2008 Land Rover LR2

You could technically call the 2008 Land Rover LR2 a crossover, as it carries its SUV-like body on a smooth-riding independent suspension. But the LR2 comes with Land Rover's Terrain Response System and some pretty good off-road stats, such as 8.3 inches of ground clearance and the ability to wade through 19.7 inches of water. We were also pleased to see that Land Rover seriously upgraded its cabin electronics for the LR2 over what we've seen in other Land Rover models.

The LR2 shows many of the design cues of its bigger brothers. The roof of the cargo area lifts a little, similar to the LR3. Engine vents in the front fenders mimic that of the Range Rover. And the grille has a similar crosshatched metal look as the Range Rover's. The LR2 shows off its Land Rover make well, even if you can see the top of the car while standing next to it.

With the LR2, Land Rover brought its electronics into the 21st century. The exquisite Alpine stereo plays MP3 and WMA CDs, and includes an auxiliary input. Past Land Rovers showed no compatibility with digital music. Although the navigation system still isn't integrated with other car systems, it presents a very nice interface similar to what we saw on the Jaguar XK Coupe. The Bluetooth cell phone integration works almost as well as what we saw in the BMW 328xi. Best of all, our fully loaded review car came in under $40,000.

Test the tech: Supreme Court of Sound
We noticed prominent speakers mounted to the D pillars in the cabin of the 2008 Land Rover LR2 and figured this car must have an impressive stereo. A look at our spec sheet showed that the stereo is an Alpine 12 channel 440-watt Dolby ProLogic II 7.1 surround sound system with 12 speakers. A turn of the volume knob verified that this stereo would require some expert judgment. So we called in our Supreme Court of Sound, our golden ears, CNET MP3 player editors Donald Bell and Jasmine France, and Download.com Music editor Kurt Wolff.

We loaded our Court into the car and proceeded to drive around the streets of San Francisco. We subjected them to three songs: "Get Back," from The Beatles' Love CD; "Suite Guaracho Pt. 2," from Ursula 1000's Ursadelica, and "El Cuarto De Tula," from the Buena Vista Social Club CD. During our drive, members of the Court commented on the quality of the separation, how each instrument could be heard clearly. They also noted that the sound varied considerably from the back seat to the front, with the bass being stronger in the back.

Jasmine and Donald judged the backseat sound. Jasmine said, "the music was bright and bassy overall, but I got a lot of high-end detail and clarity." Donald commented on how he could feel the bass from the subwoofer through the back of the seat, yet it still felt restrained. Donald pointed out that "the sound was rich and balanced and I was surprised at how much detail I could pick out in the music." Kurt noted, "In the front seat, the separation was pretty intense, more so than I ever get on my home stereo; the bass seemed a bit weak up front and far stronger, bigger, and roomier in the back."

The Court was generally impressed with the audio quality, although at high volume they pointed out that it was potentially too bright. The Court's critical ears gave the audio quality an overall rating of 7.5, a respectable rating.

In the cabin
As we would expect for a Land Rover, the cabin of the LR2 is luxurious, with quality materials and good fit and finish throughout. But we wouldn't necessarily expect this comfortable of an interior from a car with a base price of $34,700--from that perspective the LR2 was off to a good start

The LR2 includes a nice list of standard cabin features, such as leather seats, a front power sunroof, a fixed sunroof over the rear seat, and dual zone climate control. To start the car, the key fob must be inserted into a slot in the dashboard, at which point you can push the engine start button.

Our LR2 came with the $3,500 Technology Package, which adds navigation, the premium stereo mentioned above, and Bluetooth cell phone integration. Besides a few minor issues, we like this set of electronics. We would prefer if there were better integration between these systems--as it is, the LCD at the top of the stack only shows navigation, while a radio display set lower is used to show audio and phone information. It would be nice to see audio tracks and phonebook entries on that nice, roomy LCD.

Reviewed by: Wayne Cunningham
source : reviews.cnet.com

Hoda Fit

The Fit's configurable cabin, numerous standard amenities and peppy performance secure its place as one of the top affordable small cars and hatchbacks. With the escalating gas prices, it's also an economical purchase for its good fuel mileage.

