The BMW-based manufacturer’s latest offering gets the same 4.4-litre, twin-turbocharged powerplant and eight-speed ZF-developed transmission as its hot 5-series saloon.Its 500bhp and 516lb ft takes the F11 wagon from 0-62mph in 4.8sec, and on to a top speed of 188mph.Alpina will offer the car with an extensive range of customisation options, including the option of a limited slip differential.But the B5 Touring is likely to be the hottest 5-series wagon available for the foreseeable future; BMW’s M division has already stated that there will be no estate version of the next-gen M5 that’s due in the autumn.
Date: 02/24/2011

Ford has introduced a new, more powerful version of its Fiesta S1600.Limited to just 500 units, the Zetec-S-based Ford Fiesta S1600 uses a 1.6-litre Duratec engine, producing 132bhp and 118lb ft of torque. That compares to the previous S1600's 118bhp, a car which has now sold out to be replaced by this model of the same name.According to Ford, the new version has a top speed of 120mph and 0-60mph sprint time of 8.2sec - an improvement of 1.7sec compared with its predecessor.Features of the limited edition version include a revised front bumper with flared splitter, extended side skirts, large rear spoiler and diffuser and 17-inch white alloy wheels. Also available are white or blue liveries, with contrasting motorsport stripes.On the inside, the interior features heated leather sports seats, leather steering wheel and handbrake and motorsport mats.Prices for the Fiesta S1600 start from £15,895 and are available to buy now.
Date: 02/24/2011

Volkswagen is aiming to corner the market for small cabriolets by offering this soft-top Golf alongside its folding hard-top Eos and, from next year, a new Beetle convertible.Set for a public debut at the Geneva show next week, the Golf cabriolet brings open-air motoring back to VW’s mid-size hatchback for the first time since the facelifted Mk3 version that was sold alongside the Mk4 until 2002.
The Golf follows the Audi A3 (and previous Golf cabrios) by having a folding fabric roof. VW claims the unit opens in 9.5sec, and says it can operate at speeds of up to 30km/h (19mph).Unlike previous Golf drop-tops, the Mk6 doesn’t get a fixed rollover hoop. Instead, it uses the same deployable system that has featured in the Eos and the Beetle cabriolet. VW claims the car offers 250 litres of boot space, even with the roof retracted.
The front-end styling is pure regular Golf hatch, but at the rear the cabrio gets GTI LED tail-lights and a redesigned bootlid to aid access. A chrome strip highlights a crisp, unbroken line that extends from the base of the A-pillars all the way around the cabin.VW will offer six powerplants. Petrol engines include a 103bhp 1.2, 122bhp and 158bhp 1.4s and a 208bhp 2.0, while the diesels are a 103bhp 1.6 and a 2.0-litre unit producing 138bhp. Transmissions will be five and six-speed manuals or six and seven-speed DSGs.The car will be offered in one trim level, with single options and ‘packs’ available as add-ons.
Date: 02/24/2011

Mitsubishi's Concept Global Small vehicle will debut in Geneva.

Mitsubishi will unveil its latest concept at the Geneva Motor Show in early March, a small car that it intends to sell inglobal markets.

The concept is called the Concept Global Small, Mitsubishi said on Tuesday. It is designed to be compact, affordable and highly fuel efficient.

The vehicle will include start/stop technology, either a 1.0-liter or 1.2-liter engine, a regenerative braking system and a body designed to reduce aerodynamic resistance.

Mitsubishi plans to begin production of the car based on the concept in March 2012.


Date: 01/20/2011

$0The Chevy Volt's advanced battery pack, which contains 288 cells, is based on lithium, a mineral that some analysts believe will be in short supply.If you believe the headlines, electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids are about to take over the world. Soon we'll all be silently gliding around in Trader Joe's parking lot, free fromforeign oil, climate-change anxiety and all other earthly cares. This year'sNorth American International Auto Show in Detroit drove the point home asFord, Tesla,Porsche,Mercedes-Benz and others flaunted electric cars of all species. More importantly, the first real EV offerings, theNissan Leaf andChevy Volt, recently hit the streets to much fanfare.Indeed, it seems that electricity is winning the alternative-fuel war, which makes us both excited and a bit concerned. Carrying all those electrons around requires big, high-voltage batteries. And many questions are yet to be answered about these oversized copper tops — some good, some not so good.Here, we examine five of the most troubling concerns aboutEV batteries.Bing: Vehicle Battery Technology1. Will This Thing Die on Me?People don't like being guinea pigs, and many would-be EV owners are wondering if the large, pricey batteries that power electric cars are going to last. The bottom line: Nobody knows yet. Makers of plug-in hybrids and EVs tell us their batteries will last "the life of the car," but that is vague. Both the Nissan Leaf and Chevy Volt carry an 8-year, 100,000-mile warranty on their battery packs, which is encouraging. Also, the track record for conventional hybrid batteries has been strong, withToyota Prius batteries easily living beyond 200,000 miles.But the lithium-ion batteries used in plug-ins like the Volt and pure EVs like the Leaf are different from Prius batteries. They are composed of different chemistries and are much larger. They also endure greater punishment during daily use. A Prius battery delivers power in short bursts as it helps the gasoline engine along, and is then recharged as the car brakes. EVs and plug-in hybrids, on the other hand, deplete their batteries nearly all the way — a process called "deep discharge" — which is significantly more taxing on the cells and can diminish their life span.However, your primary concern with these batteries should not be their outright death, but rather a gradual drift into senescence. Lithium-ion batteries lose storage capacity over time; how long does your 5-year-old laptop battery hold a charge? This means your EV's range will decrease as it ages — and the more aggressively you drive, the faster that happens.Nissan and GM both acknowledge that their high-voltage batteries will hold less and less electricity over the years, and that their battery warranties cover only what they deem abnormal decreases in range. This means that if you buy a Leaf, which has a 100-mile range, and your commute is 50 miles each way, you might have to move in a year.MSN Autos: Green CentralReviewsFind expert and user reviews$0$0$002. Will There Be Enough Lithium to Support EVs?News headlines like "Will Afghanistan become the 'Saudi Arabia of lithium'?" have appeared in the press a lot recently. As the name suggests, lithium-ion batteries, of the sort favored for electric cars and plug-in hybrids, are based on lithium, a mineral mined from the earth or extracted from brine. The world's current supply of lithium comes from very few countries. A third of the current supply comes from Chile, but Bolivia and Afghanistan also have massive deposits. If Americans start driving electric cars in earnest, the question naturally arises: Will we be at the mercy of the world's producers? It's a question that sounds eerily familiar, right?At least for the foreseeable future, it seems we're in good shape. A recent research paper from the Argonne National Laboratory in Argonne, Ill., concludes, "It appears that even an aggressive program of vehicles with electric drive can be supported for decades with known supplies." Analysts also argue that as the demand for lithium ratchets up, new deposits will be unearthed. Greg Cesiel, engineering group manager for the Chevy Volt, says General Motors isn't worried: "There's a lot of lithium out there. We don't anticipate any shortages."
Date: 01/20/2011

