vLane Blog

Articles Matching “2011”

• From around the web: 2010 Lexus LF-A

  Banovsky on November 2, 2009

  Oh, we're not bitter that we haven't yet driven the supercar-slaughtering Lexus LF-A. Oh no. We're just very, very jealous of those who have. Seriously, I may buy a lottery ticket with the hopes of spending part of the jackpot on a dark green-painted LF-A. Anyhow, Let's see what the lucky bastards gentlemen had to say.

  2010 Lexus LF-A reviews

  

  Jalopnik.com says: "An over enthusiastic application of the sharp throttle had the 552 HP, 4.8-liter V10 spinning rapidly towards its 9,500 RPM redline and the tail sliding out towards the grass. Normally that'd have been an oh-&#!@-I'm-going-to-break-a-$400K-car moment, especially in an unfamiliar supercar, but in the LFA it barely requires conscious correction as it just blended into rocketing down the following straight at three-figure speeds."

  Autoblog.com says: "Generally, when I come off of a new track after a few hot laps in anything – Versa or Veyron – my hands are a bit shaky and my legs a little on the wobbly side. With the LFA, it feels like I just re-robed after a Swedish massage."

  Autocar.co.uk says: "What’s more impressive though, is that the LFA has a character of its own, rather follow a preset supercar template. That it is more solidly constructed than anything Italian, and less flamboyant, is perhaps to be expected from a Lexus. What’s surprising though is how honed and sharp it feels to drive. While it has GT qualities it’s no soft-edged GT. Instead it is a serious and credible supercar."

  And finally, Autocar has a video of the LF-A in action on their site; it's well worth a look.

  Read More:

  • A Front-Wheel-Drive Ferrari
  • Hot Cars from Around the World
  • Driving the Ford Model T

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Lexus, Future, Sports car, 2010, 2011, From the web, LF-A

• 2011 Maserati GranCabrio

  Banovsky on August 24, 2009

  …Is pure sex. Just look at it! Apparently to be marketed late next year and on-sale in early 2011, the GranCabrio completes the Maserati range, joining the Quattroporte sedan and GranTurismo coupe.

  

  The 2011 Maserati GranCabrio

  Want more information? The GranCabrio is powered by a 4.7 litre V8, 323 kW engine and is the convertible with "the longest wheelbase on the market." Forget the folding hard top: the GranCabrio's roof is strictly canvas-made, "emphasizing the link with the Maserati tradition."

  

  Click for more photos and the official release!

  Read full article | Comments (3) | Filed under Maserati, Future, News, Europe, Sports car, Convertible, 2011, GranCabrio, GranTurismo

• 2011 Bentley Mulsanne

  Banovsky on August 17, 2009

  I know, I know. 'Tis the season of auto reveals. We've had the Hyundai Equus, Jaguar XJ, Infiniti M, and now this, the 2011 Bentley Mulsanne. The Mulsanne replaces the Arnage at the top of the Bentley totem pole, and what a car it is.

  

  The 2011 Bentley Arnage

  Details are scarce, but the new super-Bentley will be powered by a V8 engine and go head-to-head with the Rolls Royce Phantom and (to some extent) the Maybach 57. Bentley touts the Mulsanne as the pinnacle of Bentley, and will likely be priced as such, with a full compliment of ridiculous luxury car options to suit. More details in the fall.

  Click through for another photo and the official release.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Luxury, Future, News, Sedan, Bentley, England, 2011, Mulsanne

• 2011 Infiniti M

  Banovsky on August 15, 2009

  Breaking into the top-tier luxury car market is difficult. Just ask Acura. But cross-country rivals Infiniti may have leapfrogged their Japanese competition with this, the (very impressive-looking) 2011 M sport sedan.

  

  The 2011 Infiniti M sport sedan

  It's sinewy without looking like taffy stretched over some big rims. With cues from Infiniti's latest concepts, the M looks like a great place to start shopping for your next luxury car, especially if you think the BMW 5-Series and Audi A6 are just too boring.

  Here are some details:

  • Both V6 and V8 models, called M37 and M56, respectively
  • Over 400 horsepower for the M56 model
  • Reduced fuel consumption compared with the current model
  • Blind spot warning system will actually try and prevent you from changing lanes if another vehicle is detected

  Click through for more photos and the official release.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Luxury, Future, News, Sedan, Technology, Infiniti, 2011, M37, M56, M

• Upcoming: #carchat 23; August 12 @ 8PM EST

  Banovsky on August 12, 2009

  This week, we're talking about the Chevrolet Volt's supposed 230 mpg city rating, the General's coming product renaissance, base model cars, and how we want our motorsports to be covered. That and more on this week's #carchat!

  If you're confused, check out the #carchat How-To. Anyone can join us at 8PM EST August 12, but you'll need a Twitter account to ask questions and participate.

  However, if you'd like to follow things live, go here at 8 PM EST.

  And if you'd like to suggest topics for next week, please tag articles on Delicious.com with "carchat."

