Autoblog

Click on the 2009 Ford Escape for a high res gallery

The 2008 redesign of the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner wasn't the clean-sheet redesign Ford would like people to believe. In fact, only the parts visible to the naked eye were "all new." Aside from the body and interior, the working bits that make the badge-engineered duo go were almost entirely carried over from the 2007 models. Fortunately for Ford, that oversight didn't seem to hurt sales, which increased by about ten-percent over their predecessors in a market that's down overall. For 2009, all the hardware under the skin has been either replaced or significantly refreshed. And that's a good thing.

The old 2.3-liter four-pot has been superseded by a 2.5-liter unit, while the classic 3.0-liter Duratec V6 gets a major overhaul. Both engines receive a substantial boost in power and an all new six-speed gearbox to transmit it to the wheels. The driver's working environment also becomes a more pleasant place thanks to structural improvements to the body and Ford's next-generation navigation system with Sirius Travel Link. We got a chance to play with all of the 2009 Escape variants on a rainy spring morning, so read on after the jump for our impressions.


Photos Copyright ©2008 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

We already know that the Nissan Cube is due for a redesign, and that version, due out later this year, is the one we'll be getting here in the States in 2009. While the Denki Cube concept that bowed in New York gave us an indication of what to expect, it's taken another bit of leakage out of Nissan HQ to see the new Cube fully realized. Compared to the current Cube, this revised version is slightly more smoothed out, while still retaining the boxy shape we've come to know and love. If Nissan can avoid pulling an xB (adding more weight, an unresponsive engine and killing the fun factor), the new Cube might fit the bill for those of us looking for a vehicle that strikes a balance between practicality and flickability.

[Source: 7tune]

Click on image above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Ford Focus Coupe

Following-up on our 2009 Ford Focus Coupe post yesterday, more details have emerged about the trim levels, pricing, and options on the latest two-door model. For the 2009 model year, Ford will offer just two trim levels: SE and SES.

As Ford dropped the base S trim level for 2009, the standard model is now the Focus SE. It will start at $15,920 (plus a destination fee of $695), representing a price increase of just under five percent when compared to last year's model. The Focus SES model, as sporty as it gets for now, starts at $17,340 (plus destination). It adds 17-inch alloy wheels with a dark chrome finish, and a rear spoiler. Included in the SES upgrade is an increase in horsepower. Fuel efficiency with the slightly more powerful motor is untouched, so consumers won't feel any hit at the pump. Ford's hot SYNC system is standard on the SES model. Buyers who choose anti-lock brakes, a $744 option, will find it bundled with stability control -- offered for the first time on Focus models.

[Source: Kicking Tires]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 BMW M3 convertible.

To signal the beginning of sales of the M3 convertible in the UK, BMW decided to release two-dozen more photos of its drop-top super coupe, and that's enough of a reason for us to include them in a gallery with its white counterpart. Everything remains the same, including the choice of either a six-speed manual or six-speed DCT gearbox, all without that pesky roof to keep you from enjoying the 420 hp, 4.0-liter V8 when you're sending it up into its 8.400-rpm redline.

BMW's UK press release is posted after the jump.

Click the image above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Audi A3.

For those of you aching to get your hands on the 2009 Audi A3, we have good news: it will go on sale this September and pricing information should be available close to that date. Audi's adapted press release for the U.S. market is available after the jump, but the short and sweet version is we get a choice of either the 200 hp, 2.0-liter TFSI or the 250 hp, 3.2-liter six with Quattro. If you want your power dolled out to all four wheels, but want the turbo'd 2.0-liter, you'll be able to swap cogs with Audi's S-tronic transmission. Hit the jump for all the details.

During a meeting with Ford dealers last week, it was revealed that the 2009 Fusion would benefit from the same 170 hp, 2.5-liter four-cylinder found in the new Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner. The upgraded mill, which boasts an extra 10 hp over the outgoing engine and variable valve timing, will be mated to Ford's six-speed automatic transmission and should return a few miles-per-gallon more than its predecessor. There's also talk that the new Fusion could get an upgraded version of the 3.0-liter V6, along with a new front fascia and a revised interior. Ford spokesperson, Jim Cain, wouldn't confirm or deny the planned upgrades, but it's likely we'll get a formal announcement in the next few months before the revamped Fusion goes on sale later this year.

[Source: Detroit News]

Click above for a gallery of the Acura Advanced Sports Car concept.

By most accounts, Honda originally planned to show off the next generation NSX to the seething throngs at last year's Tokyo Motor Show. But due to the less-than-positive reception the Advanced Sports Car concept garnered at the Detroit show, Honda's designers headed back to the drawing board to redesign the front clip housing the 550 hp, 4.5-liter V10.

Now, Autocar has gotten word from a Honda insider that the NSX is bound for the 2009 Tokyo show, sporting a new front end that "has Chevrolet Corvette undertones" and is slated to for production in the fall of 2010.

The new NSX will supposedly kick off Honda's first serious attempt at producing rear-wheel-drive vehicles to rival BMW, Mercedes, Lexus and Infiniti, including new platforms that will underpin Acura's larger sedan offerings and an S2000-based Acura sports car that takes aim at the Mercedes SLK. The launch of Acura's 7-series fighter isn't due to make an appearance until 2015. For Honda' sake, let's hope they can expedite development to make it happen around the turn of the decade.


[Source: Autocar]

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Scion xB.

Scion announced pricing for the 2009 xB and tC today, and if you want to get your hands on the love-it-or-hate-it toaster on wheels, you'll have to pony up an extra $100 this year. The xB's base price is now $16,370 (including shipping), and comes equipped with a five-speed manual as standard equipment. If you can't stand swapping your own cogs, you can shell out another $950 for a four-speed automatic. The tC's price remains the same as the 2008 model, starting at $17,620 with a five-speed manual and $18,420 for the four-speed auto 'box. Sales of the xB begin this month and the "slightly tweaked" tC will arrive in May.

Scion's press release is available after the jump.

Click above for a high-res gallery of the 2009 Honda Pilot.

The 2009 Honda Pilot has been spied in production guise, and unlike the bulldog that inspired the front grille, it's less than lovable. With styling pulled directly from the Honda Pilot Prototype shown in Detroit, the new unibody 'ute from Honda should arrive later this year with ACE safety features, a V6 lump with cylinder deactivation and seating for eight passengers of varying size. The interior is an evolution of the outgoing model, with a massive center stack that's far more butch that the one it replaces, along with a new multifunction steering wheel similar to that found on the redesigned Accord. Overall, we're not entirely smitten with the slap sides and grotesque nose, but you can check the gallery below to make up your own mind.

Formula 1 will hit the BBC air waves in 2009 after a long run on ITV. The move will require new figureheads to sit at the desk, and London's Times has said that Top Gear's Richard Hammond is the top man for the job. Economics at least partially drove ITV's decision to withdraw from F1 coverage. The coverage is expensive, so making money is challenging, even with newly rising star Lewis Hamilton making F1 more interesting for UK viewers.

Hammond's presence might help broaden the appeal beyond just racing fans, as would guest appearances by Jeremy Clarkson and James May, Hammond's cohorts on Top Gear. Letting Clarkson and May prowl the paddock could offer priceless moments of color commentary that would set YouTube alight. The BBC also plans to update the look, feel and pace of its coverage, and fans will be able to get at the presentation more easily with races going out across broadband digital outlets in addition to the standard radio and television. Thanks for the tip, Eric!

[Source: Times Online, Photo by Getty Images/Getty]