Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Lamborghini Sesto Elemento is already listed for sale at €2M
The Sesto Elemento concept was conceived as a design study, technology and previewing the styling we might expect to see on the next generation of Lamborghini supercars.A few months back, shortly after it was revealed at the Paris Motor Show, reports began to become apparent suggesting that the Italian automaker could put it into production, however limited.
Now the car is listed for sale by an exotic car dealership in Germany. Although the reported original listing on the mobile.de online marketplace is no longer there to be found, it is still up on Auto Salon Singen's website with an approximately €2 million ($2.63M USD) list price – €1.9m before tax, €2.3m after.
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2011,
Concept Cars,
Lamborghini,
news,
Reports
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
LIMITED EDITION NEW 2010 SUBARU LEGACY 3.6R
In the last 23 000 km and the changes we have the impression from our 2010 Subaru Legacy SS were quiet competence. That's not all peace, praises his journal full of meandering interior space for five adults very comfortable and quiet. Those who try to inspire a jog Subaru leave satisfied, but not addictive. fast, talkative steering and suspension systems to promote sustainable bit funny, but loose braces and mushy brake pedal prevent anyone from confusing this with a true sport sedan.
Date: December 2010
Months in the fleet: 23,212 miles
Current Mileage: 9 months
Fuel Economy rating: 22 mpg
Average Range: 407 miles
Service: $ 285
Normal wear: $ 0
Repairs: $ 68
Tires are our biggest complaint about the Legacy. Bridgestone all-season Turanzas wore it on arrival in our office are a bit louder than expected, they rattle on the highway in order to avoid moments of solitude, or stereo mute. A small steering wheel shimmy through, at a cost as he felt out-of-balance tires, however, remained after the first few balance our $ 68, but the tire store is the second free to regulate tire of all evil. Many other owners have mentioned earlier the same problem in different forums,
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Subaru
2011 Detroit Auto Show Kia KV7 Concept
Facts of 2011 Detroit Auto Show Kia KV7 Concept
The Kia KV7 concept will debut January 10 in Detroit.
In addition to rear gullwing doors, it has 360-degree swiveling rear seats.
Kia will build a production version — less the gullwing doors.
SEOUL, South Korea — Kia Motors has announced that it will introduce its KV7 concept at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show on January 10. The crossover/minivan concept is notable for a set of rear gullwing doors and 360-degree-swiveling rear seats.
The KV7 has a high roof and CUV-style appearance that Kia calls "convention challenging." The company says the concept previews a production KV7, which of course won't have the gullwing doors.
Inside Line says: More soulful concept work from Kia, this time in MPV form. — Laura Sky Brown, Correspondent
Monday, December 27, 2010
NEW TATA NANO COVERED WITH PURE GOLD
Tata Nano Gold Plus by Titan Industries – Click aloft for angel gallery
Try to brainstorm the best basal car on the road, and you'll acceptable adjure up images of the Tata Nano. The Citroën 2CV of our time, the Nano was conceived as bare-bones, bargain carriage for the masses. But while it makes the blow of us admiration how abundant our own cars are absolutely worth, sales of the diminutive account car accept been backward in the deathwatch of assurance apropos afterwards cars were appear to be spontaneously combusting due to bad base and such.
To boom up activity for the Nano, Tata has brought in one of its subsidiaries, Titan Industries, to accord the car a added luxe actualization in the anatomy of gold and jewels. Celebrating the 5,000th ceremony of Indian jewelry, Tata and Titan launched a accessible attack to accost designs for a bedazzled Nano. Thirteen designs came in, with the champ you see actuality called aloof a few canicule ago. The apparent one-off will be crafted out of authentic gold by Titan at its ability in Bagalore. Accept a afterpiece attending at the acceptable design, forth with a brace of the runners-up, in the arcade below.
