2011 Ford Taurus Review

The 2011 Ford Taurus is a full-size sedan that seats five people. It is available in SE, SEL, Limited and SHO trim levels. Standard equipment on the SE includes 17-inch alloy wheels, automatic headlights, keyless entry with an access keypad, cruise control, a six-way power driver seat (manual recline), a 60/40-split-folding rear seat, a tilt-and-telescoping steering column, steering-wheel audio controls and a six-speaker stereo with CD/MP3 player and an auxiliary audio jack.

The SEL adds 18-inch wheels, automatic transmission paddle shifters, heated mirrors, dual-zone automatic climate control, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, upgraded cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel and satellite radio. The 2011 Ford Taurus is powered by a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine that produces 263 hp and 249 pound-feet of torque. Front-wheel drive is standard with this engine and all-wheel drive is available on SEL and Limited trim levels. All-wheel drive drops it to 17/25/20.

The Ford Taurus SHO features a 3.5-liter twin-turbocharged V6 making 365 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque. Every SHO is all-wheel drive. Despite its impressive output, estimated fuel economy is the same as the regular all-wheel-drive Taurus.

Every 2011 Ford Taurus comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. Optional safety features include a blind-spot warning system, pre-collision warning system, a cross-traffic warning system (when reversing) and rear parking sensors. A rearview camera is standard on Limited and SHO models and optional on the SEL.

Although the 2011 Ford Taurus can hardly be called exciting, its a big improvement over the pre-2010 version. The Taurus SHO benefits from a lot more power, but its a little less transformational than in past SHO Taurus sedans—in part because the SHO puts the power to the road with such stoicism and a lack of pulse-raising excitement. Front seats in the Ford Taurus are a little constrained by the large console, though it has great room for tall drivers. The Ford Taurus is strong on safety. The Taurus SHO also offers an optional rearview camera.

The long list of standard features on the 2011 Ford Taurus means even base versions are well-equipped. The Taurus SE gets an AM/FM/CD player with MP3 playback; tilt/telescope steering; a 60/40 split-folding rear seat; a power driver seat; and power locks, windows, and mirrors.

The 2011 Ford Taurus offers good performance and a stylish design, as well as excellent cabin electronics and safety scores. When Ford redesigned the Ford Taurus in 2010, it added some much-needed life (and competition) to the affordable large car class. With the updated Taurus, buyers now have two very good options when shopping large cars.

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2011 Honda Fit Review

2011 Honda Fit

The 2011 Honda Fit comes only a five-door hatchback and is Hondas lowest-priced car for the U.S. market.

Even at first glance, its easy to pick out the 2011 Honda Fit as prioritizing function over form. A five-speed automatic is also offered and comes with paddle-shifters in Honda Fit Sport trims. Relative to other cars its size, the Honda Fit feels remarkably comfortable at 80 mph.

The 2011 Honda Fit offers an especially strong body structure, along with a long list of safety features including front seat side airbags, full-length side-curtain bags, and anti-lock brakes. The 2011 Honda Fit isnt a stripped-down small car; both the Fit and Honda Fit Sport models include a pretty generous list of features. Air conditioning; power windows, locks, and mirrors; and an MP3-compatible CD sound system are included with the base Fit. The Honda Fit Sport gets larger 16-inch alloy wheels, cruise control, keyless entry, a security system, and USB connectivity for the sound system, along with sporty cues throughout. Offered only on Honda Fit Sport models is a package adding the navigation system. For 2011, cruise control, a USB sound-system input, and keyless entry have been made standard all Fit models.

Offering one of the largest cargos holds in the class, innovative interior storage options, good fuel economy and spunky performance, the 2011 Honda Fit is a hard to turn down. The 2011 Honda Fit is a press favorite and has received numerous accolades from the automotive industry. Of course, the Fit isn’t perfect. One of the most prominent reviewer complaints concerns the Fit’s buzz engine. "The Honda Fit is pretty near the top of my favorite-cars list,” says the Los Angeles Times.

The Fit’s biggest drawback is its price. The Fit’s price is average for hatchbacks. Other hatchbacks on the market include the Ford Fiesta hatchback, which starts at $15,120, just 20 bucks more than the Honda Fit. The Fiesta’s shaking the automotive industry with high fuel economy ratings, stellar performance and uncommonly high build quality. Kia is also introducing the Forte Five-door Hatchback. You can also save money by looking at used 2009 Fits and 2010 Fits still on dealer lots.

