Mercedes-Benz B250 Review: Long-term report two

It�??s been two months since we�??ve had the Mercedes-Benz B250 as our prime family car, enough time to know whether or not it�??s indeed a worthwhile investment.

In our last update we pointed out the enormous safety features of the B250, in this update we will address the engine and drivetrain and fuel economy.

Although it may not appear as your typical traditional family car, the rather tall shape of the B-Class and its oversized boot makes it an ideal car for a family of four, including prams and all that comes with it. It also has simple and easy to use ISOFIX anchor points for child seats. Nonetheless, with two adults in the front, two kids in the back and all the luggage, a family car needs to have a bit of grunt.

For the Mercedes-Benz B250, the German company has enrolled its 2.0-litre four-cylinder turbocharged engine, the same found in the A250 hot-hatch. With 155kW of power and 350Nm of torque, the B250 is by no means slow. In fact, with a 0-100km/h time of just 6.5 seconds, it�??s pretty darn quick.

With all its might transferred to the front wheels, our original concern with the B250 having so much grunt was �??torque steer�?? (where the front-wheels can�??t cope with steering and delivering torque at the same time). This is a common problem with front-wheel drive vehicles that have lots of go. In the Merc�??s case, there�??s certainly noticeable torquesteer if you attempt to accelerate hard out of a corner, but it�??s not over the top.

In everyday driving, it�??s actually hard to tell which end the engine�??s power is being sent, which is a good sign of the car�??s weight and balance. The concern is that because the B250 has the figures to qualify as a decent performance car, you might be tempted to drive it as such, and in that regard, it�??s not as good as its smaller sibling, the Mercedes-Benz A250.

That aside, with four on board the B250 easily gets up to speed and can perform a quick overtaking manoeuvre on the highway without the slightest stress. The 7G-DCT automatic transmission, otherwise known as a seven-speed dual clutch auto, is well matched to the engine and does a good job of extracting the best from the turbocharged engine.

As the first application of such a gearbox in any Mercedes-Benz model, the 7G-DCT is an automated three-shaft manual transmission that combines two sub-transmissions, each with their own clutch (hence the dual clutch). If that all sounds too complicated, you just have to remember that by having two clutches (one which applies to odd gears and one that applies to even gears), changing gears is super quick and very smooth. The beauty of it is, it simply feels like a very good automatic transmission, though it�??s far more advanced than that.

There are three separate modes you can pick from: Economy, Sport and Manual. In economy mode the B250 can be a tad dull. It tends to shift up quicker and focus on saving fuel which has a down side of slower acceleration for the same input compared to Sport or manual. It also tends to keep a closer eye on the air-conditioning system to make sure the compressor is only active when needed.

The ECO start/stop function �?" which turns the engine off when the car stops and instantly back on when the brake pedal is released or the steering wheel is moved �?" also goes a long way to help its fuel economy figure of 6.5L/100km. To put that number in perspective, the significantly less powerful and smaller brand-new Toyota Corolla uses 7L/100km. So there�??s something to be said about a German-made 2.0-litre turbocharged engine with a seven-speed DCT.

In real world testing we�??ve managed to get a fuel economy average of around 7.5L/100km, which is rather commendable as our B250 has spent the majority of its 4000km life in suburbia, with little time on the highway.

When the time comes to have some fun, you simply put the B250 into sport mode or take manual control of the gearbox via the steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. Though you really don�??t need the paddles, as sport mode is good enough, you can certainly change gears yourself, if you must.

In sport mode the B250 is more alive and willing. It tends to hold gears longer and the accelerator pedal feels more responsive. It does, of course, affect fuel economy if you begin to drive to redline before each gear change but even doing so �?" and we have �?" you�??re unlikely to push the figure too far past 10L/100km.

Ride quality is pretty decent for what Mercedes-Benz calls its Sports Tourer. Like many small to medium European cars, it can be a little hard on low quality roads but if you live in a decent part of metropolitan Australia, you won�??t feel a thing. We had no issues keeping our 1.5 year old happily sleeping in the back even over average quality roads. The limited road and tyre sound intrusion also helps.

