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Archive for April, 2016

Seeing Round Corners

Ever wanted to know what’s around the corner?  Thanks to today’s new car technology, the driver can gain insight into what might be approaching at that terrible intersection or hard-to-get-out-of driveway.  There is no doubt that the intersection can be a dangerous place when driving.  Until recently, the only sure way a driver could check what was coming beyond the intersection was to poke the nose of the car beyond any visual obstacle just enough for them to lean forward and crane the neck to get a better view of any oncoming traffic – hardly safe.  Heaven help the oncoming cyclist!

Ford has a new safety system that could change that.  Mounted in the front grille of the car is a Front Split View Camera and reveals in real-time a 180 degree view from the left to the right of the front end of the car.  It’s easy to use, and at the push of a button the driver has the 180 degree panoramic picture displayed on the car’s touch screen display in the middle of the dash.  To keep the view crisp, the camera even has a lens washer that turns on whenever the wipers are switched on.  Ford hopes to have the majority of its models equipped with this round-the-corner camera technology by 2020.

An excellent new safety feature, don’t you think? http://credit-n.ru/avtokredit.html

Private Fleet Car Review: 2015 Lexus GS 450h & RX 450h

Toyota’s luxury arm, Lexus, has hit home runs with the GS 450h and RX 450h. Lusty power plants, seamless integration of the hybrid power systems, a stunning interior in the GS (with the RX losing points for the absurd design of the upper dash centre), a gorgeous exterior (again, for the GS, the RX is polarising for some) and plenty of standard equipment. There’s two models in the GS range, F Sport (tested) and Luxury, with the RX offering F Sport, Luxury and Sports Luxury. 2016 Lexus GS450h profile2016 Lexus RX450h profileBoth have a 3.5L V6 petrol engine plus the battery system. Both will operate in electric mode only up to around 30 kmh before the computer kicks in the petrol, even with the driver selecting EV via a button in the centre console. That’s a bit of a shame, frankly, as pure electric driving would extend the range of the petrol usage. Lexus quotes 6.3L of 95 RON from the 66 litre tank per 100 kilometres for the GS, but a surprising 5.7L/100 km for the RX…surprising because the kerb weight is 2210 kilos, 300 kegs heavier than the GS. No, I don’t get that either.

The GS matches the 215 kilowatt V6 to a battery system producing 147 kW and a handy 275 torques however limits peak power to a combined 254 kW. There’s 352 Newton metres from the V6 at a highish 4600 revs yet that low end oomph from the electric motor helps get the big car (1910 kilos kerb weight) to one hundred klicks in under six seconds. 2016 Lexus GS450h engine bay2016 Lexus RX450h engineThe RX goes for a detuned 193 kW V6, with the electrics offering (according to the website) just another 37 kW for a combined 230 kW maximum power. Maximum torque is 335 Nm, at 4600…the difference here is that the RX appears to use an “Atkinson Cycle” where the proverbial “suck push bang blow” is all accomplished during the one stroke of the engine.
To bustle that hustle there’s 356 mm front and 310 mm rear brake rotors on the F Sport version (there is also a Sports Luxury with 334 mm fronts) whilst the RX gets 328 x 18 front and 318 x 18 rear discs. The wheels vary depending on model; the GS F Sport has 235/40 front and 265/35 on 19s whilst the Luxury goes for 17s and 225/50s on each corner. Rolling stock for the RX are 20 inch alloys, with relatively narrow 235/55 rubber. 2016 Lexus GS450h wheel2016 Lexus RX450h wheel

