2009 Audi A6: the past and the future

Audi’s offering this year comes with a bit of expectation and surprise. The 2009 Audi A6 is basically an upgraded version of the C6 which was first introduced in 2006. The only difference is the cosmetic changes on front and rear design wherein space is added at the back for additional storage capacity.

The interior design of the car didn’t change a lot compared to last year’s model but the new model now has small addition of controls near the shifter. They require a little bit of familiarity to get used to but additional controls is always a welcoming feature since it allows more control of the car.

But not everything in Audi is just a carry-over from last year’s model. This year, a V6 version will be introduced as part of the current V8 line. This beautiful car is slowly being transformed into a speed machine with this engine. You’ll be able to clock significant speed with this car in an open road. Speaking of open road, the new Audi A6 is rated to run for 26mpg in this road condition. It’s not as efficient as the hybrid but the car offers power rarely found in luxury sedans.

Nothing revolutionary could be noticed on the improved design of Audi A6 but it keeps up with the quality you should expect from an Audi – classic contour on sedans that only Audi could give. The car is actually a bit traditional in terms of design but the engine promises a power like no other sedans today.

Read More

2010 Honda Insight EX

The 2010 Honda Insight EX is the latest hybrid to come out of the Japan-based car manufacturer. Powered by 1.3-liter with electric motor, the car has been rated to run for 43mpg. This capacity is actually an impressive feat considering Prius (Toyota’s hybrid) has been rated to run for 47mpg. Although Honda has made it clear that the Insight will never compete with Prius, you’ll notice at first glance that they are secretly trying to do just that.

The body of Insight is remarkably similar to Prius. The Insight didn’t really follow the exact bodywork of Prius but the flow form factor is clearly similar to Prius. The Insight has the same contour design of a Civic but smaller and a bit bulkier. This was done to ensure that the car would be as light as possible with better aerodynamics – making the car require less fuel.

The size of Insight can actually cause some inconvenience for bigger drivers and passengers. Anyone taller than 6 feet might have to adjust a little bit to get in the car. The back seat is also a bit close which means there is limited legroom. This was done to create space at the back for extra compartment. Another debatable feature is the 15-inch wheel which is rare in many family cars. But Honda opted to use it for the same reason of fuel efficiency. The Insight is currently priced at $22,000 – a lot less than Prius ($30,000).

The Insight might not be the leader in hybrid vehicles, but it’s a great alternative. You just have to adjust to small inconveniences to get a better bargain on a hybrid vehicle.

Read More

Introducing the 2010 Lincoln MKZ

The battle for supremacy on entry level sedan continues with the 2010 Lincoln MKZ. The model, in terms of specs and design, is aimed to compete directly with Mercury Milan and Fusion with a few upgrades to offer. The model comes in two versions: the front-wheel drive which will cost you no less than $34,900 and the four-wheel drive which bumps the price to $36,800. If you’ve been following the prices offered on the model, the latest MKZ is $2,000 higher than its predecessor.

Although the price is a little bit steep for an entry level sedan, the manufacturer tries to justify its pricing with its design, performance and accessories. The 2010 Lincoln MKZ is definitely sleeker with its redesigned front and rear. Sleeker contours complement the extended tail lamps which make the car appear longer. It’s a standard business model sedan but with finesse because of those contours and redesigned front.

Under the hood, the 2010 Lincoln MKZ is no pushover. Featuring the V6 Duratec engine, the car is set to provide 263 horsepower. With this engine, your car can go from 0-60mph in seven seconds. Control and power has been dramatically improved because of the “select shift” auto transmission. This feature upgrades the control and power of the front wheel. In the case of four-wheel drives, the select shift feature pushes power to all its wheels.

The additional feature of 2010 Lincoln MKZ is the BLIS or Blind Spot Information System offering alerts and guide when backing up. The Cross Traffic Alert or CTA will help drivers to safely navigate the car in traffic. The car is basically a “user friendly” sedan with relatively powerful engine.

Read More

2010 Kia Forte

Kia might not be the hottest car manufacturer in the world today, but they are certainly making progress. This South Korean car manufacturer is actually learning from its mistakes and pushes for change to catch the eye of consumers. The 2010 Kia Forte could be that car.

