Australia Gets Ready For Summer With BMW M6 Convertible

In the land Down Under, the Aussies would be able to take their very first peek at one of the fastest and also the most expensive vehicles from the BMW range. This new vehicle has got the capacity to put its top down and keep it out of sight. And it is called the BMW M6 convertible. Yes, you can view this one come this week at the Australian International Motor Show which will be held in the city of Sydney.



And BMW sure did bring this vehicle in time for the upcoming summer season. Sure, who would not want to have a convertible during the summer heat? But you see, if you are interested in purchasing this one, let me just inform you that BMW says this one has got a base price tag of $295,000. And yes, just right for the vehicle is it?s a V10 engine that could produce 373 kW. If you did not know, this engine just has been recognized and has been given the ?Engine of the Year? award. There is certainly no surprise there for the very same engine has already received such an award before. And yes, the very fact that this one can make your BMW M6 Convertible and all its BMW auto parts zoom from a total zero to a whooping 100 kilometers per hour in just 4.8 seconds.



Tom Noble is BMW Group Australia?s general manager for marketing. He does say, ?The BMW M6 Convertible is a dream car for the genuine enthusiast ? the real connoisseur seeking to combine impressive driving dynamics with a stylish example of open top motoring.? He also adds, ?The M6 Convertible is one of the most fascinating and exclusive cars ever built by the world famous division of BMW, M GmbH, which is famous world over for producing ultra performance luxury vehicles. The unique M6 Convertible will be a key attraction at the motor show. The open four seater combines the dynamic performance of a super sports car with the exclusivity of a luxury convertible.?



BMW also does say that the BMW M6 Convertible has been created so much so that you can actually use this even on the race track. This actually means that you can zoom up and really zoom well. And aside from this, you do get other things like comfort and plenty of equipment and technology to make the whole ride even more remarkable.



The vehicle also does hold a soft roof. But if you do fear for the type of soft roof this may be, you need not worry for BMW made sure that it was of top quality. So you can use the BMW M6 Convertible in the summer with the top down or even in the bleak of winter with the top covering your heads.

Jennifer Dylan is a 35-year-old gal who hails from San Francisco. She has a habit of updating herself on new car trends and models. She spends most of her time reading up on cars and hopes to test drive them. She works for one of the topnotch car parts dealer in the U.S.

Magnesium applications in the short term

Magnesium is a very abundant metal, but is produced in small quantities. The amount of magnesium produced each year is about 400,000 metric tons. The amount of aluminum produced each year is about 22,000,000 metric tons. Both metals were isolated and identified by Sir Humphrey Davy within a year of each other.

Magnesium is the lightest structural metal. Based on structural metal occurrence in the Earth's crust, magnesium is the third most abundant after aluminum and iron. Silicon is the most abundant element, but it is not a structural material. Based on the magnesium in brine deposits, salt lakes and the oceans, magnesium is by far the most abundant of all metals. There are 6,000,000 tons of magnesium in a cubic mile of seawater. There are 330 million cubic miles of seawater according to the Scientific American.

Magnesium has properties that enable it to be used in many areas. Its very light weight makes it especially attractive to aerospace and to automobile industries. However, magnesium has struggled for acceptance for many years, mainly due to a high price when compared to aluminum. That wide variation of price is being overcome and magnesium is now ready to be more widely used to benefit mankind and the environment.

Magnesium's density is 1.74 compared to aluminum at 2.7. There are other basic inherent advantages with the use of magnesium, not the least of which is greater rigidity and a much higher damping capacity.

Of the total amount of magnesium metal used in industry on a worldwide basis in 2002, approximately one-half went to aluminum alloying and desulfurization of iron and steel. The magnesium industry did very little work and invested very little money in these applications. Most of the research and development was done by the end-user company.

Most of the major uses of magnesium in automobiles were developed and promoted by engineers and designers employed by the auto companies. That included the earlier use of magnesium in the Volkswagen Beetle, the world's most successful car, with approximately 25 million vehicles being built. Construction continues in South America and Mexico. The Beetle used approximately 44 pounds (22 kg) in each car. Magnesium was specified by Porsche in the original car and has remained that way. (Porsche first worked with a magnesium engine in 1928.)

