2009 Honda Fit (Price)

09 Honda Fit/Jazz Review | Photos | Videos | Page 5 of 5 | Next>>

Although we didn't get testing numbers, our guess is the Fit will likely be a touch quicker to 60 mph (most likely in the low 9s), but give a big bump up in our figure-eight test... The bottom line here is that this second-iteration Fit gives more in every way, for a small bump in price.

Pricing for the new Fit jumps a bit. Base model 2009 Fits will start at $15,190 for the manual trans; the Sport automatic will start in the $17,550 neighborhood; a fully loaded Fit Sport with nav and VSA will play in the $19,400 ballpark. Certainly no longer cheap, but still a big bang-for-the-buck player.
[...motortrend.com] Continue...

09 Honda Fit/Jazz Review | Photos | Videos | Page 5 of 5 | Next>>

Source: MotorTrend | Read More: Honda Fit , Reviews

Click To Know More...

First Drive: 2009 Honda Fit Sport (Road Test)

09 Honda Fit/Jazz Review | Photos | Videos | Page 4 of 5 | Next>>

We hit the road in a brilliant blue Fit Sport with a 5-speed manual gearbox and a navigation system...The shift throws were short and very precise. There was no slop to speak of in the shifter and the engagement of the clutch also made it very easy to drive smoothly and quickly. Also rating high praise was the steering. Unlike the Acura TL and TSX which had inconsistent weighting and poor feedback from their electrically assisted systems, the Fit's system felt great.

...The structure felt solid and the suspension was well damped while never feeling harsh. Wind and other ambient noise was remarkably low inside for an economy car. Probably the most remarkable aspect with regard to noise was when the car came to a stop. The Fit was so silent at idle that after recently driving other cars with auto start-stop systems, I thought the Honda was equipped with one. I had to glance at the tachometer to realize it was still running.
[...autobloggreen.com] Continue...

09 Honda Fit/Jazz Review | Photos | Videos | Page 4 of 5 | Next>>

Source: AutoBlogGreen | Read More: Honda Fit , Reviews

Click To Know More...

2009 Honda Fit Test Drive (Engine Specs)

09 Honda Fit/Jazz Review | Photos | Videos | Page 3 of 5 | Next>>

Lift the hood and you'll find a 1.5-liter four-cylinder just like before. But Honda is an engineering company first. So now it's got stronger internals, larger intake valves, improved coolant flow and a redesigned intake manifold as well as a more advanced version of Honda's i-VTEC system to vary intake valve timing and lift. All this tinkering results in 117 hp at 6600 rpm and 106 lb.-ft. of torque at 4800 rpm. That's a slight bump of 8 hp and 1 lb.-ft. of torque over the previous model.

There's more good news as you move further along the drivetrain. The brilliant five-speed manual transmission returns with revised gear ratios and modifications to improve shift feel—as if it needed any. But the majority of buyers will likely opt for the new five-speed automatic. Fit Sports even get paddle shifters on the steering wheel too with two shift logics, one for normal driving and one for sport.
[...popularmechanics.com] Continue...

09 Honda Fit/Jazz Review | Photos | Videos | Page 3 of 5 | Next>>

Source: PopularMechanics | Read More: Honda Fit , Reviews

Click To Know More...

First Drive: 2009 Honda Fit (Interiors)

09 Honda Fit/Jazz Review | Photos | Videos | Page 2 of 5 | Next>>

The Fit's big selling point is the versatility of its interior. The key to the car's design is the placement of the fuel tank under the front seats, creating space so the rear seats can fold down flat and low. There's also an unusual amount of space (51 in. at the high point) between the floor and ceiling of the car, and the seats fold up and down in multiple ingenious ways, giving the Fit amazing hauling power for such a small car...

The rear seats are still tight for average-size adults but not as cramped as they used to be. The new Fit is only half an inch wider than the old one, but interior width is 1.2 in. greater, creating more shoulder space. The rear doors now open wider, making it easier to get into and out of the back seat, and the rear hatch is bigger and extends down lower, making it easier to load stuff into the back of the car.
[...businessweek.com] Continue...

