Have you ever felt like saying “I feel the need, the need for speed!” The 2011 Bugatti Veyron Super Sport gives you just that.

The fastest production, road legal vehicle in the world made its American debut on August 2010 at the Pebble Beach Concourse. This new offering from Bugatti went into production towards the end of 2010. The first five cars that came off the line has been sold as a limited “World Record Editions.” At a cost of over 2.4 million dollars (2.08 million Euros at time of purchased) each, the first five immediately sold out. This World Record Edition is a replica of the car that clocked 267.9 miles per hour at Volkswagens Ehra-Lessien test tracks in Germany.

The conditions were perfect when the new Bugatti Veyron Super Sport broke the record. SSC Ultimate Aero previously set the 256 mph record in 2007, in order to better the earlier Bugatti Veyron, but then, Bugatti came back with a vengeance by beating the record by at least 11mph.

Bugatti Automobiles SAS and the Volkswagen Group led the design and development of the Veyron. Hartmut Warkuss is the chief designer, while Jozef Kabaň of Volkswagen is responsible for its exterior design. In naming this outstanding vehicle, they have combined two giants in the car industry, Pierre Veyron and Ettore Bugatti.

Italian Ettore Bugatti founded his automobile company in 1909. Bugatti’s vehicles were much in demand for its engineering and stylish lines and finish. Story has it that only a select number of people had the privilege of owning a Bugatti, you were royalty or high up in the social class to own one. One other distinction Bugatti has is that it won the first ever Monaco Grand Prix.

Pierre Veyron, a Frenchman, was a racing driver that won the 1939 Le Mans 24 Hour race driving a Bugatti made vehicle.

Performance

The Veyron Super Sport gets its power from a 16 cylinder engine helped by 4 bi-turbochargers with a displacement of 487.8 cu in. Because each cylinder has four valves, this means the Veyron SS has a total of 64 valves. The engine configuration is that same as combining two V8 engines which make it look like a W than a V. This generates a total of 1200 horsepower, nearly 200 hp more that the previous model.

It uses a dual-clutch direct-shift gearbox that is computer controlled automatic having seven gear ratios. The gear box is built by Ricardo of England. Given the opportunity, you can either drive the Veyron SS in fully automatic or semi-automatic mode. To replace a transmission on this car will cost you $172,000.00 dollars.

Another feature in the Bugatti Veyron SS that makes it stand out is that it uses ten radiators, which help to keep the car cool after generating all that heat and speed. One radiator each for the engine oil, differential oil, transmission oil, and the AC system; at the same time there are three radiators each for the engine and the inter-coolers. Michelin designed special tires to meet the specs for which the Veyron was designed, high speeds. When replacing a set of tires for the Veyron SS, it costs $ 36,000.00 for a set of four.

Braking for the Veyron SS is made by SGL Carbon, which is a carbon fiber reinforced silicon carbide composite disc. This type of brakes is suitable for less brake fading which works best for the Bugatti Veyron.

The Bugatti hits 0-62 mph in less than 3 seconds at 2.4 seconds. The progression in hitting given metrics for the Veyron SS include 150mph at 10 second, 186 mph at under 15 seconds, and in less than a minute, you could be going as fast as 245 mph.

When attempting to drive this car at top speeds, the driver must put it in top speed mode through the use of a special key. Once you have toggled the top speed key, you go through a checklist to prepare both driver and car to make a run at a top speed. The car dips down to a ground clearance of 2.6 inches, spoilers in the rear retract, and the front air diffusers are shut, then off you go.

Exterior

The body design by Jozef Kabaň includes the use of carbon fiber material which has been refined to improve aerodynamic efficiency. The entire body of is made of all-carbon monococque which provides added torsion rigidity. This also contributes to a lighter Bugatti Veyron which saves about 110 lbs. The silhouette of the Veyron SS is unmistakably sleek and sporty. Two NACA ducts located on the roof help deliver air into the engine at the same time giving it a certain appeal.

The signature “horseshoe grille” remains unchanged at the front. Reshaped, expanded front air intakes provide for added elegance surrounding the wheel arch. The rear looks much sportier mainly due to the twin diffuser which matches nicely with the centralized exhaust system.

Interior

Exquisite. This one word says it all for this latest from Bugatti. True to its reputation, the simplicity in which the seats are designed hugs both driver and passenger in safety. There aren’t many bells and whistles inside, simple and direct to the point. The instrument panel has everything the driver needs. You can select your own type of upholstery for the seats and even add a monogram of your initials to it. It is very much like a cockpit of an airplane. The insignia of Bugatti, EB, is evident throughout the vehicle, inside and out, not that you will, but this is a reminder for the driver, the car he or she is driving.

