BMW 6 Series for 2008

German automaker BMW has recently announced the details and features of the new 2008 6 Series Coupe and Convertible models. For 2008, the company gave the 6 Series a wide array of new features and equipments. Only one model variant will be offered in the U.S. market - the BMW 650i.
The BMW 650i Coupe and Convertible offers luxurious and elegant driving experience with a host of new features inside and out. Outside, the BMW 650i is equipped with reconfigured optical headlight lenses, new front air dam with larger opening, amber DOT reflectors, LED design taillights, reshaped trunklid, and taller spoiler.
New features for 2008 are extended on the interior, which include brushed aluminum radio knobs, brushed aluminum iDrive controller, leather-wrapped center console, seats with Sun Reflective Technology, standard and optional seats with Active Head Restraints, LED brake and turnsignal lights, and wider trunklid-mounted third brake light. Other new features include Active Cruise Control Stop & Go, Lane Departure Warning system, and USB adaptor for iPods and other MP3 players.
Under the hood of this luxury-inspired model comes a 4।8-liter Valvetronic V-8 engine that offers up rated horsepower and torque output. The engine now pumps put 360 hp and pulls out higher torque peak output of 360 lb-ft. rotating at 3,400 rpm. This power unit will be combined with a 6-speed manual or Sport Automatic gearbox. BMW comented on the new Sport Automatic, "this new transmission boasts quicker shift response in "Sport" mode, as well as standard shifter paddles on the steering wheel."
Furthermore, the BMW 6 Series Coupe and Convertible models are equipped with front suspension system with double-pivot front system. This features stronger self-centering feel in steering, lower ride height, and firmer springs and shock absorbers. Meanwhile, the rear suspension comes with multi-link layout called Integral Link that controls rear-wheel angles very precisely. Other technical features found on the 2008 BMW 6 Series include Active Roll Stabilization, rack-and-pinion steering with Servotronic power assist, and innovative brakes.
Aside from the new exterior features mentioned above, other exterior features include luminescent rings around the high beams, redesigned turn indicators, standard foglights with restyled lenses, front flanks, recurved spoiler, reconfigured rear lamps, reshaped lower tail lamps, rear diffuser, and dual exhaust. The 6 Series models are also equipped with new side sills and all aluminum front-end structure. A choice of either 18 or 19-inch wheels and run-flat tires standard completes the exterior package.
Inside, the 2008 BMW 6 Series offers a comfortable, sporty, convenient, and luxurious interior environment. Interior highlights include redesigned instrument cluster, LED ground lighting, illuminated doorsill logos, illumination of interior door handles, 1-touch open/close door windows, retractable rear window, GPS Navigation with DVD database and Real Time Traffic Information, Voice Command System, and standard AM/FM/CD system with eight speakers. A 12-way power adjustable seats including 4-way power lumbar support is also included, plus a wide range of active and passive safety equipments. The BMW 6 Series really stands out compared to the 5 Series models like the BMW 528i with quality BMW 528i parts।

