Most recently, Suzuki showed off the Kizashi, a cleverly designed four-door car that is a first of its kind from the Japanese manufacturer.
The Suzuki Kizashi is available only in one engine: a 2.4-liter, four-cylinder petrol with an output of 175 horsepower. This engine is combined with a continuously variable transmission and automatic transmission, but the gears can be changed manually via buttons on the steering wheel. There's also a full manual mode for even more control when needed.
This car is not for speed enthusiasts, and takes 8.8 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 100 with only a top speed of 205 km/h. The car has a function to switch between two and four wheel drive, where increased levels of grip gives the driver more confidence on snowy or mud-tracked roads.
The Kizashi has a great suspensions, which lets it move on uneven roads with ease. The front seats are quite comfortable, and up to four adults can sleep comfortably in the Kizashi. The driver's seat comes equipped with a memory function that allows you to save your favorite positions for up to 4 different drivers. The dashboard is very well designed, with large buttons for the heater and stereo controls.
The instruments are easy to read, but the quality of the plastic is not the best. The standard equipment of the Suzuki Kizashi includes seven airbags including knee airbag for the driver and an ESP system.
The Kizashi is still being tested, but the car has achieved five stars in the U.S. tests, so expect a similar assessment in European countries.
The new Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid will offer a combination of high performance, and low operating costs. This car will be available tocustomers in 2013, and Volvo has recently released more details about the pricing and specifications of the all-new V60 Plug-In Hybrid.
Volvo expect the V60 Plug-In Hybrid, will reach 80% of hybrid sales in the United States by 2020. The Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid is powered by a 2.4-liter five-cylinder diesel engine, that can produce 212 horsepower on gasoline, and 69 on the electric motor.
The car will accelerate from 0 to 100 km / h in 6.2 seconds. The new Volvo V60 is equipped with a six speed automatic transmission, and features three unique driving modes. Pure is the mode in which the car is driven by an electric motor to a speed of 97 km / h, and can cover a total distance of about 52 kilometers, depending on your driving style, the terrain, and current climate.
Hybrid is a combination between the two engines, employing both drive systems to give the best balance between driving pleasure, improved fuel economy, and less toxic emissions. The last mode is Power, which gives the best performance of the engine and lets the AWD shine.
Unlike other systems, the front wheels are powered by the diesel engine, and the rear by the electric motor, and the batteries can be recharged via a standard plug. Charging time varies depending on the power. Full charging 10A takes 4.5 hours, 3.5 hours with the 16A battery, and a 6A battery charging takes 7.5 hours.
Like other electric cars, including the Nissan Leaf, the Volvo V60 Plug Hybrid comes with a compatible smartphone application. Volvo OnCall allows owners to control air and heating the car while it is charging, and a reminder to connect the power cord when the battery is getting low.
The first models will be offered with silver paint, 17-inch alloy wheels, integrated tailpipes off the exhaust, and a number of unique interior finishes included on the standard V60. A chrome "Plug-In Hybrid" logo will be placed on the trunk. Standard equipment on the Volvo V60 Plug-In Hybrid will include parking sensors front and rear, Bluetooth phone link and Volvo OnCall, plus a High Performance multimedia system with DVD Audio Amplifier, and eight 4x40W peakers with seven-inch display.
These models will be available to buy in the first quarter of 2013. Production of the first 1,000 cars will start in November of 2012. The rate of production will increase by 2014, when the company will start to supply the industry with anywhere from 4000 to 6000 cars annually. The majority of the vehicles are expected to export to Sweden, while Britain is likely to receive between 5% and 15% of the total inventory.
BMW brand has surpassed its own very high standards and built the best “M” car ever. In early 2011 came the outstanding Coupe M1, but BMW aims even higher with the new fifth-generation M5 which will undoubtedly take the title. The new, muscular V8 engine that sits under the hood of this latest iteration in the automotive industry is more powerful than the previous generation's engines.
The new M car from BMW has Reached new heights with its latest model. Its rivals include the Audi RS6, Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, and Maserati Quattroporte GTS, which are good cars but the well equipped BMW M5 is king in comparison. The M5 comes with a Head-Up Display, DAB digital radio, front and rear Distance Control Parking, Xenon headlights, adaptive headlights, heated front seats, multi-media navigation system, Bluetooth and USB audio interface, which enables the integration of smartphones.
