Victor Ivanov – Page 330 – Automobiles Review

2010 Volvo C30 1.6D DRIVe with only 99 g/km harmful emissions

The new Volvo C30 DRIVe was recently introduced at the Frankfurt Motor Show. (more…)

November 18, 2009

KIA Motors opens production plant in Georgia, USA

The opening of Kia Motors Manufacturing Georgia (KMMG) was marked by producing a white all-new Sorento. (more…)

November 18, 2009

2010 Hyundai Santa Fe – Updated SUV with updated price

The 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe will offer to its owners better equipment, better engine at even lower price. These are the main targets, which Hyundai aimed at. (more…)

November 17, 2009

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG can be ordered from 16 November

From yesterday, Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG can be ordered. Total price of the vehicle is 177,310 Euro ( including 19% VAT). (more…)

November 17, 2009

Shelby F-150 Super Snake Concept

Shelby Automobiles, Inc. is presenting tuning package for 2003-2008 Ford F150, based on Shelby GT500 Super Snake. The upgrades include improving of handling, exterior, interior and power unit of the truck. (more…)

November 17, 2009

2011 Buick Regal sport sedan

Buick becomes more European than ever. The car gets specially tuned chassis to go round the corners, which is something very unusual for American cars, which are designed to go only in straight line. The car also features a driver-selectable suspension system and a firm and has efficient four-cylinder engines, again very unusual.

“The 2011 Buick Regal is like nothing you’ve ever experienced from this brand,” said Susan Docherty, general manager of Buick GMC. “The Regal is the next chapter in Buick’s transformation and will expand the portfolio to include a sport sedan.”

The new Buick Regal will be released in the second quarter of 2010. The direct competitors of Regal will be Acura TSX and Volvo S60. Buick GMC will bet on the longer wheelbase and greater trunk volume than those vehicles. Regal also features six-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels and OnStar, which aren’t available as standard either on TSX or S60.

The development of Regal is rooted in Germany, where the globally led engineering team created the award-winning Opel Insignia – the 2009 European Car of the Year. Insignia has more than 31 awards and it is best-selling midsize sedan in Europe. All design, technology and features of Insignia will be brought to the American market through new Buick Regal.

In China, Buick Regal went on sale in December 2008 and since then more than 64,000 have been sold. Buick GMC hope that the car will have the same or even greater success in USA.

The 2011 Buick Regal will be available in CXL trim only. The other two levels of equipment will be added for the 2012 model year. CXL package includes:

Standard 2.4L Ecotec direct injected engine rated at an estimated 182 horsepower (136 kW)
Available 2.0L Ecotec turbocharged and direct injected engine rated at an estimated 220 horsepower (164 kW) – available late-summer 2010
Both engines have a six-speed automatic transmission standard with driver-shifting control
Estimated 30 mpg on the highway with the 2.4L and 29 mpg highway with the 2.0L turbo engine
MacPherson strut front suspension and four-link independent rear suspension
All-new Interactive Drive Control System (IDCS) available with the 2.0L turbo, offering driver-selectable suspension settings and automatic driver suspension setting adaptability
Four-wheel disc brakes with four-channel anti-lock braking system, brake assist and electronic parking brake
Standard StabiliTrak stability control system and full-function traction control
Standard dual-stage frontal air bags, side-curtain air bags and pedal-release system; rear-seat thorax air bags available
Available navigation system, Harmon Kardon sound system, internal flash drive (1GB), hard drive with 10GB for music and USB port
Standard 18-inch wheels (19-inch wheels standard with IDCS)
Standard 12-way power, leather and heated driver seat; leather and heated passenger front seat; Bluetooth capability; XM Satellite Radio and OnStar.

2011 BUICK REGAL VS. ACURA TSX AND VOLVO S60*

	2011 BUICK REGAL CXL	ACURA TSX	VOLVO S60
Standard engine horsepower (hp / kW):	182 / 136 (2.4L I4)	201 / 150 (2.4L I4)	208 / 155 (2.5L I5)
Standard six-speed automatic:	Yes	No	No
Fuel economy with standard engine (city / hwy, estimated):	20 / 30 (2.4L I4)	21 / 30 (2.4L)	19 / 28 (2.5L I5)
Wheelbase (in / mm):	107.8 / 2738	106.5 / 2705	106.9 / 2715
Headroom – front (in / mm):	38.8 / 985	37.6 / 955	38.7 / 983
Headroom – rear (in / mm):	36.8 / 935	37.0 / 940	37.9 / 962
Legroom – front ( in / mm):	42.1 / 1069	42.4 / 1077	42.6 / 1082
Legroom – rear (in / mm):	37.3 / 947	34.3 / 871	33.3 / 846
Trunk volume (cu ft / L):	14.25 / 403	12.6 / 357	13.9 / 393
Rear seat thorax air bags:	Available	Not available	Not available
Heated front leather seats:	Standard	Standard	Available
Satellite radio	Standard	Standard	Available
Bluetooth capability	Standard	Standard	Available
Navigation system	Available	Available	Available
OnStar	Standard	Not available	Not available
Standard alloy wheel:	18-inch	17-inch	17-inch

*2009 models of the TSX and S60 cited.

