October 2009 Archives

The USA TODAY have published a review of the 2010 Subaru Outback. 'The flat-six, 3.6-liter engine is rated 256 horsepower, up 11 hp from the '09's 3-liter. More important for most American driving, the 247 pounds-feet of torque is a gain of 32 lbs.-ft., or 15%. Translated: enough low-speed power (torque) to suit U.S. slug-along driving and enough high-speed power (horsepower) for safe merging and passing, as well as fun. It's linked to a five-speed automatic at a time six-speeds are common but no big deal. The transmission shifted very well, never leaving you pining for a six-speed.'

The Garage Blog have published a review of the Nissan cube Krom. 'Stepping inside the cube, the setting is slightly less controversial, and one is able to appreciate the assets of that funky exterior. What impressed most was the amount of interior space available in such a tiny package. I had room to spare with my 6′ 1″ frame, with loads of headroom. Visibility is excellent all around, helped mostly by the car's large windows. I was surprised at some of the features that came standard on a car that stickers under $20,000USD, like automatic climate control, auto on/off headlights, an outside temperature display, along with an upgraded stereo with iPod integration and a Rockford Fosgate subwoofer. I was puzzled that XM/Sirius satellite radio is not available on the Krom model but is on other cubes.

The Business Week have published their review of the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox compact SUV. 'The new Equinox (and its twin, the GMC Terrain) looks better than the old one, has a vastly improved interior, and is reasonably peppy--even if you stick with the standard 2.4-liter, 182-horsepower in-line four-cylinder engine. Like the Buick Enclave, the Equinox has a distinctly, unapologetically American look to it, both inside and out. Plus--and this is key--the Equinox is rated to get 22 miles per gallon in the city and an astonishing 32 mpg on the highway with front-wheel drive and a four-cylinder engine. Mileage figures for comparable rival models are all lower: 21/28 for the CR-V, 22/28 for the Rav4, 21/28 for the Ford Escape, 20/25 for the '09 Hyundai Tucson, and 16/22 for the '09 Kia Sorento.'

The Independent have published a review of the Citroën C3 supermini. 'As of now a mere glass panel in the roof, openable or not, is old hat. In the new Citroën C3 there's an unbroken sweep of complexly curved, gradually tinted transparency from bonnet to beyond the back of your head, punctuated only by the interior mirror. It makes the C3 amazingly airy and curiously vertical in feel, because your field of vision is bounded only laterally. It's like driving a modern, glass-walled telephone kiosk.;

A review of the Honda Civic Type-R has been posted over at Auto Express. 'The heart of the Civic Type R is its engine, whose vocals are pure touring car howl - hard-edged and intoxicating. As before, there's the familiar VTEC step in power delivery, but Honda's engineers have worked hard to make the highly tuned 2.0-litre four-cylinder more useable. True, you nerd to keep the engine spinning in the 5,400-8,000rpm band to get the best from it, but although the torque output is weak (193Nm at 5,600rpm), 90 per cent of that is available at 2,500rpm, so the mid-range is meaty. This means the Type R is far more tractable than before, so there's no need for frantic gearshifts. But while the 2.0-litre's characteristics have changed markedly.'

Jalopnik have published their "test driven" review of the 2011 Lexus LFA. 'The LFA has an unprecedentedly low center of gravity of 17 3/4" -- located directly beneath the steering wheel's rim. So far a conventional attribute executed perfectly, but how that CoG got there is way more complicated. First, the engine is located way back in the engine bay and mounts to a 6-speed rear-mounted transaxle through a carbon torque tube. The oil coolers are in the front fenders, while the radiators are at the rear to aid weight distribution, they're fed by the shoulder scoops. That creates a 48% front, 52% rear distribution for the 3263 Lb curb weight. That accounts for the CoG's position front-to-rear, but not vertically. That was achieved by using a world's first counter gear to raise the relative height of the torque tube, allowing the engine to be mounted incredibly low in the car, accounting for the CoG's height.'

