Aston Martin DB9 goes for a slight makeover

Since it was first introduced in 2004, the Aston Martin DB9 has been a sensational hit for the automaker.

Ford still owned the Aston Martin when the DB9 was first launched-yes, it's been that long. Fortunately, the DB9 has done a lot to help revitalize Aston and put it back on track as one of the world's most exclusive automakers.

As with every great car, there comes a time when it's either completely redesigned or a simple update.

For 2011, Aston has given a bit of a nip/tuck to its ultimate GT transport. The only thing is, the DB9 already looked absolutely gorgeous.

In fact, the original design was so well done and modern, Aston had to be careful not to deviate too much from a proven success.

However, when comparing the DB9 of the past seven years to the 2011 model, one maybe hard presses to find any changes at all.

In other words, you'll have to look closely to see the updates.

Aston upgraded the front fascia, added a brighter grille, a slightly reshaped lower front grille, sculpted side sills that now curve upwards the rear wheel arches, and supposedly there are new headlamps(what, no LED lamps?).

The latter is difficult to see, but there is a difference. There are also now standard 20-inch diamond-turned alloy wheels.

Inside you'll find other minor updates such as revised Bluetooth connectivity, a standard tire pressure monitoring system, a "Double Apex" aluminum trim. The most important update, however,lies under the hood.

Although the 6.0 liter 470 horsepower V12 has been carried over from the previous model, Aston has added an adaptive damping system that's similar to the one found in the DBS and rapide models.

This has improved the car's handling to the point where the automaker has dropped the optional Sport Pack that was available before.

The one thing that hasn't changed(and never will) is the steep base price.For 2011, it starts at $ 188,965 for the coupe and $202,465 for the convertible.

My only question is how long can Aston Martin get away from doing a complete visual makeover/redesign? With the recent launch of the four-door Rapide and the super duper expensive(not to mention wicked fast) One-77, it's possible to see signs of a design evolution in process.

Focusing on the One-77, it is clear that designers have taken a more aggressive look while still maintaining a unique Aston-like silhouette.

More than likely, that is the direction the company will take when penning future models.

There has not been any mention of an upcoming design of the DB9, but my best guess is that something will happen at around the 2014 or 2015 model year.

Until then, Aston Martin is sticking with a winning formula in terms of both design and performance.

Tin Cans

Since I was a little kid, I have always liked loud cars. I liked them initially because I though loud was cool, but as I got older loud usually meant power. Anytime you hear a supercar, it always has a loud and unique exhaust note, and that goes for any performance car.

The reason that cars are loud is because of the design of the exhaust system. A tuned performance exhaust will allow the engine to breathe more easily, so that more air can flow in and out of the car and produce more power because the engine is not choked up on itself. To really get your engine to breath, you need a full pipe set up and a muffler. But one of the most popular ways to increase airflow in an average car is to get a new muffler. Some people get them for their car to be better, some people don’t really get why serious people get them in the first place.

I’m talking about tin can mufflers. If you don’t know what I mean, the nest time you hear a Honda Civic sound like an airplane will be your cue.

As far as I can tell tuners are the most susceptible to these devices or ear destruction.

I naturally turn my head in any direction that I hear a loud car on the off and increasingly less chance that I will see a really nice car. But ninety nine percent of the time it will be a tuner just going ten miles an hour. I personally find this obnoxious and really annoying to the general public.

The Difference

As I explained before, mufflers improve airflow of your car. Tin cans do that only to a very small extent. The main reason why they are so useless is because of the design.

You might think that because the foot diameter pipe, it should allow a ton of air to get out of the car. Which is does very well but also produces a main problem, in the form of noise. If you’ve taken a physics class you could realize that this is a problem.

Sound is a form of energy, therefor the more that your car produces the more energy it as losing due to sound. So why do performance made cars sound so loud? Because there is a certain area in which the prime sound to performance ratio lives for each car. Formula one cars have their exhausts so perfected, that they are cut to a specific length and made for a specific diameter to give maximum efficiency for the engine. If your car can support them, a full pipe set can give you easily up to twenty more horses.

Tin cans don’t do that for your car they only add the last part which in this case happens to be a sound machine, not a real power maker.

So why get them in the first place?

Beats me you’re asking the wrong guy. But I can take a swing at it.

Personally I am a fan of the muscle car on which America is known for. I like performance exhaust because I know what it can do and how it helps a car, but I don’t get tin cans.

Basically I think people get them is because it’s the culture of the cars, not the heritage of the cars.

Muscle cars have always and will always be loud. I’m not saying people with muscle cars don’t get cans (which in some cases is very VERY true). But when you do see cans it’s on mostly Japanese and foreign cars like Toyotas, Hondas, and Infiniti’s even. Nissans now to are becoming more can susceptible. Possibly because those cars can’t really be upgraded all that much to begin with, so giving them have a specific exhaust creates a unique aspect of the car. People always love loud things to so they can get noticed by other car people. Il give it to them, some of the tuners I’ve heard can have a really good sound, until I see the car and then I’m disappointed it’s not something more interesting.

