I just read a great post on Yahoo that said  journalists who write and review new cars are never supposed to say that you should never purchase a new car.

Perhaps this is so, however you still might not want to buy a new car. Hold onto what you have for as long as possible — and if you absolutely must replace your daily driver, lease a new car while you still can. It could make a lot more sense to buy in a few years than to buy now, and a good lease on a 2009 could give you the freedom to do that.

Why Leasing Makes Sense

#1: You don’t want to be stuck with a 2009 car in 2014

Because the design process for a new car takes about two to three years, the new 2009 model-year cars reaching dealership lots this fall were conceived on drawing boards in 2005 or 2006, when gas prices were just over two dollars a gallon. These cars weren’t designed for a world of four-dollars-a-gallon gas. Cars that fit today’s reality are still in the design stages and coming to dealerships in 2010 or later.
The smallest car Ford could sell you today (a 2008 Focus) would net an EPA-estimated combined fuel economy rating of 28 mpg. The most fuel-efficient mass-produced car on the road today, the 2008 Toyota Prius, is rated for 46.
But in just a year or two, you’ll see a much more impressive set of stickers on new car windows. Ford could sell you a Fiesta, a subcompact that wowed the automotive press at the Geneva Motor Show last spring and reportedly gets almost 40 mpg. According to Toyota engineers, the next generation of the Prius could win an EPA rating of 94 mpg.

 

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation, the average new car buyer will hold onto their purchase for eight years. Edmunds estimates that the term of the average new car loan has stretched to over 62 months. So if you were to buy a 2009 model-year car, you’d probably be paying for it until 2014 and driving it until 2016 — when automakers will have had years to improve on the already-impressive fuel economy numbers of 2010 models.
Oh, and when you decide to get rid of that 2009 car at last, you’ll be left trying to sell an old car with poor fuel economy in a market that long ago passed it by. Most leases, on the other hand, last three years. Lease a 2009 today, and in late 2011 you’ll be able to give it back to the dealer and get one of those post-2010 cars.

#2: Leasing protects you from unexpected depreciation

Millions of drivers who bought SUVs in the world of cheaper gas have learned a harsh truth this year: depreciation is a big risk. SUVs have lost value much quicker than anyone predicted, thanks to soaring gas prices. Some dealerships won’t even accept SUVs as trade-ins anymore, and owners hoping to sell them on the private market are forced to accept offers thousands of dollars below what they thought the car would be worth.
Those who leased an SUV, however, are just handing their headaches back to dealers and walking away scot-free. In fact, Ford — one of the most successful SUV manufacturers in recent years — has lost $2.1 billion on returned trucks and SUVs in the first half of 2008 alone. When customers turn in the vehicles, their residual value is much lower than the company had expected — and Ford Credit eats the difference.

#3: This may be your last chance to lease

In 2004, GM made more money leasing cars than selling them. But today those numbers have completely flip-flopped. Leases are proving to be a huge risk for automakers — a risk they may not take much longer.
On July 27, Chrysler Financial announced it would stop offering leases altogether. Two days after Chrysler’s decision, GMAC, North America’s biggest auto lender, announced an end to lease incentives in Canada. GM hasn’t followed suit in the U.S. yet. All the General will tell its dealers, so far, is that it won’t stop offering leases in August. After that, they make no promises.
Ford, after announcing that jaw-dropping loss on leased vehicles, didn’t stop offering leases. They simply raised the payments on many leases so that they make little sense for buyers.
But some automakers — particularly the imports — still offer favorable lease deals. And if you need a new car this year, it might make sense to get into one of those leases now, return the car in three years and then think about buying.

Why You Might Buy Now Anyway

Leasing has two major drawbacks. The first is mileage limits. If you’re going to exceed them, a lease won’t make sense for you. But with Americans driving fewer miles than ever before as we look to save on gas, agreeing to a mileage limit would make sense for many of us. At $4 a gallon, we’re not going to drive more than we have to, anyway.
The second drawback is that the payments never end. Provided they hold onto it long enough, a buyer will eventually own a car without making payments on it. A lessee never will. In the long run, it often makes more sense to buy and hold onto a vehicle for as long as possible.
But as rapidly as car technology will advance over the next several years, many buyers will soon be dissatisfied with something on lots today. If you’re always on the lookout for the next big thing, avoid buying a new car — and if you find yourself needing one this year, consider leasing it while you still can.

Should I buy a new car or lease?

Even with heavy incentives on out-going model year cars, even small improvements to the new version can make it worth holding out.

CHRYSLER

1. 2009 Dodge Ram

Price: $21,270 - $43,240

There are some amazing deals on 2008 Dodge Rams right now. That’s because dealers are trying to clear floor space to make room for the new 2009 Ram truck.

Ram trucks are currently available with up to $7,500 worth of incentives, according to Edmunds.com. That figure includes the value of low-rate financing deals as well as manufacturer-to-dealer incentives that won’t be seen directly by consumers.

