Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[First Drive: 2011 Buick Regal prototype looks to be a good sport]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/2011-buick-regal-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/2011-buick-regal-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/23/2011-buick-regal-first-drive/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2011 Buick Regal - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's an odd bit of historical deja vu at work here. Back in the late '60s and early '70s, General Motors wanted to shift a few sporty-ish four-cylinder models from its Opel division into America, so they turned to their Buick dealers. This didn't work out exactly as planned - merchandising these odd European ducks in an outlet best known for sober doctor's cars meant that the GT, Manta and Kadett never managed to make much of a dent in North America's automotive landscape. This time out, with the Opel Insignia-derived 2011 Buick Regal, GM knows it needs massively better results.

This is a Buick the likes of which we have never seen before.
While attending an early drive event for the new Regal last week, we reminded vice-chairman Bob Lutz about the last time his company attempted to sell Opels in Buick showrooms. He laughed his trademark raspy laugh, and reminded us that Car and Driver so loathed the 1968 Kadett that their review featured it photographed in a junkyard. With characteristic candor, Lutz tells us, "It actually wasn't a very good car." Of course, Maximum Bob knows full well that GM can't afford another lost in space Kadett. Does the Regal have what it takes to mollify these "sins of the father" and put Buick on the right track? Click through to the jump to find out.


Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Buick Regal


Photos copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Buick Regal prototype looks to be a good sport

First Drive: 2011 Buick Regal prototype looks to be a good sport originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 23 Nov 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 buick2011 Buick regal2011 regal2011Buick2011BuickRegal2011RegalBob LutzBobLutzbuickbuick regalBuickRegalFeaturedfirst driveFirstDriveGeneral MotorsGeneralMotorsGMopelOpel GTopel insigniaOpel KadettOpel MagnaOpelGtOpelInsigniaOpelKadettOpelMagnaregalMon, 23 Nov 2009 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT is a CUV we can live with]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/first-drive-2010-mitsubishi-outlander-gt-is-a-cuv-we-can-live-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/first-drive-2010-mitsubishi-outlander-gt-is-a-cuv-we-can-live-w/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/20/first-drive-2010-mitsubishi-outlander-gt-is-a-cuv-we-can-live-w/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT - Click above for high-res image gallery

Mitsubishi presented its best and brightest rides for us to drive over the course of an eight-hour event in the parched desert oasis of Palm Springs, CA. Everything from a tuned, 290-hp Lancer Sportback Ralliart to an electric i MiEV. And drive them we did. We rocketed up winding mountain roads and down gravel-caked trails. If they brought it, we pounded on it. Fairly hard, too. Odd then that the focus of this particular review - and in many ways the star of the party - isn't some carbon fiber body kit-enhanced EVO X, but rather the new 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT.

Yup, an SUV. Actually, a CUV, albeit one with lots of ground clearance. Mitsubishi first introduced the second generation Outlander in 2006 (replacing the more wagon-esque first gen.), and 2010 marks a major refresh. In GT trim, almost everything has changed, from the exterior to the interior to the quantity and quality of gadgets to the engine output to the transmission and finally, most importantly, its all-wheel-drive system. The 2009 Outlander was a fine, competent, utilitarian machine - perfectly adequate for schlepping kids and groceries. But let's be frank, it didn't set hearts on fire. And while the new Outlander GT won't necessarily do that either, it's most definitely not just another sedan on stilts.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT


Gallery: 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT Off-Roading


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT is a CUV we can live with

First Drive: 2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT is a CUV we can live with originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Mitsubishi Outlander GT2010 Outlander GT2010MitsubishiOutlanderGt2010OutlanderGtfeaturedFirst DriveFirstDriveMitsubishiMitsubishi Outlander GTMitsubishiOutlanderGtOutlanderOutlander GTOutlanderGtS-AWCFri, 20 Nov 2009 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: SMS 570X makes 700 hp, gobs more joy]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/first-drive-sms-570x-makes-700-hp-gobs-more-joy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/first-drive-sms-570x-makes-700-hp-gobs-more-joy/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/12/first-drive-sms-570x-makes-700-hp-gobs-more-joy/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

SMS 570X - Click above for high-res image gallery

During the course of a wide-ranging, more than two-hour long conversation, we asked racing legend, aftermarket impresario and SMS namesake Steve Saleen what's the single most important thing he wants Autoblog readers to know about not only his new 700-horsepower 570X, but about SMS as a whole. Without missing a beat, Mr. Saleen cocked his head to one side and said, "That we're not a tuning shop. SMS is an Original Equipment Manufacturer."

"We're not a tuner.
SMS is an Original Equipment Manufacturer."
- Steve Saleen
Normally, when the head of a company that takes existing cars and modifies them says something like that, you nod politely and draw your own conclusions. But in the case of Steve Saleen, you err on the side of trust. For one thing, he's been at this for 25 years - in fact, a 1984 Saleen Mustang just sold for $80,000. Compare that price to other 1984 Mustangs. For another, he's the man behind the Saleen S7, a totally bespoke beast of a machine that's one of the most dominant supercar-based race cars ever.

