New variant XF Diesel S, Jaguar cars offer the best value for money in the UK market today. This edition not only comes with a bright 3.0-liter engine V6 diesel with 275hp famous energy-powered and highly efficient, but also brings a number of styles owned XFR yan.
Jaguar XF Diesel S 2010 is available in two package options as follows:
Dynamics Pack:
This package combines Adaptive Dynamics System. This high-tech system to analyze the movement of chassis and the driver and input from the wheel 500 times per second, to constantly adjust the suspension to maintain handling ability without megorbankan comfort.
The result is an impressive handling of a smart blend of flavors with a luxury car sports car capability. This optional package includes velek Volans alloy dilabur crossbar five shadow or silver color with a starting cost of 1250 pound sterling depending on the model.
Aerodynamics Pack:
Aerodynamic package designed to provide more daring style in XF Diesel S. Patron-shaped black nets are inserted in the grille and lower air intake provides a more fresh. Bar at the bottom of the air holes inserted rows of white LED lights as daytime running lights and more complete with the side that picked Sill XFR model. This package dihagai 1500 or 2000 pound sterling pound sterling with LED.
Jaguar also announced that you now can buy XF models with prices starting at 29,900 Pounds Sterling. Although the model will have a standard alias STD, does not mean you can not mendaat nothing.
Standard variant has been equipped with Bond Grain leather seats, mood lighting and interior color Blue Phosphor, color screen 7-inch touch screen navigation and Bluetooth technology, automatic transmission with 6-speed Jaguar Sequential Shift and Sense and Jaguar Jaguar Smart Key System with keyless starts.
Jaguar XF price list based on the variance in the British Pound Sterling:
XF 3.0 V6 Petrol Luxury 29,900 XF 3.0 V6 Petrol Premium Luxury 33,600
Along with the Sonata, Hyundai also merefreshing variant luxury sedan Azera (Grandeur) with a series of revisions and machines to be upgraded and the addition of completeness. Although the overall memilikibentuk still the same but due to some changes could make it look more streamlined and elegant than before.
Headlights, taillights and fog lights come with a new design combined a touch on the front and rear with new bumpers, grille and trunk lid as well as new velek. The inside also has improved the quality of materials and new features that vary according to the level of variant but still plentiful even in the standard variant.
Azera has two choices Lambda V6 engine, 3.3 liters and 3.8 liters. The first could spawn 260hp, while others have the power 283hp. Performance is optimized to be both fuel efficient.
For the 3.3-liter engine Hyundai claims 8.5 km / liter in the city and 11.9 km / liter on the highway, while the 3.8 liter engine to consume 8.09 km / liter in the city and 11.5 km / liter on the outside city. All using the automatic transmission of new 6-speed SHIFTRONICÂ ®.
Azera comes in two variants-level and one premium package.
AZERA GLS
Completeness of the main standards:
- Engine-3.3L MPI DOHC V6 power around 260hp, a variable intake system. - Automatic Transmission 6-speed with SHIFTRONIC ® - Wheels 16-inch alloy wheels - Electronic Stability Control (ESC) - Brakes with ABS with EBD (Electronic Brake-force Distribution) - Tire pressure monitoring system - Active headrests in the front seat - Airbags in the front, side and curtain airbags model (curtain airbags) - Jok electrical wedge to the back of the driver with an electric berpengatur - Bodycolor heated dual power mirrors - Automatic Lamp - Front fog lamps - Hole dual exhaust - Remote keyless entry system with alarm - Engine immobilizer - Power windows, central locks, heated mirrors - Tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel - Organizer audio on the steering wheel - Audio AM/FM/XM/CD/MP3 with access iPod ® / USB auxiliary input jacks - Solar control glass - Cruise control - EZ lane change assist - Eco Indicator
AZERA GLS PREMIUM PACKAGE
- The combination of leather seat upholstery and synthetic - The heater in the front seat - Electric Sunroof - Steering wheel and leather gear lever
AZERA LIMITED
GLS equipment plus:
- 3.8L DOHC MPI V6-powered around 283HP, variable intake system - 17-inch wheels hyper silver alloy wheels - Electric Sunroof - Pelipat mirrors with electric and turn signal lights - Bumper, body side and door handles with chrome ornaments. - The combination of leather seat upholstery and synthetic - The heater in the front seat - In-dash 6-disc CD Changer with 10 speakers Infinity ®, iPod ® / USB auxiliary input jacks, a subwoofer and amplifier - Integrated Memory System (IMS) - Electric rear glass curtain - Woodgrain leather-trimmed steering wheel and door pulls. - Power adjustable tilt-and-telescopic steering wheel - Brushed stainless steel door scuff plates - EC auto-dimming mirror with compass and Homelink ®
AZERA LIMTED ULTIMATE PACKAGE NAVIGATION
- LG DVD Navigation system with touch-screen display (replaces in-dash six-disc CD changer and iPod / USB auxiliary input jacks) 12-speaker Logic Infinity ® 7A ® surround sound audio system.
Yesterday, Ferrari is rumored to be launched in 599GTO variant of this year that will carry a number of elements in dignakan also 599XX. Ferrari 599 GTO weighs approximately 1.600kg lighter and more powerful and bigger torque.
With energy going through the numbers reported 650bhp, the light weight becomes a weapon against its competitors. Not only in the hardware business, 599 GTO is also equipped with gearshift program the software that was updated.
Ferrari 599 GTO is predicted to be released at a price of about 250 thousand pound sterling was, seemed to be present in public Geneva Auto Show next month.
Renault and Nissan announced it would cooperate with Indian company Bajaj Auto to create the world's cheapest car. This car will reportedly even cheaper than cheap car (murmer) today, Tata Nano.
Agreement on murmer car production has been signed and ready to launch the upcoming 2012.
In the content of the agreement stated that Bajaj will be responsible for the design. Business machines, technology, and marketing will be handled by the Renault-Nissan.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Carlos Ghosn said Nissan's production cost cheap car in India can still pressed more than the current produced.
With Indian manjadi major markets and some developing countries for the export market, this car is rumored to be fuel efficient because it only consume one liter of gasoline per 20 miles. This car will be manufactured in India and communities to target middle-class consumers. Photo above is the Bajaj Lite concept car that had appeared in 2008.
Traffic situation in big cities every day this accident must be colored, either single or successive. This happens because in addition to the crowded traffic, many drivers are also due to the fact not too advanced.
