June 2012 ~ Blog of world cars

Monday, June 18, 2012

Ford Taurus Review

4:19 AM 2012 Best Cars for the Money, Ford, Review No comments

Search Dealer Inventory Special Offers Build & Price Request a Quote The 2012 Ford Taurus ranks 1 out of 7 Affordable Large Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 25 published reviews and test drives of the Ford Taurus, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.Among the many reasons why critics love the 2012 Ford Taurus are its good performance, stylish design and excellent cabin electronics.

The Ford Taurus gave the class of affordable large cars a much-needed shot of adrenaline when it was introduced in 2010. Along with recently updated rivals such as the Buick LaCrosse and Chrysler 300, the Taurus continues to stand out for its comfortable and spacious cabin, excellent interior tech, balanced ride and low base price: just a few of the reasons why we named it the 2012 Best Affordable Large Car for the Money.

But the Ford Taurus isn't just a great value. Its strong crash test ratings and Ford’s MyKey system – which lets parents set speed limits to help keep new drivers safe – make the Taurus a strong choice for families who have kids in car seats as well as teens. Thanks to these safety features, we named the Ford Taurus the 2012 Best Full-Size Car for Families.

For 2012, the Taurus continues to earn the respect of auto critics. “Ford's Taurus has a lot going for it,” writes Consumer Guide. “This large sedan is smooth, quiet, refined, and is surprisingly engaging to drive.” Additionally, a number of standout optional features build on the Taurus’ base trim. These include available all-wheel drive and Ford’s widely-praised Sync infotainment system.

With its sharp styling and easy-to drive nature, it’s easy to see why the automotive press loves the 2012 Ford Taurus.

Other Cars to Consider

While reviewers say that there’s a lot to like about the 2012 Ford Taurus, shoppers who’ve got a little bit more money to spend may also want to check out the Toyota Avalon. Although the Avalon is significantly pricier than the Taurus, many reviewers note that its cabin is just as roomy. Additionally, the Avalon’s above-average fuel economy, excellent reliability ratings and good resale value make it a top choice among affordable large cars.

However, if neither the Avalon nor the Taurus floats your boat, don’t overlook the Buick LaCrosse. While the LaCrosse also has a higher base price than the Taurus, it’s not nearly as expensive as the Avalon. Plus, it now features standard USB and Bluetooth connectivity and comes with the choice of two distinct drivetrains: the fuel-sipping eAssist or the more-powerful V6. While the LaCrosse has slightly less passenger space than the Taurus, car reviewers say it’s an excellent value thanks to its quiet, luxurious interior and longer warranty.

Ford Taurus: The Details

The 2012 Ford Taurus is available in SE, more upscale SEL, near-luxury Limited and high-performance SHO trims. The Ford Taurus SHO is reviewed separately. Changes for the 2012 model year are minimal, including the addition of standard integrated blind spot mirrors and one new exterior color.

If you’re ready to buy a Taurus, check out this month's Best Ford Deals, where you’ll find Ford’s best discounts and incentives.

"With its roomy, comfortable interior and large trunk, the 2011 Ford Taurus is an appealing reinvention of the classic full-size American sedan." -- Edmunds
"The Taurus delivers a good balance of comfort and responsive handling, but buyers who favor comfort above all might prefer something like the softly sprung Toyota Avalon." -- Kelley Blue Book
"A thoroughly refined large family sedan embodying the latest in contemporary safety technology. Attractive inside and out. Roomy. Solid. Quiet. Exemplary fit and finish." -- Car and Driver
"From an engineering and design standpoint, the Taurus is a success. It is stylish, contemporary, and functional." -- Fortune
"The new Taurus may not ignite the marrow in our enthusiast bones, but make no mistake - it is a very, very good car, and we can see its considerable attributes fitting the bill for a wide swath of consumers." -- Autoblog

U.S. News Scores

Taurus Performance: 8.0 (Very Good)

