Monthly Archives: September 2013
Renewed Dacia Duster Unveiled
Dacia, the Romanian carmaker has unveiled a refreshed and made-over Duster soft-roader preceding to its public debut at the upcoming Frankfurt motor show next month. Revised to encompass more “emphatic 4×4 design cues” is what the firm claims about the face lifted Dacia Duster. The more rugged look said to be the key to the facelift the new Duster has got is its redesigned front fascia with a new front grille with chrome plating that hides a new air intake and larger light clusters. However, the rear is almost the same as the outgoing model with some subtle styling tweaks that give the refreshed Dacia Duster a more SUV like appearance.
The fact prevails – the current Duster is a stylish and compact SUV, interestingly, with a spacious interior. And it can be parked outside your house for not much money. The real game changer in the UK market, Duster comes with its enter-level model costs less than some superminis and is sets new stature for value for money. The face lifted Duster which features all new equipments is to continue customer satisfaction at the classic Duster prices.
While the current Dacia Duster sitting on Renault-Nissan B0 platform that mandates the use of traverse engines sports a 1.6 liter petrol or 1.4 liter diesel engine the revised Duster boasts an all new engine. One of the biggest innovations that the newer Dacia presents is the 1.2 liter TCe developing 125 horsepower or 92 kilo watts. The engine is mated to a six speed manual gearbox. The six speed manual transmission makes driving the new Dacia Duster a delight for the driver, having control over the little SUV at every turn and contour. Fuel economy is great with only 6 liters per 100 kilometers. Upgraded Dacia Duster is fully equipped with multimedia technology and even more practical customer features. Dacia MEDIA NAV that is a complete multimedia system with Bluetooth connectivity along with SAT NAV are available on the improved Duster according to what trim level you go for. The essential multimedia system called the Dacia Plug&Radio in the new SUV from the firm features a radio, an MP3 compatible CD player, Bluetooth connectivity and an integrated jack and USB sockets which combine to form a simple yet effective technology.
The new Dacia Duster also sports a cruise control, rear parking sensors (again depending on the trim level), motion auto-lock and an exterior temperature display. The door on the driver’s side now contains the electric window controls with one-touch mode. Also boasting larger cabin and trunk volume, the Renault owned Dacia’s Duster now comes with as much as 3.3 liters of extra interior storage space.
With such classy interiors, a stand-out grille, a lower intake as well as the revised “double optic” headlights the new Dacia Duster looks high class with its new facelift considering the fact that it’s from Renault’s budget Romanian sub-brand. As the Head of Styling for the Entry Range, David Durand said, “New Duster gets and even stronger character while retaining its initial DNA.”
Maserati Levante – “Made in Italy”
Heavily anticipated new Maserati Levante is going to be a “Latin blend” of fashion, a blend of what else but the amazing BMW X6 and the luxurious Porsche Cayenne. Albeit originally planned to built in a Chrysler US factory in Detroit, the muscularly styled SUV is now expected to be produced in Italy due to the strong and growing demand for Jeep products and hence a need for a stronger factory to support its production. Along with what is said about the new Maserati Levante having mixed influences from the Porsche Cayenne and BMW X6, the 2011 Maserati Kubang concept could also provide a clue for the new SUV’s visual character. However, this is just a clue not the actual styling! The key to what the new Maserati actually is road-based dynamics, deft athletic styling, room for five and a plush cabin.
What powers the Maserati’s luxury sports SUV is the company’s new twin turbocharged 3.0 liter petrol V6 engine generating 410 brake horsepower and a twin turbocharged 3.8 liter V8 producing a massive 530 brake horsepower. With twin turbos, direct injection, variable valve timing and an intercooler for each turbo, Levante’s would be a fully modern mill. A 271 bhp 3.0 liter V6 turbodiesel will be the key powerplant for Europe. All engine options will be linked to an eight speed automatic transmission making the on road dynamics of the SUV a delight to experience. Along with prancing horsepower, amazing transmission, a version of the ‘Q4’ all wheel drive system is adapted in the new Levante from its application in the new Ghilbi and Quattroporte models from the firm.
This all wheel drive system which already makes the Ghilbi a horse with some real giddy-up, will be modified to be used in the Maserati’s sports ute for its dual purpose role for the all new Levante is expected to follow the footsteps of sister brand Jeep’s on its expertise in rough terrain capabilities. Simply means that the levanter will be equally good an off-roader as it’s going to be an amazing on-road luxury ute. While the structure for Levante will draw on Quattroporte and Ghilbi, its electronics will come from Chrysler and Jeep. Since the Levante gets part of its powertrain and outfit from Ghilbi and Quattroporte, it won’t be surprising if the luxurious yet athletic SUV contains a high level of weight-saving aluminum in its body and suspension.
