Consumer Reports has just announced its list of Best and Worst Value vehicles on the market, with foreign automakers taking all the top spots in the Best Value categories, while the Worst Value categories are dominated by domestic automakers. More accurately, the Worst Value categories are mostly made up of one domestic automaker: Chrysler. Listed as Worst Values in the Family Car, Wagon/Minivan, Small SUV and Upscale Sedan segments are, respectively, the Dodge Avenger, Dodge Grand Caravan, Dodge Nitro and Dodge Charger R/T. Other losers include the Chrysler Sebring Convertible as a worst value for a sporty car while the Jeep Wrangler Unlimited Sahara was a worst value pick for Midsize SUVs.

The only imported model to wind up on the Worst Value list was the Mercedes S550 in the Luxury Sedan category.

Top picks for Best Value include, surprisingly, both the Toyota Prius and Honda Fit, despite both vehicles having been recalled this past year. It’s not clear if the recalls were incuded in CR’s analysis, as the consumer group lists its judging criteria as, “a combination of performance, utility, and reliability for the money, considering total owner costs over the first five-years. The better a car performs in Consumer Reports’ road tests and reliability Ratings and the less it costs to own, the greater its value.”

Take a look at the full release below as well as the complete list of Best and Worst picks in each category.

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

The marketing experts behind the MINI brand have stuck again with another commercial that you’ll want to watch. In fact, you’ll probably watch it a few times and search for the song on iTunes to download for your iPod. Yup, it’s cool.

The video doesn’t really tell you anything about the car, but it’s plenty of fun to watch, highlighting the car’s functionality (able to hold dozens of pineapples), to its passenger room (with space for baby seats). Plus, there’s plenty of active shots of off-roading from dirt to snow, to highlight the new ALL4 all-wheel drive system, as well as some more accurate video of urban settings – considering most MINIs (or any crossover for that matter), isn’t likely to see more than a puddle.

With all the success the MINI brand has had since it was reborn in recent years, Audi has now accepted the challenge by producing the A1. But the sub-compact premium segment looks to get more crowded in the future as Spyker CEO Victor Muller has said he’s examining the possibility of building a small Saab model to take on the MINI Cooper.

Muller told AutoCar that his design team has already worked on some sketches, which take inspiration from the original Saab, the 92, produced from 1949-56.

“It will be the coolest thing since the MINI,” said Muller.

In addition to that model, the Saab 9-2 (which it will presumably be named), the new Saab Spyker company has said it is planning a new 9-3 for 2012, as well as a 9-4X model next year. The company’s new flagship 9-5 model is set to go on sale this Spring.

[Source: AutoCar]

After the hot-hatch Aveo RS concept, that Chevy displayed at the Detroit Auto Show this year we have high hopes for the all new subcompact. Besides, Chevy is really going to have to step up its game in order to compete with the likes of the all-new Ford Fiesta as well as segment leaders like the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Hyundai Accent.

According to KickingTires, these are the first photos (renderings, anyway) of what the production Aveo sedan will look like. With somewhat of a Mitsubishi EVO style, this subcompact keeps the aggressively massive front grille and some flared fenders. Inside, it’s far more premium that past econo Aveos, looking almost identical to the new Cruze. It even keeps the cool motorcycle-inspired gauge.

Presumably Chevy will launch the 2010 Aveo as both a hatchback and as a sedan and we’re eager to know if an RS model might be offered, using theturbocharged 138-hp 1.4-liter four-cylinder as shown in the RS concept.

GALLERY: 2012 Chevrolet Aveo

[Source: KickingTires]

With a debut set for next week, a brochure of the European Lexus CT200h hybrid hatchback has leaked out online, although details are still hard to come by. The car is powered by a 1.8-liter VVT-i 4-cylinder engine, an electric motor and a nickel-metal hydride battery, although no output numbers are available yet. Power does go to the front 17-inch wheels using a CVT transmission and Lexus has designed the car with three driving modes: Eco, Normal and Sport. As a full hybrid it will be able to run completely on electric power for short periods of time.

As for the rest of the car, it measured 170-inches in length, is 69.5-inches wide and 56-inches tall, with a 102-inch wheelbase. The interior looks like a genuine premium vehicle, as the Europeans would expect, with a few typical Toyota/Lexus hybrid cues, like the strange transmission shift mechanism. Cargo space is rated at 12 cubic feet behind the rear seats and a total of 25 cubic feet with the rear seats folded flat.

Outside, the car isn’t nearly as dramatic as the concept, which first debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show last year. To help spice it up a bit and to grow the Lexus brand with younger buyers in Europe, the CT200h will be offered in two new exciting colors: Flare Yellow and Fire Agate. Plus, it has LED lighting.

