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!
Infiniti showcased their ultra powerful, ultra luxurious concept car the “Essence” at the Councours d’Elegance in Pebble Beach. This sleek bullet of a vehicle pulls its 592-hp from a parallel hybrid system that combines an ultra-slim 3D electric motor with a 3.7 liter twin turbo V6 engine. The 3D motor has a power regeneration mode which keeps the battery pack charged.
The Essence exterior is beyond sleek. Its fluid, seamless structure gives the appearance of molten liquid being hurled through space. The exquisite design is a culmination of 20 years of Infiniti craftsmanship and is a pre-curser to future production models. The Essence gives us our first peak at Infiniti’s newest Safety Shield technology, designed with the intent to create the first collision-free car.
The Essence interior embodies Infiniti’s emphatic sense of style and attention to detail. The plush leather seats and molded cabin structure cocoon both driver and passenger in comfort and luxury. However, the icing on the cake is the inclusion of a three-piece Louis Vuitton luggage set, fitted perfectly in the vehicle trunk.
Read more about the Infiniti Essence or see great Infiniti Specials
Infiniti of Texas | Los Angeles Infiniti
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.
Mercury’s 2010 Milan Hybrid is one smart vehicle. It has been labeled the most fuel-efficient midsize sedan in America, getting more than 700 miles to a tank during city driving. As with most Hybrids, the engine is powered by a combination of a gasoline engine and an electric motor which draws power from a battery pack and never needs to be plugged in.
A regenerative braking system captures energy generated from braking and transfers it to the battery for storage and later use. The 2010 Mercury Milan is equipped with Smartgauge™ with EcoGuide technology, allowing the driver to monitor performance-related information such as fuel economy history, battery-charge status, electric mode indicator, engine output power and battery output power. Milan drivers can monitor their driving efficiency by selecting a dashboard graphic display with “energy “ leaves and vines which grow as their driving efficiency increases.
All and all the Milan Hybrid is a great choice for saving money on fuel expenses but further savings may occur at tax time. The IRS has approved a tax credit between $850 and $1,700 for those who purchase a Mercury Milan before March 31, 2010 making the Milan Hybrid one sweet and smart deal.
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GM unveiled the 2010 Buick LaCrosse at the 2009 Detroit auto show. And as expected the LaCrosse looks like a dead ringer for Buick’s Invicta concept car. The styling of the LaCrosse is quite multi-dimensional. It sports a signature Buick grille, has large chrome trimmed LED taillights, chrome trim around the window openings, and a visual crease that flows from the grille. It has a boat tail crease in the rear bumper, integrated exhaust ports, and large headlights.
On the inside, the cabin is two tone with a outsized instrument panel. At the top of the center stack a large touch screen navigation system is placed. There is also blue ambient lighting in the center console and door panels as well as real wood inlays and a silver trim.
As far as under the hood, the 2010 Buick LaCrosse comes available with a six speed automatic 3.0 Liter V6 direct injection 
engine producing 255 horsepower and 211lb-ft of torque or a 3.6 Liter direct injection V6 with 280 horsepower and 261lb-ft of torque. It also comes available in three trims, the CX, the CXL, and the CXS. The CX trim is standard while the CXL trim has leather seats, dual zone climate control, fog lamps, LED turn indicators, 18 inch wheels, and an all wheel drive option. The CXS package gets similar upgrades in addition to real time active dampening suspension and 19 inch wheels as an option.
Estimated fuel efficiency for the 2010 Buick LaCrosse is about 18mpg in city and 27mpg in highway for the basic 3.0L unit and 17mpg city and 26mpg highway with the 3.6 Liter. Buick is pinning a lot of hope on the new LaCrosse, and has accordingly paid a lot of attention to the little things the company hopes will make it a success.
Materials, style, design, accessories, and features are all intended to provide a world-class experience. The new Buick will be assembled at GM’s Fairfax facility starting in February. The LaCrosse should hit showrooms in 2009 as a 2010 model. Estimated price for the new LaCrosse is $27,085.
