Auto News: 2011 Ford Mustang GT to offer 412-horsepower 5.0-liter V8

Following a supposed leak on Facebook and twitter, several outlets and blogs such as Inside Line and Autoblog, which had already been tipped off under-the-table by FoMoCo, confirmed that the 2011 Mustang GT will get a new 5.0-liter V8 engine delivering a respectable 412 ponies. The new powerplant will replace the Neolithic 4.6-liter V8 unit with its pathetic -for an engine of this size and this era- output of 315-horsepower.

In comparison, the 2010 Chevy Camaro SS gets a 426HP 6.2-liter V8 while the 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8, a 6.1-liter Hemi V8 with 425 ponies.

Do the math, and Ford's V8 makes 82.4 HP per liter, GM's V8 churns out 68.7 HP per liter and Chrysler's Hemi, 69.7 HP per liter.

Unless Ford plans to hold back until the year 2020 and surprise our kids the next generation of Mustang owners, we assume that, unlike the current GT which gets 5-speed transmissions, the new V8 engine will be coupled to 6-speed gearboxes in both manual and automatic forms.

We remind you that at last month's LA Auto Show, FoMoCo unwrapped the 2011 Mustang V6 with a new 3.7-liter six-cylinder engine producing 305-horsepower.

Source: Carscoop

Great Wall cars headed to Europe in 2010

Great Wall Phenom Concept -- Click above for high-res image

Not to be deterred by the woes and recent fate of Brilliance -- or perhaps, having learned from it -- vehicles from Great Wall, the Chinese automaker, will be imported to Europe next year by the UK-based I.M. Group. Brilliance, you might remember, suffered a disastrous couple of crash tests that doomed the company's chances pretty much everywhere. Even after it rebounded with a much improved design, people couldn't un-see and un-remember the catastrophe that was the BS6, and the company's German importer went under.

I.M. Group already imports Subaru, Isuzu, and Daihatsu. That not only gives it some of the best experience possible in bringing Asian cars to Europe, that means it isn't solely reliant on Great Wall to be a success. As well, I.M. is starting with Eastern Europe, planning imports to Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania first, with further expansion planned for 2011.

We'll say for the record that if Great Wall builds the Phenom Concept (pictured) as is, and the car gets a good crash rating, we'd have absolutely no problem giving it a try. Even with a that grille. You can read the I.M. Group's release after the jump.

Source: Auto Blog

The new Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet: Four seasons, four personalities

•  Comfortable: AIRCAP® automatic draught-stop plus AIRSCARF®
•  Quiet: acoustic soft top as standard
•  Safe: robust roll-over protection and new headbags

The highly attractive and emotionally charged Cabriolet is the latest addition to the successful Mercedes-Benz E-Class line-up. The open-top two-door model, which goes on sale on 11 Jan 2010, features a classic fabric soft top, making for a stylistically pure equipage feeling. Viewed from the side, the newborn support is an intriguing proposal – with its clear proportions and a flawless equipage silhouette.

In keeping with the motto "four seasons, quaternary personalities", all-year-round suitability was correct at the crowning of the developers' list of priorities. With the infant E-Class Cabriolet, the equipment form lasts the full assemblage because, while some cabriolets tend to finish from the anchorage of Western aggregation in the autumn, the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Cabriolet (length/breadth/height: 4698/1786/1402 mm) provides driving pleasure and comfort whether the roof is unstoppered or closed.

New features include:

• The AIRCAP® automatic draught-stop: ever on authorisation and easily manageable at the near of a button, it reduces turbulence substantially for all four seat occupants
•  The restricted AIRSCARF® neck-level vaporisation system
• The acoustic fleecy crowning fitted as standard

The soft crowning can be opened and closed fully automatically within 20 seconds – modify when driving at speeds of up to 40 km/h. The equipment roof is stowed in a primary compartment behind the side panel. A retractable counterbalance separates the soft crowning compartment from the festinate area; it must be closed in visit to near the soft top. If the roof is to rest closed, the counterbalance can be slid rearwards, in which housing the festinate power is increased by 90 litres to 390 litres. A through-loading feature is included as standard for the newborn Cabriolet, as is EASY-ENTRY – a manually

operated entry and opening aid for the side passengers.

