Despite tough times, some luxury carmakers are seeing a rise in sales.
The automotive industry is an unsteady one, beset by fluctuating gas prices and the whims of vehicular fashion. The luxury segment has traditionally been insulated from the economy's ebb and flow, tied as it is to consumers who have a great deal of financial cushioning. According to industry analysis house TrueCar.com, the past nine months have not contained any surprises: In a time when most brands are just beginning to see a light at the end of the recession's tunnel, luxury carmakers are seeing a significant increase in sales. By Brad Constant
Calling on regular partners Funkmaster Flex and Galpin Auto Sports, a trio of customized Ford Explorers will be a centerpiece of the Ford stand at this year's SEMA show in Las Vegas -- even before the redesigned SUV goes on sale.
Funkmaster Flex and Team Baurtwell bring an urban theme to their Explorer. Changes include 24-inch, three-piece forged billet rims and Baer brakes. The interior features Katskin two-tone leather seats adorned with the Funkmaster Flex logo and a Sony Xplod audio system.
The government is wrestling with how to rate cars like the Nissan Leaf.
With all the hubbub surrounding the media launches of the Nissan Leaf and Chevrolet Volt, both of which took place this week, it's easy to lose sight of the bigger picture. Journalists and engineers alike have struggled with the hybrid Volt's technical details. The Leaf, an electric vehicle that has no gas tank and derives its power from the grid, has prompted questions about functional range and infrastructure compatibility. But one question is at the heart of every discussion about either car: What do you do about the miles-per-gallon number? By Greg Migliore
Toyota will reveal another member of the Prius family in January at the Detroit auto show. It will be completely new and different in size from the current model.
Toyota has said it plans to expand the Prius and market the name as a sub-brand that stands for environmental prowess. The company is also developing a plug-in electric version of the current model.
When it comes to cars, most people don't give their kids enough training.
News flash: Most teenagers aren't good drivers. Surprised? You shouldn't be, at least not if you've been conscious for any part of the last hundred years. But according to a study performed by the AAA Foundation for Traffic Safety, poor teen driving skills can be blamed on one source: parents. This self-driving Volkswagen Passat can be hailed from an app.
What would the taxi experience be like without drivers? Think about it: No beads, no arguing over routes, no loud music, no refused fares. Earlier this year, the German research group AutoNomos unveiled a GPS-equipped Volkswagen Passat capable of navigating public roads autonomously. Among other things, it was intended to foreshadow a time when taxis won't have drivers, when technology will do the work for us. Now the group has unveiled its latest achievement: the ability to hail the car from an iPad application -- which is, frankly, amazing. By Greg Migliore
The 2011 Ford F-Series has been America's top-selling truck for decades. But in a nod to changing times, Ford is now also focusing on fuel economy for its iconic truck.
The F-150, which is offering a V6 again this year, will get 23 mpg on the highway and 16 mpg in city driving using the naturally aspirated, 3.7-liter V6 that makes 302 hp. It works with an upgraded six-speed automatic. The figures are pending final EPA certification and are for the two-wheel configuration.
This engine still puts out 278 lb-ft of torque, critical for the daily grunt most work trucks require, and can tow up 6,100 pounds.
Also impressive is the new 5.0-liter V8, which will get 21 mpg on the highway and 15 mpg in the city. This engine pumps out 360 hp and 380 lb-ft of torque with 10,000 pounds of towing capacity.
The tweaked midsize sedan shows promise, but is it enough to break the carmaker out of its slump?
Buyers now know exactly what to expect from the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport. Suzuki has announced that, next year, the sharper version of the company’s midsize 4-door will be available in two configurations: GTS and SLS. The Kizashi Sport GTS will come packed with luxuries such as a moonroof, Bluetooth hands-free calling and a 425-watt Rockford Fosgate sound system. The SLS trim throws in leather seats, rain-sensing wipers and automatic headlights, among other things. All of those goodies are piled on top of a suspension that is both lower and firmer than that of the standard Kizashi, and Suzuki says that as a result, the Kizashi Sport serves up a sharper driving experience.Explore New Cars
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Cars are cool, and here at MSN Autos we love everything about them, but we also know they're more than simply speed and style: a car is an essential tool, a much-needed accessory to help you get through your day-to-day life. What you drive is also one of the most important investments you can make, so we'll help you navigate your way through the car buying and ownership experiences. We strive to be your daily destination for news, notes, tips and tricks from across the automotive world. So whether it's through original content from our world-class journalists or the latest buzz from the far corners of the Web, Exhaust Notes helps you make sense of your automotive world.
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Contributors
Clifford Atiyeh has spent his entire life driving cars he doesn't own. Raised in Volvos, he has grown to love fast, irresponsible vehicles of all kinds. He is the senior news editor at MSN Autos and also reports for Car and Driver, Road & Track, The Boston Globe and other publications.
In the garage: 21-speed Iron Horse, 2002 Jeep Wrangler X (not his)
Doug Newcomb has covered car technology for over 20 years for outlets ranging from Rolling Stone to Edmunds.com. In 2008, he published his first book, "Car Audio for Dummies" (Wiley). He lives and drives in Hood River, Ore., with his wife and two kids, who share his passion for cars and technology.
In the garage: 1996 Chevrolet Impala SS, two 1984 Chevrolet Blazers, 2008 Honda CR-V
James Tate learned to drive stick at age 13 in a 1988 Land Cruiser - in La Paz, Bolivia. He's since been a mechanic, on a pit crew and has wrenched on every car he's owned since his first 1989 Honda CRX Si (and won't stop until the car is a 1973 Porsche 911 RS). His work has appeared in Car and Driver, Popular Mechanics, Automobile and others.
In the garage: 1995 Porsche 911 Carrera, 1988 BMW M5
