Pentax K100D Super

Pentax today introduced an updated version of their K100D digital SLR, known as the K100D Super. What's super about it? Well, it adds a dust reduction feature, support for Pentax's new SDM (Supersonic Drive Motor) lenses, and a new top ISO of 3200. Here are the other specs:
K100D Super 6.1 effective Megapixel CCD
Supports every Pentax lens ever made
CCD-shift image stabilization means sharper photos without having to buy expensive stabilized lenses
Dust removal system literally shakes dust off of the sensor
2.5" LCD display with 210,000 pixels
Full manual controls; shutter speed range of 30 - 1/4000 sec; ISO range of 200 - 3200
Numerous scene modes
Uses four AA batteries
SD/SDHC/MMC memory card slot
USB 2.0 High Speed supported
Ships with an 18 - 55 mm lens this August for $599
PRESS RELEASE:
PENTAX INTRODUCES ENTRY-LEVEL ‘K100D SUPER’ DIGITAL SLR WITH ADVANCED FEATURES
GOLDEN, CO. (June 27, 2007)….PENTAX Imaging Company announced the PENTAX K100D Super digital SLR with innovative features usually found on more advanced, higher-priced cameras. The newest member of the K Series of digital SLRs combines the PENTAX Shake Reduction (SR) system, an innovative Dust Removal (DR) system, and full compatibility with PENTAX SDM lenses.
The K100D Super builds on the popular PENTAX K100D digital SLR camera that first shipped in July 2006. Incorporating the PENTAX-original Dust Removal (DR) system previously available only in more advanced models, PENTAX takes entry-level SLR users to the next level with the new K100D Super Digital SLR. A PENTAX-original design, the Dust Removal system helps keep the CCD surface dust-free to ensure spotless images. The new PENTAX digital SLR also offers full compatibility with PENTAX SDM lenses. Together, these features upgrade the K100D Super to a technologically advanced SLR at a very affordable price.
Compatible with any PENTAX SLR lens ever produced,* PENTAX K100D Super offers a large 2.5 inch LCD monitor with 210,000 pixel resolution and a friendly Mode Dial featuring Auto Picture and Picture modes as well as new Scene modes for even simpler photography. The 6.1 megapixel APS-C size CCD, 11-point autofocus mechanism, and sophisticated 16 segment multi-pattern metering delivers outstanding image reproduction, while the bright, high-precision Penta mirror viewfinder features a 96% field of view and 0.85X magnification. With this array of advanced features and an easy-to-hold, easy-to-use design, the K100D Super delivers high-quality digital SLR photography to users of all levels including SLR beginners.*With adapter for screw mount and 645/67 lenses
Along with the SLR, PENTAX has announced a new compact, easy-to-use AF200FG Auto Flash. The hot-shoe mount flash features a compact, lightweight body, a guide number of 20 (at ISO 100/m) and simple dial operation to assure effortless flash photography for everyone. The P-TTL auto flash system assures proper exposure level by measuring the flash’s pre-discharge with the camera’s multi-pattern metering system. The AF200FG uniformly covers the wide discharge angle of a 28mm lens (in the 35mm format) and includes a flip-down diffuser that can cover the angle of a 24mm lens (in the 35mm format).
Priced at US $599.95, the PENTAX K100D Super with 18-55mm lens will ship in August 2007. (Body alone is $519.95.) The AF200FG Auto Flash unit will ship in August 2007 for US $149.95.

Subaru Impreza WRX 2008

New York International Auto Show hosts the unveiling of the new Subaru Impreza, which will be out on the market starting from this summer.Comfort is the perfect word to describe the brand new Subaru concept, along with utility and safety (offered by Subaru Symmetrical AWD -All-Wheel drive with the Horizontally Opposed engine) and completed by very sophisticated interior and exterior design lines.The Chassis is completely redesigned along with the bodyconstruction and drivertrain. All performances are improved which gives the driver the pleasure of a very nice ride with pretty easy, agile handling and advanced safety and environmental friendly conditions. Stability has been improved by mounting the engine a little bit lower in the chassis.Modifications have been made to the 2.5 litre SHOC normally aspirated engine which make improved low-end torque and fuel efficiency possible. The output characteristics of the 2.5 Boxer engine comes with a very practical range of driving speeds. The car comes also with enhanced emissions achieved by using a new catalyst system.The exterior styling shines through very good body proportions and quality details which transmits both the sense of speed and individuality. The 2008 Subaru Impreza will be available for orders in 4-door and 5-door versions.More comfort you can find on the inside, where the aluminium look insets in the centre panel, the navigation screen, the audio displays, the vehicle information and the double stitched seat fabrics all inspire a high-level of quality.
Bellow, you can see the main technical specifications:
* Engine Type: Turbocharged Flat-4

* Displacement cu in (cc): 150 (2457)

* Power bhp (kW) at RPM: 224(167) / 5200

* Torque lb-ft (Nm) at RPM: 226(306) / 2800

* Redline at RPM: n.a.

* Brakes & Tires Brakes F/R: ABS, vented disc/vented disc

* Tires F-R: 205/50 R17

* Driveline: All Wheel Drive

* Exterior Dimensions & Weight

* Length × Width × Height in: 180.3 × 68.5 × 58.1

* Weight lb (kg): 3142 (1425)

* Performance Acceleration 0-62 mph s: n.a.

