Mazda showed a freshened RX-8 alongside their race-inspired Furai concept at the 2008 Detroit show. The 2009 model features several evolutionary tweaks as well as a new sporty option package.

On the outside, all RX-8s will get revised front fascias, bumpers, headlights and taillights. The exhaust tips are also larger, now measuring 90 mm. The front fender side gills have been replaced with smaller openings that now house turn indicators.

A redesigned center stack joins a new steering wheel on the interior. The tachometer also gets an update and will now vary the red zone depending on engine temperature. Redesigned seating in all four spots aims to increase rear leg room.

Driving dynamics weren’t ignored in the update. A trapezoidal strut tower brace adds rigidity up front, while rear suspension geometry has been revised for better handling.

A new R3 option package - an homage to the R1 and R2 packages offered on the RX-7 - adds some attitude to the RX-8. A sport suspension with Bilstein shocks is paired with foam-filled front suspension crossmembers for a smoother ride and more control. Exterior bits include a rear spoiler, side sills, fog lights and a sportier front bumper. Nineteen-inch forged alloy wheels are wrapped in performance rubber. The interior gets Recaro front seats, a 300-watt Bose sound system, and convenience options like Bluetooth and Mazda’s keyless entry and start system.

The 2009 RX-8 will continue as the only mass-produced rotary-engined car on the market today.

Full Review can view here : http://www.automotive.com/2008/12/mazda/rx-8/reviews/index.html

So big it’s scary?

Not only are the sales of largest SUVs declining, resale value is also racing downward. All of this as happened as GM’s large hybrid SUVs have hit the road, but are these hybrid vehicles the solution to high gas costs for SUV drivers?

Probably not. In the last two months GM has sold a combined 1000 such hybrids combined.

It’s not that hybrid SUVs, such as the Chevy Tahoe hybrid or the GMC Yukon hybrid, don’t offer a huge increase in fuel economy, they do. With a 50 percent improvement in city fuel economy, these hybrid SUVs provide a great increase in fuel economy over their conventional counterparts. But they are still huge, and they cost $50,000+.

For those needing a large SUV, these hybrid SUVs are a good deal. For everyone else, however, smaller vehicles seem to be looking better by the minute, or at least every penny that gasoline prices increase.

Article source : http://www.hybridcarblog.com/2008/05/can-hybrid-technology-save-large-suvs.html

The 2009 Toyota Corolla is a new car, the 10th generation of the world’s most popular passenger car. More than 30 million have been sold in more than 140 different countries. With five distinct models there is something for everyone; and those looking for a hatchback, wagon, or all-wheel-drive can check out the Toyota Matrix which shares many mechanical components.

Working from a concept developed for the first Corolla, the new one shows you can make a car inexpensive without it being cheap. It feels more like a small car than an econobox, as much a smaller Camry as anything else. There is no hybrid version: 27/35 mpg is nothing to sneeze at, hybrid technology isn’t inexpensive, and the Prius has that covered.

Younger and older buyers alike appreciate low purchase and operating costs, and previously Corollas have proven reliable and not an expensive insurance proposition. First-time drivers will do well with straightforward controls, minimal distractions, and standard passive safety equipment, and many older drivers will appreciate the same things for different reasons.

For the ultimate low-budget wheels you turn to the Corolla base model, but it has manual, wind-up windows and manual door locks. Upgrading to the Corolla LE includes power windows and door locks. If you fancy a fancier interior, the woodgrain trim in the Corolla XLE goes in that direction, although you can’t get leather. Finally, there are two sportier models, the Corolla S which looks the part and has some seat and chassis upgrades, and the Corolla XRS which brings a bigger engine, brakes, and tires to the party.

No matter the model, the Toyota Corolla is a hop-in-and-go kind of car. The control layout logic is multi-generational and quick to master. It’s so simple you can easily trade drivers over long distances, and so common you won’t be without a car for months if they damage your ride.

more review at : http://www.automotive.com/2009/12/toyota/corolla/reviews/index.html

If you’ve ever stopped to wonder why gas prices have risen so drastically, you cannot discount the rise of the Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV). These popular vehicles have been classified as trucks, rather than passenger cars … as a result, they have historically been excused from the strictest governmental gas mileage mandates. Take a look at the long list of SUV gas mileage figures shown here and you’ll gain a new understanding of their impact on the marketplace. The good news is that the automakers are taking their responsibility seriously.

The 2007 Ford Escape Hybrid takes the crown as with the best gas mileage in the SUV category. The front wheel drive version of the Ford Escape Hybrid delivers 31 city and 29 highway miles per gallon, while the four wheel drive version delivers 28 city and 27 highway. The Mariner, Mercury’s version of the Escape, delivers similar mileage. All of the Ford and Mercury hybrid SUVs use 2.3 liter four cylinder engines, mated to CVT automatic transmissions. These numbers represent a great start for Ford, as it seeks to offset the figures produced by the thirsty V-8s offered in the Expedition and Explorer.

