31 Temmuz 2014 Perşembe

Jay Leno puts focus on some retro-inspired BMW bikes

Posted Jul 28th 2014 7:59PM

Comments6

Jay Leno puts eight wheels on display this week for Jay Leno's Garage from a quartet of retro-inspired BMW motorcycles. They are the creations of husband and wife team Larry and Carol Romestant, who build each one in their home garage.

Larry is a former aerospace engineer who loves BMW bikes, especially the K models. Now, he's combining his passion with a real talent for fabrication to build his own cycles with his wife. With Larry and Carol the only ones working on these projects, it takes them six to nine months to build each one. In addition to the old-school looks, the motorcycles are supposed to be a bit more user friendly than stock. For example, one of them ditches the standard five-speed gearbox in favor of a six-speed unit to be a little more comfy when cruising at high speeds.

Since there isn't enough time to take all four of them for a ride, Jay picks his favorite to test out on the open road. Scroll down to see which one he chooses.

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BMW's new Driftmob video shows the M235i like you've never seen it before

By Steve Siler RSS feed

Posted Jul 30th 2014 8:01PM

Comments17

Last month, we went behind the scenes of the filming of BMW's new Driftmob, web video, bringing you one post from the practice sessions, and another from the shoot itself, which took place in an enormous traffic circle in Cape Town, South Africa. Today, BMW has launched the final version of Driftmob, and it's pretty damn cool.

The plot is pretty simple: just like a flashmob, in which people invade a location and perform choreographed dances to music, much to the delight of surprised onlookers, the "driftmob" features a quintet of red M235i coupes that take over a traffic circle and perform choreographed dances – sideways – to the delight of onlookers. The only differences are that, in this case, the onlookers are mostly paid extras (though there were many unwitting passersby that joined the crowd at times) and the only music is a constant squealing of tires-a sweet song if we ever heard one. Then, after about two minutes of tire-smoking shenanigans, the coupes vanish.

As promised, we will have a more detailed, behind the scenes story about the filming of the video, including insights from Rhys Millen, Samuel Hübinette, Dai Yoshihara, Rich Rutherford, and Conrad Grunewald, the five guys who executed these remarkable stunts. Meanwhile, we hope you enjoy the short flick. We are recomanded publishes some of the highest quality games available online, all completely free to play. Our massive selection of games include some of the most played genres online, the most popular being racing games, puzzle games, action games, MMO games and many more, all guaranteed to keep you entertained for hours to come. y8 | agame | friv | y3 | kizi | barbie | friv | y8 | huz | y8 | ben 10 | online games | miniclip | y8 | y8 | addicting games | y3 | y8 | funbrain | agame | y8 | friv | y3 | y8 | miniclip | friv | barbie | yepi | y8 | free games |y8 | addicting games | friv | all sites guaranteed to keep you entertained for hours to come.

30 Temmuz 2014 Çarşamba

BMW i3 review

BMW is best known for its high-performance petrol and diesel cars, but now the brand is embracing eco-friendly battery-powered models. Its bold i3 is the first in what promises to be an extensive line-up of zero-emissions vehicles, and it’s packed with hi-tech materials and cutting-edge engineering. Yet with a punchy 168bhp motor and traditional rear-wheel-drive layout, it should be as good to drive as any other BMW.

