This software is a difficult thing. Toyota now has 15 years experience writing software and the hybrid drive is not going to their hard-won knowledge.
But changes in the flow of energy between the combustion engine, one or more electric motors, regenerative braking and high voltage batteries mix in a way that is imperceptible, or at least bearable for drivers and passengers, it is much harder than it looks.
Which brings us to the 2011 BMW 7 Active Hybrid, a mild hybrid the company's first hybrid car and the fastest. "The first Toyota Prius in 1997, was a star vehicle, and frankly,it does not
It is still 7-series BMW, of course, meaning that a large, fast, solid and luxurious. It may be just around the world hybrid electric raise and lower the head, for example. And it is certainly fast as your foot on it, with a 0-to-60-km / h takes just 4.7 seconds.
Like all BMW handling is exemplary. And it's a great car that is comfortable to drive fast, just right on the narrow roads and predictable cornering. Also a heads-up display, with sharp writing in different colors, it is perhaps the best we've seen so far.
But if ActiveHybrid 7 hybrid, may be less slippery than many 7-series models. Not at high speeds, while charging the battery at the crossing of the engine is all but unnoticeable. Most of the time, you should look at energy flow display to see if the engine battery and if it is not.
It's annoying, low-speed travel behavior within 7 ActiveHybrid. Within 25 miles per hour, took a regular car is an attempt to wipe until the driver brakes or accelerates.
But the rate picked up to 7 in hybrid kicks in the hotel, instead - and the car begins to slow noticeably, as if driven into the mud to pull him down.
2010 BMW X6 is a bit stupid, your profile will deny the SUV coupe-like proportions. The overall aerodynamic shape and flow over the shoulder line, but for most of his throws him off balance. Assessors tend to love or despise 2010 X6 is the style, whether it's just vanilla version or a more aggressive look X6 M. and interior styling is modern and attractive, although some appear in May X6 M added carbon panels seem a bit much.
Not surprisingly, 2010 X6, still a relatively new concept in the automotive world has many critics with the loss of accuracy. Car and Driver asks: "It's nice X6 Exploration of fashion or looks like a lifted five-door hatchback?" It seems to answer his own question, saying: ".. At least not if you look at the X6 and X6, the ride is likely that the style will be forgotten, or at least forgiven,"
Jalopnik says, "It looks promising, but flawed, and reiterates the" big "and Edmunds X6 beckons, consider it" a kind of a supermodel from behind. "Furthermore," all BMW with a big double kidney and fighter-jet-size income on every corner, "says Edmunds." Roofline is always in the profile, the X6 a hatchback-style is a unique look at best case also forced at worst. "Edmunds does not give the team a short break with" there is not nearly as crooked as you see it yourself. "
Popular Mechanics has a very masculine look, "We think positively dripping with machismo." Jalopnik notes that "lip on the back is larger than the F-150 is the back door." 2010 BMW X6's sloping roof to find greater acceptance, with fans of sports cars. Truck Trend says, "BMW designer Adrian van Hooydonk said [that] has been copied in a series of 6" The top two thirds of all 2010 BMW X6 sports coupe, the bottom third is an SUV.
Another traditional design is waiting for the 2010 BMW X6. Here Dash shows some similarities to the X5, BMW iDrive take the center, flanked by dark upholstery and many other controls. TheCarConnection.com notes that the high-mounted center console provides a stronger, closer in feel to the cockpit than you'd expect from a large vehicle.
2010 BMW 7-series was cold. Last year, 7-series was one of our least favorite luxury sedan in one of our most desired.
Mostly because of the style. BMW 7er mission was to look different and that between 2002 and 2008 7-Series took it to extremes. Greenhouse long, wings sprout unnecessary double hung trunklid. Now, the latest 7-series looks much more relaxed and happier. Glass sinks are slender arms are cut just right, decklid was settled, with the fuselage and tail light more closely integrated. Hofmeister kink at the junction between the D-pillar and rear doors, a great sport. Even the grille looks like a happy-to be shared with a wider smile, aero dam dip low grounded appearance. The long wheelbase version is not the balance in the general form, with a small piece of glass in the area at the back door.
