No. 1 Audi A8

The A8's engineering will make your heart skip a beat, and since this is a nice-sized luxury sedan, there is plenty of room for special moments in this car. Ahhh, yes.

No. 2 Jaguar XKR Convertible

With tremendous speed and great looks, the XKR is a real head-turner.

No. 3 Mercedes-Benz SLK 350

The stunning lines and the luxury in this package make the SLK easy to love.

No. 4 Nissan 350Z Roadster

The 350Z has always been fun to drive, and with its great looks, this ride oozes sex appeal.

No. 5 Audi TTS Roadster

The TTS Roadster seats two and is perfect for romantic rides with the top down.

Sing for the Relay For Life

Carrollton 

Idol 

Audition 

Saturday 

March 5, 2011 

Fundraiser to benefit the American Cancer Society's Relay for Life

AUDITION TIMES 

9:00 am - 10:00 am     Ages 8-15 

10:00 am - 11:00 am     16 & up 

LOCATION 

United Community Bank 

119 Maple St. 

Carrollton, GA 

FEES 

Before March 5 is $15 

Walk-in fee is $20. 

REQUIREMENTS 

A cappella 

Bring a non-returnable photo 

Finals are April 29, 2011, at Carroll County’s Relay For Life. 

For more information contact United Community Bank, 770-830-5130 

or email: candie_hicks@ucbi.com 

Member FDIC  |  ucbi.com 

Copyright © 2011 United Community Bank 

CARROLLTON  |  119 Maple St.  |  770-838-9608 

DOUGLASVILLE  |  6670 Church St.  |  770-942-5681 

VILLA RICA  |  485 W. Bankhead Hwy.  |  770-459-3100

A Ray of Sunshine from the Lexus IS 250C

Sure, it's been a tough winter, even in Atlanta. But  some recent time spent with the 2011 Lexus IS 250C convertible gave us a nice moment of sunshine and reminder that spring is just around the corner.


This entry-level luxury model is a sweetheart, thanks to its 204-horsepower, 2.5-liter V-6 engine. That power plant is tied to a six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic with paddle shifters, which the tester had.
Lexus says the engine is all aluminum and has direct injection and variable valve timing, which maximize efficiency and performance. 



Fuel economy is rated at 21 mpg city, 30 highway with the automatic, and 19 and 27 with the manual. 

The IS 250C, which is the cabrio version of the IS 250 sedan, has a new appearance up front, with a redesigned grille and front bumper. The rear styling has gotten a few tweaks also. 
The end result is a very well-crafted, handsome vehicle, inside and out.
On the inside, the 250C is technically a four-seater, but the two rear seats are pretty tiny. The leather seats do have 10-way power adjustability, though, making at least the front passengers comfortable.


Plus, Lexus designers had the presence of mind to make the driving experience with the top down practical. 
The retractable hardtop takes only 21 seconds to open or close. 
There are anti-glare gauges that let you still see the dash despite the sunlight when it's open, as well as audio and climate systems that adjust for the added wind noise and temperature change.
And for pleasant sounds, enjoy the 13-speaker, 194-watt stereo with six-CD changer that comes with the Lexus Premium Audio System.  
If you want more goodies inside, there is a Premium Plus Package that features perforated leather seating that heats and cools, a Mark Levinson Premium Surround Sound system with 14 speakers and 10 amplifier stations, a DVD-based navigation system and wood trim. 


For performance, try the new F Sport Package, featuring a sport suspension, 18-inch wheels and front and rear spoilers.  Seventeen-inch alloy wheels are standard.
Rain-sensing wipers and a backup camera with front and rear parking sensors are optional.

 There are good safety features, such as vehicle stability control, antilock brakes, brake-force distribution and brake assist.  Lexus offers a Pre-Collision System with Dynamic Radar Cruise Control, which keeps a pre-set following distance behind the vehicle in front of you and prepares the seatbelts and brakes for a collision when necessary.  


Lexus features its Enform system with Safety Connect to give satellite communications in the event of an accident or if the car is stolen. 


The IS 250 C starts at around $40,000 and ranges to a little over $48,000. 

