In the Lap of Luxury

GM's most expensive car, the two-seat XLR convertible adds a performance version in the 2006 model year. The XLR-V will have a 440-horsepower 4.4-liter supercharged V8.

The current luxury car market includes sedans, coupes and convertibles—most of them offered by traditional luxury brands. Some rank as flagship models with the latest in automotive technology, power and luxury. Others are lower-priced vehicles that include a comfortable number of amenities.

 

 

Lexus Leads in Total Sales
Lexus has become the top luxury brand in the U.S. and offers five luxury car nameplates. The revamped, third-generation GS—a 2006 model that went on sale early in calendar 2005—became the first Lexus car offered with all-wheel drive. Also noteworthy are the sleeker styling, increased safety features and a new 245-horsepower 3.0-liter V6. Come calendar 2006, Lexus promises to offer a gasoline-electric hybrid version of the GS called the GS 450h. It will be the world's first luxury hybrid sedan.

Lexus is the only luxury marque that offers two nameplates in the lower-priced luxury car segment, with its front-wheel-drive ES 330 and rear-wheel-drive IS 300. Both cars have starting MSRPs around $29,000. The ES 330 is the top-selling Lexus auto. Meantime, in the 2006 model year the IS will debut as a new-generation larger family of sedans offering rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive models starting in fall of 2005.

Lexus SC 430

The large flagship Lexus LS 430 sedan ranks second in the brand's car sales and includes an impressive list of features including a climate control system that monitors sunlight intensity on each side of the car. It automatically delivers more cool air to the sunny side for more efficient cooling. Meantime, Lexus' convertible, the two-seat SC 430, has a power-operated retractable hardtop.

BMW Ranks Second in U.S. Sales
In recent years, BMW has been adding new models to its stable of luxury cars. Besides the flagship 7-Series sedan, the German automaker sells a 6-Series coupe and convertible that have 2+2 seating.

The lowest priced BMW in the U.S. market, the 3-Series arrives in the States about mid-year as a new-generation 2006 model with new 6-cylinder inline engines, new 5-link rear suspension and high-tech features such as Brake Standby and Start Off Assistant. The former can detect when a driver lets off the accelerator pedal abruptly, thereby indicating a likely cornering maneuver or sudden stop. The system automatically applies enough pressure in the brake system to snug the brake pads closer to the rotors for immediate slowing and stopping power. Meantime, Start Off Assistant helps a driver move smoothly into a startup when the car is stopped on a hill. By the fourth quarter of this year, BMW's all-wheel-drive 3-Series versions will begin to arrive in showrooms.

Not to be missed on several BMW models, including the 5- and 6-Series: the high-tech active steering that senses, based on the car's speed, turning input and automatically adjusts the steering ratio for quick response.

Cadillac Gets to Top Three
Cadillac bested Mercedes-Benz in the past year and is the only U.S.-based brand to rank in the top three luxury makes.

Cadillac offers four luxury car nameplates. The entry-level CTS was the first car to wear Cadillac's "new edge" styling and has been adding sportier handling and engine offerings over the years. For example, the high-performance CTS-V model is powered by a 400-horse V8 and includes performance-tuned shock absorbers, springs and stabilizer bars.

Cadillac introduced a new flagship sedan for 2005. The STS is a 5-passenger, rear-wheel-drive performance sedan with styling similar to the CTS's. The STS has two engine choices: a 255-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 and a 320-horsepower 4.6-liter Northstar V8.

Cadillac XLR-V

Cadillac's largest car, the DeVille, is a full-size sedan with V8 and more than 43 inches of legroom in the back seat. A new-generation DeVille, to be called the DTS, is coming as a 2006 model and will be in showrooms in fall 2005. It has new styling, inside and out, and a trunk with 18.8 cubic feet of space. The 2006 DTS is a front-wheel-drive car, like its predecessor. There's a choice of Northstar V8s: a 290-horsepower L37 version and a 275-horse LD8. Television's top businessman, Donald Trump, was on the list early to receive an executive limousine version of the new DTS.

