The 2012 Cartel Speedster Scion FR-S Concept made its debut at the Toyota Grand Prix held at Long Beach, California in April.

Scion cars are effectively Toyota’s experimental prototypes of the company’s ever-improving high performance cars, and the FR-S Concept is one of them and has several innovative features.

Performance

The Scion FR-S Concept has a naturally aspirated, 2.0-liter, Boxer engine that was developed as a joint project between Toyota and Subaru designers.

The leading edge, D-4S injection system developed by Toyota is combined with Subaru’s brand new horizontally opposed engine in the new power plant. The new engine generates 151 pounds-feet of torque and a hefty 200 horsepower.

The car can be fitted with either a manual or automatic 6-speed transmission. The manual gearshift lever has very short travel distances, allowing rapid and precise gear changes. The automatic transmission is controlled with paddles mounted on the steering wheel. A limited-slip differential delivers the power to the wheels.

A key goal of the design of the FR-S Concept was to develop an engine that could deliver high power combined with high fuel economy. The advanced aerodynamic design of the body combined with a compact size and lightweight components help this engine achieve that goal.

Exterior

The outward appearance of the car is modeled aftere the Toyota 2000GT. The low hood and roofline present a very sleek profile, and greatly reduce drag by enabling the air to slide smoothly across the top.

Aerodynamic performance and weight reduction is further enhanced by using a trunk rather than a hatchback at the rear. The hood is made from aluminum.

The front of the 2012 Cartel Speedster Scion FR-S Concept has a near full-length grille set low to the ground and mounted over a front spoiler. The headlamps are housed in a distorted triangle-shaped housing and the sidelights and flasher housing closely matches that of the headlamps. The combination adds to the overall impression of a sleek, powerful car.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Super Sport Coupe

Est. Market Price: NA

Dimensions

Length: 166.7 in. (423.4 cm)	Wheelbase: 101.2 in. (257 cm)
Height: 40.2 in. (102.1 cm)	Width: 69.9 in. (177.5 cm)
Luggage Capacity: NA	Maximum Seating: 2

Performance

Engine: Flat 4 Cylinder Boxer	Displacement: 2.0 liters
Horsepower: 200 HP	Max RPM: 7000 RPM
Torque: 151 lb-ft @ 6600 rpm	Transmission: 6-Speed Dual

The 2012 Chevrolet Silverado is well liked by many people. This full sized pick up truck handled well and has an array of above average but not luxurious features.

Reviewers appreciated the Silverado’s mighty towing abilities and handling and the ride, though comfortable, wasn’t as gentle as the other pick-ups in the same segment. The Silverado is for those who want a Chevy full sized pickup.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Truck	Base Price: $22,195.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 26 gallons (98l)	MPG: 15 city / 20 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 205.6 in. (522.2 cm)	Wheel Base: 119 in. (302.2 cm)
Height: 73.6 in. (186.9 cm)	Width: 79.9 in. (202.9 cm)
Curb Weight: 4460 lbs (2023 kg)	Ground Clearance: 13.1 in. rear (33.2 cm)
Luggage Capacity: 60.7 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 3 people

Performance

Engine: Vortec V6 MFI 2WD	Displacement: 4.3 Liter
Horsepower: 195 HP	Max RPM: 4600 RPM
Torque: 260 lb-ft @ 2800 rpm	Transmission: 4-Speed Automatic
Max Towing Capacity: 4800 lbs (2177 kgs)	Maximum Speed: NA

Available Trims & Engine

Option:Regular Cab WT AWD	MSRP: $25,635; MPG: 14 city / 18 hwy
Option:Ext. Cab WT FWD 5.3L V8	MSRP: $26,340; MPG: 15 city / 20 hwy
Option:Ext. Cab WT AWD 5.3L V8	MSRP: $26145; MPG: 14 city / 18 hwy
Option:Crew Cab WT FWD 4.8L V8	MSRP: $30,320; MPG: 14 city / 19 hwy
Option:Crew Cab WT AWD	MSRP: $33,470; MPG: 14 city / 19 hwy

Trims

The Silverado comes in many trims, including the Work Truck, LS, LT, XFE and LTZ with different types of cabs, beds, drive and engines. It also has a hybrid form and can be ordered in a Custom Sport Truck package.

