Part racecar, part sedan, part cargo cruiser, that’s the new 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback. The Sportback design adds a new twist to Mitsubishi’s popular Lancer model. Now this fun-to-drive compact sedan has the added flexibility of a hatchback and up to 52.7 cubic feet of cargo space. The ability to transport just about anything no matter how bulky or awkward in size makes the Sportback a practical solution for many drivers.
However, there are plenty of other practical reasons to consider the Sportback. In government run crash tests the Sportback received a five star-driver and four star-passenger safety rating. This, in part, to front seat side airbags, driver knee airbag, extended head curtain airbags, antilock brakes and stability control. The Lancer Sportback also helps save money at the gas pump with an estimated 20 to 23 mpg highway.
Even though it’s a hatchback this clever vehicle is far from dull. The Lancer Sportback is available in two high-end trim levels, the GTS and Ralliart AWD styles. The GTS models come equipped with either a 5-speed manual or CVT transmission and draw power from a 168hp, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine. Similar to racing models, the Ralliart turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine cranks out 237hp and has an automated dual-clutch manual transmission with shift paddles. Both the GTS and Ralliart styles are loaded with special features including; sport-tuned suspension, 18-inch alloy wheels, antilock brakes, lower body skirting. leather-wrapped, tilt-only steering wheel, chrome exhaust outlet, keyless entry, sport bucket front seats, 60/40-split rear seat with center armrest, a six speaker CD/MP3 sound system and Bluetooth connection.
Specialty trim packages are available for both styles. The GTS can be upgraded to the Sun and Sound 
package adding a sunroof, nine speaker Rockford Fosgate sound system with in-dash six CD changer and satellite radio as well as an optional navigation system with 30GB of hard drive music storage. Upgrading the Ralliart to the Recaro Sport package will include sports seats emblazoned with the Mitsubishi logo and the full Rockford Fosgate sound system.
With a base price around $19,000, the new 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback is sure to gain wide appeal. Whether you are a racing enthusiast who wants to feel the exhilaration of a turbocharged engine, or a yard sale hound that needs to transport your treasures the Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback could be the car for you.
The Britt’s call them Landys, but in the US we call them by their God-Given name, Land Rovers. As the name suggests, these super duty, all terrain vehicles come from a long lineage of rugged explorers that could trek through mud, cross flooded paths and even climb mountains with ease. It’s a little heartbreaking that the Land Rovers cruising the American terrain today are reserved only for expeditions to covered parking lots, soccer games and jaunts to the grocery store. Even their look has changed, once comprised of iron, grit and a collection of smashed bugs in the grill, the modern day versions have evolved into sleek and highly manicured purebreds. However there is still something ruggedly handsome about the Land Rover. Perhaps it’s large front bumper that rests below the double bar grill with the signature honeycomb design. Or the distinctive perforated side vents and wide wheel base that add to the Land Rover’s athletic appearance.
By today’s standards the Land Rover LR4 is the new classic. With a base price of $48,100 it stands in the middle of the road between its higher priced 
Range Rover cousins and the more compact and cost efficient LR2 models. The LR4 is powered by a 5.0-liter LR-V8 engine that delivers 375 hp and 375 ft-lb torque. Four-corner, cross-linked electronic air suspension provides a car like ride and superior control. The vehicle height can be raised, via touch screen controls, by 2.15 inches to climb over obstacles or lowered by 2 inches for easy loading and access. An Adaptive Shift Strategy transmission automatically adapts to driving styles and surface conditions without driver assistance. A Terrain Response feature can be activated with the turn of a dial and simultaneously adjusts the engine, transmission, suspension and traction to adapt for icy roads or in snowy conditions. At night, the Adaptive Front Lighting anticipates curves and directs light beams accordingly.
