May 2006
You are currently browsing the articles from Super Car Blog written in the month of May 2006.
I recently came across a Audi presentation, of a really fine looking new SUV they recently launched, the Q7. There, the Audi spokesmen, tried to point out that the Q7 is not mearly a streched version of an other faimous???? SUV, the Touareg. They stated that the Q7, has only 15 % parts commonly with the other car in question, most of wich are suspension parts. They also stated, in my opinion, a very shocking fact, that the Q7 is the most important vehicle in Audi history.
Audi didn’t want to rush things, and release a “me too” version of the Cayenne/Touareg, so they chose to???? take it’s time and not rush things. Why Q7? Q as in quattro, Audi’s well-developed all-whell system, which is standard in all Q7s, and 7 as it fits between the midsize A6 sedan and wagon and A8 premium luxury sedan in the company’s lineup.
On an more economical point of view, the SUV trend wave has some what deminiced, but SUV’s still represent an important part in the USA’s auto market. The Q7 will gather buyers from two groups - existing Audi owners who need an SUV and want an Audi SUV, no substitutes, and conquest sales. Selling to brand fanatics is easy; making conquests is not.
But conquering new clients shouldn’t be a challenging problem, for this fine vehicle. Being an Audi, It’s a luxury vehicle first and foremost, with classy interiour and design. In the Audi lineup, it’s closest to the A6 sedan in interior design. And it does have a true seven-passenger capacity, not merely five and two (very) small children stuffed way in the back. The third row provides reasonable space and comfort for two medium-sized - say 5-8 or less - adults. The first two rows provide all the space and comfort anyone could need.
Despite it’s ancestry, this car is far from being a truck, a luxury crossover wagon is the best???? word to describe this vehicle. Despite its 8.1 inches of ground clearance, the center of gravity is low enough, and mass centralized enough, and quattro traction good enough, to give it ride and handling properties closer to a sport wagon than sport-utility vehicle. It’s obviously heavy, at between 5300 and 550 pounds depending on trim level, and so doesn’t have the lightning-quick reflexes of an S4, but it is one of the top SUVs for road manners. Low aspect ratio tires on alloy wheels help significantly, with reduced unsprung weight compared to standard high-profile truck tires.
On a more technical level, the Q7 350 horsepower and 325 lb-ft of torque; Zero-to-60 time is around seven seconds, so the Q7 won’t be lumbering in traffic. Though you may not belive it, many people use the Q7 for it’s towing capabilities, with a 5500-lb standard towing capacity, or 6600 with the optional towing package.
Audi may be the last to enter the SUV party, but sometimes the best is saved for last.
Written by admin on May 16th, 2006 with no comments.
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In 1993 the all new Nissan Skyline R33 GTS25-T replaced the successful R32 GTS- T. Little brother to the all conquering GTR the GTS25-T is more affordable and still a thrilling ride. It features a more modern new shape with smooth lines rather than the sharp edges of the previous model. The new looks were debatable some liked the newer styling of the R33 and some preferred the harder edges of the R32.
On the road with the R33 the first thing you notice is how smooth the R25DET engine is power delivery is linier and the car pulls hard from 3000rpm to the 7000 rpm redline. The manual coupe version will propel you from 0-100 in 6.18 seconds and complete the quarter in 14.4. Maximum power is 187kw at 6400 and a max torque 295nm at 4800. The RB25DET is a ripper and featured technology ahead of it time. The 2.5 liter turbo intercooled straight 6 features a twin cam head with variable valve timing on the intake side.
Handling of the coupe is great with a good balance between comfort and a sports like feel. The rear of the car steered by a system called HICAS which works by calculating the speed and angle of the car through the corners. This feature seems to minimize under- steer and kept the car flat through the corner. The rear on the car is equipped with a viscous LSD and steps out ever so progressively when pushing hard. This makes the car easy to control but if pushed to hard it would be easy to loose the rear end. The skyline is a medium size coupe weighing in at 1360kg and when cornering its a great drive but not quiet as direct or nibble though the bends as the lighter R32 was. But light suspension modifications improve handling significantly.
In Australia a good series 1 GTS25-T can be picked up for around $17,000 and a series 2 for around 20,000. With standard features including electric windows and climate control I thinks it is great value for money. With light modifications to the engine and suspension this car can be turned into a street weapon. For more information I recomend visiting http://nissanskyline.6te.net
About the author
Glenn Munn has been a sports car Enthusiast for many Years. More information and tuning guides for all popular skyline models can be found at my new website http://nissanskyline.6te.net
Written by admin on May 15th, 2006 with no comments.
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The Toyota Camry has been the best-selling car in this country for the past four years, and for eight of the past nine years. It’s been in the top few for even longer. I see numerous examples from the previous three generations, models going back to 1992, on a regular basis, and even a few earlier ones, going all the way back to the Camry’s debut in 1983. Over six and a half million Camrys have been sold in America since then. The words “rare'’ and “exotic'’ will never be applied to the Toyota Camry.
