The Chicago Auto Show Hosts the World Debut of a Number of New Vehicle Models

The 2012 Chicago Auto Show has recently served as the venue for the global debut of a number of new vehicle models. Most of these car makers are planning to penetrate the global automobile market this year and this is the main reason why they took the opportunity to launch their line-ups at the windy city since this is one of the most popular auto shows held annually.
This strategy usually pays well because a lot of car buyers across the globe who are in the market for new automobiles are considering the Chicago Auto Show as the best way to learn about the upcoming car models that would surely hit the dealerships worldwide by the time they decide to buy their next vehicles. Among the car manufacturers who launched their global car models at the Chicago Auto Show are the following.
1. Acura
Acura launched two of its latest vehicle models that the brand would be selling in different automobile markets across the globe at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. These are the 2013 Acura ILX and the redesigned Acura RDX. The 2013 Acura ILX sedan will serve as the replacement for the outgoing TSX model. This is offered in three drivetrains which will also include Acura's first hybrid vehicle. The ILX is based on the platform used by the Honda Civic. In addition to this, the ILX shares the powertrains and the underpinnings found on the Civic.
The redesigned Acura RDX crossover on the other hand was the refreshed version of its predecessor. Acura has changed the engine used in the RDX by replacing the 2.3-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with a bigger and more powerful 3.5-liter V-6 engine. Due to this, the RDX gained a significant boost in power, 33 horsepower to be exact. In addition to this, Acura used a new transmission on the latest version of the RDX and this was the 6-speed automatic transmission that is equipped with a new lockup torque converter.
2. Chrysler Group
Just like Acura, two of the global models from the Chrysler group have made its world debut at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show. This includes the Ram full-sized pickup and Chrysler's 300 S. The Ram brand presented the Laramie Limited which is a special edition of its heavy-duty as well as light-duty pickups. The Laramie is fully loaded with impressive features such as the upscale leather elements on its door and seats as well as the black interior trim pieces made of high-gloss materials.
Chrysler on the other hand introduced the blacked-out version of the Chrysler 300 sedan dubbed as the "Mopar '12." This will be offered as a limited edition vehicle with unique elements of styling and an upgraded gear ratio for enhanced acceleration.

Things To Consider When Shipping A Vehicle

Thinking of transporting your car abroad?
There are a number of ways in which car shipping can be carried out with minimum fuss and ease, this can be in an open container trailer or a closed one, this will of course entirely depend on the vehicle and its worth, alternatively, you can do it the old-fashioned way of driving it yourself.
Some of the most important factors to take into consideration is not just the cost of transporting the vehicle but also that you need to take into account the risk while driving, the wear and tear of the vehicle, expensive tolls if you are driving through France, devaluation of the vehicle due to increased mileage, not to mention the price of fuel and your own personal time in driving from A to B.
One of the simplest and most cost-effective ways for shipping your car is via a reputable car shipping company; here are a few pointers worth considering when selecting a good company:
1) Are they FULLY insured should the unthinkable happen
2) Does that insurance cover them FULLY in the countries your vehicle will be transported through
3) Do they offer open or enclosed trailers or an option to suit you
4) Have they shipped a vehicle like yours in the past
5) Can they provide any references from past clients
6) How long will it take for your vehicle to leave to its final destination
7) How long will they take to deliver your vehicle to you
The person handing the vehicle over to the shipping company will have to provide certain documents which the company transporting your car must have in their possession in order to make the trip, this is a legal requirement:
1) Copy of the original V5 vehicle ownership document
2) A Copy of the passport of whoever is handing the vehicle over
Before you entrust your vehicle to a car shipping company, take a few precautions so that there aren't any misunderstandings later on:
1) Make note of any scratches, marks or bumps
2) Take photos of the car just before handing it over
3) Remove all your personal belongings
4) Make sure you leave the key fob with alarm/ immobiliser
5) Check for any leaks and that the car runs well, some transport companies will not ship vehicles that don't run, make sure you clear this with your chosen company first.
When you work out the cost of driving or taking the ferry you can see why so many people opt to have their vehicle transported internationally by professionals but following this advice will reduce potential problems.

