The Ultimate Four-Wheeled Value Proposition: 2011 Hyundai Equus

Hyundai is becoming a harbinger of doom for other car brands. The Elantra’s elbowed the Civic aside as one of the most frequently-recommended compact cars. The Sonata’s near the top of the family-sedan ranks, and with the Genesis,Hyundai aped Lexus’ first steps by introducing a luxury sedan at an eye-popping price, and fitting it with the luxury stuff you’d find in any upmarket near-luxury vehicle.

Now the Hyundai Equus is trying to tackle an even more exclusive group ofsedans. Riding on the same wheelbase and sporting the same powertrain as the Genesis, the Equus is plushly outfitted and more formally styled—all the better to throw down the gauntlet to the likes of the Lexus LS, Infiniti M and Lincoln MKS.

After a brief drive in U.S.-spec cars in Korea, we’re able to draw some early conclusions about the Equus. At a base price of around $55,000, the Equus presents an intriguing alternative to the Lexus or the Lincoln, but performance isn’t quite as sharp, nor is it intended to be as sporting, as that of the Infiniti M or the German trio of top-line four-doors: S-Class, 7-Series and A8. Its V-8 throbs with horsepower, but handling’s less confident than any BMW, maybe even less than the sedate Lexus LS.

Interior room and luxury features at a value price are the killer app with the Equus, which rides more softly and looks a bit more formal than anything in the competitive field. There are no paddle shifters or a sport package—but the back seat’s a pleasure palace, with available ventilated, reclining bucket seats that flank an 8-inch LCD screen and DVD player, and an available refrigerated compartment.

The Equus also comes with one more killer app: ultimate customer service.Hyundai dealers will come to owners to service the car, fetching it rather than having them drop it off. They’ll also deliver the new Equus with an Apple iPad that contains the owner’s manual, and an application to set up service appointments. It’s a plan that outflanks the coddling you’d receive from any mainstream luxurybrand—and like its standard audio system, which it shares with the legendary British marque, Hyundai’s marketing plan has a little Rolls-Royce in it.

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Chevrolet Cruze electric launched

Chevrolet Cruze and Beat have been recent success stories for General Motors. The company is now ready to launch the new Beat (dubbed Chevrolet Spark there) in the European market, and the new Chevrolet Aveo 2012 also carries the looks of Chevy Beat in its sedan form. General Motors is further promoting the electric variant of its popular sedan Chevrolet Cruze. It launched the electric model in South Korea recently and is presented as an ideal solution for its international customers. Currently the car has been launched to S. Korea only and the company has not revealed the next probable destinations.

The recent electric Chvey Cruze model launched in Seoul forms a part of extended-range plug-in vehicles offered by General Motors. The Cruze EV is equipped with a 31-kWh battery that generates a maximum of 150 kW power, or about 102.5 miles per hour with a 0-60 of about 8.2 seconds. Real-world range has yet to be completed, but the Cruze EV has demonstrated a 100-mile range. Testing is expected to begin by the end of October.

General Motors India is also planning to introduce its electric vehicle range in India but has canceled its partnership with Reva owing to its acquisition by Mahindra and Mahindra. It already has Chevrolet Spark and Chevrolet Volt on cards as probable electric vehicles coming to Indian shores. It has not stated whether it will introduce the e-Cruze in other emerging markets or it will remain confined to the developed markets only.

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2010 Enco Exclusive BMW X6 Full Specification

2010 Enco Exclusive BMW X6  Widebody by ENCO EXCLUSIVE is now famous all over the world and the Chemnitz manufacturer has specialised in refining luxury vehicle since the beginning of the new century. The newest creation out of Saxony is a complete body kit for the BMW X6. The 2010 BMW X6 by Enco designers have developed a widebody kit that makes the X6 even wider, brawnier and, naturally, more sporty.

The Chemnitz manufacturer is asking approx. 15,000 Euro including VAT, for the complete conversion including fresh paintwork.

The four Jura model rims, exclusive to Enco, ensure a suitably impressive appearance. The impressively sized 11 x 23 inch wheels fill out the oversized wheel arches, and are fitted with 315/25 R3 tyres.

The Chemnitz manufacturer is asking approx. EUR 15,000.-, including VAT, for the complete conversion including fresh paintwork.

