Archive for December, 2010
The Bubble Is Back: Micro Cars Make A Comeback
With a more environmentally conscious world than ever before manufacturers are continually looking for new ways to give people less car for their money. But in the world of motoring less can often mean more; less weight means more fuel efficiency smaller engine sizes mean lower fuel consumption and lower fuel consumption combined with more fuel efficiency means less money needs to be spent on fuel.
However thinking small isn’t a new thing; it was the lack of materials and fuel after WW2 that first prompted the development of the Bubble Car. The crippling shortages meant that car manufacturers had to think small and it was talented engineers many of whom had worked in the former military aircraft industry that decided to downsize the family motor. Known as Bubble Cars due to their domelike rounded shape these vehicles became a common sight on the roads of Europe during the fifties and sixties.
Because these cars cost less to make than larger vehicles the barrier to entry was smaller and a number of small manufacturers enjoyed a brief period of success before being squeezed out of the market by the big boys of the time such as German engineering company Messerschmitt.
But the Bubble Car was more than just an automobile. It symbolised a new dawn for Europe and signalled a renewed energy and prosperity for its people striving to recover from the rubble of a bombedout civilisation who needed cars but who couldn’t rely on the savings or car credit options we enjoy today to buy one.
However the Bubble Car boom was to be short lived; rising standards of living and the rebuilding of Europe’s wartorn nations meant that production of raw materials began to rise again and within a decade consumers wanted to drive bigger cars that reflected the growing wealth of the people.
And so a period of growth began where cars got bigger bolder and brasher leading right up to the 90s with the current socalled “Soccer Mums” driving massive petrol guzzling Sports Utility Vehicles nicknamed Chelsea Tractors in inner city areas just to do the shopping and drop off the kids. This excessive consumption of fuel has led to a public backlash with pressure groups campaigning for the banning of such vehicles in city centres citing that they produce unnecessarily high carbon emissions aggravate already severe traffic conditions heighten parking problems and are purely fashion accessories rather than necessary modes of transport.
Now however the car industry is looking to downsize once more and we could soon see a revolution in microcars. Of course there have always been several small cars on the market the ever popular Mini being one example that is still going strong but it seems that more and more manufacturers are developing smaller cars such as the Aptera the Tata Nano and of course the Smart Car which has now been in production for over a decade.
The microcar craze is yet to really take off in North America where oversized engines have always been the order of the day but in Europe drivers are welcoming the smaller vehicles and appreciate that where cars are concerned small really is beautiful.
About the writer: Isla Campbell is an online freelance journalist and avid traveler and pilates devotee. When not on the road she lives on the outskirts of Oban.
The Beauty That Sports Cars Possess
Cars in general possess both form and function. The designers did not compromise aesthetics with performance.
However there is something about sports cars that make them stand out when it comes to beauty. And we are not talking about external features only.
There is more to physical features like sleekness of the car that determine its beauty.
Here are some of the characteristics that endear sports cars to car enthusiasts.
Sports cars have attitude at first glance.
Sports cars speak the attitude that they possess. They are not like mere cars whose presence can be ignored. They captivate the eyes of those who see them. They imply that thrill and enjoyment van be expected when their hands are those that control the wheel.
Sports cars stand above other cars that are seen every day primarily because the designs imply what they are capable of doing. A sleek look really matches a car with sleek activities.
Sports cars possess greater power.
Their power comes from their more powerful engines and has other specifications than other the cars have. A sports car can do more than ordinary tasks because of the features that only they possess.
Sports cars are made for driving pleasure.
Ordinary cars make driving monotonous and boring while on the other hand sports cars primarily aim to give the drivers a “high” feeling of speed and control. Only sports cars can provide that need for drivers who seek adventure.
Sports cars bring the thrill back to driving. They express what other cars can not. Sports cars are not designed just for practicality but for pleasure too.
Sports cars are made for drivers who enjoy their ‘wild side’.
Drivers do have the need to express this ‘wild side’. Sports cars make any road a venue to satisfy those needs. Only sports cars can match the ‘wildness’ that drivers innately have. For that reason sports cars perfectly compliment the child in every driver.
Sports cars have evolved and improved through the years.
Drivers appreciate the improvements that have been made to sports cars. You could say that sports car technology has infinite possibilities. The stereotypes of sports cars have long been debunked. Those limits have been crossed. The only thing that car enthusiasts can do is to watch as these improvements unfold before their very eyes.
Sports cars make their owners feel good about themselves.
Sports cars are lifeless. They cannot feel proud because they are beautiful but their owners take pride in having them.
With all these things said about the intrinsic and extrinsic beauty that sports cars possess only a person who does not appreciate their beauty and/or speed will not opt to get one.
About the writer:nbsp;nbsp;Uchenna AniOkoye is an internet marketing advisor and co founder of Free Affiliate ProgramsFor more information and resource links on sports cars visit: Super Exotic Sports Cars
Saddle Blanket Seat Covers: The Quality At Cheap Price
Welcome to the world of colorful car seat covers. The affordable seat covers have several attracting features to offer. Though the markets are full with the varieties of car seat covers very small numbers of them are worth considering. There are multiple aspects that determine the effectiveness of seat covers.
Most of the people tend to ignore the importance of quality car care. Others try to keep exteriors clean but forget to maintain the look and feel inside their car. However proper maintenance of car seats is one of the most important things that every car owner needs to take care.
Cars have to undergo varieties of environmental and manmade hazards and seats suffer most. There are hazards such as dirt/dust mud water stains caused by beverages and good remaining etc cause harm to car seats. Pets and kids also cause dirty stains and scratches. The car seats suffer a lot of wear and tear due to regular use friction and socks as well.
In order to prevent these hazards from damaging the original car seats getting the quality seat covers from a reliable manufacturer is crucial. There are several brands and varieties of seat covers available. However custom seat covers are the best bet.
Custom made seat covers have a lot of exciting features to offer. When it comes to protect the original upholstery of your seat covers its necessary that these should provide perfect fit. These should cover all the parts of your car seats. Since custom seat covers are made keeping the specifications of your car model and make in mind they embrace the seats perfectly.
The quality of the material used is also important. The fabric used must have perfect breathability to protect seats from rust damage. The durability of the custom seat covers is also important.
One of the best custom seat covers are Saddle Blanket seat covers. These are one of the most sought after seat covers. The affordable seat covers are available in several fascinating colors.
The soft yet strong seat covers have several other qualities as well. The custom seat covers come with features such as mold and mildew resistant water resistant abrasion resistant enhanced color fastness extraordinary color fastness among other. The seat covers are flammability tests and dont catch fire easily.
So if you are looking for the best seat covers that are affordable; are easy to use wash install and remove; available in several cool colors to choose from; get Saddle Blanket seat covers. You wont go wrong with these quality seat covers.
About the writer: Article written by Shane Watson. Here you will get all the details you need on Custom Seat Covers and you can also find the best info on Seat Covers.