Ferrari Purosangue

Oh, no! What is the world coming to?! A Ferrari SUV? First of all, calm down. That's what many of us were thinking at just the thought of a Ferrari SUV. Well, that SUV is here, and it's called the Purosangue. I want to share some thoughts on the Ferrari Purosangue in this blog post. Maybe you can agree or disagree with my points. Let's chat!

BEFORE I BEGIN...

This blog post is NOT a journalistic review at the Ferrari Purosangue. Everything you see here is all opinion-based with a handful of facts.

Though this blog is under the category of "Car Style," I retired the Car/Motorcycle/Motorsport Style designation from my blog posts (or will eventually) and simply use them for my blog posts about specific vehicles.

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Ferrari Purosangue

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Meet the Ferrari Purosangue...


^ from: (YouTube) - The Ferrari Purosangue is not your average sport utility vehicle for a number of reasons.



The Ferrari Purosangue is Ferrari's first sport utility vehicle and its first four-door vehicle. The word "Purosangue" translates to "thoroughbred." It is a sport utility vehicle that allows you to enjoy the awesomeness only Ferrari can provide but in SUV form. Just entertaining the thought of an SUV left a lot of people to wonder, "ANOTHER SUV..."

Ferrari Pursosangue: Basic Specifications.

Some of the basic numbers on the Ferrari Purosangue are as follows. For one thing, the Purosangue has a normally-aspirated, 6.5-liter V12 engine producing 715 horsepower and 528 lb. ft of torque. It can go from 0-60 mph in 3.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 193 mph. The vehicle weighs in at 4850 lbs. The Purosangue has an all-wheel drive (AWD) drivetrain.

Why an SUV, Ferrari? WHY?!

The sport utility vehicle has evolved over the past decades. They mostly began as rugged trucks able to carry people and goods safely. They had the usefulness of a truck and either a station wagon/estate car or a minivan. Over time, more car-based SUVs surfaced. SUVs also became less thirsty for fuel over its evolution. Even some of the most unlikely companies made their own sport utility vehicles- including (but not limited to) Porsche, Lamborghini, Maserati, Alfa Romeo, Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and Aston Martin. Chances are, none of these SUVs from high-end makers will overshadow more common trucks and SUVs. On the other hand, not one of these exotic SUVs would really blow away most heavyweights in SUVs. Most companies sell SUVs to be their entry-level or low-level offerings. Some would call it a cheap way to get into most of these world-class manufacturers' ecosystems.

What would cringe most people is why Ferrari decided to make an SUV. I mean- we're talking about Ferrari here. What business does Ferrari have making their own SUV when they could be making dream supercars, dream hypercars, and dream race cars? Well, whether you love or loathe SUVs, there is one universal fact- SUVs sell. People buy and use SUVs in their lives. Ferrari perhaps felt it was best to bestow with enough coin to afford a Purosangue to give them not only the best SUV experience, but also enjoy all that makes a Ferrari distinctive and incredible in a most unusual and even most unexpected form.

Even though the Ferrari Purosangue is an SUV, and while most companies offer SUVs as entry-level access to some dealers, the Ferrari Purosangue does NOT come cheap. In fact, a Purosangue will set you back about $402K USD, so you'd better bring some money if you want one of these.

Ferrari Purosangue: Why Should I Care?

The Ferrari Purosangue is actually engineered beautifully as a sporty road-going SUV. I emphasized road-going because it is not likely you are going to push this SUV to the limits off-road like here in America, on rally-style roads in Europe, or even the touge mountain passes of Japan. The Purosangue stands alone because it was built from the ground up and not based on any other offering from Ferrari or some other company within Ferrari. It has a lot of ducts and extra touches to give it the best possible performance on the road. Don't laugh, but this Purosangue is pure Ferrari in an SUV form. It even has luxurious accommodations without feeling like high-ranked government officials or excessively rich individuals should be driving them. The Purosangue has some driver modes and features to make it feel more like a sports car when pushed hard enough. Ferrari is basically selling the Purosangue in the sense of being a pure sports car under an SUV guise.

In other words... think of the Ferrari Purosangue as a much more utilitarian (and personally, better looking) FF with the DNA of the Ferrari Roma.


Now for some final thoughts.

