The Lexus LX 570

Women can also be associated with cars at some point because of some features that both possess. To give you a more vivid perspective, I will take women’s beauty and cars’ head-turner appeal as an example. I am certain that you would agree with me if I say that at times, women’s beauty needs intricate preparation- the hairdo, makeup, nails, dress plus the uncomfortable undergarments- to achieve fine results which are definitely worth it. Same with vehicles, several intricate preparations are required for it to be a real standout and head-turner. Complicated preparations will not be put to waste for you will definitely achieve the style and design that you desire. In short, it’s worth it!

Such similarity is very much true in the dazzling 2008 Lexus LX 570 sport/utility vehicle. Lexus LX 570 is the luxury-laden edition of Toyota’s revamped Land Cruiser. It looks really stunning and flaunts plenty of luxurious and lavishing accessories.

Lexus LX 570 is power-driven by an immense 383-horespower 5.7-liter V-8 engine that comes from the Toyota Tundra. It provides a quiet comfy ride and an intricate designed interior. It is somewhat generously sized but its curvy lines aid in hiding its muscular girth. Based from what I’ve researched, it is half-a-foot more undersized, one hand’s-width more constricted, and 600 pounds lighter than a Hummer H2. Further, I learned that around town, it is 11.4 mpg fuel- efficient while 18 mpg on highways. It is indeed a noteworthy progress over the larger vehicle’s 9 mpg.

Its electro-hydraulic Adaptive Variable Suspension complements its hugeness. The electro-hydraulic offers four stages of better driving comfort and performance and an Active height Control System that raises and lowers Lexus to support entry and exit while helping to develop aerodynamics and fuel efficiency. Moreover, I discovered that the steering was very much sensitive that one can maneuver the Lexus with just one finger even at low speeds. There was however a disturbing tremble at highway speeds during the pre-production test.

More interesting facts about Lexus LX 570 are that it is proficient at handling slippery winter weather or even deep mud, an innovative Crawl Control feature controls engine output and braking force to drive the Lexus advance or reverse in three-low speed settings to back up in driving rough, bumpy surfaces or steep grades.

Technology is very much evident in Lexus. It has an Adaptive Front Lighting system that is functional especially when traveling in dark, misty, and twisting roads since its high-intensity headlights that move to light turns and curves. This feature can not be experienced unless drive the Lexus LX 570. Another feature is the Smart Access entry system that offers a keyless pushbutton start. Lexus will recognize you once you unfold the side view mirrors upon approach and disengages the doors when the handles sense a pull.

When it comes to its safety, you need not to worry because you and other occupants are protected by no less than ten airbags like driver-and front-passenger knee bags, front-and-second-row seat-mounted side bags, and side curtain airbags for three rows. Also, all eight seats have three-point belts and active front front-seat headrests. Moreover, Pre-Collision System is offered by Lexus. It works with Adaptive Radar Cruise Control to sense a coming collision, respond through warnings, and provides steering and braking assistance and tightening seatbelts to ready its occupants for the forthcoming impact.

Well, indeed, if vehicles happen to have gender, Lexus will definitely be a woman. Further explanations are needed anymore, right? Every woman knows very well that effort, time, and dedication are all needed to achieve the beauty that everybody wants.

Cool Concept Cars by the Amateurs

It's really fascinating to look at high tech vehicles running down the city streets. However, these are far behind the cars that I see on movies that's why I feel like I just can't have enough of them. Then I was browsing through the internet when I found these pictures of some of the concept cars that are made by a few of our talented amateurs. And I realized how high tech the world would seem if these would be the ones that would be running down the roads. Here are some of them:


This was the first concept car that I saw while I was surfing the net. It's made by Mihai Panaitescu, a twenty-year-old Romanian design student who won in the Peugeot Design Contest 2007. Mihai calls this "Flux." This is because it is inspired by the rapid changes that happen on our daily lives. If you have observed, this reflects the gaming world so much. That's because Mihai is a big gamer, himself. He made a real nice integration with his imaginative concept and Xbox 360 resulting to an advanced design of sports car.

