Automotive Addicts |
- 2011 GMC Acadia Denali Review & Test Drive
- eGarage and Format 67 Team Up To Showcase Automotive Awesomeness
- Ford Focused On Safety And Technology
- Car Thefts Plummet To 1967 Levels
| 2011 GMC Acadia Denali Review & Test Drive Posted: 23 Jun 2011 05:46 AM PDT
'MORE GOOD LOOKS AND LUXURY'
A new premium Denali model joins the GMC Acadia lineup for 2011, adding a new dimension of luxury and exclusivity to this popular crossover. It brings the distinctive Denali design elements, including a chrome honeycomb grille and monochromatic exterior color cues, along with exclusive fascias, high-intensity discharge headlamps and unique, luxury interior features. The GMC Denali models have come to stand for luxury and exclusivity, and that's just what customers will get in the new Acadia Denali. The decision to develop an Acadia Denali was made quickly with the new GM in response to custom and dealer demand for a Denali version ever since the launch and success of the Acadia. The Acadia continues to win over customers in a still-recovering market with sales up nearly 45% in the first quarter of 2010, making it second in brand sales to only the broad Sierra range of trucks. Acadia's body-frame integral structure enables lower entry/exit for passenger making it similar to a mid-size sedan. Despite the vehicle's SUV-like front-end height, the front door step-in height is only 18.9 inches; the rear door step-in height is 19.8 inches.
All Acadia models offer three rows of seating that can be configured for seven or eight passengers, regardless of the trim level. The seating configurations include two front buckets seats, a 60/40-split second-row bench (three passengers) or two second-row captain's chairs, and a 60/40-split third-row bench seat. Entry to the second-and third-row seats is easy with very wide rear doors and GM's exclusive Smart Slide second-row seat feature that is standard on all Acadia models. The second-row seat cushion flips up while the seatback slides forward, effectively compressing the space occupied by the seat with the pull of a lever. The Smart Slide system also allows the second row to be positioned fore/aft. When adjusted rearward, the second-row seat provides more legroom for taller passengers; when adjust forward, it provides more storage space or additional legroom for third-row passengers. Seating space is sufficient for adults in all positions. Access to the third-row seat also is aided by Acadia's rear door width, which is wider than the doors of most other SUV's. The vehicle's long wheelbase (118.9 inches) also enables greater accessibility. The rear door opening was maximized by reducing the space between the rear door and the leading edge of the door opening. Engineers were able to maximize the opening space while providing optimal chassis integrity for maximum occupant protection.
Along with comfort and ease of entry, Acadia's interior offers generous cargo room, including 115.9 cu.ft. when the second-and third-row seats are folded flat and the cargo management removed. Additional storage is also available in a covered rear cargo convenience center behind the third row that allows items to be stored out of sight beneath the rear cargo floor. Like all Acadia models, the Denali is powered by a 3.6 liter, all-aluminum, DOHC, VVT V6 engine that uses gasoline direct injection technology to optimize performance and fuel economy. It generates 288hp at 6,300rpm and 270lb.ft. of torque at 3,400rpm. That is plenty of power at launch and to easily cruise on the highway with seven or eight passengers. The engine is paired with Acadia's fuel-saving six-speed automatic transmission to help give FWD models an EPA-estimated 24mpg/highway and 17mpg/city rating. The Acadia is also capable of towing up to 5,200lbs. when properly equipped. The new 2011 Acadia Denali is available in FWD (front-wheel drive) and AWD (all-wheel drive) models, as well as seven-and eight-passenger seating configurations. It stands out with its signature Denali design cues, highlighted by the monochromatic exterior and chrome honeycomb grille. It also wears a number of specific exterior design cues including unique lower front and rear fascias, HID headlamps, foglamps, body-color lower cladding and rocker moldings, chrome door handles, full-length thin chrome strip on the doors and rear step-up bumper, body-color rear fascia and fender flares, unique bodyside moldings with chrome accents and Denali badges, dual chrome 4 inch exhaust tips, 20X7.5 inch two-tone chrome-clad wheels wrapped with 255/55R20 inch all-season radial tires. It is offered in five exterior colors: Quicksilver Metallic, Summit White, Carbon Black, Red Jewel Tintcoat, and White Diamond Tricoat that I tested.
