2009 Saturn Sky Redline Roadster Sport Car

2009 Saturn Sky Redline Roadster Sport Car

First introduced as a high-performance version of the Sky roadster in 2007, the Red Line turns out decent performance from an Ecotec turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that produces 260 horsepower at 5300 rpm and 260 lb.-ft. of torque at 2500 rpm. These figures give this engine the notable distinction of having the best horsepower-to-displacement ratio of any GM engine and the most powerful motor in the Ecotec family. Gasoline direct injection technology helps the engine produce more power while maintaining the lower fuel consumption of a small displacement port-injected engine. With direct injection, fuel is delivered directly to the combustion chamber to create a more complete burn of the air/fuel mixture. Less fuel is required to produce the equivalent horsepower. EPA figures for the Redline are a decent 21 and 30 for highway driving. Despite those numbers, the Redline gets to 60 mph in 5.5 seconds.

2009 Saturn Sky Redline Roadster Sport Car

To compensate for the addition of more power, the car’s chassis has been tuned for better handling and its braking system has been upgraded for quicker stopping. Other technical highlights include a torque-sensing, limited-slip differential and StabiliTrak electronic stability control. Like all Saturn Skys, the Red Line model boasts a near 50:50 weight distribution, independent front and rear suspension, an extremely stiff body, and coil-over Bilstein monotube shocks.

Other modifications include a slightly stiffer suspension, a unique front fascia with a different foglight/grille treatment, as well as blackened headlamp surrounds and a rear bumper that has two fat rectangular exhaust tips, a single reverse lamp and a cute little "turbo" badge on its cheek. Inside, the Red Line gets leather wrapping for that still-too-big steering wheel, unique embroidery, metallic sill plates, stainless steel pedal covers and unique gauges with a digital boost gauge in the Driver Information Center.

2009 Saturn Sky Redline Roadster Sport Car

The Red Line also features several unique interior and exterior differences compared to the base Sky roadster including dual exhaust with chrome polished outlets, 18-inch polished aluminum wheels, and a redesigned front apron with large vents and black headlamp bezels.

The base price of the Saturn Sky Redline is $30,475, which doesn’t exactly sound cheap. It is afterall still a Saturn. But all things being equal, you have to wonder if the car simply had a different badge on the hood if 30 grand would seem quite reasonable.

2009 Saturn Sky Redline Roadster Sport Car

All New 2010 Porsche Boxster Spyder Sport Car

All New 2010 Porsche Boxster Spyder Sport Car

With the all-new Porsche Boxster Spyder, Porsche is introducing a new, lightweight version of the mid-engined Porsche Boxster roadster at the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show in December, the distinctive styling and technical specification of which represents the true, purist form of the Porsche sports car - light, powerful, open-roofed, and very efficient.

This is precisely the formula already applied in creating the most successful road-going sports and racing cars throughout the history of Porsche, ranging from the legendary Porsche 550 Spyder of the 1950s to the RS Spyder Le Mans Prototype race car so successful in motorsport today.

Weighing 1,275kg, the Porsche Boxster Spyder is the lightest model in the Porsche line-up, and continues this clear-cut philosophy in a package offering full homologation for the road, reflecting a common wish expressed by Porsche customers.

The new model becomes the third version in the Boxster range, joining the Boxster and Boxster S, yet stands out clearly at first sight from the other versions of the mid-engined roadster, quite simply because the Spyder has been developed first and foremost for driving in the open air. The low-slung, lightweight soft top extends far to the rear and serves to protect the driver and passenger from bright sunshine, wind and rain. When closed, the soft top, together with the bespoke extra-low side windows and the two unique, striking bulges on the single-piece rear lid, boasts a stretched and sleek silhouette reminiscent of the Porsche Carrera GT.

All New 2010 Porsche Boxster Spyder Sport Car

Significantly, the new model weighs 80kg less than the Porsche Boxster S which, combined with a lower centre of gravity and revised suspension, gives the Porsche Boxster Spyder the calibre of driving dynamics that clearly reflect the unique look of the car.

The Porsche Boxster Spyder features a tuned version of the proven 3.4-litre flat six 'boxer' engine with Direct Fuel Injection, which is located ahead of the rear axle. Maximum output is 320 bhp, 10 bhp more than in the Boxster S.