It is also available with an optional range-extending motorcycle engine that keeps the batteries topped up. Without the range extender the BMW i3’s range stands at anywhere between about 80 miles and 125 miles depending on how you drive; with the range-extender those numbers could double. The BMW i3 is about the same size as a Ford Fiesta but it feels higher and larger inside. Compared to many electric cars, like the Renault ZOE or Vauxhall Ampera, it’s also very lightweight thanks to its carbon fibre and aluminium construction – in fact, it’s about 300kg lighter than a Nissan LEAF. Our choice: BMW i3 Range-Extender Styling 4.5 You’d struggle to mistake the adventurously styled i3 for anything else. Taking its cues from the BMW Coupe Concept that debuted at the 2012 Los Angeles show, it looks like it’s driven straight off a designer’s drawing board. The i3’s tall and narrow proportions are more MPV than family hatchback, but in all other respects it sits in a class all of its own. The heavily sculpted body panels are made from lightweight plastic, with a gloss black finish for the bonnet and glass tailgate. Elsewhere you’ll spot the distinctive plunging window line, swept-back headlamps and eye-catching blue trim for the fared-in grille and lower sills. Huge 19-inch alloys add the final flourish. Happily, the cutting-edge design continues when you climb aboard. With neat rear-hinged doors and no B-pillar, access to the BMW is easy – although you have to step over the wide sill. Once inside you’ll be treated to a neatly packaged and imaginatively designed layout that’s easy to use and beautifully finished. Climb into the high-set driver’s seat and you’re confronted by a pair of TFT screens – one ahead of the driver and one that appears to ‘float’ above the centre of the dashboard. These display everything from speed to sat-nav information and can be controlled via BMW’s trademark iDrive controller. There are four distinctive interior finishes to choose from – standard, £1,000 Loft, £1,500 Lodge and £2,000 Suite – and all get bright and colourful seat and carpet trims, with many made from sustainable materials. Driving 3.9 y8 A high-set driving position, large glass area and direct controls help the i3 take crowded city streets in its stride, while the powerful electric motor’s instant response allows you to make the most of any gaps in the traffic. Press the start button and you hear a chime rather than the sound of a starter motor. Turn the column-mounted gear selector to Drive and the i3 pulls away with a whirr from the electric motor and a gentle rumble from the tyres. When battery capacity drops below 20 per cent, the range-extender model’s two-cylinder bike engine fires up. While it drones rather noisily from the outside, it’s well isolated inside. As it only tops up the battery, the engine stays at constant revs, only increasing rpm under hard acceleration. Thanks to the electric motor’s instant torque, acceleration is rapid, and it manages a 0-60mph time of 7.2 seconds – 3.2 seconds quicker than the Toyota Prius Plug-in hybrid. BMW i3 range extender Head down a twisting back road and the i3 quickly gets out of its depth. The steering is quick and well weighted, allowing you to place the car with confidence, and there’s more grip than you’d expect from the thin tyres. But hit a mid-corner bump and the tall i3 quickly loses its composure, as the suspension struggles to contain any wayward body movements. It never feels like the car’s going to lose control, but it’s enough to encourage you to slow down and take it easy. Do this, and the BMW turns into a relaxed and refined cruiser. The suspension soaks up the worst bumps, wind noise is kept in check and the electric powerplant emits only a distant hum, even on the motorway. Lift off the throttle, and the i3 slows quickly as the drivetrain recoups energy back to the battery. Drive like this, and you’ll barely need to use the brakes, and will be assisting the range at the same time. But you can press the pedal slightly to slow more gradually. Reliability

4.1 BMW is new to electric car technology, but you can guarantee it’s worked hard to make the i3 as reliable as its internal combustion-engined models. Even so, in a bid to reassure buyers, the brand provides an eight-year and 100,000-mile warranty for the lithium-ion battery pack, while the rest of the car is covered by a standard three-year guarantee. The combination of a strong carbon fibre- reinforced plastic structure, six airbags and standard stability control means the i3 has some decent safety credentials. However, the bluff front end cost it points in Euro NCAP’s pedestrian assessments – resulting in a disappointing four-star score. You can add a number of hi-tech safety options, though, such as the £790 Driving Assistant Plus. This clever kit brings adaptive cruise control, forward collision alert and Traffic Jam Assist, which will accelerate, steer and brake the car at speeds up to 24mph. A pedestrian warning noise generator is £85. Practicality 4 Clever packaging means the i3 is quite roomy. The boot has a high floor, thanks to the running gear underneath, but the 50:50 split seats fold flat. When in place, they’re easily accessed via rear-hinged back doors, while the thin front seats also fold forward to boost access. The BMW isn’t quite a full five-seater – there’s only two seats in the rear – and nor is it quite a five-door car. The back doors are just small rear-opening coach doors but at least the fact there’s no B-pillar in the middle makes it very easy to get in and out. The i3’s boot sits quite high up but it’s nice and flat, so you can easily slide things in. There’s 260 litres of space with all the seats in place and 1,100 litres with them folded down. In the nose, you get a shallow tray for the tyre repair kit, but the cord to open it is hidden behind a panel in the passenger footwell. There’s lots of space for driver and passenger, neat cup-holders, armrest storage and cargo nets, while the glovebox has a top- opening lid. One criticism we do have is with the slightly dim headlights. Running Costs 4.3 The BMW i3’s economy will depend greatly on the driving you do. Keep the battery topped up and stick to the city, and the 80-mile range means you’re never likely to hear the engine fire up. We got through a fully charged battery and a tank of fuel with an economy figure of 118mpg. An overnight charge should cost no more than a couple of pounds, while the i3 is currently exempt from road fund licence, Benefit-in-Kind company car tax and the London congestion charge. There’s a choice of Comfort, EcoPro and EcoPro+ drive modes, and the latter two are designed to save energy, with EcoPro+ going as far as switching off the climate control and limiting speed to 56mph to maximise range. Unfortunately, the i3 REx isn’t suited to longer journeys. The engine is limited by the tiny nine-litre fuel tank, and only adds another 80 miles of range. And if you go on a long trip using the petrol engine alone, you’ll have to fill up every 70 miles or so. With the battery exhausted and on engine power alone, the i3 can barely manage 36mpg in the real world. As with the Vauxhall and Toyota, the price is high even with the Government’s £5,000 Plug-in Car Grant, and 34 per cent residuals aren’t great, but company car tax is super-low. BMW also offers fixed-price servicing, plus access to conventional models if you need to make longer journeys. Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/i3#ixzz38xAhGgW4

