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May 13th, 2011
The only real thing “wrong” with the old Elantra, really, was that it was about as interesting to look at as a bar of soap. That didn’t stop Hyundai from completely reworking its bread-and-butter compact, and the result is an impressive pole vault from forgettable to formidable.
The new 2011 Hyundai Elantra gets a liberal helping of Hyundai’s new “scoopy and swoopy” styling, as one Hyundai employee put it, making the Elantra unmistakable while still drawing a familial connection to its recently updated Hyundai stablemates. It may seem odd that the new Elantra’s headlights nearly touch the A-pillars, but like many individual styling elements, the whole car comes together nicely into a sort of shrink-wrapped Tucson, only better.
Actually, shrink is the wrong word. The Elantra has grown by 2 inches in length and added an inch to its wheelbase. What’s impressive is that Hyundai was able to do all this and still drop the curb weight by 187 pounds compared to the last Elantra we tested, making the car feel quite nimble on the road. As you might expect, the ride is smooth and comfortable, though the handling is best described as less than sporty. Still, the steering is quick and accurate, if not communicative. As seems to be a trend in new Hyundais, the power steering feels remarkably similar to a video-game steering wheel we used to have in the office-elastic and artificial. But when chucking the Elantra around the corners, its handling is very neutral once the rear end settles in, and the car grips better than you expect. Objectively, it’s nearly dead even with the turbocharged Chevrolet Cruze – one of its main bogies — on the skidpad and our figure eight.
With the new “Nu” 1.8-liter engine under hood producing 148 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque (10 more horsepower than before, but 5 fewer pound-feet) and that feathery curb weight, Hyundai is claiming a best-in-class power-to-weight ratio. Matched with a new in-house-developed six-speed automatic, the Elantra hits 60 mph in 9.1 seconds, 1.1 seconds quicker than before, and 0.5 seconds slower than the turbocharged Chevrolet Cruze. It’s not fast, but the six-speed automatic’s gear ratios keep the engine in its powerband and make the car feel quicker on the road than the numbers indicate.
Source: Motortrend
Tags: 2011 Hyundai Elantra
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March 3rd, 2011
All-new Acadia Denali adds luxury to practical crossover lineup.
 The 2011 GMC Acadia mixes reliable capability with the kind of refined passenger comfort and smooth driving experience that are GMC hallmarks. In response to customer and dealer demand, the new Acadia Denali debuts, bringing added luxury and exclusive interior and exterior features to the popular crossover’s lineup.
U.S. News Rankings and Reviews rates the 2011 GMC Acadia (MSRP $31,840) as one of the top four (out of 23) best “affordable midsize SUVs” currently on the market. With best-in-class interior space, the Acadia delivers the power, cargo capacity (116.9 cubic feet behind the front seats) and versatility of a full-size SUV with better highway fuel economy (24 mpg highway) than any competing eight-passenger utility vehicle.
All Acadia’s feature an advanced, 3.6-liter Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI) V6 with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) that delivers 288 hp and 270 lb/ft of torque. An electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission, also standard across the line, is tuned to maximize responsiveness and fuel economy. Independent front and rear Ride and Handling Suspension combines with Acadia’s long wheelbase and wide stance to deliver smooth stability, precise handling and reduced noise and vibration.
The Acadia lineup includes SL, SLE, SLT1 and SLT2 trims, each available with either front-wheel or Intelligent All-Wheel drive and either seven- or eight-passenger seating. The well-equipped SL’s standard features include rear air conditioning, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio, XM Satellite Radio, keyless entry and power programmable locks, GM’s exclusive Smart Slide second-row seating, a rear cargo area underfloor storage system, OnStar with the Directions and Connections Plan, “double-dual” chrome-tipped exhaust, tire pressure monitoring, 18-inch aluminum wheels and more.
Moving up to the SLE adds Bluetooth for phone, remote vehicle start with extended range, a power rear liftgate that can be controlled from the key fob, a button inside the cargo area or a center console switch, ultrasonic rear parking assist, a rearview camera, a leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and Bluetooth controls, power front driver and passenger’s seats and halogen foglamps, among other features. Available options include tri-zone automatic climate control and upgraded audio with a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.