The powerplants for the newborn E-Class Cabriolet are equally innovative: the newborn direct-injection diesel and petrol models combine efficiency with effortlessly crack noesis delivery. The exemplary, vocalist render consumption has not only been achieved because of the newborn engines, but also with a sort of applicatory measures. These include on-demand activation of the curb and render pumps, the ingest of tyres with vocalist rolling resistance and an alternator curb system which takes account of the current dynamical status and the vehicle's electrical noesis requirements, plus the crucial factor of complimentary aerodynamics. The Cabriolet's cd amount of 0.28 is the best in its class, marking a postscript of the E-Class success news in the earth of aerodynamics.
An overview of the engines:

1.  E 220 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 125 kW (170 hp)
2.  E 250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 150 kW (204 hp)
3.  E 350 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 170 kW (231 hp)
4.  E 200 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 135 kW (184 hp
5.  E 250 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 150 kW (204 hp)
6.  E 350 CGI BlueEFFICIENCY Cabriolet: 215 kW (292 hp)
7.  E 500 Cabriolet: 285 kW (388 hp)

Less turbulence, easier to use: AIRCAP® is a world-first

In 1989, Mercedes-Benz introduced a world premiere in the shape of a draught-stop for the SL model series, followed in 2004 by the AIRSCARF® neck-level vaporisation system to further compound comfort in open-top models. Now comes another world-first: the AIRCAP® semiautomatic draught-stop, which can be activated at the push of a button, greatly reduces turbulence in the interior of the newborn Mercedes E-Class Cabriolet, creating a seafaring of warm air. It is also such easier to implement and use than customary draught-stops: there is no tricky installation, the digit individual lateral seats rest free and the Cabriolet's flowing lateral lines rest uninterrupted. AIRCAP® is thence a classic Mercedes innovation: functional, comfort-enhancing, elegant and safe.

AIRCAP® consists of two components: a wind deflector that can be extended by around sextet centimetres with a net in the windscreen inclose and a draught-stop between the rear seats.

The functions of the two components:

1.  Elevation of the free flow above the interior
2.  Net at the front increases the basic pressure in the interior
3.  Draught-stop at the rear reduces the backflow

As well as enhancing dweller comfort and wellbeing, the reduction in pulling when AIRCAP® is reactive (it can be reactive at speeds of up to 160 rate and remains in ingest right up to the car's crowning speed) reduces the inland racket level – so passengers in all seats find it far easier to communicate.

The Cabriolet Comfort package includes AIRCAP® with AIRSCARF®. This patented system functions like an concealed scarf, which warms the occupants' head and neck areas. AIRSCARF® is integrated into the backrests of the face seats and provides warm expose finished outlets in the head restraints.
The Mercedes engineers hit modified this unique innovation specifically for the E-Class Cabriolet: in this model, an fitting wheel pivots the outlet nose upwards and downwardly by a total of 36 degrees over and above the nous restraint height adjustment, meaning that the driver and front traveller can enjoy the unique neck-level heating disregarding of how short or gangly they are.

Quiet, hearty and windproof: acoustic fleecy crowning fitted as standard

Thanks to its acoustic fleecy top, fitted as standard, modify the closed E-Class Cabriolet has digit of the quietest interiors in the segment for four-seater payment cabriolets with a fabric roof. The fleecy top's exceptionally high-quality detachment brings about a clearly noticeable reduction in the inland noise level compared to conventional fabric fleecy tops. Exterior noise caused by another vehicles and wind noise are therefore absorbed more effectively. On the road, the disagreement is audible from speeds of just 80 km/h, for example when dynamical finished a tunnel or overtaking a convoy of trucks. At higher speeds, the benefits of the acoustic fleecy crowning are modify more tangible. For instance, it is possible to hit a perfectly normal sound conversation in hands-free mode modify when travelling at a speed of over 200 km/h.
The fleecy top is of instruction tight and windproof. Plus it can be put through an semiautomatic carwash without some hesitation. With a total thickness of 23.5 mm, the fabric fleecy top offers excellent thermal insulation, meaning that the E-Class. Cabriolet is also saint for ingest in winter.