All New 2010 Porsche Boxster Spyder Sport Car

Equipped with the Porsche-Doppelkupplungsgetriebe (PDK) twin-clutch transmission and the Sports Chrono Package, the Porsche Boxster Spyder, using Launch Control, accelerates from a standstill to 62mph in 4.8 seconds. Again with optional PDK, fuel consumption is a mere 30.4mpg (9.3 litres/100km) in the NEDC New European Driving Cycle and top speed, in turn, is 166 mph (267 km/h) - with the roof removed.

Market introduction of the new Porsche Boxster Spyder will start worldwide in February 2010, and will be priced from £44,643 in the UK. Included in the purchase price is the invitation for customers to explore the dynamic attributes of their Porsche Boxster Spyder, and develop their own skills behind the wheel, courtesy of a Driving Experience Programme at the Porsche Experience Centre at Silverstone.

All New 2011 Volvo Sporty Sedan S60

2011 Volvo S60 Sporty Sedan

"The all-new Volvo S60 is sculpted to move you. It looks and drives like no other Volvo before and the car's technology will help you to be safer and more confident behind the wheel," says Stephen Odell, President and CEO of Volvo Cars.

The Volvo S60 can be equipped with Pedestrian Detection - a groundbreaking safety feature that can detect pedestrians in front of the car and brake automatically if the driver does not react in time.

The all-new Volvo S60 is being unveiled to the public for the first time at the Geneva Motor Show in early March next year. Production of the sporty sedan model will start in early summer 2010 at the Volvo Cars plant in Ghent, Belgium.

All that changes with the 2011 Volvo S60. For starters, the redesign employs a so-called "Converged C1" architecture blending elements of Ford Motor Company's C1 compact-car platform (think S40 and Mazda 3) and the EUCD structure that serves Volvo's new XC60 crossover SUV. As a result, the next S60 will not only be a clean-sheet affair but dimensionally close to targeted rivals Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

2011 Volvo S60 Sporty Sedan

In addition, the 2011 Volvo S60 promises a dramatic visual break from today's car, expected to look much like the swoopy S60 Concept at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show. That means a curvy coupe-like profile, ample lower-body sculpting, a bold front end like XC60, a stubby high-set rear deck, and sharply raked front and rear glass. The concept has rear-sliding back doors and no center body pillar, but that's showcar whimsy. The production model will be a normal "post" sedan with 4 regular doors. Likewise, the concept's showy 20-inch wheels should give way to more-sensible shoes, probably standard 18s and optional 19s.

Former design director Steve Mattin finalized the exterior, which means more curves and more flamboyant surfaces than we've come to expect from Volvo: It's more XC60 than S80. and the concept's "four-door coupe" roofline remains.

This is the first Volvo to have dimensions placing it head to head with German premium makers. Previous Volvos were half a class between the Germans: The old S60 was smaller than the 5 Series BMW of its day but bigger than a 3 Series. The new one will tackle the 3 Series and Audi A4 head on. "If we were a market leader, we could do cars outside the established size classes, but at our size we can't," our source said. This applies to pricing, engine for engine, and equipment in addition to size.

A V60 wagon version of the S60 is planned, fitting below the V70.The S60 and V60 will be available globally in four-, five-, and six-cylinder versions, most of them turbos, and diesels for Europe. The U.S. should get the turbo five, the 3.2-liter, 235-horsepower inline-six, and 3.0-liter turbo six making about 280 horsepower. AWD will again be available.

2011 Volvo S60 Sporty Sedan

"Customers in this segment want emotional appeal, sporty design and dynamic driving properties. The Volvo S60 has it all. We are convinced that it will be one of the strongest contenders around," says Stephen Odell.

Limited Versions 2010 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet F500

Limited Versions 2010 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet F500

The 40th Anniversary 2008 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet lived up to the legend of the original, duplicating the NHRA Winternationals victory in 2009 and dominating drag strips across the land.

Today, Ford Racing unveiled the 2010 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet at the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) show, which marks the continued evolution of the CJ as a factory-produced turnkey race car. In honor of the SEMA introduction, Ford Racing built and unveiled a one-of-a-kind "SEMA Special" silver Ford Mustang Cobra Jet complete with a charcoal Cobra Jet graphics package.

