Lamborghini Sesto Elemento

Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept


The doors still haven't quite opened up at the Paris Motor Show and already the leakage has begun in full force. Yesterday we got a sneak peek at the Lamborghini Sesto Elemento Concept, but the lone photo was small and grainy. Thankfully, the wait for real images is now over mere minutes before the car is officially unveiled at an evening event held by the Volkswagen Group in Paris as we speak. A total of five shots of the carbon-intensive supercar have just hit the interwebs, and they didn't come from Lamborghini.

To put it mildly, we like what we see. As could be seen in the series of teasers officially let loose by the boys from Lamborghini, every single bit of the car has been fashioned from carbon fiber. Suitable, then, that the car has been named after the sixth element of the periodic table – Sesto Elemento literally means sixth element in Italian. Even the tailpipes have been fashioned from a sort of composite called Pyrosic that is able to withstand extremely high temperatures.

Those high exhaust temperatures will be exhaled by a V10 engine that's putting out a stonkin' 570 horsepower. With just 2,200 pounds of weight to move, the run to 60 will take less than 2.5 seconds.

2011 Volkswagen Touareg Models Announced

2011 VW Touareg TDI


In the market for a mid-size SUV / Crossover vehicle? Can you hold out just a little while longer? If you can, then you may want to give VW’s second generation Touareg SUV a drive when it hits dealer showrooms later this fall. For diesel fans, this is very good news since the Touareg will be back with a TDI clean diesel variant. Unfortunately, the V10 turbodiesel and it’s stump pulling 553 ft lb of torque won’t be used in second generation, but there’s still enough grunt in the new oil burner to keep torque fans happy.

2011 VW Touareg TDI

The 2011 Touareg will be offered with three motor options, beginning with a 3.6 liter V6 (280 horsepower, 265 ft lb of torque) that gets 23 mpg highway and 19 mpg city. A new hybrid version, available next spring, gives you a supercharged 3.0 liter V6 coupled with an electric motor that yields a combined 380 horsepower and 428 ft lb of torque, while returning an estimated 25 mpg highway. Finally, the aforementioned 3.0 liter turbodiesel will get you 225 horsepower and an impressive 406 ft lb of torque, while netting you 28 mpg highway and 19 mpg city. All motor choices shift through a new eight speed automatic transmission, and all Touareg models come with VW’s 4MOTION all wheel drive system. Finally, all engine options are rated to tow up to 7,700 pounds when equipped with the factory installed tow package.

2011 VW Touareg TDI

Several Trim levels are planned, including Sport, Lux, Hybrid and Executive. All include an 8” touchscreen nav and infotainment system, Sirius Satellite Radio, HID headlights, rearview camera, power adjustable and heated front seats and dual zone climate controls. All Touareg models include six airbags, an improved head restraint system, ABS, traction control and electronic stability control. Expect pricing to start at around $41,000 for a 3.6 liter V6 Sport.

2011 SHIVER 750 ABS OVERVIEW, REVIEWS PRICE, AND SPECIFICATION

2011 SHIVER 750 ABS OVERVIEW, REVIEWS PRICE,  AND SPECIFICATION
2011 SHIVER 750 ABS OVERVIEW, REVIEWS PRICE,  AND SPECIFICATION




