May 2009 Archives

A review of the Maserati GranTurismo S supercar has been posted over at AutoExpress.co.uk. 'This car's comfort-oriented six-speed ZF auto transmission and increased performance should be a marriage madein heaven - but is it? It's nearly a year to the day since the GranTurismo S exploded on to the scene. At launch, the only gearbox on offer was the sequential robotised manual - a race-like transmission capable of swapping cogs in a rapid 100 milliseconds. However, it felt overly harsh on full-bore manual upshifts, and was a crude imitation in automatic mode. Which is where this new, more civilised six-speed gearbox comes in.'

Inside Line have published a review of the 2010 Volvo XC60 T6 4dr SUV AWD (3.0L 6cyl Turbo 6A). 'With a base price of $37,200, standard all-wheel drive, a 281-horsepower inline-6 and a six-speed automatic transmission, the 2010 Volvo XC60 is, on paper at least, right in the mix with the segment's big players. Its 109.2-inch wheelbase is marginally longer than the 108.5-inch wheelbase of the Mercedes-Benz GLK and just short of the Audi Q5's 110.5 inches.The Volvo's power plant, however, tops them both. Under the hood lies a transverse-mounted inline-6 utilizing a twin-scroll turbocharger and intercooler to produce 281 hp at 6,100 rpm and an even more impressive 295 pound-feet of torque at 1,500 rpm. The six-speed automatic with its manual shift mode offers up smooth, quick shifts and delivers power effectively via all-wheel drive.'

Trusted Reviews have published their "test driven" review of the Lexus RX450h Hybrid SUV. 'First thing to note is the new model's subtly re-styled exterior. Parked alongside an older RX the changes to the grille, lights and more are obvious, but when seen in isolation you forget the detail of the previous model's appearance. Frankly, it's still not my cup of tea aesthetically, and never was, but who am I to disagree with so many? The interior, specifically the dash and centre console, has been the subject of a major re-design and has little in common with previous RXs. We'll get to the interior features and equipment later, but first a quick run-down of some of the 450h's other major updates.'

The Examiner have published their "test driven" review of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. 'Available features on Camaro include satellite radio, an uplevel audio system, a tilt/telescope steering wheel, a wireless cell phone link, leather seating surfaces, and a USB port. An available RS package includes bi-xenon headlamps to go along with some exterior trim modifications and RS badging. Available safety features include ABS, an antiskid system, traction control, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. On SS models, a "Competitive" mode is available on the antiskid system, this allows for more tail-out oversteer than usual before the electronics cut in on the fun. A "Performance Launch Control" feature is standard on SS models with the manual transmission--this feature uses computer software to allow the correct amount of wheel spin for perfect launches from a dead stop. Pricing ranges from $22,995 for a base V6 to $30,995 for a base SS.'

The Full Throttle team over at Car Advice have posted their encounter with the GTA Spano supercar. 'Watching this Viper-powered prototype spit flames in pit lane was simply epic, the Spaniards had definitely found their niche by marrying contemporary Spanish styling with brutish American muscle. The Spano has 627kW (840bhp) and 920Nm, although we were told a supercharged version is on its way. With a top speed of 350km/h and an expected 0-100km/h time of 2.9 seconds, you are going to be hearing a lot more from GTA in the future.'

The Car Enthusiast have published a review of the 2009 MINI John Cooper Works convertible. 'The John Cooper Works (JCW) model brings with it a more aggressive stance courtesy of the front spoilers and grille, side skirts, alloys and big bore exhaust, but other details marking out the new Convertible as just that are limited to things like the removal of the retro hinges on the boot lid. Options to personalise the MINI are as broad as ever thanks to the colours and patterns on offer. MINI's interior is beginning to feel a little dated now and gimmicks like the G-Meter on the dash don't remedy that situation.'

Motor Trend have published their "First drive" review of the 2011 Lotus Evora supercar. 'Unlike the Coke-bottle Elise and Exige, the Evora slips easily through the air (drag coefficient: 0.33), while its top-exit radiators (in the hood), rear spoiler, and rear diffuser combine for significant downforce at speed. Naturally, it also offers something the Elise and Exige never could: a rear seat. True, it's a small one, built only for children or "5th percentile females" (I think that has something to do with how much they watch "The View"). But it's there (or skip the rear seat if you want and order your Evora with a rear luggage shelf instead). Front-seat room is up conspicuously, so much so that you'll no longer rub shoulders with your passengers.'

LeftLane have published their "test driven" review of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz E550 sedan. 'The E-Class' sophisticated radar systems can add more braking power or even bring the car to a halt within 600 feet of an obstacle (Distronic Plus with Pre-Safe Braking),they can monitor blind spots to alert the driver of unseen vehicles (Blind Spot Assist) and they can scan the road stripes to make sure the driver doesn't wander out of the lane (Lane Keeping Assist) by vibrating the steering wheel. Of course, the now-mundane Park Assist and adaptive cruise control also utilize the E's radar. With all of the safety assists on board, you might think the E-Sedan would be as exciting as driving your grandmother's old Oldsmobile 98. Au contraire.'

A review of the 2009 Pontiac G8 GXP has been posted over at TheTruthAboutCars.com 'The Pontiac G8 GXP includes model-specific 19-inch wheels and a more aggressive front fascia. If you were expecting something more distinctive, you're SOL. Just like the G8 GT most people will mistake it for, the GXP is a tasteful (aside from the hood scoops) homage to BMW's E46 M3--that lacks the visual punch of Chrysler's large SRT sedans. For all the talk that tastefully reserved pre-Bangle BMWs were da bomb, the Pontiac G8 proves that subtle styling doesn't attract buyers to a new model.'

The Independent have published a review of the Mercedes E-class coupé. 'The saloon version of the latest E-class was launched just a couple of months ago, and the coupé shares the saloon's mechanical make-up and its onslaught of electronic safety and convenience cleverness. It also shares many of its styling features, such as the paired-parallelogram headlights, the curve of the waistline, the slanting rear lights and, most controversially, the flared-out flourish over the rear wheel arch meant to evoke Mercedes-Benzes of the 1950s and early 1960s before straight-lined austerity took over. Viewed in the context of a 1959 "fin-tail" Benz, then, the new E-classes are just reinterpreting those styling details for a modern age. If so, maybe the new Benzes will have lasting aesthetic qualities after all. Who's to know, apart from all of us in 10 years' time?'

SearchChicago have published a review of the 2009 Ford F-150 pickup. 'One of the great things about the Ford F-150 is also one of the maddening things that drives me crazy (in a good way). Going in to shop for an F-150 reminds me of shopping for a new computer. There are so many options and variations, looks and designs. You have to start out with what suits your day-to-day requirements, add some fun special bells and whistles and always be sure you have enough power to do the things you must do every day. The same goes for the F-150 - and it is so much prettier (in a tough, take-no-prisoners way, for sure).'