2011 Mercedes B-Class Begets the Dodge Hornet

Mercedes has long looked at the entire U.S. auto market as fair game, meaning it is not just a place where it can sell luxury vehicles, but a place to market "low budget" vehicles too. Unknown to some American motorists, the Mercedes name is much broader than simply being a luxury make. Like its German rival, Volkswagen, Mercedes sells cars in Europe that compete directly against the Golf as well as against the luxurious VW Phaeton. Still, introducing a "budget Benz" to America is a psychological hurdle that parent DaimlerChrysler is delaying making a commitment to. Let's take a look at the proposed B Class and the reasons why the model not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.

Yes, the B-Class is poised to change the way American consumers think about the Mercedes brand while giving the make a chance to capture a broader chunk of the market. With the Hornet deriving its platform and other key components from the B-Class, Dodge will also benefit and be able to holds its own against Asian imports. Yes, both products present risky moves for parent DaimlerChrysler, one that the automaker must take in an ever changing and highly competitive world.

2011 Mercedes B-Class Begets the Dodge Hornet

2011 Corvette Concepts with Carbon number 01

With the huge success that the Corvette ZR1 has enjoyed since its return in 2009 many felt that Chevy would stop production of the Z06. Well those who thought that notion up were recently proven wrong in a big way as Chevy showed its commitment to the Corvette Z06. Chevy recently announced that later this summer the all new 2011 Corvette Z06 Carbon Limited Edition will be made available. This special edition Vette is only going to go to 500 lucky individuals and it will of course bring all sorts of goodies with it.

The auction will be televised on Speed and if you are a Corvette fanatic you will not want to miss this piece of history when it hits the auction block. Though you may not be able to afford to bid on the first ever Corvette Carbon you can still get caught up in the thrill of all those who will be pushing the bid higher and higher.

Whoever does end up with Corvette Carbon number 01 will have a tough choice to make. Do they drive it around and enjoy all that is Corvette or do they simply make it into a show car and lovingly stare at it day after day? While the latter is probably best for retail purposes, driving it would be a lot more fun.

2011 Corvette Concepts with Carbon number 01

The UK range of 2011 Honda CR-Zs

The standard CR-Z offers a number important amenities including an AM/FM/CD/USB audio system with six speakers, automatic air-conditioning, automatic windows and door locks, distant entry and cruise control.

Hybrid Amenities

The CR-Z EX, offering the best fuel economy, also offers a higher trim level. Those amenities include a 360-watt AM/FM/CD audio system with seven speakers - including a subwoofer - Bluetooth and a leather-wrapped steering wheel.

The UK range of Honda CR-Zs has three different trim levels on offer, ranging from £17,000 rising £22,179.

The UK range of 2011 Honda CR-Zs

Really Coming 2012 The Ford C-MAX

Ford is returning to the U.S. minivan market with the all-new Focus based and European developed, C-MAX, which will get its debut at the increasingly interesting North American International Auto Show in Detroit this January.

Only recently after 1.5billion pound contracts are signed for Ford's green investment in UK research and production, does Ford announce a 270million pound investment and the chosen location of the Valencia plant for the full production of the hybrid and plug-in Ford C-Max models that are targeted to be ready for their European launch in 2013.


Really Coming 2012 The Ford C-MAX

2012 Range Rover Evoque Clauster Gauge

The new Rover comes powered by a 5.7 liter V8 super charged engine that can produce up to 510 horse power and also has the standard 3.0 liter V6 engine. The next generation Range Rover comes with the same designs as the previous model but features certain minor changes to both the exterior as well as to the interior. The features redesigned in the exterior of the vehicle include rear and front head lights with LED's, while the interior comes with the latest TFT instrument display panel and split view central display allowing the driver to view the screen. The new safety features to the vehicle include surround camera system and blind spot monitoring system. The next generation Range Rover comes mated with the ZF six speed automatic transmission.

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Clauster Gauge and Steering Wheel View

The 2010 LR4 has been updated for the best all-terrain performance with the Dynamic Stability Control System and an updated Terrain Response; allowing the LR4 5L V8 to surpass the luxury, sport, as well as the engine capacity of the LR3. The 2010 offers an option of the 5L V8 375hp as well as the 510bhp supercharged engine providing two light weight engines that don't drain the gas you would think. All in all, the added power just makes the LR4 a heck of a lot of fun to drive in all types of terrain.
2012 Range Rover Evoque Clauster Gauge

In terms of performance Of 2011 Maserati GranTurismo

I am glad Maserati have gone this way, as I feel this has produced some of the nicest cars they have ever had available. And my personal favourite? The Maserati GranTurismo, which combines all the smooth elegant shapes and lines to create what I consider to be one of the best looking cars on the marketing nowadays. I am sure it isn't perfect, but in the constantly evolving world of car manufacturing and design I think they are pretty close to hitting the nail on the head. After all, the GranTurismo is sculpted from its long bonnet through to the slope of its boot, and it really is quite a masterpiece!

2011 Maserati GranTurismo MC Stradale Rear View

The vehicle was offered with a 6-speed automatic transmission system using ZF technology. The measured curb weight of this vehicle was about 4145 pounds. The wheelbase of the vehicle was about 115.8 inches. The length of this vehicle is about 192.2 inches, whereas width and height of the vehicle are about 72.7 and 53.2 inches respectively.

In terms of performance, the vehicle reaches up to 60 mph acceleration in just 4.8 seconds. This car is offered with a price of $130,000.

In terms of performance Of 2011 Maserati GranTurismo

2011 Aston Martin Cygnet is not a bespoke design

The DB9 coupe has a 6.0L engine. It has the same V12 engine as the Aston Martin Vanquish. With a width of 73.8 inches (over 6 feet), a height of 52 inches, and a length of 185 inches, it would be an understatement to say that the DB9 is a big GT. With such massive size in a coupe one might consider this machine cumbersome and slow. But underneath its bonnet lies a 450Hp power plant capable of raising the car to speeds over 180mph.
Announced in mid 2009, the first Cygnet's will start hitting the roads sometime in 2010. Despite its diminutive size the car certainly still has an Aston Martin price tag, expected to sell for around £30,000 ($50,000 USD). To retain exclusivity further still, the Cygnet will only be available to existing Aston Martin owners with annual production expected to be below 5000.

2011 Aston Martin Cygnet Yellow Color

Despite the high cost, the Cygnet is not a bespoke design and is actually based on the Toyota iQ - a low cost micro car which originally launched in 2008. Beneath the heavy modifications which give the Cygnet its signature Aston Martin looks, the car underpinnings of the initial models will share much with it's Toyota brother - even down to the engine which will be the stock Toyota 1.33 liter. The actual differences will be mainly cosmetic most obviously with the exterior which has sees new body panels and lights. The end result resembles a DB9 which has been squeezed from bumper to bonnet in a vice. The interior of the Cygnet has also seen a revamp and from the inside feels closer to a classic elegance than to the Toyota that the mini Aston is based upon.
2011 Aston Martin Cygnet is not a bespoke design