[reviews]2011 Kia Optima SX: Road Test

The 2011 Kia Optima SX delivers performance of a V6 powered car, but delivers fuel economy of a four-cylinder car, has belligerent good looks and comes with plenty of features and has extended warranty.

Cons:
The 2011 Kia Optima SX’s tires suffer from poor grip, the headroom surely will be a problem for the taller occupants and the steering of the car has a numb feel.

Preface:
Not very long ago there was a time when you say “family sedan” people thought of a boring and solemn car that woul hardly entise anyone.But the introduction of 2011 Kia Optima SX aka the 2011 Kia Optima Turbo it looks as if the days of beige is numbered. The Optima Turbo enters the market with a long list of optional and standard features, and offers adequate performance and just enough performance to get the blood pumping. The all new Optima Turbo tops our list of preferred family sedans and will appeal you as well.

As far as the external styling is concerned the 2011 Kia Optima SX makes it pretty clear that it holds something really special for you. After all the likes of Toyota Camry and Honda Accord are no more head turners. Are they? The overall attraction for the car continues within the car as well, and the cabin flaunts a very European touch and look. And this definitely should be estimated, as Kia somehow has managed to squeeze a top Audi designer on its side. Though, the 2011 Kia Optima SX strays away from its European roots with its lack of steering feel and reduced tire grip, but we thing that these minor offenses can be neglected, especially when you are buying a family sedan.




If truth be told we will like to say that the 2011 Kia Optima SX is such a good car that we think it easily can outdo its rivals in the family sedan segment. The primary rivals for the Optima having the same spirit include the likes of Hyundai Sonata and Ford Fusion Sport. It should be known that the Kia Optima is based on Hyundai Sonata. The rivals having the same performance and similar styling include the likes of V6-powered Mazda 6 and Honda Accord. But ultimately we think that you will find the Kia Optima as enticing as we found it.

Performance:

The power for the front-wheel-drive 2011 Kia Optima SX comes from a 2.0 ltr turbocharged 4 cylinder engine, generating maximum power of 274 bhp and 269 lbs-ft of maximum torque. The strong engine here is mated with a 6 speed smooth-shifting automatic transmission having manual shift control. The gear change for the car could be controlled using the console-mounted selector or using the shift paddles on the steering wheel, although the downshifts on the vehicle are not all that rev-matched, so it will take a bit longer than you’ll probably find in any of the performance or luxury cars.

In our performance testing, the Optima turbo sprints from 0 to 60 mph in as quick as 6.5 secs, which is rather competitive with V6 powered sedans. The EPA estimated fuel economy for the Optima SX is of 26 mpg combined of 22 mpg in city and 34 mpg on highways. We managed to get only 19.7 mpg, that too mostly in city driving.


The 2011 Kia Optima SX that we were testing came equipped with a sport-tuned suspension, shift paddles on its steering wheel and a rear spoiler. The car feels confident and sporty on the open roads, but when it comes to twists and turns the car is not all that impressive and the tires for the car starts loosing grip. Till this point, though, the Optima SX delivered respectable amount of performance which could be said sporty performance.

Comfort:
The best and the most impressive thing about the 2011 Kia Optima SX Turbo is that the performance of the car didn’t come at the cost of comfort. Despite the strong suspension, the car doesn’t show any substantial harshness over the seriously worn roadway. The cabin remains immensely pleasant, quiet and calm on highways and that’s something that is highly appreciated in the family sedans. The seating position should be comfortable for average height drivers, but even if you don’t find it you don’t have to worry, as the car comes with plethora of seat adjustment settings that you surely will get you a comfortable seating position. But if you are over 6 feet, then you might find the sunroof a tad too low for comfort, and probably will want to get a tad more high thigh support from the seats behind you.

The rear seat passengers will find the car immensely comfortable, and surely won’t be having any sort of problems.

Build Quality and Styling:

The first and the probably the most striking thing about the 2011 Kia Optima SX is its aggressive and sharp styling. The car offers a significant presence, thanks to the wide expanses of the unadorned accents and sheet metal which have been tastefully incorporated. Though the styling for the car is subjective, but a lot of people agrees to the fact that the European roots of the car makes it one of the finest looking midsize sedans to have ever entered the market in a very long time.

The European feel and look of the car clearly reflects from the interiors of the car. In more than one ways it becomes clear how the inclusion of Audi’s design chief, into Kia has influenced the designing of the company. The styling is not completely an influence of Audi, but the appearance and material quality clearly is way ahead of what we are use to seeing for Kia. Most of the surfaces for the car are smooth and gives a great look and feel.

Why Should One Consider The 2011 Kia Optima SX?

