2010 Ford Flex with EcoBoost

"With the 2010 model year, Ford is marking the start of its EcoBoost initiative, a plan that will dramatically effect the company's entire lineup in the coming years. By using turbocharging and direct injection with smaller-displacement engines, Ford says it can offer better performance and fuel economy. The company expects it will put 1.3 million EcoBoost engines on the road by 2013 and offer the technology in 90 percent of its models.

The Flex crossover is one of the first Fords to get EcoBoost. Using a 3.5-liter V-6, the Flex achieves V-8 performance with V-6 fuel economy. The Flex EcoBoost (which is only available with all-wheel drive) achieves the same fuel economy as the base all-wheel-drive Flex, which is rated at 16/22 mpg.

Powertrain
The technology in Ford's EcoBoost engines isn't revolutionary, but the company's plan for such widespread adoption is unique. In the 3.5-liter V-6, two turbochargers spin as fast as 170,000 rpm to force more air into the engine while fuel injectors spray gasoline into the cylinders at 2175 psi. Adding more air and fuel allows extra power to be squeezed out of each combustion event.

There are plenty of automakers that might detune a performance engine by 10 to 20 hp in the family crossover, but the Flex receives the same 355 hp that will move the Ford Taurus SHO, the Lincoln MKS, and the Lincoln MKT. Ford has decided that its first EcoBoost engine needs to place more emphasis on performance than fuel economy in order to build a positive impression of the technology. Future Ford engines using turbochargers and direct injection may focus more on the fuel economy side of the equation. Torque is rated at 350 lb-ft and spans from 1500 to 5250 rpm. It's that plateau-flat torque curve that creates an exciting and effective blast when the throttle is planted. Ford estimates 0-to-60-mph acceleration occurs in about 7 seconds.

EcoBoost Flexes all receive a manual-shift mode for the six-speed automatic transmission, along with steering-wheel-mounted shift paddles. The paddles are a great addition for the performance engine but could use some refinement. When the gear selector is left in drive, the paddles can't be used to effect a downshift. In manual mode, the transmission is happy to provide downshifts at a fairly quick pace but sometimes isn't restrictive enough (yes, we just said that). Multiple times, we asked for one too many downshifts, and the Flex obliged by dropping down a gear - right on top of redline. To top it off, the coarse, dull finish on the plastic paddle shifters looks out of place compared with the rest of the well-trimmed cabin."

2010 Audi A5 Sportback

"Do you lust after an Audi A5, but need something with some extra doors and space to handle the family? Good news: Audi has just the car for you.

Well, not quite. Such a car--the 2010 Audi A5 Sportback shown here--is indeed destined for production, but not the New World. Audi says the shapely fastback doesn't mesh well with its U.S. market plans, and as such, the car will essentially be forbidden fruit for the time being.

Although it looks quite similar to the new BMW 5-series Gran Turismo, the A5 Sportback is considerably smaller. At 15.45 feet long, the A5 is a foot shorter than the Bimmer, and is closer in size to an A4.

Those accustomed to riding in the back of an A4 will complain the rear seat is slightly smaller (it's been pulled forward in light of the rakish roof), but luggage space isn't compromised one iota. The Sportback offers 16.9 cubic feet of cargo space, but that number expands to 34.6 cubic feet--nearly two-thirds of that offered in the A4 Avant--with the rear seats down. Unlike the 5-series GT, access to the cargo bay is available only through a full-size hatch.

Although it's labeled as an A5, the Sportback's engine offerings have more in common with the A4 range. The 180-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 is the A5 Sportback's base engine, available in a front-wheel-drive model with either a six-speed manual transmission or a CVT. A 211-hp version is also available, but only with Audi's Quattro all-wheel-drive system and a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The A4's direct-injection 3.2-liter V-6 serves as the premium gas engine, and is available only with Quattro and the S-tronic dual-clutch transmission.

As the A5 Sportback is tailor-made for Europe, a number of diesels are also part of the model mix. Volkswagen's ubiquitous 2.0-liter turbo-diesel I-4 serves as the base engine, while 2.7-liter and 3.0-liter turbo-diesel V-6s offer buyers additional power. To further boost fuel economy, both the 2.0-liter gasoline and diesel engines come with a start/stop system on models with manual transmissions.

Europeans should see the A5 Sportback in dealers this September, but we'll have to wait until 2010 to see a Sportback--a larger A7 model--arrive on our shores."

2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6

"When you think about BMW – what is usually the first thing that comes to your mind? Well, the first thing that comes to my mind is never hybrid and never ever fuel efficient, however – BMW has switched their name around a bit and they are not becoming one of the premium hybrid car makers, starting with the all new 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6. This beautiful, wonderful and powerful BMW lives right up to the name and is certainly one of the hybrids that is not only pretty to look at … but absolutely powerful in every way possible.

The great thing about the 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 is that there is a ton of horsepower behind that engine – 480 HP actually and it has very impressive powertain that consists of twin electric motors and twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine. This car can run to sixty and will take just about 5 seconds to get to the top speed of 130 miles per hour.

2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6 is the car to get – it is a hybrid, it is fast and it is by far one of the coolest looking cars."

