Automobile Magazine announced today that the Audi R8 is the Car of the Year for 2008.

“The R8 absolutely captivated the automotive world this past year,” said Jean Jennings, President and Editor-in-Chief of AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE. “It propels Audi into a whole new league of driving dynamics, and it emphatically caps Audi’s steep ascent from the somnambulant lull in which it languished in the early 1990s. The R8 is a thrilling new sports car from a company that’s stronger than it’s ever been.”

The R8’s incredible ride and styling provides car enthusiasts a lasting feeling of enjoyment that will last for many years to come.  With a top speed of 187 mph, the Audi R8 will launch you from 0 - 60 in 4.4 seconds.  With a base price of $109,000 USD, it’s well worth the investment

Powered by ScribeFire.

The Volvo s70 was introduced in 1997 as an executive luxury car. The T5 was a model that offered a 5-speed transmission, which made the car a lot more fun to drive. The Volvo v70 was the station wagon version of the s70. The Volvo v70 R featured a better engine and offered 300bhp for the driver that was somewhat demanding on the car.

The Volvos s70 T5 is still sought today by many Volvo enthusiasts. Many of these seekers love the fact that the Volvo s70 T5 features explosive power and power that the standard s70 didn’t possess. The car is also fun to drive with its manual transmission. The 5-speed transmission shifts smoothly and the all wheel drive kicks in the minute you shift into gear. The car features an excellent and luxurious ride over highway and a little fun off the main roads. The Volvo s70 T5 is also considered one of the quickest cars in Volvo’s line. Plus, it has all the safety features that you would expect from Volvo. From the looks of this car you see traditional Volvo written all over it, but that’s just because they were trying to hide the sports car that lives within. Buyer beware, it could be very easy to get a ticket in this car!

Volvo has introduced a reworked and upgraded car in the Volvo v70 R. These cars featured an upgraded engine in 2004 along with more luxury accessories. The car was made to look sport inside and out, despite being a station wagon. The cars also featured better handling with a new braking performance system that works in a well-balanced fashion. The R line Volvos also come with standard all-wheel drive, monitor traction by Haldex and an aggressive new chassis. As Motor Trend puts it, these cars feature both sport and utility.

Either car has the power you want and desire as well as the safety features you want for your family. These cars are excellent whether you are traveling down the highway or picking your kids up from soccer practice. If you are looking for something fun and feisty, go with the Volvo s70 T5. If you want something with a little get up and go but still room for four kids and the family dog, then the Volvo v70 R is for you. Either way you won’t be disappointed.

For decades we have seen the national auto shows, where the major manufacturers roll out their new models and a few flashy "prototypes" that will never see an assembly line. Then there are the rod and custom shows, populated thirty years ago by twenty- and thirty-somethings and filled these days with middle aged and older auto enthusiasts who still love classic American cars, both stock and in all the different permutations of customization they have gone through over the years.

And of course there’s the Concourse D’Elegance crowd, oohing and aahing at priceless Ferraris from the fifties and sixties as well as the older exotics such as Packards and, going even further back, Hispano-Suizas and Auburns.

For those who lived American Graffiti and those who live for the foreign classics, if you’re involved at all in building, maintaining or participating in the fellowship that has built around classics and exotics, you should consider utilizing a website.

First of all, it’s a great way to show off your car or cars, whatever you’ve got in the garage that is carefully driven once a week and towed, gleaming, to car shows. Secondly, it’s a communications device for like-minded collectors or builders that may be interested in your specialty - whether old Corvettes or sixties Alfa Romeos. There are current web sites for national and regional organizations as well as a number of sites that specialize as classified advertising for scarce auto parts.

A personal site, however, is going to give you a far different type of interaction with your fellow wrench addicts. Instead of searching impersonal national websites for parts or people with similar interests, you can use your site to bring them to you. Proper use of keywords and perhaps a classified ad or two online will bring potential contacts to you personally, and there they will find a site with photos of your car(s), your shop and a little history about your involvement.

You don’t have to find contacts like that at shows or in pulp publications for parts and project cars. A properly designed site for a car enthusiast that elaborates on his area of interest and the history of his cars will give that person a potentially national social role in the company of his peers, just as the kids are using MySpace to communicate.

