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Showing posts with label Car reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Car reviews. Show all posts
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
The Regal would remain a mainstay in the GM lineup until 2004 when North American production was halted, but it continued to develop and flourish in the Chinese market where it sold exceptionally well.
Well, GM is now reinventing the Buick brand and the Regal mid-size sedan has returned to the stateside for the 2011 model year to help out – but there is an upscale twist to its return. The all-new 2011 Buick Regal is essentially a rebadged Opel Insignia; it is actually manufactured alongside that very same car in the GM subsidiary”s Russelsheim, Germany factory. The return of a classic all-American car however, is anything but an all-American affair; the design, engineering and manufacturing is all German, which to anyone who knows about cars, is certainly a positive thing. So how does an all-German built American Regal stand up to competition the likes of the Acura TSX, Lincoln MKZ, and the Volvo S60? Let”s take a look.
2011 Buick Regal CXL Spec-
Base Price: $26,245.
Price as Tested: $29,035.
Engine: 2.4L Ecotec DOHC SIDI VVT 4-cylinder ”“ 182-hp / 172 lb-ft.
Transmission: 6-speed automatic w/ DSC.
Curb Weight: 3,600 lbs.
0 to 60 mph: 8.2 seconds.
Top Speed: 130 mph.
Fuel-Economy (city/highway): 20/30 mpg.
Interior:
The interior cabin is identical to that of the Insignia, and that is, in our opinion, a very good step on GM”s behalf since it was once known for cheapening out on quality. The German construction really presents itself through the tight fit, strong finish, soft-touch materials, and leather appointments.
Our base 2011 Regal CXL came with chock full of standard interior features including; leather-appointed seating featuring heated front seats, 12-way adjustable driver”s seat (including 4-way lumbar support), tilt/telescopic steering, ample controls located on the steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, USB/MP3 Jack, Bluetooth connectivity, XM satellite radio, and OnStar. These features in a car are impressive when you consider the starting price tag of $26,245 MSRP. A sunroof package is available for an extra $1,000. The Comfort and Convenience package is also available and includes; a 12-way power adjustable front passenger seat, 120-volt AC power outlet and ultrasonic rear parking. Other technology options include a voice-activated navigation system and a premium 9-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system.
A fully loaded Regal, which includes all of the options and packages listed above, will run you $31,030. That is a pretty impressive number considering that most of the Regal”s competition carries starting MSRPs in excess of $29,000; the TSX, MKZ, and S60 start at $29,310, $34,330, and $37,700 respectively.
Exterior:
We mentioned the shared engineering between the Regal and the Insignia, and we feel compelled to mention it again as one of the few primary differences between the two cars when compared side-by-side is the badging. No aspect of the new Regal is reminiscent of the old and we really didn”t expect it to be. This is deliberate according to design director John Cafaro, who says that the new generation is “˜all about great proportions”. “For example, the fenders are flared to wrap around the tires, an aggressive stance that people aren”t used to seeing in recent Buicks,” Cafaro says.
Through and through, the 2011 Regal possesses an air of performance-oriented design, with an aggressively designed front-end, and contrastingly elegant rear-end. Despite the decided “˜German-ness” of this car – even the front license plate bracket is shaped for a German tag – GM did make an effort to “˜Buick-ize” the car for the North American market. The waterfall grille and delicate appointment of chrome trim are two features that are distinctly Buick… and well, that”s about it. But with standard exterior equipment including daytime running lamps, halogen fog lamps, and 18-inch alloy wheels mixed into a sexy German design, we”re not complaining at all.
In terms of exterior appeal and attractiveness, the Regal takes the cake when compared to the Acura TSX or Lincoln MKZ, and we would say shares the cake with its Swedish competitor, the Volvo S60.
Video:
PHOTO GALLERY:
Monday, January 12, 2009
HYUNDAI HYBRID IS SELECTED AS THE CAR OF THE YEAR.It was high time the auto traders union pay more attention to cars like Hyundai Hybrid which is environmentally clean and is the future of any auto industry.There should be a consensus around Europe and America to only bailout such companies like Toyota and Hyundai who have not merely paid lip service to Environment conservation.The Hyundai Hybrid is the road to even more fuel efficient and clean cars.Even the second hand auto industry and auto spare part manufacturers are coming up with patent designs which will not only benefit environment but will save us lot of money.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Honda hybrid 2009 became the best car in 2009.THIS CAR MAY COST AT LEAST US$26000 when launched.It is the most environment friendly car so far and is a hybrid .It is given the green tec billing of 84.This what GM needs to get a auto bailout from the US government.Specification and technical details are given after the photos.Auto-traders all over the world have declared it a sucess which will change auto-zone energy needs in years to come.
