Monday, August 15, 2011

2012 Land Range Rover Evoque Revealed

2012 Land Range Rover

While Land Rover has been irritating shoppers on its sporty Range Rover LRX concept as quite once, the real deal wasn’t revealed till these week, barely before thems show at the 2010 Paris Motor Show. Called the Evoque, Autoblog articles that it “is lighter, mingier and greener than anything to amount by the Range Rover arsenal.” In a company-issued handout, Land Rover enjoins the Evoque leave boast a 2.0-liter, four-cylinder motor bringing about 240 HP.

2012 Land Range Rover

Between these motor and its alight weight, these sets up the Evoque to comprise the Range Rover that overcomes gas mileage yet. Even so, “considering that most careful example sold in the U.S. Presently are the Range Rover HSE on an EPA rating of 12 mpg city/18 highway, that’s not saying often,” writes auto and Driver

2012 Land Range Rover Evoque Revealed

On MINI’s upcoming Countryman attaining its way to salesrooms in 2011, KickingTires called back the Evoque would be a perfect competition. That was until “we found out that the Evoque will start around $45,000 when it goes on sale,”. for more latest car you can view at cheap sports car.

2012 Honda jazz hybrid

honda jazz hybrid 2012

Inside, the cabin gets blue-lit dials and can be specified with leather upholstery, which is the first time Honda has offered the trim in Europe. The hybrid Jazz goes on sale in Japan in October, where it’s badged as the Honda Fit, and will go on sale in the UK early in 2011. Prices will be announced closer to the time. In Japan the Fit hybrid costs more than a conventionally-powered Fit supermini, but less than an Insight. Apply this logic to the UK Honda range, where the Insight starts at £16,325, while a top-spec Jazz costs £15,770, and the Jazz hybrid should be priced at around £16,000 when it arrives here, making it the cheapest hybrid on the market.

honda jazz hybrid 2012

Saturday, August 13, 2011

Honda Civic hybrid powertrain version

The Honda Civic Hybrid is a hybrid powertrain version of the Honda Civic sedan, introduced in Japan in 2001. It features a continuously variable transmission and Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system similar to that of the original Honda Insight. Integrated Motor Assist utilizes power assist hybrid technology.

The Civic hybrid was introduced to the U.S. in February 2002 as a 2003 model, based on the seventh generation Civic. Along with the conventional Civic, it received styling update for 2004. The second generation Civic Hybrid is based on the eighth generation Civic, with some styling differences between theUSDM and JDM models. As of the end of January 2009, the total global sales of all Civic hybrid exceeded 255,00.

The Honda Civic is a line of subcompact and subsequently compact cars developed and manufactured by Honda. In North America, the Civic is the second-longest continuously-running nameplate from a Japanese manufacturer; only the Toyota Corolla, introduced in 1968, has been in production longer. The Civic, along with the Accord and Prelude, comprised Honda’s vehicles sold in North America until the 1990s, when the model lineup was expanded. Having gone through several generational changes, the Civic has become larger and more upmarket, and it currently slots between the Fit and Accord.

It was introduced in July 1972 as a two-door coupe, followed by a three-door hatchback that September. With the transverse engine mounting of its 1169 cc engine and front-wheel drive like the British Mini, the car provided good interior space despite overall small dimensions.Early models of the Civic were typically outfitted with a basic AM radio, heater, foam-cushioned plastic trim, two-speed wipers and painted steel rims with a chromed wheel nut cap. As the years went by, it has become much more upscale with options such as air conditioning, power locks, and power windows, leather upholstery, satellite-linked navigation, and a six-speed manual transmission. Initially gaining a reputation for being fuel-efficient, reliable and environmentally friendly, later iterations have become well-known for performance and sportiness, especially the Civic Type-R and Civic Si.

The Civic has been rebadged for international markets with such models as the Hond Ballade and Honda Domani/Acura EL. The Civic platform also served as the basis for the CR-X sport compact, the CR-X deL Sol targa convertible, and the CR-V compact SUV.

