Rabu, 12 Agustus 2009

Super Cars



Top Marques Monaco is the second of three large events happening this weekend and probably the most suited for Supercars.net. This show brings together almost every supercar in the market and encourages manufacturers to only bring their flagship models. Thus, almost every car is unique, exclusive and expensive which easily makes up for the small size of the hall floor.For the 2007 edition, two world debuts piqued our interest, the first of which is the Castagna Aznom which is a stunning interpretation of the Corvette. With it's all carbon fibre body and 750 BHP Z06 chassis, the Aznom easily outclasses any 'Blue Devil' we hear so much about recently.The other debut is a new manufacturer, Weber, who have decided that top speed is the selling point for their new sportscar. While 249 mph seems unrealistic the Sportscar mock-up at the show looks promising, but a bit odd.Today we can bring all that is Top Marques to you, including two Gemalla Mirages Evos, thanks to ace photographer Loic Kernen. He spent a good deal of time capturing the cars coming into the the show to very good effect. His gallery is one of the most exciting on Supercars.net.

HONDA CIVIC

2009 Nissan Maxima


The 2009 Nissan Maxima, which makes its world debut at the 2008 New York International Auto Show, marks a return to the longtime Nissan flagship sedan’s roots as a commanding 4-door sports car – a vehicle that is unique in both appearance and driving feel, with renewed relevance for today’s active and ambitious sedan buyers. [...]

2009 Kia Soul


Kia Motors unveiled the all-new Kia Soul – its most significant-ever model – at the 2008 Paris Mondial de l’Automobile pointing clearly at a design-led future for the brand.
The segment-busting Kia Soul defies classification and traditional appeal providing a stylish yet flexible alternative for urban motorists who want the opportunity to go against traditional trends [...]

2009 Toyota Matrix


Toyota Matrix, the sporty five-door vehicle that helped redefine the concept of a crossover utility vehicle, has been redesigned for the 2009 model year to offer performance that matters for driver enjoyment.
“The Matrix concept was based on blending the functionality of an SUV, the style, image and performance of a sports car with the affordability [...]

2009 Rinspeed iChange Concept


World debut at the Geneva Motor Show 2009 (March 5th-15th): The Swiss auto powerhouse Rinspeed presents the ‘iChange,’ the world’s first car whose body adapts to the number of passengers on board. For Rinspeed boss Rinderknecht the vehicle is more than just a clever concept car. “The „iChange“ is a symbol for the fundamental changes [...]

2009 Volvo S80



The refreshed Volvo S80 is the result of an intensive dialogue between Volvo Cars’ project group and the discerning customers in the premium sedan segment. “We are ready to give the competition a tough match.

Sabtu, 08 Agustus 2009

2010 Hyundai Genesis







The 2010 Hyundai Genesis sedan should see no major changes following its introduction for the 2009 model year. Hyundai's largest car offers two engines: a 290-hp 3.8-liter V6 for the 3.8; and a 375-hp 4.6-liter V8 for the 4.6. A new base model with a 3.3-liter V6 may join the sedan lineup sometime in the model year. Due in model-year 2010 is the Genesis coupe (see separate report), which is based on a shortened sedan platform. All sedan engines team with a 6-speed automatic transmission that has a manual shift gate. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, front side airbags, and rear side airbags. Among the available sedan features are heated and cooled driver seat, wireless cell phone link, a navigation system with hard drive for storing digital music files, rearview camera, and front- and rear-obstacle detection. The Genesis sedan has a knob in the center console that governs audio, navigation, and other functions. Adaptive cruise control is available. This report is based on evaluations of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan.

2009 VOLVO C 30







The C30 is Volvo's first hatchback vehicle since the 480 of the 1980s, which followed the P1800 ES of the 1970s. The C30 was first introduced for the 2007 model year, following the successful unveiling of a concept by the same name in early 2006.

(Click here to use Leftlane's Price Quote Form to get Volvo C30 pricing information from a trusted local dealer. Zero obligation)

The hatchback is the latest Volvo to be built on the company's P1 platform, which also underpins the S40, V50, and C70. It competes against the BMW 1-Series, Volkswagen Golf, Audi A3, and Mini Cooper.

The C30 shares many interior elements with the S40 and V50. However, its rear passenger area is distinctly different -- offering two foldable bucket seats rather than a three-seat bench in the back.

The C30 is offered with only one engine in the U.S. market -- Volvo's popular T5 inline-five turbocharged motor deliver 227 horsepower at 5000 rpm and 236 pound-feet of torque, available from 1500 rpm to 5000 rpm. Buyers can chose between a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission.

The Volvo C is equipped with basically the same safety systems and chassis characteristics as the Volvo S40 and V50. Examples include the crash safety structure and suspension system. The C30 also comes with familiar Volvo safety features, such as side-impact protection (SIPS) and WHIPS (which helps to reduce the risk of whiplash injury in a rear-end collision). The car can also be equipped with Bi-Xenon headlamps.

The Volvo C30 also offers a number of systems for greater personal security, such as Keyless Drive (which enables the car to be started without a key).

Available for the 2008 model year is a newly developed R-design kit. This package features a number of options and design details giving the car a sportier look. These items include: satin matt-finish grille, color-coordinated bumpers, lower side mouldings, rear spoiler, five-spoke aluminum wheels, R-design badging, contrasting stitching, a leather-trim steering wheel with R-design logo, unique instrument cluster, aluminum pedals, gear selector with aluminium inlay, tufted dark sport floor mats, and embossed R-design logo on backrests.

