In what is bound to excite many fans in Kenya, Subaru has launched a full sized 8-seater SUV dubbed the Ascent. Subaru had earlier made forays into the lucrative SUV segment with the Tribeca but this was a flop. Rather than lose hope, Subaru took in the criticism, went back to the drawing board and has come back with an amazing piece of machinery. It’s the largest vehicle that Subaru has ever built and it packs the best of what they offer. They’ve clearly gambled everything on this one. The exterior It looks like a blown up Outback, and that’s really a good thing. It comes with dual exhaust, 18-Inch Alloys, integrated roof rails, powered tailgate and LED steering responsive headlights. The Interior This is where the Subaru Ascent wins it. 8 Seater capacity, excellent legroom, panoramic sunroof, 19 cupholders, 8 USB ports, WIFI,…
The Toyota Kinetic Dynamic Suspension System (KDSS) is a technology that uses hydraulics to adjust front and rear stabilizer bars. It solves the classic 4×4 dilemma of stabilizer bars. The dilemma is that for off-road driving, stabilizer bars are not desirable as they impede suspension travel and wheel articulation. For on-road driving, stabilizer bars are highly desirable as they prevent a vehicle from rolling over at high speed. Most modern 4x4s do not achieve their full off-road potential due to stabilizer bars. Then enters the KDSS. It works by automatically stiffening the stabilizer bars at high speed to limit or negate body roll. At lower speeds, the KDSS softens the stabilizer bars to allow for suspension long travel and greater wheel articulation. A vehicle fitted with KDSS is very stable on the road and highly capable off the road. It simply offers the best…
Toyota Prado TX – 2.7L Petrol This is the entry level model for the Japanese Domestic Market. Its only available in petrol Technical: Transmission: 5-Speed Manual and 4-speed Automatic Engine: 2.7L, VVTi, DOHC, 163 HP Brakes: Front and rear ventilated discs Dimensions(Length Width Height): 4930 x 1885 x 1845 mm Suspension: Independent double wishbone -front and rear, 4 link type Safety: Antilock Brake System(ABS), Electronic Brakeforce Distribution(EBD), Vehicle Stability Control(VSC), Traction Control(TRC) Airbags: Driver and Front passenger. Anti-theft: Immobilizer Headlamps: Auto Cut, Manual leveling Interior: Front Seats: Active Headrests, 6 way adjustable Driver’s seat, 4 way adjustable Passenger seat, Driver power lumbar support 2nd Row Seats: 40:20:40 Split foldable, 3 Headrests, 3rd Row Seats: 50:50 Split manual foldable Audio: AM/FM CD Player with 6 Speakers Cup Holders: 4 cup holders – 2 at the 1st row and 2 at the 2nd Row Air Conditioner:…
Subaru EyeSight is a technology that monitors traffic movement, optimizes cruise control, and warns you if you sway outside your lane. The Pre-Collision Braking feature can even apply full braking force in emergency situations, helping you avoid or reduce frontal impacts. The core of the EyeSight system is its set of dual color cameras. Intelligently and unobtrusively placed near the rearview mirror, they scan the road for unanticipated dangers. This advanced system provides extra awareness, safety, and added peace of mind every time you drive. Features of the Subaru EyeSight Technology 1. EyeSight Adaptive Cruise Control To keep a safe distance from the car in front of you, choose the distance you want to preserve, and EyeSight will automatically adjust your speed to maintain your selected distance 2. EyeSight Lane Keep Assist and Sway Warning EyeSight monitors your position on the road and will…
Valvematic is a Toyota technology that combines the functions of VVTI(Variable Valve Timing) with a system that controls the intake valve lift volume. It works the same as Nissan’s VVEL and BMW’s Valvetronic plus many by other manufacturers. The advantages of Valvematic are: 1. Improved fuel efficiency 2. More power 3. Better acceleration 4. Reduction in CO2 emissions 5. Smoother Engine The Toyota Noah and Voxy were the first Toyotas to benefit from this technology in 2007. It has since been used in almost all Toyotas with petrol engines
So you have decided you finally need a car but you’re not sure which one. Or you have decided to upgrade from your current car but not sure which way to go. This is the predicament that most of us find ourselves in and sometimes end up making the wrong choices. Below are quick tips on what you should consider when buying a car. Budget This is the realistic amount of money that you can afford to set aside to buy and run the car. Besides the cost of purchase, there are other important costs that people tend to overlook. There are maintenance costs, insurance costs, parking fees, and fuel costs. Just because you have saved some money to buy a car doesn’t mean you’ve solved the whole problem, you’ve solved it halfway. The other half should never be overlooked. Do your homework, find…
SI-DRIVE stands for Subaru Intelligent Drive. It is a technology that allows drivers to adjust the vehicle for different driving conditions. The SI-DRIVE maps the Engine Control Unit and the Transmission Control Unit to a computer that allows the driver to select any of the 3 driving modes below. Intelligent Mode Gentle power delivery. Ideal for cruising around town and local streets, covering long distances, or for driving with fuel efficiency in mind. Provides outstanding control in the rain or on muddy roads. Sport Mode Highly responsive and direct acceleration. In addition to being suited to all-round conditions, this mode puts the enjoyment back in to high-speed driving on motorways, or on winding roads. Sport Sharp Mode The mode with the most powerful engine characteristics, offering quick acceleration and sharp response. Ideal for merging or overtaking on motorways, or for enjoying sporty driving anytime,…
Most cars we import into Kenya from Japan and Europe with the exception of 4X4s, do not have the right height for our roads. The main problem, especially for urban drivers, is poorly designed speed bumps. Getting over them requires you to slowly maneuver the vehicle across the bump, and sometimes spillover onto the opposing lane. This is not something you want to go through every day, besides the mental anguish, the cost of repairing a broken transmission is prohibitive. So, what to do? endure the anguish, sell the vehicle, or increase height? Most prefer to increase height but do not know how to properly go about it. Most roadside mechanics are not helpful either as they mostly prescribe solutions that correspond to their level of ignorance. Vehicle modifications that increase height above manufacturer specifications often affect a vehicle’s stability and maneuverability. Besides being…