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Kamis, 08 September 2011

2012 Mitsubishi Eclipse

1 komentar, Diposting oleh mas brow di 18.06 ,

Overview

Mitsubishi's distinct sports coupe is back for 2012, but according to the automaker, this is its last year of production. For Eclipse enthusiasts looking to buy this boldly styled coupe in its final year, there is a new model Mitsubishi is calling the Special Edition. The Eclipse SE features black side mirrors and 18-inch dark finish alloy wheels, to name a couple features. The 2012 Eclipse is powered by a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that produces 162 horsepower. If you have a lead foot, Mitsubishi offers a GT model that has a 265-horsepower 3.8-liter V-6 engine under the hood. This engine is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission that incorporates Mitsubishi's Sportronic transmission technology. The GS model is the most affordable of the lineup. Standard features include a six-speaker 140-watt AM/FM/CD player with MP3 playing capability, dual exhaust, and 18-inch alloy wheels to name a few. The Eclipse is equipped with six standard airbags, as well as electronic brake force distribution. Other safety features include active stability control, and traction control logic. The standard Eclipse might be a bit light on the power for some, but the GT is a more competitive coupe.

The Range

Body Style: Coupe, Convertible
Engines: 2.4L, I-4; 3.8L V-6
Transmissions: 5M; 4A; 5A
Models: GS, GS Sport, GT, SE

What's New

2012 is the last model year of production for the Eclipse and, in order to send it out on a high note, Mitsubishi has added a Special Edition model to the mix. This SE model will feature black side mirrors, dark finish alloy wheels, and an extensive list of high-end standard features seen on the GS Sport.

Exterior

The 2012 Eclipse has a very distinct look. It features fender flares that widen the vehicle's stance, as well as fog lights and a low-profile front end. The rounded rear may be considered by some to be the weak point, although the dual exhausts do help. The Eclipse rides on standard 18-inch wheels that add to the sportiness of the coupe and convertible.

Interior

The interior of the Eclipse is very sleek, which adds to the sportiness of the car. It features sporty chrome pedals. The interior control panels illuminate a light-blue color at night, and Mitsubishi says the gauges were inspired by those found on motorcycles.

Performance & Handling

While the base Eclipse's 2.4-liter engine doesn't pack much punch with 162 horsepower, the GT model is more likely to satisfy. It packs a 3.8-liter V-6 engine that produces 265 horsepower. This vehicle is paired with a five-speed automatic transmission with Mitsubishi's Sportronic transmission technology, which allows the driver to manually select gears.

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Jumat, 19 Agustus 2011

Audi A3 RS3

1 komentar, Diposting oleh mas brow di 02.33 ,

On the face of it, the RS3 is impervious to criticism. It's got 335bhp backed up by an immense torque spread, spectacular grip and traction, Audi's epic interior quality, a practical five-door hatchback body, decent economy if you don't thrash it, and even a comparatively generous equipment list. What could possibly go wrong?

It simply eats roads. The engine, taken directly from the TT RS, is with you all the way. There's an almost casual muscle in the middle of the rev band, ideal for surfing along when you don't want to make a fuss. But when you're ready,the fireworks kick in, exploding you towards the red line, and then the seven-speed S-tronic finds you a new gear without batting an eyelid.

See more pics of the Audi RS3

Irresistible force, meet immovable object. This immense power can't overcome the tyres' tractive purchase. Just get your foot down out of a bend. Sooner. Sooner again. It catapultsaway from slow corners, wet corners, whatever. Nothing's going to stand in its way. Not even tight roads or busy ones - as it's a comparatively narrow car, it slips through gaps, and finds overtaking chances where a supercar would hesitate.

And yet on grippy tarmac, I wasn't smiling quite enough. The car does what it does: turns, grips, and goes. Maybe understeers very slightly if I found the limit (even on the optional wider 255 tyres). But I normally didn't find it. There didn't seem to be enough feedback, or other options. The lighter, shorter and lower TT RS is more satisfying. True, on a greasier stretch of road, the RS3 did come more alive. But the steering never spoke much.

I found myself wanting a Golf R with this engine. I guess it's mainly that the Audi goes for smooth road grip where the Golf goes for handling sensitivity and suppleness. And of course if you put all this power through the Golf R's tyres, you'd probably melt them to treacle.

