Chevrolet Equinox Review

Chevrolet Equinox Review
Revised in 2010.
The Chevrolet Equinox has been revised for 2010. Making it the second-generation crossover SUV. Although the size is more like a midsize SUV, Equinox prices and characteristics of a compact SUV, but not yet with some luxury amenities and technology provides in its price class.

The new version of Equinox is about the same size as its predecessor. But it is in and out of different styles and two new engines. The base engine is an improved version of the 2.4 liter four-cylinder drove the latest model. Thank you to direct injection, is now the most powerful fuel and first class, 32 mpg on the highway. Lots of sound insulation is quieter than most of the four cylinders.

Equinox is also available with a 3.0-liter V6 that offers a 3.6-liter V6 replaced. A similar performance figures to 264 horsepower, but it feels much less efficient than the V6 it replaces more. In fact, we do not think he feels much stronger position of the four cylinders, so we think that the basic engine is the best choice.

The new Equinox manages better than its predecessor. 'S more than the voltage of the vehicle pre-2010 models with less lean alternately. It is not sporty, but is tied with its main competitors, such as the Honda CR-V and Toyota RAV4. The race is also very good. We found that both the standard 17 - or 18-inch wheels available, the equinox even strong shocks absorbed without interrupting passenger comfort.

Feature
• Introduction
• Lineup
• Walk Around
• Interior
• Driving Impressions
• Summary & Specifications
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Inside, the Equinox an interior landscape. There are some services such as ambient lighting beautiful ice blue, control dual-zone automatic temperature control, a hard disk audio system, a dual-screen rear DVD entertainment and power liftgate. The interior materials look and feel of hard plastic, though.

The Equinox offers plenty of space for passengers and freight. The front seats are comfortable and supportive, and have 10 inches of travel to fit any size driver. Return transfers Multiflex rear seat. He has eight inches of travel, passengers can ride in the back or the size of the driver can slide the rear seats forward, handle more cargo.

Its spacious interior and a reasonable price make the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox attractive and buyers can you expect good service in this price range to get. During the last treatment model has been botched for many, the problem is resolved, so the Equinox, a crossover SUV market player in the field.

The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox is available in LS, 1LT, 2LT and LTZ, each available with front-wheel drive (2WD) or four-wheel drive (AWD). All models come standard with GM's Ecotec four-cylinder direct injection now, which improves performance and torque from 164 to 182 160 to 172 lb-ft. Fuel consumption is also improved, as the GM 2.4-liter four-cylinder with a capacity of 22/32 mpg (city / highway) with 2WD and 20/29 with AWD. The transmission is a six-speed automatic with the CEO, the crossing points for fuel economy by about 1 mpg increase changed.

In addition, there is a 3.0-liter V6. A derivative of the V6 3.6-liter GM engine that produces 264 hp and 222 lb.-ft. of torque. GM estimates that the fuel economy of 18/25 mpg city mpg with FWD and 17/24 with AWD. The V6 has a six-speed automatic transmission, but adds a manual shift gate.

Hyundai ix20 Concept

Hyundai ix20 Concept – Click above for high-res image

When it comes to designing an MPV, it's difficult to move beyond the standard two-box form. That's where Hyundai's "fluidic sculpture" design language comes into play. Penned by the automaker's European R&D studio in Rüsselsheim, Germany and set to debut at Paris Motor Show at the end of the month, the ix20 attempts to add a level of style to the utilitarian MPV segment.

There's no word on an engine or output, but Hyundai says the soiree in Paris will have a heavy focus on the brand's BlueDrive drivetrains, and joining the ix20 on stage will be a refreshed i10 city car, complete with a new 1.0-liter engine. Full details in the press blast after the break.

Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL

Nissan gave the Sentra a light refresh for 2010 with new front fascia, grille, front and rear light housings and body-side molding with chrome inserts. The changes on the outside would be hard for me to pick up on unless I had the updated model and the previous model side by side, to be honest. The current-generation Sentra has never stood out to me from a design standpoint and still looks a bit dull to my eye.

However, I did pick up on the new stereo head unit in the interior, which looks sleeker and is user-friendly.

The good news for your pocketbook is that Nissan dropped the base price across the entire Sentra lineup for 2010. In the case of our 2.0 SL model, the base price was reduced by $1,100 compared with the 2009 model year--not too shabby.

The car also stacks up well against the Honda Civic and the Toyota Corolla. With a solid platform, the Sentra handles and changes directions quick. I was pleasantly surprised by the steering, which had nice weight and steering feel, unlike most regular Nissan vehicles. The suspension is competent to tackle daily road problems such as bumps and holes fine with some lean through turns.

Performance from the 2.0-liter is sufficient, and the CVT wasn't bad. I still prefer the operation of a good old-fashion torque-converter automatic instead of the drone CVT-equipped vehicles have under hard acceleration. Brake performance is also strong with a solid pedal feel.

