Renault Megane Coupe: on the way

That's because, if you want to establish some street credibility in the Australian market you need a halo car, preferably a coupe. So after eight years of battling to re-establish its local identity, Renault Australia finally has a car that could pitch the brand into the mainstream, the Megane coupe.

The company's managing director, Rudi Koenig, this week confirmed that the coupe would join the line-up around June next year with a hatch and sedan to follow. Koenig believes the new-generation Megane has the potential to be a volume player. It wants to start with the coupe to establish some credibility and recognition, much like the impact the Koleos has had among buyers, he says

The Megane will be pitched as a volume seller with keen pricing to attack the dominant Japanese players. "We will clearly be concentrating on these Japanese rivals," he says. That means pricing could start around $22,000 for an entry hatch, rising to VW Golf GTi territory for the performance-oriented coupe.
"Megane will be a car in both hatch and sedan form that will be very important for us," he says.

"The small car segment is vital and it's the segment that produces the highest volume selling cars. "We have to succeed in that segment."

Renault could have introduced the European-built Megane sooner but it would have had a premium European price. "In that segment, let's face it, we are the weakest because our previous model's shape wasn't accepted in the market," Koenig says. "The new Megane has a mature, sporty shape that has global appeal."

The coupe will be sourced from France. It has taken a long time to secure the new Megane because Koenig wanted the "international" version of the hatch and sedan, which will be built in both Turkey and South Korea.
"The basic design and DNA will be maintained but some features will be specific to Australia," he says.

Renault Australia is now working out potential sourcing and has several options. It can import the hatch and sedan from Turkey or from its Renault-Samsung affiliate in South Korea.

"That will be decided before the end of this year," he says. "That's one of the pressing issues I will be discussing with Paris."

The sedan and hatch may even end up coming from different plants and could have different names.
"That's to be sorted out," he says. "But we are determined to bring in a car that gives us a competitive edge, either in the vehicle itself or value proposition."

The range-topping coupe arrives first, closely followed by a hatch and sedan by the end of 2010. In Europe the coupe is available with three petrol engines and three dCi turbo-diesel engines. Renault Australia is expected to go for one or two highly specified models.

At the top-end the choices are a six-speed manual 134kW/300Nm 2.0-litre TCe petrol turbo or a 104kW/195Nm normally aspirated petrol four with CVT transmission, as well as a 96kW/300Nm 1.9-litre dCi with a six-speed manual.

In Europe the even the entry model gets 16-inch alloys, air conditioning, electronic stability control with anti-skid regulation and understeer control, six airbags, electric heated body coloured door mirrors, cruise control and electric windows.

 

Upscale on a Budget: Near-Luxury Cars

Consumer demand for affordable luxury has placed more focus on the near-luxury category of passenger cars. This category includes cars from upscale brands such as Lexus, Cadillac, Mercedes-Benz, BMW, and Lincoln, as well as upper-end models from manufacturers such as Chrysler, Toyota and Hyundai. Starting manufacturer's suggested retail prices range from around $24,000 for a Hyundai Azera to approximately $34,000 for an Infiniti G37 Coupe.

MSN Autos defines near-luxury cars as well-appointed sedans and coupes with starting MSRPs at or below $34,000. Near-luxury cars offer trim configurations and option packages that provide luxury features and performance in price ranges that are lower than traditional luxury or high-performance cars.

If you do not find a particular vehicle you would expect to see on a list of near-luxury cars, please check our article on traditional luxury vehicles.

Photo Gallery: Near Luxury Cars

Hot Entries for 2008
Cadillac is bringing a redesigned CTS to market with fresh styling and several updates under the skin, including an available all-wheel-drive setup. Power for the new CTS will come from the current 258-horsepower 3.6-liter V6, or GM's new 300-horsepower 3.6-liter direct-injected V6 that produces 270 lb-ft of torque. A more luxurious interior features DVD-based navigation with a telescoping touch-screen, a Bose 5.1 Cabin Surround audio system, and an Easy Key system with remote start. For maximum comfort, front passengers are treated to heated and ventilated "thin-seat" technology, enhancing rear-seat leg-, knee- and foot-room.

Also sporting more power and a new look is the Infiniti G37 Coupe. The former 3.5-liter mill in the G35 Coupe has been bumped to 3.7-liters in the new G37, and power output jumps with displacement to 330 horsepower. Lower, longer and wider than its predecessor, the second-generation coupe's ride and handling is enhanced by a stiffer platform, optional 19-inch wheels, standard Vehicle Dynamic Control and an optional 4-Wheel Active Steer system.

From Germany, Mercedes-Benz has introduced an all-new C-Class for the 2008 model year. Offered in either Luxury or Sport versions, the Sport is easily identified by the three-pointed star incorporated into the front grille. With elegant new styling and a number of feature and powertrain upgrades, the new C-Class is quite a jump over the previous generation.

Features Are Plentiful
As their name implies, near-luxury cars can come extremely well equipped. Heated and cooled front seats — like those found in the CTS and Lincoln MKZ — are becoming more common, as is dual-zone climate control, available in models such as the Audi A4 or the Buick Lucerne. Even the Hyundai Azera can be equipped with a leather-trimmed interior. Technology such as bright, high-intensity discharge (HID) headlights, which a few years ago were found only on expensive, top-line luxury cars, has made its way into the near-luxury segment. Other near-lux tech includes Bluetooth connectivity, satellite radio, and high-end audio systems. The Acura TL sports all three, and its ELS audio system will also play DVD-Audio discs with impressive fidelity.

Enthusiasts will be happy to hear that several models in the category continue to offer the choice of manual or automatic transmissions. Among them are the Audi A4, BMW 3-Series, Infiniti G37, Cadillac CTS and Lexus IS.

Front-, Rear- or All-Wheel Drive?
The near-luxury segment reflects broader changes in the overall car market, including the proliferation of drive systems. As consumers have become accustomed to all-wheel drive on their SUVs, they've shown interest in having this feature on their cars as well.

Audi's A4 and Volvo's S60 have front- or all-wheel-drive trims, while BMW's 3-Series and Infiniti's G35 are rear- or all-wheel drive. Subaru's top sedan, the Legacy 2.5 GT spec.B comes standard with all-wheel drive, its only configuration. Chrysler has made all-wheel drive an option available on its 300 sedan. All-wheel-drive versions generally command a $1,200 to $2,400 premium over their two-wheel-drive counterparts.

In the market for a new car? MSN Autos is pleased to provide you with information and services designed to save you time, money and hassle. Click to research prices and specifications on any new car on the market or click to get a free price quote through MSN Autos' New-Car Buying Service.

Mazda RX7 Gen 1: Carsguide Car of the Week

The first series Mazda RX-7 was a milestone car for both Mazda and the general car buying public.

Launched in 1978 it was a key car in changing the public's perception of Japanese car manufacturers from builders of cheap bargain boxes to builders of quality affordable and accessible performance cars for the everyman. For Mazda it basically saved them.

Before the RX-7, Mazda were having a difficult time in the American market as their whole strategy was tied to the Wankel rotary engine _ which had built a reputation for a poor fuel economy to power ratio. Fuel economy was coming to the fore as a priority for the buying public. The early 70s was a time of OPEC-introduced fuel shortages and the start of stringent emission controls.

Mazda required a breakthrough car, and with the RX-7 they got it 100 per cent right. It was a significant hit in both the American and Australian markets. Leading motoring journalists were unanimous in their praise for the revolutionary sportscar. The RX-7 won numerous awards and was named by Road and Track magazine in their 10 Best Cars for a Changed World and 10 Best Cars of the 80s lists. It also made Car and Driver's list of Top 10 cars five times.

RX-7 development commenced in 1975 at the instruction of Mazda board member Sinpei Hanoka. The brief was for a small lightweight two-seater sportscar with a chassis specifically designed around the compact Wankel engine. This project would be Mazda's third attempt at a halo sportscar. The first was the Cosmo, was a limited production hand built classic. The second was a failed attempt to build a two-seater from a shared sedan chassis, a project that was abandoned in 1973.

In March 1978 the production RX-7 was introduced to the international motoring press at Hiroshama, Japan. It was a hit and press coverage was full of praise for Mazda.

The advance press and excellent coverage in Australian magazines converted into sales for Mazda here. Australian, along with America, seemed to like everything about the car. Curiously, it was not as successful in England or the rest of Europe.

Drivers loved its road manners and performance. Handling was universally praised and few significant problems were ever reported. In September 1982, Road and Track surveyed 200 owners and their summation was "when it comes to performance, handling and reliability, the RX7 offers more fun per dollar than any other sportscar". The same holds true today, with current market prices between $5,000-15, 000.

The RX-7 also had a very successful race career here with Allan Moffat.  In 1982 he won the Lakeside and Surfers Paradise rounds of the Australian Endurance Championship. In 1983 he won the Calder Park, Wanneroo, Surfers and Oran Park to take the Championship. He also won the Sandown 500 race and got two thirds and a second in the Bathurst 1000 between 1982 and 1984.

Mazda RX-7 1st Generation

Built –               1979 to 1985
No. Built -          471,018

Series 1 – 1979-80
Series 2 – 1981-83
Series 3 – 1984-85

Engine 12a - 1.1L, 2 rotor 109 kW naturally aspirated

Transmission(s)             4-speed automatic, 5-speed manual

Dimensions

Wheelbase        2420 mm
Length             4285 mm
Width                1689 mm
Height               1260 mm
Curb weight       1,191 kg - 1,393 kg

Fuel consumption (city) - 13 km/litre
Fuel consumption (highway) - 8 km/litre

 

Short Take Road Test: 2010 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

At 86 years old, Carroll Shelby should consider putting his name on something more appropriate. Bags of prunes, perhaps? But there it is, pasted across the rump of a 540-hp, Corvette-priced, mega-Mustang. The faithful rejoice.

