Ferrari 458 Italia

Maranello, 23rd August 2011 – The new 458 Spider joins the 458 Italia, widening the range of Ferrari’s mid-rear engined V8s and offering the same uncompromising technological solutions, handling and performance in a refined open-top configuration. It is equipped with a Ferrari patented, fully retractable hard top, a world first for a sports car with this lay-out.

The 458 Spider is powered by Ferrari’s naturally-aspirated, direct-injection 4.5 litre V8 which was nominated as the 2011 International Engine of the Year for its engineering excellence in terms of driveability, performance, economy and refinement. The power is transferred to the road by Ferrari’s class-leading dual-clutch F1 paddle-shift transmission through the sophisticated E-Diff, itself integrated with the F1-Trac traction control and high-performance ABS for maximum handling dynamics.

Certain of the car’s features, such as its accelerator pedal mapping and the damping of the multilink suspension, have been calibrated to guarantee maximum sportiness and absolute driving pleasure with the top down, in line with Maranello’s exclusive spider tradition. Even the engine soundtrack has been honed to ensure that the car’s occupants are completely captivated by the drop-top driving experience.

Entirely in aluminium, the hard-top solution adopted for the 458 Spider offers a number of advantages over the traditional folding soft-top, including a reduction of 25 kg in weight and a deployment time of just 14 seconds. Fully integrated into the styling of the car, the hard-top was engineered to fit neatly ahead of the engine bay without compromising aerodynamics or the performance of the car. The small space needed to house the roof enables the designers to include a generous rear bench for luggage behind the seats.

The rear of the car is characterised by innovative forms with the buttresses designed to optimise the flow of air to the engine intakes and the clutch and gearbox oil radiators. For maximum comfort whilst driving top down the 458 Spider features a generously-sized adjustable electric wind stop. The design was perfected to slow and diffuse the air in the cockpit, enabling normal conversation to be held even at speeds over 200 km/h.

 New technical solutions adopted for the chassis guarantee identical levels of structural rigidity with the roof up or down. The result is a car that is truly exciting to drive, blending extreme performance with the responsiveness that has always characterised Ferrari’s open-top berlinettas.

Porsche 911: Carrera S a 'revolution'

Porsche 911: Carrera S a 'revolution'

The new Porsche 911 is the most revolutionary yet, with more efficient engines, a seven-speed manual box and braver styling.
The most dramatic changes are the more bulbous headlights, with daytime running lamps, as well as sharper tail-lights inspired by the 918.

Inside is a Panamera-style sloping centre console, although the driver-focused 911 makes do with far fewer switches.

Under the skin, the front suspension and steering set-up are shared with the forthcoming Boxster and Cayman. The rear suspension remains unchanged, but lightweight materials reduce the car's weight by up to 45kg.

Porsche will continue to offer its PASM damper system, which allows owners to choose between a series of different driving modes.

The engine range is updated, too, with the Carrera's 3.6-litre replaced by a more efficient 3.4-litre, developing 257kW.
The direct-injection 3.8-litre in the Carrera S gets 294kW.

Performance is as strong as ever; when fitted with the PDK twin-clutch box and the Sport Chrono Pack, the Carrera does zero to 100km/h in 4.4 seconds, slightly faster than before.

The Carrera S promises a time of 4.1 seconds.

Handling will be improved, too, thanks to Porsche Dynamic Chassis Control - available on the Carrera S for the first time. The electronic set-up actively reduces cornering body roll.

A seven-speed manual box will be standard, with the seven-ratio PDK an option. Most buyers are likely to go for the latter; it's fitted to around 80 per cent of current 911s.

2011 Audi A6

Audi A6 - What the Auto Press Says

The 2011 Audi A6 ranks 7 out of 16  This ranking is based on our analysis of 60 published reviews and test drives of the Audi A6, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The 2011 Audi A6 balances exceptional road performance with absolute luxury -- making it one of the best offerings among .  
In terms of sales, the Audi A6 trails rivals like the and  However, critics argue that it’s just as capable as they are -- if not better -- in a lot of ways.

The 2011 Audi A6 has one of the most luxurious interior cabins in its class, and it’s also a fine performer. The key to the A6's performance appeal is its optional Quattro All-Wheel-Drive System -- which transforms it into a fantastic canyon carver.

