Top 10 Police Cruisers of Today

1. Ford Crown Victoria

It is the most widely used police Interceptor in North America. The V8 engine, rear-wheel drive and body-to-frame chassis makes it suitable for the job. Easily the most recognizable police car, it combines raw power and strength to chase down and ram the cars of fleeing suspects.

 

2. BMW 5 Series

This mid-size executive car with its status and price is widely used by Diplomatic Protection Group. The 3.0l diesel engine gives it a high-performance compared to the civilian versions. The Germans use it in both sedan and station wagon designs. Along with its cousins in the previous series, it finds use among the forces in the Low Countries, France and UK.

 

3. Toyota Land Cruiser

Product of precise Japanese technology, this 4WD jeep can be seen all over the world serving with various law enforcement agencies, from Japan itself to third-world countries. It is the simple outlook, easy maintenance and cost that make it the first choice for many budget-restrained countries wanting a good vehicle for its forces. It has been in duty since the earliest of its model.

 

4. Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution

It is the high-performance version of the Lancer since 1992. Its 2.0L engine gives more than 300 horsepower. This large-engine sedan has been chosen by the forces of UK, Malaysia and Australia. It is ideal for sustained car chases and patrols because of its endurance.

 

5. Alfa Romeo 159

Alfa Romeos stand for quality and that’s what the Italians want from their cruisers too. The ‘Gazella’ as all Italian carabinieri cars are called, heavily modified for the task is roaming the highways of the country. With newer generations of vehicles being inducted by the various agencies in Italy this one has been in service since 2006. It is pleasant to look at and not easy to shake off.

 

6. Land Rover

This British heavyweight has served throughout its empires and continues to serve with the police of its former colonies. This 4WD off-road vehicle with a Spartan design was ideal in the regions with limited roads and mountains. Many European countries also use’s it.

 

7. Dodge Charger

With more powerful and faster cars coming on the road, the police in many states in US chose the Charger. It is highly modified from the civilian version. With an upgraded V8 Hemi engine of 368 horsepower, this mean machine proved to be better in acceleration, turning and braking than all the other pursuit vehicles.

 

8. Porsche 911

This customised version of the famous Porsche is used by the German. It can go 0-60 mph in 4.5 seconds. It is portrayed as a concept car by the Germans to spread awareness of the safety in such fast cars. Also useful in catching the racers in the autobahn.

 

9. Smart Car

The narrow lanes and tight turns of its cities doesn’t allow much room, so the Italian Police simply got a smaller car. The smart car is very useful for patrolling crowded shopping avenues, plazas etc. Makes it easier for the officers by avoiding walking too much and pollution is very negligible.

 

10. Volkswagen GT1

This compact hatchback is the choice of many police forces with a mixed-bag of cars to use. It is ideal for streets with regular demand. The cramped side roads of the European medieval cities call for a compact car. With a top speed of 245kmph, it packs the punch for a ugly chase.

Top 10 Pick Up Trucks 2010

1. Toyota Tundra

This pick up truck came out in 2000 and has been a favorite ever since. The engine is state of the art and people say that it has a very American feel to it which is why it fills the country’s streets. It won a prestigious award in 2008 and the company’s manufacturing headquarters are located in Texas.

 

2. Ford F-Series

F-150 is the most popular model in this category and has remained on top as far as sales are concerned for 3 decades. According to analysts, these pick up trucks account for most of the profits made by the company recently.

 

3. The Ram

This pick up truck was called Dodge Ram when it first came out and has sold massive volumes every since the beginning of the year. The design has changed as and when the market demands increased or decreased. It has won many awards over the years because it moves smoothly no matter what the nature of the terrain is.

 

4. Chevrolet Silverado

This model became a part of the market 12 years back. The design is classic and the company has proved that they know what they are doing. Even though it is slightly bulky and heavy duty, it is aimed at a particular category of customers and needless to say, it is doing well.

 

5. Honda Ridgeline

This pick up truck is full size and massive, to say the least. It first came out in 2005 and was Honda’s first experiment with this line of vehicles. It is particularly popular this year in Canada and was received an award a year after it entered the market.

 

6. Toyota Hilux

The Toyota Hilux was initially known as the Tacoma about 15 years back. The basic configuration remained the same for many years but was recently modified. It is compact but able enough to carry great weights for greater distances.

 

7. Nissan Frontier

This series was manufactured 12 years back but was discontinued in Japan about 8 years back. However, it still monopolizes the market in North America and Tennessee. When the creators first drew out the structure, people were dubious whether it would be accepted by the public. Fortunately, it was and continues to work its charm in 2010 as well.

