Saturday, January 31, 2009

A dancing street sweeper has left Britain fearing for his life, saying he was beaten up by racist thugs.

Ziggy Dust, from Poland, told friends he was leaving because National Front members had attacked and threatened to kill him.

The London cleaner shot to public attention when YouTube clips showed him dancing as he collected rubbish in Chiswick.



Film crews descended on the borough to see the 47-year-old strut his stuff and one national newspaper used him in its advertising campaign.

But after three years in Britain, Ziggy - christened Zbigniew Colbecki - is now back in Poland.

Writing on a web forum, he said: 'I'm outside of England because someone wanted to kill me before New Year.

'I feel very sad. Not everyone was happy.

'Someone hated me very much and my dancing. I miss Chiswick. I left England without choice.'

Ziggy, a former circus juggler had also been DJ-ing in a Chiswick bar owned by Sam Harrison.

Mr Harrison said: 'Ziggy came to see me last week and collected his equipment. He had decided to leave for Poland the next morning.

'He told me that he had been attacked and threatened by a faction of the National Front and felt unsafe.

'He said that it had happened over the Christmas period and that he did not think the police could help him.

'Somebody had scared him. I could see the fear in his eyes.'

Chiswick resident Kieran Loughran, 39, said: 'It was extraordinary how famous Ziggy became but it didn't change him and he was always happy to show off his moves.'

Hounslow council said it had not been aware of any threats against Ziggy.

Friday, January 30, 2009



Figures 17 years may be very impressive for a new child gede. Age segitu usually be the most beautiful. But if 17 days to be feeling a hell Dadang Rachman. The big names as Dadang modifikator be staked. He must prove in 17 days is able to realize the Swift Pick Up order ATPM Suzuki.

"Slaphappy boss, but the name of belief must be maintained as well as possible," Dadang believe that the difficulty to maintain the strength of construction Suzuki Swift. Once the C pillars are removed to make swift pick-up this means the power structure sasis change, not more prevalent.
"I make up stout rod brace on the inside," Dadang I believe that this new construction is used strong way. "I walk to Bandung drive this," Tantang Dadang. Oops, first ntar streets boss! Still working, hehehe ....

Dadang still groggy another matter. This time must be behind glass and hand made enggak have a match. "It is looking enggak but met a direct fit. I finally have a message 4 times loh glass. His search for the most perfect, "added Dadang. Is not made of rounded, he said adjust the form of a glass front.

Especially if the final touch of white paint is not appropriate concept Suzuki booth. whel ring 17 brands Mesh Monoblock selected the contrast with the color black. And it is reported to modify this unique, Suzuki cost more than Rp 120 million. Wah, Swift again dapet tuh!


Review following the car also is a member of the club car Domino-R in the city of Medan. BMW 318i output in 1998 is owned by Budiman Candra, students IBI Medan. "The theme this car modification" Extreme ", in which ideas - idea influenced many of the modifications car - a BMW car on the internet, especially BMW Motor Sport," said the man berpostur gambot ini.Dengan budget approved spend about Rp.100 million, Budi confess take one year for the car mendadani in accordance with the desired theme. Item changes carried in exterior, including custom body kits, wide body and over Fender custom BMW M3, and cutting sticker. For feet - feet, among other changes velg IF ring 20, Yokohama 245/35R20 tires, and per Koni.

In the interior, carried the changes include Recaro racing seats, Isotta wheel, pedal Snitzer, Momo shift knob, Pivot turbo timer, speedometer Defi. And the dashboard, pillars - pillars and door trim car use carbon Kevlar material.

Entertainment features to the car audio system, and carried headunit CD-Changer 12 chip from Pioneer, a unit of power Sound Stream, a unit of Sierra speaker 6 ", one unit Ligtning Audio subwoofer 12", and one capacitor bank Intersys 1.5 farad. "The installation of audio streams is a specific SQ or SPL. Clear, I hear music like R & B and trance in the car, "said Budi.Sayang dikeikutsertaannya the first contest in this modification ABT desires have not been accomplished. Men who joined in the Domino-R at the beginning of 2008 this hope can be signed in King Nominee. If that so, come back again next year, dude ...







