They say that the company plans to build 2,500 units in 2012. By the way, the Ray EV is Korea’s first production electric vehicle.

The new cars works on a high-capacity 16.4 kWh lithium ion polymer battery pack that is located under the rear seat and cabin floor. The front-wheel drive EV weighs 187 kg and runs from 0-100 km/h in 15.9 seconds. By the way, top speed is 130 kph.

According to manufacturers, fully recharging the battery pack takes six hours via a standard 220V outlet.

Unfortunately, we don’t know whether the Kia Ray EV will be exported and nothing has been said about pricing as well.

It is important to mention that Mazda have already reported about production of a new compact crossover SUV concept for the Moscow Motor Show. Absolutely love its sporty design with a super feature – two exhausts!!! This model seems to be a very sporty one.

Let’s consider Mazda 3. Apart from its great look and excellent driving performance, the car comes in a variety of models. Technical specs are impressive:

• 2.3 litre petrol engine
• 5 speed manual transmission with an electronic throttle
• suburb acceleration
• excellent fuel economy
• ergonomic design
• special steering wheel and drivers seat adjustment (up to 7 positions)
• opportunity for carrying more luggage than you ever imagined possible
• very big glove compartment capable of carrying even a laptop
• cup holders in the front and rear
• thoroughly thought-over safety systems
• exclusively designed seats in order to reduce drivers’ fatigue
• the last and the most important POINT – PRICE.  Starting around $22,000.

To my mind, nowadays it is cheaper to buy such a car than to flight abroad. )))

Then, Mazda 6 car. May be it will sound a bit strange, but it is a kind of car, having no drawbacks. How it could be? Actually, I don’t know as well. But it is true. Because:

• the Mazda 6 is presented in a variety of models
• it boasts power assisted steering and amazing acceleration
• the car comes in a 1.8 and 2.5 litre four cylinder petrol engines
• this car is a low-emission one
• diesel engine is available as well
• safety features are beyond any praises (just some of them: four-wheel Anti-lock brakes (ABS), Electronic Brake-force Distribution (EBD), immobilizer system and etc.)
• stylish and comfortable interior
• incredible stereo system.

I am ready to bet: real drivers choose Mazdas!!!

Tomorrow we touched upon a very acute problem – concept cars further development and spreading. These cars are fast, sport, possess ultra-modern design and have all possibilities to show that the world is their oyster. Let’s have a closer look at Mazda Taiki Concept Car. Its design is fantastic and even futuristic. It is an extraordinary car, so bright, that it seems, that  Mazda Taiki irradiates style and fashion principles and is made in accordance with the super modern lifestyle.

To tell the truth, it seems to me, that during the last years, Mazda cars became much more interesting, sophisticated and can be proud of a fascinating design. Let’s take for example, Mazda R-8, it has both stylish look and competitive price. And now Mazda Taiki Concept, its debut was made at this month’s Tokyo auto show. Its designers declare, that design of the car was inspired by harmonic shapes of life in motion, even motion of nature – water, sand, volcano lava. Taiki is not the 1st concept car produced by Mazda, the previous ones were called: Nagare, Ryuga and Hakaze correspondently. Their debut took place in Detroit and Geneva. Sheetmetal is used to create a special effect of rolling. It is a fresh wind in cars designing and Mazda designers has to made a lot in order this to be represented as a street model. Due to designers, this car is aimed to reflect the flow of air. This car image was inspired by Japanese koinobori, also, Mazda Taiki shows the next-generation technology – RENESIS (that is a rotary engine 16X), it will help to make our environment clean and get a lot from an ordinary car. New Mazda has only 2-seats and sport package.

Bugatti Royale.

There was an idea to create the most expensive car in the world. Bugatti Royale was called to make this dream come true. But, it was a giant fiasco, during five years only six Bugatties found their owners. Unfortunately and unexpectedly they were unpopular. Two of Royales now can be found in the Musee National de l’Automobile de Mulhouse, in France.

Chevrolet Corsair.

According to its technical characteristics, these cars was destined to became a road star! The most powerful and the speediest car of the epoch! Suddenly, everything turned upside down, because of a Ralph Nader’s notorious book, named “Unsafe at Any Speed”. It is no mater, to menion, that Chevroet Corsair was the main theme in this widely spread book! Corsair had no chances!

Ford Edsel.

This car was named after Henry’s son – Edsel, and its main aim was to take Ford out of the post-war crisis. But, the American public was a tough nut to crack. They didn’t like it at all; they can’t stand the Edsel’s peculiar features and striking insecurity. Selling of this car turned into a giant fiasco and it tool two years for Ford to became the worthiest sellers of that time.

EV-1.

When in 1996 General Motors started the manufacturing of the EV-1 – the first electric car, they supposed to surprise the customers. As a practice showed, they did, but, unfortunately there were a lot of difficulties while buying a car and than driving it. So, this project failed to succeed.

Jaguar 3.4.

The roads along the A3 near Guildford were wet and unreliable, Mike Hawthorn has just became a F1 World Champion, he was driving his tuned Jaguar 3.4. While drive he noticed his encounter – racer Rob Walker in Mercedes 300SL, they began racing. Hawthorn’s car went into the roadside, the driver didn’t survive.

Mercedes-Benz 770K.

Adolf Hitler was found of cars, he can’t drive himself, but as far as it was possible, he used to move on wheels. His favorite was Mercedes-Benz 770K – a super car of its time. He lost his life together with it after the war.

Lincoln Continental convertible.

John F Kennedy was keen on traveling in the presidential Lincoln Continental convertible. He liked this car but it didn’t save his life. JFK was assassinated with a shot made by Lee Harvey Oswald in Dallas (November 22 1963). Since that no President was traveling in a convertible car. Nowadays, this car can be found at the Henry Ford museum (Michigan).

Mazda RX-8.

Do you have an image of Mazda RX-8 in your memory? This car was considered to be ahead of time, as to its technical characteristics and brand-new appearance. Unfortunately, it was of great insecurity and had no popularity in masses.

Mini.

Imagine, dark night in London 1983, 26-year-old film editor Stephen Waldorf was in his Mini Car. Policemen were driving along this car and decided that a dangerous armed criminal was inside, he made 14 gunshots. Thanks to the God, Stephen stayed alive. Policeman wanted to kill him, but he was lack of bullets. The editor survived and was later given 150,000 pound sterlings.

Porsche Turbo.

Porsches are among the most popular people killers. No doubts, they are expensive, gorgeous but ill-fated. It seems, they can stand any leader, or a person who will be in charge of this car!

Have you ever owned one of these cars? Or did you want to?