BMW testing new X5 Seven Seater

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Jan 182012


German Automaker road tests X5

Photographs of the new version of the BMW X5 are already doing the rounds on the internet as the German automaker road tests the brand new 7-seater ahead of release, which is expected towards the end of next year. Little is known about the 2014 edition of the popular X5 given tests were conducted with the body covered in swirl paint which was designed to camouflage the body detail.

BMW X5 - New 7 Seater in 2014

BMW X5 - New 7 Seater in 2014

Lighter Weight

What we do know is that BMW is expected to bring the weight of the vehicle down by up to 200kgs courtesy of greater aluminum use in the body, meaning it should be more fuel efficient. New engine options are also expected to boost fuel efficiency. It is likely that BMW’s new ActiveHybrid engine will be an option, so too will the V8-powered engine in the top of the range version.

ActiveHybrid

The ActiveHybrid engine is a new concept at BMW that has increasingly been installed in many of the carmaker’s vehicles. The benefits include a smoother torque range so that maximum power is achieved from the word go. With greater fuel efficiency given the electric motor also acts as a generator to charge up a battery, this is a fully functioning hybrid vehicle. Petrol and diesel engine versions will almost certainly be available for the new X5 when it eventually comes onto the market.

Appearance

Although BMW has done well to hide the body of the vehicle, clearly it is going to adopt the wider grille already seen on the new X3, a mid-size SUV which recently came on the market. It will give the BMW X5 a slightly more regal, quality look from the front, with a less curvy grille, as seen on slightly older BMWs. The headlights look as though they will link directly to the sides of the vehicle.

Features All-Wheel-Drive

In terms of evolution, the X5 has come farther than any other SUV produced by BMW. It was the first crossover SUV manufactured by the German auto company when it first rolled off the production line in 1999. The latest version features all-wheel drive, a part of the overall make-up that has led BMW to describe it as a sport activity vehicle rather than a sport utility vehicle.

BMW X5 - 2011 Version of the All-Wheel-Drive MPV

BMW X5 - 2011 Version of the All-Wheel-Drive MPV

2011 BMW X5

The 2011 model, the most recent, saw a revised front bumper plus air intakes along with a number of small cosmetic changes, the latter being something that BMW seems to be going farther with for the 2014 edition. There were changes to the engine last time round, too, including both straight-6 and V8 turbocharged editions that were not available previously. But these editions will likely only remain on sale for another 18 months or so until the new version hits the road.

The X5 seems to be a natural evolution in terms of exterior styling, something we have already witnessed in the, new BMWs recently, with the X3 being a good example. From the images available so far, it seems the German carmaker has once again done an excellent job of hiding the X5’s three rows of seats. All will be revealed in due time, however.

The current BMW from X5 has the third row of seats as an option costing just under £2,000. This is likely to be similar with the new 2014 BMW X5 Version.


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Parking Your New 7 Seater Car

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Aug 172011

We can all park our cars but when it comes to driving a new 7 seater car, there are a few things you need to take into consideration when you roll into a parking spot. Driving a vehicle that is more like a van than a city car means you need to assess situations further in advance and know the boundaries that restrict you when driving an oversized car.

Most people drive straight into car parking spaces but in a large 7 seater MPV, that isn’t the best way. Think about it: On a busy Saturday in a supermarket car park it’s difficult enough trying to get out of the tiny spaces in a regular car, but once you’re high up in a vehicle that’s four or five metres in length you need to think ahead. Reverse parking into a space not only means it will be easier to see when you want to leave but in many cases, you can fill the boot space without standing in the middle of the road, blocking traffic with your trolley.

When you buy your 7 seater car, take it to an empty car park to practice reverse parking into spaces. If you can, turn off the reverse parking sensors so you know how to park without an electronic gizmo and it means you instinctively know where the corners of the car are without that incessant beeping. The mirrors on a MPVare big enough and wide-angled enough to make it easy for you to see. If you must, get out and inspect how far away you are from the kerb and ask yourself why is there six-foot of space left over? Once you crack parking backwards in a huge vehicle, then you will be more confident in placing it on the road, ultimately making you a better driver.