The interior is straight-forward with good quality materials and plastics trim finishes throughout. As with the exterior, it's on the dull side, but is a comfortable enough place to be.

The thing is, simple and bland styling with competent driving performance and good fuel economy reigns supreme in this category. For that, the Sentra has it all down pat.

SENIOR WEB REPORTER GREG MIGLIORE: The Sentra is a decent competitor in this segment and has plenty going for it. I liked the tight chassis. It gave the car a good feel with just enough firmness--well done. I came away impressed with the I4; it worked well with the CVT and provided more than adequate get-up. When a car has 140 horses, you tend to fear the worst, but the Sentra is not underpowered and is more than up to the task for passing. I did rev it close to redline to split traffic during the morning commute, but it did the job, no problem, with just the expected four-banger noise rasp.

The cabin is a relatively nice setting. Some of the materials, particularly the seats, look and feel great. Some of the other materials were a little less impressive. The interior is also quiet enough for a car this size. Some outside noise filters in, but we're not talking luxury cars here.

The satellite radio, seat burners and sunroof all give this a livable feel; it's nice to be able to dress up a fairly basic car. My only real beef is I wasn't a fan of the steering; it just felt a little rubbery to me. I also think the pricing is a touch high.

The design is bland on the outside, but what car in this segment does drop jaws? The Sentra is nonoffensive and has some nice touches with the body molding.

Overall, this is a solid package, and the fuel economy is great. In these times, this is a good product to have in your arsenal if you're a carmaker looking to move the metal.

EDITOR WES RAYNAL: Nissan, not really often on my radar screen, seems to be perking up a bit. The Juke is cool in my opinion, and the upmarket Infiniti QX56 looks strong.

As for this Sentra, it's not a bad a little car, like the Versa that I drove a while back. It's almost perfect for commuting.

As I've often said, CVTs remind me of a snowmobile: You hit the gas, the engine revs up, nothing happens at first and eventually things get rolling. But this is good, basic transportation. The ride is compliant and comfortable, one of the better rides among the small cars, something one would appreciate in Detroit.

Build quality and materials are not as bad as the Versa and even if they weren't, you'd sort of expect it. I did hear some rattles coming from the back-seat area. Like the Versa, the Sentra is not sexy, fast or fun. But it's a decent little commuter/city car. This is a fine alternative to the Honda Civic/Toyota Corolla cliché.

2010 Nissan Sentra 2.0 SL

Base Price: $19,280

As-Tested Price: $21,080

Drivetrain: 2.0-liter I4; FWD, continuously variable transmission

Output: 140 hp @ 5,100 rpm, 147 lb-ft @ 4,800 rpm

Curb Weight: 2,978 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 29/24.3 mpg

Options: 2.0 SL premium plus package including power sliding-glass moonroof with tilt feature, dual illuminated visor vanity mirrors, cargo net and hooks, heated seats ($850); SL leather package with leather seats ($700); splash guards ($140); floor mats ($110)

Motor Trend pits Lexus LFA against Nissan GT-R in epic drag race

Lexus LFA versus Nissan GT-R – Click above to watch the video after the break

Japan is back in the supercar race in a major way following the introduction last year of the Nissan GT-R and the addition of the Lexus LFA for the 2011 model year. The question now is this: If the $85,000 GT-R is Godzilla, then what in the world (Or perhaps it's otherworldly? Read our review and decide for yourself.) is the nearly $400,000 (or more) Lexus?

Clearly, with a price gap that large, the two automakers don't necessarily count the opposing product as direct competition for its own... but that doesn't mean we aren't keenly interested in seeing how the two Japanese performance behemoths stack up when the light turns green. Got your interest piqued?

Fortunately for us, Motor Trend managed to procure a brand-new Lexus LFA for testing just long enough to line it up against the magazine's own long-term Nissan GT-R for an impromptu drag race. What happened? Well, the Lexus unleashed all 552 of its horsepower (at 8,700 RPM) and 354 pound-feet of torque (at 6,800 RPM) to its rear wheels and the Nissan used its all-wheel drive system to its advantage.

And? Click past the break to find out how the rest of the story unfolds. Oh, and as cool as this grudge match may be, we still want to see what happens between the two warriors after a few laps on a proper race track. Thanks to all who sent this in!

Carbon Motors' E7 Police Car gets BMW Turbo Diesel Power

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Carbon Motors E7 Police Car gets BMW Turbo Diesel Power


Announced at a joint press conference in Washington DC and BMW, Carbon Motors in a strategic partnership that the German manufacturer of cars provides law enforcement agencies in the U.S. automotive diesel express.

The agreement includes the supply of 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder BMW diesel, complete with cooling and exhaust system and 6-speed automatic Carbon E7 purpose-built rear-wheel police vehicle.

In the U.S. market, the X5 35d and 335d, the min-line six-cylinder diesel engine offers 265 hp at 4,200 rpm and maximum torque of 425 Nm 1750-2250 rpm, while returning 23mpg city / 36mpg highway and 19mpg city / 26mpg highway o.