Still, looking at the all-new SMS 570X, it's very hard not to see an aftermarket Dodge Challenger, albeit a heavily modified one. But keep on staring and you'll notice that not only are most of the body panels new, they're actually well constructed. More importantly, they fit together properly. And SMS cars come with actual warranties (three year/36,000 mile for the 570, one year/12,000 for the 570X) and have countless thousands of hours of R&D behind them. But really, it's only once the 570X's hood gets popped that you suddenly realize this ain't no backyard tuner.


Gallery: First Drive: 2009 SMS 570X


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: SMS 570X makes 700 hp, gobs more joy

First Drive: SMS 570X makes 700 hp, gobs more joy originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 12 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>570570XchallengerDodgeDodge ChallengerDodgeChallengerfeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivesaleenSMSSMS 460SMS 460 MustangSMS 460X MustangSMS 570SMS 570XSMS 570X ChallengerSMS 620SMS 620 CamaroSMS 620XSMS 620X CamaroSMS SupercarsSms460Sms460MustangSms460xMustangSms570Sms570xSms570xChallengerSms620Sms620CamaroSms620xSms620xCamaroSmsSupercarssteve saleenSteveSaleenThu, 12 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid is technologically impressive... but to what end?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/first-drive-2010-bmw-x6-activehybrid-is-technologically-impress/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/first-drive-2010-bmw-x6-activehybrid-is-technologically-impress/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/11/first-drive-2010-bmw-x6-activehybrid-is-technologically-impress/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid - Click above for high-res image gallery

BMW's pitch on how great the X6 ActiveHybrid is goes like this: it's the world's most powerful hybrid vehicle, fuel consumption is reduced about 20 percent compared to a similar vehicle without a hybrid drivetrain, and no matter what speed you're going, the incredibly complicated powertrain is performing at the most efficient level possible. All of this power means that the X6 hybrid is no sluggish Toyota Prius, offering frugal but unexciting performance. On the other hand, the size and weight of BMW's luxury hybrid crossover means that, well, the X6 hybrid is no Prius in the mileage department, either.

Let's start by congratulating BMW for bringing its first batch of hybrids to market (the 7 Series ActiveHybrid is launching alongside the X6). In everyday traffic, the hybrid system helps keep fuel consumption down - to a still-lame 18 mpg combined (estimated) - and, since the engine can shut down at stops, the ultra-quiet interior made sitting in Miami traffic during our preview drive almost a pleasure. Nevertheless, there's still a lot of vehicle here that hampers any attempt at real fuel efficiency gains. The X6 ActiveHybrid weighs 5,688 pounds for crying out loud - 400 pounds more than the non-hybrid. This vehicle simply doesn't makes a lot of sense for anyone actually interested in fuel efficiency. Who does it make sense for? Follow us past the break as we try to find out.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 BMW ActiveHybrid X6


Photos copyright (C)2009 Sebastian Blanco / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid is technologically impressive... but to what end?

First Drive: 2010 BMW X6 ActiveHybrid is technologically impressive... but to what end? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 11 Nov 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 bmw x6 active hybrid2010BmwX6ActiveHybridbmwbmw x6bmw x6 activehybridBmwX6BmwX6Activehybridfeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivex6x6 activehybridX6ActivehybridWed, 11 Nov 2009 11:58:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG straightens up and flies right]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/2011-mercedes-benz-sls-amg-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/2011-mercedes-benz-sls-amg-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/09/2011-mercedes-benz-sls-amg-first-drive/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG - Click above for high-res image gallery

On one hand, it may seem like an odd time for Mercedes to be jumping back into the ultra-premium end of the car market, particularly in light of its recent less-than-standouts efforts (think: McLaren SLR and the salesproof Maybach). But this isn't the case with the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG. In fact, this isn't really a Gottlieb and Karl joint at all - at least not by any traditional definition.

The SLS is actually an Aufrecht Melcher Großaspach project. Huh? It's AMG's first bumper-to-bumper, start-to-finish project - and having just torn around the California countryside and hot-lapped around Laguna Seca, we're left wondering only one thing: Why did it take more than 40 years for this to happen? Well, perhaps we should cut Mercedes some slack, as it has only owned the high-performance arm since 1999, so perhaps the appropriate thing is to look at the SLS' 2009 rollout as something of a tenth anniversary present to itself. In that light, the folks from Stuttgart know how to throw one hell of a party.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG


Photos copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG straightens up and flies right

First Drive: 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG straightens up and flies right originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Mercedes SLS2010MercedesSls2011 Mercedes-Benz2011 SLS2011Mercedes-benz2011Sls6.2-literAffalterbachAMGbernd schneiderBerndSchneidereight-cylinderfeaturedfirst driveFirstDriveGull winggull wing doorsGullwingGullwing doorGullwingDoorGullWingDoorsLaguna SecaLagunaSecaMBMercedes-Benz SLSMercedes-benzSlsMontereySLS AMGSlsAmgthree-pointed-starV8Mon, 09 Nov 2009 11:58:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2011 Kia Sorento finally crosses over]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/first-drive-2011-kia-sorento-finally-crosses-over/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/first-drive-2011-kia-sorento-finally-crosses-over/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/06/first-drive-2011-kia-sorento-finally-crosses-over/#commentsFiled under: , ,

2011 Kia Sorento - Click above for high-res image gallery

Sometimes it's hard to remember what you did just yesterday, but think back to 2003 when Kia first introduced the Sorento mid-size SUV. At the time, the market was dominated by body-on-frame vehicles with real honest-to-goodness four-wheel-drive systems and rugged part-time transfer cases. The times, they are a changin'. Releasing a brand-new body-on-frame SUV into the marketplace these days, regardless of how good it may be - see Kia Borrego - is like bringing a sledgehammer to a knife fight.

