Visionale - Car & Bike Articles & Guide
Archive for February, 2011
Mazda Mazda5
Posted by Alexander in Car Reviews, Mazda on February 7th, 2011
Mazda5 is kind of nice looking minivan with three rows of seats.
2010 mazda mazda5
Terms
minivan, appealing, sliding, cargo, vehicle, comfortable, engine, horsepower, torque, gearbox, transmission, stability
Compared with some other minivans the Mazda5 feels more comfortable and stable on the road. The Mazda5, at 15 feet long and just over 5.3 feet tall, is just 10 inches longer than a Toyota Corolla sedan.
The Mazda5 uses a 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with variable valve timing yielding 157 horsepower and maximum torque 148 lb-ft at 3500 rpm, comes with option of either a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearbox. Fuel economy for the Mazda5 is rated at 21 or 22 miles a gallon in city driving, depending on the kind of transmission in the vehicle. The highway rating is 26 or 27 mpg.
The base-level TS cars come with air-conditioning, alloy wheels, remote locking, four powered windows and cruise control. Optional parking sensors, automatic lights and wipers, climate control and Bluetooth, while the range-topping Sport models have sporty styling, powered sliding doors and leather seats.
Mazda 5 comes equipped with front, side and curtain airbags, a stability programme and sophisticated braking system. All 5s come with both an alarm and an engine immobiliser.
Category › Car Reviews
Title › 2010 Mazda Mazda5
Suspension is independent MacPherson strut in front and independent multi-link in back. Standard wheels and tires are 17-inchers.
Second-row seats slide forward and backward on a track for optimal positioning, and third-row riders, though quite close to the rear liftgate, have ample headroom. All four rear-most seats easily fold down, providing 44.4 cubic feet of cargo room. The driver’s seat has a manual height adjustment so views over the large dashboard area are good.
2011 Lexus ES 350
Posted by Alexander in Car Reviews, Lexus on February 7th, 2011
The Lexus ES 350 is the latest version of the company’s long-running ES series.
2011 lexus es 350
Terms
series, sedan, luxury, Toyota Camry, smoother, automatic, transmission, responsive, adaptive, cruise, panoramic
The standard wheel size is up to 17 inches from 16 inches.
The Lexus ES 350 is powered by a standard 3.5-liter V6 engine, which is rated for 272 horsepower and 254 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission sends it all to the front wheels. Reaches 60mph in about 7 seconds. Estimated economy is 21 mpg in the city and 30 on highways. The new transmission also is more responsive, although its shift gate is notchy, especially during quick gear selections. The transmission has a manual shift feature.
Standard equipments in Lexus ES 350 includes a moonroof, a telescoping steering wheel, dual-zone automatic climate control, keyless start, power front seats, an in-dash CD changer and wood trim. Other options includes Mark Levinson surround-sound stereo, a navigation system, adaptive HID headlights, adaptive cruise control, heated/cooled seats and a panoramic sunroof that provides an additional fixed skylight over the backseat.
Standard Lexus ES 350 safety features are stability and traction control, front and rear side airbags, antilock brakes, side curtain airbags and front knee airbags.
Category › Car Reviews
Title › 2011 Lexus ES 350
Optional features include a radar-based pre-collision system and the Lexus Enform and Safety Connect emergency telematics system.
The ES 350 has good room in the extremely quiet interior for four tall adults, with an especially roomy rear-seat area. Major dashboard controls are easy to use, as are the front cupholders. A large, covered console bin, and front doors have storage pockets. Starting the car now is done with a keyless fob and a dashboard pushbutton, which also turns off the engine. Steering is precise, and the soft ride is smooth, without being sloppy. Braking power is good, although the pedal has a rather soft action.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport
Posted by Alexander in Car Reviews, Land Rover on February 7th, 2011
As with other Land Rovers, the Sport has an advanced full-time 4-wheel-drive system that can handle really awful off-road conditions.
2010 land rover range rover sport
The Sport is offered in two equipment-loaded trim levels, HSE and Supercharged. Both have smooth,
Terms
advanced, midsize, enjoyable, luxurious, smooth, sophisticated, automatic, transmission, suspension, upholstery, legroom, bootspace
sophisticated Jaguar engines also used in the Land Rover Range Rover because Land Rover and Jaguar are Tata Motors family members.
The HSE has a 4.4-liter V8 with 300 horsepower, while the 140-mph Supercharged version has a supercharged 4.2-liter V8 kicking out 390 horsepower and lots of torque. Figure on 13-14 mpg in the city and 18-19 on the highway. The HSE does 0-60 mph in 8.2 seconds, and the Supercharged hits 60 in 7.2 seconds. Both work with a modified 6-speed automatic transmission.