Just as the optional AWD system makes a dramatic difference in the A6’s performance, engine choice can radically change this car’s character. Reviewers are particularly impressed with the available 3.0-liter supercharged V6, which offers smooth power delivery and accelerates like a V8, but offers the fuel economy of a V6.
Overall,  writes: "A6 is tough to top for craftsmanship, and it offers all-weather AWD capability, great overall refinement, and cool sophistication. It's a must-see for any luxury-car shopper."

Other Cars to Consider

Shoppers in the market for a should also check out the Audi A6’s other German rivals. The  and sedan are just as luxurious, feature all-wheel drive systems and are offered at similar prices. 

If you're seriously considering the A6, also take a look at the Audi A4. It’s smaller, but still larger than most vehicles in the midsize car class. Best of all, it costs thousands less than the A6, but shares much of its equipment with it.

A6 Performance - 8.7 (Very Good)

Test drivers are in love with the 2011 Audi A6’s performance dynamics -- especially when equipped with Quattro all-wheel-drive. "Audi has closed the gap on the revered BMW 5 Series in terms of seat-of-the-pants road-holding,” writes CNET. “With the wheels spread out slightly from the previous A6, the car feels solid on the road and especially confidence-inspiring at highway speeds." Read More

A6 Exterior - 8.2 (Very Good)

The automotive press likes the 2011 A6’s sleek exterior design.  Elegant touches like a line of LED lights above the headlights give it a polished, tailored look. Its huge, trapezoidal grille earns many comments as well. Plus, for 2011 the previously-optional S Line exterior package is now standard. Read More

A6 Interior - 8.7 (Very Good)

Reviewers say that the 2011 Audi A6’s cabin is exceptional. However, some take issue with its Multi-Media Interface system, which controls all climate and entertainment functions. Other reviewers say it's one of the easier interfaces to learn in large luxury cars. Read More

A6 Safety - 10.0 (Excellent)

The federal government has not crash tested the 2011 Audi A6. However, the A6 has been tested by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, earning top scores of “Good” in front, side and overall rear impact tests. This year’s model features a generous host of safety features -- including Audi's Electronic Stabilization Program and Electronic Brake-Force Distribution. Read More

A6 Reliability - 6.0 (Mediocre)

The 2011 Audi A6 reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2011 Audi A6 is protected by a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty, which includes roadside assistance.  Read More

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour

The 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour ranks 3 out of 3 . This ranking is based on our analysis of 12 published reviews and test drives of the Honda Accord Crosstour, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The all-new Honda Accord Crosstour is one of the most luxurious and smooth-riding crossovers on the market. However, it’s also one of the most expensive -- and it doesn’t provide the utility of many competitors. Its odd exterior styling also gives reviewers pause.

Based on the Accord sedan, the Crosstour is a larger, wagon-like version of Honda’s tried-and-true midsize car. It’s meant to provide Honda owners with more utility in a comfortable package. However, the Crosstour has a few significant flaws. While its car-like performance and upscale interior please reviewers, it falls short on cargo and rear-seat space when compared to other midsize SUVs and wagons. Even worse is that most competitors cost thousands less than the Crosstour. In fact, reviewers are baffled as to why the new car has such a high price point.

On top of that is the elephant in the room -- the Crosstour’s strange styling. When Honda posted preview photos on a Crosstour Facebook page in September 2009, users immediately filled it with venomous comments criticizing the car’s odd proportions and snout. "The masses may balk over the Crosstour's looks, but I suspect the disdain will subside over time,” says “I have bigger concerns: namely, that Honda makes the car out to be some sort of marriage between luxury and versatility. On each, it comes up short."

Accord-Crosstour Performance - 8.2 (Very Good)

Test drivers especially appreciate the Crosstour’s car-like ride, saying that it tops its closest competitor, the Toyota Venza. "There is not a trucky bone in this crossover's body,” says Popular Mechanics. “On the sliding scale between car and crossover, the Crosstour is two or three notches closer to ‘car’ than the Venza." Be aware though, some reviewers have complaints about the Crosstour’s brakes. Read More

Accord-Crosstour Exterior - 6.0 (Mediocre)
When Honda posted preview photos on the internet, consumers responded with a flood of critical comments. While car reviewers say the Crosstour looks better in person, there’s no debating that its odd proportions won’t appeal to everyone. “On the road, these cars won't be drawing second looks. Well, probably not positive ones,” says Automobile Magazine. Read More

Accord-Crosstour Interior - 7.5 (Good)

