At a Glance Ford Focus Electric

BEV Focus offers an electrified difference

The Ford Focus Electric will be going on sale in late 2011, the latest and perhaps the most intriguing model in the compact Focus model range. Powered by a permanent magnetic electric traction motor developed by LG Chem, this lithium-ion battery pack achieves 123 horsepower and 181 foot-pounds of torque. The electrified 5-door hatchback is being built at the Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Michigan.
Although not yet available for sale, there are some things about the Focus Electric we already know. For one, the Escort EV is expected to get a better mile per gallon range than the Chevrolet Volt. It will be able to recharge in 3 to 4 hours, which is half the time of the Nissan LEAF, with its 240-volt charge station. Top speed is 84 miles per hour and pure electric range should beat the LEAF's projected 90 miles.
MyFord Touch
New features and technologies will be introduced by the Focus EV including a customized version of the MyFord Touch driver connect system, designed especially for electric vehicles, an innovative value charging feature powered by Microsoft and a tech-pleasing smartphone app called MyFord Mobile that helps plug-in owners control their vehicles from a distance.
Ford has placed five-way buttons on the Focus' steering wheel, which allows the driver to customize a pair of 4.2-inch LCD instrument cluster screens showing battery charge status, distance to the next charging station and other operating and technical features. This information enables the driver to keep track of how he drives, ideal for the person who want to maximize range and efficiency by changing driving behavior accordingly.
Suspension & Braking
The BEV Focus incorporates a front independent MacPherson strut suspension and rear control blade multilink independent system. Electric power assisted steering, power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes with four-sensor, four-channel anti-lock braking system, disc brakes and regenerative braking are some of the important features found in the electric Focus.
The electric Focus sits on a 104.3 inch wheelbase and has a length of 171.7 inches. This vehicle is 72.4 inches wide and 58.9 inches tall. Seating five passengers, this Focus offers a 60/40 split rear bench seat, 15-spoke 17-inch wheels, push button start and a voice activated navigation system.
Additional Features
Sirius Satellite Radio is standard with the EV Focus and includes a six-month trial subscription. Owners will have access to more than 130 radio stations playing commercial-free music, offering talk, entertainment and sports options.
One of the most innovative features of the battery electric Focus is its illuminated charging port, which leaves no question whether your Focus is ready to go or not. When owners plug their connector cord into the Focus Electric charge port, which is located between the driver's door and front wheel well, it activates light rings around the port to show that it's connected. Your charge is still in progress when the rings are flashing. Your charge has been completed when the rings are solidly lit.

By Matthew Keegan

2009 Ferrari California Overview

California is known for many things: the governator, UCLA, and Hollywood, but amongst its many connotations, the name California is so rarely bestowed upon something of beauty, magnificence and sheer power. Until 2008, when Ferrari made the decision to manufacture a 2+2 front engine, Grand Tourer coupe cabriolet known as the California. Revived from the 1950s Ferrari 250 GT name, the California was announced by Ferrari at the 2008 Paris Motor Show as an entirely new model line for Ferrari. Although often times confused as the successor to the 575 Maranello, or as the similar Grand Tourer, the 599 GTB Fiorano, the California is differentiated primarily as a front engine V8 Grand Tourer versus the Maranello and 599 GTB Fiorano which house V12s.

The introduction of the Ferrari California introduced a number of firsts for Ferrari. It would be the first Ferrari to feature a front-engine V8, a 7-speed dual clutch automatic transmission, a folding metal convertible roof, multi-link rear suspension and direct fuel injection. These combinations of firsts make the California a very interesting car, especially once you start getting into the specifications and begin to understand that the California is more than just a Grand Tourer.

So, without further delay, let's get into the details. The California is powered by a 4.3 liter V8 that puts out 453 horsepower at 7,750 RPM and 357 ft-lb of torque at 5,000 RPM, yielding an impressive 108 horsepower per liter, one of the highest ratios for a naturally aspirated V8. The 2012 Ford Mustang GT features a 5.0 liter V8 that produces 412 horsepower, yielding 82 horsepower per liter and the 2006 Corvette Z06 7.0 Liter LS3 engine produces 505 horsepower, yielding 72 horsepower per liter. Not even a supercharged 6.2 liter LS9 engine from the Corvette ZR1 beats the California's horsepower per liter, with 638 horsepower, the ZR1 yields 103 horsepower per liter.

Although the per liter horsepower is extremely high, the overall output would be considered fairly low when comparing to other performance vehicles so one would assume that it cannot be that much faster. But it is. Thanks to being the first Ferrari with a 7-speed dual clutch automatic, the California can go from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds[validate], the same time as a Ferrari F430, despite weighing 180 kilograms (400lbs) more and having 30 horsepower less. The Ferrari California can then be pushed to a top speed of 193 MPH, thanks to over 1,000 hours of testing in wind tunnels to help perfect the aerodynamics into a beautifully shaped and drag efficient car, which is certainly an understatement.

