Mazda Motor Corp. will build a Toyota subcompact car at its new plant in Mexico for sale in the United States.

Mazda will build a new subcompact car for Toyota, based on the Mazda2.
Mazda Motor Corp. will build a Toyota subcompact car at its new plant in Mexico for sale in the United States.
The new Toyota will be a rebadged version of the Mazda2 and go on sale in 2015. Toyota expects to sell 50,000 copies of the car a year.
The Mazda2 subcompact car competes with vehicles such as the Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Sonic, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Toyota's Yaris and Scion xD.
Through the first 10 months of this year, Toyota has sold 26,397 copies of the Yaris, up 17 percent from the same period in 2011, and 9,280 copies of the Scion xD, up 17 percent from last year. The Yaris and xD are imported from Japan, where current dollar-yen exchange rates means Toyota makes minimal profit or loses money on sales in the United States.
But the new Toyota is likely to be an addition to the automaker's lineup, not a direct replacement for the Yaris or xD, according to a Toyota spokesman. Toyota also plans to sell the car in Canada and Mexico.
The automakers announced the deal early Friday. The Mazda plant in Salamanca, Mexico, is currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2014. It is designed to build the Mazda2 and Mazda3, with a capacity of 140,000 units a year. The Toyota production will add to the plant's capacity.
A redesigned Mazda2 is scheduled to arrive in 2014, which would coincide with the plant's opening. The current Mazda2, launched in 2007, was jointly developed with Ford Motor Co. and shares its platform with the Fiesta.
Ford has since minimized its ownership of Mazda and the two have stopped developing products together. Earlier this year, Mazda pulled out of a production joint venture with Ford in Flat Rock, Mich., that built the Mazda6 sedan. Ford uses Flat Rock to build the Mustang and is adding production of the redesigned 2013 Fusion sedan.
Mazda and Fiat announced in May that they would cooperate on the design of a new generation of the Mazda MX-5 Miata roadster, which will also produce a version for the Alfa Romeo brand.

BMW is set to preview its upcoming X4 SUV for the first time at the Detroit

BMW is set to preview its upcoming X4 SUV for the first time at the Detroit auto show in early January.
Confirmed by BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer earlier this year, the ute is set to debut as a near-production concept that will rival the appearance, dimensions and packaging of the Porsche Macan due to go on sale in North America in early 2014, according to highly placed BMW officials.
Although the all-wheel-drive X4 is set to share its monocoque steel platform, engines and underpinnings with the second-generation X3, it's earmarked to receive individual styling in a move intended to convey more sporting image and enable BMW to position it higher in its lineup for added profitability. Expect prices to start at around $42,000.
Autoweek first reported plans for BMW's Porsche Macan-fighter last two years ago (“Faceoff,” Nov. 17, 2010).
A series of design proposals made official by BMW in 2010 suggest the X4 will differ visually from the X3 in much the same way the larger X6 is distinguished from the X5, with a bullish front end, plunging coupé-style roofline, four conventional front-hinged doors and a heavily angled one-piece tailgate.
The German carmaker is yet to announce what engine options it plans to offer with the X4. Autoweek understands it will receive a combination of four- and six-cylinder gasoline and diesel units in line with those already used by the X3.
Most intriguingly, the SUV get a range-topping performance model from BMW's M division. Nothing is official just yet, but the X4 M due out toward the end of 2014 is planned to run a uniquely tuned version of the twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder gasoline engine set to appear in the upcoming sixth-generation M3.
Also planned is a hot X4 M diesel (not likely for North America) running a detuned version BMW's tri-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine launched in the X5 and X6 M. It will form part of a fast expanding range of BMW M Performance models.
Production of the X4 will take place alongside the second-generation X3 at BMW's sprawling Spartanburg, S.C., manufacturing facility. Officials from the company's headquarters in Munich, Germany, have already confirmed an extensive expansion plan for the site, which also produces the X5 and X6.

Asia Pacific REIT Market Could Swell to $500 Billion

REITs continue to hold their strength, even in weakened global real estate markets, according to the Asia Pacific Real Estate Association (APREA).

APREA CEO Peter Mitchell told the Malaysian National News Agency (BERNAMA) the REIT structure continues to be a fundamental driver of the securitization of real estate holdings in many international markets. 

"It has proved remarkably resilient in the face of the global financial crisis, particularly in Asia, because of their transparent and liquid characteristics." Mitchell said.

"Asia has the lowest level of securitized real estate in the world," Mitchell said. "It is estimated that only about 4 per cent of investment grade real estate in Asia is held in REIT-type structures,"

"Taking that last point, assuming an ultimate level of securitization of investment grade real estate of 25 per cent suggests a market that could grow to well over $500 billion US.  

"REITs in the US, Asia and Australia have recovered and performed much more strongly than other real estate asset classes since the crisis," he told Bernama.

Citing  Ernst & Young data, Mitchell said the global REIT market has grown to a total market capitalization of $568 billion US, growing by $138 billion last year alone. "Much of this growth has been in Asia," he said.

Just  before the launch of the first Japanese REIT (J-REIT), the market capitalization of REITs in Asia was around $2 billion US, he said. Five years later, it was about $50 billion.

"Today, there are about 144 Asian-based REITs with a market capitalization of approximately $127.7 billion US," he said.

On a total return basis, Mitchell told Bernama Asian REITs in most countries have outperformed equities regularly, particularly since the global financial crisis, and they have been superior performers on a risk and risk-adjusted return basis.

He noted the growth has been phenomenal, but the Asian REIT industry is only in its infancy, accounting for only 11.5 per cent of all global REITs, Bernama reported.

Mitchell told Bernama major investment banks confidently predict that in the near future market capitalization will comfortably exceed $100 billion US and continue to grow exponentially.

He said a number of compelling underlying factors for this growth include a large portion of real estate in Asia still held in private hands and weigh heavily on company balance sheets.

"This is not sustainable long term Mitchell said. "The REIT format is a much more efficient way for companies to hold real estate assets,"

Regardless of when India and China introduce their own REIT markets, their strong growth alone "will have cascading effects on the regional economies," Mitchell told Bernama.

Other factors, he noted, include more countries introducing REIT regimes, as in the Philippines, and more investment grade stock coming into the market "in the wake of strong economic growth throughout the region," Bernama reported.

Miami Condo Prices Spike 28% in Q3 Over Last Year

(Miami, FL) -- According to the Miami Association of Realtors, the performance of the Miami-Dade County residential real estate market continues to create opportunities for sellers, as limited supply and strong demand consistently yield significant price appreciation.

Median and Average Sales Prices

The median sales price for single-family homes in Miami-Dade County rose 5.06 percent to $189,000 in the third quarter of 2012 compared to the third quarter of 2011, and 2.2 percent compared to the second quarter of 2012. The median sales price for condominiums was $145,000, an increase of 28 percent year-over-year.

"The Miami real estate market continues to perform remarkably well despite the shortage of housing inventory that is limiting potential sales," said Martha Pomares, 2012 Chairman of the Board of the Miami Association of Realtors. "Such performance is reflective of the strong demand being fueled by both U.S. and international buyers.  Buyer interest will continue to positively impact our market long into the future."

Year-over-year, the average sales prices for single-family homes and condominiums increased 6.2 percent to $347,716 and 19.3 percent to $276,883, respectively.

Nationally, the median sales price of existing single-family homes was $186,100 in the third quarter, up 7.6 percent from the third quarter of 2011, according to the National Association of Realtors.  The national median sales price for condominiums was $180,800, a 7.7 percent increase over the previous year.

Homes Sales Remain Keeps Pace with Record Levels in 2011

Miami-Dade residential sales - including existing single-family homes and condominiums - increased a 0.61 percent in the third quarter, from 6,672 to 6,713, compared to a year earlier.  Following a record-breaking year in 2011, sales in Miami remain at historically strong levels.  In the third quarter, Miami sales of existing single-family homes increased 0.07 percent compared to a year earlier. The sales of existing condominiums increased one percent compared to the third quarter of 2011.

2013 Pagani Huayra

PAGANI. PAGANI? SI, SI, PAGANI!

