2011 Archives | Page 33 of 57

First Drive: 2011 Kia Optima 2.0T

Filed under: Sedan, Kia, First Drive

Meet the Sonata 2.0T’s Evil Twin

2011 Kia Optima 2.0T

2011 Kia Optima 2.0T – Click above for high-res image gallery

By this point, you should know all about the excellent new turbocharged, direct-injection four-cylinder engine from Hyundai and, by extension, Kia. We’ve spent plenty of pixels gushing about the engine’s power and efficiency when lodged in the nose of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2.0T, and judging from our time behind the wheel of the 2011 Kia Optima 2.0T, the engine is no less at home lighting up the tires of the newest sedan from Kia. Buyers looking for a four-door with a little more edge than the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry or even the embiggened Sonata will be happy to see that the newest interpretation of the Optima wears some seriously aggressive sheetmetal outside to go with some of the best power and fuel-efficiency in the mid-sized sedan class.

Kia says that the Optima 2.0T was built to be the Sonata’s more menacing cousin, and in addition to the sedan’s brawny lines and 274-horsepower four-cylinder turbo, the company’s engineers folded in a firmer suspension and reworked power steering system for a more athletic driving experience. The changes may not be enough for us to call the 2011 Optima 2.0T a sport sedan, but they do serve to give the vehicle a significantly different flavor compared to the 2011 Sonata. We jumped into the driver’s seat of the 2011 Kia Optima 2.0T SX to find out just what those changes meant on the road.

Gallery: 2011 Kia Optima 2.0T: First Drive

2011 Kia Optima 2.0T

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First Drive: 2011 Kia Optima 2.0T originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Dec 2010 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Hyundai Elantra configurator hits the web

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Hyundai

Hyundai Elantra Configurator

2011 Hyundai Elantra configurator – Click above for high-res image gallery

Have you been itching to build your 2011 Hyundai Elantra? Scratch away, because the Elantra configurator is now up and running. We went through and built one ourselves… our fully-spec’d black-on-black 2011 Elantra Limited will only cost us $22,830, not too shabby since that includes the Premium Package, carpeted floor mats and an iPod cable.

After spending some time with the car, we opted for the surprisingly fun automatic transmission instead of the manual gearbox. We know that might be sacrilege to some, but the auto makes for a more enjoyable vehicle. How would you spec your new Hyundai Elantra? Sound off in the comments. Thanks for the heads up, Matchbox1966!

Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Elantra: First Drive

2011 Hyundai Elantra

2011 Hyundai Elantra configurator hits the web originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 18 Dec 2010 13:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid priced from $25,795*

Filed under: Car Buying, Hybrid, Sedan, Hyundai

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid – Click above for high-res image gallery

Hyundai has garnered quite a bit of praise with its all-new 2011 Sonata sedan, with its most recent accolade being named to the finalists of the North American Car of the Year. In addition to the naturally aspirated and turbocharged versions, the Korean automaker is offering up the eco-friendly Sonata Hybrid with tweaked styling and the ability to achieve up to 35/40 miles per gallon, city/highway. The first Sonata Hybrids will go on sale this January, and the automaker has just announced that the car will carry a base price of $25,795 (*not including $750 in destination charges).

In addition to the more efficient powertrain, the Sonata Hybrid comes standard with things like LED headlight accents, LED taillamps, fog lights, iPod/USB connectivity, Bluetooth and automatic headlamp control. Adding the $5,000 premium package adds things like a panoramic sunroof, 17-inch alloy wheels, satellite navigation, a rear backup camera, HD radio, leather seats and an Infinity premium sound system.

Compared to its American rival, the Ford Fusion Hybrid, the Sonata undercuts the Ford’s price by just over $3,000, though the Blue Oval’s claim to fame is its 41-mpg city fuel economy number. Still, we’re big fans of the Sonata Hybrid’s styling and refinement and we suspect it will make a big splash within the mid-size hybrid sedan segment. Follow the jump for Hyundai’s official release.

Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid: Second Drive

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid

[Source: Hyundai]

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2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid priced from $25,795* originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 Nissan Leaf: Pros and Cons of living with an electric car

Filed under: Hatchback, Nissan, Autoline on Autoblog, Electric

2011 Nissan Leaf

Test driving an electric car at an automaker’s media event is one thing. Taking one home and living with it is a completely different experience. Nissan just loaned me a Leaf for several days and I came away with a new appreciation for the potential pitfalls and rewards of owning an EV.

