Thursday, February 3, 2011
Friday, January 28, 2011
Buick LaCrosse Cars Info
The Buick LaCrosse is a mid-size luxury sedan produced by General Motors. The Buick LaCrosse, is a four-door sedan which replaced the Buick Century and Regal in North America beginning in the 2005 model year.
The LaCrosse made its debut in late 2004 as a 2005 model to replace the Century and Regal. Riding on a revised version of the W-body known as MS2000, the LaCrosse was initially available with two powerplant choices in three trim levels: a 3.8 L 3800 Series III V6 available in base CX and mid-level CXL forms, and a 3.6 L HFV6 V6 in the top line CXS model. Power is routed to the front wheels via a 4T65-E automatic transmission (4T65-E HD on Super's).
The name was inspired by a Buick concept car of the same name shown in 2000 and also used as a reference to the sport of lacrosse, seen as popular with a younger, more active demographic to which Buick sought to market.
It was originally sold as Buick Allure in Canada because "la crosse" means 'self love' (or 'swindle') in Quebec French slang.[3] It was once Buick's best-selling vehicle in Canada until 2008, when the Enclave became the brand's best-seller, of which it remains as of 2010.
The LaCrosse, along with all other GM vehicles powered by the 3.8 L V6, became the first SULEV-compliant vehicles for 2006.
The last first-generation LaCrosse rolled off the assembly line on December 23, 2008.2008
The LaCrosse received a minor refresh for 2008. The vehicle's front end design was based on the Buick Velite concept, which was later used by the Chinese LaCrosse.New body color choices included Scarlett Red, Gold Mist Metallic, Dark Mocha Metallic and Dark Slate Metallic.
All trim levels gained a chrome exterior appearance package, factory remote start feature, XM Satellite Radio, telescoping steering wheel column, redundant steering wheel controls and dual-zone climate control as added standard equipment. CX added a leather-wrapped steering wheel, theft deterrent system, illuminated vanity mirrors, driver information center personalization and more.
A new trim of the LaCrosse bearing the Super moniker debuted for 2008. The LaCrosse Super was positioned as a higher-performance model of the sedan with revised front end styling influenced by the 2004 Velite concept car, as well as 4 ventiports (reflecting a V8 engine under the hood), a rear spoiler, projector beam fog lights, Magnasteer, larger brakes, and revised suspension tuning with standard Stabilitrak. Interior changes included special Super badged cluster with blue face, a wood grain shift knob, and dream weave leather seating. Interior colors for the Super were Platinum and Mocha Brown, while exterior color choices were Mocha Brown Metallic, Black Onyx, Red Jewel Tincoat, and Platinum Metallic. Power came from the 5.3 L LS4 small-block V8 engine featuring Active Fuel Management technology, which is routed to the front wheels. The combination of a V8 and front wheel drive are not often utilized due to torque steer which is present in any front wheel drive car. This powertrain was also found on the Grand Prix GXP, Impala SS, and Monte Carlo SS. The Super model was the fastest modern production Buick ever built, with a factory top speed of 150 mph (240 km/h), and 0-60 mph times of 5.7 seconds. Only the Buick GNX of the 1980s was given such performance ratings until the Super was introduced.
BMW Z4 Video and Pictures
The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car by the German car maker BMW. It follows a line of past BMW roadsters such as the BMW Z1, BMW 507, BMW Z8, and the BMW Z3. The Z4 replaces the Z3. First generation production started in 2002 at BMW's Spartanburg, South Carolina plant, with production of both roadster and coupe forms. When debuted, it won Automobile Magazine "Design of the Year Award". Starting with the 2009 model year, the second-generation Z4 is built at BMW's Regensburg, Germany plant as a retractable hardtop roadster. In 2009, the BMW Z4 won the Red Dot Design Award.
BMW Z4 sDrive35i Full Test
The BMW Z4 is a rear-wheel drive sports car by the German car maker BMW. It follows a line of past BMW roadsters such as the BMW Z1, BMW 507, BMW Z8, and the BMW Z3. The Z4 replaces the Z3. First generation production started in 2002 at BMW's Spartanburg, South Carolina plant, with production of both roadster and coupe forms. When debuted, it won Automobile Magazine "Design of the Year Award". Starting with the 2009 model year, the second-generation Z4 is built at BMW's Regensburg, Germany plant as a retractable hardtop roadster. In 2009, the BMW Z4 won the Red Dot Design Award.
Monday, January 24, 2011
Honda Odyssey Van
The Honda Odyssey is a minivan manufactured by Japanese automaker Honda since 1994, marketed worldwide, and now in its third (North America) and fourth generations (Japan).
The Odyssey had originally been conceived and engineered in Japan, in the wake of country's economic crisis of the 1990s – which in turn imposed severe constraints on the vehicle's size and overall concept, dictating the minivan's manufacture in an existing facility with minimal modification. The result was a smaller minivan, in the Compact MPV class, that was well received in the Japanese domestic market and less well received in North America. The first generation Odyssey was marketed in Europe as the Shuttle.
Subsequent generations diverged to reflect market variations, and Honda built a plant in Alliston, Ontario, incorporating the ability to manufacture larger models.Since model year 1999, Honda has marketed a larger (large MPV-class) Odyssey in North America and a smaller Odyssey in Japan and other markets. Honda also offered the larger North American Odyssey in Japan as Honda LaGreat between 1999 and 2004.
The North American fourth generation Odyssey takes on a much more sleek and modern appearance compared to previous generation models, as well as other minivans, SUVs and concept cars. It was officially released on sale on September 30, 2010 for the 2011 model year.
