2011 Ford Flex Titanium

Two years ago Ford launched the Flex model and many people said that this car is a dream come true for drivers that want all the technology available in the world implemented on their vehicle. In addition, the car had a very luxurious interior and turned heads everywhere it went. With the new model, things remain just about the same, which is a very good thing and more important, Ford decided to add (as an optional feature) the now very popular V6 EcoBoost engine, capable of developing 355 hp, making the Flex truly a unique crossover, capable of blending power, technology and elegance in a fascinating way, but at a steep price tag.

If you live outside of Europe you are most likely not accustomed to the Titanium trim level offered by Ford. The cars that end up with the Titanium name have all the available features money can buy, raising the price of the car accordingly. The same recipe was applied to the 2011 Ford Flex Titanium which had to be differentiated from the rest of the Flex models available. This was done by adding the Tuxedo Black Metallic roof in comparison to the other Flex models that feature only body-color or white lids. The roof is accented by the alloy metallic and black chrome accents, giving the Flex a special look. Other features that are only available on the Titanium include the massive 20-inch alloy rims that are covered by 255/45R20 tires, the gunmetal gray front grille and the sinister smoked head- and taillight fixtures.

Inside the Flex Titanium, Ford offers an inviting and warm cabin that delivers a luxurious driving atmosphere. The second-row chairs offer all the comfort in the world, enough space for normal-statured passengers. The down side of the Titanium trim is that it does not have the exciting MyFord Touch which is available on the more affordable Edge Limited model. Most likely the Flex will receive this feature once Ford rolls out the mid-cycle refresh on the entire Flex range. The Limited trim offers Vista roof, SYNC and the navigation system while the Titanium adds the charcoal leather seats with 3 rows of Alcantara inserts. The great look and touch of these seats is probably the best reason to spend extra $2,500 above and beyond the Limited trim level. The top of the line model also benefits from a perforated leather steering wheel, unique door inserts as well as metallic accents on the center stack.

2011 Ford Flex Titanium

As standard, the Flex Titanium is equipped with a V6 3.5-liter twin-turbo engine that produces 355 hp. For those that choose the optional EcoBoost engine, the Flex comes with all-wheel drive which is highly recommended taking into consideration the substantial torque reserves (350 pound-feet @ 1,500 rpm). If this engine is selected, the Flex Titanium has a starting price of $45,185 in comparison to $40,340 with the standard power unit. It comes as no surprise the low fuel economy (16 mpg city / 21 mpg highway); taking into consideration the fact that it has all-wheel drive and it is a very large vehicle.

Most likely, the 2011 Ford Flex Titanium will find its own niche of people that are looking for a crossover with tons of exclusive options and a great engine.

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In Depth – 2011 Ford Flex Titanium

PIECHA Mercedes E Class Convertible

PIECHA Design just revealed their take on the already beautiful Mercedes E-Class Convertible, but unfortunately the car did not receive any extra power, just aesthetic improvements. PIECHA Design is a Mercedes-Benz tuning specialist based in Rottweil and with their latest program, they wanted to give the E-Class Convertible a fresh new look further enhancing the elegant lines of the car.

In the front of the E-Class Convertible, they installed a spoiler lip that supplements the standard AMG styling, increasing the sporty look of the car. At the back, the same successful recipe was applied and the new tail diffuser has perfectly integrated a four-pipe sports exhaust system, replacing the original one developed by Mercedes-Benz. By adding a 3-part spoiler lip on the boot lid, it further increases the beauty of the car and at the same time improves aerodynamics. The new side skirts of the car are now equipped with integrated a LED lightning system, a feature that can be installed on all Mercedes-Benz models, according to the official press release published by the tuner.

As far as the emission control aspect is concerned, the guys over at PIECHA Design installed their own Quadro series system. Their 4-pipe exhaust sub-systems can be fitted for all 4, 6 and 8-cylinder power units, for coupe and convertible models alike. Also available is an exhaust system conversion kit which permits the two oval chrome tail pipe sections to be welded onto the regular sound absorbers.

