Kubatech Gives the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Some Wings

2012 Nissan Versa SL Sedan

The ongoing belt-tightening in America has seen small cars move upmarket, with many boasting attractive designs and premium features unheard of in the segment as recent as five years ago. But just as other manufacturers are moving onward and upward, Nissan has taken a few steps back with its new 2012 Versa sedan, a car that shoots for (and hits) the bottom of the barrel.

Starting at $11,750, the Versa sedan is aimed at those Ramen-budget buyers who prefer the scent and security of a new car—and a factory warranty—to flirting with a used car. This formula isn’t anything new to Nissan or the Versa: The previous generation even offered a stripped-out, radio-less sedan for a grand less than this new model. But the last car, either in bargain-basement or slightly nicer trim, offered satisfactory performance and dynamics, and wasn’t built initially or exclusively to be the least expensive new car on the market—an important distinction between it and the 2012 model.

All 1.6, All the Time

For starters, the 122-hp, 1.8-liter four that was optional in the 2011 sedan has been dropped in favor of an all-1.6-liter lineup. The 1.6 is updated slightly for 2012, now getting two fuel injectors per cylinder for what Nissan says is a more efficient burn. Output is essentially unchanged, with the engine putting out 2 more hp for a total of 109, but dropping 4 lb-ft of torque to 107. A continuously variable automatic transmission replaces the previous car’s optional four-speed auto and helps net a decent increase in fuel economy. The Versa is pegged to return 30 mpg in the city and 38 on the highway with the CVT, up 5 mpg in both categories from last year’s auto-equipped 1.6-liter. (With the manual, the car is rated at 27/36.) We saw 33 mpg overall in our CVT-equipped test car.

But the benefits of the 1.6 and CVT come at a hefty expense: the sanity of the car’s occupants. Rarely have we wanted out of a car so badly before we even made it out of our office parking lot. With the motor revving straight to 4800 rpm, the drone from the powertrain is so intense you’d rather listen to your mother-in-law go on about a day of holiday shopping. The Versa won’t be getting you to your destination quickly, either. It took 9.8 seconds to stroll to 60 mph, and eventually reached the quarter-mile in 17.5 at 81 mph. The 2472-pound sedan stopped from 70 mph in 179 feet, an average performance commanded by a soggy pedal.

Fewer Parts, Less Good

Riding on Nissan’s new global V platform, the Versa has wheelbase and width measurements that are unchanged from last year. It is a tad shorter, though, and boasts a trunk that, at 15 cubic feet, is one cube larger. With the new platform, Nissan says it cut about 150 pounds by reducing the number of parts by nearly 20 percent. Perhaps it left out a few too many critical components. The gap between the front wheel and fender makes the Versa look like it’s on stilts, and it handles like it, too. Its stick on the skidpad is a scant 0.76 g, and enthusiastic drivers will quickly succumb to waves of body roll and understeer that has the front tires howling at normal cornering speeds. On the highway, the Versa is nervous and subject to directional changes determined as often by the wind as by the driver.

Things are worse inside, too. The new interior is constructed entirely of concrete-hard plastics, with the only soft materials being the carpet, seats, and headliner. As evidenced by the amount of road noise, the doors seem to have zero insulation. As your author climbed inside, the cord to his radar detector—a tool which proved unnecessary—fell against the door skin. The resulting ping sounded like someone had dropped an empty soda can. Eager to drown out the road noise and horrific engine note, we cranked up the tunes on the optional nav-equipped head unit, only to find an astonishing amount of distortion from the speakers at just half volume. As a whole, the only real positive from the Versa sedan is its enormous back seat, which offers tremendous legroom. But good luck finding anybody to fill it more than once.

2013 Ford Escape Spy Photos

Car Drive 2011

Ford Focus

• Ford Focus Edge 1.6
• Discounted by £2,695
• Well-equipped model

The new Ford Focus is Britain’s best-selling car, thanks to its economical engines, performance and excellent levels of equipment.

Motor Parks.co.uk is now offering the 2011 Focus for only £13,341 – a web exclusive deal with a massive saving of £2,659.

