The fine tuned, new version of the 2012 BMW M5 by the German tuning company Hamann motorsport has been released, even before the official debut of the standard 2012 BMW M5 car at the Shanghai Motor Show.

Hamann motorsport has had two decades of experience with customizing BMW vehicles, and when they decided to give it more horsepower to an already powerful twin-turbo V8 engine. The result is the new Hamann BMW M5 that gives it a greater racing capacity.

Performance

Under the alpine white hood, the 4.4 liter V8 twin-turbocharged engine delivers up to 718 horsepower, a significant increase over the standard 2012 BMW M5 that’s estimated to offer 546 horsepower. Along with its seven speed transmission, the 2012 Hamann BMW M5 can also give 664 pounds per foot of torque.

Interior

The interior of the 2012 Hamann BMW M5 was completely transformed for a more sleek and sporty look. The finest leather was added for the two-toned seats that are now in shades of grey and black, and Alcantara or piano lacquer finishes are also available upon request.

There are many other fine touches of luxury as well, like individual reading lights in the rear seats, a CD player that can change between 6 discs at a time, and a USB audio interface among other great options.

Exterior

Changes to the exterior were made to enhance the aerodynamics of the Hamann BMW 5, such as positioning the front and rear aprons to minimize up thrust for improved handling at high speeds. Sleek spoilers were also added for better grip and traction while racing.

New chassis springs further lowered the center of gravity of this BMW by thirty millimeters. This vehicle is also available with an upgraded, high performance sports muffler.

This Hamann BMW M5 also comes with a unique “Edition Race Anodized” three part aluminum wheels that have titanium bolting on the mirror-finished rims. These wheels are exceptionally light for their size and quality, providing extra braking and acceleration advantages too.

Overall the 2012 Hamann BMW M5 gives you a racing experience in ultimate luxury, and for all BMW fans that want more out of their vehicle.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Super Sport Sedan

Est. Market Price: NA

Performance

Engine: V8	Displacement: 4.4 liters
Horsepower: 718 HP	Torque: 664 lb-ft

The 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring is a hatchback model which is based on previous Elantra models. It is a car that is cozy to drive on the road.

This Hyundai 5-door hatchback car comes in two trim levels, the GLS model and the SE trim level.

The GLS comes with 15-inch steel wheels, various power accessories, air conditioning and proximity key which means you will be able to open it while the key is still in your pocket. It also has satellite radio, a CD player with a 6-speaker system among other entertainment interfaces.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Compact	Base Price: $15,995.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 14 gallons (53L)	MPG: 23 city / 31 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 176.6 in. (448.5 cm)	Wheel Base: 106.3 in. (270 cm)
Height: 59.8 in. (151.8 cm)	Width: 69.5 in. (176.5 cm)
Curb Weight: 2937 lbs (1332 kg)	Ground Clearance: NA
Luggage Capacity: 24.3 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 5 people

Performance

Engine: 2.0L Inline 4 DOHC	Compression Ratio: 10.1: 1
Horsepower: 138 HP	Max RPM: 6000 RPM
Torque: 136 lb-ft @ 4600 rpm	Transmission: 5-Speed Manual

Available Trims & Engine

Option: SE

MSRP: $19,495; MPG: 23 city / 31 hwy

On the other hand, the SE trim level comes with seventeen-inch alloy wheels, fog lights, heated front seats and leather upholstery. The steering wheel and shift knob are wrapped in leather. All these are in addition to the preferred package items.

Engine

The 2012 Elantra Touring’s 2.0 liter four cylinder engine has a 138 horsepower output and 136lbs torque. It has two transmission options with the automatic transmission being four-speed while the standard manual transmission is five-speed. Elantra’s Continuously Variable Valve Timing expands its power boosting the overall mpg.

Performance

The manual transmission gives the Elantra Touring about 23/31 mpg fuel economy in the city and on highways. The automatic transmission engine achieves 23/30 mpg city/highway fuel economy.

