LAMBORGHINI GALLARDO 2010: OVERVIEW

VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS

The 2010 Lamborghini Gallardo (guy-YARD-oh) should not see many major changes. This all-wheel-drive exotic should remain the Italian company’s entry-level car. The car should come in LP560-4 hardtop and LP560-4 Spyder convertible versions. The Spyder convertible has a power-folding soft top. Lamborghini’s Ad Personam program, new last year, should remain available. This program allows personalization of the car with new paint finishes and interior materials. All Gallardos should remain all-wheel drive and use the LP560-4’s direct-injection 560-hp 5.2-liter V10. Transmission choices should include the 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic that includes steering-wheel paddles for manual gear selection. Most structural and body components should continue to be made of aluminum or lightweight carbon fiber. Available safety features should be unchanged, including ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and side airbags that cover the head and torso. Other available features should include a navigation system with TV reception, rearview camera, wireless cell phone link, and carbon-ceramic brakes. We have not yet tested an LP560-4.

For 2009, Lamborghini today took the wraps off a more potent version of its Gallardo coupe, called the LP560-4. The car delivers 560 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and 398 ft-lbs of torque at 6,500 rpm via a 5.2-liter V10 engine. The car is capable of hitting 62 mph in an amazing 3.7 seconds. The sprint to twice that speed — 124 mph — takes just 11.8 seconds.

The 560 portion of the car’s name reflects its horsepower, while the “4″ designation indicates all-wheel-drive. The “4″ was likely added to the name in anticipation of the forthcoming rear-wheel-drive variant, which will likely end in “2.”

The engine not only gains power and displacement, it also features a new “Iniezione Diretta Stratificata” direct injection system. Despite its clearly increased output, fuel consumption and CO2 emissions have been reduced by a staggering 18 percent. With the improved fuel efficiency the LP560-4 is capable of 12/20 city/highway mpg.

The enlarged and clearly redesigned cooling intakes meet the demands of augmented engine. The front spoiler, positioned low between the air intakes, improves aerodynamic equilibrium at high speeds.

The redesigned four-wheel-drive system, an improved suspension design, and optimized aerodynamics all contribute an improved driving experience. A weight reduction of 44 lbs and decreased friction between the components also enhance performance.

The Gallardo LP560-4 fulfils the not yet obligatory European pedestrian safety regulations, without compromising the look of the car.

The automated e-gear transmission has been completely redesigned for the LP560. Gear change time reduced by 40 percent, and the driver may choose between five different driving and changing programs. The most performance-oriented “CORSA” setting not only affects shift speed — it also directs the engine for maximum acceleration. The ‘Thrust Mode’ ensures maximum acceleration from neutral while the angle of the throttle valve and the clutch are optimized.

An optional carbon-ceramic-disc braking system makes use of eight-piston Brembo calipers up front, and four-piston calipers at he rear. Rotor size is 14.4 inches at the front and 14 inches at the rear.

Bi-Xenon headlights provide plenty of illumination at night, while LED daytime running lights give the car a more aggressive and high-tech look.

AUDI R8 2010 : OVERVIEW

VEHICLE HIGHLIGHTS
The 2010 Audi R8 lineup gains a new, more-powerful model. This exotic car is an all-wheel drive, two-seat coupe with a mid-mounted engine. The entry-level 4.2 has a 420-hp 4.2-liter V8 engine. New for 2010 is the 5.2, which has a 525-hp 5.2-liter V10. Both models are available with a manual transmission or Audi’s R tronic automated manual. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, side airbags, and knee airbags. Standard features on all R8 models include leather upholstery, heated seats, and wireless cell-phone link. A hill-holder clutch, front- and rear-obstacle detection, rearview camera, navigation system, and high-end Bang and Olufsen audio system are standard on the 5.2 and optional on the 4.2.

