not get strained by the light emitted as it is very similar to that emitted by the sun. The Xenon headlights are long lasting and mostly outlast the bike itself. The secret to its life is they do not use a filament which is prone to damage and greatly decreases the durability of halogen bulbs. If you think you are good with the basic tools then you can easily self install the HID kit but it is better to leave it to the professionals.

The Xenon HID Bulb use up 35 W and produces 6000k temperature and blazing brilliant white light. It needs an input of 9-16V battery and draws 3.4 Amperage which is 50% less than the conventional halogen headlights. To ballasts need a constant 35W to maintain the steady flow of lights as it used an Advanced Ballasts System that is why the light does not flicker or disrupt on bumpy roads.


Honda Electronic Steering Damper

Power is one thing, but the key to a great sportbike is how it handles, and that’s where the Honda Electronic Steering Damper (HESD) comes in. Compact, unobtrusive and super-smart, it helps maintain smoothly predictable high-speed handling and low-speed maneuverability.

www.honda.com

2011 Chevrolet Volt electric/hybrid on the market in USA

Safety features on the "2011 Chevy Volt" include antilock brakes, stability control, front side airbags, front knee airbags and full-length side curtain airbags.
The change-over from battery charge to generator power can be difficult to notice, though the pre-production Volts we've driven do have a disconcerting generator noise level; the engine revs regardless of engine speed.

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt ranks 3 out of 19 Upscale Midsize Cars. Amid industry debate (“It’s an electric car!” “It’s neither!”), Chevrolet has rolled out the Volt. The Volt is neither a hybrid car nor an electric car. Chevrolet calls it an extended range electric vehicle. For those buyers, the Chevrolet Volt is largely an electric car.

Two of the top competing electric/hybrid vehicles currently on the market in the USA happen to be Nissan's Leaf and Chevy's Volt. While the Volt is actually a hybrid vehicle that has a rather extensive range, and the Leaf is purely an electrical vehicle, the two models do share some similarities as far as price, mileage per charge or per gallon (Volt) and safety specs are concerned. Let's take a look at how they stack up to one another, and even take a peek at their pricing so you can decide which one is best suited for your needs.

2011 Chevrolet Volt is one of the most anticipated cars

Two of the top competing electric/hybrid vehicles currently on the market in the USA happen to be Nissan's Leaf and Chevy's Volt. While the Volt is actually a hybrid vehicle that has a rather extensive range, and the Leaf is purely an electrical vehicle, the two models do share some similarities as far as price, mileage per charge or per gallon (Volt) and safety specs are concerned. Let's take a look at how they stack up to one another, and even take a peek at their pricing so you can decide which one is best suited for your needs.

Overall Range

The Leaf is the winner as far as being most environmentally friendly is concerned. It has an engine capable of just over 100 horsepower and on a full charge it can go just over 70 miles; however, it takes a few hours to charge up the high performance battery. The Volt makes sense for green drivers that want more out of their money at the pump. You can get about 35 miles on a charge and nearly 400 miles from a full tank of gas. Volt offers 37 MPG, whereas the Leaf offers about 99 MPGe, which the Volt ranks near to at 93 MPGe.

In the event VIII Annual Global Green USA pre-Oscar awards, held in Hollywood (California) on Wednesday, celebrities posed for a photo with the Chevrolet Volt by 2011. The list was extended to various celebrities including director James Cameron and actor Dennis Hasbert.
Leonardo DiCaprio was one of those who came to the Oscars a few years ago in a Toyota Prius. Since then, some famous boldly led to the Cadillac Escalade hybrid.
The question is: What will be the vehicle that draws more attention to the Academy Awards?. We have to wait until tomorrow night to know the answer.

2011 The Peugeot 3008 HYbrid4 Limited Edition: launched 300 units at the Geneva Motor Show

City Car

As the name suggests a city car is a car designed for use in urban areas, they are compact and highly manoeuvrable. 'City cars' is sometimes used as an umbrella term for a small car, also known as subcompacts or superminis.

Compact
Size wise a compact car fits between a supermini and a mid-sized car, such as a saloon or hatchback, in Europe they would fall into the C-Segment category.

Crossover
A crossover is a combination of two different types of vehicle, normally a SUV is crossed with a hatchback, city car or MPR. Crossovers are relatively new additions to the car market, but there are many examples, including the Nissan Juke, a compact SUV, and the Peugeot 3008 a mix of hatchback and SUV.

Estate

An estate car, or station wagon as it is known in the US, is a saloon car with an extended boot area. Due to the amount of boot space estates make good family cars.

