Driven to Impress

Rolling Up to a New School

The car: Kia Soul



When you're part of the MP3 generation, horsepower and alloy wheels likely matter less than the type of music you download. So on your first day at a new school, you want style, of course, but also proper entertainment in the hippest, most affordable package. No car can deliver that better than the Kia Soul. Top models come with a bumpin' 315-watt audio system that has USB and auxiliary jacks for all of your digital audio files. It's a potential rave on wheels.

First Date

The car: Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupé



Nothing conveys ultimate class and achievement more than a Rolls-Royce. Fabulously sensual and cosseting inside, this Phantom has to be the quietest, smoothest-running car ever made. Its endless, rear-hinged, power-operated doors make for the easiest and most graceful ingress and egress. A lady in a long silk evening gown will truly appreciate it.

When You’re in Vegas

The car: Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce



When you meet up with your posse, you want to show in no uncertain terms that you've made it. For this, a bright yellow Lamborghini Murciélago LP 670-4 SuperVeloce is just what the doctor ordered. The 6.5-liter 670-horsepower V12 engine and rear-biased all-wheel-drive system will let you spin the huge rear gumballs and get the car sideways, just a bit.

The Ex's Wedding

The car: McLaren F1



You will no doubt want to affirm that you have more than successfully moved on and are leading a truly happy, fulfilling life. To this end, we recommend pulling up in a McLaren F1. Not a radical open-wheel race car from the eponymous Formula One team, but rather the stunning exotic designed by the visionary automotive artisans Gordon Murray and Peter Stevens. It has a full carbon-fiber structure and body and a 6.0-liter 600-horsepower V12 engine by BMW, and it can go 240 mph.

Death of a sports car?

Fun and frivolity are usually the first casualties of a recession, and so are the vehicles that let the good times roll. But don't count them out just yet. Sporty cars are far from resting in peace.

Fast sports cars, cool convertibles and deluxe coupes have traditionally been signature models for luxury brands — and the first choice for affluent buyers who want to park a fun and frivolous second, third or even fourth car in the driveway next to their posh sedan.

Sadly, it looks like those days are over. "Buyers, all buyers, have become much more practical," said Jeff Schuster, an industry forecaster for J.D. Power and Associates. "They look at cars like these and say, 'I just can't swing that right now.'" Consequently, the sporty side of the luxury car market is in a sales free fall.

Filling the Gaps

That practical mindset has luxury brands leaning heavily on smaller cars, hybrids and, especially, crossovers to boost their lagging sporty-car sales. As MSN Autos has documented, the soaring popularity of compact utility vehicles such as the BMW X3, Mercedes GLK and Volvo XC60 have made them the fastest-growing vehicle segment in America. This success has luxury brands preparing a wave of even smaller crossovers, including many that seek to convince consumers that they're both fun to drive and more practical than a sporty car, such as the Land Rover LRX, BMW X1 and Audi Q3. When the X1 arrives, BMW will have a quartet of crossovers for consumers to choose from, including the X3, X5 and X6.

Even high-end luxury brands that don't offer a crossover, such as Jaguar, are feeling the pressure to build one. In fact, Ian Callum, the company's chief designer, recently told us that he's not "philosophically opposed" to adding one to Jag's lineup.

Even Porsche, the "No Substitute" automaker, has begun selling a crossover-like 4-door, the Panamera. With room for four adults, the fastback Panamera gives people who might otherwise buy the 911 sports car a family-friendly alternative. And despite the Panamera's controversial styling, Porsche fans have responded: Fresh out of the box, the Panamera is outselling the 911 in 2010, and its 1,485 sales have doubled those of Porsche's other sports cars combined, the Boxster and Cayman. Only the Cayenne SUV — Porsche's other "practical" model — has squeaked past the Panamera's sales so far this year.

New or Nothing

Another trend that's hurting premium sporty car sales isn't a new one. People with big bucks want to be the "first guy on the block" with a hot new car. But when the buzz fades, fickle buyers move on to the next big thing. But now that there is a smaller group of consumers buying these cars, only the newest and strongest models are finding success. As a result, it is even more critical for luxury carmakers to hit home runs in styling, performance and market appeal right from the get-go.

BMW's 6-Series luxury coupe and convertible, for example, made a big splash when they were introduced back in 2003. But like aging movie stars, the Bimmers now find themselves outshined by a pair of ingenues, the Audi A5 and Mercedes E-Class coupes. BMW 6-Series sales fell by nearly 50 percent in 2009, and 2010 sales have virtually bottomed out. Only 451 Americans chose a 6-Series through March, or just 150 per month on average.

In contrast, Audi's fresher A5 coupe — and its high-performance offshoot, the S5 — have attracted nearly 3,800 buyers in the same time. And nearly 2,200 people have driven home in Mercedes' E-Class coupe in 2010, with Mercedes-Benz about to add an eye-grabbing convertible version that executives expect may outsell the coupe.

