Sports Cars Offer High Gas Mileage Cure for the SUV Blues
Fort Collins, CO (ContentDesk) May 27, 2006 -- Several sporty, high-performance automobiles such as the Chevrolet Corvette, Porsche Boxster and Lotus Elise can get 28 or 29 miles per gallon on the highway according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), making sports cars a viable choice for those seeking high gas mileage along with style, status, and fun.In contrast, the similarly-priced Hummer H2 gets at best 13 mpg, according to dealers.
A Cadillac Escalade sports utility vehicle achieves only 18 mpg on the highway per the EPA.
Even the 4Runner SUV by Toyota -- a company often associated in the minds of the public with good fuel economy -- is rated at just 22 mpg for a two-wheel drive, six-cylinder base model.But wait -- are we not comparing apples and oranges here?
A sports car versus an SUV?
These vehicles are purchased for entirely different purposes, right?
The comparison is not as far-fetched as it might initially seem, according to Felix Wong, a spokesperson for hi-mpg.org (http://hi-mpg.org)."Top reasons for purchasing sports utility vehicles include safety, style, performance, fun, a feeling of power, a status symbol," says Wong.
"What people forget or don't realize is that sports cars are just as good, or better, in all of those respects, all while being significantly friendlier to the environment and to people's pocketbooks at the gas pump."Indeed, the sleek, sensuous curves of sports cars are often distinctive and head-turning.
Their aerodynamic, no-compromise shapes -- which in addition to low weight help the vehicles achieve high fuel efficiency -- exude a mixture of youthfulness, rebellion, frivolity, and individuality.In terms of fun, sports cars offer superior handling and many of their owners delight in taking on winding country roads and hairpin corners at higher rates of speeds than they would in an SUV. Many sports cars are also available in convertible form, offering wind-in-the-hair, sun-basked adventures.
Performance-wise, there really is no comparison.
A Chevrolet Corvette and Lotus Elise can literally run circles around a sports utility vehicle, capable of accelerating from 0-60 miles per hour in less than five seconds.
Even the relatively inexpensive Mazda MX-5 roadster -- with a miserly four-cylinder engine -- can accelerate to sixty from naught in under eight.But what about safety? Space?A widespread -- but arguably mistaken -- perception is that sports utility vehicles are safer.
The conventional wisdom is that due to their larger mass, SUVs will protect occupants better in a crash.In fact, sports utility vehicles' higher weight and center of gravity can work against them.
Their braking distances are often much longer than those of the lighter-weight sports cars, and their top-heaviness make them more prone to rolling over.
It is also easy to imagine that in some situations where evasive emergency maneuvers are required, the nimbler, quicker sports cars have a marked advantage.Regarding traction, sports cars -- which are predominantly rear-wheel drive -- traditionally have been at a disadvantage in adverse weather conditions, notably snow and ice.
Nowadays, technology has mitigated this substantially with advanced tire treads, traction control, and anti-lock braking systems.
Some sports cars are even offered with all-wheel-drive such as the 250-hp Audi TT Coupe Quattro, which was afforded a respectable EPA rating of 26 miles per gallon on the highway despite the added weight and efficiency losses from the all-wheel-drive system.The most significant factor that sports utility vehicles have the upper hand is space.
But even then, according to Wong, people make that out to be a larger deal than it needs to be."For one thing, there usually are at least two vehicles in a household, especially if one is married with kids," he points out.
"Furthermore, how often do you see an SUV going down the highway with only one person in it?
I see it all the time."Indeed, according to the 2004 U.S. Census, 77 percent of workers drove alone to work nationwide while only 10 percent carpooled.
(The other 13 percent walked, biked, or took mass transit.)
In addition, in some areas of the country such as certain highways in California, two-seat sports cars with two persons can use the HOV (High Occupancy Vehicle) lane even in cases where three people are required in other automobiles.Cargo room is not necessarily as restricted in a sports car as one may think, too."I've seen someone open the trunk of his C5 [fifth-generation] Corvette and throw a road bike in it -- assembled," says Wong.
"Porsche Boxster owners will often tell you their cars can hold a lot of stuff because in their mid-engine cars, there are two trunks -- one in the front and one in the rear.
An Audi TT coupe is particularly cavernous with the rear seat folded down, since it's a hatchback.""Also, there are a vast number of aftermarket options for smaller vehicles, including hitch- and trunk-mounted bicycle racks, roof storage boxes, trailers, etc."As it turns out, sports cars can be not only fun, but functional and frugal with fuel as well.About hi-mpg.org:Launched in September 2004, the hi-mpg.org web site (http://hi-mpg.org) identifies and rates vehicles offering high style, performance, and fun while delivering high gas mileage.
Selected automobiles include sports cars, convertibles, coupes, sedans, hybrids, and retro-vehicles from the last 20 years.
The web site also offers news relating to gasoline supply issues and pricing along with advanced gas mileage tips.
hi-mpg.org is not affiliated in any way with the manufacturers of any vehicle or fuel-efficiency technology.Contact:Felix Wonghi-mpg.org970-484-8486http://hi-mpg.org.