Reviewers commend the 2008 Honda Fit's all-around appeal compared to similarly styled and powered subcompacts. Back in 2007, both Motor Trend and Road and Track conducted comparison tests featuring the Fit, Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa. Both tests concluded the Fit is the standout of those three for its fun-to-drive demeanor on city streets, as well as its utility. Motor Trend calls the Fit "the right choice for the enthusiast who wants a car that handles twisties as well as it does chores, saves gas, and eases your budget." To Road and Track, the Fit is "the most fun to drive" of the three. A four-door hatchback, the 2008 Fit was introduced in the United States just last year in two trims, the base model or Fit Sport.

The 2008 Honda Fit has won more than comparison tests. It was selected as one of Car and Driver's 10Best for 2008, as well as one of Car and Driver's Top 10 Urban Vehicles. In 2007, the Fit received Popular Mechanics' Automotive Excellence Award. "For a small, so-called B-Car, the Fit has what may be class-leading handling, ride, steering feel and brakes," Popular Mechanics writes, adding, "Then, toss in the Fit's surprising interior adaptability with seats that flip, fold and offer more passenger and cargo carrying combinations than many minivans. Finally, Honda's hallmark quality and attention to detail…mean the sum of the parts makes the Fit seem much more than just another B-Car."

source : usnews.rankingsandreviews.com

2008 Toyota Camry

The 2008 Toyota Camry is largely unchanged. The lineup includes CE, LE, SE, and top-line XLE models. Also available is a Hybrid model that offers a standard equipment level similar to the XLE. All but the Hybrid come standard with a 158-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine. A 5-speed manual transmission is standard on CE, LE and SE models. A 5-speed automatic is standard on XLE and optional on the others. LE, SE, and XLE also offer 268-hp 3.5-liter V6 versions, which use a 6-speed automatic. The Hybrid teams a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder gas engine with a battery-powered electric motor for 187 hp. Like Toyota's other hybrids, it runs on one or both of its power sources depending on driving conditions and requires no plug-in charging. It uses a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Available safety features include ABS, traction control, an antiskid system, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, and a driver knee airbag. SEs have a firmer suspension and, like the Hybrid, specific interior and exterior trim. A split folding rear seat is standard except on SE, which has a center pass-through. Leather upholstery is standard on the XLE V6 and optional for automatic transmission equipped SE and 4-cylinder XLE models. A navigation system with wireless cell phone link is optional for SE, XLE, and Hybrid models, as are heated seats. A newly available keyless-entry/starting system is included on the Hybrid, available for V6 XLE.

Competition

Consumer Guide Automotive places each vehicle into one of 18 classes based on size, price, and market position. Midsize Cars represent the heart of the U.S. car market. Most are price-sensitive, conservatively designed, family oriented sedans and wagons.

Our Best Buys include Honda Accord and Kia Rondo. Our Recommended picks are the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Kia Optima, Mazda 5, Mercury Milan, Nissan Altima, Saturn Aura, and Toyota Camry.

New or significantly redesigned models include the Chevrolet Malibu, Dodge Avenger, Honda Accord, and Mazda 5.

source : consumerguideauto.howstuffworks.com

Current Suzuki Reno

The Suzuki Reno debuted for the 2005 model year. With its emphasis on value, the Reno's long list of standard features quickly takes center stage. Many modern compact cars come standard with power door locks and windows, a tilt wheel and other convenience features, but the Reno goes a little further by offering such features as a micron air-filtration system for the cabin, a four-speaker CD stereo with MP3 capability and a height- and lumbar-adjustable driver seat -- all without checking a single box on the options list.

Clearly the car is an excellent value, even more so if you're looking for an affordable used car. Still, "excellent value" doesn't exactly bring to mind comfort or power. While the EX trim level is loaded and includes features like leather seats, remote keyless entry and cruise control, the Reno in any trim offers barely adequate performance, particularly in the acceleration department, with the Reno's subpar fuel economy adding insult to injury. Handling is also less than spectacular, as Suzuki has endowed the Reno with a soft, smooth ride at the expense of cornering ability. However, this is a trade-off that the average consumer will likely appreciate.