At the 2007 Frankfurt Motor Show, this concept car was revealed to the public as a full-size model and is labeled as Peugeot Flux. It's a 3.5 x 1.65 meter car that is powered by a rear-mounted hydrogen fueled engine. Its body is made of plastic materials, the seats are made of polyurethane, and for the chassis and other mechanical parts, aluminum was used. Moreover, this concept car was also featured in the Xbox driving game.

Here's another one, it's got no name though. This is among the masterpieces of Matus Prochaczka, a Slovakian who loves to make challenging 3D designs. As a matter of fact he has won two Interiormotivesdesign awards for two years. He stresses on making cutting-edge designs yet reachable enough for the people at present.

"First of all, I dream and wonder about new idea of moving of humans. Not average, something smart, special and combined with very new shapes...but not unreachable future. And in magnetic power I have seen big possibilities, because they are used very few and they afford power with zero input." - said Matus on an interview.

Other than this, he's also got a lot other designs that has made given him enough reputation in the field of concept cars.

So, aren't those two concept cars so cool? I say both these two gets two thumbs up on me. They both look real great. But for now, maybe I'll just be looking forward to seeing such vehciles on the roads.

Sources: www.diseno-art.com, www.gearfuse.com, www.automotto.org

Safety Tips for Women Who Drive Alone

Car crashes is the most common road hazards that people encounter while driving on the road. However, aside from this, women when driving alone have a greater possibility to encounter other hazards such as abduction, carjacking, and falling prey to a police impersonator due to the fact that women are likely to be targeted by sexual predators because they think that women are weak and are not capable to defend themselves. Ron Ruecker, President of International Association of Chiefs of Police implied that most crimes that involves women drivers happens when they are heading to or away from their vehicles, most especially in the parking lots were these predators are tempted to steal both the vehicle and the property. In cases like these, women should not panic. The best thing to do is to be always on the lookout for trouble and be always ready when you are being attacked by these predators. Here are some tips to follow for you to stay safe while traveling alone:

1. Choose the safest place to park your car.

It is always recommended to find a well-lit parking area for your car. As much as possible avoid parking your car on areas where there are only few vehicles are parked. Check if your car doors are locked and familiarize the location of your car before you leave it on the parking lot. When your car is parked on the pay lots make sure that the attendant knows where your car is parked so that there would be somebody else to look for it while you are away; and when you return, you can easily ask for the location of your car if you happen to forget it. And by informing him of your return he will also suspect if something wrong happens to you if you don’t come through the pay window immediately after you informed him.

2. Bring along with you your car keys.

Struggling to find your keys in your handbag will give time for the criminals to attack you so keep it handy. If you have a key fob that can be programmed, make sure to open only the driver-side door. Also make sure that the car doors are locked once you get inside your car. A canister pepper spray as keychain can also be of help when you are being attacked.

3. Always be on alert for the vehicles near yours.

As you return to your car, observe the vehicles near you. Is there someone sitting in another car’s passenger side, next to where you’ll be getting in? Is the car idle or pulling out? If it is idle and you sense something unusual better back off because it might get you into trouble.

4. When you are driving alone avoid helping strangers on the road.

There is nothing wrong in helping other people, it’s just that you can do this in some ways that you will not put your safety at risks. There are cases that strangers can sometimes be your abductor so beware. If a stranger on a remote location whose car seems to have broken down, waved and asks for your help. Don’t stop, instead use your mobile phone to call his location in to the police or highway patrol to help him out or you can call 911 to connect you immediately to a non-emergency line for help.