Here’s my point: it’s the cars nature to be loud. With a car such a mustang or Camaro, you can really do something with the power because of the engine. Sure you can put a turbo on a Honda, but that really won’t do much.

It’s true I’m very critical of the tuners and their tin cans. But what it really comes down to an understanding of the culture that the car lives in and the people that drive them. Customizing a car is the American way. Have you ever been in a car shop to get something? They have so many products from steering wheel covers to paint decals, the possibilities are endless on what you can do. But tin cans just piss me off and hopefully the general public, but I can’t be that mad. My Mustang is pretty loud. The difference is I have a reason.

Honda CR-Z convertible?

The news being reported by Road & Track is that Honda is considering a new convertible version sports car.

If you are thinking that it will be like the beloved S2000, you re wrong.Instead, sources are stating that Honda is considering cutting off the roof from the CR-Z.

In order to do this it would call for the platform to retain its front-wheel-drive, though more powerful drivetrain would be fitted to counter the increased weight from the folding top.

If Honda goes through with this not so novel,and maybe it would be best if it did not, the drop-top CR-Z would be going head against the long-reigning Mazda MX-5.

If the CR-Z is successful,then Honda would then look into building a more potent, rear-wheel drive hybrid sports car.

The First Look: 2011 Lexus LFA

We all know that Lexus is the upscale brand of Toyota and has more luxurious features and extremely larger price tags.

Some people wouldn't be caught dead in a Toyota,but will happily drive a Lexus to their country club.

But those same drivers lack one important thing:passion. Lexus vehicles,along with toyotas,lack any sort of pure driving spirit,with the exception of the Lexus IS series and the long gone toyota Supra.

More than 10 years ago,Toyota realized that this lack of passion was no longer acceptable. With competitors such as Mercedes-Benz,BMW and Infiniti building more high performance cars, Toyota began developing something so incredible,it had to have the Lexus name to verify its exclusivity.

Their answer: THE LEXUS LFA

Make no mistake about it,it is truly a super car through and through. Based on the success of the Nissan GT-R, Lexus wants a piece of the growing exotic Japanese market, The LFA offers Ferrari and pretty much every super car maker some serious competition.

Lets look at some numbers:

0-60 in just 3.5 seconds

Top speed: 202 mph

Engine: DOHC 40-valve V-10,aluminium block and heads,port fuel injection.

Estimated price: $350,000

Ken Okuyama KO7

Ken Okuyama is a distinguished name in the car world. His brain child’s include cars such as the Ferrari Enzo, the Maserati Quattroporte, and has had stints at GM and Porsche. He is one of the great car designers of the modern age.

His most recent project is a car that he has designed and created independently, called the KO7. HE has designed this car after his prized TAG Heuer watches. The grey on the car is actually polished aluminum, and the body is made of carbon fiber. Al the dials on the car pay homage to the watches, even the gas cap is modeled after one.

The chassis and powertrain of the car are lifter from a Lotus Elise, but that is where the manufacturing ends and the custom begins. Nearly every piece of this one-of-a-kind roadster is hand made.

Plans to take the car into production are to make a few a year, and are on order for about $240,000. But don’t expect to get one in the US. Okayama is also playing around with different engine and transmission layout from Honda and Ford.

This is one of the best looking roadsters I’ve ever seen, to bad I can’t get one for the states.

I found this while searching Car and Driver. Christmas in October.

Audi Quattro Concept

On the 30^th anniversary of the debuting of the Audi Quattro, Audi debuted the Quattro Concept at the Paris auto show.

The concept is based on the RS 5 platform, which is one serious car. The makes of the car decided that it would be fitting to make the car similar to the one debuted in 1980. The c-pillars are muscular and the car weighs about the same as the original Quattro.

The concept definitely has some A5 thrown into it, as the profile and the bottom of the front end of the car suggests. Because of this shape, the car seems to be sporty and I can see it drift on a rally track someday and winning a couple medals.

The power to weight ratio is supposed to be near the R8 V10’s, and Audi isn’t messing around here. With the inline five turbo charged engine lifted from the TT RS, the car is supposed to do 0-62 in 3.9 seconds. Sixty percent of the torque is put at the back wheels to give a real sporty feel, and that could do some real big power slides if applied with a good right foot.

Audi earned its rite of passage through the rally world, and I like to see company’s going back to their roots. Hopefully this wicked car will be in showrooms someday because I would be really interested to see how it stacks up against a Subaru or Mitsubishi on the track.

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class, a Class of its Own.

The New 2011 Mercedes CL is once again a beautiful car, to me anyway.

At the top end of the Mercedes spectrum, you can expect a lot form this large two door coupe. The new CL looks top notch form what I can see, and also what I can see is some dislike among car fans.

I found out about the new CL while browsing Motor Trend, and since I am a fan of the car I looked into it. The article said it was a first drive, but I didn’t see any drive related topics. No steering feel, control, how fun it was, just and argument about whether or not the car should even exist.

