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WHAT IT IS

The 2011 Regal is Buick's entry-level sedan. It's about the same size as a Toyota Camry or Honda Accord but (according to Buick) is aimed more at slightly smaller, more athletic near-luxury sedans like the Lexus IS250 and Acura TSX. Base price is $26,245 for the CXL with 2.4 liter engine. A performance-themed CXL turbo with 2.0 liter engine (late availability) starts at $28,745. All versions are front-wheel-drive.

WHAT'S NEW

The '11 Regal is a new model for Buick, though not for GM. The same basic car is sold in Europe under the Opel banner as the Insignia.

WHAT'S GOOD

Though not a fire-breather like the '80s-era Regal T-Types and Grand Nationals were, the latest Regal is a lot more alive-feeling (and youthful looking) than the AARP Staff Car Regals that immediately preceded it. Turbo power available late fall/spring 2011. Really sharp interior. Excellent gas mileage (30-plus on the highway). Comes with (or can be ordered with) up-to-date features and equipment such as hard-drive based navigation and music storage - you know, stuff that earlier Buicks were famous for not having.

Big (for the class) trunk. A bargain compared to the Lexus IS250 ($32,145) and Acura TSX ($29,310). A sportier alternative to a Camry for about the same money.

WHAT'S NOT GOOD

The name. Regal is a venerable Buick trademark going back several decades, but many current-day buyers who remember it probably associate it with wire-wheeled starter caskets that squat in the fast lane doing precisely 3 MPH below the posted speed limit - not exactly the image Buick is hoping to cultivate. Turbocharged 220 hp engine isn't available yet; Buick says soon.... Pricey - for what it is: $26k (to start) for a four-cylinder Buick may be a hard sell.

UNDER THE HOOD

The Regal's standard powerplant is a 2.4 liter, 182 hp four with direct fuel injection. It drives the front wheels through a six-speed automatic. For at least the first few months of production, this will be the only available powertrain. Expect a zero to 60 time of around 8.3 seconds. Fuel efficiency is very good: 20 city, 30 highway.

By spring 2011, Buick will offer a 2.0 liter, turbocharged/direct injected four good for an expected 220 hp, along with a six-speed manual transmission (and optional six-speed automatic). Acceleration with this engine promises to be appropriate to the class/price - in the mid-low seven second range. That would be competitive with cars like the Lexus IS250/Acura TSX - and quicker than a four-cylinder Camry or Honda Accord.

Gas mileage with the 2.0 engine ought to be about the same; at most a few MPGs less than the base engine delivers. At this point, it does not appear likely Buick will offer an AWD set-up in the Regal.

ON THE ROAD

Overall, this is (by far) the most engaging-to-drive Regal since the '80s-era rear-wheel-drive muscle coupes that also bore the Regal name. It comes standard with 18 inch rims and performance tires, not 15s with whitewalls. The steering actually seems connected to the road - and the suspension will hold the line if you lean on it hard in a corner. The Opel DNA (and European tuning) shows.

The only disappointment comes from under the hood. The 2.4 liter engine doesn't have the gumption to get close to 4,000 pounds (3,600 lbs. of car plus a driver and passenger) moving with suitable swiftness. A zero to 60 time in the mid eight second range isn't terrible - it's just not in the right ballpark for the competition Buick is scoping out. Both the IS250 and the Acura TSX have about 20 hp more (and in the case of the Lexus IS, two more cylinders), standard - with more on tap if you need it in the form of optional engines that get within spitting distance of 300 hp.

Granted, both the Lexus IS and the Acura TSX cost much, much more than the Buick (especially with their optional engines) so a direct comparison isn't really fair. The problem, though, is that it's not car reviewers who are making the comparison - it's Buick that's doing it. If the Regal's target competition was, say, the four-cylinder version of the Toyota Camry (or the four-cylinder Accord), ok. The Regal looks pretty good, then. But if the stack-up is against cars like the IS250 and TSX, Buick should not have released the Regal before getting the eventually-will-get-here 2.0 liter, turbo engine and six-speed stick into the lineup. Because with just the 2.4 liter engine, the Buick can't hang.

AT THE CURB

Outside, the new Regal has a pretty generic modern shape - the basic "jellybean" distinguished as a Buick by the large, one-piece grille with vertical slats and triple shield Buick badge in the middle. There are some interesting detail touches, such as the reverse "L" dimple pressed into the doors that traces its line back to the rear fender arches - and a BMW-cum Acura-ish rear section with integrated spoiler lip. Though not a head-turner, the Regal is subtly handsome - and that's in keeping with the division's history as a brand that caters to people with money and taste, but who prefer to keep a lower profile.

Inside, the layout is Euro-modern (once again, credit the Opel background) with a blue-backlit primary gauge cluster (speedo and tach, temp and gas) and LCD driver info display nestled between them. Nice seats that are a midway between aggressive sport buckets - and zero-support bench seats. There are thigh and shoulder bolsters, but they're not hug-you-too-tight and it's easy to slide in and out of the car. The touchscreen display for the nav/audio system is large and legible; the secondary buttons below it for other functions are simple to understand and generally easy to use.

