Chevrolet has come up with a 2008 model for its Chevrolet Silverado. The latest model features revisions as well as improvements that will further make the Chevy Silverado closer to the hearts of those that are already endeared to it. Among the many Chevrolet trucks, it is the Silverado that is considered to be its strongest. It has the power side by side with good fuel economy. And as the price of fuel continuous to be erratic, having a truck as such is a big thing. Normally, big vehicles such as truck require a lot of fuel to run. But when it comes to the Chevy Silverado, this is definitely not the case.

Among the awards that the latest Silverado is able to bag since it was introduced are the 2007 Motor Trend’s Truck of the Year Award, the Pickup category winner of the Car and Driver’s 2007 Five Best Trucks evaluation, and the 2007 North American Truck of the Year. According to Ed Peper, the general manager of Chevrolet “[t]he redesigned Silverado is a winner in all respects. Its combination of style, capability and refinement make it the segment benchmark and we’re working all the time to make it even better.”

For the 2008 Chevy Silverado, there are three cab styles to choose from. These are the regular, extended, and the crew cab. As for the cargo box lengths, it comes in 5 foot 8 inches (for the short), 6 foot 6 inches (for the standard), and 8 foot (for the long). Interested buyers of the 2008 Chevrolet Silverado can choose from four trim levels: the WT, LS, LT, and LTZ. These are all available in 2 wheel drive and 4 wheel drive. The Silverado’s suspension system delivers for smooth and solid rides. It is comprised of Chevrolet shocks and springs. More information on Chevy shocks can be read at the Bilstein shocks website.

Driving the Dodge Avenger is one of the things that can make one feel like Kasey Kahne, one of the most respected drivers of the Nextel Cup race. The Dodge Avenger has already come a long way. It was first introduced in 1995 and after that, several models of the vehicle came out with three to five years interval. The said vehicle has a 2008 model. I was not at all surprised when Dodge decided to release a 2008 model the Dodge Avenger for I see a lot of former models of the Avenger running on the highways. Just the best way to prove that many are still into the Dodge Avenger.

The 2008 Dodge Avenger comes in two trim levels. These are the SXT and the SE, which come as a standard for 2.4 liter, 173 horsepower engine that can produce up to 166 lb of torque. For those who would want more of that, they can have their 2008 Dodge Avenger upgraded. For the SXT, one can upgrade the engine to a 2.7 liter 200 horsepower. The good news is, Dodge has plans to sell this model worldwide. One has only to wait for the time the said vehicle will be made available in the country they are in.

However, when it comes to the standard safety features of the 2008 Dodge Avenger, one may notice that it is not that geared up anymore. The side curtain bags (the ones for both rows) and side impact airbags (the ones for the front passengers) are standard. However, the electronic stability and traction control systems are optional. As for its audio package, the AM and FM radio is basic, there is a CD player as well as a MP3 jack. Apart from this, 2008 Dodge Avenger owners have an option to upgrade their audio with the Chrysler “MyGig” system. This feature fundamentally makes the Avenger a vehicle that is also a flash drive that allows for storage of 20 GB worth of voice messages, music and images.

It has stiffer Dodge shocks and springs in order to cancel out the vehicle shakes when driving on bumpy roads. For more information on shocks, visit the Bilstein shocks website.

Honda has introduced its new car tagged as the 2008 Honda Element. Unlike other Honda vehicles that came before it, the 2008 Honda Element has exceptional beauty. What makes it even more beautiful is that it is really functional. In other words, its design is not just there for the sake of style. It has a purpose. According to reviews of the said vehicle, its design is useful topped with character. Hence, the Honda Element is designed for the modern day people, those who are always on the go and values style but is after functionality as well. This car is beautiful but there is more to its aesthetic qualities.

The Honda Element is a vehicle that values simplicity. It is not that expensive either. It has the space that can provide for one’s comfortable rides as well as an interior that is quite easy to clean. Those who have an active lifestyle may most probably like the Honda Element for it doesn’t come hard on the budget and it has the space that can accommodate the things they need to haul around as they go about their busy schedules. The Element can be availed of at $23,575. It is geared with a five-speed automatic transmission and is a fun to drive.

The fine detail of the Element is the one thing that really sets it apart from former vehicles of Honda. It has major body panels that contain no textured plastic pieces. In other words, its roof trim, fenders, as well as the bumpers are body-colored. As for its front fascia, it incorporates a more car-like bumper shape. It has unique headlights to light its way. When it comes to the wheels, the Element is equipped with 18-inch alloy. Former Honda models have only 16 inches.

