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Top 10 Cars That Make Us Thankful

Vehicle Pedia — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 00:40:22 +0000

By Matthew de Paula of MSN Autos

After several years of a recession-induced drought, the automotive industry is once again fertile, spilling forth a cornucopia of great cars for buyers to feast on. And that’s perfect, because with Thanksgiving near, it’s the time of year to feast till you drop. Whether your budget is big or small, the caliber of new offerings is so impressive that it’s almost hard to go wrong, no matter what car you choose. But some vehicles stand out for one reason or another, whether for their looks, performance or what they represent. Here are 10 new vehicles we are glad exist. They’re not necessarily the absolute best in their respective categories, but life would be a lot worse without them. So we give thanks.

Ford Mustang Boss 302

This all-American badass proves that the modern-day muscle car is very much alive and kicking butt. What a relief, because just a few years ago its future looked bleak. Ford’s Boss 302 is the latest addition to the Mustang lineup. Its 5.0-liter 444-horsepower V8 engine sits right between the 412-horsepower engine in the Mustang GT and the supercharged 5.4-liter 550-horsepower V8 of the Shelby GT500. It’s $7,000 more than the GT and $8,000 less the Shelby — and worth every penny. With adjustable shock absorbers, beefed-up brakes, racing seats and other go-fast parts, the Boss is as close to a race-ready Mustang as you can get straight from the dealer.

Nissan Altima

The Nissan Altima brings sporty flair to a vehicle category often dominated by blandness. Honda and Toyota might have more clout with the average consumer, but those who care about more than just getting from point A to point B will want an Altima 3.5 SR, with its 270-horspower V6 engine, taut suspension and 17-inch wheels. You don’t have to go all out to have fun in an Altima; the base 4-cylinder engine is plenty punchy. Heck, even the Altima Hybrid offers more fun than its competitors, albeit at the expense of being less fuel-efficient. Plus, the Altima has a clean, uncluttered cabin and cool looks that are sporty without being too aggressive.

Mazda 3

Mazda is like the BMW of Japan. Superb driving dynamics are at the core of every one of its cars, from the little MX-5 Miata roadster to the large CX-9 crossover. As other automakers bloat their small cars with more gadgets and fluff, Mazda continues to hone a simple formula: make quality cars that are a good value and fun to drive. This is immediately apparent from behind the wheel of a Mazda3. The seating position, steering wheel, pedals, controls and visibility are all good to go. The vehicle responds predictably and positively to every input. Its 4-cylinder engines are gutsier than most in its class; there’s even a 263-horsepower turbocharged version.

BMW M3

Nobody does sport sedans like BMW. Other automakers have come close to knocking the BMW 3-Series from its pedestal, but none has yet succeeded. The current BMW M3 only solidifies this domination. It sounds and acts like a supercar on the racetrack, yet it is eminently more practical, not to mention more affordable. It is uncanny how easy the M3 is to drive with abandon. It always turns in sharply, brakes immediately and changes gears instantaneously. In fact, the M3 lulls you into thinking you’re a better driver than you really are. BMW all but invented the performance-sedan segment decades ago. To this day it reigns supreme.

Cadillac CTS-V Wagon

A 556-horsepower wagon that laps a racetrack as well as it hauls groceries is so wrong that it’s just right. The Cadillac CTS-V wagon keeps hope alive for a future not entirely overrun with politically correct cars. So, soccer moms and dads, ditch the minivan or crossover and get one of these with a stick shift and Recaro racing seats. If you feel the need to rationalize the $63,215 price tag, rest assured that wagons are nearly as practical as crossovers of the same size. They’re just way more fun to drive and usually more fuel-efficient. We say usually, because the CTS-V’s 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine is actually a guzzler.

Jeep Wrangler

What kind of idiot would pick a Jeep, you ask? We would! Consider what the world would be like without one. Do you really want every so-called sport-utility vehicle on the road to be like a Nissan Juke or Toyota RAV4 — urban assault vehicles with no off-road capabilities whatsoever? That’s where things seem to be headed. But the Wrangler is an SUV that not only still lives up to the abbreviation’s definition, but one that helped create the category. You can drive it straight off the dealer’s lot and into the wilderness to crawl over boulders and wade through streams. Yes, there are things not to like, such as its Tonka Toy styling and coarse engines, but not much; plus, a new V6 engine is on tap for 2012.

