5 New Car Trends for 2012
Posted by admin in Modern Car on June 7, 2011
The auto industry continues to evolve as higher gas prices, renewed competition and global economic forces put the squeeze on a 125 year old industry. We’re seeing change happening faster than ever before, but those changes are expected only to accelerate in coming years. Let’s take a look at five new car trends certain to dominate in 2012:
1. 40 MPG or else — Blame Hyundai for raising the bar so high that every other manufacturer will need to reach higher and quickly. When the Korean automaker released its all new Elantra compact in late 2010, it was the first model to offer the same fuel mileage across all trim levels. That threshold is 40 mpg, something Kia and Hyundai, its corporate cousin, will be meeting with about a half a dozen models for 2012. Hyundai and Kia sales are exploding and you can credit exceptionally good gas mileage for that fact. Other manufacturers are certain to follow suit.
2. Improved safety — Besides getting excellent gas mileage and offering a comfortable interior, car buying consumers are demanding even safer vehicles. Manufacturers are doing that by offering side curtain air bags, traction control and improved roofs to survive rollovers, but the changes coming down the road include such new devices as inflatable seatbelt airbags and collision avoidance systems. Read the rest of this entry »
Acura – Luxury Cars For Everyone
Acura, a clutch of five different models of Japanese cars, the Acura RL, the MDX, the TL, the RDX and the TSX mentioned in order of pricing. The RL, the TL and the TSX are sedans whereas the other two are SUVs. Each of these models has its own variants depending on their features. The cars have a marked resemblance to the Honda, on which it is based. Though Japanese, practically all of them have an American flavor, the TL and the RDX are built in Marysville, Ohio and the engine for the MDX at Anna, Ohio.
The MDX is a Canadian built one, built at Alliston, Ontario.
The standard Acura MDX the RL and the TL editions and their variants feature the technologically advanced, lightweight all-aluminum alloy constructed 2.4 lt., 24 valve, SOHC VTEC® V-6 engine which electronically controls the valve timing. The Horsepower of these cars are 300, 290 and 258 respectively. The RDX and the TSX are powered by 16 valve DOHC i-VTEC® engine of 2.3 lt. & 2.4 lt. capacity and capable of delivering 240 hp and 205 hp respectively.
In the transmission arena, all the standard cars in the series sport Automatic 5 speed Sequential Sport Shift, Shift and Grade Logic Controls to ensure that the driver is in full control while traversing either plain, uphill or downhill terrains. The option for converting this basic configuration to either the 5 Speed Manual or to the 6 Speed Auto or Manual is also available. The manual mode comes with Paddle Shifters. Read the rest of this entry »