Latest Cars Reviews Blog

Toyota's New Low-Cost Hybrid Will be Based off the Yaris

After weeks of speculation about a new low-cost Toyota hybrid, it's finally been confirmed that Toyota is indeed working on a new cheaper hybrid that will fit in below the Prius.

The new hybrid is going to use the same Hybrid Synergy drivetrain as the new Prius installed in the Yaris platform. This is obviously an answer to the Honda Insight that is cheaper than the Prius. Honda is also planning a hybrid Fit, so the new Yaris-based hybrid would also go head to head with that vehicle.

Toyota's new cheaper hybrid could be on the market by 2011 at the earliest.

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1967 Ford Mustang [Down On The Street]

Welcome to Down On The Street, where we admire old vehicles found parked on the streets of the Island That Rust Forgot: Alameda, California. It's time for another 1960s Mustang!

Lots of street-driven early Mustangs in this town; so far we've had this '65, this '65, this '66, this '66, this '68, this '69, this '69, this '69, and this '73 in the series. What about the competition from GM and Chrysler? Well, we've seen a single first-gen GM F-Body and just one Chrysler E-Body. Something is going on here; perhaps Mustangs survive the rigors of the street better than Camaros and Challengers, or maybe it's just that Mustang owners don't have quite the same levels of trailer-queen-grade protectiveness about their cars.

Either way, it's nice to have our first 1967 Mustang; we just need a 1964-1/2, and one each from the 1970-72 period to get the complete set. This one looks to be very solid, and it's either a rare factory disc-brake model or (far more likely) a junkyard Granada donated its brake hardware. I've always thought that Cragar S/S wheels look particularly good on these cars.

Hey, it's the Evil Orange Chevelle SS396 parked across the street! You can't see it in these photos, but the green '72 IHC Scout lives just a few doors down. Great block!

First 400 DOTS Vehicles • DOTS FAQ

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2010 Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet Unveiled

Audi has officially unveiled the 2010 Audi A5 and S5 Cabriolet.

The droptop versions of the A5 and S5 will be in showrooms in Europe in the second quarter of 2009 and in the US this fall. In Europe engines range from the 160 hp 1.8L engine to the top of the line 333 hp supercharged 3.0L V6. There will be less engine options in the US.

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Commenter Of The Day: Wild, Wonderful Edition [Commenter Of The Day]

The only state in the US to fall completely within the boundaries of Appalachia, West Virginia is a state rich in natural beauty and resources. The rugged terrain of the Appalachian Mountains has influenced the state's history in every way, from economic development to cultural identity. The culture of Appalachia has long valued rugged individualism and self reliance, traits no doubt influenced by the isolation that the mountains ensure. While industrialization and mass media have largely eradicated West Virginia's isolation today, its rough-edged image lives on through tourism marketing and the traditions of West Virginia University. In recent years, WVU students achieved notoriety for burning couches after football games, basketball games, or wherever the urge struck. In 2005, USA Today called WVU "the couch-burning capital of college football." Speaking of setting things on fire, WilliamG. had some thoughts on the new French tradition of greeting the new year with fire.

So the French finally figured out how much fun it is to break stuff. This reminds me of my college days, when one of my classmates was seriously pissed that somebody had tipped over a car on the same street he lived after a big football win and, because the police were there all night, he didn't get to push his couch into the road and light it on fire.

I don't understand his desire to burn a couch. American couches are typically very soft and comfortable. This car-burning, I understand. I mean, the French actually have to drive French cars. Wouldn't that be enough to make any of us light a thousand or so on fire?

Citroen au flambé, Monsieur?

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2010 Hyundai Equus Pics Unveiled Before Geneva

The first two official images of the 2010 Hyundai Equus have been released ahead of the vehicle's official unveiling at the Geneva Motor Show next month.

The Equus is 7 inches longer, 1.5 inches wider and has a 4.5 inch longer wheelbase than the Genesis. The Equus is powered by the same 3.8L and 4.6L engines as the Genesis. A more powerful 5.0L V8 with over 420 horsepower is expected after the Equus is launched.

It's not known if Hyundai plans on selling the Equus in the U.S.

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Chicago 09': 2010 Acura TSX V6 Debuts...Finally More Power

Honda has finally addressed a big issue with the Acura TSX, a lack of power with a new more powerful engine. It's not the small turbocharged engine from the RDX that would have been fun, but instead the 2010 TSX will now have an optional 3.5L V6.

