Category Car Chat

During an interview with Automotive News Europe, the Volvo CEO made some comments about the upcoming redesigned 2016 XC90: “There is no second chance, of course. This has to work. We’re confident it will.”

We all know the fact that, Volvo’s sales performance has been lacked behind other luxury brands in US market for a long time. For example, during 2013, Volvo sold a total of 61,233 units in US; compared to BMW’s 309,280 units, Mercedes-Benz’s 334,350 units, Audi’s 158,061 units and Lexus’ 273,847 units.

This year (2014) Volvo does not has major new/redesigned model releases, so do not hope its sales volume will be dramatically different than 2013...

“Hot hatch” is the high-performance variant of a hatchback car model, which can be either a 3 or 5-door. One key feature of the hot hatch is its higher-output engine. Due to typical size and weight of a hot hatch, its engine output rarely goes above 400hp. At this moment, a hatchback with more than 300hp can be considered a “serious” hot hatch.

Below are a list for hot hatches that with at least 300hp (same model with different drivetrain options are listed separately).

Audi

RS3 Sportback, 5dr, 340PS 2.5L turbo I5, 7DCT, AWD
S3, 3dr, 300PS 2.0L turbo I4, 6MT, AWD
S3, 3dr, 300PS 2.0L turbo I4, 6DCT, AWD
S3 Sportback, 5dr, 300PS 2.0L turbo I4, 6MT, AWD
S3 Sportback, 5dr, ...

Review Index

2014 Acura RDX – Part 1 (Exterior)
2014 Acura RDX – Part 2 (Interior)
2014 Acura RDX – Part 3 (Interior – Gauges/Seats/Capacity)
2014 Acura RDX – Part 4 (Powertrain)
2014 Acura RDX – Part 5 (Suspension and Chassis)

Two things impressed me most when testing the RDX are: the ride comfort the suspension provides, and also the solidness of the car chassis.

First I will talk about the suspension. For the RDX, the front suspension is MacPherson strut type, and multi-link for the rear suspension.

A close look at the multi-link suspension in the rear wheel area. The majority of the rear wheel suspension parts are made of steel.

Automotive adhesive materi...

Review Index

2014 Acura RDX – Part 1 (Exterior)
2014 Acura RDX – Part 2 (Interior)
2014 Acura RDX – Part 3 (Interior – Gauges/Seats/Capacity)
2014 Acura RDX – Part 4 (Powertrain)
2014 Acura RDX – Part 5 (Suspension and Chassis)

The 2014 RDX only has one engine option: a 3.5L naturally aspirated V6, good for 273 hp @ 6,200RPM and 251 lb-ft of torque at 5,000 RPM. Also there is only one transmission is available on the RDX: a Honda-self-developed 6-speed automatic transmission.

Let’s first talk about the V6 engine (Honda code name: J35Y)...

Review Index

2014 Acura RDX – Part 1 (Exterior)
2014 Acura RDX – Part 2 (Interior)
2014 Acura RDX – Part 3 (Interior – Gauges/Seats/Capacity)
2014 Acura RDX – Part 4 (Powertrain)
2014 Acura RDX – Part 5 (Suspension and Chassis)

In this section, we will continue to review the interior features of the RDX.

The gauges are simple, if you just look at it you won’t tell the difference between it and a Honda-branded vehicle. However it is practical and considering the RDX’s price, it is reasonable too.

This is the layout overview of the dash. Frankly speaking, it cannot distinguish itself from some cars bearing the Honda badge...