Showing posts with label car photo. Show all posts
Showing posts with label car photo. Show all posts

Friday, March 1, 2013

Benefits of choosing a car lease

Buying a car can be very expensive, which is why the opportunity of paying for your car in monthly payments should not be surmised. Just like there is a car for everyone, there is a car lease available to meet every budget.

While the majority of people will not have £15000 to pay upfront for their favourite car, a monthly payment of £150 for example makes buying this dream car much more achievable. Join millions of people in getting a lease for a car. You can now invest this capital amount on something else without the need to leave such a big dent in your pocket.

Luxury cars have now become an option, making leasing a car the better option. That Porsche has suddenly become affordable without breaking the bank.

Convinced? If you are thinking about car leasing it is vital that you understand how the lease will work. Ensure you choose the right deal for you and most importantly your circumstances.

So what is car leasing?

In simple terms leasing a car means entering an agreement with a leasing company which will provide the funds to the customer but not ownership of the car. The customer is able to treat the car like their own and it is their responsibility to maintain the car and ensure it is taxed and fully insured. But unlike other arrangements the owner will never take ownership of the car.

Therefore the lessor or the leasing company will remain as the legal owner and also will be documented as the registered keeper on all documents such as the log-book. Once the lease has come to an end the leasing company can choose to give the owner the option to continue leasing or transfer the car to another person looking for a leasing agreement.

Did you know there are many variations of the term lease and these include finance lease, contract hire or an operating lease, each with their own terms of reference? When signing up to a lease, ensure you fully read the terms and conditions and once again ensure the agreement meets your personal circumstances.

So where do you start in getting a cheap car lease to fully meet your needs and requirements?

This is where the fun part begins, find your car. This can be exciting as with a car lease you can often afford a more luxury car than if you were buying outright. The lease terms are usually for a duration of 2-3 years but this will be agreed with the lease company. Other terms will be agreed such as expected mileage. This will help determine the future value of the car taking into account depreciation.

Once you are happy you are free to start driving your dream car and pay regular payments for this privilege.

Once the agreement comes to an end the car will either be returned or you can choose to continue your lease term. Remember if the car is not returned according to the terms and conditions you may be asked to pay an excess to recover the value of the car.

Have fun shopping for your own Porsche style car!

Author Bio:
Vincent Hill is Marketing Executive at First Vehicle Leasing. First Vehicle Leasing provides best car leasing solutions to all over United Kingdom.

Tuesday, January 1, 2013

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque coupe

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque coupe Dynamic

Base Price: $44,995

As-Tested Price: $58,745

Drivetrain: a pair of.0-liter turbocharged I4; AWD, six-speed automatic

Output: 240 horsepower @ five,500 rpm, 251 lb-ft @ one,750 rpm

Curb Weight: three,902 lb

Fuel Economy (EPA City/Highway/Combined): 18/28/21 mpg

AW discovered Fuel Economy: eighteen.4 mpg

Options: Dynamic Premium package together with black grille, side vents, mirror caps, spoiler extension and waist finisher, sports exhaust tips, rear skid plate, oxford-leather handwheel, perforated animal skin seat center panels, door panels with distinction handicraft, bright aluminium pedal finishers, passive entry, surround camera system, HDD navigation, intuitive voice management, 825-watt Meridian surround system with seventeen speakers, chemical element headlamps with AFS, AHBA, blind-spot observation ($7,900); 20-inch shadow chrome alloy wheels ($2,500); climate comfort pack together with heated front seats, windshield, handwheel and washer jets ($1,000); special exterior paint ($950); Sirius satellite radio and HD radio ($750); distinction black roof ($650)


I really enjoyed a weekend within the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque coupe. It actually sounds like associate degree SUV and a auto, that may be a laborious exploit to accomplish. It attracts attention for its sharp style, that appears like a electrical device or a toy -- however during a great way. It strikes a chord in my memory of a real automobile show construct come back to life. I actually have to convey props to the stylists for taking risks associate degreed actuation off an attention-getting execution with spectacular lights, curvy wheel wells and one amongst the foremost angulate rooflines within the trade. That, however, ends up in a number of the faults of this vehicle. The roof is thus raked it inhibits visibility to the rear, creating the backup camera a necessity. i would not amendment it, however it's one amongst the occasional foibles of spectacular style. The attractive window runs the length of the roof, and it's awe-inspiring.

