2012 Audi R8, the World's Fastest-growing Luxury Sedan

When you look at this title, you must think I am a foolish person. How Audi R8 can be the world’s fastest-growing luxury sedan. If it is, what about Lamborghini Gallardo or Porsche 911 Turbo can be? Well, if you keep reading, you will find the anwser.

At first the Audi R8 seemed completely different, simply a stretched, German-size version of the Gallardo with a luxury kind of spin. After all, Audi is the world's fastest-growing luxury brand right now, while Lamborghini is extreme and exclusive, caring about very select customers that wouldn't be interested in Audi.

Moreover, the 2012 Audi A6 has won the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety's Top Safety Pick award in the Institute's latest round of testing.

To qualify, a car must earn the highest rating of "excellent" in the institute’s wheel, front, seat, rollover, and rear tests, and also be fitted with electronic stability control as standard, the latter being mandated by federal regulators as of September 1 of this year.

The test rates how well the spare place would hold up in a rollover crash. Autos with a strength-to-weight ratio of 4 or higher earn a good rating. By comparison, the current federal standard is 1.5 times weight. Research has shown that occupants of vehicles with strong roofs are much less likely to sustain serious injuries in rollover crashes.

Side assesses are depended on performance in a crash test in which the side of a car is struck by a barrier moving at 31 mph--the barrier representing the front end of a pickup or SUV.

Finally, rear crash protection is rated using a test that simulates a collision in which a stationary vehicle is struck in the rear at 20 mph.

It's more interesting to see where the Audi engineers found the excess weight in the R8. They eliminated 18 pounds by using lighter carpets, and the new seats are 66 pounds lighter. The bumpers and engine cover are now in carbon fiber, which shaves off 33 pounds, while removing the acoustic insulation around the V10 saves another 44 pounds. Other weight-saving measures include a magnesium subframe for the engine, lighter brakes, a lightweight exhaust system and a polycarbonate rear window. Oh, let's not forget the forged-aluminum 19-inch wheels and the carbon-fiber rear wing.

From all of those reasons mentioned above, I believe you know why I choose”2012 Audi R8, the World's Fastest-growing Luxury Sedan” as my topic. If you want to know more about cars, welcome you keep in touch with me.

Should I Buy 2011 Honda Accord or 2011 Ford Fusion

 

What midsize sedan should I buy, 2011 Honda Accord or 2011 Ford Fusion? Many family members are puzzled by this question. In order to help you make a quick choice, I list some advantages and disadvantages of two vehicles. Maybe it will give you a hint to decide.

2011 Honda Accord

Advantages:

The 2011 Honda Accord is available as a midsize sedan and coupe. The sedan comes in LX, LX-P, SE, EX and EX-L trim levels, while the coupe comes in LX-S, EX and EX-L trims. Every 2011 Honda Accord comes with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front side airbags and side curtain airbags. In Edmunds brake testing, the various Accords we've tested over the years have stopped from 60 mph in about 130 feet -- on the long side for this class of car. The Honda Accord no longer features the sort of class-leading materials and construction that used to make its cabin a benchmark. There are more hard plastics than in some competing vehicles and fit and finish has gone down a bit from the car's predecessors. A rather uninspired design with an abundance of buttons doesn't do it any favors. The optional navigation system boosts the button tally further, but its voice commands, high-mounted screen and multipurpose knob are at least user-friendly.

The base four-cylinder engine is unremarkable, providing leisurely and rather raucous acceleration, but the upgraded 190-hp version is more refined and offers the same fuel economy.

Disadvantages:

Not a fuel-economy leader;

Intrusive road noise;

So-so interior quality;

Bluetooth limited to a few top trims;

Seats are uncomfortable;

Headroom is tight in back.

2011 Ford Fusion

Pros:

Earlier incarnations of the Fusion already had the basics down, including a pleasant driving demeanor, a comfortable ride and a high level of overall refinement. For power, there's a fully competitive 175-horsepower four-cylinder base engine, a 240-hp 3.0-liter V6 or a 263-hp 3.5-liter V6 in the Fusion Sport. The midlevel V6 is a bit down on power and acceleration compared to the V6s in most other models, but it still provides decent real-world performance. The Sport model can be optioned with the SEL's standard equipment plus a blind-spot warning system, a back-up camera, a sunroof and a 12-speaker Sony sound system. There are also several packages available (depending on trim) that include a Monochrome Appearance package that provides a body-color grille, a rear spoiler and 18-inch wheels. The highlights of the Luxury package include chrome exterior accents, premium leather upholstery, unique alloy wheels and illuminated front door sills.

Cons:

Smaller inside than truly large family sedans;

Numb electric power steering on non-Sport models;

Button-happy center stack;

Fusion Sport wants, needs paddles for shifting;

Smaller V-6 is a groaner;

Raspy four-cylinder engine note.

All of those have been introduced, I am very glad if you have got the usful information.