2014 Ford Fiesta Review

What is it?

The 2014 Ford Fiesta equipped with the 1.0-liter three-cylinder EcoBoost engine is a small car with a surprisingly sassy attitude. Ford takes downsizing to the extreme, yet the engine still makes 123 hp and 148 lb-ft of torque and is projected to wring out more than 40 mpg on the highway. The unit uses turbocharging, variable valve timing and direct injection, among other technologies. Ford paid particular attention to reducing friction and harshness, so as not to play into stereotypical notions of small engine foibles.

The entire 2014 Fiesta lineup gets a redesigned face that draws inspiration from the Evos concept from the 2011 Frankfurt show, an upgraded interior and MyFord Touch technology.

What is it like to drive?

Just 1.0 liter of EcoBoost power is rather peppy. Perhaps we shouldn't be surprised; we test drove the same engine in the larger Focus earlier this year and it was more than up to the task. Dropping that engine into a Fiesta makes things a bit crisper and the five-speed manual allows the driver to wrest every drop of power out of the three cylinders. The clutch has a nice weight and the steering returns some feedback, though it's a touch light in overall demeanor. The chassis is excellent. Our European-spec Fiestas tackled California's Pacific Coast Highway, an autocross course, and curved, hilly roads with eagerness and ability. This small car has a swagger to it when pushed.

Do I want one?

That depends on the final price. The drive experience is better than that of many four-cylinder engines and there's nothing that makes occupants scream in frustration over the small displacement. It's just another engine and 1.0 is just another number. Get past that and it drives fine. Besides, the 1.6-liter four-cylinder Fiesta is still available and the raucous 197-hp Fiesta ST arrives next year. There are plenty of choices if a Fiesta is in your future.

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Ford Fiesta Review

Ford has given the Ford Fiesta a comprehensive makeover, giving it a new dramatic Aston Martin-influenced front grille and some new technology to help it compete against new arrivals like the Renault Clio and Peugeot 208, and maintain its position as Britain's top-selling car. Some of our criticisms remain, particularly about passenger space in the back and luggage capacity, but overall Ford has transformed the car into one of the best ever Fords - and one that comprehensively beats its rivals, especially when it comes to driving. The Fiesta range starts with the Studio and Style specifications, which offer a neat little city run-about at a good price, Zetec and Zetec S get a little sportier, Titanium is luxurious, and Titanium X tops the range. Finally, you have the performance-focused Fiesta ST, one of the best hot hatchbacks in the supermini segment, which is due later in 2013. The Fiesta was an easy winner of our 2013 CarBuyer Best Small Car Award.

Drive

4.8 /5

Feels nimble and quick to respond

The Fiesta is quite simply one of the best cars to drive in its segment. It feels good in almost any situation, whether driving to the shops or cruising on the motorway, whatever your daily drive requires the Fiesta will cope - and better still make it a pleasurable experience, with a feeling of agility and responsiveness many of its rivals lack. The ride in all of the Fiesta range is good, firm but not jarring, and there's little trouble from potholes and speed humps, even in the Zetec S and ST models with noticeably firmer suspension. Engines are pretty quick across the range, including the 60bhp 1.2-litre petrol, but the pick of the range is the 123bhp 1.0 litre Ecoboost, which, along with its smooth five-speed gearbox, is both comfortable and efficient. When it comes to driving, the Fiesta ST is on a different level to the rest of the range - and arguably the rest of the supermini segment - delivering fun and excitement in one superb package.

Comfort

4.7 /5

Quiet, comfortable and perfect for long journeys

Ford has done an excellent job in making the Fiesta feel like a much more expensive car. Wind noise is kept to a minimum even, at motorway speeds, while engine noise across the range is good, even under strain, and road noise is also well dampened. The Fiesta feels as comfortable a place to be as the much more expensive Mercedes A-Class or BMW 1 Series. In the front, the seats offer plenty of support and space, making long journeys pass with ease. In the rear, the dimensions of the car make space a little cramped but the seats are comfortable and supportive. The five-door models deliver a little more space for those in the back and would be our choice for families. The steering wheel is admirably small, and has a wide range of adjustments, which means that a tall driver will fit behind it with ease.

Reliability

4.5 /5

Safer and more reliable than ever

The Fiesta marks a step forward in terms of quality for Ford. Trim inside the car is better than the previous version of the Fiesta, especially around the heater controls and front door handles, but it does still feel lower quality than a Volkswagen Polo. The drive for improvements in reliability at Ford has led to the latest Focus jumping nearly 60 places in the Driver Power Survey in 2012, and the new Fiesta feels like it should be able to achieve the same sort of advances in coming surveys. Electronic stability is now standard across the range and all models have seven airbags fitted. Ford's Active City Stop, which can detect possible accidents and help brake the car, is available as an option. Euro NCAP have awarded the car the full five stars in its crash safety tests.

Practicality

4.2 /5

Swallows a suitcase, but struggles with prams

Access to rear seats in the three-door model is a bit tight and anyone with a young family would be best advised to look at the five-door. Even then they may struggle with the boot, which at just shy of 300 litres is big enough for a suitcase but struggles with a pushchair or pram. The rear seats do fold down, making the boot space 979 litres, but the floor has an awkward step in it, making it somewhat awkward to load bigger objects. The rear seats are a squeeze, with the sloping roof restricting headroom for taller passengers and only providing cramped legroom. New technology across the range helps with practicality and the optional reversing camera, which transfers an image to the rearview mirror, is an especially nice touch.

