Archive for the ‘Mazda’ Category
Sporty Convertible Pontiac G6 Shows Great Future
To match the performance, features, and style that the Pontiac Solstice has, General Motors Corporation has decided on bringing out the newest Pontiac G6 convertible coupe and adding it to the Pontiac brand’s line up of vehicles. And those who have already seen and tried the Pontiac G6 could attest that this newest convertible is going to be a sure winner in the auto market.
This convertible has been in production since 2005. It actually took the place of the Pontiac Grand Am vehicle and has been created to be an entrant to the midsize vehicle class. The Pontiac G6 has been crafted in three body styles which comprise of the convertible with two doors, the coupe that holds two, and the sedan with four. It was been built using the FF Epsilon platform and has been designed to be easily personalized and customized with Pontiac accessories so as to suit the preferences of their owners. The Pontiac G6 has certainly found stiff competition with vehicles like the Ford Fusion, Hyundai Sonata, Mitsubishi Galant, Nissan Altima, Honda Accord, and the Mazda Mazda6. But despite this, the Pontiac G6 still continues to shine.
For this year, the Pontiac G6 version came out in the month of April which is quite late to launch a vehicle for the same model year. However, it seemed like the Pontiac G6 has its own share of charm so much so that despite it being a late entrant for the 2006 model year, the units that were produced and sent out for sale were quickly sold out. So while we speak, dealers of this sporty convertible are selling the 2007 Pontiac G6 versions instead.
A study on the sales of the Pontiac G6 shows that the 2006 versions just stayed for a quick 11 days, or less than two weeks, before they were shipped off to their new owners. Indeed, who would not want to grab a Pontiac G6? You would be receiving a sporty convertible that looks real good and performs real well. And yes, the price is much lower than most. It is sold for only ,150 which is a real good deal.
Toyota MR2 . Mid Engine And Strictly Fun
In 2000, the waning fortunes of the targa style MR2 meant a radical change was necessary if the Toyota MR2 was to remain on the market. The restyling that occurred saved the MR2 and it went on to become a favourite on the Australian market.
Being a two seater roadster, the Toyota MR2 is strictly for the driver and one passenger only. If you’re looking for luggage space for a weekend away, then you’re unlikely to find much room here either. The Toyota MR2 is strictly a fun car for getting around town in, if you’re after a practical car, look elsewhere. The post 2000 MR2 is available with a 1.8 litre engine, and while it only produces 103 kw, it is a very lightweight car (just 975 kilograms), so it has an excellent power to weight ratio. For the enthusiast, there will be disappointment in the knowledge that the MR2 is only available in a clutchless five speed manual gearbox or a sequential six speed (from 2003 onwards). But while no proper manual transmission is available, there is also no proper automatic transmission either.
With the mid mounted engine, the handling of the lightweight MR2 is tight and responsive. However, with the short travel of the suspension, the car tends to feel very choppy on rougher country roads. It is generally at its best on smooth city and suburban streets.
While the Toyota MR2 is a small compact mid-engined two seater, it has a surprising amount of room in the cabin for both the driver and passenger.
Tips for buying a one owner Toyota MR2
If you are in the market for a sporty two seater roadster and want something with more radical styling than the classic looking Mazda MX5, then the MR2 may be the car for you. Being a Toyota, the MR2 can be counted on for reliability as long as the car has been well maintained. As the MR2 is popular among younger drivers, check for any signs that may indicate that the car has been thrashed about. Inspect for body damage by checking for any colour differences in the body panels. Another indication that the car may have had body damage or been in a crash is signs of any water damage from a leaking roof. The MR2 has a reputation for not leaking, unless of course the body has been bent out of shape at some stage.
Check the servicing log books also. With the engine mounted in the middle of the car, access to some of the serviceable components can be restricted. So, for those that do home services, or for the dodgy mechanic down the road, it may be tempting to just skip a few of the more out of the way components. Having the book stamped by a Toyota dealer will be the best indication that the car has been serviced properly and well looked after.
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Lincoln Mkx Illuminates Road Safety
Lincoln will be incorporating groundbreaking headlights in its all-new MKX crossover by this time next year. Said headlights swivel left and right as the vehicle changes direction. The addition of the new headlights is designed to provide clearer visibility at the same time to serve a good warning to pedestrians and other drivers on the road.
Lincoln MKX, a luxury crossover SUV, is the first Canada-made Lincoln since 1936. It shares the CD3 platform with the Ford Edge, Fusion, Mazda CX-7, CX-9, Mazda6, Mercury Milan and Lincoln Zephyr. MKX is also among the first three vehicles of Ford to use the 3.5 L Duratec 35 V6 engine. Compared to Lincoln Aviator parts, MKX made use of a unibody construction for a crossover SUV. The Aviator, its predecessor, uses a truck-based body on frame SUV.
“The idea is to bring the light to the road,” said Mahendra Dassanayake, staff technical specialist, “providing the driver with as much information about what’s ahead as possible.” Dassanayake added, “It swings the beam into the turning lane faster than the car can get there. So it gives the driver the ability to see farther during a turn.”
Adaptive headlights have already been incorporated to some models of Land Rover and Jaguar. This time, Ford decided to share the technology to Lincoln MKX. These headlights provide greater illumination even when turning. When cornering, the headlamps can illuminate the road up to 36 feet longer than traditional headlights. Also, the new auto part increases the area of light on the road. “The way the optics in this system work together has not been seen before in the exterior lighting world,” said Dassanayake. “Besides being a beautifully designed light, the system helps drivers to take corners and curves more safely — and consume less energy while doing so.”
According to experts, the secret behind adaptive headlights lies on its sensors, computeried controller, and its systems of motors. Sensors deliver information from the steering wheels to the wheels and finally to the controller. Its computerized controller determines the direction of the headlights point and the vehicle’s acceleration. The headlights can be further manipulated to point to the right aim.
According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, about 42 percent of all crashes and 58 percent of fatal crashes in the United States happen at night or during other degraded visibility conditions. This is one of the great reasons why clear visibility is a paramount consideration.
The all-new Lincoln MKX is scheduled to reach dealer showrooms this month.