2012 New York: 2014 Nissan NV is the Handicapable Taxi of Tomorrow

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b>2012 New York: 2014 Nissan NV is the Handicapable Taxi of Tomorrow</b> The New York Taxi & Limousine Commission’s selection of the Nissan NV200 Taxi over some of the other contenders – the Turkish Karsan entry in particular – rankled New York’s handicapped rider community, because the Karsan proposal was for a 100-percent accessible fleet. So at the gala unveiling of Nissan’s production NV200 Taxi, wheelchair-bound protesters chanted outside and held signs. But inside, Nissan unveiled plans for a handicap-accessible version, to be upfitted by the Braun Corporation of Winamac, Indiana. Braun is responsible for many of the wheelchair-accessible minivan conversions you see on the road today, and is hammering out plans to convert an unspecified number of the 3000 or so NV200 Taxis that will enter service in Gotham each year (the company currently converts 7500 vehicles per year).<br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">2012 New York: 2014 Nissan NV is the Handicapable Taxi of Tomorrow</span></h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRbbASywWXVUrMNdh0U9LRSENxxUe5vcKSs02pCX5yWbAZ1CBND_wZT30Kx8lTWU65ppMrhPRVSEd8bpBOlAcsxeBHq4hVPM2RHy3AtVhtaH-zecO3Ts5Ha0KhDaprXOJDCVOMUtiHiYF/s1600/2014-Nissan-NV200-Taxi-on-bridge1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRbbASywWXVUrMNdh0U9LRSENxxUe5vcKSs02pCX5yWbAZ1CBND_wZT30Kx8lTWU65ppMrhPRVSEd8bpBOlAcsxeBHq4hVPM2RHy3AtVhtaH-zecO3Ts5Ha0KhDaprXOJDCVOMUtiHiYF/s640/2014-Nissan-NV200-Taxi-on-bridge1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>2012 New York: 2014 Nissan NV is the Handicapable Taxi of Tomorrow</u></td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> 2012 New York: 2014 Nissan NV is the Handicapable Taxi of Tomorrow</span></h3><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6JnTEDI2DcHlLoulzgO7zsAUJ2C_opQHt1YyNgcOvpaduLtw224WbaKOIgXGH8rYs02hCWYoK-M46tePmSAFKYQRPLueQAODtrhsYYAUg0g0lL8rczWiEb2z4pa8r2DBRYDa0fb5LlZX/s1600/2014-Nissan-NV200-Taxi-with-Crown-Victoria1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe6JnTEDI2DcHlLoulzgO7zsAUJ2C_opQHt1YyNgcOvpaduLtw224WbaKOIgXGH8rYs02hCWYoK-M46tePmSAFKYQRPLueQAODtrhsYYAUg0g0lL8rczWiEb2z4pa8r2DBRYDa0fb5LlZX/s640/2014-Nissan-NV200-Taxi-with-Crown-Victoria1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">2012 New York: 2014 Nissan NV is the Handicapable Taxi of Tomorrow</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEing4KEPhZNjxEB4jBdHDLwQlKW08IPGK1Lay6QO2oXWpjW2Gv9Avlltbq3MNjM_Fcwtou7ASbrFyQellMahlyeYbWjcWg6gUNQHgsoTpxVOx9YNZv8ipkWToFyYXs2cvYbg9FRt0O0ixnH/s1600/2014-Nissan-NV200-Taxi-front.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEing4KEPhZNjxEB4jBdHDLwQlKW08IPGK1Lay6QO2oXWpjW2Gv9Avlltbq3MNjM_Fcwtou7ASbrFyQellMahlyeYbWjcWg6gUNQHgsoTpxVOx9YNZv8ipkWToFyYXs2cvYbg9FRt0O0ixnH/s640/2014-Nissan-NV200-Taxi-front.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9zMYgnG4H20hK2hODpAeC93msuCXihsWo9_6R-saAWh_z1ItHEaip4HG1yvJAx5HU1KuRVJ3MMVLyysDbg4iF55uGvCQgPzIAdg-Z8izjyhOplno3HmykZRX9F_QqG9KG02-YRDCjGtW/s1600/2014-Nissan-NV200-Taxi-side-view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA9zMYgnG4H20hK2hODpAeC93msuCXihsWo9_6R-saAWh_z1ItHEaip4HG1yvJAx5HU1KuRVJ3MMVLyysDbg4iF55uGvCQgPzIAdg-Z8izjyhOplno3HmykZRX9F_QqG9KG02-YRDCjGtW/s640/2014-Nissan-NV200-Taxi-side-view.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="403" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJXVRcv1hCcSUkZewHieNF7leDfLqje7euRp7Jns5wBUMYZRDIyHBXMJYHavZ-31yIa4WaqugxkvQvaJ76XxK-dTN6Fy-4K2TJsEDpaOcqskBqITTy8W-368dPa85qP_8dci3U9nb76i5u/s640/2014-Nissan-NV200-taxi-interior1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8UNEmAc1-C7L_4DtTHBrIX7RUMA251V7A7-PCLso1mVRYXtx-xRreGouJ-DgSbEUhogTtkHWdU9U4rOYKfdoj6kOgbty0PwW1HfxCHlf9OK1RZIHeiE50Tm24mSzQVVy2-Fp9UUEgNTw/s1600/2014-Nissan-NV200-Taxi-rear-seats1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX8UNEmAc1-C7L_4DtTHBrIX7RUMA251V7A7-PCLso1mVRYXtx-xRreGouJ-DgSbEUhogTtkHWdU9U4rOYKfdoj6kOgbty0PwW1HfxCHlf9OK1RZIHeiE50Tm24mSzQVVy2-Fp9UUEgNTw/s640/2014-Nissan-NV200-Taxi-rear-seats1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTc1Wi9WFZD0nnfH5kkO7aiqfkC09N6GIAr5U1DDjWxqma3416fDy-zJolk6ZsC6z8tRaq6YQeKn3xsaQNoRGbZvdazIZFqwp4IGo1XuS5DI_ydEghfTP2ErUyc1Znptunt-UvrhapU4DQ/s1600/2014-Nissan-NV200-Taxi-side-doors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTc1Wi9WFZD0nnfH5kkO7aiqfkC09N6GIAr5U1DDjWxqma3416fDy-zJolk6ZsC6z8tRaq6YQeKn3xsaQNoRGbZvdazIZFqwp4IGo1XuS5DI_ydEghfTP2ErUyc1Znptunt-UvrhapU4DQ/s640/2014-Nissan-NV200-Taxi-side-doors.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: center;">2012 New York: 2014 Nissan NV is the Handicapable Taxi of Tomorrow</h4><div style="text-align: center;">The design shown admits the wheelchair passenger through the rear hatch using a 7-degree ramp, latches the chair in the passenger side middle-row seat area (the seat is converted from a 60/40 to a 50/50 split dump-and-fold design), where the passenger is belted into the standard lap-shoulder belt. As the media were leaving the launch, Braun representatives were out front chatting with the protesters, who seemed at least somewhat placated by Nissan’s efforts, though clearly they would have preferred the ubiquitous Karsan approach to handicap taxi accessibility.</div></div>

