Handy Auto Guide

Chevy Corvette ZR1 - BusinessWeek

2008-08-27T12:47:00Z

BusinessWeek have published a review of the Chevy Corvette ZR1 supercar. 'The new Corvette ZR1 is already the stuff of legend. Developed as an ad hoc skunkworks project, the new Vette was born of a remark by General Motors (GM) CEO Rick Wagoner, who wondered aloud what the Corvette design team could come up with if it had a mandate to develop a $100,000 car. Code-named Blue Devil, after Wagoner's alma mater, Duke University, the ZR1 is the fastest and most powerful production car ever made by an American manufacturer. It has a 638-horsepower V8 engine and can accelerate from zero to 60 in 3.4 seconds—in first gear. ]]> At this point, you might be wondering why financially challenged GM is pouring time and money into a limited-edition product (only 1,800 ZR1s are expected to be made in the first year) that almost certainly won't make money. The rationale is that sexy niche products like the ZR1 generate excitement about the brand. But Corvette sales are off 16.4%, at 16,824 in the first seven months of this year, and fell 21.3%, to 1,870 in July. Not to be a buzz-kill, but it seems to me that GM is in far greater need of a decent subcompact than a supercar designed to compete with Ferrari and Porsche (") at a lower price.'

Read: Chevy Corvette ZR1: GM's Ferrari - BusinessWeek

2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid 2WD - LeftLane News

2008-08-26T16:18:13Z

A review of the 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid SUV has been posted over at LeftLane News. 'The Yukon Hybrid gets a different front fascia with a more prominent chrome grille. The front bumper stretches down much, much further than in the standard model, significantly inhibiting any off road pretensions this SUV might have ever had (even though ours was a two-wheel-drive example, the four-wheel-drive models also feature the elongated front bumper). This is, of course, all done in the name of decreasing wind resistance. The running boards are also better integrated into the body with a pair of plastic sail panels designed to help this box cheat the wind and the roof rack is removed. Styling is subjective, of course, but we think the Tahoe Hybrid’s more subtle front end is cleaner and more refined.']]>

Read: Review: 2008 GMC Yukon Hybrid 2WD - LeftLane News

Hyundai i-Mode - Auto Express

2008-08-25T12:40:55Z

Auto Express have published their "test driven" review of the Hyundai i-Mode MPV. 'This is the i-Mode, which bosses hope will ruffle the feathers of class leaders such as the Ford C-MAX and Vauxhall Zafira. The i-Mode is important, because it previews an entry into a new niche for the maker. And it’s the first Hyundai to be fitted with a state-of-the-art 2.2-litre diesel. This will become available across the rest of the range from 2011. But that’s not all. Instead of using glass, all the windows and headlight lenses are made of a light, impact-resistant plastic called Makrolon. The car also wears a six-sided grille which will be seen on all new Hyundais within a couple of years.' ]]>

Read: Hyundai i-Mode - Auto Express

2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 - Inside Line

2008-08-24T14:11:42Z

Inside Line have published their "test driven" review of the 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 2dr Hatchback. 'This ZR1 produces 638 hp — the equivalent of the power produced by the 405-hp 1995 Corvette ZR-1 (the "King of the Hill Corvette") plus a 1984 Corvette plus a 1968 Citroën 2CV. Or think of it this way. If you bolted three 1980s-era Corvette L83 small blocks end to end to end to produce a single V24 engine, it would still produce 23 hp fewer than the ZR1's supercharged LS9 V8. For perspective, the total power received by the earth from the sun is considerably higher at 174.0 petawatts (1015 watts) or 233,334,000,000,000 hp*.']]>

Read: First Drive: 2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 - Edmunds

2009 Nissan Murano - The Wall Street Journal

2008-08-23T14:03:00Z

A review of the 2009 Nissan Murano SUV has been posted over at The Wall Street Journal. 'Despite its curvy body panels and Italian-inspired moniker, the Murano was -- and is -- really just a tall station wagon based on Nissan's Altima midsize car. These days, auto makers like to call them "crossovers," but that nomenclature barely existed when Nissan dreamed up the Murano, and it was a few years before rivals reacted. But they did, and the market is now flush with sleek and sporty SUVs that fairly scream, "Built for the suburbs, not the sub-Saharan." ]]> In the face of this increased competition, and despite a thorough overhaul, the new 2009 Murano has changed relatively little. It is roughly the same size and weight and still seats just five passengers in its two rows. It is still available in either front-wheel- or all-wheel-drive configurations, both powered by Nissan's brilliant 3.5-liter V6, which is now rated at 265 horsepower, up 25 over the old model. It even looks much like the old Murano, right down to its distinctive -- and blind-spot-inducing -- rear pillar. Yet a closer look reveals that Nissan has made improvements, dotting the i's and crossing the t's.'

