Carsut - Understand cars and drive better

Carsut – Understand cars and drive better

advertisements

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG opens its wing and rev its engine
[cvg-video videoId=’8′ width=’500′ height=’333′ mode=’playlist’ /]

All the Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing fans have been waiting so long for the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG since decades ago after the production of the renowned 300SL Gullwing discontinued in 1963. Fans who born after 1963 did not stand a chance to buy the 300SL Gullwing as a new car but now the second chance has come. Mercedes-AMG has developed a luxury sports car that has the temper of the 300SL Gullwing but with double power, named the SLS AMG.

The SLS AMG is first introduced in 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. This modernized 300SL Gullwing possess a few characteristics of the 300SL Gullwing including the speed, performance, and the distinctive gull-wing doors that use gas struts to open. This time, Mercedes-AMG makes the car available in two types, coupe and roadster.

300SL Gullwing meets the SLS AMG

Design and Exterior

First look: The car has a really long bonnet compared to some other sports car within the same range. The rear of the car is short and passengers are positioned near to the rear wheels.

Second look: The sports aluminium space frame body is really fantastic. SL SL SL! It means Sport Leicht (Sport Lightweight) in German.

Third look: The DIN kerb weight of the car is only 1,620 kg. It did not feature an auto-closing door otherwise the kerb weight would have an extra of 41 kg (90 pounds).

Fourth look: The height of the SLS AMG coupe is only 49.3 inches which is the nature of all kind of sports car. A lower center of gravity makes the car handle well.

Fifth look: Although the trunk of the coupe look small from the outside but it is practical enough with 6.2 cubic feet.

Sixth Look: The SLS AMG features a small piece of rearwing on top of the trunk that will pop up at high speeds. It can be seen clearly at the beginning of the video above. The rearwing allows a better aerodynamic to the car to increase the stability and handling during high speeds.

Engine and Performance

“SUGOI!” That’s what we have shouted when sit into the car. The performance of the SLS AMG is terrific! Listen to the engine sound from the video above and you will know what we mean. The hand-built AMG 6.3-liter front-mid V8 engine is propelling a top power of 571 hp (420 kW) and a maximum 650 Nm of torque. Combined with the AMG SPEEDSHIFT FCT seven-speed dual-clutch system in a transaxle configuration and an aluminium double-wishbone suspension, the SLS AMG gives supreme handling dynamics when negotiating all kind of sharp corners and swerves. The engine is also designed to use dry sump engine lubrication instead of a conventional wet sump system.

Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Suspension

What about the speed? The SLS AMG accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and has an electronically limited top speed of 317 km/h (197 mph). As for the Roadster, the performance is virtually the same because the car uses ultralight aluminium soft top although it has an extra 40 kg (88 pounds) compared to the coupe.

Safety

Airbags: Front head airbags, dual front side-mounted airbags, and passenger airbag occupant sensing deactivation.

Brake system: The SLS AMG did very well in braking. It is capable to stop from 100 to 0 km/h in shortest time possible in case of emergency. It features AMG’s 15.83-inch carbon-ceramic disc brakes with six-piston aluminium calipers at the front and 14.17-inch carbon-ceramic disc with four-piston calipers at the rear wheels.

Extra Safety: The doors of the SLS AMG coupe can be fully detached to allow passengers to exit from the car in case of a roll-over or any serious accidents.

Interior

Open the gull-wing door and first thing to be noticed is the puristic sports car interior with high emotional appeal. The feeling is like having a thousand volt electric shock when look at it. After the electric shock, anyone will prefer to sit on the AMG sports seats that made of magnesium, light and strong. The wing-shaped dashboard and a center console that looks like a jet’s operating console are truly unique. Four air vents located nicely in front of the drivers evocative the aircraft engines. InChina, people call the SLS AMG “????” which means super exotic sports cars.

Fuel Economy

14 city and 20 highway mpg; 5.95 city and 8.50 highway km/l.