Maserati boss Herald Wester says the Levante is likely to be Italian built although not at the new Grugliasco plant which is home to the Ghilbi and Quattroporte since the beast is way too big for the body-framing equipment and paint plant to handle. The very fact that Maserati’s new SUV is somewhat a blend of Cayenne and BMW X6 makes it a worthy opponent for the two. X5 is also a sports ute that stands against the Levante. With its defined looks that come from the competitors and its sashaying drive that comes with the tag “Maserati”, this SUV is one to look forward to!
Jaguar CX 17 Concept Unveiled
The new Jaguar crossover concept is out! What seems to be is that the dubbed CX-17 looks like an XJ’s brother that has been hanging out at the local gym too much. What firms calls a way to “introduce Jaguar’s new, high-advanced, modular architecture” and also a design to illustrate “the diversity of vehicles that could be produces using this architecture, which underpins he innovative future of the Jaguar brand”, is the first crossover from the company. Jaguar’s design director Ian Callum, who admitted that he has been reluctant to produce such cars and is doing it for the love of SUVs and SUV lovers all over the world also told that the new Jaguar CX-17 is targeted to the young generation who aspire to own an SUV! The luxury British manufacturer claims that this is going to be one driver’s car. Essentially Jaguar!
Upcoming Jaguar takes a whole lot of design cues from Jaguar’s road car range. Front façade that features a large single frame grille and slim headlights is a take on the current XJ’s face. However, two gigantic nostrils lit by diffused LEDs make the new CX-17 look like a beast ready to roll. When it comes to what the rear of the upcoming SUV looks like, it screams Jaguar F-type out loud. Pronounced rear launches and the horizontal tail lights mark the influence of the same. The originality bit comes from a twin exhaust, a roof spoiler and 23-inch alloys which also emphasize the SUVs sporty intentions. Focused, chic and minimalist, the interior of the car firstly features four individual bucket seats each of which is embossed with a laser cut dog-toothed pattern.
There are “leisure” seats, two of them that pop up from the boot floor which are a treat to your tired body to perch when you park up in the middle of a long drive. The dashboard is simplistic and houses a central screen and a touch sensitive control panel. The center console is one large touchscreen in itself that stretches back to the rear passengers and is called the Interactive Surface Control. Jaguar intends to offer both super-efficient diesel models that emit less than 100g/km of CO 2 as well as the high performance supercharged petrol V6 engines also used by the F-type, capable of achieving 186 mph. The CX-17 sports a rear-biased intelligent all-wheel drive system. Fine and tidy handling that comes with the all-aluminum suspension is what is to be expected.
The sinister-looking LED flashlights on the face of the monster with a prominent upright black mesh grille, a muscular contoured bonnet and grey plastic skirting beneath the bumper all of it gives the new Jaguar just the right brawn it needs to step into the premium market of SUVs. 4.7 meter long, 1.6 meter high and 1.9 meter wide, the CX-17 targets the Audi Q5 and BMW X3 right away! And it’s not a surprise why Jaguar took aim at these cars for this is the fastest growing and largest market sector for luxury SUVs.
Eterniti Artemis – The First Super SUV
There is nothing to say about the past of the Eterniti Artemis for it only has a future. The very first car from the British manufacturer Eterniti, Artemis is named after an ancient Greek goddess of hunt. Described by the firm as the first “superSUV”, this car is supposed to be a perfect blend of “supercar performance and limousine comfort”. The car might look familiar to some since the production version – Artemis is nothing but the “Hemera” concept unveiled by the manufacturer in 2011 at the Frankfurt Motor Show.
The new Eterniti Artemis is powered by a 4.8 liter twin turbo V8 engine that delivers a total of a whopping 600 horsepower. And with such a monstrous engine comes a massive 553 pound feet of torque. The super sports utility vehicle, as called, is capable to achieve 60 miles per hour from rest (0 mph) in a mere sprint time of 4.5 seconds which should be easy for the goddess of hunt. Artemis can hit a top speed of 180 mph.
