The new Saab 9-5 Sedan marks an all-new era for Saab. It is not only the first model revealed after the Swedish brand went under Koenigsegg’s ownership, but it also comes with a new design, inspired by both Aero X and Saab heritage. The all-new Saab 9-5 Sedan will make its world debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show with sales to start later in model year 2010.
For the new 9-5 sedan, the front is inspired by the Aero-X Concept of a deep grille flanked with curving, ice-block headlamp units. The entire glasshouse is presented as a ‘wraparound’ mono graphic, the disguised windshield and side pillars giving the cabin Saab’s signature cockpit look. Squint slightly and the proportions of the windshield and roof become reminiscent of the classic 900 model.
The car comes with a variety of engine options with the base model having a 1.6-lite engine that can produce up to 180 hp. On the other end of the spectrum, is a 9-5 that comes with a 2.8-liter turbo V6 engine that puts out approximately 300 hp. While engines may differ depending on which version of the car you get, all 9-5 sedans do come with the same six-speed tranny in either stick-shift or semi-automatic.
The interior comes with all the neat trinkets – including a Harman Kardon surround sound audio system that can be configured and controlled through the touch screen display - that befit a car of this stature.
Updated 04/21/2010: Saab today announced the US prices for the new 9-5 sedan set to arrive in U.S. dealer showrooms in July. The 2.8-liter V6 turbo version is priced at $49,990, while for the 2.0-liter turbo variant customers will have to pay less than $40,000 (this version will be added at a later date). The new 9-5 will be offered with: leather-appointed seats and steering wheel, power front seats with memory settings for the driver’s seat and mirrors, automatic dual-zone air conditioning, a cooled glove box, front and rear interior reading lamps, and 12V outlets in the front console and trunk.
UPDATE 06/03/2010: Check out the new commercial released by Saab for the 2010 9-5 by clicking on the picture above.
UPDATE 06/10/2010: Here’s the next commercial in a series of commercials made to show customers the capabilities and active features of the brand’s new flagship sedan. Check out the next commercial after the jump.
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The North American version of the Mazda2 compact car made its debut today at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The model will be launched into North American market in late summer, 2010 and will have a very serious competitor in the new 2011 Ford Fiesta.
The new Mazda2 is characterized by a combination of dynamic performance, sportiness and simplicity. The car’s exterior is characterized by a sporty wedge shape that conveys a strong sense of forward motion; a deeply sculpted form in which the body is drawn inward fore and aft of the A-pillars; and distinctive character lines that extend from the front fender arches to the body shoulders.
There is one thing Mazda did not reveal about their new model: the engine line-up. But they did announced the Mazda2 will feature an improved steering and braking systems and a highly regarded suspension system, which has MacPherson struts at the front and a torsion-beam axle at the rear.
Updated 03/31/2010: Mazda announced today at the NY Auto Show prices for the new Mazda2 that will go on sale in June. Mazda2 will be offered in two trim levels – the entry level Sport and top grade Touring, and prices will start at $13,980 and $15,435 respectively (or $16,235 for a Touring version with four-speed automatic transmission).
UPDATE 08/23/2010: Mazda’s lightweight, entry level hatchback will be getting an upgrade for 2011 with the same focus on low fuel consumption and reduced emissions as other models in the lineup. This focus is thanks to the Euro 5 standards for cars that have many automakers changing things up to progressively move forward. The Mazda2 will be unveiled at this year’s Paris Auto Show and will come with a bit of a facelift.
The facelift Mazda2 will get new front styling featuring Mazda’s unique family face, a new interior, upgraded Euro V compliant powertrain line-up, and an upgraded chassis for even better ride comfort. An automatic transmission will also be offered for the very first time.
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The Porsche Boxster lineup saw the addition of a new member last December at the Los Angeles Auto Show. The new Boxster Spyder will tip the scales at 2,811 pounds becoming the lightest model in the entire Porsche range with sales beginning in February 2010, starting at $61,200. The Porsche Boxster Spyder is inspired by the legendary 550 Spyder, the first sports car from Stuttgart developed specifically with racing in mind that was also homologated for road use. The new sports car features a lightweight soft top, has a lower center of gravity for enhanced as well as an all new sport tuned suspension.
Mounted in the midship position, Porsche has placed a 3.4 Liter direct injected flat six ahead of the rear axle that delivers a total of 320 HP, 10 HP more than the current top of the line model in the Boxster lineup, the Boxster S, while still getting as much as 30.4 MPG. Like all the other current Porsche models, the Boxster Spyder comes equipped with a seven speed PDK gearbox and a Sports Chrono Package. This allows the Boxster Spyder to sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in 4.8 seconds and reach a top speed of 166 MPH.
Updated 01/29/10: Porsche revealed the official promotional video for the Boxster Spyder that will go on sale next week. Enjoy it!
Updated 03/24/2010: Porsche USA announced prices for the new Boxster Spyder: $62,150 including destination charge. Option list includes: Bi-Xenon lighting system with dynamic cornering lights for $1,560; 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK) $3,420, Porsche Ceramic Composite Brake (PCCB) $8,150; Sport Exhaust System $2,500 and PCM 3.0 including Extended Navigation $3,110.
UPDATE 08/08/2011: Check out our review of the Porsche Boxster Spyder by clicking here!
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The Japanese luxury automaker Lexus will reveal their replacement for the GX470 luxury SUV at the upcoming Los Angeles Auto Show with a model called the GX460. The new full size SUV is based on the European model of Toyota’s Land Cruiser and will go on sale sometime in early 2010.
The main difference between the Land Cruiser and the GX460 is the front end appearance of the Lexus with its new grille, redesigned headlamps, new bumpers and chrome trim on the side windows and lower door moldings. Not to mention the Lexus’ luxurious interior.
Under the hood of the all new GX460, Toyota’s the current 4.7 Liter V8 is being replaced by a more efficient 4.6 Liter unit that delivers a maximum output of 310 HP and 327 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a new fuel saving six speed automatic transmission with sequential shift. One thing is certain with the all new Lexus GX460, not only will it be able to transport an entire soccer team and all their gear, but it will do it with unparalleled refinement.
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The highly anticipated Audi R8 Spider has made its world debut at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show. The drop top R8 will only be available with the 5.2 Liter FSI V10 (with a V8 version announced as a possibility in the future) connected to Audi’s patented quattro all wheel drive system. Sales in Europe will begin in the first quarter of 2010 and retail starting at $227,000. Details for the U.S. market version will be announced at a later date.
The 5.2 Liter FSI V10 in the R8 Spider delivers a maximum output of 525 HP at 8,000 RPM and has a rather high compression ratio of 12.5:1 in order to get the most out of the high revving naturally aspirated power plant. With a weight of only 3,792 pounds, the R8 Spider is able to sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in under 4.1 seconds; go from 0 to 125 MPH in a little over 12.7 seconds and reach a top speed of 194.49 MPH, all while consuming 15.79 MPG in the manual transmission version, or 16.92 MPG in the R-tronic variant.
The all new Audi R8 Spider is being offered with a cloth top that weighs only 66.14 pounds; chosen as a solution by Audi to keep the rag top’s total weight and center of gravity lower in the vehicle. The electro hydraulic soft top opens and closes in 19 seconds, and operates even while driving at speeds of up to 31.07 MPH.
Audi will offer the unit in three different colors, while the car will be available with eleven different paint options, with metallic and pearl effect finishes standard. Like all of Audi’s luxurious convertibles, the reinforced windshield frame is covered with anodized aluminum.
UPDATE 03/29/2011: Audi has unveiled a new commercial promoting their Audi R8 V10 Spyder. Enjoy!
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