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What to Do After a Hit-and-Run Accident in Texas

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Are you travelling during the festive period? If you are, this article might come in handy if you ever find yourself stuck in a hit-and-run car accident.

When a driver flees the scene of an accident, it’s important to gather as much information as you can and talk to the police.

Texas drivers flee accident scenes for a number of reasons, such as:

When one of the drivers leaves the scene, it can complicate the insurance claims process.

Call 911

Your health is the most important thing. Call 911 if you were in the vehicle when it was hit, or if someone was injured in the accident.

Seek medical attention even if you have no apparent injuries. It’s not uncommon for car accidents to cause delayed injuries, where symptoms don’t present until days after the incident. If you wait too long to see a doctor, you hurt your chances of filing a personal injury claim.

Gather Information

While you’re waiting at the scene, gather and write down as much information as you can to report to the police, including:

  • The other driver’s license plate number
  • The make, model and colour of the vehicle
  • Approximate year of the car
  • Time and location of the accident
  • Direction the driver was heading
  • Contact information of witnesses

Jot down every detail – no matter how minor. This information may help the police locate the driver.

Make sure that you speak with any witnesses at the scene and gather their contact information. Your insurance company may want to speak to these witnesses to get an account of what happened.

Take Photos

If it’s safe to do so, take photos of the accident scene and your vehicle, especially if there is damage. Take some close-up photos of the damage to show the police and the insurance company. If any paint has transferred to your vehicle, take photos of that as well.

File a Police Report

Report the hit-and-run to the police within 24 hours of the incident. Fleeing the scene of an accident is a crime and should be reported to the police.

Make sure that you get the name, badge number, and phone number of the officer so that your insurance company can follow-up.

If you don’t report the hit-and-run, you may be considered “at fault” by your insurer and it could impact your premiums. Filing a report may also mean that the police locate the fleeing driver who will then be held accountable for their actions.

Call Your Insurance Company

After reporting the incident to the police, call your insurance company to inform them of the accident and discuss your options.

Depending on your coverage, your insurer may be able to help with towing and getting you a rental car if needed.

If you were able to identify the fleeing driver, you may be able to get his or her insurance information from your insurance company. With this information, you can file a claim with the other driver’s insurer.

If you have an uninsured motorist policy, this should cover the cost of injuries and damages caused by the accident.

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7 Things to Know about Dodge Charger SRT

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A combination of beauty, power and a touch of the old school is every car-owners dream. The Dodge Charger SRT comes with a lot more than that. It is the ultimate machine that can take you anywhere, from picking your kids from school to a drive on rough terrain. However, it does not come cheap. Apart from the vehicle history, you should know exactly what you are bargaining for before heading to the dealership.

One of the World’s Most Powerful of its Kind

True, the Charger is a sedan after all is said and done. However, it is not your ordinary sedan, it is one of the most powerful and fastest. One of the attributes that place it far ahead of the pack is its top speed that can go up to 204mph.

A Superb Fuel Saver

Muscle car and fuel-saving do not go hand-in-hand but still, it is good to know that the Charger SRT will be a big help to your pocket when it comes to fuel consumption. In other words, what you spent at the car dealership may very well be replaced at the pump – at least part of it. 

2016-Dodge-Charger-SXT-10

A  Safe Driving Experience

The Charger features a back-up camera and rear parking sensors.  Furthermore, it offers detection for cross-traffic at the rear and has the capacity to prevent forward-collision, courtesy of the brake assist and advance alert and as well as active braking. The four-wheel-drive option also gives you a touch of confidence when cruising in unfavourable weather.

Top of the Range Infotainment

The Dodge Charger SRT is a mobile house of entertainment. The car is fitted with six speakers with SiriusXM, Android Auto and Apple CarPlay compatibility. It also features a 7-inch touchscreen that allows you to control the infotainment system.

Full Comfort for the Driver and Passengers

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The fact that the SRT steering wheel and seats are made of Nappa speaks a lot about the level of comfort the designers had in mind. The seats also come with a heating element and air ventilation. There are ample leg and shoulder room for the driver and as well as the passengers. Even though the trunk is already big enough, the rear seats are foldable, thus adding more trunk space which will come in handy for a long road trip.