Coming in three variants (LX, EX and SX), the 2010 Kia Forte promises to be stunning as well as powerful. The design is certainly eye catching because of its classic design with lengthened front. At first glance the car may have smaller space but you’ll be surprised once you’re inside. It’s certainly a lot roomier especially for the driver who has to deal with a lot controls. As an affordable alternative, you would bump into some plastics but they are certainly tolerable.

Under the hood, the car is no pushover. Kia has made it a point to become the leader in its car class in terms of power. The car uses 2.0 liter engine with 156 horsepower and could push your car up to 34mpg in optimal conditions (EPA Rating). The fuel efficiency might not be the same as hybrids, but it can easily outrun many cars in its category.

The tricky part is its versions. The most expensive version is the SX ($17,100) which comes with complete accessories. The middle of the pack is the EX ($15,700) that comes with comfort (air conditioning) but not much on entertainment. The basic is the LX ($14,000) which does not have air conditioning yet. It may sound inconvenient but comparing this price to other cars, it’s a better deal.

Read More

2010 Porsche Panamera

Porsche is often associated to sleek sports cars and remarkable SUVs and this dedication to certain car models has made them one of the most recognized car manufacturers in the world. So it’s no wonder that many Porsche followers were disappointed when the car manufacturer will try its expertise for the first time in sedan. But the disappointed became jubilation and admiration after the 2010 Porsche Panamera was released. It’s not just a four door sedan – it’s a powerful sedan that you can’t find anywhere.

The design of the sedan is truly revolutionary. Instead of following the popular sedan designs of today, the company opted go for what it believes in: aerodynamically designed cars with sleek contours. The result is a stunning sedan that looks a lot like a sports car than the traditional sedan. The front and rear end of the car looks like a lot of its previous Porsche sports cars but the manufacturer extended the body to allow two more seats at the back. The interior is laden with fine leathers and its dashboard features GPS, controls near the shifters and manual meters for monitoring your performance.

The Panamera will have three variants. The Standard version or simply “S”, the “4S” version which is practically the four-wheel drive of the standard and the “Turbo” which provides more power and control to the driver. The starting price of the Panamera should be within the $89,000 range which is actually a better deal since you get to drive more people around than its two-seater brothers.

Read More

Mini E rolling out to leasers

The Mini E is BMW’s answer to the increasing demand of electronic cars. First revealed in October 2008, this sub-compact car is set to range to as much as 240kms but could be a lot less in highways and in city streets. Although limited in top speed (95mph) it was never intended for speedy runs on the street. The car runs with lithium Ion and could be fully recharged in less than three hours (in 220V) – a remarkable feat, but owners would be required to have a special charging station in their homes.

But don’t expect full production of the Mini E right now. BMW manufactured only 500 cars for now as they would have like to test the acceptability of the cars first. They would be available for one year lease at the cost of $850 per month. More than 9,500 individuals signed up to be test drivers of the Mini E. Obviously; few were chosen to be part of the year-long program of Mini E which would have extensive requirements such as installation of charging station in their garage.

As test cars, the only downside is the large “MINI” imprinted with the car-charging sign and the car is only two-seater. But driving a beautiful BMW with the latest in electronic car technology is worth the small inconvenience.

Those who were qualified with a monthly lease of the Mini-E are in for a treat. Aside from enjoying this remarkable car, technical support is virtually unlimited as the company wanted to tune-up the car every now and then to ensure its stability.

Read More

2010 Chevrolet Equinox

The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox couldn’t have been revealed at a better time. Known to be the car introduced one day after GM announced Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Protection, the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox is probably the car that says the company is finally changing for the better. Based on the designed and concept, that could exactly be the case.

The 2010 Chevrolet Equinox is dubbed as a “CUV” or a compact utility vehicle but one look at the car and you’ll notice it’s actually a mid-range, which is a good thing. The car is spacious and longer than most vehicles on its category. To be exact, the car is 187.8 inches – longer than Ford Edge, Ford Escape and even the RAV4.

When it comes to design, the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox has shed its old design for a sleeker and more modern look. This is another reason why the car is closer to a mid-sized than a compact. The designers opted to move away from the earlier version to present something bold in its category. The interior is also changed as the dashboard is not as imposing like the previous version. The color (grey, black and brown) combination maybe a little bit off but there’s no denying the new design provides the comfort that you need.