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NANO
VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE LIMO ON EBAY
VOLKSWAGEN NEW BEETLE LIMO ON EBAY New Jersey’s Route 22 Limousines is affairs this 1999 Volkswagen Beetle limousine. The six commuter agent was congenital in 2001 and is accomplished with a white exoteric and blah covering autogenous with TV, minibar, mirrored roof and custom lighting. Brainstorm the attending on the face of Daddy’s Little Princess back you accompany this home to booty her to the Senior Prom...
And brainstorm the attending on the face of Daddy’s Little Princess’s mother back you try to explain the US$45,000 bulk tag. Sure, it may assume a little abrupt at first, admitting apparently Route 22 spent a fair bulk of money addition and customizing this...uh...“unique” vehicle.
It occurs to me though, abacus all that added weight to a Fresh Beetle is activity to actively impede the achievement of its 2.0 L engine, abnormally back akin to the accepted 4spd automated transmission. You apperceive what I mean: 0 to 60 mph (0 to 100 km/h) in four hours and a minimum axis amphitheater of a mile (1.6 km). I achievement Route 22 upgraded the brakes, at least, or the fresh buyer is activity to be in for some fun times on wet roads.
Labels:
volkswagen
MAHINDRA REVA ELECTRIC CAR
This is mahindra car econo electric car.After Mahindra awfully backed out of a accord with a U.S. supplier, Compact auto admirers are still beating their wounds over the account that the company's trucks won't be advancing to our shores anytime soon. As it turns out, Global Vehicles USA may not be the alone American aggregation to accept been wronged by Mahindra. According to The Post-Standard,
electric car start-up Bannon Automotive LLC has filed a law-suit adjoin both Reva Electric Car Aggregation of Bangalore, India and Reva's ancestor company, Mahindra & Mahindra. Bannon Automotive claims that the two bankrupt a accord that gave Bannon absolute rights to both body and advertise the agent actuality in the states.
electric car start-up Bannon Automotive LLC has filed a law-suit adjoin both Reva Electric Car Aggregation of Bangalore, India and Reva's ancestor company, Mahindra & Mahindra. Bannon Automotive claims that the two bankrupt a accord that gave Bannon absolute rights to both body and advertise the agent actuality in the states.
As allotment of the suit, Bannon Automotive is gluttonous to force the Reva Electric Car Aggregation to accord the American architect a authorization to body the NXR electric car and to anticipate any added aggregation from accomplishing the same. Bannon had ahead said that the NXR would be able to biking up to 120 afar on a distinct allegation and would amount about amid $17,000 and $25,000.
Labels:
MAHINDRA
MARUSSIA B2 AND B1 HYBRID
This is new MARUSSIA B2 AND B1 HYBRID, that was show up in motorshows. If you're activity to accomplish it in the alien supercar business, it helps to accept two things: a abundant calendar and an F1 team. The Ferrari case, aboriginal of all, goes after saying. McLaren has the closing covered,
and is in the action of blame the above into aerial gear. Spyker bought its own F1 team, and admitting it after awash it, attending at the Dutch automaker now: they own Saab. Lotus is afterward the aforementioned aisle with not one, but two F1 teams, and an advancing archetypal rollout plan. Now Marussia looks assertive to chase the aforementioned path.
and is in the action of blame the above into aerial gear. Spyker bought its own F1 team, and admitting it after awash it, attending at the Dutch automaker now: they own Saab. Lotus is afterward the aforementioned aisle with not one, but two F1 teams, and an advancing archetypal rollout plan. Now Marussia looks assertive to chase the aforementioned path.
The alien Russian automaker afresh bought into the Virgin Racing team, so they've got one aspect covered. All they'll charge now is a big aggressive archetypal lineup. Cue the most recent news.
According to the rumormill, Marussia Motors is planning on rolling out seven fresh articles at the Frankfurt Motor Show in the fall. Included in the appear affairs are a coupe, SUV, auto and a burghal car. If this is all aural familiar, attending no added than Lotus, which set a fresh antecedent with bristles fresh concepts at the Paris Motor Show this accomplished autumn.
