Automotive Reviews

Cadillac unveils 2011 CTS Coupe pricing, options

The ultimate expression of Cadillac’s new Coupe, the high-performance V-Series edition with 556 horsepower, Brembo brakes and Magnetic Ride Control also goes on sale later this summer at $62,990 including destination charge. “CTS Coupe is a compelling new alternative for luxury and performance-minded drivers,” said Don Butler, vice president of Cadillac marketing. “The addition of a Coupe, especially one this dramatic, provides an important entryway for new consumers to experience Cadillac Art and Science.” The Coupe expands the award-winning CTS line-up, which already includes the CTS Sport Sedan and CTS Sport Wagon. CTS has been named to the Car and Driver 10 Best list for three straight years. CTS Coupe has the same wheelbase as the sedan but is lower

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Kia unleashes its rapping Soul(ful) hamsters, again

The rap music isn’t much. The hamsters are out of step. The lyrics are lame. But put it all together and the new commercial for the Kia Soul will likely make you laugh. Kia is also hoping it’ll make you consider buying a Soul. The repeated phrase in the music is: “You can get with this or you can get with that. This is the ride. This is the worldwide debut music video. This is the Kia Soul. A new way to roll.” James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday

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GM announces 2011 Chevrolet Cruze prices

The 2011 Cruze will be offered for retail sale in four models: Cruze LS starting at $16,995, including: * Standard 1.8L Ecotec engine and six-speed manual transmission * The most standard safety features in the segment, with 10 air bags, StabiliTrak electronic stability control with rollover sensing, traction control, anti-lock brakes, collapsible pedal system, power rear-door child safety locks * Standard OnStar, with a six-month subscription including Turn-by-Turn navigation * Standard convenience features including air conditioning, power windows, power door locks with remote keyless entry, driver information center, and XM Radio with three month trial subscription. Cruze LT starting at $18,895, including: * Standard 1.4L Ecotec turbo and six-speed automatic transmission * 16-inch wheels Cruze Eco starting at $18,895, including:

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Ford preparing to shut down Mercury?

Mercury sales have been hard hit during the recession, although the brand had a 20 percent increase in sales for the one-year period ending at the end of April.  Overall, Ford sales for the same 12-month time frame were up 26 percent. Mercury currently offers just four models: Grand Marquis, Mariner, Milan, and Mountaineer. No new products have been announced, and both the Grand Marquis and Mountaineer are not expected to return next year. Ford in recent years has also sold Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Volvo. As such Ford Motor Company may soon have only two brands: Ford and Lincoln. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car

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Geely IG to replace Tata Nano as world's cheapest car

According to several reports, the Chinese manufacturer may soon sell its frugal min-car with its 1.0-liter, 70 horsepower engine and a five-speed transmission for about $2,250, a few hundred dollars less than the Nano. Geely debut the IG Fantastic, concept car, at the 2009 Shanghai Motor Show. It had gull wing doors, similar to the famous Mercedes Benz sports car. The IG that may be first available as a 2012 model will be 185 mm longer and will have a 100 mm longer wheelbase than the Toyota IQ. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars Although the car will be a four-seater, rear space is very limited unlike

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James Bond Aston Martin set for London auction, $5 million predicted

One of the most significant cultural icons of the 20th century, the James Bond car will be part of the annual “Automobiles of London” event at the Battersea Evolution in London. The car will be for sale or the first time and is expected to attract a purchase price of $5 million. Globally known by its original UK registration number, FMP 7B, the Aston Martin is one of only two, and the sole remaining, of the original ‘007’ DB5s as featured on screen with Sean Connery behind the wheel in the enormously popular Goldfinger and Thunberball  movies. With its ‘rather interesting modifications’ originally conceived by Oscar-award-winning special effects expert, John Stears, the car is factory-fitted with the full complement of

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Tour de France titlist Lance Armstrong will get country's first Nissan LEAF

Nissan has provided more than 40 support vehicles for the 810-mile, eight-day Amgen Tour of California, including one Leaf which appeared at the finish line for each stage. Armstrong is also as an official spokesperson for the LEAF. Nissan representatives commented:  “Armstrong was chosen because his fitness and constant drive for perfection are a perfect match to the qualities of the LEAF.” James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than 45 years, James has written the new car review column The Weekly Driver since 2004. In addition to founding this site in 2004, James writes a Sunday automotive column for The San Jose Mercury and East Bay Times in Walnut Creek, Calif., and monthly auto review and wellness

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Rare Bugatti sold to California museum for record $30-40 million

A blog report by the newspaper detailed that in late May, the estate of Dr. Peter D. Williamson sold the late car collector’s prized vehicle to the Mullin Automotive Museum in Oxnard, California. If the sale price is accurate, it would shatter the previous record, the $12.2 million paid in May 2009 at public auction in Maranello, Italy, for a 1957 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars The Bugatti sale was brokered by Gooding & Company, the automotive auction house based in Santa Monica, Ca., and has reportedly been in progress for a while. The 57SC Atlantic was based on the Aerolithe Electron

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Nissan recalling 135,000 Infiniti G35 coupes, sedans with airbags issues

