Fun Rocking

2011 Daewoo LaCrosse

This new 2011 Daewoo LaCrosse is very similar to the LaCrosse by Buick, although the Daewoo brand may help or hurt it’s sales depending on which side of the fence you sit on. Don’t expect much for changes in the powertrain or anything else under the hood, which might not be a bad thing.

General Motors is no stranger to badge engineering – with not a single of its four remaining core brands able to claim a completely unique product offering – but our spy photographer have just spotted what may be the most egregious example in recent memory – the Daewoo LaCrosse.

If it this LaCrosse looks familiar, well, it should! It appears as though GM’s Korean partner Daewoo will be getting an all-new model based on the 2010 Buick LaCrosse. The Daewoo version of the LaCrosse doesn’t look to be in line for any major body modifications, with the only visible differences being a new front grille and Daewoo badging.

With General Motors putting very little effort into the Daewoo’s styling, we don’t expect any powertrain changes from its Buick counterpart.

We hear the Daewoo LaCrosse will likely be built in the United States and exported to the Korean market sometime in the 2nd half of 2010.

Mercedes-Benz SLS E-Cell

As electrifying as the gull-winged Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG may be, it still won’t compare to the lightning storm that’s brewing in the SLS E-Cell. It’s a battery-electric version of the supercar and will be powered by four motors, one on each corner of the car, giving it a total of 526 horses of electric power. Each pair of motors will be integrated in the front and rear axles, effectively making this an all-wheel drive car. The batteries are strategically located in the car for balance and proper cooling while the car’s bodywork has been revamped for better aerodynamic qualities. The color will be AMG Lumilectric Mango and will be repugnant to some but adorable to others. It’s expected to go on sale sometime in 2013.

The looks is somewhat retro to the 1960 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL; specially the Gullwing doors, and the sharp roof. It also catches some design cues of the 2010 Mercedes SL. Inside, the SLS AMG gets a besboquie supercar-like interior. Weighing in at around 1600 kilograms, the new SLS AMG is powered by a natrually-aspirated 6.3L AMG V8, which now produces 571 hp and 480 lb-ft of troque, which goes to the rear-wheels through an AMG SPEEDSHIFT DCT 7-speed automatic transmission. 60 mph happens in just 3.7 seconds, and electronically-limited top speed is 200 mph. However, because the hand-built 6.3L is actaully very refind, the SLS AMG achieves 21 mpg fuel-economy on combined roads. Handling claims is supported by a 50/50 weight disturbotion, and a 3-stage ESP program like all new AMGs. Sales will start in spring 2010, with prices in Germany start at 177,000 euros.Mercedes-Benz’s AMG division is planning another stand-alone sports car as a follow up to the new 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Gullwing. The model would be a smaller V8 coupe that will compete with the likes of the Porsche 911.

As of right now, Mercedes-Benz is focused on a successful launch for the SLS AMG, the company’s first ever stand-alone model. That means the smaller V8 model is at least five years away. A rear-engined configuration has been eliminated as since it would be out of step with the AMG values.

Power for the baby SLS will come from a new V8 with a displacement capacity of somewhere between 5.8L or 6.2L with direct injection and cylinder cut-off technology.

2010 Buick LaCrosse

Here is a look at the new 2010 Buick LaCrosse, which on the outside seems to look a little flashier, almost like it wants to break the stereotype of being an old persons car. The car features a new fuel efficient engine, and it may appeal to some new customers, but we think most people will have trouble getting past the Buick brand name.

Vehicle Highlights

The 2010 Buick LaCrosse is redesigned with freshened styling, new engines, and new features. LaCrosse is a 4-door sedan that comes in CX, CXL, and CXS trim levels. The 2010 model has about a 1-inch-longer wheelbase and is about 1 inch shorter overall than the 2005-2009 LaCrosse. CX models come with either a 182-horsepower 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine or a 255-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 engine. CXL versions have the 3.0-liter V6. The CXS has a 280-horsepower 3.6-liter V6 and replaces the V8-powered Super as the top LaCrosse model. All use a 6-speed automatic transmission. All-wheel drive is newly available, but only on the CXL with the V6 engine. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-side airbags. Blind-spot alert is also offered. CXL models have standard leather upholstery, and CXS models add heated and cooled front seats. Among the available features are a navigation system with rearview camera, xenon headlights, DVD entertainment, and head-up display. Note that LaCrosse is sold in Canada as the Allure.

2011 Yamaha Fazer 8

2011 Yamaha Fazer 8

Based on our successful FZ1 platform, the new Fazer 8 sports a 779cc, four cylinder engine that is tuned for plenty of low and mid range torque, making every ride an exciting experience.