Volkswagen Golf

Hybrids have hogged the spotlight as far as eco-friendly rides go. But the not-so-dirty secret among those in the know is that diesel-powered cars are a great alternative. This is particularly true of smaller diesels such as the Volkswagen Golf and Jetta TDI. Their exhaust emissions are clean enough to comply with federal regulations without the need for convoluted and costly exhaust-gas treatments required on larger diesel vehicles from Audi, BMW, Mercedes and others. The Golf and Jetta TDI are not only more fuel-efficient than their gas-powered equivalents, they also offer amazing torque, which makes them fast off the line and fun to drive. How many hybrids are actually fun to drive?

Audi A7

Audi calls it a “5-door coupe.” But coupes have two doors, not four doors plus a hatchback. Whatever you call it, the A7 is sexy, a big car with sultry lines that draws stares from everyone. The restrained and unadorned exterior is a departure from cars of other luxury brands. So is the signature huge front grille. This car is unique in an industry filled with things that look and feel the same. And with a supercharged V6 engine mated to a 7-speed transmission, it has the moves to back up the stunning good looks. There are two glaring faults, though: A car this big shouldn’t have only four seats, and the controls are overly complicated. Nobody’s perfect.

McLaren MP4-12C

As one of the most successful Formula One racing teams of all time, McLaren is no stranger to building fast cars. But it hasn’t built a road car of its own in years. Now here’s the MP4-12C to shake up the supercar establishment; it’s both faster and more fuel-efficient than some of the competition. It has the mind-boggling technology we’ve come to expect from McLaren, such as a rear wing that stands upright when the brakes are applied to help slow the car down. The best part is that the MP4-12C is just the opening shot of a larger salvo to follow.

Source: [MSN]

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The new Volvo S60. What some people do for a car

Vehicle Pedia — Wed, 15 Dec 2010 20:53:08 +0000

To launch it’s new Volvo S60 model, Volvo has launched a campaign called Unlimited Naughty – as they claim the new S60 is. There are 2 cars on streets, and to win a test drive with one of the 2 gorgeous cars – 2.0 diesel, 163 hp, 400 Nm – you have to convince the driver to give you the car by doing something “Unlimited Naughty”. Take a look at the next video to see what some people do for the love of cars:

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See how it could look Alfa Romeo Giulietta!

Vehicle Pedia — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 21:04:33 +0000

Centro Stile Alfa Romeo has published a series of drawings that evoke the design and development of hypotheses that passed to Giulietta from the design stage to the production car.

Alfa Romeo Giulietta is undoubtedly one of the top occurrences ending year. The compact as expected from Alfa Romeo is coming on the market with an interesting design, which betrays both the connection with the history of Alfa Romeo, the Italian model and the adoption of the current lines mark models.

Alfa designers work was an intense in recent years, but it was somewhat relieved that they were given more time to achieve a truly special model. Alfa 147′s successor has been announced for release in 2007 in first phase, but Alfa Romeo problems and, later, financial problems of the entire auto industry led to successive postponements of the Giulietta.

Centro Stile Alfa Romeo, in-house design office of the Italian brand, has published a series of sketches made during the four years of development of Giulietta. The drawings and virtual replicas reveals different sides that took the Italian model to its market launch, the default period in which it went from a 147 evolved from a model somewhat reminiscent of the roots of the brand.

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Opel confirmed the return of Calibra

Vehicle Pedia — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 14:18:27 +0000

Nick Reilly, head of Opel said it would revive the Calibra model. There are big chances that the successor to be inspired by the GTC concept from 2007.

The famous Opel Calibra will have a successor. The GTC will be inspired by the concept presented at the Geneva Motor Show 2007. Nick Reilly, head of GM Europe and Opel driver, confirmed that its engineers will perform a Calibra’s successor and that next model will be a model just like Gran Turismo Concept. That concept was the inspiration for Insignia and was equipped with a turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 engine. As in the case of scale, the top version could be equipped with four-wheel drive and a turbocharged engine.

Calibra successor of the engines will have direct injection and will offer a mix of fuel economy and power. Chances are that the full range of engines to be turbocharged, and those from Opel will offer a diesel to meet customer wishes with coupes mid-range diesel engines. Those units could be offered only on the European market.

