automotive review: April 2010

Suzuki GS500F 2010

Posted by automotive review Wednesday, April 28, 2010 8:58 AM 1 comments
Labels: Motor Cycle Suzuki

The Suzuki GS500F is one of the most versatile beginner motorcycles on the planet. This standard rocks out with a full fairing and sleek bodywork for a sporty profile. Riders who don’t want to be scrunched over the tank of a sport bike in order to reach the clip-ons will love the upright seating position of the GS500F. For power, the Suzuki GS500F’s 487cc parallel twin cranks out just over 51 horsepower, yet is frugal with its gas mileage. This bike can reach 115 mph, but that’s pushing it to the max in sixth gear. The Suzuki GS500F heads the welcoming committee of the Standard world.

The Suzuki GS500F features styling that is inspired on the GSX-R championship-winning machines as, starting with 2004 it presents a full fairing with the purpose of increasing rider comfort by providing an aerodynamic sport appearance.

Its four-stroke, twin cylinder, 487cc, air cooled DOHC engine provides it with all the needed power while it is still economical, but most importantly, dependable. Those 34mm Mikuni carburetors should receive all the credit for that as they are the needed element from a chain of pieces that form a reliable engine with smooth power delivery.

Engine and Transmission

Displacement: 487cc
Type: twin-cylinder, 4-stroke, air-cooled DOHC
Bore Stroke: 74.0 mm (2.913 in) x 56.6 mm (2.228 in)
Compression Ratio: 9.0:1
Fuel System: BSR34, twin
Lubrication: Wet Sump
Ignition: Electronic ignition (Transistorized)
Transmission: 6-speed constant mesh
Final Drive: D.I.D. 520VM, 110 links

Chassis and Dimensions

Suspension Front: Telescopic, coil spring, oil damped
Suspension Rear: Link type, coil spring, oil damped
Brakes Front: Disc brake
Brakes Rear: Disc brake
Tires Front: 110/70-17M/C (54H), tubeless
Tires Rear: 130/70-17M/C (62H), tubeless
Overall Length: 2080 mm (81.9 in)
Overall Width: 800 mm (31.5 in)
Overall Height: 1150 mm (45.3 in)
Seat Height: 790 mm (31.1 in)
Ground Clearance: 120 mm (4.7 in)
Wheelbase: 1405 mm (55.3 in)
Curb Weight: 199 kg (439 lbs)
Fuel Tank Capacity: 20.0 L (5.3/4.4 US/Imp gal)

Key Features

==>Full fairing for increased rider comfort and an aggressive sport look in an entry-level package.

==>Oil cooler – Air-cooled oil cooler for more consistent engine operating temperature and increased engine durability.

==>Rear suspension – Easily accessible 7-way preload adjuster of rear suspension allows quick tailoring to rider’s preference

==>Proven four-stroke, twin cylinder, 487cc, air-cooled DOHC engine for dependable and economical operation.

==>Sport-styled 2-into-1 exhaust system tuned for strong low-to-mid rpm engine performance.

==>Strong braking performance – single disc front brake with large 310mm rotor and four-piston caliper, plus single disc rear brake with two-piston caliper.

==>Telescopic front fork and link-type rear suspension with adjustable preload provide a comfortable ride for commuting or pleasure riding.

==>Twin 34mm Mikuni carburetors for smooth power delivery, strong acceleration and fuel efficiency.

==>Front: 110/70-17M/C (54H), tubeless Tires Rear: 130/70-17M/C (62H), tubeless Overall Length: 2080 mm (81.9 in) Overall Width: 800 mm (31.5 in) Overall Height: 1150 mm (45.3 in) Seat Height: 790 mm (31.1 in) Ground Clearance: 120 mm (4.7 in)

BMW F800GS

Posted by automotive review 8:23 AM 0 comments
Labels: Motor Cycle BMW

New BMW F800GS. All about it is imparable. Its current location engine of twin-cylinder of 85 powers in horses provides the impressive cross-country power. A weight of edge of Juste 207 kilogrammes makes it incredibly nimble.

And its capacity to carry out on the macadam smoothes and the difficult ground makes it only flexible in the same way. New BMW F800GS. Built to go beyond the ordinary one.

With the completely new model of enduro, the F 800 GS, BMW Motorrad increases not only its line of goods available, but also introduces a worthy successor to F completely successful 650 GS with its engine of simple-cylinder. Even when him 's parked, ventures-tourer it surprisingly all ground-able of F 800 GS, with its vigorous aspect and long voyage of spring, states that it can do cross-country. The signals which it releases are however clear varied: recreation leading on all the highway types, and strength on voyages even when the destination can only be reached by gravel ways.
And its capacity to carry out on the macadam smoothes and the difficult ground makes it only flexible in the same way. New BMW F800GS. Built to go beyond the ordinary one.

