Cars & Motors News

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2006 Chrysler Pacifica Touring AWD

SPECIFICATIONS


2006 Chrysler Pacifica Touring AWD

Base Price $ 31,165
Price As Tested $ 35,870
Engine Type single overhead cam 24-valve V6
Engine Size 3.5 liters / 215 cu. in.
Horsepower 250 @ 6400 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 250 @ 3950 rpm
Transmission 4-speed automatic
Wheelbase / Length 116.3 in. / 198.9 in.
Curb Weight 4593 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 18.4
Fuel Capacity 23 gal.
Fuel Requirement 89-octane unleaded mid-grade gasoline
Tires P235/65 HR17 Michelin MXV4 Pilot
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / solid disc,
antilock standard
Suspension, front/rear independent strut /
independent multilink
Drivetrain front engine, front-wheel drive

PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed 17 / 22 / 18
0 to 60 mph 9.3 sec

OPTIONS AND CHARGES
Inferno Red Crystal Pearl Coat paint $ 225
Customer Preferred Package 26U - includes:
heated front and second-row seats, all-row
side-curtain airbags, automatic headlamps,
foglamps, auto-dimming rearview mirror,
power folding auto-dim outside mirrors,
memory for driver's seat, mirrors, pedals,
and radio, power liftgate, power-adjustable
pedals, AM/FM/cass/6-CD changer audio $2,280
Sirius satellite radio $ 195
ParkSense(tm) backup system $ 285
Rear-seat DVD entertainment system $ 990
Destination charge $ 730

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2007 Jaguar XK

The XK is not just a new car, it is also an image builder. You may have seen the controversial “gorgeous” campaign featuring some beautiful girls with a few macho men thrown in for good measure. Shot in a French chateau and on a beach just outside Saint Tropez it features people in situations one would normally associate with Ferraris or Lambos. A brave move for a car costing one third of the 430. Love it or hate it, you will certainly remember it. The company is desperately and understandably trying to get away from the brand’s “old man’s car image”.

If anything will do it, it is the XK. First of all it does look great, particularly in British Racing Green.

It is also a very easy car to drive. There is no fiddling for knobs or buttons a la BMW 7 series, you just jump in, press the red start button , pop it into “D” and you are off. There are some perfectly placed paddles under the steering wheel for those-like me- who like to drive as opposed to just get from A to B. These work magnificently, certainly as well as in the Ferrari 430.

The only disappointment in that respect was that when you floored the throttle the 300 horses were adequate rather than outstanding.

Relief, however, is at hand as the 420 horsepower version will be unveiled at the LA show in late November.

If Jaguar can keep the price down to around 90 thousand dollars then it will be a very attractive proposition indeed.

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2006 Jeep Commander Limited

SPECIFICATIONS
2006 Jeep Commander Limited

Base Price $ 38,205
Price As Tested $ 43,700
Engine Type pushrod overhead valve 16-valve V8,
cast iron block and aluminum alloy
heads
Engine Size 5.7 liters / 345 cu. in.
Horsepower 330 @ 5000 rpm
Torque (lb-ft 375 @ 4000 rpm
Transmission 5-speed automatic with
manual shift mode.
Wheelbase / Length 109.5 in. / 188.5 in.
Curb Weight 5169 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 15.6
Fuel Capacity 20.5 gal.
Fuel Requirement 89 octane unleaded mid-grade gasoline
Tires P245/65 SR17 Goodyear Fortera HP
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / solid disc,
anti-lock standard
Suspension, front/rear independent short-and-long arm,
coil springs /
live axle, multilink location
and coil springs
Ground Clearance 8.6 inches at the rear axle
Drivetrain front engine, on-demand
four-wheel drive

PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed 15 / 19 / 14
0 to 60 mph est 8.0 sec
Towing Capacity 7200 lbs (5.7-liter engine)