Read: New Murano: Better, but Is It Enough? - WSJ.com

2009 Honda Fit - USA TODAY

2008-08-22T16:02:25Z

The USA TODAY have published their review of the 2009 HONDA FIT economy car. 'On the positive side of things, Fit's lively driving personality is more engaging than that of its main rivals, Toyota Yaris and Nissan Versa. That's especially so in Fits with the manual transmission, which shifts so easily and pleasantly it has you looking for reasons to change gears. The five-speed automatic — most cars this size have four-speed autos — shifts crisply up or down at full- or part-throttle. Paddle shifters on the steering wheel let you shift manually by stretching a finger or two. What's more, the paddle-shift feature is always available. You needn't move the main gearshift lever into a special mode first, as you must on many cars.']]>

Read: Test Drive: New Honda Fit hits the fuel-efficient spot - USA TODAY

2009 Hyundai Genesis - SearchChicago

2008-08-21T13:17:29Z

SearchChicago have published a review of the 2009 Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan. 'The new Hyundai is a big, roomy car that looks the part of a luxury sedan, inside and out. It has as many comfort, convenience and electronic features as any car in its class, including heated front leather-covered power seats. Safety items include electronic stability control, eight air bags and electronic active head restraints. The V-6 model has a Premium option package that contains leather-wrapped dash and door trim inserts, power sunroof and a 14-speaker surround sound system, while a Premium Plus package includes 18-inch alloy wheels, navigation system and front/rear parking assistance.' ]]>

Read: Upping the ante - SearchChicago.com

2009 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 TDI - The Truth About Cars

2008-08-20T14:57:36Z

A review of the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 TDI diesel sedan has been posted over at The Truth About Cars. 'The TDI's interior is fine; it’s nice, it’s well built, it’s a list of mediocre compliments. Next? If you've been car-aware since the Mark V Jetta debuted four years ago, none of this is news. Nor is the fact that VW offers a diesel engine. But while VW sold the 1.9-liter four-cylinder turbodiesel for the past several years, you may not know the 1.9's history.]]> This 100 horsepower oil burner was first built in 1820. The metalsmith used bronze, and then died from boredom. Although VW has been selling the 1.9 as a car engine of late, in the 1920s it was marketed as a “Clatterynoisedervish;” a device designed exclusively for frightening pigeons. And though the 1.9 could deliver some 40+ MPG highway, it was mostly out of necessity; if you stopped for fuel, you ran the risk of your passengers refusing to get back into the car.'

Read: 2009 Volkswagen Jetta 2.0 TDI Review - The Truth About Cars

Fiat 500 Abarth - The Independent

2008-08-19T15:12:00Z

The Independent have published their review of the Fiat 500 Abarth compact. 'There's something hugely appealing about the unexpectedly fast, small car. It's the combination of cute looks and the promise of major amusement from cheeky, giant-killing performance. So, a Fiat 500 wearing big wheels, a roof-mounted wing and enough stripes to decorate a general is a pleasing eyeful. This, and the fact that the 500 is impossibly stylish to start with. You might be surprised not to find a single Fiat badge, unless you go burrowing deep in the engine bay, but it is liberally sprinkled with enamelled scorpions, some of which crop up in unexpected places – like the real thing – such as high on the rear wings.']]>

Read: Fiat 500 Abarth - The Independent

2008 Maserati GranTurismo - CNET

2008-08-18T12:51:30Z

CNET have published a review of the 2008 Maserati GranTurismo supercar. 'The 2008 Maserati GranTurismo dresses well, with fine material and switchgear in the cabin, as you would expect from a car going for well over 100 grand. But, there are some flaws: the door-sill panels covering the side airbags are very evident, with big, visible seams; and a monochrome LCD showing climate control settings looks more utilitarian than stylish. ]]> For cabin electronics, the GranTurismo is well-outfitted, with a colorful LCD on the instrument panel and a solid button pad below. The interface can be a little difficult--you control navigation and other systems with a small knob surrounded by directional buttons. There is a similar knob and button arrangement for the audio system, but the way the buttons are organized isn't always logical. For example, a button labeled Mode amongst the audio controls changes what is shown on the LCD, letting you choose from map, trip computer, or audio information.'

