Cadillac Escalade - 2013

The Cadillac Escalade, with its bold, super-size look, has become an American luxury icon, a symbol of excess, chromed splendor, and high-end executive transport.


The 2013 Cadillac Escalade is huge and imposing from the outside, but that does pay off inside, translating to a roomy, comfortable interior that's also luxury-car plush and reasonably quiet. Just be aware that if you want cargo versatility and folding seats, this might not be the right pick.

Available as a 4x2 or 4x4 the Escalade is powered by a 403-hp 6.2-liter V8 with Active Fuel Management and E85 compatibility, mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. Standard equipment includes a power liftgate, stability control, remote start, Bluetooth compatibility, a rear-view camera and side curtain airbags. Some options are Magnetic Ride Control and 22-inch chrome wheels. The Platinum Edition takes style and innovation to a whole new level with standard equipment such as LED headlights, power running boards, and a rear seat entertainment system with two monitors.

The Escalade begins its assault on European buyers in September with an expected price of £55,000.

Basic Specifications:

• Engine 6.2L V-8 
• Power 403 @ 5,700 rpm 
• Transmission 6-spd auto w/OD 0-60 6.7 seconds 
• Seating 7 passengers 

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Audi S8

The biggest, baddest, fastest and lightest S8 yet has arrived - filling both the role of the top A8 model and top S model for the Audi luxury lineup. For the latest generation this full-size performance sedan puts a new, downsized and uprated V8 to task along with a lightweight aluminum body for optimal performance and economy.

The S8 is powered by an all-new engine in the Volkswagen family, a 4.0-liter twin-turbo TFSI V8 that turns out 520 horsepower and 479 lb-ft of torque (from 1,700 to 5,500 rpm).


The S8 features the Audi Space Frame (ASF) body which is made almost entirely of aluminum. As a result, despite its size and extensive list of luxury features, the S8 weighs in at a relatively low 4,354 lbs. The body itself contributes just shy of 510 lbs to that total, which is about 220 lbs less than a comparable steel-body.

Stylistic details include a single-frame grille in platinum gray with eight double bars coated in chrome. Audi also makes use of an aluminum-look blade to make the bumper design appear sharper, while high-gloss black slats and aluminum-look ribs in the side air intakes add touches of style.

Wrapping around to the sides, one will find door handles with strips of aluminum and aluminum-look mirror houses, as well as body color trim strips on the sills. Out back, the S8 features a diffuser insert with a two-layer aluminum-look finish that is offset by platinum gray and frames two oval dual exhaust tips finished in a chrome-look finish.


As one would expect from a flagship Audi sedan, the S8 comes complete with an impeccable fit and finish - says the automaker - featuring luxury bits with sport-minded driving at heart throughout. Seats come wrapped in leather, but are sporty in their shape and style, complete with multi-way, power adjustability and are exclusive to the S8 model. Stitching and piping come in steel gray for added contrast, while the instrument panel upper inlays and tiptronic gear selector lever are finished in Carbon Atlas.

The competitor to the S8:
- The Mercedes-Benz S63 AMG, which provides a similar mix of luxury and performance.
- The Jaguar XF equipped with the special order-only Supersport package and the V12-powered
- BMW 760Li serve up comparable power but otherwise lack the Audi's more overt sporting focus.

The Basic Specs:
Drivetrain All Wheel Drive
Curb Weight (lbs) 4641
City (MPG) TBD
Hwy (MPG) TBD
Horsepower 520@6000
Torque (lb-ft) 481@5500
Wheelbase 117.8
Length (in.) 202.2
Width (in.) 83.1
Height (in.) 57.5

Overall, The S8 has too much luxuries, too little sport. Good engine, though.

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Citroen DS3

The Citroen DS3 is a supermini, produced by French manufacturer Citroen from 2009. This is the first car in the new DS (pronounced déesse, which is French for goddess) range from Citroon. It was first hinted by the concept car Citroon DS Inside.This range of vehicle shares no common feature with, and is in no way the successor to, the Citroen DS.


Everything on DS3 is beautiful. Each detail has been meticulously worked out and gives DS3 a bijou finish. Citroen underlines DS3’s sporty and forward looking style with its mystic LED signature of six diodes located vertically on the front bumper. Citroen is proving once again its design through DS3’s unique floating roof underlined with a shark fin.

The interior has been designed with style and distinction in mind with chrome finish and a tailored upholstery to suit each specific design. It expresses the same fluidity. The horizontal dashboard is strengthened by a band that runs from end to end and provides a link between the two front passengers. The aim is to create an avalanche of emotions when getting into DS3. The chic atmosphere onboard the DS3 is enhanced by luxury materials. Each piece of fabric or high grade plastic charms the eye and feels good to the touch.The cabin space is identical to the hatchback's too, with a 60/40 split-folding rear bench, and the boot space has only had 40 litres chopped out of it (245-litre capacity). There's also a new rear taillight setup comprising 31 LEDs and semi-reflecting mirrors to create a 3D-type effect. Groovy.

