Top 10 Hybrid Cars

A hybrid vehicle is a vehicle that is run by two or more power sources. Unlike the conventional cars, that use gasoline as the prime source of power. In such cars, the main idea is to ignite a combustion that can be used to pressurize a piston of the engine which in turn, makes are car move. Now with this method, there are two problems that the present world is facing. The first being the more obvious, rising fuel costs and the fact that this natural resource is going towards finishing one day. The second being the environmental hazard that each car contributes whenever it burns the fuel.

In present day, the hybrid cars are using electric power to run the cars as the secondary fuel to petrol. We list some of the most economic and environmental friendly cars available in present day. (ascending on terms of Miles-per-Gallon)

10. Toyota Highlander Hybrid

The Toyota Highlander is a mid size SUV produced by Toyota. It is categorized as a crossover SUV, the one having features of a passenger vehicle and those of a station wagon as well. Since Japan and Australia had already a vehicle been registered with the Highlander name, Toyota had to rename it as Toyota Kluger. (Kluger means clever or very clever).  Toyota started to produce the Hybrid version of Kluger in 2005. In 2007, the 2^nd gen of Toyota Kluger Hybrid started and is in the production cycle since then. Above 100 thousand hybrid versions of highlander have been sold to date.

9. Saturn Vue Hybrid

Need other options for SUV hybrids? Try Saturn Vue Hybrid. Sold by the General Motors’ Saturn brand, was one time, the best selling make of Saturn. Vue is said to be a mild hybrid, or can be termed as an assist hybrid as it somehow helps the initial move of the vehicle. Also it automatically stops the engine when the vehicle comes to halt and then instantly it restarts the vehicle again when it should move.

8. Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid

The first Chevrolet make that hits our list, the Chevrolet Malibu is named after the city Malibu, California. It is a midsized sedan vehicle produced by General Motors. Yes this is the same make which was shipped 25,500 in number to Iraq. (For Saddam Hussan’s government, a deal was worth over $100million) The hybrid version was started in 2009, however was discontinued in 2010.

7. Ford Escape Hybrid

In 2004 people used to wonder why do we always see a sedan car as the one having electricity as fuel. What if someone is a SUV lover and needs to shift to the hybrid technology? Ford Motor Company addressed the needs of such customers with its Ford Escape Hybrid, the first SUV with hybrid technology incorporated in it. Ford Escape was already in the market however in 2004 the hybrid version was introduced. This vehicle was first being produced in Japan and US only. Now its production has been shifted to Taiwan and China.

6. Toyota Camry Hybrid

Toyota Camry XV40 is the sixth generation of one of the most famous makes of automobiles. It replaces the old XV30 series. Being produced since 2006, it reached the third best selling hybrid car being produced in the US.  Cumulative sales of the Camry Hybrid have reached a figure of 155 hundred thousand approx as of December 2009.

5. Nissan Altima Hybrid

Nissan Altima Hybrid is the first make of Nissan with hybrid technology embedded in it. It was first introduced in 2007 as a 4 door sedan vehicle.  This vehicle can be said as the continuation of the Bluebird make of Nissan. The hybrid model is said to be available in only 10 states of the US.  One thing about Nissan Altima which makes it so much popular is that it is being used as the taxi and as a cop car with the New York City Police.

4.  Honda Insight

The first version of Honda Insight (1^st generation) was a 2 door hatch back model. It is the first vehicle that was introduced with the Honda’s IMA, an acronym for Integrated Motor Assist, system.  The 1^st gen was produced from 1999 to 2006. The 2^nd gen was introduced in the start of 2006 in Japan. Later after a month or two, this car was available in USA as well. The 2^nd gen Honda Insight was a 5-door hatchback car. It was the top selling car in Japan for the month of April 2009. The 2^ndgeneration Honda Insight has sold 143 hundred thousand units across the globe.

