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Cadillac Escalade ESV

2010-07-06T17:45:14Z

93.179.252.13: ookgdzwwBjVKmAxQ

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Toyota Avalon Review

2010-06-16T21:17:16Z

93.179.252.13: WKfDJrOUB

[[image:2006_Avalon_onroad.jpg|right|500px]]
The [[Toyota Avalon|Avalon]] is [[Toyota]]'s largest full-size sedan, and it was built with the needs of family in mind. After being built in Japan and America, this latest Avalon was the first to be assembled entirely in North America. With a roomy interior, smooth ride, and exceptional value, the Avalon is a smart choice for anyone in search of affordable luxury, whether they've got a family or not.
See also the main fact sheets for the '''[[Toyota Avalon]]'''.

==High Points==
*No center hump in rear = roomy rear seat
*High quality at affordable price
*Quiet Engine
*Smooth ride

==Low Points==
*Suspension soft on hard stops
*Plain, unexciting look
*Dashboard buttons look too alike
*Front center console slightly bulky

==Performance and Handling==
[[image:2006_Avalon_engine.jpg|right|350px]]
The 2006 [[Toyota Avalon|Avalon]] comes equipped with a powerful 3.5L 268[[hp]] [[V6]] engine, which is significantly stronger than its predecessor. At the same time, this new engine alos allows for better gas mileage than its predecessor, so it's an all around improvement. It is, however, only available in a [[front wheel drive]] [[automatic transmission|automatic]], which may turn off some prospective buyers.

Handling is smooth, as one might expect from the flagship of a company known for its excellent build quality. The suspension is standard across all trims but the Touring, which is sport-tuned and stiffer. In addition, vehicle stability control is an available option on all models, which should help ensure a better ride. Because of good insulation within the cabin, road noise is also kept to a minimum, even at high speeds, which is a nice perk.

==Gas Mileage==
[http://www.fueleconomy.gov FuelEconomy.gov] reports that the [[Toyota Avalon]] gets 22mpg in the city and 31mpg on the highway. There is only one engine and one drivetrain available for the Avalon, so there won't be much variation in these figures.

==Safety==
In safety tests carried out by the [http://www.safercar.gov NHTSA], the [[Toyota Avalon]] performed very well. It received 5-star ratings for all front- and side-impact tests and 4/5 stars for rollover. This places the Avalon at the top of [http://www.autos.com Autos.com's] Safety category for Mid-Size Cars, tied for 1st with the [[Hyundai Azera]], [[Kia Amanti]], and [[Volkswagen Passat]].

==Reliability and Maintenance==
Prior to the redesign in 2005, the [[Toyota Avalon|Avalon]] was experiencing moderate problems with its engine, as reported by Automotive Informations Systems. With the latest generation, which only debuted last year, Consumer Reports states that first-year reliability has been average.

==Interior and Comforts==
[[image:2006_Avalon_interior.jpg|right|350px]]
The 2006 [[Toyota Avalon|Avalon]] may not look too impressive from the outside, but once you step inside and have a seat, [[Toyota]]'s trademark attention to quality becomes evident. The first thing you'll notice is the roominess of the cabin, not only in front, but in the rear as well, where legroom is plentiful. Rear headroom should also be sufficient, but the center of the rear seat is a bit hard and raised, so seating a tall adult there could possibly be uncomfortable or cumbersome.

The front center console is large, making for a good armrest as well as decent storage space. The look of the dashboard melds nicely with the interior, particularly with the Limited's wood grain accents, and everything is laid out in a neat, clean fashion. when not in use, the center dashboard controls hide away behind a smooth flip-up door, which is somewhat nice, but ultimately unnecessary.

Interior options vary by trim level. Some of the available ones are leather seating, a navigation system, heated front seats, and an in-dash 6-CD changer.

==Exterior==
The 2006 [[Toyota Avalon|Avalon]] more than likely won't be turning any heads as it cruises through the suburbs. It certainly looks more refined than the last generation, with a more forward-sitting, aerodynamic look. But aside from this stylistic upgrade, the Avalon remains plain and simple, almost to a fault. This no-frills look may be a subconscious implication of its impressive practicality, but at the same time, it also screams "two kids, a dog, and white picket fences." While this isn't likely to go over well with the younger population, [[Toyota]] doesn't mind, because that's not who the Avalon is marketed towards in the first place.

As a result of the Avalon's aesthetic simplicity, there aren't many major exterior options to speak of. Some of the standards include color keyed bumpers, dual rear exhaust outlets, and a rear window defogger. Optional features are a rear spoiler (except on the Touring, for which it's standard) and, for the XL and Touring trims, a moonroof.