* Top Speed mph (km/h): n.a.

* Fuel Economy EPA city/highway mpg (l/100 km): n.a.

Hummer H3

The hummer H3 is the smallest from the 3 Hummer models.The Hummer H3 was a pickup truck but the final version is a conventional SUV.It is built on a heavily modified Colorado/Canyon pickup truck frame.The Hummer H3 is build in Shreveport, Louisiana at GM’s factory.Export versions will be produced at the General Motors South Africa facility in Struandale and Port Elizabeth.In the USA the price for a Hummer H3 starts from 30.000$ and ends just over 40.000$.In the first months of 2006,about 8000 Hummers were sold.It’s about 74% of all Hummer sales.The H3 uses the 3.7 L (3464 cc) Atlas straight-5 engine,It produces 242HP(164kW) at 5600RPM.It is available with a 5 speed manual transmission of a 4 speed automatic transmission that includes GM’s Stabilitrak vehicle stability control.It includes an electronically-controlled dual-speed transfer case and electronic locking differential.The H3 Hummer can handle 0.6 m of water. The H3 is the only vehicle in its class to have a 2-speed transfer case standard.It weights about 3.8tones.The Hummer H3 sufered some modifications and the H3x and H3t appeared.

BMW Z10

BMW has announced that they will unveil in late 2008 a direct competitor for supercars like Audi R8, Ferrari F430 and Lamborghini Gallardo. This will entitle BMW to have something more to state in the supercars world.It’s known that BMW cars are not exactly the most powerful sports cars, that is why aluminium, carbon fibre and magnesium will be the materials that the car’s body –BMW Z10 - will be made of. The low weight car, around 2645 lbs., will be close as size to Lamborghini Gallardo, except it will have 550 lbs. less in weight. The other dimensions would be: a wheelbase of 2560 mm, overall length of 4300 mm, width of 1900 mm and height of 1165 mm.BMW Z10 will use wind directing elements as active spoilers, which will modify their position by the speed of the car (its one of the first cars to use this concept).The development targets for the Z10 will be a rear/mid-engine supercar that will be powered by V10 turbochargers. The targeted performance for the engine will be of 550hp and it will be accomplished by taking the standard 5.0 litre V10 from M5 and M6 models and tuning it up for the Z10.Taking the 2645 lbs. weight and adding the 550hp output will result a weight ratio of 458 bhp per tone which means it could beat both the Porsche Carrera GT and the Ferrari F430.The Z10 will have a top speed and 195-mph and will make the 0 to 60 mph sprint in 3.8 seconds.There is a supposition that maybe the Z10 will take from the M5 model the 7 speed Sequential Manual Gearbox, which incorporates some important functions and safeguards like: automatic downshift, Slip Control, Hill Detection.Coupe and convertible versions will be available for the BMW Z10 and the Bavarian Company Californian studios will produce it. The price will be somewhere close to 150 000$.

BMW Z9

The Z9 Gran Turismo concept car has been revealed in 1999, at the Frankfurt Auto Show. It will be making now an entrance on North American Market, with the presentation debut at the New York International Auto Show.The interior has all the new technology and a very ergonomic design.The Z9 BMW will be a 2 seated roadster, having a textile roof and probably with an option for hardtop.There are many control functions that can be controlled very easily from the multifunction Knob located between the front seats.The doors can be opened by 2 ways: conventionally and in gull wing style.Also, in the centre of the dashboard there is placed an 8.8 inch monitor which gives the driver all the information needed while driving.Gears (Steptronic transmission) can be shifted buy accessing the buttons mounted on the steering wheel or with the dash-mounted lever.The doors can be opened by 2 ways: conventionally and in gull wing style.The car is propelled by the V-8 turbo diesel, which has been produced for the first time for the BMW 7 Series 740d model. It produces 413 lbs./ft (560 Nm) of torque, maintained constantly at 1750 and 2500 rpm and it has a maximum power of 245 hp.The engineers from BMW have designed the supersports car with the engine mounted in the front side and the traction transmitted to the back wheels.Sources from BMW declared that they expect sales of approximately 15000 pcs per year, which means almost 3 times more than its pre-decessor Z8 (a little over 5700 units per year)The Z9 will be certainly able to compete with cars like Mercedes SL or Audi R8.As price horizon, a future series Z9 can reach approximately 100 000 Euro.

US home sales continue downwards

The US housing market remained sluggish last month, latest figures have shown, with sales of existing homes at their lowest level in four years.

Sales fell 0.3% to 5.99 million units in May, the slowest pace of growth since summer 2003, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).

Sales are now 10% lower than a year ago, when 6.68 million units were sold.

The sharp downturn in the housing market, after years of stellar growth, has shown little sign of bottoming out.

The number of unsold homes rose 5% to 4.43 million units.

Brittle confidence

Lack of confidence in the market has had an impact on the broader state of the US economy, with GDP growth falling to 1.3% in the first three months of the year.

Several experts have lowered their growth forecasts for the whole of 2007, citing the weakness in the housing sector.

The National Association of Business Economists (NABE) cut its forecast for economic growth from 2.8% to 2.3%.

The NAR measures house prices by their median point, the exact spot between the lower and upper half of prices.

The median price of an existing US home is now $223,700 (£119.000), 2.1% less than the midpoint value in May 2006.