Labels:
HYBRID
Everything about MINI Clubman Cooper S
it is Everything about MINI Clubman Cooper S Schmidt Revolution, a German-based company that primarily specializes in alloy wheels but occasionally presents fully tuned projects, has unveiled its latest creation, a conceptual version of the MINI Clubman Cooper S called the "Streetworker".
The focus point of the tune is of course the German firm's new Cirrus alloy wheel series, seen here in an 18-inch version. The funky looking rims can be ordered in any color ranging from the matte blue on this tune to any other tint including carbon black. On the MINI Clubman project car the alloy wheels are shod in 215/35R18 Continental rubber.
Labels:
Cooper
Mercedes G-Class-based 'Gazal 1'
Mercedes G-Class-based 'Gazal 1'
The King Saud University (KSU) on Sunday appear a $500 actor accord with South Korea's Digm Automotive Technology to set up Saudi Arabia's aboriginal car accomplishment company. The Saudi university afresh fabricated account with the Mercedes G-Class-based 'Gazal 1' (pictured above) afterwards announcement that the SUV is branch for production.
The Saudi Press Agency appear that the university's advance arm, Wadi al-Riyadh Technology, will accord 10 to 15 per cent of the costs for the fresh venture, with the South Korean close accouterment 30 per cent, while the blow will be covered by investors.
“The move comes as allotment of the university’s efforts to alteration technology and authorize a knowledge-based economy,” said KSU Admiral Abdullah Al-Othman afterwards signing the accord with Y.K. Jeon, admiral of Digm Automotive Technologies.
Al-Othman said the joint-venture's aboriginal agent will be an economical five-passenger model. “Our aim is to bazaar a bargain car of aerial affection priced at amid SR35,000 and SR45,000, [US$9,300 to US$12,000]” Al-Othman told reporters.
He added the car will be accessible aural the abutting two years and that he hoped to consign the country's aboriginal auto to added Gulf states as able-bodied as North African countries.
Labels:
Mercedes
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Nico Rosberg shows off 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK
The benefits of having an F1 team is that, in the off season at least, you've got some of the world's best professional drivers on call for test driving duties. And promotional detail, too.
Specifically, In this case, we're talking about star driver Nico Rosberg and upcoming Mercedes-Benz 2012 SLK. Michael Scheer-Vehicle engineer riding in the new roadster around Monte Carlo shot some footage as Rosberg brief us of what to expect from the new SLK. Check it out in the video
Labels:
2012,
cars,
mercedes,
news,
sports cars
Aston Martin Sport Cars Green Vantage V12 Race Car
Aston Martin Sport Cars Green Vantage V12 Race Car
It's green - very. This is The Aston Martin Vantage V12 race car is Terrifying and impressive, a well-known brand car that turned into a speed monster, with a design that is really interesting and really cool to make this car really looks cool and amazing. That's not green as in the environmental sense either, as anything with 12 cylinders, a 6.0-litre capacity and 510bhp isn't going to please the tree huggers. The V12 Vantage looks every inch the racing car.Aston Martin Sport Cars Green Vantage V12 Race Car
Fitted to the squat proportions of the Vantage the aero kit gives this V12 some serious presence. With its deep, punctured front wings, Plexiglas side screens and some serious looking brakes behind the alloy wheels equipped with track rubber, this V12 Vantage demands respect.There's none of the twitchiness you might expect, the Aston Martin Sport Cars Green Vantage V12 Race Car feeling utterly planted and supremely composed. There's the small issue of manual gear changing, but when the gearbox is so delightfully crisp (and devoid of the ridiculously proportioned gear knob of the road car) and the pedals so perfectly positioned heel-and-toe downshifts are as easy as they come.
