Category: Cars (Page 30 of 69)

First Drive: 2014 Nissan Rogue

November 6, 2013 / Bullz-Eye Staff

I was on hand on a beautiful fall day in Nashville to drive the all-new 2014 Nissan Rogue. The Rogue is the latest in a series of redesigns from Nissan as the entire lineup has been revamped. With the Rogue we see many of the exterior and interior design improvements we’ve seen in other Nissan models we’ve tested.

Exterior

The new Rogue has been completely redesigned with a more muscular look. The new vehicle is taller and wider than its predecessor with a longer wheelbase. All new headlamps and front grille replace the harder edges of the front facia of the current model. The high, muscular ridges along the wheel wells also enhance the styling of this compact CUV. The new model also incorporates new design elements like available LED headlights and standard LED signature daytime running lights. Check out the slideshow above and you’ll see how the vehicle looks great from every angle.

Interior

The Rogue interior was impressive and comfortable. Soft touch materials and premium trim accents were added in all the right places, and I liked the oversized center console that has room for a 10” tablet computer. Nissan emphasized the “Zero Gravity” seats developed from NASA research on natural-stress-free postures measured in zero gravity. They are designed to optimize comfort and reduce fatigue. I spent the good part of the day in the Rogue and can attest to the seat comfort.

For the first time, Rogue will offer optional 3-row/7-passenger seating. This isn’t intended to have this compact CUV compete with larger models, but it offers younger families some flexibility when needed. The cargo area was well put together with the Rogue’s Divide-‘N-Hide cargo system which helps keep wet/dirty items like muddy soccer gear separate from clean dry items with an easily cleaned lower level. The two-piece cargo organizer has 18 possible configurations, and combined with the back seat folding options offers plenty of flexibility.

I particularly liked the class-exclusive Around View Monitor available in the SL model. The ability to have a 360-view of the space around the vehicle along with the rear-view camera makes maneuvering in tight spaces a breeze. Other available features include Moving Object Detection, Blind Spot Warning, Lane Departure Warning and Forward Collision Warning.

Performance

The Rogue features a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that is rated at 170-horsepower and 175 lb-ft of torque along with the Xtronic CVT transmission with a sport mode option. The power was adequate for this class of vehicles though acceleration sometimes lagged. But drivers will get a best-in-class highway fuel economy of 33 MPG. The handling was more impressive as the Rogue easily zips around corners. Also, Nissan has added technology features which help to stabilize the vehicle around corners in slippery conditions. The Active Trace Control technology can automatically engage the inner and outer brakes to optimize the line through turns and I was impressed as we tested this on wet surfaces. Drivers can also decide to turn this off.

Overview

The compact CUV segment is growing but it’s also very competitive. With this redesign the Rogue will likely remain a popular choice among consumers and should be on consumers’ test drive list. Pricing for the 2014 Rogue starts out at $22,490 for the base S model with front-wheel drive, and then can go over $32,000 for the SL AWD with the premium option package. However, in order to attract buyers looking at lower pricing options, Nissan will continue to build the 2013 version of the Rogue as a 2014 model called Rogue Select. This vehicle will start at an MSRP below $20,000 and offers an option for customers who want a compact CUV at the lower price point.

Car Reviews, Cars

Car Review: 2014 Volkswagen Passat Sport

November 4, 2013 / Staff

The built-in-America 2014 Volkswagen Passat is pushing her way into the heart of U.S. auto sales with striking good looks and top-of-the-line quality. We drove one for a week and now understand why there is so much momentum behind the 2014 Volkswagen Passat Sport.

EXTERIOR

Volkswagen knows how to design and build cars, so it comes as no surprise that the 2014 Passat is one of the best looking cars on the road regardless of price. The Passat’s balanced proportions give it elegant and timeless styling, reflecting the new Volkswagen Design DNA. The clean design, with a predominance of horizontal body elements, reinforces the Passat’s position as the sophisticated choice in the mid-size segment. The key identifying feature of a strong brand is the styling of its front end. Here, the Passat displays the horizontal brand face, with the three-blade grille and headlights forming a single unit. The Passat’s grille is sculpted in a three-dimensional shape and makes a distinctive and elegant impression because of its strict geometry. Beneath the front bumper is a large, lower intake with a striking honeycomb surface and available fog lights housed at each end.

