Wednesday, 22 June 2011
Lancer Evolution VII
11:50
Phinuss
All good things come to an end sooner or later. So has the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution series. This is not to say that the latest addition to the series, the Evolution VII, is a bad car but rather that it lost most part of its inherent nature. Previous models were mere excuses to get the FIA homologation in GroupA. Even so more than 150,000 Lancer Evolutions (I through to VI including the 6.5 Tommi Mäkinen edition) were sold from 1992 to 2001.
An amazing success given the awkwardness of these cars when used as everyday transport. Most examples were sold in the Asia Pacific region and very few made their way to other countries, most mainly in Europe while none was sold in North America (Emission Control Regulations again). Mitsubishi are now planning to produce more than 30000 examples of the Evolution VII!
The latest Mitsubishi representative in the World Rally Championship is now a WRC Class car rather than a GroupA Classone. The move from one class of competition car to the other frees the manufacturer's hands from having to produce the 2500 required homologation cars that must carry the racing car's arsenal even if it is unused/disconnected. So how does that affect the commercial version? Well the influence of the change in homologation class can be both felt and measured in the Evolution VII. For the latter one might note that performance figures are worse than they were in the previous version. Half a second is lost in 0-100km/h times (now 5.6 seconds) and a whole 1.4 seconds in the 1000m from a standing start (now 25,8 seconds). The new figures bring the Evolution VII out of the super-car territory. What has affected performance? The answer is twofold:
- A significant rise in the car's weight, more than 50kg were added compared to the previous version
- The Mitsubishi engineers targeted more the adherence to stringent Emission Control figures and driveability than sheer performance when designing the latest engine version and its electronic management
When adding to the facts above that the car's overall dimensions and, consequently, its inertia and aerodynamic figures have been raised one can easily realize why the Evolution VII is not the absolute point to point car anymore. It still is a very fast and capable car but when compared, side by side, to the Evolution VI and its predecessors the changes, both dynamic and static are shocking. You can access the complete car's specification here.
The new Lancer is based on the Mitsubishi Cedia family sedan rather than on the Lancer series. This fact alone has taken away most of its aggressiveness. Some parts of its body (bonnet and front arches) are still made out of aluminum as are most of its suspension components, carried over from the previous version for their majority. This however does not manage to bring the overall weight down to more reasonable levels.
Lancer Evolution VII
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VolksWagen New Beetle
11:47
Phinuss
The 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle ranks 32 out of 33 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 41 published reviews and test drives of the Volkswagen New Beetle, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.
The 2010 Volkswagen appeal appeals to shoppers who like standing out from the crowd and have a soft spot for retro styling. Expect the fun to continue in the Spring of 2011 with the completely redesigned 2012 VW Beetle.
The Beetle is loved for its cutesy and unique exterior styling, whether it’s an old school model of the 1950s or the New Beetle that debuted in 1998. In the spring of 2011, Volkswagen will shake up the line again by adding a newer New Beetle to the mix: the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle.Volkswagen calls the 2012 Beetle, “an automotive icon, reinvented.” To recreate this legend, VW added sport and more interior features to spice the 2012 model. Volkswagen sent out a basic press release, but hasn’t provided pricing data or posted photos on its website. If you’re interested in the 2012 model, hold tight. We’ll bring updates as soon as they’re available.If you want a Beetle now, you can still get a 2010 model, which is well liked for its exterior styling and fun driving experience. Unfortunately, the 2010 Beetle doesn’t offer much more than this. At 20/29 mpg city/highway, its fuel economy ratings are some of the lowest among affordable small cars. Trunk space is also minimal and the rear seat isn’t comfortable. But if you're a Beetle lover, these may be things you can overlook.
Other Cars to Consider
The 2010 Volkswagen Beetle isn’t the only cute car on the market with retro styling. The Mini Cooper is a great alternative that has better performance and fuel economy ratings. Like the Beetle, its petite size has drawbacks. At 5.7 cubic feet with the rear seats up, the Cooper cargo area is one of the tiniest in the class. But if you’re an urbanite who won’t carry many passengers, the Cooper is a worthy car to consider. Another drawback for some shoppers will be the Cooper’s price. It starts at $20,100 -- $1,410 more than the New Beetle.
If you can live without the New Beetle, consider the Volkswagen Golf. It’s a great performer, and its exterior styling, though bland in comparison to the Beetle, is regarded as sleek and attractive. The Golf also has higher fuel economy ratings of 22/30 mpg city/highway, and a larger cargo hold that offers 46.0 cubic feet of space with the rear seats folded.
If none of these cargo capacities or prices will cut it for you, the Honda Fit is one of the most practical options on the market. The Fit’s has a maximum of 57.3 cubic feet of cargo space and an impressive amount of interior cubbies. The Fit also has one more thing the Beetle doesn’t -- comfortable seats. No one will be squished in this hatchback.
Details: 2010 Volkswagen New Beetle
The 2010 New Beetle is available as a coupe and a convertible, which start at $18,690 and $23,690, respectively. There is no 2011 model this year, but that’s because Volkswagen is unleashing a completely redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Beetle in the spring of 2011. If you’re in the market for a Beetle, you might want to wait until then to get the latest and greatest from Volkswagen.
VolksWagen New Beetle
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