2017 Suzuki Swift

The New Swift officially launched in Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday 29^th  July, 2017 with an open house and it was indeed a well attended affair at both of its dealerships in North and South Trinidad. For everyone that missed the opportunity to attend or check out this little pocket rocket in person, please check out my review for some useful and helpful details…

The Swift goes up against some stiff competition in this particular segment with the likes of the very common and popular Nissan March, Kia Rio, Chevrolet Spark and some even some more premium brands such as the BMW 1 Series, Mercedes Benz A Class and Mini Cooper’s Mini.

However, the 2017 Swift holds its own, for this model the Swift is smaller and lighter, than its predecessor. It boasts a 1.2 L & 1.4 L DOHC VVT Engine which churns out 94 ponies and 130 pound-feet of torque, which is mated to a 4 speed automatic CVT transmission. Unfortunately the 1.2 L petrol engine variant is only offered in Trinidad currently.

On the inside, the new Swift is well laid out, and it scores major points in terms of ergonomics and functionality and it bares a striking resemblance to the interior of that of the new Suzuki Baleno. In the space department, though noticeably smaller, the Swift pulls off some pretty amazing tricks, by pushing the front and rear axles further apart approximately (20 mm) which allowed for an increase in the wheelbase, which improved the overall amount of cabin space, especially for passengers that frequently occupy the rear seats. Although it may not be a spacious backseat of a limo inside the new Swift but it does comfortably seat four (4) adults, which is more than impressive for a car this size.

When it comes to features and technology offering the Swift does a modest job LED daytime running lights, DAB and Bluetooth Connectivity comes standard. However, on the higher spec models there are some noticeable goodies such as a 7 inch infotainment screen that includes Android Auto and Apple CarPlay, 4.2 inch display  between instrument dials, climate control, polished alloy wheels, LED head & tail lights, adaptive cruise control, key-less entry reach adjustment on steering wheel and navigation software in the infotainment screen.

In the safety department the Swift offers six (6) airbags as standard. Other safety features offered includes, ABS, Traction Control, Anti-Theft System, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) and front and rear parking sensors.

Overall the the 2017 Swift can be described as a superb all rounder, which is ready, capable and immense fun to drive.  The new Swift starts at $154,950 TTD for the GL Variant and it also comes with a 5 Year / The new Swift is sold by the 100,000 KM warranty. The Suzuki Division of Lifestyle Motors and can be found at both Its North and South Dealerships.

Additional photos of the 2017 Suzuki Swift can be seen below:

For more posts check out my social media pages by clicking on the links below:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

Audi Plans $12 Billion Cost Cutting Exercise to Fund Future Electric Vehicles

According to recent reports from Reuters, Audi: Volkswagen's most profitable brand plans to cut costs up to $12 billion within the next 5 years to fund the company's latest shift to electric vehicles.

The first vehicle on Audi's line up is the E-Tron Quattro Crossover. Audi plans to roll out five new electric vehicles within this time-frame. The reduction in its R&D costs would almost entirely attribute to this massive savings plan.

 Platform sharing has come to fore once again as Audi also plans to develop a new platform with Porche as another cost cutting measure, thereby allowing both VW brands to save and reduce costs on electrical and mechanical components. 

Audi and VW are not alone in the realm of saving funds and redirecting them to Electronic Vehicles. Volvo and Mercedes-Benz did the same as it announced its new EV brand called the EQ. In July Swedish Automaker: Volvo announced that all its new models would boasts an electric drive train.

Audi's E-Tron is expected to have a range over 310 miles and electric motors that churn upwards of 429 -496 horse power. 

The dieselgate scandal still plagues VW today, may have negative effects on German and European car manufacturers that sells cars with diesel engines in the US. Top car manufacturers in Europe such as BWM and Mercedes-Benz may decline its sales of diesel vehicles in the US and opt to refocus efforts almost entirely on Electric Vehicles.

Source: Reuters

For more posts check out my social media pages by clicking on the links below:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

2017 Chevrolet Cruze

The new Cruze officially launched in Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday 8^th July, 2017 and it was indeed a well attended affair at both of its dealerships in North and South Trinidad. But for all those who missed the launch I took the liberty to review this new machine, so hopefully you guys get the motivation to check it out for yourselves…

The 2017 Cruze comes in a new variant than those offered in previous models, so Yes for all those hot hatch fans, the Cruze is now available in a four (4) door hatchback form. The Cruze is strategically slotted in the middle of Chevrolet’s vehicle line up i.e above the likes of the Spark but below the Malibu and Impala, both of which are not offered in the Trinidad.

