2012 Toyota FJ Cruiser

The Toyota FJ Cruiser has changed very little since its introduction five years ago, and during that time the range of serious off-road-worthy models hasn't changed much. Hummer is now gone, and Jeep has honed its Wrangler, but the FJ Cruiser remains one of the better bets for off-road toughness and trail prowess.

The FJ blends retro and contemporary so well that its design should be quite ageless. Looking a bit like a vintage 1960s-era FJ40, crossed with modern cues from the 4Runner and Land Cruiser, with a MINI Cooper-like edge, the FJ Cruiser looks ripe for the trail, yet like a stylish accessory that would make as much of a statement parked in front of an outdoor outfitter as in front of Urban Outfitters. Inside, the appointments are intentionally stark, with body-colored panels and simple gauges and sturdy switchgear.

The 2012 FJ Cruiser is built from the sturdy underpinnings of the last-generation Toyota 4Runner, with off-road ability the priority. Especially when considering its shortened wheelbase and additional ground clearance, it shines off-road. Skid plates protect the underbody, and components are tucked into frame rails. On the trail, you'll find good wheel articulation, without making too much of a sacrifice on-road, and the FJ's approach and departure angles and water-fording depth (27.5 inches) are better than other stock vehicles.

Considering that, on-road performance isn't quite the afterthought you'd expect. The FJ does quite well, even on the highway, provided the path is relatively straight, but in any corners its height, tall tires, and hefty 4,300-pound curb weight get in the way of any attempt to change direction quickly. Its 260-horspower, 4.0-liter V-6 provides strong performance from a standing start, whether with the five-speed automatic or six-speed manual, though it's not as quick on the highway.

Source: www.thecarconnection.com

GM Offers to Buy Back Volts From Owners

General Motors Co. will buy back Chevrolet Volt from any owner who fears the car is a fire risk amid a U.S. safety investigation of its lithium-ion battery, the auto maker said Thursday The offer comes along with to GM's move this week to offer loaners to 6,000 U.S. Volt owners in an effort to reassure customers after three crash-tests resulted in fires or sparks from the vehicle's complex battery pack days or weeks after they sustained damage.

As of Thursday morning, 33 Volt owners asked for loaners, GM said. The company has been telling customers since Monday that they could return the cars, but so far no one has taken GM up on the offer, GM spokesman Selim Bingol said "If someone asks, we'll snap it up in a second," Mr. Bingol said. He said GM is confident the car is safe, but wants to ensure Volt customers are comfortable with their vehicle.

GM is working to head off a publicity crisis around the Volt, a car the auto maker has been touting for years as proof it cares about the environment and can deliver cutting-edge technology The Volt has delivered mixed results for GM since it launched this year. The car was widely lauded as a technological feat and won high praise among critics and owners. On Thursday, Consumer Reports said the Volt scored the highest rating in their annual owner satisfaction survey, with 93% of buyers saying they would purchase the vehicle again. The survey was taken before the battery issue.

Source:online.wsj.com

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Audi R8 GT named "Sports Car of the Year 2011"

The Audi R8 GT is “Sports Car of the Year 2011” in the category “Production Supercars.” 2011 marks the 10th time that a jury from the Auto Bild SportsCars trade journal has awarded the prize, which was presented recently at the Essen Motor Show stephan Reil, Head of Development at quattro GmbH, accepted the award, one of the most coveted in the German automotive industry, for the Audi R8 GT before some 450 invited guests. 70,976 readers of the magazine took part in this year’s anniversary voting for “Sports Car of the Year 2011.”

The Audi subsidiary, quattro GmbH is responsible for the development and production of the Audi high-performance sports car. Its 5.2-liter V10 engine produces 560 hp, making it a driving machine with excellent longitudinal dynamics and lateral acceleration as well as lightning-fast, virtually instantaneous reactions. The engineers have reduced the weight of the Audi R8 GT by another 100 kg compared with the R8 5.2 FSI quattro. The car accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.6 seconds and reaches a top speed of 320 km/h. Its average ECE fuel consumption is just 7.19 kilometers/ liters.

173 cars that had previously proven their worth in more than 300 tests and road reports were nominated in 17 classes, which were further broken down into Production, Tuning and Limited Production. Besides the winner, five other Audi models were placed in the top three of their respective classes: the Q7 V12 TDI in the category “Production SUV,” the RS 3 Sportback in the category “Production Compact Cars,” the RS 5 in “Production Coupés,” the Audi A6 Avant 3.0 TFSI quattro in “Production Station Wagons” and the R8 GT Spyder in the category “Production Convertibles.”

Source : http://www.philstar.com

Volkswagen to launch Porsche sports cars viz., 911, Cayman, Boxter, Panamere & Cayenne SUV

Volkswagen AG, Europe's largest carmaker, will launch the iconic Porsche sports car marquee in India next year and appoint a new team to steer its sales in the overcrowded Indian automobile market two people close to the development said Volkswagen will import the Porsche models 911, Cayman, Boxter, Panamere and Cayenne SUV for the Indian market and look at local assembly at one of its facilities in Maharashtra when volumes pick up.

An email query sent to Wolfsburg-based Volkswagen remained unanswered. The cars, to be distributed and sold under the Volkswagen banner in India from next year, carry price tags ranging from Rs 70 lakh to Rs 3 crore (ex-showroom, Delhi).

The automaker has 5% market share in India and sells the Audi, Volkswagen and Skoda brands in the country. "Porsche cars would continue to be imported into India like the top-end Audi R8 or the Volkswagen Pheaton limousine and will not be assembled like the smaller models of VW Group, such as the Volkswagen Passat or Audi A4 or A6 sedans," a person familiar with the development said. "But there is a possibility that as and when volumes grow, the high-selling Cayenne will be produced locally as it will allow price rationalisation with lower tax under local assembly." 

Source : http://economictimes.indiatimes.com