Senin, 28 November 2005

Google Experiment: nworbxela

I first want to apologize for the inconsistency with this post. The reason why I have to do this is for a class experiment, so please disregard if this does not pertain to you.

The class experiment was inspired by the book The Google Story [Located Below] which points out 'power' google has acquired, from an internet marketing standpoint, in such a short period of time. By making up a word that produces no results "nworbxela" we are trying to see what will happen if the whole class blogs about this word "nworbxela". We want to know what type of results will derived from blogging about it.

In case you are wondering where "nworbxela" it is Alex Brown, our professor spelled back words.

Don't forget to purchase this GREAT book!!

The Peugeot Moovie

What the...?



Excerpt from Automobile Magazine:
Peugeot runs a worldwide design competition, for which the prize is awarded at the Geneva motor show in the spring. Then the company builds a full-scale concept car in time for Frankfurt in the fall. The Moovie is an agile and environmentally friendly city car designed by a young Portuguese, André Costa. Among the innovations are dual-function doors that house gigantic rear wheels and slide forward to access the two-seat interior. We aren't sure, however, about the dynamics of the rubber band rear wheels and the tiny fronts.

To see various views of the vehicle visit Peugeot Moovie Concept article.

Senin, 21 November 2005

$100,000 Volkswagen...Would you buy it?



Yes, if this is your first time hearing it, than that $100,000 price tag is correct. VW has made a small move into the luxury market in 2004 with its Volkswagen Phaeton. Their reasoning behind this move is to offer their loyal VW owners whose salaries and aspirations have grown beyond the company’s core models, like the Golf, Jetta and Passat, a top-notch luxury sedan. And, to prevent them from transitioning into the typical high-end automobile market such as BMW, Audi or Mercedes-Benz.

However, this endeavor goes against the grain of what this company was founded on years ago which is being a "people's car", translated in German is Volkswagen. This could be the main reason why the cheap Beetle was so successful.

Since the birth of the VW Phaeton sales have not been that pleasing and I believe the reason is due to the fact no one wants to pay $60,000-$100,000 for a Volkswagen. As a marketing person I believe this venture could have yield a greater return if instead of making an epensive VW they could have made an cheap Bentley (which VW also owns). Cosumers would more likely run after a deal with a $100,000 Bentley versus a $100,000 VW. Below is a way to determine whether a person should or should not buy the VW Phaeton.

Is this Phaeton for you?


Buy This Vehicle If: You had a Beetle in college, a Golf hatchback for your first job, a Jetta sedan when you had more money in the bank and a Passat when you got married and settled down. The next-step Phaeton will keep you in the VW family. Then again, isn’t that what Audi is for?

Keep Looking If: You demand a luxury badge to go with the luxury price; you like a sportier ride and/or better fuel economy.

Who Fits?: The Phaeton is commodious and easily accommodates five adults, unless equipped with the four-seater package. Power-adjustable seats should keep occupants of all sizes comfortable.

Options Worth Splurging On: Parking assist ($700)

Closest Competitors:
Audi A8
BMW 7 Series
Infiniti Q45
Jaguar XJ
Mercedes Benz S-Class

Senin, 14 November 2005

The Most Expensive Cars in the World

Here is a list of the top 10 most expensive cars in the world in the year 2005.

1) Saleen S7 Twin Turbo - originated from California and uses a 750-hp V-8 engine and is the worlds fastest and most expensive car totaling around $670,384.

2) Pagani Zonda C12S 7.3 convertible - Reaches speeds over 200mph. Country of Origin is Italy and the price tag is $598,025.

3) Koenigsegg CCR - originating from Sweden this car is so bad it's illegal in certain countries like the U.S. The price tag is $562,659.

4) Koenigsegg CC8S - Some home as #3, but less powerful still with a V-8 power--in this case, a superscripted unit that delivers 655 hp. Price tag: $522,120.

5) Porsche Carrera GT - Born in Germany this car is also the toy model diecast I bought this past summer. Price for what I bought it at ($24.99) and the actual price tag $484,151. Big Difference, huh?

6) Maybach 62 - Coming from Germany, a product of Mercendes Benz comes in 2 sizes 57 (Average people) and 62 (Pro-Athletes like Shaq). Price Tag: $457,991

7) Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren - Germany is it's home with a price tag of $456,526.

8) Maybach 57 - The little cousin of the Maybach 62 which luckily comes at a cheaper price tag $389,226.