A number of reviews indicate that the car does not achieve adequate acceleration especially when loaded with cargo.

When it comes to breaking and handling, the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring gets varying reviews. Some are of the view that the performance is not quite satisfactory while a number of others feel that it performs well in town although it does not reach the performance of a sports car.

Its well-tuned suspension makes it easy to handle though there is a feeling that the steering might be a bit too tight. The steering rack is speed sensitive which comes in handy especially at lower speeds.

Interior

The interior has been viewed by many as being comfy and practical. The standard SE version comes with heated leather seats and other good-looking features. It has a spacious passenger compartment and ample cargo space. The car is reputed to have more room than other similar hatchbacks.

The car’s seats have been rated as being quite comfortable with the driver’s seat being positioned higher than most of similar cars which is advantageous to the driver since it gives a better outward view. The rear seats are made to provide enough legroom which a big plus coming from a compact car like this one.

The cargo hood has 24.3 cubic feet space which can increase to 65.3 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded. The cabin also has several storages for small items which allow one to secure items with ease. At the same time, an A/C vent to the glove compartment helps to keep drinks cold.

The car has an iPod ready stereo with a 172-watt, six-speaker audio system, satellite radio and good air conditioning. The steering wheel also comes with a standard A/T cruise control which is mounted on it. Other interior accessories include USB/iPod and auxiliary input jacks.

The seats have back pockets and front arm-rests. The rear seats also have centre arm-rests and cup holders. Seats come with contoured head-rests made from breathable cloth. The driver will is able to read numbers comfortably thanks to the blue backlighting on the instrument huddle.

Exterior

The new Elantra Touring has a sleek model with front air intake, sloping beltline and vertical tail lights. The shape of the car makes it move smoothly and improve fuel economy.

It has a 106.3 inches long wheelbase which makes it move smoothly on the road. It has a wide stance which helps to improve its stability on the road. The SE comes with 17-inch alloy rims which have chrome inserts. To finish the outer elegance the car has front fog lights and silver roof side rails.

Safety

The Elantra Touring is reputed to be the first compact five-door to have the Electronic Stability Control (ESC) feature. This makes it safe to drive.

The car also has a steel column that is energy absorbing steering column which comes in handy in case of a crash as it absorbs the impact. It also has front head restraints. The high tensile steel on its body also helps to protect passengers from the effects of impact.

Individual wheels have computer controlled braking and traction control system (TCS) which prevents the vehicle from skidding or veering off the road. This safety feature, according to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, could help save up to 10,000 lives annually if used widely in vehicles.

The car has six airbags which are useful in saving lives in case of a crash. At the same time, the braking system allows for varying brake pressures at each wheel preventing lock up.

The front head restraints move up and forward in order to prevent whiplash that may be caused by rear impact. Whiplash is one of the most commonly reported effects of accidents in the US.

Pros & Cons

Truth be told, the Elantra Touring is a wonderful car. In fact, it has achieved an overall rating of 8.5 in 15 reviews and test drives. However, a few pros and cons have been highlighted.

It is affordable for a car in its class, spacious, has a comfy interior, and has considerable space for cargo

The engine is not very powerful especially when the car is loaded. The interior does not compare favorably with other Hyundai models.

But despite a few setbacks, the 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring is a good car for family outings and vacations. It has good qualities and its affordability make it ideal for someone looking for a good hatchback.

Competition

This hatchback is a good choice for those who love shopping. But in comparison, the Mazda 3 (MSRP $21,800; 20 city / 28 hwy), the Toyota Matrix (MSRP $18,845; 26 city / 32 hwy) and Ford Focus (MSRP $16,500; 26 city / 36 hwy), the Elantra Touring offers a different style for someone looking for a hatchback car.