Introduced in 2007, the Aprilia Shiver 750 gained instant acclaim from the media and the motorcycling public for its unique characteristics. Here was the naked we had all been waiting for.
From everyday use to a trip along mountain passes or use on the racetrack, the Aprilia Shiver 750 is completely at home in any situation, guaranteeing pure riding pleasure at all times.
Light, agile and powerful, it has a latest generation engine and the most advanced technical features in its class. The 90° V2 produced entirely in-house by Aprilia is extremely compact. Above all, thanks to the advanced electronic management, it can deliver a level of power comparable to four cylinder engines in the same class, but with much more favourable torque at low revs for an efficient and pleasing ride even on everyday routes. True to the Aprilia tradition, the chassis simply has no rivals in its class. The mixed steel trellis and aluminium side plate frame provides standard setting rigidity. All this makes the bike extremely compact and the perfect ride for beginner and expert alike.
The lightness of the Aprilia Shiver 750 also satisfies the most canny motorcyclist. Its manoeuvrability and engine performance enable the bike to accompany its owner from his first few metres on two wheels up to his complete motorcycling maturity.
The main characteristics of the Aprilia Shiver 750 are:
• 90° V2 engine with four valves per cylinder, double overhead camshaft and liquid cooling
• Ride-by-wire electronic throttle technology with 3 different mappings (Sport, Touring and Rain);
• Electronic fuel injection with latest generation injectors;
• Mixed gear and chain valve timing;
• Modular steel trellis and aluminium side plate frame for high torsional rigidity;
• Aluminium swingarm with reinforcement truss and lateral shock absorber;
• 43 mm upside down fork;
• Racing brakes with radial caliper at front;
• Latest generation two channel ABS (ABS version only)

THE DESIGN: SHAPE AT THE SERVICE OF POWER
As with every Aprilia product, the Shiver 750 has a highly innovative design where form and function come together to create an almost perfect object. The Aprilia Shiver 750 is pure technology as is evident from its mean, aggressive lines.
Each element has been designed to be not just beautiful but functional too. The design is refined, but at the same time clean-cut, without too many frills for the maximum possible functionality. On the Aprilia Shiver 750, the technical component becomes a design element at the same time, creating a bike both aggressive and at the same time elegant. The new colour schemes for 2009 are the icing on the cake.
The tank-seat-tail assembly further emphasises the compactness of the bike. The rider becomes one with the machine, perfectly integrated in the short, agile, and sporty bike. The strongly tapering tail also incorporates the twin exhaust with triangular silencers, a feature which makes the design even more aggressive, while keeping weight distribution highly symmetrical.
The adoption of a side shock absorber not only adds a further distinctive feature to the look of the bike, but also enables a rational, compact and effective exhaust system to be fitted.

THE V90 ENGINE: TECHNOLOGY IN THE PURE STATE
The V90 engine inherits all Aprilia's experience in high performance mechanics. Thanks to its particular technical characteristics, the Aprilia V90 combines high specific power with maximum usability and easy riding.

This generous twin cylinder powerplant is destined to set new standards in performance and technology for medium powered bikes.
The quest for performance at the top of its class led to the adoption of a number of advanced and innovative technical features:
• 90° V engine layout;
• Ride-by-wire technology with 3 mappings (Sport, Touring e Rain);
• Highly over-square bore and stroke ratio;
• Four valves per cylinder;
• Double overhead camshaft with mixed chain and gear drive;
• Electronic fuel injection with two throttle bodies;
• Plug caps with integrated stick-coils;
• Three way catalytic converter and Lambda probe oxygen sensor;
• Hydraulically operated clutch;

For this type of bike, the 90° V arrangement of the cylinders was found to be the best solution in terms of performance and size. With consistently generous torque available across a wide range of revs and negligible vibrations, the Aprilia V2 750 is full and powerful at the top of its class.
The Aprilia Shiver 750 is the first ever production motorcycle equipped with integral ride-by-wire electronic throttle control. Thanks to this advanced system, the Aprilia V90 engine delivers an exceptional power output for its size and configuration. Maximum power of 95 HP at 9,000 rpm and maximum torque of 81 Nm at 7,000 rpm are incredible figures for an engine of this displacement. Impressive torque, already available at low revs, makes riding the Shiver 750 on country roads an amazing experience. And this is precisely where ride-by-wire comes into play. Trust Aprilia’s engineers to be the first to apply this technology to a naked! Ride-by-wire filters the exuberant power and torque of the V twin engine to deliver the best possible performance and control for all riders and all road conditions. The Sport mapping gives you all the sporty, aggressive power of this Aprilia V twin. Touring offers a smoother and more relaxing ride for those moments when maximum power can be abandoned in favour of a pleasant journey or a ride with a passenger. Finally, Rain reduces torque by 25% to avoid the risk of wheel slip on slippery surfaces.

