Wednesday, 22 June 2011
2011 Toyota Corolla
Tuesday, 21 June 2011
Cadillac CTS, 2003-2007
Cadillac pretty much hit rock bottom in 1982 with the Cimarron. It was a rebadged Chevy Cavalier, and about as far from what a Cadillac should be as you could get, considering that half a century previously, the brand called itself, “The Standard of the World” and built cars powered by 16-cylinder engines.
A turnaround was needed, and badly, but it wouldn’t come until 2002, when General Motors’ most prestigious marque wheeled out the CTS: it was the first Cadillac sedan to sport the brand’s edgy new styling, and it spearheaded Caddy’s return to respectability, being the first of several subsequent models designed to keep up with Germany’s best.
The first CTS used a 3.2-litre V6 making 220 horsepower and 218 lb-ft of torque. Cadillac enthusiasts – the fact that there are some of these and that they know how to use the Internet is a testament to the CTS’ success in appealing to a more, uh, lively demographic – are of two minds about this engine. Those into modifying their cars feel the 3.2-litre is a poor choice, as there is little aftermarket support for it. Other drivers who prefer to leave the engineering to the guys at General Motors say the 3.2-litre is a fine motor, even if it might be a bit underpowered.
Speed freaks got their wish in 2004, when Cadillac added two new motors to the CTS line-up. One was the 3.6-litre V6 that’s being used in a multitude of GM products these days; in CTS form, it makes 255 horsepower and 252 lb-ft. The real powerhouse was the 5.7-litre V8 bolted into the CTS-V, the first member of Cadillac’s then-new V-series performance line. This Corvette-based engine grew to 6.0 litres in displacement in 2006, but produced the same 400 horsepower and 395 lb-ft of torque as the smaller motor.
In 2005, the 3.2-litre was replaced by a 210-horsepower, 2.8-litre V6 based on the 3.6-litre.
Transmission choices were a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic in 2003 models; in 2004, a five-speed manual came with the 3.2-litre motor, while the five-speed auto was standard spec for 3.6-litre models, and the CTS-V got a six-speed gearbox. For the 2005 through 2007 model years, all cars got a six-speed manual as the base transmission, and a five-speed automatic was an option on all but the CTS-V.
Fuel consumption with the original 3.2-litre engine is rated at 12.9 L/100 km (city) and 8.4 L/100 km (highway) with the automatic transmission, according to Natural Resources Canada. The 3.6-litre (automatic-only in its first year) got ratings of 13.4 L/100 km (city) and 7.8 L/100 km (highway); manual transmission versions of this car were a little thirstier. Cars with the 2.8-litre engine were only marginally more efficient than 3.6-litre models, so choosing the smaller motor probably isn’t worth it unless the 2.8-litre car is a great deal. The CTS-V’s ratings of 15.3 L/100 km (city) and 9.2 L/100 km (highway) look pretty good on paper, but driving the car gently enough to achieve those numbers would be challenging, to say the least.2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon 3.6 AWD
In the early days of my music career, I spent an inordinate amount of time behind the wheel of a rusting 1965 Ford Falcon Futura station wagon, ferrying band mates and equipment around the Maritimes. With three-on-the-tree, an overworked 170 cubic inch straight-six, a burned-out clutch, no radio and a busted heater, the Arctic Mobile, as we affectionately dubbed it, got us where we were going… most of the time.
Three decades later, I find myself doing essentially the same thing, although circumstances have improved considerably. Instead of high schools and hurtin’ clubs, I’m performing at a number of cushy theatres in Southern Ontario with the Canadian Tenors – a quartet of harmonizing hunks whose career is currently on a mercurial trajectory.
Playing the part of the ferrous Arctic Mobile is another American-made wagon: the new-for-2010 Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon 3.6 AWD – with a working heater no less.
Cadillac’s recently redone CTS wants to play in the Euro sport sedan big-leagues, and indeed, it has the goods to get the attention of those looking at BMW, Audi, and Mercedes. As those marques offer wagon versions of their mid-sized sedans, it makes sense that Caddy would follow suit.
But Wow, who woulda thought this wagon would out-sex the already handsome sedan? Expanding on Cadillac’s distinctive angular design language, the Sport Wagon looks spectacular from every angle, especially from the rear where the spiky vertical taillights recall Caddy’s legendary fins of yore. I would normally balk at a $1,295 paint treatment, but the Blue Diamond Tricoat on this specimen looked terrific.
Guitarist Dave Gray and I popped the Sport Wagon’s powered liftgate, flipped down the 60/40 rear seats (with ski pass-through) and loaded ‘er up with amps, guitars, pedals and other musoid detritus. The cargo floor is flat and capacity a useful 1642 litres – not in the league of the Volvo V70 (2082 litres), but certainly enough for our purposes.
You can get into a base rear-wheel-drive CTS Sport Wagon fitted with a 270-hp 3.0-litre V6 for $39,998. This tester was the all singing/dancing $53,790 AWD model powered by the same 304-hp 3.6-litre direct-injection V6 found in the Camaro LT. The only transmission offered is a six-speed manumatic.
Optional equipment here, which included the $3,660 Luxury Performance Package (real wood trim, keyless entry and ignition, heated and ventilated front seats with memory, rear park sensors, powered steering column, security system), pushed the bottom line to just north of sixty grand. Navigation with rear-view camera is an additional $2,885.
The interior is suitably upscale with nicely stitched leather dash top and upper door panels, although the wood inserts are so processed it looks like plastic to me. Major gauges are clearly back-lit and the sharply sculpted centre console gives the cabin an intimate dual-cowl feel. One niggle: the interior temp control and seat heater buttons are located right where your knee grazes the side of the console.
Luxury Homes in Washington
It's been a while since we've taken a tour of the latest lavish homes for sale. This is our inaugural tour of the state of Washington. Please enjoy the featured homes and let me know if you find one you can't live without. I'll be more than happy to hook you up with a realtor! Right.
If you like golf and open space then Cle Elum Tumble Creek Retreat is for you. After a grueling 18 holes or a hike in the woods relax in your brand new 2,834 square foot cabin residence that boasts magnificent construction and attention to detail.