From the side profile, the muscular ridge in the sill area creates a lively interplay of light reflections. Powerfully sculpted wheel arches emphasize the dynamic properties of the Passat. To emphasize the aerodynamic styling of the Passat, the roof lines flow toward the back with a nearly coupe-like cut of the rear window. Three side windows create luxury-class style with a long, extended glass surface. The rear section is also dominated by horizontal lines. The lines of the large taillights rise toward the sides, underscoring the dynamics of the elegant rear styling. Another unique feature here is the design of the two-part taillights that are integrated in the rear fender and trunk lid. This is a generously proportioned four-door sedan and the largest Passat ever. Nose to tail it measures 191.6 inches and features a stretched 110.4-inch wheelbase and 72.2-inch width, which allows such exceptional rear seat space.

INTERIOR

The first thing that stands out when entering the cabin of the 2014 VW Passat Sport is the extraordinary amount of space available. There’s room for five adults to really stretch out in comfort, and with four large, wide-opening doors, getting in and out is a breeze. There’s also a true elegance and simplicity about the layout. Nothing here is trendy or over-done. The lines flow in a style that’s easy on the eye, complimented by high-quality materials applied with attention to detail. Available chrome-trimmed gauges surround a digital multifunction display. A high-end chrome look is also applied to the air vents in the cockpit, and to the surrounds of the radio, navigation system and the climate control panels. The rotary light switch and parking brake handle button are also treated in chrome.

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Fix it or Junk it? Five Signs that your Car is beyond Repair

November 1, 2013 / Bullz-Eye Staff

Maybe you need some new shocks, maybe a fresh set of tires will get your car back on its feet, and maybe the only real problem is that you need an oil change. Or maybe, just maybe, the sixty bucks you’d get to junk the car is a safer investment than spending thousands and thousands of dollars to repair it. Here are five signs that you’d be saving money in the long run by buying another car and leaving this one to someone with a little more time on their hands:

1. You’re Down to Duct Tape

A little duct tape to patch up the seat? No problem. Duct taping the steering wheel when the grip rips open? Sure, why not? The problems begin when you start using it to fix your engine. A little tape to hold a pipe in place until you can get some sealant or a new hose is fine, but when you’re using it for everything from loose gas pedals to leaky radiators, it may be time to think about trading up.

2. It Just Isn’t Safe

Not a single airbag working? Car stalls on the freeway? Tires keep blowing out because of a bent axle? Sometimes it’s less a matter of saving money on repairs and more a matter of trying not to be the one everyone blames for that twenty three car pileup on the interstate. If you just can’t really put any faith in your car to get you there in one piece, then you’re better off swapping up for something a little safer.

3. You’re Setting “Just in Case” Money Aside for Your Car… Every Month

It’s good to have some money to spare when you do need repairs, but when it gets to the point where you’re stuffing another three hundred dollars into that coffee can each month, you may be paying more than you would for payments for a brand new car, at which point keeping your Junker on the road just doesn’t make much sense anymore. You want to repair your old car to save yourself money, but once you get beyond that point, it may be time to call it a day.

4. It Keeps Getting You Pulled Over

Those blinkers that just won’t be repaired, the broken windows, the tailpipe that falls out of place and drags along the street sending sparks in every direction. If you can’t go a week without another warning from the cops, well, those cops are eventually going to get tired of giving you warnings, if they haven’t already. It may be time to get rid of that old lemon before the police get rid of it for you.

5. Only You Can Drive it… And Only on Good Days

A car that just won’t run reliably, that goes some days without even starting, is a car that’s eventually going to ruin first dates or get you fired. Not even a brand new car is 100% reliable 100% of the time, but a car that is guaranteed to make you late more frequently than it gets you there on time is more trouble than it’s worth.

Written by MyImprov

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Car Review: 2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible

October 31, 2013 / Staff

Classics will always have a place in our hearts, but to find a place in our driveway, they need to reignite that passion. VW has done exactly that with the venerable 2013 VW Beetle Convertible. Ever since the type 15 Convertible from 1949, the Beetle has been one of the most popular open-top cars built. After driving this fun mobile for a week, we totally get why all ages love this car!

EXTERIOR

The Beetle Convertible retains the bold, purposeful stance of the Coupe, thanks to wider tracks and a longer wheelbase than the previous New Beetle Convertible. Compared with the 2006 version of the older car, the latest Beetle Convertible is 3.3 inches wider at 71.2 inches, 1.1 inches lower at 58.0 inches tall, and 6.0 inches longer at 168.4 inches overall. There is no doubt that this redesigned Beetle has more of an edge than past models.