The car is set to debut at the Geneva Auto Show next week and we imagine we’ll find out both engine output numbers and the more importat fuel economy numbers at that time. Lexus is also eager to point out that this hybrid setup produces far fewer emissions than a similar diesel engine.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

GALLERY: Lexus CT200h Brochure

[Source: WorldCarFans]

German BMW tuner G Power has just announced its latest high-horsepower transformation, the 760i. Powered by an already impressive twin-turbo V12, G Power modified the existing units to pump out an additional 181-hp for a total of 725-hp at just 5500 rpm. Torque also gets a dramatic increase, rising to 737 ft-lbs at just 2000 rpm. G Power claims this is enough for a 4.2 second 0-62 mph time and a top speed of 214 mph. That speed might seem unrealistic, were it not for G Power’s record holding M5 Hurricane, which reached an astounding 228 mph in testing.

Sold as a package complete with aerodynamic and interior upgrades, the Storm will be limited to just 10 units and is priced from a lofty 365,000 Euros, or roughly $500,000.

GALLERY: G Power BMW 760i Storm

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

With the success of last year’s model, Dodge has released 100 more Track Pak Challengers for the 2010 model year. Built to compete in the NHRA Stock, Super Stock and Comp Eliminator classes this track-only model is powered by Mopar’s 6.1-liter HEMI V8 and comes with either a five-speed automatic or a six-speed manual. Offered exclusively in Stone White and in Stock Eliminator trim, the best part of the Track Pak is that it weighs just 3,200 lbs.

In order to get down to that weight, the Track Pak model includes Viper-style seats, polycarbonate door windows, a lift-off composite hood, manual steering, special light-weight front brakes and a special cable-operated throttle linkage and pedal assembly.

Pricing for the Drag Pak is set at $39,999, but with just 100 units available you had to submit an application, available at www.mopar.com or call the Mopar Direct Connection Tech Line at 888-528-HEMI (4363).

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

During questioning at the House Committee’s investigation into Toyota’s ongoing recall crisis, safety advocate group Safety Research & Strategies founder Sean Kane admitted that his group is hardly an unbiased participant. In fact, Kane admitted that a recent report outlining Toyota’s faults was funded by five different law firms, all of which are currently engaged in litigation with Toyota.

The report clearly states that Toyota has not completely identified the cause of unintended acceleration, had limited its investigation into the matter and then issued the floor mat recall as a least expensive action. It also claims that the issue of unintended acceleration cannot be solved by either replacing the floor mats or by replacing or fixing the mechanical pedal mechanism.

The credibility of the report may now be called into question, considering the source of the funding behind it.

In a prepared statement Toyota President Jim Lentz reiterated Toyota’s continued stand that the issue with its many recalled Toyota models is mechanical and not electronic. Lentz commented that Toyota hired Exponent, a top engineering and scientific consulting firm, to examine its electronic throttle system to see if there were any issues. Toyota gave Exponent an unlimited budget and no electronic problem was found.

—–

Get more Toyota Recall News at the AutoGuide Toyota Recall News Hub

Nissan is about to get back into North American motorsports in big way, competing with a pair of GT-R’s in the 2010 World Challenge GT Class. The cars will be run by Brass Monkey Racing, with assistance by Nissan North America, and will debut on the weekend of March 26-28 in St. Petersburg, FL, competing alongside Corvettes, Vipers and Porsches.

The two cars will be piloted by two-time series winner Tony Rivera and rookie Steve Ott.

Brass Monkey Racing first competed in the World Challenge series last year using a Porsche GT3, winning its first race and finishing third overall.

“We’re very excited to bring such an iconic car to the North American professional road racing scene,” Brass Monkey Racing Team Owner A.J. Brass said. “After such a successful season in 2009, finishing third in the Championship and winning in our very first race, we look forward to the challenge of bringing an entirely new platform to World Challenge. With Nissan’s assistance and great engineering and driving, we expect to contend for the 2010 Drivers’ and Manufacturers’ Championships.”

“Many of the cars in the series have serious modifications to the engines and drivelines from the stock vehicles,” Brass said. “The beauty of the GT-R is that it is an amazing platform to start with and we are able to utilize all of the stock internal components and drivetrain. With the exception of some of the approved series aerodynamic items and an effort to bring the car down to a competitive weight, the car will remain incredibly stock compared to most of our competition.”

Nissan last competed in the World Challenge several years ago in the lower Touring Car class, using a Sentra SE-R Spec V model.

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Maserati is a company that makes very few different models, but plenty of special editions, ensuring that practically every buyer gets an original. Set to launch at the Geneva Auto Show next week is a new Awards Edition version of the 430-hp Quattroporte Sport GT S model. After six years on the market, the QP has received 56 awards and so this new model has been announced to celebrate its success. It also likely signals the end of the first-generation model.

The Awards Edition model comes painted in a new Quarzo Fuso color, with a darker matallic trim and matching 20-inch Multi Trident wheels. Inside the wheels the brake calipers have been polished. The interior gets special Awards Edition badging on the door sills as well as Poltrona Frau leather seats, piano black wood trim and plenty Alcantara – including for the headliner.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

GALLERY: Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S Awards Edition

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…