 

8. Mitsubishi Triton

This compact vehicle was popular in Japan for about 8 years when it went by the name of Mitsubishi Forte. It sold millions of units in 2010 and is being imported by American citizens almost regularly! The Mitsubishi Triton is referred to as Mighty Max because it is massive and powerful.

 

9. Isuzu d-Max

This pick up truck by Isuzu is up there with the likes of GMC Canyon and Chevrolet Colorado. It has a number of versions but the one that is made in Thailand is definitely the best. It is known as the Holden Colorado is Australia and Isuzu Rodeo in UK.

 

10. Ford Courier

The company is selling massive volumes of this model this year. This is mainly because it offers a lot of storage space and the design is easy to work around with. It was first manufactured in 1952 and is popular because apart from being practical, it also looks good.

Top 10 Smallest Cars In The World

1. Ford Ka

The Ford Ka was launched in 1996 and was compared to the very popular Volkswagen Beetle. Ford Ka is very popular in the United Kingdom and has not be introduced in the U.S. as yet as it is felt that the Americans would not accept it.

 

2. The Bolloré BlueCar

The Bolloré BlueCar is manufactured in France and though it is among the smallest cars in the world, it can run at a speed of about 80 mph and offers about 155 miles of operating range. In order to fully charge this car, one must take 6 hours out of the 24 in the day. This car is only available in France.

 

3. The Think City

”Think” is a Norwegian-based car company which has been planning to introduce this car in the United States of America within a few years. It was meant to come out during 2009 but due to recession and the consequent financial crunch, production was stopped.

 

4. The Daihatsu Copen

The Daihatsu Copen was launched in 2001 in Japan. It is a two-seater and is extremely compact and comfortable. This tiny car is available only in Japan and most of Europe.

 

5. The Smart Fortwo

The Smart Fortwo was initially known as the Smart City Coupe. It was launched in 1998 and was quite popular. In 2008, the company launched a new version of the car which is completely electric in nature, called the Fortwo Ed. This car is very environment friendly and easy to drive. While it is only available in the United States at the moment, the company is thinking of expanding production.

 

6. The Kandi Coco

The Kandi Coco is available in Oklahoma and is quite inexpensive. The residents of this State can purchase this car for about 900 dollars. It is a two-seater and has to be recharged every day. The Kandi Coco was launched in 2009 in the United States of America.

 

7. The Reva G-Wiz

The Reva G-Wiz is manufactured by RECC (REVA Electric Car Company) and is considered to be the best and most reliable country in the world which creates electric cars. RECCs headquarters are in Bangalore and the car is available in the United Kingdom.

 

8. The Tango by Commuter Cars

Commuter Cars was founded by Rick Woodbury over 11 years back with his son. Each ear wheel has its own electric motor which is why the car is able to run at a speed of 60 mph in about 4 seconds after starting it. The price of the car has been estimated at 121,000 dollars and people like George Clooney and Sergey Brin are quite impressed with this small car.

 

9. The Lumeneo Smera

The Lumeneo Smera is manufactured by the French and was released quite recently. The price of the car has been estimatd at 33,000 dollars and while the car is available only in France at the moment, sources reveal that European residents will be able to drive this car by mid 2010.

 

10. The ElBil Norge Buddy Cab

The ElBil Norge Buddy Cab is created by a Norwegian based electric car company and is an improved version of the Kewet which was launched in 1991. These cars are very popular and the company has sold over 1000 units over the years.

Top 10 Muscle Cars

MOPAR, Mustangs and meaty motors – they are all part of this inspiring Top 10 list of the best classic American muscle cars, unlike the 2011 new cars today that pose as muscle cars. Sure, some cars such as Porsche, Lamborghini and Ferrari could be categorized as muscle, but those cars were built with a different richer clientele in mind. The true muscle car was built for the everyday American who would spend from $500 to a couple grand more in the late 60s and early 70s for that one jaw-dropping feature – more power! Through the ages, boys have always been attracted to their toys, these toys just happened to be bigger, badder and with a lot more muscle than their standard counterparts.

10. 1965 Pontiac GTO

Possibly the one to start the American muscle car craze, the Goat or 1965 Pontiac Tempest GTO option featured racing car options that remained inspirational long after it was out driven in speed and power. From 0-60 in 6.1 seconds was not shabby, but not awe-inspiring considering the next 10 years of muscle cars. Regardless, this muscle car has the chops to make this list just by starting the phenom that has turned car enthusiasts into weekend warriors under the hood.

