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In the late ‘90s, Nissan brought a handful of automotive journalists into its California headquarters. The company was struggling, and it seemed as if the executives were looking for a magic solution. Frankly, it felt as if the company had gone insane. The car writers were unanimous in saying that Nissan was making some wonderful, powerful, sweet-handling cars. However, we added, the American public was hopelessly infatuated with giant sport/utility vehicles and pickups, and Nissan and its Infiniti brand had arrived too late to that party. The cynic in me wanted to say, “Check your water coolers. It appears as if they’re being spiked. And, if the coolers are clean, perhaps you should put everybody on Prozac or something.” The bottom line: The company lost its way and second-guessed itself almost to death. Fast-forward to the present. At its gleaming new headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, Nissan showed the media an impressive lineup of cars. No trucks or SUVs were present for this event. Today’s bad economy, the threat of rising gas prices, and looming fuel-economy rules have America’s love affair with big SUVs and pickups on the rocks. Meanwhile, over the past dozen years, Nissan...
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It’s hard not to be a fan of the Acura TSX. In its first generation, the lithe and nimble sedan offered great looks and refinement, with a rev-happy four-cylinder engine thrown in to boot. In 2009, a new TSX appeared, larger, more luxurious, but still enjoying that incredible fun-to-drive feeling, and keeping that sweetheart four-cylinder. But the marketplace can be a fickle thing, and just about every competitor of Acura’s near-luxury sedan either featured a standard six-cylinder engine, or offered one as an option. So for 2010, we now have a new TSX V6 model to top out the range. And this is no mild-mannered six, but a very powerful 3.5-liter V6—taken from the Acura TL—that pumps out 280 hp (79 more hp than the four-cylinder) as well as 254 lb.-ft of torque. The V6 comes standard with a five-speed automatic with paddle shifters. That the added power makes a quantum leap in performance is not a big surprises—40 percent more horsepower will do that, but it also makes a huge change in the personality of the TSX. Where the four-cylinder feels light and spirited, the V6 moves out with real authority, yet feels much more serious. Tap on the gas and you’re gone. And the sound is a rich deep...
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Acura announced today changes to their quintessential MDX SUV for the 2010 model year. Updates include a revised grille, a new hood and front fascia, new rear bodywork, improvements to its 300-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6 powertrain (that includes better fuel economy), and a new six-speed automatic transmission. An all-new Advance Package offers a revised Active Damper System and new, 19-inch wheels and tires. New, 18-inch wheels are standard. As with recent MDX model years, the 2010 MDX transfers power to the wheels through its renowned Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) system that actively distributes the optimum amount of power to all four wheels. On the inside, the 2010 MDX features a new, bolstered, Milano-leather steering wheel with paddle shifters, new gauges and available AcuraLink Real-Time Weather and Traffic Rerouting via a new, full VGA eight-inch navigation screen. A new rear-view camera is also on the options list, and features three different view choices. Acura says, “ In keeping with Acura’s leadership in the application of advanced, customer-relevant features, the 2010 MDX is available with an array of technologies to improve convenience, including an all-new blind...