A big Regal plus is significantly more backseat legroom (37.3 inches) than its two chief target competitors - the Acura TSX (34.3 inches) and Lexus IS250 (30.6 inches). It also has a noticeably larger trunk (14.2 cubic feet) vs. 13 cubic feet for the Lexus and 12.6 cubic feet for the Acura.

The Regal offers almost as much back seat and trunk space as the Toyota Camry, too (38.3 inches, 15 cubic feet) and actually beats the Honda Accord (37.2 inches, 14 cubic feet) on those points.

THE REST

This is a nicely put-together and solid-feeling car. The Regal's 2.4 liter engine has been found reliable in other cars - and GM's track record for durability and quality has been top notch for the past several years.

The only issue as I see it is that the market (the U.S. market, anyhow) doesn't currently perceive Buick as the equivalent, status-wise, of Lexus or Acura. Buick, the division, dates from an era when there were no Japanese-brand luxury cars, period - and when Buick was a stepping stone on the road to a Cadillac within GM's brand hierarchy. That is all in the past, though - and it's an open question whether Buick (or, similarly, Ford's Mercury division) can survive in a completely changed-over marketplace that just may not have room for what amounts to an almost-Lexus brand. The underpowered, take-it-or-leave-it 2.4 liter engine really hurts the car, too.

GM would have been well-advised to hold off introducing the Regal until it could at least put the not-yet-here turbocharged 2.0 liter engine on the list of available options - because $26k is a lot to ask for a four-cylinder-only car with a zero to 60 time in the mid 8 second range. This may hurt the car's image, which will hurt sales - which will eventually hurt resale values.

Safety-wise, there's OnStar - GM's voice-activated, GPS-based concierge and emergency assistance service - as well as traction and stability control, front seat side-impact and curtain air bags. All standard.

Honda motors unveils its latest B+ segment middle class vehicle named Honda Brio. This all new Honda Brio has been showcased at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo 2010. Honda designed ths new Brio with its latest advance technologies and 'Man Maximum, machine minimum cocept' policy. Honda Brio will hit the indian roads bu 2011 january of February and the expeced price of Honda Brio is around Rs. 4.5-6 lakhs.

The all new Honda Brio will be available in four variants - Brio E, Brio S, Brio V and Brio AT. The new Honda Brio car comes powered by a 1198cc SOHC, i-VTEC petrol engine which delivers a maximum power of 89 Bhp @ 6200 and a peak torque of 110 Nm @ 4800 rpm. Coming to the engine, 1198cc SOHC, i-VTEC petrol engine is the same one that powers Honda Jazz. Honda planning to take on other car in its segment like Swift, i20, polo etc with this all new 2011 Honda Brio.

As per the performance review of Honda Brio, the new Honda vehicle will offer a Fuel mileage of 20.00 kmpl in Highways and 14.00 kmpl in City. Other features of the new Honda Brio includes Remote Central Locking, Remote Fuel Filler, Rear Wiper, Remote Boot, AC without Climate control, Power Windows, Rear Defogger, Dash Integrated MP3 Player Music System, EBD, ABS, Fog Lamp, Body Color Bumpers and  Tachometer

Honda Brio will comes available in  7 colors which includes - White, Black, Green, Red, Blue, Grey and Silver.

Tags: Honda, Brio, Honda India, Brio in india, Honda Brio launch in India, Honda Brio prices in India, Honda Brio Small Car,  Honda Brio Pics, Honda Brio pictures, Honda Brio India release, Honda Brio review, specifications of Honda Brio, Honda Brio specs, Honda Brio Car features, Honda Brio technical features, Honda Brio top-speed, Honda Brio engine specs, Honda Brio india prices, Honda Brio wallpapers.

Honda motors unveils its latest B+ segment middle class vehicle named Honda Brio. This all new Honda Brio has been showcased at the 27th Thailand International Motor Expo 2010. Honda designed ths new Brio with its latest advance technologies and 'Man Maximum, machine minimum cocept' policy. Honda Brio will hit the indian roads bu 2011 january of February and the expeced price of Honda Brio is around Rs. 4.5-6 lakhs.

The all new Honda Brio will be available in four variants - Brio E, Brio S, Brio V and Brio AT. The new Honda Brio car comes powered by a 1198cc SOHC, i-VTEC petrol engine which delivers a maximum power of 89 Bhp @ 6200 and a peak torque of 110 Nm @ 4800 rpm. Coming to the engine, 1198cc SOHC, i-VTEC petrol engine is the same one that powers Honda Jazz. Honda planning to take on other car in its segment like Swift, i20, polo etc with this all new 2011 Honda Brio.