The potential for magnesium applications is limitless. Magnesium development needs some long-range vision, technical intelligence, and lots of work and money. Unfortunately, many of the producers are fighting for survival and it is difficult to justify the investment of large amounts of money in research and development. But without the vision and investment, plus a strong marketing effort, magnesium applications will continue to be slow in developing.
The great immediate future for magnesium remains in the world autos. There is a need for light weight and there are many millions of cars produced each year. However, the auto industry has changed and it has less designers and materials people on companies' staff than was the case. To get more magnesium usage in automobiles, the magnesium industry must take a much more pro-active approach to the auto companies. In many cases, the final design decisions are being left to the Tier 1 suppliers. The auto companies are becoming specifiers of components that they will assemble. Much of the component supply is based on just-in-time delivery.

Any new magnesium use must meet some basic review criteria:

1. The cost of the finished product must be competitive. This includes the direct cost and the overall usage cost. For example, a lightweight part on a car may cost more than aluminum, but the lighter weight may have many other advantages that would add value to the use of the magnesium part.

2. The application must be reducible to efficient manufacturing processes. This includes casting or fabrication rates, scrap, and finishing and assembly operations.

3. Resistance to corrosion. Magnesium occupies a very high position on the table of electrochemical activities. This means that it tends to corrode faster than some other materials. Alloy development, assembly research, and coating technologists must continue to work to lessen these problems.

4. Flammability. While magnesium does not burn unless it melts, finely divided powder and shaving created in fabrication operations can catch fire. In any case, it is an area that must be constantly addressed. As long as science teachers in high school classes continue to burn pieces of magnesium ribbon, the image of the bright white fire will far surpass any knowledge of the fire resistance of solid magnesium.

5. Commonality. Aluminum objects exist everywhere. There are a million examples of aluminum use. There are very few visible examples of magnesium use. Many people go through their lives without ever coming into contact with magnesium unless it be in vitamin supplements or Milk of Magnesia. This has changed to some extent with the increased use of magnesium in computer cases and cellular phones.

Magnesium can be utilized in any item that is used in a repetitive fashion by human labor. The use of magnesium in chainsaws, nail guns, electric drills, plasterers, and brick layers tools is greatly advantageous to the man who works with the tools all day.

Magnesium was used in ladders for many years, for example, by fire departments. When the price of magnesium increased dramatically in the 1970s, many users crossed over to aluminum because of the cost difference.

Magnesium producers must realize that magnesium will only become a wider used material if information and data on the metal and its alloys is readily available. Without this step forward, magnesium cannot experience the interest and growth that its marvelous properties warrant.

Magnesium alloys that will withstand higher temperatures are being developed. This type of work, promoted by the magnesium researchers in many areas, is now getting closer scrutiny from the auto manufacturers for engine blocks and transmission housings. The recent announcement by Mercedes-Benz of a new 7G-TRONIC seven speed, automatic transmission that will be standard on the E500, S430, S500, CL500, and SL500 cars from Autumn 2003 was of great interest since the housing will be in magnesium, enabling the change from 5-speed to 7-speed without a weight penalty.

At present, approximately 1 million GMT800 full size trucks and sport utility vehicles (SUV) are produced annually. These vehicles have two magnesium transfer cases (total weight 7 kg) per unit. At VW in 2002, about 600 manual transmission cases were produced daily for the VW Passat and the Audi A4/A6. Magnesium transmission cases are also used in the VW Santana produced in China. These are all manual transmissions and the temperature of operation is below 125?C so a standard AZ91 alloy can be used. Automatic transmissions run at higher temperatures and new alloys with better creep resistance at the higher temperatures are needed. Some automatic transmissions are starting to be produced for production model cars in magnesium.

German carmaker Audi, a unit of German vehicle manufacturer Volkswagen, plans to launch on the Spanish market its all-road vehicle Audi V8 Quattro, it was reported on May 5, 2003.
The car is equipped with a 4.2 liter, 300 hp engine, and can develop from 2,700 to 4,600 revolutions per minute (RPM). The model has five-speed, Tiptronic automatic transmission with Dynamic Shift Programme (DSP), which allows an acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h in 7.2 seconds. The car can reach a maximum speed of 240 km/h. Audi V8 Quattro will be introduced on the Spanish market at a price of $76,500 (67,820). [Editor's note: Through the use of magnesium components, the engine weight of Audi V8 Quattro model has been reduced some 5 kg compared to other Audi eight-cylinder engines. Tiptronic is a registered trademark of Audi. It is a special kind of transmission, which combines the convenience of the automatic transmission with the dynamics of a manual transmission. The driver can switch from automatic to Tiptronic at any time while driving. In both modes, gear shifts take place with no power interruption.

