2019 Porsche 718 Boxster Review & Ratings
One of the more notable options includes the Sport Chrono package that adds a stopwatch atop the dash, paddle shifters for the PDK transmission and additional sport modes. So, too, is the Porsche Active Suspension Management (PASM) option with a lower sport-tuned suspension and electronically controlled dampers with distinct Normal and Sport modes. As with other Porsches, buyers can choose from a dizzying array of customization options that include wood, carbon-fiber and aluminum trim and contrasting colors for upholstery and gauges. For the vast majority of drivers, the standard 718 Boxster will exceed their abilities and expectations. The Boxster S will certainly entice aspiring racers, but the big price premium for 50 additional horsepower may be a deterrent. Two new turbocharged, four-cylinder engines are available on the 718 Boxster. The standard car features a 2.0-liter turbo with 300 hp and 280 pound-feet of torque. These figures represent a 35-hp and 74 lb-ft improvement over the base six-cylinder from the previous car. Not surprisingly, performance is much improved. Porsche claims it accelerates from zero to 60 mph in 4.9 seconds, which is 0.7 second quicker than the old model. Top speed rises by 8 mph to 170 mph. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and sends power to the rear wheels. An optional seven-speed dual-clutch unit (PDK) is also available. Official EPA fuel economy figures have yet to be announced, but tested under European conditions, the 718 achieved a 14 percent increase in efficiency compared with the old model.
Even in 2016, a hybrid luxury SUV(with BMW GPS navigation) sounds like a bit of a gimmick. Even in 2016, a hybrid luxury SUV(with BMW GPS navigation) sounds like a bit of a gimmick. Sure, many cars are moving the way of electrified assistance, but if you鈥檙e buying an SUV with a star, roundel, or four rings, you don鈥檛 necessarily care about the price of gas, right? While this may be true in many cases, automakers are nonetheless beholden to Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards that are laid down by the federal government, and - spoiler alert - they鈥檙e getting tighter and tighter every year. Thanks to this, almost every luxury automaker either offers or is planning to offer a hybrid version of their midsize SUV - Mercedes-Benz with the GLE-Class, Lexus with the RX Hybrid, and BMW with the X5 Plug-In. But while this may seem like a way to meet regulations for now, it鈥檚 actually a strong indication of what鈥檚 to come in the future. There will come a time when every luxury SUV is hybridized, whether you like it or not. With an eye on the future, I took the wheel of the 2016 BMW X5 xDrive40e Plug-In for the week to find out if the future of the luxury SUV is really so daunting after all. 950 gets you 20-inch wheels with run-flat tries, and while they look the part, be careful of curbs, as the rounded spoke design seems to attract them easily. If installing an Android Car Stereo in your car, that would be great!
There are plenty of cars for sale that offer driving thrills and excitement, but what do you buy if you want to take things easy? Sometimes you don't want a car with raw responses and the kind driving most motorists do on our traffic-clogged, potholed roads is often more suited to the relaxed approach anyway. If you want the quietest experience possible when driving, you鈥檝e come to the right place as we've picked 10 of the quietest cars for sale in the UK today. In the past, a quiet car meant you'd have to pay big money for the most refined and plush luxury cars on sale. Makers such as Rolls-Royce and Bentley have traded on their hushed opulence for decades, and it's a similar story for the ultimate Mercedes models. The company has promoted its luxury limousines, from the 600 Grosser all the way through its S-Class and Maybach derivatives, as the finest way to travel for those that could afford it.
The same can be said for cars such as the Toyota Century limousine and top-spec Cadillac and Lincoln models in the US. But with the onset of new technology, top level refined and truly quiet cars have become far easier to create on a smaller budget. And then there are the hi-tech solutions. Some car makers now offer noise cancelling technology via a car's sound system. This deploys specific frequencies through a car's speakers that counter background noise that's coming into the car. There's also acoustic glass, which is a more economical alternative to double glazing. This adds a specially designed plastic layer sandwiched between two layers of glass that laminates it and helps to reduce wind and road noise. Under the skin, developments in technology have boosted refinement. Engines with multiple cylinders are generally smoother, but makers have added tech such as balancer shafts to help reduce vibration even further. The other option is to eliminate internal combustion completely in favour of the silent running offered by an electric car or plug-in hybrid. Then there are suspension systems that are designed to iron out bumps.
Cars using airbags instead of springs are generally smoother, while higher quality bushings and other suspension components help with a smooth ride, and in luxury limos there's no expense spared when it comes to the quality of components. The latest tech even sees some cars adjusting their suspension according to the road ahead, taken from GPS data or sensors, to smooth things out even further. S-Class means Sonderklasse in Germany, which translates into 'special', and the S-Class is certainly that. It's been Mercedes' ultimate luxury car since the S badge was introduced in 1972, although Mercedes has long had a history of large luxury cars dating back even further. The S-Class has been a showcase for Mercedes' latest tech, and much of this has been designed to offer the quietest and most refined drive possible. Innovations that have debuted on the S-Class over the years include air suspension, heated seats, climate control, double glazing, self-closing doors, ventilated seats, adaptive cruise control, massage seats and radar-controlled active suspension.