Automotive Addicts |
- Video: 2012 Lexus GS Disguised During Testing
- Infiniti Rolls Out 4th Teaser Image of new JX Crossover Concept
- Subaru’s WRX: The Official Escape Vehicle Of The Zombie Apocalypse?
- 2012 Hyundai Genesis R Spec: First Impressions
| Video: 2012 Lexus GS Disguised During Testing Posted: 29 Jul 2011 05:48 AM PDT
Lexus has released a new teaser video of the upcoming 2012/2013 GS 350 in full disguise during testing. Due to be unveiled at the upcoming Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, the Lexus GS will feature styling from the current LF-Gh Hybrid Concept vehicle that we revealed back in April. From the looks of the video, the new Lexus GS is about ready to take the wraps off and showcase that "emotional design" that engineers and designers say is distinctive to the all-new GS. Engine options are still up in the air but we speculate a variation of a 3.5-liter V6. Potentially, a hybrid drive system will be ready for prime-time. A 4-cylinder diesel offering is said to be in the works exclusively for the European markets. Source: Lexus   |
| Infiniti Rolls Out 4th Teaser Image of new JX Crossover Concept Posted: 28 Jul 2011 09:32 AM PDT
Infiniti just released a 4th image of the new JX Crossover Concept. The new Infiniti JX will be the newest vehicle in the lineup which will feature 7-passenger seating. So far the teaser images seem to be shaping up an interesting design surly to appeal to current Infiniti owners and future luxury crossover consumers. A total of 7 'teaser' images will be released via Infiniti's Facebook page in the weeks to come leading up to the official introduction of the all-new JX at the Pebble Beach Concours.      |
| Subaru’s WRX: The Official Escape Vehicle Of The Zombie Apocalypse? Posted: 28 Jul 2011 07:23 AM PDT
I hate to boast, but I consider myself one of the world's foremost authorities on the upcoming zombie apocalypse. My go-bag is packed, I've got a decent selection of anti-zombie firearms and I've read "The Zombie Survival Guide" from cover to cover. Several times, in fact. I've even got my own choice of zombie escape vehicle parked in my garage, and it isn't a Subaru WRX. More on that later. The 2012 Subaru WRX is a fine automobile, and it represents one of the best bargains in a performance car. Still, it's got its limitations, such as a price-point-driven interior and less than ideal fuel economy when driven hard. Sure, it gives you sure-footed traction, even on wet pavement, but the WRX lacks ground clearance. You won't get very far off-road, especially if your escape route includes driving through a swamp or rock-strewn field. As any zombie authority will tell you, the undead don't move fast. In fact, you can probably outrun them at a brisk walking pace, which makes the type of acceleration delivered by the WRX all but useless in the zombie apocalypse. If roads are blocked (and they will be), the WRX gives you limited options; you're not going to push your way through stalled cars, and you're not going to be climbing over any steep curbs without ripping off body work (and potentially your oil pan, which would be bad). My zombie escape vehicle? A 4wd Toyota FJ Cruiser. It's fast enough to outrun even an undead Usain Bolt, and it'll leap tall curbing in a single bound. I've never found a trail the FJ can't handle, even with the craptastic stock tires, so getting away cross country would pose little challenge. There's enough room inside for the wife, the dog, two go-bags and lots of guns and ammo, something the WRX lacks. You can even sleep in the FJ in relative comfort, something that isn't possible in the WRX. There are still a lot of reasons to buy a WRX, but in my opinion, escaping the zombie apocalypse isn't one of them. Source: You Tube via Motor Authority  |
| 2012 Hyundai Genesis R Spec: First Impressions Posted: 28 Jul 2011 07:16 AM PDT
