There’s only a handful of countries known for building cars. Most of them are in Europe or the Far East. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi wants to add Libya to that list, and this is what he’s cooked up to do it. Called the Libyan Rocket, the car was designed to solve the problem of high instance of road deaths in the north African country. Gaddafi’s people say it’s the safest car ever made, but don’t go into any details to back up the claim. Still, the Colonel’s revolutionary government is building a plant in Tripoli to put it together.

Gaddafi’s car seats five, has a 230-hp V6 and the nose and tail of a rocket. The Libyan Rocket does come with airbags, an electronic defense system and collapsible bumpers that supposedly help out in a crash. So what is the “electronic defense system”? Apparently, nobody knows what it is or how it works. So even the secret is safe with this car!

You may want to add some diamond studded rims complete with their own bodyguard if you want to make this car even safer.

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Ford introduces Ecomode in new ford focus

Ford Motors has introduced a new software named ‘EcoMode‘ for the drivers of its new Ford Focus. With the help of this intriguing new piece of software, owners of the Ford Focus can now learn of ways to improve their driving skills – mainly their ‘eco-driving’ techniques (specific on-road behaviors that can improve fuel economy, save money and reduce greenhouse gas emissions), through which they can improve their miles per gallon statistics.

The new software addition to the Ford Focus, EcoMode, generates a personalized driver operation scorecard. This is generated by monitoring engine rpm, vehicle speed, accelerator position, clutch position, selected gear and engine temperature related, gear shifting, anticipation and speed. Along with the final score, the software also generates advice for the driver to improve his eco-driving rating. The company noted that while trying to reach the maximum score while in EcoMode will lead to a driving style that is optimized for fuel economy.

“The foot of the driver has one of the biggest impacts on real-world fuel economy of a vehicle and was the starting point for the development of EcoMode,” said Thomas Schick, engineer with the Ford of Germany Core Vehicle Integration team. “This is a useful tool that creates awareness between personal behavior and fuel consumption and offers up hints on how to improve. Applying those hints and recommendations is all up to the driver.”

Apart from the ‘EcoMode‘, the new Ford Focus also offers an optional map-based navigation application called ‘Eco-Route‘ available with the MyFord Touch. This gives drivers the ability to choose the most fuel-efficient route, added Ford Motors.

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Jaguar E Type celebrates 50 years.

Launched in 1961, the Jaguar E-Type will be celebrating its 50th birthday at this year’s Silverstone Classic (July 22-24) with a host of special races and displays. Jaguar owners clubs in the UK are forecasting the greatest showing of Jaguar E-Types ever assembled, with a large number of examples to be brought from all over the world.

The on-track schedule includes two races dedicated solely to competition versions of the Jaguar E-Type, while a record grid of more than 50 race-prepared E-Types is predicted. In total, more than a thousand racing and road-going E-Types are expected to join the event.

“With so many E-Types on and off the track, it’s going to be a fantastic occasion – the world’s biggest and best celebration for one of the truly great sports cars,” said Nick Wigley, Event Director. “What’s more, the Silverstone Classic offers the perfect place and timing for the world to celebrate such an important milestone in automotive history. After all Jaguar designed and produced the E-Types just up the road at Browns Lane in Coventry and the very first UK sales commenced in July 1961. It’s going to be an absolutely amazing occasion – a party no classic car fan will want to miss.”

Highlighting the legendary Jaguar’s central role at this year’s Silverstone Classic, one of the very first Jaguar E-Types produced was featured on the event’s exhibition stand earlier this month at the Autosport Show International.

The historic car on display was the eleventh Jaguar E-Type car made, one of the many contesting the two HSCC Jaguar E-Type Challenge races at the Silverstone Classic in July. These early pre-production cars were sold to selected customers who would race them.

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KIA Picanto 2012 Revealed.

Following the release of the first official pictures and a 'skeleton' information pack on its all-new Picanto earlier this month, Kia has spilled the beans on its engine line-up and has released a picture of its interior.

Kia South Africa has also confirmed that the new baby will reach local showrooms around the middle of the year and although the company cannot yet announce the local engine line-up, the spokesperson revealed that they are looking at both the new 1.0-litre and 1.2-litre Kappa petrol engines.

The 1.0-litre engine produces 51kW and 94Nm while the 1.2-litre is good for 63kW and 121Nm - Kia SA will surely capitalize on the latter engine to allow it to properly rival the new Chevrolet Spark.

