Monday, June 30, 2008

Jessica Simpson Wet and Sexy pics





Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4


To a large extent Lamborghini exists today because of the Gallardo. While the Murcielago has always remained the top model in the company’s line-up, it was strong sales of the Gallardo that allowed it to reach profitability after almost 30 years of losses. At its initial launch back in 2003 there was the worry that this new ‘entry-level’ Lamborghini would dilute the brand’s exclusive cachet. As the first model completely designed under the watchful and sensible eye of Audi, there was also some concern the carmaker was expanding its market share at the cost of exclusivity and heritage.

But once the first trickle of reviews came in, all fears were put to rest, and the new car was able to strike an almost impossible balance between accessibility and exclusivity. It’s since gone on to become the Italian marque’s most successful model to date - selling around 7,100 units - and its reputation as an everyday supercar is the best descriptor of the new Lamborghini: outrageous but still entirely livable.

However, Lamborghini was never one to rest on its laurels. Just as it had done with the Murcielago and the more extreme LP640 variant, designers also tinkered with the Gallardo and added some extra kit to make it a much more vicious machine. Put on a diet, the brand new LP560-4 loses 20kg over the standard model and is given another 40hp (30kW) for extra bite. The most significant changes come in the form of a new aerodynamic package that improves downforce considerably and makes the car a far more formidable track weapon than the standard Gallardo.

Technical
Named for its 560hp (418kW) output and 4WD powertrain, the latest incarnation of the Gallardo impresses on several fronts. With its highly-strung 5.2L V10 the LP560-4 has stunning performance, accelerating to 62mph (100km/h) in just 3.7 seconds and going on to reach a top speed in excess of 200mph (320km/h).

The engine emits a deep bellow when pushed, and is most brutal in the lower end of the rev-range where it seems to summon the most force. Hitting the top end is equally exciting because the torque curve remains flat and stable throughout the rev-range.

It’s strange to think of the self-titled ‘Most outrageous car company’ considering emissions and fuel economy in its marketing materials, however even Lamborghini is beginning to think about tough new pollution regulations to be ratified by the EU. For this reason it has introduced a new Bosch direct injection system, giving the LP560-4 more power and torque but better fuel-efficiency and lower emissions than the previous Gallardo.

Styling and interior
Lamborghini has updated the Gallardo’s shell to bring it more in to line with the Murcielago and recent Reventon concept. You can clearly see the family resemblance in the new model with giant air dams and new lights in the front.

The rear has also been altered significantly, with cooling vents, new rear lights and bumper plus a redesigned diffuser all contributing to its changed appearance. In what may be a subconscious nod to its German cousin, the LP560-4’s rear looks a little like the Audi R8’s. The rear lights are now positioned in a ‘Y structure’ and the same motif appears in the front LED daytime running lights.

Sitting inside, the interior resembles that of the regular Gallardo. The seats are set extremely low but leg and shoulder room are generous for both driver and passenger. Lamborghini offers the LP560-4 with either leather or Alcantara upholstery for the seats, and the same options are given for various accents around the cabin.

While the interior hasn’t changed much from the pre-facelift model, the driving experience certainly has. Gone is the instability during high speed cornering and the tendency to understeer that were the negative hallmarks of the Gallardo. The LP560-4’s new aerodynamics package has significant effect at speed, and the front spoiler and rear diffuser work together to improve aerodynamic efficiency by a staggering 31%.

On the road
The optional carbon-ceramic brakes are also excellent, though we wish Lamborghini would follow cross-town rival Ferrari’s example and make them standard on the new model. Still, there’s not much to complain about when you’re spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on a car and the brakes deliver up to 1.2g of seatbelt-straining force.

With its high-revving engine, excellent four-wheel drive system, improved down force and powerful brakes, the LP560 is more confident around a track than the Gallardo. The suspension has also been tuned and lightened, and is adept at keeping the car stable during high-speed cornering. Body roll is now almost non-existent.

