Thursday, 25 July 2013
Monday, 22 July 2013
Wednesday, 17 July 2013
The new BMW X1 is unique, dynamic and versatile
The freedom to do
everything.
The new BMW X1 is unique, dynamic and versatile — just like you.
Explore each feature and see how it matches up with every
side of your personality.
HARNESS YOUR PRECISE
HANDLING SIDE.
ELECTRIC POWER STEERING.
Depending on the current speed of the car, servotronic adjusts the amount of steering assistance to suit the driving situation and ensures optimal steering responsiveness.
GO AHEAD.
BRING EVERYTHING.
VERSATILE COMPARTMENTS.
Roomy inner door pockets for sunglasses and random snacks.Cup holders in the center console for multiple lattes. And trunk space to fit whatever you pick up. There are so many places to store stuff, you can keep collecting.
YOUR WORLD IN YOUR TRUNK.
56 CUBIC FEET OF SPACE.
With this much trunk space, you can fit several pieces of luggage at atime thanks to the flexibility of 40/20/40 split-seats, there's enough room
for bulkier items — even multiple boogie boards.
BMW EFFICIENT DYNAMICS
MAKING A LITTLE GO A LONG WAY.
BRAKE ENERGY REGENERATION.
BMW EfficientDynamics represents an acclaimed comprehensive technology package designed to reduce fuel consumption emissions, while simultaneously enhancing driving performance. Break energy regenration means that every time you brake or take your foot off the accelerator, kinetic energy that was previously unharnessed is transformed into electric energy and fed into the battery. So you'll use a lot less fuel while you stop and go.
LESS IS MORE.
BEST IN SEGMENT FUEL EFFICIENCY.*
The BMW EfficientDynamics advanced features relish a stunning performance with 184 hp and 380 Nm torque, giving you a fabulous 17.05 km/l. It is the kind of fuel efficiency that lets you drive as long as you want to.SAVE AT EVERY POSSIBLE INSTANCE.
AUTO START-STOP.
The engine automatically turns off when idling and restarts again when needed, so you lower emissions and save gas. All while waiting for that friend who's never on time.BE 20% MORE EFFICIENT .
STAY 100% ADVENTUROUS.
ECO PRO MODE.
For maximum efficiency, it tells you the best gears to use and when to use them. Andit adjusts your interior heating and cooling systems. All with one goal: to reduce fuel consumption by up to 20%.
PERFECT PARKING EVERY TIME.
PARK DISTANCE CONTROL.
Four sensors measure how far you are from vehicles behind. As your bumper approaches, the image on the iDrive screen changes and the beeping becomes faster, as you easily slip into any spot.CLARITY AS FAR AS THE
EYE CAN SEE.
XENON HEADLIGHTS.
Xenon headlights are a high intensity discharge light source for high or low beam, and offer a number of advantages over conventional halogen bulbs.BMW CONNECTED DRIVE - FOR MORE
CONVENIENCE, INFOTAINMENT AND SAFETY.
BMW APPS.
With the free BMW Connected App from the Apple App Store, you’ll always be up-to-date. Using the iDrive system, you can select internet radio stations from around the world. You can also view the latest status updates from your Facebook or Twitter accounts, view upcoming appointments on the Control Display or have them read out via the car speakers using the read-aloud function, and more.
NAVIGATION SYSTEM PROFESSIONAL.
Navigation System Professional with high-resolution 8.8 inch colour monitor allows for a more comprehensive overview of the locations to provide orientation points on your journey. You can inform the system of your destination via Voice Control.
2014 Nissan Cars
2014 Nissan Cars
2014 Nissan 370Z Coupe:
2014 Nissan 370Z Roadster :
2014 Nissan Altima Sedan :
2014 Nissan Armada: |
2014 Nissan GT-R: |
2014 Nissan LEAF:
2014 Nissan Maxima :
2014 Nissan Murano:
2014 Nissan Murano CrossCabriolet:
2014 Nissan Pathfinder :
2014 Nissan Quest: |
2014 Nissan Sentra: |
2014 Nissan Versa Sedan :
Tuesday, 16 July 2013
Renault Clio GT-Line 120 EDC (2013) CAR review
Renault Clio GT-Line 120 EDC CAR review
He complicated name bestowed upon
the Renault Clio GT-Line 120 EDC gives a clue to its nature:
a mix of an efficiency-biased turbocharged
petrol engine with some sporty hardware from the £21k RS Clio 200 hot hatch, but at a more
affordable £17,395.
It’s targeting everything from the Ford Fiesta Zetec S and Citroen DS3 through to the Suzuki Swift Sport. So, does the Clio GT-Line
deliver the best of both worlds or is it a confusing supermini that’s best
avoided? Read on for the full CAR verdict.
Is the Renault Clio GT-Line merely a
detuned RS Clio?
No – it uses a 1.2-litre
four-cylinder engine instead of the RS’s 1.6-litre turbo motor.
Power stands at 118bhp and 140 lb
ft, and it’s channelled through an identical-to-RS six-speed dual-clutch
gearbox (hence the EDC, for Electronic Dual Clutch) with paddleshifters and
racier modes for faster changes.