The Range Rover Sport is the first Land Rover to offer the company’s Dynamic Response suspension system, which is standard on the Supercharged model and optional on the HSE. The HSE comes standard with 19-inch wheels, a sunroof, an adjustable air suspension with adaptive damping, bi-xenon headlights, foglights, keyless entry/ignition,
Category › Car Reviews
Title › 2010 Land Rover Range Rover Sport
front and rear parking sensors, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering column, leather upholstery, power front seats with driver memory settings, wood interior trim, dual-zone climate control, a navigation system with off-road tracking, leather-wrapped steering wheel with audio and information controls, Bluetooth, a rearview camera, and a nine-speaker Harman Kardon audio system with six-CD changer and auxiliary jack.
Optional Luxury package adds 20-inch wheels, premium leather upholstery, a heated windshield, available piano black trim, heated washer jets, heated front and rear seats, additional driver seat adjustments and a cooler box. The Supercharged adds a more powerful engine, Brembo front brakes, steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles, a Dynamic Response suspension system, a unique grille and upholstery, and satellite radio.
Land Rover Range Rover Sport has plenty of room to be found in the Sport, with enough head- and legroom in the back for adults and 958 litres of bootspace with the seats in place and up to 2,013 litres available in total.
2011 Kia Forte
Posted by Alexander in Car Reviews, Kia on February 7th, 2011
The Kia Forte’s a cheap, safe, somewhat stylish, fuel-efficient sedan that transports up to four adults in perfect comfort.
2011 kia forte
The Kia Forte comes in three trims: LX, EX, and SX. LX and EX models are powered by a 156-hp 2.0-liter; the top-spec SX uses a 2.4-liter that makes 173 hp. Standard across the board are five- (LX and EX) or six-speed manuals (SX). The LX and EX automatic has four forward ratios, except in the EX Fuel-Economy package, which nets the same five-speed automatic offered on the SX.
Terms
cheap, safe, stylish, efficient, comfort, practical, transmissions, engines, legroom, large, controls, power, suspension, confident
Kia claims the 2.0-liter will be good for 0-to-60 jaunts in the eights and the 2.4-liter in the sevens. The 2.0-liter returns 27 mpg city and 36 mpg highway with the five-speed auto in the Fuel-Economy package and 25/34 when paired with either of the two other transmissions. The larger, 2.4-liter four achieves 22/32 with the six-speed manual and 23/31 with the five-speed auto.
Seats are comfortable, wide but still supportive with good lumbar support. The Kia Forte’s a five-seater, the center rear seat is best left for emergency seating, at least for adults. But for two, the legroom is generous and the headroom adequate for all but the tallest. The trunk is surprisingly large for a compact car, at 14.3 cubic feet, due in part to the tall rear deck.
Basic Kia Forte features includes Bluetooth, Satellite Radio, and an auxiliary input jack for the audio system, plus steering wheel controls and voice activation.
Category › Car Reviews
Title › 2011 Kia Forte
The EX model adds air conditioning and power accessories, while the SX adds fog lamps, plus upgraded upholstery and trim. The SX model is the “image leader” of the lineup; in addition to those details and the stronger engine, it gets a sport-tuned suspension, larger brakes, and showy 17-inch alloy wheels.
Standard Kia Forte safety features includesdual seat-mounted side airbags, full-length side curtain airbags, front active headrests, anti-lock brakes with brake assist, and electronic stability control.
In any trim, the ride is comfortable enough, and with the exception of intrusive road noise on some surfaces, the Forte is a confident highway cruiser.
2011 Jeep Wrangler
Posted by Alexander in Car Reviews, Jeep on February 6th, 2011
The Jeep Wrangler is offered in 2-door,
2011 jeep wrangler
The base 2-door Wrangler soft-top version has full-metal doors with roll-up windows, an AM/FM/CD/MP3 player, front bucket seats, a tilt steering wheel and an outside-mounted spare tire.
Terms
convertible, roomiest, comfortable, tough, soft-top, system, power, transmission, axles, cargo, sensors
Options include air conditioning, front-seat side airbags and power windows and door locks. The Wrangler Sahara trim level adds Infinity sound system, power windows and door locks.
Jeep Wranglers come with a 3.8-liter V6 engine producing 202 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque. The V6 is connected to a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional four-speed automatic. Most models are four-wheel-drive. Sahara and Rubicon adds heavy-duty axles, extra-low gearing and electronically locking front and rear differentials.
