Ford Focus

Ford Focus 2011

Ford Focus Videos

2012 Ford Focus Review

By Mitch McCullough

An all-new 2012 Ford Focus goes on sale early in 2011. Ford Motor Company revealed the upcoming Focus at the January 2010 North American International Auto Show in Detroit.

The 2012 Focus is a C-sized small car rife with new technology, new powertrains and new customer features, some of which are not offered by other cars in this class. This is a huge market segment that accounts for 2 million units of production every year and includes the Toyota Corolla, Nissan Sentra, Mazda 3, and the upcoming Chevrolet Cruze. The Focus has been a big success for Ford since its initial launch in 1998, selling more than 9.2 million cars worldwide from production plants in Germany, Russia, Spain, the Philippines, China, South Africa, and Vietnam.

In the U.S., the Focus will be available in five-door hatchback and four-door sedan versions. In Europe, the Focus is also available as a three-door hatchback, including a 300-horsepower RS model.

The new Focus will be built around an entirely new Ford powertrain, starting with an all-aluminum 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine that features both a Denso direct fuel injection system and TiVCT, twin independent variable camshaft timing, two features that, taken together, provide very smooth idle with high horsepower and torque numbers, as well as excellent fuel economy and emissions performance, numbers not revealed at the moment. Initial power figures are 155 horsepower and a 145 foot-pounds of torque using a very high 12:1 compression ratio, previously suitable only for racing engines. Later on, there will be a turbocharged 1.6-liter EcoBoost version of this engine offered to the performance-minded buyer, and still later, Ford may offer a common-rail direct-injection diesel version, already slated for Europe, a hybrid version, and a battery electric version.

Read more about the 2012 Ford Focus and see our growing library of more than 2,500 comprehensive New Car Reviews.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mitch_McCullough

Caterham Seven Roadsport

Caterham Seven Roadsport

Caterham Seven Roadsport Videos

Caterham Seven Roadsport 2007

By Marcus Lim

For those looking for a unique look in a car that will move along at a fast clip, the 2007 Caterham Seven Roadsport may be the right choice. This car has been in production for 50 years now, and the 2007 version takes an already excellent car and makes it just a bit better. Both stiffness and rigidity have been added to the car for a better ride, and both the handling and the performance have been improved upon. While the car is a bit on the small side, and it only seats two people in it, it is definitely a great car for people who enjoy cruising around without spending a fortune in gas costs.
If you take a look at the 2007 Caterham Seven Roadsport you will quickly notice that the car boasts a traditional style that looks as if it came right out of the 1950s. While the styling of the vehicle may be traditional, you can be sure that all the parts are modern and that the latest technology is used in this car. Interestingly enough, you have two choices when you purchase this car. You can choose to have it built for you, or you can get the self build kit and actually put the car together on your own. This is definitely a fun option for those who enjoy tinkering around with cars; however, you most certainly want to be sure that you are following the directions carefully when putting it together.
While Caterham has used a variety of different engines to power their cars over the years, the news about the 2007 Caterham Seven Roadsport is that it boasts a Ford Sigma engine, which is generally used in a Ford Fiesta. This engine provides the car with plenty of power for a nice drive on the road, or even for some fun racing as well. Adding this new engine to the vehicle definitely was a good choice by Caterham, since it still has plenty of power but makes it easier to drive than before.
Although this car can be quite a bit of fun, it is definitely on the small side. For people who have longer legs or who are very tall, they may find themselves a bit cramped up in this car. Another thing about the small size is that you probably will not have much room to carry any luggage or even to carry home a few groceries; however, if you are just out for a nice drive to enjoy the weather, the 2007 Caterham Seven Roadsport is a perfect car for the job.
Of course the small size of this car has many advantages as well. It is definitely great when it comes to good fuel mileage, which is important today when gas prices are so high. In fact, as a general rule you can expect to get around 40 mpg when driving the Caterham Seven Roadsport. In some cases this car has been known to get even better gas mileage than that, making it a very economical car to drive around for enjoyment.
The 2007 Caterham Seven Roadsport does come with quite a bit of power as well. While the engine isn't huge, it produces satisfactory power and will go from 0-60 in only 5.0 seconds, which is doing pretty good. You shouldn't expect a sports car interior; in fact, while the seats are leather and there is a nice heating system, that is pretty much all you will find in the way of luxury when it comes to this car. Although the car can be fun, definitely looks great, and has power, a luxury interior is not really on the list of this cars' characteristics.
If you want a car with an engine that sounds great and that provides you with a beautiful ride and you're not really wanting to dish out the money, the 2007 Caterham Seven Roadsport is definitely one to keep in mind. Costing only about $24,000 and a bit less if you build it yourself, you can get a unique car without having to spend the big bucks. Sure, it may not really be a race car, but if cruising around with the wind blowing through your hair is what you want, this car is a great inexpensive option.