As of 2008, the Civic has been the top-selling car in Canada for eleven straight years. With high gas prices and a weak economy in June 2008, the Civic supplanted the Ford F-Series to become the top-selling vehicle in the United States for that month. The 2010 Honda Civic ranks 3 out of 30 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 76 published reviews and test drives of the Honda Civic, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

Reviewers agree that the 2010 Honda Civic is a winning combination of substance and style that has deservedly staked its claim as a class leader. It is one of the most reliable, fuel efficient and solid-performing vehicles in the affordable small car class. Although several compacts have more comfort or utility, few cars have captured the media attention for all-around excellence like the 2010 Honda Civic. Unchanged for 2010, it continues to offer the same winning combination of form and function that led Consumer Guide to name the 2009 model a “Best Buy.”

The Civic isn’t flawless. Despite its great performance, excellent fuel economy and impressive list of features, it lags behind certain class competitors when it comes to interior comfort and cargo capacity. For example, the Honda Fit (which costs about $500 less than the base Civic) is well worth a look for those in need of more cargo space. With a versatile rear “magic seat,” the Fit affords more cargo options than the Civic’s 60/40 split rear seats. Those who want a more comfortable interior should also check out the Volkswagen Rabbit, which costs about $1,000 more and doesn’t have the reliability scores of the Civic but, which is well-liked for its cushy interior, smooth ride and impressive power.

Choosing to buy a Civic is the easy part. The hard part is deciding which trim is right for you. The basic Civic comes in both sedan and coupe models and comes in several trims (DX, DX-VP, LX, LX-S, EX and EX-L) which range in price from approximately $15,500 to around $22,000. The Civic SI is performance-oriented trim, which offers 57 more horsepower than the base model, a few more performance options and a starting price of around $6,500 more. The Civic Hybrid has a separate review. The GX is an eco friendly alternative to the Hybrid and runs on Compressed Natural Gas, but it’s only sold in California (and other states that have accepted California’s Zero-Emission Vehicle regulations) and it starts at about $10,000 more than a base Civic.

The Honda Civic is essentially unchanged for 2010, so savvy car buyers may want to consider purchasing a 2009 model. Dealers are under pressure to make room on their lots for the new 2010 models so you may be able to snag a deal on a 2009. Be sure to check for current Honda deals that may be available on a Civic.

Honda Civic

Friday, August 12, 2011

2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8

2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8

The ultimate Chrysler lead sled is back in business and badder than ever. Returning with a new look, more power, and updated technology features, the all-new 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 coming to the 2011 New York auto show is the latest creation from Chrysler's Street and Racing Technology squad. As it's done with 300s past, the SRT team has taken an already solid package and made it faster, meaner, and even a smidge greener
For starters, the exterior of the new 300 SRT8 has been sculpted to match its high-performance character. The front end retains Chrysler's newly reshaped wing badge, but the SRT8 model gets a unique front valance and a blacked-out mesh grille.
The SRT8 sits a half-inch lower than the standard 300 on 20-inch alloy wheels, lending it a more imposing stance. Out back, there's a new chrome-accented lower fascia and dual 4-inch-diameter exhaust pipes. The available Black Chrome package adds black chrome grille surrounds, rear valance, and exclusive black chrome wheels.

2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8

Dodge's latest batch of R/T models

2012 Dodge Avenger R/T

Given its muddied history, we'll forgive you for brushing off Dodge's latest batch of R/T models. Although the R/T badge once signified a vehicle designed to tease, excite, and appease the enthusiast, in recent years, the nameplate was haphazardly applied to almost every Dodge, many of which drove no better than their conventional cousins.

The R/T range has been renewed and expanded for 2011, but its original purpose is on the way to being restored. Dodge brand CEO Ralph Gilles has promised all future R/T models will offer a "higher level of dynamic capability" -- and that appears to hold true for the 2012 Avenger R/T, which debuts this week at the 2011 New York auto show.

As is the case with other current models in the R/T portfolio (now including the Charger, Grand Caravan, Durango, and Journey), the new sport-tuned Avenger doesn't receive any wild bump underhood. In fact, it continues to make use of the same 3.6-liter, 283-horsepower Pentastar V-6 found in lesser Avengers, matched up to a six-speed automatic transmission.

In other words, it's not exactly a configuration that's going to raise eyebrows, quicken pulses, and set Internet discussion boards afire. But wait: In the immortal words of Ron Popeil, there's more.

