Body roll, front dive, and rear squat under heavy throttle are all dampened to minimize discomfort. Southern California was experiencing a heavy winter storm, one that might have spoiled an introduction of a lesser car. Then the aluminum and plastic outer panels are bonded, bolted, riveted, or welded to the structure. Don't mom-'n'-pop Taurus owners deserve a back rub, too? Now, after having driven a string of Mercedes-Benz automobiles, I've become one of those motorists I used to laugh at. The ride might be perceived as too firm to some, but it does help communicate what the chassis is doing. During the redesign, the team opted for larger diameter brakes 11.
Disappointing or not, I won't quibble with this -- it sure is nice to climb into after a long day at the office. This is typically measured in liters 3. Ominous gray clouds spit water down on the windshield as we wound our way through the Los Padres National Forest toward Pine Mountain Summit. With identical power ratings as the sedan, its performance is on a par with its stablemate. Interestingly, we recorded slightly higher skidpad grip in the normal mode than in sport mode 0.
Other safety features include standard xenon high-intensity discharge headlights, dual front airbags as well as side airbags for both driver and front passenger. As we observed with the Q45a, the power drain barely affects performance but shows up in fuel economy. That is to say, both systems are technically semiactive suspensions. The improvements are largely due to advancements in fluid-handling and control technologies. Pricing for this trio demonstrates that premium performance comes at a premium price. The engine is powerful and smooth, the way it propells this car with so little effort is amazing.
With five vehicles in its current lineup with a sixth, in the form of a supercharged 3. It was tailored more for ride, and it could be tripped up in slalom or emergency maneuvers. On the bits of dry road we found during our test, we experienced some serious get-up-and-go both at low speeds, such as entering a freeway, and at higher speeds, such as when passing at highway speeds. In the Swabian region of Germany, understatement is a way of life. The Mercedes system operates throughout the range of wheel travel and at up to five cycles per second -- plenty quick enough for slalom or lane-change maneuvers.
The only factory option on either the 3. Each curve was a test of the double-wishbone suspension and the specially tuned features of the Type S. Data Unavailable Third Hip Room in. A six-speed, sequential transaxle gearbox snaps off full-throttle upshifts with lighting speed. I mean, do you reallllllly need all that? This system, which is standard on the Type S, is similar to the system introduced on the flagship 3.
Big Mercedes-Benzes have always excelled at gobbling up huge stretches of highway silently and effortlessly, and this one is especially serene at three-digit velocities. For one thing, its 36-cubic-foot rear seat fits mid-size adults very comfortably. The torque converter has a special lock-up that engages in third, fourth, and fifth gears to aid in fuel economy. It's subtle, from its tidy form with its Mercedes-derivative styling to its sober, composed feel. In addition to lowering the Cd from 0. The manufacturer has reported that owner notification began during January 2001. Remedy Dealers will replace the heated washer bottle hose assembly.
Big Mercedes sedans have always had remarkably tight turning circles to cope with those catacomb-like underground parking garages favored by German hotels. The car's weight shifts forward, the front coil springs compress, and the rear ones uncoil, as in a normal car. Here's how it works: Say you're driving along and slam on the brakes. Data Unavailable Third Shoulder Room in. But, as the Acura staff would have us believe, it was their idea of the perfect conditions to test the redesigned 2001 Acura 3. Data Unavailable Rear Door Type Data Unavailable Track Width Data Unavailable Wheelbase in. Die castings are also used -- magnesium alloy for the door inner panels and aluminum for the roof-crush structure in the C-pillars.
The Type S goes one step further, with stiffer springs, increased compression and rebound damping and longer bump stops to achieve a sportier feel. The Infiniti's system was only capable of counteracting inputs of one cycle per second or slower, and it didn't function over the entire range of suspension movement. While rear-seat room is sparse, front occupants are coddled in fragrant leather and polished woods. Of course, repairing this body is more complicated, and some collision damage might have to be fixed at larger dealerships in major cities. A sport mode permits less virtually zero body roll, pitch, and dive and increases steering effort somewhat. Exceptionally roomy, the complex interior is a wonderful environment to watch the world whisper past. I-4 and V-6 refer to the configuration and number of cylinders.