Event ABT Medan 2008 event can be spelled "come back" to its owner's car this one. "Two years ago I came down in ABT Medan. While years ago I had a follow-up, because the task is outside the city, "said Santo, owner Mitsubishi Galant following the release in 1998.
Men who joined the club in the Domino-R car in the city of Medan this mengusung theme "touring car" in the modified car. "In the event ABT Medan this time, I have three targets, Best touring Look, Best Mitsubishi, and Best Cutting Sticker," augment him.

To reach that target, Santo supply changes on the car with the engine, exterior and interior. While the audio system does not Dilirik. Hence the back of the cabin left melompong alias plain.

Literary work in the engine, including engine to swap VR4 turbo engine with intercooler engine which is a built-up Mitsubishi Galant. On the exterior, the changes include cutting sticker full body, wide body, a custom body kit, custom wing, rear mirror acryllic, HKS exhaust, velg Volk Racing TE 37, Pirelli Dragon 225/35 tires, and the informer carbon Kevlar. On the interior, the changes include Recaro racing seats, wheel and pedal set Sparco. Meanwhile, oil temperature indicator, water temperature, and boost controler using lansiran Defi. Melangkapi theme modifications in the interior, roll bar Santo provide custom 6-point in the car cabin.

With the stock like this, it seems quite competitive target Santo kan .... How, Mr. - Mr. jury?

modif extreem
warna emas
body paint car


There are two Civic that inhabit the area display New-D (Dimension Club) in the event Djarum Black Autoblackthrough 2008 series Medan. If the one (green) mengusung concept JGTC (Japanesse touring the Grand Championship), another case with the Civic this one. Attend the third time in the same place, some changes disetting back for pursuing the concept of "Street Fashion" as the flow of diusungnya now.
Based on the functionality of vehicles daily, Aliong (31), representing the owner Rendy Gono are currently proceeding studies in Kuala Lumpur, menuturkan some changes that directly dibesutnya special event for 2008.modif mobil

"For 2008 we are doing the addition in pengecatan, engine accessories, some made from carbon interior and most of the main terms of entertainment we are now more full than yesterday," said the man who daily work in the workshop this NX bit singkat.Dan indeed, the one that now looks quite prominent, in addition to some additional modifications, such as carbon bonnet custom, custom luggage, Veilside wing custom paint and carbon airbrush tribal gradation added, the surplus in the sector referred to the Audio modifikator as the main focus of the Civic jebolan young this year.sound car

"The target we are now racing the same street NGEJAR audio mas," accuse him. And on the basis that Aliong also spend most time on the detail processing system entertainment device in the back seat of the total has changed functions. With the application device set Speaker Venom 4, 6 fruit subwoofer, Head avt, 3 TV Rockford tersokong 5 Power Venom and 3 fruit capacitors, Aliong also mengkalim uniqueness that makes it different in the event this time ABT 2008.

"The design of this can be dismantled audionya post, so can be removed detached ga-like audio other modifications." he said offshore. Meanwhile, when asked about the reason mengusung street fashion instead of street racing as one of the co-klubnya, unadorned Aliong said, "Yes this vehicle is basically a day-to-day use, if for street racing, street in Medan, has not been feasible to dimaksimalkan I, "he added again.

Modifikasi Grand Vitara “Dub City”Not only modified car show imut as KARIMUN ESTILLO, Swift or SX4. But Suzuki also build Konsen roll back its Grand Vitara. As one of the gacoan Suzuki dikelas Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV), the flow of modifications Dub City is considered fit for bongsornya body.

