Russian car sales surge in February 2011

As high oil prices boosted Russia’s economic growth and as state incentives continued to take effect, sales of new cars in Russia surged in February 2011. The Association of European Businesses said sales surged 80 percent year-on-year to 165,518 units, bringing year-to-date growth to 77 percent. The AEB said it would review its full year targets after sales data for March 2011. In January 2011, the AEB said it predicted a 17 percent rise in 2011 sales before a return to pre-crisis levels the following year.

David Thomas, Chairman of the AEB Automobile Manufacturers Committee said its view on 2011 remains at 2.24 million passenger cars and LCV; however, in light of the strong start to the year, the AEB will review this following the March 2011 and first quarter results.
It added that state loans and high oil prices were supporting the market. Russia came back as a target growth market for the world's biggest carmakers as a collapse in sales during the financial crisis led to a growth pattern that some think will see the market double to 4 million units.

source :  http://www.4wheelsnews.com/russian-car-sales-surge-in-february-2011/

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Toyota puts the spotlight on Lexus, plans to add 10 hybrids by 2015

As part of a plan to restore its reputation after having gone through worldwide massive recalls, Toyota is putting the focus on Lexus and on new hybrid products. Last Wednesday, Toyota said that it is positioning Lexus further to be “global premium brand,” which will offer improved styling, more hybrids and better service. The brand's sales have dropped by 9% this year, to 26,674 in the U.S. Toyota executives anticipate that the $29,995 CT 200h, a premium hybrid that launches this month, will boost sales and appeal to new customers.

The RX SUV is still Lexus's top-selling vehicle, with sales of 6,567 this year, a 13% rise. Meanwhile, five units of the $375,000 LFA supercar were delivered in February, says AutoWeek. So far, nine were delivered in the U.S. this year. The LFA supercar delivers 552 hp and only 500 will be sold around the world. This week, a driver-development program started at Infineon Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., to provide education to buyers who wish to harness the capabilities of the performance car.
On the other hand, Toyota's Camry sedan will see development increasingly focused in North America for that market and exports. Toyota also hopes that by 2015, it will be able to add 10 more hybrids, including an expanded Prius family displayed in January at the Detroit auto show.

source :  http://www.4wheelsnews.com/toyota-puts-the-spotlight-on-lexus-plans-to-add-10-hybrids-by-2015/

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Chevrolet to sell Captiva Sport as fleet car

Chevrolet will bring its global 2012 Captiva Sport compact crossover to the U.S. for fleet customers in an attempt to free up the hot-selling Equinox crossover for individual customers.

U.S. deliveries of the five-seat Captiva will start in the fourth quarter, Chevy said today in a statement. A global Captiva is already on sale in more than 50 markets worldwide, and the crossover is a sibling of the discontinued Saturn Vue. GM already builds a Latin American version of the Captiva in Ramos Arizpe, Mexico, and will import the car from that plant.

GM has struggled for more than a year and a half to build enough Equinoxes to meet demand, despite running three shifts and overtime at its crossover plant in Ingersoll, Ontario, and adding a third shift at its car plant 130 miles away in Oshawa to help with painting and assembly. In 2010, its first full year of sales, the five-seater finished fourth among U.S. crossovers, behind the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Toyota RAV4, according to Autodata.

Sixteen percent of Equinox’s 2010 sales were to fleets, so GM hopes selling those customers Captivas instead will relieve some of the Equinox production constraint. The Equinox will still be available for fleet sales, Chevy spokesman Mike Albano said, but the Captiva will be readily available for fleet customers who don’t want to wait for ordered vehicles to be produced.

Still, Equinox demand could continue to increase: As gas prices rise, GM believes consumers will start choosing crossovers over less fuel-efficient SUVs, Mark Reuss, president of GM North America, said last month. The front-wheel-drive Equinox is rated at 32 m.p.g. highway, compared with the 21 m.p.g. highway of a Chevrolet Tahoe.

Equinoxes finished February with a 30-day supply, about half of what analysts recommend, after a couple of weeks of lease pull-ahead incentives.

Chevrolet will offer both front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions of the Captiva Sport, with either a 2.4-liter, direct-injected four-cylinder or a three-liter, direct-injected V-6 engine.

source :  http://www.freep.com/article/20110311/BUSINESS0101/110311035/1002/business/Chevrolet-sell-Captiva-Sport-fleet-car

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2011 Lexus ES350 vs Toyota Avalon

Yes, I realize that the Toyota Avalon and Lexus ES350 aren’t competitors. I know the ES350 is based on the Toyota Camry, and I realize they’re in two totally different classes. But hear me out.

Over the past couple of weeks, we’ve been driving both the 2011 Avalon and 2011 ES350, and I’d say they’re incredibly similar. In fact, I’d bet there are plenty of buyers who would cross-shop the two. Despite the size difference, the two are closely related. Both are luxury sedans powered by the same 3.5-liter V6 engine producing 268 horsepower, both use the same 6-speed automatic transmission, and both transfer the power to the front wheels. Both get about the same fuel economy (I averaged a little over 24 mpg in each, ) have the same safety features, and use the same audio and navigation system. They even cost around the same amount of money, provided you equip both similarly.

Lexus & Toyota sidesOf course, the Lexus has more standard features. Starting at $35,525, the ES350 gets 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, heated exterior mirrors, sunroof, automatic wipers, keyless ignition & entry, dual-zone climate, power front seats with driver memory, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column, leather with wood interior trim, an auto-dimming mirror, Bluetooth, and an eight-speaker audio system with in-dash six-CD changer with satellite radio, iPod interface, auxiliary audio and USB audio jack.

The Avalon, given you choose the upgraded Limited trim, starts at $35,485, and comes with 17-inch alloy wheels, foglights, auto-dimming and heated driver and rearview mirrors, heated mirrors, sunroof, automatic headlights, leather with wood trim, back-up camera, dual-zone climate, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, power driver seat, reclining rear seat, Bluetooth, and a nine-speaker stereo with six-CD changer and USB & iPod jacks.

So yeah, pretty much the same thing for the same money. So what’s the difference? The Avalon is bigger, by a couple inches in just about each direction. Not a huge difference by any means, but enough to classify it as a “large sedan,” while the ES350 gets the “mid-size” classification. I didn’t notice a big difference between the two, except that rear seat passengers have more room in the Avalon and the ES350 has a bigger trunk. Being a tall guy at 6’4″, I also noticed I have more headroom in the Toyota, while my hair flirted with the ceiling in the Lexus.

The biggest difference – the Lexus ES350 has a considerably better interior. The Avalon isn’t terrible on the inside, but it feels overrun with cheap plastic and clunky design when compared to the soft touch and sleek design on everything inside the Lexus. Everything in the Lexus is soft and smooth, comfortable and relaxing. Both ride smoothly, though the Lexus has the upper-hand here as well. Not only can you barely feel the bumps in the road, but steering is suspiciously smooth – almost as if it has a variable steering wheel input that forces you to turn smoothly, even when driving aggressively. Seeing as how the Lexus is smaller, however, the steering also feels more responsive and easier to have a spirited drive, while the Toyota made it difficult to drive any way but conservatively.