Kia was able to hit the mark back in 2003 with its full-frame Sorento on account of clever marketing and a very attractive base price. That's just not good enough any longer. The Sport Utility Vehicle has officially handed the reins over to the Crossover, and Kia was left without a player in this newly-defined and ridiculously popular segment. Until now, that is. There will be no 2010 Sorento. As if to mark the death of the old vehicle and its rebirth into something completely different, Kia decided to completely skip the 2010 model year, and we're expecting good things from the 2011 Sorento after having been suitably impressed by Kia's two most recent vehicle launches, the Soul and Forte.

By now you've likely seen pictures of the new Sorento, and it looks good. But it takes much more than a pretty face to win over legions of CUV buyers with so many credible options to choose from. So, the big question is whether or not Kia has hit the mid-size crossover target square in the center with the latest version of its shapely 'ute, or if this particular arrow falls short of its intended trajectory. Keep reading to find out where the Sorento lands.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Kia Sorento


Photos copyright (C)2009 Jeremy Korzeniewski / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Kia Sorento finally crosses over

First Drive: 2011 Kia Sorento finally crosses over originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 06 Nov 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 kia sorento2010KiaSorento2011 kia sorento2011 kia sorento first drive2011 kia sorento review2011 kia sorento test2011KiaSorento2011KiaSorentoFirstDrive2011KiaSorentoReview2011KiaSorentoTestfeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivekiakia sorentokia sorento first drivekia sorento reviewkia sorento testKiaSorentoKiaSorentoFirstDriveKiaSorentoReviewKiaSorentoTestsorentoFri, 06 Nov 2009 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour goes down the road nicely... but is that enough?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/2010-honda-accord-crosstour-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/2010-honda-accord-crosstour-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/03/2010-honda-accord-crosstour-first-drive/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2010 Honda Accord Crosstour - Click above for high-res image gallery

We hadn't been parked but a minute or two when it happened. After about a half an hour wringing out our test subject on what few curvy stretches of road suburban Detroit had to offer, we opportunistically pulled into a roadside fruit stand to snap a few photos before our ride got any dirtier. It was at exactly this point that a Lincoln MKZ rolled up, a window whirred down, and two gray-tufted heads popped out. "What is it?" inquired the couple in boisterous unison. Silence. "It's the 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour," we eventually blurt out, my co-driver sounding suspiciously apologetic. "It's... it's gorgeous!" The late-sixty-something man isn't being facetious - in fact, he's gushing - taking his hands off the Lincoln's wheel and gesturing as if to reinforce his sincerity.

If we're lyin,' we're dyin.'

"It's absolutely beautiful."

More silence.

"Really? Would you like to take a closer look?" No sooner had we extended the offer than said window was rolled up and the MKZ hurriedly shepherded into a parking spot. Moments later, our curious seniors were all over Honda's latest like first-in-liners at an early bird all-you-can-eat buffet. They took in its daring fastback profile, sized up its cargo hold, fiddled with its power seat controllers and gooshed its soft-touch plastics. Not only were they clearly impressed, they loved the way it looked.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour


Photos copyright (C)2009 Chris Paukert / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour goes down the road nicely... but is that enough?

First Drive: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour goes down the road nicely... but is that enough? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 03 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Crosstour2010 Honda2010 Honda Accord Crosstour2010Crosstour2010Honda2010HondaAccordCrosstouraccordaccord crosstourAccordCrosstourCrossOverCUVFeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivehondaHonda AccordHonda Accord Crosstourhonda crossoverHonda CrosstourHonda CUVHondaAccordHondaAccordCrosstourHondaCrossoverHondaCrosstourHondaCuvreviewedTue, 03 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo is Stuttgart's quickest car yet]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/2010-porsche-911-turbo-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/2010-porsche-911-turbo-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/11/02/2010-porsche-911-turbo-first-drive/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2010 Porsche 911 Turbo - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's faster to 60 mph than a Lamborghini Murcielago LP640 or Ferrari Enzo. Porsche's fastest offerings, including the Carrera GT, GT2 and road-going 911 GT1 "Strassenversion" will only see its LED tail lamps during a typical sprint. Only the unlikely - make that incomprehensible - meeting of an SSC Ultimate Aero or Bugatti Veyron at a stop light will concern this car's owner that he or she has met a worthy adversary. The vehicle is the new seventh-generation 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo. Sporting a new 500-horsepower engine mated to the automaker's lightning-fast dual-clutch PDK transmission, the all-wheel drive coupe devours the magic 0-60 mph benchmark in less than 3.2 seconds.

Porsche invited us to a track outside Lisbon, Portugal to savor their latest Turbo iteration. While the physical appearance remains virtually unchanged to the uninformed eye, hidden under the familiar sheet metal is a new powertrain that makes one of the world's best sports car even more exceptional. What are the new mechanical specifications of the powerplant, and where does it come from? What's it like to drive on a track? Is the PDK transmission really better than the six-speed manual? Follow the jump for all of the answers...