Aligning Dreams With Reality

Not surprisingly, the fun, fast cars that are holding their own tend to be middle-class affordable. The Ford Mustang and Chevrolet Camaro muscle cars seat four passengers, and both can be had for well under $30,000 for V6 models.

The Mustang is on track to top 65,000 sales this year. That popularity may only grow when the 2011 Mustang reaches showrooms around August, with a pair of all-new, eagerly awaited engines: a V6 that combines 305 horsepower with an expected 31 mpg highway and a 5-liter V8 with 412 horsepower.

The reborn Camaro, fresh off its high-profile appearances in the "Transformers" films, has burned rubber out of dealerships as well, on pace to top 80,000 sales this year.

Staying the Sporty Course

Despite lagging sales, companies aren't about to stop making the high-profile cars that boost their images and draw people into showrooms for a peek — even if those people end up driving off in a sedan or crossover instead. For luxury brands, sporty halo cars reassure buyers that the automaker is on the leading edge of design and technology. Later this year, Audi will defy the tough market when it introduces the A7, a posh luxury coupe that should start at around $70,000 and compete against cars such as the BMW 6-Series.

"We still see a big opportunity with the A7," says Audi's de Nysschen, noting that Audi still has $10 billion of investment tied up in future cars — enough to provide something for everyone.

Yet between cautious consumers and tough new fuel-economy regulations, some sporty-car makers are also developing more affordable models that are also suited to today's downsized, efficient engines — including 4-cylinder engines that many wealthy buyers would never tolerate in a 6-figure car.

Porsche and Jaguar are both considering new sports cars that would be more affordable than anything in their current lineups. Porsche's "Baby Boxster" would share its platform with the next-generation Audi TT, which will also underpin a sporty convertible from Volkswagen. The Baby Boxster would almost surely be powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, making it the first 4-cylinder Porsche sold here since the 914 model in the '70s.

J.D. Power's Schuster said that while there will always be a desire for high-priced sports cars, even luxury manufacturers must keep real buyers and their monthly payments in mind: "People tend to get more conservative coming out of a deep recession. We expect to see things recover, but at a slow pace."



The 2010 Porsche 911 remains the quintessential sports car that only gets better with every passing year.



The 2011 Land Rover LRX is a sporty 2-door crossover based on the company's 4-door LR2, and is expected to be the automaker's most efficient vehicle yet. It is also likely to be offered with some sort of hybrid powertrain.



There's plenty of space inside the 2011 BMW X1, yet it is configured to ride lower than other crossovers and, thus, handle better.



The 2010 Panamera fills out Porsche's lineup with a truly spacious 4-door that seats four adults easily and that makes few compromises in terms of power and handling.



Long a favorite in the midsize luxury segment, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class has provided an appealing mix of comfort, performance and safety for decades. The latest model is no exception.



For the 2011 model year, the Ford Mustang gets a sophisticated new 3.7-liter V6 engine that delivers amazing power and efficiency, neither of which could be said about the 2010.



A wide range of powertrains will be offered with the 2011 Audi A7, reportedly including a diesel-electric hybrid and a 600-horsepower V10.

Home Learning - nothing to do with cars...

My badge has a Latin motto
Hope for the future
The future is hope
Or something

At times black crows try to interrupt
When we sing the National Anthem

It is difficult to maintain
The whiteness of my shoes
Especially on Wednesdays

I must admit there is something quite special
About the bare thighs of hardworking scouts

The Malay chauffeurs
Who wait for my schoolmates
Sit on the car park kerb
Telling jokes to one another

Seven to the power of five is unreasonable

On Chinese New Year
Mrs Lee dressed up
In a sarong kebaya
And sang Bengawan Solo

The capital of Singapore is Singapore

My best friend did a heroic thing once
Shaded all A’s
For his Chinese Language
Multiple-choice paper

In our annual yearbook
There is a photograph of me

Pushing a wheelchair and smiling
They caught me
At the exact moment

When my eyes were actually closed

Q1. You are to write an analysis of the poem given above. The analysis should include:
What were the poet’s thought/ feelings as he thought about his school days ?

This poem is talking about his school life, when he was handicapped person. He was in a wheelchair and he was blind, because "When my eyes were actually closed." is evident that he lost his eyesight.

Write a poem about your school days in not less than 4 stanzas. Your memories of school days could be happy, sad or funny. Try to include some of the literary devices that you have just learnt.

At the first day of school,
I was scared,
My mind was running like mad.
The people there are much larger,
Which makes me feel even smaller.

The teacher was at first quite nice,
But after a few days, she treated us like little mice.
When she was angry, she banged the table as hard as she could,
Makes the whole class in a very bad mood!

The bell rang,
The door opened with a loud bang,
Every part of the canteen was crowded
The food was scrumptious,
It's marvellous!

Over the years of education,
Never have we had so much learning with action
Such as camps, experiments, concerts and activities
We’ve learnt so much and even saved the trees

A wise teacher once said aloud -
Success is failure turned inside out
So stick to the fight when you’re hardest hit
Rest if you must, but don’t you quit

Some may see school as a torture chamber
Some cannot wait for the holidays in December
But it depends on how we look at school
Honestly, positively, school is cool!