Not-so-surprisingly, both cars suffered from the same drawbacks. Neither car is particularly fun to drive, but you’d expect that in most anything that says “luxury” on it. The GPS and audio system are less than stellar. A clunky interface, poor audio management, and lack of an intuitive interface plagued the two systems. The navigation system works fine by itself, but for the life of me couldn’t find a way to switch between day and night mode. My solution: manually turn down the brightness setting every time I drove it at night, then turn it back up during the day. That’s a pain in the ass. Want to have your passenger input a destination while the car is moving? Too bad, it won’t let you. The audio system in both cars sound superb, but good luck using it to find an artist or song through the screen while your iPod is connected. I had to use another workaround: when you want to change songs, unplug the iPod, select song, plug in iPod again, then switch it back to the USB input (which takes two button presses in the Lexus.) As its best, unintuitive. Realistically it’s dangerous unless you have a passenger.

Other gripes: the rear-seat climate in the Avalon blows hot air despite the 65-degree setting up front. The Toyota also seems to beep at you for everything. Getting out of the car generates a constant reminder “ding” for something about half the time, but I couldn’t ever figure out what. Yes, the headlights were off. Cruising along in your parking lot at low speeds without putting on your seatbelt? “DING DING DING DING DING DING…” it won’t stop. I found myself yelling at the car to shut up on more than a few occasions. The Lexus had its share of annoyances as well. For example, I should never have to “figure out” how to turn the heat up a little bit. In the Lexus you first have to push the physical “Climate” button, then on the touch screen select where the air should blow and press one button in a row of buttons to decide how hard to blow. After you’re done, select where the screen should go next, then find the physical buttons for determining the air’s temperature. Isn’t luxury supposed to simplify things?

All-in-all, I found the Lexus ES350 to be the better buy for the money if you don’t mind sacrificing a few inches of room inside for a better overall driving experience. In the interest of fairness, our ES350 was equipped with $10,000 in options – radar cruise, the “Ultra Luxury Package” (upgraded leather, panoramic glass roof, heated & cooled front seats, adaptive HID headlights, and different wheels,) and the Premium audio package, bringing its total to $45,500 out the door. The Avalon’s options included a navigation & audio upgrade bringing its total to $37,884. A difference in perceived value might be a factor here, but the Lexus’ superior ride quality, handling, and interior trim materials are unaffected by the optional upgrades. Not to mention the Lexus is much less conservative looking on the inside and out. Check out the photo gallery below to view some side-by-side comparisons of the two cars.

source :  http://www.autodealer.ae/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=1&t=4883&start=0&st=0&sk=t&sd=a

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World's Safest Car??

There are only a few countries known for building cars. Most of them are in Europe or the Far East. Colonel Muammar Gaddafi wants to add Libya to that list, and this is what hes cooked up to do it. Called the Libyan Rocket, the car was designed to solve the problem of high instance of road deaths in the north African country. Gaddafi's people say its the safest car ever made, but don't go into any details to back up the claim. Still, the Colonels revolutionary government is building a plant in Tripoli to put it together.

Gaddafi's car seats five, has a 230-hp V6 and the nose and tail of a rocket. The Libyan Rocket does come with airbags, an electronic defense system and collapsible bumpers that supposedly help out in a crash. So what is the electronic defense system..Apparently, nobody knows what it is or how it works. So even the secret is safe with this car!

You may want to add some diamond studded rims complete with their own bodyguard if you want to make this car even safer.

source :  http://www.autodealer.ae/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=4651

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Using Paint Meter maximize profits and reduce appraisal loss

I have in-stock for sale 2010 FS 688 Lighted Paint Meter Car Gauge Thickness for revealing Piantwork for all vehicles

Today, with a FenderSplendor FS688 Paint Meter you can almost totally eliminate
buying and appraising mistakes

Believe the meter! Go out and use the meter on a few vehicles. Get used to
what the typical readings are…they will vary by make, model and even color. You
are looking for differences, not the actual thickness. If a vehicle is 5.00 to
6.0 mils as you check it, and then a panel jumps to 7.5 mils, you have paintwork.
Some cars come from the factory with paint in the 3.5 mil range, and some come
as high as 7-9 mils or more.

Factory paintwork. The method used to paint vehicles has gotten better and
better, and much more consistent. Yes, I have ‘metered’ cars that came right off
the truck and showed inconsistencies. The fact remains that the paintwork is not
always uniform. Vehicles will vary, depending on the actual color (pearl colors
tend to be thicker) and on the factory that produced the vehicle (older factories
tend to have thicker paint).

Using the FenderSplendor makes it easier to negotiate with the person
you are buying a vehicle from, or trading it in from. The gauge keeps you from
being the ‘enemy’ and it’s hard to get mad at a gauge.

source :  http://www.autodealer.ae/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=5&t=4400

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First Look: 2011 Kia Sportage SX

Kia has announced a new version of the 2011 Sportage crossover, the SX, which features a more powerful turbocharged engine.

The SX’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine employs a twin-scroll turbocharger to make 256 horsepower and 264 pound feet of torque. This is considerably more than the other models’ 176-horsepower, naturally aspirated 2.4-liter engine. Power is put to the wheels via a six-speed automatic transmission. The turbocharged crossover gets 27 miles per gallon on the highway.

The SX also comes with a sport-tuned suspension, eighteen-inch alloy wheels, signature grille, and dual exhaust. Orange and blue interior color packages are also available exclusively to the SX.

The 2011 Kia Sportage SX starts at $25,795 with front-wheel drive, while the all-wheel-drive version begins at $27,295.

The launch of the all-new 2011 Sportage SX compact CUV, scheduled to arrive in dealer showrooms later this month. As part of Kia's design-led transformation, the Sportage has become a strong player within the Kia line-up, offering power and class-leading fuel economy1. SX models take a solid foundation and up the ante with a more powerful four-cylinder turbo engine, exterior styling enhancements and unique interior options. The 2011 Sportage SX front-wheel drive (FWD) features a starting Manufacturer's Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $25,7952 while all-wheel drive (AWD) models feature a starting MSRP of $27,2952.

The Sportage SX joins the 2011 Optima Turbo as Kia's second vehicle in the U.S to feature the powerful Theta II 2.0-liter Turbo GDI engine and adds unique exterior and interior features and luxury appointments to provide consumers a high performance and high value CUV. In combination with a highly efficient six-speed automatic transmission, the new Sportage SX features up to 256 horsepower while maintaining class-leading fuel economy1 of 27 miles per gallon on the highway, better than any other turbo-equipped compact CUV on the market today. In addition to powertrain enhancements, the Sportage SX employs sport-tuned suspension featuring firmer shock and strut rates for improved handling and dynamic performance over non-SX models.

"Sportage offers an ideal mix of performance, fuel efficiency and utility for the discriminating compact CUV buyer," said Michael Sprague, vice president, marketing & communications, KMA. "With the addition of a more powerful Turbo GDI engine, unique interior appointments and improved performance, the Sportage SX makes an already appealing CUV even more fun to drive."

