Mercedes-Benz GLK: C Class kind of luxury!

The Mercedes-Benz GLK 350 exists to defend the brand from small SUVs as BMW X3 and Audi Q5. The interior commands are very similar to a C Class sedan, but it fits five people and their luggage with certain comfort.

Filled with nice details, the interior has memory power front seats with heating option, adjustable power steering wheel and dual sunroof. The tailgate opens and closes with the simple push of a button. And the rain sensing wipers are very intelligent and capable! In terms of security, this Mercedes comes with all the obvious bags and electronics, including the NeckPro for whiplash protection.

The controls are not intuitive at all. For instance, the sound system is great, but difficult to understand and the auxiliary input is inside the glove compartment, right by the passenger door. The steering wheel holds the board computer commands, witch also lack intuitiveness!

Powered by 268 hp with the help of a 6-speed automatic transmission, the engine is cleaver and fast: 0 to 60 in 10 seconds. However the gas needle follows the driver’s enthusiasm falling quickly when one presses the pedal!

Aside from these details the GLK is a great luxury SUV and can triumphantly show off the three-point star on its hood.

Chevrolet Aveo: rough but nice

Chevrolet’s entry-level little car starts at $12,000. With a 108 hp Ecotec 1.6L VVT engine, linked to a 5-speed manual or a 4-speed automatic transmission, it is a firm car to travel from point A to point B. 

I drove a Chevy Aveo with automatic transmission and thought it was a bit too slow. My main complaint though goes to the extremely rough suspension that bothers even on the best of asphalt. It is hard, probably with the intention of keeping the vehicle on track; however, it could be less uncomfortable, like the Honda Fit.

The interior finishing uses a lot of plastics agreeable to touch, leaving a good impression. The seats are comfortable and there is a central armrest for the driver. All commands are pretty straightforward. 

The safety items are all their, including dual front and side airbags. However, power windows and air conditioning are optional. Other standard equipment include: electronic measure for tire pressure, foldable parted rear seats, remote control keyless entry and a CD player with auxiliary entry.

The Aveo is a good option if one just needs to get to a destination with low fuel consumption and a little comfort. 

Fusion and Malibu - Two American Sedans

The Chevy Malibu is priced at only 21 thousand dollars with the basic trim and four-cylinder engine. With two power train options – a 2.4-liter with 169 hp and a 3.6-liter V6 with 252 hp – he fights directly against the Ford Fusion.

The Fusion has a starting price of $19,800 when powered by the 2.5 liter engine with 175 hp. Ford offers two different V6 options: a traditional V6 with 263 hp and a more fuel efficient Flex Fuel version that accepts Ethanol E85 together with petrol and delivers 245 hp. 

Ford's Flex Fules logo: E85 friendly engine.

Chevrolet's V6 power train.

I tested the Flex Fuel V6 Fusion and the V6 Malibu, both with top trim levels and 6-speed automatic transmissions. Both of them had leather seats with power adjustments, moon-roof, Bluetooth technology and onboard computer. However, overall the Ford just seemed to deliver more, inside and out. It is roomier and the seats are far more comfortable. The sound system is better and the air conditioning has dual zones. Meanwhile, the Malibu has prettier finishing with a nice wood trim, but some details are just not up-to-date, like not having a backseat armrest, a telescoping steering wheel and still presenting a separate remote control for the keyless entry system.

Beige leather interior of the Malibu.

Light gray with special stiching on the Fusion.

Driving made the differences even more noticeable. The Chevrolet carries the weight of the traditional American cars with a soft suspension and poor handling. The V6 is slow and gas consumption is bad. The Fusion has a sportier feel, without compromising comfort, direct steering, an excellent quick transmission and the sensation of a lot more power available with very reasonable consumption.

Malibu's gauges.

 Therefore, I feel that the Malibu could still learn some tricks with the Fusion!

Ford Fusion gauges.

CODA: Electric future with the feel of the passed!

The all-new CODA is a small revolution since it breaks all the mechanical rules we know today. First shock: there is no exhaust pipe! Underneath the vehicle there is a huge lithium battery that has an 8-year warranty and triggers the 134hp for the electric engine, which produces astonishing 300 Nm of torque.

All the torque is only liberated after 25 MPH, otherwise not even the traction control would be able to secure the car. This new battery is a state-of-the-art piece of technology that enables the CODA to ride for 150 miles without needing to be recharged. The battery is also suppose to not loose any power for months, so you can forget about your car in the garage and have it ready to go when you get back. It only takes 6 hours to have the pack totally recharged and the process can be done out of any 220v outlet.

The manufacturer says that the full recharge should only add 3.00 dollars to your electricity bill. You can also charge for 2 hours and arrive safely home, since it would mean an extra 45 miles.