09 Honda Fit/Jazz Review | Photos | Videos | Page 2 of 5 | Next>>

Source: BusinessWeek | Read More: Honda Fit , Reviews

Click To Know More...

2009 Honda Fit (Fuel Economy)

09 Honda Fit/Jazz Review | Photos | Videos | Page 1 of 5 | Next>>

I spent a few hours with the 2009 Fit and Fit Sport in both manual and automatic forms, and people who purchased the earlier Fit will be pleased to hear that the new one doesn't blow the old one away, but new buyers will enjoy incremental improvements in many areas, including roominess, visibility and engine power, as well as a gas-mileage bump..

The EPA-estimated fuel economy is 28/35 mpg for the base model with a five-speed automatic transmission, and 27/33 mpg for versions with the five-speed manual transmission as well as for the automatic Fit Sport. You read it right: The manual is less efficient than one automatic version, whose highway figure has increased from 34 mpg to 35 mpg in the new generation.
[...cars.com] Continue...

09 Honda Fit/Jazz Review | Photos | Videos | Page 1 of 5 | Next>>

Source: Cars.com | Read More: Honda Fit , Reviews

Click To Know More...

Ford Launches 2009 Ford Focus XR5 Turbo

2009 Model Ford Focus XRS Turbo | Photos | Page 1 of 1 | Next>>

The first Focus to debut Ford’s new Kinetic design philosophy, the iconic German-built XR5 Turbo flagship looks simply stunning. Powering the new XR5 Turbo is a 2.5-litre 166kW Duratec five-cylinder engine mated to a 6-speed manual transmission, offering peak torque of 320Nm from 1,600rpm right through to 4,000rpm.

It looks as well as it goes too, with a completely new, more aggressive front bumper flanked by distinctive re-styled fog lamps and finished with a graphite mesh with signature honeycomb pattern. At the rear, the XR5 Turbo gets a new bumper with an integrated lower diffuser framing two generously proportioned exhaust pipes, with full LED tail lamps and an oversized rear spoiler.
[...theyreviewed.blogspot.com]

2009 Model Ford Focus XRS Turbo | Photos | Page 1 of 1 | Next>>

Source: TheyReviewed | Read More: Ford Focus , Cars For 2009

Click To Know More...

2010 Mazda3 sedan [Spied again]

2010 Mazda 3 Sedan Spy Photos | Page 2 of 2 | Next>>

The new Mazda3 will ride on the next-generation global Ford Focus C1 platform and is expected to be longer and wider than the current model. Under the hood, Mazda’s MZR line of motors will get a bump in power and further tweaking for fuel savings.

Expect the current 2.3L motor to be bored out to around 2.5L. That should give it a 20-30hp bump from the current 156hp rating. The 2.0L base motor probably won’t see an increase in displacement, but a 10 to 15 horsepower increase is likely.
[...leftlanenews.com] Continue...

2010 Mazda 3 Sedan Spy Photos | Page 2 of 2 | Next>>

Source: LeftLane | Read More: Mazda , Spy Pictures

Click To Know More...

Next Generation 2010 Mazda3 Sedan Spy Photos & More

2010 Mazda 3 Sedan Spy Photos | Page 1 of 2 | Next>>

The spy photos you see here are of the new Mazda3 prototype being tested. Heavy camoflage hides much of the model, however the overall body profile is quite visible and appears to have a more aggressive stance.

The car, when it’s revealed in a few months, hopefully at 2008 Paris Auto Show will share design cues from its sporty big brother, the Mazda6. This saloon shows off a sportier outline, and under the camouflage, there appears to be projector headlamps, new aggressive tail-lights and dual exhaust pipes.
[...carnoise.blogspot.com] Continue...

2010 Mazda 3 Sedan Spy Photos | Page 1 of 2 | Next>>

Source: CarNoise | Read More: Mazda , Spy Pictures

Click To Know More...

