It’s not really surprising that a super-cheap car with great gas mileage (approx 50 mpg) would be snapped up, is it? Well certainly not today. And that’s the story with Indian car maker, Tata Motor’s Nano. They have already taken pre-paid orders on over 200,000 units.
This greatly exceeds their capacity, and some buyers will be waiting until next year for their Nano. Delivery of the $2000 Nano does not start until July.
Electric car maker, Tesla Motors, unveiled their 2nd all-electric auto this week, the Model S. Their first model, the Roadster was (and still is) sold for over $100k. Despite the price, there is still a waiting list for these cars.
The Model S will have a more down-to-earth price tag of $50k (with an approximate federal tax credit of $7,500). This may still seem like quite a hefty price tag as compared to hybrids, but bear in mind that this is an all-electric car, so no more buying gasoline, although you will probably be faced with a stiff battery bill every 3 to 5 years.
Notable in this announcement is the fact that Tesla is actually expanding and growing (building a new plant in particular) despite the downturn for the other traditional automakers. Good for them – there is hope yet for a green revolution in transportation yet and sooner than may have been first imagined.
FLIR Systems showed off the latest version of their thermal imaging system for automobiles that now includes Pedestrian Detection.
First off all, the thermal imaging camera displays a clearer image at night than a human’s native vision can provide. Known as Night Vision and currently available in a select few BMW models, the image is shown in the vehicle’s in-dash monitor (which also duals as the info center).
The new addition to the system is Pedestrian Detection which if detects a heat source in the shape of a human, alerts the driver. Cool. Definitely something that needs to get embedded in all vehicles. Currently, the pricing is a bit too much ($2600 luxury add-on for some BMWs).
FLIR is working with another German vendor as well as a Japanese automaker for 2010 releases.
In keeping with our love of all types of alarms (clocks mainly), here’s one to help keep you awake when you’re behind the wheel, manning an important station, studying, or perhaps in the middle of that very important gaming session! It’s a gadget that goes behind your ear and can tell when your head tilts forward more than 30 degrees at which point it will emit a high-pitched alarm that will surely bring you out of your slumber.
This is the type of thing that should almost be mandated for truckers, couriers or others who are on the road a lot, and it’s very reasonably priced after all.
Price: $14.99
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)
Love model racing cars? You probably are, and chances are that if you are anything like me, you don’t have the money to go out and buy the ones that you lust after. I came across this awesome little Remote Controlled Lamborghini and fell in love with it.
I am actually a child at heart, despite my age. As soon as I saw the Lamborghini it took me back to the elementary age when I was outside with my big brother creating dirt ramps for our remote controlled cars. How much fun was that? I don’t care how old you are, this is for folks of all ages!
One thing to keep in mind is that this car does come in a variety of colors. I’m sure the paint color doesn’t impact the way the thing drives though. They look to be a lot of fun!
Price: $47.00
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)
For a single Benjamin Franklin bill (hundred that is), you can pick up the CarMD Handheld Engine Code Reader that interfaces with your car’s computers to tell you what’s wrong with your car in seconds.
This little gem works with all 1996 and newer model cars and provides complete diagnostics on your car’s engine and whatever else your car’s computer tracks. CarMD comes with Windows software that helps you track up to 3 of your cars’ health. In addition,the website www.CarMD.com has an online database of thousands of problems and their solutions as seen by auto techs over the past 10 years.
Naturally, it has a USB hookup to your computer for easy connectivity and data dumping. If you’ve got a car that gives you any sort of trouble, or you want your very own second opinion, in this time of rising gas prices, then this gadget may just pay for itself the first time your mechanic tries to hoodwink you.
Price: $107.99
(Please note prices are subject to change and the listed price is correct to the best of our knowledge at the time of posting)
