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2010
GMC Terrain priced from $24,995
 When
the 2010 GMC Terrain begins rolling out of General Motors' CAMI
assembly facility in Ingersoll, Ontario and into dealerships this
September, the new CUV will be clutching a $24,999 sticker price
(including a $745 destination charge). For that sum, buyers will
get GM's latest direct injected four-cylinder engine, in this
case displacing 2.4-liters and producing 182 horsepower and 174
pound-feet of torque. Perhaps more importantly, this engine manages
to deliver an EPA-estimated 32 miles per gallon on the highway,
a class-leading figure. More
information
First
Drive: 2010 Ford Taurus
 The
Taurus name has never been extended upmarket like this before
(let alone in such a waterlogged economy), and it isn't immediately
clear who the model's competitors are – a detail that could prove
problematic when trying to target customers. The Chicago-built
Taurus is no longer a logical Toyota Camry, Honda Accord and Chevrolet
Malibu cross-shop – that's the Fusion's turf now. In size, technology,
and aspirations, Ford is pushing its new sedan several of rungs
up the ladder. Is it the right product for the right time? Perhaps
of more immediate concern, is it carrying the right name and will
Ford be able to overcome the Taurus brand's baggage and sell America
on its virtues? More
information & pictures
Review:
2010 Lincoln MKZ
 Lincoln
has definitely freshened the look of the MKZ both inside and out,
and it's a markedly more attractive package than the first generation
model. We're not sure if Ford's luxury brand was aiming for the
middle, but after a week with the freshly updated MKZ, that's
exactly where it finds itself. In terms of styling and performance,
the MKZ ends up being a nice alternative for those among us who
want something more spirited than a Lexus ES350 and more subdued
than a Acura TL. Whether those attributes will help Lincoln steal
sales from the competition is another matter. With stellar reliability
ratings, solid performance and the most standard features in its
class, it should. More
information & pictures
2011
Audi R8 Spyder will launch with V10 only, next A8 not coming to
Frankfurt
 It's
been all but confirmed by Audi that the R8 Spyder is due to debut
alongside the new A5 Sportback at the Frankfurt Motor Show this
September, but according to two reports from Car and Driver, there
will be one less vehicle on the show stand in Germany and only
one engine available in the drop-top supercar. The 2011 Audi R8
Spyder will reportedly be available with the 525 hp, 5.2-liter
V10 at launch -- meaning no V8 -- with a standard six-speed manual
gearbox or optional R-tronic automated transmission. The 420 hp,
4.2-liter V8 currently fitted to the standard R8 could be added
later. More
information
2009
NISMO 370Z officially priced from $39,130
 The
hardcore NISMO 370Z first appeared in April at the New York Auto
Show, but Nissan didn't stick a price tag on it at that time.
Those interested in the ultimate in factory Z performance now
know that they will have to save up $39,130 in order to get a
taste. For that near 40 grand price tag, pretty much everything
is included on this late-to-the-party 2009 model. The only options
available for the NISMO are back-lit sill plates, carpeted floor
mats and a carpeted trunk mat, none of which do anything to make
the NISMO any quicker.All of the go-faster bits are included in
price of admission, including an upgraded 3.7-liter V6 that bumps
power from 332 to 350 horsepower, and torque nudges from 270 to
275 pound-feet. Like the standard Z. More
info
Review:
2010 Roush 427R
 2010
Ford Mustang has raised the bar for modern day pony cars. The
sculpted body, finely tuned suspension, higher quality interior
and additional horsepower make it one of the best Stangs to ever
come from the Blue Oval's stable. With a flood of aftermarket
variants sure to come, we couldn't help but wonder if the new
Mustang would provide an even better platform to work with, or
if tuners might struggle to improve on an already excellent product.