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo


Photos copyright (C)2009 Michael Harley / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo is Stuttgart's quickest car yet

First Drive: 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo is Stuttgart's quickest car yet originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 porsche 911 turbo2010Porsche911Turbo911911 turbo911Turbofeaturedfirst driveFirstDriveporscheporsche 911porsche 911 turboPorsche911Porsche911TurboMon, 02 Nov 2009 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2010 Dodge Ram HD comes strong with more models, configurations and classier duds]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/2010-dodge-ram-hd-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/2010-dodge-ram-hd-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/29/2010-dodge-ram-hd-first-drive/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


2010 Dodge Ram HD - Click above for high-res image gallery

Back in 1993, truck drivers had no choice but to depend on domestic automakers for work-ready pickups, and only Ford and General Motors offered competitive haulers. That all changed a year later when Dodge set the pickup truck market on its leaf springs with the introduction of its all-new Ram. With a big-rig appearance thanks to an imposing front grille that looked ready to kick you in the Truck Nutz, Dodge's truck sales tripled inside of 12 months and gave load-hauling manly men a real alternative to Ford and Chevy. But while Dodge hit a home run with the 1994 Ram, the Penta-horned brand didn't have a heavy-duty option in its lineup until 2003, and an all-important diesel powerplant didn't come online until 2004. In 2008, Dodge filled out its pickup lineup with heavy-duty 4500 and 5500 variants, finally giving Chrysler's trucking arm the range of choices necessary to get plucky with the competition from Detroit and Dearborn.

Last year, Dodge introduced a new light-duty Ram, with sleek updated aesthetics and controversial coil springs that provide a superior ride at the expense of some towing and hauling capability. Fast-forward a year and the truckmakers at Chrysler are set to unleash a new heavy-duty Ram that's been redesigned to provide customers more capability, more options and a better ride while competing against offerings from its crosstown rivals with a lower cost of entry. We headed out to Ann Arbor, MI to drive, tow, brake, climb and traverse in the new Ram HD to see if Chrysler's truck team has succeeded. Follow along with us after the jump.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Dodge Ram HD


Photos copyright (C)2009 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Dodge Ram HD comes strong with more models, configurations and classier duds

First Drive: 2010 Dodge Ram HD comes strong with more models, configurations and classier duds originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Oct 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 dodge ram hd2010 ram heavy duty2010DodgeRamHd2010RamHeavyDutydodgedodge ramdodge ram hddodge ram heavy dutyDodgeRamDodgeRamHdDodgeRamHeavyDutyduallyfeaturedfirst drivefirst drive dodge ramFirstDriveFirstDriveDodgeRampower wagonPowerWagonramram hdRamHdThu, 29 Oct 2009 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost has soul of a sports sedan, controversial looks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/28/2010-lincoln-mkt-ecoboost-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/28/2010-lincoln-mkt-ecoboost-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/28/2010-lincoln-mkt-ecoboost-first-drive/#commentsFiled under: , , ,


2010 Lincoln MKT - Click above for high-res image gallery

In 1998, Lincoln's overall sales made it the number one luxury brand in America. The Navigator, Continental and Town Car weren't exactly world beaters - let alone an enthusiast's cup of Darjeeling, but the typical Lincoln buyer was getting precisely what he or she expected: soft, cozy, squishy cruisers for soft, squishy old people. In the decade that followed, Ford's U.S. luxury arm has seen about as much success as a modern day typewriter salesman. Mistakes have been made. The Blackwood. The Aviator. The LS. All big-time blunders - tragically so with the Romulan cloak-inspired design of the LS, as it was a pretty good car under that anonymous sheetmetal - and all consigned to history.

It's easier than ever to tell a Lincoln from 100 yards out.
Fast forward to 2009, and yesterday's gaffes have been replaced with a group of indecipherably-named vehicles that don't seem to be catching the eye of the car-buying public. The MKS, MKZ and MKX are nice enough, with tons of tech and luxury amenities, but America's buying public doesn't seem impressed.

Admittedly, the biggest reason Lincoln was kicking ass on the luxury sales charts last decade was the Navigator. It was big, it could haul heavy loads and it had an over-the-top style that affluent Americans were looking for at the time. Today's Lincoln lineup continues to feature the Navi, but the hefty SUV is no long the toast of the town and its massive girth and lousy fuel economy are borderline synonymous with PR losers like global warming and dependence on foreign oil. The 2010 Lincoln MKT is sized to replace the Navigator, but with the improved packaging, comfort and efficiency of a car-based crossover. We exercised a pair of EcoBoost-powered luxury barges through the twists and turns of Ann Arbor, Michigan to answer one simple question: does the 2010 Lincoln MKT have what it takes to become the spiritual successor to the Navigator and help shake the Lincoln brand of its decade-long sales slump? Hit the jump to find out.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost


Photos copyright (C)2009 Chris Shunk / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost has soul of a sports sedan, controversial looks

First Drive: 2010 Lincoln MKT EcoBoost has soul of a sports sedan, controversial looks originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 28 Oct 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 lincoln mkt2010 mkt2010LincolnMkt2010Mktfeaturedfirst drivefirst drive lincoln mktFirstDriveFirstDriveLincolnMktfordford motor companyFordMotorCompanylincolnlincoln first drivelincoln mktLincolnFirstDriveLincolnMktluxury crossoverLuxuryCrossovermktmkt crossoverMktCrossoverWed, 28 Oct 2009 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2011 Lexus LFA is wicked and this way comes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/2011-lexus-lfa-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/2011-lexus-lfa-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/26/2011-lexus-lfa-first-drive/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2011 Lexus LFA - Click above for high-res image gallery

