World Car News

Mercedes Benz GLK

2006-11-29T22:25:00.000+08:00

Mercedes-Benz is finally getting ready to introduce its first small SUV. After scrapping efforts based on the tiny A-class and the Smart ForMore and rejecting a partnership with corporate cousin Jeep, Mercedes-Benz is using the next-generation C-class wagon as the basis for its small crossover, which it plans to call the GLK.

Don't let that first letter mislead you. Like its chief rivals, the BMW X3 and the forthcoming Audi Q5, the GLK is a four-wheel-drive on-roader. If you insist on extended mobility, you can get all-weather tires, hill-descent control, a mildly raised suspension with skid plates, and some outdoorsy cosmetics but no extra diff locks or a low-range transfer case. The GLK also will be available in two-wheel-drive guise, if only in combination with the two least powerful engines.

Chassis-related changes over the C-class 4Matic include a new steering rack, bigger brakes, and a modified independent suspension that permits more wheel travel for extra axle articulation. A handling package (adaptive dampers, quicker steering, fatter antiroll bars) will be available, and wheel sizes should top out at twenty inches. Curb weight should fall between 3400 and 3700 pounds.The U.S. market likely will see the following models: the GLK280 V-6 4Matic (228 hp); the GLK350 V-6 4Matic (268 hp); and the GLK320 CDI V-6 4Matic (221 hp). All will be fitted with a seven-speed manu-matic. Of course, no Mercedes-Benz lineup would be complete without an AMG version, so the near-500-hp GLK63 AMG 4Matic should come along shortly thereafter.

Unrestricted driving pleasure.

2006-11-29T22:03:00.000+08:00

The BMW X5 with xDrive, the intelligent all-wheel drive system, is a true Sports Activity Vehicle: powerful, dynamic and flexible. Once you get to know the X5, you'll soon forget the meaning of the word "compromise". Its powerful engines, its innovative all-wheel drive system and its flexible, adaptable interior are convincing proof that BMW never does anything by half.

For More Imformation!:

BMW USA.
BMW MALAYSIA.

How To Get A Great Deal On A New Car

2006-11-29T21:59:00.000+08:00

Whether you think of your car as an object of love or view it merely as a way to get somewhere, having a brand new one is bound to give you a lift. But that pleasure can be tainted by thoughts about the cost—both the thousands of dollars you must pay for the vehicle and the emotional cost of coping with the hassles of making the purchase. Fortunately, there’s a way to avoid the hassles and get a great price. The key is competition. Get new car dealers to bid competitively for your business.

The Center for the Study of Services, an independent nonprofit consumer group, operates a service used by many thousands of customers each year to get great prices on new cars. Search for the “Money-Saving Help” for more information.

Start buying a car

2006-11-29T21:50:00.000+08:00

Before you start shopping for a car, you’ll need to do some homework. Spending time now may save you serious money later. Think about your driving habits, your needs, and your budget. You can learn about car models, options, and prices by reading newspaper ads, both display and classified. There is a wealth of information about used cars on the Internet: enter “used car” as the key words and you’ll find additional information on how to buy a used car, detailed instructions for conducting a prepurchase inspection, and ads for cars available for sale, among other information. Libraries and book stores also have publications that compare car models, options, and costs, and offer information about frequency-of-repair records, safety tests, and mileage. Many of these publications have details on the do’s and don’ts of buying a used car.