2009 FORD FLEX LIMITED AWD Test Drive
September 2, 2008 by Malcolm
Filed under Automotive, Ford, Magazine Articles, Test Drives
ALL NEW 2009 FORD FLEX LIMITED AWD – ‘FLEXIBILITY IS THE KEY TO SUCCESS’
The all-new 2009 Ford Flex is a vehicle that dares to be different. Its contemporary design provokes strong opinions, mostly positive, from the people I met during my seven-day test drive. The Ford Flex is like no other vehicle on the road, and that may mean it is not for everyone. Ford new this going in but the Flex combines the best of every four-door vehicle for styling, interior comfort, spaciousness and high-tech conveniences.
All of the seatbacks, except the driver’s, fold flat to open up the interior for all cargo loading situations, and to easily seat up to seven passengers. With a powerful V6 engine mated to a smooth shifting 6-speed automatic transmission and a fully independent suspension, the Flex drives and rides like an entry-level luxury sedan.
From its planted stance and broad shoulders-flanked by signature side grooves-to its
All- black greenhouse, and distinctive multi-panel Vista Roof, Ford designers have crated a provocative vehicle. In a world of automobiles that are easily categorized, Flex is difficult to define, and in some instances, polarizing. Flex’s prominent stance is a key design element setting it apart from all other vehicles. Just park the Flex next to a SUV or Crossover. The proportions are immediately surprising.
2008 ROLLS-ROYCE MOTOR CARS PHANTOM DROPHEAD COUPE CONVERTIBLE Test Drive
August 27, 2008 by Malcolm
Filed under Automotive, Magazine Articles, Rolls-Royce, Test Drives
‘THE ULTIMATE OPEN TOP DRIVING EXPERIENCE’
It’s great to see that Roll-Royce is building the ultimate in luxury, along with superb driving dynamics. The all-new 2008 R-R Phantom Drophead Coupe Convertible is a ‘driver’s car’ that you will appreciate more each and everyday you slide behind the wheel. The larger and heavier Rolls-Royce Phantom Sedan is usually found with a hired chauffer at the wheel.
Launched at the Detroit Auto Show in 2006, the Phantom Drophead Coupe Convertible is the second new model from Rolls-Royce since BMW Group took ownership of the marquee in 1998. It is a perfect marriage of BMW power and performance with R-R signature design and interior craftsmanship and luxury.
2009 FORD MUSTANG GT COUPE Test Drive
August 21, 2008 by Malcolm
Filed under Automotive, Ford, Magazine Articles, Test Drives
2009 Ford Mustang GT Coupe – “America’s Favorite Pony Car”
The Ford Mustang coupe continues as America’s favorite Pony car and celebrates 45-years in production. The latest GT performance coupe is fun and thrilling to drive, comes well equipped and is priced right at just $27,020.00. It is the ‘biggest bang for the buck’.
The Mustang GT is sporty and spry from any angle: a menacing shark-like nose with trapezoidal jeweled headlamps behind clear lens imparts an attitude not seen since the ’67 model, the signature aluminum power-dome hood and short rear deck, dual exhaust tips, swept-back A-pillars, side C-scoops, flared fenders, lower rocker panels, while short overhangs and 18X8in. wheels, anchor the design to the ground and give it visual motion. The rear spoiler helps increase downforce at high speeds.
2009 SATURN AURA XR 4cyl Test Drive
August 13, 2008 by Malcolm
Filed under Automotive, Magazine Articles, Saturn, Test Drives
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2009 SATURN AURA XR I-4 ‘NO COMPROMISES’
Wait, you don’t have to compromise and purchase a sub-compact car to achieve more than 30mpg. You don’t have to squeeze into your new ride to squeeze out the most mpg.
The new, 2009 Saturn Aura XR mid-size sport sedan gives excellent mpg and more.
With the 2.4 liter Ecotec inline four-cylinder engine mated to a new six-speed automatic transmission, you can expect to get EPA mileage rated specs of 22mpg/city, and 33mpg/highway, the best of any mid-size sedan.
