2011 BMW 7 Series - 750i ActiveHybrid Sedan

MSRP Range: $102,300 - $106,200
Fuel Economy: - TBD - MPG city / - TBD - MPG highway
Seating capacity: 4

- 

Turbo compressor

- 

Engine: 4.4L V 8 double overhead cam with VVT ( 10.0 :1 compression ratio ; four valves per cylinder)

- 

Fuel: electric and/or premium unleaded

- 

Gasoline direct injection fuel system

- 

21.7 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank 18.1

- 

Power: 455 HP ( 339 kW) @ 5,500 rpm; 515 ft lb of torque ( 698 Nm) @ 2,000 rpm

- 

Secondary power: maximum power (kw): 328, maximum power (hp): 440, maximum torque (ft lb): 480 and maximum torque (nm): 651

 

Read more...

Ferrari California - 2dr Conv

The 2010 Ferrari California is a throwback to one of the all-time great Ferraris-the 250 GT California Spyder. But the similarities end there. The new California is the first retractable hardtop the company has ever offered, and the entire package offers owners all the benefits of a nimble grand tourer and a top-down cruiser.

As with any Ferrari, the heart of the California is its powerplant. In this case it is a high-revving 4.3-liter V8 mounted in a front-midship design, which places the unit as close to the center of the car as possible and allows for optimum weight distribution. The twin-overhead-cam engine utilizes direct fuel injection for increased efficiency--a Ferrari first, and power is rated at 460 hp and 357 ft-lb of torque. The only transmission offered is a 7-speed, F1-inspired, dual-clutch, fully automated manual with launch control, which is activated by paddle shifters mounted on the steering wheel.

The California's suspension is all aluminum, with double wishbones up front, while the rear is an all-new multi-link design. With all that power and handling, stopping is achieved thanks to carbon-ceramic Brembo brakes.

Read more...

Ferrari 599 GTO

The engine itself has been modified from the factory vehicle with friction reducing components as well as a redesigned crankshaft and new new intake system to make all 670-hp at 8250 rpm, while a total of 457 ft-lbs of torque is available at 6500 rpm. Ferrari claims a 0-62 mph time of 3.35 seconds and a top speed in excess of 208-mph. Helping to achieve quicker acceleration is a reprogrammed six-speed F1 transmission with 60 ms shift times and the ability to drop several gears at a time.

Ferrari engineers also focused on weight reduction, dropping the GT car’s curb weight to 3,538 lbs. Along with lighter bodywork, including thinner aluminum panels, the GTO also gets thinner glass, a lighter exhaust and transmission and an even lighter second-generation carbon ceramic brake setup.

New aerodynamic improvements were also made resulting in improved downforce but no more drag. New ducting around the wheels reduces drag, as do wheel doughnuts. A new front lip creates more downforce at the front axle, while new side skirts help streamline airflow under the body. It’s also hard to miss the new racing-style rear diffuser.

Suspension improvements have also been made with stiffer springs and rear anti-roll bar, as well as a second-generation magnetorheological suspension control system (SCM2). More importantly, Ferrari says the SCM2 setup works with a tighter steering ratio, VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) and the updated F1-Trac traction control systems to be incredibly responsive to inputs.

Read more...

Jeep Patriot - FWD 4dr Limited overviews

• MSRP Range: $17,795 - $24,550
• Fuel Economy: 21 MPG city / 25 MPG highway
• Seating capacity: 5
• Basic Warranty:

  Basic: 3 Years/36,000 Miles

• Drivetrain: 5 Years/100,000 Miles

• (fully transferable with no fee)

• Corrosion: 5 Years/100,000 Miles

• Emissions: 2 Years/24,000 Miles

• Roadside Assistance: 3 Years/36,000 Miles

The Jeep Patriot - FWD 4dr Limited  very boxy exterior helps provide an extremely roomy, useful interior. The front seats have a more car-like position than Jeep's other models, but they command a good view of the road. Seating is also comfortable in back, with adequate legroom and plenty of headroom, though there's barely enough width to fit three adults across; up-level models get a reclining seatback. For cargo versatility, the back seats fold forward flat and increase the dimensions of the remarkably convenient, box-shaped cargo area. The front passenger seat can also fold all the way forward to act as a table or to make room for especially long cargo.

Sport and Limited trims are offered with either front- or 4-wheel drive. The Jeep Patriot - FWD 4dr Limited    includes all the safety equipment but is otherwise very basic-manual wind-up windows are standard-but it does include air conditioning, a rear defroster and a 4-speaker CD sound system. Limited models make a huge jump and pile on the comforts like heated leather seats, cruise control, keyless entry, an auxiliary power outlet and an upgraded sound system-in addition to 4-wheel disc brakes and alloy wheels.

The Jeep Patriot - FWD 4dr Limited  has a wider range of options than is expected from a vehicle that starts at well under $20,000. An especially noteworthy option is the ?UConnect tunes' system, which includes a 30-gigabyte hard drive for storage of music and pictures; the system can read CDs, DVDs or USB memory sticks. Another system called ?UConnect GPS,' optional only on the Limited, includes a hands-free phone interface and voice-activated commands, plus real-time traffic information for the navigation system.