The engine combinations fairly boot each car along from a standing start and make overtaking a blink and miss it affair. They’re superb highway and freeway cruisers, as a result, with the rapidity in overtaking making that act a safe option whilst easily loping along, quietly and stress free, at the designated speeds. Apart from the thrum of the V6, there’s little noise poking into the well appointed cabins, although the RX did have a sense of vibration from the driveline, as opposed to the silky smoothness of the GS.
The starting procedure is simple: get in, strap in, press the Start button and wait a moment until remembering the car is ready to go under electric power. Select Drive and see 100 kmh in around six seconds…both engines were audible in their starting but the engagement of them in the drive process was unnoticeable, for the most part, with the RX exhibiting the slightest of jolts.2016 Lexus GS450h front seats2016 Lexus RX450h front seatsCabin wise, the GS was most definitely the pick of the two, largely because of the choice made in mounting the infoscreen in the RX in the upper dash looking as if it was an afterthought in the design process. Yes, it worked as expected but it really does look as if no planning to integrate the unit into the cabin design was undertaken. Ergomically, it’s just not as well laid out as the GS.2016 Lexus RX450h dash2016 Lexus GS450h dash2016 Lexus RX450h info screenThe GS, on the other hand, spoke volumes in regards to class and good looks. The dash design is swoopy, fluid, flowing with style and simply delicious to look at. Muted grey tones on the dash and doors, a slim looking yet curvy set of lines for the dash, the centre console supporting the left arm as the driver accesses the screen’s information via the mouse. The rear seat passengers benefit by having access to their own aircon and media controls via a centre fold out plus it also holds a tab for the electric rear window blind.2016 Lexus RX450h rear seats2016 Lexus GS450h rear seats controls2016 Lexus GS450h rear seatsThere’s supple leather, heating and cooling for the seats, a user friendly Head Up Display (HUD) for both, which also scored a mark against in the RX, as the buttons for the HUD, mounted on the lower right of the dash, were fairly and squarely hidden by the steering wheel. The layout on the centre console for the mouse and drive mode selectors also didn’t feel as ergonomically intuitive as the GS2016 Lexus GS450h HUD A nice touch for both were the LCD dash dials inside conventional looking bezels; at the touch of the Sports/Sports + selector, they’d change colour and text inside without losing the sharpness of vision provided.2016 Lexus GS450h centre consoleVision all round for both was superb, with the SUV style of the RX raising the driver and passengers above traffic and giving a longer view. Both came with a full length glass roof and sun roof, with a fabric covering rolling back at the touch of a button. 2016 Lexus RX450h sunroofThe exteriors vary, naturally, by quite a margin yet have a strong family look to them.Both have the sharply angled hourglass grille Lexus has endowed its range with, both have LED head and tail lights with the indicators lighting from the innermost section outwards. It looks great and is definitely eye catching.2016 Lexus GS450h rear2016 Lexus GS450h front2016 Lexus RX450h frontThe GS is a sleek, lithe looking beastie, at a long 4880 mm, rolls on a 2850 mm wheelbase and stands just 1455 mm high. Width is 1840 mm, about standard for this class, adding plenty of space inside. It’s a high beltline yet there’s plenty of vision, as mentioned, from the glass house, with a roofline that slopes deep into the rear quarters. The RX is also a big ‘un, at 4890 mm long, with a wheel base of 2890 mm and spreads 1895 mm wide. It’s a touch taller as well, at 1685 mm. The RX is a somewhat awkward looking machine in comparison to the slinky RX, with some odd creases in the front doors and a truly strange rear window line. The rear of the roof angles down sharply from the C pillar, finishing just a few inches above the tail light. It’s distinctive, if hardly cohesive. 2016 Lexus RX450h rear 12016 Lexus RX450h rear 22016 Lexus RX450h taillight Both also score the usual unseen and hopefully unneeded electronic intervention programs.There’s also the suite of airbags including side curtain airbags (but no knee airbag?), pre-tensioning seat belts, and more electronics such Blind Spot Monitoring, Pre-Collision Alert, Lane Departure Alert and Tyre Pressure sensors. Both cars had superb road holding although the GS felt a touch floaty over some undulations at the top of the double wishbone’s suspension travel. The RX, with McPherson struts up front and trailing arm rear, also felt a little top heavy in longer sweeping turns, otherwise there’s a firm, taut yet supple when needed ride to be had from both. 2016 Lexus RX450h front headlight2016 Lexus GS450h headlightThe GS particularly delighted in its pin point handling, the nose tucking into all corners with perhaps a touch of oversteer, if anything. The RX was neutral in all situations, in comparison. Warranty wise, Lexus offers you a 48 month or 100,000 kilometre coverage, with roadside assistance and even the paint covered for that time.

