The all-new 2009 Honda Insight hybrid will make its world debut in January at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. The five-passenger, five-door Insight will go on sale in the spring of 2009. The Insight is expected to have annual global sales of 200,000 units per year - approximately 100,000 in North America - and will utilize a new interactive, driver-focused fuel economy enhancement technology named the Ecological Drive Assist System (Eco Assist™). A leader in the development of cleaner, more fuel-efficient mobility products, Honda introduced to market the first mass produced low-emission gasoline vehicles; America's first commercially produced gas-electric hybrid car and the world's first EPA-certified hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, the FCX. In 2007, Honda was named "greenest automaker" by the Union of Concerned Scientists for the fourth straight time.
Proof that Lexus currently has more to offer the American market than it does Europe comes no stronger than an examination of the SC430 coupé-cabriolet. I’ve seen them swish past in both Bromsgrove and Beverly Hills and I think it’s fairly obvious where the SC’s Pullman-carriage styling works best. Likewise, Lexus’ range-topper has always felt out of sorts on UK roads, with a lumpy ride – corrupted further with standard run-flat tyres – and clumsy road holding. Californian boulevards seem to be its natural cruising ground.
Take one Gallardo, boost the power to 520bhp and then sharpen the steering, stiffen the suspension and reduce the gearing. Next fit a set of Pirelli P-zero Corsa tyres on new ‘Callisto’ rims. In other words, tune the Gallardo up for maximum attack. Then serve at a suitably roasting temperature, complemented with styling revisions around the air intakes and a cool black roof section. Limit to 250 units worldwide. Et voila, you have the Lamborghini Gallardo SE.
A track-focused version of the Dodge SRT-10 – still known as the Viper in the USA. Sadly the fire-breathing Yank is no longer officially sold in the UK, but now American punters get a larger 8.4-litre V10 engine with 600bhp, a beefed-up transmission and a more progressive GKN limited-slip diff. They also get a chance to buy this: the new ACR version. The acronym decrypts as American Cup Racer, adding forged wheels with super-sticky Michelin Pilot Sport Cup tyres, dampers that can be adjusted for ride height, compression and rebound, two-piece brake discs and an aero kit that delivers 450kg of downforce at 150 mph.
Don’t be put off by our first verdict on the Evanda - Chevrolet assures us that the car that appears at Geneva next year and hits our roads from August will be a very different beast. Still, this is our first taste of what will be the biggest Chevrolet saloon on UK roads. It’s already on sale in continental Europe, but the facelifted car will have a new Euro-friendly name, a new face – bearing close resemblance to that of the S3X off-roader concept – and thoroughly revised interior and suspension.
So picture this. A long, long stretch of dual carriageway, two cars simmering beside each other at one end of it; a McLaren F1 plus a weird, insect-like machine with four huge tyres, an absurd number of scoops and winglets along the flanks and across the roof, plus a distinctive white-and-red badge on the nose that reads ‘Bugatti.’ On the tail are written the letters E and B. On top of the engine, which has no cover and is exposed directly to the air for cooling purposes, are the numbers 16 and four; 16 cylinders, four turbochargers. Which, in case you were wondering, equates to 987bhp and 922lb ft.
What isn’t? Audi’s first supercar takes the brand into a whole new part of the market – this is the most radical road-goer to wear four rings since records began. Based around various components shared with the (Audi-engineered) Lamborghini Gallardo, the R8 uses a mid-mounted, dry-sumped version of the RS4’s 4.2-litre FSI V8 engine to deliver stunning performance: 0-62mph takes a claimed 4.6 seconds and the top speed (unencumbered by one of those pesky 155mph limiters) is reckoned to be a whopping 187mph. Wearing a £76,725 price tag in manual form it’s priced hard against the heartland of the Porsche 911 range – so should you cancel that Carrera 4S?
This is the closet thing to an Infiniti performance car that we’ll have from the UK launch of the brand. It’s a low and reasonably lean front engine, rear-drive 2+2 coupe, powered by the impressively versatile 3.7-litre V6 that is also used in the G37 saloon and EX37 crossover. Infiniti claims the G37S coupe is a natural competitor for the BMW 330i coupe, which has a similar price. Infiniti’s gameplan counters the current lack of image for its new-to-Europe brand by offering more power – and an impressive array of standard kit. Japanese-built Infinitis already sell well elsewhere in the world, including both the US and Russia.
Yet more proof of Honda’s insistence on doing things its own way: this is the new Honda Accord 2.2 i-DTEC automatic. The Honda Accord 2.2 i-DTEC auto is the first time that Honda has offered any diesel-engined car with an automatic transmission. The engine in question is the firm’s commendable 148bhp 2.2-litre turbo diesel lump, and the gearbox (again an in-house Honda creation) is a new five-speed self-shifter. This power train should also be fitted to the CR-V – and eventually the Civic and FR-V – but it’s likely to find its warmest reception in the Honda Accord, since Accords are so popular as high-mileage company cars.
This is the BMW 318d SE auto. The launch of the face lifted BMW 3-series marks the first time that the 141bhp 2.0-litre diesel engine is available with an automatic gearbox. This SE edition does not have iDrive, so the facelift changes are restricted to the outside of the car, with minor modifications to the rear lights, bonnet and bootlid.
A refined and elegant car since its early-1990s inception, the mid size Lexus GS 300 sedan always came up short in the personality department. Partly, this was a problem of perception. Lexus initially promoted the rear-wheel-drive GS as a legitimate competitor to the elite European sport sedans, but the car's soft suspension, over-assisted steering and sluggish power train said otherwise. The fact that it cost just as much as its German rivals certainly didn't do it any favors either. As a luxury sedan, the Lexus GS 300 was more convincing, particularly the third-generation model, which could be loaded with all the latest technology and upscale amenities. Cabin materials were typically of high quality, and everything was put together with exacting precision. Add in an outstanding reliability record and it's no surprise all three generations of the GS 300 proved popular with consumers, despite the fact that the automotive press never fully warmed to it.
Hailed as the "all-conquering VQ V-6," the Infiniti G37's VQ-series V6 has been named one of Ward's 10 Best Engines every year they've awarded it. 2008 marks an unprecedented 14th year. Infiniti owners are the most satisfied with their vehicles over buyers of any other luxury brand, according to the 2007 vehicle satisfaction data collected by AutoPacific, whose survey objectively measures many aspects of vehicle ownership, including vehicle operation, comfort, safety and overall purchase/dealership experience. Car and Driver magazine has named the Infiniti G37 to its 10Best list for 2009. Out of a field of 56 vehicles, the G Coupe and G Sedan rose to the top, marking the fourth time Infiniti has won this award, in addition to 2003, 2004 and 2007.