Hydrogen Cars Closer To Reality


The hydrogen-powered Mazda RX-8 RE was available for testing at a conference in California.

Did you know that hydrogen is the most abundant element in the universe? That it powers our very sun?That everything in the hydrogen future is going to be so groovy that we'll need tranquilizer darts shot into our necks just to keep from screaming about how great it'll be?

There are politicians, plutocrats and pundits who believe that H2 is the future, that ramming it through the membranes of a fuel cell to make electricity is what will power cars in the not-too-far-from-near term. And there are companies betting big bucks on that, too.

All of these elements — people, private industry and government entities — converged this week at the annual National Hydrogen Association's Exposition and Conference in Long Beach, Calif. Even the governor showed up and bench-pressed a few atoms.

The news? One interesting thing was that Toyota chose this week to announce that the target price for its fuel cell-powered sedan, due in showrooms in 2015, will be about $50,000. That's a far cry from early fuel-cell-car estimates that were usually more like “astronomical.”

Toyota, General Motors, Honda, Daimler and Hyundai have all said they'll have fuel-cell cars available for retail sale in the United States within five years. So while it's still off in the future, the fuel-cell revolution is a little less futuristic than it traditionally has been.

Toyota, General Motors, Honda, Daimler and Hyundai have all said they'll have fuel-cell cars available for retail sale in the United States within five years. So while it's still off in the future, the fuel-cell revolution is a little less futuristic than it traditionally has been.

And while for years it was easy to dismiss hydrogen-powered anything as being too energy-intensive to be worthwhile, some of the experts at the expo were at least saying that hydrogen makes financial as well as efficiency sense.

“Hydrogen is already made today in large scale at very efficient rates, over 80 to 85 percent efficient in terms of energy in to energy out,” said Ed Heydorn, business development manager of Hydrogen Energy Systems for Air Products. “Technologies already exist that can produce hydrogen at efficiencies and costs that meet the needs for transportation and other applications.”

Granted, Heydorn is selling the stuff, but he had some interesting points.

“One of the beauties of hydrogen is you can make it out of just about any product that's out there, especially renewable resources,” Heydorn continued. “A project that we're undertaking now is one at the local wastewater treatment facility in Orange County, Calif. We're working with a company called Fuel Cell Energy that has a fuel-cell technology that can convert the biogas made from wastewater treatment into electricity. We're taking a slipstream within that electricity production to coproduce hydrogen and make it available for vehicle fuel.”

One thing we didn't discuss was how much hydrogen such a process would produce. While there are wastewater treatment facilities throughout the civilized world, is there enough of the stuff to power 140 million cars in the United States and millions more throughout the rest of the world?

Heydorn points out that hydrogen is also available as an off gas from various chemical production processes. However, the majority of H2 available today comes from steam reformation of natural gas, which is an energy intensive process that releases CO2. True, CO2 can at least theoretically be sequestered underground, but that requires still more energy, and there's always the threat that it'll get out again, all at once.

But you can't just write off hydrogen altogether. It's still more efficient that gasoline.

The 10 Hottest Tuner Cars~

Speed, style and status are still en vogue, at least among adrenaline junkies and those who appreciate the beauty of today's ultraslick "tuner cars." Powerful, sophisticated and awe-inspiring, these magnificent machines started life as a standard sedan, coupe or utility vehicle, only to be transformed by skilled professionals into high-performance demons of the asphalt. The compromises made in the name of mass production have been fixed, aesthetics enhanced, power increased and handling improved, all in the name of performance and to provide a more raw and visceral driving experience. The following collection of rolling thunder represents 10 of the latest and greatest tuner cars from both sides of the pond. Start your saliva glands and get ready to drool.

1. TechArt Panamera Concept One



Talk about driving a hard bargain: The Porsche Panamera Turbo rocks the cash box to the tune of $132,600; and that's before TechArt gets its hands on it. The burly Panamera Concept One is powered by a TechArt-enhanced 4.8-liter twin-turbo V8 engine pumping out 650 horsepower. Body tuning mods from PU-RIM widen the car by 21 millimeters at the nose and 42 millimeters in back using custom front and rear fascias, wide body fenders and side skirts. TechArt also focused on the interior, rewrapping the Porsche with a 2-tone cocoa and white scheme with green stitching. A ceiling-mounted 10.2-inch TV/DVD player and fold-down rear tray tables add to the opulence. The only thing missing is a jar of Grey Poupon.

2. Novitec Rosso California



If a Ferrari California is not tuned enough for you, Novitec has the answer: Supercharge it. Novitec Rosso pressurizes the California's 4.3-liter V8 engine with 6 pounds per square inch of boost, enough to pile on an additional 166 horses for a total output of 606 horsepower. A water-to-air intercooler, bigger fuel injectors, a trick intake manifold and a stainless-steel exhaust system join the blower. Zero to 60 mph flashes by in 3.8 seconds, and top speed is 202 mph. The Cali's Italian coachwork has been enhanced with an assortment of goods, all in carbon fiber of course. Handling has been sharpened via a Novitec hydraulic suspension that drops the drop-top 35 millimeters yet allows it to be raised to clear obstacles.

