| Ford Flex |
| The Lowdown: |
Ford rolls the dice and marries an infotainment system to a car.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
In its formative stages. |
| Attitude: |
I wannabe hip...OK...well, fashionable at least? |
| Choice Moves: |
Ford’s Microsoft-based Sync system integrates Bluetooth phones. An AWD version is available. Chillin’ is even easier with the optional refrigerated rear console.
|
| Important Numbers: |
262-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway |
| Price: |
$28,295 |
| Ford Fusion (2010) |
| The Lowdown: |
The Fusion's first facelift arrives at the same time as a hybrid version, giving Ford's mid-sizer a stronger presence on the road and a greener footprint.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
Stylishly affordable, and getting more so. |
| Attitude: |
Ford's "Bold Moves" aren't just hype. |
| Choice Moves: |
New hybrid version on the way, with an innovative display that teaches the driver how to "drive green."
|
| Important Numbers: |
TBA |
| Price: |
TBA |
| Honda FCX Clarity |
| The Lowdown: |
The FCX Clarity is a next-generation, zero-emissions, hydrogen-powered fuel cell vehicle based on the entirely-new Honda V Flow fuel cell platform, and powered by the highly compact, efficient and powerful Honda V Flow fuel cell stack.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
Limited in number and only available to Southern Californians during the summer of 2008, the FCX Clarity will become the stuff of legends, a white buffalo, rumored to exist but rarely seen. |
| Attitude: |
You thought hybrids were advanced? Get a load of this! |
| Choice Moves: |
Featuring tremendous improvements to driving range, power, weight and efficiency – and boasting a low-slung, dynamic and sophisticated appearance, previously unachievable in a fuel cell vehicle – the FCX Clarity marks the significant progress Honda continues to make in advancing the real-world performance and appeal of the hydrogen-powered fuel cell car.
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| Important Numbers: |
100kW Lithium-Ion Battery, 134 horsepower, 288 volt AC Synchronous Permanent-Magnet Electric Motor, 77 mpg city/67 mpg highway |
| Price: |
Three-year, $600/month lease |
| Honda Fit |
| The Lowdown: |
Honda’s Fit debuts as an entirely redesigned model for the 2009 model year.
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 |
| Street Cred: |
Creating a splash when first introduced in 2006 and building on a new segment of subcompact vehicles, the Fit remains an appealing option in a gas conscious time. |
| Attitude: |
Spunky well-equipped little car, now with 16-inch alloy wheels, adds sportiness and fun to an otherwise basic segment. |
| Choice Moves: |
The Magic Seat, innovative when first introduced for folding flat into the floor, gets improved, to create 57.3 cubic feet of cargo room and side curtain airbags are standard on all models. |
| Important Numbers: |
117-horsepower, 1.5-liter four-cylinder, 27 mpg city/29 mpg highway |
| Price: |
$14,550 |
| Hyundai Genesis |
| The Lowdown: |
Hyundai moves toward a premium sedan segment by offering a competitive luxury/performance vehicle at an affordable price.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
Hyundai continues to raise the bar with each new model, reshaping its image with the Genesis from an affordable-cars-only brand to one with aspirations. |
| Attitude: |
Looks like a Lexus, moves like a Bimmer. |
| Choice Moves: |
The all-new rear-wheel-drive architecture and 52/48 front-to-rear-weight distribution ensure that the Genesis will be at home in the segment and its fuel flexibility sets it apart.
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| Important Numbers: |
290-horsepower, 3.8-liter V6, 18 mpg city/27 mpg highway. Optional: 375-horsepower, 4.6-liter V8, 17 mpg city/25 mpg highway |
| Price: |
$32,250 |
| Hyundai Sonata |
| The Lowdown: |
New engine and new interior help the Sonata compete in the crowded midsize sedan market.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
The Sonata is still a newcomer and as such, struggles to find its place among tough competitors like the Toyota Camry and Honda Accord. |
| Attitude: |
Efforts to continually refine the Sonata reveal confidence that clean, sharp styling matched with lots of standard features and aggressive pricing will eventually win over the midsize car buyer. |
| Choice Moves: |
All-new center console with wood accents and increased interior volume to 121.7 cubic feet, the largest in the segment, add to Sonata’s appeal.