Everything Where it Ought to be

Many vehicle manufacturers and designers make the mistake of complicating everything for drivers who are completely new to their latest models. Thankfully, you can get behind the wheel of the SRT and feel like you have been driving it for years. The switchgear process works as it has always done. You will find every gear where you expect it to be. Other functions such as releasing the trunk and hood are as easy as they should have been simply because you would find them exactly where you should. Talk about saving time.

A Unique and Stylish Exterior

Tokeo la picha la Dodge Charger SXT

The designers of the Dodge Charger SRT obviously spent a lot of time in their trade. The result was a unique style that is a reminder of car generations gone by but with a completely different style from what the past had to offer. The colour options in which the model comes in leaves the buyer a lot of choices. You can also go for the package that offers a blacktop.

Conclusion

The Dodge Charger SRT is a car to be proud of if you ever wanted to own a sedan that has the power of a horse. The ease of driving, the comfort of the interior, and safety of the drive make it something to wish for. We’re pretty sure the outer appearance of the machine will undoubtedly turn heads.

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Buying a Used Luxury Car

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Many luxury cars that were prohibitively expensive when new will see their resale value drop by a large figure in just a couple of years. A motor vehicle that you couldn’t buy for under 6 figures when new may be available in the used car market for a fraction of its original cost. If you are really lucky, you could even buy the car for the same amount as the original owner paid in tax.

And the good thing about high-end cars is that they still look pretty good after years of use. Since their first owners are often affluent, they are well taken care of and not subjected to the rougher treatment of more regular vehicles. So you get a car that’s head-turning but without the eye-popping cost it would ordinarily come with.

But that can only happen if you know the tricks for getting a great used luxury vehicle deal. Here are a couple of useful tips in that regard.

Investigate the Car’s History

Firstly, luxury cars are usually well-maintained by their first owners but there are always exceptions to the rule. Secondly, you may be the 3rd (or 4th, or 5th etc.) owner and the ones that preceded you may not have been as careful as they should. Thirdly, certain things that happen to the car are beyond the owner’s control (such as accidents).

All these are reasons you’d want to investigate the vehicle’s history. Start by asking for its service records. If these aren’t available, that’s a red flag. Next, run a VIN check (check out VINCheck.info here) to see any towing and impounding events, sales history, theft check, manufacturer defects and recalls, warranties and fuel efficiency.

Scan It

The modern luxury car has more high-tech electronic gadgets than mechanical devices. It’s fitted with numerous computers, controllers, modules and sensors that keep everything running smoothly. While such computerisation makes the car efficient and intelligent, they can also be expensive to fix when they fail.

To be certain you aren’t buying a money pit, get a dealer technician to run a comprehensive diagnostic scan on the vehicle. A diagnostic scan is fast and cheap but can unearth hidden problems that could otherwise drain your savings.

Perform a Pre-Purchase Inspection (PPI)

Get the relevant dealer to perform a PPI on the car. A trained technician who has experience working with that model will physically inspect the car for any overt and latent issues. A PPI typically costs $100 but can identify thousands of dollars’ worth of future repair pain.

If any undeclared problems are found during the PPI, make it known to the seller and have it factored into the pricing negotiations. You can probably afford to buy an ordinary used car without a PPI. However, doing so for a luxury car is only setting yourself up for expensive problems in the future.

Steer Clear of Air Suspensions

Air suspension substantially improves a car’s driving comfort. However, air suspension has gained notoriety not just for its relatively high risk of failure but also the astronomical costs that are associated with fixing it.

Many top-line vehicles come equipped with air suspension. Avoid used luxury cars with such a suspension system as it’s prone to leaks, fails and ageing-related wear and tear. If you must buy a used luxury car with air suspension, consider obtaining extended warranty cover to shield you from future repair costs.

Beware of After-Market Modifications

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. Perhaps nowhere does this hold true more than for luxury cars. After-market modifications may make an average car look pretty cool. You can’t say the same for high-end vehicles. So if the top-tier car you’re interested in has seen extensive modifications, you are well advised to skip it.

Thinking about turbocharging a car to increase its engine power, suspension modifications that reduce the car’s ground clearance, or the fitting of oversized wheels? Not only do such changes take away the classy demeanour of a luxury car, but they also introduce mechanical problems that will only become apparent long after you’ve signed a purchase contract. Worse still, such modifications may void any warranties.

Owning a luxury vehicle is an exciting prospect. The prestigious badges, swoopy lines and glossy paints are a loud but non-verbal statement of the owner’s stature. Follow the tips above to make sure your used luxury car purchase is worth it.

