Thursday, August 23, 2012

Lexus IS F


The IS F's drip-feed updates continue. Last year, a mechanical limited-slip diff was fitted as standard, which edged it closer to the dynamic talents of the BMW M3. For 2011, it gets a facelift, the focus of which is a minor suspension refresh.


Controversially styled, the Lexus IS F’s remodeled lines stems purely from aerodynamic function, coming straight from the Formula One text book of wind tunnel sculpture. Sure, the looks aren’t everyone’s cup of saké, but in an ostentatious, over the top kind of way they almost gel – or at least help the IS F stand out like the proverbial dog’s, er, sore thumb.


Inside though, IS F is a completely different story. The cabin is demure, luxuriously appointed and well stocked with all the mod cons expected from the Lexus marque. With a standard features list as long as the IS F’s torque curve, the cockpit marries the premium feel of the Lexus IS Sports Luxury with bespoke ‘F’ features to form an array of technology Steve Jobs himself would be impressed by. Features include radar cruise control, dual-zone climate, Bluetooth connectivity, keyless entry with push button start and, perhaps best of all, a pumping 14-speaker Mark Levinson sound system, to name but a few.



Specs:
Price Range:$61,300 - $61,300
MPG Range:N/A
Bodystyles:Sedans
Engine: 5.0L V eight-cylinder DOHC with variable valve timing
Premium unleaded fuel
Fuel economy: EPA (08):, 16 MPG city, 23 MPG highway, 18 MPG combined and 304 mi. range
Gasoline direct fuel injection
16.9gallon fuel tank
Power (SAE): 416 hp @ 6,600 rpm; 371 ft lb of torque @ 5,200 rpm






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Wednesday, August 22, 2012

2013 Harley Davidson


Harley will produce extremely limited editions of just seven 110th-anniversary models for 2013, all of which will be serialized and sold with commemorative, solid bronze fuel tank badges and vintage bronze or vintage black paint. The 1200 Custom, Super Glide Custom, Fat Boy Lo, Heritage Softail Classic and Road King are among the handful of bestselling models that will be produced as 110th anniversary editions.

2013 Harley Davidson CVO Breakout

For its 105th anniversary, Harley offered twice as many special editions with three times the production numbers. Each of the Harley-Davidson's 800 U.S. dealerships will receive just two or three 110th-anniversary bikes, which will begin deliveries during the second week of September, according to Harley-Davidson media relations manager, Jennifer Hoyer. The rest of the 2013 lineup will be available this week.


Aside from the special anniversary edition, The Custom Vehicle Operations (CVO) line of motorcycles from Harley-Davidson represents the very best that the company has to offer. Each individual model represents the flagship of the company and stands to show what is possible with a custom. According to H-D, the CVO owner isn’t just the average bike buyer off the streets. No, the CVO buyer represents the alpha customer that is not willing to settle for anything but the very best.
2013 Harley Davidson CVO Breakout

It’s not often that H-D releases a new model to its upscale CVO line but for 2013, there is a new big dog running the streets with the release of the CVO Breakout.



The Breakout is based on:

  • The Softail chassis with a laundry list of new innovations. 
  • Starting with a 110ci Twin Cam motor, the Breakout is rated at 112 lb-ft of torque at 2,750 rpm and has the highest power-to-weight of any of the current CVO lineup. 
  • Anti-lock breaks, cruise control, and keyless ignition all come standard along with the H-D security system.
  • Starting at the front, a new 21-spoke, 21-inch turbine-inspired wheel wrapped in a 130mm front tire spins like a diamond-studded roulette wheel going down the road. 
  • A new wider all-chrome 49mm frontend with chopped front fender give the rim maximum exposure and is wider than the previous FX Softails. 
  • Out back, a rear chopped fender showcases the massive 240mm rear tire proving that the wide look isn’t dead yet.  In order to achieve a long, low, and lean look, a new ultra-low profile tank console was used with two braided stainless steel lines looking more like art than vents. Long, wide 1.25-inch handlebars house a 4-inch digital speedo/analog tachometer. A faux alligator skin leather seat finishes off the look.
  • A faux alligator skin leather seat finishes off the look. 
  • The seat, as well as the whole bike would probably look better with something more sleek and subtle. Available in silver, green, or red, each color is quite unique in its appearance. 
  • The mirrored finish of the Black Diamond and Molten Silver is achieved thanks to a 10-step hand sanding, three-step polishing process that is sealed with a special clear. The result is a black chrome industrial appearance that is clean and classy. 

2013 Harley Davidson CVO Breakout



Specs
Price: $26,499
Engine: Air-cooled and fuel-injected Twin Cam 110 B (1,802cc) V-twin
Output: 112 ft-lbs at 2,750 rpm
Combined Fuel Economy: 45 mpg
Transmission: 6-Speed Cruise Drive, carbon fiber belt final drive
Seat Height: 24.8 inches laden, 25.8 inches unladen
Suspension: 37º Rake, 5.7 inch (146mm) Trail, 49mm telescopic fork, hidden, horizontally mounted rear shocks
Maximum Lean Angle: 25.3º right, 26.2º left
Brakes: 4-Piston, 292mm front, 2-piston, 292mm rear, ABS at both ends
Curb weight: 728 lbs

A pricey but well put together custom style factory hot rod that will stir debates and inspire lust long before its 1,900 examples are sold out.
2013 Harley Davidson CVO Breakout


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BMW M6 Convertible vs Porsche Boxster S



To begin with, BMW dubs this M6 as their fastest M ever, even though on the surface dropping two cylinders to your top-tier performance coupe seems like you’re going backwards. But then, adding two turbochargers in exchange isn’t such a bad tradeoff. Yes, you lose the sonic blast of the previous gen’s V-10, but the twin-turbo 4.4-liter V-8 willingly produces 560 bhp and 560 lb.-ft. of torque. Not to mention, the single-clutch automated manual gives way to an 8-speed dual-clutch unit.


The Porsche Boxster really didn’t need a wholesale redesign. Since its introduction in 1997, Porsche has tweaked, fiddled with, and upgraded the roadster nearly every year, keeping it feeling modern and fully competitive. Even in the outgoing generation’s final two model years, it remained the benchmark for its class, winning our Best-Handling Cars under $100K competition and taking home another couple of 10Best trophies. Despite the outgoing car’s inarguable excellence, the 2013 Boxster rides on a new platform.

BMW M6 Convertible



BMW M6 Convertible

The BMW M6 Convertible and Porsche Boxster S are in the vanguard of that preconception-busting, modern attitude. Between them, they produce 863bhp and 766lb ft of torque. Both accelerate from 0 to 62mph in less than five seconds (4.3 for the M6, 4.8 for the Boxster), and both will manage top speeds high enough for a non-surgical facelift (155mph: BMW, 172mph: Porsche).

Porsche Boxster S

Given these figures, it's hardly surprising that neither was lacking pace out on the track; even the serious supercars failed to pull away completely down the straights. And both put on speed with minimal fuss - planted foot, a couple of tugs on the paddles and hello to licence-losing rapidity. The slick, dual-clutch gearboxes help. You can arrive at a corner, bang down the 'box and get on the power early to sling up the straighter bits. Concentrate on mashing the throttle as soon as possible because of the instant and punchy power delivery.
Porsche Boxster S

BMW M6 Convertible vs Porsche Boxster S

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