The 2011 Ford Super Duty is every truck buyer’s dream when it comes to heavy duty pickup trucks. This is one of the most reliable pickups in the market today. The car industry is a very competitive business to venture into but most wise buyers know fully well what the best branded car is. When it comes from Ford, it must be good!

Engine Performance

The duramax is the most awaited upgrade which will definitely boost this car to the number one slot. You can be assured that the under chassis and the body frame materials are all beyond comparison. If you want lasting power and beyond the chart performance for your truck, then this super duty is really meant for you.

You can have the choice to switch to single or dual rear wheels in the Super Duty. The manufacturer decided to do some upgrades with its pickup. The gas type can now be upgraded to diesel vehicles. The gas powered truck which was previously set at 6.2 liters V8 can now be converted to the all new 6.7 liter powerstroke diesel V8.

The best thing about this truck is the fact that you can hardly hear its noise, vibration, and even the harshness of its engines when you are on the highway. You are assured that the engine is very quiet unlike other types of trucks which can make you deaf with their noise.

Exterior & Interior

Ford gives you the car which can boost up your image with its incredibly stylish exterior. Spectators will be completely mesmerized by the beauty of this truck. The latest front end which focuses on the big blue oval design actually takes the center stage. It is the biggest badge ever attached to a Ford vehicle. The bling is equally fascinating and many will agree that it is an attention grabber. Ford really knew how to make a good fuss over its latest models.

The Super Duty’s interior is equally stunning. You can have the the two seater truck or the barebones work truck if you want to. However, if you needed more space for your passengers, it is rather advisable to have the 6 seater type.

Safety & Reliability

No crash test was conducted for the Super duty either by the state or any insurance company. However, the buying public is assured that the vehicle has passed all safety tests and procedures to make the driver and his passengers feel safe and secured.

The vehicle scored high on its predicted reliability rating conducted by an independent company. A 3 year warranty is given out for its bumper for every distance of 36,000 miles. The 5 year warranty is also afforded for its 100,000 mileage power engine train.

The Competition

If strength and endurance is the name of the game, the super duty is still the best. However, other trucks like the Dodge Ram Laramie Longhorn (MSRP $43,065; 14 city / 20 hwy)is still regarded as the sleekest when it comes to interior and exterior designs.

In terms of pricing, the super duty is the lowest in the market as compared to other types of similar vehicles. Its rear seat is equipped with HVAC ducts which are seldom available in other cars.

Pros and Cons

Nothing can compare with the Ford’s towing and hauling capabilities not to mention its well maintained work solutions system. The upscale features because of the higher trims is also an advantage.

However, a lot of people think that this truck is rather large for your daily rides. It’s not actually advisable for daily commuting. The interior of the Ford Super Duty needs more decorating and upgrading.

Overall Rating
65 out of 100

What others say

“The F-250 Super Duty is a heavy-duty truck for towing or hauling heavy loads. The ride is stiffer and snappier than in the F-150, but slightly better than some of its competitors. A 2011 freshening replaced the rough 6.4-liter turbodiesel V8 with a new Ford-built 6.7-liter V8 that is mated to a new six-speed automatic. Stepping into the cabin is difficult because of the high floor.”Consumer Reports

“The 2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty gets a major freshening that includes revised styling and new engines. Ford’s heavy-duty large pickups come in F-250, F-350, and F-450 chassis variants.”Consumer Guide

“Whether you’re into commercial construction, agriculture or recreational towing, if you use a truck as a truck you’ll benefit from the Super Duty’s enhanced capability, refinement and convenience.”KBB

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Heavy Duty Pick-Up Truck	Base Price: $28,715.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 35 gallons	Miles Per Gallon: NA

Dimensions

Length: 227.6 in. (578 cm)	Width: 79.9 in. (203 cm)
Height: 76.6 in. (195 cm)	Weight: 9800 lbs (4445 kg)
Wheel Base: 137 in. (348 cm)	Ground Clearance: 8.5 in. (21.5 cm)
Cargo Capacity: 77.3 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 6

Performance

Engine: 6.2L 2-Valve SOHC V8	Compression Ratio: 9.8:1
Horsepower: 385 hp	Max RPM: 5500 rpm
Torque: 405 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic Selectshift
0-60 mph: NA	1/4 Mile: NA

