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2012 Porsche Panamera

| Blog | March 3, 2012

MSRP: $75,200 – 173,200

Review Summary:
The Porsche Panamera is a great GT car. It’s faster than fast and can easily cruise around town if you’d please, but the exterior isn’t the prettiest thing on the market.

Review:

Porsche’s Panamera comes in variety of trims ranging from the base model to the rocket-ship-like Turbo S model. A 300-hp, six-cylinder engine comes standard on the base and Panamera 4 trims. The hybrid also has a six-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor, giving the overall package 333 hp. The remaining trim levels, which include the S, 4S, GTS, Turbo and Turbo S, are powered by the larger 4.8-liter V8. Power ranges from 400 hp to 550 hp depending on the trim level. It’s available in rear- and all-wheel drive.

On the inside, the Panamera is comfortable and luxurious with ample room for passengers and cargo. It’s loaded with standard features including an automatic tailgate, eight-way power-adjustable front seats and Bose surround-sound system.

The Panamera is an excellent car and is definitely worth a look if a luxury four-door, coupe-like sedan is what you want. And it’s a Porsche!

Key Features:

  • Various modes change the Panamera from docile cruiser to gonzo sports car

  • Awesome car to drive, but not easy on the eyes

  • Lots of room for passengers and cargo

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Teen driving: A call to action

| Blog | March 1, 2012

My youngest daughter turns 16 on Feb. 27, and these teen-driving statistics–courtesy of the Miles Ahead Teen driving program–gave me the chills:

• The chance of one crash in the first three years of driving is 89.2 percent.
• The chance of two crashes in the first three years of driving is 52.5 percent.
• A 16-year-old is 20 times more likely to be killed in a crash than an adult.
• Teens are 400 percent more likely to die in a car crash than 25- to 34-year-old drivers.
• 63 percent of teenage-passenger deaths occur in vehicles driven by another teenager.
• 113 teenage drivers each week in the United States are involved in fatal crashes.
• Nearly 1,000 teens each day are treated in an emergency room for injuries suffered in a motor-vehicle crash.

My daughter has a trip to the Secretary of State’s office to get her driver’s license on the scheduled Monday afternoon just ahead of a family dinner to celebrate her birthday. Unlike many teenagers these days, she’s interested in driving and excited about getting her license. If her mother and I would allow it, she’d be at the SOS office when it opened in the morning.

With her learner’s permit in hand for nearly a year, I’ve watched her get comfortable behind the wheel of a car and seen her confidence grow as well. She passed her driver’s test with flying colors.

And we’ve talked often about the dangers of distracted driving. She’s a teenager, semipermanently attached to a cell phone.

But she knows that her driving privilege–and it’s is a privilege she knows that will disappear in a heartbeat– will be over if she uses her phone while driving. I’m not talking about driving and texting . . . that’s a given. But making or answering phone calls, for her, is banned as well. The car needs to be stopped to use the phone.

But what car? That has been the subject of many discussions in the past few weeks. I want to see how she does solo for a few weeks first, and we’ve got an appointment at a driving school scheduled for the spring.

In being in the company of other parents with new drivers in the house, more than one parent has said they will put their child in a car with a manual transmission. The thinking behind it is that driving a manual is more engaging, requiring more attention from the driver so he or she will be too busy to use the phone. It’s an interesting theory, especially given the fact that the number of cars with manuals make up less than 10 percent of cars sold in the United States.

I’m not sure there’s any real evidence this will work, but I like the idea of getting the driver more engaged in the process. Manufacturers have done a terrific job in making the car so comfortable and so easy to drive that they’ve created isolation chambers capable of triple-digit speeds.

I know my daughter is in favor of this, especially if the manual transmission is fitted in a 1969 Camaro. She’s not fussy . . . it doesn’t need to be a Z28.

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Ask the dealer: Four factors that affect what your next car will cost

| Blog | March 1, 2012

Many factors determine when you can get the best value on your next vehicle, especially if you plan to sell or trade your current car or truck. To help you identify when the time is right, consider these four factors before you hit the car lot.

1. Trade-in values. If you bought your car recently, chances are it hasn’t been hit hard by the typical drive-off-the-lot depreciation. Used-car prices vary based on supply and demand, so check with valuation sites, local classified ads and your dealer to see what your current car is worth.

2. The calendar. Manufacturers release different incentives at different times of the year. Holiday sales, auto-show discounts and end-of-the-month/year deals can make a great discount combination. Check the Sunday paper and manufacturer Web sites to see what the dealers are offering.

