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The next generation Mercedes-Benz SLK sportscar has been spotted testing on public roads.  It’s showing a square front grille, borrowing from the SLS “gullwing”.  There are daytime running lights, new handles and larger mirrors along with the standard retractable hardtop roof.  Engine choices will include a naturally aspired V-6 and possibly a diesel.  The AMG model will probably uses a 3.5-liter twin-turbo V-6 rated as high as 470-hp. The 2012 SLK is due in the spring of 2011.  (2010 SLK is shown here.)

With four doors and all-wheel drive the new Mini Countryman S will take the Mini to new heights and lengths when it rolls into dealerships in February 2011.

Measuring 161.3 inches long and with a wheelbase of 102.2 inches, the Mini Countryman offers more passenger space than any other Mini vehicle, along with nearly 40 cubic feet of cargo space.  That makes it 17.7 inches longer, 6.1-inches taller and with a 6-inch longer wheelbase than the Mini Cooper hardtop. Read the rest of this entry »

Audi is exploring all options with its R8 sports car – gas, diesel and now electric.  Making a demonstration run at the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans in June, the Audi e-tron was driven by racing legend Frank Biela to show the future of sporty electric cars.

Powered by four motors – two each on the front and rear axles – the Audi e-tron is a true quattro. The combined output of the four engines makes 313 hp and 3,319 lb.ft. of torque (or 502-lb.ft. in real-world terms.   According to the manufacturer, the two-seater accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 4.8 seconds, which is about 0.2 seconds slower than the R8 V-8. The battery is located directly behind the passenger cabin for an optimal center of gravity and axle load distribution. Read the rest of this entry »

Pioneer has launched a new top-of-the-line in-dash navigation system that pushes in-car entertainment and information technologies to new limits. The highly sophisticated flagship unit features a high level of entertainment possibilities and convenience attributes including PandoraLink, MusicSphere™- Pioneer’s proprietary music analysis software, a revolutionary 3D user interface and ECO Graph for econ-friendly drivers. Read the rest of this entry »

OnStar users are picking up another helpful function thanks to an agreement between OnStar and Google Maps.  Owners can plan a trip using the Google Maps on an Internet connected computer or from the new mobile app in a smart phone and then send the destinatioOns to the OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation in their car.
“eNav is a perfect solution for subscribers who like the flexibility of being able to use Google Maps to plan their trips in advance, but without the hassle of bringing printed maps into the vehicle,” said Nick Pudar, OnStar vice president of new business development.

“The eNav feature of our Turn-by-Turn service allows drivers to keep their eyes, hands and minds where they need to be – on the road,” Pudar said. “And if they ever need help on the road, they can always just push the Blue OnStar Button to speak to a live advisor.”

The Google Maps option is now available on all current Turn-by-Turn capable GM vehicles starting with the 2006 model year and also will integrate with OnStar Destination Download to send destinations directly to the vehicle’s screen-based navigation system. Read the rest of this entry »

Plans now call for the addition of Texas, New York, New Jersey, and Connecticut to the launch markets for the Volt, Ed Whitacre, General Motors chairman and CEO, announced today.  Whitacre said the company is expanding the initial launch of the groundbreaking electric in response to intense interest in the Volt from customers across the country.

Today’s announcement brings the initial Volt retail markets to seven, including California, Michigan, and Washington, D.C.  The retail launch in Texas and New York will begin with Austin and New York City in late 2010.  The balance of Texas and New York, as well as New Jersey and Connecticut, are scheduled to begin receiving Volts in early 2011. Read the rest of this entry »

The Mazda2 is long overdue. This car should have been brought to the United States in 2007 when Mazda was selling the previous generation of this model in Australia and Asia. I know, I know, 2007 was the fin de siecle for big gas guzzlers – when dinosaurs still roamed the Earth in automotive form. But the Mazda2 is like the new mammals – small, quick-witted, and efficient. It’s the inevitable next step in evolution.

The Mazda2 has the right stuff for 2011 and beyond. I’ll start with the bottom line, and tell you that it’s a truly nice car, and you can have one for about $14,000. Read the rest of this entry »

Volkswagen unveiled the all-new 2011 Jetta in the middle of New York’s Time square in June, showing off the company’s new strategy.  At a starting price point of around $16,000, including the destination charge and with standard features like air conditioning and stability control, the all-new 2011 Jetta is priced down from the current Jetta’s $18,435 price.  This puts the Jetta at the same pricing level as the Toyota Corolla and Honda Civic.

“Today marks the beginning of a new era for Volkswagen and for Jetta,” said Stefan Jacoby, CEO of Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. “The all-new 2011 Jetta is a class-up driving experience with the kind of styling, design and power under the hood normally found in more expensive luxury cars. At an extremely attractive price, this car is sophisticated, fun to drive and practical.” Read the rest of this entry »

Most of us have found ourselves entering a corner too fast.  When that happens, braking in the corner can often cause the vehicle to lose control; in fact, there are about 50,000 crashes each year attributed to this situation.

Now Ford has a device called Curve Control that helps avoid the problem.  When Curve Control senses a driver is taking a curve too quickly it rapidly reduces engine torque and can apply four-wheel braking, slowing the vehicle by up to 10 mph in about one second.

Read the rest of this entry »