Safety: burly structure, anticipatory protection and windowbags

The new Cabriolet offers the wealth of safety innovations one would expect from a Mercedes model. Highlights of the open-top two-door help include roll-over protection, the A-pillars reinforced by digit additional tubes and the plug-in B-pillars. This new help is also the prototypal Mercedes cabriolet to feature headbags.

The roll-over endorsement consists of two robust bars, apiece with a diameter of 35 mm, which are housed in the lateral head restraints in modules behind the lateral centre backrests. A tilting cone sensor detects imminent danger to the occupants based on extremity skidding movements or speed caused by impact. If this sensor then sends a same signal, pre-tensioned pressure springs are activated by pyrotechnic means, i.e. extremely quickly.

Consequently, both roll-over exerciser in the lateral head restraints are extended. They accomplish their highest saucer and are locked automatically within a fraction of a second. In combination with the robust A-pillars, apiece of which is improved with two high-strength poise tubes, the poise exerciser provide highly effective roll-over protection.

The plug-in B-pillars are extremely robustly adjoining as they vow in the lateral skirts, thus substance highly effective endorsement in the circumstance of a crash. A shoe made from ultra-high-strength poise braces the inside of the B-pillar against the lateral centre crossmember.

With seven airbags fitted as standard, belt tensioners and belt force limiters for every seats, not to name crash-responsive head restraints for the utility and face passenger, the newborn E-Class Cabriolet offers the most extensive country equipment package in this container category. The airbags, which crapper deploy in milliseconds in the circumstance of an accident, include face airbags and sidebags for the utility and face passenger, a kneebag on the driver's side, and headbags. The latter, which appear in a Mercedes cabriolet for the prototypal time, are housed in the door panelling in the beltline area. Covering a panoramic area – around 0.7 x 0.5 metres with a volume of 17 litres when deployed – the airbags provide extremely effective endorsement for occupants large and small in the circumstance of a crash. The three-part lateral endorsement grouping – comprising headbag and thoraxbag – optimises the take of endorsement afforded to individualist parts of the body. Rear sidebags are acquirable as an option.

Further exemplary country equipment acquirable for the E-Class Cabriolet includes ATTENTION ASSIST somnolence detection, PRE-SAFE® anticipatory occupant

protection, the worldly Intelligent Light System, the Active Bonnet and DISTRONIC PLUS closeness control.

The E-Class range: four attractive models

An original family at the hunch of the brand

* Complete: the Cabriolet is the fourth help in the E-Class range

* Innovative: every variants are characterised by ground-breaking newborn products and features

* Successful: the E-Class is the clear leader in its mart segment

In March 2009 Mercedes-Benz embarked on the restoration of the E-Class help family - digit assemblage later, with the mart start of the Cabriolet, the portfolio module be complete. A sort of theoretical innovations hit been incorporated into the newborn E-Class which no added car in this collection is able to offer - from somnolence spotting to semiautomatic emergency braking when an happening is recognised as imminent, and from Adaptive Highbeam Assist to the active bonnet. The E-Class is digit the safest vehicles in its segment, a fact which has also been proven by independent break tests and the specialist press.

In addition, there is a panoramic selection of powerful and economical engines which is set to be systematically long over the coming months. Depending on model, these range from the original E 200 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY producing 100 kW (136 hp) up to the E 500 producing 285 kW (388 hp). There are also AMG versions producing 386 kW (525 hp) and the all-wheel intend grouping 4MATIC. Exemplary mechanics are still added feature of the help range: with a drag coefficient (Cd) of 0.25, the taphouse is the most aerodynamically economical four-door car in the world, patch the help range's Coupé achieves the best coverall figure for a series-production car with a Cd figure of just 0.24.

\"The restoration of the E-Class help family at the hunch of the Mercedes sort has come at exactly the right time. The success of the newborn E-Class shows that modify in what are today economically turbulent times, Mercedes sort values such as country and efficiency, combined with exciting design, savor particular significance among discerning customers\", explains Dr. Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of technologist AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

As such the E-Class is the clear leader in its mart segment: in Germany the E-Class Saloon enjoys a mart deal of around 60 proportionality in its respective segment, patch in Western Europe (excluding Germany) its deal is more than 40 percent.

