Cars & Motors News

[Rasputin]

2007 Honda Fit

Picture this slice of history: America's roads awash in 200-inch-long boats-on-wheels. Within them are drivers, accustomed to high living standards and a higher sense of entitlement, who don't think twice of cruising along day in and day out, gulping a gallon of gas every 14 miles for the sake of size they hardly need and V8 power they rarely use. Greed is good, oil is cheap, and everyone is happy.

Then the many powers that be decide that a market adjustment is in order. The tap undergoes a slower flow, gas prices jump to the sky, and consumers enter a state of panic, grief, and anger. Suddenly, a giant sucking sound sweeps from coast to coast, signifying the mass exodus of drivers from these behemoths into little tin cans. That, in a nutshell, is 1973. But except for the presence of a national 55 MPH speed limit (which will resurface if Mrs. Clinton gets her way), it could just as well be 2005 or 2006.

One more thing linking past and present: excellent timing by Honda. Just as the Civic was born as our automotive antidote at the right place and time, Honda's heading into 2007 with its tiniest and thriftiest car yet. Named the Fit, it fits right beneath the Civic, gets twice the mileage of an SUV and costs half as much to buy.

What's that saying about history repeating itself?

[Rasputin]

2007 Volkswagen Passat

The Volkswagen Passat is a mid-size sedan similar in size to the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. It was completely redesigned for '06, and is unchanged for model year 2007, though wagon versions have been added to the model lineup.
The 2006-07 Passat is longer and wider, larger and more mature than previous-generation models. It offers more interior room, particularly for back-seat riders, so a six-foot passenger can now sit behind a six-foot driver. It boasts generous standard content and a beguiling mix of high-tech and haute couture. And while the previous model was among the safest cars in America, the structure of the new Passat is substantially improved.

Its steering is precise, with effort that automatically adjusts to the situation. Its six-speed automatic transmission is smooth and responsive, and its brakes are excellent.

The base engine is a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 200 horsepower that should satisfy most needs, while returning 23/32 city/highway mpg with a six-speed manual transmission.

The optional 3.6-liter narrow-angle V6 growls when pressed and delivers robust torque, allowing the Passat to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.6 seconds.

Traditionally, the Passat line has included a wagon as well as a sedan. This time Volkswagen rolled out the new sedan first, during 2005 as an '06 model. The wagon followed in early calendar-year '06. Packing 35.8 cubic feet of cargo capacity, and returning 18/26 city/highway mpg even with optional all-wheel drive, the Passat wagon presents a more easily managed alternative to a big, tall SUV.

[Rasputin]

2007 GMC Yukon

Ever since the overgrown station wagons known as the Blazer (later Tahoe), Yukon, and Suburban put on their new 1992 suits, they seemed unstoppable. Large and most definitely in charge, these were the new Cadillacs (the Escalade was yet to come), and America couldn't get enough. Even after Ford and Toyota finally countered, GM's winning formula plus a wealthy Clintonian economy kept the orders pouring in by the hundreds of thousands, which at $15,000 profit a pop the General didn't much mind filling.

Then of course the bubble burst, gas climbed through $2 and $3, and excess consumption suddenly ceased to be fashionable. Sales are sinking to the bottom of the ocean. Like A Rock.

Those who are walking out are missing a show that just got interesting again. For the first time in seven years GM's big bruisers have gotten an overhaul, one more significant than the last and one that's now in unison across this expansive line of models. Instead of phasing in the redesigned models in staggered steps again, the Chevy Tahoe, GMC Yukon / Yukon Denali, and Cadillac Escalade (the big guys) and the Chevy Suburban, GMC Yukon XL / Yukon XL Denali, and Cadillac Escalade ESV (the really big guys) all make the jump simultaneously. Simultaneously, also, with the Silverado, Sierra, Avalanche, and Escalade EXT pickups.

First up were the Tahoe and Yukon, two all-new 2007 models that GM rushed to market in the first week of 2006. Wow, are you excited as they are?