Because the 127-horsepower, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine is working so hard to keep up, a good deal of engine noise makes its way into the cabin. Competitors like the Mazda 3 are more refined and quicker by comparison.

The Reno's interior comes up short as well when compared to other domestic and import-branded small cars. The materials are low quality, and many panels simply don't fit correctly. Though the Reno's long powertrain warranty is a bonus, it's not really enough to overcome the car's faults. We suggest that shoppers looking for an inexpensive hatchback skip the Reno and check out more viable choices.

The Suzuki Reno has undergone a few changes since its '05 debut. 2006 brought the addition of a standard tilt steering wheel and new seat fabrics, while '07 saw the inclusion of a standard tire pressure monitoring system for all trim levels. Unfortunately for audiophiles, the formerly standard eight-speaker stereo was dropped altogether for '08, leaving a meager four-speaker unit in its stead.

source : www.edmunds.com

How "Affordable" is Your Affordable Small Car?

By Nadeem Muaddi

If you base your car buying decisions on what you pay at the dealer, you're in for a shock.cars cost a lot more than just the sticker price. Factor in taxes, financing charges, maintenance costs, insurance, fuel and depreciation and you can easily inflate the cost of your "affordable" small car to nearly double its sticker price in just five years.

Fortunately, industry analysts provide a host of ownership cost calculators that factor these expenses into a single estimate of what you'll spend in the first five years of ownership. However, it's an extremely time-consuming process to research, organize, and compare figures for every small car on the market -- especially since no two cost calculators provide exactly the same results. That's precisely why we've done the math for you.

We scoured three of the auto industry's leading sources of cost-to-own (CTO) estimates -- Edmunds, IntelliChoice and Vincentric,-- and averaged the results to find a consensus about the most and least affordable "economy car".

source : autos.yahoo

Yahoo! Autos Excelerator Award Winner

By Matt DeLorenzo

With all-new head-turning styling introduced last year, the Honda Accord has cemented its reputation as one of the best- selling family sedans in the American market. That popularity as a practical yet stylish 4-door is one of the reasons why the Accord has captured the first ever Yahoo! Autos Excelerator Award.

This new honor is an annual award to designate the No. 1 car on Yahoo! Autos. The award criteria are based on user interest, intent and satisfaction. These factors are measured by search queries, leads submitted, rating and reviews by Yahoo! users. The award is not sponsored by any manufacturer and Yahoo! is not being paid for this initiative.

In capturing the fancy of Yahoo! users, the Honda Accord Sedan relies on fresh styling to set it apart from others in the mid-size category. A bold grille, large jeweled headlamps and crisply executed character lines gives the Accord a commanding presence more in line with European luxury models. The Honda Accord Sedan is slightly larger than its main rival, the Toyota Camry. Compared with the previous Accord Sedan, the new car has a wheelbase that has increased by nearly an inch, and the overall length has increased by nearly 5 in. And at 72.7 in. across the beam, the Accord is an inch wider than the Toyota.

This translates into an abundance of room in the passenger cabin, which sports a contemporary design that matches the freshness of the exterior. In fact, while the Accord Sedan competes in the mid-size segment, its space-enhancing redesign means the EPA now considers it a large sedan, a designation confirmed by the excellent front and rear leg, head and hip room. The front bucket seats are comfortable, the center console has plenty of storage cubbies and there is a choice of no less than three audio systems, all with MP3/WMA playback capability.

But what makes the Honda Accord Sedan stand apart from the crowd is its fun-to-drive nature. Both the LX and EX trim levels come with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces a robust 177 bhp, which is delivered to the front wheels via a choice of a 5-speed manual or automatic transmission. Top level EX-L models can be equipped with a 3.5-liter V-6 making 271 bhp. That engine not only delivers power, but good fuel economy thanks to an ingenious cylinder deactivation system that allows the powerplant to run on either three or four cylinders when under a light load.

