Maserati Quattroporte

As the name says, this is the 4 door model of Maserati. This model appeared in 2004 and after 9 years the refreshed Quattroporte, was finally exposed to the world!

In terms of size, it got bigger compared to the previous version. A new look, turned it more stylish and sporty. 

In this version you can choose between two engines, a 3.0 liter V6 with 404hp or a 3.8 liter V8.with 523hp,! Available with two tractions, RWD and AWD. The eight-speed automatic transmission is available in both engines. 

Specs: (SQ4 V6)Power - 404hp/ 6700rpm 407ft-lb/ 1500-5000rpm

           Performance - 0-60mph (4.6s) 0-100km/h (4.8s)

                                 - top speed (177mph/285km/h)

           Base price - $108K / £79K

           Fuel consumption (combined) - (10.5 l/100) (26.9 mpg UK) (22.4 mpg US)

Specs: (GTS V8)Power - 523hp/ 6800rpm 524 ft-lb at 2250 rpm

           Performance - 0-60mph (4.4s) 0-100km/h (4.7s)

                                - top speed (191mph/307km/h)

           Base price - $140K / £110K

           Fuel consumption (combined) - (15.3 l/100) (18.5 mpg UK) (15.4 mpg US)

My rate:8.6 Really nice exterior and interior design and a good fuel consumption, considering the car performance!

2012 Panamera GTS

Last year, the Panamera got another sport model, the ''GTS'' (Gran Turismo Sport).

It has a different look comparing with the Turbo, you can notice the differences at the rear and laterally and normally it can get an exclusive red color. 




A 4.8 liter V8 engine, with 430 hp makes the Panamera GTS get from 0 to 60 mph in 4.4 sec (0-100km/h 4.6 sec) and reach 180 mph/289km/h. Like the 4S, the GTS gets a 4WD traction and a seven-speed automatic transmission (PDK). With a base price of $110K (US) / £91K (UK), that could be more competitive.

Specs: Power - 430hp/ 6700rpm 384 ft-lb at 3500 rpm

           Performance - 0-60mph (4.4s) 0-100km/h (4.6s)

                                - top speed (179mph/288km/h)

           Base price - $110K / £91K

           Fuel consumption (combined) - (10.9 l/100) (26.5 mpg UK) (21.5 mpg US)

My rate: 8.1  A really amazing and different Panamera, but isn't too expensive?

2013 Kia cee'd sports wagon 1.4 (Diesel)

A new Kia cee'd generation came this year, but with an estate version too! It is a very interesting car not just for the provided space, but also by the engine efficiency. 
This Estate can afford a big boot and a quite big interior space too. 

The 1.4 liter 4 cylinder engine that carries 90 hp, that gives a very nice fuel consumption, both in town and on the highway. It uses a six-speed manual transmission only and it can be available with a few options like the Start & Stop system and a direction assist.

Specs: Power - 90hp/ 4000rpm 162 ft-lb at 1500 - 2750 rpm

           Performance - 0-60mph (13,4s) 0-100km/h (13.9s)

                                - top speed (105mph/170km/h)

           Base price - $N/A / £16,8K

           Fuel consumption (combined) - (5.9 l/100) (39.8 mpg US) (47.8 mpg UK) 

My rate: 8.0 Fuel economy, space, comfort, excellent features in a low price car.

2011 Abarth Punto Evo

This stronger Punto, joined the market, in 2008. In 2010, a new refreshed version, appeared. It looks better, with it new body kit, but the engine didn't changed a lot.The car uses a 1.4 liter 165 hp engine, what changed more is that there's two different versions available the ''Scorpione'' and the ''SuperSport'', both with 180 hp! 

The standard version, gets only a six-speed manual transmission. The Punto can benefit of more agility, with the ''koni'' suspension kit.