It serves as Hondas entry-level model but has an aggressive design that Honda describes as "super-forward aero-form." Electronic stability control is standard for 2011 on all Honda Fit models.

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2011 Mazda CX 9 FWD Cheaper Price

Mazda CX-9

Mazda CX-9 FWD is available in Classic trim (AUS $ 44,425) and Luxury (AUS $ 51,725), but it still provides 3 row seat. With the system --All-wheel-drive, making the price of the Mazda CX-9 FWD become cheaper. CX-9 Luxury AWD is more expensive AUS $ 4,500 from the CX-9 Luxury FWD.

CX-9 Classic FWD become entry-level model with alloy wheels 18 ", automatic headlights, cruise control, 3-zone climate control, power windows and mirrors, plus steering wheel and shift knob material skin.

CX-9 Luxury FWD equipped with all fittings CX-9 Classic FWD with the addition of alloy wheels 20 ", sunroof, heated mirrors with 3-position memory and function folding, electric leather seats with 3-position memory, Bose audio and 10 speakers.

Mazda Australia instills six airbags (protecting all passengers in 3 rows of seats); Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Anti-lock Braking System (ABS), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA) and Electronic Brake force Distribution (EBD), Roll Stability Control (RSC) and a reverse camera.

Mazda CX-9 was thrusting Luxury FWD with satellite navigation plus touch screen 7 ", and Bluetooth ® with audio streaming. The price model is AUS $ 54,325.

All Mazda CX-9 models equipped kitchen runway V6, 3.7 liter with 6-speed transmission Autmatic. Power and torque CX-9 204 kW and 367 Nm. Model FWD drink gasoline 9.09 km / liter. While a little more extravagant, the CX-9 AWD 8.93 km / liter.

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2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Ford Fusion Hybrid

The Ford Fusion Hybrid has the typical hybrid performance characteristics, at least on paper. The Fusion Hybrid is one of our favorite gas-electric vehicles to drive. Better yet, Fords innovative graphics and gauges egg drivers on to greener driving behavior. The Ford Fusion Hybrid gets its own 17-inch wheels, a standard 110-volt power outlet and recycled-material seats.

For 2011, the Ford Fusion Hybrid sees only a few minor standard equipment changes. Unlike hybrids that have gone before, the 2011 Fusion Hybrid is rewarding to drive thanks to relatively brisk acceleration and crisp handling.

Of course, the fundamental appeal of a hybrid car still remains within this Ford sedan. The EPA estimates youll get 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, which is considerably better than the numbers posted by other midsize hybrid sedans that compete with the Fusion Hybrid.

As with the regular Fusion, the hybrid also boasts a spacious, well-finished cabin loaded with thoughtful luxury features. Highlights of the latter include dual-zone automatic climate control, rear park assist and Fords superb Sync multimedia voice control system. As hybrid sedans go, the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid is certainly one of our favorites. The only other hybrid sedan wed recommend checking out is the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid. The 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid is a midsize sedan available in a single trim level.

Standard equipment includes 17-inch alloy wheels, rear parking sensors, blind-spot mirrors, the My Key system (limits top speed and audio volume), a keyless-entry security code pad, automatic headlamps, fog lamps, cruise control, dual-zone automatic climate control, eight-way driver and six-way passenger power seats, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, eco-friendly cloth upholstery, a leather-wrapped steering wheel, an auto-dimming rearview mirror, a specialized gauge cluster, the Ford Sync electronics interface (includes voice commands, Bluetooth and iPod control) and a six-speaker sound system with CD/MP3 player, satellite radio and steering-wheel controls.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid utilizes a 2.5-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 156 hp and 136 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy is an EPA-estimated 41 mpg city/36 mpg highway and 39 mpg combined.

Safety
The 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, My Key and rear parking sensors. A blind-spot warning system and rearview camera are optional. At the Edmunds test track, the Fusion Hybrid stopped from 60 mph in 126 feet, which is a short distance for a hybrid car on low-rolling-resistance tires.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid also earned four stars for rear side protection. The Fusion Hybrids high-quality cabin features abundant soft-touch materials, and the overall look is austere but attractive. The Fusion Hybrid gets a distinctive gauge cluster dubbed Smart Gauge, featuring a pair of color display screens flanking a traditional speedometer. Interior storage space is adequate, although trunk capacity is compromised by the cars battery pack, which is typical of hybrid sedans.

Driving Impressions
Other than the Altima Hybrid (which is only sold in 11 states) and the new Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, the 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid is the most engaging hybrid sedan to drive; its a car, not just a transportation pod.