Available Trims & Engine

Option:F-250 XLT – 6.2L V8 Gas Engine*	MSRP: $30,995; MPG: NA
Option:F-250 Lariat – 6.2L V8 Gas Engine*	MSRP: $39,100; MPG: NA
Option:F-250 King Ranch®– 6.2L V8 Gas Engine*	MSRP: $46,410; MPG: NA
Option:F-350 XL – 6.2L V8 Gas Engine*	MSRP: $29,435; MPG: NA
Option:F-350 XLT – 6.2L V8 Gas Engine*	MSRP: $32,050; MPG: NA
Option:F-350 Lariat – 6.2L V8 Gas Engine*	MSRP: $40,120; MPG: NA
Option:F-350 King Ranch®– 6.2L V8 Gas Engine*	MSRP: $47,200; MPG: NA
Option:F-450 XL – 6.7L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel	MSRP: $49,045; MPG: NA
Option:F-450 XLT – 6.7L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel	MSRP: $53,400; MPG: NA
Option:F-450 Lariat – 6.7L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel	MSRP: $58,090; MPG: NA
Option:F-450 King Ranch®– 6.7L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel	MSRP: $63,070; MPG: NA

*Available in 6.7L Power Stroke V8 Turbo Diesel

If you haven’t seen the 2011 Wheelsandmore Aston Martin Vantage V8, you have never seen an elegantly modern vehicle. The cuts and the curves are classy, yet the Aston Martin Vantage would refuse to be called a classic when it screams all around of a modern concept with modern materials and very modern specs.

The WheelsandMore Aston Martin Vantage has a 4.7L V8 engine, has a 369lb-ft of torque and is powered by 460 horsepower, which is an upgrade from the past 420 horsepower that it held. Without really getting overboard, Wheelsandmore have made quite sure that it doesn’t only make beautiful cars, but that it could make a well-upgraded car that leaves an impression. Front wheels are in 9.0×21 and the rears are in 11.0×21.

Performance and comfort has been rolled into one and has been successfully turned into a nice, well-rounded car. There is a slight increase in speed and power, and this increase is more than welcome for people who have come to love everything about the modified Aston Martin Vantage V8. Who wouldn’t? When you’ve got a beautiful car in front of you that has got this much power in such a small package, you wouldn’t be able to resist it too.

Specifications

Engine: 4.7Liter V8	Horsepower: 460 hp
Max RPM: 7300 rpm	Torque: 369 lb-ft
Displacement: 4700 cc	Aspiration: Natural
0-60 mph: 4.7 seconds	Maximum Speed: 180 mph (290 kmh)

The compact SUV market is teeming with great competition but in the small hybrid category, the 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid is a good option. What’s good is that there are a lot of good things in this package.

A glance at the numbers – 66.4 cubic feet of cargo space and an EPA fuel economy rating of 32 mpg – may not prove the Escape Hybrid to be impressive but its combination makes it a versatile and efficient urban vehicle. It also comes with technological features such as the Ford’s Sync voice-activated infotainment system and an automated parallel-parking feature.

On the other hand, the Escape Hybrid has its share of disadvantages. The lines are a little old and the hardware for the hybrid system adds a load that interferes with the braking and handling.

Engine & Performance

There are two trims available for the Hybrid – the base and the Limited.

As a hybrid, fuel economy is one strong suit of the Escape Hybrid. And as a plus, it drives nicely beating the previous reputation of hybrids to be sluggish. It pumps out higher-than-adequate acceleration with its 153-horsepower gasoline engine and 94-horsepower electric motor.

EPA rates the Escape Hybrid at 30/27 mpg city/highway on all-wheel drives and 34/31 mpg on front-wheel drives. These are the best combined fuel economy in the SUV market today.

While many find the handling of the Escape Hybrid very pleasant, the braking continues to be a problem. They find the stopping distance to be a bit long.

Exterior

The exterior design of the 2011 Escape Hybrid is quite outdated. It hasn’t changed since the 2008 redesign.

However, an impressive feature is the capless self-sealing fuel-filler system. It makes filling up easier and reduces evaporative emissions.

Other features worth mentioning are the chrome exterior accents, sunroof, rear parking assists, and rearview camera.

Interior

The Escape Hybrid’s interior may also look dated but is still pleasing to the eye with its soft-touch materials. The Limited models look more state-of-the-art thanks to the chrome accents with changeable ambient lighting to suit the user’s taste.

Like its gas-only sister, the Escape Hybrid seats five and there are not very many issues on comfort and spaciousness. The complaints fall on the lack of a telescoping steering wheel.

The Escape Hybrid comes with additional features such as its dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control, leather-wrapped steering wheel with cruise and audio controls, and a compass and outside temperature monitor.

The cargo space is at 66.4 cubic feet of space when the rear-seats are folded.