Value for money

4.5 /5

Go for the mid-range Zetec model

The Fiesta comes in seven specifications: Studio, Style, Zetec, Titanium, Zetec S, Titanium X and ST. All are priced competitively, but the Hyundai i20 and Kia Rio offer a bigger range of equipment as standard. High-spec models like the Titanium X do give more luxurious equipment levels but the price rises considerably over the lower-spec models. The Fiesta ST is very keenly priced and just manages to undercut its more obvious rivals and for that you do get one of the best cars in its class. The pick of the range for us is the Zetec, which comes with remote locking, air-con and electric windows as standard and only costs a small premium over the entry-level models.

Running costs

4.6 /5

Cheap to run with low servicing costs

With a number of low emissions engines, low servicing costs and reasonable insurance, the Fiesta should be cheap to run. Fuel economy in particular will make the Fiesta an attractive option, with a number of engines emitting less than 100g/km. The 1.6-litre diesel ECOnetic is the most frugal engine in the range, returning 85mpg and emitting only 87g/km. However, our pick is the 123bhp 1.0-litre ECOboost, which returns 65.7mpg and still comes in under the magic tax-free 100g/km number, making it both nippy and cheap to run. Depreciation should be reasonable for the Fiesta and better than rivals like the Renault Clio, so you should get a good price when you come to sell it on.

What the others say

Auto Express

4.5 /5

"The Fiesta blends hot hatch agility with a superb ride. It's great to drive at any speed, on any type of road. A well laid out cabin, smooth petrol engine and excellent refinement are the finishing touches."
Top Gear
13.0 /20

"The three-door looks genuinely brilliant - especially in some of the new bold colours. The five-door doesn't look half bad either. Just one problem - the Fiesta name just hasn't got the barside pizzazz you might want."
Evo
4.5 /5

"It has the firm-but-controlled ride of a truly rigid car calibrated by people who love driving, it leans hardly at all, and both brakes and five-speed gearbox work exactly as you would like them to."
Honest John
4.0 /5

"There's a very nice, Honda-like, leather rim steering wheel on top versions, height and reach adjustable on all versions. All the trim is high quality and beautifully put together. If Audi made a car this size I doubt they'd have done a better job."

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2013 Chevrolet Spark 2LT Review

Executtive Editor Bob Gritzinger:: avowedly, these minicars look thus utterly foreign in our world chock filled with massive trucks and SUVs. however against a scene of Smarts and therefore the like, i feel the 2013 Chevrolet Spark is my new favorite. Power is weak and therefore the engine is buzzy once beat, however the automobile darts around sort of a scooter, handles well, stays in its lane and appears dashing in its own method whereas doing it. however that might be our check car’s red paint job talking.

Interior controls ar comparatively straightforward, and therefore the automobile is well equipped for a basic transport-mobile, with a pleasant center information screen, seat heaters, steering wheel-mounted controls, etc. Outside, whereas it’s onerous to form these very little rigs appear as if something over a automobile with its backside cropped, this one contains a bound dynamic styling feel that runs from the pronounced and exposed front light pods all the high and across the roof rails to the rear edge of the hatchback. I like it.

Probably the foremost shocking part to American state was however the automobile feels roomier within than its footprint suggests. As a result, the automobile drives “bigger” than it looks, with a gentle feel that creates one feel virtually safe. Except, that is, once you have one amongst those massive SUV or pickup grilles bearing down on your backlight simply many feet off from your headrest.

Digital Editor Saint Stoy: have you ever ever gone to a bar or a club and complete you were simply a trifle (or a lot) too recent for the place? That’s however I felt behind the wheel of our 2013 Chevrolet Spark 2LT.

It’s not that this can be a foul automobile. It’s not even a heavy commuter device. After all, heated seats, XM radio, Bluetooth and a USB interface ar all tied at the side of a pleasant multifunction bit show -- not the sort of setting found in past gram economy specials just like the Geo underground or Chevette Scooter.

Driving a Spark is, well, it’s not lots of fun, a minimum of not in automatic-transmission pretext. however it’s not scary either, in contrast to the expertise in bound alternative minicars (Scion ratio, cough cough). The automobile is fairly fast, steering and brakes ar each sharp enough to whip around in traffic and therefore the stability at route speeds is great for such a little chunk of metal. Wind noise is additionally well-damped, that sadly means that the buzzy drone of the engine is even additional pronounced. I had to ascertain the specs to make sure the Spark wasn’t employing a CVT, since the initial launch produces a burst of revs followed by onward motion eventually catching up to the engine speed. It all works fine, however it simply doesn’t wreak sensible amusement.

The Spark’s driving dynamics ar virtually a moot point; I’ve ne'er been ready to get past the styling of those minicars. just like the sensible Fortwo, the Spark seems like a large nose on wheels hoovering its method down the road. I posit that it’s essentially not possible to not appear as if a jerk in an exceedingly automobile like this (and if you claim you don’t automobilee however you look in your car I’ll additionally posit you’re a liar).

Not amazingly, I got identical sensation walking off from the Spark that I had departure the said post-collegiate bar: it absolutely was a motivating expertise that I’m glad I had, however one I’ll be equally glad to avoid within the future.

Editor Wes Raynal: Of all the cars within the fleet obtainable last weekday, I really asked to pay the weekend within the Spark. I needed to undertake it. It’s cute as a button, drives regarding as i believed it'd, and although it’s small I found it usually snug to drive -- for brief stints. grand in any respect for zipping around city.

The little one.2-liter engine’s eighty four HP proven simply capable enough and therefore the car trans felt fairly well programmed to match the engine. I’d prefer to drive a manual version, which might in all probability be lots additional fun. Stating the obvious: It’s not a automobile, and out on the route the engine will get fairly buzzy, however I expected that. It’s not colorful -- it’s no mini -- however it’s fun in an exceedingly additional basic method. The steering is direct and precise, and therefore the ride is controlled and cozy. The in-dash mpg meter same I averaged thirty two mpg over a weekend that saw a decent mixture of town and route driving. grand in any respect.

