Author: Staff (Page 10 of 21)

Car Review: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport AWD 2.0T

May 28, 2013 / Staff

To say that the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport AWD is a sharp CUV would be an understatement. This new offering from Hyundai is certainly a sweet success built for today’s family, with flexible seating and cargo, strong performance courtesy of dramatic weight savings (266 lbs. lighter than the 2012 model) and advanced safety technologies. The Santa Fe showcases the brand’s cutting-edge capabilities through its bold design, impressive fuel economy and a host of features to delight drivers and passengers with high expectations for functionality and comfort.

EXTERIOR

Hyundai’s all-new crossover architecture was clearly developed for families that seek size, flexibility and functionality. The Fluidic Sculpture exterior design – a dynamic and fluid design with bold surfaces and balanced lines – plays a huge role in setting the Santa Fe apart from the competition. Our Cabo bronze test vehicle couldn’t have looked better with flashy 19-inch hyper silver alloy wheels. The Fluidic Sculpture exterior of the Santa Fe crossover family invokes the impression of irrepressible motion through a new design concept called Storm Edge, which captures the strong and dynamic images created by nature during the formation of a storm. To create the illusion of constant motion, Hyundai designers use a three-bar hexagonal front grille, LED headlight accents, low stance, rising beltline, roof spoiler and wraparound taillights. These cues let people know immediately that the Santa Fe is a Hyundai.

Design elements also include standard chrome grille and door handle accents and body color mirrors. In addition to the 19-inch wheels, a twin-tip chrome exhaust is also standard on the Santa Fe Sport 2.0T. It also boasts other features like front fog lights, heated side mirrors, roof side rails, automatic headlight control, side mirror-mounted turn signal indicators and premium door sill plates.

INTERIOR

Hyundai hit it out of the park with the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport AWD interior! The sleek design of the Santa Fe, combined with Hyundai’s expertise in interior packaging, delivers a great presence on the road while improving functionality and convenience. The spacious cabin has more shoulder room than the previous generation. The Santa Fe includes a number of convenient standard stowage and storage features, including an overhead console sunglass holder, two front and two rear seat cupholders, door bottle holders, cooled glovebox, enlarged central storage console, front storage bin, front seat back pockets and an innovative cargo under-tray and floor board storage. The Santa Fe Sport also features sliding and reclining second row seats.

Car Reviews, Cars

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Car Review: 2013 Hyundai Sonata Limited

May 22, 2013 / Staff

When Hyundai released the latest Sonata a few years ago, the design was cutting edge, and now that the current design is running close to the end of its cycle, the design still holds true to this day. For 2013, Sonata built on its trailblazing recipe of high-design and high fuel efficiency with more features, higher value and better residual value than ever before. That’s important, as the midsize segment is more competitive than ever, with new competitors borrowing pages from the Sonata playbook with improved fuel economy and design.

EXTERIOR

First and foremost, you can’t help but notice the panoramic sunroof which is now part of the Limited Premium Package for 2013 as tested. Fluidic Sculpture is a consistent, cohesive design language that is used throughout the entire Hyundai showroom. It considers the interplay of natural, fluid elements with more rigid surfaces and structures to create the illusion of constant motion.

The exterior of the Sonata is long, light and low. The high beltline allows for a long, sleek roofline accented by a third window. A monoform side profile includes flowing lines highlighted by a Hyundai signature chrome accent that spans the length of the car. Normally, this type of trim is only found around the windows. On the Sonata, this trim extends out from the headlamps, juts up along the hood and through the beltline. The face is bold with a large powerful chrome grille and headlamps that integrate precise details. The stance is completed by 17-inch alloy wheels on our Limited edition. It’s amazing how the Sonata design has influenced competitors and reshaped the midsize sedan marketplace.

INTERIOR

The sleek design, combined with Hyundai’s expertise in interior packaging, delivers class-leading interior comfort, functionality and practicality. A sleek roofline typically compromises headroom and interior volume, but at 120.2 cubic feet, the Sonata has more interior volume than many of its key competitors. It is so spacious that Sonata continues to be classified by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) as a large car, truly a “class above” other categorized midsize cars. The Sonata shines even in trunk volume, with 16.4 cu. ft. of trunk space that gives it a 6.1 percent advantage over direct rivals. Our test model was upscale and loaded with features, including leather seating surfaces with heated front and rear seats, power driver seat with power lumbar support, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob, XM Satellite radio, Dimension AM/FM/CD-MP3 with iPod/USB input, HD Radio technology with multicasting, integrated Bluetooth hands free phone system, navigation with high resolution touchscreen display, rear backup camera, and a booming and crystal clear Infinity premium audio system with subwoofer and amplifier.

Car Reviews, Cars

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The exciting Mandalay Bay transformation is now underway

May 20, 2013 / Staff

There is plenty of buzz in Las Vegas around the transformation taking place at Mandalay Bay. Bullz-Eye had the opportunity to learn about the many facets of this exciting undertaking from Chuck Bowling, President & COO of Mandalay Bay during our Mlife experience in April.

