Top Speed recently received Toyota’s latest response to a multi-people mover, the Venza. This MPV is perfect for any consumer who needs the space and practicality of a minivan, but wants the attitude and style traditionally associated with a fun to drive vehicle. Overall it looks like a chopped and stretched Lexus RX SUV. Starting off, our Barcelona Red Venza came with options like leather, wood grain, high intensity discharge headlamps, AM/FM/MP3 radio as well as a DVD entertainment system.
One of the first things that you will notice when you get behind the wheel of most modern Toyota’s is the dual LCD displays on the dash. There is the traditional large screen incorporated into the center stack as well as a smaller 3.5 inch display that shows the settings for the dual zone climate control, fuel economy and a few other helpful facts for the driver. Meanwhile the larger LCD displays everything from audio settings to navigation.
The Venza offers seating for 5 and has more than enough cup holders to allow a few passengers to enjoy multiple beverages. There are also plenty of rather large storage compartments that conveniently let you stow away your goods. The Venza shines when it comes to cargo capacity, offering over 30 cubic feet of available space behind the rear seats and over 70 cubic feet when they are laid flat; there is even a 110 Volt outlet and audio/video inputs so you can play some video games while camped out in back of the Toyota.
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Top Speed had the pleasure of trying out a greener option for that other necessary item in any weekend racers garage, a work truck. Sure its nice to have a classic Ferrari or a an all out race car in your garage, but what good are they if you cannot get them to an appropriate environment. That is where our GMC Sierra 2WD Hybrid Crew Cab comes into play, this pick up can haul up to 6,100 pounds of trailer and seat six individuals inside the cab. Aside from the nice touches like the 18 inch chrome rims and larger than life front grill, the Sierra Hybrid has the benefit of being an alternatively fueled vehicle.
The full sized trucks 2-Mode Hybrid/Electric power train is tuned to get as much as 21 MPH when driving around town, impressive for any vehicle that weighs over 5,000 pounds. Don’t let the size discourage you, the Sierra Hybrid is easy to drive and the power adjustable front seat allows the driver to find the perfect vantage point.
The truck uses a combination of an electric module and a 6.0 Liter Chevrolet small block to make 332 HP, but you most likely won’t have to use much of those ponies, we found ourselves driving the Sierra around on electric only power most of the time, negating the need for any of the eight pistons. It was nice to know that they were there when we needed them like when passing on the highway or pulling a heavy load. One thing was for certain, the GMC Sierra Hybrid is working hard to give trucks a good name again.
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The Japanese automaker Nissan has just released pricing information regarding their factory tuned, Nismo version of the latest interpretation of the Z car. With an MSRP of only $39,130 “The new NISMO Z is a tuner and Z enthusiast’s dream – straight from the factory,” said Pat Steiner, Director of Specialty Vehicles, at Nissan North America. “With its dramatic exterior, custom interior, sport-tuned performance and under $40,000 price, this new NISMO Z is possibly the best ‘bang-for-the-buck’ sports car available today.”
The Nismo treatment consists of more than just body mods. Thanks to a free flowing exhaust and reprogrammed ECU the Nismo 370Z makes 350 HP 276 lb-ft of torque, that is 18 HP more than the standard 370Z Coupe’s 332 HP and 270 lb-ft of torque. The Nismo Z will only be offered with the company’s close-ratio 6 speed manual transmission with the heel-toe replacing SynchroRev Match. The chassis receives some additional bracing thanks to a reinforced strut tower brace. The Nismo car rides on unique 5 spoke RAYS forged aluminum alloy wheels measuring 19 inches in diameter and wrapped with Yokohama ADVAN Sport high-performance rubber. Inside of the rims, Nissan engineers have utilized a set of the company’s sport brakes and there is a Viscous Limited-Slip Differential in between the rear ones.
The most striking aspect of the Nismo car is the functional and fully integrated aerodynamic enhancing body kit that is made up of an extended nose complete with canards at each corner for improved down force and a fully integrated chin spoiler to keep air from getting underneath the vehicle at speed. The modifications don’t stop at the vehicles exterior, inside you will find a pair of red and black racing buckets wearing the NISMO name across its back. There is also a special edition NISMO tachometer in the gauge cluster and a smooth leather-wrapped steering wheel complete with red stitching. The one item that will truly set the Nismo Z apart from all imitators is a small tag that identifies the car as a genuine product of Nissan Motorsports.
Press release after the jump.
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Volvo has just announced pricing for the 2010 XC60 3.2 SUV that will go on sale this summer. The Volvo will be offered in either front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive, each priced at $32,395 and respectively $34,395.
The 3.2 means the XC60 is powered by a naturally aspirated 3.2 Liter poer plant that makes 235 HP and 236 lb-ft of torque.
Standard equipment on the XC includes: 17-inch alloy wheels; auto-dimming inside rearview mirror, Bluetooth with hands free capability, dual zone Electronic Climate Control, front fog lamps, HD Radio, high performance audio system with 8-speakers, a 4x40 amplifier, CD player with MP3 capability, cargo area load cover, power driver’s seat with memory function including the outside mirrors and Sirius Satellite Radio.
Press release after the jump.
