Обзоры лучших машин

Archive for Сентябрь, 2009

The soon-to-arrive Suzuki Kizashi is not a “tweener” car, a Suzuki official told Motor Trend at the official unveiling of the production model recently. It was always meant to be a C/D-segment sedan. Still, we couldn’t help but think that it had lost … something.

Suzuki previewed three concept versions at auto shows around the world, including a 2.0-liter turbodiesel four wagon and a 3.6-liter V-6 sedan. The V-6 was the clue. It was to be the same gas direct-injection engine found in the Cadillac CTS and Chevy Camaro. But General Motors sold 17 percent of its 20-percent stake in Suzuki in 2006, and then sold the remainder in November 2008 for $230 million, as it sought loan guarantees to float it through the Great Recession.

The production Kizashi, we reported, was to be built on GM’s Epsilon platform, possibly in a North American factory (like the discontinued XL-7). The three Kizashi concepts had the same size wheelbase as the Chevrolet Malibu, 112.2 inches. Instead, the Kizashi is built in Japan. It is launching with a 2.4-liter inline four, and Suzuki brass are coy about a V-6 option, although a hybrid version using the four is in the cards, and a turbo-four is likely. The production Kizashi’s wheelbase is listed at 106.3 inches, even though overall length has grown over the concept by 0.1 inches, to 183.1.

So the Suzuki Kizashi is just slightly bigger than the Chevrolet Cruze (178.5 inches long on a 105.7-inch wheelbase). Its wheelbase is slightly shorter than the Epsilon II platform’s Opel Insignia (107.8 inches) although it’s 7.1 inches shorter overall than that car.

Clearly, Suzuki’s separation from GM changed plans for a midsize car, although Suzuki holds a stake in GM’s Daewoo Automotive. GM’s bankruptcy and paring down to four brands intervened. With Suzuki’s North American sales hit particularly hard during the recession, an “international”-size car, whether you consider it C- or C/D-segment, made more sense than a larger midsize. And in the end, Suzuki may be in a better position as most automakers expect Americans to shift from midsize to compact cars in the coming decade.

It has the looks and power of a top-end performance coupé, but is greener and more efficient than a Toyota Prius hybrid!

The Fisker Karma boasts amazing performance figures. It offers 403bhp, which means a 0-60mph sprint time of six seconds – but it emits only 83g/km of CO2 and returns 80.7mpg economy.

According to the Californian firm, the Karma will be the first production Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle (PHEV) when it goes on sale next year.

Its Q-DRIVE powertrain is expected to deliver an emission-free 50 miles per full charge, and provide an impressive range of around 300 miles.

The Fisker sports car will be followed by two other variants and a wider range of cheaper, high-volume models from 2012.

For the 2009 model year, Lotus built a super-hard-core, 257-hp Exige Cup 260, which initially was not offered in the U.S. but which was later offered here to 50 lucky buyers as the Exige S 260 Sport. Meanwhile, Lotus unveiled the look of the 2010 Exige line with the 2010 Exige S, which features a new rear spoiler and a face-lifted nose offering improved airflow to the radiator and oil-cooling system.

Debuting here ahead of the 2009 Frankfurt auto show is the new Lotus Exige Cup 260, featuring the best of both: the better aero of the 2010 Exige and the incredible mechanical bits of 2009’s Exige Cup 260. Lotus has made a few more improvements for 2010, including stiffening the rear subframe by 30 percent, swapping the battery and flywheel out for even lighter versions of same, using carbon fiber for the roof panel and scoop, and installing even lighter wheels, now weighing just 12 pounds each up front and 17 pounds apiece in back.

The engine still makes 257 hp at 8000 rpm and 174 lb-ft of torque at 6000, but the car now weighs a claimed 1962 pounds. The 0-to-60 dash is estimated to take four seconds flat, with 100 mph coming up in 9.9. Top speed is 152 mph. Pricing is set at £45,950, or about $75,000 at current exchange rates.

What about U.S.?

At this point, Lotus is not planning to bring the Exige Cup 260 to the U.S., although that could change midway through the model year, as it did in 2009. The face-lifted styling, however, will be applied to the sole 2010 Exige model for the U.S., the Exige S 240, when it goes on sale this fall. The Exige’s open-top sister, the Elise, will retain the old nose for now.

Lately a new trend has risen amongst wealth people who are car fanatics. If a decade ago the biggest hit was to have the fastest super car available, lately things have changed. Now, you are trendy if you have a big car that is extremely fast. I am talking about a car that is very big, comfortable, can hold a lot of luggage and people, is safe and has a lot of power. That is the reason why cars like the Porsche Cayenne Turbo S or the Land Rover Range Rover Sport sell in such a high quantity. Another good example is the Mercedes-Benz G55 AMG . Now, the tuning company Hamann decided that it was time to modify the Mercedes G55 AMG.

Hamann considered that the stock engine of the Mercedes G55 was not powerful enough. Thus, they modified the original V8 engine that has an output of 507 horsepower in such a way that after the makeover it manages to produce no less than 600 horsepower and 782 Nm of torque. Thanks to this, the big Mercedes G55 AMG manages to reach a top speed of 261 km/h and can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 5.1 seconds.

The most important features of the Hamann modified Mercedes G55 AMG include large 24 inch alloy wheels with 315/35 R24 tires, fender extensions that broaden the car by 60 millimeters at the back axle and 40 millimeters at the front axle. The German tuning company also used an aero kit that features six tailpipes (three on each side), a front spoiler with integrated LED daytime running lights, a roof spoiler and a rear skirt that houses a diffuser.

Hamann offers optionally for interested customers a carbon fiber made exterior set composed of 14 parts that include a series of air inlets, including ones made in the side wings, on the bonnet, door handles, radiator grill, mirror cases and headlight protective grid.

Other important features include custom velour upholstery, a 24 part set of carbon fiber parts, a new steering wheel and specific floor mats.