BMW X6 Widebody by Enco Exclusive

2010 MG 6 Specifications Review

2010 MG 6 Specifications Review

Recently MG Motor has unveiled the MG6, the first all new MG motor car since the launch of the MGF sports car. The MG6 proudly displays a new modernized version of the famous MG octagon badge for the first time. This new design is planned to carry forward on to all new MG models.

The MG6 is a sporting five seat fastback model, designed to capture the character of the MG brand and bring something different to the volume market.

MG6 Key Dimensions

• Length: 4651 mm

• Width: 1826 mm (without mirrors)

• Height: 1480 mm

The production of MG6 for the China market will begin at the brand new factory in Lingang, China in December 2009, while the production of MG6 for UK at the Birmingham planned before the end of 2010.

The launch takes place at the Guangzhou Auto show in China and is the beginning of an exciting new global future for the MG brand. Sales in China will begin in January and plans for the UK and other markets will be released during 2010.

MG6 specifications for the UK and European markets will be released at a later date.

2012 1 Series M Coupe Specification

2012 1 Series M Coupe Specification 

The N54’s Last Stand?

   the 300-hp 135i has switched from the twin-turbo N54 to the single-turbo N55 engine, the 1-series M coupe—like other BMWs recently unveiled with high-powered inline-sixes—gets a more powerful version of the N54, upgraded to about 335 hp. It’s mated to a slick six-speed manual gearbox—no automatic or dual-clutch transmission will be offered.

Segler’s troops still might shave a few pounds off the 135i’s total of almost 3400, but there is no budget for expensive lightweight materials. Zero-to-60 times should be in the mid-four-second range, and top speed will be governed to 155 mph. As it does with other M cars, BMW might offer the option to raise the limit, but we doubt it would go much beyond 170.

We weren’t allowed to slip behind the wheel ourselves, but we were treated to a fast lap in the passenger seat as M chief engineer Albert Biermann whipped the coupe through the corners and down the straights of the Ascari racetrack. Getting the small M into a slight drift seemed as effortless as recovery, and the kick provided by the uprated engine represents a major step above that of the 135i. Turbo lag is slight and doesn’t significantly detract from the experience. Compared with the M3, you sit lower to the ground, the cabin is more compact, and thus you get a much better sense of speed than in the bigger car.

If we have one criticism, it would be the overly civilized conduct of this compact M. The silky straight-six is pleasing, but the turbos keep the volume down. There is none of the dramatic roar, bellow, and crackle of other M models. This exhaust system needs to be put on steroids. If M won’t do that before the car reaches production, the aftermarket will.

A Super Car, but Not a Supercar

The 1-series M coupe began life code-named Pyrat, and BMW thankfully refrained from calling it the M1. That nameplate, after all, is perpetually connected to the Giugiaro-styled and Lamborghini-developed supercar that BMW launched in the late 1970s. Perhaps one day the company will reenter that segment, and if only for that purpose, the nameplate must be left alone.

Meanwhile, look for the 1-series M coupe at your BMW dealership in the second quarter of 2011. We anticipate a price of about $45,000, which seems a bit steep for a suspension, some interior upgrades, and a chippable 35 more horsepower, but for now, it is the closest we’ll come to the original M3. And it will still be loads of fun.

2011 Corvette Stingray Concept Car Video

Look at this 2011 Corvette Stingray Concept car. Mmm mmm. Everyone got their first glimpse of the 2011 Corvette Stingray Concept in the movieTransformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen portraying the Autobot Sideswipe..

SIDESWIPEThe design is influenced by the original Stingray race car, introduced in 1959, but also draws on Corvette heritage cues from other generations. So now we are all hoping that the 2011Corvette Stingray Concept will go into production. General Motors used the Chicago Auto Show to introduce the world to its latest concept vehicle, theCorvette Stingray, which will be featured in the upcoming Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen movie on June 26th. In robot mode, the Corvette Stingray Concept will take the form of SIDESWIPE, who will reportedly be a skater with wheels for feet.
The Corvette; such an iconic GM vehicle. The car that can compare with rivals costing far more; that car is the Corvette. Our hardest vehicle, in the hardest lineup. Things like a swooping downward character line add drama and excitement to the car, while still retaining that unmistakable Corvette look.