Category Archives: Articles

31Dec/13

Gallardo Promising 610 Horsepower and a Softer Bite on Public Roads

December 31, 2013Articleslamborgini, sports car, super carsiteadmin

This is the 2015 Lamborghini Huracan LP610-4, the long-awaited replacement for the Italian automaker’s best-selling 10-year-old Gallardo.

The Gallardo, after more than 14,000 sold, made its last hurrah in November, but when the Huracan debuts this spring, we’ll bet the applause won’t die down until next Christmas.

The aluminum and carbon-fiber chassis looks more like a baby Aventador up front, and from the rear three-quarters, we’re getting some hints of the 1982 Jalpa. Without any badges, it’s obvious the Huracan is a Lamborghini. The outrageous cuts, lines and trapezoidal shapes are rounded off a little, just so you can tell it’s all new.

The 5.2-liter V10 engine has been reworked with a combination of direct and port fuel injection, similar to the technology found on Lexus vehicles, which lets it produce 40 more horsepower than the Gallardo Squadra Corse LP570-4. The result is 610 horsepower at 8250 rpm, zero to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and a top speed of 202 mph. That matches the speed of the current LP560-4 and is two-tenths of a second quicker than the LP570-4.

The engine also features an auto start-stop system to reduce emissions (and given how loud this 10-cylinder is at startup, we’re curious how well this really works in traffic). Torque is up from the 397 lb-ft in the LP570-4 to 413 lb-ft, which peaks at the same 6500 rpm.

Despite the addition of carbon fiber, the Huracan weighs slightly more than the Gallardo LP560-4, at a dry weight of 3,135 pounds. The real weight, topped off with all fluids, will be higher.

24Dec/13

With mass car market in stress, Hyundai eyes luxury segment

December 24, 2013Articles, Newshyundaisiteadmin

The country’s second-largest carmaker, Hyundai, is studying the growing luxury car market which is today the stronghold of German trio — Audi, Mercedes-Benz and BMW. The South Korean carmaker is considering a foray into the segment with its top-of-the-range models like the Equus and Genesis sedans, and the Veloster compact sports car, for which it could set up a separate sales network.

The strategy to enter the luxury market follows Hyundai’s recent focus of building a more upmarket image for the brand and slowly moving up the chain towards premium vehicles, even as it maintains its hold on the mass market of compact cars. Recent launches in the premium space include the Elantra and Sonata sedans, while a new Santa Fe SUV is expected to follow next year.
“We are studying the luxury space right now, though there is nothing definite yet.

Apart from Equus, there are more luxury models in the Hyundai range. However, we will need a different network to sell these cars. We are gauging customer acceptance of Hyundai’s luxury car range and then we will take a decision,” a Hyundai India official told FE. However, the official did not specify a timeline for launch, or if they will be assembled at Hyundai’s plant near Chennai.

28Jan/13

Best winter deals on used SUVs

January 28, 2013Articles4WD, Cross Overs, Range Rover, SUVsiteadmin

An SUV can be the perfect vehicle for traveling in challenging winter conditions. With all-wheel-drive and good tires, a modern SUV provides needed traction to negotiate slippery roads, and most have the ground clearance to traverse accumulated snow. They are also great for families or for carrying skis or other winter gear. A used SUV allows you to reap these benefits for less money than buying new. To make it easier to find what you’re looking for, we have identified some of the best used deals on small and midsized SUVs on the market.

Land Rover Range Rover Evoque

Typically the winter months are a slow time for car buying, which is why now might be a perfect time to get a good deal on a used car. Plus, buying a used car has other benefits. Most important is that the original owner takes the initial depreciation hit; new cars lose much more value in the first and second years than those that follow. Also, most recent used SUV have the latest safety equipment (such as curtain air bags and stability control) and are still affordable.

When shopping, look for cars that scored well in Consumer Reports’ tests when new, have proven reliability, and perform well in government and insurance industry crash tests. All models listed meet these criteria. And before handing over the cash, have the vehicle inspected by a trained and trusted mechanic to make sure there are no hidden problems.

Check out our top deals for recommended used SUVs from the 2008-2010 model years. We placed the vehicles in order of the average cheapest price you might be able to get when buying from the dealer and all are under $25,000. The models listed below are between 23- and 49-percent less than the retail price when the vehicle was new. Plus, all of the models have at least average reliability according to our latest subscriber survey.

Full used car pricing information is available to Cars Best Deals Plus subscribers on the model overview pages. Consumer Reports also offers individual Used Car Price Reports on vehicles from the 2003 – 2012 model years. Pricing information can be adjusted for vehicle condition, mileage and optional equipment. For advice on buying a used car, see our guide and video.

28Jan/13

Driving on empty: How far your car can go with the gas light on

January 28, 2013ArticlesFuel Economy, Hybrid, Millage, Toyotasiteadmin

Whether slogging through commuter traffic or cruising on a picturesque highway, nobody enjoys stopping for gas. Hence it’s easy to play a Kramer-quality game of chicken with the gas gauge — and seeing how deep you can get the needle into the E before the car sputters out. Automakers discourage that procrastination with a low-fuel light, which warns you when there’s a few gallons left to spare; but those couple dozen extra miles aren’t lost on motorists who want to hold off for a few precious freeway exits.

Toyota Hybrid Concept

What’s left people guessing, however, is exactly how far you can go when the gas light comes on, and since there’s no established standard for reserve fuel capacity, it varies with each automaker and model. But thanks to the website Tank on Empty, which has a searchable, user-submitted database, you can have a better idea of your on-empty range.

According to the site, there are some surprising low-fuel winners: the mammoth Ford Excursion may guzzle gas like a cargo ship, but it also boasts one of the longest ranges, averaging 85.12 miles. That beats the eco-conscious Prius, which can run for 55.12 miles, or a Porsche 911 Carrera, which could quickly leave you stranded on the shoulder with its average of 23.82 miles.

But don’t get emboldened by the data to run your car on fumes, because continuously doing so can wear out the fuel pump. Most modern vehicles use an electric fuel pump, which is inside the fuel tank and relies on the gasoline to keep it cool; hence you’ll want to keep the tank at least a quarter full to prevent premature wear.

Plus, there are some imitations to the tool. The data doesn’t distinguish between different model years, so an aging Toyota Corolla with a bad oxygen sensor could skew the results against a new one that just rolled off the dealership. And since the data points don’t reflect how much further the cars could’ve gone, they’re more an insight into driver refueling habits than a reflection of a car’s on-empty range.

Such crowdsourced data may become obsolete as manufacturers use trip computers that indicate the miles left — it’s already not only in luxury BMWs and Audis, but also in entry-level compacts like the Subaru Impreza. Whether there’s still some padding in the trip computer’s range or not, that only means drivers can push cars further into empty.