Bell & Ross – “The Right Stuff” of Watches
When one looks at a Bell & Ross watch dial – one is reminded of that great movie about the space race – The Right Stuff. Why? Because the watch dials look like something right out of the dash panel of an X-14 experimental jet. This is no wonder, because Bell designed the experimental aircraft. And now, they’ve ventured even further into experimental craft – by designing and selling watches made of carbon fiber. If you’re a nut about the space race and experimental aeronautics – you’ve got to have at least one of these Bell & Ross watches. Even more, these pieces move from the definition of plain watches to that of time instruments. But we checked the prices of these on eBay – and we saw prices ranging from two thousand to fifteen thousand dollars.
That’s okay – you should be able to buy your BR 02 copy watch, right? It’s impossible you say? No, you can find your Carbon replica watches available to buy at a good replica watch dealer. One great example is the Tourbillon Automatic with Carbon Fibre Steel Dial and Gold Bezel. One that accurately replicates the black carbon fibre dial is the Asia 21 Jewel Automatic Movement.
For those of you who are Airborne (and Gangsta Rap or pirate) enthusiasts – you can find your time instrument Airborne replicas – complete with human skull design on the dial. The dials are even shaped to fit the skull design just like the original. More accurately, the case extends to show the full skull and crossbones style. Skull design comes in green or gray. Hands are shaped like swords. These can be purchased from several dealers. All are priced very reasonably.
Otherwise, the best seem to be from our next dealer. Their BR Carbon Fiber looks like exactly like the carbon-fibre original version from Bell & Ross!
Chevrolet Volt MPV5 Electric Concept
GM has showcased a few variations of the Chevrolet Volt before - the Opel Ampera, the gorgeous Cadillac Converj concept, and the sporty Opel Flextreme GT/E among them - and now family-friendly extended-range hybrid formula. The Chevrolet Volt MPV5 concept, debuting at the 2010 Beijing auto show, is a five-passenger MPV that uses the Volt’s platform and extended-range powertrain technology.
As such, the Volt MPV5 packs a 16-kWh T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack that feeds a 150-hp, 370-lb-ft electric motor. Like in the Volt sedan, the electric motor provides all the propulsion; the 1.4-liter gasoline engine onboard exists solely to generate electricity once the batteries are depleted. Chevrolet says the MPV5’s all-electric range is 32 miles, down 8 miles from the regular Volt’s, while the range with the gas engine humming away is identical, at 300 miles. Charging time on a regular 120-volt household outlet is quoted as taking “over eight hours,” while a 240-volt hookup will charge the MPV5 in “about four.” The vanlet is said to top out at 100 mph, no doubt after a thrilling five-minute mosey.
The MPV5 may not cause blood rush as the Converj or Flextreme GT/E, but it’s more of mainstream-oriented variant that could allow GM to recoup its Volt powertrain investment sometime before the earth cools to a ball of over-polluted ice. Expect to see this, or something very similar, on the world’s roads not too long after the Volt sedan goes into production later this year.
Volkswagen to launch Hybrid Golf, Jetta, and Passat
In news that is sure to put smiles on green warriors, Volkswagen is set to add hybrid variants of the Jetta in 2012, followed by the Golf and Passat a year later. What’s more a fully electric Golf and Jetta will come out soon after the arrival of the electric Up! city car in 2013.
After launching the 2011 Touareg hybrid as the brand’s first gas-electric entry, Volkswagen has announced that it will concentrate its electrification efforts on volume sellers, which will help elevate EVs from niche status to mainstream. VW also says it’s behind the German government’s plan to see one million electric vehicles on German roads by 2020.
As part of the announcement, Volkswagen showed a concept version of the electrified Golf, dubbed Golf blue-e-motion, that’s based on the current car. In its current avatar, it uses an electric motor producing 114 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque. With a 26.5-kWh lithium-ion battery that takes up space under the rear seat and in the center tunnel and cargo hold, VW says the Golf will retain about 8.4 cubic feet of its 15 cubes of cargo space. Like with the Mini E, that’s a significant loss in load volume, jeopardizing the hatchback versatility that we so often praise. Of course, weight also will spike—some 452 pounds are gained compared to the current, Euro-only Golf BlueMotion TDI with DSG—from the extra heft of the batteries, which allow for a claimed cruising range of 93 miles.
Questions to ask a used car dealer
Before you finally buy your desired used car, it is important that you have asked all the important questions you need to ask and know all you should know about the car that you will about to buy. It is important that you will not get yourself intimidated with a used car dealer and make sure you have ask all the important questions, which include the following:
- Can I see the mechanic’s pre-certification inspection? – asking this would ensure that the used car you are buying is certified and has gone through the inspection process prior to the car’s certification. It is also important that you will ask for that piece of paper to know the fixed part of the car.
- Where or who was the previous owner of the car – if your dealer would answer that it was a trade-in, ask for the maintenance record of the car then. On the other hand, if the car is purchased on an auction, you must then make sure that the car gone through with a fine-tooth comb by the car’s specializing mechanic.
- Who certified the used car – you must be aware that the only certification that means everything is the one that is coming for a manufacturer or the manufacturer certified pre-owned car. The rest are insurance backed programs.
- How long test drive can be done – it is advisable that you will take advantage of the cold used car market. Ask the dealer if you can take an overnight test drive. If the dealer will allow you to do so, put into writing that you won’t go beyond 100 miles on the odometer and will return the car full tank if you leave full tank.
- Ask also if there will be carfax provided before the purchase took place – providing carfax is never an issue to a reputable used car dealers. Make sure as well that the vehicle identification number report will match with the VIN on the used car you are about to buy.
- Ask about the dealership return policy – asking this question will sometime cause for a high-pressure dealership to laugh. However, if you are lucky enough to be on a consumer friendly dealer, they will definitely allow you to think bank and will provide you at least an equal value. Take note though that, no dealer of second hand cars will offer you cash back.
- Ask if your purchase will include some new equipment like some new tires or a timing belt, as this will be great if the used car’s mileage is already approaching 100,000.
Used Auto Parts Keep the Planet Green
I had a big fight with my local insurance company the other day. I had an accident and I wanted my car repaired with used auto parts, because it is better for the environment but the shop I was at refused, saying they would have to do too much labor to get the new door to fit because most used parts are not in perfect condition. I decided to call my insurance company and ask them why they would not prefer to get the part at almost half the price of the new one even if they had to spend some extra money on labor with the repair shop. Their answer was a little strange, they said they are not authorized to install this type of used part after this type of accident and it was some sort of policy from head office. I then called head office and got the run-around and a similar explanation about used parts being requiring additional labor and their computer systems not being set-up to deal with it, ect....
Personally I have purchased used tires in the past and this was not making sense to me. Needless to say I was very frustrated and I have decided to start a petition to help force insurance companies to consider using used auto parts because they are better for the planet. Do your part and talk to your local insurance company and see if they are willing to consider this.