When there are 40 million cars produced per year, then the addition of 20 kg on 25% of the vehicle production would require 200 million kg of magnesium or 200,000 tons of magnesium alloy. This would require a 50% increase in the total world production of magnesium.

The automotive use that has received the greatest worldwide acceptance is the steering wheel. Nearly one-half of all vehicles produced in 2002 used a magnesium die-casting for the steering wheel. The reason for magnesium is to keep the weight down as the wheel is designed to contain an air bag container. The wheel is also made of an alloy that will deform and not break on impact. This same design parameter has been used when designing the ignition mechanisms into the steering column. In crash testing, it is important that the steering column go up and away from the driver's body. The lighter weight of the assembly helps in this.

Georg Fischer AG of Switzerland has a contract for magnesium steering column components that will be used in the 2004 Ford 500 sedans, Freestyle sports wagons and Mercury Montegos. Parts will be produced by die-casting at a North American location. Fisher will die-cast magnesium steering/ignition lock housings for Visteon, a Tier 1 supplier that is the system designer.

Increasing the use of magnesium in cars is not easy. Over the years, magnesium and aluminum (and some plastic) have switched and swapped places as the preferred material for some auto parts. In recent times, hydro-formed steels and dual-phase steels have also fought to maintain the dominant position of steel in the automotive industry. However, in the past year or less, magnesium has again moved up. Taking advantage of the light weight and the reduction in primary metal prices, the die-casters have continued to work with automotive engineers and designers to keep magnesium in the cars.

Part of the magnesium problem has been the close review given (benchmarking) to instrument panel support beams (IP) by companies like GM. The close scrutiny using Toyota and Nissan as the comparison cars shows that the Japanese do not use magnesium, but use tubular steel as the best low cost structural material for the IP.

It is now reported that magnesium has been made the go-to material of choice with the GM plastic NAO '04 Model Year Epsilon IP structure changing to magnesium (from Lunt and Meridian) early last year. The '04 Impala Monte Carlo x-car will revert from tubular steel to magnesium IP from Meridian. The next release of the mid size GM SUV for the '06 model year will revert from magnesium with a steel extension to all magnesium IP (source not yet determined).

It was reported also that magnesium will be used in the IPs in the next generation Pontiac Grand AM mid-size car in '05 model year. Magnesium is also being considered for use in the frames of the retractable hardtop roofs for convertible models of the Grand Ams.

One of the largest magnesium die-castings is the one-piece instrument panel (IP) for the GM G-van (GMC Savana and Chevrolet Express). The finished IP weighs 12 kg as opposed to the 18 kg in steel. The part also offers better crashworthiness and cost savings due to design consolidation (25 parts in magnesium design vs. 67 parts in steel).

The IP die-castings for recent models GM H-car, (Pontiac, Bonneville, and Buick LeSabre) weigh 5 kg and are made by Meridian of Canada. It was also reported recently that the new Porsche Carrera GT will use a magnesium console cast by Stolfig.

Ford has reportedly decided on magnesium for the Front End Support Assemblies (FESA) for light-duty trucks. Magnesium was said to have beat out hydro-formed steel tubular steel, extruded aluminum, and molded plastics composites. Die-cast AM60 was the final choice. The reason for the magnesium success was the projected weight and cost-savings, size and space considerations, performance and dimensional control. The assemblies will first be incorporated into the 2004 standard-size F-150 pickup trucks. Estimates say the parts could use 5 million kg of AM50 per year.

The finished FESA castings will weigh more than 6 kg each. This is more than the total average of all magnesium used in North American cars. This is the first application in a structural part that will support the radiator and other front-end components. Castings will come from Meridian with magnesium from Norsk Hydro. Ford reviewed the aluminum supports used by GM and looked at plastics parts from Europe before deciding on the magnesium.