Indication of increasing the economy will be marked by growth in the number of motor vehicles. But specifically for Jakarta, capital city residents who could prefer driving their own vehicles both two wheel and four wheels. It is caused by poor public transport conditions, such as city buses and commuter trains.
Well, from this condition and the rise of new drivers on the highway. In fact, from a technical aspect they have not fully mastered. But for the sake of prestige and do not want crammed into public transport, they were forced to run a motor vehicle while still often harm others on the road.
Coupled with the ease in getting a driving license (SIM), especially for those who choose the shortcut without going through the standard procedure. The important thing in the hands of driver's license and is ready for driving on a highway with a new car or a new used car purchase.
To overcome the dangers that result from these impromptu drivers, it helps train children at an early age to drive. Although not able to get a driver's license, but at least they're pretty good and ready to become a responsible driver if it has been sanctioned to pocketing the SIM.
This was based on the experience of driving school instructors in the UK. Prince Charles in his country that has held named Young Drivers Program, which provides driving training for children aged 11 to 16 years.
Program supported by the manufacturer of Seat car was intended to train the ability to drive the young drivers and also a sense of responsibility thrust on them early.
The target of this program is to create reliable drivers and reduce the number of traffic accidents.
According to a number of instructors, young drivers have the ability to absorb knowledge more quickly and better than those who are aged 17 years and over. It happened because they were more enthusiastic about listening to lessons and training and not too depressed. In addition, they tend not reckless and not easily upset.
After a theory lesson, the young drivers through practice field behind the wheel. After about 30 minutes to run the vehicle, they began to be trained to pass kun series, parallel park and back in between the rows kun. Apparently all the exercise they performed quite easily.
The hardest things in the practice field, according to the students, is the parallel parking. Because in these situations the driver must think about many different things.
Well, from the activity illustrated that we as parents need not be afraid to introduce early motor vehicles. This is for the effort to produce reliable drivers in the future.
The all new Dodge Challenger is a monster of a car that is much more beautiful in person than in photos. Our Silver Challenger R/T looks muscular and elegant at the same time, attracting a wide range of people from teenagers to 85 year olds. Many people told us that the Challenger was their first car and that they had great memories of this car back when it was first introduced. We had people driving large MAC trucks turn around while in motion, even some Harley-Davidson riders took a second look which is not a safe thing to do when on two-wheels. Both young and old came up and gawked at the car, took photos with their cell phones, and were just amazed so see a flashback from the past. We were happy to let everyone hear the exhaust growl which brought forth a stunned ‘wow’. The Dodge Challenger is a special car in every sense of the word, there is power, good looks, and a great interior. From standing still in a parking lot to blasting down the highway, the car is in every-way what men have dreamed of.
The 2009 Challenger comes in three versions: SE with a 3.5L V6 engine, R/T with 5.7L V8 Hemi and a SRT8 with a 6.1L V8 Hemi. We recently tested the R/T model. While the standard R/T comes with 18 wheels, our car had the optional 20 inch performance wheel and tire package that has the same wheels as those found on the SRT8 which truly makes a huge difference in the appearance of the Challenger. Also optional on our car was the 6-speed manual transmission which is a option, with a 5 speed automatic being the standard equipment.
From the exterior the Challenger is just massive in every proportion. The front grill is large and wide and sits deeply reset from the front bumper and hood. The four round headlights look intimidating and give a powerful first impression. While one set are xenon HID lamps, the other are yellow halogens turn signals which give a nice contrast and an interesting look at night. On the bottom portion of the bumper are built in fogs lamps and also and air deflector in black plastic trim. The distinctive design of the front end is done very well, bringing the past into a modern day vehicle.
The front hood is just spectacular with a bulging center line that spreads into to two large vent slots on each side. There are insignias of the word “HEMI” prominently displaced which tells everyone of the monster engine hiding behind the hood. The car is so wide that it has similar proportions so a large full-size SUV. The overall length is just huge, like the big cars of the 70’s. The long side profile is smooth yet muscular as you go to the large rear end of the challenger. A rising rear end with a low slung roof line and small rear quarter windows looks just great. Trying to jump through these windows will be harder than in the original challenger. The massive 20 inch chrome wheels give the right amount of concept car looks and large 245/45 R20 tires keep on stuck to the pavement.
The tail end of the Challenger gets even more retro and true to the original car’s heritage. A full length tail light bar reminds you of all the cars of the past. Dodge lettering in the white reverse lamp is also another great touch. A modern single piece wrap around rear valence with modern dual exhaust tips blends very nicely with the retro touches. A small wing looks just great on the Challenger as well. The overall body length is 198 inches with a overall width of 76 inches. The wheelbase is 116 inches. Dodge designers have done a great job in the exterior design of the Challenger and having a concept car that looks just like the street version is what people want and what here is actually delivered.
The interior of the Challenger is where you enter a modern day vehicle with the feel of the high horsepower muscle cars of the past. Most of the interior is smooth and modern with a soft leather look material used on the dash and doors. The Challenger is both large and width which creates a very comfortable and spacious interior. The front passengers have a hip room of 55 inches, shoulder room of 54 inches, leg room at 42 inches and head room of 40 inches. While the rear hip room is also good at 51 inches, leg room is dramatically less at 33 inches. The instant you get in you will notice the large sport seats with a ribbed center portion. They are soft like your sofa at home and truly feel like a seat from the past on very comfortable springs. Having enough room for friends in back is also a benefit of the Challenger with large seats but little legroom. Also quite noticeable large gear shift lever, making the Challenger feel more like a arcade game. A smooth and large sunroof opens up the inside nicely and its high quality operation was just great.
The instrument cluster is wide with four large white oval gauges in a classic 60’s style rectangular display. Mixed in with these traditional gauges are two digital displays which show everything from navigational directions to trip computer reading and car setup functions. Almost everything else is modern and just like those parts found in other dodge cars, like the recently tested Dodge Avenger. There is a push-button start feature which works in conjunction with the remote key that you can keep in your pocket. The key however is needed to unlock the car and lock the car which makes you have to take it out of your pocket daily anyway, so having to put it back in your pocket before you start the car is pretty useless. The large steering wheel is leather wrapped and offers stereo and onboard computer adjustments. We have showed all the menu choices in our video so take a look at that. Control stalks are right out of a Mercedes S class from 2000 and thus feel quite good. Headlights are also automatic which is great to have which leaves one less thing to worry about.
