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Saturday, April 30, 2011

Racers from Germany and Spain announced for Pixar’s CARS 2

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Pixar has released more goodies this week about its upcoming sequel, CARS 2, due to hit theaters in the U.S. on June 24. What we have for you today are the cars representing Germany and Spain in the movie’s championship race, the World Grand Prix.

First up is Max Schnell, who not only represents Deutschland, but also appears to be carrying the torch for all DTM racers in CARS 2. His last name, Schnell, is also a nice touch, being the German word for ‘fast’. He hails from Stuttgart, which is the home of both Porsche and Mercedes-Benz, but we think his design is actually inspired by the Audi A4, hence him wearing the #4. He’s also won more races at the Motorheimring (Pixar-speak for Nürburgring, and also German for Motorhome-ring) than any other car in the World Torque Champion League (Pixar-speak again for World Touring Car Championship).

Miguel Camino in Pixar's CARS 2Next up, representing the country of Spain, is Miguel Camino, who hails from Pamplona. Miguel gained fame in his homeland by participating in the famous Running of the Bulldozers and competing as a toreador in the dozer ring. He now races as car #5 in the Grand Touring Sport circuit. If we had to venture a guess at who Miguel is modeled after, we’d say Spanish F1 champ Fernando Alonso. Why? The shape of his headlights suggest a Ferrari influence, and Spain’s real greatest racer drives for Ferrari in Formula One.

Max Schnell

Max Schnell started as a humble production sedan from Stuttgart, Germany. An avid amateur racer, Max would practice alone in the back roads of the dense Black Forest-a trek that eventually caught the eye of a racing team owner. Soon Max was on a professional circuit, bearing the #4, and as his horsepower increased, he converted himself to carbon fiber, dropping his weight and getting into prime racing shape. He’s won more races at Motorheimring than any other World Torque Champion League car in history. A naturally brilliant engineer, he used logic and analytics to refine his build, and plans to approach the World Grand Prix in the same perfectly calculated manner.

Miguel Camino

Spain’s most renowned, admired and captivating car is Pamplona’s Miguel Camino. He first caught his home country’s attention by participating in the infamous Running of the Bulldozers. His flair, style and speed as a toreador in the dozer ring has inspired a generation of young bulldozer fighters, and soon that same speed and verve turned headlights of fans and competitors alike on the Grand Touring Sport racing circuit. Bearing the #5 and the fiery colors of the Spanish flag, Miguel Camino is hoping to race his way into more hearts at the World Grand Prix.

Audi Q3 sketches released ahead of Shanghai debut

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Audi has confirmed that its 2012 Q3 small crossover will receive its worldwide unveiling at the Shanghai Motor Show later this month. Before the Q3 debuts in the metal, Audi has released a series of sketches hinting what we can expect in a few weeks time.

When the production Q3 debuts it will sit on Volkswagen Tiguan underpinnings, but will be considerably more shapely than its less costly cousin. If these sketches are to be believed, the Q3 owes a little somethin’ somethin’ to Audi’s Cross Coupe Quattro concept shown in Shanghai back in 2007.

The Tiguan’s engines and transmissions should carryover into the Q3, which means a turbo four producing around 200 horsepower with a diesel option for Europe.

[Source: Audi]

Review: 2011 Chevrolet Volt

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There’s something to be said for being at the right place at the right time. Had our primordial ancestors evolved legs and lungs while the entire globe was still awash in warm sea water, they would have gone belly up and we might have never made it to the top of the food chain. At this point in history, our entire species can thank generations of ancestors for not being squished, drowned, beaten, eaten or stabbed before cranking out offspring that would further the human race. One misstep to the left could have been all it took to eradicate entire lines of Homo sapiens progress.

Those same laws of luck and fortune dictate which automotive traits will survive into the future and which will be left to be bookmarks of curiosity in the mechanical fossil record. General Motors knows this all too well. The company infamously birthed the EV1 in the mid-’90s only to find that its high costs of development meant the short-range electric couldn’t keep its head above water in a sea of relatively cheap fuel prices. At the time, there just wasn’t any land in sight for the electric movement.

What a difference 15 years make. Thanks to the trailblazing efforts of the hybrid fleet, more and more Americans now associate efficiency with electric power, and General Motors has given rise to what could possibly be the perfect evolutionary species to bridge the gap between hybrid and full-electric motivation – the 2011 Chevrolet Volt.

It’s been four years since General Motors first pulled back the sheets on the original Chevrolet Volt Concept. As you likely recall, that vehicle was a stylized dream that wore a vertical nose, high belt-line, chopped roof and massive wheels for a look that was, in a word, awesome. The concept was downright muscular and served as an excellent counterpoint to the econo-blob styling of the Toyota Prius at the time. Unfortunately, nearly all of the brawny build of the Volt Concept never quite made it to the production world.