Roush, who were given inside access to the 2010 Mustang by Ford
for their own product development, were first to market with their
427R Mustang that was unveiled back in March... More
information & pictures
2010
Acura TSX V6
 Acura's
best selling car is not its entry-level model: Acura moves more
TLs than anything else in its line-up. And unlike those other
brands, Lexus included, all of Acura's offerings carry five-star
safety ratings from NHTSA, are rated as top safety picks by the
IIHS, and the Automotive Lease Guide has declared that Acura offerings
have the best resale value among luxury brands. Now, Honda's premium
division has grown by one with the addition of the TSX V6...Acura
decided the V6's buyers were looking for sport package identity,
they simply wanted more power. More
information & pictures
Review:
2009 Lexus IS F
 The
Lexus IS F is the sole Japanese contender in a crowd of compact
high-performance sport sedans. Boasting a full complement of performance
upgrades, including a 5.0-liter V8 mated to a quick-shifting eight-speed
automatic transmission, the 416-horsepower sedan blasts to 60
mph in well under five seconds.The interior features sporty bucket
seats, revised instrumentation, special trim, and additional standard
features. Of course, there are also plenty of "F" emblems
and escutcheons on the car to remind you why you paid a base price
of $56,610 (our tester rang up at $61,120). ..More
information & pictures
2009
Infiniti G37 Convertible starting at $43,850
 The
seven-speed, automatic-equipped model starts at $43,850, while
the six-speed manual model (6MT in Infiniti parlance) with its
standard Sport package comes in at $43,900 (both excludes $865
destination and handling). Just for comparison's sake, the BMW
328i starts at $44,550, while the hotter, twin-turbocharged 335i
commands $50,700 for the privilege. Package pricing is listed
in detail below the fold, but for $3,250, the automatic model
can be outfitted with the Premium setup, while opting for the
Sport 6MT saves you $200 on the same package. More
info
Review:
2010 Jaguar XFR, XKR
 The
all-new XJ is due to be revealed next month and go on sale this
December, and for the 2010 model year, Jaguar has added two new
high-performance models to the mix – the XFR and XKR – along with
upgrading the powerplants in its shapely sedan and arresting (pun
intended) coupe/convertible.Both the naturally aspirated and supercharged
4.2-liter V8s are gone in the U.S. market for 2010, and in their
place is an all-new, Jaguar-developed 5.0-liter direct-injected
eight-pot putting out 385 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque. More
information & pictures
First
Drive: 2010 Lexus HS 250h
 The
latest master weapon comes from Lexus in the form of its HS 250h
hybrid, claimed to be not only the world's first hybrid-only luxury
sedan, but also the most fuel-friendly luxury vehicle extant.
If Lexus has it, they put it on this car. Our question was: Would
we want to put one in our driveway? Frugal hybrids are here, sports
car hybrids are here, and luxury hybrids are dipping wheels in
the waters. This car marks the first luxury-only hybrid to make
its acquaintance with the public. More
information & pictures
Officially
Official: Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400
 The
Mitsubishi Evolution X FQ400 has been rumored for months and its
finally ready for its close-up before sales begin in the UK this
June. In keeping with its NSFW nomenclature, the FQ400 is putting
out 403 hp at 6,500 rpm, with peak torque – 387 lb-ft of the stuff
– arriving at an oh-so-usable 3,500 rpm. The extra grunt is thanks
to a set of high-flow fuel injectors and a new turbo with low
friction bearings, an uprated thrust bearing and high temperature
turbine that Mitsubishi insists will keep turbo lag at bay. More
information
Bugatti
Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport production begins
 The
luxury car builder Bugatti’s plant in Molsheim has officially
begun production on the ultra exclusive Veyron 16.4 Grand Sport
model. The limited edition open air super car will only have a
run of 150 units, 30 of which are already spoken for. Bugatti
is very selective about inviting members of the public into their
ownership club; only the most exclusive clientele will have the
chance to buy one. Just like the fixed roof version, the Grand
Sport is powered by the same quad turbo W16 that develops 1001
HP. The targa top Veyeron is capable of hitting a top speed of
252 MPH, or 223 MPH with out the roof.More
information
Review:
2009 Land Rover LR2 HSE
 The
unibody LR2 is actually the heftiest customer of the compact premium
class, toting around some 4,250 pounds (competitors generally
ring up in the 4,000-4,200 pound range), a number that doesn't
bode well for the 3.2-liter inline-six, which only brings 230
horsepower (@ 6,300 rpm) to the party. That's substantially fewer
ponies than the LR2's aforementioned adversaries, most of which
corral upwards of 260 hp. More
info & pictures
Vauxhall
Insignia VXR Sports Tourer unveiled
 GM
has formally unveiled the Vauxhall Insignia VXR Sports Tourer
(a.k.a. the Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer on the other side
of the Chunnel). By now, you're probably seen the specs, but we'll
go over them again for the sake of being complete. 325 horses
are corralled in the 2.8-liter turbo V6 underhood. Yep, that's
a six-speed stick you see in the attached photo gallery, and both
all-wheel drive and eLSD are standard. Stopping power is supplied
by Brembo, the seats are by Recaro, and the overall appearance
is liberally sprinkled with awesome. More
information & pictures
Fast
& Furious Skyline stolen from Hollywood garage
 It
took two years to build it in reality, ten seconds of montage
to put it together on screen, and about ten minutes to steal it.