With this new styling of the Mercedes E-Class Convertible, the engineers installed the 19-inch dp2 Phantom rims. These 8-spoke wheels feature a high-gloss polish stainless steel base and a multi-element look. At the front, the car is equipped with 8.5 x 19-inch wheels wrapped in 235/35 R19 tires while at the back, the E-Class rolls on 9.5 x 19-inch rims covered by 275/30 R19 tires.

PIECHA Mercedes E Class Convertible

For the convertible model and also for other cars produced by Mercedes-Benz that have an electronic accelerator, PIECHA offers a power convertor that is capable of fully canceling out any sort of slow reaction time. With this system, the car is able to accelerate more powerful even when it is at an idling speed. The system has a separate control that can be switched between standard mode, sports mode and urban-driving mode. In addition, the system features a potentiometer which allows the driver to tweak the system in order to adapt it to match the particular type of vehicle as well as the driving style.

For the roof, PIECHA installed the Vario module, a simple plug-and-play solution for the Mercedes E-Class Convertible. With this module, the driver of the car has the ability to open or close the roof of the E-Class while driving at speeds of up to 50 km/h, using only the standard key, without the need to hold the switch or car key pressed all the time.

Here is a price list published by PIECHA in their press release:

CS RC power convertor, 357 Euros; dp2 Phantom rim set, 1,690 Euros; Quadro exhaust sub-system, 1,385 Euros; Comfort Vario roof, 359 Euros; Side skirt LED lightning, 370 Euros; Rear spoiler lip, 430 Euros; Rear diffuser element, 785 Euros and Front spoiler lip, 750 Euros.

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PIECHA Mercedes E Class Convertible

Lamborghini LP 700-4 (Aventador)

Hot new info regarding the upcoming Lamborghini LP 700-4 (aka Aventador) model have invaded the Internet. The leaked dealer ordering guide oddly enough refers to the car as LP700-4, as the Italian supercar automaker is putting off an official announcement of the new model. This document confirms the fact that the new car will be worth of the LP 700-4 name, as the V12 6.5-liter will output 700 PS (515 kW / 690 hp) and a massive 690 Nm (509 lb-ft) of torque.

This powerful engine will be linked to a seven speed independent shift rod gearbox that will need just 50 milliseconds to change the gears. The new Lamborghini will also come with the Haldex all-wheel drive system. The car will have a curb weight of only 3,472 pounds (1575 kg) and will do the 0-100 km/h sprint in just 2.9 seconds. The estimated top speed will be 217 mph (350 km/h).

Due to the fact that it will be a supercar, the LP700-4 will eat up 17.2 liters / 100 km and will have CO2 emissions of 398 g/km.

Lamborghini LP 700-4 (Aventador)

Regarding optional features, client will have the possibility to choose from orange-colored brake calipers, transparent bonnet as well as other features. Inside the car, the finish options will include the new orange color dubbed Arancio Argos paint which will have a pearl effect. There will be also a large selection of matte finishes as well as bi-color interiors, like the Sportivo with Alcantara.

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Lamborghini LP 700-4 Specs Confirmed

2012 Toyota Yaris

Today the Japanese automaker Toyota launched the first details of their upcoming Yaris / Vitz model. The new design of the car was created in order to express sophistication, similar to the rest of Toyota's lineup. The car has an overall length of 3,855 mm and the wheelbase has been stretched by 50 mm. Although interior pics have not been released by the company at the moment, Toyota affirms that the cabin received significant upgrades; some of them would be the improved seats, insertion of higher quality materials and the possibility to add premium options, like HDD navigation.

The car will be powered by one of the following three petrol engines: the entry-level 68 hp (69 PS / 51 kW) 1.0-liter; the 93 hp (94 PS / 69 kW) 1.3-liter and the 107 hp (108 PS / 80 kW). No other additional details regarding the engines were revealed but what we do know is that the 1.3-liter power unit features the start/stop technology and Dual Variable Valve Timing-intelligent (Dual VVT-I). According to the data offered by Toyota, the Yaris / Vitz equipped with this engine will do 62 mpg (3.8 L/100 km). In Japan, most models will receive as standard the CVT – continuously variable transmission. Japanese clients will also have the possibility to choose the 5-speed manual gearbox.

