June 2010 Archives

The Truth About Cars have published a review of the 2011 Ford Mustang GT500. 'It's impossible not to like the GT500, even if you're a alterna-chick who probably considers the Prius a wasteful use of the planet's nickel supply. It's an unashamed love letter from Ford's SVT division to traditional America, Friday nights, and pretty girls in halter tops reclining against the Cobra-emblem fender. I'd like to own one myself. I'd fix the brakes and see if I could get the "Shelby" crap off the car. This is an SVT product and it deserves to be badged as such. With all respect to the chicken farmer and his long legacy of suing everybody from his friends to his fans, there's no reason to have the Shelby name on this Mustang. SVT Cobra should suffice.'

A review of the Chevrolet Cruze sedan has been posted over at Fast Motoring. 'The front of the Chevrolet Cruze looks aggressive, muscular with it's distinctive Chevrolet's bow-tie which gives the car a whole continental class of looks. The Chevrolet Cruze design looks significant as compare to other previous Chevrolet models. The company claims Cruze will drive the new styling strategy from the company. Cruze is the first instance utilizing the new GM's Delta II platform, which will be share too in the upcoming new Opel/Vauxhall Astra. The details front headlamp is designed to jive together with the front fascia styling of the Cruze.'

Left Lane have published their "test driven"review of the 2011 Smart Fortwo Electric Drive. 'Power comes by a 47 horsepower rear-mounted electric motor, which provides 100 lb-ft. of torque. Battery charge is sufficient for up to 84 miles per the new European driving cycles. Starting in 2012, the Smart Fortwo Electric Drive will be available to anyone in Smart's 40 worldwide markets with the right amount of scratch to make the payments. In the meantime, though, if your taste runs to Smart, you'll probably be cruising in the petrol-burning Smart Fortwo, which has never been our idea of fun. Using a quirky three-cylinder engine and a manual/automatic transmission that makes the gas burner feel like a motorcycle with a body, the ride is so lurchy that many owners thought they had defective cars.'

Reg Hardware have published their "test driven" review of the Vauxhall Ampera electric car. 'The interior is a pretty decent place to spend time even allowing for the slightly crumby pre-production plastics on display on the doors. The sporty semi-bucket seats hold you firmly in a low-slung driving position, and the trick LED instrument binnacle worked a treat even in strong sunlight. Being an automatic, Ampera gets going when you hit a start/stop button and push the big pedal. The Ampera is a bit of a looker too. In an era of increasingly similar designs - the new Astra could just as easily be a Hyundai or a Mazda if you removed the badges - the Ampera, with its boomerang headlamp clusters, high rear shoulders and sculpted flanks, stands out from the crowd and, for my money, is more handsome than it's Chevrolet Volt brother.'

Popular Mechanics have published a review of the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. 'Though the new Grand Cherokee will be launched, marketed and sold by this new Chrysler, it was in fact the old DaimlerChrysler that helped create it. The 2011 Grand Cherokee utilizes shared component sets with the Mercedes-Benz ML--including, for the very first time, a four-wheel independent suspension. The 1992 downsize ZJ Grand Cherokee may have been the first one, but it was the 1999 to 2004 WJ version that has become the most iconic. So Jeep designers drafted the lines of this new one as an homage to that vehicle. And to our eye the design really works. The new Grand Cherokee looks tough, refined and muscular.'

Search Chicago have published a review of the 2011 Bentley Mulsanne. 'The exterior design of the Mulsanne was carefully sculpted to combine sportiness with coach-built elegance. With a nod to the Bentleys of the 1950s, the 2011 Mulsanne features a bold, upright frontal design displaying the traditional Bentley mesh grille (metal) and slightly controversial, classic round (huge) inner headlamps, supported with smaller outboard lamp clusters. Controversial because some believe the headlamp design doesn't blend with the rest of the car. I have no problem with it as it takes heritage cues and brings them forward.'

