The 2011 Lexus RX 350 Review notes

Base Price: $40,250

As-Tested Price: $52,775
Drivetrain: 3.5-liter V6; AWD, six-speed automatic
Output: 275 hp @ 6,200 rpm, 257 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm
Curb Weight: 4,343 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 20/18.4 mpg

The 2011 Lexus RX 350 is the near-luxury crossover to beat, targeted by the likes of the Cadillac SRX and the Lincoln MKX from the United States, the Acura MDX and the Infiniti FX from Japan, and the BMW X5 and the Mercedes-Benz M-class from Europe. C’mon, Mercedes, where’s the X? It can’t be a crossover without an X, right?

Anyway, suffice it to say that the Lexus has a big bull’s-eye on its tailgate right now. Having spent seat time in nearly all of the above-mentioned utes, I can tell you that the RX remains competitive, but just barely. Fortunately for Lexus, a few simple changes will help tremendously.

From a ride-and-handling perspective, the RX 350 handles itself just fine. There are no surprises, nor is there engagement. That’s just how the vast majority of Lexus customers like their cars. Ditto the powertrain: perfectly adequate, nothing to see here, please enjoy the stereo.
Options: Dual-screen rear-seat entertainment with navigation including rear-seat DVD system with wireless headphones, a/v inputs, 120V power outlet and navigation with voice command, XM weather and traffic, backup camera, remote starter ($5,005); luxury package including semianiline leather trim, one-touch open/close moonroof, retractable electrochromic heated outside mirrors, wood and leather steering wheel/shift knob, wide-angle camera, 19-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires, power rear door, illuminated scuff plates, headlamp cleaners ($4,900); comfort package including rain-sensing wipers with mist control, high-intensity headlamps, adaptive front lighting system and driver/passenger heated and ventilated seats ($1,950); 12-speaker audio system with in-dash six-DVD changer ($610); cargo net ($59).

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Know More In Mazda 8

We can only judge this Mazda8 normal appearance! Glance at the Kijang Innova, Previa or Mitubishi Grandis. The question that may arise, why Mazda put a premium segment with prices half a billion rupiahs?

Exterior
To answer, we must look at the exterior and interior details of this MPV. On the exterior, Mazda MPV trying to make it more stylish appearance, or stylish. This is seen from the lower bumper grille design is impressive dynamic with chrome accents, fog lamps with diamond-like design house.

Another technology is installed for xenon headlights (for melee) with autolevelling that can be disabled, type rear sliding side door is equipped with “power door” and remote, LED type rear combination lamps, and exhaust with two holes, rear spoiler with lights Srem (yes familiar!) and sun-roof.

Interior
In the interior, is very obvious with luxurious upholstery and door trim smooth leather-clad. In accordance with the target consumers, second-row seats can pamper and please passengers. This seat is also equipped with a heated body!
As for why the third line – smaller – aimed at children. Nevertheless also for adults with head and leg room is limited.

The doors, sliding side can be opened via the remote or the buttons in the car. It was all very pleasant. Can also be operated via a remote thin, similar to the card. To start the engine, turned the knob on the right side steering wheel.

The sliding door is equipped with a “safe mechanisme Hour”, to prevent limb pinched when the door is closed. Rear side doors can be opened 785 mm, which allows passengers out of the cabin.

The second and third seat can be regulated by a variety of positions, from sitting to relax until bedtime. In addition it also provided plenty of places to put a variety of equipment ranging from gloves, place mimumman and so on. On the ceiling of the front there is also a box for glasses.
Centre Speaker
AC also can also be set individually, between the driver and front passenger, beigut also behind. MPV is also already ielengkapi with center speaker that produces theater effects when used to play DVDs.

Another addition is the monitors outside temperature and jakm which is above the system information. Mirrors can be folded by pressing a button. Moreover, in addition to the rear camera for parking, also for tire repair kit.

So, for those who actually opened the deflated tire or a leak, can do semenara appearance and add wind with gear ang accompanied on this MPV.