All of the models will come as standard with ABS, electronic brake-force distribution (EBD), front SRS airbags. As an optional feature, the Yaris can be fitted with SRS side airbags and SRS curtain-shield airbags which will reduce the possible head injuries.

According to the press release, the front-wheel-drive models (with CVT) will surpass the current Japanese 2010 fuel efficiency standards by a considerable 25% while the four-wheel-drive models by 15%. In comparison to the 2005 MLIT's Approval System for Low-emission Vehicles standards, the 2012 Yaris / Kitz has 75% less emissions. The four-wheel drive models will be fitted with the Super CVT-I transmission for "smooth cruising and higher fuel efficiency."

2012 Toyota Yaris

Once it will be launched, the car will be available with four trim levels: Jewela, F, U and RS. The latter will feature exclusive designs on the front and the rear. In addition, it will have a roof spoiler, sports car style seats, 7-speed Sports Sequential Shiftmatic gearbox that has a paddle shift-type lever and a steering wheel that will be wrapped in leather.

The U trim level will offer heated seats and leather-covered shift knob and steering wheel. The Jewela will be offered with exclusive interior and body colors as well as exterior and interior ornamentation with a plated finish to "convey vibrancy." The door handles and the door mirrors will be offered with a silver-finish. According to the press release, the F trim level was "designed to meet a wide range of needs including price, fuel efficiency, and comfort."

Toyota has established a monthly sales target of 10,000 units in Japan for the 2012 Vitz. The car will be assembled at the company's Nagakusa Plant.

Once other details regarding the 2012 Toyota Yaris / Vitz will be published, we will do a follow-up article. Stay tuned.

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Preview – 2012 Toyota Yaris

2012 Mercedes C-Class

We will have to wait for a couple of weeks until the 2012 Mercedes C-Class will be officially unveiled at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show. However, we still can offer you some details about the upcoming German model.

Rumors say that the upcoming model will have more than 2,000 new parts compared to the outgoing model and here we include the 7-speed automatic gearbox 7G-Tronic Plus, which will be available for all models (except for the C300 CDI 4Matic) starting with next June. The facelift version will feature a fresh new sport and rear design, better gas mileage and a new V6 power unit.

Customers interested in the new 2012 Mercedes C-Class model will have the possibility to choose from one of the 11 different models. Power will range from the entry-level 120 hp to the powerful 306 hp engine. As standard, the car will come with new halogen headlights and for extra bucks, it can be fitted with Bi-Xenon headlights that feature the Intelligent Light System.

Similar with the latest models launched by the German manufacturer, the 2012 C-Class will come with an active Blind Spot Assist, adaptive cruise control Distronic Plus, Attention Assist and an active lane-keeping assistant. In addition, there is also a new optional telematics system available on the board of the C-Class. The new navigation system will feature a 3D representation of the city, with plastic models and will allow the driver of the car to request a choice of up to five different routes (including here a particularly economical routing).

As we mentioned before, customers can choose from 11 different models, both diesel and petrol. However, the most important update was brought to the C350 Blue Efficiency that will be powered by an all-new V6 gasoline engine, capable of outputting 306 hp and 370 Nm of torque. In comparison to the previous generation, this new engine offers an additional 14 hp of power and 5 Nm of torque which isn't a lot but still worth mentioning, don't you think so? Although the engine is now more powerful, it is actually 31% more fuel efficient compared to the older model.

The engines will be linked to either a standard manual 6-speed gearbox or a 7-speed automatic transmission, dubbed 7G-Tronic Plus. All of the 11 models are offered with rear-wheel drive and the now popular start/stop function.

2012 Mercedes C-Class

The car will be available in dealerships in March 2011 and the prices will be announced after the Detroit Auto Show which will be held next month.