9. 1970 Buick ‘GSX’ Stage 1

A beefy Buick, the Stage 1 ‘GSX’ performance package boasted 360 bhp though testers said it came in at closer to 400 for the bigger valved, better headed and hotter camshafted car. This supercar did the quarter mile in 13.38 seconds and came in only two colors – Apollo White or Saturn Yellow.

8. 1969 Ford Mustang ‘Boss 429’

The ‘Boss 429’ 1969 Ford Mustang was the costliest non-Shelby Mustang Ford offered at the time. The reason came down to the semi-hemi 429 engine that Ford wanted to get into NASCAR. While the car was not built for its screaming starts, it was known for long-haul racing capabilities and smooth handling.

7. 1970 Plymouth Hemi-Cuda

The baddest of the 1970 Plymouth Barracudas or Hemi Cudas featured a 425 bhp 426 hemi engine. This muscle car boasted a 0-60 mph in 5.6 seconds and was known for burning rubber without much prompting. A brute on the road, the Hemi Cuda was made for muscle lovers. The Hemi Cuda came in one engine size, 426, while the other four engine options for the ‘Cuda did not have hemispherical heads.

6. 1969 Z28 Camaro

Not the most powerful, the 1969 Z28 Camaro was built for the excitement of road racing and loved for its sense of style and handling capabilities. Perhaps one of the most stylish muscle cars, this Camaro could do a quarter-mile in 14.8 seconds though only at a speed of a little more than 100 mph. Despite that obvious lack of raw power, it was noted for its great handling with four-disc brakes, positraction and power steering.

5. 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C

Thought to have too much power for its chassis, the 1966 Shelby Cobra 427 S/C featured an impressive 480 bhp. This sporty little number looked like a European sports car, yet had the muscle to prove it was American. Two twin turbocharged versions of this super car were made – one for Bill Cosby and one for Shelby. Cosby sold his because it had too much power and the next owner put it in a lake; Shelby’s Super Snake was sold in 2007 for $5.5 million US.

4. 1968 L88 Corvette

Boasting a top speed of about 170 mph with a special order package, the 1968 L88 Corvette is thought to be the end-all, be-all in the Corvette world. The 550 bhp motor was designed specifically for racing and GM didn’t want the L88 on the open road due to its power. More standard features of everyday cars such as air conditioning and a radio weren’t even offered to make this powerful car less attractive to the common man.

3. 1970 454 Chevelle SS

The 1970 Super Sport package Chevelle featuring the LS6 package came in at a whopping 454 horse. The option was standard for the average car buyer of the day making it one of the most powerful stock cars anyone could purchase. With racing stripes and a smooth interior, this muscle monger was the average muscle lover’s dream.

2. 1969 427 COPO Chevelle

A special order by dealers designated Central Office Production Order, the 1969 427 COPO Chevelle had a limited run of about 320 cars. This 450 bhp muscle car was fitted with a L72 427-cid V-8 due to demand from muscle loving Chevy dealers. Interestingly enough, Chevy didn’t want their mid-sizes at the time to have more than 400 cid. But the COPO Chevelles were made and distributed to some very happy dealers.

1. 1969 ZL1 Camaro

Perhaps one of the rarest of muscle cars, the 1969 ZL1 Camaro featured a jaw-dropping 500 horses under the hood in an aluminum V-8 engine. This bad boy American beast could go from 0-60 in about 5.3 seconds, which was why some of the 69 models made found their way into drag-racing. Over time, the full complement of cars was sold; however, the package option was never offered again.

Top 10 TV Shows Where the Stars are Cars

There are many TV shows geared around vehicles, from the imaginative to the unbelievable, below is a selection of the best car based TV shows out there.

10: Herbie

Although only 5 episodes were made in the TV series, Herbie is known all over the world having featured in 6 films over nearly 40 years. Easily recognizable with the his red, white and blue stripes and sporting the racing number 53, Herbie is a VW Beetle that can drive himself when needed, and often triumphs in the face of adversity in races that he features in.

9: Driving School

For the British readers; Driving School was a TV Series in the 90s following wannabe drivers during their lessons through to their driving tests. The most notable learner was Maureen, who failed her theory and practical tests several times, and even went on to release a cover of the Madness single “Driving in my car” due to her new found fame thanks to the TV show. She eventually passed her test in an automatic car.

8: American Hot Rod

American Hot Rod was a reality TV series that followed Boyd Coddington’s custom care business, which built Hot Rods to order. 5 Seasons were aired, covering their restoring vehicles to tight deadlines; which often caused friction between members of staff, resulting in a number of staff leaving to join their competitors.

