Auto: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

Electric Revival: Not only did it not kill the electric car, GM's reinvented it.

BY DAVE VANDERWERP, PHOTOGRAPHY BY ROY RITCHIE
October 2010 

Mass-produced electric cars are finally here. And, this time around, it appears they’re here to stay.
It’s irrelevant that, depending on how their electricity is produced, electric vehicles don’t come very close to living up to the zero-emission label they often receive. Also irrelevant is the point that battery packs with enough capacity to power a vehicle for any significant range are prohibitively expensive today. That’s because the trump card already has been played: It’s called government intervention. The Obama administration has started to unleash part of a planned $69 billion to thousands of clean-energy companies—through tax credits, loans, and grants—as well as to consumers, with a $7500 federal tax break for buying a car that has at least 16 kilowatt-hours (kWh) of energy stored in a battery pack. Do you think it’s a coincidence that the Chevrolet Volt’s lithium-ion pack contains exactly that amount?

But beyond the commonality of large battery packs, the Volt sets itself apart from the Nissan Leaf and the forthcoming EV crowd: It also has a gas engine that can step in to extend the Volt’s range when the battery’s energy is depleted.

This is why GM calls the Volt an “extended-range electric vehicle,” and the dual-power-source arrangement makes a lot of sense at a time when there’s precious little charging infrastructure. Currently, 48 of 50 states have fewer than 10 charging stations, and even California’s relative abundance of 422 pales in comparison to its roughly 10,400 gas stations. In other words, it’s going to be some time before charging while at work or out on the town becomes the norm; for now, EVs’ batteries will be replenished largely at home. And with maximum ranges in the 100-mile neighborhood, good luck with any long- or even moderate-distance travel. And forget about having a pure electric as your only vehicle.

Auto: 2011 Dodge Durango

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear- or 4-wheel-drive, 7-passenger, 5-door wagon

PRICE AS TESTED: $35,590 (base price $32,045)

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve V-6, aluminum block and heads, port fuel injection

Displacement: 220 cu in, 3605 cc
Power (SAE net): 290 bhp @ 6400 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 260 lb-ft @ 4800 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 5-speed automatic with manumatic shifting

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 119.8 in Length: 199.8 in
Width: 75.7 in Height: 70.9 in
Curb weight: 4955 lb

C/D TEST RESULTS (RWD V-6):
Zero to 60 mph: 8.4 sec
Zero to 100 mph: 23.8 sec
Street start, 5–60 mph: 8.6 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 16.5 sec @ 87 mph
Top speed (governor limited): 113 mph
Braking, 70–0 mph: 176 ft
Roadholding, 300-ft-dia skidpad*: 0.75 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 16/23 mpg
C/D observed: 16 mpg
*Stability-control-inhibited.

Elegant and relevant: Dodge leaps back into the thick of the SUV game.

BY STEVE SILER
January 2011

We’ll cut to the chase: This 2011 Dodge Durango is the brand’s best vehicle not called Charger. After a two-year hiatus, the Durango is back, with a unibody design based on the same underpinnings that spawned Jeep’s stellar 2011 Grand Cherokee, which came in tops in its first comparo. As handsome as the last one was brash, the 2011 Durango offers rear- or all-wheel drive, standard seven-butt seating (the Jeep is shorter and seats only five), a swank soft-touch and chrome-trimmed interior, and assembly quality that rivals anything else in the segment. Although the new Durango is heavy—our rear-drive V-6 model weighed in at 4955 pounds, and Chrysler quotes 5200 to 5350 pounds for trucks with the Hemi V-8—Dodge is nonetheless positioning it as a performance-oriented alternative to the current segment offerings, a claim backed up by the retention of rear-wheel drive and the resurrection of the Durango R/T, which nabs a standard Hemi V-8, unique exhaust tuning, sportier styling, and a lowered, tuned suspension.

Enjoyable to Drive, for a Big ’Un

We sampled V-6– and V-8–powered Durangos on the roads in and around Napa Valley, California, and as with the new Grand Cherokee, the Teutonic foundations—the architecture will also be put to work under the next Mercedes M-class—pay big dividends in the driving department. The base 290-hp, 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 is quiet and smooth, although it needs to be revved to its 6400-rpm redline to access all 290 hp. Its torque peak of 260 lb-ft is also somewhat high at 4800 rpm, so we often found ourselves deep in the throttle in our attempt to drive with any sense of spirit. With 360 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque at a more accessible 5150 and 4250 rpm, respectively, the Hemi V-8 makes for brisker acceleration, with an extroverted rumble replacing the V-6’s mechanized whir.

Auto: 2011 Dodge Charger

Dodge’s careful redesign brings some civility, but not too much.