Auto Mechanic Working on Engine Everyone wants to drive off adealer's lot in their new car, truck or SUV without any reservations, at ease in a relationship that will last for 200,000 hassle-free miles, or more. Mechanics, on the other hand, hope for a very different scenario. They want you to pull up to their garages in smoking heaps that will cost big bucks to fix. A dependable,reliable vehicle is just bad for business. To help you find a trusty steed, we've turned to a couple of experts —Consumer Reports and the mechanics who slave in the trenches every day — to identify the five rides that'll keep you on the road and out of the repair shop.Toyota Yaris



Toyota Yaris
Consumer Reports dependability rating: 80 percent above average

TheToyota Yaris is the best-performing ride in Consumer Reports' 2010 Annual Dependability Survey, the bible of reliability. According to Consumer Reports, the Yaris has one-fifth the problems of the average car in its sampling. Kenny Tran of tuning specialists Jotech in Garland, Texas, credits the tight tolerancesToyota engineers put into their engines as the reason. "They are well-built, with many overengineered heavy-duty parts," Tran says, "like using a timing chain versus a timing belt."

Compare: Toyota Yaris vs. Ford Fiesta vs. Kia Rio

Honda CR-V

Honda CR-V

Consumer Reports dependability rating: 65 percent above average

The Honda CR-V is the chart-topper among the small crossover SUVs in the Consumer Reports study. James Kempf of Speedfactory in Tacoma, Wash., is known for fixing, tuning and racing Hondas. When asked about the CR-V, Kempf replies: "Haven't seen much of them around here. In the CR-V, the K24 engine is understressed and sees low revs, which is why it is so dependable." Translated: The K24 is not overworked, so it doesn't suffer from as many fatigue-related issues as other engines.



Lexus LX 570

Consumer Reports dependability rating: 60 percent above average

When it comes to luxury SUVs, theLexus LX 570 has only 40 percent of the problems experienced by other vehicles. It has the advantage of Toyota's tradition of reliability coupled with the higher expectations inherent in the Lexus brand. Jotech's Tran says the overall attention to detail from design to the production line, and the use of tried-and-proven component systems are the reasons thisLexus is the scourge of wrenches far and wide.



Honda Fit

Consumer Reports dependability rating: 60 percent above average

The Honda Fit is comfortable at the top of Consumer Report's dependability study, where it has been solidly perched since the sporty subcompact hit the road in 2007. Allen Otto of Hansville Repair, a small, rural repair shop in Washington state's Puget Sound region, says he is not surprised. He services a few of the mighty mites and says he cannot remember doing anything more than routine maintenance on any of them.



Scion xD

Consumer Reports dependability rating: 57 percent above average

TheScion xD scores well in the Consumer Reports survey because it shares the same powertrain as the Yaris. Once a component system is proven, Toyota, Scion's parent company, uses it in as many vehicles as possible, improving the dependability of its entire line and saving development costs. The xD is also solid in the other categories; Tran says it is also outfitted with strong gears in the transmission, stout axles and more.


Date: 01/13/2011

It happens every year. We roam the aisles of theNorth American International Auto Show in Detroit in search of the coolest, hottest and most innovative, only to wind up being seduced by things that are just sad and pathetic. That's not to say we didn't find anything cool. We did.View Slideshow:  Ten Cars We Can't Wait to DriveBut it's the oddities on display here in theMotor City that tend to capture our hearts and minds and inspire us to mockery. Here are the five things that made us mutter, "Really?" more than any others, and are thus most deserving of our scorn and ridicule.More coverage from the Detroit Auto ShowMINI Paceman Concept

MINI Paceman ConceptIt's not that theMINI Paceman Concept doesn't look cool — it kind of does. But why would you buy it when you could just buy a Countryman, and get the benefit of four doors and enough headroom to actually use those doors to insert people into the car? The Countryman is available with the same John Cooper Works turbocharged 1.6-liter engine, and it has the same all-wheel-drive system. Ten bucks says the Paceman ends up costing more, and you get less. Really?Video Review: MINI CountrymanBYD

BYD e6This Chinese automaker says it'll have cars available in the U.S. by next year. Small problem: It's been saying that for the past four years. Even worse, it has been showing the same cars each and every year it makes the statement. Forgive us for being a bit skeptical, but it's time to put up or shut up. Far be it from us not to appreciate a new carmaker entering the fray, let alone a young Asian upstart like BYD; just remember the fun that everyone liked to poke at a youngHyundai trying to play ball with the Japanese boys. But we have to wonder when things are actually going to start happening here. The cars are hardly production-ready, even though they sell like crazy in China, with panel gaps big enough for a baseball bat and blatant knock-off styling.Read:  BYD Pushes for a 'Greener' WorldFord C-Max Hybrid and Energi

Ford C-MAX

Ford C-Max EnergiFord has introduced both a hybrid and a plug-in hybrid powertrain for its obscure — in the U.S., anyway — C-Max line. The hybrid powertrain is essentially Ford's next-generation setup, dubbed power-split technology, which allows the C-Max to travel up to 47 miles on electric power alone. Ford says it's looking to get better fuel economy than the outgoingFocus — that's 36 mpg city/41 mpg highway. The plug-in hybrid is, of course, designed to compete with theChevrolet Volt, but Ford expects a range of around 500 miles. Figure on an all-electric range of somewhere between 25 and 50 miles. Ford says the C-Max will be able to drive in three modes: blended electric and gas engine, fully electric and standard hybrid.This is great, but why bring this technology to market in the distinctly European — and we mean that with the best intentions — C-Max? It seems to us that the Focus is the more logical candidate if Ford is actually planning on selling cars. Heck, the C-Max is even built on the Focus platform.Read:  Ford Ups Its Electric GameJeep Liberty Jet

Jeep Libery JetTo quote theJeep website, the Liberty Jet is "dressed for the street," while "chrome accents and blacked-out headlamps attract the adventurous eye." Putting the absurdity of this statement aside, the bigger problem here is that those with an "adventurous eye" won't be able to go on any actual adventures, thanks to the giant dubs — that's 20-inch polished wheels, in this application — and the preciousness of the chrome lower fascia and door strips. Which would still be permissible — if going on adventures weren't the sole reason you buy a Jeep.Compare: Jeep Liberty vs. Kia Sportage vs. Ford Escape‘Gran Turismo’ Simulator for the Honda Insight


James Tate driving the Honda Insight.We get it — theInsight is as exciting as it gets for full-hybrid vehicles. But is it really so exciting that you'd want to drive it in the virtual realm? And in the same game that allows you to pilot a cool, 700-plus-horsepowerMercedes-Benz SLS AMG race car? I think not. Even more disturbing is that the simulation in "Gran Turismo" isn't even realistic. There's no cupholder for your wheatgrass colada or passenger seat for the poodle. There's no trunk, either, so you can just forget about those Whole Foods bags full of organic veggies. How do the designers live with themselves? On the plus side, this is definitely the most eco-friendly ways to drive aHonda Insight — in all-electric mode, to boot.James Tate cut his teeth in the business as a race team crew member before moving to the editorial side as Senior Editor of Sport Compact Car, and his work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Automobile, Motor Trend and European Car. When not writing, Tate is usually fantasizing about a vintage Porsche 911.
Date: 01/13/2011