It's taken nearly four days to wrap my head around the 2011 Lexus LFA, and if I'm honest, I'm still not halfway there. The combination of a decade-long gestation, a half dozen prototypes comprised of two different materials, a high displacement V10 that cuts fuel at 9,500 RPM and a $375,000 price tag has left me incapacitated and trembling in a caffeine and nicotine-fueled fetal position for the better part of a week. I can't make heads nor tails of Lexus' first foray into supercardom, simply because nothing exists in the four-wheeled world to put it into perspective. Judging by your comments, I'm not alone.

There's more to this story than driving impressions and photos.
It's a front-engine GT, but its MSRP means it doesn't compete with the Ferrari 599. It's a technological tour de force nearly on par with the Bugatti Veyron, but its 202 MPH top speed doesn't come close to the V-max of Ferdinand Piech's quad-turbo masterpiece. It's lithe and nimble, but lacks the directness and tactility of the Lotus Elise. Its 3.7-second zero-to-60 time falls short of the GT-R, and it can't come close to the Nissan's point-to-point brutality. There's simply no frame of reference to apply, which begs the question: Why? Why has Lexus invested hundreds of million of dollars, ran a dozen races and developed nearly every single component in-house to build a scant 500 LFAs and offer them to the world's elite?

It's a mystery wrapped in an enigma coated in carbon fiber. And there's obviously more to this story than simply driving impressions and photos. So after last week's barrage of LFA news, it's time to take a step back... then get stuck right back in.


Gallery: First Drive: 2011 Lexus LFA


Photos copyright (C)2009 Damon Lavrinc / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2011 Lexus LFA is wicked and this way comes

First Drive: 2011 Lexus LFA is wicked and this way comes originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 26 Oct 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2011 lexus lfa2011LexusLfafeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivelexuslexus lf-alexus lfaLexusLf-aLexusLfalf-alfatoyotaMon, 26 Oct 2009 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi drives brand out of basement, into fast lane]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/16/2010-suzuki-kizashi-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/16/2010-suzuki-kizashi-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/16/2010-suzuki-kizashi-first-drive/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,

2010 Suzuki Kizashi - Click above for high-res image gallery

Shut your eyes and say the word "Suzuki" out loud. Unless you're a moto-head or one of those rare Geo Metro fanatics (they exist, trust us), the image that springs to mind isn't very nice. Odds are that the car your subconscious conjures is tiny, cheap and bizarre. It's probably named something forgettable like "Aerio" or totally inaccurate (and forgettable) like "Esteem." Forgettable cars tend to attract forgettable customers. Don't believe us? Suzuki referred to their recent crop of owners as "subprime." Ouch. But, with that pain comes some truth. And in an industry long known for complete and total self delusion, Suzuki's admission was cathartic across both sides of the automaker/auto journo aisle.

The Kizashi drives better than basically everything in its class.
But what would cause Suzuki to be so blunt? A number of factors, as it turns out. For one thing, "subprime" is so 2008. Meaning that relying on folks with poor credit to snap up your cars because they're so cheap just ain't good business these days. Nor is outsourcing big, potentially huge moneymakers like seven-passenger SUVs to General Motors. There's nothing inherently wrong with the XL7 other than the fact that it's based on the Theta platform, just like the (defunct) Pontiac Torrent and Saturn Vue. Smartly, Suzuki has indefinitely suspended XL7 production. More importantly, rather than not making bad cars, Suzuki might just be in the middle of a product renaissance.

Those familiar with the plucky little SX4 are well aware that it's a great driving, high content, practical hatch that's incredibly inexpensive (name another car featuring all-wheel drive and navigation for under $18,000). But you may not know the SX4 is half-Fiat, penned by none other than Giugiaro and half-designed by the Italian giant. So what Suzuki needs to really pull off a rebirth (or at least the early stages of a rebirth) is a fully 100% Suzuki-designed car that's not just "good enough," but "better than." And according to Suzuki, the all new 2010 Kizashi is indeed such a vehicle. But is it?


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi


Photos copyright (C)2009 Jonny Lieberman / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi drives brand out of basement, into fast lane

First Drive: 2010 Suzuki Kizashi drives brand out of basement, into fast lane originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Suzuki Kizashi2010SuzukiKizashiA Great Thing ComingAGreatThingComingfeaturedfirst driveFirstDriveKizashiSuzukiSuzuki KizashiSuzukiKizashiFri, 16 Oct 2009 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2010 Volkswagen Golf evolves the German hatchback]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/2010-volkswagen-golf-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/2010-volkswagen-golf-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/15/2010-volkswagen-golf-first-drive/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2010 Volkswagen Golf - Click above for high-res image gallery

Outside of North America, the Golf has been Volkswagen's bread-and-butter model for more than three decades, making the diminutive hatch one of the best selling global vehicles since its mid-Seventies launch as the Beetle's successor. But in the States, it's a totally different story. Except for a few brief periods when fuel prices spiked, the Golf/Rabbit has always played second fiddle to the Jetta - little more than a Golf with a trunk.