While the Crosstour’s interior is luxurious and provides an impressive list of standard features, it’s still largely a disappointment for reviewers. At the Crosstour’s $30,000 price point, most say it should offer even more amenities and higher quality materials. "Plastic window pillars, cheap finishes below eye level, frosted gray trim -- these can fly in a $23,000 family sedan. Not one that starts around $30,000,” writes Cars.com. Another weakness is the Crosstour’s cargo space, which falls short of even more affordable competitors such as the Venza. Read More

Accord-Crosstour Safety - 9.9 (Excellent)

The 2010 Honda Crosstour does very well in federal government crash tests, but has not yet been tested by the insurance industry. Nonetheless, it comes with plenty of safety features to reassure buyers of its ability to protect passengers. Read More

Accord-Crosstour Reliability - 8.0 (Very Good)

The 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. This score is based on trending the past three years of historical initial quality and dependability data from J.D. Power's automotive studies, specifically the Vehicle Dependability Study (VDS) and the Initial Quality Study (IQS). The 2010 Honda Crosstour comes with a three-year/36,000-mile basic

2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 V.S. 2011 BMW M3

The first photos of the facelifted 2012 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG leaked on the interwebs today way ahead of its official unveiling at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. As the BMW M3 Sedan received a design facelift in 2009, the 2012 C63 AMG goes through a series of cosmetic changes.

On the outside, the C63 AMG gets a set of SL-inspired headlamps. Car’s front fascia is new with rectangular daytime running lights, a wider center opening, a reduction in vertical gill count to one per side—and includes a grille with one fewer horizontal bar.

At the rear-end, LED taillights match the flashy front-end. The C63 AMG leaked features one of the Development Package models, which is visually differentiated by its carbon-fiber trunklid spoiler and two-piece front brake rotors with red calipers all around. The rear fascia also features a black diffuser portion now extending a little more up the bumper.

The standard car will wear a new twin-five-spoke 18-inch wheel design. Inside, the C63 gets the same updates as the C-Class models: a reworked dash with a 5.8-inch central display running a new interface and a crisp 4.5-inch color display in the gauge pod. AMG opted to retain the 6.2-liter V8 instead of fitting its new 5.5-liter biturbo mill, so output remains at 451 horsepower and 443 pound-feet of torque. The Development Package will reportedly stick around for 2012, raising output to 481 hp and nixing the 155 mph limiter to allow the C63 to top out at 174 mph.

The 2012 C63 AMG will go on sale this fall. Pricing hasn’t yet been announced, but car magazines speculate a price point around $61,000.

As with any new Mercedes or other competitors’ cars, we put together a comparison against its counterpart in the BMW lineup, in this case, the 2011 BMW M3 Sedan, E90 bodystyle.

In our opinion, the C63 AMG facelift is quite successful with design lines close to the SL model. The front-end is more aggressive and imposing. Inside, the new interior is a step-up from the previous iteration.

2011 Mercedes Benz E350 4MATIC vs. 2011 Volkswagen CC

                       2011 Mercedes Benz E350 4MATIC vs. 2011 Volkswagen CC2011

Another segment in our “Luxury without the price tag” series – 2011 Volkswagen CC vs. 2011 Mercedes Benz E350 4MATIC.

With new cars, you get what you pay for right? Well – kind of. Sometimes you get more than you pay for…or even bargained for. Volkswagen is one of those manufacturers that consistently provides more bang for the proverbial buck. The VW CC is a shining example of that value standard in providing best-in class features at a “how’d they do that?” price point.

The new 2011 Volkswagen CC is a luxury performance European sedan. The 2011 VW CC is an incredible bargain considering value, and an even greater value when considering its rivals. This time we’ll compare and contrast the 2011 Mercedes E350.

The two models we’ll be pitting against each other for this comparison will be the 2011 Volkswagen CC VR6 4MOTION vs. 2011 Mercedes Benz E350 4MATIC. While the spec sheets look similar, and they’re definitely in the same class…only one shines clearly above the other when you consider what you get for the dollars that you spend.

The technical data:

	Volkswagen CC VR6 4MOTION	Mercedes Benz E350 4MATIC
Engine	3.6L DOHC V6	3.5L DOHC V6
Horsepower	280 HP	268 HP
Torque	265 lb/ft	258 lb/ft
Valves	4 per cylinder	4 per cylinder
Displacement	3599 CC	3498 CC
Compression Ratio	12.0:1	10.7:1
Transmission	6 speed TipTronic	7 speed Automatic
Fuel Economy	17 city – 25 hwy	16 city – 24 hwy
0-60 Times	6.2 seconds (Est.)	6.5 seconds (Est.)
MSRP	$40,390	$51,900

The 2011 Volkswagen CC bests the Mercedes Benz in just about every category…well – besides price. A full $11,500 less expensive than the Mercedes, the Volkswagen CC certainly doesn’t compromise in any category. It’s more powerful, quicker to 60 MPH, and better with fuel economy. All the while saving you enough money to take give the whole family iPads – on a beach in Hawaii – while your new LED Flatscreen is being installed at home.

