2008 Honda Rebel. Price? About $3,199. A cruiser with serious attitude, this bike will store 2.6 gallons of fuel, sports a 234 cc air-cooled engine, and shifts with a 5-speed tranny.

2008 Honda Rebel

2008 Triumph America. This bike is more pricey. You will look to spend close to 8 grand on a bike like this. Is it worth it? Definitely. 4.4 gallon fuel capacity plus 2 cylinders and a 5 speed transmission equals one of the meanest cruisers on the market.

2008 Triumph America

2008 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 C2. This bike will cost you about $6, 800, but is well worth the investment. 3.7 gallon fuel capacity keeps this bike’s 745cc liquid-cooled engine running for eons. 2 cylinders deliver optimum power, and the 5-speed transmission is effortless to use.

2008 Honda Shadow Spirit 750 C2

2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom. This cruiser will bring you serious 4-stroke power via its liquid cooled 4-cylinder head. It’s V-Twin engine keeps you running hot in all 5-speeds, so don’t get too excited on the throttle the first time!

2008 Kawasaki Vulcan 900 Custom

2008 Harley-Davidson FXD Dyna Super Glide. Harley fans, hold onto your hats! Even though you can expect to drop close to 12 grand for this bike, don’t let the price tag sway you. Its twin cam engine is air cooled, and will run for some serious miles on the 4.8 gallon fuel capacity.

2008 Harley-Davidson FXD Dyna Super Glide

It sure looks like an old-fashioned carriage, but according to Mercedes-Benz this will be the car for the future. Built with large spoked wheels, Mercedes-Benz has decided to go with traditional design features and latest technology. Good combination?

Mercedes-Benz

This, I must say very cool car , is powered by a hybrid drive system using an emission-free fuel cell. With a top speed of 15.5 miles an hour (25 km/h) you won´t be late for work.

The car is operated by a joystick

Taking a look inside this amazing car we will find carbon-fiber bucket seats with hand-stitched leather covers and a distinctively styled fiberglass front section that is inspired by Formula One racing cars. The car is controlled by a joystick instead of a regular steering wheel.

Powered by an electric motor

Mercedes Concept Car

Would you like one?

While Australia and South Africa manufactured their own muscle cars, this article is about the American versions. These are high performance cars, midsize 2-door models with rear wheel drive and a great big engine under the hood. Muscle cars were mass produced, and were affordable for middle class car buyers.

The first, most successful American muscle car was the Ford Mustang. Making its debut in 1964, the smallish, very attractive model with the big V6 (or optional V8) captured the attention of every American car enthusiast.  While the Mustang has been through many design changes over the decades, the original look remains the most popular. That is why the new “retro” Mustang, which came out in 2005 has appealed so heavily to young buyers who never rode in an old Mustang, and also the older generation who remembers them well.

Plymouth loyalists will point out that the Barracuda, Plymouth’s muscle car, beat the Mustang to the market. But only just. And sales of the Mustang took off faster than a V8 model at a stoplight next to a Camaro. In its first two years, two million Mustangs were sold, and the fact that buyers could customize them was a big selling point. The Mustang convertible, which debuted in 1964 has been turning heads for over 40 years now.

While Ford Mustangs underwent changes during the 1970s and 1980s – some good, some not so good – it is still the classic 1960s Mustang that most people over 35 think of when they hear the word “Mustang.”

General Motors didn’t produce an answer to the Ford Mustang until Sept. 29, 1966, when the 1967 Camaro appeared on the market. The Camaro had remained nameless right up until the time it was introduced. Though Ford had some fun speculating what the word “Camaro” stood for, any controversy over the name was forgotten as soon as people got a look at the 1967 Camaro. To keep costs competitive with the Mustang, GM introduced only two types of Camaro: a coupe and a convertible.

Engine choices included a 230 cubic inch 6-cylinder and a 327 cubic inch V8, and a Camaro-only 350 cubic inch V8 that boasted 295 horsepower. This type of Camaro remained available through 1969. The second generation Camaro was made throughout the 1970s and was a fixture on American roads and in parking lots of American high schools throughout that decade. This was a larger, wider, and heavier car than the late 60s model.

In 1981, the third generation Camaro was born for the 1982 model year. These were available with automatic transmissions for the first time, as well as fuel injection, and 15 or 16 inch wheels. It was during the 1980s that the IROC-Z Camaro was introduced, featuring a performance suspension and 16-inch tires.

The fourth generation Camaro was produced from 1993 until 2004, when the brand took a break. The new fifth generation Camaro is scheduled to go on sale in spring 2009 as a 2010 model year version.

