Saturday, February 17, 2007

2007 Ferrari 612 Scaglietti



2007 Ferrari 612

Scaglietti





New or Notable

What We Like

What We Don't

All-aluminum construction
Available Formula One-style shifting
Pininfarina styling
+Performance potential
+Handling potential
+Heritage
-Price

2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano



2007 Ferrari 599

GTB Fiorano









New or Notable

What We Like

What We Don't

F1-style shift paddles behind steering wheel
Adjustable suspension, traction control and gearbox settings
Engine shifted farther back to improve handling
+Loads of safety equipment
+Interior blends many textures and materials
+Racing heritage
-Long hood might prove problematic when parking
-Narrow, long headlights similar to Infiniti models
-Price not announced, but likely to be very, very high

2007 Bentley Continental GTC



2007 Bentley

Continental GTC


Starting MSRP $189,990




EPA Fuel Economy:
City: 11 Highway: 18
Available Engines:
560-hp, 6.0-liter W-12
Available Transmissions: 6-speed automatic w/OD and auto-manual

New or Notable

What We Like

What We Don't

552-hp, twin-turbo W-12
Adjustable air suspension
Pop-up roll bars
Standard AWD
+Standard stability system
+Luxurious interior
+Performance potential
-Hefty price tag
-Estimated gas mileage
-Small rear seats
-Heavier than related Continental GT coupe

2007 Aston Martin V8 Vantage



2007 Aston

Martin V8 Vantage




Vehicle Overview
Aston Martin's new V8 Vantage is powered by a normally aspirated V-8 that makes a none-too-shabby 380 horsepower. The V8 Vantage wears a sleek, windswept exterior that bears resemblance to Aston Martin's larger DB9.

It was introduced for the 2006 model year, so changes for 2007 are fairly minor.

As the least costly Aston Martin, the two-seat V8 Vantage competes with other sports cars in the $100,000 range. These include the Porsche 911, the Maserati Coupe and the Maserati GranSport. The V8 Vantage is available only with a six-speed manual.

The V8 Vantage is built at Aston Martin's headquarters in Gaydon, England.


Exterior
Twin-bezel headlamps flank Aston Martin's trademark trapezoidal grille. Flared front fenders are trailed by inset side vents, and all lines flow rearward to the V8 Vantage's twin-bar taillamps. The integrated deck lid spoiler and twin exhaust pipes finish off the rear.

New for 2007 are LEDs in the door handles, as well as optional 19-inch wheels with a painted anthracite finish and optional front stone guards.

Measuring 172.5 inches long, the V8 Vantage is more than 10 inches shorter than Aston Martin's DB9 and flagship Vanquish, but it's about as wide as both at 73.5 inches. The V8 Vantage's frame replaces welding with advanced adhesives for better vibration damping, and aluminum and magnesium components reduce weight throughout the chassis. At 3,461 pounds, the V8 Vantage is 9 percent lighter than the DB9, but it's still 330 pounds heavier than Porsche's 911 Carrera S coupe.

Eighteen-inch alloy wheels wear P235/45ZR18 tires in front and P275/40ZR18 tires in back.


Interior
New seats feature occupant-sensing head and thorax side airbags and twin lumbar adjustment. Three-position memory and dual-stage heating for the seats are optional.

A dizzying array of interior choices — including up to 20 colors for seats, carpets and more — means each V8 Vantage can be personalized by its buyer. For 2007, Aston Martin offers non-standard leather color choices and a match-to-sample service. Premium materials line the aluminum-trimmed dashboard, which includes a ringed engine start button above the radio controls. An analog clock, stitched dashboard seams and machined instrument dials are among the upscale touches. Whereas traditional tachometers swing clockwise, the V8 Vantage's swings counterclockwise as engine speed builds, which might take some time to get used to.

A small luggage shelf sits behind the standard 10-way power seats. Options include cruise control and a navigation system. New options for 2007 include a garage door opener and an auto-dimming rearview mirror.


Under the Hood
The V8 Vantage's 4.3-liter V-8 engine generates 380 hp and 302 pounds-feet of torque. Its aluminum construction uses a dry-sump lubrication system that eliminates the oil pan and allows the engine to sit lower to the ground, thereby lowering the vehicle's center of gravity. A rear-mounted transmission helps the V8 Vantage achieve a 49:51 front-to-rear weight distribution.

