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2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Coupe Interior

Kia Sorento Named ‘Best SUV’ Second Year in a Row

 

"The Kia Sorento has been named as Total 4x4’s Best SUV for the second in a row. Editor Alan Kidd said ‘the Sorento was our reigning champion in the full-size SUV class, and it impressed us every bit as much this year as last. Its style, poise, kit and practicality all score heavily in its favor.

Michael Cole, Managing Director of Kia Motors (UK) Ltd said “from the day of its launch we knew that the latest Sorento continued the car’s impressive record of delivering excellent go-anywhere ability coupled with on-road sophistication at a great value price. 

Sorento has been a long-time favourite in the Kia range and its popularity amongst a wide variety of customers, from those who want on-road towing security or all-weather ability to the more adventurous owner who needs to head away from the main roads." [Continue reading...]

Under the Pentastar

Buick Ecotec 2.0L Turbo Named Among WardsAuto 10 Best Engines

 

"This award by WardsAuto World recognizes the four-cylinder as industry leader in the 2012 Buick Regal GS. It is built at General Motors' Spring Hill, Tenn. powertrain facility.


While Buick, a division of General Motors company (NYSE: GM) is more often known as a modern luxury brand, offering vehicles with sculpted designs, luxurious interiors with thoughtful personal technologies, along with responsive-yet-efficient performance, the engine award from WardsAuto World returns Buick to the world of engine power performance, albeit in a smaller displacement than in the past.


Just look at the power-to-displacement ratio. According to the GM news release, the Ecotec 2.0L turbo’s 270 horsepower is the highest specific output of any GM production engine, and at 135 hp per liter, is the most power-dense engine certified by the Society of Automotive Engineers.


“The turbocharged Ecotec 2.0L belongs on the list this year because it makes an outrageous 135 hp per liter in the Regal GS, and it’s a blast to drive,” said WardsAuto World Editor-in-Chief Drew Winter. “This engine delivers a level of power and sophistication that redefines Buick.”


The Regal GS achieves 0-60 mph in less than 6.7 seconds and runs the quarter-mile in 15.2 seconds at 98 mph. It also recently claimed victory in the 120-mph Grand Touring class at the Silver State Classic Challenge open road rally, with only a .019 deviation from a perfect time. A variation of the same engine powers the Regal Turbo.


For the record, Ward’s reviewed 35 engines from 15 automakers in this year’s competition. Winners were chosen based on several factors, including power; noise, vibration and harshness; fuel efficiency; new technology; and comparative data for similar engines.


The Ecotec 2.0L turbo engine includes the latest in technology combinations, whereby the turbo engine is an all-aluminum, dual overhead cam, four-valve design with forged steel connecting rods. The A356 aluminum cylinder head is cast using a rotocast process for high strength, reduced machining and improved port flow. The exhaust valves have sodium-filled stems that promote valve cooling." [Continue reading...]

Happy Birthday to the Nissan LEAF

Nissan Pathfinder Prepares to Cross Over

 

"If automakers have learned anything from the 2011 Ford Explorer, it's that changing a popular SUV nameplate to a crossover platform won't necessarily hurt the vehicle's image (or sales numbers). Nissan is hoping to capture that same sort of magic with its Pathfinder – judging by these spy shots, the traditionally body-on-frame SUV stalwart appears to be crossing over for its next generation.

The next-gen Pathfinder will likely be based on Nissan's FF-L platform that currently underpins vehicles like the Murano crossover and Quest minivan. Our best guess is that this Pathfinder, which will still remain a seven-passenger vehicle, could share many of its bits with the recently revealed Infiniti JX. Either way, whatever Nissan has planned for the new Pathfinder will surely be better than the aging, Titan-based model that's currently on sale." [Continue reading...]

Dodge Hits the Mark With the All-new 2013 Dodge Dart Compact Car

 

"Dodge redefines performance in the compact car segment with an all-new, state-of-the-art four-door sedan delivering class-leading aerodynamics – the 2013 Dodge Dart. 

With Alfa Romeo DNA and Dodge’s passion for performance at its core, the all-new 2013 Dodge Dart is a thoroughly modern vehicle that’s fuel-efficient, beautifully designed and crafted, agile and brings fun back to driving in the segment. 

Similar to the Dodge Dart of the late 1960s, the 2013 Dart offers a special blend of style, performance and innovation. The Dodge brand leveraged its nearly 100-year history of passion for building high-quality, innovative vehicles that stand apart in performance and style, as well as from its partner Fiat’s global compact car expertise, to develop the all-new Dodge Dart. 

ALFA ROMEO DNAThe all-new Dart is the first Chrysler Group vehicle based upon a Fiat architecture – adapted from the award-winning Alfa Romeo Giulietta. The Giulietta is renowned for satisfying the most demanding customers in terms of road-holding, agility and safety, with exceptional driving dynamics. The Dart leverages all of these attributes within a lengthened and widened platform delivering segment-leading levels of interior roominess. 

The all-new Compact U.S. Wide (CUSW) architecture underpinning the Dart is a state-of-the-art architecture with an industry-leading 68 percent of the body composed of high-strength steel, resulting in a very strong and rigid structure. Combined with responsive steering, four-wheel independent suspension, and available 18-inch wheels, the Dart brings fun back to driving in the compact car segment.

UNMISTAKABLE STYLEThe all-new 2013 Dart marks the Dodge brand’s re-entry into the compact sedan segment, hitting the bulls-eye with a modern, unmistakable Dodge design that builds upon its performance heritage while evoking emotion, efficiency and fluidity of movement. 

Eye-catching exterior proportions are set off from every angle by dynamic lines and curves, along with advanced technology, to deliver class-leading aerodynamic performance. The personality-packed front view is instantly recognizable as an all-new Dodge with its tailored split-crosshair grille, projector headlamps and fog lamps and accentuated fenders. Signature Dodge full-width LED ‘racetrack’ tail lamps and class-exclusive integrated dual exhaust – both inspired by Dodge Charger – accentuate the athletic and muscular stance of this dynamic and passionate new design. 

THREE SOPHISTICATED, FUEL-EFFICIENT & POWERFUL ENGINESThe 2013 Dodge Dart will be powered by three fuel-efficient, powerful, state-of-the-art four-cylinder engines that add to Dart’s fun-to-drive quotient.

Drivers can select from a new Tigershark 16-valve 2.0-liter engine, a 16-valve 1.4-liter MultiAir Intercooled Turbo engine, and a new Tigershark 16-valve 2.4-liter MultiAir four cylinder engine. These three engines, combined with three transmission choices, combine to redefine performance by providing the most diverse powertrain lineup in its class.

MultiAir technology delivers optimum combustion at any speed under all driving conditions by allowing direct and dynamic control of air intake and combustion. The result is up to a 15 percent increase in low engine rpm torque, a 7.5 percent improvement in fuel efficiency and a 10 percent reduction in C02 emissions. " [Continue reading...]

Chrysler Group: Under the Pentastar