Aston Martin Sport Cars Green Vantage V12 Race Car
With entry speeds getting faster and faster, the speed this car can carry through the bends is immense. The track is damp, but the sticky wet race tyres reveal just how compromised even the best road tyres are. There's masses of grip, the traction too is incredible, so the Aston Martin Sport Cars Green Vantage V12 Race Car can use its prodigious power despite the conditions. It's all remarkably easy too, the aerodynamics adding to the Vantage's stability, even in slower speed corners.The brakes are amazing; with every lap braking can be left later and pushed harder, the Vantage washing off its easily gained speed with zero fuss. Blipping the throttle while doing so and shifting down the manual 'box is a real pleasure, both physically and aurally as each flex of the foot has the V12 flaring up its revs with a glorious sound.
Aston Martin Sport Cars Green Vantage V12 Race Car
We always thought racing cars were edgy, tricky to drive monsters, but quite the reverse is true - indeed compared to the road version on the same track the racecar is an absolute cinch to drive fast. But then this is its natural habitat, yet the evolutionary process to allow it to work so well here is relatively straightforward. It never fails to amaze us how much additional performance can be gained by some tweaked suspension, lower weight, proper tyres and some clever aero kit. Aston Martin Sport Cars Green Vantage V12 Race Car is an impressive road car, but it's also an awesome racecar.Sunday, December 19, 2010
BMW Sport Cars BMW Flash Concept By Khalfi Oussama
BMW Sport Cars BMW Flash By Khalfi Oussama
The Tunisian Oussama Khalfi designer, has created another concept car with a wider front act to place a powerful system. This is the new " Flash BMW, the car's sporty character and design, can be either V8, V10 or V12 depending on the request by the pilot.BMW Sport Cars BMW Flash By Khalfi Oussama
BMW Sport Cars BMW Flash Concept By Khalfi Oussama, the interior design is stylish and class and the wheel drive design is 100% sport style, the inspiration behind the flash is the bmw M6. The sporty exterior of the concept vehicle is equally complemented by the rich and lustrous interior that promises to commute the rider in utmost comfort.BMW Sport Cars BMW Flash By Khalfi Oussama
"After that internet buzz created by my bmw X9 concept, I designed a new concept for my favorite car bmw, I called bmw flash, with her sport look and her large front, it can have a V8 engine or V10 or V12 more. I hope that car fans like it very much and I want to show the world that I cannot stop imagining new ideas I even can’t control my imagination "said, Khalfi Oussama.BMW Sport Cars BMW Flash By Khalfi Oussama
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BMW,
BMW Cars,
BMW Concept Cars,
BMW Sport Cars,
Cars,
Concept Car,
Sport Cars
2010 Lotus Sport Cars T127 Formula One
2010 Lotus Sport Cars T127 Formula One
Lotus has just unveiled its 2010 Formula 1 car, after 15 years one of the most successful names in Formula One returns to the grid with the launch of the Lotus T127. Backed by the Malaysian government, the new Lotus team will field two cars, driven by Jarno Trulli and Heikki Kovalainen. Lotus the T127 will be one of several cars using the latest Cosworth V8 this year.
2010 Lotus Sport Cars T127 Formula One
2010 Lotus Sport Cars T127 Formula One Racing is backed by the Malaysian Government - where Lotus owner Proton is based - securing the rights last year to the team's name and legendary green and yellow colours. Mike Gascoyne, technical chief for the T127, admitted the car was designed very quickly, the team revealing its car mere weeks ahead of the 2010 Bahrain F1 Grand Prix.The Lotus T127 is powered by a Cosworth engine - another name returning to the sport cars after an extended absence - and will use an Xtrac transmission, in line with all 2010 teams, will be running on Bridgestone tyres.