The center console has a large 6.5 inch screen with the MYGIG system that has integrated touch screen navigation, a built-in hard drive so you can store music and pictures. It also offers satellite radio and real time traffic that updates your route when traffic jams block your path. A U-connect Bluetooth phone connection makes it very easy to connect any modern phone and talk through the car’s speakers. There is also an auxiliary jack so you can plug in most MP3 players. This is an impressive system with every imaginable feature and its very intuitive to use. The system has everything you can think of and all in a compact and easy to use setup. You can enter navigation destinations by phone, or name, and see traffic information on the screen live. Just press a few buttons and you can go from one area to the next, perhaps BMW should learn something from this. There is also an IPOD wire that allows you to charge and connect fully to the MyGIG system so your songs will be displayed on the screen. This is a great feature and it shows us that Dodge didn’t cut any corners when making the 2009 Challenger. There is hope for Chrysler.
Below the large MgGIG system are three dials for the climate control, one for the fan, and another for temperature and the third for air direction. There is no automatic climate control where you set a temperature and forget it. The system is very straightforward and relatively quiet. Finally below this are two buttons for heated seats and a button for emergency blinkers and a switch to turn off the stability control so you can burn some rubber. The center arm rest has a deep storage area that can fit cell phones, cameras and or a small purse.
Ergonomics are typically good in the Challenger where getting in and out is fairly easy as long as you are in the front seat. The rear seats are functional and can seat two full size adults but it does cause the front passengers to sit closer to the dash than they would like. Having only the driver’s seat be power operated was a mistake in a car that costs this much. The passenger side seat is also not height adjustable. Finally the large front doors are so big and heavy that if you happen to park on the hill, watch out that the door doesn’t slam back into you and cut off your leg. The one major item lacking is that the door doesn’t have a lever type hinge that keeps them open and in place that is commonly found in Mercedes vehicles. Dodge should have borrowed this as well when borrowing all the other parts from them. Even a VW Jetta comes with this. We had the door slam back on us a few times and we can tell you that is really, really painful. Watch our video for this demonstration.
What we could improve on would be grab handles in a ergonomic position on the door for the front passenger as well as a real leather covered interior. Rear quarter windows that go down as well would be great for a more open cruise. Moving the dash forward would open up the interior and allow for more legroom for rear seated passengers, we really did not need a trunk as large as the one in the challenger.
While the Challenger’s styling is beautiful and brings out lots of people with smiles on their faces, sitting behind the wheel and driving this beast is quite amazing in itself. The monster 5.7 liter V8 Hemi engine pumps out 370 horsepower and a hefty 390 ft-lbs of torque. Just the growl coming from the exhaust while the car is standing still is unbelievable. It immediately takes you back to the generation of American muscle cars. The experience is almost like being in a time machine. The sound and the feel of the car remind us of the good-ol-days of large engines, street drag races and the era of pure love affairs with men and their cars. It was a time when American cars were built tough and where companies like Dodge built their brand reputations. The 2009 Challenger truly takes you away from your everyday problems, atleast until you need to go to a gas station. It is definitely the sound of being in the Challenger that makes it fun; a deep growl as soon as you turn on the engine, deep exhaust notes as you press hard on the accelerator and even the fun of just revving the engine while standing still. Its all muscle; no turbos, no superchargers and no nitrous kits in this beast. The beauty of the Hemi is that it is a potent V8 made right without any gimmicks and mated to a exhaust system that brings out its fun character, the Challenger has done it all right.
During low speeds the Challenger is most pleasing. There is this constant deep grumble which is most notable when you are parking, reversing, and going slow with blips of the gas just to move heads. The Challenger is so comfortable inside that you fall back in love with just cruising. The visual and audio sensations are great, and the look on peoples faces as you drive makes you feel like you are in a much more expensive vehicle. When you really need to get going fast, just a slight tap of the gas pedal will quickly get you up to 60 mph. The 6-speed transmission provides quick smooth shifts while the clutch is well weighted, not too heavy and not to light. The speed at which the RPM approaches redline keeps you on your toes as you quickly as you shift from 1, 2, 3 and 4. It doesn’t help that the RPM needle only goes to 5800, but on a good note you will hardly ever need to use 5th or 6th gear unless your pinching pennies on fuel expenses. Even in 6th there is ample exhaust sound, a deep grumble, and you are driving at low rpm saving gas. Also a nice feature is the hill start assist that automatically holds the brake for one second to prevent the car from rolling back when engaging the gear. Spirited driving will cause a dent in your wallet, we only averaged around 13 mpg during our days with the car in country driving. The Challenger is rated at 14 mpg in city and 20 on the highway. We were able to get around 21 on the highway when we were mindful to keep the RPM as low as possible.
While most people will look to buy the Challenger for its design and styling, some will no doubt look only at the performance accepts. While the Challenger is fast in the straight line, it doesn’t do to well on curves or salmons. With a heavy curb weight of 4,041 lbs, the Challenger doesn’t act like a nibble Porsche. However, the Challenger does extremely well in a straight-line. The combination of rear wheel drive with a potent HEMI engine and quick transmission make for quick 0-60 mph times but just don’t try to make miracles happen on a race track; this is a street car and best suited for late night drag races.
The Challengers suspension consists of an independent front suspension with a five link rear suspension setup. It’s quite pleasant to drive and not very stiff. Many people will compare it to their fathers Cadillac. Perhaps this has to do with the large and comfortable seats rather than the stiffness of the suspension. The rack and pinion power steering setup is smooth and requires minimal effort to maneuver this large car, its not like the old days where there was no power steering. However, the challenger is so large that it does have a big turning diameter of 38.9 feet. Body sway could be lessened so as to make the vehicle not feel so big and heavy. But overall it’s a great cruiser.
The 2009 Challenger also comes with every imaginable safety option. The retro design doesn’t mean that you will have to do without all the modern day electronic safety items. Multistage front air bags and side curtain front and rear airbags as well as anti-lock brakes and electronic stability program and a tire pressure monitoring system are included. We found that inflating tires to 5 psi above the recommended ratings will give you better fuel economy. The warranty on the Challenger is only for 3 years or 36,000 miles.