The four models in the underway Mercedes luxury collection series:

* The E-Class Saloon: the benchmark in the luxury class. Market launch: March 2009

* The E-Class Coupé: excitement crapper be this efficient. Market launch: May 2009

* The E-Class Estate: intelligent (E)state-of-the-art. Market launch: November 2009 and

* The E-Class Cabriolet: the 4-seater for every 4 seasons. Market launch: March 2010

Besides the innovations which every of the models of this family share, the individualist variants hit a sort of newborn products and features to compound the comfort, country and attractiveness which are specific to this model. With the newborn AIRCAP® feature, enhanced AIRSCARF® and also the accepted acoustic fleecy top, the newborn E-Class Cabriolet for example provides all-year-round richness which is unequalled in the portion of open-top vehicles. \"The development of AIRCAP® is an example of the perseverance and tenacity of our engineers and technicians: certain of the client goodness of an semiautomatic draught-stop, our specialists hit finally found the Mercedes solution, which at the advise of a button helps to significantly turn turbulence in the car's interior for every passengers – it is easy to use and always there. In this way we are sanctioning our customers to savor comfortable, open-top dynamical every assemblage round\", says Dr. Thomas Weber, technologist Board Member for Corporate Research and Head of Development of Mercedes-Benz Cars.

For its part, in constituent to air suspension with self-levelling at the lateral as standard, the Estate help also provides unequalled newborn alluviation compartment management features.

\"Never before hit we had such an effective presence with our E-Class help series as we hit with today's range. Saloon, Estate, Coupé and Cabriolet every deal the same success gene, still attractiveness to our customers in a very individualist way. This variety has been extremely well conventional by our customers. With the newborn Cabriolet we are complementing our successful E-Class family with still added particularly emotionally attractive model, in which our customers crapper continue to savor the Cabriolet flavour modify longer thanks to the unequalled semiautomatic draught-stop\", confirms Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Head of Sales and Marketing of Mercedes-Benz Cars.
Source: Tuning News

FAB Design Porsche Panamera: A Full Broadside 2010

FAB Design has civilised the newborn Porsche Panamera and turned the conservative, standard product into a dream car.

The tuners from Mellingen have swollen their programme from one originally limited to Mercedes to now allow the FAB Exclusive Line. Here, mainly in accordance with customers' wishes, diminutive numbers - limited to no more than 15 - of other luxury brands are developed. In much a way were Maybach and McLaren refined. The FAB Panamera is, therefore, the prototypal - but definitely not the terminal - container from this newborn program that doesn't come from the concern of Daimler.

The sport limousine modified for the prototypal instance by FAB catches the receptor mainly because of its extrovertive Wide Bodykit. Its prefabricated of a sportily redesigned face element with powerful cooler intakes and an every close face spoiler. The face hood and other external accessories are naturally prefabricated of actual carbon.

The receptor of the beholder water immediately on the widened aerofoil that takes in the side passenger doors so elegantly that the container seems more like a coupe. In addition the side skirts were prefabricated to fit the organisation and connect the distinction of the face stage with the side of the container - on which is enthroned a completely newborn form of side mollycoddler that receives the best air stream from the roof mollycoddler and that ideally fits the vehicle's performance. Beneath it can be institute the FAB side touch with an desegrated diffuser and threesome trapeziform, centrally placed endpipes.

The copy material side wings mentioned above are designed to improve the output at the side of the vehicle, then the engineers from Mellingen haven't permit the performance go unnoticed.

After the change the 4.8 litre turbo delivers up to 700 PS. By mounting a lowering module the vehicle's edifice of somberness is lowered by around 20 millimetres. A sports braking grouping that peeps out from behind the three-part, 22 inch spoked rims takes care of the appropriate negative acceleration.

Daimler to pick new compact car partner

Despite rumors of technologist and Renault collaborating on a four-door Smart model, no authorised tie-up between the two companies has been announced. That could change next assemblage when technologist will reportedly decide who its small-car partner will be. technologist is effort modify more heavily into the development of small cars, both with its Smart sort and theMercedes-Benz A- and B Class offerings that might one day make it to America.

Renault is planning a line of ultra-cheap small cars and is swing together a range of electric vehicles that will certainly feature new, small platforms. Like Daimler, the French maker is talking to other companies about joining forces to save money on developing small cars, so a Daimler-Renault alliance isn't a fait accompli. According to Automotive News, technologist CEO Dieter Zetsche says the consort will foretell its chosen partner by the region of 2010.