Instead, the designers at GM were confined by the laws of aerodynamics, which means that the production Volt wears a shape that’s very similar to what Toyota came up with for its battery-assisted wonder child. At 177.1-inches long, the Volt is around four inches shorter than its platform mate, the compact Chevrolet Cruze, and 1.5 inches longer than the current generation Prius. The front fascia is appropriately swept into the hood and fenders with wrapped projector headlamps and a shield grille help to give the electrified four-door one of the lowest drag coefficients of any vehicle GM has ever produced. Only the low-slung Corvette rivals the 0.287 Cd of the Volt.

2011 Chevrolet Volt side view2011 Chevrolet Volt front view2011 Chevrolet Volt rear view

Even with all of its slippery concessions, the Volt is an attractive enough vehicle. Our tester came with 17-inch chrome-clad wheels that added a splash of style to the judicious use of chrome and piano-black plastic along the window line. The vehicle’s tall, abrupt Kamm tail rear takes some getting used to, especially with its slit brake lamps and somewhat awkward spoiler, but the design does have the effect of differentiating the Volt from the rest of North America’s roadgoing hardware.

Jump inside and it’s even clearer that you aren’t driving a run-of-the-mill internal-combustion mule. The center stack is awash in capacitive-touch controls that are simple to navigate if not difficult to read during daylight hours. At night, excellent back-lighting makes the small text labels somewhat easier to translate. A large LCD touchscreen handles everything from climate, navigation and audio information to data on the vehicle’s state of charge and efficiency, and the interface is perfectly intuitive.

Unfortunately, in what must have been a quest to skimp on weight and cost, GM built the cabin of the Volt with materials that would be more at home on a humble Cobalt. Hard, dark plastics abound as far as the eye can see, and while they’re nicely grained, they do little to make drivers feel any better about the vehicle’s lofty price tag.

2011 Chevrolet Volt interior

We do have to give GM praise for the location of the vehicle’s start button, though. Mounted just north and to the left of the shifter, the button is at perfect thumb level. There’s no fumbling around or craning your neck in an attempt to find switchgear stashed behind the steering wheel. Here’s hoping that little trick begins finding its way to other products soon.

GM has also opted for a complete LCD gauge cluster in place of any standard dials. Those nostalgic for the old kit can give it up. The screen organizes and displays a wealth of information clearly and accurately, with vehicle speed represented in large, easy to read numerals above all else. We have to imagine that even if the Volt drivetrain doesn’t spread to the rest of the GM fleet, elements of its instrument cluster surely will.

2011 Chevrolet Volt start button2011 Chevrolet Volt gauge cluster

We were treated to optional leather seating in our time with the Volt, and the light cream-colored thrones did much to brighten the otherwise dark interior. GM hasn’t skimped on details with the Volt, and the double-stitched seats include one line of electric blue thread that’s a particularly nice touch. Rear passengers will find somewhat cramped leg room and no comfortable place to put their inboard elbows, but there’s enough space up top to keep even the cast of Jersey Shore from scraping their hair on the headliner.

Interestingly enough, GM has opted to build the Volt as a hatchback. The rear cargo area offers around 10.6 cubic feet of room, which is plenty for stashing groceries and the like. Our only real issue with the design is that the hatch weighs a ton. Even with gas struts to assist in lifting and lowering the piece, it’s difficult to keep from slamming the door without using both hands. Additionally, with no partition to separate the cabin from the aft area, tire noise is especially prominent at highway speeds.

2011 Chevrolet Volt front seats2011 Chevrolet Volt rear cargo area

Under the hood, GM has stashed a tangle of technological wizardry. At its heart, the Volt uses a three powerplant system to get down the road. With a fully charged battery, the vehicle gets its gusto from an 111kw traction motor. Additionally, a 55kw electric generator is also onboard. Clutched to a 84-horsepower 1.4-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine, the generator can jump in to provide power to both the battery and the traction motor at the same time should conditions warrant an extra push of power. Should the batteries drop to a certain predetermined state of charge, the internal combustion mill will jump in to generate electricity to power the front wheels.

GM has graced the Volt with a lithium-ion battery system that the company claims has no memory. That means that it doesn’t have to be fully drained in order to receive the most efficient charge possible. The tech also allows for rapid energy release – something that’s essential for all-electric power at highway speeds. The Volt can be charged using either a 120v plug or a 240v outlet. We were only able to dabble with the first option, and as such, we saw complete-drain charge times of around 10 hours through a standard household outlet. That’s a long time, especially considering that you’re only rewarded about 36 miles of all-electric range for your patience. The good news is that the 240v option will top off the cells in right around four hours. If you’re going to be parking a Volt in your garage with any frequency, make sure there’s a 240v plug nearby.