It features the Vehicle Stability Assist or the VSA, which is a stability control system that further provides for a comfortable and safe ride. Among its safety equipments are the dual-threshold front airbags and the Occupant Position Detection System that works to control deployment. Many say that Honda made a breakthrough upon the creation of the Honda Element. As for ride control, it has an independent suspension system that features the modified MacPherson struts for the front, double wishbones when it comes to the rear and unmatched Honda shocks and springs that can be availed of at Bilstein shocks for quality rides.

Nissan has come up with their 2009 GT-R. It has the capacity to run up to 193 mph. It can run 0-60 in 3.5 seconds. Now, that’s really something. The 2009 Nissan GT-R features 473 hp, 433 lb. ft. twin-turbo V6 and an all-wheel-drive. Apart from this, it features dual-clutch six-speed automatic that allows for one to operate through the paddles on the steering wheel. Its running capacity is not far off from the Porsche Turbo. The one thing that separates the two is that the 2009 Nissan GT-R is not a race car. It can be used to run on the streets and one can actually put on a license plate on it.

The chief engineer that is hands-on the new GT-R says that they especially designed and engineered the said vehicle to be all-around, for all-seasons, and an all-weather car that is a comfort to drive on a daily basis. For all you racers out there who are trying to find the right car that will not fall short in comparison to the one you’re using, the 2009 Nissan GT-R might be the best car for you. Many regard the 2009 Nissan GT-R as a supercar. It has a carbon fiber prop shop that runs back to the transaxle and also has the capacity to incorporate the transmission, clutch as well as the transaxle together. All these to establish a good damping and stiffness ability. When one shifts gears, it is done with the use of a twin-clutch system. There is one clutch that is used to handle odd gears while the other clutch is used for even ones. Shifting gears take only 0.2 seconds in the GT-R. Less than a second! It has a shaft that sends power to the front wheels and can split the torque to 2/98 under hard acceleration and 50/50 under normal driving.

It is geared with Bilstein shocks called the Bilstein Damptronic shocks that come in three settings: the R, Sports, and Comfort. I really thought the 2009 Nissan GT-R will have Nissan shocks on it but it looks like the people behind the making of it have good reasons for choosing Bilstein shocks.

The Mazda 3 is Canada’s best selling car. Let’s take a closer look on the Mazda 3. It features exterior benefits such as an altered front grille, lights and alloy wheels. It has a colored palette and the cabin has more room that can accommodate more equipments. It has a revised trim material as well as instrument panel that have a high-quality feel to it. Like other Mazda vehicles, it features a keyless entry system as well as a quality engine. Its engines bar of 1.6 litre petrol has been tweaked in order to equip the vehicle with necessary improvements when it comes to emissions and fuel economy. Its 2 litre petrol unit undergoes sequential valve timing or SV-T that basically boosts torque. It has an electronic throttle with a six-speed manual box that gives it more power.

The Mazda 3 is known as an economic car. This is because it is especially designed in order to provide the three things that Mazda customers look for in a vehicle: speed, luggage capacity, and fuel economy. The Mazda 3 is tried and tested to have the capacity to reduce fuel consumption of Mazda vehicles by 6 percent. It has a boot on its saloon model that makes it possible for one to have easy access to the luggage area. It is about 1.4 decibel low on cabin noise that those Mazda vehicles that came before it, making it the quietest vehicle ever from Mazda thus far. Apart from noise reduction, it also features tires and rims that are also made especially to add on noise reduction. As for the suspension, it has been modified and made stiffer. It has Mazda shocks and dampers to keep the tires in its proper place. As for its geometry, alterations are made in order to further reduce the under steer when making through sharp corners. For those who are interested of acquiring Mazda shocks, visit the Bilstein shocks website for more details.

In order to further improve the Ford Fusion, it now features a Sport Appearance Package that makes it stand out from other vehicles. This not only goes for the chassis but also for the interior. The said package is available for both SE and SEL Ford Fusion models. The package is especially developed by Ford in order to allow Fusion owners to have their vehicles customized. It allows them to easily add on custom details and makes them have more options in making their vehicles even more beautiful.