For this price you’ll get a Focus Edge 1.6 104bhp five-door with remote central locking, alarm, DAB radio tuner, Bluetooth, AUX input, trip computer,16-inch alloy wheels, electric and heated door mirrors and air-con.

This offer is available at Ford Ashford, Canterbury, Croydon, Thanet and Wimbledon. Call 0844 499 1030 or visit Motor Parks.co.uk now to find out more.

Vauxhall Astra

The Vauxhall Astra is a family hatchback with a great design, heaps of space and well-performing engines.

Thanks to a web exclusive deal Motor Parks.co.uk is offering the Vauxhall Astra Excite 1.4 with 98bhp for just £11,995.

That’s a massive saving of £5,440 on its original £17,435 price tag.

Standard features on the Astra Excite include 17-inch alloy wheels, Bluetooth telephone connectivity, Auxiliary-in socket, CD player, steering wheel-mounted audio controls, air-con, and cruise control.

This deal is available at Doves Vauxhall in Southampton ending September 30. Call them on 0843 308 8692 or visit Motor Parks.co.uk now to find out more.

Top Five Cheapest New Cars on Sale

The all-new Kia Rio is here

The striking and sporty Kia Rio has arrived, costing from just £9,995 on-the-road.

As well as looking good, the 1.1-litre diesel Rio 1 EcoDynamics model emits CO2 emissions of only 85g/km, the lowest of any non-electric car in Europe. This makes it free to tax and exempt from the London Congestion Charge.

All diesel Kia Rio models are fitted with Intelligent Stop and Go technology, cutting engine power when the car is stationary to save as much as 12 per cent on your fuel bill.

The high level of useful equipment continues inside, with standard features including Hill-start Assist Control (HAC), 6 airbags, daytime running lights, Bluetooth telephone connectivity and steering-wheel mounted audio controls.

Kia also offers every Rio with a seven-year/100,000 mile warranty which is transferrable to the next owner of the car.

To find out more about the Kia Rio and its myriad of features, take a look at its eco-friendly iBrochure where you can view videos and even create your perfect new Rio.

If you want to see the new Kia Rio in all its glory, you can watch the new TV advert on Kia’s YouTube channel.

Visit the Kia website now for more information on the new Kia Rio.

Volkswagen Tiguan

1. Exterior

The Volkswagen Tiguan was launched in 2008, but received a comprehensive facelift for 2011. Squarer headlights contribute to a bolder face which sits comfortably alongside the rest of the VW range. The rear lights have an intricate lamp arrangement, giving the Tiguan an identity at night. An off-road-focussed model, the Escape, is also offered with a sharply-angled lower bumper for improved ability to traverse ditches. All models are fitted with alloy wheels, but LED side lights, which are de rigueur for many new models aren’t fitted as standard.

2. Interior

Although the interior has been largely untouched since its 2008 launch, time has been kind to the design. It has an elegant feel and the quality of the assembly is first rate. The materials used in the cabin are generally very good, but the lower half of the dash feels a little low-rent by comparison with hard plastics which feel flimsy. It’s exceptionally easy to get a comfortable seating position, and the steering wheel adjusts up and down as well as for reach.

3. Practicality

The Tiguan is a spacious vehicle, with plenty of leg, head and shoulder room for four adults; the centre rear seat is best treated as an occasional seat, or one for children. The rear seats slide forward and back by up to 16cm, and the seat backs tilt through 23 degrees. The boot measures 470 litres, which is slightly more than the BMW X1 but less than the Range Rover Evoque. The seats fold flat, creating a useful flat floor to load large cargo. SE, Sport and Escape models have pull-out drawers under the front seats.

4. Ride and handling

Few mid-sized 4×4s offer as much fun on a twisty road as the Tiguan. The chassis allows the car to cut, rather than roll, through bends, and there’s a positive feel through the steering wheel that’s rare on a car with off-roading pretentions. The trade-off is a slightly firm ride, but it only becomes uncomfortable on the most rutted roads – the standard set-up is good enough to make the optional adaptive suspension, which offers Comfort and Sport modes, unnecessary. Models with 17-inch wheels have the best blend of looks and comfort, as 18 inch wheels transmit too much vibration into the cabin. Grip is good on two-wheel drive models, and the setup is more fun to drive, but VW’s 4MOTION four-wheel drive system adds confidence on icy, wet or muddy roads.