Highlights of SLT1 standard equipment include leather-covered first- and second-row seats, heated front seats, heated outside mirrors with integrated turn signals, three zones of automatic climate control, premium Bose 5.1 Surround-Sound 10-speaker audio, a USB port, rear-seat audio controls, a Driver Information Center and 19-inch wheels. The SLT2 trim throws in power recline and lumbar control for the driver, memory for driver’s seat and outside mirrors, additional adjustability for the front passenger’s seat, power-folding outside mirrors with driver’s-side automatic dimming and the option of cooling for the front seats. The Acadia’s available SkyScape dual sunroof features a larger, tilt and slide forward sunroof and a fixed rear skylight. Additional available features include touch-screen DVD navigation with XM NavTraffic™, and a head-up display that projects vehicle information onto the lower portion of the windshield.
The biggest change for the 2011 model year comes with the introduction of the all-new Denali trim level. The luxurious Acadia Denali features unique front and rear fascias, body cladding, chrome exterior trim and special badging unique to the Denali line, as well as HID headlamps, the distinctive Denali honeycomb grille and 20-inch two-tone chrome wheels to set it apart from other editions of the crossover. Inside, the Acadia Denali offers a refined cabin highlighted by mahogany wood inserts on the vehicle’s leather-wrapped steering wheel, perforated leather seats with heating and cooling features and leather door trim.
The Denali’s interior is serenely quiet thanks to the use of advanced sound-deadening technology and laminated glass. With the exception of DVD navigation and rear-seat entertainment, all the available features of the other Acadia trims are standard in the Denali. Denali drivers can choose from several premium audio systems that include navigation or navigation and single-screen DVD rear-seat entertainment. A dual-screen, dual-DVD player entertainment system is also available in the Acadia Denali.
Properly equipped, the Acadia can tow a maximum of 5,200 pounds, making it much more capable than the 2011 Honda Pilot and the 2011 Lexus RX 350 with their 3,500-pound maximum towing capacities, and even the Toyota Highlander, which lists maximum towing at 5,000 pounds. Standard StabiliTrak® electronic stability control with Traction Control, four-wheel antilock disc brakes and front, front side-impact and three rows of head-curtain side-impact airbags with rollover protection are standard across the line, as is OnStar’s full line of emergency and convenience services. These features combine with GM’s five-year/100,000-mile Powertrain Limited Warranty to throw a comprehensive safety net over your passengers, and your investment.
The 2011 GMC Acadia crossover offers great utility, a powerful ride and, with the addition of the new Acadia Denali, exceptional luxury accommodations for families on the go.
Source: IMN
Tags: 2011 GMC Acadia
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February 4th, 2011
 The 2011 Buick LaCrosse is turning lots of heads with its sharp, flowing style. It’s also turning minds with a combination of luxury, performance and quality that many thought only came with a luxury-brand price tag. The starting MSRP is just the first of the LaCrosse’s many impressive figures.
Ultimately, a memorable car needs to be more than just a collection of impressive numbers. But when a car has numbers as impressive as those of the 2011 Buick LaCrosse (MSRP starting at $26,995), it’s a good place to start. The starting MSRP is an eye-opener for a sedan with this much style, room and comfort.
And how about the number 30? That’s the highway fuel economy (in miles per gallon) of LaCrosse CX and CXL models with the standard 2.4-liter Ecotec engine. Then there’s the number 280 – that’s the horsepower of the smooth and refined 3.6-liter V6 engine with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) that’s standard on the LaCrosse CXL all-wheel drive model and LaCrosse CXS and optional for the others. The 27 mpg highway fuel economy that accompanies this world-class powerplant is just as impressive.
Jumping back to that standard Ecotec engine for a moment, it’s a high-tech DOHC 182-hp four-cylinder unit with Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI). As with the V6, it’s teamed to a standard electronically controlled six-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control. The combination of strong low-end torque with the six-speed makes the four-cylinder LaCrosse a responsive driver.