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Ferrari Purosangue: Final Thoughts

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The Ferrari Purosangue is a sport utility vehicle that is not your average sport utility vehicle. It is not even your average high-end sport-utility vehicle. This is not going to be the posh SUV that will carry around the likes of the Kardashians or the Jenners. It is instead an SUV with a distinctive personality and exquisite engineering to set itself apart from all other SUVs. Ferrari succeeded at an SUV that can comfortably carry around more people and a decent amount of cargo. Its high price tag of around $402K USD (excluding taxes) may seem exorbitant and silly, but you are getting a sport utility vehicle with a great emphasis on "sport."

Maybe the Ferrari Purosangue won't make you the toughest driver in a truck and SUV meet. Maybe you won't traverse the harshest of terrains or compete in the most extreme off-roading events in the Purosangue. Then again... could you do this in SUVs like the Cayenne, Urus, Stelvio, DBX, Bentayga, Cullinan, or other exotic SUVs? Not even a lot of people in today's crossover SUVs actually push them off-road, so what's the point? I therefore see the Purosangue as a pure driver's SUV for those who have the money to afford one. It may not replace the Testarossa, F40, F430, Enzo Ferrari, LaFerrari, or whatever your all-time favorite Ferrari is; however, it will definitely be one of the most unique and memorable Ferraris ever made. Rather than complain about yet another SUV on the market, praise the Purosangue as one of the most exotic, exclusive, and all around fun vehicles (let alone SUVs) ever produced.

For More Information...

Allow me to give you a video of the SUV you were reading about all of this time, along with other resources for you to learn more about the Ferrari Purosangue:



^ Introducing the new Ferrari Purosangue

• NEW Ferrari Purosangue Review: V12 SUV Game Changer | 4K (YouTube)

• Ferrari Purosangue (English-US link, Ferrari official website)
• Car and Driver on the Ferrari Purosangue
• Motor Trend on the Ferrari Purosangue



And there you go- the Ferrari Purosangue.





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Alfa Romeo 4C

The Alfa Romeo 4C is a gorgeous automobile. It is an inexpensive sports car with beautiful exotic style and fine performance. It looks more expensive than its $55K USD really is. As part of Alfa Romeo's return to the United States, this is surely a car to really arouse the souls of those seeking an appealing and enticing sports car. While it may not be a car with ridiculous power or top speed, it is a very good car simply about the joy of performance driving. People have seen this like a baby Ferrari. To me, it's more like an Italian Lotus. Draw your own visual commentary on this car with this picture:


^ from: (YouTube) - The Alfa Romeo 4C is a truly enticing sports car priced between about $55K USD.

The Alfa Romeo 4C's performance characteristics are pretty good. It is a car with a curb weight of 2465 lbs. (or 1118 kg). It has an Inline-4 Turbo engine producing 237hp and 258 lb. ft. of torque. The 4C gets from 0-60 mph in about 4.1 seconds, and it can go down the quarter mile in about 11 seconds at an rounded 107 mph. I think its braking from 60 to 0 is in about 97 feet if I recall from my pre-post research.


To give you some perspective on the Alfa Romeo 4C, here is a video for you:


^ "2015 Alfa Romeo 4C: The Most Affordable Supercar! - Ignition Ep 113"

I think Alfa Romeo did a fine job with this car. There aren't too many Alfa Romeo cars I disliked. I certainly don't dislike this one. It is almost as if Alfa Romeo's vision was to cram as much supercar panache into as small a package as possible and make it "affordable." I would love to see one of these in person. In addition to a hardtop, there is also a convertible version. Admit it, readers... you want this car! :)

From America's Alfa Romeo site, learn more about this car at Alfa Romeo 4C (USA Website).





This is a rare post I've done regarding a car. I retired the "Car Style" posts after consistent spam comments. So future attempts at these topics may be mostly brief while still providing my own commentary expressed in my own way. Of course, your reactions are always welcome. Thank you for reading! Take care and be well.

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Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

The Murciélago was a hot Lamborghini. However, and unlike most flagships, replacement models must be made. The Murciélago's replacement is the immensely beautiful Aventador LP700-4. This Lamborghini Aventador draws its DNA from the Réventon I once did a "Car Style" post on. This beast of a car packs 691 horsepower from its 6.5-liter V12, and it can get from 0-100km in 2.9 seconds, all the way to a top speed of about 350 kph (or 217 mph).

I think this is a beautiful-looking car. How can anyone NOT be moved by its bold and edgy lines? It is a car that has similar appeal and charm to the Rèventon. This is a car with too many edgy lines to be beautiful, but it is very much a stylish car despite its many edges.