The 2010 Acura TSX will now be available with a 280 horsepower 3.5L V6, which is most likely the same 3.5L offered in the Accord. When you check off the V6 option box you also get new 18" wheels, a slightly revised front fascia and a retuned suspension.

Unfortunately the TSX is still not available with the SH-AWD system that's offered on the TL and RL.

Acura claims that the 2010 TSX is the first of many changes for the 2010 model year, Acura plans on revising all of its models for the new year.

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Detroit 2009: Top 25 Desktop Wallpapers

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show

Click above for the top 25 desktop wallpapers from the 2009 Detroit Auto Show

With most of the press conferences over and nearly all the debuts checked off our list, we like to do a once over of the showroom floor to try and catch many of the cars without the crowds of photographers and journalists. We've put together some of our best photos from the last two days in a mega high-res gallery created specifically to adorn your desktop. All of the photos are available in 1920x1275 (just click on the high-res button), as well as a description and a link to the full gallery if you want more pictures of the car. Enjoy!

Detroit 2009: Top 25 Desktop Wallpapers originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 13 Jan 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Mercedes-Benz CLS Grand Edition Adds More Style, Little Substance [Mercedes-Benz CLS Grand Edition]

The first photo shoot of the new Mercedes-Benz CLS features "Brand Ambassador" Julia Stegner with the car as a tie-in for Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week, Berlin 2009. We think that sums up the car nicely.

First of all, we had to look up the word "designo." It peppers the MB press release in such a way that it seems we'd missed something. Turns out Benz has an in-house line of designer trim levels which allow fashionistas to think they've bought something special. This CLS follows that tradition perfectly. It's outfitted with "exclusive" "avant-garde" matte paint, 18" AMG wheels, swiveling HID headlights, sporty aluminum and rubber pedals (to go with the automatic transmission), somehow superior seat leather and an Alcantara headliner which all the kids seem to like these days. Oh, we forgot, it has a "Grand Edition" badge on the fender.

The press release follows:

Mercedes-Benz CLS Grand Edition: Exclusive style, concentrated elegance and exciting lines

Stuttgart – The new CLS Grand Edition special-edition model sees Mercedes-Benz introducing a new highlight to the segment for four-door premium coupés. A matt designo paint finish lends spectacular definition to the lines of the coupé and makes the CLS Grand Edition really catch the eye. This exclusive style is echoed in the interior with high-grade designo leather and high-quality equipment details. All of which makes the multi-design-award-winning Mercedes-Benz Coupé unmistakable.

Coupés are truly special cars. Not least the Mercedes Coupés, which have always epitomised automotive elegance, exclusivity and refinement at the very highest level. With the CLS, Mercedes-Benz paved the way for four-door coupés. The trend-setting model from Stuttgartinspires coupé enthusiasts with its exciting and muscular styling.

Even more pronounced lines through new paint

The new Mercedes-Benz CLSGrand Edition catches the eye straight away. A unique "designo magno platinum" matt paint finish brings the lines and contours of the premium Coupé fully to the fore and emphasises its multi-award-winning design. As well as being an eye-catching feature, the matt paint finish is highly scratch- and dirt-resistant. In keeping with the avant-garde paintwork, the radiator grille louvres are also painted in "designo magno platinum".

The Grand Edition customers can select from a choice of metallic paint finishes: obsidian black, iridium silver, carneol red or flint grey.

The additional exterior equipment for the CLSGrand Edition includes:

* Bi-xenon headlamps with dark headlamp casings, active light function and cornering light function in the fog lamps, headlamp cleaning system, and dynamic headlamp range adjustment

* Exclusive, high-sheen AMG18-inch 5-spoke light-alloy wheels with pockets painted in titanium grey, shod with 245/40 R 18 (front) and 275/35 R 18 (rear) tyres

* A "Grand Edition" insignia on the front wings

* designo interior displaying sporty, elegant touches

The no-nonsense elegance continues inside the car. Here a perfectly matched designo interior and a roof lining in anthracite Alcantara, together with the standard-fit tilting/sliding glass roof, define the sporty, elegant style. Special touches are provided by the designo leather upholstery in "marron" – with the option of substituting this shade for sand, black, mystic red, porcelain or chablis.