The 2011 Kia Optima SX Turbo is a superb alternative for the customers looking for a car having stunning looks, and striking all the right nodes in terms of performance and quality. Apart from the tire choice, it’s hard to find any defect in the Optima at all. If you are in the market for a comfortable family sedan, that can also deliver respectable performance, then the Kia Optima SX definitely should be on top of your list.

2011 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid BMW-but Unimpressive

Well, not many of times it happens, but in case of 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 it has happened. Now you will be confused and asking what has happened and what doesn’t happens too often? Aren’t you? But its not only you who is confused here, we also are confused on where to start the introduction for the 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid X6. The reason behind this being the confusing character of the SUV, you see we have said it a SUV, but if you look at it its more of a crossover utility vehicle carried out with coupe-style character and having fuel efficiency of a hybrid. But while trying to be all that, the X6 ends up as a vehicle that will keep you guessing its original genre. Despite all this let’s start with the introduction.

The 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 basically is a carlike crossover and is based on the platform of the full-size X5 SUV. Just to give it a personal touch, X6 has been designed for four passengers only and the drastically sloping roof line of the vehicle limits the headroom in the rear seats of the vehicle, outward visibility and cargo space. So you can say that X6 basically is a SUV equivalent for a schematic coupe.




But BMW has added their first-ever hybrid system to the X5 SUV platform to develop 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid X6. The hybrid system of the car has been developed in association with GM and the firm previously known as DaimlerChrysler. The hybrid system used in X6 can propel the SUV at low speed by means of the power transmitted by its batteries to a couple of electric motors covered inside the transmission. Along with the V8 turbocharged engine from the X6 xDrive50i, the ActiveHybrid system of the vehicle generates maximum power of 480 horses and 575 lbs-ft of maximum torque.



Also the first thing that you expect from a hybrid system is better fuel efficiency, but the ActiveHybrid X6 disappoints even here. The ActiveHybrid only betters the fuel economy of X6 xDrive35i 300 hp by only 1 mpg. So the ActiveHybrid basically is a confusing hybrid SUV, which we are not sure how many of the people, will like this SUV.

What’s New for 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid X6?
The 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 enters the market pretty much unchanged.

Body Styling and Features:
The 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 is a SUV with seating capacity of four and comes in a single trim level.
The standard equipments for the 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 includes self-leveling suspension, 20 in wheels, adaptive and automotive xenon headlights, rear and front parking sensors, auto-dimming mirrors, a sunroof, heated 14-way power seats having adjustable lumbar and bolsters, keyless entry/ignition, a power tailgate, running boards, soft-close automatic doors, driver memory functions, a navigation system having real-time voice and traffic controls, power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, leather dash trim and upholstery, Bluetooth, a head-up display, a 12 speaker sound system having 6 CD/DVD changer, BMW Assist telematics, USB/iPod adapter and HD radio and auxiliary audio jack.

There also is a Cold Weather package available for the car which comes with a heated steering wheel, retractile headlight washers, heated rear seats and a rear seat pass-through ski bag.

Some other options for the vehicle includes 19 in wheels, automatic high beams, massaging and ventilated front seats, sport seats, a rear seat entertainment system, rear manual window shades, satellite radio and an enhanced sound system.

Under The Hood:
The 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 gets its power from an assembly of 2 electric motors and gasoline engine, which are paired with the transmission. The gas-powered engine under the hood is a 4.4 ltr V8 twin-turbo engine that we saw in X6 xDrive50i, which generates 400 hp of maximum power and 450 pounds-feet of torque. The added power output from the motor takes the maximum power output of the vehicle to 480 horsepower and 575 pounds-feet of maximum torque. The only transmission available here is a specialized 7 speed automatic transmission having manual shift control, which transfers power to all the 4 wheels of the vehicle.

The power system for the vehicle delivers respectable, but unimpressive performance, as the car sprints from 0 to 60 mph in only 5.5 seconds, which is the same performance that the regular V8 powered X6 delivered.

The estimated fuel economy for the SUV is of 17 mpg in city and 19 mpg on highways, which comes down to a combined fuel efficiency of 18 mpg.

Safety Equipments:
The standard safety equipments for the 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 includes stability control, antilock disc brakes, trailer stability control, traction control, adaptive headlights, hill descent control, rear and front side curtain airbags, front-seat side airbags, BMW Assist emergency telematics and active front head restraints.

Verdict:
The 2011 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 doesn’t offer a lot from its hybrid powertrain and has a huge price tag. In addition to all this the car also suffers from limited cargo utility and limited rear seat space, all these makes it a BMW which fails to earn our recommendation.

