2012 Kia Optima Review

The 2012 Kia Optima is a midsize sedan and is available in two models, LX and EX. Both models are available with either a four cylinder or a six cylinder engine. Both are powered by a 2.4 Liter engine that is rated at 162 horsepower. The entry level LX model is equipped with a five speed manual transmission. The EX model derives its power from a 2.7 Liter V6 engine which is rated at 185 horsepower mated to a five speed automatic transmission. The Optima achieves a speed of 60 miles per hour in 9.2 seconds. The fuel economy ratings of the Optima equipped with the 2.4 Liter engine are 24 miles per gallon on city streets and 34 miles per gallon on the highway. The fuel economy ratings of the Optima equipped with the V6 engine are 22 miles per gallon on city streets and 30 miles per gallon on the highway.

The 2012 Optima LX model is equipped with 16 inch tires, heated mirrors, the driver's seat can be adjusted according to the height of the driver, air conditioning, a music system equipped with a CD player and six speakers. Optional equipment on the 2012 Optima LX model, are floor mats, keyless entry, cruise control and a steering wheel that has a telescoping facility and music system controls. LX also gets a convenience equipment package, which adds, a powered passenger seat, heated front seats, adjustable pedals and a rear window sunshade. The 2012 Optima EX model is equipped with chrome door handles, temperatures inside the vehicle are controlled automatically, an expensive music system that is equipped with a CD player located in the dashboard and speakers manufactured by Infinity, a steering wheel wrapped in leather and fog lights.

The 2012 Kia Optima equipped anti-lock disc brakes, stability control, curtain airbags that run the entire length of the vehicle and airbags on the side for those seated in the front. There's plenty of room for passengers in both the front and back seats to stretch their legs. The vehicle has a storage capacity of 14.8 cubic feet.

source : http://www.wheelsdirect2u.com/kia-optima.htm

2011 Jeep Compass Review

Jeep automaker manufacture has unveiled a new and redesigned Compass for the 2011 model line up with available in three configurations Compass, Latitude and Limited. The 2011 Jeep Compass lineup are available with front-wheel drive, the Freedom Drive I full-time active 4×4 system, and the Freedom Drive II Off-Road Package full-time active 4×4 system with low-range capability.

The new 2011 Jeep Compass features a stunning new sophisticated design, with cues coming directly from the brand’s premium icon, the new Jeep Grand Cherokee. Coupled with a host of interior refinements, and improved ride and handling characteristics in all conditions – courtesy of upgraded steering and suspension systems – the new Jeep Compass offers a unique blend of premium styling, capability, efficiency and value that is unmatched in the compact-SUV segment.

Mike Manley, President and CEO — Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC Said “With the new 2011 Jeep Compass, we’ve applied the premium design cues of our award-winning new Grand Cherokee,” and also said “Combined with new interior appointments, and refinements to the suspension and steering systems, Jeep Compass provides consumers the ultimate combination of styling, capability, fuel economy, efficiency, safety and value in the important compact-SUV segment.”

The 2011 Jeep Compass features a standard 2.0-liter World Engine for the Compass and Latitude models, which provides 158 horsepower (117 kW) and 141 lb.-ft. (191 N•m) of torque coupled with thecontinuously variable transmission (CVT2), and delivers unsurpassed 23 mpg in the city, and 29 mpg on the highway when mated to the five-speed manual transmission.

For the Limited version, the Compass comes standard with 2.4-liter World Engine produces 172-horsepower and 165 lb.-ft. of torque. This 2.4-liter World Engine, which is also available on all models, has dual Variable Valve Timing (VVT) on both intake and exhaust camshafts, which helps optimize the torque curve at all speeds and produces more power, better fuel economy and smoother, quieter operation than engines without dual VVT.

Jeep Compass also features a standard five-speed manual transaxle on the entry-level Compass and a CVT that is available on the Compass and standard on the Latitude and Limited models. The 2011 Jeep Compass also provides up to 2,000 lbs. of towing capacity.