This argument went into the niches of the car world, and who buys what. The main point of the argument was that the car has no direct competitors. Basically there would have to be either a two door A8 or BMW 7 series so that it could actually have some competition. I personally don’t see a problem with having such a niche car.

The most recent CL AMG that is actually available to the public (the 2011 isn't yet) is a power house with 604 hp, 738 lb feet of torque, and a 0-60 time of 4.2 seconds. This is simply giving the people what they want. Mercedes is a smart company, you can’t take that away from them. If this car wasn’t losing them money, then they would stop wasting their time on updating a new one every year.

In California, you don’t see a lot of these high end cars. But you don't see them in many other places either. Silicon Valley in California will have them because it’s a good car, and the name is Mercedes. Its unique looking and expensive and people like that combination a lot when the price gets high. The reason I feel that people buy this car is because it is like nothing else on the road except save for Bentley’s and Maserati’s.

So get off the cars ass and just accept it. There have actually been many engineering achievements from these high end cars that trickle down in to the lower level Mercedes. The article talks about the V8’s that were in the car and that are now in the new S63. Another reason is the high end tech, like electronic stability control which debuted in the S class in 1995 is now a government safety standard.

The niche car will always have its place in the auto world, even if it is for people who get a salary of 600,000 to a million a year. But we all need niches and this car fulfills its duty well as being a unique option for the well to do.

Toyota RAV4

The Toyota RAV4 is a compact crossover SUV built by the Japanese automaker since 1994. The vehicle, however, didn’t reach the U.S. until two years later where it would enter the market as the first compact SUV and help pave the way for rival models like the Honda CR-V, Ford Escape and Mazda Tribute.

The RAV4 entered the market during the height of the SUV craze-at a time when new car buyers were seeking vehicles with the taller ride-height, four-wheel drive capability and extra storage space of a full-size SUV but with the maneuverability and fuel economy of a regular car. With Toyota’s reputation for reliability and a reasonable starting price of $21,675, the RAV4 remains a winning formula and one that most of its rivals have successfully emulated.

The first generation of the RAV4 was originally based on the Corolla platform and came with a 120 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and either front- or all-wheel-drive configurations. In 1998, the RAV4 was slightly restyled on the front and rear fascias, and a soft-top two-door was made available in some markets. The second generation of the RAV4 arrived in time for the 2001 model year and came packing a more potent 148 horsepower 2.0-liter engine. A facelift was implemented for the 2004 model year, consisting primarily of new bumper designs, and the 2.0-liter engine was upgraded to a 161 horsepower 2.4-liter four-cylinder mill.

The Toyota RAV4 was subsequently updated again for the 2006 model year, this time receiving an all-new platform and the choice of four- and six-cylinder powertrains. No major changes have been implemented since then except the introduction of a 2.5-liter four-cylinder as the base engine in the 2009 model along with some slight styling revisions. This means that the 2010 Toyota RAV4 is available with either the base 179 horsepower 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine or the top-spec 269 horsepower 3.5-liter V-6. A manual transmission option is not offered on the RAV4, so instead the four-cylinder model makes do with a four-speed automatic while the V-6 model gets a five-speed auto. Fuel economy comes in at 21 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway for the four-cylinder model and 22 mpg in the city and 28 mpg on the highway for the V-6.

At the 2010 Geneva Motor Show Toyota showed off a slightly refreshed RAV4 that’s expected to come onto the market later this year as a 2011 model. Changes to the vehicle were limited to slight revisions of the headlights and bumpers.

Infiniti

Introduction

Nissan launched its upscale Infiniti division in 1989 with two unique models and a polarizing ad campaign. Two decades later, Infiniti continues to blaze its own trail in pursuit of luxury, performance and style. The Infiniti G37 sport coupe, sedan and convertible are prime examples.

The list of luxury sport coupes and sedans is typically dominated by elite Teutonic nameplates. In readying the G37, Infiniti honed it on test circuits throughout Europe, including Germany's famed Nurburgring. This athletic chassis, along with the G's attractive sticker price, distinctive interior appointments and ample array of technology, makes it well prepared for battle in this class.

The current Infiniti G37

The Infiniti G37 is a luxury sport coupe, sedan or convertible offered in four trim levels: base, Journey, G37x and Sport 6MT. The convertible is only offered in base or Sport 6MT trim, though. For 2010, a special range-topping Anniversary model adds features that include navigation, an upgraded Bose audio system, iPod connectivity and ventilated seats (for the convertible only).

In addition to the long list of standard features packaged with each trim level, several options, including the Anniversary add-ons are available. Adaptive cruise control will alleviate some fatigue on long trips, while the available Sport package will rouse the interest of more aggressive drivers thanks to features like a limited-slip differential, a sport-tuned suspension and brakes, sport seats and bigger wheels. Stability control, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags are standard on all Infiniti G37s, and a pre-collision preparation feature is optional.

The G37 3.7-liter V6 boasts a very healthy 330 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque fed to either the rear wheels or all four (G37x). In base, Journey and G37x trims, the G37 comes with a seven-speed automatic transmission featuring paddle shifters, while the Sport 6MT features a six-speed manual. Both transmissions have their devotees, but the clutch take-up in the manual is a little too abrupt. Of course when a vehicle has so few faults, it's easy to identify them. Acceleration and mileage numbers are comparable between the automatic and manual, so the choice is a matter of personal preference.

