A vehicle sold in Hungray called the Kenguru is designed so a person using a wheelchair can easily enter the vehicle. Cool Hunter explains:

The car’s interior space has no front seat - just a space built to house the driver’s own wheelchair so all he/she has to do is simply roll in through the extra large car doors and into position. The wheelchair locks into place, within easy reach of the car’s controls which are centred around a joystick. It’s light years away from the current options for disabled drivers, which involve having to hoist themselves into the driver’s seat of standard cars.

A comment on Boing Boing’s entry for the car says it is not a concept car and can actually be purchased in Hungary. The 19th Floor is concerned the vehicle could easily be crushed and wonders where the passenger would sit.

Mitsubishi has created a Hello Kitty car called Princess Kitty. It is just a vehicle created as part of a promotion and not a new line of Hello Kitty vehicles. Autoblog explains how the Hello Kitty design is apparent on both the outside and the inside of the car.

The Princess Kitty is finished in pink, with matching paint applied to the wheels. The Hello Kitty trademark ribbon logo is applied to the front doors and roof, while the rear doors get a “Princess Kitty” graphic with the lovable cartoon character’s face. The back window also gets a large Hello Kitty face decal. The sideview mirrors feature Hello Kitty’s face in relief.

Inside, occupants rest on pink-and-white striped seatcovers adorned with the “Princess kitty” logo. The headrest covers are the shape of Hello Kitty’s head, complete with ribbon on the left ear. It may be the friendliest-looking kei car ever made.

It is friendly looking and it would definitely get the driver noticed. Autoblog has more photographs of the car and close-ups of the inside and the vehicle’s cat-shaped seats. Autoblog also has a link to the Happy Drive website which is part of the Hello Kitty campaign for Mitsubishi. You can see Hello Kitty dancing on the website if you follow one of the links on the bottom right. The website also includes Hello Kitty commercials.

Obvio has announced that its colorful microcars, the 828 and 012, are headed to the U.S. The gas-ethanol powered vehicles will be distributed by Zap, which has purchased 50,000 microcars from Obvio. Electric powered versions are planned as well.

OBVIO said that gas-ethanol engines would power the initial versions of its 828 and 012 microcar designs, planned for production in 2007. But the 828E and 012E equipped with advanced electric drive systems will not be far behind, says OBVIO ! President Ricardo Machado, who announced he would export the electric cars to North America.

“It is clear to me that electricity has a big future in the auto industry,” said Machado. “OBVIO !’s business model of 100 percent outsourced supplier relationships allows for the speed and flexibility to incorporate a new drive system powered by electricity by our second model year.”

Machado says there are several suppliers that are negotiating to provide electric drive systems for the 828E and 012E. Targeting a price of $49,000 and $59,000 respectively, the cars will have plenty of power, capable of reaching a top speed exceeding 120 mph for a range of up to 200-240 miles per charge.

The Obvio website has the 828 specs and the 012 specs as well as photographs for each vehicle. The inside of the 828 looks very, very orange but the electric cars should still be popular in green-friendly California. The 012 is a much sportier and sleeker looking vehicle.

Mazda has certainly made sure that they would be able to create a vehicle that would not only catch the attention of all prospective buyers and everybody else in the market for a vehicle but would also be able to provide enough, if not more than enough, room and space for passengers and for cargo. And it has been made a reality in the 2007 Mazda CX-7.

This new vehicle is a successor for the Mazda MPV and it has been built as a wagon with four doors. It entered the market with competition like the Hyundai Santa Fe, Nissan Pathfinder, Toyota Highlander, Dodge Nitro, Mitsubishi Endeavor, and Subaru B9 Tribeca as competition in the midsize crossover sport utility vehicle class. For power, it relies on the 2.3 liter MZR turbocharged I4 engine coupled up with the six speed automatic overdrive transmission system.

The company claims that maintaining the Mazda CX-7 would not be very difficult. Sources of Mazda Protege mp3 aftermarket parts would surely soon be stocking up with quality and the best kind of replacement parts for this vehicle. Aside from this, various local dealers of Mazda vehicles are also offering various types of services to maintain and keep the vehicle in tiptop shape. Repairs would also be included in the services offer by such service centers.

Starting at $23,750 for this compact SUV, it sure would be a great deal for those out in the market for a new, sporty and spacious SUV. The prices could go up to $28,000 for the Grand Touring model of this vehicle. And you sure would be getting additional perks like the Bose stereo system plus a power sunroof.

