2009 Pontiac Solstice Coupe

There aren't many inexpensive sports cars on the market, and Pontiac is hoping the 2009 Solstice coupe will catch fire and generate a buzz like the convertible did a few years ago.The coupe is almost identical to the convertible in terms of the engines and transmissions offered, as well as the interior layout and materials. What's obviously different is the fastback body style, which really sets it apart from its sibling.Without the clunky fold-down ragtop and its assorted mechanisms, there's a flat floor behind the front seats for storage; cargo room is virtually nonexistent in the convertible. The coupe isn't actually a fixed roof — the roof panel can be removed, just like on the Corvette, and is made of magnesium.We wonder what the demand for the Solstice coupe will be, but much of it may depend on the price. Common practice usually prices coupes less than convertibles, and the 2008 vert's prices of $22,165 and $27,845 for the base and GXP versions are already pretty affordable. We'd still love to see a sub-$20,000 base price.

source : cars

2009 Pontiac G8 GXP

Every car really should have a Corvette engine wedged into it. Imagine your daily driver, whatever it is, with the vroom-vroom of a 402-horsepower V-8. Pontiac's engineers live in this world; they've taken the V-8 engine that graced the 2007 Chevy Corvette — the '08 'Vette gets 430 hp — and dropped it into the newly on-sale Pontiac G8 sedan.Dubbed the 2009 G8 GXP, this rear-wheel-drive sedan comes with either a manual or an automatic transmission, and GM says it'll hit 60 mph in "about" 4.7 seconds. Or, as we like to say, fast.There's more, of course: 14-inch Brembo brakes rest behind some nice-looking 19-inch wheels. GM also says the suspension has been revised to offer better grip.The GXP's looks aren't too over-the-top; it has the customary lowered stance, extra body cladding and interior touches. The big news is that you can finally get the wheels that were on the original G8 GT concept car.The currently top-of-the-line G8 GT, with a 361-hp V-8, starts at $29,310. We'd expect the GXP to have a considerable "upgrade" cost. We'll have to wait for a test drive before we decide if it's worth it.

source : cars

2009 Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4

Lamborghini is showing a new LP560-4 Gallardo at the 2008 Geneva auto show. The Gallardo is the smaller supercar of Lamborghini's two current offerings, and the latest LP560-4 has a 5.2-liter V-10 making 560 horsepower — up from the current Gallardo's 520 hp. This peak power gives the LP560-4 its name, while the "4" refers to the LP560-4's four-wheel drive, which splits power 30 percent to the front wheels and 70 percent to the rear. Transmission options include either a six-speed manual or six-speed sequential with paddle shifters.The LP560-4 shows off front styling akin to the Reventon concept that debuted at the 2007 Frankfurt auto show. Similar cues from the Reventon concept include large trapezoidal front air intakes to scoop up air for the engine's cooling demands. Between those large scoops is a front spoiler for improved aerodynamics. In the back there's a new rear diffuser and LED taillights. On the inside, buyers can choose an Alcantara-lined interior or carbon fiber trimmings.Lamborghini says the LP560-4 can do zero to 62 mph (100 km/h) in 3.7 seconds, on its way to a top speed of 202 mph (325 km/h).

source : cars

2010 Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid

The Mercedes-Benz S400 BlueHybrid is a gasoline-electric hybrid version of the automaker's flagship S-Class sedan that's expected to arrive in the U.S. in fall 2009. Average fuel economy is about 30 mpg, according to Mercedes, which is nearly double the 16 mpg combined rating of the V-8-powered S550.Though a gasoline-electric version of the S-Class is significant in its own right, the S400 BlueHybrid's hybrid system also incorporates a lithium-ion battery pack. Mercedes says the operating temperature of the battery pack is regulated by the car's air conditioning system, thereby enhancing battery life and performance.Total system output of the 3.5-liter V-6 and electric motor is 299 horsepower and 277 pounds-feet of torque. Mercedes-Benz spokesman Rob Moran says the electric motor supplements the gas engine during acceleration. The automaker cites a zero-to-62-mph time of 7.3 seconds for the car and an electronically limited top speed of 155 mph.Buyers of expensive luxury sedans haven't had many eco-friendly alternatives to traditional V-8-powered models, and even the new Lexus LS 600h L is no fuel-saver with its 20/22 mpg city/highway rating. That's about to change with the S400 BlueHybrid, which gives big spenders all the luxury they'd expect from an S-Class with significantly improved gas mileage.