2012 New York: 2014 Nissan NV is the Handicapable Taxi of Tomorrow

2012 New York: 2014 Nissan NV is the Handicapable Taxi of Tomorrow The New York Taxi & Limousine Commission’s selection of the Nissan N...

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2012 New York: 2013 Toyota Avalon Moves From Milquetoast to Modernistic

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b>2012 New York: 2013 Toyota Avalon Moves From Milquetoast to Modernistic</b> The elongated, dramatic styling of the 2013 Toyota Avalon – which officially debuted this morning at the 2012 New York International Auto Show — may be polarizing and inspire plenty of debate, but we’ll give it this: it’s far more progressive in terms of design than any of its stodgy predecessors.<br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">2012 New York: 2013 Toyota Avalon Moves From Milquetoast to Modernistic</span></h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebGhABROiA_TunRrgcET64SjK3yq5YFyTd3I3RqoHHE3kND-BTKXQjykMzQL4Qt3ckPt3ibP_vJ2A0ZeE7m6hxPLsOzn6BRwGO3SXqoLGpdW2-jnp7Aot2VROmPM4ILUJtyR-EdBtXrYZ/s1600/2013-Toyota-Avalon-front-three-quarters-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhebGhABROiA_TunRrgcET64SjK3yq5YFyTd3I3RqoHHE3kND-BTKXQjykMzQL4Qt3ckPt3ibP_vJ2A0ZeE7m6hxPLsOzn6BRwGO3SXqoLGpdW2-jnp7Aot2VROmPM4ILUJtyR-EdBtXrYZ/s640/2013-Toyota-Avalon-front-three-quarters-4.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>2012 New York: 2013 Toyota Avalon Moves From Milquetoast to Modernistic</u></td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"> 2012 New York: 2013 Toyota Avalon Moves From Milquetoast to Modernistic</span></h3><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSvDY3oqktS8pk9qivztGB3-w6yLW8q4zUgqB_y4ReL5ubOoTkTt6veNLN-_VK_tkXEBIFly1ZLYX7-D0w1oogKDUMsrKRGG4JAqicfFahBgWTQDZy7MnQ0g4INP3R11fkpk3hV8s7jsO/s1600/2013-Toyota-Avalon-front-three-quarters-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxSvDY3oqktS8pk9qivztGB3-w6yLW8q4zUgqB_y4ReL5ubOoTkTt6veNLN-_VK_tkXEBIFly1ZLYX7-D0w1oogKDUMsrKRGG4JAqicfFahBgWTQDZy7MnQ0g4INP3R11fkpk3hV8s7jsO/s640/2013-Toyota-Avalon-front-three-quarters-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">2012 New York: 2013 Toyota Avalon Moves From Milquetoast to Modernistic</span></i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy-zXIlzSFrq5ioLRGlb3ZHxi7XEl705VsFct_otcq4wrIpxmgMgHPZlghgKIXncacbWoJcG_EIlLxOjIDTPulpVPL8u-gtFMVLyDsa49JuQmfZLIDE5BPHv5CJnibRkEwk6bK0duXpLp/s1600/2013-Toyota-Avalon-front-end-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDy-zXIlzSFrq5ioLRGlb3ZHxi7XEl705VsFct_otcq4wrIpxmgMgHPZlghgKIXncacbWoJcG_EIlLxOjIDTPulpVPL8u-gtFMVLyDsa49JuQmfZLIDE5BPHv5CJnibRkEwk6bK0duXpLp/s640/2013-Toyota-Avalon-front-end-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yN7sM1r2ea3dhmm0HSq2FloKEhLDgrptTgnmrE3Qbls02hU5-AeVXvqO7kizoQVRlr8_SLMdeWqt9L1SZAIwRIbc5p1q-DUsWX1zrmWdDG7JTMew0S4l0DNa2DFEKcP9WKRIOwAEldbj/s640/2013-Toyota-Avalon-front-three-quarters-view.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevsYb-9LBMFonrYBG5_tvjkwkfGQsrmDVL8G7DaXQHRPyv1_anJk-2BxdS3zqpriqDH0c8bDBtCWulE0LhbNyKwbF4Y9ChQtdRg3mP3OUPOdYReXbt8qVhFXieygDGzDWNS5CUX9tBlUM/s1600/2013-Toyota-Avalon-front-three-quarters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhevsYb-9LBMFonrYBG5_tvjkwkfGQsrmDVL8G7DaXQHRPyv1_anJk-2BxdS3zqpriqDH0c8bDBtCWulE0LhbNyKwbF4Y9ChQtdRg3mP3OUPOdYReXbt8qVhFXieygDGzDWNS5CUX9tBlUM/s640/2013-Toyota-Avalon-front-three-quarters.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhofWV8Nd0D3k2ydfNsIG0U5jtVtxvPRMhmFMxqiysXH1NBEzl4aHRGFrnKvsTsXIK9VrUgHgCkqOhvRa-NmPjmA2N7cY_yVoBq82T38smT_XsSc3qOv1ZlIrkT1mxWygATZHz5Hw2CD4i1/s640/2013-Toyota-Avalon-cockpit-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYLBE_ctIys-NfSXpUX9sIkdZErEDOtnwRSkVTjibLAWEQaqp8htghh7PbYJLfUsul5O1987k6Z-PKKXi3R0z7s-G3qcPEO9PbJPezF-gLmIUo-1VMOHnWGwpr46pLZ60BWgb38uYSKo7/s1600/2013-Toyota-Avalon-center-console.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJYLBE_ctIys-NfSXpUX9sIkdZErEDOtnwRSkVTjibLAWEQaqp8htghh7PbYJLfUsul5O1987k6Z-PKKXi3R0z7s-G3qcPEO9PbJPezF-gLmIUo-1VMOHnWGwpr46pLZ60BWgb38uYSKo7/s640/2013-Toyota-Avalon-center-console.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UPTZzxOwlDDyswmlrmBDbMKt0tR97BHqyPCkXxX3RpSQiVjt3V8Qe8AcBQjHhl42H4vIPbY7Gv4HAPRvzFj-xYLFf-49Uhizv6HK6JMtknxtfeAUsRuh_6wWtLLRTTYoHxg_5r2PwQki/s1600/2013-Toyota-Avalon-front-end-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-UPTZzxOwlDDyswmlrmBDbMKt0tR97BHqyPCkXxX3RpSQiVjt3V8Qe8AcBQjHhl42H4vIPbY7Gv4HAPRvzFj-xYLFf-49Uhizv6HK6JMtknxtfeAUsRuh_6wWtLLRTTYoHxg_5r2PwQki/s640/2013-Toyota-Avalon-front-end-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GHYnrJ7ppdjM6RdEzywT0g78lc3z4WdiM9_tNklKjfG2eqStyr9vYxfdOe7HHvqF7qCw3yvvA8V1UWpIrwRUqDBNGTRU9sUQiFjv5cPAH2ZKNgId6tkhN6f956Z3cpqFYsJ4k1FtoDRU/s1600/2013-Toyota-Avalon-interior-view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7GHYnrJ7ppdjM6RdEzywT0g78lc3z4WdiM9_tNklKjfG2eqStyr9vYxfdOe7HHvqF7qCw3yvvA8V1UWpIrwRUqDBNGTRU9sUQiFjv5cPAH2ZKNgId6tkhN6f956Z3cpqFYsJ4k1FtoDRU/s640/2013-Toyota-Avalon-interior-view.