You can advertise for parts, show vehicles for sale - with unlimited photos and videos, if you wish - and put the word out for a car you might be seeking for your next project. This approach will also limit your needs for entering ads in national locations. All you need to do is mention "55 Chevy for sale at www.old55.com" or whatever your site address is, and the interested parties will come to you. No more details listed in long paragraphs done in tiny print - and no more photos of your car on a page or in a lineup of dozens of other vehicles.

Drivers of modified cars are finding it more and more difficult to show off their artistic masterpieces on streets all across the US. California may have led the way in cracking down on what the state terms as traffic offenses, but other states are following suit. No one can argue that the modifications in these modified cars have gone way beyond what was being done to the original hot rods, but should these modifications really be illegal? Are they really hurting anybody?

While it is true that some enthusiasts have juiced up their engines using illegal means, it is also true that most of those modified cars that have been singled out were not initially pulled over for speeding infractions. In fact, the crackdown on modified cars seems to stem more from an aesthetic problem than anything else.

Many of the violators have been ticketed for exceeding the noise pollution laws. Drivers of modified cars counter that they are being singled out because of unfair comparisons to the drivers in such movies as The Fast and Furious. They claim that the portrayal of modified car enthusiasts in that movie series has caused a backlash against real life owners.

The police forces of not only California, but various other states deny that charge, however. They say that the new breed of modified cars presents a safety risk at high speeds whether it involves racing or not. They point to the increased level of accidents involving modified cars sporting darkly tinted windows, custom rims and wheels, and exhaust pipes. California has, of course, long been the center of the hot rod and modified car universe in America, but the crackdown is spreading all across the country.

But owners of modified cars don’t appear ready to roll over and play dead. In addition to flooding the internet to increase support for their side of the argument via blogs, forums and web sites, they are also attacking the problem via America’s greatest legacy: dissent.

For instance, modified car owners are attacking the crackdown in the state of Virginia with an online petition. The petition identifies the problem as stemming from the vague terminology in Virginia’s laws for modifying exhaust systems and suspension.

Modified cars have been targeted by law enforcement officers for decades. And it is certainly true that drivers of modified cars may be more tempted to engage in high speed racing than the rest of us.

The debate is sure to rage for some time as owners of modified cars feel unfairly singled out and as law enforcement officials feel compelled to make the streets as safe as possible for everyone. The divide between car enthusiasts and the police is likely to grow wider, however, as new and more exciting modifications are discovered.

Cars have long since been held as a fascinating piece of engineering and the vehicle has come a long way since the invention of the wheel. Boys and to some extent girls are into playing with cars from a young age and for many this fascination goes on to become a hobby. Some collect, others learn to drive and drive as much as they can, yet others turn their driving passion towards racing and other car oriented sports. In the sporting arena we have the sports car enthusiasts who will do anything to be with their cars.

Another category is the sports car fan and drivers who have graduated to actual production of these cars. They will go on to build cars from scratch to resemble some of the most valuable and rare cars in the history of cars. These are called kit car owners who go the distance to make quality replicas of the original vehicle. Now the end product looks almost indistinguishable from the original. Take the famous Cobra - it has a lot of takers.

There is something to be said about getting the tool box out and building your own replicar. Some actually revel in the challenge that this hobby brings with it. You also get to create your dream car without spending a fortune on it. Replicars facilitate building your own car ground upwards using a kit body along with a common mainstream automotive base and other parts. In itself the world of replicars is a different world altogether which comprises builders and fans. They hold rallies and get togethers where there is a lot of interaction and a lot of ideas are exchanged and most tend to find parts that they need and another does not. Not only does this hobby encourage more socializing with like minded people it also brings with it a heady mix of people from different walks of life and one gets a chance to learn about different aspects of replicars and others’ experiences.

A personally-built car means you have a very clear idea of your car’s capability and limitations. So the success of your car depends on your ability to have understood what you have made and to use it to its optimum strength. Of course there is always the option of buying your favorite classic model and driving it around but to build a replicar and then use what you have put together is a feeling only true enthusiasts can understand. These classic cars models sure make heads turn and they come with interesting stories too. Replicar enthusiasts and kit car builders are the ones who really know what driving is all about as they are both the creators and the users.