2009 Nissan Maxima S







Nissan redesigned its popular Maxima sedan for 2009. The automaker hopes this vehicle will return to its glory days as the "Four-door Sports Car."

The 2009 Maxima features a low, squared-off grill, swept-back, split headlamps and an aggressively curvy rear end. Its interior clearly draws inspiration from the Infiniti M35 and M45 sedans, including a round control knob mounted high on the dash. Subtle chrome touches inside and out also follow current Nissan and Infiniti design trends. The innovative dual sunroof from the outgoing model is carried over to the new model.

'Maxima has always enjoyed a certain 'duality' - a unique fusion of sedan practicality with the soul of a sports car,' said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc.

'In recent years, however, competitive vehicles have caught up with Maxima in 'sporty' looks and performance. For 2009, Nissan is reclaiming its rich 4-Door Sports Car heritage with an infusion of emotional design, driving excitement and advanced technology - creating a silky, stimulating sports sedan like no other on the road today.'

Like the 2009 Skyline parked next to it during the press conference, the new Maxima's suspension was tuned on Germany's vaunted Nurburgring race track. It features a 290-horsepower V6 engine and, despite a 35 horsepower increase, Nissan says that fuel consumption will remain close to the outgoing 2008 model.

The Maxima features a three-mode Xtronic CVT with available paddle shifters and optional 19 inch wheels. Two models will be on offer - the entry-level 3.5S and the feature-laded 3.5SV.

2009 Audi A4






With its all-new A4, Audi has pulled off a rare hat trick -- producing a car that's bigger, faster, and more fuel efficient.

Powering the Brilliant Red 2009 Audi A4 2.0 T quattro Tiptronic through our battery of instrumented flogging was a heavily massaged version of Audi's 2.0L mill that's become a staple of the Volkswagen Group parts bin. The engine has undergone numerous incremental improvements, the biggest of which being the addition of Audi's valvelift system.

Audi's powertrain brains developed the valvelift system in order to allow for variable control of the exhaust valves, improving the engine's charge cycle, according to the automaker.

Amping-up the charge cycle helped the engineers to increase torque and bring it on earlier, lifting the engine's lb-ft of torque to 258 @ 1500 rpm (vs. 207 @ 1800 rpm for the outgoing engine). Horsepower is also up (now 211 vs. 200). Interestingly, the 2.0L's torque figure is slightly greater than the 2009 A4's optional 3.2L V-6 engine (listed at 243 lb-ft and 265 hp). So why would we want the six again?

The updated four-banger's added power, in conjunction with the effective six-speed automatic, helps moves the 2009 A4 up the time sheets. Our A4 tester boogied from 0-to-60 in 6.5 sec, more than a sec faster than a 2008 A4 2.0L, on to a quarter-mile sprint in 15 sec flat at 98 mph.

Thanks in large part to its lightweight steel construction, the new A4 in 2.0 quattro trim is only 55 lb or so heavier (3715 lb vs. 3660 lb) than the outgoing car. On our scales, the car weighed in at 3778 lb with a full tank of gas on board. By holding the line on weight, as well as improving aerodynamics and updating the engine, Audi was able to score the A4 an EPA rating of 21 city/27 highway in 2.0L quattro trim, slightly better than a similarly equipped 2008 model.

The new A4's minimal weight gain is even more impressive when you get out the tape measure. It's roughly 2.3 in. wider and 4.6 in. longer than the car it replaces, and at 110.6 in., its wheelbase is more than 6 in. longer, helping to improve the car's weight distribution to 55/45% front to rear. Audi claims the increased wheelbase, along with a quattro system that's biased 40% front, 60% rear, aids the new car's overall handling prowess.


During our test runs, which consisted of high-speed passes near the car's 130-mph speed limiter and multiple spins around a handling loop, our testers tended to agree with Audi's assessment -- with a few caveats.

Up in triple-digit speeds, testers found the new A4 composed, never nervous -- about what you'd expect from a sedan that grew up on the autobahn. Opinions differed on the handling loop. Most felt some degree of understeer and an unwelcome lightness in the car's steering feel during extreme twisty situations. Overall impressions, though -- especially out on the open road -- proved positive. The A4 was widely regarded as a more than capable vehicle for everyday driving, with ample stopping power on tap (60-to-0 in 123 ft) when necessary.

Testers also played with the optional Audi Drive Select system, designed to allow the driver to adjust suspension, steering, transmission, and throttle in an effort to bias the car toward either a comfort or sport-themed character. Some thought the system gimmicky; others reported noticeable changes in feedback. Speaking of selecting, our testers lamented the lack of a paddle-shift option on the A4 test car (it did have a gearshift Tiptronic feature). Not to worry, Audi says, they're coming.

There was plenty of applause for the A4's bigger cabin, which proved to be nicely isolated at freeway speeds, is well-trimmed and loaded with the latest in entertainment and navigation options channeled through the nicely executed MMI interface. The cheering stopped, though, when word spread of the tester's price, which came in at an eye-watering $46,675. Yes, the base car is $33,525, but the option list is full of stuff most luxury car buyers now take for granted.

So while our test crew hesitated to dub it a true sport sedan (sporty sedan is more like it), and carped some about the price, the consensus is the latest and greatest A4 further solidifies its position a worthy player in the midsize luxury segment.