Nik J Miles

Archive for the ‘Automotive Reviews’ Category

A big part of driving a fun fast car is the audio experience – it’s not enough to simply be fast, the car needs to sound good too.  With that goal, Ford engineers tuned the sounds of the new Focus ST so that it’s like music to the ears of a sport compact driver, and perhaps the envy of even some V-8 owners.

Ford engineers gave some existing technologies a new twist and the result is amazing. Read the rest of this entry »

Dodge Fever returns with all-new 2013 Dodge Dart

It seems strange that most manufacturers develop a vehicle, invest in promoting it and building a strong brand equity, only to let it slip away into extinction, and then decide to bring it back in a renewed fashion and format. Cases in point: the Chevy Camaro, Ford Taurus, Dodge Charger and now, the 2013 Dodge Dart, which represents Dodge’s re-entry into the compact market segment.

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“Scion and Subaru join forces in developing FR-S and BRZ”

Affordable Sports Coupes to be reckoned with

Las Vegas, Nevada – What happens when two Japanese auto manufacturers join forces to develop a formidable, yet affordable sports coupe? You come up with a most capable yet affordable sports coupe that is extremely fun to drive under the guise of two distinctive marques. The vehicle or vehicles in question are the Scion FR-S and the Subaru BRZ, which are nearly identical in terms of design and mechanical composition. The two cars differ only in the front and rear fascia treatment, headlamp styling and of course badging.

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“All-New 2012 Kia Rio provides new fuel saving technology”

Kia has certainly come a long way since their vehicles were first marketed here on our shores. The Korean automaker is now definitely a force to be reckoned with on all levels of their existing stable. We’ll deal here with their latest Kia Rio lineup.

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“Kia introduces their first ever U.S. Hybrid vehicle – The 2012 Optima”

The Sonata Hybrid from Hyundai bowed first, claiming the best mid-size sedan highway fuel economy. Now Hyundai’s Korean sibling Kia has introduced their first ever Hybrid for the U.S. market – the Optima for 2012, boasting the same EPA mileage ratings from the same basic powertrain. In fact the Optima, which is not an exact clone of the Sonata, is pretty darned close, even within the same pricing range.

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“Mercedes-Benz SL 550 for 2013: A Grand Sport Tourer”

A legend celebrates 60 years

The iconic SL retractable hardtop from Mercedes-Benz for the 2013 model year is lighter, quicker and more agile than its predecessor as it enters its sixth generation. Badged as an SL550 here on our soil and as the SL500 in other markets, the alpha-numeric designation in either case bears no relativity to the actual displacement, which is really 4.6-liters.

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By Barbara Schaffer

Richmond, Calif. – Typically a year or two after a new vehicle is introduced, the sales peak and then decline until the next new model is introduced four to six years later.  Evidently the Ford Escape didn’t get the message.

When Escape debuted in 2000 as a 2001 model sales were good and reached more than 164,000 during the first full year of production and then went on to average more than 185,000 units annually through 2010.  During that time there was a minor freshening in 2007.  Then in 2011, the year before the debut of an all-new model, Escape sold a record 254,293 to become the best-selling SUV in America.  They definitely didn’t get the message.  Read the rest of this entry »

Lamborghini chose the Beijing Auto Show to pull the cover off its latest SUV concept – the Urus.

Referring to Urus as the ultimate super athlete in the SUV segment, Lamborghini is looking to change the dynamics of the category with a unique design, innovative interior and spectacular performance in a vehicle that can be used as an everyday driver – for the very rich.

With an engine output of around 600 horsepower, the Urus offers unmatched power, while at the same time taking advantage of lightweight design technologies.  Lamborghini claims the Urus will offer the lowest CO2 figure of all comparable vehicles. Read the rest of this entry »

 Volvo C30  R-Design

By Barbara & Bill Schaffer

Of the three Polestar modified cars, the C30 feels the most dramatic on the road and much of that is due to its smaller size.  Already one of our favorites for its sporty handling and the styling, which resembles a contemporary version of the P1800ES from the early 1970s.  Powered by a 227-hp, 236-lb.ft. of torque turbocharged five-cylinder engine, the 3,200-pound vehicle accelerates from 0 to 60 in 6.8-seconds and has a track top speed electronically limited to 149 mph.

Shifting is handled by a six-speed manual transmission or the five-speed Geartronic with the manual shifting “auto stick.”   Read the rest of this entry »

Volvo XC60 R-Design

By Barbara & Bill Schaffer

Now in its third year the Volvo XC60 is one of our favorite premium compact crossovers.  From the dramatic styling to the world-class safety systems to the strong performance, the XC60 stands out in the crowded category.

For 2012, major changes include a new R-Design engine, new trim level and more features.  Adding more bite to the latest model, the 3.0-liter in-line six-cylinder engine gets the Polestar software treatment, and like the S60 version, horsepower and torque receive a nice bump to 325-hp and 354-lb.ft. of torque.  Essentially the same drivetrain as the S60 and about 400 pounds heavier, the XC60 can produce a 6.9-second 0 to 60 mph time and the same top speed electronically limited to 130 mph. The weight and less aerodynamic body drops the fuel economy numbers to 17 mpg city and 22 mpg highway. Read the rest of this entry »