With its standard six-speed manual transmission, Aston Martin says the V8 Vantage can accelerate from zero to 60 mph in just 4.9 seconds. Top speed is reportedly 175 mph.


Safety
Antilock brakes, traction control, an electronic stability system and side-impact airbags are standard. New seats also incorporate head-protection airbags. Front Brembo disc brakes measure 14 inches in diameter, while non-Brembo rear discs are 13 inches. Both pairs of discs are gripped by four-piston calipers.

New or Notable

What We Like

What We Don't

380-hp V-8
175-mph top speed
+Powerful engine
+Balanced, lightweight chassis
+Premium materials
+Exclusivity
-Price, though it is Aston Martin's least expensive model
-Seating capacity

2007 Aston Martin DB9



2007 Aston

Martin DB9





New or Notable

What We Like

What We Don't

450-hp V-12
Manual or automatic
Extensive use of aluminum
+Exuberant performance
+Superlative handling
+Automatic-transmission operation
+Pedigree
+Styling
-Minimal backseat space
-Rear entry and exit
-Forward visibility
-Instrument readability

2007 Subaru Impreza



2007 Subaru Impreza


Starting MSRP $17,995 – $27,495

Snapshot

EPA Fuel Economy:
City: 20 – 23 Highway: 26 – 29
Available Engines:
173-hp, 2.5-liter H-4
224-hp, 2.5-liter H-4
Available Transmissions: 4-speed automatic w/OD
5-speed manual w/OD

New or Notable

What We Like

What We Don't

Choice of three engines
Sedan and wagon body styles
Manual or automatic (Impreza and WRX)
293-hp turbocharged engine in WRX STi
Impreza-based Outback Sport
+Performance of WRX and WRX STi
+Handling in WRX and WRX STi
+AWD operation
+Frontal-offset crash-test rating
-Rear legroom
-Overly exuberant styling of performance models
-Rear visibility

2007 Porsche Cayman S



2007 Porsche

Cayman S


Starting MSRP $58,900

Snapshot

EPA Fuel Economy:
City: 20 Highway: 27 – 28
Available Engines:
295-hp, 3.4-liter H-6
Available Transmissions: 5-speed automatic w/OD and auto-manual
6-speed manual w/OD

New or Notable

What We Like

What We Don't

Introduced for 2006
Based on Boxster convertible
Available 295-hp six-cylinder
Seats two
+Svelte styling
+Acceleration
+Handling
+Affordability
-Pending further review

2007 Porsche Cayman



2007 Porsche Cayman


Starting MSRP $49,400

Snapshot

EPA Fuel Economy:
City: 21 – 23 Highway: 28 – 32
Available Engines:
245-hp, 2.7-liter H-6
Available Transmissions: 5-speed automatic w/OD and auto-manual
5-speed manual w/OD
6-speed manual w/OD

New or Notable

What We Like

What We Don't

Introduced for 2006
Based on Boxster convertible
Available 295-hp six-cylinder
Seats two
+Svelte styling
+Acceleration
+Handling
+Affordability
-Pending further review

2007 Mazda MazdaSpeed6



2007 Mazda

Mazda Speed6


Starting MSRP $27,995 – $29,925

Snapshot

EPA Fuel Economy:
City: 19 Highway: 25
Available Engines:
270-hp, 2.3-liter I-4
Available Transmissions: 6-speed manual w/OD

New or Notable

What We Like

What We Don't

Turbocharged 274-hp four-cylinder
Six-speed manual
Mazdaspeed styling cues
+Performance potential
+Handling potential

2007 Honda S2000


2007 Honda S2000


Starting MSRP $34,250

Snapshot


EPA Fuel Economy:
City: 20 Highway: 26
Available Engines:
237-hp, 2.2-liter I-4
Available Transmissions: 6-speed manual w/OD

New or Notable

What We Like

What We Don't

237-hp, 2.2-liter four-cylinder
Six-speed manual
High-revving operation
Available aluminum hardtop
RWD layout
+All-out performance
+RWD handling prowess
+Braking operation
+Stability
-Ride comfort
-Engine noise
-Snug cockpit
-Minimal cargo space
-Tamer responses at low rpm

