Wednesday, May 5, 2010
Labels: 2010 Toyota Hybrid Camry
MSRP: From $74,550
Luxurious and handsome cabin, excellent driving dynamics, standard all-wheel drive.
Prestige factor not quite equal to chief rivals, limited engine choice, outdated MMI interface.
What's New for 2010
For the 2010 A8, Audi has discontinued the 12-cylinder engine, making the V8 the only one offered. The standard wheelbase version gets 19-inch wheels and a revised trunk lid with integral spoiler. The long-wheelbase L version now has massaging front seats as standard as well as contrasting stitching and piping for the upholstery.
2010 Audi A8 Vehicle Overview
Introduction
For many of the wealthy among us, a full-size luxury sedan is more than a way of getting to soirees, art gallery openings and the cottage in the Hamptons. In addition to providing sumptuous, speedy transport, a luxury sedan must also provide prestige. And there are plenty of obvious choices that trumpet that message to the masses loud and clear. But for those who prefer a more understated aesthetic, the 2010 Audi A8 is a compelling proposition, even if it won't necessarily raise as many eyebrows in the country club parking lot.
As it always has, Audi's flagship features an impeccably finished cabin, powerful yet refined performance and polished road manners. Audi's adaptive air suspension handles interstate cruises and serpentine mountain roads with equal ease, while the standard all-wheel drive provides an extra measure of confidence when the weather turns nasty on the way to the ski lodge. Even now, in its last year of this generation (next year brings a redesigned A8), this Audi's timeless styling manages to look muscular and elegant at the same time.
And yet, despite its many charms, including a price tag thousands lower than its rivals, the 2010 Audi A8 trails the BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS 460 and Mercedes-Benz S-Class in the sales chart race. This seemingly illogical situation can likely be attributed to the A8's slight but undeniable lack of cachet compared with its chief German rivals, as well as its inability to compete with the LS 460's sterling reputation for quality. But if one can set aside these mostly perceived deficiencies, the A8 is certainly worth a close look.
Body Styles, Trim Levels, and Options
The 2010 Audi A8 comes in two trims: standard and long-wheelbase L (which provides more room for rear seat passengers).
Both A8 models come standard with alloy wheels (19-inch on standard A8, 18-inch on L trim), xenon headlights, a sunroof, Audi's Multi Media Interface (MMI) system, a navigation system, cruise control, leather upholstery, 16-way power front seats, heated front and rear seats, dual-zone automatic climate control, a parking system with a rearview camera, keyless ignition/entry, a power trunk opener, power door closers, Bluetooth and a 12-speaker Bose surround-sound audio system with satellite radio, iPod connectivity and a CD changer.
The L adds four-zone climate control, ventilated/massaging front seats, contrasting stitching and piping on the upholstery and lumbar adjustment for all passengers.
Options include 20-inch wheels, carbon-fiber interior trim (standard A8), massaging front seats (standard A8), a solar-powered venting sunroof, upgraded leather interior trim, a 1,000-watt Bang & Olufsen audio system and a Technology package that adds adaptive cruise control, a lane departure warning system and a blind-spot warning system.
Powertrains and Performance
Both the standard and L models come with a 4.2-liter V8 that makes 350 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque. It comes matched to a six-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission that drives all four wheels through Audi's Quattro AWD system.
Despite its substantial size, this is a quick luxury sedan. Either version can hit 60 mph in the low 6-second range and cover the quarter-mile in the low 14s. Fuel economy ratings are the same for both at 16 mpg city/23 mpg highway and 18 mpg combined.
Safety
Interior Design and Special Features
The interior of the A8 provides first-class comfort, especially in the L version, which boasts a limolike 42 inches of rear legroom. In typical Audi fashion, the fit and finish is superb, with generous amounts of wood, Alcantara and aluminum accents lending a luxurious ambience.
With a 16-way power-adjustable driver seat (including upper seatback angle) and a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, finding a comfortable driving position is easy for folks of all body types. The dash is uncluttered by buttons thanks to Audi's MMI, which handles everything from the navigation and audio systems to the adjustment of the driver-selectable air suspension. Though it is intuitive for the most part, the A8 uses the older version of MMI, and cycling through the network of menus remains a labor-intensive process.
Whether taking off from a stoplight or jetting up to cruising speed on the freeway, the 2010 Audi A8 always puts a solid rush of power on tap. Moreover, the powerful and easily modulated brakes have no problem reining in this luxury liner. While the air suspension works just fine in automatic mode, the "Dynamic" setting tightens up body control considerably, making the A8 feel more like a sport sedan than a large flagship luxury car.
Labels: Audi A8 2010 Review
Labels: 2010 Ford iosis MAX Pictures
Pagani Automobili is proud to unveil the Pagani Zonda Roadster F, a new jewel in the Zonda family: fast open top motoring at its best.
Hand built at the Pagani Atelier in a limited run of 25, the Pagani Zonda Roadster F offers the outstanding driveability and performance of the Pagani Zonda F Coupè, enhanced by the pleasure of driving with a gentle breeze in your hair.
The Pagani Zonda Roadster F travels along the boundary where beauty and power merge together forming something special; it's sinuous and aerodynamically shaped bodywork gets its prominence from sharp edges and elegant lines, which show at first glance its extraordinary potential.
From the cockpit you enjoy a magnificent view, unusual for a supercar. With your hands on the steering wheel you enjoy an environment that far exceeds most expectations, with a mixture of carbon fibre, soft leather and polished aluminium lighting up your senses.