Just like its naked FZ8 cousin, the Fazer 8 is a brilliant “all-rounder” that can slice through city traffic or apex a series of corners on your favourite twisty road. Attitude, power, handling and style, the Fazer 8 is an everyday sport bike you will be proud to own.

Class, comfort, confidence

If you’ve only got room for one roadbike in your garage, choose one that ticks all the boxes – serious performance and good looks, plus genuine all-round versatility,

With a muscular, torquey 779cc engine, the Fazer8 breathes new life into the mid-class bike category. Open the throttle and enjoy the instant torque for easy overtaking and superb grunt around town. Keep it pinned for a shot of sports bike adrenaline with that trademark Yamaha top-end surge.

Comfortable, confident and classy, the semi-faired Fazer8 is a powerful companion – an all-weather all-rounder with the ability to make any ride a high-performance sports ride.

If you’ve only got room for one roadbike in your garage, choose one that ticks all the boxes – serious performance and good looks, plus genuine all-round versatility, With a muscular, torquey 779cc engine, the Fazer8 breathes new life into the mid-class bike category. Open the throttle and enjoy the instant torque for easy overtaking and superb grunt around town. Keep it pinned for a shot of sports bike adrenaline with that trademark Yamaha top-end surge. Comfortable, confident and classy, the semi-faired Fazer8 is a powerful companion – an all-weather all-rounder with the ability to make any ride a high-performance sports ride.

The Fazer8 – serious performance, total versatility

Yamaha’s FZ range packages supersports performance into a versatile chassis for everyday enjoyment. The Fazer8 breathes new life into the mid-class bike category, with a bigger, broader spread of power out of the flexible FZ8 powerplant. The Fazer8 is set up for comfortable, fast road riding wherever you take it – whether it’s a high-performance city journey or a week away exploring the continent at full throttle. The front cowl and screen add weather protection and improved aerodynamics to a powerful sports bike engine and handling package.

Brand new for 2011

Yamaha is proud to announce two new motorcycles that open up a whole new class within the popular FZ sportsbike range – the FZ8 and the Fazer8. The FZ8-series is based on the idea of a high-performance all-rounder with the power and character to make every ride an exhilarating sports ride. The naked FZ8 is a machine with attitude. Muscular, aggressive design gives onlookers a hint of this bike’s serious intentions. Not a bike for beginners, the FZ8 is a pure expression of performance and quality craftsmanship.

With the semi-faired Fazer8, the emphasis is placed firmly on getting out there and enjoying the roads, whatever the weather. Discover sportsbike performance and handling, with the aerodynamics, wind and weather protection of a front cowl and screen. It’s a solid step up in performance and quality.

779cc 4-cylinder engine

In order to arrive at the perfect power and torque spread for a mix of high performance and all-round usability, Yamaha threw out all preconceptions about engine size. The 1000cc and 600cc categories that largely divide the market are imposed by racing regulations, not road riding considerations. Many riders find 600cc supersport engines to be hard work on the open road – and 1000cc superbike engines to be overkill.

Yamaha’s engineers selected a 779cc engine displacement to provide the perfect balance between the accessible performance of a 600 and the broad, instant torque and power of a litrebike.

The new FZ8-series engine is fuel injected, and uses both a throttle valve and an electronically controlled sub-throttle valve to provide additional control over intake airflow volume. The cylinder bodies have a bore and stroke from 68.0×53.6mm. Readings on engine rpm and throttle opening are processed in real time by the ECU, which operates a new stepping motor to control the sub-throttle valves and optimise volumetric efficiency in each part of the rev range. This is one of the many design considerations aimed at boosting low-middle drive.

Another key to the FZ8-series motor’s flexibility is found in the large-capacity 7.8 litre airbox, where the air intake funnels are two different lengths – cylinders 1 and 4 have 125mm intake funnels, where 2 and 3 are 150mm in length, producing an excellent spread of torque throughout the rev range.

The FZ8-series engine produces 106.2PS (78.1kW) at 10,000rpm, and a generous 82.0Nm of torque at 8,000rpm – with a character that feels light, torquey and responsive down low but builds to a signature Yamaha top-end power rush.

It easily clears EU3 exhaust emission standards, using a short, side mounted muffler and a 4-into-2-into-1 exhaust system with a honeycomb type catalytic converter fitted at the point where the header pipes meet. An oxygen sensor feeds real-time exhaust information back to the ECU, allowing the bike to constantly adjust its air/fuel mixture for optimum efficiency and clean emissions.

