Engine Cars

ONE class in the competition car modification is car audio contest. For the hobbyist modifications. Audio contest into a class is quite challenging because it reduces their creativity and imagination to build a sound system that looks unique, original output plus the steady and comfortable on the ear.

To look clearly depends imagination and creativity of each individual, while the output of the sound produced is strongly influenced by the reliability engineers in setting the current phase of the installation. Besides these two things, the assessment of judges is also influenced by several other factors.

"Face value is calculated for the purchase of the device alone. Cables and other passive components are not included in the count. The benchmark used is the highest market price, "he explained. Installation factors will obviously note the jury. Standards must be good and safe installation. An example is the connection cable must be soldered and fuel hoses. Usage and capacity fuses must also be in accordance with the electricity used cars. Completeness of the bolts on the speakers also did not escape the attention of the assessment team.

"All processes intalasi there should be photos and notes because it can add value. Historical development of audio is also included. So start the car looks like nothing until after it is built so as to what should have photos and history, "

Preparation and placement of box speakers in the car not to disturb the driver comfort. This will reduce the points. From behind the wheel, drivers forward view, rearview mirror left right and center should not be hindered at all.

Operation of the steering wheel, gear lever and pedals also have barrier-free. Sometimes, the car owner to choose a specific theme to build the audio. Use accessories that add beauty and cosmetics audio visual appearance will obviously boost the ratings points. The latter is the quality of the resulting sound output. The audio system will be assessed based on the staging, imaging and tonal accuracy. Setting an appropriate and correct during the install m, emegang menantukan important role that the quality of his voice. "Do not forget to mute pop on and pop off,"

XK has been upgraded for less than a third generation, 385 hp direct-injection 5.0-liter AJ-V8 engine under the hood, while the range-topping supercharged XKR version was the same engine with 510 ponies. Jaguar of 2011 has improved the credibility of GT road when it comes to high performance based on speed and XKR Pack Black Pack Speed Pack to raise the maximum speed is 174 mph (280 kph), and Black Pack offers a dark structure and a tape and a half.

The 2011 Hyundai Elantra.

Its the one-two punch the Japanese have been dreading.

A little over two months ago, we reviewed the 2011 Hyundai Sonata...the upshot being that Hyundai, for 20 years the Korean underdog, had now built a credible competitor to the Toyota Camry and the Honda Accord (and everything else in the family sedan segment too...Focus, Malibu, Passat...).

Well, just as Accord has Civic and Camry has Corolla...Sonata has Elantra...but its better than that. The Elantra, the smaller of the two, is as good in its class as the Sonata in its and maybe better. Its reminiscent of the days when Accord and Civic were so good you couldnt begin to come up with a reason to buy anything else.

Rear and side view of the 2011 Hyundai Elantra.

The fact is, the Elantra is every bit as good a car as the Sonata...its just smaller and gets significantly better gas mileage (29 city/40 highway to the Sonatas 22/35...both equipped with automatic transmissions).

Now that paragraph above is a big deal, because I dont believe the Civic is as every bit as good a car as the Accord (though we havent had a 2012 Civic at TireKicker World Headquarters yet), nor that the Corolla is every bit as good a car as the Camry. Once upon a time, they were, but its been more than 10 years since I would have put my name anywhere near that assertion.

But the Elantra is. There are no penalties to be paid for its junior status. The styling is fluid and exciting, the power, like the Sonatas, more than adequate, the ride and handling ditto.

The one we tested was the top-of-the-line Limited with the Premium Package. You may remember, our Sonata was a one rung up from the bottom SE with only one option: Floor mats.

As a result, far from being an econobox torture chamber, this is what the interior of our Hyundai Elantra Limited test vehicle looked like:

The 2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited interior.

The Limited starts at $19,980, with ESC, traction control, ABS, four-wheel disc brakes, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist, a full complement of airbags and a tire pressure monitoring system standard.

Oh, yeah...and 17-inch alloy wheels, a power sunroof, fog lights, air, a six-speaker AM/FM/XM/CD/mp3 audio system with iPod/USB and auxilary jack, power windows, locks and heated mirrors, remote keyless entry with alarm, Bluetooth, steering wheel-mounted audio, cruise and phone controls, a tilt and telescoping steering column, trip computer, leather-wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, leather seating surfaces with heated front and rear seats and a full tank of gas.

That Premium Package we mentioned above adds $2,000 for a nav system with a high-resolution 7-inch touchscreen, a backup camera, a premium audio system with external amp, automatic headlights and proximity key entry with pushbutton start.

$95 for floormats, $35 for an iPod cable, and were done at $22,110.

Yes, I know thats only $1,305 less than the Sonata we tested. Im fine with that. Seriously. Look at it another way. Its only $1,620 more than the Chevrolet Cruze ECO, gets 1 mile per gallon more in the city and two less on the highway (in our testing, we saw 26.9 in 80/20 city street and freeway driving in the Elantra versus 29.2 in the Cruze ECO).

If I was playing with my own money, Id make the choice between the Sonata and Elantra based on size and room needed. And the Elantra is remarkably roomy inside for its size class, with a surprising amount of trunk space.

Pity Honda and Toyota. Its gotta be rough to have Hyundai make a strong showing in one segment this year. But two?

2011 Hyundai Elantra Limited

Base price: $19,980

As tested: $22,110

Likes: Styling, features, fuel economy.

Dislikes: Can I get back to you...or not?

EPA estimate: 29 mpg city/40 mpg highway.