The 2010 Shelby GT500 goes on sale in May at a base price of $48,175, replacing the 2007-2009 Shelby GT500, as well as the limited edition, $80,000 2008-2009 Shelby GT500KR.

All 2010 Mustangs get new, curvier sheetmetal over bigger shoulder pads. The Shelby GT500 gets mostly the same, plus a distinct face and an aluminum hood gouged by a single large heat vent. A trapezoidal grille cap finishes off the nose as one big flaring nostril. This cap "traps" the hood behind it, in industry parlance, helping seal up the front end to better deliver cold air to the radiator and engine intake. It also looks far more evocative of past ponies than the base '10 Mustang with its "shingle" hood overhanging the grille.

Big Ol' Engine, Should it be Quicker?
Lifted from the limited-edition Shelby GT500KR, the 5.4-liter four-cam 32-valve V-8 with its Eaton 2300 intercooled supercharger turns a new twin-disc clutch that is easier on the left leg and has smoother take-up. A resonance chamber in the intake snorkel dampens supercharger whine while letting pass more of the V-8's bellicose bawl during 4.6-second blasts to 60 mph.

Remember when 540 horses were enough to win Indy or set a Bonneville record? The Shelby lunges forward with a fearsome roar when you mash it, the acceleration making you startlingly heavy in the seat. Even so, Ford thought our 12.9-second quarter-mile was slow by a half-second, but after two test sessions in imperfect conditions — and after letting Ford's own hot shoe take the wheel — we were unable to better the times. Ford figures the car should run 12.5-second quarters, maybe quicker. Maybe so — we await the proof. Meanwhile, it's no quicker than a Chevy Camaro SS, which is about $17,000 cheaper.

We found the Shelby's modest times even more surprising considering the friction-type limited-slip differential was shortened to a 3.55 ratio from a 3.31 in the previous GT500 for quicker jack-rabbiting. The 155-mph (electronically governed) sixth gear in the Tremec TR6060 transmission also is taller. The resulting 22-mpg highway rating cuts $300 off the federal guzzler penalty, now a mere $1000.

A Shelby Built by Ford
Actually, Shelby doesn't build this Shelby. The authors are keen young engineers in Ford's 60-member Special Vehicle Team. Tall, slender, Nordstrom's-dressed Jamal Hameedi, 39, led the GT500 project — he should really have his name on the trunk, but that might cause trouble at border crossings. And Shelby is the ol' Shel, the ol' Snake, and this may be the last, live revelation from the Church of Shelby's ancient deity, so he gets top billing.

Sweat expended to stiffen up the steering and body control pays off with a firmer on-center feel, more natural weighting, and less body teeter in corners. In GT500 coupes (the more flexy convertible makes do with older, softer settings), spring rates rise over last year's GT500 to cut roll and pitch, but the front anti-roll bar has a thinner wall to make it less rigid, which quells understeer, we're told. Steering-shaft flex was reduced with a firmer coupling at the steering-wheel tilt-joint, and a new type of Tokico front strut paired with new Goodyear Eagle F1 Supercar tires delivers graceful path control and sticky cornering grip if not the twitching, telegraphic steering of a Honda (with 58 percent of almost 4000 pounds on the nose, could it ever?).

Confident in Corners
Considering it's basically a humble, blue-collar suspension of front struts and a rear live-axle, the Shelby thunders confidently through corners without the disconcerting rear-end dance we'd expect from so much horsepower laden on such a simple chassis. The Dearborn Iron Works has learned how to make their Mustangs behave.

Details: Hand-applied body stripes — echoed by matching leather stripes in the seats — can be optionally deleted if you're only buying a GT500 because they're out of Tauruses. Twin four-inch exhaust tips blow the gasses out below a wide spoiler with a Gurney flap to cut rear lift. The retro shift knob is glued up from several small pieces by a company that makes billiard balls.

This GT500 promises the same straight-line performance as the limited-edition KR for perhaps $30,000 less. Well, it wouldn't be the ol' Shel without a little snake oil on tap.

Performance Data
C/D TEST RESULTS:
Zero to 60 mph: 4.6 sec
Standing ¼-mile: 12.9 sec @ 113 mph
Braking, 70-0 mph: 182 ft
Roadholding, 200-ft-dia skidpad: 0.89 g

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 14/22 mpg

Content provided byCar and Driver.

Hottest Bentley breaks cover!

Packing an almighty 630bhp, this is the photo that proves Bentley is nearing production status with its  £150,000 Continental Supersports.

The British beast was caught out testing, as engineers put the finishing touches to the car's set-up before it hits showrooms in the autumn.

These pictures give a clear view of the the massive front intakes and twin bonnet vents, as well as the muscular bodykit, flared rear wheelarches and wider side sills. Larger-diameter twin exhaust pipes and a modified rear valance finish off the pumped-up styling package.

Under the hood is an uprated 6.0-litre twin-turbocharged W12 engine, producing 621bhp at 6,000rpm – 21bhp more than the GT Speed. A rear-bias all-wheel drive set up aims to make this the most driveable Bentley ever.

The interior is a distinctively Bentley affair, with alcantra and detailled trim, but carbon fibre and Alcantara suede have also been fitted in a first for the company. Two ightweight sports seats feature carbon-fibre backs, and can be taillored to the buyers exact specifications.

Mitsubishi Evo X FQ-400

It's a supercar with four doors and a sensible boot! Mitsubishi has confirmed that the most powerful Evo X to date will hit UK showrooms this month, and prepare to be blown away by the FQ-400's astonishing turbocharged engine.

Surpassing the FQ-300, FQ-330 and FQ-360 at the top of the performance tree, the FQ-400 manages to eek an incredible 397bhp and 525Nm of torque from its 2.0-litre powerplant – enough to rocket the rally-bred saloon from 0-60mph in 3.8 seconds and onto an electronically limited top speed of 155mph. Extra power comes courtesy of new high-flow fuel injectors, a low-friction turbo charger and a remap of the ECU.

On the outside, the FQ-400 adopts an even more hostile appearance thanks to a carbon-fibre front apron, vented side skirts and a gaping trapezoid central exhaust. The aerodynamics benefit from a roof-mounted air intake, known as the 'Vortex Generator' and a 30 millimetre lower ride height thanks to a set of uprated Billstein dampers. Nine-spoke 18-inch alloys are also fitted, along with sticky Toyo tyres.

And the price to have this sort of performance on your driveway? A cool £49,999.

Magna beats Fiat to buy GM Europe

GENERAL Motors was set to file for bankruptcy on Monday – but Vauxhall and Opel could be saved by Canadian-Austrian parts maker Magna International.

The firm has come to a deal with GM after fellow bidder Fiat dropped out of talks. But the sale will still have to be approved by the German Government, which has given GM Europe £1.2billion in loan guarantees.

Crucially though, Magna has not yet announced its plans for Vauxhall's UK plants at Ellesmere Port and Luton – and had planned on cutting just 2,500 jobs in Germany, compared to Fiat's 10,000. Keep an eye on Auto Express for all the developments as they happen.

 

Ford Focus RS: 2,670 miles

In the words of Nineties' songstress Gabrielle… dreams can come true! Back in 1992, I desperately wanted an Escort RS Cosworth, but as I was only 14 years old at the time, I had to settle for a poster of it – alongside a Ferrari Testarossa and Porsche 911 Carrera Club Sport – on my bedroom wall.

Fast-forward a few years, and while I've grown out of putting up posters of cars – my girlfriend wouldn't allow it anyway – my love of fast Fords hasn't dimmed. So it really is a dream come true to be running the Cossie's spiritual successor, the Focus RS, as my new long-termer.

Packing a 301bhp, 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbo, a limited-slip differential and a clever new RevoKnuckle suspension set-up, it's the most advanced front-wheel-drive car in the world – but just how does it feel compared to the machine of my boyhood dreams?

Thanks to Ford's heritage centre, I was able to bring the new RS face-to-face with its predecessor. Both certainly pack some visual aggression – and even today the Escort RS Cosworth looks outrageous!

The car you see here is one of the later versions. That means it produces 224bhp from its 2.0-litre four-cylinder engine rather than the 227bhp of the earlier big-turbo rally homologation specials.

However, while it remains a very quick machine, the Cossie lacks the huge low-down torque and high-rev punch that the new RS has in spades. In short, it wouldn't see the latest model for dust! And there is no contest when it comes to the soundtrack – the Focus' gorgeous, offbeat Audi-style five-cylinder warble wins hands down.

The real advances have been made when it comes to the handling. The Cossie still feels beautifully balanced, but it's amazing just how much the bodyshell flexes over bumps.

In comparison, the Focus RS feels incredibly stiff. And while the newcomer doesn't get four-wheel drive like its predecessor, Ford's engineers have worked wonders with its front-wheel-drive set-up.

Of course, with 301bhp on tap there's still torque steer on uneven roads, but grip is simply fantastic aided by traction control which allows just the right amount of wheelspin. The RevoKnuckle suspension system plays the biggest part, though, keeping the front wheels planted as you accelerate hard out of a bend. What I love most, however, is the Focus RS's all-round ability. As well as being a hot hatch, it's a quiet, comfortable cruiser – and after my previous long-termer, a Mitsubishi Evo X FQ-360, its hatchback practicality, decent ride and strong build quality are a real boon.