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| Important Numbers: |
175-horsepower, 2.4-liter inline four cylinder, 22 mpg city /32 mpg on the highway, Optional: 249-horsepower, 3.3-liter V6, 19 mpg city/29 mpg highway. |
| Price: |
$18,795 |
| Infiniti G37 Sedan |
| The Lowdown: |
Infiniti continues what it started with the upgraded engine on the G37 Coupe by adding an even more powerful version to the G35 sedan, renamed the G37.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
With more power and a new seven-speed automatic transmission, the G lineup’s extremely enjoyable driving experience gets even sweeter. |
| Attitude: |
Eat my dust. |
| Choice Moves: |
Newly available features include sport brakes and a new 18-inch wheel design, plus, the six-speed manual transmission is still available.
|
| Important Numbers: |
328-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6. Fuel Economy: TBA. |
| Price: |
Approx. $32,000 |
| Infiniti G37 Convertible |
| The Lowdown: |
Infiniti ratchets-up the G lineup with an all-new convertible.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
Accessible performance packaged in a topless aerodynamic form. |
| Attitude: |
"Tear the roof off this sucker!" |
| Choice Moves: |
Infiniti opts for a three-piece automatic retracting hardtop for its convertible with enhanced audio and air conditioning systems.
|
| Important Numbers: |
328-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6, Fuel Economy: TBA. |
| Price: |
TBA |
| Jaguar XF |
| The Lowdown: |
How best to follow an icon? Jaguar hopes to do it by replacing the S-Type with the all-new XF, conveying a bolder attitude, with modern technological advancements to improve performance.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
A thoroughly modern kitty. |
| Attitude: |
"It’s a new year I’m here, get used to it." |
| Choice Moves: |
A pulsing illuminated start button complements an interior replete with real wood, leather seats, automatic dual-zone climate control, an electric glass moonroof, and a 320-watt premium sound system.
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| Important Numbers: |
300-horsepower, 4.2-liter V8, 16 mpg city/25 mpg highway. Optional: 420-horsepower, supercharged 4.2-liter V8, 15 mpg city/23 mpg highway |
| Price: |
$49,975 |
| Kia Optima |
| The Lowdown: |
Kia’s midsize sedan gets new looks and a bumped up engine to help boost sales.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
Attractive but not distinctive, the Optima continues to resemble the competition more, not less. |
| Attitude: |
"Anything you can do, I can do better, and for less money." |
| Choice Moves: |
New, peppier engine increases -horsepower by 13, new Dual Continuously Variable Valve Timing (CVVT) and a Variable Intake System (VIS) further enhance Optima's fuel efficiency, and the new sporty SX trim, with a sport-tuned suspension and a black-bezeled front grille and headlamps, add dimension to the Optima lineup.
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| Important Numbers: |
175-horsepower, 2.4-liter four-cylinder, 22 mpg city/32 mpg highway; Optional: 190-horsepower 2.7-liter V6, 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway. |
| Price: |
$17,430 |
| Kia Soul (2010) |
| The Lowdown: |
Touted as the new face of Kia, the Soul is a crossover utility vehicle with an urban bent and more personality than we’ve come to expect from the Korean manufacturer.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
None yet. |
| Attitude: |
"Can I sit at the table with the Scion xB and Honda Element?" |
| Choice Moves: |
Funky styling.
|
| Important Numbers: |
TBA |
| Price: |
TBA |
| Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 |
| The Lowdown: |
For 2009, Lamborghini unveils a more potent version of its Gallardo coupe, called the LP560-4. The 560 represents its horsepower and the 4 stands for all-wheel drive.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
The littlest Lambo keeps getting stronger and faster. |
| Attitude: |
"Wanna see what 'fun to drive' really feels like?" |
| Choice Moves: |
60mph in 3.5 seconds, 120 mph in 11.8 seconds. At the same time, a new direct injection system helps reduce CO2 emissions and improves fuel economy by 18 percent.
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| Important Numbers: |
552 horsepower, 5.2-liter V10; 11 mpg city/23 mpg highway |
| Price: |
$198,000 |
| Lincoln MKS |
| The Lowdown: |
With the Town Car drifting off into the sunset, Lincoln needed a flagship badly, and with the MKS, it’s got one. This new full-size luxury sedan combines a modern, comfortable interior and Lincoln’s new signature styling with a powerful new turbocharged engine that’s reasonably fuel-efficient.