That’s a lot of money. But keep in mind that the 2009 Ram truck will be loaded up with a slew of improvements that could make it worth waiting for, especially when you consider that those features will likely drive down the resale value of the 2008 model.

Besides optional RamBox lockable, water-tight storage bins built into the bed walls, the ‘09 Ram also features a revolutionary coil-spring rear suspension. Other trucks on the market have leaf-springs, which have been standard for years. Using coil springs results in a nicer ride and better handling.

The 2009 Ram also features a much-improved interior with richer-looking materials and a nice solidly-built feel, not to mention even more cleverly designed storage spaces inside to hide away more stuff.

AUDI

2. 2009 Audi A4

Price: $32,700 - $48,800

The changes under the hood seem modest, but the change in external appearance is clear and striking. From a dollars-and-cents standpoint, that’s what really matters.

The A4’s V-6 engine is the same as last years while the 4-cylinder engine gets more power. Also new for 2009, the engine is mounted lower and farther back in the body for noticeably improved handling.

On a practical level, the longer body creates more rear legroom, making the new A4 a much more comfortable choice for those with families.

There’s also a financial impact, though. Radical redesigns always reduce the market value of their predecessor version. In this case, the new A4, with its sleek, aggressive appearance, makes the 2008 model look immediately old.

Meanwhile, incentives on the outgoing old-style Audi A4 are relatively good, totaling to up to $3,000 for remaining 2008 models. Even so, the damage the new A4 will do to the 2008 models resale value could ultimately wipe out much of those savings.

FORD MOTOR CO.

3. 2009 Ford F-150

Price: N/A

With the pick-up market drying up, at least for now, Ford decided to delay release of the new, redesigned F-150 pick-up. Meanwhile, dealers are working to sell off the remaining 2008 trucks still on their lots. Expect to see the new F-series truck in “late fall,” Ford says.

While the new F-150 has nothing as radical (for a truck) as coil suspension, buyers of the 2008 version are passing up on some serious improvements. For instance, there’s an additional 6 inches of length that adds to rear seat legroom and bed length in crew cab versions. There’s also better fuel economy, thanks in part to a new six-speed transmission. To make it easier to get in and out of the truck bed, the new F-150 also offers tailgate and bed-side steps.

As with other major redesigns, the new look will also hurt the resale value of the predecessor models. Ford is putting some serious money into incentives for 2008 models — almost $5,000 per truck — but the new truck may ultimately be worth spending more.

MAZDA MOTOR CO.

4. 2009 Mazda6

Price: $18,550 - $28,260

Mazda’s bread-and-butter Mazda6 sedan is getting thoroughly reworked for 2009. The most obvious change is a more sharp-edged body that picks up the Mazda’s new corporate look.

Engines and transmissions are also new for “next year” but, as with the Audi A4, it’s that new sheet metal that will crush the resale value of all the ‘08 Mazda6’s that people are buying.

Mazda is paying out a total of almost $3,000 in incentives on outgoing Mazda6’s, according to Edmunds.com. That’s a lot of money but, again, the reduced resale value of the 2008’s could absorb much of those savings.

FORD MOTOR CO.

5. 2009 Ford Escape Hybrid

Price: $29,305 - $33,385

The 2009 Ford Escape doesn’t look much different from the outside. Actually, it doesn’t look any different. But there are some important differences are underneath the body.

Both V6 and 4-cylinder Escape engines will get more power and slightly better fuel economy.

Escape Hybrid buyers will get the most crucial benefit, though. Up until now, Escape Hybrids haven’t been available with Electronic Stability Control, a computerized system that helps drivers maintain control in abrupt emergency maneuvers. Systems like this have been shown to reduce fatal crashes by about a third.

ESC will be standard equipment on 2009 Escapes Hybrids just as it is now on the non-hybrid versions.

Escape Hybrids are in short supply and demand is high so, even for 2008 models, Ford is spending practically nothing on incentives, according to Edmunds.com. (To be more precise, Ford is spending $43 per SUV.)

Given that, and given the lifesaving importance of ESC, it’s more than worth waiting for the 2009 model.

These changes also apply to Mercury Mariner and Mazda Tribute hybrid SUVs which, for practical purposes, are the same vehicle.

HONDA MOTOR CO.

6. 2009 Honda Fit

Price: $14,550 - $18,760

The Honda Fit for 2009 gets a more rounded exterior. Overall passenger volume inside is increased by less than an inch with little real change to interior hip or shoulder space. The back seats have been redesigned for easier folding, though.

Honda boasts of a more rigid body structure. More than half the metal in the new 2009 Fit is “high-strength steel.” A stiffer body means better ride and handling, Honda says

Recognizing that, with higher gas prices, small cars are now attracting buyers accustomed to larger-car amenities. For one, the new Fit offers in-car navigation, a feature not previously available in the Fit.

New Cars Toronto

All this may not seem like much, but incentives on the outgoing model-year Fit are equally slim. The tiny Fit is in high demand, so Honda is spending just $105 per vehicle on incentives for those 2008 models. At that rate, sit tight a while!