2010 Lotus Sport Cars T127 Formula One
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2010,
2010 Lotus,
2010 Lotus Sport Cars,
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Lotus Cars,
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Thursday, December 16, 2010
NEW ABT TOUAREG DATES AND FACTS ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGY
NEW ABT TOUAREG The German aftermarket specialists from ABT Sportsline have recently revealed the ABT 2011 Volkswagen Touareg which offers various cosmetic upgrades for the latest version of the SUV. Apart from the new aero package, the ABT 2011 Volkswagen Touareg also offers a power upgrades for the 3.0 TDI diesel version. The ABT 2011 Volkswagen Touareg 3.0 TDI equipped with the ABT POWER package develops 282 HP (207 kW) instead of the standard 240 HP
(177 kW). If you choose the ABT POWER S package, then the ABT 2011 VW Touareg 3.0 TDI outputs 310 HP (228 kW) and 610 Nm of torque. “More power wouldn’t hurt with a car as diverse as this, but it was important for us that the tuning suited the characteristics of the Touareg”, the company’s general manager, Christian Abt, explained.
(177 kW). If you choose the ABT POWER S package, then the ABT 2011 VW Touareg 3.0 TDI outputs 310 HP (228 kW) and 610 Nm of torque. “More power wouldn’t hurt with a car as diverse as this, but it was important for us that the tuning suited the characteristics of the Touareg”, the company’s general manager, Christian Abt, explained.
Tipping the scales at 2.5 tons, the Touareg is certainly no featherweight, so adding more power and torque to the mix is probably a good idea. Engineers developed the ABT Power kit for 3.0-liter diesel V6, which increases peak output from 240 hp to 282 hp. The second stage of the engine conversion is called Power S and delivers 310 hp.
The new ABT Touareg – dates and facts
ABT ENGINE TECHNOLOGY
Engine: 3.0 TDI, 2967 ccm, V6
Performance tuning: ABT POWER
Performance: 282 PS/207 kW (standard: 240 PS/177 kW)
Engine: 3.0 TDI, 2967 ccm, V6
Performance tuning: ABT POWER S
Performance: 310 PS/228 kW (standard: 240 PS/177 kW)
Engine: 4.2 TDI, 4134 ccm, V8
Performance tuning: ABT POWER
Performance: 385 PS/283 kW (standard: 340 PS/250 kW)
ABT AERODYNAMICS
ABT front grille
ABT rear spoiler
ABT rear skirt
ABT EXHAUST SYSTEM
ABT 4-pipe-exhaust-system
ABT SPORTS WHEEL TECHNOLOGY
ABT BR and CR up to 22 inch
Labels:
TOUAREG
Covini Sports Cars C6W Is A Very Special Supercar
Covini Sports Cars C6W Is A Very Special Supercar
Italian car maker Covini Engineering has finally completed their 6-wheeled sports car, and it’s ready for its debut this week. On autshow Bologna, Covini Sports Cars is a very special supercar. The Covini C6W is the world’s first six-wheeled supercar. C6W is an Italian Sports Cars 2-seat, 2-door sports coupé with a removable roof section. The manufacturer of the Covini Sports Cars C6W announced that the model is ready for production.Covini Sports Cars C6W Is A Very Special Supercar
Inspiration for the car was taken from the 1976 Tyrrell P34, which had two pairs of smaller front wheels, a principle applied to the C6W. The project was started in 1974 but abandoned shortly after, and left dormant into the 1980s due to the lack of availability of low-profile tires at the time.Covini are convinced 6 wheels are better than 4. The Italian car maker says the addition of two extra wheels on the front of the vehicle helps improve traction, and the smaller space on the front of the car makes for a reduction in drag, which in turn increases speed.
Covini Sports Cars C6W Is A Very Special Supercar
The manufacturer claims the design produces less understeer than conventional designs, and suspension produces less turbulence from potholes and bumps in the road because of the increased surface area.Ferruccio Covini, the founder of the company, speaks of comfort and reduced risk of aquaplaning. Additionally, the safety, eg because there is less risk of accidents is a flat tire. About the disadvantages is not much known
Covini Sports Cars C6W Is A Very Special Supercar
The C6W is powered by a rear-mounted 4.2-litre V8 Audi engine with 325kW (433 BHP) and 470Nm of torque. The car features a rear, 4200 cc 8-cylinder engine and the sports car’s has a top speed of 186 mph (299 km/h).The six-speed manual transmission transfers power to the 20in rear wheels. The four front wheels (all 15in) are responsible for the steering. All six wheels feature vented Brembo brake discs.The body is made of lightweight fibreglass and carbon fibre, leading to an overall vehicle mass of 1150kg.