3. Fuel prices. If you have your eye on a big truck or a full-sized SUV, just wait until gas prices go up for a few weeks. It’s almost guaranteed that dealer management and sometimes even manufacturers will throw incentives on the big gas guzzlers when petroleum gets pricey.

4. Financing. Borrowing money is really cheap right now; like fuel prices, financing costs tend to vary based on wind direction, but interest rates can’t stay this low forever. You may want to take advantage while you can and speak to a finance agency, bank or credit union.

I recently found myself searching for a car and found that applying these tips equaled a great price. If you’re shopping for a new car, remember that timing your purchase with market fluctuations does matter.

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Interior lighting enhances ambience in the 2013 Ford Fusion

| Blog | March 1, 2012

The sporty exterior of the new 2013 Ford Fusion caused quite a buzz during the Detroit auto show, and now details are trickling in suggesting the interior will be just as enticing. We recently sat in on a presentation focused solely on the next Fusion’s interior-lighting design. What we learned was there’s more science involved in establishing interior lighting than you may think.

First, Mahendra Dassanayake, technical leader for design for Ford, explained the science of color. He said our brains respond to color and that certain colors trigger enzymes in the brain; these enzymes often cause an emotional response such as feeling calm, angry or happy.

Through extensive color research, Ford engineers claim to have discovered blue evokes a sense of luxury, and ice blue in particular has the ability to boost alertness. Not surprisingly, Ford has chosen ice blue as its signature interior-lighting color.

The 2013 Ford Fusion will incorporate ice blue and also offer drivers the option of choosing any of six additional ambient-lighting colors (purple, blue, orange, red, white and green) depending on their mood—or their attire—each time they get into the car.

But there’s more to interior lighting than color. Ford claims appropriately placed lighting can also help direct the driver’s eye to needed controls quickly and efficiently—important considerations at a time when distracted driving is a growing concern.

“Lighting gives you a sense of orientation,” said Dassanayake. “It’s a unique combination of functionality and comfort. Lights, graphics and displays are critical to drivers; we need to make sure that information is presented to the customer in an effective way.”

All combined, Ford hopes the research that has gone into developing the sophisticated interior of the 2013 Fusion will exceed consumer expectations. Interior chief designer Michael Arbaugh may have summed it up best, “We think it’s the perfect package; one that will make drivers fall in love.”

With the car of course.

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2012 Bentley Continental Supersports

| Blog | March 1, 2012

MSRP: $267,000 – 280,400

Review Summary:
Fast, bold, elegant, and did we say fast? With 621 hp on tap, the Bentley Continental Supersports has a top speed of 204 mph.

Review:

As fast as it is sinister, the 2010 Bentley Continental Supersports is available as a two-seat coupe or four-seat convertible. Underneath the hood of the Supersports is the most powerful Bentley engine ever designed. The 6.0-liter, twin-turbocharged unit makes 621 hp, leading to a top speed of 204 mph. All-wheel drive is standard. From the entertainment console, drivers can operate and adjust all the key driving and entertainment systems in the vehicle. Other features include electronic cruise control, an electric parking brake and an optional built-in garage-door opener. The convertible version features satin-finished carbon-fiber interior trim with Alcantara material and soft-grip leather.

Key Features:

  • 621 hp

  • 204 mph top speed

  • As elegant as it is fast

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Five most dramatic crash-test videos

| Blog | March 1, 2012

If you’ve recently shopped for a new vehicle, you’ve probably heard the refrain, “cars are safer now than they’ve ever been.” Fortunately, that’s true, and the road to modern structural integrity has been paved with the rusting carcasses of crash-test cars whose gruesome final moments have been preserved in detailed, slow-motion video.

Since manufacturers go to great lengths to ensure their current models perform well in the two major U.S. crash-test series–one sponsored by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and the other by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS)–nearly every modern car, truck and SUV has been subjected to some sort of destructive testing.

Most tests are impressive displays of integrity. Others, however, enlighten by virtue of their spectacular awfulness. And at least one graphically demonstrates the difference between modern car design and a traditional land yacht–with results that are guaranteed to surprise you.

In no particular order, we present our favorite car-crash test videos. Just click the link below to get started.

 

Ford Pinto >

 

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2012 Scion xD

| Blog | March 1, 2012

MSRP: $15,345 – 17,050

Review Summary:
The xA replacement, xD combines economy with safety to create a great package.