Mitsubishi releases updated JDM Outlander Roadest with unique look

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander Roadest - click for high-res gallery

Normally when an automaker updates a model, even if it's meet a quick aesthetical change, the earlier version is treated like cheek meat – nobody wants it unless it's a real beatific deal, and the dealers meet want them gone.Mitsubishi evidently thinks its home-market module be kinder to the compact crossover-ute-thing we undergo and love as the Outlander.

While a newborn Evo-esque neb has been grafted onto our Outlander for 2010, the softer, senior version module move to be offered to JDM buyers alongside a more cosmetically battleful model. To avoid confusion, a country-specific rhinoplasty-enhanced help module be branded Outlander Roadest (note that the facia and, frame and foglamps are all distinct from the U.S. model), while the senior bodywork help module move on as meet stark \"Outlander.\" Regardless of the looks, both iterations module get a newborn 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine as standard, beatific for 148PS (about 146 horsepower). The offal-likeness is in endeavor with pricing as well, with the new-old Outlander selling for meet ¥1,995,000 (about $22,000) while the Roadest module bidding ¥2,475,900 ($27,100).

Top 10 most improved cars went from beasts to beauties

In making its listing call of the most reinforced cars over the time decade, list-loving Cars.com makes a valid saucer about the undertaking: it's a integrated blessing. Automakers are rightfully dinged for time mistakes patch existence given a measure of praise for sterilisation -- or at least glossing over -- oversights.

Just to ready things kosher, the list spans 2000-2009, excluding 2010 models. Vehicles had to be currently available for purchase as a new help to be eligible for the list. Here they are, from the most vastly reinforced to the much meliorate but not quite stupendous:

1. Chevrolet Malibu.

The Malibu has been a critical and income success since its redesign for 2008, especially in terms of its interior calibre and refinement. It's not only competitive with directive midsize sedans, it surpasses a few in some respects, including mileage. Its spot atop our most-improved list, though, has more to do with its slummy display in its preceding digit generations. It was a rental-car staple finished 2003, followed by an overly hyped redesign in 2004 whose peculiar styling, unclear steering and interior calibre didn't deliver.

2. Ford Mustang.

The Mustang's redesign for 2005 prefabricated it a very good car — and, at the time, the only remaining help in the muscle-car class. It's on this list, though, because its predecessor was beat. The 2004 help year was the car's 25th year on a platform author had daylong since abandoned for another purposes. Those 'Stangs shuddered out of dealerships as if bolts and welds were missing. The seating position and interior quality were equally unrefined. Come 2005, the new Mustang's retrospective styling was the highlight of machine shows and the driver of many, some sales, but the new chassis is what really kept this help in the game.

3. Toyota Prius.

The 2004-09 Toyota Prius is a occurrence — not simply because it's so efficient, inexpensive and reliable, nor because it has singlehandedly brought most global espousal of new and scary technology, thus earning its place among obloquy such as Model-T, Mustang and Caravan. No, it's a occurrence because even when it yielded its function to the next-generation 2010 Prius, it still reigned as the most efficient and inexpensive hybrid on the market. The original Prius that was sold in the U.S. — from 2001 to 2003 — was a technological triumph for its time, but it looked same the Echo auto sedan's bigger brother, and it was nothing same the phenomenon that presently took its place.

The Sonata, seen here as a 2009 model, was a styling breakthrough for Hyundai, which has gone on to raves for many of its other recent cars

By Hyundai

4. Hyundai Sonata.

Hyundai's revival in the U.S. rests on a three-legged stool, of which the 1999-2005 Sonata midsize sedan is digit leg (the other digit being the Santa Fe SUV and a groundbreakingly big warranty). Even so, the Sonata wasn't exactly exceptional. It was a step up from the preceding generation, yes, but it had a lingering low-budget closing and was a step behindhand the collection leaders in crash tests — managing to score Poor in a lateral collision in spite of its standard side-impact air bags. The 2006 redesign was a sucker-punch to the competition — a bargain-priced entry loaded with standard features, including six air bags and stability control. It had intense styling and competitive interior quality, both of which improved in 2009, along with power and efficiency.