The $33,070 MSRP for the V6 LaCrosse CXL AWD is still thousands less than a comparably equipped Lexus ES 350, which is not available with all-wheel drive. Here are two more interesting numbers: LaCrosse offers an expansive 40.5 inches of rear legroom, which is 4.6 inches more than a Lexus ES 350. It’s the kind of room you’d associate with much more expensive premium luxury models.
The LaCrosse CXL, whether in front-wheel or all-wheel drive form, offers standard leather-appointed heated seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, foglamps, XM Satellite Radio, heated exterior mirrors with integrated LED turn signals and puddle lamps and 18-inch alloy wheels, among many other comfort and convenience features. It’s luxury without the luxury price.
Buick recognizes that different types of drivers prefer different driving experiences; the 2011 LaCrosse accommodates. All models feature Buick’s signature QuietTuning®, a process that blocks or absorbs noise at its sources. Every LaCrosse gets standard four-wheel antilock disc brakes, electronic stability and traction control systems, tire pressure monitoring and rear parking assist. From there, you can choose your level of handling.
The LaCrosse CXS comes equipped with an advanced HiPer Strut front suspension, which is more sophisticated than the basic MacPherson strut designs found in other vehicles. It simultaneously yields more responsive handling and a more refined ride. It also reduces “torque steer,” the tendency to pull to one side under hard acceleration. The CXL AWD comes standard with a locking rear differential.
Buick’s chassis engineers went even further for the driving enthusiast. The rear suspension, a sophisticated four-link design, provides a super-smooth ride. Stepping up to the optional Touring Package on the CXS model brings 19-inch wheels and a different H-arm suspension design that further smoothes the ride. Finally, the Touring Package includes an advanced automatic damping adjustment that “reads” the road and firms or softens response in mere milliseconds. That’s another technology you’d expect on a more expensive luxury model.
Advanced, yet easy-to-use technologies inside the LaCrosse help you keep connected and enjoy your music your way. Standard or available features, depending on trim, include ventilated front seats, push button start, remote start, in-dash navigation with a 40GB hard drive (10GB reserved for music), Bluetooth wireless connectivity, an auxiliary audio input and a USB port. Remember that expansive rear-seat legroom (40.5 inches, in case you forgot)? Lucky rear-seat passengers can also enjoy an available DVD entertainment system with two display screens integrated into the front seatbacks. The available power rear-window sunshade cuts glare, making viewing more comfortable.
The driver, meanwhile, gets a boost for visibility with an available head-up display, which projects vehicle speed onto a portion of the windshield. Adaptive lighting directs the high-intensity discharge (HID) headlight beams into the curves as you steer. When the navigation system is chosen, a rearview camera is also available. And on the road, the available Side Blind Zone Alert feature warns you if a vehicle in adjacent lanes enters your blind spot.
Six months of OnStar’s Directions and Connections plan is standard in the LaCrosse. In addition to OnStar’s Automatic Crash Response, Remote Door Unlock, Stolen Vehicle Assistance and other emergency services, LaCrosse offers Hands-Free Calling, Remote Ignition Block, Turn-by-Turn Navigation, Destination Download and OnStar eNav as standard features.
By now, you’re getting the idea that the 2011 Buick LaCrosse was designed to entice drivers and passengers alike. That’s the mark of a premium sedan, but with the value and proven quality of a Buick. Come in for a test drive, and bring a rear-seat passenger or two.
Source: IMN
Tags: 2011 Buick LaCrosse
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January 6th, 2011
 With gas prices on the rise and CAFE regulations requiring higher fuel economy getting ever closer, every automaker is out to prove the worth of its hybrids with a hypermiling challenge. Hyundai, with the help of professional driver and hypermiler extraordinare Wayne Gerdes, just completed such a challenge by driving the 2011 Sonata Hybrid across the U.S. on two tanks of fuel.