The car also features BMW Assist – a new service for accurate, real time traffic information. Optional features include an automatic high beam assist, speed limit information, directions, lane departure warning system, night vision, rear view camera, and surround view cameras to ensure that the driver is aware of what is happening near the car.
Mobile application allows iPhone owners to receive web service with Facebook and Twitter posts on the Control Display Unit. M5 is powered by a 4.4-liter V8 twin-turbo engine with 552 horsepower and 680nm traction. If you compare it with the previous V10 engines, you will see that the maximum output power is about 10% more pulling power and the peak is about 30% more.
The acceleration of this powerful car from 0 to 100 km / h is 4.4 seconds. The top speed of this car is electronically limited to 250 km / h. Without the automatic electronic speed limiter, the BMW M5 can move at speeds up to 306 km / h. The new M5 also features an excellent seven speed dual clutch gearbox.
The semi-automatic transmission is much smoother and faster than the previous cumbersome old seven-speed transmission with a clutch. The M5 has electronic damping control (EDC), which allows the driver to choose between three settings. These features include Comfort, Normal, and Sport Plus for the most extreme racing experience.
Steering has three settings. Servo tronika care for easier steering during a maneuver and greater stability of the steering wheel at higher speeds. Switching to Sport mode provides more intensive feedback, while Sport Plus requires greater force to turn the steering wheel.
The front sport seats provide good back support for a better driving experience. There is good space in the rear. M5 will easily carry four adults comfortably. Visibility is really good with front and rear parking sensors making it even easier to avoid hazards. The back camera is also a great option for parking assistance.
The trunk provides 520 liters of storage space for hauling loads- slightly less than the M5's main competitors. The Glove compartment of the BMW M5 is a decent size and features dual cup holders. One slight flaw might be that the door pockets are very narrow and have little depth, but this does open up more space in the car. The M5 is also an incredibly safe car, but the servicing of this car will be quite expensive.
The M5 is equipped with a full range of airbags and dynamic stability control, which features, anti-lock brakes, cornering brake control, dynamic brake control, brake assist and brake disc drying. The car also features head restraints to protect passengers from whiplash.
SEAT presents a new entrant in the competitive market of city cars called Mii. The small hatchback car is stylish and shares the same platform type as the Skoda Citigo and Volkswagen UP. The Mii, however, will likely cost much less. SEAT's Engineers say that the car is designed with both Spanish and German engineering innovations.
The SEAT Mii is an excellent little car. It offers good levels of sophistication all around. Ideal for Urban driving. Mii interior is of very high quality. At the outset, the car will be offered with one engine type with the capacity for two possible modifications.
The 1.0-liter three-cylinder engine is available with either 59 horsepower or a more powerful 73 horsepower. Both are combined with a working five-speed manual gearbox. The lower-power engine with 59 horsepower will power the SEAT Mii from 0 to 100 km / h in 14.4 seconds. It's more powerful and fiesty counterpart engine will reach 100 km / h in 13.2 seconds.
These figures are exactly the same as the new VW model. For a city car, the Mii is doing relatively well and rides very well for a smaller class vehicle. The chassis has a good shape and provides very little tilt of the body while driving.
Handling is very good, making it an incredibly east car to drive in Urban environments and maneuver through tight spaces. However, the car does not provide great cornering at higher rates of speed. The noise of wind and tires is quite miniscule and are not as noticeable as some of it's similarly sized competitors.
On uneven surfaces, the SEAT Mii's suspension performs well. It can seat four adults comfortable and the amount of cargo space is competitive. Its 251 liters of storage is 66 liters more than what the Fiat 500 offers. The Mii will initially be released with a three-door version, with a five-door option added to the lineup at a later date.
The cabin is relatively spacious and made to feel even more open with thin, non-intrusive door pockets. The space and comfort matches that of the larger SEAT models and as already mentioned, the materials used for the interior of the Mii are of very high quality.
