Exclusive Car: 2009-10-18

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Mercedes Benz S Class

Mercedes Benz S Class

Mercedes Benz S Class

Ferrari F1

Ferrari F1

Ferrari F1 Wallpaper

Ferrari F1 Photo

Ferrari F1 Image

Ferrari F1 Side View

Ferrari F1 Wallpapers

Hummer H3

Hummer H3 Wallpapers

Hummer H3 Photos

Hummer H3 Pictures

Hummer H3 - Front

Maserati Spyder

Maserati Spyder

Maserati Spyder Wallpapers

Maserati Spyder Photos

Maserati Spyder Pictures

Maserati Spyder

Friday, October 23, 2009

2010 Nissan Micra Secret Designs

2010 Nissan Micra

Nissan’s stylised design sketch of its next-generation 2010 Micra – due to appear in showrooms next summer – might have sparked some speculation that the perennial grandmothers’ favourite will be transformed into a funky, sporty hatch in its next life.
But these leaked official drawings, which reveal the true proportions of the production version, show that once the oversized wheels are removed, the new Nissan Micra will be a much less adventurous proposition.

The new 2010 Nissan Micra laid bare

The profile images show how Nissan's new ‘world car’ Micra will keep cues like the curving window shape from the current generation, but also reveal a machine that’s grown significantly in all directions.
The ‘wheel-at-each-corner’ shape of today’s Micra is gone, with the new model growing noticeable front and rear overhangs, and the distinct beltline that bisects the current model is also lost in favour of a more organic overall appearance.
At the front, the side-by-side air intakes and goggle-eyed headlights are replaced by a more grown-up, and derivative, shape, like the offspring of a Fiat Punto and BMW Mini, although a pronounced bonnet bulge adds a touch of individuality.

What’s under the bonnet of the new 2010 Nissan Micra?

Some Japanese sources are suggesting that the new Micra – which will be called the Nissan March in Japan – will see the reintroduction of a high-performance version, the March Turbo, powered by a 200bhp 1.6-litre turbo four-cylinder and reviving a name last seen in the late 1980s. Other rumoured powerplants include 1.0- and 1.2-litre direct-injection petrols.
Nissan plans to build the next-generation machine in five factories worldwide, concentrating on its plants in India and Thailand to help keep costs down. The firm’s Sunderland UK factory, which makes the current-generation Micra, won’t be building its successor, instead switching to the full production version of the firm’s Qazana crossover concept.

2010 Nissan Micra Secret Designs - Sketch

2010 Nissan Micra Secret Designs

2010 Nissan Micra Secret Designs - Side Back

Audi A8 2010 Spy

Audi A8 2010

Ford FOCUS ST Review

Ford FOCUS ST

The Ford Focus ST is back, and the good news is that alongside new looks inside and out, the excellent dynamics remain unchanged. Ford has spent the mid-life nip/tuck money freshening up the visuals and left the chassis and engine alone.
That means the Focus ST still comes with a characterful turbocharged 2.5-litre five-pot producing 222bhp. Think of the Ford Focus ST as a hot hatch with a broader breadth of ability than our current champ, the all-or-nothing Honda Civic Type-R.
And if 222bhp isn't enough for you Ford will show a 90 percent production-ready prototype Focus RS on 22nd July 2008 at the London motor show.

Hang fire. The Ford Focus ST isn’t any different from before?

Dynamically no but that’s no reason to complain. We loved our old long-term ST for the simple fact it seemed perfectly suited to bumpy British B-roads. It was the consummate everyday hot hatch.
Start the Focus ST, via the new transmission tunnel-mounted ‘Ford Power’ button and you’re immediately met with a deep woofle. The downside of five turbocharged cylinders might be poor fuel consumption but as you burble along with a quiet whistle from under the bonnet when you put your foot, or an occasional pop from the exhaust when you lift, you just don’t care.