After 14 years as the auto industry’s House of Fabergé, Pagani Automobili has built the paltry sum of 132 cars, just shy of Ferrari’s output every two weeks. Most are the original Zonda, with just 10 of the new, U.S.-bound Huayras yet in existence. Judging from the interrogations we received while stuck behind a massive wreck on the autostrada only 10 minutes from Pagani’s Modena, Italy, headquarters, that’s not enough to sear the brand into the consciousness of the locals, who are accustomed to seeing Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, and Ducati test vehicles tearing up their streets.

Horacio Pagani’s customers—an all-hands meeting wouldn’t make a decent lunch rush at a Denny’s—don’t seem to mind the brand’s obscurity. If you can peel off an easy million for a new Huayra, which starts at 849,000 euros or, when it arrives later this year, the spot-exchange equivalent in dollars, chances are good you own a lot of stuff that Italian truck drivers have never heard of.

Pagani’s first car, the Zonda, is recalled in the headlights (top) and the rear suspension (bottom) with its forged arms and inboard coil-over shocks.

To be sure, Modena is a tough town to make a splash in. But the Huayra (pronounced WHY-ra) has the requisite assets. It’s not just that it’s flagrantly gorgeous even while dragging its belly over an Italian speed hump. Or that it is adorned with fascinating details, from its soybean-sprout mirrors to the four titanium Inconel peashooters in back. Or that the carbon fiber’s clear coat looks deep enough to do 10-meter platform dives into.

And it isn’t just the beguiling movement of the Huayra’s motorized body surfaces that constantly lift and tuck like an F-16’s flaperons with the goal of reducing body roll and stopping distances. Or the  720-hp, 6.0-liter twin-turbo V-12, the old single-cam three-valver from the S65, custom built for Pagani by Mercedes-Benz AMG and anodized to a gilded fare-thee-well to resemble the Ark of the Covenant. Or even the cockpit with its bionic-Bauhaus sculptures in cut aluminum that make the driver feel like Lucky Starr chasing the Pirates of the Asteroids.

What really makes the Huayra startling is that all of its highly cultivated (and, in some cases, efficaciously questionable) flair pulls together to make a stupendous road car. The level of lateral grip, the triple-digit stability, and the braking and steering control give this Beaux-Arts glamour boat the muscle to mix it up with the cars from Brand F and Brand L. Think Le Mans prototype with carpeting and license-plate mounts.

You feel comfortable in the Huayra. You can see out of it. Even if the gauges with their finely etched numerals aren’t easy to read in daylight, you are going fast very quickly, probing the lofty limits of the chassis’ relentless neutrality as the super-boosted Benz V-12 wheeze-bangs through each terrifying, scenery-smearing blast. This is not an exotic that is best hung on a wall—though it would nicely adorn just about any living room

2013 Volkswagen Up

Instrumented T

Ford once wanted us to spell the name of its doomed electric-car concern as Th!nk. That makes Volkswagen’s mandate of an exclamation point on its “up!” city car seem less grammatically absurd. Still, we’re putting typographic cheekiness aside and rendering it Up.

Cuteness, typographic or otherwise, is the norm in little city runabouts. Invariably, they project a sort of sexless kookiness. But this European-market city car, down one cylinder and more than seven inches of length to a Mini, is a product of typically sober VW. Its comes by its cuteness less overtly. With its 15-inch wheels pushed all the way to the corners, the Up looks improbably simple, as if sketched as a cartoon. Children’s book creator Richard Scarry might have drawn the happy Up, no doubt being driven by a smiling cat wearing lederhosen.

Our smiles while driving the Up weren’t as broad, but we were smitten with its cool charm, its clown-car-like feats of packaging, and its ambience, which is not at all chintzy. It’s a refreshingly honest little box of transportation, which VW won’t bring to the States anytime soon because the car is far too sensible. There’s nothing revolutionary about the Up. It follows the basic blueprint that the original Mini laid down more than a half-century ago. Simply tuck the tiny 74-hp, 999-cc engine into the front pocket of this 2029-pound commuter, and leave the rest to package the flesh of adult humans.

Naturally, the Up is very slow (11.8 seconds to 60 mph), and its skinny tires struggle to hold 0.80 g on the skidpad. But the Up feels nimble, lithe, and unburdened. And this city car isn’t intimidated by interstates, where it is unusually stable and quiet for a squirt. The only econo-car nastiness is the traditional three-cylinder vibration that runs through the primary controls.

The Up returned 36 mpg in mixed driving, splitting the difference between B-segment cars we’ve tested and small hybrids.

At around $14,000, the Up would represent the sort of high-quality, efficient, not-dangerously-slow vehicle that a sensible p­erson might want to drive to work every day. Maybe if VW swapped the “!” part of the badge for “hybrid,” there would be ­sufficient demand here!

2013 Toyota Avalon

In 1994, Toyota wrote a love letter to the AARP and called it Avalon. A stretched Camry, the Avalon replicated the classic American car with a vast rear seat, a column shifter, and a front bench seat. Even the name served up a warm bowl of nostalgia, simultaneously conjuring up the old movie house on Main Street, Hugh Downs, and a backrub from Jessica Tandy. Soft, comfortable, and spacious, the Avalon chased the Big Three right down the big-car rabbit hole.

Toyota is now maintaining that the new, redesigned 2013 Avalon is a car for those who have yet to notice their first liver spot. It’s worth noting that Toyota made that same claim in 2005 after slipping a 3.5-liter V-6 into the contemporary Avalon; we welcomed the extra power, but the car’s soft suspension and casual roll control failed to connect. That didn’t stop us from giving the ’05 Avalon a comparison-test win against some admittedly ineffectual competition. But the recycled claim that this new Avalon isn’t just for old folks may actually hold water: Its chassis has been slipped a Viagra, there’s an emphasis on driver involvement, and the styling marks a clean break from yesteryear’s examples.

Trimmed and Toned

The exterior design seems to borrow from a number of sources, including Hyundai, Lexus, and Infiniti—and its grille placement and shape recalls that of the second-gen Chrysler Sebring—but the net effect is a sedan that doesn’t immediately conjure images of applesauce and cribbage. That’s a good thing. On the driving front, the stiffened suspension keeps body roll in check, and the previous car’s acceleration squat and earth-plowing dive under hard braking are things of the past. The steering now requires effort, and even more weight can be dialed in by hitting the Sport button located between the seats. Jack LaLanne himself would be pleased by the Avalon’s transformation from flabby and sloppy to tight and athletic.

Power remains the same at 268 hp, but muscle was never the Avalon’s problem. The familiar 3.5-liter V-6 and six-speed automatic are standard and carry over from the outgoing car. Paddle shifters are fitted to the top two trims, the Avalon Touring and Limited. The previous car hit 60 mph in 6.6 seconds when we tested it a couple of summers ago, and the new Avalon should easily match or beat that time despite having a taller final-drive ratio because weight is down by approximately 100 pounds, according to Toyota. The structure is stiffer than that of the previous version, too, which has helped make powertrain, suspension, and road noise even more hushed than before—and decidedly Lexus-like. We had a chance to sample new and old models back-to-back, and the latest Avalon feels more modern, more solid, quieter, and more expensive.

Riding in Style

The redesigned interior represents a massive upgrade. Leather upholstery covers the seats in every Avalon, and a vinyl-wrapped dashboard gives the appearance of real hide. Opt for the grey or tan interior and there are contrasting colors throughout. At night, ambient lighting glows out of the base of the dashboard, à la Mercedes-Benz S-class. The Avalon’s 111-inch wheelbase is unchanged, yet rear legroom is down 1.7 inches due to the rear chairs being moved slightly forward to coexist with the sloping, contemporary roofline. Riders will find that the rear seat remains large and comfortable, though; Toyota believes it’s spacious enough to test the waters of the livery market with the new model (orders accepted for black cars only, please).

Buffalo Lender Provides $92.6 Million to TIAA-CREF for Apartment Buy in Washington DC

MassCourt East End luxury apartments, Washington DC

M&T Realty Capital Corp., a wholly-owned subsidiary of 156-year-old Buffalo, NY-based M&T Bank (NYSE: MTB), has loaned New York City-based TIAA-CREF $92.6 million to buy the 371-unit MassCourt East End luxury apartments in the Mount Vernon Triangle neighborhood of Washington, DC.  Terms of the financing were not disclosed in a news release from the Washington office of HFF which arranged the deal.