The secret, or so we're told, lies entirely with chassis tuning. Lo, engineers have had their way with the Avenger's suspension bits in an attempt to liven up a front-drive platform long regarded as more milquetoast than magnificent. The Dodge crew says stiffness is increased by 18 percent, while front and rear spring rates are upped by 17 and 12 percent, respectively.

2012 Dodge Avenger R/T

Wednesday, August 10, 2011

2012 Subaru Impreza

Subaru executives readily admit that their "anywhere, any time" all-wheel-drive rides aren't always the prettiest. Nevertheless, the little automaker from Tokyo, Japan, has been on a tear.
In 2010, it posted its best-ever sales figures in the United States, an increase of 22 percent over 2009 for a total of 263,820 vehicles. In the last three years, as the rest of the auto industry struggled with double-digit sales declines, Subaru was the only automaker that posted consecutive sales increases.
The key to this windfall? Subaru says that it's attractive pricing and ideal vehicle sizing. So it makes sense that the company opted to stay the course on price and size for the fourth-generation Impreza, but to focus on improving two other vital characteristics of its best-seller.
"With the 2012 Impreza, we're heavy up on style, and we're heavy up on fuel efficiency. That's where we go next," says Michael McHale, Subaru's head of corporate communications.
At the 2010 Los Angeles auto show, Subaru demonstrated its emphasis on style with the Impreza Concept. Like the Legacy Concept shown in 2009, the Impreza prototype demonstrated an athletic physique characterized by an aggressive nose and aerodynamic rear. Its profile was slim with a steeply raked windshield.
Many of the show car's design elements were translated into the striking 2012 Impreza. The hexagonal grille has wings flanking a prominent badge. The wide-set, hawkeye headlamps rotate and set off a strong shoulderline and creased hood, both cribbed from big brother Legacy.
The base of the A-pillar has been relocated 7.9 inches forward for a longer, more rakish greenhouse. With the goal of providing class-leading visibility, Subaru thinned the A-pillars and detached the side mirrors from their bases. Windowsills were kept low, with partitioned glass at all the side windows.
The look is much improved over the flaccid previous generation. The 2012 Impreza has a muscular, Baby Legacy thing going on, especially the five-door hatch when viewed from behind. Chunky taillamps and a chiseled rear fascia butch up the gentle fender flares.

2012 Subaru Impreza

Nissan Leaf Nismo RC

The Nissan Leaf Nismo RC is 3.9-inches shorter, 0.8-inches longer, 6.7-inches wider and a staggering 13.8-inches lower than the garden-variety 2011 Nissan Leaf. At 2.4-inches, its ground clearance is just high enough to pass over a New York-sized cockroach. And in case you're wondering, "RC" doesn't stand for "remote control" -- at least not in this application. Nissan designed this track-attacking EV with "Racing Competition" abilities, much like it did with the recent R35 GT-R RC
Underneath the Leaf RC's carbon fiber body resides a monocoque set inside a custom chassis built by Nismo, Nissan's in-house performance division, in conjunction with Nissan's Global Design Center. For ideal weight distribution, Leaf RC's 80 kW AC synchronous motor, lithium ion batteries, and inverter are mounted mid-ship.
Forged aluminum 18-inch wheels wrapped in Bridgestone slicks attach to front and rear control-arm suspension. Rear-wheel drive replaces the production Leaf's front-wheel drive layout. There is even an adjustable rear wing for optimum aerodynamic setup on a variety of tracks. Weighing just 2068 pounds, the RC is 40-percent lighter than the road-going Leaf.
The powertrain remains the same, however, producing 102 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. Nissan says the Leaf RC can hit 60 mph in 6.85 seconds and a top speed of 93 mph. Of course, going full bore has its limits: in racing situations, the RC lasts a maximum of 20 minutes.
In being a legit track monster, there are no rear passenger doors or seats, nor is there a stereo, climate control, carpet, or any other creature comfort. Instead, a racing bucket, slim steering wheel, roll cage, and fixed Lexan windows make their way inside the Leaf RC. Its LED head and taillights have been designed to provide ample lighting during nighttime events if necessary.
That's right, we said "events." Rumors are suggesting Nissan's executives are pushing to race the RC in a yet-to-be-established eco-friendly motorsport series. The "Who, What, Where" will be answered soon.