With ample room and magnificent open spaces this cabin has four bedrooms, including two main floor master suites. This little bit of comfortable luxury is a steal at only $1,738,850.
Do you have $1,545,000 lying around? Would you enjoy living in luxury with sweeping views of Liberty Lake from a spectacular Tuscan Villa? Then this superior quality home of 3,900 square feet is calling for you.
With incredible views from every room, gorgeous travertine tile, rich granite countertops, a gourmet professional kitchen, custom millwork and alder cabinets, this home is unique. With so many fabulous, dramatic, architectural and design elements it is a Must See! Can't you just see yourself there?
For the bargain price of only $1,005,000 you too can enjoy the grandeur and elegance of Cedar Cove in Sammamish. With a gracious formal entry, living and dining rooms, a sweeping open staircase and a chef's kitchen with Viking professional appliances, this home is designed and built for a family.
The kids will enjoy the large breakfast bar while mom and dad have cappuccino in the light-filled great room that boasts 25-foot ceilings, a huge fireplace and built-in bookcases.
When the kids are finished eating it is a short walk to Skyline High and Discovery Elementary. Once the kids are off to school mom can work in the home office while dad backs one of the cars out of the three-car garage and heads to the golf course. Does it get any better?
Luxury Home Sales Bounce Back
For years, Jennifer Metz and her husband John yearned for a bigger home in San Francisco. Three months ago, the couple started looking, figuring that in this shaky economy, their $3 million budget should provide them a pick of attractive homes and accommodating sellers.
Luxury Going Fast
They were wrong. Hours after seeing a 5,000-square-foot fixer-upper in Presidio Heights with an asking price around $2.7 million, the Metzes put in a bid—and lost. Soon after, they made another offer on a four-bedroom in Russian Hill. Their bid was rejected.
Last week, the Metzes rushed over to a large, dilapidated home in Pacific Heights that needed a lot of work but was asking the (relatively) low price of $2.25 million. The Metzes put in their over-ask bid the next day, but lost that one too: There were nine offers; the winning bid was $2.56 million.
"It''s frustrating," says Ms. Metz, a 44-year-old stay-at-home mom whose husband works in finance. "You think you put in a good offer but, no."
After a near-disastrous 2009, the luxury market appears to be making a comeback, driven by growing buyer confidence, improved financing conditions and more-realistic seller pricing. Despite the housing downturn, attractively priced homes in some of the nation''s most coveted neighborhoods are selling, sometimes fast and sometimes with multiple offers. Nationwide, sales of homes selling for $2 million to $5 million in the first quarter totaled 2,461, up 32% from a year before, says CoreLogic.
Ordinary Joes Still Can''t Afford Luxury
That sales are up from last year shouldn''t come as a big surprise. The shock of the financial panic in the fall of 2008 left many potential buyers too nervous to bid, and those who were willing to wade in found it hard to get financing. But a study for The Wall Street Journal by MDA DataQuick, a real-estate data provider, found that in some areas of the country, sales of homes over $2 million in the first quarter were actually on par with the levels of 2005, the peak year for existing-home sales volume nationwide.
In San Francisco, 49 homes sold for $2 million or more in this year''s first quarter, according to the study, compared to 47 in 2005. In Manhattan, there were 402 sales of $2 million or more in the latest quarter, compared with 311 in the first quarter of 2005, according to the appraisal firm Miller Samuel Inc. Other areas with strong rebounds included New York''s Hamptons, Menlo Park, Calif., and Beverly Hills.
Even a couple of troubled housing markets experienced a strong uptick. In Las Vegas, there were 21 such sales in the first quarter, up from 15 in the first quarter of 2005, according to DataQuick. In Miami, 21 such sales of $2 million or more were recorded in the first quarter, up from 15 last year and close to the 23 that sold in that time five years earlier.
Of course, many markets including Greenwich, Conn. and parts of New Jersey are still ailing. Brokers say pricey homes in outlying suburbs are more likely to sit than sell. Miami-Dade County still has enough homes priced at $2 million or more to last 41 months at the current sales pace, though down from 116 months a year earlier, says Ron Shuffield, president of EWM Realtors, a large local brokerage.
The recent stock market tumble could unravel the turnaround. Unlike the rest of the housing market, which is driven largely by employment trends, housing analysts say high-end buyers are much more sensitive to changes in the stock market, which for the first quarter was helping them feel even wealthier. "If the markets don''t recover soon, it will scare people" and hurt demand for high-end homes, says Kenneth Rosen, chairman of the Fisher Center for Real Estate and Urban Economics at the University of California, Berkeley.
In the meantime, some high-end renovators are making quick sales. Koby Kempel bought a colonial in Brookline, a posh suburb of Boston, last year for $1.45 million. He raised the ceilings, rebuilt the interior, expanded the home by about 50% and added a heated garage. The six-bedroom home was listed by Mona Wiener of Hammond Residential on a Friday in early May and was under contract the next day for the asking price of nearly $3.5 million.
Back in San Francisco''s Pacific Heights neighborhood, a four-bedroom home on Broadway, with a spa and views of the Golden Gate Bridge, was renovated by Gregory Malin. It went on the market in late January and sold two weeks later for $13.5 million, compared with the $14 million asking price. The listing agent, Val Steele of Sotheby''s International Realty, says the sale, at $2,146 per square foot, marked the first time a home in San Francisco topped $2,000 a square foot since early September 2008.Warm and Rustic Log Cabin-Style Family Home in the Cascade Mountains, WA
We’ve only visited Washington State in the Summer time, but even then we could see just how stunning a place it would be for a mountain home when covered with beautifully-white, powdered snow in the Winter. And for those who appreciate their cold months with the option of warmth, there’s nothing like a well-designed, rustic hideaway that harmoniously blends natural materials with the surroundings.
This mountain retreat on Lake Wenatchee in the Cascade Mountains was designed byDeForest Architects and wonderfully encapsulates all of the above.
