2009 BMW 335d

Editor at large Arthur St. Antoine was at the 335d's wheel when an oblivious utility of a Volkswagen Jetta, going most 30 mph, rear-ended the Bimmer at a stoplight. \"The 335d took the impact unco well,\" notes St. Antoine.

\"It was ease driveable, and the rear render was intact. The kid's Jetta, the device of the two vehicles, didn't fare so well. The entire front end had stepped backward a some inches, the hood was folded, and the radiator was likely damaged.\" As St. Antoine has stated, the 335d, which would later be restored for around $3500, was ease driveable, so our staff continued to rack up the miles. \"After Art's misfortune a some weeks ago,\" logs associate Web producer Rory Jurnecka, \"the car ease feels unco solid, and I can't believe how little alteration was done to the car. It ease rides and drives just fine.\"

 

 

BMW 3-Series

 You know this car. The underway 3 Series has been around for close to five years, but it remains the direct of every automaker looking to make a name for itself in the mid-size luxury segment -- and it's the standard by which they are measured. Now, it fills the driveways of the suburbs, the streets of L.A., and the pages of magazines. This car? Played discover like a Top 40 track.

So why devote more space to it? Because all that overexposure still hasn't weakened it. The BMW 335i Coupe smartly blends luxury and sport; it's as content zooming along a winding land agency as it is motoring along the bleakest of freeways during those endless agency trips.

Part of its plasticity can be attributed to BMW's much-lauded twin-turbo straight six baritone hood. It's an engine that's not long for this world, as a more fuel-efficient, single-turbo version is in the offing from Munich. We'll woman the twin-turbo's stout powerband and overall tractability. It's deceivingly smooth -- you'll encounter yourself rise substantially above posted speed limits if you don't pay attention. It's docile at baritone rpm, but surges through the tach with immediacy at a tweet of the throttle. The EPA rates the two-door 335i at 17/26 mpg. We averaged 25.3 mpg hwy/hooligan combined.

 

 Lag is a non-issue. In fact, the 335i accelerates as though it has a large move engine, not a turbocharged one. Peak torque, 300 lb-ft, is on touch from 1400-5000 rpm. And the claimed 300 hp leads us to believe BMW is being bashful: The last 335i manual we tested reached 60 indication in 5.1 seconds.

But the acceleration isn't the point. What's most awesome is the sensation behindhand the wheel, the ease of disposing the 5-20 indication reordering of L.A. freeways, the move of wide-open throttle upshifts.

No sporty pretense here. Revs fall quickly between shifts, a welcome modify compared to the deviant amount of time many of today's engines take. The clutch, which crapper feel reddened at first, offers the correct feedback, patch the shifter slots neatly into each cog. The tense mate calls discover agency imperfections and changes in surface through the cabin, patch the delightfully thick-rimmed control wheel transmits the desires of the foam on the road. Once you fall into the rhythm, every bend presents an opportunity to drop a gear, sound redline, and center the sonorous 3.0L song.

2010 Chevrolet Corvette Grand Sport

 Now here's a Corvette after Martha Stewart's heart. The husbandly diva is forever transforming things found around the concern into lovelier newborn things that sit around the house. In these rather tough times, the Corvette team has condemned a page from her book, ripped it out, and headed to the garage. By scrounging up whatever of their prizewinning action hardware, they've managed to cobble up a newborn car that just might be cool enough to warrant resurrection of the storied Grand Sport moniker.

 

Underneath every the shiny/pretty it's a humble steel-frame LS3-powered 'Vette, to which are fitted a mix of Z51 action collection parts (spring rates, fireman ratio drill transmission gearing and shorter axle ratio on the automatic), and Z06 bits (front and rear fascias, hood, anti-roll bars, brake rotors and calipers, wider tires and the bodywork to counterbalance them). The dry-sump oiling system from the Z06 and ZR1 is also fitted to drill Grand Sports, which means these special motors module today be hand assembled alongside their big-brother stablemates, the LS7 and LS9 engines, in Wixom Michigan, apiece by a azygos technician who module sign his or her work. The exclusive field parts they had to tool up were the front fenders, which feature double-gill cove styling and are made of RIM impressible same the humble car's, the rear lodge panels, unequalled new wheels, and the actual springs and dampers, which are tailored to the GS's unequalled weight and characteristics (they ride almost just same the old Z51's).