The Cruze comes with a new engine and drive-train for 2017. It boasts a 1.4 Liter,  153 Horse Power Turbo charged engine with churns out 177 pound-feet of Torque which is mated to a 6 speed automatic or manual transmission, if your prefer the latter. The smaller turbo charged engine does great for fuel efficiency as the Cruze delivers 34 mpg rated for combined driving or 28 city and 39 Hwy.

 In the features category, the new Cruze offers a multitude of goodies. Chevrolet Mylink which features a 7” touch screen with built in Apple Car-play and Android Auto comes standard throughout the Cruze trim levels. Usability and adaptability with the MyCheverolet mobile app allows the driver to start and stop the engine or lock and unlock doors, view diagnostic messages and set parking reminders for those tech savvy persons who choose to make use of these features. The Cruze takes the teenagers and young adults heavily into account by muting the audio system when front seat occupants are fastened in their seat belts and emitting audio and visual signals and notifications when the prescribed driving speeds/limits are not observed.

In the safety department the Cruze kicks it up a notch by offering a mind boggling  10 airbags as standard. Other safety features offered by the new Cruze includes,  a rear-view camera, Electronic Stability Control (ESC) with traction control and rollover mitigation. On the higher trim levels additional safety features includes Rear Park Assist, Side Blind Zone Alert with Lane Change Alert, and Rear Cross-Traffic Alert. Forward Collision Alert, Lane Departure Warning with Lane Keep Assist.

All in all in a very competitive segment, it can be easily said that this is by far the best Chevrolet Cruze to date and particularly one of the best compact compact cars made and offered by Chevrolet. It is more through than its predecessor and it comes with class leading safety technology and new age features.

The 2017 Chevrolet Cruze can be viewed and test drive  at Chevrolet Division of Lifestyle Motors located at Cipero Street, San Fernando and Barataria. The base Cruze starts at $189,950.00 TTD and increases based the trim level on your preference.

Additional photographs of the 2017 Cruze can be seen below:

For more posts check out my social media pages:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

2017 Mazda MX-5 Miata Vs 2017 Toyota 86

For this post the Mazda Miata is pitted against the Toyota 86. These two ultra fun sports cars can be found in our sweet twin island republic of Trinidad & Tobago, If you search hard enough.

None the less both of these purist budget sports cars has plenty to offer, especially for true car and driving enthusiast. The 2017 Mazda Miata comes upgraded and outfitted with a retractable hardtop roof, a change from the usual rag/cloth top.

The Toyota 86 is based on the revised Scion FR-S, in the US as it is commonly known and also on the Subaru BRZ with which it also shares its platform.

Source: Mazda

When you look at the specs sheets for both of these cars, the Toyota looks like it has the edge, in terms of the performance. However this not only factor taken into consideration when testing and comparing cars. The two automotive journalists had immense fun reviewing these both cars. 

                                         Source: Autoblog

Which of these cars, would be deemed the winner of this Head to Head clash of the most fun and purist driving experience, check out the video below to find out.

                                                                                         Source: Motortrend

For more posts check out my social media pages below:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

2018 Nissan Leaf EV will be Equipped with Semi-Autonomous Technology – A Step into the Future

The Nissan Leaf, the Japanese firms electric segmented car offering is coined as 100% Electric and 100% Fun will boast some pretty amazing tech next year.

Recently Nissan previewed its latest generation of the Leaf equipped with ProPilot Semi-Autonomous Technology. The new leaf will come revamped with increased driving range than that of the current model. The current model comes equipped with a 30 kWh battery and range of 107 miles.

What is ProPilot Assist? This essentially assists the driver in controlling the acceleration, braking and steering to keep the driver positioned properly in its lane. This particular feature can be activated and deactivated simply by pushing a button position on the right side of the  Leaf’s steer wheel.

Source: Nissan

Currently the feature is only designed to assist drivers traversing in a single lane. However next year Nissan plans to further improve this system, to include multi lane autonomous capability. For the coming years Nissan plans keep improving this system until it is able to navigate busy city intersections.

