Honda Element SC

• Competes with: Nissan Xterra, Scion xB, Toyota FJ Cruiser
• Looks like: A larger Scion xB — more so than an altered Element
• Drivetrain: 166-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine with five-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: Fall 2006

The Element SC is a go for production in fall 2006 as a 2007 model. Honda calls the car we checked out at the New York auto show a prototype, which means some details might change, but overall, what you see is what you'll get. The SC is simply a special edition or trim level of the Element, not a replacement for the current generation. Honda calls it "urban-oriented" — something of a silent cry to attract the buyers for whom the model was originally intended but who have been unmoved: young men. Exterior The main change here was expected: The gray plastic cladding has been replaced by body-colored panels. The car sits 3 inches lower on a revised suspension, and lower fascias and side sills make it seem lower still. Projector-beam headlights and a black grille give this version a more interesting look. The prototype's wheels are 21-inch aluminum. The chances of these appearing on the final product are ... impossible is a strong word, but it's pretty close to that. You can expect the final wheels to be larger than those on the regular Element, though. Interior Inside, one of the Element's defining features is gone: Carpet appears where the regular model has a wipe-clean plastic floor. The dashboard is darker and less fanciful, with piano-black trim around the center control panel, the vents and on the steering wheel. Red accents appear on the gauges, steering wheel, ventilation controls and seats. Red stitching adorns the shifter boot and center armrest, which provides more covered storage than the regular Element. Under the Hood The Element's 2.4-liter four-cylinder has a modest power upgrade in the SC, with 10 more horsepower for a total of 166 hp, which comes from intake and exhaust modifications and different camshafts. The optional automatic transmission adds a gear here, with five compared to the existing model's four. More attention was given to the suspension, which has sport tuning for improved handling. The prototype wears Z-rated Michelin Pilot Sport summer performance tires rated P244/35/ZR21. The type could find its way into production. The size, not so much. The copper-colored Brembo brake calipers and cross-drilled rotors also are unlikely to appear on the final product. Safety The Element SC is well equipped with safety features that will carry over into the real product. Side-impact airbags for the front seats are included, as are side curtain-type airbags that cover the side windows in a side impact. Antilock brakes and an electronic stability system are standard. source : car

Honda CR-V

• Competes with: Toyota RAV4, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Escape
• Looks like: An SUV with an underbite
• Drivetrain: 148-hp, 2.0-liter four-cylinder or 2.2-liter diesel (Europe); 166-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder (U.S.)
• Hits dealerships: At U.S. dealerships now
• MSRP: $20,600 - $28,000

The CR-V sport utility vehicle Honda will sell in Europe looks a lot like its American cousin, but is substantially different under the skin. Optional adaptive cruise control, collision mitigation braking, a different gasoline engine and the choice of a diesel powerplant are some major differences. A stability control system, active front head restraints, a five-speed automatic transmission and a more powerful engine are standard on European models. Outside, the CR-V features sloping windows and a distinct two-level grille. Exterior The boxy shape of past CR-Vs has given way to a rounder appearance, particularly in the rear, sloping windows. Subtle creases on the bodyside and around the wheel wells also help the 2007 CR-V avoid the slab-sided look of early-generation SUVs. Up front, a distinctive grille has an upper opening holding the Honda badge, and a lower, wider opening below. The twin grille is combined with a wide, jutting bumper and bodywork. The door handles and mirrors are body-colored, and the brake lights maintain their slim, vertical design. The 2007 model is about three inches shorter than the previous generation — mostly because the spare tire no longer hangs at the rear bumper — an inch wider and roughly the same height. It loses almost an inch of ground clearance, but given the CR-V is a car-based crossover, it's doubtful the average buyer will be concerned with its offroad prowess. As in the U.S., the European CR-V rides on standard 17-inch wheels, but European buyers can upgrade to 18-inch wheels. Interior Just as the exterior dimensions grow, so does the interior. Honda says the CR-V's seats are wider, and the center tray table has been redesigned. European buyers get another goodie: An optional panoramic glass roof that extends tinted glass from the windshield to the rear passengers. A picnic table, which was included in earlier models, has been dropped. The optional navigation system now includes voice-recognition software. Under the Hood The European CR-V's gasoline engine is a 2.0-liter powerplant that is smaller and less powerful than the U.S. model's 2.4-liter engine. It turns out 148 horsepower and 140 pounds-feet of torque. (The U.S. engine is good for 166 hp and 161 pounds-feet of torque.) In Europe, a 2.2-liter diesel engine is also offered, but Honda has not released updated power or torque figures for this engine. As in U.S. models, a Real Time 4WD system is optional. Real Time 4WD transfers more torque to the rear wheels when more traction is needed. While U.S. models don't have the option of a manual transmission, the European CR-V comes with either a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic gearbox. Safety Side curtain airbags with a rollover sensor, active front head restraints, stability control, electronic brake distribution and a tire pressure monitoring system are among the CR-V's standard safety features. European models gain lots of nifty safety options that U.S. drivers have to do without: Adaptive Cruise Control uses radar to measure the distance to vehicles ahead and, if necessary, applies the brakes or throttle to maintain a constant distance. Europe also gets a Collision Mitigation Brake System. This sounds an alarm to alert drivers if they are coming too close to objects ahead. If the driver doesn't respond, the brakes are applied and the seat belts are tightened. If that doesn't do the trick, the brakes are applied more firmly and the seat belts are tightened even more. There's also an adaptive front lighting system that turns the headlights in the direction the CR-V is turning. source : car

GMC Yukon XL

• Competes with: Lincoln Navigator, Nissan Armada, Toyota Sequoia
• Looks like: A wide-eyed version of the previous Yukon XL
• Drivetrain: 320-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-8 engine; 350-hp, 6.0-liter V-8; 355-hp, 6.0-liter V-8 or 380-hp, 6.2-liter V-8 with four- or six-speed-automatic transmission; rear- or four-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Spring 2006

GMC's Yukon XL is the brand's flagship sport utility vehicle, and it undergoes a complete redesign for 2007. Available in base SLE, SLT and top-of-the-line Denali trim levels, the Yukon XL is available with a choice of V-8 engines, some of which feature fuel management systems that deactivate four cylinders during low-load situations. According to the company, this technology can improve fuel economy by about 10 percent. Topping the range of available engines is a 6.2-liter V-8 that does without the fuel management system but boasts 380 horsepower. Rear-wheel drive is standard across most models, but four-wheel drive is available. The new Yukon XL sports sleeker styling and better-integrated lower body panels than the prior generation. A rack-and-pinion steering system replaces the old recirculating-ball setup, and side curtain-type airbags that protect all three rows of seats are newly available. The Yukon XL is closely related to the Chevrolet Suburban, which underwent a similar redesign for 2007. Both go on sale in spring 2006. Exterior Larger headlamps and a cleaner front fascia help distinguish the 2007 Yukon XL from its predecessor. Fenders, fog lights and lower side cladding are integrated into the body to create a more continuous appearance than the previous Yukon XL's pieced-together look. Seventeen-inch wheels are standard. The Yukon Denali upgrades to 18-inch wheels while also adding unique headlamps, grille and taillamps. Twenty-inch wheels are optional for all trims. Denali editions include a standard power liftgate. Optional parking-assistance features include a rearview camera and sonar rear parking sensors. Power-operated, retractable running boards will be available in late 2006. Interior A lower dashboard with a traditional instrument panel hump replaces the boxy dash from previous Yukon XLs. Higher-quality fixtures include flush-mounted controls, low-gloss materials and chrome instrument surrounds. Three rows of seats can accommodate up to nine occupants if configured properly, and front-seat occupants will find three inches of additional hiproom compared to the previous version. Second-row passengers lose more than an inch of headroom, and third-row passengers sacrifice headroom and legroom. Cargo volume measures 45.8 cubic feet behind the third row. With the third row removed and the second row folded — made easier with an available power-folding feature — cargo volume increases to 137.4 cubic feet. Manual tri-zone climate control is standard in SLE trims. SLT and Denali editions get automatic climate control and leather seats. Denali versions up the luxury ante with heated first- and second-row seats, a premium audio system, rain-sensing windshield wipers and an available heated steering wheel. Under the Hood The Yukon XL can be powered by a choice of V-8 engines. A 5.3-liter V-8 propels regular-duty Yukon XLs; in rear-wheel-drive models the engine has an iron block, whereas four-wheel-drive versions have an all-aluminum mill. Both engines — which can run on either regular-grade gasoline or E85 ethanol-based fuel — feature variable-valve timing and a fuel management system that can deactivate four of the eight cylinders when power needs are low. Total output for both motors is 320 hp and 340 pounds-feet of torque. A 6.0-liter V-8 arrives later in 2006. It also features variable-valve timing and cylinder deactivation, and develops 355 hp and 365 pounds-feet of torque. The engine will be optional on the regular-duty (1500 series) Yukon XL SLE and SLT. Heavy-duty (2500 series) versions receive an iron-block edition of the 6.0-liter V-8 that has variable-valve timing but lacks the cylinder deactivation. This engine is rated at 350 hp and 360 pounds-feet of torque. All 5.3-liter and 6.0-liter V-8s team with a four-speed-automatic transmission. When properly equipped, the Yukon XL can tow up to 8,100 pounds. The horsepower leader is the 6.2-liter V-8. It utilizes variable-valve timing but lacks cylinder deactivation; it develops 380 hp and 415 pounds-feet of torque. This motor is available only in the Yukon XL Denali, where it drives a six-speed automatic. Safety Standard safety equipment includes four-wheel antilock disc brakes, traction control and General Motors' StabiliTrak electronic stability system with new rollover mitigation technology. GM says the system senses when the vehicle is likely to tip, and then triggers the stability system in an attempt to prevent it. (To date, only Ford Motor Company's Roll Stability Control feature can sense that a rollover has begun and attempt to forestall it.) Side curtain-type airbags cover all three rows of seats — they're optional on SLE and SLT models and standard on the Denali. The front seat belts feature pretensioners that can activate in the event of a rear-end collision. source : car

