Saturday, May 30, 2009

Star 104 and New Motors Kia team up!


Keep an eye out all summer long for Games and Give-a-ways from the Star104/
New Motors Kia "Soul Patrol"

Friday, May 29, 2009

Volkswagen Golf named world car of the year

NEW YORK -- The Volkswagen Golf was honored as the 2009 World Car of the Year. A jury comprised of fifty-nine international automotive journalists from twenty-five countries around the world chose this year's World Car of the Year, which was announced this morning at a news conference during the New York International Auto Show.
"It is a tremendous honor for Volkswagen to have its global best selling model, the Golf, nominated as a finalist for World Car of the Year," said Stefan Jacoby, President/CEO, Volkswagen of America, Inc. "This is a great way to kick-off the new Golf here in America. We're excited for the arrival of the sixth generation Golf, which will be in Volkswagen showrooms later this year. Simply put, we believe this is the best Golf ever."
The Golf, a perennial favorite in the Volkswagen line-up, has sold more than 26 million units in 120 countries, making it one of the top selling vehicles of all-time. The new sixth generation Golf first debuted at the Paris Motor show last fall, and will make its U.S. debut at this year's New York International Auto Show. The Golf has been designed to be quieter, sportier, fuel efficient, present a clean, distinctive appearance, and - staying true to Volkswagen - fun-to-drive.
The new Golf embodies Volkswagen's product strategy aimed to sharpen the brand design in all classes and apply greater global consistency among model names, steps intended to leverage the offerings of the world's third largest automaker as it looks to increase sales and market share. The 2010 Golf will be available in dealer showrooms across the U.S. this fall in gasoline and TDI versions.

Thursday, May 28, 2009

Motor Trend Spy Photo: 2010 Kia Sorento


The camouflage-covered SUV seen here is the redesigned next-generation Kia Sorento, which was captured during testing in Death Valley. It's expected to arrive in late 2009 as a 2010 model, about three years after its 2007 mid-cycle facelift. Unlike the current model and the recently launched Kia Borrego, the next Sorento will not be a proper body-on-frame SUV. Instead, it will be built on the same unibody architecture as the Hyundai Veracruz and will grow to be about the same size as the large crossover. The switch from body-on-frame to unibody construction is expected to become more common in the SUV market as buyer demands shift in favor of better ride quality and fuel economy.

First Look: 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo


Long before the words "Gran Turismo" defined a videogame juggernaut, the Italian phrase signified a car capable of comfortable long-distance travel and enjoyable athletic ability. With the new 2010 BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo, BMW looks to reclaim the phrase from Sony, carve out another market niche, and sell a few cars along the way.
The signature feature of this 5 Series sits under its rear window. A short, sedan-like lid covers a standard trunk, which can be separated from the rest of the cabin by a moveable partition. Around the lid is a liftgate that incorporates the rear window and an upper section of bodywork. The rear opens in two ways: the entire lid and rear glass, hatchback-style, or just the lower metal, like a normal trunk. Releases for both openings are on the rear, in the cabin, and on the keyfob.
So, what's the point? Well, the hatch allows for legroom similar to the 7 Series, plus 15.5 cu ft of trunk space. With the seats folded, the space expands to a healthy 60 cu ft. The standard rear seats accommodate three people, split 40-20-40, and move fore and aft 3.9 in. for comfort or added cargo space. The 5 Series GT's optional Luxury Rear Seating Package features two multi-adjustable power seats with an in-between center console that sports cup holders and a storage compartment. For added enjoyment, a rear seat entertainment system is available.
The front seats come standard with 10-way power adjustments, including head restraint height, and sit higher than standard BMW sedans -- 1.8-in. higher than a 7 Series. Ventilated and massaging front seats are available, too. Dakota leather upholstery is standard, available in six colors. Nappa leather is an option, and comes in three colors. Trim selections include standard Dark Burl Ash wood, Ash Anthracite grey, and Fineline Matte wood.

