2012 MINI Cooper Coupe price $22.000

Earlier, fans had known style of 2012 MINI Cooper Coupe through the concept version unveiled in 2009. Located inside the vehicle carrying the company's sporty Mini far as interior space is only room for two passengers. Compared to the hatchback 3 door, 2012 MINI Cooper Coupe more low 52 mm. In addition, recruits the MINI is equipped with adaptive rear wing can be automatically expanded when driving at speed 80 km/h to optimize airflow.

Inside, 2012 MINI Cooper Coupe remained dashboard panel design and layout equipment familiar of version hatchback. The only difference is that, 2012 Cooper Coupe accompanied with colors and materials manufacturing new accessories. The disappearance of back seat gave 2012 MINI Cooper Coupe of storage space 280 liters. In addition, MINI also try to increase its usability 2012 Cooper Coupe with storage baskets on wider doors and three glass shelves.

When available on the market, 2012 MINI Cooper Coupe will be divided into three copies, including Cooper Coupe, Cooper S Coupe and John Cooper Works Coupe (JCW). All are equipped with a 4-cylinder, 1.6 liter capacity and 6-speed manual gearbox. In addition, 6-speed automatic transmission also appears on the Cooper S Coupe and Cooper Coupe as optional equipment. Cooper Coupe can produce capacity 121 horsepower at 6,000 revolutions/min and maximum torque of 118 lb-ft at 4,250 rpm/min. Thus, 2012 Cooper Coupe easily accelerate from 0-96 km/h in 8.3 seconds, reaching a maximum speed of 204 km/h and fuel consumption 5.4 ltr per 100 km as announced by the production.

Meanwhile, S Coupe and JCW Coupe 4-cylinder engine applications, capacity 1.6-liter twin-turbo and direct fuel injection. The S Coupe owned power 181 horsepower at 5,500 revolutions/min and torque of 177 lb-ft at 1600 to 5000 revolutions/minute. Overboost function of S Coupe helps increase torque to 192 lb-ft at 1700 to 4500 revolutions/minute. For its part, the JCW Coupe carry on his power 208 hp, maximum torque 192 lb-ft respectively in 6000 and 1700 to 4500 revolutions/minute. If S Coupe can accelerate from 0-196 km/h in 6.5 seconds, the JCW Coupe 0.4 seconds faster. Maximum speed of the S Coupe and JCW Coupe respectively 228 km/h and 240 km/h.

According to Autoweek, the price of 2012 MINI Cooper Coupe starting at $ 22,000. The number corresponds to the MINI Cooper S Coupe, 2012 John Cooper Works Coupe is 25,300 and $ 31,900. Currently, MINI has not announced its official selling price of the 2012 Cooper Coupe.

[Source: nonstopcars.com]

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

German car fans were expecting to see the updated C63 AMG this March, at the Geneva Motor Show, but photos leaked this week of the new sedan and wagon, providing a peek at what lays ahead for the upcoming C series rocket. The main exterior changes are to the fascia; the C63 AMG gets SL series-inspired headlamps, with Audi-esque LED light-piping. LEDs also make their way to the tail lamps, and the team also re-designed the 18-inch wheels, with red brake calipers grabbing the 14.2-inch front discs. Under the hood, the biggest difference is that top speed will no longer be limited to 155 mph; the 2012 C63 AMG, with the performance Development Package, will top out at 174 mph. AMG has developed a new 5.5-liter biturbo mill, but the C63 keeps 6.2-liter V8, so output remains at 451 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. Some early reaction is mixed about the new fascia design, but all told, the new C63 is yet another gift to MB fans. Check out the gallery after the jump, of both the sedan and the wagon.

