2009 Subaru Impreza Sneak Peek

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The 2009 Subaru Impreza should see no major changes following its 2008 redesign. The lineup includes the base 2.5i, the SUV-flavored Outback Sport, and the performance-oriented WRX and WRX STi. Two body styles are offered: a 4-door sedan and 6-inch-shorter 4-door hatchback. The 2.5i and WRX are offered in both body styles; the Outback Sport and WRX STi come only in hatchback form.






All models have all-wheel drive and a 2.5-liter horizontally opposed 4-cylinder engine; it makes 170 hp in the 2.5i and Outback Sport, 224 hp in the turbocharged WRX, and 305 in the turbocharged WRX STi. A manual transmission is standard and available with a hill-holder clutch. An automatic with manual shift capability is optional on all but the STi. Available safety features on all Imprezas include ABS, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags.



Traction control and an antiskid system are standard on Outback Sport and WRX, optional on 2.5i. The Outback Sport has a raised suspension and 17-inch wheels vs. 16s, while the WRX gets a sport suspension, 17-inch wheels, hood scoop, and automatic climate control. A navigation system and remote engine start are optional on all models; heated seats are optional only on the WRX. This report is based on evaluations of the 2008 Subaru Impreza.

2009 Hyundai Genesis

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The 2009 Hyundai Genesis is this Korean automaker's first rear-wheel drive vehicle. This large car also marks the debut of Hyundai's first available V8 engine. Genesis is about 6 inches longer in wheelbase and 3 inches longer overall than Hyundai's Azera midsize sedan.





Genesis offers two engines: a 290-hp 3.8-liter V6; and a 375-hp 4.6-liter V8. Both engines team with a 6-speed automatic transmission that has a manual shift gate. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, front side airbags, and rear side airbags. Among the available features are heated and cooled driver seat, wireless cell phone link, a navigation system with hard drive for storing digital music files, rearview camera, and front- and rear-obstacle detection.





Genesis has a knob in the center console that governs audio, navigation, and other functions. Adaptive cruise control will be available later in the model year. This evaluation is based on preview test drives.

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback and Sportback Ralliart

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Sportback and Sportback Ralliart Coming to 2008 Paris Show
By David Gluckman / Article provided by: Automobile Magazine



We were introduced to the Lancer Prototype-S at the 2008 Geneva show. There was no need to guess what the S stood for, as Mitsubishi was upfront about the production Sportback that would follow.

Two versions of the five-door hatchback will be launched initially in Europe. The base Lancer Sportback will be powered by a choice of 1.5- and 1.8-liter gasoline engines, or a 2.0-liter turbodiesel - all of which will send their power to the front wheels.



The Lancer Sportback Ralliart gets the same powertrain as the Lancer Ralliart sedan, which arrives in the U.S. soon. That car mixes the all-wheel-drive system from the Evo IX, Mitsubishi's new dual-clutch gearbox, and a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder that develops 235 hp and 253 lb-ft of torque.

The Sportback's obvious advantage is the extra cargo space that the hatch in back affords. All Sportback models will have an adjustable cargo floor and folding seats with remote releases located in the cargo area. Mitsubishi hasn't announced the stuff-carrying volume of the new bodystyle, but we can assume it will beat the sedan's 11.6 cubic feet.

Sportback models will be available in Europe starting this fall. There's no word on whether the hatchback will make it Stateside, though Mitsubishi did say that the majority of production will be headed to the Continent. American Lancerphiles will no doubt hope that part of the remaining minority ends up in the U.S., and we see no better competition for Subaru's Impreza and Impreza WRX five-doors.

Nice Classic Cars Picture - Wallpaper

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Fake Ferrari Wears Porsche Badges On China's Coast

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This fake Ferrari doesn't look nearly as bad as some of the abominations we've seen, but this was spotted in China, where they've got plenty of experience making knock-offs. Oddly enough, they've decided to place Porsche badges on the fiberglass bodywork.







Stranger yet, this isn't even a functioning vehicle: The car-like object parked along the scenic coastline is merely a prop for a local wedding photography studio. More proof that Ferraris and Porsches are the perfect accessories for posing.

High-Buck Imported Machinery At The Gumball 3000

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Since the Gumball 3000 started from San Francisco this year, I headed across the Bay to get all up-close and personal with some Pyongyang-bound rich folks' rides. While Fairmont Hotel valets brought luggage out to such machines as the Chrome Lamborghini and K.I.T.T. and hordes of crazy-eyed tourists shoved against the police barricades in hopes of catching a glimpse of celebrities I'm too culturally ignorant to recognize, I stuck my camera's snout up in some grilles.