At The End Of The Drive.
If asked to choose one of the two to keep, A Wheel Thing would have no hesitancy in pointing towarsd the GS. By no means is the RX a bad vehicle, by no means, the preference here is simply towards the sedan for it’s shape, looks and, in this instance, a better looking interior. With prices from $120K upwards, Lexus has set their sights on the continentals and continues to fire shots across their bows and to great effect. For further details on each of the Lexus GS450h and RX 450h, click here: Lexus GS range and here: Lexus RX range http://credit-n.ru/business-kredit.html

Private Fleet Car Review: 2016 Subaru Outback Premium Diesel & 3.6R

It’s fair to say that the Subaru Outback is a popular car, with owners in Australia always warm and fuzzy about theirs. It’s also fair to say that Subaru is still seen as a niche manufacturer and it’s also fair to say that that niche is getting bigger with the brand recognition really achieving cut through. The now twenty year old nameplate, WRX, has gone a long way to contributing to that, but there’s the Liberty, Forester and the Outback to thank as well. In February of 2016, A Wheel Thing attended the launch of the updated Liberty, Forester and Outback and recently sampled the 2.0L diesel and 3.6L petrol powered versions of the Outback Premium.2016 Subaru Outback Premium

Of note were the subtle changes to the suspension in the wagons. It’s A Wheel Thing’s opinion that the Outback is one of the best in the medium wagon class for ride and handling. There is a bit of competition out there such as the Mondeo, Superb, and Octavia, just to mention a couple, but the incremental development work that Subaru Japan and Subaru Australia have jointly been involved it has paid off.2016 Subaru Outback Premium diesel

Tested on dirt and tarmac roads in South Australia during the launch, and driven hard in its most likely environment, suburbia, both versions exhibited the kind of ride a discerning driver looks for. On undulating roads,there’s no sense of continuing the motion, with the Outback simply following the up and down movement while simultaneously isolating the cabin from it.

Shopping centre car park speedbumps were ignored, with only the barest thump transmitted through at low speed (say two or three kmh) and at around 20 kmh there was a short, sharp, jolt which was instantly damped. The larger rubber based units on some back roads were noticeable in the relative lack of impact felt inside, with the compliant suspension taking up most of the shock and minimising any bodily movement. It’s well tied down and lacks the floatiness found in others.2016 Subaru Outback Premium wheel

It’s also quiet on the road with tyre, road and wind noise very quickly becoming forgotten. This helps in regards to fatigue on a drive, as does the ride quality. It’s a tight handler, with just a hint of understeer in slow 90 degree corner turns but tucks the nose in nicely in roundabouts. Steering is responsive, perhaps moreso in the 3.6R, with the load building up left and right from centre in a progressive manner.