While the sixth generation Golf has been on sale in Europe for nearly a year, U.S.-spec versions are beginning to trickle into retailers on this side of the Atlantic. But before you head down to your local V-Dub dealer to check out the newest Golf (and buy a Jetta instead), we made the trek to Germany to sample the latest iteration of VW's workhorse in and around its Wolfsburg birthplace. Is the new Golf finally enough to woo hatch-averse Americans out of their sedans and into something with an added helping of practicality? Follow the jump to find out our first impressions.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Volkswagen Golf


Photos copyright (C)2009 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Volkswagen Golf evolves the German hatchback

First Drive: 2010 Volkswagen Golf evolves the German hatchback originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 volkswagen golf2010 vw golf2010VolkswagenGolf2010VwGolffeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivegolfvolkswagenvolkswagen golfVolkswagenGolfvwvw golfVwGolfThu, 15 Oct 2009 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2010 Volkswagen GTI reminds us why we like hot hatches so much]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/08/2010-volkswagen-gti-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/08/2010-volkswagen-gti-first-drive/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/08/2010-volkswagen-gti-first-drive/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2010 Volkswagen GTI - Click above for high-res gallery

Performance Icon. That two-word phrase is bandied about so often there's hardly any meaning left in its 15 letters. After all, if a Porsche 911 is rightly referred to as a performance icon, can we call a Honda Civic Si the same? And are we talking any old 911/Civic Si, or just certain years and models? For instance, there is no doubt that the B13 Nissan Sentra SE-R, with its killer SR20DE engine, is a performance icon, but what about the current B17 Sentra SE-R? How about the Spec V? No way - the Versa has a better chassis.

We mention this problem with the Performance Icon label because Volkswagen described the all-new 2010 MkVI GTI to us as the "performance icon of the brand." As you may have noticed, Volkswagen's been delving pretty deeply into its past for marketing purposes as of late. First they tried reintroducing the Rabbit name much to the chagrin of Golf fans nationwide, and now they have Max, the black 1964 Beetle telling you that VW is "Das Auto." On a smaller scale, it's attempting to remind potential GTI buyers that the new model is both a direct descendant of and flag bearer for the original 1983 MkI GTI. Here comes the begged question: is it?


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Volkswagen GTI


Photos copyright (C)2009 Damon Lavrinc / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Volkswagen GTI reminds us why we like hot hatches so much

First Drive: 2010 Volkswagen GTI reminds us why we like hot hatches so much originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 08 Oct 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1983 GTI1983 Volkswagen GTI1983Gti1983VolkswagenGti2010 Volkswagen GTI2010 Volkswagen GTI MkVi2010VolkswagenGti2010VolkswagenGtiMkvifeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivegolfGTIGTI MkIGTI MkVIGtiMkiGtiMkviMkI GTIMkiGtiMkVIMkVi GTIMkviGtiVolkswagenVolkswagen GTIVolkswagenGtiVWThu, 08 Oct 2009 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Exclusive Drive: Iacocca 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang is one sterling 'Stang]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/exclusive-drive-iacocca-45th-anniversary-edition-ford-mustang-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/exclusive-drive-iacocca-45th-anniversary-edition-ford-mustang-i/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/06/exclusive-drive-iacocca-45th-anniversary-edition-ford-mustang-i/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,


2009 1/2 Iacocca 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang - Click above for high-res image gallery

When the phone rings and the guy on the other end asks if we want to drive a new Ford Mustang, we have to take a moment before answering. While we always enjoy the chance to pilot a new vehicle, we have to carefully consider whether we want to subject you to yet another pony car review. As we've chronicled in the past, there have been dozens of Mustang variants over the past decade and we've covered just about all of them. But we know that just mentioning another Mustang can elicit apathy - if not downright scorn - from our readers. Sure, it's an iconic American vehicle, attainable and tunable, fast and fun, but does the world really need yet another special edition Mustang?

The answer to that question is 'yes,' as long as there's something new in the mix. So when the call came to drive a 2009 1/2 Iacocca 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang, the invitation was irresistible. Built as a tribute to the Father of the Mustang, it's been a long time coming. The real question is whether this limited edition 'Stang will be distinctive enough to stand out among the hundreds of other variants since its birth in 1964. We stopped by the car's builder, Metalcrafters, in Fountain Valley, California to find out. Read on to find out what we think about Lido's tribute.


Gallery: First Drive: Iacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Mustang


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading Exclusive Drive: Iacocca 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang is one sterling 'Stang

Exclusive Drive: Iacocca 45th Anniversary Edition Ford Mustang is one sterling 'Stang originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 06 Oct 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>45th anniversary mustang45thAnniversaryMustangexclusivefeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivefordford mustangFordMustangGaffoglioGaffoglio Family MetalcraftersGaffoglioFamilyMetalcraftersiacoccaIacocca 45th Anniversary Edition Ford MustangIacocca MustangIacocca Silver 45th Anniversary Edition Ford MustangIacocca45thAnniversaryEditionFordMustangIacoccaMustangIacoccaSilver45thAnniversaryEditionFordMustangLee IacoccaLeeIacoccaMichael LeoneMichaelLeoneMustangTue, 06 Oct 2009 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2010 Acura ZDX offers figure over function]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/05/first-drive-2010-acura-zdx-offers-figure-over-function/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/05/first-drive-2010-acura-zdx-offers-figure-over-function/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/10/05/first-drive-2010-acura-zdx-offers-figure-over-function/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2010 Acura ZDX - Click above for high-res gallery

