It’s hard to imagine that Nissan’s Z-series has been around for 40 years. But what’s even more difficult to fathom is the fact that it actually came close to never materializing in the first place. It turns out, Yutaka “Mr. K” Katayama was the first one to broach the idea of the car back in 1969, and after a lengthy debate regarding the viability of the car, Nissan eventually relented and introduced the very first Z car: the Nissan Fairlady Z.
Now, 40 years later, Nissan’s Z car is one of the most revered car lines in Japanese auto history and to commemorate the monumental occasion, Nissan is releasing a limited edition 370Z, which will go on sale in the spring of 2010. The limited edition 40th Anniversary Z molded from a Touring version of the 370Z Coupe with a 322 HP 3.7 Liter VQ six cylinder engine and will arrive in showrooms wearing a $38,860 price tag. Aside from being distinguished by a celebratory premium "40th Quartz" exterior color and special red leather wrapped interior, high luster smoke wheels, red brake calipers and 40th Anniversary badges; the exclusivity of only 1000 models is sure to make it an instantaneous collectors item.
Volvo today announced prices for the 2010 XC60 SUV. Prices will start at just $39,000 for the XC60 T6 model, from $42,400 for a standard XC60 and for the R-Design package customers will have to pay an extra $3,900.
The 2010 XC60 is powered by a 281-hp turbocharged six-cylinder engine and comes with leather interior, 18-inch wheels, numerous airbags, Bluetooth, and all-wheel-drive system, a revised suspension, 20-inch five-spoke wheels, color matched body trim, sports seats, and a unique “metallic-themed” interior.
Customers will have the possibility to choose from three additional packages: climate package ($1000) which includes heated front and rear seats, heated windshield washer nozzles, and rain sensing wipers; the multimedia package ($2700) with a premium audio system, navigation with real time traffic updates, and a rearview camera; and the technology package ($1700) that includes adaptive cruise control, collision warning with automatic braking, driver alert control, and lane departure warning.
The Japanese sport compact maker Subaru has just announced pricing for the 2010 Impreza WRX STI Special Edition that was revealed just a few days ago. With a scheduled production run of only 125 units, this special edition STI will be in high demand when it goes on sale in the spring of 2010 starting at $32,995. What is even better about the Spec C inspired STI is that it will cost $2,000 less than the standard 2010 WRX STI.
Aside from the high performance suspension, the Special Edition differs from the standard WRX STI with a few cost cutting options like a set of halogen headlamps rather than HID units; the 6 CD 10 speaker system turns into a single disc player with 4 speakers; manual air conditioning in place of automatic climate control and side mirrors without integrated signals. However if getting around a track as fast as possible is what you are after it is very unlikely that you will miss any of those creature comforts.
The Japanese automaker Toyota has just announced pricing for the 2010 Highlander V6 Special Edition, a model that will replace the current Sport grade CUV. The Special Edition crossover will begin to arrive in showrooms by January of 2010 and will be wearing a $32,480 price tag for the two wheel drive Highlander SE 4x2 and the go anywhere 4x4 Highlander will go for $33,930. The new Highlander SE is powered by a 3.5 Liter gas burning V6 with modern technologies like Toyota’s VVT-i, Variable Valve Timing with intelligence, on both intake and exhaust that delivers a maximum output of 270 HP and 248 lb-ft of torque; more than enough grunt to take the extremely practical crossover wherever you might want to go.
The Special Edition will play up on Toyota’s more luxurious side by featuring luxurious amenities both inside and out like leather wrapped heated front seats, Tri-Zone automatic front and rear air conditioning, power moonroof, in dash six disc CD changer, 17 inch alloys wheels as well as a standard tow package so that owners can make more practical use of the V6’s pulling power. The Toyota Highlander offers excellent value even in base model form, but the Special Edition trim is guaranteed to take the Highlander to the next level.
For 2010 the Lincoln MKX is offering available all-wheel-drive, standard heated-and-cooled front seats and available heated rear seats. And for 2010, its 265-hp engine and six-speed automatic transmission have been extensively refined to increase fuel mileage. Prices for the MKX start at $38,345 for the FDW version and at $40,195 for the AWD version.
With its distinctive chrome grille, sophisticated flowing exterior lines, and broad, athletic stance, Lincoln MKX takes vehicle design to a whole new level. The interior features genuine wood, bright-nickel and chrome accents as well as a stylish, contemporary instrument panel. There’s also available ambient lighting in multiple color choices.
The Lincoln MKX features a 3.5L Duratec V6 engine that delivers a total of 265 hp and 250 lb. ft. of torque, and an impressive 25 mpg highway. The engine is mated to a smooth-shifting six-speed automatic transmission that uses a wide 6.04:1 gear ratio. Short first and second gears provide impressive launch and acceleration, while the tall overdrive gears deliver seven percent better fuel economy than a four-speed automatic.
For 2010 Lincoln is offering a new package: Midnight Limited Edition Package that includes a unique body-color grille and Tuxedo Black Metallic paint offset by assertive 22-inch bright polished aluminum wheels.
Already in its second generation model, the TSX is entering the 2010 model year with major enhancements - including an available V-6 engine. With prices ranging from $29,310 for the TSX, or $32,410 for the TSX with Technology Package, the TSX competes with vehicles such as the A4 2.0T, 328i, IS 250 and C300. The TSX V6 with a price of $34,850, or $37,950 for the TSX V-6 with Technology Package is targeting models like Audi A4 3.2, BMW 335i, and Lexus IS 350.
