Innehållsförteckning för October 2010 från MotorTrend

ARTFUL design is one of Audi’s calling cards, so why not reveal the automaker’s newest model at Munich’s Museum of Modern Art? The A7 Sportback (simply A7 in North America) is something new for Audi and takes aim at premium luxury hatchbacks wearing coupelike sedan profiles, such as the BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo and the Acura ZDX. It also aims at a somewhat more conventional sedan, the Mercedes-Benz CLS. The A7 fits into the model lineup between the A6 and flagship A8, and rides on largely new chassis architecture that will form the basis of the next-generation, 2013 A6. The structure is mostly steel, with about a fourth of its stampings and panels crafted of aluminum for lighter weight, which makes for a car that’s about 15 percent lighter…

ARMAND PEUGEOT convinced his brothers to expand their business from metallurgy to bicycles in 1882. The Peugeot Grand-bi was a traditional Penny Farthing bicycle with its pedals powering the much larger front wheel. The family built its first car in 1891, and Armand broke from the family in 1896 to form what became the current automaker. Peugeot sold off its bike business in the 1960s, but retained rights to the trademark and recently got back into the business. MERCEDES-BENZ, BMW, PORSCHE, FERRARI, JEEP, CHEVROLET, and even Hummer have sold branded boutique bikes. Here are a few more original bike-to-car companies. ROVER: John Kemp Starley, his uncle, James Starley, and William Hillman, who went on to start his own car company, built Ariel bicycles in Coventry, England, from the late 1870s.…

THIS IS a real watershed moment. Rarely in autodom does a “new car” like the 2011 Nissan Leaf come along that makes us stop and think about our current mode of transportation. By new, we don’t just mean the successor to a current model. We mean brand new, as in a totally new—and silent—way of thinking about getting from point A to B. The five-seat, five-door Leaf is the world’s first purpose-built, mass-produced, all-electric car. Its launch in the U.S. early next year could very well serve as a defining moment in automotive history, a keystone toward building a no-emissions future. The Leaf employs its own unique platform and a body that meets all C-segment safety regulations. It certainly looks better in the flesh than in photos. The first thing…

NÜRBURGRING NORDSCHLEIFE, December 2006. Walter Rohrl laps in a base GT2, time: 7:35, and returns with a list of modifications needed to make the car better. May 2007, back at the ’Ring, Rohrl at the helm again in a base GT2, time: 7:32. He then gets into the modified GT2 and, after breaking a time of 7:29 on the first hot lap, he begs Porsche to build this car. With a green light from the powers that be, Porsche begins work on project 727 (a nickname based on Porsche’s target time at the ’Ring). THE MAIN focus in building the GT2 RS was weight reduction, because the best way to lap faster is to lose weight. First things to go were the radio and A/C, cutting over 35 pounds; another…

DISCLAIMER: DO NOT attempt to buy one of the three large sedans seen on these pages unless you are (A) ready to retire, (B) on this earth to serve as a highway chicane, (C) allowed to use blue-lined parking spots. Okay, we kid. But not about choice A, which is absolutely true. From August 2009 through July 2010, median-age buyers of the Toyota Avalon (64 years old), Ford Taurus (58), and Hyundai Genesis (58) were all on the verge of enjoying senior discounts. Truth be told, folks who purchase these full-size sedans do tend to be, um, mature, but not drastically more so than the average car buyer; in fact, 49 years is the median age of purchasers industrywide. So why do older buyers flock to these sedans like snowbirds…

AUDI’S elegant A8 has always been a solid player in the luxury-car market. For reasons real or imagined, it has, in the eyes of many, taken a back seat to category juggernauts such as the 7 Series and the S-Class. Audi is now out with a virtually new player in the cabin-cruiser class, and it’s a fine one. To be offered in standard and extended wheelbase models, the new A8 and A8L maximize high-quality engineering, plus artful design, inside and out. The new A8 is, once again, based on a virtually all-aluminum body/chassis structure, which combines high strength with relatively light weight. The L model is five inches longer between the axles and overall length than the standardwheelbase A8. At launch, two powertrains will be offered in North America: the…