DriveArabia have published their review of the 2009 Volvo XC60 SUV. 'The XC60 is powered by an unconventional 3.0-litre turbocharged inline-6 engine, mated to a 6-speed automatic with manual-shifting capability, and an all-wheel-drive system without low-range gearing. With 286 hp at 5600 rpm and 400 Nm from a low 1500 rpm, it isn't fast by any means, but it has a solid low-rev kick that makes it easy to jump into roundabouts and overtake on the highway. We got a reasonable 0-100 kph time of 7.8 seconds, although our average fuel consumption of 16.1 litres per 100 km is on the high side, especially for a compact crossover.'

The Car Connection have published a review of the 2010 Nissan Murano. 'Under the hood of the 2010 Murano is a familiar engine, shared across Nissan's entire car lineup. Edmunds.com proclaims "the 3.5-liter V6 provides plenty of power for almost all situations." Car and Driver says, "The engine makes a subdued growl under hard acceleration, but the noise goes largely AWOL at part-throttle while cruising down the highway." It's matched with a CVT automatic that functions especially well in the Murano. Car and Driver records a 0-60 mph time of 7.2 seconds for the Murano--"above average for its class."

CNET have published a review of the 2010 Acura RDX SUV. 'Our RDX came with Acura's Super Handling All Wheel Drive system (SH-AWD); a front wheel drive RDX is also available. This system holds the road incredibly well. As we dashed over wet roads on a drizzly day, we could feel the system work to keep the RDX on the pavement, especially in the corners as we put more and more speed on. Working against it was the car's high center of gravity, hence our wish for a low-slung sports coupe that could really take advantage of this technology. SH-AWD not only transfers torque dynamically from front to rear; it also sends it between the two rear wheels as needed. A neat little torque graphic on the instrument cluster shows second-by-second torque distribution, but you can't really monitor it when performing maneuvers that make it change.'

The Truth About Cars have published their review of the 2009 Lincoln MKT AWD EcoBoost. 'The MKT's grill is so unrelentingly grotesque it's easy to overlook the fact that the crossover's hind quarters are equally--if less aggressively--hideous. For anyone who appreciates well-sculpted sheet metal and artful illumination, the MKT's butt is an abomination. The enormous red strip bisecting the back end at nipple height is a distorted echo of an over-sized Ford Thunderbird logo pasted onto an homage to the Acura RL's ungainly reverse snow plow motif. Adding insult to aesthetic injury, the MKT's back-up lights are in exactly the wrong place (dead center).'

Search Chicago have published a review of the 2009 VW CC Sport. 'The CC sits low to the ground and features a lowered roofline. Its lines are silky smooth and I like the look of the frameless doors and lack of exterior model badging. The brand-specific VW badges are now more prominent, but without a visible model badge there were a lot of folks inquiring about what model my tester was. Everyone who approached the car applauded CC's styling, but seemed disappointed to learn there were only four seats inside. While CC's four seats are ergonomically designed, and the cabin is delightfully pleasing to the eye, there's barely enough head and legroom in the rear for 6-footers.'

A review of the 2010 Dodge Ram 2500 / 3500 Heavy Duty truck has been posted over at CarAndDriver.com. 'Given the 2010 Ram HD's three cab styles (regular, Crew, and Mega), two cargo boxes (six-foot-four and eight-foot), single- and dual-rear-wheel configurations, and five trim levels (ST, SLT, TRX, Power Wagon, and Laramie), there are a plethora of build combinations and prices will therefore vary wildly. Stripped 2500 work trucks base at $28,165, with 3500s starting at just over $35K. However, 3500 Mega Cab dualies in Laramie trim and fitted with the Cummins turbo-diesel start at more than $51,000, making it possible to crest $60K with all the bells and whistles. For buyers who need the capability, such a truck could pay back that investment in relatively short order. We don't fall into the category, but maybe we just need to find ourselves a car hauler and road-test a new Ram HD on the way to the race track. With half our long-term fleet in tow.'