Even though Lamborghini isn't well-known for its racing history, I'd be interested seeing an Aventador made into a GT racing car. I usually regard Reiter Engineering as the king of modifying Lamborghinis into racing beasts. Here is a video showcasing this bellissima beast- the Lamborghini Aventador:


^ "Lamborghini Aventador Video Review - evo Magazine "

What do you think about this car? By the way, if you want your own Aventador, one of these babies can be yours for the price of $389,995 US Dollars.





My "Car Style" posts are going to be re-imagined. I stopped doing a lot of these because of getting more spam comments than comments from loyal readers. Thank you for reading!

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2014 Chevrolet Corvette

By now, you may have seen pictures of the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette. The 2014 Corvette marks the seventh generation of this iconic American sports car. The Stingray namesake has been resurrected for America's sports car. With a new Corvette comes a new persona and style. For some people, its style is a serious diversion that you either are going to love or loathe. Certainly worthy of love is its 450hp V8 to power this new-age Stingray Corvette. It is a new-age 'Vette that also delivers a great 26 miles per gallon. What are some of my thoughts on this car? This blog post will fill you in.

BEFORE I BEGIN...

The classic form of "Car Style" has been retired. I initially had these posts just to explain how I think cars look. Posts will no longer bear the name "Car Style." However, the namesake will still be intact just to better sort blog posts on this specific topic. Past posts in the "Car Style" label may be deleted and replaced with newer versions. I haven't discussed too many of these post because of consistent spam comments towards these posts.

Now let's begin.

--- The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette ---

Here is your look at the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette:


^ "2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray - 2013 Detroit Auto Show "

Design Thoughts.

Really, I think this car was designed in a very exotic car manner. Someone described the Corvette C7 to be more like the mating of a Corvette, the 2013 SRT Viper, and a Ferrari. That assessment would be very true if you look at the various styling cues of the 2014 Corvette. But really, this is the work of a car that has 2013 Viper and some Ferrari accents, but with kind of the side profile of the Nissan GT-R R35... the car Chevy's been neck-to-neck with around the Nürburgring Nordschleife! I tend to be a Corvette purist. So therefore, I can NOT imagine calling this car a Corvette without seeing circular or elliptical tail lights. I would have thought this was some other Chevy or some other car if you shown me just the rear of the car. You can credit Chevy for taking a different route with the Corvette, but I am not at all in love with this newer Corvette overall from a design standpoint. The interior is very much inviting and stylish. I can't call it beautiful. I can't exactly call its design distinctive and original.

Performance Chatter.

Performance figures are certainly amazing for this car. Here are some expressed figures on this car from the video I provided earlier. Powering this Corvette is a 6.2-liter V8 delivers 450 horsepower and an estimated 450 lb. ft. of torque. The engine will be mated to a seven-speed manual/standard transmission. Less than four second lap times are claimed by Chevrolet for the 2014 Corvette. For those interested on mileage, this baby is told to deliver 26 mpg. So you can surely drive the wheels off this 'Vette without having to make too many gas station stops.


So you now have a look at the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette. What do you make of this car? Learn more about the new Corvette by visiting 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray.





Again- some of my past blog posts regarding certain cars may be deleted and replaced with new versions. So stay tuned if you love my posts about certain cars. Thank you for reading!

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2013 SRT Viper

The Dodge Viper has always been one of the most unique and imposing American cars on the market. It is the kind of car that will lash out and attack its prey with absolutely no malice. This new Viper is now under the SRT (Street and Racing Technology) name ever since SRT became its own brand last year or so. As good as this car has been, it was time for a Viper makeover. With Chrysler's woes, Fiat came along to offer a helping hand. Many changes have taken place among Chrysler LLC, but what is mostly unchanged is the company's flagship sports car- the Viper. Unveiled at the 2012 New York Auto Show, early thoughts by some people indicate that the new Viper has been sapped style-wise of its American aggression in favor of more Italian/European styling. Some love its design, others don't. It is hard to believe the Viper is in its 18th year of existence with its fifth generation model. So it's time to meet the new Dodge... actually, the SRT Viper (a blog I Follow called Axis of Oversteer posted about the new Viper in a post called "Fiat Viper!"). And in this blog post, I'll offer my thoughts on this car's looks.

BEFORE I BEGIN...

The "Car Style" label is my series of blog posts regarding how I think cars look. I haven't made many posts in this category because of spam concerns. I usually talk about a car and then offer thoughts on how I think it looks. As another change, I will eventually drop the "Car Style" part out of posts in the "Car Style" category.

To see the latest posts of "Car Style," click on the link after this sentence: Car Style.

