Wednesday, December 24, 2008

2009 Cadillac CTS-V


"These are strange days for the American auto industry. Maybe that's why I felt like an ER doc heading to the emergency room this morning. But I wasn't speeding to a hospital. Dragged out of bed at an ungodly hour, I was off to the Monticello Motor Club, one of those new subscription-racetrack-cum-country-clubs springing up for millionaire supercar owners, this one 100 miles northwest of New York City.

Cadillac was fixing to let a passel of journalists hammer its new CTS-V-the Standard of the World's redesigned pinnacle of performance and, drumroll please, the fastest production Cadillac ever-on this freshly paved but as yet unfinished track. Just over four miles in length, the Monticello course features an amusing assortment of straightaways, dips, bends, and art-directed elevation changes, any one of which might assist your basic overachieving, undergifted investment banker as he, er, fully depreciates his Lambo. Let the games begin.

Meanwhile, call it melodramatic, but I couldn't help imagining that the procedure we were about to undertake with the CTS-V was going to teach us something meaningful about the health of ailing General Motors, a topic that has become something of a national obsession in recent months.

Nurse: scalpel, please. On a closed circuit, we automotive journalists are to real race car drivers as we are to real doctors, i.e., unrelated. We do not play one on television. But we visited the patient and conducted an extensive examination. So, let us move directly to our diagnosis.

The CTS-V is not the main thing the world needs now. It's not a mass-market item, and it's not what is going to save GM years of hardship as it scrambles to seriously rescale its product line for a much-changed domestic landscape. Although it tries its hardest, with two overdriven gears in both manual and automatic editions, this new Cadillac does not get good gas mileage. At $60,000, it is an exceptional value for what it is, yet it likely won't touch the life of the common man, unless it's running him over."

visit @ http://www.automobilemag.com for more info.

2009 Mini Cooper


"While the electric model was busy stealing the show, something was noticeably missing at the 2009 Los Angeles auto show: a drop-top Mini. That's because the wraps on the all-new 2009 Mini Cooper and Mini Cooper S Convertibles weren't pulled off until just now.

We suppose the 'all-new' moniker is a bit misleading. Though the coupe was completely re-worked back in 2007, the ragtop models were still based off the first-generation Cooper. All the various changes exhibited in the new Mini - including both powertrain and styling - weren't applied to the convertibles.

Alas, they are for the 2009 model. Both models share the same engines as their hardtop brethren, which means we can expect a 118-hp, 1.6-liter I-4 in the Cooper Convertible and a 172-hp, turbocharged 1.6-liter I-4 in the Mini Cooper S Convertible. Both engines are more powerful than their predecessors, though enthusiasts may bemoan the demise of the Cooper S' supercharged 1.6-liter I-4 - especially when it comes down to turbo lag.

Many of the last car's styling cues, including the three-position top, carry over onto the 2009 model, though it loses the giant chrome hinges on its rear tailgate. Also new for 2009 is a new automated roll bar, which pops up once the vehicle stability control senses an imminent rollover.

Still, the topless fun will run a considerable tab. The 2009 Mini Cooper Convertible stickers for $24,550, which is $2600 (or ten percent) more than the outgoing 2008. A 2009 Cooper S Convertible starts at $27,450, which is an increase $2050. Customers looking to add goodies like a limited-slip differential, satellite radio, navigation, or leather seating will likely see their sticker prices climb well over $30,000.

We'll have our first look at the 2009 Detroit auto show (but, thanks to the climate, not our first drive) in January. Expect production examples to arrive at dealers beginning March 28."

visit @ http://www.automobilemag.com for more info.

2009 Nissan 370Z


"Nissan knows as well as anyone the dangers in redesigning a popular car. Through the 1990s, it "improved" its Z-car until the bloated 300ZX carried virtually none of the charm (not to mention the sales volume) of the original 240Z. Nissan returned the line to its former glory with the 350Z, and has been rewarded with a brilliantly successful six-year run. And with the 2009 370Z, which is making its debut this week at the Los Angeles auto show, it has proved it has finally learned how to build on success.