The property is cozy for two whilst being comfortable for a crowd; combines the warmth of woodwith low maintenance tile, stone, and composites; and works for all seasons with such features as overhangs to shed snow whilst ensuring shade during the summer months.
From One Billionaire to Another: Formula 1 Heiress Buys Candy Spelling’s Mansion
As die-hard Formula One fans and with our eyes lighting up at the site of multi-million dollar mansions, news that Candy Spelling’s massive 57000 square foot property has sold to Formula One heiress Petra Ecclestone, certainly got our attention.
The mansion sits on five acres in the exclusive Holmby Hills neighborhood (in the district of Westwood in western Los Angeles) and contains 14 bedrooms and 27 bathrooms. It contains rooms dedicated to such important activities as gift-wrapping and storing silverware, in addition to the standard amenities, such as wine cellar, bowling alley, screening room, library, and gym.
Petra, the 22-year old daughter of Formula 1 supremo Bernie Ecclestone, already has a £56 million home for in London “for her five dogs” (her words) and even if Candy Spelling’s property was purchased anywhere near the vicinity of the initial asking price of $150 million USD, it is still just a drop in the ocean when considering Petra’s net-worth.
Saturday, 18 June 2011
Suzuki Jimny SZ4 : SUZUKI'S OFF-ROAD OFFER
Back in the days when Suzuki was designing the Jimny, off-road vehicles were used for driving off the road. They needed to be able to do this without getting damaged or stuck. Since then, such abilities have grown less and less important as the 4x4 has become a trendy lifestyle accessory for buyers who'd never dream of venturing away from the tarmac. The market has moved away from the Jimny but there are still people out there who want an affordable off-road vehicle and Suzuki's stalwart largely has them all to itself. The downside of the Jimny's undoubted ability when the going gets bumpy and grip becomes scarce is a rather choppy ride when it isn't. There's bounce in the heavy duty suspension over undulations in the road and it's not particularly cosseting over pot holes and other surface imperfections. The Jimny has a decent turning circle and good visibility for manoeuvring around town but it doesn't respond well to brisk cornering where the elevated ride height contributes to pronounced body lean. All will still be forgiven by those who use the Jimny in its native habitat. The sturdy 4x4 mechanicals and low range gearbox make it genuinely capable in the rough. Being comparatively light and narrow, it will even access areas where larger, more expensive off-road vehicles would struggle to tread.
"If you want a small 4x4 to produce the goods in the mud there's nothing better at this price or anything close to it"
Power is supplied by a 1.3-litre petrol engine with 84bhp and 110Nm of torque. It's not the liveliest unit, with 0-60mph taking 14s and the Jimny running out of puff at just 84mph. It's also a little too vocal at higher revs, so it's at its best either off road or around town where higher speeds aren't necessary. A five speed manual gearbox comes as standard but a four-speed auto is also available. The tough ladder frame chassis and low range transfer box mark the Jimny out as a proper 4x4 from a time before the glut of soft-roaders and crossover models filled the market. Suzuki's Drive Select 4x4 system allows the driver to select high or low range 4x4 modes as well as a front-wheel drive setting while on the move at speeds of up to 62mph. The Jimny also has 190mm of ground clearance and is designed with its wheels pushed right out to each corner of the car, producing steep approach and departure angles. The Jimny may be small but it looks the part with its chunk dimensions and neat detailing. The interior is showing its age these days, but the robust construction that's common elsewhere in the Jimny is evident here too. There's not much adjustment in the driving position but this Suzuki sits you very upright and most people will be able to get comfortable behind the wheel. The same can't be said for the rear seats where legroom is very tight and there's very little boot to speak of behind. The best course of action is to settle for two seats, fold the rear bench down and use the area for your luggage. There's 113-litres with the seats up and 324 litres when they're lowered. The Jimny is available in JLX or SZ4 trim and for the £500 premium, the plush SZ4 models look like the way to go. All models come with a high specification including roof-rails, front fog lights, electric windows and mirrors, remote central locking, twin front airbags and ABS. The SZ4, however, includes air-conditioning which is worth the premium alone, as well as 15" alloy wheels, part leather trim, chrome door handles and privacy glass. There are other small 4x4s on the market. Many of them have a more modern feel and look to them but none are anything like as good off-road. The Jimny also looks attractively priced compared to most of them, considering that it has a full-time 4x4 system with a low-range gearbox. Even larger compact 4x4s like the Toyota RAV4, Ford Kuga and Vauxhall Antara will struggle to live with the Jimny in tricky off-road scenarios. The small petrol engine in the Jimny would lead you to expect rather better fuel economy than the 39mpg that it ultimately delivers. Again, the Suzuki is a victim of its age and the basic design that allows it to venture off the beaten track. Emissions are measured at 171g/km, pushing running costs up further, and with the optional automatic gearbox installed, owners can expect just 37mpg and 181g/km. At least the Jimny's tough and proven mechanicals should help keep repair costs down. The small 4x4 market has changed dramatically over recent and not so recent years but the Suzuki Jimny has been there to see it all. In context of the current market, the Jimny looks rather dated and serves as a good illustration of exactly why modern small 4x4 vehicles have gone soft. It asks owners to make sacrifices in terms of refinement, comfort and practicality in return for its impressive off-road ability. If you want a small 4x4 to produce the goods in the mud, however, there's nothing better at this price or anything close to it. There aren't too many choices afforded by the Jimny range but the SZ4 derivatives do make sense. For a modest premium over the JLX, they deliver alloy wheels, air-conditioning and part-leather trim. You can't say fairer than that. Since the off-roader look became fashionable in its own right, it's become very difficult to decipher which vehicles are 4x4s and which are not. It's more difficult still to identify models that you'd actually risk taking on an off road foray but everyone can rest assured that the Jimny is the real deal.
