Sunday, November 28, 2010

Car and Driver's 10 Best of 2011

Car and Driver is one of the big names in the automobile editorial game, and when they make a list most people are interested. It is no different here where they have named their top 10 cars for the upcoming 2011 auto season. Put on your wrinkle eye cream and have a look.

"Our testing takes place over a week on real roads, in the real world, marshalling more than 60 new test cars and our entire editorial staff," said Alterman. "It's a real workout and only the best cars on the market emerge victorious."

Following is the list of Car and Driver's 10 Best Cars for 2011 (click link for all their Top 10 lists):

BMW 3-series/M3
Cadillac CTS-V
Chevrolet Volt
Ford Mustang GT
Honda Accord
Honda Fit
Hyundai Sonata
Mazda MX-5 Miata
Porsche Boxster/Cayman
Volkswagen Golf/GTI

Chevy Volt AUTOMOBILE Magazine's, and Motor Trend's 2011 Car of the Year

Can't get much better than that. The 2011 Chevrolet Volt is described by Chevrolet as "Powered by electricity without being tethered to electrical outlets. It drives gas- and emissions-free for most commutes. But if life takes you a little further, as it tends to do sometimes, the gas-powered onboard generator can take you wherever you need to go. So you can just sit back and drive. Isn't that what cars are for?"

This car is the cure for male enhancement it sounds like.

In naming the Volt their Automobile of the Year, AUTOMOBILE Magazine editors wrote:

"This is the most sophisticated, most important vehicle on the road today. It won't just change what we drive, but also how we drive. Owners will plug in at night, heat or cool their cabin before they leave the garage, and adopt new driving styles to maximize their electric range. Then, when the battery is depleted, they'll mindlessly motor on; free of the limitations that accompanies pure electric vehicles."

Motor Trend Editors wrote:

"We expected a science experiment, but this is a moon shot," Motor Trend editors wrote for the January 2011 issue. "The Volt delivers on the promise of the vehicle concept as originally outlined by GM, combining the smooth, silent, efficient, low-emissions capability of an electric motor with the range and flexibility of an internal combustion engine. It is a fully functional, no-compromise compact automobile that offers consumers real benefits in terms of lower running costs."

First Annual Cars.com Shoppers' Choice Awards

It's always nice to know what cars real drivers actually prefer. While they may enjoy different aspects of driving compared to the other award givers, they tend to give a little more on road insight rather than just what looks good on paper. Just like products such as the best way to lose weight.

Cars.com, one of the nation’s leading resources for buying and selling a car, announced that the Ford Mustang has been selected by the site’s users as the winner of its first annual Shoppers’ Choice Award.

Finalists were selected based on key shopping indicators and owner feedback on Cars.com including leads to dealers, vehicle searches on the site and volume and quality of consumer vehicle reviews collected on Cars.com. Additionally, thousands of consumer votes via the Cars.com’s Facebook page were tallied, and the Ford Mustang rose above the other contenders as the Shoppers’ Choice Award winner.

“The Mustang is -- and has always been -- an iconic car with a loyal following,” said Cars.com editor-in-chief Patrick Olsen. “Over the years it has remained a high-quality, fun car to own, and it’s no surprise it won. Ford should be proud of this win because it’s a direct recommendation from Mustang owners.”

The 10 finalists for the Shoppers’ Choice Award were (in alphabetical order):

Cadillac Escalade - Cadillac Buyers Guide
Chevrolet Corvette - Chevrolet Buyers Guide
Chevrolet Silverado 2500 - Chevrolet Buyers Guide
Ford Expedition - Ford Buyers Guide
Ford Fusion - Ford Buyers Guide
Ford Mustang - Ford Buyers Guide
Mazda6 - Mazda Buyers Guide
Nissan Murano - Nissan Buyers Guide
Subaru Impreza - Subaru Buyers Guide
Toyota Prius - Toyota Buyers Guide

Wednesday, November 17, 2010

2011 LA Auto Show: Ford To Showcase Four 40MPG Vehicles

The LA Auto Show is now in full swing and we get to see everyhting new that is being shown. For the most up to date news look at the Press Pass and see everything as it happens.

Ford will lead the way in number of vehicles available for full-time automakers in the fuel efficiency department. They will be showing off their 4th vehicle that gets over 40 MPG this week.