BMW X5 review

The BMW X5 has always been known for its dynamic abilities, but this latest model has seen BMW push to move its large SUV even further into the realms of the best luxury cars. A bigger boot and more spacious cabin promise an X5 that’s more practical than ever, too

Although BMW offers a single petrol engine in the X5 range, almost all buyers will opt for one of the four diesel engine options. These include the entry-level four-cylinder rear-wheel drive sDrive25d that achieves over 50mpg. The xDrive30d, meanwhile, offers an impressive blend of both performance and economy. These and the other X5 derivatives are offered in the SE or M Sport trim levels. • Best 4x4s to buy now From the outside, the look of the latest X5 is an unexciting evolution of the previous car, while the interior is a real mash-up of different materials. That said, interior quality has improved considerably along with the rest of the BMW range. Space for passengers has increased, too - especially around the shoulders. Around 40 per cent of buyers opt for the seven-seat X5 option, ensuring BMW’s big 4x4 will remain a common sight outside the school gates for years to come. The luxury SUV market is looking particularly crowded these days, and the X5 will have to battle the Porsche Cayenne, Mercedes M-Class and Range Rover Sport. Our choice: BMW X5 xDrive30d SE Styling 3.7 The first two generations of the X5 were a huge success for BMW - making the X5 one of the most recognised premium SUVs on the planet. In total, the car clocked up combined global sales of 1.3 million across its first two incarnations. It comes as no surprise, then, that BMW has played it safe with the styling of the latest version. It's described as "deliberately evolutionary" and, while the looks are unlikely to offend anyone, it's certainly less distinctive than its predecessors. The squat stance and flared wheelarches have been reduced, having been replaced by slab sides and a front end reminiscent of the latest 3 Series. The rear end looks a little bland, but the squared-off exterior styling has led to an increase in interior space - making room for comfortable seats, big windows and first-rate quality. The dashboard design is a familiar X5 feature and in line with models from across the BMW range, but the smart switchgear and swish lighting are impressive. The latest version of BMW's iDrive cabin control system is matched to a superb 10.2-inch screen, while standard equipment includes an attractive three-spoke M Sport steering wheel, memory seats, cruise control and two-zone climate control. Driving 3 The original X5 introduced sporty on-road dynamics to the 4x4 sector, however, the definition of how an SUV should drive has changed recently. Now, the best of these blend sharp handling, excellent off-road ability and also refinement to rival that of the top luxury saloons. As a result, the new X5 is lighter than the car it replaces. An aluminium bonnet and thermoplastic side panels are just a couple of examples of the car’s diet, while BMW’s xDrive 4x4 transmission is 1.4kg lighter than before. Even so, the M50d weighs 2,190kg – that’s 75kg more than close rival, the Range Rover Sport. BMW X5 M50d Rear action Not that it gives away any performance or efficiency. CO2 emissions of just 177g/km mean the M50d is cleaner than the Sport and the equivalent Porsche Cayenne, but it’s the 3.0-litre tri-turbo straight-six diesel that really stands out. All X5s get Drive Performance Control, with up to four driving modes, to adjust throttle response, steering weight and gearshift speed. The M50d also comes with Adaptive M Sport suspension, which includes active damper control and self-levelling air-suspension at the rear. Our test car also featured the £2,495 Adaptive Dynamic suspension, which adds active anti-roll bars for better body control. Yet even with this over-complicated set-up, the X5 disappoints. While roll is well controlled, the ride is too firm in the sportier settings, making Comfort the mode of choice. As a result, you wonder whether the car really needs so many different settings. Even in Comfort, the X5 tends to follow cambers in the road and never feels settled or relaxed like its rivals. This is a problem compounded by the strangely numb and inconsistent steering. Overall, the car has neither the composure and sharp reactions of the Porsche Cayenne nor the refinement and lightness of touch of the Range Rover Sport.