Safety & Reliability

The Ford Escape Hybrid offers standard antilock brakes plus front-seat side airbags, stability control, and full-length head curtain airbags with rollover sensor. It also has the MyKey feature for parents who want to set speed limits for their teen children.

The Escape Hybrid boasts a score of perfect five stars in front and side crash testing. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave a ranking of “Good” on the Escape Hybrid’s frontal offset and side crash protection.

Most Ford vehicles comes with a three-year/36,000-mile basic warranty and five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty including five years or 60,000 miles of roadside assistance, this is also available for the Escape Hybrid.

Competition

The GMC Terrain is a fuel-efficient and comparable alternative (MSRP $24,500; 22 city/ 32 hwy). The Terrain also has a versatile rear seat and a more modern interior. Another cheaper alternative is the Hyundai Tucson (MSRP $18,895; 22 city/ 30 hwy). It is nearly a match on fuel-efficiency in addition to its high-tech features.

Pros & Cons

If there is something the consumer can expect from the Ford Escape Hybrid, it is the best in fuel economy when it comes to SUV’s while having good handling like a non-hybrid. The shifting from gas to electric is also smooth.

The negative side is that the rear seats aren’t as versatile as rivals and it has a very expensive sticker price. The braking is also quite messy.

Overall Rating
72 out of 100

What others say:

“The Escape Hybrid blends the virtues of the conventional Escape with fuel saving technologies.”Consumer Reports

“A gas/electric Hybrid model also returns in Base and Limited trims. It teams a 155-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor. It requires no plug-in charging and uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that behaves much like an automatic.”Consumer Guide

“While the bigger, heavier 2011 Ford Escape Hybrid doesn’t deliver all the fuel economy of smaller hybrids like the Toyota Prius and Honda Civic Hybrid, it does offer greater utility and capability, especially when outfitted with four-wheel drive.” KBB

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Hybrid SUV	Base Price: $30,570.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 15 gallons	Miles Per Gallon: 34 city / 31 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 174.7 in. (444 cm)	Width: 71.1 in. (181 cm)
Height: 67.7 in. (172 cm)	Curb Weight: 3669 lbs (1664 kg)
Wheel Base: 103.1 in. (262cm)	Ground Clearance: 8.3 in. (21 cm)
Luggage Capacity: 66.4 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 5

Performance

Engine: 2.5L Atkinson-cycle I4; permanent-magnet electric motor	Compression Ratio: 12.3:1
Horsepower: 155 hp(gas); 94 hp(electric)	Max RPM: 6000 rpm(gas); 5000 rpm(electric)
Torque: 136 lb-ft @ 4500 rpm	Transmission: Electronically controlled Continuously Variable Transmission (eCVT)
0-60 mph: NA	1/4 Mile: NA

Available Trims & Engine

Option:Hybrid Limited

MSRP: $33,080; MPG: 30 city / 27 hwy

Producing one of the most sophisticated lines of cars in the world, Audi has been deemed as a great choice for people who want to drive with style. It is a German manufacturer of cars that makes use of state-of-the-art technology to hone their products greater than the usual standards. For people looking for an Audi, one may consider choosing the 2011 Audi A3.

The 2011 Audi A3 comes in either the Premium or the Premium Plus. Both feature the 2.0T Engine for improved fuel efficiency. The Premium trim has 17-inch wheels with tires for all seasons, halogen headlights with daytime functionality, S line exterior, four-spoke steering wheel, leather surfaces on seats, SiriusXM Satellite Radio, and dual-zone automatic climate control. The Premium Plus comes with the aforementioned features plus the xenon headlights, the three-spoke steering wheel with shift paddles, aluminum medial inlay, illumination package, and Bluetooth functionality for mobile phone preparation. Both could be installed with the optional 2.0 TDI engine for hybrid-like fuel economy.

Performance

In terms of performance, the Audi A3 has a lot of neat pluses. This car is noted for its exceptional performance on the road while retaining its low fuel consumption. The car could really go the distance without using up too much oil. The optional function of the all-wheel drive is a fine addition that makes the performance of this car better. It has accurate steering capabilities to give drivers a smooth ride.

Interior & exterior

Another notable quality of this car is its attractive exterior design. It has a sophisticated style. As for the interior, the parts and the surfaces are all nicely assembled with the use of high-quality materials. However, for some people, the inside may lack in space, and the front seat may seem too tight.