Facts At A Glance
CAR: Suzuki Jimny SZ4
PRICE: £10,990 - on the road
INSURANCE GROUP: 7
CO2 EMISSIONS: 171g/km
PERFORMANCE: Max Speed 87mph / 0-60mph 14.1s
FUEL CONSUMPTION: (combined) 39.2mpg
STANDARD SAFETY FEATURES: twin front airbags / ABS with EBD
WILL IT FIT IN YOUR GARAGE?: Length/Width/Heightmm 3625/1600/1670
Suzuki unveils slick new saloon
Although European specifications have yet to be confirmed, the Kizashi (apparently meaning 'something great is coming') has been seen undergoing testing on the gruelling Nurburgring test track, which usually points to a chassis developed for use on European roads.
At the launch, Suzuki spoke of a single 2.4-litre petrol engine option, with a V6 and hybrid alternatives arriving in the future. However, we'd expect a turbodiesel version to be available from the start of UK sales. Transmission options include a CVT (continuously variable transmission) automatic with paddle shifters and the availability of four-wheel drive.
Pictures from the unveiling depict a spacious and well laid out cabin that should compare well to mid-level cars in the D-segment. The Kizashi's exterior style should certainly set it apart too.
It's possible that a European version of the Kizashi will make its debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.
Suzuki Kizashi
Suzuki doesn't expect the Kizashi to steal many sales from cars like that, those. When it arrives in the UK at the end of 2011, the Kizashi will have four-wheel drive, so it will go head-to-head with models like the Subaru Legacy, the Vauxhall Insignia 4x4 and the Audi A4 quattro.
Is it any good?
When it reaches the UK, the Kizashi will only be available with four-wheel drive and a CVT automatic gearbox, but only the front-wheel drive version with a six-speed manual transmission was available to test. That model is already on sale overseas and, though we won't see it here, it was enough to get a taste for what the UK version will be like when it finally arrives.
Most rival saloons and big hatchbacks are sold with turbodiesel engines or relatively small petrol units with turbochargers or superchargers - but the Kizashi is a little old-fashioned in that it uses a 2.4-litre 176bhp petrol engine. That's pretty large and the engine's size is reflected in its fuel economy and emissions figures - 35.8mpg and 183g/km respectively, which is a long way from the top of the class.
It may not be ground breaking but the Kizashi is actually quite good fun. It thrives on being driven hard and comes alive at high revs - unlike most modern saloon cars. The ride isn't as comfortable as it is in the class leaders, but the reverse effect is that the driver receives quite a lot of feedback, which makes the Suzuki more exploitable than the majority of cosseting rivals.
Inside, the Kizashi is reasonably spacious but it's let down by an interior that's below par next to European rivals. It's tough enough and well built, but lacks the kind of quality and finish that we associate with fellow four-door saloons. Things are different outside, though. You're not likely to see another Kizashi on the road - even after it's gone on sale - and the curvaceous, aggressive exterior makes it even more distinctive.
Should I call the bank manager?
Prices have yet to be confirmed for the UK, but Suzuki says that the Kizashi will cost around £24,000. It will have plenty of standard equipment, too, including electrically adjustable and heated seats, HID headlamps, a full leather interior, 18-inch alloys and much more. The only optional extra will be a satellite navigation system.
Summary
The Suzuki Kizashi isn't going to knock the Ford Mondeo or the Volkswagen Passat off the top spots. The lack of a diesel engine and higher than average running costs put it at a distinct disadvantage, while saloon cars without a premium badge on the bonnet always struggle in UK showrooms.
Suzuki is aware of this, though, and it plans to sell only 500 Kizashis in the first year, which seems reasonable. What's more, the Kizashi's unique looks and its generous equipment count make it something of an attractive, leftfield prospect. Four-wheel drive may also be a draw for buyers conscious of more harsh winters in future, while Suzuki's excellent reliability record is also a big selling point.
Suzuki Swift 4x4
Aside from four-wheel drive, a 25mm higher ride height and a subtle 4x4 badge on the boot, there's nothing to differentiate this model from the standard Swift. It's not on sale in the UK as yet, but Suzuki could bring it to market here if demand is strong enough.
Is it any good?
As we mentioned, the differences between the 4x4 and the standard Swift are minimal, so it's still the same tidy little car in every other respect. It's good looking with a spacious and well built cabin.
The Swift has consistently been praised for its entertaining handling, which has remained with the 4x4. The steering is light and responsive, though it could do with a little more feedback. The Suzuki's agility is it's best asset - it feels very willing and nimble, thanks largely to a good suspension and chassis set up.
Where the 4x4 version falls down is with its woeful lack of power. It uses Suzuki's 93bhp 1.3-litre petrol engine, which is enough to make the standard car seem nippy, but with the four-wheel drive version's 90kg weight penalty, the Swift is quite lethargic. It's no worse than its biggest rival, the equally tardy Fiat Panda 4x4, but you'll find yourself willing the Swift to go faster on anything more than a mild slope.
Should I call the bank manager?
Suzuki has yet to confirm whether or not the Swift 4x4 will go on sale in the UK, so prices and specifications are a long way off confirmation. A figure of around £12,000 is likely, given the cost of the existing Swift and the price of the rival Fiat Panda 4x4.
There's every chance we'll see it in UK showrooms, though, as emissions of 128g/km would render it one of the cleanest 4x4s on sale. Average fuel economy of 51.3mpg is pretty good, too.
Summary
If you can turn a blind eye to the slothful performance then the Swift 4x4 is great little car. It's a fine alternative to larger, thirstier four-wheel drive models, but it still offers the reassurance and extra grip for particularly slippery days - ideal for the harsh winters that we're now becoming used to. As long as Suzuki can keep the price tag modest, there's no reason why the Swift 4x4 wouldn't go down a storm with UK buyers.
Toyota Auris HSD
The Japanese company hopes to have the same technology (Hybrid Synergy Drive - hence the HSD in the new car's title) in every model in its range within the next decade.
For now, buyers only have the two choices, but the Auris makes for a very different and affordable hatchback option if you're after a commuter vehicle.
Is it any good?
Not if you like driving. Toyota isn't renowned for producing cars that are fun to drive (of late in any case) and the Auris is no exception. The steering is lifeless and the handling isn't engaging at all.