Chassis and running gear

The FZ8-series features a new engine that is a stressed member in an all-aluminium frame. The design’s high rigidity and low weight minimises frame torsion while providing outstanding high-speed stability and cornering confidence. The FZ8-series also uses a CF aluminium die-cast swing arm, enhancing the effectiveness of the rear suspension.

Front-end suspension is a pair of upside-down forks, running 43mm inner tubes. Rear suspension is handled by a linked Monocross unit – the link being designed to provide soft, light suspension near the top of the stroke to deal with bumpy surfaces in comfort, but then to provide firmer cushioning as the shock is further compressed, for sharper handling during hard cornering.

Front brakes are twin four-piston monoblock calipers, gripping 310mm floating front discs. Being monoblock designs, the calipers suffer minimal distortion under hard braking, so the stopping force is linear, stable and controllable when the chips are down. Both the naked FZ8 and semi-faired Fazer8 models are available with optional ABS.

The wheels are five-spoke cast aluminium rims – the front tyre is a 120/70 ZR17, and the rear is a 180/55 ZR17. This gives both bikes outstanding ride feeling, grip and cornering performance, with access to the full range of sports rubber.

The riding position is sporty but comfortable, with a seat height of 815mm and a narrow tank which gives the rider a good ground access. Overall ride experience is compact and light, with generous room for manoeuvring. Steering is quick and responsive, with an extended 33-degree left-to-right steering angle – making tight U-turns and peak-hour traffic busting much easier.

Muscular, mass-forward design

The FZ8-series consists of two models – the naked FZ8 and the semi-faired Fazer8 with a front cowl and screen. A short muffler, narrow tank and new 3-part tank cover instantly distinguish these bikes from their peers.

Visually, the FZ8 series evokes a pure release of energy in forward motion. The black side parts on the tank provide comfortable knee grip, and give the subtle impression that the coloured tank is breaking away and accelerating forward. The headlight unit on the naked FZ8 adds an aggressive-looking detail. In all, the visual impression is of a bike that looks fast even when it’s standing still – and that sensually curved diamond frame and muscular 4-cylinder engine are still the stars of the show.

2011 Yamaha FZ8

FZ8 Series

In Europe, Yamaha announced two new motorcycles that open up a whole new class within the popular FZ sportsbike range – the FZ8 and the Fazer8. The FZ8-series is based on the idea of a high-performance all-rounder with the power and character to make every ride an exhilarating sports ride.  The new FZ8 is a brilliant “all-rounder” that brings fun, excitement and adrenalin to each and every ride. It is ready to slice its way through the “twisties”, cruise the backroads in comfort and style or make that daily commute a bunch more enjoyable. Attitude, power, handling and style, the new FZ8 is the ultimate everyday sport bike.

These dynamic new sports machines are built on a new 779cc engine and all-aluminium frame. The engine offers a balance of middleweight accessibility with big-bore power and instant grunt throughout the rev range. It steers fast and effortlessly, and handles with surefooted confidence – whether it’s cranked right over on a tight, smooth corner or slicing its way through traffic on a congested commute. The FZ8 is not a bike for beginners – it’s the naked sportsbike with true attitude and the power to back it up.

Muscular, Mass-forward Design

The FZ8-series consists of two models – the naked FZ8 and the semi-faired Fazer8 with a front cowl and screen. A short muffler, narrow tank and new 3-part tank cover instantly distinguish these bikes from their peers. Visually, the FZ8 series evokes a pure release of energy in forward motion. The black side parts on the tank provide comfortable knee grip, and give the subtle impression that the coloured tank is breaking away and accelerating forward. The headlight unit on the naked FZ8 adds an aggressive-looking detail. In all, the visual impression is of a bike that looks fast even when it’s standing still – and that sensually curved diamond frame and muscular 4-cylinder engine are still the stars of the show.

Brand new for 2011

Yamaha is proud to announce two new motorcycles that open up a whole new class within the popular FZ sportsbike range – the FZ8 and the Fazer8. The FZ8-series is based on the idea of a high-performance all-rounder with the power and character to make every ride an exhilarating sports ride.

Motorcycle Accessories

A range of genuine Yamaha functional and styling accessories is available to enhance the looks and extend the capabilities of the FZ8 and Fazer8.