With its sharp looks, snappy handling and reasonable price, the IS 250C provides a breath of fresh air in the luxury coupe/convertible field. 

Nissan NV is Good, Does Good

Nissan, which recently unveiled its NV commercial vehicle to journalists in Miami, put the vehicles to good use during the media preview. 

The automaker announced it is donating $35,000 worth of building materials to Habitat for Humanity of Greater Miami. The materials were carried to the Habitat warehouse in the new vans driven by journalists.

Habitat will build affordable homes for low income families with the materials.

Nissan says the NV comes in three models, NV1500, NV2500 HD and NV3500 HD, and in two roof configurations – Standard Roof and High Roof.  The NV is the first commercial van to offer rugged body-on-frame construction combined with a High Roof, Nissan says.

That roof is designed to let people as tall as 6'3" walk, stand and work in the cargo area.  The vehicle is built at Nissan's plant in Canton, MS.

The new 146.1-inch-wheelbase chassis rests on 17-inch wheels. 

The front end is styled similarly to Nissan's Titan pickup truck.

Nissan also says it provided wide doors on the vehicle to meet customer demand for roominess, improved visibility and a less-intrusive engine location - many similar vehicles put the engine right between the driver and passenger seats.

For practicality, Nissan included thicker side bolsters on the seats to fight entry/exit wear and tear, predrilled reinforced mounting holes for roof racks or interior shelving, floor-mounted D-rings and 243-degree swing-away rear doors. The center console can serve as a filing cabinet and laptop compartment.

Nissan says it has partnered with vendors to offer shelving and exterior graphics at no charge.

Engines offered include a 4.0-liter, 261-hp, 281-lb-ft V6 and a 5.6-liter, 317-hp, 381 lb-ft V8, both with five-speed automatic transmissions. Nissan says no diesel is planned at this point.

For a commercial vehicle, the NV drives nicely. Speed-sensitive steering and four-wheel, 14-inch disc brakes and a tight turning radius can make driving in urban areas easier than you might expect in this type of vehicle. 

Nissan has priced its NV very competitively against rivals such as the Ford E-series and General Motors' Chevrolet Express and GMC Savana cargo vans.

The NV starts at $24,590, with its highest level 3500 high roof being $30,590.

But the most impressive thing about the NV's unveiling was the mission of helping Habitat. 

“Nissan is helping to put low income families in decent, affordable homes,” said Habitat CEO Mario Artecona. “More than that, Nissan is contributing toward the revitalization of an entire community.”

Nissan’s in-kind donations will be used to construct homes in Liberty City, one of Miami’s most blighted urban areas, under the non-profit’s Liberty City Shine campaign. Miami Habitat is currently working with partners like Nissan to build and refurbish more than 250 homes over three years in this once-thriving neighborhood.

“Nissan values our relationship with Habitat for Humanity,” said David Reuter, a Nissan spokesman, in a news release. “We are proud to partner with them to help revitalize Liberty City and we’re proud that the new Nissan NV2500 can demonstrate its outstanding capabilities.” 

Nissan said its contribution is in addition to the $1 million annual donation to Habitat for Humanity International, a partnership with Habitat begun following the devastation of the 2005 hurricane season.  Nissan said its disaster-relief efforts resulted in the donation of 50 Titan pick-up trucks, with a value totaling more than $1 million, to support rebuilding efforts in the Gulf Coast region.

 Nissan has provided over $5 million in grant money and in-kind donations to Habitat for Humanity, and over 5,000 Nissan team members have volunteered in more than 25 home builds across the United States. 

Early Look: 2011 Hyundai Elantra

The Beat recently got a look at and test-drive of the redesigned Hyundai Elantra compact sedan in Montgomery, Ala., home of a huge manufacturing plant for the Korean company. Executives with Hyundai presented the new features of the updated model.

The key element of the redesign is some styling that makes it look more similar to Hyundai's wildly popular Sonata sedan.

The new Elantra went into production at the Montgomery factory in November. The Sonata also is built in Montgomery and has helped Hyundai break sales and production records.

Another key point of emphasis for the Hyundai officials is the Elantra's great fuel economy. It gets an EPA rating of 29 mpg city, 40 highway. 