The pricing on the 2009 Challenger models is very aggressive. With a car styled to well and built as strong as a rock, the Challenger seems like a bargain when you compare it to other performance cars. The SE model with V6 engine starts at only $21,995. Most people out of college can pick one up as their first cars. The more powerful R/T with 5.7L HEMI starts at $29,995. This is a bargain considering you are getting a 370 horsepower monster engine that brings both power and beautiful music to your hears. Opting for the ultimate Challenger, the SRT8 will set you back another 12 grand with a starting price of $41,695. Considering that the power difference is not that much, the R/T is the best bargain for the money. Optional items on our test car brought our total to $38,570 but most driver’s will leave out many of these extra items. Some of the extra items in our car included the HID headlamps at $695, a Power Sunroof at $950, the MyGIG Multimedia system at $1390, a Electronics Group at $1060, and a six speed manual transmission at $995. There is also $675 in destination charges. Hopefully good discounts will enable you to have these necessary options and still have a low cost vehicle.
Dodge has brought back some excitement to the car market, and with that, hopefully an improvement in their fortunes. The 2009 Dodge Challenger will be a super hit for sure. Let this be clear to all the other car manufacturers: Design a car that is fun to drive and that looks unique. Put some emotion in your design and sales and profits will follow. People don’t want boring cars anymore. They want cars like the Challenger that are a sense of pride and joy for the buyer, a feeling that is unique and that defines a generation of young boys and men. People who talked to us about the Challenger remembered the days when they owned one and how it made them feel. Talk to someone about a Ford Taurus and see if you get the same result.
The Good :) Great exhaust note. Lots of power. Large smooth concept car looks. Huge wheels. Nav, live traffic, easy ipod integration, hard drive for storage.
The Bad :( Too large for sporty driving. Very low gas mileage of 14 mpg. Seats are not supportive for aggressive driving. Door hinges do not hold large doors open.
We said 5 years ago that Audi needed to make some much needed changes and Audi followed suit. We have been saying in the last few years that Audi makes the best cars out there for the money and now the world is noticing. Today Audi has a great lineup of vehicles that look sharp, offer amazing interiors, and drive superbly well, all at a lower cost than the competitors from Germany. With the new A4, the quality of the interior is amazing and ride quality is very impressive. Compared to a BMW the A4 is a great value.
The exterior style of the new A4 is what sets it apart from the crowd of cars it competes with. Even in its wagon form, the vehicle looks sporty, aggressive, low to the ground, and downright mean. Front end is probably our favorite part of the vehicle with a sculpted grille that is aerodynamic and functional. The curved lines in the lower grille are carried into the headlights nicely. The unique design makes the A4 Avant feel like it has a human face. LED eyebrows under the Xenon headlights gives the A4 a cool new look and use only 9 watts. The rounded front end flows nicely to the carved front hood which gives the fenders a wider look with its sloping design around the wheels. The profile shows that the A4 is luxurious as well as sporty offering chrome trim around the windows and a chrome roof rack. Large 18 inch wheels are optional and look very good with minimal wheel gap. The rear end is equally rounded and clean with hardly any body gaps visible. Nicely angled tail lamps provide a modern look while the only item missing would be chrome tipped exhaust tips. Overall the front overhang has been shortened and the hood and wheelbase are visibly extended.
With a smart key, doors unlock as you touch the door handle and engine starting is done at the touch of a button. Doors open wide for easy entry and egress and feel quite solid and heavy. Inside awaits a luxurious cabin, lined with soft leather and light wood trim. Immediately you will notice the quality of all the parts inside. Window switches, the center armrest, the aluminum trimmed dials on the central console and the steering wheel all feel and sound great when used. Audi did not forget the bottle holders in the doors, a sunglass holder, lots of cup holders and a card holder. Even a push button parking brake gives you technology found in more costly vehicles.
In many details, the new A4 has the sophistication of the A8 luxury sedan. All switches, for example, have short travel and lock into place when a defined amount of force is applied to them. The rotary knobs move as smoothly and precisely as the mechanism of a fine watch, and their ‘click’ is the sound of pure technical perfection. The center armrest can be moved forward and locks to give you various levels of height adjustment. A 6.5 inch color monitor is standard on the upper console with a 7 inch screen when you order the navigation system. Velour carpeting and chrome trim has even been used in the cargo space.
Seating is more comfortable and larger than in previous A4 sedans. Front seats are both powered fully with the driver’s seat also equipped with lumbar adjustments and 2 position memory. Even the rear hatch is powered for easy use when you have a bag of groceries. The A large glass sun roof extends to the rear cabin and opens up halfway for a targa feeling. The top is very solidly built with smooth operation with a built in powered shade for when it is too hot. Watch our video to see how this top works.
The long list of features in the A4 makes it one of the most technologically advanced cars available today. All four windows are powered one touch up and down with pinch protection. A parking system has sensors in the rear bumper and a backup camera. Homelink allows you to program your garage codes into the car. A Rain and light sensor lets you forget about a few things inside the car while driving. The powered rear hatch can be adjusted to suit your height or garage space when opening. A retractable luggage cover and net protects all your belongings and keeps it out of sight. The keyless start feature is amazing in that all four doors have a touch pad , not a button, which you simply touch, even with gloves on, and the doors lock. Just come close to the car and touch the door handle and the doors unlock. It works flawlessly. This feature is on all four doors so if you have a child that you want to put into the rear cabin first you pull the rear door first. Touch the back and the trunk power opens up.
Cool new features like Audi Side Assist works very well and monitors blind spots as well as fast approaching vehicles at 150 feet behind your car. Two radar sensors located in the rear bumper operate at 24 GHz, monitoring a space of up to 50 meters (164.04 feet) in width to the side and rear of the new Audi A4. LED’s in the mirror light up when a car is in your blind spot and flash if you blink your turn signals when someone is there. A bluetooth phone system allows easy connection to any telephone, just setup once and it will always connect automatically as long as bluetooth is on in your phone; much easier than in other vehicle systems. Music iPod integration works well with iPhone and iPod allowing you to view all the playlists in the large screen in the center of the dash. There is even adaptive cruise control which maintains a set distance from the car in front of you.
The Bang & Olufsen premium sound system offers 14 speakers with 505 digitally amplified watts of surround sound reproduction with microphone based noise compensation . A great audiophile system, it produces accurate sounds with its large quantity of speakers.