Reliability 4 The X5 achieved a five star Euro NCAP crash safety rating, thanks to the availability of more safety kit than ever before. On top of a host of standard safety kit, the X5 can be had with a variety of options to protect its occupants. The Active Security package includes lane departure warning, rear collision alerts and a blind-spot monitor, all of which can be switched on or off at the touch of a button. BMW Emergency Call is part of ConnectedDrive and uses your phone to contact and send details to the police or ambulance should you have a crash. Meanwhile, Night Vision and LED headlights are also on the options list. The engines and technology used in the X5 are used in other products, so shouldn't prove too much trouble to run, although wear and tear rates are likely to be high. This BMW is still a big, heavy car. Practicality 4 By altering the way the new X5 looks compared with the previous model, BMW has given the new model much more usable space than the old car. And that was necessary to distance the X5 from the X3, which grew considerably in its latest iteration, too. All X5s have a split tail-gate, with the top half being electrically operated. The boot is big, and gives a minimum of 650-litres of space, while the rear seats split 40:20:40. Around 40 per cent of buyers opt for the extra two rear seats, giving a 5+2 layout. Rear and front seat space is ample, with plenty of leg, shoulder and head room. BMW X5 M50d boot There are also large door pockets and a decent central cubby in the X5. This can be had with a cradle for your iPhone if you opt for BMW’s suite of ConnectedDrive services. Interior quality has also taken a step forward, with plenty of nice leather, metal and plastic used throughout. Some interior trims are light coloured though, so it’s worth bearing in mind how these will look if you plan on carrying kids or pets on a regular basis.y8 Running Costs 3.5 The headline news for the latest X5 as far as efficiency is concerned is the entry-level sDrive25d model. It’s rear-wheel drive and returns a claimed 50.4mpg and emits 149g/km of CO2. A 4x4 version is also available, which trims mpg to 47.9 and increases CO2 to 155g/km. The xDrive30d offers a great balance of power and economy – offering 40 extra bhp and 110Nm of torque over the 25d engine, but only dropping to 45.6mpg and 162g/km. The xDrive40d is worth considering if you plan to spec lots of options, as the cost of these drops if you opt for the bigger engine. The top-spec M50d and xDrive50i cost similar money, and have similar performance. The diesel has more torque, but the petrol makes a better noise, and both will cost plenty to run. Depreciation is one of the biggest factors to consider when buying a big luxury car. And our experts suggest that, with predicted residuals of 49.1 per cent, the X5 won’t hold its value as well as its rivals. Over three years, it’s likely to lose just over £32,000 in value. On the plus side, there’s fixed-price servicing, although the X5 is more expensive to maintain than the Range Rover Sport. Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/x5#ixzz38xA61dlA

BMW i8 Concours d’Elegance edition unveiled

28 Jul, 2014 2:57pm Jonathan BurnShare on printShare on emailShare on stumbleuponShare on twitterMore Sharing Services One-off BMW i8 featuring unique interior and exterior to be auctioned off for charity

BMW has developed a one-off version of its most advanced sports car to date and its up for grabs at auction. The BMW i8 Concours d’Elegance Edition stands out with custom interior and exterior designs and will be sold at the Pebble Beach Auctions in California. The hammer will drop ahead of the i8's official on sale date in the US, meaning the lucky bidder will be the first owner of the BMW i8 in North America. What they’ll be getting their hands on is a one-off model finished in BMW Individual Frozen Grey Metallic exterior paint, with an interior wrapped in Dalbergia Brown leather upholstery, which is tanned using dye derived from plant extracts. y8 Also unique to the i8 Concours d’Elegance edition is the i Blue contrasting stitching in the seats and seats bets as well as the front headrests being embossed with ‘BMW i8’. At auction there will be no reserve price on the i8 but it is expected to sell for substantially more than the £99,845 price tag of the showroom model. All proceeds from the sale will also be donated to the Pebble Beach Company Foundation and the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/i8/88034/bmw-i8-concours-d-elegance-edition-unveiled#ixzz38x9e59l5

Ford Capri – Most Wanted Cars 2014

The third instalment in our top 10 Most Wanted Cars 2014 is a new version of the iconic Ford Capri coupe. Here’s how it could look…