And, like the RS, you can’t buy it
with a manual transmission.
Any other sporty add-ons?
A new front bumper with a deeper air
intake and LED running lights, attractive 17in alloys and twin exhausts set in
a silver rear bumper that apes the RS Clio’s no-nonsense diffuser are part of
the show
. Compare it with a regular Clio and
the GT-Line’s extra swagger is obvious, but in isolation it’s not much more of
a head-turner than the rather pretty standard car. Inside there’s a set of
superb sports seats, metal shift paddles for the EDC (Efficient Dual-Clutch
gearbox) pinched straight from the RS Clio, and a slightly incongruous
Renaultsport badge.
So, does the Clio GT feel worthy of
that hallowed Renaultsport badge?
No – but it makes a compelling case
as a halfway house between the wicked up RS model and the bread-and-butter
Clios. Think BMW M Performance instead of M Car, or S-Line Audi instead of RS,
and the GT-Line hits its mark. The RS Clio, with its turbocharged engine and
lack of manual gearbox, isn’t a hot hatch for the classic purist, and the
GT-Line won’t win any friends there either, but it’s not really aimed at your
classic Clio Williams fan. It’s really pitched at young drivers who’d like a
hot Clio but can’t afford to buy, or worse, insure one. And for young’uns, there’s
plenty to like…
Plenty of showroom appeal then?
Let’s reel off the positive first
impressions: the sports seat clasps the driver’s body firmly, the chunky
steering wheel feels great to hold and offers masses of adjustment, and little
touches like silver seatbelts and polished pedals give the cabin a sporty sense
of occasion. While Audi and Jaguar insist on hampering their
paddleshift-equipped cars with nasty plastic buttons, the Clio GT gets long,
cool aluminium column-mounted levers with a nicely-damped movement and quality
feel to them. Meanwhile, The touchscreen ‘R-link’ infotainment system is
intuitive, bursting with features, and quick-witted enough to embarrass a few
so-called ‘premium brand’ interface’s sleepless nights.
The suspension’s serious overhaul,
with damping rates 40% stiffer than a regular Clio, hasn’t turned the car into
a skateboard – it’s well controlled and yet perfectly tolerable day-to-day.
However, while your passengers won’t mind the firm chassis, the hard ride does
take its toll on the cabin. Our car was plagued by a variety of rattles and
buzzes emanating from the dashboard, door cards and ceiling switches. And while
we’re talking unpleasant noises, the much-hyped ‘Bass Reflex’ speaker system’s
sound quality is as disappointingly flimsy as the ugly speaker covers
themselves. The other Clio drawbacks of cramped rear seats and lots of
wingmirror wind noise remain.
Right, it’s attractive but flimsy: but
how does the Clio GT-Line drive?
It’s a mixed bag of fun and
frustration. Leave the dual-clutch gearbox in the default auto mode and it’s
mostly smooth and unobtrusive, save for initial getaway and creeping in
traffic, which is jerkier than a Texan barbeque. It'll also hold onto ratios
for just a second or two longer than the best-calibrated autos. The steering is
light, direct but inert, and the engine a touch breathless-sounding. To really
bring the Clio GT to life, you need to select Sport mode via the RS Drive
button on the centre console, and knock the cheap-feeling gear lever across
into manual mode, bringing those lovely paddles into play and adding an edge to
the Clio’s timbre.
Why does Sport mode make such a
difference?
There’s more weight to the steering,
and although there’s still not a massive amount of feel, at least there’s some
weight to push against as you pick up the pace. Gear change times drop from
200ms to 170ms, and the throttle response becomes noticeably keener, if not
sharp: period. In Sport mode, using the paddles, there’s some real play value
to the Clio GT, flicking between
ratios at peak power of 4900rpm,
(before the change-up light turns yellow, and the ’box takes matters into its
own hands) and cheekily left-foot braking for the full go-kart experience.
Given that the standard Clio’s manual gearbox is far from one of the great
changers on the market today, it’s unlikely you’ll miss the interactivity of a
third pedal. We certainly didn’t.
Despite stiffer springs, the Clio’s
chassis still isn’t truly playful – a regular Ford Fiesta is more lively,
adjustable and communicative, but equipped with those fat tyres and a flatter
cornering stance, the Clio GT grips hard and can carry plenty of speed. Keep
the whiny engine wound up on boost by flipping the paddles, both hands firmly
clamped to the wheel, and it’s impressive point-to-point. In short, the gearbox
and chassis really make the most of the morsel of power under the bonnet. It is
fun, but it’s a different sort of fun to the old-school, turn-in-and-lift-off
joy of a Fiesta.
How do the finances stack up?
We’ll
cover the complete ins and outs of insurance technicalities and the optional
kit’s value for money in a future blog on CAR Online, but in terms of price,
the Clio GT-Line isn’t cheap, at £17,395. A Ford Fiesta Zetec S EcoBoost costs
£2000 less, but Renault sales folk will surely counter with the Clio’s
additional pair of doors, dual-clutch gearbox, bespoke suspension and excellent
R-link system. The Clio’s claimed economy is 54.3mpg: realistically you’ll get
low-to-mid-forties in The Real World.