5. Nissan Altima.

A little-known fact: The Nissan Altima is the third-best-selling midsize sedan in the U.S., nipping at the heels of Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. Its acquisition since 2002 is how it's provided sportier looks and driving than the bounteous dogs have, without sacrificing livability. Back in 2000, however, the once-successful Altima had outworn its welcome. It was technically a compact car, so it competed as much with Nissan's redesigned Sentra (also compact) as it did with the Camry and Accord — and forfeited on both counts. The upsizing was a beatific move, but the execution — in the Altima's 2002 and 2007 redesigns — was even better.

6. Kia Sportage.

Rather than picking a newborn name, Kia resurrected the Sportage name in 2005 after a two-year hiatus, so perhaps this is a technicality. We're citing the Sportage auto SUV because it represents a couple of essential milestones: the move from truck-based to car-based SUVs, and Kia's change from a punch line to a alarming mart competitor. Though a decent-looking little SUV, the 2000-02 Sportage was based on a rear-wheel-drive pushcart platform with old-fashioned recirculating-ball steering, an crude drivetrain, a noisy inland and — at best — 19 mpg. The 2005-09 Sportage, sister to the Hyundai Tucson, is a roomier, more refined car-based model that gets 22 mpg despite its additional features and reinforced (if mediocre) crashworthiness. It still isn't a class-leader, but the Sportage has become a daylong way.

7. Cadillac CTS.

When the Cadillac CTS hit the mart in 2003, American auto writers went overboard with praise. The car's handling was the closest any husbandly automobile had become to competing with European luxury sedans, which was promising, but the outdoor styling looked like it had been yanked soured the drawing board unfinished. The dashboard design was inspired by — we're not making this up — a tower PC. (What says \"luxury\" more than something you hide under your desk?) Incremental updates helped that car, but the CTS makes the list because of the brilliant 2008-09 model, perhaps the most world-class vehicle ever to become discover of Detroit. The styling, performance and inland calibre are stunning and quintessentially American. The current car's reliability is below average, but the first generation was modify worse. Hey, improvement is improvement!

8. Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

The painfully plain 2000 C-Class counted among its engines a supercharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder that had all the refinement of a burr grinder. Its aesthetics were as appealing as a large Mercedes, which is to say ... yawn. Thankfully, a 2001 redesign updated the C's exterior styling, though it still looked like an S-Class that had shrunk in the wash, and it had nothing on the BMW 3 Series in terms of action or youth appeal. For 2008, Mercedes got the message, and the C-Class leaves the decennium with edgier styling, more interior space and modify whatever sporty reflexes to lure buyers away from Audi and BMW.

The 2009 Cadillac Escalade added a lot of nice touches, like LED taillights, that made it an improvement over the previous versions.

CAPTION

By GM, Wieck

9. Cadillac Escalade.

The Escalade might not be the most popular help — or in the most popular container collection — as the current decade winds down, but 10 years past Lincoln was dominating imbibe culture with a concept any reasonable auto exec would have thought ridiculous: a full-size wealth SUV. GM, which was flooded of reasonable execs, saw the popularity — and the $15,000 profit on each Navigator sold — and promptly maltreated whatever Cadillac badges and leather on a Chevrolet Tahoe and called it the 1999 Escalade. Not enough lipstick, likewise such pig. But Cadillac went all-out for the 2001 model, which leapfrogged the Navigator in terms of noesis and interior quality, and before long it was the Caddy that you saw in the hands of hip-hop artists, actual and imagined. The Navigator never recovered. For posterity, drive a late-model Escalade or Escalade Hybrid before they're extinct. You'll be impressed.

10. Saturn Vue.

The Saturn Vue was in a relatively beatific position when it launched in 2002. The nascent car-based compact-SUV mart had only a handful of models. Unfortunately, the Vue was underwhelming. Even for its time, the interior had wrinkled patches and plenty of noise, and the electric power control wasn't primed for prime time. The continuously uncertain automatic transmission reinforced on some earlier examples, but the technology got even less attitude then than it does now. The 2008 Vue redesign garnered a activity more often attributed to the all-new Chevy Malibu: \"This is a GM interior?!\" The classed-up Vue is worlds meliorate than the original, but it's ease not generally meliorate than its compact SUV competitors — the oldest of which hold their advance to this day. The Vue's a bit small, a bit inefficient and a lot overlooked. In short: too little, too late. This is the news of the entire Saturn brand, whose early potential was squandered and whose modify is probable near.

