Aramation Auto

My Infiniti G35x is a great car on many fronts: all-wheel drive system is pretty solid, interior appointments are fairly tasteful and luxurious and the car’s performance has few rivals. One gripe has to be the Bluetooth integration for the handsfree system.

I’ve had issues with my previous phone (T-Mobile Shadow): it would function, but if I answered a call using the button on the steering wheel, it would take a few seconds to connect. Now that I’ve switched to Apple’s iPhone 3G, the issue is worse. Now whenever I answer a call, the system would either connect or just completely freeze. And when the system freezes, it’s impossible to turn it off or to switch to audio. The only solution then becomes turning off the car and restarting the system. Of course that isn’t practical when you’re driving…

So far, Infiniti dealer doesn’t seem to have a solution to offer, which makes me wonder if all phones from now on will be incompatible with the built-in system.

Unlike my previous prediction, 2009 BMW 535xi (535i xDrive Sedan) did not receive a complete overhaul, instead receiving a minor spec boosts and even less noticeable exterior changes. How does it fare against other 2009 model-year competitors? Surprisingly well.

Looking at the fellow German competitors, Mercedes-Benz still hasn’t replaced its incredibly aging E-Class (due for replacement next year, hopefully), 2009 Audi A6 is still not out and it won’t be a redesign. Even the Japanese competition on this level is virtually still, with 2009 Lexus GS won’t change the fundamentals of the car (or the pretty ugly dash design)and Infiniti won’t be redesigning their M35 until probably 2010, which leaves us with Acura’s 2009 TL.

2009 Acura TL
For the first time, TL is available with Honda’s SH-AWD (Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive) system, making it a veritable contender against 2009 BMW 535xi. The new design is even reminiscent of the 5-Series sedan. 2009 Acura TL SH-AWD features a 3.7-liter engine making 305hp (5hp more than 535i’s 3-liter engine) that will at least bridge the performance gap that has always plagued Acura (and Honda) vehicles. Fun to drive or connecting with the road is an all-together different question as Acura hasn’t managed to engineer a vehicle on the same level as BMW on that front. At least on specs they are pretty comparable… Expect the new Acura TL SH-AWD in October 2008, with a price tag slightly smaller than 2009 BMW 535i xDrive.

When it comes to American luxury labels, Cadillac’s STS hasn’t been changed in awhile and doesn’t really offer much fight against BMW. Lincoln does have a new weapon in the form of MKS which promises to revitalize the brand and bring new customers.

2009 Lincoln MKS
Also featuring a 3.7-liter engine, MKS only makes 273hp – Lincoln does have a long way to catch up in building a high-spec engine – and Lincoln curiously doesn’t think 5-Series is a competitor (their website lists the Cadillac STS, Lexus GS350 and Infiniti G35). Lincolns are notoriously known for their slushy handling, and it’s debatable whether the completely new model MKS makes enough progress on that front. Spending over $40,000.00 (the base price for AWD model) on an unproven platform and model from a brand that’s on the verge of death is not really a message young up-and-comers want to send. At least it looks much, much better than Acura’s ill-fated attempt to make their cars look edgier and stylish.

Conclusion
If you’re perfectly fine with spending a bit more, and if you insist on a luxury label, then 2009 BMW 535i xDrive is the ultimate all-wheel drive sedan that’s practical and fun to drive at the same time. The fight may turn out different when other competitors release new models either in 2009 or 2010.

In the attempt to fill its line-up with a vehicle for every niche, BMW has unleashed the X6, unfortunately acronymed SAC (Sport Activity Coupe) that’s designed to offer you a sporty driving in a big bulky package. What were the designers and engineers smoking when they pitched this car to the execs?

It is not as if BMW’s line-up didn’t contain any useful SUVs: X3, while ugly, is a good size for those who want a practical SUV, and X5 offers more room and more utility for those willing to pay more. X6 sits somewhere in-between when it comes to size but you will pay premium for its design compared to the X5. It isn’t technically a coupe as it has 4 doors, but the limited 4-person seating and sloping roofline suggests a sporty coupe, which is what the designers intended buyers to notice.

Its utility is questionable, and the decision to label a 5,000 pounds car as "sporty coupe" seems rather odd, but the attraction of performance SUV is marketable. Infiniti’s FX and Porsche’s Cayenne have been pretty popular even though they were smaller and pricier than the competition thanks to their outstanding performance. X6’s 6-cylinder engine will propel you from 0 to 60 in about 6.5 seconds, and the bigger 4.4 liter V8 will shave 1.1 second from that. (As comparison, 2009 Infiniti FX50 will do 0 to 60 in 5.6 seconds, slightly slower than X6, albeit at close to $10,000 cheaper) As a BMW, its performance justifies the badge, but did it really have to be a 4-person seater?

In the end, this pointless vehicle will find some buyers who have always wanted an SUV but thought X3 and X5 were too practical for them. They will fit right in with this big thing with its big chopped off. Anybody who cares about the true performance will opt for a real coupe, others who value utility and practicality will opt for a different SUV, and those who want an environmentally-friendly car will stay away from this behemoth. X6 ends up compromising too much in order to be "new" (even though it isn’t) and will ultimately known as a gimmick.

Mercedes-Benz has a lot riding on the newly redesigned Mercedes-Benz C-Class, and if the number of C-Class on the roads is any indication, they may be in bigger trouble than anticipated. What exactly is wrong with the new C-Class? Continue reading to find out:

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At 12,000km I went in for the scheduled maintenance service costing $99.99 + taxes. From the list, it looks like they did everything including rotating the tires to topping windshield wiper fluids…

Today, Americans celebrate Thanksgiving and Toronto received its first snowfall, finally giving me a chance to test the all-wheel drive capabilities of the car. So far so good: I didn’t notice any slipping while moving from standstill, ABS didn’t have to kick in too many times to stop the car. Granted the roads were not icy and it was more slushy than snowy, but it is still a promising start since I am using all-season tires that came with the car. I don’t think Winter tires would be necessary (although they are strongly recommended), and I have yet to engage the “snow mode”… I’m sure more snow can be expected soon.