Rental cars

Italian jewel Alfa Romeo 4C

I've always said that the German car is а German car. Just cannot have better paging thereof. It turns out that not only has better paging cars offered by other manufacturers, but there are even models that exceed those of the giants BMW, Mercedes, OPEL. More but less variety available in Europe and overseas. Has long been known for the power and reliability of the Japanese models of Toyota, Nissan. In recent years, however, and Korean manufacturers Kia and Huyndai entering decisively on the european market.


In general automotive industry is developing rapidly and the market is competitive. We can choose between many models, different prices and features. Impressive is how some companies manage to launch a product with high technical quality which are not inferior to the luxury vehicles of the largest and most established corporations, and at the same time, however, offers a significantly - low cost. Perhaps you are wondering what I mean. I'm a big fan of Italian cars and cannot deny the great dose addiction in my opinion. No need to mention the models of Mazzerati, the company has already established itself in the market for luxury vehicles. Undoubtedly deserved place among the leaders in the production of mass car however there Alfa Romeo. Under the umbrella of the concern FIAT, in recent years the Italians earn more good models, offering a set of technical features, power and reliability, as well as adequate price for the general public.

And here I have to mention my favorite among the Italian cars – the Jewel - Alfa Romeo 4C.


Production of Alfa Romeo 4C began in May 2013 at the factory Maserati in Modena, is expected to produce 2,500 units per year. Expectations were that to be the first mass-produced Alfa Romeo, but whether expectations are justified is a matter of perspective.

Serial Alfa Romeo 4C is sold in Europe for about € 45,000, revealed the media in Italy and UK. Roughly the same price in Europe can buy Porsche Cayman S. However, this will be the base price of the model.


According to preliminary information base modification of the car is equipped with a turbo engine (1750 TBi) with 230 hp and robotic gearbox with double traction. Due to the lightweight material (carbon fiber), which are used for prototype body, it accelerates from 0 to 100 km for 4.7 sec.


Serial 4C is equipped with a 1.75-liter engine with 240 horses and six-speed dual-clutch transmission, which make it a very serious athlete. Acceleration from standstill to 100 km/h takes 4.5 seconds and top speed is 250 km/h.


"Inflated" version you have to get the 1.8-liter engine, above which FIAT is working at the moment. Its power will be 300 hp, as Alfa Romeo 4C will be the first car that will get it. The basic idea is to have the car in the US market.

Alfa Romeo 4C Concept is a two-seater, rear-wheel drive coupé with technology and materials derived from the Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, with 1750 turbo petrol engine with direct injection, the "Alfa TCT" twin dry clutch transmission, the Alfa DNA dynamic control selector.

The Alfa Romeo 4C Concept was voted the 'Most Beautiful Concept Car of the Year' award by the readers of German magazine Auto Bild, and won the Auto Bild Design Award 2011. It was awarded the "Design Award for Concept Cars & Prototypes" by referendum of the public in Villa d'Este.

The 4C concept version unveiled in the 81st Geneva Motor Show in March 2011, followed by Mille Miglia 2011 parade, Goodwood Festival of Speed 2011, 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

I think before the above facts there is nothing else to add except that each would be delighted to drive the car. Whether just to test it, spending an unforgettable weekend with a rental car like this in the mountains of Italy.


As Jeremy Clarkson said for this car - worthy opponent of Porsche Carrera.

Jaguar - the most reliable car worldwide

Having considered the advantages of the German cars and in particular BMW, shared my thoughts of the Italian vehicles Alfa Romeo, I would like to pay deserved attention to the British giant Jaguar. Undoubtedly the car models of Jaguar are beautiful and safe, they definitely deserve the trust of their customers. But I would like to emphasize another advantage - the recognition of the specialists in the area.


Each year, leading US research agency JD POWER AND ASSOCIATES carries out a thorough study of the automotive sector. The british brand is recognized as the most reliable car in the world, displacing even Lexus from the top places. After receiving the prize in 2009, today years after this recognition, Jaguar is again with the highest score in the middle class sports cars. These accolades are essential for Jaguar. They are proof that the British produce not only one of the most desired cars, but also one of the most reliable ones. Adding high quality enshrined in the concept of each model of Jaguar, we understand why the brand is preferred by senior management worldwide. The growth of sales of the brand has already become a lasting trend.