The powertrain is adequate, although not exalting. The force comes on quickly. But, a number of the shifting makes for an ungainly expertise, particularly once driving around city. Between 2,000 rev and four,000 rpm, the engine stretches out, power unit impending stronger. It is fine, and therefore the enthusiast driver can get wont to it; traditional passengers are going to be flung forward and back because the turbo and force work their magic.

There's adequate area within the enclosure, and therefore the cabin is nicely appointed. The two-tone materials with animal skin mesh and therefore the sleek system create a snug driving atmosphere. It looked and felt spectacular on nearly each surface.

The steering is OK. I did not love it initially, preferring a little additional response, however because the weekend went on I got wont to it, and it's good. i might sort of a sport setting to quicken response.


The chassis is nicely mark, and therefore the ride height is elevated, creating for associate degree expertise Americans can like. All-wheel drive is OK, however most likely not necessary for what several can use this machine for in daily duty.

Like most of the people within the workplace, I actually have mixed feelings regarding the 2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque coupe. As a variety Rover, the inside is unsatisfactory in terms of beauty and build quality and therefore the like. additionally as noted on top of, if you have got children, the auto version is impractical.

But there is some great things here, too, significantly if one appearance at the Evoque -- as I tend to -- as a go-anywhere do-anything unrestricted hot(ish) hatch for one person or empty nesters. checked out that manner, it's pretty cool.

The styling to my eye is terrific. and that i was stunned at the response I got last night: a bloke force up next to Pine Tree State at a lightweight and asked all types of queries. He'd ne'er seen one before. Nor had my neighbor. The thing's been out for what, a year? Why do not individuals fathom it?

I like the manner it drives, principally -- taut and semi-sporty.

Power? it is not quick specifically, however i would say there is some fun to be had once the turbo gets with the program; although yea, there's some lag. It quite strikes a chord in my memory of a Volkswagen GTI from a couple of generations agone.

As associate degree previous married beau with 3 kids: This automobile extremely is not on behalf of me. and that is dead OK. however like I same, if I were single . . .

Thursday, October 25, 2012

2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed

2013 Bentley Continental GT Speed
On Sale: November
Price: $217,725
Drivetrain: Twin-turbo, 616-hp, 590-lb-ft W12; awd, eight-speed automatic w/ torque converter
Curb Weight: 5115 pounds
0-60 mph: 4.0 seconds, (mfg.)
Fuel Efficiency: 13 city/20 hwy/15 combined

The Bentley Continental GT Speed is the fastest production Bentley ever made, with a top speed of 205 mph. How fast was the second-fastest Bentley ever made? The 2009 Continental Supersports went 204. The 2007 Continental GT Speed went 202. So we're splitting hairs to some degree but the hairs are all on very fast heads. Granted, you're not likely to ever find a place where you could actually go that fast, but it's nice to know you could and to be able to throw out the 205 figure and the phrase "fastest ever" when you're talking about your car.

The first Bentley Speed appeared in 1923 as the Bentley 3.0-liter "Speed Model." That one used twin SU carburetors and higher compression on its four-cylinder engine to reach its performance goals. Ninety years later, the 2013 Speed uses changes to the Bosch ME17 engine management program to wring 49 more horsepower out of the twin-turbo W12, increasing boost 0.3 bar from 1.65 in the standard W12 to 1.95 in the Speed. Thus, horsepower goes from 567 to 616. Torque peaks at 590 lb ft on a broad plateau from 2000 to 5000 rpm. To make the most out of all that power Bentley stiffened the springs, bars and bushings and set it down on 275/35ZR21 Pirelli PZeros. There are even optional carbon ceramic disc brakes to replace the standard iron discs.

Other differences distinguish it from the GT, including ten-spoke 21-inch wheels, dark trim in the grille, quilted leather seats and "Speed" script on the door sills.

By: Mark Vaughn

Saturday, September 22, 2012

Bullet Proof New Honda Accord

FAST FACTS
Model: 2013 Accord Touring V6.
Exterior color: White Orchid.
Interior color: Ivory.
Engine: 3.5-liter, six cylinder.
Horsepower: 278.
Transmission: six-speed automatic.
Fuel economy: 34 mpg highway, 21 mpg city.
Dealer: Economy Honda.
Price (as tested): $34,220.