7: American Chopper

Ok, so this one is about bikes – American Chopper is another reality TV series in a vehicle workshop; however this one is about motorbikes; following the family run Orange County Chopper business, creating custom motorcycles. Each episode usually consisted of a heated argument between the family members, much to the viewer’s amusement, however due to regular disagreements; Paul Teutel Jr has left OCC and started his own firm. The new season will be billed as father v son as they go head to head with their rival businesses.

6. Speed Racer

Speed Racer is the English adaptation name of a Japanese Manga/Anime called “Mach Gogogo”, in which a young boy wants to become a racing driver, against his father’s wishes.

Speed Racer enters a race to win money for his father, to help him create his own engine design company. Picker up dangerous driving habits in the Mach 5 built by his father, Speed Racer inadvertently smashes the windscreen of the Mach 5, after a gang try to steal the windscreen as it contained details of a new engine in it, hidden by his father. Speed is told to quit racing but ignores his father, and begins a series of racing adventures.

52 episodes were created, along with a feature film created by the Wachoswki brothers (famous for creating The Matrix trilogy); however the film flopped at the box office.

5. Fifth Gear

Channel 5’s take on BBC’s Top Gear; Fifth gear includes some former presenters of the BBC’s show, including Quentin Wilson and Tiff Needell. The show is a car review show, highlighting the pros and cons of both affordable cars and high priced sports cars such as Ferraris and Porsches. It doesn’t however include the challenges that the Top Gear presenters are given, which have reinvented the show.

4: Knight Rider

Any TV show that features a talking car has to be included in this list. Knight Rider featured a car called K.I.T.T which has the ability to drive itself using Artificial Intelligence as it’s control system.

The car could also communicate with Michael Knight using a voice synthesizer, and was fluent in Spanish and French. The car also included features such as a turbo boost, a silent mode to avoid detection, oil jets which released oil slicks to get rid of pursuing vehicles, a tear gas launcher and an eject button if it was ever needed. The original model was sold for $150,000 in 2007.

3: Top Gear

Top Gear was a magazine style vehicle review program, which ran from 1977-2001. It was re-launched in 2002 with a more laid back, humorous style which now includes races between the competitors along with challenges such as driving from Bolivia to Chile, using locally bought off road cars, or an American road trip across four states using a car they had bought for under $1000.

The presenters were chased out of one town after the locals took exception to the graffiti added by the presenters. The show also includes a feature called “Star in a reasonably priced car” in which a celebrity has to race round a track in the shortest time, pitted against other celebrities who have taken the challenge the previous week.

The team also attempted to destroy a Toyota Hilux to prove it’s strength, and failed using the following methods: dropping it from a crane, setting it on fire, crashing it into a tree, hitting it with a wrecking ball, leaving it out at sea, and putting it at the top of a block of flats that was eventually demolished using explosives. The Hilux emerged from the rubble still able to drive, much to the disbelief of both presenters and viewers alike.

Top Gear currently broadcasts to around 350 million viewers worldwide and various local versions have been created.

2: Pimp My Ride

Pimp My Ride was hosted by X to the Z; Xzibit. The show involved the participant presenting their worn down, old car before handing it over to West Coast Customs, who normally gave it new body work, a new interior, a new paint job, a host of modifications and an over the top In Car Entertainment system. To top each car off, there was normally a surprise addition such as an Xbox and TV screens fitted into the car, or a pool table on a pickup truck, and on one occasion even a fireplace was added to the boot of one car.

The before and after shots of the car were unbelievable, giving the owner a road worthy car that not only drove safely but looked the part too, with chrome alloy wheels, custom made leather interiors and some graphics down the side of the car to make them unique.

Many international versions of the show were launched, including a cringe worthy UK version presented by Tim Westwood.

1: The Intercept

You may not have heard of it, but The Intercept is by far and away the craziest game show ever; aired in Russia. In almost a real life version of Grand Theft Auto, the participant has to steal a car and evade being captured by the Police for 35 minutes; if they do they win the car. If they failed, they were arrested for theft of a motor vehicle.

What they didn’t know was that there were 6 police cars carrying 14 officers on their tail, and the car was fitted with a tracking device so the Police always knew where the car was.

The show was created by the State Traffic Police to show that the criminal always gets caught, and only a small handful of people have ever won the car, with one participant managing to evade capture for a few hours through the streets of Moscow. Other less successful but still rather inventive entrants tried to get the car onto a raft in the Moscow River, or trying to hide it on a train. At it’s peak The Interceptor recorded 85 million viewers, which dwarfs the record 37.7 million viewers for American Idol, so it has to be number 1 in this list.