When the 2011North American International Auto Show in Detroit opens its doors early next week, attendees will be greeted by an incredibly diverse lineup of concept and production cars. Some vehicles will put a priority onfuel efficiency, such as Toyota's new Prius-based crossover. Others, like theLamborghini LP560-4 Bicolor Special Edition, remain true to the proven tradition that nothing wows a crowd more than an outrageous shape and a jaw-dropping sticker price.More than ever before, the 2011 Detroit Auto Show signals the resurgence of American automakers likeGeneral Motors andChrysler. Both companies plan to use their home-turf advantage to showcase new and exciting concepts and production vehicles. For GM, this means playing up the potential of the hybrid gas/electric hardware that powers theVolt sedan.Home: 2011 Detroit Auto Show 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Look for the Volt's 150-hp electric motor and 1.4-liter 4-cylinder gasoline engine to find their way under the hood of the Chevrolet Amp, a small crossover vehicle. Like theVolt, the Amp should be able to run for up to 40 miles using only electric power. Our hope is that the premium you'll pay to own the Amp doesn't run much above the Volt's already steep $41,000 price tag (excluding state and federal tax incentives).Chevrolet is also set to unveil the Sonic, the bowtie brand's new entry-level model. The 2012 Sonic sedan and hatchback will replace the totally forgettableAveo, a car best remembered for being economy-car filler for rental fleets. Set to slot itself beneath Chevy's handsome newCruze sedan in terms of size and pricing, the Sonic should start around $13,000 when it goes on sale next year.2011 Chrysler 300Chrysler is also ready to begin introducing some much-needed new sheet metal. Having allied itself with Italy's Fiat Group, which presently owns 20 percent of the American automaker, Chrysler has been eerily silent at recent auto shows. With few attention-grabbing concepts or new production vehicles, Chrysler is long overdue when it comes to making a splash. This has finally started to change; thanks to new vehicles such as the 2011 Chrysler 200, which was unveiled during the 2010Los Angeles Auto Show.The 2011Chrysler 300 set to appear in Detroit will continue to strengthen the brand's lineup. With smoother exterior styling and an upgraded interior, the new 300 sedan looks less broad-shouldered and bulky than before. Engines range from a 292-bhp 3.6-liter V-6 to a 370-bhp 5.7-liter V-8, both mated to a 5-speed automatic transmission. Chrysler'sJeep brand will also display a redesigned 2011Compass. Looking like a scaled down version of theGrand Cherokee, this new crossover SUV is available with a choice of two 4-cylinder engines and front- or all-wheel drive.2012 Ford Grand C-MaxFord Motor Company emerged from the global recession in better shape than any of its American rivals, but this doesn't mean the blue oval brand is relaxing during this year's Detroit show. The 2012 Ford C-Max straddles the line between minivan and tall station-wagon. Whatever you want to call it, the C-Max should prove a capable hauler — and an economical one, thanks to Ford's range of small-displacement EcoBoost engines. Look for Ford to also feature several eco-themed concept and production vehicles on its stand.Toyota Prius Plug-In ConceptAmerican automakers are fighting back, but foreign brands aren't about to be caught standing still.Toyota is set to transform its highly successfulPrius hybrid sedan into an entire range of green-minded vehicles. A plug-in hybrid version of the Prius will be shown in Detroit, along with a new crossover vehicle. The Prius MPV will offer 50 percent more cargo room than the current sedan, according to Toyota. Powering this larger take on the Prius is a 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine, coupled with the next generation of Toyota's Hybrid Synergy Drive system.
Date: 01/07/2011

Racing the 25 Hours of Thunderhill in a Honda Fit and Mazda 2Video Game Comparo: Gran Turismo 5 vs. Forza Motorsport 32011 10Best: 10Best Cars, Concepts, Performers, and MoreContent provided byCar and DriverIt's so hot inside the tent that Mickey Mouse must take a break every 15 minutes to properly hydrate. An assistant leads His Mickeyness to a nearby but concealed location because, at Walt Disney World in Orlando, it is assumed that actually seeing the mouse head pop off and some dripping-wet cast member inside the costume guzzling Gatorade could be so traumatic for children that lawsuits may result. It has happened before.By now, everyone is ready to go home, but the trophy presentation is an integral part of any United States Auto Club (USAC) national event. This is, after all, the first-ever Mopar .25 Nationals, a genuine big-deal motorsports event for quarter-midget-racing kids, many of whom are still young enough to put out milk and cookies for Santa. Since the racing was held at Walt Disney World — or, more accurately, on a vacant parking lot at Walt Disney World Resort — it was assumed that the Disney cast of characters would present trophies. Mickey Mouse must have drawn the short straw, because he is the only one who showed up.These are tough, plucky kids — the best of 165 from as far away as New Mexico — who raced their way into the awards-ceremony tent by wheeling their quarter-midgets around the tri-oval racetrack that is 1/20th of a mile long. Since the 1930s, quarter-midgets — which are certainly larger than one-quarter the size of a regular midget race car but compete at speeds that are about one-quarter as fast, on a track that is one-quarter as long -- have been the launching point for hundreds, perhaps thousands, of racing careers.Bing: Quarter Midget RacingA.J. Foyt started in a quarter-midget. And so did Johnny Rutherford, Swede Savage, Bobby Labonte, Terry Labonte, Jimmy Vasser, Sarah Fisher, and Ryan Newman. Joey Logano started racing quarter-midgets at age six. Jeff Gordon was five, and had won a championship by age eight.Are there young drivers at the Mopar .25 Nationals who hope to follow in those footsteps? Yes. And there are definitely a lot of parents single-mindedly steering their kids toward stardom here, especially judging from the 40-foot trailers towed by diesel trucks, evidently required to haul a couple of quarter-midget cars that weigh from 160 to 320 pounds, driver included.Until a couple of years ago, quarter-midget racing was loosely organized around local racing clubs, which would typically build a little track — dirt or asphalt, they run on both. Then USAC, which sanctions full-size-midget and sprint-car racing, and from 1956 to 1997 sanctioned the Indianapolis 500, smelled an opportunity. In March 2009, USAC created the .25 series, which organized local clubs under one set of rules, and began hosting national events. National champions are decided after 10 races, held from California to Florida. There is no prize money. Racers can be as young as four and a half, as old as 16 before they must "retire." Most racers, if they are serious about it, move on to larger cars in other series long before they reach 16.There are 15 different classes of quarter-midgets at the mini-Mickyard, but they pretty much look the same to the uninitiated. They differ mostly in wheelbase and the engine used — typically Honda or Briggs & Stratton. Quarter-midget advocates tout the fact that the machines are more like full-size cars than karts, specifically because they have cages, seatbelts, and four-wheel suspensions. Used cars start at about $1,800 complete, and new cars clad in carbon fiber can top $10,000.Read:  Radical RacerBudgets are something Todd "Bubba the Love Sponge" Clem knows all about. As a radio personality, Bubba the Love Sponge — that is what his driver's license and passport say — hosts a very raw syndicated show from Tampa on terrestrial radio, and in 2006, he became the first personality hired by equally raw Howard Stern to help fill out the two channels Stern programs on Sirius satellite radio.Besides owning a super-late-model team that he races for himself at full-size dirt tracks across the Southeast, Bubba the Love Sponge has a first-class quarter-midget program for his eight-year-old son, Tyler, as well as for two friends, 11-year-old Michael Atwell and, next year, nine-year-old Trevor Taylor. All race under the banner of Clem Racing, Inc., and Tyler and Michael have already been signed as development drivers for NASCAR racer Tony Stewart and his Stewart-Haas motorsports team.Bubba the Love Sponge has some sponsors, but most of the expenses come out of his pocket. "If I had to write a check for everything we've spent on Tyler's career, it would probably be somewhere between $500,000 and $750,000," he says. "And you include the plane I bought to make sure we can get to and from the races" — a twin-engine Cessna 414 — "and we're over a million dollars."Tyler started driving quarter-midgets when he was three. Bubba says, "I bought a Stanley quarter-midget, fabbed it up with pedals and seats for him, and he just drove it around for two years. We called it 'quarter-midget day care.' " Two years later, Tyler started racing, and this year, he has been pursuing a national USAC title. He raced in nine of the 10 national races this season, missing only the California one, and finished third out of 66 racers in the Junior Honda class and won the Junior Animal title ("Animal" is the Briggs & Stratton engine used in that division). By the end of the year, Tyler will have raced in 55 local, regional, and national events in 2010.Read:  Six Things Every Young Driver Needs to Know
Date: 12/30/2010