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-kdHc7Fok0inXZJMXLieXGTKw006PZea8qHHe7b2JPyzFE1EUS5fp8eawTjiGEalImsUFtQ6wTh4kT6tVFMY4oxkbtkslZ-rXuMOEh4k5IFrCO3Y6aOQ8AoHCPB0ImTEybTaDLa0kNGp/s1600/2013-Toyota-Avalon-cockpit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ-kdHc7Fok0inXZJMXLieXGTKw006PZea8qHHe7b2JPyzFE1EUS5fp8eawTjiGEalImsUFtQ6wTh4kT6tVFMY4oxkbtkslZ-rXuMOEh4k5IFrCO3Y6aOQ8AoHCPB0ImTEybTaDLa0kNGp/s640/2013-Toyota-Avalon-cockpit.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKj8tnu11fHKHMyO_0g14vzODOUl2hZz-W57WdPDWb8Yda3G_Qz72XLn0w5MpdLjfKWtMBt26CBJVxjsqSQC6otYlSbXe1JB9ge8F1nFvdXVf6XTPH3f-OIGHafJTC6Giiu6gETkEotj4/s1600/2013-Toyota-Avalon-rear-decklid-view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqKj8tnu11fHKHMyO_0g14vzODOUl2hZz-W57WdPDWb8Yda3G_Qz72XLn0w5MpdLjfKWtMBt26CBJVxjsqSQC6otYlSbXe1JB9ge8F1nFvdXVf6XTPH3f-OIGHafJTC6Giiu6gETkEotj4/s640/2013-Toyota-Avalon-rear-decklid-view.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66qNqRpGzftmBXVUoFIoSLP-hOMl-5CiKhs51S71vfO7axdDDYoaBnUOZ_70MrZrILvJb3FEL_KUAMLn9p_zjUolkVUT0FLGPQ_bW8X2ouToQh-snLqRjvhhCmEoercmK5h73J0_agT1k/s1600/2013-Toyota-Avalon-taillight.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg66qNqRpGzftmBXVUoFIoSLP-hOMl-5CiKhs51S71vfO7axdDDYoaBnUOZ_70MrZrILvJb3FEL_KUAMLn9p_zjUolkVUT0FLGPQ_bW8X2ouToQh-snLqRjvhhCmEoercmK5h73J0_agT1k/s640/2013-Toyota-Avalon-taillight.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><h4><b><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;">2012 New York: 2013 Toyota Avalon Moves From Milquetoast to Modernistic </span></span></b></h4><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">2013 Toyota Avalon rear three quarters 2 300x187 imageFor the 2013 model, the Avalon takes a big step forward in the design department. Although it’s certainly not a direct competitor in any way, it’s still evident Toyota was inspired by designer luxury sedans like the rakish Audi A7 and Mercedes-Benz CLS. The long arch of the roof leads into an extremely short decklid – though it is still has a traditional trunk, unlike the hatchback on the A7. In profile, the Avalon has a shoulder crease that creates a concave detailing framing the door handles. Mercedes’ influence can be seen in the Avalon’s taillights: two red rows of LEDs frame a row of white LEDs that house the reverse lights and turn signals.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">Up front, the 2013 Avalon boasts a large, upright hexagonal lower grille, but also wears a narrow, pointed grille similar to that of the 2012 Camry. The headlights include Toyota’s new Double-eye PES (Projector Ellipsoid System), which has a two-piece headlight similar to what Infiniti offered on the third-generation 2001-2006 Q45, outlined by LED daytime running lights. Below the headlights are trapezoidal foglight and turn signal clusters which remind us a bit of those used on the Scion FR-S.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">2013 Toyota Avalon cockpit 300x187 imageInside, Toyota may be trying to rival its Lexus division – the interior is awash in premium leather, and the new instrument panel prominently sports the company’s Entune infotainment system. In the Avalon, Entune is controlled through capacitive touch buttons similar to Ford’s MyFordTouch or Cadillac’s CUE system. Since the 2013 Avalon rides on a two-inch longer version of the Camry’s platform, all of the mechanicals from Toyota’s bestseller carry over to its flagship sedan. Toyota has yet to announce powertrain details, but don’t be surprised to see the familiar 3.5-liter V-6 and a six-speed automatic transmission. We wouldn’t be surprised to see an a hybrid variant in the future – if so, expect it to use the same that packs the same 2.5-liter four-cylinder Atkinson cycle engine as the Camry Hybrid and the all-new Lexus ES 300h.</span></span></span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"></span><br /><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: small;">The 2013 Toyota Avalon will go on sale later this year, though pricing — and technical details — should be announced just prior to the car’s on-sale date.</span></span></span></td></tr></tbody></table><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span id="goog_1425573931"></span><span id="goog_1425573932"></span></h2></div>

