Samsung Galaxy Xcover 2 to hit Britain in March

The Samsung S7710 Galaxy Xcover 2 was announced only a week ago, but Samsung UK already issued an official press release that the smartphone should make it to the UK stores by March. Then again, that's hardly a surprise as other markets were supposed to get it around February 20.
The Xcover 2 is IP67 certified, which means it's dust tight and it can endure submersion into a water depth of up to 1m for 30 min. A dedicated camera key makes it easy to snap photos underwater, too.
Besides being rugged, it's a fully featured Android smartphone with a 4-inch WVGA touchscreen, a 5MP camera, a dual-core CPU and Android 4.1 Jelly Bean pre-installed out of the box.

Samsung Galaxy S IV might launch in April

Samsung Galaxy IV, the rumored next flagship of the South Korean giant might actually launch in the month of April according to a couple of images from an internal raffle doc at a New Zealand mobile retailer.

  

The raffle doc states that all the prize winners will be given a Samsung Galaxy S IV smartphone. The raffle ends on April 9, so we imagine the prizes should be delivered shortly after.

If the raffle details are to be trusted, Samsung's latest smartphone will be launched in the month of April. This aligns nicely with previous rumors pointing to an announcement in March and launch in the third week of April.

Acer and Intel announce the Atom-powered Liquid C1

At an event in Thailand, Intel and Acer presented a new Android smartphone. The Acer Liquid C1makes use of the latest mobile Intel Atom Z2420 chipset, which was only recently announced - back at CES earlier this month actually.

The Acer Liquid C1 is not a high-end model but it's still decently equipped. At the front there's a 4.3-inch IPS screen of qHD resolution 960x540 pixels. On the back there is an 8MP auto focus camera.

Superbus Dubai

Superbus Dubai
This is the world's first super bus, crafted with state-of-the-art materials which seats 23 passengers and had a top speed of 155mph (250kmh).Developed in Holland by an astronaut and a former Formula One aerodynamics expert, the midnight-blue, electric-powered vehicle costs £7million and was flown to the United Arab Emirates where it will be used by a sheikh.The hi-tech bus means he will be able to complete the 75-mile commute from Dubai to neighbouring Abu Dhabi in under 30 minutes . it is 49ft long (15 metres), 8ft wide (2.5 metres) and 5ft 5in high (1.65 metres)

2013 Jeep Grand Cherokee

The Jeep Grand Cherokee retains Jeep's legendary off-road prowess while providing many luxurious and technical amenities.

The Grand Cherokee is available in two-wheel and four-wheel drive configuration with four trims levels: Laredo, Limited, Overland, and SRT8 (four-wheel drive only). All trims (except the SRT8) are powered by a 290-hp 3.6-liter V6 paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. The V6 can be upgraded to a 360-hp 5.7-liter V8 Hemi engine matched to a six-speed automatic transmission. The SRT8 trim features an exclusive 470-hp 6.4-liter V8 Hemi engine and a five-speed automatic transmission, with steering wheel mounted paddle shifters. Both V8 engines feature a Multi-Displacement System (MDS), which seamlessly deactivates four of the eight cylinders depending on engine operating conditions. Adaptive cruise control, dual-pane panoramic sunroof, heated and ventilated leather seats, heated steering wheel, power liftgate, rear seat DVD entertainment system, rear parking camera, a multimedia infotainment system with 30-gigabyte hard drive navigation system, and UConnect wireless connectivity are available. The optional (standard on the Overland) QuadraLift air suspension features full time four corner load leveling and improved off-road performance by increasing ground clearance. Standard safety features include front six airbags, electronic stability control, active font head restraints, brake assist, and tire pressure monitoring.

Subaru Preparing First Hybrid For Possible New York Debut

The Japanese automaker known for its rugged and reliable all-wheel-drive systems, is expected to show its first-ever hybrid at the New York Auto Show in late March.

According to a report by The Detroit Bureau, Kenichi Yamamoto, director of product management and coordination at Subaru of America, acknowledged a hybrid was under way.

Subaru's concept cars have hinted at a hybrid before. Now, it has access to a lot of hybrid technology better than its own, as the company has been partly owned by Toyota, the hybrid leader in the industry, since 2005.Subaru showed an Advanced Tourer Concept (pictured above) using a hybrid drive-train at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Show. That car was powered by a 1.6 liter turbo-charged engine paired with an all-wheel drive hybrid system, assisted by a single electric motor.

Poor People Pay More For Car Insurance, Study Finds

Pride yourself on being a safe driver? You might be paying a penalty for that distinction.

The country's largest auto insurers often charge safe drivers more money for their annual insurance premiums than their more reckless counterparts, according to a study released Monday by the Consumer Federation Of America.

Even if they have better driving records, researchers found that drivers in lower-and-middle income brackets were charged higher premiums than well-to-do drivers in 66 percent of the cases studied. We're talking more than pocket change. In more than 60 percent of cases studied, the safer driver was charged at least 25 percent more than the one with a checkered driving record.