When you're not warping yourself with g-loadings, the RS3 is, like the long line of five-door RS Audis, a properly useful thing. And utterly reassuring. While the base A3 is up for renewalnext year and so some of its cabin ergonomics are getting stale, the solid feel of the furniture soon makes you forget the asking price. Outside, there are extra grilles (functional, not just for show) and unique wheels. To cover the wide track, the front wings are widened too, and made of carbon fibre, which saves a small amount of weight and adds major bragging rights.

So if the cornering dynamics might lack the sprinkling of fairy dust, of emotional connection, you just haveto take things in the round. The all-conditions speed and the sheer breadth of day-to-day ability leave you utterly powerless to argue against what racing drivers love to call a ‘total package'.

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Senin, 15 Agustus 2011

2011 Scion tC Review – Calling out to the Millenials, but speaking at low volume

1 komentar, Diposting oleh mas brow di 02.46 ,

By someone posing as Derek

Likes:

Optional Alpine sound system
Smart iPod interface
Reclining rear seat

Dislikes:

New exterior design looks very close to the first generation
Too much use of hard plastics inside the cabin
Droning exhaust note
Uninspiring road handling dynamics

Toyota merrily points out that Scion has the youngest average customer in the industry and that 71 percent of all 800,000 or so Scions have been sold to buyers who are new to the Toyota brand. It seems Scion’s customers are America’s newest generation, the Millennials, who are in their middle of this coming-of-age phase of its life cycle. Its oldest members are approaching age 30; its youngest are approaching adolescence. Interestingly enough, with a median age of 29, it’s the tC coupe’s 310,000 total sales since 2002 (accounting for 41 percent of all Scion production) that manages to attract the youngest customers of all.

In other words, while the funky xB may be the most recognizable, it’s actually the tC that is the brand’s most important product. Therefore, Scion absolutely needs the new 2011 tC to be a runaway hit. Especially since the second-generation of the xB has, by many measures, failed to live up to the success of its straight-ruled predecessor.

The new 2011 tC is very similar to the previous generation. The differences are subtle, but improvements were made in several key areas: the engine, the steering performance, and the stereo options.

The new tC is powered by a new 2.5L four cylinder engine that cranks out 180 hp and 173 lb-ft of torque for a 19 hp and 11 lb-ft bump over the outgoing model’s 2.4-liter engine, and it is connected to a standard six-speed manual transmission in place of the old five-speed unit. There are bigger brakes at all four corners, too.

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Rabu, 10 Agustus 2011

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon Review

1 komentar, Diposting oleh mas brow di 10.37 ,

By Derek Mau
Likes:

Adept handling for a wagon
Powertrain provides nice balance of power and economy
Comfortable cabin
A luxury car with lots of cargo room
Optional Acura/ELS surround sound system

Dislikes:

5-speed transmission automatic transmission
No V6 or 6-speed manual option for North American market
Navigation system needs to catch up to the competition
Backseat legroom is tight for taller passengers

Since the SUV started dominating car sales, the station wagon has fallen in status somewhere between the microcar (e.g. Smart car) and the minivan. In the era of the Ford Country Squire your parents appreciated them. Nowadays, auto journalists and Europeans are the select few who fully appreciate their form and function, but nobody buys them here. It’s that last trait that’s led to the near extinction of the family wagon.
As the model name suggests, this car is based on Acura’s TSX sedan, which uses the same engine and cabin tech. But Acura added the wagon format to the model line, keeping its five-seat capacity but adding a spacious cargo area. Fold down the rear seats, and the cargo area gains considerable length.
In creating the rear hatchback, Acura designers did an excellent job seamlessly blending it with the sedan front, and adding some attractive curvature along the roofline. The wagon’s well-tapered profile gives the TSX a visual boost, while chrome roof rails, attractive 17-inch wheels and body-color moldings give this middle-management hauler a touch of class.

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Jumat, 05 Agustus 2011

2012 Range Rover Evoque Review – A Smaller, Greener Range Rover

4 komentar, Diposting oleh mas brow di 18.32 ,

Pros:

Legendary Range Rover all-terrain capability
Same adaptive damping system as a Ferrari provides excellent ride quality
Buttery-soft leather seats for all-day comfort
Extensive list of customizable options

Cons:

Oversized outside view mirrors
Small number available worldwide for its first year of production

The 2012 Range Rover Evoque is a compact, luxury crossover that offers premium levels of craftsmanship, luxury, performance and renowned Land Rover all-terrain capability. Available as a coupe or 5-door model, the Evoque will be in high demand as only 2200 units are being built and sold worldwide in its first year of production which begins this summer.