The steering wheel is small but thick, so it feels nice to grip and has all the trip computer, audio and telephone controls logically located for sightless operation. As for its actual steering performance, it�??s very sensitive and provides more than enough feedback (a little too much under torque-steer) for its purpose but some many think it a tad too light.

Overall, the Mercedes-Benz B250�??s engine and transmission setup are well and truly above expectations for a family-friend car of its nature. It�??s not dynamic and settled enough to be a hot-hatch (that�??s what the A250 is for) but for what it is, it�??s certainly a joy to drive.

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New Land Rover Defender will be the �??dog�??s bollocks�?�: designer

The man responsible for designing the first all-new Land Rover Defender in more than six decades says his creation will be the �??dog�??s bollocks�?�.

Land Rover design director Gerry McGovern told a small group of Australia�??s automotive media including CarAdvice that his team is currently working on a number of different derivatives that will make up an expanded Defender family when the new model launches from the middle of the decade.

�??There might be a lifestyle version, there might be an uber one that is incredibly expensive,�?� McGovern mused at the New York auto show.

�??There�??s an opportunity to spin it in different ways, and different versions. Look at Defender when it first started �?" there was a lot of proliferation in terms of different types of Defenders, pick-ups and all types of things.�?�

�??I don�??t want to do a heavy-duty, dual-purpose, incredibly durable vehicle that looks like the dog�??s dinner. Why can�??t a car that�??s incredibly durable and workable look good as well? A bit like Daniel Craig�?��?�

He said that versatility was a reflection of the flexibility of its new modular architecture, which allowed his team to �??fit different top hats on it�?�.

McGovern suggested the new Defender could use an aluminium platform similar to that of the Range Rover and Range Rover Sport� (above), denying that the lightweight and super-strong material would be too expensive for Land Rover�??s workhorse.

�??It�??s all about how efficiently you design it,�?� he said.

�??Aluminium is something that we�??re good at and we�??ve started to use a lot more of. It offers massive savings in terms of weight, which means our engines can get smaller, and also sustainability, so that will be very much on the cards as a material that is ideal for us.�?�

McGovern (below) hinted the brand would launch with �??maybe one or two�?� Defender variants initially before expanding the range throughout the car�??s lifecycle.

While declining to reveal specific details of the car�??s design, he insisted the production model would look nothing like the Land Rover DC100 concepts� (above) of 2011 and 2012.

�??We�??ve moved it on from [DC100], and I think we�??ve got something now that is even more relevant and even more desirable, and even the traditionalists will love me for it.

�??We did a survey of the response to [DC100]. We got 250,000 respondents on the internet: 90 per cent of them loved it �?" pretty good �?" eight per cent were indifferent and two per cent wanted to kill me, and I was worried about that two per cent,�?� McGovern joked.

�??But seriously, we said at the time we did that that it was one of several directions that we were considering. I�??m very pleased we did those concepts because it made clear to me that �?� we needed something that was maybe not more elemental, but something that was even more appropriate.

�??I think what we�??ve got as a consequence now is something that�??s much more highly differentiated from [other Land Rover and Range Rover products].�?�

�??This thing, I can assure you, will be incredibly distinctive. You�??ll look at it and say, �??That is a modern-day Defender�??, and there will be nothing else like it.

�??This car will be the bollocks, I assure you. The absolute dog�??s bollocks.�?�

McGovern said it was also crucial for the new Defender to sell in significantly higher numbers than the current model (above), which averages just 15,000 units annually around the world.

�??It�??s an old vehicle, it�??s an antique really. I mean I love it but it�??s an antique.

�??If we�??re going to invest in a new one �?� then it has to wash its own face. It�??s going to need to sell in bigger numbers.�?�

McGovern said part of the solution was making the Defender attractive as vehicle for both work and play, and potentially something that would appeal to buyers of vehicles like the Toyota HiLux.

�??The guy who built my house, he would love a vehicle that he could go to the building site in the week but he�??d want to take his wife out in it over the weekends as well. We want a Defender that can do that.

�??It needs to be �?" in terms of its cost, if it�??s going to work in that area �?" affordable. But it still needs to be premium because all of these [Land Rover] vehicles are premium.