The 2011 Ford Fusion carries over largely unchanged from the 2010 Fusion, which underwent revisions inside and out and added the 41-mpg Ford Fusion Hybrid. Should you wait for the 2012 Ford Fusion or buy a 2011 Fusion? Buying a 2012 Fusion, however, places you just one model-year away from the anticipated all-new 2013 Fusion. Styling: There are no styling changes for the 2011 Ford Fusion. On 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid models, the instrument cluster is interactive, animated by Ford’s EcoGuide. The 2011 Fusion SE and SEL models are again available with an optional 240-horsepower 3.0-liter V-6. All-wheel drive (AWD) is available on the 2011 Fusion SEL V-6 and Fusion Sport models. The 2011 Ford Fusion Hybrid again pairs the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine with an electric motor to generate the equivalent of 191 horsepower.

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2011 Volkswagen Golf Overviews

Volkswagen Golf

The Volkswagen Golf cant really be called sexy, but there are some classy details baked into its three- and five-door bodies--particularly around the rear door cuts. The interiors solidly designed and built, more so than VWs own Jetta sedan that shares the Golfs assembly line.

Inside, the dash has been refined with subtle aluminum trim, a new three-spoke steering wheel and HVAC controls. The cabin is spacious, but three-door models have the usual problem of stuffing passengers easily into the rear seat. Both models do offer a generous cargo area that’s expands easily with the 60/40 split folding rear seats.

All Golfs use engines familiar to the Volkswagen family: base cars use the 2.5-liter five-cylinder that produces 170-hp and an equal amount of torque. In the three-door, that engine uses a five-speed manual or optional six-speed automatic transmission, while five-doors only get the auto.

The TDI is marginally slower than the 2.5 to highway speeds, but in-gear acceleration is remarkable. The suspension still features MacPherson struts up front with a four-link independent setup in the rear, but the TDI’s gets retuned to offer a sportier feel standard. The four-wheel disc brakes are solid with good pedal feel, and every Golf gets ABS with brake assist and brake-pressure distribution to ensure stops are made swiftly and securely.

Compared to its rivals, the Golf offers refinement and a sense of quality that’s hard to find in North American or Asian compacts. There are, however, definite competitors on the horizon that hope to challenge Volkswagen’s perceived quality.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2011 Volkswagen Golf is a compact hatchback offered in either two- or four-door configurations and in one of two trim levels: 2.5L or TDI. With either trim level, four-door models gain power-reclining front seats.

The TDI models can be equipped with adaptive xenon headlights, a premium Dynaudio sound system, a navigation system and (on four-door models) rear seat airbags.

The base 2011 Volkswagen Golf 2.5L is powered by a 2.5-liter five-cylinder that produces 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque. These Golf models are classified as partial-zero-emissions vehicles (PZEV) when sold in states with California emissions standards. The EPA estimates fuel economy at 23 mpg city/30 mpg highway and 26 mpg combined for the automatic and 22/30/25 mpg for the manual.
A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed dual-clutch automated manual (DSG) is optional.

Safety
The 2011 VW Golfs standard safety features include antilock disc brakes, stability control, front-seat side airbags and full-length head curtain airbags. Rear-seat side airbags are unavailable on two-door models, but are optional on four-door models.

Interior Design and Special Features
Simply replacing the VW logo on the Golfs steering wheel with four rings would convince you that you were in an Audi. Thats how nice the Golfs interior is. The Golf is actually much nicer than the new 2011 VW Jetta sedan.

Whether you choose the two- or four-door route, the Golfs interior passenger space remains the same. Access to the two-door Golfs rear seats is made relatively painless thanks to front seats that slide easily out of the way. The split-folding rear seats bump that figure up to 46 cubes.

Driving Impressions
The 2011 Volkswagen Golfs high level of interior refinement is echoed in its composed, solid feel on the road. At highway speeds, the Golf is significantly quieter than other hatchbacks. The Golfs gasoline engine provides smooth power throughout the rev range.

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2011 Ford Taurus SHO Review

2011 Ford Taurus Sho Review

The 2011 Ford Taurus SHO has an unassuming exterior but delivers impressive horsepower under the hood. A small but very vocal contingent of car nuts is inexplicably passionate about classic Ford Taurus SHO. After experiencing the performance and the brilliance of the 2011 Ford Taurus SHO, the only thing one might find a bit odd is that the car is called Taurus. Fortunately, Ford is a company with considerable institutional memory, so when they brought the Taurus back—this time as Fords top Sean—they resurrected the Ford Taurus SHO iteration of the car as well.