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Review of the Renault Grand Scenic 1.5T dCI Bose Edition

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A decade ago, I used to fancy Hatchbacks because they are small, practical, and rather efficient. As I move on later in life, Hatchbacks are no longer practical because they just can’t fit everybody inside. While Sedans are more spacious and have a bigger boot space, they too can only accommodate a maximum of 4 passengers and 1 driver.

This is where MPVs (Multi-Purpose Vehicles) / 7-seater cars have an edge in the automotive scene.

In recent times, It seems to me that there is a surge of people driving MPVs (Multi-Purpose Vehicles) / 7-seater cars and very often, I ask myself this rhetorical question, “How often do all these seats get occupied?”. When an airline opens a new route or operates an existing flight, every seat is measured in dollars and cents. Similarly, I often wonder what is the benefit-cost ratio of driving a 7-seater and what I should be looking out for if I were to buy one.

I have driven and sat in a couple of 7-seaters and they include the Citroen Grand C4 Picasso, Volvo XC40, Toyota Vellfire, Kia Carnival, Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienta, and more recently, the Renault Grand Scenic (Bose Edition). Now, all of them have got its own set of pros and cons and in this article, I will be sharing about my driving experience with the Renault Grand Scenic (Bose Edition) and what I think about it.

Design

Traditionally, MPVs/7-seater tend to be rather boxy in shape but in recent times, they have become rounder and more curvy. Even then, if you were to compare the designs of the different MPVs/7-seater in the market, you would notice that the continental ones tend to be more stylish and tastefully designed. However, preferences for style and design can be rather subjective because it depends very much on the individual.

Is the Renault Grand Scenic (Bose Edition) a head-turner? Probably yes but in fact, most MPVs aren’t; at least unlike the coupes, convertibles and SUVs. However, the Renault Grand Scenic (Bose Edition) does make the driver feel good because of its big profile and it’s distinct badge at the front.

Stylishly designed and sporting a bold and dynamic appeal with its sculpted lines, striking dual-tone paintwork, sculpted C-shaped LED daytime-running lights and hallmark rear 3D LED Edge Lights, the design of the Renault Grand Scenic (Bose Edition) is definitely one of its kind.

Comfort & Convenience

The Renault Grand Scenic (Bose Edition) has a couple of features that would make the driving experience very comfortable and convenient.

Some of the features include the handsfree key card with walk-away auto lock, the BOSE premium sound system, the ample number of storage compartments, and the front-row electric memory seats with massage function.

Now, what I really like about the Renault Grand Scenic (Bose Edition) would be the BOSE premium sound system because it just makes the driving experience feel more upbeat when I leave home to work and vice-versa. Having said that, I personally feel that the massage function on the electric memory seats is quite an overkill unless you have to drive for long hours/long distances to Malaysia on a regular basis.

From a passenger’s perspective, one thing that I dislike about the Renault Grand Scenic (Bose Edition) in terms of comfort would be the last row of seats. They are pretty tight and cram and would probably be more comfortable and suitable for children than adults.

Safety

The Renault Grand Scenic (Bose Edition) is packed with lots of safety features and that includes the Blind Spot Monitoring System Electronic Stability Control, Anti-Slip Regulation Traction Control, Hill Start Assist, 6 airbags (front, side and curtain), and Isofix child seat and anchorage points.

Though Handsfree Auto-Park Assist (perpendicular, parallel and diagonal park assist modes) is also available, I prefer to trust my own judgement (pretty much the same reason why pilots do take-offs and landings manually) than to rely on the Handsfree Auto-Park Assist.

Driving Performance

The Renault Grand Scenic (Bose Edition) is mated to a 1.5L turbo diesel engine with 260Nm of torque and a 7-speed Efficient Dual Clutch gearbox. Because of the diesel-powered engine, running costs would definitely be way cheaper than a petrol-powered car. Speed pick-up from standstill is a breeze but not so at the higher speed range; hence overtaking and cornering at the start would be more ideal.

Features

One feature of Renault Grand Scenic (Bose Edition) that I also like is the retractable full-colour heads up display that displays all the relevant information that I need to know; including current speed, navigation commands, and driving aid instructions. These information are displayed comfortably within my line of sight and can be adjusted higher or lower as required.