Spied: 2010 Acura NSX

2010-2011 Acura NSX Spy Photos | Page 4 of 4 | Next>>

The new NSX, which has been delayed repeatedly, is expected to incorporate a front-mounted, 550 hp V10 engine and a new high-performance, rear-wheel-drive based version of Acura’s ‘Super Handling All-Wheel Drive’ (SH-AWD). A similar RWD/AWD system is also expected for the 2011 Acura RL.

American Honda President and CEO Tetsuo Iwamura recently confirmed the NSX will be launched in the U.S. in 2010. Honda will also be launching the Acura brand in Japan and Europe around the same time, but the automaker says it will launch the NSX in the U.S. market first.
[...leftlanenews.com] Continue...

2010-2011 Acura NSX Spy Photos | Page 4 of 4 | Next>>

Source: LeftLane | Read More: Acura , Spy Photos

Click To Know More...

2010 Acura NSX Is Real After All

2010-2011 Acura NSX Spy Photos | Page 3 of 4 | Next>>

It appears that the general layout of Acura's Advanced Sports Car Concept has survived, but changes have been made to increase the level of aggresion for the NSX. The prototype's nose shows marked changes over the concept, with two large, wide-set intakes flanking an even larger central grille.

The production NSX retains the concept's dual stacked exhaust set-up, but rest of the rear bumper is completely different, with reconfigured air ducts now stretching all the way across the back. The aesthetic result is a more squat, athletic stance for the production NSX.
[...jalopnik.com] Continue...

2010-2011 Acura NSX Spy Photos | Page 3 of 4 | Next>>

Source: Jalopnik | Read More: Acura , Spy Photos

Click To Know More...

Spy Shots: 2011 Honda (Acura) NSX

2010-2011 Acura NSX Spy Photos | Page 2 of 4 | Next>>

Honda’s NSX replacement has had several false starts, with the company scrapping one of its original designs – the Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept - after the public’s largely negative response to the 2007 Detroit show car. Designers were sent back to the drawing board and Honda was forced to abandon its original plans to show the car at the following Tokyo Motor Show.

Despite the drawbacks, engineers were able to continue testing the new mechanicals for the car by using a modified S2000 body and we saw the first test-mules running laps at the Nurburgring by the middle of last year.
[...motorauthority.com] Continue...

2010-2011 Acura NSX Spy Photos | Page 2 of 4 | Next>>

Source: MotorAuthority | Read More: Acura , Spy Photos

Click To Know More...

Honda's 2011 Acura NSX Sportscar Spied In Germany

2010-2011 Acura NSX Spy Photos | Page 1 of 4 | Next>>

The new spy photos of upcoming 2010-2011 Acura NSX shot at Nürburgring in Germany finally confirms that Honda has begun testing pre-production prototypes of original NSX replacement.

Looking at the spy picture of NSX, you can make out that many aspects of the controversial Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept have been incorporated in this prototype design, while some of the more revolutionary but not so practical style elements have been shown the door.
[...carnoise.blogspot.com] Continue...

2010-2011 Acura NSX Spy Photos | Page 1 of 4 | Next>>

Source: CarNoise | Read More: Acura , Spy Photos

Click To Know More...

Road Tests > First Drive: 2009 Mazda6

2009 Model Mazda6 Test Drive Review | Page 6 of 6 | Next>>

With pricing starting in the $20,000-$29,000 range, Mazda marketing types feel confident the new Mazda6 will appeal to a broader and even more upscale buyer base when sales begin in August. A key part of their goal to push North American volumes into the six-figure zone involves winning converts from the ranks of Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan Altima, and Chevy Malibu owners.



Specs
Vehicle Layout: Front engine, FWD, 5-pass, 4-door sedan
Transmission: 6-speed manual, five-speed automatic, six-speed automatic
Curb Weight: 3258-3547 lb
Wheelbase: 109.8 in
Length x Width x Height: 193.7 x 72.4 x 57.9 in
0-60 mph: 6.5-8.5 sec (MT est)
EPA City/Hwy Econ: 17-22/25-30 mpg
CO2 Emissions: 0.78-0.81 lb/mi (est)
[...motortrend.com] Continue...

