Automotive Reviews Archives - Page 105 of 120

New Ferrari sports car ready for debut in Frankfurt Motor Show

In its promotional material, Ferrari touts the new car’s mission: “The 458 Italia is designed for owners for whom the priority is uncompromising on-road performance with occasional track day capability, but who still demand a car that is usable in day-to-day driving like all Ferrari’s recent models.” In his description, Yost writes in part: “That mission will be accomplished with a new, direct-injection V-8 engine that produces 570 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque, an increase of 87 horsepower and 55 pound-feet over the Ferrari F430, which it will replace. “That translates to a 0-60 mph time of less than 3.4 seconds and a top speed of 202 miles per hour. All of that power will be delivered though a

Sport Utility Vehicles

Suzuki Grand Vitara, 2009: Belew's Car Buzz

The V6 builds speed gradual, has decent reserve power for passing and offers a firm ride. Gauges are large and clear. Audio and climate controls are mounted high and were within easy reach with large knobs and clearly marked buttons. The car was equipped with keyless access and starting, but can also be started with a key, which I preferred. The cabin is sharp with a blend of hard plastic surfaces and padded panels. The car felt and looked classy for a compact SUV. The leather upholstery gave it a particularly rich-feeling. Headroom was sufficient, even for a more than six-foot tall test driver. Leg room is adequate, too. My petite wife had no trouble stepping in. The seats were

Economy cars, Sedans

Nissan Versa, 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

It ain’t true. With a base price of $10,000 and change, the Versa base model has a lot to offer — whether it’s in the U.S. and Canada, or in Mexico, Japan, China and several other countries where it’s called the Tiida. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (5) It’s easy to forget the car has only 107 horsepower. Because it’s lightweight and nimble, it gives the impression it’s quicker than it really is. That’s not a bad thing. Rather the “illusion” makes the Versa all the more fun to drive. Braking/Steering/Handling (5) A few experiences when the brakes seemed “soft.” Steering and handling, though, are a strong point. It’s fun to shift through the five-speed manual transmission, particularly since the

Electric and Hybrid

Hybrids Rule: 2008 's Top Five (Part 2)

Honda Civic — Base Price, 24,350; Safety Features, Dual front, front side and side curtain airbags; Fuel Mileage estimates, 49-51 mpg; Warranty, Bumper to bumper, 3 years/36,000 miles; Powertrain, 10 years/100,000 miles, Corrosion, 5 years/unlimited miles. Economy to design, functionality to comfort, the country’s second most popular hybrid has as much to offer as any car on the road and at any price. The 2008 edition (the Civic’s 36th year) is the third year of the second generation of the hybrid and is part of the ever-expanding array of one the most enduring enduring vehicles on the road today. Long gone is the Civic’s former staid appearance. It’s now a sporty, full-sized sedan that comfortably seats five. And it has

Automotive News, Electric and Hybrid

Mitsubishi debuts expensive electric vehicle, i-MiEV

Still, Mitsubishi, Japan’s fourth-largest auto manufacturer, believe the i-MiEV will increasingly intensify global competition in the electric vehicle market. The i-MiEV is powered solely by electricity, and can be recharged from a regular home socket. The four-seater vehicle can run up to 100 miles after charging seven hours at 200 volts. Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV costs $47,560, which the manufacturer said “is a major hurdle to encouraging people to buy the car.” Its names stands Mitsubishi innovative electric vehicle. In Japan, where the vehicle will debut to consumer in April, 2010, i-MiEV buyers can receive hefty subsidies and pay no tax under a government program promoting the use of ecological vehicles. The vehicle is also tax-free for three years. James RaiaA sports,