The climate control is very easy to use and has dual zones up front and a separate zone for the rear cabin. Watch our videos for how it actually works. You can graphically view everything you change such as airflow vents, speed of the fans, temperature of the air. The only thing we did not like was the position of the controls at the bottom of the front dash making it hard to see when the gear lever is in park. Perhaps Audi can remove the gear lever all together and replace it with buttons on the dash.
The steering wheel is also excellent, which it has to be for a great driving experience. It is thickly padded and quite comfortable with great road feel and soft leather. The many controls allow quick access to most of the Audi A4‘s controls. A large instrument cluster screen shows you most functions in wonderful vivid colors. The steering wheel controls allow you to dial into different stereo stations, you can speak certain commands as well by touching the microphone button. The instrument cluster display is quick and smart, showing you radio stations when you touch the scroll wheel on the steering wheel and then switching back to navigation view as you are driving. Even miles per gallon can be seen just below the navigation part of this display. A lot of information is packed into the instrument cluster in a clean and smart way. Watch it in our video.
A new feature is Audi Drive Select. This changes how the car handles to suit your mood. You can set it to comfort, dynamic, or automatic as well as individual settings for a mix of all of the above. The dynamic setting makes for quicker gear shifts, no lag as you press the pedal, and a stiffer suspension at .8 inches lower in ride height. While the comfort setting creates a more relaxed vehicle with softer suspension settings and smoother more delayed gear shifts. All this teamed up with the Quattro four wheel drive makes for a amazing vehicle.
Two engine choices are offered, a four cylinder or a six cylinder. Our test car has the four cylinder engine with turbocharger which provides smooth power and good fuel economy. It is rated at 211 horsepower and 258 lb-ft of torque available from 1,500 to 4,200 rpm. In our combined highway and road testing, we average 22 miles per gallon, not close to the 27 as stated on the window sticker for highway use even though most of our country roads were at about 40-50 mph. Both engines have direct injection technology and are 10 percent better at using gasoline. Under normal driving conditions, this distributes the forces at a ratio of 40:60 between the front and rear axle. This emphasis on the rear end perfectly harmonizes and a self-locking center differential transfers lets you have all the traction wherever you need it.
Speed-dependent servotronic steering adapts the amount of steering support to the driving speed. When parking, this system provides for easy steering, while at high speeds the support is decreased to ensure maximum precision. Braking is amazing with the A4 coming to a quick stop with a super grippy brake system. Even in snow you feel like you are driving on rails. The Quattro all wheel drive system makes this car stick to snow and ice like few other cars can do. We shot video of the car on four inches of snow and the vehicle tracked through turns as if it was on pavement.
All the electronic gadgets such as slip regulation can be turned off at low speeds for those needing traction in snow. The smart nature of the electronics automatically turns them back on after a set speed is reached so you don’t go head first into a tree at 45 mph. The A4 also keeps the brakes dry on wet road conditions with slight taps that you cannot feel.
The airbags in the new Audi A4 are adaptive and operate based on a new strategy: they always inflate fully. If the control unit assesses the situation as relatively harmless – that is if the impact is not too violent and the seat occupant is sitting close to the cockpit – part of the gas from the airbag is discharged again through valves, so that the head and chest of the occupant are restrained relatively gently. If the crash is severe, the airbags remain fully inflated for longer. The same procedure occurs if the impact is not very strong, but if the passenger is sitting so far back that her or his torso would whip forward with great force.
The A4 offers a 4 year or 50,000 mile warranty and a 12 year corrosion warranty. A no charge first scheduled maintenance is also included along with a 4 year roadside assistance coverage.
Our test car starts off at a base price of $34,500. Optional is the prestige model choice which ads $7,800. This ads all the goodies that you expect in this high end vehicle like the keyless start, Bang & Olufsen sound system, lane change assist, power tailgate, Xenon headlamps with led running lamps, bluetooth hands free system, three zone climate control, heated front seats, six CD stereo system, the music interface and memory for the driver’s seat, not to mention a few more goodies like the 18 inch wheels and the rain sensor. It is all very important. The Audi drive select is the suspension and drivetrain customization system that costs $2,950. The navigation system with rearview camera costs $2,500. Wood interior trim in ash almond beige costs $400. A destination charge of $825 brings the as tested MSRP to $48,975. Hopefully good deals will allow you to buy this vehicle for under the invoice price. Bargain heavily we say. The window sticker states 21 miles per gallon in the city and 27 on the highway. The VW is very clean as well only producing a smog index score of 0.39. About 75% of the parts come from germany. The final assembly point is Ingolstadt, Germany with the engine coming from Hungary and the transmission from Germany. Watch our video for a great look at all that is inside this great family car.
The Good : Sporty exterior. Refined luxurious interior. Smooth engine and transmission. Great driving feel. Amazing DVD and vehicle information system. Amazing traction and stability. Ride beats all other competitors
The Bad : Small cabin, especially in the rear. A bit light at high speeds on twisties.
In the United States, more people probably recognize Suzuki for their motorcycles and ATVs then they do for their automobiles. Suzuki has always filled a niche market here in the states and has never really broken into the mainstream car market that is dominated by bigger Japanese brands such as Toyota, Honda , Nissan and Mazda. Perhaps this has to do with the tremendous resources one needs to make special cars just for the American market, or perhaps Suzuki figured they would stick to what they do best which is to focus on small engine products.
By sticking to what they do best, Suzuki has captured a special place in the recreation market with their wide range of products from motorcycles, scooters, ATVs and even marine engines. Many of us are more familiar with their outstanding sport bikes such as the powerful Hayabusa or the GSX line. Others recognize their superiority in off-road dirt bikes and ATVs such as the KingQuad. However, mention SX4 or XL7 and they won’t have clue as to what you’re referring to.
Suzuki recognized this dilemma and asked their automobile dealers what product they would most like to see in their showrooms. The overwhelming response was a pickup truck. The thinking being that all the loyal fans of the Hayabusa, GSX, KingQuad and all of their other recreational vehicles would use a Suzuki made pickup truck to transport their toys. Sounds like a good plan to us, but how could a small car manufacturer jump into the truck market without taking out billions of dollars in loans to build a completely new truck factory? The answer lies in outsourcing.
The Suzuki Equator is a joint effort with Nissan and shares the majority of its parts and design with the familiar Nissan Frontier. Suzuki basically took a truck already in the market and stuck their name badge all over it. This was the quickest and cleanest way to get a truck into their product lineup to fill the needs of their dealers who were tired of seeing their friends down the street making more money selling boatloads of dirt bikes while they were stuck peddling a small car such as the SX4. The 2009 Equator is an impressive and well-made truck that fits the Suzuki product lineup very nicely and will surely bring some needed traffic into dealer showrooms.
