Sergio Marchionne, CEO of Fiat SpA, has finally announced details of Fiat’s aggressive five-year plan today and, we have to admit, we are very excited about them. We are not going to prolong the information with a lot of fancy talk about the history or expectations of these new models because we don’t have to. Forget the potatoes, salads, and other side dishes, here’s the beef: a new Enzo in 2012, an open-top Spider variant of the 458 Italia due in 2011, a 458 Scuderia in 2013, a V12-powered 612 Scaglietti, a new 599, and a facelift version for the California. That’s, count ’em, six new cars before 2013. Ahhh, we love the smell of new car in the air.
The new Enzo will be powered by a direct-injection twin-turbo V8 or a direct-injection twin-turbo V6. It will also feature Ferrari’s new-generation aerodynamic technology, including ‘active aerodynamics’ that pump air out through the body to influence the way air flows over and under the skin. Details on the other models have not yet been revealed, but updates will come as soon as those details have emerged.
Not only is Ferrari working on new models, but Maserati is also currently working on a sub-Quattroporte sedan that will compete with models like the Mercedes-Benz E-Class and BMW 5 Series. Following that is this little tidbit; a new Quattroporte is also said to be in the works.
The 2010 New York International Auto Show will be taking place April 2nd-11th, 2010 at the Jacob Javits Convention Center in New York City. Show times are from 11am-10:30pm and tickets are still available at the official website. However, if you want to get some sneak peeks at a few of the new 2011 automobiles that will be showcased at this show then you have come to the right place. We have a list of the hottest “It” cars that will be featured in New York.
"Whether you’re in the mood for a new car, or just fantasizing about your dream ride of the future, the New York Auto Show has got just what you’re looking for," said Show Director Candida Romanelli.
Follow the jump for the list of “It” cars making the 2010 New York Auto Show.
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Cadillac is getting serious about the European market, and that’s evident with the new 2010 CTS Sport Wagon. While wagons have not always been the preference for North American customers, the extra space finds favor with European customers. The wagon was a natural evolution for Cadillac considering the CTS was designed to compete with sedans from Germany such as the Audi A4 and the BMW 3-Series. The more aggressive lines suggest that the CTS Sport Wagon is going after A4 Avant customers.
The base engine in North America will be the 3.6-liter 263 horsepower V-6. Optional will be a the 3.6-liter with added direct injection, which increases output to 304 horsepower. There is also a 2.9-liter turbo-diesel V-6 engine option making 250 horsepower for the European and Asian markets. The gas engine V-6 Sport Wagon’s fuel economy is expected to be similar to the peak rating of the sedan’s 26 mpg highway rating. All will be available with either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission as well as all-wheel drive.
UPDATE 09/02/2010: Check out our review of the CTS Sport Wagon by clicking here!
Full details in the press release after the jump.
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While Chevrolet is still setting the stage for the future of battery powered vehicles with the Volt, the Japanese automaker Nissan has been perfecting the art of the electric car for over 60 years now and their all new LEAF BEV is just about ready to roll off the assembly line in order to become the first mass market affordable electric car. As part of the Nissan LEAF Zero Emission Tour, the hamburger brand brought their Aqua globe show car from Detroit all the way down to Orlando where we got a chance to get up close and personal with it and a ride behind the wheel of the user friendly test mule that features all of the parts that make it work. Nissan has been investing heavily in the advancement of lithium ion technology ever since they teamed up with NEC to produce revolutionary hybrid battery packs that produce nearly twice the energy density compared to traditional units which mean they will last longer with a much more potent charge that have powered everything from fictional animatronics dinosaurs in Jurassic Park to texting teenager’s cell phones in Japan’s Shibuya district.
The LEAF is about as green as a new car can get, not only does it lack a tailpipe to emit harmful emissions, but the seats were made from recycled plastic bottles and even the tire supplier was chosen because of their diminutive carbon footprint. Despite being an electric car with a compact electric motor in place of an internal combustion engine under the hood, Nissan has chosen to keep with the traditional two box layout, albeit quite curvaceous and a bit wide in the back. Nissan chosen to set the LEAF apart from the rest of the lineup with a variety of blue anodized emblems and Zero emissions logos. The LEAF offers room for five and lots of cargo thanks to the ultra low shelf in the trunk, and even fully loaded, the additional weight won’t compromise the LEAF’s range. Speaking of distances, Nissan expects that their new electric vehicle will be able to travel up to 100 miles between charges, more than enough for the average daily commute, and reach a 90 MPH top speed, making it more than adequate for highway use.
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The fifth generation Legacy has undergone a complete restyling for 2010 and our Azurite Blue Pearl 2.5 GT features a bold new design that features a larger one bar grill and a set of Subaru’s new hawk eye headlamps. On the outside, aside from the larger 18 inch wheels, the only thing that gives away the GT as a performance model is the functional hood scoop feeding fresh air across the turbocharged Legacy’s intercooler. The 2.5 GT wears the same bulging fenders as the rest of the lineup as well as their signature side skirts that jut out more than down, giving the Legacy a very wide and stable stance. The 2010 Legacy is a nod at the future of automobile design with its sweptback windshield and short trunk overhang that is more aerodynamic than the traditional three box shape.
Subaru considers their products to be premium automobiles, and it shows on the inside. Our Limited trim Legacy came with a very attractive leather wrapped steering wheel as well as supple seats and a dash adorned with sophisticated wood trim that carries over into the door cards. The 2010 Legacy has been completely redesigned in the interest of a roomier interior and the new car is the most spacious and luxurious Subaru sedan to date. Being the sportiest member of the Legacy lineup, the 2.5 GT is powered by a turbocharged version of Subaru’s 2.5 Liter flat four making 265 HP mated to a six speed manual gearbox and is good for a 0 to 60 MPH sprint of only 5.9 seconds.
Legacy fans will be glad to know that Subaru is taking the car road racing in the Japanese Super GT series as a GT300 race car competitor, and once you have a look at the flared four door, you will never look at the new Legacy the same way again. Starting a just under $30,000 our Limited model benefited from a $3,000 power moonroof and navigation system that brought our 2.5 GT’s asking price up to $34,146; not a bad price to pay for so much all wheel drive machine.
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