The interior is regarding what you’d expect for a automobile of this price: that's to mention the materials ar basic, however the layout is sweet and there's simply a lot of headroom. I liked lots the interior’s body-colored accents -- i believed they looked cool. The seats ar flat and basic, but again, I expected that.

What wired American state most regarding driving it? The secondary controls (cruise, seat heaters, power window switches, etc.) aren’t lit up in the dark. That’s extremely my biggest criticism.

Again it’s a cute automobile that drove regarding however I expected it to. As a basic transportation tool, it’s simply fine.

Road Test Editor Jonathan Wong: I used to be a trifle afraid on my drive home from add this 2013 Chevrolet Spark 2LT. That’s once I learned that this automobile on bound grooved concrete at state highway speeds is flat-out chilling. On all alternative road surfaces it absolutely was fine, however on the concrete it felt shaky, inflicting American state to impede on a roughly 4-mile stretch. Once I came to a little of the road that was lined in blacktop, it absolutely was fine once more. perhaps it absolutely was simply however that portion of pavement was grooved, and therefore the heavier crosswinds in all probability didn’t facilitate

But this can be a microcar that’s higher suited to running around city. Roughly twenty five miles of my 33-mile commute is on the state highway, thus alittle town automobile isn’t ideal on behalf of me. Not with all the large SUVs impeding up the expressway.

As a town automobile, it’s serviceable enough. i might definitely take this over a wise Fortwo and descendant ratio for the additional flexibility of getting four facet doors and to not stick out quite the maximum amount from a styling position compared to the opposite 2.

The runty four-cylinder has to be revved onerous to urge going anyplace in an exceedingly swift manner, that isn’t helped by the four-speed automatic shell. And there’s lots of engine noise stepping into the cabin once you place your foot into it. i might prefer to drive this automobile with the quality five-speed manual transmission and save $925 within the method. I’m willing to bet that this Spark would be a trifle fun with the stick, however with the automated in our check automobile, it’s simply boring transportation.

I had a tough time obtaining snug within the automobile. The seat height appeared to be too high and it felt like i used to be reasonably sitting on prime of the automobile rather than in it. The central touchscreen that controls the radio functions isn’t responsive and extremely created American state miss sensible old style knobs and onerous buttons. The seats, as Raynal mentions, are flat.

Again, not the foremost exciting driver with steering that's fairly responsive, however offers very little weight and feedback. There’s body roll through curves with a suspension that damps out most impacts from bumps and potholes.

For the cash, though, there ar variety of alternative cars i might contemplate before the Spark. you'll be able to get a base Ford feast, Honda match or Kia city instead. It’s true that the Spark offers a lot of options during this little package, however i might be willing to present up heated seats, handwheel controls and therefore the touchscreen for a automobile that’s larger, could be a higher driver, and gets near the fuel economy that this Spark is rated at.

2013 Chevrolet Spark 2LT

Base Price: $16,720

As-Tested Price: $16,720

Drivetrain: one.2-liter I4; FWD, four-speed automatic

Output: eighty four HP @ half-dozen,400 rpm, eighty three lb-ft @ four,200 rpm

Curb Weight: a pair of,269 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 28/37/31 mpg

AW discovered Fuel Economy: twenty six.9 mpg

Options: None

 2013 Chevrolet Spark 2LT Review inYoutube

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Mercedes-Benz CLA Review

Mercedes-Benz CLA Review

 

The Mercedes CLS showed the planet that four doors may provide supercar levels of private road attractiveness. The Mercedes CLA has been developed to copy that success.

Based on the Mercedes A-class, the CLA is meant to draw in new patrons to the complete, and managers say their ideal target is to poach customers from BMW. The four-door coupé offers associate appealing mix of sleek appearance, cheap levels of utility and pokey engines.

Mercedes says the CLA is that the most mechanics automotive in its category, with a retardant constant as low as zero.22Cd. to place that in perspective, a decrease of zero.04Cd offers identical fuel economy edges as reducing the curbing weight by 100kg.

Aiding that figure could be a front grille with shutters that shut at speed, aerodynamically optimised door mirrors, fins within the taillights and vents within the wheel arch linings. associate elegantly contoured coupé form presumptively helps, too.

And it’s that form that defines the CLA. It sits alone in its phase, offers a visible attractiveness that few makers will match and delivers on its promise of showing sort of a mini CLS.

Predictably that swooping form has a bearing on usability. Rear visibility is restricted with atiny low car window. it isn't a automotive which will see regular adult passengers within the back: rear headroom is poor and slim aspect windows create it feel claustrophobic and compromised rear legroom doesn’t facilitate its case.

Better is its 470-litre boot – simply 5 litres but the C-class saloon – and also the provide of a split-fold rear seat.

The front setting impresses a lot of. The dashboard is shared with its MFA platform brethren – the A-class and B-class – and provides identical premium look and feel. instrumentality levels across the 2 trims, Sport and AMG Sport, additionally live up to the premium asking.

That comprehensive roll-call of kit extends to safety instrumentality. just like the A-class, Collision hindrance Assist radar-based braking system is normal.

Two engines create the launch line-up: the one.6-litre, petrol-powered CLA180 and also the two.1-litre turbodiesel CLA220 CDI. A lower-power CLA200 CDI can be part of the vary later, aboard a CLA250 and simple machine drive CLA250 4Matic. Performance fans are most fascinated by the CLA45 AMG sports saloon, additionally to follow later this year.