The design of the car must have first been dreamed by a kid with limitless imagination, and then taken by an artist who knows how to portray power with legs, where, finally the Ferrari engineers spent countless hours perfecting the unique blend of V8 performance, with Grand Tourer cruising with the finesse of an Italian exotic.

In 2008 Ferrari announced plans to produce nearly 5,000 Californias in the first two years of production, pushing total Ferrari production up by 50%. Despite the unusually high production numbers for Ferrari, all California's have been sold up to 2011 for a refreshingly cool $192,000. In 2011, Ferrari announced a refresh for the 2012 California, to feature lighter aluminum alloys yielding a lower weight of 3,758 and an increased power output of 30 additional horses due to a remapped ECU.

By Ivan Rudnitsky 

Hot Rods In Film

American Grafitti

One of the top all-time movies featuring this type of car is American Grafitti. This 1973 film was directed by George Lucas and is still a favorite movie of many people. Although this movie, which was set in 1962 features a number of sub-plots, the classic cars, including several awesome hot rods that are featured, almost steal the show. Among the incredible autos in American Grafitti are a radical yellow deuce coupe, a 1956 Ford Thunderbird and a 1958 Chevrolet Impala.

Smokey and the Bandit

Smokey and the Bandit, released in 1977, starred Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jerry Reed and Jackie Gleason. Burt Reynolds drove a hot rod black Pontiac Trans Am in this film. With Jerry Reed driving a tractor trailer filled with contraband beer, Reynolds uses this Trans Am as a distraction and lookout vehicle. Excellent stunt-driving and lots of tire squealing are offered in this classic car movie.

The Lively Set

Another great example is the 1964 movie The Lively Set, which starred James Darren, Doug McClure and Pamela Tiffin. Centering on a road race from Los Angeles, California to Las Vegas, Nevada, this film features a turbine-powered hot rod and several other excellent cars. This great film also includes a great surf and pop music soundtrack.

Viva Las Vegas

A classic Elvis Presley film, Viva Las Vegas revolves around a Grand Prix race being held in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this movie, Elvis drives a beautifully stylish British Elva automobile. Elvas were produced for only a few years in the 1950's and they are highly valued by automobile enthusiasts and collectors everywhere.

An array of race cars and rods, including Ford Cobras and Ferarris are featured in this 1964 film. The soundtrack to this film is also excellent.

Hot Rod

The title of this 1950 movie about street racing really popularized the term 'hot rod'. This movie is still considered one of the best examples of this type of ride in film. This film starred Art Baker, Jimmy Lydon, Gloria Winters and Gil Stratton. A 1932 roadster hot rod is the real star of the show in this seminal movie.

By Jan Harvey

Volkswagen Car Care An Overview

There are different ways on how you can take proper care of your Volkswagen, as well as a number of services that car dealers and auto repair shops offer in enhancing the overall working condition of your car. On the other hand, if you merely familiarize yourself with the basic details of car care, you will realize that you can save a significant amount of money through examining the entirety of your car and its parts every now and then.

Unbeknownst to many car owners, the cooling system of a Volkswagen is one of the most essential parts that keep it functioning in an effectual manner. Your car is depended on the cooling system's function of regulating the engine's temperature by means of the coolant's circulation. Through this, the engine releases the heat it has absorbed and emits it through the radiator, where the heat wanes into a lower temperature.

The cooling system of Volkswagen cars mainly consists of three parts, namely, the (1) water pump, (2) hoses, and the (3) radiator, sensors, and thermostat. Firstly, the water pump functions as the regulator of the cooling system of your vehicle, and controls the movement of the coolant mixture. It is essential that you regularly inspect your Volkswagen's water pump, and promptly replace it if you have distinguished any damage.

Hoses, on the other hand, is located in the cooling system, and is comprised of the control valves, the heater core, the radiator hose, and the expansion tank. For the primary reason that these parts are frequently utilized and subjected to heated coolant, there is a greater probability for it to worsen easily and require replacement.

Aside from the water pump, the hoses are also essential in keeping your car's system working properly. In a general sense, you should inspect all the hoses of your car's cooling system at least twice a year, and ensure that there are no scrape, leakage, or cracks. If such damages are found, you should communicate with a Volkswagen professional in order to assess the overall condition of the hoses and determine which ones should be replaced.

Lastly, the cooling fan, fan clutch, temperature sensors, thermostat, and expansion tank cap control the temperature of the cooling system. Each of these parts works individually, but they all regulate the engine cooling through transmitting control signals to the electronic systems of your Volkswagen. What is good about these cooling system sensors is that it only needs maintenance through internal and external cleaning, which is why you should regularly clean these parts in order to spare the cooling system of your car from any eventual damage.

