2013 Ford Focus Short Review

Debuting more than a decade ago, the original Ford Focus Back with its new performance, value and versatility. It really was a keen choice for a small car. But as the years went on, the Focus became less desirable as newer and more refined small cars were introduced. Thankfully,Ford completely revamped the Focus last year, bringing about a much-improved interior, higher fuel economy and new cool features. As such, the 2013 Ford Focus stands as one of the best small cars you can buy.

All the boxes are checked here, as the Focus offers eye-catching styling, sedan or hatchback body styles, a comfortable and well-trimmed cabin, refined performance, high fuel economy and a wealth of available convenience features. Add in a wide range of trim levels that include all-electric and high-performance variants and it's easy to see why this is one of our favorite small cars.

Competitor 

The New Ford Focus 2013 has some serious competition in  a crowded class that includes the Chevrolet Cruze, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Mazda3, Subaru Impreza and Toyota Corolla. Yet even in this solid grouping, the Ford Focus impresses by being a sophisticated, highly refined and fun-to-drive small car that earns one of the highest compliments we can pay a car --it looks and feels as if it should be priced higher.

Vehicle Overview

Until last year the compact Ford Focus had been sold in the U.S. since 2000 with no significant redesigns, but then it was fully re-engineered and redesigned and now shares its foundation, not just its name, with Focus models sold overseas. With this change comes a substantial quality improvement.

What New for 2013?

A manual transmission is newly available for the Focus' top-of-the-line Titanium trim level and the high-performance turbocharged Focus ST hatchback joins the lineup.
Exterior
The Focus is an exceptionally stylish vehicle in this historically conservative class. It offers body-colored door handles and side mirrors with integrated turn signals. 

Best exterior features include:

• Standard 15-inch steel rims
• Optional 17- and 18-inch wheels
• Optional rear spoiler
• Optional moonroof

Interior

A one-piece folding bench backseat is standard, and a 60/40-split version is optional. The sedan's trunk measures 13.2 cubic feet. The hatchback offers 23.8 cubic feet behind the backseat and a total of 44.8 cubic feet when the rear seats are folded flat. 

Best interior features include:

• Optional remote start
• Optional backup camera
• Optional MyFord Touch and Sync multimedia system
• Optional park assist

Under the Hood

The Focus is powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that teams with a five-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic, which uses a fast-acting dual-clutch design. (It has no clutch pedal and operates as an automatic from the driver's perspective.) The Focus is rated as high as 38 mpg on the highway with the automatic and 36 mpg with the manual. The Titanium's optional 18-inchers come with a firmer, sportier suspension. 
Best mechanical features include:

• 2.0-liter four-cylinder makes 160 horsepower
• Engine runs on regular gas
• Front-wheel drive

Safety

The Focus marks the debut of new airbag technology that Ford says will better protect against chest and rib injuries. Both the shape and a new variable venting feature attempt to tailor airbag deployment to suit the occupant's position. 

Best additional safety features include:

• Front-seat side-impact airbags
• Side curtain airbags
• Antilock brakes
• Electronic stability system
• Traction control

Colors :

Available Exterior Colors

	White Platinum Metallic Tri-Coat
	Tuxedo Black
	Sterling Gray Metallic
	Ruby Red Metallic Tinted Clearcoat
	Race Red
	Performance Blue Metallic
	Oxford White
	Ingot Silver Metallic
	Blue Candy Metallic

Available Interior Colors

	Medium Light Stone
	Charcoal Black
	Arctic White

2013 Ford Focus ST

Yellow

Photos

Read more »

2013 Subaru Impreza WRX Short Review

In all honesty, Cars Viewers were hoping to be introducing an all-new 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STI in this space. By all accounts, the new sport-tuned models would have been based on the redesigned Impreza that debuted last year. We were hoping that the improvements in fuel efficiency and interior quality would have carried over to the WRX, but alas, we must wait yet for it.

To the Subaru's credit, the WRX and STI still offer thrilling performance, even as they start their ride off into the night. The Impreza WRX generates 265 horsepower and features a well-tuned and balanced chassis that allows for hard cornering on a track or on winding canyon roads. Then there's the added benefit of all-wheel drive to help improve traction in inclement weather or while powering quickly out of tight corners. The WRX STI further enhances performance with a more powerful turbo that kicks output up to 305 hp, plus limited-slip differentials both front and rear to get that power to the pavement.

