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.

This year Saleen introduced their version of the 2010 Ford Mustang at the glorious SEMA Show.  Dubbed the S281 due to the engine’s 281 cubic inch displacement, this Mustang sports a Supercharged V-8 engine that pushes out a pavement pounding 485 horsepower.  This is a nice 150HP bump over the stock Mustang GT.

A couple of other cool features of the Saleen S281 are a Saleen Racecraft Coilover suspension, larger brakes, some huge rims, and a body kit.  A cool power dome hood delivers fresh air to the supercharger; the front gets a more aggressive look in the form of a revised grille and aggressive fascia.

The S281 does not over look the interior to complete the driving experience. With leather and suede seats accented with a clean simple stitching that is carried throughout the car.  The race inspired instrument panel is sporty yet luxurious, enhancing the driving experience.

Saleen continues to produce probably the most popular tuned Mustang on the market.  Their winning recipe for success includes big supercharged horsepower and some ingenious body pieces.

Photos: http://www.seriouswheels.com/cars/2010/top-2010-Saleen-Ford-Mustang-S281.htm

2011 Nissan Leaf

We’d all like to reduce or eliminate our reliance on gasoline for a variety of reasons. In spite of great strides in emissions reductions, gasoline engines are still a major factor in air pollution. America’s appetite for oil from distant countries plays a large role in our economic and foreign relations policies. Switching to a form of energy that could be created in the United States could only improve the situation. These are laudable goals, and it’s good to see Americans thinking of long-term goals that will be good for the country as a whole. Many people are even willing to pay a little more than necessary to help achieve these goals, but there is a limit. Alternative forms of energy won’t really gather long-lasting momentum until they become cost effective for the majority of consumers.

We’ve seen the number of hybrids on the road increase, partially due to government incentives and spikes in gasoline prices. But the price of hybrids remains stubbornly higher than the price of comparable gasoline-only cars. For example the new 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid starts at $23,800, while the regular Honda Civic sedan starts at $15,655. The majority of consumers are only going to spend the extra $8,000 if they think they can recoup that cost. Is the better gas mileage going to help you save $8,000 over the life of your car?

The regular Civic gets about 29 mpg, which is pretty good. Compare that to 42 mpg for the Civic Hybrid. Using an average of 15,000 miles per year and a price of $3 per gallon, we see that the owner of a regular Honda Civic would pay about $1,551 in a year, compared to $1071 for the owner of the hybrid. That’s a savings of only $480 a year. It would take more than 16 years to break even. Most people don’t keep their cars nearly that long.

The culprit is the price of the batteries. Like most other car manufacturers, Honda uses a nickel-metal-hydride (NiMH) battery in its hybrids. Price is not the only drawback to these batteries. They tend to lose capacity over time if they are not fully depleted before being recharged. As their capacity decreases, so does your gas mileage.

There’s a newer type of battery called the lithium-ion battery. It’s being used to power all-electric vehicles like the Nissan Leaf and the Chevy Volt. They have a longer range and they hold a charge better than NiMH batteries. Unfortunately they also cost more. A price tag of about $10,000 makes it expensive to go green. The other cost that no one seems to mention in regards to all-electric vehicles is the cost of the electricity itself. Unlike hybrids, where the engine recharges the battery when you drive, batteries on all-electric cars are recharged by plugging in to an electrical outlet in your garage. The power company is going to charge you for the electricity.

Rechargeable car batteries are relatively new. As consumer interest in cleaner cars with low operational costs increases, so will research and development of these batteries. Until they get significantly less expensive, hybrid and electric vehicles will not be economically viable choices.

To keep the limited edition status, all of the cars will be individually numbered. On the exterior, the Infiniti FX limited editions will feature Black Obsidian color as a standard with an option of Scratch resistant metallic Pearl White. The color only accentuates the dark headlight surrounds, which is supposed to give the cars a more distinctive front. The exterior is finished off with 21-inch Turbine designed alloy wheels in dark graphite grey along with a double wave radiator grille, side air vents, and roof rails which are all similarly coordinated.

The interior of the FX limited Editions is a whole different story that accentuates unique enhancements. There are illuminated Infiniti badged entry guards as soon as you open the door and coordinated leather upholstered seats, upper door panels and dashboard that has contrasting stitching, and an Alcantara® headlining. Instead of the standard cello flame maple mood veneer, the dashboard, center console and door panels get carbon fiber. To finish the interior, a fully integrated navigation, communication, entertainment system with Bose® Speakers, the Michelin Guide, full iPod capabilities, and a 10GB music box with Gracenotes database is all part of Infiniti’s Connectiviti+ technology package.

Other standard equipment includes electronic adjustable heated and ventilated front seats, a sunroof, keyless entry and start system, and magnesium paddle shifts that work in conjunction with the seven-speed automatic gearbox.  As far as under the hood, the cars have surprising performance with a 390 HP V-8 propelled engine that goes 0 62 miles per hour in 5.8 seconds and the V-6 only one second behind. Traction control is assured by al wheel drive. The New Infiniti FX Limited Editions can be reserved at the Infiniti Center. Pricing goes from $87,639.76 to $97,333.53.

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.