On the outside, SX models receive unique 18" alloy wheels, a signature SX grille, dual exhaust, and special side sill moldings. Exterior updates are complemented by SX-specific interior appointments adding more refinement inside the cabin, including standard aluminum door sills and a sleek new supervision gauge cluster. Available exclusively on the Sportage SX, Orange and Blue interior color packages offer more interior color choices for potential buyers. The Orange Color Package includes orange stitching on the steering wheel, center console, and seats coupled with orange accents on the door panels and air vents. A unique blue patterned cloth seat and blue interior accents are included as part of the Blue Color Package.

More Powerful, Fuel-Efficient SX Engine

Kia Motors' Theta II 2.0-liter Turbo GDI engine delivers significant performance with a powerful inline four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces up to 256 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of peak torque. The Sportage SX turbo utilizes a twin-scroll design which offers improved combustion efficiency, more available low-end power, and reduced turbo-lag as compared to more traditional single-scroll turbo systems.

The twin-scroll design features two valve-operated exhaust gas inlets responsible for feeding exhaust flow through separate paths into the turbine. Utilizing a divided manifold, exhaust gasses from separate cylinders travel more efficiently into the turbocharger's turbine, avoiding possible interference. The result is a system that improves efficiency and pressure distribution, lowers exhaust and cylinder temperatures, and prevents loss of exhaust energy. The quantity of the air entering each cylinder is increased, resulting in more power.

Sportage LX and EX trims come standard with a 2.4-liter DOHC 16-valve four-cylinder engine with Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT), offering more power (up to 176 hp3) and better fuel economy (22/31 city/highway4) than the previous 2.7-liter V6 engine.

source :  http://www.autodealer.ae/phpbb2/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=4902

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GM to launch six new models in next two years

Auto major General Motors (GM) India is going to launch 14 variants of six new models in India in the next 2 years. “We will launch 14 variants of six new models in the next 24 months. Among the six , two will be commercial vehicles , which will be launched next year. The other models will be SUV and sedan , among others , ” said Karl Slym , President & Managing Director , General Motors India.

According to Slym , GM is going to showcase a mini Chevrolet electric car in April this year. The car has been developed at the company's Bangalore plant. According to Slym , GM was eyeing at selling two lakh and three lakh cars in 2012 and 2013 , respectively , in India. The capacity of the Halol manufacturing plant of GM is also being expanded to 1.1 lakh units from the current production of 85 , 000 units. The company will invest $500 million for the purpose.

source :  http://www.gaadi.com/blog/

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Ferrari to launch cars in India

Luxury sports car maker Ferrari is going to make its official debut in India soon. The company is going to launch its models like California , 458 Italia , 599GTB Fiorano and the latest FF in the country with the starting price of Rs 2.2 crore onward.

Ferrari has appointed the Shreyans Group as its official importer in India. All the four models will be open to order once the Ferrari dealerships are opened in India. The first Ferrari dealership will be opened in Delhi soon , followed by opening of Mumbai showroom in the second half of 2011.

"We are proud to announce the partnership with Ferrari today. This brand represents for us the epitome of success and we are proud to partner with one of the world's most desired brand , " said Ashish Chordia , Chairman , Shreyans Group.

source :  http://www.gaadi.com/blog/

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Maruti Suzuki revamps talent management policies

India's leading car maker Maruti Suzuki is revamping its talent management practices in a bid to counter poaching from other car makers. Competitors like Volkswagen , BMW , Audi , Honda and Hyundai have been offering higher salaries to the company's top talent.

Maruti Suzuki is planning to induct younger professionals into to the senior management cadre. It has also come up with plans to link salaries to performance. The company has also hiked its entry-level pay. It has also increased performance-linked pay by between 10% and 25% , which will apply to from junior levels to the top management.

"We have linked our variable pay to the financial performance of the company with a greater focus on cash variables as the liability is lower , " said S.Y Siddiqui , Managing Executive Officer , HR & Administration , Maruti Suzuki. 

source :  http://www.gaadi.com/blog/

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Toyota Etios Liva Price Rs 4,20,000

Toyota Etios Liva, the much awaited hatchback from auto pioneer, Toyota Motors was unveiled alongwith Toyota Etios sedan. The event of the launch was graced by Toyota Motors' President, Mr. Akio Toyoda. The hatch received a huge applaud from the audience post the unveiling. Read Toyota Etios Liva Review »

Toyota Etios Liva Description :

The announcement of Toyota Etios Liva is made with great anxiousness from Toyota as this is the first time that Toyota Motors has announced a low ranged model named Etios Liva which has created benchmark for affordability by the World's largest car company. Like a perfectionist, the cost of this hatchback is trimmed down without leaving a single dent on the company's formidable reputation. To abate its cost, the skillful car maker has used its knife at places where the users just cant make out. This is the first time that Toyota will be dealing with customers at lower end and the savvy player is all set to face the big challenge.
On stepping in to a new market, Toyota has to face some real experts like Maruti, which is India's most successful car maker. And not to forget Hyundai and Tata, who have abysmal experience of playing best in this segment. This will certainly not make the fight easy but Toyota here has a big advantage and that is the low price, which will be the trump card for Toyota.

Toyota Etios Liva is designed, keeping in mind the Indian customers and every detailing shows the efforts taken by engineers. The hatchback is blessed with 1.2 Litre MPFI Petrol Engine which acts as the power house of this hatchback. Reaching the heights of efficiency, the car can smoke out a maximum Power of 80 BHP. Its performance is further improved with 5 Speed Manual Transmission. It claims superb fuel efficiency and decent performance. The Toyota Etios Liva looks robust and functional with pretty good luggage space which is the selling feature of this hatchback.

Mileage, Average and Fuel Economy

Toyota Etios Liva will come loaded with a stunning 1.2 litre petrol engine churning out an apex power of 80 bhp assuring high fuel efficiency. It is supplied with 5 Speed Manual Transmission to have a supreme control over the drive. The affordable hatchback will be accompanied with all high end technologies to assure good fuel efficiency.

Power

The 1.2 litre motor will be accompanied with four valves per cylinder for it to breathe better, but despite of all the efficient technology it ends up producing 80 bhp power, a modest figure for a hatchback but if we look at the proportion of power and weight, the Toyota Etios Liva will rule out major players in the segment. The effective weight of the car is 890 Kg and with that it will also assure easy to drive motor. The torque spread of the car is going to be a striking feature as in its saloon version which gives the car excellent linear power delivery.
This high power output increases the driveability of the hatchback and good liner power delivery makes it the best option to carry it in town on busy roads.

Acceleration and Pick up

Toyota manufactured vehicles are known for their performance, power and reliability. Company is too possessive for its yet untamed image and for that company will surely come up with some striking figures in terms of acceleration and pick up. The acceleration of the Toyota Etios Liva is yet not revealed but as compared to 1.2 LitreaMPFI Petrol Engine, and 80 bhp of peak power it will surely give decent acceleration. The car has a total weight of only 890 Kg and this will play a major role in displaying high acceleration.