Take a quick visit to the interior of the Mazda CX-7 and there would be attractive and easy to use features. The gauges are easy to read and have got orange numerals. You would also find upholstery covered in leather for a more luxurious touch.

As winter draws to an end and the days begin to lengthen, thoughts turn to the open road, fresh air and sunshine. If you’re planning a trip this spring, the last thing you want to worry about is your car rental.

Rent-A-Wreck has some car rental tips to help get the right car and best value for those long weekends and getaways.

1. Research car rental companies before your trip. Call ahead or use the Internet to find out which companies are in the area and their rates and policies. Check online for discounts and last-minute rates.

Reserve your car ahead of time and call the renting location at least a week in advance to confirm the reservation. Always ask for hours of operation and return policies. Many locations offer a key drop or off-hour returns, but don’t assume that all do.

2. Consider “neighborhood” (non-airport) car rental companies. These locations usually offer more reasonable rates and will often come to the airport to pick you up. Off-site rental locations have grown in popularity with budget-conscious travelers who take advantage of lower rates resulting from the absence of airport fees that are passed on to the customer.

3. Choose the right mileage plan, and pay attention to fuel efficiency. With gas prices on the upswing again, consider fuel efficiency when making your selection. Many rental agencies train their agents to “sell up” to a larger-sized vehicle, often for $5 to $10 more per day. Also, many infrequent renters will unnecessarily request unlimited mileage, paying the premium rate.

4. Rent a car on weekends and holidays - it’s cheaper. With 70 percent of the car rental business geared toward business travelers, the best rates for vacationers are during non-work times.

5. Find a rental company that is knowledgeable about the area. Neighborhood car rental operators can be an excellent source for “inside” information on local dining and attractions or simply good directions.

6. Check out the savings between new and used car rentals. In almost every case, you’ll find that a used car rental company, such as Rent-A-Wreck, provides clean, late-model quality used cars often for half the cost of renting a new car.

Got $74,385? No. Not to buy a new set of XJS Jaguar parts. $74,385 would be so you surely can own one of the latest 2007 Jaguar XK series coupe models. It now comes equipped with a 4.2 liter V8 engine that could produce 300 units of horsepower, and it has also been built with an accompanying chassis made out of aluminum. For city driving, you can get 18 miles per gallon out of it and some 26 mpg for cruising down highways. Just by the name that it holds, the Jaguar XK is a superb vehicle and surely exudes class and power. Is it not something you would want to own?

What is new about this new 2007 Jaguar XK is that it is very fast, even much faster than the models before it. And to add to that note, its speed is a product of its getting lighter. In fact, according to the Jaguar brand, it is now five per cent lighter. The previous models were already topnotch vehicles and with changes like this, it not would be very surprising to find that this vehicle has maintained its reign as the best selling sports car for all time for the Jaguar brand.

This sports car has a huge amount of standard equipment made available for all interested parties. You can count in the usual like traction control, stability control and antilock brakes. You can also find whiplash reducing front seats included in the list. For added safety, Jaguar has added in a tire pressure monitoring system as a standard feature. Oh, and do not forget fun features like the DVD navigation system, plus a keyless start. Jaguar also boasts that the Jaguar XK has an adaptive suspension system, power adjustable front seats that are also heated and has a memory function, and parking sensors are also included.

Car care can be intimidating, often because people don’t know what to check on their vehicles - or when to check it - to keep them in good working condition.

A recent survey by the Car Care Council found that 38 percent of cars had low or dirty engine oil, more than 50 percent had low tire pressure and an alarming number of vehicles had not been properly maintained.

Being proactive about vehicle maintenance will not only keep your vehicle in good condition, but save you time and money as well. Here are some guidelines for what to check, and when, from the experts at Firestone Complete Auto Care:

* Every other fuel fill-up: engine oil and washer fluid.

* Every oil change: antifreeze, air filter and battery.

* Monthly: belts, brake fluid, hoses, power steering fluid, tire air pressure, tire tread depth and overall condition, and transmission fluid.

* Every six months: wiper blades.

* Annually: exhaust system.

* Replace when out or worn: lights, shock absorbers.

* Refer to vehicle owner’s manual: change oil, rotate tires.

Experts also recommend that drivers keep an emergency kit in their vehicles. This too can be confusing, as people don’t always know what to include in an emergency kit.

