2011

Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback, 2011 car review

Approaching its 40th birthday, the Mitsubishi Lancer has been sold around the world with about a dozen different names, Lancer Fiore to Mirage Saloon to Dodge Colt. Now in its ninth generation since its 1973 debut, the Lancer under its various badges has sold more than six million units. For 2011, a more entry level ES trim joined its sedan and hatchback siblings at a base price of about $2,000 less than last year’s model. The reduced price was prompted by the influx of top-notch small cars available from almost every manufacturer. The Weekly Driver Test Drive The Lancer Sportback ES has a 2.0-liter, 4-cylinder engine, but its exterior appearance makes it look like a more powerful and appreciably sportier

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Women of the 2011 Geneva Motor Show

The idea of models representing manufacturers at car show dates more than 80 years. Eight women wearing what were then considered skimpy bathing advertised the 1927 Packard 343 Series. They were called the Damsels of the Dance. Forty years later, the once provocative idea had become commonplace in the auto industry. And in the book Chrome Sirens – The Enduring Allure of Auto Show Models, published in 2008, details the history of car show models is documented. Fast-forward to 2011 and the idea of car models is going strong at the Geneva Motor Show. A photo gallery of some of the models follows. For more information, visit: Geneva Motor Show James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than

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Geneva Motor Show, 2011: History, hot women, new cars

The International Geneva Motor Show (French: Salon International de l’Auto) was first held in 1905. During its tenure, it has showcased most of the major auto manufacturers’ vehicles — combustion engines to benzene-and-steam powered cars to the current influx of hybrid and electric machines. Held in this year March 3-13, the Geneva Motor Show is hosted at the Geneva Palexpo, the convention center next to the Geneva Cointrin International Airport, and is presented by Organisation Internationale des Constructeurs d’Automobiles. AC Cars MkVI, Aston Martin Virage, Aston Martin V8 Vantage S, Audi RS3 Sportback, Bentley Continental Supersports Ice Speed Edition, Bentley Flying Spur Series 51, BMW 1 Series ActiveE, BMW 320d EfficientDynamics Touring Edition, BMW X1 xDrive28i (turbo I4), Chevrolet Camaro

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Chrysler 200, 2011 car review

Chrysler performed a major miracle in transforming its so-so Sebring mid-size front-drive sedan into the far superior Chrysler 200 model in only about a year. Such a project usually takes much longer, but faltering Chrysler had to rush things. Many critics are surprised, and some feel it shows that Chrysler promises to be far more competitive under its new Fiat control. The Sebring name is gone, replaced by the “200” name. The 2011 200 logically fits beneath the name given the improved top-line 2011 Chrysler 300. There are three 200 trim levels: the base $19,245 LX, mid-range $21,245 Touring and top-line $23,745 Limited, which I tested. The LX has air conditioning, four-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 sound system, cruise control, 17-inch wheels, keyless

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Hyundai Genesis, 2011 car review

The Hyundai Genesis coupe debuted two years ago as a 2009 model, and its styling, acceleration and fair price gave the Korean manufacturer a good, positive jolt in the auto industry. But Hyundai has extended itself with the 2011 edition options, including the 3.8 liter, V6-powered R-Spec. Previously only available on the smaller-engined 2.0T, the R-Spec model combines 306 horsepower with a six-speed manual transmission. The R-Spec also showcases 19-inch wheels with a gunmetal finish, Brembo brake package with ventilated front rotors, stiffer suspension and sportier trim. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Normal, around-town driving and a few local freeway treks during a week’s test drive are sufficient. But on more than two dozen occasions since 2003, I’ve taken test

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2011 Subaru Impreza WRX Car Review

Fast, rugged rally race cars are designed to go flat out on almost impossibly demanding back roads. While popular in Europe, few Americans know professional rally competition exists, although foreign automakers long have built cars to compete in that sport. In America — mostly a stick-and-ball sport country — the Indianapolis 500 and maybe the Daytona 500, particularly in the South, are the only mass-attraction auto races. Subaru’s street version of a rally car, the Impreza WRX, arrived for 2002. The first versions were bare-bones and marginally comfortable, but a kick to drive. They became more comfortable for American driving as the years passed. That doesn’t mean the WRX has become soft. For 2009, horsepower was boosted by 41 to

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Chicago Auto Show, 2011: Volkswagen debuts 2012 Jetta

Volkswagen is debuting the 2012 Jetta GLI this week at the Chicago Auto Show, and the big news is the 2.0-liter turbo that pumps out 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque, is available with a six-speed manual transmission or VW’s DSG automatic. Roman Mica, contributing editor of www.theweekly and publisher of www.tflcar.com, reports VW states the VW GLI will be available in three trim levels and that Jetta GLI has a starting MSRP of $23,495. The GLI Autobahn, with an MSRP of $25,545, adds 18″ alloy wheels, sunroof, dual zone climate control, heated V-Tex Leatherette seats and the Fender Premium Audio System. The top of the line Jetta GLI Autobahn with Navigation adds the RNS-315 navigation system and keyless

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Chicago Auto Show, 2011: Hot cars, sexy girls for photo ops

Roman Mica, owner of tflcar.com and contributing editor to theweeklydriver.com, is reporting from the 2011 Chicago Auto Show. Like any good auto show, the Chicago gathering features new car models, concepts cars and pretty women as car models of a different kind. We’ll feature Mica’s reviews, too,  but we’ll get to the important stuff, first. Here’s a sampling of the pretty women, hired to help showcase manufacturers’ new offerings. To read more from Roman Mica and his staff reporting from the Chicago Auto Show, visit: www.tflcar.com. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James