The phrase "family friendly" is often looked down on, especially when applied to automobiles. That's a shame, and just plain misguided. Just because you buy a roomier, more versatile vehicle to accommodate the little ones doesn't mean that you've forsaken all of your hopes, dreams and desires to rip through the twisties. In fact, if you put some serious thought into purchasing the right pair of vehicles for your family, you can look like the coolest cat on the block as well as the most practical parent around. The following automotive one-two punches illustrate combinations that get the job done yet are fun to drive.Bing: Two-car familiesCheap ThrillsScion tC / Kia SportageScion tC andKia SportageHere are two sporty propositions that start in the $18,000 range. Both are all-new for 2011, both boast spirited driving characteristics, and both can accommodate the family in a squeeze. TheKia Sportage is the main family hauler. This sport cross is a blast, with its 176 horsepower, its relatively low ground clearance and its available 18-inch wheels, all of which translate into more agility in tight quarters. TheScion tC is a tighter fit for your brood, but the payoff is a sporty coupe that delivers nimble handling, a responsive 180-horsepower powerplant and plenty of excitement.Read:First Drive Articles of the 2011 Kia Sportageand the 2011 Scion tCPractically PoshInfiniti FX50 / Mercedes-Benz C63 AMGMercedes-Benz C63 AMG andInfiniti FX50This combination is more upper-class, with a dash of Euro chic thrown in for good measure. AMG is Mercedes-Benz's performance division, so the $58,200 C63 AMG gets a hand-built 6.3-liter 451-horsepower V8 engine, hot suspension, big brakes and more. The $59,000Infiniti FX50 is one of the wildest rides on this list. Its 390-horsepower V8 engine and 20-inch rims are impressive, but not as much as its 7-speed automatic transmission. The gearbox's innovative Adaptive Shift Control delivers quick upshifts and rev-matching downshifts, opening the floodgates to an invigorating drive.View Slideshow:  Ride Like Royalty for LessFast and FuriousNissan GT-R / Porsche Cayenne TurboNissan GT-R andPorsche Cayenne TurboThe supercar family will really get their kicks with this combined 985 horsepower at the ready. No doubt theNissan GT-R will cramp your family style, but it's so much fun to drive. In supercar terms, it is a bargain at $84,060. The all-wheel-drive coupe sports a twin-turbocharged 3.8-liter V6 engine pumping out 485 horsepower. The more family-friendly $99,900 Cayenne Turbo is the more powerful of this duo. It flexes a 4.8-liter 500-horsepower twin-turbo V8 engine that can propel you and the little ones from zero to 60 mph in 4.4 seconds.Read:  2011 Porsche Cayenne — First DriveThe Odd CoupleChevrolet Suburban / MINI Cooper SMINI Cooper S andChevy SuburbanThis big-car/small-car combination makes for some interesting visuals. The $40,925 Suburban seats up to nine and can tow 8,100 pounds — the equivalent of threeMINI Cooper Hardtops with a few pounds to spare. On the flip side, the burly 'Burban is offset by the roller-skate antics of the MINI Cooper S. The turbocharged S model, $23,300, gets a 9-horsepower bump for 2011, pushing output to 181 horsepower. Its refined chassis, sporty suspension and outstanding road feel will make the Coop the go-to player in this family.Read:  Small on the Outside, Big on the InsideRough RidersJeep Wrangler / Subaru Impreza WRX STISubaru WRX STI andJeep Wrangler RubiconThis combo teams a dirt-loving rally-inspired car with an iconic off-road ramblin' truck. The line-topping Rubicon, at $28,775, is more ruggedly outfitted than typical Wranglers, and features Jeep's high-end Rock-Trac 4-wheel-drive system, Tru-Lok electronic locking differentials, beefier Dana 44 axles and more aggressive off-road tires. Power comes from a 3.8-liter 202-horsepower V6 engine. TheSubaru WRX STI, $33,995, is more of an adrenaline pump, with 305 turbo-infused horsepower and an adept all-wheel-drive system that's ready to tame either trail or tarmac.View Pictures:  2011 Subaru WRX & WRX STI
Date: 12/13/2010

