Nik J Miles

Archive for the ‘Automotive Reviews’ Category

Volvo S60 R-Design AWD

By Barbara and Bill Schaffer

One year after the introduction of the S60 T6, which could best be called the brand’s performance leader, the sport sedan gets a boost from the Polestar treatment.  Boasting 25 more horsepower and 29-lb.ft. of torque, the new R-Design version drops the 0 to 60 mph acceleration time to 5.3 seconds while the top speed is electronically limited to 130.

As the best performing Volvo ever, the S60 R-Design is a product of software tuning where the alterations are made electronically in a method similar to the chips used by some aftermarket tuners.  Software modifications are an easy way to improve performance without modifying hardware, so the original warranty is still in affect and the fuel economy is the same as the T6 version – 18 mpg city and 26 mpg highway.  Read the rest of this entry »

By Barbara & Bill Schaffer

After more than 20 years of reviewing new cars, we know we can always count on a new Volvo to have several distinctive characteristics.

• It will be one of the safest cars on the road
• The seats will be the most comfortable
• The styling will be unique

Along with these givens, various models have other characteristics that may set them apart from the maddening crowd.  Nevertheless, with a few exceptions, Volvos have not been cars we would consider as high performance. Read the rest of this entry »

“All-New 2013 Ford Escape: A Smarter SUV”

Saves Fuel, Money while providing new technologies 

The Blue Oval team has come up with a better way to Escape – in the 2013 Escape. There will no longer be an Escape Hybrid, but the Escape stable will continue to offer three other fuel conscious models: an updated 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine, as well as a 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder and finally, a 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-banger.

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“Infiniti’s JX adds classy player to its utility team for 2013”

Infiniti just introduced the 2013 JX to their vehicle lineup. The JX is an all-new luxury crossover that was created to deliver inspired style, performance, roominess and innovative features, challenging the status quo in the segment. JX is a 7 passenger crossover with third row seating, an abundance of luxury, versatility and state-of-the-art advancements in technology.

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“Acura’s ILX Entry Sedan comes three ways”

Acura dealers felt the need for an entry level vehicle to be offered as part of their premium inventory. Honda’s luxury division Acura team has answered the call with the all-new 2013 ILX sedan lineup – or have they? Some members of the automotive press and consumers may not agree.

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By Barbara & Bill Schaffer

Once the icon of the SUV movement in the 1990s and early 2000s, the Ford Explorer dropped off the new car-buying map.  A casualty of high fuel prices, the economic downturn and the environmental movement, Explorer was sent back to the drawing board.

Totally reinvented, the 2012 Ford Explorer has again moved to the forefront in the new age of SUVs – more economical, eco-responsible and better suited for today’s consumers.

“The all-new Explorer delivers exactly what today’s SUV buyers are looking for, combining the capability, convenience, performance and technologies they want with the fuel economy these times require,” said Bill Gubing, Ford chief program engineer. “Explorer adds refinement to redefine what a modern SUV can be.” Read the rest of this entry »

“Mazda’s 2011 MX-5 Roadster: If it ain’t broke…”

The Mazda MX-5 Miata, after more than 20 years, continues to, provide sports car enthusiasts with a pure and simple, fun-focused roadster at an affordable price. The experts at the Guiness Book of World Records, proclaim the MX-5 to be the most popular two-seat convertible sports car in the world, with more than 900,000 produced. Is Miata by any other designation still a Miata? Definitely! The latest generation of the popular roadster now referred to as the MX-5, literally revived open-air motoring on our shores, and now happens to be better than ever. Did it make sense to drop the Miata name reference that has built such positive brand equity? Probably not, but in the final analysis, true aficionados will still revert to using the Miata name when talking about the MX-5 anyway.

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“Infiniti’s G37 drop top: Still seductive”

For those looking for year round driving comfort in a convertible with the security of a three piece folding hardtop and seductive coupe-like styling, the Infiniti G37 convertible that first bowed in 2009 should fill the bill in admirable fashion. It is essentially one car with two souls, with power coming from a 3.7-liter DOHC, 24-valve VVEL V6 engine with sequential multi-point fuel injection, that develops 325 horsepower @ 7,000 rpm, while also delivering 267 pound feet of torque @ 5,200 rpm. The engine is positioned up front and connects to either a six-speed manual gearbox or an optional electronically controlled 7-speed automatic transmission with Drive Sport mode/manual shift mode, downshift rev matching and available magnesium paddle shifters, that gears motive force to the rear wheels.

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“Acura’s RDX: Takes a new positive direction”

 The entry level premium CUV segment is currently in a strong growth trend, so it’s only logical that Acura’s popular RDX CUV has taken on the position of going in a different direction in a an effort to capture an even bigger piece of the pie. Acura, Honda’s luxury division’s truck lineup consists of their flagship ZDX, followed by their highest volume luxury and performance MDX, and lastly, the sporty and youthful entry model, the RDX.

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“Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Roadster:  A modern day classic”

Last Year I was fortunate enough to be able to test drive and review the SLS AMG Coupe from Mercedes-Benz. I led off my review by stating the obvious – “Beauty is in the eye of the beholder”. That having been said, I went on to point out the unquestionable beauty and elegance of both the original, mid-50s Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Roadster and the iconic Gullwing, which are highly desirable and collectible vehicles.

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