2009 Model Mazda6 Test Drive Review | Page 6 of 6 | Next>>

Source: MotorTrend | Read More: Mazda , Road Test

Click To Know More...

Car Reviews » 2009 Mazda 6

2009 Model Mazda6 Test Drive Review | Page 5 of 6 | Next>>

The engineers working on the second-generation Mazda 6 had a clear goal: keep the sporty handling, but give the new sedan a big dose of power, room, and quality. And, boy, did they ever. The new 6 looks two or three price classes more expensive than its predecessor. When viewed from behind, its clean design and twin sculpted exhaust diffusers (on V-6 models) are pure Lexus.



The Accord and the Camry feel like Buicks by comparison, because the Mazda's body motions are so tight and well-controlled. The 6's steering, administered through a small-diameter, leather-wrapped wheel, is precise in the way none of its competitors' is… Without question, though, the four-cylinder Mazda 6 is the handling champ in this segment. The V-6's optional eighteen-inch wheels generate loads of grip, but the lighter engine gives the four-pot 6 balance unlike any other large front-wheel-drive car.
[...automobilemag.com] Continue...

2009 Model Mazda6 Test Drive Review | Page 5 of 6 | Next>>

Source: AutomobileMag | Read More: Mazda , Road Test

Click To Know More...

2009 Mazda6 Preview

2009 Model Mazda6 Test Drive Review | Page 4 of 6 | Next>>

The chassis of the 2009 Mazda6 utilizes Mazda’s strong Triple-H body shell. Mazda claims that this high-rigidity body design offers exceptional crash-safety performance by joining the front chassis members to the perimeter frame, and reinforcing the cabin with high-tensile steel and larger cross-section side members.



An Adaptive Front Lighting System (AFS) shines light into corners, illuminating the path of the vehicle, while ultrasonic parking sensors offer audible beeps to assist low-speed maneuvering. In the event of collision, occupants are protected by up to 6 interior air bags, active headrests that are designed to move forward in the event of a rear-end collision, and crushable brake and clutch pedals that limit their rearward travel to reduce injury to the driver’s legs and feet.
[...jdpower.com] Continue...

2009 Model Mazda6 Test Drive Review | Page 4 of 6 | Next>>

Source: jdpower | Read More: Mazda , Road Test

Click To Know More...

First Drive: 2009 Mazda 6

2009 Model Mazda6 Test Drive Review | Page 3 of 6 | Next>>

With most of its major flaws fixed, the 2009 Mazda 6 is easily one of the most impressive sedans in the midsize class... One element of the Mazda 6 that hasn't changed is the way it communicates with the driver. The lively feel of the current-generation Mazda 6 has been one of the few reasons to consider it over the competition, and none of that responsiveness has been lost.



First we drive a Mazda 6 with the four-cylinder engine and an automatic transmission, and the extra weight of the bigger chassis doesn't drag it down. There's plenty of midrange torque and a smooth, refined feel near the 6,200-rpm redline. We drive a four-cylinder car equipped with the six-speed manual and it's just as enjoyable... Then again, with poorer EPA mileage numbers than the automatic, the case for buying the manual transmission is pretty weak.
[...edmunds.com] Continue...

2009 Model Mazda6 Test Drive Review | Page 3 of 6 | Next>>

Source: Edmunds | Read More: Mazda , Road Test

Click To Know More...

2009 Mazda6 Test Drive: Zoom-Zoomin' Mid-Size Market Shaker

2009 Model Mazda6 Test Drive Review | Page 2 of 6 | Next>>

Mazda6i (four-cylinder) and Mazda6s (V-6) models will be offered in SV, Sport, Touring and Grand Touring form, each with a complement of upgrades, and will go on sale in late August. Prices will range from about $19,000 to $26,000 for the four-cylinder “i” models, and from about $24,400 to $28,400 for the V-6-powered “s” models. Zoom zoom indeed.



We certainly expected more power—and got it. Where the 2.5-liter four feels pretty peppy out on the road, the 272-hp V-6 is downright intoxicating. Coupled only to a six-speed automatic with manual shift mode, the 6i models demonstrated great flexibility with a serious high-end punch.
[...popularmechanics.com] Continue...