The Wrangler 2-door has decent room up front, but a tight rear-seat area essentially makes it a 2-seater. The 4-door has more rear passenger room, but it’s still rather cramped back there and the rear seat isn’t very comfortable.
Category › Car Reviews
Title › 2011 Jeep Wrangler
There’s little cargo room with the rear seats in their normal position, but these seats can be tumbled forward or removed for a decent amount of cargo room.
The safety features include a stability-control system with rollover sensors, a roll bar, and anti-lock brakes with a brake-assist feature. The advanced 4-wheel-drive system, helps a Jeep Wrangler cling to slippery roads and off-road terrain. The 4-door version’s longer wheelbase helps give it a more comfortable ride.
2011 Honda Insight
Posted by Alexander in Car Reviews, Honda on February 3rd, 2011
The Honda Insight is available in two trims, LX and EX.
2011 honda insight
Notable additions to the EX trim include heated side mirrors with turn signal indicators, steering-wheel shift paddles, cruise control, a USB audio interface, two additional speakers and alloy wheels.
Terms
control, steering, navigation, safety, electronic, stability, engine, motor, horsepower, headroom, comfortable, hybrid
Another version of the EX comes with a Bluetooth hands-free cell phone link, a navigation system, an iPod interface and additional steering-wheel controls.
Standard safety features in all Insight trims are Dual front airbags, front side airbags, curtain side airbags, active front head restraints, a tire-pressure monitor and anti-lock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution. Traction control and electronic stability control are standard on EX trims.
The Honda Insight features the Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system. IMA starts with a 1.3-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine that produces 88 horsepower and 88 pound-feet of torque, and it adds an electric motor that generates another 13 hp and 58 lb-ft. Combined output with the electric motor is 98 horsepower and 123 lb-ft of torque.
Category › Car Reviews
Title › 2011 Honda Insight
The front seat has good headroom, but tall drivers may want more rearward seat travel. The rear seat has decent legroom, but headroom will be tight for anyone over average height, and hip and shoulder room are limited. While Honda says the Insight seats five, three adults won’t fit in the rear seat, at least not comfortably. The rear seats fold in a 60/40 split, and they lie flat despite the fact that the hybrid batteries are located beneath them. With the seats up the Insight has 15.9 cubic feet of cargo space.
2011 GMC Acadia
Posted by Alexander in Car Reviews, GMC on February 3rd, 2011
The 5-door GMC Acadia is one of the best-looking crossover SUVs to debut recently.
2011 gmc acadia
The GMC Acadia is a midsize crossover SUV that has three rows of seats, a good driver seat view of the road, generous cargo room, commendable road manners and pleasing V6 power. The Acadia’s fuel economy rating was 18 miles per gallon in city driving and 26 mpg on the highway.
Terms
crossover, style, midsize, manners, power, economy, engine, valve, automatic, wheels, torque, safety, control
Three trim levels are offered: SLE, SLT1, and SLT2. All are available in front- or all-wheel-drive configurations. The only Acadia engine is a 275-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 with variable valve timing with 6-speed, automatic transmission that gets power to the wheels quickly, particularly in the low gears. Maximum torque rating is 251 lb-ft at 3200, and some 90 percent of the peak torque can be had between 1500 rpm and 5800 rpm.
The standard features includes air conditioning with rear controls, power outside mirrors, cruise control, tilt/telescoping steering wheel, power windows, programmable door locks with remote keyless entry, four-way manually adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar adjustment, AM/FM/CD/MP3 audio with XM Satellite Radio, automatic headlamps, daytime running lights, rear spoiler, roof rails and P255/65R18 tires on painted aluminum wheels.
Category › Car Reviews
Title › 2011 GMC Acadia
GMC Acadia comes loaded with safety equipment, including side-curtain airbags, side-impact airbags for torso protection and StabiliTrak electronic stability control and other active safety features that help the driver avoid accidents.
The GMC Acadia is one of the roomiest crossover utility vehicles in its class, with seating for up to eight passengers. The second-row seats slide 4 inches fore and aft and easily flip up and out of the way for access to the third-row seats. Behind the third row, there is a respectable amount of luggage room.
2011 Ford Fusion
Posted by Alexander in Car Reviews, Ford on February 3rd, 2011
The latest midsize Ford builds on the Fusion chassis adding fresh, hard-hitting powertrains, a wisely updated interior,
2011 ford fusion
Terms
midsize, chassis, powertrains, sporty, hybrid, sedan, transmission, automatic, spacious, quality, sensor
The entry-level S is a 4-cylinder front-wheel-drive car. The SE also have the same 4-cylinder front-wheel-drive, except it offers a 3.0-liter V6 option, while the fully laden SEL is available in 4-cylinder or V6 guise, and offers optional all-wheel drive. The Fusion sports have a larger 3.5-liter V6.