Specifications

Busting the SUV scene is Volkswagen’s 2011 Touareg: a luxury crossover SUV with a strong sense of ruggedness inside and outside. Based on the analysis of 15 published reviews, it is ranked 7 out of 18 Luxury Midsize SUVs. The Touareg now looks as elegant as before with sharper and new exterior, more spacious cabin and an all – new hybrid model. Also included is a supercharged V6 engine mated to an electric motor. This all new SUV is also lighter and more fuel efficient, without compromising its admirable off-road capability. And just like its corporate cousin-the Porsche Cayenne, it is now around 400 pounds lighter, which would mean an enhanced and sharpened on-pavement performance.

Performance

Read through the figures: under the hood is a 3.0 liter turbocharged V6 TDI Clean Diesel Engine; 280 horsepower at 6,200 rpm and 265 pound-feet of torque; 0-100km/h time of just 6.5 seconds; top speed of 60 mph; this Hybrid rates 20 city/24 highway miles per gallon and 21 combined; if you want speed and utility, look no further. It is going to be tough beating this. And all Touareg models are now equipped with eight – speed automatic transmission. The 7th and 8th gears make this SUV more fuel efficient. The 8th gear reduces engine speed by 33 percent engine, unlike the 6th gear.

Exterior

The 2011 Touareg has include five new colors: Cool Silver Metallic, Night Blue Metallic, Tungsten Silver Metallic (Hybrid only), Flint Gray Metallic and Toffee Brown Metallic. This midsize luxury SUV is available in four trims: Sport (which has an 18 inch Tacora alloy wheels), Lux (comes with 19 inch Everest wheels), Executive (equipped with Pikes Peak 20 inch wheels) and the all new Hybrid. On its upgraded exterior is a more masculine front end, which is positioned lower and is wider in size, compared to the 2010 model.

It displays new letterbox grille, taillights and slimmer headlights. Gone are the plain and clearly defined curves. The Touareg now has a more flowing appearance and low character line which add accent to the body. The profile may seem unchanged, but the sportier roof-line and the upward-arching belt line make this least changed part eye catching. And the wave-like structure of the doors and more pronounced guards that are extended out from beneath the rear quarter window give the new Touareg a more muscular look.

Interior

Technological features abound in the 2011 Touareg interior, starting with the premium RNS850 touch screen radio-navigation system. This in-board tool features a large eight inch screen, a DVD/CD player that has MP3 playback capabilities and also satellite/FM/AM stereo, a 60GB hard drive with 18GB space to upload media, all rolled into one. For travel assistance, its special navigation system can show maps and directions in a 3D view and even highlight major landmarks. The leather surfaced seats that can accommodate five passengers are redesigned to make it more spacious and comfortable. Greater legroom can now be greater enjoyed and the rear seatback can also be folded for sizeable luggage space. The new panoramic sunroof which is standard in the Lux, Executive and Hybrid trim lines is larger by 350%.

Safety

Technological advancements are also achieved in terms of vehicular safety. Take for instance the Lane Assist system that keeps this SUV on the right path and Side Assist which automatically warns the Touareg of approaching vehicles from the rear when changing lanes. Moreover, the new Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) along with Front Assist can brake the vehicle to a stop. Stability and traction control, antilock disc brakes and hill hold assist are also included. The 2011 Touareg had not yet undergone government crash testing, but with these technological features, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety named it a “Top Safety Pick”. According to J.D. Power, the Touareg Reliability score is 6.0 and it also comes with a basic limited three-year/36,000-mile warranty.

Competition

You can also consider the Lexus RX 350 (MSRP $39,075; 18 city / 25 hwy) for better fuel economy rating, or the RX 450 hybrid (MSRP $44,735; 32 city / 28 hwy). The redesigned and more refined 2011 Volkswagen Touareg features an elegant and sophisticated cabin with more spacious rear seat for excellent cargo space. However, the V6 TDI diesel which requires extra cash makes this Hybrid model expensive for its class.

