Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Cold Weather Testing in Minnesota: Where Acura beats on one of the best AWD systems in the business]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/18/acura-cold-weather-testing-in-minnesota/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/18/acura-cold-weather-testing-in-minnesota/http://www.autoblog.com/2010/02/18/acura-cold-weather-testing-in-minnesota/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Acura Cold Weather Testing - Click above for high-res image gallery

"Don't hold back."

Three words I've never heard before at a press event and three words that are running through my mind as I tramp down on the throttle and wheelspin my way towards the gray horizon.

Don't hold back.

Ahead of me lies a three-quarter-mile stretch of perfectly groomed snow sitting atop a thick layer of ice, with over 300 feet of desolation on either side.

Don't hold back.

From a standing start, the well-worn BMW X6 grapples with a lack of traction and then finally grips through the slush to propel me past 20... 30... 40... 50 mph. Then I slam on the stoppers. The ABS system pulses through the brake pedal and the coupe-shaped 'ute grinds to a squeaky, squawky halt. Let's try that again.

Don't hold back.

This time I get up to 60 mph, lay on the brakes and it's the same result. Now I'm bored, so it's time to experiment with a few emergency lane change maneuvers. I get up to 30 mph, stab at the brake, yank the wheel to the right, then back to the left and straighten up. Nothing. No drama. No hesitation. No tail wagging. I do it again, this time at 40 mph with the traction control off. Same result. Then 50 mph. Same result. Then 60 mph. And then I promptly stuff myself into an six-foot-tall snow bank.

Didn't hold back.

 Follow the jump to read about our experience at Acura's cold weather testing facility in Minnesota.


Gallery: Acura Cold Weather Testing

Continue reading Cold Weather Testing in Minnesota: Where Acura beats on one of the best AWD systems in the business

Cold Weather Testing in Minnesota: Where Acura beats on one of the best AWD systems in the business originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>335xiacuraacura cold weather testingacura winter testinghacura zdxAcuraColdWeatherTestingAcuraMdxAcuraTlAcuraWinterTestinghAcuraZdxaetaudiAudiQ7automotive enviro testingAutomotiveEnviroTestingbmw 335xiBmw335xiBmwX6featuredfx35hondahonda cold weather testinghonda winter testingHondaColdWeatherTestingHondaWinterTestinginfinitiInfinitiFx35lexuslexus rx350LexusRxLexusRx350mdxq7rx350tlx6zdxThu, 18 Feb 2010 11:57:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/19362665/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2010/02/18/acura-cold-weather-testing-in-minnesota/19362665/article-detail.xml 19362665 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/lead1acurawintertesting_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2010/02/lead1acurawintertesting.jpg <![CDATA[Review: 2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-infiniti-fx50-awd/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-infiniti-fx50-awd/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/02/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-infiniti-fx50-awd/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD

Infiniti's FX first arrived on the scene in 2003. At the time, it looked like something transported into the showroom directly from the auto show concept car turntable. While other manufacturers were delivering boxy SUVs, Infiniti presented the world a futuristic four-door crossover that was available in vibrant "Liquid Copper" paint. Even in bland white, the FX turned every head on the road - and rightfully so. Now in its second-generation, the all-new 2009 FX arrives with a more powerful 5.0-liter V8, a new 7-speed automatic and a mouthful of electronic driving aids that are sure to stump even the team at Engadget. Is the all-new FX a worthy replacement to its predecessor? Has it turned soft to please the luxury crowd? What's up with all of that gadgetry? Find out after the jump.


Gallery: Review: 2009 Infiniti FX50


All photos Copyright (C)2008 Michael C. Harley / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Review: 2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD

Review: 2009 Infiniti FX50 AWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>featuredfxgaragein the autoblog garageinfinitiInfiniti crossoverInfiniti CUVInfiniti FXInfiniti FX35Infiniti FX35 AWDInfiniti FX45Infiniti FX50InfinitiCrossoverInfinitiCuvInfinitiFxInfinitiFx35InfinitiFx35AwdInfinitiFx45InfinitiFx50InTheAutoblogGaragereviewreviewstesttest driveTestDriveFri, 02 Jan 2009 11:58:00 EST http://www.autoblog.com/feed/1416152/article-comments.xml http://www.autoblog.com/feed/2009/01/02/in-the-autoblog-garage-2009-infiniti-fx50-awd/1416152/article-detail.xml 1416152 http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/fx_580_05_thumbnail.jpg http://www.blogcdn.com/www.autoblog.com/media/2009/01/fx_580_05.jpg <![CDATA[Infiniti announces the FX35... still not the FX37]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/21/infiniti-announces-the-fx35-still-not-the-fx37/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/21/infiniti-announces-the-fx35-still-not-the-fx37/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/03/21/infiniti-announces-the-fx35-still-not-the-fx37/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Infiniti FX

It is official. The all-new 2009 FX50 will not share the showroom floor with a rumored "FX37." Instead, Infiniti has chosen to keep the less-powerful sibling designated as the "FX35." That means the engine is the award-winning VQ35HR right out of the Infiniti G35 sedan -- not the sweet 3.7-liter 330-hp gem from the G37 Coupe. Under the hood of the FX, the slightly smaller six-cylinder is rated at 303 hp (down just a few horses from the sedan's rating of 306 hp). The 3.5-liter 24-valve DOHC V6 will be mated to a standard 7-speed automatic with Nissan's Adaptive Shift Control (those trick magnesium paddle shifters are optional).

Like the outgoing FX35 it replaces, the 2009 model will be available in two versions: FX35 and FX35 AWD. The all-wheel-drive model is equipped with Nissan's ATTESA E-TS (Advanced Total Traction Engineering System for All Electronic Torque Split) AWD system, which is standard on the FX50. According to Infiniti, the new 2009 FX goes on sale at Infiniti dealers in the United States and Canada beginning in June 2008. Thanks for the heads-up Brad!

Gallery: 2009 Infiniti FX50


[Source: Nissan North America]

Continue reading Infiniti announces the FX35... still not the FX37

Infiniti announces the FX35... still not the FX37 originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Mar 2008 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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