The standard features in Fusion are Power door locks and mirrors, a slick tilt and telescoping steering wheel, seat belt pre-tensioners and an MP3 4-speaker sound system. The base Fusion includes speed-sensitive wipers, a rear window defroster, a rear center armrest, a one-touch driver’s window and a 6-speed manual transmission. Fusion SE adds 6-way power driver’s seat, SIRIUS Satellite Radio, 6-speaker sound and 17-inch wheels. The SE comes with a 6-speed automatic transmission and option to to 3.0-liter V6 upgrade.
The cabin is spacious and packed with high-quality materials. The boot is bigger and easier to load, but split rear seats don’t do anything particularly clever.
Category › Car Reviews
Title › 2011 Ford Fusion
Safety features include front side airbags, front and rear automatic locking retractors, trunk anti-trap device, driver airbag with dual stage deployment, front and rear side head curtain airbags, passenger airbag cutoff sensor and a emergency fuel shut-off device. Deadlocks and an immobiliser are provided across the board, but only the top Titanium trim gets an alarm.
Combining a highly efficient hybrid power train with top-notch standard and optional cabin tech, the Ford Fusion is both a great tech car and a great value.
2011 Ford Fusion Features
Trim: I-4 S FWD
Exterior, Design, Paint & Finish
– Body Color Exterior Door Handles
– Chrome Grille
– S Badging
– Metallic Paint (If Selected)
– Front Air Dam
– Front and Rear Body Color Bumpers
Seats
– Cloth Seats
– Rear 60/40 Split Folding Bench Seat With Manually Adjustable Headrests and Fold-Down Armrest
– Front Dual Reclining Bucket Seats, Driver Side Manually Adjusts 4-Ways Total, Passenger Side Manually Adjusts 2-Ways Total With Headrests
Instrumentation
– Trip Computer
– Cruise Control
– MyKey(TM) Vehicle Speed and Audio Volume Limiter
– Tire Pressure Monitor
– Steering Wheel Mounted Controls For Cruise Control
– Clock
– Tachometer
Storage
– Front Covered Lower Console Storage Located On Floor
– 4 Front and 2 Rear; 6 Cupholders Total
– Door Mounted Storage
– Glovebox
– Coinholder
Interior, Design, Decor & Floor Covering
– Carpet Located In Passenger Cabin and Trunk
Exterior Lighting
– Halogen Headlights
Safety
– Seatbelt Height Adjusters
– Rear 3-Point Center Seatbelt
– Front Side Airbags
– Front and Rear Automatic Locking Retractors
– Crumple Zones
– Side Guard Door Beams
– Trunk Anti-Trap Device
– L A T C H
– Driver Airbag With Dual Stage Deployment
– Front and Rear Side Head Curtain Airbags
– Passenger Airbag Cutoff Sensor Activated By Weight
– Emergency Fuel Shut-Off Device
– Front and Rear 3-Point Seatbelts
– Pretensioners With Force Limiters
– Passenger Airbag With Dual Stage Deployment
– Personal Safety System(R) Includes Pretensioners With Force Limiters, Driver Airbag With Dual Stage Deployment, Passenger Airbag With Dual Stage Deployment, Driver Seat Position Sensor and Crash Sensor
– SOS Post Crash Alert System Crash Sensor Unlocks Doors, Turns On Flashers and Sounds Horn
Braking & Traction
– 4-Wheel Anti-Lock Brakes
– Electronic Brake Force Distribution
– Front Power Disc and Rear Power Disc Brakes
– Traction Control
– AdvanceTrac(R) With Electronic Stability Control(R) (ESC) Vehicle Stability Control System Operated Via Engine Power Reduction, ABS and Traction Control
Steering
– Telescopic Steering Column
– Tilt Steering Column
– Power Rack and Pinion Variable Assisted Steering
Engines & Emissions
– 2.5-Liter Duratec, I4, 16-Valve, DOHC, SEFI Engine; Front Mounted With Horsepower Of 175@6000, Torque Of 172@4500, Alloy Block and Alloy Cylinder Head
