World's Top fast cars Wallpapers

Pictures Of Fastest Cars Of  the world

Top fast cars Wallpapers 

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Top fast cars Wallpapers 

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Car Models with which all women love and want to buy.

Cars Women Love

These Vehicles are female-friendly in all the best ways. Automakers have long known that cars aren't just a man's game. More than two-thirds of the new cars sold each year are bought by women; 8 out of 10 purchasing decisions are heavily and directly influenced by women.

But while that influence is old news, the way automakers are responding to it is in flux.

"The factors that divide men and women buyers have really grown together," says Margaret Brooks, a Chevrolet marketing manager. "If I went back 10 years ago, you would see much more of a difference in reasons for selecting a vehicle between men and women. Today they're really very similar in terms of what they're looking for."What do women want? Above all, a car they can trust.

"It's having a vehicle that they can depend on--that has the kind of style statement they want to make and very importantly is affordable to buy, is affordable to operate," Brooks says. "It has to be something that represents great value."

Vehicles like the Acura TL and the Volvo C70 aren't marketed solely to women, of course, but they join the other vehicles on this list whose design, performance and marketing may align precisely with the priorities of many female buyers.

Behind the Story

We compiled our list of cars women will love based on input from automakers about which of their vehicles sell strongest in the female marketplace. We also asked for nominations from Christine Overstreet, the executive director of Heels and Wheels, a group that promotes women's interests in the auto market.

Some of our top 10, like the Hyundai Tucson and the GMC Acadia, will be featured at a Heels and Wheels women-only test-drive event in California next month.

Our list is diverse, including everything from the $18,425 Chevrolet Cruze Eco to the $38,525 Saab 9-5. A seemingly disparate group, but they all have characteristics that appeal to female buyers.

Jesse Toprak, vice president of industry trends and insights at TrueCar.com, puts it succinctly: "Women car buyers are more cost-conscious and purchase fuel-efficient vehicles."

Sales data seems to support that idea. According to Truecar research, the top 10 models with greater than 50% retail sales to females and at least 1,000 annual retail sales in 2010 included the Volkswagen New Beetle, Kia Spectra, Nissan Rogue, Volkswagen Eos, Hyundai Entourage, Volvo S40, Jeep Compass, Honda CR-V, Nissan Sentra and Hyundai Tucson.

By comparison, the cars with the greatest percentage of male buyers were the Porsche 911, GMC Sierra, Chevrolet Corvette, Chevrolet Silverado, Ford F-Series, BMW M3, Ford Ranger, Toyota Tundra, Dodge Ram and Audi S5.

Lexus, a brand with predominantly male fans, has one car that skews toward women: The Lexus RX crossover, whose buyers were 60% female.

"When I look at midsize SUVs, I think, 'Oh that's kind of nice,' but then I think, 'Ugh, I want to get more than 20 miles per gallon!' " Overstreet says. "And that's where the CUVs are good."

Overstreet says her work puts her in contact with two types of women: singles who like small, efficient cars, and mothers who need something large to transport children. But members of both groups are drawn to the same things, she says.
Failed Attempts

Automakers have made a number of tries to design cars specifically for women. In the 1950s Dodge made a pink and lavender coupe called La Femme. Among other girlish accessories, it came with a pink leather handbag and matching compact with rain cape and umbrella.

The truth is that La Femme was mostly for show--Dodge produced just 3,000 units over two years. Women and their husbands would visit showrooms to see it up close but then buy something more practical.

More recently in 2004, Volvo made a concept called the YCC (Your Concept Car), which was engineered by a team of women for women.

It featured auto-opening gull-wing doors, easy-clean paint, run-flat tires, an exterior washer-fluid filling point, computerized parking assistance, automatic diagnostics and notification of needed service, among other stereotype-based "female driver" amenities.

It was never made.
 