ACCELERATION

Audi claims 0-60 mph in 4.4 seconds with either transmission, and our manual test car felt at least that fast. The torquey V8 delivers forceful but drama-free takeoffs–aided by the all-wheel drive and traction control–plus ample highway passing punch. And it will loaf happily at town speeds without frequent shifting. No 5.2 or R8s with the automated manual transmission have been made available for testing.

RIDE QUALITY

Surprisingly comfortable despite an obviously firm suspension, 19-inch wheels, and wide, low-profile tires. Still, the R8 gets restless on patchy pavement and can jolt over potholes and sharp bumps, though we’ve endured worse. At least the test car showed no structural shudder or rattles.

STEERING/HANDLING/BRAKING

Prodigious dry-road grip and virtually no body lean make cornering racer-sharp. Quick, crisp steering with just-right weighting combines with ample engine power to allow precise path adjustments. However, wide tires tend to follow road grooves, and fast mid-corner bumps can cause an unwanted sidestep despite the stability control (which can be switched off). Powerful brakes erase speed quickly via firm, progressive pedal action.

VALUE WITHIN CLASS

The R8 offers head-turning style, pulse-quickening performance, and superb build quality, yet is quiet and comfortable enough for daily commuting. It’s as thirsty as any high-power car, and aluminum-intensive construction makes it more costly than some rivals with equal or better speed and handling. Still, most buyers in the R8’s price class can afford a more practical second or third car, and low production–some 800 per year for the U.S.–insures the exclusivity such people expect. Overall, the R8 is an impressive supercar achievement and a great drive.

Buy an HDTV & set up a home cinema

HDTV – Basic overview

What is HDTV?

HDTV stands for High-Definition Television. HDTV is the new standard of television viewing. The hallmark of HDTV is the rectangular “Wide” screen and the high resolution of display. From the consumer’s perspective, HDTV translates to better visual and acoustic enjoyment to TV viewing. HDTV is an upgrade of digital technology from analog technology.

HDTV is a digitally delivered signal whereas Standard Definition Television (SDTV) had historically been delivered as an analog signal; however it is now being delivered digitally in many cable and satellite systems. An HDTV signal provides six times the number of pixels than an SDTV signal, resulting in a much sharper image on the display.

There is a class of digital television that is getting a lot of press right now. It is called High-Definition Television, or HDTV. HDTV is high-resolution Digital television (DTV) combined with Dolby Digital surround sound (AC-3). HDTV is the highest DTV resolution in the new set of standards. This combination creates a stunning image with stunning sound. HDTV requires new production and transmission equipment at the HDTV stations as well as new equipment for reception by the consumer. The higher resolution picture is the main selling point for HDTV. Imagine 720 or 1080 lines of resolution compared to the 525 lines you are used to in the U.S. (or the 625 lines in Europe) — it’s a huge difference!

Benefits of High Definition Picture and Sound

Much like the advent of color TV, High Definition dellivers an enhanced viewing experience. High- Definition offers Digital superiority, amazing detail, digital surround sound audio, better quality DVD playback and so on. It’s no wonder why HDTV is one of the hottest selling electronics in the country. Once you experience it, you’ll get it. A few details behind the power of HD:

The Shape’s the Thing: Aspect Ratio

Aside from dramatically improved picture quality and multi-channel digital sound, the most noticeable difference between HDTV and other TVs is the shape of the viewing area which is defined by the aspect ratio.

The almost square aspect ratio that has been used so extensively for decades is 4:3 — the screen is 4 units wide for every 3 units high. By comparison, the HDTV specifications call for the aspect ratio for high-definition viewing to be 16:9, much like a movie theater screen.

While the HDTV standard specifies the 16:9 aspect ratio, not all 16:9 television sets are capable of receiving HDTV signals. It’s important to confirm that the set you are considering will actually receive and display high-definition television. Check the specifications carefully.

Windowpane, Letterbox and the Stretch and Zoom Solution

When you view 4:3 content on a 16:9 HDTV display, you may get an onscreen image with vertical black or gray bars on each side of the image. This is called a windowpane screen.