The 370Z addresses every major complaint about the outgoing car - namely its weight and sub par interior quality - but maintains and, if anything, further distills the basic Z-car formula.

Powertrain

Not surprisingly, the improvements begin with a boost in power. The 370Z's heart remains the venerable VQ series V-6, but is the updated 3.7-liter unit from the Infiniti G37, making 332 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque. The most interesting update in the drivetrain lies, surprisingly, in the manual transmission. Whereas most sports car manufacturers of late have tried to make their slushboxes behave more like manuals, Nissan has updated its old-fashioned 6-speed with an automatic-like feature: downshift rev-matching. When a driver selects a lower gear and lifts up on the clutch, the 370Z will automatically respond with a blip of the throttle. The result is a perfect heel-to-toe shift - every time and for every driver. Of course, there will be a way to shut off this feature for those who can't stand even this bit of modern intrusion. And those who want to skip the clutch pedal altogether can opt for a new 7-speed automatic with manual mode and, for the first time in a Z-car, paddle shifters. With either transmission, Nissan says drivers can expect about a 2 mpg improvement in fuel economy compared to the 350Z, which netted 18/25 mpg with a manual (official EPA estimates for the new car have not yet been released).

Suspension

Perhaps more exciting than the gain in power and even the trick transmission is the reduction in weight. Nissan says the 370Z is about 90 lbs lighter than a comparably equipped 350Z, despite being more rigid throughout and meeting tighter (read: weight adding) safety standards. The secret to this accomplishment is aluminum. Nissan engineers used it extensively, including on the hood, rear hatch, and door skins. The 307Z is based on the same updated premium mid-ship platform that underpins the G37, and has new front sub frame made of, what else, aluminum. The control arm front suspension has been redesigned, and the multi-link rear is now stiffer and lighter than before. Despite all the changes and pound shedding, weight distribution remains unchanged at 54/46 front/rear. The 370Z also measures nearly four inches shorter than its predecessor, while gaining an inch in width."

visit @ http://www.automobilemag.com

Sunday, November 16, 2008

2009 Audi Allroad Quattro


"Anyone seeking adventure has to be prepared for surprises - just like The 2009 Audi allroad quattro. Upon introduction, allroad quattro is equipped with a standard 2.7-liter, V6, 250-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 23-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard. The 4.2 is equipped with a standard 4.2-liter, V8, 300-horsepower engine. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. Supreme on the road, undefeated by rough terrain - The 2009 Audi allroad quattro makes no compromises. It's the answer for drivers whose demands don't stop when the "either - or" decision between an off-roader and a roadgoing car has to be made.

In The 2009 Audi allroad quattro they enjoy a perfect blend of the finest technology from both worlds. Alternative power units are the 2.7-litre V6 "biturbo", rated at 184 kW (250 bhp) or the 2.5-litre V6 TDI, which has an output of 132 kW (180 bhp). They give the new Audi the torque and power output potential to tackle every situation with the prowess of a true high-performance athlete."

2009 Audi A4 Avant


"The 2009 Audi A4 Avant is a 4-door, up to 5-passenger luxury sedan, wagon, or luxury wagon, available in 2 trims. A car built for those who know their own taste too well to be influenced by the whims of fashion. All the versatility you'll ever need. The irresistible dynamics and ease of handling are matched only by its uncompromising standards of comfort and safety. An estate car that looks as great as it drives. The first-ever 2009 Audi A4 Avant shares basic architecture, dashboard and other components with the new cabriolets, crowned by a fixed roof having fairly large side and rear windows. Offerings are likely to include a V8 S4 as well as lower-priced V6 and 4-cyl 1.8T versions.

The progress that has been made can be seen and felt: new manual gearbox with outstanding shifting comfort and the standard full-colour look of the fully painted body are the characteristic features of The 2009 model year of the Audi A4 Avant Series."

2009 Toyota 4Runner


"I purchased this car in Dec. 2006, I bought a 2005. I love it. It rides so smooth and drives great. I am very happy with it. I have never had to do anything but regular maintenance. I am thinking of getting a 2009 for my husband who now drives a Dodge Durano, which drives very different from mine. I had a Jaguar before I bought my Toyota and the dash looks like it especially with the middle controls. I would definitely recommend this car to anyone."