2012 New York: 2013 Toyota Avalon Moves From Milquetoast to Modernistic

2012 New York: 2013 Toyota Avalon Moves From Milquetoast to Modernistic The elongated, dramatic styling of the 2013 Toyota Avalon – which o...

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Thread of the Day: Name a Car You Like From an Automaker You Don’t

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b>Thread of the Day: Name a Car You Like From an Automaker You Don’t</b> It’s not unusual for an enthusiast to dislike specific automakers yet still appreciate one of the company’s better automotive offerings. After all, most enthusiasts love a good piece of automotive machinery no matter what badge it wears. Take, for example, the Scion FR-S. While some may not like the brand, it’s hard to deny that sporty, rear-drive coupe. For today’s thread of the day, we want you to put all manufacturer biases aside and name a car you like from an automaker you don’t.<br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thread of the Day: Name a Car You Like From an Automaker You Don’t</span></h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfMXBeXwJc3guzFOfi8RZVI0lKz9sDJnkc1XGBM0DBeEMdfXwiL0ylakApEPd3cLpI7U3uD_95m0MoR_1P4Q2MANYWbjn2_pKiB6hg8Q5Y1H9mCCLCDaO3z0cIleDHmUhWwPFyK0_2i8O/s1600/2013-Scion-FR-S-front-right-view1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWfMXBeXwJc3guzFOfi8RZVI0lKz9sDJnkc1XGBM0DBeEMdfXwiL0ylakApEPd3cLpI7U3uD_95m0MoR_1P4Q2MANYWbjn2_pKiB6hg8Q5Y1H9mCCLCDaO3z0cIleDHmUhWwPFyK0_2i8O/s640/2013-Scion-FR-S-front-right-view1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>Thread of the Day: Name a Car You Like From an Automaker You Don’t</u></td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;">Thread of the Day: Name a Car You Like From an Automaker You Don’t</span></h3><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVTgpissidNidobiwFeBFH5vAghHuRpfntsyffwRjKWURC5s9cHOA72EyVlzSW5rM1EWlPz_SqQ18x8Kwt_PpfEhtPPoLCBA7AGZeeQXwvCy4J96MhOlos5LTi2Rxa67UuhknXV2uoOc9/s1600/2013-Kia-Optima-side-view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZVTgpissidNidobiwFeBFH5vAghHuRpfntsyffwRjKWURC5s9cHOA72EyVlzSW5rM1EWlPz_SqQ18x8Kwt_PpfEhtPPoLCBA7AGZeeQXwvCy4J96MhOlos5LTi2Rxa67UuhknXV2uoOc9/s640/2013-Kia-Optima-side-view.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">Thread of the Day: Name a Car You Like From an Automaker You Don’t</span></i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-eF3tJhTkJCJj21dbPEFGY5TXLrQ0fPwfxefuw33TSTFECUfe_bG7DYCbLTxy4QmKU5zREEnFmfxkaOaMPO0sJTjDysz78nOXY7pQXtsP7pzDCC1Zt_je1AOPghYO6BVBKuytCbRn-B1/s1600/2014-Nissan-GT-R-front-left-view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ-eF3tJhTkJCJj21dbPEFGY5TXLrQ0fPwfxefuw33TSTFECUfe_bG7DYCbLTxy4QmKU5zREEnFmfxkaOaMPO0sJTjDysz78nOXY7pQXtsP7pzDCC1Zt_je1AOPghYO6BVBKuytCbRn-B1/s640/2014-Nissan-GT-R-front-left-view.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzpk5R9AB8XaBjBD6JaRHHf1zLdlbK4KvylLpGxJbh-IVQxenHH1dYTWqMUo9jkfQI6JYY7eltrvWqDPN6t-rH726jEPORKfgyz20_hwKb-KziU7TtAdXIgmfdGfIGQuxJvcWddBV6nag/s1600/2012-Mitsubishi-Lancer-Evolution-front-view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXzpk5R9AB8XaBjBD6JaRHHf1zLdlbK4KvylLpGxJbh-IVQxenHH1dYTWqMUo9jkfQI6JYY7eltrvWqDPN6t-rH726jEPORKfgyz20_hwKb-KziU7TtAdXIgmfdGfIGQuxJvcWddBV6nag/s640/2012-Mitsubishi-Lancer-Evolution-front-view.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thread of the Day: Name a Car You Like From an Automaker You Don’t</span></h4><div style="text-align: center;">The New & Improved Frisky Dingo started the original thread, mentioning the Nissan GT-R, Dodge Charger, and BMW 3 Series as some examples. Other cars enthusiasts couldn’t help but like include the Toyota Tacoma, Honda Accord, Mitsubishi Lancer Evo, and Kia Optima.<br />What cars do you like from automakers you could do without? Let us know in the comments section below.</div></div>

