Wednesday, September 11, 2013
New Car Review of the 2006 Suzuki Aerio
The 2006 Suzuki Aerio SX is a 4-door, 5-passenger wagon, available in 4 trims, ranging from the Base to the Premium AWD.The Aerios styling is meant to look aerodynamic (thus the name) and distinctive. Its aimed at youthful customers and in the case of the wagon, offers plenty of space to haul their gear around. With an overall height 3 to 4 inches greater than most vehicles in its class, the Aerio boasts a surprising amount of passenger and cargo room at the cost of a chunky profile. Legroom meets or exceeds that of most competitors, and the same is true for cargo space.
Unlike most manufacturers that have a few different engines for their compact, Suzuki offers just one for its Aerio: a 2.3-liter inline four thats good for 155 horsepower. This engine offers more horsepower than most of the cars competition. On the basis of power alone, the Aerio offers impressive performance for a car in its price range. The Aerios suspension uses MacPherson struts all around, but the cars higher-than-average center of gravity results in considerable body roll. Consequently, the Aerio isnt particularly rewarding to drive, though the soft suspension does soak up the bumps without jostling the passengers, making the car a decent choice for commuters.
Driving at highway speeds isnt exactly quiet, but its not unbearable, either. The suspension transmits quite a bit of noise into the cabin and 18-wheelers sound a tad scary when you pass them, but its not bad for a commute. You just wouldnt want to spend 10 hours on the Interstate in this car.
Best of all, even the base models come with a good level of standard equipment, including automatic climate control and a CD player with MP3 capability. Other standard features include power windows, locks and mirrors, keyless entry, a rear spoiler, tilt wheel and outside temperature gauge. Thats a lot for the money.
For people who need good traction in the winter, the Aerio is the cheapest all-wheel-drive car on the market for about $2,000 more than a basic, front-wheel-drive version.
All in all, the Aerio offers a lot of car for the money, but it doesnt have the kind of refinement youd expect from, say, a Honda or Toyota -- or even a Nissan. Whether you buy one should depend on how picky you are and how much youre willing to pay for little things.
Things like decent shocks.
Interior Design and Special Features:
With an overall height 3 to 4 inches greater than most vehicles in its class, the Aerio boasts a surprising amount of passenger and cargo room, and passengers will find it easy to get in and out. Sedans offer a generous 14.6 cubic feet of trunk space; wagons provide 21 cubic feet with the rear seats in use and 63.7 cubic feet when theyre folded. Interior plastics are low in quality compared to the class leaders in the economy car segment. In the past, all Aerios had a hard-to-read digital instrument panel, but Suzuki replaced it with an analog gauge pack last year, while adding a couple of sorely needed storage areas.
Safety:
Side airbags and four-wheel antilock brakes are standard on all Aerios. In crash tests conducted by the NHTSA, the Aerio earned four stars (out of five) for its protection of the driver in frontal impacts, and three stars for front-passenger protection. NHTSA side-impact tests on an Aerio without side airbags returned a perfect five-star rating for the front seat, and four stars for the back. In frontal-offset crash testing conducted by the IIHS, the Aerio earned a "Good" rating, the highest possible. In IIHS side-impact testing, an Aerio with side airbags earned a "Poor" rating, the lowest.
Driving Impressions:
Solid power from the standard four-cylinder engine makes the Aerio impressively peppy for daily commutes; match it with either the automatic or the manual, and you cant lose. The Aerio provides a smooth ride on the highway, but the cost is excessive body roll around corners that is accentuated by the cars tall stance. Opting for the all-wheel-drive system gives the Aerio true all-weather capability.
Pros: Price and gas milage for an ALL WHEEL DRIVE great
Cons: needs more lights like the glove compartment and in rear entrance of hatchback
Alot of standard features for price. Like 6CD changer MP3 anti lock rear windsheild wiper with SX model premiem package. Good value for a cheaper AWD car.
great little car for the money, reliability is unknown. but with 7 years and 100000 miles coverage is a plus.