India's First REIT Raises $81.3 million in Over-Subscribed Issue

Investors in Asia, Europe and the U.S., looking for a vehicle to fight inflation, have over-subscribed India's first real estate investment trust.  Singapore Stock Exchange-listed Ascendas India Trust (a-iTrust) closed when it reached $81.3 million (Singapore $100 million).

The trust was initially looking to raise $70 million Singapore dollars. (One Singapore dollar equals 81 cents US)

The private placement is offering new units in a-Trust. at 72 Singapore cents per unit. The joint placement agents were Citigroup Global Markets Singapore Pte. Ltd and DBS Bank Ltd.

According to the company's statement, the placement saw strong participation from Asian, U.S. and European investors and was about 2.6 times subscribed based on the upsized issue of S$100 million or 139 million New Units. The new units represent 18 per cent of existing units.

The company said the issue price of S$0.72 per new unit represents a discount of 9.2 per cent to the adjusted volume weighted average price (vwap) of S$0.7933 per unit for trades in the units on the SGX-ST for the full Market Day on September 27 and a 22 per cent premium to the net asset value per unit based on a-iTrust's unaudited financial results for the first quarter ending June 30.

An announcement will also be made when the date the new units are expected to be listed on the SGX-ST.

Ascendas India Trust was publicly listed in 2007. This  is the fund's first attempt in issuing a follow-on equity fund raising for its private placement. The money raised through this offer will be used to finance a-iTrust's initiatives, the company said.

a-iTrust is developing Aviator, a 6 lakh square feet multi-tenanted building in International Tech Park Bangalore (ITPB) due for completion in December 2013.

U.S. Construction Market Annualized Spend Rate at $851.6 Billion in September

According to the U.S. Census Bureau of the Department of Commerce, U.S. construction spending during September 2012 was estimated at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $851.6 billion, 0.6 percent (±2.1%) above the revised August estimate of $846.2 billion. The September figure is 7.8 percent (±2.1%) above the September 2011 estimate of $790.3 billion.

During the first 9 months of this year, construction spending amounted to $624.8 billion, 8.9 percent (±1.3%) above the $573.7 billion for the same period in 2011.

Private Construction

Spending on private construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $580.5 billion, 1.3 percent (±1.3%) above the revised August estimate of $572.8 billion. Residential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $285.9 billion in September, 2.8 percent (±1.3%) above the revised August estimate of $278.0 billion. Nonresidential construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $294.6 billion in September, 0.1 percent (±1.3%)* below the revised August estimate of $294.8 billion.

Public Construction

In September, the estimated seasonally adjusted annual rate of public construction spending was $271.1 billion, 0.8 percent (±3.1%) below the revised August estimate of $273.4 billion. Educational construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $66.7 billion, 0.8 percent (±3.6%) below the revised August estimate of $67.2 billion. Highway construction was at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of $78.4 billion, 1.6 percent (±7.4%)* below the revised August estimate of $79.6 billion.

ROAD TEST EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: I was a fan of the first-generation Acura RDX, but it never caught on like its MDX big brother did. Truth is that the previous RDX was too small, featured a harsh ride and wasn't exactly fuel efficient with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine. For a single guy like me who puts a premium on performance and doesn't care so much about fuel economy, it was pretty darn cool. It hustled through turns well, and the turbo really got the little RDX moving. The biggest problem was that it simply didn't sell.
With the arrival of the second-generation RDX, Acura is much better prepared to capture a broader audience. In place of the turbocharged K-series four-cylinder engine is Acura's tried and true 3.5-liter V6 mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. The engine provides good muscle and is among the smoothest drivetrain pairings on the market, in my opinion. And with EPA fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, it's respectably fuel efficient. Oh, and it happens to have 33-hp more than the outgoing turbo four-cylinder powerplant.
Ride quality is also more forgiving. Gone is the borderline jarring ride replaced with a chassis that's capable of taking the edge off of most bumps and potholes. It's not overly cushy and you'll still feel some jolts in the cabin when going over bigger road hazards. Steering is responsive to inputs and feels nice for a small SUV. The brakes are great with firm pedal feedback and strong stopping power.
The interior is also nicer with higher-grade materials and larger dimensions. The back seat is more spacious and the front buckets feature decent support. As in other Acura vehicles, there are a good number of hard buttons on the center stack (but not as many as in the MDX) to control audio, climate and navigation. The ELS audio system sounds rich and doesn't get the credit it deserves, often overshadowed by the Bose and Harmon-Kardon units of the world. The navigation system is easy to use, but the map graphics are in need of an update. While other luxury automakers like Audi have 3D Google Maps graphics, Acura is still rolling along with the same system as in the Wong family's first-generation MDX. I'm also disappointed that this range-topping Tech trim doesn't included blind-spot monitors on this luxury small SUV, while our long-term Mazda CX-5 does.
With those couple of nitpicks aside, the second-generation RDX is very strong redo and the sales numbers are proof. In September alone sales are up almost 120 percent compared to September of 2011. For those who liked the previous car's sporty personality, they won't be too disappointed with the new one because it's still a great handler for the class. But to draw in customers who dismissed the old car, it's grown a little, offers a better ride quality, fuel efficiency, and good value.
NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: The 2013 Acura RDX is a nicely equipped crossover with broad appeal and potential, but it failed to inspire me during my commuter laps. With the sweeping changes for the 2013 model year, however, the brand does seem poised to sell a bunch of them and build on its base.
From this view, the styling was bland, and even the smaller cues like the headlights and creases in the panels didn't really spark my interest. Inside was worse, with dark materials (which usually present well) that made the cabin feel like a cavern. Normally there are too many buttons in Acura's center stack. It seems to be remedied in this vehicle, though the abundance of buttons unfortunately migrated to the steering wheel.
That's the negatives. The RDX is comfortable, offering an elevated driving position and soft yet supportive seats. This was perfect for a stop-and-go-slog into work. With the windows cracked and satellite radio humming, it was a pleasant experience—even as I stared at taillights. The chassis is compliant, and the vehicle handles road imperfections with ease.
The next-generation all-wheel-drive system seems flawless, and credit to Acura for improving something it probably didn't have to; it makes the brand and this vehicle more relevant.
The engine is just OK. The power isn't obvious to the driver, and it doesn't come on until high in the band. No one expects a drag racer, but only a heavy foot and aggressive attitude will make this thing feel even remotely fast. It does add power compared with the turbo four, and the replacement is part of sweeping changes for the '13 model year. Overall, the RDX could attract a wide range of customers, as blandness can also be viewed as universal appeal. Lots of things like leather and heated front seats are standard—making it a solid value. Personally, I'd opt for a different SUV.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR ROGER HART: Two things really stand out for me with the RDX—the engine, and the excellent navigation system. Honda's 3.5-liter V6 is a sweetie, free-revving and fuel efficient. Personally, I like engines with a bit more low-end torque, but the engine works just fine in this configuration. Acura's nav system ranks among the best, in my opinion. It's easy to use, the screen is nice and big, and with real-time nav traffic, it can save you a bunch of time commuting.
As crossovers go, the field is getting pretty crowded, and I'm not sure this would be my first choice. The exterior design is bland, to be kind. And at $40k, I would want more interior space than this vehicle affords.
2013 Acura RDX Tech
Base Price: $40,315
As-Tested Price: $40,315
Drivetrain: 3.5-liter V6; AWD, six-speed automatic
Output: 273 hp @ 6,200 rpm, 251 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,852 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 22/22.6 mpg
Options: None

Jaguar Concept Speedboat complements XF Sportbrake

Jaguar introduced the Concept Speedboat at the drive event for the XF Sportbrake.