The 2012 Mercedes C-Class will have to face some tough competition, like the sexy BMW 3 Series, the Volkswagen Passat as well as the Opel Insignia. From these three, the bimmer looks like the most important rival for the C-Class, but let's not underestimate the Passat which is a big hit in Europe. The Insigna is not that popular at the moment, but it is slowly and surely gaining terrain with its affordable price tag and great exterior looks.

In comparison to all of these cars, the C-Class was always the most expensive if we look back on the older generations. We are curious to find out what will the price policy be for the 2012 model as the competition gets stronger by each passing day meaning that there are chances of seeing a small decrease in the starting price of the 2012 Mercedes C-Class.

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Preview – 2012 Mercedes C-Class

Subaru Impreza STI tS

First order of business, the Subaru Impreza STI tS is something to dream about if you are not a part of their home market. Although the new model does not come with an extra bump in the power figures, it does however bring to the table a bundle of extra goodies that make it a very appealing car, something that we can expect for any Subaru model that rolls out of the factory.

The STI tS model is based on the new 2011 four-door sedan version of the popular STI and packs a carbon fiber roof. With this feature, the overall weight of the car should reduce in a very significant matter, which will most likely improve handling and performances. In order to further reduce the weight of the car, the engineers at Subaru used an aluminum hood for the STI tS. The suspension of the car has been completely revised, featuring new front and rear springs as well as damper settings, plus a front stabilizer bar.

Moving inside the car, you will find new sporty leather RECARO seats, a new gear knob and brake lever coverings.

If you are a lucky reader that lives in Japan, the starting price for this beauty is approximately 4.2 million YEN. Subaru did not mention if the car will be launched on other markets except the native Japan.

Subaru Impreza WRX STI Spec C

Another surprise for the Japanese market is the launch of the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI spec C. Similar with the tS, the WRX STI spec C is offered with various significant updates, along with a tiny power upgrade. The car is equipped with new turbocharger turbine axle ball bearings which reduce the friction and with a tweaked ECU that adds 8 Nm of torque. With these upgrades, the car is now capable of producing 308 PS @ 6,400 rpm and 430 Nm of torque. In order to reduce the intake-air temperature, the Japanese engineers have added an inter-cooler water spray.

The suspension of the car was also upgraded and now sports a reinforced front-suspension cross member plus a Torsen mechanical rear limited slip differential – LSD (no, not the drug). Featuring a lighter battery, new 18-inch alloy rims, laminar glass for the front and side windows and an aluminum hood, the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI spec C is now considerably lighter.

The optional 18-inch alloy rims will be wrapped in Bridgestone POTENZA RE070 (245/40R18) which according to the official press release published by Subaru will enhance the cornering capabilities of the car, especially in dry conditions. A more accurate steering is now available thanks to the increasing oil flow volume in the car's power steering system.

We hope that in the future Subaru will allow customers located outside Japan to get their hands on these babies as they can be the perfect alternative to people that are tired of the European / North American sporty sedans and hatchbacks. On the other side, we fully understand the company's desire to keep the good stuff inside Subaru's native country.

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Subaru Unleashes Impreza STI tS And WRX STI Spec C

2011 Nissan Quest

Originally launched about two decades ago, the first and the second generation of the Quest were offered with 6-cylinder front-wheel drive powertrains and the interior was spacious enough to accommodate seven passengers. Both of these cars were made at the Ford's assembly plant located in Avon Lake, Ohio. Back then the car was called Mercury Villager and it didn't have success because of its short wheelbase and was surpassed in sales by cars like the Toyota Sienna, the Honda Odyssey and the Dodge/Chrysler twins.

Things changed for the better 6 years ago when the third generation was launched. This time, the Nissan Quest was assembled in Nissan's plant located in Canton, Mississippi. The third generation was available with a traditional powertrain, a significantly longer wheelbase and passenger configuration, making it more attractive to big families.  Other important changes in comparison to the first two generations were the avant-garde sheetmetal as well as the center-mounted instrument pod that was at that moment very bold. It was so bold that for the 2007 generation, it was completely redesigned. Upon start, the car was already plagued with a serious competition and most important, early quality issues. For these reasons the sales plummeted from almost 50,000 units in 2004, to fewer than 9,000 cars sold last year. This year, the Nissan Quest opted out of the competition, but is back with new forces for the upcoming year.

