Ford Mondeo Review

The brand new 2011 Ford Mondeo was released to critical acclaim and has been subjected to a plethora of new safety features. New Mondeo’s now come equipped with driver alert, a pioneering new technology that is activated once the car reaches 40mph and remains in effect until the cars speed drops under 37mph. Driver alert actually monitors the vehicles lane alignment in order to analyse driver fatigue which is know to be a major cause of RTA’s. Should the vehicles lane alignment pattern become irregular, the driver will alerted that he or she needs to rest.

In order to be able to observe the position of the car, the driver alert unit relies on an internally mounted camera located behind the rear view mirror, and a variety of sensors. Data is passed to a central control unit which analyses the data, and drivers can even examine the data using the vehicles on board computer.

Adaptive cruise control is also provided with the new Mondeo, this radar based technology allows the driver to stipulated a minimum distance into the vehicles on board computer, and when activated, adaptive cruise control will actually engage brakes and decrease throttle to make sure that the minimum safe distance is maintained.

Collission mitigation braking employs the same radar technology used by adaptive cruise control to add a further layer of safety. The system can detect an imminent crash and can even help the driver by aiding braking force.

Redesign for the new 2011 model has been tastefully done, and the Mondeo’s already smooth lines are now more pronounced. The new design borrows heavily on the “kinetic” design of the Ford Focus, with the new interior featuring a flow through dash and stunning attention to detail. The overall quality of both materials and craftmanship is far superior to previous models, making the 2011 Mondeo actually quite sophisticated and elegant.

The new Mondeo is available from 17’695 on the road, although this is for the very basic entry model. Car leasing prices for these cars are as always be very reasonable. Mondeo’s are know to depreciate very slowly in the first few years, and as leasing prices are based on the depreciation of the car within the lease term, a reasonable spec 2011 Mondeo can be had for around 245 per month, although you can expect to pay slightly more if want optional extras.

source: http://articles-2go.com/vehicles/cars/a-review-of-the-2011-ford-mondeo-hatchback

2011 Dodge Challenger review

The lowest-priced Challenger is the SE, powered by Chrysler's long-serving 3.5-liter V6 good for 250 horsepower and torque. The rolling stock consists of 18-inch alloy wheels and high-performance tires, with a Classic R/T version getting unique 20-inch wheels and more styling hints to bring back memories of the original Challengers.

Interior features for the Challenger include a standard CD/MP3 system with four speakers, and a six-speaker Boston Acoustics system standard on the upper-level R/T models. Lower trim models come with cloth bucket seats and eight-way power driver seat, while higher-trim models feature heated seats as well.

Base models of the 2011 Challenger exchange a 250-horsepower V-6 for Chrysler’s new corporate Pentastar V-6. In the middle, the 2011 Challenger R/T’s “regular” Hemi gains a nominal 7 horsepower

It’s amazing how the muscle car wars – all but dead a decade ago – have reached pretty amazing heights. Both the Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Mustang get better each model year, with power boosts, chassis changes and visual tweaks bringing a steady flow of news and anticipation from the collective fan-base.

Mazda CX-9 review

Imagine this scenario: At the end of our 2008 Sport/Utility of the Year program, a small crew of trans-dimensional beings suddenly materialize and capture the winner, the Mazda CX-9. Search parties go out. The National Enquirer does an exposé. But of course, no one listens. The poor Mazda sits in isolated stasis.

In 2011, these beings, whom you may understandably now refer to as jerks, release the CX-9, allowing it to rejoin the automotive landscape. How would it fare in this brave new(ish) world?

You'd assume that with the large number of new or significantly revised SUVs released since 2008, the competition might've caught up with and bested the CX-9's benchmarks. The full-size, three-row class should be refreshed and updated in ways that would make the Mazda feel, well, 3 years old.

Enter the 2011 Mazda CX-9, which, aside from a few minor tweaks, is very much the same as the 2008 Mazda CX-9. Those tweaks are key and tidy, the most significant being an exterior refresh in 2010 that brought a new fascia and side mirrors, and in 2011 better fuel economy and different wheels.

The qualities that made the CX-9 our SUOTY in 2008 -- smart interior packaging, and actually delivering the "sport" part of SUV, to name a few -- haven't been diminished one bit by time. The CX-9 still delivers an eye-pleasing interior with comfortable trimmings and generous interior space. Drivers will appreciate the well-bolstered seat, which provides ample view of the road (and corners) ahead, pedals that always fall right where you expect, a push-to-downshift, pull-to-upshift manumatic mode, and genuinely fun driving dynamics.


source: www.motortrend.com

2011 Lexus IS 250 F Sport, review

The 2011 Lexus IS 250 F Sport we recently had in for testing was equipped with the latest in F Sport gear and is an evolution of the IS 250 F Sport equipped model we drove back in 2008. Retuned springs and shocks plus summer tires wrapped around the unique 18-inch wheels make this car more than a trim package with F Sport badges.

At one time, this was the entry-level model for the Lexus line. The first generation IS was a pocket-sized BMW 3-Series rival that offered lots of spunk and quirk, but was a little short on luxury.

Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i) varies the timing on both intake and exhaust camshafts. Receiving its fuel mix by gas direct injection adds to the overall power and efficiency. The electric power steering tames the pavement via the IS’s double wishbone setup with high-mounted upper arms, coil springs and gas-filled shocks in front. Conversely, the power gets to the pavement through the rear multilink kit with coil springs and gas-charged shock absorbers

suzuki kizhasi review

A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard. The Sport SLS AWD is equipped with a standard 2.4-liter, I4, 180-horsepower engine that achieves 22-mpg in the city and 29-mpg on the highway.
Take the time to look at other 2011 Suzuki Kizashi reviews to get even more detailed information including road tests and first drive tests.

The Kizashi may not be the great car Suzuki seeks, but it shouldn't be overlooked. It includes a surprisingly long list of standard features: leather seats, power passenger seat, heated front seats, auto dimming rear view mirror with Homelink® Universal garage door opener, heated outside mirrors, automatic rain sensing wipers, automatic headlamps and rear proximity sensors with audible warning and graphic display