The 2009 Audi A4 is offered in sedan, cabriolet and wagon (Avant) body types. For 2009, the A4 offers various innovative technologies including the unique Quattro permanent all-wheel-drive system. This five-passenger wagon comes with a standard S-line package. The BMW 3 Series and the Acura TSX are the main competitors of the Audi 4 Avant.

 

  Power and Performance

 

  The 2009 A4 Avant derives power from an all-new 2.0-liter TFSI turbocharged Inline 4-cylinder rated at 211 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque. This model offers a six-speed Tiptronic transmission. Its economy is rated at 21/29 mpg (City/Highway). The 2009 A4 Avant gallops to 60 mph in 6.9 seconds.

 

  Build and Styling

 

  The Audi is known for its high quality as a luxury car par excellence and the 2009 Audi A4 Avant lives up to this reputation. It comes with 17-inch or 18-inch alloy wheels; open sky sunroof; automatic climate control; front fog lights; bi-xenon headlights; electronic cruise control with coast, resume and acceleration features; heated and power adjustment exterior mirrors; leather seating surfaces with 8-way power driver and passenger seats; HomeLink; MMI; Audi Concert with color display screen and Sirius satellite radio and four-spoke leather steering wheel with multi-function control. The cargo volume available inside the A4 Avant is 17.3 cubic feet.

 

  The S-line package consists of features such as S-line design; sport suspension; sport steering wheel with shift paddles; black headliner; sport seat with S line leather/Alcantara upholstery and lumbar for front seats; front and rear bumpers and side moldings.

 

  Safety Features

 

  The 2009 Audi A4 Avant is a safe vehicle. It gets front-side, window airbags; traction control; stability control; brake assist; Audi backguard system; sideguard airbag supplemental restraints; active restraints, belt-force limiters and belt tensioners; electromechanical parking brake; and anti-lock brakes among its safety features.

 

  The 2009 Audi A4 Avant got the highest possible score of five stars in side impact testing for front occupants and four stars for frontal crash tests and for rear-seat passenger safety at National Highway Transportation Safety Administration tests. For frontal offset, side-impact and head restraint effectiveness tests, it earned the highest possible rating, “Good” from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.

 

 

The government sponsored “Cash for Clunkers” has received an overwhelming response all over. The trade-in program, in fact, has proved so popular that people are dumping their gas guzzlers and are switching over to more and more fuel efficient vehicles than ever. Last week, it was widely perceived that the funds allocated for the program may soon get exhausted. However, the government rushed in and pumped another $2 billion which quickly boosted the sales to record levels. The initial $1 billion of funding approved in June for "clunker" business generated more than $520 million in rebates and more than 220,000 in auto sales.   Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood recently said as many as 157,000 trade transactions had been registered, exhausting $664 million of the $1 billion appropriated for the program. Interestingly four of the five top-selling cars are manufactured by foreign automakers, according to new data released by the federal transportation officials. More than 80 percent of the vehicles turned in are trucks and sport-utility vehicles. Ford Focus has been the top-selling new car followed by the Toyota Corolla, Honda Civic, Toyota Prius and Toyota Camry. The new vehicles sold under the program, on an average, deliver 25.4 miles per gallon, compared with an average of 15.8 mpg for the trade-ins.   Officially called the Car Allowance Rebate System or CARS, the “Cash for Clunkers” program is designed to help the economy and the environment by spurring new car sales. Car owners can receive federal subsidies of up to $4,500 for trading in their old cars for new ones that achieve considerably higher gas mileage. The Congress approved the CARS program in mid-June, and the program is scheduled last until November 1 or when the funds run out.   With a huge and growing demand for fuel efficient cars, the Asian carmakers are smiling because most of the smallest and most fuel-efficient vehicles are manufactured by them. Domestic manufacturers like Ford have also registered record sales. Overall, the program has been a huge hit than expected and has been highly instrumental in stimulating demand for both foreign and domestic vehicles. Though some dealers complain that they are troubled with the paperwork to get reimbursements, the program has indeed spurred interest in new cars as well.   Meanwhile, Chrysler has gone a step ahead and announced a month-long program to spur sales by offering an additional $4,500 for trade-ins regardless of whether or not the old vehicle meets federal requirements for the rebate system. For buyers looking for better financing instead of cash, Chrysler is offering zero percent APR for 72 months available as well. This offer has further boosted the sales.  

The all new 2009 Ford Flex is a crossover wagon with a striking styling and room for seven passengers. It is a thoughtfully designed and good-looking alternative to minivans and crossover SUVs and is made up of high-quality interior materials, unique styling and optional all-wheel drive.

