Dodge Hornet
Dodge Hornet
Dodge Hornet
Dodge Hornet
Dodge Hornet
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Mercedes B-Class Begets the Dodge Hornet
The Mercedes B-Class, a line of compact cars about the size of a Volkswagen Golf, is expected to be imported to the U.S. market within one or two years time. This model is unusual in that it will be the first vehicle marketed by Mercedes in the U.S. that is not a true luxury car. Instead, the German automaker is hoping to capitalize on its venerable name by serving a greater share of the American populace by marketing a more ordinary model. Soon after the B-Class' debut, yet another small vehicle derived from Mercedes will also make its appearance in the U.S.: the Dodge Hornet. Both the B-Class and Hornet are being developed to revolutionize their respective brands, pitting DaimlerChrysler against some of the leading youth brands in the world.
Not everyone thinks that it is a good idea for Mercedes to sell a budget model in the U.S., particularly one sporting the Mercedes marque. Yet, Mercedes has been building smaller models for years and in Europe the brand is known for producing luxury cars as well as vehicles for the masses. Indeed, Mercedes' biggest adversary, BMW, also produces a line of small cars and is planning on bringing these vehicles to the U.S. shortly. Thus, like it or not, Mercedes must respond and the B-Class will be the answer.
For Mercedes, the B-Class likely to make it to the U.S. will be a four door sedan outfitted with a six cylinder gas engine. A hatchback, popular in Europe, will probably not be included in the deal knowing American consumers' disdain for that particular body style. Diesel powered B-Class' are a possibility and will become even more likely should BMW introduce the same.
For Dodge, the Hornet represents an answer to Scion and their line of youth oriented brands. While the Mercedes B-Class will likely appeal to VW and Nissan owners, the Hornet will target Scion owners as well as those inclined to purchase a Honda Element or other small, boxy vehicle. DaimlerChrysler, the owner of both Mercedes and Dodge, knows that the Hornet is necessary as the brand's current entry level vehicle, the Caliber, is too expensive to compete against the lowest priced cars from Japan and Korea. Considering that Chinese cars selling for $8500 or less will also be arriving soon, DaimlerChrysler must respond and respond quickly with the Hornet.
While plans haven't yet been finalized, the Hornet will likely strongly resemble the concept vehicle now on display at car shows around the country. This means that the Hornet will sport a 1.6L I4 mated to a 5 or 6 speed manual transmission, with a horsepower output of 170. With 19 inch tires, stow and go seating, and Saturn ION-like doors, the Hornet will not be confused with any other vehicle on the road which is exactly what Dodge hopes will happen.
To keep production costs down, DaimlerChrysler is looking for a manufacturing plant, probably in Mexico, to build the vehicle. Aiming to keep prices to around $10,000, DaimlerChrysler may tap Volkswagen to produce the vehicle at one of its own plants. This would enable VW to fill excess capacity and give DCX a readily available source to produce the Hornet.
Yes, the B-Class is poised to change the way American consumers think about the Mercedes brand while giving the make a chance to capture a broader chunk of the market. With the Hornet deriving its platform and other key components from the B-Class, Dodge will also benefit and be able to holds its own against Asian imports. Yes, both products present risky moves for parent DaimlerChrysler, one that the automaker must take in an ever changing and highly competitive world.
Not everyone thinks that it is a good idea for Mercedes to sell a budget model in the U.S., particularly one sporting the Mercedes marque. Yet, Mercedes has been building smaller models for years and in Europe the brand is known for producing luxury cars as well as vehicles for the masses. Indeed, Mercedes' biggest adversary, BMW, also produces a line of small cars and is planning on bringing these vehicles to the U.S. shortly. Thus, like it or not, Mercedes must respond and the B-Class will be the answer.
For Mercedes, the B-Class likely to make it to the U.S. will be a four door sedan outfitted with a six cylinder gas engine. A hatchback, popular in Europe, will probably not be included in the deal knowing American consumers' disdain for that particular body style. Diesel powered B-Class' are a possibility and will become even more likely should BMW introduce the same.
