2012 Porsche Panamera

admin | 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

2012 Bentley Continental Supersports

admin | 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

2011 Porsche 911

admin | 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

2011 Lexus LS 460

admin | Blog | February 19, 2012

MSRP: $67,130 – 74,980

Review Summary:
For 2011, the full-size, premium luxury LS sedan has secured a reputation at the top of its segment.

Review:

The 2011 Lexus LS luxury sedan has seating for five with the option of regular and long-wheelbase models. A hybrid option is also available. Rear-wheel drive is standard; all-wheel drive is optional. Power in the standard LS comes from a 4.6-liter V8 engine producing 380 hp while returning 19 mpg combined with rear-wheel drive and 18 mpg with all-wheel drive. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard; 19-inch wheels are optional.

Standard features are keyless entry and ignition, dual-zone climate control, heated steering wheel and power windows, locks and seats.

Key Features:

Stiff competition at this price point

As luxurious as anything from Audi or BMW

Not quite as engaging a drive as a 7-series

2011 Lexus IS 250

admin | Blog | February 19, 2012

MSRP: $33,295 – 36,925

Review Summary:
For 2011, the Lexus IS 250 continues to put up a valiant fight for BMW 3-series customers.

Review:

The 2011 Lexus IS sedan comes in four trim levels, one of which is a convertible. Engine choices include a 204-hp V6, a 306-hp V6 or the 416-hp V8 in the IS-F.

Rear-wheel drive is standard on the Lexus IS; all-wheel drive is optional. Fuel economy in the smaller V6 is rated at 21 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway. Both manual and automatic transmissions with paddle shifters are offered. Standard interior features include black metallic-finish trim, a leather steering wheel and shift knob, power driver’s seat and power windows.

Key Features:

Nice-looking sports sedan

Slightly softer than German counterparts

Decent fuel economy with smaller V6

2011 Lexus CT 200h

admin | Blog | February 19, 2012

MSRP: $29,120 – 30,900

Review Summary:
Lexus continues its hybrid expansion with the front-wheel-drive, five-door 2011 Lexus CT 200h hatchback.

Review:

In CT guise, a 1.8-liter Atkinson-cycle four-cylinder engine works with an electric motor to provide power. Four driving modes are offered: normal, eco, sport and EV, each with adjusting power, throttle response, steering and traction aids.

As the only dedicated hybrid vehicle in the premium-compact segment, Lexus expects the CT 200h to post best-in-class fuel-economy numbers.

Key Features:

Lexus (aka Toyota) knows hybrids as well as anyone

Good features

Driving experience is less than impressive

Jersey Car Cash

2012 Porsche Panamera

2012 Bentley Continental Supersports

2011 Porsche 911

2011 Lexus LS 460

2011 Lexus IS 250

2011 Lexus CT 200h

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