Chicago Live: Range-Topping 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Convertible

Ford Motor Company has recently unveiled the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 convertible at the 2012 Chicago auto show and this has captured a lot of attention from the event's audience since this model promises to provide almost all of the features found on the Mustang coupe.
The 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT 500 convertible is powered by a supercharged 5.8-liter V-8 engine. This engine which is capable of producing up 650 horsepower is also the same engine used on the Shelby GT500 coupe. Due to this, the Shelby GT500 coupe and convertible currently holds the crown as the most powerful Mustangs that were produced by Ford.
Most of the car experts that were present at the Chicago auto show when the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 convertible was unveiled were quite amazed by the maximum power output that the vehicle is capable of producing. These car experts were expecting that the convertible will only be producing a limited amount of horsepower since it is equipped with a droptop. Most of them are thinking that excessive power might ruin the vehicle's capability to launch and detach its roof while running but their assumptions were spoiled with what they have seen on the new GT500 Shelby convertible.
The remarkable features that were seen on the topless Shelby GT500 simply proves that Ford engineers and vehicle developers were able to find a way to allow the convertible to handle the possible challenges that the supercharged V-8 engine could  pose against its roof's mechanism. Obviously, Ford has used a lot of modern components to deal with this condition and the results were evidently impressive.
But aside from the improvements implemented on the vehicle's roof, Ford has also did a great job in improving the overall performance of the supercharged V-8 that was used on the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 convertible. The company successfully bored out an additional 0.4-liter on the 5.4-liter supercharged V-8 engine that was used on the previous version of the GT500 and this allowed the 2013 model to produce more horsepower than its predecessor.  In addition to this, the latest version's engine is using the updated cylinder heads, new piston squirters, and the newest TVS supercharger.
Finally, the 2013 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 convertible's external appearance has also impressed all almost all of the observers that were able to take a closer look at the vehicle. Its blunt nose, newly-installed LED tail lights, and brand-new set of headlights made the GT500 convertible look more trendy and sporty.

The 2013 GMC Acadia Bowed at the 2012 Chicago Auto Show

One of the most popular vehicle models that bowed at the 2012 Chicago auto show is the 2013 GMC Acadia. Upon its first introduction into the market, this model was able to establish itself as one of the best in its class. As a result, General Motors has decided to upgrade this model and this eventually led to the production of the 2013 GMC Acadia.
When the 2013 GMC Acadia was unveiled at the 2012 Chicago auto show, a lot of car experts have noticed that the latest version of the iconic crossover model has received a major facelift from General Motors. This simply means that most of the dominant features of the previous year's version were changed and these changes allowed the new Acadia to have an image of its own.
When viewed in front, the 2013 GMC Acadia has a muscular stance. Due to this, the latest version looks more capable and intimidating. Thanks to its new upright design and the three-bar grille that was installed on the vehicle's front fascia. In addition to this, the vehicle is now fitted with a pair of LED running lights and these are offered as a standard feature of the vehicle.
Aside from the upgrades that were implemented in front, the Acadia's rear was also subjected to a few changes. The current model is now equipped with a wraparound rear glass and a new rear spoiler. The vehicle's rear bumper was redesigned and the primary purpose of this was to make the Acadia's front and rear portion quite coordinated.
General Motors has also revised the interior layout. But instead of using hard plastics and other cheap components, the company's designers decided to use more soft-touch materials   inside the vehicle's cabin. Aside from that, the stitching that was used to fasten the soft-touch materials in place was also remarkable. On top of these, the ambient lighting that was installed inside the Acadia makes the vehicle's cabin look more elegant and upscale most especially at night.
In terms of performance, the 2013 GMC Acadia is still capable of towing a maximum load of up to 5,000 pounds. Its 3.6-liter direct injection V-6 engine allows the Acadia to generate a maximum power output of 288 horsepower. The engine is mated to an improved 6-speed automatic transmission that provides a better shifting response and drivability. Given this engine and transmission, the 2013 GMC Acadia with a front-wheel drive system obtains the fuel economy ratings of 17 miles per gallon in the city and 24 miles per gallon on the highway.