Smart Cars of America LLC Unveils Web Sites for Promotion and Marketing of the Smart Car ForTwo
Belleair, FL (ContentDesk) July 25, 2006 -- Smart Cars of America LLC announced news regarding availability of the 2008 Smart ForTwo, the launch of a fresh and stylish Web site, a new logo and a new powerful slogan.Smart Cars of America's website offers a new brand name identity that includes a fresh styling, logo, marketing materials, videos and the Company's new powerful slogan for the one-of-a-kind Smart Car offerings:Superbly Manufactured And Reliable Transportation.The new Web site includes comprehensive content detailing all the information Smart consumers need to know about the Smart ForTwo, and other innovative cars and modes of transportation.Designed to become the premier website for alternative vehicles, unique means of transport and all things Smart, Smart Cars of America's new sites, uses dynamic flash and html communications, designed to accommodate new information as it becomes immediately available."Already very popular in most European and Canadian markets, we are thrilled...
Smart Cars of America LLC Unveils Web Sites for Promotion and Marketing of the Smart Car ForTwo
Cars > Smart Cars of America LLC Unveils Web Sites for Promotion and Marketing of the Smart Car ForTwo
Race Cars Used In Movie On The Auction Block
(ContentDesk) November 13, 2005 -- Over 20 Race Cars Used in the Upcoming Movie "High, Wide and Handsome" will go across the auction block.This auction will take place this coming Tuesday, November 15th, at 10:00 AM. We will be auctioning from the former Robert Yates' Race Shop at 115 S. Dwelle St., Charlotte, located off Interstate 85, Exit 36.We will be selling more than 20 race cars that were used in the filming of the upcoming movie "High, Wide and Handsome" starring actor Will Ferrel. Filming for this movie took place at Rockingham, Talladega and Charlotte speedways. We are also selling new engines, transmissions and other parts."This is a real good opportunity for anyone to buy a piece of movie memorabilia at their price" said auctioneer Jesse Meeks.The move "High, Wide and Handsome" has not been released yet so it was made very clear not to advertise this auction widely in traditional media resulting in one the best kept secrets until now.Some of the race cars are damaged due...
Race Cars Used In Movie On The Auction Block
Cars > Race Cars Used In Movie On The Auction Block
Used Cars Are the Last Remaining Untapped Market in the Auto Industry
(ContentDesk) November 1, 2005 -- Car Dealer Marketing announced the launch of The Used Car Sellution", an innovative, proprietary online marketing program for Internet-savvy auto dealers that drives pre-qualified used vehicle buyers directly to the inventory department on a dealer's own web site.
The Used Car Sellution" is being used by Asbury Automotive, the fifth largest mega-dealership group in the country, for its Crown Automotive subsidiary and two of its dealerships in North Carolina and one in Virginia.
The program delivered over 15,000 additional pre-qualified used vehicle buyers to Crown's web site in August and September, which averages around 40,000 visitors a month.
It resulted in the company selling 53 additional used vehicles, yielding profits in excess of $92,000, according to Alan Hack, president of Car Dealer Marketing.
That's right, $92,000 in profits, not sales.
We're pretty excited about this, as are the folks at Asbury...
Used Cars Are the Last Remaining Untapped Market in the Auto Industry
Cars > Used Cars Are the Last Remaining Untapped Market in the Auto Industry
Consumers Buy Inkjet Cartridges and Laser Toner Cartridges Online in Increasing Numbers
Inkjet cartridges are the main reason why printers are so cheap these days. Printers are offered as sacrifices so that companies can sell you inkjet cartridge refills for a lifetime.The problem with this scenario is that inkjet cartridges do not cost very much to make, but the printer companies will sell them to you for a huge profit because they know that you are stuck with buying their inkjet cartridge replacements for the life of your printer. This can mean hundreds of dollars in profit over...
Cars Consumers Buy Inkjet Cartridges and Laser Toner Cartridges Online in Increasing Numbers photo printer Sports Cars Offer High Gas Mileage Cure for the SUV Blues
Cars > Consumers Buy Inkjet Cartridges and Laser Toner Cartridges Online in Increasing Numbers
Bankruptcy Law Firms
Filing for bankruptcy can be an excruciating moment. Individuals or firms have the option of filing for bankruptcy as a last option when their debts are out of control. Bankruptcy is filed when the debt is extremely high and the creditors are practically camping at the door. Expenses due to medical, legal, or credit card expenses usually make a person lean towards the option of bankruptcy.
Even though bankruptcy provides the individual with a credit free life later, it affects the...
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Got Play?
GOT PLAY?Passion Love Action You! Playing with your own divinity, sprit, heart, and spreading it around you. YES! When I share with people that I'm a play activist, most people look perplexed. Totally cool, I get that. What thirty year old says "I LOVE TO PLAY" while doing kart-wheels endlessly? It's not common, yet it's getting there.Most of us are looking at our lives and sensing something shifting. Maybe we are noticing that we crave more quiet time, or we are watching kids and feeling the...
Cars Got Play?
Cars > Got Play?