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May 18, 2005
Rolls-Royce Phantom
One of the pioneering marques in the automotive world was created when Englishmen Charles Stewart Rolls and Frederick Henry Royce joined forces in 1904. After taking a trip in a car that ran poorly and proved unreliable, Royce decided he could design a much better car, and did just that. Rolls-Royce motor cars of that time featured state-of-the-art engineering, and even then smooth, quiet operation was the major selling point.
06:02 AM in Rolls-Royce | Permalink
May 17, 2005
Don't Be Fueled: Gas vs. Diesel vs. Hybrid Power
The six-cylinder-powered Mercedes-Benz E320 CDI sips diesel fuel so judiciously this luxury sedan can travel more than 625 miles on a single tank.
Car shopping? Thinking hybrid, or diesel perhaps? See how today's vehicle choices can affect your desire to be less fuelish.
Maybe gasoline prices are crimping your household budget. Maybe you'd like to reduce the U.S. dollars that flow to the Middle East for oil. Perhaps you're motivated by concern for the environment, or the nagging reality that oil is a depleting resource that shouldn't be wasted.
Whatever the reason, many Americans—including you, perhaps—are looking for more fuel-efficient vehicles.
So what should a consumer know when deciding among low-mileage gasoline cars, diesel-powered vehicles and gasoline-electric hybrids?
May 16, 2005
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
This flagship Jeep again deserves a front-row spot at the country club.
Pros:
* Thoughtful redesign
* Available Hemi V-8
* Nice ride and handling
Cons:
* No third seat
* Narrow rear doorways
* Jury out on long-term quality
The long-awaited, redesigned new Jeep Grand Cherokee has Chrysler's famous Hemi V8 and a whole lot more. However, the lack of a third-row seat can be a deal-breaker to some potential buyers in its market.
The Grand Cherokee is the flagship of the iconic Jeep line, and the redone 2005 version should again move to the top of the list in the upscale mid-size sport-utility market and command front-row spots at country clubs.
May 13, 2005
2005 Hummer H2
Hummer expands its lineup with an H2 pickup truck based on the H2 SUV. The SUT — for Sport-Utility Truck — is a capable off-roader, but the open-air bed is small and many truck buyers are likely to blanch at the more than $50,000 price tag.
Pros:
* Capable off-roader
* Unmistakable Hummer styling
* Pickup bed that can be hosed out
Cons:
* Smallish size of the open-air bed
* Poor fuel economy, even for a pickup
* May be more truck than some folks need
06:42 AM in Hummer | Permalink
May 12, 2005
2005 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti F1
This all-new four-seat Ferrari GT replaces the 456M and is the first 12-cylinder prancing horse to feature all-aluminum construction. Also debuting for the first time is Ferrari's new stability and traction control system. Luxury amenities include handcrafted leather, automatic climate control, Bose digital CD audio system, and rain-sensing headlights.
Named after Sergio Scaglietti, the Modena, Italy, coachbuilder who created some of the most stunning Ferraris in the company's early years, the new 2004 612 Scaglietti boasts two "firsts" for Ferrari. The 2004 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is the first 12-cylinder model to be constructed of aluminum, resulting in a chassis and body weight savings of 40 percent over the 456M. The 612 Scaglietti is also the first Ferrari equipped with the company's new stability and traction control system. Designed by Pininfarina, the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti features scalloped sides, which have not appeared since film director Roberto Rossellini commissioned a 375 MM for actress Ingrid Bergman. The 5.7-liter, 540hp V12 engine sits aft of the front axle, resulting in a front-midship layout and a 46/54 front/rear weight distribution. A choice of two transmissions transfers power to the rear transaxle. Standard is a six-speed manual transmission. Optional is an F1-style electrohydraulic gearbox operated via shift paddles on the steering wheel. Despite a curb weight that crests two tons in Europe, the Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is plenty fast, especially for a car designed to carry four people in comfort. Inside, the cabin is swathed in handcrafted leather and comes with automatic climate control, a Bose digital CD audio system, automatic headlights, and rain sensor wipers. Luggage capacity is also increased over the 456M. Certainly, there can be no doubt that the 2004 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti is one of the finest four-seat sporting machines in the world.
06:36 AM in Ferrari | Permalink
May 11, 2005
2005 Toyota 4Runner
The 2005 Toyota 4Runner is a 4-door, up to 7-passenger sport-utility, available in 12 trims, ranging from the SR5 4X2 V6 to the Limited 4X4 V8.
Upon introduction, the SR5 4X2 V6 is equipped with a standard 4.0-liter, V6, 245-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway. The Limited 4X4 V8 is equipped with a standard 4.7-liter, V8, 270-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 19-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.
The 2005 Toyota 4Runner is a carryover from 2004.
06:39 AM in Toyota | Permalink
May 10, 2005
2005 Honda Odyssey
MSRP: $25,195 - $38,495
Invoice: $22,671 - $34,623
Pros: Very comfortable seats/smooth ride. I love the sliding doors and heated seats.
Cons: Unidentifiable noise coming from back of van
The van is very luxurious. As usual, Honda vehicle stands out among other vans. I love the dual sliding back doors and fact that second row passenger windows actually roll down. All other vans I looked at only had windows that were stationary or just vented. I worry about how the power doors will stand up over time, but they are great for now. Ease of storing third row seats is great. Storage compartment in back seems larger than in other vans. Storage of middle second row seat is very convenient also. I cannot fairly rate fuel econcomy or performance yet, as it still has under 1000 miles on it. If the van gets the gas mileage as rated, I will be pleased.
May 09, 2005
2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe
The 2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe is a 2-door, 4-passenger luxury sports coupe, available in two trims, the Base and the 6MT.
Upon introduction, the Base is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 280-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard. The 6MT is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 298-horsepower engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard.
The 2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe is a carryover from 2004.
MSRP: $32,550 - $33,150
Invoice: $29,937 - $30,488
06:29 AM in Infiniti | Permalink
May 02, 2005
Bristol’s Saloon Car Range For 2005
Celebrating 59 years of car manufacture in England under British ownership
At the outset let us define clearly what we haven’t changed. We remain committed to a strict engineering based design philosophy. Consequently our latest saloons remain refreshingly free of fashionable but worthless gadgets. For example we do not fit a separate starter button - we gave that up 46 years ago:
* No harsh run-flat 40 series tyres.
* No unfathomable computerised command and control system.
* No massaging seats with computer controlled side bolsters.
* No disobedient computerised transmission.