The transmissions provided were CVT for the diesel, standard six speed auto for the petrol. There is a manual option available, as well as a 2.5L four potter. The range starts at $35990 for the entry level 2.5L with CVT with the range topper 3.6R at $48490.The diesel premium CVT is $44490, with that price being an increase of $1500 over the outgoing model whilst the 3.6R seeing an increase of just $500.2016 Subaru Outback Premium sunroofThe difference in the drive between the two is astounding; the traditional auto leaves the CVT to eat its dust. A Wheel Thing has not been a fan of CVT, for the most part, as the CVT added to the WRX is simply superb. There’s a discernable lag in acceleration, a lag in switching from Reverse to Drive before forward motion is engaged, a lack of smoothness in doing so as well. The 3.6R’s gearbox however is zippy, instantaneous response is given when asked for, and there’s more of a sense of the engine working firmly hand in hand with the gearbox.2016 Subaru Outback Premium engineWhat’s damning about the way the CVT dulls the diesel compared to the petrol, are the torque figures: both engines produce 350 torques, with that number for the petrol being a peak figure and at 4400 rpm but the diesel shows that between 1600 to 2800….The 3.6R is more free spirited in its revvy nature, seeing 191 kilowatts at 6000 and showing no restraint in how it spins. The diesel is, naturally, lower on peak power, with 110 kilowatts at 3600 revs but it just lacks character and a seeming willingness to put that grunt down through the all wheel drive system due the CVT. There is the question of economy, with 6.3L per 100 km for the diesel (combined)versus 9.9L/100 km for the 3.6R, however.2016 Subaru Outback Premium cargoApart from the all wheel drive system marketing that Subaru has steadily built its following on, there’s been the step by step increase in standard technology. All diesel auto Outbacks get the EyeSight collision avoidance system, with stereoscopic forward looking cameras and also now with colour recognition programming. 2016 Subaru Outback Premium dash 2The 2.5i Premium, 3.6R and 2.0D Outbacks also get the Vision Assist package, giving the driver: Blind Spot Monitoring, Lane Change Assist, Rear Cross Traffic Alert, high beam assist and self dimming rear vision mirror.2016 Subaru Outback Premium rearThe colour recognition shakes hands with the ACC, Adaptive Cruise Control, by recognising brake lights being activated in vehicles ahead, and will slow the Outback. It’ll also recognise lane changing vehicles ahead, adding to the five star safety rating the range has. A very handy feature is what’s called Unintended Start Prevention, where it’ll hold the vehicle if the accelerator is pressed but the sensors read an object in front of the car.2016 Subaru Outback Premium front seats

Subaru have also tossed in the Euro style emergency brake light system, which flashes the brake lights when the computer senses input that would be an emergency stop situation. All Outbacks now get halogen DRLs integrated into the fog lights, the 2.5I and 2.0D have electric folding mirrors as standard plus teh diesel also gets auto headlights and wipers. A Wheel Thing is of the opinion that auto headlights shouldn’t be seen as a luxury or optionable item, they should be standard across the board.2016 Subaru Outback Premium rear seats

The interiors of both are identical, down to sunroof, somewhat slabby seats, lack of detail on the leather, no cooling for the pews (surely a must for Aussie spec cars with machine made leather seats?), the SI Drive system (which changes the engine mapping and shift points in the autos), the StarLink touchscreen satnav and infotainment system…you get the picture. A Wheel Thing still feels the location of the clock has it lost within the aircon controls, not exactly an ergonomic or safe feature…Of course you’ll get Bluetooth handsfree phone connection, audio streaming and, being wagons, plenty of storage space with over 500L of cargo and enough bottle holders to suit the family.

You’ll get curtain airbags, side airbags, driver’s knee airbag, power seats (heated only…sigh), powered rear ‘gate, and Subaru’s X-Mode (auto only) for when a bit of soft roading is called for.2016 Subaru Outback Premium front

The exterior hasn’t come in for any major do-overs; there’s a new Dark Blue Pearl paint (verra noice) and a retrimmed grille for the 2.5i and 3.6R aside from the aforementioned driving light change. It’s a handsome looking vehicle, with just enough black polycarbonate to remind people of the soft road ability the Outback has, along with good looking 18 inch alloys and 225/60 Bridgestone rubber. It’s a good size overall, too, with a total length of 4815 mm encompassing a wheelbase of 2745 mm and tracks of 1570/1580 mm. And if you do wish to try out the off road ability, you’ve got over 200 mm of ground clearance to play with.

At The End Of The Drive.
Subaru’s Outback is a good and solid seller for the Japanese brand, with just under 11000 units sold in 2015 and the brand had a massive 344.7% sales increase as well. There’s a three year warranty on offer, which some would say lacks compared to some of the other brands out there. But the brand and the Outback have a strong, fiercely loyal following and there’s little doubt an extra year or two warranty makes little difference to that loyalty.