In a rare automotive example of life imitating art imitating life,
the Nissan Skyline that Paul Walker drove in the latest Fast &
Furious movie was stolen from its storage facility in Los Angeles.
Although dressed up to look like a full-on R34 GT-R for the movie,
the car underneath was actually a lower-spec GT-S.Reports indicate
that thieves, evidently knowing the car was inside, broke through
a metal door and ripped off that specific car, leaving the rest
but sideswiping a Studebaker and a Porsche Boxster on the way
out. More
information
Review:
2009 Toyota RAV4 Sport
 Wanting
to cover all the bases, the RAV4 can be had in a variety of configurations,
from a basic front-driver with four-cylinder power up to a leather-lined,
four-wheel-drive Limited with a silly-powerful V6. A Sport version
seeds right in between the base and Limited, carrying a satisfying
level of equipment. There's an allure to the big horsepower delivered
by the six – especially when it costs as little on EPA ratings
as the RAV's 3.5-liter..More
info & pictures
2009
BMW Z4 Roadster review
 The
all-new 2009 BMW Z4 Roadster is the eagerly anticipated replacement
to both the Z4 Convertible and Z4 Coupe. Adding to this pressure,
the two-seater is also tasked with satisfying the enthusiasts
who enjoyed the high-performance M variants, both of which are
discontinued – at least for the moment. The all-new 2009 Z4 is
BMW's fifth roadster offered during the past two decades. The
first model was the late-80's steel and composite two-seat BMW
Z1. It never made it to the States, but its influence paved the
way for our U.S.-built BMW Z3 in 1996.. More
information & pictures
Review:
2009 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1
 The
new ZR1 is truly a daily driver supercar, at least for most days.
Even with proper snow tires, it would be extremely unwise to attempt
driving a ZR1 in the winter. The ride is comfortable enough, however,
that even driving it in Michigan is tolerable, while the grip
is sufficient to drive through corners at speeds that would easily
get you thrown behind bars. Even the interior – while not up to
the standards of Audi or Ferrari – is livable enough as long as
the seats get replaced by something better. More
info &
pictures
Review:
2009 Audi A4 3.2 Quattro
 So
when developing the "all-new" A4, Audi knew it had to
hit every note in pitch-perfect harmony. Our First Drive proved
that many of the A4's foibles had been left in the past, but until
we lived with one for a week, the jury was still sequestered in
a hotel, living off an $11 per diem. Now, deliberations are over
and we're prepared to deem the 2009 Audi A4 one of the best sports
sedans on the market. In fact, the A4 is so good, it's almost
boring. More
information & pictures
Review:
2009 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8
 With
the introduction of the Tiburon, Hyundai finally dipped its toe
into the sports-car segment, but as nice as it was, it simply
didn't have the chops to play with the big boys of the performance
set. Enter the Genesis Coupe. Hyundai's rear-wheel-drive two-door
is the second salvo in the automaker's bid to flesh-out its premium
Genesis sub-brand, while at the same time taking direct aim at
a field of established competitors ranging from the Ford Mustang
to the Infiniti G37. Does the Genesis have what it takes to play
the game? We spent a week with a 3.8-liter Track model to find
out. More
information & pictures
First
Drive: 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class
 The
E-Class' interpretation of the now common form language introduced
on the 2006 S-Class is accentuated by four things: the angular
cast of the headlamps, which follow the contour of the new SL
headlights but are vertically sliced in two; the upper door-line
tied thematically around the front helping to break the side into
three discretely angled surfaces, working with the prominent,
chrome-trimmed lower door line that spans the full distance between
the wheel wells, then continues much more subtly around the rear
of the car. More
information & pictures
Review:
2009 Hyundai Elantra Touring
 The
Touring's sheet metal is also more attractive thanks to a strong
character line running the car's length with a concave sweep up
to the windows. This line emanates up front behind the large headlights
(dig the blue angel eyes on the projector lamps) and combines
with some pinched metal running up to the A-pillar to create distinct
front fenders and a raised hood. The thin grille sports a chromed
corporate 'H' with pride and small chrome eyebrow accents set
off the fog-lights in each corner of the front fascia. More
information & pictures
Lotus
releasing Elise Purist Edition for $43,995
 The
"Purist" edition is an attempt to get the Elise closer
to the MSRP it carried when introduced to the U.S. market in 2005.