--- Car Style: The 2013 SRT Viper ---

This video showcases the new Viper. If you can't see the video, click on the link below the video to see the video on YouTube:


^ 2013 SRT Viper -- 2012 New York Auto Show -- Inside Line


The new Viper is an 8.4-liter beast packing over 600 horsepower and 640 lb. ft. of torque. It has been lightened by 100 lbs and fully refined all around. The Viper has always been seen more like the cross of a muscle car and a supercar. Under the wing of Team Oreca, the Viper has been one of the finest road racing cars of all time, even before the dominance of Corvette Racing in the sportscar ranks.

When the new Viper was unveiled, many liked it; many others did not. Car fans still know this is going to be the new Viper- so they know what they're getting when you mention the Viper. There is even a racing version of this car that was unveiled not too long ago to be run in the American Le Mans Series. Forza Motorsport fans- I hear you're getting this new Viper for Forza Motorsport 4. So get psyched, Forza fans!

Styling Thoughts: Exterior.

The front of any automobile provides the best impression externally. In the case of this Viper, I am left with a couple of impressions. The crosshair grill has defined Dodge's image for a long while. That crosshair grill of today's Dodge products looks quite a bit of for the new Viper. However, it does look great. The little front spoiler design is a nice compliment to its style as well. The one thing I may take issue with is the headlight design. Sure, these are beautiful headlights, but they lack the aggression to compliment the rest of its front design. You look at the Vipers of the 1990s and this previous decade. The headlights were as imposing as the front grill on those cars. These, however, turn the Viper more towards a sophisticated and elegant beast... but a beast nonetheless. The hood/bonnet design is very questionable to me. It still has the same sort of hood, but it seems very off in design.

Its side profile is mostly unchanged and still recognizable as a Viper. Honestly, the sides are gorgeous to me. I'd say the new side profile gives the car a European flavor while still remaining distinctively American. The big side duct is almost sort of like the 2011 Dodge Charger models. This car has an exceptional silhouette from the sides. A lovely set of wheels also compliment this car nicely.

From the rear, its elegance is punctuated with its new tail light design. It still looks imposing while also being elegant. Maybe not as imposing as the first Viper, but certainly anything than soft. Remember that the Viper's mufflers are on the sides, not at the back. The car does have a pretty nice rear valance under the rear bumper. It also has a nice lip spoiler with the old Viper badge.

Styling Thoughts: Interior.

The Viper has always been a car more about business than play. Even the first Viper had a more business-oriented cockpit even if at the expense of being considered plain. This one makes the Viper more like an inviting car to sit in and drive as it is inviting from its exterior. To me, this car has interior charm to match its exterior charm. It looks great on the inside. Certain features include racing-type seats as well as a navigation system.

Styling Thoughts: Final Thoughts.

While I don't want to sound like a sell-out, the new Viper has lost its mean appeal and traded it for some elegance and style. It is almost as if this car was designed to reflect the Chrysler/Fiat partnership. Some people think its American charm got tainted with Italian styling touches. The 2013 Viper seems like it was designed by a well-respected European designer like Pininfarina or Zagato rather than some American designer or firm. This car still retains its mean character despite its more elegant appearance and packaging. And let's face it- the Viper was due for some sort of makeover. I actually like this newer Viper more than the previous model. This new Viper retains a lot of its character despite looking more sophisticated and elegant. I actually like this car the more I think about it. Maybe not LOVE it, but I certainly am a fan of this Viper.

I would REALLY love to see this new Viper with stripes. In my opinion, the Viper looks too plain without stripes down the center. My own personal preference is the usual blue with white stripes. I just think the car looks too plain without stripes. I would certainly be interested in seeing various tuners give this car even more performance power. That even includes Houston's own Hennessey Performance Engineering.

IN CASE YOU'RE INTERESTED:

Here are some videos showcasing the new Viper that you can see on YouTube:


• I found a seven-minute long video showcasing the new Viper from many angles. I am not sure if it can be embedded or not, but you can look at this video below for a more intimate look at the new Viper. Trust me, it will be worth your seven minutes: Dodge reveals the SRT Viper in New York - YouTube

• This video showcases the 2013 Viper GTS-R. Check it out and marvel in its lovely appeal: 2013 SRT Viper GTS-R - YouTube


Again... in case you're interested.





Where do YOU stand on the new Viper and its looks? Or maybe you have thoughts on its performance figures? Share your thoughts here. Thank you for reading!