2011 Honda Insight - Fuel Efficient And Reliable, But somewhat problematic

The Honda Insight entered the market as a rival to Toyota Prius. Yes, you guessed it right the Insight is also a hybrid, and has the design just as American thought hybrid should have and delivered fuel economy better than any other vehicle on road. But in addition to this all, Honda also promised driving experience, which was nothing different and a cheaper price. The overall package looked impressive. But considering the dreary interest of customers in market has made us thing that the Honda Insight is more of a copycat and not a contender.



The 2011 Honda Insight that we are covering also delivers superb fuel economy of 41 mpg in city. The most important thing about the Insight is the fact that the car comes with a purported “mild hybrid,” system which can not propel the car on its own. This is what makes this car comparatively less complex and pricey, but at the same time it means that the low speed rides of the Insight is not all that fuel efficient as the full hybrids in market like the Prius. This is a major drawback for the hybrid buyers, who loves the sensation of their cars’ all-electric motoring. At the same time it means that the air-conditioner shuts off together with the engine, when the car stops.

What’s New for 2011 Honda Insight?

The 2011 Honda Insight gets a brand new base model for the model year 2011 and this base model drops the base price for the car together with plenty of other features. The LX base model for the car becomes a mid-grade trim and gets a center armrest storage console, standard cruise control and an iPod/USB audio interface. All the Honda Insight models now come standard with stability control.




Body Styling and Features:

The 2011 Honda Insight comes in a single body style, and is offered with 3 trim levels: base, EX and LX.

The standard equipment for the base trim of Insight includes keyless entry, 15 in steel wheels, automatic climate control, complete power accessories, driver seat height adjustment, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, a 2-speaker sound system having a CD player, a trip computer and an auxiliary audio jack.

The top-of-the-line LX trim gets a front center storage bin and armrest, cruise control, sound system having 4 speakers and an iPod/USB audio interface and floor mats.

The EX trim on the other hand gets 15 in alloy wheels, steering wheel shift paddles, heated mirrors, vanity mirrors, 6 speakers and steering wheel audio controls. The EX trim can also be fitted with a navigation system that includes a touchscreen interface, Bluetooth, voice controls and a digital audio card reader.






Under The Hood:

The Hybrid System of Honda Insight comprises of an electric motor coupled with a nickel-metal hydride battery pack and 1.3 ltr 4-cylinder gasoline engines. The 1.3 ltr 4-cylinder gasoline engine of the car generates maximum power of 88 hp and 88 lbs-ft of maximum torque, while the motor generates 13 hp of power and 58 lb-ft of maximum torque. The varying power peaks of the car results in combined maximum output of 98 hp of maximum power and 123 lb-ft of maximum torque.

The 2011 Honda Insight sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 10.9 seconds. The combined fuel efficiency for the car is of 41 mpg.

Safety Equipments:

The safety in Honda Insight is ensured with traction and stability control, brake assist, antilock brakes (rear drum, front disc), active front head restrains and side curtain airbags and front side airbags.

Verdict:

The 2011 Honda Insight definitely is a fuel-efficient and reliable hybrid car, but it still is not measures up to the Toyota Prius, which has been its archrival.

Latest In A Mobile Revolution By Mercedes-Benz dealerships

Mercedes Benz has announced one of the most advance and technically superior offer to the dealers in the form of Apple iPads. The company has started the MB advantage program in which the facilities to dealers are being focused highly. This innovative approach of offering iPads to all of the dealers will help the dealers immensely in making the financial decisions even when they are not in the offices.

The operating system of these iPads is also quite simpler and static. The salesperson can feed the VIN number of any of the Mercedes Benz cars and he will be able to get the latest schemes, discounts and net prices of the model offered by the company for that particular mode entered. This facility will allow the sales person to work freely even when they are not in the offices or any of the popular places. Mercedes Benz received many of the complains regarding to the problem of asking the latest prices and offered of models every now and then which was hurting the impression and performances of the dealers. With these facilities, they will be having readily availability of the prices and other factors of any of the models which will definitely boost their confidence and will make them traveling freely without any hesitation of calling back to offices for each and every smaller detail.

Another benefit of these iPads is that the sales person or the dealers who are offering the Mercedes Benz models on hire will be able to recheck the car when they are offered back by the hirers and will be able to write down all the possible damages of scratches by standing in front of the cars itself. This facility may not sound quite attractive but practically their significance is quite higher. Many of the dealers are facing the problem of rectifying the scratches or damages in the cars that are given for hiring purposes. It will become quite simpler for the sales person or the dealers to go outside with the iPads, to write down the scratches or the condition reports and to feed it in the computers when they are into the office.