Lexus and Toyota have a high-MPG pair of hybrid cousins, as well. The two wheel drive versions of the Lexus RX 400h and Toyota Highlander Hybrid mate a 3.3 liter six cylinder engine to a CVT Automatic to deliver 28 city and 25 highway miles. The 4WD versions of the RX 400h and Highlander Hybrid, come in at just a tick less, with 27 city and 25 highway.

The Saturn Vue Hybrid puts in a respectable first showing for General Motors at 23 city, 29 highway. With GMs history with the EV1 electric, we expect a whole lot more in a short amount of time. The American consumer will not wait for the General to play catch up.

Articles is lifted from :http://www.mpgomatic.com/best_gas_mileage_suv.html

Sky-high gas prices have many armchair economists thinking about the bubbles of yore: Tulips, dot-coms with no revenue model, and gated communities in suburban Phoenix. While the “what comes up must come down” rule usually applies, there’s no guarantee we’ll ever see $3 gas again—much less $2. Here’s why:

8. Peak production is a matter of “when,” not “if.” Though there is a hot debate among energy analysts over how much higher daily crude production can go, it’s almost universally accepted that we’re closing in on the end of limitless new oil discoveries. 1978 was the last year that more oil was discovered than was used, meaning that available oil we know about at a any given time has been dropping annually.

7. Speculation. After the collapse of the housing market triggered inflationary fears, investment banks, hedge funds, and commodities traders began looking to oil trading as a hedge against inflation. Sure, the dramatic increase in trading volume for oil futures has added demand to market, but there’s little reason to expect it to cool down before demand outpaces supply. Goldman Sachs says $200 barrels are on their way, and based on the way energy traders have been acting recently, it would appear that many others are in agreement.

6. The falling dollar. Since oil is traded in dollars, inflation for us means that many poorer countries can effectively buy oil cheaper. That’s good news for developing economies like China and India whose growth has spurred an explosion of new oil demand. It’s bad news for the United States, Europe, and carbon emissions.

continue reading "Eight Reasons Why $2 Gas is Gone for Good"

The Cabriolet is a very capable and likeable car.

Driving
Audi says it has stiffened the structure of the open-top A3, but it still lacks rigidity. It is prone to tremors on rough surfaces, which rattle the A-pillars and steering wheel. This harms the car’s overall comfort – suspension is absorbent, but the chassis shakes upset refinement and mean the A3 isn’t as relaxing as it should be. Cruise on a smooth surface, and it’s quiet, although body control and composure suffer elsewhere. That’s a shame, as handling isn’t as incisive as it could be, either. It is nose-heavy, the steering isn’t as sharp and the brakes are soft. However, this is not a major failing, as few people buy convertibles for the driving experience. Luckily, the range of engines is much better, particularly the excellent 2.0-litre TFSI.
continue reading "Audi A3 Cabriolet"

Minivans have replaced the station wagons of a few decades ago with better gas mileage, more convenient seating interiors, and more stylish exteriors. The demand for SUV’s has also dropped in the last few years as gas prics continue to climb and minivans are a great alternative compared to gas gusling SUVs. Honda and Toyota lead the field of minivans with their Odyssey and Sienna models which clearly outshine the other manufacturers in consumer reports. One of the first things that couples look for when purchasing a minivan is the safety record so that they know their family will be safe. The recent 2007 buying guide from Consumer Reports listd both the Honda Odyssey and Toyota Sienna as the only 2 minivans with excellent ratings. Minivans have slowly risen in price over the last decade and now the more expensive models are close to $35,000.

What should you look for when buying a minivan? Beyond crash test reports and mileage, there are countless other features to consider when purchasing a new minivan. Reliability is a huge factor for families in the minivan market as no one wants to keep fixing a broken down car. The Toyota Sienna received the highest marks amongst the minivans for “predicted reliability” which is based on customer satisfaction ratings. Other safety issues to consider are accident avoidance, rollover resistance, blind zones, and power-window switches.
continue reading "Minivan Reviews and Buying Guide:"

First previewed in 2007, the all-new tenth-generation Lancer Evolution was introduced by Mitsubishi for the 2008 model year, continuing the nameplate’s tradition of high performance in a small-displacement four-passenger sedan.

The Evo X is offered in two trim levels. The entry-level GSR is offered with a five-speed manual transmission, Recaro Sport seats and Enkei wheels, as well as optional spoiler, HID headlights, and upgraded sound system.

The upgraded MR includes Mitsubishi’s new Twin Clutch Sportronic Shift Transmission (TC-SST), Eibach springs and Bilstein shock absorbers, lightweight brake rotors and BBS forged-alloy wheels, and extra sound insulation, as well as optional navigation, upgraded audio with Sirius Satellite reception, and leather seats.

Both trim levels feature the new all-aluminum 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder MIVEC4 motor producing 295 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque and Super All Wheel Control (S-AWC) drive system.

The S-AWC system, which regulates torque and braking at each wheel includes a bevy of acronyms: ASC (Active Stability Control), ACD (Active Center Differential), AYC (Active Yaw Control) and Sport ABS, an ABS system designed for aggressive driving. The biggest difference over the outgoing car is the large number of yaw sensors included in the system, all designed to keep the Evo X on its intended path. The S-AWC system can be set for three different road surfaces: tarmac (standard), ice and gravel
continue reading "Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X"