While the Barracuda beat the first Ford Mustang to market by two weeks, it never sold as well. In 1970, Dodge introduced the Challenger. These used  new architecture from the older Barracudas and were made to compete with the Camaro and the Mustang. The Challenger had the option of a big 440 cubic inch engine or a 426 cubic inch Hemi powered V8. This was during peak of muscle car mania. In terms of styling, the Challenger was similar to the first generation Chevy Camaro and was available as a coupe or convertible. By the early 1970s, the muscle car fever was starting to break, and new car emissions laws plus the oil embargo looming on the horizon seriously dampened demand for cars like the Challenger. The brand died out in 1974.

The Challenger

But in 1978, Dodge paired with Japanese carmaker Mitsubishi to make the Challenger once again. While it wasn’t close to being a substitute for the classic 1970 Challenger, it was nonetheless competitive with cars like the Honda Prelude and Toyota Celica. This version disappeared in 1983.

But 25 years later, the 2008 Dodge Challenger appeared, with retro styling that gives it a profile similar to the 1970 Challenger. It even has similar headlights!  It is, however, a bigger car, and has been outfitted with stability control, airbags, and other safety features. Similar to the 2008 Dodge Charger, the Challenger is a rear-wheel drive car just like the muscle cars of old.

2008 Dodge Challenger

With the Dodge Challenger, the Chevrolet Camaro, and the Ford Mustang all on the road again with new models by the end of 2009, some wonder if America is experiencing a revival of muscle car mania, or if these hot new cars are more of a quiet tribute to a time that has been gone for over 30 years. It probably doesn’t matter. Muscle car enthusiasts will appreciate these new retro designs, particularly if they remember driving their own Mustang, Camaro, or Challenger back in 1970.

Striking design
High-tech features
Comfort
Exclusivity
Great handling
Exceptional quality construction
Advanced safety features
Roomy interior

Here are four new models that discriminating and well-paid car buyers are looking at.

1.    BMW Z4 ($35,000 to $50,000) This is a two-seat hatchback that was previously only offered as a convertible. Handling and exterior styling are selling points. This car can also be used as a daily commute car because of the rear seat hatchback design. It comes with a 3 liter inline six and manual transmission. Automatic transmission is also available.

BMW Z4

2.    Porsche Cayman. (No 2009 pricing data available) The Cayman offers comfortable, powerful agility with dual cargo holds for a measure of practicality. This car is a fixed roof version of the Boxster. Like other Porsche models, the Cayman has a reputation for superior handling and a powerful engine. It’s also pretty.

3.    Chevrolet Corvette ($48,000 to $54,000) This American classic is as exotic looking as ever, but is more practical than most luxury sports cars for everyday driving. For 56 years, the Corvette has blended style with performance. It has comfortable seats and gets decent gas mileage for a luxury sports car.

Chevrolet Corvette

4.    Lotus Exige ($66,000 to $75,000) Looking for a thrill? The Lotus Exige features excellent handling and amazing speed. This car does not have the level of comfort of some luxury sports cars, so it isn’t the car you’ll want to drive to the office in. But the cool factor makes up for it. It was made to perform. This is a car that doesn’t so much inspire adjectives as it does sighs of satisfaction.

Lotus Exige

There are a number of other luxury sports cars out there these days. The Audi A5, Mercedes Benz SLK, Audi TT and Porsche Boxster are other models that make car lovers drool. With over 5 million luxury cars on the road, current economic reality has not managed to stamp out the enthusiasm people have for amazing cars. In fact, Forbes estimates that the luxury car market has expanded by over 30% in the decade leading up to 2009. Even if you know you’ll never buy one of these cars – because of price or practicality considerations – they are still fun to look at, and dream about.

Toyota Prius

This car manages to have terrific gas mileage at 46 mpg and it has more trunk space than Toyota’s own hybrid Camry. The Prius is a hatchback with a look that stands out among cars on the road. And on top of all that, the Prius starts at under $20,000. Compared to other midsize cars, the Prius may feel a little sluggish on the highway, but in the city, it zips along just fine.  The Prius’ gas mileage is better than that of the Honda Civic hybrid, and it has a roomier interior. There are three trim levels available so you can go fancy or plain in your choices. The Prius puts 110 horses under the hood and can hold five people comfortably with space left for cargo. This is a car you definitely want to check out if you are looking for a hybrid family car.

Toyota Prius

Honda Civic Hybrid

If you want a hybrid that doesn’t overtly look like a hybrid, then the Honda Civic is a good choice. Like the Prius, the Civic comes in several trim lines, but unlike the traditional gas engine Civic, the hybrid is only offered as a four-door sedan. If you look under the hood of a Civic Hybrid, you’ll find an in-line 4 cylinder engine with 110 horsepower. Multi point fuel injection comes standard, as does front wheel drive. The standard electric power storage is a nickel metal hydride (NiMH) battery. The transmission is the Honda Continuously Variable Transmission.