5. Performance

Volkswagen offers the Tiguan with a choice of three petrol and three diesel engines, although diesels will account for 90 per cent of sales thanks to reduced running costs. All three diesels are 2-litre units offering 110, 140 and 170bhp. The 110bhp version is only available with two-wheel drive and takes 11.9 seconds to reach 62mph and has a top speed of 109mph. The 140bhp unit is the biggest seller, and cuts the 0-62mph time to 10.8 seconds and grows the top speed to 116mph. The 170bhp diesel will hit 62mph in 8.9 seconds and reach 125mph. Both the 140 and 170bhp engines are available with two- and four-wheel drive, and are both smoother to drive than the 110bhp version. Petrol engines are all 1.4 with power ranging from 160 to 210bhp offering 0-62mph times of between 9.2 and 7.8 seconds.

Honda s2000

                                   Honda s2000

                                 Honda s2000 

Honda S2000 is a roadster manufactured by Japanese automaker Honda Motor. It was launched in April 1999 and was created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the company. The car was first shown as a concept at the Motor Show in Tokyo in 1995 after it was launched on the world market in 1999. The S2000 is named after his displacement of 2 liters, which operates in the tradition of roadsters S500, S600 and S800 in the 1960s.

                                         Honda s2000 

Several changes were made throughout the life of the car, including modifications to the engine, gearbox, suspension and interior and exterior. Officially two versions available: the original model was the launch of the chassis code AP1, AP2, while the name was given to vehicles produced from mid 2003. Although aesthetically similar, incorporated AP2 marked changes in the transmission and suspension. S2000 production was discontinued in June 2009.

                                         Honda s2000

                                         Honda s2000

                                        Honda s2000

                                          Honda s2000

                                        Honda s2000

                                         Honda s2000

                                          Honda s2000

Ferrari f430

                                    Ferrari f430

                                        Ferrari f430 

Justin Bieber Ferrari "F430" is a machine, rather than Justin is a very high price is the price: $ 200,000. Justin Bieber Ferrari "430" is a class of luxury cars have excellent acceleration while walking on the pavement with the wheels that is suitable for the entire design and coloring is very classic. Ferrari "430" is selected by Justin Bieber is a car black lightly browned. Justin chose a slightly darker color, because it was not satisfied with striking colors like green, yellow and red.

                                         Ferrari f430 

The body has been redesigned to be more curved and aerodynamic. Although the drag coefficient remains the same, support has been greatly improved. Much of Ferrari heritage found in the car on the back, the taillights of the Enzo and interior vents have been added. The name of the car is engraved in the driver's side mirror Testarossa style. The large oval openings in the front bumper reminiscent of Ferrari racing models from the 60s, specifically the 156 "Sharknose" Formula One car and 250 TR61 Le Mans cars of Phil Hill. The F430 is equipped with a 4.3L V8 gasoline engine derived from a division of Ferrari / Maserati design. The new plant is a significant departure for Ferrari: Ferrari V8 all were descendants of the ancient race program in the 1950's Dino.

                                        Ferrari f430 

This fifty year development cycle was completed with a brand new 4.3L, the architecture, which is expected to replace the Dino V12 in most other Ferrari cars. Power requirements of the engine are: 490 hp (360 kW 483 hp) at 8500 rpm and 465 Nm (ft · 343 pounds) of torque at 5250 rpm, 80% is available in less than 3500rpm.

                                         Ferrari f430

                                        Ferrari f430

                                        Ferrari f430

                                         Ferrari f430

                                        Ferrari f430

                                         Ferrari f430

                                         Ferrari f430

classic cars wanted

classic cars wanted, old classic cars for sale, old muscle cars, old classic mustangs ,old classic trucks

my classic car

my classic car,my classic cars,my classic car gallery,my classic car wallapers,