All of the luxury and refinement that are hallmarks of the Denali line are found in Acadia Denali-exclusive design, comfort and convenience that will make you reluctant to leave the cabin include features such as a leather-wrapped/tilt/telescoping steering wheel with mahogany wood inserts and controls for the audio system, cruise control and Bluetooth telephone communications, elegant dark wood grain finish on the instrument panel, center stack and door trim, chrome shifter gate with leather/mahogany/chrome stick shifter, perforated leather 8-way/fully adjustable driver's bucket seat/6-way adjustable front passenger seat/lumbar control with matching leather door panel trim, heated and cooled driver and front passenger bucket seats, storage bin on the dashboard ledge, enhanced accent lighting in the footwells, premium acoustics-laminated glass and liquid applied sound deadeners, dual SkyScape sunroof system wit sliding front sunroof and fix rear section, head's-up display for added convenience and safety, a tri-zone automatic climate control system, optional navigation system including XM NavTraffic, OnStar 9.0, an optional rear seat DVD entertainment system with roof-mounted flip-down screen, a premium audio system with USB port and Bose 10 speaker sound system, XM satellite radio, a reaview camera system, and a two-person driver's seat memory setting with automatic exit/entry automatic power movement. Acadia Denali rides on a long 118.9 inch wheelbase and a wide 67.28 front/rear tracks -a combination that lowers the center of gravity and enables smooth, stabile ride and handling. Sharp reflexes are also supported by independent front and rear suspension systems. The front suspension features a MacPherson coil-over strut design with direct acting stabilizer bar, aluminum knuckles and a full perimeter isolated mounting point cradle to help reduce noise and vibration. The rear suspension uses a compact, state-of-the-art linked 'H' design coil springs, twin-tube gas-charged shocks, stabilizer bar that uses an isolated mounting system to also reduce noise and vibration transmitted to the passenger compartment. The design enables the handling prowess that comes with an independent suspension, but with minimum floor pan intrusion-a feature that helps the Acadia Denali offer generous passenger and cargo space.
Acadia Denali features standard power-assisted rack & pinion steering with variable-effort steering for precise and quick response to your inputs. Enhancing your control on the road include StabiliTrak electronic stability control system with rollover mitigation technology, traction control, tire pressure monitoring system and four-wheel power-assisted ABS disc brakes. These powerful brakes measure 12.8 inches up front that are clamped with dual-piston calipers and 13 inches in the rear that are clamped with single-piston calipers. All for disc are vented to fade free braking power and ABS for control during severe braking maneuvers and when braking on wet or slick pavement. Acadia Denali's available intelligent AWD system enhances dry-road handling and provides increased traction on wet, snow and ice-covered roads. It actively manages the torque distribution between the front and rear axles, based on factors such as wheel speed, throttle and surface conditions. There is no driver intervention; the system automatically decides how much torque to apply and it automatically delivers torque to wheels that have the best traction. The AWD system's tuning is revised to provide more rear torque bias during certain driving conditions. Standard equipment not mentioned above includes remote keyless entry, theft deterrent system, longitudinal roof rails, power liftgate, outside heated/power-folding/turn signal mirrors, trailering package, rear spoiler, rear seat audio controls, self-dimming reaview mirror, universal home remote, grab handles on the front passenger A-pillar and rear door frame, power windows with driver's side express up/down, power door locks, dual map lamps, cargo light, second-row reading lights, easy to see and understand instrument cluster and center stack, a center console with dual cupholders/sliding lid storage compartment and storage bin with leather padded top, variable-speed rain-sensing wipers/washers, rear wiper/washer/defogger, storage slots in each door, map pockets behind both front bucket seats, chrome door handles, aluminum door kick plates with lighted Denali plates up front, chrome bezels around each front dashboard air-duct, thick-cut pile carpeting with front and rear floor mats.
Standard safety features include airbags-dual frontal/head curtain side/front side impact, passenger sensing system, LATCH system for child seats, 3-point safety belts for all seating places with front load limiters/pretensioners, front/rear crush zones, steel beams in each door an OnStar 9.0 directions & connections with automatic crash response and turn-by-turn navigation. Just like I said before, the new Acadia Denali brings distinctive design elements and unique interior features that luxury minded consumers are seeking to differentiate their crossover sport utility from the growing field and the new Acadia Denali delivers on all counts. The base price for a new 2011 GMC Acadia Denali FWD starts at $43,220 and the loaded Denali that I tested was priced at $47,350.00. Well worth the price.              COPYRIGHT:2011:HARVEY SCHWARTZ SPECIFICATIONS
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| eGarage and Format 67 Team Up To Showcase Automotive Awesomeness Posted: 22 Jun 2011 12:30 PM PDT
The guys at eGarage have been extremely busy conjuring up satisfying meals to fill the soul of pure automotive enthusiasts with complete unadulterated awesomeness. What does that all mean? It means together eGarage and Format 67 will unleash some of the best automotive videos the world has to offer. To kick things off proper, eGarage and Format 67 have given us an exclusive preview of what we should expect in the video below.