Read: 2008 Maserati GranTurismo - CNET

2008 SsangYong Stavic - Car Advice

2008-08-17T15:14:33Z

Car Advice have published a review of the 2008 SsangYong Stavic MPV. 'To kick things off, let’s tackle the big one, the not too delicate matter of Stavics’ polarising looks. With large headlights and somewhat classy chrome grille the Mercedes influenced front end is almost bearable in isolation, and if you were to see the car solely from the front you could almost be forgiven for thinking it’s quite smart to look at. But start to get a little profile in to the picture, or worse still wander round the back, and everything just becomes a little Pablo Picasso.']]>

Read: 2008 SsangYong Stavic Review - caradvice.com.au

2008 Saab 9-7X - Forbes Autos

2008-08-16T13:28:28Z

Forbes Autos have published a review of the 2008 Saab 9-7X SUV. 'The 9-7X carries Saab-specific styling cues; for instance, the ignition is in the center console behind the gear lever, an echo of Saab tradition which places the ignition on the floor between the front seats. However, the 9-7X is actually built in Ohio. It is yet another version of the truck that’s otherwise known as the Chevrolet TrailBlazer, Buick Rainier, GMC Envoy, and Isuzu Ascender. The concept has never caught on, either with Saab loyalists or the general public.']]>

Read: 2008 Saab 9-7X - Forbes Autos

2008 Kia Rondo - BusinessWeek

2008-08-15T15:59:56Z

A review of the 2008 Kia Rondo minivan has been psted over at BusinessWeek.com. 'The Rondo is an excellent choice for young families on a tight budget. It's only 179 inches long, the same length as a 2009 Toyota (TM) Corolla. But it is 2.4 inches wider and more than 7 inches taller, so it has more head, hip, and shoulder space than the Corolla and other compact sedans. The Rondo's optional third-row seats are too tight for most adults, but there's plenty of room for a driver to carpool with up to six children.]]> The Rondo's only real direct competitor is the Mazda5, a similar compact minivan that was improved as of the '08 model year. Otherwise, the Rondo's closest rivals are totally different styles of vehicle, including compact hatchbacks such as General Motors' (GM) Pontiac Vibe and Toyota Matrix, small SUVs such as the Toyota Rav4 and quirky niche models such as the Scion xB and the Chevrolet HHR. However, only the Mazda5 and Toyota Rav4 also have an available third-row of seats.'

Read: Kia Rondo: A Minivan That Can- BusinessWeek.com

2008 Infiniti G35 Hybrid - Inside Line

2008-08-14T16:02:35Z

Inside Line have published their "test driven" review of the 2008 Infiniti G35 Hybrid. 'We drove the 2008 Infiniti G35 Hybrid Prototype at Nissan's proving ground in Oppama, near the seaport town of Yokohama, Japan, and it makes us think that a hybrid performance car from Infiniti could be in our future. While we tried out this system in a 2008 Infiniti G35 Prototype, this won't be the car Nissan finally introduces two years from now. We know, because Nissan's Minoru Shinohara, senior vice president of technical development, told us so. Of course, we wouldn't be a bit surprised to see a hybrid version of the Infiniti G37 sedan show up a year or so after the inaugural model makes its bow.']]>

Read: First Drive: 2008 Infiniti G35 Hybrid - Edmunds

Kia pro_cee'd 1.6CRDi LS - Pocket-Lint

2008-08-13T12:36:37Z

Pocket-Lint have published a review of the Kia pro_cee'd 1.6CRDi LS. 'Traditionally Kia’s cars have been lower priced than their rivals at the expense of build quality and finish, but the pro-ceed represents a huge leap in the right direction. Internally and out it looks and feels like a solid, well designed and well put together piece of kit. The strong lines and angles of the chassis give it a squat, muscular look, which makes it far more imposing than its size would suggest. ]]> Inside, all the dials, knobs and switches are sturdy with rubberised finishes and sporty detailing. Layout and design is well thought-out too, with the exception of the Asian-throwback right-hand mounted indicator stalk and left-mounted windscreen wipers. The number of times I went to turn left, turned the wipers on instead of indicating and then had to avoid some irate motorist was annoying to the point of distraction.'

Read: Kia pro_cee'd 1.6CRDi LS review - Pocket-Lint