The Infiniti G37 is based on Infiniti's enhanced FM (Front Midship) platform; the company says the structure is 36 percent stiffer than the one used for the first-generation G35 coupe. The suspension is comprised of a double-wishbone design in front and a multilink setup in the rear. The ride is firm on Sport models, but only occasionally sports-car harsh.

The G37 offers user-friendly controls, excellent build quality and a handsome design -- the latter highlighted by such items as the car's leather-accented magnesium transmission paddle shifters and the Japanese "Shodo-brushstroke finish" aluminum trim (or optional wood trim). The front seats are comfortable and well-bolstered, and the available sport-styled seats offer even more aggressive bolstering, though they may be a bit too snug for larger drivers. Both the sedan and coupe feel like sports cars wrapped in a luxury car package, but the coupe, with seats that are mounted slightly lower than the sedan's, feels a bit racier.

Overall, the Infiniti G37 stands shoulder to shoulder with all the players in the entry-level luxury segment. Consumers in the market for such a vehicle would be wise to put it at the top of their to-drive list.

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept

Lamborghini has created another beautiful masterpiece for a concept car. The name “Sesto Elemento” comes from the Italian words for “Sixth Element”. Because they must meet a 35% CO2 reduction by 2015, they named the car for carbon. Sounds pretty fancy, but why name a car after literally the sixth element?

The name is important because of the CO2 reduction they must meet. While Porsche and other supercars makes such as Ferrari are tinkering with hybridization and other ideas, Lambo is going to go with extreme anorexia to cut their outputs.

The weight to power ratio of the car is impressively high at 3.9 lbs per hp. The weight is expected to be conservatively 2200 pounds, and with 750 hp. The cars powertrain is the V-10 all-wheel-drivetrain, unchanged from the Gallardo LP570-4 Superleggera. Almost everything that could be made out of carbon fiber on the car is, and all this points to a computer predicted 2.5 second 0-62 time.

I’m going to assume that some people will say this car is too much, too flashy, impractical for a 35% reduction in CO2. But I think that part of what Lamborghini is. When they came out with the Murchiélago, Top Gear it said it didn’t embody the flashy hypercar that Lamborghini was associated with (Diablo and others). I think this is another one of those turning points that if the car goes right, super performance on the streets will down to who has the lightest car.

More details at: Motor Trend

The Audi TT RS Comes to America

I can’t wait. The Audi TT RS is coming to America. A direct competitor to the Mercedes SLK55 AMG, this is going to be one hot car. The Current Audi TTS is a tight controlled car as is, but the new TT RS with its 5-cylinder engine putting out 360 hp compared to the TTS’s 265 hp will be amazing. A 100 horsepower jump in a small car such as this means a huge increase in speed and overall acceleration.

The car will do 0-62 in 4.6 seconds, beating the AMG’s 4.9 to 60. The Audi’s engine has also won the International Engine of the Year honors this summer in judging for its category by 71 automotive journalists.

I have driven an Audi TT s-line many times, and I love the car. The new TT RS will certainly be a performer in many categories. One surprising category it has already exceled in is popularity in the US even though it is not here yet.

Audi had put the car in the showrooms in Europe but was not sure it should bring the car to the US. They decided to create a Facebook group to see if we would bite. Facebook more than bit, it latched on. After more than 11,500 people joined the group (myself one of them), Audi decided to bring the rocket to the US. The car is scheduled to be released in the third quarter of 2011.

Details and the information about the car can be found here: Audi TT RS

Spot of the Week Dodge Viper

Again another Rugby field spot of the week, this time it was a 2010 Dodge Viper.

The viper was introduced by Dodge to give it a supercar, and it achieved that. The Viper, being herald as the Corvette Killer by Dodge enthusiasts, it produces 600 hp and 560 lb feet of torque which put the car to sixty in four seconds. The car isn’t bad at turning wither, with independent four wheel suspension it handles quite well.

I personally have never been that much of a Viper fan, but I can’t argue with it. To me the car looks best from the side, where you can get a profile of the massive 8.4L V10 engine. The side has the best features of the car, including the massive exhaust. The only reason I saw the Viper as it drove past was because of these wide open pipes, letting the orchestra of ten cylinders do their job.

The 2010 model is the last of this generation though as the Viper will soon get a new body to impress the other big boys on the road.

Ken Block's Gymkhana THREE, Part 2; Ultimate Playground; l'Autodrome, Fr...

Jaw Dropping: Ken Block's Gymkhana THREE

Now before you go and read this, you really should watch this video produced by Ken Block, rally car driver and owner of DC shoes, as he performs Gymkhana. No it’s not a cult sacrifice, more like and homage to the driving gods.