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Caparo T1 2011

Caparo T1 2011

Caparo T1 2011 Videos 

Caparo T1 Review 

I’ve never felt quite like this before. My torso is taking an absolute battering; it’s a brutal, physical assault – the closest I hope I ever come to receiving multiple stab wounds. Each and every time I squeeze the throttle, whichever gear this car is in, the forces acting upon me feel unstoppable, malevolent, evil. I’m exposed to the elements so need the visor of my helmet to prevent airborne insects from becoming deadly missiles and every tug of the transmission paddles sends the most violent shock through my body, while a press on the brakes sees every internal organ shifted forward, trying to find a way out.

Just three weeks ago I was left reeling in shock from a day behind the wheel of the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport but this… this is something else. The Veyron SS may well be the fastest production car in the world, this car, the Caparo T1, is the quickest. It certainly feels it from where I’m sitting because, while the Veyron is undoubtedly stunning in its power delivery, it also feels safe inside, ensconced in a luxurious cabin. This thing doesn’t even possess a windscreen. When cornering and braking it can pull up to 3.5g, which is normally the preserve of aerobatic pilots. It’s sensational. It’s like nothing else out there.

If, like me, you’re tired of hearing about the latest sports car being referred to as ‘an F1 car for the road’ then accept my apologies. Because the T1 is exactly that. This is the real deal. And you’ve probably read about it before now because the Caparo T1 was first handed over to a handful of journalists three years ago, which turned out to be three years too soon. Clarkson sent it up on Top Gear, with ambulances and fire engines waiting for him to be seriously injured on track, such was the reputation of the T1. Nobody called into question its formidable pace in a straight line but its handling was another matter. It was just too powerful for its own good – completely undriveable in the real world.

But now it’s my turn and I’m enjoying the benefits of three years worth of research and development rather than looking for the Grim Reaper in my rearview mirrors. That’s not to say this isn’t the greatest adrenaline rush I’ve ever had on four wheels – for once the marketing blurb is on the money: “Nothing can prepare you for the take off speed of the Caparo T1,” says the sales brochure. “All aspects of the car’s performance are instantaneous, acceleration, cornering, braking. But especially the acceleration. It distorts your perception of time and distance.” If anything that’s an understatement.

Key to the T1’s shocking performance is its power-to-weight ratio. Its normally-aspirated V8 engine produces 428.7Kw, which is pretty average for a supercar these days, but it tips the scales at just 550kg. Which means its power-to-weight ratio is more than double that of the Veyron and this means driving it is the ultimate white knuckle ride. There’s even a passenger seat in its cramped cockpit, slightly aft of the driver’s, so you can share the terror with a hapless passenger if you’re feeling particularly evil. Hell, there’s so much downforce that, at 240km/h you could drive this thing through a tunnel. Upside down.

Never heard of Caparo? It’s a colossus of a company that made its money in steel. That patio furniture you have outside? If it has steel components they could well have come from them. Ten million nuts and bolts required for that skyscraper you’re building? Give Caparo a ring and they’ll arrange delivery. Like many huge corporations, it has many different divisions and when it got to hear about a project being run by two of the engineers that brought the McLaren F1 to fruition (Ben Scott-Geddes and Graham Halstead), they decided to back it and Caparo the supercar manufacturer was born.