 

I came across this timely Forbes article.  For those like Amy Fife, a single mother of two, wants to sell her mid-sized sport utility vehicle for something more fuel efficient.
“Years ago I never paid much attention to the price of gas,” says the 37-year-old Portland, Ore., administrative assistant. But with gas prices around $4 a gallon and her 10-year-old Chevrolet Trailblazer, which the Environmental Protection Agency estimates gets an average of 16 miles per gallon, she’s been noticing an increasing pinch on her budget.

Fife had decided to swap her SUV for a Subaru Impreza, one of the safest small cars on the market and among the 10 highlighted in the accompanying slideshow. But now she’s waiting to do it, as she can’t find anyone willing to buy her Trailblazer for its estimated market valueAlthough economic concerns make fuel economy a prime focus for car shoppers, safety should be at the top of the checklist as well — particularly for those looking to downsize their vehicle.

We’ve assembled a list of 10 models with outstanding safety ratings. They rate as “compact” within their respective classes, though some, like the BMW X3 crossover utility vehicle, aren’t exactly “small” compared to the tinniest cars on the market. The X3 is, however, smaller and more fuel-efficient than many SUVs. And that makes it a good choice for folks considering stepping down from a full-size SUV.

The same is true of the Honda CR-V and Subaru Forester, also on our list of safest compact vehicles. Go to the accompanying slideshow for the full list.

Even if you’re considering a vehicle not on our list, there are some key features to look for that can mean the difference between life and death in a collision. Read on to find out what they are.

Weight Matters

What ultimately matters in a collision isn’t a vehicle’s weight alone but its difference in weight from other vehicles on the road, says Mike Dulberger, president of Informed For Life, a non-profit safety information organization.

The average weight of a new passenger vehicle — classified as “light-duty” by the government — rose from 3,221 pounds in 1997 to 4,144 pounds in 2007. Ironically, adding more safety equipment over the years — some of it federally mandated — is one of the reasons for the weight gain.

“You don’t want to stick out” in terms of size and weight, Dulberger says, because the more you do, the greater the risk. “With some of the lightest-weight vehicles, you’re trading in weight for risk,” he says.

 

Fatality rates are about three times as high for small, light cars than for large, heavy ones, according to national crash statistics.

“That doesn’t mean you have to buy a tank,” says Russ Rader, a spokesman for the Insurance Institute of Highway Safety. “The benefits of weight start to diminish after a certain point.” Anything over about 4,500 is going to be substantially heavier than the vast majority of passenger vehicles on the road, so extra heft beyond that doesn’t make much difference when it comes to safety.

“But for the kind of driving that most people do, they should be avoiding the smallest cars,” he says. “No matter how many airbags you have, you’re still at a higher risk” in the smallest cars.

Jon Linkov, managing editor, autos, at Consumer Reports, agrees. “Bigger will at the end of the day be safer,” he says. “However, heavier means lower fuel economy.”

Savvy Downsizing

If fuel economy is a top concern, you don’t have to downsize to the smallest vehicles available to get improvements in gas mileage. “Consumers can think about downsizing the engine, not the car,” Rader says.

Many of the safest mid-sized sedans offer frugal four-cylinder engines that in some cases deliver fuel economy close to that of smaller cars. For example, opting for the four-cylinder engine in a mid-sized Chevrolet Malibu, instead of the larger, more powerful six-cylinder, will actually get you similar gas mileage to the smaller Chevrolet Cobalt, around 22 mpg in the city and 30 mpg on the highway, according to EPA estimates.

“We don’t need all of the horsepower that automakers have been pumping into cars for the past 10 years,” Rader says.
But if you’re set on a smaller vehicle, either for its nimbleness, lower price or higher fuel-efficiency, pay close attention to safety features. “There are some big differences in how well small cars protect you,” Rader says.

Side-Curtain Airbags

One way some small cars aren’t as safe as others is in side impacts. Each year, more than 9,000 occupants die in side-impact crashes, most of them from head injuries, according to IIHS statistics.

In analyzing government data on auto accidents, the IIHS has found that side airbags that protect the head, chest and abdomen cut the risk of fatalities in side-impact crashes by 37 percent. Head-protecting airbags are now standard equipment on about 66 percent of all new vehicles.

“Curtain airbags in particular are especially important with small cars,” Dulberger says. Like their name implies, these types of airbags typically deploy from the ceiling.

The reason side-curtain airbags are so crucial in small cars is because the cars are lower and lighter than most other vehicles. So, for example, some trucks’ bumpers are in line with small-car occupants’ heads. This means that if a two-and-a-half-ton pickup t-bones a little hatchback, it could seriously injure the occupants.

In recent years, automakers have made progress in lowering the bumpers and crash structures of some of their largest SUVs, but crash incompatibility is still an issue.

