Honda Fit Model 2011

Honda, Toyota, Saab, and Kia showed off concepts of electric cars at the two week-long Los Angeles Auto Show yesterday, but likely the most anticipated of the batch is the Honda Fit EV, a five-seater plug-in vehicle that can run up to 100 miles in a single charge, at up to 90 mph.

The Fit EV will offer three driving modes - Econ, Normal, and Sport—where drivers can adjust preferences for speed or energy efficiency. Its fastest mode, Sport, will generate the performance of a 2.0-liter gas engine, Honda claimed.

The Fit EV's motors are based on the Honda FCX Clarity's hydrogen fuel cells.

Interestingly, Fit EV users will also be able to monitor the status of charging batteries through their smartphones or a special remote control. The Fit's dashboard display will also instruct drivers when to turn off peripheral controls, like air-conditioning, to conserve a dying battery.

Yesterday Honda also unveiled a plug-in hybrid platform tailored for a yet-to-be-named sedan. According to a press release, the platform is "compatible with daily driving habits" such as short, frequent trips and long-distance driving capability. It can run 10-15 miles between charges and at a maximum speed of 62 mph. The platform incorporates a lithium-ion battery and a 120 kW electric motor.

Both the Fit EV and the hybrid platform will be introduced in the U.S. and Japan in 2012.

Not to be outdone, Toyota unveiled a second generation, all-electric version its RAV4 sports-utility vehicle powered by Tesla-manfactured lithium metal oxide batteries. Like the Fit, Toyota's SUV will be able to run 100 miles between charges.

The first RAV4 EV was launched in 1997 to meet California's zero-emissions mandate, but has sold less than 1,500 vehicles, according to EnergyEfficiencyNews.com.

The Toyota RAV4 EV is also slated for release in 2012.

Saab and Kia also showcased upcoming electric vehicles. The Kia Optima Hybrid, featuring Kia's own powertrain and a lithium polymer battery developed with LG Chem, will go on sale next year. Saab's 9-3 ePower, the company's first electric vehicle, has a projected cruising range of 200 kilometers. A small batch of the EV wagon will be launched in Sweden next year, the company said in a statement.

Source: www.pcmag.com

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All about Toyota Mirrors: Functions, Importance and Buying guide

by: Terry Brown

Most auto parts are important in the proper operation of an automobile. Meanwhile, some play a more important role in keeping the vehicle and its occupants safe. Auto Mirrors are some of the most important safety features of any automobile. We most often associate mirrors with vanity, but in automobiles, mirrors serve primarily for safety. Mirrors serve as a second pair of eyes for the driver by giving a good view, with a slight glance of the eye, of what is happening behind the vehicle without taking his eyes of the road. Visibility is always important and mirrors make sure that whatever is beyond the normal periphery of the driver's vision is made visible. Thus, the driver can react appropriately to whatever is happening behind him and avoid any accidents.

There are two basic types of auto mirrors: the rear view mirror and the side mirrors. The rear view mirror is a wide rectangular mirror that the driver's use to view anything behind the car. With a rear view mirror, the driver doesn't have to turn around to see what's going on behind the car. By simply glancing upward, the driver is able to see whether another car is coming too close or whether the rear of the car is about to hit something, for example, when parking. Rear view mirrors are indispensable in the safety of any car. In some cars, a "day/night" selector switch adjusts the tilt of the mirror so that it would divert most of the light striking it upwards to the car's headliner. This makes the mirror more useful as it minimizes the glare.

The other important types of mirrors are the side mirrors. Side mirrors are further divided into two kinds: driver's side mirrors and passenger's side mirror. The driver's side mirror is located at the driver's side of the car's body. As with the rear view mirror, the driver's side mirror provides an important view of whatever is behind or beside the car without the driver having to turn around. The mirror can be adjusted to match the necessary visibility position. The driver's side mirror is often adjusted manually outside the car. In some cars, the mirror can be adjusted inside the car by a series of cables. At the other side of the car's body is the passenger's side mirror, which has the same functions as the one on the driver's side.

Auto Mirrors are very important parts of any automobile. Without them, the safety of the vehicle and its occupants is greatly compromised. Thus, defective or damaged auto mirrors must be replaced at once so that the safety of the car and its passengers is not endangered. Replacement auto mirrors are some of the most common auto parts available. Toyota vehicle owners would find that Toyota Mirrors are readily available. If you are looking for aftermarket Toyota Parts such as Toyota mirrors, you should purchase only from a reliable and trusted auto parts supplier. Auto Parts Inner is a leading auto part store offering excellent quality Toyota Parts such as Toyota A/C Condensers, Toyota Fuel Tank, Toyota Bumpers, Toyota Floor Mats, Toyota Catalytic Converters, Toyota Headlights, Toyota Radiators and other essential auto parts. With their low prices, fast and efficient service and the durability and superb quality of their Toyota auto parts, Auto Parts Inner is your ultimate online auto parts shop.

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Toyota Corolla Specification and Technical Data

Corolla 1.8L
4-cyl 5-Speed
Manual
($15,450)

MECHANICAL/PERFORMANCE

• 1.8-liter DOHC 16-valve dual independent VVT-i 4-cylinder 132 hp @ 6000 rpm; 128 lb.-ft. @ 4400 rpm
• Emissions Rating Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEVII)
• Transmission 5-speed manual overdrive
• Body construction Unitized body
• Drivetrain Front engine, front-wheel drive
• Suspension Independent MacPherson strut front, torsion beam rear suspension with front and rear stabilizer bars (XRS adds sport strut tower brace)
• Steering Electric Power Steering (EPS): Power-assisted rack-and-pinion with electronic power-assist
• Turning circle diameter, curb to curb (ft.) 35.6
• 4-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) with Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist
• Vehicle Stability Control (VSC) [3] and Traction Control (TRAC) with off switch

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS

• Overall height 57.7
• Overall width 69.3
• Overall length 178.7
• Wheelbase 102.4
• Track (front/rear) 60.3/60.4
• Minimum running ground clearance 5.8

TIRES

• Size - Standard P195/65R15

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Toyota Yaris Specification

MECHANICAL AND PERFORMANCE

• Engine 1.5-Liter DOHC 16-Valve Variable Valve Timing with intelligence (VVT-i) 4-Cylinder; 106 hp @ 6000 rpm; 103 lb.-ft. @ 4200 rpm
• Ignition Electronic, with Toyota Direct Ignition (TDI)
• Emission rating Ultra Low Emission Vehicle II (ULEV-II)
• Transmission 5-speed manual 4-speed Electronically Controlled automatic Transmission (ECT)
• Drivetrain Front-wheel drive (FWD)
• Body construction Unitized body
• Suspension Independent MacPherson strut front, torsion beam rear suspension and front stabilizer bar
• Steering Electric Power Steering (EPS); power-assisted rack-and-pinion
• Turning circle diameter, curb to curb (ft.) 30.8
• Brakes Power-assisted ventilated front disc/rear drum with Anti-lock Brake System (ABS),
• Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist (BA)

EXTERIOR DIMENSIONS

• Height 60.0
• Width 66.7
• Length 150.6
• Wheelbase 96.9
• Track (front/rear) 58.3/57.9
• Ground clearance 5.5

INTERIOR DIMENSIONS front/rear

• Head room 39.4/37.9
• Shoulder room 51.4/50.4
• Hip room 50.0/46.7
• Leg room 40.3/33.8
• Seating capacity 5

TIRES

• Size P175/65R14 P185/60R15

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