And Hyundai emphasizes that those numbers come with no asterisks, a reference to the fact that some other cars that tout high fuel economy numbers can only do so if you choose certain engines or fuel-saving packages. 

Pricing starts at $14,830.

Every new Elantra hits the 40 mpg EPA rating on the highway. 

We enjoyed driving it around Alabama. It gives a smooth, solid ride, without much road noise.

Plus, the interior looks great -- like a luxury car.

Stay tuned: when we get it for an extended period, we'll have more to say about it.

Scion tC is Worth a Good Look

A sporty design meets affordability and great fuel economy in the 2011 Scion tC. 

This vehicle has undergone a full makeover that brings more modern concepts and a stronger yet less thirsty engine to this five-seat coupe.

The tC debuted in 2004 as an alternative small car aimed at young people.

Now, with its 180-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine it is nearly a value version of a sports car. 

The tC has a new six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift mode.  

This front-wheel-drive car has added 19 horsepower from a year ago, but fuel economy is now 23 mpg in the city and 31 mpg on the highway, which puts it ahead of last year's model. 

The front fascia looks more serious now, and the redesigned headlights, larger, lower grille, blacked-out A-pillars and sedan-like side view give it a sporty and more upscale look.

If last year's tC was a pair of Converse Chuck Taylor All Stars, this year's version is a pair of Nike Air Zoom running shoes.

Toyota, Scion's owner, says the 2011 tC comes with a standard panorama moonroof, which means that there are two moonroofs—one up front and one in the rear.  Both flow into the rear window to provide an open-air feel.  

Toyota also says the new 18-inch alloy wheels and chrome exhaust tip and mirror-integrated turn signals come standard.

On the inside, the tC's cabin has been slightly lengthened, fortunately for us. An attempt at driving the previous model failed because frankly, we couldn't fit into it. The fit continues to be a quite snug one for taller drivers, but at least there is a bit more space. 

The new telescoping steering wheel gives a bit more leg room. On the wheel, you'll find controls for the audio system. 

 A CD player, USB jack and a new stereo with eight speakers all come standard, Toyota says.  Cargo volume is pretty good for a small car, at 14.7 cubic feet (two more than the 2010 tC) behind rear 60/40-split seatback and 34.5 cubic feet total with the seat folded flat.

For simplicity's sake, the tC has one trim level but has numerous factory-available parts that let you create your own car.  Those include front and rear spoilers, LED light enhancements, navigation system, custom 18-inch wheels, ground effects kit, and a dealer-installed supercharger.

The safety features on the tC are plentiful, such as seat-mounted side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags for the first and second rows, driver’s knee airbag, four-wheel antilock brakes, electronic stability system with traction control, front head restraints, and electronic brake assist.

The tC is actually pretty fun to drive, too. It takes corners well and accelerates crisply. 

The tC is priced from around $18,300 to just under $22,000.

For modern concepts and a cool new design, the tC deserves a good look.

Toyota Avalon Gets a Few Nice Tweaks

The 2011 Toyota Avalon has received a sharply redesigned front end and an upgraded interior and remains a great option for those in the market for a full-size sedan.

The biggest redesign element is the more substantial, wider grille that melds into the tapered new headlights.  There is also a bigger air barrier beneath the bumper.
And Toyota must have had a, well, lightbulb moment when designing the new Avalon, as its taillights now have LED light pipes and its side mirrors feature turn-signal indicators. 


 Toyota has trimmed the trim levels available for Avalon to base and Limited, compared with the previous XL, XLS and Limited models.

The Avalon's power plant is a 3.5-liter, 268-horsepower V-6, linked to a six-speed automatic transmission.  Toyota managed to raise fuel economy to 20 mpg in the city and 29 highway.  In a week of combined driving, we got around 24 mpg.

The interior of the Avalon is now quite striking. The dashboard and controls have been reconfigured and the tachometer is divided and more prominent. The navigation screen in the center console had been obscured by a cover, but that thankfully is gone now. 


 In fact the navigation system, the display and gauges have all been revised to give a sharper look. 