DS3 is designed with an emphasis on robustness, strength and optimum safety to ensure protection for all passengers. For reassuring control in any driving situation, DS3 models feature as standard ESP, ABS with EBD (Electronic Brakeforce Distribution) and EBA (Emergency Brake Assist) as well as six airbags and Isofix anchor points on the rear side seats. The comfort is ensured by small two-density wedges settled on the rear beam which absorbs small shocks when passing on minor obstacle.

The DS3 is a compact car which competes against the Mini, Alfa Romeo MiTo and Audi A1.

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Mazda CX 5

The Mazda CX-5 is a compact/small-family crossover SUV produced by Mazda starting in 2012 for the 2013 model year lineup. It is Mazda's first car featuring the new KODO - Soul of Motion Design language first shown in the Shinari concept vehicle in May 2010.It is also the first vehicle featuring the company's full Skyactiv Technology suite, featuring a rigid, lightweight platform, combined with a new series of efficient engines and transmissions resulting in reduced emissions and fuel consumption. The Skyactiv Engine and Transmission Technologies were released in the 2012 Mazda3 compact sedan and hatchback.


It's the comfort and refinement that are most obvious. Mazda has used a new insulation material in the construction, and it gives the CX-5 a similarly hushed, isolated cabin to the best German execs.

It just feels very mature to drive, and Mazda - matched only by Ford in the mainstream sector - does dynamics better than just about anyone else. The bigger-wheeled Sport is taut and agile around corners, steers nicely and maintains momentum. The ride might be a fraction stiffer, but all CX-5s have an easy-going, relaxed feel ideal for family life.

Performance is the main reason to choose the 2013 Mazda CX-5. The CX-5’s handling, which reviewers say runs a close second to the small and sporty Mazda MX-5 Miata, is as good as it gets in this class. The CX-5 earns praise for its neutral handling and great corner-hugging ability. Test drivers like the CX-5’s six-speed manual transmission just as much, saying it shifts smoothly and makes the CX-5 really engaging to drive. One thing reviewers crave is more power from the Mazda CX-5’s 155-horsepower four-cylinder engine because a boost would come in handy when traveling uphill.


The Mazda CX-5 has one primary competitor, and that’s the Volkswagen Tiguan. Like the CX-5, the Tiguan is one of the sportiest, most nimble compact SUVs, and it’s also more powerful than the CX-5, thanks to its 200-horsepower four-cylinder engine. Think twice before choosing the Tiguan if fuel efficiency and affordability are your main concerns because it has lower fuel economy ratings and costs several thousand dollars more than the Mazda CX-5.

This is a good car, a fine family SUV that will serve you well, if unremarkably. It's on sale from 18 May, and its arrival signals the phasing out of the larger CX-7, like the 2 supermini, one of Mazda's underrated, underappreciated cars. Let's hope the CX-5 avoids the same fate. It deserves to.

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Toyota NOAH

The Toyota Noah is an eight-seater MPV with two rear sliding doors built by Toyota Motor Company and sold only in Asia. A five-seater version without the third seat row is available (YY grade). Its predecessor was the Toyota Liteace Noah. The Noah has a twin version named Toyota Voxy, with lower ground clearance.


The Noah's 154 hp engine takes 9.8 seconds to reach 100 km/h (60 mph) up to a top speed of 175 km/h. The Noah was the first Toyota car to be equipped with its next generation technology called valvematic in 2007. Compared to Toyota’s previous topline 2-liter 4-cylinder, the 3ZR-FAE with Valvematic is more powerful by eleven horses.

While conventional engines control air intake using a throttle valve, Valvematic adjusts the volume of air taken in by continuously controlling the intake valve lift volume and timing of valve opening and closing. This ensures optimal performance based on the engine’s operational condition, thus helping vehicles achieve both high fuel efficiency and dynamic performance.



Toyota dubbed the technology a “further evolution of the gasoline engine”. Valvematic, it said, improves fuel efficiency by 5-10 percent, reduces CO2 emissions and boosts output by at least 10 percent.

Technically speaking, the official output numbers for the first Valvematic engine, the 3ZR-FAE 2.0 litre put out 158 PS at 6200rpm, 196Nm at 4,400rpm, and goes 14.2km per litre of fuel used. A non-Valvematic engine 3ZR-FE outputting 143 PS at 5,600rpm and 194Nm of torque at 3,900rpm and went 13.4km per litre of fuel.

The CO2 emissions for the Valvematic engine was also lower at 164k/gm compared to the 173g/km figure of the non-Valvematic engine.

The Noah is positioned as a C-segment MPV similar to the Toyota Wish, and has since 2001 been competing with the Honda StepWGN and the Nissan Serena in the family car category.

