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2010
Chrysler 300C SRT8
 The
300C SRT8 is the product of a pre-castrated Chrysler. This was
a time of Viper-powered Rams, Hemi-powered Jeeps and SRT-badged
Neons. "You want it, you got it." Chrysler wanted the
300C SRT8 to start a new trend of muscle sedans a land where
quarter-mile times reigned supreme, and booming exhaust notes
were all that mattered. This trend never really caught on (save
the Cadillac CTS-V, which has been honed to be one hell of a machine),
and at the end of the day, Chrysler was left with a big, heavy,
powerful sedan that didn't offer much in the way of refinement
and carried a near-$50,000 price tag. More
information & pictures
BMW
X4 back on the table?
 Just
as the X6 was designed as a sportier take on the more traditional
SUV-shaped X5, the new X4 would inject a bit more Bavarian flavor
into the plain ol' X3. Citing an unnamed source within the company,
Autocar reports, "We haven't made any firm decision... however,
the X6's success shows there is a continued demand for sporty
off-roaders." More
information & pictures
Kia
Forte awarded IIHS 'Top Safety Pick'
 Much
like parent company Hyundai, Kia has been working hard to revive
its brand image. New products like the Soul and Forte have been
relatively well received so far, and with new stunners like the
2011 Sportage and Optima on the way, Kia should benefit from a
healthy boost in sales. But strip away the sleek new designs and
clever interior packaging, and you'll find that Kia's core value
of crafting extremely safe vehicles is still holding strong, especially
now that the 2010 Forte sedan has been named a Top Safety Pick
by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. More
information
2011
Audi A8 L arrives with 500-hp W12, seating for a king-maker
 Audi
is pulling out its biggest gun yet for the Beijing Motor Show,
and while the big news for the A8 L might be the 6.3-liter W12
and the sedan's longer wheelbase, it's the rear seat accommodations
that have us frothing at the mouth. With an overall length of
nearly 17 and a half feet, the A8 L is almost a half-foot longer
than its standard sibling, with a wheelbase of 10.24 feet. Those
extra inches are put to good effect, with an interior that's enough
to make a Maybach look downright spartan. More
information & pictures
Ferrari
takes wraps off new 599 GTO, quicker than an Enzo
 Output
from the 6.0-liter V12 itself derived from the Enzo's engine
is up from 612 horsepower to 661, with torque up a modest 9
lb-ft to 457. Coupled with a 195 kilogram (430 lb) weight reduction
program now tipping the scales at 1495 kg (3295 lbs), the leaner
and meaner 599 can sprint to 62 miles per hour from a standstill
in a scant (and very specific) 3.35 seconds, with a top speed
in excess of 208 mph, while lapping the Fiorano test track from
which its donor's name is derived in a blitzing 1 minute, 24 seconds.
That's faster than the Enzo, people. More
information
Review:
2010 Ford Shelby GT500
 Visually,
the GT500 benefits from the 2010 redesign more so than the standard
Mustang V6 and GT models. The rear end, especially the taillights,
doesn't look quite as awkward thanks to the subtle spoiler, and
the front end takes on a slightly more aggressive appearance with
its protruding snout. We're also particularly fond of the new
19-inch wheels, which appear more upscale compared to the previous
18-inch rollers...Visuals aside, the GT500 is all about the powertrain.