Dodge 3500 Pickup Video & Pictures
Heavy Duty Chassis Cabs
Chassis Cab versions were made for the Ram 3500, 4500, and 5500 models. The 3500 Heavy Duty model was unveiled at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show.
Engine choices include 5.7L HEMI V-8 rated 383 bhp (286 kW)@5600 rpm and 542 N·m (400 lb·ft)@4000 rpm for Ram 3500, 6.7L Cummins turbo diesel rated 350 bhp (260 kW)@3013 rpm and 880 N·m (650 lb·ft)@1500 rpm for Ram 3500 (optional), 4500, 5500.
Transmission choices include a standard 6-speed manual or optional 6-speed Aisin automatic. Both transmissions support the Power Take Off option.
Each model has regular or crew cab, single-rear-wheel or dual-rear-wheel (3500 and up only), 4 cab-axle lengths (60, 84, 108 and 120 inches) for 4500/5500 or 2 cab-axle lengths (60 and 84 inches) for 3500, and three trim levels (ST, SLT and Laramie).
The Ram 3500 includes 2 axles with 3 axle ratios (3.42, 3.73 and 4.10) and 17-inch wheels, while Ram 4500/5500 have 1 axle with 3 axle ratios (4.10, 4.44 and 4.88) and 19.5-inch wheels. The 4500/5500 Rams rear axle is a Dana S 110. The front axle on 4x4 models is manufactured by Magna, while 2 wheel drives models just have a solid, non-drive axle.
The Ram 2500 and 3500 are built in Chrysler's Saltillo Assembly Plant in Coahuila, Mexico, and the Ram 1500 is built at the Warren Truck Assembly Plant in Warren, Michigan. The Ram 1500 was also assembled at the Saint Louis Assembly plant in Fenton, Missouri before the plant was permanently closed in July 2009
Chevrolet Aveo 5 Car
The Chevrolet Aveo (pronounced /əˈveɪ.oʊ/ ə-VAY-oh) is a subcompact automobile manufactured since 2002 by GM Daewoo (the South Korean subsidiary of General Motors). Marketed worldwide in 120 countries under five brands (Chevrolet, Daewoo, Holden, Pontiac, and Suzuki),[1] the first generation Aveo was originally called Daewoo Kalos in its home market South Korea, before being rebranded Daewoo Gentra. In other markets, the first generation model was marketed as the Holden Barina in Australasia, Pontiac G3 in the United States and later Canada, previously in Canada as the Pontiac Wave and currently in Canada as the Suzuki Swift+.
Chevrolet Aveo 5 Video
Monday, January 10, 2011
Pontiac G6 Review
Until Pontiac bit the dust in the wake of GM's 2009 bankruptcy fiasco, the Pontiac G6 was the company's go-to midsize car. In a constant battle to steal sales from the class favorites, the G6 offered unusually tactful styling by Pontiac standards, solid performance from its V6 engines and the availability of a four-seat retractable-hardtop convertible body style. Volume-selling models were the five-passenger sedan and four-passenger coupe.
Unlike the Grand Am that it replaced, the Pontiac G6 had considerably more flavor than a generic rental car. Still, the traditional class favorites topped the G6 in the areas of engine refinement, driving dynamics and cabin materials. The G6 may still hold appeal for used-car shoppers, especially given its likely cut-rate pricing. GM has pledged to continue supporting Pontiac products in its service departments, so a used G6 isn't necessarily a bad idea.
Based on General Motors' lengthened "Epsilon" platform, the Pontiac G6 was produced from 2005-'09 as a sedan, coupe and retractable-hardtop convertible. For '05, only the sedan was offered; the coupe and convertible debuted a year later. Three main trim levels were offered on the sedan: base, GT and GTP (which became the GXP in '08). Coupes were either GTs or GTP/GXPs, convertibles GT only. Plenty of standard features, such as air-conditioning, full power accessories and CD audio, came on the base model. The GT added niceties such as an upgraded Monsoon audio system. The GXP topped the range with items like sporty exterior styling tweaks and automatic climate control.
At the time of Pontiac's demise, the G6's engine lineup included a base 2.4-liter four (164 horsepower), a 3.5-liter V6 (219 hp), a 3.9-liter V6 available on the convertible only (222 hp) and the GXP's 3.6-liter V6 (252 hp). Four-speed automatics were standard with all except the GXP's V6, which got a six-speed; however, the four-cylinder got an optional six-speed for 2009 that raised highway fuel economy to a laudable 33 mpg. Some power ratings were a bit lower in previous years, notably the 3.5-liter V6, and a manual transmission was available on a limited basis until '08.
In reviews we found that the Pontiac G6 offered generous room for those riding in back, no matter the body style. And we noted that after years of enduring criticism about its overstyled exteriors and gimmicky interior designs, Pontiac stepped up its efforts with the G6. Outside, the G6 had a crisp and sleek look; inside, there was a restrained and attractive layout with none of the traditional dull gray plastic switches. Even so, the G6 still had a few too many cheap plastic surfaces for our tastes.
On the road, we appreciated the low and midrange torque of the 3.5-liter V6, and the ride was smooth. The convertible's optional 3.9-liter V6 should be avoided if possible, though -- it was barely more powerful than the 3.5-liter V6 and got worse fuel economy. Handling was respectable, but we disliked the electric power steering, which was too light and offered virtually no feedback. GT models from 2007 and up had an improved hydraulic steering setup, which we preferred. Along with the enhanced feature content of the later models, we'd recommend focusing your used Pontiac G6 search on the '07 or newer models.
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