The XFE is noted for its superior fuel economy and aerodynamics, the LTZ has heated and cooled seats and the 2012 LS and LT trims now have prettier grilles.

Engine

The Silverado has engine options to choose from. You can pick the base V6 trim or the V8 engine with 6.2 liters. The V6 provides 195 horsepower. There are three levels on the V8 engine, a 4.8 liter with 302 horsepower, the 5.3 liter with 315 horsepower, and the top of the line, and a 6.2 liter that has 403 horsepower as well as 417 lbs/ft of torque.

The V6 engine gets the best mileage at 15 mpg in the city and 20 mpg on the highway. The 6.2 liter engine only gets 13 mpg city and 18 mpg highway if it comes in a two wheel drive version. The four wheel driver version gets slightly fewer miles per gallon in the city.

Performance

The 2012 Silverado is sprightlier than other trucks like it handles quite well and is a good truck for every day use. It’s also serviceable off road and can be equipped with skid plates and a locking rear differential.

The towing capabilities depend on the trim. A Silverado with a regular cab can tow only 1,794 pounds, while the crew cab can haul almost a ton. A Silverado that is wholly equipped for towing can tow over five tons.

Exterior

Some thought the exterior of the truck tasteful, they also found the sheer quantity of trims and styles offered quite overwhelming.

Interior

The interior is roomy and sturdy enough. Some find the basic interior to be just a little boring and not nearly as sexy as the above mentioned Ram or Ford trucks. The Silverado 1500 has room for three to six people, depending on the trim.

People find the seating comfortable, though there is ample legroom in the rear. The seats are either bucket or bench type. Cargo space, like everything else, depends on the type of trim you want. When it comes to interior storage space, most reviewers thought the crew cab was superior since the back seats fold up.

Safety

The government gave the Silverado a four out of five stars overall rating. It performed especially well in the side crash tests, receiving five stars. However, the truck didn’t do as well when the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety tested it.

All of the trims come with four wheel anti-lock brakes, front and side airbags and OnStar.

Reliability

J.D. Power gave the 2012 Silverado 1500 a three and a half out of five reliability score. It comes with a three year or 36,000 mile warranty and a five year or 100,000 mile powertrain warranty that’s also transferable.

Pros

Test drivers and reviewers found the truck easy to handle and liked its towing capacity.

Cons

Most reviewers, while finding the truck well-mannered, they also found it stodgy.

The Silverado was consistently outclassed by other trucks like the Ford F-150 (MSRP $23,500; 17 city / 23 hwy), Toyota Tundra (MSRP $25,155; 16 city / 20 hwy), and the Ram 1500 (MSRP $22,570; 14 city / 20 hwy), both of which have been upgraded.

Overall Rating
69 out of 100

What others say:

“It could use more comfortable rear seats, but space abounds inside the bigger versions of the 2012 Chevy Silverado.”Car Connection

“With the base suspension, Silverado handles similarly to other large pickups, with noticeable body lean in fast turns. The Z71 suspension improves handling slightly. The steering is nicely weighted, if a bit numb. The brakes are responsive, though one test example suffered from slightly spongy pedal action.”Consumer Guide

“The crew cab is roomy, with easy access. A six-speed automatic slightly improves fuel economy and acceleration with the tested 5.3-liter V8.”MSN Auto-ConsumerReports

“With its numerous possible configurations, the 2012 Chevy Silverado half-ton pickup will please all but the chronically indecisive. From cab configurations to bed lengths to trim and option packages, the Silverado is the half-ton jack of all trades, including models that can run on E85.”KBB

“Smooth and quiet ride; comfortable seats; powerful V8 options… Large turning circle; weak V6 engine; bland interior design on base trim; limited cabin storage.”Edmunds

The 2012 Audi A7 combines new technology with a brand that is reliable. It comes with a great navigation system and other technologies that drivers have come accustomed to. It has a sleek design that resembles cars that are much more expensive and hard to find.