�??It�??s what I call �??premium durability�??: the materials and material finishes aren�??t just cheap and cheerful, they�??re premium but they�??re hardwearing and they�??re very much in keeping with what this vehicle needs to be in terms of its longevity and the way you use it.�?�

McGovern said the new Land Rover Defender would be �??perfect�?� for Australia.

�??These things can do anything.�?�

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2013 Acura ILX

Best small sedan that is awaited for being owned Acura ILX, Fiur features found on cars Acura ILX Acura ILX quite satisfactory and is the smallest sedan in the Acura lineup. Reviewers say that the machine a solid foundation for everyday driving, but engine recommends a more powerful four-cylinder engine paired with a manual transmission for buyers who prioritize performance right.

Acura has been established in the year 1986, is a product of Japanese luxury cars in the country followed by the first variable valve timing technology, throttle drive-by-wire and the first electronic navigation sisem have merelka apply torque vectoring all-wheel drive. higher technological advances as well as the membaut acura car with the latest technology. Acura started with the trus advanced automotive technology.

 Back again in the discussion of new cars acura ILX, acura look that is lacking in the body of the less visible sports, the streets were less supportive of a derivative but especially on the road acura car ILX are the preferred soft as car keluaraga consumer.

 

see more interior section is made with modern technology and materials - materials used are quality materials. Seen again there are multiple electronic information to individual adds appropriate. Facilities located on acura always satisfying to offer good a CD player with six speakers comes with USB, Bluetooth is no longer penambhan jangkauwan a good distance with SMS text messaging and features Pandora Internet Radio interface, size 5-inch LCD that is located on the dashboard and Tech backpack eight-inch screens, interior shades because it cheapens ditat properly for ease of design and arrangement to be made. All facilitator must perform properly structuring aga look luxurious and berkelas.acura on add again with the navigation or the Real-Time Traffic and Weather Acura. This top-level specification also includes 10-speaker, 365-watt ELS Surround Sound system and drive 15-GB internal hard and Leather seats, HID headlamps and 17-inch wheels complete the package.

Acura car engine is equipped with four cylindrical and 2.4 liters in the six-speed manual transmission, 150 horsepower 2.0-liter engine (the high 6500 RPM) and 140 pound-feet of torque (at 4,300 RPM) was satisfactory with good fuel in cars acrua ILX. But if consumers want fuel economy better then choose the 2.0-liter models. but Acura says the base model gets 24/35 mpg city / highway, while the 2.4-liter models get 22/31 mpg. Acura ILX Sedan basic entry with the front wheels powered by a 2.0-liter four-cylinder single-overhead cam (SOHC) that produces 140 ft-lb of torque 4300 rpm and 150 horsepower 6500 rpm. The engine is mated to a five-speed shiftable automatic transmission. In the performance test, 2013 Acura ILX Sedan accelerates from 0-60 mph in 9 seconds.

Indeed, there was a news that there is a lack ILX acura car parts door hinges are easily damaged car, but acura not remain silent with the lack of it, of acura has completed maalh flaws in acura. Consumers remain acura acura masi choose the best car and luxury.Doyou want to have a car acura ILX? Findinfo and compare it to another type of car the other

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Chevrolet Caprice PPV a chance in lucrative New York State Police battle

One of the largest state police departments in the US will purchase thousands of Australian-made Chevrolet Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicles if the Holden-based sedan wins a three-way shootout against rivals from Ford and Dodge.

New York State Police (NYSP) has purchased 10 Caprice PPVs, 10 Ford Taurus-based Police Interceptors and 10 Dodge Charger Pursuits as part of a pilot program that will determine the vehicle that supersedes its ageing fleet of about 1200 Ford Crown Victoria sedans.

While small in comparison to the city-bound New York Police Department whose fleet comprises more than 8000 vehicles, the NYSP deal could result in an additional 600 Caprice sales per year for Holden, with vehicles replaced roughly every two years after completing upwards of 185,000km.

More than 5000 Chevrolet Caprice PPVs have been sold in the US since the first cars hit the street in May 2011 �?" significant volume given Holden has sold little more than half that number of regular Caprices in Australia over the same period.