The iron block, supercharged 5.4-liter V8 remains in the car for
2010, although it's rated at 540 horsepower thanks to its open-element
air intake and engine management changes... More
information & pictures
Abt
Sportsline gets its hands on Audi R8 Spyder
 The
German company has been tuning Volkswagens and Audis since the
1970s and has enjoyed success racing the Audi A4 in DTM and more
recently the new R8 LMS. Needless to say, Abt knows how to properly
modify cars bearing the four rings. Abt's latest project is the
droptop version of the Audi R8. Visually the car gets a new front
grille, front fascia with carbon fiber spoiler, side sills, rear
fascia, rear spoiler and lightweight five-spoke wheels. Even more
importantly, the 5.2-liter V10 has been massaged to provide 600
horsepower, good for 0-100 km/h in 3.8 seconds and a top speed
of 199 mph. More
information & pictures
Officially
Official: 2011 BMW 5 Series Touring
.jpg) All
of the fancy new technology that we've already seen in the 5 Series
Gran Turismo and sedan is carried over into the Touring. That
includes the driver assistance systems like the surround-view
cameras and parking assist. Underhood, BMW's twin-turbo 4.4-liter
V8 won't be available at launch, but a selection of gas and diesel
four- and six cylinder engines will be offered. The range-topping
535i is powered by the new 300-horsepower 3.0-liter N55 twin-scroll
turbo direct-injected inline-six. Single-turbo versions of the
2.0-liter inline-four and 3.0-liter inline-six diesels are also
available with 184 hp and 245 hp respectively. More
information
Review:
2011 Jaguar XJ
 While
most of the sedans in this segment are rather indiscernible in
a crowd, the all-new 2011 Jaguar XJ draws mesmerized stares at
first glance. Jaguar, intent on designing "beautiful fast
cars" with "seductive designs," has delivered a
sleek, fluid and contemporary shape it isn't difficult to visualize
that leaping black cat in its elongated silhouette. Instantly
recognizable as a Jaguar thanks to the massive front grille
the XJ's figure doesn't overtly build-upon the styling of the
XF, as many would have expected. More
information & pictures
2011
Hyundai Sonata
 2011
Hyundai Sonata is being placed right back into the middle of the
hotly-contested family sedan segment, already occupied by such
established players as the Honda Accord, Toyota Camry, Nissan
Altima, Ford Fusion and Chevrolet Malibu, to name just a few.
Completely redesigned for 2011, the Sonata is freshly styled and
more spacious than its predecessor. It brings a few innovations
to the game, including a new direct-injected four-cylinder powerplant
mated to a six-speed automatic yet it has no V6 option. More
information & pictures
2010
Range Rover Sport Supercharged
 The
sportiest of Range Rovers has been a solid entry in the luxury
mountain climbing segment for a half-decade, but the folks at
Land Rover have given the Sport a very thorough update for 2010
to help it live up to fast and flashy new competitors like the
Porsche Cayenne and BMW's X5/X6 M twins. It may not look all that
different on the outside, but among the upgrades for 2010 are
a pair of more powerful engines, a new six-speed automatic transmission
and comprehensive if subtle alterations to the accommodations.
More
information & pictures
Review:
2010 Acura TL SH-AWD 6MT
 When
the redesigned Acura TL debuted in late 2008, it represented a
substantial transformation over previous iterations. The third-generation
model retained the transverse V6 of its two predecessors, but
for the first time included an all-wheel-drive option. But while
the torque-vectoring Super Handling-All Wheel Drive is an appreciated
addition when you're putting out over 300 horsepower, performance
oriented drivers were appropriately miffed that both the TL Type-S
and a manual transmission were no longer available. More
information & pictures
Infiniti
launches FX Limited Edition in Europe
 Miffed
at having missed out on the Infiniti FX Millionaire Edition? The
special run was unveiled in Amsterdam a couple of months back
at a price roughly twice that of a stock FX. Only 100 were made,
and they weren't even available on this side of the pond. Now
Infiniti's European division is following up with a second run
called, straight-forward enough, the Limited Edition. Like the
Millionaire, the Limited can be ordered in either FX37 or FX50
guise More
information & pictures
First
Drive: 2011 BMW 335is
 Based
on the freshly facelifted sixth-generation 3 Series, the 2011
335is will be available in both coupe and folding hardtop convertible
forms beginning this spring but we just couldn't wait that long
to get behind the wheel. Thankfully, BMW was kind enough to slip
us the keys to a pre-production example on Portugal's Estoril
raceway as a dessert course of sorts at the launch of their new
5 Series sedan. Follow the jump to read our full slate of impressions.
Interestingly, having just sat through a press conference detailing
the many virtues of the 5 Series' new 3.0-liter N55 single-turbo
inline six More
information & pictures
Review:
2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost AWD
 It's
a superlative mill using twin turbos and direct injection to create
a power band as deep as Warren Buffet's pockets. With the EcoBoost
V6, you wouldn't know the MKT with all-wheel drive weighs a smidge
over 5,000 pounds because effortless power is its calling card,
just like a larger V8. The upside is better fuel mileage: We experienced
a range of between 1922 mpg, which is at the hind of the EPA's
16 city/22 highway mpg estimate. The downside: no V8 vibrations
or acoustics. More
information & pictures
Review:
2010 Mercedes-Benz E350
 In
the new E's most recent TV spots, Mercedes touts the decades of
experience and innovation it brought to bear on the all-new E-Class.