What I Wish The Renault Grand Scenic (Bose Edition) Would Have

While the Renault Grand Scenic (Bose Edition) packs a bunch of features such as a smart sliding centre console, a premium BOSE sound system which consist of 11 speakers and subwoofer, electric front seats with massage functions, and many more; I really do wish that the 7-seater would have other wonderful features such as an automatic power sliding door for the passengers and an automatic open/close car boot/trunk system. After all, most MPVs in the market have this added feature.

Overall

The MPV/7-seater market is a very competitive one and where the Renault Grand Scenic (Bose Edition) would stand out is its design and extra mileage per dollar. If design and lower operating costs are at the top of your list, the Renault Grand Scenic (Bose Edition) is a perfect choice.

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Plug-in Hybrids: More Models but No Future Says IDTechEx Research

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Something strange is happening. Car manufacturers are issuing a flood of plug-in hybrid cars. You are spoiled for choice with Mini, BMW, Skoda, Volvo, Porsche, Mercedes and others joining in. The fundamentals are all against them. Those offering the most desirable pure electric cars – those with the longest range and three times the resale value – have long waiting lists but they will catch up. No long wait for a plug-in hybrid.  GM abandoned its Volt plug-in hybrid. Many users report two types of range anxiety: a small battery and a small gas tank. The UK withdrew PHEV support because people never plugged them in, benefitting the environment, not at all. Consequently, although plug-in hybrid sales have been rising, their market share has been dropping since 2013 (IDTechEx and BNEF).

Dr Peter Harrop led the IDTechEx team producing the new report, “Electric Vehicles 2020-2030” with EV forecasts in 100 categories. He says “Traditional automotive companies wish to keep the internal combustion engine going for a bit longer. Many have revealed how far they are behind Tesla in pure electric by bringing out what are essentially copies of Tesla powertrains from six years ago but not all. Hyundai Kia, for example, has one-year waiting lists for its excellent pure-electric cars. They will clear that delay, releasing pent-up demand. Others will rapidly copy that success.“

“Well-funded start-ups go straight to pure electric. Tesla Roadster will have 1000 kilometres range matching gasoline: it will then become commonplace. Those buying internal combustion vehicles hope the city and country bans will not apply to hybrids, but they face increasing range anxiety from the number of gas stations plummeting – down 90% in the UK in recent years for example as charging stations increase. They have financial anxiety from dropping resale values.”

Harrop concludes, “There is absolutely nothing to reverse dropping market share for plug-in hybrids leading to decline in sales numbers. Indeed, with new inputs, we have just revised our forecasts down to show plug-in car sales at zero in 2030. Technologically they are becalmed while pure-electric is evolving fast – from camper mode to solar versions that never plug in.”

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Everything You Should Know About Hybrid Cars

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Whether you are interested in doing more to help the environment, or you are just looking for a new car that will be slightly cheaper to run; the hybrid car should certainly be on your watch list. This type of car is ideal for families and as well as individuals; and as more car manufacturers realise how profitable hybrid cars can be, it is only a matter of time before more affordable hybrid cars are introduced to the market.

Over the last 20 years, hybrid cars have come a long way. Once thought of as a science experiment that would never take off outside the labs and test tracks; hybrid cars are now more popular than ever. Part of the revolution in hybrid design has been that the cars are incorporating all kinds of different technologies to improve the driving experience. Plus, as the cost of gas is rising and people become more aware of the environmental cost of driving; the hybrid is the best compromise you can make for your family.

So What is a Hybrid Car?

A hybrid car uses both a combustible engine powered with gas and an electric engine which can be charged with electricity. In other words, a hybrid car is a cross between a regular car and an electric car. There are a few different kinds of hybrid car, but in general, they will run on both electricity and gas and are significantly more fuel efficient than your regular car.  

Hybrid cars were originally developed because while electric cars were better for the environment, they couldn’t take long trips without having to stop and recharge. Now, some 20 years later; hybrid cars are becoming increasingly popular as they are a good compromise between regular cars and fully electric cars which haven’t yet caught on everywhere.

While you might think that hybrid cars would have a particular look, you can actually get them in some rather snazzy designs ranging from available hybrids SUVs to hybrid saloons. Since the main point of hybrid design is to take the best parts of a number of different designs and technologies, this isn’t really surprising.

What are the Advantages?