Price
- United States: MSRP from $189,600
- United Kingdom: On the road price from £168,425.00
- China: RMB 3,628,000
Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG’s competitors or similar cars: Ferrari 458 Italia, Nissan GT-R, Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Audi R8, Ford Mustang BOSS 302, Porsche 911 GT3, Lexus LFA, Lotus Evora S, Porsche Cayman R, BMW 1-Series M.

If we were to rate the sexiest sports car born in 2010/2011, the answer is unquestionably the Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG because it consists of three main ingredients that a sports car should have – Sportiness, Luxury, and Elegance.

Mercedes-benz SLS AMG Medical Car

Mercedes-benz SLS AMG E-Cell (Click on the image to enlarge it)

Pictures and Gallery

[nggallery id=14]
April 20, 2012
Hybrid Car List

The first hybrid vehicle was invented by Ferdinand Porsche in 1901, the Lohner-Porsche Mixte Hybrid. It was a horseless carriage with four wheels powered by either gasoline or electric. It is not really practical during that time because most people preferred internal combustion engine. This is because our earth is still having a lot of petroleum during that time. However, fossil fuels are limited and when the gas prices are going up, consumers started to look for hybrid vehicles that give a better fuel consumption. Does this means that the supremacy of gasoline-powered engine is coming to an end after almost a century?

This is the list of hybrid cars and plug-in hybrid cars available for sale in the market since 1990. There are several hybrid vehicles were built before the 90s but it is not included in the list. (more…)

April 19, 2012
A review on the Toyota 86
Hachiroku (86 in Japanese) fans have been waiting for the Toyota 86 since decades ago after the production of the legendary Toyota AE86 ceased in 1987. Many of us thought it will be named FT-86 but the ‘FT’ is dropped, simply 86 or Hachiroku (????). This is because Toyota wants to pay a respect to the AE86. This time, the 86 is developed jointly by Toyota and Subaru, that’s why when the car hood is opened, we can see both the Toyota and the Subaru logo printed on the engine.

The Toyota 86 is also known as Toyota GT-86 in Europe, Scion FR-S in US, and Subaru BRZ in several countries. Do not get confused because all of them share the same body style and layout. There are only a few things to distinguish them which are the hexagonal-shape grille in the Subaru BRZ and the inverted trapezoid in the Toyota 86. Other than that, all of them look alike just identical twin brothers.

An original AE86 meets the Toyota 86

Design

The 86 is a two-door coupe sports car with front-engine, rear-wheel drive layout. Toyota and Subaru did not let all the 86 fans down. The car is built with many characteristics and spirits that the AE86 has. The shape of the car, light-weight body, and well-balanced chassis are just a few to be mentioned. It is a great enjoyment to drive the 86 especially for those who like to drive ‘sideways’ rather than straight ways.

A Toyota 86 race car by TRD

Engine and Performance

The Toyota 86 is powered by a 2.0-liter 4-cylinder Boxer 16-valve DOHC engine, named the FA20. Together with a direct & port fuel injection (D-4S) system, the car produces 147kW (200PS) at 7,000 rpm and 205Nm of torque from 6,400 to 6,600 rpm. The automatic transmission version accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 8.2 seconds and capable to reach a top speed of 210 km/h. On the other hand, the manual transmission version accelerates slightly faster. It takes only 7.6 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h and achieves a top speed of 226 km/h. The 86 also come with Torsen Limited Slip Differential (LSD) which is almost considered essential for drifting. This is one reason why we say it has many special characteristics. As for suspensions, the car sits on a MacPherson Strut with stabilizer at the front and double Wishbone with stabilizer at the back.

Toyota 86 Engine

A list of active and passive safety features can be found in the 86 including reverse sensors, front and rear ventilated disc brakes, 7 SRS airbags (front, front side, curtain, and driver knee), 3-point ELR seat belts, ISOFIX, and alarm system.