A review of the Tesla Roadster electric car has been posted over at SmartPlanet. 'Getting into the Roadster is a little awkward if you're not used to driving a sports car, which I'm not -- it's very low to the ground -- but once you're in, the car is well laid-out and very easy to operate. Shifting is almost completely automatic. On your right, where a shifting lever would be, there are four brightly lit buttons -- P (park), D (drive), R (reverse), and N (neutral). Turn the key, press the D button, and you're off.'

Auto Express have published their "test driven" review of the Toyota Prius Plug-in Hybrid. 'This is a Prius like no other - a plug-in electric Hybrid which Toyota claims will do an astonishing 108.6mpg and emit just 59g/km of C02. The biggest difference between this car and the regular third-generation Prius is in it's electric power source. The Plug-in version uses Lithium-ion batteries for the first time in a Toyota. They can carry more energy and recharge faster (a full charge now takes just 90 minutes) than the smaller nickel-metal hydride units fitted to the current Auris and Prius hybrids.'

A review of the 2011 BMW 335i coupe has been posted over at Market Watch. 'With $4,775 worth of options and transportation charges, the test car carried a bottom line of $47,425. Greatness does not come cheap in the world of German cars, but the overall capability of this car fully justified the asking price. It is a great car -- in coupe, convertible or sedan -- this 3-series. Offer to mow your neighbor's lawn for a year if he has one and offers you the keys. FYI, there is a 4-year, 50,000 mile full maintenance program and a 4-year, 50,000 limited warranty. Roadside assistance is offered for four years, with unlimited miles.'

Paul Tan have published their review of the Volvo S80 Turbo sedan. 'The S80 is a significant car for Volvo. The first generation S80 made its debut more than ten years ago as the first Volvo to ditch boxes for curves, and the marque's design department hasn't looked back since. Today, with its latest models like the XC60 and the new S60 (to be launched here later this year), Volvo is a fully paid up member of the Scandinavian brand of industrial design alongside the likes of Ikea and Bang & Olufsen. But while sleek and neat, this generation of S80 never had a strong presence to this writer, looking more like a more bloated version of the old S60.'

The USA Today have published a review of the 2011 Honda CR-Z hybrid coupe. 'The CR-Z, on sale Aug. 24, resembles no other Honda. It's mechanically similar to the Insight, but it seemed more pleasant and refined. CR-Z's mileage ratings are in the 30s, hardly outstanding for a hybrid. Honda says federal rules required the mileage to be tested in the car's "normal" mode. CR-Z provides an "econ" mode for drivers who want to try for better mileage. We, however, much preferred the third choice, "sport," which made CR-Z a scooter. The sport setting typically kept the engine revving at least 500 rpm faster than normal or econ settings. Much livelier response at the expense of some mpg's.'

CNET have published a review of the 2011 Infiniti M56x sedan. 'The M56x gets a new feature called Forest Air, a nice little trick that varies the air conditioning fan speed. The intent of this feature is to create the sensation of a forest breeze rather than the steady wind produced by standard air conditioning systems. With Forest Air set in its fast mode, the fan deviation happened too quickly for us to notice much of a difference, but in its low speed mode, it worked as advertised, adding a nice atmospheric effect to the cabin.'

A review of the 2010 BMW X1 xDrive20d has been posted over at Car Advice. 'It's the cheapest BMW SUV you can buy. Starting at just $43,500, BMW's newest car, the X1, is extremely competitively priced, and on paper, competitvely specced as well. There's rear-wheel- and all-wheel-drive versions, with four different engines available. BMW's entry level X1, the sDrive18i hasn't arrived in the country yet, so we decided to test the lowest price X1 we could get our hands on, the xDrive20d. There is a problem with the X1, and it's not so much a fault of the car, but rather charged-couple devices and curved glass - it looks awkward in photos, but fabulous in the metal. Indeed the angry snout combined with four lovely creases on the bonnet draw your eye to the front end, and with frosted glass-styled eyelids over the headlights, it even has character.'