Steering the car through the pedals was necessary more than a few times, especially when understeer reared its ugly head. However, these were rare occasions and generally the car was responsive to our steering inputs. The transmission comes in three modes, Normal, Sport and Corsa, with the final being the most hardcore option. In Corsa mode the gear shifts are around 40% faster than normal. There’s also a launch control option, during which both brake and accelerator are depressed, locking revs at 5,000rpm and sending the Gallardo off while matching traction with power perfectly.

The LP560-4 isn’t brilliant in all areas though. The carbon-ceramic brakes still lack proper feel for stop-and-go traffic, a problem we’ve noticed on a number of other cars fitted with them, including the McLaren SLR (not sold here) and the Porsche Carrera GT (now out of production). The extremely low front spoiler also makes the car hard to take around town and even when you do use the handy front-raising feature there’s still the occasional painful sound of grating metal.

Final verdict
The LP560-4 takes Lamborghini’s biggest success and changes the formula - as a driver’s car, it is devastatingly quick and a delight to throw around a track but as just a car, a daily driver, the old Gallardo made more sense. Then again, when did buying a Lamborghini ever make sense?

Ferrari 599 GTO Mugello concept to be built


Back in April Michiel van den Brink designed the ‘Ferrari 599 GTO Mugello’, a concept car based on the Ferrari 599 that implemented design elements from vintage Ferraris. He’s now announced that his vision will make it to production with the help of his business partner Robert Koumans, and by Dutch specialist coachbuilder Hietbrink, which is known for its painstaking rebuilding and restoration work on old Ferraris.

Most impressive is that this talented young (he’s only 28) designer started his design consultancy Vandenbrink Design this year and is already preparing to produce a car.
Little is known about the concept, which has had its name changed to the Vandenbrink GTO, as Michiel is currently in discussions with other customers. Apart from the external body changes we’re hoping for some modifications under the hood to make this car as fast as it looks.

It looks like custom Ferrari coachbuilding is becoming more common as collectors and enthusiasts demand custom pieces that suit their needs. Two recent examples have been the Glickenhaus P4/5 and the 612 Scaglietti ‘K’.

Jeraul :...Ferrari is my dream car...
Here is the beginning of my post. And here is the rest of it.

Titanic's Secret Discovery Revealed - Antiquities


The rusted prow of the R.M.S. Titanic, found in 1985 at the bottom of the North Atlantic Ocean, is seen in an undated photo.

The discovery of the ill-fated ocean liner stemmed from a secret United States Navy investigation of two wrecked nuclear submarines, according to a new revelation by
explorer Robert Ballard.

Photograph by Emory Kristof/NGS

Titanic Was Found During Secret Cold War Navy Mission
John Roach
NGC
June 2, 2008
The 1985 discovery of the Titanic stemmed from a secret United States Navy investigation of two wrecked nuclear submarines, according to the oceanographer who found the infamous ocean liner.

Pieces of this Cold War tale have been known since the mid-1990s, but more complete details are now coming to light, said Titanic's discoverer, Robert Ballard



"The Navy is finally discussing it," said Ballard, an oceanographer at the University of Rhode Island in Narragansett and the Mystic Aquarium and Institute for Exploration in Connecticut.

Ballard met with the Navy in 1982 to request funding to develop the robotic submersible technology he needed to find the Titanic.

Titanic Gallery:

chandelier dangles from its wires in front of the opening that housed the grand staircase of Titanic.

Submersibles on the expedition approach the bow of the Titanic.

Actor Bill Paxton, narrator of the Titanic documentary Ghosts of the Abyss, and pilot Genya Chernaiev, approach the wreck of the Titanic in one of the MIR submersibles.

The Russian submersible MIR illuminates a portion of Titanic's deck. "For Ghosts of the Abyss we took these beautiful 3-D stereoscopic high definition images of the ship in all these different places—using the real wreck as the stage, if you will—and we reproduced what people were doing at that exact moment in time," said director James Cameron.

Thursday, June 26, 2008

Tim Mcgraw fight video


Tim McGraw was singing the song “Indian Outlaw” when he spotted a man assaulting a female fan in the audience.

