Autos Tuning

Monday, January 16, 2012

2013 Cadillac ATS

Information Specification Image Review 2013 Cadillac ATS
It's the eve of the Detroit Auto Show, and Cadillac officially kicked things off tonight by unveiling its 2013 ATS sedan at Detroit's College for Creative Studies. Why CCS? Many of the college's graduates go on to work in areas of automotive design, and as Ed Welburn, General Motors' Vice President of Global Design, told us, over 170 CCS graduates currently work within the larger GM design team, 20 of which directly worked on the ATS project. After getting our first impressions of the ATS in the flesh, we must indeed applaud those designers.

The ATS rides on an all-new rear-wheel-drive platform, and the end result is car that's about eight inches shorter in length than the larger CTS sedan. Cadillac's Art & Science design language has been updated for the smaller sedan, with angular lines and flat surfaces found throughout the four-door's styling. Sure, Cadillac is quite proud of the way the ATS looks, but what's most important about this car is its performance. After all, the ATS will go head-to-head with the likes of the BMW 3 Series and Audi A4, so on the road, it has to be good.

The new ATS sports Cadillac's latest Arts & Science styling with sharp creases and flowing lines. The headlights are jewel-like, while the taillight feature light pipes that complement the integrated LED rear spoiler. Dual chrome exhaust tips peek out from below the bumper, with the center-mounted backup light mounted between them.

Inside, Cadillac will offer real wood, aluminum, or carbon-fiber trim that will complement leather seats and a soft-touch dashboard. The available CUE infotainment system features a capacitive touch-sensitive center stack with an 8-inch touch screen up top. All the touch-sensitive buttons feature haptic feedback, so you know when you've touched a button, and a 5.7-inch color LCD resides inside the gauge cluster.

With that out of the way, we can get back to the ATS. Like its bigger brother, the ATS will ride on a new rear-wheel-drive platform dubbed Alpha. (The current CTS uses Sigma bones.) We expect that the ATS will offer a mix of four-cylinder and V-6 engines, some turbocharged, and manual transmissions should be available across the board. All-wheel drive will be on the order sheet, too. We’re most excited, naturally, for the ATS-V, which we’ve heard should pack a twin-turbocharged V-6 thumping out around 380 hp.

Some time after the ATS arrives, we expect Cadillac to introduce an ATS-based convertible with a cloth roof (rather than a folding hardtop), different styling, and a new name. It’s meant to fit between the ATS and the larger, more-expensive CTS, much in the way the Audi A5 cabrio slots between the A4 on which it’s based and the A6.

It’s possible that the Cadillac ATS will debut as early as this August at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance—a Detroit debut in January makes some sense, too—and General Motors says that the car will go on sale in the summer of 2012.source:autoblog.com,thecarconnection.com,caranddriver.com

Sunday, January 15, 2012

2013 Ford Fusion

Information Specification Image Review 2013 Ford Fusion
Embargo breaks are par for the course with big auto shows, and this year's Detroit Auto Show is no different. The 2013 Ford Fusion appears to be big target this time around, with this being our second early look at the Blue Oval's redesigned mid-size sedan. These two images from Czech website Auto Forum, while a bit pixelated, reveal much more than the shot we showed you earlier that escaped Ford's clutches courtesy of a bug in the Fusion iPad app.

Here the influence of the Ford Evos concept that debuted last August at the Frankfurt Motor Show is plainly evident. From the hexagonal grille to the headlights, fog lamps and lower air inlet, all of the Evos' front fascia elements are there and arranged in a very similar fashion.

Unfortunately, we can't say much more about the 2013 Ford Fusion until the actual embargo lifts at 12:01 AM EST tonight, but you can talk about it all you want in the comments. Just make sure to come back here at midnight for the full story.

The exterior styling of the new Fusion is part Jaguar, part Aston Martin, with some Audi A7 thrown in for good measure. To say it's good looking almost doesn't cover it. An aggressive, yet taut stance gives the new sedan a presence the previous generations never had. Up front are a set of projector headlights while the rear features LED taillights with light pipes providing a distinct rear end.

Inside the new Fusion you'll find a barrage of technology ranging from the available MyFord Touch system to the adaptive cruise control and driver-alertness monitoring system. Leather and cloth seats will be available, and both front and rear seats are spacious enough for four adults.

We are more confident discussing what Ford didn’t have to disguise: powertrains. Ford will likely offer the 2013 Fusion with at least one naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine making around 170 or so hp. A powerful V-6 like the one available in the current car isn’t likely, as a turbocharged EcoBoost four-cylinder should take over as the top mill. The turbo 2.0-liter will make 247 hp in the upcoming Focus ST, and would do quite well as the uplevel engine in the Fusion. The hybrid will definitely return, and we expect to see its combined fuel-economy rating squeak past the 40-mpg mark. (The current hybrid’s combined figure is 39 mpg.)

Our hope is that at least one of these engines will come with a traditional manual transmission (the European Mondeo certainly will offer the option), but six-speed automatics and dual-clutch trannies will do the shifting for the majority of American Fusions. More significant, perhaps, the Fusion will receive a fair amount of Euro-flavored chassis tuning to match its European styling. That bodes well for the Fusion: The more European Ford’s U.S.-market products feel, the more warmly they tend to be received—we just crowned the Focus champion of a hard-fought five-car comparison test. If the next Fusion is anything like its little brother, Ford won’t have any trouble maintaining the car’s sales momentum.source:autoblog.com,thecarconnection.com,caranddriver.com

Thursday, January 12, 2012

Fisker Karma Electric Supercar Struts Its Stuff at CES 2012 [PICS]

Information Specification Image Review Fisker Karma Electric Supercar Struts Its Stuff at CES 2012 [PICS]
LAS VEGAS — The Fisker Karma is an electric car on a nationwide tour, and one of its stops was at CES 2012. We got a chance to sit in it and experience all its luxury appointments, both interior and exterior.
Easing our 6-foot+ frames down into the vehicle, we found it’s seriously low-slung (as any good sports car should be). Once you sit down it feels like you’re wearing it rather than sitting in it. We liked its swank leather interior, made of “low carbon” leather that was manufactured in the greenest possible way, in keeping with the overall theme of the vehicle.