2011 Chevrolet Volt engine

For all of the bellyaching that we could work up over how long it takes to fully charge the Volt, GM has done an amazing job of building an EV that drives just like any other vehicle on the road. Acceleration isn’t exactly neck-snapping by any means, but if you get frisky with the accelerator, you will be rewarded with a few quick spins of the low-rolling resistance Goodyear Assurance tires. The jump to 60 miles per hour takes around 8.53 seconds in the optional Sport mode, but plan for a little more time in the Normal drive configuration.

We were pleasantly surprised to see that should you need an extra shot of power for a quick pass on the interstate, the Volt will happily oblige. Torque from the 111 kw motor is always at the ready, and while acceleration seems to level off quickly, there’s enough on hand to get you out of trouble. Likewise, the engineers at GM did an excellent job working up the brakes to feel just as linear and progressive as anything you’d find on a standard vehicle. Despite being regenerative, the stoppers never felt grabby or clunky in anyway. Pedal feel is always firm and confidence-inspiring, which is great considering that the Volt tips the scales at a portly 3,781 pounds.

2011 Chevrolet Volt charging port2011 Chevrolet Volt charging converter

That’s plenty of mass to carry around, and combined with the fling-averse tires, it’s clear that the Volt is never going to be mixing it up on the dance floor with any sports sedans. Get too froggy with the wheel and you’ll quickly be reminded of just how much this vehicle weighs.

But that’s clearly not what the Volt is all about. Under a full-head of electric steam, the Volt is beautifully quiet in city driving up to around 40 mph. Once the speedometer ticks past 50 mph, there’s a noticeable amount of tire and wind noise, though the vehicle never feels taxed or uncomfortable. Again, it’s a level of refinement typically associated with the compact segment, not vehicles with an MSRP north of $40,000 like the Volt, but with the drone of an internal combustion powertrain absent in EV mode, outside factors like air and road noise can’t help but become more prominent.

2011 Chevrolet Volt headlight2011 Chevrolet Volt badge2011 Chevrolet Volt wheel2011 Chevrolet Volt taillight

GM has aced the logic behind the range estimation for all-electric power. If the screen says you have 36 miles before the internal combustion engine kicks in, you can feel safe betting your first born that you won’t run of juice before then – a small detail that builds big confidence in the viability of getting where you’re going.

Once you do drain the battery cells, the 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine kicks in to generate more electricity. While the small four-cylinder isn’t crude by any means, there’s little insulating driver and occupants from its vibration once it gets going. We’ve never noticed just how harsh an internal combustion engine can be until we’d been romanced by the smoothness of 36 miles of EV driving. We almost felt embarrassed every time the engine came on, like someone had just pointed out a lengthy piece of toilet paper glued to the bottom of our shoes.

We drove the Volt over the course of four days and put around 165 miles on the clock in mixed driving. During that time, we purposefully drained the battery a few times in order to give the 1.4-liter engine a workout, but also kept the vehicle on the charger and in a climate-controlled garage when not in use. At the end of our stint, we burnt a whopping 2.064 gallons of premium fuel for a final average of 79.94 mpg. Of course, we’ll have to wait for our next power bill to know exactly how much that stellar fuel economy cost us.

2011 Chevrolet Volt battery info

When GM first showed off the Volt Concept, it lurked on stage with a sexy white cord coiled daintily beside the front wheel indicating just how easy it would be to charge your car instead of filling up its tank. While the Volt is about as easy to charge as your cell phone, there is some aggravation involved. For starters, the vehicle requires a clunky adapter that roughly resembles Officer URL – the glowing face of law and order from Futurama. Coiling and uncoiling the meaty orange cord from the converter requires some coordination, especially if you happen to be juggling a bag of groceries at the same time. What you’re left with is a long cord strewn in front of the driver’s door just waiting to ensnare the clumsy or calamitous.

Still, it’s easy to tell when the vehicle is charging thanks to a series of lights and honks from the vehicle itself. The good news is that we never had any issues charging the Volt during our time with the vehicle. Simply plug in the converter, click it into the car and go on your merry way.

We won’t completely dive into the EV debate here. That’s an argument best left to the well-educated pages of AutoblogGreen. While we have our reservations about digging up massive quantities of lithium and coal simply to serve our transportation needs, the Volt is nothing less than an amazing piece of engineering. Quite simply, GM has pulled off something worthy of all the accolades heaped on this vehicle’s hood. Nearly 80 mpg is nothing to scoff at, and we’re guessing that the figure would likely climb if we were simply using the Volt to dart back and forth from work instead of running weekend errands all over creation.