He shouted “Get rid of this guy, security!” and pulled the rowdy man out of the
crowd and up onto the stage.

The man wanted to fight Tim McGraw, but the security guards came in between and take the man off stage.

Here is the Tim Mcgraw fight video...

World's 1st eyeball tattoo


Pauly Unstoppable from Canada has got the world’s 1st eye tattoo. The process involves forty insertions of a needle to turn a body-art fan’s eye blue. Pauly said that “The procedure was extensively researched and done by people who were aware of
the risks & possible complications and that it should not be casually attempted.

More pictures on World’s 1st Eyeball Tattoo can be found at www.alltechnoblog.com/world’s-1st-eyeball-tattoo

Tuesday, June 24, 2008

Getting More Clicks For Your Adsense Ads

An interesting post by bloggeroftheweb.com dated 8th June. Seems like he can get 4 clicks with only 14 ad impressions in his Adsense ads by simply doing only one thing. He places a large 336 x 280 adsense box immediately under the post title in his blog. To prevent charges that he is going against Google Adsense T.O.S (“Ads
shouldn’t be placed under a title or section heading in a way that implies that the ads are not ads”) he colors the boxes a bright yellow. Thus, there is no way anybody can mistake this ad box for actual blog content. Also there is no way anybody can miss out this ad box on the way toward reading the content of the post, which is placed immediately beneath the box.

If Google allows this, this could represent another way to get more clicks on your ads. This should considerably help those bloggers who depend mostly on Adsense ads for income. To read the full article, click here.

Eyeball Tattoo the making...


Video from Youtube.com. How they make eyeball tattoo.
How stupid are you to do that on your eye. Are you ready to make yours eyeball tattoo guys???
Here is the beginning of my post. And here is the rest of it.

Adsense: The More Expensive The Keywords, The Better Your Profits

Not every topic you write about can give you a good income through adsense clicks, even if you have thousands of subscribers. The powers-that-be in Google have dictated that the advertisements that get pasted onto your website must be contextually relevant to your posts. That is, if you write about dogs, you will find ads about dogs and dog-related items all over your website. It would be very unusual to find an advertisement for, say, life insurance in a blog or post dedicated to dogs, unless the post was about insurance for dogs or insurance against attacks by dogs.
Thus the whole concept of keywords becomes relevant. An advertiser for life insurance would bid on specific keywords or search terms that he feels would be typed in by people who search for articles for life insurance. Thus if searchers for life insurance type in these keywords, this advertisement would appear on the search results. Similarly, the advertisement would appear on websites which mention the same keywords in their posts.

Some keywords or search terms will be more popular than others as advertisers would feel that these will be more likely typed in by searchers. For example, if you wanted to look for articles on insurance, you would tend to type in search terms such as: insurance, life, risks, insurance claims, etc. Advertisers would likely then be prepared to pay more for these keywords to ensure that their advertisements show on the search results as well as websites focussing on life insurance, the point being that the target market is more focussed on this topic, and therefore more likely to view his advertisement. Mr. Google benefits everytime somebody clicks on the ads, of course, and he is prepared to share a percentage of the spoils with the owner of the website if these ads show up on his website. It is logical to assume that the higher an advertiser pays for a keyword, the higher the amount Google pays per click to the website owner.

Bloggers, particularly bloggers who are in it for the money, are thus looking at things from a whole new angle. Instead of writing on what you are interested in and hope that you earn an income from adsense clicks, you will now do things another way: you will try to identify expensive keywords and create posts, and even websites, that are built around these keywords.

Intelligent internet marketers who can see far ahead of anybody else have been quick to take advantage of the situation. Many are the ads that have sprung up offering

keyword software programs, which save you the trouble of trying to analyze and identify the most profitable keywords. One of them is by Brad Callen. This software also helps find high traffic, cheap keywords for use in PPC ads. For further details, please click here.

Source www.fortuneblogger.com.

