Monthly Archives: November 2012
Most Tech Heavy SUV – 2013 Infiniti JX
At reviewitonline, we are proud to announces the “Most Tech Heavy SUV” on the market: the 2013 Infiniti JX. The seven-passenger JX stands out due to its large array of advanced safety features, in addition to the luxurious tech features one would expect to find in a luxury SUV.
Notable Technology Features on the 2013 Infiniti JX include:
- Around View Monitor (AVM) with Moving Object Detection
- Optional Bose Cabin Surround 15-speaker premium audio system with digital 5.1-channel decoding and Waveguide subwoofer
- Driver Zone/Speed Alert
- Infiniti Personal Assistant (24-hour access to a team of Infiniti professionals)
- Infiniti Connection with Google Calendar
- Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and optional Blind Spot Intervention System
- Available Back Up Collision Intervention System (BCI)
- Available Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP) systems
In addition, the new Infiniti JX SUV boasts segment-leading rear cargo and passenger volume (with seating for seven), an award-winning interior, and an exterior design featuring the brand’s new design language, as initiated with the Infiniti Essence concept.
Always far beyond basic, Infiniti has added a wealth of features as standard, including powered front seats (optionally heated and cooled), leather seating throughout the cabin, a power liftgate, LED taillights and bi-xenon headlights, a sunroof, heated side mirrors, and 18-inch wheels all come standard. There are several optional packages available, including the Driver Assistance Package, the Theater Package, the Deluxe Touring Package, and the Technology Package.
The 2013 Infiniti JX is powered by a 2.5-liter V6 engine that produces 265-hp and is paired with a continuously variable transmission featuring a Sport mode. FWD is standard, though all-wheel drive is also available.
Infiniti Vice President Ben Poore explains the new model’s appeal, stating, “Every element of the Infiniti JX is designed to connect the driver and passengers to the world, rather than shield them from it as many luxury crossovers try to do. Our goal is to heighten awareness of your surroundings, so you can get more out of every day, Saying ‘no’ to boring luxury starts right here, right now with the inspired design and advanced technology of the 2013 Infiniti JX.”
Mercedes-Benz Imagines the Future of Off-Roading with Ener-G–Force Concept
German luxury auto brand Mercedes-Benz is known for creating some of the most stylish, well-built vehicles on the market, and the company’s commitment to innovation is no less impressive. At the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show later this month (Nov. 30th-Dec. 6th), Mercedes-Benz will join other automakers from around the world to debut unique concepts along with traditional production models.
This year, some of those unique concepts will have been entered in the Los Angeles Design Challenge 2012, for which participating auto brands were asked to design the “Highway Patrol Vehicle 2025.” The result of this, for Mercedes-Benz, is the Mercedes-Benz Ener-G-Force concept SUV, which is based on the standard Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV. This SUV has been heavily edited with a new, bulkier grille, 20-inch rims, and smaller windows. The emergency lights on the current vehicle have been removed for an optimum off-roading experience.
The current Mercedes-Benz G-Class SUV (short for Gelandewagen) has been on the market for 34 years and has procured quite a following for itself. Though the company has often announced it will be discontinued, its high sales have kept it alive and well over the years. Overall, its known for its rather dated design, which still proves popular despite the fact that it hasn’t changed much since the vehicle’s inception. (Though it has received a couple of redesigns over its lifetime, everything has changed except its signature look). Freed of its design constraints, however, Mercedes-Benz designers were happy to consider how it might look in 2025. The company even admits it could provide clues about the vehicle’s look in the near future.
The Ener-G-Force has been designed as a clean energy vehicle that would, theoretically, run solely on hydrogen power. Though the technology has yet to actually be developed, Mercedes-Benz imagines that the new SUV would feature roof-top tanks that store natural water and fuel a hydro-tech converter to power onboard fuel cells. Electric motors would be present under each wheel hub to provide additional power, and the company reasons that range could be up to 500 miles with this type of system. Illuminated side skirts would also conceal swappable battery packs that store any excess electric power that is created, and the lights surrounding them would change color depending on the charge level of these packs.
In addition to the tanks, the roof of the vehicle would feature a scanner to survey the surrounding terrain and adjusts the suspension accordingly, as well as four pods of auxiliary lights.