The concept is the result of the selected Modifikasi Grand Vitara “Dub City” parties with the Suzuki modifikator, Edwin's Autospot. "Yes, this concept fit for the Grand Vitara that want to appear in the style of the city," said Edwin. His course, the impression bling-bling and luxury pity should be taken when the dust of the road.

Pelek large ring labeled EXE Pegasus 22 selected the heavily chroom. Feel kinclongnya here provide important value in maintaining the concept of Dub City. Change body modifikator also made a mangkal dikawasan Kebayoran Baru, Jakbar ini.Tak too extreme, but quite comfortable seen eye. Round front-rear fender and remove the ban serep in the house back door is enough to make viewing of the Grand Vitara is sweet.

Naksir? They say the car can take you home with Rp 83.6 million increase from the price of default. However, with the money you segitu also has the right to audio devices Swan Ice 2 Din DVD-701 6.5 ", the two Swan Ice headrest monitors 7" and the Swan & Ice satellite subwoofer.

The V6 configuration appears in 1.8, 2.0, 2.25 and 2.5 litre displacements.

- 2.25V6 - worlds only Miller-Cycle (MC) as opposed to Otto-Cycle engine, using an 8 to 1 compression ratio with 10 to 1 power ratio for improved power to fuel consumption ratio. The MC uses a twin-intercooled Lysholm-screw Autorotor supercharger (the worlds most compact & most efficient) to deliver 210-230lb/ft at 3500rpm with 0-60 of 7.9secs from the 4-speed ATX, power of a 3.2-3.5V6, yet fuel economy of a 2.1V6.

- 2.5V6 - two variations of the 2.5V6 exist, as well as a Twin-Turbo form. The KL form is a detuned variant of the KL-ZE, offering power & fuel economy of a 2.2V6 (based on output of the 2.0V6). The KL-ZE is the 200bhp sports 2.5V6, achieving up to 94bhp/litre without expense of VVT.
Picture Courtesy of Dimas (Sephiro), 94 Ford Probe GT

- All V6s - all Normally Aspirated V6s feature a Variable Resonance Intake System (VRIS), the same concept as later used by Porsche on their 3.6 and Ferrari in much more sophisticated form on their V12. VRIS was first used by Mazda in their older 158bhp 2.0i-16 UK engine in 1989 and ensures the widest possible area under the torque curve rather than a purely headline peak figure. The VRIS efficiency contributes to the V6s noted low fuel consumption, with the 7500rpm (2.5) or 7800rpm (2.0) limits rarely being called upon, and averages of 27-29mpg (imperial) in urban driving and up to 32-36mpg (imperial) highway being the norm.

Engine Architecture
V6 engines are all-alloy DOHC 24V 60-degree-V6. A split-crankcase (as 911 flat-6) is used offering exceptional rigidity over traditional bearing-cap solutions and not only to high-rpm capability as proved in SuperTouring Car racing in up to 430-480bhp N/Aspirated form, but also reducing NVH data to set a benchmark in 1992 winning German engine awards. Bearings are four 4-bolt mains, with a further pair of bolts at each bearing section, key journals & bearings are oversized, bearings themselves are triple-layer heavy-duty spec. Crankshaft is forged, nitrided, triple-lapped, mirror finished. Piston squirters in upper bearing journals aid cooling. Exhaust valves are stainless steel. Pistons & rods are lightweight to reduce reciprocating mass, and the very short-stroke design aids longevity considerably. Piston skirts are Moly coated.

Piston & ring velocities are lower than those for the I4 engines. Quantitatively, the 2.5V6 Mean Piston Speed (MPS) is a very low 3170ft/min at redline and the 2.0I4 MPS is 3928ft/min at redline, the V6s very short stroke producing low crank angles thus minimising main & rod bearing load. For rings the 2.5V6 uses 1.5mm top ring allowing a Maximum Piston Acceleration (MPA) of 77,000ft/sec^2, yet the engine at redline experiencing an MPA of only 51,354ft/sec^2. The 2.0I4 uses a 1.17mm top ring allowing a Maximum Piston Acceleration (MPA) of 105,000ft/sec^2, with the engine at redline experiencing an MPA of 70,157ft/sec^2. Both engines have exceptional design margins, the V6 is particularly under-stressed even in KL-ZE form.