It also feels devoid of power on fast roads. Approach a slip road and accelerate to catch up the traffic and you'll find yourself lagging behind all but the lorries. The electric motor makes a racket - a loud buzzing whirr - but it doesn't do much.
There's more grip in corners than you might think, though. The T-Spirit model costs £20,700 - a £1,750 premium over the entry-level T4 version - and that includes 17-inch alloy wheels and fat tyres that hug the road rather well.
You get a lot more than that, too. T4 spec isn't exactly miserly, but T-Spirit includes the likes of half leather seats, cruise control, Bluetooth, a rear-view camera and more. That's a lot of kit for not much outlay.
The Auris comes into its own on busy streets. Push the EV button and the car glides along effortlessly without making a sound. The electronic readout on the dial shows you just how little fuel you're using too, which is really rather satisfying.
Should I call the bank manager?
Your bank manager may be pleasantly surprised if you call him about one of these, as it represents serious value for money and comes with rock bottom running costs.
Go for the entry-level T4 model and you'll pay £18,950 - not bad if you consider that a Ford Focus Econetic starts at £19,695 - and that's not even a hybrid. Factor in the generous amounts of kit that we mentioned earlier and the Auris HSD starts to look pretty tempting.
The T4 model rides on 15-inch wheels, which keeps the running costs slightly lower. It emits only 89g/km of CO2 and returns 74.3mpg - both of which are impressive figures. The T-Spirit, with its larger 17-inch alloys, kicks out 93g/km and averages 70.6mpg, so it will hardly break the bank either.
Toyota will also offer eight years or 100,000 miles of warranty on each car's battery pack, which is enough to put buyers' minds at ease after the recall scare earlier this year.
Summary
Driving enthusiasts or anyone who goes to work on a motorway won't appreciate the Auris HSD. It's a long way from entertaining and not really suitable for quick roads, but it serves its purpose really well.
If you endure a daily commute that involves sitting in heavy traffic at some point then it makes perfect sense. It's quiet, smooth, easy to live with and very inexpensive to run.
It won't be everyone's idea of a good car, but you only have to look at how much it costs to buy and run in comparison to most of its rivals (a sub-£19,000 starting price is pretty low for a C-segment hatchback these days) and the Auris HSD starts to make a lot of sense.
Toyota Verso-S
To be honest, the first time we heard about the Verso-S we assumed it was a sporty trim upgrade for Toyota's full-size MPV, the Verso. Fair assumption, right? But no, the S stands for 'small', 'spacious' or 'smart', says Toyota - take your pick. Those clever marketing people.
Think Kia Venga, Hyundai ix20 or Honda Jazz and you're in the realms of this all-new car; it's a small but tall MPV, with enough room for four and a nice dose of flexibility. The Verso-S effectively replaces the Yaris Verso - a car in about the same aesthetic league as the SsangYong Rodius. But as you can see, the Verso S isn't ugly. In fact, it's rather good looking. Could this be a genuinely desirable mini-MPV?
Is it any good?
A driver of a more relaxed disposition, who isn't enthralled by the notions of speed and handling, but who needs a bit of rear seat and luggage space, will find something to like here. The Verso-S is small but liberates the head- and legroom of a much bigger car, and the boot floor can be raised for easier access or lowered for extra space. On the road it potters about at low speed without wriggling and jiggling like lots of tall cars do; it's comfy.
But picking holes is easy. If you could hear yourself think over the din of engine and wind bluster on the motorway, you'd conclude that this is a car more at home below 50mph. The driving position is of the Italian sort, putting you in an 'arms outstretched, legs folded' position, which gets more troublesome the taller you are. The clutch pedal is springy and hasn't much travel, the brake is spongy and the steering wheel requires a big swing from centre to get the car turning - tiresome when zipping in and out of traffic, especially when you have your arms held out horizontally.
Only one engine is available, the 1.33-litre petrol unit found in other small Toyotas. It wouldn't surprise us if, after a few months with this car, you'd worn a big divot into the carpet underneath the accelerator. If you expect nothing other than low speed movement, it's fine, but at 70mph you're sitting on 4,000rpm, which is tiresome. And the CVT automatic gearbox, that's tiresome too, because more often that not it has the engine working above 5,000rpm, which is like having a hand fan strapped an inch away from each ear.
Should I call the bank manager?
Toyota has, as with the Urban Cruiser, pitched this car at the higher end of the price scale - especially compared to its aforementioned Koran rivals - but it is playing the equipment and build quality angles to justify that. Oddly, the car will go on sale (n the price reduction sense) from the moment it goes on sale (in the availability sense), with Toyota lopping about £500 off the base car's £15,000-ish sticker cost for the first six months or so.
When it arrives, in March, it will have a colour touch-screen and air conditioning as standard, but the entry-level version will still feel quite basic thanks to plastic wheel trims. In May a satnav software pack will become available to make better use of the screen, plus features like digital radio, Bluetooth and internet connectivity can be added too.
The 1.33-litre engine returns 51.4mpg and 127g/km of CO2 with the six-speed manual gearbox, or 54.3mpg and 120g/km with the CVT. A diesel wasn't deemed financially viable because of the cost it will add to an already pricey car.
Summary
Big, flexible, reliable and sensible, the Verso-S is probably the best stab at stealing Jazz customers from Honda yet - except that it's four grand more expensive. A big deal, you'll agree. It might never satiate buyers that love their cars and into driving them, but it does get the mini-MPV fundamentals of space and general comfort right.
Regardless of last year's 'runaway car' shenanigans (of which Toyota has now been formally vindicated, courtesy of a NASA investigation), Toyota thrives on its reputation for reliability and good service. If you thrive on that sort of thing too, here you go. The thing is, Hyundai and Kia do that too these days, and, like Honda, also do it significantly cheaper.
Geneva 2011: Toyota FT-86 II concept
- Successor to the Celica
- Jointly developed with Subaru
It may be a concept car, but the Toyota FT-86 is the forerunner to a rear-wheel drive coupé due for production next year. It's regarded as the successor to the Toyota Celica - the Japanese firm's successful small coupé that was last seen in 2006 and had a strong motorsport heritage, largely in rallying.