Gerdes started in San Diego and drove to Jekyll Island, Georgia, a trek of almost 2300 miles, stopping only once for gas. The single fuel stop occurred more than 1200 miles into the trip — far eclipsing the Sonata Hybrid’s official range of 700 highway miles as estimated by the EPA. After finishing the second leg of the trip, Gerdes had roughly 2.5 gallons of fuel left in the tank. In total, Gerdes used a mere 38 gallons of gas to cross the country and averaged 60 mpg.
Hyundai’s fuel economy challenge was completed yesterday as Gerdes rolled into Georgia after traversing mountains, valleys, deserts, and braving the occasional thunder and snow storm. This particular fuel economy challenge was unique in that it was a true point-to-point drive across the country rather than a planned loop. Given this information, the drive is more strenuous than most owners would likely undertake, indicating that they could see even better fuel economy if they use Gerdes’ techniques.
“As a fan of fuel-efficient vehicles, I enjoy the challenge of putting new technology to the test,” said Gerdes after finishing the 2300 mile drive. “This demonstration shows how the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid can deliver extremely impressive fuel economy and range for drivers who value fuel savings.”
“This is the first time I’ve driven a car that ‘does it right!’” concluded Gerdes.
Source: MotorTrend
Tags: Hyundai Sonata
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December 28th, 2010
If you haven’t had a chance to see the new Hyundai Sonata on the road and you won’t likely understand this post. However, if you’ve caught a glimpse of one, you might do a double take.
This is no exaggeration, almost every time a Hyundai drives by it’s as if it were designed by one, if not many, of the German car manufacturers that sell for many times the price.
The pictures online simply don’t do it justice, it really is an impressive looking vehicle with the price that is almost, perhaps even more, attractive than it’s looks. The suggested starting MSRP at $19,195 is part of the reason why sales for Hyundai are soaring.
So what made Hyundai become what it is today? Certainly there are some good design engineers, but a large part of it is likely to be the result of Hyundai CEO John Krafcik.
This is no ordinary CEO, because normally CEOs were never once employed then naturally promoted all the way to the top. This could be the new secret of success for large corporations seeking out passionate and determined leadership.
One can just tell when a company is hitting on all cylinders, and nothing can get in their way, as they surpass expectations and continue on towards delivering a killer product.
Tags: 2011 Hyundai Sonata, Hyundai Sonata, new sonata
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December 24th, 2010
The 2011 Subaru Legacy is a sedan that has made significant enhancements to the performance and handling making it one of the sportier of it’s class. A wide variety of engine and transmission options gives this midsize sedan a few more likely buyers to consider it.
The new Legacy from Subaru is taking the spirit of the Impreza and instilling it into what they describe as anything but the ordinary sedan. The Subaru Boxer engine, 6 speed manual transmission, symmetrical AWD system is now part of this new vision for Legacy.
There is a growing demand for vehicles that have alter egos, such as luxury cars which are touting new performance gains as their main marketing message to reach a younger audience. The fact is, cars like the Legacy want to deliver an experience that’s fit for the family but also has more to offer than mediocrity.
A 2011 Subaru Legacy has some interior features such as a mounted boost gauge on the dash and interior accent lighting that illuminates in color. The seating in the Limited models comes with leather, and a media hub that offers streaming media.
There are 6 configurations available for the Legacy:
2.5i | 2.5i Premium | 2.5i Limited
170 hp 2.5-liter SOHC aluminum-alloy 16-valve horizontally opposed 4-cylinder SUBARU BOXER® engine with i-Active Valve Lift System.
2.5GT Limited
265 hp 2.5-liter DOHC intercooled, turbocharged aluminum-alloy 16-valve 4-cylinder horizontally opposed SUBARU BOXER engine with Active Valve Control System.
3.6R | 3.6R Premium | 3.6R Limited
256 hp 3.6-liter DOHC aluminum-alloy 24-valve 6-cylinder horizontally opposed SUBARU BOXER engine with Dual Active Valve Control System.
The 2011 Subaru Legacy has a suggested starting MSRP of $19,995.