From launch, the CLA220 CDI are the large merchandiser. Its torquey two.1-litre engine is versatile, punchy and refined till the rev needle passes the 4000rpm mark. It records associate adequate eight.2sec 0-62mph time and a 143mph prime speed. Its torquey nature makes short work of reordering, particularly once mated to its smooth-shifting 7G-DGT seven-speed automatic casing with code derived from the SLS AMG supercar.

The diesel offers competitive running prices, too. Mercedes claims it'll manage sixty two.8mpg on the combined cycle with emissions rated at 117g/km.

The CLA180 is power-driven by a 120bhp engine developed in partnership with Renault, and offers a rather but spectacular nine.2sec 0-62mph time. Official economy figures rate the CLA180 at fifty.4mpg and 126g/km of CO2.

A hotter CLA250, to seem later this year, are the quickest model till the AMG variant arrives. It records a vi.7sec 0-62mph time, however ne'er extremely feels as fast. The engine lacks the rorty sound recording oft-expected from the warmer models in enticing Mercedes model ranges. In the 250, identical seven-speed automatic feels markedly a lot of ponderous than the diesel.

This engine records forty six.3mpg and emits 142g/km, with atiny low penalty for 4Matic models.

The Mercedes CLA is out there with the selection of 2 chassis setups: Comfort and Sport. Sport sees the automotive sit lower to the tune of 20mm at the front and 15mm at the rear. On the road there's a pronounced distinction in ride quality.

Don’t be fooled by the Comfort tag applied to the softer setup: it's simply on the sporting aspect of firm, however rides imperfect Tarmac much better than the full-on Sport configuration. That model crashed and rocked over bumps on the usually-smooth roads of our French check route, that doesn’t foretell well for performance within the kingdom.

Either way, chassis management is usually smart even though the natural progression to understeer happens rather a lot of quickly than expected – significantly within the CLA250 4Matic. however most drivers square measure unlikely to induce that way as a result of this isn’t a drivers’ automotive. The steering lacks the sporting intent illustrated by those coupé appearance and it merely doesn’t provide enough communication.

For many potential patrons, the dearth of dynamic polish won’t matter a lot of. The promise of the primary automotive during this phase with Hollywood listing appearance can attractiveness much more. a possible beginning worth of around £25,000 ought to create it successful with personal patrons and company automotive drivers.

Despite its faults, the Mercedes-Benz CLA could be a automotive that gives visual attractiveness by all odds, however is way a lot of come-at-able than the CLS that impressed it. Love the appearance, and you’ll love the automotive.

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Toyota Hilux

 The Toyota Hilux continues to dominate sales ute in Australia, despite the arrival of recent - rivals - and for the foremost half higher.

The Toyota Hilux has been updated in 2011 to a minimum of maintain cooler because it tackles its growing list of competitors.

It was 1968 once the Toyota Hilux came into existence and not till 1979 that additionally got a 4 wheel drive system. thus he spent the last forty three years to enhance the Hilux has earned its name as a true, unbreakable workhorse or sensible family vehicle.

To date, over fourteen million vehicles Toyota Hilux are sold-out everywhere the globe, a staggering 700,000 came to Australia (1/20). No surprise then, that the HiLux remains the dominant player in its category and one in every of the most effective merchandising vehicles in Australia generally.

However, times ar ever-changing and, despite its unquestionable credentials, increasing competition from low cost Chinese utes, associate unceasing effort to Volkswagen Amarok, Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 has meant that Toyota had to reply.

To give a a lot of competitive advantage, the updated version of the seventh generation Toyota HiLux has its share of recent options. From everything out of the A-pillar forward has been updated (new bonnet, grating, headlamps and front bumper) and also the hind lights new (for pick-up models).

The real story, however, is that the other price and value reductions for the new model vary, with all the Toyota Hilux twenty one four × four variants earn between $ 1960 and $ 8340 best value. four × a pair of purchasers to require advantage of a bunch of recent options and costs modest gains or not, Toyota says has larger price up to $ 1640.

To begin our Toyota HiLux review, we have a tendency to determined to do the updated HiLux regarding difficult simple machine drive course of regarding half-hour out of Townsville. though most of Toyota HiLux 4x4 sold-out to personal consumers can ne'er see the dirt, the flexibility to perform cross-country is important for maintaining the name of exhausting and durable HiLux.

Here is what on four × four utes: most of them (Great Wall excluded) capable of performing arts just about any base needed to moderate cross-country. once Volkswagen launched Amarok, we have a tendency to kicked off a course giant 4 wheel drive that tried the Amarok as over capable of overcoming a little 'of land seriously powerful. constant story goes for the Nissan Navara and different Utes Japanese. The Toyota Hilux is just about constant, however offroad is superb and has no issues conquer nothing would ever realistically would like. you'll browse our Toyota HiLux cross-country review for a lot of info.

Compared to the Volkswagen Amarok, Toyota Hilux is way a lot of agricultural. General refinement of the Amarok could be a higher level than the favored Japanese ute, however there's a reason for that. whereas Europeans have centered heavily on technology and options, Toyota has maintained the tried and tested formula of bulletproof HiLux intact.

For example, simply press a button to place in Amarok four × four low vary and you'll do even once the vehicle is in motion. As regards the HiLux, it's necessary to interrupt, involve neutral then use a manual low-high shift lever to realize constant result.

The Amarok makes do with a a pair of.0-liter turbo diesel with one hundred twenty kilowatt (at four hundred0 rpm) and 400 Nm of torsion (1500-2500rpm). Meanwhile, the 3.0 liters of fuel the HiLux is merely marginally higher with 126kW (3600rpm) and 343Nm of torsion (1400-3400rpm). It is seen from these knowledge the distinction of applied technology.