More than just a terrific performer though, our test Ford Taurus SHO came loaded with the latest high-tech safety features. The blind spot indication system illuminates indicators on the appropriate side mirror when another car is in a blind spot. Put the Taurus in reverse, the rear window shade retracts (if deployed) and the cars touch screen displays video from a camera on the trunk. The Taurus has easily paired Bluetooth capability for hands-free calling with Microsofts SYNC telematics system. The cars 12-speaker Sony audio system features iPod connectivity, a CD/DVD player and a hard drive for storing music.

Ford Taurus SHO

When Ford decided that it would essentially relegate its Taurus to fleet sales beginning with a 2000 refresh, the SHO was an early catastrophe. Clamoring SHO nuts begged Ford for a rewrite, which finally arrived as a 2010 promising a new recipe for success.

We finally took Ford up on the opportunity to spend some quality time in a 2011 Ford Taurus SHO, even though we refuse to pronounce as show. Sorry, Blue Oval. The Ford Taurus SHO might seem like just a jazzed up full-size sedan, but it’s much more than that. Bowing for 2010, the latest Taurus follows in a long line of large Ford family sedans that once totally dominated the automotive landscape in America.

This latest car reprises the somewhat historic SHO nameplate, but instead of the naturally aspirated V6 and V8 front-wheel-drive models that preceded it, the new car boasts a twin-turbo Ecoboost V6 and all-wheel-drive. Undoubtedly, the Ford Taurus SHO is loaded with solid tech for the money. It boasts Ford’s still-advanced second-generation infotainment system with Sirius Travel Link updates, a high-power Sony audio system and, if you tick all the right boxes, heated, ventilated and massaging seats covered in leather and synthetic suede.

Ford aimed to make the Taurus SHO feel like a personal luxury vehicle geared at satisfying the most demanding and hedonistic needs. Ford can do great interiors at this price point – check out the Ford Flex platform mate, for one. Ford’s engineers carefully tuned the intake and exhaust to deliver a mild and refined growl that perfectly suits the vehicle’s mission. The SHO neutral all-wheel-drive system seemed best tuned for outright grip, with each wheel eagerly scrabbling for traction when driven aggressively. Combine the Ford Taurus SHO so-so steering with substantial body lean and we felt compelled to drive at no more than 7/10ths, where the big sedan seemed happiest.

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2011 Kia Soul Review

Kia Soul

Inside, the Kia Soul isnt nearly as groundbreaking. Most Kia Soul wagons will sport a four-cylinder engine with 2.0 liters of displacement, 142 horsepower, and 137 pound-feet of torque; but theres also a 1.6-liter four-cylinder making 122 horsepower and 115 pound-feet of torque. All Souls ride atop a conventional McPherson strut front and torsion-beam rear suspension, and they have four-wheel disc brakes. Base and mid-line Souls wear 15- and 16-inch wheels. The Kia Soul Sport leads the performance pack with 18-inch wheels and different suspension tuning. Dimensionally it checks in at 161.6 inches overall, 70.3 inches wide, 63.4 inches high, and it has a 100.4-inch wheelbase.

The front seats also have active head restraints, which help curb whiplash. Options on various Kia Soul models include a sunroof, that sound-system upgrade, and more than 60 accessories, from styling add-ons to interior trim. Two different Special Edition Soul models will be offered in the 2011 model year; both will be based on the Soul+ trim and include automatic climate control plus unique exterior styling and special accessories.

Debuting in 2010, the Kia Soul is a compact, 5-seat boxy hatchback designed for the young and young at heart. It is available in four trim levels: base, + (plus), (exclaim), and Sport.

The Soul’s spirit dwells somewhere between its snippy exterior and its comfortable cabin. Standard interior features include air conditioning, cruise control and a 4-speaker AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio system with auxiliary audio jack. Exterior features include wheels, headlamps, doors and doorknobs. The Soul!

Having debuted in 2010, the little has changed for the 2011 Kia Soul. Other than the Scion xB and Nissan Cube, there are few cars that share the 2011 Kia Soul’s funky shape. Kia uses this box car’s hip style, unique exterior colors and affordable price to target young buyers. The Soul’s pep-less performance hasn’t inhibited its success in the industry. The Kia Soul has received a slew of awards. AAA even named the Kia Soul a Top Pick for Dog Owners.