Bargain-hunting season is open at your local car dealer. Old models must be moved to make room for new ones. Everything is on sale and the incentives are attractive. According to Wikipedia, an "incentive" is any factor, financial or nonfinancial, that enables or motivates a particular course of action, or counts as a reason for preferring one choice to the alternatives.Automakers offer incentives in the form of cash rebates or attractive financing rates, for instance, to motivate people to buy or lease their products, especially at this time of the year, when they must rid dealer lots of old models in order to bring in the new.But incentives for autos are much more than just enticements — or bait, if you will — to get people to sign on the bottom line. They can also be used as leverage by the consumer.As with any research, a quick analysis of the national incentives landscape can provide a buyer with ammunition when negotiating with dealers for a new automobile.MSN Autos: Autos Rebates & Incentives CenterFor instance, the size and type of enticements offered by the automaker can reveal anything from how desperate that company is to sell its wares to how confident it is in the quality of its product.Chrysler andGeneral Motors are offering a variety of attractive financing and cash-back offers on the bulk of their fleets, showing that they are under a lot of pressure to move sheet metal this holiday season.Toyota, on the other hand, is pushing its new, no-cost Care Maintenance Plan, a sort of mea culpa for the industry leader's recent recall gaffes.Incentives can also be used to help negotiate price. If two car dealers are offering the same low financing rates, you can play them off each other when it comes to price.And that's not all.To help you haggle this holiday season, here's a snapshot of the best manufacturer's incentives being offered through the end of 2010.Read:  10 Common Car-Buying MistakesBest Annual Percentage RateWith a 430-horsepower V8 and a sticker of only $55K, the new Corvette Grand Sport may be the best sports-car bargain on the planet. With zero percent financing, it's even more of a bargain.Winner:ChevroletIt is not exactly a fire sale, but Chevy's sweet financing deals have the faint ring of change rattling in a cup. A wide variety of 2010 models can be financed this holiday season at an annual percentage rate of zero for up to 72 months. The APR is different from the actual interest rate of a loan, as it estimates what you'll pay over an entire year, not month by month. Qualifying 2010 offerings range from the sportyCorvette to sturdy utility vehicles such as theAvalanche,Suburban andTahoe, to family-friendly sedans, such as theImpala andMalibu. Financing deals on Chevy's 2011 model-year rides are less attractive, however. But you can finance a new Malibu orTraverse with a zero percent APR for up to 60 months. (Note: All rates are for "qualified buyers" only, an intentionally vague term for customers with good credit; minimum credit scores vary from dealer to dealer.)Runners-Up:Volkswagen,DodgeVolkswagen is also wheeling and dealing this year, with APR offerings of zero percent on the 2010Jetta sedan andSportWagen,CC,Golf,Passat sedan andwagon, and Touareg for up to 60 months. Dodge also is offering zero percent financing on most of its 2010 lineup.Video: 2010 Chevrolet CorvetteBest Cash BackThe 2010 Dodge Charger is a bold-looking family sedan. When equipped with a HEMI V8, it's a powerful muscle car too. And three grand cash back can buy lots of gas to fuel the fun.Winner: DodgeDetroit's loss is your gain, by way of cash-back offers, factory-to-dealer cash, and even complicated credit-based discounts, which kick in only when you finance with specific banks. But Dodge leads the pack with cash allowance offers on its entire 2010 lineup, except for theViper, ranging from $1,000 for theChallenger to $3,000 on theCharger andNitro.Runners-Up: Chevrolet,Kia,HyundaiAll of those zero percent APR deals from Chevrolet can be swapped for cash allowances, with anywhere from $3,500 back on a 2010 Malibu to $5,000 for a 2010 Avalanche. While they can't match the sheer number of Detroit models being discounted, Hyundai and Kia are offering $2,500 back on 2010 Sonatas, and $3,000 on 2010 Optimas and selectSedona models.Compare: Dodge Charger vs. Ford Taurus vs. Chevrolet Impala
Date: 12/07/2010

Walking onto acar lot can feel like a train wreck in slow motion: At every turn you get a little more derailed, until finally you're off the tracks entirely and the dealership has what it wants: your entire bank account.Part of the problem is the sheer number of variables involved in negotiating the sale: the price, the options, the financing, the monthly payment, maybe atrade-in. You should methodically research and consider every conceivable scenario before setting foot on a dealer's lot. Otherwise, dealers will do everything they can to tilt the transaction in their favor."They're looking at making money off you in stages," says Jeff Bartlett, deputy online editor for autos atConsumer Reports, "so it's important for customers to keep the stages separate and not lose track of what's going on."To help you do that, we talked with several experts about the most common mistakes that car buyers make and what you can do to avoid them.The goal is not to pull one over on dealers — they're hard-working folks trying to earn a living, too. It's about arming yourself with as much information as possible to make the best decision on what is for many people the second-largest purchase of their lives.Bing: Car-Buying NightmaresBuying Unnecessary Add-OnsSome dealers might try to sell features they add on themselves, such as rust-proofing, VIN etching or fabric protector. Avoid them; they're unnecessary, Bartlett says. If the vehicle you want already has them, negotiate their cost down as much as possible. Research features you do want online and print out the information before heading to the dealer. Bartlett recommends pricing several different variations in case the dealer doesn't have the exact model you want. This can help avoid being up-sold to pricier models or to ones with features you don't need or want.View Slideshow:  5 Things Your Car Doesn't NeedNot Enough Cross-ShoppingMany car shoppers focus on a few popular brands or models, to their detriment. "On average, people only shop about three vehicles," says Steve Witten, executive director of U.S. automotive research atJ.D. Power and Associates. "If someone's shopping a midsize car, there are probably at least 10 different vehicles that would meet their exact specifications and needs," he says. In terms of safety, reliability and features, there are very few lemons for sale anymore. So don't get stuck on one brand and put blinders on about others because of old perceptions. Cast a wide net when comparing models online. Otherwise, you might miss a good value or overlook your ideal car.Bing: Cars For SaleSettling for What Is on the LotAmerican car buyers are impatient. Only 5 percent special-order a vehicle through a dealer and wait for it to be delivered, according to J.D. Power. The other 95 percent either find exactly what they want on the lot, or settle for something that's not quite what they wanted. There's no reason to do that when making such a large purchase. If you're set on a specific model or feature that you don't see in stock, dealers can search nationwide inventories and have vehicles shipped from several states away, Witten says. They can also custom-order exactly what you want from the factory.View Slideshow:  Automotive Turkeys for 2010Skipping the Test DriveConsumer Reports' Bartlett hears family and friends complain about uncomfortable seats, poor visibility or a stiff suspension in vehicles they have just bought. It's because they did not perform a thorough test drive — if they did one at all. He recommends spending 30 minutes driving the car, entering and exiting the highway, taking it on roads like those you drive every day. Be sure to take competing models for a spin, too. "It will reaffirm that you made the best decision ever, or you might find that you like one of the other ones better," Bartlett says.Bing: How to Test Drive a CarFocusing on the Monthly PaymentOne of the first questions salespeople ask is, "So, how much were you looking to spend per month?" It's to your benefit not to focus on that number, because doing so can make the final price of the car a moving target. Adding "only $50 a month" to get leather and more power might sound tempting, but it will add thousands to the bottom line. Part of this goes back to knowing what you truly need or want. The other part involves negotiating the total price of the vehicle, not the monthly payment. Breaking up the buying process can help: Part one is choosing the car; part two is settling on a price; part three is financing. Be clear with the salesperson what you want to focus on for each step so you don't get sidetracked.Read:  Looking Good at Any Price
Date: 12/07/2010