Despite there being only two trim levels, the base is not devoid of niceties. A USB/iPod compatibility, leather upholstery, reclining rear seats, 8-way power driver’s seat, dual-zone automatic climate control and a power tilt/slide moonroof are all featured on the base package.  The Limited gives plenty of upscaleness with a 12-speaker JBL stereo, XM Radio, heated/ventilated seats, power rear sunshade and push-button start.

Toyota says its Star Safety System includes vehicle stability control, traction control, antilock brakes with electronic brake-force distribution and brake assist.  For more safety, seven airbags are standard and include driver and front passenger airbags, driver and front passenger seat-mounted side airbags, front and rear side curtain airbags and driver’s knee airbag.   The optional backup camera is integrated into the voice-activated touch-screen DVD navigation system and also appears in the auto-dimming rearview mirror, Toyota says.

The design of the Avalon remains understated for the most part, but it's not unattractive. 


And its pricing is reasonable -- around $29,600 to just shy of $35,000.

For Toyota, the Avalon remains a comfortable and steady presence in the large sedan market.

Sales, Optimism Picking Up in U.S. Auto Industry

The U.S. auto industry, experiencing a sales increase of 11 percent nationally through November, is clearly in recovery.

Much of the gain is from "need;" buyers who are replacing aging high-mileage autos. But over the last quarter of 2010,  dealers say they also have seen "want" buyers return; consumers with late-model vehicles trading them on new cars and trucks because they are attracted to the styling or interiors or more powerful engines.

"There are a number of good factors boosting sales," said Rasheed Davis, a sales manager at Hennessy Mazda in Jonesboro. "But when impulse buyers are coming back in, we know that sales will really strengthen."

Despite an uncertain economy, persistently high jobless figures and rising fuel prices, the auto industry shows optimism when it comes to the economy in general and the business in particular.

"We like what we see when we look toward the near-term future," Davis said.

The return of impulse buyers is only one driver in the sales increases.

The average vehicle in the U.S. is now 9.4 years old, compared with seven years in 2001, according to auto industry statistics. 

That will send many people to dealerships.

They will find lots of shiny candidates in showrooms these days - maybe the best array of new products in industry history.

Vehicles such as the new Chevrolet Equinox, Buick Regal, Ford Fiesta, Dodge Durango, Jeep Grand Cherokee , Subaru Outback and Hyundai Sonata are just a few of the strong draws.

Also, used-car prices have gotten so high that the price gap between late-model used vehicles and new ones is becoming negligible, especially with the lower interest rates available on new-car loans.

"We do see real evidence that the pace of new-car sales is picking up," said Paul Taylor, chief economist of the National Automobile Dealers Association, said in a news report.

Lexus GS 350 Offers Elegant Simplicity

There's nothing all that flashy about the 2011 Lexus GS 350 sedan. But if you want comfort, a smooth ride and good fuel economy in a luxury automobile, the GS produces it.


The GS comes with a 303-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine that is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission with manual-shift capability.
Lexus also makes the GS 460 with a V-8 engine, should you desire more power, or a GS 450h hybrid model if you want better gas mileage. 
Lexus says the GS 350’s V-6 has direct injection and variable valve timing technologies that distribute power to the rear wheels or an all-wheel drive system, which is what the test model was.

 The GS's fuel economy ratings of 18 mpg city and 25 highway are good for a sedan of this size In a week of mostly highway driving, we got 24 mpg. 

It would be tough to describe the driving qualities of the GS as sporty, but rather more accurate to say solid.
Acceleration is easy; the V-6 provides plenty of power on demand.
Handling is decent, even if the GS doesn't exactly grab corners.
Braking is very sure, thanks to brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution systems that, along with antilock brakes, provide superb stopping power.
Lexus says the Vehicle Stability Control system gives traction and stability control to maintain a steady road presence and help avoid collisions.
The overall ride is smooth and quiet.
On the inside, you'll find all the luxury features you'd expect from a Lexus, such as the leather-trimmed power front seats with heat and optional ventilation functions, polished metal and handsome wood trim.
Other amenities include the smart access remote system, with push-button start and stop and the Lexus Premium Audio System with 10 speakers, six-CD changer and USB media device connectivity.
The test model included the Lexus Enform system with Safety Connect, which features stolen vehicle location and crash notification functions.
Other safety features include the adaptive cruise control, which detects potential collisions and notifies the driver. There's a brake override system that cuts engine power when the brake and accelerator pedals are pressed simultaneously, to avoid unintentional acceleration.