Even the engine was revamped since the car will be using four-cylinder engines. It will also be available in 3.0 liter V6 engine with front wheel and four wheel drive options. Six wheel automatic transmissions will also be available.

As a revamped CUV, the 2010 impresses everyone by its bold change. Hopefully, this would be the car that can help the Chevrolet deal with its problem, even for a short while.

Read More

One of a kind: GTA Spano

The race to provide the best sports car with minimum fuel requirement continues with GTA Spano. Recently, released in Valencia, this beautiful sports car uses only ethanol to push the limits of its 840HP, V10 engine. This powerful car could reach 100kmh in less than three seconds and it can reach the top speed of 350kmh without any problem.

The design of GTA Spano is all about aerodynamics. The front is actually common as you can see the design in most sports cars of today. However, the sideways and the rear design are very unique as they use an almost rounded door to create room for air holes and enough aerodynamic design towards the rear of the car. The body is made of up aeronautic-grade materials which increase the durability of the sports car to a maximum level featuring the combination of Kevlar, carbon fiber and titanium.

The insides of GTA Spano have the latest entertainment technology as well as remarkable security system. Aside from the regular docks (iPod, Navigator and Bluetooth) the car also comes with GPS locator and anti-theft alarms to protect the car and locate it just in case it gets stolen. Electrical handbrake and digital dashboard for controlling virtually everything in the car (including the car seats) are added.

GTA Spano is also set to be a very rare car – only 99 cars will be made with this design. The rarity, uniqueness of the required fuel and the technology has boosted the price of this machine to $670,000 and will be available in 2010. It’s almost a concept car made real by GTA.

Read More

Aptera 2 to be released in October 2009

Fuel-efficient cars are now the hottest type of vehicles that well publicized fuel efficient cars will most likely have deposits for pre-orders rather companies than going after buyers. The logic behind this phenomenon is simple: consumers do not want to spend thousands of dollars for gas.


That is why Aptera 2 already has more than 4,000 deposits even though their “car” is still set to be released on October 2009. We use the term “car” here loosely because technically, Aptera 2 was classified by the State of California as a motorcycle. Aptera 2 is a three-wheeled vehicle (2 in front, 1 in back) which promises 360-degrees visibility because of size and very unique design. Instead of the traditional motorcycle or car, the Aptera 2 looks like wingless small aircraft.


The first version of Aptera 2 that will be on available on October will be properly named as Aptera 2e (e stands for electric). This electric vehicle should be able to run for 120 miles in perfect driving conditions in a single charge. The top speed of this vehicle is nearly 95mph. The hybrid version, called Aptera 2h, will be available next year. The hybrid is the more promising vehicle as the company claims a single gallon could let the car run up to 300 miles.


The design as well as the fuel efficiency of the vehicle has limited its number of passengers to two, including the driver. The price is still a rumor but many professionals estimate that the car will be no less $20,000 once it goes on sale.

Read More

Seat Ibiza Bocanegra

Ibiza Bocanegra is the latest line of cars coming from SEAT. As a company well known for their elegantly designed cars, Ibiza Bocanegra doesn’t disappoint. Initial impressions based on the looks of the car are very impressive as it features a sleek and sexy design. The name of the car actually gives part of the description of the car. Bocanegra means black mouth referring to the front end design of the car. Integrated with LED headlights, the black design in the front is just plain gorgeous.

But the car is not just a “front end only” beauty. The general design of the car is nothing less of impressive. The car is also unique in the sense that it doesn’t have the traditional aerodynamic design. Aside from the flowing look of the car found in most aerodynamically designed vehicles, pointed (but non-lethal) edges accentuate the vehicle. The combination of black and blood-red colour is also sexy.

The interior of the car is relatively simple with a few tweaks from SEAT. A central console is already an expected feature considering the design of the car. Black and red-coloured seats are also featured inside the car. The tweak coming from SEAT is the mesh air vent. Instead of the regular window-like vents, mesh will improve air control and flow.

Under the hood will give you a 1.4 TSI engine that comes in two variations of horsepower: 150hp and 180hp. Set to be available later this year, SEAT could easily become one of the sought after car this year simply because of its beauty and relative power.

Read More