Come drive and compare the 2011 VW CC at Rusty Wallis Volkswagen. We even have some 2012 VW CCs in stock. What model(s) should we compare next? Comment and give us your suggestions.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

The advanced AMG 6.2 litre V8 motor makes the SLS AMG one of the most powerful sports cars in its class. The V8 high-speed engine with 6208 cc capacity is a completely modified version of the AMG 6.2 litre V8 basic engine. The 8-cylinder engine responds to the slightest movement of the accelerator with superb agility across the entire engine speed range and displays the typical features of a high-performance racing car.

The maximum output of 563 hp is achieved at 6800 rpm. The maximum torque rating of 479 lb-ft is reached by the 8-cylinder, naturally aspirated engine at 4750 rpm. Such enhanced performance was achieved by completely redeveloping the intake system and overhauling the valve assembly and camshafts. The use of two flow-optimised exhaust manifolds and the derestriction of the exhaust system provide a significantly improved cylinder charge, which generates breathtaking power. Despite the increased load, engine weight has been reduced to 206 kg through targeted weight optimisation. In terms of the power-to-weight ratio, the AMG 6.2 litre V8 engine occupies a leading position compared to competitor production sports cars.

The gullwing model accelerates from zero to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and achieves a top speed of 317 km/h.

The conversion to dry sump lubrication allows a significantly lower engine mounting position. The resulting lower centre of gravity enables exceptional lateral acceleration when cornering and generates scintillating vehicle dynamics.

The functional highlight in the interior is the AMG DRIVE UNIT inclined towards the driver. Finished in aluminium, it is also available in real carbon.

Enjoy the jet-inspired design of the new E-SELECT selector lever for the AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed sports transmission. The driver can choose between P, R, N and D modes by simply touching lightly on the drive-by-wire system. If the vehicle is stationary, the park position is activated by simply pressing the P button – this also happens automatically when the engine is switched off. The rotary control switch for drive modes (including the Race Start function) and buttons for engine start, ESP® functions, AMG memory function and the extendable rear spoiler are also located here.

KEYLESS-GO makes locking, unlocking and starting the SLS AMG much easier. The vehicle is locked/unlocked automatically by simply pressing a button on the transponder. The engine is started using the central start/stop button on the AMG DRIVE UNIT in the cockpit.

The AMG instrument cluster (including AMG main menu with RACETIMER) features two puristic round dials within the driver’s field of vision. They provide key information, including road speed, engine speed, fuel level and engine oil temperature. Between the round dials, the driver receives additional data, including kilometre reading, range, fuel consumption, driving distance, driving time and average speed. The instrument panel also features an upshift indicator, which uses seven LEDs to indicate the best time to change gear.State-of-the-art restraint systems meet the traditionally stringent requirements of Mercedes-Benz regarding passive safety. 3-point seat belts with tensioners and belt-force limiters are included as standard on the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. The safety system also boasts eight airbags: two adaptive airbags for driver and passenger, one kneebag each for driver and passenger, two sidebags integrated in the seats and two separate windowbags which are deployed from the waistline of the gullwing doors. The SLS AMG body features outstanding rigidity and deformation capacity thanks to the lightweight construction of the space frame. In the event of a crash, the collision energy can be absorbed, protecting the occupants from injury.

A range of components for the integrated ADAPTIVE BRAKE system make a key contribution to active safety. The system enhances ride comfort and safety by, on the one hand, employing dynamic control systems ASR, ESP®, ABS and BAS to support critical driving manoeuvres, and, on the other, providing convenience functions to master challenging driving scenarios. These include the HOLD function, which acts like a parking brake and can be activated by briefly depressing the brake pedal. The HOLD function keeps the vehicle from rolling unintentionally at traffic lights or in stop-and-go traffic. Hill-start assist prevents the vehicle from rolling backwards or forwards unexpectedly, e.g. when pulling away on a slope and changing from the brake to the accelerator pedal. The "brake drying" function ensures that full braking power is available even under wet conditions. And with the "priming" function, the system reduces the brake response time