Magnesium has been used in automotive seats. First used by Mercedes as an integrated seat structure with a three-point safety belt in the SLRoadster. The seat was made up of five parts with a total weight of 8.5 kg. It was chosen over steel, aluminum, and plastics. The alloy used was AM50 and AM20. Now it is reported that the Alfa Romeo 156 uses a magnesium seat in a two-piece design.

GM has offered magnesium wheels for the Corvette since 1998. There is a very great interest in magnesium wheels for everyday vehicles. One advantage is the fact that the reduction in unsprung weight makes it much easier to reduce total car weight. The group that can develop an economical magnesium wheel that will meet Detroit standards will have a great potential to develop a very profitable business. The new Porsche Carrera GT will be built using magnesium wheel rims from BBS in Germany. No weights were given. There will be about 1500 of the cars produced.

Application development remains the key to the expansion of magnesium production. Many of the newer companies have stepped up to join and/or replace some of the old reliables in this type of research and development. Many countries with companies that produce and/or use magnesium are also assisting in the promotion of magnesium research and development.
About the Author

Peter Howard is a freelance writer for Magnesium .

A Comet in the Industry

If there ever was such a thing as a short-lived success, it would be probably used to describe the GM (General Motors) marketed automobile brand, Geo. The Geo failed to thrive even after less than a couple of decades, and yet its fleeting existence in the automobile industry produced a few models which have been and still are favorites of a number of people.

Primarily formed by GM to rival with the swelling import market during the late 1980s, they marketed Geo and sold it through Chevrolet dealerships peppered throughout North America from 1989 in the United States. It was only sold in Canada beginning 1992. The line persisted until the 1997 model year, and the remaining models joined the Chevrolet lineup after that period. The last and most popular model of Geo, the Tracker, was discontinued after 2004.

Geo's sprinkling of models were manufactured by General Motors with Japanese import manufacturers for joint ventures. Each Geo model are all well-known in their own ways despite of the short period of time that they flourished, but the ones who really made their mark were the 1994 Geo Metro, the Prizm, and the Tracker.

The 1994 Geo Metro was specifically designed after the Suzuki Swift, and was available in three options: a three or five-door hatchback, a four-door sedan, or as a convertible. A subcompact car, the 1994 Geo Metro initially had a 1.0 L 3-cylinder engine power plant. Also, a larger 1.3 L 4-cylinder engine was available, and the result was that the Metro became Geo's most economical model in terms of gas mileage, and this reputation stayed with the Metro for 12 or 13 years that it was in the market.

An integrated four-door sedan, the Prizm was patterned after the Toyota Corolla Sprinter. Although the Prizm is a chronic harvester of automobile awards (including the Consumer's Digest Best Buy), the Corolla outsold the Prizm without fail. The perceived reason for this is because of the higher value of the Toyota brand. And the fact that it was competing with a brother model, the Cavalier, did not help its popularity. Chevrolet marketed the Cavalier as a premium entry level sedan and the Prizm as entry level compact sedan. Gradually the Prizm became a redundant model, and it was discontinued after 2002.

Geo's longest running model is the Tracker, and its popularity is largely credited to its versatility. It was a part of the primary lineup of Geo models in 1989, and continued under Chevrolet until 2004. The Tracker is a light sports utility vehicle which was based on the Suzuki Vitara. It is available in a convertible or hardtop configuration, and has a choice of two or four seats. The prospective owner has a choice between rear-wheel drive or a 4-wheel drive. Packaged as an all around vehicle, it can either be a cruising-around-town joyride car, or an off-road rugged vehicle. And the fact that it was resistant to rolling (thanks to its soft suspension) contributed to its success.

Perhaps not as bright (and as long) as the rest, but the Geo sparkled with a charm of its own, and that's why a few is still up and running today. Geo parts are also available for the market, to ensure that the Geos that still runs until now continues to be in good shape. The Geo had a comet-like existence in the industry: short and fleeting, but shone brighter than the rest.

About the Author

Katrina Culkins' husband is a hardcore enthusiast of vintage cars, and that attraction inevitably rubbed off on her. They are now managing their own buy and sell vintage car business.