On Tuesday Jaguar unveiled a Concept Speedboat at the driving debut of the Europe-only Jaguar XF Sportbrake. Jaguar says it “showcases the design DNA of the manufacturer in a spectacular package.” We think it's another feather in the hat of design-guru Ian Callum.
"We recognize that both our existing and future customers enjoy diverse and active lifestyles. With the launch of the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake, we had an opportunity to create a vision of how our design philosophy might be applied to an alternative product in which speed and beauty are also priorities,” said Callum. "The Concept Speedboat looks powerful. It follows, in so many ways, the idea of a traditional speedboat but with the sleek and fast characteristics that you would expect from a Jaguar car."
Jaguar consulted with Seventy Seven Design on the project. It gets a gel coat, fiberglass hull and is finished with natural teak wood. A carbon-fiber fin, inspired by the Jaguar D-Type, spans the length of the boat. A sharply raked tinted windscreen stretches around the outside. Fuel-filler caps are inspired by the Series 1 XJ.
Jag didn't specify a powertrain for the speedboat, but we'd suggest the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 from the XKR and not the 2.2-liter diesel from the Euro Sportbrake.

Porsche 918 spotted in San Francisco

Carson Chen/Jason Chen
The Porsche 918 hybrid supercar looks just as mean in candid photos as it does in official publicity shots.


We've seen the upcoming Porsche 918 supercar in a variety of paint schemes, and read about it in action everywhere from California's Death Valley to the Nürburgring.
Now, a reader-submitted photo shows a 918, wearing black and white livery and a large “21,” prowling the streets of San Francisco. Autoweek's Mark Vaughn had a hands-on experience with a pair of cars, numbered 12 and 18, undergoing some desert testing, so this likely represents a third car on the roads of the Southwest.
Appearances are a bit deceiving here—what may appear at first glance to be carbon fiber weave on the rear of the car is actually a reflection from the photographer's dashboard. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of composites on the roughly 3,748 pound car. Don't miss our report on all the (speculative) details.
Thanks to Autoweek reader Carson Chen, whose son Jason snapped the photo, for the submission.

57,000 U.S. Foreclosures Completed in September, Says CoreLogic

According to CoreLogic's latest National Foreclosure Report for September, there were 57,000 completed foreclosures in the U.S. in September 2012, down from 83,000 in September 2011 and 59,000 in

August 2012. Prior to the decline in the housing market in 2007, completed foreclosures averaged 21,000 per month between 2000 and 2006. Completed foreclosures are an indication of the total number of homes actually lost to foreclosure. Since the financial crisis began in September 2008, there have been approximately 3.9 million completed foreclosures across the country.

Approximately 1.4 million homes, or 3.3 percent of all homes with a mortgage, were in the national foreclosure inventory as of September 2012 compared to 1.5 million, or 3.5 percent, in September 2011. Month-over-month, the national foreclosure inventory was down 1.1 percent from August 2012 to September 2012. The foreclosure inventory is the share of all mortgaged homes in any stage of the foreclosure process.

"The continuing downward trend in foreclosures along with a gradual clearing of the shadow inventory are signs of stabilization and improvement in the housing market," said Anand Nallathambi, president and CEO of CoreLogic. "Increasingly improving market conditions and industry and government policy are allowing distressed homeowners to pursue refinancing, loan modifications or short sales rather than foreclosures."

"Homes lost to foreclosure in September 2012 are down 50 percent since the peak month in September 2010 and 22 percent less than the beginning of the year," said Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic. "While there is significant progress to be made before returning to pre-crisis levels, the trend is in the right direction as short sales, up 27 percent year over year in August, continue to gain popularity."

Highlights as of September 2012 include:

• The five states with the highest number of completed foreclosures for the 12 months ending in September 2012 were: California (108,000), Florida (92,000), Texas (59,000), Georgia (55,000) and Michigan (51,000). These five states account for 47.7 percent of all completed foreclosures nationally.

• The five states with the lowest number of completed foreclosures for the 12 months ending in September 2012 were: South Dakota (20), District of Columbia (58), Hawaii (436), North Dakota (583) and Maine (625).

• The five states with the highest foreclosure inventory as a percentage of all mortgaged homes were: Florida (11.5 percent), New Jersey (7.3 percent), New York (5.3 percent), Illinois (5.2 percent) and Nevada (4.9 percent).

• The five states with the lowest foreclosure inventory as a percentage of all mortgaged homes were: Wyoming (0.5 percent), Alaska (0.7 percent), North Dakota (0.7 percent), Nebraska (0.9 percent) and South Dakota (1.1 percent).

Russia's Commercial Real Estate Market Reviving Slowly

Without citing specific figures, the Voice of Russia states the commercial real estate market in the country is slowly reviving but has a long way to go.  Office space, especially, is in demand but supply is low.

CBRE Russia predicts the market should begin recovery by the end of this year following a sharp economic downturn in the country.

Knight Frank forecasts office rents will begin to rise by the end of this year due to limited delivery of new space.

The Voice of Russia notes the commercial real estate market was among those hit particularly hard by the 2008 world financial crisis,

Growth prospects in Russia  are "significantly impeded by uncertainty surrounding the European debt crisis worries, with investors clearly focusing on prime property and risk avoidance," the Voice of Russia reports.

"Along with this trend, the volume of transactions on the commercial real estate market in the UK and Germany this year far exceeds that of other European states."

The Voice of Russia concedes  "the country's office space segment can hardly be called a 'safe haven' due to its ever-present cloud of volatility. At times of economic instability, foreign companies strive to shed all non-core operations, making it unrealistic to expect any sizable expansion of their presence in the country."

The Voice of Russia cites CBRE data that show in 2012 only 20% of investments in Russian commercial real estate market came from abroad, while 80% has a domestic origin.

Valentin Gavrilov, research director at CBRE Russia, told the Voice of Russia by  phone, "The main problems are volatility and lack of investment grade assets in Russia currently. One emerging trend that we see is related to foreign investors' readiness to enter projects on early stages of construction. They are trying to develop high quality properties themselves, rather than search for completed assets."

Gavrilov added, "The process allows us to speculate about a transition that is presently happening in this segment. As a result, foreign players become more accustomed to building high grade objects themselves with the aim to either sell them later on, or keep them for investment purposes."

2013 Land Rover Range Rover The luxury SUV heavyweight now treads more lightly.

So what you really  want to know is how it feels to drive a Range Rover with nobody in it. Compared with the outgoing Range Rover, that’s how this new one should feel: empty, unladen. By building what it describes as the world’s first SUV with an all-aluminum unibody, Land Rover has cut a claimed 700 pounds from its flagship; that’s the mass of five average-size Europeans or 4.1 Americans.
Can you feel the difference? Definitely. This new model is a milestone in industry efforts to arrest the death-spiral of ever-increasing weight, complexity, and consumption that has afflicted the SUV more than most. Automakers’ hands might have been forced by public opinion and fierce governmental fuel-economy and emissions rules, but let’s not argue with the result: better cars for us to drive. And few demonstrate the myriad benefits of making a vehicle lighter and stiffer as dramatically as Land Rover has with this new Range Rover.
Although ownership now rests with India’s Tata Motors and the very element from which it’s crafted has changed, this remains a Range Rover, true to a clear, bright set of styling and engineering principles that have been followed consistently since 1970. Successfully, too. In its last full year of production, the 10-year-old outgoing model defied the usually immutable laws of automotive sales gravity by posting an astonishing 21-percent global sales increase.
Land Rover wasn’t going to mess with that formula, and it hasn’t. Despite the diet, it’s still the ultimate luxury off-roader—dispatching challenging terrain, dispatched to nights at the opera. And it still hews to design attributes that have always made driving one a distinctive experience: the throne-like, command driving position; the squared-off, castellated front corners; the clamshell hood; the side gills; and the flying body-colored roof.
It’s all there in the new one, of course, and it looks good in aluminum. But the styling—overseen by design director and chief creative officer Gerry McGovern—doesn’t have quite the impact of the previous model, either by comparison with its peers or in its simple physical presence. The old car looked as bluff and upright as the White Cliffs of Dover. Here’s a gentler, softer, more sculpted, less arrogant Range Rover. It’s also the most aerodynamic version ever, though that’s hardly saying much.

Law Firm Office Expansions Occurring in Asia and North Africa, Driven By High-Growth Economies

Tom Carroll

According to Jones Lang LaSalle's Global Law Firm Perspectives 2012, strong economic growth in emerging markets is driving law firm office expansions across the Asia Pacific and Africa regions.

"Law firm real estate trends vividly illustrate current global economic polarization," explained Tom Carroll, Director - Corporate Research, Jones Lang LaSalle. "While firms focus their sights on high growth emerging markets in Asia and Africa, a tenant favorable market will continue in North America and much of Europe for quite some time."

