2011 Mazda CX 9 Review

As the tide turns from traditional truck-based SUVs, a lot of people are discovering the larger crossovers (sport-utes based on car, rather than truck, platforms). Its turning into a crowded field (including four from General Motors alone)...but there are standouts, and one is the Mazda CX-9.

As noted in previous entries here at TireKicker, Mazda doesnt make bad cars. And the CX-9, based on the very good previous-generation Mazda 6, is a strong contender.

The CX-9 is big enough for three rows of seats accomodating seven passengers. The weight of the vehicle, people and stuff is pulled (yep, front-wheel drive) along by a 273 horsepower 3.7 liter V6 with a six-speed automatic transmission. The six speed helps nudge the EPA estimated mileage into respectable territory...16 city, 22 highway.

Ordered in Grand Touring trim, as the test vehicle I drove was, the CX-9 shows up with 20-inch aluminum alloy wheels, automatic Xenon headlights, leather-trimmed seats (including an 8-way power heated drivers seat), Bluetooth hands-free capability for your cell phone, a three-zone climate control and a six-speaker AM/FM/CD audio system. Price: $33,355.

Options on the tester included Sirius Satellite Radio, a blind spot monitoring system, a package including a moonroof and a 277-watt, 10-speaker Bose surround sound sytem with a six-disc changer in the dash, a towing package and a GT Assist package...including navigation, rear view camera and power rear hatch. That propels the bottom line (with delivery charges) to $39,405. ..which puts it right in the hunt with a similarly loaded GMC Acadia.

Safetys a plus here, too, with the CX-9 getting a five-star rating from the government for frontal and side crashes for the driver and passenger, and a four-star rollover rating.

As a smaller manufacturer, Mazda often gets overlooked. In this case, that would be a big mistake.

UPDATE: Just finishing a week and a few days in the base-level CX-9 Sport...one without any options whatsoever. And its brilliant. How? Because the basic goodness of the CX-9 as above is there...but the lower standard equipment level (not lower by much) and lack of options keeps the price just a nick under $30,000 as tested. Thats ten grand below the sticker price above....for the same basic vehicle. Go. Drive. One. Now.

Around The World In 6 And A Half Months Tesla Odyssey of Pioneers

Electric car maker Tesla Motors and watchmaker TAG Heuer are partnering for an around-the-world trip in the one of a kind TAG Heuer Edition Roadster you see above.

Launching from Basel, Switzerland this week, the plan is 27,000 miles, 15 cities, 150 towns and three continents, wrapping up in Paris, France on October 4.

Follow along on the Odyssey of Pioneers website,  Facebook or Twitter .

Assessment Factor Car Audio Contest

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,"

Body repair WHA

Some times a year (preferably every six months) need to check the paint coating machine and its restoration. Minor injuries are not striking, but if they are not removed, they grow and are much lower viability car. Small dents can be corrected on your own - easily beating inside a soft mallet. If the dent is not available internally, we can use a strong magnet. To remedy must be imposed on the magnet surface close to the dent and slowly led a magnet over the surface of the damaged items until the magnet does not pull the metal in place. After straightening is necessary to identify sites that require restoration of coverage - scratches, abrasions, chipped. Repair is best done in warm, dry weather or in a heated room. Be sure to provide ventilation, because most of the materials used to repair covers, highlights harmful substances. The first operation - cleaning the damaged area. For her, use a fine sandpaper. You can work manually or with an electric drill. Trimmed necessarily the entire depth of the damage gradually venturing from the intact portion to be defective. Check the quality of cleaning is simple - to hand over details, and the boundary between patches should not be felt. After this necessarily wash the exposed area (mineral spirits or a similar composition) and dried. The next operation - a primer. If the coating was not damaged to the metal, but only the surface layer and in the sweep was not filmed primer, then this step can be skipped. Priming will strictly according to instructions, which should be attached to it (usually written on a bank with a primer). If the seller does not give the manufacturer's instructions, you do not need to buy a coat - there is a risk of spoiling the car. The following operations are possible only after the complete drying primer. Operation Filling - junk. It is necessary only if you can not correct the detail mechanical methods. Immediately to determine the choice of the enamel, which will be drawn in the damaged area. Putty should be on the same basis as the enamel (for example, if applied nitroemal, then use the putty SC-007 or from the same series). Apply the filler should be kept to a minimum, if necessary - in several layers. Each layer to dry well. Abraded, rinsed (unless there are specific indications to the filling, then rinse with water). Topcoat must be done only on a clean, well-dried surface. On the types of surface enamel is applied by spraying (spray gun you can buy or make your own - a small device attached at the tubing to the pump). Get a good quality of coating by brush impossible. Necessarily apply a thin layer, put a few more layers than one thick one. This way you can avoid the rolls and streaks. If they do get formed, after the complete drying have their medium grinded, washed, dried and apply another layer of enamel. To obtain a glossy surface, experts recommend the last layer of spray solvent № 648. Covered with enamel surface must be completely dry (not just from sticking, and on the depth, if used, for example, nitroemal - will have to wait for hours). The final operation - processing repaired surface sanding and then polishing paste, rinse.