Overall Rating
72 out of 100

What others say:

“The 2012 Elantra Touring comes with a very generous set of standard features.”Car Connection

“The electric power steering is quick but feels a tad light. Tourings have sharp response and with strong grip. The brakes furnish fine stopping control and pedal feel.”Consumer Guide

“The 2012 Hyundai Elantra Touring is a spacious compact hatchback with surprisingly sophisticated road manners, but it is in need of a makeover.”Edmunds

Audi unveiled its E-tron Spyder concept at the 2010 Paris motor show.

The Audi E-tron Spyder concept is a two-seater, open top, hybrid sports car.

The car is powered by both a 3 liter V6 TDI in the rear axle and two electric motors (64kW) for the front axle.

Features

The Audi E-tron concept design is the evolution of the existing Audi design language and at the same time presents the elements which hint towards future Audi cars. The car also borrows some design elements from the sportiest Audi vehicle, the R8.

The Audi design team managed to build a light weight car (1,450Kgs) with a perfect front to rear weight ratio of 50:50, giving it excellent handling capabilities. Also, the intelligent distribution of power to the front wheels help improve the dynamic handling of the vehicle. This along with the cars design ensures high degree of precision while cornering at high speeds.

Performance

Audi e-tron concept is equipped with a 3 liter, six cylinder TDI engine breathes through twin turbochargers and produces 300hp. The diesel engine pumps out a massive amount of torque of 479 ft lbs.

The TDI engine powers the rear wheels. In a smart innovation, apart from the TDI engine, the front wheels are driven by two electric motors.

Each of these electric motors produces 88 hp and a combined torque of 259 ft lbs. The E-tron Spyder combines the torque produced by diesel and electric motors during acceleration through a process called ‘boosting’, resulting in a massive supercar type performance.

Range

The e-tron can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph. E-tron is not just a fantastic performance car, but also a highly fuel efficient car with extremely low emission levels.

The E-tron Spyder returns a mileage of 107 mpg on an average. The car can also drive purely on electric motor with a range of up to 31 miles and a top speed of 37 mph which is sufficient for easy driving.

There has been no official word about when we can expect E-tron Spyder to hit the production lines. However, Audi e-tron Spyder concept does showcase what we can expect from hybrid technology from Audi.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Coupe	Base Price: NA
Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.2 gallons (50 liters)	Range: 107 miles

Dimensions

Length: 159 in. (406 cm)	Wheel Base: 95 in. (243 cm)
Height: 43 in. (111 cm)	Width: 71 in. (181 cm)
Luggage Capacity: NA	Maximum Seating: 2 people

Performance

Engine: Twin Turbo V6 TDI	Horsepower: 300 HP
Torque: 479 lb-ft	Transmission: 7-Speed Dual Clutch
0-60 mph: 4.4 seconds	Maximum Speed: 155 mph (250 km/h)

Lexus is a brand that is best known for its upscale family and luxury cars, but the 2012 Lexus LFA is something completely different, it is an exotic sports car that really pushes the boundaries of what customers expect from this manufacturer.

Lexus did not get everything right, especially when it comes to the transmission, but enough works well to make this a realistic option for those who don’t want to buy a Ferrari or Porsche.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Sport Coupe	Base Price: $375,000.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 19.3 gallons (73 liters)	MPG: 11 city / 16 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 177 in. (449.5 cm)	Wheel Base: 102.6 in. (260.5 cm)
Height: 48 in. (122 cm)	Width: 74.6 in. (189.5 cm)
Curb Weight: 3263 lbs (1480 kg)	Ground Clearance: 4.5 in. (11.4 cm)
Luggage Capacity: NA	Maximum Seating: 2 people

Performance

Engine: 4.8L V10 DOHC	Compression Ratio: 12.0: 1
Horsepower: 553 HP	Max RPM: 8700 RPM
Torque: 354 lb-ft @ 7000 rpm	Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
0-60 mph: 3.6 seconds	Maximum Speed: 202 mph (325 km/h)

Performance

A car like the LFA lives or dies by whether or not it truly feels like a sports car, and the Lexus performs fairly strongly here thanks to the 4.8-liter, 552 horsepower V10 engine, which has its roots in Formula 1 race cars.