A convertible bodyshell is less rigid than a coupe’s because the upper part of the structure is open, so the Beetle Convertible’s body needed reinforcements. This included the use of partial body reinforcements and sheet metal with greater strength such as:

• The A-pillar’s interior bar is 0.5 mm thicker and made from ultra-high-strength hot-formed steel instead of cold-formed metal. There is also a reinforcement in the “bend area”
• The front roof crossmember has an additional central plate
• Additional tubing made of ultra-high-strength (hot formed) steel between the B-pillars as well as a stronger heel plate
• More sheet metal in the lower body side members
• An extra rear panel that integrates the Automatic Rollover Support System is made of high-strength steel

Due to the targeted use of materials and laser welding of selected parts, the body stiffness was increased by 20 percent over that of the New Beetle Convertible; the torsional rigidity is now 17.8 Hz.

Top up, the Beetle Convertible has an even lower roofline than the Coupe’s. The top lies flat when it’s lowered, giving good visibility; the flexible leatherette top boot tidies up the appearance and is also a nice retro touch. Volkswagen decided to stick with a traditional softtop because it allows for a roofline that’s more like the original 1949 type 15s. Also, a softtop takes up less space than a folding hardtop, thus giving more trunk space. The heatable rear window is made of tempered safety glass.

The softtop’s outer shell is made from three layers: an outer one of polyacrylic woven fabric; a middle layer of synthetic rubber; and an inner lining of polyester. Underneath, there’s a three-layer design for the insulation, made from polyester nonwoven fabric, polyethylene terephthalate (PET) insulating fleece, and polyester spunboard. The headliner is made from foam-laminated fabric. The result is a snug top that yields remarkably low levels of wind noise.

The top is powered by two electric motors and latches and unlatches automatically at the touch of a button, which is located on the upper rail of the windshield surround. The top takes just 9.5 seconds to stow and 11.0 seconds to be raised. The difference is in the time it takes to latch the roof’s header to the windshield. The top can be raised and lowered at speeds of up to 31 mph, unusually high for a convertible. Pressing and holding the button opens the top, while pulling and holding closes it. The side windows automatically drop when the top is opened and are raised when it closes. There is an indicator light located in the instrument panel. Trunk space remains the same whether the top is open or closed.

An integrated wind blocking system is available on the Beetle Convertible as a Volkswagen Genuine Accessory. It is housed in the trunk under the convertible top area and can be safely and neatly stowed when folded and not in use. The storage compartment for the wind blocker is designed to allow full use of the trunk area.

Our test model was an eye catcher with a tornado red paint job and black softtop that really popped alongside the 18-inch alloy wheels with all-season tires.

Car Reviews, Cars

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Car Review: 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 4WD LTZ Crew

October 28, 2013 / Staff

The 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 4WD LTZ Crew is all new from hood to hitch while carrying over base prices. We had the opportunity to drive this beast of a truck for a week and now understand why supply is having a hard time keeping up with demand.

EXTERIOR

Chevy didn’t disappoint, as the finished exterior design of the 2014 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 Z71 4WD LTZ Crew has received rave reviews. Silverado’s design blends strong Chevy truck heritage with a refined, modern aesthetic. The new design is more muscular, functional and aerodynamic. A twin-port grille, full-width bumper and dual power dome hood create a strong presence, which is carried through in sculpted body sides and fender flares. The new Silverado design is about much more than just looks, however. The new front end is engineered to improve sealing for more efficient cooling, while the roof and tailgate spoiler were shaped in the wind tunnel to smooth airflow over the truck for reduced drag. New inlaid doors, which fit into recesses in the bodyside, reduce wind noise for a quieter cab.

Our test vehicle looked sweet from first glance, with improved function from the outside in. Equipment included an EZ lift and lower tailgate; locking tailgate; deep tinted glass; rear wheelhouse liners; chrome body side molding; adjustable with huge turn signal power heated outside mirrors; projector headlamps; 18-inch bright machined aluminum wheels; all-terrain tires; front fog lamps; bed rail projectors; chrome front bumper; rear bumper cornerstep (yes, it’s here!); and front recovery hooks.

INTERIOR

Huge strides were made in the cabin and we just couldn’t get over the room and upscale vibe in this new Chevy truck. The all-new interior of the 2014 Silverado 1500 reflects the same focus on form and function. The upright instrument panel, six-gauge instrument cluster and multiple storage options are tailored specifically to the needs of truck customers. Controls are functional, logically placed and easy to operate with work gloves on. Rear doors on crew cabs are larger for easier entry and exit, and rear doors on double cab models are now hinged at the front for easier access, especially in tight spots. The new Chevrolet MyLink provides easy-to-use connectivity for the job site or family vacation, with natural voice recognition and enough ports and power outlets to support multiple devices. Our LTZ model received an 8-inch high-definition touch screen that enables users to scroll or drag through menus. The MyLink system features intuitive, easy-to-operate controls for major functions. Silverado also features four selectable themes for the display screen and drive information center, which tailor the look of the displays to the taste of the customer.

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