Thread of the Day: Name a Car You Like From an Automaker You Don’t

Thread of the Day: Name a Car You Like From an Automaker You Don’t It’s not unusual for an enthusiast to dislike specific automakers yet st...

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2014 Ford Fiesta ST Pocket Rocket Starts at $22,195

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b>2014 Ford Fiesta ST Pocket Rocket Starts at $22,195</b> Interested in Ford’s new Fiesta ST pocket rocket? Then you’ll need to scrape up at least $22,195 – that’s how much dough you’ll have to spend to get your hands on a bare bones version of the new 197-hp 2014 Ford Fiesta ST when it hits U.S. streets later this year. The configurator for the new Fiesta ST and the rest of the updated 2014 Fiesta lineup has gone live, and with it we’re finally able to see just how much Ford is asking for its latest ST-badged subcompact and the car’s optional extras.<br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">2014 Ford Fiesta ST Pocket Rocket Starts at $22,195</span></h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixy36FXry9LzY8a1UlgBuUDm-xyOumCTSxnrwqCluoplpEwf9w4AsJbug7BH9JXzygi32BYv1FXr5Gw1IkJDyyRWwvnjFwHZLpqQu7pI1tzQOT1iU8yMwS7rHKXRaFrULD8qd8riQoZm1M/s1600/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-front-right-view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixy36FXry9LzY8a1UlgBuUDm-xyOumCTSxnrwqCluoplpEwf9w4AsJbug7BH9JXzygi32BYv1FXr5Gw1IkJDyyRWwvnjFwHZLpqQu7pI1tzQOT1iU8yMwS7rHKXRaFrULD8qd8riQoZm1M/s640/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-front-right-view.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>2014 Ford Fiesta ST Pocket Rocket Starts at $22,195</u></td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;">2014 Ford Fiesta ST Pocket Rocket Starts at $22,195</span></h3><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtoNhWdjLMhOaQP8FiCPpd3K16obH5G2mTtod5Jwb2sEg8rNc254VmNE34kvEnS3Uxdrd0YdXyP1yPA1qlJnLf9TgbjtdnqsQrfQgxOVxCZqdH042Accj-mTTuSlWUwnmV3z3lUGFggRF/s1600/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-rear-left-side-view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLtoNhWdjLMhOaQP8FiCPpd3K16obH5G2mTtod5Jwb2sEg8rNc254VmNE34kvEnS3Uxdrd0YdXyP1yPA1qlJnLf9TgbjtdnqsQrfQgxOVxCZqdH042Accj-mTTuSlWUwnmV3z3lUGFggRF/s640/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-rear-left-side-view.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>2014 Ford Fiesta ST Pocket Rocket Starts at $22,195</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXu0mGMFQ5JraZ8dMt3LdkmXYksec3y6Q5GZBhAJ7WDeCqxotEnmZHLygN7NgiEARtOGOVAHdvYEHtidUcj9Rob6BE4mUZ0TCD4UP0I7M1cO2WIjK7JxrvcBUKlUHK9aDe7-AUW-13GST0/s1600/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-front-left-view-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXu0mGMFQ5JraZ8dMt3LdkmXYksec3y6Q5GZBhAJ7WDeCqxotEnmZHLygN7NgiEARtOGOVAHdvYEHtidUcj9Rob6BE4mUZ0TCD4UP0I7M1cO2WIjK7JxrvcBUKlUHK9aDe7-AUW-13GST0/s640/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-front-left-view-3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRO64FLYwMUy-E9Vt9eyCsdZBrJ-7AmySci50_GWk8KHjaxLHjq0j_UgC4kscZa0oJEHgdvxkKNFrvzZd1R3mbUAU43QYN_MUwueG5eAY83pZ0GnZwIBpc8rKPBovqrYuOjjk7P7c0B16E/s1600/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-front-right-view-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRO64FLYwMUy-E9Vt9eyCsdZBrJ-7AmySci50_GWk8KHjaxLHjq0j_UgC4kscZa0oJEHgdvxkKNFrvzZd1R3mbUAU43QYN_MUwueG5eAY83pZ0GnZwIBpc8rKPBovqrYuOjjk7P7c0B16E/s640/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-front-right-view-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJN92yfYgr2l2HvO8TKWQ6feBZ6MGTeFBC_4HtYipk0BBSwznrntBrnqTFokklZGOYxcFmR9oXf07BxlN5DCm0jjvAc0oRVODTzvq7iPDxjmH9cl6DIgWaK9PKv60D1vBxjzf55OK59ttZ/s1600/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-left-side-view+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJN92yfYgr2l2HvO8TKWQ6feBZ6MGTeFBC_4HtYipk0BBSwznrntBrnqTFokklZGOYxcFmR9oXf07BxlN5DCm0jjvAc0oRVODTzvq7iPDxjmH9cl6DIgWaK9PKv60D1vBxjzf55OK59ttZ/s640/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-left-side-view+(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5xujctzItj36pZrPOZ2M7Pd2mtQbQLb9QhECmPQ7ra6SA57varUJEz24irFcCmrddd2bKcBTDVyagKmZZXH9Jlu3D5GhxP38U1MpeR2wigxfZT_W152eEzNDxI2E8ctSCvl7s8b7vNJR/s1600/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-rear-view.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk5xujctzItj36pZrPOZ2M7Pd2mtQbQLb9QhECmPQ7ra6SA57varUJEz24irFcCmrddd2bKcBTDVyagKmZZXH9Jlu3D5GhxP38U1MpeR2wigxfZT_W152eEzNDxI2E8ctSCvl7s8b7vNJR/s640/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-rear-view.