Inside Line have published a review of the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado 3500HD truck. 'Looking at it, the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado HD seems little different from 2010 versions. The bodywork and interior are essentially unchanged because GM focused its engineers and money on the areas where the Silverado HD lagged behind the competition: payload and towing capacity. But the GM brass didn't want to merely improve their 2011 Chevrolet and GMC HD trucks. They wanted them to have best-in-class towing and hauling performance, or as Chief Project Engineer Mark Cieslak told us, the goal was to "take the segment." To accomplish this, carryover bodies would sit atop a completely new frame and suspension designed to support class-leading ratings for GVW (gross vehicle weight) and GCW (gross combined weight).'

The Truth About Cars have published a review of the 2011 VW Polo 1.2 TSI. 'Just like the previous Polo, the fifth-gen Polo pushes the interior quality bar further up the scale. Whether this interior is the best in B-segment territory depends on your definition of best: there's little doubt that this is the most 'big-car' interior in the class, but there's also no avoiding the feeling that it's just a little dull and expected. Many - if not most - knobs and controls come straight from the Golf, and seeing as Volkswagen has seemingly unlimited access to that soft-touch material mine, there's acres of that too. Everything you touch or move - from the door knob to the gear lever - feels like German engineers have spent sleepless nights perfecting its pitch, sound and feel. If you really choose to nitpick, there are harder-than-expected plastics in the door area.'

Motor Trend have published their "test driven" review of the 2011 Chevrolet Silverado Heavy Duty. 'Traditionally, empty is never how you want to drive a three-quarter or one-ton pickup truck, but the work done on the redesigned front end pays back huge dividends. New forged upper control arms and precision-machined cast-iron lowers handle 25-percent more load comfortably and confidently than the previous generation. Getting these bigger and stronger pieces to more quickly and fluidly handle the sharp pothole inputs and rebounds was a surprise. This improved IFS clearly has more control than ever before. We even got the same impression on a 3500 HD dually as well. We don't usually think about refinement when driving vehicles in this segment, but GM engineers pulled a rabbit out of their hat.'

The Independent have published a review of the new Saab 9-5. 'It was designed during GM's last throes of Saab ownership and uses a stretched version of the new, sophisticated platform that underpins the Vauxhall Insignia, but it shows that in the end, GM was finally starting to understand Saab. The look is streamlined and futuristic but unmistakably Saab. Inside, as well as ample space we find a refreshingly clean, simple take on interior design, some typical Saabisms including joystick-controlled air vents made up of multi-layered grids, some beautifully-constructed dials and displays with green needles and, on one setting, an on-screen rendering of a "rotating drum" speedometer.'

A review of the Hyundai Santa Fe SE SUV has been posted over at The Garage Blog. 'The exterior of the Santa Fe sports a new grill and tail lights-minor stuff, but parked side by side, it does keep the car looking fresh. Our test car was finished in a rich looking Pacific Blue Pearl, which was pleasing to look at, but dark colors seem to obscure the gentle curves and character lines of the car. Checking out brighter colored Santa Fe's was like looking at a different car-even in subdued silver, it pops in a way our test car did not. The Santa Fe is clean and simple in appearance-all trim is either body color or black, and the only chrome you will find is on the Hyundai symbol and Santa Fe name tag.'

The Coventry Telegraph have published a review of the Mitsubishi Outlander 2.2D Diamond SUV. 'The interior is very spacious and the large sunroof allows the cabin to be flooded with light. All passengers are treated to plenty of legroom and comfort levels are very good all round. Another factor that cannot fail to impress is how well the Outlander handles. Despite its size, it manoeuvred extremely efficiently and was actually quite agile in busy congested city centre traffic. The excellent all-round visibility and additional parking sensors can help make any driver look accomplished as they squeeze the vehicle into a tight space with ease.