Though Mercedes-Benz is quick to note that the new Ener-G-Force is “pure, rendered science fiction,” it could give us some indications about new vehicles to come in the future. In fact, Gordon Wagner, Director of Design at Mercedes-Benz Cars, explains that the concept could “be a clue about a new beginning for the off-road design idiom of Mercedes-Benz.”
A full-scale model of the concept SUV will be on display at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show.
NAFTZ Awards BMW For Being The Best Exporter!
BMW Manufacturing Company is a subsidiary of the Bayerische Motoren Werke, the well-known automobile giant based in Germany. The company is amongst the largest and most successful automobile manufacturers of the world competing with other major companies like Audi, Porsche, etc. The BMW Manufacturing Co. manufactures automobiles and engines at their various manufacturing plants located all over the world.
BMW’s South Carolina plant recently received a prestigious award by NAFTZ, the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones, which recognized the plant as the largest exporter of automobiles in the USA! The award also recognized the company’s marked improvement from the previous year, the most amongst all other car companies in the states.
The South Carolina Plant is the sole producer of the company’s three major models. These models are the BMW X3, BMW X5 and BMW X6. While X3 and X5 are sports utility vehicles, the X6 is a sport utility coupe. The plant produces around 1000 vehicles on a daily basis and exports a major portion of these units to markets it serves overseas. After receiving the award and gaining recognition from the NAFTZ, BMW has made plans for expanding the plant further so that production and exports can rise even further.
The award was received by Sky Foster, Manager of Corporate Communications at the BMW Manufacturing Co. Foster thanked BMW’s associates, Tier I Suppliers, as well as the authorities controlling exports and imports at the port of South Carolina for the cooperation they had been showing. Foster also stated happily that BMW Manufacturing Co. was proud of this recent accomplishment, and would come up with even better results in the near future. NAFTZ’s activities were also praised by Lewis Liebowitz, Chairman of the BMW Manufacturing Company, who stated that the initiatives taken by the association have helped maintain a healthy competition among the various automobile companies and also helped the US in emerging as a large exporter globally.
BMW’s expansion plans include investing $900 million on the South Carolina plant and adding another model to the production department within the plant. The expansion process is expected to be complete by the year 2014. It is anticipated that the plant shall produce 3 million passenger cars every year with around 70% of this production being exported to international markets.
BMW’s South Carolina plant is now the largest manufacturing park in the US, and the expansion will certainly help in maintaining this status over the coming years.
The New 2013 Audi S3 – A Little Beast!
Audi Motors has been among the top rated automobile manufacturing companies. It is a German company and has been owned largely by the Volkswagen Group. Now known for manufacturing and selling sports cars and bikes under the names of brands like Lamborghini, Ducati, etc., Audi has grown a exponentially over the time period of its existence. Audi is also known for the strong and excellent vehicles it produces. The company recently added the highly efficient A3 Sportback to its already magnificent collection of products that it offers to its customers.
Audi had recently launched a three door machine with the same concept some time ago in the United Kingdom, and now unveiled the five door version at the Paris Motor Show of 2012. The car features the traditional Audi looks that any car freak can recognise from a mile away, and the body is quite lean and stylish. Audi never leaves behind any chances of adding the little things in the designs of its cars. This five door version also features unparalleled comfort to all of its passengers and the boot space is also very impressive. The unique thing about the A3 Sportback is that it is a part of the Audi e-gas project and features a peculiar fuel system.
The car features a 13 gallon petrol or diesel tank, which is also accompanied by a ‘carbon neutral’ fuel system. In this technology, hydrogen gas is generated by the process of electrolysis, which is then made to combine with carbon dioxide, resulting in the production of methane gas (also called natural gas). Methane is known for its high calorific value and low pollution emission statistics. The A3 Sportback also offers very fine and impressive interiors. Everything about the interiors is lean and sophisticated. The controls and the steering wheel are quite smooth, and Audi offers interiors with colours matching that which is used on the exteriors!
