Mazda B Series Continues its Legacy

The B-Series was introduced to the United States with the 1972 B1600. All of the models under this series base their model name with the engine specification that it includes.

A new B-Series was introduced in 1986 and was produced until 1993. It consisted of power and performance enhancements including the addition of a four wheel drive option.

The 1999 B-Series added four doors, a first in the extended-cab pickup truck market.

The 2008 B-Series is a 2- or 4-door, up to 5-passenger compact pickup, available in 3 trims, ranging from the B2300 Regular Cab 4X2 to the B4000 Cab Plus 4 SE 4X4.

The B2300 Regular Cab 4X2 is equipped with a standard 2.3-liter, I4, 143-horsepower engine that achieves 21-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The B4000 Cab Plus 4 SE 4X4 is equipped with a standard 4.0-liter, V6, 207-horsepower engine that achieves 14-mpg in the city and 17-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

Reviewer observed that the ride quality is much more decent than any available trucks. They also say that it is a great off-road warrior because of its high ground clearance and double-wishbone front suspension.

“The B4000 features black door handles, black bumpers, a rear step bumper, black wheel-arch moldings, black front grille trim, cargo-bed tie down hooks, contoured front and rear mudguards, 15-inch styled steel wheels, halogen clear-lens headlights, and manual side mirrors.”

Reviewers also see its fit and finish as relatively impressive with high technology and essential safety features.

2008 Honda FCX: The Answer to Gasoline Emission Problem Rolls Out

A hydrogen vehicle is a vehicle that uses hydrogen as its on-board fuel for motive power. It is seen as a viable alternative to gasoline powered vehicles and are expected to reduce our dependence on oil. Fuel cells work by combining hydrogen and oxygen from ordinary air to make electricity, in a process whose only byproducts are water and heat.

The Honda FCX Clarity is a hydrogen fuel cell automobile manufactured by Honda. It was unveiled last 15 November 2007 at the Greater Los Angeles Auto Show. Its limited sales began last June 19, 2008 in United States, and it is believed to start its mass production by the year 2018. This new car from Honda runs on hydrogen and electricity emits only water and none of the noxious fumes believed to induce global warming.

Honda FCX, powered by a front-mounted 80 kW AC electric motor, with 20 kW pancake motors providing supplemental power to the rear wheels. Electrical energy is provided by a 100 kW hydrogen fuel cell, with regenerative braking energy stored in ultracapacitors. In a press release, Honda estimates that the Clarity will travel approximately 72 miles on a kilogram of Hydrogen, which they say equates to getting 74 mpg from a gasoline-powered car. The FCX looks like an ordinary family sedan. It uses a front-wheel drive and is still a two-door four-seat vehicle.

This is a great idea and concept by Honda, two thumbs up for them. Honda continues to refine its fuel cell system, all we need now are those solar powered hydrogen refueling stations.

Toyota Produces Battery Plant for Increased Hybrid Sales

A 192 million dollor or a 20 billion yen plant is to be built in Japan by Toyota Motor Corporation. This plant aims to produce batteries for gas-electric hybrid vehicles. This plan is to support and continue Toyotas purpose of intensifying the production and fame for the green cars.

They had a joint venture with Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., a Japanese electronics manufacturer based in Osaka, Japan which is known or producing products under a variety of names including Panasonic and Techniques. They are planning to build the plant in Shizuoka prefecture, in central Japan.

They will produce nickel-metal hydride batteries, a type of rechargeable battery which is commonly considered to have lower environmental impact than the common nickel-cadmium battery. This technology is now in use with their famous Prius hybrid.

Hybrids reduce pollution and emissions that are linked to global warming by switching between a gas engine and an electric motor to deliver better mileage than comparable standard cars. But as of today, the hybrids still don’t have much better sales the conventional gasoline engines.
With this new step, Toyota declares that they are probably going to increase its hybrid sale to 1 million a year sometime after 2010 making them unbeatable in the industry of gas-electric hybrids.

According to The Nikkei, Japan's top business daily, Toyota is building another plant in Japan that will make lithium-ion batteries that will be used by future ecological cars by the year 2010 but there has been no final decision about the said plant.

The All-New Improved Saab Convertible

The 2008 Saab 9-3 Convertible is a 2-door, 4-passenger luxury convertible, available in two trims, the 2.0T and the Aero. The new Saab 9-3 Convertible gets its inspiration from the Saab 9-3 Aero or Saab 9-3 2.0T. It is the product of more than 20 years’ experience in designing stylish and practical four-seater convertible.