Mitsubishi's new plug-in hybrid will be similar to PX-MiEV Concept above, shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.Mitsubishi will launch a plug-in hybrid SUV in 2013, the head of the company's electric vehicle business unit said.The SUV will be similar to the Px-MiEV concept car shown at the 2009Tokyo Motor Show, said Yoshikazu Nakamura, senior executive officer of Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s global electric vehicle business. The plug-in hybrid is in its final stages of development, he said.The four-wheel-drive Px-MiEV concept was powered by a 1.6-liter four cylinder mated to a hybrid system with two electric motors, one for the front wheels and one for the rear. Mitsubishi said at the time that the Px-MiEV could travel up to 30 miles in electric mode before switching to gasoline-electric mode.Read:  The 'i' Has ItMitsubishi also said it will roll-out its i-MiEV electric vehicle in just three West Coast states and Hawaii when U.S. sales begin in November 2011. Mitsubishi also changed the name of the vehicle for the U.S. market from i-MiEV to the "i powered by MiEV." The i will be a 2012 model when it goes on sale.Forty-three Mitsubishi dealers in California, Washington, Oregon and Hawaii will sell the i in its first year of U.S. sales, Nakamura said.Mitsubishi hasn't named its plug-in hybrid SUV, but it will carry the "MiEV" moniker, Nakamura said. MiEV (rhymes with "peeve") stands for "Mitsubishi innovative electric vehicle."
Date: 11/29/2010

Toyota is even planning to add fuel-saving turbochargers and direct fuel injection to its smaller 4-cylinder vehicles, such as the Toyota Camry.Toyota Motor Corp. plans to introduce 11 new or redesigned hybrid vehicles by 2012, but the carmaker is hardly neglecting the humble internal combustion engine.Takeshi Uchiyamada, executive vice president in charge of research and development, also wants to increase the fleet's fuel efficiency by putting turbochargers and direct fuel injection in smaller vehicles. "In the next five years, the general trend is downsizing of engines and the use of turbochargers," Uchiyamada said in an interview. "Another development will be direct fuel injection."Turbos and direct fuel injection will be added throughout Toyota's lineup — even in four-cylinder engines and models such as theCorolla andCamry, he said.Exhaust Notes Blog: Toyota Lineup Gets 18-Month Makeover"Eventually, we will see significant numbers of vehicles carrying engines with turbochargers," said Uchiyamada, 64, who was chief engineer of the first-generationPrius.Other changes will include expanded use of idle-stop technology, which saves fuel by turning off the engine when the car comes to a standstill, and advances in variable valve systems.Toyota will need the new technologies to stay ahead of sharper competition from rivals such as South Korea'sHyundai Motor Co., which is trying to become a green car leader.Of the 11 upcoming hybrids, four will be model changes of existing hybrids. The other seven will be new models, either stand-alone hybrids or hybrid versions of vehicles that previously didn't have a gasoline-electric option, Uchiyamada said.He expects Toyota's annual hybrid sales to hit 1 million units by 2015. In 2009, Toyota sold approximately 530,000 hybrids worldwide.But in the United States, he predicted, hybrids will still only account for between 10 percent and 20 percent of Toyota's sales by 2020.
Date: 11/29/2010

Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMGWhen it comes to design,Mercedes-Benz was long the conservative grande dame of luxury-car makers. Styling was understated and aimed at middle-aged buyers.But a shift toward sportier and more youthful styling, partly driven by U.S. executives, has been paying off.Mercedes has changed design philosophy under Gordon Wagener, who led the brand's advanced studio before being named chief designer in mid-2008.The transformation actually started with the new-generationC-class, which debuted in the United States in 2007. It continued with a newE-class and E-class coupe in 2009 and the sleek, two-doorSLS sports car in May.A redesignedCLS four-door with coupe styling will go on sale next summer.The new cars have been hits in the United States. Sales are up, and so are conquest sales and brand loyalty rates.According to R.L. Polk, Mercedes loyalty increased from 52 percent in 2008 to 56 percent this year, whileBMW loyalty fell from just over 51 percent in 2008 to a shade under 50 percent in 2010.Mercedes also is attracting younger customers. The median age of buyers has dropped to 51, from 54 three years ago.American DreamFor years, more aggressive styling had been high on the wish list of Mercedes' U.S. executives. They had long stressed that American buyers want sportier-looking cars, said Stephen Cannon, vice president of marketing at Mercedes-Benz USA."We are so thrilled at what's coming out of the design department," he said. "It is consistent with what we've been asking for."The design changes mark a clear shift in philosophy under Wagener, said Klaus Frenzel, senior manager for exterior design at Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart."Were getting more sporty and much younger," he said. "That is our guiding theme."It is a sign that the U.S. market has become more influential inside the German company. Cannon said Mercedes-Benz USA executives are being shown vehicles well before the final design decision is made "so we can sound off and give an opinion." In the past, the U.S. team got to see vehicles shortly before the design freeze, so major changes weren't possible.In addition, every new product now comes to the United States for consumer clinics."There is a strong commitment," said Cannon. "We have early designs and show them to real customers. We do it in California, where people are so car-centric and where the car IQ is so high."The new design direction began in 2007 with the wider, lower C class."It has very dynamic lines down to the road," said Frenzel. "The side shows power around the wheels, and it has a coupe-like silhouette."The Sport version is even bolder. Rather than the traditional, center-mounted three-point star on the hood, the Mercedes star is integrated into the grille — an element that dates back to the legendary 300 SL gullwing of the 1950s.Cannon said the Sport version now accounts for 90 percent of the car's sales and is bringing in new buyers. According to R.L. Polk, 56 percent of all C-class sales are now conquest, compared with 51 percent for the previous generation.A coupe version of the C class that debuts next year "is a bold, strong step," Cannon said. And he said the next-generation C class, due in 2013, will stay on the same path."I feel like the design department in Stuttgart is swinging for the fences," Cannon said.'Concrete and Dynamic'The redesigned E class was the second range of vehicles to get a style overhaul. Frenzel said the biggest change was the front end, which got square lights instead of the four round eyes."The lines are more concrete and dynamic," he said. "The surfaces show the precision of the car."In the United States, the E class is leading the mid-range luxury sedan segment. Sales through October are up 53 percent to 50,298 vehicles. BMW's5 series, the runner-up, is down 10 percent to 29,401 over the same period. But sales slipped because the redesigned 5 series went on sale in May.Frenzel said that in the future, "you should still recognize every Mercedes-Benz as a brand member of the family." But he said plans call for giving Mercedes models an increasingly individualized look.That's good news for Mercedes' U.S. sales arm."What's refreshing is the new stuff as I look forward at what is coming out of the design department," said Cannon. "We finally have a simpatico department that is delivering what we want."
Date: 11/29/2010