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New Amazing and Advance Cars Technologies

Cars new technologies

1.Disc brakes vs. drum brakes

This article explains the difference between disc (disk) brakes and drum brakes, including how disc brakes and drum brakes work, what advantages disk brakes and drum brakes have, and how to tell if your car has disk brakes, drum brakes or both.

2.Electronic stability control (ESC)

Electronic stability control (ESC) is a safety feature that can help prevent the driver from losing control of the car. This article gives a layperson's explanation of what electronic stability control is, how ESC works, and why ESC is important.

3.Direct Fuel Injection

Direct fuel injection promises better fuel efficiency, more power and cleaner emissions for car engines. This article explains what direct fuel injection is and how direct fuel injection works.

4.CVT - Continuously Variable Transmission

What is a Continuously Variable Transmission (or CVT), how does it work, and what makes the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) superior to a conventional automatic transmission? This article explains, in simple terms, what the Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is and how it works. By Aaron Gold, your Guide to Cars at About.com.

5.VW/Audi DSG/S-tronic transmission photo gallery

VW/Audi DSG/S-tronic transmission photo gallery

6.How Mercedes-Benz BLUETEC Works

A technical tour of the Mercedes-Benz BLUETEC diesel system

7.Volkswagen and Audi's Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG)

The six-speed Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG) transmission from Volkswagen and Audi is a self-shifting transmission that overcomes many of the problems with traditional manuals and automatics, and works faster than other sequential manuals. DSG is available on cars such as the Audi A3 and Volkswagen GTI, Jetta GLI, and Golf R32. How the DSG works is explained here by Aaron Gold, your Guide to Cars at About.com.

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Top Electric Cars Companies Which are ready to take over the road

 30 electric cars companies

It’s official: Green car madness has taken over. After seeing more electric and hybrid vehicle startups than we could keep track of, we finally decided to start keeping count.
We’ve compiled a list, below, of 27 (update: the list has reached 30; thanks for the comments) startups, listed according to their release date, with additional information on fuel type, range, top speed and price. Most haven’t yet taken venture funding, but where applicable, we’ve listed financial backing.
While we’ve got some overall favorites (Miles, Tesla, Think) and a few favorite oddballs (Aptera, Commuter Cars, Eliica), we’ve for the most part withheld judgement. Still, if you have any of your own predictions about which companies will succeed or — far more likely — fail, we’d encourage you to make them known in the comments.
A note on our method: While most manufacturers are planning more than one model, we chose the one that seemed either most commercially viable or closest to release, depending on our own (discretionary) formula. We didn’t included well-known consumer models like the Toyota Prius or Chevy Volt, or startups like AC Propulsion that only do battery conversions for consumer vehicles. We also rounded the price to the nearest thousand.
All details are taken from the companies, so we haven’t independently confirmed things like range and top speed details. In case we missed any, mention them below and we’ll add them to the list.

American Electric Vehicle — Kurrent

American Electric Vehicle — Kurrent
Update: Defunct, according to a comment below, although they seem to still be for sale. We’re looking into it.
AEV advises its potential drivers to “Slow down,” which seems like wise advice, given the golf cart-inspired design. Still, it’s ridiculously cheap.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $10K
Range / top speed: 40 miles / 25mph
Release date: Available now

Commuter Cars — Tango T600

Commuter Cars — Tango T600
The Tango is even odder than three-wheeled designs, in some ways: It’s less than half the width of a normal car, and two can fit in a single lane. It also accelerates like a bat out of hell. Future versions are planned to be much cheaper, and have longer ranges.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $108K
Range / top speed: 80 miles / 150mph
Funding: Less than $1 million in angel backing; open to venture funding.
Release date: Available now

Dynasty Electric Car Corp. — IT Sedan

Dynasty Electric Car Corp. — IT Sedan
This Canadian company actually sells five different models, although they all look relatively identical, minus or plus a few pieces of frame.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $19,000
Range / top speed: 30 miles / 24mph
Release date: Available now