Likewise, when 16:9 content is viewed on a 4:3 display, you may see a long and narrow image with the black or gray bars above and below. This is called a letterbox screen.

Stretch and Zoom Solution

One pleasant viewing capability of HD cable set-tops is picture “stretch and zoom.” This enables you to eliminate the black or gray bars and fill your HD screen with a non-HD video image rather than have it squeezed into letterbox or windowpane formats.

Why HDTV Looks So Crisp and Sharp

Understanding what resolution means to picture quality will make you a more savvy high-definition buyer. In television terms, resolution refers to the clarity of the screen image based on the number of pixels on the screen. HDTV is the clear winner on resolution. For example, the image on an older 4:3 aspect ratio screen typically is divided into 480 lines, each with 720 pixels. An HDTV with 1080 lines with 1920 pixels in each line has six times the pixel density.

The image on the screen can be created using two different scanning methods: interlaced and progressive. The “p” or the “i” you see in terminology such as 720p or 1080i refers to the type of scanning used (progressive or interlaced) and the numbers identify how many viewable on-screen lines the TV offers. As the number gets larger, the screen has more lines and more pixels to deliver a sharper, more vivid image.

Interlaced Scanning

On most TV screens anyone has watched for the last 50-60 years, the image is created using interlaced scanning. The lines on the screen are divided into two sections called fields — one field includes the even numbered lines, the other the odd lines. So, each field (the even and the odd) contains half of the image to be displayed.

In rapid succession, all of the odd numbered lines of the picture are painted onto the screen in about one sixtieth of a second, followed by the display of the even numbered lines in the next sixtieth of a second. Each new image is displayed so quickly that your eye is unaware of the process that’s creating the video image.

Progressive Scanning

Instead of combining two fields to display a complete image, progressive scanning treats all the lines as one field and displays them in one sixtieth of a second. This speedy delivery of the entire image on the screen gives a more consistent-looking, clearer picture.

Home Cinema

If you’re serious about you TV and film experience, you might want to consider getting your sound properly set up as well and that’s where all the rest of the home cinema kit comes in but, be warned, it can all get very expensive.

Traditionally because of the shallow speaker cabinets on flat screen TVs, many models haven’t offered very good sound. These days manufacturers have spent more time looking at the problem and it’s worth watching out for those which have been acoustically tuned by sound engineers. For example, there’s legend in the industry called Mark Levsinson who LG has no got working with them.

But if that’s not enough for you, then you’re going to need a AVR (audio/video receiver) which is a home cinema amplifier. It takes the audio and video from one source – for example, a Blu-ray player – and routes the audio and video signals out without degrading them. It works really nicely with DVDs and Blu-ray discs because the sound track actually encoded on those discs can then be decoded by your AVR and sent to all the right speakers for the perfect sound experience.

That’s where all the bizarre sounding speaker set up configurations come in. A 5.1 set up refers to having two front speakers (left and right) to rear speakers (left and right) and one centre speaker that you should place either behind, below or above the TV screen. The .1 refers to the subwoofer which can place anywhere in the room.

You can just use two stereo speakers at the front of the room if you want to save a little cash but, if you really want to go for it, you can add an extra centre speak at the rear of a 5.1 to make it into a 6.1, you can a place central surround speakers in between your fronts and rears on each side of a 5.1 to make it a 7.1 or, for the full whammy, you can chuck in two more for a 9.1. The additions are actually limitless but of, course, you’ll start to see diminishing returns.

You can buy all in one systems or you get the AVR and speaker sets separately but bear in mind that it’s worth spending more on the fronts than the others and don’t spend more than double the cost of the fronts on your AVR. Keep the front speakers equidistant from where you sit and angle them in slightly with, if you can fit it, the tweeters at ear level.

Good makes to consider are home cinema kit are Denon, Sony, Onkyo, Pioneer and Yamaha among others and make sure that your AVR and BD players support either, or ideally both, DTS and Dolby Surround sound.