The luxurious LR4 interior is a far cry from rugged. Windsor leather, wood veneer finishes and fine detail work grace the cabin while vast spans of window space allow for panoramic views. hen the view is less than dynamic, plenty of entertainment options are available in the new 2010 Land Rover LR4. Theater-style audio quality from HD Radio interfaces with USB, MP3 players and iPods for a customized soundtrack. Remote audio controls as well as telephone controls reside 
on the heated steering wheel for added convenience and comfort. Rear seat passengers can pass the time by watching DVDs or playing portable video games while listening to sound through individual headphones. Driver and passengers alike can adjust the dual climate controls and set temperatures to their liking. One of the most popular assets of the Land Rover LR4 is the abundant room. The collapsible third row allows seating for 7 adults comfortably.
Yes, the Land Rover LR4 is one of the most imressive vehicles on the market today. When good looks, power, smart technology and luxurious get together the result is simply marvelous. Learn more about the Land Rover LR4 or see the entire Land Rover lineup at San Francisco Land Rover Dealer.
The Aston Martin sport car is the symbol of wealth, power and style. No matter what you look like or how intelligent you are if you are behind the wheel of an Aston Martin you are James Bond. The superior style and ultra high performance of these magnificent vehicles has captivated car enthusiasts around the world for over nine decades. Recently, the British manufacturer further embellished two of their top performers. The DBS and the V12 Vantage are now available with a Special Edition Black Carbon package. 
These special edition cars will be coated with bespoke Carbon Black paint with a hint of metallic to create a deep matte finish. More than 50 man-hours will go into the paint job alone. The V12 will feature real Carbon Fiber side strakes with black mesh backing. Both Black Carbon models will be equipped with 10 spoke diamond turned alloy wheels. Black Obsidian leather graces the interior and is accented with silver hand stitching. Carbon Fibre and Kevlar fashioned seats are exceedingly 
lightweight and offer a dramatic appearance. Sleek, piano black facia trim runs throughout the cabin, center stack and center console. Anodised black tread plates, sill plaque and steering wheel trim further complement the cabin aesthetics. Standard in the DBS model is the Bang & Olufsen Beosound audio system and the premium Aston Martin 700w audio system is standard issue for the V12 Vantage.
For those that can afford the slight 5% increase above the normal Aston Martin sticker price (if you’re buying an Aston Martin, price is probably not of concern) the Carbon Black models are available for order through Aston Martin dealerships here and abroad.
]]>
The Ford Fiesta has not been available in American since 1976. This ultra-practical and somewhat boring little vehicle was underappreciated here and therefore discontinued. Ford did find success with the Fiesta in Europe where new models have been rolling off of the assembly line for over 3 decades. Given the large span of time, continuous improvements and some radically innovative technology, Ford is willing to try their luck with the Fiesta here again in 2010.
When the 2011 Ford Fiesta returns to the states, Americans will be pleased with its playful appearance, fuel efficiency and nimble handling. Available in either a hatchback or sedan the new Fiesta has an ultra sporty design. Its teardrop shape, tight body panels, flattened grill, low flexible chin and decklid spoilers were crafted to be aerodynamic as well as aesthetically appealing. The Fiesta will be available in six matchbox-esq colors including plenty of metallics.
The Fiesta interior incorporates sound-deadening materials in the windshield, doors, headliner and pillars to 
reduce the amount of wind noise. Unlike others in its class the Fiesta has available features such as a powered moon roof, heated front seats with leather trim and seven interior lighting colors to choose from. The center console displays audio settings, phone info and other data on an easy to read 4” multifunctional LCD display screen. Plenty of Ford’s innovative technology is on board as well including SYNC hands-free communication and their Intelligent Access with push-button start.
The fuel efficiency of the New Ford Fiesta can be attributed to a 1.6-liter twin-independent variable cam timing (Ti-VCT) Duratec 14 Engine. When combined with the optional PowerShift six-speed automatic transmission the Fiesta could achieve a highway fuel economy of 40 mpg. The “fill for life” transmission fluid is designed to last up to 150,000 miles and is virtually maintenance free-good news for those that want to reduce the number of service visits. The Fiesta’s electric powered rack and pinion steering with AdvanceTrac makes the Fiesta quick, ultra responsive and fun to drive. Ford also spent extra time ensuring that the Fiesta is a safe vehicle. Unlike any other car in its class the Fiesta comes equipped with seven airbags. One of which is a driver’s knee airbag to provide a cushion between the driver and the instrument panel.