CarReview was invited to test drive the new Evoque on the city streets of San Francisco. Granted, the potholes and broken asphalt of a concrete jungle are not considered a true test of the Evoque’s off-road capabilities, but it was a good proving ground to show off how well the Evoque can maintain a comfortable ride on roads that could qualify on the list of top ten worst maintained roads in the U.S.

Fortunately, our cars were equipped with the optional MagneRide™ adaptive damping system, which is almost the same hardware used in Ferraris. Essentially, the damping system quickly reacts to conditions so that big bumps and frenetic cornering are handled with superior finesse, but also loosens to allow the ride to stay cloud-soft when conditions are not so demanding. When in action, harsh ridges and potholes are smothered with luxury-car quietness.

Scooting around the city, we found outward visibility is very good for the driver. The opera windows on the C-pillar aid the driver when changing lanes or maneuvering in tight spots. The only thing hindering visibility is the overly large outside mirrors which can block your view at the 11 o’clock position.

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2012 Scion iQ Review – Diminutive in size, big on practicality

0 komentar, Diposting oleh mas brow di 04.14 ,

By David Colman

Likes:

Urban champ
Nimble
Recasts microcar as premium product

Dislikes:

Still tight dimensions
CVT drone
Wear a helmet

Microcars have always demanded that you make concessions to absurdity. Most of them look like circus clown cars or they make you behave like a circus clown. Generally speaking they’re pitifully small and slow. And there’s always been something demeaning about them, whether climbing through a clamshell windshield for entry, or cowering next to an adjacent semi. While they might be perfect for collecting microbes or reading microfiche, microcars have historically been impractical. But what if you could design one to behave like a real car? Then you’d have a Scion iQ.

Not until you climb into the cockpit of the iQ are you convinced this unlikely looking prospect is any different. But the wide door opening, low entry threshold and anatomic seat allay any doubts you may have about practicality or comfort.

Once underway, your initial positive reaction persists as the iQ quickly and quietly gains speed. At 53 inches, cockpit width is sufficient to make the iQ feel like a compact sedan inside. Because its 10 foot length is 18 inches longer than a Smart car, you’ve also got enough useful storage space behind you to make the iQ a realistic weekend getaway car for a couple. Of course, use of that 16.7 cubic feet of space requires you to fold both rear seats flat. If you don’t, interior storage shrinks to just 3.5 cubic feet.

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Rabu, 03 Agustus 2011

BMW i3 Concept (2011) first official pictures

0 komentar, Diposting oleh mas brow di 19.44 ,

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

This is the BMW i3 Concept, a near-production preview of Munich’s new urban vehicle. Previously known as the Megacity Vehicle (MCV), it’s an all-electric carbonfibre and aluminium car that BMW will sell from 2013 as part of its new ‘i’ range – the i8 supercar has also been unveiled today. Both the BMW i3 and i8 concepts will be revealed at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show in September.

Is the BMW i3 just an electric Mini with a different badge?

Oh no. Beneath the stylish skin is BMW’s new LifeDrive architecture. The Drive element comprises the suspension, battery and drive systems, plus the aluminium structural and crash elements, while the Life part is the high-strength and lightweight carbonfibre-reinforced plastic (CFRP) passenger cell.

The LifeDrive set-up features in both the i8 and i3, but it’s different in the latter because of its all-electric configuration. The Drive element sits low, containing the big lithium-ion batteries (held in place and protected by aluminium ‘profiles’) for optimum weight distribution and a low centre of gravity, and the Life element is mounted on top. Think of the body-on-chassis configuration of American pick-up trucks – albeit a little more complex – and you’ll be along the right lines.

And this i3 is electric?

