Car Fanatic

The folks at The Diecast Magazine have informed us of the release of their first issue in North America. "After five years as one of the world's premier collecting magazines, we are proud to bring this exquisite publication to North America. High quality paper stock, content-rich articles and incredible professional photography has been a consistent trademark of this landmark publication. Based on the internationally acclaimed Australian publication, the North American edition is sure to satisfy even the most demanding collector. Published quarterly, each issue resembles a book more than a magazine. Each issue is perfect bound for longer-lasting reading enjoyment. Overflowing with more than 80 pages, the size, weight and feel will definitely impress you. The Diecast Magazine features top-quality images, detailing the most intricate features of any model and in-depth editorial and background information about a model's 1:1 scale version. Existing as a top-quality magazine, the focus is on top-quality collectible diecast models. Small limited-edition runs of quality high-end production standards is what we admire. Of course, not everyone can afford this level of detail or exclusivity, so we accommodate for this large part of the market by including articles on many midmarket diecast models of road and race cars while also including heavy machinery, militaria and motorbikes as well. The Diecast Magazine is produced quarterly by professionally qualified and experienced personnel who are also diecast collectors and passionate motoring enthusiasts who have a common understanding about what readers demand. With decades of experience in all facets of publishing combined in the team at The Diecast Magazine, the information is relative, accurate and worth knowing. These are the core elements in every article that appears in The Diecast Magazine. Our first issue is going to be 80 pages and perfectly bound with a laminated nylon cover. Beautiful pictures, Interesting editorial and great columns. The Diecast Magazine will be every Barnes and Noble, Borders Books and Million Dollar Book Store in the U.S by November 1! Naturally when you're the best, there will always be imitators and this is good, it's what keeps The Diecast Magazine always fresh and in touch. The original magazine, 1:18 Diecast Downunder, was released in December 2003 and, still to this day, we remain the best at producing a quality publication about collectible diecast models."

Many automobile companies have spend millions of dollars each year in research and development of more efficient fuel consumption for cars. Each year more and more cars are rolled out the production plants and there is an urgent call by consumers and environmental groups to reduce the fuel consumption of automobiles.

With the increasing cost of fuel and the environmental concerns regarding harmful emissions of toxic gases into our atmosphere, automobile companies are forced to developed radically different types of cars. One of which is the hybrid car

A hybrid is powered by conventional fuel as well as uses electric energy. Hybrid cars have lower fuel consumption and are more environmentally friendly.

All hybrid cars are powered by two engines : a gasoline engine and a electric engine. Typically, they work in tandem with each other. The gasoline engine is used during starting and stopping the car. Once the car is travelling at a certain speed, the electric engine will take over automatically.

In the current market, there are 2 types of hybrid car. The first type is the series. Typically, the gasoline engine is used to start and stop the car. Once the hybrid car has attained a certain speed, the electric engine will take over. The gasoline engine is also used to charge the electric engine's batteries. As you can see, both engines are used in tandem with each other but never together.

The second type is called the parallels. It has the same physical configuration of the series hybrid however the operation is quite different. Both the electric engine and the gasoline engine can be used to start and stop the car. The electric engine is used to boost the power of the car when required. Parallel hybrid cars are more suited for long distance travelling.

Usually, hybrid cars are built using very lightweight materials in order to reduce the load on the hybrid car when travelling. This help to save fuel by requiring less energy to move the vehicle. The tires are made more rigid than conventional vehicles with higher tire pressure to increase fuel efficiency.

In on whole, a hybrid car consumes 50 to 60 percent less fuel than a conventional car. The only obstacle is the high cost at the present moment but I am sure as consumers start to recognize the benefits of hybrid car, the prices will start falling and become more affordable.

Hybrid car engines uses both internal combustion engine and electric motor for running the car intelligently. The electronic system decides when to run the car on electric motor alone, when to run it on both electric motor and engine, when to run it on gasoline alone and when to use motor as a generator and convert kinetic energy from the wheels into electricity to charge the battery.

When the car is running at low speed electric motor could alone take the charge. When the car put brakes or goes downhill the battery is charged. As the engine starts and during its initial acceleration electric motor is used for the motion and engine comes in when car needs rapid acceleration. When the car is still engine is shut down and the car runs on electric motor thus saving fuel and reducing emission. During full-throttle acceleration or under heavy load, the motor gets a power boost from the battery.