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The world’s first dedicated hybrid luxury vehicle arrives in dealerships in late August. Lexus announced pricing this morning for the all-new sedan, which starts at $34,200 for the standard model, and $36,970 for the Premium edition. An additional $875 for delivery and handling will apply. The HS 250h is Lexus’ fourth luxury hybrid and the most affordable. It also offers the best combined Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) mileage rating of any luxury vehicle in the U.S., and produces 70 percent fewer smog-forming emissions than the average new car, according to Lexus. EPA estimated city/highway mpg is 35/34, with a combined 35 mpg result from 87-octane fuel. Read our 2010 Lexus HS 250h complete test drive review , and Vie to Win a 2010 Lexus HS 250h Luxury Hybrid . ~ Deborah Neal, Editorial Director, autoMedia.com
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Lexus says their research has revealed that “more than 60 percent of entry-luxury car buyers would have considered a hybrid if available,” which means the all-new 2010 Lexus HS 250h should be a huge hit when it reaches showrooms later this summer. If you want a chance to drive one for free—for either one week or an entire year—go to www.drivehs.com and enter by July 31, 2009 for a chance to win. There are several ways—and prizes—to win. First you can create an account to become a potential driver or just vote for others to win, based upon their profile as to why they believe they should be selected. If you think you’re the best potential driver, create your own Driver Profile explaining why you should be voted to win the chance to drive the new HS 250h. In the world of social networking, you can campaign to your heart’s content through facebook, Twitter, You Tube or any other legal means to persuade friends, family, coworkers and strangers to vote for you. Not only that, every person who submits a vote for a “driver,” will get their name entered into a random drawing to also win. The Voter-only grand prize is a one-year Lexus HS 250h lease and a Lexus Hybrid Living gift bag (contents...
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Director Michael Bay is well known for his larger-than-life adrenalin-pumping action films featuring intense conflicts, thumping loud soundtracks, and maybe even a little gratuitous sexual content. That said, fans of the first Transformers film will not be disappointed by Bay's sequel "Transformers 2: Revenge of The Fallen" which delivers extra portions of all of the above....
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It's the week ending May 21, and lots of automotive antics have been going on across the internets. We've browsed our favorite automotive blogs all week long to gather a collection of what we feel is the highlight from each. We've got a holiday weekend approaching in just a few hours, so we hope these fun snippets will help you get into a memorable mood for Memorial Day Weekend! Will you be among the 32 million travelers AutoClub predicts will be taking a road trip for the weekend? Interestingly, more than 10 million Americans include their four-footed family members in their travels annually; 80 percent bring the dog, while only 15% are brave enough to dare carry a kitty. If you're planning to bring along your four-legged family member, the folks over at Animal Planet are sharing six excellent ways to ensure a righteous road trip with Rover or Rags in tow. Regardless of who else is coming along, we know you'll want to have a enjoyable trip, so be sure to check out our own Tips for Safe Memorial Day travel , here at autoMedia.com! Did you hear what Jeremy Clarkson --host and chief bombasticator of the BBC show Top Gear--said about the 2010 Honda Insight? Within three...
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While we’re more than six months away from ringing in the 2010 calendar year, and several manufacturers are already—or soon will be—selling 2010 models, we decided to piece together this list of the top 10 best-selling green cars for the 2009 model year, with city/highway mileage figures. Click on any of the make/model names to get pricing, specs and a brief overview about each in autoMedia.com’s 2009 New Car Buyer’s Guide . 1. 2009 Toyota Prius: 48/45 2. 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid: 40/45 3. 2009 Nissan Altima Hybrid: 35/33 4. 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid 4WD: 29/27 5. 2009 Smart fortwo: 33/41 6. 2009 Toyota Camry Hybrid: 33/34 7. 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI: 30/41 8. 2009 Toyota Yaris: 29/35 9. 2009 MINI Cooper: 26/34 10. 2009 Honda Fit: 28/35 And, even though sales results obviously aren’t in yet, here are some of the most significant new high-mileage competitors, one of which may just knock its own predecessor from the number one spot. Click on any of these to read the full road test review on autoMedia.com. 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid 2010 Honda Insight 2010 Mercury Milan Hybrid 2010 Toyota Prius -Deborah Neal, Editorial Director