Overall the completely new and abundantly enhanced Ford Fiesta is a great car for around $13.500. It is scheduled to arrive at dealerships in Spring or Summer 2010 and will surely turn some heads.
]]>
Ford returns to the top of the Automotive World with the Ford Fusion. Voted Motor Trend’s Car of the Year; Ford has reclaimed title after an 8 year hiatus. Ford decided to take a page out of the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry handbook; which have been the best selling cars in the mid-sized segment for the last few years. The Fusion’s main reason for winning the Motor Trend COTY is the flexibility. While the Fusion has been around since 2006, it was not until this year that Ford totally redesigned the car top to bottom, and without any bailout money from the government. The Ford Fusion scored incredibly well on six different categories such as: function, engineering, efficiency, design, safety, and value.
Starting at around $20,000 for the base model, you get a great mid-sized sedan that has a sporty ride while getting an EPA 22 MPG in the City and 31 MPG on the highway. This puts the Fusion 4-cylinder well above the pack in terms of fuel economy. Opt for the Appearance Package at just under a grand and you get a whole lot for a little including: 18-inch rims, performance tires, a rear wing, leather wrapped steering wheel, and cruise control. A great deal no doubt!
For those that need more than the 175 Horsepower the inline four produces; there is a V-6 engine 
available for added power. The Duratec 3.5L engine puts out a nice 263hp and 249lb-ft. of torque. This is the middle of the pack for the mid-sized sedan segment. The top performer of the Fusion platform is called the Fusion Sport. This nifty package adds a SelectShift six-speed auto transmission, sport suspension, dual exhaust, and body enhancements. You can also add all-wheel drive for added safety.
The hybrid version of the Fusion has been winning accolades from just about every car publication for the past few months. The Fusion is by far, the best hybrid vehicle any American manufacturer is offering. In fact, the EPA has named the Fusion Hybrid the 2nd most fuel efficient automobile for 2010! What is really cool about the Fusion Hybrid is the parallel hybrid system that allows the Fusion to operate up to 45 MPH on battery power alone. Paired with an Atkinson cycle 4-cylinder engine, the Fusion obtains an EPA gas mileage figure of 41 MPG in the City (the Honda Insight only gets 40 MPG) and 36 MPG on the Highway. Couple this with lighter batteries and a continuous variable transmission; the Fusion is the leader in mid-sized hybrid vehicles.
This is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the Ford Fusion. The interior is well-designed and full of features. Power everything, cruise control, leather upholstery, heated seats, dual climate control, Satellite Navigation, and Bluetooth capabilities are just a few of the options and features available on the new Ford Fusion.
The Fusion with Stability Control also made it to the IIHS Top Safety Pick’s () for the year. Helping the Fusion make this elite list are disc brakes at all four corners of the car along with ABS. Dual-Stage Airbags, a lane change alert system, and a rear view camera all aid in the safety department.
The Ford Fusion beat out some top contenders for Motor Trend’s Car of the Year. But this award is well deserved and Ford went a long way in 
updating the 2010 Fusion by addressing some of the sore spots in the first generation. And they have been rewarded for their attention to detail with numerous accolades. The New 2010 Ford Fusion represents an affordable, fully loaded, mid-sized sedan.
Stop by your local Ford Dealer to test drive the award-winning 2010 Ford Fusion.
]]>
Going on sale in December of 2009, will be the Special Edition Nissan Rogue Krom. The Krom is a special version of the Rogue S compact SUV. The main focus of the Rogue Krom is to stand out from the crowd with a visually stunning appearance. Nissan is looking to take a page from the Scion xB book by creating a vehicle that expresses the feeling of the driver in an outward expression.