Some think it is nothing to look at beauty-wise. And for most city dwellers it’s a total nightmare when parking space is a premium. But ask any owner of the Toyota Noah and you will get an endless list of attributes that excite about this eight-seater Multi-Purpose Vehicle (MPV)/ mini-van.

Most buyers love it for its spaciousness, easy handling, and cool interior, ample baggage and storage spaces. It can seat eight people comfortably even for long hauls. For most however, the appeal is in the power and fuel economy.

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Toyota AGYO

Toyota made its first venture into the UK car market back in the swinging sixties, with the launch of the Toyota Corona in 1965. A decade on from opening its two UK manufacturing bases, Toyota won European Car of the Year 1999 for the first time with the Toyota Yaris, and in March 2006 – just forty years on from its first foray into the UK market, Toyota achieved its two millionth UK new car sale.There are 20 variants of Toyota AYGO.

Rewarded with the 2006 Green Award from What Car? magazine for its pioneering work in developing environmentally friendly vehicle technologies, Toyota has shown an ongoing commitment to building cars that address the environmental needs and challenges faced in the 21st century, without compromising the standards of performance, safety and practicality expected by today's motorists.


The Toyota Aygo is a fun and funky city car that has a zippy 1.0-litre engine. It’s great about town, and the car’s compact dimensions are ideal for nipping into tight parking spaces. The engine can struggle once you hit the motorway, though.

The Aygo isn’t as agile as the best city cars because the initial steering response is sluggish and the small tyres quickly lose grip. The ride is also rather firm.

The no-frills cabin is starting to show its age, because it’s made from cheap-looking and flimsy-feeling materials. There is reasonable space for four adults, but the boot is too cramped to hold much luggage. That said, running costs are very low; with CO2 emissions at 99g/km and has average fuel economy of around 66mpg.

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HB20 Hyundai

HYUNDAI Motor Brazil has released the official name for its Brazil only compact, due for launch next month (September 2012). The teaser images from the company proves that the Fluidic Sculpture design language is alive and kicking.

The new car, the HB20, will be produced at Hyundai Brazil’s plant in Piracicaba, just outside Sao Paulo and will have a 1.0-liter and 1.6-liter  flex fuel engines. The latter gets an automatic gearbox option. Hyundai also revealed that HB20 will grow a sedan and an SUV variants in 2013.

The car is designed and built by Korean and Brazilian engineers. Hyundai Motor Brazil has more than 1,000 Brazilian employees, which will increase to 2,000 by 2013. The Hyundai plant also provides 3,000 job opportunities from its local suppliers, and that will further on create another 2,000 indirect jobs.


Outside, the Accent hatchback features Hyundai’s “Fluidic Sculpture” design language, with touches like an upswept beltline and a hexagonal grille giving the car a sporty look. The roomy cabin boasts a class leading 21.2 cubic feet of cargo room along with more passenger space than many competing models although priced like a subcompact, the Accent is classified as a compact by the EPA thanks to its interior volume.

The Accent GS comes standard with a six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system with SiriusXM Satellite Radio and iPod/USB auxiliary input jacks, power and heated body colored side mirrors, remote keyless entry, cloth insert door trim, body colored door handles, a trip computer, 14 inch steel wheels and power locks and windows. The six speed manual transmission is standard, while the six speed automatic with Active ECO is an extra cost option.

The Accent SE builds on the GS’s features with steering wheel mounted audio controls, Bluetooth, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, premium cloth seats, piano black interior accents, a sliding center armrest, 16 inch alloy wheels, fog lamps and a rear spoiler.

The Accent is powered by a 1.6 liter direct injected four cylinder engine that puts out 138 horsepower at 6,300 rpm and 123 lb-ft. of torque at 4,850 rpm. It is the first car in its class to feature direct injection technology, and one of the few to offer a six speed manual transmission (the automatic gearbox also has six cogs). Notably, the Accent’s impressive 30/40 mpg rating is the same for all models and transmissions, requiring no special package like some of the competition. The car rides on a fully independent suspension with a MacPherson strut setup in front and a torsion beam at the rear. The arrangement isn’t overtly sporty but does provide a comfortable freeway ride.


Specifications:

• 5-speed manual gearbox
• Precise and perfect shifting, providing comfort and a rapid response
• Flex-fuel engine
• The 1.0L model has three cylinders and gains in power due to reduced friction and better energy efficiency, leading to lower fuel consumption, a reduction in pollutant emissions and lower maintenance costs.
• 6% more powerful than the segment’s average.
• The 1.6L version has four cylinders and emits 23% more power than the segment’s average.
• The HB20 is equipped with a continuous variable valve timing (CVVT), which optimizes the air-fuel mixture both at low and high RPM, leading to improved performance and fuel consumption.

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