Toyota Yaris 2011

The 2011 Toyota Yaris subcompact leverages light weight and modest power to achieve hybrid-like fuel economy. How does 29 mpg in the city and 35 on the highway sound? And that’s with automatic transmission and room for four adults. The 2011 Yaris is treated to some new colors and like all Toyotas – recalled or not – receives an electronic brake-override system. Prices for the 2011 Yaris start at a friendly $13,615. As the most desirable models tickle $16,000, however, you’ll need confidence in your priorities to resist the call of a larger car.

Should you buy a 2011 Toyota Yaris or wait for the 2012 Toyota Yaris?  If you’re on a strict budget and need a new small car today, the 2011 Yaris won’t disappoint. The 2012 Yaris isn’t apt to get any compelling new features, but if you can wait for it you’ll be better positioned to compare Toyota’s smallest car against some compelling new rivals. One is the Ford Fiesta, which actually debuted as a 2011 model. Fiesta is impressive but can get a little pricey, easily costing $2,000-$3,000 more than a roughly comparable Yaris. The real rival for your attention is certain to be the all-new 2012 Hyundai Accent. Accent is already the best-seller in the subcompact class and Hyundai hopes to pad to its lead with the redesigned 2012 version.

PRICES

Base prices for the 2011 Toyota Yaris increase an average of $250, reflecting a boost of about 2 percent over 2010 Yaris starting prices. Base price range for the 2011 Toyota Yaris is $13,615-$15,175 (Base prices in this review include the manufacturer’s mandated destination fee. Toyota’s fee for the 2011 Yaris is $760 for 2009, but Toyotas sold in some Southeastern and Gulf states are delivered by independent distributors and may carry different destination fees.)

Base price for the 2011 Toyota Yaris two-door hatchback is $13,615 with the five-speed manual transmission and $14,425 with the four-speed automatic. The 2011 Toyota Yaris four-door hatchback starts at $13,915 with manual transmission and at $14,715 with automatic.

Base price for the 2011 Toyota Yaris sedan is $14,375 with manual transmission and $15,175 with automatic.

Among key 2011 Toyota Yaris options, the Convenience Package adds $840-$960 depending on model and transmission and includes the audio system with satellite radio capability and the split/folding rear seatback; on the hatchback, the rear seatback reclines and the rear seat itself slides fore and aft several inches to prioritize e cargo or passenger space.   

The Power Package adds $1,525-$1,780 to a 2011 Yaris, depending on body style. It includes all the Convenience Package items, plus remote keyless entry, power mirrors and power door locks and windows with power driver’s-window auto down. Combined with alloy wheels the Power Package adds $1,915-$2,095, depending on body style.

The Sport Package option is priced at $2,665-$2,845, depending on body style, and includes the aforementioned special exterior and interior trim. Combined with alloy wheels the Sport Package costs $3,055-$3,235, depending on body style, and includes the USB iPod cable interface.

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All-New 2012 Kia Rio 5 Hatchback

Kia’s brand-new Rio small sedan was joined by the hatchback version of the sub compact model named Rio5 at this week’s New York Auto Show. Unlike the four-sedan that received its world premiere in the Big Apple, we got our first taste of the Rio5 at the Geneva Salon in March. The only visible styling changes over the European model, concern the colored turn signals up front and the market-specific trim options inside.
The 2012 Rio5 is available with a 1.6-liter GDI four-cylinder engine with the option of either a six-speed manual transmission or six-speed automatic. The direct-injection four-pot delivers 138 horsepower, and thanks to the addition of Kia’s ISG start-stop technology, it returns 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway.
Kia’s newcomer will be offered with a choice of three trim levels, LX, EX and SX. The base LX includes 15-inch steel wheels with 185/65R15 tires, driver's seat height adjuster, Electronic Stability Control (ESC), a four-wheel Anti-lock Brake System (ABS), Hill-start Assist Control (HAC) and Vehicle Stability Management (VSM), which coordinates the car's ESC and ABS.
Moving up to the EX gets you standard power windows with automatic up/down on the driver's window, Bluetooth wireless technology connectivity with steering wheel-mounted voice activation controls, 60/40 split folding rear seats and leatherette door trim and power door locks with keyless entry.
Finally, the range topping SX trim adds 17-inch wheels with 205/45R17 tires, fog lamps, LED daytime running and rear combinations lamps, dual chrome tip exhaust, outside heated mirrors with turn signal indicators, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, maplight with sunglasses holder, illuminated vanity mirrors, trip computer, cruise control, UVO powered by Microsoft in-car hands-free communication and entertainment system with rear camera display, and chrome-coated accents throughout.
Pricing and availability in the States will be announced at a later date.