“This is a mobile revolution into the dealerships and we are quite intended to do so as we wish to have our dealers falling no where short in performance”, said the Vice President of Marketing of Mercedes Benz Andreas Hinrichs while an interview to Wall Street Journal yesterday. This is truly the revolution and we need to appreciate the presence of mind and the innovative approach of Mercedes Benz.

2012 Nissan GT-R - Affordable, Advanced and Performing, cool

Great automobiles are made up of great technology mixed with high performance, and where this blend gets right we gets vehicles like the 2012 Nissan GT-R. The new Nissan GT-R is a fine example of high performance automobile loaded with immensely advanced technology. The Nissan GT-R enters the market as an emblem of Nissan’s newest technology, and hence some loaded with some serious hardware set such as a strong twin-turbo V6, a superior all-wheel-drive system, a dual-clutch automated manual transmission and a sport-focused suspension having adaptive dampers. The performance numbers of GT-R comfortably places the car into Supercar segment, but despite that the car maintains a respectable lower price point.
Nissan has advanced the performance envelope for the 2012 Nissan GT-R, and the new GT-R is way more advanced that the previous versions. The maximum power under the hood now is 530 horsepower, which is 45 hp more than previous year and maximum torque this year is 488 lbs-ft, which are 434 more from last year. The increased power and torque could be attributed to the blend of revised turbo boost and the smooth exhaust and intake systems. The brakes for the car which already were immensely impressive have also been enlarged a tad bit by means of added performance potential.

What’s New for 2012 Nissan GT-R?
The 2012 Nissan GT-R comes with extra power and in addition to this there also are some aerodynamic and styling changes in the exteriors of the car. The interiors have also seen some minor revision. Also, a brand new GT-R Black Edition debuts this year.

Body Styling and Features

The 2012 Nissan GT-R is a two seater high-performance sport coupe, which is available only in single Premium trim level.
Like any premium trim, the standard feature set here also includes some of the highly advanced and modern features such as 20-inch alloy wheels having high-performance tires, LED running lights, automatic xenon headlights, an electronically modifiable suspension, Brembo brakes, heated power-adjustable front seats, faux/leather-suede upholstery, keyless entry/ignition, an 11 speaker Bose CD/MP3 audio system having two subwoofers, dual-zone automatic climate control, iPod connectivity, satellite radio and streaming audio and Bluetooth phone. Some other standard features for the car includes a hard-drive-based navigation system having 9.4 gigabytes accessible for audio storage, real-time weather and traffic updates and multifunction driver-configurable information monitor.
The 2012 Nissan GT-R also comes with a brand new GT-R Black Edition, which comes loaded with some more advanced features such as lightweight black wheels, a unique red and black interior and leather Recaro seats.
Some other optional equipment here are a no-cost Cold Weather package, which will get you Dunlop all-season run-flat tires, darker wheels and a unique coolant-to-water ratio facilitating faster engine warm-up, an extra-cost “Super Silver” paint job which has three layers of clear coasting and has been polished by hand and a rearview camera.



Interior Design:
The cabin of 2012 Nissan GT-R is not flashy and luxurious, but it clearly reflects the implementation of performance oriented and advance technological features. The front seats of the cars have high-flying bolsters and the faux-suede upholstery used in the interiors of the car keeps the occupants stable during high-G maneuvers, and at the same time it gives immense comfort during long-distance run. The interiors of the car itself is respectably constructed, and has plethora of soft-touch materials, and most of the controls of the car has a strong, positive feel. Go for the Black Edition and you could get even better appearing interiors.

Under The Hood:
The 2012 Nissan GT-R has a 3.8 ltr twin-turbocharged V6 engine pumping under its hood and generating maximum power of 530 hp and maximum torque of 488 lb-ft of maximum torque. The engine here is mated with a 6 speed dual-clutch automated manual transmission which takes the power to the ground through its advanced AWD system.

Performance:
The previous Nissan GT-R already was one of the finest performers that we’ve seen, but now this new 2012 Nissan GT-R is just stunning. The new GT-R sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in merely 3.1 secs, which was around more than half a second faster than previous model.

Safety Equipments:
The 2012 Nissan GT-R ensures the safety with its stability and traction control and antilock Brembo brakes. In addition to this, the car also has full-length side curtain airbags and front-seat side airbags.

Verdict:
The 2012 Nissan GT-R brings world class performance and technology at a reachable price and certifies that it doesn’t have to be stratospheric expensive, if it’s advanced or performance oriented.