Bold denotes category advantage.

2011 Buick Regal Preliminary Specifications

Overview

Models:	2011 Buick Regal Premium Sport Sedan
Body style / driveline:	four-door, 5-passenger front engine transaxle. Front-wheel-drive midsize vehicle
Construction:	steel body frame integral (unibody) with front and rear crumple zones; galvanized steel front fenders, hood, roof, door panels, one-piece bodyside outer panel, thermal plastic olefin (TPO) bumper fascias
EPA vehicle class:	Midsize
Manufacturing location:	Russelsheim, Germany
Key competitors:	Acura TSX, Volvo S60, Mazda 6 and Volkswagen Passat

Engines

	2.4L DOHC I-4	2.0L DOHC I-4 Turbo
Displacement (cu in / cc):	145.4 / 2384	122 / 1998
Bore and stroke (in / mm):	3.46 x 3.85 / 88 x 98	3.39 x 3.39 / 86 x 86
Block material:	precision sand cast aluminum	cast aluminum
Cylinder head material:	SPM cast aluminum	cast aluminum
Valvetrain:	overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, continuous variable valve timing intake and exhaust	overhead camshafts, four-valves per cylinder, continuous variable valve timing for intake and exhaust
Ignition System:	individual coil-on-plug	individual coil-on-plug
Fuel delivery:	high-pressure direct injection and electronic throttle control	direct injection with variable high-pressure rail and electronic throttle control
Compression ratio:	11.2:1	9.2:1
Horsepower (hp / kW @ rpm):	182 / 136 @ 6700 rpm (est)	220 / 164 @ 5300 (est)
Torque (lb-ft / Nm @ rpm)	172 / 233 @ 4900 rpm (est)	258 / 349 @ 2000 (est)
Recommended fuel:	regular unleaded	premium recommended but not required
Max engine speed:	7000 rpm	6350 rpm
Emissions controls:	close-coupled, catalytic converter; variable valve timing; positive crankcase ventilation evaporative system	close-coupled catalytic converter; variable valve timing; 58x ignition system; returnless fuel rail; wide-range O₂ sensor
Estimated fuel economy (city / hwy)	20 / 30	18 / 29

Transmissions

	Hydra-Matic 6T45	Aisin AF40
Type:	six-speed transverse, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive	six-speed transverse, electronically controlled, automatic overdrive
Application:	2.4L	2.0L turbo
Gear ratios (:1):
First	4.58	4.14
Second	2.96	2.37
Third	1.91	1.55
Fourth	1.44	1.15
Fifth	1.00	0.86
Sixth	0.74	0.68
Reverse	2.94	3.39
Final Drive	3.23	3.33

Chassis/Suspension

Front:	independent, MacPherson strut-type with dual-path mountings, specifically tuned coil springs, direct-acting stabilizer bar (hollow); hydraulic ride bushings; continuous damping control (Interactive Drive Control System) available on models equipped with 2.0L turbo
Rear:	four-link independent rear; hollow stabilizer bar; continuous damping control (IDCS available on models equipped with 2.0L turbo
Traction control:	all-speed using engine torque reduction and brake intervention
Steering type:	hydraulic, specifically calibrated rack-and-pinion power steering; variable-effort with 2.0L turbo
Steering wheel turns lock-to-lock:	2.68 (18- and 19-inch wheels)
Turning circle, curb-to-curb (feet / meters):	37.4 / 11.4 (18- and 19-inch wheels)
Steering ratio:	15.2:1

Brakes

Type:	four-wheel disc w/ABS (w/ESC)
Brake rotor diameter – front (in / mm):	2.4L: 11.7 / 296 vented; single-piston, cast iron caliper2.0L: 12.6 / 321 vented; single-piston, cast iron caliper
Brake rotor diameter – rear (in / mm):	2.4L: 11.5 / 292 solid; single-piston, aluminum caliper2.0L: 12.4 / 315 vented; single-piston, aluminum caliper

