Video: Nissan’s 2007 Sentra SE-R Spec V… Road Test at the Racetrack!
Filed under: Car Review Videos, Economy Sport/GT, First Drives, Nissan
Anyone can bring you a road test of the all-new Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V but a proper test of this great racer is done at a racetrack! We push the Spec V to its limits on the road course at Homestead Miami Raceway. But, we didn’t use the road course that is open for your normal weekend track day we used the road course that included turns 3 and 4 of the Nascar Oval.
Testing a car like this on an oval and road course meant that we had the chance to experience repeated high-speed stops, S curves, high-speed stability, and a little extra fun to boot! After all this is a Nissan Sentra Spec V, the same car that’s been tested at the Nurburgring and at International circuits all over the world. This isn’t your Mom’s minivan.
In addition to some great seat-of-the-pants impressions of the 2007 Sentra, we give you up close views of the new 12 1/2 inch front rotors and brakes, a few suspension shots, and views of the rear cross brace built into the Spec V.
Enjoy the video Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V Road Test
Video: 2007 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V Doing Burnouts
Filed under: Car Review Videos, Economy Sport/GT, First Drives, Nissan
Here’s a short clip of Roadfly staffers burning some rubber at the press launch of the 2007 Sentra SE-R Spec V at Homestead Miami Speedway in Florida. With 200 horsepower, this little guy can smoke the front tires like a highly-tuned import drag racer. As you’ll see, handling is pretty darn good as well! Don’t try this at home, kids…you’re watching semi-professional idiots on a closed course.
Video: 2007 Nissan Sentra SE-R Spec V
New BMW X5: Video & Review
Filed under: 4x4s/Off-roaders, BMW, Crossovers, First Drives, SUVs
BMW’s new X5 (known as the E70) is currently making its world debut at the 2006 Los Angeles International Auto Show. We here at Roadfly, however, pulled a few strings and took the wheel of it a few weeks ago in the beautiful countryside near Spartanburg, SC. We liked it so much that we decided to do a full Roadfly TV video review of it.
BMW’s new X5 stands head and shoulders above the previous-generation X5. While still clearly recognizable as an X5, it is completely new, from engine to interior to body.
The interior of the X5 is finished with a quality worthy of BMW’s 7-series. For audio enthusiasts, the CD player is MP3-compatible AND an auxiliary input jack is standard for an iPod or other audio player. The X5 has been stretched almost 8 inches, split between the cargo area and the passenger cabin, which allows not only a third-row seat option and more storage space, but also for a 6-foot plus passenger to ride comfortably behind a 6-foot plus driver!
Featuring BMW’s Valvetronic technology in both the 4.8i V8 and 3.0si straight six models, the X5 features more horsepower and torque than its predecessor (35 more hp for both models, and 26 and 11 lb-ft of torque, respectively). The X5 4.8i hits 0-60 in 6.4 seconds, and the 6-speed Steptronic transmission ensures smooth acceleration with shift points almost impossible to detect.
It may look like an SUV, but make no mistake–the new X5 is powerful, fast, and nimble. Watch in the video as we take it on a figure 8 through a wet skidpad and can’t get it to spin out, despite our best efforts even with BMW’s dynamic stability control off!
As we went through our footage, preparing the Roadfly TV story, we found ourselves wanting even more time with this capable performer. BMW has really hit the mark in the luxury SUV segment. Watch the video here:
30 Pictures of the new 2007 BMW X5 SAV
Filed under: 4x4s/Off-roaders, BMW, First Drives, SUVs
I just posted about 30 pictures of the new 2007 BMW X5. Alan and I were at the International Launch of the BMWs new SAV in Spartanburg this week. We’ll post a full car review, more pictures and a podcast of the new X5 soon.
Click the pictures to go to the full X5 photo gallery where you can browse all the photos as well as download desktop wallpapers.
Enjoy!
-Charlie
2007 BMW X5 Pictures, Photo Gallery and Wallpaper Downloads.
BMW 335 first drive
Filed under: BMW, First Drives, Sports Coupes
San Francisco–we might’ve left our hearts there, too, but the bigger tragedy by far was the new-for-2007 BMW 3 Series 335i coupe we had to say goodbye to last week. After spending just a couple of days becoming familiar with the 335i twin turbo, we’re missing it more than any old internal organ. The 3 Series Bimmer is heralded world-’round as the benchmark of the entry-luxury class, and it’s clear why from the moment you step into one. The 2007 models have taken everything that made BMW’s reputation in this class what it is, and improved from there. The end result is a sight to behold, inside and out–and an awful hard automobile to walk away from.
Under the hood is where the biggest news sits. Pop the latch on the top-dog 335, and staring back out at you is a 3.0-liter inline six, based on the familiar mill from last year’s car. It’s an all-aluminum affair, with the VANOS variable valve timing. Sitting atop that familiar sight, though, is a pair of serious-looking Mitsubishi turbochargers-the likes of which haven’t been seen on any US-bound auto wearing the propeller badge in 25 years. The added aspiration adds up to 300 horsepower at 5800 rpm, and just about the flattest torque curve you ever saw, with all 300 lb.-ft. on tap from 1400 all the way up to 5000 rpm. The effect is like putting a finely-honed welterweight on steroids–all the smoothness and sublime response is still there, but with a new veneer or pure power as well. From a standing start, the 335i makes it to 60 mph in a scant 5.3 seconds (.2 seconds more for an automatic).
Read the full car review BMW 335