 

Power and performance

 

A 3.5-liter V6 pumping out 262 horsepower and 248 pound-feet of torque is standard on the Flex. A six-speed automatic is the only available transmission. The EPA fuel economy for the front-wheel-drive Flex is 17 mpg city and 24 mpg highway. Going for AWD drops the mileage numbers by about 1 mpg. The maximum cargo capacity has been rated at 83 cubic feet.

 

Body and Styling

 

The 2009 Ford Flex comes in three different trim levels. The base SE is available with front-wheel drive configuration only. Eighteen-inch alloy wheels, rear climate controls, a power driver seat and a six-speaker CD stereo with an auxiliary audio jack, rear park assist, a 60/40-split second-row bench, a 50/50-split third-row bench that folds into the floor are its standard features.

 

Front- or all-wheel driven midlevel SEL gets an upgraded exterior trim and 18-inch wheels, dual-zone automatic climate control, power heated front seats, leather upholstery (vinyl for the third row) and a 10-speaker stereo with satellite radio.

 

The top-of-the-line Flex Limited comes with xenon headlights, 19-inch wheels, a power lift gate, power-adjustable pedals, a memory function for the driver seat, perforated leather upholstery and Ford's exclusive Microsoft-developed Sync multimedia interface. It is available both in FWD and AWD configurations.

 

A touch screen navigation system featuring voice recognition, an integrated back-up camera and Sirius Travel Link, which provides real-time traffic, weather and other information, can be fitted to the Limited. A white- or silver-painted roof is also available.

 

A number of features of the Limited trim are available as options on the SEL, and the Sync system is also optional on the SE.

 

Second-row captain's chairs (heated on the Limited), the four-panel Vista sunroof, a towing package, keyless ignition/entry and a rear-seat DVD entertainment system are among the additional features.

 

Safety features

 

The 2009 Ford Flex is loaded with a number of safety equipment such as personal safety system; three-row safety canopy system with rollover sensor; front passenger sensing system; anti-lock brakes; front seat-mounted side airbags; height-adjustable front seat safety belts with belt-minder system; stability control; child safety rear door locks; LATCH; adjustable head restraints; tire pressure monitoring system; securilock passive anti-theft system; and perimeter anti-theft alarm. Rear back-up camera is optional.

 

 

Ford likes to call the Ford Shelby GT500 as “500 horses with attitude”. The GT500 is one of those models that occupy a pride of place in the Ford pantheon. This muscle car’s history dates to 1965, the year in which the eminent car designer, Carroll Shelby created it.

 

Initially named the Shelby Cobra, it was phased out after 1970, and made its comeback in 2007, the year of its fifth generation. Inheritor of the famous GT 350 brand, the 2009 Ford Shelby GT500 is a product of the collaboration between the Ford Special Vehicle Team (SVT) and Shelby. The company will produce about 10,000 vehicles per annum, and only for three years. For 2009, the GT500’s only notable addition is the availability of an optional glass sunroof.

 

Engine and performance

 

The GT500 comes with a supercharged, 5.4-liter cast-iron Triton V8 Sequential multi-port electronic fuel injection (SMPI) engine that runs on a rear-wheel drive and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission. At 500 horsepower and torque of 480 lb ft, it is the most powerful factory-built Mustang ever. Given a TR 6060 six-speed manual gearbox, this model comes in both coupe and convertible body styles. The engine is also given a powertrain control module.

 

Some additions are given to this engine to keep it cool, such as a Roots-type supercharger that boosts the engine by almost 9 lbs per square-inch; aluminum heads; water-to-air intercooler and calibrated camshafts. Fuel economy is rated at 14 mpg city and 20 mpg highway.

 

Build and Styling

 

18-inch aluminum wheels; unique hood with functional air extractors; unique front and rear fascia treatments; forward-leaning egg-crate grille; complex reflector halogen headlamps with integral parking/turn signal lamps; solar tinted glass; interval windshield wipers; day/night mirror; power side mirrors; power windows and 12-volt power lamps are some of the exterior features of the 2009 Ford Shelby GT500.

 

For the interiors, the 2009 Ford Shelby GT 500 has 50/50 split-fold rear seat backs (for only the coupe) keyless entry; sport bucket seats with leather seating surfaces; Shaker 500 audio system with six-disc CD changer, MP3 capability and eight speakers; manual air conditioning; auxiliary audio input jack; speed control; leather covered multi-function steering wheel with tilt adjustment and a ventilation system; center console with full armrest and storage; battery saver; driver’s footrest; rear window defroster; front door map pockets; power door locks and front floor mats with driver's seat retention hooks.

 

Safety Features

 

For safety, the GT 500 is given highly efficient Brembo front brakes that come with big, four-piston calipers and vented 14-inch discs for the front. An 11.8-inch vented single-piston caliper rear-disc setup with unique pad material is given for the rear.