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBV9m1BF3b0A8LSNTx541ZzuT5N8TUQAz49i5DprVyv7uq3IVnNQto34o2uY24-ONbAoA6ejsvbMdQMcIZAvwmpXhOdQDcrbKV_Yc50XZpd7I28wC6LArNUd-9lFFmo8zjEJBv6gKtIK4r/s1600/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-rear-left-view-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBV9m1BF3b0A8LSNTx541ZzuT5N8TUQAz49i5DprVyv7uq3IVnNQto34o2uY24-ONbAoA6ejsvbMdQMcIZAvwmpXhOdQDcrbKV_Yc50XZpd7I28wC6LArNUd-9lFFmo8zjEJBv6gKtIK4r/s640/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-rear-left-view-2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CydCl_LPN-XF6hsYhhMQ5Gg7OnSu4moP3TSY4qMuEoXeZCpqJCd8xDA_FjVW35WjjFsEQyEnaHhV3azVcUVeFJbgmhZUKXuxt3Ztcek_LywE03SeJ6gJpKRBYberMNQ65LRgLAUPsFh_/s1600/2014-Ford-Fiesta-hatchback-front-side-view-US-Spec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2CydCl_LPN-XF6hsYhhMQ5Gg7OnSu4moP3TSY4qMuEoXeZCpqJCd8xDA_FjVW35WjjFsEQyEnaHhV3azVcUVeFJbgmhZUKXuxt3Ztcek_LywE03SeJ6gJpKRBYberMNQ65LRgLAUPsFh_/s640/2014-Ford-Fiesta-hatchback-front-side-view-US-Spec.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnU6bCZHhyphenhyphen8Wf_is36xLCU3d6Kgc4Bc3lPw2BdcHw0tEgCXFUVXLPqUO1qrX_-EX6JYK0SzmPr8oNipm4WTvPYS_JaaMS0OWic9-baCMuwdaTLr10stvI9APoJepF8jPGGXDzKBtbADaul/s1600/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-front-interior-2+(1).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnU6bCZHhyphenhyphen8Wf_is36xLCU3d6Kgc4Bc3lPw2BdcHw0tEgCXFUVXLPqUO1qrX_-EX6JYK0SzmPr8oNipm4WTvPYS_JaaMS0OWic9-baCMuwdaTLr10stvI9APoJepF8jPGGXDzKBtbADaul/s640/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-front-interior-2+(1).jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5q83JdwjurwXxh7EMZUUs19B-5Ad8TaNepsO21yl66KCFZ_zu4v-xG2fyO_jhTAvIrAnx6shoFjvSMjLwmQQAUEjNfeWe-SYL_B7DxB2TVo7fOh6P7pMQRfOlZPXDWXyZ2gZ2rP3Si-l7/s1600/2014-Ford-Fiesta-front-three-quarters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5q83JdwjurwXxh7EMZUUs19B-5Ad8TaNepsO21yl66KCFZ_zu4v-xG2fyO_jhTAvIrAnx6shoFjvSMjLwmQQAUEjNfeWe-SYL_B7DxB2TVo7fOh6P7pMQRfOlZPXDWXyZ2gZ2rP3Si-l7/s640/2014-Ford-Fiesta-front-three-quarters.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziTyqZksI7WQ5DCTgo52uC5co0ypeAH0j0pXBZ9KjCP1TpbsYSWnsFcctL21NV6IkMbJvCtWRt2NOkuL1p9LMAnZi4q3pwZvA72TEsbvMsPtzDNHqBTh07vQxQO93lo-C9K0FuPD1t0rF/s1600/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-rear-badge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgziTyqZksI7WQ5DCTgo52uC5co0ypeAH0j0pXBZ9KjCP1TpbsYSWnsFcctL21NV6IkMbJvCtWRt2NOkuL1p9LMAnZi4q3pwZvA72TEsbvMsPtzDNHqBTh07vQxQO93lo-C9K0FuPD1t0rF/s640/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-rear-badge.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaPbIzWNz6uNX97T4Ji-IDib8QsTVEHFD9PaF4edh6Nmu7_ln4Mmr_ALSJBZ7rkaMLUBzfC3ydQiOWN2ECu3EyEQ8UqOg597VRzbZ9vs76VhBEU4muE089RTyuVU4H1Y8Grgml2gBT8sg/s1600/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-wheel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKaPbIzWNz6uNX97T4Ji-IDib8QsTVEHFD9PaF4edh6Nmu7_ln4Mmr_ALSJBZ7rkaMLUBzfC3ydQiOWN2ECu3EyEQ8UqOg597VRzbZ9vs76VhBEU4muE089RTyuVU4H1Y8Grgml2gBT8sg/s640/2014-Ford-Fiesta-ST-wheel.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUUuU76-qMht1aeoyWVpo56InEnFCq80Cc4vNWIDjx92yfx9yHGpmUvHDFoYDXASF5fwhO8SwqOp9imuBt41l71QSzVyvOgfN_CqMuYkkhaCEiybH-so5PiWayJnrwGlyV1EHdKEmTSFV/s1600/2014-Ford-Fiesta-hatchback-interior-US-Spec.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeUUuU76-qMht1aeoyWVpo56InEnFCq80Cc4vNWIDjx92yfx9yHGpmUvHDFoYDXASF5fwhO8SwqOp9imuBt41l71QSzVyvOgfN_CqMuYkkhaCEiybH-so5PiWayJnrwGlyV1EHdKEmTSFV/s640/2014-Ford-Fiesta-hatchback-interior-US-Spec.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><h4 style="text-align: center;">2014 Ford Fiesta ST Pocket Rocket Starts at $22,195</h4><h4 style="text-align: center;"></h4><div style="text-align: left;">The 2014 Fiesta ST’s base price just undercuts the bigger and more powerful Focus ST, which starts at $24,495. The Fiesta ST comes standard with a 1.6-liter turbocharged I-4 which makes 197-hp and 214 lb-ft of torque, and a six-speed manual transmission. Notable options on the new hot hatch include gray wheels(!) for $375, navigation for $795, and Recaro buckets for $1995, making it one of the cheapest cars on the market with Recaro seats. Fully loaded, the Fiesta ST will ring in at $26,195. A similarly equipped Focus ST costs a hair over $30,000.</div><div style="text-align: left;">Though pricing for 2014 Fiestas equipped with the new 123-hp and148-lb-ft 1.0-liter turbocharged EcoBoost I-3 hasn’t been announced yet, Ford has released revised pricing for cars with the base 1.6-liter I-4, which makes 120-hp and 112 lb-ft of torque. Base Fiesta S sedans with a five-speed manual will start at $14,795, while base Fiesta S hatchbacks start at $15,395. Top-of-the-line Fiesta Titanium models equipped with the six-speed dual-clutch automatic go for $20,090 (sedan), and $20,690 (hatch).</div><h4 style="text-align: center;"></h4></div>

