The 2013 Infiniti G Convertible is without a doubt one of the most attractive cars of its class.

It was created with the idea that a luxury convertible should be equally appealing with its top down or up.

The Infiniti G Convertible has the rare combination of high performance and grace providing you a lethal combination of power and elegance.

Specifications

* Continuously Variable Valve Timing Control System
** Adaptive Shift Control

Engine

Both the G37 and G37 sport models are powered by a 3.7 liter V6 engine that can produce up to 325 horsepower and 267 pound-feet of torque. The 7-speed automatic transmission with “Adaptive shift control” sends power to propel the rear wheels.

The G37 Sport comes with only a 6-speed manual transmission.

Exterior

The 2013 G Convertible looks slightly different from the G Coupe; it has a different roof-line and thinner pillars that make the roof appear larger. It includes a wider rear track and unique body structure. It’s athletic, wave like hood, coupe-like styling and flowing front fenders give it a different take we are accustomed to from Infiniti.

Its standard features include a fully powered retractable hardtop roof, heated and power folding mirrors, 18-inch wheels, a rear view mirror, and automatic bi-xenon headlights. The premium package features rear parking sensors.

The sports package comes with summer performance tires, 19-inch wheels, and upgraded brakes. The technology package also features 19-inch wheels along with summer tires and automatic wipers.

Interior

The G Convertible is handsomely designed built with excellence in mind. It’s well finished cockpit has soft-touch materials, leather-accented magnesium paddle shifters, and a choice of softly-brushed aluminum or rosewood trim. It can seat up to four people.

Other standard features include an intelligent key system and cruise control, upgraded audio system, automatic climate control, a dual-zone climate system, four-wheel active steering and a hard-drive based navigation system. Premium and sport packages include adaptive headlights, radar based cruise control, and Bluetooth.

The just unveiled 2014 Vauxhall Insignia Country Tourer is now available. This wagon made its public debut at the Frankfurt Motor show in 2013.

This Country Tourer comes with a rugged, sporty look which makes it ideal even on rough terrain.

There are three engines to choose from, one with the ecoFLEX, the base CDTi, and the BiTurbo, and more impressively they are all available in 4×4.

Specifications

Engine & Performance

This state of the art vehicle is combined with three engine options which include a very powerful BiTurbo-diesel engine.

The top is a 2.0 liter BiTurbo CDTi that produces 193 horsepower with a torque of 296 lb ft. Next is the 2.0 liter CDTi which provides you with an impressive 161 horsepower. This latter engine produces 281 lb ft of torque.

The featured option from Vauxhall is the 2.0 liter CDTi ecoFLEX engine which also provides 161 horsepower and 281 lb ft of torque, and come 6-speed manual transmission.

The first two come with a 6- speed automatic transmission featuring sequential shifting through the ActiveSelect® system. This electronically controlled 4-wheel drive system can also vary its toque between the front and rear axles; this ensures maximum traction on different surfaces, whether on-road or off-road.

In order to save fuel, the system can even revert to front-wheel drive only when it senses that 4-wheel drive is not required.

Exterior

The Insignia Country Tourer has a rugged look. Its lower body and flared wheel- arches are all clothed in grey moldings that give it an outdoorsy look.

Adding to the Country Tourers road presence, silver colored skid plates seem to emerge from underneath the bumpers at two ends. The car incorporates LED lighting technology. The tires provide extra grip on any loose surface to heighten the car’s ability to tackle rough terrain.

Interior

The interior has a sporty design with high quality material used and are enhanced with chrome accents and colors. It is coated with a soft touch material capable of providing an ambiance of premium quality.

The cabin is designed to create more space. A front passenger airbag is include along the steep windshield rake; this ensures the front space remains free. On the dash panel, you will find an 8-inch touch screen display and another large display screen just in front of the driver.

If you are interested in the 2014 Toyota FJ Cruiser, this is your last chance. Reports from the Japanese automaker is that this will be the final year this retro style, off road oriented SUV will be available.

Reminiscent of the late 1950 FJ40, the FJ Cruiser made its debut in 2007. More than 100,000 have been sold in North America between 2007 and 2008.

Specifications

* 4×2 AT Model
** with proper towing fixtures

Engine & Performance

Under the hood of the 2014 FJ Cruiser has a 4.0 liter V6 engine capable of generating 260 horsepower.

Rear wheel drive models come with a 5 speed automatic transmission, while all wheel drive models gives you the choice between the 5 automatic or a 6 speed manual.