The JLL report reveals the following key worldwide legal industry real estate trends:

• A Return to growth via economic cross pollination - Larger multi-national firms are breaking their years of caution, as emerging market expansion returns to the agenda. Growth in emerging markets is driven by firms based in mature markets such as the U.S. and Western Europe, which want to be geographically aligned with the high growth economies in the Asia/Pacific, Middle East and Africa regions. For example, the growth of Western business interests in China has spurred law firm growth in Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong.

• Corporate outsourcing driving demand - Multi-national corporations are outsourcing more legal work, driving demand for legal services typically provided from low-cost locations.

• Law firm M&A shaping cities - Western law firms are partnering with local firms in emerging markets to serve expanding corporate clients, while cross-border M&A activity is also on the agenda.  For example, in Morocco, Bird & Bird formed an alliance in Casablanca with El Amari & Associes, a legal services provider. Additionally, a cluster of M&A activity has occurred with Australian firms as U.S. and U.K. firms seek to expand their presence in the region.

• Germany progressing - Emerging as an IP litigation center and continuing its economic leadership, German cities like Hamburg and Munich are welcoming new firms and office expansions.

• New workplace strategies: lease expirations drive focus on productivity - In North America and Europe, firms are using less office space per attorney, deploying new workplace strategies designed to drive productivity and efficiency, often prompted by lease expirations.

Variable Rental Rate Cycles

"In global markets, law firm rents are influenced more by overall market conditions than by legal industry trends," explained Carroll. "Many markets are recovering economically, but still offer low rents because the market cycle has yet to drive rate increases."  Incentives (or lack thereof) can vary from market-to-market as well.

For example, consider the following contrasts:

• In Hong Kong, tenants are incentivized with an average of 2-3 months' free rent; in Tokyo, the number is 9-12 months free.

• In Melbourne, where the Class A vacancy rate sits at a comparatively low 6 percent, average prime gross rents come in at A$517 per square meter. Yet in Sydney, with a higher 9.3 percent Class A vacancy rate, rents remain much higher than Melbourne's at A$925 per square meter, thanks in part to higher underlying property values.

Richard Proctor

"Rents are highly variable city-to-city, even within the same region or country," said Richard Proctor, Head of Central London Tenant Representation and Lead Director, EMEA Law Firm Practice, Jones Lang LaSalle. "Firms can find deals where rents are just beginning to rise, but remain close to the market bottom. It is critical for law firms to apply their forensic skills to their real estate portfolios to achieve an optimal outcome."

Tenant mix influences market trends

"'As go law firms, so goes the office market' is a sound guiding principal for North America," explains Elizabeth Cooper, Jones Lang LaSalle International Director and co-chair of the firm's law firm practice. "In contrast, anchor tenants in Europe, Asia and North Africa are more likely to be corporations, so law firm trends are not market-movers in quite the same way." In the U.S., law firms lease, on average, more than 15 percent of Class A office space in urbanized markets. In contrast, only two cities outside North America show law firms leasing more than 10 percent of Class A office space in the central business district."

The study, an annual barometer of law firm real estate trends around the world, characterizes a performance gap between advanced and emerging economies-and a renewed interest from large law firms in bridging that gap.

Investors See Bargains in Depressed Greek Real Estate

Athens, Greece

Real estate, and especially commercial real estate, is beginning to play a strong role in the economic recovery of Greece, according to brokers, bankers and consultants in Athens and London.

One big reason is the coalition government led by conservative Prime Minister Antonis Samaras that came to power in June has impressed some investors. Samaras promised to do everything needed to keep bailout funds flowing, easing fears of bankruptcy and leaving the Euro zone.

Even German Chancellor Angela Merkel, who calls the shots on bailout programs for sick Euro zone members, has eased her former position on allowing Greece to default on its debt.  Other Euro zone members may be following Merkel's position.

Dimitris Manoussakis, head of the Athens office of real estate consultant Savills, recently told the media the Greek government's new stance in selling state assets, including real estate as a condition of its bailout over the next several months, may start to convince some investors they will be getting a fair price on property transactions.

Greek investors, especially those living abroad, are becoming interested again in commercial property like hotels and retail, with demand even coming from the US, South Africa and Australia. Six months ago, that same interest was lacking, according to global real estate analysts.

Those potential investors are eyeing bargain prices as their incentive to step back into the market. Those same investors, however, abandoned the country when its economy was faltering and took much of their cash with them.

Reuters reported Kostas Kazolides, a London-based investor who has been investing in and advising on property deals in Greece and Cyprus for 35 years, recently said "There are deals that (once) didn't make sense but do now as the outside world takes the government more seriously."

He added, "People are talking about going back in and buying. There are villas in Mykonos going at 30 percent of their value because sellers are feeling the pinch." A 30 percent fall in construction costs was another incentive.

Data from Lipper, a Thomson Reuters company that tracks the funds industry, shows the amount of money flowing out of Greek equity funds is slower in 2012 than previous years and turned positive in August.

Federal Suit Alleges Bank of America 'Hustled' U.S. Agencies for Billions

Bank of America, no stranger to billion-dollar lawsuits, today faces another one - a $1 billion suit from the Justice Department.  The Oct. 24 complaint alleges the New York City-based bank fraudulently sold defective mortgages to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac that triggered over $1 billion in losses for taxpayers and thousands of foreclosures.

The suit alleges the fraud was committed from at least 2008 through 2009.

In a prepared statement, the Justice Department said this is the first case involving Fannie and Freddie, which were the major purchasers of mortgage securities from commercial banks like Bank of America.

Huge mortgage losses at Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac forced a government takeover of both in September 2008. The two government sponsored enterprises (GSEs) were placed into federal conservatorship.

In his statement, Preet Bharara, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York alleges Bank of America's fraudulent scheme was commonly known inside the bank as "the Hustle."

The suit alleges "the Hustle" was a nickname for the bank's "High-Speed Swim Lane," or HSSL program, designed to streamline the mortgage origination process. Instead, the government alleges it was "intentionally designed to process loans at high speed and without quality checkpoints, and generated thousands of fraudulent and otherwise defective residential mortgage loans."

The government says the program was started by mortgage lender Countrywide Financial, but continued after Countrywide was purchased by Bank of America in 2008. The fraud ran through 2009, the suit alleges.

"For the sixth time in less than 18 months, this office has been compelled to sue a major U.S. bank for reckless mortgage practices in the lead-up to the financial crisis," Bharara said in his statement. "The fraudulent conduct alleged in today's complaint was spectacularly brazen in scope."

Bank of America (NYSE: BAC) agreed to an $8.5 billion settlement last year in which it paid other investors burned by fraudulent mortgage securities. Those investors included money manager BlackRock (NYSE: BLK), insurer MetLife (NYSE: MET), investment management firm PIMCO and Goldman Sachs (NYSE: GS)

German Office Property Sales Up 50% in Last Nine Months

A relatively stable economic and employment status in Germany has generated office property sales of $8.22 billion (6.27 billion euros) over the last nine months, according to data researched by BNP Paribas SA's German real estate division.

In a prepared statement, the Paris-based bank said the sales surge was 50 percent higher than the comparable 2011 period and more than posted sales for all of the last five years. Berlin and Munich were investors' favorite buying locations.

The BNP statement noted office investments rose 172 percent in Berlin and 138 percent in Munich, Germany's most expensive city for workplace properties. But investments in Hamburg, Cologne and Dusseldorf declined.

"Safety-oriented investors see good conditions here due to the relatively stable economic and employment situation," Sven Stricker, head of investment at BNP Paribas Real Estate GmbH, said in his company's statement.  "Office investments have a good medium-term outlook, assuming the euro crisis doesn't escalate."

Investors are seeking a safe haven as they fear the euro zone's sovereign-debt crisis will worsen, Stricker said.

The German government predicts the country's economy will grow 0.8 percent this year. The German economy is Europe's largest. The economies of the 17 nations that share the euro are together forecasting a contraction of 0.4 percent, according to the European Central Bank

Outdoor Recreation' States Remain Top U.S. Travel Destinations; Gambling and Sports Related Travel Down in 2012

While the most popular U.S. states retained their tourist appeal this year ( Florida, California, Hawaii, N.Y. and Alaska) among American travelers, the allure of several other domestic destinations has increased.