Let us "well done" in the cockpit, too. We are not as messy mix of buttons, windows and provides the final version. Here BMW organize clutter and simplify the forms, so that in the 2010 7 Series cabin reading is light and clean. Tools can be completely darkened, if necessary, otherwise the flash in the middle of dense fine-grained wood, ceramic finished buttons, and futuristic controllers that the transmission and driving dynamics, and the iDrive system (more on that later) control.
Other Views:
Edmunds: "a wonderful, essential, and a hint of aggression"
Jalopnik: "The design team went to great efforts to correct the embarrassing car lookback"
Car and Driver: "trunklid is far less spherical"
Car and Driver: "Only experts can say up to 760 models from more pedestrian 7-Series variants"
Edmunds: "handsome, spacious interior '
Motor Trend: The cab is a "mixture of fine leather and polished wood"
Autoblog Black Panel, so that only the contours of the rings and pins ... visible when the car is off
Car, "the employee to the center console"
BMW's foray into cutting-edge design with a former chief designer Chris Bangle's 'flame surface' technology is a failure with critics and consumers. But it is very important 3-Series fortunately violence done in the larger model spared. For the amount of car 2010 BMW portfolio recently and had the bracelet would be easy. Sedan Coupe is a nice and beautiful from nose to tail, with an athletic and elegant posture. Discrete typical "flame surface" of interest and add flair to the 3-series, but fortunately abstained. It is important to remember that no body is split between coupe and convertible with two doors and the sedan and station wagon with four-door models. "Convertible" model is actually a hardtop that folds neatly in the trunk (at the expense of luggage).
Reviewers were impressed with the styling of the review last year of the BMW 3-series, such as Motor Trend says it gives "a little sharper, more muscular appearance." TheCarConnection.com read reviews show that a small update for the BMW 3-Series cars to increase visual appeal. For those a little more space than the coupe and sedan can provide, Car and Driver says that the BMW 3-series sedan looks better than ever, and some believe that BMW U.S. sales pick up soon. "Edmunds reviewers note," a part of the sedan and station wagon more questionable stylistic elements that were not made "by the addition of" new front end, reminiscent of a coupe and convertible sexy. "Car and Driver praises" appears less good in the air "and stressed that" stress the lamp, LED lamps, encased in cool looking grid. "
Inside, the 2010 BMW 3-Series BMW uber-traditional: practical, elegant and luxurious, yet understated. TheCarConnection.com is the research shows that the evaluators feel inside is the Conservatives. Edmunds considered "a somewhat simple, [with] the emphasis on driver comfort and involvement" in matters not a purist could argue against, but says that the BMW 3-Series' interior a sober show of luxury.
"For the year 2010 3 Series Automobile Magazine raves that" the ergonomics are great, "while Motor Trend notes, the availability of 'new colors and materials" for the interior. Only complaints from consumer guide, who grumbles that "sound and threatened their low air conditioning plants and mysterious."
BMW 5-Series mid-size sport sedan was completely renovated in 2011, more than one driver's car than the outgoing 2010 5-Series, or most other mid-size luxury sedan, while still upping the ante technology, and we should not forget the comfort and luxury are important.
No wagon version of the 5-series models this time, instead of hitting 5-of Gran Turismo, a mixture of car and SUV cues into a form that is not quite a sedan or a crossover. Gran Turismo, rear seat space is excellent increased sedan, it seems that the rear doors can be opened in two ways. Drive to Gran Turismo is basically the same, but different suspension settings mean that you are treated almost like a 5-series sedan.
Despite the predictable conservative 5-Series, BMW a new model for a little more sporty expression of 5-series rather than feeling. Once all the technical advances that are available with sport package, or as an option, you do not quickly and aggressively to get them, you get a real sports sedan, which will most satisfy you, your passengers and your inner tech nerd .
The absence of 30 minutes had elapsed after the mandate of 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor, until we were all four wheels off the ground. We must work even before, but our destination - the Baja-style test track in the desert outside Phoenix, Arizona - was clearly far enough from the city, the residents are unable to complain about noise, dust or mini tornado hit their own travel brush-filled paradise.
2010 Ford F-150 Raptor SVT jump after all the modern conveniences for day-to-day life just is not contrary to the uncivilized activities to see how much air you can see the car skid plates and solid ground.