Bentley Continental Series 51 Range car preview and wallpapers

2012 Bentley Continental Series 51 Range

Bentley Continental Series 51 Range 2010 

2009 Bentley Continental Series 51 Range

2011 Indigen Armor Unveils Extreme Off Road Defense wallpapers gallery

2011 Indigen Armor Unveils Extreme Off-Road Defense wallpapers gallery

2011 Mercedes M Class Grand Edition wallpapers gallery

2011 Mercedes M-Class Grand Edition wallpapers gallery
hese include 48.3 cm (19-inch) light-alloy wheels in a Y-spoke design with tyre size 255/50 R19, blue-tinted thermal insulation glass all-round, dark-tinted headlamps and LED technology for the daytime driving lights nd sporty, darkened tail lights.

Aluminium roof rails and an extensive chrome package with an AMG radiator grille and underguards at the front and rear round off the additional features. Standard equipment also includes PARKTRONIC and a metallic paint finish.

On request the Grand Edition can be further enhanced with a paint finish in chromite black or diamond white, and 50.8 cm (20-inch) bicolor light-alloy wheels with 265/45 R20 tyres, options which are only available for this

M-Class model. A bonnet with the powerdomes typical of sporty Mercedes-Benz models is standard equipment for the V8 models ML 450 CDI 4MATIC and ML 500 4MATIC, and is available as an optional extra for the other variants.

2011 Hyundai Equus wallpaper gallery and prices

2011 Hyundai Equus wallpaper gallery and prices
The American automaker has launched a new customization program for the small Chevy that is available across the Middle East.

Jaguar XK 2011 Review From Concept To Reality

2011 Jaguar XK Review - The XK series "Grand Tour" is the sequel to the original Jaguar XK sports car. Resurrected in 1996, replaced the old XJS XK luxury coupe with a car more suitable to the XK nameplate: a beautiful coupe or convertible with (optional) large motor operates the rear wheels. Ten years after its rebirth, has fans Jaguar XK8 and the XKR a new, high-tech take on the XK, which proves that they can keep a good thing going.

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 concept of lightweight aluminum construction, a "minimalist" from the inside, the shifter cutesy baby-J. The production model that hatch even stay out of your price range the trunk floor-cool track. The new XK has also launched a world first: the deployment of pedestrians the hood of the system (AP). The system uses explosive charges to lift the hood of the car near the engine block if the vehicle senses someone who was beaten.

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Poster car specification and previews

2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 Poster car specification and previews

Mazda RX8 with the latest model year has larger exhaust pipes

Officially designated as a "2+2 coupe" the RX-8 places performance ahead of utility in regards to rear seating space. Almost as an apology to those squeezing into the back seat, the RX-8 has a pair of "free style" rear doors to ease entry. These rear doors closely resemble suicide doors made famous by the Lincoln Continental circa 1961.