They like to keep as much as possible in house at Caparo, so they bought the design rights to an engine initially developed by Menard for IndyCar racing. Then they bought AP, the brake manufacturer too. So obviously money wasn’t really an object when developing the T1 and the car’s design is a result of some of the greatest thinking in the business. There’s no pretence about it being a ‘normal’ car – everything is about unrelenting speed.

While it makes no sense whatsoever as a daily driver, it makes the ultimate track day toy. It’s just that you won’t need to transport it to the circuit on a trailer, because the T1 is completely road legal. There’s no dashboard – just a row of switches. The steering wheel is a bespoke racing item that has to be removed just to climb aboard and it displays essential information like the gear you’re in, revs, speed, whatever you want it to. Behind it are the two paddles that operate the sequential gearbox.

Source: http://www.caradvice.com.au

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Race Car 2011

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Race Car 2011

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe Race Car 2011 Videos

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe - Beastly Beauty

By Matthew Keegan

European and Asian luxury car manufacturers need to watch out. The all-new for 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe is a beastly beauty, an absolute head turner and the latest model in the vaunted CTS portfolio. The most recent iteration of this car goes on sale late this summer, the clearest demonstration of Cadillac's art and science design scheme in all of its chiseled glory.

Concept Coupe

I'm biased when it comes to this model because I was on hand at the 2008 North American International Auto Show in Detroit when the concept of this coupe was rolled out. Its striking design captivated the audience, especially its non-existent B-pillar. Safety considerations required slight changes to the coupe's appearance since then, with a very discreet B-pillar added in. Other than that, the original beauty we saw way back when is what consumers can now buy.

Cadillac is central to GM's recovery plans with the CTS portfolio driving the brand's success. With sedans, sports wagons and coupes now part of the line up, this mid-size Cadillac line offers a worthy challenge to competing brands including BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus, Infiniti and Acura. Yes, Cadillac easily bests Lincoln with the CTS, providing a strong American built line able to take on the world's best production cars.

Powerful Engine

A standard direct-injected 3.6-liter V-6 engine is paired with a six-speed manual transmission, featuring a revised clutch and dual-mass flywheel that Cadillac says offers better clutch pedal feel and improved engine isolation. Optionally, CTS buyers can select a six-speed automatic transmission with Driver Shift Control (and available steering wheel mounted shift buttons). Significantly, the Coupe's final drive ratio is 3.73:1, up from the 3.42:1 ratio of other CTS models, allowing for more responsive acceleration.

Because handling is a critically important aspect for the Coupe, GM is offering a pair of suspension-tuning levels with the CTS. Standard is the Performance Package with 18-inch wheels and all-season tires (available in both rear- and all-wheel-drive), and the Summer Tire Performance Package, with 19-inch tires and wheels and a higher level of road-hugging ability. Stability control is standard across the CTS model line.

Cabin Amenities

Important amenities offered include a 40-gig hard drive, featuring the ability to store music and pause-and-replay live radio; iPod/MP3 capability; OnStar; navigation system; Bluetooth connectivity; keyless access; rear camera unit; Bose audio system and adaptive lighting.

Safety features are offered in abundance and include front and side airbags and side curtain airbags; tire pressure monitoring unit; and a stronger body structure with high grade steel strategically placed to afford better protection.

Just like the other CTS body styles, a V-Series version of the Coupe will be made available later this year. Powered by a 6.2-liter tuned Corvette V-8 engine, this car will bang out 556 horsepower and 551 pound-feet of torque, an amazing feat for a simply dazzling sport coupe.

Matthew C. Keegan is a freelance writer who resides in North Carolina. Matt is a contributing writer for Andy's Auto Sport an aftermarket supplier of quality parts including cat-back exhausts and bumpers. Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Matthew_Keegan