Its handling is a particular plus point, with the car feeling very agile and controllable, even on tight and twisty roads. Importantly for such conditions, the LFA also has an excellent and reassuringly reliable braking system.

One unwelcome surprise is that the manual transmission boasts only a single clutch; this is a disappointing considering that many similar cars now come with double-clutch transmissions fitted as standard.

Exterior

As its customers would expect from a car in this class, the Lexus LFA is very attractive indeed, and is perhaps more beautiful than any other Lexus on the market today. It might struggle to catch the eye a little more if it were put alongside a European classic sports car such as a Ferrari, but in comparison with more common rivals such as the Audi A8, the Lexus definitely has the edge.

The company has worked hard to make the exterior seem exciting, and little touches such as the triple exhausts – arranged in a triangular formation – contribute to a very aesthetically impressive model.

Interior

Unfortunately, once inside the car, the Lexus fails quite to live up to the excitement promised by the exterior design. The interior is not a disaster area, but it is disappointingly lacking when compared to some of Lexus’s rivals in this market segment. A particular problem is that the instruments and controls are rather confusing, and so can take a while to get used to.

It also has very little storage space, even by the standards of the sports car class. On the positive side of the ledger, the seats – available in either leather or suede – are both comfortable and supportive, and Lexus offers a huge range of color options. Dual-zone climate control and a 12-speaker stereo system come as standard equipment.

Safety & Reliability

The 2012 Lexus LFA has not yet been fully crash tested by the government, but other Lexus models have performed strongly, with four-star or five-star ratings across the board. The standard level of Lexus warranty cover is available: four years or 50,000 miles overall, and six years or 72,000 miles for the engine and transmission.

This is a major plus point for the LFA, as the majority of exotic sports cars come with significantly less generous cover, especially for the powertrain. Fuel economy, unsurprisingly, is poor, with the car returning a mere 11 mpg in the city and an equally disappointing 16 mpg in highway driving.

Competition

There are a number of super cars that compete against the LFA to gain the attention of supercar aficionados, these include the Audi R8 (MSRP $150,250; 12 city / 19 hwy), the Mercedes Benz SLS AMG (MSRP $192,350; 14 city / 20 hwy), and the Ferrari 458 Italia (MSRP $230,275; 12 city / 18 hwy). The LFA is the highest priced among them.

What others say:

“The 2012 Lexus LFA is an anomaly. Born of a program that consumed itself at least once in development, only to rise from its own ashes, the $375,000 supercar sits alone in Lexus’ lineup as a halo car without a tie-in to its mainstream cousins.”Car Connection

“It doesn’t get much better than this. The LFA is race-track born and bred, with razor-sharp steering reactions, virtually no body lean in fast turns, and incredible stopping power from its carbon-ceramic brakes.”Consumer Guide

“The Lexus LFA is the new flagship supercar for Lexus that is a front engine rear-wheel drive configuration and features a Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastic (CFRP) chassis and bodywork for a light, strong structure.”MSN Auto-ConsumerReports

“The 2012 Lexus LFA is a technological tour de force that’s capable of thrilling performance. But it will be interesting to see if it can successfully command such an equally exotic asking price.”Edmunds

The year 2012 is without doubt one of the most exciting for car enthusiasts. One of the latest models is the 2012 Hyundai Elantra which has already won the prestigious crown as the 2012 North American car of the year.

The Korean car maker seems intent on out-staging other brands that have dominated the sedan market and this compact size model is a perfect start.