Predictably, economy isn't a strong point, but I'm getting 24.5mpg in regular driving which isn't bad considering the performance. So, is the teenager in me happy? Oh yes! The Escort RS Cosworth is still assured of its place in my fantasy garage – and, now, so is the new RS. I'm in seventh heaven!

World's fastest cars special

It's over 22 years since the Ferrari F40 became the first production car to crack 200mph, and it's certainly wasn't the last! We've compiled the definitive list of the fastest cars ever built, just click on the boxes on the right to get the low-down on all the models that are famous for out-performing the competition.

We've got the latest news, straight from Japan, on Lexus's first attempt at a supercar here, and the LF-A is set to be well worth the wait, with a top speed easily eclipsing 220mph.

The Bugatti Veyron is the first car to make 250mph look easy, and we've also got an exclusive first drive of its drop-top stablemate, the Veyron Gran Sport coming soon.

It's the Biggest Auto Show in New England!

The  New England International Auto Show is at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center in the Seaport District with100 foot high ceilings, breathtaking views and easy access from all major roadways! The Show is 9 football fields worth of 2010 model year vehicles, new introductions, exotics and concepts.  There's fuel solutions from hybrids and clean diesels to the newest fuel sippers.  Plus there are exciting aftermarket accessories, entertaining features, motorcycles and new specialty showcases! It's an experience not to be missed!

 

The New England Auto Show is an annual showcase of the newest model year import and domestic vehicles -- cars, vans, light trucks and sport utilities. Factory representatives from the car lines are on hand to answer your questions in a no pressure environment. There are cars to suit every budget and life style. With the car lines all under one roof, it's so easy to compare prices and features, saving both time and money. The Auto Show is great entertainment!

So come on down and sit in the cars, pop the hoods, inspect the trunks, kick the tires...all the new models are waiting for you!

MINI Camden special edition revealed

MINI has chosen its own birthday party to give a present to the fans! The MINI 50 Camden is one of three special editions unveiled at the MINI United festival at Silverstone and offers a minimalist colour scheme along with some unique design cues.

The futuristic paint job is complimented by polished 17-inch wheels making the Camden the epitome of a modern MINI. Camden logos are stitched into the backrests, while sports seats and a carbon-trim package give the interior an edgier feel. To mark the model out further, a unique 50th anniversary badge sits on the front grille.

Available to order in Cooper, Cooper D and Cooper S Hatch guises and priced at £18,165, £19,235 and £21,030 respectively, the Camden will only be in production for 12 months and the order books are already open - with first deliveries expected in September.

Best Sporting Car

Picking a winner in this category is a tough task – the best sporting car needs to offer driver involvement by the bucketload and bring a smile to your face every time you hit the road. Beautifully sorted handling and communicative controls are also a must. With contenders coming from a wide spread of hot hatches, coupés and super saloons, it's a fiercely contested category.

Which makes it all the more impressive that despite a bevy of new contenders arriving over the past 12 months, last year's winner retains its crown. With a classic mid-engined layout, sturdy mechanicals and silky handling, few cars are as involving as Porsche's Cayman.

Beautifully accurate steering, wonderfully strong brakes and a truly supple, rewarding chassis mean that every journey comes alive when you're behind the wheel. Whether in standard or S trim, the flat-six engine delivers a lovely soundtrack, and the blend of performance and handling is close to perfect for real-world driving. With a boot front and rear, plus a surprisingly accomplished ride, it's comfortable and practical, too. So don't think of the Cayman as the 911's poorer relation. In this instance, the younger sibling is capable of teaching its bigger brother a few lessons.

Monaco Grand Prix

There was magic in Monaco as Jenson Button scored his fifth win of the year. The English ace dominated from lights to flag leading a Brawn GP one-two ahead of team-mate Rubens Barrichello and Ferrari's Kimi Raikkonnen.

Button put on a stunning display around the tight and twisty street circuit, comfortably controlling the race from the front.

However, Barrichello and Raikkonen pushed Button hard early in the stages, before the Brazilian's super soft tyre's started to lose grip and the Briton was able to pull out a 15 second gap at the first round of pit stops.

Behind the leading trio Red Bull's Sebastian Vettel held up the rest of the field as he also struggled with worn rubber. The young German pitted on lap 11 for more effective harder compound tyres, but crashed out soon afterwards, hitting the wall at the first corner.

Further down the field, Lewis Hamilton suffered a torrid afternoon. The McLaren star was forced to start from the back of the grid after he crashed out of qualifying. With overtaking virtually impossible at Monaco, the reigning champion could only manage a twelfth place finish. To add insult to injury Jenson Button lapped him for the second race in succession.

However, there was better news for arch-rival Ferrari. The Italian squad was much more competitive, with Kimi Raikkonen and Felipe Massa finishing third and fourth respectively.

There were also smiles in the Toro Rosso garage after Sebastien Bourdais finished eighth, securing a single point in the process. Sadly his team-mate Serbastien Buemi had less success, retiring after running into the back of Renault's Nelson Piquet early in the race.

Fortunately the on-track chaos failed to slow an on-form Button. In fact, his only error was to stop his car in the pits at the end of the race, meaning he had to run 400 metres up the track to the podium.

"Wow! Winning the Monaco Grand Prix is something that you dream about as a child", exclaimed Button. As a racing driver the reality of taking that victory just feels awesome. To win in Monaco is truly a special feeling. With Rubens taking a superb second place, a one-two finish for the Brawn-Mercedes team in Monaco is fantastic. This victory is massive for us at this point of the season."

Next up the teams travel to Istanbul for the Turkish grand prix on 7 June.

Results

1. Button        Brawn GP-Mercedes
2. Barrichello   Brawn GP-Mercedes
3. Raikkonen     Ferrari
4. Massa         Ferrari
5. Webber        Red Bull-Renault
6. Rosberg       Williams-Toyota
7. Alonso        Renault
8. Bourdais      Toro Rosso-Ferrari
9. Fisichella    Force India-Mercedes
10. Glock         Toyota
11. Heidfeld      BMW Sauber
12. Hamilton      McLaren-Mercedes
13. Trulli        Toyota
14. Sutil         Force India-Mercedes
15. Nakajima      Williams-Toyota

Drivers championship

1 Jenson Button      51
2 Rubens Barrichello     35
3 Sebastian Vettel     23
4 Mark Webber     19.5
5 Jarno Trulli     14.5
6 Timo Glock     12
7 Fernando Alonso     11
8 Kimi Räikkönen     9

Constructor championship

01 Brawn-Mercedes      86
02 RBR-Renault     42.5
03 Toyota     26.5
04 Ferrari     17
05 McLaren-Mercedes     13
06 Renault     11
07 Williams-Toyota     7.5
08 BMW Sauber     6
09 STR-Ferrari     5
09 Lewis Hamilton     9
10 Felipe Massa     8

2011 VW Touareg spied

VW's Touareg is back, and it's bigger than before! A heavily clad prototype of the next-generation SUV has been spotted in testing, and the premium off-roader appears to have grown in size. A lengthened chassis will accommodate a revised, more spacious interior, which will include a third row of seats – but despite appearances, weight reductions thanks to use of stronger lighter materials will mean improved fuel economy and nimbler handling.

The car will have a new front fascia, with a larger grille and revised headlights, while the rear will also receive extensive nips and tucks. Sharing its platform with the next-gen Audi Q7 and Porsche Cayenne, powertrains will also be updated. New versions of the 3.6-litre V6 and 4.2-litre V8 petrol engines are likely to be offered, as well as new more fuel-efficient turbo diesels. And VW has hinted at a hybrid Touareg too, mimicking the Lexus RX-hybrid by using the supercharged V6 from the Audi S4 coupled to an electric motor to boost efficiency.

Our sources have revealed that despite all the cutting-edge technology, the new Touareg could be cheaper than the current car, with prices likely to begin at around £30,000 when it enters production late next year.

Big Apple springing into action

NEW YORK–Though the Detroit auto show usually boasts of having the most world debuts of concept and production vehicles, the annual exhibition in the Big Apple in some ways is becoming more relevant.

Because it falls on Easter each year, the New York show lands during prime time for automakers to debut new vehicles for the forthcoming fall model year turnover – and it's the starting gun for the spring car-selling season.

Although Detroit may have all the glitz (however diminished recently), this gig is all about the business of selling cars, which is considerably more important in these troubled economic times. Given a couple of the new model announcements, there's added interest this year for those worried about Ontario's economy.

In Canada, one automaker that has been all business is Subaru. In a market that was down more than 15 per cent last month on a year-to-year basis, Subaru posted a sales gain of almost 15 per cent.

Most of the Japanese automaker's gains revolve around the newer Impreza and Forester. So the debut of its new 2010 Legacy sedan and Outback wagon – the oldest vehicles in its lineup – are welcomed.

With an eye to matching the physical growth of midsize rivals like Mazda6 and Honda Accord, both of Subaru's offerings are wider and taller, with rear seat legroom and cargo space the main beneficiaries.

There's no longer a Legacy wagon. But as before, all-wheel drive is standard across the board, with naturally aspirated and turbo versions of the 2.5 L flat-four boxer engines. A new continuously variable transmission is available on the base four-cylinder. The optional six is the 3.6 L unit from the Tribeca.

Expect them to arrive in showrooms by late summer.

With sales growth even better than Subaru, Mercedes-Benz (up 26 per cent last month) is sailing through these bad times.

Adding to the 2010 E Class midsize sedan and coupe models, the German carmaker unveiled a high-performance version of the four-door and a concept for a smaller diesel engine.