Search Chicago have published a review of the 2010 BMW 335i xDrive coupe. 'The base coupe (328i) is powered by a strong 3.0-liter inline-six that produces 230 horsepower and 200 pound-feet of torque. The 335i adds a much more powerful 3.0-liter inline-six that features twin turbochargers to produce 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque. The 3 Series Coupe, regardless of which model you choose, comes standard with a six-speed manual gearbox. A six-speed automatic with paddle shifters is available. Power is transmitted to the rear wheels, or all four wheels, when selecting a model with xDrive.'

LeftLane have published their review of the 2010 Porsche Panamera S. 'The long awaited four-door, four-place Porsche sedan, it is the first new Porsche car in seven years, and one that has put viewers on both sides of the fence as far as the Panamera's style is concerned. With its familiar Porsche front clip, and its fishbowl-style rear bubble, it is definitely polarizing. On the other hand, people who harped on its style for being not attractive are finally coming around. It is also the first car in the segment with active aero through the use of the adjustable rear wing. Our test Panamera is the midlevel S model, equipped with Porsche's slick PDK transmission and 400-horsepower 4.8-liter V8, as well as rear-wheel-drive.'

A review of the Peugeot 3008 crossover SUV has been posted over at PaulTan. 'The 3008 is yet another model spawned from PSA's Platform 2 that also underpins among others, the 308 family, the RCZ, 5008 MPV and the Citroen C4 range. The double zero in the name represents an extension of the classic Peugeot range, a new type of vehicle beyond the traditional supermini, C-segment hatchback and D-segment saloon types. Upon first glance, the 3008 appears compact and less chunky than a CR-V. It's actually 200 mm shorter than the Honda and lower too, but the Peugeot's 2,613 mm wheelbase is just a fraction short of the CR-V's 2,620 mm. The 3008's footprint actually sits in the middle of the 308 hatchback and the seven-seater 308 SW. Think of it as a higher riding 308 with more space and a bigger boot and you're not far off.'

CNET have published a review of the 2010 BMW 750i xDrive. 'As BMW's flagship sedan, the 750i competes with the Mercedes-Benz S550 and the Audi A8. All of these cars hang around the $100k price point and don't give a damn about fuel economy. And like its competition, the 750i's cabin is made up of quality materials, including soft leather and wood with a glossy finish. But in the 21st century, luxury doesn't just mean natural materials; electronics complete the picture. BMW has been obsessive about embracing and pioneering new technology for its cars, and the 750i benefits from the latest. The LCD at the top of the stack boasts 10.2 inches of screen real estate, the software interface controllable with voice command and an improved iDrive knob.'

The Car Connection have published their review of the 2010 Acura RL. 'The 2010 Acura RL's 3.7-liter V-6 engine, 300-horsepower output, and 271 pound-feet of torque put it right on par with the competition on paper. Peaky power delivery, with max power coming above 5,000 rpm, gives the car a high-strung feel, though off-the-line performance is still brisk. The five-speed paddle-shifted automatic is responsive, but lacks a sixth gear found in many competing cars. Overall performance is less than impressive, however, due to the car's 4,000-pound weight, computer-controlled all-wheel drive, and electronic throttle tuning. Imprecise in response to inputs and ponderous in quick driving, the RL doesn't have the zest for speed you'd expect from a luxury sport sedan. Ride quality, however, is smooth and refined, and fuel economy is on par for the class at 16 mpg city and 22 mpg highway.'

The USA Today have published a review of the 2010 Nissan Altima. 'Nissan, seeking to sharpen the claws of its contender in the midsize-sedan catfight, gave its 2010 Altima a different hood, grille and wheels and tweaked the interior and -- voila -- it's a whole different machine. It must be noted, however, that the V-6 test car seemed as different from the four-cylinder tester as fish from fowl. The four-banger Altima finished an inglorious sixth among eight midsize rivals in the USA TODAY/Cars.com/MotorWeek $25,000 Family Sedan Shootout. Judged by six experts and a family, the showdown was chronicled here in May and is online at usatoday.com/money/autos.'