The 2012 Ford Taurus is a competent performer. While it’s no sports sedan, most reviewers say it offers a smooth driving experience with excellent acceleration and comfortable handling. Read More»

Taurus Exterior: 8.1 (Very Good)

The 2012 Ford Taurus stands out as an affordable large car with an athletic stance. Most reviewers love its long, low lines and sharply creased sheet metal. View Photos»

Taurus Interior: 9.2 (Excellent)

Reviewers only see one problem with the cabin of the 2012 Ford Taurus: they think it may be a little too nice. While that’s great news for Taurus shoppers, some reviewers wonder if the Taurus will steal sales from its luxury-oriented cousin, the Lincoln MKS. Read More»

Taurus Safety: 9.4 (Excellent)

The 2012 Ford Taurus earned four out of five stars overall in federal government crash tests. Additionally, the 2012 Taurus earned top scores from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. Read More»

Taurus Reliability: 4.5 of 5

The 2012 Ford Taurus reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. The 2012 Ford Taurus comes with a three-year/36,000-mile limited warranty. Read More»

The 2012 Buick Regal ranks 3 out of 19 Upscale Midsize Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 34 published reviews and test drives of the Buick Regal, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The 2012 Buick Regal offers performance and comfort at a price that’s less than many competing upscale midsize cars.

Buick refuses to rest on its laurels with the 2012 Regal. Buick introduced two new models into the Regal family for 2012, as well as a revised touch-screen infotainment system that should impress Regal shoppers.

The Buick Regal is the 2012 U.S. News Best Upscale Midsize Car for the Money. It won this award for its low long-term ownership costs and high praise from auto reviewers, as well as its nimble handling and comfortable interior. All of these attributes make it a good value in its segment. The Regal is also the 2012 U.S. News Best Upscale Midsize Car for Families. This is an award it won for its good safety scores, roomy interior and high-quality cabin.

The 2012 model year sees the introduction of the Regal eAssist, a mild-hybrid version of the Regal with impressive fuel economy. So far, though, the big news among test drivers has been the introduction of the Regal GS, which is even more powerful than the Buick Regal Turbo.

Still, some reviewers say that while the base Buick Regal offers great performance at a reasonable price, the Regal GS is up against better-known rivals in an intensely competitive class. “With the Regal GS, Buick is serving up a gourmet helping of nouvelle refinement and performance,” writes Motor Trend. “But the big-name chefs down the street at Acura and Audi are selling their established crowd-pleasers (TSX V-6 and A4 Quattro) for the same price."

Fortunately for buyers on a budget, most critics assert that even the base model handles like a European luxury sedan. Reviewers say that even though the Buick brand may not be strong enough to pull brand loyalists of more expensive automakers in, overlooking the Regal would be a mistake.

Other Cars to Consider

The 2012 Buick Regal is more expensive than most base-model affordable midsize cars, but less than other upscale midsize cars. If you’re shopping for value, compare the Regal with other affordable midsize cars like the Hyundai Sonata. Like the Regal, the Sonata comes with standard interior tech features that are often optional on competing models, but it’s also considerably less expensive than the Buick and gets better fuel economy.

If you’ve got a little more money to spend, and like the Regal’s composed handling and comfortable interior, consider rivals like the Audi A4. The A4 may be pricier than the Regal, but it also offers good fuel economy and optional all-wheel drive, as well as German luxury car cachet. However, the A4 also doesn’t come with as many standard features, which means that if you want to match the Regal’s list of standard equipment, you’ll have to add a longer list of options into your budget.

Buick Regal: The Details

For 2012, the Buick Regal is available in four distinct trims that are based primarily around the engine. Base models feature a four-cylinder engine, while the Regal eAssist adds a small electric motor to improve fuel economy. For buyers seeking more performance, Buick offers the Regal Turbo and the top-of-the-line Regal GS, which both feature a turbocharged four-cylinder engine.

GS and eAssist models are new for 2012, and Buick will be adding its IntelliLink touch-screen infotainment system as standard equipment at some point during the 2012 model year. If you like the Regal, but also want the latest tech features, you might want to wait for this feature.