5. Beware on unmarked police car asking you to pull over.

Be alert on suspicious characters. There are cases that criminals pretend to be police officers. They waved down motorists to make their car stop and pull over, and then they will automatically perform their criminal acts. If you are sure that you haven’t done anything wrong and a suspicious “police officer” is waving down on you, better call 911 or asked for the local police authority if there is really assigned to patrol on that specific location. If you are going to pull-over make sure that you will stop on a place that is well-lit and populated area – like convenience store or a gasoline station. Never leave your car or roll down the window. Ask for the officer’s identification card and don’t just settle with a badge or official looking hat. Also make sure that he is wearing a uniform. Unmarked police cars are sometimes used by police departments but it is very unusual that they will assign staffs with just plain clothes to patrol.

6. Be aware of the places you are going

If you are going to places that are new to you better bring along a map with you or consider installing your car a GPS device if it is still doesn’t have a navigation system. There is also portable navigation systems that are less than $200, some of these are usually installed on sport watches. This device will help you call in your precise location whenever you are lost or when you are not good on reading maps.

7. Maintain a well serviced car.

Before traveling makes sure that all the parts of your car are functioning well so that you can avoid getting stocked on the road.

8. Make use of your car’s safety and security features at all times.

Safety and security features are added into your car so you can make use of it in protecting yourself from any danger that you may encounter on the road. Read your vehicle’s manual to learn how you can protect yourself using these safety features in your car.

9. Have some tactics when trouble arises.

If you are attacked by a potential abductor or carjacker while you are inside your car, the best thing that you can do is to drop your things and run, while attracting other people to help you. From there criminals will immediately quit. Never go with them to another place, even if they assure you that you won’t get hurt. In cases like you are being followed by a car and you can’t control the situation, you can head off to the nearest police station or call 911. When you are driving and you found out that there is someone hiding in your backseat, step on your brakes abruptly to throw them off balance, stop the car and run.

10. Make sure that other people have an idea on where you will be heading.

When you are driving alone better inform someone else about your itinerary so that there would be someone to alert the police in times when you failed to return on schedule.

Men "Duno" Women Well

Being a woman brought different interpretations to different people, places, and eras. Through out the history, women have fewer legal rights and career chances than men. In general, the most significant professions regarded to women are wifehood and motherhood. Worse is during the time of Adam and Eve. Women are regarded as temptations and evils. However, in the 20^th century, women managed to change their perspectives. In fact, women in most nations have won several rights and opportunities like the right to vote, increased educational attainment, and job opportunities. Several women also held great role and job in the government. Even in the automotive arena, they showed that they can compete and surpass men. One concrete example is Milka Duno, the first woman from Venezuela to start career in professional Motor sports at an international level.

Milka Duno: talent, beauty, brains, and competitive. These are just some of the adjectives that define Duno’s image. She was born in Caracas, Venezuela. She resided in Miami, Florida, and at an early age she showed passion and dedication to succeed. Still, as a young woman she valued education to be the first step on her path towards success. Being well educated, she managed to be a qualified Naval engineer with four master’s degrees in Organizational Development, Naval Architecture and Aquaculture, and Maritime Business. Her history in automotive racing began in 1988, when she was invited by a friend to participate in Porsche driving clinic. That time, she was working as naval engineer. The same moment, she was captivated by precision and mechanics of motor sports, and realized that racing is within her passion for challenge and competition. She then instantly discovered that she was meant to hit the racing arena, and be a race car driver.

Being the first Latin American woman driver and “expert,” her career has reached new heights every year. Aside from that, she participated in many international races, and driven varieties of race cars like Porsche Super Cup, Ferrari Challenge F-355, Formula 2000 Dodge, Reynard Dodge 98E, Panoz GT-RA, Dodge Viper GTS, Coloni Nissan CN1/C, Reynard-Judd 01-Q, Lola B2K/40/Judd, Dome S-101/Judd, Panoz Mugen LMP 900, Pontiac Riley Daytona Prototype, and Honda Dallara Indy Car. Some of her racing highlights are revealed as follows:

2007 – IndyCar Series/ Rolex Sports Car Series: She was the first Latina to qualify and race in Indianapolis 500. She qualified 29^th out of 33 cars. Her average speed was 219.23 mph. In addition, she also competed at the IndyCar series races at Kansas, Texas, Iowa, Richmond, and Michigan. In fact, she has a top finishing position of 11^th at Texas. In Rolex Sports Car Series, she scored 2^nd place finish. It was actually a legendary 24-hour Daytona racing. What’s amazing is that she earned the highest finish ever by a female racer in the 45-year history of the famous race.

