Compact and fuel-efficient cars were in the drawing boards back in 1972. Johann Tomforde, project leader for future transportation systems at Mercedes-Benz, devised a two-seater urban vehicle that would be 2.5 meters long. In 1981, such a project gained ground and in 1990, the Vision A 93 prototype leading to the Mercedes A Class; and the Mercedes City Car, an electric otherwise known as the Micro Compact Car (MCC) measuring 2.5 meters, were born.

In time, a company called Smart, a joint venture between Daimler-Benz and Swiss watchmaker Swatch, was formed. The year 1993 was a milestone for it ushered the creation of the Micro Compact Car. With Mercedes Benz providing engineering expertise and build quality and Swatch the unique design philosophy, it was an unbeatable tandem. It resulted to the two-passenger Smart City-Coupe, a vehicle that was ideal for the European urban environment. It could park perpendicular in a parallel-parking spot.

More innovations followed and in recent years, new-generation compact cars that are not only fuel efficient but fun to drive too evolved and stand out from the pack.

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Car racing enthusiasts would find the BMW M3 a delight. This car, after all, has been developed by the BMW’s branch M/Motorsport specifically organized to pursue the racing program of the German automobile manufacturer. After having much success in the 1960s and 1970s, BMW M started to contribute vehicles to the company’s market line-up including the M3. The BMW M3 is available in the market in three body styles: coupe, sedan and convertible.

Estimated Price Range for Used BMW M3: $4,000-$95,000
Estimated MPG for BMW M3: 16 City/24 Hwy
Available Trims: base
Below are Pre-Owned BMW M3 from Ebay and 6 of the top used-car sites on the web:

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Used BMW M3 on Yahoo Autos	Used BMW M3 on Oodle
Used BMW M3 on AOL Autos	Used BMW M3 on Motortrend
Used BMW M3 on Internetautoguide	Used BMW M3 on Autotrader

BMW M3 Car Testing

How to Drift With a BMW M3

BMW M3 Promotional Video

BM3 vs Bugatti Veyron

Shelby Automobiles, Inc. owes its existence to company founder Carroll Shelby. The company forged a partnership with Ford Motor Company. Shelby, a race car driver, had earlier done well with the Cobra and Ford figured he could revolutionize the new Mustang. The Shelby GT350 debuted in January 1965. A month later, the race car version which competed with other sports cars notched a victory.

In 1968, the original 1968 Shelby GT500-KR (King of the Road), 428 cubic-inch Cobra-Jet V8 engine makes 360 horsepower was released. The convertible version also became available, appealing to the road-cruising set. Several other Shelby innovations followed, ushering the next Mustangs, until 1970.

In 2008, a hot car – the Ford Mustang, powered by a 4.0 liter V6 engine that makes 210 horsepower, arrived in the marketplace. It evoked a classic retro look. Retro styling is likewise evident in the stunning 2009 Ford Shelby GT500. Like the muscle cars churned out decades ago, this car packs a wallop. It’s powered by an engine derived from Ford’s future-classic GT supercar. Its classic muscle-car character is well aligned with the GT500’s mission.

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Maybach’s origins date back over a century ago, when Wilhelm Maybach constructed a car that goes down history as the first luxury marque. Karl Maybach, his son, took on the company’s reins and built more vehicles that set the standard for cars in the 1920s. Karl set out to develop a first-rate petrol-powered functional car, and the outcome was the W1, a test car which was based on a Mercedes chassis that can seat four persons. Next in line was the production of the W2 motor vehicle engine. Maybach developed the six-cylinder engine that makes 70 horsepower at 2200 rpm.

Maybach eventually built his own cars fitted with the W2 engines that did not take off in the market. At the 1921 Motor Show held in Berlin, the W3 was introduced. By 1926, Maybach presented the W5, which was equipped with a six-cylinder in-line engine and could produce 120 horsepower from its displacement of 6992 cubic centimeters.

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Fiat, one of the largest auto-manufacturing firms in Europe began operations in 1899 with former cavalry officer Giovanni Agnelli at the helm. Its product offerings range from commercial vehicles to construction machinery, thermomechanics and telecommunications equipment, engine components and tractors, to airplanes. Agnelli soon made himself known for his innovative leadership and determination to let Fiat soar to success.

Despite the war, Fiat expanded its line. It formed a conglomeration with several enterprises. Agnelli reorganized the company and obtained the services of a former consulting engineer to assume greater control on manufacturing, instead of relying predominantly on foreign suppliers.

During its early years, Fiat’s auto production was restricted by the high tariff policy in Italy. Imported cars then could not be afforded by the average Italian. Fiat had an 80 percent of the market; the remaining 20 percent went to expensive Italian-made sports cars.

In the succeeding years, Fiat produced compact cars and models with outstanding gas mileage. Fiat faced setbacks like the changing political climate, but in time, it generated profits and expanded and actualized the commitment to innovation laid out by its founder.

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