Here are a few items Firestone Complete Auto Care suggests you have to help prepare for unforeseen circumstances on the road:

* Jumper cables

* Flashlight and batteries

* Reflector

* Protective gloves

* Toolkit

* Flares and matches

* Gallon of water

* Nonperishable food

* Portable air compressor

* Auto Club membership card

* In the winter months: a shovel, bag of kitty litter or sand and a blanket.

With a basic car care checklist to help keep your vehicle running well and a comprehensive vehicle emergency kit, you can drive with confidence knowing that you’ll be prepared for any “bump in the road.

Limo services. They can make a special event extraordinary, but not all limousine services are created equal. If you want to make sure that your next special event goes off smoothly, be sure to get all of the details in advance. Continue reading to find out the questions that you simply must ask your limo service.

The first thing you need to ask is what types of limousines your potential limo service uses. They do not all use the same type. One might rent brand new Hummer or Lincoln limousines while another might have a 10 year old rusty Cadillac that smells of cheese. You need to find out what you are getting before you commit to a limo service.

Next check and see who will be driving the limo. Do they have chauffeurs dressed in formal attire or just a guy in a polo? Are their employees drug tested and have they done extensive background checks on them? The kind of driver you want will depend greatly on whether you are renting your limo for a night on the town or for a formal wedding. In any case, you should once again know what you are getting.

Finally, find out how much you will be charged for your limousine. You may think that rates are pretty standard but they can vary greatly depending on the level of service and the type of limousine you are getting. Find out how much the limo will cost and what the overage charges are in case you run late and need the limo longer. Also find out if the gratuity is included in the rate. It is customary to tip your driver and some companies include the tip in the price while others do not.

Getting all of the details in advance will greatly improve your odds of a fantastic night. Once you have decided on a limousine service, be sure to get a written contract with all of the details spelled out in writing.

The 2007 Chevy Silverado LTZ 4×4 extended cab

General Motors is introducing its next-generation full size pickup trucks, the 2007 Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, two trucks that could help lead the General out of its financial doldrums.

GM says the trucks have been redesigned from top to bottom: They have new exterior and interior designs, new engines and new chassis.

The Silverado and Sierra are offered with three cab styles, three cargo box lengths and several suspensions setups. GM hopes the range gives customers more choice when trying to suit their needs, particularly with the heavy duty models.

The Silverado and Sierra light-duty models will arrive in the fourth quarter of 2006. Sierra Denali and Silverado and Sierra heavy duty models will be available in the first quarter of 2007. The heavy duty trucks offer more powerful gas and diesel engines.

Silverado LTZ interior

The new pickups are sleeker and more aerodynamic, including a 57-degree windshield angle designed to reduce wind noise and improve fuel economy. Tolerances between panels are greatly reduced - including a 50-percent reduction in the space between the cab and cargo box.

In addition to the trucks’ three cab designs (regular, extended and crew cab), there are three cargo box lengths, including short (5 foot 8 inches), standard (6 foot 6 inches) and long (8 foot). The pickup boxes have been redesigned with enhanced versatility, increased strength and greater capacity. A one-piece wheelhouse and inner box side adds strength and smoother, more integrated appearance. The boxes are 1.18 inches (30 mm) deeper in the front and 1.57 inches (40 mm) deeper at the rear, with stronger inner walls that offer improved performance when fitted with ladder racks, tool boxes and other accessories. New tailgate designs include locks and torque-rod assist for easier operation. A standard end cap on each tailgate features an integrated spoiler lip that enhances aerodynamics.

GMC Sierra SLE extended cab

A new cargo-management system is also available: Three rails that run the length of the box sides and the forward box wall are secured with high-strength anchors and, unlike competitors’ systems, incorporate upper and lower tracks. Four adjustable tie-down brackets are included with each system and can be located anywhere on the tracks, each rated for a load point of 500 pounds.

The interiors are designed to be quieter and more spacious and refined. Legroom, headroom and hip room have increased. The recline angle and fore/aft travel of the front seat has been increased and power adjustable pedals are available.

Silverado LT interior

The fourth generation of the legendary small-block is the power behind GM’s all-new full-size trucks. Horsepower is up, torque is up, and the pickups will have Active Fuel Management (AFM) and variable valve timing (VVT). A FlexFuel engine is available. GM says highway fuel economy for models equipped with the 5.3L V8 now are estimated at more than 20 mpg for both 2WD and 4WD models. Engines range in size from the 4.3-liter, 195 hp V6, to the 6.0-liter, 367 hp V8.