And therein lies the beauty of this special animal. Because it is such a sweet-board navigation system with voice-activated SYNC leather interior with heated seats, dual-zone climate control and satellite radio are considered standard in the truck, specially built for 100-miles-per-hour explosions in the desert?
Since late 2009 actually, when FoMoCo the first version of F-150 Raptor SVT on an unsuspecting public. Unlike all previous products of the Ford Special Vehicle Team, including F-150 SVT Lightning-based, this car is not his best work in the sidewalk and starts really nasty things.
It is no secret that we raptor our first experience behind the wheel like, and it is now better than ever before.
How? Read on to learn.
Our largest and perhaps only real complaint commenced when the Raptor is that the 5.4-liter V8 engine is underpowered for the kind of jokes are heavy chassis and improved suspension and support. Ford heard our cries for more power and remedy the situation, new 6.2-liter V8 that is suitable for service Raptor after he first saw action in the Ford Super Duty truck line.
Here are the first couple of really good news: we are all positive to say about the original Raptor carries more completely intact with 6.2-powered version. Has the health fully boxed frame, which is a full seven inches wider than the standard F-150, and 17-inch wheels with tires, BF Goodrich, specially made for all surfaces.
Find the lever in the Raptor 6.2 for switching between the two wheels, four-wheel drive high and four-wheel drive low. If it really hard that hard to go back and I can lock the outside compulsive Road model, using electronic magic of gas and switching cards together with a change threshold of stability, traction control and ABS. Finally, a handy dandy features Hill Descent Control, which deters you to scroll up or down steep slopes. 
And if you happen to be in over his head, despite all efforts hive mind of the truck's computer system will transmit the most important pieces that are part of the front and rear suspension. There are 11.2-inch bump-consumption of travel front and 12.1 inch rear. Damping functions are expertly handled a particular set of shocks, Fox Racing, a triple bypass valve function within, making them do things like jump in a leap year high mountain sports. These belts are very impressive and almost impossible to find errors.
We now return to the route of the Baja testing. We quickly discovered that not only manage the Raptor. You can pilot. The first thing after arriving in the not-so-secret test site was at the front of a massive truck tires point in the general direction of the main ramp and follow to bury the accelerator. After this first successful launch and landing, we repeated the offense again and again ... completely in the name of science, of course. Suffice it to say that the process of leaping three tons of old pickup, but we were wondering how a bright orange machine does the rest of the trip is an obstacle. 
A few laps around the test showed a handful of points. First, is it really possible to break the Raptors, but you need something really stupid that this happened to. Talking to act without any rational thought that should qualify for a Darwin award if you do not. More likely scenario is that feeling panic at the first sign of pushing too far Raptor is a strange bag.
Second, that the biggest obstacle to getting his pilot license Raptor has the courage to set foot on the gas on the side of your brains is always present incentives to control their lives and body coverage.
Third, once you get the elusive switch that the brains together with the demand for self-preservation to find the Raptor is almost anything that Mother Nature has in his arsenal. Vespa-sized boulders, ditches and tire-swallowing potholes big enough to stop the blitzkrieg sent all the air of invincibility. If you are unsure whether the area is passable, it probably just means you're not fast enough to make him jump. We're really not kidding here - the truck has a shock is designed with multiple levels of damping force, which basically means that the biggest hits were soaked at least as flexible as a minor obstacle, and the decline is much less likely to be uncomfortable When you move to a decent speed.
The ultimate off-road delight, we learned during our visit to the track on the 6.2-liter engine is much more willing and able partner in the previous 310-hp 5.4-liter Triton V8. Maybe this is obvious, but the fact is that Raptor can handle all of 411 horsepower and 434 pounds-feet of torque the new engine is able to provide.
And now it's time for a real revelation Raptor hide all the time: This machine is very friendly when it's time to go into the wilderness and back home. What seemed only minutes before, rather than as something specially made to jump over gaping holes unspeakable volcano in Iceland is now a good old Ford F-150 from ... and fun.
Incredibly, the ride is smooth and good control while driving on surface streets. Moreover, the cabin quiet and pleasant enough inside for the bank to carry an interview with them in the back seat, no screaming. Controls are fairly tight as a giant gum, what motivates Raptor. Steering feeling is too easy and quick for our liking, but it's certainly on par with the rest of his off-road-oriented rivals full-size truck.