Cadillac's highest priced car is the two-seat convertible XLR, which starts at more than $75,000. The sleek model has a retractable hardtop, sophisticated suspension management and 4.6-liter Northstar V8 with 320 horsepower. In the 2006 model year, a performance version arrives as the XLR-V. Its power plant is a 440-horsepower 4.4-liter supercharged Northstar V8.

Domestic Luxury Brands
Ford Motor Co.'s luxury brand, Lincoln, typically slots in fifth or sixth spot among luxury brand sales in the U.S. It continues with its large, flagship Town Car sedan, now available with optional THX-certified premium audio system. THX is used for great sound in commercial theaters and multimedia productions. Lincoln also updated its smaller LS sedan, adding curtain airbags and rear park assist as options on all trim levels and improving transmission shifts.

Lincoln Town Car

New Model Showcase

 

2008 Nissan Rogue

 

Quick Facts:

MSRP Price Range:	$19,250 - $21,870
Invoice Price Range:	Not released
Rebates/Incentives:	Not available
Expert Rating:	Not Rated

 

The Rogue is a new compact crossover utility vehicle aimed at young family buyers. Built on the Nissan "C" platform, which provides high body stiffness, the Rogue is a front engine, front-wheel-drive vehicle with optional all-wheel drive. The standard 4-wheel independent suspension gives a balance of ride comfort and driving stability and all Rogues come standard with power-assisted front and rear vented disc brakes with ABS, Electronic Brake Force Distribution and Brake Assist. With styling that resembles the Murano crossover SUV, the Rogue's performance-oriented exterior has sleek, masculine styling with powerful rear shoulder lines. Inside, the Rogue is a driver-oriented cockpit that offers excellent visibility and a number of standard safety features for protection.

The 2008 Nissan Rogue is an all-new SUV that's available in two trims: S and SL. Powered by a standard 170-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine that produces 175 lb-ft of torque, the Rogue is mated with a standard Nissan Xtronic CVT. Some standard features include an AM/FM/CD 2DIN audio system, rear 60/40 split-fold bench seat, dual-level center console storage with two cupholders and a 12V power port, oversized glove compartment with partition and a keyless entry system. The Rogue is equipped with a number of standard safety features including an Advanced Airbag System, front seat-mounted side-impact supplemental airbags, roof-mounted curtain supplemental airbags with rollover detection, front-seat Active Head Restraints, 3-point seatbelts and a tire-pressure-monitoring system. A number of optional features are available including leather-appointed seats, steering wheel and shifter knob, fold-flat front passenger seat, heated front seats and outside mirrors, multi-display trip computer and Bluetooth Hands-Free phone system.

Based on the Sentra sedan and bearing a resemblance to the larger Murano SUV, the small Nissan Rogue SUV is available with front or all-wheel drive. Power comes from a 170-hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine shared with the Altima. Like many recent new Nissan models, the Rogue uses a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Electronic stability control, curtain air bags, active head restraints, and antilock brakes are standard.

Ford Bronco: Simple yet Tough

It was a 4×4 SUV produced from 1966 to 1996 with four distinct generations, and is an aged model. The Ford Bronco is a big, brawny, and powerful off roader that had strong sales especially to fans of the big and brawny V8 powered four wheelers. This vehicle has certainly been an icon to hard-core off roaders because of the fact that it has a simple yet tough and rugged design and muscular structure that guarantees quite an exceptional maneuverability, either on the road, or off of it.

An instant success, the Ford Bronco then left behind all the other emerging leisure four-wheel drives in the market because of sales of 18, 200 units all during its entire first year of production. This vehicle was continually updated up until 1977. After that year, a much larger Bronco was then introduced. It was built to look like a simple and authentic sport utility vehicle. It has disciplined road manners and features excellent trips on the rough roads.