The 2010 E 63 AMG sedan, which goes on sale this fall, gains 11 hp (now 518 hp) using a hand-built V8 similar to last year's iteration. Also new is the adoption of the seven-speed Speedshift autobox from the SL 63 AMG Roadster that not only aids in making quicker shifts, but also gives 12 per cent better fuel economy. More relevant, the Benz new sedan can go 0-to-96 km/h in only 4.4 seconds.

The E 250 BlueTec Vision is a precursor to a potential production E sedan with a 2.2-litre four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 204 horsepower and 354 lb.-ft. of torque – slightly less than the 210 hp/385 lb.-ft. ratings from the current six-cylinder $68,100 E 320 BlueTec.

Mercedes claims 8.4 L/100 km (33.6 m.p.g.) city and 6.04 L/100 km (46.8 m.p.g.) hwy., compared to 10.5/7.4 L/100 km (27/38 m.p.g.) for the old E 320 diesel.

While 2009 may be the year of the E Class for the automaker, its Smart Fortwo micro-car may soon get competition from an unlikely rival.

In anticipation of a spring 2010 launch of Toyota's Scion brand in Canada, a pimped-out concept version of its iQ sub-subcompact debuted in NYC. With a 93-hp 1.3-litre four-banger driving the front wheels, the iQ allows you to cram a couple of (small) humans in the back, unlike the two-seat Fortwo.

Right now, Toyota is not saying if a production iQ will get the nod.

Nissan unveiled the convertible version of its recently updated 370Z two-seat sports car.

For a premium over the Coupe that starts at $39,998, the 2010 370Z Roadster shares the hardtops' 332-hp 3.7-litre V6 engine, choice of a six-speed stick or seven-speed autobox and is expected in Canadian showrooms this summer.

Despite new-car buyers' rapid shift to small cars, SUVs and crossovers are still a big part of most automakers' lineups. And this year's New York show had plenty of utility vehicles making their debuts.

GMC's new 2010 Terrain crossover will be built at the automaker's facility in Ingersoll., just like the Pontiac Torrent that it ostensibly replaces. Like the old Torrent, the five-passenger Terrain is based on a Chevy – this time the already released Equinox.

GM says a new 2.4 L four-cylinder engine with direct injection is expected to deliver best-in-segment highway fuel economy of 7.8 L/100 km (36 m.p.g.). An optional 3.0-litre V6 will also be available.

The 2010 Terrain goes on sale in late summer in front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions.

Amid the distraction of trying to complete a deal with Fiat for small car technology and negotiating with auto unions to reduce labour costs, Chrysler unveiled its next generation 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee midsize SUV.

Based on the current Mercedes M Class, the new Grand Cherokee's crisp new clothes hearken back to the 1999-2004 model.

Fresh hardware includes a new five-mode air suspension (that can raise the Jeep to a maximum 280 mm) and a centre-console dial that allows the driver to choose from five driving conditions (Sand/Mud, Sport, Auto, Snow, Rock) to achieve "the best driving experience" on various terrains.

The new five-passenger Grand Cherokee also introduces Chrysler's new corporate V6, which is set to replace up to seven existing powerplants. In the Jeep, it comes as a 280-hp 3.6-litre unit.

While early teaser images suggested the Acura ZDX as a near clone of the other crossover-cum-sports coupe – BMW's four-seat X6 – except for its headroom robbing roofline, the new vehicle actually goes its own way.

Based on the MDX seven-seat crossover, the ZDX seats five and doesn't sit as tall as its larger sibling or the Bimmer.

Like the MDX, the ZDX will come with a V6 and AWD. It gets an all-new six-speed automatic gearbox, though.

Honda said its New York show vehicle is very close to the production model that will be manufactured at the Japanese automaker's plant in Alliston, and goes on sale this fall with a price speculated to be just below the $52,900 MDX.

Another new crossover concept was here from Hyundai, but this one is a little greener.

Using the anticipated hybrid drivetrain that will be in Hyundai products starting next year in the Sonata, the Nuvis gull-wing compact crossover hints at a future production model.

Far East flavour shines in Shanghai

SHANGHAI–Automakers are cutting costs because of declining sales in North America and Europe, but one place they aren't pulling back is here in China.

Alternating each year with the Beijing auto show, the 13th Shanghai auto show can now be considered one of the world's premier auto shows, mainly due to the growth of the Chinese automotive industry, projected to surpass the U.S. as the world's largest new-car market this year.

The 2009 Shanghai event was a global melting pot of automakers and clearly indicated where the auto industry is heading.

While the home Chinese brands keep flooding the market with copycat designs (like the Lifan 320, a blatant Mini Cooper rip-off), there were several new Sino-only production debuts and concepts that indicate a higher level of design sophistication and creativity, as well as an attempt to show the capability to compete on the gas-electric hybrid front.

Despite its feeble presence only a few weeks ago at the New York auto show, General Motors showed a strong presence here with more than 37 vehicles and concepts. It's pressing to double its Chinese sales to 2 million units within five years.

Here in a city with about two-thirds the population of Canada, Buick-badged Chevrolet Venture/Uplander minivans are as pervasive as Lincoln Town Cars in New York.

Hence Buick's Business MPV concept, a potential executive transportation replacement that appears based on the existing model's chassis. Another Buick we won't see in Canada is the Regal 2.0T, an attractive version of the European Opel Insignia sedan with a 2.0 L direct-injection and turbocharged four-banger.

Mercedes-Benz now sells more S Class luxury sedans in China than in any other market and the German automaker chose this show to unveil the yin and yang of its refreshed 2010 S Class full-size luxury sedan lineup.

Benz says its new S 400 Hybrid, with a fuel consumption of just 7.9 L/100 km, has the lowest CO2 emissions in its segment. Less frugal are the updated S 63 AMG and S 65 AMG factory hot-rod models.

While powerplants are relatively carried over (S 63 gets AMG's 6.2 L V8 with 525 hp and 465 lb.-ft. of torque, while the S 65 AMG receives the 612 hp and 738 lb.-ft. 6.0 L twin-turbo V12), the German automaker says it has been tuned to improve fuel consumption and carbon emissions by about 3 per cent, and there's a new "crosswind compensation system" plus a Torque Vectoring system that apparently brakes the inside rear wheel in a corner to aid handling.

In the same vein of power wagons, Porsche set the world premiere of the 2010 Porsche Panamera Gran Turismo here – the first new model from the German automaker to debut outside of Europe or North America. (See story on page W30.)

Audi, which took the wraps off its new Q5 compact crossover at last year's Beijing show, unveiled its refreshed 2010 Audi Q7 large crossover.

The Canadian Q7 engine lineup is status quo, including the new 3.0-litre TDI diesel.

Subtle exterior updates, though, include new body colour front and rear fascias with LED lighting front and back.

Inside, there's more wood and a third generation of Audi's MMI information interface system that adds a 3D interface to the navigation system and joystick control for destination input.

In the past, some Sino automakers took heat for copycat designs and styling that jibes with westerners' automotive aesthetic sensibilities. But a few debuts at this year's show gave an indication that some Chinese automakers have replaced their Xerox machines with real, live car designers.

Chang'An – Ford's Chinese-market partner and one of the companies interested in purchasing Volvo from the Detroit automaker – showed up with two concepts: the creative E301 crossover and the clean-looking CD101 sedan.

With its huge wheels and gull-wing doors, the E301 is a pure off-roader's fantasy. Equally fantastical is its drivetrain: allegedly a gas-electric powerplant of some kind, suggested buy its "Fun Hybrid Concept" badging.

The Chang'An CD101 mid-size looks closer to production. Acura's designers could take a few cues from its clean-looking front face and creased shoulder line.

SAIC Roewe, which bought out the tooling and technology from the former BMW-owned British brand Rover, unveiled two sedans planned for sale in the U.K. market.

Based on the existing 550 sedan (née the old Rover 75), the new MG6 Turbo is a four-door fastback that will likely be the first Roewe model exported back to England.

Also planned for the U.K. market is the N1 sedan concept. Unlike the MG6 Turbo, the N1 resides on a new chassis.

Looking ready to take on BMW's X6, the aggressively styled Red Flag SUV is the automaker's first foray into the luxury SUV segment. Details were sketchy from the show floor, but the five-passenger SUV apparently has a V12.

To date, only Chinese battery-manufacturer-turned-automaker BYD has gone to mass production of a plug-in hybrid. But rival Chinese automaker Chery unveiled its own alternative fuel-powered vehicles here.

Reportedly powered by a lithium iron phosphate battery, Chery says the S18 could run 120 to 150 km on a single charge and has a maximum speed of 120 km/h.

It could be on sale in the Chinese market by the end of 2010 for less than 100,000 yuan, or about $18,000 Canadian.

GM leads the way in new trends

General Motors has converged its eco-friendly technology with new trends in luxury to create the Cadillac Converj concept car.
Creative Designer for GM, Alexandra Dymowska, offered insight into the latest trends in automotive design. The new luxury trends are being formed by uniting two separate consumer personalities, the ultra consumer and the über consumer. An ultra consumer is one who is seeking sense. They want simplicity and economically sound products. The über consumer wants sparkling extravagance. The Converj concept offers consumers the best of both worlds with features that are eco-friendly, technologically advanced and sophisticated. It also conveys Cadillac's new vision that it is a brand for all ages, not just cigar smoking old men.
Visitors at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show will also notice new trends in interior design. According to Dymowska, stark contrast will be big in the coming years; the main color will be white, which conveys luxury and purity. Interiors will become more complex, with a variety of environmentally friendly materials being used, such as leather and silk-blend carpet. Consumers can also expect fewer monochromatic color schemes.
GM develops one new exterior paint color each year. Color trends can be influenced by current events; during difficult times, GM tends to release more vibrant colors. Their most popular colors are still silver, black and white. However, patrons to the show can expect to more blues, ranging from deep indigo to turquoise.
Bright new car colors can be seen in this summer's upcoming movie Revenge of the Fallen. Some of the car characters represent the new trends in environmentalism, as well as those in fashion. Get a glimpse of these star cars at the Chicago Auto Show from February 13-22.

