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Wednesday, August 27, 2008

HIGH-MILEAGE HAULER


TOYOTA TACOMA
BASE PRICE: $16,815
M.P.G. RATING: 19 city, 25 highway, 21 combined
COST TO DRIVE 100 MILES: $18.84 (regular fuel)
A YEAR OF FILL-UPS: $2,827
Already the class of the its field, the freshened 2009 Tacoma adds standard electronic stability control to a features list that includes anti-lock brakes, active front headrests, side and head curtain air bags with a roll sensor and a limited-slip differential.

EUROSTYLE SIPPERS


VOLKSWAGEN JETTA TDI
BASE PRICE: $23,740
M.P.G. RATING: 29 city, 40 highway, 33 combined
COST TO DRIVE 100 MILES: $13.92 (diesel)
A YEAR OF FILL-UPS: $2,099
A typical driver will save $500 a year at the pump, even accounting for the currently inflated price of diesel fuel. That means the diesel will pay back its additional cost in four years, at which point the owner begins pocketing the savings.

CONSERVING CROSSOVER


TOYOTA RAV4
BASE PRICE: $22,245
M.P.G. RATING: 19 city, 26 highway, 24 combined
COST TO DRIVE 100 MILES: $16.48 (regular fuel)
A YEAR OF FILL-UPS: $2,935
Combine a 6.4-second burst from 0-60 with surprisingly gung-ho handling, and the RAV4 is one of the most entertaining models to wear a Toyota badge.

EFFICIENT ATHLETE


BMW 328i
BASE PRICE: $33,175
M.P.G. RATING: 19 city, 28 highway, 22 combined
COST TO DRIVE 100 MILES: $19.12 (premium fuel)
A YEAR OF FILL-UPS: $2,873
In a world teeming with 400- to 600-horsepower performance guzzlers – including a few from BMW – the 328i reminds us that a great sport sedan doesn’t have to swill to thrill.

JOLLY GREEN GIANT

MERCEDES GL 320 BLUETEC
BASE PRICE: $57,625
M.P.G. RATING: 17 city, 23 highway, 19 combined
COST TO DRIVE 100 MILES: $24.15 (diesel)
A YEAR OF FILL-UPS: $3,582
The V-6 diesel Mercedes costs $1,000 less than the gasoline V-8 version, compared to hybrid S.U.V.’s that add $5,000 or more to the conventional model’s price.

BOX SEATS

FORD FLEX
BASE PRICE: $28,995
M.P.G. RATING: 17 city, 24 highway, 19 combined
COST TO DRIVE 100 MILES: $20.84 (regular fuel)
A YEAR OF FILL-UPS: $3,124
The Flex is also cleaner at the pump, both for an owner’s hands and the environment: There’s no fuel-filler cap, only a receptacle that accepts the pump nozzle; the capless system allows fewer evaporative emissions.

RETRO ROLLER SKATE

MINI COOPER
BASE PRICE: $18,700
M.P.G. RATING: 26 city, 34 highway, 29 combined.
COST TO DRIVE 100 MILES: $14.52 (premium fuel)
A YEAR OF FILL-UPS: $2,179
Now in its second generation, the Mini’s British-retro style is aging well, while its cheeky handling is like a balm of youth.

SPACE SHUTTLE JR.

NISSAN VERSA
BASE PRICE: $13,990
M.P.G. RATING: 24 city, 32 highway, 27 combined.
COST TO DRIVE 100 MILES: $14.68 (regular fuel)
A YEAR OF FILL-UPS: $2,198
The Nissan is the pick for people who are thinking small but worry that a pint-sized car will never fit their quart-sized lifestyle.

UNDERCOVER HYBRID

TOYOTA CAMRY HYBRID
BASE PRICE: $26,310
M.P.G. RATING: 33 city, 34 highway, 34 combined
COST TO DRIVE 100 MILES: $11.64 (regular fuel)
A YEAR OF FILL-UPS: $1,746
The Camry cuts the fuel bill better than any car in this group; the owner who logs 15,000 miles a year will spend just $35 a week in gas.

LONG-DISTANCE RUNNER

CHEVROLET CORVETTE
BASE PRICE: $46,950
M.P.G. RATING: 16 city, 26 highway, 19 combined
COST TO DRIVE 100 MILES: $22.16 (premium fuel)
A YEAR OF FILL-UPS: $3,322
For those seeking near-supercar performance, the Corvette can burn rubber without shredding your conscience.