What's all the fuss about?
The Toyota FT-86 concept is a follow up to a similar show car unveiled by the company at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show.
What's more, the production version of the FT-86 is being developed in partnership with fellow Japanese car maker Subaru. It will be powered by a 2.0-litre 'boxer' four-cylinder engine (a Subaru trademark) that will be mounted as far back and as low as possible for optimum weight distribution.
Any new technology?
Not really. The big news here is the tie-up with Subaru and the fact that Toyota will finally have a seriously sporty model to pick up where the Celica left off five years ago - something it has been lacking for a while.
Estimated release date: 2012
Estimated cost: £30,000
Geneva Motor Show 2011
Geneva 2011: Toyota Prius+
- Larger, seven-seat version of the Prius
- First hybrid MPV in Europe
- Ultra low emissions and top economy promised
Toyota has revealed the first seven-seat MPV with a hybrid powertrain in Europe. The Prius+ will go on sale in early 2012 with more space and practicality to boost its appeal to family buyers.
What's all the fuss about?
The Prius+ has already been seen in the metal at the Detroit Auto Show in January, but this is the first time that it has appeared in Europe.
It's hot on practicality with three independent folding seats in the middle and pair of folding seats at the very back. Toyota has also used smaller lithium-ion batteries instead of its usual nickel metal hydride units as part of the hybrid system to maximise cabin space.
What makes it so green?
The Prius+ uses an updated version of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system that can already be found in the Prius and Auris HSD. The company has yet to reveal exact figures, but around 70mpg and less than 100g/km are expected.
It also has a low drag coefficient of 0.29, which makes it highly aerodynamic and helps to lower fuel consumption.
Estimated release date: 2012
Estimated cost: £30,000
Toyota hybrid sales top 3m
Toyota estimates that these sales equate to a saving of 18 million tonnes of CO2, compared to conventional petrol engined cars of similar size and performance.
The three million figure includes all Toyota and Lexus passenger cars and commercial vehicles sold worldwide, but the success is in large part thanks to the Prius: in May 2008 Prius sales officially topped one million.
Toyota put its first hybrid on sale in August 1997 - and it wasn't the Prius. While that car became the first mass-produced hybrid in December 1997, the very first commercial Toyota hybrid was the Coaster Hybrid EV coach.
The Prius didn't hit the UK until October 2000, and 73,000 have been sold here since, across three generations.
Toyota, by far the most prolific maker of hybrid passenger cars including its Lexus brand, will launch a further ten hybrids before the start of 2013. Six of them will be new, it says, and four will be current model updates.
Toyota reveals 'breakthrough' new Yaris
Toyota says that it's the first car to bring "affordable multimedia connectivity" to the supermini segment.
This is the third generation Yaris, following on from the 1999 original and replacing the current car, which has been in production since 2005. It will go on sale in the UK this summer, but prices have yet to be confirmed.
As you'd expect, Toyota is claiming systematic improvements over the current Yaris, including more interior space, lower fuel consumption and better quality.
But the most striking thing is the infotainment system. Toyota reckons that 95 percent of new models will feature a full colour touch screen infotainment screen.
A colour multimedia interface isn't new in the supermini sector - which includes the Ford Fiesta and Volkswagen Polo - but for such a huge majority of models to come with it as standard is unprecedented.
Both the interior and exterior follow the corporate styling lead of the current Prius, Urban Cruiser and Verso-S, so there's nothing overly exciting about the newcomer. However, it already appears to offer more space than the outgoing car.
There will initially be three engines available: 1.0-litre and 1.33-litre VVTi petrol units, and a 1.4-litre diesel. No power outputs have been given, but in the current Yaris they produce 68-, 100- and 89bhp respectively.
Didier Leroy, President and CEO of Toyota Motor Europe, said: "With its new levels of ingenuity, efficiency and quality, we are confident it can build upon [the] Yaris's previous success and help Toyota rejuvenate its presence in Europe and move towards one million annual sales."
Friday, 17 June 2011
New Toyota Avalon Luxury Cars
Toyota Avalon
The 2011 Toyota Avalon is a 4-door, 5-seat sedan, available in 2 trims, ranging from the Base to the Limited. Upon introduction, the $33,195 Base is equipped with a standard 3.5L, 6-cylinder, engine that achieves 20-mpg in the city and 29-mpg on the highway. An Automatic transmission is standard. The $36,435 Limited is equipped with a standard 3.5L, 6-cylinder, engine that achieves 20-mpg in the city and 29-mpg on the highway. An Automatic transmission is standard.Toyota starts Lexus recall in Japan
Toyota has today started the recall of almost 92,000 luxury cars in its home country.
The world's largest carmaker eventually expects to recall 270,000 Lexus and Crown vehicles worldwide in order to fix an engine problem that can cause them to stall.
Only about 3,200 of the cars are on the roads in the UK, Toyota reckons, with 138,000 in the US, 15,000 in Europe, 10,000 in the Middle East, 6,000 in China, 4,000 in Canada, and 8,000 elsewhere. The recall will begin in other markets shortly.
Seven models of Toyota's luxury Lexus range are involved in the recall, along with its Crown model. The car manufacturer has stressed that it is not aware of any crashes having been caused by the fault, although it has received 220 complaints.
But the recall, costing an estimated ¥20bn (£150m), follows a series of safety problems that have dogged the Japanese car giant for the last 18 months.
The firm has recalled millions of cars for reasons from the relatively minor – involving faulty window switches – to the potentially very dangerous – such as faulty accelerator pedals. Just last week it recalled 17,000 Lexus hybrid motors after testing showed fuel can spill during a rear-end crash.
In September last year the firm announced the biggest recall in its history over fears, involving almost 4m vehicles in the US, that accelerator pedals could become trapped in floormats and "may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death". Five months later it recalled around 2.3m vehicles in the US to fix potentially faulty accelerator pedals.
In April, Toyota was fined a record $16.4m (£11m) by the US transport department for its tardiness in responding to the crisis. Announcing the settlement, US transport secretary Ray LaHood said that "by failing to report known safety problems as it is required to do under the law, Toyota put consumers at risk".