First to one hundred: History of first 100 Chicago Auto Shows

A new high-gloss publication illustrating the history of the Chicago Auto Show has just been released, and printed in a limited run.

The 194-page book is available for sale at the 2009 Chicago show, Feb. 13- 22, 2009, or online at www.chicagoautoshow.com.

On Saturday, Feb. 21, between noon and 3 p.m., authors Mitchel J. Frumkin and Jim Mateja will be autographing the book at the entrance to North Hall of McCormick Place.

No one expected the automobile industry to last 100 years, so there was no reason to suspect the Chicago Auto Show would thrive and survive 100 editions over a 107-year span, either.

But it has, and those 100 shows have introduced the horseless carriage and its numerous derivations to the masses. Crank start to push button start. Gasoline, batteries and soon hydrogen. And always the cars have been the stars.

Frumkin and Mateja take you on a journey covering 100 shows at which the newest, biggest, fastest, safest, and weirdest were introduced to educate and captivate the car-buying public.

Check out the highlights of each show, the newest concept and production models, and the celebrities, athletes, and entertainers that came with them. There are more than 600 photos as well as the authors' personal observations and memories.

The Chicago Auto Show, first to see the odometer roll over to reach 100. And it keeps going.

2009 Best of Show Winners Announced

Consumer voters proclaimed their auto show favorites in five categories, in the Chicago Auto Show's fourth annual Best of Show balloting.

Winners in the contest's five categories were the following:

• Best All-New Production Vehicle: Ford Taurus SHO (27% of vote)
• Best Concept Vehicle: Chevrolet Corvette StingRay (39% of vote)
• Best "Green" Vehicle: Ford Fusion Hybrid (31% of vote)
• Best Exhibit: Ford (30% of vote)
• Vehicle I'd most like to have in my driveway: Chevrolet Corvette StingRay (12% of vote)

Eight finalists in four categories were selected by a panel of elite automotive journalists. The fifth category, "Vehicle I'd most like to have in my driveway," allowed voters to choose from any vehicle on the show floor.

According to the results, nearly one-third of the voters considered the Ford Taurus SHO the Best All-New Production Vehicle at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show. It was followed by the BMW Z4 with 20 percent of the vote.

Vehicle I'd most like to have in my driveway was captured by the Chevrolet Corvette StingRay concept. The restyled 2010 Ford Mustang finished second with 7% of the vote.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid grabbed the title of Best "Green" Car. Ford says that Fusion Hybrid is the most fuel-efficient midsize car in America, and apparently voters agreed, giving it a commanding 31% of the votes. Fusion Hybrid trumped the Toyota Prius and Chevrolet Silverado Hybrid, which tied for second at 14% of the vote.

Gathering 39 percent of the vote, the striking Chevrolet Corvette StingRay captured victory as the Best Concept Car of the 2009 Chicago Auto Show. StingRay is set to star in the upcoming movie "Transformers II: Revenge of the Fallen." Joining StingRay in the movie are Chevrolet's Camaro, Trax, and Skids concepts, which also made appearances at the Chicago Auto Show. The innovative Lincoln C finished a second with 20 percent of the vote.

Wrestling the crown of Best Exhibit away from last year's winner, Chevrolet, was Ford. The Blue Oval brand grabbed 30 percent of the vote versus Chevrolet's 27 percent. It's interesting to note that the Ford display included several interactive exhibits including an off-road driving simulator, truck alley, slot-car racing, and music-mix stations.

Click here to watch the NBC5 Chicago video of the Best of Show results.

Stay tuned, because we'll announce the winners of the $100 Shell Gas Cards and $100 Cash Cards shortly.

VOLVO C30: 15,167 miles

X marks the spot in the SUV category, thanks to the Nissan X-Trail. The chunky off-roader is getting on, but it still reigns supreme as the ultimate used SUV by combining decent on-road manners with genuine off-road capabilities.

A hardwearing and spacious cabin makes the X-Trail an outstanding family holdall, while its 350-litre boot can swallow all manner of junk. As with Toyota's RAV4, the Nissan also has an impeccable reliability record. And as a proven performer in Auto Express's annual Driver Power survey, where it finished in 36th place this year, it's a first-rate proposition.

A facelift in 2003 brought revised lights and interior improvements, but otherwise there's little to separate later cars from early models. All post-facelift examples boast air-con, and if you plump for the flagship T-Spec trim, you'll get leather upholstery and satellite navigation, too.

Engines options include 2.0 and 2.5-litre petrols, but the 136bhp 2.2 dCi is the best. The oil-burner joined the line-up only at the end of 2003, and the 2.2 Di which preceded it has only 112bhp. It's still a sound selection, though, and both diesels feature a six-speed manual gearbox, which is ideal for the motorway.

Nissan unveiled the all-new X-Trail at the Geneva Motor Show last month, but you'd be forgiven for missing it! The new motor will look very much like the current model when it hits showrooms this
summer, thanks to its evolutionary styling, and that's sure to ease the drop in used values that new cars normally provoke.

Hyundai Genesis Coupé

Hyundai is more famous for value for money than the performance of its cars – but that could be about to change! The firm has already launched its rear-wheel-drive Genesis Coupé to rave reviews in the US and Korea, and as it considers whether to bring the muscular 2+2 to the UK, we put it through its paces.
Of course, Hyundai is no stranger to the sporty two-door market – since the Nineties, it has been selling its affordable Coupé.

The current version has proved popular, particularly since production of its main rival, the Toyota Celica, ended in 2005. It offers an appealing blend of good looks and a price of less than £18,000. However, the front-wheel-drive chassis isn't much fun, and the 2.0-litre petrol engine isn't powerful enough for the car to be considered a true performance model.

Thankfully, the new Genesis Coupé is a fresh design and, as soon as you see it, you can't help but be impressed. Its flowing body is certainly distinctive, and the unique window lines turn heads.

A purposeful stance comes courtesy of a short front overhang combined with muscular rear haunches. Attractive sporty details – including distinctive headlights, chrome exhaust pipes and neat red-painted Brembo brake calipers – mean the Hyundai is undoubtedly eye-catching.

It's built on an all-new platform which, unlike the maker's European offerings, is rear-wheel drive. It's been developed specifically for the Coupé and the firm's new Genesis luxury saloon. Despite overly light steering that feels out of place on a car such as this, it's agile and changes direction willingly.

There's plenty of front-end grip and a real feeling of composure to the chassis, even if you turn into corners too quickly. But while the handling gets the thumbs-up, the ride doesn't. The suspension struggles to suppress bumpy surfaces.

Beneath the bonnet, there's a choice between 2.0-litre turbocharged four-cylinder and 3.8-litre V6 petrol engines. We tried the bigger powerplant, which combines a 306bhp output with a gloriously throaty rumble that manages to sound smooth and composed even at the 7,000rpm red line.

A six-speed manual is available, but our car was equipped with the six-ratio automatic transmission. This provides smooth changes, and paddles on the steering column allow you to shift up and down yourself. Sadly, as with the steering, gearchanges are too light – the box feels more like that in a city car than a sporty model. Still, the Brembo brakes offer strong stopping power and solid pedal feel.

Inside, the Genesis has a pleasingly well built cockpit. There's a classy blue glow to the hooded instruments, as well as a multi-adjustable driving position and comfortable seats. Top-spec versions get soft leather upholstery, so it's a shame more thought wasn't given to the scratchy centre console and cheap-looking open cup-holders on entry-level models. However, there's room in the back for two small adults and the boot is surprisingly practical.

The Coupé's real strength is its price – in the US, it starts at around £18,000. If the Hyundai comes to our shores, it's likely to cost around £24,000, making it a viable alternative to the likes of Nissan's 370Z and the Audi TT. But its price tag shouldn't disguise the fact that it's also good enough to compete with these cars; it's a true contender.

Rival: Audi TT
THE TT is hard to fault. It is beautifully built, looks fantastic and drives well. In addition, there is a great range of engines to pick from – so it remains one of the UK's most desirable coupés.

BMW Z4 sDrive23i

We were blown away by the Z4 in our first drive on European roads (here) – but can BMW's all-new roadster live
up to expectations here?

This UK-spec model provides the answer. It's fitted with the entry-level 201bhp 2.5-litre straight-six engine, which revs sweetly all the way to 7,000rpm and produces a tuneful exhaust note.

Our example was also equipped with the optional M Sport adaptive suspension. This gives a choice of Normal, Sport and Sport+ settings, selected through the Drive Dynamic Control (DDC) function. DDC applies the same modes to the throttle response and steering weight.

The standard ride setting on the previous Z4 compares to Sport+ here. And in Normal and Sport, refinement is vastly improved – during our run, the springs soaked up the worst the UK's roads could muster, instantly making the BMW feel like a more grown-up car.

However, what the new roadster gains in long-distance comfort it sacrifices through fast corners, with the body feeling loose at times. In reality, though, it's become a more comfortable and usable car for more people, more of the time.

The front-engined, rear-wheel-drive layout means the trademark long bonnet and squat rear-end proportions remain. But the old Z4's harsh edges have been replaced with flowing lines and subtle creases, making this a stunning machine to look at with the two-piece folding roof up or down.

