Archive for the ‘fisker’ Category
BMW twin-turbo inline-six crowned “International engine of the year” for the second year in a row
Twelve awards are handed out in total. The judges heavily favored forced-induction engines, with just four of the winning engines being naturally aspirated, one of those being a hybrid.
BMW’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six has been named the 2008 International Engine of the Year by a panel of 65 automotive journalists from 32 countries (including MT’s own Frank Markus) convened by Engine Technology International Magazine.Twelve awards are handed out in total. The judges heavily favored forced-induction engines, with just four of the winning engines being naturally aspirated, one of those being a hybrid.BMW took home five other awards, including a second award for the 3.0-liter TT I-6 for best engine displacing 2.5 to 3.0-liters. The Bavarians’ other awards were for best engine displacing over 4.0-liters for the M5′s 5.0-liter V-10, best engine displacing 3.0 to 4.0-liters for the M3′s 4.0-liter V-8, best engine displacing 1.4 to 1.6-liters for the Mini Cooper S’ 1.6-liter turbo (jointly developed with Peugeot), and best new engine for the European-market 2.0-liter twin-turbo diesel inline-four found in the 123d.Toyota finished second with two awards, one for green engine of the year for the Prius’ Hybrid Synergy Drive and one for best engine under 1.0-liters in displacement for its European market 1.0-liter four. Volkswagen also picked up a pair of awards. The first was for best engine displacing 1.0 to 1.4-liters for its European-market 1.4-liter twincharger four, the second for best engine displacing 1.8 to 2.0-liters for its widely-used 2.0-liter turbo four.The remaining two awards were split between Porsche (best performance engine for its 3.6-liter turbo six) and Subaru (best engine displacing 2.0 to 2.5-liters for its 2.5-liter turbo four).A list of winners is below:2008 International Engine of the Year Awards WinnersBest New Engine of 2008
BMW 2-liter Diesel Twin-Turbo (123d)Green Engine of the Year
Toyota 1.5-liter Hybrid Synergy Drive (Prius)Best Performance Engine
Porsche 3.6-liter Turbo (911 Turbo, 911 GT2)Sub 1-liter
Toyota 1-liter (Aygo, Yaris, Peugeot 107, Citron C1, Subaru Justy)1-liter to 1.4-liter
Volkswagen 1.4-liter TSI Twincharger (Golf, Touran, Tiguan, Jetta)1.4-liter to 1.8-liter

BMW-PSA 1.6-liter Turbo (MINI Cooper S, Clubman, Peugeot 207, 308)1.8-liter to 2-liter
Volkswagen/Audi 2-liter Turbo (A3, A4 Cabrio, A6, TT, Eos, Jetta, Golf GTi, Seat Altea, Leon, Skoda Octavia)2-liter to 2.5-liter
Subaru 2.5-liter Turbo (Forester, Impreza, Outback, Legacy)2.5-liter to 3-liter
BMW 3-liter Twin-Turbo (135, 335, X6)3-liter to 4-liter
BMW 4-liter V8 (M3)Above 4-liter
BMW 5-liter V10 (M5, M6)
Engine Pictures BMW M5 F10 TwinTurbo "Concept M5"
Indiana – Factors that Affect Auto Insurance Rates
Whether it is Indiana or any other state in the United States, several factors would affect auto insurance rates. The factors are based on the risk level for each person. If the insurance companies perceive a higher risk on a particular factor about you, it would increase the premium proportionately. Similarly, if a particular risk is perceived as minimal, the premium would be lowered. The major Indiana factors that affect insurance rates are presented here briefly.
Factors that affect insurance rates in Indiana
Age and gender
Driving history
Driving record
Past accidents history
Marital status
Mileage of driving
Credit history, credit rating, and credit score
The make, model, and power rating of the vehicle
Several other factors that vary from one company to another
Since the premiums are decided purely on the risk perception about you by the insurance company, there is no harm in your obtaining quotes from several insurance companies for your auto insurance. You would be able to find out how each insurance company evaluates you. You would be able to understand your strengths and weaknesses. This would help you negotiate better insurance rates with the insurance company.
Once you have selected an insurance company, you should continue your auto insurance policy with the same company. Insurance companies value loyalty and reward their clients with better insurance rates. You should also be careful not to allow the auto insurance policy to lapse even by a day. If that happens, the insurance company would perceive that you are a risky individual and hike up the insurance premium. Similarly, the premium payments should be prompt. Delayed premium payments and periodic defaults would classify you as high risk person. When you apply for renewal, the insurance company would definitely increase your insurance rates without compunction.
You should also explore the possibilities of obtaining discounts from insurance companies. They offer discounts for several factors like good driving history, commitment of higher deductibles, better credit history and credit rating, installation of security and safety devices, etc. Discounts for students, military personnel, and aged persons are also available. You should find out all possibilities of such discounts. Further, insurance companies offer discounts up to 15% if you purchase your life insurance, auto insurance, home insurance, and health insurance from the same insurance company. This would result in considerable saving in your insurance rates.
Even if your driving history is not so clean and the insurance companies demand a higher premium, you should accept the lowest premium quote and purchase the auto insurance. Then you should work towards improving your driving record by driving safely during the auto insurance policy period. When the policy comes up for renewal, you would be able to negotiate better insurance rates with the insurance company by pointing out the recent driving record. Similarly, proving that you had not been at fault in the accidents in the past would also help you obtain lower insurance rates.