Overall Rating
77 out of 100

What others say:

“The 2011 Volkswagen Touareg has dropped some of its ruggedness in favor of the comfort suburban families want—but it’s still not quite a rival to luxury-brand utes.”Car Connection

“Despite a curb-weight reduction of about 400 pounds versus the first-generation SUV, conventional V6 Touaregs have only slightly better-than-adequate acceleration. The TDI is stronger in any situation.”Consumer Guide

“Confident driving dynamics; high-class interior; impressive equipment roster; powerful and fuel-efficient powertrain options; high towing capacity.”Edmunds

Specifications

At the Wörtherseetour 2011 car show on June 1, 2011, Audi introduced the new Audi A1 Clubsport Quattro. The A1 Clubsport has been engineered to its very limit with breathtaking dynamics. And from the looks of it, and decals all over its body, it’s ready to roll out over the track.

The engine is still the same classic five-cylinder 2.5 liter turbo charging with direct fuel injection, giving out a 496 bhp @ 5300 rpm with a Torque of 487 ft lb. It also boosts top speed of 155 mph with the limiter off and can sprint in 3.7 seconds on 0 to 62mph.

The clubsport Quattro has an all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission. This came from the TT RS models, and has been improved even further. The breaks are made of carbon fiber-ceramic discs and six piston caliper on the front with a coil over suspension system.

The shock absorber can be adjusted freely according to the ride condition of the road, and a 19 inch alloy wheel handles dirt perfectly. The back of the seat has been replaced by a large crossbar to stiffen the body during races. The chassis is built with carbon fiber-reinforced polymer and four-point belts, which best secure the driver and passenger.

Like any product from Audi, the 2011 TT is a beautiful, spunky, luxury sports car. It is a coupe that offers style, function and opulence all at the same time. However, unlike other sports cars, it is not a road burner and may not win you races but it is an excellent and gorgeous car to drive everyday. It is also reliable and practical for a roadster.

Performance

The 2011 Audi TT is equipped with two engines and both provide smooth and ample power. The 2.0 liter l4 engine produces a 400 horsepower at 5100 rpm and gives out 201 pound feet of torque at 1800 rpm. The manual transmission offer six speeds and there is also the S tronic automatic. The Audi TT is said to have a top speed of 155 mph. It is also said to be fuel efficient at 21/29 mpg (city/highway). The acceleration is good at 0-60 mph in 5.9 seconds. It is also a relatively lightweight sports car at 3100 lbs. The Audi TT also comes with the standard Quattro all-wheel drive. This makes the car a, comfortable drive and it is very easy to drive even in adverse weather conditions.

Exterior & interior

The Audi TT’s exterior is also something that the critics love. It is available in coupe and roadster styles and manages to turn heads. It is aggressive, but at the same time sleek, making it one of the sexier cars in the market. The car is also well insulated. The trademark Audi grill is still there alongside the slit-like headlights which lend the car a sinister appearance.

The interior features of the Audi TT are also winners. The finish is elegant; the front seats offer comfort and ample legroom. The seats are swathed in luxury leather or suede with baseball glove stitching. It has Bluetooth and satellite radio as well as heated 10-way power seats.

The TT has a low slung design, making it difficult for taller people to get in and out. It offers a lot of headroom though. However, the rear seats do not have ample legroom. In fact, the rear seats are virtually useless because it’s so cramped. This can be used by children but it’s more practical if you just fold it up. Many people complain that the Multimedia interface is also difficult to operate although this can come as a matter of personal taste.

There are climate controls in the car, as well as navigation panels. There is also an optional navigation system. The 255 watt 14 speaker Bose audio system is also quite easy to operate. The Audi TT offers 13.1 cubic feet of cargo space and the rear seats can be folded to accommodate more cargo, adding 10 more cubic feet. Unlike other Audi models though, the Audi TT doesn’t have storage for small items.

Safety

The Audi TT is not tested by the federal government for safety but critics observed that the convertible top offers rather large blind spots. The general vision is good though. Reliability for this model is good, as with any Audi car. The resale value of the car is among the highest ones in the market. The Audi TT also comes with a 4 year/50 000 mile warranty. It also comes with four years of 24 hour roadside assistance.

Pros & Cons

The Audi TT is fast when driven in a straight line but due to its heavy curb weight and soft sprung suspension, it is never considered as a true sports car. But the Audi TT delivers a smooth, reliable ride and for anyone who wants comfort and style, this car is for you.