Ford’s affordable four-seat sports coupe arrived in 1969 as Europe’s answer to the Ford Mustang, immediately developing a cult following that continues to this day. When we asked our readers which fantasy cars they most wanted to see built, the Capri was a leading contender. We'll be revealing the rest of your Most Wanted Cars over the next few weeks, then asking you to pick your overall favourite in a poll. Is a new Ford Capri your Most Wanted? Since Capri production stopped in 1986, there has been periodic speculation that Ford might re-launch the Capri name – usually in the form of a more-or-less direct fourth-generation replacement in traditional coupe form. • Best used sports cars to buy now These rumours suffered a blow two years ago, when Ford’s head of European marketing and sales Roelant de Waard played down the chances of a spiritual successor to the Capri in form or name. Add to that the imminent arrival of the new Mustang, available in the UK with right-hand drive for the first time, and it seems the chances of a new Capri anytime soon are slim. That said, given the growing interest in Ford’s popular muscle car, the manufacturer could try and capitalise by launching a sub-Mustang coupe. Affordable and performance-oriented, there would surely be few models better suited to inherit the Capri heritage. Ford Capri: the history (1969 - 1986)

Ford Capri Dubbed “the car you always promised yourself”, the Capri offered customers varying blends of performance and economy thanks to a wide choice of engines, ranging from a four-cylinder 1.3-litre to the range-topping 3.0-litre V6 y8 Fastback styling eventually gave way to a slightly more practical hatchback body with the launch of the Mk II Capri in 1974, and although this did nothing to spoil the eye-catching looks, sales gradually began to decline. In October 1976, all manufacturing transferred to Germany, although the car continued to be sold in the UK. Such was its popularity over here that from late 1984 onwards, even though sales on the continent wound up, Ford continued to offer the Capri in Britain. The end was in sight though and after three generations and over 1.8 million cars built, production of the front-engine, rear-wheel drive sports car eventually ceased in 1986. Stay tuned to Auto Express as we reveal the rest of your Most Wanted Cars over the coming weeks. Don't forget to tell us what you think of the idea of a new Ford Capri on Twitter, on Facebook or in the comments section below... Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/ford/88037/ford-capri-most-wanted-cars-2014#ixzz38x95V7eJ

New Kia Sorento sketches released

29 Jul, 2014 10:14am Jonathan BurnShare on printShare on emailShare on stumbleuponShare on twitterMore Sharing Services Kia has teased the upcoming third-generation Sorento with a set of design sketches

Kia has released a pair of design sketches, which preview the all-new third-generation Sorento. Set to be revealed next month ahead of a debut at the Paris Motor Show in September, the new Sorento will be competing against the likes of the Hyundai Santa Fe and Nissan X-Trail for customer orders. The sketches show a very svelte and curvaceous body, with a sweeping roofline giving adding a sportier edge. Rounded panels give a more muscular stance, while the front end wears the trademark tiger nose grille. We’ve already seen the new Sorento out testing in various locations around Europe and its clear the third-gen model will significantly grow in size over the outgoing Sorento. That’s mainly down to the new platform under the skin, which has increased the wheelbase length as well as interior passenger space.

Engine options remain unconfirmed but a new hybrid system could be offered in the Sorento for the first time. The current 194bhp 2.2-litre CRDi diesel is also expected to be carried over, albeit with minor updates to help boost its green credentials.y8 Prices are yet to be finalised but we can expect the range to kick off from around £27,000. Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/kia/88041/new-kia-sorento-sketches-released#ixzz38x8ZVAjB