Standard Engine:1.3L I4, 8 valve, 110 hp @ 6000 rpm, Hybrid - Electric
VAR speed automatic transmission
40 mpg city / 45 mpg hwy
Green Rating: 84
Key Standard Features:
Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System(TM) With Voice Recognition(TM) GPS and DVD Navigation Aid With 6.5-In. Touch Screen and Digital Audio Card Reader
AM/FM Radio With 160-Watts, Speed Sensitive Volume and 6 Speakers Total; CD Player; MP3/WMA Player; XM(R) Satellite Radio (XM(R) Satellite Radio Unavailable In Alaska or Hawaii and Is Provided On A 90-Day Free-Trial Basis Upon Vehicle Purchase)
4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes
Mechanical Features:
Transmission
Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission With Overdrive
Steering
Telescopic Steering Column
Tilt Steering Column
Power Rack and Pinion Variable Assisted Steering
VAR speed automatic transmission
40 mpg city / 45 mpg hwy
Green Rating: 84
Key Standard Features:
Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System(TM) With Voice Recognition(TM) GPS and DVD Navigation Aid With 6.5-In. Touch Screen and Digital Audio Card Reader
AM/FM Radio With 160-Watts, Speed Sensitive Volume and 6 Speakers Total; CD Player; MP3/WMA Player; XM(R) Satellite Radio (XM(R) Satellite Radio Unavailable In Alaska or Hawaii and Is Provided On A 90-Day Free-Trial Basis Upon Vehicle Purchase)
4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes
Mechanical Features:
Transmission
Continuously Variable Automatic Transmission With Overdrive
Steering
Telescopic Steering Column
Tilt Steering Column
Power Rack and Pinion Variable Assisted Steering
Suspension:
12-mm Rear Stabilizer Bar
Independent MacPherson Strut Front Suspension With Coil Springs and Shock Absorbers
Independent Multi-Link Rear Suspension With Coil Springs and Shock Absorbers
Electrical:
Front Power Outlet
Audio Pre-Wiring
158-Volt, 5.5-Amps/Hour Nickel-Metal Hydride Battery
Drive-By-Wire(TM) Drive-By-Wire Control For Throttle
Braking & Traction:
Electronic Brake Assistance
Vehicle Stability Assist(TM) (VSA(R)) Vehicle Stability Control System Operated Via ABS, Traction Control and Engine Power Reduction Measures Wheel Speed
4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes
Front Power 262-mm Ventilated Disc and Rear Power 259-mm Drum Brakes
Electronic Brake Force Distribution
Safety:
Driver Airbag With Dual Threshold, Dual Stage Deployment
Passenger Airbag With Dual Threshold, Dual Stage Deployment
Advanced Compatibility Engineering (Ace(TM)) Body Structure
Front and Rear 3-Point Seatbelts
Side Guard Door Beams
Trunk Anti-Trap Device
Seat Mounted Front Side Airbags
Occupant Position Detection System (OPDS) Passenger Airbag Cutoff Sensor Activated By Weight
Side Curtain Airbags Located In Headliner
Front and Rear Automatic Locking Retractors
Front Seatbelt Height Adjusters
Rear 3-Point Center Seatbelt
Front Pretensioners With Force Limiters
Anti-Theft & Locks:
Power Door Locks With Automatic Locking
Selective Unlocking Via Remote Keyless Entry
Radio Anti-Theft
Valet Lockout
Vehicle Anti-Lockout Device
Child Safety Door Locks Located On Rear Doors
Vehicle Anti-Theft Via Alarm and Engine Immobilizer
Remote Controls & Remote Releases
Remote Fuel Door Release
Panic Alarm :
Keyless Entry Operated Via Key Fob
Multi-Function Remote Operates Anti-Theft, Door Lock/Unlock, Panic Alarm and Trunk
Remote Decklid Release Located On Multi-Function Remote
Seats:
Rear Bench Seat With Adjustable Headrests
Front Dual Reclining Heated Bucket Seats With Driver Adjustable Seat Height and Adjustable Headrests
Leather Seats
Storage:
Covered Lower Console Storage Located On Floor
2 Cupholders Total
Front and Rear Door Mounted Storage
Glovebox
Front Dual Seatback Storage Pockets
Entertainment, Communication & Navigation:
AM/FM Radio With 160-Watts, Speed Sensitive Volume and 6 Speakers Total; CD Player; MP3/WMA Player; XM(R) Satellite Radio (XM(R) Satellite Radio Unavailable In Alaska or Hawaii and Is Provided On A 90-Day Free-Trial Basis Upon Vehicle Purchase)
Radio Antenna
Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation System(TM) With Voice Recognition(TM) GPS and DVD Navigation Aid With 6.5-In. Touch Screen and Digital Audio Card Reader
HandsFreeLink(R) Wireless Communication Access For Bluetooth(R) Enabled Devices
Auxiliary Audio Input Jack
Instrumentation:
Digital Clock
CD Text Display Capability
Steering Wheel Mounted Controls For Audio, Cruise Control and Navigation System
Trip Computer With Average Fuel Consumption and Instantaneous Fuel Consumption
Battery Gauge
Maintenance Minder(TM) System Maintenance Interval Indicator For Oil Quality and Oil Level
Cruise Control
Exterior Temperature Gauge
Tachometer
Tire Pressure Monitor
Interior Lighting:
Delayed Courtesy Light
Front Map Lights
Trunk Light
Exterior Lighting:
Daytime Running Lights
Halogen Headlights
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