For example, Louisiana, Michigan, Oregon and Washington, D.C., were the beneficiaries of increased tourism, while states like Alaska, Hawaii, Arizona and Tennessee saw slight decreases in interest.  At least that's what travel experts at MMGY Global/Harrison Group learned during their newly released survey, "2012 Portrait of American Travelers."

Meanwhile, many destinations that feature outdoor recreation now enjoy a statistically significant rise in interest - namely mountain areas such as the Utah mountain resorts, Lake Tahoe (Calif. and Nev.), Gatlinburg (Tenn.), and Pocono Mountains (Pa.). Coastal spots like the Mississippi and Florida Gulf coasts, Atlantic City (N.J.), the Outer Banks (N.C.) and South Carolina shoreline also showed rising tourism interest.

According to MMGY/Global Harrison Group, other destinations with rising popularity are those that offer unique visitor experiences such as historic Colonial Williamsburg (Va.) and St. Augustine (Fla.), wine-focused Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley (Calif.) and glitzy hotspot Las Vegas (Nev.).

International destinations with rising interest in visitation include Africa, the Middle East and Oceania (Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands, etc.). However, fewer U.S. travelers are interested in international trips overall, dropping to nine percent of all leisure travelers today compared with 11 percent last year.

2012 Buick Verano Review

This 2012 Buick Verano review will provide you with some of the features and specifications of this new car, in order to help you decide if this is the 2012 car that you should invest in.
First and foremost, the 2012 Buick Verano is available in three different trim levels, which starts with the Base Model, then the Convenience Group 2, and finally the Leather Group. The Base Model is equipped with IntelliLink smartphone connectivity by Buick; auxiliary audio jack; iPod/USB interface; satellite radio; 6-speaker sound system and CD player, along with OnStar telematics; Bluetooth (audio streaming and phone); touch screen display (7-inches); telescoping and tilt steering wheel; spilt folding rear seats; cloth upholstery; auto climate control (dual zone); full power accessories; remote ignition; keyless entry; cruise control; fog lights; and alloy wheels (18-inches).
On the other hand, the Convenience Group 2 features: driver’s seat that is power adjustable; auto dimming rearview mirror; sensors for rear parking; and side view mirrors that are heated. The Leather Model is equipped with: 9-speaker Bose audio upgrade; leather upholstery; heated front seats; heated steering wheel; and keyless entry/ignition. You have the option of adding a navigation system or sunroof; however, these options are not available on the Base Model.

2012 GMC Yukon Hybrid Review

Like Germany, Home Prices Al

Chevy Tahoe Hybrid and its counterpart the GMC Yukon Hybrid were the first automobiles to use the innovative two-mode powertrain hybrid industrialized together with General Motors followed by BMW and the past DaimlerChrysler. This SUV that is full-size launched a new class of larger automobiles that are considerably greener than the versions that are gas-powered.
Presented with either four or two wheel drive, two trim levels are available. The foundation Yukon Hybrid the 2WD model price has a starting of $51,610; the 4WD starts at $54,420. The Yukon Denali Hybrid 2WD is lavishly appointed and it starts at $58,925 and $61,770 for the 4WD. There are no major changes to the Yukon Hybrid for model year 2012, the only changes were a radio that has a USB port, the ability to record broadcast audio an and updated touch-screen navigation.
Powertrain
The GM’s 6-liter Vortec V8 with a technology that deactivates the cylinder is the core of Tahoe Hybrid’s powertrain. In simpler terms, what the engine does is shut down from four up to eight of its cylinders when it senses that the added power is not required. This is a fuel saver. Further from the engine, below the second-row seats you find a 300-volt battery that is hidden. Within the transmission the automobile’s two electric motors are housed.

This hybrid system is capable of running in one of two detached modes which contribute to the vehicle operating at peak efficiency, hence “two-mode hybrid” as the name suggest. Low-impact driving, for low-speed, the powertrain works similar to other hybrids; which means it halts the gasoline engine where feasible so that it can draw power from either both or one of its electric motors. Commonly for highway driving the second mode is mostly used, and at this time both or one electric motors may run simultaneously alongside the V8 engine so as to provide a boost to power. The key to the entire system is the two-mode transmission, which tries to sustain the engine operating at the rpm’s optimum for low fuel use. Basically, it accomplishes a harmonizing act between the electric motors and the engine. Also it is accountable for keeping the transitions practically seamless between the two modes.
This entire advance in technology has resulted in an improvement of 25-percent in the economy’s overall fuel above the gas-powered Yukon hybrid’s counterpart. 40-percent improvement in city driving is even more impressive.

Like Germany, Home Prices Also Rising in Austria

Austrians, wary of the Eurozone financial crisis, are placing their bets and their money these days in residential real estate. Like neighboring Germany, prices are rising in Austria, especially in the fabled city of Vienna.

Select Property, an international residential broker based in London, notes the outskirts of Vienna have shown an increased demand for property which is driving up the prices.

"People know that they can get a larger property with more living space for the same amount of money that you would pay for something much smaller in the city," according to the brokerage.

This has made for some dramatic increases in prices with apartments in Wiener Neustadt rising by 25 percent year-on-year and houses in Korneuburg increasing by an average of 17 percent.

The Mariahilf district in Vienna saw the average price per square meter rise to €4100 a rise of 16 percent.

Buy-to-rent property investors will also benefit from the slight increase in rental prices, which rose by 1.6 percent for the first six months of the year on an annual basis, the brokerage says.

Other areas which saw real estate price increases were Penzing where prices rose by 35 percent against 2011 and the suburban areas saw rises between 10 and 30 percent.

Select Property's Alexander Ertler said: "The fear over losing money through inflation and mistrust in the financial markets is encouraging increasing numbers of Austrians to invest and try and find security in the property market."

Financing, Eurozone Troubles Slow Real Estate Investments in Romania

Bucharest, Romania

Commercial real estate transactions in Romania are almost nowhere to be seen. CB Richard Ellis reports two first-half deals were valued at EUR 55 million ($70.3 million U.S.) That valuation was the lowest in Romania in the past six years.

The two transactions were the sale of the Nokia plant in Cluj to household producer De†Longhi, and theTimisoara-based City Business Center compound, acquired by the South African-registered investment fund NEPI.

Romania still remains an attractive market in terms of real estate transactions but the lack of financing and the Euro zone turmoil "have raised the investment risk and quelled investment appetite," reports The Diplomat Media Group in Bucharest .

In the Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) region, Russia and Poland registered the highest investment volume.

Office segment yields in Romania stabilized to 8 percent, while retail notched up 8.75 percent for commercial centers and 10.25 percent for storehouses, according to CBRE.

By comparison, in Warsaw, prime yields in office are at 6.25 percent, while on the industrial segment the figure is 7 percent. Retail in the Polish capital has an estimated prime yield of 6 percent. Similar values are registered in Prague and Budapest.

In the first half of 2012, Russia posted over EUR 900 million of transactions and Poland over EUR 800 million. The Czech Republic, in comparison, saw a transaction volume of EUR 180 million at six months. (1 euro = $1.2785 U.S.)

Residentual-Home-Construction.jpg Homebuilders across the U.S. are happy today, and for good reason. According to newly released stats from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau, sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 5.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 389,000 units in September. This is the fastest sales pace recorded since April of 2010. "Combined with consistent, positive reports on housing starts, permits, prices and builder confidence in recent months, today's data provides further confirmation that a gradual but steady housing recovery is underway across much of the nation," said Barry Rutenberg, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Gainesville, Fla. "Consumers who have been on the sidelines during the past few years are deciding now is the time to go forward with a new-home purchase, assuming they can qualify for a good mortgage under today's exceedingly stringent guidelines."

Homebuilders across the U.S. are happy today, and for good reason.

According to newly released stats from HUD and the U.S. Census Bureau, sales of newly built, single-family homes rose 5.7 percent to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 389,000 units in September. This is the fastest sales pace recorded since April of 2010.

"Combined with consistent, positive reports on housing starts, permits, prices and builder confidence in recent months, today's data provides further confirmation that a gradual but steady housing recovery is underway across much of the nation," said Barry Rutenberg, chairman of the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) and a home builder from Gainesville, Fla. "Consumers who have been on the sidelines during the past few years are deciding now is the time to go forward with a new-home purchase, assuming they can qualify for a good mortgage under today's exceedingly stringent guidelines."