With the completely new model of enduro, the F 800 GS, BMW Motorrad increases not only its line of goods available, but also introduces a worthy successor to F completely successful 650 GS with its engine of simple-cylinder. Even when him 's parked, ventures-tourer it surprisingly all ground-able of F 800 GS, with its vigorous aspect and long voyage of spring, states that it can do cross-country. The signals which it releases are however clear varied: recreation leading on all the highway types, and strength on voyages even when the destination can only be reached by gravel ways.

With elevated level of the stability combined with mischievous handling of new F 800 GS are devices, just as the execution of high-quality, a strong frame and the impressive execution of engine for the maximum pleasure of horsemanship.

The engine two-cylinder integrated comes from the model series of F 800 well-known, but beyond this, the model of enduro was completely reorganized. A completely new reinforcement and a new suspension of wheel with new arise-shock the shock absorber that elements are employed, for example, which will exceed the hopes even most demanding riders of enduro. The belt drive and the simple-strut balance the arm, which is ideal for the pure use of on-road, were replaced by a light order with chains, which, in combination with a very stable and attractive aluminium arm of oscillation of double-strut of profile, particular advantages of offers in cross-country horsemanship in particular. The new GS is thus not only in its element on roads - it will also always find a way by cross-country too.

The road of trusts of F 800 GS and possibilities of tourism with higher cross-country characteristics. It thus combines the two worlds in a way in which before was never realized in this class and offers maximum possible freedom in terms of its fields of application. BMW Motorrad placed ventures-tourer it dynamic at a reasonable price, of this fact adding a tangible asset to the market.

specifications of the 2010 BMW F800GS

Manufacturer: BMW
Year: 2010
Model: F 800 GS
Vehicle Type: Off-Road
Engine: 2-cylinder, 4-stroke, 4-valves per cylinder, 2 overhead camshafts, BMS-K management, closed 3-loop 3-way catalytic converter, EU-3
Horsepower: 85 hp @ 7,500 rpm
Displacement: 798 cc (800cc)
Bore x Stroke: 82 x 75.6 mm
Torque: 62 ft. lbs. @ 5,750 rpm
Compression Ratio: 12:1
Clutch: Multiple-disc in oil bath, mechanically operated
Cooling: Water
Lubrication: Dry sump
Length: 91 in.
Width: 34.2 in.
Height: 53.1
Weight: 392 lbs.
Road Ready: 455 lbs.
Max Permissible: 975 lbs.
Payload: 520 lbs.
Wheelbase: 62.1 in.
Fuel Capacity: 4.2 gal.
Reserve: 1 gal.
Seat Height: 34.6 in.
Transmission: 6-speed
Final Drive: Endless O-ring chain
Suspension: Front: Upside-down fork, 45 mm; 9 in. travel
Rear: Cast aluminum dual swingarm; 8.5 in. travel
Frame: Tubular steel space, loaded-bearing engine
Maximum Speed: Over 125 mph
Brakes: Front: Twin-disc, floating disc, 300 mm, double-piston floating calipers
Rear: Single-disc, 265 mm, single-piston floating caliper
Wheels: Front: 2.15 x 21 in. wire spoke
Rear: 4.25 x 17 in. wire spoke
Tires: Front: 90/90-21
Rear: 150/70-17
Color: Lava Orange Metallic / Black Satin and Alpine White

2010 Lamborghini Murciélago LP650-4 Roadster

Posted by automotive review 6:02 AM 0 comments
Labels: Lamborghini

Lamborghini of late has been milking every dollar it can from the aging Murcielago with one special edition after another, counting on the supersports coupe and roadster to continue to sell to its clientele until the eventual introduction of an all-new top bull.

The latest in the line, in a limited run of 50 units that are sure to sell immediately, is the quickest and most dramatic modern-day factory Lambo to date, the 2010 Lamborghini Murcielago LP 650-4 Roadster.

The new 650-4 features the most powerful engine in a drop top Lamborghini to date, a version of the company's ubiquitous V12 massaged out to 6.5 liters and 650 horsepower. As the "-4" extension indicates, the Murcielago LP560-4 Roadster carries permanent all wheel drive which should help to keep it on the road in the hands of drivers whose wallets outweigh their skill.
AWD helps the heavier roadster version of the Murcielago make it to 100 km/h from a standstill in 3.4 seconds, all the way up to a top speed of 205 mph. For comparison purposes, the 2WD standard-trim Murcielago Roadster takes 3.8 seconds to reach 100 km/h.

All 2010 Murcielago LP 650-4 cars get identical exterior paint and trim, with flat gray main body color with orange and carbon accents. The V12 is housed amidships under a transparent cover so pedestrians and truck drivers can know what the driver is packing.

Contact Lamborghini for availability, but don't cross your fingers if you don't have serious clout in the car world. Once the limited run of 50 are gone, you'll just have to wait for the next special edition a couple months down the line.