MAZDA ENGINE LIST

List of Mazda engines

Mazda makes both piston and Wankel "rotary" engines. This page summarizes the various engine families and variations.
Contents

* 1 Piston Engines
o 1.1 V-twin
o 1.2 Straight-4
o 1.3 V6
* 2 Wankel engines


Piston Engines

Even though Mazda is better known for their Wankel "rotary" engines, the company has been manufacturing piston engines since the earliest years of the Toyo Kogyo company. Early on, they produced overhead cams, aluminum blocks, and an innovative block containing both the engine and transmission in one unit. This section summarizes piston engine developments. Note that Mazda has produced many piston engines, but only V-twin, straight-4, and V6 configurations, never a V8, straight-5, or V12!
[edit]

V-twin

* V-twin - Half-liter air-cooled V2 (1961-1963)



Straight-4

* OHV engines - 300 cc–1.2 L OHV I4 (1961–1974)
* xC engines - 1.0 L–1.8 L SOHC I4 (1965–1983)
* E family - 1.1 L–1.5 L SOHC I4 (1980–1986)
* F family - 1.8 L–2.3 L SOHC I4 (1979–1999)
* G family - 2.5 L–2.6 L I4 (1989–1999)
* B family - 1.3 L–1.8 L SOHC/DOHC I4 (1987–present)
* Z/MZ family - 1.25 L–2.3 L DOHC I4 (1995–present)
o MZI - Ford Zetec SE
o MZ-CD - Ford/PSA Duratorq
* Keicar engines - Suzuki-made I4
* Diesel - 1.4 L–4.6 L I4
* YF - 2.0 L I4 for Mazda Tribute



V6

Mazda has created three families of in-house V6 engines. Today, however, their primary engine is a Ford design.

* J family - 2.0 L–3.0 L 90° V6 (–1995)
* K family - 1.8 L–2.5 L 60° V6
* Diesel - 4.1 L–5.5 L ZB/ZC V6
* AJ/MZI - 2.5 L and 3.0 L V6 - The Mazda version of the Ford Duratec DOHC V6 is, of course, not a Mazda engine at all.



Wankel engines

Mazda is the only producer of successful Wankel engines, positioning them as a prime sports car powerplant. All of Mazda's Wankels are based on their first design of the 1960s, though there have been significant developments over the four decades since.

* Wankel family - 1.0 L-2.0 L Wankel (1967–present)
o 10A - 1.0 L (1967–1973)
o 10B - 1.0 L (1968–1972)
o 13A - 1.3 L (1970–1972)
o 12A - 1.1 L (1970–1985)
o 13B - 1.3 L (1973–2002)
o 20B - 2.0 L three-rotor (1990–1996)
o RENESIS - 1.3 L (2004–)

Thursday, January 29, 2009

By the modifications an extreme, the automotive willing to pay hundreds of millions of rupiah. For people like this, the car is not as a means of transportation, but has become a symbol of prestige and achievement.
Every human being has the character and enjoyment different, so the car modification to the extreme. Budiman Parin, modifikator Auto Design explains, so that's going harmony between car and owner, modifications must be in accordance with the extreme characters owner. For example, the executive of a day-to-day access, lack of suitable modifications in sport cars, such as the type of man this is only suitable modifications in the car with elegant,