[Rasputin]

2007 Dodge Magnum

The Dodge Magnum is a full-size American station wagon with spacious cargo capacity. It's engineered for safety. And all-wheel drive is available for all-weather capability. But what makes the Magnum special is its hot rod styling and rumbling engines. There's nothing else quite like it.
The headliner is the SRT8 with a 6.1-liter V8 Hemi that puts out 425 horsepower and 425 pound-feet of torque to propel the Magnum to 60 mph in about five seconds. That's quick. It's especially quick for a big American station wagon. The Magnum SRT8 can reportedly accelerate from 0 to 100 and back to 0 in less than 17 seconds.

However, it's not necessary to go to the SRT8 to enjoy the Magnum experience. The Magnum experience begins with the 3.5-liter V6, about 10 grand cheaper than the SRT8. Or kick up a notch with the R/T and its Hemi, a rumbling 340-hp 5.7-liter V8. The least-expensive Magnum is the SE with a 2.7-liter V6 that gets 21/28 miles per gallon and retails for less than $24,000.

While these cars are not miserly, there is some attention given to fuel economy. The R/T boasts technology that shuts down four of the Hemi's eight cylinders when the car is just cruising, delivering up to 30 miles per gallon during those moments. Put in everyday terms, if you used it to commute on the freeway at a steady 60 mph, you could average 25 miles per gallon. Or you could stand on the gas and take off.

The all-wheel-drive models are designed to offer excellent cornering balance under all driving conditions and improved traction in snow and wet-weather conditions.

The Dodge Magnum was launched as an all-new product line for the 2005 model year and expanded for 2006 with the SRT8. For 2007, the Magnum is largely carryover, but with changes to option packages. All models benefit from the addition of a palette of new exterior colors, standard privacy glass, an automatic oil change alert, and low-risk deployment air bags. DVD-based navigation with GPS is widely available. A new Road/Track Performance Group is available for rear-wheel drive R/Ts that includes 20-inch wheels, improved intake and exhaust for an additional 10 horsepower, a performance suspension, and comfort and convenience items.

[Rasputin]

2007 Lexus ES350

The Lexus ES is all-new for 2007. Boasting a new 3.5-liter engine, the 2007 Lexus ES 350 is more powerful than last year's ES 330. In fact, the Lexus ES with this new engine is now a serious performer. We were impressed with it and found it quick and responsive. Lexus says it can accelerate from 0 to 60 mph in 6.8 seconds, a solid performance from its 272-horsepower engine. Likewise, the steering and handling are much more responsive than with last year's model.
Still, the Lexus ES is a luxury sedan that celebrates smoothness, quietude and sophistication. It doesn't suffer the hard ride of a sports sedan. You can safely sip a cappuccino on the way to work. The ride is smooth, the engine is smooth, the transmission operation is flawless, and everything is quiet.

The Lexus ES has come a long way. When Toyota launched its Lexus brand of luxury cars in 1989, its entry-level car was the ES 250, a thinly disguised Camry chassis and powertrain with an upgraded body and interior. This car's role was to give the new dealers some sales volume to help support the big LS 400. With each of the succeeding four generations of ES, the car has better met the needs of the upper end of the entry-luxury segment, with more room, more space, more power and more standard equipment. And more safety features. The all-new 2007 ES 350 makes the greatest single leap in ES history.

The ES uses front-wheel drive, while the Lexus IS models are rear-wheel drive. In short, the ES is designed more for luxury and a smooth, comfortable ride, while the IS models are designed more for performance and handling.

The ES 350 will compete with the Mercedes-Benz C-Class, BMW 3 Series, Infiniti G35 and M35, Audi A6, Saab 9-3, Volvo S60 and a host of domestics in this popular class. Pricing for the 2007 ES 350 was not available at press time.

[Rasputin]

2007 Hyundai Tiburon

The Hyundai Tiburon has been freshened up for 2007, and the SE, our test model, has gotten a suspension that's meant to carry it with the big boys, the European sports cars. The entry-level Tiburon GS, the one that goes for less than $17,000, uses a four-cylinder engine with a five-speed gearbox, but the SE moves up to a 2.7-liter V6 with a six-speed manual.
All Tiburons are equipped with anti-lock brakes, a tire pressure monitor, side airbags, and a 220-watt Kenwood MP3 sound system; other models or options include a four-speed automatic transmission with Shiftronic manual control, electronic stability control, and a 440-watt Infinity sound system.