 

Other safety features of this model include side door intrusion beams; three-point lap/shoulder safety belts; Belt-Minder® System; LATCH; Personal Safety System for driver and front passenger; front seat side airbags and SecuriLock® Passive Anti-Theft System (PATS).

 

 

The 2009 Saturn Aura is a five-seat mid-size sport sedan known for performance, safety and comfort with more style, best-in-class highway fuel economy (33 mpg) and refinements inside and out.   For 2009, all base XE models come with the 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine which is also offered on the premium XR trim level for the first time. Saturn has also paired the four-cylinder with a six-speed automatic transmission to increased fuel economy. Stability control is standard and Bluetooth connectivity has been introduced on the model. The 2009 Saturn Aura is available in XE, XR-4, XR-V6 and Hybrid trims.   Power and Performance   A 169-hp, 2.4-liter, four-cylinder engine with Variable Valve Timing (VVT) with six-speed automatic transmission with TAPshift is standard in XE and XR-4 trims. The XR-V6 trim features a 252-hp, 3.6-liter, DOHC, 24-valve, V6 engine with VVT.   Driver information centre with Instantaneous Fuel Economy reading, oil-life monitor, front-wheel drive, independent McPherson-strut with hollow stabilizer bar, four-link independent rear suspension with solid stabilizer bar, four-wheel disc brakes with ABS and dynamic rear proportioning, laminated steel dash, electronic throttle control, electric power steering with variable assist, VVT and warning chimes are standard.   The XE and XR-4 deliver 22 mpg in city and 33 on highways while the XR-V6 delivers MPG 17 city/26 highway. The cargo space is 14.9 cubic feet (Except Hybrid).   Body and Styling   Seventeen-inch painted fascia-spoke steel wheels with five-spoke trim and P215/55R17 touring, blackwell tires, body color exterior door handles, chrome exterior door handles, halogen headlamps, LED tail lamps, and 18-inch multi-spoke ultra-bright alloy with P225/50R18 touring blackwell tires are trim-wise standard exterior features.   Air conditioning, CD/MP3 player with AM/FM stereo and six speakers, XM Satellite Radio, cruise control, cup holder, defogger, power door locks, Bluetooth Wireless Technology, interior ambient lighting, remote keyless entry, and driver and front passenger bucket seats, 60/40-split folding rear seatbacks, four-way adjustable steering column key features inside.   Advanced Audio Package, Convenience Package, Enhanced Convenience Package, Preferred Package, Premium Trim and All Season Packages are available. Sunroof is optional.   Safety Features Automatic halogen headlamps, child security locks, daytime running lamps, dual-stage driver and front passenger air bags with Passenger Sensing System, front-seat mounted side-impact air bags, head curtain side air bags, front safety belts with pretensioners, maintenance-free battery, LATCH system, traction control system, StabiliTrak Stability Control System with brake assist, and OnStar are standard features. OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation System is available.  