3. ABT Sportline R8 5.2 V10



It may be hard to imagine a body kit on the seductive Audi R8, but ABT Sportline has done more than dream it. ABT unleashed the carbon fiber in the form of a trick custom grille, a new front bumper with a lip spoiler, new side skirts, a new rear bumper that houses a different diffuser and four tail pipes, and a fixed rear wing. Distinctive 19- or 20-inch wheels fill out the fender wells. In the engine bay, the V10 has been tweaked to develop an additional 75 horsepower for a total of 600 ponies. That equates to 3.8-second zero-to-60-mph run.

4. Lingenfelter Camaaro SS L28



Carry a big stick, namely the brutish Lingenfelter L28 Camaro, and own the road with 800 horsepower. Lingenfelter Performance Engineering has five engine packages for L99-, LS3-powered Camaros and a special version featuring a turbocharged LS7 swapped from a Z06 Corvette. The packages range from 550 to 800 horsepower and feature forced induction via an Eaton supercharger or a twin turbo system. The L28 also features custom body tuning fore and aft. Lingenfelter-designed 20-inch, 10-spoke wheels, custom interior touches and a Hotchkis-enhanced suspension with Brembo brakes round out the L28 treatment.

5. Roush 427R Mustang



Roush puts the 2010 Mustang at the head of the herd with a number of hard-hitting mods that focus on power production, traction and aerodynamics. The Blue Oval's 4.6-liter V8 engine gets a boost from a RoushCharger supercharger that pumps up the volume to the tune of 435 horsepower. The factory-installed Roush suspension system provides a balance of ride and handling and includes a Roush wheel-hop-reduction kit so drivers can unleash those 435 horses without hesitation. The 427R is dressed to the nines with a custom front fascia and lip spoiler, rear fascia, side splitters and a 3-piece rear wing. Rolling stock consists of 18-inch alloys with 20s on the optional menu. Time to saddle up and go for a ride.

6. Hennessey Challenger HPE600 Turbo



Hennessey Performance, known for its superfast Vipers, keeps it in the Mopar family with the Challenger HPE600 Turbo. A stock 425-horsepower SRT8 is the starting point. Hennessey adds a Precision 67HPSH turbo, a 44-millimeter waste gate, ported and polished cylinder heads, an intercooler, fuel system upgrades, a Corsa exhaust system and tuning. The result is 6 pounds per square inch of boost and an additional 195 horses under your right foot. The 620-horse HPE600 belted out an 11.9-second quarter-mile on a granny launch, yet it has KW shocks and suspension as well as StopTech brakes for quicker reflexes in the twisties. The HSE600 also includes exterior badging and interior dress-up items.

7. Brabus E V12



Brabus went critical-mass on its Mercedes-Benz E V12 coupe and the result is 800 stampeding German thoroughbreds. The Brabus SV12 R Biturbo 800 engine is a 5.5-liter V12 that's been bored and stroked to 6.3 liters of displacement, stuffed with fortified internals and pressurized via twin turbochargers and a 4-pack of intercoolers. Its 230 mph top speed potential has been reined in to a "reasonable" 217 mph. Talk about a big brake upgrade: The Brabus E sports 12-piston calipers up front — that's right, 12 — and mere 6-piston units in the rear. Let the autobahn bashing begin.

8. Pratt & Miller Corvette C6RS



This is a Z06 'Vette-on-steroids proposition that delivers power, a slippery silhouette and an agile suspension. The power equation reveals 600 squared on the bottom line; i.e., 600 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque. A Katech-built 8.2-liter 500-inch V8 engine propels the C6RS to dizzying speeds. Using its on-track aerodynamic expertise, Pratt & Miller endows this Chevrolet with an aggressively styled and lightweight carbon-fiber body that's 1.6 inches wider than a production Corvette Z06. A computer-controlled adjustable suspension system, center-nut forged aluminum BBS wheels and massive Brembo monobloc disc brakes further signal the C6RS's evolution from the track to a garage near you.

9. Dinan S3-R M3



What the Dinan S3-R BMW M3 lacks in flash it makes up for in substance. Steve Dinan and company have taken the M3's 4.0-liter V8 engine and stroked it to displace 4.6 liters. A carbon-fiber intake, performance throttle bodies, crankshaft power pulley, exhaust mods and tuning net an impressive 527 naturally aspirated horsepower. The S3-R runs a Dinan Stage 3 suspension, which includes lowering coils, sway bars, camber plates and an upper shock mount kit. A Dinan/Brembo brake upgrade package and 19-inch lightweight forged wheels are also part of the handling equation.