Monday, September 9, 2013
2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid Preview
Overview
It’s still a few years away from arriving in showrooms, but Nissan has already begun to build prototypes of the 2007 Altima Hybrid.
In September 2002, Nissan and Toyota signed a basic agreement in which Toyota will supply Nissan with the hybrid system components (transaxle, inverter, battery, and control unit) allowing Nissan to produce 100,000 hybrid vehicles within a five -year period.
However Nissan will be supplying the gasoline engine and electric motor which means that the Altima will drive quite differently than the Toyota Prius that uses the same hybrid components.
Nissan will be focusing on performance with the Altima Hybrid. The prototype combines the powerful 2.5-liter engine used in the current Altima, with a 100kw electric motor. For comparison, the Prius uses a 50kw electric motor. Still, the Altima Hybrid is expected to get high fuel economy and produce very low emissions.
Drivetrain developments
Adding to the Altimas fun factor is a more powerful 3.5-liter V6. Final SAE horsepower figures have yet to be released, but expect the peak number to come in around 265, a 15 horsepower increase over the current models V6. Reduced internal friction and improved cylinder head cooling contribute to the increase in horsepower while also providing a more refined engine note. The base 2.5-liter four-cylinder gets a bump in compression ratio, an improved balancer system and a larger intake manifold, but final numbers for this engine are similarly pending.
More impressive than either engine is the new Xtronic CVT. This is the same unit found in the Murano SUV, but it has benefited from an upgraded "Sport" controller that uses adaptive logic to adjust shift patterns under varying conditions.
As a rule we havent been too impressed with CVTs, but our brief experience in the Altima suggests this technology is finally ready for prime time. While technically not "shifting" at all, this CVT made the most of both the four-cylinder and V6 engines power and torque. When rolling into the throttle, or climbing a hill, the CVT allowed the engines to rev quickly and build power before executing a simulated — and very positive feeling — "upshift."
Nissan has been pushing CVT technology for over a decade. It feels the improved efficiency and smoothness offered by this transmission design represents the wave of the future. The company expects to sell 1 million CVTs globally, every year, by 2008. If they all work this well well happily contribute to that number. Buyers still not sold on the merits of CVTs can select a six-speed manual transmission for either engine.
All-new from the platform up
Starting with an all-new "D" platform, Nissan lowered the engine, upgraded the front suspension geometry and improved the shock absorbers for better steering response and handling. The new engine location allows the half shafts to be mounted at equal angles to reduce torque steer, while a new upper cowl structure provides increased rigidity at the front-suspension mounting points. The rear suspension continues to use an independent, multilink design and antiroll bars are mounted at both ends of the car.
Base Altimas utilize 16-inch steel wheels with 215/60 tires, but 17-inch alloys wearing 215/55 tires are available on the 3.5 SE models. The 3.5 SE also features a sport-tuned suspension and larger antiroll bars. Much of the 2007 Altimas improved rigidity comes via the use of high-strength steel throughout the platform, as well as a 1-inch-shorter wheelbase. Despite these structural gains the new model is only 55 pounds heavier than the current car.
With a proclaimed engineering target of creating "the best performing front-wheel-drive sedan in the world," we had rather high expectations for the new Altima. What we got was a noticeable uptick in steering feel and feedback and an overall sharper, more nimble car. The improved front suspension tuning, along with the new speed-sensitive, power rack and pinion steering system, provides a precise and linear steering response that rivals the class leader in this area
What others say about the 2007 Nissan Altima:
Nissan help has this in their review of the 2007 Nissan Altima. They write, `”Altima is 100% original and 100% Nissan, rather than a copy of existing mid-size sedan offerings,” said Brad Bradshaw, vice president and general manager, Nissan Division. “In creating this next generation Altima, we didn’t take for granted the things it already did well. We refined or enhanced all areas – exterior, interior and under the skin.”
