Autoblog

Click above for high-res gallery of the 2009 Lincoln MKS

The first 2009 Lincoln MKS is still a couple months away from arriving at your local Lincoln dealer, but Ford has announced that 8,600 customers have already signed up for the all-new sedan. The MKS has garnered this hefty dose of interest no doubt due to Lincoln's new design language, its well-crafted interior and large number of high-tech gizmos, but Ford's marketing team deserves some credit, too. They began their work announcing the sedan's starting price of $37,895 way back in November during the L.A. Auto Show, then followed up by giving would-be customers early access to a build and price tool on the Lincoln website. The marketing team is also reportedly training dealerships to be knowledgeable about the MKS months ahead of the usual timetable, which has helped salesmen secure preorders for the vehicle sight-unseen.

Preorders traditionally happen for high-end trim levels of a model, and the MKS is no different. Sixty-five percent of the 8,600 preorders have been for the high-end "Ultimate Package," which includes features like 19-inch rims, a THX audio system, and navigation system with Travel Link. An MKS with the Ultimate Package goes for $44,180, which means Lincoln's making some money on the MKS before it even shows up for work.

[Source: Ford]

Click the image above for more shots of the 2008 Nissan GT-R.

That's right kiddies. According to the LA Times, preorders for the 1,500 U.S.-bound Nissan GT-Rs will begin on the January 1st, 2008. As a reminder, the cost of entry is just over $70,000 and whatever your local dealer decides to tack onto the bottom of the sticker -- possibly upwards of $15k. Somehow we doubt there'll be a line forming a few days before the calendar change (those who can afford it have people for that kind of thing), but we could think of worse ways to spend New Year's Eve – like queuing up for a Versa.

[Source: LA Times]

Word came down from Subaru today that beginning this Thursday, November 15th, it'll be taking orders for its newest roadgoing rally rocket -- coinciding with its NA debut in LA. Although pricing hasn't been revealed yet, Subaru's letter to dealers confirms US-spec output at 305 HP and 290 lb.-ft. of torque. Exterior color choices include Obsidian Black Pearl, Aspen White and WR Blue Mica (natch), along with three new hues: Spark Silver Metallic, Dark Gray Metallic and Lightning Red. The STI still gets 18-inch BBS aluminum-alloy wheels in either Silver or Gold, depending on the chosen exterior shade.

[Source: Straightline]