There are three types of modifications to the extreme, that is elegant, sport, and show car. The modified part is usually velg, body, interior, engine and leg-foot. As well as modifications that are usually extremely elegant, with a marked change velg greater Ince is 19, body to be more flat (short-Red), elegant interior, for example, where there is wine, luxurious sofa seats and sound system is expensive.
"For elegant, a modified car is usually the output of premium cars in Europe, because Europe's premium body larger and beautiful. Premium does not mean Japan can not be modified, could be! Peminatnya not only the level of premium cars such as Europe, "said the man who was born in Jakarta, 7 October 1978 this.
Enthusiasts elegant extreme modification is usually the well-established executive, age 35 years and above. "Cars have become a lifestyle for people like this. Cars represent the personality and achievement. The beautiful and expensive cost of modification, the higher the performance, "added Parin.
Speed Extreme Sport
Quite different from the elegant, modification extreme sport more spirited young. In addition to changing velg, tires, body, audio and seats, also dirombak engine, engine power so that the target of strong increases. Because the modification is not a sport only for appearance but also for sports reli.
That is the cause Derri Arfiandi, male graduate of the University of Trisakti this Honda Jazz reorganize its output in 2004 to become more extreme. "The theme of the modification is extreme racing style. So, I do full extreme modifications combined with the style car racing, "said Derri.
At the bottom of the tire and velg, Derri melangkapi Jazz with its velg 5Zigen 18 inches. While for the ban, Derri using Pirelli 285/35 18 (front) and Toyo 235/35 18 (rear). Audio, using the subwoofer Visonik 12 D22pc, subwoofer Visonik 10 pc D42, coaxial speaker Visionik 6 a set, coaxial speaker Visionik three sets, power Venom 4100 four-channel, four power Venom 460 channels, TV Indash Oris and TV Skplosont (front), TV 15 compact LCD (rear), Pioneer DVD head unit 5050 DVH, led lights, and custom Deromat reducer.
Previously, Derri never modify the car with the theme of nature. After feeling bored, he was an extreme change in the theme and style racing. The work is relatively short, about two months. The first car that he is a modified Honda City output in 1996. According to him, each car will be modified characters have difficulty itself. "Each car is not the same. I like Honda because of more flexible to be modified, "the story of this Japanese car fans.
It was delivered by similar Parin Budiman, most Japanese car production is suitable for extreme sports. Extreme sport tune most of the younger generation at this time, high school and college children, with age 17-25 years. Like most of the young car berkarakter sport can be a drag. "To have the car can run fast, equipment and accessories used equipment is light, as if the weight of the car can not be brought demon," added Parin.

modif car extreem
modif keren
modif car
car lux
Standard Mazda 3 is already well regarded. The withdrawal peragawan that have athletic body, grooming enggak need only have a lot of cock. In addition, because a good body, wear any clothes model also looks cool. But of course the program should be adjusted to get reasonable. This theory is applied by Eddy Kurniawan H 3 on the 2007 Mazda own. "Because the more often used for daily, the body kit must also be realistic according to usage," said Eddy.




All

So this was the man berkacamata select several models in clothing design pantes results' home mode 'international. In addition enggak Economics, design enggak can also be quickly make people bored alias durable. "Usually because following the trend, after a trend change, the old model so stale."




Enggak surprisingly fell to the selection of the design style of Japanese origin Auto exe. The reason for the design and dynamic look sporti. Visible from the front bumper of the following hole that big wind catcher. Similarly with the rear bumper. While the side skirt has a spoiler trap the withdrawal. Following the change front bumper gril be Ings-use products. "If we still use the original is still less sporti."
In addition, the product body kit this is rarely the tide, so the age can be a longer life because people will be bored enggak view. "Basically, this product is suitable for all."


Complete life change felly NKB size 19x8, 5-inch front and 19x9, 5 inches back. Dibalut the Achilles berdimensi 225/35ZR19 tires (front) and 235/35ZR19 (rear). Mengimbanginya, per RSR be using products that combined with the quasi-standard. Bodi down around 2-3 cm.






In the January 16, 2009 edition of the Scottsdale Republic, Gary Bennett of Barrett-Jackson suggested that their auction "appears to be isolated with what else is going on in the world."

Oh, really?