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The hybrid-hatchback heat is on between the all-new 2010 Honda Insight and redesigned 2010 Toyota Prius—and the race hasn't even started. The compact Insight has a running start, but not necessarily all the glory, since the midsize Prius doesn’t go on sale until late May. Honda planned the Insight’s price-point and marketing pitch as the “hybrid for everyone. Designed and priced for us all,” and so we expected that price (starting at $19,800) to be a lot less than the new Prius—until Toyota went back to the block. It now plans to add a more basic than the base model at $21,000 (due in late summer). Still, when the first 2010 Prius’ reach dealerships, they will come with an EPA mileage estimate of 51 mpg from city driving. The new Insight is rated to reach 40 city-miles per gallon. So, while pricing for each will end up being relatively close, and mileage ratings nearly a lap apart, what else separates the two? Read what contributing editor James M. Flammang has to say about both the 2010 Toyota Prius and 2010 Honda Insight after having test-driven each. Deborah Neal, Editorial Director, autoMedia.com
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With those consumers who are buying new vehicles focused on smaller, more fuel-efficient models, it seems wise for Ford to continue to improve its Ranger pickup truck. The current generation was introduced over a decade ago, but it soldiers on with largely safety improvements for the 2010 model year. On sale this summer, the 2010 Ford Ranger adds standard side airbags designed for head and torso protection. In addition, the Ranger will also pack as standard equipment electronic stability control and “roll stability control” to help keep the truck on the road and shiny side up. An alternative to full-sized trucks, such as the redesigned Ford -150 , the Ranger is EPA rated for 21 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway for the 2.3-liter I-4 engine. Read our most-recent Ford Ranger review , and research the Ranger in the 2009 new car buyer’s guide .
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We’re looking for aspiring car reviewers and impassioned car owners willing to take a minute and share their impressions in our new user reviews. autoMedia has integrated user reviews throughout our Web site to enable car owners like you to share insights with fellow consumers. Entering such reviews provide an opportunity to reflect on your ownership and share wisdom with others who may be considering the same model. What do you wish you knew before signing the bottom line? User reviews are a great way for aspiring auto journalists and car enthusiasts to sharpen their keyboard skills, as well. The professional writers who review cars for autoMedia are among the very best in the business, with decades of experience working for leading magazines and contributors to the nation’s best publications, car and otherwise. However, each one at one point had no more experience than you, perhaps even less. Back before our first gray hairs sprouted, there was not ready-made outlet to share our very first automotive writings with the public, as there is today with the Internet. Even still, hard work has led this cast of high-speed characters into an exciting field, putting them behind the wheel of...
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When Hyundai introduced the Azera as a 2006 model, it wasn't the first upscale sedan sent to U.S. dealerships by the South Korean automaker. That distinction goes to the XG series, first seen as the XG300 in 2001, then given more power as the XG350 a year later. Both models sought to give Hyundai shoppers a step up from the slightly smaller, value-priced Sonata. Currently competing against such premium sedans as the Lexus ES 350, Toyota Avalon, and Nissan Maxima, the 2008 Azera emphasizes safety. Each model contains eight airbags, as well as active front head restraints. Hyundai has led some competitors in making stability enhancement a standard feature, so every Azera has Electronic Stability Control. Antilock braking with Brake Assist also is standard. Passenger space is another big selling point, helping to differentiate the Azera from its less-costly Sonata sibling. With nearly 44 inches of front legroom and more than 38 inches of rear leg space, Hyundai boasts that its Azera has more interior volume than a Mercedes-Benz C-Class or E-Class, or BMW's 7 Series, as well as the Avalon. It's also roomier than Hyundai's own Sonata, though that sedan is far from cramped...
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If the Lexus IS F isn't the best factory hot-rod ever, it's in the top 10 of a very hallowed group. To build the IS F, Lexus followed the basic hot rod recipe, which hasn't changed much in 80 years. First, select a small, underpowered, but nice handling car. Next insert the biggest engine that can be shoehorned into the engine bay. In the '60s, racing regulations required car companies to pretend they were selling the same cars they raced: The results included the '62 Ferrari 250 GTO, '69 Ford Mustang Boss 302, and the high-winged, slope-nosed '69 Dodge Charger Daytona. Many others followed the formula without racing intentions, such as the '64 Pontiac GTO. Read the full review of the 2008 Lexus IS F.
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