One of the main advantages of a hybrid car is that you get all the benefits of both an electric car and a regular gas powered car. The electric element means that the car is much cheaper to run as you will require significantly less fuel. Plus, as the economy setting means that the engine switches off at red lights, you can conserve the fuel you have and enjoy a much quieter ride.

In fact, fuel economy is what makes hybrid cars so appealing to families in particular. This is especially so when you have to use your car a lot for school runs, after school activities and occasional visits to your friends’ houses – not to mention your own usage! – knowing that you won’t need to spend so much on gas is a huge bonus.

Hybrids are particularly good for driving in the city where you are likely to spend a lot of time stopping and starting. This is because the energy used for braking can be repurposed by your car and used to set off again. Apart from saving energy by being much more efficient, this is ideal for increasing the mileage you can get out of your car. In fact, the more slowing down you do in a hybrid car, the more mileage you will get from it.

Are there any Disadvantages?

Hybrid cars may be coming down in cost, but they are still more expensive than your average ride. This is mostly due to the fact that hybrid cars tend to make use of cutting edge technology such that while your journeys are much more enjoyable and your fuel economy is great; the initial cost can be quite steep. However, if you have the money and you are looking for a car with a difference, a hybrid model should still stay high on your list.

Another downside to having a hybrid vehicle is that, in general, they are more expensive to insure. The reasons for this are quite predictable and it can be quite frustrating as hybrid cars require more specialised parts, require a specialist to fit them, and the car itself is more expensive. The best advice here is to make sure that you shop around for the best insurance deal and check with your insurer before you buy so that you can be sure that you are able to afford the insurance later on.

Would a Hybrid Suit My Family?

The answer to this question depends a lot on what you are looking for in your family car. Safety is obviously a top priority and hybrid cars are not short on the latest safety technologies either. As more and more people switch to electric cars, and hybrids also get more popular; the inclusion of technologies such as heated seats and touch screens is becoming a standard. This is ideal for you as it means that you get a more satisfying ride. 

Many hybrid cars also come with the option to drive ‘electric only’ which allows you to enjoy a much quieter ride – just what you need when you have a little one in the back who just wants to sleep.

It seems only natural that as we make more and more technological advances, the family car is the best place to find some incredible changes. Even if the future is looking likely to be all self-driving cars, the hybrid car will offer a great driving experience and better fuel economy.

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Where To Start Improving Your Car Through Modifications

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There are many ways to improve your car and that includes car modification. To some people reading this, that word might be alarming; after all, you are taking an impressive feat of engineering and modifying it. But the truth is that a lot of cars come to the customer in a standardised way and there are plenty of ways that you can make your car perform better or be more efficient through modification. You can also change the way it looks to suit your eyes since beauty lies in the eye of the beholder. So, here are some key modifications you can make to your vehicle to make it better to drive, look and possibly even improve its resale value.

Aesthetics

First of all, we are going to look at how you can change how your car looks. The main reason why we are going to start here is that not only is it the easiest, but it is also incredibly common. You may have found a car that you love to drive, but it doesn’t quite meet your visual needs. Well, that can easily change with some minor and/or major tweaks.

One option available to you is to get a completely new look for the car with a full body wrap. This is the process of wrapping your car in a large vinyl graphic or decal over the original paint job to change what it looks like. This is the perfect place to start for people who are wary of car modification because a body wrap can be reversed. You might also want to improve the car to be more comfortable and to that end, you can get new seating installed in the vehicle. Once again, the standard seats that come in the car might not meet your needs and there is nothing wrong with getting yourself a better ride by being in greater comfort.

Performance

If you are looking at more than what the car is visually like and are interested in getting the most out of your motor; then it is time to consider the performance aspects. For starters, you should look at installing a new air intake system (AIS) from the likes of AFE power. This improvement on the standardised air intake system will improve your car’s acceleration via better horsepower and torque, while also making your engine more fuel efficient. You can also add a new exhaust system to complement your intake system. Consider your car like a breathing machine, the AIS is intaking air and the exhaust is exhaling. The better the products at both ends the more performance you will get.

There are also many other ways that you can alter the performance aspect of your car and one recommendation would be to take your car to a trusted auto shop to get them to look under the bonnet. They will be able to fine-tune your vehicle so that it is set up to get the most out of all its various components.

If you would like to share your car modification experience, do feel free to share and comment below.

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How To Decide Between Buying Or Leasing A Car

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The decision to get a new car is a big one, and you’re likely going to be faced with two options – whether to buy a car or lease one.