Electronic Stability Control

Another safety feature to look for is electronic stability control, a lifesaving technology that has been found to reduce the risk of fatal single-vehicle rollovers by up to 80 percent for SUVs and 77 percent for cars, and could prevent nearly one-third of all fatal crashes, according to IIHS statistics. By automatically adjusting throttle and braking forces on each wheel, electronic stability control helps prevent skidding and spinning on slippery surfaces or during emergency maneuvers.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s crash-rating system doesn’t take into account the role of electronic stability control. But the NHTSA estimates that 10,000 lives would be saved annually if every vehicle had the technology. Electronic stability control will be required on all vehicles in 2012 and beyond.

Many small cars lack the feature, even as an option. “Nobody should ever buy a car without electronic stability control,” says Dulberger.

Rader of the IIHS agrees and adds that electronic stability control is even more important in small cars because it can help prevent collisions, as opposed to just protect occupants during an accident, like airbags do. “If you can avoid the crash, that’s even better,” he says.

But the idea that small cars are more maneuverable and can more readily avoid crashes compared to larger vehicles isn’t substantiated by crash statistics, Rader says. “Small cars tend to get in more crashes,” says Rader, even when normalized for driving conditions and types of drivers.

Electronic stability also reduces the rollover concerns that accompany smaller but taller vehicles, especially for so-called crossover utility vehicles that offer versatile, spacious interiors while only taking up the parking footprint of a compact sedan or coupe. Rollovers are a factor in 33 percent of fatal accidents in the United States, according to safercar.gov.

“There used to be a tradeoff with SUVs for rollovers, and that’s really dramatically changing due to electronic stability control,” Rader says, pointing to the Honda CR-V, Honda Element and Subaru Forester, all “Top Safety Picks” from the IIHS. With some exceptions, such compact utility vehicles are generally the safer bet today than traditional compact cars, which often share the same underpinnings. That’s because their added weight compared to compact cars makes them inherently safer, Rader says, adding that crossover utility vehicles also tend to have more standard safety equipment.
Even compared to all those hulking SUVs on the road, smaller car-based crossovers are often a safer choice, particularly when looking at models like the mid-sized Chevrolet Trailblazer, which have been around for a while and don’t have the latest advancements.

“Whether you go to one of these small utility vehicles or a small car, you’re going to get better handling, a more compliant ride and more maneuverability,” often with better safety, provided you pick one of the vehicles with the best crash ratings, says Consumer Reports’ Linkov.

Our Top Safety Picks

To compile our list, we looked at passenger-car and crossover-utility models less than 180 inches long and ruled out those without electronic stability control or side-curtain airbags as standard or optional equipement.

Disregarding any vehicles with less than four stars from the NHTSA or an ‘Acceptable’ rating from the IIHS in frontal and side crash tests, we selected 10 vehicles with top crash-test ratings, also paying attention to Informed for Life’s Statistical Combination of Risk Elements (SCORE), which includes things like weight and rollover ratings and more accurately corresponds to fatality figures than do either the IIHS or NHTSA results by themselves.

SCORE ratings represent relative safety risk across all types of vehicles, so a vehicle with a SCORE of 50 represents half the fatality risk of a vehicle with a SCORE of 100.

New Car Toronto

There are lots of car brands. Here’s who owns them all.

Ever wondered which car manufacturers own various car brands? Here’s a cheat sheet that shows what’s going on with the top 25 manufacturers, ranked by global sales in 2007. This does not include agreements and partnerships that don’t have equity stakes in the parent company.

1. Toyota Motor Corporation(Japan)

Toyota also owns: 51% of Daihatsu, 20% of Fuji Heavy Industries (Subaru), and 6% of Isuzu

2. General Motors (U.S.)

General Motors also owns: 51% of the GM Daewoo partnership, and 10% of Fiat.

3. Volkswagen AG (Germany)

31% of The Volkswagon Group is owned by Porsche

4. Ford Motor Company (U.S.)

Ford also owns: 33% of Mazda, and 8% of Aston Martin (the rest of which is owned by a privately held Kuwait investment companies)

5. Hyundai-Kia Automotive Group (South Korea)

6. Honda Motor Corp Ltd. (Japan)

7. Nissan Motor Company (Japan)

Renault owns 44% of Nissan

Nissan also owns: 15% of Renault

8. PSA Peugeot-Citroen (France)

9. Chrysler LLC (U.S.)

10. Fiat S.p.A. (Italy)

General Motors owns 10% of Fiat

11. Renault SA (France)

Nissan owns 15% of Renault.

Renault also owns: 44% of Nissan, 25% of AvtoVAZ

12. Suzuki Motor Company (Japan)

Suzuki also owns: 54% of Maruti Suzuki, 11% of GM Daewoo,

13. Daimler AG (Germany)

14. BMW Group (Germany)

15. Mazda Motor Corporation (Japan)

Ford owns 33% of Mazda Motor Corporation

16. Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (Japan)

Mitsubishi Motors controls about 14% of Mitsubishi. Mitsubishi Corp. and Mitsubishi Motors are the largest shareholders in Mitsubishi.

Mitsubishi also owns: 13.6% of Isuzu.