With its position at the top of the sales charts, the Camry is a serious target for all competitors. Toyota has recently made their jobs much more difficult by replacing the fifth-generation Camry, introduced in 2002, with a new and very different sixth generation debuting early as a model year 2007 vehicle.
Little about the Camry has been left unchanged. Most apparent is new styling, bolder and more international than previously seen on a Camry. Overall size is not much changed, but a longer wheelbase and wider track translate to even more interior space. Crashworthiness has been improved by changes to both materials and design. Wheels and tires are larger, and all models feature four-wheel antilock disc brakes.
And “all models'’ has more significance, with an expanded lineup. After all, the Camry didn’t reach the peak of popularity by being a niche vehicle. Even the entry-level CE grade is well-equipped, with power windows. mirrors, and locks, Optitron backlit gauges, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel, six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with a jack for an external MP3 player, and seven air bags. The core-model LE adds remote entry, a power driver’ seat, and a long list of available options. The SE has gotten sportier, with an aero body kit, extra chassis reinforcement, and a specially-tuned suspension. The premium XLE gets as standard equipment many of the LE’s options, and upscale options including a DVD navigation system, leather upholstery, and a keyless push-button starting system.
The standard engine is all non-hybrid 2007 Camrys is an upgraded version of Toyota’s 2AZ-FE 2.4-liter four-cylinder, now with 158 horsepower. It’s matched to a five-speed manual or automatic transmission. Optional in all but the CE is a new 3.5-liter V6, with 268 horsepower. It comes with a six-speed automatic with manual-shift mode. The Camry LE four-cylinder may be statistically average, but with good power and economy, plenty of passenger and trunk space, and typically Toyota high build quality, it’s the benchmark family sedan.
Written by admin on May 14th, 2006 with no comments.
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This year’s car engine of the year, at the “International Engine of the Year 2006” in Stuttgart, was none other then the winner of last years contest, the BMW M5/M6. This extraordinary feat, has never been achieved, no engine has ever won this title, twice in a row! At the same congres, the M5/M6 engine has been voted “Best Performance Engine 2006” and also took first place in the class exceeding 4 liters in capacity.
This engine, was not the only one that won an award, BMW engineers can be proud to have the 3.2-liter inline-six engine powering the BMW M3 with 333 hp and now also featured in the BMW Z4 M Roadster and Z4 M Coupe. This engines coused a great sensation at the this engine show, winning the “Engine of the year award“, at the three to four liters cubic capacity class, for an awsome 6th time in a row! No engine has ever equaled this feat.
????BMW hasn’t stoped here yet, it’s three-liter twin turbo diesel engine with 272 hp powering the BMW 535d took first place in the class from 2.5 to 3.0 liter cubic capacity, achieving the feat of being the only diesel engine to win an award. And the second prize, on the same class award as the BMW535d, came from the BMW 3-liter six-cylinder petrol engine used in almost all series and boasting either 258 or 265 hp, depending on the model.
Written by admin on May 12th, 2006 with no comments.
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I’m just pretty sure some of you, have seen many SL500 on the streets and have just wondered: What’s with all these cars? Well, if you haven’t ever steped in to a SL500, you might say that you don’t really understand what’s all the fuss about this roadster. Once you get in on a SL500, you JUST feel great! The thrill, when driving this roadster is very intense, the car simply is a real joy to drive.
The Mercedes SL500 has one, very cool design, with a sleek aerodinamical form, comes also with a very nice AMG Sport Package, consisting of: front air dam, side skirts, a rear apron and 18??????? AMG wheels. It’s just built for speed and pure driving pleasure, no obstacle can stop this car.
On a note of technicality, the SL500 has a 302 horsepower 5.0 liter V8 engine with 339 ft-lbs of torque, wich one may say is not out of the ordinary, quite standard on similar classed roadsters, but on the road….. it drives magnificent. The car????????s 7-speed electronic touch shift automatic always seems perfectly primed to pass the next slow-poke, and it’s stiff and responsive suspension sistem with independent 4-link front and 5-arm multi-link rear suspension , along with perforated front discs with 4-piston calipers plus the 11.3??????? rear brake, with 1-piston floating caliper , make this car a lot safer on the road.
To continoue on a note of safety, i want to tell you about the SL500’s advanced computer safety sistem with: Active body control, active suspension system, Electrohydraulic Braking System (SBC), ABS, Brake Assist, ESP and Automatic Slip Control. If you still manage to crash this car, you fill find that it contains 5 front/side airbags and in case of roll-overs, it’s cabin is reinforced with strenghend steel.
In 2007, we shall see a new model of this wonderful car, the S550, wich brings a surplus of horsepower and torque to the engine. But until then, try to enjoy this great piece of machinery.
Written by admin on May 11th, 2006 with no comments.
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