Car Advice have published a review of the 2009 FPV FG Falcon GS sedan. 'The newly released FPV GS sedan and ute models (limited in number to 250 and 75 respectively) aim to recapture fondly the enthusiasm of that era by blending the combination of GT-based 302kW V8 engine, FPV chassis enhancements, bespoke GS graphics and FPV driver comfort features at a very competitive price point set to draw new comers and collectors alike to this limited-edition range. Of course with progress being what it is, the modern day GS offers much more in the way of creature comforts with a generous level of standard equipment that includes dusk sensing headlamps, front foglamps, 'premium sound' six CD tuner with iPod connectivity and steering wheel mounted audio controls, power mirrors and windows, cruise control, tilt/slide leather wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone climate control and Bluetooth mobile phone connectivity.'

LeftLane have published their "test driven" review of the Alfa Romeo MiTo MultiAir. 'Launched in three versions, the petrol-powered MultiAir MiTos range from a 103 horsepower non-turbo base model to a 133 horsepower turbo and the range-topping Quadrifoglio Verde (green cloverleaf) with 167 horsepower. While we had no chance to drive the base engine, both the turbos proved themselves to be smooth, sweet and incredibly, deceptively strong at low engine speeds. The expected big seller of the family, the 133-pony, 1.4-liter turbo is so strong that Alfa has done away with the six-speed gearbox from the existing MiTo and replaced it with a five-speed unit.'

The Garage Blog have published their review of the 2010 Chevy Equinox SUV. 'The interior styling of the Equinox is a home run for Chevy, and here, they are in a league of their own, as the competition all look like appliances in comparison. Sitting in the drivers seat, you get a sense that knowing how important this car was to GM, they simply let their designers be creative. It worked. The Equinox has style, but it is very easy to live with. You can easily just jump in and drive. The stereo/HVAC controls do have quite a few buttons, but a 30-second study is all it really takes to get familiar.'

A review of the 2010 Lexus LFA sports has been posted over at InsideLine.com. 'For a car that is yet to be launched, the 2010 Lexus LFA has had an extraordinary number of face-lifts. First it was a front-engine coupe and then it became a convertible. First it was built in aluminum, then later in carbon-fiber. The engine was to be a V10 derived from Toyota's Formula 1 engine, but then the F1 rules changed to specify V8s and we wondered if the LFA's engine would change, too. The final solution is a front-engine coupe built around a carbon-fiber monocoque and dressed with carbon-fiber body panels. This latest styling iteration has moved on significantly from the last showcar, and it's meant to be far more dramatic. "We wanted the front half to have a face and to have a distinctive character," says LFA Chief Engineer Haruhiko Tanahashi. "It needed to make a very strong statement and be recognizable as an LFA even from 100 meters away."

MotorTrend have published their "test driven" reivew of the2010 Ford Flex SEL EcoBoost. 'The Flex can function as a potential replacement vehicle for those who want to step down from a tall SUV or up from a car. The second row can seat two passengers in captain's chairs or three across if seven-passenger capability is desired. Be careful with the one-touch folding and manually adjustable second-row seats, though, as the ones on our tester were far too quick to fold forward. Access to the third-row seats is easy enough, and once you're back there, Flexes without the Vista Roof (sunroof up front, two small skylights in the second row, and one large skylight for third row.'

The Independent have published a review of the Peugeot 5008 MPV. 'There's no giant windscreen extending into the roof, no futuristic facia, no steering wheel with stationary, switch-bearing hub. All is normal, and very neat with conventional chrome-rimmed dials and some lush padding enlivened by metal highlights, and a strong aura of quality. The sole real innovation is the head-up display as already seen in the 3008, a clear concave plastic panel which rises out of the instrument cowling and on which is projected a digital speedometer and, if desired, sat-nav instructions and a radar-activated warning of when you are too close to the car in front to be able to stop safely.'