"The 2008 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet was a great car, it did everything we wanted it to do," said Brian Wolfe, director, Ford North American Motorsports. "We're really proud of the car, but then again we're always trying to make the next one better.

"With the 2010 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet, we had the luxury of a longer development cycle and the result is absolutely stunning. Where the 2008 Cobra Jet was an extremely potent starting point for NHRA Stock competition, the 2010 will enhance the car further. We are all excited to see the new Ford Mustang Cobra Jet in competition."

The 2010 Cobra Jet, like its predecessor, is a factory-built race car that is intended for NHRA Stock and Super Stock racing. The goal for the 2010 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet was to enhance the race features to further make its own place in NHRA history. The 2010 CJ will come with all of the features of the 2008 car with enhancements that include options for a full race-prepared automatic or manual transmission, drag race-specific shocks and springs, manual steering and brakes, 8.50 certified rollcage, and an Aeromitive return-style fuel system with trunk-mounted fuel cell.

Additionally Ford Racing engineers have developed for the 2010 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet a factory-first launch control/rev limiter that will allow drivers to preset the rpm after they stage the car. When they are ready to leave, all they do is put the throttle pedal to the floor; they don't have the engine speed to free rev. Previously, the launch control/rev limiter was only available as an aftermarket option.

Much like Ford Racing's previous Mustang FR500S race car, the Cobra Jet Mustang will get its start at the Auto Alliance International (AAI) assembly plant in Flat Rock, Mich. The entire 50-car run of 2010 Cobra Jets will be built on the same production line that produces the 2010 Ford Mustang production car. Production of Cobra Jets will commence in January, with delivery of all vehicles expected in the first quarter of 2010.

Limited Versions 2010 Ford Mustang Cobra Jet F500

All of the additional parts and pieces for the CJ can be found in the Ford Performance Parts catalog. And since the Ford Mustang Cobra Jet is produced from a base V-6 Ford Mustang, any consumer can turn his Mustang into a Cobra Jet by purchasing the parts from the Ford Performance Parts catalog.

The 2010 CJ car features a choice for customers between two supercharged engines or three normally aspirated engines (pending NHRA approval). These options will allow the Ford Mustang Cobra Jet to be eligible for more classes in the NHRA, as well as competition with other sanctioning bodies, including NMRA, NMCA, PSCA and IHRA.

All 50 of the 2010 Cobra Jet Mustangs have already been ordered by Ford dealers for delivery to customers. For those customers who missed out on the limited run of 2010 Cobra Jets, Ford Racing has set a goal to provide future versions of the Ford Mustang Cobra Jet.

2010 Buick Regal Sport Sedan will arrive in the second quarter

2010 Buick Regal Sport Sedan - Front

The new Buick Regal arrives in the second quarter of 2010, with its sights aimed squarely on competitors like the Acura TSX and Volvo S60. It has a longer wheelbase and greater trunk volume than those vehicles, along with standard features - including a six-speed automatic transmission, 18-inch wheels and OnStar.

The Buick Regal's development is rooted in Germany, where the globally led engineering team created the award-winning Opel Insignia - the 2009 European Car of the Year. The Insignia has garnered more than 31 prestigious awards and is the best-selling midsize sedan in Europe. Buick Regal will bring all of Insignia's award-winning design, technology and European-inspired performance capabilities to the American market.

The Buick Regal has already been a success on another continent, in China. It went on sale in December 2008 and more than 64,000 Regals have been sold there. Enthusiastic customers cite its sculpted, flowing design and responsive performance as the top reasons for purchase.

2010 Buick Regal Sport Sedan - Rear

Buick says the new shape is sleek and sculpted, and we're inclined to agree, after seeing it in a GM design studio earlier this year. We liked the car as the Opel Insignia, and as the Chinese-market Buick Regal, and the swift details pressed into its door panels and the Buick waterfall grille have been integrated nicely (and quickly) into a car that at one point was to be the second-generation Saturn Aura. The Regal's interior sports LED-lit gauges, a low instrument panel, and a sweeping dash with suitably upscale trim. Buyers will have a choice of satin metallic interior trim, or piano-black plastic or a dark wood called Kibo.

