Auto News & New car review

The outgoing Jaguar sports car, the XK8, is 10 years old, and in its later years, had become a patchwork as new technologies like satellite radio, navigation and airbags had to be adapted to it. Its V8 horsepower number began with a 2 instead of a 3, putting it way behind the competition. There were new safety and emissions goals to be met. So they threw out the XK8 and replaced it with a brand new car from the ground up, the first aluminum-chassis sports car in Jaguar’s six decades of production. They’ve changed the name, too, in the process, from XK-8 to XK 4.2. Read the rest of this entry »

Never the shy one, the Nissan Pathfinder bounds into 2008 with freshened styling, a subtly but substantially revised cabin, and technology upgrades such as a backup camera and hard-drive music storage.

All of which pale in comparison to the real headliner: The Pathfinder gets its first V8 engine option for 2008, a 5.6-liter from the Titan full-size pickup with 310 horsepower and more torque than GM’s 6-liter or Dodge and Jeep’s Hemi. Read the rest of this entry »

Feature for feature, the Jaguar XJ sedans represent one of the best values among full-size luxury cars. It offers features and comfort comparable to the top-line luxury sedans from Audi, BMW, Lexus, and Mercedes-Benz for thousands less. Yet it makes a strong statement of luxury when it rolls up to a five-star hotel, stronger than some of those other marques muster. Read the rest of this entry »

The 2009 Pontiac Vibe will be completely redesigned and re-engineered when it goes on sale in early 2008.

Since its original introduction as a 2003 model, the Pontiac Vibe has shared its basic design with the Toyota Matrix. Toyota has redesigned the Matrix for 2009 and Pontiac is doing the same with the Vibe.

Offered only as a compact four-door hatchback (though Pontiac calls it a crossover utility vehicle), the 2009 Vibe will come with front- or all-wheel drive.

The lineup will include the base model, the All-Wheel Drive model and the GT. The base model comes with what Pontiac calls a semi-independent torsion beam rear suspension with a trailing link, coil springs and a stabilizer bar. GT and All-Wheel Drive models have a multilink independent double wishbone rear suspension. The GT can be distinguished by its larger fog lamps, larger lower front fascia air intake, rocker panel moldings, roof spoiler and bright exhaust tip. The GT also gets leather upholstery and 18-inch wheels; the other models come with 17-inch wheels. Read the rest of this entry »

Pop the hood of the new Ford Focus and you’ll see an infestation of duct tape worms. Every wire is wrapped in black duct tape. And the thing is, Ford didn’t even try to hide it. There’s no flash-casted plastic cover to hide the Focus’ handmade electrical insulation. I mean, how much would that have cost FoMoCo? Five bucks? What’s more, the duct tape I discovered in the economy car’s engine bay was already unfurling. That’s worrying. But it’s nowhere near as disquieting as the overarching Scrooge You cynicism informing every nut, bolt and rock hard panel of this po-faced makeover. What’s worse, the new Ford Focus looks atrocious. Read the rest of this entry »

The American Luxury Brand comes in our attention with a new Premiere.

The Escalade SUV is the last model from Cadillac vehicles which will receive a Platinum package, characterized by unique interior finishes and not only. Read the rest of this entry »

Mitsubishi redesigned the Eclipse for the 2006 model year, adding a big 3.8-liter V6 instead of a turbocharged four-cylinder and opting for front-wheel drive instead or rear- or all-wheel drive.

At the 2008 Chicago Auto Show, Mitsubishi showed it is sticking with that plan for 2009 while giving the Eclipse freshened styling, slightly more power, and additional features.

The Eclipse coupe and Spyder convertible will continue in four-cylinder GS and V6 GT models for 2009. The mid-line SE model will be dropped. Read the rest of this entry »

The Chevrolet Cobalt returns to the traditional Chevy car style in many ways, aside from the Corvette-like round tail-lamps. It takes the standard small car and adds a certain touch of class and comfort, and sells at a small premium if you ignore the rebates.

The interior has a quality look absent from many competitors, and the ride is smoother without giving up much in cornering. Overall, we liked the ride/handling balance and the engine’s willingness to move at speed, and regretted a bit of low-end hesitation and some quirks. Read the rest of this entry »

The vehicle that pioneered the cute-ute segment is all grown up. Ever since its last total overhaul (for the 2006 model year), the Toyota RAV4 has offered seating for seven, cargo capacity comparable to some mid-size SUVs, and V6 performance near the top of its class. The RAV4 can tow 3500 pounds when properly equipped, and buyers have the choice of front-wheel drive or four-wheel drive. True to its family-friendly role, the RAV4 comes standard with a long list of safety equipment. Read the rest of this entry »

The 2008 Chevrolet HHR SS is the latest example of what Chevrolet considers the new generation of SS cars — vehicles that, to quote the PR folks’ oft-repeated mantra, “go, stop and turn significantly better” than standard Chevrolet cars.
Chevrolet is counting on the HHR SS to give buyers a proper re-introduction to the SS lineup.
Read the rest of this entry »