2013 Nissan 370Z

The 2013 Nissan 370Z, which will be on sale from June next year from the dealers across the United States, is a refreshed edition of this very popular and highly regarded sports car.

There are a multitude of tweaks and enhancements inside and out, making this more than just a cosmetic update for the coming year. That said, the first thing most people are likely to notice will be the restyled front fascia, which incorporates vertically-aligned running lights. These lights are made of LEDs, for both extra brightness and superb reliability.

Exterior

The rear hasn’t been neglected either, with the previous model’s black center cover being replaced by a red reflector for extra visual impact. The 2013 car also features revised alloy wheels – 18 inches for the Coupe, and 19 inches for those models equipped with Nissan’s Sport Package.

This option also includes two less visible, but still striking, features – shock absorbers Euro-tuned for extra handling ability, and brake calipers finished in red.

Performance

Under the hood, the 2013 370Z is powered by a 332 horsepower V6, DOHC engine with either six-speed manual or seven-speed automatic transmission on the Coupe, Coupe Touring, and Roadster Touring models.

The non-Touring version of the Roadster will only be available with the automatic gearbox.

NISMO Edition

For those who require something special, there’s the highly tuned NISMO edition of the 370Z, which will feature styling inspired by racing on both exterior and interior trim.

Changes from the regular edition include a premium audio setup from Bose, exclusive gunmetal metallic finish wheels with 19 inch rims, and brake elements styled after the legendary Nissan GT-R models.

The NISMO 370s’s engine will be a 3.7-liter unit pushing out 350 horsepower, matched to a six-speed manual transmission with close ratios. There’ll also be Nissan’s SynchroRev Match feature, allowing fast and efficient downshifting in a heel-toe fashion.

Specifications

General Info
Vehicle Type: Coupe Base Price: $31,910.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 19 gallons (71.9 liters) Miles Per Gallon: 18 city / 26 hwy
Dimensions
Length: 167.2 in. (424.6 cm) Wheel Base: 100.4 in. (255 cm)
Height: 51.8 in. (131.5 cm) Width: 72.6 in. (184.4 cm)
Curb Weight: 3245 lbs (1471 kg) Ground Clearance: NA
Luggage Capacity: 51.6 cu ft Maximum Seating: 2 people
Performance
Engine: 24 Valve, V6 DOHC Displacement: 3.7 Liter
Horsepower: 332 HP Max RPM: 7000 RPM
Torque: 270 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm Transmission: 7-Speed Automatic w Manual mode

February 27, 2012 at 3:14 pm | No comment

2013 BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe

The 2013 BMW 6-Series Gran Coupe is a new four door addition to the BMW 6-series group that effectively combines the design, driving dynamics and sleek proportions of the previous 6-series Coupe and provides drivers with the added benefit of being able to provide the space and amenities to seat 5 people comfortably.

The new 6-Series Gran Coupe has the ability to satisfy a driver’s need for having a car that is stylish, sporty and luxurious but also the need to be able to seat several adults comfortably. Three Gran Coupe models will be available; 640i is the first, 650i and 650i xDrive will join the line later this year.

Exterior

The new 6-Series Gran Coupe is approximately 4.4 inches longer than the 2-door sibling, at 197 inches. Most of this added space has been used to increase the amount of comfort for rear passengers. There’s also an increase in wheelbase length (of 4.5 inches) which provides us with a fresh design take on the classic proportions of the BMW look. The 6-Series luggage compartment has also been increased; the trunk is now capable of holding 460 liters of luggage space

Technology

Other features that make the new BMW 6-series model stand out from other cars are the Connected Drive system and mobility services on offer. Rear-view camera, BMW night vision technology that includes pedestrian recognition technology, surround view camera, blind spot detection and lane departure warnings are just some of the items that have been added to the next generation of BMW Head-Up display systems.

Along with the addition of numerous infotainment and mobility services, the improvement of BMW space and design, the engine in the new Gran Coupe has also been modified to improve driving pleasure. Fine-tuning was performed by BMW’s engineer’s means that additional performance has been extracted without compromising fuel efficiency of the car.