For color, the options are disedikan Metropolitan Gray Mica (gray), Crystal White Pearl Mica (White) and Back Sparkling Mica (Black).
Specifications Mazda 8
Dimensions and weight
Long
4860 mm
Width
1850 mm
High
1685 mm
Wheelbase
2950 mm
The lowest gap
155 kg
Weight
1780 kg
Turning radius
5.7 meters
Machine
Type
4-sli, 16 valve, DOHC
with S-VT, VIS and ETC
Capacity
2260 cc
A comparison of compression
9,7:1
Max power
120 kW (163 PS) @ 6500 rpm
Torque max.
203 Nm (20.7 kg-m) @ 3500 rpm
Fuel system
Electronic injection
Fuel tank capacity
68.5 liters
Transmission
Activematice 5-speed
The size of wheels and rims
215/65SR16
Front and rear brakes
Discs with ABS and EBD plus BA
Passive Safety
6 air bags,
seat belt pretensioners

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2012 Nissan GTR

Specifications: Price $89,950, Engine 3.8 liter V6, Aspiration twin turbocharged, Torque 488 lb-ft, HP 530 hp, HP/Liter 139.5 hp per liter.

2012 Nissan GT-R Features More Horsepower, New “Black Edition,” Revised Fascias and Carbon Fiber Interior Trim
Nissan’s Multi-Dimensional 530-Horsepower Supercar Makes North American Debut at Los Angeles Auto Show, Set to Go On Sale in Early 2011

Entering its fourth year of availability in the North American market, the 2012 Nissan GT-R has a new look, new colors, new wheel design and, most important to fans of pure power, more horsepower under the hood. In addition, a new “Black Edition”– with unique seats, interior colors and wheels – joins the GT-R Premium model. The latest iteration of Nissan’s legendary supercar makes its North American debut that the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show and will be available at official “GT-R certified” Nissan dealers across the United States in early 2011.
The 2012 Nissan GT-R’s advanced VR38DETT 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 now produces 530 horsepower (versus the previous 485 horsepower) and 488 lb-ft of torque (versus the previous 434 lb-ft) – a result of modifying the boost pressure of the turbocharger, valve timing and air mixture ratio, and through reducing intake air resistance by enlarging the inlet pipe diameter. In addition, exhaust air resistance was reduced through use of an enlarged section of exhaust pipe.

GT-R’s already impressive aerodynamics have been improved for 2012 with downforce increased by about 10% and the coefficient of drag reduced to 0.26 (from 0.27). Stability is improved by enlarged fascia and grille openings, which also help reduce air resistance inside the engine compartment. The volume of air that passes through the radiator and cools the front brakes is also increased.

The newly refreshed front fascia features aggressive double rectifier fins and new integrated high intensity LED running lights. Additional plated parts are used for the headlight inner panels, enhancing the car’s strong visual presence.
The redesigned rear fascia features a lower center of gravity than the previous design, created by using a sculpted lower section and extended length. Underfloor cooling performance is also enhanced and air resistance reduced by extending the rear diffuser.

In addition, cooling performance for the muffler is improved and rear downforce is increased by about 10% through use of a new rear fascia outlet and new vents on the lower rear fenders that help remove air from the rear wheel wells. Newly designed larger diameter tailpipe finishers are also adopted. Six exterior colors are available, including two new colors: Deep Blue Pearl and Jet Black. Other available colors are Solid Red, Gun Metallic, Pearl White and a limited production 4-stage metallic Super Silver.
GT-R’s newly designed, lighter weight and more rigid forged aluminum 20-inch wheels, once again manufactured by RAYS®, help improve suspension response. Knurling inside the wheels is modified to help keep the tires from slipping around the wheels under heavy acceleration or braking. The wheels also feature a new premium dark (near black) finish, which provides a high quality, high-performance look. The Black Edition features special black six-spoke RAYS® lightweight wheels in place of the Premium model’s 10-spoke design.