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Volvo S60 and XC60 R-Design 2012

At the 2011 New York Auto Show, Volvo announced that the 2012 S60 R-Design sedan and XC60 R-Design crossover will receive significant horsepower and torque increases when they go on sale in the U.S. late this summer.

Both the S60 and XC60 R-Design models are powered by Volvo's most potent six-cylinder unit, the turbocharged T6 engine. Thanks to a series of upgrades, the T6 in the 2012MYs produces 325 horsepower and 354 lb-ft (480 Nm) of torque, an increase of 21 horses and 29 lb-ft (39 Nm) of torque compared to 2011 R-Design models. Maximum torque is now achieved from 3,000 rpm and remains available throughout the rev range.

Power is transmitted to all four wheels via Volvo's second-generation six-speed automatic Geartronic transmission with sport mode with new valves and lower friction for faster gear changes.

The S60 and XC60 R-Design models are offered as standard with Volvo's Instant Traction and Corner Traction Control system with torque vectoring.

"The jump in performance will re-define these two R-Design models. Along with styling and suspension features that set them apart from other versions, our two newest R-Design models will have a higher 'fun-to-drive' quotient. I see that as a positive thing, and so will car buyers," said Doug Speck, president and CEO of Volvo Cars of North America.

Visually, S60 and XC60 R-Design models remain unchanged from the 2011 model year. The 2012 S60 R-Design is priced in the United States at $42,275 (€29,050), while the XC60 R-Design starts from $43,150 (€29,650).

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Saab 9-5 SportCombi

Saab 9-5 SportCombi has presented at auto show in Geneva. If at first glance this car design similar to a jet fighter. A pillar can be seen from the unseen because the glass front and a black front row seemed to cover the pillar. Rear glass and rear glass lines were also seen together like a windshield. This design is similar to the design of jet fighters.

Saab wanted to pass on a jet fighter designs ever developed on this car. Design Director Jason Castriota Under the new Saab 9-5 SportCombi get these gifts.

Machines used in the car was probably the same power as in the sedan model. The machine is a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder powered 162 kW (220 PS / 217 hp), engine turbocharger 2.8-liter V6 221 kW (300 PS / 296 hp) and diesel 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 118 kW (160 PS / 158 hp).

Transmission options exist XWD all-wheel drive system, adaptive chassis control, and head-up display. This car will be launched in the fall in the U.S..

Jaguar XF 2012

The new model year brings a refresh for Jaguar’s XF and XFR sedans, which were both revealed in a world premiere today at the New York Auto Show. The British firm’s BMW 5-Series rival receives restyled front and rear bodywork, along with some subtle changes inside and for certain markets including Europe, the introduction of a new four-cylinder turbo diesel engine.
On the outside, Jaguar tried to bring the XF into line with the new XJ, though some may also see common themes with the original C-XF Concept, especially up front with the new and sleeker headlamp designs that incorporate LED daytime running lights arranged in a distinctive Jaguar ‘J-Blade’ signature.
The 2012 XF benefits from revisions to the grille, hood, and front fenders, which incorporate new triangular side vents, while Jaguar also added larger tail lamps with full-LEDs for stop, tail light and turn signal functions. In addition, the trunk lid trim has been redesigned. The XFR’s newly styled bumpers and alloy wheels complete the exterior makeover.
Inside, the changes are more subtle with the XF gaining a new steering wheel, revised seats, a modified instrument panel and optional 1200W Bowers & Wilkins premium sound system.
In North America, the 2012 XF continues with the existing engine lineup that includes a 385HP 5.0-liter naturally-aspirated V8, a 470HP 5.0-liter supercharged V8 and a 5.0-liter supercharged V8 with 510HP in the XFR.
In Europe and other markets, however, Jaguar is introducing the 2.2-liter four-cylinder AJ-i4D turbo diesel, which is a development of the Ford unit found in the Land Rover Freelander. The oil burner puts out 190HP and 450Nm of peak torque, and is linked to a new 8-speed automatic transmission.
Jaguar says that with this engine, the XF reached 60mph (96 km/h) in 8.0 seconds en route to a top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h), while returning a 52.3mpg UK (equal to 43.6 mpg US or 5.4 lt/100 km) on the EU combined cycle, making it the most economical Jaguar ever. According to the automaker, it emits 149g/km of CO2 and is Euro Stage V compliant.

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