10. Heffner Performance Ford GT 1000GT



Relive the original Ford GT40's glory from its 1-2-3 domination at the 1966 24 Hours of Le Mans with a 21st century twist. Heffner Performance takes Ford's modern interpretation of the GT-40, the Ford GT, and adds twin turbos to the proceedings. A pair of dual-ball-bearing Garrett 61-millimeter turbos and all the necessary equipment are swapped in place of the 5.4-liter V8 engine's original supercharger setup. Heffner reports output jumps from 550 to 1,000 horses with its intensive modification program. A Heffner GT1000 attained a terminal velocity of 249.7 mph from a standing start at the recent Texas Mile competition, so get your groove on American-style in this reborn, genetically re-engineered icon.

Hottest 911 Ever!



A few weeks back, we revealed spy shots of the next-gen Porsche 911 GT2.

But now the Web is awash in reports from a Porsche dealer meeting in Germany where the company revealed the even-hotter GT2 RS.

Reportedly pushing 620 hp from its turbocharged boxer-six engine, the track- and street-legal GT2 RS is said to be 200 pounds lighter than the GT2. The combination of extra power and shaved weight means the GT2 RS reportedly will run from 0 to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds and has set a record time of 7 minutes, 22 seconds at the Nürburgring. These numbers may not be entirely accurate, but expected they are fairly close to the mark.

Back to normal, finally...

Well, after quite a number of weeks of figuring out how to change my blogskin into a better one... I had really no choice but to choose the one that the blog provided.

Ok. Let's not talk about that now. The good news is that the blog has been done!

Now you got to wait for more and more cars stuff...

And lastly, sorry for the inconvenience caused. :)

New - 2011 BMW 5-Series



The sixth-generation 5-Series is easily recognized by a wider "twin-kidney" grille inspired by the CS concept and 7-Series sedan. The adaptive xenon headlights are standard.

The welterweight 5-Series is at the very core of BMW's model portfolio and, together with the 3-Series and 1-Series, generates more than half of the German carmaker's profits. Yet the all-new, sixth-generation BMW 5-Series sedan has more in common than ever with its range-topping 7-Series sibling, including all-new multilink front suspension members. It was effectively developed on the same architecture, shares many components and will be built in the same plant in Dingolfing, Germany. It even looks like a trimmer 7, but only at first glance. The 535i at the car's launch in Portugal is slightly bigger and rides on a noticeably longer wheelbase than its predecessor. It nonetheless proves impressively agile, stable and refined. In fact, this new 5-Series sedan is the best-handling, best-riding and most comfortable ever, and might just be the cream of the current crop of midsize luxury sedans.

Model Line-up

The 535i is powered by a revamped 3.0-liter 300-horsepower turbocharged inline six, and the 550i by a twin-turbo 4.4-liter 400-horse V8. Both are rear-wheel drive and will be delivered with a 6-speed manual gearbox — an exclusive trait in this segment. An all-new 8-speed automatic gearbox is optional. Coming later in the fall will be all-wheel-drive xDrive versions and a 528i that gets a naturally aspirated 240-horsepower 3.0-liter inline six.

A bit bigger than its predecessor, the 2010 5-Series has grown by 1.8 inches in length and about half an inch in width, and rides on a wheelbase stretched by a full 3.1 inches. The front and rear wheel tracks have increased by 1.7 inches. Since the new 5 is also 0.16 inch lower, it looks longer and slimmer. The front view is more squat and aggressive, with larger "twin-kidney" grilles inspired by the CS Concept and current 7-Series; on the other hand, the rear view evokes the 3-Series. The aerodynamic drag coefficient is unchanged for the 535i, at 0.29.

BMW upped the tech quotient in the new 5, positioning it toe-to-toe with its chief rival, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class. Some new systems are a surprise, given BMW's traditional emphasis on driving dynamics: Parking Assistant lets the car back itself into a space; Top View cameras show all that surrounds it; Frontal Collision Warning can apply the brakes by itself; Active Cruise Control can stop the car completely and get it going again in traffic. You can also get Blind Spot and Lane Departure warning systems, a neat heads-up display and BMW's Night Vision system.



There's a hint of the current 3-Series in the three-quarter rear view of the new 5-Series, with sculpted volumes and new light clusters now filled with rows of LEDs.

Inner Space

On the driver's side, the cockpit wraps around you without feeling narrow or confining. Accessible controls let you adjust the well-sculpted seat 10 ways, fine-tune your driving position and save the settings easily. The wheel is electrically adjustable in height and reach, with redundant controls for the audio system, onboard settings and cruise control. The rim's size, shape and texture are impeccable.

BMW pioneered driver-oriented instruments and controls long ago, and the new 5-Series rekindles this practice with controls that are angled toward the driver by about 7 degrees. The design and control layout are straightforward. No revolution here.

Speaking of which, the fourth-generation iDrive interface has been improved with the addition of separate buttons for main functions, contradicting its original intent. The standard display screen is 7 inches across, and you get a superb 10.2-inch screen with an optional navigation system that is nicely complemented by an available heads-up display. Its various menus are still too fragmented and needlessly complex, though.

