Review: 2013 Volvo S60

When you think of Volvo, what’s the first thing that comes to mind? Safety. Known for the incredible safety features, as well as their performance, style and quality, we got to drive the 2013 S60 thanks to Jay at Englewood Volvo.

Pushing out 250 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, we had the Volvo S60 T5 AWD. A turbocharged 2.5 liter 5-cylinder engine powers the car from 0-60 in 6.5 seconds. With a 6-speed automatic transmission with sport mode, the shifts in the car were quick and smooth.

The audio system in the car was great with a 4×40 Watt amplifier and 8 speakers with the 7″ Volvo Sensus screen and HD radio on all models. Other amenities included 8-way power drivers seat, push button start, leather & silk metal steering wheel and electric parking brake. Additionally, Bluetooth hands-free connectivity with audio streaming and a 60/40 folding rear seat with pass-thru add to the list of features. The Premier package adds a power glass moonroof, leather seating surfaces, auto-dimming rearview mirror, power passenger seat and keyless drive. Our test vehicle also had the Climate Package which includes heated front seats, heated windshield washer nozzles and interior air quality system.

With a class-leading 20/29 city/highway fuel economy, the S60 is sure to please. Starting at $31,900, our car came out to an as-tested suggested MSRP of $39,444.

Oh, and did we mention the shift knob is LED backlit so it shines at night? We thought that was pretty cool too.

Pros: Acceleration and handling in the car was great. The trunk was very spacious and we liked that there were folding seats and a pass-through. Everything on the  center console was centrally-located and angled towards the driver which we thought was great. The audio system was top-notch, as well.

Cons: The center console storage was fairly minimal. To get a navigation system, you’re going to have to pony up $6,000 for the Platinum package.

QUICK FACTS: 

Base Price: $31,900 || Price as Tested: $39,444

Vehicle Layout: Front-engine, AWD, 5-passenger, 4-door car

Engine: 2.5L, 250-hp, 266-lb-ft. I5 || Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Curb Weight: 3548 lbs || Length/Width/Height: 182.2/73.4/58.4 inches

0-60: 6.5 seconds || EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 20/29mpg

RATING: 8.1/10

Exterior: 8

Interior: 8

Acceleration: 9

Braking: 9

Ride: 8

Handling: 8

Gearbox: 8

Audio: 9

Tech: 7

Value: 7

We’d like to thank Jay Tobia and Englewood Volvo for getting us into an S60 — we thought the car was awesome! For all your Volvo needs, go check out Englewood Volvo in Englewood, NJ and online at www.EnglewoodVolvo.com. Make sure you tell them Greg and Dave sent you!

2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray

With 2014 closer than you think, Chevy is bringing the name Stingray to their Corvette collection — something that will definitely give you the chills. Coming off the line with a LT1 6.2-liter V8 and an estimated 450 horsepower, the rejuvenated Stingray will be the center of attention. GM reports that the Stingray will sprint from 0-60 in under 4 seconds. One of the new features to the transmission is you will be able to choose from a 6-speed automatic or a 7-speed manual. The Stingray will be engineered with the lightest and stiffest aluminum material to date. The hood and roof of The Stingray will be made out of carbon fiber material making the car lighter and quicker. The 2014 Stingray will begin to be sold in the second half of 2013 along with the Z51 performance package.

Video courtesy of Chevrolet Channel

2013 Ram 1500: Truck Of The Year

Hands down, the 2013 Ram 1500 takes the cake! Having won 4 separate awards for 2013 Truck of the Year, it is clear the Chrysler Group knows what they are doing. If style and power doesn’t sell you, just wait until you see what else the truck of the year has to offer. For starters, the Ram offers a 3.6 liter Pentastar V6, 8-speed automatic transmission, pushing 305 horsepower with a best in class 25 mpg on the highway. The Ram 1500 comes with a 5 year/100,000 mile powertrain limited warranty, 40,000 miles more than Ford offers. According to ALG 2013 and JDP 2013, the Ram 1500 has a better resale and brand reliability than Ford and Chevrolet. If you’re into big time power, another thing that the Ram offers is the 5.7 liter HEMI V8 that cranks out 395 horses.

Congratulations to the 2013 Ram 1500, Truck of the Year.

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(HEMI is a registered trademark of Chrysler Group LLC)

Nine-Speed Automatic!

Chrysler has made plans to invest over $370 million to manufacture nine-speed automatic transmissions in the USA. This will happen next Spring as the company says it will form over 1200 new jobs at Pentastar’s transmission plant in Indiana. With this new project approaching fast, it is also said that this will make it the largest transmission installation center in the world. With the announcement for the new nine-speed automatics, Chrysler also announced that production has started for the eight-speed automatic that will be placed in the 2013 Dodge Charger and 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee.

Screen shot 2013-03-02 at 3.25.13 PM

Photo courtesy of Mopar

The new nine-speed will most likely start in the Dodge Dart and 2014 Jeep Cherokee. The new transmission is reported to bring fuel efficiency gains up 16 percent. That’s due to the high overall gear-ratio spread of 9.84, and further amplified by the small ratio differences between each of the nine gears. This should help performance, as the gearbox is expected to keep the engine in the thick of its powerband, while the torque converter will lock at lower engine speeds.

Mercedes G63 6×6: Luxuriously Rugged

When you thought you’ve seen it all, Mercedes has done it again. Do you ever wish you had the ruggedness of a Jeep and the luxury of a high end SUV in the same vehicle? Mercedes brings you the G63 6×6, not 4-wheel drive, but a 6-wheel drive beast! SUV’s with 6-wheel-drive have been around for years but have been used for military or commercial use. Now, its time to bring it to the public!

