2012 SEMA Trucks

SEMA has now ended; we all need to get back to reality and back to work. The smell of tire shine in the air, sound of cars drifting outside, and the endless rows of cars are what SEMA is all about. Not only did the show cars shine, but the displays played a big role for showing off the cars and its unique features. Walking about the floors of the Las Vegas Convention Center are 60,000 buyers just looking for the next trend or something they can throw on their ride. Having your car as one of the show cars at SEMA is a big accomplishment. Even though SEMA is taken over by mostly cars, they do have trucks also!  For all of those who missed SEMA here is a glimpse of what SEMA was like for us.  Enjoy! 

The automotive market has been big and continues to expand. For those of you who thought this market was dying down... think again. The automotive industry brings $30 billion annually. Everyone has a different taste for what they like, and that is what makes this industry so big. There is so much room for creativity and uniqueness, the varieties of different automotive parts just might be never ending! Most people who own trucks are known for being very high with bright lights you can’t stand! At SEMA you will see more than just the lifted truck with HID’s. These trucks have the best lift kit money can buy. The craziest paint jobs ever, and the meatiest tires you will see.  Whatever it is for you, we hope you will be able to drive the car of your dreams.

2013 Motor Trend SUV of the Year

Motor Trend has declared the 2013 SUV's of the year; the Mercedes-Benz GL. They held a week long test with 10 other SUV's. At the end of the testing they had three cars in mind that they thought were winners : the Mercedes GL, Ford Escape, and the Nissan Pathfinder. They knew that other SUV candidates were no match next to the Mercedes GL.

Yes, I know it’s a GL that won, we all know they are not cheap cars. When they first came out the base price was already $55,675 and now half a decade later the entry level GL is $63,305. So yes, it is kind of unfair for  the other competitors since the more you pay the better stuff you get, right? But look at it this way, it is still a full size seven passenger luxury SUV.  The GL just kills the rest in its class! GL being called best in class is just an understatement in my opinion.

So the interior of both the GL 450 and GL550 is just astonishing and leaves the rest of the SUV's in the dust. What is the price that you are going to have to pay for that amazing interior? How about $4,000? Mercedes is now starting to offer a non-glossy wood (open pore wood) interior. The wood is like nothing you have ever seen, it looks like it was just freshly cut from a tree and put straight into the GL.

Mercedes has adopted the new 360 degree camera which had a lot of people talking about and loved very much. The electric seats in the middle row were a little slow but still convenient to have electric seats in the back.

Now with the driving and handling, Motor Trend was very impressed on how it took on the things they threw at the GL. Even though it weighs 5,774 pounds, it can handle on the road and still get decent gas mileage. Motor Trend calls it “An absolutely amazing piece of machinery” and “ An ueber-smooth ride, even in sport mode”

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz GL does have everything you need in a SUV. So what were the criteria the the SUV's had to meet in order to be named the winner by Motor Trend? Performance of intended function, design advancement, engineering excellence, efficiency, safety, and value. Mercedes met an astonishing five out of the six criteria. The one criteria Mercedes didn't meet was value, but it just depends on the way you look at it; Mercedes is way ahead in the GL then the other competitors.  

info credited to motortrend

2013 Land Rover Range Rover

This December the new 2013 Range Rover will be out and with some improvements. It will be much lighter than the old Range Rover, and also will have much better fuel economy. The Range Rover should be 926 pounds lighter! "How?" you may ask, well this lighter weight has a lot to do with the new all aluminum chassis.

 

For those Ranger Rover owners who want to go 'Green' should be proud: 75% of the aluminum is recycled. The vehicle's bodyside is pressed in a single panel to reduce the amount of joints which means improved body integrity. This new body is so aerodynamic that it improves air flow by 10%.

 

You will get a standard eight speed automatic with your choice of either a 375-hp 5.0 liter V-8 or a 510-hp supercharged unit in the higher trim level. 0-60 time is pretty impressive coming in at 6.5 and 5.1 on the supercharged. So guys you know what that means, you need the supercharged ones just so you can keep up with the other big boys out there.

 

New system adds a Park Assist ability, which means you don't ever have to parallel park the car again! There are other luxury features on this car, like the rear where you get an extra 4.7' compared to the old Range Rover. 29 that is how many speakers you will get in this car, with that you also get a surround camera system so you'll always know what is around you. 

 

 The British still retained the Range Rovers main use; rock climbing. A new redesigned air suspension and an intelligent four wheel drive system will get you around anything. The four wheel drive system with all for a 50/50 torque split.

 

 Some figures for this master piece. The standard HSE around $60,045 and the Supercharged $75,654.

Now that may sound like a lot of money, but compared to other cars which these features this is a really good deal, if you ask me.

Info and Pictures Credited to www.motortrend.com