The car offers excellent visibility in all directions, which makes driving easier. SEAT are known for their competitiveness when it comes to car maintenance and customer service. The Mii has also received a five star rating from the Euro NCAP.
This is largely due to the safety equipment fitted in the car. Safety features include front and side airbags to help protect the head and chest of the driver and passengers along with option of an emergency braking system that intervenes to avoid low-speed collisions.
The spacious SEAT Mii should prove to be a very reliable car. It is expected to stand the test of time better than some of its rivals.
The 2012 Fiat Panda is the third generation of it's model. The first generation was launched in 1980 and to date the first two models have sold more than 6.4 million copies worldwide. During this time the Fiat Panda has built a reputation as one of the best small cars on the market. Even at first glance, this model is certainly more attractive than its predecessors.
The car's exterior and interior itself is already modern, stylish and made of better materials. Also, the new Fiat Panda offers more storage space than previous models. The small car comes with either a TwinAir petrol or a Multijet diesel engine.
Both petrol and diesel type engines offers low operating costs with surprisingly good performance. There are three engines available for Fiat Panda models, two petrol engines and one diesel. One of them is the 0.9-liter Turbo petrol TwinAir. This engine put out 84 horsepower and 145Nm of torque, which is more than enough for such a small car.
The acceleration of the car from 0 to 100 km/h per takes 11.2 seconds and has a top speed of 173 km / h. The second proposed gasoline engine is a 1.2-liter Fire Evo II that has 68 horsepower and accelerates from 0 to its 100 km / h in 14.2 seconds with a top speed of 165 km / h. The only diesel engine available is a 1.3-liter Multijet with a power output of 74 horsepower.
The diesel engine runs very well and is relatively quiet. The accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 12.8 seconds and has a top speed of 168 km / h. Although the Panda is a small car, it is actually quite spacious inside. There is decent space for the driver and front passenger. The rear provides room for two adult passengers, but might be uncomfortable for taller passengers.
Most of the space comes from the high profile of the small Fiat Panda. Wind and road noise are impressively minimal for a vehicle of this size and shape. The Fiat Panda 0.9-liter TwinAir is one of the most competitive options when it comes to fuel economy. This model has not been tested by Euro NCAP.
The previous model has four stars for safety, So we can expect that this newest model will match or surpass this rating. All models will probably be two standard airbags, ABS and ESP. The Panda seems to be well built and is respectably reliable.
If you are looking for new or used auto parts for Fiat, you can send a quick inquiry and get a quote with the best prices in SA.
Production of the BMW Z4 began in 2002. The car is available as a coupe or roadster. The BMW Z4 is a very powerful car. The two engines offered include the four-cylinder, 2.0-liter engine with 150 horsepower and six-cylinder engine, known from the third and fifth series BMW.
Both engines perform very well, which should ease one's mind when choosing between the two. This car has great control and driving stability is great at all speeds. Be aware that road bumps can be felt in the Z4 because of the firm suspension, but it should be noted that this contributes to greater stability. The cockpit of the BMW Z4 is well insulated from the noise of the engine, but the same cannot be said for wind noise.
Six-cylinder engines in the Z4, are well refined with an attractive growl under hard acceleration. The Z4 is pretty expensive, but the residual costs are good. The BMW Z4 comes with a reasonable price tag compared to its competitors- the Mercedes SLK and Porsche Boxster. The running cost for the six-cylinder versions are relatively high, but the Z4 retains a very good resale value.
In 2006, the Z4 started offering a new revised engine. The BMW Z4 is a well designed and well made car that falls into the sports car class. The cab is made of premium materials that will withstand the test of time. The engines are very solid and should not be expected to cause any problems.
The Z4 comes with a good passive and active safety. All BMW Z4's come with anti-lock brakes and an electronic stability system to curb unruly behavior of this powerful car. Twin front and side airbags are standard, as well as metal hoops behind the seats to protect passengers if the car rolls.
Any car with a soft top is more vulnerable to thieves, so all models have an alarm and immobilizer to deter them. The control functions are easy to navigate and well focused. The driving position is low and provides a sporty feeling. The design focuses on ease of use.