Car and Driver has this to say on the 2007 Nissan Altima. They write, `Built on a new platform, the ’07 Altima boasts increased structural rigidity and a wheelbase that’s one inch shorter. Nissan estimates that the 3.5-liter V-6 will have over 265 horsepower and 255 pound-feet of torque and that the base 2.5-liter inline-four will have over 165 horsepower and 170 pound-feet of torque. Each engine comes standard with a six-speed manual, and the automatic is now a CVT.
Autoreview started thier review of the 2007 Nissan Altima like this, `During the ongoing New York Auto Show Nissan presented its fourth generation Altima mid-size sedan. With a quarter of a million units sold in the year 2005 alone, the third generation Altima was one of the most popular sedans of this class sold on the U.S. market. Now the Japanese company tries to build on this success.
Incidentally, the fact that the Altima hybrid will be able to be powered solely by its electric motor is the sign of a full-hybrid drivetrain. Honda designed their hybrid Insight and Civic as mild hybrid systems, which means when the car is driving, or the air conditioning system is in operation, the gasoline engine must be running. Mild hybrids only shut off when the car is motionless and the air conditioning is off.
Although no horsepower or torque ratings for the Altima Hybrid have been disclosed as of yet, the gain in performance is expected to be likened to driving a V6-powered Altima, with the benefit of 4-cylinder fuel savings of course.
2007 Nissan Altima Hybrid
On Sale Date Summer 2006
Body Style 4-Door Sedan
Category Hybrid Vehicles
Drivetrain Front-wheel drive
Engine Gas-Electric Hybrid
Estimated Price Not released
Sunday, September 8, 2013
2006 Nissan Armada Reviews Specs
The Armada is a great full size suv more room then chevy and just as big as ford. The ride is better then most full size SUVs the gas milage could be better, but if your towing you dont look at the MPG. The Armada can tow just over 9000 bls which is the highest in its class even the Durango with a Hemi falls short of that mark.The four wheel drive system is great, you have four different setting to choose, 2WD, AUTO4, 4HI, and 4LO. With the Auto4 and VDC on this baby stays on track and under controll. If I had to buy over again I would be driving the Armada. One bad thing I had brake problems at first but my dealer and Nissan corrected the problem and they did a good job of it too. If you are thinking of this SUV and another one i would lean tword the armada. I drive a 2005 Armada LE 4WD.
News
With demand for big SUVs now generally soft, Armada should get only minor near-term changes. A rumored interior upgrade failed to materialize for 06, but could be on the 07 menu.
New For 2006 Nissan Armada
A more-versatile 3rd-row seat highlights this large SUV for 2006. Armada is based on Nissans Titan pickup truck. It offers SE and LE versions in 2- and 4-wheel drive, and a 4WD SE Off-Road model. The 4WD system can be left engaged on dry pavement and includes low-range gearing. The sole powertrain is a 305-hp V8 and 5-speed automatic transmission. ABS and antiskid system are standard. A load-leveling suspension is optional on SE, standard elsewhere.
SE Off-Road has a special suspension and gains a standard towing package for 06. A power liftgate is standard on LEs, available for SEs; all include opening glass. Curtain side airbags covering all three seating rows are standard. Front side airbags and leather upholstery are available for SE, standard otherwise. LE seats seven and has 2nd-row bucket seats with a removable center console. Optional on LE and standard on the others is a 2nd-row bench for eight-passenger capacity. For 06, a 60/40 split folding 3rd-row bench seat replaces a one-piece type. All rear seats fold into a level load deck. Exclusive to LEs is an optional navigation system with rearview camera. Nissans upscale Infiniti brand sells a retrimmed Armada as the QX56.
Interior
Armadas cabin is attractive, comfortable and convenient. The attractive mix of interior materials gives it a nice look without fake wood-grain trim or excessive use of chrome. The Seton leather available on the Off-Road model is rich and luxurious with texture thats visually appealing.
