Hyundai Elantra Launch Review
American Honda Civic Sedan spied for the first tim...
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Hyundai Elantra Launch Review
The new Elantra is at the large end of the small sedan market. The Hyundai Elantra will make its first public appearance at the 2011 Australian International Motor Show in Melbourne. Elantra was designed at Hyundai’s North American Design Center in Irvine, Calif.
With its 138-horsepower engine (132 horses and PZEV-rated in California and the Northeast), the Elantra feels ready to take on anything the daily commuter can throw its way. Throttle response is well modulated, and when paired with the light-effort clutch makes for effortless green-light launches and smooth operation in stop-and-go situations.
The 2.0-liter four-banger eagerly climbs into redline territory, and during our aggressive driving loop proved capable of hanging out there for extended periods without complaint; though it was loud, the engine otherwise maintained a nice level of refinement. Equally impressive was the five-speed stick shift, characterized by slick movements and relatively short throws. Under the hood there are wholesale changes starting with the switch to the latest generation four-cylinder engine known in-house as the “Nu”. At 1.8-litres, it replaces the 2.0-litre Beta engine in the outgoing Elantra. Also new is a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission that replaces the former five-speed manual and four-speed automatic.
And on the road, the suspension settings feel firm but not hard, with good cushioning and control of body movements. In the interest of keeping the weight down and control the cost of the new Elantra has a twist-beam rear axle instead of independent of the previous scheme car. drive aggressively in our mild, no restrictions were felt as a result of this switch to simple hardware, but the MPG improvement of the electric steering assist missing a good feeling, even if the level of support about the same. The stock tires are 195/65-15s but 205/55HR-16s 215/45HR-17s, and on the larger alloy wheels.
Pricing starts at a pleasing $20,590 for the Active six-speed manual, lifting to $25,590 for the mid-spec Elite automatic and then to $28,990 for the top shelf Premium automatic. Add $2000 for an automatic Active to make it $22,590. The other two models come only as autos.
American Honda Civic Sedan spied for the first time
The spies caught the next-generation European Honda Civic 5-door testing near the Nurburgring. This time the sedan version which is slated for the American market was caught.
Looking pretty close to an alleged leaked image, the sedan has been an icon of practicality and reliability.
However, newcomers such as the Hyundai Elantra and Suzuki Kizashi have upped the ante with dramatic styling, and that’s not good for this ninth generation Civic as it looks quite drab, even in prototype form.
The all-new 2012 Honda Civic is getting closer to its introduction in 2011, and with each passing day. Another key feature is the obvious use of large rear disc brakes, something that was not used on the standard Civic for the outgoing model. The spy shots we have acquired of the latest sedan in testing used wheels that hid the rear brakes, so at this time we can’t confirm whether or not rear disc will be used across
Preparing Your Vehicle For Towing
Preparing your vehicle for towing. The long hauls that come with summer and family road trips with the camper, trailer or boat. Get your car products ready so your car will be ready for your summer driving and towing.
(ARA) – Warm sunny days mean vacations or weekend getaways, and many families take to the road with a camper in tow. Whether you are towing a camper, trailer or boat – regardless of the size – it means you will want to take steps to make sure the vehicle you are using for towing is ready for the haul.
If you are purchasing a new vehicle specifically for towing, consider adding the optional “Towing” or “Camping” packages that are offered. These options are installed by the automaker and will be covered under the factory warranty. If your towing will be primarily on pavement, it is recommended to buy a two-wheel drive model instead of a four-wheel drive that is heavier and has a lower towing capability than a two-wheel drive vehicle.
Springs And Shocks
Heavy-duty springs are considered an aftermarket improvement, but are worth the investment if you do a lot of towing. Find a reputable spring and suspension shop to have the heavy-duty springs installed for rear or front suspensions.
It’s also a good idea to outfit your vehicle with the best shock absorbers available for towing. Good shocks will keep your vehicle stable and reduce sway should you encounter potholes or rough pavement.
Upgrade Your Lubricants
Towing can cause increased stress on your vehicle and force the engine to run hotter as a result. Anything you can do to keep those temperatures down will extend the life of your tow vehicle. One simple and inexpensive way to prepare your tow vehicle is to change and upgrade your fluids and lubricants.
2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport
The Bugatti Veyron is (still) the world’s fastest production car, having just wrested the crown from itself in a successful world-record attempt. The new Veyron 16.4 Super Sport comes with four enlarged turbochargers and bigger intercoolers that have been used to boost the power of the 16-cylinder engine to a total of 1200 HP, the chassis has been extensively redesigned to maintain safety at extreme speeds. This gives noticeably more precise control of the wheels and the car as a whole. With lateral acceleration of up to 1.4 G and improved interaction between the tires and the intelligent all-wheel drive system, the Super Sport offers perfect handling and even more powerful acceleration of 1,500 NM on corner exits.
Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport set the speed record as the fastest production car in the world going 431 km/h (268 mph), with former race driver Pierre-Henri Raphanel behind the wheel. Production versions of the Super Sport will have their top speed electronically limited to 258 mph, in order to protect the tires from certain, expedient death. To achieve that higher velocity, the car has undergone a pretty significant aerodynamic rework, with the most obvious change being the removal of the steamship-esque silver air intakes.
The new Veyron is large for a two-seater, measuring 175.7 in. from bumper to bumper, and riding on a 106.7-in. wheelbase. It’s wide and low at 78.7 in. and 46.8 in., respectively. The car looks similar to the base Veyron, but there are subtle differences. On its roof are two NACA ducts that feed air into the engine, and the front of the car has been reshaped to house larger air vents (the lower one extending around the sides to the wheel arch).
The normal Veyron has a 16 cylinder engine that is fitted with 4 turbos, and makes 1,001hp, a figure immune to the word, “inadequate.” But when we hear “turbo” we think boost. And when an engine comes from a factory with any amount of boost, our brain immediately wonders what fun can be had with more boost.
This model offers a stunning set of specifications, such as the twin clutch gearbox with seven speeds, the extraordinarily precise driving performance in bends and excellent stability when braking and accelerating.
The car now has four fuel pumps, compared with the Veyron’s two, feeding the larger quad turbochargers. A less restrictive (and louder) exhaust system was developed. That and some engine-management programming increases torque to a hilarious 1,500 Newton-meters (1,103 pound-feet), and peak torque is higher in the rev band. Suspension-wise, the ride height was raised slightly (to accommodate greater high-speed downforce); and the air suspension, half-shafts, links and wheels were lightened, reinforced and laced tighter.
The fastest production car and one that’s holding on to the record in style is the Bugatti Veyron. It even has been successful in creating a world record for itself in this field and ironically has beaten its own record for creating the new record. The test driver who sat behind wheels of the new Veyron 16.4 Super Sport car made good an average speed of 268 mph. the driver and the car achieved this fete at the Ehra-Lessien test track which is located just outside of Wolfsburg. The previous record which was held by the Veyron 16.4 coupe was 15 mph lesser than this present new record. Not only is the car, by performance faster than its previous version, even the conditions of the day helped the car in achieving its feat. The Bugatti themselves had predicted a speed of 264 mph.
The body of the car has been made of carbon-fiber monocoque. This assists in increase of torsion rigidity as well as reduction in weight. The body has been fine-tuned to improve aerodynamic efficiency and maintain perfect balance in every situation, while the new fibre structure of the all-carbon monocoque ensures maximum torsion rigidity and passive safety – at reduced weight. The skin is made entirely of carbon-fibre composites, and the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is available in 100 per-cent clear-lacquered exposed carbon on request. Bugatti team has promised to give the production car with a clear coated paint for all its rear panels. This would give a view of the wave.
Mazda Lineup to Become More Fuel Efficient by 2015
Mazda Motor Corporation has announced that it is setting its sights on reducing the fuel consumption of Mazda vehicles sold globally by an average 30 percent by 2015. This determined commitment will entail a holistic approach which includes using lightweight technologies, the upgrade of almost all of Mazda’s gasoline engines, introducing a Smart Idle Stop System, a new gasoline rotary engine and new diesel engines worldwide. By 2015, Mazda will have renewed almost its entire powertrain lineup and, from 2011, through steadily developing safe, lightweight, new generation platforms aims to reduce the weight of its new vehicles by 100 kilograms or more.
Certainly, much of Mazda’s work will lie in the form of powertrain enhancements. By 2011, every gasoline motor offered in a Mazda will utilize direct-injection fuel delivery, in an aim to boost power by 15 percent and improve fuel economy by 20 percent. At the same time, Mazda also plans on launching a new family of turbo-diesel engines, intended to be sold in global markets.
One new engine may be of particular note to enthusiasts – a revised rotary. Mazda says work on the next-generation Wankel motor – codenamed 16X – is currently underway. Few details have surfaced as of yet, but Mazda does note the next motor, likely slated for the RX-8′s successor, will also make use of direct-injection.
Mazda is driven by its long-term vision to provide all its customers with first-rate environmental and safety features as well as driving pleasure. This means that Mazda owners are assured of driving cars that continue to provide the fun-to-drive feeling that will keep them coming back for more, while still having the peace of mind that their Mazda is environmentally-friendly and safe to drive.
Mazda is also making itself known in the area of carbon neutral bioplastics. Developed in collaboration with government, industry and academia, Mazda intends to expand the applications of this new source of eco-friendly material. Already, bioplastics are used in the new Mazda5 Hydrogen RE Hybrid and, in June 2008, Mazda commenced the Mazda Bioplastic Project to develop a bioplastic made from non-food-based cellulosic biomass. The project aims to have the bioplastic ready for use in vehicles by 2013.