Solstice: A Coupe that Beats them All

A coupe version of the Solstice was unveiled at the 2008 New York Auto Show. The 2008 Solstice is a 2-door, 2-passenger convertible sports car, available in 4 trims, ranging from the Convertible to the T2 Convertible. It is a pure roadster with a compelling and unique exterior design.

“It is equipped with a standard 2.4 liter, I4, 173-horsepower engine that achieves 19 mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. The T2 Convertible is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 260-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 19 mpg in the city and 28-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed manual transmission”. Both engines are mated to a five-speed manual or an optional five-speed automatic transmission.

Auto critics say that this is an eye-pleasing, well proportioned, and a sensuous package. Both trim levels of the Pontiac Solstice come with a manual folding convertible top. Engineers made only minor changes and facelifts to create the new Solstice. It has its sleek lines in its roof that give the car a fresh appearance. Edmunds.com says that the Solstice is "downright sexy".

It features; steering-wheel mounted cruise control, enhanced DIC controls and fog lamps, power locks, mirrors and windows, along with remote keyless entry, and leather seating surfaces. It has bolstered bucket seats that most passengers will find comfortable. Most reviews say that the overall finish of this new Pontiac is very good.

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BMW 5-Series

The 2008 5 Series is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury sedan, luxury sports sedan, or luxury wagon, available in 6 trims, ranging from the 528i Sedan to the 550i Sedan. The BMW 5 series has been one of BMW's "experimental" cars, in which they can explore newer ideas. They have inserted new technologies and new ideas into this model. The 2008 BMW 5-Series ranks 2 out of 11 Luxury Large Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 52 published reviews and test drives of the BMW 5-Series.

“This models is equipped with a standard 3.0-liter, I6, 230-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 28-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The 550i Sedan is equipped with a standard 4.8-liter, V8, 360-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 22-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional.”

The BMW 5-Series ranks highly due to its offering of a number of strong powertrain options. According to New Car Test Drive, "Most of the styling touch-up lies in subtle details, but in our view they add character to this luxury sedan." In safety matters, the 2008 BMW 5-Series does well in federal government crash tests, although it earns low marks in side crash tests conducted by the insurance industry.

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Introducing Audi R8

The Audi R8 is a mid-engine sports car introduced by the German automaker Audi in 2007. Its sales began in the first half of 2007 for the United States and Europe. Audi announced in 2005 that the name of the successful Audi R8 race car would be used for a new road car in 2007. Audi R8 is based from the Le Mans Quattro concept car which is seen at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2003.

“This car generates a huge 500 hp and 1,000 Newton-meters (737.56 lb-ft) of torque. It sprints from zero to 100 km/h (62.14 mph) in just 4.2 seconds and its top speed is well over 300 km/h (186.41 mph). The peak torque, reached at only 1,750 rpm, paves the way for effortless acceleration that is unrivaled even at this level. The V12 TDI crankcase is made from gray cast iron with vermicular graphite”.

It measures 174.4 inches long, 74.8 inches wide and 49.2 inches tall. The wheelbase is 104.3 inches so it offers more passenger space. It also has its polarizing side blades. The instrument panel for the driver is angled slightly towards him and the flat-bottomed steering wheel is a typical feature that enables comfortable entry and exit for the drivers.

Well I think it is simply one of the most interesting and unique super cars ever produced. And the most awesome Audi design to date. I like the V8 gas engine, but this V12 is probably quite a very good piece of engineering.

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Lexus LF-A Roadster Concept

Lexus forges into exotic sports car territory with the LF-A concept vehicle. Integrating the simple elegance of the new Lexus design initiative with racing–inspired style, sculpted curves and fluid lines make a dynamic statement. The clean lines of the two-seat cockpit are minimalist and futuristic, so there's no distraction from the impressive ride.

In the press released about Lexus LF-A dated January 13, 2008 it said that the engineers and designers at Lexus continue to use their groundbreaking LF-A premium sports car concept as a medium for expressing their ideas about what a high-performance sporting vehicle not only can be, but should be. In this latest expression of the LF-A, they have removed the car's top to create a high-performance roadster.

The LF-A Roadster is based on the sturdy yet lightweight carbon-fiber and aluminum body used for the LF-A coupe, which helps maintain the structure's strength and rigidity even without a top.

Like its coupe counterpart, the LF-A Roadster is powered by a high-revving V10 engine that approaches 5.0 liters in displacement. The V10, capable of more than 500 horsepower and test-track speeds greater than 200 mph, is mounted in front of the passenger compartment but behind the front-axle centerline in what the LF-A's engineers refer to as a "front-mid" configuration.

The engine is connected via a torque tube and propeller shaft to a transaxle that is controlled by paddle shifters. The torque tube is a structural member that adds rigidity to the drivetrain and chassis while also reducing vibration.

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