At the outset, the Ford Bronco was introduced as a competitor for the Jeep CJ-5 and the International Harvester Scout. It was small in size, which had a 92 inch wheelbase. However, this made the Ford Bronco popular for off road and some other uses. But this also made this SUB quite impractical for towing. In the late 1970s, a major redesign based on the Ford F-series truck then brought a larger Bronco to compete now with the Chevrolet K5 Blazer and the Dodge Ramcharger. The Bronco's successor is the Ford Expedition.

Popular culture found the Ford Bronco a part of it. The Ford Bronco was cast in the popular culture society in 1994 as the vehicle which O.J. Simpson had traveled during the much-proclaimed low-speed chase with police through the Los Angeles area. The Bronco that was used that time was owned by Al Cowlings and was a white 1993 model.

The Ford Bronco was designed to have its axles and brakes sourced from the Ford F-100 four wheel drive truck. Its front axle was located by leading arms and a lateral track bar, thus allowing the use of coil springs which gave the Bronco a tight turning circle, long wheel travel, and an anti-dive geometry which was quite useful for snowplowing. It was also given a more conventional rear suspension with leaf springs in a typical Hotchkiss design. Given as an option was a heavy duty suspension. Its engine was the Ford 170 cubic inch straight six that was modified with solid valve lifters, a six quart oil pan, heavy duty fuel pump, oil-bath air cleaner, and a carburetor with a float bowl compensated against tilting. Styling was attacked with simplicity and economy, thus giving the Ford Bronco a look with all glass flat, bumpers with simple C-sections, a simple box-section ladder frame, and basic left and right door skins identical except for mounting holes.

Production was then dropped in 1997 for this SUV. However, come 2004, at the North American International Auto Show, a Bronco concept car was introduced that held some features of the concept car still intact. What changed for this concept car was that it held a 2.0-liter intercooled turbo diesel engine and a six-speed transmission.

Acura MDX: Redesigned for 2006

Known as the Honda MDX in Japan and Australia, the Acura MDX is a mid-size SUV built by Honda of Canada Manufacturing Ltd. It was introduced in the late 2000 as a 2001 model, and in 2003, it went on sale in Japan.

The new 2006 Acura MDX is a 4-door, 7-passenger luxury sport-utility vehicle that is made available in 5 trims, from the Premium to the Touring Package with Navigation System and Rear DVD. Standard for this vehicle is a 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive. It is also a carryover from 2005.

In years past, the Acura MDX has won the North American Truck of the year award back in 2001, and it also bagged in the Car and Driver magazine's Best Luxury SUV and also the Motor Trend magazine's Sport/Utility of the Year for that same year.

For this new 2006 Acura MDX, a new drive-by-wire throttle system is included, along with the state-of-the-art VTM-4 four-wheel drive system which was purposely revised to give the vehicle an enhanced control during acceleration, cornering, and braking. Its exterior styling was also updated to give the MDX a muscular, performance-oriented look representative of its impressive powertrain. Its front end has been done over with a shaper, more tapered look and an integrated chin spoiler applied on to reinforce this time the new styling and direct air to the sides of the vehicle.

This new model also receives an assortment of new features that have been designed to make it even more comfortable and refined. This list includes the brushed metal-look instrument panel trim, ambient foot lights, and welcome illumination. The 2006 Acura MDX models that are equipped with the Touring Package made available, it has the eight-way power-adjustable driver's seat that has been enhanced to feature the power-adjustable lumbar support that flexes to match the natural curve of the driver's spine.

The 1966 Pontiac GTO

What is the most popular muscle car of all time that goes zero to sixty in 6.5 seconds flat?

The answer is, the 1966 Pontiac GTO which is a choice muscle car. In fact, when it was released, it quickly became the best selling muscle car of all time. With the '66 GTO, Pontiac truly created a new masterpiece that has remained in high demand amongst muscle car enthusiasts for nearly four decades.