Ford FOCUS ST - Backside

Ford FOCUS ST - Inside

2009 Ford Focus RS Test Review

2009 Ford Focus RS

At last! After months of studio shoots and passenger ride teases, CAR has finally driven the all-new Focus RS Mk2 – Ford’s 301bhp, front-wheel drive mega hatch – on some of the best mountain roads southern France has to offer.

You’ll see how the new second-gen Focus RS stands up against the best hot hatches of all time (Renault Clio Williams, Peugeot 306 GTi-6, original and current VW Golf GTi, Lancia Integrale and more) in the new April 2009 issue of CAR Magazine out 25 February, but let’s get down to business here: is the Ford Focus RS (2009) any good? It’s a corker, but the new RS does have its flaws...

Go on then, the Ford Focus RS's bad bits first…

Well, despite all the hype that surrounds RevoKnuckle – a system that allows MacPherson strut suspension to behave with the purity of a multi-link set-up – we can conclusively report that this car does torque steer. It’s not chaotic like the Mk1 Focus RS could be, but the steering wheel will firm up noticeably under hard acceleration and the wheels scrabble for grip in the lower gears – the ESP system allowing the driver to dictate when power should be cut in most situations, rather than cutting in early and spoiling the fun.

A disappointment, perhaps, but then what did we expect with 301bhp going through the front wheels? It also adds that boisterous edge that we’ve come to expect from RS products.

Whinge over, is it?

Not quite. I’d say the second-gen Focus RS bodywork is just a little too OTT, especially the proliferation of fake vents. The interior is also nearly identical to the lesser ST’s (racier Recaros notwithstanding), while the single-pot brakes are generally good but lack the ultimate stopping (and staying) power of the best multi-piston stoppers.

Okay, and the good bits…

Where do we start? The Focus RS is an absolute blast to drive – it's ludicrously quick point-to-point. Front-wheel drive was definitely the way to go; there’s so much front-end grip that you just don’t need driven rear wheels and we’ll gladly take the consequences of that lively front end for the extra agility that the lighter two-wheel drive set-up affords. And, to be honest, the RS is already a tad lardy at 1467kg – an all-paw drivetrain would take that kerb weight to around 1600kg.

The steering is absolutely great. At around 2.2 turns lock-to-lock, it’s noticeably quicker than the ST’s and, while every small input has an effect, it’s not nervous and there’s a beautiful, elastic resistance that builds in proportion to your efforts.

The suspension is a little rigid for the daily commute (the Focus ST will better serve 9-5ers with an occasional trackday itch to scratch), but it’s not crashy, and its composure over quick B-roads is impressive, offering enough compliance and suspension travel to soak up tricky roads at high speed where crashier set-ups would start to bounce.

2009 Ford Focus RS

Honda Civic R Mugen Reviews

Honda Civic R Mugen

The Honda Civic Type R Mugen is going into production. Yes, it might have been the worst kept secret in the world, but now Honda and Mugen have officially announced that they will produce a limited number of tuned and tweaked Euro-spec Civic Type Rs for the UK.
Just 20 will be made, each will cost £38,599, and if you tick the right option boxes you can make sure your car is exactly like the original Mugen concept. CAR has just driven the pre-production version of the Honda Civic Type R Mugen, so read on to find out how it differs from the concept.

£38,599 is a lot of money – presumably for that much cash the production Honda Civic Type R Mugen will be identical to the concept car?

Not quite. The limited run guarantees exclusivity and goes someway to justifying the pricetag, but you don’t get everything that was on the concept. So while there are engine, suspension, brake and aero tweaks, you have to pay extra for lightweight body panels and the stripped-out interior.
Will there be enough people in the UK ready to cough up the cash? Mugen is certain there will be – when it released 300 Japanese-spec Civic RRs in its home country all of them were sold in just 6 minutes. And if UK buyers don’t snap up this new car, then Mugen knows there are plenty of customers in Europe who will be happy to have one.