At launch, Calibra was based on the Vectra’s platform. The most likely successor to the famous coupe from Ruesselsheim will be made on Insignia’s platform and will take it’s propellant. The interior will also be taken to a certain extent, to reduce costs and integrate in the current range of Opel. We refer here at the wheel, watches from the board, board, center console, doors and even as the faces of the seats. This aspect is not condemned, because each manufacturer has adopted this solution for reasons of cost.

Calibra model was manufactured in 250,000 copies and sold globally in the same form for seven years. The top was equipped with C20LET engine offering 204 horsepower and was mated to a Getrag F26 six-speed transmission and all-wheel drive advantage. The tuners have made numerous packages for Calibra, one of which is a replica of his Ferrari 512 Testarossa, while others have made a convertible version. Moreover, the model has been popular among tuners and amateur, many owners making personal changes in one kit, more or less successful.

Source: Auto Express news

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BMW X3 F25 – Winter Vs Summer

Vehicle Pedia — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:53:02 +0000

BMW shows us the difference between winter tires and summer tires in snow conditions with two identical copies of X3. Here’s the result!

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Rhys Millen and a Hyundai Genesis 750 CP drifting

Vehicle Pedia — Fri, 26 Nov 2010 13:42:23 +0000

Rhys Millen filmed ascent of the spectacular peak Serra Do Rio Rastro Do in Santa Catarina, Brazil. The event took place at Red Bull Xtreme Drift.

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Mazda Shinari Concept Wallpaper – WotD #4

Vehicle Pedia — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 23:55:00 +0000

Vehicle-Pedia community members vote this Mazda Shinari Concept Wallpaper, the wallpaper of the day [ WotD ].

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Pagani Zonda RAK1 unique sample of 1.5 million dollars

Vehicle Pedia — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 23:46:42 +0000

Pagani has released a new version of the Zonda supercar, dubbed RAK1 and produced in a single copy. Italian manufacturer’s price is 1.5 million.

Although preparations for the new supercar, codenamed C9 baptized on the last minute, Pagani Zonda continues to present the tribute they deserve. The Italian model, long seen as one of the most exotic appearances niche segment, is presented to the public in a new special edition series.

RAK1 Dubbed version of the supercar comes with a new approach to the color palette, the body is painted in black and yellow. Alloy wheels are also painted black and the interior becomes in turn a part individualistic, which dominates the center of a set of shell-type sports seats.

Under the carbon fiber bodywork lies the same 7.3-liter V12 engine, AMG provenance, taken from Cinque exclusive. The unit offers a total of 710 horsepower, enough to propel supercar to a top speed of 350 km / h.

The lucky customer will have to pay the price of exclusivity and customization package, RAK a single edition is estimated at 1.5 million.

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Mercedes Biome, “pure fantasy” at the L.A. salon

Vehicle Pedia — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 23:31:40 +0000

Mercedes will exhibit at the Los Angeles Auto Salon in a completely new concept, called Biomes. Creation will try to win the design competition held annually at American Salon.

Mercedes is going to steal all the attention of the journalists present at the Motor Show this week in Los Angeles. Stuttgart manufacturer will exhibit at its booth a revolutionary concept, called Biomass, which breaks the designer’s creative spirit of Hubert Lee, the man responsible for the look of the new generation CLS and Style F800 prototype futuristic vision presented in the spring in Geneva.

Created in studio in Carlsbad, California, Biome wants to be a spectacular supercar, capable of providing space for four people, which measures 4020 mm long and 2500 mm wide. The layout inside is rather strange places, with the driver in the center, falling to the rear of only two other passengers and a central location, but removed by a third.

The total weight amounts to only 394 pounds, a little unusual for a concept of such a class. According to the designer, the concept was built from a biofibra raised in a natural environment.

Described by its creator as a “pure fantasy” concept is a creation without a purpose Biome, which can be admired only in the traditional live design competition held at the L.A. salon. In fact this is why Biome was designed, target designers are winning this contest, which will participate Mercedes 454 Weight Smart Watch Technology (created at his studio in Sindelfingen, Germany) and Maybach eRikscha (designed at his studio in Yokohama, Japan ).

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Audi S4 vs Vauxhall Insignia VXR – Fifth Gear

Vehicle Pedia — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 22:31:22 +0000

Tiff Needell get out on the circuit two-wheel-drive performance sedans very popular. Opel Insignia OPC honest attempt to present themselves before a superior Audi S4.

Audi S4 vs Vauxhall Insignia VXR – Fifth Gear is a post from: Vehicle Pedia - all about cars, cars history, cars reviews, cars tuning