The Civic Hybrid starts at around $22,000. It gets 47 city mpg and 48 on the highway. While this car doesn’t have a lot of power, it can haul five people and is suitable for use as a family car. If you want a comfortable family hybrid that looks like a traditional gas engine car, and if you aren’t picky about having a lot of pep in city driving, then you should give the Honda Civic Hybrid a test drive.

Honda Civic Hybrid

Honda Insight

The Honda Insight has been redesigned for the 2010 model year. The new model will be available in April 22, 2009 – Earth Day – for around $19,000 as a five-door hatchback. Models from 2000-2006 were three-door hatchback two-seaters. If you remember the “teardrop” shape of the 1980s classic Honda CRX, then the 2010 Insight will look familiar to you. The general profile of the second generation CRX was resurrected for the 2010 Insight due to its drag-reducing qualities. The EX models will have alloy wheels, cruise control, USB audio interface with a 6-speaker audio system, and stability assist, with even more optional features available. It appears as if the new Insight will be competing directly with the Toyota Prius, even though it is a compact, and the Prius is a midsize car.

Honda Insight

Honda and Toyota have long reputations for high quality cars that are fuel efficient. Both offer hybrid cars that take good gas mileage to the next level. Anyone wanting a hybrid car for a family would do well to check out all three of these models.

Most of us agrees that Lamborghini is a great looking car and I am sure that many wealty people who love cars wouldn´t hesitate to have one in their collection. Cars like Lamborghini Diablo, the Gallardo and the Murcielago are like candy to my eyes. Here is a list of 5 facts you should know about Lamborghini…

Fact 1

Did you know that the fastest Lamborghini, with a reported top speed of 370 km/h,  is the Le Mans version of the Murcielago R-GT model. The fastest street model from Lamborghini, with a reported top speed of 340 km/h,  is the Murcielago LP640. Both of the models have a V12 engine with more than 6000 cc.

Le Mans Murcielago R-GT

Fact 2

Did you know that Lamborghini used to be an independent company, but went bankrupt in 1978 and was sold to Chrysler. In 1998, the German company, Audi AG, became the owner of  Lamborghini.

Fact 3

Did you know that most of the Lamborghini models are produced with a V12 engine, even though the newest model, Gallardo, have a V10 engine oil. No Lamborghini have ever been produced with less than a V8 engine.

Fact 4

Did you know that the first Lamborghini was produced in 1963 and called for the 350GTV. With a top speed of 280 km/h, the 350GTV was extremely fast back in 1963. The first Lamborghini to go faster than 300 km/h came out in 1974 and was called for the Countach.

Lamborghini 350GTV

Fact 5

Did you know that the Countach, the Diablo and the Murcielago all have scissor doors (that rotate up and forward on a hinge near the front of the door), but the Gallardo does not.  Both the Diablo and the Countach are no longer being produced, so the only Lamborghini car with scissor doors today is the Murcielago.

Paying for replacement windows in this car would probably cost as much as buying a used and fairly inexpensive car.

A one-off custom-built Maybach was unveiled in May 2005 at the Tempodrom in Berlin. Commissioned by tire company Fulda, the Exelero is a chopped-down two-seater coupe, though it’s more than just a show car – in tests at the Nardo high-speed oval, the prototype reached a speed of 218.38mph, despite weighing over 2.66 tones. It is capable of acceleration from 0-60mph in 4.4 seconds.

The car’s design was the result of a competition amongst students at the Pforzheim Polytechnic Department of Transport Design, which has worked on show vehicles for Fulda in the past. The design of 24-year-old Fredrik Burchhardt was chosen, and his work was coordinated with that of the Maybach design centre in Sindelfingen. The project, based on the Maybach 57 limousine, required a certain amount of re-engineering; the A-pillar and doors had to be shifted rearwards, and the steering column, pedals and gearshift all re-located. The standard 550bhp V12 engine was bored out to 5.9 liters, and tuned for 700bhp and over 738lb ft of torque. With final dimensions of 5890mm long, 2140mm wide and just 1390mm high, the car was kitted out with a full-spec interior, including leather, neoprene, aluminum and carbonfibre finishes.

Maybach says the car, built by Stola in Turin, is “a one-off vehicle created to showcase the new ultra-high performance Exelero tire range from leading tire manufacturer Fulda”; it’s not the first time the two companies have teamed up, as back in 1938 Fulda demonstrated its tires on a Maybach SW 38 limousine. There are, however, “no plans to produce the model in series”, though it has been certified for on-road use.

More info: http://www.exelerocar.com/