2012 Mercedes Benz CLS

The proportions of the Mercedes-Benz CLS Shooting Brake are surprising but clearly those of a coupé, and create a basic stance which makes it look ready for the off: the long bonnet, narrow-look windows with frameless side windows, and dynamic roof sloping back towards the rear. It is only when taking a second look that it becomes clear that the Shooting Break actually has five doors and offers “more” in terms of function.

2012 Mercedes Benz CLS Picture

Chevrolet Avalanche celebrates its final year with the 2013 Black Diamond

The 2013 Chevrolet Avalanche, which won buyers with trendsetting design and unique features celebrates its final year in production with the 2013 Black Diamond Avalanche.

Black Diamond Avalanches will feature body-colored bed surrounds, a unique badge on the sail panel, additional features on LS and LT models, and lower prices across the lineup.

For 2013, a rear camera, rear park assist, power adjustable pedals, fog lamps and remote start will be added as standard equipment on LS models, while LT models have added a standard rear camera. Base prices have been reduced $2,500 (after equipment adjustments) with the 2WD Avalanche LS now starting at $ 35,980, plus $995 dealer freight charge.

The Avalanche is based on GM’s full-size SUV platform, offering a maximum towing capacity of 8,100 pounds (3,674 kg). It is powered by an efficient combination that includes the Vortec 5.3L V-8 with cylinder-deactivating Active Fuel Management technology and a fuel-saving Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic.

2013 Volvo XC90

A fully color-coordinated exterior makes the XC90 look sleeker and lower to the ground. Design elements include new body color front and rear bumpers, sill moldings and wheel arches. Enhancing the visual magnetism are new standard LED daytime running lights and taillights. The XC90 3.2 also receives a new silver front bumper bar, chrome taillight trim, silk matte exterior rearview mirrors, air intake décor trim and 18-inch “Thalia” alloy wheels. Twilight Bronze metallic and Flaminco Red metallic are new color choices.

Meanwhile, the XC90 R-Design also benefits from a fully color-coordinated exterior plus LED daytime running lights and taillights. New 19-inch “Ixion” alloy wheels amplify its sporting appeal. The R-Design continues to feature sport-tuned suspension and steering for an enhanced driving character, plus a unique R-Design grille, leather seating surfaces with embossed R-Design logo on the front seats, an R-Design steering wheel, watch dial instruments and floor mats.

The XC90's advanced 3.2-liter in-line six-cylinder engine is a naturally aspirated powerplant that delivers 240 horsepower and 236 lb.-ft. of torque. It achieves performance and economy thanks to Variable Cam Timing (VCT) and Cam Profile Switching (CPS). With CPS, the intake valves can be lifted to different heights depending on engine revs and load – a lower lift for economical driving and a higher one for more power.

A six-speed “Geartronic” automatic transmission is standard. All-wheel drive with Instant Traction is optional on all XC90s. This traction enhancing system employs computer-controlled Haldex AWD that instantaneously delivers up to 50 percent more torque to the rear axle only when needed, such as during takeoff.

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2012 Nissan GT-R Track Pack

On the outside, the Nissan GT-R Track Pack features special six-spoke RAYS alloy wheels with gloss black centres. In addition to looking good these wheels give a total weight saving over the standard 2012 GT-R of 10kg.

Track Pack also features special, stiffer suspension designed to optimise track performance. It comprises a harder set-up and increased body rigidity and has been jointly developed with the Nissan GT-R development driver Toshio Suzuki during extensive testing at the Nurburgring. It will allow GT-R customers to achieve the perfect set-up at the track but, thanks to the special dampers, customers will be able to change the suspension for road-use at a flick of a switch, making the Nissan GT-R Track Pack suitable for all environments.

Performance statistics remain unchanged to the ‘standard’ 2012 Nissan GT-R. That means Track Pack customers will still be able to enjoy the GT-R’s 550PS power output, and a 0-62 time of just 2.8 seconds.
The Track Pack is only available in the UK and Japan, and is priced at £10,000 more than the standard £74,450 Nissan GT-R.

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2012 Toyota Aurion

Second-generation Toyota Aurion has five model grades, all with 3.5-litre quad cam V6 engine and six-speed electronically controlled transmission. All models are well specified, with seven SRS airbags (including driver’s knee airbag for the first time), seatbelt warnings on all five seats, vehicle stability control (VSC), traction control (TRC), dual-zone automatic climate-controlled air conditioning, reversing camera, five alloy wheels, 60/40 split-fold seats for the first time, multi-information display, Eco indicator, display audio with USB input and iPod® connectivity, acoustic windscreen, dual exhaust, chrome rear garnish and rocker moulding, Optitron instruments and integrated side indicators in the exterior mirrors.

Toyota Aurion AT-X can be optioned at additional cost with a leather-accented interior or 17-inch Sport alloy wheels, or both.

