Sporty Cars

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Test drive and walkaround of a 2003 Mercedes-Benz SL500 Sport from Chicago Cars Direct.

Mazda North American Operations (MNAO) today announced pricing of its refreshed 2012 Mazda3 compact vehicle, including the first application of the brand’s all-new fuel-efficient and performance-oriented SKYACTIV TECHNOLOGY. Available as both a sedan and hatchback, Mazda3 commands more than 40 percent of Mazda’s year-to-date sales, and is by far the best-selling vehicle in the brand’s line-up. The Mazda3 i SV sedan starts at an impressive 200[1] MSRP, which is a price drop from the previous model year. Styling is updated with a revised front fascia and Mazda-distinctive five-point grille opening. Inside, new cloth seats and a bold, black cabin accentuates intuitive controls and panels. Paired with the dependable 148-horsepower MZR 2.0-liter engine, the Mazda3 i SV sedan is the first stop in Mazda’s performance-geared, fuel-efficient line of sporty compacts. Moving up to the Mazda3 i Sport, the 2012 model sees the addition of remote keyless entry as standard equipment. The Mazda3 i Sport sedan starts at 845 MSRP and is optionally available with the five-speed Sport automatic transmission. Mazda3 i SV and Sport trims are not available on five-door models.

In thisvideo I give a full in depth tour of the 2012 Fiat 500 Sport, newly brought from the european market due to the new partnership of Fiat and Chrysler. The US spec car has been slightly modified including alternate bumpers, a 1.4L 4 cyl engine and 7 airbags standard, as well as other options including a Bose sound system. Similar cars in its class include the mini cooper and smart fortwo. The fiat adds some new flavor by offering a compact and sporty economy car with features such as bluetooth, folding rear seats and aa sunroof with room for 4, base price starting around 15k. I take viewers on a close look through the interior and exterior of this car while showing details, over viewing of features, and noting unique styling cues to the vehicle itself. I also show the engine and the details of it, start it up and see how it sounds under acceleration. A thorough tour/review of this car designed to give others a greater overall appreciation of the vehicle.

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Test drive and walkaround of a PRISTINE 2008 Mercedes-Benz ML550 Sport with Chris from Chicago Cars Direct. Outside the change isnt so evident; the new M looks a lot like the old, re-rendered in hi-def. The corners and bodyside lines are a little more creased; the trim and sparse chrome bits a little more defined. The saw-tooth grille insert is reminiscent of machined industrial equipment. Jeweled taillamps and HID headlights complete the high-tech theme. One thing hasnt changed, thoughthat oversized, tri-pointed star on the grille is still suitable for Flava-Flavs accessory drawer. Under the skin, the M has grown up, too. Engine choices are mostly new or updated, from the bread-and-butter V6 ML350 to the tested ML500, with prices increasing concurrent to horsepower. Weve driven the 268-horse ML350 model (at around 000 to start), and found it to be smooth if not exactly powerful. Zero-to-sixty acceleration is claimed to be an utterly adequate 8.4 seconds. In other words, its entirely sufficient for the soccer mom stereotype that we often see behind the wheel of these machines. And then theres that V8. The heart of the 500 ML500, weve enjoyed this same motor in a number of Benzesand even in this second-heaviest of applications (the new R-Class non-minivan is just a smidge stouter), its a beaut. With 339 lb.-ft. of torque, theres no shortage of off-the-line gruntand the 302 horsepower rating means the M pulls to way beyond our own limits on public roads (self-imposed …