Why Some E-Business Fail

An extremely high percentage of the e-businesses who fail do so because the business concept itself is poorly thought out. If the idea sounds ludicrous as a real-world proposition- A high fashion shoes by mail order catalogue for example, fails because high-fashion customers do not buy from catalogue because they prefer to be seen in high-end stores and try different items for style and comfort
Before you try to set up an electronic business, take the core idea and workout how you could make it pay in the real world, without any help from the Net. If you can see a way for it to make money, the it should translate successfully to the web. Most succesful web site can be translated suuccessfuly into mail order business, magazine/fanzine or book iseals, games clubs, society, prfessional services or research services. Direct sale of products should always be considered a mail order business, because that is how it translate in the public mind- and that means that goods that do not sell well by mail order do not necessarilly sell well online.

Sarawak Oil Royalti

Sarawak Oil Royalty
Posted on 16 June 2008

In the last parliament sitting, there are not many questions from Sarawak MP. KAPIT (YB Alexander Linggi) asked whether the federal gov’t is considering giving 20% oil royalty to Sarawak - the answer is a BIG NO!. Sarawak being an oil producing state is one of the three most backward state in Malaysia - how can that be? Are we
spending too much money on project that are not generating profit for the people or are we so corrupted that the government used the money to lay foundation for politically link company to reap rich benefit from the “project”.

Detail Info:

Royalty paid by Petronas from March 2004 to March 2007:

Petronas pay Federal gov’t: $13.4 billion
Petronas pay Trengganu : 7.3 billion
Petronas pay Sarawak : 4.8 billion
Petronas pay Sabah : 1.2 billion
This based on the formula fixed at 5% or half of the royalty enjoyed by the Federal government.

Oil production for each state FOR YEAR ENDING APRIL 2007

Trengganu : 133.7 million barrel
Sarawak : 79. 0 million barrel
Sabah : 28.6 million barrel
Gas production:

Trengganu : 748.2 billion cubic feet
Sarawak : 1,292 billion cubic feet
Sabah : 41.2 billion cubic feet
Total sales of Petronas’ petroleum and gas products as at March 2007

RM $165.3 billion
In my opinion, 5% royalty to Sarawak is simply too small (RM$4.8 billion for 3 years) - at 20% for 3 years =$19.2 billion. Nadai salah bala MP kitai pindah ngagai Pakatan Rakyat - for that kind of money, minus white termite, a lot of development progress especially road, water and electricity could be improved from the current low standard.

How does the Sarawak government used this money. In Bintulu, the road leading to the MLNG plant, ABF, Bintulu Port and Shell BCOT has not being resurface since 20 years ago. There are many fatal accidents caused by poor road surface. The condition of other road ( Ulu Sebauh Road etc), electricity supply to longhouses that are close to electricity distribution station, poor school condition - all of these seems to be the function of other ministries - so where is the oil royalty used?

Has our Sarawak oil money being used to ensure ketuan Melayu - financing so many fail UMNO related business. Are sarawak oil money the “prize” of UMNO politician.

We felt that the Sarawak natives has been left behind in economic term. The timber sales has not given the natives much benefit - Chinese companies - Samling, Shin Yang, KTS. WTK, Rimbunan Hijau etc reap most of the money - how do Dayaks loose such riches - if not for the self interest of those in power. All these must change!

Source : DayakBaru.com

Officials Website To Protes Fuel Hike, Launched

Got from my email ...

http://www.geramm.org/

The ongoing organize campaign and objection against the increase of oil price must be done. It is needed to display the people’s indignant and dissatisfaction against the increment from ruling party BN. Being conscious and aware of the people’s enigma throughout the country, therefore the people’s alliance youth as well as other NGO which among them are Anwar Ibrahim Club (Anwar Ibrahim Club), Persatuan Kebangsaan Pelajar Islam Malaysia (PKPIM) have integrates and organize a campaign called Gerakan Rakyat Anti Manipulasi Minyak (GERAMM).

By default GERAMM is cater specifically as a marketing engine and massa exploitation for one big gigantic protest of the oil increment in Kuala Lumpur. To accomplish these mission, GERAMM.ORG website were develop as an archives center of information of all the activities, general talk and speech as well as a “hub” to all the blog links and website which supports GERAMM.
Gerakan Rakyat Anti Manipulasi Minyak (GERAMM) is a youth alliance which forms a solidarity to express the hesitation and objection against the increase of oil price that was announced by the ruling goverment early June this year.