With the augmenting prices of gasoline these days, managing fuel costs has become quite difficult for an ordinary man. However, one cannot keep the costs under control; he may go along with a few gas saving tips and tricks to improve the fuel consumption.

The first gas saving tip is associated with the car engine. Revving engine before turning it off should be avoided as it results in the expenditure of fuel. Moreover, idling the engine for prolonged durations has a negative affect on the fuel consumption. Warming up the engine for 35-40 seconds is advisable for saving gas.

Buying the gas skillfully may also contribute towards the recovery of the fuel cost problem. Gasoline should be purchased during early morning or evening because of being highly dense at the respective times. Furthermore, it should not be filled to the top of tank as it results in spilling over, thus draining a considerable amount of gasoline.

Changing one’s ways of operating a vehicle and altering motoring habits may also lead to effective gas saving. Driving the car at 55 mph results in a better gas mileage while use of 5th gear is recommended. Traveling at a high velocity with low gears should be avoided. Moreover, keeping air conditioner turned off while driving also improves the gas mileage.

Besides these, driving on straight roads and avoiding twists and turns conserves the gas. Brakes should not be pumped too often while the gas pedal should be pressed lightly. Carrying heavy loads in the car’s dickey should be obviated. Regular servicing of the car is necessary and the tires should be frequently checked for air pressure. Frequent examination of the chassis parts and the air filters is also commended. Above all, use of the lowest octane gas and a suitable fuel saver such as Tornado fuel saver plays a significant role in gas conservation. Tornado fuel saver functions as a gas-saving tool and can be used in a car, SUV or a truck.

The above-mentioned gas saving tips and tricks will surely benefit the driving enthusiasts. However, if any sort of assistance is needed, CarSnaps customer support is there to lend you a hand. Alternatively, you can start a thread in the Automotive Forum for seeking any kind of advice concerning gas saving techniques.

Buying import car body kits is easier than ever thanks to the internet. Customizing import cars is moving away from being a hobby toward becoming a big business. Import car body kits can include many things, including spoilers, wings, skirts and air dams. Many kits serve to improve aerodynamics and increase speed, while also making the car look cooler.

There are several factors to consider before making an investment in import car body kits, but first and foremost is the kind of material you want, fiberglass or urethane. Both materials have their advantages. Fiberglass is the preferred type because it usually provides a superior fit and is also easily repaired. Be aware that not all fiberglass import car body kits are created equal; don’t save money by buying low-quality sprayed fiberglass.

Sprayed fiberglass often winds up giving you uneven quality prone to brittle sections that can result in both problems with the fit and breakage. Those who choose the urethane kits prefer it, however, because it is a little tougher and hold up to minor impacts better than fiberglass. This is important because if it does get damaged, it’s almost impossible to repair. Another word of advice: Fiberglass import car body kits are unquestionably the better choice if you plan on a customized paint job.

Import car body kits may sound like a DIY job, but unless you have some experience or are just blessed with natural abilities when it comes to do-it-yourself projects, the actual installation is probably best left to a professional or at least an amateur whose work you have actually seen.

The best way to find someone to install import car body kits is probably to ask someone who already had a body kit installed. Ideally, attending an import car show would probably be your best bet; you’ll likely find not only owners with body kits, but some of the guys who make a living installing them. Unfortunately, not everybody has access to a car show. Next on the list would be hitting the internet.

Import car body kits are always a hot topic of conversation on the import car forums and message boards. The internet is a primary source for information on the import car scene because enthusiasts love to show off their stuff. Take a few hours to look around and you’ll not only find images of the kind of body kit that you want, but also vital information on problems, modification tips and hints, and even the names and phone numbers of qualified installers.

There is one single piece of advice you can expect to get from just about everyone. There is very nearly unanimous agreement anyone getting import car body kits installed should also get it painted at the same time. The reason given for this advice has nothing to do with saving money, or body protection or anything like that; this advice is given to protect the drivers from ridicule. Apparently, it is the ultimate in uncool to drive around in unpainted import car body kits.