2014 Ford Fiesta ST Pocket Rocket Starts at $22,195

2014 Ford Fiesta ST Pocket Rocket Starts at $22,195 Interested in Ford’s new Fiesta ST pocket rocket? Then you’ll need to scrape up at leas...

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2014 Mazda6 Grand Touring and Sport First Test

<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><b>2014 Mazda6 Grand Touring and Sport First Test</b> Midsize sedan” and “fun to drive” often seem like mutually exclusive terms, especially when trying to keep within a reasonable budget. Fortunately, there’s the Mazda6, a sedan that proves to be a practical, affordable choice without giving its driver a severe case of boredom. The Grand Touring version is Mazda’s top trim package and includes such niceties as heated leather seats, navigation, a Bose surround-sound stereo, and 19-inch alloy wheels wrapped in all-season Dunlop SP Sport tires.<br /><h2 style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-weight: normal;">2014 Mazda6 Grand Touring and Sport First Test</span></span></h2><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUzwCt6OJwjO5LvTFgBDjYA252UCfpQHkogjlrhUKR_97QZZZgJ4CVtgNlAgUUKmtavTvGILTxzvEx_mXYub3hyphenhyphenP0hYTPUk3CcxKDzcFNE_jYS1Tfl2eg439mQvBN3x4dQe_PQqz9Pd69/s1600/2014-Mazda6-side.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUUzwCt6OJwjO5LvTFgBDjYA252UCfpQHkogjlrhUKR_97QZZZgJ4CVtgNlAgUUKmtavTvGILTxzvEx_mXYub3hyphenhyphenP0hYTPUk3CcxKDzcFNE_jYS1Tfl2eg439mQvBN3x4dQe_PQqz9Pd69/s640/2014-Mazda6-side.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><u>2014 Mazda6 Grand Touring and Sport First Test</u></td></tr></tbody></table><h3 style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: small;"><b>2014 Mazda6 Grand Touring and Sport First Test</b></span></h3><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVO64buNSgugK0mH2q8LAhPRJaEUtK7DB-dvPQbrngNJsaGrFL64dX6E51PUuIBm8soLGZX9vmhuY5kHW0HpfyoT-hWeDIZ253Vwf4VkLlEes41WjoKUJ3EfxRWNNlMkcQwPxWw6HaRdtS/s1600/2014-Mazda6-rear-three-quarters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVO64buNSgugK0mH2q8LAhPRJaEUtK7DB-dvPQbrngNJsaGrFL64dX6E51PUuIBm8soLGZX9vmhuY5kHW0HpfyoT-hWeDIZ253Vwf4VkLlEes41WjoKUJ3EfxRWNNlMkcQwPxWw6HaRdtS/s640/2014-Mazda6-rear-three-quarters.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>2014 Mazda6 Grand Touring and Sport First Test</i></td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3i-yDLlzRDcuUMc8TqkKLj2eHdSTo4gihSGsTCeI-RKqj1VZeopMDFGlG4EnL7zHoabh1GtRgSTyixU_Aj8I8NNjY23ScdamkXCHBWorFzTWPkaMAXn_ZLCIYj3wRq9Vy-NWZuzjLu04W/s1600/2014-Mazda6-front-three-quarter-in-motion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3i-yDLlzRDcuUMc8TqkKLj2eHdSTo4gihSGsTCeI-RKqj1VZeopMDFGlG4EnL7zHoabh1GtRgSTyixU_Aj8I8NNjY23ScdamkXCHBWorFzTWPkaMAXn_ZLCIYj3wRq9Vy-NWZuzjLu04W/s640/2014-Mazda6-front-three-quarter-in-motion.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgwq5SRc7HZHW2bRafRf6MqenP_nJINfM2dtWH6wb-td-Y3SOzYhVlmniySrteavYOTvzd_W9BRGjG_3Quv2wyteOb28iwg3BFfdZf5ZrC3TMR-C0ek4S_YLfofynKB4ljQYc2NhlCafU/s1600/2014-Mazda6-front-end.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrgwq5SRc7HZHW2bRafRf6MqenP_nJINfM2dtWH6wb-td-Y3SOzYhVlmniySrteavYOTvzd_W9BRGjG_3Quv2wyteOb28iwg3BFfdZf5ZrC3TMR-C0ek4S_YLfofynKB4ljQYc2NhlCafU/s640/2014-Mazda6-front-end.