Inside, the revisions for 2012 include new carbon fiber trim and upgraded materials. The Black Edition adds custom red-trimmed Recaro® seats, red and black interior trim and a dark headliner.
“The Nissan GT-R continues to be a multi-dimensional performance machine that lives up to the concept of ‘the ultimate supercar that can be driven by anyone, anytime, anywhere,’” said Al Castignetti, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division, Nissan North America, Inc. “With the enhancements for 2012, including its 530-horsepower twin turbo V6 and revised styling, the GT-R legend continues to grow. We can’t wait for its arrival in Nissan showrooms, and on the streets, here in the U.S.”

Additional information on the 2012 Nissan GT-R, including on-sale date, will be available in the coming months.

Now entering its fourth year of availability in the North American market, the 2012 Nissan GT-R has a new look, new colors, new wheel design and, most important to fans of pure power, 35 more horsepower under the hood. In addition, a new “Black Edition” – with unique seat design, interior colors and wheels – joins the GT-R Premium model. The starting MSRPs for the 2012 Nissan GT-R are $89,950 USD and $95,100 USD for the Premium and Black Edition respectively.

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2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206

We almost don't want to tell you about the new Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206. Why? Because it's the fastest, best-handling WRX Subaru's STI division has ever produced, but you can't buy it in the U.S. It's yet another special STI limited edition built exclusively for Japanese domestic consumption.

Subaru's tuning department takes its STI "S" series very seriously, something we witnessed at the recent Tokyo Motor Show when it revealed the new S206 with its eye-popping spec sheet. There's more than a decade of history in the top-shelf S series, starting from the radical-looking S201 to the gutsy S204, and the extreme R205. We've driven them all and been suitably impressed with every car. But the S206 takes "S" to a whole new level.
Powering the S206 is a version of Subie's turbocharged 2.0-liter boxer from the WRX STI. Horsepower has been bumped from 305 hp to 316 hp while torque increases from 290 lb-ft to 318 lb-ft. The engine is hand-built, with pistons, connecting rods, and crankshaft all meticulously balanced before assembly. The secret to the S206's improved performance comes from the newly fitted low friction, twin-scroll ball-bearing turbo, a remapped ECU, and a low back pressure exhaust system that boosts low- to mid-range torque.
Built off of the outgoing WRX STI platform, the S206's suspension gets specially fitted inverted Bilstein dampers, STI coil springs, and a flexible front strut tower brace, while those 19-inch rims are wrapped in Michelin Pilot Super Sports rubber (245/35ZR19), highlighting huge six-piston Brembo calipers with drilled rotors.

As we launch ourselves out of the blocks, the S206 feels at once poised and ready for any right boot extension. And any corner. Switching the VDC to S# for maximum throttle response, and with the updated DCCD (driver controlled center differential) left in normal mode, we gun the boxer engine in first and second to record a stopwatch-timed 0-60 mph sprint of around 4.5 seconds.
Compared to the current WRX STI, the S206 displays beefier torque between 3200 and 4400 rpm -- where you need most for quicker cornering exits. But as Tatsumi says, "this torque curve also makes it easier to putter round town as well." Right, but that's not what we're here for.
2012 Subaru Impreza WRX STI S206
BASE PRICE $76,000 (est)
VEHICLE LAYOUT Front-engine, 4WD, 5-pass, 4-door, sedan
ENGINE ENGINES 2.0L/316-hp /318-lb-ft, turbocharged, DOHC, flat-4
MOTOR MOTORS N/A
TRANSMISSION TRANSMISSIONS 6-speed, manual
CURB WEIGHT 3285 lb
WHEELBASE 103.3 in
LENGTH X WIDTH X HEIGHT 180.3 x 70.7 x 57.9 in
0-60 MPH 4.5 sec (MT est)
EPA CITY/HWY FUEL ECON 24.5 mpg (Japan est)
ENERGY CONSUMPTION, CITY/HWY N/A
CO2 EMISSIONS N/A
ON SALE IN U.S. Japan domestic market only (unfortunately)