==Styles and Options==
The [[Toyota Avalon|Avalon]] comes available in four trims, the XL, Touring, XLS, and Limited. All four trims are sedans equipped with the same engine, a 265[[hp]] [[V6]], and all are 5-speed [[automatic transmission|automatic]] [[front wheel drive]]. The differences exist in the options made available to each individual trim level. Some of the features found standard across all models are a tilt telescopic steering wheel, a multi-function information display, power locks and windows, cruise control, and dual zone automatic climate control.
[[image:2006_avalon_reflection.jpg|left|350px]]

The XL is the lowest level trim with the fewest of the more luxurious options. It's the only trim that features contoured fabric interior seating as opposed to leather, and it's the only trim with silver metallic interior accents. A power moonroof, color keyed rear spoiler, and in-dash 6-CD changer are all available options.

The [[Toyota Avalon|Avalon]] Touring is a step up from the XL, with more standard features and some options which are unavailable on the XL. Beginning with the Touring trim level and moving up, leather interior seating becomes standard, as well as aluminum door scuff plates, integrated fog lamps, and 17" wheels. The Touring is also meant to be the "sportiest" of the Avalon trims, which frankly isn't saying much, because the family-oriented Avalon was never intended to compete in the Sports Sedan market. Nevertheless, this label gives the Touring a slightly stiffer suspension and a standard Spoiler.

The XLS is the next level up from the Touring. With this trim, a moonroof becomes standard, as well as auto-dimming rearview and outside mirrors, the in-dash 6-CD changer, and a trunk mounted cargo net. Heated front seats and the Touring's spoiler are options here.

The Limited is the top of the line Avalon. Some of its exclusive standard features include rain-sensing windshield wipers, advanced outside mirrors with puddle guards and memory, wood grain interior accents, driver's seat cushion extension, ventilated leather seating, and a 12-speaker JBL sound system. What more could a driver want from an automobile?

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==External Links==
'''''WikiCars Contributor Favorites'''''

'''''Community Sites'''''

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Four Wheel Drive

2010-06-16T10:03:50Z

93.179.252.13: /* Design */

[[Image:Jeep_Wrangler_TJ.jpg|thumb|right|224px|The [[Jeep Wrangler]] is a 4WD vehicle with a transfer case to select low range or high range 4WD.]]
[[Image:800px-Lamborghini_Murciélago_Roadster_2005.JPG|thumb|right|224px|The [[Lamborghini Murciélago]] is a 4WD/AWD that powers the front via a VCU if the rear slips.]]
[[Image:StockSide001.jpg|thumb|right|224px|The AWD [[VW Golf]] is a 4WD/AWD that powers the rear via a multi-plate clutch if the front slips.]]
[[Image:800px-Mercedes_benz_ml350_silver_lighting.jpg|thumb|right|224px|The [[Mercedes-Benz M-Class]] is a 4WD/AWD that powers all wheels evenly (continuously) via a plain differential and uses [[traction control]] to recover from wheel spin.]]
[[Image:800px-Hmmwv-036.jpg|thumb|right|224px|The [[HMMWV]] is a 4WD/AWD that powers all wheels evenly (continuously) via a plain (but manually lockable) center differential, oddly with Torsen differentials for both front and rear.]]
[[Image:Car_rally.jpg|thumb|right|224px|A [[Subaru Impreza]] rally car uses 4WD for traction on loose dirt.]]

'''[[Four Wheel Drive|Four-wheel drive]]''', '''[[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]]''', '''[[Four Wheel Drive|4x4]]''' ("four by four"), '''[[Four Wheel Drive|all wheel drive]]''', and '''[[Four Wheel Drive|AWD]]''' are terms used to describe a four-wheeled vehicle with a drivetrain that allows all four wheels to receive power from the [[engine]] simultaneously. While many people think exclusively of [[off-road]] vehicles, powering all four wheels provides better control on slick ice and is an important part of rally racing on mostly-paved roads.

[[Four Wheel Drive|Four-wheel drive]] ([[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]] or [[Four Wheel Drive|4x4]] for short) was the original term, often used to describe [[truck]]-like vehicles that required the driver to manually switch between a two wheel drive mode for streets and a [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]] mode for low traction conditions such as ice, mud, or loose gravel. The "[[Four Wheel Drive|all wheel drive]]" term ([[Four Wheel Drive|AWD]] for short) was invented to distinguish vehicles that are capable of driving all four wheels on normal roads without causing poor control and excessive tire and drivetrain wear. The [[Four Wheel Drive|AWD]] term is now being used to market vehicles which continuously drive all four wheels, but it is just a marketing term. They are just derivatives of [[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]] systems. The terms are thus quite vague in modern usage.

The buyer must be wary. It is common for identical drivetrain systems to be marketed under different names for upmarket and downmarket branding, and also common for very different drivetrain systems to be marketed under the same name for brand uniformity. For example, both [[Quattro]] and [[4motion]] can mean either an automatically engaging system with a [[Haldex]] clutch or a continuously operating system with a [[Torsen]] differential.