First off, I really liked the Leaf. It’s a nice, comfortable car with more than adequate power, it’s unbelievably quiet and offers a decent driving range. In fact, it’s been a long time since I was this excited to bring a test car home. But it wasn’t always a shiny, smiley, happy experience.

Let me state unequivocally: if you can only recharge from a 110-volt outlet, the Leaf is not for you. Not if you have a hefty commute and only own one car, that is.

John McElroy is host of the TV program “Autoline Detroit” and daily web video “Autoline Daily”. Every week he brings his unique insights as a Detroit insider to Autoblog readers.

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2011 Nissan Leaf: Pros and Cons of living with an electric car originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Jeep Compass

Filed under: Crossover, Jeep, First Drive, Off-Road

What A Difference A New Face Makes

2011 Jeep Compass

2011 Jeep Compass Limited – Click above for high-res image gallery

The needle is finally pointed in the right direction.

The original 2007 Jeep Compass was the first production Jeep that wasn’t. Beyond its “Jeep” badge and trademark seven-bar grille, the Compass was a compact crossover derived from the front-wheel-drive Dodge Caliber, a product that lacked the hardware and personality to provide the foundation for a genuine Jeep.

Hampered by ungainly styling, modest power and no transfer case, the Compass never achieved much success on trails or in showrooms. Compass sales always lagged behind the Caliber and its closer platform relative, the Jeep Patriot. In short, the Compass didn’t accomplish its mission of being an attractive entry-level Jeep for shoppers who aspired to own a Grand Cherokee but couldn’t afford a real Jeep.

Chrysler improved the Compass’s interior for 2009, but given the national economic climate and the company’s bankruptcy, it’s likely that even more substantial product changes wouldn’t have moved the sales needle. Things should be a bit different for the 2011 model year.

Gallery: 2011 Jeep Compass Limited: First Drive

2011 Jeep Compass Limited

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First Drive: 2011 Jeep Compass originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Dec 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Automobile Magazine names 2011 All-Stars

Filed under: Etc., BMW, Cadillac, Dodge, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Jaguar, Porsche, Volkswagen, Volvo

Automobile has compiled a list of the 2011 model year vehicles deserving of all-star recognition. To show off each choice, the buff book has enlisted illustrator Daniel Stolle to turn each vehicle into a child’s toy. The list of 2011 Automobile All-Stars features:

BMW 3 Series
Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon
Dodge Ram 1500
Ford Mustang
Honda Odyssey
Hyundai Sonata
Jaguar XJ
Porsche Boxster/Cayman
Volkswagen GTI
Volvo S60

It’s hard to argue with that rundown and you can head over to Automobile for more insight into how and why the pub’s editors picked this group to be honored.

Gallery: Automobile Magazine Names Its 2011 All-Stars

2011 Jaguar XJ 2011 BMW 3 Series 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon 2011 Ford Mustang 2011 Honda Odyssey

[Source: Automobile]

Automobile Magazine names 2011 All-Stars originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 17:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year finalists shortlisted

Filed under: Hybrid, Sedan, SUV, Crossover, Hatchback, Chevrolet, Dodge, Ford, Hyundai, Jeep, Nissan, Electric

2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year Finalists

2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year Finalists – Click above for high-res image gallery

Predictable, yet worthy. That’s how we’re feeling about this year’s crop of choices for the 2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year finalists. Without further ado, here they are (in alphabetical order, all 2011 models):

Car:

Chevrolet Volt
Hyundai Sonata
Nissan Leaf

Truck:

Dodge Durango
Ford Explorer
Jeep Grand Cherokee

See? Predictable, yet worthy. There was little doubt that the 2011 Chevy Volt and Nissan Leaf would make the list, and the Hyundai Sonata has done an admirable job of shaking up the established midsize sedan hierarchy. On the truck side of the equation, it’s none too surprising to see a trio of people-moving ‘utes, seeing as though the category has just be reinvigorated by a number of substantially reworked and worthy players. Click past the break for the official press release.

But, as usual, it’s your opinions we’re most interested in. While our completely unscientific polls will have absolutely no bearing whatsoever on the actual results of the official voting, we urge you to make your voice heard anyway. Now, get to voting!