Read more...

Jeep Patriot - FWD 4dr Sport Overviews

• MSRP Range: $17,795 - $24,550 
• Fuel Economy: 21 MPG city / 25 MPG highway 
• Seating capacity: 5 
• Basic Warranty:
  
  • Basic: 3 Years/36,000 Miles
  • 
    

    Drivetrain: 5 Years/100,000 Miles

  • 
    

    (fully transferable with no fee)

  • 
    

    Corrosion: 5 Years/100,000 Miles

  • 
    

    Emissions: 2 Years/24,000 Miles

  • 
    

    Roadside Assistance: 3 Years/36,000 Miles

The Jeep Patriot - FWD 4dr Sport  shares much of its mechanical components with both the Jeep Compass and the Dodge Caliber, including a layout that's much more car-like than any of Jeep's larger models. With a MacPherson strut front suspension and rear multi-link setup, quick-ratio rack-and-pinion steering and a very manageable 174 inches of total length, the Patriot is very maneuverable.

With either of the Patriot's two 4-cylinder engine offerings under the hood, the Patriot is reasonably energetic on the road while also returning decent fuel economy. The base front-wheel-drive Sport models can be equipped with a 158-horsepower, 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, but also available on the Sport as well as standard on the rest of the lineup is a 172-hp, 2.4-liter four cylinder.

The 2.0-liter Sport comes mated to either a 5-speed manual or to a continuously variable automatic transmission. With the 2.4-liter, a 5-speed manual transmission is standard and the CVT is optional. The combination of the 2.4-liter engine and 5-speed manual returns the best fuel economy, of 23 mpg city, 28 mpg highway.

Although the Jeep Patriot - FWD 4dr Sport  is the most car-like Jeep, it doesn't forget about its off-road roots. Three different drivetrain configurations are offered: front-wheel drive, Freedom Drive I and Freedom Drive II. Freedom Drive I is an active all-wheel drive system that sends more power to the rear wheels when it's needed for traction; it also has a Lock mode for deep snow or mud. For those who plan to do occasional off-roading, there's the Freedom II Off-Road Package, which brings a 19:1 low range gearing for the CVT, plus skid plates, a full-size spare, all-terrain tires, tow hooks, fog lamps and an engine oil cooler. With the package, the Patriot sits an inch higher than the other models, for a full nine inches of ground clearance, plus 19-inch water fording capability and better approach/departure angles than many more truck-like SUVs.

Read more...

2010 Jaguar XF 4dr Sdn Premium Luxury

Five different trims available for the 2010 XKF: the base Luxury, the Premium Luxury, the Portfolio, the Supercharged and the XFR. All are 4-door sedans that come standard with rear-wheel drive and a 6-speed automatic transmission with JaguarDrive Selector, which uses a unique rotary design that Jaguar claims is intuitive and also saves interior space. It includes a Sequential Shift System, which enables the driver to manually shift gears with steering-wheel-mounted paddles.

The base Luxury XF sedan comes standard with a 4.2L V8 engine making 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The XF Premium Luxury and Portfolio trims come with a 5.0L V8 engine capable of 385 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The Supercharged XF comes with a supercharged version of that 5.0L V8 engine but delivers 470 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque. The top-tier XFR gets the same engine but is tweaked to deliver 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque.

With the best torsion stiffness in its class, according to Jaguar, the XF offers impressive handling and performance as well as a smooth and well-controlled ride. Variable ratio power-assisted steering offers reduced effort while parking plus better control at high speed.

Standard safety equipment on the base Luxury trim includes antilock 4-wheel disc brakes, cornering brake control, traction control, an anti-skid system, curtain side airbags and front side airbags. The electronic stability control system includes Understeer Control Logic, which decelerates the car and helps restore grip in extreme maneuvers or when loss of traction occurs. The XF's dynamic stability control system offers two different modes, including a Trac DSC mode that allows more slip before intervening. All trims also offer a winter driving mode.

Read more...

2010 Jaguar XF - 4dr Sdn XF Supercharged Overview

• MSRP: $68,000
• Stock Number: J10-055
• Exterior: Cashmere
• Interior: Barley
• VIN: SAJWA0HE5AMR64595
• Transmission: 6-Speed Automatic
• Engine: 5.0L
• Body Style: 4dr Sdn XF Supercharged
• Cylinders: 8
• Doors: 4
• Fuel Type: Gasoline Fuel
• Vehicle Type: CAR

Five different trims available for the 2010 XKF: the base Luxury, the Premium Luxury, the Portfolio, the Supercharged and the XFR. All are 4-door sedans that come standard with rear-wheel drive and a 6-speed automatic transmission with JaguarDrive Selector, which uses a unique rotary design that Jaguar claims is intuitive and also saves interior space. It includes a Sequential Shift System, which enables the driver to manually shift gears with steering-wheel-mounted paddles.