When it comes on the chassis, the Sport Appearance Package leans out the Fusion with a set of 18 inches of machined aluminum wheels. It also features body-colored fog lamp surrounds and a rear lip spoiler. As for the Fusion’s signature three-bar over two-bar grille, it is enhanced by adding more style to it via the smoky black chrome look. As for the interior, the package includes charcoal black interior trim that has contrasting red stitches that can also be found on the leather-wrapped steering wheel and the center console. Apart from these, a satiny-feeling aluminum face envelops the radio as well as its controls. What’s good about the Sport Appearance Package is that it gives more options to those who have a Fusion. They can choose to have a red-splashed cloth seat inserts or red leather inlays. According to Jonathan Richards, the Marketing Manager of Ford Fusion, “[w]e did this to give our Fusion customers the chance to really dress up the exterior and interior of their cars…Fusion customers are into appearance, and they want a sporty-looking package to go with Fusion’s already great handling. This Sport Appearance Package helps deliver that both inside and out.”

As the Sport Appearance Package of the Fusion makes it more muscular, the Fusion is backed up with a finely tuned suspension that has big rear stabilizer bars, stiffer spring, dampened struts and Ford shocks that makes the Fusion able to handle its new mass. This considerably makes the Ford Fusion able to handle its new weight. If you are a Ford owner and find that there is something wrong with your shocks, one can avail of one at the Bilstein shocks website.

The Mercedes introduces its C-Class vehicles, which are said to steal sales from the BMW 3 Series and also from the Audi A4. Some of the C-Class vehicles are the 2008 C300 and the C350. Since the people behind Mercedes do not want to alienate Mercedes enthusiasts and vehicle owners, they opted for the latest addition to the C-Class series to be more evolutionary—a further improvement on what is already there—than revolutionary. The C-Class is 15 feet and 2 inches tall. This is four inches longer and a little bit larger in terms of dimensions compare to those that came before it. Although this is the case, Mercedes made sure that its size is still relatively good to take the vehicle for a drive in the city.

The government classifies the Mercedes’ C-Class as a compact, which features an interior space that best suits four passengers. The seatbelts for the driver and the front passenger are large and is comfortable enough to wear on long-distance travels. As for the C-Class’ back passengers, they have enough room to be able to enjoy a comfortable ride as well. However, if there will be a fifth passenger, there would not be so much space since the vehicle is really designed to seat only four people. When it comes to the interior, the C-Class manifests an elegant and a rather classy tone. It has quality leather seats, metal and wood trim highlights and a screen for the navigation system that can disappear into the dashboard when it is not in use. Isn’t it cool? With the C-Class, one surely has an ergonomic car.

The 2008 C300 and C350 comes as a Luxury and Sport version but is mainly classified as a sports sedan. And as a sports sedan, we know what that it means precise handling and good feedback of the steering. It features an “agility control system” that basically conditions the shock absorbers to be able to handle different driving conditions as well as road conditions. According to what I’ve heard, the C-Class has the capacity to carve curves with precision. That’s really great. And with its agility control system, one can expect better performing Mercedes shocks to further provide ride comfort and handling of the vehicle. For more information on shocks and their performance, visit the Bilstein shocks website.

Suzuki recently released its latest vehicle—the Suzuki SX4. It made a debut at the State Fair of Texas and was able to make an impression to those who went to the show with its one of a kind styling cues. Apart from its exceptional appearance, it has been engineered to have exceptional performance-oriented capabilities. Also in the show are Suzuki’s other vehicles such as the XL7 midsize crossover SUV and the five-door SX4 Crossover among others. Apart from the line of vehicles that Suzuki had on display, those who went to the show also had a good look at the BaseCamp—a “Suzuki LIVE Series” concept vehicle that is based on the XL7.

The 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sport is said to be the vehicle that is of the same family as the SX4 Crossover. It is primarily designed to provide its passengers with great day-in and day-out urban ride. The latest from Suzuki is one of Suzuki’s means of answering the need of those who have a zest for life and enjoys it in the way consistent with the company’s “Way of Life” philosophy. The 2008 Suzuki four-door SX4 Sport as well as the five-door SX4 Crossover has the capacity to withstand varied driving conditions and that also goes for different weather conditions as well.