Planned to arrive in Jeep showrooms in December 2010, the new 2011 Jeep Compass models is available in various exterior colors: Blackberry Pearl Coat, Bright Silver Metallic Clear Coat, Bright White Clear Coat, Brilliant Black Crystal Clear Coat, Deep Cherry Red Crystal Clear Coat, Deep Charcoal Gray (limited availability) and Mineral Gray Pearl Coat (late availability).

source : http://newcarupdate.com/car-reviews/2011-jeep-compass

2011 hummer h3 review

HUMMER's a flashpoint for controversy. It's a brand so reviled by tree huggers, its dealerships have been firebombed. Of course, that's a badge of honor to its die-hard fans, who'll gladly give up their HUMMERs-and you can pry them from their cold, dead hands. The partisanship blurs the big issue with the smallHUMMERs. Even if you're politically inclined to love them, the H3 pickup and SUV just aren't good enough at their everyday missions to recommend them over more useful utility vehicles like the Nissan Frontier and Xterra, our favorites in this class.

At their best standing still, the HUMMER H3 and H3T are the picture of unadulterated swagger. They have less in common with the Schwarzenegger-style H1 military vehicle than they do with GM's own Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon trucklets, but they ape the look so well, you might confuse them for the larger H2. The windows are slits, the fenders have blocky protrusions that will make Transformers turn to steroids in jealousy, and the big seven-bar grille remains a huge reminder to Jeep that it shares some history with the estranged GM brand. There's just nothing else out there that looks like a HUMMER, and in its carefully constructed butch-patriotic frame, it looks swell. Inside there's less of the rugged individualism to go around. The instrument panel styling is remarkably generic, with rounded edges that contrast with the exterior. It doesn't scream "HUMMER" in any way except for the badges.

It's the same story on the road. HUMMER gives the H3 anemic performance in base versions. The nearly 5,000-pound H3 struggles with a base 3.7-liter inline five-cylinder engine that has only 239 horsepower. Worse, it's hooked to a four-speed automatic that feels outdated enough to consider the five-speed manual. The manly option is the Alpha edition; its 300-hp, 5.3-liter V-8 and four-speed automatic have more on-road authority. Fuel economy with either drivetrain is terrible, at 14/18 mpg for the five-cylinder and 13/16 mpg for V-8s, but the V-8 will tow 6,000 pounds.

source : http://www.thecarconnection.com/review/1042648_2010-hummer-h3-h3t

2011 Lotus Elise Review

Lotus Elise sports car market revolutionized 14 years ago when introducing a light nimble little 2-seat mid-engine sports car. By ensuring that the Lotus Elise was close behind with the fundamental values of the Lotus “performance through lightweight, the Lotus Elise is able to produce supercar performance with the economy of the car.

Making his debut at the 80th International Motor Show Geneva 2011 model year Lotus Elise introduced a number of changes and improvements to maintain its leadership position in the class.

Body new 2011 Lotus Elise is an evolution of the design icons Elise, maintain the character and style, while offering more widely planted, and the determined attitude of pure contemporary associated with Evora. Like all Lotus products is to design an attractive mix of style and dramatic functional efficiencyLotus Elise body has carved a fresh new facade, including new bumpers, front shell and panels that combine access to the Lotus Elise gives a broader view with more road presence.

At the rear of the new engine had been shut down by double typical “backbone” of the engine cover, while below, a more aggressive diffuser tightly wrapped in a stylish new bumper design, which now includes onboard behind the plate.

Again with the statue of typical headlamps and LED light guide (insert daytime running lights and direction indicators) provide a contemporary touch of this classic design. Elsewhere, the company, the Lotus ‘mouth’ and other forms of family carving delicate sensitivity to smell, more dynamic. The reorientation of the light function has enabled the creation of clean and spacious surface of the defense which combines with elegant corners intake and separating the important details to provide a more comprehensive and planted.