THE FRAME: RATIONALITY AND EFFICIENCY
Experts have always acknowledged that Aprilia bikes have the best chassis in their class. The Aprilia Shiver 750 is concrete confirmation that once again Aprilia has managed to create a chassis which is both extremely easy and intuitive and incredibly high performance.
The design solutions associated with the 90° V twin led to the development of a rational and reliable mixed steel trellis and aluminium side plate frame.
The reduced longitudinal dimensions of the engine made it possible to obtain a short, agile bike, helped by the particular side positioning of the shock absorber. This was not a simple cosmetic mannerism, but a precise technical decision, made to free up the space needed to give the exhaust its optimal dimensions.
The aluminium swingarm with reinforcement truss has been sized specifically to support the asymmetrical stresses caused by lateral positioning of the shock absorber. The rigidity of the swingarm sets new standards for the class.

SUSPENSION
The 43 mm upside down fork with forged feet to support the radial calipers provides benchmark smoothness. The 120 mm wheel travel makes the bike equally at home on about town trips and mountain routes. The bottom steering yoke is made from forged aluminium, as is the top steering yoke too.
The side shock absorber rests directly on the swingarm, according to the cantilever principle, and provides adjustments for spring preload and hydraulic rebound. Rear wheel travel is 130 mm.
2011 SHIVER 750 ABS OVERVIEW, REVIEWS PRICE,  AND SPECIFICATION
THE BRAKES
The best technology currently available is incorporated in the Aprilia Shiver 750, the first medium powered naked with a radial caliper system, a feature emphasising even further (as if it were needed) the sporty personality of the design. The 320 mm front discs are the same as used in the racing flagships, the RSV 1000 R and Tuono 1000 R.
At the back, a 245 mm disc with single piston caliper provides adequate backup for the front circuit.
The front and rear braking circuits both use aeronautical metal braid hoses to eliminate the pressure variations associated with conventional rubber brake lines, guaranteeing maximum braking precision for a top level system.
A sophisticated two channel ABS system maximises the Shiver 750 ABS’ s already impressive levels of active and passive safety by preventing wheel lock on slippery surfaces and improving braking performance. On the Shiver 750 ABS, all riders can confidently use the full power of the generous braking system, improving safety over difficult surfaces not only in a straight line but on bends too

2010 AmericanMuscle Car Show

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The AmericanMuscle car show this year was amazing! There were thousands of people in attendance, over 500 Mustangs, and thousands raised for charity.

  • Total # of Mustangs: 524
  • Total # of People: Over 1700
  • Final Charity Amount Raised: $14,825
  • % of People Who Had a Great Time: 100%!

Not only were all of the donations and attendance records broken, had some of the hottest, loudest and baddest Mustangs in the country show up.



Read more about at 2010 AmericanMuscle Car Show


Two Yamaha Motor Byson 2010 and Scorpio Z 2010 Ready to Conquer Bromo Anyar



Two Yamaha Motor Byson 2010 and Scorpio Z 2010 Ready to Conquer Bromo Anyar
Two Yamaha Motor Byson 2010 and Scorpio Z 2010 Ready to Conquer Bromo Anyar
Jakarta - Two brand-new Yamaha motorcycle ie, Scorpio-Z and Byson ready to prove themselves and are confident to conquer the vicious terrain on the mountain Bromo presented in carpet titled Amazing Journey.

Japanese motor manufacturer bearing the tuning fork is optimistic despite the famous Bromo with a fierce desert and could only inhabited by car type sport utility vehicle (SUV) and the horse as an operational vehicle there, the two 'animals' Yamaha was able to conquer this exotic mountain.

"Character motor sports, adventure and challenge," said General Manager of Promotion and Motorsport Yamaha Motor Kencana Indonesia (YMKI), Paul S Firmanto to detikOto, Saturday (25/09/2010).

