BMW Z4

This year's Z4 has been redesigned for 2009. The previous generation's creases have been smoothed out, and a newly redesigned rear end addresses the complaints about the previous generation's design. The biggest difference from last year is the absence of a cloth soft-top. BMW did away with the separate coupe and convertible and now only offers a power-folding hard top.
The 2009 BMW Z4 roadster is available in two trims, sDrive30i and sDrive35i. The 30i comes with a 3.0L inline-6-cylinder engine that makes 255 hp and 220 lb-feet of torque, while the 35i comes with a twin-turbocharged version of the same engine, making 300 hp and 300 lb-feet of torque. Both engines are mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, and a 6-speed Steptronic dual-clutch transmission with steering wheel shift paddles is optional.
The entire Z4's proportions have been enlarged somewhat, providing more room and therefore, more comfort for passengers. The 2009 Z4 is about 5 inches longer than last year's model. The new folding hard top and increased size added weight too, with the 2009 Z4 weighing in approximately 500 lbs heavier as well.
Standard equipment on the 30i includes 17" run-flat performance tires, xenon HID headlights with adaptive light control, rain-sensing wipers, a 10-speaker stereo that can play MP3s and includes 2 subwoofers. Leatherette seat trim comes as the standard interior fabric, but can be upgraded to one of four colors of leather. iDrive is available on the Z4 for the first time, and it controls the audio system, telephone as well as many other vehicle systems. Dynamic cruise control, remote keyless entry and various anti-theft systems are also included. Opt for the Premium package on the 30i, and a universal garage door opener, automatically dimming rearview mirrors, power seats, and automatic climate control can be added for $3,900. The Sport package adds 18" wheels, an adaptive suspension with adjustable dampers, and sportier seats.
The sDrive35i not only gets the upgraded twin-turbo engine, but leather seats are included, as are automatic climate control and a brushed aluminum interior trim package.
Additional optional equipment on the 35i includes a navigation system with 9" display, ivory leather interior treatments and a premium audio system.

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The Aston Martin

For the last forty years, the Aston Martin brand has been best known for its DB series sporting automobiles— thanks in part to Hollywood, which featured a DB5 in a 1964 James Bond film. But the DB didn’t premier with Mr. Bond and his battle-ready car. The first of the series was the 105-horsepower, six-cylinder powered DB2.
The DB2, which was named after David Brown, who was in control of the company at the time, was based on a 1949 Aston Martin Le Mans race car. The brand returned to Le Mans for the 1950 race with the new DB2 production models and came home a winner. Shortly thereafter, a convertible was added to the lineup. Various series models with minor changes were introduced along the way. Race-only DB3 and DB3S models were produced concurrently with the DB2.

In 1958, the DB4 coupe premiered to critical acclaim. With a 240-horsepower 3.7-litre six, it was quick for its time. With coil-spring suspension and a tube chassis, it was light and nimble as well. Carrozzeria Touring of Milan sculpted the body, and the car’s Italian accent made it an instant hit at the London Motor Show of 1958. A convertible was added to the line in 1962. A lightweight GT DB4 with Weber carbs and dual-plug ignition boasted 302 horsepower, which was enough to take the car to 150 mph. Other variations included a Vantage and a Vantage GT.

The DB5 of 1963 was based on the DB4. While the cars were similar, the DB5 offered upgrades, including an increase in displacement to 4 litres, triple SU carbs and a five-speed trans. The engine revisions upped the output of the standard offering to 282 horsepower. Numerous model variations included a DB5 Vantage with triple Webers and 314 horsepower, a convertible, and even a shooting brake. (That’s a station wagon in American-speak.)

The DB6 came along in 1965 with a slipperier shape and longer wheelbase. It went out of production in 1970. The DBS of 1967 featured a fastback shape and square grille. It was meant to succeed the DB6, but the 6 hung around, and the cars were produced concurrently. The DBS outlasted its stablemate by two years before going out of production.

The next DB appeared in 1994. Produced as both coupe and convertible the supercharged 6-cylinder sports car was based on the Jaguar XJ-S platform. A V-12 Vantage version followed in 1999 and a V12 GT model in 2002.

Skipping the DB8 name to avoid confusion in regard to the number of cylinders, Aston Martin launched the V-12-powered DB9 coupe and convertible in 2004. With 450 horsepower, the new machine was capable of 190 mph, all the while treating its well-heeled occupant to a lavish display of automotive luxury. An upmarket DBS version was launched at Pebble Beach in 2008. With a 570-horsepower V-12, a high-tech composite body, numerous technical wonders, and a plethora of amenities, this latest DB series automobile places Aston Martin solidly in the supercar class.

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Hammer

In 1999, General Motors acquired the Hummer brand from AM General, renamed the vehicle Hummer H1, and started working with AM General on a new, smaller version built, in part, off GM’s large SUV. The H2 sat alongside its bigger brother for just four years before GM decided the cost of recertifying the civilian H1 was prohibitive considering its low volume, especially in light of increased demand for military variants. Production of the civilian version ceased in late 2006.
Its official name is M998 High Mobility Multipurpose Wheeled Vehicle (HMMWV) or “Humvee” for short, but it’s best known as the Hummer H1. Designed and developed for the military by American General, at the time a division of American Motors Corp. which also owned Jeep, work on the prototype Humvees began in 1979. This was followed in 1981 with a government contract to develop a prototype vehicle. After exhaustive testing by the military, a $1.2 billion contract was awarded in 1983 for AM General to build 55,000 Humvees over a five-year period. The contract called for 5 basic models and 15 configurations, and was increased to $1.6 billion to cover the build of an additional 15,000 vehicles.

The additional order helped AMC get top dollar when it sold AM General to LTV Corp. in 1983. Both the military and production versions are built on the same 130-in. wheelbase, are 79-in. tall and a relatively compact 184.5-in. long. The combination of width, a low center of gravity, four-wheel independent suspension, full-time four-wheel-drive, steep approach and departure angles, and 16-in. of ground clearance give the H1 exceptional off-road ability. However, while tucking the drivetrain up between the left- and right-hand passengers keeps these items away from harm (the halfshafts are mounted up high and drive through special gear sets), it also helps make the H1 a very wide (86.5-in.) wide vehicle with an enormous center tunnel running down the vehicle’s centerline.

The military and civilian versions also shared frames, axles, brakes and major body panels, and came down the same assembly line. Powertrain choices for the civilian versions included a 6.2-liter GM Duramax diesel mated to a three-speed automatic transmission, a 6.5-liter diesel coupled to a four-speed automatic, a 6.6-liter Duramax turbo-diesel joined to an Allison 1000 five-speed automatic, or a 5.7-liter gasoline-powered GM Vortec V8 with a four-speed automatic transmission. Civilians also could choose from two- or four-door pickup, four-door wagon, or four-door convertible body styles. The trouble was, even though non-military buyers had seen the Humvee in action in Operation Desert Storm and movies, they had to wait until after the Renco Group purchased AM General from LTV in 1992 before they could buy a civilian version. Unlike the military version, only the civilian model carried the Hummer name.

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