Most car companies worry about what a car looks like on the outside, hoping to lure buyers with love at first sight.

Honda, to its credit, cares more about your view of the world from the inside of its vehicles looking out. It's one of the many reasons why Accord owners are among the most brand-loyal in the world.

Big windows are among the many utilitarian virtues of the all-new 2013 Honda Accord sedan, which went on sale last week. (An Accord coupe will arrive next month.) Frankly, the new, airy Accord makes the cockpits of some of its competitors look like tank turrets.

If that's not enough, our test Accord, in top-of-the-line Touring trim, includes a slick lane-change camera in the right side-view mirror that allows you to merge right in freeway traffic without even turning your head to check the blind spot.

Now, that's a safety option you can use every day.

The first Accord hit the road in 1976, the year I graduated high school. Ever since, it has been the default family sedan for millions of people who wanted a buttoned-down, bullet-proof ride with a smidgen of sporttiness. (The Toyota Camry has filled the same niche for buyers who value a bit more comfort. Now Honda is on the trail of those buyers, too.)

By Mark Kennedy

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

2012 Acura MDX

NEWS GREG MIGLIORE: The 2012 Acura MDX is a classy SUV with respectable power and a bit of space inside. Using it for a commuter lap, I unfortunately didn't make full use of its potential, but I'll leave that to members of the staff with offspring of the two- and four-legged variety.

I was impressed with the six-cylinder engine. It didn't strike me until I merged a few lanes over and jabbed the throttle, producing a pleasing sound and decent acceleration as I trailed in the wake of a Chevy Camaro convertible. I played with the paddles a bit, too. They were fun, amusing for a good-sized crossover, but not exactly Formula One-inspired. They're just something to spice up the drive into work and summon the revs a bit more purposefully on the expressway.

The cabin of the MDX is impressive in appearance and execution. This sampler came in stately black inside, and the steering wheel and door panels were smart. The atmosphere was quiet and serene, with just a bit of wind and exterior noise getting in. The negative? I'm not a fan of the center stack, which has way too many buttons and is confusing. It's hard to get used to in a short period and not easy to operate at a glance. MIT-inspired controls are not my preference at expressway speeds.

ROAD TEST JONATHAN WONG: Even with a new MDX expected to appear sometime next year, the current model is still my favorite three-row SUV. With our 2008 MDX long-termer, we piled more than 30,000 miles onto it, it never missed a day of service because of mechanical issue and the cabin held up remarkably well.

I continue to believe that this V6 and six-speed automatic transmission combination is one of (if not the) smoothest drivetrain combination in the SUV class. When you light-foot it around town, it's quiet, with the transmission performing seamless shifts. And like Greg mentioned, it has a surprisingly nice exhaust note during wide-open throttle to unleash decent power for merging onto the expressway and passing slower traffic.

The magnetic suspension is cushy in comfort mode for a soft ride around town and more roll around corners, but tightens in sport mode. Of course, a high-riding 4,600-pound vehicle isn't going to take a corner like a sports car, but all things considered, it can round an expressway entrance ramp quite well. Steering has some weight tuned and responds well to inputs. Brakes feature good bite and slow things down without drama.

I suppose the best compliment you can give a large vehicle is that it drives smaller than it is. Maneuvering around parking lots is done with ease, and the backup camera is handy. I also think Acura's blind-spot warning displays are the best in the business, with the warning inside the cabin instead of outside on the mirror itself or on the side of the mirror housing like Audi's is.

Complaints about the MDX's button-laden center stack are expected, but I prefer buttons over having the majority of functions being controlled by an iDrive-like knob. It's kind of like your home entertainment remote control that has a billion buttons on it, but you eventually get used to it and pick up on how to control the cable box, DVR, DVD player, speaker system and TV. It's the same thing with the MDX's center stack you'll get acclimated to it and will be a pro at working through it before long.

The rest of the interior is nice, with quality materials, good-looking wood trim, soft leathers and one of the most comfortable front bucket seats you'll find in a luxury SUV.

As for complaints, I do have one. The navigation map in Acura vehicles is really outdated. While Audi has Google Maps images, Acura is still slogging along with the same beige background image that's in the Wong family's 2004 MDX. Kind of disappointing, but I'm sure updates are in the works--at least I hope they are.