Ten Most Beautiful Cars Currently For Sale

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10. Audi R8



Years of female empowerment public service announcements and deodorant ads have convinced us it's possible to be both athletic and beautiful. But even in a world without "Girl Power" the Audi R8 is extant proof that strong is sexy. Despite its Lamborghini heritage, there are no scissor doors or fighter jet inspired vents. The R8 is one of the few modern mid-engined cars that's actually subtle and, therefore, the object of burglar's desire.

9. Fiat 500



Like a beautiful handle on the entrance to a towering gothic church, the Fiat 500 is the epitome of a brilliant design sometimes overlooked. Coming from the land and company that produces Lamborghinis and Ferraris it was the 500 that captured the European Car Of The Year trophy in 2007. Though quasi-retro, the inexpensive 500 stands out like a Hungarian wax pepper in a world of milquetoast economy cars. We applaud Layabout for selecting it.

8. Citroen C6



Louis Armstrong famously said that "If you have to ask what Jazz is, you'll never know." We think we can apply this sentiment to the Citroen C6. Clearly the funkiest car on our list, the Citroen nevertheless manages to capture everything wonderful about French car design. The designers effectively grab one line at the nose and effortlessly stretch it back to the uniquely designed taillights. It's as though the car was painted in one stroke. The integration of the Citroen logo into the grille is as attractive as it is clever. No wonder that both Chirac and Muhnkee_2 chose the C6 as their official state cars.

7. Jaguar XK Coupe



Though not always the most reliable cars on the market, Jaguar coupes have traditionally set the standard for elegance and beauty and the latest Jaguar XK coupe is no exception. An evolution of a design that goes back to the original E-type, the Jaguar is a design that gets better each time you look at it.

6. Audi RS6 Avant



Putting our bias towards wagons aside, the Audi RS6 Avant may be the most understated performance car on the planet. Powered by a twin-tubro V10, there are no huge wings, garish ground effects or blinding clusters of lights to hint at the car's awesome ability. As Parkington understands, the satin-finish trim around the Avant's lusty grille and subtle extra lines quietly nod to the car's ability while still maintaining it's obvious class.

5. Cadillac CTS



Few sedans can compete with the supercars and GTs in the aesthetic department, and the few that rise to their level have historically been European. It's therefore a grand occasion that the Cadillac CTS, an American sedan, can compete with this esteemed company. It's as if all of those years of talking about "Cadillac Style" finally erupted forth into reality with the new CTS. It's a car both muscular and delicate, modern and timeless, yet luxurious and distinctly American. The fact that Yoshi can actually afford one has nothing to do with its beauty though clearly something to do with its allure. We can't wait for the Coupe and Wagons versions to go on sale to show the world what the "Art & Science" design is all about.

4. Masererati GranTurismo



The Maserati GranTurismo lives up to its name as one of the grandest of tourers. And even if it had the motor from an old Datsun and a transmission from a new Suzuki it would still be one of the quickest looking cars on the market. Whether in normal or GranTurismo S trim, the Maserati leaves broken hearts in its wake. Drop dead gorgeous from any angle, the integrated exhaust tips and triangular taillights combine for one of the best looking rears in the business. We think Sandwich Pants would take it over Beyonce any day.

3. Alfa Brera



A consensus favorite among anyone with working optic nerves, the Alfa Romeo Brera redefines the "hot hatch." The low greenhouse and high beltline combine for a stance that's uncharacteristic of a hatchback and the sloping shoulders are surprisingly exotic. But it's the curved hood, which angles towards the nose in a way that's almost F1-esque, that causes our hearts to skip beats like Ferris Bueller skips school.

2. Aston Martin DB9



A list of beautiful cars without an Aston Martin would be as incomplete as a list of beautiful women without Scarlett Johansson. But which Aston? The Vantage? The DBS? Though all Astons are powerful and gorgeous, the Aston Martin DB9 is the most classic example of what makes the classic British brand the flag of luxury and elegance. Stripped of the menacing enhancements of those other Astons, the DB9 is one smooth movement. They say Michaelangelo had an eye for stone, It's as if the designers crafted it from one piece of unadulterated marble for Dr. Danger to worship.

1. Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione



There's a reason why we devoted a day to the Alfa Romeo Competizione and it is embodied in the photo above. Not so much the creation of man, we assume, like the psalmists, it was God's will manifest through human hands. It outshines anything from Bugatti, Lamborghini or Ferrari while using a tenth of the lines of their simplest cars. With perfectly round taillights, Alfa's typical crest-shaped grille and ovular headlights it's hard to put into words what makes the car so special. We simply don't have words that are good enough. It's everything that's great about Italian cars and nothing that's bad about them. It's a dream come true and you can actually buy one.