The AMG engineers at Mercedes-Benz have taken the drivetrain from the G63 AMG, sporting a 5.5-liter, twin-turbo V-8 cranking out 536 hp, mated to a seven-speed transmission. This monster weighs in at 8,300-lb. and is still able to get up to 60 mph in about six seconds. Inside, there’s room for four passengers to ride in luxury, with white leather seats, a carbon-fiber accented dash and a bamboo-lined cargo area.

Photo Courtesy of Yahoo News

Photo Courtesy of Yahoo News

AMG splits the torque 30/40/30 among the axles from front to rear for maximum traction, with locking differentials for all 37-inch wheels; the 6×6 can go in water more than three feet deep. When in the desert, the tires can be inflated and deflated from a panel in the cabin.

Mercedes plans to build about 20 to 30 of these SUV’s starting in October for a price just below $457,000 — which is what AMG will charge for an all-electric SLS. This will definitely be some sight to see on the road. Watch the video below showing off this 6×6 beast.

Video courtesy of MercedesBenzTV

Fiat 500 Abarth Commercial

Fiat’s 1.4-Liter I4 turbo engine produces 160HP and 170lb-ft of torque — a good amount of power for a small car. A little car with a ton of power? It’s no wonder this car is such a big hit. The 500 Abarth starts at a very reasonable $22,000 and will get you 28 miles to the gallon in the city and 34 miles to the gallon on the highway. This is definitely the perfect car for running to the store for some things or even a joy ride to the beach for the day. Wherever you go, the Fiat 500 Abarth will definitely get you noticed. Check out this awesome Fiat commercial featuring the legendary Charlie Sheen!

Video courtesy of FiatDealer On YouTube

2014 Kia Sorento SX V6 Review

Recently refreshed for 2014, the Kia Sorento was nothing short of an exceptional vehicle. The SX we had from Tenafly Kia was one step below the top-of-the-line Limited model, but this vehicle had everything we could need in a car.

Our test vehicle was equipped with stylish 19″ alloy wheels, panoramic sunroof with power sunshade, roof rails, LED tail lights, the UVO eServices Infotainment System with Voice-Command Navigation mated to an 8″ display with Sirius radio. It also had a power liftgate, push-button start with a smart key, the Infinity Surround Sound Audio System with 10 speakers, amplifier and subwoofer, and heated and ventilated front leather seats. Another thing it had was an all-new digital speedometer, giving the car a luxury feel. What more could we ask for?

The Sorento SX has a 3.3L V6 engine, producing 290 horsepower & 252 ft-lb of torque, mated to a 6 speed automatic, with tiptronic. Weighing in at a slightly hefty 4171 lbs, the engine pushed the car to 60 from 0 in just over 7 seconds, which we feel wasn’t too bad. The Sorento also features an ECO-mode, which help the car achieve a fuel economy of 18 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.

Pros: The Sorento was very roomy, features in the vehicle were a lot better than expected, there was ample elbow room for someone who is broad shouldered. The technology of the UVO eServices system was phenomenal and the value of the car you are getting for under forty grand is astounding.

Cons: Acceleration was slightly sluggish but decent for a vehicle of it’s size.

QUICK FACTS:

Base Price: $37,550 || Price as Tested: $38,550

Vehicle Layout: Front-engine, AWD, 7-passenger, 4-door SUV

Engine: 3.3L, 290-hp, 252-lb-ft. 24 valve V6 || Transmission: 6-speed automatic

Curb Weight: 4171 lbs || Length/Width/Height: 184.4/74.2/68.3 inches

0-60: 7.3 seconds || EPA City/Highway Fuel Economy: 18/24 mpg

RATING: 8.2/10

Exterior: 8

Interior: 8

Acceleration: 7

Braking: 8

Ride: 9

Handling: 8

Gearbox: 8

Audio: 8

Tech: 10

Value: 8

A big thank you goes to Tenafly Kia — ranked in the top 3 Kia dealerships nationwide for Customer Sales Satisfaction. For all of your Kia needs, speak to Keith Yasso at Tenafly Kia and tell them Greg and Dave sent you. Check them out at www.tenaflykia.com.

High Performance: Audi S/RS/R Models

For years, Audi has been one of the leading manufacturers in high performance luxury cars. With the S models looking more aggressive than ever and having very quick shifting transmissions and all wheel drive, these cars are guaranteed to add that little something extra to your morning commute. Right when you thought there was no more room for improvement, Audi hits you faster than ever with the impressive RS line. The RS models have been designed using technology from around the racetrack by professional drivers. The RS line most definitely represents Audi’s top notch work. Last but definitely not least, the Audi R8 is breath taking. This super car rumbles down the road with an exhilarating 5.2 liter V10 providing 525 horsepower and going 0-60 in 3.7 seconds. Check out the Audi S8 commercial and all of the S/RS/R models below.

Video from Audi of America || All photos from http://www.audiperformancecars.com (unless otherwise noted)

Steve McQueen as Bullitt

Hands down, “Bullitt” featuring Steve McQueen is one of the best car movies made–also boasting one of the most famous car chases. For this movie, Steve McQueen who was an actual racing enthusiast, is seen driving a 1968 Ford Mustang through the hilly streets of San Francisco. Steve McQueen also did most of his stunts for this movie which is not a common thing to find among actors in movies these days. “Bullitt” won an Oscar in 1968 for Best Film Editing. If you have not seen the movie already, go and watch it as soon as you can for a full-throttle thrill!