“The 2.0T is equipped with a standard 2.0 liter, I4, 210-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 5 speed automatic transmission is optional. The Aero is equipped with a standard 2.8 liter, V6, 255-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 16mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.”

The automatic soft-top operates instantly at the push of a button. The car looks just as good, top up or top down. It features aggressive aeronautically inspired grille. It has 17inch alloy wheels and unique bumpers with matte-finish fog lamp.

The interior is made up of high quality materials. It features the first water repellent seat upholstery to be fitted to a convertible. A polyester membrane lines the underside of the textile seat covering in order to prevent water penetration.

It still looks like a Saab 9-3 Convertible from 10 years ago. But it proves that the cars original design was a great work of art.

2008 Dodge ZEO Concept Revealed

The Dodge Zeo is a concept car manufactured by Chrysler and was revealed on the 14th of January 2008 at the North American International Auto Show. The ZEO which means “Zero Emissions Operation” is a small four-seat electric hatchback. It was designed for both speed racers and the environment friendly alike.

It has a 64 kilowatt-hour lithium ion battery that powers the advanced propulsion system for up to 250 miles. Its motor is a 268 horsepower single-electric motor which can accelerate the vehicle from zero to 60 mph in less than six seconds. It rivals the Chrysler's famed HEMI power plant.

The ZEO is packed in "ZEO Orange" and dark silver exterior. It has "scissor" doors, front and rear lamps treated as separate sculptural forms. It also has "The lit crossbar grille," which is designed to communicate the use of electricity as the ZEO's power source."

Lou Gasevski is the known principal interior designer of the Dodge ZEO concept. In its interior, it looks mostly like other concept cars because it has very smooth flowing surfaces. Its interior was inspired by organic forms and wireless technology. The entire cabin is treated as if it was a single piece of sculpture.

At least Chrysler shows a huge interest in producing such quality electric cars. Although, I doubt that this car would be produced with the same looks as in the photos. Definitely the styling would be toned down, but if they kept it close, this would prove to be a hot seller.

Seat Bocanegra at 2008 Geneva Motor Show

SEAT Bocanegra is a super mini concept car, built by the Spanish automaker ‘SEAT’. It was presented during the first press day at the 2008 Geneva Motor Show. The Bocanegra will replace Seat Ibiza in its car production lineup. It is expected to be in full production version to be released this May in Madrid. Bocanegra literally means ' the black mouth'.

It has a powerful and economical 1.4 twin-turbo engine with TSI technology, which is accompanied by a seven-speed DSG gearbox. Coupling this highly efficient 1.4 TSI twin-turbo power unit to the speed and sportiness of the DSG transmission promises a very enjoyable drive and a very modest CO2 emission. With this, drivers are able to enjoy sporty motoring at its very finest.

The Bocanegra is known for its tight fit exterior with a low roofline and still-compact four-meter length. It is installed with attractively designed seats which are upholstered in quilted black leather. SEAT says that the front bumper design of this concept will be the face of its upcoming generation of models. Located in the center of the instrument cluster is a high-tech central screen that functions as a phone display. It also features a panoramic glass roof and a concept style 19 inch rims.

This car is absolutely gorgeous; it’s definitely going to be included in my top choices as the best looking car. Finally SEAT made a real classy car; I hope that Bocanegra will be the sucess for the said company.

Maybach Landaulet Design Study

Maybach Landaulet is a concept car which was publicly unveiled at the Middle East International Auto Show around the end of November 2007. The new model is based on the current Maybach 62S. It revives the classic landaulet car body style, which was popular in the 1920s and 30s.

It is powered by the 62S's 612 horsepower (456 kW) biturbo V12. With the use of a twin turbochargers and water intercooling, the V12 develops a maximum output of 450 kW/612 hp from a displacement of 5980 cubic centimeters. The cars engine has an impressive output with a maximum torque of 1000 newton meters between 2000 and 4000 rpm.

The roof of the car opens electro-hydraulically which takes at about 16 seconds. The car has an exclusive finish named Antigua white. But the driver’s area is finished with black leather. The passengers can be able to enjoy the clear, blue sky above through a door that can be fully opened at the rear, while its driver’s compartment remains enclosed. The back compartment now becomes the room for entertainment gadgets, which includes the communications equipment, DVD-player, 6 CD-changer and a cooler compartment.


Maybach finally came up with something that’s worth a high rate. They have relived the art of building majestic automobiles. Maybach really deserves to be given credit due to this concept.

Maybach Landaulet is said to be a study model, but I was glad after hearing that Maybach will take it into a limited production.


Images: German Car Scene