2011 Chevrolet Volt rear 3/4 view

Ecological concerns aside, the only hitch in this giddyup is the price tag that the Volt carries. With optional equipment like leather, 17-inch wheels, rear-view camera and the sultry Crystal Red Metallic paint of our tester, final coin for this machine sits at $44,180 with destination. That’s a fat stack of cash, especially considering that the much larger Toyota Camry Hybrid starts at $27,435 with destination and promises 33.5 mpg combined. Likewise, Hyundai only asks $26,545 with destination for its 37.5 mpg-capable Sonata Hybrid. It doesn’t take any advanced mathematics to realize that the nearly $13,000 premium it takes to score a Volt over a Camry Hybrid would buy a lot of gasoline, even at Road Warrior prices.

That said, Uncle Sam really wants you to buy vehicles like the Volt, which is eligible for a $7,500 federal tax rebate, as well additional state and local rebates depending on where you live. Some residents of Lansing, Michigan, for instance, are eligible for up to $15,000 worth of rebates on the Volt. GM also plans to cut the Volt’s price when production ramps up and the technology spreads to other platforms.

So where does the Volt fit in the evolutionary spectrum of personal transportation? Though it’s priced for early adopters, the vehicle demands few concessions from owners coming directly from hybrid or internal combustion vehicles. We’ve heard word that GM is planning to up production of the vehicle to 12,000 units by 2012, which means that the automaker is anticipating steeper demand connected to ever loftier fuel prices. Though the Volt seems to be serving as the missing link between our transportation right now and full electrification, the price will have to drop before we see them wheeling around every corner.

[Source: autoblog]

Wednesday, April 27, 2011

2011 Brabus Tesla Sport Cars Green Package Roadster

2011 Brabus Tesla Sport Cars Green Package Roadster
The latest Brabus’ Zero expelling division cooperated on German electricity caller RWE and created the Green Package as the Tesla Roadster, it are as provide added up value to thems customers. This is its latest creation called the Tesla Roadster Brabus Green Sports Pack. Brabus is a prestigious Mercedes-Benz tuner for building highway ballistic weapons and now also has a key for the Telsa Roadster all-electric sports car.
The 2011 Brabus Tesla Sport Cars Green Package Roadster from the BRABUS Zero Emission business division and its cooperation partner RWE, one of the world’s largest producers of electricity, redefines the sports car. The exclusive BRABUS customization program for the first electric production sports car includes the RWE-BRABUS high-tech quick charging station for the customer’s garage and environmentally friendly RWE Eco Electricity for 30,000 kilometers (18,641 miles). Also included is a one-year RWE car electricity pass for free use of all public RWE charging stations. In less than six hours after the open-top sports car eco sense for a range of about 350 km (220 miles) was calculated. Eco-friendly power is available away from home as well. The Green Package also includes a one-year pass for free use of all public RWE charging stations.
2011 Brabus Tesla Sport Cars Green Package Roadster
BRABUS Zero Emission works on eco-friendly vehicle concepts. In customizing the TESLA Roadster the team of engineers, designers and marketing specialists goes beyond just refining the vehicle. The decision to buy this premium electric sports car is even easier to make if customers have their own powerful charging stations at home.
The 2011 Brabus Tesla Sport Cars Green Package Roadster also comes with exclusive equipment. It includes a spectacular look. To refine the mid-engine sports car even more striking face of BRABUS designers on the front with a very light carbon fiber front lip spoiler and integrated LED daytime running lights in the grille. The sides of the Tesla refined Brabus floor heating be futuristic “Space Lights”. They are activated with the remote control or by opening a door. Moving to the back of the BRABUS rear wing and diffuser to the attention of the eye. Both are made of lightweight but high strength carbon fibers. The round taillights are highlighted with color-matching applications.
2011 Brabus Tesla Sport Cars Green Package Roadster fulfills any color request on the electric sports car. The palette ranges from conventional metallic and non-metallic paints in any color imaginable to matte paints and effect paints with genuine crystals. A custom-tailored BRABUS tire/wheel combination provides better driving dynamics. The two-seater is refined with weight-optimized BRABUS Monoblock S alloy wheels in size 7Jx18 in front and in size 8.5Jx19 in the rear. The matching high-performance tires in sizes 215/35 ZR 18 in front and 255/30 ZR 19 on the rear axle were selected specifically for their low rolling resistance.
2011 Brabus Tesla Sport Cars Green Package Roadster
Innovative ideas have fueled the success of BRABUS for more than three decades. With its tuning program for the TESLA Roadster the company from Bottrop also addresses an issue often criticized in electric cars: The engine sound. To lend the two-seater are more exciting sound the BRABUS electronics specialists developed a space sound generator. The crew onboard the TESLA Roadster can select from various engine sound simulations such as the sound of a typical V8, a racecar or two futuristic soundscapes called Beam and Warp. The sound intensity is dependent on the respective power output of the electric motor.
The 2011 Brabus Tesla Sport Cars Green Package Roadster is available only in Germany.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept

2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept
Just unveiled at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show is the 2011 BMW M5 concept. When the first-generation BMW M5 arrived in the U.S. in 1987, it essentially created a new class of high-performance sports sedan. The super sports cars sedan concept continued to evolve reaching the point where the last-generation M5 came with a Formula 1-inspired V-10 engine, but its clunky single-clutch paddle-shift gearbox and weighty chassis disappointed. Since then, others have upped their game and stolen the limelight. Not one to give up easily, BMW is poised to reign supreme once again in the world of blazingly quick 4-doors. A reign, might we add, that will allow for five full-sized adults to sit comfortably.
2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept
The BMW M5 was the first car of its kind to offer racing-oriented high performance in a sedan that could be driven without restrictions in everyday road traffic. This unique concept cars developed into a remarkable success story spanning four model generations. The BMW M GmbH is now drawing the attention of racing car enthusiasts to a four-seater yet again. The 2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept, which is making its public debut at the Auto Shanghai 2011, presents itself as the latest reinterpretation of this unmistakable vehicle character.
2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept
For 25 years now, the fascinating combination of supreme driving comfort experienced in a premium upper midrange sedan and the handling characteristics of a high-performance sports car has been described by one single unmistakable model designation – BMW M5. In 1984, with the first generation of this model, the BMW M GmbH laid the foundation stone for a completely new vehicle category.
A new high-revving V8 engine with M TwinPower Turbo Technology guarantees typical M power output. The eight-cylinder power unit delivers a spontaneous and even acceleration, which remains constant up to the highest load and is characteristic of the M feeling, in a previously unequalled dimension. At the same time, both performance and efficiency have been significantly increased in comparison to the previous engine. Numerous drivetrain innovations and other enhancements have lead to a reduction in fuel consumption and emission levels by more than 25 percent. The new engine and a seven-speed M double-clutch transmission with Drivelogic and M-specific suspension and steering create the ideal prerequisites for an unrivalled driving experience.
2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept - the future of the high-performance sports car with four doors and five seats. The 2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept embodies the vision of a premium upper midrange sedan offering the highest degree of comfort for up to five occupants and allowing the driver to follow the ideal racing line both on the racetrack and in everyday road traffic. The 2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept combines outstanding performance resulting from racing-inspired drive and suspension technology with typical M aesthetics that authentically express the vehicle's dynamic potential.
2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept
The concept car visualises the unmistakable characteristics of a BMW M model, which mature from a harmonious overall concept in which engine, suspension and design complement each other perfectly. The BMW M GmbH's know-how gained from decades of experience and constantly further developed under racing conditions manifests itself in this combination. Innovative technology derived directly from motor racing provides each new BMW model with unmatched high-performing characteristics.
2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept
With powerfully modelled wheel arches and dynamically flowing lines, the 2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept also signalises uncompromising sportiness when viewed from the side. The long wheelbase, the set back passenger cabin and the black side window surrounds distinctively underscore the sedan's stretched silhouette. This appearance is even more strongly emphasised through M-specific lowering of the vehicle. The athletically flared wheel arches are complemented by M-specific light alloy wheels sporting a double-spoke design. Due to the vehicle's wide track, they are flush with the car body. The 20-inch forged rims are fitted with tyre size 265/35 ZR20 at the front and 265/35 ZR20 at the back.
2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept
The world premiere of the 2011 BMW Sports Cars Sedan M5 Concept at the Auto Shanghai 2011 gives clear signals for the continuation of this tradition. Based on the design vocabulary developed for the BMW 5-Series Sedan, the near-series concept car reflects the characteristic styling features of a BMW M automobile, with which the car’s further enhanced dynamic potential is authentically visualised.