Hyundai's Azera paved the way into the luxury market for the Korean automaker, proving that it could be successful selling a car above the $30k price point. The Azera led to the launch of the slightly larger and more upscale Genesis, which ultimately led to the launch of their Equus flagship sedan. Its trio of luxury (or near-luxury) cars not only gives Hyundai the ability to attract new customers, but it also ensures that brand loyalists have a clear upgrade path through Hyundai's product line. That strategy has produced sales success for both the Equus, which now owns 5 percent of the premium luxury market, and the Genesis, which has had 24 months of year-over-year sales increases. Hyundai does things differently from other automakers, and that includes more frequent product refreshes. The Genesis sedan was only launched in 2009, yet it received a refresh for the 2010 model year. For 2012, it's getting some significant upgrades, despite the fact that the car has only been on market for two years in its present form. On the base side, the 3.8-liter Genesis sedan gets a bump in horsepower from 290 to 333, plus it gets better city and highway fuel economy than last year's 3.8-liter V-6. The V-6, along with both the 4.6 liter and 5.0 liter V-8s, gets mated to a new eight speed automatic transmission, further boosting both performance and fuel economy. Hyundai's goal was to make the 2012 Genesis more distinctive, so exterior styling was tweaked to be more aggressive. There's a new grille design, and the chrome accents on the front fascia have been restyled. The Genesis gets larger rocker panels and brushed aluminum window trim, which give the car a more sporting appearance. Headlights get daytime running lights and LED accent lighting, and rear taillights are restyled. Front and rear bumpers are new for the 2012 model year, as are the 17-inch and 19-inch wheels used on the various Genesis sedan models.  Image: Hyundai The big news in the Genesis product line is the introduction of the 5.0-liter, 429-horsepower Genesis R-Spec. I recently had a chance to drive the R-Spec, and for comparison, a base 3.8-liter Genesis, on the roads near Charleston, South Carolina. I've got good news and bad news: the good news is that the R-Spec is an impressive car, but the bad news is that torrential rain and wet roads prohibited me from testing the car's handling limits.  Image: Hyundai Even on wet pavement, the R-Spec's traction control isn't overly intrusive, allowing some wheelspin before the brakes allow the rear tires to hook up. The steering is very nicely weighted and there's a significant amount of information transmitted back through the steering wheel to the driver. Ride quality is similar to a sport-package-equipped 3 Series BMW; it's firm, but never harsh, even over rough pavement. As you'd expect, 429 horsepower and 376 ft-lb of torque, coupled with an 8-speed automatic transmission, produce brisk acceleration. Hyundai claims a 0 to 60 time of 5.1 seconds, but I couldn't come close to that on wet pavement. Do I believe them? Yes, and the car actually felt a little quicker than that.  Image: Hyundai Inside, there isn't much to distinguish the R-Spec from other Genesis sedans. In fact, there's no R-Spec badging, no sport seats and no sport steering wheel, at least on first-year R Spec models. That's not to say there’s anything wrong with the components used on the Genesis, but sport sedan buyers have different expectations than luxury sedan buyers. Scott Margason, Hyundai's director of product planning, was on hand to solicit feedback, so don't be surprised to see interior upgrades on the next Genesis R-Spec.  Image: Hyundai If you've got a more modest budget to work with, Hyundai offers the Genesis in a 4.6-liter V-8 version and in a 3.8-liter V-6 version. I didn't have an opportunity to drive the 4.6-liter Genesis sedan, but I was very impressed with the 3.8-liter car. The engine still puts out 333 horsepower and 291 ft-lb of torque, which is good enough to get the car to sixty in under six seconds. The lighter engine makes the 3.8 liter Genesis feel more nimble, but the car lacks the sport suspension found on the Genesis R-Spec. If I could design my own Genesis sedan, it would probably come with the 3.8-liter V-6, a six-speed manual transmission and the suspension from the R-Spec; such a car would be a fitting rival to a sport-package equipped BMW 3 Series, but I doubt there's enough demand for Hyundai to consider such a combination. The 2012 Hyundai Genesis starts at $35,050 for a base 3.8 model, and tops out at $47,350 for the Genesis R-Spec. That's significantly less than midsize luxury sedans from the competition, so if you’re in the market, the Genesis is worth adding to your shopping list. Judging from the car's rising sales, a lot of buyers have figured that out on their own.  |
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