The '66 GTO has incredible features. Most notable are the unique headlights and the exceptional contours throughout the body that are the true definition of the term sleek. Of course, being a muscle car, the '66 Pontiac GTO came in a variety of colors and styles when it was produced including the sports coupe model, the hardtop coupe and the convertible.

If you are shopping for a '66 Pontiac GTO muscle car, it is probably useful for you to know that the hardtop coupes are the most common, followed by the convertibles. Comparably, there were a lot fewer sports coupe models made, so they are by far the rarest.

Pontiac's GTO line gained popularity with the release of their 1964 model with its racy style, its powerful V8 engine, and its dual exhaust system. Though it had phony hood scoops, it was definitely a muscle car with an attitude. The '66 model had a lot of the same features as the '64, but being the second body style for Pontiac's GTO line, it redefined style with pizzazz.

The '66 GTO most commonly has a four-barrel 389 engine, but there was also a tri-power option. After its release, Pontiac added an XS Ram Air package to the tri-power engine giving it a hotter cam and greater power – close to 380 hp – truly ideal for a muscle car. The XS Ram Air package upgrade included the cam and stiffer valve springs along with an accessory pack that enabled the decorative hood scoop to be converted into a functional cold-air induction system. There are very few 1966 Pontiac GTOs that have the XS Ram Air setup, so they are definitely unique muscle cars for a muscle car collector.

In regard to muscle cars, there are many that are strongly desired by muscle car enthusiasts. The 1966 Pontiac GTO just happens to be a favorite for many. Style, performance and originality are among the traits that make the 1966 Pontiac GTO one of the hottest muscle cars around.

Super Exotic Sports Cars

Before we start, let's define the term 'super exotic sports car'. Sports cars, by definition are borderline racing cars; boasting powerful performance and sleek looks. Their prestige makes them expensive, and thus the domain of a select few. With reference to sports cars, the term "exotic" refers to vehicles produced in very limited numbers. This of course increases their exclusivity and by virtue of this, their value. Exotic sports cars will, in all likelihood, be built by smaller manufacturers or perhaps the super high-end vehicles will be created by some of the better-known car companies outside of the United States, as exclusive models.

Many exotic sports cars are the stuff of legend. The world's fastest car, the McLaren F1, for instance is a well-known exotic. Although only around one hundred F1s were produced and the manufacturer is not a household name (outside of the Grand Prix circuits of course), the McLarens are coveted sports cars. All exotic sports cars are highly sought after and, as status symbols, are second to none in the sports car world.

But, assuming that you can afford it, is an exotic sports car for you?

It is easy to be seduced by the allure of owning an exotic sports car. Owning one can be very tempting. Amongst the purists, the cars themselves are often considered the pinnacle of design. Any enthusiast who has the means will tell you that when an opportunity to invest in an exotic sports car presents itself, resistance can be very difficult.

One should try and be objective about the proposition though.

Before making such a major commitment, there are three factors you should consider.

Exotic Sports Cars Are Very Expense

The cost of owning such a prestigious car, does not end when you part with the initial payment. Even if one can afford the initial asking price of an exotic (and not many can), one needs to be aware of the likely ongoing running expenses , which can be significant. The maintenance and repair of an exotic car is certain to be expensive compared to non-exotic vehicles and a buyer should attempt to discover what kind of costs he or she is likely to experience in order to keep the car in running order. There can be no cost cutting on parts for these high end vehicles.

Parts for prestige cars are likely to be in short supply, if they are available at all. The likelihood that the owners of exotic sports cars will need to have some parts custom made during their ownership of the vehicle is quite high. And the cost will be significant. This is especially true of older exotics, many of which will have been orphaned when their original manufacturer stopped making cars. Not only will this prove extremely expensive, one can also expect it to be time consuming as well. And, as time passes, the necessary investment will only become greater.

