All New Subaru Forester With New Price

Submitted by AnthonyF


Last January, Subaru of America, Inc. had sent out the all-new Subaru Forester to have its world debut. This was held during the North American International Auto Show. But that would not be the last thing we are going to hear about the 2009 Subaru Forester. See, a month after the debut of the vehicle, the car maker has already announced that the 2009 Subaru Forester would be available in the market come this April.

How much would be the price tag state? That would be a question that most interested folks would be asking. According to Subaru, they would be sending out the vehicle with a $19,995 tag price as its starting price and that amount is $1,200 cheaper than the previous Subaru Forester model.

Subaru’s vice president for sales, Tim Colbeck, shared, “For 11 years, the Subaru Forester has been an icon of functionality, dependability and durability. The 2009 Forester now adds greater interior room, improved comfort and more amenities than before, yet with a starting price that is significantly lower than the outgoing model.”

Producing power for the 2009 Subaru Forester are two engines which have been available. One is a 2.5 liter naturally aspirated unit while another is a 2.5 liter turbo engine. The former is mated to either a manual or an automatic transmission while the former is matched only to an automatic. Available in three trim levels the X, the 2.5x Premium Package, and the 2.5X L. L. Bean, the natural aspirated model would give consumers more choices. However, the turbocharged unit would not be left behind for it is available in the X trim and the Forester 2.5XT Limited.

If you are going to choose a 2009 Subaru Forester that is equipped with a 2.5X Premium Package, you would find its tag coming with a price of $22,495 and for that amount you get a power moonroof, a rear seat center tray, reclining seat backs for the rear, roof rails, audio controls on the streering wheel, and alloy wheels measuring 17 inches.

For the 2.5X L. L. Bean version, you would have to shell out $25,995 for this one. For that amount, you get upholster that is trimmed in leather. The vehicle also has an automatic climate control system, fog lights, an all weather package, L.L. Bean floor mats and cargo trays, and an AM/FM stereo with CD changer. It has not been mentioned though if you would be getting a NHT calipers premium brake caliper with any of the 2009 Subaru Forester’s versions.

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Mazda To Test Safety-Oriented Vehicle In Public

Submitted by AnthonyF


Japanese automaker Mazda announced recently that it will be testing the Mazda ASV-4 in public shortly. The said vehicle is designed by the automaker loaded with safety features pursuant to the Japanese government's call for the creation of vehicles which would reduce traffic accidents.

Development of the said car is already on its fourth phase and it will commence on Hiroshima public roads on March 11 this year. Mazda will be working with Mitsubishi Motors Japan and Kawasaki Heavy Industries Ltd. during the public test of the ASV-4.

The fourth phase of the development of the safety car will be focusing on vehicle to vehicle communications. The said Mazda car is equipped with sensors which enables it to communicate with other vehicles similarly equipped with the same sensor. The theory is that even during driving conditions when the drivers will not be able to see another car, the car will be able to detect a vehicle ahead. This principle is designed to reduce traffic accidents on blind curves.

Mazda and the other automakers will be gathering and analyzing data from phase four of the development process. The result of the testing is expected to give Mazda enough information to forge ahead in the development of safety features for vehicles.

According to the automaker, vehicle to vehicle communication will be able to reduce traffic accidents caused by driver error. A misjudgment in distance and speed during turning maneuver could lead to accidents without a sensor on the vehicle warning the driver if a presence of a vehicle is detected.

Mazda plans to conduct tests on two-vehicle blind collision avoidance shortly. Thereafter, the automaker will be testing the right turn and rear end crash avoidance systems. These systems have been designed by the Japanese automaker to immediately alert the driver if a vehicle on potential collision course is detected. Apart from warning the driver, said systems are also designed to take over braking when needed.

The first three phases of testing the vehicles has resulted to Mazda developing a safety feature which warns the driver if a speeding vehicle from the rear. By warning the driver of this, the system reduces the risk of the driver being unaware of a potentially dangerous situation behind him.

Apart from vehicle to vehicle communication, Mazda is also testing road to vehicle communication features. This involves sensors embedded on the road and the vehicles which interact with each other constantly to give the driver an idea of how well the vehicle is moving with respect to the road.

The safety features that Mazda are developing can be expected to come with future Mazda vehicles also equipped with Mazda valve cover gasket.

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Jaguar and Rover are Sold

Submitted by AnthonyF


Some months back, the automotive industry has been bombarded with various pieces of news as per the fate of the Ford Motor Company’s Jaguar and Land Rover brands. These two are actually luxury brands that are part of Ford’s Premium Automotive Group (PAG).

What has been the seed as per the rumors regarding the fate of the two brands, it actually started with how the brands’ vehicles are doing in the market. For quite some time, Jaguar and Land Rover have been performing poorly in the market so much so that the Ford Motor Company has not been gaining much profit from the two brands. It is also not a secret that Ford has been under much financial stress lately because of declining profit and one of their solutions so as to help better their financial situation was to sell their two luxury brands.

When Jaguar and Land Rover was put up for sale, there were quite a number of parties and individuals who were interested in owning the two brands. However, Ford wanted to make sure that they were getting the best deal on the two brands. And what the Dearborn-based car maker did was to set up a system where interested purchasers could put in their bids for the luxury brands. This process took quite some time and experts were looking at the situation as a tactic from Ford so that they could properly study where they would be getting the best deal for Jaguar and Land Rover.

It seems like the end of the bidding for Jaguar and Land Rover has finally come to an end for a couple of days back, a newsletter from the American International Automobile Dealers Association (AIADA) carried news that the Ford Motor Company has finally chosen the right party who would purchase the two brands from them. Tata Motors from India would be the new owner of the vehicle and that the purchase of the brands is set to be announced this March 5th of 6th.

The purchase has already been finalized and Tata has already been talking with trade union leaders since last week. The national officer for one of the largest unions in the UK auto industry, Roger Maddison, has announced, “Everything seems fine as far as we are concerned; it's just the lawyers working on it now.”

One of the major outcomes of these talks include the fact that Tata would still be sourcing the brands’ engines, NGK laser platinum spark plugs, stampings, and other auto systems from Ford.

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