2009 Model Mazda6 Test Drive Review | Page 2 of 6 | Next>>

Source: PopularMechanics | Read More: Mazda , Road Test

Click To Know More...

2009 Mazda 6 - First Drive Review

2009 Model Mazda6 Test Drive Review | Page 1 of 6 | Next>>

Time to say bye-bye to the original Mazda 6, born as a 2003 model… Mazda aimed higher with the new 6,.. the 2009 model leapfrogs Camry dimensions to land a shade behind the bulked-up Accord,.. North America now gets a unique body that is distinctly larger than Europe’s and Japan’s, up 6.9 inches in length, 2.3 in width from before.



After a few hours of driving,.. we think.. Steering is light and alive, yet it grooves in on straight-ahead when the path calls for it. Slack has been zeroed out of brake-pedal motion. Ride is well controlled without being harsh, and noises, both road and wind, are dialed way back.
[...caranddriver.com] Continue...

2009 Model Mazda6 Test Drive Review | Page 1 of 6 | Next>>

Source: CarAndDriver | Read More: Mazda , Road Test

Click To Know More...

Review: 2009 Ford Flex

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Test | Photos | Video | Page 9 of 9 | Next>>

The Flex is not a lightweight by any stretch, but it is a competent cruiser, and displayed the ability to get out of its own way when needed. For those counting gross tonnage, the FWD weighs in at 4498 lbs. The AWD gingerly tips the scales at 4661 pounds.



Handling is as you would expect in any large vehicle. Which is to say that this is not really a corner clipper. Special attention needs be paid while parking and lane changing, as one would with a minivan. The Flex tracks true with pretty direct input from the rack and pinion steering, and road irregularities are soaked up nicely through the Flex’s gas charged McPherson struts in front and multi-link independent rear suspension. Lane changes occur without any undue effort
[...leftlanenews.com] Continue...

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Test | Photos | Video | Page 9 of 9 | Next>>

Source: LeftLane | Read More: Ford , Test Drive

Click To Know More...

Road Tests: First Drive: 2009 Ford Flex

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Test | Photos | Video | Page 8 of 9 | Next>>

The experience of driving or riding in the 2009 Ford Flex is more serene than you might anticipate, given Ford's previous family-truckster efforts... The Flex's standard 262-horsepower 3.5-liter Duratec V6, which has a history of sounding and feeling a bit grainy in the upper rpm range, doesn't upset the calm of the cabin except at wide-open throttle. Otherwise, it's happy to hum away in the background, drawing no more attention to itself than a refrigerator compressor.



The six-speed automatic transmission (another major Flex component also used in the two-row Ford Edge utility) shifts smoothly and solidly. As in the Edge, the transmission (jointly developed by Ford and General Motors) has no facility for manual shifting.
[...edmunds.com] Continue...

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Test | Photos | Video | Page 8 of 9 | Next>>

Source: Edmunds | Read More: Ford , Test Drive

Click To Know More...

2009 Ford Flex Review

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Test | Photos | Video | Page 7 of 9 | Next>>

The 2009 Ford Flex outfits its passenger cabin with a glorious amount of electronic and commonsense features that are meant to set it miles apart from the current crop of crossovers... all three versions of the 2009 Ford Flex offer ample standard features. The Flex SE includes an AM/FM/CD player, 18-inch wheels, and three-row seating. The Flex SEL adds on some chrome exterior trim, a Sony audio system, and Sirius Satellite Radio.



The 2009 Ford Flex Limited piles on features like a 110V power outlet, high-intensity discharge headlamps, a power tailgate, and Ford’s SYNC entertainment system, which uses voice commands to control MP3 players and Bluetooth to control cell phones. Conclusion: The 2009 Ford Flex will be one of the best-equipped vehicles on the road, with a laundry list of high-tech options.
[...thecarconnection.com] Continue...

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Test | Photos | Video | Page 7 of 9 | Next>>

Source: TheCarConnection | Read More: Ford , Test Drive

Click To Know More...

