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Nov 27 2011

From Toyota FT-86 Concept to GT 86 car revealed

It’s no secret that the Toyota FT-86 will finally make its production-spec debut next week at the Tokyo Motor Show, and ahead of that, the automaker’s UK office has released the first official photos and some initial specs. In Europe, the car will officially be called the Toyota GT 86. In Japan, however, the car will simply be called 86.

Cutting right to the chase, here are the specs that are now official, from the Toyota UK announcement. Obviously, there’s more to come:

2.0-liter boxer with D4-S injection (direct and port injected)
197 hp @ 7,000 rpm and 151 lb-ft (205 Nm) @6,600 rpm
6-speed manual or automatic transmissions
17-inch wheel/tire package standard
4,240mm (167 in.) long, 1285mm (50.6 in.) high, 2,570mm (101 in.) wide
53:47 front-to-rear weight distribution
475mm (18.7 in.) center of gravity

Source: Toyota

Nov 23 2011

2012 BMW 3 Series priced from $35,795*

2012 BMW 3 Series priced from $35,795*
BMW of North America has placed the base MSRP for the four-cylinder 328i at $35,795, and the six-cylinder 335i at $43,295 – inclusive of destination charges(*). While these prices represent a $320 and $370 respective increase over the models they replace, BMW is adamant that the jump is worth it.

Not only has the 3 Series sedan been substantially redesigned, it also packs a higher level of equipment. That includes cabin gadgets like a 6.5-inch dashboard display screen for the iDrive system, as well as Bluetooth, USB and iPod connectivity, but also the latest enviro-tech like regenerative braking and stop/start engine management.

Source: BMW

Nov 23 2011

Review 2013 Lexus GS 350

Review 2013 Lexus GS 350
If the Lexus GS doesn’t look like the sort of car that slows down to let you merge, that’s because the self-important drivers of the competition’s products probably wouldn’t either. While the Lexus folks might blush at putting such a fine point on it, they describe their prototypical customer as someone who wants it all, without compromises. In other words, not the sort of guy you’d want to work for, but exactly the kind you might choose to perform surgery – or represent you in court if you want to sue the doctor afterwards.

Certainly, Lexus has loaded up the GS with a whole bag of new tricks, but its core is largely carryover. The optional V8 engine is gone – nobody bought them, apparently. So the 3.5-liter V6 remains, improved to make it a bit more powerful. It’s now rated at 306 horsepower and 277 lb-ft of torque, an increase of just three horses and three lb-ft. However, Lexus estimates a fuel economy improvement of two miles per gallon on the highway and one combined when compared to the 2011 GS. The new car’s 0-60 mile-per-hour time remains at 5.7 seconds. The 2013 GS uses the same six-speed, sequential-shift automatic, but with paddle shifters in addition to a standard shift lever. Shifting with the paddles is fast and satisfying, and we like that they are small and well positioned unobtrusively behind the wheel.

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