2012 Acura MDX Advance with Entertainment Package
Base Price: $55,450
As-Tested Price: $55,450
Drivetrain: 3.7-liter V6; AWD, six-speed automatic
Output: 300 hp @ 6,300 rpm, 270 lb-ft @ 4,500 rpm
Curb Weight: 4,627 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 18/19.6 mpg
Options: None
For more information: Check out the 2012 Acura MDX Advance with Entertainment Package at shopautoweek.com

Thursday, July 26, 2012

2012 Subaru Impreza WRX 5-Door

This 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX for the weekend, and I was surprised by how little I missed our long-term 2011 Impreza WRX STI version. This car provides almost all of the fun, without many of the drawbacks of the hard-core model.

The WRX is down 40 hp from its big brother, but in between 3,000 rpm and 5,000 rpm you'll hardly notice. It makes the same sounds as the STI and rips off the line with the same aplomb. Unfortunately, fuel mileage didn't seem to improve; my two fill ups averaged about 19 mpg.

I did like the feel of an old-school five-speed manual in the hatchback, instead of the six in our sedan. The cogs could be held for a bit longer, and there are no extra steps to get into reverse. Like the STI, the driver doesn't need to shift out of top gear to pass on the expressway. Also, the shifter felt robust in the hand. There wasn't a lot of flexing from any of the linkage parts.

The steering and suspension are both softer than the STI. I put a good amount of miles on the car over the weekend, and not having to dodge every road imperfection was a blessing. I didn't realize how stiff our long-term car actually was until I jumped in this one.

Ninety percent of the time, having a softer suspension and easier steering are a good thing. But those few times when you do want the razor sharpness of the STI you'll miss it. Luckily for me, spirited driving wasn't needed on Saturday or Sunday.

I still like the sedan body better than this hatch. I like the big wing on the four-door, something I wouldn't trade for the extra space of the hatch. I might be alone in that. I also love this gunmetal color much better than the WR blue.

So, the upgraded STI gets you more power, upgraded brakes and the driver-controlled center differential. If you're looking for a track car, that's the one to have. But if you want a car that's good everywhere, except when being pushed to 10/10ths, the WRX will do. And being $8,000 less expensive doesn't hurt, either.

This is a pure, fun-to-drive hatch with excellent dynamics, a nice engine and a middling interior. Enthusiasts will appreciate the five-speed, which is easy, simple and enjoyable to operate. Downshifting is fun, and launches as one works through the lower gears are energetic. The engine is responsive, and this manual allows the driver to wring the most out of this Subie for spirited driving.

I like the look of the hatch. It's tasteful, functional and something a lot of Americans could actually find useful in their everyday lives. The interior is below standard, however, with chintzy plastics all over the doors and dash. The easy-to-read and sporty dials and athletic, upright seats, however, are solid redeeming qualities. My issue is that this cabin makes a sporty-driving and -appearing car feel cheapy, which for this price comes close to sandbagging the value proposition.

Behind the wheel, however, this thing does make one want to drive, and drive fast. The steering is light but pleasing, the chassis is sporty enough, and the all-wheel drive and the well-mannered body make this hatch more than up for the tasks for daily driving mixed in with some verve.

2012 Subaru Impreza WRX 5-door
Base Price: $26,345
As-Tested Price: $26,841
Drivetrain: 2.5-liter turbocharged H4; AWD, five-speed manual
Output: 265 hp @ 6,000 rpm, 244 lb-ft @ 4,000 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,208 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 21/20.2 mpg
Options: XM satellite radio kit ($427); all-weather floor mats ($69)
For more information: Check out the 2012 Subaru Impreza WRX 5-door at shopautoweek.com.

By: Jake Lingeman

Friday, July 6, 2012

BMW M135i Sports Hatch Sport Auto

Price: £31,595
0-62mph: 4.9sec
Top speed: 155mph (limited)
Economy: 37.7mpg combined
CO2: 175g/km
Kerbweight: 1500kg
Engine: 6-cyls, in-line, 2979cc, petrol turbo
Installation: Longitudinal
Power: 316bhp at 5800rpm
Torque: 332lb ft at 1300-4500rpm (with overboost)
Gearbox: 8-spd automatic

A mix of dry and damp, tight bends and a narrow road should be challenge enough for a hot hatch with 316bhp to spill from its rear wheels. And if that sounds like a temptingly reckless number then you'd be right it's only 19bhp down on the output of the lately departed 1M Coupe, and the M135i's 320lb ft of torque is identical.