Purity problem is carried out through cooling openings finished with a net efficiency of new lightweight aluminum that provides sporty cars classic characters.

Now open rear of the cockpit rather than through a separate key operations. High-quality feel of the continued Lotus Elise Lotus Elise entire car with a built-in graphics in the new LED indicator lights, such as the Evora.

Driving position, pedal and steering wheel position is perfect, comfortable chairs and support ProBax technology means that, like all cars from Lotus, the driver becomes part of the car is not just a passenger.

With a new streamlined body provides increased aerodynamic drag coefficient has been reduced from 4%.

Finally, two wheel options beautiful design lightweight forged wheels have a tremendous light and new players wheel completes the picture of this update Lotus sensitive icons.

source : http://www.automild.com/2011-lotus-elise-high-sport-car-performance/

2011 Jaguar XK Convertible Review

Back in 2007, Jaguar set forth a whole new paradigm for the brand with the introduction of the current XK. Sleekly curvaceous with bulging haunches over the rear wheels, the 2007 XK was easily the most beautiful Jaguar introduced in quite some time. Additionally, the XK established the design template from which was drawn the XF in 2009, and the all-new XJ just last year. Universally agreed upon as beautiful the first time it was shown, the XK still turns heads to this day.

In fact, the fluid styling of the XK might delude some viewers into believing the car is a genteel boulevardier—particularly in convertible guise as was our Frost Blue test car. A particularly effeminate color, when combined with the Caramel interior and tan top, our test Jag came across like the stereotypical car a platinum-hairedBel Air matron would take shopping on Rodeo Drive.

That is, until we started the engine.

Arouse that 385-horsepower V-8 and you’ll hear a roar more befitting an angered bear than any member of the feline family. The sound of the XK’s powerplantleaves no doubt as to its cylinder count, nor does it permit any miscalculation of its performance potential.  Jaguar quotes a 5.3-second 0-60 mph time for the 3900-pound grand tourer. Exceptionally well equipped, the XK manages to stay in that weight class thanks to its all-aluminum body.

The light weight afforded the Jag also enables it to handle like a car a quarter of its size. Saying the Jag grips the road like a cat swinging on curtains is bothcliche, and something of an unfortunate pun. But the fact of the matter is the car displays an amazing amount of grip. This, coupled with its outstandingacceleration, accurate steering, and prodigious braking ability gives the XK a driving experience that easily rivals its beauty.

Behind the wheel, when the car isn’t moving, the eye is treated to an amazing level of craftsmanship. The seats and dash are swaddled in hand-stitched leather,a suede-like material covers the A-pillars and the windshield frame, and the grain of the deeply polished wood trim matches perfectly all the way across the dash.The convertible top will go up or down in 18 seconds and operates even when the car is moving at speeds up to 25 miles per hour. This enables you to drop the top on the roll, when either pulling away or parking.

Our only complaints concern the Jaguar’s multi-media interface. Touch-screenbased, the system is a bit complex and slow when compared to the best of the current systems. While this was a hot setup when the XK was introduced back in2007, these systems have come a long way in the last four years. The audio system is a bit tinny as well—when compared to other contemporary premium sound systems. Further, the adoption of the Jaguar Drive Select dial system for the automatic transmission leaves you with no place to rest your right hand when the car is cruising. However, the paddle shifters behind the steering wheel do a more than adequate job of controlling the six-speed automatic when you decide to select gear ratios for yourself.

All in all, the XK Convertible is still one of our favorite cars. If we were forced to choose one car to suit all of our driving needs, this Jaguar would definitely be on our A-list. Stunningly beautiful, outfitted like the palace of a sultan, and capable of pavement-shredding performance, we’ve no qualms about saying the XK is very close being to the perfect GT car.

source : http://www.sportscarmonitor.com/blog/1052012_2011-jaguar-xk-convertible-review