Electric and Hybrid, Luxury cars, Sport Utility Vehicles

Cadillac Escalade Hybrid, 2009: Roman Mica's Rambling Review

Thirty some years later and somethings are still the same. Just like that Eldorado that my dad bought in 1978, the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid has that almost magic American quality of being bigger on the outside than on the inside. After driving the Escalade for a week, I finally get why my dad bought that Eldorado. Just like the Eldorado, the Escalade is big shouldered, brash and very American (or is it Texan) in-your-face-sort of a ride. For instance, I could drive a Prius from Denver to Nebraska tailgating “that” car doing 55 mph in the fast lane and it would never budge an inch. On short trip down the local highway, the Escalade parted the slow-moving traffic in

Luxury cars

BMW, X5, 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The Weekly Driver Ratings Acceleration (6) Steady as it goes. It’s not the fastest SUV, but the 3.0-liter, 24-valve, 260-horsepower doesn’t waste any time, either. There’s also a 4.8-liter, 350-horsepower, V8. It wasn’t test, but it likely gets the job done with a quicker acceleration and obviously heavier duty power. Braking/Steering/Handling (6) Three of BMW‘s finer traits. The X5 exudes confidence on the open road. But it’s a good thing a friend’s wife drives an X5. When I mentioned the stiffness of the car’s steering, he mentioned the dealership where his wife’s car was purchased offered steering adjustments at the time of purchase. That’s good to know. Cargo Room (6) Lots of small side storage compartments and a cavernous area

Luxury cars

Ferrari prepares for two new car debuts, automaker's new London retail location opens

Which is particularly good for Ferrari lovers right now. The luxury Italian automobile and its Prancing Horse logo are represented in three new ways — two new cars and a new upscale retail store selling Ferrari paraphernalia. The new Ferrari offerings include the Scuderia Spider 16M and the Ferrari California. The Scuderia Spider 16M will be elusive and the fastest convertible Ferrari has ever offered. Only 499 will be built and its price has not been announced. But it will cost more the Scuderia Spider coupe priced at $277,000. The Ferrari California will debut as the automaker’s attempt to make the brand more accessible to the “general public.” The Scuderia Spider 16M is available two new color schemes: the standard

Sports Cars, Vans/Mini-Vans

Chrysler Town & Country, 2009: Roman Mica’s Rambling Review

“How the heck do I turn on the heater on this bloody car?” I almost screamed at my 11-year-old son while seriously editing my language and shivering while driving him to school in a 2009 Chrysler Town & Country. 49 — That’s how many buttons, knobs and dual-function controls the Chrysler’s center stack has, and that’s not counting the dozen or more touch screen functions associated with the multimedia entertainment screen. 7 — That’s how many functions you’ll find on the key for the minivan, including a remote start button. 3 — That’s how many video screens, kids television stations, and electric doors the minivan comes with from the factory. 2 — That’s how many wireless headsets, DVD players and

Luxury cars, News Service, Specialty cars, Sports Cars

Ferrari expands brand popularity with new retail store in London, more Prancing Horse outlets planned

Set in two stories of a columned, stone building in the heart of London, the 5,705-square-foot store will have all the usual Ferrari goods, including spaces devoted to car and F1 products, such as clothing and model cars. Räikkönen, the team’s most recent world champion in 2007, also signed the counter, the now-traditional way Ferrari breaks in its new outlets. The store will be managed by the Percassi Group, an Italian retailer which also owns the Ferrari store in Milan. There are other Ferrari stores in Rome, Venice, Barcelona, San Francisco, Miami, Abu Dhabi and Macao (China). Ferrari plans to open more than 40 stores around the world in the next three years, as it seeks to capitalize on the

Sport Utility Vehicles

Subaru Forester, 2009: Roman Mica's Rambling Review

When the elements cooled and the steam drifted away, the Forester stood tallish and proud in the vanguard of the new crossover craze. Others would follow in its tracks, but it was the Forester that showed them the way. It will come as no surprise that for 2009 the Forester has gotten bigger, taller, and even fatter than the very first model that rolled out of the Subaru‘s primordial soup. Is it a giant station wagon, or a small SUV, and does it really matter to most new car buyers? I suspect what matters to Subaru is that the Forester is now in the same price range and size category as to compete with such heavy weight crossover sellers as