Tags: 2011 legacy, performance sedan 2011
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December 9th, 2010
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Tags: Holiday Sales Event
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November 1st, 2010
All-new crossover is packed with the latest in advanced features and design.
When introducing an all-new midsize utility vehicle to the world, it helps to give it every possible edge so that it can quickly rise above the competition. To this end, GMC made sure the new 2010 GMC Terrain was loaded to the gills with leading edge technologies designed to not only deliver the best driving experience, but also outstanding comfort and safety for everyone riding inside.
To state that the 2010 GMC Terrain (MSRP $24,250) has been designed to incorporate the latest features available in a modern crossover would be an understatement. Sliding behind the wheel of the Terrain immediately reveals a range of gear that leverages GMC’s technological insight and know-how to make life inside as cushy as possible. You immediately notice the impact the available seven-inch touch-screen navigation system has on the look of the vehicle’s dash. The bright color interface feels right at home within the sculpted confines of the Terrain’s interior, and with access to 40GB of digital music storage on its hard drive, as well as USB connectivity and voice recognition capabilities, this next-generation unit sets the crossover apart from other vehicles in its class.
Other features found throughout the passenger compartment of the GMC Terrain also transform technology into convenience. A standard MultiFlex reclining 60/40-split rear seat maximizes legroom and offers the utmost in convenient access. The vehicle’s optional power rear liftgate offers programmable capabilities that restrict its maximum opening height to allow it to remain useful even in tight garages, and an available DVD-based rear-seat entertainment system provides dual eight-inch screens to help occupants while away the hours during extended road trips. These conveniences are on top of standard OnStar telematics and XM Satellite Radio. Passengers in the Terrain will be able to get the most out of whatever sound or entertainment system is installed thanks to the use of GMC’s Active Noise Cancellation technology. Available on certain models of the vehicle, this system listens for and cancels out distractingly loud noises inside the Terrain through the judicious use of sound waves emitted from its stereo speakers.
The engine compartment also displays evidence of GMC’s technological investment in the Terrain. Two brand new powerplants take their places under the vehicle’s hood, each having been specially gifted with the latest engineering expertise to provide excellent output along with significantly increased fuel economy compared to other crossovers. The base Terrain is equipped with a 2.4-liter Ecotec inline four-cylinder unit that makes use of Spark Ignition Direct Injection (SIDI) and Variable-Valve Timing (VVT) to power out 182 hp and 174 lb/ft of torque. All of this is accomplished within a fuel mileage framework of 22 mpg during city driving and 32 mpg on the highway – numbers that would make a midsize sedan proud, let alone a crossover the size of the Terrain. Moving up to the available 3.0-liter SIDI V6 engine keeps the same efficiency and power promoting technologies in place, this time producing 264 hp and 222 lb/ft of torque.
Each engine found in the 2010 GMC Terrain is matched with a six-speed automatic transmission that further helps achieve the sensational fuel efficiency ratings associated with both engines. The four-cylinder edition of the crossover also makes use of an electric power steering system to help cut down on the amount of gasoline consumed by the vehicle. All-wheel drive is available with both engines to provide additional traction and grip for drivers who find themselves regularly facing harsh road conditions.
The GMC Terrain’s complement of safety gear of course combines many of the high-tech elements that drivers have come to expect from GMC. A rear vision camera is included as standard equipment, providing an unfettered video view of the area directly behind the Terrain while reversing, displayed on a screen in the rearview mirror. StabiliTrak stability control with integrated Traction Control also works constantly to maintain an even keel, no matter how slick the pavement might get or how abruptly you might have to maneuver. Rollover Mitigation technology can detect a possible rollover situation and deploy head-curtain side airbags quickly enough to offer an additional level of protection in an accident.
The 2010 GMC Terrain is a modestly sized crossover that packs a giant-sized technological punch. In other words, it is exactly what customers have come to expect from the world’s leading SUV manufacturer.
Source: IMN
Tags: Auto Dealer, GMC Terrain, Tennessee
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