Wednesday, December 15, 2010
2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon
Brush your long, grungy mop from your eyes, turn down the Nirvana and take a look around. It's the early '90s and an army of sport utility vehicles are flooding the streets. The newest four-wheeled object of America's affection has quickly become the default mode of transportation for everyone from inner city professionals to suburban soccer moms.
Fast forward a couple of decades and although sport utes are still around, they've largely been displaced by the crossover – the SUV's easier-to-maneuver, more fuel efficient and more comfortable unibody progeny. But even after years of refinement, the CUV is still a basketcase of compromises. Which begs the question: Did we have it right back in the day? Is a wagon still the best compromise of size, functionality and driving dynamics? We snagged the keys to a 2011 Acura TSX Sports Wagon to find out.
Needless to say, the TSX Sport Wagon is based on its sedan counterpart, but in addition to its two-box shape, Acura has set it off with a redesigned grille. The new piece looks far less hawk-nosed than the one worn by the four-door, as its been broken up by a thinner frame that creates a slimming effect. The lower bumper also improves front-end styling with a much wider and more aggressive appearance. Seeing the TSX Sport Wagon for the first time is a bit like running into that formerly plain-looking girl from high school who got some work done and now dates a pro baseball player; she looks nearly the same, but somehow better. And she knows it. All of which suggests that Acura's stylists may have been listening to at least some of the criticism they've received over the company's controversial front fascia.
The Sport Wagon's updated nose gives way to that long wagon body, which also benefits from a handful of well-placed styling elements. Noticeable fender bulges wrap around the 17-inch five-spoke aluminum wheels and serve to bookend a razor sharp shoulder crease. A strong character line takes over and works its way around the perimeter of the car. It's a neat visual trick that keeps your eyes moving along the bodywork, and it also helps to hide the extra length the wagon wears – a grand total of about 3.6 inches. The overall appearance, however, is somewhat sportier than the sedan because of how the rotund rear end sets off the car's stance.
The driver's perch gives you the chance to enjoy the TSX's dark trim and subtle contrast stitching on its seats. The heated leather front chairs wrap around your body like a mold and while the Audi A4 Avant, BMW 328i Sport Wagon and Volvo V50 might have nice seats, none of them offer standard heating and few are as comfortable. Rear seat passengers are well taken care of, too, as the wagon loses just 0.1-inch of headroom compared to the sedan, while leg, hip and shoulder room all remain the same.
Better still, the rear seats fold down nearly flat with the touch of a switch. The side pockets and lower panels can be removed to reveal even more storage options and the 28-inch height of the rear opening allows for some sizable objects to catch a lift. The 60.5 cubic-feet of rear cargo space is downright cavernous compared to the 50.5, 48.9 and 44.2 found in the Audi, BMW and Volvo, respectively. The closest you'll get to equaling the TSX's cargo hold is the Cadillac CTS Wagon which comes in at 58 cubes with the seats folded flat.
It's not just comfort and utility that makes the TSX Sport Wagon a near ideal place to log trips over the hills and through the woods. All of the knobs and switches are easy to reach, and the available infotainment system hits the moving target of today's technological standards. With the exception of the bulbous multi-directional controller blighting the center stack, the controls are logically laid out, providing an easy learning curve. Dual-zone climate controls keep more than just the driver happy and even the base seven-speaker sound system provides an enjoyable audio experience. The navigation system and rearview camera, however, only show up on the dashboard if you opt for the Technology Package, but Bluetooth and USB audio come standard.