Acura calls its all-new ZDX "a provocative luxury four-door sports coupe," adding that it's a "passionate getaway" vehicle designed for "a couple, their belongings, and more." The proclamation is a twist on a pitch we've heard before, yet with an even narrower segment focus. While the marketplace has come to accept the stylishly squashed Mercedes-Benz CLS, Volkswagen CC and Jaguar XF into the non-sedan segment, this new niche - pioneered by the BMW X6 and accepted by consumers if only because the Bavarian delivers the goods - is still a substantial risk that could require a hard sell with pithy prose.

So to kick-off Acura's all-new non-SUV, the automaker invited us to Southern California to drive the latest addition to its growing family. Constructed on the familiar MDX platform and sharing its powertrain, the ZDX pushes the automaker's styling and innovation to the limit - it's certainly not bland or boring. However, is there enough substance under the style to win buyers in this newly targeted segment? What game-winning cards, if any, does Acura really hold with its latest "sports coupe" SUV? Follow the jump to find out.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Acura ZDX


Photos copyright (C)2009 Michael Harley / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Acura ZDX offers figure over function

First Drive: 2010 Acura ZDX offers figure over function originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 11:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 acura zdx2010AcuraZdxacuraacura zdxAcuraZdxfeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivezdxZDX reviewZdxReviewMon, 05 Oct 2009 11:55:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo evolves the wagon with clever packaging, solid dynamics and... a prehensile tail?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/21/first-drive-bmw-535i-gran-turismo-evolves-the-wagon-with-clever/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/21/first-drive-bmw-535i-gran-turismo-evolves-the-wagon-with-clever/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/21/first-drive-bmw-535i-gran-turismo-evolves-the-wagon-with-clever/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , , ,

BMW 535i Gran Turismo - Click above for high-res image gallery

Evolution is a tough thing to watch - and not merely because it takes millions of years. While the developmental pace of the automobile has proven to be rather quicker than the natural world surrounding it, the car industry's recent house-on-fire rush into new niches and sub-genres has often been similarly challenging to make sense of. Like those primordial fish that beach themselves, drag their bellies on the sand with their fins and eventually mutate into, say, Adriana Lima, you just have to know that the industry's recent diversification efforts will eventually yield a timeless beauty or two. But thus far, you could be forgiven for thinking that the process will take a few hundred millennia - especially where it concerns the industry's nascent call-me-anything-but-a-station-wagon movement.

While the burgeoning four-door coupe segment has already yielded some supermodels, the kinlugger set has yet to work out the same way. This, despite seemingly every automaker downing the midnight Red Bull in an effort to hit upon a package that bundles the functional attributes of a family hauler without their social stigma. Some companies are disguising their efforts as SUVs (traditional square-rigged crossovers); a few have waded in with quasi-minivans, while others are staking their claim to the muddy hatchback middle ground. Enter the latest automotive platypus, BMW's 5 Series Gran Turismo, a distinctive new five-door that aims to meld the practical utility of a CUV and a station wagon without the either genre's dynamic and civil penalties.


Gallery: First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo

Continue reading First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo evolves the wagon with clever packaging, solid dynamics and... a prehensile tail?

First Drive: BMW 535i Gran Turismo evolves the wagon with clever packaging, solid dynamics and... a prehensile tail? originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 21 Sep 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>5 series5 series gran turismo5 series gt5-series5-series gran turismo5-seriesGranTurismo535i550i5gt5Series5SeriesGranTurismo5SeriesGtBimmerBMWfeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivefive seriesfive-seriesFiveSeriesgran turismoGranTurismoMon, 21 Sep 2009 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2010 Nissan 370Z Nismo simply rocks]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/first-drive-2010-nissan-370z-nismo-simply-rocks/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/first-drive-2010-nissan-370z-nismo-simply-rocks/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/17/first-drive-2010-nissan-370z-nismo-simply-rocks/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2010 Nissan 370Z Nismo - Click above for high-res image gallery

There's no safe way to say it: this blogger just doesn't like the 2010 Nissan 370Z very much. Sure, it's a fine sporty car that goes about its business quickly and competently, but it just leaves me cold. Yes, it can hit 60 mph in 5 seconds, hold 0.99 g on a skid pad and get around a track faster than a Porsche Cayman, but it doesn't rocket to 60 mph in 5 seconds like Wile E. Coyote shot from a greased Acme canon. Nor does it tenaciously hold 0.99 g like a baby possum gripping onto mama during a lightning storm. And yeah, you guessed it, I'd much rather get there a second or two late in the mid-engined Porsche. Or, more appropriately, a 2010 Mustang GT. Long story short, the 370Z is a little dull.