The rear seat offers an extra half-inch of knee room, and you can get a 60/40 split-folding seatback, a pass-through and a ski bag as options. Trunk volume is up appreciably, to a class-leading 18.2 cubic feet, easily bettering the Mercedes E-Class and Audi A6's 15.9 cubic feet. The new 5 can also be equipped with a rear-seat infotainment system. You get a pair of 8-inch screens or larger 9.2-inch units that play independently with the Professional system.



Driving ergonomics are top-notch as usual, and the cockpit is angled toward the driver once again. The sharp 10.2-inch screen comes with the optional navigation system.



Well-sculpted front sport seats are comfortable and supportive. The cockpit seems to shrink-wrap around the driver for a perfect fit without feeling tight or confining.

BMW has virtually squared the circle by making its new sixth-generation 5-Series sedan bigger, roomier, better-equipped and more refined than ever before, while further improving its standard-setting dynamics. It also looks the part entirely, its elegant lines and chiseled features belying increased girth. The challenge now is to make this sharp new 5-Series as competitive in price as it is on the road against its direct German rivals.

2010 New York Auto Show (2-11 April) Part 6

Below is some picture galleries of two cars in the NY Auto Show - Bentley Continental GTC Supersports and the 2011 Volvo S60. Have fun looking at them!

1st is the Bentley Continental GTC Supersports.











