Hyundai Genesis Coupe Review
November 15, 2007
Hyundai Genesis Coupe Review
After Hyundai’s press conference wrapped up Tuesday, we took the opportunity to grill a couple of Hyundai’s design and engineering heads about some of the details surrounding the Genesis Coupe Concept and its production counterpart. While its already been revealed that the new coupe won’t be coming with a V8, nor will Hyundai nix the front-wheel-drive Tiburon in favor of a strictly RWD sports car lineup, there are still plenty of questions that needed answering. Hit the jump to get the scoop on what to expect for Hyundai’s most exciting new product ever.
Compared to spy shots of the production coupe that were unearthed earlier this month (above), the concept is a dead ringer for what we’ll supposedly see in New York next year. The tapering rear window aft of the B-pillar looks ready for prime time, as does the overall shape of the greenhouse and the dual beltlines flowing from the front fenders and defining the rear haunches. Stylistically, we think it’s a hit and can only get better with what Hyundai has in store after the production version goes on sale in late 2008.
Beyond the exterior styling, we’re more interested in how this new coupe will compete in the performance arena. It’s been confirmed that two engines will be available: a 3.8-liter V6 producing 300 HP and “around” 260 lb.-ft. of torque (250 lb.-ft. is quoted in the press release, but we heard more) and a 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four. While the Hyundai execs we talked to remained mum on the specific output of both mills, we’re assured that the turbo’d four will be producing over 200 HP and a similar amount of torque, likely in the 210-220 lb.-ft. neighborhood. When we asked about the overall weight and how it would be distributed, it was made clear that keeping the pounds down and trying to achieve a 50/50 weight balance was of particular importance. Naturally, the engine’s placement underneath the hood will dictate how much weight will be sitting atop the nose, but with a bonnet that long, we’d suspect that both mills could be placed pretty far into the engine bay â hopefully behind the strut towers. Continuously variable valve timing will be part of the dual overhead cam package, and power will be sent to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic ‘box controllable via steering wheel-mounted paddles. Since the turbocharged inline four will have the added advantages of weighing less and the required exhaust plumbing in place for the turbo, we think that the base model might be the darling of the aftermarket; it certainly won’t be left out in the cold like other entry-level offerings.
On the handling end of things, the wheelbase wasn’t as long as we’d originally suspected, coming in at 2,820 mm (111 inches), or 115 mm (4.5 inches) less than the Genesis sedan on which its derived. For comparison, what some are calling the Hyundai coupe’s closest competitor, the Ford Mustang, has a 2,720 mm wheelbase (107.1 inches). This is going to pay dividends in the driving department, as will the five-link rear suspension and front MacPherson setup. We mentioned earlier that the E46 BMW M3 was the benchmark for bending rigidity, and according to Hyundai’s engineers, they’ve achieved that goal.
The real question remains at what price point the new Hyundai coupe will compete. Although the original leaked information said that the turbo’d four-pot will come in at $19,900, we have our doubts that Hyundai can keep it under the magical $20k ceiling. The V6-equipped model should land somewhere in the mid-$20,000s — we’d suspect somewhere between $24,000 to $26,000. Regardless, anything with RWD and the choice of a stout V6 or a turbocharged four has our vote. Let’s just hope it has the handling credentials to redefine a segment that has long been neglected by some of the stalwarts of the industry.
2007 Lotus Elise Review
October 31, 2007
2007 Lotus Elise
The 2007 Elise is a 2-door, 2-passenger convertible sports car, available in one trim only, the Convertible.
Upon introduction, the Elise is equipped with a standard 1.8-liter, I4, 190-horsepower engine that achieves 24-mpg in the city and 29-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard.
2008 Aston Martin DBS Review
October 31, 2007
2008 Aston Martin DBS
Let’s see, the last time we saw James Bond in his new Aston Martin DBS, wasn’t he upside down?
Hey, it’s okay because while that was a prototype, now 007 can buy as many as he wants. The English automaker unveiled its newest supercar at the 2007 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Looking like a Captain America version of the Vanquish, the DBS has a body of aluminum, magnesium alloy and carbon fiber over a bonded aluminum structure. As well done as the exterior, the inside of the DBS is finished in leather and Alcantara.
Aston’s V-12 for the DBS has 5.9 liters of displacement with 510 bhp at 6500 rpm and 420 lb.-ft. of torque at 5750 rpm. The gearbox is a 6-speed transaxle in back.
Riding on 20-in. alloy wheels with Pirelli P Zero tires, the DBS has a claimed top speed of 191 mph and 0â60-mph time of 4.2 seconds.