The precious instrument cluster looks like the handiwork of a watchmaker. It reveals the pure-breed of an Italian GT car: thanks to its personality, mixing sensuality, aggressiveness and magnetic beauty, you can easily imagine it driving along the sea front in Monte Carlo or screaming down a straight at Le Mans. All this, supported by handling that is unbelievably efficient and sincere and that monitors constantly what is happening to every single wheel; creating the feeling of the power behind you and the precise response in front.
The Pagani Zonda Roadster F is not a racecar; it is rather a jewel handcrafted in Italy, a whirl of emotions, a masterpiece for the connoisseur who cares to drive fast. Very fast. Like the heart beating within its soul.
The fastest, most exclusive, most powerful and most expensive Roadster in the world. The Pagani Zonda Roadster F.
* Engine: Mercedes-Benz AMG 12 cylinder V 60°, 48 valves, displacement 7291 cc
* Max. Power: 650 hp (478 kW) at 6200 rpm
* Max. Torque: 780 Nm at 4000 rpm
* Weight-to-Power ratio: 1,89 kg/hp
* Intake manifold: aluminium hydroformed alloy/avional MHG-System
* Exhaust system: hydroformed steel and ceramic coated, inconel manifold, titanium muffler
* Transmission: longitudinal mid engine; rear wheel drive with self-locking differential
* Clutch: twin plate clutch
* Gearbox: mechanical 6 speed (+ reverse)
* Brakes: 4 ventilated Brembo disks, hydraulic power brake Carbon-ceramic brakes: front 380x34 mm 6 piston caliper; rear 380x34 mm 4 piston caliper
* Steering: TRW rack and pinion power assisted
* Wheels: Forged aluminium/magnesium alloy APP wheels; 19" front, 20" rear
* Tyres: Michelin Pilot Sport 2: front 255/35/19, rear 335/30/20
* Suspensions: 4 independent wheels with double A-arm; pull rod helical springs and Öhlins adjustable shock absorbers; anti-roll bar; aluminium/magnesium alloy suspension arms
* Structure: central carbon fiber chassis; front and rear Cr Mo space frames; carbon fiber "MD System" bodywork panels
* Dimensions
o Length 4435 mm
o Width 2055 mm
o Height 1141 mm
o Wheelbase 2730 mm
* Dry weight 1230 kg
* Weight distribution: 46% front; 54% rear
* Downforce: ~600 kg at 300km/h; downforce distribution: ~270 kg front; ~330 kg rear.
* Vehicle-Diagnosis: TMD remote diagnosis, Texa Mobile Diagnostic
* Safety: ABS/Traction Control Bosch; central carbon fibre safety cell with Cr Mo steel and carbon fibre roll bar; front and rear impact energy absorbing structure in carbon fibre and Cr Mo
* Performance
o 0-100 km/h 3,6 s
o 0-200 km/h 9,8 s
* Lateral G's: 1,4 G
* Braking 200-0 km/h: 4,4 s
Labels: Pagani Zonda Roadster F
The design of the Italian Pininfarina Ferrari 458 provides further evidence of the complete break with the past that this new car goodbye. Ferrari 458 Italy has a shape, compact aerodynamic focusing on the notions of simplicity, efficiency and lightness that inspired the project. Like any other Ferrari, the style of the car was heavily influenced by the requirements of aerodynamic efficiency, as you can see on the support of 140 kg to 200 km / h generated by the new model. The front has an opening for the grille and side vents, or the bearing surfaces with sections designed to direct air to the radiator and cooling the underside new apartment. The nose also sports small wings to generate downforce and aero-elastic, as the speed increases, it deforms to reduce the input section of radiators and slide cutting.
- Dimensions
- Length: 4527 mm (178.2 in.)
- Width: 1937 mm (76.3 in.)
- Height: 1213 mm (47.8 in.)
- Wheelbase: 2650 mm (104.3 in.)
- Dry weight: 1380 kg (3042 lbs)
- Weight/power ratio: 2,42 kg/CV (7.16 lbs/kW)
- Weight distribution (front/rear): 42%/58%
- Engine
- Type: V8 - 90°
- Displacement: 4499 cc (274.5 cu in.)
- Maximum power: 570 CV (425 kW) @ 9000 rpm
- Maximum torque: 540 Nm (398 lbs/ft) @ 6000 rpm
- Specific power output: 127 CV/l
- Compression ratio: 12.5:1
- Tyres
- Front: 235/35 ZR20 8.5"
- Rear: 295/35 ZR20 10.5"
- Performance
- Maximum speed: >325 km/h (>202 mph)
- 0-100 km/h: <3.4>
- Fuel consumption + emissions
- Fuel consumption: 13.7 l/100 km
- Emissions: 320 g CO2/km
- Gearbox
- Dual-clutch, 7-speed F1
- Electronics
- E-Diff3, F1-Trac, high-performance ABS
Labels: Ferrari 458 Italia
Delivering a top speed of 310 km/h, an exceptionally low power-to-weight ratio of only 2.7 kg/hp and completing the sprint from standstill to 100 km/h in 3.9 seconds, the Wiesmann Roadster MF5 takes even experienced sports car enthusiasts into a brand new dimension of driving enjoyment
This exclusive open-air experience will only be available to a select few because the spirited power package is only being produced in a limited edition of 55. Equipped with a V10 engine
Labels: Wiesmann Roadster MF5 2010
Labels: Alfa Romeo, Sports Car
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Labels: 2011, Audi, Sports Car