Toyota Etios Liva Exteriors

The exterior of the Toyota Etios Liva is not just attractive but also well balanced with long wheelbase. Coming to the basic looks, it has not entered any new grounds as the grille speaks mythological Toyota designing with sharp curves. It bears the identifiable creases on its bonnet which again helps it identify as Toyota's creation. Toyota Etios Liva is beautified with small lights and tame bumper with two tiny fogs.
The side looks of the car is something patent to it as it bears up-sweeping crease lying on the lower half of the doors. These elegant crease are simply outstanding and discriminating feature of this car. The Toyota Etios Liva is expected to bear 185/60 R15 tyre which will simply improve Liva's stance. The back side of the car is typical to hatchback as it adjusts to bring good boot space. But with Toyota Etios Liva, the adjustments are not compromised with its stunning looks.

The front grille of the Toyota Etios Liva gives a look of smiling face with its upper grille, lower grille and headlamps taken together. Moreover the headlamps look like dimples on the car. The rear view mirror are painted in body color giving it an even look. The upper grill will be in chrome finish while the lower one will be in black.

Exterior Measurements

The Toyota Etios Liva is expected to bear a ground clearance of 173.00 mm and the color of its bumper will be same as body color. The first look of this car will give you a soothing look as it wears attractive creases and the little detailing of metal. You might not get bowled out with the mere looks of this car but this is not an ordinary hatchback, it is a Toyota car in just 4 lakh Rs. The Toyota Etios Liva when observed very closely do have some points which show the cost cutting strategy of Toyota but they certainly have shown expert work with its styling in lo cost. Toyota Etios Live also have a sporty body kit which will not be made available as a standard feature, rather we expect that it will come only in case of special order. The basic looks are rest proportionate and somewhere more attractive than its sedan version. The hatchback weighs 890 Kg with Length of 3775mm, Width of 1695mm and Height being 1490mm.

Toyota Etios Liva Interiors 

Interior Appearance

Starting with the interior of Toyota Etios Liva, Toyota wanted to bring out something out of the box. But problem lies with the fact that they had no prior experience in a hatchback segment so it took help from the best source, one who best know the segment, owners of the cars. Toyota Etios Liva is based on intensive market research and thus is truly customer oriented. So we expect nothing but the best out of Toyota Etios Liva.
The interior of the stunning hatchback will surely add new horizon in its segment for comfort and most importantly space. You might not get bowled out with its exterior but the interior will surely give you all one expect from a good hatchback. No doubt the Toyota Etios Liva is claimed to be the most comfortable option in its segment and with that it makes it apt for long drives. With its space the car will make other models in its segment feel like pigeonhole. The car is expected to offer best rear seats with large squabs, apt amount of cushioning and perfect backrest angle. The Toyota Etios Liva is expected to give very comfortable sitting posture with its fine tuned H-point. The front seats will surely be point of attraction with perfect padding as in its sedan version. The car is something which not just gives comfort in city but also for long drives. The glovebox is expected to be of real good size which will be one of its kind. The interiors will be designed in contemporary manner with amazing mounted instrument panel with offset AC vents. These AC Vents are expected to be carved out in round shape, which will further add to the modernity in its basic appearance.

Toyota Etios Liva will be gives safety belts to ensure safety of all passengers in car. It might appear in dual tone along with its three spoke steering wheel in same dual shade and it will certainly look stunning and again anonymous in segment. The interiors are made roomy to ensure comfort to everyone. The Toyota Etios Liva is expected to be a direct competition to Maruti Swift and as compared to that it will have more space and comfort feature giving it advantage over it. Coming to the middle of the dashboard, it is expected to hold instrument panel, including speedo and trip.

Interior Comfort

Toyota Etios Liva is a hatchback which claims maximum comfort in segment with stand-out headroom, legroom, and storage space. The driver will get a spacious headroom and legroom but might lack a footrest. This will assure all comfort to the driver so that it can work efficiently.

The stunning hatchback, Toyota Etios Liva is expected to come with power windows and remote central locking which will make it convenient to have control on car door and windows. It will have spacious boot space which is again gong to be a selling feature of the car. The availability of remote fuel filler is also expected out of this hatchback along with slim rear wipers. The AC provided in the Toyota Etios Liva is expected to lack climate control which can be a little dent on its image but other attractive features are there to replace its loss with rear defogger, steering adjustment and manual driver seat adjustment.

The user will also be provided with a powerful music system giving it a high entertainment quotient as well. The rear seats can b made to fold as well and the glasses will be tinted giving it a privilege over other cars.

Interior Measurements

Toyota Etios Liva is a beautiful four door designed to seat five passengers at a time. It gives very comfortable legroom and headroom which assures not just safety but also comfort to all passengers. The back seat of the car is very spacious which can seat 3 people at a time with assured comfort to all of the passengers. The users will find space for their knees, thighs and back which will make the seat same as a couch at home.

Engine Capacity and Performance

This beautiful hatchback from Toyota will be powered by 1.2 Litre MPFI Petrol Engine which is expected to churn out Maximum Power of 80 Bhp. The engine used in the Toyota Etios Liva is built on high end technology to give enhanced performance and it is evident from the fact that company has employed best of all class engineers to built this first ever low cost car from Toyota. The company has not announced the diesel version of Toyota Etios Liva so for now the users have to stick to the petrol version only. All the versions of this model is expected to be loaded with the same engine generating a peak power of 87 Bhp with expected maximum torque of 205 Nm.

Wheels

Toyota Etios Liva is expected to bear 185/60 R15 size tyre which gives the car strong grip even on high speed drives. The big size of the car also gives stunning balanced look to its overall appearance. The high end version of Toyota Etios Liva is expected to bear broader tyres.

Braking and Handling

Affordable hatchback from Toyota will have efficient braking system which will further ensure its grip over drive. Front breaks will be Disk type and on the Rear you will find Drum breaks. Owing to the front disc brakes, the handling and controlling of Toyota Etios Liva will become easier. A broad wheelbase will further add to it making it the best option in its segment. It might also come with front independent and rear non-independent shock absorbers.

Handling and Safety

The safety measures offered by Toyota Etios Liva will be same as offered by all other cars in B segment. It will be blessed with many wonderful features like Power steering, Power windows, Remote central locking and Dash integrated music system which will make the handling of car far more interesting. The safety quotient will be taken well care of with airbags to save the driver and front passenger in case of collision. This measure is most effective in case of severe frontal collision. The basic designing of the Toyota Etios Liva is such that it will absorb the sudden shock and spread it to the whole body. It will thus protect the cabin from severe damage hence protecting the passengers.

Stereo and Accessories

The hatchback from Toyota is designed not just to give best in class design and space but also keep the passengers entertained with MP3 player. The audio system will increase its entertainment quotient and might be provided with a remote control for easy access.

source :  http://www.cardekho.com/carmodels/Toyota/Toyota_Etios_Liva

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Maruti Kizashi CVT Rs 17,66,647

Leather wrapped gear knob and steering, Day/Night IRVM, Eyewear compartment, front footwell light, leather accented door trim, electromagnetic remote trunk open, front door courtesy light, front map light, FR/RR cabin lights, luggage area light, glove box light, both side illuminating vanity mirror, rear coat hooks, front and rear cup holders, all door bottle holders with storage, chromed inside door knob.