2010 Lamborghini Murcielago LP 650-4 Roadster SpecificationsDrivetrain
Layout Mid-Engine, AWD
Transmission Paddle-shifted DSG Manual
Differential Electronically controlled LSD
Engine
Type: Lamborghini V12
Induction Naturally aspirated
Displacement 6.5 liters
Horsepower 650 bhp
Torque 487 lb-ft.
Exterior
Body Type 2 door, 2 seat removable roof roadster
Performance
Acceleration (0-100 km/h) 3.4 seconds
Top Speed 205 mph

FORD TAURUS SHO

Posted by automotive review Thursday, April 22, 2010 4:41 AM 0 comments
Labels: FORD

Ford gets its radar from a fighter plane

The top of this year’s Ford Taurus range is the powerful and jazzy Taurus SHO (for “super high output”), a sport sedan. Chief among the technical bragging points is an optional safety feature known as electronically scanning radar. This guardian angel scans the highway far enough ahead to save you from rear-ending a fog-shrouded forerunner while going wide enough to catch any would-be lane changer that may be lurking in your blind spot. Because its microwaves penetrate fog, it beats the older, laser-based systems.

Ford crows that the device, supplied by Delphi, is derived from a radar used in the F-22 Raptor fighter jet. Of course this sort of thing can also be done by mechanical scanning—like a dish antenna sweeping the sky—but by steering the beam electronically you get not only better performance but also a far more compact package that’s a mere 5 by 8 by 18 centimeters long. That makes it easy to fit the radar’s forward-looking part into the car’s sleek front end. Other car companies o er such radars, but Ford gets our plaudit because it charges just US $1195, far less than any competitor.

In practice, the radar functions as part of a larger system of adaptive cruise control—a baby step along the road to automated driving. When the radar senses the hint of a threat of an impending collision, it alerts the driver and precharges the brakes, so they’ll react that much faster to the driver’s foot.

ENGINE: 3.5 -L turbo V-6, with
272 kW (365 hp) and 474 Nm
(350 f t -lb) of torque

VOLKSWAGEN CC 3.6 4MOTION

Posted by automotive review Saturday, April 17, 2010 9:30 AM 0 comments
Labels: VOLKSWAGEN

Are Volkswagen’s moves upmarket in complete contradiction to the brand’s populist roots? The now-defunct, expensive VW Phaeton sedan is often viewed as a radical move aimed away from the masses. But if the Phaeton had worn a more prestigious brand name, it conceivably could have been deemed a value. In fact, the Phaeton forms the basis for the Bentley Continental lineup, which starts at $180,395, a sum that is rarely questioned. If we regard the Phaeton as a Bentley for the masses, then the car makes sense as a Volkswagen.

Like the Phaeton before it, the CC 3.6 4MOTION drew its share of raised eyebrows when our test car’s $42,630 price was revealed. But the CC’s superfi cial similarity to another German car had us wondering if Volkswagen had created a Mercedes-Benz CLS for the people. After all, the CLS550 starts at an eye-watering $72,875.

Volkswagen has followed the CLS’s fi vestep formula to the letter. Step one: Start with a conventional sedan. Just as the Eclass begot the CLS, the CC is based on the conservative Passat. Step two: Dress up the exterior and interior. This step requires a low-slung roofl ine, a slippery body, frameless door glass, a dolled-up interior, and a reduction in the seating capacity from five to four. Step three: Insist that despite its four doors, the creation is somehow a coupe. Repeat as necessary until the public is convinced. Step four: To save money, leave the running gear alone. Step fi ve: Try to keep a straight face while charging considerably more money for your new “coupe.”

The formula worked for Mercedes. But we must conclude that despite its similarity to the far pricier CLS, the $42,630 CC is too expensive to be considered a value—even against a Benz.

We can’t complain about the 280-hp, direct-injection 3.6-liter VR6 that propels the all-wheel-drive CC to 60 mph in a dramafree 6.2 seconds. A 231-pound-lighter frontdrive Passat 3.6 we tested took 5.9 seconds [December 2005]. We also can’t take issue with the refi ned controls, the solid structure, and the fi rm ride of the CC, which stuck to the skidpad with 0.88 g of grip. Aside from some wind noise around those frameless windows, the CC driving experience is nearly indistinguishable from that of the Passat with the 3.6-liter engine, a confi guration that is gone for 2009.

Our big problem with the CC 3.6 4MOTION is the existence of the $27,480 CC 2.0T with a six-speed manual. Despite an 80-hp defi cit, the 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder version retains the look of the 3.6-liter version and, of course, keeps its inescapable resemblance to the CLS. The four-cylinder model removes the CC from the stratosphere of BMW and Audi, back to the place where the Accord, the Camry, and the Malibu play. Set against a family-sedan backdrop, the CC’s beautiful bod makes it a standout in a segment stacked with forgettable styling. And in pricing the four-cylinder CC, VW seems to have ignored the step that requires charging more for style, as the CC 2.0T actually costs $410 less than a comparably equipped Passat. So unless you need that fi fth seat, you can now take the Passat off your shopping list. And in regard to the CC 3.6-liter’s disturbingly high price, we predict low sales. On the other hand, the CC 2.0T may well strike a chord with buyers as it is the base model that is truly the people’s CLS.