new BMW X2

BMW set to tempt hot hatch buyers with new BMW X2 coupe crossover

BMW knows how to fill a niche, with  the original X6 tapping into a market many people hadn’t imagined existed in the first place. The new X4 proves the coupe-crossover works on a smaller scale, and BMW is planning to release a new sporty coupe SUV based on the next-generation X1. It’ll be called the BMW X2 and is likely to be offered as a three or five-door – like the 1 Series. As with all future small BMWs, the X2 will sit on the UKL1 platform used by the new MINI and 2 Series Active Tourer, and set to underpin the next X1 and 1 Series. As a result, the car will be available with front or four-wheel-drive – current sDrive X1s are rear-driven. The styling has all the hallmarks  of BMW’s ‘Sport Activity Coupe’ cars, including the sloping roofline and pumped-up wheelarches. But as part  of a new generation of BMWs, it’ll get elements of the latest design language. We’ve seen this on cars like the Vision Luxury Concept, and it’ll be rolled out  to production cars starting with the new 7 Series later this year. As our exclusive image shows, it’s focused round narrow, angular headlights, sharp creases and an enlarged double kidney grille. Power will come from a wide range  of engines, with performance fans likely to be drawn by a 300bhp 2.0-litre four-cylinder BMW is thought to be working on. This range-topping X2 would rival the Mercedes GLA 45 AMG and Audi RS Q3. Petrol buyers on a smaller budget will be more interested in the 1.5-litre turbo currently used in the 218i Active Tourer, which delivers 136bhp. But most models sold will be diesels, with 1.5-litre three-cylinders and a 2.0 four-cylinder. When BMW showcased the UKL1 platform in the Concept Active Tourer, a 1.5 three-cylinder drove the front wheels and an electric motor powered the rears. With this kind of four-wheel-drive hybrid system possible, a plug-in hybrid version is likely, promising 100mpg-plus.y8 Read more: http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/bmw/x2/88046/exclusive-bmw-x2-on-the-way#ixzz38x881CAY

26 Haziran 2014 Perşembe

BMW i3

We are looking to add a new BMW to our family and have been very interested in the BMW i3 to act as a family shuttle around town. We, however, have a unique requirement for our future family vehicle. My daughter plays the Bass in orchestra at school, so this means we get to shuttle her massive stringed animal around rather quite frequently. Currently it gets shuttled about in a BMW X3 which works great, but were interested in an all electric conveyance.

BMW M235i vs. BMW E92 M3

Now you might think this is a crazy comparison, but I just went through this buying process and ended up buying the winner. Both of these BMW sport cars are aimed directly at driving enthusiasts. The intriguing part is that the cost to acquire both can be very similar. The M235i carries a base MSRP of $44,050 and if you go crazy with the options, then the M235i can easily jump over the $50,000 mark.

A used E90/E92 M3 has a price range between $30,000 and $70,000 depending on age and mileage. A good number of them are available between $40,000 and $50,000, or higher if you want a Certified Pre-Owned one of a few small batch Frozen editions, or Lime Rock Edition M3s.

Nissan GT-R Nismo

The 2015 GT-R Nismo made its debut at the Geneva motor show and has on board damned near every performance part Nissan could throw its way. It starts with the company's 3.8-liter, twin-turbo V6 massaged to make 600 hp and 481 lb-ft of torque, up 55 hp and 18 lb-ft over your basic GT-R. The Nismo has high-flow turbos similar to the company's GT3 race cars, the ignition-timing wick has been turned up, roughly 45 pounds have been shed and the four-wheel independent suspension is stiffer. Add it all up, and the result is a claimed 7 minute, 8.679-second Nurburgring lap, among the fastest times for a volume-production car, if that floats your boat.

2015 Ford Edge CUV

The 2015 Ford Edge CUV was introduced to the world on Tuesday at separate events in the U.S. and Europe. It gets a new body design, a new suspension setup, adaptive steering and new engine choices -- in fact, the Edge will be available with every single technology that Ford offers, and will be sold in more than 100 countries across the globe.

Ford also revealed a new technology known as adaptive steering. Ford claims it makes the Edge easier to maneuver in parking lots and more fun at high speeds. Currently it automatically adjusts, but Ford gave us a wink -- as if to say, “we could do that” -- when asked about manually adjusting the system, as you might in a performance car. The system is standard on the Edge Sport and optional on the Titanium trim. The Edge Sport also gets stiffer antiroll bars, larger dampers and thicker coil springs.

5 Nisan 2014 Cumartesi

2014 BMW M4 Convertible

BMW has been rolling out some intense products this year, especially the new 3- and 4-Series lineups, complete in their sedan and coupe variations. Beyond that, the M version of each have stirred even more commotion in the industry, but one car was missing – The M4 Convertible. Today BMW corrects that as the German automaker divulges all the details and images of the new 2015 M4 drop top.