2012 Jaguar XK Review

Jaguar is a self defined brand which is a synonym for perfection, opulence and grandness. The 2012 Jaguar XK review will give you an insight over the changes of the latest version of the car. Once you take a look, this automobile is pretty big, sharp and has well defined curves which can even put human body to fall in shame. A 5.0L AJ-V8 engine complements its racy look and well to do interiors.
The 2012 Jaguar XK review also includes the physical appearance and other signs. The model has the iron covers in the exchange for the aluminum, and the horsepower from 385 to 510. The jaguar XK can be changed by the six speed, automatic Paddle shift and it goes from 0 to 60 mph in 4.2 seconds. Its economy is enhanced by the light aluminum body which also marks the best for this type of car.
The 2012 Jaguar XK Review is the first thing to be read when the new or advanced version is out. Different from the last version the cars interior makes you feel the luxury and comfort of the Jaguar cabin. You can have 11 different types of alloy wheel in size of 18 to 20 inches. The car provides an optional side graphics and incorporates Spray Guided Direct Injection and Dual independent cam timing.
This version has fuel mapping and revised active exhaust which further enhances the powerful drive of the Jaguar. Its top speed is 186mph and has high efficiency by emitting only 292 g/km of CO2. The gear box is the six speed automatic box which steering buttons to handle and control other sequences in the car. This has the latest technology of the adaptive dynamic strategy which contradicts the traditional trade off between the ride and the handling of the car.
The interiors are pretty smooth and absolute luxury. Great space and must have climate control, sun control and rear window power buttons; it is all inclusive of the monitoring of wheel position every second, the driver can shift the mode with dynamic mode to increase control and reduce gear shift times. The 2012 Jaguar XK review also tells you about its active differential control technology which helps to drive the car with precision and keep a control at the edges but also at the middle.
The car interiors are done with carbon pattern leather with contrast stitches. it has central seven inch touch screen is equally interactive and helps the driver to connect via the Bluetooth, USB connectivity and satellite navigation. Truly, it has a class of its own!

2012 Hyundai ElantraThe Elantra was completely redesigned last year, getting rid of its unattractive, non-descript style, and now looks so much more attractive with its coupe-like roof line and its fluid curves. It now really looks good; like a car you would be very proud to own. Albeit looks are important in a car; this 2012 Hyundai Elantra review will look at more than just the visuals of the car, but also on how it functions and performs. The 1.8 litre engine is quite powerful for this class of vehicle, and it comes with extremely good fuel economy that its counterparts have to add high-efficiency packages to achieve. The even better news is that the 2012 Hyundai Elantra comes with still more improvement with respect to its fuel economy with their new system called the Active Eco. When this mode is selected by the driver, the car’s automatic transmission shift points and throttle response are attuned to improve the fuel economy by about seven percent. Consequently though, the vehicle is now a little slower when the mode has been selected. The cabin’s interior comes with a bold dashboard design, as well controls that are very simple to use. Albeit they do not have the finest quality materials overall, the materials that are used in this vehicle is still of great quality. The cabin is spacious, and there are many options available for the consumer that helps with the comfort of the car. There are also a number of electronic features as well. The 2012 Hyundai Elantra is quite well-built, fuel efficient, comfortable, attractive, very equipped, and also has a great warranty as well. Albeit competitors such as Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Focus and Chevrolet Cruze offer consumers very good choices, we still endorse the Elantra as the top choice in its class. On addition to the foregoing, the 2012 Hyundai Elantra also comes with fifteen inch steel wheels, heated mirrors, keyless entry, full power accessories, a trip computer, a sound system that has 6 speakers with a CD player, a satellite radio, as well as an auxiliary audio jack, the height-adjustable driver’s seat, a sixty/forty split-folding rear seat. 2012 Hyundai Elantra rear back2012 Hyundai Elantra interior With the GLS comfort package, there are sixteen inch steel wheels, solar glass, air-conditioning, tilt and telescoping steering wheel. In addition, when it comes with an automatic transmission, it also comes with Active Eco System. The proffered package comes with alloy wheels of sixteen inches, upgraded interior trim, illuminated vanity mirrors, Bluetooth, fog lamps and sliding front centre armrest.

The Elantra was completely redesigned last year, getting rid of its unattractive, non-descript style, and now looks so much more attractive with its coupe-like roof line and its fluid curves. It now really looks good; like a car you would be very proud to own.
Albeit looks are important in a car; this 2012 Hyundai Elantra review will look at more than just the visuals of the car, but also on how it functions and performs. The 1.8 litre engine is quite powerful for this class of vehicle, and it comes with extremely good fuel economy that its counterparts have to add high-efficiency packages to achieve. The even better news is that the 2012 Hyundai Elantra comes with still more improvement with respect to its fuel economy with their new system called the Active Eco. When this mode is selected by the driver, the car’s automatic transmission shift points and throttle response are attuned to improve the fuel economy by about seven percent.  Consequently though, the vehicle is now a little slower when the mode has been selected.
The cabin’s interior comes with a bold dashboard design, as well controls that are very simple to use.  Albeit they do not have the finest quality materials overall, the materials that are used in this vehicle is still of great quality.  The cabin is spacious, and there are many options available for the consumer that helps with the comfort of the car.  There are also a number of electronic features as well.
The 2012 Hyundai Elantra is quite well-built, fuel efficient, comfortable, attractive, very equipped, and also has a great warranty as well. Albeit competitors such as Honda Civic, Mazda 3, Focus and Chevrolet Cruze offer consumers very good choices, we still endorse the Elantra as the top choice in its class.
On addition to the foregoing, the 2012 Hyundai Elantra also comes with fifteen inch steel wheels, heated mirrors, keyless entry, full power accessories, a trip computer, a sound system that has 6 speakers with a CD player, a satellite radio, as well as an auxiliary audio jack, the height-adjustable driver’s seat, a sixty/forty split-folding rear seat.

With the GLS comfort package, there are sixteen inch steel wheels, solar glass, air-conditioning, tilt and telescoping steering wheel.  In addition, when it comes with an automatic transmission, it also comes with Active Eco System. The proffered package comes with alloy wheels of sixteen inches, upgraded interior trim, illuminated vanity mirrors, Bluetooth, fog lamps and sliding front centre armrest.

Wyndham to Open First Hotel in Bahrain

Wyndham Grand Manama, Bahrain

Bahrain is getting its first Wyndham Hotel. The new five-star Wyndham Grand Collection hotel will be part of a 50-story mixed used architectural landmark in Bahrain Bay.

Bahrain Bay Development B.S.C. is a $2.5 billion waterfront district designed around vibrant neighborhoods of residential, commercial and retail spaces.

Set in this unique new development, the Wyndham Grand Manama will face the World Trade Centre, just a short distance from Bahrain Financial Harbour, making it well placed to cater to business as well as leisure travelers.

Wyndham Hotel Group recently confirmed plans for the first Wyndham Grand property in Bahrain following the signing of an agreement with Cooperation Investment House SPC to manage its prestigious  hotel  property.

Currently under development in the city of Manama, the Wyndham Grand Manama is expected to open by the end of next year with more than 260 spacious guest rooms ranging from 46 to 120 square meters (approximately 495 to 1,290 square feet). Covering 14 floors of a 50-story mixed use development, it will also comprise 500 square meters (nearly 5,400 square feet) of meeting space and a 900-square-meter ballroom (equivalent to nearly 9,700 square feet) on the building's top floor, offering stunning sea views.

Complemented by indoor and outdoor infinity swimming pools and separate health clubs for men and women, the development will also include five food and beverage outlets catering to a variety of tastes.

Upon opening, the hotel will join the Wyndham Grand Collection, an ensemble of distinguished hotels within the upscale Wyndham Hotels and Resorts brand. Wyndham Hotel Group, the world's largest hotel company with over 7,170 hotels, is part of Wyndham Worldwide Corporation (NYSE: WYN).