"What our research at this time, and our earlier reports, show is that this is not a free market at all," said Stephen Brobeck, executive director of the CFA. "It's a very uncompetitive market."

Rather than basing premiums on driving records and distance driven, Brobeck said insurers based their quotes on non-driving factors like education, occupation and home-ownership status.

Researchers checked prices in 12 U.S. cities. In each case, they had two hypothetical 30-year-old female customers living on the same street in the same middle-class Zip code.One was a single receptionist with a high-school education who rents an apartment, has not carried insurance for 45 days and has never had an accident or moving violation. One was a married executive with a master's degree who owns a home, had continuous insurance coverage and had an at-fault accident with $800 worth of damage in the past three years.

In every city, Farmers, GEICO and Progressive quoted the safe driver a higher premium than the one who had an accident. In some cases, companies refused a quote for the good driver but provided one for the one with an accident on her record.

Nissan have announced a joint research and development alliance to accelerate the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles across the globe

It was nearly 10 years ago to the day that the Bush administration announced a major initiative to push the development of hydrogen fuel cell vehicles and infrastructure in the U.S. While the green car movement has come a long way since then, fuel-cell technology seems to be stuck in neutral. That could be about to change.

Today Daimler, Ford and Nissan have announced a joint research and development alliance to accelerate the commercialization of fuel cell vehicles across the globe. The three automakers plan to invest equally in the collaboration, which aims to leverage efficiencies and shared knowledge to lower the cost associated with fuel cell technology and speed hydrogen-powered vehicles to the mass market.

Recently, the development of fuel cell vehicles has taken a back seat to other, more cost-effective methods of improving fuel economy. The increase in hybrid, battery-electric and diesel powered vehicles indicated a movement away from hydrogen fuel technologies. Even incremental improvements to the internal combustion engine through existing technologies like direct-injection and turbocharging have allowed automakers to increase mileage without sinking money into the development of expensive new tech.

But with stricter fuel economy standards looming, automakers are now reevaluating what once seemed to be the most promising route to emissions-free driving. After all, hydrogen does happen to be the most abundant chemical element in the Universe.

"Having an alliance with Diamler and Nissan, we hope to accelerate the development of [hydrogen fuel-cell] technology [and] bring it to the customers faster," said Raj Nair, VP of Global Product Development for Ford. The three carmakers hope their alliance yields an affordable, mass-market fuel cell vehicle as early as 2017.

Like battery-electric cars, fuel cell vehicles are powered by electricity. But instead of sourcing their power from a wall socket, hydrogen-powered vehicles generate energy via an electro-chemical reaction in an onboard fuel-cell stack. Refueling is similar to a traditional gas vehicle: compressed hydrogen is pumped directly into a high-pressure tank onboard the vehicle (assuming you can find a station that serves hydrogen).

The best part: water vapor and heat are the only byproducts of driving a hydrogen fuel-cell car. Well, that and the positive vibes you'll get from saving the planet.

Chinese firm wins bankrupt US car battery maker A123

China's largest auto parts maker won U.S. government approval to buy A123 Systems Inc, a bankrupt maker of electric car batteries that was funded with U.S. government money, a source familiar with the situation said on Tuesday.

A U.S. government committee on foreign investment approved the sale of the lithium-ion battery maker to Wanxiang Group, according to the source, who asked not to be identified because they were not authorized to speak publicly.

Some members of Congress and retired military leaders said the sale to Wanxiang would transfer sensitive technology to China and they asked the U.S. committee to block it.

A123 filed for bankruptcy in October due to weaker-than-expected demand for hybrid vehicles and technical problems. The company had received a $249 million grant from the U.S. government to promote clean energy, although about half of that money as never used.

The company was sold in December at an auction supervised by the U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Delaware. Wanxiang's bid of about $257 million won against U.S. rival Johnson Controls Inc of Milwaukee.

The money raised in the auction will be used to repay the battery maker's debts of about $376 million.

Wanxiang tried to blunt criticism of the deal by excluding A123's defense contracts from its bid at the auction. Those were sold separately to Navitas Systems for $2.25 million.

Honda begins scrapping over 1000 cars damaged from Thailand floods..

Honda begins scrapping over 1000 cars damaged from Thailand floods..

Hyundai Motors' profits slide as strong won hits earnings

Hyundai Motors has reported a dip in profits, despite a jump in sales, as a strong South Korean won hit its overseas earnings.

The carmaker made a net profit of 1.9 trillion won ($1.8bn; £1.1bn) in the October to December quarter.

That is down from the 2tn won it made during the same period a year earlier.

The won has risen almost 5% against the US dollar since October last year. That hurts firms when they repatriate their foreign earnings back home.

A strong won also makes South Korean goods more expensive to foreign buyers.

Jaguar Land Rover sees lower profit margins

Jaguar Land Rover has said its profit margins will be "slightly lower" than in recent quarters, sending shares in its Indian owner lower.

The luxury carmaker blamed a number of factors, including less favourable exchange rates, but said that revenues would still be higher.

Shares in Tata Motors fell more than 6% in Mumbai.

Tata Motors, part of India's huge Tata conglomerate, makes most of its money from Jaguar Land Rover.