(Photo: John Lamm, Road and Track)
2009 Jaguar XF Review Luxury Sports Car
October 31, 2007
2009 Jaguar XF Review Luxury Sports Car
Jaguar’s new XF sedan is labeled a 2009 model but will make its way into owners’ hands in March 2008. The objective for the XF, according to chief program engineer Mick Mohan, was to create “a bold, striking, contemporary sports saloon [sedan]; a 4-door, 5-seater that blends sports-car performance with the luxury and comfort of a sedan.” The XF is powered by Jaguar’s 4.2-liter V-8 engine in naturally aspirated (300 bhp) and supercharged (420 bhp) forms. Both engines mate to a 6-speed automatic shift-by-wire transmission with the all-new JaguarDrive Selector rotary knob on the center console, and steering-wheel-mounted paddles for sequential operation.
The Jaguar XF replaces the retro-style S-Type sedan. Design Director Ian Callum has jumped Jaguar into modern styling with the XF, creating a coupe-like profile on this roomy sedan. The XF is a bit larger than the S-Type, and the heritage styling found in the hood, the headlamps and the grille will be the design model for future Jaguar cars too.
The XF in the U.S. market will be offered in three trim levels â Luxury, Premium Luxury and Supercharged â and you can expect every sort of electronic control system from parking help to adaptive cruise control.
Pricng for the car has been released in the United Kingdom, with base models equipped with either a 2.7-liter diesel V-6 or 3.0-liter gasoline engine costing 33,900 pounds (nearly $68,000). The 4.2-liter V-8 model is listed at 44,500 pounds ($89,000) and the SV8 with the supercharged 4.2 engine, is priced at 54,900 pounds ($110,000). While current exchange rates are hoving around two pounds per dollar, don’t expect this S-Type replacement to cost more than the current XJ. Those prices include Europe’s Value Added Tax (VAT). Most likely, the pricing of the XF will range somewhere between $50,000 and $80,000 for the three versions.
(photo: John Lamm, Road and Track)
Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang Review
October 31, 2007
Bugatti Veyron Pur Sang Review
The interior is also modeled on the coupe version, with the center navigation/ entertainment system neatly tied into the main tier of instruments. Auxiliary controls and the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) knob are nestled in the center console. Like the exterior, the cabin is understated, yet elegant, trimmed in high-quality materials including a choice of wood or satin-finish accents.
The interior is also modeled on the coupe version, with the center navigation/ entertainment system neatly tied into the main tier of instruments. Auxiliary controls and the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) knob are nestled in the center console. Like the exterior, the cabin is understated, yet elegant, trimmed in high-quality materials including a choice of wood or satin-finish accents.
2008 BMW 1 Series Review
October 31, 2007
2008 BMW 1 Series Review
BMW adds an all-new vehicle for 2008 with the rear-wheel-drive 1 Series Coupe. When it makes its debut early next year, the car will be the least expensive in the company’s impressive lineup.
Available in two versions, the 1 Series uses the capable powerplants from its big brother, the 3 Series. The entry-level 128i is powered by the 3.0-liter, 230-bhp inline-6 from the 328i while the 135i features the 335i’s 3.0-liter 300-bhp twin-turbocharged inline-6, this latter unit taking the rakish 2-door from 0â60 mph in a little more than 5 seconds. And while this born-again BMW 2002 may be easier on the checkbook, it won’t skimp on features from its pricier relatives. Available amenities include a navigation system with iDrive interface, adaptive xenon headlights (standard on the 135i), Boston leather, HD and Sirius radio, active steering and six airbags (standard on both editions).
With essentially the same drivetrains as those found in the 3 Series shoehorned into a smaller, lighter, less expensive package, will the hard-core enthusiast think, in this instance, that 1 > 3?
2009 Dodge Journey Review
October 31, 2007
Review
Signaling Chrysler Corp.’s global ambitions, the newly independent company took the wraps off the Dodge Journey crossover at the Frankfurt Motor Show. The new people hauler-will be sold in America and export markets beginning early next year as a 2009 model. With two-box edgy styling, the Journey will be available in front- or all-wheel drive and in base models will seat five passengers, with optional third-row seating that boosts cabin capacity to seven occupants.
The Journey, which rides on a 113.8-in. wheelbase, slots neatly between the entry-level Caliber and the full-size Grand Caravan. Adapted from the mid-size Avenger sedan architecture, the new vehicle effectively replaces the short-wheelbase Caravan, which was dropped when the minivan lineup was revamped for the 2008 model year.
In the U.S., buyers will choose among three trim levels, a base SE with a 173-bhp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, the mid-line SXT and its optional 186-bhp 2.7-liter V-6, or the top-line R/T, which has a 235-bhp 3.5-liter V-6. Only the large V-6 comes with the optional all-wheel drive. The base four and 2.7-liter engines offer a choice of a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic transmission, while the 3.5 is equipped with a 6-speed automatic. Export markets will be offered a 138-bhp 2.0-liter turbodiesel equipped with a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed dual-clutch automatic transaxle.