Review:

When the xD debuted in 2008, it was a replacement for the xA. Essentially built along the Toyota Yaris line, xD offered up good value for the money.

Fitted with a 1.8-liter engine, the xD delivers acceptable fuel economy and performance. No, it won’t win many races, but that’s not why it is in the Scion lineup. It has received five-star crash-test ratings. It’s also identified as having few problems.

Along with others in the lineup, the xD gets a limited-edition Series Release vehicles, which make up fewer than 2,000 total; they have one-off colors and are snapped up fairly quickly by consumers.

Key Features:

  • Small, efficient car your child would not mind being seen in

  • Five-star crash-test rating

  • Another in the family of highly customizable cars to "personalize"

  • Toyota quality. Can’t beat it

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2012 Bentley Mulsanne

| Blog | March 1, 2012

MSRP: $290,000 – 290,000

Review Summary:
Bentley designers and engineers were charged with developing the “pinnacle of British luxury motoring.” The end result was the Mulsanne, and we can say, mission accomplished.

Review:

Underhood is a twin-turbocharged V8 that makes 512 hp and 752 lb-ft of torque. The Mulsanne weighs in at 5,700 pounds and can travel from 0 to 60 mph in 5.1 seconds with a top speed of 184 mph. Power is routed through an eight-speed automatic gearbox. Mulsanne 20-inch light-alloy wheels are standard. Electronically controlled air springs with continuous damping control monitors and adjusts the vehicle’s damping, ensuring optimum control.

A choice of 28 different Mulsanne-specific colors is applied and polished by hand to a mirror-finish. On the inside, hand-selected leather is fitted to all trimmed surfaces including the seating, fascia, console, door panels, door pillars, parcel shelf, cantrails, headlining, sunvisors, all stowage compartments and the glovebox, and is available in 24 “standard” colors in single tone or duo-tone combinations in four different styles.

Specially developed, flat-cut and leather-bound carpet in a choice of 21 colors match the interior hide. The front seats have 12-way electrical adjustment, including lumbar support, two memory positions, easy entry/exit function and adjustable heating. The infotainment system has an eight-inch high-resolution color screen to display infotainment and vehicle-systems information controlled by a Multi Media Interface (MMI) rotary controller with convenience keys for instant access to main system menus.

 

Key Features:

  • 184-mph top speed  

  • The very best in British luxury-car tradition

  • Don’t let the butler drive . . . this car is way too much from behind the wheel

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Autoweek Autofile: An in-depth review of the 2012 Buick Regal GS

| Blog | March 1, 2012

Few words have the same power to warm the cockles of a car geek’s heart as “turbo Buick.” It’s partly because of the contradictory image the notion invokes, but even more because for the past couple of decades Buicks have felt very far removed from their glory days, when performance was held in as high esteem as personal luxury. GNX, anyone?

Hence our excitement to test the muscle of the 2012 Buick Regal GS, unleashing its 270 turbocharged horses on long stretches of NHRA-sanctioned asphalt, measuring not only how quickly it would reach the sticks in the quarter-mile but also how maniacal a laugh it would coax from our bellies in the process.

The short answer? It’s quick but hardly gets a rise from the driver. The Buick Regal GS is a fun, comfortable, almost sporty car to drive around town; however, it doesn’t hark back to the handful of Buicks that populate the garages of our fantasies. Instead, it feels very much like any modern-day Buick except for one significant outlier among its equipment: The Regal GS gets a manual transmission standard. On top of that, the stick is a breeze to operate, with gears that engage with ease in around-town use. One could almost call it a short-throw shifter.

Still, getting anything out of the turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec four’s 270 hp takes a lot of work. For starters, the engine does not rev freely. Step on the throttle, and it’ll hit 4,000 rpm or so, and then . . . that’s it. Engaging the clutch at the proper engine speed and at the proper rate to maximize acceleration isn’t easy, either. The car is good for decent 0-to-60-mph times (with a best of 6.2 seconds), but throttle response feels far more numb and muted than it should be in what purports (or we assume) to be a performance sedan.

Thanks to the sport-tuned strut front suspension, there’s no discernible torque steer through the Buick’s front-wheel-drive powertrain, even when launched aggressively. However, the six-speed manual transmission that shifts so nicely around town becomes far more recalcitrant when it’s being hammered at the drag strip. It’s a little too easy to outrun the synchros and grind the gears if you try to shift too quickly, more so than with other manuals.