Before you buy a Kia Soul, you should know that KIA recalled about 24,000 Soul vehicles to fix interior lighting panels that can cause fires. Although it’s more expensive than the Kia Soul, the Scion xB has bold exterior styling that reviewers like. The Soul is a hatchback, but it doesn’t offer lots of storage space.

The Kia Soul comes in four well-equipped trim levels -- a base edition, the Soul Plus (+), Soul Exclaim (!), and Soul Sport. The Soul was new for 2010, and the 2011 Kia Soul is very similar to last year’s model.

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2011 Scion tC Review

2011 Scion tC

Most reviewers aren’t pumped about the redesigned tC. Scion tried to accomplish lot in updating the 2011 tC while still keeping the tCs price under $20,000. "Therein lies the problem, because the 2011 Scion tC is a car without a singular mission,” Edmunds writes. Reviewers agree that the engine upgrade from a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine for the 2010 tC to a 2.5 four-cylinder is a huge improvement. The 2011 tC, however, doesn’t drive like a sports car. Buyers will also appreciate three audio head units. The base tC features a 300-watt audio system, auxiliary audio and USB input ports, which includes iPod connectivity. Scion straightened the 2010 tC’s curvy exterior to produce a more aggressive look. Other Cars to Consider

The base Mazda3 starts at $15,450, $2,320 less than the six-speed manual transmission tC.
The Civic and Fiesta also save buyers money. The 2011 Scion tC is a two-door coupe. The tC’s 2.5-liter engine four-cylinder engine produces 180 horsepower and 173 pound-feet of torque.

The good: The 2011 Scion tC presents a stylish exterior, and it is easy to upgrade the cabin electronics. iPod integration comes standard.
The bad: The Bluetooth phone system is nearly Stone Age in its features, and the audio system destroys mids and highs.

The bottom line: The 2011 Scion tCs tech, both cabin and drive train, lags behind similarly priced competition, but the car is a solid platform to upgrade. Witness the Scion tC, which in a single generation went from svelte to bulky. Aftermarket-friendly

Staying true to Scions original mission, iPod integration comes standard in the tC, and the cabin tech is as upgradable as ever. A big, multifunction knob controls volume with dial movement and also operates as a joystick to tune radio stations. The Pioneer head unit has three audio settings under the banner of Scion Sound Processing, labeled Hear, Natural, and Feel. Depending on how you look at it, the new 2011 Scion tC is either the second-generation tC or the ninth generation of the Toyota Celica.

The new tC rides on the same 106.3-inch wheelbase, stretches out the same 174.0 inches long overall and stands the same 55.7 inches tall. The front track width increases from 59.3 to 60.6 inches, and the rear goes from 59.3 to 61.4 inches. The larger-diameter and wider tires make the new tC seem somehow more voluptuous. The brakes are bigger too, with front ventilated discs increasing from 10.83 to 11.65 inches, and the solid rear discs growing from 10.59 to 10.98 inches.

The tCs new 2.5-liter engine is virtually identical to the four-cylinder engine offered in the 2010 Toyota Camry SE. The Camry SEs engine is rated at 179 horsepower at 6000 rpm, with 171 lb-ft of peak torque at 4100 rpm. Thanks to slightly different engine-control computer programming and different intake and exhaust systems, the tC develops one extra horsepower at 6000 rpm and two more lb-ft of torque at 4100 rpm. Moreover, a new six-speed manual and automatic transmissions take advantage of the new engines muscle.

The Drive
Tuned for midrange power and solid torque production, the tCs powerplant isnt a screamer like the rev-happy, 8000-rpm redline, 197-horsepower 2.0-liter engine in Hondas Civic Si.

As before, the tC comes with a panoramic sunroof as standard equipment. With the roll-up shade retracted, the roof gives the tCs interior a nice roomy feel.

For buyers in the tCs target demographic, an eardrum-crushing sound system is a must. The tC comes standard with 300-watt system with a 160-watt Pioneer-branded head unit and a 140-watt two-channel amplifier feeding eight speakers. The tCs exterior may promise excitement, but the chassis delivers more comfort than thrills.

Toyota claims a 0-to-60 mph time of 7.6 seconds for the manual transmission version of the new tC and 8.3 seconds for the automatic. Like the first Celica, the tC is sort of a five-sixth-scale Mustang, and like the Mustang, the tC is still accessible to young buyers. According to Toyota, the median age of tC buyers is 26, and its easy to see why. The 2011 Scion tC is a good idea today.

Scion has always maintained that tC stands for Touring Coupe.