What you'll not see, however, is that the insistence of Toyota to still build a product that has tested its credentials within the last four decades. though it's still too early to speak regarding semipermanent sturdiness of Amarok (although early reports ar terribly positive), the explanation Toyota has curst his tested system is to stay things easy and also the responsibleness unbreakable ' Hilux could be a permanent reality.

The reason why Toyota Australia has been thus no-hit with the Hilux and different off-road-capable vehicles isn't that they're considerably higher than their counterparts in Japan or Europe, instead of the whole has stuck behind its product through the definition of large|a massive|a colossal} vary and components of the chain across the vast continent that's Australia.

You can make certain that if one thing ought to fail with the three.0-liter turbodiesel Toyota (a rarity) within the center of Australia, the closest Toyota business (and there ar 258 of them) {have no|haven't associatey|don't have any} half nor the mandatory skills for you in an improbably quick. constant can't be aforementioned with certainty regarding his main rivals. Thus, whereas the Amarok and also the soon-to-be-released new Ford Ranger and Mazda BT-50 is while not a doubt the foremost technologically advanced, the HiLux remains a unit tested.

This is to not say that the Hilux is technologically inept - removed from it. The 2012 updated models have gained plenty of recent options that are on the listing for a few time. Anti-skid brakes and a replacement electronic equipment with Bluetooth audio streaming and USB Phone and is currently additionally customary within the base model variants of constant workfellow (which ar currently offered in a very single chassis cab Cab and Double Cab pick-up kind of bodywork for the primary time).

SR HiLux four × a pair of models gain control for manual transmissions and have their seat, wheel and door trim date. A restricted slip differential was other to any or all models V6 gasolene (first option). four × four models attain the higher than and additionally sport-style front seats and facet curtain-shield airbags.

Go to the highest of the vary Toyota HiLux SR5 four × a pair of and automatic climate management, dusk-sensing headlights and a half-dozen.1-inch touchscreen navigation system ar all new options. Double Cab V6 gasolene four × four models additionally get stability management of the vehicle (ESC), traction management, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist.

Now there ar thirty five completely different variants Hilux (up to 32), then the new vary caters to nearly each would like. Domain Toyota remains undisputed in fleet sales, however aims to lift its market share with non-public consumers in diesel engines. New variants, lower costs and other price is that the strategy for Toyota within the future.

During the program running + four hundred kilometer from Townsville get into Hervey Bay and on the far side, we have a tendency to found the inside of the HiLux to be nice and durable. doesn't feel as high-end because the Amarok, however is on par with its Japanese rivals. Besides the dearth of telescopic steering adjustment, has options like wheel audio and Bluetooth commands that aren't on the market even on the highest of the vary Amarok final.

The front seats ar collateral and also the suspension is cruisy for the town and long route drives. Sit within the back of a cab HiLux twin and you'll understand that it's really a lot of leg space than a Camry. Given the box-shaped cabin, there's many area for four adults to suit well.

Once we have a tendency to got comfy within the cabin, it had been time for our automotive a geological formation to succeed in Townsville Hidden vale Cabins.

On traditional roads the HiLux performs well, is simple to maneuver and power delivery is sleek and consistent within the 2 variants that we have a tendency to tested (4.0 cubic decimeter gasolene and three.0 cubic decimeter diesel). Take to a small degree 'dirty nanny and controls tend to kick in a very little' over we have a tendency to expected (even with the load of the receptacle to stay the system ground).

The 3.0-liter diesel is obtainable with a five-speed manual or a four-speed automatic, whereas the four.0-liter gasolene engine has constant manual choice, however gains an additional gear for the automated.

The diesel automatic tends to feel a little 'lazy in its torsion delivery - however you rise up to hurry, is solicitation for to a small degree one thing additional. The manual transmission offers higher acceleration and could be a breeze to use. However, most consumers ar possible to stay with associate transmission system for convenience.

Although adequate for day-after-day driving, each gasolene and diesel variants might definitely do with a lot of to travel. At a minimum, we'd love to envision a prime of the vary model alone (remember the TRD HiLux?). to allow you to a small degree 'perspective, the foremost overpriced Nissan Navara ST-550 is battery-powered by a three.0-liter turbodiesel driving through a seven-speed transmission system that delivers well a lot of power and torsion (170kW and 550Nm).

One of the foremost consistent complaints regarding the HiLux was its towing capability of 2250kg, that has been upgraded to 2500kg. the most competition will simply overcome this with the Navara and Triton 3000kg 2800kg management and Amarok.

Toyota Australia says the matter is to extend the towing capability was raised with Japan, with the chief engineer of the new program HiLux visit to Australia solely thrice this year to higher perceive the requirements of the native market.

Security remains a degree of concern for the Toyota Hilux four × a pair of array with no facet or curtain-shield airbags customary on supply. It 's simply the four × four and SR variants higher than that the life-saving technology is other as customary instrumentality. as compared, all variants of Amarok ar given a whole set of airbags and safety options.

There is little question that the overwhelming majority of the fleet still opt for the HiLux because the vehicle of selection. the $64000 question is whether or not Toyota will convert non-public consumers to remain with the whole. whereas the Amarok struggles attributable to the dearth of associate automatic possibility, the analysis suggests that the work of Toyota to urge new consumers in a very HiLux isn't as tough because it could seem, with the corporate claiming HiLux encompasses a consciousness ad lib over fifty p.c and also the chance to over sixty per cent (with no different challenger even near thirty percent)

The Toyota Hilux is over possible to stay the dominant ute in our marketplace for the predictable future, however, solely time can tell if it's doable to reject the growing list of competitors advance.