BY TONY QUIROGA, PHOTOGRAPHY BY MARC URBANO
November 2010 

Is there an angrier car on the road than the Dodge Charger?

No other car’s styling says, “Don’t f*&! with me” with such eloquence. There’s menace in the scowling headlights, the shield-like crosshair grille, and the shoebox-sized side windows. Those traits, and its fulsome dimensions, mean the Charger works perfectly as a police cruiser. Cops love the Charger because the car’s mere presence has drivers pulling over immediately, even if the lights aren’t flashing. Civilians love it for those exact same reasons.

But for all of its stylized rage, the outgoing Charger never really looked like a Charger. “It could have been an Intrepid, or even a Gran Fury, but we went with ‘Charger’ as it had the best name ­recognition,” president and Dodge-car brand CEO and senior vice-president of product design Ralph Gilles tells us.

Auto: 2012 Ford Focus U.S.A

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan or 5-door wagon

BASE PRICE: $16,995–$23,490

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 16-valve inline-4, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection

Displacement: 122 cu in, 1999 cc
Power (SAE net): 160 bhp @ 6500 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 146 lb-ft @ 4450 rpm

TRANSMISSION: 5-speed manual, 6-speed dual-clutch automatic

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 104.3 in Length: 171.6–178.5 in
Width: 71.8 in Height: 57.8 in
Curb weight: 3000–3100 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 7.8–8.9 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 16.2–17.1 sec
Top speed (governor limited): 112 mph

PROJECTED FUEL ECONOMY (C/D EST):
EPA city/highway driving: 25-26 mpg / 36-37 mpg

BY JOHN PHILLIPS, PHOTOGRAPHY BY JOHN ROE AND THE MANUFACTURER
January 2011

Ford was keen that we drive a preproduction 2012 Focus out of the public eye. That’s how we wound up near Potrero, California, separated from the Mexican border by nothing but a rocky brown hill. Well, that’s not exactly true. Between us and the border also stood an armada of maybe 500 U.S. Border Patrol vehicles, enough that any illegal alien probing the landscape would knock himself unconscious on a government-issue Ford Excursion or Chevy Suburban. We represented an additional hazard to cranial health, madly hurling a navy-blue Focus back and forth along State Route 94. Our progress was surely tracked by scores of agents wielding monster binoculars, who twice halted us at hastily erected roadblocks for “curiosity checks.” Which is how we became the very public spectacle that Ford so fervently hoped to avoid. Victory. (Once its cover was blown, we photographed the Focus in remote downtown L.A.).

It’s understandable that the cops gawked. The new Focus is handsome. “We really worked hard to get strong lower graphics, that rising beltline, and the A-pillars slammed so flat,” says executive director of design Moray Callum. He previously penned the Mazda 3 and is not only Ian’s brother (he of Jaguar styling fame) but also so uncannily resembles British actor Ricky Gervais that, before you can mention it, he says, “I’m not as funny as that guy.” Except he is.

Auto: 2012 Ford Focus European

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan or 5-door hatchback

BASE PRICE (C/D EST): $17,000

ENGINES: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 1.6-liter inline-4, 180 hp, 177–199 lb-ft; turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter diesel inline-4, 161 hp, 251 lb-ft

TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed dual-clutch automatic, 6-speed manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 104.3 in Length: 171.6 in
Width: 79.1 in Height: 58.4 in
Curb weight (mfr’s est): 2600–2800 lb

PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 7.7–8.7 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 15.9–17.1 sec
Top speed (governor limited): 134–138 mph

FUEL ECONOMY:
European combined cycle: 39–44 mpg

January 2011
BY JENS MEINERS

As a part of the blue oval’s "One Ford" global strategy, the company says at least 80 percent of the new Focus will be standardized around the world—no small feat for a car that will be sold in more than 120 countries. (Check out our review of the U.S.-spec 2012 Ford Focus here.)

Focus on the (Powertrain) Family

The biggest difference between our car and the European model is in the powertrains. We will get only a 160-hp, 2.0-liter inline-four on non-ST models in the States. On this drive of the European car, we sampled the 161-hp, 2.0-liter turbo-diesel with a six-speed dual-clutch transmission and the top-of-the-line gasoline model: a turbocharged, direct-injection EcoBoost 1.6 producing 180 hp and mated to a six-speed manual.
Although the diesel’s pleasant rumble is always audible, it is a reassuring and relaxed sound, unless you rev it to redline, which doesn't get you anywhere anyway. The 251 lb-ft of torque are available from 2000 to 3250 rpm, and at those engine speeds, the car lunges forward when provoked. It reaches triple-digit velocities with ease, with a top speed of 134 mph.

