Lamborghini Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder gets a facelift for 2013

For 2013, changes to the Aventador's little brother are skin deep. What enthusiasts really want is an all-new Gallardo that can take on Ferrari and McLaren.

These days, even beautiful people go under the knife for some aesthetic augmentation, and the same is true of beautiful automobiles. Lamborghini’s Gallardo LP 560-4 Spyder has been on sale since 2008, so the company decided it was time for a refresh.

Most of the changes are skin deep, and are shared with the restyled Gallardo LP 560-4 coupe shown at last month’s Paris Motor Show. At the front, the intake is segmented by delicate-looking struts, making the car look like it either has redneck teeth or has been in a crash. There’s also a more pronounced vent in front of the wheels.

Nineteen-inch “Apollo” polished alloy wheels are also new for 2013.

At the back, the angular theme continues with a big piece of trapezoidal mesh, and taillights molded to fit. Overall, it looks like Lamborghini was trying to incorporate cues from its Sesto Elemento concept and Aventador flagship, but they don’t seem to jibe with the rest of the Gallardo’s styling.

Buyers who want a new Gallardo, but don’t like the way this one looks, needn’t fret. The LP 560-4 is actually the middle of three Gallardo trim levels. The less expensive LP 550-2 (available only as a coupe) and high performance LP 570-4 Superleggera and Spyder Performante are unchanged visually.

Aside from the styling changes, the LP 560-4 Spyder remains pretty much the same. Its 5.2-liter V10 still produces 552 horsepower and 398 pound-feet of torque. Power is sent to all four wheels through Lamborghini’s “e-gear” six-speed automated manual transmission.

The LP 550-2 continues with rear-wheel drive and the option of a six-speed manual. The Superleggera and Spyder Performante still have 570 hp, and are now offered with an Edizione Tecnica package that includes a big rear spoiler, carbon ceramic brakes, and exclusive two-tone paint.

With the fresh and fierce Ferrari 458 Italia and McLaren MP4-12C nipping at its heels, what Lamborghini really needs is an all-new Gallardo. Sant Agata has been steadily updating its car over the years, but the basic chassis hasn’t been changed since the original Gallardo debuted in 2003.

Lamborghini isn’t talking about when that new Gallardo will appear, but there are rumors of a 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show debut, with a launch sometime in 2014.

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

Samsung’s Galaxy S3 Mini is official, but is it worthy of the name?

As expected, Samsung has announced the Galaxy S3 Mini, a mid-range Android 4.1 smartphone that has a similar design to its big brother.

Samsung has announced the Galaxy S3 Mini, just as promised by the company’s mobile communications boss yesterday, but can it live up to our expectations, especially as it shares the same name as one of the very best Android smartphones on the market?

The answer to that question very much depends on your expectations, and if they’ve been kept in check. Let’s put it this way, it’s not a Galaxy S3 in a slightly smaller body, but a small phone aimed at a different buyer. Here’s what it’s all about.

Design-wise, it’s very close to its big brother, with the same “natural” flowing edges, rounded corners and smooth rear panel. No lawsuit over the design of this one, then. So how mini is the Mini? It measures 121 x 63 x 9.8mm and weighs 111 grams, so it’s a touch larger than an iPhone 4S, but noticeably smaller than the full-size S3’s 136 x 70 x 8.6mm dimensions and 133 gram weight.

Inside is a dual-core, 1Ghz ST-Ericsson NovaThor processor, with 1GB of RAM and either 8GB or 16GB of internal storage memory. As expected, the Super AMOLED screen measures 4-inches and has a 480 x 800 pixel resolution, while the camera has 5-megapixels, 720p video recording and an LED flash. There’s also a VGA video call camera above the screen.

Android 4.1 onboard

The good news is the phone will come with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, so there won’t be any waiting around for Samsung to issue an update, plus there’s the TouchWiz user interface and some of the cool software features from more expensive Galaxy hardware, such as S Voice, Direct Call and Smart Stay. Other features include NFC, DLNA, GPS, a microSD card slot and a 1500mAh battery.