ElBil Norge — Kewet Buddy

ElBil Norge — Kewet Buddy
Somewhat reminiscent of the Think (see below), the Buddy is currently only available in the same country, Norway.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $28K
Range / top speed: / 56mph
Release date: Available now

Fly Bo — 6000 / 2

Fly Bo — 6000 / 2
This vehicle, which bears a strong resemblance to the Smart Car, is produced in China. Spark (see below) distributes it in the United States.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $10K
Range / top speed: 60 miles / 35mph (w/ limiter)
Release date: Available now

Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) — e2

Global Electric Motorcars (GEM) — e2
GEM is actually a division of Chrysler, the company has the look and feel (not to mention, apparently, the limited funding) of a startup. Its vehicles resemble golf carts, and are likely used for many of the same functions.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $7K
Range / top speed: 35 miles / 25mph
Release date: Available now

Modec — Electric Van

Modec — Electric Van
These aren’t actually cars, or even consumer transportation. These electric van / trucks resemble the delivery vehicles you might see bringing vegetables to your local grocery.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $41K
Range / top speed: 100 miles / 50mph
Release date: Available now

Myers Motors — NmG (No more Gas)

Myers Motors — NmG (No more Gas)
Another three-wheeled design, with room for only one passenger. Odd-looking and doesn’t go far, but you can order one today, if you like.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $35K
Range / top speed: 30 miles / 75mph
Release date: Available now

Reva — G-Wiz

Reva — G-Wiz
Despite its distinction as the most-produced electric vehicle around, having been in production since 2001, the Indian-produced Reva isn’t available yet in the United States. It’s considered extremely unsafe at high speeds, so it may never make it over.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: £8K ($16K in US dollars)
Range / top speed: 70 miles (for 2008 model) / 45mph
Release date: Available now

Smith Electric Vehicles — Edison

Smith Electric Vehicles — Edison
The Edison, a large van designed for local deliveries, is Smith’s smallest model, meaning drivers don’t need a special license to operate it. The company, based in the United Kingdom also makes several much larger delivery trucks.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: Unconfirmed
Range / top speed: 150 miles / 50mph
Release date: Available now

Twike — The Twike

Twike — The Twike
Some effort seems to have been put towards making this vehicle look like an insect. Of course, the look worked for the Volkswagen Beetle, and it may be working for Twike; the company sold out its 2007 line last year. It’s based in Switzerland, but sells in several other countries, including the United States.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $27,500
Range / top speed: 80 miles / 53mph
Release date: Available now

Venturi — Fetish

Venturi — Fetish
Another high-end electric sports car, the Fetish is manufactured in Monaco. High labor costs, anyone? The company is also developing two more models, the Ecletic and Astrolab.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: €297K (about $435K dollars)
Range / top speed: 155 miles / 100mph
Release date: Available now

Zap! Electric Cars — Xebra Sedan

Zap! Electric Cars — Xebra Sedan
Update: While Zap! cars really do exist, the company appears to have made itself out to be much more than it is and think twice before ordering one (or signing up to be a dealer).
We chose to list the Xebra because the two higher-powered versions Zap is working on, the Zap-X and the Alias, don’t have firm release dates. Zap also has numerous retail locations in the United States, and sells cars made by other manufacturers.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $11K
Range / top speed:
Release date: Available now

Zenn Motors — Zenn NEV

Zenn Motors — Zenn NEV (Neighborhood Electric Vehicle)
As with some other available electric vehicles currently available, this vehicle is strictly for short ranges and slow speeds.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $12K – $15K
Range / top speed: 35 miles / 25mph
Funding: This company is publicly traded on the TSX.
Release date: Available now

Lightning Car Company — Lightning GT

Lightning Car Company — Lightning GT
The United Kingdom’s answer to Tesla. This will likely remain a boutique vehicle, but the company has plans for cheaper mass-produced models later.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: £150K ($293K in US dollars)
Range / top speed: 250 miles / TBA (but fast)
Release date: First half 2008