The lines from the side are rakish, and the 12-spoke SE wheels look great. The seats are comfortable and well bolstered, and the instruments are back-lit in a cool blue, with sharp gunmetal accents on the instrument panel.

Hyundai compares the Tiburon to the Honda Civic Si and Scion tC, but we don't see much similarity to those coupes. It seems like the Tiburon is more like the Mitsubishi Eclipse or maybe even the Mazda RX-8, both of which cost thousands more, but also make much more horsepower.

Hyundai is fairly new at the sports car game, but they've done good job, especially considering the price. The V6 engine makes a modest 172 horsepower, but it also makes a nice throaty sound when you rev it to redline, 6500 rpm. When you look into the rearview mirror, the high spoiler reminds you that you're in a sports car.

The engine's torque comes on low, so it's easy to drive. The SE's six-speed gearbox is good, and the clutch is smooth, but the shift lever has too long of a throw to feel tight. Heel-and-toe downshifts are almost possible because of the pedal locations.

The SE suspension is firm, but not uncomfortable. The payoff comes in the corners, as the front-wheel-drive SE grips the road better than the Mitsubishi Eclipse, although not as well as the rear-wheel-drive RX-8. The Tiburon SE also stops well, having 12-inch cross-drilled front rotors.

Hyundai claims its warranty is America's best, with five-year/60,000 miles bumper-to-bumper and 10-year/100,000 miles limited powertrain. Tiburon buyers also get 24-hour roadside assistance at no charge for five years.

[Rasputin]

2007 Hyundai Accent

Hyundai vehicles have been dramatically improved over the past few years. The Hyundai Accent sedan was redesigned for 2006, and this past spring an attractive coupe joined the lineup, adding style, sophistication, and content than ever before.
While the sedan brings some suave to the entry-level family segment, the coupe is clearly seeking street cred, offering hip accessories ranging from a strut-tower brace to faux carbon-fiber trim. Think of it as inexpensive canvas for the Fast & Furious.

This latest generation of Accents is built on a more substantial platform. They are slightly larger and are notably better cars than the previous generation. Hyundai is clearly moving up-market, and the Accent is a viable alternative to the recently introduced Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, and Nissan Versa subcompacts.

Power comes from a clean and sophisticated 1.6-liter double overhead-cam engine, featuring variable valve timing and delivering more power than the Chevrolet Aveo or Scion xA. The environmentally friendly Accent is an Ultra Low Emission Vehicle, or ULEV, and rates 37 mpg on the EPA Highway scale.

What's more, Accent delivers a generous list of safety features. Six airbags (front, seat-mounted side-impact, and side-curtain) are standard on all models; antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution are optional on the sedan and standard on the sporty SE coupe. The Accent and the related Kia Rio are among the least expensive cars on the market with these important safety features.

Based on our impressions, the Hyundai Accent should be considered alongside models from more established players. A generous five-year/60,000-mile basic warranty with roadside assistance and a 10-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty make the Accent a good deal for anyone who does not want to buy a used car and intends to keep the vehicle for an extended period of time.

[Rasputin]

2007 Nissan Versa

Small cars are back in favor, which is not surprising considering the price of gasoline. Nonetheless, many people still desire to own a car with a decent amount of interior space and adequate performance, all for a reasonable price, of course. There's nothing new about this for Europeans, as they have been used to high fuel prices for many years.
The all-new 2007 Nissan Versa arrives as an addition to Nissan's lineup and is now the smallest model you'll find in its showroom. The fact that it's partly based on the Renault Megane, a successful European small car, is a good start.

If you haven't driven a small car in some time you'll likely be pleasantly surprised at how big the Versa feels. There is decent head room, and even tall passengers will find rear seat leg room as good as that in many much larger cars or SUVs. Handling is crisp and parking is a breeze.

Initially, the Versa is only available as a five-door hatchback, but a sedan version will appear in Nissan showrooms later in the model year. Modern hatchbacks have improved considerably from the econoboxes of years gone by and the Versa is no exception with a well finished interior that includes good materials and plenty of modern conveniences and safety features.