What the Subaru Outback trades on is a good look, solid engineering, dependability and with the 2016 model, some of the best handling in its class, with the MacPherson struts and double wishbone rear. It’s a pity the CVT nobbles the diesel compared to the 3.6R as the economy of the diesel will always be a winner there but the 3.6R wins thoroughly in the performance stakes. Head across to www.subaru.com.au and follow the links for information on the vehicles available. http://credit-n.ru/zaymyi-v-ukraine.html

Real Life Bond Cars?

bondcarOne of the neat features that you can expect in any good James Bond movie is a great set of wheels.  It just wouldn’t be James Bond without the Bond car.  In fact, it wouldn’t be Ian Fleming without the car, given that Ian Fleming also wrote Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

However, cars tricked out with tons of neat features aren’t just from the movies.  We don’t yet have cars that can get invisibility cloaks or ejector seats but it is possible to get cars that might look normal on the top but are otherwise underneath.  Cars that are just a bit… well, I’m afraid that “badass” is about the only word, little as I like it (and even though the quality of being badass is nothing to do with substandard bottoms or donkeys).

Armoured cars or “personal protection vehicles” are more common than you might think.  Plenty of Hollywood superstars have them – they say that Kanye West has one that has electrified door handles to zap overly invasive paparazzi.  However, in the Middle East and Venezeula, you’ve got a combination of a bunch of super-rich folk and an unscrupulous underclass plus volatile politics and you’ve got a situation where kidnapping for ransom is likely.  And it’s not just something that happens in dodgy countries – it happens in the USA as well.  Heck, it could happen here some time.  For the oil sheiks and similar, a personal protection vehicle is a good investment.  It’s a good investment to the point that there’s even a company based in Texas (where else?) that specialises in customising vehicles so they have what it takes.

However, many of these badass personal protection vehicles aren’t the cool Aston Martins and Lotuses (Loti?) that you’d see James Bond drive.  Apparently, the cars that get done up most often are Toyota Land Cruisers and Lexus LX 570s.  In the case of the Lankies, it’s probably because they’ve got the off-roading capacity to go gnarly places in their day-to-day lives as well as taking evasive manoeuvres if needed.

The Texas Armouring Corporation (check them out at http://www.texasarmoring.com/) takes its job seriously.  Their job involves keeping the cars in question nice and luxurious while being as tough as nails – now, that sounds Bondish enough for me.  They also have to keep the handling of the car top-notch, although a bit of handling and performance will be sacrificed, as all that armour will add a bit of weight.  The job usually involves a total strip-down before the Kevlar, ballistic grade steel and other cool materials get added in.  Then comes the bulletproof glass, the run-flat tyres, the improved suspension and braking (to deal with the extra weight) and other extras before the interior is re-installed.  Some of the badass Bond-type gadgets that can be added include the electric-shock doorhandles, road tack dispensers, smokescreens and night vision.

The end result is a vehicle that might look like a regular luxury sedan but can withstand fire from an AK-47.  Here’s one of Texas Armouring Corporation’s videos showing a Mercedes-Benz being shot up in a promo video:

Of course, given the unfortunate frequency of terrorist attacks, one vehicle company now makes production vehicles that can withstand AK-47 fire.  BMW has come up with the BMW X5 Security that comes straight from the factory floor with one of three spec levels of armouring.  It looks like a regular X5 with BMW’s X-drive and all the other luxury features but it’s also got armouring, bullet proof glass, fireproofing and emergency fresh air.

The BMW X5 Security isn’t available for regular sale in Australia yet, although there are a few knocking around in the hands of the Federal Police.  Some of BMW’s other luxury armoured vehicles (based on the 7-series) were bought by the government for the top brass during the G20 conference.  The rest of us oiks have to stick with the ordinary – if you can call it that – X5 and 7-series.  However, us ordinary oiks probably don’t have to worry about kidnapping threats, so that’s OK.

Safe and happy driving, even without armour,

Megan http://credit-n.ru/offers-zaim/4slovo-bystrye-zaymi-online.html