Performance

The 6-cylinder N55 engine is effortlessly powerful and delivers a high level of performance – the 3.0 liter engine is capable of 315HP at 5-6000rpm. The new sporty looking Gran Coupe is capable of accelerating from 0-100km in just 5.4 seconds!

It turns out that the new 6-series has a lot to offer: great power and performance, a high level of comfort, a fresh new design and a whole lot more space for drivers to utilize!

Specifications

General Info
Vehicle Type: Coupe Base Price: $76,000.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 18.5 gallons (37854 liters) Miles Per Gallon: NA city / NA hwy
Dimensions
Length: 197 in. (500 cm) Wheel Base: 116.8 in. (296.8 cm)
Height: 54.8 in. (139 cm) Width: 74.6 in. (189 cm)
Luggage Capacity: 16.2 cu ft Maximum Seating: 4 people
Performance
Engine: TwinPower Turbo Inline-6 Displacement: 2979 cc
Horsepower: 315 HP Max RPM: 5800 RPM
Torque: 330 lb-ft @ 1300-4500 rpm Transmission: 8-Speed Automatic
0-60 mph: 5.4 seconds Maximum Speed: 155 mph (249 km/h)

February 27, 2012 at 12:24 pm | No comment

2013 Audi RS4 Avant

The 2013 Audi RS4 Avant is a stylish estate car that includes a lot of sporty features. It is not the roomiest estate in its class, but there is plenty of cargo space available by folding down the seats.

Lack of cargo space is unlikely to be a problem since this car is going to appeal more for its impressive performance than its carrying capacity.

Performance

The RS4 Avant is shipped with Audi’s own powerful 4.2-liter, V8 engine. The engine can generate up to 450 horsepower and 317 pounds-feet of torque, meaning that this car has plenty of power when needed, capable of doing 0-62 mph in just under 5 seconds. Top speed is a self-limited 155 mph.

The engine is built specifically to work with a seven speed transmission and Audi’s Quattro system for delivering power to all wheels. Because of this, the high power is achieved while still managing to deliver very impressive fuel performance. The RS4 can manage up to 21 mpg on combined highway/city journeys.

AWD Transmission

The S tronic transmission can be set to operate either fully automatically or in manual mode. Manual shifting is possible via the standard shift lever, or via paddles mounted on the steering wheel.

The all-wheel drive operation is handled automatically, with the car transferring differential power to the axles and wheels as necessary. In standard driving conditions, more power is delivered to the rear wheels, adding to the sporty handling and feel.

Exterior & Interior

Sticking to the sporty theme, black is the predominant color in the car’s interior, and there is a minimalist approach to dials and controls on the dashboard. Externally, there are some changes from the parent A4 model.

The 2013 Audi RS4 Avant sits slightly lower to the ground, has a sportier grille, bigger air intakes, and twin oval-shaped tailpipes. The clever use of both grooves and raised bars on the body, combined with the alloy wheels, adds to the sporty appearance of the car.

Specifications

General Info
Vehicle Type: Wagon Base Price: NA
Performance
Engine: V8 FSI DOHC Displacement: 4.2 Liter
Horsepower: 443 HP Max RPM: 8250 RPM
Torque: 317 lb-ft @ 4000-6000 rpm Transmission: 7-Speed S Tronic
0-60 mph: 4.7 seconds Maximum Speed: 174 mph (280 km/h)

February 27, 2012 at 3:48 am | No comment

2012 Shelby GT 50th Anniversary Edition

Shelby America is celebrating 50 years of style by producing 100 cars of 3 famous Mustang variants: the GTS, the GT350 and the GT500 (the Super Snake). Fifty models of each car will be decked in white and feature gold stripes, the other fifty will be black and feature gold stripes.

Since only 300 are being manufactured, the 50th Anniversary editions have become an instant collector’s item and each represent a piece of automotive history.

Exterior & Interior

In addition to the gold stripes on the exterior, several other nods to the 50th anniversary are present in the interior of the cars. The color gold naturally represents the 50th anniversary and is used in the premium black leather stitching on the seats plus there is an embroidered anniversary logo present on the seat backs.