The Versa competes with the lower priced Toyota Yaris and the more expensive Honda Fit, but it is slightly bigger than either. All three of these brand-new competitors are designed with relatively tall rooflines for increased interior comfort and visibility.

The Versa is smaller and less expensive than the 2007 Nissan Sentra, but it actually offers greater interior space and more versatility. Bottom line, the Versa is a large small car with good performance, plenty of safety features and versatility.

[Rasputin]

2007 Subaru Legacy

Two years ago, Subaru moved upscale with the Legacy sedans and wagons. For 2007, the carmaker hits its stride with premium technology, including and upgraded engine and a sporty new Legacy GT spec.B.
The 2.5-liter turbocharged boxer engine has been upgraded to an impressive degree, with the introduction of a technology that's currently only available on some BMWs and Ferraris. Called Subaru Intelligent Drive (SI-Drive), it allows a driver to twist a knob to select one of three engine performance levels: Intelligent (economy), Sport (sport) and Sport Sharp (high performance).

The Legacy GT spec.B is much like the WRX is to the Impreza, except it's far more refined; it's a gentleman's sports sedan, complete with a navigation system, exotic sound system and charcoal leather seats with smoky blue suede-like Alcantara inserts. It also has a six-speed gearbox, Bilstein suspension and wide, low-profile summer performance tires on 10-spoke, 18-inch alloy rims.

The Legacy still comes in tamer versions, each with Symmetrical All-wheel-drive, standard on all Subaru models. The GT Limited uses the same engine as the spec.B, but an excellent five-speed automatic transmission is available, and its suspension is not so aggressive.

If you're not excited by all this performance, and simply want the trusty, reknowned around-town Subaru, there's still the Legacy 2.5i Sedan, non-turbocharged, which hasn't changed much from 2006, other than the addition of a 60/40 fold-down rear seat with trunk pass-through. The Legacy 2.5i harks back to the Subarus we know and love.

And of course there are the extremely popular wagons. The Legacy Limited and Outback wagons use the turbocharged engine with SI-Drive, but there's still the bread-and-butter Legacy 2.5i wagon that remains one of the best values in versatile transportation.

[Rasputin]

2007 Audi Q7

Luxury SUVs have gained widespread popularity in the United States. However, until now, Audi has not had an offering in this segment of the market, leaving a gaping hole in its model lineup. But as the saying goes: arrive late, dress well. And Audi has done just that with its sensational Q7.
While the Q7 may be Audi's first-ever sport-utility, its strength and refinement suggest that Audi has been in this game for years, if not decades. As such, the Q7 represents a fresh and beautifully rendered newcomer to the luxury SUV segment. Like other Audis, the Q7 is a paragon of driving elegance and interior refinement.

Built upon the same solid architecture shared by the Volkswagen's impressive Touareg and Porsche's high-performance Cayenne, the Q7 is even nicer to drive than its two corporate cousins, thanks to a more compliant ride and Audi's decades of experience with all-wheel-drive systems, which Audi calls Quattro, or quattro. The Q7 is also the longest of the three, and thus is the only one to offer three-row seating. Audi also has equipped the Q7 with many luxury and convenience features not found on the Touareg and Cayenne, including a few not found on any other luxury SUV.

With a base price of less than $50,000, the Q7 is priced close to others in the luxury SUV segment, which also includes the Cadillac SRX, Lexus GX 470, and Mercedes-Benz M-Class. With all-wheel drive, a choice of powerful V6 and V8 engines and arguably the classiest interior in the segment, the Q7 deserves serious consideration when shopping for a luxury SUV.

[Rasputin]

2007 Honda CR-V

The new, 2007 Honda CR-V is more powerful, more stylish and more comfortable than the previous-generation 2006 models. Its new suspension geometry delivers an improved ride and better, more responsive handling.
Buyers choose from three models, the LX, the EX and the EX-L. The latter comes trimmed in leather and can be fitted with an optional navigation system that incorporates a rearview video camera for safe and easy backing. All have four doors and seat five.

The engine, still an inline four cylinder, employs variable intake valve timing to optimize horsepower and torque for acceleration and cruising speeds. The transmission is a new, five-speed automatic. Real Time all-wheel drive is offered on all three models. The U.S. EPA rates the front-wheel drive CR-V at 23/30 city/highway miles per gallon and the all-wheel drive at 22/28.