Of course, there’s certainly no right or wrong option here, and the choice you make will depend on various things, such as your lifestyle and what you can afford.

So, in this post, we’re going to share with you some of the pros and cons of buying a car and leasing one.

Buying:

You Own The Car Outright

This is a great way to go if you’re looking to get a car that you own completely, and it also means that you’re later able to sell the car if that’s what you choose to do. Hence buying a car, in this case, could be a good option for you.

It’s More Expensive

Of course, one of the downsides of buying a car is that it can be more expensive. Obviously, this will be dependent on various factors, such as the car you buy, and if you’re looking to buy a brand new car versus a second hand one, the costs will definitely be much higher. The other way that a car can be more expensive to own is when you think of the overall monthly costs involved – these will definitely be higher than when you lease a car.

You Have More Control

When you own a car, you have more control and freedom over everything that is to do with the car. Although cars aren’t like houses, and there’s only so much you can do in terms of customisation, you still have this option with a car that you own unlike when you lease one.

Leasing:

The Monthly Costs Are Lower

One of the reasons why people take a car on a lease is because they’re able to spread the cost of the car over a set period of time; and this means that the cost of the lease is definitely going to be a lot cheaper than it would be when buying a brand new car upfront.

You Can Get A New Car Every Few Years

Probably one of the best things about getting a car on a lease is that you can upgrade to a newer model or even completely new car every few years. So if you’re looking to upgrade to something like the New Jaguar XJ, this is something you’ll likely be able to do with a car on lease.

You May Have To Pay To Get Out Of The Lease Earlier

A lease is a contract like any other, and since it’s set over a certain period of time, then you’ll need to pay to get out of it earlier if that’s what you want to do. Of course, it always depends on what’s in the contract, but it’s likely that you’ll need to pay something. Hence, this is something to consider when you are thinking about whether you should lease a car or buy one – be it brand new or second hand.

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Zip Around With The New Renault ZOE

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I am very passionate about the development of technology and I daresay that I am an early adopter of new technology. Just as I am passionate about technology, I am also a concerned consumer who cares very much about our impact on the environment.

As a student, I have always imagined and envisioned that one day, there will be a worldwide implementation of green technology that can reduce our carbon footprint and our reliance on natural sources.

Well, 2 decades later; that vision and dream is becoming a reality. More and more countries are adopting the use of electric vehicles on the roads and in some countries, solar panels are installed at homes to harness solar energy that are later converted to electrical energy. Hopefully, such green technologies will be globally implemented so that we can save the Earth and buy some time for us to reduce the rate of global warming.

Recently, I was very privileged to have the opportunity to take Renault’s ZOE out for a spin and I honestly had an amazing driving experience.

First Impressions

The Renault ZOE has a very futuristic design and though it is not an extremely sporty-looking car to begin with, it offers a very sporty driving experience which I will elaborate more later.

The exclusive incorporation of distinctive LED daytime-running lights, Z.E.-signature blue-tinted trims on the headlamps, and rear lights with modern concentric blue edges, intensifies the strong electric identity of the Renault ZOE. The 2-door coupé styling on a 5-door city compact hatch is only possible because of the well-hidden inclusion of rear door handles into the window frame.

Inside the Renault ZOE

As a driver sitting in the driver’s seat, I felt pretty comfortable and the rear seats can comfortably seat 2 adults and 1 child. For a compact hatchback, the space isn’t extremely crammed and the controls are all within reach. The materials used for the futuristic-looking dashboard and steering wheels felt premium and not plasticky.

The car boot boasts a voluminous boot space of 338L and that itself is more than sufficient for 2 big luggage.

Driving Experience with the Renault ZOE

The driving experience with the Renault ZOE is truly amazing. When I stepped on the accelerator, the Renault ZOE picks up speed almost instantaneously and the engine is incredibly silent! As there are no gear shifts on the Renault ZOE, the driving experience is very smooth and seamless. When the accelerator is released, the regenerative braking system kicks in and harnesses the kinetic energy from braking and charges the battery.

What is truly incredible is the fact that the Renault ZOE is so silent that the car manufacturer has to give it a humming voice which can be switched on or off just so that it can alert people of its approach.