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2013 Ford Atlas Concept Review

 If you're employed at GM's truck division, we're willing to bet your day is ruined. After all, city was presupposed to be all concerning the combat ship and your new trucks whereas all Ford had to show at this year's city show was the new Transit. Big whoop, right? Well, as Ford's news conference histrion nearer, rumors swirled concerning Ford having a surprise future. Those rumors established to be true, as we've simply gotten our initial verify the next-generation 2015 F-150 with the new Ford Atlas conception.With the Atlas conception, Ford primarily looked over at GM's new production-ready Silverado and Sierra, shrugged, so simply utterly destroyed their day. to really perceive what Ford simply did to gramme, image Ford as Kanye West, and Taylor Swift as gramme -- throughout GM's huge moment within the spotlight with its new trucks, Ford grabbed the mic, told gramme that they'd get to complete, declared the F-150 as 'the greatest truck of all time!' so showed its next one.

Ford Atlas conception Rear 3 Quarters True, Ford calls the Atlas an inspiration, however the high-strength steel-framed truck may move to production with simply minor changes. The truck's grille is simply an additional evolution of this F-150's, its stacked LED headlights (which bear a passing alikeness to this Super Duty) seem like they'd take borderline work to be DOT-legal, and its matching LED taillights look able to go as-is. We'd hesitate to mention that the Atlas conception is that the 2015 F-150, however it's safe to mention that the Atlas is nearer to production than not.Making matters worse for gramme (as a colleague pointed out), is that Ford's discharged even as several details on Atlas as gramme has concerning the 2014 Silverado and Sierra, each of that ar slated to travel into production within the half of this year. Ford says the Atlas conception is supercharged by a "next-generation EcoBoost" engine with start-stop, tho' mums the word on precisely that engine powers it. Seeing as over 1/2 current-gen F-150s ar supercharged by the three.5-liter twin-turbo EcoBoost V-6, we'd bet that the Atlas' engine is said


If there was the simplest way to properly place into the words the sensation of seeing one thing just like the Ford Atlas conception in your rear read mirror, it’ll in all probability go one thing like this.
See, discouraging doesn’t even begin to explain the appearance of this idea truck, one that Ford is pegging because the way forward for its F-150 series. In its arrange to showcase the look, capabilities and sensible technologies which will eventually return to be referred to as future F-150 models, Ford has already succeeded in turning to a brand new style chapter within the F-150’s history.

Add that to new technologies that the present pickup can have moving forward, and it’s simple to check why we expect the Atlas conception is one amongst the brightest conception debuts to hit the stage at the 2013 North yankee International car Show.

Check out all the new digs the Ford Atlas conception has once the jump!

Exterior

 

We’ve already established that the Atlas conception appearance the a part of the world-carrying machine. however there’s plenty of substance to the pickup’s exterior that’s value over simply aesthetics.

For one, the active grille shutters, arguably one amongst the foremost obvious style details of the conception, ar there for over simply beauty. These automatic shutters behind the grille really keep open once further engine cooling is required or once the pickup is path blazing in atmospheric condition. However, once it has to improve its mechanics qualities, the shutters mechanically shut. Pretty cool, huh?

Joining the grille because the highlight of the Atlas Concept’s side ar the advanced LED headlamps that gives improved road lighting whereas lasting longer and illuminating quicker than typical grouping lights. better of all, though, these lights create the conception pickup such associate degree imposing sight in anybody’s car mirror.

Active wheel shutters, that ar supercharged by self-charging batteries, also are a part of the package, hidden from plain sight to boost the pickup’s vogue at low speeds so mechanically shut once the pickup enters the route to boost its aeromechanics.

When it involves serving its purpose as a useful machine that’s capable of doing a range of things, the Atlas conception will simply adapt to any scenario, because of options that embody multiple tie-down points that are integrated at intervals the freight box walls and cargo floor.

There also are 110-volt electrical shops within the freight box to charge power tools, associate degree integrated roof-carrying system, hidden long ramps that provides the Atlas conception many skillfulness, power running boards that helps passengers get into the truck once its idle and hide out once its moving, associate degreed an LED freight box and aspect mirror lighting illuminates the freight box whenever work hits once the sun goes down.

All in all, the Atlas Concept’s purpose-driven style, wide stance, fancy lights, and distinct grille, to travel with all that practicality, have turned this idea pickup into a vehicle that’s value over simply an inspiration designation.

 

 

Interior

 

The cabin of the Atlas conception is certainly an image that doesn’t typically translate to the type you’d notice in an exceedingly pickup. Ford put in what it describes as "innovative, thin, and lightweight" seating. That’s a flowery method of swing it. These skinny seats additionally give more room for the rear passengers whereas tiny storage areas permit identical passengers to pack their trinkets and small things away while not the threat of losing them.

The conception pickup’s panel of the is additionally a recent surprise, significantly the “floating” instrument pods and therefore the glove-friendly buttons that creates for a cabin that’s each fashionable and useful all at identical time.

 

 

Performance

While Ford didn’t get in specifics on what quite output the Atlas conception is capable of, the manufacturer did say that the conception pickup comes with a next-generation EcoBoost powertrain that comes with a bevy of options.

The truck-enhanced car Start-Stop engine shutoff technology permits the pickup to shut off its engine once in traffic, that not solely saves fuel, however additionally keeps cash in your case. it should be arduous to come back to grips with a pickup that highlights fuel potency over force, however within the world we’re living in immediately, the previous is all the additional vital.