As per the performance review of Honda Brio, the new Honda vehicle will offer a Fuel mileage of 20.00 kmpl in Highways and 14.00 kmpl in City. Other features of the new Honda Brio includes Remote Central Locking, Remote Fuel Filler, Rear Wiper, Remote Boot, AC without Climate control, Power Windows, Rear Defogger, Dash Integrated MP3 Player Music System, EBD, ABS, Fog Lamp, Body Color Bumpers and  Tachometer

Honda Brio will comes available in  7 colors which includes - White, Black, Green, Red, Blue, Grey and Silver.

Tags: Honda, Brio, Honda India, Brio in india, Honda Brio launch in India, Honda Brio prices in India, Honda Brio Small Car,  Honda Brio Pics, Honda Brio pictures, Honda Brio India release, Honda Brio review, specifications of Honda Brio, Honda Brio specs, Honda Brio Car features, Honda Brio technical features, Honda Brio top-speed, Honda Brio engine specs, Honda Brio india prices, Honda Brio wallpapers.

Chrysler and Fiat will be investing more than $1.3bn into Fiat’s dated Mirafiori plant as part of a joint venture.

The factory will be assembling future Jeep and Alfa Romeo models – including replacements for the Compass & Patriot compact SUVs — for international distribution, starting in late 2012.

Fiat said the plan is to bring "a new platform from the U.S. to produce cars and SUVs for the Jeep and Alfa Romeo brands."

Those models will include the midsize Alfa Romeo Giulia sedan and wagon, replacing the 159 and will be sold in both Europe and North America. Mirafiori also will construct compact premium SUVs for Alfa and Jeep. Alfa Romeo is aiming at the Audi Q5, BMW X3 and Mercedes GLK.

These models will centre on a new Compact Wide platform, borrowed from Fiat's Compact platform, which underpins the Alfa Romeo Giulietta. The Compact Wide architecture is currently being equally engineered in Italy and North America.

The Mirafiori assembly plant currently manufactures a verity of vehicles, from the Fiat Multipla to the Alfa Romeo MiTo. Its annual capacity will be increased from 250,000 to 280,000 units.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has opened up an examination into reports of fires in the doors of the ‘06 Honda CR-V. The investigation involves approximately 150,000 vehicles.

The probe was driven by three reports "alleging a fire occurred in the driver's door related to the driver's master power window switch," said.

"We are aware that NHTSA has opened a preliminary evaluation based on three reports of fires in the doors of the 2006 model year CR-V vehicles," said Honda in a statement. "Honda will fully cooperate with NHTSA once they begin the investigation."

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Volvo is calling back 6,046 2011 S60, S80, XC60 and XC70 vehicles because of unexpected engine stalling.

"The software calibration for the fuel cutoff functionality in the engine control module is too sensitive," said NHTSA. "Sudden engine stall could occur, increasing the risk of a crash."

Volvo clarified that the problem arises when the driver is braking "during city driving and/or releases the accelerator pedal."

"The engine idle speed may drop, resulting in a sudden engine stall without any prior warning," it said. "If this condition occurs, the transmission control unit will enter a temporary protection mode in order to prevent damage to the vehicle's transmission. When starting the vehicle again, the driver can operate the vehicle safely home or to an authorised Volvo repair facility, but may experience a louder than usual transmission and a harder gear engagement."

The recall is expected to begin on 10th December.

I discussed in my last post about the implications because of installing an aftermarket sports exhaust system which are obviously great for your car. The performance of the exhaust system is mainly dependent upon its bent of tubing so first I will discuss what types of tubing you may find in the market. There are two types of bents. Crush Bent and Mandrel Bent. The later is much appreciated by the car enthusiasts however the crush bent is generally found in factory fitted exhaust systems of the cars. Making the story short, coming quickly to the merits and demerits of mandrel bent exhaust tubing.

Advantages:

As I said mandrel bent exhaust tubing is much appreciated by those who love to drag their cars beyond its limits. The reason is fair enough. Exhaust tubing with mandrel bent have an even diameter through out their piping system and due to this evenness, the gases produced in the engine bay easily pass through the system and outside the car without the restrictions as they have to face in crush bent exhaust tubing where the diameter of the inside becomes smaller and uneven as it is caused to "crinkle" by pressure bent.

Mandrel bent are similar to crush bend to the extent that they are also pressurized but an additional die is added which prevents the tubing to crinkle and hence the surface remains even. As a result, a constant circle allows a smooth flow of gases and better power and efficiency of the car. The mandrel bent are also adored because they also create the famous growling sound of the car which reflects the power of its engine.

Disadvantages:

The demerits of such type of exhaust tubing would definitely be the cost factor. Generally these type of sports exhaust system are more expensive than normal, factory fitted, stock exhaust system. Similarly an advantage of it can also be regarded as a disadvantage. i.e. the sound it produces. This sound can be disturbing for many "peace lovers" and can deem it as a mere "sound pollution". In the end, its not necessary that every car will compliment the mandrel bent exhaust tubing (system). Some power loss has been observed in the cars and apparently the exhaust system did not work as it was suppose to. So car keeping in mind the engine's specifications are necessary otherwise all your hard work and wealth will go in vain.