  This week:

  • Discussion: The Chevrolet Volt is real, but what about that 230 mpg rating? Relevant?
  • Discussion: Many people were toured through GM Design studios…so are we excited for the future?
  • Discussion: Are the GM "bare necessities" a response to Tata and other cut-price cars?
  • Discussion: How do you want your motorsports coverage uh…covered? Via @sandbarmark

  So click through and read a few links, see some photos, and check out a video related to tonight's discussion.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, Future, Concept, Misc, Advertising, Advice , Humor, This week, Discussion, carchat, Chevrolet, EV, Detroit, 2010, Cadillac, Twitter, vLane, 2011, Buick, Electric car, GMC

• Future Buick CUV to be a plug-in hybrid

  Banovsky on August 6, 2009

  Remember our Future of GM series? The one where we talked about the upcoming Buick CUV? Turns out, our analysis was pretty much dead-on.

  

  The as-yet-unnamed (rebadged Saturn Vue) 2010 Buick crossover SUV

  The teaser shot GM released along with some details shows a clearly reworked front-end from the current Saturn Vue. GM CEO Fritz Henderson's assertion that he's not a fan of badge engineering is getting weaker by the second, as this new model is undeniably a re-badged Saturn Vue plug-in hybrid.

  With that model due out in the market next year before Saturn was sold means the development work on the Buick must nearly be completed.

  Look for this mystery Buick early next year in showrooms.

  Click through for the GM release.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, General Motors, Saturn, Future, Green, SUV, Crossover, Technology, SUV, Detroit, 2010, 2011, Buick, Fritz Henderson

• Driven! 2011 Chevrolet Volt and 2012 Ford Focus EV

  Banovsky on August 4, 2009

  This guest post was prepared by esteemed green car expert John Voelcker, editor-in-chief of GreenCarReports.com. He also drove both the Volt and Focus EV test mules…lucky guy!

  

  The 2011 Chevrolet Volt prototype (nee-Chevrolet Cruze)

  Well, the big day has come and gone: Now we've driven a 2011 Chevrolet Volt prototype. More than 18 months before buyers can walk into a Chevy dealer and test one, we got behind the wheel.

  What's the Volt like? It's remarkably ... unremarkable.

  And we mean that as praise. General Motors has managed to build a radical car that seems so normal it'll make the average American driver completely comfortable with electric drive.

  For half an hour today, we drove a Volt "mule" – a Volt powertrain installed in the body of a 2010 Chevrolet Cruze subcompact – around the roads of the GM Technical Center in Warren, Michigan. It uses "production-intent" components and, said vehicle line executive Frank Weber, provides about 80 percent of the capabilities of the final car.

  Click through for more.

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, General Motors, Environment, Future, Green, Mileage, Feature, Ford, Ford, Chevrolet, EV, Grant, Detroit, 2011, Cruze, Electric car, Guest post, Focus

• Ford confirms 4-cylinder EcoBoost engine

  Banovsky on July 21, 2009

  To meet more stringent fuel economy standards for 2015, car manufacturers have to make smaller engines…much smaller engines.

  

  We drove the European Ford Fiesta

  Ford's twin-scroll EcoBoost turbo technology allows for smaller engines to make big power. The new motor will displace 2.0-litres and deliver "at least" 230 horsepower and 240 lb-ft of torque. Our guess for the first vehicle to get the new motor? The 2011 Ford Explorer.

  News:

  • Driving the European Ford Fiesta
  • 2010 Ford Flex with EcoBoost
  • The Ford Taurus SHO is Back
  [via Edmunds]

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under Environment, Future, Green, Mileage, News, Misc, Ford, Detroit, US, 2011, Engine, EcoBoost

• The Future of GM Part 3: 2011 Buick CUV

  Banovsky on July 7, 2009

  In this five-part series (parts one one, two, and three), we'll take a look at some of the most exciting products that GM has in the pipeline.

  

  It's not a commercial, either: with 60.8 per cent of the company now owned by the US taxpayers — and 11.7 per cent by Canadian taxpayers — it's a good time to look at how well our investments are holding up.

  GM had — well, Saturn had — a wonderful vehicle slated for launch this year: The Vue plug-in hybrid SUV.

  Well what's the problem? After selling the automaker Saturn to the Penske Group, GM announced that the upcoming Vue plug-in would be put on hold indefinitely…IE: forever.

  Thing is, GM won't just waste the technology. And a few weeks ago, some reporters got a glimpse of a full-sized clay mockup of a future vehicle…

  Click through for the photo, and more info!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, General Motors, Saturn, Lexus, Future, Green, Mileage, SUV, Feature, Concept, Crossover, Hybrid, SUV, Detroit, 2011, plug-in, Buick

• The Future of GM Part 3: 2011 Chevrolet Spark

  Banovsky on July 2, 2009

  In this five-part series (including the 2010 Buick LaCrosse and 2011 Chevrolet Cruze), we'll take a look at some of the most exciting products that GM has in the pipeline. It's not a commercial, either: with 60.8 per cent of the company now owned by the US taxpayers — and 11.7 per cent by Canadian taxpayers — it's a good time to look at how well our investments are holding up.

  

  The Spark is one of the first truly global GM cars. The company has developed this Aveo replacement, based on a seriously upgraded platform to compete with small cars the world over.

  Click through for more info, photos, and a video with GM designer Dave Lyon!

  Read full article | Comments (0) | Filed under GM, General Motors, Hatchback, Future, Green, Mileage, Feature, Chevrolet, Detroit, 2011, Spark