Along with the gold stripes, gold stitching and commemorative anniversary badge, each Shelby anniversary car comes with special wheels, car cover, unique VIN number, a special delivery ceremony, exclusive merchandise and a number of upgrades including 6-piston front brakes.

The interior isn’t the only thing to get a style revamp, the base GTS and GT350 models both feature matte black wheels (for the black vehicles) and chrome wheels (for the white vehicles).

The classic ‘deep draw’ hood, unique rear and front fascias and Shelby badge all make the anniversary editions a classic beauty to behold. The GT500 (a.k.a. Super Snake) gets another set of upgrades too: leather shifter, perforated seat insets and painted rear quarter window plates amongst others.

Engines

One thing that Shelby didn’t upgrade for the special anniversary edition are the engines. The GTS and GT350s already generate up to 624 HP depending on the chosen version and the Super Snake can deliver 720 HP through its V8 engine.

However, many additional upgrades are available including superchargers that will boost the performance but the 2012 Shelby GT 50th Anniversary Edition vehicles are all built to perform extremely well as they are.

Specifications

General Info
Vehicle Type: Coupe Package Price: $19,995 – 59,995(does not include vehicle)
Dimensions
Length: 188.2 in. (478 cm) Wheel Base: 107.1 in. (272 cm)
Height: 55.4 in. (140.7 cm) Width: 73.9 in. (187.7 cm)
Luggage Capacity: 9.6 cu ft Maximum Seating: 4 people
Performance
Engine: V6 – V8 Horsepower: 430 – 624 HP
Torque: NA Transmission: Manual

February 26, 2012 at 4:37 pm | 1 comment

2012 MINI Convertible Highgate

For all Mini followers, there is yet another release from this highly competitive brand.

This time the moniker given to its latest offer is 2012 Mini Convertible Highgate.

This vehicle is most suited for drivers who want to command the road with style and without compromising functionality.

Feel the thrill of open air driving in this convertible’s sleek design and satisfy your need for speed with its top-notch engine. Once you are behind the steering wheel of this ultra-sophisticated and high-powered engine, you will definitely feel like the king of the road and the absolute virtuoso of velocity.

Exterior & Interior

This small car successfully incorporates a high end interior and exterior design. It has its own distinct character while keeping true to the quintessential British convertible charm and feel.

The exterior chrome of this convertible is in soft aluminum shade. Upon exposure to sunlight, it gives off a bluish appearance which further exemplifies this car’s high-end aura. The hood is designed with brown stripes with edges of blue tints.

The interior set of equipment, as well as other enhancements also adds to the charm of the 2012 Convertible Highgate.

Performance

Aside from its awesome looks, this car has more to boast about when it comes to its performance. It is equipped with a six-speed manual transmission with an option for a six-speed automatic. The base Mini Cooper comes with a 1.6L 4-cylinder, 121 horsepower engine.

Individuals who wish to indulge in a car that has everything there is to ask for in terms of aesthetics and functionality, the 2012 Mini Convertible Highgate is definitely a must have. This Mini will surely provide exactly what is expected from it. This model is set to be launched come springtime.

Specifications

General Info
Vehicle Type: Coupe Base Price: NA
Fuel Tank Capacity: 13.2 gallons (50 liters) Miles Per Gallon: 28 city / 35 hwy
Dimensions
Length: 146.6 in. (372.3 cm) Wheel Base: 97.1 in. (246.6 cm)
Height: 55.7 in. (141.5 cm) Width: 66.3 in. (168.4 cm)
Curb Weight: 2701 lbs (1225 kg) Ground Clearance: NA
Luggage Capacity: 6.0 cu ft Maximum Seating: 4 people
Performance
Engine: 1.6 L, 16 valve inline 4 DOHC Compression Ratio: 11: 1
Horsepower: 122 HP Max RPM: 6000 RPM
Torque: 114 lb-ft @ 4250 rpm Transmission: 6-Speed Manual GETRAG
0-60 mph: 8.9 seconds Maximum Speed: 123 mph (198 km/h)

February 26, 2012 at 4:26 pm | No comment

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