New BMW 3Series Convertible Unleashed

BMW earlier announced its upcoming vehicle - 2007 3-Series Convertible. The sizzling vehicle from BMW will make debut in the Detroit this coming January. It will be offered in both 328i and 335i engine editions in the United States. In Europe, 325i and 335i engine editions will be offered.



The automaker claims that the new 306 horsepower 335i cabrio is capable of generating 62 mph in 5.8 seconds. According to JEZ SPINKS, BMW assured enthusiasts that the new vehicle will be given a folding hardtop roof. BMW will also join the folding-metal-roof club this coming April when it launches the 4th generation of its 3-Series Convertible to the automotive industry.



The best-selling model of the automaker is a product of constant upgrades to BMW auto accessories and parts. In fact, the latest version of the vehicle is given the latest automotive phenomenon, which is the hardtop. Mercedes-Benz SLK and Peugeot 206 CC heightened the growing trend of retractable hardtop in the 90s.



Today, the famed innovators of hardtop are Mazda and Volvo for their MX-5 Roadster Coupe and C70, respectively. Mazda Miata accessories blended with the groundbreaking hardtop boost up the appeal of the vehicle. Consequently, genuine Volvo accessories combined with the hottest technology created Volvo's pride convertible. So far, the most technologically advanced hardtop uses lightweight folding roof.



To join the phenomenon, which is gathering smoke in the auto industry, BMW also adopted said technology in its newest 4-seat 3-Series Convertible. The latter is based on the coupe rather than sedan. Its hardtop is made of electro hydraulic metal roof that open automatically with a touch of a button. The operation only takes 22 seconds. Moreover, said hardtop can also be operated away from the car using the remote key fob. This type of operation is opted by many drivers to preclude accidental opening.



BMW 3-Series Convertible is given leather upholstery with optional SunReflective technology. The latter is applied on seats and armrests to lessen surface temperatures on dark interior colors by about 20 degrees Celsius.



The new convertible from BMW will be unveiled this coming January at the Detroit Motor Show. Further, it will go on sale in Europe on March next year.

Shane Morgay is a 34-year-old native of Ohio. She love cars and knows detailed information about them. She has a collection of miniature car collectibles and would love to have these collectibles become real ones. She works for a car part supplier most days of the week.

The Year Of The Cruiser

 



The Year Of The CruiserSubmitted By: Jim Harris  

The Chrysler PT Cruiser is a typically American etro-styled station wagon or hatchback built by Chrysler, launched in 2000 as the entry-level Chrysler. Still a hot seller in its second season, the PT Cruiser got newly optional flame accent decals for the hood and front fenders. Famous for its retro looks, Chrysler's PT Cruiser combines this unmistakably classic look with modern performance, efficiency, and features. PT Cruiser's throwback design helps it stand out from the crowd while its ambitious engine helps you get away from one. During it?s conception, PT stood for Personal Transportation, and the four-door Cruiser provided precisely that--plus a lot of enthusiastic responses from other motorists on the road. The PT Cruiser was on Car and Driver's Ten Best list for 2001 and won the North American Car of the Year award that year.

The PT Cruiser was originally meant to be a Plymouth, before Chrysler's merger with Daimler-Benz. The look was refined, and in 1998, another Plymouth concept called the Chrysler Pronto Cruizer directly previewed the styling of the PT Cruiser. The PT Cruiser also bears a resemblance in size and shape to the 1997 Chrysler CCV prototype.

Indeed, Chrysler specifically designed the PT Cruiser to fit the NHTSA criteria for a light truck in order to bring the average fuel efficiency of the company's light truck fleet into compliance with CAFE standards. Inside the PT Cruiser you'll find a spacious and versatile cabin with a retro-themed dash. While the body style remains remarkably consistent from year to year, there are actually multiple models of the PT Cruiser, designated by unique badges in the lower left hand corner of the rear lift-gate. The Chrysler PT Cruiser has good handling, fits in a small parking space, and holds full-sized adults and their luggage in comfort. The automatic transmission in Chrysler's PT Cruiser can only be used with Type 7176 transmission fluid.