2006 - Rolex Sports Car Series: She was the first woman in Rolex-era to score top-ten finish. It was the Rolex 24 at Daytona. She finished the 24-hour race being the 8^th placer overall.

2005 – Rolex Sports Car Series: She finished 8^th in this 2005 season in the driver point standings. Overall, she earned 3^rd Rolex Series win at Le Circuit Mont Tremblant, Quebec.

2004 – Rolex Car Sports Series/ American Le Mans Series Championship– She was the first woman to win overall a major international sports car race in North America, first woman to win twice overall a major sports car race in North America, the first woman to drive the fastest cars in the Series – the Daytona Prototype. To sum up, 5^th in driver point standings, 2 wins, 5 Top-Five finishes, and 10 Top-Ten finishes. In view of the Le Mans series, she was the first woman with two class wins.

2003 – Europe’s World Series Light by Nissan Championship: In this event, she became the VIP driver- Porsche Super cup race, being a part of Formula one Grand Prix of Spain.

2002 - American Le Mans Series Championship – LMP 900 Class: For this instance, she was the first woman to drive the fastest car, and the first woman to race the fastest cars in the Open Telefonica World Series for the said year.

2001 – American Le Mans Series Championship – LMP 675: She was the first woman to win the prestigious Le Mans, vice-champion driver – LMP 675 class, and with 4 wins. For the same year, she was also the first woman in history to score points in the Europe’s World Series Light by Nissan Championship.

2000 – Panoz GT Series Championship: She won her first auto racing title and was still the first woman to win a Ferrari Challenge race in the USA.

Aside from achieving much prestige in racing, she also hit off track. She has been featured in advertising and marketing campaigns in and out of the USA. She has also her first major motion picture role, as Kellie. The film was based on the 1960’s classic animated series where she portrayed as a race car driver. In addition, she has a bilingual kids book entitled, “Go, Milka, Go!” The book specifically depicts her image as a cartoon character teaching children of all ages the importance of education.

Milka Duno was another woman who really soared high. So, men beware because you don’t know what women can do! Never underestimate one’s capabilities by his or her gender. Women nowadays have evolved, and can no longer be called as “weaker sex.”

Strange but True

If you are:

• in Cleveland, you are not allowed to drive a motor vehicle while sitting on someone's lap.
• in Tennessee, it is illegal to drive while asleep.
• a taxi driver in Massachusetts, you cannot make love at your cab's front seat when you are on a day shift.
• in New York, it is against the law to drive if you're blind.
  