In the future, Jaguar will be more accessible for all who dream to own it. More and more governments around the world grant tax incentives for cars with low carbon emissions. Therefore, Jaguar engineers have already begun to develop cleaner engines, which reduce pollution to a minimum. Proof of that are the V8 engines of the British brand. They are significantly cost-effective.


Besides being safe Jaguar cars are very powerful. Proof is Jaguar XFR, which officially was named the fastest Jaguar ever created. This became clear once during secret tests of legendary Sonny fields in Bonneville, Utah, the model achieves a remarkable top speed of 363.188 km/h and breaks the previous record of XJ220 of 349.4 km/h in 1992. Bonneville Salt Flats area is a vast territory with a flat surface where the end-time high-speed cars are tested and placed a number of records.


With minor changes in aerodynamics and safety to meet the conditions in Bonneville, maximum speed 363 km/h was achieved through additional power management system of the engine (ECU), a modified exhaust system and improved settings. There were no changes to the internal components of the engine and six-speed automatic transmission was standard.
XFR with Supercharged engine (with an output of 510 hp) with XKR adds even more exciting dimension to the range of Jaguar, combined with more dynamics and speed. Proof of this is a completed comparative test in which XKR presented itself more than convincingly, winning the first place, beating BMW M5 and Audi RS6 without a problem. Jaguar improves all "R" models and has them set up so as to provide fully focused experience to all enthusiasts and engine AJ-V8 Gen III adds even more power and dynamics. 


Power and high speed are not only prerequisites for the highest rating of Jaguar cars, but are an integral part of the history of the brand. This year marks 66 years of the setting of the record to 212.16 km/h by Jaguar XK120 in 1949.


We as a car rental company would like to be able to offer to our customers one of the models of the concern because they are powerful and very reliable.

Safety first

Most of us love the comfort and the things that facilitate our life, smart phones, tablets and other technologies that we use every day. Generally we would like to feel comfortable and to save maximum time, while being profitable. All these factors affect the choice of a car, whether you want to buy a new vehicle or hire it for a few days we look primarily for comfort. Few people realize, however, how important travel safety is. Nils Bohlin is the guy that has been working in this direction for many years. We cannot say for sure how many people have been saved by the engineer of Volvo Cars, who in 1959 introduced the three-point seat belt. Since then it remains the most effective protection for the driver and his companions in the event of an accident. In just one year the revolutionary invention of Bohlin saved hundreds of thousands of lives and prevent injuries of a millions of people. In the beginning many people were skeptical. But just 12 months later even the most distrustful ones acknowledged the belt as the most effective way for prevention of fatal accidents.


In 1967 Volvo convinced the public of the importance of the seat belts at the rear seats. Studies made back then have shown that in a frontal collision rear seats unleash a huge force and in most cases fatal blows. Proving those facts with numerous crash tests Bohlin prevented countless tears in the world. So it was in the early 70s of last century in the state of Victoria in Australia when the first law has been introduced, that required all drivers to put front and rear seat belts while driving. Failure to comply with the statutory provisions resulted in serious fines. In only one year figures for accidents with fatal end were reduced by 20%. In the other countries at that time it was only recommended to wear seat belts. But after taking into account the number of accidents a law has been gradually introduced everywhere. Not long after the belt got a world wide recognition, the German Patent Register recognised the invention of Bohlin as one of the eight most important inventions ever .The Swedish engineer shares this honor with great persons such as Benz, Edison and Diesel. Of course, till the moment there are still drivers that are wearing seat belts only when they see law enforcement officer on the road. These people usually justify the belt obstructs them and is uncomfortable. Others believe that the seat belt can be a trap during an incident and rely on the air bags. But most do not know that getting in a crash with 50 km/h leads to clash with the windshield and steering wheel, with force equal to the blow from jumping from the third floor.


Generally to save a live seems so easy - grab, stretch and click. Putting safety belt takes between 3 and 5 seconds. The chance of survival with it in an accident is 50% higher. It is impossible to calculate exactly how many lives were saved by the patent of Volvo Cars. According to some statistics, the figures amount to tens of millions and according to others - hundreds of millions.

Once the car companies are convinced of the reliability of the three-point seat belts, most of them began to fit them into their models, according to experts they increase the chance of survival of the occupants in a crash by 50%.


Nowadays security technologies continue to evolve continuously with the sole purpose of saving lives. That was also the main intention of Bohlin. To this day, the tree-point belt remains the most reliable way to prevent injuries in most extreme situations. So we should be more responsible in using it. As a car rental agency we are concerned about the health and the safety of our customers, therefore we appeal to you: use the seat belts every time you climb into a car.

