Porsche vs Ferrari

Porsche and Ferrari are German and Italian sides of the same coin, interpretations of the sports car idea. Both founded by a dominant patriarch, both honed in racing, both more than 50 years old, both with engineering and styling integrity. Whether on the track of Le Mains or on the streets, the two have always been put head-to-head and compared. Even the most naive motorist associates these two names with both performance and style.
We have decided to compare the methodical Porsche 911 Carrera 4S and the passionate Ferrari F430 because both of them astonish with their performance while attempting to maintain a reasonable amount of practicality but do not pretend to be anything other than sports cars.
A modern sports car should feature these characteristics: it should be started easily, maneuvered around town, blasted on a couple of country roads, it looks and performs the part on a racetrack but at the same time it is very safe.
The easier way to separate the two cars is by measuring figures since both of them have mastered the modern sports car requirements and basically there's no other way to choose between these two phenomenal cars.
What initially impresses is Ferrari's lightning fast 4-second 0-100km/h acceleration and thrilling exhaust tone. As the occupants are pinned to the seats, the new generation 4.3-litre V8 pushes out 368 snarling kilowatts. Porsche's acceleration also offers that kick in the pants a super car should deliver, although it is 0.8 seconds slower at the 100 km/k mark.
With such acceleration performance, it comes natural for both cars to excel in the braking department. The two cars offer optional ceramic discs for impressive stopping.
Porsche's engine gets the upper hand as it is more refined and on the economy rank leaps ahead Ferrari with a 11.8 liters per 100 km as opposed to 18.3 liters. Both cars deliver the power through impressive 6-speed gearboxes and offer top rate handling performance.
Both F430 and Carrera4S offer great interior comfort and even if the space is limited, the occupants do not feel claustrophobic and flustered. Although an impressive mix of suede, carbon fiber and aluminum abound in the Ferrari, the Italians stand no chance when it comes to the high finish level attained by the Germans.
Speed and silence are key elements for any super car. The look and appearance is the biggest draw card. The Carrera 4S is a typical Porsche, despite the new proportions. It is a great looking car, like any other 911 but somehow the styling no longer creates the jaw dropping reaction that the Ferrari does. Indeed, traditionalists may say that Porsche pays homage to its roots, but the truth is that Ferrari F430 simply draws the attention.
However, even if Ferrari F430 takes your breath away with its appearance, the super car title goes to the Porsche Carrera 4S with a more complete all round package.



by Pj Germain

The Creation of Hybrid Cars

The creation of hybrid cars is not something unique to this century. Hybrid cars have been being developed since as early as 1839. People, even then, saw the need for something different.
Hybrid cars have recently became huge because of the benefits they offer. They are less polluting and use less gas then traditional cars. Additionally, hybrid cars depreciate slower and provide a great investment.
Look at the following timeline to see how hybrid cars and the creation of them has evolved over time from 1839 to present day:
1839: The first electric vehicle was built in Scotland by Robert Anderson.
1870's: A car with an electric motor was developed. This car had problems, though. The batteries that powered the electric motor were heavy and therefore the speed and abilities of the car were limited.
1880's: In England the use of electric taxi cabs were common. These cabs used a small electric motor and battery pack. Also this century the Immisch & Company created a four passenger carriage that ran off a motor powered by a battery. Also developed was a three wheeled electric car.
1900's: The early 1900's were a time of great improvements and advancements in electric vehicle technology. The lead-acid battery and the nickel-iron battery were created. The London Electric Cab Company regularly used electric cars. Mainly they used the Bersey Cab, a battery powered electric motor vehicle that could travel 50 miles before needing charged. Also this century the Pope Manufacturing Company in the United States built 500 electric cars in two years. Towards the end of the 1900's the Lohner Electric Chaise, the first electric car from Porsche, was introduced as the first front wheel drive vehicle. The Electric Carriage and Wagon Company introduced 12 electric cabs.
Early 1900's: In the early 1900's American companies began working with hybrids. They produced steam power and electric power vehicles that year that outnumbered the amount of gasoline powered vehicles they made. The first actual hybrid of electric and gasoline was made in 1903 by the Krieger company. Also tin the 1900's Henry Ford's creation of the self-starting gas engine made the interest in hybrids decline rapidly.
Late 1900's: In 1966 the US government introduced a bill suggesting the use of hybrid vehicles to help reduce air pollution. When gasoline prices soared in the 70's and concern over pollution from automobiles came to an all time high, auto manufacturers began once again looking into hybrid vehicles. In 1997 Toyota introduce the Prius, which was the beginning of the hybrid revolution.
Today: Hybrid cars are now being made by every major auto manufacturer. They are no longer being looked at as an option, but the standard for the future of the automobile industry.

by Joseph Then