“Suzuki offers a range of highly capable, value-packed vehicles that combine attractive exterior and interior styling with the performance and functionality requirements to meet some of the most demanding needs of American car buyers,” said Mark Harano, executive vice president, American Suzuki Automotive Operations. “With the arrival of the all-new Equator pickup truck, a natural fit with Suzuki’s off-road heritage and lifestyle-driven DNA, we’re extremely excited about the forthcoming 2009 model year.”
The Suzuki Equator is built in Nissan’s Smyrna, Tennessee plant and available in both Extended Cab or the four door Crew Cab style. The Equator is rear wheel drive with the option for 4-wheel drive. We tested the Crew Cab Sport model, which was rear wheel drive and featured the 4.0 Liter V6 engine. The standard base engine is a 2.5 liter inline four-cylinder. While our truck had the short five-foot bed, there is an option for a longer six-foot bed configuration as well.
The base model Equator Extended Cab starts off at $17,995 and comes with a five-speed manual transmission and 4-cyclinder engine. We highly recommend buyers stick with the Sport model which has the five-speed automatic transmission and the more powerful and smooth V6 engine along with other comfort amenities.
If you prefer the 4-door Crew Cab style, you will be happy to know that it comes only with the V6 engine and five-speed automatic transmission. The Crew Cab Base model with 2WD starts at $23,985, while the Crew Cab Sport, which adds aluminum alloy wheels, cruise control and power windows and door locks, starts out at $25,150 for 2WD and $28,095 for 4WD models. If you enjoy off-roading, Suzuki offers the top of the line RMZ-4 model that features Dana 44 axles, electric rear locking differential, Bilstein high-performance shocks, skid plates, BFGoodrich Rugged Trail P265/75R16 tires and other trim upgrades. The Equator Crew Cab RMZ-4 carries a starting MSRP of $29,325.
The Equator is attractively styled with a prominent front end that has a large bold grill that features a large chrome Suzuki “S” badge in the center. A chrome border that adds an upscale look surrounds the center grill. The one-piece jewel-faceted headlamps blend into the center grill and feature a large halogen lamp with smaller circular signal lamps surrounding it. Below the grill is a large silver painted skid plate which helps protect the underside when going off-road. The side profile features very large fender flares that give the Equator its muscular look. The sharp looking alloy wheels are wrapped in husky P265/65R17 BFGoodrich tires.
The overall length of the truck is 206.6 inches with a width of 72.8 inches and height of 70.1. It’s a well-proportioned truck that looks really sharp on the road. As you approach the rear you immediately notice the cargo bed area that has both a sprayed on bedliner and a track type tie-down rail system with four cleats that are easily movable to secure your gear. This is very useful to have on a truck and Suzuki was kind enough to include this as standard equipment. The Equator also comes with tinted privacy glass on the rear windows and dual powered rearview mirrors.
The Equator is a capable truck and strongly built with a fully boxed ladder frame and a body-on-frame construction. The boxed frame helps increase strength and reduce body flexibility which helps improve road-handling and towing characteristics. The Equator can also handle most off-road situations with up to 32.6 degree angle of approach and up to 23.3 degree angle of departure. There is even 10 inches of ground clearance at the rear differential.
The interior of the Equator is refreshingly nice and straightforward. The clean uncultured appearance is a good change from what most pickup truck owners are used to. The tilt steering wheel has cruise control switches mounted on the right side and felt good and well proportioned. The instrument cluster features two large dials for engine RPM and speed with built-in digital message displays. The center display features a 6-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system that is basic and easy to use. Below this is the climate control system that has two large dials on the outside of the four air direction control switches. The system worked well heating the vehicle during our freezing 20-degree test days. The cloth bucket seats up front are fairly comfortable and provided good lumbar support however their bottom cushion could be made larger for more comfort. The front passenger seat can fold down flat to increase interior storage room while the rear seats are 60/40 split with a flip up bottom cushion. Everything was very straightforward and intuitive to use. Doors lack a good grab handle from the inside as the area to grab is placed near the outer edge of the doors. The Equator also comes with power windows, power door locks and power rear view mirrors as standard equipment. The interior is fairly roomy with plenty of leg and headroom even for second row passengers. Front legroom is 42.4 inches with rear being 33.6 inches. There are 58.3 inches of shoulder room and 40 inches of headroom front and back.
Our Equator Crew Cab Sport came with an aluminum 4.0 liter, 24-valve DOHC V6 engine with Variable Valve Timing. Horsepower is rated at 261 at 5600 rpm with 281 lb.-ft. of torque at 4000 rpm. We liked the feel of the engine which had strong pull and never lagged even when pressing down on the pedal at top speed. In fact, the Equator handled so well during highway driving that we almost forgot we were driving a truck. The engine was smooth and quite and felt stronger than its 261 horsepower rating. The five speed automatic transmission also performed flawlessly with smooth shifts. The system also kept the right gear engaged depending on how we were driving. Stopping power is superb thanks to the four wheel vented disc brakes that handily stopped the Equator even during abrupt stops on wet roads. The four-wheel anti-lock brakes also come with electronic brake-force distribution (EBD) that increases braking performance when you most need it. The overall handling performance of the Suzuki Equator was fantastic and a huge improvement over pickup trucks from just a few years ago.
The Equator comes with so many life saving safety features that it’s hard to believe how far trucks have really come. There are driver and front passenger dual-stage airbags with roof-mounted curtain side-impact airbags. There is also a tire pressure monitoring system that notifies you if a tire is deflating. The vehicle also has an energy-absorbing steering column with front and rear crumple zones. Suzuki has an incredible 7-year or 100,000 mile powertrain warranty that is fully transferable.
The Equator is a well made truck and the small additions that Suzuki added are a nice welcome over the Nissan Frontier. While the Equator will fill the immediate need of dealers who recognize that it’s easier to sell a truck then a car, we highly disapprove of private labeling other manufacturer’s vehicles. We understand that many consumer products are made this way, with China producing every imaginable item and scores of U.S. companies happily private labeling their goods. While it may work for pillows, bathroom fixtures and car floor mats, we don’t think it works in the car market.