If you’ve read anything on the new M4 Coupe, the convertible will be highly familiar. Power still comes from the 3.0-liter, twin-turbocharged inline-six that’s mated to either a six-speed manual or seven-speed M-DCT transmission. The other go-fast bits like the uncompromising suspension, massive brakes, and free-flowing exhaust are all carried over. The big news with the car is its three-piece retractable hardtop. With the push of a button, the top folds itself like a piece of origami in just 20 seconds and at speeds up to 11 miles per hour. Cargo room has improved of the last generation M3 Convertible, gaining an extra 0.7 cubic feet of room with the top up and an impressive 7.8 cubic feet of extra room when the top is folded down. Unfortunately, the extra space and all the drop-top hardware comes at a heavy cost — an extra 525 pound cost over a comparable M4 Coupe. The news of the M4 Convertible comes before its official debut at the 2014 New York Auto Show happening April 16. Though BMW is only jumping the gun by a few weeks, the information gives us a chance to really dig into the M4 Convertible once we see it roll across the all-important New York stage. More details will roll out soon, so stay tuned.

2015 Subaru WRX

Just in time for some weekend daydreaming, Subaru launches its online configurator for the all-new 2015 WRX and WRX STI , though this one doesn’t contain nearly the options a few of the other configurators we’ve recently seen.

What you can chose is one of three trim levels with the standard WRX model and two trim levels with the upgraded WRX STI. With its base price starting at $26,295 the WRX makes a good bargain for someone looking for an AWD car that can handle a leisurely drive one minute and burn up a dirt road the next. Moving upward from there is the WRX Premium, adding a moonroof, fog lights, headed front seats, and a rear spoiler. Topping out the WRX list is the Limited trim which included leather seats, LED headlights, and keyless access and start. Jumping up to the racier WRX STI gets you many things — the most important of which is the 305-horsepower version of the 2.0-liter, boxer engine. Also included is the driver-controlled center differential and Brembo brakes. The top-dog range topper is the WRX STI Limited. That bad-boy gets leather seats and, more importantly, a set of 18-inch aluminum-alloy BBS wheels. Checking the box for the STI Limited will automatically set you back $38,495. Performance does come at a price.

2014 Volvo S60 T6 R-Design

WEST COAST EDITOR MARK VAUGHN: Even though the 2014 model has a facelifted front end and redone interior, the Volvo S60T6 R-Design still manages to give me the anonymity I crave with the sporty feel I love. Anonymous and fun to drive in the city -- that's what I'd say after a weekend in it.

Unless you have a BMW M5, hardly anyone's going to take a larger sedan like this to an autocross. So rather than alienate most buyers with a harsh suspension fit only for a racetrack, Volvo has managed to straddle sporty and luxurious and deliver a car that makes everyday urban driving a little more fun than it might otherwise be. The R-Design trim level gets actual performance enhancements, too, and not just those stickers and wings. Yes, it gets the silly aerodynamic cosmetics that I would just as soon do without, as well as the R-Design aluminum inlays and sport pedals, but it also gets stiffer springs, bushings, sway bars and monotube shocks. It rides more than a half-inch lower than the stock S60, too. The result is a practical sedan that is remarkably comfortable yet still mostly responsive for spelunking into city traffic. Maybe if I'd entered it in an autocross, I'd notice different handling traits exhibited only at the limit like, maybe, understeer. But I didn't. On empty freeway interchanges taken much faster than those yellow recommended speed signs suggest, it held on smoothly. From a standstill, it got to 60 mph in just 5.0 seconds, a figure that would surely have dropped by half a second if I could have switched off the traction control. As it was, TC and DTSC eliminated any benefit that might have come from brake-torquing off the line, leaving a half-second's worth of launch time at the starting line. Stomp on the gas and it sort of sits there as five tenths tick on by. Then off it goes, the shifter in Sport and the six-speeds clicking off as you vroom away. After the suspension upgrades, the next best thing I liked was the R-Design seats. They grasp your gizzard like a long-lost lover and don't let go until you're ready to leave, which might be a while. The rest of the interior was fully functional and not at all hard to live in.

My preconceived notion of price about this thing was about $15K more than it actually cost. Even in R-Design trim it was only $44,165. You could get a Chevy SS for that. The SS is more powerful and a half-second quicker to 60, and of course the SS is a little less refined, more of a beast, but it's a delightful beast, if you can imagine that, one you will enjoy wrestling with. The Volvo offers European refinement to go with its sporty character. The SS is a brawling Aussie who's had a few Fosters. You like both of them, but the Aussie will get you in more trouble, which maybe you could stand lately. A comparable Mercedes-Benz (say an E350 Sport Sedan with the 3.5-liter six and seven-speed automatic) is eight grand more, a BMW 535i xDrive Sedan with AWD, 3.0-liter turbo six-cylinder and eight-speed automatic is $10K more; but everybody has those. You're not going to see R-Designs going back and forth on your street. The Volvo is a way to satisfy both the spouse, who wants “a safe car” (said without knowing anything at all about all those FMVSS hoops all cars have to leap through nowadays) and yourself, who wants a “fun” car (said knowing how much fun cars can be). You're both happy and both think you've pulled one over on the other. But you know best, don't you? Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20140401/carreviews/140339971#ixzz2y191quvV Follow us: @AutoweekUSA on Twitter | AutoweekUSA on Facebook