Music Download: The Chemical Brothers - Hanna OST 2011

 

The Chemical Brothers - Hanna OST 2011

Genre: Soundtrack

Music Download: Pirates Of The Caribbean On Stranger Tides OST 2011

FRAY released the upcoming soundtrack for the adventure sequel "Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides" which is scheduled to be released on May 17, 2010. As you might know the movie is produced by Jerry Bruckheimer and stars Johnny Depp, Geoffrey Rush, Penelope Cruz and is set for a release on May 20, 2011.

Description: Complete with a soundtrack full of star-studded musicians from reknowned composer Hans Zimmer with collaborations from flamenco rock duo Rodrigo and Gabriela to all new tracks from Rodrigo and Gabriela to relive the film through sound. And enjoy it again with all new remixes from Ki:Theory, Photek, Adam Freeland and more!

Music Download: Battle Los Angeles OST 2011 - Brian Tyler

  

Battle Los Angeles OST 2011

Music Download: Britney Spears- Femme Fatale (Instrumentals) 2011

Artist: Britney Spears

Album:  Femme Fatale (Instrumentals)- (Promo)-2011
Release: 2011 

Genre: Instrumental Pop 

Music Download: ATB - Distant Earth (Deluxe Version) - 2011

Artist: ATB

Album: Distant Earth (Deluxe Version)

Release: May 10, 2011

Genre: Electronica/Dance

Music Download: Billy Ray Cyrus - Home At Last

Artist: Billy Ray Cyrus

Album: Home At Last

Release: October 1, 2007

Genre:  Country

Music Download: It's Uptown - George Benson Quartet

Artist: George Benson

Album: It's Uptown

Release: June 19, 2001

Genre:  Soul & Funk & Jazz

Music Download: Nat King Cole At The Sands

Artist: Nat King Cole  

Album: At The Sands

Original Release Date: 1960

Genre: Jazz

Download CyberLink YouCam Deluxe 4.1.1417.14978

CyberLink YouCam Deluxe 4.1.1417.14978

CyberLink YouCam - the program allows you to add dynamic effects to your network cameras. Have fun with your friends during a video chat, adding emotion effects. You can then send the captured video and photos. Upload your clips directly to YouTube. In addition, you can send your photos and videos to friends on e-mail. Dual-mode user interface makes it easy to use program CyberLink YouCam. While instant messaging can participate in multiplayer Video Sessions with friends using webcams, applying instant effects in real time. Instant effects let you add frames, filters, distortions and emotion effects to the video from a webcam. This allows you to add videos funny and creative visuals.

Have fun during a video chat, adding emotion effects. You can then send the captured video and photos. Upload your clips directly to YouTube. Immediately send your photos and videos to friends via e-mail. Download additional effects of DirectorZone free. The program offers four types of video effects: emotions, filters, frames, and distortions. YouCam works with leading enterprise Instant Messaging, the program supports the following software: Windows Live Messenger, Yahoo Messenger, SkypeAOL and Instant Messenger. YouCam - handy tool to create the display, avatars and videos of photos and video, filmed on your webcam.

The program offers five types of video effects:
• Animated three-dimensional effects - very funny effects
• Emotions - have a creative influence at all. More than 20 objects
• Frames - these effects add a theme to photos or videos
• Distortion - modeled effects, the effect of distorting mirrors
• Drawing tools - makes video chats more expressive, creating designs
• Filters - effects both on television

Download Driver Genius Professional 10.0.0.712

 Driver Genius Professional 10.0.0.712


Drivers Backup: Driver Genius can detect and quickly backup drivers installed on the system. It can compress the backup drivers to a zip file, self extracting file or an independent executable auto installer program.

Drivers Restore: You no longer need to install drivers one by one after reinstalling your Operating System. Just one click can install all your backed up drivers automatically. You can also install drivers via command line silently. If you need install drivers on multiple PC with the same hardware configuration, Driver Genius can save you a lot of time when reinstalling your systems.

Drivers Update: Are you still using an old or beta version drivers? Those faulty drivers may cause compatibility problems. They are the biggest hidden problem that cause systems to crash. A suitable drivers can improve system performance by 50% or even more. There are more than 30,000 device drivers in the database of Driver Genius, including Motherboard, Sound card, Video card, Network card, Modem, Mouse, Keyboard, Scanner, Printer and Digital devices etc. With one click, Driver Genius will work out all drivers that need updating. All drivers we offer are official versions or WHQL versions, you can use them without any compatibility worries.

Drivers Uninstall: There may be some leftover drivers in your system because of changing hardware or updating drivers. Driver Genius can find these drivers that are no longer in use and quickly uninstall them.