Outside of performance, however, the 2013 Subaru Impreza WRX and WRX STI come up short of the competition. A certain lack of refinement is most noticeable within the interior, where hard plastics abound and the fit and finish seems unimpressive. The navigation and audio systems are also a sore spot, as they suffer from indifferent performance and frustrating controls.

Vehicle OverviewWhile the compact Impreza was completely redesigned for 2012, the high-performance WRX and WRX STI variants remain unchanged. The five-seat WRX is more powerful than the regular Impreza but not as unfettered as the WRX STI.

What New for 2013?

There are no changes for 2013.

Exterior

The WRX has aggressive exterior styling with wider fenders, squared-off bumpers, a black grille and a functional hood scoop used to funnel air into the turbocharged engine's intercooler. The sedan's taillights are red, whereas the hatch has clear lenses. 

Best exterior features include:
Standard 17-inch wheels that are 8-inches wide for better grip Standard rear roof spoiler (hatchback) Available heated side mirrors and a windshield wiper de-icer Available power moonroof

Interior

The WRX's interior features sport seats with black cloth upholstery and red accent stitching. The pedals and foot rest have aluminum covers. 

Best interior features include:
Standard 60/40-split folding rear seat Standard tilt/telescoping steering wheel Standard automatic air conditioning Standard USB port and MP3 jack


Under the Hood

The WRX is powered by a turbocharged 2.5-liter four-cylinder. 

Best mechanical features include:
265 horsepower and 244 pounds-feet of torque Five-speed manual transmission Engine uses premium gas

Safety

Best safety features include:
Front-seat side-impact airbags Side curtains airbags that protect front and backseat occupants against head injury Antilock brakes Electronic stability system

WRX STIThe STI version of the WRX comes in sedan or hatchback form. Its suspension is tuned with higher spring rates and thicker stabilizer bars and remains a step firmer and more performance oriented than the regular WRX.

Available Exterior Colors

	WR Blue Pearl
	Satin White Pearl
	Plasma Blue Pearl
	Ice Silver Metallic
	Dark Gray Metallic
	Crystal Black Silica

Available Interior Colors

Carbon Black

Photos :

Read more »

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Short Review

What about Sesto Elemento? Let's have a look at the exterior first. Despite the mid-engine layout, this concept seems compact, with a short rear overhang. Wedgy shapes are typical for Lamborghini, but this car is even more extreme than the super-angular Reventón, the ultra-low-volume Murciélago spinoff from a few years ago. A plethora of spoilers, air vents, and triangular elements protrude from or perforate its body. There is a racing-type quick-refueling system. The rear end is open, to give spectators a clear view of the transmission and the exhaust system, the latter of which, remarkably, exits through the engine cover above the taillights.

The front end and roof are marked by sharp, seemingly folded creases, and the rear part of the roof is graced by two intake ducts and two parallel lines of five holes arranged above the cylinder banks. Below the ten openings sits, obviously, a V-10. The hexagonal shape of these elements is a nod to an obsession of former Bertone designer Marcello Gandini, who penned the Miura and Countach.

Limited Edition 

Lamborghini announced plans to make 20 Sesto Elementos for track use only in mid-2013. They have been sold out

Exterior

The main component of the new Sesto Elemento is carbon fiber and more specifically carbon fiber reinforced plastics (CFRP). Lamborghini has been able to successfully develop a process that takes the material from 3D design through simulation, validation, testing, into production. Its collaboration with the Boeing company is perhaps one of the most important to the development of this vehicle. The two companies have been able to develop the CFRP design much further than ever before thanks to their ACRC (Advanced Composite Research Center). Two of the most unique parts designed for the exterior are the wheels made entirely out of carbon fiber and the exhaust system which is made out of a material called Pyrosic. This is a glass ceramic composite and can withstand high heat.