17-inch alloy wheels with 215/45R17 tire

Interior

Inside the car, the first thing the driver will hold is the rack & pinion 3-spoke leather adjustable steering wheel with Electric Power Steering (EPS). In front of the steering wheel, there are only a few important dials showing the speed, rpm, fuel indicator, and engine temperature to the driver. Next to be noticed are the aluminum pedals where all the sports car should have, cruise control, power windows, and a 2-DIN CD-Player at the center console. Down to the CD player, there is a digital clock (just like the original AE86) and several buttons to adjust the air-conditioning as well as a button to start and stop the engine.

To make the car sportier, the designer placed a few buttons beside the leather e-brake (handbrake) where the driver can choose the driving mode he prefers including VSC (Vehicle Stability Control), VSC Sport mode, TRC (Traction Control), and Snow mode.

Although the 86 has 2+2 seats, the +2 rear seats are too small to be seated by adults. The legroom for the rear seats are cramp. It is only enough for kids under five or anyone who is shorter than 150cm. Look at the picture below, there is almost no legroom for rear passengers.

Toyota 86 rear seats

Fuel Economy

22 mpg city and 20 mpg highway; 9.35 km/l city and 8.50 km/l highway.

Why we love the car?
- Light weight. The kerb weight of the car is 1,298 kg.
- Superb handling thanks to the well-balanced chassis.
- It is cool with a low-slung boxer engine.
What could be better?
- Please sell it cheaper!
- Make the rear seat with bigger legroom.
Price
- United States: Scion FR-S (MT) – MSRP from $24,200.
- United Kingdom: Toyota GT-86 (MT) – £24,995; Toyota GT-86 (AT) – £26,495.
- Thailand: Toyota 86 (MT) – THB 2,490,000; Toyota 86 (AT) – THB 2,560,000; Toyota 86 (AT) Top Ranging – THB 2,740,000.
- Malaysia:Toyota 86 (MT) – RM 243,000; Toyota 86 (AT) – RM 249,000.
Toyota 86’s competitors or similar cars: Subaru BRZ, Toyota GT-86, Scion SR-S, Hyundai Genesis Coupe, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Honda S2000, and Nissan Altima.

The official production date for the Toyota 86 is started on the 16^th March 2012. For those who want to be the first few owners of this future-going-to-be-legendary Toyota 86, you can place your order with Toyota now. Last but not least, let’s look at the pictures that compare the production Toyota 86 with the concept Toyota FT-86.

Toyota 86 and Toyota FT-86 Concept

Toyota 86 Pictures

[nggallery id=13]
April 18, 2012
Road Test: Rover 75

The Rover 75 is one of Britain’s fine cars although its lifespan is only last for six years. We first seen the car at the 1998 Birmingham Motor Show and it went into production from 1999 to 2005. The Rover 75 is a car full with Britain’s taste. Everything from head to toe is beautifully crafted with all that chrome and leather. Some said it is a poor-man’s Jaguar, some said it is a cheaper version of the Rolls-Royces, we say it is Rover!

A Big thanks to Uncle Lee who had given us the chance to test drive his 2005 Rover 75 and also shared us the enjoyment he had with the car over the years. Uncle Lee’s Rover 75 is the 2.0 CDTi model that is using a diesel engine. He bought the car brand new in 2005 for RM176,761.49. Being a ‘diesel’ fan, Uncle Lee loves the car so much because it is cool and the cabin is quiet even at high speeds.

Overview

The Rover 75 is an executive car and available in three variants: the 1.8 liter Turbo, the 2.0 liter V6, and the economy version 2.0 CDTi. The 1.8 liter Turbo delivers 150 PS (110 kW; 148 bhp) power and has a maximum torque of 215 N.m (159 lb.ft) at 2100 rpm. It takes only 9.1 seconds from zero to hundred. Top speed is acclaimed to be 210 km/h (130 mph). Fuel consumption for the 1.8 liter Turbo is 35 mpg. The price was RM154,897.20 in 2005 when it was brand new.

The 2.0 liter V6 delivers the same power with the 1.8 liter Turbo but the maximum torque is slightly lower at 184 N.m (136 lb.ft). It takes 9.6 seconds from zero to hundred and the top speed is acclaimed to be 210 km/h (130 km/h). Fuel consumption for the 2.0 liter V6 is 30 mpg. The price was RM176,038 in 2005 when it was brand new. It is expensive than the 1.8 liter but the performance is better.