View Poll

Gallery: 2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year Finalists

2011 Chevrolet Volt 2011 Hyundai Sonata 2011 Nissan Leaf 2011 Dodge Durango Citadel 2011 Ford Explorer

[Source: North American Car and Truck of the Year]

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2011 North American Car and Truck of the Year finalists shortlisted originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 13:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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First Drive: 2011 Nissan Quest

Filed under: Minivan/Van, Nissan, First Drive

Nissan Emerges From The Kitchen With Something New

2011 Nissan Quest

2011 Nissan Quest – Click above for high-res image gallery

You can get vanilla ice cream in an array of varieties. There’s New York Vanilla (the classic flavor), French Vanilla, Vanilla Bean, Homestyle Vanilla, Creamy Vanilla and Country Vanilla. Regardless of the subtle differences, each frozen delight is only a mild modification of the same mixture of milk, cream, sugar and vanilla beans. While generally bland and lackluster when compared to Rocky Road, Carmel Ribbon and Mint Chip, good old-fashioned vanilla ice cream enjoys an enormous following and offends few, making it the best-selling flavor in the freezer section. If you make ice cream and want to sell in volume, get on the horn to your friends in Madagascar.

Minivans are a lot like vanilla ice cream.

No matter how hard the automakers try to differentiate their product, all of today’s minivans are essentially mildly altered concoctions blending seven-passenger, front-engine, front-wheel drive, six-cylinder, highly-utilitarian ingredients. Yet, like vanilla ice cream, they are part of a segment that cannot be ignored, and they do surprisingly well at satisfying a broad degree of palates. In the case of nearly every automaker, if you’re building family vehicles, you offer a minivan.

Nissan has released its all-new 2011 Quest and it’s a minivan formulated with today’s all-too familiar ingredients, but unlike the rest of the vanilla troop, the Quest could leave a unique taste in your mouth. Has Nissan broken new ground with its new family transport, or are they just offering consumers the same dessert with just a different label? Read on for the answer.

Gallery: 2011 Nissan Quest: First Drive

2011 Nissan Quest

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First Drive: 2011 Nissan Quest originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 16 Dec 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Gemballa moves past founder’s murder with 2011 Porsche Cayenne Toronado

Filed under: Aftermarket, Performance, SUV, Porsche

2011 Gemballa Tornado

2011 Gemballa Tornado – Click above for high-res image gallery

Death is an ominous shadow to cast over a company. All the more so when the death in question was not, as the case were, from natural causes. But in the wake of Uwe Gemballa’s passing, the company that bears his name appears to be emerging from that shadow, creating the beast of a machine seen here.

So far all that’s been released about the new Gemballa Tornado are the images you see here and scarce few details. It’s based on the 2011 Porsche Cayenne, and as you can tell, replaces many of the body panels with carbon fiber. Uwe Gemballa’s successor, Andreas Schwarz, points out that unlike other aftermarket body kits, the composite panels on the Tornado replace the steel ones on the stock Cayenne instead of simply applying them on top. And an aggressive-looking job they’ve done of it, integrating gigantic air ducts, LED running lights, a significantly wider track and restyled taillights, all in a high-contrast treatment while shaving a good 150 pounds off the big sport ute’s curb weight.

Further details on the interior still under development and the engine – tipped to produce some 700 horsepower with a Stage 2 turbo kit – are expected to follow. As will pricing, which promises to be just as astronomical as that horsepower figure, with only 30 examples slated for production.

Gallery: 2011 Gemballa Tornado

[Source: Gemballa]

Gemballa moves past founder’s murder with 2011 Porsche Cayenne Toronado originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 16:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: 2011 Lexus CT 200h to start at $29,120*

Filed under: Hybrid, Hatchback, Lexus

2011 Lexus CT 200h driving

2011 Lexus CT 200h – Click above for high-res image gallery

If Lexus has any hope of meeting its goal of selling 1,000 CTs here in the U.S. each month, the little hybrid hatchback is going to need an attractive price point. Whether or not $29,120, the rumored base price of the 2011 CT 200h (*not including destination, taxes, etc.), will be enough to get foot traffic in Lexus dealerships remains to be seen.

According to the website The Lexus Enthusiast, this pricing data was mistakenly leaked a day ahead of its planned-for arrival by the official blog for Lexus of Reno, apparently since removed. If true, a tad over $31K out the door ought to nab you a nicely equipped CT with a moonroof and heated seats, and of course there are a slew of available options that include premium audio, navigation, leather seating surfaces and Lexus’ Pre-Collision technology.

For what it’s worth, assuming these prices are accurate, the 2011 CT 200h will be the least expensive new Lexus sold in America. The base price for the IS series and HS 250h hybrid sedan is several thousand dollars higher. And, perhaps more importantly, the CT looks to be priced about $2,000 less than the 2011 Audi A3 TDI.

Gallery: 2011 Lexus CT 200h: First Drive

[Source: The Lexus Enthusiast]

Report: 2011 Lexus CT 200h to start at $29,120* originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 14 Dec 2010 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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