Scion has hit a gold mine with the Release Series versions of their line-up. Well the Scion xD RS 2.0 has recently hit the markets with a buzz. The xD will only be offered in one exterior color: Electric Wasabi Green. And yes this color looks just like what you’d see in your local Sushi restaurant. The name tells the whole story; this car will definitely stand out! With only 1600 versions of this vehicle being offered, they will sell out fast. But what exactly do you get with a Limited Edition Release Series xD? 
First off is the sweet Pioneer Navigation Audio System. The 5.8” Nav features a touch screen, IPod connectivity, Bluetooth, HD Radio, and a Rear-View Camera.
The Interior receives a couple of upgrades and accessories. The xD will get black fabric seats with some cool silver highlights. This interior color scheme is very refined and appealing. There is an interior illumination feature that has 4 different lighting options that include green, blue, orange, and white. To go with this upgraded interior are illuminated door sills that glow with the interior color of your choice. Rounding out the interior is a unique numbered holographic badge to indicate this limited edition model car. 
Moving to the outside the custom xD gets 16” Release Series Wheel covers that are specifically branded for the Release Series. Finally top this off with a color matched rear spoiler wing and you have one custom limited edition Scion xD. This car is on sale right now as a 2009 model and the price checks in at $16,590. A manual or automatic transmission is available. And of course this automobile features power everything.
Source Scion Website See Other Cool Scions
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The Escalade Hybrid is the best way for environmentally conscious customers to get their luxury SUV with out sacrificing quality. Maximum seating capacity in the Hybrid is 8. It is also the only full-size luxury SUV hybrid on the market. Due to its 2 mode hyrbrid powertrain, the Escalade Hybrid recieves 50 percent better fuel efficiency in city driving and 40 percent increase overall.
The Escalade Hybrid’s two mode hybrid powertrain combines GM’s Vortec 6.0 liter V-8 engine with Cadillac’s new Auto Trans. 2 electric motors help to power the 4 gear EVT transmission. The V-8 engine in the Hybrid has the brand’s Active Fuel Management System, allowing four-cylinders to shut off in light load conditions; ultimately conserving fuel. When idling at a stop, the gas engine shuts off but restarts when needed. The electric motors let the engine to run in a four-cylinder mode more often.
With light throttle, the electric motors can propel the 2009 Cadillac Escalade 
Hybrid up to 30 mph, but together the electric motor and gasoline engine produce 332 hp and 367lb.ft. of torque. Located under the second row seats lies a 300-Volt battery pack that powers all electric engines, the steering system, and the electrically driven air conditioning compressor. Regenerative braking also charges the batteries. The SUV comes available in either front or all wheel drive. The hybrid powertrain is only available on a standard length Escalade.
As far as towing capability, the 2009 Cadillac Escalade Hybrid will be rated to tow up to 6000 pounds with rear wheel drive and 5700 pounds with all wheel drive. On the inside, the Escalade Hybrid has an 8-inch touch screen that showcases the hybrid drive system and informs the driver as to which mode the SUV is running in. To encourage better fuel economy, the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid comes with an economy gauge that represents which zones the drivers should drive in. The TACH in the Hybrid also includes and Auto Stop indicater, letting the driver know when the motor is shut off.
Ever since the Taurus took a nose dive a few years ago, Ford has been looking for a suitable replacement to challenge the Accord and Camry in the mid-sized car segment. Since its first introduction in 2006, Ford has made many modifications to the Fusion including the new Hybrid power plant that the public have really been taking notice to. In comparison to its competitors; the Ford Fusion Hybrid gets some of the best in-town gas mileage. You can expect to get great fuel economy in city driving, around 41 MPG, which is much better than the Toyota Camry hybrid and a little better than the Civic Hybrid. The hybrid electric motor has the ability to power the Fusion up past 45 miles per hour without the help of the gas engine.