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the Renault Clio GT 1.6 VVT 128. 'As the name suggests, the Clio GT 128 pumps out 128bhp from its 1.6L petrol engine. This doesn't make it super-quick, but if you keep the revs high, you can motor along at a brisk pace. On the plus side, the chassis just loves to be pushed hard and rewards the committed driver. And although when you are pushing hard you might find yourself wising you were in a Clio 200, the fact that this GT 128 manages to slide into insurance group 7E makes it potentially more attractive to many.

Business Week have published their review of the 2010 Mercedes-Benz GLK350 SUV. 'The GLK is about the same size and weight as the BMW (BMWG.DE) X3, an aging model that's now being challenged by both Mercedes and Volkswagen's (VOWG.DE) Audi unit (with its new Q5). In this Deutsche dustup, the GLK350 is a strong competitor that I prefer to the X3 and that matches up well against the new Q5. However, there are other attractive alternatives at a lower price, notably the RDX from Honda's (HMC) Acura division and the Volvo XC60. That said, the GLK's diminutive size, incredibly smooth ride, and classy, comfortable cabin make it an absolute joy in day-to-day driving. A peppy 3.5-liter, 268-horsepower V6 makes the GLK more than quick enough for most SUV owners. Plus, the GLK's base price is relatively low, starting at $35,475 with rear-wheel drive and $37,475 with all-wheel drive.'

A review of the Citroen C3 supermini has been posted over at Autoexpress.co.uk. 'Inside, the C3 has taken a big leap forward. It's gimmick-free and very well built, with a stylish dash that features a central silver plastic strip and soft-touch facia. Other neat touches include the thick-rimmed, flat-bottomed steering wheel and a classy row of ventilation controls on the centre console. It would be nice to sit a bit lower, but with reach and rake adjustment, the driving position is good, and there's plenty of room up front. There's lots of light as well, thanks to a panoramic glass windscreen, known as Zenith. This is standard on all VT, VTR+ and Exclusive-trimmed models, but not the base Airdream+ cars. Pioneered on the C4 Picasso, it makes the cabin feel very airy and gives the driver and passenger a unique perspective.'

Search Chicago have published a review of the 2010 Porsche Panamera . 'The 2010 Porsche Panamera is a grand-touring luxury performance sedan aimed at the likes of the Audi A8, BMW M5 and 7 Series, Maserati Quattroporte and Mercedes-Benz S Class. Unlike any of those cars, the Panamera uses a hatchback body design - a logical choice given the company's requirements that the car have a spacious rear seat and plenty of cargo capacity. The 2010 Panamera is offered in S, 4S and Turbo models, the S with rear-wheel drive and the others with all-wheel drive.'

The USA TODAY have published a review of the 2010 Volkswagen Golf. 'Though the exterior changes are extensive, Golf still looks like Golf. The fresh interior has a rich look and feel. But VW's never cheaped-out on interior materials the way some makers have in small vehicles. Is it better than last year's? Probably. Is it a radical change? Probably not. Seats were typically German, feeling too stiff at first, supportive and comfortable after a few minutes. The TDI's seats felt best. Golf was delightfully sure-footed at triple-digit speeds, giving credence to the notion that cars from the land of no-limit highways feel better to drive. Steering was superb, easy to keep centered; quick to respond to driver input but not touchy. Brakes felt strong and sure - comforting both in tight traffic and when you come upon slowpokes blocking both lanes.'

Jalopnik have published their "test driven" review of the 2010 Suzuki Kizashi. 'On the inside, the new Kizashi is well featured for its expected starting price of under $20,000, offering iPod connectivity, soft-touch plastics everywhere, steering wheel audio buttons, dual-zone climate control and comfortable seats. Move up through the trims and you'll add a thumping 425 watt Rockford Fosgate audio system with Bluetooth music streaming and hands-free calling. It's not the greatest design, lagging behind the Mazda6 and new Accord, but it's better than most domestics and unlike anything in the price range.'