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 |
| Street Cred: |
None yet. |
| Attitude: |
"Riding tall and comfortable." |
| Choice Moves: |
Comfortable people space, promise of better than average fuel economy.
|
| Important Numbers: |
TBA |
| Price: |
$38,465 |
| Lincoln MKT |
| The Lowdown: |
The MKT show car that debuted in Detroit this year was well-received, and those who speculated that it appeared to be close to production were right; this big luxury crossover will hit the streets in 2009. Ford’s new EcoBoost system improves fuel economy, and the styling is amazing.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
In its formative stages. |
| Attitude: |
I wannabe hip...OK...well, fashionable at least? |
| Choice Moves: |
Ford’s Microsoft-based Sync system integrates Bluetooth phones. An AWD version is available. Chillin’ is even easier with the optional refrigerated rear console.
|
| Important Numbers: |
262-horsepower 3.5-liter V6, 17 mpg city/24 mpg highway |
| Price: |
TBA |
| Maserati Gran Turismo S |
| The Lowdown: |
The already-impressive Gran Turismo takes a jump upwards on the desirability scale with the new Gran Turismo S. A more powerful engine and subtle tweaks to the styling to make it more seductive help to set it apart.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
Maseratis are sexy, but it’s easy to forget that they’re seriously fast as well. |
| Attitude: |
"That’s right, we bad." |
| Choice Moves: |
Side skirts, rear spoiler, 20-inch wheels and a bigger engine make the Maserati GT an S.
|
| Important Numbers: |
440-horsepower, 4.7 liter V8, 13 mpg city / 19 mpg highway. |
| Price: |
$135,000 |
| Mazda6 |
| The Lowdown: |
Mazda’s entertaining Mazda6 sedan was starting to get a bit old, frankly. Still fun to drive, the car’s ergonomics and amenities felt dated. That shortcoming is addressed by the redesigned version, which was designed in America with the tastes of American consumers in mind. The Mazda6 is still available with a manual transmission.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
Enjoyable, smooth performance is the Mazda6’s stock in trade. |
| Attitude: |
"Family transportation with a dose of fun." |
| Choice Moves: |
Aggressive styling with sportier-than-expected performance.
|
| Important Numbers: |
170-horsepower 2.5 liter, four-cylinder; 21 mpg highway / 29 highway Optional: 272-horsepower, 3.7-liter V6, 17 mpg city / 25 mpg highway. |
| Price: |
$19,100/td> |
| Mercedes SL-Class |
| The Lowdown: |
Mercedes’ big droptop has soldiered along as the best in its class (sometimes the only one in its class) since the Gullwing 300SL of the 1950s. The latest update combines old-school and new school luxury to give it a more expressive face and adds some of the cool innovations from the smaller SLK roadster, like the AIRSCARF system which allows cold-weather top-down fun.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
Cruising a Mercedes SL will always get you mad respect. |
| Attitude: |
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| Choice Moves: |
Palatial interior features, sublime handling and amazing acceleration. |
| Important Numbers: |
SL 550: 382 horsepower, 5.5-liter V8; SL 63. 518 horsepower, 6.2-liter V8; SL 65: 604-horsepower, 6.2-liter twin turbocharged V12. |
| Price: |
$95,900 |
| Maybach 62 S Landaulet |
| The Lowdown: |
Maybach introduced an open-top version of its long-wheelbase 62 S earlier this year at the North American International Auto Show, and word of the production version came just a few weeks later. The 62 S Landaulet will be produced in limited numbers. It’s a convertible in the old-money style, with an open passenger cabin and the driver’s seat--the chauffeur’s cabin, of course--fully enclosed. There’s a slight horsepower boost and special color, trim and wheel options to distinguish it from the fixed-roof 62 S. The price? Reports are sketchy, but most of them report at least seven figures.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
Maybach doesn’t get as much respect as Bentley or Rolls-Royce, but the “wow” factor is still over the top. |
| Attitude: |
“Royalty coming through; show the proper respect and we’ll wave at you.” |
| Choice Moves: |
Luxury for a sultan combined with open-air cruising.