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Honda CR-Z

(UPDATED: March 19, 2013)

Honda's CR-Z can be thought of as a modern revival of the CR-X of the '80s and '90s. It is a sharp sport hybrid ready to take you for a ride. Certain recent Hondas have disappointed me style-wise (namely the latest CR-V and the Accord Crosstour). This car, however, is vastly less disappointing. How do I think this car look? My style description of cars continues with my Car Style post on the Honda CR-Z.

BEFORE I BEGIN...

Two quick notes...

--- Intro to Car Style (for my new or first-time readers) ---
If you are new to my blog, welcome to John's Blog Space! My "Car Style" blog posts are about how I think cars are styled. They have nothing to do with reviews, performance reports, or anything like that. It's all about how I think certain cars look to me. You can look elsewhere if seeking performance reviews or anything like that. Car Style posts are about just that- the style of cars. Though the posts are about the looks of cars featured, I will make an effort to explain some of the finer points of cars to enhance the appeal of my posts.

--- A Little Suspicion... ---
You may have read that I have become a bit suspicious of blog posts that don't seem genuine. That's one reason why I somewhat held off of Car Style posts recently. There are some people who, when I check out who have been visiting my blog, only find my posts by searching for DISQUS (the commenting system I have installed for JBS). The comments are genuine, but I become suspicious that I am only getting comments from people other than certain genuine people. I want to get more comments from more people without thinking only possible spammers are commenting. It just leaves me suspicious. So as a measure, I may crack down more on checking for genuine comments from genuine people for all of my posts (let alone my Car Style series). Possible spammers may get comments deleted and possibly be blocked from posting on JBS again. I am just doing this to keep my blog and its posts genuine. That's all- just want to be sure I get traffic while also getting opinions from the general public-at-large. But any time I feel the least bit suspicious about something, I may have to take action. The less suspicious I get, the happier I feel, and the more free I feel posting material.


No more talk... let's talk about the CR-Z's looks!

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--- Car Style: The Honda CR-Z ---

Say hello to the CR-Z. I figured to try something different- rather than post a video later in each Car Style post, I will show you the video first to give you an idea of the car I will be describing lookswise. So have a look at the CR-Z below:


^ (courtesy of: The Los Angeles Times)

It's okay to think "CRaZy" when trying to talk about what the CR-Z is like. I'm sure in Honda's mind, something like this delivers what the Toyota Prius doesn't in a much more exciting-looking car. Don't let the fact that this car is a sport hybrid make you think this is a gas sipper that is just uninteresting on many levels. If you prefer a more exciting-looking CR-Z, Honda offers a MUGEN package that offers a much more aggressive look to the CR-Z. After all, MUGEN and Honda are yin and yang in making Hondas even more awesome. The suggested starting price of the CR-Z is $19,345 US dollars for the CR-Z, and the starting price for the CR-Z EX is $20,905 US Dollars. It delivers some 35 miles per gallon in the city and 39 mpg on the highway with a combined 37 combined mpg. It has a three-drive system: Normal, Sport, and ECON. Normal is the default system for driving. If you prefer to let the CR-Z show its performance, try the Sport mode. If trying to make it for work or school (or wherever) and have to do a lot of stop-and-go driving, the ECON mode may be best for you.

Exterior.

The exterior boasts a futuristic and sharp appearance. I see nothing wrong with its design up front. Not even the razor blade-like front grill is a deterrent to its style. The front grill and hood protrudes outward to provide an aggressive touch. Complimenting its toughness are its headlights, which somewhat have some DNA from its Acura brotheren. I do not look at this car as some kind of boy racer, though there are many who'll see this CR-Z as some Honda Civic with more put into body kits than actual performance. It has aggression right out of the showroom.

From the sides, the CR-Z is actually elegant. A beautiful set of wheels are worn on the tires. There is a touch of overfender at the four wheels while not being overly aggressive. Its aerodynamic profile is vastly elegant, if not a touch futuristic. The side profile even has the elongated tail lights as part of its side profile. It is a three-door coupe that does not disappoint in style.

The CR-Z's rear boasts visual cues similar to the Honda Insight. I think the latest Insight looks slightly more stylish at the rear than the CR-Z. The rear window door is stylish to compliment the rear design of the car. The CR-Z has what appears to be this aggressive rear valance. Almost like a diffuser. Hiding on the right-hand side under the valance is the muffler. I probably would have liked to have seen maybe a twin muffler setup within either side of the rear valance's openings or even a muffler assembly within the rear valance in the center. Otherwise, this is a great style job by Honda.