We’re also fond of its solar panels on the roof, which actually do more than the Prius’s solar panels, which are used to run a fan to keep the car interior cool as it sits in parking lots on hot days. Nay, the Fisker’s batteries actually assist in the charging of the car while it’s in the sunlight. And just look at that styling.
The car is said to have a 50-mile range on a single electric charge. Lately it’s had a bit of trouble with its batteries — 50 of the cars were shipped last month with batteries that presented a potential fire hazard. The company’s still working out that issue.
The super luxurious interior and sporty exterior of the Fisker Karma is certainly not cheap, with prices starting at $100,000. We saw the car in the middle of a hotel ballroom, slightly disappointed that we couldn’t take it out on the road for a quick spin.source:http://mashable.com

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

2012 BMW 3 Series

Information Specification Image Review bmw 3 series
The BMW 3-Series is a mid-size executive car built since 1975 and is currently in its fifth generation. It’s BMW’s most popular model to date and for years has been the benchmark for rivals to match in the executive class. Today the car is available in Sedan, Coupe, Convertible and Touring wagon bodystyles, as well as a high-performance M3 guise.

While overseas the BMW 3-Series is available with a range of four-cylinder gasoline and diesel units, in the U.S. the base model comes with a six-cylinder gasoline unit. Space in the 3-Series is adequate for four adults, although a fifth can be squeezed in should the need arrive. Pricing in this segment is very competitive, with the 3-Series starting from $33,150. This puts it on par with rivals like the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, which starts at $33,600 and Infiniti G37 at $33,250. Another rival, the Audi A4 starts at just $31,450, but its base model only comes with a four-cylinder engine.

The first generation 3-Series, the E21, was launched in 1975 but didn’t arrive in the U.S. until 1977. It served as the replacement for the 2002 and was originally only available as a two-door and with four-cylinder engines. The first BMW straight-six in the 3-Series didn’t arrive until 1977.

Driver aid Dynamic Stability Control will help you keep out of trouble, while six airbags will help you out if you don’t. Run-flat tyres will do exactly what they say on the tin to enable you to travel up to 150 miles at 50mph should your car suffer a puncture. The 3-series also benefits from BMW’s Active Steering which, in the event of understeer being detected, corrects the car. It achieved a full five star rating following its EuroNCAP crash test.

Air conditioning, CD player, foglights, onboard control, keyless entry and Start/Stop button control all come as standard. The model we drove also features sports suspension, shortened gearshift, illuminated door handles , cruise control, rear parking sensors and superb sports seats.

Saturday, January 7, 2012

2012 Hyundai Equus Ultimate

Specification Modification Image Review 2012 Hyundai Equus Ultimate
The 2012 Hyundai Equus Ultimate is a reasonably executed flagship luxury sedan -- but should anyone care? Flagship luxury and sound financial sense just don't go together, and that's what makes the 2012 Hyundai Equus Ultimate so tough to review.

Pricewise, the $66,650 Equus Ultimate -- the more expensive of two trims -- competes with midsize luxury sedans like the Mercedes-Benz E550 and Infiniti M56, but no one is going to cross-shop those vehicles. That leaves the Equus fighting cars like the Lexus LS 460 and Mercedes-Benz S550 -- vehicles that, even in their old age, can stifle the 2012 Equus' arguments for rational luxury on a price-independent level.

Interior refinement on the Equus is exactly what you'd expect for a proper luxury flagship, though there are a few small omissions. We aren't talking about big stuff here – little amenities like power lumbar adjustment for the front passenger seat, side bolster adjustments for the front chairs or a one-touch close feature for the sunroof, for example. Still, our Ultimate-spec tester's cabin arrived positively lousy with bells and whistles – niceties like a heated steering wheel, heated and cooled seats all around, a refrigerator in the rear console, power sunshades and a rear entertainment system.

What separates the Ultimate from the base Equus is its rear seating configuration, ditching the three-passenger bench seat in favor of two chairs with a fixed center console. The rear passenger-side chair – the one we've named the "executive throne" – even has massage and recline functions. If you ever have the chance to sit in a four-passenger Equus, we highly recommend spending no less than five minutes exploring the features of the royalty seat. Be warned, though – even with the Equus' longer wheelbase over the Genesis, those rear seats don't offer as much legroom as you might think.

Hyundai will continue to offer its unique ownership experience for 2012 Hyundai Equus customers, including tailored dealership showrooms, “Your Time, Your Place” at-home vehicle demonstrations, valet service appointments and an interactive owner’s manual for Apple iPad and Android tablet devices.

The sales and service experience for 2012 Hyundai Equus is unlike any other in the industry, with a focus on the customer’s time and convenience. Prospective buyers can participate in the “Your Time, Your Place” valet test drive program, where a specially trained Product Champion will deliver an Equus to their home or office for a personalized shopping experience.

2012 Hyundai Equus features the industry’s first interactive owner’s manual, providing a convenient and simpler way for owners to become familiar with the full capabilities of the vehicle.
When service is required, Equus owners can schedule their maintenance and service through a simple online scheduling system or from the interactive owner’s manual. An Equus owner can also choose to have their vehicle picked up at their home or business, with a complimentary loaner dropped off. Once service is completed, the owner again chooses the time and location for the vehicle to be delivered.
source:autos.aol.com,motortrend.com,autospectator.com