Sport Utilities
November 8, 2011 | 
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Italian styling house Bertone is set to reveal the B99 concept at the upcoming Geneva motor show that could show the future of small Jaguars.
The B99 is said to have been developed in conjunction with Jaguar, and could form the basis of a future BMW 3 Series rival – something that has been lacking from the brand’s range since 2009 when the X Type was dropped.
The Bertone 99 is based around similar dimensions to that of the Mercedes C Class, at 4.6m long. A new compact Jaguar saloon is due to arrive in the next few years – in 2013/14 – so this concept has been viewed as a potential starting point for the design.
The front end bears a resemblance to the current Jaguar XF, but the rear and profile are similar in looks to several in Jaguar’s heritage. Inside there is a host of polished wood, while the driver is faced by four analogue dials.
The concept has been made to celebrate the design company’s impending centenary – the 99 refers to its current age.
Source: http://uk.autoblog.com/2011/02/18/bertone-reveals-b99-concept-that-could-hint-at-future-of-jaguar/
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When an automobile investment is done, it is inevitable to invest in insurance for the automobile. It is not only beneficial but also important to invest in automobile insurance in order to be financially secured in the case of an accident. In a difficult situation a non-reliable insurer would make the situation worst, hence to be fully protected it is important to check if the insurer is reliable or steadfast before investing in the company. The presence of a lot of companies in the field of auto insurance makes it all the more complicated to find out the genuineness of a particular company. A lot of companies offer low prices when compared to others but they may not always be the best when it comes to claim settlements.
There a few ways to check whether a particular insurer is steadfast or not. One of the most common ways to get a background check is to find out from car repair shops. A trust worthy car repair place could provide reviews on which insurance companies are the best to invest with. These places often know exactly how insurance companies deal with their investors and which companies are most investor friendly in case of an accident.
Another method to check the reliability of an insurance provider is to check its investor reviews and ratings which could be found online. In this way a firsthand review of existing investors can be found out and the choice of investment could be made without the risk of investing in a dubious company. Similarly, investing in a popular and well known company could also prove to be advantageous for the investor. Highly known companies are less likely to cheat investors or make claim payout difficult for them. These are trusted companies with a lot of experience and are more likely to react professionally in the case of an accident.
If a prospective investor wishes to get a direct experience of how the company treats its clients then the investor can call the customer service helpline of the company and pose as an existing client. This exercise can give a fair idea to the investor about how the company responds to its clients and how the investor would be treated if he or she actually invested in the company. Investing in an auto insurance company is an important step and it should be carried out after a thorough research.
Back in the good old days when was cheap—oh, about four years ago—and credit came easy, bigger was better. We bought the car or truck we wanted, not necessarily the one we needed. Today, in a time of
approaching Dantesque proportions, we buy what we need, assuming we can afford anything at all. With the Venza, Toyota is hoping to take the sting out of this painful dilemma by giving us some of the things we want in a car, SUV, and minivan and blending them into one seemingly practical package we might actually want.
The source of this all-for-one vehicle is Toyota’s versatile architecture, fortified with some Highlander hardware and spiced up with fresh sheetmetal. In broad terms, the Venza falls into the ill-defined crossover category, but it leans more toward being like a car than an SUV. Compared with the six-inch-taller
, its ride and handling are more compliant, its style is swoopier, and it’s less utilitarian in that there’s no third row of seats. Compared with a Camry, its rear seat is equally roomy, it’s easier to get into and out of, and its sightlines are higher, but its tall stance and elevated center of gravity make it somewhat less agile.
Think of it as a station wagon but without the Brady Bunch stigma. That’s dispelled by a stylish look with an aggressive snout, big-shouldered front wheel arches, and heavy-hipped rear quarters. The arched roofline compromises rear cargo space to a degree but gives the Venza a curvy fastback look. In silhouette, the Venza is not unlike the
,
, and
, although its chin-out front valance, leering chrome grille, squinty lights, and subtle rocker-panel modeling impart a distinct identity. Big wheels (20-inchers on V-6 models and 19s on four-bangers) and a slight rake should give it some street cred.
The Venza’s interior is in keeping with what we’ve come to expect from : a clean design with every control and instrument where your brain says it should be. The seats are wide, supportive, and comfortable. The center console is a clever combination of sliding panels, iPod plugs, and nooks to store the usual mishmash of cups, bottles, phones, and other detritus. And moms will appreciate being able to strap kids into their safety seats in back without squatting down or bending over.
The base engine is a new 2.7-liter four-cylinder that produces 182 horsepower and 182 pound-feet of torque. The step-up motor is a 268-hp, 3.5-liter V-6 with 246 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic backs either motor. The four is fine for flatland cruising but strains when pushed to pass or climbing long grades; the V-6 is a better choice for not much more money and only marginally compromised fuel economy (21 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway for the front-wheel-drive four versus 19 and 26, respectively, for the V-6).
The base price is $26,695 for the four-cylinder and $28,520 for the V-6. All-wheel drive is an extra $1450. A choice among eight option packages and other add-ons can easily push the price over 30 grand.
Article source: http://www.caranddriver.com/reviews/car/09q1/2009_toyota_venza-second_drive
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