17. AvtoVAZ (Russia)

Renault owns 25% of AvtoVAZ.

18. Isuzu Motors Ltd. (Japan)

13.6% of the Isuzu brand is owned by Mitsubishi Corp, and 6% is owned by Toyota Corp

19. Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (China)

SAIC also owns: 51% of SsangYong Motor Company

20. Fuji Heavy Industries (Japan)

Toyota owns 20% of Fuji Heavy Industries

21. Chongqing Changan Automobile Company (China)

22. Dongfeng Motor Corporation (China)

23. Tata Motors Ltd.(India)

24. China FAW Group Corporation (China)

It’s difficult to get a clear shot of the First Auto Work brand logos, which include Hongqi, Besturn, Vita and Jiaxing.

25. Chery Automobile Company (China)

 

 

 

New Car Toronto

With main focus on extreme design but keeping an eye on the environment, the graduates at the Royal College of Art have competed for the 2008 Pilkington Automotive Vehicle Design award, with several futuristic cool cars ideas.
Among these graduates were Ian Callum, the Jaguar design chief, Peter Schreyer, the original Audi TT designer and current head of Kia design, Marek Reichman, the design director at Aston Martin, and many other important figures from the industry.
The winners of the RCA Vehicle Design 2008 were Pierre Sabbas for the best car concept and Jon Radbrink for best using of glazing.

First comes the Phoenix concept by Sergio Loureiro Da Silva, the Spanish designer who used this innovative car concept design to express the regeneration of lost energy through movement. He said: “It’s about improving sustainability by designing every element to aspire to less energy consumption.”
“The beauty of a vehicle comes from the contrast of a fluid shape with precise technical elements”, added the designer.

The winner for best concept, Pierre Sabas, created the Airflow glass car design, placing both the electrically driven engine and suspension in the wheel, this leading to a high degree of architectural freedom. Inside, the car is made of glass and has 4 capsules for the passengers.

“I’ve tried to wrap it around like fabric,” says Sabas. “It allows for a new driving sensation and it gives the occupants a new perception of the outside world.”

The winner for best use of glazing is a Swedish designer who wanted to increase sustainability of the whole car elements using aerodynamic principles to help reduce fuel consumption. He called his creation inspired by building facades, Lexus Nuareo.
Jon Radbrink declared: “There is no real differentiator between normal and hybrid cars.”
“I was inspired by architecture,” he added. “I used glass in conjunction with other materials to create a layered affect that gives the feeling of transparency for the occupants.”

Nereus concept by Ceri Yorath gives the driver the possibility to relive previous speed experiences with the 3-seat fuel cell-powered car, by capturing them on a a memory card, using transformable plates covering the car, which change during driving time to visually reflect the driving style and the route.

Ilaria Sacco’s Multibrand Car My Lounge concept allows the owner to personalize it a a high level: “I’m thinking about a new way of consuming cars, like how you would design your living room.”

Iomega concept by Joonas Vartola is described in a few words by the Finish designer himself: “The structure and layout of the car supports and fosters the idea of this being a passenger car rather than the usual driver’s car architecture.”

The South Korean designer Jung Hoon Rhee focused on ergonomics and preferred to eliminate the rigid seating position in cars. Noah car would give the occupants the sensation they are light and carried by the water.
The wave seats “can cope with various body sizes from infants to obese people providing equal comfort everywhere” said he.

This green car design from Arturo Peralta Nogueras is based on the riding horses experience, and is fueled by algae with the exterior made of a solid holographic technology. The inside evolves and adapts to its environment, passengers and scenarios.

Soft Vehicle comes from Raquel Aparicio Lopez. It is a foam car with a zip in the rear for the boot, capable to resist during accidents. “I would like to extrapolate rubber, textile and other soft materials into vehicle design,” said the designer.

Here is another impressive car with a futuristic look. It was designed by Paul Howse who explained his creation: “’The idea is to create a local quality, something that is completely unique to you.” He refers at the fact that his car concept made of bronze will change its aspect over time giving the impression of an old collective car.

Korean Yunwoo Jeong’s concept transforms in to a commuter or SUV, when the driver pleases.