 "This is an incredibly dynamic and exciting development," said Bani Haddad, regional vice president Middle East & Africa, Wyndham Hotel Group. "Each Wyndham Grand hotel takes in some of the flavor of its destination and this modern, cosmopolitan setting will be reflected in the hotel along with historical Bahraini influences. It is a fantastic setting and a great property for this distinguished collection."

The Wyndham Grand Manama will face the World Trade Centre, just a short distance from Bahrain Financial Harbour, making it well placed to cater to business as well as leisure travelers.

"We are delighted and honored to work with Wyndham Hotel Group on the first Wyndham Grand hotel in Bahrain," said Ahmed AlQaed, managing director, Cooperation Investment House SPC. "By combining the Wyndham brand's authentic hospitality and high-quality service with modern corporate office spaces in one magnificent development at this prime location, we believe we are creating the best tourist and business destination this area will offer."

This will only be the third Wyndham Grand in Europe and the Middle East. The other two properties are the Wyndham Grand Regency Doha in Qatar and Wyndham Grand London Chelsea Harbour in the U.K.

Coeur D'Alene, a Paradise in the Panhandle

The Coeur D'Alene Resort sits at the foot of the lake. (Photo courtesy Coeur D'Alene Chamber of Commerce)

Coeur D'Alene is special. And you can see it the moment you turn off Highway 90 from Spokane.

To your left lies a little town with cobbled sidewalks and gas-lit streetlamps and green awnings and red-brick storefronts, behind which lie attractive little shops, eateries, and galleries. In front of you, shooting up into a clear azure sky, lies Coeur D'Alene Resort, one of the Northwest's premier resorts. And to your right lies an ice-blue alpine lake, from which rise 7,000 foot- mountains covered in deep-green forest.

Tucked up in the Idaho Panhandle, about 90 miles south of Canada, Coeur D'Alene is one of the prettiest towns in the Northwest. And the lake upon which it sits - Lake Coeur D'Alene - has 125 miles of shoreline.

Coeur D'Alene means "Heart of the Awl," a reference by early French traders to the earrings worn by the native Salishan people. And the Heart of the Awl is situated amidst a setting that no doubt took these French traders' breath away.

More than 125 miles of bays and inlets...(Photo courtesy Coeur D'Alene Chamber of Commerce)

On a sunset cruise with Lake Coeur D'Alene Cruises, you'll explore quiet bays and lagoons, some with magnificent, Western mansions several stories high. And you'll see the sun go down - not until after ten in summer - behind mountain ridges that it sprinkles with reds and purples and oranges and pinks.

At the foot of downtown is Tubbs Hill, a mini-mountain jutting out into the lake, which seems to offer stunning views around every turn. People come here to hike, rock-climb, picnic on one of the ledges overlooking the lake, row, sail, canoe, or kayak. And speaking of kayaking, if you take one out, you'll see bald eagles and ospreys flying overhead. And you'll explore isolated little coves where the only sound is that of your oars.

There are some cool surprises in this small town. . For example, Northern Idaho is not a place you'd associate with great olive oil - which makes a visit to Coeur D'Alene Olive Oil Company all the more interesting. And Coeur D'Alene Cellars produces distinctive syrahs, cabernet sauvignons, and chardonnays, all of which you can sample at their Barrel Room #6, an atmospheric wine bar that also serves local micro-brews.

About a half-hour outside of town is one of the most unusual mountain-biking experiences in the world. Situated in the Bitterroot Mountains at the Idaho-Montana border, at the Lookout Pass Ski Area, "The Route of the Hiawatha" is a long-abandoned railroad track (named after the "Hiawatha," which ran from the Northwest to Milwaukee) through a series of tunnels and 1,000-foot high wooden trestles. The longest of the ten tunnels is almost two miles long...and you can't see more than a foot or two in front of you! (In fact, you have to be looking very carefully even to see the Idaho/Montana marker on the border.) When you're out of the tunnels, and riding on the old wooden trestles, you'll see spectacular views deep into Montana.

The Route of the Hiawatha (Photo courtesy Coeur D'Alene Chamber of Commerce)

After your adventure, you can relax back in your room at the Coeur D'Alene Resort...which probably has a breathtaking view of the lake. Newly-renovated, the resort has luxurious guestrooms, three good restaurants and an elegant bar, and, believe it or not, a float-plane service operating from its dock (as well as the aforementioned Lake Coeur D'Alene Cruises). The Coeur D'Alene Resort also boasts a golf course (accessible by mahogany boat) with the only movable floating green in the world.

When you look out your window at the resort, you'll know why the owners of those Western mansions built homes here.

2012 Volvo XC90 Review

A vehicle that places the priority on comfort, safety and passenger space over off-road capabilities is the luxury crossover, the 2012 Volvo XC90.  The vehicle is packed with features and it can accommodate as much as seven; however, it has an interior look that is quite dated as well as lackluster fuel economy, these drawbacks cause is not to be leading in its class in every respect.
The XC90 from Volvo was among the very first luxury crossover that was carlike when it reached the market in 2003; however, the appearance has not changed a great deal ever since that time.  Except for one slight refresh, the vehicle carries through with its broad-shouldered, smooth exterior design that still looks great from a distance.  Inside of the XC90 is looking rather dated given that it is representative of Volvo’s design direction prior to it going for layouts that are more minimalist as well as thin panel controls, which you will discover in the XC60 and S60, among others models.
The Volvo XC90 executes as well as you may be expecting from a crossover that is family-oriented; there is lots of power provided by the 3.2 liters six-cylinder engine, the six-speed automatic as well as the 240-horsepower and it is quite impressive.  However, the Volvo XC90 is just not a great deal fun to drive; mostly it is as a result of the detached feeling of the steering wheel, even though fast movements are safe and sound.

The 2012 Volvo XC90 is equipped with three rows of seating, it can accommodate as much as seven and it is a good substitute for either a minivan or the SUVs that are more truck-like.   Volvo has developed a reputation for exceptional seats and that has been carried over in the XC90; the seats are comfortable, supportive and worthy to drive around in all day.  The third row of the XC90 can be difficult to get to for adults, the smallest kids will have no trouble though; however, the second row has a comfortable feel and it is shaped for adults.  The seating position for everyone feels a bit more carlike and relaxed in comparison to that of other crossovers.  If the third row is kept down, generally you will have a whole lot of space for bigger grocery runs.  The ride quality is outstanding since there is less side-to-side motion and pitchiness than in a number of other crossovers.

2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara Review

n this 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara review, you will be provided with some of the details of this newly released vehicle. The 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara features a 4-cylinder, 2.4 liter inline that is capable of producing 162 pound feet of torque and 166 horsepower. All of the base models feature a 5-speed manual transmission, while the other versions have a 4-speed automatic transmission. All the vehicles in the lineup have RWD as standard; however, 4WD is on all the trim levels, with the exception of the base. On the Limited Edition, the 4WD also includes low range gearing.
In the test of the performance of the Grand Vitara, the RWDs took 10.2 seconds to achieve 60mph. The estimates of the EPA for the fuel economy of the Grand Vitara are less than the best. The RWD models had an estimated 22mpg highway, 19mpg city and a combination of 22mpg; on the other hand, the 4WD models returned 23/19/20.
This 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara review will now cover some of the features of this new vehicle:

• Safety – The Grand Vitara has standard safety features such as: side airbags for the front seats; side curtain airbags (full length); antilock disc brakes; and traction and stability control. In testing, the Grand Vitara only required 110 feet to make a stop from 60mph.

• Special Features and Interior Design – The 5-passenger interior of the Grand Vitara is rather attractive; however, it seems somewhat outdated when compared to the other cabins of most of its competitors. The controls and the gauges are very easy to read and are also well place; however, the removable navigation system is somewhat out of reach. Additionally, it is a bit difficult trying to read and operate the navigation screen, as it quite smaller than most units that are built-in.

• Even though there is sufficient amount of room for you to stretch out in the Limited Edition, the cloth upholstery of the Premium models is a lot more comfortable than the leather upholstery found in the Limited model. Another one of the disadvantages of the 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara is the lack of space to store small items such as MP3 players and cell phones.

• Driving Impressions – The 2012 Suzuki Grand Vitara is a great choice for your daily errands and commuting; however, the firm seats can become tiresome and uncomfortable if you are travelling long distances. Additionally, the handling is not as stable as some of the other newly released 2012 vehicles.