Through the slalom course, the GS performs quite comfortably. The grippy summer tires do a fine job of holding on to the pavement around the cones. But the biggest surprise is how well the GS’s Brembo brakes manage to pull the whole thing to a stop from 60 mph, requiring just 109.3 feet. Anything less than 110 feet is world-class, making the Regal GS’s brakes among its best features.

Inside, the GS is as comfortable a midsizer as you’ll find, with plush but supportive leather seats, dual-zone climate controls, satellite radio and heated front seats, split-folding rear seats opening to a 14.2-cubic-foot trunk and plenty of cupholders and bins to stash stuff. It’s a comfortable environment to spend any amount of time in, especially behind the wheel.

Comfortable and fun enough. Still, we could do with a lot more from the maniacal-laugh department.


2012 BUICK REGAL GS
STICKER
Base price (includes $860 delivery): $35,310
As-tested price: $38,350

OPTIONS AS TESTED
AM/FM stereo with CD and MP3 playback, navigation and seven-inch color touch screen ($1,145); power sunroof ($1,000); 20-inch polished alloy wheels ($700); carbon black metallic ($195)

OTHER MAJOR OPTIONS
Head-restraint DVD system ($1,875); pedal cover ($165); cargo tray ($140); all-weather floor mats ($130); first-aid kit ($25)

CHASSIS
Unibody four-door sedan

DIMENSIONS
Wheelbase (in): 107.8
Track (in): 62.4 front, 62.5 rear
Length/width/height (in): 190.2/73.1/58
Curb weight/GVWR (lb): 3,710/4,750

CAPACITIES
Fuel (gal): 18.5
Cargo (cu ft): 14.3
Headroom/legroom (in): 38.8/42.1 front, 36.8/37.3 rear

ENGINE
Front-transverse 2.0-liter/122-cid DOHC turbocharged I4
Power: 270 hp @ 5,300 rpm
Torque: 295 lb-ft @ 2,400 rpm
Compression ratio: 9.2:1
Fuel requirement: premium

DRIVETRAIN
Front-wheel drive
Transmission: six-speed manual
Final drive ration: 3.76:1

SUSPENSION
Front: HiPer Strut with coil springs, antiroll bar, hydraulic ride bushings; continuous damping control
Rear: Four-link independent rear suspension; antiroll bar, continuous damping control

BRAKES/WHEELS/TIRES
14-inch vented discs front and 12.4-inch vented discs rear; aluminum 255/35R-20 Pirelli P Zero

SAFETY
Four-wheel antilock brakes, brake assist, electronic stability control, automatic crash response, traction control
NHTSA overall crash rating (out of five): 5
Standard airbags: 8

STANDING-START ACCELERATION
0-60 mph: 6.2 sec
Quarter-mile: 15.4 sec @ 94.4 mph

BRAKING
60-0 mph: 109.3 ft

HANDLING
490-ft slalom: 43.70 mph
Lateral acceleration (200-ft skidpad): 0.86 g

INTERIOR NOISE (DBA)
Idle: 44
Full throttle: 71
Steady 60 mph: 65

FUEL ECONOMY
EPA combined: 22 mpg
AW overall: 25.6 mpg

RESIDUALS
One-year: $21,525
Three-year: $16,125
Five-year: $12,00

OWNERS’S VOICES
I have put 1,100 miles on my Regal GS in its first month. People cannot believe it is a Buick. A friend with a modified Subaru Impreza WRX was impressed when he drove it.

It is exciting in spirited driving, quiet and reserved when cruising. I am very satisfied. The GS has my desired options plus more power, bigger brakes, better suspension and more aggressive looks than the Regal turbo. –Carl Hodge, Lafayette, La.

The power is subtle, almost boring. It gets up and goes, but you don’t know how fast until you look at the speedo. Although the car is powerful, it feels as if the engine is underworking.

The only things that give away its sportiness are the Brembo brakes and sport suspension. The brakes grab, and the car handles superbly. I’m glad I gave the Regal GS a chance. At 5,275 miles, so far, so good. –Tim Rosser, Fort Dix, N.J.

The Regal GS is a great driver’s car. The transmission throws smoothly, and the clutch grabs predictably. I love that I can switch the character of the steering and suspension at the touch of a button.

The engine is smooth, but turbo lag is noticeable. The GS has sporty performance, comfort and upscale feel I never would have expected from a Buick. It is a good value for a fun-to-drive car with European style and road manners. –Patrick Shine, Nashua, N.H.