Just look at what GM did to all the companies it acquired from Saab, Chevrolet, Buick, Oldsmobile and Pontiac; Eventually all their products starting to look the same and each brand which was once very unique and exciting, is now fading into a miserable death spiral. Let’s be clear about one thing, people want cars that are unique and that express their own sense of being. When everything becomes homogenized, people turn to other brands that still have a sense of what they stand for. Suzuki has stood for something different with its unique styling and own brand identity. If they try to take the easy way out by private labeling their cars they won’t stand a chance in this competitive and cut-throat market. However if they create their own unique product that stands for what they are, they will continue to increase market share and also retain their existing base.
Exterior: * Light Sandstone Metallic Clear Coat replaces Light Khaki Clear Coat * Deep Water Blue Pearl Coat replaces Steel Blue Metallic Clear Coat * Mold-in-color liftgate appliqué on Sport model * Body-color liftgate appliqué on Limited model
Interior: * New instrument panel, door trim panel and center console * Soft touch door armrest and center console with split lid for added storage space * New chrome accents on the Compass Sport HVAC vents and shift bezel * New chrome accents on the Compass Limited HVAC vents, shift bezel, instrument panel, door spears and cluster rings * Carpeted load floor replaces vinyl load floor * LED-illuminated cup holders * Large front and rear floor mats standard on Sport “E” and Limited models * uconnect tunes and uconnect gps available * uconnect tunes standard on Limited model * Universal Customer Interface (UCI) standard with uconnect
Powertrain/Chassis: * 2.4L CVT PZEV powertrain option available on FWD CVT model * Improved engine compartment and floor silencers plus revised exhaust tuning (including larger resonator) * Revised suspension tuning for a more comfortable, smoother ride
ENGINE: 2.4-LITER DOHC 16-VALVE I-4 WITH DUAL VVT Availability Standard Type and Description
Four-cylinder inline, tuned intake manifold with Electronic Active Charge Motion Control valves dual counter-rotating balance shafts Displacement 144 cu. in. (2360 cu. cm) Bore x Stroke 3.46 x 3.82 (88 x 97) Valve System Chain-driven DOHC, 16 valves, electronically controlled dual VVT, direct-acting shimless mechanical bucket tappets Fuel Injection Sequential, multiport, electronic, returnless Construction High-pressure die-cast aluminum block with dry iron liners, cast-aluminum cylinder head, cast-aluminum ladder frame, forged steel crankshaft Compression Ratio 10.5:1 Power (SAE net, estimated) 172 bhp (129 kW) @ 6,000 rpm (72 bhp/liter) Torque (SAE net, estimated) 165 lb.-ft. (222 N•m) @ 4,400 rpm Maximum Engine Speed 6,500 rpm (electronically limited) Fuel Requirement Unleaded regular, 87 octane (R+M)/2 Oil Capacity 5.0 qt. (4.7L) SAE 5W/20 Coolant Capacity 7.2 qt. (6.8L) Emission Controls Single catalytic converter, FWD, Dual catalytic converter, 4WD Dual heated oxygen sensors and engine features Smog-forming Pollution 0.9 g/mile (0.56 g/km)(c) Maximum Gross Trailer Weight 1000 lbs. (450 kg) 2000 lbs. (900 kg) with Trailer Tow Group Estimated Fuel Economy Estimated EPA Fuel Economy mpg (City/Hwy) (2009 EPA Standards) 23/28 — 2WD with 5-speed manual transaxle 21/25 — 2WD with CVT2 22/27 — 4WD with 5-speed manual transaxle 21/24 — 4WD with CVT2
DIMENSIONS AND CAPACITIES(d) Wheelbase 103.7 (2635) Track, Front 59.8 (1520) Track, Rear 59.8 (1520) Overall Length 173.4 (4404.8) Overall Width 69.3 (1760.7) Overall Height 65.2 (1631.7) Overhang, Front 34.5 (877.0) Overhang, Rear 35.2 (892.8) Approach Angle with P215/60/R17 Tire 20.1˚ Breakover Angle with P215/60/R17 Tire 20.3˚ Departure Angle with P215/60/R17 Tire 31.4˚ Ground Clearance with P215/60/R17 Tire 8.1 (206.7) Approach Angle with P215/65/R17 Tire 20.6˚ Breakover Angle with P215/65/R17 Tire 21.0˚ Departure Angle with P215/65/R17 Tire 32.2˚ Ground Clearance with P215/65/R17 Tire 8.4 (213.7) Aero (CdA) 10.6—2WD; 10.7—4WD NAFTA Curb Weight, lb. (kg) Sport 2WD—3071 (1404) Sport 3223—(1462) Limited 2WD—3177 (1450) Limited 4WD—3329 (1520) Weight Distribution, percent F/R 57/43—2WD; 56/44—4WD Fuel Tank Capacity, gal. (L) 13.6 (51.5)—2WD; 13.5 (51.1)—4WD
Leg Room 40.6 (1032.1) Shoulder Room 54.6 (1387.0) Hip Room 52.3 (1328.7) Seat Travel Driver—10.2 (260); Passenger—10.2 (260) Recliner Angle Range Driver—up to 88˚ Passenger—76˚ fold-flat/88˚ non-fold-flat SAE Front Seat Volume Index, cu. ft. (cu. m) 52.2 (1.478) Rear Head Room 39.9 (1013.8) Leg Room 39.4 (999.7) Knee Clearance 1.7 (44.1) Shoulder Room 54.0 (1371.9) Hip Room 51.0 (1294.5) SAE Rear Seat Volume Index, cu. ft. (cu. m) 49.1 (1.391) SAE Interior Volume, cu. ft. (cu. m) 101.3 (2.87) Cargo Volume Indexes Rear Seats Up, cu. ft. (cu. m) 22.7 (0.643) Rear Seats Folded, cu. ft. (cu. m) 53.6 (1.519) EPA Interior Volume Index, cu. ft. (cu. m) 124 (3.512) Liftover Height 30.5 (773.6) Cargo Volume with Front Passenger Seat and Rear Seat Folded, cu. ft. (cu. m) 60.7 (1.719) Minimum Cargo Width at Liftgate Opening 38.5 (976) Minimum Cargo Height at Liftgate Opening 25.0 (634) Maximum Cargo Width at Liftgate Opening 45.3 (1150) Maximum Cargo Height at Liftgate Opening 26.7 (681) Distance Between Wheelhouse Interior Trim 38.0 (966)
BODY AND CHASSIS Layout Transverse front-engine, front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive Construction Unitized steel body
SUSPENSION Front Independent MacPherson strut, coil spring over gas-charged shock absorbers and stabilizer bar Rear Multi-link independent with coil springs, link-type stabilizer bar, gas-charged shock absorbers
