All Car Garage

October 2007 - Posts

• Jeep Wrangler Ultimate Concept

  The 2007 SEMA auto show is revealing two concept cars and they both belong to Jeep. The Jeep Wrangler Ultimate is filled with more features that what we are used to in a Jeep – which frankly is something we don’t mind. It has the 3-inch lift kit and 35-inch BF Goodrich Mud Terrain tires – making it perfect for off the road use. However, when you drop on the 18-inch aluminum wheels, you know this bad boy’s meant for show. The Jeep design team decided to dump the entire Mopar catalogue of accessories on the Wrangler Ultimate’s exterior, which gets some fancy sparkle and shine from ts chrome fuel filler door, taillamp guards, tubular side steps, exterior mirrors, tow hooks, door handles, hood hinges, and overlays for the front fascia. The Liquid Charcoal Pearl Coat exterior paint color is not available from the factory, either. The Wrangler Ultimate’s interior also gets the show car treatment with seats upholstered in a mesh fabric and trimmed in dark slate gary Nappa/Province leather bound with a heavy black leather baseball stitch. There are additional orange trim pieces on the steering wheel, shift knob and passenger handlebar, while the floor shifter appears to have a wooden trim piece, as well. For the days when you are not driving off road there is a MyGIG hard drive-based multimedia system with LCD screens for each rear passenger seat. To help the Wrangler get over those rocks, a 392 cu.in Hemi crate motor has also been installed under the hood giving it that extra boost of power that makes this Jeep go. Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It! Posted Oct 26 2007, 09:45 AM by All Car Garage Filed under: Automotive Reviews, Jeep, Concept Cars

• 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser

  The 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser has been spotted and we have the skinny on what we can look forward to. This newer model has increased 2.3 inches in the length and 1.2 inches in its width – which means that the have revamped it with sheetmetal to align this new styling design. The Land Cruiser’s engine – 5.7-liter V-8 – is unchanged for the Land Cruiser and retains its 381-horse and 401-lb-ft of torque power figures. It’s mated to a six-speed automatic transmission with a sequential shift mode that allows for manual gear selection, automatically shifting into first gear when the vehicle comes to a stop. Unlike many SUVs on the market today, the Land Cruiser is fitted with a proper transfer case. Equipped with a Torsen limited-slip locking center differential, the transfer case allows full-time four-wheel drive, with a rotary dial serving as the switch between high and low range modes. The differential’s locking function is engaged at the press of a button. The suspension, designed with off-road capability in mind, features a live axle in the rear and a double-wishbone setup up front. Also part of the suspension package is Toyota’s Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System consisting of a pair of hydraulic control cylinders that roll stiffness to best match the suspension’s geometry. Stopping power comes by 13.4 inch discs with four-piston calipers up front and 13.6 inch discs at the rear. Towing capacity of the 2008 Land Cruiser is a considerable 8500 pounds and the maximum payload is 1585 pounds. A new CRAWL control engages when the transfer case is shifted into low range. This system manages engine speed and output and braking force, slowly moving the vehicle forward or reverse and enabling the driver to concentrate more on navigating steep grades or extremely rough terrain. CRAWL control also includes Downhill Assist Control to maintain a constant preset speed while descending down an incline. Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It! Posted Oct 19 2007, 07:10 AM by All Car Garage Filed under: Automotive Reviews, Toyota

• Saturn’s 2008 Vue Green Line Hybrid

  Saturn has plans to continue to provide top notch and affordable hybrids to consumers. Their newest hybrid, the 2008 Vue Green Line, is a perfect blend of easy to use controls with an electric motor-generator mated to a 2.4L four-cylinder engine and a modified four-speed automatic transmission. The system saves fuel by providing an electric power assist during acceleration; shutting off the engine at idle; early fuel cut-off during deceleration and capturing electrical energy through regenerative braking. The 2008 Vue was first shown last November at the Greater Los Angeles International Auto Show, as an uplevel XR model. At the show, Saturn also announced it will offer a version of the Vue Green Line with GM’s new two-mode hybrid system, in the third quarter of 2008 . This system will provide a 45-percent improvement in fuel economy compared to its non-hybrid counterpart. Saturn had previously decided to make a plug-in version of the Green Line to so that they would have the upper hand on the economy performance of SUV’s on the market. A release date for the Green Line hasn’t been chosen yet, but we have heard that it is definitely coming. We are hoping that it will be available next year. Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It! Posted Oct 12 2007, 06:38 AM by All Car Garage Filed under: Automotive News, Saturn

• Consumer Reports Top Cars To Drive

  We have gotten our hands on a list of the top cars that are fun to drive. The list was compiled by Consumer Reports, which are very reliable, after they have conducted at least 50 evaluations on each of the vehicles. They look for performance, safety, comfort, convenience, interior quality, fuel economy, and cargo capacity. Here are the top vehicles that received the highest scores: The WRX features race car-like handling and a relatively good ride. For 2006 the updated 2.5-liter turbocharged engine adds more power and provides quick and effortless acceleration. Subaru’s well-tuned suspension offers a compliant ride, but it can easily slide its tail at its limits. The standard all-wheel drive provides secure all-season traction. The Miata won drivers over with its balanced handling, quick and precise steering, and crispshifting six-speed manual transmission, all available at a reasonable price. The manual top can be lowered and raised with one hand from the driver’s seat, making open motoring a snap. An optional power folding hard top was introduced for 2007. Audi’s S4 is a high-performance version of the A4. Power comes from a smooth 340-hp, 4.2-liter V8 engine that drives all four wheels. A six-speed manual transmission is standard; a six-speed automatic is optional. We found the ride stiff but not punishing, unlike the ride in other sports cars. Handling is very capable and secure. The interior is well-finished and nicely appointed. The power-operated leather Recaro racing-style seats are supportive and comfortable. Crash-test results for the sedan are excellent. The updated G35 successfully blends sportiness and luxury. Available in rear- or all-wheel drive, it has an exuberant powertrain, agile handling, and a reasonably comfortable ride. The interior is nicely finished with much improved ergonomics. Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It! Posted Oct 05 2007, 09:41 AM by All Car Garage Filed under: Automotive News, Subaru, Infiniti, Mazda, Audi

• Mercedes Rolls Out Limited Edition ML350

  We all love the Mercedes ML model line and are impressed with the sleekness and the comfortable drive that it offers. This year Mercedes has created the ultimate ML to celebrate its 10 year production mark. They have dubbed this commemorative vehicle the ML350 Edition 10. The 10th anniversary SUV will feature “a unique Birch Wood and Macadamia and Black leather interior with an aluminum instrument cluster and sport pedals.” The ML 350 will also offer Edition 10 badging inside and out, black headlight surrounds, tinted tail lights and a chrome shadow finish on the grill as well as the front and rear skid plates. The Edition 10 also boasts an impressive list of standard features. The ML 350’s powertrain is one of the few things that will not change. Mercedes plans to build only 1,000 of the limited-edition SUV’s but has yet to announce pricing. According to Mercedes-Benz, the automaker produced 570,000 first-generation MLs in its Alabama plant with only half going to the U.S. market. Email This To A Friend or Social Bookmark It! Posted Oct 02 2007, 12:49 PM by All Car Garage Filed under: Automotive News, Mercedes