The car handles like a sporty coupe since the weight of the battery makes for a low force, therefore it super stable. So, even though it looks like a French Renault from the early 1990s, it corners like the latest Porsche. Another interesting new rule is how the entire concept of accelerating and braking as we know it is changed, because CODA recharges the battery as soon as your foot stop pressing the gas pedal, giving the feeling that the brakes are being pressed, even if you haven’t touched them. To avoid that, one has to keep softly pressing the gas to find the real neutral point. It requires quite a bit of sensibility to get it right.

The manufacturer argues that they tried to design a vehicle that would be as traditional as possible, coming up with this not very impressive sedan. They did not want “the spaceship feel”. However, the result is quite Spartan considering the price tag of over 30 thousand dollar, even if you get the 7,500 back that California State offers.

Only the absolutely necessary is there, including power windows and mirrors, air conditioning, and that is about it. The Alpine sound and navigation system and the LED headlights are the only really futuristic things. The seats are very comfortable and ergonomically superb, but the armrests are badly positioned. And the cargo space is limited.

Nonetheless, this is a big step in constructing a way out of the petrol dependence with a viable and cleaver system that has close to zero maintenance costs and a 100% green engine.

Cadillac is fighting to get back in!

GM’s luxury line division is fighting to get back in the ring with the Germans and Japanese that have been dominating the battlefield. With minor changes to the exterior and better performance, Cadillac is presenting the 2012 line with the CTS Sedan, CTS Coupe, CTS Wagon, the SRX Crossover and the giant Escalade.

CTS Sedan

I had the opportunity to get up-close and personal with the new vehicle line and was impressed with the quality of the finishing and the availability of comfort items.

CTS Wagon

The Cadillac Escalade is truly a huge vehicle with comfortable “barcolaunger” seats that make you feel right at home. Meanwhile, the CTS tries to imitate the Germans with a hard seat and an even harder suspension. It handles well enough, but there could be a better balance between sportiness and comfort.

CTS Sedan

The best new Cadillac from this selection seems to be the SRX. It has a handsome design combined with a very well finished interior, with nice trims and stitches. The seats are very comfortable and all the commands are quite at hand. The visibility, however, is a problem, including the front, because of the vehicle’s large A columns.

SRX lavish interior

Engine wise, the CTS has an improved 3.6 V6 that generates 304hp; more than enough for the everyday commute. The SRX uses the same engine. Unfortunately their transmission only has 6 gears, which limits the fuel consumption, especially on the freeway.

SRX: Decent cargo space

Comparing to their renowned Germans, the Cadillacs lack the perfection and reaction, if compared to BMW and Mercedes. These vehicles have better reaction, felt strongly on the powerful pedals that brake or accelerates before you are even conscious of touching them. Handling is better and the comfort is there. Cadillac is rallying on an extended four-year or 50,000 miles bumber-to-bumber warranty - that claims to include repairs + parts and labors - and a better price tag: the CTS starts at $ 38,000, the SRX at $ 40,000 and $ 64,000 for the Escalade.

CTS: Nice attention to finishings

Lexus wants to show the power with the LFA.

Lexus decided it was time to swim with the bigger fishes on the super sports car pond. So, with an attractive design and a lot of enthusiasm, the Lexus LFA came to compete with Audi, Porsche and other vehicles that are fast enough on the 0 to 60 MPH mark.

For the LFA that means 3.6 seconds. The engine is a 4.8 L, V8, with 552 hp. The gearbox has six gears and almost the entire car is made out of carbon fiber.

However, more impressive it the price tag of 375 thousand dollars.  It seems that Lexus is really more interested in using the car to demonstrate the brand’s power and as a publicity stunt – by letting celebrities drive the car around.

Aston Martin Rapide: sit 4 inside this new British classic.

One can consider that Aston Martin has reborn after it was reunited with James Bond in “Die Another Day”. And out of this new cycle of beautifully designed British sports cars comes the Aston Martin Rapide, the first four-door super luxury sports car that arrives to compete with the likes of Porsche Panamera.

A 5.9 V12 engine that produces 470hp powers the Rapid. The transmission is a 6 speed automatic with paddle shifters on the steering wheel and the car has a complete aluminum body. Light and aerodynamic, this dashing vehicle rushes to 60 MPH in 5 seconds.

Beautiful details all over!

Of course the interior is covered with the best materials, including exquisite leather seats, wood and aluminum finishing and suede covering the ceiling and columns. All the expected luxury and comfort items are present and there is a curious detail: there isn’t a transmission knob. To choose between P-R-N-D simply press the correct button located in the center wood dash right above the sound system.

Electronic brake and lots of aluminum.

Even though it is a very long and wide automobile, the Rapide feels a little claustrophobic on the inside, especially if you are traveling on the back – hard job getting in and out of the back seat where the space is quite limited if compared to the more inviting Panamera.

Cupholders and AC for the back seats.

Soon, new four-door super sports cars from Lamborghini and Ferrari will join this team. Lets wait and compare!

Compact rear door.