Maruti Kizashi CVT Exterior

Multi reflector projector headlamp, headlamp levelling device, front and rear fog lamps, dual exhaust pipe with chrome finisher, vibration diffusion front washer and wiper, green tinted windows, rear defogger, mudflaps.

Maruti Kizashi CVT Suspension System

McPherson strut suspension system at front and Multi link suspension system at rear

Maruti Kizashi CVT Steering

Tilt and Telescopic, Power Steering

Maruti Kizashi CVT Tyres

215/55 R17 Tubeless Radial tyre

 Maruti Kizashi CVT Engine

2.4 Liter, 2393cc, 178 PS, 230 Nm, VVT, DOHC engine

Maruti Kizashi CVT Comfort & Convenience

Power Steering, Tilt and telescopic steering, Multi functional steering wheel, crusie control, paddle shift, push button start, electrically adjustable and foldable ORVMs, Front and rear power windows, Driver side anti pinching power windows, Central door lock, Auto door lock by speed, Dual zone - automatic climate control AC, Adjustable rear AC vent, Pollen filter, 4 speed intermittent wiper.

Maruti Kizashi CVT Brake System

Ventilated Disc brakes on front seats and Disc brakes on rear wheels

Maruti Kizashi CVT Saftey

SRS Dual Front Airbags, SRS side airbags at front seats, SRS curtain airbags at front and rear seats, ABS (Antilock Brake System) with EBD (Electric Brake Force Distribution), ESP (Electronic Stability Program), Seat Belt Pretensioner with Load, Immobilizer with security alarm, remote unloack and lock of doors, lane change indicators, Seat belt height adjuster, child lock, door lock canceller, high mount stop lamp, energy absorbing trim on pillars, Hill Assist, Gear Position, 

Maruti Kizashi CVT Entertainment

Audio Infotainment - CD, MP3 Player with USB Socket, 4 Speakers and 2 tweeters     

source :  http://www.cardekho.com/details/Maruti_Kizashi_CVT           

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Maruti Wagon R PriceRs 3,39,956* - Rs 4,17,064

February 18, 2011 - Maruti launched the Maruti Wagon R Duo, the LPG version of new Wagon R. The car is priced at The 2011 Wagon R Duo LXi will cost INR 4,01,165 ex-showroom Delhi, which is INR 33,000 more than it’s equivalent petrol variant. The all new Maruti Wagon R Duo is available to buyers in 7 vibrant colours. The car offers a mileage of 14.4 km per liter.

August 13, 2010 - The most popular hatchback of the leading car manufacturer of India, Maruti Wagon R is now available with CNG fuel system for 4.11 lakh (ex-showroom, Delhi). This popular car is now expected to be in reach of more potential car owners who always demand more and more fuel efficient cars at affordable prices. The company claims the new CNG variant to be more fuel efficient, powerful and safe. The kit is loaded with Dual ECU system for greater performance, full warranty coverage, CNG system leak-proofing etc.

April 23, 2010 - Maruti Suzuki India Ltd has recently projected the new variant of company's well known Wagon R on 23rd April 2010, company's designers have precisely worked on the design of all new Maruti WagonR and succeeded giving it much classy, fascinating & huge look by advancing its all outer & inner look; wheelbase & overall length have been increased by 40mm & 100 mm respectively that turns it more capacious and luxurious than its predecessor. The new Maruti WagonR is packed with the same K series K10B engine that is already been used in Maruti Suzuki A-Star, the fresh 998cc three cylinder engine has got the potential to offer the amazing fuel economy of 18.9 KMPL. This time the new WagonR has been figured with the all possible safety features including ABS, front & rear airbags, fog lamps,defogger, headlamps with blue lens etc. So now you can just grab Maruti Suzuki's one of the most successful vehicle Maruti Wagon R in an all new exciting look. Read Maruti Wagon R Review »

Maruti Wagon R Description :

Maruti Suzuki India is in the news again, this time for the launch of its hatchback car Maruti Wagon R LXi with CNG kit. The company has launched the new Wagon R and is all set to take the design, looks, prices, technology, comfort features, safety features etc to the new next level. Maruti Wagon R is also known as “the Blue eyed boy”. The all new Maruti Wagon R has an eye catching design with dynamic exteriors and very impressive interiors.

The new Wagon R is here with classy exteriors that make the look of the car more robust and attractive. The overall looks of the new Wagon R has been twisted and turned to give it a very modern look. The Maruti Wagon R now looks very stylish with the curvier body. The chrome finish in the front and the rear body of the car gives it a very amazing look. The moon rock silver roof rails give that extra bit to the overall look of the car.

The all Maruti Wagon R has very impressive interiors too with dual tone finishing. The Chrome accentuated instrument panel makes the look of the interior more stunning; the silver finish inside door handles add a finishing touch. The dual tone 3 D effect plush upholstery merges very well and complements the overall interiors of the car.

The all new Maruti Wagon R is powered by the 1.0L, 998cc, KB-series petrol engine with five speed manual transmission gearbox. This all aluminium, light weight KB series engine has cable type gearshift which is of great help at the time of shifting of gear. This powerful engine can produce the maximum power of power of 68 PS at 6200 rpm with the maximum torque of 90 Nm at 3500rpm. If you drive the Maruti Wagon R Vxi variant with CNG mode it produces 59.3 PS of peak power at 6,200 rpm and churns a top torque of 77 Nm at 3,500 rpm with the same KB series engine. Even if the powertrain output is lower than its petrol mode, the CNG mode still emerges as the winner in terms of mileage delivery and running cost per km.

The all new Maruti Wagon R has not only paid attention to its looks but safety of their passengers too, with highly advanced safety features like ABS (Anti Lock Braking System), Dual Airbags, Intelligent Computerized Anti theft system. Collapsible Steering Wheel etc
The blue eyed boy i.e. new Maruti Wagon R is the personification of the modern premium compact hatchback with unmatched style and luxurious exteriors and versatile and spacious interiors. Maruti brings all this alongwith comfort, safety and reliability at an affordable price range.

source :  http://www.cardekho.com/carmodels/Maruti/Maruti_Wagon_R

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Maruti SX4 Price Rs 7,13,354* - Rs 8,88,715*

February 22, 2011 - The most talked about and much awaited car Maruti SX4 Diesel has finally been launched today. The sedan is equipped with the powerful Super Turbo DDiS engine which is capable of delivering 90PS of peak power at 4000rpm. Maruti SX4 Diesel offers fuel efficiency of 21.5 Kilometres per litre. Maruti SX4 Diesel Vdi is available at Rs.7.74 lakh , however Maruti SX4 Diesel is priced at 8.62 lakh in New Delhi.

September 28, 2010 - India’s car market leader Maruti Suzuki has unveiled the Demo Maruti SX4 and Maruti Eeco Charge Electric concepts that are to be used in Delhi Commonwealth Games, 2010. Both the vehicles were displayed at Delhi Auto Expo, 2010. The new Maruti SX4 hybrid is packed with a 1.2 litre K-series petrol engine and a 50 kW electric motor which are mated to a five speed automated manual gearbox. The car can be run only on electric motor mode that enhances fuel economy and emits zero emissions. Added to that, the car is cheaper by up to 25 per cent than petrol one when hybrid mode is selected. The commercial launch of the car might take place in the near future as well.