Pros:
The 2012 Nissan GT-R delivers astonishing acceleration; is simple to drive; has immensely high handling limits and superb-quality interior; is fast and has an affordable bargain price.

taken from:http://www.automotivecraze.com

[advanced] Ford's Future Models Might Track Your Heart Rate

We always say that the vehicles of the future will be a lot smarter than the vehicles running currently on the streets, and to give a glimpse of it Ford already has started showing some new technologies that they will be incorporating in their future vehicles. Recently Ford developed a heart monitoring seat, which has the capacity of monitoring the heart activity of the driver. This initiative from Ford will be making the modern trucks and cars rolling medical devices.

Just a week ago, we saw a Sync system from the Dearborn automaker, which was developed to help drivers in managing their asthma and probably even will help in tough tasks such as quitting smoking in the future.
Speaking at the event, a Ford Spokesman said, “The Company is not trying to turn the vehicle into a medical device. We just are trying to make the healthcare mobile.”

Ford also said that the heart-rate monitoring seat of the car is still a research project and is in its very early stage of development and hence didn’t said when the seat is expected to enter the market as a production car.




The heart-rate monitoring seat puts Ford in the front position of automotive wellness and health initiatives, beating all its rivals by a huge margin. In their video on YouTube ford showcased how the seat works. Researchers said that there aren’t any electrodes attached to the body with the special seat. Rather it monitors the heart rate using 6 electrodes entrenched into the seatback, just like the technology which is being used in the beds in the intensive-care units. The researchers also said that a lot of electrodes were required; so that the seat can easily deal with “different body types.” The heart rate for any body can be detected using the clothing.

Honda Recalls 2012 Civic Over Faulty Fuel Tank

According to the latest reports from NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) Japanese auto maker Honda will be recalling their 1,156 2012 Honda Civic sedans and coupes in the U.S. The reason for the recall according to National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has been reported as a potential fuel leakage, which easily could result in fire.

IN their recall summary, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration says, “There is a chance that the O-ring sealing the connection in cars fuel feed line is misaligned.” “The misaligning of the O-ring could result in small fuel leak. And this fuel leakage in the presence of an ignition source could result in.”

In a statement posted on their Web Site Honda said that no injuries or fires have been reported related to this defect and that most of defected models are still not being sold.

It also explained that during the manufacturing of the fuel-line meeting, an O-ring could have got displaced, which allegedly could lead to leakage at a joint, where the two sections of pipe have been went with each other.




On the other document filed with the federal government, Honda stated that an employee at Canada’s Honda Manufacturing originally noticed the flaw because of a fuel smell on a 2012 Honda Civic on 29th April. The company immediately started a production hold on the suspected models on that very day.

[review]2011 Audi R8 Convertible – Just Can’t Get Better Than This

A lot of you would’ve dreamt of owing an Audi R8 after seeing “Iron Man” (we know, after owning the Iron Man suit off course) or “Date Night”, and we are saying that because we dreamt of it, and are not shy of admitting it. The simple reason for this is the immaculate Hollywood styling of the Audi R8 Spyder, with its wide body, hypnotic LED running lights, smooth clamshell and low height. And just when we thought that we just had our dream car, Audi has launched the Convertible version of their R8 Spyder in the form of their 2011 Audi R8 Convertible.



The good thing with the R8 Convertible is that unlike some of the other Convertibles that we’ve seen in market, the 2011 Audi R8 Convertible has also got increase in power for its 5.2 ltr V10 engine, which now generates maximum power of 525 hp. The best thing that we like about the Audi R8 Convertible is its ability to handle corners. The car comes with an all-wheel-drive system, which further is complemented by a lightweight chassis. All this makes it a Supercar, that won’t want you to be Bruce Wayne to drive it heroically. Now, some might say that the effortless nature of the R8 convertible makes it comparatively less involving like its rear-wheel-drive rivals such as Porsche 911 or the Aston Martin V8 Vantage, but we’ll say that there definitely is something to be said for the comfort of vast AWD traction.

The best thing here is that the 2011 Audi R8 Convertible also is a rather good value, so whether you go for the 4.2 ltr V8 engine of the car or the 5.2 ltr V10 engine, you will end up getting a car that that will be a straight rival for the more expensive exotic supercars such as the Lamborghini Gallardo, which is also powered by the same V10. And now it comes with the same striking styling, and the cut-no-corners workmanship, that you expect from a landed gentry sports car, but only for a lower price.




But, Yes, there is a “but” here also, and that is, if you are expecting this exotic two-seater to take you and your someone special one on a long road trip, then you will be disappointed with the 2011 Audi R8 Convertible. The simple reason for this is the limited space of the car and really small space backside the seats, which isn’t helpful either. Even the navigation system of the vehicle is a tad clumsy to use and the elective R tronic automated manual transmission of the car is a tad clumsy at low down speed. But if these are none of your concern, then the 2011 Audi R8 definitely is just the perfect car for you.

