Last year at the New York Auto Show Kia showed off the Koup, which had obvious design links to the Forte but was still good enough to make our top 10 concept cars of 2008. This week was back in New York Kia to show off the production version of the Forte Koup, and we’re happy to report it hasn’t changer much from the concept.
The idea for the car is simple: a sleeker coupe look for the sharp Forte sedan. That also means the engine lineup won’t change from the sedan. The Koup will be available with either a 156 hp 2.0-liter or 173 hp 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine. Both engines are mated to either a six-speed manual or a five-speed automatic transmission.
So what makes this car so special? Well, although Kia has not released pricing for the Forte Koup, we’re operating under the assumption that it will be in line with the rest of Kia’s budget-minded lineup. That means a car that looks better than a Honda Civic coupe (opinions vary) with plenty of money left over. The after-market is going to have a field day with this one.
Press release after the jump.
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Unveiled back in 2008, the 21st century Dodge Challenger is entering the 2010 model year with a few new fun upgrades including the SE Rallye package as well as the full blown Super Track Pack which include a set of sticky Goodyear Eagle F1 Super Car tires wrapped around the 20 inch rollers, fancy front and rear Nivomat self leveling shock absorbers, larger diameter rear stabilizer bar for better handling, a taller 3.06 rear gear for increased fuel economy in the V8 powered R/T model, performance brake linings for increased durability and the all important enthusiast inspired “ESC-off” setting that will allow owners to hang the tail out and roast sme rubber all starting at just $23,460.
The Challenger SE is the tamest of the trio, powered by a 3.5 Liter V6 making 250 HP and is mated to a four speed automatic transmission. The SE is easily identified by its 17 inch steel wheels with bolt on covers. For a few thousand dollars more you can get significantly more power with the Challenger R/T, powered by a next generation 5.7 Liter HEMI V8 connected to either a five speed automatic with Auto Stick or a precision shift six speed manual transmission with a pistol grip shifter pumping out 370 HP that can sprint from 0 to 60 MPH in less than six seconds.
The SRT-8 remains the top of the line Challenger with its 6.1 Liter HEMI V8 cranking out 425 HP and 420 lb-ft of torque which is good for a 0 to 60 MPH time of less than 5 seconds and can go from 0-100-0 MPH in under 17 seconds. The largest of the Hemi offerings is mated to either a five speed automatic transmission with the famed AutoStick or the six speed manual with pistol grip shifter.
Full details after the jump.
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It has been less then a year since we saw the new Z33 replace the old 350Z Roadster with the 370Z Roadster, a lighter, shorter and more powerful version of the classic sports car. However as the top goes down the asking price goes up to $36,970 from the fixed roof version’s sub $30,000 starting point.
Just like the 370Z coupe, the rag top is powered by a 3.7 Liter DOHC V6 making 332 HP, up 26 HP from the old VQ35 engine thanks to the new Variable Valve Event and Lift control (VVEL) which manipulates the motor’s breathing too ensure optimum respiration and allows for the car’s redline to be raised by 1000 revs all the way up to 7500 RPM while returning an estimated fuel economy of 18 MPG in the city and 25 MPG on the highway. The engine is mated to either a seven speed automatic with Downshift Rev Matching or a close ratio six speed manual with throttle blipping SynchroRev Match for perfectly matched heel toe downshifting.
The 370Z Roadster is being offered in two different trim levels, made up of the base 370Z Roadster and a Touring edition. The more luxurious version will be available with more upgrade packages consisting of the Sport Package that brings a set of 19 inch RAYS forged wheels wrapped in sticky Bridgestone Potenza tires, Nissan Sport Brakes, the SynchroRev Match feature on the 6 speed manual version and a Viscous Limited Slip Differential to ensure that the driver can get the tail out whenever desired. There will also be a Navigation Package that is based on a Hard Drive Nissan Navigation System as well as a 9.3GB Music Box Hard Drive and USB connectivity for all your MP3 playing needs at speed with the wind in your hair and the sun on your face.
Full details and more pics in the press release after the jump.
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While a tall SUV with more power than a BMW M5 may not be the most ideal vehicle, if a company was going to create one, at least its BMW. At this week’s New York Auto Show the BMW X5 M will make its first public appearance. The superfast SUV will share the stage with its mechanically similar stalemate, the X6 M.
The X5 M is powered by BMW’s twin-turbo 4.4-liter V8 engine. The new turbos combined with a revised exhaust manifold creates 555 hp in this application. THis is a 205 hp step up from the next most powerful X5, the 350 hp X5 xDrive48i. It’s mated to a six-speed M Sports Automatic transmission, and both the engine and transmission are shared with the X6 M.
As we’ve seen from the lightly covered spy shots, the X5 M gets new front bumpers with large jowls to help with air intake. The M package also includes 20-inch alloy wheels and a full body kit.
More pics and full breakdown in the press release after the jump.