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== History ==
[[Image:800px-Transfer_case_4wd.jpg|thumb|transfer case 1986 Mitsubishi Pajero]]
The first-ever [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]] car (as well as hill-climb racer), the so-called ''Spyker 60 [[HP|HP]]'', was built in 1903 by Dutch brothers Jacobus and Hendrik-Jan Spijker of Amsterdam. Designs for [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]] in the US, came from the Twyford company of Brookville, PA in 1905. The first US [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]] vehicle was built in 1911 by the [[Four Wheel Drive|Four-Wheel Drive]] auto company (FWD) of Wisconsin. FWD would later produce over 20,000 of its [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]] Model B trucks for the British and American armies during World War I. It was not until "go-anywhere" vehicles were needed for the military that [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]] found its place. The Jeep, originally developed by American Bantam but mass-produced by Willys and Ford, became the best-known [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]] vehicle in the world during World War II. Willys (since 1950 owner of the Jeep name) introduced the [[Jeep CJ#CJ-2A|CJ-2A]] in 1945 as the first full-production [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]] passenger vehicle. Possibly beaten by the 1941 GAZ-61.
[[Image:428px-Transfer_lever_4wd_gnangarra.jpg|thumb|left|Selection lever]]
It was in 1948 that the vehicle whose name is synonymous with Four Wheel Drive in many countries was introduced. The Land Rover appeared at the Amsterdam Motor Show, originally conceived as a stop-gap product for the struggling Rover car company, and despite chronic underinvestment succeeded far better than the passenger cars. Land Rover pioneered the luxury [[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]] with the Range Rover in the 70's, which unlike most subsequent offerings from other manufacturers, was genuinely capable of serious off-road use. Indeed, once a few years of depreciation had brought its price tag into the realm of the possible, many Range Rovers enjoy a new life as off-road competition vehicles. One startling snippet testifying to the durability of Land Rovers was when it was noted on the occasion of the marque's 50th anniversary in 1998 that over 70% of all Land Rovers ever built were still in use.
[[Image:800px-Free_wheeling_hub_4wd.jpg|thumb|Front Hub 1986 Mitsubishi Pajero]]
However, it was not until Jensen applied the ''Formula Ferguson'' [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]] system to their 1966 Jensen FF that the system was used in a production sports car, but with a total of 320 build units this did not sell in appreciable numbers. The first manufacturer to develop [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]] for road-going cars was [[Subaru]], who introduced the mass-produced [[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]] Leone in 1972. This model eventually became the best-selling [[Four Wheel Drive|4WD]] car in the world. [[Audi]] introduced the first permanently all-wheel driven high volume road-going car, the [[Audi Quattro]], in 1980. Audi's chassis engineer, Jörg Bensinger, had noticed in winter tests in Scandinavia that a vehicle used by the German Army, the [[Volkswagen]] [[Iltis]], could beat any high performance Audi. He proposed developing a [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]] car, soon used for '''''rallying''''' to improve Audi's conservative image, the resulting rally bred [[Audi Quattro]] was a famous and historically significant Rally car. This feature was also extended to Audi's production cars and is still available nowadays.

Some of the earliest [[mid-engined]] [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]] cars were the various road-legal rally cars made for Group B homologation, such as the [[Ford RS200]] made from [[1984]]-[[1986]]. In 1989 niche maker [[Panther Westwinds]] created a [[mid-engined]] [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]], the [[Panther Solo|Panther Solo 2]]. Today, sophisticated [[Four Wheel Drive|all wheel drive]] systems are found in many passenger vehicles and most exotic [[sports car]]s and [[supercar]]s.

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==Terminology==

Although in the strictest sense, the term "[[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]]" refers to a capability that a vehicle may have, it is also used to denote the entire vehicle itself. In Australia, vehicles without significant offroad capabilities are often referred to as All-Wheel Drives ([[Four Wheel Drive|AWD]]) or SUVs, while those with offroad capabilities are referred to as "four-wheel drives". This term is sometimes also used in North America, somewhat interchangeably for [[SUV]]s and pickup trucks and is sometimes erroneously applied to two-wheel-drive variants of these vehicles.

The term '''[[Four Wheel Drive|4x4]]''' (read either ''four by four'' or ''four times four'') is used to denote the ''total'' number of wheels on a vehicle and the number of ''driven'' wheels; it is often applied to vehicles equipped with either full-time or part-time four-wheel-drive. The term '''[[Four Wheel Drive|4x4]]''' is common in North America and is generally used when marketing a new or used vehicle, and is sometimes applied as badging on a vehicle equipped with [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]]. Similarly, a '''4x2''' would be appropriate for most two-wheel-drive vehicles, although this is rarely used in the USA in practice. In Australia the term is often used to describe pickup trucks that sit very high on their suspension. This is to avoid the confusion that the vehicle might be a [[Four Wheel Drive|4x4]] because it appears to be otherwise suited to off-road applications. A '''2×4''', however, is unambiguously a piece of lumber.