The increment which stretch of over 41% of increase was a direct manipulation to the people regardless other increment in the country which without failure makes the people’s suffer.
GERAMM will act as a platform for the youth to express themself the agony and manipulation of the oil price increment which was done deliberately by the goverment without hassle and prejudice.
GERAMM are join by Angkatan Muda Keadilan Malaysia, Dewan Pemuda PAS Pusat, Pemuda Sosiolis DAP, IKRAR, dan Kelab Anwar Ibrahim (AIC).

All activities, general talk n speeches as well as information to be given to GERAMM can be done via email at maklumat@geram.org
please support us by link-back http://www.geramm.org/ banner on ur website/blog....the linkback code u can get here: http://www.geramm.org/v1/?page_id=38

Ferrari Dino: 40 years between myth and legend


Ferrari Dino is one of the most important car models created by the Ferrari company.

There have been rumours for some years now about a new Dino model, and even if CEO Luca Cordero di Montezemolo keeps on denying this possibility, the new Dino should show off its face before the end of this decade.

Many articles have been written about the new model, but to understand the significance of this car, we have to think back to its history in the past, and not only the 40 years since it was first produced.


Enzo Ferrari, founder of Ferrari and a great pilot himself with Alfa Romeo, continued driving until the birth of his first son, in 1932, Alfredo Ferrari, called Dino. He was an excellent mechanical engineer, supposed to be the main designer of the 1.5 L DOHC V6 engine for the Formula 2 races. We came to know later that he just helped and encouraged the engineer Vittorio Jano to plan and improve the V6 and V8 engines, that were later basic in the development of many road cars, as the ones who took his name, “Dino”.

Dino Ferrari could not continue his work on this engines because he was hit by muscular dystrophy, and died at the age of 24 in 1955, but he was fundamental for the development of this kind of engine.

The month of october 1965 can be considered, in the abstract, as the date of birth of the first Dino, because at the Paris Auto Show was presented the first prototype
of the “Dino Berlinetta Speciale“, with a red exterior and a coachwork by Pininfarina.

The following two years saw the multiplication of Dino prototypes, with different interiors and many different exterior colors, with a Dino 206 S showed at the 1966 Turin Car Show that was very similar to the final one.

Finally, in the 1968, we have the first known production of a official Dino, the Dino 206 GT, that appeared in the july of the same year in the factory sales brochure. The 206 GT had a 2.0 L V6 engine, that let it reach the maximum speed of 146 mph (235km/h). It was characterized by soft edges and curving lines typical of earlier Italian cars. The estimated production of this first model has been of 152 cars, of which 99 only in that first year.

The reason of this limited production was the official introduction of its successor, the Dino 246 GT, at the Geneva Auto Show in the month of march of 1969. It was a fixed-top GT coupe, but since february 1972 Ferrari started producing an open Spyder GTS. The engine was developed in a 2.4 L V6, and it was different from the previous one also because of 2 rows of 7 vent holes in the engine compartment lid, one more vent hole than the 206 GT. The Dino’s 2.4L V6 engine was then fundamental in many other Italian cars, as the Lancia Stratos or the Fiat Dino.

The Dino 246 GT was undoubtfully the most successfull of its family, considering the period, with a production of 3,761 cars in the 5 years it has been built by Ferrari.

Since 1973 until 1980 Ferrari produced the 308 GT4 (pic to the right), initially branded as Dino, which had to find the perfect mix between the sport car and the possibility of having a capacity of 4 people.

It was designed by Bertone, and not by Pininfarina, and the difference was obvious looking at the strange angular lines, entirely different from the classical and curvaceous forerunner, the Dino 246 GT.
This controversial styling made this model have less success than the previous, but anyway the Ferrari in 1975 started producing the 208 GT 4, with a depowered engine.