The 2.0 CDTi model is what we are going to go for a road test today. The engine is a DOHC common rail diesel with a turbocharger. It was the latest diesel engines manufactured by BMW in 2005. The car delivers 131 PS (96 kW; 129 bhp) power and has a maximum torque of 299 N.m (221 lb.ft). From 0 to 100 km/h, it takes only 10.3 seconds which is very impressive for a diesel car that looks heavy. The top speed is claimed at 190 km/h (120 mph). The fuel consumption is 49 mpg which is similar to the Perodua Myvi.

There is also another high-performance version of the Rover 75, the MG ZT. It was produced from 2001 to 2005 and only 27,149 units were made. The outlook is similar to the Rover 75 if you did not compare it properly. The MG ZT 190 V6 model featured a 2.5-liter engine that delivers 190 hp @ 6500 rpm. It takes only 7.7 seconds from 0 to 100 km/h. It is really an impressive record for an executive car.

Road Test and Review

“Swooooooooooooooosh!” Ambience cargo, smooth ride, and good handling. We thought the car is heavy when we first saw it. We thought it will be like riding an elephant, but it is not! It is like sitting in a Rolls-Royce. We tested the car up till 150 km/h. It runs very steady when it reaches 150 km/h and it gives us a feeling that it will remain the same comfort when the speed reaches 180 km/h. From 0 to 100 km/h, it took 12 seconds which is 1.7 seconds slower than when it was new. The cabin is comfortable and the back seats are spacious enough to accommodate three big guys comfortably.

Car Maintenance

Uncle Lee maintains his car with few different workshops rather than send it back to the dealership. He could not recall how much in total he had paid to maintain the car. But he mentioned to us that he had replaced the starter motor, thermostat, and front suspension. Other basic services such as automatic transmission oil replacement, engine oil change, and oil filter change are done according to time.

What is good about the car?

What you get is more than what you pay for. It is like paying less than half of what a Rolls-Royce cost but get the similar enjoyment. The car borrowed some technology from BMW such as chassis and the Z-axle from the BMW E36 3-Series. Thus, we feel the handling is like driving a BMW. The beautiful interior sparks a mood to enter. Although the production is no longer available, there are still many Rover 75 and MG ZT Club in the UK.

What is not so good about the car?

Spare parts are extremely hard to source because Rover Group plc went bankrupt few years ago. The dealership is also no longer there and no more official support will be provided. Uncle Lee is lucky to find a mechanic who owns the same car. The mechanic is able to repair the car for Uncle Lee. But for most of the people who wish to own this car, it will be hard to find any independent workshops that familiar with this car model. In the UK, you can get a used Rover 75 from £970. You may want to spend £1000 pound to buy another car and use it as spare parts just in case the spare parts you need is no more. Last but not least, the car interior is very beautiful but it comes with an old-style CD changer.

Used Rover 75 Price

If you are lucky, you may be able to get a Rover 75 for sale between RM50K to RM65K (As of 2012).

The competitors for Rover 75 and MG ZT: Although the Rover 75 or MG ZT is the star of the show but it does has some competitor include the Jaguar S-Type, BMW 5-Series, and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

In 2006, Roewe in China produced the Roewe Rover 75, namely, the Roewe 750. Although the car is no longer available as Rover 75, we do hope the British brand will be back again one day.

Rover 75 Interior

Cheshire Police – Rover 75

Ambulance – Rover 75

April 17, 2012
Muscle Car Artwork of Carsut

Muscle car artwork – 1965 Ford Mustang

“It will be end of the world if muscle cars are no longer exists on our planet.” – Howsen, a car aficionado. American muscle cars are our life; it is one of the most interesting vehicles living on this planet. Here we have created a list of muscle car artworks. These artworks are free to use. It can be printed on t-shirts, gift cards, or use it as your new rock band icon. However, if you would like to share it in your websites or your blog, please put a credit back to this website and remain the watermark. (more…)

April 10, 2012