source : cars

2009 Maserati Gran Turismo S

Maserati's new Gran Turismo S is a performance-oriented version of the two-door coupe. It features a larger-displacement V-8 engine that makes 440 horsepower, which is 35 hp more than the regular Gran Turismo's V-8. The S also gets Maserati's duo-select six-speed automated manual transmission with paddle shifters in place of the six-speed automatic that the standard model uses.The new drivetrain propels the car from zero to 62 mph in 4.9 seconds on the way to a top speed of 183 mph, according to the company. The task of stopping this sports car falls to a high-performance brake system that features six-piston front calipers.Exterior differences between the two versions of the Gran Turismo are minor, like a red stripe on the grille trident of the S, but the car does take on a particularly menacing aura when painted black with dark gray rims, like the car in the photos. It also features a sport exhaust system. On the inside, the S has new sport seats finished in leather and Alcantara fabric.

source : cars

2009 Ford Fiesta

If you think the all-new Ford Fiesta looks like the Verve concepts we've been seeing over the past year at various auto shows, you're right. This production car takes those concept car cues and turns them into reality. Don't take our word for it, just check out the interior, which closely resembles the concept car.Ford says this is the first car that will truly be a global performer, going on sale in Europe, Asia and North America. Yes, Ford will start producing the Fiesta — it will not be called Verve anywhere it's sold — in North America for sale in the U.S. in 2010, according to Ford officials.Engine choices in Europe will include two small, efficient diesel power plants and two gasoline engines. We expect the largest of the two gasoline engines to make it to the U.S. — a 1.6-liter four-cylinder producing roughly 115 horsepower.The Fiesta's crazy center console has an auxiliary jack, USB port and a 12-volt outlet. Bluetooth will also be available. Since the new Sync system isn't offered in Europe, it's not included in this release. Again, though, we'd expect it to be an available upgrade in a U.S. Fiesta.Other features include a tilt/telescoping steering wheel, ambient lighting and Ford's new capless fuel intake. Ford hasn't released full specs — like official dimensions — but says it retains the same footprint as the current Fiesta. Our only complaint is that we have to wait two more years for it.

source : cars

2009 Chevrolet Traverse

If you're a long-time reader or otherwise know your way around the GM family, you might be surprised to hear that Chevrolet is rolling out its own three-row crossover — one that's nearly identical to the Saturn Outlook and GMC Acadia. It also shares a lot with the more upscale Buick Enclave. The average person would ask why there's a need for such a similar vehicle. The answer is simple: Chevy loyalists don't have a large crossover option.Dealers demanded a three-row crossover, and GM delivered. The Traverse does bump up the power in the same V-6 shared with the other three crossovers. The Traverse gets 286 horsepower — versus 270 in the Outlook and 275 in the Acadia — through some slight tweaking of the engine. GM is also saying it will get better mileage than any other vehicle in its class, but because of the long wait before it goes on sale there are no official numbers yet. The Outlook and Acadia get 16/24 mpg city/highway.The Traverse comes with stability control, rollover mitigation, a tire pressure monitoring system, side-impact airbags, side curtain airbags and 17-inch wheels standard. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety hasn't crash-tested any of the GM three-row crossovers, but the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has given them five-star awards for crash tests and four-star rollover ratings.Did we mention the Traverse's looks? Oops. The silver car in these press images really doesn't help us come to a final conclusion. The new Chevy grille doesn't look as good here as it does on the new Malibu, but slightly better than it does on the Aveo. The profile is totally boring but borrows its wavy shape from the Enclave, not the Acadia and Outlook. The backside is interesting, including taillights inspired by the upcoming Camaro. Still, we want to see another color.

source : cars