Inside, compared with the 2006 CR-V, there's slightly more room in the front seat and slightly less room in the rear seat, except hiproom, which is up by about an inch. There's also marginally more cargo room. Everything by way of instruments, controls and storage is, respectively, logically arrayed, properly placed and reasonably plentiful.

In terms of safety, the new CR-V is fully featured. In addition to the required three-point seatbelts at all five seating positions and front seat airbags, people protection includes front seat-mounted side airbags, front and rear seat side air curtains with roll-over sensors and front seat active head restraints (which work to reduce whiplash in rear impacts). For crash avoidance, antilock brakes, brake assist, electronic brake-force distribution and Vehicle Stability Assist with traction control are all standard.

As for how the '07 CR-V stacks up against the competition, well, in a number of ways, it could do better. Several, especially its arch rival, the Toyota RAV4, offer seating for seven, more powerful and smoother V6 engines and moderately more-capable systems for driving all four wheels. The Mazda CX-7, which seats five, is more fun to drive and to look at. And the Hyundai Tucson and Kia Sportage carry substantially lower sticker prices.

Thus, buyers looking for peppy performance, snazzy styling and easier financing have better choices. But for Honda loyalists looking for something better than their current CR-V or an SUV to step up into from their Civic, the '07 is the logical way to go.

[Rasputin]

2007 Suzuki XL-7

Suzuki forsakes its image as a small car manufacturer with the introduction of the XL7 crossover SUV. The 2007 Suzuki XL7 is all-new. Save for elimination of the hyphen the 2007 XL7 only shares its name with the old XL-7.
The new XL7 is longer, wider and more powerful than the outgoing model. If its look seems faintly familiar that's because it's based on the same platform as the Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent models from GM, though it shares no sheetmetal with them. The XL7 is assembled in Canada alongside the Equinox and Torrent. The XL7's V6 engine is built in Japan, however.

The XL7 is a large mid-size SUV that offers even more space for three rows of seats with sufficient room for adults to sit in reasonable comfort in the third row. The name XL7 denotes that this Suzuki can be equipped to carry up to seven passengers. Fold all the passenger seats down, including the front one, and there's a generous amount of cargo space.

As with other crossover utilities, the XL7 offers a much smoother ride on the highway than truck-based SUVs. All-wheel drive is available, improving traction and stability in foul weather traction and on dirt or gravel roads. With one of the most powerful engines in its class, the XL7 offers decent acceleration performance yet it delivers reasonable fuel economy. It's aided by its smooth-shifting five-speed automatic.

[Rasputin]

2007 Honda Fit

Picture this slice of history: America's roads awash in 200-inch-long boats-on-wheels. Within them are drivers, accustomed to high living standards and a higher sense of entitlement, who don't think twice of cruising along day in and day out, gulping a gallon of gas every 14 miles for the sake of size they hardly need and V8 power they rarely use. Greed is good, oil is cheap, and everyone is happy.

Then the many powers that be decide that a market adjustment is in order. The tap undergoes a slower flow, gas prices jump to the sky, and consumers enter a state of panic, grief, and anger. Suddenly, a giant sucking sound sweeps from coast to coast, signifying the mass exodus of drivers from these behemoths into little tin cans. That, in a nutshell, is 1973. But except for the presence of a national 55 MPH speed limit (which will resurface if Mrs. Clinton gets her way), it could just as well be 2005 or 2006.

One more thing linking past and present: excellent timing by Honda. Just as the Civic was born as our automotive antidote at the right place and time, Honda's heading into 2007 with its tiniest and thriftiest car yet. Named the Fit, it fits right beneath the Civic, gets twice the mileage of an SUV and costs half as much to buy.

What's that saying about history repeating itself?

[Rasputin]

2007 Acura RDX

SPECIFICATIONS

2007 Acura RDX

Base Price $ 36,495


Price As Tested $ 37,165


Engine Type dual overhead cam 16-valve turbocharged
and intercooled aluminum alloy
4-cylinder with i-VTEC variable
valve timing and cam phasing

Engine Size 2.3 liters / 140 cu. in.