The Accord’s ample output is enhanced by variable-assist power steering that provides ample feedback through the twisty bits and an easy action in low-speed parking maneuvers. Independent suspension and 4-wheel disc brakes imbue the car with a lively personality that has become a Honda hallmark.

While the head-turning styling and spirited performance appeal to the senses, other amenities of the Accord Sedan address rational concerns. Besides Honda’s emphasis on great efficiency, the Accord boasts numerous standard safety features, including electronic stability control, six airbags and anti-lock brakes.

This combination of performance, safety and comfort—at prices ranging from $20,755 to $28,555—make the Honda Accord Sedan a natural choice as the winner of Yahoo! Autos’ inaugural Excelerator Awards.

source : autos.yahoo

2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid

Mercedes is planning to offer a hybrid S-class starting in 2009. The S400 BlueHybrid, a mild hybrid powered by M-B's 3.5-liter V-6, boasts a lithium-ion battery co-developed with supplier Continental and described by Daimler R&D boss Thomas Weber as “a crucial breakthrough.”

Unlike Lexus's LS600hL, the S400 is not aimed at the performance market. Instead, it uses its hybrid drivetrain solely for the traditional aim of fuel efficiency. Mated in the style of a mild hybrid with a 20-hp electric motor and a lithium-ion battery pack, the V-6 will turn off while the car is stationary and kick back on when the driver wants the car to move. Under braking, the batteries are charged. The electric motor can't propel the S400 on its own but assists in acceleration.

The compact lithium-ion battery module is far more powerful than conventional nickel-metal hydride batteries. It is integrated in the car's cooling system to ensure optimal operating temperature.

BMW seemed miffed at the announcement, with executives pointing at the joint hybrid-vehicle alliance between BMW and Daimler. But this particular battery is a Mercedes development, and the carmaker holds 25 patents on it.

With internal combustion and electronic wizardry working together to produce 295 horsepower and 277 pound-feet of torque, the S400 is capable of a 0-to-62-mph sprint in a claimed 7.3 seconds and will pull to a governed 155 mph--all while delivering 30 mpg on the European cycle (up from 23 mpg) in S-class comfort. Additionally, the S400 packages all the hybrid equipment under the hood, so neither passenger room nor cargo space suffers for the driver's conscientiousness.

Europe will get this hybrid in 2009, and a Mercedes spokesman confirmed that it will be offered in the U.S. later--we believe in 2010. If 30 mpg is not enough for you, and you can't picture yourself in a Prius, start hoping Mercedes offers the upcoming and even thriftier S300 BlueTec diesel hybrid outside Europe.

source : autos.yahoo

Latest Toyota Yaris car

Yaris in Canada appear to 2 variants that have an option with a 4 or 2. To start the price offered U.S. $ 13,580 to U.S. $ 19,815. Peminat yaris incoming car category MPV is a young, spirited and among the young. Yaris comes with a 1.5 liter engine capacity, 4-cylinder,16 valves (4 valves per cylinder). Double Over-Head Camshaft (DOHC) degan equipped with Variable Valve Timing (VVT). With VVT car technology will fuel more sparingly. Achieve maximum energy Yaris PK 106 with 6000 RPM.

To achieve torsi maximum 140 Nm at 4200 RPM. Acceleration is also fast car that is capable of reaching speeds of 0-100 km / hour in 9.4 seconds. Toyota Yaris car is also quite thrifty fuel, for a manual consume 1 liter of fuel to 14.49 (in town), to reach outside the city 17:24 km. Meanwhile, the automatic 1 liter capable of reaching 14 km (in the city), to reach outside the city 17:24 km.

New Subaru Boxer Diesel

Although the use of diesel engines Subaru remain with the present system injektor The pad is placed to form a cylinder 90 degree angle and even the size injektot shorter than with conventional diesel engines injektor. In addition injektor engine dieselnya also made with a compact size.

Subaru diesel engine made more lightweight compared with a diesel engine in general. Besides laying spatial machine capable of holding a high-pressure burning. This also provides a positive effect because it could also muffle the vibrations caused.