A race-bred British engineering team led by Alastair Macqueen, the same man who earlier developed the Jaguar XJ220 , has developed the performance and handling for the plush and powerful Eterniti Artemis. The SUV boasts hand built body panels made with carbon composites while the interior stands out with finest leathers, natural wood and carbon fiber. When it’s said that the Eterniti Artemis combines the excellent handling and driving appeal of an SUV with limousine like comfort, it means that the SuperSUV features a limousine like rear cabin. A cabin that boasts about 100 mm of additional legroom, twin reclining rear seats with automatic heating and cooling, a chiller for drinks and iPad-ready holders with electronic reveal! The interior looks plush combining finest leathers with natural woods providing the car with an elegant, understated yet luxurious appeal just like a limousine. The sunroof and starlight roof lining is made up of carbon fiber. The hand-built body panels finished in a large array of paint colors, are made of carbon composites and are complemented by different chrome trim styles. Sitting on a set of 23 inch super lightweight forged alloy rim in a variety of styles, this car is sure to make heads turn when it rolls down the street.
Priced at about €2,10,000 the Artemis is after all a goddess and hence a little expensive. However, with what comes with this price, that is the amazing driving pleasure of a SUV and the extravagance of a limousine, every penny it costs seems worth it. In accord to what Eterniti says itself, the new Artemis targets a bunch of SUVs from Bentley, Lamborghini to Maserati. The company expects advantages that the British model might get for being the first to be offered in the market. On its launch in Beijing, the Artemis is expected to face the Urus from Lamborghini and the EXP9F from Bentley. However, since both of these SUVs don’t come until 2-3 years on the market the Eterniti Artemis has quite some probability to become the top dog on the market!
All New Pentastar V6 Series Revealed
Finally retiring its older 3.6 Liter V6 engines, Chrysler has taken warps off the new 3.0 Liter V6 engines of the Pentastar series. The earlier series of the V6 Pentastar engines from Chrysler did not leave the customers much stranded. In fact, there was a time when over 1300 vehicles were reported to be affected whilst there were 500 new cases developing each week. The good news is that replacing the old engines is a brand new 3.0 liter Pentastar which is accounted to be the tinniest of all the Pentastar engines till date. Generating quite some decent amount of power and torque this engine can be seen festooning the Jeep Wrangler and Grand Cherokee models shipped to China, that is, vehicles ranging from Ram 1500 to the Dodge Challenger.
The all new Pentastar 3.0 Liter V6 engine is rated at 230 horsepower at 6,350 rpm. The peak torque supplied is 210 pound-feet at 4,400 rpm. The 3.0 liter Pentastar is based on the same compact 60-degree architecture as that of the acclaimed 3.6 liter V6 Pentastar body. Like its older and bigger Pentastar siblings, the 3.0 has a die cast aluminum cylinder block, structural winged tray and oil pan. There are directly mounted accessories and timing drive with inverted teeth. The engine also sports select fit pistons with polymer graphite coated skirts. Among the Ward’s 10 best engines for three years running, this larger port-injected engine delivers top fuel economy in a lot of segments that it competes in.
Chrysler proudly boasts that its Pentastar performs much better that its competitors who use the direct fuel injection technology which is much costlier. Used across eleven different vehicle segments, Pentastar engines are used in sixteen vehicles. The earlier 3.6 liter engines helped Chrysler acquire seven percent improvement in fuel economy across the board. The current 3.0 liter engines with 2,997 cc capacity narrowly avoid the higher taxation levied upon the big Pentastar engines along with a better fuel economy. Also by the end of this year, another Pentastar engine will make its way to the forefront. There is this all-new Jeep Cherokee compact SUB that debuts with a 3.2 liter Pentastar engine generating 270 horsepower. Fuel economy of this engine is going to be one thing to look forward to since it is said to be thirty percent more than its non Pentastar predecessor.
Since the oil supplies are limited in Europe and China for various reasons like lack of domestic production, vehicles and engines with 3.0 liter or more are penalized with higher taxes and to avoid these displacement taxes is the primary purpose of the new Pentastar engines which is variant designed to be 2.997 liters just falling below the cutoff and saving the day, just like Bob Lee, vice president of Engine, Powertrain and Electrified Propulsion Systems Engineering for Chrysler Group, says, “When Pentastar was conceived, we started with a clean sheet of paper and the goal of producing an engine that made the most sense for the customer and for us.”