Perhaps the biggest problem with the gloomy economy Raptor. We are in a poor average of 13.7 miles per gallon on the executive board, which included a long slog on the highway from the area-to-the-wall stretching off road.
This is somewhat contrary leaf, F-150 Raptor SVT. On one side of the vehicle has been specially bred to tackle the Baja 1000: e On the other hand, it is sophisticated enough that you and Mrs. for a surprise night out. Well, assuming that she would not mind having in our tests the bright orange color and a matte black graphics package. We should at least along the inner system.
Maybe it's a matter of course, but we enjoyed the week we spent with the 2010 Ford Raptor 6.2. All good things we ever wrote about the Raptor is the newest version, but unfortunately we believe that it is more strength to go.
It is clear that the 6.2-liter V8 engine is a Ford Raptor to be blessed from the beginning. Of course I like the extra 101 horses in the previous engine, but in reality we still want more, and we have to wonder how Ford is effective, but the surprisingly strong 3.5-liter V6 EcoBoost engine could be felt in This off-road program.
However, the base price of $ 41,995 (for a reasonable $ 3,000 more expensive than the outgoing 5.4, which already exists for 2011) do not hear us complain about much at all about the fun-per-dollar share of 6.2 - powered raptor. While the ticket may cost less, have more fun than flying on the back of this bird of prey.
For our stint with the 2011 Range Rover Supercharged, we enjoyed some time with the Jaguar XKR. JAG and Rover are the same 5.0-liter V8 compressor, and the same six-digit prize, which led a friend to ask what they prefer their own cars. Without hesitation, the answer is a writer would be off-road. Super Rover has more than enough power for an exciting journey, it is extremely capable off-road and have space for family, friends, animals, food and golf clubs. It just makes more sense than the Jag. Sense, however, usually do not play a role in creating a four-wheel, and so we took our friend for a ride, after which he jumped with a grin and said, "I'm too Rover ..." 
Landia This is the latest iteration of the popular Land Rover sport utility vehicle. Sold the same model with the atmospheric version of its 5.0-liter supercharged V8 is perhaps not as visually athletic look as the Range Rover Sport, Jaguar XKR, or for that matter, but are equally strong and can carry more freight. What makes the 2011 Range Rover Supercharged Alex Třebeč adopted in response to the $ 102,365 vehicle is known for off-road, so things are moving, you did not know they could. "
Range Rover had a major overhaul in 2002, Land Rover refined and improved from the vehicle to keep them fresh. This is significantly updated for 2010 model year, coinciding with a 5.0-liter V8 arrival, an excellent engine, which found its way under the hood of most Land Rover and Jaguar products. For 2011, the Range Rover improved again, but with a looser, and only where it is most important. Let's start from the outside.
Range Rover has always played as the auto industry to a gold bar: a simple, heavy and expensive. The vertical grille and vertical metal plates emphasize his towering presence, and the rest of the track to go back into a perfectly parallel. Take a closer look, however, and you will see, the designers built in a few gentle curves, most noticeable in the soft folds of the lid and gently extended wheel arches filled by 20-inch 10-spoke alloy wheels. 2011 model sports new headlamps and LED tail lights set to turn from bright and shiny as the sun retired.
While the Range Rover Sport Supercharged exterior melds tradition with modern times, the internal push further into the future. Tech-laden cabin is incredibly beautiful and packed in a mixture of top notch texture. Like metal? You will enjoy the shifter, pedals and a large number of metallic accents in the cabin. In the case of our tester, you will find a deep black lacquer finish that contrasts nicely with the shiny bits. Finally, many soft ivory skin creates a transition between two different materials, and adds some warmth in the cabin. Our tester also featured Arabica Oxford leather with contrasting white stitching and seat tube. The number of colors and textures works surprisingly well, owners who are interior designers in the accompanying feel at home.
Range Rover has a high seating position and lots of glass lighthouse offers a degree of visibility of the participants, while the electrically adjustable front seats, Recaro-meets-La-Z-Boy mix, talented and pleasant. They also offer heating and cooling to the temperature in the area be maintained. Then later, the fans clearly audible, but the price you pay for cold sandwiches. Rear seat passengers can not miss the hair-raising experience, but the heated rear seats are suitable for more than six meters high and is also supported.