Monday, April 25, 2011

2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar

2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar
The Charger redline bring 2011 version of the popular vehicle lower to the ground with a suspension that lowers the car an inch. Chrysler Group LLC's Mopar Division will launch a limited-edition Dodge Charger outfitted with select high-performance parts and appearance items straight from the Mopar parts catalog, to built on the success of 2010 Dodge Challenger Mopar.
2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar
A sports car from Chrysler is back, this time present in the arena of the 2011 New York Auto Show is the 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar. With power and good performance, 2011 Mopar Dodge Charger ’11 to give you a different sensation when the highways since 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar has the look of the mysterious and ferocious.
"The 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar '11 Charger takes the 'head- turning' factor up a few notches," said Pietro Gorlier, President and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group's service, parts and customer-care brand. "By adding some of the most distinctive accessories to an already strong performer, we've created a special-edition car for enthusiasts."
2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar
Like the Dodge Charger R/T, the 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar also uses a machine with a capacity large enough so that the 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar’11 uses powered  5.7-liter HEMI®  V8 capable of producing power at 370 hp with 395 lb-ft of torque, the specially equipped Charger includes the "Super Trac Pac" option that pushes the capabilities of the Dodge Charger Mopar in acceleration, handling and braking. Already powerful, the 5.7-liter has been tuned to extract the maximum amount of torque from the engine with the inclusion of a specially calibrated engine controller. The controller matches maximum engine power and transmission shifting to the differential for the 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar. While the 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar’11 transmission used is 5-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick feature, so with the Auto Stick feature, the driver can select a higher gear or lower and the transmission controller which can help prevent the possibility of over-rev condition in 2011 Dodge Mopar Charger.
2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar
While the 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar’11 has a fairly rapid acceleration of being able to travel 0-60 mph less than 5 seconds. 2011 Dodge Mopar Charger ’11 has a three stage stability control, standard tune and sporty suspension that can give you comfort when using the 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar’11 on the road. Enhancements to the chassis include adding larger front 30mm solid stabilizer bar and rear 20mm solid stabilizer bar, increases from 27mm and 16mm (respectively). Adding to the overall stability and handling of the 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar are cross-car braces located at both the front and rear shock towers. For increased luggage space, the rear tower-to-tower brace may be easily removed.
2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar
Specific-design, 20-inch x 8-inch Envy wheels are fitted with Goodyear F1 Supercar 245/45ZR20 tires at all four corners. Wheels are a five-spoke design with a 45mm offset, include specific Mopar center caps and are finished in a high-gloss black complementing the overall "Pitch Black" exterior finish of the 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar.
2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar
The interior boasts Katzkin leather seats, metallic trim and a strange shifter. There are also alloy pedals, 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar floor mats and an individually-numbered plaque. The suspension is also revised. It features bigger stabilizer bars (30 mm at the front and 20mm at the rear) and strut tower braces Mopar also installed a high performance braking system with enormous calipers and discs behind the 20” wheels. Excellent stopping power is provided through vented rotors measuring 345mm x 28mm up front that are fitted with dual-piston, sliding calipers. At the rear, vented rotors measuring 320mm x 22mm, coupled with single-piston calipers are used.
2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar is available in a choice of colors Pitch Black, interior Mopar Dodge Charger ’11 is also the same as the color of the exterior so that the 2011 Dodge Charger Mopar ’11 is really very mysterious and very suitable for those who like to be a hidden strength. A pair of blue lines also give the impression of a different race. The blue line in 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar is from front to back, not only exterior but the interior 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar’11 also has a blue line.
2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar’11 will be built in Brampton, Ontario and settled in central upfit in Windsor, Ontario. 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar’11 will be produced as many as 1000 units, 900 units will be provided to the United States, while 100 units for Canada. 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar’11 will be sold with prices starting at $ 39,750 and for ordering will be available starting on 18 April while the Dodge Mopar Charger ’11 shipments will begin in late summer.
2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar
Customers who purchase a 2011 Dodge Sport Cars Charger Mopar will receive a personalized owner kit in a customized Mopar '11 box. The kit will include a certificate with the vehicle identification number (VIN), exact date of manufacture and the number of the vehicle. The kit will also include a brochure that highlights the unique features of the vehicle, exclusive Mopar '11 merchandise.

Subaru shows us a side of the 2012 Impreza

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Subaru rolled out an impressive Impreza concept vehicle at the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show. That design was aggressive, good-looking and one of the better reveals of the entire auto show. Will the impending production version be as exciting as the concept? We’ll see. Subaru has plans to reveal the next Impreza at the fast-approaching New York Auto Show. Ahead of that, the automaker has released a profile shot of the 2012 Impreza.

We don’t have much in the way of actual information to offer just yet, but Subaru is offering fuel efficiency estimates of 36 miles per gallon on the highway, and we’re told that both the sedan and wagon are scheduled to appear at the 2011 NYIAS. As far as the styling goes, we’re going to hold off final judgment until we see it in the flesh, or at least until we can show you more than just this side profile. Until that time, you can find us hanging out in our angry dome.