Scorpio-Z itself is the ultimate Yamaha sport bike design have been overhauled by YMKI and shown on September 21, 2010. The design was considered much more sporty and up to date than the old design of the Scorpio-Z earlier.

Moreover, 225 cc engine that carried the scorpions are considered qualified enough to have power up to 19 ps diputaran 8000 rpm with torque at 6500 rpm kgf.m 1.86.

While Byson which is a new family of Yamaha sport bike segment carrying the street fighter with a body design that seconded bongsor formidable engine capacity of 153 cc.

With all these advantages, Yamaha sure both the animal will be able to conquer terrain that is malignant in Bromo.

Toughness of both brand-new Yamaha motorcycle, according to Paul not only claim unilateral Yamaha. For motor manufacturers are also invited about 500 community members to participate and become a witness and prove toughness of both starting today until Sunday (09/26/2010) later

2011 New Aprilia Shiver 750 GT , Specification, Reviews and Prices

2011 New Aprilia Shiver 750 GT , Specification, Reviews and Prices


After bringing a breath of fresh air for the naked category, Aprilia Shiver with raise the technological level once again in the sports touring segment with the Shiver 750 GT, an innovative Sports Tourer, the perfect combination of sports handling, versatility, and true value Aprilia style.
A two-cylinder engine with almost limitless torque, comfortable for two, excellent aerodynamic protection and a chassis that has become a reference point, are just some of the distinctive features of the Aprilia Shiver 750 GT which, thanks to its dynamic and technological is undoubtedly a benchmark in its segment, proving once again that Aprilia has what it takes to offer even the most demanding riders exactly what they want, even with a high technological content.
The equipment of the bike bears the technical level of the segment to new heights, with Aprilia's offer over that of its competitors. The Ride with Full Throttle Wire, controlledby management mapping pilot (Sport, Touring and Rain) and brakes with radial calipers, are truly unique solutions for the sports touring segment and make the Aprilia Shiver 750 GT a sophisticated bike, and a real one- of-a-kind.
The half-fairing gives the Shiver 750 GT the chance to exploit the full versatility of its Naked sister. The added wind protection, in fact, extends the range of use of the Shiver 750 GT in particular, making a motion "in the round", with a full range of use. From daily commuting, on a trip in the summer, the Shiver 750 GT will meet your needs perfectly, making your rides a pleasure - intuitive, brilliant and safe.
The main features of the Aprilia Shiver 750 GT are: 2011 New Aprilia Shiver 750 GT , Specification, Reviews and Prices

■ 90 ° V2 engine with four valves per cylinder, double overhead camshaft and liquid cooling head;
■ Ride-by-wire electronic throttle control with 3 different mappings (Sport, Touring and Rain);
■ electronic fuel injection with latest generation injectors;
■ Mixed gear and chain valve timing;
■ lattice steel plates and aluminum frame for high torsional rigidity;
■ Aluminium swingarm with reinforcement truss and lateral shock absorber;
■ 43 mm inverted fork;
■ brakes with radial caliper at front;
■ latest generation of dual-channel ABS (ABS version only);

Aprilia Shiver 750 GT is the same sophisticated technical package as the Shiver, except that the engine is a modern 90 ° V-twin - Euro 3. This engine, the first engine of any mass-produced for use integral Ride by Wire, scored once, thanks to its dynamic characteristics. Delivering 95 hp, not only is the most powerful twin in its class, the engine also has a torque curve that comes right from low revs making the bike competitive even with bikes with larger engines, with regard to pulling power goes.

The perfect engine for this type of bike, his full and brilliant delivery are just what the rider of the Aprilia Shiver 750 GT is looking for a bike that not only offers the best performance, but it is also easy and intuitive to drive, with a pair of broadband in particular by reducing the need to change gear even when fully loaded.