Interior.

Honda's futuristic CR-Z is equally futuristic on the inside. It boasts a very postmodern interior with a great deal of digital electronics and digital readouts. Honda says its design inside is to allow for greater functionality and improving the driving experience. As someone who loves blue, I can appreciate all the blue hues in the various gauges and buttons. Almost as if you are in a spaceship than a car. It has a nice-looking steering wheel as you look at the digital instrument panel. On the far left on the driver's side are three buttons you can use to set the driving mode (mentioned earlier). Interestingly about the buttons, you can even choose between miles per hour readings and kilometers per hour by pushing a button. The tachometer lights up in a number of different hues to reflect the driving mode you are in. Blue and green colors are used for Normal and ECON modes, and red is used for the Sport mode. The center console is a bit unusual in the placement of one air conditioning vent and the navigation system. Otherwise, the rest of the car's center console design is clean. The entire dashboard is just purely futuristic and unorthodox. The seats seem pretty comfortable and sporty as you're strapped into this Honda from another lifetime. You can enjoy six-speed awesome if you opt for the six-speed manual CR-Z. If you do, you'll be pleased shifting with its aluminum shift knob with leather. Since this is a two-door car, most of the rest of the car is just extra space for you to store stuff.

Overall Thoughts on Its Looks.

The Honda CR-Z is an excitingly-styled automobile delivering a mix of sharp style and futuristic appeal. A few videos I've seen on YouTube hint that the CR-Z is nowhere near bettering the old CR-X of the past. Its style is incredibly done. Maybe not the most beautiful Honda of all time, but it is certainly more pleasing to the eye than some of Honda's recent automobiles, especially in the case of the ugly CR-V and the Accord Crosstour that I bashed in a past blog post. The CR-Z is a head-turner with its great charm and style.

If I had some sort of issue with its looks, I often wonder how much the rear view is compromised with the rear window and rear windshield design. It is compromised a touch more with the rear spoiler you can get if you get the CR-Z MUGEN.

Speaking of the MUGEN CR-Z, here is a Bonus Video for you:









When I post links, I mostly post for an American or English-speaking audience. So most of these links are for my American readers only. Learn more about the CR-Z (or build/order your own) by visiting the Honda CR-Z's official American Honda page. If you are interested in a MUGEN CR-Z from American Honda, check out the 2011 Honda MUGEN CR-Z on American Honda's website.

Thank you for reading!

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Car Style - The Hyundai Elantra (5th Generation)

"The compact car other compact car makers don't want you to see."

Maybe Hyundai said this for good reason. This Elantra marks the 5th generation of the Hyundai Elantra is a Korean offering bound to make you forget about any other compact sedan. Commercials for the Elantra aired during the Super Bowl talking about how compact sedans don't have to be boring. I guess for Hyundai, they got sick of seeing the Mazda 3, Honda Civic Sedan, and Chevrolet Cruze get face time for being hot compact sedans. So on comes Hyundai and their radically-styled Elantra that's made in Montgomery, Alabama, USA for the American market. I saw this first at the Houston Auto Show both on a turntable and on the show floors. My thoughts on the Elantra's looks will be expressed in this blog post.

(sources for my information: Hyundai USA and Wikipedia)

--- Car Style: The Hyundai Elantra (5th Generation) ---

This is the 5th Generation Hyundai Elantra:


^ from (my Houston Auto Show 2011 gallery on Facebook) - Hyundai created perhaps the most beautiful Korean work of art when this car was unveiled.

And this is a video preview of the 5th Generation Hyundai Elantra:


In the eyes of Hyundai, they wanted to create a compact sedan to rival cars like the Mazda 3, Honda Civic Sedan, and the all-new Chevrolet Cruze. Their answer to these cars is the Elantra. The Elantra starts out at an MSRP of $14,830 USD for the GLS model and $19,980 USD for the Elantra Limited. The Elantra is a front-wheel drive car that pushes 148 horsepower and 131 lb-ft of torque from its 1797cc engine. The car weighs anywhere between 2,660 lbs. to 2,877 lbs. Its other 2011 opposition includes the Toyota Corolla LE, Nissan Sentra, Honda Civic sedan, Mazda 3 i SV 4-door, and the Ford Focus SE. Those whom have critiqued the Elantra praised the copious amount of room inside the Elantra. Best bang for the buck is mostly what Hyundai is known for. A nice thing about Hyundai's website (as I was preparing this blog post) is that you could put this car to the test against other similar cars. I'll provide a link to Hyundai USA's website so you can learn more about this car and do your own comparisons. Also, did you know the Elantra is also called the Avante in its native Korea Republic?