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2012 BMW 640i Coupe

2012 BMW 640i Coupe All the 6-series one needs—even though no one needs a 6-series.

After a one-year hiatus, the 6-series returns redesigned and refreshed. Lower, wider, and longer than before, the 6-series is now more elegant as well. A turbocharged six powers the 640i, while the 650i has a very powerful twin-turbo V-8. All-wheel drive is available for the first time

Specifications BMW 640i Coupe
VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 4-passenger, 2-door coupe
BASE PRICE: $74,475
ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 24-valve inline-6, aluminum block and head, direct fuel injection
Displacement: 182 cu in, 2979 cc
Power: 315 hp @ 5800 rpm
Torque: 330 lb-ft @ 1400 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 8-speed automatic with manual shifting mode
DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 112.4 in
Length: 192.8 in
Width: 74.6 in Height: 53.9 in
Curb weight (C/D est): 4150 lb
PERFORMANCE (C/D EST):
Zero to 60 mph: 4.8 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 13.5 sec
Top speed: 130 mph
FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 21/31 mpg
BMW’s U.S. engine lineup is a model of flexibility and simplicity. The company fits its regular-production models with a naturally aspirated inline-six, a turbocharged inline-six, or a twin-turbocharged V-8. (Starting this year, the naturally aspirated six is being replaced by a turbocharged four-cylinder, and there’s also a low-volume 12-pot available only in the $138,000 760Li. But that’s it for complications.) All are smooth and powerful, among the best mills on the market. With those three basic packages, BMW powers the 1-, 3-, 5-, 6-, and 7-series, the X3, X5, and X6, and the Z4. We rarely complain about any pairing of powerplant and vehicle.
What we have in the 640i is a new combination of existing parts, but a combination that is in no way surprising. The BMW 6-series, freshly redesigned for 2012, shares most of its underpinnings with the 5- and 7-series sedans, both of which are available with a turbocharged inline-six. With ever-tighter fuel-economy standards looming, the 640i is as expected as someone ducking when you take a swing at his face.

And the 640i will be a very effective counter to the government’s move to ban horsepower and control fuel consumption. Thanks to the tall gear ratios at the top of its eight-speed automatic transmission, the 640 delivers an EPA-estimated 31 mpg on the highway. That gives this two-ton coupe the highest highway fuel economy of any BMW, aside from the 528i and Z4 sDrive28i, which use the firm’s new four-cylinder. Interestingly, 31 mpg is also 6 mpg better than that of the six-cylinder 740i. The 6’s city figure is 21, compared with 17 for the 7. Thank the 640’s two extra gear ratios—the 740i still has just six—and its newer, single-turbo engine.
As a big coupe, the 6 is a machine for broadcasting its owner’s greatness. Or at least that’s what we’d use it for. If you’re a bigger person than we are, though, and just want to look good, drive around surrounded by BMW’s best interior yet, and do so for as little money as possible, there’s no reason not to do it in a 640i. Except maybe—okay, we’ll say it again—the steering.

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New Honda Elysion

New Honda Elysion Models currently available
Make Honda
Model Elysion
Driving Type 2400cc (official 2354cc) and 3000cc is available in both 2WD and also 4WD
Steering Position Right Hand Drive (on the right side of car)
Transmission Type Available in automatic gear
Fuel Gasoline ( Petrol )
Passenger Capacity 7 persone. Also available in 8 persons capacity
Engine Type K24A . DOHC . 4 Cylinders . 16 Valves
Engine Capacity Available in 2400cc and 3000cc
Number of Doors 5
Price FOB Please inquire
Remarks Shipping cost is not inluded in price.

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Samsung Galaxy Nexus vs Nokia Lumia 800

We see how Samsung's Galaxy Nexus stands up to the Nokia Lumia 800

Published on Dec 22, 2011

We compare Samsung's flagship Android Ice Cream Sandwich phone, the Galaxy Nexus, against Nokia's premier Windows Phone 'Mango' handset, the Lumia 800.