The recall involves G35 coupes from the 2005 to 2007 model years and G35 sedans from the 2005 to 2006 model year. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Used Cars Nissan reports the air bag unit’s wire harness under the front passenger seat could wear down and interrupt the air bag’s signal. In a crash, the air bag may not deploy and could increase the risk of injury. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) announced Nissan has not yet provided the agency with a plan to fix the vehicles or a timeline of when owners will be notified. James RaiaA sports, travel and business journalist for more than

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Ford Flex, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

Acceleration (6) Yes, it’s a crossover and it doesn’t look particularly swift. But step on the accelerator, on a freeway ramp, for example, and the 3.5-liter, 262 horsepower V6 holds it owns. The only transmission available is a six-speed automatic. Braking/Steering/Handling (6) It’s hard to fault all-wheel drive systems, and having the feature in a van/SUV makes perfect sense. The AWD works smoothly. The Flex was always in control, particularly on the constant roller-coaster back roads of Missouri. A few times while approaching stoplights or stop signs at medium speeds, the brakes seemed soft and I had to apply harder pressure than anticipated to stop. Cargo Room (8) The second and third rows of seats lay flat when not  in

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Honda Element, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The small sport utility vehicle with its unique box-like style was an immediate hit. Its initial marketing gimmick was two-fold. With its “suicide” doors and second seat configuration, cycling enthusiasts could transport a bike or two width-wise in the cabin. Likewise, when bikes and other cargo were removed from the Element, the base model’s interior could easily be cleaned — with a garden hose. All of the indoor was plastic or rubber and thus easily washed. The base model is still “washable.” But most of the Element’s seven trims now have upgraded cloth seats and other standard features are not the best for garden-hose applications. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance,

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Chevrolet Camaro, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

More than 40 years after it debuted as a muscle car competitor to the Ford Mustang, the Chevrolet Camaro re-emerged in the spring of 2009 as a 2010 model after a several-year hiatus from the manufacturer’s lineup. The Camaro is available with V6 or V8 engines and in five trims, all of which attract immediate attention. The rejuvenated, fifth-generation Camaro resembles the Mustang in design. But it simultaneously brings the long-standing coupe a new, modern identity and retains the good and bad traits from its now middle-aged history and reputation. The Weekly Driver Test Drive East Coast folks laugh at us when we say “winter weather’s arrived.” In Sacramento, that usually means mid-30s, rain and sometimes fog. But there was

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Toyota Prius, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The standard and optional changes are substantial — the redesigned exterior, better gas mileage (the first legitimate 50 mpg EPA estimate) and Intelligent Parking Assist (IPA). The Prius is now among the top-20 best-selling cars in the country. Yet, it’s still a work in progress. The Weekly Driver’s Ratings Acceleration (5) For 2010, Toyota has added 24 additional horsepower, increasing the total to 134. That gives the Prius some confidence in freeway passing situations it previously couldn’t quite handle. Braking/Steering/Handling (6) The V series, one of five available, includes 17-inch wheels. That helps with sharper turns and better road firmness. Braking is satisfactory, but a few times, I had to abruptly hit the brakes hard and it felt like stepping

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BMW, 335d, 2010: The Weekly Driver Car Review

The 2009 version I drove six months ago attracted a lot of attention. Some onlookers didn’t know a BMW diesel was available in the United States. Other car enthusiasts wondered what the odd exterior promotional decals were all about. Little has changed with the 2010 model, the second year of car in this country. Officially, there’s only one change. The 2010 model has HD radio. But the promotional decals are long gone, replaced by a BMW strong point, exterior paint colors and a well-coordinated interior. AUTOMOTIVE RESOURCES Auto Shipping Quote, Car Financing, Car Insurance Quotes, Car Loans, Online Car Insurance, Rental Cars, Most of the major car publications have selected the vehicle on best-of-the-year lists, and what’s to argue? Is

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Looking for a Ferrari? Tour de France rider George Hincapie may have a Ferrari F430 for you

About nine months ago, Hincapie purchased a 2006 Ferrari F430. But he’s now likely to sell the car because he just doesn’t have the opportunity to drive it much. During a recent trip to California to ride in a cancer awareness event for his work with Breakaway From Cancer and to help launch to new location of the U.S. Bicycling Hall of Fame, Hincapie discussed his 4.3-liter, 490-horsepower V8 (Red) Ferrari. Hincapie, 36, lives part-time in Greenville, S.C. He will compete May 16-23 in the Tour of California and then participate in the Tour de France for the 15th time, beginning July 3 in Rotterdam, The Netherlands. During a wide-ranging, exclusive interview, Hincapie was asked about his Ferrari. The Weekly

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GM unveils new hybrid, a 'taller, roomy' Volt sibling, MPV5

And unlike the Volt the MPV5 concept is bigger and certainly heavier so GM says it will only go 32 miles on all electric mode. The Volt has a claimed 40-mile, all-electric range. Stylistically, the Chevy MPV5 concept is very similar to the Volt with a lot of features that look like they came straight out of the Volt including the MPV5 concept’s dashboard. The Volt is scheduled to go on sale toward the end of this year, and according to GM it will go about 40 miles on electricity only using a large lithium-ion battery before the car’s small gas engine kicks in to charge the battery and extend the car’s range. To read more about the Chevy MPV5

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