• in Liberty Corner (New Jersey), you cannot make your vehicle's horn sound while making out.
• in Montreal, moving vehicles are not allowed to put "For Sale" sign.
• in Manila (Philippines), you cannot drive your vehicle on city streets between 7 am to 7 pm every Monday if your license number ends in 1 or 2.
• a taxi driver in Australia, you must bring with you a bale of hay in your trunk.
• in UK, you can only urinate in public if you do it on the rear wheel of your motor bike while putting your right hand on the vehicle.
• in Alabama, it is against the law to drive when you are blindfolded.
• a woman in California, you cannot drive if you are dressed in a housecoat.
• in Indiana, you can't ride a public vehicle four hours after you have eaten garlic.
• in Canada (New Brunswick Provincial Laws), it is not allowed to drive on the road.
• in Michigan, it is illegal to make love in vehicles unless it is parked on your property.
• in New Mexico, you should not make out during lunch break in your vehicle unless it has curtains.
• in Evanston (Illinois), it is illegal to changes clothes with drawn curtains except when there is fire.
• in Florida, you have to pay parking fee if you want to tie your elephant to a parking meter.
• in Illinois, it is unlawful to drive a car without steering wheel.
• in Florida, you cannot put your livestock on school bus.
• a taxi driver in Finland, if you want to play music while transporting clients, you must pay royalty fees to the Finnish Copyright Society.
• in Brewerton (Alabama), it is not allowed to use motor boats on city streets.
• in Connecticut, you should drive your bicycle at 65 mph and below or a cop would call you to stop.
• in Hartford (Connecticut), you are not allowed to cross the street while walking on your hands.
• in Switzerland, make sure you don't forget your car-keys inside your auto or prepare yourself for a punishment.
• in Israel, you cannot ride an unlicensed bicycle.
• in Youngstown (Ohio), you should not let your auto run out of gas as it is illegal.
• in Denmark, you should never start your car if someone is underneath it.
• in Canada (Quebec Provincial Laws), at red signal light, it is unlawful to turn right.
• in Washington, if you are a motorist with criminal intentions, you are obliged to stop at city limits and then call the chief of police while entering the town.
• a truck driver in Harrisburg (Pennsylvania), it is unlawful for you to have sex inside a toll booth.
• a motorist in Nebraska, you are mandated to "send up warning red rockets and Roman candles, throw a scenic tarpaulin over your car to conceal it from the horse, and take your machine apart and hide the parts in the grass it the tarpaulin doesn't soothe the horse."
• in some places in Shanghai, it is unlawful to honk your horn.

Source: http://www.strangefacts.com www.nowpublic.com, www.geocities.com

Who Owns the Diamond-Covered Mercedes?

While 852 million people or around 13 percent of the world's population suffer from starvation, some hundreds (more or less 946) people share one thing in common. Wanna know what that is? That's the overwhelming billion dollar bank account. Warren Buffet, with his $62 billion-fat pocket, leads the not-so-long list of "richest of the riches" list. You might be wondering where Bill (Gates) stands now. Well, he's kicked by his friend Warren, and another one naming Carlos Slim Helu, that's why he's down to the number three spot this year. Anyhow, 13 years of being on the throne isn't bad right?

Now, enough with those 'coz I didn't really write this to give you the top ten richest people today. I wrote this because among those billionaires is the owner of this diamond-full Mercedes Benz SL600. Can you guess who he is? No, he's not Warren, not even Carlos, nor Bill. He's the 19th man on the list - Prince Al-Walid bin Talal bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud (I hope I wrote his name right, weeheh!). Anyway, Prince Al-Walid is a 53 year old married prince who is a member of the Saudi Royal Family. His net worth? Not much, only $21 billion that's enough to make him spend for a diamond-full of car.

So now let's talk about this blingy car. According to the data that I've gathered, this diamond-covered Mercedes Benz SL600 costs $4.8 million. OMG like OMG! I can't even imagine myself holding even just a million dollar or a half. lol! I wonder if he doesn't worry on the thought of this being car napped (is car napping among the fads of Arab criminals? I'm completely clueless, lol!). If you're wondering where in particular these diamonds are encrusted, the answer is all over it! I mean, really. From the hood to the tailpipe, rim, and to the logo, all have diamonds on them. But obviously, the seats don't have those blings...Ok, ok, I'd have to take my word back...not all over but almost all over, like 80 percent??? lol!

It wouldn't be much of a surprise if this would put a total halt to the traffic when it drives down the highway. The glittering is just so overwhelmingly captivating. You surely wouldn't help but just stop and stare. heheh! I tell you if there was a real Cinderella in this world, this might just fit the modern way to bring her to her prince charming just at the night of the ball.

I don't know in particular what makes Prince Al-Walid's SL600 more special other than the diamonds but if it doesn't have any other upgrading, then this diamond-covered SL600 Roadster similarly has the Active Body Control Suspension that a typical one has. It should also have this Sensotronic Brake Control that boasts to have enlarged front and rear disks and a comfy set of heated and ventilated multicontour seats. But then I think I heard that this diamond-covered SL600's seat was made even more comfortable through the use of other special materials...I've read about it but I just forgot what exactly that is, so my apology, weeeheh! But wait...hmmm..I think it's faux-fur, is that right? I think this is the fake type of fur.

