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Motor Authority - blog Tag: AWD

  • First look at facelifted 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo

    First look at facelifted 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo August 6th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, August 6th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 11 Comments

    First look at facelifted 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo

    Following the release of the facelifted Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 models late last year, as well as the new Targa and GT3, comes the first details and images for the updated 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo.

    Once again, Porsche has continued its tradition of only implementing minimal changes to the styling of its AWD Turbo, opting to focus on changes taking place under the revised sheet metal instead.

    For the 2010 model year, the Turbo has been given more power, better handling, and you can expect a higher price tag too. The only exterior mods appear to be chrome headlight surrounds, restyled foglights and new wheel designs.

    To give its 485...

    Following the release of the facelifted Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 models late last year, as well as the new Targa and GT3, comes the first details and images for the updated 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo. Once again, Porsche has continued its tradition of only implementing minimal changes to the styling of its AWD Turbo, opting to focus on changes taking place under the revised sheet metal instead. For the 2010 model year, the Turbo has been given more power, better handling, and you can expect a higher price tag too. The only exterior mods appear to be chrome headlight surrounds, restyled foglights and new wheel designs. To give its 485 horsepower Nissan GT-R nemesis a run for its money, the updated Turbo gets a new 3.8-liter direct-injected engine that now outputs 500 horsepower – up 20 horsepower on the outgoing model and just 30 horsepower shy of the mighty GT2. With this level of power, the 2010 911 Turbo will be the fastest accelerating AWD production Porsche in history. The 0-60 mph run is tackled in just 3.2 seconds when equipped with the new 7-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox, while top speed rises to 194 mph. Expect to see the car, in both Coupe and Cabrio forms, make its debut at next month’s Frankfurt Motor Show. Sales in the U.S. will start in January, priced from $132,800 for the Coupe and $143,800 for the Cabriolet. 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo Coupe and Cabriolet Read More

  • Report: Next-gen Honda NSX could get 'Super Hybrid Sports' badge

    Report: Next-gen Honda NSX could get 'Super Hybrid Sports' badge July 21st, 2009 ByKenneth Hall Kenneth Hall, Author, July 21st, 2009 Kenneth Hall 4 Comments

    Report: Next-gen Honda NSX could get 'Super Hybrid Sports' badge Last year Honda - or more specifically, Acura - confirmed the NSX replacement would be on its way by 2010 as a 2011 model. Since then the global car market has fallen through the floor, and Honda had canceled the NSX replacement, but the car could still make its target debut date. A report emerging today says it may arrive with the name 'Super Hybrid Sports'.

    Talk of canning the V10-powered NSX-replacement project may have been overblown, with Honda instead simply shifting gears to a greener approach, reports 7Tune. Instead of a 550hp, 5.5L V10, the new car could get a 3.5L V6 and the hybrid system from the next-generation Acura RL rated at... Last year Honda - or more specifically, Acura - confirmed the NSX replacement would be on its way by 2010 as a 2011 model. Since then the global car market has fallen through the floor, and Honda had canceled the NSX replacement, but the car could still make its target debut date. A report emerging today says it may arrive with the name 'Super Hybrid Sports'. Talk of canning the V10-powered NSX-replacement project may have been overblown, with Honda instead simply shifting gears to a greener approach, reports 7Tune. Instead of a 550hp, 5.5L V10, the new car could get a 3.5L V6 and the hybrid system from the next-generation Acura RL rated at about 450hp combined output. While this makes a lot of sense taken together with Honda's recent statements on Acura's lack of a need for V8s and RWD powertrains, it will also mean a lot of additional weight - as will fitting Acura's SH-AWD drive system. On the other hand, the image and reality of a hybrid sports car may be just what Honda needs to help maintain its solid position in American fuel economy standards as well as a strong competitive offering to counter the Toyota FT-HS hybrid Supra revival. How that will bear out the claims that the NSX would be faster than the Nissan GT-R, and compete directly with Ferrari on performance, however, is yet to be seen.Honda NSX prototype spied at Nurburgring Read More

  • Garage Saurus one of the first to tune Nissan’s GT-R SpecV

    Garage Saurus one of the first to tune Nissan’s GT-R SpecV June 23rd, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, June 23rd, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 1 Comment

    Garage Saurus one of the first to tune Nissan’s GT-R SpecV Like a fine piece of art or a perfectly cooked stake, the 2010 Nissan GT-R SpecV is one of those cars that shouldn’t be fiddled with and just accepted as one of the best examples of automotive engineering on sale today. With more than 478hp (356kW) and 430lb-ft (580Nm) on tap and a kerb weight sliding just under 1,600kg, few would deem the car lacking in the performance department.