In addition, the company today has 13 vehicles, including cars, utilities and crossovers, in the U.S. that lead their sales segments in fuel economy, a number no other automaker matches. Helping everyone get affordable fuel efficiency vehicles is Ford's main focus (haha) right now so we can all look good in our cars and still afford to look good and buy our acne skin care products.

"We are bringing customers the most fuel-efficient product portfolio in Ford's 107-year history, and customers are taking notice," said Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Global Product Development. "From sports cars and hybrids to SUVs and pickups, Ford is delivering the broadest range of fun-to-drive products that are among the industry's best in fuel economy."

Three 2011 models achieve at least 40 mpg; Fiesta SE with SFE package (40 mpg highway), Fusion Hybrid and Lincoln MKZ Hybrid (41 mpg city). Early next year, the all-new 2012 Focus is expected to join Ford's 40-mpg club.

No other automaker offers four nameplates with 40-mpg ratings, according to the 2011 EPA Fuel Economy Guide.

Monday, November 15, 2010

2011 Nissan Leaf Zero Emission Vehicle

Want a go-kart? Well you can have one if you care so much about the environment that you will drive a car that can go about 100 miles before you have to lay her up for rest.

Nissan unveiled the all electric Zero emission LEAF August 2, 2009, a lot different than the first electric vehicle they introduced in 1947.

This ZERO emission all electric LEAF vehicle is well equipped. The 5 door hatchback has enough room for five passengers. Thanks to the flat lithium batteries and many of the items needed in a gasoline powered vehicle let the designers deliver a lot of interior space.

The Zero emission 100% electric LEAF can travel up to 100 miles at temperature of 68 to 78 degrees on flat land. Speed is the number one killer of the battery charge. Another is added weight (get your best weight loss supplement handy). Normal city driving and some freeway driving will deliver up to 100 miles per charge using the standard charging or Level 2 charging station. more

2011 Honda Accord Sedan Earns Perfect Safety Score

Even with a more stringent assessment program this year, the 2011 Honda Accord still received the best possible 5-star ratings in the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration's (NHTSA's) Overall vehicle rankings. Even alec bradley would be impressed.

Helping the Accord achieve the top score were five-star ratings for overall frontal crash safety, overall side crash safety and rollover resistance. The Accord is one of only six vehicles to achieve a five-star Overall Vehicle Score to date, and is the first to achieve five stars in each of the three ratings categories: 5-star frontal crash rating, 5-star side crash rating (combined results of side barrier and side pole) and 5-star rollover rating. more on ratings

Sunday, November 14, 2010

2011 Mercedes-Benz E-Class E350 4MATIC Wagon Review

Remember when station wagons were those big boats with wood panels on the sides and the laughing stock of all your friends as you got dropped off for school? No? I do...ehem It made me look into banking careers after watching a few movies that depicted the dudes int he movies as big shot tycoons.

The station wagon (or estate car) has evolved from its early use as a specialized vehicle to carry people and luggage to and from a train station. There aren’t many station wagons on the market today, having fallen by the wayside due to the popularity of minivans, SUVs and now crossovers. The reviewer here claims he has spent lots of time in and have owned a number of these vehicle-types. However, he always missed the car-like ride and easy of entry, exit and loading of a true station wagon.

Admittedly, I’ve been smitten with the Mercedes Benz E-class station wagon through many of its generations. Other station wagon offerings on the market today come mostly from European brands—they are extremely popular in Europe, and there is also the relatively new Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon. The CTS Sport Wagon and the Audi A6 Avant are the closest in size to the E350, with the E’s one slight advantage being the rear-facing third seat making it a 7-passenger. full review

Monday, November 8, 2010

2010 LA Auto Show November 19-28

The annual LA Auto Show will start November 19 this year and even though it runs through Thanksgiving weekend, there will be shows and events during the holiday weekend. To get ready fror you tour c heck out the show's home page and have a look at the Exhibit List and floor map. I'm sure you will find many point of purchase displays available for you to get your orders in for your super cars.

On of the most entertaining aspects of auto shows is the concept cars that are exhibited. This is a link to some of the concept cars that have been debuted with photos. Some are shown covered with car tarps to keep you in suspense.