The seats provide plenty of support and the steering wheel's height is adjustable. Full electronic seat adjustment is available with 3.0-liter model. Soft top folds in just 10 seconds at the touch of a button. The Z4 is designed for two people, but it offers more comfort for this class of sports cars.
In the back is a reasonably practical amount of space that is able to hold a sufficient amount of luggage for a weekend trip. The BMW Z4 also has air conditioning, electric roof, alloy wheels and CD player.
Mazda 6 is a car that was produced between 2002 and 2007. The Mazda 6 is available as a hatchback, sedan or wagon. The vehicle is offered with four petrol engines and two diesel engines. The 1.8-liter engine is good enough for city driving, but feels slightly inadequate on the freeway.
The larger 2.0-liter petrol engine offers very decent acceleration. The turbo diesel engine is surprisingly excellent. The latest facelift of the Mazda 6 includes a number of changes that have made the Mazda 6 better than ever.
The Mazda 6 is a car that is represented quite well in most areas. The Mazda 6 is reasonably designed, but smaller engines have to work harder, which creates excessive noise in the cabin. Otherwise, noise from the road and wind are pretty well insulated. The Mazda 6 is cheaper than Ford's equivalent model, Mondeo, but both cars are built on the same platform.
The service is cheaper and the resale value is great, but fuel economy could be better. The car is well built and should not be expected to have any major problems, given Mazda's reputation for reliability. Inside the car, everything is made of top quality materials that are soft to the touch and beautiful to look at.
The interior is especially improved in the 2005 facelift. All control elements, buttons and switches are placed in ideal locations. The seat and steering wheel have many adjustments making it easy to find a comfortable driving position. However, rear visibility is limited by the high trunk line. There is also plenty of head, leg and shoulder room in the front and rear passenger seats.
The Mazda 6 is a spacious car. The trunk is quite spacious. The rear seats can be folded down to create more luggage space. All cars come with standard front and side airbags, as well as anti-lock brakes. Unfortunately, only the TS2 and Sport models have standard stability control. Safety equipment includes Parktronic and an alarm.
There are four package options for the Mazda 6. The S trim comes with air conditioning, alloy wheels and a CD player. The TS adds climate control and cruise control. The TS2 trim comes with an upgraded stereo, power sunroof and stability control. Unfortunately, only the 2.3-liter engine cars and the powerful diesel are available with large alloy wheels, xenon headlights, and a rear spoiler.
The Peugeot 307 is a car that was produced between 2001 and 2008. It is available as a hatchback, sedan and wagon. Several types of engines were developed for the model 307 Peugeot, but some of them were suspended during the design process. The best of the engines available for this car is the 2.0-liter gasoline engine with 141 horsepower and 1.6-liter HDi engine powered by 110 horsepower, if you prefer diesel.
There's a large range of bodies in the Peugeot 307. A five-door hatchback is the principal model, but the station wagon, introduced in 2003, is selling well for its market segment, indeed with a move away from large SUVs wagons such as the 307 are polling well in buyer interest. The styling of the Peugeot 307 wagon is even stronger in the metal than in photographs. Yet it’s not all show and no go, because the rear end gives the load area the sort of practicality much loved by Aussie station wagon lovers.
A coupe-cabriolet version, the Peugeot 307 CC, has been offered since February 2004. Peugeot pioneered this roof concept way back in the 1930s and has continued to improve the fascinating engineering theme with each new model. Peugeot has consistently maintained a stronger presence in Australia than any other importer of affordable European cars. This has led to good resale values as well as a well-organised dealer network. We haven’t heard of complaints about the cost of servicing or spare parts. Even unusual parts generally seem to be delivered within a day or so of being ordered.
The Peugeot 307 is a reasonably simple car in its mechanical layout. However it’s not really a car on which the amateur mechanic should attempt major repairs. Routine servicing can be done by the owner; it’s always wise for them to have a workshop manual before opening the bonnet. Insurance costs are about average for an imported car in this class. That is, higher than for home-grown cars, but not too much overall.
The trunk is a medium size, but can be expanded by folding down the back seats. All Peugeot 307 cars are well equipped, and come with a fully adjustable seat and steering wheel. Power steering, remote central locking and front electric windows come as standard. Six airbags, ABS, EBD, and the emergency brakes are standard on all models.