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2011 Bugatti Veyron 16 4 Super Sport

2011 Bugatti Veyron

The 2011 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is only the worlds fastest production car, as certified by Guinness World Records. To that end, the Super Sport sees every major mechanical system revamped. Where the Veyron sees its peak torque remain flat between roughly 2,000 rpm and 5,000 rpm, the Super Sport doesnt reach maximum until 3,000 rpm. At $2.3 million, the Super Sport is about as expensive a car as youll find rolling out of any factory today. But considering no other production car can achieve the Super Sports 258-mph top speed (electronically limited for the tires; for the world record, it hit 268 mph), if bragging rights are whats ultimately important, theres no other car worth considering.

The Bugatti Veyron is (still) the world’s fastest production car, having just wrested the crown from itself in a successful world-record attempt. On Volkswagen’s Ehra-Lessien test track just outside of Wolfsburg, Bugatti’s official test driver got the new Veyron 16.4 Super Sport to hit a two-way average speed of 268 mph.

Production versions of the Super Sport will have their top speed electronically limited to 258 mph, in order to protect the tires from certain, expedient death. The Super Sport will make its public debut at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August. Production begins in the fall at Bugatti’s Molsheim Veyron hand-crafting facility. We’re waiting for the inevitable roadster version, which will have to be called Super Grand Sport.

On the exterior the car gets expanded and reshaped front air intakes, a revised back with double diffuser, and a centrally arranged exhaust system.

On a beautiful sunny day at 25 degrees the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport achieved a new landspeed world record for production cars, on the proving grounds of the Volkswagen Group at Ehra-Lessien (nearby its headquarters at Wolfsburg). In the presence of the German Technical Inspection Agency (TÜV) and a representative of Guinness Book of Records the Super Sport achieved an average top speed of 431 km/h.

No one but the driver is allowed to touch the car during this time. This time the car reaches 434, 211 km/h. This even hit Bugatti’s engineering team by surprise.

The Super Sport is a consequent of the further development of the classic exclusive 1,001-hp Bugatti Veyron 16.4, launched in 2005. With lateral acceleration of up to 1.4 G and improved interaction between the tyres and the intelligent all-wheel drive system, the Super Sport offers perfect handling and even more powerful acceleration of 1,500 Newton metres on corner exits.

The skin is made entirely of carbon-fibre composites, and the new Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is available in 100 per-cent clearlacquered exposed carbon on request.

This ethos remains alive and well at the company, and the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Super Sport is wholly unmistakeable, with every external modification serving to coax greater performance from the car. The Super Sport’s flat, elongated silhouette is immediately recognisable. Bugatti has a tradition of making super-sport versions of successful models, usually with racing chassis and supercharged engines. These cars were considered as true racing machines for diehard Bugatti devotees. Bugatti Automobiles S.A.S. has sold 260 Veyrons and 35 Grand Sports by now, of which 249 Veyrons and 22 Grand Sports had been delivered. The Super Sport will begin production this autumn at Molsheim along with the Veyron and the Grand Sport.

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Gemballa Tornado Porsche Cayenne 2011 Pictures

Gemballa Tornado Porsche Cayenne 2011 Pictures

 

Gemballa Tornado Porsche Cayenne 2011 Pictures

 

Gemballa Tornado Porsche Cayenne 2011 Pictures

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2011 Toyota Tacoma Reviews

True compact trucks are almost extinct in the U.S. market. The Toyota Tacoma is one of them.
Regular Cab, Access Cab, and Double Cab editions of the Toyota Tacoma are offered, with standard or long-bed (LB) lengths, with four- or six-cylinder engines, and they all have the same styling, albeit with different levels of stretch for the cab and bed.

Overall, ride and handling are a little disappointing in the Toyota Tacoma—even among pickups, which typically do trade off some ride comfort and nimbleness for heavy-hauling ability. The Tacomas payload is well into the 3/4-ton category, depending on the model, and its tow rating goes up to 6,500 pounds.

Compared with full-size trucks, the Toyota Tacoma disappoints for interior roominess and seating comfort, but compared with other mid-sizes like the Nissan Frontier its competitive. The 2011 Tacoma model line covers a wide range of needs in base form, especially if youre willing to add a few options, but two specialized models, the PreRunner and X-Runner, are focused for tough terrain and look the part.

For 2011, the Toyota Tacomas four-cylinder engine is a more practical choice now that its available with an automatic transmission. Air-conditioning is now standard on every Tacoma, while all but Regular Cab 4x4 models get bucket seats.