A Sneak Preview of the 2012 Chicago Auto Show

The Chicago auto show that is held annually is definitely one of the most popular events that most car manufacturers wouldn't want to miss. This is because the auto show allows them to unveil and launch the latest and the upcoming vehicle models that they want to introduce into the market within a year as well as those that they intend to release in the near future.
The auto show also serves as one of the most effective options for car these car makers to present the latest car models into the buying public hoping that doing this would eventually increase the demand for the vehicles that they offer. Due to this fact, the 2012 Chicago auto show became a venue for the launching of the different vehicle line-ups that might hit the market this year.  Among the most popular car makers who participated in this year's Chicago auto show are the following.
1. Volkswagen
Volkswagen has presented the North American version of the VW Beetle at the Chicago auto show. This event has also marked the availability of the diesel engine-propelled Beetle in the United States and the rest of the North American market. The presentation revealed some of the significant changes that Volkswagen has implemented on its longest running model expecting that these would encourage more buyers to purchase the iconic Beetle.
2. Toyota
Toyota took the opportunity to unveil the mid-cycle refreshed Land Cruiser at the 2012 Chicago auto show. Toyota has upgraded the Land Cruiser's looks and other features to make this more attractive to buyers. The upgrades that Toyota has conducted are aimed to improve the vehicle's appeal to buyers since Toyota has somehow realized that the Land Cruiser is one of the company's rarely purchased models in the US despite of its impressive performance and features. Aside from the Land Cruiser, Toyota has also unveiled the more luxurious Lexus LX 570 during this event.
3. Nissan
Just like Toyota, Nissan has also featured two of its latest models at the Chicago auto show. The first model was the mid-cycle upgraded 370Z sports car. Nissan has upgraded the 370Z and this effort has provided the sports car with a new look and a number of added features. In addition to this, Nissan launched the 12-passenger version of the NV200 to cater to the needs of buyers who are in the market for vehicles with larger interior and cargo space.
4. Kia
The 2012 Chicago auto show also served as the venue for Kia's presentation of the Track'ster concept. The Track'ster was a two-door sport-oriented version of the Kia Soul and this is intended to capture the segment dominated by younger buyers who prefer to purchase cars with unique styling and features.

Next Generation Cars

Whenever we imagine the future, there's always a car in the picture: the self-driving car, the flying car, the wheel-less elevated car, and what have you.

Perhaps, this fascination we all share for futuristic cars is one reason why, when it comes to the car of the future, the future is here and now. The driverless car, the flying car, and a host of other amazing cars most of us have only dared to dream about are already in existence.

The Flying Car

If you saw it in action, you wouldn't even know it's a car. With those wings and those tiny wheels, the Transition flying through the air looks more like a tiny airplane than anything else.

But it is a car nonetheless. The moment it lands, you can fold up its wings and drive it through suburban streets or city highways. It will turn heads nonetheless because of its very unusual appearance. Its wheels, for one, are much smaller than a regular car's. If they were any bigger, they would make the car too heavy to fly.

The Transition can carry two passengers and can only be driven legally by somebody who has both a driver's license and a pilot's license. Alas, if you get stuck on traffic, you still can't use your flying car to fly away from it all as this baby needs a good, long, empty runway to take off, just like any old plane.

The Driverless Car

The Driverless Car is one of Google Inc.'s lesser known innovations. It uses a combination of sensor and software to know where it is, what is around it, and where it is going. For navigation, it uses - what else? - Google Maps!