That’s right. An electric motor (mounted over the rear axle and driving the rear wheels via a single-speed gearbox) produces 168bhp and 184lb ft,

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Mazda Shinari concept car (2010) first official pictures

0 komentar, Diposting oleh mas brow di 19.41 ,

By Tim Pollard

First Official Pictures

01 September 2010 11:27

Mazda's new design direction is embodied in the new Shinari concept car. Modeled to announce to the world the new styling language of future Mazda road cars, the Shinari ushers in a new look to replace the somewhat tortured Nagare mantra that has fizzled into a damp squib on the sides of the latest Mazda 5 midi-MPV.
The Shinari won't be shown at the 2010 Paris motor show (apparently it's being held back for a 2011 Geneva debut), yet this is a landmark concept for Mazda design, under the new leadership of chief design Ikuo Maeda.
He replaced Dutchman Laurens van den Acker 10 months ago as head of Mazda design; Brit Moray Callum held the post before that. Maeda, a life-long Mazda employee, told CAR that he'd been appointed for the long term, 'at least 10 years'. We'd argue that's welcome, as it's hard to shift a company's design look in just the three or four years of his predecessors' appointments.

So what's all this Mazda Shinari about?

It's a new four-door coupé, not dissimilar to a Merc CLS or Audi A7 Sportback, and it looks pretty imposing stretching to 4890mm long. It's a low-slung 1348mm high and 1970mm wide.
It embraces the Kodo design language, which translates as 'soul of motion'. Maeda's new design philosophy is all about dynamic emotion and he promises this look will start to influence production cars 'within two to three years'.

Will they build the Mazda Shinari?

Sadly this is very unlikely. It could however inform future versions of the Mazda 6 and the designers flashed up images of a future 2 supermini with Kodo styling flourishes.
Details to look out for include the newly tweaked grille, with inbuilt light tubes to emphasise the five-pointed radiator. This is plausible for production, Maeda told CAR.
And the twisted, tensioned surfaces are also destined for production cars. 'If there's one thing I want to emphasise, it's the new emotion you'll find on future Mazdas,' said Maeda.

So what's the Mazda Shinari like in the metal?

Rather like an Infiniti Essence, with shades of Maserati Granturismo and even Jag XJ. They've aimed for taut, muscular surfaces and have largely achieved that with tension in the sheetmetal, rippled by plunging and diverging character lines. The Shinari looks way bigger than its 4.8m length suggests.
Maeda-san says the shark nose is achievable and expect the shape and character of the lights front and rear to make it to production cars too (they're one of the design highlights). Problem is, we've seen so many conceptual ideas from Mazda of late - and so little action - that we're a wee bit sceptical. Nothing short of delivering on the promise of this new, more emotional Kodo design language will be enough to appease the memories of endless Nagare concepts and little showroom change.

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Mazda CX-5 (2012) first official pictures

0 komentar, Diposting oleh mas brow di 19.36 ,

By Ben Pulman

First Official Pictures

02 August 2011 09:00

This is the new Mazda CX-5, the third addition to the Japanese car company’s SUV line-up after the CX-7 and CX-9 (the latter isn’t sold in Europe). It’s a rival for the Freelander, Kuga and every other compact SUV out there, and will officially unveiled at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show in September.

What do we know about the new Mazda CX-5?

It’s the first production car to feature Mazda’s new Kodo design language, showcased by the Minagi (a thinly veiled concept of the CX-5) and Shinari show cars. Mazda has only released a few photos so far, but first impressions are of a good-looking little SUV.

It’s also the first production car to boast Mazda’s new SkyActiv Technology, a plethora of fuel saving advancements, from lightweight bodies and chassis, to new engines and gearboxes. When Mazda showcased its SkyActiv tech earlier this year it claimed the body-in-white was 30% more rigid but 8% lighter than before, and that the front and rear running gear assemblies weighed 14% less. There are new manual and automatic transmissions too, the latter claimed to weigh 16% less and improved fuel economy by 1% thanks to reduced frictional losses.

The engines are all-new too, a SkyActiv-G 2.0-litre petrol and a SkyActiv-D 2.2 diesel. The petrol engine has a high 14:1 compression ratio to improve fuel economy, and the diesel has a lower-than-average 14:1 compression ratio to reduce NOx.