Spark Electric Vehicles — Comet

Spark Electric Vehicles — Comet
Update: Like Zap (see above), it seems Spark is either a scam company or simply incapable of carrying out its plans. Michael Papp, the brain behind Spark, has been arrested and faces trial for taking payments for vehicles he failed to deliver.
Spark has nine models, most made by Fly Bo (listed above). Here, we list the one they designed and manufactured themselves in the United States (most of their vehicles are much slower and cheaper than this one). They distribute their vehicles in Colorado, Michigan, New Jersey and Pennsylvania.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $33K
Range / top speed: 200 miles / 90mph
Release date: First half of 2008

Tesla Motors — The Roadster

Tesla Motors — The Roadster
The most-publicized, most-hyped electric car company around. Tesla’s high-performance electric vehicle is reportedly a blast to drive, but various production problems have set the release date back.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $98K
Range / top speed: 221 miles / 125mph
Funding: Backed by Bay Area Equity Fund, Compass Venture Partners, Draper Fisher Jurvetson, Technology Partners, VantagePoint Cleantech Partners, and VantagePoint Venture Partners, as well as various angel investors (including Elon Musk).
Release date: First quarter 2008

Think — City

Think — City
A pre-existing company whose older cars are still driven in Norway, this European manufacturer will release its new model in Europe this year, and in the United States a year or two after. Business 2.0 had an extensive story on the company.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $34K in Norway, $15K – $17K in US (projected)
Range / top speed: 112 miles / 62mph
Funding: Backed by DFJ Element, British Hazel Capital, Canica, Capricorn Investment Group, CG Holding, RockPort Capital Partners and Wintergreen Advisers, as well as various angels.
Release date: First half 2008 in Europe, but not until 2009 or later in the US

Phoenix Motorcars — Sport Utility Truck / SUV

Phoenix Motorcars — Sport Utility Truck / SUV
No cars here, just trucks and SUVs. The company will have an extended-range battery option for 250 miles later in 2008.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $45K
Range / top speed: 130 miles / 95mph
Release date: Mid-2008

Moteur Developpment International — The Air Car

Moteur Developpment International — The Air Car
These tiny, odd little vehicles are powered entirely by compressed air. You won’t be likely to see one Stateside just yet, but India’s Tata Motors has plans to begin production on them this year.
Fuel type: Air!
Price: TBA
Range / top speed: 120 miles / 70mph
Release date: 2008 (month TBA)

Porteon — Porteon

Porteon — Porteon
Reportedly to be sold alongside houses in small Mexican communities. Like other companies, this one plans to roll out higher-speed models later, but they haven’t gotten back to us yet with more details, including the official name.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $7K – $9K
Range / top speed: TBA / 25mph
Release date: 2008 (month TBA)

Universal Electric Vehicles — Spyder

Universal Electric Vehicles — Spyder
UEV’s Spyder has a sporty design, but the company itself doesn’t seem as slick and polished as some of the competitors. We’re not sure whether that means anything, though.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $70K
Range / top speed: 150 miles / 100+mph
Release date: 2008 (month TBA)

Aptera

Aptera — Typ-1e / Type-1h
The Aptera Typ-1 is a three-wheeler (two front, one back) available in two configurations. We’ve covered the vehicle here.
Fuel type: All-electric or hybrid, depending on configuration
Price: $27K electric, $30K hybrid
Range / top speed: 120 miles electric, 600 miles hybrid; top speed TBA
Funding: Backed by Idealab and an angel investor, the CEO of Esenjay Petroleum, Michael Johnson.
Release date: Late 2008

Obvio — 828e

Obvio — 828e
Sold in the United States by Zap, the diminutive but high-powered Obvio could almost race a Tesla. It’s designed and manufactured by a Brazilian company that is also working on a cheap combustion engine version.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $49k
Range / top speed: 240 miles / 120 mph
Release date: Late 2008 or early 2009