What’s New for 2011 Audi R8 Convertible?

If you ever wished that Audi R8 shouldn’t have a roof, then the guys at Audi have answered your prayers in the form of 2011 Audi R8 Convertible. The R8 Convertible is a sports car from Ingolstadt, which enters the market with an increase in output power for its 4.2 ltr V8 engine by 10 hp.

Body Styling and features:

The 2011 Audi R8 Convertible is an exotic two-seat Supercar, which comes with two engine choices of 4.2 and 5.2 ltr V8 engine.
The standard equipment for the 2011 Audi R8 Convertible includes LED running lights, adaptative suspension dampers, automatic climate control, 19 in wheels, robotic xenon headlights, controller, leather and faux suede leather upholstery, heated 8 way power seats (having 4-way power-changeable lumbar), Bluetooth, a 7 speaker sound system having 6 CD changer, auto-dimming car mirror, satellite radio and auxiliary audio jack.

Under The Hood
The 2011 Audi R8 Convertible could be obtained either with a 4.2 ltr V8 engine or a 5.2 ltr V10 engine. The 4.2 ltr engine generates maximum power of 430 hp and 317 lbs-ft of maximum torque. The standard drive system here is an all-wheel-drive system. The engine here is paired with 6 speed standard transmission which also has a gated metal shifter this also is standard transmission here. The optional transmission although is an R tronic. The R8 4.2 sprinted from 0 to 60 mph in 4.5 secs, for both its transmission.

The R8 convertible powered by a 5.2 ltr V10 engine generates maximum power of 525 horsepower and 391 pounds-feet of maximum torque. The Audi R8 ltr engine also has the same transmission alternatives as seen with the 4.2 ltr coupe. The 0 to 60 timings for the 5.2 is of 3.7 sec.

Safety Equipments:

The standard safety equipments for the 2011 Audi R8 Convertible include side airbags, knee airbags, antilock disc brakes and stability control. Some other optional equipment here includes rear and front parking detectors and a rearview camera.

Verdict:

The 2011 Audi R8 Convertible is the Convertible version of the Audi R8 and the car comes with the same V8 or V10 engine and also offers the same impressive capabilities. The car with roof was irresistible, and now that the roof is gone, its just one deals that you surely won’t want to miss.

Daimler boss plan for small car mercedes

Small cars were the big message from Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche as CAR sat down with him at the 2011 Geneva motor show to discuss the future of Smart.



Electric vehicles - the future of Smart?

Smart will not become an electric car specialist, despite sticking to its small car roots, Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche pledgedj. ‘Smart is an ideal car for cities, and certainly in cities electric drive will be good for Smart,' he said. 'But it will be a long time before EVs replace internal combustion engines in general and that goes for Smart as well’.

Dr Zetsche believes that in a demand-driven marketplace, without major incentives or regulatory changes, many consumers will choose vehicles without the range or charging issues associated with current EVs.

That doesn’t mean Mercedes is staying out of the EV game. Rumours that the upcoming A-class EV had been scrapped were dismissed by Dr Zetsche.

Smart moves in the US?

The shift of Smart’s US sales distribution from Penske Automotive Group to Mercedes-Benz does not represent the end of Smart in the US. Penske had done an excellent job for Merc launching Smart in the US in 2008, claimed Dr Z, achieving a mutually-unexpected first-year sales of 27,000 units. But the subsequent freefall to 5000 Smarts annually put the dealer network’s viability in doubt.

'An alternative was to take a network which is strong and stands on its own, and can have some added volume with Smart. That’s the Mercedes US network. So that’s one part of the logic.'

There's another important reason. 'The other is that you are required to create CO2 credits in California and other states and we intend to do that through Smart,' he said. 'As these are essential to our other sales then strategically it would be questionable if you were not in control with that part of the business.'


Economies of scale – a question of alliances

Audi seems to have the best of both worlds – premium image and pricing, but economies of scale from sharing components with other VW group’s brands. How could Mercedes compete with this?

Dr Zetsche disputed the assumption, claiming that when it came to the premium-segment vehicles (C-class to S-class), Audi could not leverage economies of scale to compete with Mercedes as easily as in the sub-compact segment (with its A1 and A3).

To compete with the VW Group at the lower level, Mercedes has been chasing economies of scale. 'That's exactly what drove us to the decision to go into cooperation with Renault,' explained Zetsche. 'To combine and develop small four-cylinder engines together and benefit from the high volumes, and on the other hand do the next Smart platform together (and based on the architecture of Smart) is right for us'.

The next-gen Smart ForTwo will be co-developed with the Mk3 Twingo, but Daimler has convinced Renault to morph its conventional city car into a rear-engined, rear-drive runabout. We'll see the first fruits of the Daimler-Renault alliance in 2012.