1. The Zoop Car: Designed by the unlikely candidate of Paris fashion house Maison de Courrèges, this electric car is actually capable of speeds of up to 120mph and can seat three people. It might be eco-friendly and relatively fast, but I don’t imagine driving a lemon is for everyone’s taste. 2. The Parkcycle: Whilst not technically a car, it’s roughly car-shaped and was used to occupy parking spaces for the global event PARK(ing), in which participants turn ordinary parking spaces into public parks. Designed by art group Rebar and with a top speed of around 8km/h, it may not be the most maneuverable vehicle, but it does come with a 5m tree on it! 3. The Live-In Truck: Living Is.be has transformed the bed of a truck into a fully-functional living space. With hatches in the roof to allow natural sunlight and ventilation into the room, it also comes with a double bed, a sink, shower (naturally with running water) and a kitchen stove. 4. The Transparent Car: Similar in color to the Zoop Car, this car is different in that almost all of it is completely see-through. Designed by Swiss manufacturer Rinspeed, this is the perfect car for those that want to be seen both outside of the car and inside the car. 5. Fiat Jolly Panda: It may have a bizarre name, but the more bizarre thing is that this car totally lacks doors! Stylishly designed and with non-toxic and UV resistant materials, its aesthetic impression is one that appeals to those with a taste for the more simple-looking vehicles. Although you do have to wonder if it’s not in danger of being stolen… 6. The Kenguru Car: This is a car that is designed specifically for wheelchair users. There’s no front seat, just an open space for the operator to position their wheelchair, which gets locked in place. The car itself is controlled with a joystick device, and with the option to simply roll in and out without having to hoist yourself into a seat, it’s the easiest car-tech available for wheelchair users. 7. Nissan Terranaut: While a concept-car, the concept alone is pretty cool. Rather than standard RV interiors, Nissan have gone with features and designs that bring to mind aeronautics and maybe even a little sci-fi. 8. Becker Jet Vans: Unfortunately not a jet-powered van as the name might suggest, but instead you get an outrageously luxurious interior which has been heavily influenced by private jets and limousines. 9. The Surface Orbiter: Built from a milk-tanker, taking over 4 four years and costing around $175,000, this was New Yorker Rick Dobbertin’s dream machine, and was constructed to cross both land and sea without any aid from a support vehicle. Impressively, the Orbiter has clocked up over 3,000 miles in the sea and 33,000 miles on land. 10. The Pacman Car: For anyone that enjoys a bit of nostalgia, or even just unusual cars. This was a converted hot-rod drag-racing car made to look like the classic arcade-game character Pacman.

Spy shots of the 2010 Honda Hybrid may have Toyota looking over its shoulder.

 

Road & Track’s team of spy photographers caught the next-generation Honda hybrid in the scorching deserts of the Southwest performing hot-weather testing. You can immediately tell from the car’s profile that Honda’s new “green” car is going straight after the Toyota Prius. Although the car is heavily camouflaged, you can see the basic overall design that mimics Toyota’s popular hybrid and is heavily influenced by the shape of the company’s FCX Clarity fuel-cell concept that appeared at the last Tokyo Motor Show.

Back then, the FCX was introduced as a sporty hybrid, but it’s obvious from these photos that usable economy is the name of the game now. Some have speculated that this new car will replace the now-discontinued Insight in Honda’s lineup, while others maintain that it will become the new Civic Hybrid. Whichever label it wears, one thing for sure is that it will be one of the most fuel-efficient vehicles in the world, and may wrest the crown away from the Prius as the world’s favorite green car.

 

The price of this new car will be low, as Honda maintains it will be an entry-level car with 200,000 units selling annually — half of those to be sold in the United States. Early rumors indicate that it may be as low as $19,000. With seating for five, this 4-door, front-wheel-drive hatchback will be using an updated motor-assist hybrid system and an advanced nickel/metal-hydride system, not lithium-ion batteries.

 

 

 

We’re not sure yet on the gasoline part of the equation; it could be the company’s lean-burning 1.3-liter inline-4 (in the current Civic Hybrid) or something even leaner. The expectation is class-leading fuel economy, no doubt way north of 40 mpg. Look for the new Honda Hybrid to arrive at dealerships here in the Greater Toronto Area in late 2009.

Hybrid Cars Toronto

With all the changes in the automotive world and number of auto shows around the world, there’s never a shortage of crazy ideas floating around.

Fortunately for car enthusiasts, many of those wacky ideas actually see the light of day — and we’ve got the top 10 best concept cars of 2008 for you right here.

Environmental-friendliness and a concern over high gas prices are the driving forces in today’s auto trends, according to Wes Siler, road test editor for the popular car Web site Jalopnik.com.

Siler says the hybrid and “green” car revolution is here to stay, but that the supercar market is a niche one and there’ll always be someone willing to shell out big bucks for an exotic ride.

With that in mind, here are 10 of the most outrageous, extravagant, or just plain cool autos to look for in the coming year, from green car to supercar and beyond:

Lamborghini Reventon
To start off, here’s the car that you absolutely can’t own, no matter how much money you’re willing to spend. Only 20 of these fighter jet-inspired supercars will be made, and they’ve already sold at over $1 million a piece. Still, it may be one of the most talked-about exotic cars of the past year, and is certainly worth keeping an eye out for on the roads.

 

Smart Fortwo

For the wannabe-European in all of us, the Smart Fortwo is the new American counterpart to those classic Euro smartcars. Small enough to fit in half a parking space, these zippy little cars can reach up to 90 miles an hour, all while getting 33 miles to the gallon, according to the company specs.

With a base price of only $11,000, it’s the perfect replacement for that road-hogging SUV.

 

 

Bugatti Veyron

If the Fortwo is the cheap transportation alternative for the non-car enthusiast, then the Bugatti Veyron is the dream machine of every supercar fan on the planet. Its 1,001 horsepower will pin you to the seat at over 250 miles per hour, but only for a few minutes. At top speed a tank of gas will last just 12 minutes, so fuel economy is not something to think about when buying this beast.