– EasyFuel(TM) Capless Fuel Filler
– Roadside Assistance Warranty For 60000-Miles, 60-Months
Suspension
– Front Suspension With Springs and Shock Absorbers
– Front Stabilizer Bar
– Rear Suspension With Springs and Shock Absorbers
– Rear Stabilizer Bar
Remote Controls & Remote Releases
– Keyless Entry Operated Via Key Fob
– Remote Trunk Release Located Inside Vehicle and On Multi-Function Remote
– Panic Alarm
– Multi-Function Remote Operates Anti-Theft, Door Lock/Unlock, Illuminated Entry and Trunk
Anti-Theft & Locks
– Vehicle Anti-Theft Via Alarm, SecuriLock(R) Engine Immobilizer and Exterior Monitoring
– Child Safety Door Locks Located On Rear Doors
– Power Door Locks Operated Via Key and Internal Switch
Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning
– Manual Air Conditioning
– Interior Air Filter
Electrical
– 2 Front Power Outlets
– Battery Saver
– Delayed Power Retention
Interior Lighting
– Front and Rear Map Lights
– Interior Load Area Light
– Illuminated Entry
Entertainment, Communication & Navigation
– AM/FM Radio With 4 Speakers Total; CD Player; MP3 Player
– Front Auxiliary Audio Input Jack
– Radio Antenna
Transmission
– 6-Speed Manual Transmission With Overdrive
2011 Ford Fusion Specifications
Trim: I-4 S FWD
Engine
Standard Engine 2.5L I4
Standard Transmission 6 Speed Manual
Cylinders 4
Horsepower @RPM 175@6000
Fuel Economy Cty/Hwy 22 / 31
Combined Fuel Economy 25
EPA Class Mid-Size
Number of Valves 16
Torque @RPM N/A
Turbo (Yes/No) No
Overdrive Transmission Yes
Battery Output N/A
Compression 9.7:1
Displacement 2488 / 152
Bore X Stroke 3.50×3.94
Cruising Range 437.5 miles
Final Drive Gear Ratio Opt N/A
Power to Weight Ratio 18.8
Final Drive Ratio No
Valves Configuration Dual Overhead Cam / Twin Overhead Cam
Supercharged No
Electric HorsePower RPM N/A
Electric Torque Feet Per Pound N/A (foot-lbs)
Electric Torque RPM N/A
Electric HorsePower BHP N/A
Interior Dimensions
Seating (Standard) 5
Seating (Optional) N/A
Tow Capacity (Standard) Not Listed
Tow Capacity (Maximum) Not Listed
Headroom (Front) 38.7
Headroom (Row 2) 37.8
Hiproom (Front) 54.0
Hiproom (Row 2) 53.3
Legroom (Front) 42.3
Legroom (Row 2) 37.1
Shoulder Room (Front) 57.4
Shoulder Room (Row 2) 56.5
Seating (Maximum) 5
Headroom (Row 3) N/A
Hiproom (Row 3) N/A
Legroom (Row 3) N/A
Shoulder Room (Row 3) N/A
Brakes, Steering, Suspension and Tires
Brakes (Front) Disc
Brakes (Rear) Disc
Driveline Front Wheel Drive
Driveline (Opt) N/A
Steering Rack & Pinion
Steering Diameter Left 37.5
Steering Diameter Right 37.5
Suspension (Front) Independent
Suspension (Rear) Independent
Tire Type Passenger
Tire Width 205 mm
Tire Aspect Ratio 60
Tire Construction Radial
Tire wheel Diameter 16 in.
Capacity and Volume
Cargo Volume (EPA) 16 cu. ft.
Cargo Volume (MFR) 16 cu. ft.
Fuel Capacity 17.5
Passenger Volume (EPA) 100
Passenger Volume (MFR) 100.3 cu. ft.
Box/Cargo Height N/A
Box/Cargo Length N/A
Box/Cargo Width (Wheel) N/A
Box/Cargo Width (Wall) N/A
GVWR Standard N/A
GVWR Maximum N/A
Payload Standard N/A
Payload Maximum N/A
Exterior Dimensions and Weight
Curb Weight MT 3285
Curb Weight AT 3342
Ground Clearance N/A
Height 56.9
Length 190.6
Top Type (Standard) Hard Fixed
Top Type (Optional) N/A
Track (Front) 61.7
Track (Rear) 61.3
Weight Distribution AT (Front) N/A
Weight Distribution AT (Rear) N/A
Weight Distribution MT (Front) N/A
Weight Distribution MT (Rear) N/A
Wheelbase 107.4
Width 72.2
Doors (Standard) 4
Doors (Maximum) 4
Crash Test Ratings, Sales and Origin
Crash Test Rating Not Listed
Sales Volume N/A
Where Built Mexico