Download Map and Guide Professional 2011 v17.0 Europe City

Map and Guide Professional 2011 v17.0 Europe City MULTiLANGUAGE
Languages: Dutch, English, French, German, Italian

With map & guide professional 2011 toll calculation is even more exact. You will always receive the current or forecasted charges valid on trip's specified departure date. Even in the event that toll rates are increased, new toll roads are introduced or new toll systems for Europe are discussed (including any draft bills put forward), this information is immediately made available to you through our updates.

map&guide professional is Europe's leading truck route planner. This route planning software contains features and data catering specifically to the transport industry.

Reap benefits from:
- Truck-optimised route planning with truck routing (based on vehicle type) and integrated truck and hazardous goods data for Europe
- Precise distance calculation based on map&guide kilometres tha are recognized as a standard
- Calculation of exact transport costs including vehicle costs, diesel consumption (depending on uphill and downhill incline), toll, special toll and LSVA.
- Integrated CO2 emission calculation and compensation directly in the software - for your leap into green logistics
- Sequence optimisation and time slot optimisation of trips
- Scheduling and vehicle assignment planning that accounts for driving times and rest periods
- Visualisation and classification of customer data on the map for a better overview of your customer structure

Download Xilisoft iPod Magic Platinum 4.1.1.0418 Full

Xilisoft iPod Magic Platinum 4.1.1.0418 Multilingual | 31.0 MB

Xilisoft iPod Magic can transfer files from iPod/iPhone to PC or iTunes; iPod/iPhone compatible files from PC to iPod/iPhone; DVD movies and other video/audio files to iPod/iPhone by first converting them to iPod/iPhone videos/music. Want to transfer any DVD movie, video and music from your PC to your iPod? Want to backup your iPod files to your PC? This 3-in-1 iPod-copy, iPod-backup, and iPod-rip software is perfect for ripping and copying music, videos, and photos from iPod to PC, copying files from iPod to iTunes, as well as transferring any files from PC to iPod. With this handy iPod manager software, you can even convert non-iPod format files (DVD, audio, video and others) then transferring them straight to your iPod. File transferring between iPhone and PC is also supported.
Besides all of these, this powerful iPod manager software can also transfer files between multiple iPods (iPod to iPod), copy one file to multiple iPods at the same time, and help you manage your iPhone as a portable hard disk. The most ideal solution to manage iPod, rip, copy, backup iPod/iPhone files to your PC, Xilisoft iPod Magic simplifies your iPod management greatly. iPhone 4 and iOS 4.1 are newly supported.

* Fully support iPhone 4, iOS 4.1, iPod touch 4 and iPhone/iPod touch Firmware 3.2.2, iTunes 10 now
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* Transfer files between different iPods (iPod to iPod)
* Establish and edit photo albums to manage images

Download Safari 5.0.5+QuickTime for Windows XP, Vista or 7

Apple released Safari 5 on June 7, 2010, featuring the new Safari Reader for reading articles on the web without distraction (based on Arc90's Readability tool^[30]), a 30 percent Javascript performance increase over Safari 4, and an additional search engine, Bing. Safari 5 includes improved developer tools and supports more than a dozen new HTML5 technologies, focused on interoperability. With Safari 5, developers can now create secure Safari Extensions to customize and enhance the browsing experience.^[31] Apple also re-added the progress bar behind the address bar in this release. Safari 5.0.1 enabled the Extensions PrefPane by default, previously users had to enable it via the Debug menu.

Apple also released Safari 4.1 concurrently with Safari 5, exclusively for Mac OS X Tiger. The update included the majority of the features and security enhancements found in Safari 5. It did not, however, include Safari Reader or Safari Extensions.

Download Internet Explorer 9 for Windows Vista/7 32/64-bit

Windows Internet Explorer 9 has a streamlined look and many new features that speed up your web browsing experience.

Use the new browser controls

The first thing you'll notice when you open Internet Explorer 9 is the simplified design. You can find most command bar functions, like Print or Zoom, when you click the Tools button , and your favorites and feeds appear when you click the Favorites button .

Tabs automatically appear to the right of the Address bar, but you can move them so they appear below the Address bar, as they did in previous versions of Internet Explorer. You can always show the Favorites, Command, Status, and Menu bars by right-clicking the Tools button , and then selecting them on a menu.

For more information about basic controls, see:

• Show or hide the Favorites, Command, and status bars
• Change the location of tabs in Internet Explorer 9

Download Internet Explorer 8 for XP/Vista 32/64-Bit

Internet Explorer 8 is the familiar web browser you are most comfortable using, helping you get everything you want from the web faster, easier, more privately and securely than ever before.

• Faster Internet Explorer 8 is more responsive with new pages and tabs, opening up fast and reliably. You can now get to the information you care about most, in fewer steps; one click access to your webmail, favorite news sites or other online services.
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