Meanwhile, the rest of the country feels differently about the economy, and car nuts waited with baited breath to see how the auction - somewhat of a barometer of the hobby - would fare. The amount of cars at B-J were down by almost 200 cars, but Craig Jackson & Co. don't have reserves, so a sale was guaranteed . . . even if it was the seller buying his own car back.

The popular cars that mere mortals usually own, such as "blue collar" muscle cars (base 1968-72 GTOs and 383 Road Runners), were much fewer in numbers. Aside of GM bringing in some historical vehicles from their collection, the only force seemed to be the crème de la crème - Corvettes, Camaros, Shelbys and Mustangs, 1950s Chevys, hot rods, and Hemi and Six Pack Mopars. They were down, but not as severe as some of the lesser cars that dared show up.

There's no rhyme or reason why one car does well while another doesn't. Certainly there were some shockers (1968 Barracuda Formula S 383 for almost 70 grand?) but even some Hemis were having problems. Overall, though, the bubble is bursting, especially compared to 2006's peak or even last year's gala.

from:cardomain.com





















Mitsubishi unveiled i Miev Sport concept at the 2007 Tokyo auto show. i Miev Sport has a simple and fluid exterior and interior design, the layout provides optimal distribution of weight. This futuristic electric car has a sporty performance and spacious interior. This concept car has an aluminum space frame body structure to minimize it’s weight. i Miev also has three permanent magnetic synchronous motors. As environmental considerations, on the roof of i Miev sport an auxiliary photovoltaic generator was installed for energy saving.



i Miev has a sporty, spacious and dynamic interior. The interior gives the security and comfort feelings to the user. Mitsubishi also gives excellent occupant protection from collisions from any direction, even when colliding with a vehicle of different height or weight.

























i Miev Sport Specifications :



Introduced at : 2007 Tokyo Auto Show



Dimensions :

length ; width ; height : 3,450 [mm] ; 1,600 [mm] ; 1,400 [mm]

Body Weight : 970 kg

Body Structure : aluminum space frame



Engine :

Motors : Permanent magnetic synchronous motors

Front : In-wheel motors

Rear : Single motor



Max. output Front : 20kW 2; Rear: 47kW

Max. torque Front : 250 Nm 2; Rear: 180 Nm

Range (10-15 Mode) : 200km



Max. Speed : 180km/h

Wheelbase : 2,550 [mm]

Track (F/R) : 1,405/1,405 [mm]

Tires : 175/40R17



Interior :

Seating capacity : 2 + 2

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

the leading destination for online car shoppers, calculates which vehicles are “most American” based on production location, percentage of domestic parts content, and American sales volume for each vehicle. Cars.com creates a list of the “Ten Most American Cars” twice a year.

Evidently, Chevrolet had to increase truck production in Mexico due to a strike at one of their U.S. axle plants. Because the strike lasted so long, Chevrolet’s production mix shifted dramatically outside the U.S. Last year, the Silverado was the 2nd most American truck. This year, it’s fallen behind the Tundra.

Toyota Tundra

Here’s the list (taken form

  1. Ford F150
  2. Chevy Cobalt
  3. Chevy Malibu
  4. Pontiac G6
  5. Toyota Tundra
  6. Toyota Sienna
  7. Honda Odyssey
  8. Chevy Silverado 1500
  9. Chrysler Sebring
  10. Ford Explorer/Sport Trac


Toyota Yaris S Sedan is designed to appeal to buyers looking for sporty styling. Side rocker panels, front and rear under bumper spoilers, 15-inch steel wheels and available aluminum alloy wheels give the Yaris S a more aggressive appearance.

Spacious and Practical Interior

The Yaris Liftback interior provides unexpected roominess and a comfortable cabin. The upscale interior provides remarkable design with four-way adjustable fabric front seats and reclining rear seating for three with headrests in all seating positions. The rear seats also fold down, providing nearly 13 cubic feet of cargo space.