Verdict
The Clio GT-Line successfully pulls
off its new-school attitude and play value – it’s a fun if pricey warm hatch. A
Fiesta Zetec S or even a Suzuki Swift Sport are more honest drivers’ cars, but
the Clio GT-Line has won me over and is definitely worth a test drive if you
can’t stretch to one of Dieppe’s finest RS models. Just remember to select
Sport mode and manual gearshift as routinely as you buckle your seatbelt…
new advances in auto technology
Top Technological Improvements in New
Car and Trucks
1)All Wheel Drive
This technology is not new but it has certainly been improved!Once upon a time there were only a handful of cars that offered this and Subaru was one of the big players to utilize this technology.
It is similar to four wheel drive but a lot easier to operate and much more reliable over the long run.
I am a huge fan of AWD and would have either this or true Four Wheel Drive on my cars and trucks. Look for this option on your next new car!
2) Gas Electric Hybrid Technology
This is a fairly new field on the automotive front, but thanks to
technological advancements being made every day, we are seeing more and
better Hybrid vehicles hit the streets.
I was literally shocked to see a
Hybrid Chevy Tahoe at the Auto Show!The advances being made in this area of automotive technology is nothing short of miraculous! Watch as more models are introduced that have some form of a Hybrid power system.
3) Touch Screen Display Technology
This was one of the more popular items on display at the 2010 car show
in Cleveland Ohio.
In one model the display handled all of the on-board
systems like the navigation and the stereo with multi CD changer
technology.This component is going to be used in more models as the price drops and technology vendors begin to incorporate this into their equipment.
4) All crash avoidance equipment including backup cameras
The proper implementation of these crash avoidance systems suggests
the promise of many lives saved by automated accident prevention!
This
is a huge topic which is fast becoming the most talked about feature to
come along in a very long time.My only fear is that some drivers will become too complacent with the assumption that the car will just do it for me so I do not have to pay as much attention as I used to.
This would be a huge mistake and this critical point should be stressed with every driver of any car that has this technology.
5) Advanced Engine Controls to Save Fuel
Some Automotive manufacturers are working on improving the electronic
engine controls which manage everything that is going on under the hood
from ignition timing to fuel air ratio and exhaust gas recirculation
flows.
The newest trend here is in the area of variable valve timing and
this combined with selective cylinder control called "Cylinder
Deactivation" where the computer basically disables certain cylinders to
improve fuel economy when the extra power is not needed.The variable valve timing system combined with active cylinder control can improve fuel economy by 5% to 25% depending on the engine size and other operating conditions.
Watch for these enhancements in your next newer car purchase!
6) Tires have evolved into a high tech energy transfer device
Once upon a time you bought tires based on how they fit on your car
and how great they looked on your custom rims.
But now we look at the
price tag of a 40 or 50,000 mile tire and we wonder what the heck
happened here? Not too many years ago we used to pay around $25 a tire
for 14 inch rubber, and $3 each to mount and balance them, now the same
tire would easily cost over $60 plus $7 for mounting and $3 for
balancing. Plus tax! Now it is true that the newer tires are engineered
with high tech additives to create a more robust tire with better speed
and load ratings plus they offer less rolling resistance thereby
increasing fuel mileage.Include in the list of advancements the "Run Flat" versions and it is easy to see that this one item has evolved tremendously.
7) Last but not least is the advancements made in on board entertainment systems.
I do not have one but it seems to me that the video systems that are
popping up in cars and vans all over the place have made my driving on
the highways and byways just a little bit easier by allowing mom and dad
the peace and quiet that it takes to safely operate a motor vehicle
with kids on board!
The accident data that is collected off highway
accident reports every day clearly shows a correlation between drivers
being distracted and accidents.Distractions are usually self induced but other times they are 3 feet tall wearing ice cream stained shirts inside out and a cute smile. The video systems seem to have made the car ride thing into a fun little time out. This is good for everyone since the distraction levels are much lower when a Disney film is playing in that minivan right in front of you.
I believe that without the ever growing investment which we are making into technological improvements in the vehicles we love, our cars and trucks would be struggling to meet safety guidelines that we began taking for granted shortly after the seat belt was made mandatory in our cars and trucks!
FORD Mustang
FORD Mustang
The 2014 Mustang is a 2-door, 4-passenger sports car, or convertible sports car, available in 8 trims, ranging from the V6 Coupe to the GT Premium Convertible.
Upon introduction, the V6 Coupe is equipped with a standard 3.7-liter, V6, 305-horsepower engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 29-mpg on the highway.
The GT Premium Convertible is equipped with a standard 5.0-liter, V8, 420-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway.
A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.
2014 AUDI Z4
AUDI Z4
2014 Upon introduction, the sDrive28i is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 240-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 22-mpg in the city and 34-mpg on the highway.
A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 8-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.
The sDrive35is is equipped with a standard 3.0-liter, I6, 335-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway.
A 7-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.
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