2014 BMW 335i xDrive Gran Turismo

car-over or crosscar or whatever it is: Beneath the inexplicable body/badging, there's a BMW 3-series with a turbo straight six-cylinder, and that's a very good thing indeed. Add in the ZF-sourced eight-speed automatic and xDrive (one of my favorite systems in snow) and you've got the makings for a brilliant dynamic performer. In that respect, the 335i xDrive Gran Turismo is as good a car as any other F30 3-series. The quirks of the body design throw a few weirdnesses in, however. Extra rear legroom courtesy of the longer wheelbase is welcome and enough to be noticeable. BMW also claims more cargo capacity than the wagon, but we recommended that all that cargo come from IKEA. Flat-pack boxes are about all that's going to fit under the low, wide hatch, and few dogs are going to relish riding beneath the expanse of glass. Girth also comes at a price, in this case paid via the stylists' account. Simply put, the 3-series Gran Turismo is an awkward car, particularly up against the Sports Wagon -- a model that's gorgeous from any direction. Or for that matter the X3.

2015 Cadillac Escalade

On the road, you can feel all 420 horses pulling when you stomp the gas, with a decent V8 roar. We didn't time it, but Cadillac says the Escalade will get to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds. That was sports car territory just a decade or two ago. Power comes on smooth, and stays smooth, even when it drops to four cylinders to save gas. If you put your foot down more than an inch or two, all eight kick back on seamlessly. The company stuck with its six-speed auto, which will hold on to a gear almost to redline. It can also be manually shifted via buttons on the column shifter.

The 2015 Escalade gets the third generation of GM's outstanding Magnetic Ride Control suspension system, with sport and touring modes selectable through a button on the dash. We switched between the two and quickly felt the difference, both on bumpy roads and during lane change maneuvers. The track is wider in the rear, adding to the stability, and we found the overall ride to be stiffer than we expected. It's much less floaty than Escalades past. Speed-dependent electric power steering is standard and we found the SUV easy to keep straight on the road. It rolled over most bumps and potholes without a peep, though the southern roads upon which we tested the car were nearly immaculate. Surprisingly, Cadillac didn't let us take the Escalade off-road. The interior has a good flow to it, and lives up to its “world standard” moniker. Cadillac was quick to point out that all of the stuff that looks like metal is metal, and everything that looks like wood is really wood. The panel gaps are very tight; in fact, we think the Escalade now has one of the best American interiors available, second to the electric ELR. CUE continues as the infotainment system of choice; despite our initial usability complaints, we find it easier to use every time we get into a Cadillac, so owners will probably grow accustomed to the system's quirks relatively quickly. We also love that storage cubby behind the radio controls, and there are a bunch of other spots to hide valuables in the doors and back. For tech fans, the Escalade has five USB ports, five 12-volt outlets, a 110-volt outlet, a rear entertainment Blu-Ray player, can connect up to 10 Bluetooth devices and a 16-speaker stereo that will probably trounce the system inside the club you're about to valet park in front of. The premium trim, which we tested, comes with an array of safety features that could fill a book of its own thanks to its driver awareness and driver assistance packages. Overall, the cabin is extremely quiet on the road, and even quieter at idle. We joked that it almost feels like a stop/start system is shutting things down at idle, with the lack of vibration and noise. To get that serenity, Cadillac uses double-stacked acoustic glass, thick firewall insulation and triple-sealed doors. It also uses microphones and speakers with its Active Noise Cancelling technology to block out any stray sound waves. This being a full-size SUV, we jumped in the second and third rows to get a feel for what a road trip would be like. The second row is fine, but the third row gets tight for an adult in the standard version. The ESV adds a couple more inches of legroom. We could see it housing six or seven grownups for a short drive to a concert or game, but not much more than that. It is still a utility vehicle, Cadillac reminded us, after wowing us with all of the bling. As such, the second- and third-row seats can be folded from a button in the back, and the power tailgate opens with a wave of the foot. That leaves a cavernous 94.2 cubic feet of cargo space.