Starting with the exterior enhancements, the New Nissan Rogue Krom gets a new front bumper with fog lights and a sweet chrome grill that adds a sporty look to the front of the SUV. The outside mirrors are color matched. And speaking of Paint, the Rogue Krom comes in 3 limited edition colors: Gotham Gray, Venom Red, and Wicked Black. Out back the 2010 Nissan Rogue Krom get a new rear bumper with a cool exhaust that exits out the center, and a color matched rear spoiler. Rounding out the modifications are a set of 17-inch alloy wheels.
While these changes may not seem like much on the surface, they go a long way in the looks department when you compare the stock Rogue with the Krom version. MSRP for the Krom is $23,940.
Source: Nissan News
]]>
The all new and redesigned GMC Terrain is the little brother to the Yukon. GMC is targeting the mid-sized SUV market with the Terrain and at the same time they are trying to get a piece of the pie that Honda and Toyota have long since ruled! The bold exterior of the Terrain is all GMC styling and the Crossover SUV is chalked full of cool features and technology. And of course GMC is sticking to the fuel economy wars offering a 4-cylinder engine that will net you 30 MPG on the highway. All in all the Terrain offers just about everything you would want in a mid-sized SUV.
The exterior of the 2010 GMC Terrain is very bold and truck like. The goal was to create a new look for GMC. The Terrain offers some Buff lines with a huge chrome front grill. But this grill is not just for looks alone, the surface area is so large as to provide proper cooling for the Terrain. The tires are also tucked behind the fenders as to reduce drag and increase fuel efficientcy. There are available 19-inch chrome rims that are a must on this ride.
The interior is clean and modern. The center stack is unique and is definitely the center piece of the interior. The leather heated seats are ultra comfortable and the car is very ergonomic. There is plenty of functional storage room and lots of cool ambient lighting. The backseat is roomy and cubic feet storage space is right in the middle for the class.
Base powertrain is a 2.4 liter 4-clyinder direct-injected engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that will get 30 MPG on the highway and 22 in the city which will set the Terrian at the top of the heap for in class fuel economy. Front wheel drive is also standard on the Terrain. If you opt for the V-6 engine you will get 3 liters of direct fuel injected goodness producing 260 hp and 222 lb-ft of torque. Gas mileage for the V-6 is 17/24 city/highway. All wheel drive is available on both engine choices but your fuel economy will suffer.
Features and technology is where the Terrain really shines. Besides the USB, MP3, touch navigation, rear view camera, 40 GB hard drive, XM Radio, OnStar, and rear DVD entertainment; ever new Terrain comes with GM’s 100k mile/5-year warranty which covers the entire drivetrain!
Cost starts at just over $24k and the Terrain has a five-star crash safety rating from the IIHS!
What if you could drive every day without stopping at the gas station? There’s a new electric car coming out soon: the Nissan Leaf. It’s not gas powered and it’s not a hybrid. It runs strictly on electricity. This means it has ZERO emissions. Sounds good, doesn’t it?
There are several reasons that electric cars have not already replaced the gas engine, and they’re challenging to overcome, especially in the short run. The first is range. How far away from home can you get, and will there be a place to recharge along the way? How much does the car cost to buy and operate? Does it have guts?
The new Nissan Leaf can drive up to 100 miles on a full charge. That’s a lot further than most people drive in a day. Drivers would plug it in at home to charge overnight. It only takes 4 to 8 hours to fully charge the battery. You can even program the car to charge late at night when demand for electricity is low. For those occasions when you need to go further than 100 miles in a day, Nissan is working with various cities to install quick charge stations that can charge the battery 80% in about half an hour. You could find these quick charge stations with the Leaf’s navigation system and charge your battery while you stop for a meal.
Before you invest in one, check for quick charge stations in places you might travel. Over time they’ll become more available. If coverage is weak in the places you drive, you might not want your new Leaf to be your only car. Still, in a two car family, an electric car would be an ideal day-to-day commuter car.
Because of the expense of an electric battery, electric cars haven’t historically been able to compete with gas engine cars on price. The Nissan Leaf hasn’t yet announced its retail price, but some experts anticipate a price of around $25,000, including the $7,500 tax rebate. That puts it within reach of the average family. The battery lasts about 5 years, so you’d have to figure in the price of a battery every five years against the gas savings.