Inside, there are top-quality materials wherever you look. However, the absence of an iDrive controller or even sat-nav in our model highlights the fact that, despite having a more supple chassis, this is still very much a sports car focused on driver pleasure, not creature comforts.

Rival: Porsche Boxster
From the distinctive bark of the flat-six powerplant to the accurate steering, Porsche's soft-top Boxster remains one of the sharpest sports cars available.

Top of the stops - Braking test

Finding out how fast new cars can go is easy – but what about how quickly they stop? While data about power and torque outputs, top speed and 0-60mph sprint times are all simple to find in glossy brochures, how a car comes to a halt is much harder to quantify. That's why we record stopping distances in our road tests.

Manufacturers have made huge strides in braking performance over the past 20 years. Thanks to anti-lock braking systems and the latest tyre technology, modern cars stop more quickly and safely than ever before.

To see how good the latest generation is, we gathered six of the best for the ultimate braking and stability test. They are the fastest-stopping cars we've driven this year in their respective sectors.

At the top of the scale is the imposing Mercedes S-Class, which rules the roost in the luxury sector, while the blurred car in our main photo – a BMW X6 – represents full-sized SUVs. The Mazda 5 upholds the honour of the compact MPV class, and Vauxhall's Insignia is the fastest stopping large family model we've tested so far this year. Superminis are represented by the MINI Cooper JCW and finally the Ford Ka is our contender from the city car class.

2007 Mazda CX-7 Touring AWD - Long-Term Road Test

Mazda adapted to the U.S. car-buying public's desire for lighter and more agile carlike "crossovers"—a slightly encouraging shift away from large, heavy gas-guzzling SUVs—by launching the five-passenger CX-7 for 2007. The similarly spacious and even more carlike Mazda 6 wagon, possibly having been shunned because it contained the terminally uncool term "wagon" in its name, got the ax for 2008.

Based largely on existing Mazda car architecture, but with distinctive styling and very un-SUV-like road manners, a CX-7 joined our long-term fleet. Powered by a 244-hp version of the turbocharged four-cylinder also used in the Mazdaspeed 3 and 6, we were curious to find out if the mid-size ute could produce V-6 oomph with four-cylinder fuel economy.

A CX-7 starts at $24,310, including standard stability control, six airbags, and 18-inch wheels, but we cranked up the sticker by 32 percent with options, checking out at $32,195. The mid-level Touring model is a $1750 premium (leather steering wheel, heated leather front seats, and power driver's seat), and we added all-wheel drive ($1700), the $4005 Technology package (sunroof, six-CD changer, Bose nine-speaker stereo, navigation, rearview camera, and keyless starting), and Sirius satellite radio ($430), which includes a six-month subscription.

We were immediately taken with the CX-7's affable road manners. Aside from excellent straight-line stability, we lauded the Mazda's "perfectly weighted and responsive steering" and "playful chassis" with an almost rear-wheel-drive feel that gives it nimbleness absent from nearly every other vehicle in its class. One driver summed this up as "an SUV doing a rally-car impersonation."

The superior behind-the-wheel performance wasn't purely about the numbers, as the Mazda pulled a somewhat ordinary stability-control-limited 0.80 g on the skidpad. (The system can only be switched off below 20 mph.) But the particularly pleasing pulsing of the anti-lock brakes—among the smoothest-operating systems we've sampled—led to stops verging on sports-car levels, from 70 mph to a standstill in as few as 167 feet.

Part of the CX-7's agility is certainly due to its admirably low 3916-pound curb weight. That's 612 pounds lighter than its slightly larger corporate cousin, the Ford Edge—no wonder the Ford can't mambo like the Mazda—and also a few hundred pounds lighter than two perennial bestsellers in this category, the Honda Pilot and the Toyota Highlander (although those two offer a third-row seat). Everything comes with a trade-off, however, and staffers commented that noise levels from the road and wind were higher than expected.

Negativity also arose from dealings with the CX-7's six-speed automatic—why can't we get the six-speed manual available elsewhere?—that regularly upshifted before we thought necessary (to improve fuel economy, no doubt) and was stingy with downshifts as well. And at 32 grand, it's surprising that our Mazda didn't display outside temperature or fuel economy.

Driver Power Award

Over the past six years, the Auto Express Driver Power Survey has become the biggest and most influential car reliability and satisfaction survey around.

This year, tens of thousands of you responded to a questionnaire which looked at all the key factors of owning and running a car. Lexus, Honda and Toyota dominated the top 10. However, it was the name that you placed at number one that made the others sit up and take notice. Skoda has been threatening to break the Japanese giants' dominance for a while now. The Czech firm's reputation for value, solid build and reliability has always seen it up among more expensive, prestigious motors.

However, in the excellent Octavia it has finally been able to add performance and driving dynamics to the package, thanks in no small part to the excellent vRS range. On top of this you raved about its incredible versatility – the hatch has a boot big enough to shame many larger cars, while the estate is cavernous.

It was this strength in depth that sealed it a memorable victory. Scoring seven top 10 places in each of the 10 categories, the Octavia demonstrated remarkable consistency – and that's what left you singing its praises.

Mitsubishi Evo X FQ-330 GSR SST

What is it?

This is the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo X GSR FQ-330 SST. It's the mid-point of the three-tier Evo X range (until the nutty FQ-400 arrives) and it now gets Mitsubishi's dual-clutch SST transmission, which was previously only available on the 291bhp FQ-300.

The FQ-330 also has the big-piped sports exhaust from the FQ-360, although it doesn't get any of the carbonfibre aerodynamic trimmings from its bigger brother.

Perhaps most significant, however, is that the torque limiter, which allowed only 50 per cent of twist in first gear on early FQ-300 models, has gone.

What's it like?

Not to put too fine a point on it, bloody marvellous. The SST-equipped Evo X FQ-330 could well be the sweet spot in the Evo X range.

The combination of the removal of the first gear torque limiter and the extra 38bhp transforms the Lancer's performance off the line. The FQ-330 SST turns the Evo X into the traffic-light sprinter the occasionally lethargic FQ-300 looked like, but never was. The SST gearbox feels much smoother and more positive than in early Evo X's, too.

On the motorway, and on fast, sweeping A-roads, the six evenly spaced ratios make the FQ-330 SST a much more relaxed companion than the FQ-360, with its gritty five-speed manual, could ever hope to be.

The rest of the Evo X experience is much as you'd expect. The manic power delivery, tremendous four-wheel drive traction and unbelievable levels of grip make the FQ-330 one of the fastest cross-country machines aside from something like a Nissan GT-R. And even then we doubt if the Nissan would easily put clear air between it and an Evo.

There are, of course, the traditional Evo X downsides of tacky interior plastics, heavy fuel consumption and a rock-hard ride, but the Evo X FQ-330 SST manages to mix in more everyday usability than any other Evo variant without compromising its turbo-nutter nature.

Should I buy one?

Even though you're getting close to Porsche Cayman territory with the Evo X FQ-330 SST's price tag, as a four-seat point-to-point missile, there is very little to touch an Evo, at any price. And the FQ-330 SST is probably the best of the lot.

Chicago Auto Show’s social media initiatives

The Chicago Auto Show and the Chicago Automobile Trade Association chose to embrace social media outlets to generate online initiatives to reach a specific target audience.

A Chicago Auto Show Facebook group was created in October 2008 and currently totals more than 1,700 members. The group provides members with comprehensive information about the Chicago Auto Show where members can expect inside scoop that hasn't yet been released to the general public, the chance to win free tickets and the ability to view/upload video posts and photos. The group also provides a message board where members can post a question or comment and the chance to interact with other Chicago Auto Show fans.
  
Besides receiving the most up-to-date information on the Chicago Auto Show, members of the Facebook group benefit simply by joining. One recent contest: members received two free tickets if they recruited 10 of their friends to join the group. Members even received free tickets from the recent "Caption Contest" for posting clever captions to correspond with the posted photo, which is updated weekly, and by uploading their favorite photo or video from previous shows to the group's page. There are many opportunities for members to win free tickets in this interactive group. For more information about the Official Chicago Auto Show Facebook group, visit /multimedia/Facebook.asp. 
  
ChicagoAutoShow.com also has a Chicago Auto Show blog. Readers of the blog can find up-to-date information on the show as well as industry news. Previous posts have included "The Price is Right" (hints on finding discounted and free tickets to the show); "Something to 'LA'ugh About" (report on the L.A. Auto Show); "A Risky Time to Buy? Hogwash!" (report on manufacturers' current vehicle deals); and "Pro Photography for Dummies" (an interview and tip-sheet from two well-respected automotive photographers on taking professional photos at the auto show). For more information about the blog, please visit /multimedia/blog/index.asp.
  
Show updates will be provided via Twitter from the show. This feature will allow the public to retrieve updates even if they're not physically on the show floor. The hashtag #CAS09 will be used to distinguish Chicago Auto Show posts. Chicago Auto Show Twitter followers are encouraged to use the #CAS09 hashtag when posting comments and when searching for Chicago Auto Show related posts.
  
Cell phone text messaging will also be incorporated into this year's media preview and show. Those who opt in will receive timely information and reminders from show organizers. The opt-in number will be distributed the week of the media preview.

Aston Martin V12 Vantage

Big engine, small car – this is the ultimate go-fast formula when it comes to building supercars, and one that's given us some famous machines.

The AC Cobra, the stunning Bugatti Veyron and even the original McLaren F1 all share that special balance between engine size and overall bulk. So, is Aston Martin's new V12 Vantage ready to join this small, exclusive club?