The Truth About Cars have published their review of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse . 'The LaCrosse's interior is GM's best yet, dominated by flowing curves that encapsulate the driver and front passenger. Beyond the original and attractive design, I was especially impressed by the way real stitching was incorporated into the molded instrument panel, for the appearance of an upholstered IP at a much lower cost. But there's the rub: Buick's interior ambition is lofty, but the bean-counter's hand is still all over the execution. In sunlight, the materials aren't as convincing and various small details (such as the sliding cover of the console's storage compartment) seem less finished than they should be. I drove an HS 250 earlier the same day, and the LaCrosse's interior materials simply can't match one of the cheapest sedans Lexus makes. Still, it is a step up from the Malibu, and better than that of any Ford or Chrysler. GM is very close to getting this bit right.'

CNET have published a review of the 2010 Nissan 370Z Roadster. 'The car we reviewed lacked the optional navigation system, but we have seen this optional cabin tech in a different 370Z Roadster. The navigation system stores its maps on a hard drive, and features integrated live traffic and weather. There's a basic Bluetooth phone system, and integrated audio sources include Bluetooth streaming and iPod connectivity. CDs can be ripped to the hard drive, which has 9.3 gigabytes reserved for what Nissan calls the Jukebox. The available cabin tech is the same gear we've seen in the latest Nissan Maxima, and in Infiniti models. The interface is easy to use and makes it quick to select letters and numbers from a virtual keyboard. What's most impressive is that Nissan makes the whole tech suite available in a small sports car.'

Car And Driver have published a review of the 2010 Volkswagen Golf hatchback. 'For U.S. buyers, who are not quite as attuned to the Golf's ongoing evolution as folks in Europe, the distinctions between generations five and six are probably a little difficult to discern at a glance. The front fascia is new, the sheetmetal is tightly wrapped around the wheels, front and rear overhangs are minimal, and the rear hatch opening has been widened. But the general look of the car is familiar, and it would take a robotic eye to see the tiny dimensional differences, although they do conspire to give the car a more purposeful appearance. The 101.5-inch wheelbase is unchanged, overall length (165.4 inches) is reduced by 0.4 inch, width (70.3 inches) increases by an inch, and height (58.3 inches) is unchanged.'

The Garage Blog have published a review of the 2010 Lexus HS250h sedan. 'The Lexus HS250h is an all-new model for Toyota's luxury brand. Although Lexus is no stranger to hybrid technology, the HS (for Harmonious Sedan) is their first dedicated hybrid. According to Lexus, 60% of entry-level luxury car buyers said they would consider a hybrid in that class if one were available. There is a huge misconception out there that the HS250h is simply a tarted-up Prius, but there is no truth to that. The HS is actually based on the Euro-market Toyota Avensis.'

A review of the 2009 Lotus Europa SE has been posted over at Car Advice.com.au. 'The Europa SE is certainly less frenetic that the rest of the Elise/Exige stable, and with the additional torque output from the 2.0-litre engine, you have the option of sitting back and cruising in a taller gear ratio, if you so desire. Peak hour madness is also more tolerable in the Europa SE than any other Lotus, and weekend getaways with more than a toothbrush are now possible, with enough room in the boot for a large size soft bag. There's also ample leg and headroom, which I put to the test with a well- fed mate, who is just shy of 185 centimetres and while it was only a short drive, it was comfortable enough for both of us.'

LeftLane have published their review of the 2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6R. 'Our tester was equipped in a new-for-2010 trim level that probably won't account for a big slice of Legacy sales. Featuring Subaru's biggest six-cylinder boxer engine but an otherwise base trim level, our test car listed for a reasonable $25,690 including destination. Subaru also offers the 2.5i, a 170-horsepower, naturally-aspirated four-cylinder boxer, as well as a more enthusiast-oriented, 265-pony, turbocharged 2.5GT. All three engines are offered in a dizzying array of trim levels, so rest assured that there's a Legacy suited for your lifestyle out there.'