For a full list of standard and optional features, see the 2012 Buick Regal specs.

"The Buick Regal is an entirely reasonable proposition. People and stuff fit in it. It's decent looking, priced fairly and has the requisite balance of power and fuel economy for a medium-size sedan with premium aspirations." --AutoWeek
"The Regal boasts nimble, athletic road manners while maintaining the generally upscale aura expected of the brand." -- Consumer Guide
"Check every box and you'll end up just under $39,000. That's pushing awfully close to the $40K mark, but keep in mind, an Acura TSX V6 with the tech package will run you about $39K, as well. We'll take the Buick, thanks. (Isn't it nice to be able to say that again?)" -- Autoblog (Regal GS)
"What it is, it turns out, is a very well tuned, near-luxury sport sedan that, in terms of sheer driving pleasure, surpasses anything else in its class made in Detroit these days, not to mention imports like the Acura TSX and the Lexus ES350." -- Automobile Magazine
"So let's see what we have here; A gorgeous, fun-to-drive, quick, comfortable, well-equipped American sedan built with the quality of its German competitors... and it's a Buick. Who knew?" -- Jalopnik

U.S. News Scores

Regal Performance: 8.7 (Very Good)

Test drivers applaud the 2012 Buick Regal for its composed handling and numerous engine options. Read More»

Regal Exterior: 9.0 (Excellent)

Reviewers think that the 2012 Buick Regal is a stylish sedan whose looks easily keep pace with the competition. “Truth be told, we're smitten with the way this thing looks,” writes Autoblog. “It's bulgy, brash and uses an interesting blend of curving lines to create an aura of sharpness.” View Photos»

Regal Interior: 8.5 (Very Good)

Cars.com says that the 2012 Buick Regal’s “five-seat cabin utilizes premium materials,” and in general, most auto writers agree. The Regal’s cabin includes comfortable seats, high-quality materials, Zen-like quietness and a long list of standard features. Read More»

Regal Safety: 9.4 (Excellent)

The federal government gives the 2012 Buick Regal good safety scores, and the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety names it a 2012 Top Safety Pick. Read More»

Regal Reliability: 3.5 of 5

The 2012 Buick Regal reliability score shown is the Predicted Reliability rating provided by J.D. Power and Associates. The 2012 Buick Regal is covered by a four-year/50,000-mile basic warranty and a five-year/100,000-mile powertrain warranty. Read More»

STRATEGY GAME

10:56 PM Games No comments

Game Flash - Play Game Flash online

Date added:Unknown

Description: This game will make the team management and armored vehicles and artillery emplacements on the streets to fight an enemy invasion. Points earned to buy tanks and gun emplacements by firing all enemy tanks

Instructions:Use the left mouse button to set the defensive points with tanks and artillery. Then, click "Send Me" to start playing.

Ford Fiesta Review

5:34 AM 2012 Best Cars for the Money, Ford, Review No comments

The 2012 Ford Fiesta ranks 2 out of 41 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 27 published reviews and test drives of the Ford Fiesta, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The 2012 Ford Fiesta is a well-rounded small car that offers good driving dynamics, a comfortable interior and competitive interior tech for the class.

The Ford Fiesta hit the market in 2010, and for 2012, reviewers are still impressed with the 2012 Fiesta’s nearly perfect package. They say thisaffordable small car offers cute looks, fun color options, a quality interior, fun driving dynamics, upscale tech and good fuel economy ratings for the class.

That said, there are a few caveats consumers should know. In advertisements, Ford says the Fiesta gets 29/40 mpg city/highway. That’s with the Fiesta’s Super Fuel Economy package that’s optional on SE trims and higher, which means you pay more for good mileage. And, even though the Fiesta is available as a hatchback, it is not the most utilitarian five-door in the class. That honor is reserved for the Honda Fit, which has a standard Magic Seat and up to 57.3 cubic feet of cargo space.