Simplicity and practicality are built into the Yaris Liftback with easy-to-reach audio and climate controls, an array of storage spaces including a center console with built-in storage, and cupholders in the front and rear. The instrument cluster is center-mounted, high on the dash providing easy reach and visibility.

Standard convenience features on both the Liftback and Sedan include air conditioning, tilt steering wheel, a gated shift lever (automatic transmission only), tinted glass, digital clock, a map light, intermittent windshield wipers with mist control, and dual sunvisors with vanity mirrors.

Fun-To-Drive Performance and Handling

owering both the Yaris Liftback and Sedan will be a 1.5-liter four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing with intelligence (VVT-i) that will produce 106 horsepower at 6,000 RPM and 103 lb.-ft. of torque at 4,200 RPM. Both the Liftback and Sedan will be mated to either a five-speed manual or available four-speed automatic transmission. All Yaris models with an automatic transmission will be equipped with uphill/downhill shift logic to help reduce the frequency of gear shifting caused by the operation of the accelerator pedal during winding uphill and downhill driving.

Yaris fuel efficiency will be among the highest in the subcompact segment. A preliminary EPA fuel economy mpg rating for the Liftback is estimated at 34 city/40 highway for the five-speed manual and 34 city/39 highway for models equipped with the four-speed automatic. Fuel efficiency ratings for the Yaris Sedan are equally impressive with preliminary EPA mpg estimates of 34 city/40 highway for the five-speed manual and 34 city/39 highway for the automatic.
In addition to its exceptional fuel efficiency, Yaris will be EPA-certified as an Ultra-Low Emission vehicle (ULEV II).

Safety

The new Yaris helps protect its occupants with a reinforced cabin using front and rear crumple zones and energy-absorbing materials on the roof and doors. Yaris will be equipped with height adjustable headrests and three-point seatbelts in all five seating positions. The front seatbelts include pretensioners and force limiters. The rear seat will be equipped with the Lower Anchors and Tethers for Children (LATCH) uniform child restrain anchorage system.

Safety is also addressed with standard driver and passenger advanced dual-stage front airbags that inflate at a higher or lower speed, according to collision severity. A front seat passenger sensor is designed to determine if there is a person in the seat as well as the person's weight category to determine whether the airbag should inflate and at the correct inflation power. Front-seat-mounted side airbags with first and second row roll-sensing side curtain airbags will also be available.

All Yaris models will also offer anti-lock brakes (ABS) as an option.

Options

In addition to the array of standard convenience, performance, and safety features, Yaris will offer additional options to provide variety and enhance the customer's overall driving experience.

Yaris options include ABS, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags and side curtain airbags and cold area package. A convenience package is standard on all Yaris S and available on the Sedan and Liftback. The convenience package adds an AM/FM CD player with MP3 readability and universal mini-jack port, a rear defogger, 15-inch steel wheels with full wheel covers, a 60/40 folding rear seat (Sedan only) and a rear wiper (Liftback only).

Also available on Liftback, Sedan and S Sedan is a Power Package offering power locks, windows, and mirrors. For the Sedan, it also includes a tachometer, upgraded trim with integrated audio, cruise control, and ABS. For the Liftback, it adds a 60/40 split rear seat that slides, reclines, and folds completely flat.

With the Power Package consumers can also add 15-inch alloy wheels, foglamps, rear spoiler, remote keyless entry, or immobilizer (Sedan only) as stand alone options. Yaris will offer a choice of 13 different exterior colors with only two, Polar White and Black Sand Pearl, shared by both the Liftback and Sedan. Additional available exterior colors for the Liftback include Blazing Blue, Meteorite Metallic, Absolutely Red, and Bayou Blue. All Liftback exterior colors are matched with a Dark Charcoal interior fabric. Additional exterior colors for the Yaris Sedan include Pacific Blue Metallic, Flint Mica, Silver Streak Mica, Barcelona Red Metallic, Olive Mist, Jade Sea Metallic, and Nautical Blue Metallic. Yaris Sedan exterior colors will be complemented with a choice of two interior fabric colors, Dark Charcoal and Beige.