OPTIONS AND CHARGES
Electronic Infotainment System Group - includes:
rear overhead console and video system $1,200
Trailer Tow Group $ 255
Off-Road Group 1 - includes:
skid plate group: tow hooks, fuel tank skid plate
shield, transfer case skid plate shield, front
suspension skid plate $ 225
Saddle brown seats $ 150
5.7-liter HEMI mult-displacement engine
with Quadra-Drive II4WD system and
electronic limited slip front and rear
differentials $1,495
Navigation system $1,200
L-Connect hands-free communication $ 275
Destination charge $ 695

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Reigning world champion Fernando Alonso broke his North American bogey in spectacular fashion to win the Canadian Grand Prix in Montreal on Sunday.
Renault's world champion led from pole to notch up his fifth straight win and stretch his lead in the standings.

Michael Schumacher took advantage of a mistake from Kimi Raikkonen to steal second on the penultimate lap.

Britain's David Coulthard also overtook Jenson Button at the death to snatch eighth from his compatriot.

Drivers' world championship 2006
Name Car Nat Points
1 Fernando Alonso Renault Spa 74

2 Michael Schumacher Ferrari Ger 51

3 Kimi Raikkonen McLaren-Mercedes Fin 33

4 Giancarlo Fisichella Renault Ita 32

5 Juan Pablo Montoya McLaren-Mercedes Col 26

6 Felipe Massa Ferrari Brz 24

7 Jenson Button Honda GB 16

8 Rubens Barrichello Honda Brz 13

9 Nick Heidfeld BMW Sauber Ger 10

10 Ralf Schumacher Toyota Ger 8

11 David Coulthard Red Bull-Ferrari GB 7

12 Jacques Villeneuve BMW Sauber Can 7

13 Mark Webber Williams-Cosworth Aus 6

14 Nico Rosberg Williams-Cosworth Ger 4

15 Christian Klien Red Bull-Ferrari Aut 1

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2006 Jaguar Super V8

SPECIFICATIONS
2006 Jaguar Super V8

Base Price $ 91,330
Price As Tested $ 93,395
Engine Type dual overhead cam 32-valve supercharged
and intercooled aluminum alloy V8
Engine Size 4.2 liters / 256 cu. in.
Horsepower 400 @ 6100 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 413 @ 3500 rpm
Transmission 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase / Length 124.4 in. / 205.3 in.
Curb Weight 4,001 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 10.0
Fuel Capacity 22.3 gal.
Fuel Requirement 91 octane unleaded premium gasoline
Tires P255/40 ZR19 Pirelli P-Zero
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / vented disc,
ABS, brake assist,
and DSC standard
Suspension, front/rear independent double wishbone with
aluminum control arms,
self-leveling air springs, eCATS
electronically-controlled
adaptive shock damping
Drivetrain front engine, rear-wheel drive

PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy miles per gallon
city / highway / observed
17 / 24 / 16

0 to 60 mph est. 5.7 sec

OPTIONS AND CHARGES
Chrome wheels $ 1,400
Destination charge $ 665

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2006 Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4x4


SPECIFICATIONS
MODEL: Ford Explorer Eddie Bauer 4X4
ENGINE: 4.6-liter V8
HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 292 hp @ 5750 rpm/300 lb.-ft. @ 3950 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 6-speed automatic
WHEELBASE: 113.7 in.
LENGTH x WIDTH x HEIGHT: 193.4 x 73.7 x 72.8 in.
TIRES: P235/65R18
CARGO VOLUME: 85.8 cu. ft.
ECONOMY: 14 mpg city/20 mpg highway
PRICE: $39,955 (includes $645 destination and delivery charge)

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2006 Honda Ridgeline

Ridgeline is Honda’s award-winning full-size pickup truck. And we really mean award-winning. Honda swept car and truck of the year awards this year at the major motor shows with the advanced new Civic and the innovative Ridgeline. We got tired of seeing the Honda execs on the stage receiving honors over and over again.