But that doesn’t stop the Fiesta sedan and hatchback from being the Best Subcompact Car and Hatchback for the Money thanks to their stylish looks, available tech and fun performance.

Other Cars to Consider

There are two new affordable small cars that are challenging the Ford Fiesta: the Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent. Previously, the automotive press condemned these models for their bad performance, cheap interiors and few standard safety features. For 2012, both of these models are redesigned and the automotive press is raving about their 138-horsepower engines and attractive exteriors. What’s more, both of these models top the base Fiesta’s fuel economy ratings and get 29/40 mpg city/highway.

If practicality is your main concern, you should check out the Honda Fit. Some reviewers say it isn't as much fun as the Fiesta, but it does a lot of things the Fiesta can’t thanks to its standard Magic Seat. The Magic Seat has four modes (people, utility, long and tall), which means you can fit five adults comfortably, pack 57.3 cubic feet worth of stuff, tote a surf board or haul a tall plant. The Fit does trail the Fiesta in terms of fuel economy, but if practicality is your primary concern, the Honda Fit tops the Fiesta.

Details: Ford Fiesta

The Ford Fiesta sedan and five-door hatchback come in four trims: the base S, SE, SEL and SES. The base S is available only as a sedan, and the sedan is not available in the SES trim. The hatch isn't available in the SEL, though the two trims are nearly identical in terms of features and options.

The Ford Fiesta is in its second year of production, and there are few changes to the model. In response to critiques from the automotive press, Ford has added a center arm rest and blind spot sideview mirrors. The automaker has also added new interior style packages.

"The Fiesta is a substantial, grown-up car. If Ford can keep pricing for the U.S. model, due here next spring, within range of the spunkier but less well-mannered Honda Fit, it will have a rare commodity: a car suited to both Facebook and the real world." -- Automobile Magazine
“Fiesta doesn't have near the passenger room and cargo versatility of most competitors, but counters with the availability of several unexpected class features, such as heated seats and leather upholstery. If practicality is secondary to style and substance in your book, then Fiesta should be on your shopping list." -- Consumer Guide
"Ford would be happy with best in class. And we think that's where the Fiesta may very well rank when it reaches the United States." -- Car and Driver
"Against more familiar models--the Chevrolet Aveo, the Honda Fit and the Toyota Yaris--the Fiesta rises above this competition and every other segment." -- AutoWeek
"Want a small, cheap, fun-to-drive, economical, practical car? Right now there's not many choices at all and none if you want to buy American. The Ford Fiesta will change that." -- Jalopnik
"The Fiesta marks Ford's attempt to market the same basic car here that is sold in Europe at higher prices, by standardizing the basics and making optional some upscale features, including heated leather seats, automatic climate control, heated side mirrors, keyless entry and push-button engine start. Some of these features have never been seen in this price class." -- Cars.com

Volkswagen GTI Review

5:28 AM Review, Volkswagen No comments

The 2012 Volkswagen GTI ranks 1 out of 9 Upscale Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 25 published reviews and test drives of the Volkswagen GTI, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

The 2012 Volkswagen GTI isn’t the fastest or most nimble upscale small car, but reviewers think the GTI is a great value because it offers a little bit of everything at an affordable price.

The automotive press likes the spunk of the Volkswagen Golf, but thinks that the Volkswagen GTI, the performance-tuned version of the Golf, goes above and beyond the call of duty with its ample power and precise handling. Unfortunately, the GTI’s performance isn’t so perfect when compared with its classmates. The 2012 Volkswagen GTI falls short simply because it isn’t as powerful or refined as what reviewers expect from a German vehicle. It makes significantly less horsepower compared with the BMW 1-Series, and reviewers don’t think the GTI is as nimble as it could be.

But there is one thing the 2012 Volkswagen GTI is good at, and that’s packing a lot of value into a small package, which is why we named the GTI the Best Upscale Small Car for the Money. Test drivers think the GTI’s cabin materials are exceptional, and are even more impressed that most adults will be able to sit comfortably in the front and back seats. Add good fuel economy for the class, and a low base price compared with the pricey Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series, and the VW GTI offers the ideal balance of price, practicality and fun-to-drive character that make the GTI an ideal choice for shoppers looking for a car that does a lot of things well.