Hennessey Roars in with its 2013 Ford Velociraptor SUV
Well renowned for refurbishing various monster machines over the past two decades, Texas-based designer and tuner John Hennessey converted Ford’s F-150 Raptor SVT crew cab pick-up into a full-fledged Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) with seating available for eight passengers watching the seamless popularity of the Ford pickup especially from SEMA show in 2012. Hennessey Performance garage had already been offering an overhauled version of F-150 Raptor with an upgraded engine pacifying the needs of buyers who wanted more from the van than 411 horsepower. HPE have, since past three years, produced over 400 Raptor beasts and are overwhelmed to offer Velociraptor trucks for sports enthusiasts.
As the F-150 SVT crew cab from Ford factory travels through a series of dealers and is reached at the Hennessey Performance garage, the trailer from the crew cab and the top of pickup bed is scythed off and new parts are welded for attachment of rear set of doors. Original shaded glass windows from the discontinued in 2005 Ford truck, Excursion are installed above the rear set of wheels after masking with new sheet-metal and painting. Following this is the process of addition of a melded three door tailgate, acquired from the Excursion as well, is mounted surgically in place of the raptor trailer tailgate without altering the taillights and rear bumper from the Raptor.
The recently added trailer bed is carpeted and padded, while the padded interior contour lines which cover the sidelines are adapted from the Excursion, too. Then the roof which is insulated with a thick insulation layer is covered with a dark character. Hennessey remarked this was to make the interiors appear, as company-like as possible. The wings of the van remain aboard while modern cues have been grafted onto the body. Chasmal interiors are exposed as the rear compartment is opened, largest in the sports utility market. It is a customer’s decision so as to what to do with the interiors – they could leave it hollow or place a second and even a third row for added seating up to eight riders. Additional mechanical upgrades like fancily wrapped aggressive tires, better Brembo brakes and armour option, alongside interior LED lighting, custom upholstery and entertainment add-ons are available.
Hennessey offers a stock 411 horsepower unit with a 6.2litre V-8 engine that fires from 0 to 97kmph in a span of 7.5 seconds while an alternative supercharged version, a 600 horsepower unit due to which Velociraptor 600 derives its identity, which despite of added 200 kg of weight reaches 97kmph mark in just 5.9 seconds. Moreover, Hennessey is developing another 800 horsepower behemoth for much more curious souls. Even after this beasty performance, on pushing the pedal right, the interior cabin remains silent, while for customers seeking roaring engine can opt for exhaust solutions. Apart from so many changes, the Velociraptor is essentially a Raptor ahead of the front door including stock dashboard and meters, and unchanged wheelbase and chassis.
The success of the beast is certainly enthralling even after rising concern for the fuel prices, but the edition vehicle is restricted to a limited audience because of its base pricing of $159,500 and thus Hennessey is determined to narrow production to only 30 units per year.
Ford Everest 2014 Concept Debut for Australia
Ford fanatics have been affected with the tentative news of Ford’s plans of ceasing production of the Territory and Falcon in Australia by 2016. A closure estimates that folks employed for production are meant to walk out, and look up for new jobs. But this termination has not been linked with termination of Ford’s tenure in Australia and is not designated to show that plans of crumbling to numbness any time soon, by unveiling Ranger-based Everest concept which is set to light up the markets by 2015.
Ford has been bracing its line-up for expansion in the market in 2017 by adding an assailant to the brigade when it launches eleven new products. Ford has flaunted its commitment to Australia by releasing a rough and tough seven-seater, not actually set to replace the senior Territory, a job either Flex or Edge shall accomplish. The Everest will be a true off-roader , and shares it blueprints from the Ranger pickup truck. Whilst the two previous production models of the Everest, dubbed Endeavour in India, were produced in Thailand since 2003, the newer member of the family is likely to be sold in Australia itself, too. It is conjectural that post production, the Everest will reach out to other undiscovered markets as indicated by Mark Fields, Ford’s COO. However, it is unlikely that the Everest sells in the home market, since similar sized SUV’s already reign the region.
Ford has recently released pictures of the hero in the market, which flaunts its design lifted slightly from the Ranger, and a Ford’s mundane trapezoid three-stroke grille which dragoons the front face of the Everest. Everest receives a revamped bonnet, placed above front quarter panels, and Ranger relayed A-pillars, with subtle tailoring. The rear end is entirely refreshed, adorning the Everest headline, big enough and chrome-lifted along with wider new tail lights. Thin and aggressive headlamps are set to lift the Everest to an equal peak.
Although no official notifications have been flagged yet, many patrons have speculated that the Everest might acquire one of the two engines featured already on the Ford Ranger UTE which is either 2.2-litre or 3.2-litre five cylinder turbocharged diesel engine, but considering the fancy for reduced carbon footprints the Everest might also route itself onto the EcoBoost way. The Ranger’s ladder frame chassis entice as a part of Ford’s new strategy at design for 2017 shoot-out.