Interior

Lamborghini has been able to take a standard car interior and completely turn it on its head. The design of the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento circles around function rather than form and the first defines the latter. The interior is exclusively shaped by the carbon fiber monocoque tub which provides a minimalist yet purely Lamborghini feeling. The most unique feature is the fact that the Sesto Elemento does not have seats. Quite literally the cushioning is fixed to the carbon fiber tub giving the driver an unparalled sense of road feel. In order to adapt drivers of differing stature the steering wheel is completely adjustable for height and reach. Furthermore, the pedals can be adjusted longitudinally.

As for the use of leather, wood grain, or other typical luxury material, they are non-existent. This car gives the feel of a race car once inside. The CFRP material is exposed everywhere and even major components of the engine management system are visible. Controls are just as simple and include a starter button, reverse gear button, and a final switch for the lights. The weight reduction inside and out has led to a major savings when compared to other lightweight Lamborghini models.

Performance
With the Elemento having an overall curb weight of just 2,202 lbs and a massive V10 power unit feeding a permanent all-wheel drive system, this car is sure to impress on the track. Output is 570hp giving the lightweight bull a power to weight ratio of 1.75 kilograms per horsepower. What that statistic really comes down to is the car being able to accelerate from a standstill through 60mph in 2.5 seconds.

The V10 offers 5,204 cm3 of displacement, delivering a specific output of 80.5 kW (109.6 hp) per liter of displacement. The engine utilizes an aluminum crankcase including dry sump lubrication and a cylinder angle of 90 degrees. Both solutions are an integral part of the lightweight engineering approach, as well as serving to lower the center of gravity and thus tighten the handling characteristics. 

Colors 

Interior Color : Gray
Exterior Color : Black

Photos

Read more »

Lamborghini Aventador J Short Review

A racing-inspired version of Lamborghini's Aventador supercar was unveiled in Geneva, Not quite a concept and not a typical production vehicle, the Aventador J is a one-of-a-kind convertible, and Lamborghini will build and sell only one unit.

The J in the name is borrowed from the FIA world motorsport organization's Appendix J, which defines the technical specifications of racecars in each class, according to Lamborghini.

This "street-legal work of art," as Lamborghini calls it, is based on the Aventador LP 700-4 coupe. It shares its platform and powertrain with it: a 700-horsepower, 6.5-liter 12-cylinder engine with a top speed of nearly 200 mph.

The Aventador J's doors open upward. It rides on five-spoke aluminum wheels, with 20-inch rims at the front and 21-inchers at the rear. Its body is made largely of carbon fiber-reinforced polymers, with lots of carbon fiber trim inside and out, including seats with inserts made with a Lamborghini-patented blend of flexible carbon fiber fabric. Lamborghini calls it Carbonskin and says it’s "made of woven carbon fibers soaked with a very special epoxy resin that stabilizes the fiber structure and keeps the material soft." Carbonskin lines the cockpit as well.

Aside from the windshield and roof, the car is also missing interior components like air conditioning, radio and the navigation system. According to Lamborghini, "these would simply detract from its one and only raison d’être as an extreme driving experience." The lack of equipment keeps the Aventador J to a light 3,472 pounds.

DIMENSIONS
The Aventador J has length, width and height as 4890mm, 2030mm and 1110mm respectively. Being a sports car it had to be low in height that is 43.7 inches only.

TRANSMISSION
It has a 7 speed semi-automatic gear box. Obviously it is a four wheel drive.

POWER AND TORQUE OF ENGINE
The Aventador J produces a power of 515KW @8250rpm. The torque delivered by its monstrous V12 engine having capacity of 6.498 liters is 690Nm @5500rpm.

WEIGHT
The weight of Aventador J is just 235 kg making it perfect for racing. The top notch technology and the use of carbon fiber fabric called the “Carbonskin” make it incredibly light weight.

WHEELS
The wheels of Aventador J are exclusively designed. It has a 20 inches rims at the front and 21 inches at the rear. The use of carbon fiber technology in the wheels makes the braking at optimum level.

Why I fall in love with this Lamborghini Aventador JOTA?
The Lamborghini is performance personified. Every inch of the car says out loud that “I am the best”. Here I list top 5 reasons which will make you go GAA-GAA over it. But yeah, Please don’t think about Lady Gaga or you will spoil your mood.