3.  Honda Civic Hybrid

The Honda Civic Hybrid is the hybrid make of already present and very famous make of Honda by the name of Civic. Honda Civic Hybrid was first made in Japan around 2002. It is only available as sedan but it is told that the Europe version with a hatch back will be available in 2012. It is the first hybrid vehicle to be certified as an Advanced Technology Partial Zero- Emissions Vehicle (AT-PZEV) from California’s Air Resources Board. It was introduced in the USA in 2002 Spring and now ranks as the second best selling electric hybrid car. The global sales exceed a quarter of a million.

2.  Ford Fusion Hybrid

The Ford Fusion Hybrid, like Honda’s Civic Hybrid, is the hybrid version of an existing model of Ford, the Ford Fusion. Both the cars are sedan cars, developed by the Ford Motor Company. The Ford Fusion Hybrid was launched in the United States of America in March 2009. This unit is being manufactured in Mexico at Ford’s Hermosillo Stamping & Assembly plant. Ford Fusion Hybrid has won the “North American Car of the Year” award in January 2010.

1. Toyota Prius

The Toyota Prius is a compact sedan car. The 4 door vehicle is rated as the cleanest vehicle by CARB (California Air Resource Board) sold in United States of America based on smog forming and toxic emissions. Prius started to sell in Japan in 1997 and later in 2001 was introduced worldwide. Prius is sold in access of 70 countries. In September 2

Top 10 Scariest Rides In The World

10. X2

Located at Six Flags Magic Mountain, the X2 was first launched in 2002 and has been providing people with thrills ever since. This is a “fourth dimensional” ride that will drop you through 360-degree turns and unexpected twists. The ride itself is extended off of the track which allows riders to experience an affect like no other. If you are searching for the optimal combination of speed and height, then you should definitely check out the X2.

9. Fahrenheit

Fahrenheit, located in Hershey Park, is a ride which adrenaline junkies crave. Built in May of 2008, this scary ride has a whopping 120-foot drop that will plunge you straight into a 97-degree dip. This is the steepest angle drop that you will find in the United States. And the steep incline provides riders with only a few seconds to see the park before they are dropped back down. Once you survive the initial drop, you’ll immediately be plunged down another 100-foot drop that is combined with a cobra element and inverted cork screw.

8. Insanity

While Las Vegas is fun, imagine being suspended 900-feet over the ground as you ride Insanity atop the Stratosphere Hotel and Casino. It really doesn’t get more suspenseful and heart pumping than this. This green colored ride will throw you through a variety of twists and turns and it will literally make you feel as though you are going to fall off the edge of the massive building. You’ll reach speeds of about 40 miles per hour and it will definitely be an unforgettable experience.

7. Colossus

Brace yourself because the Colossus, located in the UK, is not for everyone. Built in 2002, the ride contains a record number of 10 inversions and will throw you for a wild ride. You’ll experience a cobra roll, double corkscrews, and have a heart-line roll. If you happen to be in China you can find an exact replica of the ride which is called the “Tenth Ring Roller Coaster”. It was built in 2006 and replicates the Colossus to the tea. For those adrenaline chasers who love unpredictable rides with a lot of speed, this is the one for you.

6. Kingda Ka

You’ve probably heard about this ride before. Kingda Ka is by far the fastest and highest sailing rollercoaster in the United States. It is the “big daddy” of coasters and will send you whopping 450-feet into the air. You’ll reach a top speed of about 130 miles per hour, and you’ll do this in less than 4 seconds. And that is just on the way up. On the descent, you’ll be dropped down a 270-foot spiral drop that will leave you screaming. To put simply, you should experience plenty of positive and negative G force on this ride.

5. Eejanaika

While the name may be hard to pronounce, the ride itself is one that you shouldn’t pass up. This happens to be one of the only “4-D” coasters in the world- the only other being the X2. With this ride, you’ll go through some insane 360-degree turns that are brought together by several head-over-heel spins. All in all, the ride is really fun and can really cause your heart to sink. It is located at Fuji-Q Highland which is in Japan.