Carbon Motors, founded in 2003, said it is estimated that the fleet of law enforcement in the United States consume about 1.5 billion gallons of gasoline and an estimated 14 million tons of CO2 per year.

The Company believes that diesel BMW Carbon E7, both cut prices by up to 40 percent.

"America's largest and visible state of the fleet of vehicles, now exceeding 450,000 units, earning the most durable, efficient and reliable power available," said William Santana Li, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Carbon Motors Corporation .

"The strength of BMW as a partner for our men and women in uniform in a state of diesel engine performance, have enabled it to provide on request, with the significant reduction of fuel consumption and emissions, the taxpayers of the United States must" .

If the production is full, the C7 Carbon with the new competition FWD / AWD Interceptor Ford Taurus driven by an aspirated or turbocharged V6 offered, GM's new RWD Chevy Caprice police car with the V8 power unit and the current Dodge Charger. The police car in the United States consists of approximately 65,000 vehicles per year.

CFC Proves There's No Limit to Bad Taste with Chromed-Out Hummer H2

Leave it to a German tuner to take something already gaudy by nature and make it even more garish and ugly. "Take your Hammer and drive it sexy", says CFC in the press release on the pimped-out Hummer H2 (with a "u" and not an "a"). Too bad it doesn't say 'where', but let's not make this post more inappropriate than it already is.

After a lengthy visit at their warehouse, CFC's tuning team went ahead and stuffed the Hummer H2 like a Thanksgiving turkey. Starting from the outside, the 'chrome' vinyl wrap is complemented by tinted windows, a carbon wrap for the bonnet and a set of uber-discreet 'CFC' stickers.

The H2 rides on massive 28-inch TunerShop light-alloy rims shod in jumbo-sized 325/35 R28 pneumatic tires by Kumho. Other exterior 'upgrades' include the four tail pipes, additional lights, chromed side guards and let's not forget, the Lambo-Style-Doors.

CFC's decorators really outdid themselves with the H2's interior. Applying lessons learned from the cheesiest of limo-makers, the SUV's cabin has been fitted with no more than... 17 LCD screens plus an HD TV, (on the ceiling, sunscreen, central console between the front seats, trunk and doors), a DVD-player, a 1.360-Watt RMS music system, a mini bar and probably some other thing we forgot to mention.

Style-wise, the seats have been upholstered in black leather with yellow stitches while there's also a new rear sofa and yellow decorative trim on the dash.

Finally, CFC also tampered around with the Hummer H2's engine which now puts out a total of 480HP.

For better or for worse, the German tuner did not release details on pricing.

The B7 goes on sale this spring in both standard and long wheelbase formats

2011 Alpina B7 - Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW has stated several times that it has no plans to do an official M version of the current F01 7 Series, but that doesn't mean it won't offer a hotter version of its flagship sedan courtesy of Alpina.

At next month's Chicago Auto Show, BMW will be reviving the Alpina B7, and while the sweet 4.4-liter twin turbocharged V8 remains under the hood, the dial has been turned up from the stock 400 horsepower to a full 500 hp, along with 516 pound-feet of twist. That should be enough to catapult the big sedan to 60 mph in just 4.5 seconds.

By itself, big power is useless unless spend all your time at the drag strip and the 7 Series is capable of so much more. Handling has long been a BMW hallmark and the 21-inch, 20-spoke Alpina wheels wrapped in Michelin PS2 rubber should provide plenty of grip for directional changes and positive and negative acceleration. A deeper front air dam and a rear decklid spoiler help keep the car glued to the pavement at autobahn level velocities, while inside the B7 coddles its occupants in upgraded leather and wood trim.

The B7 goes on sale this spring in both standard and long wheelbase formats, although pricing has yet to be announced. Make the jump for all the details.

2011 Alpina B7

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Dacia Black Line

Dacia Logan, Logan MCV and Sandero Black Line – Click above for high-res image gallery

These days it seems like every color is being claimed for one cause or another. Medical research has laid claim to a few (pink and yellow come to mind), but so has the automotive industry: red for performance, green for hybrids, blue for clean diesels... Mercedes adopted black as the label for its most extreme AMG models, but now the shade is being used for something decidedly more low-rent: Renault's budget brand and Romanian subsidiary, Dacia.

Available on the Logan, Logan MCV and Sandero – though not, apparently, on the Logan pick-up or the upcoming new Duster crossover – the Black Line adds a touch of class to the budget cars. The package, based on the Laureate trim level, adds such "special" touches as metallic paint, visible top-stitching on the black fabric upholstery, MP3-capable CD player and a leather-trimmed steering wheel. Nothing ground-breaking here, and it's not going to outshine an SL63 by any means, but finally a car Top Gear's James May can drive to the symphony. Details in the press release after the jump and photos in the gallery below.

Dacia Black Line

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