Your usual mechanic cannot be expected to be able to repair exotic sports cars. You will need specialised mechanics with specialised tools to be able to ensure that appropriate and professional repairs are carried out. Not only will such individuals be, in all probability much more expensive than your usual mechanics, you would be very fortunate if you found one in your town. You should expect to have to do a lot of traveling in order to find suitable mechanical help.

All too often a sports car buff will purchase an exotic, without though to the ongoing costs, and, as a consequence be completely unprepared to handle additional future expenses. A thorough planning of expected costs and the means to meet those costs would certainly be in order.

Reliability Of High End Vehicles

Even though an exotic sports car may represent the ultimate in performance, One cannot assume that it will also be reliable. This will hold particularly true for the older 'classic' exotic cars. As with any high performance machine, exotic sports cars can be quite delicate (temperamental) which will, in all probability, require that you, or someone close to you be regularly on hand to make the adjustments to ensure that the vehicle stays in operating order. Exotic sports cars are well known for the spectacular side of their performance when they running well. However, the other side of the coin is that they are notorious for being among the most temperamental of vehicles that one may encounter.

If you plan to run an exotic sports car on a regular basis, you should be prepared for the highs and los of motoring. The sublime feeling of driving a top car with top performance can often be forgotten if the same car stops and refuses to start many miles from any assistance.

The Drivability of Exotic Cars

Most owners of high performance cars will tell you that such vehicles take 'some getting used too'. Optimum performance comes at a price, and will depend very largely on the skill of the driver. So, if you are relatively inexperienced, then please do not expect to get the best out of your car straight away. This in itself could prove too frustrating for many potentials owners. One should also take into account the relative risk of driving a high performance cars whilst still inexperienced.

For those to whom the additional cost of time in learning to drive a prestige car optimally and safely is not an issue, an additional, problem arises in the adjustment of seats and pedals for example. Small things that are irrelevant in normal cars take on much greater significance when applied to exotic sports cars.

When considering the purchase of an exotic sports car, one must look past the romance and excitement of owning a legendary vehicle. There are real concerns and obstacles to be overcome before the full enjoyment and benefit of owning such a car can be achieved.

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Car Accidents Claims And Insurance

If you are not sure of your rights in a car accident that you have experienced, you must consult the best lawyer possible. You can rest assured that the insurance company will have lawyers to represent them.

Your claim is very important and you should not take it for granted especially if you have encountered a serious injury in a car accident. Claims vary differently depending on the type of injuries sustained. Severe injuries include: losing an arm, fractured bones or losing any part of the body.

If you have been hospitalized for a long period of time, you are entitled to a higher compensation. If you are unable to work because of disabilities you may be eligible for a lifelong compensation. The compensation of disabled person will include the beneficiaries of the victim. He will also get the income he earns in a year.

Sometimes, being handicapped allows for the full compensation in filing for a claim. In order to get the compensation, you must choose the best lawyer who will not take advantage of you and your rights as a victim. Sometimes, the law takes advantage of the disabled person and of those who are not aware of the rules.

Claims and compensation will consider the nature and the duration of injuries. If you have recovered from the injuries in days, you will get a smaller compensation compared to severe injuries which might take a month or longer in the hospital to heal. You should not worry about the expenses because you will rightfully get your compensation as long as the case is adjudicated. Pain, suffering, and disability is measured in determining a rightful compensation.

In considering your car's insurance, make sure that you know what your insurance covers. Dealing with the accident requires investigation to know who is at fault, and to find out if the other party is required to give compensation to the victim. An accident lawyer is perfect for this situation. You might not be familiar with the rules of filing for a claim, but a lawyer will be.

The law requires car insurance intended for public use. So it is better to find out if your car is insured and the consequences that you may face should you have an accident. It is important to make sure that the statements that you are going to give to your insurance company are correct so that the claim will be handled accordingly.

If you don't want to face these complications and procedures make sure that you are confident in your driving and knowledge. Car accidents are not be easy to deal with because they can be quite complicated. What is important is that you be given the right compensation for anything you have lost.