GMC Yukon

• Competes with: Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada, Toyota Sequoia
• Looks like: A taller GMC Envoy with squared-off hindquarters
• Drivetrain: 320-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-8; 350-hp, 6.0-liter V-8; or 380-hp, 6.2-liter V-8 engine with four- or six-speed-automatic transmission; rear-, four- or all-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Spring 2006
• MSRP: $33,815 (2WD SLE), excluding destination charge

Slotting in price and equipment between the Chevrolet Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade, the GMC Yukon is the middle child among the sport utility vehicles on General Motors' full-size GMT800 platform. As the company redesigns all things GMT800 for 2007 — including the name, which now becomes GMT900 — the Yukon follows suit. The 2007 Yukon is larger, more powerful and more fuel efficient, with a trio of technologically distinct V-8 engines. These include a 5.3-liter V-8 with a fuel management system that deactivates four cylinders under low-stress situations and a 6.2-liter V-8 that packs 380 horsepower — well beyond the V-8 output in the Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada or Toyota Sequoia. Four-wheel drive is available, as are seating configurations for up to nine occupants. The new Yukon will be available in spring 2006. Prices begin at $33,815, not including the destination charge. Exterior Up front, the Yukon holds a one-piece grille instead of the Tahoe's partitioned unit. Other differentiating details include taller headlights with jewel-like bezels and a wider lower air dam. In profile, the two are largely identical: Both share the same blocky fenders, long rear-quarter windows and squared-off back end. The Yukon is available in base SLE, SLT and luxury Denali trim levels. Seventeen-inch wheels are standard on all but the Denali edition, which upgrades to 18-inch wheels. The Yukon Denali also gets an Autoride real-time damping suspension, chrome exterior moldings and a power-operated rear liftgate. Options across the Yukon lineup include 20-inch wheels and a moonroof. Later in the model year, power-extending running boards will also be available. Interior The Yukon's dashboard carries the same shape as its redesigned GM siblings. That's good news because the domed instrument panel, low-plane surfaces and flush-mounted buttons are a vast improvement on the rectangular fixtures of previous Yukons, Tahoes and their like. SLE models have cloth seats and tri-zone manual climate control, while the SLT upgrades to leather and automatic climate control. Denali trim levels add heated first- and second-row seats, a Bose premium audio system and an available heated steering wheel. Three available bench rows in the Yukon SLE allow seating for up to nine occupants. Uplevel models replace first- and second-row benches with captain's chairs, lowering total seating capacity to seven. The second-row seats fold forward, either manually or via an available power mechanism. The third row is removable, but it doesn't fold flat to the floor as some competitors' seats do. With both rows stashed away, maximum cargo volume is 108.9 cubic feet, which places the Yukon in the middle of the pack among the Expedition, Armada and Sequoia. Under the Hood On two-wheel-drive Yukons, a standard 4.8-liter V-8 produces 290 hp and 290 pounds-feet of torque. For four-wheel-drive models, the available 5.3-liter V-8 makes 320 hp and 340 pounds-feet; it's optional on two-wheel-drive Yukons. The 5.3-liter engine features a cylinder-deactivation system that shuts down four cylinders under light-load situations, such as highway driving, for better fuel economy. City mileage remains roughly the same as the 5.3-liter engine in the previous Yukon, but highway mileage increases as much as 22 percent. The engine runs on either gasoline or ethanol-based E85 fuel. Both the 4.8-liter and 5.3-liter engines use a four-speed-automatic transmission. For maximum grunt, an all-aluminum 6.2-liter V-8 is standard on the Yukon Denali. It produces 380 hp and 415 pounds-feet of torque and runs through a new six-speed-automatic transmission. The Yukon Denali also includes a permanent all-wheel-drive system that's distinct from the available part-time four-wheel drive on the Yukon SLE and SLT. When properly equipped, the Yukon can tow up to 7,700 pounds. That puts it ahead of the Sequoia but well behind the Expedition and Armada, which can both tow around 9,000 pounds. Safety Standard four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are substantially upgraded for 2007, with larger discs and stiffer calipers. A standard electronic stability system includes roll mitigation technology, which can apply individual brakes if sensors detect an impending rollover. Side curtain-type airbags that cover all three rows of seats are standard on the Yukon Denali and optional on other trim levels. Front side-impact airbags are not available. source : car

GMC Yukon

• Competes with: Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada, Toyota Sequoia
• Looks like: A taller GMC Envoy with squared-off hindquarters
• Drivetrain: 320-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-8; 350-hp, 6.0-liter V-8; or 380-hp, 6.2-liter V-8 engine with four- or six-speed-automatic transmission; rear-, four- or all-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Spring 2006
• MSRP: $33,815 (2WD SLE), excluding destination charge

Slotting in price and equipment between the Chevrolet Tahoe and Cadillac Escalade, the GMC Yukon is the middle child among the sport utility vehicles on General Motors' full-size GMT800 platform. As the company redesigns all things GMT800 for 2007 — including the name, which now becomes GMT900 — the Yukon follows suit. The 2007 Yukon is larger, more powerful and more fuel efficient, with a trio of technologically distinct V-8 engines. These include a 5.3-liter V-8 with a fuel management system that deactivates four cylinders under low-stress situations and a 6.2-liter V-8 that packs 380 horsepower — well beyond the V-8 output in the Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada or Toyota Sequoia. Four-wheel drive is available, as are seating configurations for up to nine occupants. The new Yukon will be available in spring 2006. Prices begin at $33,815, not including the destination charge. Exterior Up front, the Yukon holds a one-piece grille instead of the Tahoe's partitioned unit. Other differentiating details include taller headlights with jewel-like bezels and a wider lower air dam. In profile, the two are largely identical: Both share the same blocky fenders, long rear-quarter windows and squared-off back end. The Yukon is available in base SLE, SLT and luxury Denali trim levels. Seventeen-inch wheels are standard on all but the Denali edition, which upgrades to 18-inch wheels. The Yukon Denali also gets an Autoride real-time damping suspension, chrome exterior moldings and a power-operated rear liftgate. Options across the Yukon lineup include 20-inch wheels and a moonroof. Later in the model year, power-extending running boards will also be available. Interior The Yukon's dashboard carries the same shape as its redesigned GM siblings. That's good news because the domed instrument panel, low-plane surfaces and flush-mounted buttons are a vast improvement on the rectangular fixtures of previous Yukons, Tahoes and their like. SLE models have cloth seats and tri-zone manual climate control, while the SLT upgrades to leather and automatic climate control. Denali trim levels add heated first- and second-row seats, a Bose premium audio system and an available heated steering wheel. Three available bench rows in the Yukon SLE allow seating for up to nine occupants. Uplevel models replace first- and second-row benches with captain's chairs, lowering total seating capacity to seven. The second-row seats fold forward, either manually or via an available power mechanism. The third row is removable, but it doesn't fold flat to the floor as some competitors' seats do. With both rows stashed away, maximum cargo volume is 108.9 cubic feet, which places the Yukon in the middle of the pack among the Expedition, Armada and Sequoia. Under the Hood On two-wheel-drive Yukons, a standard 4.8-liter V-8 produces 290 hp and 290 pounds-feet of torque. For four-wheel-drive models, the available 5.3-liter V-8 makes 320 hp and 340 pounds-feet; it's optional on two-wheel-drive Yukons. The 5.3-liter engine features a cylinder-deactivation system that shuts down four cylinders under light-load situations, such as highway driving, for better fuel economy. City mileage remains roughly the same as the 5.3-liter engine in the previous Yukon, but highway mileage increases as much as 22 percent. The engine runs on either gasoline or ethanol-based E85 fuel. Both the 4.8-liter and 5.3-liter engines use a four-speed-automatic transmission. For maximum grunt, an all-aluminum 6.2-liter V-8 is standard on the Yukon Denali. It produces 380 hp and 415 pounds-feet of torque and runs through a new six-speed-automatic transmission. The Yukon Denali also includes a permanent all-wheel-drive system that's distinct from the available part-time four-wheel drive on the Yukon SLE and SLT. When properly equipped, the Yukon can tow up to 7,700 pounds. That puts it ahead of the Sequoia but well behind the Expedition and Armada, which can both tow around 9,000 pounds. Safety Standard four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are substantially upgraded for 2007, with larger discs and stiffer calipers. A standard electronic stability system includes roll mitigation technology, which can apply individual brakes if sensors detect an impending rollover. Side curtain-type airbags that cover all three rows of seats are standard on the Yukon Denali and optional on other trim levels. Front side-impact airbags are not available. source : car