By John Alvar

The Golden Age of Chinese Art

The 1930s were not a time most people would think to be a Golden Age. The images of this period in America are not particularly inspiring due to the Great Depression and every thing that went with its economic woes. However, the art of China did experience a sharp rise in demand during this very time period. It seems hard to believe today. Interest in Chinese art had been growing at a steady pace for some time by the 1930s. At the noteworthy Freer Gallery of Art the arrival of Chinese works was the culmination of C.T. Loo's unique business. The size and quality of the gallery's Chinese collection grew in number at this same time. It is a fact that the acquisitions made during this difficult economic era were higher in value than those of the decade before or after. The "Golden Age" for Chinese art had come upon the American and international scene!

Back in the 1930s the Freer Gallery of Art concentrated on metal works (23 pieces in all). It also acquired jade (49 pieces) and paintings (23 pieces). The gallery spent more than $249,950 on Chinese acquisitions specifically. As the decade progressed the gallery's Chinese artworks reached three new heights: $249,950 in 1930, $176,850 in 1935, and $160,550 in 1939. In addition to these purchases, Chinese art research at the gallery was increased. Structurally speaking, the gallery's installation changes gave the eastern wing of the gallery building over to the exclusive exhibition of the art from China.

In the mid to late 1930s, the growth of the Chinese art related activity at the Freer was simply a part of a much larger picture. It is true that in the United States interest in Chinese artworks was spreading to regional and newly established museums. Some of these places included the Brooklyn Museum of Art, the Nelson Museum of Art, the Seattle Art Museum, and the City Art Museum of St. Louis. During this time, the study of Chinese art and its civilization became more widespread than ever before. The consideration of the culture of China had become a subject for deeper, academic contemplation. In fact, a new generation of American scholars and curators had emerged to give China a closer look. One such person was Archibald G. Wenley (1898-1962). He was the first American curator seriously trained in the Chinese language and its culture.

A short review of the new activity back in China also seems to be necessary. In China at this time, the antique business continued to prosper. In the mid thirties the antique trades of Shanghai reached their pinnacle of success. Interesting to note is the fact that there were about 210 antique shops in the community along the Guangdong Road. The government of China had begun to devote more attention to the cultural heritage of the nation. One event which bloomed from the antique business was the government sponsored excavation at Anyang. The excavation continued until the year 1937. This excavation yielded some of the most incredible findings. Therefore, to promote the glory which rightfully belonged to China and its civilization the government sent a great number of art and archeological pieces to London. These pieces became a part of the International Exhibition of Chinese Art at the famous Royal Academy in 1935 and 1936. This landmark exhibition included more than three thousand artworks from some two hundred lenders all over the world. So the evidence for the international fever over Chinese art was very transparent.

Such a shift toward Chinese art at a time as unlikely as the 1930s does seem hard to comprehend today as one looks back on history. The seeds of interest were indeed sown across the United State prior to this decade. The timing of their bloom might appear to be odd. Even so, the thoughtful student of this period should be reminded that such trends are often the result of several cultural and economic forces in play at the same time. Chinese culture, along with the influx of Chinese people to America, had been going on for quite some time. There was a definite shift in the thinking of academics toward the Middle Kingdom already taking place. Chinese art in America had simply of age. In truth, there was no stopping these events by the time this Golden Age arrived.

By Harlan Urwiler

3D Character Animation Bringing Motion and Emotion to the Arts

When an animator is asked what drives the passion in their work the most, the answer is always 'bringing the characters to life'. What other medium allows the artist to not only design and flesh out their own creations, but have them move and interact with a world of their own? Or give them the chance to add fantastic creatures to real footage, as if they were real themselves? With possibilities stretching out endlessly in front of the aspiring creator, the only restriction is his own ability to bring that creation to life.

The first obstacle of the process is how the motion will match the design and detail of the cast. If the leading male has limbs shaped like elbow macaroni, and eyes that take up half his face, then movement will look best when exaggerated and goofy. If he had been modeled realistically, right down to creased knuckles and dilating pupils, then the motions will naturally look better subdued and straight-laced. The average audience member has come to expect certain visual consistencies, so experimenting with these principles should only be done if confusion is the desired effect.

After the style of motion has been pinpointed, the actual 3D character animation work may begin. Now, care must be taken to not only keep to the style, but to keep in mind the limits of the medium as well. When drawing out an animation frame by frame, the pictures have a tendency to vary at least slightly, but this at least adds motion to even the stillest of shots. When a 3D animation project is first set up, the basic scene consists of static objects and environments, and thus has nothing but the motions put into it. If an animator forgets to add motion to the eyebrows when portraying a very expressive character, something is going to be noticeably off to the viewer. Even the most experienced artists go through their work after completion, to make sure that nothing was missed.