Living light


Most appropriate light at any time. Adaptive technology division of the luminous flux provides optimum illumination of roads - automatically and in all conditions. As in city traffic and on the highway. When it comes to active safety most of us quite naturally think of the brakes of the car, the quality of the suspension and electronic systems such as ABS and DSC.
For decades, changes in the world of automotive lights is limited to improving the bulb headlights and now this improvement has reached its limit.

Opportunities to achieve additional brightness are exhausted. Point of halogen lamps development reached today marks the limit permitted by law in terms of brightness.


Bigger advantages and benefits offered only xenon lights. The xenon body is five times more long-lived than the halogen equivalent uses over 30% less energy and also improves the light emission with its cold light. Currently Xenon are a kind of a technological ceiling of opportunities for the automotive lights - nothing else on the market can achieve their characteristics. That is why engineers working to further improve safety, had to literally look at things from a different angle. They turned their attention to the range of the headlights. Given that cars do not move only in a straight line, but still are still pointing the beams of the headlights forward. The drivers need to drive the car in sections with curves, to turn at intersections and to perform U-turn maneuvers. Exactly those realities directed the efforts of Automotive Engineers in the right direction, which led to the development of intelligent control of lights. Many different people from the automotive business joined for this serious initiative. In the 90s the efforts of several manufacturers were combined to project development for Advanced Front Lighting System (AFS Advanced Front Lighting System) in 2002. This initiative led to deployment in the production system, allowing for variable distribution of light flow. With this technology a long-awaited dream was realised. The aim of obtaining a system capable of looking ahead to provide fully automatic best possible light in any situation was achieved.


The result of the work of many people is the development of an electronic system for Management of headlights that adapt to the situation so as to ensure the best possible visibility and prevent blinding oncoming drivers. The direction of the beam is always such that it corresponds to the steering angle of the steering wheel and the speed of movement of the vehicle.


In the city and at a speed of 50 km/h the luminous flux expands and objects from the remote side of the road can be seen more easily. At higher speeds when driving on highway scope of lights increases, and the far away light on the road is better covered by the luminous flux.
And that's not all, because a wave of innovation goes even further. In the future the emergence of "thinking" beam, which not only reduces its intensity when approaching oncoming vehicle, but adjust the tilt so that other drivers are not blinded while maintaining sufficient illumination of the road. Currently engineers are developing adaptive and adjustable lighting system that will change automatically accordingly when ascending or descending hills on the route, alway directing the light beam to the canvas.


In conclusion we can say that cars that have this new technology will be preferred when buying a new car or getting a rental car. For us as a car rental agency the most important is customer`s safety. Therefore we say welcome the technology and will try to obtain more cars that have it.

Are you comfortable in your car?



Have you ever felt exhausted after a long time in the car with terrible neck and waist pain? Lately I had to pass a significant number of miles often with a rental car, which made me realise the importance of comfort while driving. If you spend more than 5-6 hours behind the wheel you know that worth needed is the comfort in long drive. One of the main factors to feel better and most relaxed behind the wheel is the car seat. Many automobile giants invest money and effort to develop all sorts of innovations and improvements particularly in the field of searching maximum driving comfort.


Proper sitting posture is the guarantee better drive and less fatigue when traveling. Comfortable relaxing seat helps to achieve better posture behind the wheel. Sometimes the spine is forced to take a wrong item due to the fact that the ideal visibility and comfortable posture are often mutually excluded.


Comfortable position behind the wheel helps for better concentration and safer driving. In setting the maximum comfortable and relaxing seat engineers from various corporations join forces with specialists in orthopedics. Here are some of the improvements that have been introduced initially to higher class cars, but now the "extras" are required in the middle segment.

First we should mention the adaptation of the seat to the individual anatomy of the vehicle occupant. Diversity of options for setting creates a whole new sense of comfort and physical condition. Key role in achieving it plays the back. The main seat adjustment helps to achieve a comfort, no danger of tension in the muscles, while the back gets support at shoulder level in order to allow relaxed and optimal ergonomic seating position without straining your neck muscles. Excessive inclination of the back leads to muscle tension in the neck, but in this case effectively prevented by using adjustable upper sector the back door.
Another trick which contributes to the comfort of the driver's side are the side bolsters. They provide support for the driver and eliminate stress when passing through curves or performing sudden maneuvers. Without them the driver often strains to hold the seat which after some time becomes tiring. Side pads left and right provide the necessary support to the body so the driver does not have to seek support on the wheel.