Ever since the very first Ken Block gymkhana, his videos have hit YouTube tremendously hard. The first thing I love about this video is his new car, the Ford Fiesta. This isn’t a normal Fiesta obviously as the flared wheel arches and side exhaust tend to show very well. In the beginning of the video there is a very brief intro to the car and some basic stats. The hp and torque ratios are enough to get you very excited about what’s to come, but the 0-60 time made me wonder what the hell I was in for. Prepared by Olsbergs MSE, it goes to 60 in 1.9 seconds which is hardly fathomable. And in a Ford Fiesta? The Bugatti Veyron 16.4 does this in 2.9 seconds. So by the time you read that sentence the little green rimmed monster is already at 60 mph, and god knows how fast it’s going by the time you finish reading this.

The stunts that Ken Block performs in this are simply magnificent though. Right off the bat you can see the little car hunker down as it gets ready for its show time, and wham the car is gone. The acceleration is blistering as Block makes his third slide and absolutely catapults himself onto the 51 degree turn. I like how right before that clips the sidewall, just observing.

My favorite shot this whole thing is when he comes out of the figure eights, still smoke in the camera and then the smoke is gone as he runs away from it back onto the track. If you enjoy precision you’ll appreciate my favorite part of the video though. As he comes out of the figure eight, he dives off the track and straight up onto the course again, looping a cone. This is spectacular. He comes in really fast and has the skill to bring the car up 51 degrees, and get within feet from the side rail as he drifts down straight onto the bottom of the track, all four tires smoking, and back onto a racing line like nothing ever happened. The technical mastery of this gymkhaning is amazing.

His fluffy of driving sensations have left me speechless. Looking on YouTube for other videos just can’t compare to the sheer size and magnitude in which Ken Block has to play with. The seemingly endless power slides, donuts, and simply tricky maneuvers he attempts and succeeds at keep me watching. The third major installation to the series really is a solid contribution. Simply breath taking and jaw dropping.

Although the second is still my favorite.

2010 Audi A6

The 2010 Audi A6 ranks 5 out of 13 luxury large cars. This ranking is based on the analysis of 59 published reviews and test drives of the Audi A6, and the analysis of reliability and safety data.

The Audi A6 combines exceptional performance with one of the finest interiors offered in the Large Luxury Car class.

The Audi A6 tends to trail behind the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class in terms of sales but that could be a sign that people are missing out on a very capable car.

The Audi A6 has one of the nicest interiors available, even at its price. It's also a fine performer.

The A6 received a design refresh for 2009, so little has changed for 2010.

The key to the A6's appeal is the optional Quattro All-Wheel-Drive Sstem. some people say that, without Quattro, it doesn't handle as well as some competitors; but with Quattro, it's the almost the equal of the BMW 5-series. The A6 also outclasses the BMW, and many other rivals, with its well-designed passenger cabin(especially the cocoa leather).

Just as the optional AWD system makes a dramatic difference in the car's performance, a buyer's choice of engine can radically change the character of this car. Buyers are particularly impressed with the available 3.0-liter supercharged V6, which offers smooth power delivery and accelerates like a V8, but offers the fuel economy of a V6.

Other Competitors

The obvious rivals to the A6 are the other German large luxury sedans. The BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class Sedan are both available with All-Wheel-Drive, at similar prices, and each offers another take on luxurious performance that might attract A6 admirers.

Details

The A6 comes in 3.0, 3.2 or 4.2 trim, each named for its engine. The famed Quattro all-wheel drive system is available on 3.2 models and standard on 4.2 and 3.0 supercharged models. A wagon model, the A6 Avant, is offered, but only with the 3.0-liter engine and Quattro system.

Acceleration

The A6 3.2 features a 3.1-liter V6 making 255 horsepower. 4.2 models have a 4.2-liter V8 that puts out 350 hp. Drivers, however, say the sweet spot is inbetween the two -- an available 3.0-liter V6 with a supercharger makes 300 horsepower, but is nearly as quick as the V8. The V6 is an adequate choice for most buyers but doesn't place the car near the top of its class. The V8 is much stronger. The 3.2 front-wheel-drive sedan uses a continuously variable transmission without true gears, while all other models use a six-speed automatic transmission.

Handling

Few drivers test the Audi A6 without its optional Quattro All-Wheel-Drive system. But then, few buyers consider the car without it -- Audi says that more than 80 percent of A6 buyers tick the box for Quattro. Without it, the A6 in 3.2 front-wheel drive trim is a competent handler, but easily outclassed by its major German rivals. With the Quattro system, it can nearly hang with the BMW 5-Series and similar performance-oriented large cars. An adjustable suspension only adds to the car's ability to tackle winding roads.

Range Rover HSE

Introduction
For comfort, refinement and convenience, many advanced features are standard on the Range Rover HSE. The patented Terrain Response system is upgraded with new Hill Start Assist and Gradient Acceleration Control which is a real upgrade to the car. An integrated Rear View Camera eases parking by displaying a full-color wide-angled image on the Touch-screen in the upper dashboard. There’s the luxury of Blenheim leather seats, heated front seats, real wood veneer trim and the 14-speaker harman/kardon in-car entertainment system and optional illuminated front tread plates. Outside are a new Jupiter grille, side vents and a selection of four striking new alloy wheel designs. New colors, Fuji White and Baltic Blue, offer two beautiful choices to the current color options.