 

The Grand Sport replaces the Z51 in the help lineup as the highest performing \"base\" car, but it also allows folks to enjoy the dolphin wide-body attitude and presence of a Z06 in a inferior extremity package that permits open-air motoring in either the removable-roof hatchback or convertible bodystyles. Paying for every those Z06 bits boosts the price by $4510 over the old Z51, but at $55,720 to start, it's about 20 grand cheaper than the aluminum-frame 7.0-liter Z06. Customers hit apparently been clamoring for such a package so aloud that the team expects up to half of every Corvette income to be Grand Sports.

Cadillac CTS Coupe Concept

Cadillac exterior design director John Manoogian II can't contain himself. He talks about the production CTS coupe and how it will hardly vary from the \"CTS coupe concept,\" the unmitigated hit of the North dweller International Auto Show (Detroit), without adding the requisite, \"If we were to build it.\" And so what's a poor Cadillac P.R. guy to do, but to say it hasn't been prefabricated official?

If you read Motor Trend, you undergo Cadillac has been kicking around the intent of a new coupe since before the doddering Eldorado was sent to that great Cadillac Ranch in the sky. And you undergo that this stylish \"coupe d'etat,\" designed much more recently than those early ideas, is set for a 2010 model year launching probably some 18 months from now, alongside a Euro-centric CTS wagon-er, estate/shooting break. (One insider says, if you like the coupe, \"Wait'll you wager the wagon.\" Wait until when? That CTS wagon won't make its entry at Geneva and, in fact, hasn't been scheduled for any auto show so far this season.)

Manoogian credits designer Bob Munson for drawing the sketches that led to the coupe construct most two eld ago, as work was patch up on the 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year, the Cadillac CTS sedan.

\"Bob had done a sketch of a two-door,\" Manoogian says. \"And everyone's reaction immediately was, 'There isn't a market for two-doors, why would we want to do that?' We said, 'Well, let's just kind of provide it a shot.' So we did a scale model, supported on Bob's sketch.\" With organisation honcho Ed Welburn's prompting, that led to a full-size clay. \"So we did a full-size clay, took it discover on the area one day for Mr. Lutz, and he came discover and said, 'Wow! That's pretty cool!' Then we made arrangements to exhibit Mr. Wagoner as well, and everyone agreed: we can't give not to do this car.\"

Here's the real kicker, the sign that GM indeed has hit a new design renaissance: Manoogian and Cadillac design director Clay Dean swear the CTS coupe concept is virtually same from Munson's example drawings. Original drawing-to-production is the type of thing GM design hasn't been able to do since the days of Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell.

\"When we started with the scale model, to what you see right in front of you,\" Manoogian says, \"is identical. Our mission was, take that scale model and do a full-size car.\"

2011 Lincoln MKX Shows Off New Exterior, Interior and Technology

Industry-exclusive technologies, refreshed outdoor styling, an all-new interior and powertrain enhancements are just some of the reasons to take a  fireman look at the 2011 attorney MKX midsize luxury elector at the 2010 North American International Auto Show.

Leading the wide-ranging innovations is the all-new MyLincoln Touch driver connect technology, which delivers a smarter, safer, simpler artefact to connect drivers with in-car technologies and their digital lives. MyLincoln comes accepted on the 2011 attorney MKX, providing drivers a whole newborn experience behind the wheel. You crapper learn more about MyLincoln by clicking here.

Watch a video walk-around of the 2011 attorney MKX with chief engineer, Elaine Bannon.

“With its combination of style, performance and uncompromising luxury, the attorney MKX has brought newborn customers into the attorney showroom in a artefact that rattling some products hit before,” said Derrick Kuzak, assemble vice president, Global Product Development. “Lincoln customers tell us they care most about style and technology, and the newborn attorney MKX meets these needs perfectly. The newborn MyLincoln Touch technology will modify the artefact customers interact with their vehicles while its newborn design language gives the vehicle a characteristic and stylish silhouette we know customers will love.”

2011 attorney MKX brimming with accepted and class-exclusive technologies. Standard MyLincoln Touch and far start lead the list of features or technologies that are newborn for the 2011 attorney MKX, including:

    * Adaptive Cruise Control and Collision Warning with Brake Support allows the driver to set the vehicle’s pace and maintain it without using the accelerator pedal, and warns the driver of a possibleness collision risk. It also helps reduce pace and automatically pre-charges brakes and engages an electronic brake assist system to help drivers stop more apace when the system detects a collision is imminent.
    * Blind Spot Information System (BLIS®) with Cross Traffic Alert is a feature that helps detect vehicles in blind spots during connatural driving and traffic approaching from the sides when reversing out of parking spots.
    * MyKey™ is designed to allow parents to encourage teenagers to intend safely and more fuel efficiently, and increase safety belt usage. The accepted MyKey feature allows owners to designate keys that crapper limit the vehicle’s top pace and frequence volume.
    * Easy Fuel® Capless Fuel-Filler System is a accepted Ford-exclusive feature that uses an integrated spring-loaded flapper door to decimate the requirement for a fuel tank screw cap.