MotorTrend have published their "test driven" review of the 2010 Volvo XC60 T6 AWD SUV. 'We find the interior as stark and dark as an Ingmar Bergman film, though. The Volvo XC60 is more about exterior appearance and fairly rewarding on-road driving dynamics. That's a new, unusual thing for a Volvo, performance that matches the promise of its handsome post-boxy styling. With the XC60, Volvo may have found its calling, building right-sized crossovers packaged with modern Swedish design, and performance and handling that's more impressive here than in its sedans.'

A review of the 2010 BMW 650i Convertible has been posted over at CNET. 'Our 650i Convertible did come with a head-up display, a projection on the windshield in orange that by default displays the car's speed. When route guidance is active on the navigation system, the display shows information on upcoming turns. This last feature is particularly useful, as we never had to glance down at the car's LCD while following its directions. But the navigation system is where we saw real improvement in the 650i Convertible over the previous model year. The maps, stored on a hard drive, show nice detail, and the 3D map includes topographical features and renderings of major landmarks. The system responds quickly to button input, although that's never really been a problem with BMW navigation systems.'

Inside Line have published their "test driven" review of the 2010 Porsche Panamera 4S sedan. 'For the occasion Porsche provided us with this all-wheel-drive Panamera 4S with its normally aspirated 400-horsepower V8. It's the Peter Brady of the Panamera line, slotting between the rear-wheel-drive Panamera 2S, which is powered by the same all-aluminum 32-valve DOHC 4.8-liter V8 as the 4S, and the almighty Turbo with its 500-hp version of this V8. Base price is $93,800, and our tester costs $113,540 thanks to a heapin' helpin' of options, including a sport exhaust system, adaptive air suspension, Bluetooth, leather upholstery, the Sport Chrono Package Plus and 20-inch RS Spyder Design wheels (18-inch wheels are standard), just to name a few.'

Search Chicago have published a review of the 2010 BMW X6 M. 'On the outside, the X6 M announces its presence with authority thanks to standard 20-inch tires, side "gills" behind the front wheels, a more angular front fascia with large air intakes and a rear diffuser that surrounds quad exhaust outlets. Powering the X6 M is a version of the 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V-8 engine used in the X6 xDrive50i model. The M engine has its own pistons, camshafts, cooling system and a unique exhaust manifold that pairs the exhaust gas from opposite sides of the engine's firing order and sends it to the dual turbochargers.'

The USATODAY have published their review of the 2010 Buick LaCrosse sedan. 'Buick thinks the LaCrosse is a head-on rival for the Lexus ES 350. In many ways it is. But for all its appealing features and mostly pleasing behind-the-wheel personality, LaCrosse has issues. Some concern the interior, which, ironically also is a LaCrosse high point. It is a creation of Chinese as well as North American designers and planners in a joint project with GM's China interests. Buick is huge in China, a symbol of status and -- here's the problem -- often is used in limo fashion, with the owner riding in back.'

The Register Hardware have published a review of Toyota's fourth-gen Prius hybrid car. 'Despite being marginally longer overall and in wheelbase than the Insight - 4.46/2.70m vs 4.40/2.56m - the Prius is only slightly more spacious in the rear. While boot space is also a little better, you still won't be using it to shift wardrobes about. Sit up front and there's very little in to choose between the two cars when it comes to space. Rear visibility is another feature that is equally poor in both the Prius and the Insight, but our top of the range T-Spirit test car came with a handy combined satnav and rear-view camera which made reversing less of a gamble - as did rear headrests smaller than those found in the Insight.'

Auto Express have published their "test driven" review of the Infiniti FX50S SUV. 'Under the bonnet sits a snarling 5.0-litre V8, producing 385bhp and 500Nm of torque, although a 316bhp 3.7-litre V6 is also offered for the more reserved customers out there. The eight-cylinder unit provides serious amounts of punch, and works well in combination with the seven-speed semi-auto gearbox, which can be hesitant on manual up shifts via the magnesium paddles, but provides a seamless wave of torque in full auto mode.'