Photos :

Read more »

2013 BMW 128 Short Review

Not even BMW has been immune from the automotive industry's current trend of each model-year's successor creeping, growing and inflating nearly to the size of the next-larger class. That's why the 2013 BMW 1 Series is such a gem; at about the size of the original 3 Series, the coupe or convertible 1 Series just might be the last BMW that still upholds the nimble characteristics that once defined the entire BMW brand.

Under the hood there is more proof that the 1 Series is a genuine BMW. With the same superb set of inline-6 engines as the BMW 3 Series, the thrills are there for the taking. Transmission choices are also first-rate, with a choice of a six-speed manual, six-speed automatic or a sophisticated seven-speed dual-clutch automated manual.

While Americans are still getting used to the idea of premium-branded compact cars, there's growing support for buying small, but buying well. The 2013 BMW 1 Series might seem expensive when compared to a Hyundai Genesis Coupe or 2013 Nissan 370Z, especially if you tick each of the option packages. But if you think of the 1 Series as the only rear-wheel-drive compact from Europe, then it begins to look rather exceptional.

Still, you owe it to yourself to cross-shop a few other coupe/convertible models before making such a big decision. Consider an all-wheel-drive Audi TT, a front-drive Mini Cooper, and even flex a little American muscle with a Chevy Camaro, Dodge Challenger or Ford Mustang. Compared to any of the above, we think you'll sense the extraordinary quality and dynamism of the 1 Series.

Vehicle Overview :

BMW's compact rear-wheel-drive 128i is currently the least-expensive entry point to BMW's entire lineup. Available as a coupe or convertible, the compact 1 Series occupies a space with few competitors. The Nissan 370Z, Infiniti G37 coupe and top-end versions of Detroit's muscle cars come closest to filling out the competitive slate.

What new for 2013?

There are no significant changes.

Exterior :

On the 128i, an optional M Sport Package adds dark window frames and a more aggressive front bumper with three large air inlets. Rather than the 3 Series convertible's folding metal hardtop, the 128i convertible has a fabric soft-top that can open or close in 22 seconds, BMW says. It operates at speeds up to 25 mph.

The 1 Series remains a small car overall, about 2 inches shorter and narrower than a Scion tC. The BMW 3 Series coupe is about 10 inches longer. 

Best exterior features include:

• 17-inch wheels standard
• Rain-sensing windshield wipers
• Fog lamps
• Chrome exhaust tips
• Available power tilt/sliding moonroof 
• Optional xenon headlamps and automatic high beams

Interior :

The 128i's interior design is fairly traditional, with more upright shapes than sweeping contours. Dual-zone climate controls sit below the center air vents and optional navigation system, with BMW's iDrive knob controller ahead of the center console. The system can read text messages aloud or stream songs off a paired smartphone.

The available M Sport Package adds unique headliner materials, an M-branded steering wheel and shifter, and sport seats with more aggressive side bolstering. 

Best interior features include:

• 60/40 split folding seat (coupe models)
• Standard vinyl seats, leather optional
• Optional power seats
• Available rear parking sensors
• Optional navigation
• Optional heated seats and steering wheel

Under the Hood :

BMW's inline-six-cylinder engine makes 230 horsepower and 200 pounds-feet of torque in the 128i. It works through a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic with optional steering wheel paddle shifters . The automaker says a stick-shift 128i coupe can hit 60 mph in 6.1 seconds, with the automatic making the sprint in 6.7 seconds. The M Sport Package adds a sport-tuned suspension.

If that isn't enough, consider stepping up to the 300-hp, turbocharged 135i, which is covered separately in the Cars.com Research section. It trims the zero-to-60 mph sprint down to about 5 seconds, BMW says.

Safety :

Active head restraints, two-row side curtain airbags, front airbags and side-impact airbags for the front seats are all standard. So is an electronic stability system, antilock brakes and traction control. Like most convertibles, the 128i convertible does not have the curtain airbags; it does have pop-up roll bars behind the rear seats that deploy in the event of a rollover.