Mitsubishi's new plug-in hybrid will be similar to PX-MiEV Concept above, shown at the 2009 Tokyo Motor Show.Mitsubishi will launch a plug-in hybrid SUV in 2013, the head of the company's electric vehicle business unit said.The SUV will be similar to the Px-MiEV concept car shown at the 2009Tokyo Motor Show, said Yoshikazu Nakamura, senior executive officer of Mitsubishi Motors Corp.'s global electric vehicle business. The plug-in hybrid is in its final stages of development, he said.The four-wheel-drive Px-MiEV concept was powered by a 1.6-liter four cylinder mated to a hybrid system with two electric motors, one for the front wheels and one for the rear. Mitsubishi said at the time that the Px-MiEV could travel up to 30 miles in electric mode before switching to gasoline-electric mode.Read:  The 'i' Has ItMitsubishi also said it will roll-out its i-MiEV electric vehicle in just three West Coast states and Hawaii when U.S. sales begin in November 2011. Mitsubishi also changed the name of the vehicle for the U.S. market from i-MiEV to the "i powered by MiEV." The i will be a 2012 model when it goes on sale.Forty-three Mitsubishi dealers in California, Washington, Oregon and Hawaii will sell the i in its first year of U.S. sales, Nakamura said.Mitsubishi hasn't named its plug-in hybrid SUV, but it will carry the "MiEV" moniker, Nakamura said. MiEV (rhymes with "peeve") stands for "Mitsubishi innovative electric vehicle."
Date: 11/26/2010

Toyota is even planning to add fuel-saving turbochargers and direct fuel injection to its smaller 4-cylinder vehicles, such as the Toyota Camry.Toyota Motor Corp. plans to introduce 11 new or redesigned hybrid vehicles by 2012, but the carmaker is hardly neglecting the humble internal combustion engine.Takeshi Uchiyamada, executive vice president in charge of research and development, also wants to increase the fleet's fuel efficiency by putting turbochargers and direct fuel injection in smaller vehicles. "In the next five years, the general trend is downsizing of engines and the use of turbochargers," Uchiyamada said in an interview. "Another development will be direct fuel injection."Turbos and direct fuel injection will be added throughout Toyota's lineup — even in four-cylinder engines and models such as theCorolla andCamry, he said.Exhaust Notes Blog: Toyota Lineup Gets 18-Month Makeover"Eventually, we will see significant numbers of vehicles carrying engines with turbochargers," said Uchiyamada, 64, who was chief engineer of the first-generationPrius.Other changes will include expanded use of idle-stop technology, which saves fuel by turning off the engine when the car comes to a standstill, and advances in variable valve systems.Toyota will need the new technologies to stay ahead of sharper competition from rivals such as South Korea'sHyundai Motor Co., which is trying to become a green car leader.Of the 11 upcoming hybrids, four will be model changes of existing hybrids. The other seven will be new models, either stand-alone hybrids or hybrid versions of vehicles that previously didn't have a gasoline-electric option, Uchiyamada said.He expects Toyota's annual hybrid sales to hit 1 million units by 2015. In 2009, Toyota sold approximately 530,000 hybrids worldwide.But in the United States, he predicted, hybrids will still only account for between 10 percent and 20 percent of Toyota's sales by 2020.
Date: 11/26/2010

Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMGWhen it comes to design,Mercedes-Benz was long the conservative grande dame of luxury-car makers. Styling was understated and aimed at middle-aged buyers.But a shift toward sportier and more youthful styling, partly driven by U.S. executives, has been paying off.Mercedes has changed design philosophy under Gordon Wagener, who led the brand's advanced studio before being named chief designer in mid-2008.The transformation actually started with the new-generationC-class, which debuted in the United States in 2007. It continued with a newE-class and E-class coupe in 2009 and the sleek, two-doorSLS sports car in May.A redesignedCLS four-door with coupe styling will go on sale next summer.The new cars have been hits in the United States. Sales are up, and so are conquest sales and brand loyalty rates.According to R.L. Polk, Mercedes loyalty increased from 52 percent in 2008 to 56 percent this year, whileBMW loyalty fell from just over 51 percent in 2008 to a shade under 50 percent in 2010.Mercedes also is attracting younger customers. The median age of buyers has dropped to 51, from 54 three years ago.American DreamFor years, more aggressive styling had been high on the wish list of Mercedes' U.S. executives. They had long stressed that American buyers want sportier-looking cars, said Stephen Cannon, vice president of marketing at Mercedes-Benz USA."We are so thrilled at what's coming out of the design department," he said. "It is consistent with what we've been asking for."The design changes mark a clear shift in philosophy under Wagener, said Klaus Frenzel, senior manager for exterior design at Mercedes-Benz in Stuttgart."Were getting more sporty and much younger," he said. "That is our guiding theme."It is a sign that the U.S. market has become more influential inside the German company. Cannon said Mercedes-Benz USA executives are being shown vehicles well before the final design decision is made "so we can sound off and give an opinion." In the past, the U.S. team got to see vehicles shortly before the design freeze, so major changes weren't possible.In addition, every new product now comes to the United States for consumer clinics."There is a strong commitment," said Cannon. "We have early designs and show them to real customers. We do it in California, where people are so car-centric and where the car IQ is so high."The new design direction began in 2007 with the wider, lower C class."It has very dynamic lines down to the road," said Frenzel. "The side shows power around the wheels, and it has a coupe-like silhouette."The Sport version is even bolder. Rather than the traditional, center-mounted three-point star on the hood, the Mercedes star is integrated into the grille — an element that dates back to the legendary 300 SL gullwing of the 1950s.Cannon said the Sport version now accounts for 90 percent of the car's sales and is bringing in new buyers. According to R.L. Polk, 56 percent of all C-class sales are now conquest, compared with 51 percent for the previous generation.A coupe version of the C class that debuts next year "is a bold, strong step," Cannon said. And he said the next-generation C class, due in 2013, will stay on the same path."I feel like the design department in Stuttgart is swinging for the fences," Cannon said.'Concrete and Dynamic'The redesigned E class was the second range of vehicles to get a style overhaul. Frenzel said the biggest change was the front end, which got square lights instead of the four round eyes."The lines are more concrete and dynamic," he said. "The surfaces show the precision of the car."In the United States, the E class is leading the mid-range luxury sedan segment. Sales through October are up 53 percent to 50,298 vehicles. BMW's5 series, the runner-up, is down 10 percent to 29,401 over the same period. But sales slipped because the redesigned 5 series went on sale in May.Frenzel said that in the future, "you should still recognize every Mercedes-Benz as a brand member of the family." But he said plans call for giving Mercedes models an increasingly individualized look.That's good news for Mercedes' U.S. sales arm."What's refreshing is the new stuff as I look forward at what is coming out of the design department," said Cannon. "We finally have a simpatico department that is delivering what we want."
Date: 11/26/2010