Another trick – extended bottom part of the seat. This eliminates the appearance of muscle tension. Essential for muscles to remain active, but the backbone not to be tense. If the bottom part of the seat of the occupant is too short, it does not provide adequate support for the thighs, which leads to muscle fatigue and strain.

As another important component we should mention the back with side support. It prevents unpleasant shake of the head and stick your head in an upright position, reducing tension in the neck muscles.


For those who aspire to achieve even greater comfort recommended are three additional special options: 


1) Heated Seats - do not allow cooling of the back muscles in winter maintaining their flexibility. 


2) Ventilation of the seats - improves the microclimate between the seat and the diver`s body and its very appropriate for hot summer days.


3) Active mode - counteract the static pressure on the intervertebral discs. Due to this mode voltage cannot appear at all.


One of the biggest risks of injury in a rear impact lies in the possibility of neck and head sharply to be rejected immediately forward then backward causing the so-called whiplash. Active headrests decrease this risk-during the impact it moves forward to take over the smooth head, providing support as it moves back.


The most important task of the comfortable and relaxing seat, however, remains the elimination of the prerequisites for such circumstances. After all, it must offer the most comfortable driving posture and the ability to stay awake and alert for more but less time, while maintaining complete concentration behind the wheel. As a car rental company we have taken into account these factors, most of our cars offer this so important and sought comfort while driving.

Diesel or Petrol?

Whether you want to buy a new car or take a rental car the question petrol or diesel is an integral part of the selection process. The duel „gasoline-diesel - which is the better alternative” is a question of finances, but also depends on the needs and each driver.

From historical perspective both engines have an almost equal start:
Nikolasas Otto (1832-1891) created in 1876 a four-stroke gas engine, perfected by Wilhelm Maybach to a petrol engine. Back in 1877 Mr. Otto received recognition for his work by acquiring a patent for his four-stroke engine.


In 1892 Rudolf Diesel (1858-1913) invented an engine which first prototype was produced in 1893. This is the year in which Rudolf Diesel took a patent for "workflow and method of implementation for machines with an internal combustion engine.

Today, more than a hundred years after the invention of diesel and gasoline engines, the duel between the systems still hasn’t emitted a winner.

On one hand diesel engines are becoming increasingly ecological and cultivated. On the other, thanks to new injection systems, Start-Stop systems petrol engines are becoming more efficient and more economical. The race continues in full force. So the question which is better engine remains. Gasoline against diesel.

As I am a big fan of traveling I often have to rent a car and then usually I face the dilemma of what car to choose. I recently thought what engine I would choose, if I want to buy a new car. Several factors should be taken into account for the final selection. Very important for me is the reliability of the car, and then comes the car being economical.

Seeking information in forums I have found the following conclusions:

Thanks to the working concept the diesel engine is more sophisticated than the gasoline. Where in the gasoline engine the amount of the fuel-air mixture is adjusted before it is fed into the cylinder/quantitative regulation/. In the diesel engine the only thing regulated is the quantity of fuel injected into the cylinder/quality control /, which means that the diesel engines are more economical. The less fuel your car burns, the less the emissions.

If we decide to buy a car with a diesel engine, we must also take into consideration that the overhauling of the engine comes after a lot more kilometers.

On the other hand, generally a diesel engine is more difficult and sensitive compared to a petrol engine. Filters, spark plugs and other consumables have to be changed more often, hence more money are spent for its parts.

Diesel cars have always had a higher initial cost, but lower fuel consumption. Gasoline engines to achieve horsepower rely on bigger combustion chambers, more cylinders and higher fuel consumption. 
The price of the fuel could also tip the scales in either direction. At the moment, however, the price of petrol and diesel is almost the same. So maybe the question is – which engine is more profitable after a certain number of kilometers. Here again the diesel engine is the winner. But let me specify one thing.

Which Consumer Association published a research which shows that diesel cars are far more expensive to operate and maintain, as believed. According to the English their higher cost compared with petrol modifications shall be repaid by the lower fuel consumption after 14 years of usage.

This of course makes us speculate again on which is the better choice.

As with all other components of the car the most important thing is what the driver prefers – if he/she travels long distances, if he/she prefers a fast car or wishes to rely on security and economy. All of this is an individual choice, but we can get advice from professionals when deciding to buy a new or get a rental car.