The trim elements in high-quality laurel wood can be ordered with either a matt or a high-gloss finish. The same material is used for the selector lever and the wood/leather steering wheel. Sport pedals in brushed stainless steel with rubber studs underline the sporting credentials of the CLSGrand Edition.

The extensive range of equipment includes the sophisticated COMAND APSMultimedia control and display system, comfort telephony, PARKTRONIC and “Grand Edition” velour floor mats.

Pioneering engine technology in the CLS 350 CGI

There are four engine variants available for the CLSGrand Edition, including the V6 unit for the entry-level CLS280 model and, perhaps most impressively of all, the CGIdirect-injection power plant for the CLS350 CGImodel, offering high output and low fuel consumption. This V6 engine with piezoelectric direct injection and spray-guided combustion develops 215 kW/292 hp and consumes just 9.1 litres of premium unleaded petrol per 100 kilometres (NEDC combined).

The Mercedes-Benz CLSGrand Edition can be ordered from January 2, 2009. Prices start at 67,294.50 Euros incl. VAT (CLS280 Grand Edition). The deliveries to customers start in March 2009.

Copyright © 2008, Daimler AG

[Sources: Mercedes Benz, EMercedesBenz]

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Happy New Year From Jalopnik! [Jalopnik 2008 Year In Review]

We're looking forward to a 2009 as good as you helped make 2008. To prove it, come on back to Jalopnik right after the ball drops tonight for a very high horsepower gift!

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2010 Ford Mustang Ad Campaign Kicks Off Tonight During Premiere of Knight Rider

Looking to cut back on costs while still launching an aggressive campaign for the new 2010 Mustang, Ford will begin airing 60-second ad spots featuring the winners of the “Mustang Stories” short movie contest. The first commercial will run tonight during the season premiere of Knight Rider on NBC and will kick off Ford’s largely web-based ad campaign for the 2010 Mustang. The contest, which was sponsored jointly by Ford, Filmaka online video, and WPP Group PWPP Group Plc’s JWT Team Detroit ad agency, challenged Filmaka members to submit stories about significant personal experiences with the Ford Mustang. Of the 400 entries that were submitted, 22 semi-finalists were given $5,000 to produce their films, with the finished product to be used by Ford. To kicking off the campaign’s debut during the Knight Rider intermission will be one of the finalists from the Mustang Stories competition, a short film entitled “Numskull.”

To watch “Numskull”, click here.

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Detroit 09': 2010 Lincoln MKT Makes a Huge Debut with that Grille!

Ford has debuted the 2010 Lincoln MKT, which is Lincoln's version of the Ford Flex.

The three-row MKT is available with either a 268 horsepower 3.7-liter V-6 or Ford's new 3.5L V6 EcoBoost engine that puts out 355 horsepower and 350 lb-ft. of torque. Both engines are mated to six-speed automatic transmission. AWD is available on the 3.7L and standard with the EcoBoost engine.

The MKT can fit either six or seven passengers with two different seating configurations.

The 2010 Lincoln MKT will be available this summer.

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Detroit 2009: White Lightning - Jaguar shows 510 bhp XKRs [w/VIDEO]

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Convertibles, Coupes, Sports/GTs, Jaguar

Click above for high-res image gallery of the 2010 Jaguar XKR

Emerging from Jaguar's press conference yesterday from a cloud of manufactured smoke and amidst the too-loud blare of the Gallagher Brothers were the stonking new XKR Coupe and Convertible.

While the exterior receives subtle changes (new front and rear bumper designs, LED taillamps), the real news is under the hood. More than just an augmented supercharger, the blown XKs receive Jag's all-new Gen III AJ-V8 that's supercharged and features direct injection, which makes it good for 510 brake horsepower and 461 pound-feet of torque. That newfound power helps the 4700+ pound XKR reach 60 miles-per-hour in just 4.6 seconds. The new XKR also enjoys the same interior theater experience upon startup that debuted in the XF, including air vents that rotate around and the flush JaguarDrive gear selector.

In our time with the current XKR, we always enjoyed the shape and the interior as well as the ride, but were somewhat underwhelmed with the performance and handling. The new R promises to rectify at least the power deficiency versus some other European performance luxury coupes, so we're hoping that the handling comes along for the ride. Check out the gallery of live shots below and the press release after the jump.

Gallery: Detroit 2009: 2010 Jaguar XKR