The Lexus models involved in the current recall are the LS460, LS600h, LS600hL, GS350, GS450h, GS460 and IS350.
The world's largest carmaker eventually expects to recall 270,000 Lexus and Crown vehicles worldwide in order to fix an engine problem that can cause them to stall.
Only about 3,200 of the cars are on the roads in the UK, Toyota reckons, with 138,000 in the US, 15,000 in Europe, 10,000 in the Middle East, 6,000 in China, 4,000 in Canada, and 8,000 elsewhere. The recall will begin in other markets shortly.
Seven models of Toyota's luxury Lexus range are involved in the recall, along with its Crown model. The car manufacturer has stressed that it is not aware of any crashes having been caused by the fault, although it has received 220 complaints.
But the recall, costing an estimated ¥20bn (£150m), follows a series of safety problems that have dogged the Japanese car giant for the last 18 months.
The firm has recalled millions of cars for reasons from the relatively minor – involving faulty window switches – to the potentially very dangerous – such as faulty accelerator pedals. Just last week it recalled 17,000 Lexus hybrid motors after testing showed fuel can spill during a rear-end crash.
In September last year the firm announced the biggest recall in its history over fears, involving almost 4m vehicles in the US, that accelerator pedals could become trapped in floormats and "may result in very high vehicle speeds and make it difficult to stop the vehicle, which could cause a crash, serious injury or death". Five months later it recalled around 2.3m vehicles in the US to fix potentially faulty accelerator pedals.
In April, Toyota was fined a record $16.4m (£11m) by the US transport department for its tardiness in responding to the crisis. Announcing the settlement, US transport secretary Ray LaHood said that "by failing to report known safety problems as it is required to do under the law, Toyota put consumers at risk".
The Lexus models involved in the current recall are the LS460, LS600h, LS600hL, GS350, GS450h, GS460 and IS350.
Latest MUV Launched in India
Toyota introduces the CNG version of its elegant and sophisticated Innova in the Indian car market. Toyota Innova CNG is a dual fuel MUV that will use CNG as an alternate fuel. The petrol variant is upgraded with a 12 kg CNG tank. With the help of manual switch, driver can easily shift from petrol to CNG and vice versa.
CNG being an eco-friendly, reliable, and economic fuel helps the car to provide better mileage, increased engine oil life, reduced maintenance costs, and lower running cost of nearly 50% over conventional fuels. It is expected to give the running cost of around Rs 1.6 per kilometer. The Innova CNG is costlier than the petrol variant with an around Rs 85000 additional cost.
Latest SUVs Launched in India
Toyota has launched the New Land Cruiser Prado with a diesel engine. The New features a massive 3.0L D-4D Diesel with intercooler Turbocharger, 4-cylinder In-line engine that can knock out a robust power of 170 bhp. The engine is mated to a smooth 5-speed automatic transmission to deliver excellent performance. With sculpted looks, spoiling comfort and thrilling features, as well as full-time 4WD, the New Land Cruiser Prado can conquer any terrain. The front fascia sports bright wrap-around headlamps, vertical slats grille and bulged fenders with a side dressing that give the SUV a masculine look. The aesthetic interior comes with comfortably contoured leather seats for eight adults and still has enough space for luggage. The New Prado in diesel is loaded with some top-notch luxury features such as a 3-zone air-conditioning, a height control mechanism and a Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System etc.
The Toyota New Land Cruiser Prado is priced at Rs.62,50,000 (Ex showroom, New Delhi).
Toyota Camry
2010 Infiniti FX35
I’m guessing that when “sport” became the first word in sport utility vehicle, or SUV, it was meant more along the lines of sporting – vehicles that would make their way out past the pavement to the hunting camp. Now, many manufacturers put “sporty” into SUV, including Infiniti’s FX35.
There aren’t any radical changes for 2010: it’s mostly trim, including the questionable removal of paddle shifters on the FX35 (on the FX50, they’re now part of the available Sport package, rather than being standard equipment), a new design for the heated and cooled seat switches, navigation system upgrades, and an iPod interface. It isn’t easy on the wallet, either: prices start at $52,300 for the FX35, and $64,050 for the FX50.
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Our tester, the FX35, uses a 3.5-litre V6, producing 303 horsepower and 262 lb-ft of torque, mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. I’ve never had the chance to drive the FX50, which contains a 5.0-litre V8 making 390 horses and 369 lb-ft, but I can’t help but think it would be overkill: the FX35 is quick off the line and pulls hard just about everywhere on the speedometer. Published fuel figures are 13.3 L/100 km (21 mpg Imp) in the city, and 9.3 L/100 km (30 mpg Imp) on the highway. In combined winter driving, I averaged 12.8 L/100 km (22 mpg Imp).
While it’s not quite like piloting a Nissan 370Z around a curvy road, I’d tag the FX as the closest to it among its SUV peers. It’s based on the platform used for the G coupe and sedan, and feels far more car-like than utility-like. The ride is choppy, but the suspension is firm and well-planted, steering is communicative, and it takes corners sharply, rather than swinging out around them. It may be taller and have a higher centre of gravity than a sports car, but it never feels that way. The default is all-wheel drive, a system that goes by the unwieldy name of Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split, or ATTESA E-TS, which can distribute torque from 50/50 right up to 100 per cent to the rear wheels. A “snow” setting on the centre console can also be activated to reduce engine output and better control wheel spin on slippery roads.
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Counter to the otherwise exceptional driving experience is the braking, which feels mushy and needs better bite on the pedal.
The FX’s curvy profile looks really sweet, but it does come with a price: the rear seats aren’t very roomy, and should the front-seat passengers move their chairs backwards, those behind will really feel the squeeze. Visibility also suffers with the short greenhouse and sharply raked rear window. The grille, introduced for 2009 and resembling ripples on a pond, looks great but turned out to be difficult to clean up for photos: it’s tough to get the chamois in between the bars.