The cargo offers a lot of space for all passengers and it has a lot of positive reviews from both professionals and consumers.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Sedan	Base Price: $59,250.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 19.8 gallons (75L)	MPG: 18 city / 22 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 195.6 in. (496.9 cm)	Wheel Base: 114.7 in. (241.9 cm)
Height: 55.9 in. (142 cm)	Width: 84.2 in. (213.9 cm)
Curb Weight: 4210 lbs (1910 kg)	Ground Clearance: NA
Luggage Capacity: 24.5 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 5 people

Performance

Engine: 3.0L SuperCharged DOHC V6	Compression Ratio: 10.3: 1
Horsepower: 310 HP	Max RPM: 5500-6500 RPM
Torque: 325 lb-ft @ 2900-4500 rpm	Transmission: 8-Speed Tiptronic
0-60 mph: 5.4 seconds	Maximum Speed: 130 mph (209 km/h)

Engine

This vehicle comes with an Audi 3.0 liter TFSI V6 engine that is all-aluminum. It is both efficient and quick, making it a car that a lot of different drivers can enjoy. The gas it takes is premium unleaded and the engine is supercharged as well.

Performance

The Audi A7 can get 18 mpg in the city and 28 on the highway. It can go from 0-60 in only 5.4 seconds. The top speed it can reach is 130 miles per hour. The horsepower is 310 at 5500-6500 rpm.

Exterior

The exterior of this vehicle is equipped with a number of different features. This starts with the LED taillights and auto-dimming/heated side mirrors. The side mirrors are also power adjustable from the cabin and can store positions for certain drivers.

The windshield washer nozzles are heated to ensure the cleaner doesn’t freeze in cold weather. There are also dual branch exhaust pipes on this vehicle. There are other options available and some come standard with the Premium Plus and Prestige models.

Interior

The interior of the car is technology friendly with a keyless start and light sensor. There is cruise control comes standard and iPod/iPhone integration for the audio. The steering wheel is leather wrapped to offer a luxurious feel. There are audio and Bluetooth controls integrated on the front of it for ease of access.

The shift knob is also wrapped in leather to keep up with the luxurious theme throughout the car. The front seats are both full power and heated. They also have the ability to move in 12 different ways. The instrument cluster is backlit and has brightness control for driving in all lighting conditions. The inlays of the doorsill are aluminum and there is a sunroof that comes standard.

Safety & Reliability

Air bags are located all over the vehicle to help keep all passengers safe in the event of a collision. The sensors located throughout the vehicle will determine which inflate and how much they fill up. There are rear ventilated disc brakes, a dual-circuit brake system and anti-lock brakes as well. Traction control comes standard alone with an anti-theft alarm system. Safety belts are all equipped with tensioners to ensure the proper fit.

Pros

• Strong engine
• Styling that is sleek and futuristic.
• Adequate cargo space
• Nice interior that comes standard
• Technologies for all drivers to enjoy
• Seats that offer comfort for both passenger and driver

Cons

• Price can make it out of reach for some drivers.
• Not a lot of head space in the back seats.
• Small cup holders were also noted by drivers.

This vehicle is versatile and can fit the needs of all types of drivers. There are a lot of classic features that are integrated in with the new technology. The style is sleek, unique and something most drivers don’t see that often. It’s a great alternative to other luxury cars that are double or triple the price.

There are two other vehicles that have been compared to the A7, the high priced Mercedes CLS Class (MSRP $71,300; 17 city / 25 hwy) and the BMW 535i xDrive (MSRP $58,300; 19 city / 28 hwy).

