29 Aug 2009
Long-term update: 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee V8
Every time I test a brand new luxury “crossover” 4×4, I realise just how brutish, noisy and unrefined my aging Jeep is. But then I remember that none of these new-fangled “crossover” thingies can even think about going off-road. And that should count for something. The 2002 Jeep Grand Cherokee is chugging along rather decently in its 7th year. Read more… »
Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group, has become the fourth largest auto manufacturer in the world. Based on figures from the Automotive News Data Centre, the Korean carmaker has overtaken Ford, which saw its sales fall by more than 30% in 2009. Read more… »
16 Aug 2009
Devon GTX 2010 is latest American supercar
Conceived by a visionary industrial artist, brought to life by some of the world’s leading automotive engineers and designers, and proven on some of the most demanding race tracks in America, the all-new 2010 Devon GTX stands ready to stake claim as the next great American supercar. Read more… »
14 Aug 2009
Nick Alexander Woodie Collection auction
The distinguished Nick Alexander Woodie Collection was auctioned off this August, at the 2009 Monterey classic car event in the United States, achieving in excess of $7 million in total sales. It is a good opportunity to witness the popular wood-panel trim sported by various cars are the time. Read more… »
11 Aug 2009
Surviving a lightning strike while driving
Theoretically, the safest place to be during a thunderstorm is inside your car. A woman in the United States found that out the hard way, when her Ford Edge got hit by lightning while she was driving, and she walked away without a scratch. Read more… »
31 Jul 2009
Saleen 435S Mustang 2010 controversial debut
When MJ Acquisitions bought out Saleen Performance Vehicles earlier this year, original founder Steve Saleen left and started up another tuner company called SMS Supercars. And while Steve is battling his former company for rights to the “Saleen” name, the firm bearing his name has unveiled its first 2010 product since the acquisition, called the Saleen 435S, based on the new 2010 Ford Mustang. Read more… »
30 Jul 2009
Harley-Davidson 2010 motorcycle product line-up
Proclaimed as the only major American motorcycle maker, Harley-Davidson has just unveiled their 2010 product line-up, with nine new motorcycle models in what they refer to as “the most expansive new-product introduction in the history of the company,” spread across six model platforms. Read more… »
28 Jul 2009
Acura RDX 2010 crossover released in the States
So it's no wonder that Acura adds a two-wheel drive version of its RDX compact SUV for 2010. The move shaves some 190 pounds from the previously all-wheel drive only RDX and helps account for 2 more miles per gallon in both city and highway driving for a combined 21 mpg government mileage rating in slow- and high-speed travel.
Even better, the front-wheel drive 2010 RDX — which also includes subtle styling updates and new standard features that are on all RDX models — has a lower starting retail price than the base 2009 RDX.
Specifically, the starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, for a 2010 RDX with two-wheel drive is $33,330. This is less than the $34,705 starting retail price for a base 2009 RDX and compares with the $35,330 starting price for a 2010 RDX with all-wheel drive.
The 2010 prices include standard automatic transmission, leather-trimmed seats, power front seats that are heated, 360-watt Acura audio system, power moonroof and dual-zone climate control, among other things. All safety equipment, including six air bags, electronic stability control, traction control and whiplash-reducing front head restraints, is standard, too.
Acura said the new pricing on the Consumer Reports-recommended RDX stems from customers in warm weather areas saying they didn't want to have to pay for all-wheel drive if they didn't need it.
But the new model also means the base RDX has a noticeable price differential compared with major competitors.
For example, starting retail price for a 2009 BMW X3 with manual transmission and all-wheel drive is $40,525, while the 2009 Infiniti EX35 with two-wheel drive and automatic transmission starts at $34,665. Additionally, the 2010 Audi Q5 starts at $38,175 and has automatic transmission and all-wheel drive.
The competitors above have six-cylinder engines so you'd expect them to have more power. They do, in terms of horsepower, but Acura's RDX has impressive get up and go so you might think you have a six cylinder under the hood.
The reason? The RDX has Acura's first production turbocharged engine, and though it's just a 2.3-liter four cylinder, its output is 240 horses and a six-cylinder-like 260 foot-pounds of torque at 4,500 rpm.
This compares with the Q5 V-6's 270 horses and 243 foot-pound at 3,000 rpm and the 260 horsepower and 225 foot-pounds of torque at 2,750 rpm generated by the six cylinder in the 2009 BMW X3.
The test RDX with two-wheel drive accelerated smoothly, with nary any turbo lag. I didn't notice shift points as I drove, either, unless I was doing the shifting manually and aggressively via the SportShift five-speed automatic transmission. Acura includes paddle shifters at the steering wheel so drivers don't have to take their hands off the wheel when shifting and so drivers experience a sporty feel in the RDX.
This 15.2-foot-long SUV bounded up hills easily and felt lighter than its 3,752 pounds. The two-wheel drive vehicle is also 250 pounds lighter than its six-cylinder competitors.
Best of all, the RDX's new government fuel economy ratings — 19 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway — are better than the 16/23-mpg rating for the 2009 X3 and the 17/24-mpg rating for the 2009 Infiniti EX35.
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