What's more, the driver can choose among three configurations mapping (Sport, Touring, Rain) always have the ideal power supply for current road conditions and your particular driving style.
This is where the innovation that only the Aprilia engineers could apply first comes into play, the generous power and torque of the V2 are filtered by the Ride-by-wire for the best possible power delivery for all types of riders in each possible condition. With the Sport mapping setting the behavior of motor sports is the amazing performance of the twin-cylinder Aprilia. Setting the Touring offers a softer power delivery for moments of relaxation when the athletic performance is reserved for the pleasure of the journey, using more than torque. Finally, the map Rain, which reduces the torque by 25%, helps drivers avoid turning the rear wheel when starting on slippery roads.

The sophisticated chassis of the Shiver 750 GT sets the standard for the competition. A composite-type frame (steel truss spars and aluminum) designed to work in perfect harmony with the head 43 mm fork and swingarm with reinforcement truss strong. The adjustable side mounted monoshock is another hallmark of Aprilia Shiver 750 GT. Its position leaves ample room for the exhaust under the seat, which means very linear, the exhaust system with an optimal volumetric design to bring the best of the engine.

The frame of first-class could not be complete without top class brakes. radial calipers acting on 320 mm discs, and the ABS version is also equipped with a sophisticated 2-channel ABS system to bring riding safety to the highest levels

bugatti veyron for sale bugatti veyron for sale

The top speed of the original version was verified by James May on Top Gear in November 2006, again at Volkswagen Group's private Ehra-Lessien test track. Jeremy Clarkson, driving a Veyron from Italy to London, noted that at top speed the engine consumes 10,000 imperial gallons (45,000 L) of air per minute (as much as a human breathes in four days). The Veyron accelerates from 0–60 mph in 2.5 seconds and has the fastest top speed of any street legal car. Once back in the Top Gear studio, James was asked by co-presenter Jeremy Clarkson what the Veyron felt like to drive at 407 km/h (253 mph), May replied that it was "totally undramatic", and very stable at speed.

German inspection officials recorded an average top speed of 408.47 km/h (253.81 mph)[5] during test sessions on the Ehra-Lessien test track on 19 April 2005. On 4 July 2010, Bugatti's official test driver Pierre Henri Raphanel piloted the Super Sport edition and was clocked at an average of 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph) on the same track, taking back the title of the fastest production vehicle of all time from the SSC Ultimate Aero TT. The 431.072 km/h mark was reached by averaging the Super Sport's two test runs, the first topping out at 265.96 mph (427.93 km/h) and the second at 269.86 mph (434.20 km/h). The record run was certified by the German government and the Guinness Book of World Records.

The car's everyday top speed is listed at 350 km/h (220 mph). When the car reaches 220 km/h (140 mph), hydraulics lower the car until it has a ground clearance of about 9 cm (3.5 in). At the same time, the wing and spoiler deploy. This is the handling mode, in which the wing helps provide 3,425 newtons (770 lbf) of downforce, holding the car to the road.[7] The driver must, using a special key (the top speed key), toggle the lock to the left of his seat in order to attain the maximum (average) speed of 407 km/h (253 mph). The key functions only when the vehicle is at a stop, when a checklist then establishes whether the car and its driver are ready to enable top speed mode. If all systems are go, the rear spoiler retracts, the front air diffusers shut and the ground clearance, normally 12.5 cm (4.9 in), drops to 6.5 cm (2.6 in).

bugatti veyron for sale
bugatti veyron for sale
bugatti veyron for sale
bugatti veyron for sale
bugatti veyron for sale

Bugatti Veyron Super Sports Cars

The Veyron features an 8.0 litre W16 engine with sixteen cylinders in four banks of four, equivalent to two narrow-angle V8 engines mated in a W configuration. Each cylinder has four valves for a total of sixty four, but the narrow staggered eight configuration allows two overhead camshafts to drive two banks of cylinders so only four camshafts are needed. The engine is fed by four turbochargers and displaces 7,993 cubic centimetres (487.8 cu in), with a square 86 by 86 mm (3.4 by 3.4 in) bore and stroke. The official test driver Pierre Henri Raphanel and Adrien drove the Super Sport version of the Veyron on Volkswagen's Ehra-Lessien high-speed oval to establish the cars top speed. With representatives of the Guinness book of records and German Technical Inspection Agency (TÜV) on hand, Raphanel made passes around the big oval in both directions achieving an average speed of 431.072 km/h (267.856 mph).