Most of us regular drivers shouldn’t even worry about getting our hands on one, because at just over $1.5 million, the Veyron is one of the most expensive (albeit fastest) cars on the planet.

 

Tesla Roadster

Somewhere between the Veyron and the Fortwo, there’s the new Tesla Roadster.

At first glance its Ferrari-like body, $98,000 price tag and sub-four-second zero-to-60 time look like any other high-performance supercar, but there’s a catch. The Tesla is actually the world’s first fully electric supercar.

Unlike previous electric cars, the Roadster has no backup gas tank whatsoever, just a rechargeable electric engine that the company claims will get you up to 220 miles on a single charge. Production has already started, so expect to see them hit the streets in the next few months.

 

 

International CXTenvironment

The International Truck and Engine Corporation recently released the largest production pickup truck on the roads. Built on the same platform as a dump truck, it’s the everyday pickup on steroids. The perfect six-figure truck for the boy in all of us who still remembers playing with Tonka Toys when they were younger.

 

Hummer HX

The latest concept truck from Hummer moves even further away from its Army-styled road tanks of the past and into dune buggy territory. Designed as Hummer’s competition for the Jeep Wrangler, the HX takes some styling cues from its bigger brothers and adds a few tweaks. What you get is a small, off-road capable, convertible truck that will be a welcome addition for Hummer fans feeling the effects of high gas prices.

 

 

Scion Hako

Scion has never been accused of making plain cars, and its latest coupe concept is no different. Resembling an orange box with wraparound windows, the Hako will definitely turn heads and create a love it or hate it opinion similar to every Scion car before it. The younger generation is once again Scion’s market, as the Hako includes plenty of interior technology, such as Bluetooth phone capability and video cameras instead of side view mirrors, with the images shown on screens inside the doors.

 

 

Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe

Described as less eco-friendly and more ego-friendly, the newest offering from the classically opulent automaker is a two-door sporting car sure to get you noticed. Designed more to be driven and not driven in, in contrast to most previous Rolls models, the Phantom Coupe is sleek, fast and fun. The extravagance continues to the interior, where a “starlight” headliner entertains passengers with flickering lights resembling the night sky.

 

Jeep Renegade

Jeep’s newest concept debuted in auto shows earlier this year and was an immediate topic of conversation. The boldly styled Renegade is an open-air off-road 4×4, but with an electric motor. Jeep uses one of these motors (which get up to 40 miles on a charge) on each axle for true four-wheel drive.

Meanwhile, a backup diesel engine will get you where you need on longer drives. Jeep finishes off the unique design by covering the truck’s exterior with rubber accents, hidden storage compartments, and shortened windshield and doors.

 

Maybach 62 S

The newest model in the ultra-lavish Maybach lines solidifies the company’s understanding of the word “luxury.” Even though its turbocharged engine can get all 6,200 pounds accelerating at Ferrari-like speeds, if you’re the one driving this car then you’re doing it wrong.

It’s better thought of as a high-powered limo, and the list of amenities for the passenger section in back is endless. A mini-fridge, wine cooler, leather armchairs for seats, automatic window curtains, auto-tinting glass roof, and personal video screens for every passenger are only the more normal options available.

 

 

If you want to be driven around in speed and style, grab about $500,000 and give Maybach a call or, like the rest of us, attend your local auto show for a glimpse of the future.

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With gas prices going through the roof, vehicles that combine high mileage with low price and loads of utility are selling like crazy.

Small Cars a Hot Item

If you compare the first four months of car sales this year with the first four months of sales last year, two things are immediately obvious.

First - they stink. Overall sales dropped 7.6 percent year over year, according to data from industry-tracker Power Information Network.

Second - it helps a lot if you make really little cars. Sales of the smallest compact cars - vehicles like the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris - are up 37 percent, according to PIN, for the biggest increase of any industry segment. Sales of slightly larger compact cars, like the Ford Focus and Toyota Corolla, are up too, as are sales of compact crossover SUVs, a market segment that’s seen a rush of new entries.

If you exclude high-priced or luxury vehicles, which cost a lot and have low sales volume, the evidence shows what most Americans are looking for now - and that’s just about everything: low price, excellent fuel economy and loads of utility.

Using data from PIN, we pulled out a sampling of some of the sales winners with the biggest jumps.

Kia Rondo

Price: $16,395 - $20,195

Mileage: 26 mpg Hwy, 19 mpg City

Sales increase: 198.2%

Rondo sales have nearly tripled since last year with more than 12,000 sold so far this year.

The Rondo epitomizes what non-luxury car buyers are looking for now. It’s not terribly exciting, but it combines small size, a low price and good fuel economy with space and surprising utility. It even fits in three rows of seats.