That’s why the Atlas Concept’s EcoBoost engine uses fuel direct injection and turbocharging to deliver fuel-economy gains of up to twenty % and reduction of CO2 emissions of up to fifteen %, compared with larger-displacement engines. options just like the Dual-Purpose Tailgate Step and freight Cradle, the Dynamic Hitch Assist, and people power running boards all play a vicinity within the potency puzzle, rising mechanics components that, in turn, scale back wind resistance.

Yes, the Atlas conception cares concerning Mother Nature, too.

 

 

Prominent options

Speaking of showcasing associate degree improved practicality, sturdiness and overall productivity, the Atlas conception boasts many options that meet the varied wants of drivers.

The same Dual-Purpose Tailgate Step and freight Cradle could be a step beyond the acclaimed Ford Tailgate Step, providing the intercalary ability to additionally act as a freight cradle – lifting and holding extra-long freight things on top of the truck and releasing valuable bed area. A Trailer Backup Assist was additionally place in, giving drivers a better thanks to back a trailer while not having to fret concerning having to try to to it by themselves.

Then, there’s the Dynamic Hitch Assist, that helps line up the truck’s hitch with the trailer coupling, and giving the driving force a visible assist via the truck’s center monitor. Imagine the time you save once you don’t need to worry concerning guesswork and inquiring for alternative people’s facilitate once you’re making an attempt to hitch the truck to the trailer.

And then there’s the 360-Degree Point-of-View Camera, that could be a initial for a Ford truck. Providing a bird’s-eye read of the truck not solely helps position the vehicle in tight places however it additionally provides you a decent verify any wandering rubble that you simply will currently safely avoid because of this technology.

 

 

 

Conclusion

 

The day could return once a production version of the Atlas conception arrives in dealerships. however if you raise USA, this idea version is mighty fine for USA already. All Ford has to do is tag on a sticker value and therefore the model can sell sort of a lollipop on a hot summer day.

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Audi RS 7 Review

Dynamics at their most lovely – the Audi RS seven

Audi is increasing its RS model lineup: The RS seven Sportback, that is creating its debut at the North yank International car Show 2013 in Motown, stands for dynamics at their most lovely. the big five-door machine uses a four.0 TFSI engine manufacturing 412 kilowatt (560 hp). The sprint from zero to one hundred km/h (62.14 mph) takes simply three.9 seconds, and also the speed governor are often deactivated upon client request to allow a prime speed of up to 305 km/h (189.52 mph). Despite this superior performance, the Audi RS seven Sportback consumes on the average simply nine.8 liters of fuel per one hundred metric linear unit (24.00 US mpg).

Aesthetic style, innovative technology and spectacular sportiness: The RS seven Sportback, the big five-door machine from Audi, combines several strengths to provide a desirable character. Its sturdy heart is that the four.0 TFSI, that takes Audi's retrenchment strategy to the high-end class. The twin-turbo V8 displaces three,993 cc and develops awing power, with 412 kilowatt (560 hp) accessible between five,700 and 6,700 rpm. a continuing 750 Nm (553.17 lb-ft) of force area unit accessible between one,750 and 5,500 rpm.

Because the high-revving four-cylinder engine has been strictly designed for low load-change and flow losses, it develops this power quickly and ad lib. The cylinder heads have the exhaust facet on the within and also the intake facet on the skin. the 2 twin-scroll turbochargers, that turn out up to one.2 bars of relative boost pressure, area unit situated in conjunction with the intercooler within the within V of the cylinder banks. Consequently, the gas methods area unit terribly short and response excellent. The RS-specific engine management and unthrottled intake system conjointly contribute to the dynamic character of the twin-turbo V8. Switchable flaps within the system build the engine sound even fuller at the push of a button or beneath sturdy acceleration. Audi conjointly offers AN optional sport system.

The RS seven Sportback sprints from zero to one hundred km/h (62.14 mph) in only three.9 seconds. Audi limits the highest speed within the commonplace configuration to 250 km/h (155.34 mph). prime speed with the optional dynamic package is 280 km/h (173.98 mph) and
305 km/h (189.52 mph) with the dynamic package and.

Yet the new prime model of the model series consumes on the average simply nine.8 liters of fuel per one hundred metric linear unit (24.00 US mpg). This prime price is due partly to the quality start-stop system and innovative thermal management.

The most innovative potency technology within the new Audi RS seven Sportback is that the cylinder on demand (COD) system. At low to medium masses and engine speeds, it deactivates cylinders a pair of, 3, five and eight by closing their valves via mechanical device actuators. The 4.0 TFSI then runs as a four-cylinder engine till the driving force accelerates a lot of powerfully once more. The in operation points within the active cylinders area unit displaced toward higher masses, increasing potency.

All of those operations take simply many hundredths of a second and occur thus swimmingly and quickly that they'll hardly be felt or detected. Active engine bearings, another high-end answer from Audi, use out-of-phase counter-oscillations to complete the slight vibrations that occur throughout four-cylinder operation. The COD technology reduces NEDC fuel consumption by roughly 5 %, and even bigger savings of roughly ten % area unit doable once driving at moderate speeds.

The standard eight-speed tiptronic is specially tuned to the showy character of the Audi RS seven Sportback. Drivers will choose from the modes D and S or amendment gears themselves exploitation the shift paddles on the wheel or the selector lever, that sports a singular RS style. whereas the lower gears of the tiptronic area unit closely spaced for showy response, eighth gear is tall like AN overdrive to scale back fuel consumption.

The Audi RS seven Sportback comes commonplace with quattro permanent all-wheel drive for its decisive advantage in traction and driving safety compared with its two-wheel-drive competitors. At the center of the quattro system may be a center differential with a high protection rate and a separate oil cooler to control its temperature. It distributes the facility as required among a large vary between the front and rear axles. within the commonplace configuration, sixty % flows to the rear and forty % to the front.