Both models were important because they represented the first production Ferraris to feature the mid-engined V8 engine, and were sold on the whole 3,761 cars.

Ferrari Dino made the history of the Italian brand, and it is still a legend, as showed by many books that have been written about it, and by the existence of a website dedicated only to this magical car: www.dinoregister.com

Top Speed Police Car of The World


Today we will see the Police Car of Different Countries. Please have a look at these cars and give your opinions.

Country :Germany
Model : Lamborgini Gallardo..
Max Speed : 320km/hr

Country : USA
Model : Victoria RMP
Max. Speed : It's NYPD

Country : Thailand
Model : Nissan Cedric
Max. Speed : 290 km/hr

Country : Korea
Model : Hyundai Sonata
Speed : 240 km/hr

Country :England
Model : porsche
Max. Speed : Do I Need To Tell You Speed

Country : Spain
Model : Audi TT
Max. Speed : 280km/hr

Country : France
Model : Peageut Sports GT
Max. Speed : 280km/hr

Country : Japan
Model : Lancer Evo IX
Max. Speed : 280km/hr
.
.
.
.


Now for the Ultimate Police Car in the World !!!
(This Country Has 89,000 Crores Defence Budget)


Country : India
Model : 1960 Mahindra Jeep
Max. Speed : Not disclosed due to Security Reasons

Monday, June 23, 2008

Standard Of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping 95 (STCW 95)

I am a new mariner now... 2 weeks ago i have attend STCW Course at Pelita Maslaut at Sibu. This course is important for people who want to apply jobs in ship and offshore.
I have been there for 5 days starts on 9 - 13 June 2008. My fasilitator is En. Rahman Aris .. ex NAVY (my father's friend)
Now I'm waiting for my Basic Safety Training Certificates from Pelita. The certificates must be approved by Marine Department of Malaysia before Pelita Maslaut send back to me.

1. Basic Safety Training (BST) – The STCW 95 Code requires that you take this 5-day course of instruction. BST is actually 4 courses – Basic Firefighting, Personal
Survival, Personal Safety and Social Responsibility, and Elementary First Aid. This course has to be renewed every 5 years, or under certain conditions, you have to show that you have at least 1 year of service on board vessels of 200 grt or more within the last 5 years..

1. Basic Safety Training (BST) – Unless you have been on board a vessel that has a routine training and drill program (good only until Feb 1, 2002), you have to take this 5-day course of instruction. BST is actually 4 courses – Basic Firefighting, Personal Survival, Personal Safety and Social Responsibility, and Elementary First Aid. This course has to be renewed every 5 years.

I really enjoy this course expecially when use the firefighting suit with compressed air in Firehouse and personal survival in the water.

Thursday, June 5, 2008

Perodua MYVI

The Perodua Myvi is a supermini/subcompact car launched in 2005 by Malaysian car maker Perodua. The Myvi was the result of Perodua's collaboration with Toyota and Daihatsu. Based on the second generation Daihatsu Sirion/Boon, the MyVi is also similar in design as the Toyota Passo.
The launch of the Perodua Myvi was significant as it marked first time Perodua competed head-to-head with Proton, the first Malaysian national car maker, which would release a similarly classed Proton Savvy.

Early reports[citation needed] indicated the Myvi led in both sales and popularity against the Savvy. The Myvi 1.3 beat the Savvy 1.2 as the "Car of the Year 2005/2006", held by Autocar Malaysia, a magazine for car buyers in Malaysia. The Edge Daily, a local financial news media reported that Myvi sales have far surpassed its initial expectations and has been selling extremely well since its rollout in April.

Proton's Savvy, available to the market a few months after the launch of the MyVi, had not affected Myvi sales. Observing the strong demand for the Myvi, it boosted sales of vehicles in the country and Perodua's market share in 2006. The MyVi is the best selling car for 2006 and 2007 in Malaysia.

The car was made available in five variations: 1.0SR (manual), 1.3SX (manual), 1.3EZ (auto), 1.3SXi (manual), and 1.3EZi (auto). Perodua also launched a limited edition of MyVi, branded as a "Sport Edition", which sports a full bodykit. The MyVi was also made available with dual airbags, ABS, and DVVT engine.