On paper, you'd certainly think so! At 4,382mm long, the V12 Vantage is about the same length as a Ford Focus. Yet squeezed under the lightweight, heavily vented bonnet is the enormous 6.0-litre V12 that debuted in the incredible DBS.

It delivers 510bhp and 570Nm of torque – enough to slingshot the newcomer from 0-60mph in 4.2 seconds and on to a top speed of 190mph.

The big question is, what's the car like to drive? Predictably, first impressions are dominated by the engine, which is hard to ignore. Although the drama builds as you climb into the figure-hugging, optional carbon shell seats fitted to our car, the V12 is the undoubted star of the show. From the moment you get behind the wheel and push the sapphire-tipped key into the dash, the pulsating engine note fills the cabin with a deep, purposeful bark.

Throttle travel is long, and the clutch surprisingly light and easy to control. As a result, getting the car off the line couldn't be easier. In fact, it's so powerful, you barely need to touch the throttle to start the Vantage rolling.

Steering is weighty, and has a meaty, direct feel, which is enhanced by the small, slim, Alcantara-trimmed wheel. But as you head out on to the open road, the V12 serves up its first surprise.

Power delivery is smooth, gearchanges are slick and the ride is unexpectedly supple. Obviously, with all the weight of the engine up front (the V12 is 100kg heavier than the 4.7-litre V8), the ride is still firm – but it's not crashy like some rivals, including the Porsche 911 GT2. For ultimate aural thrills, hit the sport button, located in front of the gearlever. This sharpens throttle response, and makes the exhausts even louder by opening the baffles.

Over fast, winding roads, these character traits combine to create a car that's not just fun to drive, but immensely rewarding as well. At full throttle, the Aston demands fluid, measured inputs from the driver. However, it remains devastatingly fast point to point, not least because of the gargantuan amount of thrust on offer under the bonnet, combined with the incredibly grippy Pirelli tyres.

The final gold star has to go to the carbon ceramic brakes. As well as being light, they provide unbeatable stopping power – exactly what you need to build the confidence to make the very most of this model's impressive potential. Looks like the big engine, small car club just got a thrilling new member.

Rival: Porsche 911 GT2
The ultimate 911 is faster in a straight line than the mighty Aston – covering 0-60mph in a blistering 3.7 seconds. Its chassis is competent, but clinical compared to the V12.

NBC5 and Telemundo Chicago Present: The 2009 Chicago Auto Show Specials

On NBC5:
Saturday, February 14, 6-7 PM
Encore, Sunday, February 15, 11:05PM-12:05AM

On Telemundo Chicago:
Saturday, February 14, 10:30-11:30PM
Sunday, February, 15,  5-6PM.
(February 10, 2009, Chicago)

NBC5 and the Chicago Automobile Trade Association (CATA) present THE 2009 CHICAGO AUTO SHOW special. The hour-long special, live from McCormick Place and in HD, will air Saturday, Feb.14th at 6 p.m. with an encore telecast Sunday, Feb.15th, at 11:05p.m.
NBC 5's Brant Miller, LeeAnn Trotter, Ginger Zee, Paula Faris, Matt Rodewald and the technology team of Art Norman and Charlie Wojciechowski plan to take auto show fans to nearly every corner of the show.

Look for the NBC5 team to take cover the hottest car exhibits, family fun at the Auto Show, Hybrids and Going Green and car buying tips.  Throughout the special we will follow a new car buyer as they go through the process of deciding what car is right for them.  New this year, viewers at home will have a chance to win prizes as they watch the live show on NBC5! 
The Chicago Auto show special will also be streamed live on nbcchicago.com. 

For the sixth year, Telemundo Chicago will produce a Spanish-language Chicago Auto Show special hosted by Oscar Guzmán (Sports Anchor) and Nelly Carreño (Weather Anchor), of Telemundo Chicago's news.  Also on Friday, February 20th, Telemundo Chicago will present their third annual "Hispanic Day".  It is a day of music, entertainment, celebrity appearances and family activities.

Ford Focus

Here it is – our Number One! The best used car in Britain. The superb Focus proves that practical constraints and a limited budget are certainly no barrier to owning a great motor that's also enjoyable to drive.

The Ford was the overwhelming choice of our experts this year, thanks to its excellent value, all-round ability and, to coin a phrase, buyability. What's that? Well, during the selection process, our team often asked themselves if they could recommend a particular car to a close friend or relative. However, that didn't really apply to the Focus, because all of our judges would happily take one home to keep!

Thanks to its status as a top-selling new motor, there's already a huge variety of second-hand examples to choose from, despite the fact the fresh model arrived as recently as 2005. Prices start from only £7,000, and for that you'll be getting a spacious, practical and reliable family car.

However, as with its predecessor, the current version doesn't only tick the sensible boxes. With a quality interior, fine engines and excellent chassis, the Focus is genuinely desirable. Like any other Ford, you'll also benefit from low running costs and a huge dealer network, so getting your car looked after won't be a problem, either.

An impressive 19th place in this year's Driver Power survey goes to show how popular the blue oval's big-seller is with existing owners – and there are no finer judges than the people who actually drive and run them.

As well as both three and five-door options, there's also a saloon and an estate. However, wise buyers will avoid the unloved four-door saloon variants and stick to the popular five-door hatchback and load-lugging versions, which will always be easy to sell on.

If you can't stretch to the latest model, the original Focus remains a worthy second-hand choice. Its cabin looks dated compared with modern rivals, and its boot isn't the biggest, but the first-generation car still cuts the mustard on the road and it remains a seriously cheap buy.

However, if you can afford it, the capable current car is excellent value for money – and never better than when someone else has taken the initial depreciation hit.

Beware the Tax Trap

 

Imagine two identical cars on a dealer's forecourt. Both were registered in the same week in 2006 and are the same model, colour, spec and mileage. Yet one will cost at least £200 more to run every year until the day it's scrapped. Which one are you going to choose?

It's obvious. But this is the situation facing many buyers looking for a three-year-old used car, and few drivers have any idea of how to avoid falling into the tax disc trap.

Why? Because from 1 May, a year's road tax on any vehicle registered before 23 March 2006 and emitting more than 225g/km of CO2 will cost £215. But owners of the same car registered on or after this date pay £405. In 2010, these figures will increase to £235 and £435 respectively – and they're likely to keep on rising after that.

It's all part of a Government plan to get motorists driving less polluting cars. The idea is that rising road tax bills will persuade you to swap your vehicle for something cleaner. But the changes have been delayed and messed around with to the extent that even trade experts are confused.

Most people assume – wrongly – that road tax on all 'gas-guzzlers' will rise sharply, and this is what ministers originally planned. But after a public outcry, they reversed the decision. So now, even the heaviest polluters registered before the March 2006 cut-off will stay in a lower band.

This fact has escaped many drivers and dealers – and that means it could be the time to pick up a real bargain before everyone else catches on. Anyone lucky enough to be able to afford a three-year-old Range Rover or Porsche 911 isn't going to be put off by £405 for a year's tax. But it's not only these types of car that are affected.

For example, the original Audi TT had a 1.8-litre engine, but it still produces 226g/km – enough to put it in the higher band. Or if you have a family, and run a seven-seater, watch out for the Ford Galaxy 2.3 or Renault Espace 2.0T. Even the manual versions of these petrol cars sit in the higher category.

The same is true for the Hyundai Coupé 2.7-litre, Alfa Romeos with that characterful V6 or even the 2.0-litre Jaguar X-Type with an auto box. And these are just a few of the cars with similar problem 'figures'.

If you're in the market for any of these models, it's crucial that you check the exact date of registration and the emissions level. This can be tricky, as most dealers will remove the tell-tale tax disc before putting the car on their forecourt.

As a rule of thumb, anything with a 55-plate will be fine, as it would have been registered before March 2006. If it has an 06-reg, it might still be okay – but you'll need to check the V5 registration document to make sure it got its number plates screwed on before 23 March 2006. The V5 will also tell you the official CO2 figure.

If it's the wrong side of that date, use it as a haggling tool to reduce the purchase price. Don't just take into account the extra it will cost you in tax every year; also consider how future buyers will look at the car when you're trying to sell it. In a few years' time, a tax disc costing more than £400 a year might be half the vehicle's value!

You should still be vigilant if you're buying an older model. The CO2-based tax system only affects cars built after 1 March 2001, as emissions data before then wasn't reliable. For vehicles made prior to this, engine size is key. From 1 May, everything below 1,549cc will be taxed at £125 a year, while cars above this – whether it's a Mini or a Rolls-Royce – are charged £190.

This is good news for buyers considering older cars as future classics, but harsh on those wanting to save by running a frugal 'banger' – especially since most older diesels have engines bigger than 1,549cc!

Ford Ka

For : Practicality, performance, standard kit

Against : Looks, driving dynamics

Styling/Image
When it was unveiled in 1996, the original Ka redefined the style standard for city cars. Unfortunately, the second-generation car can't match the visual impact of its predecessor. As a result of being based on the same platform as the Fiat 500, the Ford's exterior design is compromised. It looks particularly ungainly from the rear, where it appears too tall and narrow. There are four models available, including Studio, Style and Style+. At the top of the range is the Zetec, which is distinguished by standard alloy wheels and front fog lamps.

Interior/practicality
Given its diminutive exterior dimensions, the Ka has a surprisingly practical cabin. There's decent space front and rear, and a useful 224-litre boot – extending to 747-litres with the rear bench folded flat. The Ford's Italian connection is obvious from behind the wheel, as it uses the same dashboard architecture and switchgear as the 500 and Panda. All models get a six speaker stereo with aux-in connection, while Style trim adds electric windows and central locking. Air-con is standard on Style+ and Zetec versions.