    If you are one of the lucky few to get your hands on the rare SpecV GT-R and are crazy enough to modify it, Japanese tuner Garage Saurus will soon be able to offer a full assortment of upgrades for the car.

    Starting with only the basics, Garage Saurus... Like a fine piece of art or a perfectly cooked stake, the 2010 Nissan GT-R SpecV is one of those cars that shouldn’t be fiddled with and just accepted as one of the best examples of automotive engineering on sale today. With more than 478hp (356kW) and 430lb-ft (580Nm) on tap and a kerb weight sliding just under 1,600kg, few would deem the car lacking in the performance department. If you are one of the lucky few to get your hands on the rare SpecV GT-R and are crazy enough to modify it, Japanese tuner Garage Saurus will soon be able to offer a full assortment of upgrades for the car. Starting with only the basics, Garage Saurus have complied and installed a few choice upgrades from its range such as the Trust-GReddy full titanium exhaust kit, a custom high-flow intake, Blitz blow-off-valves, an uprated wastegate and a HKS ECU module. New 750cc Bosch fuel-injectors are being added to the car as you read this, along with more fine-tuning of the HKS ECU module. The car is still in the early development stage so no performance figures have been revealed as yet, but considering past Garage Saurus GT-Rs have developed in excess of 600hp (448kW) we should be seeing some big performance gains with the firm’s modified GT-R SpecV. Via: GTRBlog2010 Nissan GT-R SpecV2010 Nissan GT-R SpecV Live shots Read More

  • 2010 Subaru Legacy scores 31mpg highway in EPA tests

    2010 Subaru Legacy scores 31mpg highway in EPA tests June 18th, 2009 By Nelson Ireson Nelson Ireson, Author, June 18th, 2009 Nelson Ireson 5 Comments

    2010 Subaru Legacy scores 31mpg highway in EPA tests Subaru has been curiously unaffected - or nearly so - by the tremors shaking the foundations of so many other carmakers' sales figures. And despite the 2010 Legacy's not-so-adorable face, it's developing its own following already. Today, that following will have a fairly tough pill to swallow with the release of the EPA's fuel economy figures.

    It's not all bad news, as the Legacy 2.5i with CVT transmission manages 23mpg in the city, 31mpg on the highway and 26mpg combined, putting it solidly in the upper half of its class, especially considering the sedan's size, power, and AWD capability. In fact, Subaru says it's the most efficient 2010... Subaru has been curiously unaffected - or nearly so - by the tremors shaking the foundations of so many other carmakers' sales figures. And despite the 2010 Legacy's not-so-adorable face, it's developing its own following already. Today, that following will have a fairly tough pill to swallow with the release of the EPA's fuel economy figures. It's not all bad news, as the Legacy 2.5i with CVT transmission manages 23mpg in the city, 31mpg on the highway and 26mpg combined, putting it solidly in the upper half of its class, especially considering the sedan's size, power, and AWD capability. In fact, Subaru says it's the most efficient 2010 mid-size AWD sedan in the U.S. "We are thrilled that the all-new 2010 Legacy not only offers more space and a more rewarding drive than the competition, but it also delivers better fuel economy at a very competitive price," said Tim Mahoney, senior vice president and CMO of Subaru America. But the sportier and more powerful 2.5GT and 3.6R versions offer significantly worse efficiency, ticking over 18mpg in the city and 25mpg on the highway for 21mpg combined. That's only marginally better than some SUVs, and not very competitive in the Legacy's segment. With real-world figures likely to fall somewhat below that mark for many drivers, it's an even darker picture. The only remaining model, the 2.5i with the six-speed manual transmission, does little to brighten the picture. Rated at 19mpg city, 27mpg highway and 22mpg combined, the manual is blown out of the water by the CVT. All of that said, however, the 2010 Subaru Legacy is actually more fuel efficient than the preceding generation, so current owners have something to sweeten an upgrade.2010 Subaru Legacy (Liberty) Read More

  • Ford releases new high-res Taurus SHO photos, configurator alongside launch event

    Ford releases new high-res Taurus SHO photos, configurator alongside launch event June 17th, 2009 ByAlex Kaufmann Alex Kaufmann, Author, June 17th, 2009 Alex Kaufmann 2 Comments

    Ford releases new high-res Taurus SHO photos, configurator alongside launch event The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO launch event is currently underway, and driving impressions are still under wraps for a few days yet but Ford has seen fit to let our eyes feast on a new set of high-res photos of the forced-induction family sedan with a mean streak.

