Personal Helicopter... the world's smallest!

Sean Connery using a Jet Pack to escape from the bad guys in the 007 flick "Thunderball" was cool, after seeing something like that everyone of us must have thought if only.... Here is a more practical and comfortable alternative, the GEN H-4 from Gene corporation - Japan is your personal helicopter.

It comes with a seat and landing gear so all you have to do is strap on and you are ready to go. Unlike traditional helicopters it has 2 sets of coaxial, contra-rotating rotors (KA-52 Hokum for all you military buffs) which eliminates the need of a tail rotor for balancing. The rotors have a length of only 4 meters (118 inches) so no parking problems too. It is powered by 4 lightweight 125 cc 2 cylinder engines which use standard gasoline. The GEN H-4 can fly to a maximum altitude of 1000 meters at a top speed of 90 km/hr (59 mph) for upto 30 minutes. You dont require a license to fly the GEN H-4 in Japan and the inventors claim it is easy as riding a bicycle and with just 2 hours of practice you can master it.

You dont get the GEN H-4 as a ready unit, Gene corp is selling it as assembly kits. It is available in Japan for 3,780,000 Yen ($ 32,500).
Bicycle like controls are easy to use.

DIESEL CAR HITS 350 MPH AND BREAKS OWN DIESEL LAND SPEED RECORD

Bonneville Salt Flats: Today the record-breaking JCB DIESELMAX achieved a stunning 350mph (563kph) to break its own land speed record for diesel-powered cars set yesterday by Andy Green.


On Tuesday, JCB DIESELMAX became the world’s fastest diesel when Green drove it to an FIA-sanctioned speed of 328.767mph (526.027kph). Today he improved on that significantly with a new record of 350.092mph (563.418kph) after two passes in opposite directions, within one hour.

Running soon after daybreak he recorded 365.779mph (588.664kph) on his first run and 335.695mph (540.248kph) on his return, giving the average of 350.092mph (563.418kph).

As he was feted by his jubilant crew, Green said: “I am so pleased that we have got the car to 350mph which was always our ultimate goal and that was with a slow start to the second run. There is so much more to come as the car is pulling like a train and we still haven’t used sixth gear!

“Today’s record proves the potential we have always believed JCB DIESELMAX to possess. This is another great result for a wonderful team and a testament to British engineering.”

"350mph is a fantastic speed for a diesel-powered car. To have built the world's fastest diesel in such a short timescale is a wonderful achievement for the JCB DIESELMAX team,” said Dr Tim Leverton, Project Director. “What is even more impressive is to set three records – 317.021mph, 328.767mph (526.027 kph) and 350.092mph (563.418kph) in only six days.

"Once again we have demonstrated the engineering and team effort that has gone into creating this extraordinary car.”

JCB DIESELMAX was JCB Chairman Sir Anthony Bamford's brainchild, born of his desire to showcase the extreme performance of the JCB444 diesel engine which normally powers the company's backhoe loaders and Loadall telescopic handlers.

After watching today’s runs he said: “Yesterday’s triumph was thrilling, and better than I had expected. Today’s surpasses even that. We have proved that we can do it, and we have the world’s fastest diesel car and engine. The JCB DIESELMAX team has worked at times in adversity and faced numerous heartaches with fortitude. These record-breaking successes prove to the world the excellence of British engineering and teamwork.”

Hybrid cars will not pay for themselves right away

Hybrid cars and trucks, which get improved mileage in city driving by running on a combination of gas and electric power, cost $1,200-7,000 more than traditional versions of the same vehicles.

But a fuel economy study by Edmunds.com showed that the scales were starting to tip in favor of hybrids. "High gas prices and generous tax credits now offset the high sales prices of some hybrids, assuming owners keep their hybrids for a few years," said Alex Rosten, an analyst with Edmunds.com.

The shift is significant because analysts have said that higher sticker prices were constraining hybrid sales.

Hybrids currently account for 1% of new car sales in the United States. But Japan's Toyota Motor Corp. , the hybrid market leader, sees its annual hybrid sales topping 1 million units soon after 2010.

The consumer-focused Web site said that assuming vehicles were driven 15,000 miles per year and gas was priced at $3 per gallon, owners of the Toyota Prius and Ford Motor Co.'s Escape Hybrid would break even within three years.

Buyers of the Saturn Vue Green Line from General Motors Corp., the Toyota Camry and the Civic Hybrid from Honda Motor Co. would break-even within six years, Edmunds.com said.

But federal tax credits for hybrid buyers are being phased out on the most popular models.

Under a provision of the tax code, buyers of a Toyota hybrid after September 30 will only qualify for half of the tax credit for which they would have previously qualified.

Tax incentives will also be cut on other hybrids after auto makers sell 60,000 of the vehicles - a sales threshold Toyota has reached.

The tax credit on Toyota and Lexus hybrids is scheduled to drop to 25 percent in April 2007 and then be eliminated in October 2007.

In another study released on Tuesday, auto industry tracking firm CSM Worldwide cited higher gas prices as one factor driving a shift toward more efficient six-speed transmissions.

CSM forecast that automatic six-speed transmissions would account for 60 percent of the U.S. car and truck market by 2012, up from less than 5% today.

GM has already announced plans to shift to a new family of six-speed transmissions for upcoming models.

CSM said three-quarters of the new cars from GM, the world's No. 1 automaker, would feature the six-speed transmission by 2012.