Hatchback

A hatchback is similar to a saloon except access to the boot is through a large rear door, that often incorporates the window, whilst a saloon has a lift up boot lid. Hatchbacks are available as three or five doors, and many hatchback models, such as the Volkswagen Golf, Peugeot 207 and Ford Focus, have saloon versions to.

Hot Hatch

Hot hatch is an informal term for a hot hatchback, a three or five door hatchback that is considered to be a 'high performance' car, i.e. they are fitted with turbocharger and offer a sporty driving experience. The Volkswagen Golf GTI is commonly touted as the original hot hatch, and is still very popular today.

The 3008 combines Hybrid4 2.0 HDI FAP engine of 163 hp and electric 27 kW (37 hp) extra. The latter to operate the rear axle, so it is all wheel drive.
With a maximum power of 200 hp, achieves a consumption of 3.8 litres/100 approved and emissions of 99 g / km of CO2.

Nuevo Renault Kangoo Maxi ZE: Pre-tax pricing in Europe starts from €21,200 ($29,100)

As with its other electric models, Renault will offer clients the possibility of either buying or leasing the car, with an additional monthly subscription to be paid for the battery (from EUR72/$99). Renault's calculations indicate the annual maintenance cost for the Kangoo Maxi Z.E. will be similar to the conventional model if the distance traveled is less than 15,000 km (9,320 miles), and become more competitive as the mileage grows.

Pre-tax pricing in Europe starts from €21,200 ($29,100), with prices in France after a €5,000 state subsidy beginning from €16,200 ($22,250), which is very close to the price of a diesel-engined Kangoo Maxi.

By Dan Mihalascu

Within the range called Z.E. Renault (Zero Emissions), only the Fluence and Kangoo were electric. Now joins the Kangoo Maxi, a model aimed at SMEs (small and medium enterprises).

2010 Audi RS6 Avant is a car that you should

Audi RS6 is one of the most famous products of the famous German automobile company Audi AG. Technically, we can name this car as a high performance mid-sized luxury executive car. The term "Renn Sport" is the full form of RS, which basically stands for Racing Sport or Motor Sport.

Audi used some advanced techniques while launching all its RS models including the RS6. This car includes one of the most powerful internal combustion engine, in comparison to most of the other Audi models. The engine of this car is even more powerful than the larger sized engine of Audi S8. It is also facilitated with Torsen Based Quattro Permanent Four Wheel Drive system, which makes it stand out from other models of its group.

On the inside of the 2008 Audi RS6 Avant you'll find all the luxury that you have come to expect from the Audi name. The interior is definitely a step up above the S6 and you can begin to see where those "extras" come into play with the RS6. The seats are sporty and boast nappa leather. Carbon fiber trim is used in the vehicle and the shift paddles are aluminum. The dash top is attractive and made of leather and you'll notice that the steering wheel is a flat bottom one.

Of course with all the excellent features of it comes a pretty hefty price tag, falling just a bit short of $100,000. In spite of the high price tag, this is a great car to consider if you are looking for a luxury family car that is just packed full of power. It comfortably seats five people, so you'll be sure to get the whole family in comfortably. Most of all, no matter where you are going, you'll be sure to get there quickly with the fastest wagon out there on the market today. So, for those looking for a family car that is packed full of great options and power, the 2008 Audi RS6 Avant is definitely a car to consider.

all New 2011 Ducati 848 Evo: Perfomance test

soul-stirring sound and seductive, liquid-red styling inherent to a long bloodline of championship-winning Ducati sportbikes. Yesterday's triumph, however, is just that, and the bigger the trophy, the more dust it tends to attract. Ongoing product evolution is what maintains a competitive edge, and the Bologna boys aim to kill in the hotly contested middleweight supersport category with the new 848 EVO recently rolled out as an early-release 2011 model.

2011 Ducati 848 Evo Action

Torque builds quickly off idle before easing into a soft spot around 5000 rpm. While the mid-rpm lull is perceptible even at slight throttle settings, fueling remains good, allowing the bike to cruise dead-steady in the lull zone at freeway speeds. The sweet spot for smooth running spans from 4000 to 5000 rpm, yielding an indicated 70 to 87 mph in top gear with only modest engine vibration seeping through the handgrips. Strong power pulses quake the footpegs and frame while chugging along at basement revs or spinning the engine in its upper rpm range. There is little driveline lash, even when casually lugging along at 3500 rpm in a tall gear.2011 Ducati 848 Evo

2010-2011 new Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP stance.