The eight-way adjustable drivers seat is comfortable and supportive. Adjustable pedals and a tilting steering column help ensure the proper driving position. We found the seats comfortable and liked the commanding view of the road. A two-piece sun visor keeps the sun off the eyes. The gauge package includes speedometer and tachometer, oil pressure, temperature, voltage and fuel gauges. Ordering the towing package adds a transmission temperature gauge.
Places to stash stuff are provided. Opening the lid to the center console reveals a deep storage compartment. In front of that is a large open binnacle, perfect for tossing odds and ends, and an arm swings out to secure a big water bottle. There are narrow storage channels along the sides of the center tunnel and more storage is found in the interior door panels and on top of the dashboard above the outer vents. The center consoles well-designed cup holders are easy to access. Armada offers 14 cup holders and four of them are designed to hold 64-ounce beverage containers. A long, overhead console provides more storage and a pair of map lights. Three 12-volt outlets are provided, including one in the rear, and two of them provide power even when the engine is not running.
The back seats offer acres of space. Passengers in the second row enjoy 42 inches of leg room. Families told Nissan they need more room in the second row than whats available in other full-size SUVs, so the Armada was designed with best-in-class rear legroom. The second-row seats recline so you can really stretch out. A choice of rear seats is available: a bench seat with a flip down armrest or captains chairs with a large center console. Either way, the second-row seat feels roomier than in the Ford Expedition and much roomier than in Tahoe, Yukon, or Sequoia.
Third-row seats are raised, stadium style, for better forward visibility by those sitting back there. The second-row seats easily flip down and tumble out of the way when getting in and out of the third row; the release is a little easier to operate than the Expeditions. Once seated, we found them reasonably comfortable for third-row seats, but they are more suitable for children or short distances.
The Nissan Armada can carry almost as much cargo as a Spanish armada from the heyday of maritime explorers. With all seats in their full upright positions, the Armada provides 20 cubic feet of space behind the third row, which is similar to that of the Expedition. Its deep enough to fit a 30-gallon cooler. Theres also a nice storage area hidden beneath the rear section of the cargo floor. The second- and third-row seats fold flat to the cargo floor. Folding down the third row reveals 57 cubic feet of cargo space, considerably more than whats found in the Expedition.
Folding down both rows provides 97 cubic feet of space, a little less than the Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition. Fold down the front passenger seat and you can fit a 10-foot ladder inside. Like the Expedition, there are gaps in the floor between the second- and third-row seats when all are folded flat. Second-row bucket seats come with a center console between them and this setup is not nearly as good as the second-row bench seat when its time to haul cargo or dogs.
Getting in and out is easy in spite of the high step up. The inside door handles are well designed for easy exit. The rear doors open wide. And the running boards help when climbing in or out.
Safety
The Nissan Armada comes standard with four-wheel antilock disc brakes, stability control, rear parking sensors and side curtain airbags that protect all three rows of passengers. A vehicle rollover sensor will deploy the side curtain airbags when it senses an imminent rollover accident. Seat-mounted side airbags for front occupants are optional on the SE and standard on the LE.
Powertrains and Performance
All Armadas come with a 5.6-liter V8 paired with a five-speed automatic transmission. Rated at 305 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque, the V8 produces a broad band of power and warrants an impressive 9,100-pound maximum tow rating. SE and LE models are available with two- or four-wheel drive; the SE Off-Road is 4WD only. Four-wheel-drive models use a pushbutton transfer case with dual-range gears.