For Dodge, the Hornet represents an answer to Scion and their line of youth oriented brands. While the Mercedes B-Class will likely appeal to VW and Nissan owners, the Hornet will target Scion owners as well as those inclined to purchase a Honda Element or other small, boxy vehicle. DaimlerChrysler, the owner of both Mercedes and Dodge, knows that the Hornet is necessary as the brand's current entry level vehicle, the Caliber, is too expensive to compete against the lowest priced cars from Japan and Korea. Considering that Chinese cars selling for $8500 or less will also be arriving soon, DaimlerChrysler must respond and respond quickly with the Hornet.
While plans haven't yet been finalized, the Hornet will likely strongly resemble the concept vehicle now on display at car shows around the country. This means that the Hornet will sport a 1.6L I4 mated to a 5 or 6 speed manual transmission, with a horsepower output of 170. With 19 inch tires, stow and go seating, and Saturn ION-like doors, the Hornet will not be confused with any other vehicle on the road which is exactly what Dodge hopes will happen.
To keep production costs down, DaimlerChrysler is looking for a manufacturing plant, probably in Mexico, to build the vehicle. Aiming to keep prices to around $10,000, DaimlerChrysler may tap Volkswagen to produce the vehicle at one of its own plants. This would enable VW to fill excess capacity and give DCX a readily available source to produce the Hornet.
Yes, the B-Class is poised to change the way American consumers think about the Mercedes brand while giving the make a chance to capture a broader chunk of the market. With the Hornet deriving its platform and other key components from the B-Class, Dodge will also benefit and be able to holds its own against Asian imports. Yes, both products present risky moves for parent DaimlerChrysler, one that the automaker must take in an ever changing and highly competitive world.
Copyright 2006 – Matt Keegan is a freelance writer covering cars, trucks, vans, and SUVs. You can keep your Mercedes vehicle running and looking cool by shopping the Mercedes Benz Car Parts superstore for superior automotive parts and accessories.
Big Tractor
Lawn Tractors For the Big Jobs
By Phil Caxton
Larger attachments can be added to the lawn tractor enabling you to complete big jobs too. With the availability of variable speed controls, reverse and forward gear, automatic transmission is available in these tractors thus enabling you to focus more on the tasks at hand. There is no need to keep shifting gears all the time while using these lawn tractors. You can plug in different attachments such as backhoes, loaders, rear mount rotary mowers and tillers.
Backhoes help in digging up to eight feet and loaders enable lifting up weight where all you have to do is manage the joystick. The rear mount rotary mower is more like the riding lawnmower. For the operators convenience there is the tractor hydraulic lift which helps in lowering and raising the tiller attachment in the lawn's tractor.
Turn your work into recreation:
It is the ease that the tractor of lawn provides that you can really enjoy your work with this tractor. They provide convenient facility which makes it a comfortable working with these lawn tractors. One of the most important features of this tractor is that the operator gets enough space to step on the platform for a more comfortable ride. Options like the rake, tillers, rotary cutters, blades etc. can make the machine more popular as well as versatile.
While riding lawn mowers ensure your safety first. It is best to have a high level diesel engine to get your job perfectly done. Tires can remain firm on the turf with a good tractor suspension. Lawn tractors with high horsepower, durability as well as strength, will enable you to do a better job.
Mowers are able to mow in reverse safely, provision of adjustable seats, cup holders, tilt steering are some of the added features available for comfortable operation of these tractors. You can also modify the lawn tractors according to your needs.
Looking for more information about trees watering methods??, Phil Caxton is a writer who works on many consumer websites like lawnmania.com. Keep reading about lawn tractors and soil testing kits at http://the-carclub.blogspot.com/
Ferrari 599 GTO Mugello
Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano
We've been waiting for so long that we almost started to think the new Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano was only the foolish dream of a daily commuter half-asleep in the morning traffic. We've been on the lookout for its cameo appearances in selected auto shows all last year, catching a glimpse of its silhouette in Brazil and hunting down the footage of its first duel with a F-40 Supercar near Las Vegas. Since November 2006, the 599 GTB is not just a dream anymore, but a new thoroughbred designed to represent the Prancing Horse at the pinnacle of what the Italians call Gran Turismo. Succeeding the legendary 575M Maranello was not an easy task, but the 599 GTB Fiorano cuts to the chase and is simply the most powerful coupe ever produced by Ferrari.