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP Front Angle View

Remember the questions posed at the very beginning of our review? Their answers are a little bit of yes and a little bit of no. The Hyper is completely capable of fulfilling its role as a maniacal supersize supermoto, there's no doubt about that. But it can also function perfectly well as a method of getting you from point A to point B with reasonable comfort and refinement. Well, maybe not refinement, especially not with that Termognini exhaust -- it's not exactly good etiquette to roll into work setting off car alarms... but at least comfort. So, in closing, what we have here is a $14,995 motorcycle with multiple personality disorder. And we mean that in the best way possible.

2010 Ducati Hypermotard 1100 EVO SP Motorcycle

Vehicle Highlights: first plug-in for 2011 The Chevrolet Volt

One aspect which sets the Volt apart from any other car on the market is its long driving range for an electric vehicle, something usually not found in other electric vehicles such as the Nissan Leaf. Since the Volt operates uses an electric motor for the first 40 miles or so, consumers who have a short commute could probably skip fueling up for long periods of time. The car industry awarded the Volt the honor of being named 2011 North American Car of the Year.

Let's take a closer look at the powertrain that powers this innovative vehicle. The car is powered initially by an electric power train which switches over to traditional gasoline mode after around forty miles. The electric powertrain provides 149 hp and 273 lb feet of torque while the traditional engine is a 1.4 Liter four cylinder. Acceleration is smooth and instantaneous while the Volt provides a driver oriented and athletic drive. Charging the car is quite simple; you just plug it into a regular 120 volt outlet. The Volt goes from 0-60 mph on just 9.2 seconds which is pretty fast when compared to speeds of the average hybrid. A home charging station is highly recommended.

The 2011 Chevrolet Volt makes its debut as General Motors' first plug-in gas/electric vehicle. It is expected to see limited production in calendar 2010, with availability only in California, Connecticut, Michigan, New Jersey, New York, Texas, and Washington, DC. Nationwide sales are slated for late-calendar 2011. GM calls this 4-passenger, 4-door hatchback an "extended-range electric vehicle," because it has, in effect, two different drivetrains: an all-electric one (battery and motors) that drive the car for the first 40 or so miles after a full plug-in recharge, and a gas-powered hybrid system (with gas engine and fuel tank) that automatically takes over after that to give about another 300 miles of range.
Touch-control switch system on the center console
High-resolution, seven-inch, full-color LCD reconfigurable Driver Information Center display. The display shows electric-only range, fuel economy, , extended-range, trip information, tire pressure information and other key vehicle messages.
High-resolution, seven-inch, full-color, center stack-mounted touch screen display that serves as the interface for infotainment and cabin climate controls. An Efficiency (Leaf) switch accesses energy usage, power flow and charging screens - all easy to use and understand.
Charge modes are customizable according to need and electricity rates for efficient programming and lower costs.
A key fob that allows drivers to remotely start the vehicle and precondition the cabin based on outside temperatures
An exclusive mobile app, powered by OnStar MyLink, that enables owners to engage with the Volt functions using a smart phone.

Chevrolet Volt warranties bring value and peace of mind

Volt owners receive outstanding battery and vehicle limited warranty coverage. In addition to the eight-year/100,000-mile limited warranty on the Chevy Volt's 16-kWh lithium-ion battery, Chevrolet will provide:
Three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper coverage
Five-year/100,000-mile roadside assistance and courtesy transportation
Five-year/100,000-mile limited gas engine coverage
Six-year/100,000-mile corrosion protection coverage.

2011-2012 The Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

The Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Neiman Marcus has a retail price of $75,000, and will be ready for delivery in the spring of 2011. Reservations for one of these limited-edition cars will be accepted beginning at noon, EDT, on October 19, 2010.

All Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Neiman Marcus will be equipped with a 6.2-liter, V-8 engine, When paired with six-speed manual transmission, the engine delivers 426 horsepower and 420 pound-feet of torque; with the six-speed automatic, the engine delivers 400 horsepower and 410 pound-feet of torque.

The Chevrolet Camaro Convertible Neiman Marcus also has exclusive, 21-inch, polished aluminum wheels, wrapped in Pirelli P-Zero ultra-high performance tires. Other features include Brembo disc brakes, LED halo-ring headlamps, Bluetooth connectivity, rear parking assist, and a 245-watt, Boston Acoustics sound system.

Before any official announcement, reports began running during April 1965 within the automotive press that Chevrolet was preparing a competitor to the Ford Mustang, code-named Panther. On June 21, 1966, around 200 automotive journalists received a telegram from General Motors stating, "...Please save noon of June 28 for important SEPAW meeting. Hope you can be on hand to help scratch a cat. Details will follow...(signed) John L. Cutter – Chevrolet Public Relations – SEPAW Secretary." The following day, the same journalists received another General Motors telegram stating, "Society for the Eradication of Panthers from the Automotive World will hold first and last meeting on June 28...(signed) John L. Cutter – Chevrolet Public Relations SEPAW Secretary." These telegrams puzzled the automotive journalists.