2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTSWAGON S Test Drive
August 5, 2008 by Malcolm
Filed under Automotive, Magazine Articles, Test Drives, Volkswagen
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2009 VOLKSWAGEN JETTA SPORTSWAGON S Test Drive – ‘A GREAT SPORT UTILITY ALTERNATIVE’
The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta Sportswagon S is one of the best small, sporty wagons with an emphasis on flexibility and versatility. It is also an easy car to drive and returns a good MPG rating of 21mpg/city and 29mpg/highway. It is also the lowest priced, $18,999.00, European-made sport wagon, and is perfect for active singles and young, growing families.
2008 VOLKSWAGON PASSAT VR6 4MOTION Test Drive
July 31, 2008 by Malcolm
Filed under Automotive, Magazine Articles, Test Drives, Volkswagen
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With its new ‘candy white’ custom paint, VW’s ultimate sedan is looking more sleek and stylish than ever. The Passat VR6 4Motion is the most accessible German-made near-luxury sedan on the market. It features segment-leading room, comfort, sophisticated technology, and yes, great performance on the pavement.
The styling is clean and smooth with a deep, black aero kit running from front to rear that lowers the appearance and stance of the car. Up front is the VW signature chrome grille with three black intakes at the flanks with integrated fog lamps. The lamp clusters are cut into the top of the fascia and feature adaptive Bi-Xenon head lamps with projector beam turning lamps and Daytime Running Lamps. The silhouette shows the swept-back windshield pillars, aero-styled remote/heated side mirrors, pull-out door handles, a wide chrome strip running around the greenhouse, thick B-pillar, and a ‘sling-shot’ rear side glass treatment. The roof quickly falls to the top of the short trunk lid with a lip spoiler at the edge. The rear fascia features wrap-around lamps clusters, a chrome strip that starts behind the front fenders, and two, round exhaust tips.
2008 DODGE CHALLENGER SRT8 Test Drive – “A CLASSIC REBORN”
July 22, 2008 by Malcolm
Filed under Automotive, Dodge, Magazine Articles, Test Drives
After 35 years the Dodge Challenger two-door performance coupe is back and better than ever. The original Challenger premiered in 1970 and ran through model year 1974. It was the last of the Big Three to offer a pony car to the consumer, and to compete against the Ford Mustang and Chevy Camaro in TransAm racing.
The all-new, five-passenger Challenger captures the emotion of the original two-door, rear-wheel-drive Challenger, but with an updated twist. The exterior design combines Challenger’s heritage of bold, expressive, modern Dodge style, while the race-inspired interior is reminiscent of the original Challenger with all the modern amenities and technology that we expect today.
The all-new Challenger SRT8 offers exterior styling cues that are signature Dodge. Exterior proportions evoke a bold, instantly recognizable vehicle that has a wide, stable stance on the road. A full-width grille and fog lamps reminiscent of the original Challenger are married to the modern ‘Dodge’ attitude. The result is an aggressive face that is unmistakably a muscle car. The hood, with a raised center, carbon fiber-like stripes and functional dual scoops, stays true to the Challenger heritage, as does the A-line and beltline.
2008 PORSCHE CAYENNE GTS SPORT UTILITY Test Drive
July 18, 2008 by Malcolm
Filed under Automotive, Magazine Articles, Porsche, SUV, Test Drives
I don’t know why versatile, flexible, four-door vehicles that can carry up to 8-people or a sheet of 8X4ft. plywood ever got the name ‘sport utility’ vehicle. With a high center of gravity, body-on-frame construction and a solid rear axle, these utility vehicles were never built to give a sporty handling experience, no matter the price.
Porsche entered the sport utility segment in 2003 with the Cayenne to bring more sport into the segment with their long heritage of building some of the world’s great sports cars. While they did dial-up the power and performance level with the 500hp Cayenne Turbo model, there was still room for improvement in the handling department.