So, the Galaxy S3 Mini is a concoction of the Galaxy S3 and the Galaxy S Advance. Many will bemoan the lack of 4G — although it does support HSDPA and HSUPA — and the processor missing two more cores, but those are features for upper range phones, not a solid mid-ranger like the S3 Mini.

Using the S3 title is certainly a win for the marketing team, but the S3 Mini is far from being an embarrassment to its good name; after all, the design was, and still is, a winner. Plus, Samsung isn’t wrong, in stature it is a miniature S3.

The more sensible spec also means a more sensible price tag. While Samsung hasn’t talked about the cost just yet, Clove Technology has put a SIM-free S3 Mini up for pre-order in the UK for £298, or $477, which is about £120/$192 less than the full-size S3.

Samsung has remained quiet on availability too, but Vodafone UK has tweeted that the device is coming soon to its network. There’s no word on a US release at this time.

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com

2013 Nissan Sentra: Altima’s little brother claims 40 mpg highway

New, Altima-like styling and improved fuel economy should make the 2013 Sentra a sensible alternative to the compact mainstays.

The 2013 Nissan Sentra joins big brother Altima in the fight for fuel economy and market dominance. Nissan says the newest incarnation of its compact sedan will return 40 mpg on the highway, which has become the new benchmark for compact car fuel efficiency. Nissan also tried to give the 2013 Sentra a more expensive feel, with styling from the Altima and a revamped interior.

The Sentra will achieve 40 mpg on the highway, but only when properly equipped. The big 4-0 only applies to cars with a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and the FE+ fuel economy package.

The FE+ package includes grille shutters and other aerodynamic aids; it’s similar to the Focus SFE and Cruze Eco fuel economy specials offered by Ford and Chevy, respectively. Non-FE+ models with the CVT are rated at 39 mpg. A six-speed manual transmission is also available in base models.

The Sentra’s 34 combined mpg rating should make it the best in its class. The Nissan bests the Focus SFE and Cruze Eco by one mpg, although a diesel Volkswagen Jetta TDI automatic will also return 34 combined mpg.

Coupled to the CVT is a new 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine, producing 130 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. That puts the Sentra pretty close to the bottom in its class in terms of power. Base Cruze models have 138 hp; the Focus comes with 160 hp. The Sentra does beat or equal the base engines in the Honda Civic and Toyota Corolla, respectively, but each offers a more powerful engine option.

It may have a horsepower deficit, but Nissan seems to have put most of its efforts into upgrading other parts of the Sentra. The exterior styling is taken straight off the 2013 Altima, so if you like the bigger Nissan, you’ll probably like this one. LED headlight accents and taillights help give the Sentra a premium feel, and keep it in step with the latest automotive fashion.

On the inside, the interior looks less like that of a rental car, and can be trimmed in optional leather with wood accents. The Sentra grows slightly in length for 2013, but is actually shorter and narrower than the 2012 model. Regardless, Nissan says the 2013 Sentra has more usable interior space, and is about 150 pounds lighter.

Nissan also upgraded the Sentra’s technology suite. Navigation (which can warn drivers of curves and changes in the speed limit) is an option, as is a NissanConnect system that allows drivers to read and reply to text messages with voice commands.

NissanConnect also encompasses Pandora and Bluetooth functions. Paired with the navigation system, it can enable Sirius XM traffic and weather updates and point-of-interest information from Google. It’s all controlled through a 5.8-inch touch screen.

The 2013 Sentra excells in every area except one: desirability. It’s hard to see buyers getting excited about fuel economy, and the styling isn’t as dynamic as other cars. Still, most compact car buyers will probably be satisfied with this sensible sedan, even if they aren’t excited.

Source : digitaltrends[dot]com