Volvo’s New XC60 Premium Crossover

"Irvine, Calif. (Jan. 9, 2009) – Volvo Cars of North America, LLC, today announced that it’s upcoming entry in the small premium utility segment, the XC60, will be a 2010 model year. Set to arrive in Volvo retailers in March, the 2010 XC60 will be offered as a single well-equipped T6 AWD model featuring 281 horsepower and standard all-wheel drive with Instant Traction. Final pricing is expected to be announced late January with a base MSRP of less than $40,000.

Continuing Volvo’s quest as a pioneer and leader in vehicle safety systems, the XC60 introduces a new world’s first as standard equipment. City Safety is a driver support system aimed at preventing or mitigating collisions occurring at speeds of 19 mph or less. It utilizes a closing velocity sensor to help determine whether a collision is likely. Depending on the closing speed, City Safety will either pre-charge the brakes or automatically brake the XC60 to help avoid a rear-end collision or lessen its impact.

The 2010 XC60 also announces Volvo dynamic new design language. From every angle, the XC60’s dramatic style takes Volvo design DNA to the next level by artfully blending muscular lower body cues capped off by a sporty coupe-like greenhouse. The XC60 features a charismatic strong shoulder line while adding more expressive design elements front and rear.

The XC60 is Volvo’s first all-new carline to offer HD Radio as standard equipment updating radio to digital quality. FM broadcast quality improves to the level of a typical CD while AM broadcast quality is improved to the prior level of FM. The XC60’s standard high performance sound system includes AUX and USB inputs to allow connection and control of personal music devices such as iPodsTM, memory sticks and other media players."
Source Volvo Cars USA

Lotus

"Lotus was founded by the brilliant engineer Colin Chapman and we have always held his principles at the core of everything we do; innovation, performance through light weight, excellent ride and handling and fun to drive.

A hand-built manufacturing process using our innovative aluminium chassis provides an involving and communicative drive. Lightweight materials and finely tuned suspension ensures lightning responsiveness and inspirational handling.

Every modern Lotus embodies these values to create the most pure driving experience available in any car today. These values are now more relevant than ever. Our obsession with low mass ensures that efficient, exhilarating performance will always be the trademark of our cars."

2010 Mazda3 Sedan

"The current Mazda 3 is among our favorite small cars, and with more than 1.8 million units sold to date, one of Mazda's most important models. Rather than mess with a good thing, the Zoom Zoom company isn't changing much for the new, second-generation compact sedan. (Mazda has chosen to reveal the four-door sedan now at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show; a five-door hatchback, our favorite version of the 3, will be revealed later.)

The new 3 is about three and a half inches longer than last year's car, and weighs about a hundred pounds more (depending on equipment level), but the other dimensions haven't changed, including the wheelbase. That's a good indication that not much has changed underneath the 3, either-and indeed while the 2010 3 has significant revisions to its chassis, including increased use of high-tensile strength steel to reduce the body-in-white's weight by 24 lb while stiffening the suspension attachment points, it rides on largely unchanged suspension and brakes. Don't interpret that as a bad thing-the last 3, even at the end of its six-year production run, was still at the top of its class in our book.

Choose 2.0-liter or 2.5-liter Four-cylinder powertrainsMazda also didn't make any changes to the base 2.0-liter four-cylinder, which produces 148 hp and 135 lb-ft of torque. A gem of an engine, it's both rev-happy and torquey, and mates to either a five-speed manual transmission or a new five-speed automatic (which replaces last year's 4-speed automatic.)

Those buyers wanting a little more power can now opt for the Mazda3s, which uses the same 2.5-liter four as the larger Mazda 6i sedan. This new engine replaces last year's 2.3-liter, and produces 11 more horsepower and 18 more lb-ft of torque, for totals of 167 hp and 168 lb-ft. The engine also receives an additional gear-the manual now has six forward ratios."

Mazda Mazdaspeed 3

"Ignore, if you can, all the various 'MPS' emblems on this hot hatch. They won't be on the car when it's sold in North America as the 2010 Mazda Mazdaspeed 3.

Like its staid sedan and hatchback siblings, the latest iteration of the Mazdaspeed 3 is far from revolutionary. In fact, most changes are cosmetic, including the new wide-eyed front fascia, revised hatch and taillights, and a new hood scoop.

Evolutionary also applies to what's under the hood. The turbocharged 2.3-liter I-4 seen in the last-generation Mazdaspeed 3 soldiers on in the 2010 model, producing the same 260 hp and 280 lb-ft of torque. Likewise, it's still mated only to a six-speed manual transmission, channeling power to the front wheels.

Still, there are a few things to love about Mazdaspeed's latest compact. To start, the car benefits from additional chassis tuning, including new reinforcements in the firewall and body tunnel to add stiffness. Mazda claims new half shafts were designed to reduce torque steer, and new 18-inch wheels, patterned after those on the RX-8, are capable of handling wider Dunlop 225/40R18 rubber.

And there's also the matter of the car's interior. While the previous 3's cabin wasn't intolerable, the new car's living quarters are a vast improvement. The wraparound dashboard is both slick and sophisticated, and it's highlighted by red-tinted carbon fiber accents. This theme continues with the seating, which wears black leather skins with bright red stitching.

Although it may not represent a quantum leap in power, the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3 mixes new refinements with an already potent performance car. We can't wait to get our hands on one when it arrives in the U.S. later this year."