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.

• 2007 – 2010 Toyota Camry
• 2005 – 2010 Toyota Avalon
• 2004 – 2009 Toyota Prius
• 2005 – 2010 Toyota Tacoma
• 2007 – 2010 Toyota Tundra
• 2007 – 2010 Lexus ES350
• 2006 – 2010 Lexus IS250 and IS350

Toyota and Lexus service technicians have undergone training and are now equipped to make the necessary modifications to these models. Although it would seem to be an easy fix; just replace the defective floor mats with a more efficient design, Toyota wants to ensure the safety of their vehicles. Therefore, technicians will actually be reshaping the accelerator pedal and in some models will also install a brake override system. Beginning in April 2010 there will be accelerator pedal replacement part available for those customers that would like to have it installed. Toyota has begun issuing recall letters instructing owners to bring their vehicles in for repair and anticipates a deluge in their service departments. To help combat the inconvenience many Toyota Dealerships are offering rental cars to customers affected by the recall.

The official Toyota website offers more information about the Toyota/Lexus recall including overall safety of both Toyota and Lexus vehicles. For further information Toyota customers can contact the Toyota Customer Experience Center at 1-800-331-4331 or Lexus Customer Assistance at 1-800-255-3987.

The Mustang GT has had a 5.0 liter engine in its bay for almost 30 years.  It was only in 1996 that Ford went with the 4.6L engine.  Well now the 2011 Mustang GT will get an increase in displacement to meet the 5.0 liters of days gone by.  Since the Mustang was redesigned in 2010, not much has changed on the outside; but a lot has changed under the hood.
In order to deal with the Chevy Camaro and its 426 horsepower, Ford need to add some more muscle for the 2011 model year.  So a bump in displacement and a reworked engine will net 416 horsepower; enough to contend with the Camaro SS 426HP and the Challenger SRT8 425HP.  The Mustang already is the best handling car of the bunch, and with the added horsepower, the GT should establish itself once again at the top of the muscle car heap.

Chevrolet struck a heart string with buyers when the 2010 Camaro came stock with a V-6 engine that produced 300 hp while getting 30 MPG on the highway.  Ford has decided to follow suit and will introduce a 3.7 liter, V-6 engine in the stock Mustang that will generate 305 Hp, which is more than the Camaro V-6.  Fuel Economy numbers for this engine is right at the 30 MPG mark on the highway.

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.

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.

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

So how did they get this Trans-Am Concept car? Well start with one brand new 2010 Camaro SS and an LS engine that measures 455 cubic inches! Boar that bad boy out and stuff it with some pistons and a forged crank, top it off with some ported and polished LS7 heads and you get a healthy 655 HP and 610 lb.-ft of torque.

The exterior features some classic elements from the 1971 Trans-Am. The most evident Trans-Am throwback is the edition of a Shaker Hood that was made so famous by Smokey and the Bandit. A new front bumper, fender vents, and rear spoiler round out the body modifications. Top this off with a cool blue sports stripe and viola we have a new trans-Am.

The interior is all retro throw back. Everything was custom made to look like the 71’ Trans-Am including the dash, console, seats, door panels, carpets, and instruments. Rounding out the changes are a set of 20-inch Honeycomb rims with Nitto tires.

The New Pontiac Trans-Am Concept by Lingenfelter Performance Engineering was one of the biggest hits at this year’s SEMA show.

Source:http://www.lingenfelter.com/engine-packages/camaro-gen-5-2010/lingenfelter-2010-camaro-lta-concept-car-sema-2009

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!

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.