Mad About Cars

Right before I say anything else I appreciate the brilliance in design, build, comfort, drive, handling and everything else that comes with the Range Rover. It serves a purpose and does a job. I also get why people buy them – safety being one of the main reasons. They are extremely thirsty however, huge ugly things out there on the roads that just annoy me. When I’m behind one I can’t see a thing infront and when one is behind me I can’t see a thing behind. They are just a nightmare, a hate people who drive them and I hate them on the roads. People who drive them think they make you better and more important on the road, well I am sorry but you are not.

I sat in a Mini Cooper S the other week and I have to say it wasn’t what I was expecting. Maybe I am used to better quality and comfort in a car as an Audi driver but I was really disappointed by the Mini. I could understand the Mini One being a bit flimsy but when I opened the boot for instance everything felt so plasticy and flimsy. It all felt very fake – and this all tries to make the car lighter for racing and speed. For me though I’d prefer a better built quality car that is a little heavier but doesn’t feel like you’ve put it together yourself from an Ikea flatpack.

Lots of people like to modify their cars to give them that little bit extra in terms of performance and style. People who are really into their cars are constantly on the lookout for impressive new wheels, kits and mod cons to make their car the most powerful and the most impressive to look at. Many even head to meets to show off all the ways they have improved their cars.

Cars aren’t the only vehicles that can be suped up, though. Vans are also suitable for modifications that make them incredibly impressive. Working on the engine of your van can turn it into a real power house and you can add graphics to the bodywork for added style.

Of course, any modifications that you make to your van have to be declared. Your van insurance is likely to change if you make your van more powerful (and if you add expensive extras to it), so you have to let your van insurance company know when you’ve made alterations. If you don’t take this step then you are giving the van insurance company plenty of excuses not to pay out should you need them to in the event of an accident.

Nissan has finally caught up with the electric and hybrid revolution by creating a zero emission electric vehicle. Their rivals, Toyota and Honda have been at the forefront of the hybrid revolution and Nissan have slowly caught up and are now trying to become a significant player in the electric car market with the introduction of the Nissan Leaf. Nissan claim that they are creating the first affordable purpose- designed electric vehicle. The Nissan Leaf is due to go on sale in the UK in March 2011 and Nissan do want people to refer to it as a hybrid but they claim they have created the world’s first mainstream mass market pure electric vehicle.

At many of the motor shows around the world, many manufactures use it as an opportunity to display their concept cars. A concept car or show vehicle is a car prototype which is designed to showcase a new style or technology. Often these cars never make it outside of the showroom or the motor show but recently Honda’s concept car, the Honda FCX Clarity, has been put into production. This is a hydrogen fuel cell car, which is based on the 2006 Honda FCX Concept. The FCX Clarity car has been dubbed the car of the further, as it he demonstrates electric car qualities such as zero emissions while offering 5 minute refuelling times. The FCX Clarity is currently only available in Southern California, where “fast-fill” hydrogen stations are available, however Honda believes that it could start mass producing this vehicle by 2018.