Audi A3 Sportback would be coming in 6 different models in the coming future. However, only 3 of these models would be available for some time, and the remaining 3 would be launched later. The 3 models that are to be launched are – 2 TFSI turbocharged engines and one TDI diesel engine. One can choose from the basic SE trim, the Sport trim, and the high-end S Line trim. These three models feature a 1400cc, 1800 cc and 2000cc engines respectively. The 2000cc TDI engine is capable of thrusting the machine to a speed of 60 miles per hour (almost 100 kilometres per hour) in a time interval of 8.5 seconds. The fuel economy offered by this engine is more than a baffling figure of 60 miles per gallon! Audi’s carbon neutral feature has indeed worked well!
Audi has planned of launching one more TFSI model and two TDI models in the near future. All these models would feature strong and efficient engines. The high fuel economy accompanied by the comfort that the car offers make the A3 Sportback one of the best cars available in its price range!
Small Edits Equal Large Improvement for the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class
Aging celebrities know that a few exterior edits can go a long way, and luxury auto brands such as Mercedes-Benz understand that a great nip-and-tuck for an automobile model can do the same thing. For the first time this year, the Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class gets slight, yet very effective, edits.
The new Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class sees the most changes inside its cabin, where much more luxurious materials are used than in the previous model. Featured are Mercedes-Benz traditional large chrome vents, better quality materials, a large amount of wood trim, and a general overall improved ambiance. The front seats of the new GLK-Class are quite roomy, but rear seat legroom is rather pinched. For the best use of space, it’s advisable to use the rear seat for holding children, or simply fold it down to hold shopping items or groceries. When it’s folded, cargo space increase from 35 feet to an impressive 66 cubic feet.
On its exterior, the new SUV looks quite similar to the way it first appeared in 2010, with styling cues from the larger Mercedes-Benz G-Class and Mercedes-Benz GL-Class. It does, however, look rather softened and simplified overall, in a very positive way. New LED and fiber optic taillights are featured, but the vehicle’s sharp lines are still left over from the original model.
Rather wagon-like in appearance and nearly a foot shorter than the larger Mercedes-Benz M-Class sedan, this year’s GLK-Class receives an improved, well-damped steering wheel and an improved suspension, which gives it the ability to make sharp turns effortlessly. This is due, in part, to the lack of roominess you’ll find in its backseat.
Underneath the vehicle’s hood, you’ll find a rather powerful new 3.5-liter DOHC V6 that gets a boost of 34 horsepower versus last year’s model (putting it up to 302 horsepower), despite the fact that its engine is the same size as the one before. Paired with this engine is a seven-speed automatic transmission as standard, with manual paddle-shifters mounted on the steering wheel. This combination helps the vehicle achieve 60 mph in 6.4 seconds, which is quite impressive for an SUV. In short, though it’s certainly powerful, the SUV is not all brawn. It’s truly fun to drive, and it’s certainly nice to sit in for a while.
Fuel economy ratings come in at 19 mpg city/24 mpg highway and is paired with such features as an engine stop/start system to keep fuel use frugal. Later in the 2013 model year, the Mercedes-Benz GLK250 BlueTec will be the first compact luxury crossover SUV featuring a diesel engine, and it should have the best fuel economy ratings in its segment.
The 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class will be available in two main trims (not counting the diesel variant): the base GLK350 trim with RWD and standard features, starting at $37,090, and the GLK350 4Matic model, featuring all-wheel drive and starting at $39,090. Though the SUV boasts several new standard features, its optional features are much more impressive. These, however, can be quite pricey when you add them all up.
Overall, this year’s GLK-Class is more luxurious and powerful than ever before. For more information about the 2013 Mercedes-Benz GLK-Class, or any other new SUV models, be sure to check out our informative reviews, and don’t forget to check back often for more updates!
Bentley Returns to the Racing World with the Racing GT
After being out of the racing scene for a decade, Bentley has made a huge comeback this year. The company revealed its Continental GT at the 2002 Paris Motor Show, and established a firm grip on the racing market. Now, in this year’s Paris Motor Show, it unveiled the 2013 C, and has again established its superiority on the racing market.