(photo: John Lamm, Road and Track)
Audi A4 Review - Sports Car
October 31, 2007
Audi A4 Review - Sports Car
In advance of its formal unveiling at the Frankfurt Motor Show, Audi has released photos and information on its next-generation A4. Using the same architecture as the recently introduced A5 and S5 coupe, the new Audi sedan shares the same expressive front-end styling, but in a more formal 4-door configuration. The large grille is hemmed in chrome, and LED driving lights underscore the headlamps. The flanks are defined by a strong character line running fore-to-aft, while the lower surfaces are sculpted in a cove shape. The rear end is tidy and clean, in keeping with the car’s elegant, yet understated design ethos.
The interior is also modeled on the coupe version, with the center navigation/ entertainment system neatly tied into the main tier of instruments. Auxiliary controls and the Multi-Media Interface (MMI) knob are nestled in the center console. Like the exterior, the cabin is understated, yet elegant, trimmed in high-quality materials including a choice of wood or satin-finish accents.
The new A4 is larger than the car it replaces, riding on a 110.6-in. wheelbase and measuring 185.2 in. long and 71.9 in. wide. Although final equipment and models are yet to be announced for the U.S. market, it is likely the base engine will be a 200-bhp 2.0-liter turbocharged four, with a 3.2-liter direct-injected V-6 making 265 bhp and 243 lb.-ft. of torque as optional. Buyers will also have a choice between front- and Quattro all-wheel drive. A 6-speed manual transmission is available with either engine, while the four will come with a Dual Shift Gate (DSG) gearbox, and the V-6 will offer a conventional 6-speed automatic with Tiptronic sequential shift.
A new feature on the A4 is the “drive select” option that remaps accelerator pedal response, automatic transmission shift points, power steering boost, steering ratio and the stiffness of the electronically controlled shocks. The three settings provide for comfort, automatic or dynamic modes, while a fourth selection called “individual” allows the driver to program up to 24 different parameters through the MMI system.
(photo: John Lamm, Road and Track)
Ford Kuga Review
October 31, 2007
Ford Kuga Review
Inspired by the iosis X concept, the 5-passenger Ford Kuga is a crossover SUV based on the midsize Mondeo/S-Max platform. The shape of the car embodies Ford’s “kinetic design” philosophy of flowing body panels that give the vehicle a sense of motion even when standing still.
It is the first crossover for Ford completely developed in Europe and features a choice of front- or all-wheel drive. Power comes from a 2.0-liter 135-bhp turbodiesel mated to a 6-speed manual gearbox. Like the iosis X concept’s sculpted body panels and large wheel arches filled with massive tires, the Kuga has a similar muscular look and rides on optional 19-in. alloy wheels. The show car’s coupe-like roof has been raised to a more conventional wagon appearance on the Kuga.
The interior has a spacious and airy feel thanks to a large panoramic glass roof. The black interior features some technical-grained materials and leather with contrasting orange piping. This is offset by piano-white accents on the center console and in the door inserts. A Blaupunkt navigation system with 7-in. screen dominates the center stack and incorporates images from a rearview camera when the vehicle is in reverse.
(photo: John Lamm, Road and Track)
BMW X6 ActiveHybrid Review
October 31, 2007
BMW X6 ActiveHybrid Review
BMW chose its home show to unveil its new X6 model, its take on the next generation of SUVs. Unlike its boxy station-wagon-like X5, the X6 is characterized as a Sports Activity Coupe, even though it has four doors.
The steeply raked rear atop the muscular body is designed to be more sporty than utilitarian. The front view sports a toothy BMW trademark split grille, while the flowing lines and sleek greenhouse are contrasted by muscular wheel arches filled with 21-in. wheels. It will be interesting to see if it can carve out a niche in the crowded SUV marketâthe closest competitor to the X6 is Infinitiâs FX35/45.
To address concerns that SUVs are fuel-wasting behemoths, BMWâs thinly disguised concept of the X6 production vehicle was introduced as the ActiveHybrid, which incorporates a dual-mode hybrid transmission jointly developed with GM and DCX. This system uses two different electric motors, one for low speeds and the other for highway cruising. In addition to providing the correct levels of torque, depending on road conditions, engine loads and on- or off-road use, the X6 ActiveHybrid boasts a 20-percent reduction in emissions and fuel consumption when compared to a car of equal size on a conventional drivetrain.
The X6 is scheduled to be built alongside the X5 at BMWâs U.S. assembly plant in South Carolina with an on-sale date sometime next year.