The Super Sport features an engine power increase from the standard 1,001 metric horsepower (736 kW; 987 bhp) to 1,200 metric horsepower (883 kW; 1,184 bhp) and torque of 1,500 N·m (1,100 ft·lbf) and a revised aerodynamic package.

The first five production Super Sports will sport the same black and orange finish as the record car and all production models will be electronically limited to 415 km/h (258 mph) to protect the tyres.[4] The Veyron Super Sport was shown publicly for the first time at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in August 2010

Bugatti Veyron
Bugatti Veyron
Bugatti Veyron
Bugatti Veyron
Bugatti Veyron

2010 Nissan Cube S Pictures

2010 Nissan Cube S photos
2010 Nissan Cube S photos
2010 Nissan Cube S
2010 Nissan Cube S
2010 Nissan Cube S interior
2010 Nissan Cube S Interior

2009 Nissan Sentra Pictures

2009 Nissan Sentra
2009 Nissan Sentra
2009 Nissan Sentra black
2009 Nissan Sentra black
2009 Nissan Sentra interior
2009 Nissan Sentra interior

2009 Nissan Versa Sedan Pictures

2009 Nissan Versa Sedan
2009 Nissan Versa Sedan photos
2009 Nissan Versa Sedan
2009 Nissan Versa Sedan
2009 Nissan Versa Sedan interior
2009 Nissan Versa Sedan interior

Lamborghini For Sale

Automobili Lamborghini was founded by Ferruccio Lamborghini, the child of viticulturists from the comune (township) of Renazzo di Cento, Province of Ferrara, in the Emilia-Romagna region of Northern Italy.[1][4] After serving as a mechanic in the Regia Aeronautica,[5][6] during World War II, Lamborghini went into business building tractors out of leftover military hardware from the war effort. By the mid-1950s, Lamborghini's tractor company, Lamborghini Trattori S.p.A.,[7] had become one of the largest agricultural equipment manufacturers in the country.[8] He was also the owner of a successful gas heater and air conditioning manufacturer.[

Lamborghini's wealth allowed him to cultivate a childhood interest in cars, owning a number of luxury automobiles including Alfa Romeos, Lancias, Maseratis, and a Mercedes Benz.[9] He purchased his first Ferrari, a 250GT, in 1958, and went on to own several more. Lamborghini was fond of the Ferraris, but considered them too noisy and rough to be proper road cars, likening them to repurposed track cars.[9] Lamborghini decided to pursue an automobile manufacturing venture, with the goal of bringing to life his vision of a perfect grand tourer

Lamborghini
Lamborghini
Lamborghini
Lamborghini
Lamborghini

Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder 2010

The Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder has an aggressive design like a Formula one car. The exteriors are marked by short overhangs along with long wheelbase and the two door convertible provides excellent space for the occupants. The Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder review indicates that the car comes with a 4961cc, 10-cylinder DOHC petrol engine.

Like other Lamborghinis this car also displays its awesome power and the engine can generate 520 bhp power at 8000 rpm along with torque of 510 Nm at 4200 rpm. The length of the car is 4345 mm and its width is 1900 mm while its height is 1165 mm. The engine has LIE fuel injection feature and is accompanied with 6-speed automatic transmission.

The car delivers top speed of 314 km/hr and can reach 0 to 100 km/hr in mere 4.3 seconds. The doors of the car have the classic scissor door styling and the body is built on lightweight aluminium space frame. The structural reinforcements of the vehicle ensure that vibrations are minimised. The car has a retractable soft top which can open and close in just 20 seconds.