|
| Important Numbers: |
612 horsepower, 6.0-liter twin-turbo V12. |
| Price: |
TBA |
| Nissan Maxima |
| The Lowdown: |
Nissan’s Maxima returns to its “four-door sports car” roots for its seventh generation. Aggressive styling is backed up by a revised version of the fantastic 3.5-liter V6 engine, now boosted to 290 horsepower. Bucking the trend toward bigger and better, the new Maxima is slightly smaller than before, allowing for improved handling.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
The Maxima’s luster returns. |
| Attitude: |
“I’m back and I’m in your face.” |
| Choice Moves: |
Improved performance, sportier handling.
|
| Important Numbers: |
290-horsepower, 3.5 liter V6, 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway. |
| Price: |
$29,950 |
| Nissan GT-R |
| The Lowdown: |
Unavailable in North America for years, in 2009 we finally get the keys to Nissan’s 480-horsepower, all-wheel drive supercar.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
The ultimate expression of Nissan performance; even the 350Z hasn’t got anything on the GT-R. |
| Attitude: |
“I eat 911s, M3s and Corvettes for breakfast, and baby, I gots me a healthy appetite.” |
| Choice Moves: |
Stunning acceleration and power, high-tech cabin that’ll please video game fans, and an all-new independent rear transaxle. Amazing tractability, and brakes that’ll stop your heart.
|
| Important Numbers: |
480-horsepower, twin-turbocharged 3.8 liter V6, 16 mpg city/21 mpg hwy. |
| Price: |
$69,850 |
| Nissan 370Z |
| The Lowdown: |
The Z’s tenure as the hottest Nissan in North America is now at an end, thanks to the arrival of the GT-R, but Nissan’s got excitement in store nonetheless with a new model set to debut in November. The next incarnation of the Z gets a larger, 3.7 liter V6 engine, a lighter and nimbler chassis, and new long-nosed styling with a dose of classic 240Z retro looks.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
A new Z with more power, brakes and handling––enough said. |
| Attitude: |
“Who cares about being top dog? I’m still HOT." |
| Choice Moves: |
26-horsepower boost, eyecatching new styling.
|
| Important Numbers: |
3.7 liter V6 engine, 332 horsepower. |
| Price: |
TBA |
| Pontiac G8 ST |
| The Lowdown: |
Pontiac created a big stir with its new rear-drive G8 sedan, and now it’s taking the fun a step farther by bringing back the El Camino. With a 6.2 liter V8 borrowed from the Corvette and a 74-inch bed, this car-based pickup truck is equal parts sports car and cargo hauler.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
The old El Camino has been gone for almost thirty years, but it’s iconic enough that the G8 ST will certainly be regarded as its reincarnation. |
| Attitude: |
Not just for rednecks any more. |
| Choice Moves: |
3500-pound towing capacity, 5.4-second 0-60 time.
|
| Important Numbers: |
361-horsepower, 6.2 liter V8, Fuel economy TBA. |
| Price: |
TBA |
| Pontiac G8 GXP |
| The Lowdown: |
This is the top of Pontiac’s new rear-drive G8 sedan lineup. The GXP goes one step further than the V8-powered G8 GT, with the 6.2 liter V8 from the current Corvette under the hood. The GXP also gets a six-speed manual transmission. With the Dodge Charger SRT8 still prowling the roads, the stage is set for a muscle-sedan face-off.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
The G8 hasn’t made a name for itself...yet. |
| Attitude: |
“I came to throw down. Who’s first?” |
| Choice Moves: |
Muscle-car acceleration, rear-wheel drive.
|
| Important Numbers: |
402 horsepower, 6.2 liter V8. |
| Price: |
TBA |
| Porsche 911 Carrera/Carrera S |
| The Lowdown: |
Subtle facelift hides myriad changes to running gear. All-new seven-speed twin clutch transmission, put Porsche in the sequential manual game, reworking the engines finds another 20 horsepower for the standard engine and 30 horsepower for the S engine. New interior treatment ups the luxury quotient.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
The car Porsche was talking about when it coined the phrase “There is no substitute” is now more powerful, faster, handles better and shifts quicker. |
| Attitude: |
“I’m a replacement, not a substitute.” |
| Choice Moves: |
New PDK transmission shifts 0.2 of a second faster than the six-speed manual. Extra points if English is your native language and you can say Porsche Doppelkupplungsgetriebe in less than two-tenths of a second.