Cars 2009:Acura TSX


"The 2008 Acura TSX is in a tight size and price bracket, in which people are looking for front-wheel-drive models--possibly with all-wheel drive--and probably rule out the more expensive yet less practical rear-wheel-drive sport sedans like the BMW 3-Series and Infiniti G35. The Audi A4 2.0T is a close rival to the TSX; its 200-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged engine is close in output to the TSX's engine, but the Audi's advantage in torque makes it feel faster in most real-world driving. The Audi gets better fuel economy, too, of up to 31 mpg, but it doesn't have handling that's as light and nimble as the TSX. The Saab 9-3 is another close rival, with the base model priced closely to the TSX, with similar power from its 210-horsepower engine, a standard manual transmission, and a similar cabin: spacious in front, with great seats, but rather small in back. The Subaru Legacy GT has the all-weather advantage of all-wheel drive, and a bit more power from a 250-horsepower, turbocharged flat-four engine; it doesn't get the gas mileage of the TSX, 9-3, or A4, though. The Maxima is another alternative; it's larger and roomier--the choice for those who want more backseat space--and it has a smooth and powerful 255-horsepower V-6 engine. Acura dealership service is another selling point in itself."
It is more practical to use this car.

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

2010 Mazda 3


"Mazda will unveil the 2010 Mazda 3 at the Los Angeles Auto Show next month. The new Mazda 3 will feature a fresh new design inspired by the Kabura concept that Mazda revealed in 2006. This is evident in the new Mazda 3’s new face which is now dramatically swept back. This makes the Mazda 3 more akin to the new Mazda 6 in terms of aesthetics with its grinning front grille sitting between and below the sharp, angular headlamps.

The redesigned grill is flanked by two air intakes and a set of fog lamps. The redesign continues to the modern rising waistline and a sloping rear roof that emphasizes a restyled rear end with twin sporty tailpipes.

There were no specs revealed yet but the new Mazda 3 will reportedly come with either a 2.0 or 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. It is also supposed to weight significantly less than the current model incarnation of the Mazda 3. The new 2010 Mazda 3 will be available in showrooms by early next year."

Friday, August 29, 2008

Review: 2009 Honda Pilot




"While the name and a minute number of parts remain the same, the 2009 Honda Pilot is a new vehicle. Every piece of sheetmetal and glass, every mechanical component, and every feature has been gone through yielding a just slightly larger Pilot that put all the space to use inside. And unlike many similar designs it didn't gain too many pounds."

The 2009 looks like a more muscular than its predecessor with of course the enormous highlights. It's a little bit bigger too with the same over hangs, but the wheelbase has been stretched for almost 3 inches.

2009 Pilots use five speed automatic transmission attached to a 3.5 liter V-6 that can produce 250 hp. Really good.

"What Honda hasn't been able to cancel out, though, is torque steer - even on models equipped with optional four-wheel drive. That's surprising, because Honda boasts that its VTM-4 all-wheel-drive system sends power to the rear wheels under acceleration. It must not dispatch enough grunt rearward, though, because it's not difficult to squeal the front tires off the line or light up the inside front wheel when accelerating out of low-speed corners."

2009 Pilot is made by expensive material, upgraded and modified. It has cool features inside and out. Designed for convenience and efficiency. Driving this latest car is really an amazing experience. You can enjoy entertainment inside, bluetooth, and a rear DVD entertainment system. It is huge and lax enough for long distance trip.

Thursday, August 28, 2008

Nissan Murano


Nissan Murano will be produced limited only. However it is successful model and sold rather than being around in the corner.

"he Murano houses only 31.6 cubic feet of cargo space and considering the extra space required by the convertible mechanism, we can expect to see this figure decreased further."

"Nissan will resist the temptation to make the model a hard top, instead sticking with the lighter soft top. The 265-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine is likely to win the engine bay's vote for the limited edition model and it is expected to be available in either front or all wheel drive."

Nissan Murano is enjoyable to drive. Comfortable so that nothing to worry about during long distance travel.

Pricing is set to come in just shy of $40K.