[Source: freshnessmag.com]

2012 Cadillac SRX

The Cadillac SRX was introduced at the 2009 United states International Auto Show in Detroit, and is going down sale starting up at $33,330 for the base 3.0 Liter V6 powered front wheel drive version and climbs all the way up to $51,360 for the 2.8 Liter six cylinder Turbo Premium version. As the Cadillac of crossovers enters its second generation, the completely redesigned SRX delivers an engaged choice regarding look and feel and driving character to ordinary CUVs with its downsized fuel effective gas burning engines. The SRX comes regular using a front wheel drive layout and is provided with all wheel drive as an option. It is created atop a version of General Motors’ Theta platform that is also used in the Chevrolet Equinox and the Epsilon II platform which is usually also used for the European Opel Insignia.


And now, in 2011 Cadillac recently introduced a brand new, more efficient version of its 2012 Cadillac SRX mid-size crossover SUV, which now rewards vigor 3.6-liters direct-injected V6 engine with 300 horsepower.

That provide even far more acceleration that the current 3.0-liters V6 powered SRX, the new, 2012 Cadillac SRX is expected to hit the automaker’s car dealerships this august.

Don Butler, vp of Cadillac promoting and advertising, shares: “SRX is resonating with luxury buyers by offering the purpose of a crossover and the distinctive style of a Cadillac. Now, we’re raising the standards even higher by providing the SRX with enhanced performance. The brand new engine can make the SRX more responsive for creating the highway, entering freeways from on-ramps and climbing hills.”

Anyway its more horses, the most recent 3.6-liters direct-injected V6 plant also boasts FlexFuel capability and wider rpm range for its high torque, which gives the driver more power in front of a wider choice of speeds and driving conditions.

Further accessories on the 2012 model year Cadillac SRX luxury SUV include general Bluetooth cell phone connectivity, a heated steering wheel on the luxury, performance and prime quality trim levels and door lock switches on the driver and passenger door panels. Additionally in Cadillac SRX, a new machined finish on the huge 20-inch rims set arrives standard on the performance and high quality trim levels.

[Source: tunecar.info]

2011 Naza-Kia Forte 2.0 tested

It has often been published that the Koreans are in a - vastly improved - league of their own with their newer generation automobiles for this new decade. Cheap (in relative terms, of course) doesn't mean nasty and low rent anymore. While some may loath at the very sight of a Korean automotive badge, there is no denying that the prime example that you see above has a lot more to offer under its sleeve. Especially in its upgraded form which has been available in our Malaysian market since early this year (2011).


I could still vividly remember how much likeable the Forte 1.6 EX/SX was in 2010 when I reviewed these lesser versions. Even the larger capacity 2.0SX paled quite miserably with its lifeless steering with a bubble-gummy feel just off-centre, being an electric-powered assisted rack. In the meantime, the 4-speed A/T was not geared to appreciably harness the added flexibility of a 2.0L lump.

Fast forward to the 2011 Forte 2.0 - with 6A/T - these bugbears are gone, especially the synthetic-feel steering. In fact, it's well weighted and tied down now, though a tad "artificially coloured" it may seem but heck, it's a vast improvement. It even hints you of that "Zoom Zoom" feedback or that premium "The Power of Dreams" feel.

At highway speed, tracking corners seem more brilliant with the suspension just nicely damped with incisive suspension rebound i.e. taut body control. No wallow, no pitching. Acceptable body roll should you gun it into bends. High speed stability around its tested Vmax of 200km/h was let's say, comforting, cosseting and confident. Wind noise and road noise level remained impressive for its class at that 'lofty' velocity as well.



Tractability going about in town or suburb traffic is much improved with the new 6-speeder while the implanted rear-view camera display proved more than just a gimmick. Though the display image was a wee bit constrained by the height of the central rear-view mirror dimension, it worked perfectly well for all the reversed parking I managed to execute.




However, all isn't rosy from this Korean camp C-segment offspring. For one, I fail to understand why there is the lack of external boot release handle/rubber-strip switch at the rear - usually recessed in the rear number plate upper frame/garnish. You simply must press the button on the remote fob, how so inconvenient for a key/fob-less entry enabled car! Or you must tug the boot release lever on the floor carpet below and to the right of the driver's seat. The other sore (eye) point is why their generic-looking engine cover(s) do not seem to greet you "Annyeonghaseyo" as friendly the others say "Konichiwa" or "Guten Tag", just to name a couple of established examples.