2007 Ford Shelby GT500



2007 Ford

Shelby GT500


Starting MSRP $40,930 – $45,755

Snapshot

EPA Fuel Economy:
City: 15 Highway: 21
Available Engines:
500-hp, 5.4-liter V-8
Available Transmissions: 6-speed manual w/OD

New or Notable

What We Like

What We Don't

Plenty of power for the money (GT)
High-performance Shelby GT500
Five-speed manual or automatic (six-speed manual in GT500)
Coupe or convertible body styles
Standard audio input jack
New exterior colors
Available DVD navigation system
+Classic looks
+Refined handling
+Ergonomics improved over prior models
+GT's V-8 power
+V-8 exhaust note (though some find it excessive)
-V6 automatic disappointing
-No side curtain airbag option
-No light, storage or cupholders in backseat
-Optional gauges too dim in sunlight
-Manual gearshift slightly balky
-Poor rear visibility
-Premium fuel required in GT500

2007 Cadillac STS-V


2007 Cadillac

STS-V


Starting MSRP $74,870

Snapshot

EPA Fuel Economy:
City: 14 Highway: 21
Available Engines:
469-hp, 4.4-liter V-8
Available Transmissions: 6-speed automatic w/OD and auto-manual

New or Notable

What We Like

What We Don't

RWD or AWD
V-6 or Northstar V-8
New transmissions for V-8s
Supercharged STS-V model
Six airbags
Numerous standard and optional technical features
+Performance
+Handling
+Ride comfort with regular suspension
+Automatic-transmission operation
+Helpful electronic technology
-Ride comfort with Magnetic Ride Control
-Over-left-shoulder visibility
-Price with V-8 and AWD

2007 Cadillac CTS-V



2007 Cadillac

CTS-V

Side-by-Side Comparison
Starting MSRP $51,325 Change Vehicle or See Similar Models

Snapshot

EPA Fuel Economy:
City: 15 Highway: 24
Available Engines:
400-hp, 6.0-liter V-8
Available Transmissions: 6-speed manual w/OD

New or Notable

What We Like

What We Don't

Choice of two V-6s (CTS)
Manual or automatic (CTS)
Ultra-performance 400-hp V-8 (CTS-V)
Chiseled styling theme
Six airbags
+Performance
+Seriously swift acceleration (CTS-V)
+Stability
+Sporty steering feel
+Seat comfort
-Control layout
-Unconventional sharp-edged styling
-Less refined than European sedans
-Electronic stability system not standard

2007 BMW M



2007 BMW M


Starting MSRP $50,100 – $52,100

Snapshot

EPA Fuel Economy:
City: 16 Highway: 24
Available Engines:
330-hp, 3.2-liter I-6
Available Transmissions: 6-speed manual w/OD

New or Notable

What We Like

What We Don't

330-hp inline-six-cylinder
Six-speed manual
Brake lights get brighter under hard braking
Coupe or roadster
+Standard stability system and traction control
+Standard side-impact airbags
+Adaptive engine redline
+Standard high-intensity-discharge headlights

2007 BMW M5



2007 BMW M5


Starting MSRP $82,500

Snapshot

EPA Fuel Economy:
City: 12 Highway: 18
Available Engines:
500-hp, 5.0-liter V-10
Available Transmissions: 6-speed manual w/OD
7-speed auto-shift manual w/OD and auto-manual

New or Notable

What We Like

What We Don't

500-hp, 5.0-liter V-10
Manual or sequential manual gearbox
0-to-60-mph acceleration in 4.5 seconds
Motorsports-derived brakes
+Performance potential
+Handling potential
+Innovative sequential manual transmission

2007 Audi RS 4



2007 Audi RS 4

Side-by-Side Comparison
Starting MSRP $66,000 Change Vehicle or See Similar Models

Snapshot

EPA Fuel Economy:
City: 14 Highway: 21
Available Engines:
420-hp, 4.2-liter V-8
Available Transmissions: 6-speed manual w/OD

New or Notable

What We Like

What We Don't

All-new for 2007
420-hp V-8
Manual transmission
All-wheel drive
Active suspension
+Power
+Handling
+Abundant safety features