For 2010, customers will can choose from two different engines: a 3.5L SOHC V-6 that develops 280 hp and 254 lb-ft of torque or a 2,4 liter four-cylinder engine that develops a total of 201 hp and 172 lb-ft of torque. The four-cylinder engine have a choice of two transmission styles as standard equipment - a 6-speed close-ratio manual or a Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic, while the V6 features a sophisticated Sequential SportShift 5-speed automatic transmission that can be operated manually via steering wheel mounted racing inspired paddle shifters.
The 2010 TSX features a wide and muscular body which translates into outstanding handling and performance. The wide body (72.4 inches), long wheelbase (106.4 inches) and overall length (185.6 inches) give the TSX excellent ride quality and ample interior space for passengers. The TSX uses Showa dual-mode suspension dampers, which provide superior suspension damping characteristics at both lower and higher damper speeds. The TSX employs Electric Power Steering (EPS) that delivers precise input during performance driving.
While the current economic crisis has resulted in a few interesting partnership with a number of unlikely automobile manufacturers and other manufacturers weary of risky high priced ventures, the man from Prodrive feels that his super car company can sell premium compact city car for the not so unheard of asking price of $32,000; after all it is an Aston Martin. As part of the English coach builder’s plans to unroll a few new vehicles in order to recuperate some profits the powers at be behind Toyota and Aston Martin have joined forces to create a fashionable compact city car for the crowded narrow streets of densely populated European urban environments. What they ended up with is the upscale Aston Martin Cygnet based on the economical Toyota i.Q.
The venture actually sounds like another English sport/luxury hybrid when Mini commissioned the design team at Rolls Royce to produce a series of extremely extravagant small cars. The car’s foundation will be built at Toyota’s factory in Japan and then shipped to the Aston Martin factory in Gaydon where the team of hand built super car interiors will have a go at restyling the lowly Toyota’s interior bringing it up to super car status. Obviously the Cygnet should also wear some unique body work like an Aston Martin style twin vented hood, some flared arches and plenty of winged emblems.
This is a very bold move for the English automaker, attempting to sell a car smaller than a Smart for a little over $30,000. The German luxury automaker Audi has recently admitted to having a hard time justifying a premium hatchback for the U.S. market, dooming whatever chances we might have had for an RS3 stateside. The Vantage should be happy because it can now pass on the title of being the baby Aston; if they can keep production limited and watch the demand skyrocket, they should have no problem selling out of their Cygnet inventory. After all, who would pass up on the chance to buy a brand new Aston Martin for the price of a Nissan Maxima.
The Chevrolet Equinox is the car that ushered in the era of the utilitarian Crossover at General Motors, so it is only appropriate that the new model come equipped with certain features that make for a very functional automobile with standard features like a 6 speed automatic transmission, direct injected gasoline engines, XM satellite radio, an iPod input jack, power everything and OnStar roadside assistance. However there is more to the crossover segment than reliability, these are the cars that will take families down the street to soccer practice and across the country to Disney World, so they need to be comfortable, attractive and engaging; especially for the back seat passengers.
Our well equipped 2010 Chevrolet Equinox AWD 2LT also came with some of the more desirable features being offered by GM, like the back up camera with park assist, power tailgate, Vehicle Interface Package that includes Bluetooth, the Chrome Exterior Appearance Package to dress up the outside, the Cargo Management Package that makes storage a snap in the back of the truck and the Rear Seat Entertainment System that includes some of the best designed backrest monitors on any new car today. However our personal favorite was the 18 inch machined aluminum wheels, Chevrolet offers rims as big as 19 inches in diameter, but we didn’t want to be too flashy. Of course, because we are Top Speed, Chevy made sure we tested the 3.0 Liter direct injected V6 that makes 264 HP and 222 lb-ft of torque version that is still able to get 17 MPG in the city and 24 MPG on the highway.
Nissan today announced prices on the 2010 Maxima sedan which is now on sale. For 2010, Maxima is being offered in two different models, with prices starting from $30,460 USD for the Maxima 3.5 S and $33,180 USD for the Maxima 3.5 SV.
Revisions to the 2010 Maxima include new wheel finishes for 18-inch (Fine Silver) and 19-inch (Hyper Silver) wheels; Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System is now standard on all models; a 7-inch color monitor, RearView Monitor, auxiliary audio/video input jack, iPod net and 2GB Music Server are added to the new optional Monitor Package (USB connectivity also included); DVD playback capability, streaming audio via Bluetooth technology and XM NavWeather are added to Technology Package; XM Satellite Radio becomes standard on Maxima 3.5 SV; and the previous iPod connectivity is changed to USB connectivity. Also added are two new exterior colors, Crimson Black and Ocean Gray.
The Japanese luxury automaker Lexus recently unveiled the HS 250h in Detroit, showing the world the automaker’s fourth hybrid and the most fuel-efficient vehicle in their lineup. The company has just announced that when it does go on sale, it will be available in two different trim levels: standard and premium, with prices ranging from $34,200 to $36,970.
The Lexus HS 250h is powered by the automaker’s first four cylinder gas burning engine, a 2.4 Liter Atkinson-cycle unit that develops a maximum output of 187 HP. The engine is able to achieve extreme efficiency thanks to Toyota’s Variable Valve Timing with intelligence. The VVT-i system allows the combustion/power stroke to be longer than the compression stroke allowing the thermodynamic energy to be more effectively used to produce power.
The production version of the HS 250h will feature four different drive modes: Normal, Power, Eco and EV. Each different mode can help enhance the vehicle’s efficiency by changing the rate that the engine’s throttle opens no matter how hard the accelerator is pressed. Lexus expects that this type of engine control will be good for 35 MPG in the city and 34 MPG while cruising at highway speeds.
