2010 Mercedes-Benz ML450 Hybrid

If you make a hybrid, it better get good gas mileage. The 2010 ML450 Hybrid gets 21/24 mpg city/highway, which will make it the most efficient luxury SUV on the market that runs on gasoline and isn't named Lexus. Only the BMW X5 diesel gets better mileage, at 19/26. The most fuel-efficient ML with a standard V-6 engine gets 16/21 mpg. This all-wheel-drive hybrid also packs 335 horsepower and 380 pounds-feet of torque, which closes in on V-8 offerings from the competition.In 2009, Mercedes upgraded the ML's interior and added a sophisticated infotainment system and a revised instrument panel and controls. It also brought a new diesel version of the SUV to market that gets 18/24 mpg. The hybrid system in the Mercedes is based on a joint program with BMW, GM and Chrysler, yet the ML450 Hybrid is the most efficient hybrid of this type to be produced by any member of that group. While mileage may not matter to shoppers in this price bracket — we guess the ML450 Hybrid will be in the high-$50,000 to low-$60,000 range — the green halo may be worth the investment, especially if it can perform as well as other M-Class models.

source : cars

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe

The next-generation E-Class sedan was revealed on the eve of the 2009 Detroit auto show, and now, shortly before the Geneva Motor Show, the company has revealed plans for its first-ever E-Class coupe, which will go on sale stateside in June.The new model will slot below the $107,900 CL coupe and above the $48,100 CLK coupe, which might not be built much longer now that the E-Class two-door is on the scene.While Mercedes announced a number of trim levels for the European market, the U.S. will get the same two power plants found in the current E-Class sedan. The E350 will feature a 262-horsepower V-6 engine, and the more powerful E500 will feature a 382-hp V-8. The new, more powerful, more efficient direct-injection gasoline engines that will be offered in Europe will likely take another year or two to make it to the U.S.Features will most likely mirror the new E-Class sedan. We'll have more information on pricing closer to the on-sale date.

source : cars

2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class

Just before the official opening of the 2009 Detroit auto show, Mercedes-Benz showed off its all-new E-Class. Going on sale this summer as a 2010 model, the new E-Class gets an entirely new exterior and interior while carrying over basically the same engines it sports in the 2009 models. All-wheel-drive 4Matic models will arrive after the rear-wheel-drive models go on sale this summer. Diesel versions, wagons and powerful AMG models will follow next year.So what's the big deal about a new E-Class? It's a new E-Class, and it steals its profile from the new design Mercedes slathered on the entry-level C-Class. When you get to the front, though, things change radically. While we might not mind the S-Class-like grille or the return of the hood ornament (will folks still steal these?), the headlights just don't look right. Supposedly the models shown are for the European market; those bound for the U.S. will receive subtle tweaks.Are we focusing on looks a bit too much? Maybe, but with nothing new under the hood — Mercedes does promise slightly better fuel efficiency — there's not much to talk about right now.

source : cars

2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed3

Mazda already released images and information on the new Mazdaspeed3 for the European market, but it's just now handing out details about the U.S. model at the 2009 New York auto show. The car is based on the next-generation Mazda3 hatchback, but it retains the same engine as the outgoing Mazdaspeed3. The company said it didn't need to add more power because 263 horses going to the front wheels of a compact car is plenty.After testing and generally fawning over the outgoing Mazdaspeed3, we'd have to agree. However, the company wasn't going to just let the hot hatch go untouched elsewhere.The new body of this generation is more rigid than before, which allowed Mazda to make the suspension firmer without sacrificing ride comfort. The tires are also wider with more grip; a set of 225/40R18 Dunlop SP Sports is standard.The hydraulic steering also adds electric assist to make low-speed steering lighter. The brakes have also been mildly updated, as has the transmission's gearing.There will be just one trim level of the 2010 Mazdaspeed3, which comes with upgraded black cloth compared with the Mazda3. A Tech Package with navigation, keyless entry, push-button start and a 10-speaker Bose sound system will be available, but there won't be a Grand Touring trim with leather seats, as there was in the outgoing model lineup.The company says it will still be the most powerful front-wheel-drive car under $25,000, but no firm price has yet been released.