Audi Q7 - People Carrier with Parking Sensors

Audi Q7 - People Carrier with Parking Sensors

If your home doesn’t have a drive or a garage and you need to park on the street, practising your parking is even more important. You’ll notice that again, driving straight into the parking spot means the vehicle is out of place and not parallel to the kerb, unless you have at least three or four car-lengths spare. Some MPVs, such as the Audi Q7, have cameras in the bumper to show you how close you are to the kerb but these can be confusing. It’s better to get back to basics and park the car as you would have done before the electronic aids were featured on cars.

Buying a 7 seater shouldn’t be about how many people you can fit in and if it has cup holders. You should determine whether you can drive it and whether you need to invest some time in practising manoeuvring it as it’s very different to driving a small car. If you’re really serious, it might be a good idea to take a 7.5-tonne vehicle test to learn how to drive a bigger, heavier and larger vehicle with qualified instructors than a regular car license test.

Posted by 7 Seater Cars - Admin at 6:53 pm Tagged with: , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Vauxhall Zafira VXR – Seven Seat Car

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Mar 262011


Anyone familiar with Vauxhall’s ‘racing version’ will know the significance of the VXR tag. With a 237bhp 2.0-litre turbo engine lifted straight out of the Astra VXR, the Zafira VXR proves that people carriers no longer have to be slow and dull to drive. The model offers the practicality, versatility, economy, comfort and space of the original Zafira, but with the power and speed of a sports car.

The VXR engine boasts a 16 valve 2.0-litre turbocharged unit, which gives a top speed of 144mph and a 0-60mph benchmark figure of 7.2 seconds. Thanks to these features, it has oodles of torque and needs no thrashing to extract its full potential, helping to save on fuel and managing 29.4mpg on a combined cycle.

What sets the VXR apart from the vanilla Zafira are the chunky side-skirts and bumpers, the twin tail-pipe and the more aggressive looking grille. It rolls on 18-inch sporty alloy wheels with 225/40-section Continental tyres. There are also front fog lights and an array of VXR-exclusive bodywork colours; Star Silver, Arden Blue, Flame Red and Black Sapphire.

But this vehicle is not just about a crazy engine; it has plenty of ultra-sleek interior add-ons too. Among other features, drivers can expect to find: DAB-digital radio with MP3 compatibility, leather-trimmed Recaro seats that give good lumbar and side support, Xenon headlights, Continuous Damping Control, cruise control, electric heated door mirrors, air conditioning, and Vauxhall’s excellent Flex 7 seating system.

Vauxhall Zafira VXR - Fast Seven Seater Car

Vauxhall Zafira VXR - Fast Seven Seater Car

The latter allows numerous lay-out combinations, with everything from two to seven seats. The centre-row seats even have their own air conditioning vents but, even though adults can just about be squeezed into the vehicle’s back row, these spots are generally more suited to children.

The abundance of cubby holes, drinks holders and storage bins also make the Zafira VXR one of the most versatile models on the market. And with all seats folded away flat or removed, an incredibly useful boot space of 1,820 litres becomes available.

On the road, the VXR is elegantly compliant with a special knack for squashing speed bumps. While some drivers used to a super-soft ride might not like the firmness of the VXR, it’s important to remember that all that power can’t go to the front wheels without firmed up dampers.

On the motorway, the VXR excels. In any gear, at any revs, it will catapult you forward, making overtaking a doddle. Other drivers will be left in the dust as this mini-MPV goes rocketing past.

Going hand-in-hand with all that power, however, there is traction control, stability control and ABS. Enormous brakes also come as standard, offering exceptional pedal feel, stopping power and virtually no fade – even with hard use.

If you’re looking for a seven-seater that not only looks great but is versatile, usable and quick off the mark, the Vauxhall Zafira VXR is a great choice. It falls into insurance group 15E, with hugely competitive prices starting around the £22,000 mark.  Regular Vauxhall Zafiras are also an exceptionally practical Choice!

Posted by 7 Seater Cars - Admin at 8:05 am Tagged with: , , , , , , , , ,
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