Auto News: 2011 Ford Mustang GT and 5.0-liter V8 unwrapped early

2011 Ford Mustang GT – Click above for gallery of images

Thanks to whatever embargo breaking that's already occurred, we've known for a hebdomad that the 2011 author Mustang GT would arrange a brand newborn 5.0-liter V8 producing 412 horsepower and 390 pound-feet of torque. We thought those tidbits might hold over the internet 'till the authorised embargo date lifts primeval next week, but we were criminal and therefore are ease awake at 1:30 AM on Christmas morning writing this post. Thanks to Jalopnik via MustangHeaven via BurlappCars, we have the first images of the 2011 Mustang GT and its newborn 5.0-liter V8.

You can feature more about whatever of the engine's info that have already leaked here, but let's meet verify a look see at what we've got. Kudos to author for leaving the engine's tippy top unadorned and we also dig those 5.0 badges on the engine and fenders. Nostalgia FTW – OMG! An old fat man with a profit of stuff meet crawled out of my fire place! I think he's a burglar. Gotta go hide the silver, Merry Christmas!

Source: Auto Blog

Aston Martin Carbon Black Special Editions

Aston Martin’s two top-of-the-range sports cars; the DBS and V12 Vantage hit undergone a unique Carbon Black makeover to create a highly desirable special edition.

Celebrating the enormous success of the DBS and V12 Vantage which have surpassed every income expectations since launch, the new special editions add a typically understated flair to these acclaimed models. Featuring customized Carbon Negroid metallic makeup especially formulated with a subtle metallic twist to create a deep flush patina. Each car module participate 50 man-hours of assistance painting followed by stringent quality checks. For the V12 Vantage the iconic Aston histrion lateral strake has been fashioned from actual copy fibre backed by a black mesh and complimented with appearance black 10 crosspiece parcel turned alloy wheels. A gleaming finished grille and front parking sensors (normally an option) complete the outdoor detailing.

Inside, owners module be greeted to swathes of Obsidian Negroid leather highlighted with a oppositeness silver coarse stitch every assistance stitched by the craftspeople at Gaydon – Aston Martin’s orbicular headquarters in England.

Lightweight seats formed from Carbon Fibre and Kevlar action 17 kg over the standard edifice also feature together with Piano black facia trim, edifice arrange and edifice console, anodised black tread plates and unequalled sill plaques physique on the copy theme. The Aston histrion 700w Premium Audio System is delivered as standard in the V12 Vantage while the DBS boasts the Bang & Olufsen Beosound DBS audio system as standard.

Customers who visit a Carbon Negroid Edition V12 Vantage module have the possibleness to undergo Aston Martin’s renowned Performance Driving Course (UK and Europe only) liberated of charge which offers a memorable day helping customers to supply themselves with the noesis sets to enhance the enjoyment of their Aston histrion on the track.

The Carbon Negroid Editions are acquirable to visit from the official Aston histrion concern network now with final pricing (expected to be approximately 5% over current base prices) to be confirmed in the New Year with deliveries to commence from March.

About the Aston histrion DBS

The DBS was launched in 2007 and is Aston Martin’s eventual GT sports car. Benefitting from coefficient action materials including aluminium and copy fibre; the DBS offers impulsive and esthetical purity, an exquisite inland and a driving undergo unsurpassed by any other car in its coupe and Volante forms. Its assistance built V12 engine produces 380 kW (510 bhp / 517 PS) making it digit of the most coercive production cars Aston histrion has ever made. In 2009, the DBS ‘Volante’ (Aston Martin’s nomenclature for convertible) joined the DBS line-up

About the Aston histrion V12 Vantage

Launched in 2009, agility and unqualified performance form the foundation of the design of the V12 Vantage creating the most exciting incarnation of the Vantage line-up to date. The V12 Vantage subtly hints at its sporting intent with its controlled aggression and lower, purposeful stance. The naturally aspirated 6.0-litre V12 engine provides the utility with fast access to high levels of noesis and torque at every engine speeds, while Aston Martin’s class-leading, every alloy VH (Vertical Horizontal) structure provides exceptional capableness and rigidity.
Source: Tuning News