Toyota's 36-month/36,000-mile basic new-vehicle limited warranty applies to all components other than normal wear and maintenance items. Additional 60-month warranties cover the powertrain for 60 months/60,000 miles and corrosion perforation for 60 months with no mileage limitation.

A snake that was swallowed alive by another snake has pulled off what must be one of the greatest escapes in the animal kingdom.

Determined to survive, the would-be snack managed to turn itself around inside the other snake's belly - and slither its way back out to freedom.

At least, that's what Australian Tony Barton claims he witnessed in his garden.

And he snapped these images as proof.




'When you tell these stories, no-one believes you,' said Mr Barton, who lives in the small rural town of Gundagai, south west of Sydney.

'But I have the pictures to prove it.'

The images, he says, show how the toxic red-belly black snake got its fangs around the far more poisonous eastern brown snake and began to swallow it.

It took almost 15 minutes for the 5ft.6in brown snake to disappear down the black snake's throat. The shape of the victim could be seen in the bulge in the body of the attacker.

The black snake, its lunch totally consumed, then slid away, very sluggishly, to a spot of shade 'for a snooze,' said Mr Barton.

A little later Mr Barton decided to have another careful look at the black snake.



What he saw next left him stunned.

'The black snake opened its mouth a little bit and I spotted this beady eye and the head of the brown snake peering out at me from the mouth,' he said.

'So I got my camera ready again and took a picture as the brown snake came out a few inches. Then it fastened itself onto the black snake's lower jaw and pulled itself completely out.

'It was covered in mucus, as you might expect, but seemed to be completely undamaged. Then the two of them parted ways, slithering off into the bush in different directions.

'I must admit that at first I thought someone was playing a practical joke on me because what I'd first noticed was what I thought was a very long snake with two tails - before I realised that one snake was swallowing another.

'There's only one explanation for what happened - having been swallowed head first, the brown snake must have been able to turn itself around inside the other snake's body for it to be able to emerge head first.'

As he admits, his story is going to take some believing.

But he has the photographs - and he hopes they will silence all the critics.

Monday, January 26, 2009













It looks like a scene from a surreal post-apocalyptic film - a polar bear and her cub stranded on an iceberg float past the Houses of Parliament.

But the creatures floating down the Thames today were sculptures launched in the river to raise awareness of climate change.

The polar bear stranded on the ever-receding icecaps has become the iconic image of the effects of global warming.



The 16ft-high structure was launched in Greenwich, south east London and travelled upstream to Tower Bridge and the Houses of Parliament.

A team of 15 artists spent two months working on the piece which aims to draw attention to climate change and its effect on the Arctic mammal.



The work was commissioned by Eden, a new digital television channel devoted to natural history programming.

Wildlife broadcaster Sir David Attenborough said: 'The melting of the polar bears' sea ice habitat is one of the most pressing environmental concerns of our time.'



'We need to do what we can to protect the world's largest land carnivores from extinction.'

The sculpture will travel to other UK cities including Birmingham and Glasgow.

Sunday, January 25, 2009




Maserati teamed with Italian design company Pininfarina to style its latest model, the Gran Turismo, which is influenced by another of the companies' collaborative efforts, the Maserati Birdcage 75 concept car of 2006.
The 2008 GranTurismo, designed by Pininfarina, is set to debut at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show in early March. Looking like an angry Quattroporte on steroids, the Maserati GT Coupe will have excellent performance. 2008 Maserati engines powered by the same Ferrari-derived 4.2-liter V-8 as the Coupe, the Gran Turismo has 405 horsepower, and Maserati says it can accelerate from zero to 62 mph in 5.2 seconds and reach a top speed of 177 mph. A six-speed automatic transmission adapts gear changes to driving style and conditions