An intelligent package answer known as force vectoring supports the work of the differential at the cornering limit with tokenish braking of the wheels that area unit beneath a reduced load. Audi conjointly offers the optional sport differential for the rear shaft, that uses 2 superposition gears to actively distribute the facility between the wheels.

The Audi RS seven Sportback comes commonplace with polished, 20-inch cast light-weight wheels in a very seven twin-spoke style. The five-door superior machine conjointly rolls on optional 21-inch solid wheels in a very selection of 3 styles.

Powerful brakes area unit situated behind the big wheels. The four internally ventilated discs feature a weight-saving wave style and live 390 millimeters (15.35 in) in diameter up front. Pins decouple the steel friction rings from the Al brake caps. Black painted six-piston calipers – optionally accessible in red – grip the discs. Audi conjointly offers optional 420 mm (16.54 in) carbon fiber ceramic discs with coal grey calipers. The electronic stabilization management (ESC) features a Sport mode and may even be deactivated entirely.

Equipped with the air suspension, that harmonizes utterly with the dynamic character of a sport machine, the new RS seven Sportback is showy, nevertheless still snug. The RS seven adaptive air suspension lowers the body by twenty millimeters (0.79 in). adaptive damping, another of the system's options, adjusts the suspension's response to the condition of the road, the driver's vogue and also the mode elect within the Audi drive choose system, with that the driving force will alter the operate of key elements in multiple steps.

Audi offers the taut sport suspension and with dynamic ride management (DRC) as an alternate to the air suspension. It uses steel springs and three-stage adjustable dampers that area unit connected to at least one another via diagonal oil lines and a central valve. another choice, which may even be integrated into Audi drive choose, is that the dynamic steering with its steplessly variable steering boost and magnitude relation. like the quality mechanical device steering, its characteristics area unit specially tailored for the RS seven Sportback.

The body of the Audi RS seven Sportback includes up to twenty % Al and includes several elements of high-strength and extremist high-strength steels. Its high rigidity is that the foundation for the precise handling, glorious attainment and quiet cabin freed from intrusive noise.

The character of the Audi RS seven Sportback is straight away obvious. A series of specific style details provides a showy edge to its flowing machine style. These embrace the distinctive bumpers and high-gloss black protecting grille with honeycomb structure at the front of the automobile yet as add-on elements in matt Al. At the rear of the automobile, that options an influence extending spoiler, the diffuser and also the 2 giant, elliptical pipage trims of the system catch the attention.

The RS seven Sportback is offered in a very selection of 10 exterior colours, as well as the new shade pepperwort grey and also the exclusive end Daytona grey, matt impact. 2 styling packages – matt Al and carbon – any customise the looks. With these, the front center air body of water conjointly sports a quattro badge. With the carbon styling package, the front splitter and also the diffuser area unit somewhat a lot of with boldness formed. different choices embrace the outside mirrors with exposed carbon housings and also the all-LED headlights, whose designer trims area unit tinted for a singular look.

The elegant dynamics carry over to the cockpit of the Audi RS seven Sportback. The dial instruments have black faces, white scales and red needles. A 3D RS seven emblem within the measuring device may be a any accent. The key, the flat-bottomed, three-spoke animal skin wheel, the well-lighted door entry sills {and the|and therefore the|and conjointly the} displays for the MMI and driver system also sport RS badges. the driving force system includes a shift lightweight, that indicates once the rev limit is reached. Displays for boost pressure and oil temperature and a lap timer spherical out the RS 7-specific menu.

Colors and materials give for any differentiation. The footstool, pedals ANd soft keys within the commonplace MMI navigation and terminal shine in an aluminum-look end. the ornamental trim below the retractile monitor sports a piano end.
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Carbon inlays area unit commonplace, with four extra materials accessible as choices. The headlining comes commonplace in black artifact, with choices for satellite silver or black Alcantara. Of course, the Audi RS seven Sportback can even be customized exploitation the Audi exclusive program.

RS sport seats with pronounced facet bolsters, integrated head restraints and RS seven logos area unit commonplace. they're coated in a very combination of black Alcantara and animal skin, and also the center sections feature diamond quilting. The seats can even be coated or else in top-quality, honeycomb-quilted Valcona animal skin in either black or satellite silver. Audi offers optional power-adjustable comfort seats with memory operate. the 2 rear seats area unit powerfully contoured. baggage capability ranges from 535 to one,390 liters (18.89 to 49.09 metal ft) counting on the position of the rear seat backs.

The Audi RS seven Sportback comes with a generous list of normal instrumentation, as well as element and headlights, a tire pressure observation system, the parking system and, three-zone automatic air-con, controller and also the Audi system additionally to options mentioned antecedently. High-end choices embrace a head-up show, a comfort package, the dynamic package and also the dynamic package and.

The Bluetooth on-line automobile phone is a perfect complement to the quality MMI navigation and. Its UMTS module delivers the tailored Audi connect services to the on-board monitor, and a wireless local area network hotspot connects the passengers' mobile devices. Topping the vary of audio modules is that the Advanced system from Bang & Olufsen.


The Audi RS seven Sportback conjointly leads the pack once it involves driver help systems. one in all these is that the adaptive controller with stop & go operate as well as Audi pre sense front. This keeps the powerful machine at the correct distance from the automobile ahead and in several things will facilitate to avoid accidents or mitigate their consequences.

Audi active lane assist helps the driving force to stay the RS seven Sportback on target. The park assist handles the steering once parking. The sight assistant with lightness of detected persons reduces the strain of driving within the dark. Audi facet assist and also the regulation show spherical out the list.

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