2011 HONDA CR-Z EX
30,500 CH
The 2011 CR-Z is Honda's third hybrid, joining the compact Civic Hybrid and Insight, both of which seat five. Despite having just two seats, the small CR-Z has the lowest gas mileage of the three. The first-generation Insight, sold from 2000-06, was a two-seat runabout, but the CR-Z is intended to be sportier, both in appearance and driving experience.
The interior has a busy but effective design similar to that of the Insight, with cockpit-style driver-oriented controls and displays. Even the ventilation controls are on a pod near the driver; there's no conventional control panel on the center of the dashboard, which puts the optional navigation system right of center. The cloth seats are roomy, and the steering wheel both tilts and telescopes.
Standard features include, but aren't limited to, power windows and locks, remote keyless entry, single-zone automatic climate control, cruise control and a CD stereo with a USB audio interface. The EX trim level adds xenon headlights, fog lights, a premium stereo with subwoofer, Bluetooth connectivity, a leather steering wheel and a center storage console. Navigation is optional only on the EX.
Storage bins behind the seats are separated from the cargo area by a bulkhead that can be folded forward to extend the cargo hatch's floor — similar to a folding seat's backrest. A retractable cargo cover is available.   |
The CR-Z is reasonably true to the concept car of the same name that hit the auto show circuit in 2007, but with less dramatic curves. Inspired by the CRX two-seater sold in 1990 and '91, the CR-Z's spirit and design shares that model's split liftgate window, an element that remains controversial in terms of both style and the driver's visibility in the Insight and Toyota Prius.
At 160 inches long, the CR-Z is a few inches longer than a Mazda MX-5 Miata and the extended version of the Mini Cooper, the Clubman, and it sits almost exactly between the hatchback and sedan versions of the Toyota Yaris subcompact.
Like other Honda hybrids, the CR-Z uses a relatively simple system that puts an electric motor in tandem with a gas engine, in this case a 1.5-liter four-cylinder. Though the engine shuts off when the car is stopped, it's always turning over when the car's in motion. The engine and motor combined produce 122 horsepower, which is 24 hp more than the Insight does.
The front-wheel-drive CR-Z is now the only hybrid in years to offer a manual transmission as well as an automatic. The six-speed stick is standard; a continuously variable automatic transmission is optional and includes steering-wheel shift paddles for a manual step-gear feel. The manual transmission gives lower mileage, though, at 33 mpg in combined city/highway driving. The CVT provides an EPA-estimated 37 mpg.
To suit the driver's needs, the CR-Z has Sport, Normal and Econ modes. Econ maximizes fuel economy, while Sport makes the acceleration more responsive and decreases the power-steering assist for a sportier feel.
Along with the frontal airbags come seat-mounted side-impact airbags and side curtains. Also standard are active head restraints, antilock four-wheel-disc brakes and an electronic stability system with traction control. |
2011 AUDI S5 4.2 QUATTRO PREMIUM PLUS
74,000 CH
The performance-oriented S5 and its layman twin, the A5, are aimed straight for their fellow two-door heartthrobs: the BMW 3 Series coupe and Mercedes-Benz E-Class coupe. The S5 coupe comes with a 354-horsepower V-8, all the better to compete with BMW's M3 coupe, and the cabriolet (convertible) has a supercharged V-6.
| The S5's dashboard looks much like that of Audi's larger A6. A broad dome overlaps the gauges and central information screen, which incorporates the optional navigation system. Interior features include:
* Front sport seats
* Automatic climate control
* Leather seats
* Brushed aluminum trim |
A new Titanium Sport Package available on the coupe gives the S5 black window trim, titanium-finish wheels, a black grille and black interior trim.
The S5 is instantly recognizable as an Audi, with the brand's customary wide-mouth grille flanked by lower air intakes. The car seems downright angry, thanks to a grille with vertical chrome bars and angular headlights. Exterior features include:
* LED daytime running lights and taillights
* Standard 19-inch alloy wheels
* Available sport suspension
* Quad exhaust | The S5 coupe has a direct-injection 4.2-liter V-8 that's good for 354 horsepower and 325 pounds-feet of torque. The convertible has a supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 that makes 333 hp and 325 pounds-feet of torque. Mechanical features include:
* Six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission (V-8)
* Seven-speed automatic transmission (V-6)
* Standard all-wheel drive with rear-biased torque split
* Zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds (coupe) or 5.1 seconds (convertible)
Standard safety features include:
* Four-wheel antilock disc brakes
* Side-impact airbags for the front seats
* Side curtain airbags
* Electronic stability system |
| 2010 VOLVO S80 V8
64,550 CH
Touting "Scandinavian luxury" as its defining attribute, the flagship sedan combines traditional Volvo lines with high-tech safety features typical of the brand. The S80 comes in 3.2, T6 and V8 trims. All-wheel drive is also available. Competitors include the BMW 528, Audi A6 and Saab 9-5.
Interior
The S80's center controls sit on a thin metal panel pioneered in the S40 compact sedan. Luxurious touches include standard real wood trim with an optional wood steering wheel, optional massaging front seats and a rear refrigerator with two crystal glasses. The back bench has a standard 60/40-split folding function for increased cargo capacity. Passenger volume comes in at 97.7 cubic feet. Cargo space is 14.9 cubic feet, which is more than the 528 and 9-5 but lags behind the A6.
Standard leather steering wheel, shifter, brake handle and seating upholstery
Standard wireless phone connectivity
Optional moonroof and dual-zone automatic climate control
Optional heated front and rear seats
Optional upgraded Dynaudio sound system
Optional dual-screen rear-seat entertainment system (screens integrated into headrests)
Optional navigation system with real-time traffic controls
In addition to the standard safety features, available safety features include a blind spot warning system, which checks adjacent lanes for unnoticed cars, and a collision warning system that monitors the speed of traffic ahead and warns drivers of impending rear-end collisions.
Standard side-impact and side curtain airbags
Standard antilock braking system with hydraulic brake assist
Optional adaptive cruise control
Optional lane departure warning system
Optional park assist and parking-assistance camera
|
Volvo says Scandinavian luxury is accessible, elegant and intelligent without being elitist. Volvo has shaken the boxy look it made famous by giving the S80 a curvier, sleeker appearance with a slightly sportier profile, yet still an unmistakably Volvo design. Exterior dimensions come in at 191.0 inches long and 73.3 inches wide. That's about on par with the 528, but the A6 is longer and the 9-5 is slimmer.
Available 17- or 18-inch alloy wheels
Standard power, heated mirrors with integrated turn signals
Optional rain-sensing windshield wipers
Optional heated windshield-washer nozzles
Optional headlight washer
Optional xenon headlights with articulating lenses
The S80 is the first Volvo sedan with an available V-8 engine. The Volvo S80 has a turbocharged six-cylinder in the T6 trim, which sits between the base six-cylinder and the top-of-the-line V8 trim level. All three engines use a six-speed automatic transmission with manual shift functionality. All-wheel drive is standard with the V-8 and turbo six-cylinder; the base six-cylinder gets front-wheel drive.
235-horsepower, 3.2-liter six-cylinder with 236 pounds-feet of torque
281-hp, 3.0-liter twin-turbo six-cylinder with 295 pounds-feet of torque
311-hp, 4.4-liter V-8 with 325 pounds-feet of torque
Six-speed automatic transmission
Front- or all-wheel drive |
2011 JEEP GRAND CHEROKEE LAREDO
30,250 CH | |
|