August 13, 2010 - Maruti has come up with a CNG fitted Maruti SX4 variant in India to win hearts of mileage conscious car lovers. The car has been equipped with advanced CNG factory fitted kit which promises overall engine performance to be higher, especially the mileage and power. The SX4 is priced at Rs 7.47 lakh (ex-showroom). The kit comes loaded with i-GPI technology that is safe, reliable, clean, responsive and environment friendly.

India's largest passenger car manufacturer launched the new variant of its popular sedan model Maruti SX4 in India which meets latest BS IV emission norms. The newer version of Maruti SX4 is packed with newer generation BS IV compliant petrol engine. Maruti has also launched two variants of Maruti SX4 which is packed with the automatic transmission gearboxes. The newly launched variants of Maruti SX4 are much more stylish than its earlier variants and feature honey-comb front grille that makes its front appearance more aggressive. Some other newly added features that make Maruti SX4 more luxurious and stylish are its dual tone beige dash board, 10-spoke stylish light weight alloy wheels, and wooden finish panels. The exterior of this car is almost the same as its older version but the interiors of Maruti SX4 have been revamped with exciting new features. All variants of Maruti SX4 are priced in the range of Rs 6.68 lacs to Rs 8.35 lacs (as ex-showroom prices in New Delhi).

Available in 16V DOHC VVT engine, Maruti SX4 is extremely powerful in delivering higher power out-put of 104.68 Ps and a top torque of 145Nm with a displacement of 1586cc.
 Maruti SX4 has always been a safe bet and a preferred choice among the long list of cars in its segment. Presently the New Maruti SX4 is available in five speed manual transmission and 4 speed automatic transmission (ZXI, ZXI Leather). The EPS type of steering wheel and the chassis of Maruti SX4 is believed to be very powerful. Style and comfort have been kept as the two important pre-requisites of Maruti SX4 while designing it. Coupled with this muscular body and very appealing dynamic exteriors, Maruti SX4 seems a popular car among Indian buyers. Moreover European design trends gives Maruti SX4 a sporty look which gives it a debutante look.

With a 16V DOHC VVT type engine, the Maruti SX4 possess four cylinders with 16 valves with a piston displacement of 1586cc. The car is capable of delivering a maximum power output of 104.68 PS at the rate of 5500rpm. Moreover the car can deliver a maximum torque of 145 Nm at the rate of 4100rpm. Maruti SX4 incorporates five speed manual transmission and 4 speed automatic gearbox. The car has front ventilated disc and drum type at the back. With a seating capacity of five people along with a 50 litres fuel tank capacity, this car is highly capacitive.

Maruti SX4 comes also with much-desirable comfort features like single zone auto AC, heater, climate control, front door and front back seat pockets, center room lamp etc.

Interiors of the car feature day/night rear view mirror, passenger vanity mirror, driver's ticket holder, accent rear and front door trims. The instrumental panel of the Maruti SX4 has added features like tachometer, speedometer with illumination control, switch illumination color, information display (temp, clock); other interior features include head light levelling, integrated stereo and a stereo remote.

Exterior of the Maruti SX4 includes tubeless tyres, alloy wheels, full wheel cover, body coloured bumpers, body coloured side moulding, body coloured outside door handle, high mount stop lamp, front fog lamps and rear fog lamps. Considering the safety of the car, airbags for the driver and front passenger, 3 point rear seats belt and two lamp belts, rear door of the car with child lock, front seat belts (height adjustable), side impact protection beam and iCATS have been added in Maruti SX4.

Now Maruti SX4 is available in five variants; Vxi and Zxi, Zxi Leather, ZXI AT, ZXI AT Leather along with Maruti SX4 Zxi with Leather BS-III, Maruti SX4 Vxi BS-III and Maruti SX4 Zxi BS-III. All variants of Maruti SX4 are available in seven different colors.

source :  http://www.cardekho.com/carmodels/Maruti/Maruti_SX4

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Buick LaCrosse

Not long ago, Bob Lutz (then "Car Czar" at General Motors) told me that the Buick LaCrosse was one of his prouder achievements, and that he always thought the car was underrated. For 2010, Buick is rolling out an all-new LaCrosse, and now that the General has trimmed down to just four brands, the spotlight is on this new mid-size Buick. Is the 2010 LaCrosse a car that will make Bob and GM proud? And is it one you'd actually want to buy? Read on. Price range $27,835 - $41,895, preliminary EPA fuel economy estimates 16-20 MPG city, 26-30 MPG highway.

When Acura introduced their all-new TL in 2009, I complained bitterly about the complex controls, lousy navigation system, bizarre styling, lack of options, and a dashboard that looked like it was designed by a committee of 7th graders.

For 2010, there's a greatly improved Acura TL. It looks better, has a better electronics package, and it's even a little bit more user friendly.

Unfortunately for Acura, it's a Buick.

Granted, the idea of a Buick going head to head with an Acura sounds a little far-fetched. (Okay, a lot far-fetched.) Frankly, I'd hesitate to even call the TL and the LaCrosse direct rivals. But from the moment I laid eyes on the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, and all during our one-day press preview, I couldn't help but think that Acura could learn a thing or two from Buick.

It started when I approached the LaCrosse from the rear. (Settle down, settle down.) The taillights, the deeply sloped roof, the small trunk lid -- they all reminded me of the TL, except without the ugly factor. That said, there's nothing TL-like up front. The LaCrosse draws on 60+ years of classic Buick styling -- kind of ironic, when you consider how hard they're trying to shake the brand's old-timer image -- with details like a waterfall grille, deeply-dipped body side crease, and classic Buick portholes (link goes to photo), which now reside on the hood rather than the fenders. Overall, the LaCrosse a good looking car -- not as visually stunning as Buick's Enclave, but not as bland as the Lucerne... and certainly not as homely as the Acura TL.

source :  http://cars.about.com/od/whatscomingin2010/tp/bestnewcarsof2010.htm

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2011 Infiti M-Series Test Drive

Relaunching your flagship is a risky maneuver, but it is time for the 2011 Infiniti M. BMW's new 5-series has set sail; Mercedes-Benz's new E-Class has left the dock; Audi's latest A6 is motoring under its own power. The Infiniti M has had the Germans in it sights -- does this new edition torpedo the competition? The 2011 Infiniti M will arrive in four different configurations priced from $47,115 to $73,920 (including options), and EPA fuel economy estimates from 16 city/23 highway to 18 city/26 highway. Let's drive.