Ford Shelby GT500

• Competes with: Chevrolet Corvette, Pontiac GTO
• Looks like: Something you wouldn't want to meet in a dark alley
• Drivetrain: 475-horsepower (estimated), supercharged 5.4-liter V-8 with six-speed manual; rear-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Summer 2006
• MSRP: Low $40,000s (estimated base price)

Following the debut of the retro-themed Mustang for the 2005 model year, Ford's Special Vehicle Team and Carroll Shelby have come together to produce a high-performance version of the sports car for 2007. The Ford Shelby GT500, shown previously in concept form, is immediately recognizable as a Mustang but looks decidedly more ruthless. It will be offered in both coupe and convertible versions, and the first copies are scheduled to reach dealerships this summer. Exterior Differences between the regular Mustang and the Shelby GT500 are subtle for the most part. The traditional pony logo on the grille is replaced with an offset Cobra design on the Shelby GT500, and the headlight enclosures angle in more sharply than those on the regular edition. The hood is fitted with two openings designed to vent heat from the engine bay. Coupes have racing stripes, but convertibles do not. The independent front suspension uses a MacPherson strut design while a solid axle is fitted in back. Ford press material goes out of the way to defend the use of a solid rear axle in the Shelby GT500 by recounting the successes of the Ford Racing Mustang FR500C, which uses the same design. Still, some enthusiasts are likely to bemoan the lack of an independent rear suspension, especially in a car scheduled to start at more than $40,000. Wheels measure 18 inches in diameter. Interior Changes to the interior are understated as well. The large round speedometer and tachometer have swapped positions in the instrument panel, which Ford says gives drivers a better view of the tach when changing gears. Leather seating surfaces are standard and come in two color schemes: Charcoal Black or Charcoal Black and Crimson Red, the latter featuring red seat and door inserts. Serpent logos rear their heads on the steering wheel and seatbacks. Under the Hood The Shelby GT500's 5.4-liter V-8 engine breathes through a roots-type supercharger that provides 8.5 pounds of boost and produces an estimated 475 horsepower and 475 pounds-feet of torque. The engine block is made of cast iron, but the cylinder heads, which are shared with the Ford GT, are aluminum. The engine drives a heavy-duty six-speed-manual transmission. Safety All-disc antilock brakes feature 14-inch front discs and 11.8-inch rear discs. All-speed traction control is standard. source : car

Ford Shelby GT-H

• Competes with: Alamo, Avis, Budget, Enterprise
• Looks like: A lot nicer than the Cavalier we rented in Palm Springs
• Drivetrain: 325-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 with five-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: The auction lot might have one by 2009
• MSRP: More than $100 ... per day

Pack enough upgrade coupons, and you just might get to drive a Ford Shelby GT-H. Ford recently teamed with Hertz and automotive celebrity Carroll Shelby to produce the 2006 Ford Shelby GT-H, a gussied-up Mustang GT available to a few lucky renters later this year. The GT-H picks up where Hertz's 1966 Rent-A-Racer program left off. Rent-A-Racer offered select customers a Shelby GT350 for $17 a day, but the program folded after too many renters took their cars to the drag strip. Hertz spokeswoman Paula Rivera said the company plans to discourage GT-H joyriders with stiffer insurance requirements, detailed inspections before and after the rental and a minimum age of 25 years old for renters (as opposed to 21 for most other Hertz cars). The Shelby GT-H will be available as part of Hertz's Fun Collection, which includes models such as the Mazda MX-5 roadster and Hummer H3 sport utility vehicle. Ford expects to produce 500 models. They will be available later this year at select Hertz locations, including Denver, Honolulu, Miami and San Diego. Hertz estimates GT-H rentals will cost more than $100 per day. Exterior Like the original Shelby GT350H, the hardtop Shelby GT-H sports a jet-black paint job with gold racing stripes down the center. Ford trades the Mustang GT's driving lights for a slatted grille insert, with the pony logo moved to the driver's side. Side scoops sit forward of the rear fenders, and a deck spoiler completes the package. Suspension improvements include unique dampers, springs and stabilizer bars, as well as a strut tower brace. The rear axle is tweaked to achieve a 3:55:1 ratio for faster acceleration than the Mustang GT's stock 3.31:1 ratio (with the automatic transmission). Seventeen-inch wheels are wrapped in P235/55ZR17 performance tires. Interior Standard Mustang GT fare includes a twin-cowl dashboard and a thin, three-spoke steering wheel. The GT-H adds custom sill plates and a dash panel with Carroll Shelby's signature. Under the Hood Shelby tuners begin with the Mustang GT's 4.6-liter V-8 and add cold air intake, a low-restriction muffler and high-performance exhaust. The resulting engine makes 325 horsepower and 330 pounds-feet of torque, an increase of 25 hp and 10 pounds-feet over the Mustang GT. A five-speed automatic transmission is standard. Safety Four-wheel disc antilock brakes are standard, as is a traction control system. source : car

2007 Ford Edge

• Competes with: Buick Rendezvous, Ford Freestyle, Nissan Murano, Subaru B9 Tribeca
• Looks like: A Ford Fusion that grew a hatch
• Drivetrain: 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 with six-speed automatic; front- or all-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Fourth quarter of 2006

The 2007 Ford Edge is a new crossover that has the tough look of a sport utility vehicle but is built on a car-based platform to aid driving performance.

The term "wagon" may have become taboo among many automakers — who insist on more complex labels — but the Edge looks like a bulky wagon in profile. It also wears Ford's new corporate grille, first seen in production guise on the Fusion midsize sedan.

The Edge also brings a new, larger V-6 engine to the Ford lineup. For years, Ford's primary V-6 has been a 3.0-liter mill that is now being outpaced in the industry's horsepower war. The Edge's new 3.5-liter V-6 should help Ford even the fight.

The Edge is set to arrive at your local Ford dealership in late 2006. Both SE and SEL trim levels will be available. Pricing information has not yet been publicized.

Exterior
The Edge's front fascia is quite upright, and rectangular headlights flank the distinctive, chrome three-bar grille. Front and rear wheel arches have pronounced bulges, and the Edge's body panels are free of cladding.

Rear styling features include clear-lens taillamps, a roof spoiler and a swept-forward roof that makes the Edge look sporty but likely diminishes cargo room when compared to a squared-off design. The Edge rides on a four-wheel independent suspension, and SE models have 17-inch all-season tires. SEL models use 18-inch all-season tires.

When the Edge is equipped with the available Vista Roof panoramic sunroof, the metal roof is supplanted by two glass panels: a moveable one over the first row of seats and a fixed one for the second row. Two power shades are included with the Vista Roof.

Interior
Seating for five is provided. The instrument panel features white-faced gauges, and storage amenities include a center console bin that Ford says can swallow a laptop computer. An auxiliary audio jack is included, which allows music on portable MP3 devices to be played through the Edge's audio system. The rear door pockets include juice-box holders for the kids.

Six-way powered and heated front seats are available, as is a front passenger seat that can fold flat. The 60/40-split rear seats can recline (but not slide fore and aft) and also fold flat. With the rear seats and front passenger seat folded, the Edge can carry 8-foot long items like lumber or a roll of carpet. Power-folding rear seats are available.

Optional equipment includes a DVD-based navigation system, Sirius Satellite Radio, and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system that includes a flip-down, 8-inch screen and wireless headphones. Leather seats with contrasting stitching are offered.

Under the Hood
The Edge's 3.5-liter V-6 engine generates 250 hp and 240 pounds-feet of torque and drives a six-speed-automatic transmission. Both front- and all-wheel-drive models are offered. Ford says highway fuel economy will be in the mid-20-mpg range, and the Edge can tow up to 3,500 pounds when properly equipped.

Safety
All-disc antilock brakes are standard. Available safety features include seat-mounted side-impact airbags for the front seats, side curtain-type airbags, and Ford's AdvanceTrac with Roll Stability Control electronic stability system, which monitors roll motions and will intervene if it senses an impending rollover in order to keep the vehicle's wheels on the ground.
source : car

Ferrari F430 Challenge

• Competes with: Other F430 Challenges, out on the track
• Looks like: The stock version, with sponsor
• Drivetrain: 490-horsepower, 4.3-liter V-8 engine with six-speed paddle-shift transmission
• Hits dealerships: By April 2006

As if the stock 430 model isn't dynamic enough, Ferrari has crafted it into a new iteration of the Challenge, or racing, series. Same as the standard machine, this track-ready ride features a 490-horsepower, 4.3-liter V-8 engine — the engine Ferrari originally developed for corporate stablemate Maserati.

The 430 Challenge does include new components, including a carbon-ceramic braking system, 19-inch Pirelli racing tires, a Formula-One-style sequential gearbox, a quick-release steering wheel to allow for easier extractions, and built-in pneumatic jacks to allow for faster tire changes in the pits. The car will ultimately replace the Ferrari 360 Challenge; drivers will use it to participate in the Ferrari Challenge Trofeo Pirelli amateur racing series, which begins in April in South Florida.