Engines/Performance
For the first time ever buyers can specify their Ka with a diesel engine. The torquey 74bhp 1.3-litre unit serves-up decent refinement and mid-range pace, and should also return nearly 70mpg at the pumps. However, we'd plump for the excellent 68bhp 1.2-litre petrol powerplant instead. It lacks the muscle of the oil-burner, but its smooth and eager delivery suits the small Ford's character. Both engines are mated to a standard manual five-speed gearbox that's linked to a stubby and slick-shifting centre console-mounted lever.

Driving experience
The first generation Ka was famed for its agile and entertaining chassis. Unfortunately, the new model struggles to live up to the legacy of its illustrious ancestor. However, the blue oval's engineers have tweaked the suspension and steering, making the driving experience more involving than Fiat 500. Compared the Italian car, the Ford has more accurate steering and stronger body control, while the ride has greater composure over big bumps.

Ownership costs
Up against most of its city car rivals, the Ka looks a little expensive on paper. Going some way to offsetting this premium is the lengthy list of standard kit on all but the entry level Studio model. The residuals are decent too, ranging between 42 and 45 percent. Ford's extensive dealer network should also help to keep servicing costs down. All models emit less than 120g/km, meaning an annual road tax bill of £35.

Safety/Environment
With a disappointing four star EuroNCAP rating, the Ford actually achieved a lower score than the older Fiat 500. Only driver and passenger airbags are standard – you'll pay extra for side and curtain items. You'll also have to dig a little deeper in your pocket if you want ESP. There's better news on the environmental front, where sub 120g/km CO2 emissions result in a low VED Band B tax slot.

Aston Martin V8 Vantage

On the road price: £86,128 - £135,000

For : Performance, V8 soundtrack, gorgeous looks

Against : Steering feel, jerky Sportshift auto, running costs

Styling/Image
No Aston currently on sale wants for glamour but some are better resolved than others, and the V8 Vantage is the best of the lot. Its compact, pert shape makes the most of the modern Aston Martin design DNA laid out by Ian Callum and Henrik Fisker. The Roadster looks just as fabulous with its neat folding fabric roof, the orange special edition N400 certainly stands out, while the latest V12 model packs a finely judged bodykit. All models make you feel like Daniel Craig on his way to Lake Como.

Interior/Practicality

Simply opening the door is an experience to savour – it swings out and up on gas struts, revealing expensive materials, gorgeous lighting and an excellent seating position. 2008-models get a better DBS-style centre console, but sadly also that car's naff  'Emotion Control Unit' – a piece of glass and steel that plugs into the dash, instead of a conventional key. Yes, there are some Ford and Volvo parts on display, but they don't detract from the air of sophistication. The Vantage is a strict two-seater, but the hatchback rear end ensures it's almost as practical as more mainstream models. The Roadster's folding hood robs boot space though.

Engine/Performance

Answering criticsm that the original 4.3-litre V8 wasn't powerful enough, Aston enlarged it to 4.7-litres in 2008, power rising to 420bhp. It shoots to 60mph in just 4.7 seconds, onto 180mph. The spread of torque is better and it is more responsive at lower revs. It also sounds fantastic. Above 4,000rpm, the exhaust rasps, barks and crackles, and the engine thrives on revs. There's a choice of manual or Sportshift semi-automatic gearboxes; go for the former. The latter may get steering wheel-mounted paddles, but it's jerky and costs £3,000 more.

Driving experience

The Vantage is incredibly entertaining. Over smooth surfaces, it sweeps around corners effortlessly, the chassis proving superbly balanced – something enhanced in 2008 with stiffer front and rear springs, plus Bilstein dampers to improve the ride. There's still the usual vague-feeling from the rear end, but it's not as prononced as in the DB9 and DBS. If only the weighty steering had more feel, the Aston would challenge the Porsche 911. Nevertheless, it's still an involving driver's car.

Ownership costs

You don't buy an Aston to save money, but the V8 Vantage is not quite as frighteningly expensive to run as the V12 versions. Compact dimensions and a reasonably lightweight body mean economy comes surprisingly close to the 20.4mpg official average. Surprisingly, the smaller but less efficient earlier 4.3-litre models return about 2mpg less. However, 328g/km of CO2 means there's no escaping a £400 annual road tax bil – and servicing is pricey. You'll need to put aside at least £800 for each 10,000 mile check-over. Residuals have softened of late but the V8 Vantage is still a much in-demand car, so it should hang onto its value better than most models in the range. 

Safety/Environment

As standard you get driver, passenger and side airbags, a traction control system, plus the knowledge that you're sitting in a super stiff structure. As for the environment, forget it. Those dire CO2 emissions mean it's unlikely any members of Greenpeace will be tapping you up on Facebook. 

Audi A4 Allroad

On the road price: £30,750 - £34,565

For : Refinement, road presence, versatility, practicality

Against : Price, cost of options

Styling/image
Take an SE-spec A4 quattro Avant and raise the ride height by 37millimetres, giving it just 20 millimetres less ground clearance than the more rugged Q5. Then add utilitarian plastic wheel arches and rugged bumpers and you have a car with all the road presence of an SUV, but the silhouette of an executive estate car.

Interior/practicality
The A4 allroad offers a beautifully built cabin, plus plenty of equipment. We particularly liked the dash mounted colour LCD screen and new eco driving display. Rear seats offer decent leg room, while the boot is spacious. 70:30 Split and fold seats are easy to operate.

Engine/performance
The 2.0-litre TFSI petrol engine offers 211bhp combined with low fuel consumption. 2.0 and punchy 2.7-litre diesel engines are also offered. Equipped with diesel particulate filters, all A4 engines already comply with the strict Euro 5 emissions standard, while the new 2.0-litre TDI also offers stop and start.

Driving experience
The allroad's raised ride height allows the suspension more travel, making the ride a softer and more supple. Quite simply it's the best riding A4 you can buy.
And when you turn off the roads and hit the tracks, the allroad doesn't disgrace itself either. It's no proper SUV, but the offroad ESP system, as featured in the Q5, works well at keeping you moving in slippy conditions and it won't bottom out unless the terrain gets really tricky.

Ownership costs
A standard A4 Avant SE costs £26,000, whereas this 2.0-litre TDI allroad costs nearer the £30,000 mark. Audi also expects most customers add around £9,000 worth of options, so don't expect much change from £40,000 when ordering flagship models… However slow depreciation and reasonable servicing costs mean cost of ownership is not as high as rivals.

Safety/environment
Based on the NCAP five star Audi A4, the allroad offers front, side and curtain airbags for all occupants. Add to that the car's efficient diesel engines, and clean turbo petrol powerplants, and it's easy to see why Audi says that this is the greenest way of going off road currently on offer.

Automakers puttin' on less glitz

NEW YORK–A year ago, General Motors Corp rolled out rapper 50 Cent to launch a new sport truck at the New York Auto Show. This year it sent executives in suits with a PowerPoint presentation.

The top U.S. automaker, which has operated on $13.4 billion in (U.S.) government loans since the start of the year, is scrambling to meet a June 1 deadline to present a sweeping restructuring plan and avoid bankruptcy.

Susan Docherty, GM vice-president for the Buick, Pontiac and GMC brands, said the company was keenly aware of the fact that it should not be wasting public money on auto show glitz.

"This is not the time for conspicuous consumption or doing things that are going to be seen as extravagant," Docherty said after unveiling a new model at a news conference that was markedly low-key compared with last year's extravaganza.

"You saw me doing a PowerPoint presentation and talking from the heart," Docherty said. "It was nothing fancy, there were no dancing girls, there were no parades and bands and things that you may have seen at auto shows in the past."

Chrysler, which has been operating under $4 billion of U.S. government emergency loans, was also spending less to impress.

A government task force charged with restructuring the ailing U.S. auto industry has given Chrysler until the end of April to complete an alliance with Italy's Fiat.

Vice-chair Jim Press made his entrance at a news conference in a tiny Fiat 500 rather than one of the U.S. carmaker's own high-end models.

Chrysler said it has spent a third less on the show this year. Its display features fewer bright LED lights and screens, and is using a lot of fabric rather than hard panels, which cost more to make and ship, an official said.

Toyota U.S. president Jim Lentz said he had noticed far less glitz. "You can't be ostentatious right now, the consumers' mood is not about that at all," he said.

Toyota has cut the amount it spends on public relations and media by 25 to 30 per cent, spokesman Mike Michels said.

REVERSE STIGMA

Mass market brand Hyundai Motor Co said it was gaining sales from the backlash against excess. "There's a bit of reverse social stigma going on," said John Krafcik, the Korean automaker's U.S. chief executive.

There was still plenty of lush carpeting, blaring music and high-tech gadgetry, but there was less free food and drink and auto reporters who are normally wined and dined like royalty were treated to less lavish partying than usual.

"As far as manufacturers go, we used to fly a lot more journalists in," said Maurice Durand, manager of product communications for Mitsubishi Motors North America.

"That's not the case any more, we can't throw down for 20 rooms for two or three nights in New York for media like we used to," he said. Mitsubishi held a cocktail party for reporters on a much more frugal scale than usual, he said.

"Instead of buying a whole property or a club for five or six hours, now you're buying a room in the back of a restaurant for an hour or an hour-and-a-half," he said.

Johan de Nysschen, head of Audi of America, said the luxury automaker, a unit of Germany's Volkswagen, had always tried to be classy and sophisticated rather than showy and ostentatious – an image he said was more appealing than ever in the current economic climate.

"We're not seen as a fat cat brand," he said.