The 1.3-liter RENESIS rotary power plant that is famously "Mazda" is good for 212 horsepower with an automatic transmission and 232 with a manual gearbox. This high powered engine coupled with the RX-8s nearly perfect 50-50 weight distribution make for an impressively powerful sports car.

True to its sports car roots the RX-8 is most commonly equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox. In a nod to convenience Mazda is also offering a six-speed automatic transmission equipped with steering wheel paddle shifters on all trim levels.

The base "Sport" trim level has two option groups available. Xenon headlamps, fog lights, and traction control can be added to manual RX-8s.

Automatic models can have all these features added as well as 18" wheels, a limited slip differential, larger brakes, and a sport tuned suspension. All of these options become standard on the "Touring" model which adds a power moonroof and 300-watt Bose stereo.

The "Grand Touring" model comes with leather appointed seats, an 8-way powered drivers seat, a remote start system, and heated mirrors.

The latest model year has larger exhaust pipes, new LED taillights, new front and rear bumpers, and a restyled front end. A few suspension and manual transmission tweaks should assist in overall handling and acceleration, while the interior benefits from a redesigned steering wheel and a fresh set of front and rear seats.

Also of note, Mazda has added a "variable red-zone" to the tachometer. Due to the nature and mechanics of the rotary engine, drivers will be shown a different "red line" based on engine temperatures.

The new look is overall more aggressive and should endow the RX-8 a little extra curb-appeal. A new option group is also be available, dubbed the "R3" option package. The R3 will boast a rear spoiler, 19" alloys, and Mazda-styled Recaro racing seats.

2012 Ferrari Enzo Cars Wallpaper

2012 Ferrari Enzo Cars Wallpaper gallery with specification

2012 Ferrari Enzo Pink Color

Red 2012 Ferrari Enzo

2012 Ferrari Enzo Accident picture

Yellow 2013 Ferrari Enzo

Silver 2012 Ferrari Enzo picture

BMW X3 2 5si quick car insurance quote wallpaper review

BMW X3 2.5si quick car insurance quote wallpaper review
BMW X3 2.5si is one of the best car from BMW. Here you can get the complete details of BMW X3 2.5si car insuranceunder overview tab.

This BMW X3 2.5si overview will guide you about the quick standard features, BMW X3 2.5si car mileage, BMW X3 2.5si Car safety features with car insurance other specifications of this car model in India

2011 jeep wrangler Wallpapers and features with price previews

2011 jeep wrangler Wallpapers and features with price previews
Upcoming cars 2011 jeep wrangler Cars wallpapers and prices with specification review
That doesn’t seem likely to change for 2011, either.

From what we can tell from these few spy shots that were snapped at the Jeep factory in Toledo, Ohio, the biggest external change to the next Wrangler is the inclusion of a color-matched hardtop

2011 Hyundai Elantra Review

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.

2010 Nissan Leaf Cars pictures gallery and features reviews

2010 Nissan Leaf Cars pictures gallery and features reviews
Nissan Europe have announced the pricing structure for the European rollout of the 2011 Nissan Leaf. The Leaf car has received a huge number of reservations in the U.S already and will be launched in Europe in three stages. 

New honda civic 2012 wallpapers and reviews

New honda civic 2012 wallpapers and reviews

They really ruined this car. The Chevy Cruze is a way better looking car and now that GM’s quality is just as good as Honda’s, I don’t think the new Civic has a chance. I liked the 06 – 11 Civic, the 2012 is really a step back.

Ayanna, Seattle, WA: When the last generation Civic was released, everyone pretty much just thought “Wow.”

Honda announced details of the all-new Honda Civic 2012, which will launch this spring. The entire redesigned ninth-generation Civic lineup will become more fuel efficient with two models – the all-new Civic HF and the Civic Hybrid – each delivering fuel economy estimates of more than 40 mpg on the highway.