Despite of the acts that might exhibit Ford’s steps to uproot itself from Australian premises, Bob Graziano, Ford Australia President and CEO, ensured that employees and customers that they are dedicated to them through a sequence of launches lined up in the recent present and cutting-edge leading technologies. Apart from being misunderstood as the Dodge Durando from a far off vision due to similar grille and headlight location, the Everest is set to share market with Toyota Forerunner, Mahindra SsangYong Reston, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport besides being shared in Ford’s refreshed line up for the 2017 scenario, where it shall share space with a refreshed Falcon from the Ford shed, as well.
Chevy Rolls out an all-new 2014 Chevy Traverse Review
The Chevrolet Traverse is a ride for eight passengers incorporating interiors of a van and averting the sham tag of a minivan with uplifted styling of an SUV. It spans to a width of 78.5 inches, 203.7 inches in length and 69.9 inches in height. The front is arranges freshly in a slew of three, angular headlights and sharp tail lights reminding of Camaro with a dynamic look. The Traverse receives more adept handling than the oldies like Tahoe by a uni-body platform that it rides on. The Traverse is potential of towing a weight up to 5200 pounds if utilized properly.
The Traverse is a home to a 3.6 L V-6 engine that produces 281 horsepower and torque of 266 lb-ft while an alternate dual-exhaust variant boosts figures to 288 horsepower and torque of 277 lb-ft. A six-speed automatic transmission supplies power to the front wheels while an optional All-wheel-drive configuration is available for enhancing traction over slippery roads. Fuel economy is computed standard as 17mpg in city and 24mpg on the highway for the front-wheel-drive model while the all-wheel-drive model furnishes 16mpg and 23mpg in city and on highway respectively.
The Traverse is currently purchasable in LS, 1LT, 2LT AND LTZ trim levels. The LS offers basic features like keyless entry, power locks, power windows, A/C along with rear-view camera and a six speaker standard multimedia stereo system, cloth upholstery and 17 inches alloy wheels. The 1LT associates Bluetooth connectivity, climate control, power adjustable driver’s seat, front collision warning, 18 inches alloys and mimic wood interiors. 2LT brings power lift gate, heated front seats, a ten speaker Bose USB stereo system and remote start. The LTZ comes with heated and cooled front seats, power-folding mirrors, leather upholstery, power adjustable passenger seats, an exterior fringe of chrome and 20 inches wheels.
The crossover offers a stinking rich feel due to its soft touch material on the dashboard and top ends of doors. The Traverse facilitates an accommodation for eight riders with three rows, providing options between bench chairs or captain’s chairs in the second row. The Traverse brags of a cargo space for 24.4 ft 3 whilst increasing it to 68.8 ft 3 when the rear row is folded. Directed for the comforts of a family, the vehicle comes equipped with 12 cup-holders and a DVD entertainment system. LS, 1LT and 2LT have provision for Chevrolet’s infotainment equipment system namely MyLink while it is customary on the LTZ. Mylink features a 6.5 inch touch screen for call receiving, media streaming and HD Radio as well as navigation.
All variants of Traverse accentuate dual front, full length side curtain and front side airbags for passenger safety besides Chevrolet’s first front centre airbag. Blind zone alert mechanism and Cross traffic alert system are available as options on LS, 1LT, 2LT while coming standard on the LTZ which utilizes RADAR to detect sport which may be out of the vision of the driver and renders audio or visual alarms to prevent collisions.
Sharing uni-body platform with Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia along with a high load carrying capacity of a van, Traverse is most likely to face competition from Dodge Journey, Honda Pilot, Ford Explorer and Toyota Highlander.
The 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid – Vision and Performance
Honda has been a big player in the automobile industry for a while now. Though it has managed to remain abreast of all techno-revolutions happening in the car-world, like other brands, it has faltered too, and the discontinued hybrid Accord model sold from 2004 to 2007 is a reminder of that. However, with the 2014 Accord Hybrid model, Honda is expected to redeem itself, or at least it seems so, from all the specifications that have been promised.
Envisioned as a mid-segment sedan targeting a growing market, the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid is designed to impress. In terms of exterior styling, the 2014 hybrid model is similar, if not identical to the redesigned 2013 Accord gasoline models. The only differences include – a bolder grille and front wheels, different wheels, LED taillights and a lot of blue in the interior (consoles and décor). By retaining the design of the iconic and extremely successful 2013 Accord model, Honda has ensured that they cash in on the popularity of the earlier vehicle, while marketing it based on the exemplary fuel efficiency.