Form Samsung Galaxy Nexus - 135.5x67.9x8.9mm,135g
Nokia Lumia 800 - 116.5x61.2x12.1mm,142g

Visually both devices are very impressive with some distinctive and unique design features which help them stand out from the competition.

The Nokia Lumia 800 is a very sharp and angular handset being bluntly rectangular in shape and topped by a gently curved glass screen.

Build quality feels very impressive indeed, the phone uses an aluminium unibody and it’s probably one of the most well put-together handsets we’ve seen this year.

Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus is the polar opposite in terms of aesthetics, it’s all curves but it isn’t over-the-top – being a larger phone overall the longer lines compliment the slight curvature at either end of the device quite nicely.

Sadly, the Galaxy Nexus doesn’t feel quite so solid construction-wise as its opponent.
We have to give this round to the Nokia Lumia 800.

Winner – Nokia Lumia 800

Display
Nokia’s Lumia 800 has a relatively small display at 3.7-inches but it makes up for this with incredibly sharp picture quality thanks to the use of a Samsung AMOLED screen and Nokia’s own ClearBlack technology.

It features multi-touch support and reinforced Gorilla Glass, while the 480x800 pixel resolution grants a pixel density clocking in at 252 pixels-per-inch (ppi).

It’s one of the best displays on a Windows Phone we’ve seen to date, the screen is bright and crystal clear with vivid colours which really pop out at you.

The Galaxy Nexus uses Samsung’s own Super AMOLED technology, which is slightly better than the Nokia’s ‘vanilla’ AMOLED and it’s a pretty big slate of glass at 4.65-inches.
Despite its large size, Samsung has managed to keep the pixel density very high indeed, a 720x1280 pixel resolution results in 316ppi.

Multi-touch is again supported and an oleophobic coating protects the screen from oily fingerprints.

Both displays are pretty amazing to behold and each manufacturer has clearly lavished a lot of effort and attention on these screens.

At the end of the day, however, the Samsung Galaxy Nexus goes that extra mile, not only is it a substantially sized display, making media easier and more satisfying to view, but it achieves this without compromising on picture quality and goes so far as to offer some of the best available. It’s very impressive stuff indeed.

Winner – Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Storage
Samsung’s flagship Android Ice Cream Sandwich phone has two options for storage, with choices of either 16GB or 32GB onboard. Processing power is supplemented by 1GB of RAM.

The Nokia Lumia 800 only has the 16GB option for internal capacity which, while ample, is half the top-end offered by Samsung’s device. It’s also slightly behind on the RAM side of things with around half the memory of the Galaxy Nexus at 512MB.

Neither smartphone is fitted with a card slot, meaning there’s no option to expand storage space with microSD.

Samsung’s Galaxy Nexus wins this round by doubling up on the Lumia 800’s offerings.

Winner – Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Processor
Discussing the processors between Android and Windows Phones is a tricky thing, because you invariably run up against the issue of how the two platforms work in relation to optimisation.

However, the Galaxy Nexus is a little different from most other Android phones.

The problem with Android normally is it’s a one size fits all system which isn’t optimised very well, but this isn’t an issue on the Galaxy Nexus because, as it’s the Android Ice Cream Sandwich flagship device Samsung has worked closely with Google to get everything as finely tuned as possible.

The Galaxy Nexus uses a dual core ARM Cortex-A9 processor clocked at 1.2GHz and running the Texas Instruments OMAP 4460 chipset alongside a PowerVR SGX540 graphics processing unit (GPU).

Performance on this setup is going to be something pretty special, especially with the extra optimisation and tuning.

Nokia’s Lumia 800 runs on single core hardware but again it’s been well optimised and offers really good performance from its 1.4GHz Qualcomm Scorpion processor running the MSM8255 Snapdragon chipset and an Adreno 205 GPU.

Both offer excellent performance in terms of typical smartphone tasks and navigating their respective interfaces.

However, the Galaxy Nexus will handle high-end apps and games with demanding graphics much more capably and will remain the more competitive option looking ahead to the future.

Winner – Samsung Galaxy Nexus

 

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