Last Cars Reviews Blog: detroit 2009

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Detroit 2009: Dodge Circuit EV [w/VIDEO]

Автор: RaymondLilly | среда, 30 сентября 2009 г.

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Coupes, Hybrids/Alternative, Chrysler, LLC., Dodge

Click above for high-res gallery of the Dodge Circuit EV

The circuit is one of those things that makes us go "Hmmm." It is not particularly attractive, not particularly innovative, and not particularly noteworthy except that it's an electric car with "Dodge" written on it. The 200kW (268 hp) motor get the "Tangoreen" 2-door to 60 in less than five seconds, and the quarter-mile is a 13-second affair.

Still, as the continuation of what might be considered last summer's cynical exercise we have nothing against the Dodge Circuit -- but unless they price it a great deal lower than a Tesla or make it a great deal cooler than Lotus' (possibly) coming range-extended ~~Evora~~ Europa, then we aren't sure what to do with the Circuit for now. You can read the press release after the jump and check out the high-res gallery of photos below... But for our money, the Chrysler 200C Concept is what the future of the Pentastar is all about.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: Dodge Circuit EV

Gallery: Dodge Circuit EV

Continue reading Detroit 2009: Dodge Circuit EV [w/VIDEO]

Detroit 2009: Dodge Circuit EV [w/VIDEO] originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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ABG First Drive: 2010 Honda Insight, 63.4 mpg!

Автор: RaymondLilly |

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Hybrids/Alternative, Green, Hatchbacks, Honda

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Honda Insight

2009 is shaping up to be a big year for hybrids as Ford launches the Fusion and Milan hybrids, Toyota brings us the third generation Prius and the new Lexus HS250h and Honda revives the Insight brand. The original Insight was the first hybrid to make it to the US market but it was never very commercially successful. Honda only managed to sell about 18,000 Insights worldwide over 6 years. The new Insight is a whole different story.

This time around, Honda has created a five seat hatchback that it says will be the most affordable hybrid in the world. Honda is targeting world wide sales of 200,000 Insights a year with half of those going to North America. AutoblogGreen spent a day driving the new Insight in and around Carefree AZ just before the holidays. Unlike the Prius which is efficient but has never been particularly appealing to drive, the Insight makes good use of its Fit based chassis for fun steering and handling and still manages to get outstanding fuel efficiency. ABG managed to achieve an average 63.4 mpg on an efficiency drive and 44 mpg on a mountain road pleasure drive. Read all about the new Insight at AutoblogGreen.

Gallery: ABG First Drive: 2010 Honda Insight

Gallery: 2010 Honda Insight

Live Photos Copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.
[Source: AutoblogGreen]

ABG First Drive: 2010 Honda Insight, 63.4 mpg! originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 11 Jan 2009 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit Preview: Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S

Автор: RaymondLilly | понедельник, 7 сентября 2009 г.

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sedans/Saloons, Maserati

Click above for high-res image gallery of the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S

When one thinks of the Indianapolis 500, Maserati is not a name that pops immediately to mind. However, cars wearing the famous trident logo won the 500 twice in 1939 and 1940 when legendary Wibur Shaw drove an 8C TF to victory at the "Brickyard" both years. Thankfully, even with all the bad news about automakers pulling out of the Detroit Auto Show this year, Maserati is using the occasion to celebrate the 70th anniversary of that first Indy victory with yet another variant of the Quattroporte.

The new Sport GT S has a recalibrated 4.7L V8 from the S now putting out 433 hp along with revised shift points for its transmission. This ultimate Quattroporte also gets a revised song thanks to a new exhaust system. The spring rates are stiffer and the dampers are now single rate rather than variable as on other QPs. Inside the GT S also gets the obligatory Alcantara trim to supplement the usual acres of leather. As you can see above and in our gallery of high-res images below, it still looks like a million bucks, though we poo poo the fact its missing any visual cues that would link it directly to the Indy 500, like a giant, downforce-inducing rear wing or Pace Car graphics on the doors. But maybe that's just us.

Gallery: 2009 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S

[Source: Maserati]

Continue reading Detroit Preview: Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S

Detroit Preview: Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 22 Dec 2008 10:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 cometh, order guide leaked online

Автор: RaymondLilly | суббота, 5 сентября 2009 г.

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Sports/GTs, Ford

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

At the 2010 Ford Mustang debut in Santa Monica, Mark Fields told us that the Blue Oval would reveal "another chapter in the Mustang story" at the Detroit Auto Show next month. If the camouflaged Shelbys running around Motown were anything to go by, the "next chapter" would come in the form of the new GT500. While Ford has yet to officially announce the car or when it will make its debut, a leaked order guide posted on MustangBlog.com confirms that the car will be produced as a 2010 model and reveals new details about the updated Shelby.

In addition to the new-for-2010 sheetmetal, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 benefits from a set of 19-inch wheels (the convertible gets new 18-inchers) and comes equipped with a new aluminum hood with a power dome and a single functional heat extractor. The supercharged 5.4L V8 remains, and although specific power output is not listed, the new model will offer "increased performance." A 3.55 axle ratio is now standard, and the suspension has been tuned by SVT. Inside, an optional Electronics package provides a voice-activated nav system and dual climate control. The leather seats will feature a stripe that color coordinates with the exterior stripes as well as Alcantera accents. New exterior colors will correspond with the standard 2010 Mustang and include Grabber Blue, Kona Blue, Sterling Grey, and more.

Gallery: 2010 Ford Mustang GT500 Convertible - spy shots