Import car clubs are popping up all over the place. Although these clubs have had to fight against their reputation as being nothing more than gangs, the battle seems to be almost over. In fact, import car clubs have moved firmly into the mainstream.

Whether you are looking to join one of these import car clubs, or are looking to advertise one that already exists, the internet is your friend. There seems to be literally thousands of different web sites on which you can list and advertise your club. These clubs are, if nothing else, social networks whereby import car enthusiasts can share their passion with millions of people around the world.

Local chapters of import car clubs may differ significantly, but the one thing they all share in common is a love for the import car subculture. That subculture is about more than just modified cars, however, as a visit to one of these web sites can attest. Checking out the web sites devoted to providing exposure to import car clubs will provide you equal parts opportunity to learn more about cars, music, movies, video games and, of course, girls. The import car scene is particularly concerned with showcasing modified and customized vehicles, but entertainment also plays a part. And why not? Car clubs have been featured in both movies and video games, and one of the key modifications made to many import cars involves boosting the sound system, so music is clearly an integral part. As for the girls, well, a web site devoted to the import car subculture that doesn’t feature clickable links to scantily clad import models really isn’t much of an import web site at all.

Unless, that is, you consider the rise of alternative import car clubs. For instance, a visit to http://Holyrollerz.org takes you to the home page of probably the most recognizable of the Christian import car clubs. In addition to being of the few import car clubs web sites that don’t feature images of sexy models, this club explicitly states that it doesn’t tolerate drinking, racing or profanity. If you wish to experience the fun of import car clubs, but are turned-off by some of the more unacceptable practices, this may be the one for you.

But when it comes down it, all import car clubs are about the car. And it is the worshipping of the vehicle that these sites are really about. In keeping with that interest, you can often find, in addition to images of various cars, homemade videos, tutorials, and even artwork. In fact, if you share your passion for cars with a passion for art, joining a club may be the best way for you to share your creations. Many artists have actually sold their paintings and digital artwork featuring modified import cars.

There are a whole host of different reasons for joining import car clubs. If you don’t know how to get in touch with one your hometown, one of these listing sites can probably help.

Lifts are used to raise a vehicle on a stable platform, allowing automotive mechanics unrestricted access to inspect and repair the underbelly, transmission and wheels of the vehicle. Multiple vehicle lifts are standard equipment in most auto repair shops. In addition, some automobile enthusiasts install lifts in their homes for vehicle storage.

Prior to 1920, only service pits were available for repairing and doing preventive maintenance on the undersides of vehicles. The hydraulic auto lift was invented in the 1920’s to reduce the time and equipment needed to hoist vehicles off the ground. Depending on the design used, .today’s vehicle lifts can raise up to 50,000 pounds and can cost between $9,000 and $45,000. Installation not included.

In the beginning, there were no industry standards and vehicle lifts varied in design and construction. After World War II, there were only fifteen auto lift manufacturers in the United States. They recognized the need to develop standards to guide the industry. In 1947, the U.S. government issued its first set of standards. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration developed its own regulations in 1974.

Today, there are three major manufacturers of heavy lifts: Mohawk Resources Ltd. of Amsterdam, NY; Advantage Lift Systems based in San Diego, CA; and Rotary Lift in Madison, IN. Electric controls for lifts are standard, and lift features vary according to price and model. They vary depending on where they make contact with the vehicle, usually the axles, frame or wheels. They include single-, two-, four-post, and scissors lifts. The single- and two-post lifts are ideal for small trucks and cars. The four-post auto lift is used for most commercial and transit vehicles. The scissors lift saves space by having the posts in the middle of the lift, operating like an open pair of scissors.

Over the years, the structure of the automobile body has changed. Vehicles previously built onto underbody frames are now being constructed into frameless or unibody styles. Lifts have evolved to better handle the structure of newer vehicles. Rotary, for example, has developed the three stage lift. It has three telescoping sections, giving it a greater range of extension and retraction than other lifts. As a result, it can reach a broader range of vehicle pick-up points. It has become the preferred lift of many vehicle manufacturers, including Honda, Volkswagen and Audi.