What about power? We’ve all driven electric golf carts. Is that how an electric car feels? Not this one. The Nissan Leaf accelerates like a V-6 gas powered car. Nissan’s U.S. tour will show these electric cars in Los Angeles in November. Mass production will start in the U.S. in 2012. The new 2011 Nissan Leaf will be available on a limited basis in selected U.S. cities in 2010. You should be able to buy one at many Southern California locations, since this is one of the areas where Nissan is working to offer quick charge stations. Soon you’ll be able to test drive a Nissan Leaf in Redlands, San Diego, or Los Angeles. Only time will tell if electric cars will become the norm, but the Leaf seems to have a good chance at breaking through that barrier.
The Cadillac SRX of Old was big, ugly, and got terrible gas mileage. Well Cadillac has learned from the success of the CTS and totally redesigned the SRX with the consumer in mind. Gone are the oversized dimensions. Thrown to the curb is the big gas guzzling V-8 engine. Audios to the exterior styling. And in its place is a smaller, more nimble, and much better looking crossover SUV! The new 2010 Cadillac SRX is a real head-turner.
You either love or hate the new styling direction that Cadillac has taken. The sharp lines represent an automobile that makes a statement. The chiseled lines of the 2010 Cadillac SRX are sure to catch second looks from those who can appreciate a good-looking car.
Of course with any Cadillac vehicle you purchase; the interior is as luxurious as any car on the road today. 
Supple leather and interior amenities abound. But the SRX really shines when it comes to Amenities. You get IPod connectivity, XM Radio, On Star, Bluetooth, and DVD Navigation just to name a few. The new SRX has lost the 3rd row seat in the name of cargo space. The second row seat folds down to create even more room; up to 61 cu. Ft!
Although this SUV come standard with front-wheel drive; there is an available all-wheel option which uses Cadillac’s advanced torque transfer technology. The standard engine is a 3-liter direct-injected V-6 that puts out 265-hp. But later on this year there will be a turbocharged engine available that will put down over 300-hp!
The 2010 Cadillac SRX starts at $33,000 for the base model. Build a Cadillac online for free!
]]>
Make room for a new star on the horizon. The Hyundai Genesis has been awarded the exclusive title of 2009 North American Car of the Year. This is a first for the Korean auto Manufacturer and will most likely not be its last. The Car of the Year study was conducted by a large panel of independent automotive journalists. They evaluated the cars based on innovation, design, safety, handling, driver satisfaction and value for the dollar. Over 50 new vehicles introduced in 2008 were reviewed. The Hyundai Genesis was ranked higher than the acclaimed Volkswagen Jetta and the eagerly anticipated Ford Flex.
As the name suggests the new Genesis reflects the Hyundai evolution. Over the last two decades Hyundai has made continuous improvements, 
added innovative engineering and truly listened to what their customers want. Today the Hyundai line is synonymous with affordable quality and reliability. Safety is a key element as well, the Genesis also earned the highest 5 star safety rating from the NHTSA this year.
But don’t mistake the Genesis for just another well made sedan. This baby can hold its own against racing legends such as BMW and the Porsche Boxter with 290 horsepower, V-6 and 0 to 60mph in 5.7 seconds. Innovative technologies such as five-link front and rear suspension and adaptive front lighting (AFLS) which matches the vehicle’s turning angle for the best possible visibility, further enhance the driving experience. The ultra comfortable interior has features such as a heated and cooled driver’s seat, and a Lexicon Discrete 7.1 surround sound system previously reserved for Rolls Royce owners.
Remove the Hyundai badge and the Genesis sedan could easily be mistaken for a luxury vehicle with a price tag in the $40,000 to $50,000 range. But as always, the Hyundai price point is palatable and realistic. A breath of fresh air in the current economy. The base price for the 2009 Hyundai Genesis Sedan is around $33,000. For around $36,000 the vehicle comes with upgraded wheels, leather trim and a sunroof.