Exterior.

I thought the front was a bit unusual at first. After taking more looks at it, the front is absolutely gorgeous! Its curves are sculpted beautifully and don't look too much out of whack. Take note of its headlights, for example. While a bit unusual in design with its curvy lines, it still has gracious style. Both the front grill and front air dam have horizontal bars to compliment its image. The front grill bearing the Hyundai badge is even stylish along with the front air dam and the two fog lights. The front hood/bonnet is styled nicely and smoothly as well.

When you look at the side profile of this car, you see a car which boasts elegant curvy lines. Maybe not the curves of your favorite supermodel, but a car with aerodynamic and graceful charm. The elongated headlights and tail lights only compliment the flowy charm of the Elantra. The car features some bold fender flares, but they are not too bold to where its elegance is violated or tainted. This car just looks like it is best friends with the wind. This car also comes with a sunroof that nicely adds to its character up top.

Hyundai spared no expense in adding elegance to the rear with a nice set of tail lights. More curvy lines add some extra style to its rear. That even includes a rather curvy rear bumper. The rear is charming and smooth. Its swoopy profile is just accentuated and completed at the rear. It is a great looking car that is very luxurious.

Interior.

The exterior is a gorgeous masterpiece, but what about when ready to drive? The dashboard is not as gorgeous as its exterior, but it is very far from ugly. It has a pretty nice looking steering wheel and a nice instrument panel complete with lovely analog gauges. The center console is the nicest-looking element of the interior with a lovely high-definition navigation system (you read right!). The seats are stylish and comfortable. Only the Limited-trim Elantra has heated seats for both the front and rear passengers- the first compact to offer this for both front and rear passengers.





The 5th Generation Hyundai Elantra is one of the most gorgeous cars ever from a Korean automaker. It is a car designed to be both stylish, practical, and safe. I was so amazed seeing this car in print and in person that I couldn't help but fall in love. I'll say it right now- it is one of my new favorite Hyundais in terms of looks. It surpasses the Genesis sedan. Only Hyundai lovelier than the Elantra all-time (to me) is the 2007-2008 Hyundai Tiburon. The 5th Generation Elantra is absolutely one of the most beautiful non-sporty Hyundais of all time. I have never been so much in love with a Hyundai's looks since the 2007 Tiburon. I think this car looks best either in white (rare ANY car looks great in white), silver, or blue. Also, it takes some courage to call your car as a car other's don't want you to see or know about, and be able to back up their claim with a good comparison of itself against rival cars. Hyundai has created perhaps the most beautiful Korean car of all time when the 5th Generation Elantra was unveiled. The likes of Chevrolet and Honda (among others) will have you shy away from Hyundai and their Elantra/Avante, but Hyundai built themselves a potent challenger to woo away anyone who wants to get a compact sedan from any other company other than Hyundai.

Learn more about the 2011 Elantra (or build/order your own) by visiting Hyundai Elantra on Hyundai USA's website. I recommend you visit that site especially if you want to compare the Elantra to other cars in its category.


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Car Style - The Nissan JUKE

If you want an urban crossover SUV from Nissan, meet the JUKE. This machine is a muscular machine with urban style and some rally influence. It has some boldness and some charm to make it hot for city streets. People whom have hinted on the JUKE's looks range from people saying it is ugly to some saying it is styled unusually. One YouTube user commented that this is one of the ugliest cars Nissan has ever made since the Cube. What do I think of it? You'll see. My opinions on the JUKE's looks will be featured in another "Car Style" blog post of mine. My "Car Style" blog post welcomes another automobile to the list of machines I have profiled for their looks. This time, I'll be ready to juke and jive on my thoughts of the JUKE's styling. So let's get cracking!

--- Car Style: The Nissan JUKE ---

This here is a video preview of the JUKE, courtesy of Motor Trend's YouTube channel:


^ from: YouTube - Motor Trend video on the Nissan JUKE.

The JUKE starts at $18,990 USD (MSRP) for the S model, then goes up to $22,750 USD (MSRP) for the SL model. Front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive are offered for this machine. The engine is the MR16DDT- a direct injection gasoline DOHC turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 16 valves. It is good for 188 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. A six-speed manual/standard transmission is only offered optionally for the FWD versions of the JUKE SV and JUKE SL. Perhaps unusual for an SUV is that this JUKE is pretty light. Curb weights for the JUKE range from 2912 lbs. for the front-wheel drive JUKE SV with manual transmission, and the heaviest is the all-wheel drive JUKE with Xtronic CVT at 3,210 lbs. This is the lowest-priced offering among Nissan crossover SUVs and minivans.