The Truth About Cars have published a "test driven" review of the 2011 Hyundai Sonata Y20 [Korean-Spec]. 'The next-generation Sonata is better than the outgoing model in every objective measure. It's bigger, lighter, quieter, safer, roomier, more powerful, more fuel efficient, and emits less CO2, if you're into that kind of thing. On these points, the numbers don't lie. When it comes to subjective measures however, the picture becomes less clear. We all know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Having said that however, some things are universally good-looking; Liz Hurley, Keira Knightley, and the 1956 Mercedes-Benz 300SL fall into this category. The Sonata is no Liz Hurley. But then, it's not a Pontiac Aztek, either.'

The Independent have published a review of the Mazda 3 MPS 'The steering rack has three mountings instead of two, the suspension subframes are stronger and the rubber bushes in the suspension are stiffer. The tyres, now with extra-stiff sidewalls, are mounted on hefty 18in wheels. The driveshafts are now designed so that each has the same resistance to twisting as the other, which should stop the former tendency to tug sideways on sudden acceleration. The front anti-roll bar's mounting points are nearer to the car's edges, so the bar has more favourable leverage and a more immediate effect. Even if you're not into the niceties of suspension design, you'll sense that the MPS should now steer like a go-kart (and maybe ride like a farm-cart).'

GTspirit.com have published a "test driven" review of the Lamborghini LP560 Spyder. 'The car just kept giving more and more, endless bundle of joy really, it makes you think you owners are so lucky. If you have your car hiding in the garage with a thick layer of wax on it, do it a big favor and sell it to someone who will drive it. There is so much fun to be had and so much excitement and joy to share with the world, the amount of people giving thumbs up, smiling with positive comments was huge. I'm sure I've made a bunch of peoples' days by either revving it for them, or giving them rides, letting them sit in it for pictures or just answering their questions about the car. There were a bunch of kids that I run into that sparked love for cars and Lamborghini specifically and will later find motivation in it to study harder, work harder and be more positive.'

A review of the 2010 Subaru Legacy 3.6 R sedan has been posted over at TopSpeed.com. 'The Legacy 3.6 R is the top of the line model from Subaru's mid size luxury sedan lineup, however in this case the "R" is more representative of a relaxed driving environment and not for the typical racing inspired model. The new Legacy is the roomiest Legacy ever thanks to that longer wheelbase we talked about earlier and an all new double wishbone rear suspension that gives back seat passengers a much more spacious and luxurious ride. Speaking of luxury, our Limited model's interior came wrapped in supple black leather and featured attractive wood trim on the dash and doors as well as few high tech convenience features like dual zone climate control and a Harman-Kardon sound system complete with a large navigation screen that will play DVDs when you are in park.'

Trusted Reviews have published a review of the Jaguar XF 3.0L Diesel Sport. 'The Jaguar XF looks superb, and most importantly, infinitely more modern than the S Type. However, the really impressive achievement is that somehow the XF hasn't lost any of the traditional Jaguar style - put simply, the designers haven't simply looked at what Audi and BMW have been doing and tried to copy it, instead they created something fresh, and dare I say, brave. OK, so the design of the XF isn't as great a shock to the system as the new XJ, but when it launched it still caused something of a splash.'

A review of the 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 3.8 Track has been posted over at CNET. 'The interior of the Genesis Coupe goes a long way to explain the low price. The cabin looks good, with dashboard and console accents that would look at home in a Honda, but the materials all feel a bit cheap. Hard plastics cover the dashboard and fake metal runs down the center stack. The steering wheel is a good excuse to wear driving gloves or buy a leather steering wheel cover. With the navigation system present, occupying a smallish, 6.5-inch touch screen, what was the radio display at the top of the stack becomes two virtual gauges showing instantaneous fuel economy and available torque. Given the nature of these gauges, generally when one is up, the other is down.'