Interior Features
-Comfortable Driving Position-Heated rear seats-electronic windows with one touch open/close(not an extra-ordinary feature)-automatic dimming interior mirror-luxury mats with leather corners-Homelink(garage opener)-climate control(automatic with air-filter)

Exterior Features
-Front and rear parking sensors with rear camera-electric sunroof(tilt/slide/glass)-power fold and hold exterior mirrors with memory-titan grille and side power vents-privacy glass-xenon headlamps with headlamp wash(not that useful but a nice feature)

Driving and Transmission
The sophisticated six-speed automatic transmission with Commandshift has an adaptive shift pattern which actually responds to driving style and driving conditions by reconfiguring for optimum drivability in all situations.
-six-speed automatic transmission with Commandshift-Hill descent control with Gradient Release Control(GRC)-cruise control-four wheel drive-four wheel electronic traction control

Safety and Security
Some of the most sophisticated technology and impressive safety aids ever fitted to a vehicle. It means the confidence and security to take full advantage of The Range Rover’s remarkable capabilities on and off-road.-full length curtain side airbags,driver and passenger airbags,front seat pelvic and thorax airbags,driver knee airbag
-perimeter alarm with engine immobilization

Entertainment
Providing a revolution in the clarity of driver information is the virtual instrument panel with latest Thin Film Transistor (TFT)-LCD screen, which allows the display to be adapted to suit the driving conditions. As well as being the communication and entertainment hub of The Range Rover, the Touch-screen on the vehicle’s dashboard provides other essential information.
-hard-drive navigation system with 7-inch high resolution touch-screen-audio upload unit with USB,ipod,AUX-720 watt 14 speakers harman/kardon sound system

Wheels
There are various alloy wheels available but the tires used are Michelin.We all know that michelin is the best in tires so there is no doubt about that.

Technical Features
-ground clearance off-road height=11.1 inches-standard ride height=9.1 inches-overall length=195.8 inches-wheelbase=113.8 inches-height=73.9 inches-width=80.1 inches(mirrors folded)-width=87.2 inches(mirrors out)-front wheel=64.1 inches-rear wheel=64 inches

Spot of the week: ’67 Shelby Mustang GT 500 Fastback

I recently went to California for a little vacation time and I saw something that made me remember why I love my home state so much. I couldn’t get a picture myself but I need to talk about this badass.

I was driving home when I saw an old Thunder Bird, a ’69 Camaro, and the coup de ta, ’67 Shelby Mustang GT 500 Fastback. Yes. DRIVING! It wasn’t sitting in a garage or a showroom slowly collecting dust as history adored it, it was being loved on the road where it was built for.

This was spectacular to see on the road and I am personally glad that the owner likes to drive their cars around. As a Mustang fan, this was amazing to see. I love the look of the back reaching across the car to the rear making it look like a bullet. Shelby has long been the dominating Mustang performance producer, when it gained its fame on the racetrack and won the hearts of Americans at home. Shelby has continued their legacy with the new Mustang models which produce 540 horses.

Shelby will continue to be the go to mainstream performance Mustang for years to come and the legacy will live in the original powerhouses. As long as people get the word out and drive their Shelby’s, the dream of the muscle car will live on.

Turbo Chargers vs. Superchargers; Part 2

The supercharger. It is not fine and controlled like a turbo. It does not lag. It does not care what the engine thinks. It is the brute of upgrades, the absolute definition of power of the old generations of muscle cars speaking to us from beyond the grave. It is not technical, it is simple.

A supercharger pushes air into the gas chamber, creating a more potent fuel mixture and creating more explosive with every pulse of the piston. The pulley on the flywheel is connected to the engine directly, so no lag is given. Upgrades to this pulley can give you even more power when you make it tighter, giving less slip. Adjust the gas input and the numbers can really fly. A 300 hp car can be put up into the 600 range giving you more than you need to shred tires and punish your ears as it flies through your veins in a rush of acceleration. A supercharger will give you significantly more horses than anything else. Given the right tuning though and it can have significant torque numbers as well. I personally like the supercharger more out of the cars I have driven, purely because it can do the most given the right engine. A Chicago Pizza. A lot. Man. No knives. Dive in head first and feel the rush.

In conclusion…

Really it depends on what you want from your car and what your personality is. My favorites are the superchargers, but turbos more than have their place. There’s a dual supercharger upgrade for the Mustang that give it… 1000 hp. You can do anything you want with either of them, but they have their benefits in their own respects. Muscle cars opt for the supercharger (Mustang, Camaro, Corvette, Charger, Challenger to name a few) and it seems to be more high end cars go for turbos (Porsche, Audi, Mercedes, Lamborghini). Depends on style and what you feel like is best for your car. Either way enjoy the upgrade from stock to true car maniac; it’s a great gateway drug to performance.

Part 1: Turbo Chargers vs Superchargers

In the real world, people make decisions every day which influence what how they are seen and what people will think of them.