If it comes with the optional eight-speed paddle shifter of our test car, the 135i will zoom-flick, zoom-flick, zoom-flick through the gears to 62mph in just 4.9sec. Go for the six-speed manual and the time actually rises to 5.1sec because its wider spread of ratios are less speedily swapped.

Either way, this new three-door 1-series is eagerly, muscularly and excitingly quick with the potential, you may think, to become a flailing handful if you dare to meddle with the ESP button. But the first bold dive into a rain-sheened bend uncovers grip reserves far deeper than expected deep enough that when that DSC button is prodded for partial disengagement, it takes some lead-foot ambition to get the rear axle's wider 245/35 R18s to get a skate on, the slide part-managed by a brake-deploying virtual limited slip diff.

So it's pretty neat, controllable and reassuring, the more so because this rear-driver is quite a finely balanced tool, as proved by a too-fast arrival into a tight, low speed turn that fails to bring on any plough-on understeer. That said, you can expect to see plenty of the orange light that confirms an active ESP system, which is no surprise given all this energy and rear-wheel drive.

Perversely, it's best to experience all this in the Comfort setting of the £515 Adaptive M Sport suspension, an essential option. It softens off the electronic dampers and lightens the steering effort to produce a satisfyingly communicative, more absorbent chassis and best of all, usefully more feelsome steering. Of course, tripping the Comfort mode slows the shift times and the gearbox's willingness to hold a gear, but that's easily undone by sliding the gearlever to leftwards to Sport, which gets you a more eager gearbox.

The result is a an excitingly rapid drive that sits just the right side of hectic, the excitement of the six's keen blare built on by the 'box's light thumps in sport, the ra-ta-tat of the exhaust's over-run, the lightly clasping support of the seats and an excellent driving position. While some may desire the more uncompromising character of the 1M Coupe, the fact is that this M135i's ride is less maskingly firm, its steering more delicate and its character easier to live with. And it's also a whole lot cheaper, being almost £10k less.

Of course, you do without the some of the 1M's alloy suspension hardware and massive brake rotors although the 135i's enlarged blue-calipered discs are entirely effective but remember that the M135i rides on the latest 1-series platform besides benefiting from bespoke suspension geometry and its own springs, dampers, anti-roll bars and bushes.

More immediately noticeable M135i identifiers include a new front bumper unit with larger air intakes, a rear bumper with twin exhausts and 18in alloys, and tyres, that are wider at the rear. Inside you get leather sports seats (the UK won't be getting the appealing Alcantara/hexagon cloth mix of the test car, which seems a pity), a black headlining, an M footrest, blue accent stitching to the seats, patterned aluminium trim inserts and modified instrument faces. Not a huge amount of differentiation then, but enough to mark this 1 out as something sportier. The cabin is robustly constructed too, although it's not as finely, designed, finished or textured as the cabin of the latest Audi A3.

Much of the M135is's considerable entertainment repertoire is provided by the straight six. This Twinpower motor features a twin scroll variable geometry turbocharger, variable timing of both inlet and exhaust cams, variable valve lift and direct injection, these features managing to almost eliminate turbo lag. Indeed, you must actively search it out to find any, by shifting manually and having the revs build from 1000rpm to the 7500rom limit in second, say. Then you'll uncover a slower-moving tacho needle to 1300rpm. From this point the six has already reached its 320lb ft torque peak, this figure impressively maintained through to 4500rpm, although the revs don't rush at you until this peak has passed, the tacho needle performing a lightning flit to the limiter.

Throttle response is not as instant as you'll find in a normally aspirated M3, but it's sharp enough for most circumstances. Couple the six's breadth of urge to that eight-speeder, and you have a car that powers near seamlessly from a dawdle to its easily struck and restricted - 155mph maximum.

M division has tuned the 135i's exhaust to provide a smoothly busy soundtrack that makes paddling your way through eight ratios an absorbing business, even if the noise can turn slightly wearing. Happily it quietens off at a motorway cruise. And we suspect the same may be true of the ride, which showed signs of choppiness on Germany's mostly smooth roads.

by Richard Bremner