I do have to apologise for not observing its fuel economy (trip computer was displaying 12.0l to 13.0l/100km mostly!). In the new Forte 2.0, most of the time I was having fun stretching its legs on almost every trip out in this "budget" 2.0-litre sedan, which is convincingly far from looking, feeling or driving budget-y in nature.

Peugeot 308 Turbo retested (6-speed)

Time flies. I could still recall that I was somehow smitten by an early version of this Pug 308 turbo some two years ago. Though it had only 4-speed auto, the road holding and handling were sweet, albeit ride was a little firm. The value-for-money buy (at RM112k) had even gone on to handsomely win the 2009 Car of the Year title from New Straits Times (NST) .




All manufacturers improvise on their cars as years go by. The 'new' 308 turbo is no exception. The sampler that you see in white here has gained a Japanese slush 'box good for six forward ratios. All for the better, lower emissions and more importantly, better fuel economy. Admittedly, it is very smooth on the go now and the car tested licked 190 km/h with ease and the twin-scrolled blower found in this 1.6 engine is quite the lag-free deal, in the vein of BMW turbocharging these days . After all, it is a J-V offspring from BMW-Peugeot union.




However, in its quest for a more fancy panoramic roof (read: heavy), this Pug seems to have a more jello-wobbly suspension setting now, perhaps to offset the added higher mass, suspended above. This warm hatch now rolls, pitch and get busily wobbly with almost every bit of your steering input. Grip levels from those pricey Conti rubbers are still admirably good. Even the rack itself is overtly sensitive, even with input just that wee-bit off-centre.




In short, somehow, the whole package just don't gel. Not anymore. Not when even the driver gets carsick easily. And what's with the noisy A/C blower at full blast and neither hot-nor-cold mostly, climate control? Maybe I am being a bit harsh here with the steeply rake huge front windscreen and glass panoramic roof being untinted yet, in a new car. But it gets uncomfortably hot easily in this 308 with the A/C being stuffy or overwhelmingly noisy most of the time.

Hey, where's the nice good 'ol white face meters? The new "mono-chromed" amber on black is just cheaper-looking and a bore to look at. A lame attempt to mimic BMW items if that was the true intention.

After a few days with it, I have to admit that the latest 308 turbo isn't as desirable as before, not in this latest guise anyway. But it cannot be denied that the sticker price of RM118k is indeed still very tempting against the similarly-classed (RM156k) VW Golf 1.4 TSI. Such is the reality. A cheaper and slightly smaller VW Polo perhaps...anyone?




You may be compare this article with this:
Peugeot 308 Turbo tested (2009)

Famous lovers of famous cars

Bentley

The Lovers of Bentley Janet Jackson and Jermaine Dupri recently put their custom-built 2007 Bentley Continental GTC convertible for auction on eBay . Oprah Winfrey also auctioned her 1996 Bentley Azure convertible, which sold for just under $68,000.
Bentley lover Paris Hilton’s can’t-miss-it Pepto-pink number, while Victoria Beckham loves her posh Continental GTC with monogrammed seats.Which was gifted by Tom Cruise. Sharon Stone, Kim Kardashian, and The Game drive black Bentleys, Liz Hurley and Richie Rich drive silver cars, while Seal drives in golden Bentley.

Mercedes

Britney Spears loves her white Mercedes CLK convertible.
Other lovers of CLK include Lauren Conrad and Katie Holmes. Mercedes is also a car of choice for other starlets like Lindsay Lohan, Nicole Richie, Tara Reid, Lady Gaga, Reese Witherspoon, and Miley Cyrus. Among the male lovers of  Merc are Ryan Seacrest, Dwayne Wade, Michael Jordan,Ringo Starr, and Lebron James.

Sharp looking 2012 BMW 1-series to herald a new design language for F30 3-series?

From the looks of it, BMW is on a roll again...after the sleek but understated F10...and now this...the all-new F20!
Bring on the 120d Sports soon BMW Malaysia!