Well, look who joined. Thanks to Cheeseman who let me join, as well as running me through everything. I'm going very in-depth with these reviews, so stay tuned.
Today, we're looking at...
The
2014 CJR Aspire 3.0T.
A saloon car that looks to rival cars like the Audi A6 3.0 and BMW 535i.
---Statistics---
3.0 liter (2977 CC) turbocharged inline-6
295 HP @ 7000 RPM
250 lb-ft @ 5000 RPM
4204.9 lbs.
36.6 MPG
7-Speed sequential gearbox, RWD
0-62 MPH in 5.9 Seconds
Quarter Mile in 14.34 Seconds @ 99 MPH
Initially, I thought that the Aspire was certainly a polarizing car. The looks seemed somewhat wacky; now, the looks how grown on me. I still have a few gripes about styling. But on the road, I instantly thought how well this could substitute your daily BMW or Audi.
Performance- 
The Aspire utilizes a 3.0L Inline-6, which is also turbocharged. This lets it produce 295 HP and 250 lb-ft of torque. However, delivery of both is quite lumpy, and the HP is cut off by a RPM limiter. The torque doesn't really come in until about 1800 RPM, which is low, so it's better for top gear. The transmission is quite nice, but I think lower revs while cruising at 75 MPH would be better, as it in 7th gear goes to 31-3200 RPM. The engine isn't what you'd call responsive for the class, due to minor turbo lag. But it's not too noticeable unless you're in a lower rev range. The Aspire will obliterate its rivals in Europe in a drag race, mostly because the rival are diesels. But in America, 5.9 seconds to 0 to 62 isn't really brisk, but just adequate. The smoothness, though... This engine must have been made by Land-O-Lakes. It's that buttery. For a sporty-looking car, the experience is on par with that of a BMW or Audi, but nothing exceptional. It doesn't drive in a way that'll make you frightened: It just stays planted and goes. All in all, the engine is smooth as silk but could use some better tuning to help the power band straighten out, while most other things seem reasonable.
Ride Comfort-Strangely enough, the ride comfort in this car is not great. I know it's geared toward performance, but it shouldn't have such a wildly stiff setup. And, yet, the springs themselves don't even seem to be that stiff, but everything else does. Bumps in this vehicle are harsh, so avoid potholes all you can. Lower-profile tires don't exactly help too much, either. However, the silky smooth engine and minor body roll are plusses. Seemingly smooth roads suddenly become slightly bumpy in the Aspire.
Handling-Here is the place where the stiff suspension redeems itself. No surprises when you're driving; the handling is completely perceivable. The cornering is just brilliant, and it hurls itself towards corners with confidence. And, of course, an ultra-high G-Force. Although there is no launch control, the car's electronics don't hamper the driving experience. The steering is also quite numb, comparable to an Audi-style numbness. All in all, the Aspire seems to have potential to be a sports sedan, but only mostly fills its expectation.
Refinement-Even with the stiff suspension, the Aspire feels very refined. The engine makes some noise, but from the inside you can barely hear it. The amount of insulation is also good. I can whisper in this car and people in the back seat could hear it. Remind me to never to curse under my breath with children in the back seat. Floor it, and you feel an (unfortunately choppy) surge of power, and a sweet engine note that talks to you, but in a shy way. In conclusion, you can decide whether or not you want your car to be quite. In this category, I know I would.
Equipment-Another place the 3.0T shines is in equipment. While it has interior equipment comparable to a Mercedes or Audi, the quality is very good. Soft-touch plastics are just the start. As I said earlier, the insulation is good, and it feels like a true luxury car. There's pretty much any driver assist you can think of besides Launch Control, and the amount of safety features is through the roof. You could smash a 4-ton truck into this, and everyone probably would survive. I think that there is a lot to like about the equipment here.
Quality-The Aspire also stands out here, with it's great quality and equipment. Again, soft-touch materials are everywhere, although there are only a few harder plastics. The seats are similar to your favorite chair; you'll feel comfortable at any time. The rear is not at all cramped, and offers the same amount if not more comfort than the front. Quality is a plus here.
Reliability-During my drive, I noticed nothing was wrong. Absolutely nothing. The plot twist? There is none. The reliability of this is very good although in order to truly find out we'd need to daily it. No problems on my drive.
Running Costs-Okay, honestly, the fuel economy in the Aspire is mind-blowing. I averaged 36.6 MPG on my drive. That's diesel economy! From a petrol-powered 3.0L turbocharged engine! Now that's amazing. When I tested an Audi A6 3.0TSFI, it only averaged 28 MPG. Germans, your engineering isn't powerful enough. Running costs, while pricey, are nothing you shouldn't expect from a car of this class. At $2742.93, it isn't too expensive, and it has the will to not break down every 5 seconds.
Structure-Aluminum on Aluminum isn't exactly the safest idea, but it's certainly light. Although it manages to incorporate new technology that makes the Aspire safer, it's above average. The safety technology, however, is absolutely bonkers. We're talking Swedish levels of attention in safety. All the driver aids needed to help you be safe, and technology that'll prevent you from getting into an accident in the first place helps the Aspire become on of the safest cars on the road.
---Overall---Pros: Good quality, very safe, nice to drive, very quiet, brilliant fuel economy.
Cons: Harsh ride, choppy acceleration, strange powerband.
Overall, if you're looking for a bargain Rolls-Royce, look elsewhere. This won't help you. But if you're looking for a fun, sporty sedan that just happens to be very well-made, safe as a Swede, and high-quality, you may have a winner right here.
Wed Dec 17, 2014 7:33 am This applies to all user created content including 3D models, tracks, photoshops, reviews, and anything else you might see people trying to do. Be patient!
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