Exterior
Take away the race ephemera, and the vehicle looks similar to the existing Pininfarina-designed F430, that squat, sculptural vehicle with the long rear window (good for peering in at the drivetrain). The car is 177.6 inches long, 75.7 inches wide and 46.6 inches tall, and weighs a race-appropriate 2,695 pounds. (The window helps keep the body weight off.) Two fat central pipes look dramatic in the rear, and 19-inch tires are new to the model. The L.A. Auto Show version was red with white racing stripes and sponsor logo decals.

Interior
The F430 is a Spartan one-seater, as befits the car's purpose. The rest of the car is mostly devoted to producing high performance and low weight. The functional dashboard prominently features bulky controls that read "pit speed" and "radio."

Under the Hood
The 4.3-liter V-8 cranks out 490 horsepower and 343 pounds-feet of torque at 5,250 rpm. The sequential-shift transmission includes modified fifth and sixth gear ratios that allow for more responsive shifting at high speeds.

Safety
The main safety feature is that not too many drivers will crash one of these, because not too many drivers can afford to purchase their own, private racecar. That said, roll bars, a new braking system and the new 19-inch tires contribute to a safer fast ride. A five-point racing seat belt and that quick-release steering wheel are added safety features.
source : car

2007 Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano

• Competes with: Mercedes-Benz SLR McLaren, Aston Martin Vanquish, Saleen S7
• Looks like: A Ferrari 365 GTC4, updated for the present day
• Drivetrain: 620-horsepower, 5.99-liter V-12 with semiautomatic transmission
• Hits dealerships: Later this year

The Ferrari 599 GTB Fiorano borrows its name from the test track where Ferrari tests both its road cars and Formula 1 racers, and it is designed to bring F1 to the streets. It will replace the 575 M Maranello, which made its debut in 1996 as the 550 Maranello.

In the F1 world, 10 years is at least one lifetime, given how quickly technology is updated. So if Ferrari aims to bring its racing prowess to the street, 2006 is a good time for an update — especially as its F1 rival Mercedes-Benz is prowling the street with its SLR McLaren.

Exterior
The long hood and short rear deck call to mind the 1971 Ferrari 365 GTC4 — called the Daytona by many. With its sweeping curves, air ducts galore and round taillamps, it's likely one would identify the 599 GTB Fiorano as a Ferrari even without the chrome prancing horse on the hood.

It will draw crowds in any parking lot, even without styling that resorts to excessive spoilers, gimmicky doors or other tinsel. It's exotic and looks fast, but it also manages to look composed and sculpted. No body crease, vent or spoiler appears to be tacked on just for the sake of it. It is unfortunate, however, that the headlights bring to mind the narrow, long design that Infiniti has been using for some years.

Interior
The 599 GTB Fiorano interior will let drivers believe they're F1 racers if they wish, but they won't feel as if they're strapped into a Spartan racetrack beast. There's tons of leather, with a lot of carbon fiber accents on the seats, doors and dash. The seats have huge bolsters and cutouts for a four-point racing harness, which clearly communicates that this car will go very fast — and hold you firmly while it does so.

What isn't leather or carbon fiber is likely brushed aluminum, so there's a nice mix of materials and textures. Plus, in a nod to tuners, the buyer can choose either a red or yellow background for the central rev counter behind the steering wheel. That steering wheel is loaded with controls, similar to an F1 racecar's wheel. Drivers can choose which setting they want for the vehicle dynamic control system — which incorporates suspension, traction control and gearbox settings. There's an engine-start button and shift paddles behind the wheel.

Under the Hood
Ferrari calls the 599 GTB Fiorano a front-mid-engine design, meaning the engine is mounted farther back in the chassis than in a pure front-engine car like the 575 M. Still, the engine is accessed from a front hood. The power plant is a 65-degree V-12 that's 5.99 liters (hence the car's 599 name) that makes 448 pounds-feet of torque at 5,600 rpm. It's limited to a maximum of 8,400 rpm.

The power is routed through a six-speed gearbox. Ferrari says it has worked to make the semiautomatic shifting even faster than before. The shift patterns can be changed to better meet slippery or dry conditions.

Safety
Traction and stability control are the highlights here. The F1-Trac system monitors the speed of front and rear wheels, predicts the maximum amount of grip and reacts accordingly. Ferrari claims the system increases acceleration by 20 percent over traditional traction and stability control systems, and the magnetic-fluid suspension is designed to reduce body roll and provide the driver with greater control as well.

A Racing and Track option package, which includes upgraded carbon-ceramic brakes, a four-point racing harness and a cockpit roll bar, is also available.
source : car

2007 Dodge Nitro

• Competes with: BMW X3, Nissan Xterra, Saturn Vue
• Looks like: The Jeep Liberty's big, beefy brother
• Drivetrain: 210-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6 with six-speed-manual or four-speed-automatic transmission; 255-hp, 4.0-liter V-6 with standard five-speed automatic; part-time four-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Fall 2006

The Dodge Nitro enters the compact sport utility vehicle market aiming to round out the automaker's lineup of cars and larger SUVs. It will slot below the Durango SUV and offer a step up from the smaller Caliber hatchback.

Of the competitors listed above, the Nitro offers the largest maximum cargo capacity — 75.6 cubic feet with folding seats in their lowered position. At 178.9 inches from bumper to bumper, the Nitro is nearly the same length as the BMW X3 (179.7 inches) and Nissan Xterra (178.9 inches), but more than 2 inches shorter than the 181.3-inch Saturn Vue.

The Nitro, based on the Jeep Liberty, features Dodge's distinctive crosshair grille and comes in base, SLT and high-performance R/T versions. All come with a standard electronic stability system with rollover mitigation.

Exterior
Stylists apparently were aiming at a burly image for this SUV, as the wheels, grille, hood and even door handles appear almost one size too large for the rest of the body. Sharp, angular lines give the vehicle a muscular, chiseled look. A high beltline makes the greenhouse area seem smaller than on other SUVs, a feature fans of the Dodge Magnum might find to their liking.

The Nitro, which has a 108.8-inch wheelbase, rides on 16-inch wheels, with 17-inchers optional. The Nitro R/T comes with 20-inch wheels, which are an option on the SLT trim level.

Interior
The Nitro's seats are billed as supportive and firm — a feature Dodge says makes them more comfortable on long trips. Vinyl, cloth or leather seat upholstery is available, depending on the trim level. The Nitro seats five in two rows, and brushed-metal-look accents are used on the gearshift, door handles, climate controls and center console.

Both the front passenger seat and backseat fold flat for storage. On the Nitro SLT and R/T, a sliding cargo floor is standard to aid in loading packages.

Options include a navigation system with real-time traffic update, a backseat DVD video system, a six-CD changer and remote start.

Under the Hood
Dodge offers a choice of engines and transmissions on the Nitro. The base model carries a 210-horsepower, 3.7-liter V-6. That engine offers a choice of six-speed-manual or four-speed-automatic transmissions and produces 235 pounds-feet of torque. The R/T model comes with a 255-hp, 4.0-liter V-6 and a five-speed-automatic transmission; it produces 275 pounds-feet of torque. A part-time four-wheel-drive system is standard with the manual transmissions; full-time all-wheel drive is standard on automatic models.

The suspension is a new independent design up front and a new five-link, solid-axle rear arrangement. Dodge says it's tuned to provide a level ride when loaded or towing. As a performance driver would expect, the R/T version features firmer springs, shocks and other items to improve its cornering and traction.

Safety
Four-wheel antilock brakes are standard. The Nitro adds a traction control system that applies those brakes to wheels that slip during acceleration to get them grabbing the road again. An electronic stability system with rollover mitigation is also standard, as are side curtain-type airbags. Front side-impact airbags are not available.
source : car

2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4

• Competes with: Chevrolet Cobalt SS, Honda Civic Si, Subaru Impreza WRX, Volkswagen GTI
• Looks like: A ground-hugging Caliber with a few more nostrils
• Drivetrain: 300-horsepower, supercharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder with six-speed-manual transmission; front-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: May 2006
• MSRP: As low as $20,000? We can hope

The Dodge Caliber is the latest Chrysler Group vehicle to get the SRT treatment — that's Street and Racing Technology — resulting in the 2007 Dodge Caliber SRT4. Oddly enough, the first SRT model was the 2003 Dodge SRT-4, which had no model name attached to it. Why? Because the base model was a Neon, and Dodge didn't want to remind anyone of that.

As it turned out, they could have called it Neon SRT-4. Heck, they could have called it Monkapotamus SRT-4, and people would have flocked to their dealerships, because the SRT-4 was fabulous. With 215 horsepower in its first iteration, it became the best bang for the buck, priced just under $20,000. It handled nothing like a Neon, and it even sounded great. By the end — the 2005 model year — the SRT-4 boasted 230 hp and could be goosed to 300 horses with Mopar modifications. All told, Dodge sold 25,000 of them, far exceeding expectations.

Now Dodge believes it has something to boast about in its new 2007 Caliber four-door hatchback (covered in a separate report). Hence the Caliber SRT4, endowed with 300 hp, right out of the box, from a turbocharged 2.4-liter four-cylinder. Like the current SRT vehicles from Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep, the Caliber SRT4 complements the drivetrain with chassis, exterior and interior upgrades.