The 2010 Ford Mustang continues to be seen with less and less camouflage as its launch date sometime during the coming auto show circuit approaches. Most recently, a barely-disguised prototype was captured on camera by a sharp-eyed novice. A similarly undisguised prototype of a new Shelby GT500 Convertible was caught testing as well by the veteran shooters at KGP photography.

What can be gleaned from these latest shots are new headlights with integrated amber lights and more rounded taillights in less blocky front and rear ends. While the retro style is definitely still there, the 2010 Mustang is more refined and modern looking than the 2005 design.

The Shelby gets more pronounced front end changes than the regular Mustang, featuring a larger hood bulge to accommodate what should be a supercharged V-8 (the current car has a blown 5.4-liter on board), revised hood ducts, and possibly fender vents -- a design touch currently en vogue at the Blue Oval.

Multi-tasking is great. Anybody with the ability to do a few things at the same time (like pretty much every mother on the planet) and do them well has been truly blessed. What's true with parenting and circus clowns doesn't hold when it comes to your car's systems. This reader's air filter has turned to multi-tasking, only it's not a welcome change.

Dear Matthew, Thanks for providing so much useful information on the site. I have been able to try and successfully pull off automotive feats I thought were out of my league by a long shot! Recently while doing my regular maintenance I went to change my air filter and found that it had what appears to be motor oil splashed on it. The car is a 1991 VW Jetta, manual transmission with 148,000 miles. I know it couldn't possibly be oil from my engine. Is it possible that some black fluid was splashed into my engine from the road? I can't figure out what to do, or if I need to do anything at all. Please help, Travis

Travis, congrats on almost reaching the 150k mark with your Jetta. You must take pretty good care of it. As for the oil on your air filter, no it probably didn't splash up from the road and it is oil from your engine. How did it make it all the way to your air filter? The PCV valve. If your PCV valve goes bad, the entire system can back up, spit up and screw up. So far yours has backed and spit but you caught it quick enough to avoid the screw. Replace your PCV valve and your air filter will be pristine once again.

In the coming year or so, Hyundai is looking to introduce seven new vehicles into it's sales lineup. One of these is the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe, a stylish and sporty coupe that is arguably the most anticipated of the forthcoming seven models. Hyundai aims for the 2010 Genesis Coupe to compete against such luxury coupes as the Infiniti G37 while having a price tag that is quite a bit smaller.

Pick Your Power
The Genesis Coupe will be available with a choice of two engines, a turbocharged four cylinder and a 3.8 liter V6. The four cylinder engine boasts 212 horsepower and its V6 big brother pumps out a little over three hundred horsepower. The Genesis coupe is the sister car of the new Genesis sedan that will also be premiering in the 2010 model year. While the Genesis Sedan has been confirmed to have the option of a V8 engine, there has been no news yet as to whether or not the V8 engine will be an option for the Genesis Coupe in the near future.

Love That Style
The luxury coupes currently available on the market are, for the most part, are styled with a refined elegance as opposed to a more aggressive look favored by sports cars. While the Genesis Coupe certainly boasts impressive performance and handling that would not be out of place on a sports car, its body styling and design are more reminis-cent of those luxury coupes. Most models will be mounted atop 18 inch wheels that, in combination with the cars low, wide stance, will grip the road with confidence. The top of the line SE model will come equipped with 19 inch wheels. At this point, you may be thinking that by embracing many of the trends in the luxury coupe market, the Genesis will seem average and plain. Worry not, though, because the Genesis sill exhibits the styling and engineering that has made Hyundai a formidable market force.

The "Luxury" of a Luxury Coupe
A vehicle seeking to contend with other established luxury coupe models will need to offer an impressive array of features in order to attract customers. To meet this need, the Genesis Coupe comes equipped with an Infinity Audio System with iPod connectivity, XM Satellite Radio, and Bluetooth compatibility as standard features. Situated about the elegant cabin are six airbags that offer impressive safety performance. Time will tell whether Hyundai's new offering will be welcomed in the marketplace, but if any vehicle can stand tall against such stiff competition, the 2010 Genesis Coupe is the one.