Hyundai Motor America has announced lowered prices for its 2010 Elantra Touring 5-door compact cars, an ideal entry-level car that is sportier for the motorists looking for cost-efficient cars today. The Hyundai Elantra actually won the 2009 JD Power Initial Quality Survey for compact cars and is expected to be at dealers by the third quarter of this year.

Here is the list of their retail pricing

• GLS M/T – 5 Speed: $15,995
• GLS A/T – 4 Speed: $17,195
• SE M/T – 5 Speed M/T with B&M Sport shifter: $18,995
• Touring A/T – 4 Speed A/T $19,795

Among the new equipment included in the 2010 Hyundai Elantra Touring include a new trim and roof rails. Standard features include air conditioning, power windows, heated mirrors, power door locks, remote keyless entry with alarm, four-way adjustable driver’s seat and plenty of storage compartments, including a cooled glovebox.

(Source) Press

Tags: air conditioning, compact cars, efficient cars, glovebox, Hyundai, hyundai elantra, hyundai motor, hyundai motor america, jd power initial quality survey, motorists, power windows, remote keyless entry, retail pricing, roof rails, storage compartments

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In a move that is expected to prepare them for the larger demands for their small-sized cars, Toyota Motor’s of Japan has announced that they will be cutting costs in production for their compact cars by $1.44 billion annually. Toyota aims to approach their car manufacturing practices wisely as they are definitely learning the lessons from the debacle that has hit auto giants GM and Chrysler.

Toyota has been trying to compete with the big boys as luxury cars and eco-friendly concept cars have risen at the moment in attention. However, reality check reveals that with the growing interest and plans of most standing car companies, overlooking their famed compact cars such as the Corolla and the Vits should not be left out.

Hence, while the luxury and eco-friendly car market promise to rack in profits, the same is foreseen for their regular compact cars. And with the right tweaks, there is no doubt that they can expect some revenue contributions from these cars as well as people are wising up their motoring needs as well by turning to smaller compact cars that consume fuel economically.

(Source) Asia One

Tags: big boys, car companies, car market, Chrysler, compact car, compact cars, Concept Cars, corolla, GM, luxury cars, toyota motor, tweaks, vits

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This early, the Ford KA is a car that needs a lot to be improved. It is a car obviously rushed and sorely lacking in conceptualization. This car seems to be doomed as far as Ford’s entry into the small to compact cars category.

The seats are so hard that drivers may not approve of them. Steering wheel reach may be too far, a problem for shorter people who may end up trying this car out. The only steering wheel adjustment you can do with it is via vertical adjustment.

It seems that the interior concept was made to provide a roomy driving environment. However, it looks like adjustments were not even considered in the mix.

And for on-road safety, the headlights may have to be thought of. They simple provide poor illumination that can result into accidents especially during the night.

Obviously, Ford would have wanted to develop its own small car. Asking its engineers to reclothe a Fiat rather than asking them to design their own baby from the ground up is like asking Stella McCartney to sew some new buttons on an Ozwald Boateng suit. No one becomes an engineer in a car company so they can spend their life sanding the word “Fiat” off components and writing “Ford” on them instead.

(Source) Times Online

Tags: compact cars, Fiat, Ford, Ford Ka, headlights, poor illumination, Small Car, steering wheel

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For compact cars and lower fuel consumption, turning to the Nissan Grand Livina can make all these requirements a possibility. Initially introduced in the market in 2007, the Nissan Grand Livina is the best car for people looking for best value for money vehicles.

This improved version of the model has distinctive looks and sports-tuned performance which are trademarks of Impul Motor Racing. This car comprises a complete Impul Aerokit, Sports Suspension System, Blast II Exhaust Muffler with slick 17-inch Impul Aura SX-10 alloy wheels and Dunlop Formula D-01 205/45 R17 tyres.

The Impul’s sports suspension system is fine-tuned with a 25mm “lowered ride height” to reduce unwanted roll and pitch for optimized handling.

The automobile is priced at RM95,586 for the 1.6 MT Comfort model, RM99,386 for the 1.6 AT Comfort model and RM108,086 for the 1.8 AT Comfort model.

(Source) Sun2Surf

Tags: alloy wheels, compact cars, dunlop formula, exhaust muffler, fuel consumption, Nissan, nissan grand livina, suspension system

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Is smaller the future? We are all aware that among the measures being advised towards us today is to turn to compact cars that can help reduce fuel consumption in light of the recent issues thrown at oil and fuel prices we are all aware of today. We have seen a lot of cars out in the market, smaller and mostly electric powered but as far as space is concerned, rarely can you visualize fitting your cars into one small coupe due to the limited capacity.

But the T25 claims it can accommodate up to a party of 4 people. Looking at the T25 design, it does seem it can accommodate 4 people although you may look like a group of people sandwiched in a car which may not be ideal for most families today. So perhaps 2 to three people are ok but if you are traveling with baggage or packages, it doesn’t seem to be fit for people who may have to transport some goods here and there.

Source

Tags: compact cars, fuel consumption, fuel prices, limited capacity

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