The all-new 2010 Mazda Mazda3 comes with a distinctive design, class-exclusive features and fuel-friendly performance. Both the 2010 Mazda Mazda3 models – Mazda3 4-Door sedan and Mazda3 5-Door hatchback - deliver a driving experience far beyond what you would expect for the price, making them Mazda's most economical cars.   The 2010 Mazda Mazda3's highlights include a revised exterior styling, improved fuel economy and power, a more modern interior design and new luxury-oriented features. Athletic handling and performance, high-end interior, unparalleled available luxury features and available hatchback utility are its plus points. The Mazda3 was one of the most anticipated products launched at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show.   2010 Mazda3 4-Door sedan   The all-new 2010 Mazda3 4-Door sedan features class-leading technology, distinctive design and a signature thrilling performance. One of Mazda's most economical cars, the Mazda3 4-Door sedan has been completely redesigned for 2010. It is available five trims - iSV, iSport, iTouring, sSport and sGrand Touring. A 2.0-liter inline 4-cylinder engine rated at 148 hp and 135 lb ft of torque powers the first three trims with a five-speed manual or automatic transmission. The estimated fuel economy is 24 mpg in city and 33 mpg on highways with the automatic ¬-- the manual improves by 1 mpg in city.   The sSport and sGrand Touring models are powered by a 2.5L inline 4-cylinder engine that produces 167 hp and 168 lb ft of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard here and a five-speed automatic is optional. The EPA estimated fuel economy stands at 22/29 mpg city/highway with the automatic (21 mpg city with the manual).   The 2010 Mazda3 4-Door sedan has halogen headlamps, clear-lens taillights, air conditioning, tilt and telescopic steering wheel, 5-passenger seating, and an AM/FM/CD/MP3-compatible stereo system with 4/6 speakers. The sedan has a trunk space of 11.8 cubic feet. The hatchback has 17 cubic feet of space which can be expanded considerably with the rear seats down.   The standard safety features on the 2010 Mazda3 4-Door sedan include front side airbags and side curtain airbags, antilock disc brakes with brake assist and active front head restraints.   2010 Mazda3 5-Door hatchback   The totally redesigned 2010 Mazda3 5-Door hatchback, available in Sport and Grand Touring trims, is sleeker and sportier with a bold, aggressive stance.   The new 2.5L engine exceeds its predecessor in power, with an impressive 167 horsepower and 168 lb-ft of torque. Both the new 6-speed manual transmission and available 5-speed Sport automatic transmission with manual-shift mode deliver a smooth, exhilarating experience. It gets an impressive 29 mpg highway.   The 2010 Mazda Mazda3 5-Door has a 60/40 split fold-down rear seatback, a large center console and spacious glove compartment, dual-zone automatic climate control, compact navigation system with a full-color display and a 10-speaker Bose Centerpoint Surround System with AudioPilot as well as available leather-trimmed seats, an 8-way power-adjustable driver's seat with memory and heated front seats.   Every trim is equipped with advanced front air bags, side-impact air bags and side air curtains, as well as a Tire-Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Electronic Brakeforce Distribution (EBD) and Brake Assist.   Driving Impressions   The 2010 Mazda Mazda3 shows good road manners and comes across as a pleasant surprise to those who want to buy and drive economic cars. The chassis has been tuned for a good performance. There is also a minimal body roll and the car gets a solid grip on twisty roads. In addition, the steering is quick and communicative. All this translates into a greater sense of driver confidence. The large brakes on both sedan and hatchback models have a linear pedal feel. On highways, the new Mazda3’s ride is smooth and pleasing to the commuter. However, some drivers who prefer softly sprung compacts, like the Toyota Corolla, might think this is too firm.  

The 2010 Honda Insight is Honda's latest, America's first and best hybrid, Honda claims. When someone of speaks of hybrids, naturally they will compare any new hybrid with the Toyota Prius which has been acknowledged as the No. 1 hybrid. While the Prius is a midsize car, the Insight is a compact: shorter by 2.7 inches overall and 5.9 inches between the wheels. The Insight is also 1.2 inches narrower, with a roof height 2.5 inches lower.

 

The new Insight is smaller and will be cheaper too, it is said. The Insight is likely to be less expensive than the Prius. The Prius gets a better fuel economy. According to the EPA, the Insight delivers a 40/43 mpg on its city/highway fuel-economy cycle. The Prius gives 48/45 numbers. However, Honda rejects any comparisons with the Prius and says the Insight is more fun to drive.

 

The Insight is familiar and inviting from the first turn of the key – no push button or fancy startup. In the cockpit, the owners will feel instantly at home. The steering wheel seems to be lifted out from the Civic, so also the split-level dash and console-mounted gearshift. HVAC and audio controls remind of the Fit.

 

The familiar Honda starter hiccup has been replaced by the silent stirring of a 10-kilowatt DC electric motor because is a hybrid vehicle. The 1.3-liter gas engine flickers to life only the moment your foot leaves the brake for the throttle. Driven normally, the Insight responds like a normal compact car.

 

More fun comes from going green. Switching on the emerald-green ECON button on the dash initiates Ecological Drive Assist: a wide array of fuel-saving functions, including earlier idle-stop engagement, a smoothing out of throttle inputs and CVT operation, and more-efficient air-conditioning and cruise-control modes. Check the monitors and have fun.

 

When driving, an arc of light projected behind the upper-level digital speedometer glows green. When you accelerate quickly watch the color shift to naughty green-blue and then bad-boy blue. Honda has a multi-information display inset into the tachometer for those more aggressively green. It shows the relationship between battery and engine power and such things as instantaneous mpg like the Prius. The screen, Eco Guide, is easily recognizable by a set of digitized plant stalks. The Eco Guide is arguably more fun and interactive-more Wii, than PS3. The Insight tracks the green progress too, recording previous trips and overall leafiness.

 

Honda has plans to sell 100,000 Insights in America. The Insight is available in two trim levels: LX and EX, with navigation optional on EX with features including stability control, 15-inch alloy wheels system, and turn-signal mirrors, EX trim is expected to be the volume seller, accounting for 65 percent of Insights sold.

 

As many as 180,000 Prius models were sold in the US in 2007 and approximately 160,000 in 2008, but these figures are well above any previous goals Honda has set for a hybrid. Will the consumers rush in to buy a smaller hybrid, simply because it offers great green fun for fewer greenbacks? This has to be seen.