Auto Parts Magazine 

It’s official: the Alfa Romeo is coming to the U.S.

Finally, Alfa Romeo returns to the U.S. in 2009

It’s still two years from now, but for Alfa Romeo fans who have been missing the brabd for more than a decade; it’s going to be worth the wait.

Alfa Romeo has confirmed its return to North America in late 2009 with an initial wave of three models: the Brera coupe, the 159 sedan and the Spider. The U.S. market will get face-lifted editions of the three cars, which will be launched here as 2010 models equipped with standard and high-performance GTA variants. We can also expect to see both four-cylinder and V6 gas engines, and if we’re lucky, the five-cylinder common-rail diesel in the sedan as well.

Can you keep your car running for 22 years?

Rodney Boyle of Queensland, Australia has been driving his 1984 Holden Gemini diesel for the past 22 years, during which he has amassed a whopping 1.4 million kilometers (869,000+ miles) on the car’s odometer. During these years the car was not only reliable – it also saw very few major repairs -- averaging around 54 miles per gallon for the lucky Australian.

If not for the newly released diesel version of the Astra that Rodney recently bought from Holden his trusty old Gemini would not go into retirement just yet. How’s that for longevity? See the full story here.

You too, can prolong the lifespan of your vehicle with proper care and maintenance. Reliable auto parts stores like Auto Parts Deal is just a click away should you need quality auto parts such as Ford engine parts, Honda bumpers, Toyota head lights or BMW fenders.

How to make your dirty car look like a masterpiece

After browsing through Auto Parts Deal for a new grille for my father’s Volvo, I found myself gawking at this precious artwork at Autoblog from a man named Scott Wade of San Marcos, TX. The man recreates masterpieces such as Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' and Da Vinci's 'Mona Lisa' and C.M. Coolidge's 'A Friend in Need' (a.k.a. dogs playing poker) on his MINI Cooper’s dirty back window, using his fingers, traditional tolls like brushes as well as unconventional ones like popsicle sticks.

Having dirty windows never looked this good.

Honda Recall

In the news: Honda is recalling over 561,000 vehicles in three models worldwide to replace a faulty part used in starting an engine. Reports say that the vehicle's engine can suddenly stop because some of its parts can be damaged by heat if used repeatedly over time. There were reportedly five cases of minor burns from the condition.

Among those to be recalled are 217,953 Odyssey minivans, 141,652 CR-V sport-utility models and 123,580 Step Wagon minivans – all produced between Oct. 3, 1994, and May 15, 1997.

Meanwhile, you can find the best Honda auto parts and accessories at Auto Parts Deal.

The Sexiest Cars of 2006

Road and Travel has just released their list of the 10 Sexiest cars for 2006. The qualifications? According to RTM editor-in-chief Courtney Caldwell, it is “pure sex appeal”. She says, “"Sports cars are about fantasy and self image. Just looking at one incites erotic thoughts and visions of grandeur. Owning one turns those images into reality!"

Will your list be the same?

Here are the winners (in no particular order):

• BMW Z4
• Chevrolet Corvette
• Dodge Charger
• Ford Mustang
• Honda S2000
• Hyundai Tiburon
• Mazda MX-5
• Mercedes-Benz SLK
• Nissan 350Z
• Pontiac Solstice (pictured)

Whether you agree or not with the list, you can find their auto parts at Auto Parts Deal.

When drivers don’t know and drive

Are you guilty of any of these bad driving habits? Are you part of these statistics?

• Nearly one-quarter of Americans believe there are circumstances in which it's acceptable to not wear a seatbelt.
• 1 in 7 Americans have packed their car so tightly that their vision was obstructed.

At least 1 in 5 drivers do not know:

• When to properly use their high-beam headlights or what to do when bright headlights come at them at night.
• That highways are the most slippery just when it starts to rain after a dry spell. In fact, this is the question most often answered incorrectly for the second year in a row. However, 97% of those tested know what to do when they hydroplane.

Imagine knowing that you can order the best and most affordable BMW headlights from Auto Parts Deal but not knowing how to use your high-beam headlights? For more information regarding this, click here.

Saturn hybrid vs. Ford Escape Hybrid?

Here comes a hybrid SUV that will give Ford’s highly publicized Escape Hybrid a good old competition – and it comes with more muscles and a smaller sticker.

Saturn has announced that its new 2007 Vue Green Line will be America's lowest-priced hybrid SUV when it arrives in dealerships late this summer -- starting at $22,995, including shipping.