Overall Rating
69 out of 100

What others say:

“The 2011 Audi TT straddles the line between sporty cars and true sports cars.”Car Connection

“In Consumer Guide testing, a TTS averaged a surprisingly good 26.0 mpg with slightly more highway driving than city use.”Consumer Guide

“The TT is still not as agile or sporty as the Mazda RX-8 or Porsche Boxster, but it is enjoyable to drive.”Consumer Report

“For those interested in a little sport coupe or convertible that offers luxury, style and all-weather traction, the 2011 Audi TT won’t disappoint. Those in search of a hard-core sports car should probably look elsewhere, however.”Edmunds

Specifications

The 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid is perhaps one of the best options you should consider when buying a new car for yourself or for your family. Essentially, it is a family sedan with a five-passenger seating capacity. It also has four different trims available.

Some reviews hail this Honda car as an evolutionary vehicle. For instance, the body-colored power side mirrors that come with turn indicators is just one of the features that make this model stand out from the rest. This model is also equipped with the technology used in the Honda Insight such that when you hit the brakes, the energy which is usually wasted will then go directly in a bank of batteries that are located somewhere behind the rear passenger seat.

Performance

When you take a peek under the hood of this hybrid, you will find that like the Honda Insight, this model has the same 1.3-liter 4-cylinder gas engine. This also comes with an electric motel and a variable automatic transmission. In terms of horsepower, this model can give you 110 coupled with 123 pounds-feet of torque. Of course, the same fuel economy numbers also come with the package of this model. Nonetheless, it is still short for the likes of Ford Fusion for some reviews.

This model also boasts of certain key features which give it an edge over its competitors. For instance, there is the standard feature known as ABS Brakes. Not only that, the Power Windows/Locks as well as a 3-year manufacturer warranty also come as standard features in this model.

It would be safe to say that this vehicles performance meets expectations. And just like other full hybrids, this model can travel for a short periods of time while relying solely on battery power.

Exterior & Interior

The exterior features of the Honda Civic Hybrid have much to boast about. One of which is its unique lightweight alloy wheels which measure 15 inches each. These are actually among the features credited for the high tech and modern look of this model. On the other hand, these tires are also one of the disadvantages seen by some reviewers because according to them, they wear faster.

There have also been significant changes on the windshield. In fact, the 23.9 degrees of rake is actually the farthest Honda has gone so far in all its models. The manufacturers also made it a point to make the front doors large enough so it would be easier to get in and out of the car.

In terms of the interior styling and features, the Civic Hybrid also has a lot to boast about. As is expected across all products from the automobile giant Honda, this model comes with high quality cabins as well as quite a number of new standard and optional features. For instance, the fact that this model gets leather upholstery with heated seats and mirrors was a hit among reviews.

Safety

You can also be guaranteed that the Civic Hybrid is well equipped with features that will guarantee your safety. It comes with some of these standard features: antilock brakes, side curtain airbags, side-impact airbags for the front seats, as well as active front head restraints. Aside from these, this model also comes with the electronic stability system which is a standard across all Honda automobiles.

Warranty

This hybrid also comes with a bumper-to-bumper limited warranty as a basic coverage which lasts for the first three years or 36,000 miles after your actual purchase. On the other hand, the power train warranty is covered for five years or 60,000 miles. The corrosion protection warranty, for its part, lasts for five years without any mileage restriction.

Competition

Finally, although this model is already a good pick, you can still consider other cars. Among its closest competitors in the hybrid class are the Ford Fusion Hybrid (MSRP $28,600; 41 city / 36 hwy), Toyota Prius III (MSRP $24,520; 51 city / 48 hwy), and the Toyota Camry Hybrid (MSRP $27,050; 31 city / 35 hwy). You can be confident that you will be making a good investment with the 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid.

Overall Rating
67 out of 100

What others say:

“The 2011 Honda Hybrid doesn’t wear its green-cred on its sleeve the same way as the Toyota Prius; it’s essentially the same—appearance-wise, and mechanically in many respects—as the Honda Civic Sedan, yet it has a sophisticated Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system that boosts fuel economy to an EPA-rated 40 mpg city, 43 highway.”Car Connection

“Hybrids have low-rolling-resistance tires that enhance fuel economy, but allow copious noseplow in tight turns. It has fine straightline stability even in crosswinds. Braking control is OK, with pedal feel that’s on par with most other gas/electric hybrids.”Consumer Guide

“Good fuel economy; wide variety of engines and transmissions; comfortable and well-built interior; available coupe body style.”Edmunds

“Whether your interest in hybrids is driven by political, environmental or financial considerations, the 2011 Honda Civic Hybrid allows you to address those issues in a vehicle that’s just about as comfortable and stylish as a compact sedan can be with little sacrifice in drivability.”KBB

Specifications