Exterior.

Intros aside... the JUKE is unspeakably ugly. It has a great deal of aggression up front and on the sides (in the next paragraph). But in terms of style, its style severely lacks. Its looks make it too uninviting (to me) to really be of any interest. I am not sure what are the real headlights on the JUKE- the rather stylish eyes around the front hood/bonnet, or the rally car-style circular headlights. The grill breaks up the top headlights and the circular lights. Not sure what kind of message it is supposed to send, but it could have been done much better. The front air dam looks like it can shoot three missiles out of those ports. Either that, or three machine gun cannons or three lasers. It is one of the worst-looking cars or trucks up front from Nissan in my view.

There is no denying the edgy appeal on the sides. The sides make you forget about this machine's ugliness up front. Bold fender flares give the JUKE plenty of muscle. It has the right amount of charm to make you forget all about its ugly face up front. Everything is styled in an sexy urban way. Perhaps in recent times, I've noted the sloping roofline of Nissan models, like with the GT-R. I wonder if this sloping roofline can have a negative effect on head room for the second row.

A machine's rear leaves a lasting impression for when it passes you by. In keeping with this theme, its rear has a little of Nissan and a little of Volvo. The Volvo element of the JUKE is the tall and vertically-elongated tail light design. It has a boomerang style set of tail lights. The rear spoiler has a small tail light as well. The rear doesn't look anything too stylish to really warrant your money, but it isn't bland at the back. Just not lovely.

Interior.

A car's interior can tell a story different from the exterior. It is the living and commuting space of an automobile. The JUKE has a very nice interior. Maybe not a glamourous one, but it also helps you forget all about the JUKE's exterior experience. It has a nice steering wheel and instrument panel. The center console looks very nice and sporty. The JUKE is a sporty machine, so there is no identity crisis here with the JUKE. It also has some lovely-looking and sporty seats.





Unfortunately, this car is almost totally ugly. Its front-end design is a hot mess of fail with no flow, grace, or charm. This crossover SUV is too ugly and uninviting for me to even get close to it. I'd rather lay eyes upon the Murano (though I've never been into the Murano style-wise) than the JUKE. Its performance figures and driving performance are probably the only reason to even be remotely interested in the JUKE. You can be an urban crossover SUV with a unique sense of style. However, Nissan did a pathetic job styling this machine. This effort is almost as putrid as Honda styling the latest CR-V or the Accord Crosstour. I would have liked to have seen cleaner style up front along with a bold or elegant rear view. It could have had a front-end style that had at least some form of clean style like the Murano or the Rogue (as far as crossover SUVs and such are concerned). The sides of the JUKE are the only saving grace of this crossover SUV. I'd leave its muscular side profile alone. Having such a poor-looking front sends a horrible message. The front of any automobile is the public face of any automobile. And when you have an ugly and poorly-designed front end, you send a haunting image to others who have to look at such a front end. The front end is more ugly than "different" or "aggressive." Different BAD, mind you. Some praise the JUKE's style as an unusual style. Don't sugarcoat it- it's not unusual; it's UGLY! It's one of the poorest-designed automobiles this century, if not one of the worst of the previous decade (2001-2010; machine has been in production since 2010).

Wikipedia notes the JUKE as the winner of "CUV of Texas" for 2011 by the Texas Auto Writers' Association among some other accolades. Remember again- my "Car Style" posts are about the STYLE AND LOOKS of cars; not performance figures or anything like that. Not that I think this, but I get the feeling some people will only see me post "Car Style" posts only on cars I like or remotely like. So I wonder how people respond when I trash certain cars for their looks. I think we learn more about people based on what they DON'T like as opposed to what they do like. Agree or disagree with my comments at will. I am almost totally unapologetic for posting certain things sometimes.

For More Information on the Nissan JUKE...

If you think differently about the JUKE (remember- "Car Style" is about the LOOKS of cars), you can learn more about the JUKE (or create/order your own Nissan JUKE) from Nissan JUKE on Nissan USA's website.


Thank you for reading!

Become a Fan (or Like) my Facebook Fan Page and subscribe this blog (and my others) via FeedBurner (or any other aggregator in the sidebar)! Visit (or subscribe):
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