Overall Rating
84 out of 100

What others say:

“The 2012 A7 is comfortable, quiet, and supremely isolated—and while headroom in back is tight, its rakish roofline doesn’t affect space as much as you might think.”Car Connection

“Agile and sporty handling. A7 feels very stable while cornering, with good grip and minimal lean. Steering feels direct and appropriately weighted. Braking is exact and quick.”Consumer Guide

“The A7, based on the A6 sedan, is lower and more firmly sprung, and sacrifices some comfort for sportiness. It has sporty, coupe-like styling, but the car delivers the cargo flexibility of a hatchback. ”MSN Auto-ConsumerReports

“Utilizing a supercharged V6, a smooth-shifting 8-speed automatic transmission and standard quattro all-wheel drive, the 2012 Audi A7 dishes up rapid acceleration for passing, merging or just increasing one’s heart rate. ”KBB

“Strong and efficient engine; distinctive styling; more cargo versatility than a regular sedan; beautiful interior; abundant electronics features; smart adjustable drive settings.”Edmunds

The 2012 BMW X3 is a vehicle that a variety of drivers can appreciate. BMW is a well-known brand because of the quality cars they make. Not only are they luxurious, they also last a long time.

The X3 offers a unique driving experience with a variety of different options that are available. Even the standard model comes with a lot of features that most other manufacturers don’t offer.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: SUV	Base Price: $38,500.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 17.7 gallons (67L)	MPG: 21 city / 28 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 183 in. (464.8 cm)	Wheel Base: 110.5 in. (280.6 cm)
Height: 65.4 in. (166.1 cm)	Width: 74.1 in. (188.2 cm)
Curb Weight: 4112 lbs (1865 kg)	Ground Clearance: 8.3 in. (21 cm)
Luggage Capacity: 27.6 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 5 people

Performance

Engine: 3.0L Inline6 DOHC	Compression Ratio: 10.0: 1
Horsepower: 240 HP	Max RPM: 5000 RPM
Torque: 260 lb-ft @ 1250-4800 rpm	Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
0-60 mph: 6.6 seconds	1/4 Mile: NA
Max Towing Capacity: 3000 lbs (1360 kgs)	Maximum Speed: 130 mph (209 km/h)

Available Trims & Engine

Option:xDrive35i

MSRP: $42,700; MPG: 19 city / 26 hwy

Engine

There are two engines this model comes in. One has a 3.0L six-cylinder engine with 240 horsepower. The other is a 3.0L turbocharged 6-cylinder engine with 300 horsepower. There is an auto start-stop function as well as high precision direct injection. The 8-speed step-tronic automatic transmission also has sport and manual shift modes for the driver to choose how they want to drive.

Performance

xDrive on this BMW offers an all-wheel-drive system for easy driving on all terrains. There is brake energy regeneration as well as front and rear anti-roll bars. The 4-wheel ventilated anti-lock disc brakes come standard with dynamic brake control for added safety while driving.

There is also sensitive power steering for total control. The dynamic stability control helps keep brakes in good shape when stopping on all types of surfaces. This vehicle gets 19 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway.

Exterior

The V Spoke alloy wheels come with all-season tires. The door handles match the body color of the vehicle for a clean look. The tailpipe comes in a chrome finish for added style and there is privacy glass added as well. The halogen free-form fog lights offer increased visibility even when it’s difficult to see.

Interior

The two seats in the front are power-adjustable and have manual-adjustable headrests. There is a silver matte trim for added style and a front center console that acts as a comfortable armrest. The leatherette upholstery feels nice and there is a black high-gloss instrument panel to match the rest of the interior.

There is an iPod interface along with HD radio and Bluetooth setup. This allows drivers to listen to all audio options they would like. The rear seats fold down for added space when bringing home oversized items. The cargo also has a wide opening to make transporting different items much easier.