Fisker Automotive — “Eco-Chic”

Fisker Automotive — “Eco-Chic” (Working name TBA)
Fisker will be showing off the first productions models of its cars on January 13th, at the Detroit Auto Show. Created by a world-renowned auto designer, these will compete in Tesla’s high-end market niche.
Fuel type: Hybrid
Price: $80K
Range / top speed: 620 miles / TBA
Backing: Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers has invested more than $10 million in Fisker.
Release date: Mid-2009

Venture Vehicles

Venture Vehicles — VentureOne e50 / Q100 / EV
We previously suggested that some might call this vehicle a “glorified scooter.” The company does have supporters, though, who gave us plenty of heat — for a chuckle, check out the comment thread below our story. The three models listed are actually one car with different configurations.
Fuel type: Two hybrids, the e50 and Q100, and the all-electric EV
Price: $20K – 25K
Range / top speed: e50, Q100 and EV respectively: 350 miles / 100mph; 300 miles / 120mph; 120 miles / 75mph
Backing: Backed by NGEN Partners.
Release date: Second quarter 2009

Miles Electric Vehicles — XS500

Miles Electric Vehicles — XS500
Founded in 2004, this company already makes and sells two low-speed electric vehicles which are manufactured in China. We chose to list details for its upcoming highway-speed model, which should have a mass market appeal, if the price is low enough.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: TBA
Range / top speed: 120 miles / 80mph
Release date: 2009 (month TBA)
Bonus: Concept cars
We’ve picked out a few companies that represent next-generation thinking in EVs. As noted below, there are many more.

Eliica (The Electric Lithium-Ion Car)

Eliica (The Electric Lithium-Ion Car)
A concept car created by Keio University in Japan, the Eliica has an odd eight-wheeled design and has come close to breaking speed records for combustion-engine cars. The team plans to sell a couple hundred eventually.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: $255K
Range / top speed: TBA / 230mph

Velozzi

Velozzi
An X-Prize contestant, Velozzi is most notable for claiming that their car will have a 0-60mph acceleration of under 3 seconds. Other details are pretty thin, though.
Fuel type: Hybrid
Price: TBA
Range / top speed: TBA / 200mph

Wrightspeed — X-1

Wrightspeed — X-1
Wrightspeed admits that its scarily fast prototype is unsafe, and will never be mass-produced. The company is planning a commercial model with the same high performance, but hasn’t given any real details yet.
Fuel type: All-electric
Price: Probably high

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Mazda to arrive on Indian shores soon which will be the most favourite of all indians

Japan's fifth largest car maker has its eyes set on the Indian market

Mazda car in india

Enthusiasts can rejoice as, Japan’s fifth largest car maker, Mazda plans to bring its range of cars in India. Known for its famed Wankel Rotary Engine in its sportscars and the iconic Miata, Mazda’s hatches and sedans will be a refreshing addition to the Indian market.

“We have a bouquet of compact cars like the Mazda – 2 and sedans that are suited for the bulk of Indian customers who prefer small and fuel efficient vehicles” said Mr. Takashi Yamanouchi, President and CEO, Mazda Motor Corporation.

Mazda is known for its wide range of compact and stylish cars and will primarily target the premium hatchback segment which is the fastest growing segment in the Indian car market with Maruti Swift, VW Polo, Hyundai i20 and the likes all doing pretty well. He also added, “We are yet to finalise our strategy for any joint venture or a fully owned subsidiary. All depends on the kind of cars that are viable for the Indian market”

Mazda, which sells close to 1.2 million cars worldwide has been planning to enter the second fastest growing car market for quite some time now. The Japanese firm entered the Indian market with its 5 tonner light truck. Although it was in collaboration with Punjab Tractors, it did quite well. And with a range of brilliant cars up its sleeve, Mazda’s second innings is sure to be a successful one.

