Wishing you all a great Easter Sunday.
CSI~
*Posting will resume next weekend.
CSI~
*Posting will resume next weekend.
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
2013 Lexus LS460
I’ve always been a
Lexus fan—always have, and always will be. The reason? One simple word sums it
up—quality. With the new LS flagship, Lexus has taken the word and placed it at
unimaginably sky-high levels.
·
Design
& Engineering:
The previous LS
series and the new version, though somewhat similar in base, are actually miles
apart in terms of refinement, power, and comfort. From the outside, Lexus has
touched the vehicle with its L-finesse treatment, and has even added the
F-sport treatment to the flagship as well. The result? A sportier, more
youth-appealing vehicle, which should hit off with the growing number of
wealthy youths in expanding markets. From the front, the new spindle grill now
takes its stance on the nose, coupled with aerodynamic body tweaks, in order to
provide a more gripping and modern design. Measuring 5090mm in length, the LS
definitely dominates hotel lobbies (bar the fleet of Rollers) and makes older
rivals such as the S-Class, cringe. However, note that Mercedes aims to take
back its trophy by introducing the new S-Class (with a Coupé version to replace
the CL-Class as well) in 2014. The rear however, is another one of those love
it or hate it situations. I find that the previous (’11, ’12) LS squared the
bum off rather nicely. Disappointing. Still, angular chrome exhausts do make
for a sportier feel, along with the redesigned tail lamps.
·
Interior:
Take this bit here with a
bit of bias. To me, the LS has always been the epitome of “luxury on the
inside”. Yes, one may argue that the A8 feels more solid, and is also swathed
with oodles and oodles of luxury goodies. The same may be said for the face
lifted 7-Series, the Panamera, and the aging S-Class. BUT, put all four luxury
barges against say, a Bentley Continental Flying Spur, and that is when the
flaws start to appear. With the 7, one immediately notices how the use of
mass-production has really affected its interior finish. The S-Class seems
unrefined, and rather old-fashioned with its Plain-Jane tech. Perhaps the A8
and the Panamera may face up to the Brit’s traditional use of hand-built
interiors. Barely though. With the LS, it takes 38 days to complete their signature Shimamoku
wood trim. The leather steering wheel takes countless
hours of refinement and perfection as well—all via human touch, and not through
a German-built machine. Now compare that
against a Conti GT, and be proud. With
the 2013 LS, the same infotainment has been taken from the GS, and has been
tweaked to include a larger 12.3-inch LED screen, via Lexus’s Remote Control
function. Coupled with a superb Mark Levinson surround system, the LS excels in
long-haul trips, where business partners to children will be entertained
through the high definition television screens. Once more, attention to detail
prevails, with completely leather wrapped side panels—all stitched in
contrasting colours. At the rear, space is another area where the LS excels.
For the past twenty years, the LS has always ensured that rear occupants remain
comfortable and well-padded, so that they emerge prim and proper to any
business conference. If I’m not wrong, the top leaders in Iceland choose LS’s
as their state vehicles! Individual seating configurations can be made, via the
center console, where the infotainment system, climate zone control, and
massage system (for the extended wheelbase variant) can be configured. For the
ladies, vanity mirrors even come as standard, blending in perfectly with the
suede headlining. Now this might sound weird. I enjoy the leather wrapped handlebars
by the side—good to the touch, they simply define perfection and detail. If
looking for oodles of boot space, don’t be fooled. Due to the rear-seat massage
systems, it is the short wheelbase variant that enjoys 510 liters, while the
long wheelbase variant holds 440 liters, and the hybrid variant 370 liters.
Still, more than enough space for a round to the country club.
·
Ride & Handlings
The 2013 LS also
sports a redesigned 4.6-liter V8 VVT-i engine, mated to a creamy and seamless
8-speed auto box, churning out 342 BHP—plenty for the lightweight body of the
vehicle. With the F-sport package, Brembo brakes come along with the vehicle,
allowing for quick and easy stops, due to the LS’s ability to reach the century
mark by a mere 5.7 seconds. As with all other vehicles from the Lexus lineup,
noise levels are kept to a minimal, with an unrivalled suspension setup to soak
up all sorts of road conditions. However, the 2013 still does not provide as
much of an entertaining drive as a Panamera, or a twin-turbo 740i. Instead, it
gives a suppler and less dramatic drive—perfect for the tired businessman (or
his driver per say).
·
Verdict
Love-or-hate bum, sporty new
front, unrivalled interior, punchy power plant. I’d buy one.
o Pictures from:
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Volkswagen XL1
Said to be one of the most futuristic and efficient vehicles on the market, the Volkswagen XL1 is up for grabs!