NYSP Sergeant Harold A. Litardo and Lieutenant Philip H. Fouché told CarAdvice there were positives and negatives to all three cars.

At roughly $33,000, the Dodge is the cheapest of the trio. The Ford costs about $35,000 while the Chevy is the most expensive at $38,000. Being built in Australia, it also has a much longer lead time than the other two.

The Caprice V8 has marginally less power than high-performance versions of the Dodge and the Ford (265kW versus 276kW and 272kW respectively), but is more powerful than the others in base V6 form (224kW versus 218kW and 209kW). Both Caprice variants have a higher top speed and a shorter stopping distance than their rivals, and are the only ones equipped with eight airbags as standard.

The Charger (below) is criticised for its poor visibility, while the Caprice features a console-mounted gearshift lever that takes up valuable space in the cabin. That�??s set to change shortly, however, with a new, less-obtrusive steering column-mounted shifter currently under development to match the other two. The Caprice also has the biggest boot.

Sgt Litardo, the man responsible for purchasing the fleet and distributing the vehicles, says the biggest differentiator �?" and potentially the deciding factor �?" is that the Ford is all-wheel drive while the Caprice and the Charger are rear-wheel drive (although an AWD Charger is on the way).

�??[AWD] is desirable for us because we�??re in the northeast and when we have bad weather we get a lot of snow and ice, so it helps in areas that aren�??t ploughed or are getting a lot of snow in a short amount of time. That�??s something that�??s attractive to the agency,�?� Sgt Litardo said.

�??Our members on the other hand, a lot of them like the freedom of �?�� more power, and they�??re just more comfortable in a rear-wheel-drive vehicle �?" that�??s what they know. I also feel like they have more control of the car, even though [AWDs] are kind of fool proof.�?�

Lt Fouché, leader of the Traffic Incident Management Group, agrees that there are advantages to AWD but admits to having a soft spot for the Caprice�??s power delivery and the familiarity of its rear-drive system.

�??I think the agency was looking at the all-wheel drive as a solution to the inclement weather, but whether our field says that may be a completely different story,�?� Lt Fouché said.

�??The guys are driving Crown Vics now. We train them and they drive for miles and miles on end with a rear-wheel-drive car, so I think in the field�??s mind it would be a better transition to go with either the Dodge or this [the Caprice], and with the Dodge �?� the visibility is very, very difficult.

�??But this car,�?� he said, motioning towards a Caprice on display at the New York auto show, �??I love this car. I think it�??s awesome.�?�

Lt Fouché says the final decision will be made by the men in the field rather than the agency, and denies that the Caprice�??s higher purchase price will hurt its chances of being selected.

�??If we end up choosing this [the Caprice] the price is probably going to be irrelevant because it suits our need,�?� he said.

�??We would always focus on what our task is and what best serves our purpose and that should compensate for the difference in price. It�??s a big difference but not where it�??s going to be breaking the bank. Why go for a product that doesn�??t work for us just because it�??s cheaper?

�??That�??s why we run the pilot for several months, have them give us detailed information on what they did like, didn�??t like, and once they�??ve completed the survey we gather up all the data and we make a decision from there.

�??I�??m hoping that by end of summer (August) we will have selected our vehicle. When we do it, we will buy that vehicle. That�??s it. Just like with the Crown Vic. Even though there were other vehicles, it will strictly be that vehicle.�?�

The Caprice was the first vehicle to enter NYSP�??s pilot program. Ten Chargers have just entered the field, while the Fords are currently being upfitted with patrol equipment.

NYSP used to operate a fleet of Chevrolet Caprices years ago but switched to the Crown Victoria in the mid 90s when the Chevy was discontinued.

While many in the department have fond memories of the old Caprice, Lt Fouché says nostalgia will have no impact on today�??s decision.

�??I think all departments got excited when the Chevy came back, but it�??s all about how it performs. That�??s going to be the bottom line.�?�

A number of departments across the country have already made the switch to the Caprice PPV, including the Washington State Patrol, which will purchase up to 650 over the coming years, and the Kentucky State Police, which purchased 125 last July.

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