Safety

Perhaps the most notable and powerful feature of this car is its safety assurance. It has all the necessary safety features like electronic brake-pressure distribution, hydraulic brake assist, differential lock, anti-lock brakes, four-window pinch protection, and optional rear side airbags. The reliability of the vehicle is somewhat mediocre compared to its previous features. It has been subjected to VDS, or Vehicle Dependability Study, and IQS, or Initial Quality Study, for three years to compare the initial quality and dependability. Unfortunately, it did not fare well especially with its limited warranty that is only good for four years or 50000 miles of driving.

Competition

For people who seem unsure about the car, there are other similar cars that may be worth considering. The Volkswagen GTI (MSRP $23,695; 21 city / 31 hwy) is one example, and it costs less than $4000 compared to the 2011 Audi 3 while sharing the same exceptional performance and the high-quality components of the A3. For a total sum of $30000, the GTI could offer a complete car package with a high-quality interior, too.

Another car under the same brand is the Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen TDI (MSRP $19,995; 23 city / 33 hwy), which is less than the A3. The base model is also available with $7000 less than the A3. They both possess a large trunk space of up to 66.9 cubic feet, beautiful interior, and good fuel efficiency. In terms of design, the Volvo C30 (MSRP $24,700; 21 city / 29 hwy) fairs better, but the overall performance falls shorter compared to the A3.

The Audi A3 falls short because of its tight rear seating, confusing controls and high cost. However, this entry-level luxury car excels exceptionally with its luxurious and sports-car feel, cost-effective diesel engine with impressive fuel economy, stunning interior and exterior design, and top-quality cabin materials and finish.

Overall Rating
77 out of 100

What others say:

“The 2011 Audi A3 is stylish, refined, and versatile—and nearly as good for the city as for the highway.”Car Connection

“All models have a firm but reasonably absorbent ride with their base suspension setup.”Consumer Guide

“The A3 is quick, nimble, and versatile with a roomy, but somewhat austere, high quality interior.”Consumer Report

“Expensive and underequipped compared to its hatchback competitors, limited rear-seat room for taller passengers, unintuitive navigation controls.”Edmunds

Specifications

General Info

Vehicle Type: Coupe FWD	Base Price: $27,270.00
Fuel Tank Capacity: 14.5 gallons	Miles Per Gallon: 21 city / 31 hwy

Dimensions

Length: 168.9 in. (429 cm)	Width: 78.5 in. (199.5 cm)
Height: 56 in. (142 cm)	Curb Weight: 3219 lbs (1460 kg)
Wheel Base: 101.5 in. (257.8 cm)	Ground Clearance: 4.3 in. (11 cm)
Luggage Capacity: 150 cu ft	Maximum Seating: 5

Performance

Engine: 2.0L Turbocharged, DOHC inline-4 with FSI®	Displacement: 1984 cc
Horsepower: 200 hp	Max RPM: 6000 rpm
Torque: 207 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm	Transmission: 6-Speed Manual
0-60 mph: 7.1 seconds	1/4 Mile: NA

Available Trims & Engine

Option:Premium Plus	MSRP: $29,270; MPG: 21 city / 31 hwy
Option:2.0 TDI® Premium	MSRP: $30,250; MPG: 30 city / 42 hwy
Option:2.0 TDI® Premium Plus	MSRP: $32,250; MPG: 30 city / 42 hwy

There has been much talk about the 2011 Lorinser Mercedes-Benz SLS RSK8 Wheel. Well, of course! If you own a Mercedes SLS Lorinser, you just might feel the urge of talking about it, and everything about it would be every car enthusiast’s most interesting topic of the day. The wheels have seven spokes, all of which does nothing but add to the performance and elegance of the Lorinser SLS.

The Lorinser Mercedes-Benz SLS RSK8 Wheel comes in three parts, and all of them have given the whole car a new and somewhat exciting feel to it. Despite its weight at 1620kg, this car has one amazing fuel consumption rate at just 13.2 liters for every hundred kilometers.

The shape and the style of this vehicle is that of an aerodynamic sports car, and this is more than enough for people all over the world to dream of. Its engine holds 6.3L in a V8 and it is a car with more than enough horsepower at 571hp. A torque of 479lb-ft, a top speed of 197mph or 317km, an acceleration speed from 0-62 in mere 3.8 seconds, and the fact that it could brake as fast as it could accelerate makes it a powerfully fast car.

Specifications

Engine: 6.3 Liter V8	Horsepower: 571 hp
Max RPM: 6800 rpm	Torque: 479 lb-ft @ 4750 rpm
Displacement: 6.3 Liter	Aspiration: Natural
0-60 mph: 3.7 seconds	Maximum Speed: 196 mph (315 kmh)