[Source: Subaru]

PRESS RELEASE:

Subaru of America today announced the world debut of the all-new Subaru Impreza 4-door and 5-door models at the 2011 New York International Auto Show. The new Impreza will deliver 36 MPG highway, the highest fuel economy* of any all-wheel drive car on sale in the United States. The new designs will provide a roomier interior and improved levels of comfort and refinement.

*Manufacturer’s estimate.

Review: 2011 Honda Pilot 4WD Touring

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The family Crossover Utility Vehicle segment is, to put it mildly, crowded. Every major automaker has at least one option from which to choose. Ford has four choices, while Toyota makes due with three options. Some models feature two rows of seating, while others boast room for up to eight. Then there are the more off-road capable options to contrast with the docile soft-roaders.

Though most automakers have gone crossover crazy, Honda has made due with a simple two-CUV lineup. The perennially top-selling CR-V takes care of those who desire a smaller footprint, smaller price tag and higher fuel economy, while the larger Pilot takes on the three-row crowd. The Pilot has been mostly successful during its nine-year production run, with high marks for safety (the 2011 model has an overall score of four stars from the National Highway Traffic and Safety Administration) and reliability (Consumer Reports gave it the organization’s coveted Recommended rating). Dancing on the fringes of the CUV segment and selling in low numbers, Honda also offers the nearly gone Element and Accord Crosstour, but it’s still the boxier CR-V and Pilot doing the heavy lifting for the brand. Honda made enough changes to the Pilot to keep it competitive with stiff competition like the Toyota Highlander and Chevrolet Traverse? We spent a week with a well-appointed 4X4 Touring model to find out.

When the Pilot first hit the market in 2003, Honda’s CUV was competing mainly with quickly aging body-on-frame Sport Utility Vehicles like the previous Ford Explorer and Chevrolet Trailblazer. That first-generation Pilot’s 240-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 and relatively nimble chassis made those SUVs look outdated in comparison, and buyers took notice. The Pilot later received a touch-up in 2006 and a fuller refresh in 2009, but other than a boxier, more macho design and an interior that some say actually regressed, the formula really hasn’t changed all that much. That’s not as damning a statement as one might think, considering how far ahead of the competition the Pilot once was, and it helps that repeat buyers know exactly what to expect from their big Honda: safety, reliability and unshakable resale value.

One appealing aspect of buying a Honda Pilot is the simplicity of its available options. For example, our $41,175 4WD Touring model came equipped with Bluetooth, a navigation system, leather seats, rear-seat DVD and a power liftgate. An impressive list of features for sure, except that this big Honda is without a single option box checked. The above is all standard on this highest trim level that starts at $40,395, and yet there are plenty of accessories to pick from, including some exorbitantly priced 18-inch wheels that retail for $3,093. Most utility vehicles in this price range start with 18-inch wheels standard and offer optional 20-inch or bigger wheels, which makes the extra three grand that Honda’s asking for one-inch larger diameter wheels than standard 17s even tougher to swallow.

2011 Honda Pilot 4WD Touring side view2011 Honda Pilot 4WD Touring front view2011 Honda Pilot 4WD Touring rear view

If the goal of offering standard 17-inch wheels even on the top-of-the-line Touring model is to make the Pilot look even more massive than it actually is, then… mission accomplished. From the side the Pilot looks every bit as large as the GMC Acadia, even though GM’s crossover is about a foot longer. The big and bold theme is accentuated with a Lego block design theme throughout, as the Pilot reminds us of a super-sized Ford Escape. Up front, it features a squared, in-your-face double polygon chrome grille framed by a pair of headlamps that appear to have missed the trend towards more stylized peepers. The same storyline unfolds out back, with more boxiness and a similar absence of flair.

The Pilot’s exterior screams “utility vehicle,” and that theme carries over inside this crossover’s large cabin. We mentioned earlier that some feel the interior of the latest Pilot was actually downgraded when the vehicle was redesigned in 2009. You’ll get no arguments from us on that point, as the current model’s massive center stack and hard plastic materials are outdone by the first generation model’s more appropriately sized center console and more appealing materials. And although our tester didn’t feature this accessory, the Pilot’s dash can be made more attractive by dropping $393 for light wood accents that break up the expanses of dark plastics. Speaking of the center console, we have no idea why Honda designers chose such a massive canvas to place so many tiny and difficult-to-find buttons. We counted 62 buttons total, though don’t hold us to that figure, as our eyes began to fail sometime after reaching 40.