9) Rolls-Royce Phantom - The car they consider to be driven in comes from Great Britain totaling $328,750 and is also owned by BMW. This car competes directly with the Maybachs.

10) Spyker C8 Double 12 S - The Netherlands is it's origin with a price tag of $325,560. The C8 Double 12 S uses a 400-hp, 4.2-liter Audi V-8 and has a very unique distinctive body style.

Selasa, 08 November 2005

FREE Bentley with the Purchase of Diamond Rims

How awesome is that? Buy some diamond rims and get a free Bentley GT. I know you are probably waiting for me to say sike because you just can't believe this deal, but it's true. Though, the catch is they are set of four Asanti diamond-encrusted wheels which run about millon dollars. And, by adding in the Bentley it turns out to be about $850,000 so do you really get a deal?



This Asanti brand which is the luxury line of the wheelmaker Lexani are the only company that offers real diamonds in their wheels. These 22-inch wheels can be ordered with sapphires, rubies or any other gem a prospective owner desires. The famous rapper Master P who also owns a set, helps promote the new rims.



Selasa, 01 November 2005

2005 Tokyo Motor Show

Dates for the general public were October 22 - November 6, 2005, however the press are able to enter October 19-20, 2005. Below is a list of vehicles that I have interest in with a breif description of each.

2007 Bugatti Veyron


After a long, public gestation period, the Veyron has graced magazine pages around the globe this month, as it makes its world premier in production form in Tokyo. Power output has been finalized at 987 horses at 6000 rpm, with 922 pound-feet of torque at just 2200. The direct-injection 8.0-liter W-16 has 64 valves and four turbos. Engine drives all four wheels (with a fixed 30/70 front/rear torque split) through a seven-speed DSG twin-clutch trans. Bugatti claims 0-60 mph in under 3.0 seconds, 0-124 mph in 6.0, and 0-186 mph in 14.0. Amazing numbers. VW boss Bernd Pischetsrieder admits the Veyron will not make money, even with a $1.2 million asking price. But he insists the total cost of designing, engineering, and manufacturing the world's ultimate supercar is less than it would cost VW for a single season of Grand Prix racing. "This is our Formula 1," he says.

Ferrari GG50

Giorgetto Giugiaro began his car designing career at Fiat in 1955. In the five decades since, he’s been responsible for some of the greatest car designs of all times, from the Maserati Ghibli, to the VW Golf. While at Bertone he designed two custom one-off Ferraris to order for special customers, but those were the only Ferraris on his resume until this one. At last year’s Paris auto show, he asked Piero Ferrari if he could design a special Ferrari to celebrate his 50th anniversary as a stylist. Ferrari consented whole-heartedly, insisting he use a 612 Scaglietti as a basis. The maestro shortened the overhangs and relocated the fuel tank to beneath the trunk floor, freeing up luggage space and enabling a rear hatch with fold-down rear seatbacks. The visual mass of the car is concentrated at the rear, and the B-pillars are removed. Folding the front seatbacks causes the rear windows to retract to ease entry to the rear seat. The interior is redesigned, but retains all Ferrari switchgear and underlying structure. The bodywork is in carbon fiber. The GG50 is not a concept car, it is a runner that Giugiaro intends to drive. Happy 50th Sr. Giugiaro, and to the Tokyo Motor Show too.



Lexus LF-Sh

Toyota officials will deny it, but this rakish sedan is the next generation Lexus LS. The LF-Sh showcases what are now two key Lexus product trends: sporty styling, and a hybrid powertrain. The LF-Sh shows the next Lexus LS will be aimed at luxury car buyers who don’t like the bold look of the new S-class Mercedes or BMW 7-series, though the car features a raised trunk that’s clearly inspired by Chris Bangle’s work. This next-generation LS will be all new, with a new platform, new suspension, new transmission, a more sophisticated VDIM integrated stability control system, and a new V-8 engine with Toyota’s new, innovative D-4S dual injection system, which injects fuel into the ports like a conventional fuel injection system, as well as directly into the combustion chamber. The top of the range LS will feature a hybrid powertrain tuned to deliver high performance while delivering class-leading fuel economy. Finally, the new LS will be available in two wheelbases. This is the standard wheelbase version: the long wheelbase car will feature an extra 3-4 inches in the wheelbase, all of it devoted to rear passenger legroom.

Print list of cars.
Print extended list of cars.