New Toyota Prius, Touring Edition 2007

Toyota has unveiled the Prius touring edition with added features for a more pleasent driving experience. The 2007 Prius gains standard driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags and front and rear side curtain airbags, which were previously optional.

Thanks to its European-tuned suspension and 16 inch alloy wheels it provides more "spirited driving response". New wheels, large rear spoiler, High intensity discharge (HID) headlamps and foglamps set apart the Prius Touring edition.

The Prius is still the most fuel efficient car in the USA with estimated EPA ratings of 60mpg on highway and 51mpg in city driving. In the Prius, Hybrid Synergy Drive combines a 1.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson Cycle gasoline engine and an electric drive motor.

Porsche in Gold !

The Gold plated Porsche will enable you to exhibit the power of your wealth. If you have missed the Diamond covered Mercedes SL Class, then you must get your hands on this golden Porsche to soothe your ego. The town of Pforzheim in south-west Germany known as “the City of Gold” is home of the first Gold-plated Porsche. All the major components, from the control elements such as the steering wheel and door knobs to the car body and alloy rims, are all gold plated, making the two-seater exceptionally outstanding. Visualis, which is situated in Pforzheim, gilded a Porsche Boxster in 22 carat beaten gold.

Additional nine Porsche Models will go through the same, unique refinement process to continue the creative project. Although the price is not yet disclosed, Visualis’ Petra Koehler reports that “curious people are already anxious to know who are going to be the owners of these magnificent automobiles.”

Look who's here: 2007 BMW Mini Cooper

The Mini Cooper is an e-ticket carnival ride that can dry out wet pavement with its outstanding handling. The shortest car on the road, it can be parked in the smallest of places. Yet it seats four, with unexpectedly roomy back seats, and it can carry a generous amount of cargo. Its bulldog stance still generates smiles, four years after its introduction as a 2002 model. Engineered by BMW, the Mini Cooper is a high-quality piece of equipment, as solid as any German sedan. And it brags a multitude of passive and active safety systems. While BMW has made some minor changes to the styling of its popular midget car, the big news for the next-generation Mini will be the complete overhaul of its engine range. BMW has designed a new series of all-aluminum twin-cam engines with French company Peugeot, at least two of which will appear in the "Mini 2."

While the capacity will remain the same at 1.6 liters, the engines themselves are expected to be vast improvements over the hastily designed Tritec engines that Chrysler originally provided for the vehicles. The Mini Cooper reaches its peak 120 horsepower output at 6,000 rpm and peak torque of 118 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm. It features Valvetronic technology for an added edge over the previous model. The turbocharged Cooper S makes 175 hp at 5,500 rpm, and peak torque of 177 lb-ft comes at just 1,600 rpm. BMW is considering retaining a 115-hp engine as an option for the standard Cooper. In addition to the above mentioned engines, other changes include a new and slightly longer body, new sheet metal, a revised grille and upgraded interior materials.

Segway anounces personal transport: i2 and x2

Segway Inc. is advancing its self-balancing technology with the introduction of the second generation Segway Personal Transporter (PT). The new line of Segway PTs feature LeanSteer technology and a wireless InfoKey controller. The line includes the Segway i2 and a cross-terrain model called the Segway x2, along with six tailor made product packages. With Leansteer technology all aspects of movement are controlled by the direction the rider moves his body. The Segway PT responds as the rider naturally leans in the direction he wants to travel, rather than using a handlebar grip for turning. The InfoKey controller allows the rider to set the speed and also acts as speedometer, odometer, trip computer, and battery gauge of the Segway PT. When the unit is parked it activates a security alarm and if the unit is disturbed it locks the wheels, emits an alarm and a visual alert is send to the InfoKey to notify the owner of the disturbance.

The i2 has a top speed of 12.5 mph and can travel up to 24 miles, or approximatelly 480 city blocks, on a single charge of the lithium-ion batteries. The x2 model is ideal for the adventurer, the outdoor enthusiast and the rider who wants more terrain capability. Its all-terrain tires can maneuver through dirt, gravel, grass or sand. Its wider track and higher ground clearance maximize the stability of the x2 for off-pavement and industrial use. The x2 has a top speed of 12.5 mph and can travel up to 12 miles on a single charge of the lithium-ion batteries. The i2 is available for $4,995 and the x2 for $ 5,495.

Top 10 most stolen cars

Forbesautos.com shows us the top ten most stolen cars. These are:

1. Cadillac Escalade
2. Hummer H2
3. BMW 7L Series
4. Honda S2000 Convertible
5. Lincoln Navigator
6. Chevrolet Avalanche
7. Mercedes-Benz S-Class
8. Chevrolet Corvette
9. Mercedes-Benz SL-Class Convertible
10. BMW X5

Be aware to buy these cars :)

A-bike - world's smallest bike?

Unlike other foldable bikes available in the market the A-bike offers a number of advantages with the main being portability. The A-Bike can be hand-carried anywhere – on public transport, taken into stores or stored in school lockers. Targetted at the urban consumer it weighs only 5.5kg (12 lbs) and can folds to a compact volume of less than 0.03 cubic meters (1.1 cubic feet) in a mere 10 seconds.

Importantly, the design of the A-Bike is such that it adjusts to fits all riders. It also has very small pneumatic tires which, based on recent valve developments, offer an extremely comfortable ride. The tire's inner tubes can be removed and repaired in the same way as a larger bicycle tire.
Price - $ 375
Source: A-bike