Powertrain options will include the new, 182-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder with 220 hp. The latter's a surprise, since it's been expected that the Regal would get a V-6 engine--especially since Buick claims the Acura TSX and Volvo S60 are competitors. For the first model year, Buick says only the Regal CXL will be offered. In 2012 they promise other model versions, which likely means a V-6 is in the offing. A six-speed automatic is the sole gearbox, standard on both, with a manual shift mode. Buick estimates the smaller four will get 30 mpg on the highway, while the turbo engine will get 29 mpg highway ratings from the EPA.

2010 Buick Regal Sport Sedan - Side View

The Regal will arrive in showrooms in the second quarter of 2010. Buick says the sedan targets the likes of the Acura TSX and Volvo S60, although natural rivals will also certainly include the Infiniti G37, Saab 9-3, BMW 328i and Audi A4.

GM will initially offer the Regal in just one trim level, the range-topping CXL model. Lower content trims will follow for the 2012 model year. Initially, a 2.4-liter, direct-injected Ecotec four-cylinder will be the standard powerplant. Rated at 182 horsepower, the engine can also be found in the Chevrolet Equinox and, soon, in the larger Buick LaCrosse.

A turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder also directly injected will arrive late in the summer of 2010. Buick estimates that engine to put out 220 ponies and 258 lb-ft. of torque. The Opel Insignia is offered with this engine, where, in European emissions specification, it cranks out 217 horsepower and 260 lb-ft. of torque.

Both engines will be mated exclusively to six-speed automatic transmissions, although the turbo will use an Aisin AF40 unit and the standard four-cylinder will come with a GM Hydra-Matic 6T45. GM estimates 30 mpg on the highway for the 2.4-liter and 29 mpg for the 2.0-liter, although the company hasn’t said what grade of unleaded will be required for either powertrain.

The turbo model will offer a driver-selectable three-mode suspension with 19-inch alloy wheels, although all models will come with stability control, an electronic parking brake and 18-inch alloy wheels.

The CXL model will come standard with heated leather seats, Bluetooth, OnStar and XM Radio. GM has not released details of any other model to be offered, although we’d expect to see at least one, if not two, lower trim levels.

2010 Buick Regal Sport Sedan - Interior

The Regal will be assembled at Opel’s Russelsheim, Germany, factory, which could mean production will be somewhat limited given the unfavorable Euro to dollar ratio. Pricing has not been announced but will certainly be thousands below an equivalent LaCrosse.

2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1Hennessey Z700 Limited Edition

2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1Hennessey Z700 Limited Edition

Hennessey Performance Engineering has introduced its new 705-hp Z700 upgrade package for the 2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 for those that believe that “too much horsepower is never enough.”

The world’s fastest and most powerful production Corvette, the 638 bhp ZR1 has become the pinnacle of American sports cars. For most ZR1 owners, having a car capable of Nurburgring times of 7:26 is more than enough to satisfy performance to satisfy their need for speed.

However, for the select few who subscribe to the mantra of “Too much horsepower is never enough” Hennessey Performance Engineering (HPE) has something special in store for them in 2010. HPE is happy to introduce the company’s 705 bhp Z700 upgrade package for the 2010 ZR1.

The Z700 performance package carries an upgraded engine supercharger, exhaust and an air induction systems. Other performance enhancing upgrades include lightweight carbon fiber wheels, Z-Aero carbon fiber front splitter, canards and a rear spoiler adding 300 lbs of additional downforce. 0 to 60 mph comes in just 2.9 seconds.

2010 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1Hennessey Z700 Limited Edition 

Additional upgrades include lightweight carbon fiber wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tires, which reduce rotating weight by nearly 60 lbs. Hennessey’s Z-Aero TM carbon fiber front splitter, canards and rear spoiler also add over 300 lbs of down force helping to put the added power to the road and track. Rounding out the Z700 upgrade package is a revised interior with lightweight carbon fiber seats, Alcantara steering wheel and shift knob.

HPE said that it will be testing the Z700 on the Nurburgring in late 2009. It will produce just 24 copies of the Z700 Corvette ZR1 for the 2010 model year. Those who purchase the package will also get 1-day of performance driving instruction in their new Z700 at Hennessey’s own private test track.

If 705-hp isn’t enough for you, Hennessey also offers a 755-hp Z750 upgrade package and a 1000-hp Z1000 upgrade package with twin-turbos.