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0 komentar, Diposting oleh mas brow di 19.29 ,

Overview

The start of the Chrysler minivan craze was heralded by the 1985 Dodge Caravan and the Plymouth Voyager. Following the entry of the latter vehicles, the only new model was the Town & Country hosting a wood-plastic paneled cabin. The Town & Country was Chyrsler's minivan luxury offering until the discontinuation of the Plymouth Voyager after 2001. Now the Town & Country is preferred over the Grand Caravan by empty-nesters/retirees dominating the minivan market as families began coveting crossover utes.Competing with Toyota and Honda, Chrysler remains a lead in the minivan segment. Formerly, the car maker took the lead with novelties like Stow-N-Go seating, Swivel-N-Go sating, and flat/fold rear seats in the third row of minivan offerings. Another common amenity is the offering of entertainment like a DVD player.The Town & Country really needs an upgrade for 2011, and refreshments are scheduled. Alterations will include improvements to the sheet metal body, improved dynamics, interior enhancements, and the add-on of a Pentastar V-6 motor option. It will be interesting to see what the future of the minivan segment holds.

The Range

Bodystyle: Minivan
Engines: 3.3L V-6, 3.5L V-6, 4.0L V-6.
Transmissions: 6-speed automatic, 4-speed automatic
Models: LX, Touring, Limited

What's New

Fiat management promises a sheetmetal refresh and better interior materials, fit and finish for the 2011 Town & Country. What was supposed to be a facelift could be as substantial as Ford's 2010 update of its Fusion midsize sedan.

Exterior

There are no sheetmetal changes to distinguish the 2010 Town & Country model from the '09. Compared with the competition, the Chrysler minivan has a very creased look.

Interior

Buyers have a choice of Stow ‘N Go or Swivel ‘N Go seats, in which the second row flips around to face the third row, with a plastic table between them for family card games.

Performance & Handling

The Town & Country's three transverse-mounted V-6s are a 3.3-liter pushrod rated a four-cylinder-like 175 horsepower, a 3.8-liter pushrod rated 197 horsepower and an SOHC 4.0-liter rated 251 horsepower. Their replacement engine for '11 is the DOHC Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6 which is rated 280 horsepower in the new Jeep Grand Cherokee.

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Selasa, 02 Agustus 2011

2011 Chevrolet Camaro

0 komentar, Diposting oleh mas brow di 22.17 ,

Overview

After the Camaro had a seven-year absence from a car market, Chevrolet sought to satisfy car-seeking consumers by offering the beloved Camaro. It wasn't long before the vehicle outsold the Genesis by Hyundai, the Ford Mustang, and the Dodge Challenger. The Camaro is based on the 1969 model and hosts a similar style.Hosting a Zeta-platform, the Camaro comes with rear-wheel-drive and is less a 1969 pony car and more of a muscle car. The Camaro for 2011 is about the same size as the first incarnation; it has a wheelbase measuring 112.3 inches and weighs 3700 to 3900 pounds, depending upon the amount of equipment.The Camaro sport configuration hosts a small block, powered-SS engine with 426 horsepower. The car buyer can get an automatic transmission coupled with an engine offering 400 hp. This car is making changes in its segment and offers a 3.6 Liter V-6 motor that is more fuel-efficient. This caused Ford to make enhancements to the Mustang too. For 2011, car buyers can expect a convertible variant along with a Z28 configuration that is lightweight.

The Range

Bodystyle: Coupe
Engines: 3.6L V-6, 6.2L V-8.
Transmissions: 6-speed manual, 6-speed automatic.
Models: LS, LT, 2LT, SS, 2SS

What's New

Trumping Mustang's 305-horsepower V-6, the rating for Camaro's direct injection V-6 is up 8 horses, to 312 horsepower. All models are available with Synergy Green Metallic paint for a limited time, and Synergy Green interior panels are available on 2LT and 2SS. Heads-up display becomes standard on 2LT and 2SS. All models get six months of free OnStar Directions and Connections.

Exterior

A long-hood, short-deck and radical tumblehome evoke Chevy's design heyday. Its 67-degree windshield rake contributes to a big on the outside, small on the inside feel. The RS package is available on LT and SS.

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2011 Volvo XC60 R-Design Review – It’s got the brawn, but who’s got the brains?

0 komentar, Diposting oleh mas brow di 18.30 ,

Overview

What's New

Exterior

Interior

Performance & Handling

Safety

The Eclipse features numerous standard safety features such as six airbags and Electronic Brake-force Distribution. Other standard features include active stability control and traction control Logic.

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