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Chevy Volt 2011 car review

The new compact Chevrolet Volt hatchback sedan is the world’s first mass-produced electric vehicle with extended range. It’s the most radical  General Motors high-volume car since the 1960s Chevy rear-engine Corvair, which was virtually buried  by the then-new conventional Ford Mustang. The front-wheel-drive Volt is the most mass-produced aerodynamic car Chevrolet has made to get maximum fuel efficiency. One aerodynamic trick is giving the car a phony grille. Air is fed to the engine compartment via an “under-grille” scoop below the bumper. The futuristic aerodynamic 1960s Studebaker Avanti used the same type of air induction. Still, the Volt drew few extra glances despite clever design features, such as unusually aerodynamic rear styling. That’s the way Chevy wants it. “It’s more

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Hyundai touts 2011 Elantra with 'hypnosis' in Super Bowl

Hyundai took some risk with its Super Bowl XLV commercials, and the Korean automaker fared well with its spots promoting the 2011 Hyundai Elantra. In the 30-second "hypnotized" commercial, and as Time.com describes it: "The windshield wipers churn and the thwack, thwack, thwack becomes the ad's soundtrack. The pavement churns, the bridge towers, the streetlights blink by overhead, the bobblehead rabbit nods along." The voice over then begins: "Have we been hypnotized to believe compact cars are good enough?" Like its other Super Bowl commercials, the "hynotized" spot works on several levels: It's visually appealing, has a message, isn't pretentious or patronizing and promotes Hyundai's 40-mpg compact car. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years,

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Hyundai touts 2011 Elantra in 'kaleidoscope' Super Bowl ad

The 2011 Hyundai Elantra is getting its share of praise and the Korean manufacturer has been promoting it in the same vein as other Hyundai products — that cars don’t have to be boring. In one of its Super Bowl XLV commercials, Hyundai revisits the same theme in a 30-second spot reminiscent of looking through a kaleidoscope. The commercial eventually promotes the Elantra and its 40 mpg EPA estimates. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5KrwladH2c James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut

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Toyota Avalon 2011 car review

As the flagship sedan, the 2011 Toyota Avalon is the automaker’s largest car and shares many components with its upscale kin at Lexus, including a 268 horsepower 3.5-liter V6 engine. Introduced in 1994 as a 1995 model, the Avalon has undergone several redesigns and styling updates including for the 2011 edition that debuted in April 2010. The 2011 Avalon has two trim lines — the base model and upscale Limited. Although considered a styling upgrade from 2010, the new model has vast changes — a redesigned instrument cluster and center console to new wood trim and a more refined rear and front fascia. Now standard is a back-up camera with navigation screen or rear view mirror display, new tail lights,

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Ferrari reveals new FF photos, video before Geneva debut

Arguably the most unique model Ferrari has ever made, the 2011 Ferrari FF, a hatchback four-wheel drive replacement for the 612 Scaglietti, is scheduled to debut at the Geneva Auto Show (March 3-13). The new Ferrari FF (Four seats and four-wheel driver) possesses a 6.2-leter V12 that makes 660 horsepower at 8,000 rpm and has 504 lb-ft of torque at 6,000 rpm. Slighter longer and lighter than the 612 Scaglietti, Ferrari says the FF will accelerate from 0-62 mph in 3.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 208 mph. The four-wheel-drive system is called 4RM. Ferrari has released few details on the patented system, but the four-wheel drive hardware weighs 50 percent less than a conventional set‑up. According to

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Aston Martin Vantage S 2011 debuts

Bridging the gap between road car and race car, the 2011 Aston Martin Vantage S is influenced by the 2011 Vantage GT4 race car. The GT4 takes advantage of the Vantage’s immensely rigid bonded aluminium chassis, providing the ideal platform for a race car. Minor racing safety modifications including an FIA approved roll cage and racing ‘bag’ petrol tank along with weight saving measures are made to the standard road car to convert it into a class winning race car. In 2010, it won its class at the Dubai 24 Hours following this up with further endurance race wins at the Nürburgring 24 Hours, Silverstone 24 Hours and Spa 24 Hours. It also won its first major international championship victory

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Chevrolet accelerates, Volt available nationally by fall 2011

The race for market shares of new buyers for hybrid and electric vehicles has intensified with the announcement Chevrolet has advanced its national rollout of the Volt. Chevrolet has been delivered Volts to customers in the Washington D.C. area, as well as California, New York, Connecticut, New Jersey and Texas. Customer deliveries in Michigan begin this spring. Customers nationwide will be able to order Volts with participating dealers beginning in the second quarter.  Deliveries will begin in Virginia, Maryland, Delaware, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Oregon, Washington and Hawaii in the third quarter. During the fourth quarter, Chevrolet expects to deliver Volts in all 50 states. “We’re accelerating our launch plan to have Volts in all participating Chevrolet

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Lexus IS350, 2011 car review

The Lexus IS series was introduced in 1998 under the Toyota Altezza nameplate in Japan and in North America as the IS300 in 2000. Altezza mean “highness” in Japanese and the IS initials translate to Intelligent Sport. The IS models are designated as entry level luxury cars below the ES in the Lexus lineup. Since its debut, now 11 years ago, many varieties have joined the IS offerings The IS350 receives exterior and interior restyling for 2011 and offers several new options, including all-wheel drive and the “F Sport” package. The Weekly Driver Test Drive Beyond its bright blue (Ultrasonic Blue Mica) exterior, which attracted a lot of attention, the Lexus IS350 gained quick admiration from everyone who rode in

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