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Hyundai unveiled at the New York Auto Show the 2010 Genesis Coupe, a purpose-built rear-wheel drive sport coupe featuring two performance-focused engines – a 212-hp, 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine and a range-topping all-aluminum, 306-hp, DOHC 3.8-liter V6 engine. Genesis Coupe is scheduled to join the Hyundai lineup in the spring of 2009.
2010 Genesis Coupe was shown as a concept at the 2007 Los Angeles Auto Show and its transformation from concept to production reveals that its signature design features have emerged intact.
Genesis Coupe is lighter than the Infiniti G37, and its chassis is also 24 percent stiffer in bending rigidity than the BMW E46 M3. Rear-wheel drive provides a 55:45 front/rear weight distribution.
Two engines infuse Genesis Coupe with performance. The 3.8-liter Lambda DOHC V6 engine delivers an estimated 306 hp and 263 lb.-ft. of torque on regular unleaded. This engine will launch the Genesis Coupe from 0 to 60 miles per hour in under 6 seconds.
The turbocharged, intercooled 2.0-liter DOHC inline four-cylinder benefits from CVVT on both the intake and exhaust camshafts. The 2.0-liter turbo generates an estimated 212 hp and 217 lb.-ft. of torque. It also features a cast-aluminum cylinder block and cylinder head. Both engines feature a free flowing dual cat-back exhaust and an available limited slip differential to put the power to the ground.
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Subaru was having a little bit of trouble moving Legacy wagons in the mid-90s, so it raised the ride hight and added a little body cladding. The Outback was born, and since then it’s gone to replace the entire Legacy wagon line in the U.S. Since Subaru used the New York Auto Show to premiere the production version of the new Legacy sedan, then it’s no surprise the Outback was right there too.
The engine lineup is straight out of the new Legacy. There is a choice of the 170 hp 2.5-liter boxer four or the 256 hp 3.6-liter boxer six (the 2.5-liter turbocharged engine in the Legacy is skipped.) The new outback is wider, longer and taller than its predecessor, and offers the same distinctive “cat eye” look of the Legacy sedan.
Full breakdown in the press release after the jump.
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New sedans usually aren’t that exciting, but Subaru was able to take the Legacy from a concept version at the Geneva Motor Show in March to a production to be shown next week in New York.
We like the Legacy because of the distinction it provides. For those who choose the family sedan, it can sometimes be hard to stick out from the crowd without taking styling to the extreme. The Legacy has always been relatively attractive and is distinctively a Japanese sedan. It’s also sold in numbers in the U.S. that ensure it won’t get lost in the mall parking lot.
When the new Legacy arrives for the 2010 model year, the engine lineup will be improved. The base 2.5-liter boxer four cylinder makes the same 170 hp as in the previous model, but Subaru claims the fuel economy is improved. The turbocharged version of this engine available in the 2.5GT has been raised from 243 hp to 265 hp. The line is now topped by a 3.6-liter six cylinder boxer engine (its the one from the WRX). It offers 11 more hp than the 3.0-liter unit it replaces, and this one runs on regular gas (the 3.0 required premium fuel).
Full details in the press release after the jump.
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Pontiac’s Torrent was not exactly the best fit to share the platform of the Chevrolet Equinox SUV. So for the new Equinox, the SUV-friendly GMC get the variation with the Terrain. Prices for the 2010 Terrain range from $24,995 for the SLE1 model and go up to $29,995 for the SLT2 model.
Just like it’s Equinox twin, the GMC Terrain will be offered with a choice of two engines: a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that delivers 182 hp (estimated 30 mpg) and a more powerful 3.0-liter V6 engine with 264 hp. Both engines will be mated to a six-speed automatic transmissions, and will be available in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive.
While on paper this may seem like a purely badge-engineered version of the Equinox, there is more to the Terrain. Although mechanically similar, the Equinox still goes for the look of a Lexus RX 350, the Terrain is going after a tougher truck-like market.
Video and press release after the jump.
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Nissan unveiled today at the New York Auto Show the 2009 Maxima, a model that marks a return to the longtime Nissan flagship sedan’s roots as a commanding 4-door sports car – a vehicle that is unique in both appearance and driving feel.
For five previous generations, Maxima has been built on a front-wheel drive (FWD) platform. Yet with the new Maxima’s development team everything was open for discussion, including the benefits of front-wheel drive versus rear-wheel drive (RWD). Although there are well-known advantages of RWD in terms of sporty handling, it was ultimately decided that by switching Maxima from its previous platform to Nissan’s new “D platform,” which was first introduced on the current Nissan Altima Sedan, Hybrid and Coupe, the target Maxima performance could be delivered – without giving up the added FWD benefits of lower costs, lower weight and enhanced roominess versus a RWD platform.
For 2009, Maxima again features a standard 3.5-liter VQ-series V6 engine, enhanced and refined to take its driving performance to new levels. The engine delivers 290 hp and 261 lb-ft of torque (estimated), increases of 35 horsepower and 9 lb-ft of torque over the 2008 Maxima. All 2009 Maximas come equipped with a revised Xtronic CVT with manual mode, tuned specifically for Maxima’s sporty driving character.
Full details after the jump.
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