Because of pressure to burn far more than the gasoline engine with Subaru the strengthening of the structure with hybrids, aluminum and iron. In addition to strengthening Subaru engines also provide power facilities with turbochager.

Nissan Cube

Nissan Motor Co.. Ltd. to launch third-generation version of Cube for the first version of the Cube model design are introduced in 1998. Cars like the box is running. Leboh unique is that between the front and back doors are not symmetrical.

Nissan Cube is selam have 5-door appearance that the car was simple. Cars have only dimensions of 3.73 meters in length, width 1.67, and 1.63 meters high. With dimensions such as the Nissan Porsche is able to accommodate up to 5 passengers. For the position of one of the passenger sitting in the thatre with dikeliling the wide glass.

Performance Nissan Cube using the 1.5 liter engine. Energy for the third series is also great food. To use the convenience drivers and joknya passengers can movable up to 12 mm. Furthermore with the CVT (Continously Variable transistor). While for the 4x4 version XTRONIC using CVT with ASC (Adaptive Shift Control); by such drivers do not rush to operate the clutch but with the fuel still economical. Nissan is Japan ditawrkan at around 1,45-1,92 yen for the 4x2 version

Hydrogen Cars Sport's Future

On 19 November and American Honda Motor Co.Ltd officially launched a sports car with hydrogen fuel. Launch coincides with the Auto Show 2008. This car named Honda FC Sport The technology is adopted fuel from the fuel cells V-Flow The previously used by the FX Clarity sedan. This car is designed with weight the light and also flat.

To generate the maximum performance Honda make design The aerodinmis. In addition, weight distribution as divided between the front and back The same average. Seat is located in the middle like F1. For the second position in the passenger side of the driver. FC use this kind of canopy doors that open to the top. To add nuance to use this sport FC color utih glacier supercar a symbol of the net. FC will be without pollution

Porsche Panamera GT 4-door

Porche change the perception of consumers is known as vendor sports-car manufacturer with two doors. Now Prosche memperknalkan latest products labeled Panamera, which is the GT (Gran turismo) 4-door sport This car attracts so many Prosche targeting sales 20,000 units per year.

Appearances Prorsche Panamera is a combination of design, car design that made the previous, This car is a type of large, but with a flat style sport. With dimensions of length 4970, width 1931, while 1418 high. Porsche style as still adopted a series of classic sedan, as seen on the body, gril conventional radiator, sepatbor wheel, and also the bonnet.

Porsche Panamera admitted this style "Pilot Feeling" so that both drivers and passengers feel comfortable. This car is estimated to have between 300-500 horse power, power. Porsche has 6-speed transmission with a twin clutch as the property of VW and Audi.Untu top version offers a powerful movement of 4x4. Porsche Panamera 70% of its components are still made in Germany.

All New City

Appearances All New Honda City is now more winsome and also more style with technology that luxury. But in the laini hrganya The board also high. For the version of "Top Of The Line" using automatic transmission and jog back kemiringannya can set the price and the ditawakan reach 260 million. The price was more expensive than the Toyota Altis. All New City appearance resembles a movement to create the impression that the arrow unique style, and also advanced.
All the features for the New City with a different series predecessor.

The design resembles the look of the front while the back of a sedan shorter and high dynamic so impressed. Lights back 3-dimensional pentagonal-shaped red and white. Antenna using micro antenna, door-plated krom, Velg using Aluminum barrier 5 for the type of sporty models use 16 inch.

For i-VTEC engine (Intelligent-VTEC) is more sophisticated than the predecessor that only VTEC (Variable Valve Timing and Lift Electronic Control). All New City 1.497cc engine capacity.
In addition, All New City is able to generate energy 120PS @ 6000rpm and 14.8 kgm@4.800 rpm Torque. Honda also utilize the surface of the side wall with the cylinder wall Average made to reduce consumption fuel and also work more responsive engine. In addition, the low round only to activate a valve to mengefisiensi fuel. In this new model Honda 2 choices provide a model manual and automatic transmission.