Sports Cars

The Weekly Driver On The Road: (Tour de) Georgia On My Mind

And since 1986, five years after I started reporting on the sport, I’ve covered at least one stage race every year — the Coors Classic, the Ore-Ida Women’s Challenge, the Tour DuPont, the Tour de Trump, Tour of California, Tour of Missouri and the Tour de France. Many of the races are now a blur. But as I’ve said for the past several years, the travel component of cycling is still appealing. It’s driving through small towns, meeting people and seeing familiar faces in pressrooms that make the races worth it. In the past several years, I’ve also had the opportunity to test drive cars during events like the Tour de California, Tour of Missouri and for the second year,

Specialty cars, Sports Cars

General Motors set to end Pontiac, famous muscle car GTO

Pontiac, introduced in 1926, wasn’t listed as a core brand with the automaker’s leading brands, Chevrolet, Buick, GMC and Cadillac. Saturn, Saab and Hummer are expected to be sold or “killed off.” But Pontiac was expected to remain as a “niche brand” with a focus on selected models. Pontiac was the third-best selling GM brand in 2008 behind Chevrolet and GMC. In 2005, vice-chairman Bob Lutz referred to Buick and Pontiac as “damaged brands” during a conference at the New York Auto Show. Speculation soon began than Buick or Pontiac would eventually be dumped. With a focus on affordable luxury, Buick’s hopes have been revived by models like the Enclave crossover SUV. Improvements in Buick quality, which earned a top

Sport Utility Vehicles

Toyota Venza, 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The Japanese manufacturer introduced the vehicle with hopes of attracting customers who want the comforts of a passenger car (camry) with the versatility of a sport utility vehicle (highlander). The combination defines crossover. In other words, the Venza is a modern-day station wagon. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (6) It’s standard for its vehicle segment, but doesn’t have the same peppiness as its primary competitors, the Mazda CX-7 or Nissan Murano. I drive often to the Monterey Peninsula and the stretch over the Pacheco Pass has a winding, hill section ideal for braking, acceleration and handling. The Venza fared well, with some moments of hesitation when accelerating on short, steep hills — even with the optional Braking/Steering/Handling (6) The AWD

Sports Cars

Mini (John Cooper Works), 2009: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Available in hardtop, convertible and Clubman models, the 2009 John Cooper Works further advances the Mini, now owned and marketed by BMW. It’s a compact driving machine featuring a 208-horsepower, turbocharged engine and six-speed manual transmission with larger, now standard 17-inch wheels. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (8) How’s 0-60 mph in 6.2 seconds and a top speed of 148 mph sound to you? Thought so. Enough said. The JWC Mini is driving nirvana. Braking/Steering/Handling (8) It’s among the smallest cars in the United States, but the Mini holds the road, steers with precision and stops with confidence, particularly the 17-inch standard wheels for 2009. It all adds up to a lot of fun on the road — in tight

Automotive News, News Service, Sports Cars

Pontiac Aztek's Dubious Honor: Ugliest Among Top-100 Ugly Cars

But it also had some unique choices, Karmann Ghia to Citroen. And the top car was a beauty — the E-type Jaguar XKE. A month ago, results of the readers’ top 100 ugliest cars were released Scrolling through the list was as much fun and salivating over the most handsome cars. Telegraph readers cast votes for 309 cars for selection to the dubious 100 list, and here’s the final 20 on the all-ugly list. 20. Range Rover; 19. AMC Gremlin; 18. Nissan Micra; 17. Ford Edsel; 16. Trabant; 15. Audi Q7; 14. Triumph TR7; 13. Morris Ital; 12. Ford KA; 11. BMW 1-Series; 10. Chrysler PT-Cruiser; 9. Austin Princess/Ambassador; 8. Hummer; 7. Ford Scorpio; 6. AMC Pacer; 5. Porsche Cayenne;

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