Monday, May 11, 2009

Motor Week: 2009 Z4 Test

TEST DRIVE IT TODAY!!!!
Call toll free 877-732-2478 to arrange your demonstration drive

2009 BMW Z4
BMW's classy Z4 Sports Car has been completely redesigned for 2009. But, now as a hardtop droptop, it really knocks out two birds with one stone. It replaces both the previous Z4 Coupe and Z4 Roadster. The goal, of course, is to combine serious driving excitement with outrageous open-air exhilaration. So, let's see if the new Z4 is a mix made in heaven - or not.
With production now moved from South Carolina to Germany, the 2nd generation 2009 BMW Z4 takes the modern interpretation of the classic sports car to an aggressive new level. It's also BMW's first roadster with a folding hardtop.
Larger in all directions, mainly to create a larger interior, the new Z4 now measures 166.9 inches in length, an increase of 5. That's still about a half a foot shorter than the 1-series.
With all new sheet metal from front to back, styling continues to evolve from the vaulted Z8. The Z4 dons even more of the Z8's unmistakable presence, defined by a low-slung front-end and long hood, but with ever sharper shoulder and rocker lines, and a wide, sculpted rear-view.
Which leads us to a new highlight for the Z4: its lightweight aluminum top. BMW calls the retractable top "a piece of art in motion." The hydraulically powered two-piece design can be opened or closed in a mere 20 seconds.
Top up or down, this Z4 is ready to take to the roads. Power for US-bound models copies the 3-Series, with the sDrive30i's naturally aspirated 3.0-liter inline-six with 255 horsepower and 220 pound-feet of torque, or our SDrive35i tester's twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six with 300 horses and 300 pound-feet.
Both cars come standard with a 6-speed manual. While a 6-speed automatic is optional on the 30i, our test 35i had the M3-style seven-speed dual-clutch auto.
We got a chance to drive the Z4 sDrive35i on the gorgeous roads of Alicante, Spain. With the Mediterranean as the backdrop, a mix of long sweepers and tight twisties made up our picture-perfect route where our 35i pulled like a V8 from idle all the way to the 7,000 rpm redline. The twin-turbos spooled up quickly and very smoothly. There was absolutely no dips or gaps in the power band. This car knows not the definition of "turbo lag."
The fast-shifting 7-speed glides seamlessly from gear-to-gear, and with Launch Control, the Z4 can get to 60 in 5 seconds flat, all with a near-symphonic exhaust note that will stay with you long after you're parked.
With the top down, wind buffeting is well controlled, more so with the wind screen in use, and with the top up, road noise is virtually non-existent.
The Z4's precise handling is the result of an almost perfectly balanced chassis. There was a slight touch of understeer as we sliced through the devilish switchbacks, but the car was otherwise subservient to driver input.
BMW's latest Dynamic Stability Control system has three-modes: normal for the softest ride, with sport, and sport-plus providing two levels of stiffness. DSC also modifies steering response, engine management, and shift points to offer distinctly different driving setups. Our car had an optional M-suspension which controlled the damping rate.
The Z4's 17-inch alloys also help to keep it glued to the pavement during higher-speed acrobatics, as the high-performance lightweight brakes stopped our 3,500 pound Z4 with rock solid stability, all leaving our staffer on sight suitably impressed.
BRIAN ROBERTS: There's no doubt with the relaunch of the 2009 Z4, the classic roadster is back. Not only is it more powerful, but it is also more stylish than ever before.
Within, the new Z4's upscale and well-equipped two-seat cockpit is larger and far more useable than before. There's noticeably more leg and shoulder room, and the new hardtop results in a slight increase of headroom.
The leather seat and steering wheel surfaces have been treated with a reflective technology that keeps things cooler in the open sun, and the latest iDrive system, which BMW finally appears to have nailed, offers an 80 gigabyte hard drive that allows you to upload songs via a USB port.
Safety is provided by stout steel roll bars and standard front, side, and knee airbags.
In terms of cargo, top up, space is up by 2 cubic feet to 11. Top down it's still a weekend getaway acceptable 6.3 cubic feet.
Pricing for the Z4 sDrive30i starts at $46,575, while the sDrive 35i begins at $52,475. Sounds steep but the 35i is still less expensive then the Porsche Boxster S and the Mercedes Benz SLK55 AMG.
With its retractable hardtop, the 2009 BMW Z4 is a successful fusion of coupe and convertible sports car. Having captured the best of both worlds, this new roadster is, no doubt, a masterpiece in its own right.
Read the article at: http://www.mpt.org/motorweek/reviews/rt2836a.shtml