A review of the 2010 Toyota LandCruiser 200 VX V8 has been posted over at The Motor Report. 'The LandCruiser 200 is truly a giant, and it feels like one on the road. Its sizable bulk can be a handful in tight quarters, and caution needs to be exercised in carparks and narrow streets. The reversing camera helps, but front and rear parking sensors would've been handy to have. Dynamically though, it's no lumbering elephant. Yes, you certainly feel the LandCruiser's 2.6 tonne kerb weight when accelerating, braking and cornering, but the steering is light, the brakes strong and the engine more than brawny enough to motivate the 'Cruiser at a reasonable clip.'

Inside Line have published their "test driven"review of the 2011 Volvo S60 T6 AWD. 'The 2011 Volvo S60 had a rather strange conception. Designed in an interregnum between Peter Horbury's first and second stints at the helm as Volvo's design director, the S60 actually was penned by Steve Mattin, the British designer responsible for the original Mercedes A-Class and the pre-face-lift version of the current-generation Mercedes SL. Horbury was busy running Ford's North American design team at the time, but returned to Volvo after Mattin left last summer. This game of musical chairs has left the S60 in a strange position. It is supposed to establish a new design vocabulary for the brand, but some of those cues might.'

Popular Mechanics have published a review of the 2011 Porsche Cayenne SUV. 'On the road, the Cayenne Hybrid is nearly indistinguishable from its traditional brethren, with a few notable exceptions. For one, the truck can operate up to 40 mph on pure electric power for short distances before the gasoline V6 takes over. Also, it weighs quite a bit more than the rest of the lineup--nearly 365 pounds more, to be exact--but thanks to the added torque, you don't really notice. There's plenty of power throughout the rev-range, thanks to the supercharger and the inherent torque of the electric motor. Perhaps the only noticeable compromise is in the steering, which is significantly lighter than the Cayenne S and Turbo.'

LeftLane have published a review of the 2010 Lexus GX 460 SUV. 'Based heavily on the smaller of Toyota's two global Land Cruisers, the GX 460 is sold overseas in most of its major markets as the Toyota Land Cruiser Prado. You've probably seen the GX's less-hedonistic brothers serving duty in extreme locales swathed in fleet white with large UN badging on the side. If we were SUVs and not auto writers, we know which badge we'd rather have slapped on our noses at Toyota's Tahara, Japan, assembly plant. One SUV prowls Rodeo Drive, the other watches over Baghdad's Airport Road. The GX shares its frame and basic running gear - but not its powertrain - with Toyota's redesigned 2010 4Runner.'

The Truth About Cars have published their review of the 2011 Infiniti M37. 'The new Infiniti M is offered with a 330-horsepower 3.7-liter V6 and a 420-horsepower 5.6-liter V8. The latter is the clear choice for torque junkies who can never get enough. For nearly everyone else, including most driving enthusiasts, the sampled V6's noise output will be more of an issue than its power output. This V6 is perhaps the loudest in the segment despite the thoroughly sealed engine compartment. What might be fitting for a sports cars on the open road--and even then a sweeter song would be welcome--can come across as unseemly in a luxury sedan on suburban streets. Your ears will tell you to take it easy lest you attract unwanted attention.'

A review of the 2010 Cadillac CTS sedan has been posted over at SearchChicago. 'The 2010 CTS rolls into summer with crisp exterior lines that still polarize, but stylists have sharpened the creases and given the CTS family a taut, sheet-metal-stretched-over-steel look. The new coupe will be the ultimate expression of CTS style. Sedan improvements continue on the inside where a busy instrument panel with inexpensive-looking materials has been replaced with an attractive dual-position dash that gives both front passengers a cockpit feeling. Cadillac uses a pleasing mix of wood and alloy accents to create a stylish design and better build quality. I liked the center stack and instrument cluster; the soft ambient lighting in the dash and foot wells give the interior a warm, luxurious feel.'