Colors :

Available Exterior Colors

	Vermilion Red Metallic
	Titanium Silver Metallic
	Space Gray Metallic
	Mineral Gray Metallic
	LeMans Blue Metallic
	Jet Black
	Deep Sea Blue Metallic
	Cashmere Silver Metallic
	Carbon Black Metallic
	Blue Water Metallic
	Black Sapphire Metallic
	Alpine White

Available Interior Colors

	Terracotta
	Taupe
	Savanna Beige
	Oyster
	Gray
	Coral Red
	Black

Photos :

Read more »

2013 Mazda 3 Short Review

The horsepower wars that besiege luxury and sports cars, and even full-size family sedans, largely bypass the compact-car class. Whether due to cost or design, power yields to efficiency in this class. Yet the 2013 Mazda 3 is among the few that deftly combines both of them.

Introduced last year, Mazda's new direct-injected 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine (dubbed Skyactiv-G) returns as the star of the Mazda 3's power. Joined to a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, this engine helps the Mazda 3 achieve 40 mpg on the highway without resorting to tricks like special aerodynamics or automatic transmission shift programming that settles into the highest gear before you've left the driveway.
Nor has the increased efficiency compromised horsepower. The Skyactiv engine slots between the 3's base 2.0-liter and top-end 2.5-liter engines, and its acceleration times are quite competitive for the class. Only the 2013 Ford Focus offers a better combination of power and fuel economy, but it only achieves 40 mpg highway with its add-on Super Fuel Economy package.

The Skyactiv engine complements the 3's other strengths, including sharp handling, a stylish interior and the available hatchback body style. But with increased competition, the 3 isn't the automatic pick it once was. The Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus and 2013 Hyundai Elantra are all excellent choices for a small sedan or hatch. But for competitive fuel economy integrated with energetic driving character, the 2013 Mazda 3 is still hard to beat.

Vehicle Overview :

The compact five-seat Mazda3 is available as a sedan or four-door hatchback and is available with Mazda's high-efficiency technologies marketed under the SkyActiv name, including an optional engine rated at up to 40 mpg on the highway. It competes with the Honda Civic, Toyota Corolla and Volkswagen Golf and Jetta, to name a few.

What new for 2013 ?

Air conditioning is newly standard, and the SkyActiv 2.0-liter four-cylinder now comes on the i Sport sedan in addition to the i Touring and i Grand Touring.
The i Sport, i Touring and i Grand Touring add a USB port and a driver information system.

Exterior :

The front bumper was smoothed last year, and although the smiling grille's detailing changed, its size remains the same. Most of the changes to the exterior and underbody were made to improve aerodynamics by 7 percent for both body styles.
When equipped with the optional SkyActiv engine, the Mazda3 has a blue ring around each projector-beam headlight lens, extra badging and a blue engine cover under the hood. 

Best exterior features include:

• 16-inch steel wheels 16- or 17-inch alloy wheels available
• Available fog lights
• Available side mirrors with integrated turn signals
• Available bi-xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights
• Available rear spoiler
• Available power moonroof

Interior :

Interior changes for 2012 included silver trim on the finer touch points, such as knobs and vent pulls. The gauge markings are backlit, day or night. The dashboard LCDs are white, though the performance-oriented Mazdaspeed3 version features red gauge backlighting. The fabric seat upholstery on lower and higher trim levels has different patterns. 

Best interior features include:

• Standard air conditioning
• Available navigation system with a 5.8-inch touch-screen 
• Available push-button start

Under the Hood :

With the addition of SkyActiv, the Mazda3 now offers three engines. 

Best mechanical features include:

• Base engine is a 2.0-liter four-cylinder that produces 148 horsepower and teams with a five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission
• SkyActiv 2.0-liter direct-injection four-cylinder produces 155 hp and teams with a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic
• 2.5-liter four-cylinder makes 167 hp and works with a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic 
• Engines use regular gas

Safety :

Best safety features include:

• Antilock brakes
• Electronic stability system with traction control
• Front-seat side-impact airbags
• Side curtain airbags
• Available blind spot warning system
• Available adaptive headlights

Colors :

Available Exterior Colors

	Velocity Red Mica
	Liquid Silver Metallic
	Indigo Lights Mica
	Graphite Mica
	Dolphin Gray Mica
	Crystal White Pearl Mica
	Black Mica

Available Interior Colors

	Dune
	Black

Photos : 

Read more »