The 2011 attorney MKX has octad class-exclusive features: MyLincoln Touch, attorney SYNC, Easy Fuel, SecuriCode™ keyless entry, Blind Spot Mirrors, MyKey, Cross Traffic Alert and AdvanceTrac® with RSC (Roll Stability Control™).

2010 Acura TSX Vehicle

 For most of our editors on staff, last year's redesign of Acura's formerly taut, Euro-flavored TSX was greeted with skepticism. Though the first-generation TSX was brief on rear seat room, it had an eager, involving personality that prefabricated the car a great alternative to more mainstream entry-level luxury cars. But that attribute was mostly lost in '09 with the larger, more Americanized TSX. Though it offered more shack in the back and a softer ride, the newborn TSX was also heavier, peculiarly styled in a few areas and had a more isolating see behind the wheel. Thankfully, the 2010 Acura TSX sets things mostly right, provided you don't nous springing for the newly available V6 version.

This year, Acura gives those who love driving reason to come back to the TSX. Utilizing pretty much the same engine institute in the larger TL sedan, the TSX V6 puts 280 broad-shouldered horses under the driver's correct foot. The V6 comes paired with a five-speed automatic sending only, but at small with the V6, TSX drivers no longer have to vexation about getting embarrassed on freeway on-ramps by Grandma in her V6-powered Toyota Camry. Additional changes for the TSX V6 include a slightly firmer suspension and a recalibrated control system. We didn't same the newborn automobile power control system introduced for the '09 redesign, as its desensitize see countered the TSX's intended sportiness. Thankfully, the V6 model's control provides more feedback about what's going on at the front wheels.

Overall, the 2010 Acura TSX is a mixed bag. On the one hand, there is the four-cylinder edition with its kinda lackluster see behind the wheel; on the other, there's the V6, which is much livelier and more entertaining to drive thanks to its potent engine and revised control and suspension calibrations. Both cars, however, offer typical Acura strengths same solid build quality, a easy cabin and the latest high-tech features. Though we still would advise folks shopping the four-cylinder TSX to take a close look at the Audi A4, Lexus IS 250, Volvo S40 and even unexploded versions of the Mazda 6, Nissan Altima and Volkswagen Jetta, the V6 edition makes a stronger case for itself in the entry-level sport sedan segment.

2011 Ford Fiesta

For decades, diminutive economy cars from American carmakers have been about as desirable as a cold hamburger. Overall build quality, upkeep costs, reliability and longevity -- the most essential factors in this portion -- were points of embarrassment for Escorts, Neons and Cavaliers. But with the Euro-bred 2011 Ford Fiesta (which slots under the Focus to become Ford's new entry-level model), the U.S. looks to have something on the economy automobile menu as mouth-watering as an In-N-Out Double-Double.

Up until now, the Honda Fit was the subcompact class standout thanks to its impressively versatile interior, delightful dynamical dynamics and high overall quality. But those who truly get a kick out of dynamical will likely find the Fiesta even more fun. Its smooth, hot engine, precise and well-weighted steering and an quick chassis exhibit that one needn't be resigned to a dull drive meet because one needs a small, practical and inexpensive car.

Unlike much of its competition, the Ford Fiesta is available in both litter and hatchback embody styles. Of course, the hatchback provides greater load capacity, but some folks favour the more formal look of a sedan, which is likely why Ford is offering both. Either way, the Fiesta provides sprightly handling, a compliant ride and a quiet cabin at freeway speeds. It also offers features that are uncommon in this class, such as keyless ignition and Ford's superb Sync system, which, among other things, allows one to control frequence and cell sound functions via vocalise commands.

There are some distinctive Fiesta alternatives in this competitive segment. Among hatchbacks, the Fit and the Kia Soul stand out, and the capably named Nissan Cube makes a unique aesthetic statement. Compared to these, the Fiesta reproduce lags well behind in terms of peak load power and rear seat shack for taller passengers. The Fiesta sedan, meanwhile, has a taste less rear seat shack than the Chevy Aveo, Hyundai Accent and Nissan Versa. But it floors them all with its more engaging personality. It's definitely a automobile to look at if you're shopping for an inexpensive but desirable set of wheels.