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options
The Nissan Armada is available only as a four-door SUV. There are three trim levels: SE, SE Off-Road and LE. Base SEs come well equipped with 18-inch alloy wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, three rows of seating, a power driver seat, a tire-pressure monitoring system, power-adjustable pedals, rear parking sensors, rear-seat air conditioning, an eight-speaker stereo with an in-dash CD changer and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. The SE Off-Road adds Rancho shocks, a lower final drive ratio, 17-inch wheels and all-terrain tires, foglights and skid plates. The high-line LE model loses the hard-core off-road equipment but gains upscale items like a power liftgate, heated leather seats, driver-seat memory, a power front passenger seat, second-row bucket seats, and an upgraded 10-speaker Bose audio system. Many of these features are optional on SE and SE Off-Road models. A sunroof and rear DVD entertainment system are optional on all trims. A DVD-based navigation system with a rearview monitor is an exclusive LE option.
Driving Impressions
The Nissan Armada offers brilliant throttle response and feels quicker and more responsive than other SUVs in its class. Its 5.6-liter V8 produces a best-in-class 305 horsepower and 385 pound-feet of torque.
The five-speed automatic transmission takes full advantage of the engines strong low-end torque. Having five gears to choose from makes the Armada very responsive and the transmission never hunts around for the right gear. It shifts smoothly and the close ratios eliminate abrupt downshifts. The substantial torque is available even at low rpm, providing confidence-inspiring power when merging into heavy highway traffic with a loaded two-horse box in tow or when maneuvering off road. A 2WD Armada earns a 13/19 mpg City/Highway EPA fuel economy rating, 13/18 for 4WD.
Like the Titan, Nissans brawny full-size pickup, the Armada is built on a fully boxed steel ladder frame that yields a smooth ride and responsive handling. Unlike Titan, Armada features an independent rear suspension, a design that enhances ride and handling. Indeed, the Armada makes a smooth transition as it turns into corners. Its handling feels controlled and handles emergency lane-change maneuvers well at highway speeds. The front suspension is also independent with rack-and-pinion steering.
We found the Armada to be very well mannered, instilling a sense of confidence in the driver that this full-size SUV will go and turn as well if not better than its competition. The brakes dont seem to be fully up to the task of repeated hard braking, however, a consideration when towing through mountainous areas.
The Off-Road package rides much better than we expected after looking at its big, aggressive off-road tires and reading about its Rancho suspension. Out on the highway, it does not ride as well as the standard suspension, however, as road vibration is transmitted on rough freeways. For driving off road, the angle of approach (without the front spoiler) and departure are 31.1 degrees and 27.7 degrees, superior to the Toyota Sequoia and Chevy Tahoe, and the ramp-over angle is 25.0. The 4x2 SE has 9.9 inches of ground clearance while the SE 4x4 and all LEs have at least 10.6 inches of clearance.MSRP Price Range $34,700 - $42,800
Invoice Price Range $31,548 - $38,912
Favorite Features
The DVD entertainment. While the kids can watch, the parents can listen to their own music. NAV- excellent, easy to navigate. Interior design and functionality. Exterior design...it turn heads. I also like the feature, which tells you hown miles left until empty.Helps with your decision to gas up.
Overall Review
this vehicle is no less then any other brand or suv in this market. armada can beat the tahoe,sequoia,expedition,navigator or any suv anytime, anyday. if you want a suv with better torque, towing capacity,more power,amazing acceleration, then this is the car for you!
Friday, September 6, 2013
2006 Chevrolet Cobalt SS Reviews
I test drove one of these bad boys and I was very impressed. The had a couple of these and the new Civic SI. The Cobalt SS was much more fun to drive!Engine, mechanics, and electrical stuff is all great. Runs smooth, no rattles, or vibrations at high speeds. Exterior and interior design is great, better than the civic (if you must compare), but the material used inside does not match up with the civic. If you dont mind having plastic panels, its okay. I got the loaded SS w/subwoofer and all, and for a couple thousand more I could of gotten the Civic SI, but the Cobalt just looks better.
If you want a honda get the Civic SI, if its too much money, just get this cobalt SS. Dont waste your money on the Civic DX, LX, or EX.