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Volkswagen have Launched the new Beetle which is very comfortable and beautiful car

One of the most popular and long lived car brands of all-time has finally entered into its third generation, with Volkswagen launching the latest version of the Beetle

Volkswagen new Beetle car

Now the Volkswagen Beetle needs no real introduction. Originally launched in 1938 in Nazi Germany as the original “People’s Car”, this bare-bones rear-engined the same model of this car remained in production till 2003, making it the longest-running and most-manufactured automobile of a single design platform anywhere in the world. A modernized version of the original design made its debut under the name of New Beetle in 1998 and has remained in production till now, as the German Auto giant launched an all-new, or "new-new" if you like, Beetle.

Volkswagen new Beetle car view from backside

Unveiled at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show, this latest generation of the Beetle moves away from design of the New Beetle of 1998 and instead draws on cues from the original and Beetle Ragster concept shown in Detroit in 2005. And this is not necessarily a good thing.  While there is nothing that can be called really offensive about this Beetle’s design, it certainly seems to have lost a lot of its definitive silhouette – the original shape that made the car such an icon through the ages. But what this new Beetle has lost in terms of its original charm it somewhat makes up for it in modern appeal. All the latest touches from modern Volkswagen design language are there, such as the straight grille and running lights. Overseen by Walter de Silva and Klaus Bischoff, with Marc Lichte the team leader for exterior design, the car’s new proportions mean the roof extends back further, the windscreen is shifted back and the rear section is now more akin to that of the original Beetle.

Volkswagen new Beetle car inside view

Three trim levels will be available – Beetle, Design and Sport, each endowed with its own individual character and features along with many new optional features such as keyless access, satellite navigation systems, panoramic sunroof, bi-xenon headlights and LED daytime running lights. The choice of engine options includes a 1.2-litre TSI with 105 PS, a 1.4-litre with TSI 160 PS, a 2.0-litre TSI producing 200 PS and 1.6-litre diesel with BlueMotion Technology which makes 105 PS.  Thanks to the addition of Stop/Start and battery regeneration systems the diesel powered Beetle is estimated to have a combined fuel consumption of 28 kmpl and carbon dioxide emissions of 112 g/km. In addition the range-topping engine, the 2.0-litre 200 PS, will feature standard XDS electronic differential lock as fitted to the Golf GTI.

Deliveries for this latest Beetle will start in early 2012 in Europe and it’s safe to assume that we should be able to get it around the same time in India as a CBU, just like the current Beetle.

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Ferrari 458 Italia have Win World Performance Car Award of 2011

The World Car of the Year awards are highly coveted globally and in the Performance Car category, the Ferrari 458 Italia has walked away with the top honors.

Ferrari 458 Italia have Win  World Performance Car Award of 2011

The Ferrari 458 Italia was chosen from an initial entry list of fourteen new cars from all over the world to finally be crowned 2011 Performance Car of the Year. The Ferrari 458 Italia piped the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and the Porsche 911 Turbo, which were also considered amongst the top three finalists for this coveted award.

“Our goal in engineering the 458 Italia was to match the technology and extreme performance developed for our racing activities with the demands of our drivers, who wish to enjoy their cars on the road and experience the unique emotions that only a Ferrari can provide" said Marco Mattiacci, President and CEO, Ferrari North America.  “Today's award as 2011 World Performance Car makes us very proud and confident that we achieved our goals” concluded Mattiacci.

Voicing their opinion, the jurors on board for this year’s World Car Awards stated that the 458 just happens to be brilliant both on and off the track. It’s 570 metric horsepower engine is far superior to the competiting V8 engines and considering all the technology on board, the 458 Italia is one of the finest thoroughbred GTs to roll out of the Ferrari Factory. It’s a car that takes motoring to a whole new limit and all this is coupled with a very beautiful sounding engine!