Exterior
The SRT4 sits half-an-inch lower than the regular Caliber, and the custom front fascia extends farther down, giving the car a ground-hugging look. The front fascia and grille are actually farther forward on the SRT4 to accommodate the turbo's intercooler. Other visible differences from the regular Caliber are also functional: The front bumper has outboard cooling ducts for the brakes, and the hood has a center hood-scoop inlet and two heat vents further back. These serve to cool the engine compartment. The air cleaner is fed by a duct above the radiator and behind the grille.

The tail features a spoiler that's about 60 percent larger than the standard one, for greater downforce on the rear wheels. The rear fascia drops down to an airfoil with vertical vanes for improved underbody aerodynamics.

Interior
In the SRT tradition, the SRT4's interior has sport seats with prominent side bolsters and fabric panel inserts to hold occupants in place during spirited driving. Also present are an exclusive leather steering wheel, shifter knob and shifter boot. "Alloy silver" trim and power-adjustable aluminum pedals are also unique to the SRT version. Special gauges include a 200-mph speedometer and a turbo boost-pressure gauge.

Under the Hood
The engine compartment is dominated by induction plumbing that rises from the intercooler, located behind the grille, and runs backward like a basket handle over the block and behind the engine. The 2.4-liter inline-four generates 300 hp at 6,000 rpm and 260 pounds-feet of torque from 2,000 to 6,000 rpm, according to Dodge (ratings based on 93-octane premium gasoline). It drives the front wheels through a Getrag six-speed-manual transmission.

The engine itself is beefed up for the increased demands of charging and higher output. The forged connecting rods join cast pistons and the crankshaft by means of tri-metal bearings. An external oil cooler and piston-cooling oil squirters are unique to this model. The exhaust system employs 3-inch-diameter pipes and two catalytic converters in series — the latter being for quicker warmup and better pollution control, not for performance. The car introduced at the Chicago Auto Show had a nice, deep exhaust note — better than the typical buzz of four-cylinder pocket rockets — but it wasn't quite as pleasing as the original SRT-4's exhaust burble. Perhaps this will change before the car hits the market in May.

The Caliber SRT4 is almost 300 pounds heavier than its Neon-based predecessor, which might explain its comparable estimated zero-to-60 mph time of "less than 6.0 seconds." Given the higher power rating, it might not explain it at all.

The four-wheel-independent suspension has different spring and shock absorber rates as well as exclusive, stronger stabilizer bars than those on the regular Caliber. The 19-inch aluminum wheels wear Goodyear performance tires rated P225/45R19. The wheel bearings and half shafts come from the Chrysler Group's midsize cars for greater strength. The front brakes also borrow from larger cars — the much larger Dodge Magnum and Charger. The rear calipers come from the midsize cars. All the calipers are Dodge red. The antilock system with brake assist is calibrated specially for the different hardware and usage.

Safety
Like the regular Caliber, the SRT4 has a standard driver's knee airbag, which helps keep the occupant positioned properly for the primary restraints. What it doesn't have is standard side curtain-type airbags: they're optional. A tire-pressure-monitoring system is standard. Up front are SmartBeam headlights that change their intensity automatically based on the environment and oncoming traffic. Around back are sonar backup sensors that sound a beep tone and illuminate lights on the rearview mirror when approaching an obstacle in Reverse gear.
source : car

2007 Dodge Caliber

• Competes with: Ford Focus ZX5, Pontiac Vibe, Toyota Matrix
• Looks like: A smaller Dodge Magnum with shorter overhangs and more curves; the taillights recall the Chevy Malibu Maxx
• Drivetrain: 148-horsepower, 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine or 158-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder with five-speed-manual or CVT automatic transmission and front-wheel drive; or 172-hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder with CVT automatic and all-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: First quarter of 2006
• MSRP: $13,985 including destination charge

The Dodge Caliber is a five-seat four-door hatchback that replaces the compact Neon. The Neon was a sedan, and Dodge won't say if a sedan will come next, but it might be significant that the Dodge Magnum had no sedan sister for about a year. Its sedan cousin came in the form of the Chrysler 300. The Dodge Charger sedan was added later.

The Caliber fits in a class among the Ford Focus ZX5, Pontiac Vibe, Subaru Impreza wagon and Toyota Matrix. It's an ambitious project — a "world car" intended for sale in nearly 100 countries in both left- and right-hand drive and with a choice of three gasoline engines and, overseas, one diesel. In North America it will come in SE, SXT and R/T trim levels.

When it goes on sale, the Caliber will be the debut model for a new platform developed with Mitsubishi. It's built alongside the upcoming Jeep Compass in the Belvedere, Ill., assembly plant that formerly built the Neon. The new engine family — also a joint venture, with Mitsubishi Motors Corp. and Korea's Hyundai Motor Co. — is also built domestically, at a jointly owned plant in Dundee, Mich.

Exterior
The Caliber is clearly a Dodge, thanks to the crosshair grille — and the signature red paint that seems to adorn all Dodge models upon their introduction. It resembles the Magnum, though the latter is a wagon with a longer nose and cargo area. The Magnum's controversial greenhouse — short relative to the bodyside — appears again here. The Caliber has very large wheels for a car of its size and class: Fifteen-inch steel wheels with wheel covers are standard on the SE, but the SXT jumps to 17-inch aluminum wheels, and the R/T's are 18 inches. A black rail that runs from the base of the A-pillars and along the roofline to the taillights tricks the eye into seeing a lower, sleeker shape — a design element used previously on the Chrysler Pacifica. Despite the look, the Caliber actually sits a bit higher than a common compact car.

The rear end, and especially the taillights, seem borrowed from the Chevrolet Malibu Maxx, but the overall effect here is good and modern.

Interior
Designed to compete with some of the nicer compact models on the market, the interior has decent-quality materials, a sophisticated design and two-tone color schemes, even in the base trim level. Be the transmission manual or automatic, the shifter juts out from the dashboard's center control panel. Many people complain about this placement, but it's not likely to go away, especially in a world car. Overseas buyers prefer this location, and it also frees up some space by eliminating a floor console.

The cargo floor is plastic, similar to that of the Matrix and Vibe, to ease cleaning. The panel itself can be removed. For the truly filthy, stain-resistant seat upholstery will come later in the year.

There are many slick features in the Caliber, including illuminated cupholder rings, an MP3-player holster and a center armrest that slides forward 3 inches for improved comfort. The SXT and R/T trim levels add a 60/40-split, folding backseat and a folding front passenger seat to extend the cargo area. A 115-volt household power outlet is optional, as is a ceiling-mounted flashlight. The rechargeable unit can be reached from behind the car or from the backseat.

The glove compartment has upper and lower sections, the bottom of which can serve as the optional Chill Zone beverage cooler. Connected to the air conditioning, it chills up to three cans or bottles that rest on a contoured mat. We've seen heated/cooled compartments before, but this one cools even when the cabin heat is on, by running the air-conditioning compressor.

MusicGate Power is Dodge's name for a Boston Acoustics premium audio system with two special speakers in the liftgate itself. They face forward normally, but when the liftgate is raised, they can be swung down to aim rearward and play for tailgate partiers or other such loiterers. The feature is shared with the Jeep Compass.

Under the Hood
The 1.8-, 2.0- and 2.4-liter versions of the four-cylinder engine produce 148, 158 and 172 horsepower, respectively. In addition to increasing with engine size, the torque output also characteristically comes at lower engine speeds. The ratings are: 125 pounds-feet at 5,200 rpm, 141 pounds-feet at 5,000 rpm and 165 pounds-feet at 4,400 rpm for the small, medium and large engines, respectively. The EPA-estimated city/highway fuel economy for each is 28/32 mpg, 26/30 mpg and 23/26 mpg, again respectively.

The engines are very modern: all aluminum with variable valve timing and flow-control valves in the air intake that help ensure complete, clean combustion at all engine speeds.

Currently the SE and SXT trim levels come with the 1.8-liter and five-speed manual. The 2.0-liter and continuously variable automatic transmission are optional. Front-wheel drive is the only choice at these levels. The R/T comes only with the 2.4-liter, CVT and all-wheel drive. An R/T with a manual gearbox and front-wheel drive is promised for October 2006.

Disc/drum brakes are standard; four-wheel discs and antilock brakes with brake assist are optional in some cases.