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; 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-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;">2014 Mazda6 Grand Touring and Sport First Test</span></h4><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: white; color: black; display: inline !important; float: none; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: 18px; orphans: auto; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: auto; word-spacing: 0px;"> The GT comes exclusively with Mazda’s six-speed automatic transmission and Skyactiv-G 2.5-liter I-4, which produces a competitive 184 hp and 185 lb-ft of torque. (A 2.2-liter diesel comes later in the year.) That’s enough power to push the Mazda’s 3275 pounds to 60 mph in 7.4 seconds and through the quarter mile in 15.7 seconds at 88.6 mph. In other words, acceleration is lively but never feels particularly strong. That said, the relatively large-bore four-cylinder engine feels smooth and utterly happy at higher revs, so getting the most out of it is more entertaining than excruciating. Mazda’s automatic includes a manual shift mode operable via column shifter or steering wheel-mounted paddles, and the system works well, with quicker than average shift speed for the class.   The Mazda’s lively chassis is well-suited to the Skyactiv engine and generally feels nimble and well-balanced. The power steering is quick and nicely weighted, with very good feel for an electric unit, and the Mazda is eager to dive into turns, displaying final understeer when pushing hard. More neutral behavior can be had with a touch of mid-corner throttle lift. Around our figure-eight test, the Mazda6 turned in a run of 27.1 seconds, just besting the last 2013 Honda Accord Sport we tested late last year. We were also impressed with the Mazda’s brakes, which were easy to modulate, offered solid pedal feel, and helped stop the GT 7 feet shorter than the Accord Sport. Overall, the Mazda6 is a compelling package for those who want to stand apart from the midsize norm. Of course, for those who want to emphasize driving involvement, there’s always the six-speed manual option. – Rory Jurnecka<br /><br />Never mind its entry-level price–the Mazda6 Sport doesn’t look or drive like a base model. Granted, our six-speed manual tester lacked plenty of features–most notably Bluetooth, which, curiously, is only available with the automatic Sport–but offered an interior that didn’t feel cheapened out. Clean, neat black trim and coherent illumination provided a sense of quality typically not associated with vehicles at this price.   The shifter, pleasantly, doesn’t feel like an afterthought. The knob itself looks strangely out of a Volkswagen, but flows easily between clearly defined gates. The box isn’t the immediate relative to the MX-5’s, but it’s pretty close. Moreover, clutch take-up is easy to control, thanks to agreeable pedal feedback. Despite a 3250-rpm torque peak, meaningful acceleration at freeway speeds requires a few downshifts. The pedals make for easy rev matching, but the engine offers little aural satisfaction in the act. In fact, the 2.5-liter four is so well-isolated that, occasionally, you’ll forget to upshift after joining traffic on the freeway. Sometime later, you’ll look down and see that the tach has been buzzing 4500 rpm for some time.   With shorter overall gearing and less weight, the Sport 6 would seem faster than the automatic and top-line Grand Touring trim. Alas, the precious few milliseconds incurred by shifting gears negated those advantages, and the Sport produced slower 60 mph (7.8 seconds) and quarter mile (15.9 seconds at 88.8 mph) results. On top of that, the manual returns slightly worse fuel economy (down 1 mpg city/hwy) than its automatic counterpart. Whether the act of rowing a six-speed gearbox is worth the acceleration and mpg penalties depends on the owner, but the $1615 saved by choosing it makes for a compelling argument. – Carlos Lago</span></div></div>

2014 Mazda6 Grand Touring and Sport First Test

2014 Mazda6 Grand Touring and Sport First Test Midsize sedan” and “fun to drive” often seem like mutually exclusive terms, especially when ...

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