Ford has created an ingenious system which is built into the instrument cluster of the Fusion Hybrid called the SmartGauge. There are 2 LCD screens located one on each side of the speedo which display 4 different information screens. The first screen shows the fuel level and the level of power left in the batteries. The 2nd information monitor shows the tachometer and the electric mode function. The third screen displays engine and battery output power. The fourth and final data screen shows power to the wheels and accessory power consumption. The info centers in the Fusion display MGP, fuel consumption past data, a driving log, and radiator temp. A real time MPG information gauge easily displays to drivers which driving style would be best for fuel economy.
You can see the Fusion hybrid flow graph located in the navigation screen. This display will track the 5 modes of the Fusion’s Hybrid Powertrain which are the; electric drive, hybrid drive, electric boost, idle charging, and regenerative breaking.
Seperating itself from the hybrid pack, the Fusion has seats made from reclaimed fabric. The Prius and the Civic Hybrid are two of the most popular cars out today, its about time Ford designed a hybrid car.
Everything about the New Nissan Nismo 37OZ is better, faster, and more superior. It’s really amazing how different this car is from its predecessor, the Nismo 35OZ. The interior, exterior, and performance have all been modified to the highest degree. The second generation Nismo Z offers unique performance and design qualities that only driving and sports car enthusiasts look for. It is every enthusiast’s dream. The Nismo 37OZ was developed by Nissan’s Specialty Vehicle Group in Japan; Nismo.
The Nismo 370Z gets an eye catching aerodynamic body kit. The suspension is sport tuned. It’s equipped with a standard 3.7Liter DOHC V6 engine that includes a close-ratio six speed transmission with a SynchroRev-Match System. The Variable Valves and Lift Control in the engine produce 18 more horsepower for a total of 350 HP and 276lb.-ft. of torque. The new Z also has a dual exhaust system.
To optimize a true performance machine, the 37OZ is offered with only one transmission and is the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission. The high performance car also features a four wheel independent suspension, a reinforced strut tower brace (for enhanced body rigidity), and a pair of performance body dampers to manage vibrations from the road. The tuned suspension includes special tuned springs, shock absorbers and stabilizer bars.
The 2010 Nissan Nismo 370Z also has wider five spoke 19inch RAYS forged aluminum-alloy wheels that are mounted with Yokohama ADVAN Sport Y-rated high-performance tires, and new Nissan Sport Brakes including a Limited-Slip Differential.
Besides its outstanding performance to draw enthusiasts in, the Nismo stands out from the crowd with its dramatic exterior and interior styling. Body modifications include extended front nose and an integrated spoiler that increases downforce.
On the inside, the Z includes Nismo emblems, black and red fabric with red stitching, a special tachometer, leather wrapped steering wheel and shift knob and aluminum trimmed pedals. Nissan announced pricing for the new Nismo 37OZ to be around $39,130.
If you thought the Camaro was fast and stylish before, the new 2010 Camaro HPE700 will blow your mind. An Extreme Performance Makeover transforms the muscle car into a super car. Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE), most known for their modified performance sports and muscle cars, launches their Limited Edition 2010 Camaro with only 24 being produced.
John Hennessey, President and CEO of Hennessey Performance Engineering stated that, “The HPE700 Camaro
allows our customers to combine supercar power and performance with classic American muscle car looks in a modern, daily-drive usable sports car with a backseat and a trunk. We will be announcing other Hennessey turnkey vehicle packages for the 2010 Camaro in the near future along with an extensive list of aftermarket performance parts and accessories. But for now, the LS9-powered HPE700 Camaro, replete with ZR1 inspired looks and performance promises to be at the top of the American muscle car food chain later in 2009.”
The new Camaro will sport a LS9 supercharged V8 that will produce a 705 horsepower monster with 717lb.-ft. of torque. It will also come available with optional 15 inch carbon brakes, light weight HRE wheels and Michelin PS2 tires, and full suspension upgrades. Apart from the handling modifications, Hennessey will also be offering and exterior aerodynamics package. The package will improve down force at high speeds. Other exterior body upgrades will include Carbon fiber rear lip spoiler, Carbon fiber side rocker panels, Carbon fiber front splitter, hide-away look headlights, and a front billet grille. Base price for the 2010 HPE700 Camaro is $109,500. Thanks to HPE for the pictures.