source : cars

2010 Mazda Mazda3

Mazda's compact car has been a grand slam for the company since it debuted in 2004. It's Mazda's most popular car worldwide, and even the 2009 model holds up well against recently redesigned competition from Honda and Toyota.The 2010 adds slightly more power and slightly better fuel economy, and it sports all-new looks inside and out. We really like the new shape of the front end, especially the flares on the front fenders, which resemble the new Mazda6 sedan. Even in profile and from the rear, the 2010 Mazda3 looks radically different while still being recognizable as a Mazda. That's a tough task.Inside, the Mazda3 looks to maintain its classy feel with a sloped center stack and a new scalloped gauge cluster that flows over the center stack and, on higher trim levels, also houses an integrated navigation screen.Again, the Mazda3 is split into two trims, the Mazda3 i, with a smaller 148-horsepower four-cylinder, and the Mazda3 s, with a larger 167-hp engine. While power has been upped versus the 2009 model, so has fuel economy, but just slightly. The i gets 24/33 mpg city/highway with the automatic, and the s gets 22/29 mpg with the automatic. Neither engine beats the competition on the mileage front — the 2009 Toyota Corolla gets 27/35 with an automatic — but the Mazda3 has always been about the fun driving experience.Unfortunately, base models will not come with standard stability control. It and ABS will be optional equipment. We'll get more information on the features breakdown later this week.We're impressed with the looks, the interior and the power, if a bit concerned that the lower mileage numbers might turn off consumers.

source : cars

2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata

It's hard to believe 20 years have passed since Mazda introduced the Miata roadster to America, and it did so at the 1989 Chicago auto show. That's why the 2009 version will debut in the Windy City as well, with a revised look and a mildly tweaked engine.In the appearance department, the front end gets a new grille and headlight treatment that significantly alters the look of the MX-5. There's clearly a "face" up front that almost seems to smile at you. Other exterior modifications, to the taillights and side sills, are minor in comparison. Inside, Mazda says the seats are more comfortable and there's now more storage space in the center console.The engine remains basically the same, with revisions to add 1 horsepower. More importantly, the redline is now set 500 rpm higher, at 7,200, which should make the already-spritely MX-5 even more so. Mazda says mileage is also increased, but it's not saying how much.As in 2008, the MX-5 comes with either a manual soft-top or a power-retractable hardtop. The soft-top starts at $22,750, while the retractable hardtop starts at $25,390, not including a $670 destination charge.

source : cars

2010 Lincoln MKZ

Ford's trio of midsize sedans is topped by the Lincoln model, the MKZ. The previous MKZ didn't do much to distinguish itself from its less-expensive Ford and Mercury siblings, but the 2010 edition looks to add more luxury touches inside to help set itself apart.The dashboard is definitely different, with the LCD navigation screen mounted high on the dash, unlike its low position in the Fusion and Milan. This is the same exceptional unit found in the larger Lincoln MKS. Also borrowed from the MKS are the upgraded leather seats. Lincoln says that leather is the same covering that's in the MKS, which we found exceptionally comfortable. Under the hood, the MKZ comes only with the top-of-the-line engine from the Fusion lineup, the 263-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6. Lincoln says it shaves .6 seconds off its 0-60 time, down to 7.1 seconds, which is about as fast as the competition The six-speed automatic transmission features a manual-shift feature as well.The MKZ will also feature all-wheel drive as an option. There will be two trim levels, the base MKZ and a sport model with a more aggressive suspension, stiffer shocks and 18-inch wheels.Whichever model people go with, we're sure of two things: They better like that grille, and if they don't, a lot rides on the interior winning them over.

source : cars