2011 Honda Pilot 4WD Touring interior2011 Honda Pilot 4WD Touring front seats2011 Honda Pilot 4WD Touring gauges2011 Honda Pilot 4WD Touring rear cargo area

We usually require a day or so to adjust to our new surroundings when testing a vehicle, but we never got comfortable enough with the Pilot’s multitude of controls to come anywhere close to mastery. We even found ourselves repeatedly looking away from the road for three to five seconds at a time as we hunted for the proper radio or climate control settings. Despite being called “Pilot,” there’s no reason this crossover’s interior should mimic the cockpit of a 747. And then there is the oddly placed shifter, which blocks passage the driver’s reach to the mass of buttons and switches on the other side.

That’s a lot of hostility aimed at the Pilot’s cabin, but there are some areas where the boxy Honda shines. First and foremost is comfort. We love the Pilot’s front-row seats (the second row is a bit low to the ground). They’re big, comfy and upholstered with high-quality leather. The steering wheel, too, feels very posh. And then there is the Pilot’s cargo-hauling capability, which easily bests that of the Toyota Highlander. The Pilot is also the widest vehicle in its class, beating the Chevy Traverse by all of .1 inches. But hey, a win is a win, and the Pilot uses its span to swallow up more cargo than its middle-of-the-pack 87 cubic-feet of cargo carrying capacity would suggest. The Pilot also wins when it comes to handy storage space throughout the cabin, with our favorite cubby located under the load floor behind the third row. The six-inch deep storage space helps keep your cargo from pinballing around the cabin.

With great size comes great weight, and the Pilot tips the scales at over 4,600 pounds, or nearly 200 lbs. more than the Highlander. Yet in spite of the Pilot’s size, Honda has done little to increase power over the years. The crossover’s 3.5-liter V6 churns out 250 horsepower at 5,700 rpm and 253 pound-feet of torque at 4,800 revolutions. Those numbers would have been impressive about five years ago, but in 2011 the Pilot lags behind the Traverse by 38 horsepower. Even the much smaller Toyota RAV4 can out-grunt the Pilot by 19 horsepower with its optional V6.

2011 Honda Pilot 4WD Touring engine

And while the Pilot’s engine, which is mated to a tried-and-true five-speed automatic transmission, is smooth as glass, the power deficit is all too obvious. And less horsepower doesn’t translate to a decreased reliance on fossil fuels, as the Pilot lags behind both the Traverse and Highlander on the fuel economy front. When equipped with all-wheel drive, the Pilot earns 22 miles per gallon on the highway and 16 mpg in the city according to the Environmental Protection Agency. We managed a meager 18 mpg in mixed driving, which is still better than most eight-passenger crossovers, albeit nothing to brag about to your hybrid-driving neighbor. We were expecting better fuel economy what with the Pilot featuring Honda’s Variable Cylinder Management technology that shuts down two or three cylinders when conditions permit, but alas, we never found it.

The Pilot makes up for its lack of power and so-so fuel economy with a rock-solid chassis that tackles bumps and other imperfections with little fuss. Its rack and pinion steering is linear and nicely weighted as well, though there’s not much that can make this big ‘ute feel sprightly when turning into a curve. It snowed on the last day we had with the Pilot, which gave us the opportunity to test the Pilot’s all-wheel-drive setup. The system can transfer up to 70 percent of the engine’s power to the rear wheels when the need arises. We experienced next to zero slip with all-wheel drive engaged, which translated into a lot of confidence when we needed it most. We can’t say the same for the Pilot’s brakes, though. While the pedal felt firm, we noticed that the positive vibe didn’t translate into increased stopping power. On more than one occasion, we found ourselves tapping on the brake at first, then pressing more firmly when we realized the vehicle wasn’t stopping as quickly as we thought it would.

2011 Honda Pilot 4WD Touring rear 3/4 view

After a week with the Pilot, we can see why many customers love their big Honda. It’s roomy, smooth, reliable and safe, which hits many of the attributes near and dear to the American car buyer. And who cares if the Pilot is a bit south of stylish? The crossover segment isn’t this industry’s canvas of choice to display cutting-edge design, and neither has Honda ever been accused of being an artist. Buyers know this going in.

While we can see why the Honda faithful are perfectly happy with their Pilot, there are a lot more seven- and eight-passenger fish in this sea of crossovers. The aforementioned Highlander and Traverse consistently beat the Pilot in terms of power, fuel economy and style, and there are very few areas where the Pilot takes them both out. Sales, however, is the most concrete harbinger of a vehicle’s success or failure, and by that score, the Pilot continues to do well. Even so, we’re looking forward to the next iteration of Honda’s big family hauler.

[Source: autoblog]