For those who were shopping for a low-priced wagon or convertible that offers extra style and can handle a steady stream of passengers and cargo, the 2006 Chrysler PT Cruiser was definitely worth a look. The PT Cruiser convertible doesn't offer quite the utility as the wagon, but there is a pass-through from the trunk and the backseat is still plenty roomy for a pair of adults. The convertible version of Chrysler's 2008 PT Cruiser comes standard with a 5-speed manual transmission but can be upgraded to a 4-speed automatic. The PT Cruiser Convertible was later discontinued on December 21, 2007 as part of Chrysler's owner, Cerberus Capital Management' plan to cut costs by discontinuing several Dodge and Chrysler models. Early Cruisers were recalled to add child seat information to the manuals.

Despite a post-redesign drop in sales, the PT Cruiser is the Chrysler brand?s third best selling model, with 99,585 sales in 2007 and 138,650 sales in 2006. The 2008 PT Cruiser Convertible is a 2-door, 4-passenger convertible, available in one trim only, the Base. For hauling cargo, the wagon version of the PT Cruiser excels. Turbo-equipped Touring and Limited Cruisers come standard with the automatic, while the GT can take either a manual or automatic. The Chrysler PT Cruiser itself will be dropped after the 2009 model year, meaning that production will most likely stop in 2008.

Article Tags: chrysler, cruiser, pt

Cars of the future compared

Automobilemag.com lists 5 of the cars that can be seen in the market in 2010 and beyond. These are the BMW Z8, BMW X1, BMW LC5 CLS Fighter, Audi 1, and the Honda FCX.

BMW will revive the Z8 roadster in its 2010 model. This 650Ci convertible will range from $90,000-to-$125,000. It will be powered by a 400-plus-hp turbo version of BMW's 4.4-liter V-8 mated to a new dual-clutch gearbox. Other engines--larger and smaller--may find their way under the hood as well.

The pint size BMW X1 will be added to the X5, the just-freshened X3, and a two-door X6 due in 2008. The compact SUV market might seem an unlikely place for a premium German marque, but BMW won't be alone. Audi will be there with the Volkswagen Tiguan-derived Q3, as will Mercedes-Benz with its GLK.

These three share common characteristics. Aside from the fact that they all have well-to-do female customers, they also would want to make the car seats higher, to surround their vehicles with lots of active and passive safety equipment, and to own a premium product with a versatile interior. They are less interested in size and high-performance engines. They are also value-focused, which is why the X1 will be priced about the same as a loaded Toyota RAV4.

At roughly 170 inches long, the X1 will combine the footprint of the 1-series and packaging similar to that of the X3. The large wheels and the suspension come from the X3. The underbody, the drivetrain, and the electronics will be taken from the 1-series. The X1's more carlike DNA is reflected in its target weight of 3400 pounds, significantly lighter than the X3. The X1 is principally a four-seater, but since the rear chairs slide and fold, an optional fifth seat could be integrated. BMW may offer a variety of opening and see-through roof treatments.

Indeed, BMW is readying a stretched version of the next 6-series, which would feature four doors and four seats under a coupe like roof.
To its credit, the BMW team is taking a somewhat different approach from Mercedes-Benz. The LC5 CLS Fighter will be seen without B-pillars. Instead, the structural integrity of the body will be supported by overlapping doors (the rear ones always shut first and open last) plus reinforced sills and side panels. All seats feature integrated belts and side air bags. The oval-shaped lateral aperture and the connected door skins are supposed to help spread out the energy in the event of a side impact. The engine lineup consists of four units: a 300-hp, 3.0-liter turbocharged six; a 400-hp, 4.4-liter twin-turbo V-8; an M version powered by a 550-hp, 5.5-liter V-10; and a 3.0-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder diesel.

Transmission offerings are to include a conventional six-speed manual and two automatics, where one is a dual-clutch design. Both automatics will feature seven speeds and optional paddle-shift operation. The gear selector is a joystick with two parallel shift modes: flick it to the left, and you're in manual; flick it to the right, and you're in automatic. Pushing a button on top of the lever engages park. Car enthusiasts will also see new electro hydraulic brakes, active steering, and wheels ranging in size from eighteen to twenty inches. It is not yet clear whether the new arrival will be part of the 6-series family or whether BMW would rather launch it as a 7-series coupe. Either way, the car is expected to reach showrooms in 2011, shortly after the next 6-series coupe/ convertible--and, coincidentally, around the same time as the second-generation Mercedes-Benz CLS, the car that started it all.