Carmakers will mark Veterans Day in a variety of ways. General Motors is active in the Road to Recovery Conference, Ford recently paid for seven new vans for the Disabled American Veteran Transportation Network, and Toyota will give away a Camry today to a veteran.Eddie Rickenbacker was one of the pioneers of open-wheel racing, and he later ownedIndianapolis Motor Speedway. Sandwiched in between, he was one of America's most celebratedflying aces of World War I.With prowess on the track and service to his country, the aviator had four starts at Indy and won the Congressional Medal of Honor. He's an early example of the extensive contributions the car world has been credited with in defense of the United States.Today, Nov. 11, the nation marks Veterans Day, which around the world is known as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day.Car people mark the occasion in a variety of ways. General Motors is active in the Road to Recovery Conference, which supports wounded veterans, and the company also offers a military discount. The carmaker also participates in the Liberty Project, which provides driving simulators to help wounded vets resume training. CEO Dan Akerson, a former officer who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, and about 3,800 of the company's workers were in the armed forces; an estimated 200 are still active.Read: Hands-on Karting Provides Thrills to Paraplegic VeteransIn a letter to employees, Akerson said: “The men and women who wear our country's military uniform have assumed an awesome responsibility. They and their families have chosen a path of great meaning and, sometimes, great sacrifice. Our nation owes them our gratitude and respect, which is what Veterans Day is all about.”Ford recently donated $200,000 to buy seven new vans for the Disabled American Veteran Transportation Network; the automaker has a 90-year relationship with the group. Since 1996, Ford has sent funds for more than 150 vehicles, worth more than $3.5 million. The Blue Oval is also being honored today with an award for its support of the Armed Forces Reserve and the National Guard that will be presented by an admiral.Toyota will give away aCamry today to a veteran, valued at $23,245, through an Illinois car dealer. Additionally, senior vice president Don Esmond has long been an advocate of veterans' issues and is a former Marine Corp. fighter pilot, earning the Silver Star and the Distinguished Flying Cross. Former GM vice chairman and current Lotus adviser Bob Lutz was a Marine aviator as well.Chrysler and the UAW are teaming up for a ceremony in suburban Detroit. TheRam brand is also partnering with country rockers theZac Brown Band in an effort called Letters for Lyrics, which has been under way since May. The goal is to send a million letters to soldiers.Honda has a nationwide program called For the Troops which sends care packages to personnel in Afghanistan. The packages include items that are hard to find there, such as lip balm, hand lotion and cards.Mercedes-Benz also often organizes care packages and counts marketing vice president Steve Cannon as a West Point graduate.Infiniti vice president Ben Poore is also a veteran, having served in the Persian Gulf War.Veterans Day salutes military men and woman from all wars, but it traces its origins to the conclusion of World War I, which ended 92 years ago today. Rickenbacker, a veteran of that war, was one of the first to cross over from cars to service, but he's clearly not the last.
Date: 11/12/2010

Nissan says the 2011 JUKE fuses the qualities of a sports car with an SUV. We view it as crossover with the soul of a hot hatch. It rides the subcompact B-segment platform from the Versa and cube.NEW from BingBing Cube: Nissan JUKE VideosBing Cube: JUKE ImagesCrossover utility vehicles are all the rage these days, and for good reason. They combine the size and versatility of an SUV with the performance and fuel efficiency of a car. For 2011,Nissan is introducing its own unique take on the crossover, theJUKE. Small, sporty and uniquely styled, the JUKE is in a class by itself. It blends the ride height and looks of a crossover with the soul and sensibility of a hot little hatchback, making for a truly fun-to-drive machine.Model LineupThe 2011Nissan JUKE is offered in three trims — S, SV and SL — each with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Standard equipment on the S trim includes cloth upholstery, manually adjustable driver's seat, 60/40 split-folding second-row seat, trip computer, power windows, remote keyless entry, cruise control, Bluetooth cell phone link, AM/FM/CD stereo with auxiliary input jack, and P215/55R17 tires on alloy wheels. The SV trim adds keyless access and starting, XM satellite radio, automatic climate control, the I-Con control system, a sunroof and a leather-wrapped steering wheel. The SL trim gets leather upholstery, heated front seats, a navigation system, a rearview camera,Rockford Fosgate audio, fog lights and automatic headlights. The only option is a navigation package for S and SV trims. It comes with the navigation system, Rockford Fosgate audio and USB connectivity.Standard safety equipment consists of dual-stage front airbags, curtain side airbags, front side airbags, active front head restraints, a tire-pressure monitor, antilock brakes with brake assist and electronic brake-force distribution, traction control and electronic stability control.Compare: Nissan JUKE vs. Honda CR-V vs. Kia SportageUnder the Hood The release of the JUKE marks the debut of a new 1.6-liter turbocharged engine co-developed by Nissan and Renault. This direct-injected powerplant produces 188 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque. It is offered with a 6-speed manual transmission or a continuously variable automatic transmission. EPA fuel-economy ratings are 27 mpg city/32 mpg highway for a front-drive model with the CVT, 24/31 for a front-drive manual, and 25/30 for an all-wheel drive model, which comes only with the CVT.The JUKE's torque-vectoring all-wheel-drive system runs with 100 percent of the power through the front wheels under normal driving conditions. However, the system can send up to half of the power to the rear axle under acceleration, when the front wheels begin to slip or during cornering. The system can also send all of the rear torque to the outside wheel in corners to help the vehicle maintain stability and traction in turns. It's similar to systems used byBMW andAcura, and it is an unexpected level of technology for a vehicle at this price.Inner SpaceThe JUKE has a high-tech engine and all-wheel drive, yet it is reasonably priced, starting at $18,960. Something had to be compromised to keep the price tag less than $25,000, and that something is interior quality. There is nothing approaching a soft-touch surface inside this cheeky utility vehicle. Only the door armrests are padded, and that's with cloth. A center console storage bin is not available, which is annoying, because many drivers like to use them as armrests or to store cell phones and other portable devices. On the positive side, the dashboard plastics are nicely grained, they all fit together well, and the cabin is impressively quiet on the road.The most interesting aspect of the interior is the new I-Con (integrated control) system in the dash. The setup utilizes a small LCD screen flanked by six buttons and two large knobs. A colored LED filtering system handily switches button labels between the climate controls and a drive-mode selector that also displays pertinent driving dynamics information. Press the "Air Con" button on the center stack and the six buttons below it become dedicated to typical climate-control settings. Press the "D-Mode" button and those same buttons control three drive-mode settings: Normal, Sport and Eco.ReviewsFind expert and user reviews. In Sport mode, a circular five-segment display conveys turbo-boost levels, while Normal mode translates torque. A two-axis G-force display can also be summoned. Though Normal and Sport modes offer only mildly different steering- and throttle-response feels, the Eco mode feels dramatically different, more sluggish. The Eco mode also rates driving habits based on throttle input, and can recall a history of fuel economy with a bar chart.One thing we applaud Nissan for is making navigation systems more affordable. Standard on the top-line SL trim and available for $800 on the SV trim is an SD-card-based Bosch navigation system with real-time traffic information.The front seats are supportive, with enough bolstering to keep passengers in place during hard cornering. Headroom should be good for all but the tallest drivers, and legroom is plentiful, thanks to lots of seat travel. The steering wheel tilts but doesn't telescope, so not all drivers will find their ideal driving position.
Date: 11/11/2010