    The AWD, twin-turbo 365hp EcoBoost V6 Taurus SHO is set to return to the American market with a vengeance. Few cars can offer the feature set or performance that the big American sedan promises while maintaining a $45,175 price point.

    Despite Ford's mass-market positioning Lincoln, Mercury and even the Germans may get their toes stepped on by this sharp-looking, hard-driving special.... The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO launch event is currently underway, and driving impressions are still under wraps for a few days yet but Ford has seen fit to let our eyes feast on a new set of high-res photos of the forced-induction family sedan with a mean streak. The AWD, twin-turbo 365hp EcoBoost V6 Taurus SHO is set to return to the American market with a vengeance. Few cars can offer the feature set or performance that the big American sedan promises while maintaining a $45,175 price point. Despite Ford's mass-market positioning Lincoln, Mercury and even the Germans may get their toes stepped on by this sharp-looking, hard-driving special. But we won't know for sure if it lives up to its spec sheet for a few days yet. In the mean time, enjoy the photos, and try your hand at building your own on Ford's configurator site.2010 Ford Taurus SHO Read More

  • Volvo reveals pricing for new XC60 3.2 in U.S.

    Volvo reveals pricing for new XC60 3.2 in U.S. June 5th, 2009 By Viknesh Vijayenthiran Viknesh Vijayenthiran, Author, June 5th, 2009 Viknesh Vijayenthiran 2 Comments

    Volvo reveals pricing for new XC60 3.2 in U.S. Crossovers are the new wagons, according to popular wisdom, but at Volvo the heritage is clearly visible. Its wagon-like crossovers in the XC line have met with great success in the U.S., together with the various wagon lines accounting for about half of the company's sales in recent years. The 2010 XC60, revealed at last year's Geneva Motor Show, adds a smaller, sportier angle to the company's repertoire. Today, the company has expanded the XC lineup in the U.S. with the addition of a new 3.2L model, which joins the existing 3.0L T6 turbocharged model.

    Pricing for the 235hp (175kW) 3.2L FWD model has been set at $32,395 plus an $850... Crossovers are the new wagons, according to popular wisdom, but at Volvo the heritage is clearly visible. Its wagon-like crossovers in the XC line have met with great success in the U.S., together with the various wagon lines accounting for about half of the company's sales in recent years. The 2010 XC60, revealed at last year's Geneva Motor Show, adds a smaller, sportier angle to the company's repertoire. Today, the company has expanded the XC lineup in the U.S. with the addition of a new 3.2L model, which joins the existing 3.0L T6 turbocharged model. Pricing for the 235hp (175kW) 3.2L FWD model has been set at $32,395 plus an $850 destination charge, while the AWD version will set you back $34,395 plus the destination charge. Pricing for the 281hp (209kW) 3.0L T6 remains at $37,200 plus $850 in destination charges for the base FWD model. The XC60's new normally aspirated 3.2L is the same engine that powers the base S80 flagship sedan introduced in 2008 and comes standard with a six-speed automatic transmission. Fuel economy is impressive, with a claimed 27mpg for highway and 18mpg for the urban cycle. Additionally, Volvo offers two version of the 3.2L engine with either ULEV-II (ultra low emissions) or PZEV (partial zero emissions) systems. Standard equipment includes 17in alloy wheels, an auto-dimming rear view mirror, Bluetooth with hands free capability, dual zone climate control, front fog lamps, HD Radio, an eight speaker stereo, and a six month subscription to Sirius’ satellite radio network. The XC60 is claimed to be the safest Volvo ever, featuring a host of new safety technologies including the latest ‘City Safety’ automatic braking system as standard. The City Safety feature is primarily aimed at mitigating damage in collisions at speeds at or below 19mph. Other safety features include anti-rollover stability, pretensioned seatbelts in all seating positions, an inflatable side curtain for front and rear passengers and a high-strength boron steel roof structure. Key competitors in the premium crossover market include the BMW X3, Land Rover LR2, Mercedes Benz GLK, and Audi Q5.Volvo XC60 Crossover Read More

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