The new generation of the Nissan Quest was officially unveiled at the 2010 edition of the Los Angeles Auto Show. Putting it side by side with the outgoing generation, the new one has the same width, but it is one inch taller and four inches shorter in length. The wheelbase of the 2011 model is almost six inches shorter while the base curb weight of 4,367 pounds has grown by 60 pounds across the entire range. On the good side, the weight distribution is now more efficient with 55/45, in comparison with the previous generation (60/40). The towing capacity of 3,500 pounds and the 20 gallons fuel tank remained the same.

We are indeed talking about a minivan but this does not mean that it has to be ugly. The 2011 Nissan Quest has a rather interesting design in our opinion, without almost anything in common with the previous generation, which is a very good thing as the old one had a very unattractive design. With the new model, Nissan has added front triangle windows for improving outward visibility. The overall look of the car might not be stylish or sleek, but rather functional and distinctive, which is a good thing in our opinion, giving the Quest a unique look.

The cabin of the car can accommodate up to seven passengers and it is traditionally configured, without anything special. The standard instrument cluster is located behind the steering wheel while the transmission shifter is placed slightly to the left of the dashboard. Nissan put the HVAC vents high on the dashboard, on each side of the generous optional navigation screen. Above the infotainment controls you will find the climate controls, both to the right of the Quest's shifter.

Both the driver and the front passenger sit in individual seats that are split by a comfortable fixed center console, while the car's second row has also two individual bucket seats. Between the seats located on the second row there is a removable floor-mounted center console. Despite the fact that the second row seats can fold forward, they were not designed to be entirely removed. The third row of the 2011 Nissan Quest is a 60/40-split bench that has three passenger belts and can be folded forward, but just like he second row, it cannot be removed.

The new model will be offered with four trim levels: Quest S, Quest SV, Quest SL and Quest LE. The first one will get you the standard 16-inch steel rims with full wheel covers; a rear roof spoiler; AM/FM/6 CD audio system that has four speakers; Nissan Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition; permanent rear storage wheel; fold-flat second and third row seats as well as first and second row center consoles; wood-tone trim; front door map pockets and a 6-way adjustable driver's seat.

If you opt for the SV trim level, the Nissan Quest is equipped with 16-inch aluminum-alloy rims, one-touch power sliding doors; six speakers; conversation mirror; fog lights; power driver's seat lumbar adjustment; tri-zone auto temperature control; rear view monitor; USB port and iPod connectivity and leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The SL features a leather-wrapped shift knob; auto-dimming inside mirror with compass; 18-inch alloy rims; 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat; quick release fold flat third row; leather-wrapped shift knob; auto on/off headlights as well as other features.

The top of the line trim level is the LE which gives you HID xenon headlights; blind spot warning system; 13-speakers Bose audio system; 8-inch VGA color display mounted on the dashboard; rear 11-inch display for DVD; memory system for driver's seat and the outside mirrors as well as other equipments.

2011 Nissan Quest

The 2011 Nissan Quest is equipped with the proprietary VQ 6-cylinder power unit that features the company's twin Variable Induction Control System – NICS. The 3.5-liter engine is capable of outputting 253 hp and 236 pound-feet of torque. The engine is linked to the also proprietary Xtronic CVT transmission with ASC – Adaptive Shift Control.

All things considered, the 2011 Nissan Quest is certainly a major step forward in comparison with the previous generation, but in our opinion, the future of this car does not look very good as the Japanese minivan has a bad reputation because of the previous generations. In addition, next year there will be plenty of minivans invading the market, making it even harder for the Quest to grab the attention of potential customers. Both the Toyota Sienna and the Honda Odyssey received significant upgrades and will most likely keep their customer base in the future, leaving the Quest without any real chances on this competitive minivan market.