Bentley Motors has operated under the umbrella of the Volkswagen Group for some 15 years now, and has always been counted among the best automobile companies in the world producing excellent supercars. The Continental GT3 racing car is the latest product that Bentley has introduced boasting a number of high end features. The launch of this beast marks a very important turning point in the history of Bentley Motors as the company has stepped back into the racing market after a full decade!
As your eyes focus on the Continental GT3, you can’t help but be mesmerized by the stylish and traditional headlights, new bumpers, gigantic spoiler, beautiful front grill and overall sleek design. The interiors are made out of excellent quality material for the current two-seater version, with the four-seater model expected to be released in a few months. Its looks are elegant and aggressive at the same time, which make the Continental GT3 stylish, but with a twist of danger!
The Continental GT3 will be powered by an insane 6000cc engine which experts expect a power output of 615 horsepower. The car will return torque of 590 lbs.-ft. which would be enough to power the machine to a dazzling speed of over 205 miles per hour (330 kilometres per hour)! The bad news for all wheel drive system fans is that the racer would feature a rear wheel drive system.
The car will also feature unparalleled aerodynamics with strategically placed air intakes and massive spoiler. The car will weigh somewhere near 5200 pounds and will hence, ensure a very stable driving experience. In short, Bentley Motors have created just the perfect car that every racer wishes to own and drive! We advise you to put on your safety belts when you drive this monster!
The GT3 would be launched for sale somewhere in 2013. Bentley Motors have given a very tough challenge to other highly competent rivals like Porsche, Ferrari, etc. With its comeback to the racing world after 10 years, Bentley has certainly thrown down the gauntlet to its competitors in the racing industry!
BMW’s South Carolina Plant – A Shining Example of BMW Dominance!
Anyone can easily recognize the circular logo made up of blue and black quadrants! Yes, we are talking about BMW cars! The Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is one of the largest automobile manufacturing giants in the world and exports to almost every part of the world! BMW has several manufacturing plants worldwide , one of these plants being located in South Carolina. This plant really proved to be of significance for BMW in 2011!
BMW’s South Carolina plant is responsible for the production of over 1000 vehicles every day. Besides production, the plant also acts as the exporter of three BMW’s SUV models, BMW X3, the BMW X5 and the BMW X6. The plant was inaugurated over 18 years ago, and has been a major producer and exporter for BMW since 1994. The plant produced the largest exporting figures in all of the United States of America, marking a huge improvement in the company’s status on the US mainland!
The South Carolina plant is situated in Spartanburg currently, and as mentioned above, produces some 1000 units every day. The plant has produced over 2 million vehicles for BMW, and the estimated production capabilities of the plant would be somewhere near 3 million vehicles every year! BMW aims to export 70% of this number on a massive scale to 130 overseas markets! This expansion is expected to be complete by 2014, which will give BMW an even stronger international market presence.
BMW’s South Carolina plant’s export statistics were analyzed by the National Association of Foreign Trade Zones which noted that the plant was the largest exporter in the field of automobiles in the entire United States. The plant received the award for showing the best improvement by the NAFTZ at an award ceremony at the South Carolina port. The award was accepted by the manager of corporate communications, Sky Foster, who expressed BMW’s recognition for the Port’s cooperation with BMW in their export activities.
BMW Manufacturing Co. has certainly set a high mark with the production and export figures of its South Carolina plant and it is expected to get even better results with BMW’s 900$ million expansion of the plant!
Subaru to Show Off Brand-New 2014 Subaru Forester Crossover at 2012 L.A. Auto Show
Great news, Subaru fans! If you’re searching for official images of the all-new 2014 Subaru Forester crossover SUV, which will be showing its face for the first time in North America at the L.A. Auto Show later this month, the first set is now available! The brand-new Forester joins a much roomier cabin and a more aggressive profile than previous models with relatively the same carbon footprint as its predecessor.
The new Forester is the fourth generation of the vehicle, and it will be powered by the brand’s new 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged BOXER engine, which will be paired with a new six-speed manual transmission to replace the standard naturally aspirated 2.5-liter BOXER engine first introduced for the 2012 model. Due to this new engine, fuel-efficiency will be up quite a bit for each trim across the lineup, though there’s been no word on the official ratings yet. We do know that it’s the most recent model created under the brand’s new Motion-V strategy, which aims to reduce the auto brand’s emissions and fuel consumption by 30 by 2015, joining such new models as the Outback Sport.