Despite changes in the design of lifts over the years, many injuries and accidents occur annually. This is usually due to human error rather than any flaw in the lift design. The most simple things often lead to disaster. Auto mechanics sometimes fail to keep the lift area free of debris, grease/oil and obstructions. Not paying close attention when working around the lifts or allowing untrained individuals to use them are two more potential problems. Some forget to wear the right safety gear, including goggles, a hard hat, and steel toed boots.

Proper use and maintenance of the equipment is essential. Blocking or overriding the controls is dangerous. The manufacturer’s rated capacity is shown on the nameplate affixed to lift. Despite this, some mechanics use the lift to hoist vehicles that exceed the weight limit.

An ounce of prevention is better than a pound of cure. Mistakes made before the vehicle is lifted are accidents waiting to happen. The lift arms must be properly positioned before the vehicle is raised. If the center of gravity of the car is not on the center of the lift, cars may tip off. With some vehicles, removing or installing items may cause a critical shift in the vehicle’s center of gravity and result in instability. Mechanics should always refer to the lift manufacturer’s recommendations. If there is not ample overhead clearance space, the vehicle may be crushed. Mistakes also occur when the transmission is not in neutral, doors are not securely closed or the ignition is not turned off. Some repairmen fail to lock the lift into place before going under it. Others raise the car while someone is inside the vehicle.

Numerous accidents occur during the lifting process. The vehicle should be loaded on a lift carefully. Mechanics should ensure that the lift supports are in contact with the manufacturer’s recommended lifting points. When a secure contact is made, the lift can be raised to the desired working height. If work will be done under the vehicle, the lift should be raised high enough for its locking device to be engaged.

Before lowering a lift, the mechanic should ensure that everything is removed from under the vehicle. Locking devices should be disengaged before the lift is lowered.

The motorcycle is widely regarded as a symbol of the rebel, a representation of youth, and an icon of Americana. The first recognized motorcycle design was made by a pair of German engineers in 1885, in what was, essentially, a bicycle with an engine. While Japanese manufacturers like Suzuki dominate the motorcycle market globally, in America, the Harley-Davidson company has firm control over the market.

It was during the late eighties and early nineties that Japanese manufacturers such as Suzuki, Kawasaki, Honda, and Yamaha gained a foothold in the worldwide motorcycle market that they have never let go. They were designed and built with better performance, better handling, and better quality. It is no secret that their promotional campaigns during the early years also targeted the negative reputation of the Harley-riding bikers and the public fear of biker gangs. While such attacks ceased quickly, the tarnish it left in the reputation of the Harley has not been removed. That alone is speculated to be the cause of Japanese manufacturers holding such a strong presence, even with the American buying public. Also, by reputation, the Japanese machines were easier to maintain and the general public did not associate them with leather-clad degenerates, though the biker stereotype is drastically incorrect.

However, competition has not driven the main American manufacturer, Harley-Davidson, into the background. After taking time to formulate the proper strategy, the American manufacturer returned to take back its market share. The company did so not by attempting to match the more family-friendly reputation of a Japanese motorcycle, but by exploiting the appeal of their older designs. Marketing the re-worked designs as distinctly American machines, the company rapidly regained its former customer base. They increased their hold further by appealing to collectors, such as comedian Jay Leno, and making their machines easy to customize and re-tool. In fact, it is the customization market that has really allowed Harley-Davidson to stay so long in the game despite stiff competition from the likes of Kawasaki and Honda. There is a saying that goes to state that the rarest type of Harley one can find is one that is completely stock; that is, one that has not been modified in any way. Indeed, many Harley enthusiasts believe that the main weakness of Japanese bikes is that they are not as easily customizable as a Harley is.

Regardless of whether or not one believes the reputation of Harley biker gangs or enjoys being able to customize their personal motorcycle, these machines are here to stay. Production of both Japanese and American bikes have not slowed down and there are, statistically, more bike owners than automobile owners. That statistic holds especially true outside the US, where a bike is a more common means of private transportation for the average citizen than a car is. This embracing of the motorcycle is happening despite the higher accident rate for bikes than any other private land vehicle out there. It doesn’t seem to matter what country one goes to; the youth of every culture seems to view these two-wheeled machines as symbols of teenage euphoria and thus, the adrenaline rush associated with a bike ride is, as they say, like nothing in this world.