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Nissan’s luxury arm will be selling their 2009 Infiniti EX35 crossover on May 29 starting at just $33,800 for a rear wheel drive version and $36,000 for the one with all wheel drive. The more comfortable Journey models will be priced at $35,200 and $37,400 respectively for rear or all wheel drive. The Journey trim adds a six-disc CD changer, a power tilt/telescoping steering wheel, coat hanger on the back of the driver’s headrest and dual-zone automatic temperature control all standard.
For 2009 Infiniti is bringing back the popular Around View Monitor that gives the driver a satellite-like bird’s eye view of the vehicle’s surroundings, Lane Departure Prevention system, Intelligent Cruise Control with Distance Control Assist and Intelligent Brake Assist with Forward Collision Warning. All these features are standard when opting for the Bose Sound and Navigation Package.
Just like the previous version, the 2009 EX has the venerable 3.5 Liter VQ35 six cylinder engine under the hood mated to a 5 speed automatic transmission; sending the 297 HP to either the rear or all four of the vehicle’s 18 inch wheels.
Press release after the jump.
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General Motors has just announced that the 2010 Cadillac SRX will go on sale later this summer starting at $34,155. The new crossover will come from the factory with a 3.0 Liter V6, featuring fuel saving direct injection, putting out 265 HP. There will also be a turbocharged 2.8 Liter V6 available as an option; the boosted engine will make 300 HP.
No matter which power plant you choose, gears will be shifted via a Hydra-Matic 6T70 six-speed automatic that lowers the engine’s RPMs when traveling at highway speeds, further increasing fuel mileage.
The all new 2010 Cadillac SRX is a welcome addition of style, performance and fuel economy into the more often than not dull crossover market. According to Steve Shannon, the Executive Director of Marketing for Cadillac, the SRX “offer[s] new dimensions of versatility and fuel efficiency, along with Cadillac’s signature design and technical features…we believe the Cadillac SRX offers emotional appeal to a segment previously devoid of much of that
Press release after the jump.
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The drop top theme continues today on Top Speed with the latest addition to the Lexus line-up - the Lexus IS-C – has just gone on sale in Japan. But here in the U.S. we will have to wait a little bit longer. Domestic sales will begin in early June, and the automaker has high hopes for the new car: they are planning on moving 1600 units a month.
The 2010 IS250C will start at $38,490 equipped with a six-speed manual transmission, and an automatic will bring the price up to $39,660. While the larger engine bearing IS350C will have an MSRP of $43,940.
The only other convertible in Lexus’ line-up is the SC450 priced at $67,680. With more than $20,000 between them, Lexus expects that car buyers looking to get into a Japanese luxury convertible will find the IS-C to be a very attractive option.
Lincoln announced today pricing for the 2010 Lincoln MKZ that was revealed at last year’s Los Angeles International Auto Show. Competing with models like mid size luxury sedans Lexus ES350 and Cadillac CTS, the 2010 MKZ is priced starting at $34,965 for the base vehicle and $36,855 for the AWD model.
The MKZ is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that produces 263 HP and 249 lb-ft of torque. The Duratec power plant is mated to a smooth shifting six-speed SelectShift automatic transmission.
The new Lincoln MKZ mid size sedan offers segment-exclusive safety features, like the Blind Spot Information System that is part of the Cross Traffic Alert function, these systems make everything from highway driving to pulling out of parking spaces much less dangerous. BLIS tracks vehicles in the blind-spot just behind either side of the vehicle using two multiple-beam radar modules behind the rear fenders just like the back-up sensors found in the bumpers of luxury automobiles. The CTA uses the BLIS radar sensors to alert the driver to approaching traffic while in reverse and backing out of a parking spot and just like the BLIS system warns the driver with and LED warning light in the side view mirror.
Press release after the jump.
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General Motors hopes to satisfy the needs and wants of both minivan and SUV buyers with the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse CUV. The crossover that debuted last year at the Chicago Auto Show has 10 cup holders, seating for 7, a potent direct injected V6, optional 4 wheel drive, third row seating and promises return on average 20 miles per gallon. Starting at just under $30,000 the Traverse is an attractable package that offers the amenities of a minivan with the outward appearance of an SUV.
The large grill is the first thing that you see on the Traverse and it is distinctly Chevrolet. The opening is cut in half by a horizontal bar that displays a bowtie front and center. The piece is almost identical to the grill of the Chevrolet Malibu and hints at a possible design theme for the future.
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The 2010 Lexus RX 350 will go on sale this month at a price of $36,800 for the front-wheel drive (FWD) model and $38,200 for the all-wheel drive (AWD) version.
The 2010 RX 350 teams a revised 3.5-liter V6 engine with an all-new six-speed Multi-Mode Automatic Transmission. Horsepower is increased to 275 at 6,200 rpm from 270 in the previous generation, while ninety percent or more of the 256 lb.-ft. of peak torque is available from 2,300 to 6,100 rpm, an optimal range where torque is most utilized. The new six-speed automatic transmission replaces the previous five-speed, and the Multi-Mode allows the driver to shift manually when desired by first moving the gated shift lever to the “S” slot and then pushing it forward ("+") to up shift and backward ("-") to downshift.
Press release after the jump.
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