Large American trucks with dual tires on the rear axles (also called ''duallys'' or ''duallies'') and two driven axles are officially badged as 4x4s, despite having six driven wheels because the 'dual' wheels behave as a single wheel for traction purposes and are not individually powered. True '''6x6''' vehicles with three powered axles such as the famous "Deuce and a Half" truck used by the U.S. Army has three axles (two rear, one front), all of them driven. This vehicle is a true '''6x6''', as is the Pinzgauer, which is popular with defence forces around the globe.

Another related term is ''4-wheeler'' (or ''four-wheeler''). This generally refers to [[all-terrain vehicle]]s with four wheels and does not indicate the number of driven wheels; a "four wheeler" may have two or [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]].

In the UK, the derogatory nickname "Chelsea tractor" is sometimes used to describe large privately owned [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]] vehicles. The term originally applies mostly to [[Land Rover Range Rover|Range Rover]]s but may also be applied to any similar large four-wheel-drive vehicle.

==Four wheel drives in Australia==

There are two main players in the Australian market: [[Toyota]] and [[Nissan]]. The typically more massive American [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]] trucks and [[SUV]]s are generally not as popular among Australian consumers because they are not well suited to the Australian outback. They are often not rugged enough for the harsh conditions, and with their typically larger size they are too wide to fit on the existing wheel tracks created by previous cars (so the driver ends up attempting to carve out his own track). As in other countries, four-wheel drives have become popular with city-dwelling people, who by and large will never actually drive "off road". This is commonly referred to as driving a Toorak Tractor.

Many Australian [[Pickup truck|Utes]] are also [[Four Wheel Drive|4x4]]. They are more often used by farmers and others who dwell in the country's remote regions than tradesmen in the cities. Some examples are the [[Holden|Holden Rodeo]] and the [[Toyota|Toyota Hi-lux]].

==Unusual [[Four Wheel Drive|four-wheel drive]] systems==

Prompted by a perceived need for a simple, inexpensive all-terrain vehicle for oil exploration in North Africa, the French motor manufacturer [[Citroën]] developed the [[2CV]] Sahara. Unlike other [[Four Wheel Drive|4x4]] vehicles which use a conventional [[transfer case]] to drive the front and rear axle, the Sahara had two engines, each independently driving a separate axle, with the rear engine facing backwards. The two throttles, clutches and gearchange mechanisms could be linked, so both 12 bhp 425 cc engines could run together, or they could be split and the car driven solely by either engine. Combined with twin fuel tanks and twin batteries (which could be set up to run either or both engines), the redundancy of two separate drive trains meant that they could make it back to civilization even after major mechanical failures. Only around 700 of these cars were built, and there are no clear records of how many still exist. Enthusiasts have built their own "new" Saharas, by rebuilding a 2CV and fitting the modified engine, gearbox and axle onto a new, strengthened chassis.

British Motor Corporation (BMC) experimented with a twin-engined Mini Moke in the mid-1960s, but never put it into production.

[[Suzuki|Suzuki Motors]] introduced the [[Suzuki Escudo]] Pikes Peak Edition in 1996. Though actually numbers were never released, this twin-engined vehicle is believed to weigh less than 2000 pounds and produce nearly 1000bhp. Each engine is twin-[[Turbo Engine|turbo]] charged 2.0L [[V6|V6]] mated to a sequential 6-speed manual transmission.

Most recently, [[DaimlerChrysler]]'s [[Jeep]] Division debuted the twin engine, 670[[HP|hp]] [[Jeep Hurricane]] concept at the 2005 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Unique to this vehicle is its "crab crawl" cability, which allows it to rotate in 360 degrees in place, and its dual [[Chrysler Hemi engine|Hemi]] V8s.

==See also==

* [[:Category:All wheel drive vehicles]]
* [[Sport Utility Vehicle]]
* [[Limited Slip Differential]]
* [[Front wheel drive]]
* [[Rear wheel drive]]
* [[FR layout]]
* [[MR layout]]
* [[RR layout]]
* [[Rock crawling]]
*[[Dune bashing]]

==External links==
*[http://4x4-offroad.blogspot.com/ [[Four Wheel Drive|4x4]]'s and offroad vehicles in South Africa]

[[Category:Automobile layouts]]
[[Category:Automotive technologies]]

W:Wikimedia

2010-05-26T10:14:25Z

93.179.252.13: WgDzeptidgwIuBJ

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