Colors available on the MyVi include Ebony Black, Olive Green, Glittering Silver, Ozzy Orange, Classic Gold, Mistique Red, Mocha Silver and Pearl White.

Techical specifications
Engine: EJ-VE (1.0 - Water-Cooled, 4-Cycle, In-line 3-cylinder), and K3-VE (1.3 - Water-Cooled, 4-Cycle, In-line 4-cylinder); DVVT
Total displacement: 989 cc, and 1298 cc.
Max. output (DIN): 43 kW (58 hp) / 6000 rpm, 64 kW (86 hp) / 6000 rpm
Max. torque (DIN): 88 N·m (65 ft·lbf) / 3600 rpm, 116 N·m (86 ft·lbf) / 3200 rpm
Fuel system: EFI
Fuel tank capacity: 40 L (11 US gal/9 imp gal)

Technical Features
Dynamic variable valve timing(DVVT)system has been employed.
Resin intake manifold
Formed urethane is injected to the A-pillar,centre pillar and B-pillar for noised insulation.( a first for PERODUA)
Immobilizer system.
Pedestrian injury reduction body construction.
A new 4-hole injector is applied.
Underbody air flow regulating item.
Resin made cylinder headcover integrated with air cleaner case.(EJ-VE)
Flexible flywheel for reduced vibration during running.(Manual Transmission)

Proton Persona

The Proton Persona (known as the Proton Gen-2 Persona in the UK) is a small family car manufactured by Malaysian national carmaker Proton since August 2007 and is the successor to the Proton Wira.
Body
The Proton Persona is essentially a saloon based on the Gen-2 hatchback introduced in 2004, and inherits the Persona name from rebadged Wiras sold in certain countries. It addresses several main flaws of the Gen-2, although the Gen-2 itself remains in sale.

The most noticeable difference of the Persona from the Gen-2 is the a separate, larger boot, making it better suited to the local market, as Malaysians prefer saloons (an obvious fact overlooked by Proton's former management).[citation needed] More importantly, the roofline slopes less, addressing the many complaints on the lack of rear headroom.

Interior
The interior was redesigned to incorporate a glovebox at the dashboard, an accessory that was not available in the Gen-2. The obtrusive analog clock present in the Gen-2's dashboard has also been replaced by a digital one that now resides in the digital display on the instrument panel. In addition, the door trims and panels were modified to feature more ergonomic window switches and door handles, and the pseudo-racing seats were replaced by more conventional and comfortable ones. Fit and finish is noticeably improved a lot and so are the suspension setting as well because it is tuned more to comfort.

A revised version of the Gen-2 launched on March 3, 2008 also incorporates the interior trims of the Persona.

Engine
The 1.6 liter Campro engine in the Persona is the same 82 kW (110 hp) unit used in other Proton models but with an improved cast aluminum oil pan design that reduces the chances of damage. A transmission control unit re-calibration on models with automatic transmissions reduces the hunting of gears and improves gear changes in an attempt to mask the dip in the torque curve in the lower and middle rev ranges. It has been announced that in early 2008 the Persona will be equipped with new Campro engines that incorporate a new variable-geometry intake manifold module (Campro IAFM engine) which improves low-end torque and high-rev breathing.

With a more attractive price tag that ranges from RM44,999 to RM55,800 (about RM10,000 cheaper than the equivalent Gen-2), demand of the Persona continues to outstrip supply. Over 2,000 pre-launch bookings were made.[1] Within two weeks after launch, the figure increased to 11,000 bookings. Demand hit close to 19,000 bookings barely 2 weeks later. Originally intending to produce Personas at a rate of 4,000 cars per month, Proton has pledged to ramp up the production to 8,000 units per month to meet the unforeseen demand.

As a result of the Persona's debut, sales for the Proton Waja and the Proton Gen-2 significantly slowed down, causing Proton dealers to offer large amounts of discounts up to RM 9,000 to sell off the remaining models of Waja and Gen-2. This has been somewhat offset by the release of the new CPS engine in the Waja and Gen-2, which attempts to place the latter two models in a slightly higher market segment.