New for the 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt
Chevrolet revises the 2006 Cobalt lineup, ditching the Base trim in favor of LS, LT sedan, and a new premium LTZ version (sedan only) for the volume models. Also new this year are SS coupes and SS sedans with a 171-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine under the hood, special exterior trim, 17-inch wheels, four-wheel-disc antilock brakes, and performance suspension tuning. The hot SS Supercharged coupe from last year returns for 2006. Majestic Amethyst and Laser Blue are the new colors this years
Interior
Inside the Cobalt, the design theme is simple and straightforward. Materials are decent and the fit and finish is good and comparable for the class. Theres just enough chrome trim here and there on knobs and instruments to brighten things up without a lot of glare from the shiny parts. Instruments are large, well placed, and easy to read, with nice graphic treatment throughout.
Cobalt uses different seats in the different trim levels, each with detail changes in foam, padding and trim. We found plenty of fore/aft and rake adjustment for a 6-foot, 4-inch driver, plus seat height adjustment with a ratcheting handle. The LT seats were very comfortable and grabbed us in the fast corners exactly where we needed to be grabbed and held. Even better were the leather-trimmed seats in the SS Supercharged.
The available Pioneer seven-speaker sound system with the Delphi AM/FM/CD and XM Satellite Radio delivers good sound and includes a huge subwoofer mounted on the left side trunk wall.
The heating, ventilation and defroster system worked quickly and intuitively.
The LS comes with manually operated windows. We dont mind this, but it takes a lot of cranks (about four and half) to wind the windows up. The urethane steering wheel that comes on LS and LT models feels cheap. The leather-wrapped wheels on LTZ and SS models are much nicer.
The sedan trunk is wide and deep with a low liftover height, and almost 14 cubic feet of capacity, more than competitive in the class, though the opening to the trunk seems relatively small. Cobalt does not use space-eating gooseneck hinges on its decklid, opting instead for simple outside corner hinges and two hydraulic assist struts. The coupe has a very small trunk opening, making it difficult to fit a thick suitcase. A 60/40-split, fold-down rear seat with a trunk pass-through feature adds utility to both sedan and coupe.
Safety
Antilock brakes are optional on LS models, and standard on all other Cobalt models. Full-length side curtain airbags are optional across the board. Each seating position has a three-point seatbelt, and all but LS models can be equipped with OnStar telematics. The 2006 Chevrolet Cobalt is one of the few economy cars to earn an "Acceptable" rating from the IIHS for side-impact protection. The IIHS also named it a "Best Pick" for its frontal-offset crash performance, while the NHTSA gave it four stars for the driver and five for the passenger in frontal-impact tests.
Powertrains and Performance
A 2.2-liter four-cylinder powers LS, LT and LTZ models. With 145 horsepower and 155 pound-feet of torque, the engine makes the Chevrolet Cobalt one of the faster econoboxes out there. The SS features an even more potent 2.4-liter version with 171 hp and 163 lb-ft of torque. The SS Supercharged coupe features a supercharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder good for 205 hp, 200 lb-ft of torque and a 7-second 0-60 time. The standard transmission is a five-speed manual with a four-speed automatic available as an option. The automatic is standard on the LTZ, and not available on the SS Supercharged.
Body Styles, Trim Levels and Options
The Chevrolet Cobalt is available as a two-door coupe or four-door sedan. Coupes come in LS, LT, SS and SS Supercharged trim, while sedans come in LS, LT, LTZ and SS versions. LS models feature a standard CD player, air conditioning, a driver-seat height adjuster, a split-folding rear seat and 15-inch wheels. The LT adds cruise control; power windows, locks and mirrors; keyless entry; upgraded seats; alloy wheels; upgraded interior lighting; and antilock brakes. The LTZ sedan comes with leather seats, a seven-speaker Pioneer sound system, chrome trim and 16-inch alloys. The new-for-06 SS adds a more powerful engine, sport-tuned suspension, unique fascias, 17-inch alloy wheels and a rear spoiler. The SS Supercharged coupe features a supercharged motor, an even firmer suspension, leather seats with color-keyed inserts, a boost gauge and 18-inch alloys.