A detailed Lamborghini Gallardo Spyder review shows that the car has 19 inch alloy wheels and high performance tyres. The car has suspension including double wishbone for the front as well as rear and this provides excellent stability to the car. The power lifting axle raises the front end and this in turn ensures that the bumper is not scraped during driving of the car. The steering is precise and light.

lamborghini gallardo spyder
lamborghini gallardo spyder
lamborghini gallardo spyder
lamborghini gallardo spyder
lamborghini gallardo spyder

2011 Hyundai Azera Limited

2011 Hyundai Azera Limited

Even five years ago, Hyundai was widely considered to be a bargain-basement marque. After all, anyone interested in checking out the brand's lineup could visit a rental company within five miles of any major airport. But why dwell on the past when the Korean automaker is kicking butt and taking names in the here and now? Hyundai has been on a roll these past few years, with hits like the Genesis, Genesis Coupe and 2011 Sonata. With those successful entries, Hyundai has clearly established itself as a prime player in the U.S. market, but the company's improved standing has also substantially raised the public's levels of expectation. Where qualifiers like "for a Hyundai" were once the norm, we're now measuring each and every new entry donning the italic H against the best from Toyota, Ford, General Motors and Honda.

Hyundai's most recently refreshed product is the 2011 Azera. When the Azera first arrived on U.S. shores as a 2006 model, it came came close to nixing the "for a Hyundai" stigma with an impressive level of standard equipment and a lower price tag than its competition. But even with a strong value equation and plethora of amenities, that original Azera still wasn't as refined as the current crop of winners coming out of South Korea. Can the freshly redesigned 2011 Azera, with an improved powertrain and increased level of luxury equipment, truly succeed like its all-star siblings?

The Azera has received more than a mild refresh for 2011, with a pair of upgraded powertrains, new headlamps, taillamps, fog lights and a host of tweaks and tucks to the front and rear fascias. Our Midnight Blue Limited tester included the only available option, a $1,750 navigation system, nudging the Azera's MSRP to $32,620. That's still about $5,000 fewer greenbacks than a similarly equipped Toyota Avalon or Ford Taurus. A good deal? Perhaps, but competing in the full-size sedan segment means measuring up on more than just price.

When looking over the Azera from the outside, the large sedan's newest features shine brightest, and not just because we're talking head- and taillamps. The Azera's headlights are pretty special, with the LED-encrusted, Audi-like elements begging for attention. The taillamps are pretty snazzy as well, as Hyundai has gone a bit nuts with the light-emitting diodes. The chiseled front grill also impresses, borrowing its basic shape from the Genesis Sedan while going all-in with chrome in a decidedly American manner. We're also fans of the rich, sparkly Midnight Blue paint job, which gives the Azera a welcome touch of class.

While the Azera's updated exterior elements add a touch of freshness, there are still more than enough throwbacks to push it towards the back of the pack visually. Exhibit A: a tall and somewhat awkward greenhouse. Compared to the steeply-raked, coupe-like roofline of the Sonata, the Azera looks as if it were penned by a fan of Oldsmobiles from the 1990s, and it doesn't fare much better against sleek-looking competitors like the Nissan Maxima or Buick LaCrosse.

2011 Hyundai Azera Limited side view2011 Hyundai Azera Limited front view2011 Hyundai Azera Limited rear view

Given that the Azera underwent just a refresh and not full redesign, we expected the tweaked exterior to fall short of game-changing. But the interior is another matter altogether. Since it's easier to swap out cabin components than re-engineer sheetmetal, refreshed vehicles often receive fairly substantial interior upgrades. Sadly, not so with the Azera. The interior looks essentially unchanged from the outgoing model, save for some aluminum graining on the center console and a low-tech eco indicator that's about as interesting as a check engine light. The Azera's interior wasn't terrible before with a muted cabin, comfortable seats and reasonably high quality materials on the dash, seats and doors. Unfortunately, "good enough" just doesn't cut it in a segment where MSRPs regularly exceed $30,000. The Avalon, LaCrosse and Taurus far outshine the Azera in this regard with better materials, cushier armrests (the Azera's is as soft as diorite) and superior aesthetics all around.

