Suzuki's much talked about new midsize sedan, the 2010 Kizashi is going to start at $18,999.

Even though the Kizashi S starts just under $19k, it still comes standard with power windows and locks, push-button start, dual-zone climate control and a nine speaker audio system. For $2,500 more buyers can get the Kizashi SE with a CVT, 17-inch alloy wheels and power driver's seat. The GTS model is available with either the CVT or a six-speed manual transmission. It also includes a 425- watt audio system, 18-inch wheels, Bluetooth and a moonroof. The top GTS model goes for $24,849. The top of the line SLS starts at $24,399 and includes leather seats, heated front seats, automatic headlights and wipers and rear parking sensors. The SLS tops out at $26,749. And of course all the prices are subject to a $735 destination and handling fee.

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Ford Unveils New Car For Cash-Strapped Buyers: The 1993 Taurus
Oh gotta love The Onion!

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Ford has unveiled the auto industry's first ever inflatable seat belt, which is designed to add more protection for rear seat passengers.

The new inflatable seat belt is designed to inflate in a mere 40 milliseconds and when expanded the belts spread crash forces over five times more area of the body than conventional seat belts. The new seat belt inflates slower than a conventional air bag and uses cold compressed gas instead of a heat-generating chemical reaction.

"It's a very simple and logical system, but it required extensive trial and error and testing over several years to prove out the technology and ensure precise reliable performance in a crash situation," said Srini Sundararajan, safety technical leader for Ford research and advance engineering.

The new inflatable seat belt will debut first on the next-generation Ford Explorer in 2010 and then it will eventually be offered in vehicles globally.

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Porsche has unveiled the 2011 Boxster Spyder, which will become the lightest Porsche available. The third Boxster model will join the Boxster and Boxster S and debut at the 2009 LA Auto Show.

The Boxster Spyder features a low slung soft-top, extra low side windows and two bulges on the rear lid that make the Spyder reminiscent of the Carrera GT. The Spyder is powered by a 3.4-liter six-cylinder that puts out 320 horsepower, which is 10 more than the Boxster S. It also features an all-new sport suspension that lowers the Boxster Spyder 20 mm. The Boxster Spyder only weighs 2,811 pounds, which is 176 pounds lighter than the Boxster S.

When equipped with Porsche-Doppelkupplung (PDK) transmission the Boxster Spyder reaches 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of 166 mph with the roof open.

The 2011 Boxster Spyder goes on sale February 2010. U.S. pricing is $61,200.

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Here's our first look at what we can expect for the next BMW 3 Series, which is expected to debut in 2011 as a 2012 model. From these photos its clear that the proportions of the next 3 Series are not going to change much. The next-generation will also see the return of four-cylinder engines in the US market.

Continue reading "Spy Shots: 2012 BMW 3 Series Shows up on a Flatbed" »

When Ford launched the F-150 SVT Raptor it was powered by Ford's 5.4L V8, but Ford promised that a new 6.2L V8 was in the works. Well Ford has announced the introduction of the 411-hp 6.2L V8, which is the most powerful engine available in a half-ton pickup.

The new 6.2L V8 puts out 411 horsepower and 434 lb-ft. of torque and according to Ford it has 1.5 seconds faster 0-60 mph time than the standard 5.4L.

Pricing for the 2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor with the 6.2L V8 starts at $41,995.

Continue reading "2010 Ford F-150 SVT Raptor Packs a 411 Horsepower 6.2L V8 and Starts at $41,995" »

Honda has released the pricing for its controversial new 2010 Accord Crosstour crossover.

The 2010 Accord Crosstour starts just under $30k at $29,670 for the base 2WD EX model. The fully optioned 4WD EX-L with navigation will set you back $36,220. The EPA numbers have also been released and the 2WD model gets a combined 18/27 mpg, while the 4WD model gets 17/25 mpg. The Accord Crosstour comes standard with Honda's 3.5L V6 with Variable Cylinder Management.

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Lincoln is poised to downsize its current lineup with the addition of new smaller vehicles that are a huge departure from its other vehicles like the Navigator SUV.