Audi will be launching its A1 minicompact. It will be smaller-than-A3 entry that emphasizes performance over economy. Unlike the discontinued European-market A2, the A1 will be a two-door hatch. An S1 version would likely use a 240-hp, 2.0-liter turbo; a less-potent turbo four would power the base car.

Finally, Honda's latest take on fuel cells is the FCX concept. Although its ultra-cab-forward body looks dramatically long, low, and wide, at 186 inches (15.5 feet) in overall length, the FCX is actually shorter than the Acura RL. It features a compact, Honda-developed fuel-cell stack in the middle of the car with two hydrogen tanks in the rear. The stack is much smaller than what is now technologically feasible, but Honda says that it shows our dream.

The novel four-wheel-drive system has one front 80-kW electric motor with two in-wheels, 25-kw motors at the rear. The cabin has a mixture of traditional Japanese materials, such as a wood floor, plus the latest gizmos. The dashboard rises up toward the driver as speed rises, which is supposedly to hold the driver's attention.

If you want to know their air filters, the site on K&N Filters can help you.

About the Author

Hannah Racey is a 35 year old native of Chicago, Ill. She has been a car afficionado since she can remember. She now works for an automotive company based in Detroit, Mi. as a consultant.

Saving Money With Twins Part II

No matter how frugal you are, you are going to have to buy a few things to prepare for your twins' arrival. Watching commercials and listening to well-meaning family and friends will have you believing you need tons of gear and all the latest trends. Now you can go that route but I am sure in the long run you will live to regret it.

At some time or another I have had to change things up a bit. Sometimes it was because my boys were growing tired of something (chair, bouncer, etc.) or because I just plain ran out of supplies. One thing I came to learn was that I did not need most of the supplies and furniture many people convinced me to buy. Here are a few things to try that really work if you can get past your pride a bit.

When it comes to diapers, the cheaper the better. I am a huge fan of Target? brand! They have been the best at preventing leaks and the cheapest (even when you do a comparison at a whole-sale club). You will need to be sure you buy at least one case (that's right a whole case) of Newborn or Size 1 diapers depending how big your babies are at birth. If you go to term you may want to skip Newborn and jump to Size 1. If the diapers are a little big just fold them down for a few weeks. This will keep you from having to exchange them after you have already used half a box. Also start stacking up on Sizes 2 and 3. My boys are tall but they have been in size 3 since they were a few months old. Be well stocked and do not open any boxes until you must use them. You want to be able to return any that do not fit.

One thing I cannot stand is a leaky diaper. Especially when you do not realize it leaked until it is all over you. Many grocery stores have their own brand of diaper liners that fit almost like a maxi pad inside the diaper. It may be hard to wrap around putting a pad in your babies' diapers but believe me, they keep you from having to buy costly overnight diapers. If your babies are close to the next in size diapers (code name for less in a pack for the same amount of money) go up to the next size but be sure to use the liners to get the most out of the lesser amount of diapers.

As I said before, make your own wipes. In the event you cannot make your own you can always buy wipes in bulk and then use them to bathe your baby also. This will eliminate the need for a baby bath tub (which is a waste). You can also use these to remove your make-up and wash up on a day when a shower is just not going to happen!

Go to the thrift store and stock up on bottles. If you wash and sterilize them in really hot water they will be fine. Be sure to look for newer ones because you want to make sure they have no mold that you cannot see. You can also use bottles as containers for little things such as cotton balls, Q-tips, etc. when you travel.

Yard trash bags or scented kitchen bags are a cheaper alternative to buying a baby waste basket. You have more space to put more diapers in the larger trash bags and then you can manually twist it closed or put a loose knot in the bag yourself. You will not have that awful dirty diaper smell if you keep the bag closed. This will save you big money when it comes to replacement bags. Just be sure to keep the bags out of your children's reach.

Big trash bags also work as a cheaper, smaller storage option. Instead of buying expensive or bulky totes, you can put your babies' old and unused clothes in them to store away. You can put toys or other items in these bags and throw them in the closet until you need them again. If you choose not to use them again you already have everything bagged up and ready to send to your local charity.