The 2011 Toyota Tacoma is a midsize pickup offered in Regular Cab, Access Cab (an extended cab with small rear-hinged doors) and Double Cab (crew cab with four full-size front-hinged doors) configurations. Both Regular and Access Cabs are joined to a 6-foot bed. All Toyota Tacoma body styles are available in either two- or four-wheel-drive form. As the base model, the lightly equipped Toyota Tacoma Regular Cab is ideal as a work truck; it actually has more standard amenities than other bare-bones pickups. When equipped with four-wheel drive and an automatic transmission, the Regular Cab gets front bucket seats. The Access Cab gains power locks and windows, upgraded cloth upholstery, front bucket seats, a rear bench (includes under-seat storage) and two more speakers. The Toyota Tacoma Double Cab adds 16-inch steel wheels, a front skid plate and driver lumbar adjustment.

The Convenience package adds power mirrors, keyless entry, cruise control, a sliding rear window and steering-wheel audio controls. The TRD Off-Road package includes 16-inch alloy wheels, fender flares, a heavy-duty suspension, a locking rear differential, skid plates and sport seats. The on-road-oriented TRD Sport package includes 17-inch alloy wheels, a hood scoop, a sport suspension and sport seats.

The 2011 Toyota Tacoma is available with rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. A five-speed manual transmission is standard on the Regular and Access Cabs, while a four-speed automatic is optional on those cabs and standard with the Double Cab. When properly equipped, the Toyota Tacoma can tow 6,500 pounds.

Standard safety equipment on all 2011 Tacoma’s includes stability and traction control, antilock brakes (disc front, drum rear) with brake assist, front-seat side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags and front active headrests. For better or worse, the 2011 Toyota Tacoma drives like a proper pickup truck.

Other changes include the addition of turn-signal lamps in the side mirrors and available chrome-clad 18-inch wheels on the TRD Sport Package.
Access Cab models offer a new available six-speaker system with an AM/FM/ satellite radio-capable head unit with a single-disc CD player.

Buyers of 2WD models and off-road aficionados will appreciate the standard automatic limited-slip differential. Downhill Assist Control (DAC) helps to keep the shiny side of your Toyota Tacoma up.
All Access Cab models (extended cab, with rear-hinged rear half-doors) will come with power windows and locks and a rear seat with under-seat and central storage areas. Fresh seat fabric gussies up the interior in SR5 trims, while Regular cabs make do with a front bench seat for three-passenger seating. A back-up monitor for Access and Double Cab models is also available.

The Toyota Tacoma is available in up to 18 different configurations, based on three cab types: Regular Cab, Access Cab, and Double Cab. Power hits the pavement with P215/70R15 tires on steel wheels or P245/75R16 wheels on styled steel wheels, which are exclusive to the 4x4 and PreRunner models.

X-Runner street performance package
Toyota has seen fit to offer four different transmissions depending on which type of engine you select. The Pro package adds a TRD cat-back exhaust system and is only available on V6-powered models.

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2011 Pagani Zonda C9 Pagani Exotic Sports Car Modification

A decade later, Pagani Zondas remain near the top of the exotic sports car list. Theyve been tested fast in a straight line, reaching 0–60 mph in the mid-3-second range and proved able to get around the Nürburgring in a video game-quick 7:27.82.
2011 Pagani Zonda C9
Every Zonda features another highly prized quality among exotic cars: rarity, with fewer than 100 in existence.


2011 Pagani Zonda C9
While lacking the classic, flowing beauty of a Pininfarina-designed Ferrari, the Zondas shape is an attention-getter. It stops you in your tracks. We didnt think the design would age well, but a decade down the line it still rivets attention and holds it — from that low nose with its four small headlamps back to the big center exhaust port corralling four outlets. A photographers dream.

2011 Pagani Zonda C9
The attractive interior is a mix of modern (carbon fiber), retro (toggle switches) and art deco (the design of instruments and controls) accented with aluminum and fine leather.

2011 Pagani Zonda C9
That Zonda body style is done as a sports coupe or a roadster in three levels, all with a mid-mounted 7.3-liter AMG/Mercedes-Benz V-12. The S version comes in at 555 bhp and 553 lb.-ft. of torque, the F with 602 bhp and 561 lb.-ft., and the F Club sport dynos at 650 bhp and 575 lb.-ft.

2011 Pagani Zonda C9
All use 6-speed manual transmissions, Brembo disc brakes and have the sort of A-arm suspensions youd expect in a race car. Plus the level of suspension and aerodynamic tuning that allows 210-plus-mph top speeds.