In the early '90s, the Italian car maker had drastically improved its image and the reliability of its gorgeous machines with the arrival of Luca di Montezemolo at the helm of the company, along with Frenchman Jean Todt and Englishmen Rory Byrne and Ross Brawn in the racing department. Since its beginnings in the late '40s, Ferrari's fate has always been closely related to motorsports. When its flagship Formula 1 team, led by German ace Michael Schumacher, started its rise back to the top and subsequently won the Formula 1 World Championship five years in a row, everyone knew the time was up for Ferrari to reclaim its title as the maker of the most exciting cars on the planet. A new generation of models quickly followed, first with the 456, then with the famous 360 Modena, the 550 and the 575M Maranello.
The tremendous success met by this revival wouldn't have been complete without the release of the Enzo Supercar in 2002, an exclusive and selective creation named after the founder of the prestigious firm. We would have lived happily ever after with this amazing collection, but as soon as 2004, Ferrari was already introducing the 612 Scaglietti as the successor of the elegant 456. A few months later, the 430 was announced to replace the popular 360 Modena. We had been in love for years with the 575M Maranello, having surrendered to the simple but forceful silhouette and the overbearing V12 tucked under the single air intake in the front. Nevertheless, we have to admit that it shouldn't be too difficult to fall for Ferrari's newest coupe: the 599 GTB is an astonishing achievement in the fields of mechanics and aesthetics alike.
While the shape of the 599 GTB seems to be in part loosely inspired by the fluent design of the 612 Scaglietti, its unbelievable engine comes straight from the V12 first installed in the Enzo Supercar. This is where the legend began: the beautiful and unbridled coupe powered by a massive V12 front engine has been a tradition at Ferrari since the famous 250 GTO appeared in the early '60s. Performances are mind-blowing. Delivering 620 hp at 7600 rpm, the 599 GTB Fiorano rockets from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 205 mph. The F1-Superfast six-speed sequential transmission allows you to shift gears in just 100 milliseconds, an impressive 50 milliseconds faster than the Enzo Supercar. At this level, numbers can hardly restitute the raucous music produced by the Italian engine. To be honest, nothing compares to the sound of a Ferrari V12.
In the early '90s, the Italian car maker had drastically improved its image and the reliability of its gorgeous machines with the arrival of Luca di Montezemolo at the helm of the company, along with Frenchman Jean Todt and Englishmen Rory Byrne and Ross Brawn in the racing department. Since its beginnings in the late '40s, Ferrari's fate has always been closely related to motorsports. When its flagship Formula 1 team, led by German ace Michael Schumacher, started its rise back to the top and subsequently won the Formula 1 World Championship five years in a row, everyone knew the time was up for Ferrari to reclaim its title as the maker of the most exciting cars on the planet. A new generation of models quickly followed, first with the 456, then with the famous 360 Modena, the 550 and the 575M Maranello.
The tremendous success met by this revival wouldn't have been complete without the release of the Enzo Supercar in 2002, an exclusive and selective creation named after the founder of the prestigious firm. We would have lived happily ever after with this amazing collection, but as soon as 2004, Ferrari was already introducing the 612 Scaglietti as the successor of the elegant 456. A few months later, the 430 was announced to replace the popular 360 Modena. We had been in love for years with the 575M Maranello, having surrendered to the simple but forceful silhouette and the overbearing V12 tucked under the single air intake in the front. Nevertheless, we have to admit that it shouldn't be too difficult to fall for Ferrari's newest coupe: the 599 GTB is an astonishing achievement in the fields of mechanics and aesthetics alike.
While the shape of the 599 GTB seems to be in part loosely inspired by the fluent design of the 612 Scaglietti, its unbelievable engine comes straight from the V12 first installed in the Enzo Supercar. This is where the legend began: the beautiful and unbridled coupe powered by a massive V12 front engine has been a tradition at Ferrari since the famous 250 GTO appeared in the early '60s. Performances are mind-blowing. Delivering 620 hp at 7600 rpm, the 599 GTB Fiorano rockets from 0 to 60 mph in 3.7 seconds and reaches a top speed of 205 mph. The F1-Superfast six-speed sequential transmission allows you to shift gears in just 100 milliseconds, an impressive 50 milliseconds faster than the Enzo Supercar. At this level, numbers can hardly restitute the raucous music produced by the Italian engine. To be honest, nothing compares to the sound of a Ferrari V12.
Automatives's Article - Savoir Magazine 2007
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