OTHERS CONSIDERED
2012 Lexus ES 350
Base price: $37,600
 
2012 Nissan Maxima 3.5 SV
Base price: $35,540
 
2012 Ford Taurus SHO
Base price: $38,950

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2012 Lexus GX 460

| Blog | February 22, 2012

MSRP: $53,245 – 58,040

Review Summary:
The Lexus GX remains a traditional midsize SUV in a land of crossovers.

Review:

The midsize, V8-powered Lexus GX SUV was introduced in the 2003 Lexus lineup as a compromise between the base RX crossover SUV and premium, full-size LX SUV. With mechanical underpinnings similar to the Toyota 4Runner, the GX had plenty to offer with a well-appointed interior, powerful engine and a trucklike build that gave it ample off-roading and towing capacities. But its bulk and low fuel economy made the GX less appealing, and it was reworked for 2009 with a more powerful V8, new six-speed automatic transmission, improved fuel economy and increased towing capacity.

Key Features:

  • Mechanically similar to the off-road-capable Toyota 4Runner

  • Low fuel economy accompanies the heavy-duty construction

  • Good choice for those who need towing capability

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2012 Lexus LS 460

| Blog | February 22, 2012

MSRP: $67,130 – 74,980

Review Summary:
Serving as Lexus’s flagship model, the full-size, premium luxury LS sedan has secured a reputation as top of the line for its segment.

Review:

Four generations of the Lexus LS 460 have been produced with V8 engines and rear-wheel drive. All-wheel-drive, hybrid and long-wheelbase variants became available in 2006.

Then, a third-generation transformation for 2001 introduced an even smoother, more lavishly-appointed iteration with the LS 430. A $68,005 starting price shouldn’t raise any eyebrows, keeping the LS on level with premium European luxury competition like the Mercedes-Benz S-class and BMW 7-series.

Key Features:

  • Full-size flagship sedan on par with anything BMW and Mercedes-Benz offer

  • Powerful and smooth highway cruiser

  • Roomy, opulent interior

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2012 Lexus IS 250

| Blog | February 22, 2012

MSRP: $33,595 – 37,225

Review Summary:
The smaller-engined of the IS variants, the IS 250 is nonetheless a decent compromise between sportiness and economy.

Review:

With its rear-drive layout and sporting intentions, the entry-level Lexus IS sedan was notable at launch for daring to take on the king of the sport-sedan mountain–the BMW 3-series. And while it has hardly put a dent in 3-series sales, the IS has carved a nice little niche for itself. It gave the green light for other Japanese contenders, like the Infiniti G, to follow.

After keeping with one body style since its 1998 release, a hardtop convertible variant of the IS went on sale in 2009 (IS 250C).

Key Features:

  • Smaller V6 gets marginally better fuel economy than 3.5-liter version

  • Loss of 100 hp is definitely felt

  • Nicely trimmed and well appointed

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2012 Lexus CT 200h

| Blog | February 22, 2012

MSRP: $29,120 – 31,250

Review Summary:
It’s not quick, but if you demand a near-luxury experience in your hybrid, the Lexus CT 200h gets you close.

Review:

The Lexus CT 200h was added to the 2010 Lexus lineup as a hybrid-run, entry-level luxury hatchback. A comfortable interior, excellent fuel economy, sporty handling (for a hybrid) and an attractive starting price of $29,995 have made it a viable option for shoppers in the luxury-compact segment.

The CT uses the same powertrain as the Toyota Prius, but it was designed for better handling. It has a lower stance and improved suspension and offers driving modes for normal, sport, eco and electric vehicle. The sport mode makes for a more responsive drive, with sharper handling than you’d find in most hybrids. Slow acceleration, however, could be a deal-breaker for some.

Key Features:

  • Powertrain is less than exciting

  • Buyers get decent technology features for their money

  • It’s a Lexus and a hybrid

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2012 Lexus LS 600h L

| Blog | February 22, 2012

MSRP: $112,250 – 112,250

Review Summary:
The Lexus LS 600h L is a luxurious hybrid to be sure, but how green is a 20-mpg sedan?

Review:

The top-of-the-line Lexus LS hybrid was launched in 2008 for green enthusiasts looking for an extended-wheelbase sedan with the utmost luxury. With a 20-mpg combined EPA fuel-efficiency rating, however, the hybrid LS hardly offers better mileage than its nonhybrid counterpart.