2nd car is the 2011 Volvo S60.













~~~~That's the end of the NY Auto Show~~~

2010 New York Auto Show (2-11 April) Part 5

Hyundai Goes Upsale



If Hyundai's elaborate but well conceived plan to launch its largest, most luxurious sedan ever comes to fruition, replete with a game-changing customer service experience, it could very well become the new Audi or Lexus.

The Hyundai Equus is a full-size 4-door packed with all the frills and features people expect from an upscale luxury sedan, including a strong V8, a pampering interior and rear-wheel drive. It will go on sale in the United States this fall and carry a price tag somewhere between $50,000 and $60,000. That's a steep discount compared to the Audi A8, BMW 7 Series, Lexus LS and Mercedes S-Class, which Hyundai stacks the Equus up against.

Having seen it up close, and sat in the Equus on display here at the New York Auto Show, there appears to be plenty of substance behind Hyundai's claims. The paint is high luster, the leather is supersoft, the design is elegant and the controls inside have a sense of quality and solidity.

Hyundai packed premium features into the Equus, including heated and cooled leather seats, suede-lined roof, heated steering wheel, massaging driver's seat, radar cruise control, parking cameras, reclining rear seats and electronic air suspension. While this list of standard features isn't unique in the category, Hyundai isn't trying to reinvent the luxury sedan. Instead, the company hopes to set the Equus apart with an unrivaled customer service experience.

Despite all of the efforts to go upscale, the Equus will hold true to Hyundai's high-value mantra. "It's not over-the-top luxury, but rather intelligent luxury," Zuchowski says. For example, despite costing less than the Lexus LS460, the Hyundai Equus is larger in every dimension. And where many European luxury sedans are designed to run on premium fuel, the Equus can use regular gasoline, albeit with a performance penalty. The 4.6-liter V8 engine produces 385 horsepower with premium fuel and 378 horsepower on regular.

With the Equus, Hyundai makes clear once again how serious it is about reshuffling the hierarchy of brands in the auto industry.

Next: 2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon Debuts



Acura's TSX stable is about to grow again. Following the addition of a V6-powered sedan for the 2010 model year, Acura revealed the TSX Sport Wagon on Wednesday at the New York auto show.

While the sedan is available with the choice of a 2.4-liter I4 or a 3.5-liter V6, the Sport Wagon will be launched only with the four-cylinder bolted to a five-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Horsepower and torque figures haven't been released, but they should closely match the sedan's 201 hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. Unfortunately, the six-speed manual transmission will not be offered on the wagon.

The increased rear cargo space includes integrated under-floor storage bins and a removable side panel to allow the Sport Wagon to transport wider items such as a set of golf clubs.

As with its sedan brethren, the TSX Sport Wagon will be available with a host of technology features including navigation with a new 8-inch high-resolution color screen, real-time traffic updates and an ELS premium sound system. A moonroof, dual-zone automatic climate control, leather seats and Bluetooth are standard.

The TSX Sport Wagon to roll into dealerships late this fall as a 2011 model. Pricing hasn't been announced, but expect the wagon to start at about $32,500.

2010 New York Auto Show (2-11 April) Part 4

New Mitsubishi Outlander Sport



Mitsubishi revealed a new variant of the 2011 Outlander at the New York auto show, one that is shorter and lighter overall compared with its full-scale siblings.

Known internally as the Outlander Sport, Mitsubishi deliberately left the name unclear to promote a contest at the New York show to come up with a moniker for the new model.

The entry-level model, which will start at about $19,000 when it goes on sale late this year, offers all of the Outlander features, including an available all-wheel control system that uses electronically locking differentials to save weight compared with hydraulically actuated systems. The new electronic system, which eventually will make its way into all Mitsubishi all-wheel-drive systems--including the Evolution--is equal to the hydraulic setup.

We tested both systems back to back at the Team O'Neil rally school in New Hampshire earlier this year and found the new system extremely capable on harsh rally trails. It will be more than up to the job for on-road drivers, and it won't give up any prowess for those who need extra traction and all-wheel-drive capability in tougher conditions.

The new crossover is equipped with a 148-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine and a five-speed manual transmission in ES models; a six-speed magnesium paddle-shifted CVT is available in ES models and is standard in premium SE models.

Mitsubishi notes that the "sport" model is compact (it's a foot shorter overall than the standard Outlander) and lightweight--it even boasts plastic front fenders--making its 3,042-pound curb weight as light as the Lancer model with which it shares its platform. The Outlander's light weight and attention to aerodynamics help the CUV reach 31 mpg on the highway.

Next: Scion's New Dynamic Duo


Scion iQ


Scion TC

For the first time since its introduction in 2004, Scion has revamped its sportiest model, the tC coupe. The youthful brand also showed off a production version of its smallest car ever, the iQ, which will go on sale in the United States early next year.

The tC anchors Scion's small-car lineup with the highest level of performance the automaker offers. The new model has been improved - on paper, at least - in pretty much every way possible: Its 180-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine makes 19 ponies more and 11 lb-ft more torque than the engine in the previous version. The suspension has been fine-tuned for better handling dynamics. The wheels (18 inchers) and brakes (16 inches in diameter) are larger. The optional automatic transmission now has six speeds instead of four, plus sequential shift capability. The standard 6-speed shifts better than before. The car even gets better fuel economy.

But what Scion fans will notice first and foremost is how different the new tC looks. The windshield and side glass mimic a racing helmet's visor, a design cue taken from the Scion Fuse concept car that was unveiled at the 2006 New York International Auto Show.

The Scion tC's interior also has a more-premium feel than before. One detail will appeal to racing fans in particular: The steering wheel has a flat bottom like those on race cars and exotic sports cars, which include the feature to ease ingress and egress. The panoramic, sliding glass roof of the previous model carries over to the new one.

It goes on sale this fall.

The iQ
Scion's other new model is the tiny, 2-door iQ. It offers an amazingly versatile interior sure to appeal to urbanites. The company calls it a "3+1" layout, with three full-size seats and a kid-sized one behind the driver.

The rear seats fold flat and Scion says there's enough cargo space for two sets of golf clubs.

With a car this small, safety is a huge concern, so Scion included 10 airbags, including what the company says is the world's first "rear-window curtain airbag."

The iQ is powered by a 1.3-liter 4-cylinder engine that puts out 90 horsepower and has a continuously variable transmission.

2010 New York Auto Show (2-11 April) Part 3

Previously or the previous 2 posts, I will say out the winner of the World Cup Honours. And now I am going to announce to you the results.

The Volkswagen Polo was named World Car of the Year this afternoon at the 2010 New York International Auto Show. This is second time the German automaker has captured the coveted award in as many years; the automaker's popular Golf won it last year, beating out the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and Toyota Prius.



Though quite popular in Europe, the Polo is not yet sold in the United States. It carries similar styling to the Golf, and is available as a 3- or 5-door with a variety of fuel-efficient engine options. Volkswagen is still trying to determine if there is a market for this small car in America.

"We're honoured that the Polo was chosen by this distinguished group of jurors as the 2010 World Car of The Year," said Martin Winterkorn, chairman of the Board of Management of Volkswagen AG. "After the great triumph of the Golf last year, we are delighted to repeat this success with the new Polo."

Other World Car Awards News

Volkswagen also earned the award for World Green Car with its efficient BlueMotion cars: Passat, Golf and Polo. While BlueMotion models feature fuel-efficient diesel engines similar to those found in the American market VWs, the BlueMotion brand is used only in Europe. In addition to the efficient powertrain, BlueMotion models feature regenerative braking, a Start-Stop system, low-resistance tires and especially-lightweight and aerodynamic wheels . The clean-diesel BlueMotion models were chosen ahead of two hybrid models, the Toyota Prius and Honda Insight.

World Sports Car went to the Audi R8 V10. Beating out the Ferrari California and Porsche 911 GT3, the sexy R8 boasts a 525-horsepower V10 engine that drives power to all four wheels via Audi's legendary quattro all-wheel drive system.



And finally, World Car Design of the Year went to the all-new Chevrolet Camaro. One of the most recognizable vehicles on the road, the Camaro fits the bill as a modern version of the iconic muscle car. The Camaro's eye-catching design was chosen by the jury over the two other finalists, the Kia Soul and the Citroen C3 Picasso.



To be eligible for the World Car Awards, vehicles had to be in production and sold on at least two continents during 2009. Vehicles are selected and voted on by a panel of 59 top-level automotive journalists from 25 countries around the world.

2010 New York Auto Show (2-11 April) Part 2

New Look for Mercedes R-Class



Mercedes-Benz designers have reworked the front of the R-Class wagon for the 2011 model year, installing a more upright grille, a taller hood and reworked fenders and headlamps for a more rugged look. The rear fascia is also resculpted.

A new look that is closer to SUV that station wagon may be the tonic for the anemic sales of the R-Class. Mercedes sold 2,825 copies of the R350 in 2009, down 63.5 percent from the year earlier. This year, sales of the R350 totaled 295 units in the first two months, down 46.1 percent from the same period last year.

The R350 powertrain lineup remains unchanged from the 2010 model — a 3.5-liter V6 gasoline engine rated at 268 hp or a 3.0-liter V6 diesel rated at 210 hp. All-wheel drive is standard on the R-Class.

Next, is the Cadillac CRS-V Sport Wagon.



The next addition to Cadillac's athletic and luxurious V-Series is breaking cover at the New York auto show with the reveal of the CTS-V Sport Wagon.

This is the halo for Cadillac's line of car-based wagons, and it blends striking sheetmetal with some of General Motors' most potent and race-bred technology. Packing 556 hp from a supercharged 6.2-liter V8, the CTS-V Sport Wagon will be available late this year.

Cadillac will use the bright lights of New York to debut a special version of the wagon, which the brand is calling a show car. It's not intended for production, but some of its outfittings could be used for future trim packages. The car will be shown in a midnight silver color used on the iconic Cadillac Sixteen concept, complemented by liquid silver wheels and a chrome grille with black mesh insert. The show car also gets a unique rear fascia and upper spoiler. The interior is marked by black leather with Alcantara accents and special Recaro seats.

The CTS-V Sport Wagon rounds out the CTS line, which has become almost a subbrand for Cadillac. It joins the landmark sedan, which was key to the brand's rebirth through design and performance, and the coupe which launches this summer. All versions now have top-shelf V editions. Cadillac is trying to position its performance line in the same manner as BMW's vaunted M models.

Third one is the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid.



The next natural extension of Ford's hybrid strategy is being revealed at the New York auto show with the unveiling of the 2011 Lincoln MKZ hybrid.

The new luxury sedan shares many of its features with its siblings in the stable of Ford hybrids, including the powertrain, interactive SmartGauge with EcoGuide and Sync connectivity. Like the Fusion and Milan hybrids, the new Lincoln will be capable of 41 mpg in the city when it launches this fall.

The MKZ is the first hybrid for Lincoln and the first four-cylinder engine for the historic brand. It's taking square aim at the Lexus HS 250h luxury sedan. Lincoln claims a number of edges, including fuel economy and top speed in electric mode, though it will face a challenge winning buyers from loyal Lexus owners.

The MKZ hybrid uses a 2.5-liter I4 engine which works with an electric motor for a total net output of 191 hp. The car can reach speeds of 47 mph on electricity.

Other features include wood trim, 10-way power seats, heated and cooled seats, a reverse sensing system and keyless entry.

There will be more pictures of the cars in the NY Auto Show coming up soon.

2010 New York Auto Show (2-11 April)