Lincoln has shown off the possibility of small Lincolns with its recent concept cars and It's rumored that Lincoln could be working on a new compact car that would share its platform with the new global Focus. But it's not certain if Lincoln is ready to take a risk that its other luxury rivals have shied away from, fearing that the US market isn't ready for smaller cars.

But in the meantime a new compact crossover based on the European Ford Kuga is expected to be offered in late 2011. Redesigned versions of the Kuga will be released by Lincoln and Mercury. The Kuga is also expected to replace the Ford Escape.

Continue reading "Lincoln to Downsize with its Own Version of the Ford Kuga" »

Ford has reported a third quarter profit of $997 million compared to the $161 million net loss for the same period last year. The announcement represents Ford's first operating profit in nearly two years.

"Our third-quarter results clearly show that Ford is making tremendous progress despite the prolonged slump in the global economy," Ford CEO Alan Mulally stated. "Our solid product lineup is leading the way in all markets. While we still face a challenging road ahead, our One Ford transformation plan is working and our underlying business continues to grow stronger."

Ford expects its positive cash flow to continue into the fourth quarter.

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Acura has been trying to change its portfolio to become more of a Tier 1 luxury brand, but it looks like those plans have changed. Acura had been working on developing new high-performance vehicles and its first V8 engine, but those plans have been canceled.

There is "a certain level of confusion" about Acura in the marketplace, Honda Motor Co. CEO Takanobu Ito told Automotive News at the Tokyo auto show. "We are in the midst of big changes. We've changed the direction of research and development."

Prior to the collapse of the economy Acura had plans to finally match the other top tier luxury brands with its first V8 engine and rear-wheel-drive, but those plans have been scrapped sending engineers back to the drawing board.

Instead of focusing on going head to head with brands like BMW, Honda CEO Takanobu Ito stated, "I see the future of Acura as a merger of BMW and Audi--something between high technology and high performance." Eighteen months ago Acura dealers were promised five new models, but as a result of the changes Acura will be in a "low-growth period of developing new products."

"We were thinking that we could come up with glamorous, gorgeous products that would sell. Now, our premium products will be expressed in advanced environmental technologies, rather than glamorous things attached to the product," Ito said.

Continue reading "Acura Changes Direction...No Longer Shooting for a Tier 1 Luxury Brand" »

Mitsubishi has released a single sketch of its upcoming compact crossover that will draw styling cues from the 2007 Concept-cX show car.

The new compact crossover, which will be smaller than the current Outlander will be released first in Japan in February 2010. It's expected to be offered in the US later in 2010.

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For those of us that have been complaining that Honda didn't choose to offer the Euro Accord wagon in the US instead of the 2010 Accord Crosstour, you can stop your whining. Acura has confirmed that the Euro Honda Accord wagon will be offered in the US in 2011 as the Acura TSX sport wagon.

Acura didn't release any other info about the new sport wagon and it's not known what will be changed from the Euro version, hopefully not much. It is slated to arrive in the fall of 2010.

Continue reading "Acura has Announced the Euro Accord Wagon will come to the US as the 2011 TSX Sport Wagon" »

Ford has announced that it is in negotiations with China's Zhejiang Geely Holding Group Co. Ltd. to sell Volvo. If the deal does go though, Ford has no plans on retaining any ownership of Volvo.

Lewis Booth, Ford Motor Company executive vice president and chief financial officer stated "Ford believes Geely has the potential to be a responsible future owner of Volvo and to take the business forward while preserving its core values and the independence of the Swedish brand. But there is much work that needs to be completed in the more substantive discussions that are agreed to take place. We have no specific timeline to conclude the discussions."

Stephen Odell, Volvo CEO also stated that "Volvo's management team welcomes today's announcement as a positive step forward. At Volvo, we are continuing to keep our attention firmly fixed on engineering and building great Volvo cars, to reduce our cost base and to return the business to sustainable profitability at the earliest possible opportunity."

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Chrysler is expected to unveil its 5-year plan next week on November 4th, but the Wall Street Journal has revealed many of the details we can expect to hear next week.