|
| Important Numbers: |
345-horsepower, 3.6 liter, flat six-cylinder for standard models, 385-horsepower, 3.8-liter F6 for S models. |
| Price: |
$75,600 |
| Rolls Royce Phantom Coupe |
| The Lowdown: |
Hardtop iteration of the convertible “personal” Rolls introduced last year, incorporates sport button, which launches you in first gear and tightens steering. Audio system boasts 15 speakers and iPod connectivity. Interior looks more like a richly appointed home than a motorcar.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
It’s a $400,000 car for two people––helloooo? |
| Attitude: |
Gas Crisis? Ah yes, I do believe I’ve heard something about that--somewhere. |
| Choice Moves: |
First hardtop two-door Rolls in 26 years. Weighs nearly three tons and will outrun a Porsche Boxster to 60 mph, but will probably never be required to.
|
| Important Numbers: |
453-horsepower, 6.8-liter V12; not that it matters, but 11 mpg city/18 mpg highway. |
| Price: |
$400,000 |
| smart fortwo |
| The Lowdown: |
The complete opposite end of the spectrum from the Rolls above, the smart fortwo is tiny on the outside and perfectly normal on the inside––for two people, that is. Offered in three iteration, Pure, Passion, and Cabriolet. All models feature ABS and four airbags.Passion and Cabriolet models feature power windows; electrically adjustable, heated side mirrors and a/c.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
Might be time for everybody to get smart. |
| Attitude: |
“Yeah, I’m cute and I do an honest 70mph on the freeway.” |
| Choice Moves: |
Smart drivers can park damn near anywhere they please. With gas prices the way they are, a $36 fill-up looks pretty good at $4 per gallon with a 300+ mile range.
|
| Important Numbers: |
70-horsepower 1.0-liter inline three cylinder, 35 mpg city/ 41 highway. |
| Price: |
$12,235 |
| Tesla Roadster |
| The Lowdown: |
The world’s first high-performance two-door electric sports car. The Tesla Roadster has been hungrily embraced by yhr imaginations of the rich who wish to appear progressive and the rest of us who that it’ll work and can be placed in a more reasonably priced package for everyone to use.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
Fat rep, not backed up with facts yet though. |
| Attitude: |
“Don’t worry, I’ll save you.” |
| Choice Moves: |
One speed gearbox takes advantage of the flexibility of an electric motor to produce amazing acceleration.
|
| Important Numbers: |
105 miles per gallon, 60 in four seconds, 248 horsepower. |
| Price: |
$109,000 |
| Toyota Corolla |
| The Lowdown: |
Larger inside and iout, but still a subcompact, Corolla has more space for passengers and their stuff, the new look is more stylish, A/C, split folding rear seat and ABS are standard. Two new engines provide more power without sacrificing fuel economy. XRS model delivers stability control and four disc brakes
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
America’s favorite compact car. |
| Attitude: |
“When getting there is more important than the vehicle...” |
| Choice Moves: |
Good handling, handsome styling, reported high fuel economy.
|
| Important Numbers: |
132-horsepower 1.8-liter inline four-cylinder , 27 mpg city / 35 mpg highway. Optional: 158-horsepower, 2.8-liter inline four. 22 mpg city / 30 mpg highway. |
| Price: |
$15,910 |
| Volkswagen Passat CC |
| The Lowdown: |
Sleek, sexy and still a Passat, the CC (comfort coupe) injects a badly needed dose of style into VW’s lineup. The gracious look outside is carried over to the interior as well with two-tone interior treatments and an electrically operated Panorama sunroof with covers the entire front seat area of the car. The V6 and the Direct Shift Gearbox adds pep. The latest entry into the four-door coupe segment, the Passat CC is exactly what VW needs right now.
|
 |
| Street Cred: |
Remains to be seen. |
| Attitude: |
Everything you love about the Passat in a new gorgeous package. |
| Choice Moves: |
Gorgeous styling, VW's fun-to-drive capabilities.
|
| Important Numbers: |
200-horsepower, 2.0-liter turbocharged inline four cylinder. Optional engine: 280-horsepower, 3.6-liter V6. |
| Price: |
Est. $27,000 |