~~~~About the New York Auto Show~~~~

The New York International Auto Show takes place every year at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in New York City. More than 1,000 vehicles are on display, filling 846,000 square feet of exhibition space. Officials expect more than 1 million people to visit the 2010 show. Attendees will be among the first to see such vehicles as the Acura TSX Wagon, Nissan Juke, Bentley Supersports Convertible and Lexus CT 200h luxury hybrid. The 2010 New York International Auto Show is open to the public from Friday, April 2, 2010 to Sunday, April 11, 2010.

This is the 4th auto show this year, and all the cars, till now are still very impressive. Now I am going to introduce to you the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX.



The 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX will look more like the WRX STI model by adopting the STI's wide-body look, including a wide track front and rear, and wider tires.

The front and rear tracks of the 2011 WRX are 1.5 inches wider, compared with the 2010 model. Wheel diameter remains at 17 inches, but the wheels get an inch wider at 8 inches. The wheels are fitted with 235/45R-17 tires.

The WRX powertrain for 2011 remains the turbocharged 2.5-liter flat-four engine, rated at 265 hp and 244 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a five-speed manual transmission and all-wheel drive.

Subaru says the wide-body 2011 WRX, in four- and five-door body styles, gains 33 pounds over the comparable 2010 model. The car goes on sale this summer.

Next is the new Hyundai Sonata Hybrid.



Hyundai's first hybrid based on the striking new Sonata sedan will be revealed Wednesday at the New York auto show, and today we're getting a glance what the car will look like.

Hyundai has released a teaser shot of the hybrid Sonata, and it appears to differ a bit from the gasoline-powered version with a different shaped grille and re-configured fascia.

It's expected to use a lithium-ion battery, John Krafcik, Hyundai's top U.S. exec, has said. Hyundai calls its eco-technology "Blue Drive." News of the Hyundai hybrid arose in August 2008, when Krafcik told reporters at a test drive about the company's plans. It showed a prototype at the Los Angeles auto show last year.

A turbo Sonata will also be revealed in New York.

Hyundai is using the Sonata to push ahead its design language and increase its penetration in the midsize segment.