Car Throttle

The prayers of diesel lovers in America have been answered.  Perhaps that's a bit strong, but in the diesel-car starved US, we have to be grateful for any oil burners the European market sends our way.  Audi announced at the 2009 Detroit show that the A3 hatchback will be available with a 2.0L turbodiesel engine in the US, with a late 2009 debut. The A3 is the same as always - a five door hatchback, basically a Golf in Audi drag with a much nicer interior.  The model was mildy face-lifted in late 2008, and the only other big news besides the diesel is the availability of Quattro AWD with the 2.0L Turbo gas motor, finally. The diesel engine in the A3 is identical to that of the

Approximately 3 people were stunned by the surprising debut of the Lincoln MKT crossover vehicle at Cobo Hall today.  The long-expected Lincoln lux version of the Flex crossover vehicle is pretty much what you'd expect: a nicer, arguably prettier version of the Flex, which is already a pretty nice vehicle. The Lincoln's biggest distinction is it's smoother, less sharp-edged styling.  The MKT gracefully integrates some of Lincoln's  new stylistic elements, including the massive twin wing-shaped chrome grills.  Around back, the full-length LED taillight visually breaks up a large flat space and provides a bit of eye candy. The MKT is a mixture of soft, organic curves and some strong character lines - this is what makes it look so different from the Flex, even though they're mechanically identical. 

Well, the wraps are off on Lexus's first dedicated hybrid vehicle, and what the brand is heralding as the world's first dedicated hybrid luxury vehicle. It also is the brand's first vehicle to be equipped with a 4-cylinder.The HS250h is a break from the past for Lexus, as the car takes the brand significantly downmarket from anything it has produced. Lexus hopes to gain market share with this vehicle, offering a vehicle with high MPG for more budget minded consumers, while also appealing to those looking for an environmentally-friendly vehicle It looks as if the HS250h is styled after the new Lexus RX hybrid SUV, with nearly identical headlights and similar overall styling. However, it seems to get a bit akward in translation on to a vehicle

Ford's long-rumored "EcoBoost" engine technology is finally seeing the light of day.  The first application will be Ford's unusually styled mid-size crossover, the refrigerator-shaped Flex 7-passenger wagon... thing.  While this is a dubious choice for the debut application of this new engine, the engine itself appears to be a whole steaming cup full of awesome. The EcoB00st V6 used in the Flex is based on Ford's new Duratec 35 V6, a 3.5L 24v V6 that sees duty in everything from the Fusion sedan to the Lincoln MKX crossover.  The new motor is twin-turbocharged, using two small low-inertia turbochargers (ball-bearing Honeywell, formerly Garrett, GT15's operating at 12 psi) to provide quick spooling and sharp throttle response.  It also sports direct fuel injection, which allows the EcoBoost V6 to

Following on the heels of yesterday's debut of the 2010 Jaguar XFR sedan comes the refreshed 2010 Jaguar XKR Coupe and Convertible. The new-generation XK, which debuted in 2006, utilizes an aluminum monocoque (much like the larger XJ sedan) to keep weight down.  It is still a traditional front-engine, rear wheel drive grand touring coupe.  The big news for this year, though, is under the hood: the XKR's top engine is now the same as in the new XFR sedan.  The 5.0L AJV8 uses direct fuel injection, variable valve timing, a supercharger, and variable intake geometry to produce a wholly adequate 510 horsepower and 460 lb-ft of torque, making it the second most powerful Jaguar road car in the company's history, after the ridiculous XJ220 supercar. 

Happy New Year 1986...er 2009! Ford is hoping for a year like 1986 all over again, the year the very first Taurus debuted.  The original design proved to be a smash hit, positioning Ford for top-selling success with the vehicle throughout the 1990's. However with a focus on the profitable truck segment, Ford left the sedan to languish without much investment as competitors advanced. Continued sales declines led Ford to discontinue the vehicle in 2006, about the time Boeing's CEO Alan Mulally was brought in to lead the company. Mulally then instituted a crash program to first, rebrand Ford's slow selling Five Hundred as the Taurus, and secondly, to then begin a marathon development program with the goal to produce a class leading full-size sedan worthy of the Taurus name. Ford’s Global Product Development

We've had a pretty good idea just how the 2010 E-Class would like for quite some time, from the various leaked images, spyshots and the like. As far back as August, pictures surfaced on the cover Germany's Autobild magazine. They proved spot on, as now we get images from Mercedes-Benz preceding the official public launch of the car at the Geneva show in Switzerland. It's clear from the pictures that Mercedes has decided to play it safe with the next generation of this critically important vehicle. While the last E-Class had a rounded look, the 2010 E-Class exhibits a crisper, more defined style. Nowhere is this more apparent then the front headlights, which while placed in the same dual-headlight configuration found in the previous generation, ditch the round headlamps for a rectangular design. I expected to see more S-Class style