Large freezer bags are a cheaper and better way to store wipes in your diaper bag. They can be bent and easily fit in small spaces. They are light weight so you won't add to the already heavy load you are carrying.

Small freezer bags are a great option for storing food your babies' need. You are probably going to be in a location that has a paper/plastic cup so you can transfer the food into a cup or feed right out of the bag. They are light weight and with the food being in a freezer bag you do not need to use a microwave to heat the food, just run it under warm water for a few seconds.

Instead of buying one of the expensive brands of baby detergent opt for a less expensive regular organic or natural brand. You can still buy a large/family size container and you will be using a better product on your babies' clothes. Use the detergent on your clothes so you won't have to buy two different kinds of detergent.

Instead of buying a crib use a pack n' play. Your babies will probably be able to fit in one of these together for many months. My boys are over a year old and they are still able to sleep in one together when we travel (it's tight at this point but it works for a few days and they enjoy the smaller space). If you really want your babies to have separate beds you can still opt for two pack n' plays and you will save hundreds of dollars. You can find a good pack n' play at your local thrift store or yard sale.

Jumpers, walkers, bouncy chairs, and swings can all be used not only for entertainment but also to feed your little ones. You do not have to use high chairs and it makes clean up a lot easier because your little ones are occupying a smaller space. It makes clean up easier because as soon as you are done feeding them they are already occupied with an activity.

Paper towels can be used not only to clean messes and make wipes they can also be used as washcloths. If you buy a good quality brand such as Viva? you will find you get more bang for you buck. I have been able to clean both my boys with the same one (even as I constantly rinse them). I discovered this when we ran out of laundry detergent. This will save you laundry time and you will use far less water.

Receiving blankets are a wonderful asset. I bet you did not realize you can use a soft receiving blanket not only to warm your little ones but also dry them off after a bath. Pack a receiving blanket instead of your babies' towel the next time you travel. Try keeping a receiving blanket in your babies' diaper bag to use instead of buying a changing pad. It's softer and a lot warmer than cold plastic changing pads.

I am sure you will probably receive many body suits for your babies. But, have you ever heard of the bodysuit extender? If not, it's a small patch like device that extends the length of your babies' body suits. As your babies get taller they can continue to wear the same body suits literally until they wear out. This is a good investment!

Sleepers are a necessity for any baby during the winter months. A common problem is that babies grow too long for the sleepers before the sleepers even have a chance to fade in color. To solve this problem I have to admit I did something that I thought was unthinkable (before having children). I cut the feet out and still let the boys wear them. However I had to do this in a cute way. I cut the feet out, folded and tucked the cut part under so it looked like a hem and then put socks on underneath the sleepers. It looked like regular pajamas instead of a cut up sleeper!

Buy a carrier and wait on the stroller. This is for all the physically fit moms and dads out there. If you can carry your babies together without it hurting your back, opt for a double carrier instead of a stroller for the first couple of months. Your babies will fuss less being closer to you and you will find it easier to get things like grocery shopping done. You can find a good reasonably priced double carrier online.

Once your babies are too heavy for their carrier, hopefully they will be big enough to sit (with minimal support) in an umbrella stroller. Believe me when I say I was not a fan of the umbrella stroller but now they have really nice ones that are far cheaper (to buy two) than one double stroller. You can then buy an attachment (sold at most baby stores or online) and attach the two strollers together.

Car seats are not only important they are a must have! We chose to buy infant seats because we did a lot of travel in our area. It made it easier for us to carry them and load them up. Also it made for another feeding option when we were at home. However your most cost efficient option is a convertible car seat. These models generally cost more up front but in the long run they are a cheaper option if you do not plan on traveling often.

Buying things for your twins will put a major dent in your wallet if you are not creative. Try your best to do most of your shopping at your local thrift stores and yard sales. You won't be sorry!

See Part III for things to avoid when preparing for your twins' arrival.

Copyright ? 2007 Quiana Murray

Quiana Murray is the mother of 1 year old identical twin boys. She and her husband live in Southern Maryland where they own and operate Q & A Consulting, LLC a consulting and coaching firm. Q & A Consulting provides support to individuals and families through fun and exciting community programs including youth mentoring and job support programs. It?s their mission to support individuals and families in all aspects of daily life!

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