Auto News & New car review

The Sprinter was engineered and built by Mercedes; the sole Dodge contribution to the project was their logo. Though it is versatile and unique, it could have used an injection of Dodge common sense.
The Sprinter comes with a bewildering variety of options, including a raised roof that makes it truly unique; a diesel engine that boosts gas mileage, reportedly to a class-best of at least 20 mpg; a chassis cab version popular among upfitters; several seating arrangements when sold as a passenger van; a cargo van; and different lengths. In the second generation to be sold in the United States, a Mercedes gas engine was also added as an option, supplementing the standard diesel - as an $1,800 credit option, meaning that ordering it lowers the price. Read the rest of this entry »

The Focus C-MAX was launched in 2003 to much acclaim. It gave rise to the larger S-MAX, a vehicle that has in turn influenced the new C-MAX.

With the advent of the new C-MAX, Ford decided to drop the ‘Focus’ name and make the car and the S-MAX a separate group of Multi Activity Vehicles or MAVs, at the same time taking the opportunity to give  them a similar look. Read the rest of this entry »

The new Lincoln Navigator, America’s original full-size luxury SUV, will offer uncompromising levels of luxury, capability, functionality. Read the rest of this entry »

Kia has released the first official image of the production Soul. And that’s pretty much it. The press release accompanying it is several paragraphs of filler that tells you exactly nothing of value, other than that the car keeps “it’s” concept forebear’s name and will be formally unveiled in October at the Paris Motor Show (which we knew). Kia also says that the Soul “defies classification,” which is elaborate automaker code for, “it’s a small crossover that’s our answer to the Scion xB.” Yes, but this is better-looking. Read the rest of this entry »

If Alfa Romeo is to make a successful return to the North American market, it will need to rely on more than its sexy Italian image. On these shores, that means two contradictory elements are needed in its line-up: sport-utes and green tech. Towards that end, Alfa’s newly-appointed CEO, Fiat Group wunderkind Luca de Meo, has confirmed two new developments for the company. Read the rest of this entry »

The Altea Freetrack 4 is a curious animal; it combines traditional family transportation, off-road capability and typical SEAT sportiness, all in one package.

Based on the Freetrack concept car shown at the 2007, Geneva Motor Show, the production version uses the SEAT Altea XL as a starting point. However, it is easily distinguished from the donor car by the charcoal grey, plastic guards that make up the front and rear bumpers, chunky wheelarches and, to a lesser extent, the sills. Read the rest of this entry »

The new MINI was launched in 2001, to much acclaim. Although bigger than the original Mini, what it lacked in rear legroom, it made up for in unusual styling and a vast array of personalisation elements, much loved by a local estate agent.

The MINI Clubman has the same raft of options but its main benefit is the extra length, which should make rear passengers happier. Read the rest of this entry »

With added interior room and enhanced performance, the 2009 Toyota Matrix promises to be as practical and fun to drive as its previous models. The new Matrix comes in three trims, the base, S, and XRS The base model Matrix sports a 1.8L 132hp 4-cylinder engine putting power to the front wheels with a standard 5-speed manual transmission. A 4-speed automatic is optional. The other two models offer an optional 2.4L 158hp engine. Read the rest of this entry »

For those who appreciate the luxury and refinement of the 7 Series but crave more power, a sports tuned suspension, and driving excitement, the 2008 BMW Alpina may have the ingredients to satisfy all appetites. The Alpina does not disappoint when it comes to power: its 500hp 4.4 Liter V8 creates 516 ft-lbs of torque @ 4250 rpm. To throw a 4-door sedan from 0-60mph in 4.8 seconds takes phenomenal power and a car body that has been engineered to run fast. Alpina has many key structural and mechanical components which are machined out of lightweight aluminum. Read the rest of this entry »

With enough power to have some real fun, the 2008 S6 fills the Audi mid-size performance slot. That 435-hp, 5.2-liter V-10 from Lamborghini lays out a consistently high torque plateau throughout the rpm spectrum. All this performance is mediated through a 6-speed automatic with overdrive while the essence of the car is unchanged for 2008. Read the rest of this entry »