We’ve also discovered that there will also be an available CVT (continuously variable transmission) and Lineartronic transmissions. A new Turbo model Forester will be offered for 2014. The turbo unit is modeled after the BOXER engine found in the Subaru BRZ sports car, but it receives Subaru direct-injection technology instead of the Toyota system traditionally found in the BRZ.
The Forester has been one of the brand’s best-sellers since it made its debut some 15 years ago, due to its fantastic blend of car-like handling and SUV versatility and comfort. To increase this optimal combination, the new Forester will feature a new suspension system that will deliver an even more luxurious ride quality and extremely agile handling. To increase this excellent handling, the new SUV has a generous amount of space from the ground- at 8.7 inches.
Inside, the 2014 Forester will be roomier than ever, featuring a bigger cargo area and increased legroom for front and rear seat passengers. Of course, the latest technology features will be available for new Forester drivers, including a backup camera, a navigation system, Bluetooth smartphone integration, a Harman/Kardon premium audio system, 17- and18-inch wheels, seating for five, and more.
The Subaru Forester crossover SUV has been manufactured since 1997 and shares its platform with the Subaru Impreza. It was first introduced as a compact crossover SUV, but after a decade of production, it expanded into a mid-size crossover SUV. It slots between the Subaru Impreza and the larger Subaru Legacy in terms of price.
For more updates on new SUV models, stay tuned here with reviewitonline.net. We always have the juiciest bits of auto gossip, and we certainly enjoy sharing them with you! Excited about the arrival of this new Subaru SUV or another new SUV model? Be sure to comment and let us know the models you’re most interested in seeing on showroom floors in the near future!
Chrysler Group Reports Best October Sales in Five Years
Chrysler Group LLC is an automobile giant based in Michigan, USA and owned by Italian manufacturer Fiat. Chrysler manufactures and sells a number of different types of vehicles, and is well known for exporting its vehicles all over the world making it one of the biggest multi-national companies across any industry. The company’s activities and technologies are wide. It designs and produces vehicles and trucks meant for military purposes, as well as having developed efficient technology that incorporates hybrid fuel technology.
The month of October, 2012 proved to be a golden time for the company. Chrysler reported that they recorded the best sales of the last 5 years in the month of October! The storm stricken month of October proved to be devastating for a number of companies as Hurricane Sandy rammed the eastern coast of the country, however, statistics of the Chrysler group depicted a much brighter picture of the company’s best sales since 2007! The company’s sales had never crossed the mark that was set in October, 2007, but the month of October, 2012 proved to be the ‘golden’ October the company was hoping for. Moreover, the sales recorded in the year of 2012 were much higher than the sales recorded in 2011.
Statistics and sales figures:
Chrysler reported a total 10% gain in its sales as compared to the sales that were recorded in October, 2011. Almost all of the featured models recorded better sales. The rise in sales of passenger cars was found to be 18%, while commercial vehicles like trucks recorded a sales gain of 7%. If the sales of the whole year are considered, then Chrysler’s sales rose by a total of 23% this year as compared to the previous year. The percentage increase in the sales of passenger cars alone was an astonishing 43% and trucks saw a percentage sales increase of 15%. 2012 indeed seems to be the golden year for the Chrysler Group!
Let us now talk in the terms of the number of units sold. Chrysler’s total sales for the month of October, 2012 were as high as 126,185 units. The previous year was 114,512 in the same month. The total passenger cars and trucks sold this October were 38,455 and 87,730 respectively. Comparing this data with the October, 2011, we found that the sales increased considerably. The passenger cars and trucks sold in 2011 were limited to 32,582 and 81,930 respectively. Hence, the total sales rose by a total of 11,673 units. Out of these, 5873 were passenger cars and 5800 were commercial vehicles like trucks.
The most popular product of the group, the Ram brand also saw a huge rise in sales. The number of units sold of the particular brand in October this year was 25,609 as compared to 21,836 for the previous year, indicating a percentage rise of 17%. Other popular models also recorded heavy sales, making October 2012, the best October for the company since 2007!