The base Luxury XF sedan comes standard with a 4.2L V8 engine making 300 horsepower and 310 pound-feet of torque. The XF Premium Luxury and Portfolio trims come with a 5.0L V8 engine capable of 385 horsepower and 380 pound-feet of torque. The Supercharged XF comes with a supercharged version of that 5.0L V8 engine but delivers 470 horsepower and 424 pound-feet of torque. The top-tier XFR gets the same engine but is tweaked to deliver 510 horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque.

With the best torsion stiffness in its class, according to Jaguar, the XF offers impressive handling and performance as well as a smooth and well-controlled ride. Variable ratio power-assisted steering offers reduced effort while parking plus better control at high speed.  

Read more...

2010 Lamborghini Gallardo - 2dr LP560-4 Conv Spyder

• MSRP Range: $198,000 - $221,000
• Fuel Economy: 13 MPG city / 20 MPG highway
• Seating capacity: 2
• Basic Warranty:
• Basic: 3 Years/Unlimited Miles
• Drivetrain: 3 Years/Unlimited Miles
• Corrosion: 3 Years/Unlimited Miles
• Roadside Assistance: 3 Years/Unlimited Miles

nteresting review here of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder.

To help it stand apart from the regular Spyder the LP560-4 Gallardo gains new daytime running lights, rear LED lamps and a subtlety reshaped rear diffuser that hints at some significant retuned aerodynamics to improve high-speed stability.

The new Spyder is also some 20kgs lighter than the standard roadster, while under the bonnet in comes a larger direct injection 5.2-litre V10 that boasts 552bhp and helps the small Lamborghini storm from standstill to 62mph in just 4.0s while topping out at 201mph.

As well as the added performance the new engine is 18% less polluting, with a similar reduction in the Gallardo's fuel consumption, but when this is on a car that costs £149,500 we doubt the expected target audience will notice. Instead, they will be far too busy experiencing one of the most intoxicating automotive experiences money can buy.

Read more...

2010 Lamborghini Gallardo - 2dr LP550-2 Valentino Balboni overview

MSRP Range: $198,000 - $221,000
Fuel Economy: - TBD - MPG city / - TBD - MPG highway
Seating capacity: 2
Basic Warranty:

Basic: 3 Years/Unlimited Miles
Drivetrain: 3 Years/Unlimited Miles
Corrosion: 3 Years/Unlimited Miles
Roadside Assistance: 3 Years/Unlimited Miles

Having a car Lamborghini Gallardo - 2dr LP550-2 Valentino Balboni as prestigious and iconic as a Lamborghini created in your name means that you more than likely did something monumental in your life to deserve it. Valentino Balboni was a huge asset to Lamborghini through his 40 years of work. He began working for Ferrucio Lamborghini in 1967 as an assistant test driver alongside driver Bob Wallace. Their job was to test drive each prototype and report back to Ferrucio Lamborghini in order to better the cars. Along with this job, they drove every Lamborghini to come off of the production line to make sure everything was in perfect condition for the customer that the car was going to. After Wallace retired, Valentino Balboni became the chief test driver for Lamborghini and continued his work for 40 years with Lamborghini and has just recently retired. In honor of all of the years of hard work that Balboni devoted his life to, Lamborghini named their newest special edition Gallardo after him.

Read more...

2010 Lamborghini Gallardo 2dr LP560-4 Coupe

• MSRP Range: $198,000 - $221,000
• Fuel Economy: 14 MPG city / 20 MPG highway 
• Seating capacity: 2 
• Basic Warranty:
  
  
  • 
    
    

    Basic: 3 Years/Unlimited Miles

  • 
    
    

    Drivetrain: 3 Years/Unlimited Miles

  • 
    
    

    Corrosion: 3 Years/Unlimited Miles

  • 
    
    

    Roadside Assistance: 3 Years/Unlimited Miles

• Engine :

• Horsepower: 560 @ 8000 RPM
• Size: 5.2L/318
• Torque: 540 @ 6500 RPM
• Type: Gas V10

For 2010, the Gallardo comes in three trims: the LP560-4 Coupe, the LP560-4 Convertible Spyder and the LP550-2 Valentino Balboni coupe. (in the model name, the 560 and 550 designate the horsepower and the "4" or "2" indicate all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive.) All Gallardo trims are 2-door and come with a 5.2L V10 engine that makes 560 horsepower. The Valentino Balboni offers 550 horsepower at 8000 rpm and 540 pound-feet of torque.

The Gallardo's engine is mounted longitudinally over the rear wheels, follows a 90-degree design and utilizes variable valve timing and four valves per cylinder for optimum performance. Power is delivered to all four wheels through a standard 6-speed manual or optional "e.gear" transmission, which is an electronically controlled sequential gearbox. Five modes are programmed: Normal, which allows for manual gear selection; Sport, which makes for faster yet sharper shifts; Corsa, a track-ready shift map; Thrust, for optimal launch control; and automatic, for smoother shifts more like a conventional automatic. The Gallardo weighs about 3,300 pounds and has a top speed of 202 mph. Performance measures are fractionally slower for the Gallardo Spyder. 

Read more...