In the car world, it’s the same thing. The car you get says a lot about who you are and what your personality is, that is if you care. And taking it one step further the things you decide to put on that car to show who you are to the world makes even more of a personality statement.

Aside from what you do for the exterior and interior of your car, the best thing to do in my mind to is to make the car perform better. That in and of itself can be the most pertinent thing you do. In this post, I’ll talk about the difference between superchargers and turbo chargers, and which one might be best for you.

The difference between the two is like two pieces of pizza, they both achieve some similar function while doing it in completely difference ways. Both of these metal additions will give you more performance (depending on what you get), and overall more driver enjoy ability if you really like to feel a car.

Turbo Chargers

Let’s start with the turbo charger. This is the New York pizza of engine upgrades. Let it sit and the real taste kicks in, same for the turbo charger. It powers itself on the exhaust that the car produces, creating turbo lag because the exhaust takes some time to get to the turbo. Most cars have had adjustments to this affect though and the effect is almost not even a noticeable problem for the average driver anymore. The turbo is a technical scalpel, delivering just what you need.

What you will get from a turbo charger is more torque rather than raw unadulterated horses. Most of the time, you will see a turbo stock on a German car, a diesel, or a smaller car pushing for power while trying to save gas. Have you ever seen a big truck hurl by, expect a growl but hear a scream? That’s because they use turbos to get pulling power, aka torque. The new Chevy Silverado HD gets some 300hp, while getting 725 lb of torque and can tow upwards of 21000 lbs. I enjoy turbo’s because they can really give a kick to small engine car like a 2.0 liter Audi A4. With a manual at your hands you can really get into the high rpms and feel the turbo kick in. The turbo is a great way to go for a good power boost and get some excitement out of your car. It’s the frosting on the cake for a performance car.

The 2010 Lexus RX 350

Recently,I drove my sister's RX 350.It felt great driving that mid-size SUV,I could not feel anything, its like you are driving in the air,it was really smooth and it did not feel like you are driving a SUV. The exteriors of the car are stunning and absolutely fantastic and the interiors are breath-taking.The Destination Assist of the Lexus is an awesome feature, its better than GPS as in this system you can call the Lexus call centers and they will assist you with the directions to wherever you want to go and the route will be setup on your screen.

The 2010 Lexus RX 350 ranks 1 out of 17 Luxury Midsize SUVs. This ranking is based on the analysis of 56 published reviews and test drives of the Lexus RX 350, and the analysis of reliability and safety data.

The RX 350's extremely smooth ride, powerful engine and excellent fuel economy earn it high praise for performance. "Delivering a comfortable driving experience is critical in the luxury crossover segment, and the RX is successful on this front," says Cars.com. "Available with either regular or Sport suspension tuning, the 2010 RX has a new double-wishbone rear suspension that Lexus says improves handling performance." Some reviewers note that the RX 350 isn't much of a driver's SUV -- but then again, that's not what it's built to be.

The 2010 Lexus RX 350 stands out for its smooth performance and especially good fuel economy. I particularly like the new V6 engine and six-speed automatic transmission, which combine for strong acceleration. However, a few test drivers say the RX 350 just isn't sporty enough. For a sportier drive, consider the Acura MDX or BMW X6, but note that they cost thousands more than the Lexus. For sportier performance at a more affordable price, take a look at the Cadillac SRX.But I like Rx 350 the best probably because I have not driven these cars but the Rx 350's acceleration is just great.It goes from 0-60 miles in just about 5 seconds which is a big deal for a SUV.So we can say that it is a sports SUV.

The 2010 RX 350's interior is high quality, comfortable and extremely high-tech. While reviewers complained about the previous model's dashboard design, they praise the new model's controls. However, there are one or two complaints about cabin noise.Which I don't agree with because there was no such noise in the cabin.

The RX 350 comes with many advanced safety features, which are expected for its class and price range. These include standard side curtain airbags for both seating rows. There are several available safety options. Intuitive Parking Assist uses ultrasonic sensors mounted on the bumpers to detect objects around the vehicle. The Pre-Collision System preps Brake Assist and retracts the front seatbelts if a frontal collision is unavoidable. Dynamic Radar Cruise Control applies the brakes if your vehicle is too close to the one ahead.

The RX 350 comes with a basic warranty that covers four years or 50,000 miles. In addition, it gets a powertrain warranty with coverage for six years or 70,000 miles. This is on par with most vehicles in its class, including the Acura MDX-- though the Cadillac SRX offers a longer powertrain warranty

Honda Accord 2010

Today, I saw this new honda accord which I really liked so I thought that I want to know more about this car so I am sharing some of the general information and reviews about the new accord.