Specs( Standard Punto ) : Power - 165hp/ 5500rpm 184 ft-lb at 2500rpm

Performance - 0-60mph (7.3s) 0-100km/h (7.7s)

        - top speed (134mph/215km/h)

           Base price - $ n/a /£17K

           Fuel consumption (combined) - (7.5 l/100) (31.2 mpg US) (37.5 mpg UK) 

Specs( Punto SuperSport / Scorpione ) : Power - 180hp/ 5750rpm 199 ft-lb at 3000rpm

           Performance - 0-60mph (6.7s) 0-100km/h (7.1s)

                                - top speed (137mph/221km/h)

           Base price - $ n/a /£18K

           Fuel consumption (combined) - (7.8 l/100) (30.1 mpg US) (36.1 mpg UK)

My rate: 6.5 Despite the low price, the car could profit from a better engine.

2013 Aston Martin DB9 

Db9, Aston's model since 2005, contains a mixture of luxury and sport, this year the 2nd generation has arrived to the market in two version coupe and convertible. From the exterior looks quite different, compared to the previous model.

It got a new grill, head lights and a better body shape. In the engine, this new version has got more 60 hp (510hp) and weights more 25 kg / 55lbs (1785 Kg/3935lbs).

Unfortunately this 5.9 liter V12 uses gets only a six-speed automatic transmission (Touchtronic).

The base price remains still high ($185K US/ £132K UK).

Specs: Power - 510hp/ 6500rpm 457 ft-lb at 5500rpm

           Performance - 0-60mph (4.3s) 0-100km/h (4.6s)

                                - top speed (183mph/295km/h)

           Base price - $185K/£132K

           Fuel consumption (combined) - (14.1 l/100) (16.7 mpg US) (20 mpg UK) 

My rate: 8.8 Really great V12 engine and a fantastic design, but should the traditional Db9 look so much like the Virage?

2013 Mercedes CLA 250 7G-DCT

The Mercedes CLA is the new sedan that looks like a smaller CLS!

This model is already being sold in Europe, but in the US it will only be in the fall.

The exterior has some new aerodynamic new lines, based on the concept style coupe. 

A 2.0 liter 4 cylinder engine with 208 hp lies under it hood. Mercedes gives the 4Matic AWD system optional and the Start&Stop too. A seven-speed automatic transmission (7G-Tronic), is the only transmission available on it. It will be available in low base price of $30K US / £25K. 

Specs: Power - 208hp / 5500rpm 258 ft-lb at 1200-4000rpm

           Performance - 0-60mph (6.4s) 0-100km/h(6.8s)

                                - top speed (150mph/242km/h)

           Base price - $30K/£25K

           Fuel consumption (combined) - (6.1 l/100) (38.5 mpg US) (46.3 mpg UK)

My rate: 8.5 Really generous price, a great fuel consumption for the engine, a cool sporty look and some good options!

  

2013 Lotus Evora S

The Lotus Evora begin to appear in the roads, in 2010. But in 2011 Lotus came up with new powerful model. The Evora S, has the same body shape as the standard Evora, but the differences between both cars lie on their engines. The Evora S has a 3.5 liter V6 engine, with 345hp, what is a lot for a light car!The S version has more 69 hp and weights less 345 kg / 760 lbs.

This car can be available with a manual six-speed gear box or an automatic six-speed. The automatic transmission is a option and it has an excellent sport shift, but it takes some performance to the car,so i would rather take the manual.

The base price is still a reasonable ($77K US) (£63K UK).

Specs: Power - 345hp / 7000rpm 295 ft-lb / 4500rpm

           Performance - 0-60mph (4.4s) 0-100km/h(4.6s)

                                - top speed (178mph/286km/h)

           Base price - $77K/£63K

           Fuel consumption (combined) - (9.9 l/100) (23.7 mpg US) (28.5 mpg UK)

My rate: 8.2 Really enjoyable car! An appealing look and a fantastic engine! But the two back seats are just small or they shouldn't exist?