On the Road
I first sampled the new 2.4, an enlarged version of the 2.2 that powers the regular Cobalt, in the new PT Cruiser-like HHR based on the same platform. In the HHR this engine felt very smooth, especially compared to the rough unit in the Chrysler. But then the HHR does not aspire to be a sport sedan. In sport sedan duty the 2.4 doesnt come across nearly as well. Its buzzy and doesnt readily rev. An eagar to upshift automatic transmission doesnt help matters. Put the two together, and the SS felt only a bit more powerful than the regular Cobalt, and no sportier.
Perhaps the 2.4 works better with the manual. But I wouldnt count on it, as the manual I sampled in a regular sedan last year was nothing special. The shifter in the SS Supercharged coupe has shorter throws and generally feels better, but unfortuntely its not used in the regular SS.
The Cobalts steering is assisted by an electric motor rather than the conventional hydraulic pump. Though this system boosts fuel economy by about 0.7 MPG, I have strongly disliked it in other GM vehicles (ION, Malibu, Equinox, VUE), but as tuned in the SS Supercharged, with higher effort and significantly quicker responses, I didnt much mind it. Sadly, once again the SS is much closer to the regular Cobalt than the SS Supercharged. I had hoped that Chevrolet would simply use the SS Supercharged steering and suspension in the SS, but apparently they felt that tuning somewhere between the two, but closer to the regular car, was more appropriate.
As a result, even in SS form the Cobalt sedan lacks the feeling of nimbleness and agility I expect in a compact. To GMs credit, the Cobalts handling is solid and secure, and the SS suffers even less than the regular car from body lean and understeer in turns. Its just not at all sporty. If you want a "Performance Handling" suspension in the Cobalt, your only option is the SS Supercharged Coupe.
Ride quality is a bright area. The SS feels just a bit firmer than the regular sedan, though the lower profile tires contribute a small amount of busyness over some surfaces. Like the regular sedan, the SS feels very solid and noise levels are very low for a compact.
Summary & Specs
The Chevrolet Cobalt will satisfy the needs of drivers looking for economy of price, economy of operation, and a nice, quiet ride. We think its a handsome, well-equipped car. The standard engine could offer more responsive low-end power, however. The Cobalt LS and LT models are the epitome of driving excitement, however. Theyre not made for that. They deliver four people comfortably, five only in a pinch, on a minimal outlay for fuel and monthly payments. The SS models are fun to drive, particularly the Cobalt SS Supercharged coupe.
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
Skoda FABIA 1 4 16v 100bhp Ambiente Review
Advantages: VW buildquality and components, but better body designDisadvantages: not exactly flash, the steering wheel is on the wrong side
Skodas Fabia 1.4-litre 16v 100bhp Ambiente Variant Is Situated In The Middle Of The Fabia Range And Might Be The Finest Fabia Of The Lot. Jonathan Crouch Checks It Out Its not an exaggeration to say that the Fabia supermini is the car that has turned Skodas fortunes around. From the moment it was launched the accolades came flooding in and the British public knew that they would need to take this Czech contender very seriously.
If youre thinking of buying a Fabia, this 100bhp 1.4-litre 16-valve Ambiente model is the best all-round package to go for. So, having got that established, what can you expect from the 1.4 16v 100bhp version? Well, rest to sixty in a fleet 11.
5s on the way to 115mph for a start and an average of around 37mpg at the pumps. Lower C02 figures (161g/km) can also be expected. Plus theres the choice of five-door hatchback or estate bodystyles (the estate version of this particular derivative costing £10,680). The Fabia has recently received its most far-reaching set of revisions since it was launched, the visual changes centring on a revised front grille, spoiler and fog lamps, as well as restyled rear light clusters that echo the "C" shape of the latest Octavias rear lights. The interior look is modernised with fresher interior upholstery.