The Peugeot 307 is well made car, stylish, and comes with an extremely high level of standard safety equipment too.
The Volkswagen Golf V has been in production since 2003. One of the best choices in the lineup is the 1.6-liter FSI direct injection engine with115 hp, and a 2.0-liter turbo diesel powered 150 horsepower. This engine boasts exceptional fuel economy for the capacity and speed of acceleration that it offers, although it can be a bit noisy if driven over the red line.
The strongest performer Volkswagen Golf V's 2.0-liter GTI, delivering 200 horsepower, which continues the tradition of model Golf. Handling is sharp. The car is stable at high speeds and easily controlled, servo amplifier, unfortunately, does not give enough feedback to the driver at higher speeds. Ride is a little firm in the city, the reliability of the suspension is better than comfort.
This is a common feature of all models VW Golf. VW Golf has a very good resale value because of its popularity. Engines and other mechanical parts, VW is known for its reliability, practicality and low maintenance costs. All VW's diesel engines are not the quietest when working on high speed.
2.0-liter petrol Golf is relatively quiet, but it can not be said for the 1.6-liter engine when it comes accelerator. Overall isolation from unwanted sound is good for VW Golf V and you will not hear much noise from wind or road. Volkswagen Golf V sets new standards for construction and quality. Goilf fifth series has everything you are used to seeing in previous models.
Most of the controls and switches work smoothly, but manual shifting may slightly disappoint. Larger size of the new model compared to Volkswagen Golf IV offers more interior space. The location of the driver is convenient because you can adjust both the seat and steering wheel.
Unfortunately one of the drawbacks remain wide windscreen pillars create blind spots (dead spots and areas) as in previous models of Golf. Rear passengers benefit from more space, enough for three people. Trunk in the new Golf model is even bigger. Every VW Golf V comes with six airbags, ABS and stability control.
There are also front active headrests to minimize whiplash in the event of an accident or incident occurred. Parking sensors and remote locking come as standard on models SE, as those in the upper class of equipment is available and alarm. In the base model includes front electric windows and mirrors, and CD player. Cars with equipment class S are available with air conditioning.
SE has alloy wheels, cruise control, automatic lights and wipers and electric rear windows in addition. It is worth mentioning that such aid, automatic lights and wipers are usually available only on higher-grade and larger cars. GT trim comes with fog lights (halogen) and sports suspension. Overall, the new VW Golf is a brilliant car. Production of the VW Golf is still ongoing.
The Ford Focus II has been in production since 2005. Line engines used in the model is a mix between old and new units. The base 1.4-liter gasoline engine delivers 80 horsepower, but it's a bit clumsy during acceleration. Other engines perform much better. All of them are very economical in fuel consumption, no matter what engine you choose.
The hottest of these is the 2.5-liter petrol engine delivering 225 horsepower, which is part of the equipment only for models RS. All engines are quiet and working smoothly, even at high speeds. Even diesel engines are among the best in class for silent operation. It is worth noting that the automatic transmission is well-matched to engine power.
The suspension is firm and sports cars ride stiffness is even more so driving around town can disappoint. However, when driving on a highway ride quality is excellent. Noises while driving are well insulated, but they may vary depending on the type of tire and suspension models.
The new Focus is the most expensive car in this class. Unfortunately, the resale value of the car is not very good. However, Ford Focus II is well equipped for its price and running costs are reasonable. Drivers and mechanics are reliable compared to previous models. Inside (interior) of Ford Focus II, much of the material is good, but also to meet and cheap plastic parts.
All buttons and switches work well and manage them easily accessible to the driver. Driver's seat and steering wheel can be korigiranani so that each driver can be comfortable in the new Ford Focus. The cabin is spacious and has ample head and legroom for all passengers. The boot is among the largest in its class and can take extra luggage with the rear seats folded.
Electronic stability control, airbags, side air curtains and decorative elements used in the interior of the car are standard equipment for Focus II. The cars also have parking sensors, immobilizer and alarm. All models come with remote central locking. Production of the Ford Focus II is still ongoing. This car is also available as a convertible where the price is slightly higher than standard.