The GS has a neat, attractive design, both inside and out, that might not necessarily turn a lot of heads, but is worthy of admiration for its seamlessness.

The test model carried a sticker price of $51,754.
The elegant simplicity of the GS 350 makes it a worthy entrant in the luxury sedan market.

Chrysler Still at the Top of the Minivan Pack

It might have looked like they were dying two or three years ago, but minivans have made quite a nice comeback over the past year or so. Updated entries of the Toyota Sienna, Honda Odyssey and a reintroduced Nissan Quest are heading the charge.
But the leader in sales remains an old favorite in the family-hauler segment, the Chrysler Town & Country. 
Chrysler announced today that its venerable van posted more sales in the United States than any of its competitors in 2010, with 112,275 Town & Country minivans sold. That's a 33 percent increase from 2009. 
The Town & Country also led Chrysler brand sales for 2010, and was the second best-selling vehicle for the entire company.
That can be seen as good news or bad, depending on your point of view. 
Minivans, while experiencing a resurgence, are likely to remain somewhat of a niche vehicle, thanks to the many popular crossover SUVs on the market.
So if you're a carmaker whose leading seller is in a niche category, you probably have some catching up to do.
On the other hand, it's always nice to have a leader in a sales category, any category. And Chrysler has proven year after year that it knows how to do minivans right.
“We are very proud of the Chrysler Town & Country, and its industry leading customer loyalty,”  Olivier Francois, CEO–Chrysler Brand, Chrysler Group, said in a news release. “The original Chrysler Town & Country, the first luxury minivan, debuted in 1989. Seventy-five minivan-first innovations and more than 13 million minivan sales later, the company still leads the way with the best, most innovative vehicle to move people and things, without sacrificing style.” 

2011 Nissan Altima Remains a Sensible, Sporty Choice

The popular Nissan Altima adds some new color schemes for the 2011 model year, after last year's visual remodeling. 
What remains is a smart and sporty midsize car that offers good value.
 
The Altima comes in a coupe or sedan body style, with a choice of two engines. 
There is  a 175-horsepower, 2.5-liter four-cylinder with 180 pounds-feet of torque, and a larger 270-horsepower, 3.5-liter V6 with 258 pounds-feet of torque.  
You'll find the four-cylinder to be quite sufficient for usual driving applications, but if you want a bit more of a sporty experience, the V-6 surely delivers.
Those power plants are linked to either a six-speed manual or a continuously variable transmission, the latter of which Nissan says increases fuel efficiency.

As for fuel economy, the Altima posts 18-23 mpg ratings in the city and 27-32 mpg on the highway, depending on the engine/transmission combo. 


A few years ago Nissan also introduced the Altima Hybrid, for those who really want to go green and get good fuel economy.

The Altima's look is appropriately sporty without being over the top. For instance, the swollen hood with the Nissan badge on the grille is aggressive, but not obnoxious. 
Nissan says the coupe is shorter in both length and height than the sedan, and gets different styling on the grille and lights, but the sedan gets a dual exhaust system. 
Seating for up to five passengers is present in both, though, and they both have split-folding rear seats in case you need to carry longer cargo.

The Altima is full of niceties on the interior, such as push button start and keyless entry with trunk release, which are standard.  Optional inside are leather/heated front seats, a Bose audio system and Bluetooth connectivity.  Nissan says its hard-drive based navigation system is also optional, and features a 6.5-inch touch screen monitor that accepts voice commands and has features such as built-in Zagat Survey restaurant reviews.

The Altima has nice safety features, too, such as side-curtain and side-impact airbags, antilock brakes, and an electronic stability system, which are standard.  A backup camera can be added as an option.

The Altima ranges from around $20,000 to a little over $31,000. 


When it comes to sensible sportiness, it's hard to beat the Nissan Altima.