blink_me192

Mazda competitor to FT-86

A couple new ones I've done:

aLFA Romeo Supercar

(Based on Lexus LFA)

4th Generation Lexus GS Hybrid

Not sure if its anyone from here but saw a silver Aurion with the plates "IIIVY" at Chancellors Place UQ at around 6PM tonight.

:-D Love the rims.. are they 19" or 20"? I let a few people get on the bus before me so i could stare a little longer as you drove past. Very nice lookin car!

-Just editing my posts cos it felt a bit like spam.

:)

Not exactly Toyota related, but heres a couple that i've done :-)

(Very rough 5 min job. When i get the time, i'll try and finish it.)

See my blog for more.

$hit, Hyundai have made a good looking car there.

Any word on what Donks they will be using on those things????

I believe the Kia will be offered with either a 3.5V6, 2.7L V6, 2.4L Theta II and a 2.0L. Six Speed Autos will also be used apparently. The same goes with the sonata. I've read that most of these engines will be direct injected. There are possibilities of diesel engined variants as well based on the Hyundai R diesel engines.

more...

SOURCE: http://www.kia-world.net/index.php/2009/10...the-first-time/

More shots.

Some on the street shots of the new Kia K7/VG/Cadenza. Looks really good, and i love those rims. I hope Kia decides to bring this into Australia.

Subaru version anyone? :-P

more pics

I'm not sure if i really like the interior update nor the front end treatment - i prefer the pre-facelift to be honest. But i absolutely love those clear taillights, and for some weird reason i like the AURION badging on the front fender. looks neat :-P

Someone mentioned before, about the new YF sonata. Here are just a few more hi-res pics. Toyota might have a bit of problem on their hands when the sonata comes out. Lookin forward to the next gen aurion.

I came across this just recently, as some family friends were looking for an Avensis Verso. I was pretty intrigued as what is sold in the UK as the Avensis is totally different to what Toyota sells in Australia. What also caught my interest was what Toyota calls "Valvematic". The valvematic equipped engines in addition to Dual VVTI, can also continously vary the lift of the inlet valve. I have to admit though, that my understanding is that Valvematic doesn't provide any extra lift, only the capability to vary the lift, whereas VVTL-i is like VTEC in that it allows for additional lift. Perhaps Valvematic was only designed for efficiency and not really for any performance benefits?

Anyway Heres the video.

Its very interesting that toyota has some very neat engine tech that isn't being offered here in Aus. Would love to see a toyota with the 2GR-FSE incorporating some form of Valvematic/VVTL. That would be freakin awesome :-)

Some images of the Avensis

Avensis Tourer

Avensis Sedan

Looks nice IMO. I prefer the tourer to the Commodore sports wagon. What do you guys think?

Hello all

I'm Matt from Canberra. I just picked up a second hand kluger (black) cvx 2005 model with 50,000kms. I'm so happy with it, except for all the scratches :( but its so nice other than that.

I'm 23 so i'm getting a lot of funny looks from ppl as i drive around - yes 23 yr old guys do buy soccer mum SUVs hehe.

Why did i buy the kluger - well its good to have lots of seats when carting friends around and also the engine was a huge selling point. Obviously Toyota as a brand has the reliability reputation so that was also a plus. Although i like the new shape kluger, i'm really happy to be gen 1 owner.

Why did you all choose your kluger over other models/brands?

Cheers

Matt

Hey Matt lol, don't worry im 20 and whenever im home i drive around in i guess a soccer mum SUV as well. (Can u call the CX9 that? most people just refer to it as a boat >.<)

To be honest, when we were going to buy, the Kluger wasn't on our list surprisingly. We looked at the Tribeca, CX9, Santa Fe, Captiva, and went straight to the prado and LC200 at the toyota dealer. Ended up with the CX9, as it was the nicest looking (in our opinion), nicest one to drive, powerful, roomy, and the interior just felt better designed and put together.

We still feel it was the best choice, but my parents always joke about how we should've got the Prado as we wouldn't have to park a kilometer away from shopping centres etc, as it just seems like everything on the road wants to ding it (No protective body side mouldings, towbar or bullbar/nudgebar). haha.

I see a few 2nd gen KXS & Grande klugers driving around, and they look nice. I like the rims on them. I've been in one, but never driven it. I still like the CX9 better though. :-P im just a bit envious of the better fuel consumption and faster 0-100 times of the Kluger though.

I actually really like this design (well maybe except for the front). I think its probably one of the better toyota designs atm. I love the creases in the rear. If they made this a 7 seater, it would be a much better car than the Kluger is atm. Almost looks as good as the mazda CX9

The Mazda 6 is a 2.5L inline 4. The Euro is a 2.4L inline 4 as well. From most of the reviews so far, even though the 6 only has 125kw compared to the hondas 140 or so kw's, it is still faster and more responsive. its got more low down torque than most other NA 4 cyclinders. Both the Honda and Mazda drive a lot better than the Aurion (mainly because they are a lot smaller) but the ride is more stiff than the aurion. If you don't plan on pushin the car to its limits, the Aurion does everything very well. Its got the power, fuel economy, refinement, handling is competent and its also a lot more roomy. I think the aurion actually has better fuel economy than the accord v6, even though its got cyclinder deactivation. Probably more to do with the aurion having more low down torque and a 6 speed trans.

Interior quality wise, aurion is a little below Honda and Mazda, but its still not too bad. A lot better than the Commie and the new falcon. The boot in the mazda 6 hatch is actually really big. The honda's boot is a weird shape and the opening isn't all that big. Price is probably the biggest factor here, as the honda and mazda are about mid 40k for top spec models. The honda is reasonably equipped, but the mazda for its price is missing a few things, e.g. sat nav. I think toyota has done a good job with balancing the price and specs of the car. All 3 cars are great cars, so your gonna have a tough decision. But practicality wise, i think Aurion may have the others beat. Cheaper initial price, cheaper servicing and parts, and similar fuel economy with the extra power. The mazda though has killer looks and a fine chassis on its side. And honda is between to two.

Good luck with whatever you decide on.

haha i actually think it looks pretty nice. The pre-facelifted one that is. Yeh its got the same (but detuned) engine as 350z. The engine is heaps more responsive and than the commie.

In QLD the limit is 200kw. But i thought the Aurion made 202 or 204kilowatts depending on what fuel grade you use? So if the Aurion is permitted, would the CX9 (204kw) or the Accord V6 (202kw) be permitted as well?

To be honest, i've driven a lot of toyota's and they all seem to be like that. I think its probably tuned like that for fuel efficiency. In the kluger is there any way of manually downchanging?

When we were trying out cars, we had a look at the kluger and the middle seat wasn't that comfy at all. The CX-9's seat was a bit better but then again the CX-9's middle seat isn't that great either. They both feel as if your sitting "on the seat" rather than "in the seat".

I've noticed that the Nissan Maxima is never included in any comparisons with the Aurion, 'dore or falcon. From what im aware of, the Maxima can hold its own in a drag race as well. Theres a clip on youtube that clocks the max at around 7secs to 100km/h.