I'm not just saying all this to be contrary or cute. I've personally logged over 1,500 miles in a couple different 370Zs and, to be honest, the experience wasn't much different than the more than 1,500 miles I've traveled in various Infiniti G37s. Not that there's anything wrong with the Infiniti, but the Z should be a sports car, not a luxury tourer. That's why it was such a breath of fresh air - both literal and otherwise - when we got our hands on the 370Z Roadster. It was like going from black and white to color. Finally, the new Z was fun, engaging - thrilling even. Trouble was, we knew the Nismo was coming and had that stuffy roof. Yeah, we'd go fast for a week, but I feared being ultimately underwhelmed. Well guess what? Not so with Nismo.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Nissan 370Z Nismo


Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Nissan 370Z Nismo simply rocks

First Drive: 2010 Nissan 370Z Nismo simply rocks originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 17 Sep 2009 11:56:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 Nismo2010 Nissan 370Z2010 Nissan 370Z Nismo2010Nismo2010Nissan370z2010Nissan370zNismo370Z370Z Nismo370zNismofeaturedfirst driveFirstDriveNismoNissanNissan 370ZNissan 370Z NismoNissan NismoNissan370zNissan370zNismoNissanNismoThu, 17 Sep 2009 11:56:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster shrugs off the convertible stigma]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/10/first-drive-2010-nissan-370z-roadster-shrugs-off-the-convertibl/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/10/first-drive-2010-nissan-370z-roadster-shrugs-off-the-convertibl/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/10/first-drive-2010-nissan-370z-roadster-shrugs-off-the-convertibl/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster - Click above for high-res image gallery

The first and possibly most important thing you need to know about the new 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster is that Nissan knew it'd be building a convertible from day one. Over beers and some yummy Asian food with Bruce Campbell, Nissan's VP of design, we learned that the 350Z Roadster was an afterthought - at least from a design standpoint. In other words, when Campbell's team penned the 350Z, they weren't thinking the top would be coming off. Which is why the convertible 350Z was - to be kind - awkward looking.

The trophy for best looking Z convertible sits squarely on the 370Z Roadster's mantle.
With the 370Z, however, Campbell's team actually started by sketching the roadster first and the coupe was somewhat of an afterthought. Not totally, of course - they knew there would be a hardtop - but the regular 370Z's creased and angled roof is essentially lifted from the GT-R. It's not bad, per say, and after the Nineties 300ZX and the original 240Z, the new 370Z is probably the best looking Z of them all. Probably, because you could make a strong case for the 280Z, funny bumpers and all. And some folks will argue that the 350Z is actually the best looking of the bunch, even though it's a bit too Audi TT for our tastes.

There is no debate, however, about the best looking convertible Z - that trophy sits squarely on the 370Z Roadster's mantle. The 1993-1996 300ZX convertible was just weird, 99% due to the fact that Nissan left the basket handle B-pillar in place. It also came with an MSRP of $44,678 - over a decade ago. Comparing the 370Z to its forebearer, the last model looked painfully hemorrhoidal. Junk in the trunk and then some. Top up it looked like the car was wearing an ill-fitting wig. The "design" didn't work because, as Campbell it explained, it was more marketed than designed. This time out, all one has to do is take in the deeply curved mainline to grok the essence of Z.


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster

nissan370zroadster000nissan370zroadster001nissan370zroadster002nissan370zroadster003nissan370zroadster004

Photos copyright (C)2009 Drew Phillips / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster shrugs off the convertible stigma

First Drive: 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster shrugs off the convertible stigma originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Sep 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 370Z Roadster2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster2010370zRoadster2010Nissan370zRoadster370Z370Z Convertible370Z First Drive370Z Roadster370zConvertible370zFirstDrive370zRoadsterfeaturedfirst driveFirstDriveNissanNissan 370Z ConvertibleNissan 370Z CoupeNissan 370Z RoadsterNissan RoadsterNissan370zConvertibleNissan370zCoupeNissan370zRoadsterNissanRoadsterThu, 10 Sep 2009 11:57:00 EST<![CDATA[First Drive: 2010 Shelby Super Snake as good as a Ford Mustang gets]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/first-drive-2010-shelby-super-snake-as-good-as-a-ford-mustang-g/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/first-drive-2010-shelby-super-snake-as-good-as-a-ford-mustang-g/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/09/08/first-drive-2010-shelby-super-snake-as-good-as-a-ford-mustang-g/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

2010 Shelby Super Snake - Click above for high-res image gallery

In just under ten months, this blogger has gone from not having been inside a Mustang in 13 years (and a used one at that), to driving, in this order, a 2010 Mustang GT, a Mustang GT with the Track Pack, a Shelby GT500 Mustang and a Roush 427R. That sequence also defines our order of favorites; every successive steed has made us say "We have a new favorite!" In Monterey, we were handed the keys to the brand new 750-horsepower Shelby GT500 Super Snake, and when we gave them back we not only said: "We have a new favorite," we declared "All hail, we have a new king!"


Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Shelby Super Snake

supersnake---01supersnake---02supersnake---03supersnake---04supersnake---05

Photos copyright (C)2009 Jonathon Ramsey / Weblogs, Inc.

Continue reading First Drive: 2010 Shelby Super Snake as good as a Ford Mustang gets

First Drive: 2010 Shelby Super Snake as good as a Ford Mustang gets originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 08 Sep 2009 11:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>2010 shelby super snake2010ShelbySuperSnakefeaturedfirst driveFirstDrivefordford mustangFordMustangmustangshelbyshelby super snakeShelbySuperSnakesuper snakeSuperSnakeTue, 08 Sep 2009 11:57:00 EST