Horsepower 240 @ 6000 rpm

Torque (lb-ft) 260 @ 4500 rpm

Transmission 5-speed electronically-controlled automatic
with manual-shift mode and Grade Logic Control

Wheelbase / Length 104.3 in. / 180.7 in.

Curb Weight 3935 lbs.

Pounds Per Horsepower 16.4

Fuel Capacity 18.0 gal.

Fuel Requirement 91 octane unleaded premium gasoline

Tires P235/55 VR18 Michelin Pilot HX mxm4

Ground Clearance 5.12 inches

Brakes, front/rear vented disc / solid disc,

Suspension, front/rear independent MacPherson strut/independent multilink

Drivetrain transverse front engine, all-wheel drive

PERFORMANCE

EPA Fuel Economy - miles per gallon
city / highway / observed 19 / 23 / 17
0 to 60 mph 7.5 sec
Towing Capacity 1500 lbs.

OPTIONS AND CHARGES

[Rasputin]

Aston DB9 - Million Dollar DB

Body
Two door coupe or convertible body style with 2+2 seating
Extruded aluminium bonded body structure
Aluminium and composite body panels
Extruded aluminium door side impact beams
Xenon gas discharge projector headlights (dipped beam),
halogen projector headlights (main beam) with power wash
LED rear lights Engine All alloy, quad overhead camshaft, 48-valve, 5935cc 60° V12
Mid-front mounted, rear wheel drive
Engine management system with Neural Net misfire detection system
Fully catalysed stainless steel exhaust system with active by-pass valves
Compression ratio 10.3:1
Maximum power 335 kW (450 bhp) at 6000 rpm
Maximum torque 570 Nm (420 lb ft) at 5000 rpm
Acceleration (Coupe manual) 0-60 mph in 4.7 seconds 0-100 km/h in 4.9 seconds
Acceleration (Coupe automatic) 0-60 mph in 4.9 seconds 0-100 km/h in 5.1 seconds
Maximum speed 186 mph (300 km/h) Transmission Rear mid-mounted 'Touchtronic 2' six-speed gearbox with electronic shift-by-wire
control system
Rear mid-mounted six-speed manual gearbox
Limited slip differential
Final drive ratio 3.07:1 (auto) 3.54:1 (manual) Steering Rack and pinion, Servotronic speed-sensitive power-assisted steering, 3.0 turns lock to lock Column tilt and reach adjustment Suspension Front: Independent double aluminium wishbones incorporating anti-dive
geometry, coil over aluminium monotube dampers and anti-roll bar
Rear: Independent double aluminium wishbones incorporating longitudinal control arms, coil over aluminium monotube dampers and anti-roll bar. Brakes Radial-mounted four-piston monobloc calipers, Anti Lock Braking System (ABS),
Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA),
Dynamic Stability Control (DSC) and Traction Control
Front: Ventilated and grooved steel discs 355 mm diameter
Rear: Ventilated and grooved steel discs 330 mm diameter Wheels & Tyres Lightweight aluminium alloy wheels
Front: 8.5J x 19
Rear: 9.5J x 19
Bridgestone tyres
Front: 235/40 ZR19
Rear: 275/35 ZR19 Interior Full grain leather interior
Walnut facia trim
Driver and front passenger dual-stage air-bags
Front occupant side air-bags
Automatically deployed roll-over bars (Volante)
Ten-way electrically adjusted seats (including height, tilt and lumbar
adjustment)
Heated rear screen
Automatic temperature control
Organic Electroluminescent (OEL) displays
Trip computer alarm and immobiliser
Remote-control central door locking and boot release
Battery disconnect switch
Battery conditioner
Tracker Horizon (UK only) In-Car Entertainment Linn 128 W audio system with radio and six CD autochanger Dimensions Length: 4710 mm
Width: 1875 mm
Height: (Coupe) 1270 mm
Kerb weight: (Coupe) 1710 kg (manual) 1800 kg (automatic)
Front track: 1570 mm
Rear track: 1560 mm
Turning circle: 11.5 m
Fuel tank capacity: 80 litres (17.6 Imp. galls. 22.0 US galls.)
95RON unleaded fuel only