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In Depth – 2011 Nissan Quest

Chevrolet Volt

Dan Akerson, CEO of General Motors, is aiming to triple the company's electric-car deliveries by expanding the market for the already popular Chevrolet Volt and also by adding other models that would share a similar technology. Akerson became the CEO on September 1^st and told the executive team at General Motors to find methods to sell 3-4 as many EVs as planned for 2012 by mid-decade. For 2011, GM is hoping to sell 10,000 units of the Volt and 45,000 for 2012, when the capacity will reach about 60,000 units.

Jim Hall, principal of 2953 Analytics Inc., a consulting company located in Birmingham, Michigan, said that by increasing the Chevrolet Volt sales along with developing other similar models, the cost of developing this technology will spread onto other future cars. This method also carries a substantial risk, taking into consideration the fact that electric and hybrid vehicles are not very popular at the moment and the level of sales for these cars still remains quite low, making them unprofitable in the present.

With this bold plan, Akerson is aiming to differentiate GM's strategy by making the company a technology leader, following an initial public offering that managed to raise more than $20 billion last month, exactly 16 months after the automaker escaped from bankruptcy. Akerson also told the executives at GM that he wants to search for new markets and prepare the company for higher fuel prices.

This December, the Chevrolet Volt went on sale in the United States, at a starting price of $41,000. Running only on the batteries, the car is capable of doing 50 miles. Starting with the second half of next year, the Volt will be commercialized in China and last month the company began making reservations for the Opel Ampera which will be sold in Europe in 2011, at a higher price in comparison to its American sibling. The Ampera will feature a gasoline engine that will extend the car's driving range to more than 370 miles.

Dave Darovitz who is a spokesman at General Motors said that the company will look to develop other models that are based on the Volt system.

The United States federal government is offering Volt buyers a 7,500$ tax credit. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, after the manufacturer produces over 200,000 eligible plug-in electric cars, the credit begins to phase out.

Rumors say that General Motors will be implementing Volt's technology into several models that will be launched under multiple brands; most of these cars will be bigger than the Volt, including here sport utility vehicles. Back in April at the Beijing Motor Show, Chevrolet brought a 5-passenger sport utility vehicle that was capable of driving in all-electric mode for 32 miles. The SUV used the Volt's powertrain system.

However, it will be quite difficult for General Motors to create an SUV based on the powertrain used for the Volt, because these vehicles have more features and passenger space which will make them not only heavier but also less aerodynamic. In addition, a regular SUV is considerably more expensive than a Volt and there are serious chances that a big price tag will make the car unattractive. Of course, once the electric powertrain technology will evolve, the likelihood of using this type of powertrain in SUVs and other large vehicles will be very high.

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GM CEO, Aiming To Triple EV Sales

2011 VW Passat

It seems that Volkswagen will start making cars in Malaysia as part of its grand master plan to pass Toyota as the largest and most profitable automaker in the world. At the end of 2011, VW will start making the new generation of the Passat at the partner DRB Hicom's factory which is located in Pekan, central Malaysia. The second expansion phase will begin at the end of 2012 when the automotive giant will start producing the Jetta and Polo models.

Volkswagen is at the moment planning to expand its production in all of the major global markets, including here China, and will open a new plant in the United States, located at Chattanooga, Tennessee. The plant will start making cars in April 2011, and it is part of VW's plan to become the number one car manufacturer by 2018.

According to VW's sales and marketing head, Christian Klingler, the company will start developing the market potential in Southeast Asia where it "is of major significance for the Volkswagen group's long-term growth strategy." In a statement made on Tuesday, he said that VW managed to sell 570,000 units in Malaysia and that this country plays as important role in the group's strategic planning. When the production will start in Pekan, only several thousand vehicles will be made and the productivity will grow successively, according to the received feedback.

Volkswagen and DRB Hicom are planning to invest $318 million in the venture that might transform the country into a regional automobile manufacturing hub for VW, according to news agency Bernama. DRB Hicom has also partnerships with Honda and Mercedes-Benz.

With this partnership, VW finally enters the Malaysian market, after several unsuccessful attempts with state-controlled Proton Holdings. In November 2007, after an entire year of negociations, the companies failed to reach an agreement and the deal was never made.

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VW Targets Malaysian Production