Other Cars to Consider

If you love to drive, test the BMW 1-Series. This coupe costs significantly more than the GTI, has lower fuel economy ratings and a tight second row, but if a powerful engine, smooth transmission, precise cornering and confident braking are important to you, you won’t feel like you’re wasting money.

While test drivers say the GTI has a good balance of practicality and performance, the Audi A3 boasts the same. Though its back seat is cramped for adults, the A3 has a lot more cargo space, and is even available with a turbocharged diesel engine, which meshes both good fuel economy and excellent performance, making the A3 even more practical. If you’re interested in the A3, keep in mind that it is more expensive than the GTI.

The Details: Volkswagen GTI

The 2012 VW GTI is available in two- and four-door models. Both models are available with the convenience and sunroof, sunroof and navigation and Autobahn packages. See the full list of 2012 Volkswagen GTI specs.

“As far as hot hatches are concerned, none of the competition offers the same mix of refinement sophistication and driving good times that the GTI does.” -- Autoblog
"The 2012 Volkswagen GTI might not make top performance numbers, but overall, it's one of our top picks for a sporty hatchback." -- Edmunds
"GTI is a great choice that offers near premium-compact build quality and serious driving-enthusiast appeal. The 2.0T engine is plenty powerful. We're not enamored with the automated-manual transmission. Base prices are reasonable but quickly skyrocket as features are added. Still, even with somewhat lofty prices, you get what you pay for." -- Consumer Guide

GAME MOTOR RACE 3D HIGH QUALITY

2:31 PM Games No comments

After the unnecessary failure of two previous versions of ProStreet and Undercover, EA has decided to develop licensing Slightly Mad (famous for its racing game series GTR) with a desire to help regain Need for Speed series glory days needle.

Like ProStreet, players game tied in the race (will not visit the scene ran around the city like in Most Wanted or Carbon), this could be another disappointment for some players, but nothing to worry sedimentation, because, good game than what you think. The concept of "driving simulation" has been raised to new heights (though certainly not true that in Gran Turismo) and cleverly integrated into the traditional arcade racing format, making a play Shift intriguing.

Also can not forget the huge car collection that Need for Speed Shift brings more than 60 units with well-known brands are "concrete" as the Audi R8, Ford GT, Lamborghini Gallardo, Mercedes-Benz SL65 ..., all of which are designed very similar to life and you can still "the" at will through bonuses earned in each game screen. EA offers graphics that are very good, the car images are reproduced with realistic looks shiny, the details are extremely meticulous design, in addition to the "fuzzy" has prompted the game to stay on longer impressed by the lighting effects and the launch vehicle for "spectacular". Sound also relative to other factors, the track creates a sense of fiery extreme excitement on the track, the engine groans and hisses of the wind, skidding on the road .... are excellent.

OS - Windows XP (Service Pack 3)
or Windows Vista (Service Pack 1) / Windows 7

Processor – Intel Core™2 Duo 1.6 GHz or fasterMemory – XP: 1 GB RAM; Vista/Windows 7: 1.5 GB RAMHard Drive – 6 GBDVD Drive - 8 SPEEDVideo Card – 256 MB Video Card, with support for Pixel Shader 3.0*Sound Card - DirectX 9.0c compatibleDirectX - DirectX 9.0c compatibleOnline Multiplayer – 512 Kbps or faster; 2-12 PlayersInput - Keyboard, MouseOptional – USB Steering Wheel / Dual Analogue Gamepad*Supported Video Cards: ATI Radeon X1800 XT 512MB or greater; NVIDIA GeForce 7800 GT 256MB or greater. Laptop versions of these chipsets may work but are not supported. Updates to your video and sound card drivers may be require

You try download here: http://mega.1280.com/folder/QC9GSZ/