Road Tests > First Drive: 2009 Ford Flex

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Test | Photos | Video | Page 6 of 9 | Next>>

Driving north out of New York City..., the Flex demonstrated reasonable acceleration, and its handling was about as sprightly as one expects in a two-ton car. Ride is supple and controlled with minimal lean or fuss in turns, but the long wheelbase and mass are natural deterrents to any boy-racer inclinations. So is the transmission, the selector for which offers only "D" and "L."



2009 Ford Flex Specs.
Base Price: $28,995-$37,255
Vehicle layout: Front engine, FWD/AWD, 6- or 7-pass, 4-door wagon
Engine: 3.5L/262-hp/248 lb-ft DOHC 24-valve V-6
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
Curb weight: (dist f/r) 4450-4650 lb (mfr)
Wheelbase: 117.8 in
Length x width x height: 201.8 x 79.9 x 68.0 in
0-60 mph: 7.5-8.5 sec (MT est)
EPA city/hwy fuel econ: 16-17/22-24 mpg
CO2 emmisions: 0.99-1.06 lb/mi
On sale in U.S.: Summer 2008
[...trucktrend.com] Continue...

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Test | Photos | Video | Page 6 of 9 | Next>>

Source: TruckTrend | Read More: Ford , Test Drive

Click To Know More...

2009 Ford Flex Review

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Test | Photos | Video | Page 5 of 9 | Next>>

Inside the Flex, we find Ford's finest-ever interior, at least on this side of the Atlantic... The Flex's seats are extremely cushy and supporting, wrapped with either herringbone patterned cloth (shades of VW) or leather. The six-inch-stretched D3 platform's wheelbase makes for such an expansive second row that the Flex betters the livery-standard Lincoln Towncar in every way. The Flex's third row is… functional.



The Flex's folding seats are jerky and not especially intuitive. They also became stuck on my test car. (Oops.) Once everything is folded flat, including the front passenger seat, we're looking enough cargo space for the most lifestyle challenged slacker. But let's not carried away here (literally): the Flex is not a realistic alternative to a mega-SUV or minivan for hauling aptitude.
[...thetruthaboutcars.com] Continue...

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Test | Photos | Video | Page 5 of 9 | Next>>

Source: TheTruthAboutCars | Read More: Ford , Test Drive

Click To Know More...

2009 Ford Flex, First Drive

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Test | Photos | Video | Page 4 of 9 | Next>>

The Flex's look at once captures everything good and romantic about American cars while eschewing the bad and the boring... As a people carrier it's equal parts brilliant and flawed. Brilliant: the doors that wrap around the lower sill, making ingress easy for the old, the feeble and the short; the four sunroofs; Sync; Ford's new SatNav system, which just became the best on the market; the driving position that's the perfect compromise between sedan and SUV; the incredibly quiet interior.



Flawed: the third row seats are tiny, much smaller than a Buick Enclave's; the doors don't slide; Ford's 3.5-liter V6 mated to this 6-speed auto is still the worst combination on sale today, delivering neither performance nor economy. It's equally flawed when considered as an emotional purchase.
[...jalopnik.com] Continue...

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Test | Photos | Video | Page 4 of 9 | Next>>

Source: Jalopnik | Read More: Ford , Test Drive

Click To Know More...

2009 Ford Flex SUV/Wagon Specs & Features : Brief Review

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Test | Photos | Video | Page 3 of 9 | Next>>

Flex Suv (or is it a wagon?) is powered by Ford's 3.5-liter V-6 mated to a fuel-efficient 6-speed automatic transmission. The powertrain delivers 262 hp horsepower at 6250 rpm and 248 lb.-ft. of torque at 4500 rpm with fuel economy numbers on par with other full-size crossovers. Flex also offers optional intelligent all-wheel drive. The 2009 Ford Flex goes on sale in summer 2008. It will be manufactured at Ford's Oakville Assembly Complex in Ontario, Canada.