Honda Fit

Price: $13,950 - $15,270

Mileage: 34 mpg Hwy, 28 mpg City

Sales increase: 68.7%

The Honda Fit’s hatchback body style and interior with flat folding back seats provide a lot of versatility in a tiny body. The Fit also happens to be fun to drive. It even has an available automatic transmission with steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.

Scion xB

Price: $15,750

Mileage: 28 mpg Hwy, 22 mpg City

Sales increase: 64.3%

The Scion xB is basically a small crossover SUV that lacks only the availability of all-wheel-drive. A recent redesign has given it even more space inside and a stronger engine.

Toyota Yaris

Price: $11,550 - $13,925

Mileage: 36 mpg Hwy, 29 mpg City

Sales increase: 64%

The tiny lump-shaped Yaris is nobody’s idea of a dream car, but it’s about as cheap as any new car you can get. It’s very reliable, and it has fuel economy that few cars can match.

Suzuki XL7

Price: $21,349 - $28,899

Mileage: 28 mpg Hwy, 21 mpg City

Sales increase: 48%

The XL7 shares much of its engineering with General Motors’ compact crossovers, the Chevrolet Equinox and Pontiac Torrent. The XL7 is longer, though, and it’s available with a third row of seats, which the other vehicles lack.

Mazda5

Price: $17,995 - $22,515

Mileage: 28 mpg Hwy, 22 mpg City

Sales increase: 47.3%

We recently described the Mazda5 as “sadly overlooked.” Apparently, it’s not anymore. Sales are up sharply so far this year.

The Mazda5 is a like a midget minivan. It even has an available set of third-row seats and little sliding doors.

Kia Rio

Price: $10,890 - $13,615

Mileage: 32 mpg Hwy, 27 mpg City

Sales increase: 37.2%

Like the Yaris, the Rio provides cheap, basic transportation. But with gas prices rising fast, its big fuel economy numbers have also driven sales.

Sales of the Rio’s near-twin, the Hyundai Accent, have jumped about 28% compared with last year.

Ford Focus

Price: $14,395 - $16,925

Mileage: 35 mpg Hwy, 24 mpg City

Sales increase: 29%

American car companies have had a few big sales hits this year, and the redesigned Focus is one of the biggest.

A low price and good fuel economy have helped sales, but according to PIN analyst Tom Libby, the biggest driver has been a high-tech accessory: the Sync Bluetooth system that allows drivers easy cell-phone interaction or lets them play music off a USB thumb drive using voice commands.

Nissan Versa

Price: $12,880 - $15,890

Mileage: 31 mpg Hwy, 26 mpg City

Sales increase: 24.4%

The Nissan Versa is a little hatchback with a surprisingly roomy interior. Back seat passengers can stretch out with 38 inches of legroom. That’s 2.5 inches more than the Toyota Yaris or Kia Rio.

Toronto New Cars With Great Gas Mileage

According to Road & Track, if you to anyone who has shopped on a trip to China and you’ll hear stories about high-quality knockoffs at bargain-basement prices. It seems everything from high-end watches to designer clothes have their Chinese equivalent tagged at fire-sale prices.

This trend doesn’t stop there and includes big-ticket items like cars and trucks. Manufacturers have long complained that the Chinese business community has little respect for intellectual property rights, and a tour around the Beijing show is proof that the 120 or so local manufacturers vying for market share aren’t relying on in-house designs to get in on the action.

1. Lifan 320

While some of the knockoffs are dead ringers, others are close enough. Such is the case with the Lifan 320, which borrows heavily from the Mini. The big difference between the two is that the Chinese variant has four doors compared to the Mini’s two.

2. Great Wall Coolbear

In the exact duplicate category, there’s the Great Wall Coolbear. Cool name, not original looks. This time Great Wall uses the last-generation Scion xB as its template and copies it right down to the size of the badge, but with different graphics. Even the instruments, which are in the center of the Scion’s dash, is faithfully re-created in the Coolbear.

3. Shuanghuan Noble

Many of the clones are meant for domestic consumption only, so most manufacturers, if they are aware of the clone at all, take a hands-off approach. However, the Shuanghuan Noble, a lookalike for the smart car, made it to the Frankfurt show last fall, where Mercedes-Benz, smart’s parent, threatened legal action if the Noble were sold in Europe. Perhaps it was the car’s motto “Smarter than the rest” that got Mercedes’ attention.

4. BYD F8

Another Mercedes knockoff comes from a company whose initials, BYD, stand for Build Your Dream. Well, they’re building someone else’s dream of a car with the BYD F8, which is a ringer for the Mercedes-Benz CLK. The cars share the same quad-headlamp look with a horizontal slotted grille. One difference is that the F8 has a retractable hardtop as opposed to the CLK’s soft top.

5. Shuanghuan S CEO

While the Shuanghuan S CEO looks like a BMW X5, enough so, that BMW also threatened suit if the vehicle were sold outside China, you’ll find that beneath the skin, it’s nothing like the original. Instead of unit-body construction with an independent suspension, you get a trucklike frame with leaf springs. As with any fake, caveat emptor.

Toronto New Cars