*Not just yet, however.
Featuring a 1.0-liter engine, the lifestyle plug-in hybrid coupe achieves 0.9 litres of petrol/100km, making it the most efficient production vehicle planned to be mass produced.
Originally unveiled at the 2011 Qatar Motor Show, let's hope this car of the future makes it to the showrooms soon.
Pictures from:
-http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2013/02/vw-xl1-01.jpeg.644x0_q100_crop-smart.jpg
-http://stwot.motortrend.com/files/2013/02/2014-Volkswagen-XL1-rear-view-1024x640.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/ZK1n4sMV1nk/TVik_pM3ooI/AAAAAAAAl6Y/shmnyuDM1wE/s1600/2011-Volkswagen-XL1-Concept-Rear-And-Side-Open-Doors-1280x960.jpg
-http://media.caranddriver.com/images/media/448080/volkswagen-xl1-concept-interior-photo-448110-s-1280x782.jpg
-http://www.instablogsimages.com/1/2013/02/22/volkswagen_xl1_plug_in_hybrid_m3bb4.jpg
Pictures from:
-http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2013/02/vw-xl1-01.jpeg.644x0_q100_crop-smart.jpg
-http://stwot.motortrend.com/files/2013/02/2014-Volkswagen-XL1-rear-view-1024x640.jpg
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/ZK1n4sMV1nk/TVik_pM3ooI/AAAAAAAAl6Y/shmnyuDM1wE/s1600/2011-Volkswagen-XL1-Concept-Rear-And-Side-Open-Doors-1280x960.jpg
-http://media.caranddriver.com/images/media/448080/volkswagen-xl1-concept-interior-photo-448110-s-1280x782.jpg
-http://www.instablogsimages.com/1/2013/02/22/volkswagen_xl1_plug_in_hybrid_m3bb4.jpg
Friday, February 8, 2013
To All My Readers
Wishing all of you a happy, prosperous, and simply fun/car-filled Chinese New Year,
CSI
CSI
Saturday, February 2, 2013
Mercedes-Benz B-Class B200 (Sport)
Redesigned all the
way, it seems as if the boffins down in Germany have outdone themselves—yet
again.
The previous B
Class turned me off. Honestly, those large rounded headlamps, and the almost
vertical bum just spelled out the words “awkward”. With this second-generation
model, the terms cute and cuddly have been thrown out the window, with new
terms such as avant-garde, sporty and stylish walking through the door. From
the front, the large Mercedes emblem stands proudly on the front face, as sharp
LED’s flank both sides graciously. Of course, daytime running lights come as
standard. From the side, a range of 16 to 19inch wheels are available, the
latter clearly providing a more imposing feel and sporty touch to the vehicle.
A deeply carved aerodynamic sweep hitches up the back door, but still manages
to make the B Class seem like something you’d park on Jay Leno’s driveway. From
the rear, a simplistic design does the job well, incorporating LED’s, and other
“in” technological devices. Note how the overall size of the Merc has
increased, so that it measure 4395mm x 1786mm x 1558mm (LxWxH). Though the
B-Class faces off against competition such as the new Golf, the Volvo V40, and
the such, it has a more mini-MPV stance and character to it.
Mercedes-Benz has always
been synonymous with luxury, style and comfort. With the B-Class, all the above
are surpassed with flying colours. Take a view from the driver’s perspective,
and one will immediately notice how the new sport-grip steering wheel, coupled
with interactive buttons and the high riding position inspire confidence, and a
clear view of the road up ahead. Furthermore, the gearshift stalk is simple and
easy to use, clearing up the space where a conventional gearbox would be for a
slick sweeping panel of entertainment and comfort instead. Instead of a C-Class
or E-Class styled infotainment system, the B-Class takes a spin off an iPad
like display, containing a telephony system, GPS, and the expected gizmos that
come with the “star shaped brand”. Unfortunately, the screen does not stow
away, meaning that it stays there all the time. Air vents are airline like, and
share roughly the same components with the 2013 A Class. Being the top of the
range B200, this variant comes with 3 presets for both the driver and passenger seats—truly helpful if the B-Class is
shared between drivers. At the rear, details such as visible colour-blending
stitching on the side door panels are present, as well as a tray table (cup
holder included) for younger children to use. Unfortunately, rear
air-conditioning is not and option on
any variant of the B-Class, and does not even come as an option. Still, the
Merc is blessed with a plethora of safety devices, such as a lane-departure
system that alerts the driver if he/she is straying off the lane, an active
DISTRONIC cruise control system that slows the vehicle down or speeds it back
up depending on the varying road situation. Sweet.