First impressions are unusually favorable. We picked up our shinny Nighthawk Black Ridgeline in Detroit and drove it the 75 miles home on a low-traffic sunny spring day. Everything has that soft easy touch and simplicity of a Honda. On the freeway we have plenty of power to keep up and excellent visibility all around – a very pleasant truck to drive.

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2006 Lexus GX 470

SPECIFICATIONS

2006 Lexus GX470

Base Price $46, 225
Price As Tested $55, 407
Engine Type dual overhead cam,
32-valve V8 with
VVT-i variable valve timing
Engine Size 4.7 liters / 285 cu. in.
Horsepower 270 @ 5400 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 330 @ 3400 rpm
Transmission 5-speed electronically-controlled automatic
Wheelbase/Length 109.8 in. / 188.2 in.
Curb Weight 4,871 lbs.
Fuel Capacity 23 gal.
Fuel Requirement 91 octane unleaded premium gasoline
Tires P265/65 SR17 Michelin
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / vented disc,
ABS, EBD, Brake Assist standard

Suspension, front/rear independent double wishbone,
coil springs /live axle with
4-link location and air springs
Ground clearance 8.3 inches
Drivetrain front engine, full-time 4-wheel drive

PERFORMANCE

EPA Fuel Economy- miles per gallon
city/highway/observed
15 / 19 / 16

0 to 60 mph 8.1 sec

Towing capacity 6,500 lbs

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2006 Mazda3 S Touring 5-Door

Base Price $ 17,615
Price As Tested $ 19,065
Engine Type dual overhead cam 16-valve
4-cylinder
Engine Size 2.3 liters / 138 cu. in.
Horsepower 160 @ 6500 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 150 @ 4500 rpm
Transmission 5-speed manual
Wheelbase / Length 103.9 in. / 176.6 in.
Curb Weight 2826 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 17.7
Fuel Capacity 14.5 gal.
Fuel Requirement 87 octane unleaded regular gasoline
Tires P205/50 VR17 Goodyear Eagle RS-A
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / solid disc,
ABS and EBD standard
Suspension, front/rear independent MacPherson strut /
independent multilink
Drivetrain front engine, front-wheel drive

PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed
25 / 32 / 26
0 to 60 mph 7.5 sec

OPTIONS AND CHARGES
moonroof and 6 CD changer package $ 890
Delivery charge $ 560

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2006 Hyundai Accent

Automotively speaking the Japanese began eating our lunch 30 years ago by producing economical, dependable practical cars – better than US products at the time. Now the Koreans, in the US market for about 20 years, are beginning to eat everyone’s lunch, with well-designed, well-built cars featuring lots of content for the price. We usually refer to that as “value.” Watch out! Soon the Chinese will be eating everyone’s lunch and supper. And perhaps after that it will be the Indians. Just goes to show what a fast-paced world market the auto business has become.

In the meantime we have a little Hyundai Accent to evaluate. It’s a cute little compact 4-door sedan, I must say. Having just spent a week with a Civic Si the transition was a bit of a shock – from a fast, flashy, quick little sporty coupe to a tepid but competent little economy car. I just need to remember what our Accent is meant to be, that is, a small entry-level sedan meant to maximize efficiency and economy, which, of course, means minimizing cost. The sticker on our Accent GLS 4-door shows a base price of $13,305. A Premium-Sport Package adds $1,500 to the sticker and carpeted floor mats add another $65. No charge for freight, handling or delivery. The total is $14,870.

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2006 Mercury Milan Premier

Base Price $ 22,845
Price As Tested $ 24,495
Engine Type aluminum alloy dual overhead cam
24-valve V6 with variable valve timing
on the intake camshafts
Engine Size 3.0 liters / 182 cu. in.
Horsepower 221 @ 6250 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 205 @ 4800 rpm
Transmission 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase / Length 107.4 in. / 191.4 in.
Curb Weight 3303 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 15.2
Fuel Capacity 18 gal.
Fuel Requirement 87 octane unleaded regular gasoline
Tires P225/50 VR17 Michelin Pilot HX mxm4
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / solid disc,
antilock standard on Premier
Suspension, front/rear independent short-and-long arm /
independent multilink
Drivetrain front engine, front-wheel drive

PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / (observed) 21(20) / 29 (2
0 to 60 mph est. 7.5 sec

OPTIONS AND CHARGES
Comfort Package - includes:
automatic air conditioning, automatic headlights,
leather steering wheel with cruise controls,
electrochromic mirror, foglamps, compass,
heated power outside mirrors with
puddle lamps $595
Safety/Security Package - includes:
Front side and side curtain airbags,
anti-theft perimeter alarm $595
Heated front seats $295
Traction control $ 95
Audophile sound system $420
Destination and delivery $650

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2006 Mitsubishi Outlander

The 2.4-liter, single overhead cam, inline 4-cylinder engine sports 160 horsepower and 162 lb-ft of torque, is adequate though certainly not exceptional. It has four valves per cylinder for maximum breathing efficiency. The valves are also electronically controlled for lift and timing resulting in the 2WD with manual transmission version being designated as a “Low Emissions” vehicle. With a 15.7-gallon fuel tank this Mitsu is rated at 22 to 28 mpg. We observed about 25 mpg throughout our thousands of miles of varied driving conditions. City or highway emphasis didn’t seem to make much difference

As we reloaded the back of the Outlander after our first stop in Chattanooga to visit the Museum of Tow Trucks (see the Chattanooga feature elsewhere in TheAutoChannel), we discovered that the rear seats have about a half-dozen clicks of recline. Of course our baggage restricted that some. We were also pleased to note that the release procedure to fold down the rear seats is a one-hand, two-finger operation. You would be surprised how many vehicles, in this age of paying attention to such details, require fully two hands to do that simple job. A second full day of driving gave me even more appreciation for that wonderful driver’s seat that fit my back side so well – no cheek fatigue after an all-day drive.

We took only back roads from north of Atlanta through McCormick, Georgia and Savannah Lakes on to Edisto Beach. The Outlander is a remarkably pleasant road-trip vehicle. The window controls have such a nice, smooth action my pretty blonde had to ask me to stop playing with them. The ride is balanced without undue sway or jumpiness and the handling is precise. Suspension is fully independent with McPherson struts in front and a multi-link arrangement and coil springs in the rear. Ours was the two-wheel-drive version.

Our road-holding assessment was reserved for the final drive home, particularly since we experienced no real challenges along the route until then. As we sped north on our non-stop jaunt from Edisto Beach, SC to Mid Michigan (estimated at about 14 hours) the weather along I-77 was dry and mild, at least until we crossed into West Virginia. As we gained elevation the clouds gathered and a light rain quickly turned into a wet snow. The road surface didn’t become noticeably slippery, just wet, but visibility was intermittently poor. It wasn’t until we were about 30 miles into Ohio that the snow began to collect and suddenly became extremely slippery as I froze into thick slush. Traffic was continuing to move along briskly and I decided to test the road surface by hitting the brakes as soon as there was no traffic behind me. Finally traffic cleared and I eased firmly onto the brakes. We were sliding almost immediately. “Wait a minute,” I thought,” where’s the ABS? Don’t all cars come with ABS these days.” To its credit the Mitsu slid perfectly straight but the ABS did not work. A check of the sales book later confirms that ABS is standard on all models of the Outlander.

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2006 Volvo XC90

When the XC90 was introduced at the North American International Auto Show a few years ago it was named the North American Truck of the Year, . . . or was that North American Car of the Year. If there had been a category called North American Cross-Over of the Year, that would have been most appropriate. With a high muscular stance, four-wheel-drive and the legendary Swedish crashworthiness on a car platform, it was a hit right out of the box.

Having not spent much time with Volvos in recent years, I was unsure what to expect. I was wondering if Volvo’s personality has been changed by being in the Ford family. My last mechanical mistress was a 1965 P1800S. Like other Volvos of that era it had a special, unique feel and ambiance unlike anything else. Of course, cars of that era were less homogenous than cars today so we could expect them to have more character. Volvos had a sort of purposeful eloquence that was unusual even for its time.