Here are some highlights about the car-:

Highlights

The 2010 Honda Accord Sedan sees no major changes. Accord comes as a 4-door sedan and 2-door coupe. Four-cylinder and V6-powered sedans are available with either a 177- or 190-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder, or a 271-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. The V6 includes Honda's Variable Cylinder Management cylinder deactivation. Trim levels include LX, LX-P, EX, and EX-L. A 5-speed automatic transmission is available on all. A 5-speed manual transmission is offered on 4-cylinder versions. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Leather upholstery and a wireless cell-phone link are standard on EX-L models, but are not available otherwise. A navigation system is also available on the EX-L, and versions equipped are priced as separate models.I would personally prefer the one with navigation system simply because I love them.

Other cars that are competitor of the new Accord are Mazda 6,Mercury Milan, Toyota Prius, Kia Rondo, Subaru Legacy,Subaru Outback, and Toyota Camry.Out of all of these I would definitely buy the Honda Accord and may be Toyota Camry after that.

Some interior features that the new Accord offers are-:

-Cruise Control

-Keyless Entry

-Power mirror

-Power Outdoor mirrors

-Driver illuminated vanity mirror

-passenger illuminated vanity mirror

-cloth seats

-front bucket seats

-steering mounted audio controls

-AM/FM/CD/MP3 player

-tachometer

-centre console

-floor-mats

-automatic-off headlights

-height-adjustable driver seats

-cruise control

-rear defogger

The interior features that accord provides are almost everything that one would look for in a good car.So its a wholesome package of interior features.

Some of the safety features that the accord offers are-:

-driver airbag

-passenger airbag

-side airbag

-rear airbag

-traction control

-anti-breaking system

-electronic stability control

-advanced compatibility engineering body structure

-side-impact door beams

-tire pressure monitoring system

-anti-skid system

-front seat active head restraints

-emergency inside trunk-lid release

-day-time running lights

Fuel Data-:

Fuel economy estimate(city)=22mpg

Fuel economy estimate(highway)=31 mpg

Fuel Tank Capacity=18.5 mpg(approx.)

So,overall I would rank this car say somewhere between 8.5 and 9.This car is a good choice for students because its not very expensive and it gives a good mileage so it turns out to be a smart choice for people looking for sedans with low-budget.Actually this is the car I like the most out of all sedans of this range because of the trustworthy name of Honda.

Introducing: Spot of the Week

If you have car eyes and when you’re in the passenger seat you look to the passing traffic to see whats whizzing by, you know what we mean. If not, we can do that job for you.

The Spot of the Week is going to be a compilation of the cars we see, and tell you a little more about them. Mostly it will be the exotics or tricked out cars we see. Or just general cool stuff that will make you begging to see them too.

Sometimes it will be us just calling it as we see it, and any trends we notice. This week I saw a real gem.

I was at rugby practice on the sidelines during a water break, when I heard a soft tremble come from behind me. Lots of cars have over exaggerated mufflers, so I just checked to see what it was (natural reaction). The tremble became a supercharged whine, and as I looked over my shoulder I caught a red flash. I got a close glimpse of it but I was able to see it enough to tell it was a Porsche. Not just a normal Porsche, but it had a spoiler reaching to the skies. It was a red Porsche GT3.

Emptying pockets with a price tag of 115,700 dollars, this beauty will whisk you away on nineteen inch wheels made custom for the GT3. Coming in with 435 horses at 7600 rpm, you can bet this is one mean whip shooting you off the line to sixty in four seconds flat. Of course it would be a race machine though, it’s a Porsche and that’s what you can expect from them.

I personally love this car for its styling, and the GT2, Turbo, and mostly all Porsche’s for that matter. As Porsche’s classic sweeping look of the lights form the profile of the car and swoop all the way back to the rear brawling arches, the GT3 captures this look. The front bumper really sets apart though as the mesh speaks of racing heritage, the beard of the front spoiler yanks it down to the pavement, and the eyes of the car in the headlights are the most definitive of almost any brand out there.

The racing seats are inserted with Alcantara to keep you happy. It also comes with normal amenities necessary for high speed driving, not much. You can get Sirius Satellite radio as an option though. Front and center of the inside is the six speed manual transmission. With the seats down in the back (honestly didn’t know they had them even) you get 3.71 cubic feet of space. Just enough to hold your bags from a small shopping day, or a cooler for the game.

In the back it seems to be all business as the car yet again places itself from the pack. In the rear there are two slits on either side of the bumper, very cool. These two teasers feed your eyes to another distinctive part of the car, the centered dual exhaust system. And like I heard earlier this week, man does it hum. The center piece for me of this car has to be rear wing. This monster of a spoiler doesn’t overtake the car, it simply adds to the refined mastery of the driver’s car with the two face of the track weekend warrior. This double edged blade can be adjusted for track driving as well.

A driver for Porsche called it the perfect combination of functionality and performance, and I agree. I have never driven the car nor will I probably ever. So I cannot comment on its driving capabilities and I have not researched it enough to give a feel to you of how it drives. But damn it does look functional.

Every year these cars get better and better, and that why I love them. Porsche keeps heritage in the headlights and I like that. The never dying shape of the 911 got a very nice facelift with this new edition to the pack, and it’s a gem among jewels.

Thus is spot of the week, giving you personal insight into a car lovers thoughts on the everyday and rare sightings of what the world throws at us. Enjoy.