Ferrari 458 Italia have Win  World Performance Car Award of 2011

Candidates for the World Performance Car award must demonstrate a specific and overt sports/performance orientation while satisfying the same availability criteria as for the overall World Car of the Year award.  Candidates may be chosen from the World Car of the Year list of eligible vehicles, or they may be newly introduced variants that satisfy the same criteria, but are derived from existing rather than brand-new models. In all cases, they must have a minimum annual production rate of five-hundred  vehicles.

Previous World Performance Car winners were the Audi R8 V10 in 2010, the Nissan GT-R in 2009, the Audi R8 in 2008, the Audi RS4 in 2007 and the Porsche Cayman S in 2006.

Vehicles are selected and voted on by an international jury panel comprised of sixty-six top-level automotive journalists, including our very own ZigWheels Editor-in-Chief Adil Jal Darukhanawala. Each juror was appointed by the World Car Steering Committee on the basis of his or her expertise, experience, credibility, and influence.  Each juror typically drives and evaluates new vehicles on a regular basis as part of their professional work.   Through their respective outlets they collectively reach an audience of many millions world-wide. 

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Nissan LEAF nominate for World Car of the Year 2011; Chevy Volt World Green Car

The all-electric, zero-emission Nissan LEAF won the 2011 World Car of the Year award Thursday at the New York International Auto Show, beating out the other two finalists - the Audi A8 and the BMW 5 Series. The LEAF is the first electric vehicle to win the award.
"It is a great joy that the world's first, mass-marketed electric vehicle, the Nissan LEAF, has won the prestigious award of 2011 World Car of the Year," said Nissan Chairman and CEO Carlos Ghosn.

Nissan LEAFChevy Volt World Green Car

"This accolade recognizes Nissan LEAF, a pioneer in zero-emission mobility, as comparable in its driving performance, quietness and superb handling to gas-powered cars. And it validates Nissan's clear vision and the values of sustainable mobility that we want to offer to customers around the world."
The World Car of the Year award winners are selected and voted on by an international jury panel comprised of 66 top-level automotive journalists from 24 countries.
"The LEAF is the gateway to a brave new electric world from Nissan," the jurors commented. "The good news? It feels just like a normal car, only quieter."
Now in their seventh year, the annual World Car awards are intended to complement, not compete with, existing national and regional Car of the Year programs.
The World Car of the Year awards are administered by a non-profit association. There is no affiliation with, nor are the awards in any way influenced by any publication, auto show, automaker, or other commercial enterprise.
The other big award announced at the New York Auto Show - 2011 World Green Car of the Year - went to the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.
The Volt was chosen for the final three from an initial entry list of 12 new vehicles from around the world. The two other finalists were the BMW 320d Efficient Dynamics Edition and the Nissan Leaf.
To be eligible for the overall World Car Award, the candidates must become available for sale on at least two continents during the period beginning January 1, 2010 and ending May 30, 2011.
The Chevrolet Volt will be eligible for the 2012 World Car Award as the extended-range hybrid goes on sale in Europe and Asia later this year.
"The selection of the Volt as the World Green Car is a further proof point of the fuel-efficient technologies that are now being offered by the Chevrolet brand around the world," said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing.
He called the Volt "a truly remarkable vehicle with the potential to transform transportation around the globe."