SINCE ITS reveal on Honda’s Facebook page last summer, the Accord Crosstour has taken more than a little bit of flack for its, uh, interesting form. Just read some of the comments left on motortrend.com’s first Crosstour image post: “…I wish someone could take away my memory of ever having seen it.” “This is a joke, right?” “LMAO!!! ROFL, it’s so ugly and just wow.” Still, as testing director Kim Reynolds pointed out in our initial encounter with Honda’s funky hatch, the Crosstour isn’t at all horrendous in the flesh. Quite the contrary, really. In fact, its complex lines are admirable and, yes, after a while, they’ll grow on you. Within its controversial metal shell resides a highly useful, smooth-driving, four-door that’s part SUV, part roomy sedan. It’s so intriguing…

CHECK OUT this groovy two-seat sport coupe from Toyota, one of three “EX” concept cars the company did in the late 1960s. This version made its debut at the Tokyo auto show in 1969 and, according to the press release that came with this photograph, “is styled specifically for long-distance driving at high speed.” We like that. Although you can easily see something of the Toyota 2000 GT in its slim shape, there’s also a bit of the then-upcoming Celica sport coupe to be found in this package. There’s no talk of powertrain, but the EX-1 packed numerous high-tech goodies, such as a rear-deck spoiler that raised and lowered electrically. The interior featured a drivercentric wraparound dash and instrument panel design, and there were other electronic advances. The EX-1’s design…

AUDI’S 2013-model A6 will be a bigger car than the current one. Like the latest A4, it will contain its weight with some aluminum exterior panels. High-tech drivetrains will enhance the mass reduction to improve economy and performance. And it will come with a raft of standard and optional driver aids. The car’s core body is steel, and it shares this with the newly announced A7. It will ride on a 115-inch wheelbase, some three inches longer than the current model’s, but still two inches short of the new BMW 5 Series’. The sedan arrives in Europe in 2011 and, less than a year later, in the U.S. as a ’13 model. Audi officials believe their 200-horsepower four-cylinder engine, with gas injection, variable valve lift. and turbocharger, is a fit…

IN THE WORKS for years, Ferrari World has survived the Great Recession to open in time for the first Formula 1 Abu Dhabi Grand Prix November 14, all situated on the same resort island. Ferrari World is a development by Aldar Properties, the government-owned property developer of Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. Abu Dhabi owns 10 percent of Ferrari. It boasts a host of rides and attractions within the confines of a sprawling, 1,076,391-square-foot rosso corsa-painted compound. It’s surrounded by such attractions as roller coasters, virtual tours, and driving simulators, all part of a manmade island containing a luxury resort and the Yas Marina race circuit, home of Round 19 of this year’s F1 schedule. Here are a few Ferrari World highlights for tifosi and their families: ▀…

“NOW ARE YOU high or just stupid? An M3 against a Mustang GT? On a racetrack? Seriously, son, which one is it? High or stupid?” Yes, we know how this sounds. And had we suggested this matchup just a few months ago, we would deserve more withering scorn than can found in a week long Judge Judy marathon. Why? Because this Munich versus Motown matchup has never been done before. Not even considered because it just didn’t make sense. Sure, the M3 went V-8 in 2008, but that’s not the issue. The truth is, the Mustang GT was never good enough to challenge Bavaria’s finest. That is, until now. (comparison) FORD MUSTANG GT Your doubt is understandable, but check the specs. For 2011, both rear-drive, four-seat coupes use all-aluminum V-8…

SHORTLY after the Japanese launch, Nissan gave us the keys to a U.S.-spec Leaf for a quick drive around Santa Monica, California. Just as we noted at the Oppama proving ground, the Leaf’s ride is taut, sporty, and responsive, yet remains remarkably comfortable and civil. The low center of gravity created by its 600-pound battery modules, along with its compact dimensions, makes for a stable platform that corners flatly and smoothly. Even with three passengers aboard (extra bodies usually means unwanted car behavior), the Leaf exhibited little body roll. At urban speeds, it’s devoid of any plowing. Entice the AC motor with a heavy right foot, and the instantaneous acceleration never ceases to induce guilt-free (though range-killing) smiles. The Nissan Leaf is likely the most hushed car we have ever…

CLEARLY, the problem with the third-generation, hatchback-only version of Subaru’s WRX STI was its excellent rear visibility and cargo capacity. Yet none of the innumerable complaints about the racer mentioned these traits. No, everyone simply called it ugly. We instead saw versatility as the car’s primary attribute and told the complainers to cry a river, build a ramp, and jump a rally car over it. Nevertheless, the complainers can now rejoice: The 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI can now be had as a sedan. While it’s marginally heavier and there’s a wing in the rearview, it’s also very good. First, the downsides. The four-door STI gains 10 pounds over the hatch and loses 7.7 cubic feet of cargo capacity. Its trunk can hold 11.3 cubic feet of luggage. That’s about…