The XC90 is thoroughly modern, in technology and concept. Volvo calls it a “Special Purpose Vehicle.” Base MSRP on this one is $45,840. Metallic paint costs $475 extra and a Climate Package (heated seats and headlamp washers) is $675. The $1,795 Touring Package includes 18-inch alloy wheels, premium sound system, wood accents, and leather shift knob. And the rear seat entertainment system costs $1,995. These along with a $695 destination charge add up to $51,475 according to our sticker. Seems a bit pricy to me.

The XC90 is powered by a slick, spirited, compact 4.4-liter dual-overhead-cam V8 – the first V8 ever for Volvo - with variable valve timing making 311 horsepower and 325 lb.ft. of torque. The California Air Resources Board has certified this transversely mounted, Yamaha built engine as ULEV II, or Ultra-Low Emissions Vehicle – the only V8 engine with that coveted designation. Yamaha, you may recall, built that wonderful, bullet-proof V8 that powered the Taurus SHO, one of which this reporter drove to nearly 180,000 miles. Power gets to all four wheels by way of Volvo’s Geartronic 6-speed automatic with Adaptive Shift Logic and Winter Mode.

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2006 Lincoln Zephyr

Base Price $ 28,995
Price As Tested $ 34,040
Engine Type dual overhead cam 24-valve aluminum
alloy V6
Engine Size 3.0 liters / 182 cu. in.
Horsepower 221 @ 6250 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 205 @ 4800 rpm
Transmission 6-speed automatic
Wheelbase / Length 107.4 in. / 190.5 in.
Curb Weight 3410 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 15.4
Fuel Capacity 17.5 gal.
Fuel Requirement 87 octane unleaded regular gasoline
Tires P225/50 VR17 Michelin Energy mxv4 xse
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / solid disc,
ABS and EBD standard
Suspension, front/rear independent short-and-long arm /
independent multilink
Drivetrain front engine, front-wheel drive

PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed 20 / 28 / 23
0 to 60 mph 7.5 sec

OPTIONS AND CHARGES
heated & cooled front seats $ 495
HID headlamps $ 495
17-inch chrome wheels $ 895
Navigation system and THX II audio $ 2,495
Destination & delivery $ 665

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2006 Lexus IS350

Base Price $ 35,440
Price As Tested $ 46,593
Engine Type dual overhead cam, 24-valve aluminum
alloy V6
with VVT-i variable cam phasing
Engine Size 3.5 liters / 210 cu. in.
Horsepower 306 @ 6400 rpm
Torque (lb-ft) 277 @ 4800 rpm
Transmission 6-speed electronically-controlled
automatic
Wheelbase / Length 107.5 in. / 180.1 in.
Curb Weight 3,527 lbs.
Pounds Per Horsepower 11.5
Fuel Capacity 17.1 gal.
Fuel Requirement 91 octane unleaded premium gasoline
Tires 225/45 front, 245/45 VR 17 rear
Dunlop Sport SP
Brakes, front/rear vented disc / vented disc, ABS, EBD,
brake assist standard
Suspension, front/rear independent double wishbone
Drivetrain independent multilink

PERFORMANCE
EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed 21 / 28 / 22
0 to 60 mph 5.6 sec

OPTIONS AND CHARGES
Headlamp washers $ 100
Luxury Package - includes:
HID & adaptive front lighting system,
heated & ventilated front seats, perforated
leather seat upgrade, wood interior trim,
power tilt & telescope steering wheel,
driver & passenger memory seats,
illuminated scuff plates, power rear sunshade,
rain-sensing wipers $ 3,495
Lexus Pre-Collision system(PCS) with
dynamic radar cruise control $ 2,850
Navigation system with Mark Levinson
premium audio package $ 3,990
Cargo net $ 59
Trunk mat $ 69
Destination charge $ 590