Strangely, this is one of those rare instances when marketing
speaks truth. While the excellence does cost (the E350 starts
at $49,000 and our tester rang in at around $60k), you won't feel
ripped off, even if you opt for the V6. If past E-Class Benzes
have lost the marque's storied status, the E350 is finally the
vehicle to win it back, come hell, highwater or Nor'Easter. More
information & pictures
Lamborghini
Gallardo LP570-4 Super Veloce rendered ahead of Geneva debut
 It's
been assumed for months that Lamborghini would unveil a final
special edition Gallardo at the Geneva Motor Show this March.
If the most recent reports are to be believed, the V10 will be
tweaked and tuned to put out 570 horsepower through all four wheels
just as it's LP570-4 designation would imply. However, there's
still no word on whether the Super Veloce moniker will be applied
and what kind of weight savings will be exacted. If it's anything
like the Murciιlago LP670-4 SV, expect the curb weight to drop
by around 200 pounds and the 0-60 time to speed by in under 3.5
seconds. More
information
Review:
2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI V10
 There
are several problems with the R8 5.2 FSI. The first is the name.
R8 5.2 FSI sounds like what NASA might name a new star and is
only half as sexy. The easy solution would have been to call it
the RS8, but I've long ago stopped trying to make sense of Germanic
automotive nomenclature (BMW X6 xDrive35i springs to mind). And
since the average man on the street (and that street is probably
Rodeo Drive) has zero clue what 5.2 FSI means, Audi stuck several
"V10" emblems on the coupe, in case said man wants to
know why your R8 costs $25,000 more than his. More
information & pictures
2011
Ford Mustang GT and 5.0-liter V8 unwrapped early
 2011
Ford Mustang GT would pack a brand new 5.0-liter V8 producing
412 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. We thought those
tidbits might hold over the internet 'till the official embargo
date lifts early next week, but we were wrong and therefore are
still awake at 1:30 AM on Christmas morning writing this post.
Thanks to Jalopnik via MustangHeaven via BurlappCars, we have
the first images of the 2011 Mustang GT and its new 5.0-liter
V8. More
information
Cargraphic
brings Airlift system to Audi R8
 The
Audi R8 is undoubtedly awesome. It is also undoubtedly low, as
in to the ground. Not low enough to prevent you from getting around,
but you pay close attention anytime the word "driveway"
comes up. Cargraphic has engineered an airlift system to address
the issue that can raise the car 72 mm (2.8 inches) in 15 seconds.
The best part about it is that it doesn't alter the dynamic performance
of the car's suspension. The airlift places small bellows on the
upper spring cup of the suspension. When the bellows aren't inflated,
the mounting point is rigid, so the suspension responds as normal.
More
information
First
Drive: 2011 Toyota Sienna
 Toyota
predicts that the minivan market will grow by 30 percent over
the next few years (to about 600,000 units), as young families
and empty-nesters once again discover the inherent merits of a
car-based box with sliders. But while minivans are no doubt practical,
they're far from cool. The 2011 Toyota Sienna was designed to
challenge that assumption. Patterned after the F3R concept, the
new Sienna apes the Honda Odyssey's square shoulders but grafts
on a Venza-like nose and tail. There's something for everyone
with five different trim levels, two different engines, front-
or all-wheel drive, and even a sport-tuned SE edition More
information & pictures
Review:
1967 Classic Recreations Eleanor Mustang
 H.
B. Halicki was a used car salesman who wanted to make a movie.
With a little money, one big idea, and a 1971 Mustang Mach 1,
he made Gone in 60 Seconds. And in that particular way that movies,
especially '70s movies, can be, it wasn't all that good, but it
was awesome. Fast forward to Michael Bay's remake in 2000, and
the Mach 1 was replaced by a 1967 Shelby GT500. When we got a
call offering us the actual car from that movie for the weekend,
we felt obliged to say yes... and then drive it like we stole
it. More
information & pictures
Review:
2010 Buick LaCrosse CXL
 General
Motors has introduced the 2010 Buick LaCrosse, a vehicle with
which the automaker hopes to jump-start a sweeping brand transformation
for the tired Tri-Shield. For Buick to be a success in GM's post-bailout,
post-bankruptcy era, the brand must dump its well-deserved reputation
as the preferred marque of last-time buyers. (Average age of previous-model
LaCrosse buyer: Around 70.) For better or worse, as it scrambles
to get more and younger drivers behind the wheel, Buick has
elected to position itself as America's Lexus in a bid to give
itself some premium cachet. More
information & pictures
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