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Compact	Base Price: $15,345.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 12.8 gallons(48L)	MPG: 29 city / 40 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 178.3 in. (452.8 cm)	Wheel Base: 106.3 in. (270 cm)
Height: 56.5 in. (143.5 cm)	Width: 69.9 in. (177.5 cm)
Curb Weight: 2661 lbs (1207 kg)	Ground Clearance: NA
Luggage Capacity: 14.8 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 5 people

Performance

Engine: 1.8L Inline-4 DOHC	Compression Ratio: 10.3: 1
Horsepower: 148 HP	Max RPM: 6500 RPM
Torque: 131 lb-ft @ 4700 rpm	Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
0-60 mph: 8.4 seconds	Maximum Speed: NA

Available Trims & Engine

Option:Limited

MSRP: $20,945; MPG: 29 city / 40 hwy

Engine & Performance

The 2012 redesign has a 1.8 liter 4 -cylinder engine and this is still immense power for any car in its class. The car comes with a front wheel drive and its 1.8 liter engine produces 148 Horse power and 131 lb-ft pound-feet torque.

The engine is mated to either a six-speed manual or automatic option which can be attributed to its low weight at less than 2,700 pounds. A new engine system in the model known as Active-Evo which when selected enables the readjustment of the car’s automatic transmission shift points and throttle response thus increasing fuel economy by 7%. An Elantra limited will move from zero to 60 mph in 9.4 seconds.

Fuel Economy

In terms of fuel economy, the 2012 Elantra beats its closest competition hands down. For a car in its class to offer 40-MPG on all models on the highway, and 29 MPG for city driving (33 MPG combined) is just impressive and you do not have to upgrade to other trims to enjoy these figures.

In comparative terms, similar cars including the new Ford Focus, Chevrolet Cruze, Mazda 3 and the Civic cannot claim such fuel economy figures.

Interior

The 2012 Elantra provides drivers with a comprehensive package in terms of features. In the main trims including base GLS, and Limited there is leather upholstery, air conditioning, height-adjustable driver’s seat, 6 speaker sound system and a CD player, iPod/ USB interface, Sirius XM™ Satellite Radio , 60/40 split rear folding seat among other features.

In the limited edition, you also get heated rear and front seats which the Focus, Cruze or the Civic do not offer, keyless ignition and entry, rearview camera just to mention some of the amazing features. Compared to Toyota Corolla (MSRP $16,130; 27 city / 34 hwy) or Honda Civic (MSRP $15,955; 28 city / 36 hwy), you get more passage volume.

Exterior

The exterior of the 2012 Hyundai Elantra gives the car a sporty appearance and the rear cut doors give the car a sense of constant visual motion. The 15-inch steel wheels in the base model also enhance the exterior while the dynamic shapes and fluid lines give the car an aerodynamic finish.

Safety & Reliability

Consider the car with these features; six air bags (front seat side impacts and side curtain air bags), traction and electronic stability control, active front head restraints, anti-clock disc brakes, vehicle stability management system, break assist among others. With such features, it is no wonder the car won the IIHS Top Safety Picks designation.

In the 2012 Hyundai Elantra, you have the ultimate ride. Of course the interior could do with a few tweaks while the lack of independent rear suspension makes the car vibrate at to gears and on rough roads. Like with all Hyundai models, steering is not powerful but the company may do something about it over time.

Overall Rating
73 out of 100

What others say:

“Confident performance is something you’ll find in the 2012 Hyundai Elantra, but a sporty or athletic driving feel isn’t.”Car Connection

“Elantra’s steering is accurate with good feel, but it seems a bit heavy just off center. The handling never quite manages to feel sporty, but Elantra is well behaved with stable and predictable manners. Brakes are strong with good pedal feel.”Consumer Guide

“The 2012 Hyundai Elantra compact sedan gains Hyundai’s ActiveECO system that modifies engine and transmission controls for maximum fuel economy and smoothness.”KBB

“Outstanding fuel economy on all models; lots of features for the money; comfortable and well-built cabin; large trunk; long warranty coverage; distinctive styling…Limited rear headroom; not as sporty as some rivals.”Edmunds