Safety & Reliability

The BMW X3 was an IIHS Top Safety Pick with how well it did in strength tests. There are four-wheel anti-lock brakes as well as airbags all over the cabin. The crash sensor inside the vehicle disconnects the starter and unlocks doors for passengers to get out quickly and efficiently.

Pros

• Enough space for someone who is tall.
• Easy handling without any jerking around.
• Very responsive 8-speed transmission.
• Rust damage is provided with the limited warranty.

Pros

• No manual transmission option.
• Leather seats are optional, they do not come standard.
• Rear seat headroom isn’t as large as it was in the past.

This is a vehicle that appeals to drivers that are younger and older. It does come with a large price tag, which is something that can push away some buyers. The overall reviews for the X3 are positive from buyers and professionals.

Competition

The Infiniti EX35 (MSRP $39,500; 17 city / 24 hwy) and the Acura RDX (MSRP $34,895; 17 city / 22 hwy) are other crossover SUVs that the X3 can be compared with.

Overall Rating
78 out of 100

What others say:

“The upsizing means the X3 is no longer middling in terms of size. The firm, properly angled front seats are surrounded by copious head and leg room. Second-row passengers have even more space–it’s where the added length is most noticeable, and where the X3 takes the lead over vehicles like the Q5 and GLK Class.”Car Connection

“X3 handles well for an SUV, but it doesn’t quite match the sharp response of BMW’s cars. Steering feedback is good, but some testers complain of some numbness when moving the wheel slightly off-center. Body lean is well controlled in fast turns, and the brakes have excellent pedal feel.”Consumer Guide

“If you enjoy the connectivity supplied by BMW’s platform team, but need, in your daily commute or weekend driving, a measure of utility, the 2012 BMW X3 SUV appropriately fills the bill.”KBB

“Potent turbocharged engine; high-quality cabin; crisp handling; comfortable rear seat…Priced higher than many competitors.”Edmunds

Everybody knows that the most luxurious and exclusive car manufacturer in the world is Bugatti.

Every time they release a new version of their elegant sports cars, everyone is amazed of what artistry they put into these supercars.

For the first time, a brown finish in visible carbon fiber which allows the sports car to shimmer in a specific light has been polished in the 2012 Bugatti Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport Brown Carbon Fiber and Aluminum.

The artistic orientation of this classic was a challenge for the production team since they wanted to produce a bronze-like effect on its car case when certain light falls into it.

A contrast is created by using polished aluminum with a ‘Gaucho’ colored leather interior to make the roadster more appealing and exquisite.

Performance

This new Bugatti Veyron boasts of its utmost torque of 1106 lbs-ft at 3,000-5,000 rpm, which makes it an extraordinary sports car. The engine’s capacity is a 7.9 liter, 1200 HP at 6,400 rpm. It goes from 0 to 60 in 2.6 seconds, which makes it the fastest sports car available. The normal speed is confined to 375 km/h (233 mph) while the surmount speed is up to 410 km/h (255 mph).

Exterior

The Grand Sport has a roof spoiler which essentially minimizes banging of the interior and wind noise. In addition, a new windbreak has been developed in order to allow compact storage in the compartment when empty.

As a result of this innovation, it made the Bugatti Grand Sport exceptionally relaxed even when driving at faster speeds of about 200 km/h (124 mph).

The front is more distinguished with bigger air intakes which has a horizontal bar division that supports the artistic imagery of the car body. The headlights which are now black are made from Xenon and over the front and the rear view; an updated Park Distance Control system has been installed.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Super Sport Coupe

Est. Market Price: € 1,790,000.00

Performance

Engine: W16 w/ Turbochargers	Displacement: 8.0 liters cc
Horsepower: 1200 HP	Max RPM: 6400 RPM
Torque: 1106 lb-ft @ 3000-5000 rpm	Transmission: 7-Speed Dual Clutch/em>
0-60 mph: 2.6 seconds	Top Speed: 255 mph (410 km/h)