Wheels / Tires

Wheel size and type:	18-inch aluminum (std on all models)19-inch aluminum (opt with 2.0L turbo
Tires:	Michelin Pilot MXM4 P235/50R18Goodyear Eagle RSA P245/40R19

Dimensions

Exterior

Wheelbase (in / mm) :	107.8 / 2738
Overall length (in / mm):	190.2 / 4831
Overall width (in / mm):	73.1 / 1811
Overall height (in / mm):	58.4 / 1483
Front track (in / mm):	62.4 / 1585
Rear track (in / mm):	62.5 / 1587

Interior

Seating capacity (front / rear):	2 / 3
Headroom (in / mm):	38.8 / 985 (front)36.8 / 935 (rear)
Legroom (in / mm):	42.1 / 1069 (front)37.3 / 947 (rear)
Shoulder room (in / mm):	56.7 / 1440 (front)54.4 / 1382 (rear)
Hip room (in / mm):	55.4 / 1407 (front)52.3 / 1328 (rear)
EPA Passenger Volume (cu ft / L) :	96.81 / 2741
EPA Interior Volume (cu ft / L):	111.1 / 3146
Cargo Volume (cu ft / L):	14.25 / 403

Capacities

Fuel tank (gal / L):	18.5 / 70
Engine oil (qt / L):	2.4L: 5.0 / 4.72.0L: 6.3 / 6.0
Curb weight (lbs / kg):	3600 /1633 (2.4L)

November 16, 2009

Maserati GranCabrio

The first right-hand drive Maserati GranCabrios will be available in theUK showrooms in April 2010 and the official pricing is £95,630 (OTR).

GranCabrio is one of the most beautiful open-top cars in the world. It combines all you need in a such car, unique looks and styling and massive V8 under the bonnet with amazing sound and performance. The price is a bit high, but the good things cost great amounts of money.

The correct word for the figures matches perfectly to the car – amazing. The power unit is 4.7 litre V8 with 440hp and 490N/m of torque combined with ZF automatic six-speed gearbox. The classic discipline 0-100km/h is covered in 5.4 seconds and top speed of 282km/h. Further more GranCabrio has the longest wheelbase on the market 2,492mm, which guarantees nice and smooth driving.

The history of Maserati’s open-top cars is a long one. It starts in the middle of 20th century with A6G Frua Spyder (1950), the next is 3500GT Vignale Spyder (1960), followed by the Mistral Spyder (1964) and Ghibli Spyder (1968). The predecessor of GranCabrio is Spyder, which was announced in 2001.

For the amount of money, which customers pay for GranCabrio they have a lot of personalisation options including 14 different exterior colours, Poltrona Frau® leather colours, Bianco Polare (Polar White) and Blu Profondità (Deep Blue). The dashboard, door panels and rear side panels are available in the new ‘Dark Chrome’ standard finish but it is also possible to choose from precious woods, such as Carbalho and Moonwood, or coloured lacquer finishes.

Last you can order a bespoke four-piece leather luggage set which fits perfectly into the boot. Like the interior the trolley suitcases can be ordered individually. Additionally there are security belt and an elegant leather cover to protect the seats.

Maserati GranCabrio Technical Specifications:

ENGINE
Displacement:	4,691 cc
Bore:	94 mm
Stroke:	84.5 mm
Compression ratio:	11.25:1
Maximum power output:	323 kW (440 HP) at 7,000 rpm
Maximum torque:	490 Nm (50 kgm) at 4,750 rpm
Max engine speed:	7,200 rpm

SIZE AND WEIGHT
Length:	4,881 mm
Width (excluding wing mirrors):	1,915 mm
Width (including wing mirrors):	2,056 mm
Height:	1,353 mm
Wheelbase:	2,942 mm
Front track:	1,586 mm
Rear track:	1,590 mm
Front overhang:	873 mm
Rear overhang:	1,066 mm
Turning circle:	12.3 m
Boot capacity:	173 l
Fuel tank capacity:	75 l
Dry weight:	1,887 kg
Curb weight:	1,980 kg
Curb weight + driver:	2,055 kg
Full load weight:	2,280 kg
Maximum weight:	2,350 kg
Weight distribution:	49% front; 51% rear (closed)
	48% front; 52% rear (open)

PERFORMANCE
Top speed:	175 mph
0-62mph acceleration:	5.4 s
0-400 m acceleration:	13.9 s
0-1,000 m acceleration:	24.8 s

FUEL CONSUMPTION AND EMISSIONS
Urban:	12.16 mpg (23.22 l/100 km)
Extra urban:	26.75 mpg (10.56 l/100 km)
Combined:	18.54 mpg (15.23 l/100 km)
CO₂ emissions (combined):	354.0 g/km