Friday, February 26, 2010

First Look: 2011 Ford Edge

Ford's Edge possesses proven to be rather successful for the corporate, less than though deputy editor Joe DeMatio wrote upon its launch, the model did "little to advance the art up of the segment during which it competes." Which can be afflicted by been "business as usual" for the Ford Motor Corporate of yesteryear, but it looks no longer the case currently. Ford thoroughly re-worked the sting for the 2011 model year, plus the final technology, powertrain, and handling enhancements packed back to the hot model can gain be enough to move the Edge to the apex of its category. Technology Perhaps the the majority of appealing enhancement to the 2011 Ford Edge could be the optional MyFord Touch infotainment package. Allowing for MyFord Touch, drivers tend to be provided with a couple of four.2-inch LCD screens that flank the speedometer (just simply favor the Ford Fusion Hybrid) and display pertinent knowledge. The left screen necessarily displays vehicle information, which included fuel economy, tire pressures, and the prestige of a couple of alternative subsystems. The privilege screen, nevertheless, would definitely be added well liked by today's drivers -- it displays information pertaining to the audio system, phone, climate management, and navigation system. Both screen features a dedicated five-way controller mounted during the direction wheel to toggle between displays. Displaying each one that information in the gauge cluster does small to wow your passengers, but they can take note of the massive Eight.0-inch touch-screen display in the center stack, which controls the audio system, phone, climate control, and navigation.
Each of these functions receives a corner of the screen, together together with a distinctive background colour, constructing it simple to establish which screen is active. After all, if touching the screen proves too distracting, the driving force can trigger commands through Ford's Sync voice-activated system. Powertrains The technology isn't always confined to the cabin alone -- the mechanicals under the hood all receive a handful of new features engineered to increase both power and fuel economy. Base Edge models receive a revised 3.5-liter V-6, which now produces 285 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque whereas delivering 27 mpg on the highway. The utilization of dual independent variable camshaft timing grants the 20 hp and three lb-ft spice up over the 2010 Edge's 3.5-liter mill, and also is helping boost fuel economy by approximately 2 mpg. A six-speed automatic channels power primarily to the front wheels, additionally though all-wheel-drive is an decision. More attention-grabbing, however, is the debut of Ford's new 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine. The turbocharged I-4 with direct fuel injection is supposed to offer class-leading fuel economy while not sacrificing power. Ford has however to supply either fuel economy or output figures for the two.0 EcoBoost, but we've got been awfully galvanized with the performance of Ford's different EcoBoost engine, the three.5-liter twin-turbocharged V-6 found in the likes of the Taurus SHO, Flex, and Lincoln MKS and MKT. One potential draw keep, however, is the inability of an all-wheel-drive option. Handling As enthusiasts, we have a tendency to were disappointed in the original Ford Edge's behavior on twisting roads. Crossovers are not intended to be tossed around like sports automobiles, but we continue to expected more composure compared to Ford dialed inch For 2011, Ford created the 18-inch and 20-inch wheels half an inch wider, which explains supposed to counterpoint steering feel. To additional improve handling (to say nada of handling the bigger rolling stock), Ford also adjusted the dampers, is derived, and stabilizer bars across the line. An upgraded brake system comprises bigger rear rotors, different friction materials, different brake booster gain, and a revised pedal ratio. Ford says these revisions ought to provide a stiffer pedal feel, which is the a good amount of welcome improvement. Edge Sport The ones that wish to have the sportiest crossover Ford builds is sufficient to after once more appear to the Edge Sport. For 2011, the model receives a three.7-liter V-6, a bit like the engine utilized in the 2011 Mustang. The slight increase in displacement yields 305 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque, but does not requirement premium fuel. The Edge Sport shares its six-speed automatic with the customary Edge models, but receives steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters, and programming that will not force a shift in manual mode -- even if the motive force hits the V-6's redline. Sport models also feature distinctive 22-inch alloys wheels with tuxedo black accents, smoked headlights and taillights, unique body color back and front diminish fascias, body color side skirts, and oval chrome exhaust pointers. Inside, the Edge Sport gains numerous
liquid silver smoke accents, aluminum pedals, and paddle
shifters.

Saturday, February 20, 2010

First Look: 2010 Mazda Mazda6

It has got certainly attractive, less than the legal second-generation Mazda6 could be close to reaching its third birthday, constructing it ripe for a delicate facelift. Mazda plans on showing a marginally revised European-spec 6 -- which explains slightly smaller compared to the single sold in North America -- at the 2010 Geneva motor display. Designers managed to circumvent blessing the 6 allowing for the giant grille aperture found on the three plus Five, opting instead to easily revise the grille insert (it's currently a "v," rather than a horizontal bar), and the overall decrease air intake. The headlamps now sport adaptive optics, whereas the cabin is treated to a few gentle trim upgrades. Mazda says it also revised the chassis tuning, but the car's mechanicals have a tendency to be principally unchanged up up of the 6 currently sold in Europe. Powertrain features also are largely unchanged, save a handful of for the
addition of a recent direct-injection shape of the company's 2.0-liter
inline four-cylinder engine.
The revised 6 is sufficient to achieve showrooms out of doors of North America
about that spring, except for the previous point ending up though, readily available is no news if these
cosmetic tweaks are going to be applied to the U.S.-spec automobile.

Friday, July 3, 2009

Subaru Outback fuel economy figures released, hits 29 MPG


2010 Subaru Outback - Click above for high-res image gallery

Subaru's new-for-2010 Outback ought to silence a few critics who contend that all-wheel drive sucks up too much fuel to be a worthwhile purchase for most consumers. According to the Japanese automaker, the tip-toe all-weather wagon has studied up for the EPA test, netting 29 miles-per-gallon on the highway. That's smaller front-driver territory from many automakers, albeit with a big dash of Subaru load-lugging capacity.

The good table manners are delivered by the combination of the new Lineartronic CVT and 170 horsepower 2.5 liter boxer four. Subaru's EPA numbers for the 2010 Outback are tops for such a roomy wagon, besting the typical SUV competitors, as well as the higher-end AWD wagons offered by Audi and Volvo. The $23,000 price of entry is attractive, too, although given our recent experience with the 2010 Legacy upon which it is based, we don't imagine it being a terribly spirited drive when so-configured. Even still, for all those bloviators who keep calling for a good-sized wagon that returns reasonable fuel economy for a sensible price, here's your car wagon thing. Official press release after the jump.




[ Via:

PRESS RELEASE:


Saturday, February 14, 2009

Subaru Impreza WRX STI Travis Pastrana Edition

 
Tucked away in a corner of McCormick Place was this custom WRX STI built in as part of a cooperative effort between Subaru and Travis Pastrana's race team, Vermont SportsCar. The car commemorates Pastrana's third consecutive Rally America National Championship, and although a one-off, many of the parts on the car can be purchased through your local authorized Subaru dealer.
The exterior features custom yellow paint, a carbon fiber hood and rear spoiler, front chin spoiler, and a set of PIAA 2100 HID driving lights. Handling is improved thanks to an SPT strut tower brace, lower chassis brace, and BFGoodrich G-Force Super Sport A/S tires wrapped over satin black Work Evolution XD-9 wheels.
Under the hood, the 2.5-liter boxer engine gets an upgraded ECU and custom downpipe, while the interior now sports custom blue Alcantara seats with yellow piping, short-throw shifter, Kicker sound system and... an XBox 360. Full details in the press release after the break, and high-res photos from the show floor in the gallery below.

[ Via: Autoblog (Aftermarket) ]
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