Safety
In addition to the required airbags, the Caliber has standard side curtain-type airbags and a driver's knee airbag designed to keep the driver positioned properly for the primary restraints. Front seat-mounted side-impact airbags will become an option later in the year along with an electronic stability system and traction control.
source : car

2007 Chrysler Aspen

• Competes with: Chevrolet TrailBlazer EXT, GMC Envoy XL, Chevy Tahoe, Nissan Armada
• Looks like: A Dodge Durango dressed in full Chrysler getup
• Drivetrain: 4.7-liter V-8 or 5.7-liter V-8 with five-speed automatic; rear- or four-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Fall 2006

Not content to let Dodge have all the fun, Chrysler adopts its own version of the Dodge Durango full-size sport utility vehicle for 2007. While truck-based SUV introductions are rare in this time of volatile fuel prices, Chrysler is confident that demand is there. The platform isn't the only component Dodge donated: The vehicle's nameplate, Aspen, was Dodge's replacement for the Dart in 1976. Chrysler presumably hopes this Aspen, its first SUV, will surpass the original car's five-year run. Essentially a well-equipped Durango, the seven- or eight-seat Aspen sports Chrysler-signature side markings and grille elements. Under the hood is a choice of two V-8 engines, the latter being Chrysler Corp.'s venerable 5.7-liter Hemi. Two different four-wheel-drive systems are available. The Aspen is built alongside the Durango in Newark, Del. It will hit dealerships in fall 2006. Exterior In silhouette the Aspen is almost identical to the Dodge Durango. Chrysler's version adds a chrome grille that the company says is inspired by that of its 300 sedan. Additional chrome follows on lower moldings, door handles, side mirrors and roof-rack rails. Options include 20-inch wheels and a powered liftgate. The ladder-frame platform sits on the same suspension as the Durango — an independent, double-wishbone front design and a non-independent solid-axle rear — so the ride is unlikely to be dramatically different. Interior Though similar to the Durango's, the Aspen's dashboard gains plenty of woodlike trim. Upscale touches include an available navigation system and available heated seats in the first two rows. Standard cloth upholstery can be upgraded to two-tone leather or a leather and suede combination. The Aspen seats seven occupants in three rows, although an available third-row bench seat bumps capacity to eight. Middle-row seats can be ordered with two captain's chairs or a three-seat bench, both of which recline up to 11 degrees. They also fold flat, the latter in a 40/20/40 split. The third row is split 60/40. Folding both rows provides the maximum 102.4 cubic feet of cargo volume — a bit less than the Ford Expedition and Chevy Tahoe, which both have around 110 cubic feet. Under the Hood Two V-8 engines are available: a 4.7-liter that generates 235 horsepower and 300 pounds-feet of torque, or a 5.7-liter Hemi V-8 with 335 hp and 370 pounds-feet of torque. The latter engine features a cylinder-deactivation system that shuts off four cylinders under light load situations for increased fuel economy. Both engines use a five-speed-automatic transmission. Rear-wheel drive is standard, and two four-wheel-drive systems are available. One matches to the 4.7-liter engine and features a single-speed transfer case incorporating a four-wheel-drive "high" mode — best for road and off-pavement use. The other works with the Hemi V-8 and has a two-speed case with both four-wheel-drive "high" and "low" modes for more challenging offroad situations. When properly equipped, the Aspen can tow up to 8,950 pounds. Safety Standard safety equipment includes an electronic stability system with Chrysler's new rollover mitigation technology, which can apply brakes in short bursts to avert impending rollovers. Also standard are four-wheel-disc brakes with ABS, and side curtain-type airbags that cover all three rows of seats.

source : car

2007 Chrysler 300 Long Wheelbase

• Competes with: Lincoln Town Car L
• Looks like: A Chrysler 300 with longer rear doors
• Drivetrain: 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine or 340-hp, 5.7-liter V-8 with five-speed automatic transmission; rear-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Fall 2006

While many models have extended-length cousins — including the BMW 760, Rolls-Royce Phantom and Bentley Arnage — few of them are priced within the reach of drivers who don't have a personal chauffer. Though pricing has not been released, the 2007 Chrysler 300 and 300C Long Wheelbase models will be more affordable than those megabuck sedans and will likely start north of $30,000 when they arrive at dealerships this fall. Chrysler expects buyers will include livery services in addition to regular Joes.

Specialty manufacturer Accubuilt modifies regular 300s to create the long-wheelbase version. Chrysler 300 brand manager Michael Perugi says one of the reasons the automaker entered this segment was so it could offer customers a range of options, like writing tables for rear passengers.

Exterior
A discerning eye is needed to tell the difference between a regular- and long-wheelbase 300; at 202.8 inches overall, the stretched version measures just 6 inches longer. The extra length occurs just aft of the B-pillar and results in longer back doors. The result is well proportioned and eliminates some of the snub-tail look of the regular 300. The long-wheelbase model is about 100 pounds heavier, and a wide range of paint colors is available.

Interior
Rear legroom has grown about 6 inches and measures 46 inches. Legroom in the back is vast, and right rear passengers can increase theirs with optional controls for the front passenger seat. Though special, longer interior panels have been designed to fit the longer rear side doors, they have a low-quality appearance.

If you're a harried exec who actually has a driver, accessories can transform the rear of the 300 Long Wheelbase into a mobile office. Besides writing tables, options include footrests, illuminated vanity mirrors, adjustable reading lights and 12V power plugs for charging BlackBerrys or other mobile electronic devices.

Under the Hood
Two engines are available. The 300 Touring Long Wheelbase has a 250-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 engine, and the 300C Long Wheelbase features a 340-hp, 5.7-liter V-8 with Chrysler's Multi-Displacement System cylinder deactivation technology that shuts off some of the V-8's cylinders during light load conditions to save fuel. Both engines drive the rear wheels through a five-speed automatic transmission.

Safety
An electronic stability system and power adjustable pedals, which help the driver maintain a proper distance from the steering wheel, are available.
source : car

2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid

• Competes with: Other than its forthcoming corporate twins — the GMC Yukon Hybrid and Cadillac Escalade Hybrid — nothing
• Looks like: A conventionally powered Chevrolet Tahoe sport utility vehicle
• Hits dealerships: 2007

Recently redesigned for the 2007 model year, Chevrolet's full-size Tahoe sport utility vehicle will be available with a two-mode hybrid powertrain next year. Additionally, the Tahoe's siblings in the General Motors stable — the GMC Yukon and Cadillac Escalade — will also get the two-mode system, though neither of those two were shown with the Tahoe in Detroit. GM says combined fuel economy savings are expected to be 25 percent. Pricing information has not been released.

Developed jointly by BMW, DaimlerChrysler and GM, the hybrid system can team with both gasoline and diesel engines.

Exterior
Compared to the regular Tahoe, distinguishing characteristics are minor. The 2008 Tahoe Hybrid rides 1 centimeter lower to the ground, which enhances the SUV's aerodynamics. Other modifications designed to help the Tahoe Hybrid slip more easily through the atmosphere include a revised D-pillar and flared ends for the running boards. The front fascia has a larger air intake.

The hood and liftgate are made of aluminum for weight savings, and the wheels are fitted with low-rolling-resistance tires. Hybrid badges are on the C-pillars, liftgate and trailer hitch cover.

Under the Hood
The two-mode hybrid powertrain teams with a V-8 engine that has GM's Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation technology. The first mode, which allows the Tahoe Hybrid to move on electric power alone, engine power or a combination of the two, is designed for city and light-load driving. The second, mostly highway mode provides electric-power assist for the V-8, which can run on all cylinders or as a V-4 when the cylinder deactivation system is on.
source : car

2007 Chevrolet Tahoe

• Competes with: Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada, Toyota Sequoia
• Looks like: A beefed-up Chevrolet TrailBlazer
• Drivetrain: 290-horsepower, 4.8-liter V-8 or 320-hp, 5.3-liter V-8 with four-speed-automatic transmission; two- or four-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: January 2006
• MSRP: $33,115 - $43,140 (2WD models), excluding destination charge

The Chevrolet Tahoe was the first of several full-size sport utility vehicles that General Motors overhauled for 2007. The new Tahoe is 5 inches longer than its predecessor, and its slipstream styling is mirrored in GM's other 2007 SUVs, whose platform the Tahoe shares.

The 2007 Tahoe offers a choice of two V-8 engines, one with cylinder deactivation technology that increases fuel economy up to 17 percent over the outgoing model — an impressive feat considering the new model has gained nearly 500 pounds.

Available in base LS, LT and top-of-the-line LTZ trim levels, the Tahoe has available four-wheel drive and seating configurations for up to nine occupants. A hybrid Tahoe will go on sale for the 2008 model year. The Tahoe and its siblings compete with other full-size SUVs such as the Ford Expedition, Nissan Armada and Toyota Sequoia.

The Tahoe, built in Arlington, Texas, and Janesville, Wis., went on sale in January. Prices for two-wheel-drive models range from $33,115 for a Tahoe LS to $43,140 for a Tahoe LTZ, not including the destination charge.

Exterior
Integrated front and rear fascias replace the previous Tahoe's lower bumper cladding. The headlights are larger and have clear lenses, each with four clearly defined bezels. A thick horizontal frame bisects the grille, and a large Chevy bowtie sits front and center. Tighter body gaps, foam-filled A-pillars and a stiffer body-on-frame design reduce cabin noise. A rack-and-pinion steering system replaces the previous generation's outdated recirculating-ball setup.

Height, width and wheelbase remain roughly the same as the previous Tahoe's, but the 2007 model gains more than 5 inches in length. That bumps the Tahoe into the same ballpark as the Expedition, Armada and Sequoia, though it doesn't quite beat any of them.

The Tahoe LS has 17-inch wheels and black exterior moldings, while LT models add body-colored moldings and fog lights. The Tahoe LTZ features 20-inch wheels, an Autoride real-time damping suspension and a power-operated rear liftgate. An available Z71 offroad package includes unique exterior details, 18-inch wheels and an offroad suspension.