The new leaf is anticipated to go debut in September and go on sale before the years end. The new Leaf would feature new sheet metal and a radical new design.

For more posts, check out my social media pages below:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter

2017 Volkswagen Jetta

The Jetta to date has remained one of the VW’s best selling models. It is a front wheel drive compact sedan, which is strategically placed below the midsize Passat.

The new Jetta is offered with a turbo charged, 1.4 liter gasoline engine, churning out 150 BHP and 184 lb-ft of torque. The Jetta is offered in other engine sizes for added power and response such as 1.8 and 2.0 liter engines offered elsewhere in the world, however in Trinidad and Tobago only the 1.4 is available. This engine is mated with 6 speed automatic transmission.

In terms of fuel economy, the Jetta with its 1.4 liter engine it estimated to achieve 28 mpg for typical city driving and a very high 40 mpg on the highway. This engine by far offers the best fuel efficiency of all the other engines in the Jetta lineup.

In the technology and features department the Jetta comes well equipped. In Trinidad and Tobago the Jetta is offered in 2 trim levels which are the Jetta Comfortline and Jetta Comfortline with Sunroof. A five inch touch screen is standard on the Comfortline along with a rear-view camera.

On the Higher trim levels such as the Comfortline with Sunroof the interface is upgraded to a 6.3 inch touch screen with Volkswagen Discover media installed. Also equipped on this trim level is Apple Car Play and Android Auto. A big boot (trunk) is available in the 2017 Jetta, 15.7 cubic feet to be exact, this can be increased by the split folding rear seats.

In the sphere of safety the 2017 Jetta received the 5 star safety score from the NHTSA. The Jetta is also received Top Safety Pick award from the IIHS for crash tests and an advanced rating in the front crash prevention and mitigation test.  The Driver Assistance package, is available on lower trim levels which includes the following:

·         Automatic emergency braking

·         Forward collision warning

·         Adaptive cruise control

·         Blind spot warning

·         Rear cross traffic alert &  Park assist

The Volkswagen has plenty to offer at a reasonable price. The base price of the VW Jetta Comfortline is $232,000.00 TTD and the Jetta Comfortline with Sunroof is $242,000.00 TTD. The 2017 Jetta is sold at the Volkswagen Division of Massy Motors and can be located at both North and South Dealerships, if you are interesting in viewing or test driving.

Additional views of the 2017 Jetta can be seen below:

 For more posts check out my social media pages:
Facebook
Instagram
Twitter

Honda has plans on producing a even powerful Civic Type R

Last week the 2017 Honda Civic went on sale as the most powerful production vehicle Honda has ever offered in the U.S. However, Honda sources have revealed there is a high possibility that an even more powerful Type may be on its way.

Honda Civic’s chief engineer Hideki Matsumuto, has revealed in a recent interview, that Honda is contemplating to offer a number of Civic Type R variants. Factoring Honda’s long term stability, the chief engineer indicated that “We’re hoping that by gradually putting out more [variants] that we’ll be able to maintain a more stable sales volume.”

Currently, the 2017 Honda Civic Type R is offered with 306 BHP; one of the first upgrades in the new Type R Varaints would be more horsepower. Honda could also introduce a grand touring themed  variant with a softer suspension and tuning. Another variant of the Type R could come equipped with all wheel drive that propels it into direction competition with the likes of the Volkswagen Golf R and Subaru WRX STI.

Matsumuto further indicated that all new variants, which would soon be possibly offered, will help the Type R’s customer base. Given the Honda Civic Type R’s previous success in the US, selling thousands of units, Honda decided to stick with a familiar formula for the latest version of the Type R. The 2017 Honda Civic Type R features front wheel drive, 2 liter, 4 cylinder gasoline engine, pumping out 306 ponies and 6 speed manual transmission.

The new Type R is now available in the US, pricing starts at approximately $35,000 USD and is only available in 1 trim level. When and if this Civic Type R would ever make it to the shores of our  beautiful twin islands, I am not sure, but stayed tuned and I would be sure to keep you updated.

Additional views of the 2017 Civic Type R can be seen below:

For more posts, check out my social media pages in the links below:

Facebook

Instagram

Twitter