DIESELS VERSUS HYBRIDS. We might as well be bringing together cats and dogs. Or Glenn Beck and Keith Olbermann. What was once simply an interesting choice between alternative high-efficiency powertrains has recently been spiraling into a quasi-religious conflict among their supporters. Moreover, I’m starting to wonder if which “camp” you’re in is even an entirely chooseable thing. Having visited Germany on press trips for (gasp) over a quarter century now, I’m still amused by how giddy German engineers get over pretty much anything that’s mechanically complicated (cuckoo clocks, anyone?). WHAT BUYERS TRULY DESIRE IS A CAR THAT’S SIMPLY GREAT AT WHAT IT’S SUPPOSED TO BE (AND NOW WE KNOW THEY’LL PAY A LITTLE MORE TO GET IT). A mechanism that pulses with reciprocating pistons, bulges with psi, and has a…

THE KIA Sportage was first offered for the 1995 model year and remains the longest-running nameplate in the Korean automaker’s United States history. But as they say, out with the old, in with the new. Sprouting from its Irvine, California-based design center, Kia’s handsomely sculpted 2011 Sportage is a very clear deviation from the last two generations and shares a common unibody platform with its sister ’ute, the also-new Hyundai Tucson. Aside from sheetmetal, Kia is especially proud of its new all-wheel-drive system. Co-developed with German supply giant Magna International, the highly responsive, full-time system is called Dynamax and can be ordered as an option for the Sportage. The sole engine option for the time being is a 2.4-liter inline-four with 176 horsepower and 168 pound-feet of torque (a bit…

EDITOR-AT-LARGE Ron Kiino took the long-term Outback on a fishing trip to California’s Eastern Sierra and utilized the Subaru’s 71.3 cubic feet of cargo for hauling two duffel bags, five rods, a couple pairs of waders and boots, two ice chests, and two float tubes. “From the town of Bishop up to Mammoth Lakes, Highway 395 climbs nearly 4000 feet in elevation over a 40-mile stretch, a grade that separates the weak from the strong. At first, I left the Outback’s CVT in Drive, just to see how the powertrain would respond. As CVTs tend to do, the Subaru’s kept the revs nicely in the powerband, but I did need to come on and off throttle more than I liked. A quick grab of the left steering-wheel-mounted shift paddle, though,…

AT LEAST a few car enthusiasts have moved past the political, cultural, and religious divide between Iran and the United States for the love of the classic automobile. In Tehran, a satellite group of the U.S.-based Café Racers car club includes classic examples of Detroit iron. Organized by Ramin Salehkhou, the owner of a 1974 Baldwin-Motion Phase III Chevrolet Camaro, the group met for the first time recently, attracting more than 30 participants in 22 cars. Other classic American muscle included an original, 1965 Ford Mustang convertible and a Pontiac Formula Firebird. European cars included a Mercedes-Benz 280SL, Alfa Romeo Spider, and BMW 2002. The original Café Racers is simply a gathering of car enthusiasts who meet for lunch. The Iranian outpost has followed the tradition, which began with an…

GORDON MURRAY, chief design engineer behind the McLaren F1 and several championship-winning Formula 1 cars, has revealed his microcar. The T25 is a demonstration for a new-car construction method. He says his new method can take 25 percent out of a car’s weight, whether applied to a sedan, sports car, or minivan of any given seating capacity, without compromising safety. T25, CLOSE UP ▀ It’s unbelievably small, far smaller than a smart fortwo, at 94 inches long and 51 inches wide. ▀ It weighs less than 1300 pounds. ▀ It seats three adults, thanks to its McLaren F1 seating layout, with the two rear passengers’ legs beside the driver. ▀ The two rear seats fold for cargo or luggage space. ▀ The engine is a Mitsubishi 660cc 1-3 making 51…

buick’s youngest fan I am an 11-year-old car freak. I read that you chose the 2010 Ford Fusion as the Car of the Year. I don’t think the Fusion deserves this award. The Buick LaCrosse should have been the COTY. Despite Buick’s struggles, they came out with a string of brand-new models, the LaCrosse was one of them. The LaCrosse is a great contender in the market right now. Like the cover of your April issue said, Buick has made a comeback. I prefer the Buick’s 3.6-liter, 280-horsepower V-6, compared with the Fusion’s 2.5-liter, 175-horse I-4. The Ford’s headlights are hideous, and the exterior is built cheaply. The Buick’s braking (60-0) is 124 feet, and the Fusion’s is 133 feet. I hope you will reconsider your choice for the COTY.…