Interior
A curvaceous dashboard and flush-mounted buttons give the Tahoe a carlike interior. Standard equipment includes a power driver's seat and an eight-speaker CD stereo. LT models add a rear audio system as well as available leather seats, dual-zone automatic climate control and a power passenger seat. The Tahoe LTZ packs a long list of luxury features, including rain-sensing windshield wipers and heated first- and second-row seats.

Two rows of seats hold up to six occupants, with a third row optional on lower trims and standard on the LTZ. The second-row seats fold either manually or with an optional power-operated mechanism. The third row is removable, but it doesn't fold to the floor like the Ford Expedition's. With both rows stowed, maximum cargo volume is 108.9 cubic feet, which beats the Armada, nearly ties the Expedition and falls well short of the Sequoia's 128.1 cubic feet. With the third-row bench in place, cargo volume falls to 16.9 cubic feet.

Under the Hood
A 4.8-liter V-8 is standard on two-wheel-drive Tahoes. It makes 290 horsepower and 290 pounds-feet of torque. Optional on two-wheel-drive Tahoes and standard on four-wheel-drive versions is a 5.3-liter V-8 with 320 hp and 340 pounds-feet of torque — a much-needed bump over the previous Tahoe's 295-hp V-8, considering the new model weighs 487 pounds more. The 5.3-liter V-8 runs on regular gasoline or ethanol-based E85 fuel.

Fuel economy improves thanks to a fuel management system that deactivates four cylinders under low-load situations such as freeway cruising or downhill coasting. It comes only with the 5.3-liter V-8 and yields 2 to 3 mpg increases in highway mileage over the previous Tahoe.

Both V-8 engines use a four-speed-automatic transmission. When properly configured, the Tahoe can tow up to 7,700 pounds.

Safety
Four-wheel disc brakes with ABS are standard, as is a StabiliTrak electronic stability system. The system features new rollover mitigation technology that senses impending rollovers and applies individual brakes in an attempt to keep the Tahoe on all four wheels. Side curtain-type airbags that cover all three rows of seats are standard on the Tahoe LTZ but optional on the LS and LT. Front-seat side-impact airbags are not available.
source : car

2007 Chevrolet Suburban

• Competes with: Ford Expedition EL, Nissan Armada, Toyota Sequoia
• Looks like: An evolution of the current version with a sleeker front and squared-off rear
• Drivetrain: 320-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-8 engine or 355-hp, 6.0-liter V-8 (1500 series); 350-hp, 6.0-liter V-8 (2500 series); four-speed-automatic transmission; rear- or four-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Spring 2006

Chevrolet's iconic Suburban full-size sport utility vehicle is all-new for 2007, sporting sleeker styling and a choice of V-8 engines with fuel management systems that shut down four cylinders during low-load situations such as highway cruising or coasting downhill. General Motors claims the system adds significant fuel economy gains. Other notable developments include a rack-and-pinion steering system that replaces the previous generation's outdated recirculating ball setup, and available side curtain-type airbags for all three rows of seats.

Like the previous version, the 2007 Suburban is available in a wide variety of payload, drivetrain and trim-level configurations: Regular-duty 1500 and heavy-duty 2500 models come with either rear- or four-wheel drive in base LS, LT and top-of-the-line LTZ trims. The Suburban's GM sibling is the more upscale GMC Yukon XL; both hit showrooms in spring 2006.

Exterior
Up front, the Suburban wears a version of Chevrolet's new corporate grille, with an upper and lower section split by a prominent cross-member featuring a Chevy bowtie emblem. Single-frame headlamps replace the stacked headlamps of the previous Suburban, while wraparound lower fascias with integrated fog lights minimize body gaps. Aside from some minor door bump strips, the Suburban's sides are relatively smooth. The squared-off rear has a small roof spoiler, and a power-operated rear liftgate is available on higher trim levels. Parking assistance comes in the form of either an optional sonar proximity warning system or an optional rearview camera. Power-extending running boards will be available later in the model year.

A Z71 offroad package, available in fall 2006, features larger fog lights, a chrome grille and 18-inch wheels. Seventeen-inch wheels are standard on LS and LT trims, while 20-inch wheels are optional on the LT and standard on the LTZ.

Interior
A lower, more curvaceous dash replaces the previous Suburban's trucklike one. Chrome rings surround flush-mounted buttons, and the seats have firmer cushions for better support. Like its predecessor, the 2007 Suburban continues to offer seating for up to nine occupants across three rows of seats. First-row occupants gain three inches of lateral room, but headroom shrinks slightly in the second row. Third-row passengers relinquish both headroom and legroom.

Cargo volume measures 45.8 cubic feet behind the third row. Third-row seats fold down or can be completely removed, but there isn't a fold-flat feature as in some other full-size SUVs. Second-row seats fold forward manually, and a power-operated folding mechanism is available on higher trims. With the second row stowed and the third row removed, cargo volume expands to its maximum, 137.4 cubic feet. Other options include a navigation system, rear-seat entertainment system, dual-zone automatic climate control and first- and second-row heated seats.

Under the Hood
The Suburban's drivetrain differs depending on whether a regular-duty 1500 or heavy-duty 2500 series is selected. An iron-block 5.3-liter V-8 powers rear-wheel-drive 1500 models, while an all-aluminum version powers four-wheel-drive models; both engines generate 320 horsepower and 340 pounds-feet of torque and are compatible with regular-grade gasoline or E85 ethanol-based fuel. Available later in 2006 is an all-aluminum 6.0-liter V-8 rated at 355 hp and 365 pounds-feet of torque. These engines utilize variable-valve timing and fuel management systems that shut down half the cylinders when power needs are low. The cylinder-deactivation technology is claimed to increase fuel economy by about 10 percent.

Suburban 2500 models are powered by an iron-block version of the 6.0-liter V-8 that features variable-valve timing but not cylinder deactivation; it produces 350 hp and 360 pounds-feet of torque.

The only transmission offered is a four-speed automatic. When properly equipped, Suburbans can tow up to 8,100 pounds.

Safety
All-disc antilock brakes, traction control and GM's StabiliTrak electronic stability system are standard. Optional side curtain-type airbags cover all three rows of seats and are designed to deploy in a rollover. The front seat belts have pretensioners that can activate in the event of a rear-end collision in addition to the more typical frontal-crash deployment.
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2007 Chevrolet Aveo

• Competes with: Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Scion xA, Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit/Jazz
• Looks like: A smaller, stubbier Chevrolet Cobalt
• Drivetrain: 1.6-liter I-4 engine with five-speed-manual or four-speed-automatic transmission; front-wheel drive
• Hits dealerships: Summer 2006

After just three years on the market, Chevrolet's entry-level Aveo sedan undergoes an extensive redesign for 2007. The new model moves upscale, with available premium touches such as chrome door handles and Leatherette (imitation leather) seats. The new Aveo is slightly larger than its predecessor but offers the same engine and transmission choices.

Notable standard features include side-impact airbags for the front seats and an auxiliary audio input jack for portable music devices such as the Apple iPod.

As General Motors' primary contender in the subcompact market, the four-door Aveo sedan competes with other entry-level vehicles, including the Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio and Scion xA. No word is out yet on whether a five-door hatchback, as offered in the previous-generation Aveo, will be available with this version.

The Aveo is built in South Korea. It will go on sale in summer 2006.

Exterior
Larger headlamps and a prominent chrome grille give the four-door Aveo a contemporary, peppy appearance, while jeweled taillamps evoke the midsize Ford Fusion's rear. Body-colored bumpers and side moldings, as well as optional chrome door handles, give higher trim levels a premium look. Optional fog lights and 15-inch alloy wheels (in place of standard 14-inch steel ones) make the Aveo about as sporty looking as a subcompact sedan can get.

Exterior measurements indicate moderate increases in length and width over the previous Aveo, though height and wheelbase remain virtually unchanged. This translates to a slight increase in front cabin room and a bump to 12.4 cubic feet of cargo volume over the earlier version's 11.7 cubic feet.

Interior
In place of the previous Aveo model's molded plastic interior is an attractive two-tone dashboard with chrome-ringed air vents, painted plastic inlays and an upgraded radio modeled after units in GM's pricier cars. Other features include a standard 60/40-split, folding backseat and a fold-flat front passenger seat, which expand the cargo area for longer items.

Two trims are available: a base LS and higher-end LT. LS models have standard power steering and tilt as well as adjustable-height head restraints; LT trims add various power accessories. Options include imitation wood trim, faux leather seats and a power moonroof. Although the base stereo does not include a CD player, it features a standard auxiliary input jack for connecting portable music devices such as iPods. A CD-player or six-CD changer is optional, the latter with available steering-wheel-mounted controls.

Cabin and cargo dimensions put the Aveo on par with competing sedans such as the Kia Rio and Hyundai Accent.

Under the Hood
The 2007 Aveo is powered by its predecessor's engine: a 1.6-liter four-cylinder with 103 horsepower and 107 pounds-feet of torque. Transmission options also remain the same, with a standard five-speed manual or optional four-speed automatic.

Safety
The Aveo boasts standard front- and side-impact airbags for the front seats. Side curtain-type airbags are not available. Front disc and rear drum brakes are standard, and antilock brakes are optional.
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2007 Cadillac Escalade ESV

As with the previous-generation Escalade sport utility vehicle, Cadillac's 2007 redesign includes a long-wheelbase version called the Escalade ESV. Its wheelbase is 14 inches longer than the full-size Escalade's, and total length exceeds the standard model by more than 20 inches. Third-row occupants benefit from increased legroom, and cargo capacity behind them nearly triples.