Cornering and overtaking is not a problem for the Renault ZOE and the driving experience is a vast difference when I compared it with another electric vehicle that I frequently drive. Nimble and agile, the Renault ZOE is like a Ninja (swift, fast, and silent). Since there is no need to travel fast and furious in Singapore, the top speed of the Renault ZOE at 135 km/h is more than sufficient.

On paper, the maximum range that the Renault ZOE can travel on a full charge is 367km and we managed about 320km on Singapore’s busy urban roads. The on-board three-phase 22kW CaméléonTM smart charger allows for a full battery charged in just less than 3 hours and a full charge will cost approximately $10.59# and if you switch to an alternative electricity retailer such as iSwitch, the cost is approximately $7.24##.

#Based on regulated tariff of $0.2582/kWh electric tariff from 1 Oct – 31 Dec 2018.

##Based on iSwitch’s 12-month exclusive ‘Chope’ the Rate of $0.17655/kWh.

After Thoughts

For the price of $100k as at the time of writing, the Renault ZOE may seem pretty expensive but honestly, you will see the returns sooner than you think because the cost of maintaining and operating the Renault ZOE is significantly lower than that of a normal fuel-powered car (whether Diesel or Petrol). If you can hit 18km per litre of fuel based on a distance of 320km; it will cost you about $30 (after discounts) for petrol and $23.40 (after discounts) for diesel. Compare this with $7.24 (iSwitch) or even $10.59 (normal regulated tariff); you really save substantially in terms of dollars per km travelled.

Furthermore, the costs of maintenance for an electric car is substantially lower because you don’t have to deal with oil change, fuel filter, spark plugs and gear/transmission issues (additional cost savings of at least $300 per year). The foreseeable maintenance is probably just the battery and tyres.

The downsides of getting an electric car for now is probably the lack of sufficient charging points and also perhaps the hefty price tag to begin with; since demands for electric cars is picking up slowly but surely.

In Singapore, the number of electric car charging points are slowly increasing and with the recent announcement by BlueSG to open up its car charging points to private electric vehicles, this would definitely be a plus point for potential electric car owners.

If you stay at a landed property (Renault will install a charging point for you at your landed property) or if you stay at a place where charging points are highly accessible, the Renault ZOE is definitely a good buy. However, if you plan to take the Renault ZOE out for a road trip to Malaysia and beyond, it probably isn’t ideal at this stage.

Keen to find out more about the Renault ZOE?

Check out Renault’s Official Website and book for a test drive at the Renault Showroom today!

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Easy Ways to Try and Boost the Value of Your Car

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If the time has come to sell your car; then you will know how important it is for you to make a good return on it. After all, the money you get from your old car may be going towards your new one, and if you are not careful, then you may end up losing more money than you anticipated.

Wax on- Wax Off

If your paint job is super faded, don’t try and spend a fortune in getting a brand new one done. Instead, get out your wax and polish. When you do this, you can easily add value to your car and even make it look newer as well. If your car’s paint job is so faded that you can’t even remember what it looks like; open the door and look inside the frame because this part of the car seldom gets exposed to sunlight or even harsh chemicals. This will give you a good idea of what your car used to look like. You might also want to invest in a car ceramic coating too.

Bright Lights

Dingy headlights can make your car look way worse than it actually is. There are a huge number of headlight cleaning products out there for you to choose from and you can easily brighten up your car this way. If you have tried window cleaners but they just don’t work for you; then you should know that headlight cleaner is a completely different product that is worth looking into.

Shiny Wheels

Shiny wheels that look new can really improve your car’s appearance. It can also boost the potential value as well. You don’t have to replace your tyres or anything else like that. All you have to do is get down there and clear out any dirt and grime. You should also invest in some tyre shine as well. This will help you get that new car shine and make it look shiny clean.

Inside the Car

If you have any removable floor mats, take these out. If they can be cleaned, then make sure you clean them. If they have huge gaping holes in them, then either throw them out or buy some new ones. A new set of floor mats shouldn’t cost you too much at all and they can make all the difference to someone’s first impression of the car. This is especially the case if you think that the potential buyer is going to be taking the vehicle on a test drive, so do keep that in mind.

Glass Cleaning

Don’t use household cleaners on your car. The materials inside your car are very different from the things that make up your furniture. For this reason, you should only invest in high-quality cleaning products that are meant for the car only. The same concept applies to glass cleaner as well. You’d be surprised at what a difference using a car glass cleaner can make when compared to standard window products.

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