"If I had to be in an accident in a supermini, Id want to be in a Fabia"
Other than that, its the familiar Fabia recipe. This is the longest car in its class and has the interior space efficiency to capitalise on those extra inches. Nor is any future rival likely to surpass it in this respect, for anything larger would stray into Golf, Astra and Focus family hatchback territory. Certainly buyers of such larger cars could consider this surprising little Skoda, for five can be seated in reasonable comfort, even if the rear centre occupant must make do with a lap belt rather than the three-point affair now offered by most rivals.
This and the rather Spartan feel are the only real criticisms you could make of an interior that is otherwise a class above most other offerings in this sector. Only that of Fiats Punto matches it for space - but that car doesnt feel as well screwed together as this one. Forget the plasticky feel of previous Skodas: the materials used are of the highest quality, plus there are lovely Audi-esque touches like a beautifully damped drawer beneath the radio. At Ambiente level, you also get lots of extra storage bins - something it would have been nice to see across the range. But this is a minor point.
The boots a useful shape (offering 1,016 litres with the seats down), with 60/40 access through the split-folding rear bench and sturdy luggage hooks for securing awkward loads. Front side airbags are optional and parents get two Isofix mounting points in the rear for the latest child seats. At the front, every Fabia gets rake and reach adjustment for the airbag-equipped steering wheel and the two plusher variants have drivers seat height adjustment. Which means that just about everyone should be able to get comfortable. The Fabias chunky styling means a boxy shape that offers good headroom, even for those in the rear. And that in turn contributes to a general feeling of spaciousness.
Electric front windows, electric heated mirrors, front fog lights, tinted glass and side airbags are all standard but you have to stretch to Elegance trim for heated front seats. The estate version, whilst not the largest estate car around, certainly offers significant extra utility over the standard Fabia hatchback. The first thing that catches the eye is that rounded rump. Surely this has a catastrophic effect on load space when compared with the more perpendicular lines of something like a Volvo? Actually, no.
Despite its soft angles, the Fabia estate can still manage a load space of 426 litres with the rear seats in place, which is more than apparently larger cars like the Alfa 156 Sportwagon or the Audi A4 Avant. Admittedly, this isnt saying much, as neither of these estates would claim to be the last word in tea-chest transportation, but with the rear seats folded an impressive 1,225 litres of room is freed up. Under the skin, the Fabia uses the VW Groups latest small car platform which is ultra-safety conscious: suffice to say that if I had to be in an accident in a supermini, Id want to be in a Fabia. As weve suggested, the 100bhp 16v 1.4-litre engine offers a good all-round package, and is surprisingly high-tech. There are no throttle cables: your right foot impulses are communicated via a drive-by-wire throttle. Five years ago, you found this technology on F1 cars: now you find it on Skodas. In summary, the Fabia may not be as cheap as small Skodas of the past but its still great value for money, especially in this 1.4 16v 100bhp Ambiente guise. Czech mate? You might well think so.
General Comments
After 23 years in the motor trade, and after owning several really nice top marques (BMW Mercedes Lexus to name a few!) I bought a Skoda Octavia, closely followed by a Skoda Fabia 1.4 Elegance estate.
I thought the Octavia was good, but the Fabia family car is a tad better despite being a little smaller.
General Feel is astonishing, as it is very light to drive, sweet and quiet with no creaks or rattles, and grips like a little limpet even in the wet.
The cabin is the class leader for space and quality furniture which is hardly surprising considering the mix of VW parts trimmed with slightly more exciting Czech upholstry!
All I can add is this. Drive a Fabia, and you will be seduced by its overall brilliance and quality. Ask every Skoda Fabia or Octavia owner the big question, and the answer is always the same. They love their Skodas, and I am no exception.
Mine is a 2002 1.4 16V Elegance (100bhp) and has covered 14000 fault free miles to date.