Alfa Romeo's 4C Spider

TLX, Acura’s most recent sedan Alfa Romeo’s 4C Spider: the true Italian sports car Acura persists as Hon- da’s more luxurious automotive product, Last year, FCA (Fiat Chrysler and it’s still got the Automobile) re-introduced sporty look that sets theAlfa Romeo brand to North apart this Japanese America with a unique- manufacturer. One of looking sports coupe, the Acura’s most recent 4C. This mid-engine car cars, the TLX, is proof really sparked the imagi- positive that the trend nation of car enthusiasts continues. everywhere, and now for an encore FCA brings us Acura’s latest sedan Completely redone for the Spider version of the SPECIFICATIONS is the slick-looking TLX. 2015, the all-new TLX original 4C. You might say The all-new Alfa Romeo 4C Spider SPECIFICATIONS the Spider is a kind of con- MAKE: Acura is set to replace both is one of those unique the former TL and TSX. We’re happy to report that vertible or roofless version small exotic cars. MAKE: Alfa Romeo MODEL: TLX Acura has kept the family-friendly look with the of a sporty two-passenger new car, even as it sports an athletic vibe. The coupe. MODEL: 4C Spider CATEGORY: sports sedan engines are similar to those of the old models (a base CATEGORY: exotic sports car WEIGHT: 1,580 kg 2.4-L four-cylinder and an optional V-6), but the The very light 4C Spider is powered by a transverse- transmissions are all-new, with the smaller engine mounted 1750-cc four-cylinder turbocharged engine WEIGHT: 1,128 kg LENGTH: 483 cm getting an eight-speed double-clutch version and the that pumps out some 237 horsepower. It comes with LENGTH: 400 cm ENGINE: V-6, a nine-speed automatic. Both are combined with a six-speed twin-clutch transmission that powers the 2.4 L; 4 cylinders; 206 hp / front-wheel drive, although all-wheel drive is avail- rear wheels. The whole car is actually a unique car- ENGINE: 1.75 L; 4-cylinder 3.5 L; V-6; 290 hp able with the V-6. bon-fibre unibody frame with front and rear alu- turbo; 237 hp minum structures and a high-strength composite TRANSMISSION: TRANSMISSION: Designed to carry five passengers, the new TLX body shell. Built in Italy as traditionally as possible, eight-speed (dual-clutch) / integrates Honda technology in its suspension and the all-new 4C Spider is one of those very special six-speed twin-clutch nine-speed automatic steering design, making it a real sports car to drive. cars that appeals to real exotic car aficionados. automatic PASSENGERS: 4 And despite all that, the Acura remains an affor- PASSENGERS: 2 dable luxury sedan.

It’s an all-new Mini! Mitsubishi Mirage: a real gas miser

It’s worth taking a second Many people are loo- look at the 2015 Mini Coo- king for small cars per. Although it has kept its these days, simple gas original looks, it’s a totally misers that can be new car. And what’s more, used as city vehicles. the Mini Cooper is now The Mirage by Mitsu- available as a genuine four- bishi is sure to be one door sedan.But hold on; just of the top choices in as they always say in TV this category. commercials,“There’smore!” The Mirage really fits Indeed, the Mini also comes the image of a sub- The all-new Mini with an all-new engine, as compact car. The di- The diminutive SPECIFICATIONS SPECIFICATIONS is powered the original base four- minutive front-wheel- Mirage is a great little by a three-cylinder city car! turbo engine. cylinder mill has left its drive hatchback co- MAKE: Mitsubishi MAKE: Mini place to a totally new three- mes with a normally MODEL: Cooper cylinder turbocharged en- aspirated 1.2-litre gas-powered engine that pumps out MODEL: Mirage gine that was entirely developed by BMW. It’s available a mere 74 horsepower. Combined with a five-speed CATEGORY: sub-compact CATEGORY: with a six-speed manual or automatic transmission, and manual or a CVT (continuously variable transmission), compact coupe or sedan according to the early reviews, it’s actually much faster the tiny vehicle should deliver gas mileage close to hatchback WEIGHT: 1,180 kg than the original four-cylinder standard engine. 4L/100 km. WEIGHT: 1,360 kg What’s most important to remember is that the Mini LENGTH: 401 cm Cooper has kept its sporty feel. Very agile in heavy city traffic, the diminutive Mirage can LENGTH: 378 cm ENGINE: 1.5 L; carry four people; if you recline the rear seat backs, you ENGINE: 1.2 L; 3 cylinders; three cylinders; 136 hp There is a four-cylinder version of the car (a four-door can even transform it into a real little cargo hauler. But 74 hp hardtop), but it’s now more powerful and much what’s most important is that the Mirage is one of the TRANSMISSION: faster. The new Mini Cooper is still a front-wheel- most inexpensive cars on the market. TRANSMISSION: six-speed manual drive car, and guess what? It will most likely serve as five-speed manual / or automatic a test bed for the upcoming front-wheel-drive BMW CVT automatic compact car. By the way, there is a performance ver- PASSENGERS: 4 PASSENGERS: 4 sion of the Mini: the John Cooper Works.

59A / MARCH-APRIL 2015 / NEWSPAPER TOOLBOX