The base model starts at $30,960 plus $860 for destination and handling, while the TSX Sport Wagon with Tech Package costs $34,610 plus D&H. When upgrading to the latter, buyers also receive a power-actuated tailgate, boosted ELS 460-watt 10-speaker audio system with voice recognition, navigation with real-time weather, traffic updates and dynamic re-routing, and the rearview camera. A loaded Acura TSX Sport Wagon with Tech Package still comes in under the base price of the A4 ($35,940), 328i ($36,200) and comparably-equipped V50 ($35,650). The Caddy? Just over $38,000 in base spec.
Comparing pricing and amenities never paints a complete picture, though, and that's where driving dynamics come into play. "Sport" is the TSX Sport Wagon's middle name, and after hauling around Southern California for a couple of days, the moniker is well-deserved. If just. The suspension is firm – almost surprisingly so – making this five-door a joy to push hard, at least on SoCal's smooth roads. The rack-and-pinion steering is also tight and responsive, combining neatly with the TSX's stiff suspenders to make for an engaging driving experience.
When the road turns even slightly rough, however, the TSX Sport Wagon transforms into something of a child's moonbounce. While never unsettled, on certain course surfaces we found the Acura to be not unlike navigating a Boston whaler across a choppy harbor. Suspension for this front-wheel drive wagon is composed of double wishbones up front and multi-link setup in the rear, and we suspect the issue lies with the constant-rate coil springs. Perhaps a set of progressive units would help smooth things out, but prospective buyers who live in areas blessed with four distinctly separate seasons should keep the TSX Sport Wagon's stiff nature in mind.
Under the hood of the TSX Sport Wagon lies a 2.4-liter four-cylinder producing 201 horsepower at 7,000 rpm and 172 pound-feet of torque at 4,300 rpm. That doesn't sound like much, but the powertrain actually provides a surprising amount of motivation for this 3,599-pound premium utility sled and sounds pretty good while doing it.
Power is routed to the front wheels courtesy of a five-speed automatic transmission, while a pair of paddles mounted to the steering wheel allow for manual gear selection. When left alone, the automatic shifts smoothly, though sometimes it plays a game of hide-and-seek when pressing on with authority. If you're not in the mood for the cogbox's automated games, you can always switch the transmission into Sport and use the paddleshifters. Fortunately, whatever speed you build is just as easy to shed thanks to the TSX's well-sorted 11.8-inch ventilated front and 11.1-inch solid rear discs.
A six-speed manual transmission would offer even more engagement, but sadly Acura can't build a business case for one. When pressed why we can't get a row-our-own version, Acura officials indicated that the company expects to sell around 4,000 units per year, or 10 percent of all TSX models sold. The take rate for manual transmissions amongst current TSX buyers is only around two to three percent, and with the wagon already making up a minority of TSX sales, it doesn't make financial sense to offer a three-pedal model.
So where is the V6 that's offered in the sedan? The four-cylinder does a surprisingly credible job, but the 280-hp, 3.5-liter unit available in the four-door would be a welcome addition. Just as Acura was listening to its customers with regards to the front-end design, it's also evidently deferred to market research regarding what engine to plunk in the TSX Wagon's beaky nose. As the theory goes, the average wagon buyer doesn't need 280 hp when 201 hp works just fine, and prospective buyers Acura spoke with placed a higher priority on fuel economy than power. The 2.4-liter is rated at 22 miles per gallon in the city and 30 miles per gallon on the highway, while the V6-powered sedan achieves 18/27 – numbers that would no doubt fall in the heavier wagon.
That all said, why is the TSX Sport Wagon finally available in the U.S.? Because Acura says it wants to provide an SUV alternative for its entry-level customers. The wagon is aimed squarely at those successful members of Generation-Y for whom owning an SUV has become a stigma. Priced below the competition and boasting better fuel economy, the 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon is not yet the near-luxury estate of our dreams, but it's a welcome step in the continued resurrection of the premium wagon.
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2011,
Acura,
news,
Review,
sports cars
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