First Glance: Evolution of an M

The original Infiniti M, the M30 coupe, was part of Infiniti's birth in 1990, and lasted through 1992. The "M" marque went into hibernation until the 2003 M45 sedan emerged. In 2006 the second-generation M sedan emerged as a true contender, replacing the soon-to-be axed Q45 as Infiniti's flagship. 2011 brings us the third generation M, and it's a winner.
Where the second-gen M looked like a sedate, blend-into-the-background sedan from the outside, the 2011 M stands out in sharp relief as a fitting big brother to the distinctive G37. Infiniti's advertising and marketing emphasizes a silhouette that they like to refer to as "the gesture" -- a two-line brushstroke that recalls the elegance and flow of Japanese calligraphy. Muscular fenders and a bulging hood look like they can barely contain the beast within. The rear balances the front's muscularity with big LED taillights unifying rear corner and trunk lines. M has gone from a good-looking sedan to a gorgeous, exotic-looking car from the future.

Infiniti has always been praised for its exterior fit and finish, and M benefits from the very best levels of craftsmanship. I'm particularly enamored of Infiniti's paint jobs, which always look deep and rich to me, especially in grey tones. It's interesting to note that Infiniti has not expanded the application of the "self-healing" paint that was such a big deal when it was introduced on the EX crossover. Apparently, customers were disappointed in the functionality of the coating. In other words, it didn't work. Back to the drawing board.

source :  http://cars.about.com/od/infiniti/fr/jf_11mseries.htm

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2012 Lexus LFA Nurburgring Edition Supercar - First Look

News from Geneva is that the more powerful, track-ready Lexus LFA with Nurburgring Package is heading to the US market."

The all-new Nurburgring edition is aimed at the wealthy enough buyers looking for an ultra-rare, cooler Lexus LFA, full of of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) parts. It's about .4 inches shorter for a better center of gravity, with mesh forged magnesium BBS wheels. They even added 10 hp to the LFA's Formula 1 V-10 engine, which adds up to a total output of 562 hp. The 6-speed auto-clutch transmission quickly shifts gears in .16 seconds.

Color choices are limited to only white, orange, black, and matte black, while on the inside, buyers can choose between black/black, red/black, or purple/black interiors. A carbon fiber center console, door panels, and A pair of plush Alcantara Recaro seats are only available to the European and Japanese-spec models.

The 2012 Lexus LFA Nurburgring edition supercar's estimated starting price is around $445,000, and Lexus believes it will only produce 15 units for the US out of the 50 total units throughout the world.

source :  http://blogs.internetautoguide.com/6748011/auto-news/2012-lexus-lfa-nurburgring-edition-supercar-first-look/index.html

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2011 Ford Flex: Overview

The 2011 Ford Flex lineup expands further with the addition of a new top-end trim level. This boxy 4-door wagon shares elements of its basic design with the Ford Edge. Flex comes in four trim levels: SE, SEL, Limited, and new-for-2011 Titanium. All offer front-wheel drive. All-wheel drive is available on the SEL, Limited, and Titanium. Flex seats either 6 or 7 passengers on three rows of seats. A 262-horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine is standard on all Flex models. The AWD SEL, Limited, and Titanium are available with a 355-horsepower turbocharged 3.5-liter V6. Versions so equipped are called "EcoBoost" and are priced as separate models. Maximum towing capacity is 4,500 pounds, and when equipped with the optional tow package, a trailer-sway-control system is included. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags. A rearview camera, power liftgate, voice-activated navigation system with real-time traffic and weather updates, four-panel glass roof, and refrigerated center console are available. Other available features include Ford's Sync voice-activated control for some cell phones and MP3 players and a capless fuel filler. A power-folding 3rd-row seat is newly optional on Limited and Titanium. A self-park feature is optional on EcoBoost versions.

COMPETITION

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Larger than Compact SUVs, Midsize SUVs offer a mix of car- and truck-type construction, V6 and V8 power, and up to 8-passenger seating. This class also includes crossover vehicles.

source :  http://consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com/2011-ford-flex.htm

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Win a special McLaren goodie bag

CAR is giving away a fantastic framed drawing of the 12C, and a stunning encyclopedia of McLaren’s cars, to celebrate the launch of Britain’s new supercar. You’ll also get a copy of CAR’s March issue, featuring our 15-page 12C first drive review, signed by McLaren Formula 1 driver Jenson Button.

Click on this link to enter the prize draw now.

The 12C sketch, signed by McLaren’s design director Frank Stephenson, is a piece of money-can’t-but motoring memorabilia, brought to you by CAR magazine. The drawing also features the signatures of McLaren’s two Formula 1 world champions, Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

The goodie bag also contains the latest published version of McLaren – The Cars 1964-2008. Over 304 pages, the hardback beautifully catalogues every racing and roadgoing McLaren, from Bruce McLaren’s first true racing car in 1964, through the Can-Am cars and Ayrton Senna’s triumphant 1988 F1 racer, to the F1 and SLR road cars. The book also includes editorials from Ron Dennis, Niki Lauda, Alain Prost, Lewis Hamilton and current team boss Martin Whitmarsh. 

source :  http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/Competitions/Win-a-special-McLaren-goodie-bag/

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First Drive: 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302

The Trans-Am series of the late 1960s and early 1970s could be considered the golden era of American motorsports. Not only did it showcase the most desirable American cars of the time, but it featured some of the world's greatest racing drivers engaging in this country's own brand of fender-banging racing.

It's why Ford is so proud of the Boss 302, winner of the 1970 Trans-Am season with legendary driver Parnelli Jones behind the wheel, and why the street car has become a legend. But ask Jim Farley, Ford's head honcho of marketing, about the 2012 Mustang Boss 302, and he'll tell you that it's not just about building a remake of the original. "This is not a nostalgia project," he told us. "This is not in any way trying to bring back the Boss. This project is so much more than that. If we wanted to do that we could take a 5.0-liter, put some stripes and spoilers and other upgrades on it and that would be it. It was not a means to an end. The Boss 302 was originally a means to an end. It was a production car to go racing. This is a completely different project. We were not going to do this project unless we could beat an M3 at this track." This track being the famed Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca.

With Bavaria's best sportscar in it sights, did Ford achieve its goal of building a modern day legend, or is the 2012 Boss 302 simply another one of the infinite variations of the Ford Mustang? Ford invited us out to Monterey for a full day with the car, including some track time at Laguna Seca, and we have the answer.

source :  http://autos.aol.com/gallery/2012-ford-mustang-boss-review

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Best Used Cars SUVs Under $10,000

After gas prices hit $4 per gallon in 2008, sport utility vehicles went on the endangered species list. But while most automakers no longer offer a state of-the-art SUV there are still plenty of solid options available on the used car market. We scoured the AOL Autos database of used vehicles to find the best deals on SUVs priced under $10,000, and we think you'll like what we've found.

source :  http://autos.aol.com/gallery/used-suvs-10000/

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Driven: 2012 Audi A6

Audi is on a roll. Need proof? Who doesn't overtly or secretly lust after an R8 Spyder? Would any of us kick anything with an RS badge out of our garage? Didn't think so. Audi's sales are growing because of its products. The German automaker recently broke the 100,000 unit sales mark in the States, with 2010 calendar year sales up 23 percent over 2009. The all-new 2012 Audi A6 -- due in U.S. showrooms in September -- continues the manufacturer's aggressive product expansion and portfolio revitalization plan. Now we want to know if it's good enough to bring even more buyers into the Audi family.