The Prodigy model adds the interior features of premium four-spoke steering wheel, leather-accented interior with premium door trim, electro-chromatic interior mirror, electric rear sunshade, driver’s seat memory (including exterior mirror settings), power-operated front passenger’s seat and smart entry/smart start.
Outside, it has 17-inch alloys, rain-sensing wipers, exterior mirror dipping in reverse, front foglamps, chrome door handles, front and rear clearance sonar, and metallic/mica paintas standard.
The new flagship Presara model adds JBL premium audio with seven-inch screen display, digital radio, satellite navigation with live traffic updates and back-guide monitor.
The new Presara also has HID headlamps with the Toyota adaptive front-lighting system (AFS), automatic high beam, blind spot monitor (BSM), moonroof and additional woodgrain-look inserts in the instrument panel, door trims and gear shifter area.
The Sport-grade models build from the features of the Aurion AT-X.
The new Sportivo SX6 has the additional exterior features over the AT-X of sports suspension, 17-inch sport alloy wheels, front and rear spoilers, sports diffuser, front fog lamps and metallic/mica paint.
Inside, Sportivo SX6 has the added features over the AT-X of quick response paddle shift, sports pedals, premium three-spoke steering wheel, sports front seats, power front passenger’s seat, sports Optitron combination meter and smart entry/smart start.
The high-grade Sportivo ZR6 model adds automatic high beam, rain-sensing windscreen wipers, HID headlamps with AFS, BSM, front and rear clearance sonar, and exterior mirrors dipping in reverse.
It also adds sports leather-accented interior with premium door trims, driver’s seat memory including exterior mirror settings, JBL premium audio with seven-inch display, digital radio, satellite navigation with live traffic updates, electro-chromatic interior mirror and back-guide monitor.
The substantially upgraded five-model Toyota Aurion range has been capped at a price beneath $50,000.

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2013 Scion FR-S

The Scion FR-S provides the automotive landscape with an authentic sports car at an affordable price, with a MSRP of $24,200 when equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, and $25,300 when equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission that features paddle shifters and Dynamic Rev Management technology.

Inspired by the AE86, the Scion FR-S is designed around the core goal of achieving “Pure Balance,” which begins with the strategic use of the world’s only flat boxer engine in a front-engine, rear-wheel drive configuration. The engine’s compact size and flat shape allow it to be mounted mid-ship and extremely low, giving the car a dynamically favorable front-to-rear weight ratio of 53:47 and a low center of gravity comparable to some exotic supercars.

The Scion FR-S’s 2.0-liter, naturally aspirated four-cylinder engine is the result of a joint development between Toyota and Subaru. The partnership begins by combining Subaru’s newly developed, horizontally opposed engine and Toyota’s cutting-edge D-4S injection system,which incorporates both direct and port injection for each cylinder, one injecting fuel directly into the combustion chamber, the other a port injector located above the intake valves. Adopted from the Lexus IS F, D-4S injection is a new technology for the Scion family.

Despite the engine’s powerful 100-horsepower per liter, the Scion FR-S has EPA-estimated ratings of 34 mpg on the highway when paired with the automatic transmission, and EPA-estimated 30 mpg with the manual transmission.

The flat-four mates with either a six-speed manual or a six-speed automatic transmission. The manual offers quick, precise shifts with a short-throw; while the automatic features aggressive up shifts and sporty rev-matched down shifts that are initiated by steering-wheel-mounted paddle shifters. The automatic features Dynamic Rev Management technology that quickly raises the engine speed to help match engine revs to gear ratios on downshifts, limiting driveline shock and adding to the visceral experience of driving the car.

The automatic transmission also features Sport Mode that quickens shift timing as well as throttle response. In Sport Mode, the transmission will also hold gears longer at higher revs before upshifting, making it easier to exploit the torque and horsepower in the upper reaches of the rev range.

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2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Altitude

The new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Altitude edition includes a body-color hardtop with matching painted center sections on the front and rear bumpers. Unique eighteen-inch, five-spoke alloy wheels with black-painted spokes and polished wheel rings combine to give the Altitude model a one-of-a-kind appearance.

Wrangler Unlimited Altitude’s exterior appointments are completed with the inclusion of a Mopar® black fuel fill door, a matte black “Jeep” grille badge and a black tone-on-tone hood graphic.

A black-and-red theme is found inside the new Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Altitude. Specifically, red accent stitching adorns black leather seats, door panels, center arm rest, floor mats and steering wheel. Vent rings, steering-wheel spokes, door pulls and passenger-side dashboard grab handle and berber floor mats all appear in black, to provide the contrasting and one-of-a-kind interior.
Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Altitude models are available in Deep Cherry Red, Black, Bright White and Bright Silver Metallic, and will be available at a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) of $33,740.

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