The Vue Green Line boasts impressive EPA fuel economy ratings. City mileage is projected at 27 mpg, with a highway rating of 32 mpg. That compares with 20/28 for the 2006 Vue Red Line with a 3.5-liter V6. The '06 Red Line retails for $24,485.

The Ford Escape Hybrid is powered by a 133-hp 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine and electric motor, and is rated by the EPA at 31/26 mpg. Prices start at $26,215. In comparison, the '07 Vue Green Line mates a 2.4-liter gas engine and an electric motor, with a combined output of 170 horsepower. Standard equipment includes ABS, traction control, 16-inch alloy wheels, chrome skid plates and a rear spoiler.

A second Green Line hybrid model — a gas-electric version of the new Aura midsize sedan — will join the Saturn lineup in spring 2007.

Meanwhile, you can find the best of both Saturn parts and Ford parts at Auto Parts Deal.

The new Honda Civic GX

The redesigned 2006 Honda Civic GX, which gets 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg on the highway, went on sale on Wednesday with a starting price of $24,990, including a $550 destination charge.

The Japanese automaker said that owners of the natural-gas-powered Civic GX will be eligible for a federal tax credit of $4,000 for the car and up to $1,000 if they purchase and install a natural-gas home-refueling appliance.

The Civic GX is equipped with a standard 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 113 horsepower and 109 pound-feet of torque, an increase of more than 10 percent from the previous model. It is linked to a five-speed automatic transmission. Standard features include side curtain airbags and side airbags.

For quality Honda auto parts such as wheels, fog lights, spoiler and door handles, just check out trusted online auto parts stores like Auto Parts Deal.

Don’t dream and drive

Ever found yourself almost asleep at the wheel?

Drowsiness can sneak up on you when you're driving. For both adults and teenagers, driving late at night, between eleven p.m. and two a.m. is particularly dangerous for falling asleep at the wheel. Here are some signs to watch for--and do something about before you run into a tree or another car or waste money you spent updating your car with auto parts from Auto Parts Deal:

• Yawning a lot
• Having trouble keeping eyes open
• Not being able to concentrate
• Not remembering the last few minutes or seconds
• Jerking of your head or body from the brink of falling asleep
• Car wanders from the road or into another lane

What to do:

1. Slow Down
2. Pull off road into a safe parking space.
3. Call home if you can.
4. Talk to passenger if you have one
5. Turn radio to a lively station, try singing
6. Roll down window and get some fresh air for a few minutes, or turn vent on full blast
7. Make a pit stop, use the bathroom and get a Coke or coffee to drink

It’s 500 horses for Ford’s GT500

After undergoing final certification testing, the engine powering Ford’s most powerful factory-built Mustang to date has been rated at 500 horsepower and 480 lb.-ft. of torque – 25 more horsepower than early estimates.

The 5.4-liter, 32-valve V-8 is fitted with a "Roots-type" supercharger providing 9 pounds per square inch of boost. In addition, the unit’s four-valve per cylinder heads, piston rings and bearings are also used on the Ford GT engine.

Here are the specs:

ENGINE SPECS
5.4-LITER V8
Manufacturing location: Romeo, Michigan
Configuration: Iron Block and Aluminum Heads
Intake manifold: Cast-aluminum with Roots-type supercharger and air-to-water intercooler
Exhaust manifold: Cast iron
Crankshaft: Forged steel
Throttle Body: Dual 60 mm, electronic
Valvetrain: DOHC, 4 valves per cylinder
Valve diameter: Intake: 37.0 mm; Exhaust: 32.0 mm
Pistons: Forged aluminum
Connecting Rods: Cracked forged steel I-beams
Ignition: Coil-on-plug
Bore x stroke: 3.552 x 4.165 in. / 90.2 x 105.8 mm
Displacement: 330 cu. in. / 5,409 cc
Horsepower: 500 hp @ 6,000 rpm (SAE Certified)
Torque: 480 lb.-ft. @ 4,500 rpm (SAE Certified)
Compression ratio: 8.4:1
Redline: 6,250 rpm
Idle Speed in Neutral: 750 rpm
Engine control system: Spanish Oak PCM
Required fuel: Premium
Fuel Injection: Electronic returnless sequential
Oil capacity / type: 6.5 quarts / Motorcraft 5W-50 Full Synthetic Motor Oil
Coolant capacity: 21 quarts
Peak Boost: 9 psi

The 2007 Ford Shelby GT500 will hit dealerships this summer. Pricing for the vehicle will be announced closer to launch.

Meanwhile, you can find top of the line Ford Mustang auto parts at trusted online auto parts stores like Auto Parts Deal.