Aston Martin V12 Zagato racer (2011)

Aston Martin has released this rendering of its new V12 Zagato racer, which will compete at the Nurburgring this summer.

The 2011 Aston Martin V12 Zagato made its world debut at the Villa D'Este concours d'elegance at the weekend, where it won the Concorso d’Eleganza Design Award for Concept Cars and Prototypes.






Design director Marek Reichman said: 'It is an honour to win this award in Italy, where many great designs originated from, and this victory shows that Aston Martin has successfully developed their own renowned design language over the past years. The result is a car that incorporates the core values of the Zagato design language which we perfectly translated into Aston Martin’s modern design DNA.'

Aston V12 Zagato: the race car

The racer hasn't been shown yet, but we'll see the Zagato in track spec shortly. It will compete at the Nurburgring this weekend in the 53rd ADAC ACAS H&R-Cup VLN race on 28 May.

Aston Martin’s chief executive Ulrich Bez will also lead a driver team which will eventually race two V12 Zagato cars at the Nurburgring 24-hour race on 25-26 June.

'Nurburgring is where we sign-off every new model in terms of dynamics, and there can be no better place for the new V12 Zagato to be finally tested,' said Dr Bez. 'The 24-hour race is the ultimate road test and a fitting introduction for the V12 Zagato.'

The roadgoing Zagato

Although Aston says it is monitoring interest in the Zagato, a roadgoing version seems a dead cert. The car takes a V12 Vantage coupe and clothes it in bodywork by Zagato.

It was produced to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the DB4 GT Zagato.

'Based on the reactions of our customers to this race car, we hope to offer a road-homologated V12 Zagato in a small, limited number as soon as possible,' added Dr Bez. 'First feedback has been great so far, this makes us confident that this new Aston Martin V12 Zagato will be a winner of the classic car vote at Villa D’Este in 50 years time.'

[video] Dr.Dre damage the Ferrari 360 Modena Coupe in the video clip

Dr. Dre willing to destroy a Ferrari 360 Modena Coupe for making a video clip newest hit single "I need a doctor" who also presents Eminem therein. Lets watch the taking and the clip. Here we go:

New Sports Car Aston Martin and Zagato Appear This Weekend

GAYDON (DP) - Aston Martin again took Zagato - famous design houses of Italy.
This collaboration is a 50-year anniversary DB4GT Aston Martin Zagato. The first production of their new collaboration will be exhibited first at the Villa D'Este Concours 21 May 2011. This sports car racing debut at the Nürburgring in June 2011.




"Now is the perfect time for a new Aston Martin Zagato and in combining the intelligence of our design. I think we can create something exactly like Zagato DB4GT who have gone. He became one of the most famous Aston Martin of all time, "said Ulrich Bez, CEO of Aston Martin.
Their first partnership to fruition in 1961 when Aston Martin tried hard to reduce weight DB4GT very special. To obtain the goal (the car lighter and performing), Aston Martin Zagato approach.
Then Elio Zagato Managing Director, Technical Director Gianni Zagato, and the team worked to design the main design Zagato DB4GT in a week.
In 1961 Aston Martin Zagato DB4GT orders began to pick up after the display at London Motor Show 1960. Zagato DB4GT only 19 units produced and everything is still there until now.
Of the 19 units, 3 of which are designed specifically for racing - two units owned db4 GT Zagato Essex Racing Stable and VEV terigistrasi as '1 'and '2 VEV'. Both are driven by Jim Clark and Roy Salvadori.

After a successful first project, in 1986 they re-arm with producing a V8 Vantage Zagato Volante and then V8 Zagato. Everything produced is limited.
DB7 Zagato into their final product, which was launched at the Paris Motor Show 2002. DB7 Zagato enter the production line a year later. A total of 99 units DB7 Zagato sold to the public, while the units of the 100th saved Aston Martin.
And, after half a century, made ​​their first collaboration, we will see a new page at the Villa D'Este Concours in Italy's Lake Como.

Guide to Choosing New Tires

Motorists often do not often consider the condition of the tires, but until when the tire leak or rupture. Now many reasons for you to start looking at the condition of this black.

Therefore you as the rider must know exactly how to choose a good tire for your vehicle, aside from the issue price.

As reported by autos.aol, Wednesday (13/04/2011) there are 10 considerations before you choose and buy tires for your vehicle.







1. Make sure the car needs new tires

Perform a quick visual inspection, if you see a balding tires, the tires began to change color, it's time to change a tire. If the tire immediately replace aged 5-10 years although tires still look good. Rubber tires will be more ugly if exposed to air.