Inside, the design is simple and elegant, with centre stack controls placed in an easy-to-find configuration around Infiniti’s signature analogue clock. The memory-equipped seats are long-distance comfortable and include both heating and cooling functions; finding the right driving position becomes even easier with the power tilt-and-telescopic steering column. The rear seats recline for extra comfort, and they fold forward, although not flat, increasing the cargo area from a length of 90 cm to a length of 170 cm when they’re dropped. I’d like to see a new design for the inside front door handles, though, and it’s a problem that isn’t unique to Nissan: they’re too far forward. You simply can’t get enough leverage when opening the door on a windy day, or when trying to squeeze out in a tight parking spot without dinging the car next door. If the handle must be this close to the hinge, then there should be a secondary hand-hold at the rear of the armrest so the door can be stabilized.
2010 Acura RDX
We’ve all seen them. You’ve just put the finishing touches on your snack platter, as you deposit yourself in the easy chair for some sweet pap. Out of nowhere, the Number Three character in the ensemble cast says; “Remember the time that…” What comes next in that sentence is immaterial; you’ve just been sucked into a flashback show, with at least 25 per cent new footage. Not even real butter can fix your popcorn at this point.
After three-odd years of Inside Story reviews, it was only a matter of time until a flashback episode occurred. The year was 2009. The date was May 28th. The vehicle was the 2009 Acura RDX Technology Package. At first glance, the only obvious change applies to the Acura corporate grille. (Or should we say ‘griddle’?) Pricing is more aggressive; an MSRP of $42,990 for the Technology Package trim level. Do these changes warrant the re-deposit of the RDX into the press fleet? To assist our query, Inside Story will be employing the magic of cut-and paste from the ‘09 review, along with any new equipment tweaks, and sweet features that we may have missed. (Note: all images shown in this review are of the 2010 model year vehicle.)
After three-odd years of Inside Story reviews, it was only a matter of time until a flashback episode occurred. The year was 2009. The date was May 28th. The vehicle was the 2009 Acura RDX Technology Package. At first glance, the only obvious change applies to the Acura corporate grille. (Or should we say ‘griddle’?) Pricing is more aggressive; an MSRP of $42,990 for the Technology Package trim level. Do these changes warrant the re-deposit of the RDX into the press fleet? To assist our query, Inside Story will be employing the magic of cut-and paste from the ‘09 review, along with any new equipment tweaks, and sweet features that we may have missed. (Note: all images shown in this review are of the 2010 model year vehicle.)
The Cockpit/Centre Stack
2009: The Acura policy of jamming as much switchery as possible on their three-spoke wheels has officially reached critical mass. Audio controls populate the left-hand spoke, with cruise control tabs found stage right. One has to wonder why Acura still insists on separate voice prompt keys for the Bluetooth HandsFreeLink and the navi/climate/audio, since many systems can accomplish all of this with one voice prompt key.
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The Multi-Information Display (MID) screen is found at the base of the speedometer, with access keys found on the right-hand side of the downward wheel spoke. Auto lock sequences, lighting delays, service intervals, and wireless phone-specific information are but a few of the information nuggets that can be accessed. You’ll also find the engine coolant temperature gauge in the MID, as well as a torque-transfer readout for the Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive system. A turbo boost meter is included, in the same portal as the tachometer. While an auto headlamp setting is not specifically labelled on the turn signal stalk, the RDX will shut down the headlamps after a specified period, which can be further modified through the MID. Strangely absent is the omission of an intermittent detent for the rear wiper/washer sweep.
The paddle shifters can be used in either drive or sport mode shift positions for the five-speed automatic. There are no delay issues for shifting while in paddle mode. However, a manu-gate does not exist for floor-mounted gear manipulation.
The steering column uses a manual lever for tilt and telescopic adjustments. Dual zone climate settings are displayed on the upper LCD read-out, along with the current audio source. The Acura navi system needs make only one apology; the clarity of the screen. The interface dial is cumbersome to use, with Acura making its own admission in the Quick Start Guide, quote “Tip: Most audio functions can also be operated using dedicated buttons on the audio face”, unquote. The six-CD audio head unit is found directly below the HVAC controls. An auxiliary audio input jack is found on the right-hand side of the head unit, with a 12-volt DC powerpoint below. The driver’s door pod houses Auto Up/Down windows for the driver and front passenger. Note the Civic-esque speaker grille. Power mirror controls and the Vehicle Stability Assist switch is found below the HVAC vent, to the extreme left on the instrument panel.
2010: The headlamp switch grows an auto detent for oh-ten.
Considering that the turbocharger engagement is so instant, Inside Story would advise Acura to lose the boost gauge, and fill the gauge space with a proper engine coolant temperature sweep. Navi map legibility is still as attractive as an MS-DOS print-out. Acura speaks of a revised eight-inch screen for the navi, though the clarity still seems muddled. The rear-view camera has reportedly seen improvements, with a plotting graph displayed to assist in calculating distance to objects in the rearward path. On non-navi models, the now-standard rear camera view moves to the interior rear-view mirror.
Tech Package-equipped vehicles grab a Note function for the XM satellite radio, which recalls a sound bite and key song information. There’s low glow, as in ambient lighting of blue in the footwells, matching the hue of the lighting that bathes the centre console from above. It may be hard to notice at a glance, but the HVAC controls have actually been moved closer to the driver position. Previously un-experienced were the vocal announcements that accompany the twisting of the interface dial, allowing actuation of key features without the eyes leaving the roadway.
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Cubbies!
2009: The RDX addresses interior security issues, with keyed compartments for both glovebox and centre console. The front doors do not address bottle-savvy side pockets, but there is unique flip-top storage buckets on driver and front passenger armrests. The rear doors receive more of a bottle provision for the side pocket, and yet another homage to the Civic speaker grille. The interior of the centre console has two flip-up false floor partitions. When moved upwards, the cavity can easily accommodate a laptop computer. An inner courtesy lamp is joined by a 12-volt DC powerpoint inside the console. Cup cinchers are absent, for both the flip-top front console holder, and the rear cavity in the fold-down centre armrest. Note the two rear seatback storage pockets.
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