2009

Targeting the world's luxury carmakers with an all-new, unknown product and a less-than-ideal brand reputation will make for a tough sell for Hyundai's Genesis sedan, despite favorable early reports. That job will, however, get a little bit easier now that the car has earned a five-star safety...

This year has seen a larger-than-normal number of advertising and marketing gimmicks as carmakers work to rally sales despite tough conditions. Fuel incentives, loan incentives and employee pricing are just a few of the methods that have been employed. But Volkswagen is taking the idea a step...

The next several years will be crucial for Chevrolet as the brand tackles some of the biggest problems it’s faced in its entire history, namely, the radical shift away from trucks and SUVs due to high fuel prices and tightening fuel economy restrictions. In response, Chevrolet is planning a...

Mitsubishi has released the first images of its new Racing Lancer rally car, ahead of its motorsport debut in round six of the 2008 FIA Cross-Country Rally World Cup this October. The vehicle combines elements from both the new Lancer sedan and previous Pajero rally vehicles, and features a...

German tuning shop Abt Sportsline is run by a family that has become synonymous with motorsport in its home country, and so it's no wonder their products reflect that heritage. The Abt Audi Q5 builds on the already strong base vehicle with more power and a handful of styling tweaks to present a...

Niche sports car manufacturer and legendary Ford tuner Saleen is most widely recognized for its S7 supercar and string of performance V8 Fords, but the company is also keen to attract more budget-minded performance fans. Through its more affordable and practical Racecraft division, Saleen has...

A constant climb up the quality rankings, even as other U.S. carmakers fall behind, and a renewed focus on efficiency in the face of high fuel costs has put Ford in the position to call out Toyota and Honda on efficiency and safety grounds - no mean feat, considering the Japanese carmakers'...

Nissan’s updated 3.7L VQ-series engine has already found its way into the Infiniti G37 Coupe and will soon appear in the all-new Convertible, but Nissan has also added the silky smooth V6 to its 2009 Infiniti G37 Sedan in the North American market. The 3.7L DOHC V6 is rated at 328hp (245kW)...

Updated with new images. Following on from its brilliant take on the XKR, German tuning-house Arden has taken Jaguar’s latest XF saloon and created a machine even more impressive than its past works. Dubbed the Arden AJ21, the modified XF features a stronger engine, extensive aerodynamic...

Joining the new RS6 Sedan at this October’s Paris Motor Show will be the 2009 model year facelift for the standard A6 Sedan and Avant models. Among the list of updates planned for the new lineup is a range of more efficient engines, significant suspension refinements, the addition of a number...

The new 2009 Acura RL sedan has won the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety’s (IIHS) Top Safety Pick award in the Institute’s latest round of testing. To qualify, a vehicle must earn the highest rating of 'good' in the institute’s front, side, and rear tests and be fitted with...

Steve Saleen and his new company SMS revealed today its SMS 296 Supercharger, the first in the company's upcoming line of high-performance aftermarket parts. The unit is built to fit 2005-2009 HEMI 5.7L and 6.1L V8s, meaning most of the SRT and R/T line from Chrysler's various brands will benefit...

The 2009 Ford Mustang announced today focuses on updates and added equipment, since it is primarily a carry-over model from the 2008 version. A panoramic glass roof, more luxurious premium trim options, a new security package and several special edition models are the primary features in the 2009...

Toyota today announced U.S. pricing details for its 2009 RAV4, which starts from $21,500 and runs as high as $27,810 for a Limited-trim model equipped with four-wheel drive and a V6 engine. According to Toyota, the base price for the RAV4 will remain unchanged from its predecessor and "Extra Value...

The 2009 Ford Flex has earned five-star frontal and side-impact crashworthiness ratings in the latest round of vehicle crash-safety tests conducted by America’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Flex only scored a four-star rating, however, for both FWD and AWD...

Mazda has no plans to introduce a hybrid version of its new 2009 Mazda6, despite possessing the ability and technology to do so. The Japanese carmaker already produces a hybrid powertrain for its Tribute SUV – developed together with Ford - but has decided not to transfer the technology to...

Kia has revealed the first images and details for its 2009 model-year facelift for the Sportage compact SUV. The changes are minimal, consisting of a few minor styling updates and the addition of a new diesel engine, and should ensure the car remains competitive against the top-selling Toyota RAV4...

Update: Mitsubishi has announced pricing for its new 2009 Lancer Ralliart turbocharged AWD sedan, putting it in direct competition with the similar priced and specced Subaru WRX. Positioned between the Lancer 2.4 GTS and high-performance Lancer Evolution X, the new Lancer Ralliart comes with a...

Saab is set to present a new offroad version of its compact 9-3 model, dubbed the 9-3X, at this year’s Paris Motor Show but according to latest reports the car could be joined by a concept version of the next-generation model. The new show car will be the third concept car from the Swedish...

Focusing on enhanced efficiency through lighter packaging and incremental improvements, Mazda's 2009 lineup includes mostly expected changes. News of the next version of what may be Mazda's most tantalizing model - the MX-5 Miata - remains in shadows, however. Changes to the aging RX-8 are minimal...