Yes, Mandalay Bay is currently undergoing its first major property-wide transformation since opening in 1999, from the premiere of Cirque du Soleil’s Michael Jackson ONE to the debut of the Delano Las Vegas, a new all-suite boutique hotel within the resort. The 120-acre resort is collaborating with brands such as Morgans Hotel Group, Cirque, The Light Group and Four Seasons to create a totally new experience for its guests.

Some of the highlights include:

· Delano Las Vegas – Later this year, Mandalay Bay and Morgans Hotel Group will begin the transformation of THEhotel at Mandalay Bay into Delano Las Vegas, a new all-suite hotel scheduled to open in early 2014 that will embody the soul of Delano South Beach with Vegas flair.

· Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas – Four Seasons Hotel Las Vegas, located on floors 35-39 of Mandalay Bay, began the year with a complete renovation of all 424 guest rooms and suites inspired in part by the vibrant Art Deco period. This spring, Four Seasons also introduced Press, a new indoor/outdoor lobby bar that creates an energetic social hub that evolves from espressos in the morning to draft beers and wine at night.

· Michael Jackson ONE by Cirque du Soleil – June 29, the resort will debut Michael Jackson ONE, a permanent Cirque du Soleil production that will bring to life the King of Pop’s music while celebrating his worldwide legacy.

· LIGHT Nightclub – Memorial Day Weekend, Mandalay Bay will unveil LIGHT Nightclub by The Light Group, a venue that combines the imagination and artistry of Cirque du Soleil with a roster of top DJs in the world. Designed to bring a unique, memorable experience each evening, LIGHT will tantalize senses with state-of-the-art production and theatrics.

Lifestyle, Travel

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Product Review: Sumo Lounge Emperor

May 16, 2013 / Staff

We were fortunate to review a Sumo Lounge Emperor urban lounge chair, and let me tell you, this is no ordinary chair. The Sumo measures 55” x 25” and is the perfect chair to snuggle up with your partner and watch a movie or read your favorite book! The Sumo Emperor is made of a material called Ballistic nylon, which is PVC-coated nylon that is super durable but smooth. I noticed right away that after a family or friend sat in the Emperor for the first time, it was damn near impossible to get them to sit on anything else in the room. Be careful, as things can get heated when deciding who gets the Sumo when watching a ball game with pals. Our test model was a bright red and it really lights up a room with positive energy.

You can purchase the Sumo Emperor directly on the Sumo website, and it will run you around $249 shipped airtight through FedEx.

Gear, Stuff to Buy

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Car Review: 2013 Mitsubishi Outlander Sport LE AWD SUV

May 15, 2013 / Staff

The sharp looking Outlander Sport Limited Edition compact crossover was a great choice to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Mitsubishi Motors entering the North American marketplace. Our laguna blue test model was very sleek and sporty and stood out from the crowd.

EXTERIOR

Mitsubishi designers and engineers have given the 2014 Outlander a fresh, contemporary face that is both appealing and functional with reduced aerodynamic drag. Further aiding fuel economy is a lightweight body that tips the scales approximately 200 pounds less than that of the outgoing Outlander – all while providing a high level of collision safety and structural rigidity through use of high-tensile steel.

Manufactured at the company’s automobile assembly plant in America’s heartland in Normal, Illinois, the 2013 Outlander Sport Limited Edition makes quite a visual statement with its distinctly ominous look, thanks to its blackout side mirrors, center bumper, wheel arch trim and roof rails, accompanied by special argent Limited Edition alloy wheels. Rounding out this exquisitely styled package is special “Limited Edition” badging, black roof rails, front bumper with black center, black side view mirrors, black wheel arch moldings, 18-inch alloy wheels with chrome finish, super wide range and HID headlights.

INTERIOR

With its sleek, new interior design direction and high-quality cabin materials, the all-new 2014 Outlander is an affordably priced crossover that is an ideal vehicle for the cost conscience automotive consumer. The 2014 Outlander’s new interior design emphasizes ergonomics, aesthetics, comfort and quality. From the new soft-touch instrument panel, to the eye-catching gloss black center waterfall, to the lovely wood grain trim, the interior of this handsome crossover exudes opulence. In addition to the 2014 Mitsubishi Outlander’s long list of welcome standard amenities, our Limited Edition (LE) model sported features like a next-generation navigation system, a state-of-the-art 710-watt Rockford-Fosgate sound system, the latest version of Mitsubishi’s extraordinary Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel drive system, power driver’s seat, heated front seats, rear camera system, engine switch with chrome accent, Fuse hands free link system with USB port, one-touch engine start and stop, fast key entry system, steering wheel mounted paddle shifters, full color multi information display, ECO driver indicator lamp, rain sensing wipers, leather wrapped steering wheel, leather wrapped shift knob, keyless entry with panic alarm and much more.

Car Reviews, Cars

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