Of course, just emulating emotion and expressions is not enough to spark interest in the average viewer. Even if they are not aware of it, the little secondary motions will be what keep their eyes on the screen, and their mind on the shot. Add a lingering swish to a woman's skirt as she turns around, or that flow of motion from shoulder to fingertip as a walking man swings his arms, and the shot will seem that much more natural. Little pieces of realism like that will even help the audience accept more abstract plots, because they will have something concrete to attach the concept to.

This ability of 3D character creators to adapt more difficult concepts into a simpler format has earned the industry quite a bit of professional respect in recent years. After all, it is a lot easier to explain a complicated process through an instructional video than a lengthy, text heavy document. Whether it's converting an employee handbook, or explaining a complex medical procedure, the use of relatable 3D characters interacting with the information further cements the ideas, and drives the concept home on a much deeper level than words alone can deliver. Animation simply presents the vehicle to make this magic possible.

By Daniel W Dani

The Top 5 Disney Villains

Throughout the history of fairy-tale storytelling, every hero and heroine has had an antagonist, nemesis or arch-rival. A strong willed and good natured character that saves the day has to have an opponent which embodies all the negative traits that divide them.

Whether this divide is in the form of pure evil versus good or simply two characters with different goals, Disney know how to bring the epic struggle between good and bad to life. After all, it is the villains which make the heroes and without them the stories just wouldn't be as entertaining.

We'll be taking a look at the Disney villains which stuck in our mind the most, right through our childhood to present day.

5. Mother Gothel

The latest Disney villain to enter the fray, Mother Gothel was a selfish and vain woman who was obsessed with her youthful looks. After finding and hording the power of a magical flower which restored health and living for hundreds of years.

When Mother Gothel discovers that the nearby kingdom had taken the magical plant to save their dying Queen who was about to give birth, she vows to get it back for her own selfish gains.

The flower is used to save the Queen, who subsequently gives birth to a baby with long golden hair, Rapunzel. Little did the King and Queen know that their baby's hair held magical powers, even on the night that Rapunzel was kidnapped by Mother Gothel.

Now, it's bad enough to steal the baby of the King and Queen in order to live forever, but Mother Gothel was so selfish that she raised Rapunzel as her own daughter in a hidden tower so that she could horde the magical power of her hair.

For 18 years Mother Gothel held Rapunzel captive denying her the knowledge that she was the rightful princess to the Kingdom.

4. Cinderella's Stepmother

Cinderella's stepmother, Lady Tremaine, and her stepsisters held Cinderella as their personal servant after her father died when she was still young. Having to wake up early in the morning to toil away all day at the whim of this evil trio all through Cinderella's teens is a strong nomination for the top spot.

Even when Cinderella finishes all her tasks and creates her own ball gown, Lady Tremaine denies her the freedom and destroys the dress.

Even when the glass slipper is being fitted to identify the mysterious girl from the ball, aka Cinderella, Lady Tremaine traps her in the attic and hides away the key. Her pursuit of social advancement and the prospect of having daughters as potential princesses blind her to the fact that she will never achieve her goal. However, she is so determined to follow her delusions that she is even willing to destroy the glass slipper.

3. Cruella De Ville

Cruella de Ville's name says it all; cruel devil. Everyone loves puppies, but Cruella loves them for a very different reason. She is hell bent on kidnapping the cute Dalmatians to use their fur for a new coat, all in the name of fashion. As a spoilt London heiress, Cruella is used to getting her own way and if someone doesn't comply to her wishes, she will calculate and plan their demise.

Of course she won't get her hands dirty, so instead, she has her loyal yet somewhat dim-witted henchmen to carry out her evil wishes.

The imagery of Cruella De Ville is notorious and is the subject of many Halloween fancy dress parties. Her stick thin figure sports a black dress and a huge fur coat displaying all the characteristics of a slave to fashion. Never seen without her cigarette holder and her signature monochrome hair-cut, the Dalmatian puppies were her last obsession before being bested.

2. Maleficent

Another villains name which sounds as evil as the person it embodies, Maleficent was portrayed as pure evil with no room for remorse or mercy.

When the King and Queen hold a party in the castle to celebrate Aurora, the baby princesses christening, Maleficent materialises and curses the family for not being invited. This curse would see to it that Princess Aurora would prick her finger on a spindle before her sixteenth birthday and requires the three fairy god mothers to help thwart Maleficent's evil plan.

With powerful magic at her disposal, Maleficent is a force not to be reckoned with, shapeshifting at a whim and even turning into a huge dragon when things really start to get serious. Maleficent is so evil that she was ranked number 1 in the official top 30 Disney Villains countdown.

By Richard T Skidmore