STEERING Type Rack-and-pinion with hydraulic power assist Overall Ratio 16.4:1 Turning Diameter (curb-to-curb) 17-in. wheels and tires—35.6 ft. (10.8 m) 8gas-charged shock absorbers
What’s New for ‘09 18-in. wheels and tires—37.2 ft. (11.3 m) Steering Turns (lock-to-lock) 17-in. wheels and tires—2.88 18-in. wheels and tires—2.76
BRAKES Availability Standard on 4x2 Sport Front Size and Type 11.5 x 1.0 in. (294 x 26 mm) vented disc with 2.2 in. (57 mm) single-piston floating caliper Swept Area 223.52 sq. in. (1442.12 sq. cm) Rear Size and Type 9.0 x 1.38 in. (229 x 35) drums Swept Area 78.1 sq. in. (503.6 sq. cm) Power Assist Type 10-in. (254-mm) single-diaphragm vacuum Anti-lock Brake System (ABS) Standard Electronic Stability Program (ESP) Standard
2009 Audi A5 - 3.2 V6 FSI direct injection engine; quattro permanent all-wheel drive standard - 265 hp, 243 lb-ft torque, 0-60 mph in seconds: 5.8 man / 5.9 Tiptronic - Audi Valvelift system 2-stage valve lift on intake valves increases both power and efficiency - Latest quattro permanent all-wheel drive standard, with 40:60 rear bias (under nominal conditions) for greater agility under power - Brake Assist, automatically senses emergency braking and applies maximum available power boost to reduce overall stopping distance
NOTEWORTHY VEHICLE INFO - A5’s styling features classic couple proportions including a long hood, short rear deck lid, and low sweeping roofline. - A5 range is new for Audi, positioned between A4 and A6 (Audi coupes haven’t been on sale in the USA since 1991); S5 manual went on sale in November 2007, and the A5 3.2 FSI (V6) manual and Tiptronic (auto) in March 2008. S5 Tiptronic (auto) went on sale in April 2008. - Audi Advanced Key (keyless entry and start) optional on A5 - A5 has optional innovations such as rear view camera with guiding lines, as well as the Bang & Olufsen 505 watt premium sound system
NOTABLE FEATURES Exterior - Bi-xenon headlamps with distinctive LED daytime running lights (optional) - Wide single-frame grille that accentuates A5’s wide and low chassis. - Long hood to house the engine compartment as a sign of power, emotion, and sophistication - Thick and powerful rear C-pillar is a sign of strength, while the thin accentuating line shows attention to detail that is second to none. - Large std panorama sunroof featuring a high-tech sunshade that can be rolled open or closed - Standard 18-inch wheels with all-season tires, available 19-inch wheels with high-performance tires
Interior - Multifunction sport steering wheel, high quality leather-wrapped - Optional Bang & Olufsen premium audio system, featuring 505 watts through a 10-channel amplifier - 3-zone automatic climate control system - Driver-oriented cockpit featuring 3-dimensional design and texture; dashboard overhang on top of instrument cluster is a sign of Audi’s interior craftsmanship and engineering put together. - Instrument cluster with innovative night lighting hue behind all gauge needles - MMI (Multi-media Interface) operating logic standard - Deep cupholders to maximize control of MMI functions despite large beverages - 1-liter bottle storage in door pockets - Automatic headlights and wipers standard
Technical Specifications A5 3.2 FSI
ENGINE: Type V6 gasoline direct injection DOHC Arrangement Front mounted, longitudinal Bore 3.327 in. 84.5 mm Stroke 3.654 in. 92.8 mm Displacement 195.1 cu. in. 3197 cc Compression ratio Fuel requirement Unleaded Super, 95 RON (unleaded regular, 91 RON, as an alternative with slight reduction in performance) Horsepower (SAE) 265 hp @ 6500 rpm Max. Torque 243 lb-ft @ 3250-5000 rpm
ENGINE DESIGN: Cylinder block Aluminum alloy Cylinder head Aluminum alloy Valve train / intake DOHC, two-stage intake manifold, Audi Valvelift System two-stage variable intake valve lift Cooling system Water-cooled, thermostatically controlled radiator fan Fuel injection Fully electronic engine management with FSI direct injection Emission system Catalytic converters with oxygen sensors
ELECTRICAL SYSTEM: Battery 12volts 95amp x h Alternator 14volts 150amp x h
DRIVETRAIN: Transmission 6-speed manual transmission with synchromesh on all gears, hydraulic single-disc clutch with dual mass flywheel 6-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission Gear ratios: 1st 3.667 2nd 2.053 3rd 1.423 4th 1.065 5th 0.853 6th 0.730 Reverse 3.400 Final Drivefront / rear 3.889 Front Differential Hypoid gear, electronically locking (EDL) Center Differential Self-locking center differential with assymetric/dynamic torque split 40F/60R Rear Differential Hypoid gear, electronically locking (EDL)
STEERING: Type Rack and pinion with Servotronic electric power assist Ratio 16.3:1 Turning circle (curb-to-curb) 37.4ft. 11.4 m
SUSPENSION: Front 5-link front suspension with upper and lower wishbones Rear Trapezoidal link independent rear suspension with anti-dive compensation 12.5:1
BRAKES: Service brake Dual-circuit brake system with diagonal split, ESP with electronic brake force distribution EBD, ABS; brake assit with tandem brake booster; front: ventilated discs, rear: discs Front, size and type 12.6 in. 320mm - Vent. disc Rear, size and type 11.8 in. 300mm disc Parking brake Electromechanically actuated at the rear wheels
BODY: Material Galvanized steel with aluminum front fenders Corrosion protection Multi-step anti-corrosion protection
CAPACITIES: Engine oil 6.3qt. 6.0liter Fuel tank 16.9gal. 64liter Cooling system 9.5qt. 9.0liter (incl. heating)
New variant XF Diesel S, Jaguar cars offer the best value for money in the UK market today. This edition not only comes with a bright 3.0-liter engine V6 diesel with 275hp famous energy-powered and highly efficient, but also brings a number of styles owned XFR yan.