SENSIBLY SENSUOUS


HONDA ACCORD COUPE
BASE PRICE: $23,330
M.P.G. RATING: 21 city, 30 highway, 24 combined
COST TO DRIVE 100 MILES: $16.48
A YEAR OF FILL-UPS: $2,477
Styling aside, the two-door Accord lets a driver present a sporty, devil-may-care face while hiding his inner cheapskate.

THE ANTI-MINIVAN


MAZDA 5
BASE PRICE: $18,645
M.P.G. RATING: 21 city, 27 highway, 23 combined.
COST TO DRIVE 100 MILES: $17.20 (regular fuel)
A YEAR OF FILL-UPS: $2,584
The affordable Mazda holds six people in three rows and neatly outhandles a maxi-size miniva
n.

Mercedes-Benz



Based on the Mercedes-Benz SL600 roadster, Brabus have once again managed to create a unique and exciting machine. In this case, that goal is achieved by taking the somewhat small SL 600 roadster and putting in a somewhat huge tuned "S"-spec 7.3L V12 engine as well as tuning the suspension, brakes, wheels and aerodynamics with Brabus parts. The performance is remarkable, with the car being able to hit 60mph from 0 in just 4.5 seconds and a top speed of nearly 322kph. One of the most exclusive roadsters on the road today, the SL 7.3S also comes with (apart from all the goodies you'd find on a stock SL 600) crafted Brabus Mastik leather, a 200mph speedometer and a burl walnut shift knob. If you've got the cash and you're after something small yet eye-poppingly powerful, the SL 7.3S may just be what you're looking for.

Specifications:

Cost: €203,529 (US$200,000)

Engine: 7.3L front-mounted V12

Power: 428kW1 (582bhp) @ 6000rpm

Torque: 722nm (569.4ft-lbs) @ 4000rpm

Drive: RWD

Transmission: 4-speed manual

Body: 2-door roadster

Size (LWH): 4770/1810/1300mm (183.2/74.2/53.3in)

Curb Weight: 1769kg (3900lbs)
Performance:
Acceleration: 0-60mph in 4.5s, 0-100mph in 12.6s

1/4 Mile: 13s

Top Speed: 321.9kph (200mph)

Fiat Bravo





Fiat Bravo's sleek styling and elegant interiors areinspired by the Italian tradition. The car is availablein a sparkling, high-performance 1.9 Ltr Multijet engine that delivers power of 150 bhp at 4000 rpm and apeak torque of 305 nm at 2000 rpm. The cutting-edgeequipment, and a safety system puts it at the very topof the category. Its interiors give a warm feeling tothe riders. The car's attention to detail and theelegant interior finish add to the car’s aestheticexperience.

Sunday, August 24, 2008

SUPER CARS






NEW STYLE




Currently there are 25 models in the Mazda6 range - there are three body styles to choose from a booted 4-door, a 5-door hatchback and a 5-door estate. Five equipment levels starting with the entry level S followed by the TS, TS2, Sport and a new luxury SL (Sports Luxury). The engine line starts with a 1.8 litre petrol engine, two 2.0 litre engines (petrol and diesel) and a new 2.5 litre petrol engine. The 1.8 litre petrol has a 5-speed manual gearbox; the rest of the range is equipped with a 6-speed box. There is a 5-speed automatic option for the 2.0 litre petrol engine.
The new 2.5 litre engine is based on the old 2.3 litre power plant with some major modifications which despite being a larger capacity engine the fuel consumption returns a 6.9% improvement on the combined fuel cycle. Engine noise is well suppressed to the point of wondering if the engine was still running at low speed. You have to be exact with the 6-speed manual gearbox, it is far too easy to select 4th instead of 6th gear and as the engine is so quiet you may stay in it for a short period.

LAMBORGHINI


The Lamborghini Gallardo model range lies within the price bracket of £143,350 - £147,330. Currently the Gallardo has not been tested by NCAP and therefore does not have a rating. The Lamborghini Gallardo is in insurance group 20. All models are expensive (group 20 being the highest rating) to insure.


Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 Coupe Price -£217,375 - on the road
Engine Cubic Capacity - 6500 cc
Transmission - 6 Speed - Manual
e-gear - Automatic
Automatic Transmission - £6,250
Body Style - Coupe
Driven Wheels - Four Wheel Drive (4x4)
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