Popular Cars

The 2011 Ford Focus was a pretty good car; compact, affordable, decent mileage at 25 mpg in the city and 35 on the highway. Is the 2012 model that much better? Truth be told; it really is. For 2012 mileage has been significantly improved at 28 mpg in the city and 38 mpg on the freeway. If you choose to purchase the optional SFE package you can achieve 40 mpg on the interstate. Now these are some solid numbers!

A few major changes have been made for 2012 resulting in a new and improved vehicle. The suspension received a complete overhaul and as a result it’s more finely tuned. A new chassis is also in place and a cornering assist system has been added which facilitates handling sharp twists and turns in the roads. The new model also boasts serious technological advances. My Ford Touch is available which allows you to change songs on the CD player, adjust audio volume, receive cell phone calls and receive instant traffic news by using your voice. Many traffic accidents occur daily due to distracted drivers and this feature allows you full control of your auto’s functions while keeping hands on the steering wheel. If fuel economy is important to you then definitely upgrade for the SFE model. The engine produces low emissions due to Direct Injection Technology.

The engine is a four cylinder 2.0 Liter with 140 hp and 146 lb feet of torque. If you prefer a sportier drive then opt for the Titanium Package; this includes slick 18″ wheels, low profile summer tires and a tighter suspension. A long list of safety features are standard including a safety belts which adjust to a passenger’s height, traction control and a camera which enables you to see what’s behind the vehicle. Stronger pillars are in place which provide for additional protection in case of accidents; the pillar varies in thickness across its length and is stronger in areas where required. In addition there is also a LATCH system which allows parents to keep children safely restrained in their seats.

The cabin has enough space to seat five individuals and comes with an in-dash compact disc player. A tilt and telescoping steering wheel is in place which can be adjusted to the driver’s preference. Other standard features include a rear defroster, light tinted windows and a radio theft deterrent. The overall appearance is very contemporary and slick thanks to all the advanced tech gadgets and lighted instrument controls inside. Trunk space for the sedan is 13.2 cubic feet while the hatchback has a much larger trunk at 44.8 cubic feet.

Pricing starts at $18,790 for the base model. What makes the Ford Focus a winner is its rock bottom price coupled with great fuel efficiency. The price of gas is causing consumers to take a closer look at their mileage and forty miles per gallon are some sweet numbers indeed.

As the 2011 Geneva motor show pushes into high gear and the number of new models being unveiled increases by the hour we have picked one of our all time favourite cars to tell you about. The Mercedes SLK has been on our roads for many years and the German motor giant has continued to tweak the design and spec each time a new model is released.

The new SLK is the third and most advanced generation of the SLK model. Mercedes have focused on the one of the initial design advancements, the folding metal roof. The new design allows a full panoramic roof which can be switched to opaque at the touch of a button on the dash.

The shape is much similar to the second generation with the difference in a more face on grill instead of the Batman style previously seen. The new grill gives more of a classic sports car look which is similar to the Aston Martin and Porsche models. Whilst the front end has changed the design is still as sleek as the previous two models.

In the mechanics of the car there has been a huge change, the model will offer three different engine formats. There will be an SLK 200 delivering 184 bhp, a 240 pushing 240 bhp and a 350 which pumps a huge 306 bhp. What is especially good about the new mechanics is that despite the engine model each car still delivers over 40 mpg.

The interior design of the car is as you would expect from this German designed sports car. There are subtle advances in the interior but noting major to report. There are optional suspension rides to give a different handle depending on how and where you are driving.

Prices for the model are yet to be released and the new Mercedes SLK goes on sale in June 2011. We are sure this car will be a hit and all in all we still love it. The return of the classic sports car in the design will give the car a much wider appeal especially in the UK market. The sleek design has become a classic look on British streets and the SLK is easily recognizable from a distance.

In a show where so many new motor models are being released its hard to stand out from the crowd (unless you are producing a £200k super car that looks like a rocket). However the SLK does stand out above the rest.

Hyundai Accent is a luxury sub-compact sedan of Korean automaker Hyundai Motors. The model was introduced in 1994 and its production is still continuing successfully. This model comes with ample of variant choices that include CNG, LPG and executive versions. All the variants has 1.5 liter engine with five speed manual gearbox as standard feature.

Hyundai Accent is the car of performance, luxury, power and style and it assures to give smooth-sailing riding experience. The car is powered with innovative and advanced engine and it definitely proves to be the tough competitor in entry level sedan. On the whole it is a well balanced car that comes with affordable price tag and competes with Chevrolet Aveo, Ford Ikon, Maruti Swift Dzire and Tata Indigo. The cost of the sedan ranges between 5 lacs and 6 lacs. The model is available in attractive colors like husky blue, real earth, ebony black, charming grey, bright silver, noble white, scarlet sage, aqua tint and potomac blue.

Engine Specifications

Hyundai Accent is equipped with 1.54 Liter SOHC engine with the displacement of 1495 cc which is standard in all the three variants – petrol, diesel and CNG. Manual five speed transmission and in-line four cylinder is also standard on all the variants. The 1495 cc SOCH engine can churn out maximum power of 94 bhp at the rate of 5500 rpm and maximum torque of 123 nm at the rate of 3500 rpm. Its alpha engine stands for best economy and refined power.

Performance

Hyundai Accent comes with well balanced powerful engine. It is intended with high velocity intake, tumble airflow, exhaust ports, asymmetric rockers and dual intake valves that assure to give refined power and performance. The sedan is quick and energetic in city drive but coming to highway performance it is not that very zippy. Since the sedan is fitted with MPFI fuel supply system, it makes sure to measure each drop of fuel. The capacity of its fuel tank is 45 liters. ARAI gives the certificate that this model gives the mileage of 16.36 kmpl but in fact it is giving only 12.3 in city and 13.5 in highways. More or less almost all the variants give the same kind of fuel economy.

Exterior, Interior and Safety

Hyundai Accent front grille comes with horizontal slats that appear fresh and unique. Its waistline, bumpers, rear garnish, door handles and OVRMs are coated with body color. Further more the exterior is equipped with rear defogger, tinted glasses, clear headlamps and many more. It has the 175/70R13 tubeless tyres and they are covered with six-spoke full wheel cover that makes Accent exterior sporty.

The interior of this entry level sedan has beige color dual tone theme that bring spacious and luxurious feel. It has the comfortable front seats, supportive rear seats and its roofline is pretty high. Powerful air-conditioning systems, elegant instrumental cluster, cup-holders at comfortable places are additional attraction to the interiors.

Hyundai Accent is adorned with lots of passive and active safety features like disc anti-lock brakes, three point safety belts, height adjustable headrests, dual airbags, central locks, child locks, collapsible steering column and many more.