The plan is calling for the end of many of the Chrysler models that are currently in US showrooms. Many of the models will be replaced by vehicles from Fiat and Alfa Romeo.

Expect more details next week, but for now here's a list of what models we can expect to see either die or survive...

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As we sit here and wait patiently for Subaru to unveil its version of the rear-wheel-drive coupe, that is a result of the collaboration with Toyota, more speculation continues to surface about what we might see. Toyota already unveiled a concept version of its coupe codenamed FT-86, the Subaru version has been codenamed 086A and will supposedly bigger and badder than its twin.

Well the latest reports are claiming that Subaru's coupe will be all-wheel-drive instead of the rear-wheel-drive setup of the Toyota version. The base engine will be a turbocharged 2.0L with 250 horsepower and the STI version will put out 308 horsepower. The Subaru coupe is also going to be bigger than its Toyota twin. Lastly more power, all-wheel-drive and bigger exterior dimensions also means that the Subaru version will be priced higher than the Toyota.

Continue reading "Subaru 086A Coupe to Get Turbocharged Engines and All-Wheel-Drive" »

Chrysler is still planning on introducing a hybrid-powered Dodge Ram in 2010, but a diesel-powered model is up in the air. Chrysler announced last year that both models would be introduced in 2010, but those plans may have changed.

Scott Kunselman, Chrysler senior vice president of engineering confirmed that the hybrid is still on, but wouldn't comment on the future of the diesel. Only saying that he doesn't think there is enough of a market among recreational buyers for the diesel. We can expect more details when Chrysler will outline its five-year business and product plan on November 4th.

The hybrid powertrain for the Ram is the result of a partnership between General Motors Co., BMW AG and Daimler AG.

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Although Honda now has the Insight and Civic hybrids and the upcoming CR-Z, Honda is missing a larger hybrid to compete with the Fusion and Camry hybrids. Honda did have an Accord hybrid with the last generation, but the fact that it was mated to a six-cylinder, many of us didn't notice it. Well it looks like Honda is finally working on a new hybrid system that will be offered in Honda's larger models like the Accord.

According to the Automotive News, Honda is working on a new hybrid system for its larger vehicles that will be different than the current system offered in the Civic and Insight. The new system will use two electric motors compared to the single electric motor that Honda is currently using.

"That is one major initiative we are working on," COO of automobile operations at Honda Tsuneo Tanai, told Automotive News. "The motor will have higher output. There will be dual motors, with a larger battery that enables the car to be driven in all-electric mode."

Tanai did not reveal when we can expect to see the new system and which vehicles it will be offered in. According to Japan's Nikkei business daily Honda is planning a hybrid minivan in 2011.

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The Honda Civic has consistently remained near the top of the sales charts for years, but according to the latest reports, product chief Tsuneo Tanai has told engineers to go back to the drawing board for the next Civic. When gas prices spiked and the economy took a nose dive, the Civic was in high demand. It even managed to become the best selling vehicle in the US in May 2008. But Tanai is obviously not satisfied with the current state of the Civic and has ordered that the new Civic needs to be smaller, cheaper, lighter and more fuel efficient.

The change for the Civic was reportedly ordered last year, so it is not certain what this will mean for the next Civic which was expected to be unveiled at the end of 2010 as a 2011 model. Hopefully there won't be much of a delay since the Civic is going to have to go head to head with the next Focus and Chevy Cruze.

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BMW recently released M versions of its X5 and X6 SUVs, but according to the latest reports BMW is not planning an M version of the 5-Series GT.

A source told AutoCar that the most powerful 5-Series GT will be the twin-turbo V8 550i.

BMW is also not planning an M version of the new Z4.

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Toyota recently unveiled a concept version of its new rear-wheel-drive coupe in Tokyo. The production version that is the result of a collaboration between Toyota and Subaru is expected to go on sale some time in 2012. Toyota hasn't announced what the official name will be for the coupe, but according to Autocar, the coupe could be named the Celica.

The concept is currently badged FT-86, but the latest rumors are suggesting that Toyota is currently evaluating the Celica name since it has a long history.

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