2. Make sure that your car is in good condition.

Before you buy a new tire make sure the first suspension or balancing your vehicle in good condition. Because of the suspension also can affect your tire tread. If the suspension or wheels are not balanced, so vain you buy new tires, tires will be broken without your awareness.

3. Check your vehicle's manual

Your car manufacturers have made recommendations on the size and type of tire is best suited for your vehicle. So you will not waste money buying useless with the wrong size and type of tires that are good for your vehicle.



4. Understanding the tire code.

Perhaps the most often confused when buying tires is to recognize the codes contained in the tire sidewall. They are part of a simple standard code required to determine the type size of your tires and how long these tires have been produced. This code is also intended to identify if there is a case of the tire recall.

5. Check rim.

Replace the rim is one way of modification is often done. If you wear now rim is damaged, you would think to replace one set when replacing tires. Try to replace the rim in accordance with the manufacturer's original size, although larger rim makes your car look dashing.

The use of larger rim also makes the car heavier and ultimately reduce fuel efficiency.

6. Buy a set of tires or 4 tires simultaneously.

It sometimes tires that have been eroded by the asphalt is not the same. By replacing all four at once, you will be able to maintain your tires better and more secure.

7. Check your spare tire.

This is a great time to have a spare tire to accompany you and replaced if necessary. And make sure you have a spare tire in accordance with the existing size.

8. Consider purchasing tires through the Internet or catalog.

You really can save money on initial purchase of your new tires by shopping via the Internet. But you make sure the tires are not old age.

9. Do the brakes with caution when using the new tires.

When new tires are produced, usually there are materials that leave residues on new tires. This residue makes the tires gripping the road less well, especially in wet conditions. Try the brakes with a longer distance than usual.

10. Take care of your new tires.

Check for proper air pressure regularly. Proper air pressure and this can increase the longevity of your tires. Since the age of your tire air pressure is also determined by the proper and consistent rotation. Proper air pressure also affects fuel consumption.

Audi embraced the iPhone and iPad Users

Audi AG via the sports division tried to get closer to the consumer iPhone and iPad with two interactive applications through the two arenas. So racing fans DTM and Le Mans Intercontinental Cup (ILMC) can access all sorts of information related to Audi of course.

The first application named "Audi Sport" is the latest version of the previous (launched 2010) can be downloaded free through the application store on line. Contents, one of which related to the debut of the Audi R18 TDI in the arena ILMC in Spa, Belgium, earlier this May. "In a report last year's racing season, information related to the images, sound and video into the standard content of this application. Total 40,000 downloads can be owned by users of the iPhone and iPad free," said an official statement as reported by Audi autoevolution (05/05/2011).



In this application there are also some new function called "Live Ticker" that shows the current tensions driver behind the wheel. Then, there are 360 ??degree images of cars racing, the introduction of an interactive circuit and wallpapers.





The second application named, "Audi Express". A bag contains reviews racing information every week and the events behind the scenes that is not published, either in the DTM and ILMC. The application also can be enjoyed free of charge consumers. Thus, users of the iPhone and iPad, wait no more, staying just download it now!

BMW Nazca Super Rare Sale

IF you belong to someone who is successful and wants to look different without a competitor, you deserve to be on this one owner car. A super sports car BMW special that there are only three units in the entire universe.



The car, named Italdesign Nazca is a draft Giorgetto Giurgiaro for BMW in the 1990's. Indeed it was created to be produced in lieu of the legendary BMW M1, also designed by Giurgiaro. Unfortunately Nazca never entered in production lines.

So, there are only three prototype units are made ​​BMW Nazca. First Nazca M12 which debuted in 1991 followed by a model that is more 'hardcore' of Nazca C2 C2 in 1992 and Spider versions of the open roof in 1993.


If you look at the pictures, BMW Nazca which will be auctioned at a dealership in the Czech republic is a first generation model, aka M12. He is equipped with BMW's 5.7-liter V12 engine of the 750i/850i models that have been upgraded capabilities by Alpina, modifiers are used to deal with high performance engines of BMW. This engine produces 379 hp and capable of running the vehicle up to 326 km / hour.




According to official data of Italdesign, the original M12 is actually using the 5.0-liter V12 engine which picked from the 850i andcapable of generate power 300 hp ,while C2 Coupe version of the V12 engine with 350 hp Alpina arable ,while C2 pinch Spider 5.7 liter V12 engine with a power of 850CSi 380 hp.

One of the most interesting is the way into the cabin Nazca. The vehicle is equipped with a window gullwing model combined with a conventional style door. To have this special vehicle, must spend at least 725 thousand euros (about 9 billion more) than your savings account.