4. Tower of Terror

The name itself spells excitement. If you’re ever on the Gold Coast of Australia, you should definitely check out the Tower of Terror. This is quite easily the tallest and fastest thrill ride in the Southern Hemisphere. Compared to the world, it is the fourth fastest and reaches a top speed of about 100 miles per hour. Anyway, this ride will carry you up about 38 stories and then drop at a rate of 4 G’s. All of this happens in about 6.5 seconds and will be combined with a zero-gravity drop. The Tower of Terror is the epitome of a scary ride.

3. Expedition GeForce

If you search the Internet for “Best” or “Scariest” rollercoasters in the world, chances are good that Expedition GeForce will make it to the top of the list. Not only is it one of the largest roller coasters in Europe, but it can reach 4.5 G’s as it takes you through a 203 foot drop at over 75 miles per hour. And yes, there are moments of weightlessness that you will experience as you go through the ride.

2. Maverick

No adrenaline junkie’s agenda will be complete until you ride Maverick. Located in Cedar Point, this ride cost about $21 million dollars to make and was built in 2007. It holds the record for being the most expensive ride to construct. And if you’re looking for speed then you’ll have plenty of it as you reach speeds of over 70 miles per hour. Not to mention there will be countless turns and twists. All in all, the ride will last for about two and a half minutes which is slightly above average in the world of roller coasters and thrill rides.

1. Superman Ride of Steel

The name itself lets you know that this ride is for people who would like to experience serious speed and height. Located at Six Flags New England, the Super Ride of Steel has won the award for best roller coaster in the United States every single year since its conception. It has a 220 foot drop with over 75 mile per hour speeds. And let’s not forget the grand 10 seconds of weightlessness that you will experience. Your legs will be wobbly after the ride and your heart will definitely be pumping. This is an unpredictable ride that will throw you through tons of quick tw

Top 10 Haunted Places In The World

10. BERRY POMEROY CASTLE, TOTNESS

There are a number of legends associated with this 14th-century castle, and it has a reputation of being haunted. It has 2 famous female ghosts; the White Lady and the Blue Lady. According to legend the White Lady is the spirit of Margaret Pomeroy, who starved to death while imprisoned in the dungeons by her jealous sister. Apparently she haunts the dark dungeons, and rises from St Margaret’s Tower to the castle walls. The Blue Lady is not confined to specific areas and is supposed to lure people into parts of the ruin. Apparently it’s a very bad idea to follow her!

9. DOMINICAN HILL, BAGUIO CITY, PHILIPPINES.

According to some people the ghosts of people who were killed during the war haunt this place. Some say the patients who died here despite having the hope to be alive turned into ghosts. Hearing the banging of doors, windows, clattering of dishes and screaming voices during night are reported by people.

8. EDINBURGH CASTLE, EDINBURGH, SCOTLAND

This magnificent castle is typically medieval, perched atop a rocky crag, giving it an amazing vista of  Scottish hills. But inside the empty halls and narrow streets of Edinburgh, there are the echoes of the dead. At least, that’s what has been reported. Hot spots for specters include the castle’s prison cells, the South Bridge vaults and Mary’s King Close, a disused street used to quarantine and eventually entomb victims of the plague. There are also reports of ghost dogs, a headless drummer, and the bodies of prisoners taken during the French seven-year war and the American War of Independence.

7. MONTE CRISTO, NEW SOUTH WALES, AUSTRALIA

Monte Cristo, Australia’s most haunted mansion is located in Junee, New South Wales. Mrs Crawley, the owner of the house never came out of her home after the death of her husband in 23 years of her remaining life except for two times. After her death her ghost haunts the place particularly her former room. Bodiless ghost, phantom face in the window, floating apparition, strange and ghostly voices, automatic turning on and off lights are some haunting experiences of the people. Some people reported that when they entered the boy’s bed room they were breathless and turned purple and almost died, they became normal after coming out from the room.