As with the regular-wheelbase Escalade, the Escalade ESV gets a full complement of luxury equipment, including leather seats for up to eight occupants, plenty of exterior chrome and optional 22-inch wheels. All-wheel drive is standard.

The previous Escalade ESV's platinum edition and its hefty $11,000 premium added such profligate features as climate-controlled cupholders — to keep the Voss cold, of course — and Cadillac says a similar package might be available down the road.

The Escalade ESV will go on sale in June 2006, roughly three months after the regular-wheelbase Escalade.

Exterior
Built on the same platform as the Chevrolet Suburban and GMC Yukon XL, the Escalade ESV stretches 20.4 inches longer than the regular Escalade. Fourteen of those inches go to extending the wheelbase, which allows for larger rear doors unconstrained by wheel wells. Height increases by 1.2 inches, and width remains about the same. Despite the bigger dimensions, curb weight increases by just 126 pounds.

Exterior details are identical to the regular Escalade's, with jeweled headlights flanking Cadillac's now-familiar grille up front, and large, rectangular taillights in back. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard; 22-inch wheels are optional.

Interior
The ESV's extended dimensions don't yield significant gains for first- or second-row occupants, but third-row passengers gain nearly 10 inches of legroom. Cargo volume behind the third row increases from 16.9 cubic feet to 45.8 cubic feet. With the third-row seat removed and the second-row seats folded forward, maximum cargo volume is 137.4 cubic feet — about 28 cubic feet more than the standard Escalade offers.

In the Escalade ESV, the optional DVD entertainment system includes a second 8-inch screen for third-row passengers. A leather interior, automatic climate control and power-operated front seats are standard.

Total seating capacity is seven, though an optional second-row bench expands capacity to eight. With a gross vehicle weight rating of 7,400 pounds, the Escalade ESV can accommodate 1,456 pounds of people and cargo — a 174-pound increase over the regular Escalade. But don't let the extra room convince you to allow too many grown-ups to pile in back, as a full load of eight 180-pound adults and their belongings could exceed the Escalade ESV's capacity.

Under the Hood
The Escalade ESV uses the same engine as does the regular Escalade: a 6.2-liter V-8 with 403 horsepower and 417 pounds-feet of torque. It works through a six-speed-automatic transmission. Permanent all-wheel drive — optional on the regular Escalade — is standard on the ESV.

Towing capacity increases 200 pounds over the regular Escalade, to a maximum of 7,600 pounds when properly equipped.

Safety
Standard safety items include four-wheel-disc, antilock brakes and a StabiliTrak electronic stability system. The system has rollover mitigation technology that senses imminent rollovers and applies individual brakes in an effort to avert the accident.

Side curtain-type airbags that protect all three rows of seats are standard. Front-seat side-impact airbags are not available.
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2007 Cadillac Escalade

In its brief history, the full-size Cadillac Escalade sport utility vehicle has brought Cadillac's youngest buyers into its fold. In particular, the second generation's 2001 debut saw celebrities and affluent 20-somethings alike declare General Motors' luxury division the new icon of urban style.

It's no surprise, then, that the 2007 redesign continues to court that group. Case in point: While Cadillac's DTS sedan features colors like "Glacier White" and "Green Silk," the Escalade prefers "White Diamond" and "Red E" — terms that suggest a hip-hop artist, not an SUV.

In the spirit of excess, the 2007 Escalade boasts available 22-inch wheels and a 6.2-liter V-8 with more than 400 horsepower. Also, the new model is even less efficient than its predecessor: Though it's slightly bigger and much more powerful, cargo volume and towing capacity both shrink. Perhaps wastefulness is a sign of opulence.

The Escalade, which can be configured to seat eight people, will be available in March 2006 with two- or all-wheel drive, starting at $53,850 without the destination charge. It competes with other full-size, luxury SUVs such as the Lincoln Navigator, Lexus LX 470 and Infiniti QX56. As with the previous Escalade, extended-wheelbase ESV and pickup-truck EXT versions will be available in mid-2006.

Exterior
Up front, narrower three-tier headlights and a larger crisscrossed grille give the Escalade a closer resemblance to Cadillac's other vehicles. The front-end elements also differentiate the Escalade from the Chevrolet Tahoe and GMC Yukon, whose platform it shares. Chrome applications throughout emphasize the vehicle's luxury status.

The 2007 Escalade is a few inches longer than the previous version, with roughly equal height and width. Upscale touches include xenon high-intensity-discharge headlights etched with Cadillac logos, rain-sensing windshield wipers and side mirrors with integrated turn signals. Eighteen-inch wheels are standard, and 22-inch wheels are optional.

Interior
Inside, the Escalade further differentiates itself from its GM platform-mates with unique climate controls, an LED-backlit instrument panel and a center stack that seamlessly flows into the floor console rather than being a separate unit.

Standard seating configurations include two rows of captain's chairs and a three-seat bench in back; an optional second-row bench ups seating capacity to eight. Other standard items include tri-zone automatic climate control and leather seats with power adjustments in front and seat heaters in the first two rows. Air-conditioned seats are an option, as are a heated steering wheel, a navigation system and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system.

Removing the third-row seat and flipping the second-row forward, either manually or with an optional power-operated mechanism, allows a maximum cargo capacity of 108.9 cubic feet, which is smaller than the previous Escalade's 121 cubic feet.

Under the Hood
An all-aluminum 6.2-liter V-8 is the sole power plant. That engine is also available in the Yukon, but in the Escalade it's tuned for 402 hp (versus 380 hp) and 417 pounds-feet of torque (versus 415 pounds feet). It works through a six-speed-automatic transmission. Permanent all-wheel drive is available.

Although the 6.2-liter engine substantially outguns the 345-hp, 6.0-liter in the previous Escalade, maximum towing capacity shrinks from 8,100 pounds to 7,400 pounds.

Safety
Standard safety equipment includes four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and a StabiliTrak electronic stability system that includes new rollover mitigation technology, which can sense impending rollovers and selectively apply individual brakes.

Standard side curtain-type airbags cover all three rows of seats. Side-impact airbags for the front seats are not available.
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2006 Bugatti Veyron

Contrary to conventional wisdom — that the Bugatti Veyron 16.4 is a supercar with an inconceivable 16.4-liter engine — the designation stands for 16 cylinders and four turbochargers. The actual displacement is 8.0 liters, but the quad-turbo W-16 still makes an eye-popping 1,001 horsepower and 922 pounds-feet of torque. That puts it considerably beyond other exotic supercars, including the venerable McLaren F1 and Saleen S7.

Bugatti brings the all-wheel-drive Veyron 16.4 to the U.S. for 2006 after a thorough tour overseas. The French automaker, acquired by Volkswagen in 1998, first displayed the vehicle at the Paris Motor Show in 2000.

Deliveries begin in January 2006, but Bugatti will build just 50 to 60 copies of the Veyron 16.4 annually and limit the entire production run to 300 cars. The Veyron 16.4 is priced at approximately $1.21 million.

Exterior
A tall, horseshoe-shaped air dam is the central feature of the Veyron 16.4's nose. Broad vents sit below elongated headlights, from which accent lines sweep upward toward the base of each A-pillar. A low, sloping roof presents an intake duct on each side to sweep air into the mid-mounted engine.

Twelve-spoke wheels wear 265-millimeter-wide tires in front and 365-millimeter-wide tires in back. Michelin developed the tires specifically for the Veyron 16.4 and says the rear ones are the widest mass-produced tires in the world.

The aluminum frame and carbon-fiber passenger structure sit on a suspension with three settings for varying vehicle speeds, each deploying a progression of air diffusers, spoilers and rear wings designed to stick the car to the road regardless of speed.

Interior
Inside, the Veyron 16.4's simple cabin features deeply bolstered leather seats and prominent sections of metal trim. Five instrument portals — including one that indicates available horsepower — are clustered behind a three-spoke metallic steering wheel. A metal-trimmed center stack with audio and climate controls slopes toward the driver. Upscale touches include an analog clock and integrated personal digital assistant.

Under the Hood
The Veyron 16.4's 8.0-liter engine, mounted aft of the cabin, employs four turbochargers and 16 cylinders arranged in a "W"-shaped configuration. At 6,000 rpm the engine reaches its peak 1,001 hp; the maximum 922 pounds-feet of torque is on tap from 2,200 rpm through 5,500 rpm. A seven-speed sequential manual transmission drives all four wheels through a dual-clutch setup; the transmission can shift gears in less than 150 milliseconds.

Bugatti says the Veyron 16.4 can go from zero to 62 mph in 2.5 seconds and reach 125 mph in 7.3 seconds. Top speed is a reported 253 mph.

Safety
The front ceramic brake rotors measure 15.75 inches in diameter, and the rears are 15 inches. The front calipers have eight titanium pistons with ceramic heat shields, while the rear calipers employ six pistons. In hard braking, a rear wing deploys to deliver up to 660 pounds of downforce to the rear wheels. Bugatti says the Veyron 16.4's brakes bring the vehicle to a stop from 250 mph in less than 10 seconds.
source : car