One can say that the 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sport has considerably improved the handling capabilities of the Suzuki Swift. Considering that the Suzuki Swift already won more than 16 international awards in the U.S. market, one can just imagine how good the 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sport is—with the shortcoming of an award-winning vehicle revised and all. The SX4 Sports shares some characteristics of the Suzuki Swift. It also features a rigid steel unibody that is underpinned by a stylish chassis that is especially made to provide the vehicle with good stability, responsive handling and braking topped with minimal body roll. It has a firm structure and reinforced suspension mounts. Geared with MacPherson struts and rear torsion beam suspension, one will not be surprised with the SX4 Sport’s expect excellent handling capabilities. Aside from good struts, it is also important to have reliable shocks like Bilstein shocks in order to have good rides. As for the SX4 Sport, it is geared with KYB shocks and stabilizer bars that add on the driving as well as ride comfort of those riding it.

The 2008 Suzuki SX4 Sport is built in Japan. It features sophisticated two-liter, four-cylinder, 16-valve DOHC engine that is matched to a five-speed manual transmission. The engine is relatively responsive and has a strong low-end torque that is able to provide a good driving feeling to the one behind the wheel. The engine is able to deliver 143 horsepower and 136 lb.-ft. of torque. It has an estimated EPA fuel economy rating of 23 mpg on the city and 31 mpg on the highway for the automatic transmission.

Maxed Out Off-Road is one of the respected Jeep shops that are now in existence. Jason Hulbert, the one who started it, spent years of reducing Jeep vehicles to their components before he was able to finally realize his dream of putting up a Jeep shop himself. The most recent rig that rolled out of the Maxed Out Off-Road is the 2006 Rubicon. At first, Jason just went on building on the ’06 Rubicon even though he does not have a particular customer in mind. He just kept on working on it and when it was finished, decided on keeping it instead. This move is done to further promote the company and also to equip him with a competent trail rig.

One of the first things that Maxed Out changes when improving a vehicle is its stock suspension components. These are the suspension components that originally came with the vehicle. Maxed Out pulls off all these stock suspension components and install new ones like Koni shocks. As for the ’06 Jeep Rubicon, its stock suspension components were hauled and replaced with an Nth Degree Mobility 6-inch long arm kit. This is combined with Bilstein shocks, specifically the Bilstein 5100 shocks, and a high-steer system with selectable sway-bar setup from TeraFlex. With the changes made, Rubicon was transformed to a vehicle with enhanced suspension capabilities and steering that can withstand hardcore driving.

In order to gear the ’06 Rubicon with more power to run on sand and mud, it was backed up with a stock six-speed transmission and the NVG 241OR Rubicon T-case. It has a Trailjammer kit from Edge Products that does its tweaking in the system for more horsepower and torque. As for the interior, Maxed Out thought it best to keep it simple and ergonomic. It was installed with a set of MasterCraft seats and an OR-FAB sport cage. It has undergone four-wheeling test to check on the new components. The ’06 Rubicon was seriously tested in Moab, Utah and at the Easter Jeep Safari.

The Canadian Automobile Association (CAA) is coming up ways to urge those who are voting on the annual Worst Roads list to inform the party leaders of the need for the tax on provincial gas to be used to aid municipalities maintain their roads. As roads continually are subjected to weather changes and heavy vehicles with tons of loads, it is not surprising that roads wear out easily. Maintaining them is not an easy task not to mention it involves a lot of money. This move to use the tax of provincial gas to help with the maintenance is one of the possible solutions the CAA is thinking of.

As of the moment, municipalities that do not have a public transit are not able to receive a portion of the provincial gas tax. This translates to less funds allotted for the maintenance of roads, which is why it is not surprising that roads in certain municipalities are not well taken care of. According to Kris Barnier, a CAA provincial affairs specialist at a press conference in Alves Auto Centre, “the trick is that we want to see some of that provincial gas tax to come to smaller municipalities as well.”

One could notice that most of the local roads that are part of the CAA’s annual Worst Roads list are maintained by the province and not the municipality. Some of these are highways 518, 510, 559, and 522. According to Mr. Barnier, about 95 percent of time, the roads that make up the top 20 worst roads list get repaired immediately. As roads that are well-maintained can help vehicle owners save on their vehicle’s maintenance costs, they must take action on this. Roads in bad condition can wear the vehicle’s shocks, tires, as well as the breaks and ball joints. In order to avoid unnecessary costs in repair or replacing one’s shocks, it is best to have good roads.

However, if you car has already suffered considerable beating for traveling on ill-maintained roads, one can avail of new Daewoo shocks, Plymouth shocks, and Chevy shocks at Bilstein shocks.