So Lotus has set the price at a slightly more achievable $43,995,
or around $3,500 less than a base Elise. However, the "Purist"
is hardly a stripper model. Only available in Ardent Red, Monaco
White and Saffron Yellow, the entry-level Lotus is still packing
the 190-hp, Toyota-source 2ZZ 1.8-liter four and six-speed manual
transmission. More
info
First
Drive: Chevrolet Volt powertrain mule
 For
the Volt program, the first-generation powertrain mules were built
using previous-generation Malibu body shells with the Voltec (E-Flex)
powertrain -- the so-called Mali-Volts we first saw about a year
ago. Those vehicles originally ran in late 2007, with the engine-generator
and electric motor as well as a small hybrid battery to start
development of the powertrain control system. Later, the full
Volt T-shaped battery pack was installed and in 2008, the second-generation
mules were built using the body of the new Chevy Cruze...More
information & pictures
Bugatti
celebrates 100 years with four Centenaire specials at Villa d'Este
 Each
of the four one-offs bares a different color to contrast with
the chrome fenders, and each honors a different driver from Bugatti's
glory days by taking their names. To more clearly emphasize the
cars historical linkages, the four Veyrons arrived in Italy accompanied
by matching historic Bugatti Type 35 Grand Prix racers. One of
the most successful race cars in history, the Type 35 racked up
some 2,000 race victories over the course of a decade of competition
in the inter-war period. More
information
Bugatti
unleashes four-door Veyron
 It's
the Veyron for all the family! This is our best look yet at the
stunning Bugatti Royale – a four-door four-seater that’s set to
take the famous firm into a new market. With the £900,000, 253mph
Veyron 16.4 already crowned the world’s most expensive and fastest
supercar, Bugatti is seeking to go a step further: it will celebrate
its 100th anniversary by unveiling this hyper-saloon at the Frankfurt
Motor Show in September.More
information
Review:
2009 BMW 750i
 With
its 400 hp and 450 lb-ft of torque at just 1,800 rpm, the turbo
V8 is an ideal power-plant for a big luxury sedan. It's only available
with a ZF six-speed automatic transmission, as for the overwhelming
majority of people who choose a 7 as their preferred conveyance,
a manually-operated clutch wouldn't find favor. But that's not
to say the 750i isn't suited to fast driving. On the contrary,
even without the sport package, the 7 feels surprisingly nimble
for a 4,500 pound vehicle. More
information & pictures
Ferrari
F142 taking shape
 CAR
Magazine is running a new sketch of what they anticipate the newest
V8 Ferrari will look like, and we have to say, we're a little
disappointed. Internally dubbed the Ferrari F142, Maranello's
replacement for the F430 is inching closer to its first public
showing, and although we've seen some rather clunky test mules
so far, we were hoping that the Italian firm would recapture its
former sensual styling glory last seen on the 355 and Challenge
Stradale. Some critics might even go back as far as the Dino.
More
information
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