 

The A6's debut at the Detroit Auto Show was all look and no play. So for the latter, we traveled to Sicily where we saw the A6's new lines in daylight and it became even more clear that Audi's designers in Ingolstadt have brought the sedan's styling in-line with the automaker's evolving corporate design language.

source :  http://autos.aol.com/gallery/2012-audi-a6-review

 

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2011 Toyota RAV4

The 2011 Toyota RAV4 comes standard with a 2.5-liter inline-4 engine that delivers 179 hp and 172 pound-feet of torque. A four-speed automatic transmission is standard. Fuel economy for this model with front-wheel drive is 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 24 mpg combined, and 21/27/24 with 4WD.

A 3.5-liter V6 with a five-speed automatic transmission is optional for all trim levels of the RAV4. It produces 269 hp and 246 lb-ft of torque. In Edmunds performance testing, the RAV4 V6 4WD delivers a time from a standstill to 60 mph of 7.2 seconds -- quick for the segment. The V6 achieves an impressive 19 mpg city/27 mpg highway and 22 mpg combined for the front-wheel-drive RAV4, and these ratings change only by 1 mpg less for EPA highway when the 4WD model is selected.

Every RAV4 trim level can be matched with either front-wheel or four-wheel drive. In 4WD models, power is sent to the front wheels until tire slippage is detected and then power is also directed to the rear wheels. The torque split can be manually locked at 50 percent front/50 percent rear for driving in poor traction conditions, such as gravel or snow. With the optional tow package, the RAV4 V6 can pull as much as 3,500 pounds.

Safety

Antilock disc brakes, stability control, traction control, whiplash-reducing front headrests, front-seat side airbags and full-length side curtain airbags are standard on every 2011 Toyota RAV4. Vehicles equipped with the V6 and/or the optional third-row seats also come with hill-start assist and hill-descent control.

In crash tests conducted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the RAV4 earns a perfect five stars for driver protection in frontal impacts and four stars for front passenger protection. It earns five stars for front- and rear-occupant protection in side impacts. The RAV4 also performs well in Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tests, earning the top rating of "Good" in both the frontal-offset and side-impact crash tests. It achieves the second-best rating of "Acceptable" in the roof strength test.

source :  http://www.edmunds.com/toyota/rav4/2011/

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2011 Nissan Leaf

The first question most people ask when they encounter the 2011 Nissan Leaf is, "How does it drive?" It feels almost anticlimactic to respond with, "Like any other car," but that remains the most accurate way to describe life in a Leaf.

The 80-kilowatt electric motor is fed by a 24-kilowatt-hour lithium-ion battery pack, providing the Leaf with 107 peak horsepower and up to 207 pound-feet of torque. While not exactly supercar territory, these numbers move the 3,354-pound Leaf from zero to 60 in 9.9 seconds. That's more than enough pep to keep up with traffic, particularly when combined with the Leaf's instant-on throttle response that's characteristic of an electric motor drivetrain.

Of course this sense of power is offset by the range gauge within the instrument cluster. A series of hash marks, accompanied by a large number that starts around 100 after a full charge (and drops immediately once under way), never lets you forget the Leaf's limited range and cumbersome refueling process. The onboard computer constantly monitors both battery status and driving conditions, and it will update the Leaf's range every few seconds to reflect city crawling or highway cruising (the latter eating up energy much quicker than the former).

This means that while the Leaf can hit 90 mph and cruises easily at 75 mph, a foreboding sense of ever-dwindling travel range dominates the driving experience. This can make even aggressive drivers think twice about goosing the throttle. And while the car's slippery exterior shape sports a mere 0.29 coefficient of drag, it feels downright irresponsible to travel at speeds above 70 mph when you see the range dropping faster than unemployment payouts.

Riding on low-rolling-resistance, 16-inch Bridgestone Ecopia tires and sporting electric-assist steering with a relatively quick ratio, the Leaf manages to feel at least as sporty as a typical economy car and far more interesting from a driver's perspective than a Toyota Prius. Credit some of this to the battery pack, which is mounted under the passenger floor and provides not only a low center of gravity but also a 40 percent increase in structural rigidity compared to a conventional five-door hatchback.

Of course, all of the above assumes the 2011 Nissan Leaf is left in its standard driving mode. A second mode, called Eco, reduces throttle response, increases the level of regenerative braking force and modulates the climate control system to save energy. Nissan says this can add about 10 percent to whatever range is left in the battery when Eco is engaged. We only tried this mode once and indeed noticed a subdued throttle reaction and aggressive (but not intrusive) regenerative braking force whenever we lifted off the go pedal. If you're looking for maximum efficiency, or simply want to ensure you reach your nearest charging station, keep Eco mode in mind.

source :  http://www.edmunds.com/nissan/leaf/2011/road-test2.html

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BMW 128

Inspired by the BMW 2002, the 1-series redefines the entry-level luxury vehicle with typical BMW refinement and balanced performance.
The rear-wheel drive 128i is available as either a coupe or convertible. The 128i is powered by a 230-hp 3.0-liter dual overhead cam, inline six-cylinder engine mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic with steering wheel paddle shifting. Standard safety features include six airbags on the coupe, four on the convertible, anti-lock brakes, adaptive brake lights, stability and traction control and run-flat tires with pressure monitoring. The 128i features the usual BMW creature comforts such as a 10-speaker audio system, auxiliary input jack, automatic climate control, leather wrapped steering wheel and multi-way adjustable front seats.
For 2011, a new harman/kardon surround sound system is optional.

source :  http://autos.aol.com/cars-BMW-128-2011/overview/

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Bristol Cars collapses into administration (2011)

Bristol Cars has collapsed into administration, it emerged overnight. The curio car maker from Bristol just couldn't make ends meet as sales dried up and the company's directors were forced to call in the administrators when it couldn't afford to keep the business alive.

Recovery specialists RSM Tenon are handling the administration and hope to find a buyer for Bristol as a going concern. Cars will still be sold and serviced during the process, but a spokesman confirmed that all 20 jobs had already been lost at the Bristol factory, as well as two of the seven in the London showroom.

Chairman of Bristol Cars Toby Silverton said: 'It has not been possible for the company to continue to trade in its present structure and, while the decision has been taken regretfully, I am confident that a future for the business will be found.'

Bristol Cars: a potted history

Bristol was founded post-war as the Bristol Aeroplane Company sought to stay afloat in peacetime. It teamed up with AFN which made Frazer Nash sports cars, but the company that became Bristol Cars kept its links to aircraft manufacturing throughout its 65 years, with simple aluminium construction and names such as Fighter. Staple models such as the Blenheim have barely changed over the decades.

CAR Magazine has long held an affection for the quirky British specialist. LJK Setright was a fan of Bristols for many years and only last year Chris Chilton wrote a feature in CAR Magazine visiting the service centre in Chiswick, west London. He found a dusty workshop as far removed from the Porsche Centre over the A4 as is possible to imagine. Bristol truly was a car maker from another generation, and that proved an enduring appeal for a small number of fans who lapped up the exclusivity and clubby atmosphere of their handcrafted luxury cars.

source :  http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/News/Search-Results/Industry-News/Bristol-Cars-collapses-into-administration-2011/

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