Exterior

2014 continues to exhibit the theme of an old style SUV that when painted olive (Army Green) looks very much like a military vehicle. There are 6 available hues, all coming with a Dark Charcoal interior.

The roof is available in a contrasting white. Also on the roof, you will find a luggage rack affording extra stowage space.

The front features single round headlights framed by a grille which aids air flow from a center hood scoop. The amber directional signals are long and rectangular. A large reinforced bumper finishes off the front.

The side view finds rear hinged access doors allowing for easier entry to the backseat.
The rear is mainly made up of the huge spare tire mounted over the swing out tailgate.

Interior

The interior is basic as you might expect of a car made to navigate rugged terrain. The upholstery is water resistant while the backseats can be folded to a 60/40 configuration.

You also get power windows and door locks, A/C and a CD stereo. Options include a 6 CD changer and auxiliary gauges including one that meausres the outside temperature, vehicle pitch, and heading.

In any event, if the Cruiser is your choice over a Jeep Wrangler or Nissan Xterra, it starts at around $28,000.

On the 6th of May 2013, Terrafugia Inc announced its plans for the future of personal transportation.

The company has already began its exploration in manufacturing a 4-seat, VTOL (Vertical take-off and landing) plug-in hybrid-electric flying vehicle, the 2013 Terrafugia TF-X. This new TF-X will have increased safety, convenience, and simplicity.

Convenience

Learning how to operate the TF-X will take the operator or pilot, or drive, no more than 5 hours. This is because it is easy to operate and is controlled in such a way similar to steering a car.

The TF-X will also be in a position to fly either manually or automatically between approved landing sites or airports. TF-X can carry 4 people in automobile-like comfort.

Safety

The TF-X is basically expected to be safer than driving any modern automobile. It’s also able to automatically avoid air traffic, bad weather conditions, and avoid tower-controlled air-space. The TF-X will also have a full-vehicle parachute system (backup) that can be activated by the drive in case of an emergency; this is if its operator believes it is incapable of landing automatically.

In case of emergency, and the operator is not responding, the TF-X will automatically create emergency auto-land options at an airport nearby.

Technical Operation

The Terrafugia TF-X is capable of recharging batteries from either the engine or by plugging in an electric vehicle charging station. Prior to departure, the operator selects primary landing target and other backup landing zones.

In the event manual operation or changing weather conditions causes the backup landing-zone to just fall outside of the selected range of limits, the driver will receive notification and be prompted to choose an alternate landing zone.

Normal operations can be conducted through non-tower airspace and on the ground. The licensed operators can add any pre-approved landing zone to their landing zone options. TF-X will also have a non-stop -flight range of not less than 500 miles and its standard size will fit in a single car garage.

America’s most prestigious luxury car is going green. The 2014 Cadillac ELR is the car manufacturer’s first attempt at a hybrid automobile other than the Escalade SUV.

Although the 3 letter description has not been officially identified, it could possibly mean “Electric Luxury Ride”. This is Cadillac’s first venture into the standard size hybrid luxury coupe.

The concept was first introduced in 2011 and it was immediately speculated the production version would not be far behind. The ELR is based on the Chevrolet Volts drivetrain, the ELR will function with a generator operated electric motor.

Specifications

Hybrid Performance

Under the hood of the ELR is an electric drive unit powered by a lithium-ion battery. This is expected to generate 207 horsepower. You get an additional 84 horsepower from a 1.4 liter, 4 cylinder hybrid engine. When the battery’s power is used up the hybrid kicks in.

On a full tank of gas (9.3 gal.) and a fully charged battery it is expected to have a driving range of approximately 300 miles. The front wheel drive utilizes a Voltec Electric Drive System transaxle.

Exterior

The front of the Cadillac ELR features the traditional trapezoidal Cadillac grille. The most recent Cadillac signature are the vertical headlights and LED taillights are also present.

Aerodynamics is key to the ELR’s performance, so the front façade have active shutters behind the flush grille. The corners have been carefully tapered to allow easy air flow aided by an integrated spoiler in the rear. It has a drag coefficient of 0.305.

Interior

The interior is an exquisite blend of wood accents, chrome, and leather. Carbon fiber trim is optional. The steering wheel is covered in leather appointed with suede microfiber which matches the headliner.

The center of the instrument panel has an 8 inch, color touch screen with Cadillac “CUE” technology and navigation system.

The Cadillac ELR seats 4 with more than 33 inches of legroom to accommodate passengers seated in the rear.

No official price tag has been affixed to the ELR, but conjecture has it in the $70,000 range.