The new engines promise greatly reduced CO2 emissions and improved fuel economy, with the 1-litre version even set to be available in flex fuel and bi-fuel guises in certain European markets. However, even the standard petrol engines are impressively clean, with CO2 emissions ranging between 95g/km and 105g/km.
The engines will be mated to a choice of five-speed manual or four-speed automatic transmissions, depending on the model.

Set to make its global debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March, the new Picanto is longer than the previous model, and boasts an extended wheelbase. Designers also addressed the current Picanto's excuse for a boot but increasing boot space by 27%.

The new Picanto's cabin offers more space for occupants too, and also promises to be a lot more sophisticated than the current model's, with available features including button-start with smart key and six or seven airbags, depending on model.

In certain markets, the Picanto will also be offered with a three-door bodystyle for the first time, in addition to the familiar five-door hatchback format.

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2011 Nissan Altima 2.5 S

Base Price: $22,060
Price as Tested: $23,735
This week, we're behind the wheel of Nissan's 2011 Altima 2.5 S, a 4-cylinder powered mid-size sedan that is high on amenities and consumer popularity. With an extremely attractive base price, customers can shop Nissan showrooms with full confidence that they are test driving one of Nissan's most reliable vehicles to date. Now in its fourth generation, Altima received a complete re-design in 2007 and remains stylish thanks to several facelifts along the way.
Notable is Nissan's take on inflation or lack thereof, as a base 2011 Altima starts at just $19,910...the exact same price as when we tested a 2009 model several years ago. More important is the fact that in 2009, the $19,910 model came with a manual transmission and no traction control, while the new 2011 Altima comes with an automatic transmission and traction control. Thus, while inflation is currently eating away at our fuel and food bills, Nissan is bucking the trend to keep consumers in a quality car that offers more for the money and rates high in "Consumer Reports" reliability ratings.
Built in Smyrna, Tennessee, Altima's "S" model adds $2,150 to the base price and features Intelligent Key, AM/FM/CD/auxiliary input audio system, driver and front-passenger seatback pockets, passenger visor vanity mirror and carpeted trunk lid trim. Personally, I don't see $2,150 here, but the choice is yours.
Under Altima's hood sits a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 175 horsepower and 180 lb. ft. of torque in 49 of the 50 states. However, just as the last time we tested an Altima, our tester came with California licensing, a state's where stricter emission rules result in lower ratings of 170 horses and 175 torque. The CVT transmission and engine combination work well, providing good acceleration band and torque. As for fuel mileage, Altima 2.5 is high on the chart, with 23 city and 32 highway EPA numbers.
Customers who demand more "go" for their money can check the Altima 3.5-series, which is powered by a 270-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. However, I still recommend Altima's 4-cylinder version over the V6 for two reasons; cost and fuel economy. Specifically, the V6 model 3.5 series starts at $24,750 and delivers 20 city and 27 highway with the CVT automatic.
Altima's interior is impressive, with a load of standard amenities. Included are all the powers, air conditioning, tilt and telescopic wheel, numerous cup holders, cruise with steering wheel controls, great sounding 6-speaker stereo CD, push button start, two 12-volt outlets and much more. The spacious rear seat is a 60/40 split design that folds down for trunk access.
Underneath, Altima features a fully independent four-wheel suspension with a multi-link rear design and front and rear stabilizer bars. Aiding in the stopping procedure are 4-wheel ABS disc brakes with electronic brakeforce distribution and vehicle dynamic control.
A Special Edition package for $750 more is recommended, as 16 inch alloy wheels, rear spoiler, fog lamps, auto headlamps, special edition badges and leather wrapped steering wheel with audio controls spruce up the Altima package.
Altima's safety offerings are excellent, as previous 5-Star government ratings in frontal and side crash and 4-Star in rollover are expected for the 2011 model. All the airbags, including advanced driver and passenger airbags with dual stage deployment, seat mounted front side airbags and front and rear side head curtain airbags located in the roof, come standard on all Altimas.
Important numbers include a wheelbase of 109.3-inches, 15.3 cu. ft. of luggage space, 20 gallon fuel tank, and a 3,193-pound curb weight.
Altima's core design and low price results in a car that is a good match for college students, business people, a growing family and baby boomers alike. Additionally, buyers can take solace knowing their 4-cylinder powered Altima comes well equipped regardless of options.
Nissan's Altima is a road worthy car that handles well, looks good and delivers excellent fuel economy. And with Nissan's "hold the price and give the consumer more" ideology, I expect this model to be a big winner in 2011.
Likes: Price, performance, fuel economy, room, design, reliability.
Dislikes: Options can push price too high, lots of plastic inside.
(Greg Zyla is a syndicated auto columnist).

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