The exterior of next generation Flex carries over the concept's upright stance, strong shoulders and prominent wheel arches as well as the distinctive machined character lines on the side panels. Designers maximized the vehicle's width and integrated the rocker panels into the doors to eliminate the need to step over the rockers when entering the vehicle.
[...carnoise.blogspot.com] Continue...

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Test | Photos | Video | Page 3 of 9 | Next>>

Source: CarNoise | Read More: Ford , Test Drive

Click To Know More...

2009 Ford Flex First Impressions (video)

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Test | Photos | Video | Page 2 of 9 | Next>>

Competing against the Honda Pilot, Toyota Highlander and the like, not to mention GM's crossover quartet (GMC Acadia, Saturn Outlook, Buick Enclave and Chevrolet Traverse) the Flex is a whole new take on the conventional family vehicle -- a new-age Taurus X, if you prefer. But unlike the latter, the Flex makes everyone, and I mean everyone, turn their heads.



Different? That's an understatement! The white- or silver-painted roof (the choice is yours) and black pillars give the vehicle the look of an oversized MINI Cooper Clubman... The panoramic Vista Roof (optional) literally floods the interior with sunlight thanks to a power moonroof over the front row and three fixed glass openings with manual sunshades in the back.
[...auto123.com] Continue...

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Test | Photos | Video | Page 2 of 9 | Next>>

Source: Auto123 | Read More: Ford , Test Drive

Click To Know More...

First Drive: 2009 Ford Flex

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Test | Photos | Video | Page 1 of 9 | Next>>

When I first saw the Ford Flex as a concept at the 2005 Detroit Auto Show (where it was introduced as the Fairlane concept) I must admit that I didn't get it... Flex has evolved from a puzzling concept into an interesting, appealing, clever and fresh take on the crossover class… First, the Flex looks great. Turns out there's nothing "over the top" about it, even though its key individual design elements (the grooved side panels, the aluminum-look hatch, the straight lines, wrap-around lights, the prominent grille) may seem risky.



Second, the exuberant exterior is not let down by the interior. Open the door and you're immediately drawn into the detail and quality of its component parts. The look and feel of the surfaces and materials, the operation of its controls and the availability of an unexpected array of amenities (like a compressor-driven fridge between the seats) speak to a determined effort on the part of Ford designers and engineers to get it right.
[...canadiandriver.com] Continue...

Review: 2009 Ford Flex Test | Photos | Video | Page 1 of 9 | Next>>

Source: CanadianDriver | Read More: Ford , Test Drive

Click To Know More...

Audi A7 (2009): the full story

Review 2010 Audi A7 Spy Photos | Page 6 of 6 | Next>>

The A7 will use air springs for a lolloping ride quality on higher-spec models and – luxury is the name of the game here – four-cylinder power will be off limits. Unless sales are poorer than expected, that is, when A6 four-pots could be wheeled out.



And how much will one of these Audi A7s cost me? Audi is keeping stum about prices, but our sources indicate a price point between £35,000-£50,000 for the bread-and-butter models. You'll naturally pay more for the RS-badged models. And if the A7 isn't a niche enough, we hear that a convertible A7 is very much on the cards.
[...carmagazine.co.uk] Continue...

Review 2010 Audi A7 Spy Photos | Page 6 of 6 | Next>>

Source: CarMagazine | Read More: Audi , Spy Photos

Click To Know More...

Spy Shots: First 2011 Audi A7 prototypes

Review 2010 Audi A7 Spy Photos | Page 5 of 6 | Next>>

Though the heavy camouflage hides most of the details, we can clearly see the car will feature a generous wheelbase but relatively short overhangs joined by flat front end. The outline of the grille also appears to feature a new tapered look not seen on Audi’s current range.



The hybrid drive is expected to show up first in the company’s Q5 soft-roader, making its A7 appearance later next year... The new hybrid models, which will be available with either diesel or petrol V6 engines, will also feature new lithium-ion batteries developed in a joint-venture between parent company Volkswagen and Sanyo.
[...motorauthority.com] Continue...

Review 2010 Audi A7 Spy Photos | Page 5 of 6 | Next>>

Source: MotorAuthority | Read More: Audi , Spy Photos

Click To Know More...