2011 the Yamaha FZ6R is not lacking curb appeal

When Yamaha released the FZ6R to the public earlier this year I was quick to review it. I hastily found a brand new one, barely a week out of its crate, and went to work. Over the course of half a day I flogged the bike through corners, around treacherous terrain (bumpy roads, gravel, etc.), up and down hills, through the mountains, and then back into good old city riding. It as a memorable half day, as the Yamaha FZ6R would become one of my all time favorite casual motorcycles.

What is a "Casual" Motorcycle?

Unlike the Yamaha R6, which is a super-sport motorcycle, the Yamaha FZ6R has certain conveniences that make it appealing for new and experienced riders alike. It has a more upright riding position, with less lean to the handle bars. This makes it more comfortable to sit on and ride, and after nearly half a day of abuse and hard riding my back still wasn't sore. On the R6 my back would have been killing me within an hour.

Not only that, but it doesn't pack a 160 horsepower engine. In fact, though Yamaha has been very hush-hush about just how much power it does make, you will find that the FZ6R is rather slow in comparison to any 600cc+ super-sport. Then again, that's like saying that the Chevrolet Corvette is slower than the Ferrari F430. At no point should you think that the Yamaha FZ6R is a slow machine, as it will still complete a quarter mile in around 12 seconds, and it will still outrun just about everything else on the street.

2011 Yamaha FZ6R Official Photos

Looks and Performance

One look at the Yamaha FZ6R is enough to make someone fall in love. Distinct styling, combined with aggressive fairing and wide tires (for the size of motorcycle) give the FZ6R a unique look. Without a doubt, the FZ6R is not lacking curb appeal. Of course, all the aggressive fairing in the world won't mean a thing if the motorcycle handles like a Vespa.

Starting up the motorcycle reveals the silky-smooth idle of the fuel injected four cylinder former R6 engine, and once you rev it (and you will want to) you will be rewarded with an angelic exhaust tone. True, this is not a pocket rocket. Also true is the fact that the FZ6R isn't really any faster than any of its primary competition (Kawasaki Ninja 650R, Suzuki SV650S). However, the amount of personal satisfaction that owners of this motorcycle are sure to enjoy will easily outweigh any of those minor shortcomings.

And believe me when I say that they are indeed minor. Once you have this bike moving you will be experiencing a riding situation that is far and beyond what most "entry level" motorcycles offer. There is no clunky carbureted engine, no lacklustre acceleration, and no disapproving looks from other motorcycle riders. There is speed when you need it, there is the ride that you want (stiff, but not too stiff), and the aesthetics that cause other people to constantly ask you what you're riding.

Ride this bike hard and it will reward you with sub-12 second acceleration times (your $8,000 motorcycle will keep up with $180,000 Ferrari's), enthusiastic turn-in, and the ability to stop your newfound lover on a dime.

So How Good Is It?

This may very well be one of the best entry level middleweight sport bikes ever conceived, and in my humble opinion this motorcycle is worthy of respect from any rider, regardless of their experience level. Get on one, ride it, and see for yourself- you'll be glad you did.

Spec Streetfighter: 2011 The Kawasaki Z750R

Europe is the birthplace of the original streetfighter motorcycles, stripped-down sportbikes that engendered an entirely new class of production bikes termed "street-nakeds" or "sport standards," among other names. Europeans still love sporty bikes that come from the factory sans fairings, and in the last couple of years, Kawasaki has really hit the market sweet-spot with their Z750.

After the global financial crisis, however, sales began to taper off. Fortunately, Kawasaki has responded aggressively, introducing the new 2011 Kawasaki Z750R. New styling is the most marked departure from the bike's predecessor. There is an all-new bikini fairing up front, as well as new instrumentation in the gauge cluster. There is also a new muffler, or you can opt for an Akrapovic system for an additional cost. Other options include a spoiler and faux carbon fiber design pieces.

2011 Kawasaki Z750R Action View

A hit all over europe and across the uk, the z750 will be joined in the kawasaki street-fighter stable for 2011 by the new z750r - set to get its uk public debut at the carole nash. Kawasaki unveils eagerly anticipated z750r looks awesome but at 500+ lbs , no thanks you tube you tube. 2011 kawasaki z750r official video - kawasaki z1000 forum kawasaki z750s in excellant condition very low mileage only 3981 tax till end of month mot april 2011 only needs new rear tyre /this was my wifes bike an.