Tuesday, June 3, 2008

10 Most Outrageous Cars of 2008

10 Most Outrageous Cars of 2008

With all the changes in the automotive world, there's never a shortage of crazy ideas floating around.
Fortunately for car enthusiasts, many of those wacky ideas actually see the light of day -- and we've got the 10 best for you right here.

Environmental-friendliness and a concern over high gas prices are the driving forces in today's auto trends, according to Wes Siler, road test editor for the popular car Web site.

Siler says the hybrid and "green" car revolution is here to stay, but that the supercar market is a niche one and there'll always be someone willing to shell out big bucks for an exotic ride.

With that in mind, here are 10 of the most outrageous, extravagant, or just plain cool autos to look for in the coming year, from green car to supercar and beyond:

1. Lamborghini Reventon

To start off, here's the car that you absolutely can't own, no matter how much money you're willing to spend.
Only 20 of these fighter jet-inspired supercars will be made, and they've already sold at over $1 million a piece. Still, it may be one of the most talked-about exotic cars of the past year, and is certainly worth keeping an eye out for on the roads.

2. Smart Fortwo

Small enough to fit in half a parking space, these zippy little cars can reach up to 90 miles an hour, all while getting 33 miles to the gallon, according to the company specs.
With a base price of only $11,000, it's the perfect replacement for that road-hogging SUV

3. Bugatti Veyron


Most of us regular drivers shouldn't even worry about getting our hands on one, because at just over $1.5 million, the Veyron is one of the most expensive (albeit fastest) cars on the planet

4. Tesla Roadster

At first glance its Ferrari-like body, $98,000 price tag and sub-four-second zero-to-60 time look like any other high-performance supercar, but there's a catch. The Tesla is actually the world's first fully electric supercar. The Roadster has no backup gas tank whatsoever, just a rechargeable electric engine that the company claims will get you up to 220 miles on a single charge. Production has already started, so expect to see them hit the streets in the next few months.

5. International CXT

The International Truck and Engine Corporation recently released the largest production pickup truck on the roads. Built on the same platform as a dump truck, it's the everyday pickup on steroids. The perfect six-figure truck for the boy in all of us who still remembers playing with Tonka Toys when they were younger.

6. Hummer HX

Designed as Hummer's competition for the Jeep Wrangler, the HX takes some styling cues from its bigger brothers and adds a few tweaks. What you get is a small, off-road capable, convertible truck that will be a welcome addition for Hummer fans feeling the effects of high gas prices.

7. Scion Hako

Scion has never been accused of making plain cars, and its latest coupe concept is no different. Resembling an orange box with wraparound windows, the Hako will definitely turn heads and create a love it or hate it opinion similar to every Scion car before it. The younger generation is once again Scion's market, as the Hako includes plenty of interior technology, such as Bluetooth phone capability and video cameras instead of side view mirrors, with the images shown on screens inside the doors.

8. Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe


Described as less eco-friendly and more ego-friendly, the newest offering from the classically opulent automaker is a two-door sporting car sure to get you noticed. Designed more to be driven and not driven in, in contrast to most previous Rolls models, the Phantom Coupe is sleek, fast and fun. The extravagance continues to the interior, where a "starlight" headliner entertains passengers with flickering lights resembling the night sky.

9. Jeep Renegade

The boldly styled Renegade is an open-air off-road 4x4, but with an electric motor. Jeep uses one of these motors (which get up to 40 miles on a charge) on each axle for true four-wheel drive.
Meanwhile, a backup diesel engine will get you where you need on longer drives. Jeep finishes off the unique design by covering the truck's exterior with rubber accents, hidden storage compartments, and shortened windshield and doors.

10. Maybach 62 S

The newest model in the ultra-lavish Maybach lines solidifies the company's understanding of the word "luxury." Even though its turbocharged engine can get all 6,200 pounds accelerating at Ferrari-like speeds, if you're the one driving this car then you're doing it wrong.