Park a new Sonata next to an Azera and even the optically challenged can see the larger Hyundai offers a far less compelling cabin while commanding a starting price that's several thousand dollars lower. On the high end of the company showroom is the Genesis Sedan – a fair comparison given our tester was within $1,000 of the starting price of Hyundai's Lexus-fighter. The base Genesis and uplevel Azera also share the same basic powertrain and both offer near identical levels of interior volume. The difference, besides the Genesis being driven by its rear wheels and the Azera its fronts, is that the Genesis comes packed to the sunroof with amenities and interior refinement, while the Azera struggles even against the not-long-for-this-world Buick Lucerne. For instance, the sat-nav on the Genesis – a massive, modern-looking system – dwarfs the Azera's seven-inch unit in both size and design.

2011 Hyundai Azera Limited interior2011 Hyundai Azera Limited front seats2011 Hyundai Azera Limited door panel2011 Hyundai Azera Limited rear seats

So the Azera's interior is many meters short of segment leading, but there is some good news under the hood. Remember the part about the Azera and Genesis Sedan sharing the same engine? The Azera Limited's new 3.8-liter V6 churns out 283 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 263 pound-feet of torque at 4,500 rpm. (Lesser GLS models make do with a 3.3-liter V6 producing 260 hp and 233 lb-ft.). If you're thinking that the 3.8-liter provides a lot of pop for a sedan driven by its front wheels, you're right – particularly if you're slamming the go pedal from a dead stop. While bull riders would love that level of torque steer, we're less inclined to saddle up. But when you're already in motion, the extra punch is very welcome, and as an added bonus sounds damn good from the driver's seat.

When mated to its new, smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission, the revised Lambda 3.8-liter V6 proves is very competent and impressively smooth – easily the best attribute the Azera has to offer. And all that power doesn't kill you at the pump, as the EPA rates the 3.8-liter V6-powered Azera at 27 miles per gallon on the highway and 19 mpg around town. We managed to average just under 22 mpg, mostly because we were "fully experiencing" the 3.8-liter engine.

2011 Hyundai Azera Limited engine

Dynamically, the Azera is competent for a vehicle that tips the scales at 3,585 pounds. Beyond its torque steer problem, Hyundai has managed to tie down the chassis to the extent that it doesn't offend an elderly buyer looking for a smooth ride. Body roll stays within an acceptable range, though our tester's 235/55VR17 Michelin rubber emitted predictably high levels of tire squeal when pushed. Steering was a bit heavier than we found at the helm of the similarly sized Avalon – generally a good thing – though any semblance of feel went undetected by our paws. Overall, the Azera feels just about how we'd expect a large family sedan to drive – not as tight as the Maxima and not as loose as the Avalon.

So we've established that the Azera shouldn't waste the application fee for any beauty contests, its interior could use some love and its powertrain is a strong suit. Is that enough to propel Hyundai's updated sedan past the "for a Hyundai" designation? In a word, no. Truth is, the competition from Toyota, Buick, Nissan and Ford has it all over the Azera in most every way. The closest the Azera comes to sniffing the winner's circle is with the Limited's excellent V6 engine, but this segment is chock-full of competent powertrains. And we'd argue that "for a Hyundai" isn't even fair to the marque's other products. Is it as good as a Sonata? The Genesis? No.

2011 Hyundai Azera Limited rear 3/4 view

So why has Hyundai decided to let it hang around? Even though it's been a slow seller, we hear that Hyundai has kept the Azera in its lineup for buyers who come in to sample the Sonata, only to walk away because its styling is too avant-garde. If that's the strategy at work, it also neatly explains the visual conservatization brought about with the car's 2011 facelift. Said another way, the Azera remains as a hedge bet for keeping elderly and more traditionally minded customers in the fold who are looking for comfortable full-size transportation with a good warranty. By that yardstick, it succeeds – but only just. In 2006, we would have called the Azera competent, affordable and perhaps even a bit surprising, but it's 2010, and these days we expect more.