by Evander Klum
http://www।goarticles।com/cgi-bin/showa.cgi?C=683997

50 Years of Toyota: The History of the Toyota Truck

Toyota Motor Sales was founded in the U.S. in 1957, and in the 50 years since Toyota has grown from a small Japanese car company to one of the largest auto manufacturers in the world. The history of Toyota is the quintessential rags-to-riches story, and a big part of that story is the growth of Toyota trucks. Toyota's 50th anniversary seems like a good time to tell the history of Toyota trucks in the U.S.
The first Toyota truck brought to the US was the 1963 Toyota LandCruiser truck. Available in small numbers for only four years in the U.S. market (1963-67), these are highly sought-after collector's items. In addition to being imported to the US, these vehicles were produced by Toyota internationally for many years after 1967 and can be found overseas.
Following the LandCruiser truck, Toyota imported the "Stout". Available in 1964, this was the obvious predecessor of the Toyota HiLux. The Stout, like the HiLux that followed, was only available in one configuration - a reg. cab and a 4-cylinder engine. The Stout's last year was 1968, after which the Toyota Hilux Pickup truck officially replaced the Stout.
The "HiLux" was the first Toyota truck to achieve notable sales and commercial success. The "HiLux" name, as hip as it is, was dropped from the Toyota Trucks nameplate in 1975. From that point forward, all small Toyota trucks were known as "Toyota Pickups". The HiLux/Toyota Pickup developed rather quickly. The SR5 package was first made available in 1975. In 1979, Toyota offered a four-wheel-drive option. In 1983, to great critical acclaim, Toyota offered the "Xtra Cab" Toyota Pickup. The popularity of Toyota's value and quality helped Toyota trucks come into their own in the 80's, even helping them reach top cultural status. After all, Who could forget the Toyota truck in the movie Back To The Future?
In 1993, Toyota introduced their first attempt at a full-size truck, the T100. Many critics found the T100 supremely lacking in terms of power because a V8 engine was not available. Today, despite this limitation, there are a lot of loyal T100 owners who will argue it was one of Toyota's best trucks ever. By all accounts, the T100 was a flop plagued by poor sales.
The "Toyota Pickup" finally got a proper name in 1995. Officially branded the Tacoma, the "Taco" is revered by off-road enthusiasts everywhere. In fact, the Tacoma is easily Toyota's largest commercial success in the U.S. truck market. The 1995 Tacoma offered an excellent combination of performance, power, and off-road ability, while still being a very inexpensive vehicle in it's basic form.
In 1999, Toyota released their next attempt at a full-size, the 2000 Tundra. This new full-size truck featured a powerful 4.7L V8, as well as a larger frame, interior, and greater hauling and towing capabilities than the T100 it replaced. When this model debuted, it was declared Motor Trend's "Truck of The Year". Toyota experienced moderate success with this model, selling about 126k units in 2004.
Toyota released a completely re-designed Tacoma in 2004. This new, larger, "Taco" rivaled the 2004 full-size Tundra in terms of size and power, yet still honored Toyota's compact pickup roots in terms of economy and off-road performance. The new Tacoma, while nearly as expensive as many competitor's full-size trucks, has been nothing short of a complete success. The Tacoma is currently the best-selling compact truck on the market.
Finally, in 2007, Toyota released the 2nd generation Tundra. This truck silenced all the critics that said Toyota's full-size trucks were really only 7/8th size, as well as offering the most powerful engine in the marketplace. The new Tundra has been extremely popular, setting sales records for Toyota in the full-size market. A lot of the new Tundra's success is because of it's class-leading 10,800 lb tow rating, made possible by the powerful 5.7L V8 and 6 speed automatic transmission.
What will Toyota do over the next 50 years? The short-term future is fairly clear -- Toyota will probably bring out a hybrid truck, as well as the first diesel engine offered by Toyota in the US. Looking back at Toyota's roots, there is even talk of Toyota selling a small, simple, and very inexpensive truck under the Scion brand. Toyota's next 50 years should be just as interesting as the last 50 - that's for sure.

by Jason Lancaster

Finding Cheap Car Insurance

Probably the biggest mistake that any car driver will make is purchasing the most expensive car insurance only to find that they would have been better off with a cheap car insurance that covers more things than what they just bought. Of course, the more expensive car insurance will seem to be more enticing; much like how luxury cars seem to be in better order than regular street cars. But this is not the case when it comes to insurance and you can get cheap car insurance that will take you a long way. Here are some tips on finding cheap car insurance.
List
The first thing you want to do when looking for cheap car insurance is compose a list of all the good cheap car insurance companies that you know of or have heard of. Make sure they are the best at what they do by researching a little on cheap car insurance companies. A good list will contain cheap car insurance companies that are both national and local. Make sure that you have more national listings than local so that if you do choose a national company, your cheap car insurance coverage will work for you wherever you are in the country.
Quotes
The answer is sometimes in the price; make sure that you collect all the quotes from the list of cheap car insurance companies that you just made. Ask for cheap car insurance quotes and compare them with each other. Also compare the coverage that each cheap car insurance company offers.
Bargain
Once you have made up your mind, go to the cheap car insurance company and state your interest in one of their cheap car insurance policies. In fact, make it cheaper by bargaining with them for a cheap car insurance policy. Usually, it is standard operating procedure for them to state a price higher than originally suggested so try to lower the price by bargaining with them and you will end up with a solid and cheap car insurance policy.

by B. Insured