The range includes:
• Higher windscreen for the Fazer8
• Stylish flyscreen for the FZ8
• Seat cover
• Subcowling
• Rear carrier
• 46L Topcase
• Passenger backrest for 46L topcase
• Innerbag for 46L topcase
• Grip heaters MC 120
• Passenger grab bars for the FZ8
• Main stand
• Radiator cover
• Engine guards
• Roller protectors
• Stylish license plate holder (available in April 2010)
• Tankpad
• Stylish LED indicators in black, chrome and carbon look (available end May 2010)
• TF Touring tank bag for the Fazer8
• TF City tank bag for the FZ8

Motorcycle Apparel

Yamaha offers a wide range of apparel, designed to keep riders and passengers stylish and protected. The apparel range includes the following riding gear among others:

• Yamaha Speedblock 1pc and 2pc men’s riding leathers in regular and long sizes, available in blue, black
• Yamaha Speedblock men’s gloves, available in blue, black
• Yamaha Classic Kiron men’s riding jacket, available in blue, black, red
• Yamaha Classic Venturi S2 men’s and women’s riding jacket, available in blue, red, black
• Yamaha Classic Venturi S2 gloves, available in blue, red, black
• Yamaha Iwata men’s riding jacket and trousers, available in black
• Yamaha Iwata women’s riding jacket and trousers, available in black, white

2011 FZ8 and Fazer8 | Motorcycle Technical Specifications

ENGINE
Type Liquid cooled 4-stroke,DOHC
Forward-inclined parallel 4-cylinder
Displacement 779cc
Bore x stroke 68.0×53.6mm
Compression ratio 12.0 : 1
Max. Power 78.1KW(106.2PS)/10000r/min
Max. Torque 82.0Nm(8.4kgf･m)/8000r/min
Lubrication system Wet sump
Fuel supply system Electronic Fuel Injection
Clutch type Wet, multiple-disc coil spring
Ignition system Transistorized coil ignition
Starter system Electric
Transmission system Constant mesh 6-speed
Final transmission system Chain
Primary reduction ratio 1.512(65/43)
Secondary reduction ratio 2.875(46/16)
Gear ratio 1st gear 2.692(35/13)
Gear ratio 2nd gear 2.063(33/16)
Gear ratio 3rd gear 1.762(37/21)
Gear ratio 4th gear 1.522(35/23)
Gear ratio 5th gear 1.350(27/20)
Gear ratio 6th gear 1.208(29/24)

CHASSIS
Frame Diamond frame
Front suspension Telescopic fork
Front wheel travel 130mm
Rear suspension Swingarm (link suspension)
Rear wheel travel 130 mm
Caster angle 25º
Trail 109mm
Front brake Hydraulic dual disc brake, Ø 310mm
Rear brake Hydraulic single disc brake, Ø 267mm
Front tyre 120/70 ZR17 M/C(58W)
Rear tyre 180/55 ZR17 M/C(73W)

DIMENSIONS

Overall length 2,140mm
Overall width 770mm
Overall height FZ8: 1,065mm
Fazer8: 1,225mm
Seat height 815mm
Wheelbase 1,460mm
Min. ground clearance 140mm
Wet weight (full fuel tank) FZ8: 211kg / ABS 216kg
Fazer8: 215kg / ABS 220kg
Fuel capacity 17 litres
Oil capacity 3.8 litres

2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class

National Base Price $50,300

• Orders are now being taken for the newly launched 2011 Mercedes Benz R-Class.
• Prices start at 42,100 euros for the entry-level model. The German carmaker will offer nine basic versions of the model.

The R-Class has had a rough life. Not only did it suffer from odd, disproportionate styling, but Mercedes-Benz never really marketed the vehicle the way that it should have, choosing to position it as a “sports tourer,” rather than the obvious upscale family hauler that it is. Dismal sales ensued. Makes sense, then, that the 2011 R-Class benefits from a slightly more comprehensive overhaul than the standard mid-cycle refresh usually entails.

This time around, the designers at Mercedes did a much better job of making the R-Class look like a real Mercedes instead of some oddly proportioned utility van. The entire front end was redesigned to look more like the sedans and SUVs in Mercedes’ lineup. Almost everything up front, including the grille, bumper, hood, fenders and headlights, has been updated. The rest of the design changes consist of new side mirrors, revamped wheel designs, a revised rear bumper cover, integrated exhaust pipes and LED taillights. A set of LED running lights and bi-xenon headlights are optional up front.

Interior changes are minimal, which is fine, since we’ve never really had a problem with the sports tourer people mover’s cabin. Look for the typical array of Mercedes-Benz technology features, as well as a new AMG sport interior, which includes different seats, a better steering wheel with shift paddles, a new lighting package, and stainless steel pedals. As for powertrains, we expect the standard V6 engines – both petrol and diesel – to be offered. Us? We’re secretly crossing our fingers for the return of the R63 AMG.

If you were previously put off by the R-Class’ look but still like the idea of a luxury minivan, the 2011 model could be the one to finally check out. We’ll have updated buying advice and full driving impressions as we get closer to the 2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class on-sale date.