GOING OFF-ROAD is easier than ever. It used to be that you’d have to manually lock hubs and shift levers (only when stopped and the transmission in neutral), and the vehicles used for off-roading were crude, uncomfortable, and bare-bones. All that has changed. Now, you can ride in luxury on the trail and can proudly take the neighbors out to dinner that night in the same vehicle. Switching to trail mode is just as easy, thanks to electronics and the creation of Terrain Response (Land Rover) and similar systems—turn the knob to choose the terrain you’re driving over, and go—that have come along since the old days. There are now a few sport/utilities that use a version of this technology, including the Land Rover LR4, Grand Cherokee, and Toyota 4Runner,…

AFTER Fahrvergnügen, about when Volkswagen unpimped your ride, the German automaker lost its way. Marketing swung from seller of Honda alternatives to purveyor of affordable sport sedans with emphasis on the German engineering. VW has settled on marketing itself as a Honda alternative in North America, with a larger, Accord-size Passat replacement coming from a new Chattanooga, Tennessee, factory next year. VW expects the new Jetta to outsell the New Midsize Sedan (NMS) and remain the best-selling European nameplate in the U.S. Even then, VW must move more Jettas to meet theWolfsburg-mandated goal of tripling the brand’s sales here by 2018. The 2011 Jetta wears the clean, somewhat anonymous design of the New Compact Coupe concept. VW Group design chief Walter De’Silva points to the way light and shadow plays…

INCOME IS WHAT separates a WRX buyer from an STI owner, Subaru demographics show. The two groups want the same thing from their cars (namely, speed). But despite not being able to afford the STI, lately, the WRX folk have been satisfied. It started in the 2009 model year, when the WRX’s boost to 265 horsepower resulted in straight-line performance uncomfortably close to that of the STI. This year, the similarities are even closer. The 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX carries the same wide, swaggering, come-on-and-try-me bodywork as the STI, the same aggressive fascia, the same bulging fenders, and the same quad-exhaust pipes that protrude from the very BMW M5ish rear valance. Visually, differences from the STI exist only in the grille, badges, and spoiler. Crucially, the bodywork necessitated widening of…

THE 2010 Porsche 911 GT3 is no grocery-getter or boulevard cruiser. If confined to rough pieces of pavement, the $113,150 sports car fast becomes a royal pain to the glutes and kidneys. Below 4000 rpm, it’s taxing to shift the extra-stiff clutch with its bicep-building lever. Porsche Active Suspension Management in its standard mode transmits each jaw-jarring road imperfection. Don’t even think about switching it into Sports Mode when out in the real world—all the jouncing is a recipe for a headache. The car lurks at the limits of civility, barely streetable in between track sessions or secluded back-road runs. Which is exactly why we love it. Unlike other 911s in the stable, the GT3 is a colt bred with fixed aerodynamics, beefier active suspension, and a stouter, naturall aspirated,…

MITSUBISHI has been hiding in plain sight in the U.S. for years with an aging lineup best known for the enthusiast’s Lancer Evolution sport sedan. The company wants to be more than a niche automaker, though, and the new Outlander Sport is the key to breaking out. Based on the larger Outlander, the Outlander Sport shares the same wheelbase and basic platform as its sibling as well as its design language. Beyond the underpinnings, the Outlander Sport is an all-new and entirely different vehicle. At 14.6 inches shorter than the Outlander, it tips the scales with 400 fewer pounds. That’s a good thing, because the Outlander Sport’s engine is significantly smaller as well. The 148-horse, 2.0-liter four-cylinder produces just 145 pound-feet of torque, which means, despite weighing just 3362 pounds,…

THERE’S NO questioning the impact the 2009 Hyundai Genesis sedan had on the automotive world when it was introduced nearly two years ago. The Genesis launch drew a faultline that spanned the globe, with tremors and outright rumbles felt from Detroit to Germany to Japan. Rival engineers and execs are undoubtedly still standing in the nearest doorway. Why? Because Hyundai, previously a South Korean underdog of an automaker known for its budget-slashing econoboxes proved to the world it’s capable of upping its game and competing in the rarified luxurysedan market, and this at a time when many rivals were struggling just to keep their coffee machines percolating—unsuccessfully, in some cases. The numbers tell much of the story. The Genesis’ wheelbase is longer than those of both the Lexus GS 460…