A gasoline-powered V8 engine works with electric motors to offer the power of a V12, but the added weight of the hybrid components used to achieve that sort of offsets the appeal. The Mercedes-Benz hybrid S-class is probably a better option, as the hybrid’s only advantage over the regular LS is its super-ultra-low-emissions vehicle rating, which simply doesn’t warrant a $113,125 starting price.

Key Features:

  • Electric motors and a V8 engine provide stellar torque

  • Why buy a hybrid that gets only 20 mpg combined?

  • Starting price high enough to cause heart palpitations

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2011 Porsche 911

| Blog | February 22, 2012

MSRP: $77,800 – 245,000

Review Summary:
An icon that delivers a pure driving experience that’s tough to beat.

Review:

The 2011 Porsche 911 starts with a 3.6-liter six-cylinder engine, a six-speed manual transmission, four-wheel antilock brakes and a sport exhaust system. Inside are adjustable seats with driver’s seat memory, communication management with a 6.5-inch color display and full touch-screen controls.

Multiple Porsche 911 models are available, including some boasting more than 500 hp and top speeds near 200 mph. Both automatic and manual transmission options now are offered, as are rear- and all-wheel drive.

Key Features:

  • Iconic design

  • Sports car heritage, in spades

  • Rear-engine and rear-wheel drive makes it touchy on the limit

  • The sheetmetal has only been massaged over its history

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2012 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class

| Blog | February 22, 2012

MSRP: $114,100 – 211,000

Review Summary:
The Mercedes CL is one of the biggest touring coupes on the market, and in AMG guise, one of the fastest

Review:

The 2012  Mercedes-Benz CL-class coupe gets a choice of  two V8s or a V12 engine. Power ranges from 429 hp in the CL550 all the way up to 621 hp in the CL65 model. Five- or seven-speed transmissions are offered. Fuel economy is rated at 16 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway for the CL550. The Mercedes-Benz CL550 is available only in all-wheel drive, while the rest are rear-wheel drive. The CL-class continues to have some of the most advanced safety features on the market including Distronic Plus cruise control, blind spot indicators, “Active Lane Keeping Assist” and automatic brake intervention.

Key Features:

  • A sledgehammer for an engine in the AMG models

  • Luxury trim includes things like massaging seats

  • Hot rod exhaust note out of a luxury sedan

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Mini car-based van concept set for Geneva auto show

| Blog | February 22, 2012

Whether you own your own business or need to fit that big Labrador in the back, a tiny Mini could be the next car for you. Mini is showing a small-car-based van concept, called the Clubvan, at the Geneva motor show this March.

The Mini Clubvan concept sits on a version of the Clubman’s platform but is reinforced with added load-carrying capability.

The Clubvan caters to commercial use. It only has two seats, and the rear is a closed-off load area. Six attachment loops recessed into the load-compartment floor use elasticized straps that can secure everything from camera equipment to construction equipment.

The partition grille, made from aluminum and stainless steel, is fixed to the car body and ensures that items stowed in the load compartment don’t knock the front seats. The side walls and floor of the load compartment are trimmed in high-quality anthracite-colored cloth.

Split rear doors open the load area, and a Clubdoor, Mini’s rear-hinged door that’s like a suicide door, offers side loading.

Also for commercial users are made-to-measure drawers or shelving units and available 12-volt plug sockets in the rear area.

The Clubvan concept comes with British Racing Green exterior paintwork, which extends to the roof, C-pillars and exterior mirror caps. The rear side windows are opaque and their outer surfaces are painted in the body color. A final touch for professionals is heavily tinted glass for the rear doors that make it difficult to see into the load compartment.

Mini isn’t giving away any details on what powers its latest concept just yet, so stay tuned to our coverage of the Geneva auto show for more details.

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2011 Lexus ES 350

| Blog | February 19, 2012

MSRP: $36,725 – 36,725

Review Summary:
For 2011, the Lexus ES 350 continues its tradition of offering all the bells and whistles in a conventional front-drive sedan package.

Review:

The 2011 Lexus ES 350 sedan has a V6 engine producing 268 hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. The engine is paired to a standard six-speed automatic transmission that returns 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway. The front-wheel-drive, five-passenger car comes standard with electronic brake-force distribution, brake assist and traction and stability control. Other standard features include a push-button ignition, driver’s-seat memory, leather interior and power windows and locks. A premium sound system is included on every Lexus ES 350, as is Bluetooth and MP3-player connectivity.

Key Features:

  • Decent fuel economy for its power and trim level

  • Opulent interior leans toward soft, not sporty

  • Front-drive layout further reduces sportiness

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