Jaguar Land Rover announced that, for the three months to 31 December, its retail sales were 88,658 and its wholesale sales were 94,828, both up from the previous two quarters.

The Chinese market - where sales of Jaguar Land Rover's vehicles have risen 80% in the past year - has been rising in importance to the company.

Toyota becomes largest vehicle manufacturer

The Japanese automaker Toyota Motor Corporation has sold 9.75 million vehicles in 2012, an increase of more than 22 per cent compared to a year ago.

In 2011, the company saw declined in production and sales due to natural disasters in Japan and Thailand. However, Toyota made a steady recovery since then in key markets like the US.

In November 2012, Toyota predicted a net profit of 780bn Japanese yen (£5.4bn) for the year ended 31 March 2013, increasing from its earlier of forecast of 760bn Japanese yen.

Vivek Vaidya, an auto analyst with Frost & Sullivan, told the BBC: “The last two years have been very difficult for Toyota. The regaining of the top slot would definitely be heartening for the firm and is good news for its investors and share holders.”

Toyota reclaims world's top vehicle maker title

Japanese carmaker Toyota has regained its slot as the world's biggest vehicle maker, capping a year of a dramatic turnaround in its fortunes.

Toyota said it sold 9.75 million vehicles in 2012, a jump of more than 22% from a year earlier.

General Motors, which was the biggest vehicle maker in 2011, sold 9.29 million vehicles in 2012.

Toyota's sales in 2011 were hit by natural disasters in Japan and Thailand which hurt production at its factories.

However, Toyota, and other Japanese carmakers that were affected, have seen a steady recovery since then and have been regaining share in key markets such as the US.

"The last two years have been very difficult for Toyota," Vivek Vaidya, an auto analyst with Frost & Sullivan, told the BBC.

"The regaining of the top slot would definitely be heartening for the firm and is good news for its investors and share holders," he added.

NCP Range Rovers

GTG in Lahore

We are pleased to share with you the images of automobile exhibition

organized by PakWheels.com in collaboration with Metro Cash & Carry, Lahore

Rx8, powered by a toyota 2.8L diesel engine.

Z4! spotted at canal road, Lahore

Rolls Royce Ghost in Karachi. Did you know that biggest piece of Stainless Steel is used on the hood of Rolls Royce.

The UAE’s oldest and most unique classic cars dating as far back as 1915

 The UAE’s oldest and most unique classic cars dating as far back as 1915 portrayed the history of the car industry in UAE and its taste for the choicest of 20th century cars at the newly re-opened Sharjah Classic Cars Museum.

Punjab

Lamborghini Gallardo in Pakistan

Board showing the Volvo recognition signs that can be found on various design levels

What does the code mean ?

C63 AMG Black Series

When asked by a customer to do something different with his C63 AMG Black Series, Florida-based aftermarket specialist came up with a series of aesthetic changes that gives the potent C-Class an added touch of refined aggression. The subtle changes to the 510-horsepower model include a 3M matte gunmetal grey body wrap, powder-coated wheels finished in gloss black and some painted accents. To complement the carbon-fiber spoilers, side skirts and certain interior elements, the styling specialist trimmed the entire door jambs in carbon fiber.

How to Buy a Used car in Pakistan

22 Karat Gold Plated Goldplus Nano Car Worth Rs.22 Crore

The Tata Group Monday unveiled a Tata Nano is covered by 80 kg of 22-karat gold, 15 kg of silver as well as 10,000 semi-precious stones and gems (including rubies and diamonds).
This Tata Nano is not for sale and it is made for branding initiatives of Tata Goldplus Jewellery. This special Nano was unveiled by Mr Ratan Tata in Mumbai to celebrate the 5,000 years of jewellery making industry in India…

Titan Industries managing director Bhaskar Bhat said that since eternity, jewellery made with gold and precious stones has been an integral part of the Indian woman’s life.
Indian jewellery has been an epitome of innovation and creativity, and carved a niche worldwide for itself for the intricacy of the designs crafted out of the precious metals and stones,” said CK Venkataraman, COO, jewellery division.

As many as 14 techniques of jewellery making have gone behind the effort — from the intricate filigree work to the delicate and colourful meenakari work, the stunning kundan to the traditional naqashi…marking the convergence of diverse and culturally distinct jewellery making techniques from around India,” said an official to media.

Porsche Cayman

Porsche says that the third-generation Cayman is lower and longer, lighter and faster, more efficient and more powerful than ever. The two-seat Cayman will be launched in two versions: Cayman and Cayman S. Together aa longer wheelbase, wider track and larger wheels enhance the driving performance of Porsche’s mid-engine sports car.


The Cayman is powered by a 2.7-liter engine with 275 hp; with the Sport Chrono package it accelerates from a standstill to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds. The 3.4-liter engine in the Cayman S produces 325 hp; with PDK and the Sport Chrono package it sprints from 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds.

The 2014 Porsche Cayman will arrive in the spring starting at $52,600 for the Cayman and $63,800 for the Cayman S, not including a destination charge of $950.