eGarage & Format 67 – 2011 Preview from eGarage on Vimeo. |
| Ford Focused On Safety And Technology Posted: 22 Jun 2011 07:29 AM PDT
 A seat that monitors you heart rate? Ford's working on it. Image: Ford Motor Company If you haven’t shopped for a new car in the last five years and you’re about to check out Ford’s latest offerings, be prepared to be surprised. A lot has changed over a short period of time, and today’s cars are coming with a dizzying array of new technology and safety systems, all designed to make driving more enjoyable while minimizing its risks. Excluding luxury brands such as Mercedes and BMW, no other automaker is putting as much effort into developing new safety and technology integration systems as Ford, and they recently hosted a group of journalist in their Dearborn, MI headquarters to show us what’s new. Below are the highlights of Fords current efforts, some of which are available today while others are still works in progress. One thing is clear: in-car technology is evolving at a staggering pace, so the cars of 2016 are likely to be filled with technology we can’t even imagine today. MyFord Key – Ford developed the technology for its MyFord Key system a few years back, but it’s been enhanced for the upcoming model year. Essentially a “parental control” for the family car, MyFord Key allows owners to set speed limits, audio volume limits, speed warnings and to disable the audio system if the driver isn’t wearing a seat belt. As deployed today, MyFord Key allows a maximum speed limit setting of 80 miles per hour; upcoming is a choice of three maximum speed limits (80, 70 and 65, corresponding with state speed limits) and a feature that will block adult content on satellite radio. AppLink – Used today on the Fiesta, AppLink allows owners to listen to tweets (via OpenBeak), stream Pandora or stream RSS feeds through Stitcher. Next year, AppLink will expand to the Ford Fusion, Fusion Hybrid, F-150, Raptor, Super-Duty, Expedition, E-Series, Shelby GT 500 and Mustang, and Ford is quadrupling the size of its Connected Services Solutions group over the next four years. Look for new apps to be added in the near future as well. Improved Voice Recognition – Ford is working with Nuance to improve the voice recognition of the Ford SYNC system. Rather than requiring users to speak commands in an awkward, hierarchical manner, Nuance is working on systems that understand the intent of what a driver wants. The goal is to make voice recognition systems easier to operate, especially for first time users or those less technically adept. SYNC can now understand 100 times the number of commands it could when launched back in 2007, and you can probably expect similar gains over the next four years. Talking cars really aren’t that far off, after all. Inflatable Rear Seat Belts – Launched on the 2011 Ford Explorer, inflatable rear seat belts are designed to reduce head, neck and chest injuries, primarily for children and elderly rear seat occupants. Ford will expand this technology to the Flex and selected Lincoln vehicles starting next summer. Bold Fonts – Ford is taking steps to help drivers read interface screens by making fonts bolder and thicker. Look for this to appear first on the Ford Edge and Ford Explorer, beginning in 2012. Health and Wellness Monitoring – still in the R&D stages, Ford is developing technology to interface with Bluetooth enabled medical devices, such as embedded glucose monitors. This would allow diabetic drivers to track blood glucose levels in real time, alerting them before a problem arose. Ford is also working with Pollen.com to provide real time air quality monitoring for patients with respiratory problems; in the future, air quality alerts could even re-route drivers to prevent potential health issues. Intelligent Vehicles – Ford is working on systems that allow cars to “speak” to one another, or to communicate with intersections equipped with intelligent traffic signals. Distracted drivers would receive an alarm if they were approaching a red light at an improper rate of speed, and cars would receive a similar alarm if an oncoming vehicle posed a collision risk (passing a truck on a two-lane road, or turning left across traffic, for example). Still a few years off, this technology has the potential of reducing passenger vehicle crash risks by 81 percent when fully deployed. Technology extends to fuel economy as well, and Ford currently offers more vehicles with 40 mpg fuel economy than any other manufacturer. Thanks to developments like EcoBoost, smaller, more fuel-efficient engines are able to produce significantly more power than in years past, and even truck buyers are seeing the advantages of this. In May, 55 percent of F-150s sold came equipped with Ford’s EcoBoost V-6, marking the first time that V-6 F-150s outsold V-8 versions. We may not know exactly what the future has in store for the automotive industry, but this much is clear: if you can imagine it, chances are good that Ford has someone working on it. |
| Car Thefts Plummet To 1967 Levels Posted: 22 Jun 2011 07:23 AM PDT
There's good news for car owners: the last time vehicle thefts were this low was 1967, when there were a whole lot less cars on the roads to steal and technologies like LoJack and smart keys were still decades off. In 2010, 737,404 cars were stolen in the United States, which is a decline of 7.2 percent from 2009's already low 794,616 thefts. The National Insurance Crime Bureau attributes the decline to two primary factors: improved anti-theft technology, now incorporated into even base-model cars, and increased efforts by law enforcement to target car thefts. Fresno, California, and the surrounding area had the highest auto theft rates, and California took the dubious honor of having eight cities in the top ten for auto theft. State College, Pennsylvania laid claim to having the lowest rate of auto theft in the nation, and just in case you're wondering, you're 27 times more likely to have a car stolen in Fresno than you are in State College. Source: Left Lane News |
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