6. ANCIENT RAM INN, GLOUCESTERSHIRE, ENGLAND

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, a trip to the Ancient Ram Inn is an unsettling experience. Its creaky floorboards, cold bare walls, musty smells and dimly lit nooks and crannies epitomise everything a haunted house should be. And the stories attached to this creepy building are not for the fainthearted: Murder, satanism and child sacrifice are just a few of the dark deeds said to have occurred here, oh and did we mention apparently it’s built on a pagan burial ground?

5. HIGHGATE CEMETERY, NORTH LONDON, ENGLAND

By night, Highgate Cemetery is like something out of a horror movie. Eerie crooked gravestones, headless angles covered in ivy, dark overgrown passages between the tombs, it’s no wonder this is Britain’s number-one ghost spot. Despite it’s chilling atmosphere, by day Highgate Cemetery showcases some of the Britain’s most spectacular Gothic architecture, offers fascinating guided tours. It’s also the burial place of Karl Marx.

4. BHANGARH FORT, INDIA

Bhangarh Fort is on way from Jaipur to Alwar in Rajasthan, India. According to a legend, Singhia, a black magic tantrik cursed the palace that everybody would die in the palace and their souls will stay there for centuries without rebirth. Another interesting point is, all the houses in this area are without roofs because whenever a house is built with roof, the roof collapses. This is the called most haunting place in India. People who visit this place experience anxiety and restlessness. It is said that nobody returns from this place that stays there after dark. Government prohibited this area from staying after sunset. You will find a board installed by Archaeological Survey of India displaying “Staying after sunset is strictly prohibited in this area”.

3. SCREAMING TUNNEL, NIAGARA FALLS, ONTARIO

The haunting of the Screaming Tunnel is one of Niagara Falls’ most enduring legends. Located off Warner Road, the tunnel runs under the railway tracks that link Niagara Falls to Toronto and New York City. According to local legend, over a century ago, a farm house located just past the south entrance to the tunnel caught fire one night. A young girl, her clothes engulfed in flames, fled screaming from the house. She ran through the tunnel in an attempt to extinguish her garments but collapsed and died on the tunnel floor. A variation of this story has the girl set ablaze in the tunnel by her enraged father when he learned his wife had won custody of their children during an nasty divorce battle. Another version tells of a young girl who was raped inside the tunnel and her body burned to cover the evidence. All these stories allege that if you stand in the middle of the dark tunnel at midnight and light a match, the flame will go out and a girl’s screams will be heard.

2. OHIO UNIVERSITY,  ATHENS, AMERICA

Ohio University is known in state folklore as the most haunted college campus. A large number of places on campus are said to be haunted, and numerous other popular tales are told about the university across Athens county. The British Society for Psychical Research claims that Athens, Ohio, is one of the most haunted places in the world. Wilson Hall, famous for a girl (a supposed witch)who killed herself moments after writing satanic and supernatural things on the wall in her own blood. The five cemetaries that form a pentagram that surrounds the campus, with the administrative building being in the center of the devil’s sign. Washington Hall, which is famous for housing a team of basketball players who all died in a terrible crashm their ghosts still haunt the hall, and you can sometimes hear them dribbling. The catacombs of Jefferson Hall, where numerous ghost sightings have occurred. And finally, for The Ridges, an abandoned insane asylum that was known for thousands of labotamies and electro shock treatments. Also, a patient who disappeared, and was found five weeks later, her body decomposed onto the floor and left a stain that outlines her body. This stain can still be seen today.

1. CHANGI BEACH, SINGAPORE

Changi Beach served as a popular killing ground for the Japanese during the Sook Ching massacre of The Second World War. Thousands of Chinese were tortured and killed during this Operation as they were suspected of being anti-Japanese. Strange crying and screaming are reported by people. The heads of the Chinese dead bodies are sometimes seen flying everywhere and headless bodies walk around the beach. The scariest thing is that the ghosts leave blood stains. During nights people observe dug holes that appear as if they were used for burying bodies.