Nissan LEAFChevy Volt World Green Car

Due to the complexity of some of the green technologies, three experts were appointed by the World Car Awards Steering Committee to extensively review all documentation and specs associated with each candidate.
They were asked to create a short-list of finalists for review by the 66 jurors in their second round of voting in February. The ballots were tabulated by the international accounting firm KPMG.
The three experts - Phil Berg, representing North America; Dean Slavnich, representing Europe; and Tadashi Tateuchi, representing Asia - were unanimous in choosing the Volt as a top three finalist.
They commented, "The Chevrolet Volt is the first mass-produced series hybrid/extended range electric vehicle. GM developed it from a concept in a remarkably short period of time and brought it to market on schedule and largely meeting its original performance targets."
"With the ability to drive 25-50 miles on electricity alone it will meet most drivers' commuting needs mostly gasoline and emissions free," the green car experts said. "After the battery is depleted, the ability to keep driving without having to wait hours for a recharge means that this car can be used anytime, anywhere."
"America's EPA has rated the Volt's mileage at 93 mpg in EV-mode and at 37 mpg in gasoline mode," the experts said. "It is reported to generate CO2 emissions of 52g/km and can be recharged by plugging into 120-240V outlets."
Nissan is going a step further in New York, revealing a racing version of the Leaf - the concept Nissan Leaf NISMO RC.
"Combining the talents of NISMO, Nissan's world renowned motorsports group, and engineers behind some of the company's Super GT and FIA GT1 race teams, the Nissan LEAF NISMO RC will serve as a rolling laboratory for the accelerated development of EV and aerodynamic systems, as well as a platform for the development of new green motorsports series," said Carlos Tavares, chairman of Nissan Americas, and the keynote speaker for the New York Auto Show.
Aiming to be the world leader in zero-emission vehicles, Nissan, with its Alliance partner, Renault, has formed partnerships with more than 90 governments, cities and other organizations around the world to develop and produce EVs and lithium-ion batteries and also to promote sustainable mobility.
The award-winning cars were announced at a press-only day at the New York Auto Show. The opening day ceremonies for the public will be held Saturday morning at the Javits Center.
The show features an EV Pavilion where visitors can experience zero-emission vehicles for themselves.

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Which Cars Face a $100 Fill-Up?least gas usnig cars

2011 Audi Q5

  cars that fill up in gas of  only 100 dollers

Despite occasional glimmers of relief, gas prices keep rising. At the AAA national average of $3.80 a gallon this week, the price is a dollar higher than at this time last year. You hear numbers changing daily about demand, inventory and crude oil prices. But the numbers that really matter to you are those spinning on the gas pump each time you fill the tank. What if they hit $100?

Talk about gas pains: Try seeing a triple-digit bill at the pump. And the owners of some big SUVs, like the Ford Expedition and the largest Cadillac Escalade, already know how it feels.

We thought it would be entertaining - in a horror show kind of way - to look at a selection of vehicles that already topping the $100 mark for a fill-up. Then we checked out some more entries that could hit the triple-digit mark if gas prices kept rising.

Here’s a list of vehicles already hitting $100 a tank:

Over the $100 fill up now big suvs

The federal Energy Information Administration is predicting that gas will average $3.86 a gallon nationally through the summer months of heavy driving. (Pump prices already top $4.00 in California, Illinois and a few other states, and are near $4.50 in Hawaii). But as we have seen recently, new troubles in the Middle East or another unforeseen event could drive gas prices even higher.

So what if gas prices hit, say, $4.50 a gallon? Smaller SUVs and big sedans, like the Audi A8 (at top) would hit the $100 mark.

hit $100 and$4.50 per galon of gas mid size suvs and big sedans

And at $5.00 a gallon? Expect the pain to extend to sedans and minivans.

These calculations are, of course, all about the size of gas tanks. So we looked at some of the top-selling cars whose tanks were smaller than 20 gallons to see how high gas would have to go to for them to hit the $100 fill-up ($7.87 a gallon for the Honda Civic sedan pictured at right, for instance). If you own that Civic, these numbers might be mildly reassuring.

Top celling cars that filled up in 100$

A note about the methodology: We based our tables on specifications for 2011 models and their gas tank sizes (data supplied by Edmunds.com). We used combined city/highway EPA mileage rating, and calculated how far each vehicle could drive on that full tank before hitting empty.

One fact stands out: A big tank will take you a long way on one fill-up, but very high mileage can make up the difference. Despite its small 11.9-gallon gas tank (because of the battery pack that must be squeezed in), the hybrid Toyota Prius, with its EPA 50 mpg combined city/highway rating, can go nearly 100 miles farther on one tank than competing popular sedans with standard engines and much bigger tanks.

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