At the heart of
the B200 is a 1.6-liter turbocharged BlueEfficiency engine that churns out 156
BHP, resulting in a century sprint time of 8.6 seconds. Mated to a variant of
Mercedes’s buttery smooth 7-GTronic transmission setup, the B-Class is blessed
with a 7-speed DCT gearbox instead. Despite its height and dimensions, body
roll is not much of an issue around corners, with the well-weighted steering
wheel keeping things in order at all times. On the down side, the taut
suspension does not do well over bumpy and potholed surfaces. Nevertheless,
road and wind noise are adequate, allowing passengers to relax and enjoy their
journey for the most part.
Improved and futuristic
looks, great interior comfort. No rear air-conditioning though. On the plus
side, it’s a more environmental friendly vehicle and extremely safe vehicle,
due to its intelligent safety and technological systems.
o Pictures from:
Sunday, January 13, 2013
The New Volkswagen Golf
It’s as if it’s
Christmas again.
·
Design
& Engineering:
The Volkswagen
Golf has always been one of VW’s most successful and appealing models. After 5
years of the previous Golf, the new Mark 7 has made its debut—promising even
more than its predecessor. From the front, the Golf sports that prominent VW
face—doing so with a bit more flair than the Mark 6 though. Furthermore,
redesigned xenon headlamps with avant-garde LED styling make their presence
known on the roads. From the side, it is clear that VW has optimized the Golf’s
wheelbase to the max, pushing everything forward or backward in order to create
a bigger vehicle on the inside. Also, styling is more aerodynamic. From the
rear, that is where I truly begin to see changes in the new Golf. For instance,
it alleviates the car’s social status, making it seem more grown up, and
futuristic. With credit to the newly designed rear lights, I’d say that the
Golf looks at its best from the back.
·
Interior:
Clearly, Volkswagen
produces mass-market vehicles—hence its “das auto” labeling. Being a parent
company of Audi (which produces the world’s best
mass-produced interiors), Lamborghini, and Bentley, one can expect a certain
level of quality in the Mark 7’s interior. Upon gliding into the vehicle, it is
clear that build quality and use of materials has shifted upwards. From the
driver’s perspective, the beautifully crafted steering wheel provides one with
a sense of luxury and maturity—usually found on more expensive models. Coupled
with an array of multi-function buttons, paddle shifters and the sort, one
finds it relatively easy to live with the Golf, as the whole picture melds
together for seamless use. With the dashboard, it’s the same deal as with the
current Passat—clear and easy to read dials, with the key details of the
vehicle displayed in clear and simple manners. Moving on to the… center
console. Without a doubt, the new center console is probably the Golf’s selling
point. If it doesn’t appeal to you, it sure does to me! The new multi-function
8-inch high colour screen (dubbed ‘Discover Pro’ by VW) provides you with a
futuristic yet intuitive touch to modern technology. Bluetooth, GPS, etc. come
standard. For instance, one can see the vehicle status vis-à-vis a diagram of
the vehicle, and can select driving modes, via the screen. A cool feature comes
with the option to zoom in and out on the graphic GPS map, just as one would
naturally do on say, an iPad. Classy piano black plastic finish lines the
doorsills, further alleviating the mood of the cabin. Naturally, rear air
conditioning comes as standard. To sum it up, I’d say that the boffins in
Germany have outdone themselves—again.
·
Ride & Handlings
Powering the Mark
7 is a 1.4-liter turbocharged TSI engine, churning out 140 BHP, which gets the
Golf from a standstill to the century point at around 8.4 seconds. With credit
towards space saving methods and a DSG gearbox, driving the Golf is a breeze,
as power comes easily, along with comfort. For serious drivers, the paddle
shifters (especially in sport mode) do make for a promising drive. As for the
eco-friendly human, an Eco mode comes along as well, featuring VW’s BlueMotion
technology. Sadly, once the hood is opened, the Golf starts to lose marks, as
it is a sheer mess under the bonnet. Unlike competition, wires are astray,
creating a myriad of ‘mess’. Tsk-tsk.
·
Verdict
Expensive looks. Expensive
interior. Cheap looking engine, but cheap price as well. There’s your answer.
o Pictures from:
Saturday, January 5, 2013
To All My Readers
Happy New Year!
May all of you enjoy a bountiful and simply amazing year!
*Posting will resume shortly.
Cheers to 2013,
CSI
May all of you enjoy a bountiful and simply amazing year!
*Posting will resume shortly.
Cheers to 2013,
CSI
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