2011 Pagani Zonda C9
Being in a Zonda at speed is a pure exotic-car moment. Like a Ferrari Enzo, there are nicely crafted touches from the museum-quality carbon-fiber finish to air conditioning that keep this from being a race car on the streets. Still, you are not cushioned or coddled or kept from enjoying the unfiltered fun of a truly fast machine. One with a price that likely will soak up $500,000 or more.

2011 Pagani Zonda C9
Sadly, the Zonda is nearing the end of its run. But dont mourn the supercar too much as the next step Pagani takes is pointed at the U.S.
2011 Pagani Zonda C9
Zonda production will round out at 100 with an added model called the R, a track-oriented version in the image of Ferraris FXX. Looking like a still-more-aggressive Zonda — if you can imagine such a thing — the R will have a 750-bhp version of the AMG V-12.

2011 Pagani Zonda C9
Heres the best news: Having been frustrated in attempts to certify the Zonda in the U.S., Pagani will design the C9 for sale worldwide. We might see the new car at the 2009 Geneva show. Although there havent been any concept drawings yet, we can count on the new Pagani being exciting...and fast. And expensive.
The Zonda nears the end of its run, but a new exotic is in the offing from Horacio Pagani.

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2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage

Sketched drawings of imaginary sports cars covered my notebook as an elementary school pupil. Assembled in the ether of a daydream, each penciled design came from an imagination unrestrained by reality, with nary a concession to things like outward visibility, bumper heights or ground clearance. Engines were huge, tires were wide and bodywork was unbelievably sleek. It didn’t matter that none of the drawings represented real cars. From my naive perspective, I could bring the world’s coolest cars to life in two-dimensional black and white.

Thirty years later, I find myself sitting in the driver’s seat of a 2011 Aston Martin V12 Vantage. To a car guy, this artful amalgamate of aluminum, magnesium, carbon fiber, leather, rubber and glass represents pure sensory overload. As a jaded automotive journalist, I’m supposed to maintain a poker face when presented with such an objet d’art. Plainly, I am struggling today.

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2011 Chevrolet Traverse Reviews

Chevrolet Traverse

The Chevrolet Traverse sports the same stacked grille as the redesigned Chevy Malibu the Chevrolet Traverse won’t help you traverse rugged, barren landscapes, but it will comfortably haul up to eight people in style.

While the "Chevrolet Traverse" is a good all-around crossover, reviewers are particularly excited about its standard third-row seat, which seats adults comfortably. The 2011 Chevrolet Traverse was named The Best Midsize Crossover for the Money by U.S. News and World Report and TrueCar.com.

Because the Chevrolet Traverse competes in a large and competitive class, you can find other options that cost less. The Ford Flex gives the Traverse some stiff competition when it comes to style and interior comfort. The Chevrolet Travers shares a platform with the GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave.

Aside from the audio systems relocated USB input and the addition of heated cloth seats to the options list for LT models, the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse remains largely unchanged.

Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2011 Chevrolet Traverse is a large crossover SUV available in LS, LT and LTZ trim levels. Select the 2LT package and youll get all that plus tri-zone automatic climate control, a 10-speaker Bose system (with USB port), rear audio system controls, seven-passenger seating (featuring second-row captains chairs), a power lift gate and a rearview camera integrated into the rearview mirror.

The Chevrolet Traverse LTZ ups the luxury ante with 20-inch wheels, leather upholstery, heated and ventilated power front seats (with driver memory settings), Bluetooth connectivity and remote ignition. In our performance testing, a Traverse LT2 posted a sufficiently quick 0-60-mph time of 8.6 seconds.

EPA fuel economy estimates for the front-wheel-drive Chevrolet Traverse are 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway and 19 mpg combined. All-wheel-drive Traverse models are very close at 16/23/19 mpg. Properly equipped, the Chevrolet Traverse can tow up to 5,200 pounds.

Safety
Antilock disc brakes, traction and stability control, front seat side-impact airbags and side curtain airbags for all three rows are all standard on the 2011 Chevrolet Traverse, as is one year of GMs On Star service, including turn-by-turn navigation and hands-free phone connectivity. Depending on which trim level you choose, the interior offers seating for either seven passengers with the second-row captains chairs or eight with the 60/40-split-folding second-row bench seat. Theres also plenty of room for stuff, including 24.4 cubic feet of cargo room behind the third-row seat.

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