To facilitate the eventual public use of their car, Google has been lobbying for driverless car laws, and in 2011, such a law governing the use of driverless cars was passed in the US state of Nevada. In May 2012, Nevada issued its first license for the operation of a driverless car.

Amid concerns as to the safety of such a car, Google has assured the public that none of its driverless cars has ever been involved in an accident - at least, not while it was on driverless mode. The company admits that one of its driverless cars had in fact been involved in a five-car collision in 2011; it asserts, however, that at that time, the car was being operated by a human driver.

The Super-Fast Electric Car

Electric cars are old news, but to date, we have learned to manage our expectations on how fast they can go and how long their batteries will last. The Keio Advanced Zero-Emission Vehicle Eliica, however, is set to challenge those expectations.

This four-seater eight-wheel car can travel up to 125 miles on a single charge and can reach speeds of up to 230 mph. It can go from 0 to 62 mph in just 4.1 seconds. It's so fast, it has broken records set by gasoline-powered cars.

Of course, all that power needs batteries. The car's entire floor area is packed with lithium-ion batteries, which take 10 hours to go from empty to full charge.

Bestop Jeep Tops

It's summer and what better time for an off-road adventure in your jeep. The sun's rays are beaming down on you, and the blast of the air keeps you from overheating. As you move through rocky terrain, there's nothing to separate you from outside. But on the horizon, you see dark clouds coming up, getting closer and closer, absorbing the warmth of the sun and then rain comes pouring down, drenching you to your vehicle. Worst case scenario here is that you have important cargos inside. There is only one way to avoid these incident...and that's to invest into a jeep tops!
Weather is ever changing, which is a great reason why a Jeep Soft Top is well worth the investment. Jeep Tops can be put on and off within minutes and will keep cargo and other precious items safe. At 4WheelOnline.com you'll find the largest selection of styles and colors of Jeep Tops that will fit essentially fit every Jeep make or model. Below are some of the more popular Bestop Jeep Soft Tops.
Bestop Replace-A-Top: Bestop is one of the trusted brands when it comes to jeep tops. Bestop Replace-A-Top consists of fabric and windows. These Jeep Soft Top are held to factory standards to ensure quality, durability, and structural integrity. When you buy a Jeep Replace-A-Top, you can count on getting the best top on the market.
Bestop Replace-a-Top Sailcloth: If you want superior fabric material, the Bestop Replace-a-Top Sailcloth is perfect for you. It provides better insulation and temperature control, and it holds shape better over time. It also has the ability to reduces highway noise by up to 50%. This top is ideal in cold and hot areas for it will be able to keep temperature comfortable and will not shrink under the harsh weather conditions.
Bestop Supertop: The Bestop Supertop is another great choice because it comes with the windows, fabric, and the hardware that will need to be installed. Many other soft jeep tops don't come with the hardware because they assume you already have it from a previous top. It also comes with zip-out replaceable windows and a fabric that helps it retain its shape in all temperatures.
Sunrider: Jeeps are known for the experience behind the wheel; cruising the open roads while the wind is brushing up against your skin. The Sunrider is ideal for those people who like to feel the freedom in their hands. With this Jeep Top, drivers will be able to have the protection from the weather yet enjoy the breeze with the flip-back sunroof. The Sunrider is easy to install and will give meet all your expectations.
Tigertop: If you're really into vintage Jeeps, then the Tigertop is your ideal jeep top for you. It gives you the benefits of today's technological advances while maintaining a classic vintage style, making this jeep top the restorer's dream.
Pavement Ends: This kind of jeep top is inexpensive and is great for those who are looking for a great deal. The replacement top sticks to the basics structure and will provide great coverage. Some other benefits that this Jeep Soft Tops has is the ability to transform it into a sunroof.
Whats sets Bestop apart from other jeep tops is their durable, resilient materials. Bestop Jeep Tops is made from marine grade fabric; they just don't get any harder. As such, it's more resistant to discoloration and stretching, and is less vulnerable to the effects of the weather.