The expected EPA rates for this model, when announced by Honda, created a media furor and not without reason. Beating all its contemporaries including Toyota Camry, Kia Optima, Hyundai Sonata and even Ford Fusion, the 2014 Honda Accord Hybrid promises a mileage of 49 mpg in the City (highest in this segment), 45 mpg on the Highway and a combined figure of 47 mpg. Its only competitor which offers such figures is the Ford Fusion Hybrid which claims to offer City/Highway/Combined mileage of 47/47/47 mpg respectively. However, the promising 2013 Fusion model is known to have under-achieved in real-world usage, falling short of the manufacturer’s claims. The automobile world is now waiting with bated breath for the 2014 Accord Hybrid version, wondering whether it will live up to its promises or not.
Interestingly, Honda’s upcoming Hybrid model will have three driving modes which is the standard convention for mid-size hybrid sedans in current times. With a 2.0 liter four cylinder engine and a pair of efficient electric motors, ultimately, the Accord Hybrid can be driven in EV, Hybrid or Engine mode, depending upon which power sources is most efficient at a given time. As the nomenclature indicates,EV Driveimplies that only the electric motor is being used for power; viable at lower speeds during light-load highway stints. Hybrid Drive entails a combination of both the engine and electric motor for propulsion whileEngine Drivemeans engine power goes to the front wheels while the electric drive is not used.
The 2014 Accord Hybrid refers to the non-plug-in Hybrid version; Honda has already released the Accord Plug-In Hybrid model sometime in early 2013 is few parts of the world. The new, 2014 Accord Hybrid model, however is yet to hit the market. If reports are to be believed, it shall be brought to the market in the Fall of 2014, just a few months from now. Unlike the Plug-In model which was distributed only in limited markets, this version will thankfully be available in greater volumes.
2013 Lincoln MZK Hybrid Review
The 2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid hit the markets in February 2013. A second-generation model of the original Lincoln MKZ, its production was plagued by more glitches than one. It was however, quality problems at Ford’s assembly plant in Hermosillo, Mexico which caused the longest delay in production. It is then no wonder that those looking out for this vehicle breathed a huge sigh of relief when the MKZ Hybrid was finally released early this year. The question is, was it worth the wait?
The MKZ series comprises of mid-size entry level luxury sedans that are easy on the eye offer smooth, comfy drives. The 2013 Hybrid model is certainly one that would not go unnoticed on any road. It is sleek, snazzy and distinctive, with a low roof, prominent front grille and a convertible-like sporty look. For those who like to make a statement on the road, this car is for you.
What is interesting is that this new MKZ Hybrid has borrowed much from the Ford Fusion Hybrid (its unmistakable sibling) in terms of the technology used. It has a 2.0 liter Atkinson-cycle four cylinder engine and a 88 kW electric motor with a lithium-ion battery pack. The total system output is a respectable 188 horsepower which when combined with other factors promises a mileage of 45 mpg in both the City and on the Highway. This puts it ahead of its primary competitor – the Lexus ES 200h, which offers a 40/39 mpg City/Highway mileage. Lincoln has warned, however, that the car’s fuel performance is contingent on several factors suggesting that the mileage may vary in different driving conditions.
Alongside offering good mileage, the Lincoln promises a luxurious, comfortable ride. The interiors are spacious with much leg-room and fair amount of cargo space. The inner consoles and instrument cluster are high-tech and unique, if slightly complicated. The car is equipped with MyLincoln Touch which provides access to a colorful screen with attractive, colorful graphics. As far as the whole car driving experience is concerned, the 2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid certainly does not fall short.
While the above represents the specifications released by the manufacturer, the user experience is a different thing altogether. Users report that the real-world mileage and car’s output is hardly ever over 35 mpg which is a falls far short of the promised average. The MyLincoln Touch is known to falter sometimes and the consoles have small buttons which makes them less easily accessible. The most drastic shortcoming perhaps is that 28% of cargo space has been sacrificed in favor of fuel economy alongside the backseats lacking too much room. For big families that travel heavy, this vehicle may not always be suitable.
The 2013 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid thus leaves something to be desired. However, owners are largely so rather satisfied with it, since it has been priced very well with an appropriate entry-level price tag. Therefore, the car shall be a good bet for those who do not have an extravagant budget but a penchant for luxury.