And, you might just want to know....Prince Al-Walid is not really a big car enthusiast. In fact he only owns a handful of cars. The diamond-covered Mercedes Benz SL600 Roadster is just his 38th car. Other than those, he also owns this high end yacht and the Boeing 747 jet that serves for his private use. I say, he's not really that rich, hehehe!

Sources: en.wikipedia.org, www.waleg.com, diamonds-iceforever-jewelry.blogspot.com, www.forbes.com, www.forbes.com

Hummer-Driving Celebrities

Ok I admit, I have always been a big fan of Hollywood celebrities...so what? Hearing the latest gossips of their failures and fortunes entertain me pretty well. I laugh at them, I envy them, I hate them, but still I love hearing about them. lol! I don't know....maybe it's because of the fame, or perhaps it's the glittering eyes with lots of $$$$ on them, or possibly its the fate that almost everybody dreams to have. What a privileged life! Weeeeheeeeh!

Just among the things that I envy about these people is the privilege to own a number of luxurious vehicles like the high end and greatly brawny Hummer. There's actually quite a number of Hollywood celebrities owning this type of vehicle that varies from men to women. Here are some of them:

• The Terminator and California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger who is said have eight of those before and even posed with General Motor's Vice Pres. Bob Lutz while refueling his sporty blue Hummer H2H.
  
• David Beckham, Spice Girl's Posh Spice's (Victoria) better half, who, despite UK's crowded road and limited parking space, still got himself one.
• There's also 50 Cent who was caught selling his own movie at $5 behind his Hummer. (Can you imagine 50 Cent putting his movie on sale a month before its release?)
  
• Grammy Award-winning R&B singer D'Angelo who even suffered from a critical injury after crashing with his own Hummer to death.
  
• The ever controversial heiress Paris Hilton who has always engaged herself in different traffic violations also owns a Hummer.
• Adrian Brody, an award-winning actor, also boasted his pimped 2003 H2 in a celebrity car showdown that popped and dropped Shaquille O'Neal's jaw.
• LA Lakers' player Bryon Russell also has a 2003 Hummer H2 that gained him the honor of being GM's All-Car Showdown's "King of Bling."
• And who would forget Black Eyed Peas' sexiest rose Fergie who auctioned her 2005 DUB Edition Hummer H2 on e-bay.

These are just some of the military-style SUV owners in the fancy world of showbiz. Although they claim to "hate" the overwhelming attention that paparazzi and die-hard fans give them, obviously, with this oversize off-road vehicle running down the city streets, they get more attention than they "hate" to have. *silly grin*

Since Hummer seems to be another symbol of luxurious living of the well-to-do people on the much-adored showbiz world, it shares the criticism and controversies just like these Hollywood celebrities do. Yeah, all SUVs suffer from similar criticisms. However, this particular type of SUV has been pressed more than the others as it is said to be worse than the rest. There are the safety and ecology issues that Eco-terrorists badly target on Hummer. This is mainly because of its poor fuel consumption that ranges from 10 mpg on streets to 15 mpg on highways. It also faces a great argument on its safety aspects. It lacks standard safety features that include side air bags, stability control, child safety locks, and child seat tethers. It also has larger blind spot, which makes it more prone to vehicular accidents. And lastly, since it has heavier weight, emergency breaking would cause it to stop longer and farther.

Despite all these issues, still many of these "venerated" people opt to get themselves this Hummer. Well, I dreamed to have this myself coz it's so sooo sooo sporty, which only means a lot of plus points on me. *big grin* But then, given those data, I kinda found myself thinking twice. heheh! (What should I be hesitating for when I know I can't even afford one?? lol!)


Sources: www.myh2hummer.com, editorial.autos.msn.com, cars.uk.msn.com, www.edmunds.com, en.wikipedia.org