2011 Model Year Overview - Part 2

Ford is the one to truly watch in Part 2 of our 2011 Model Year Overview. Even before the Big Three went to Washington, D.C., with their hats in hand back in the fall of 2008, Ford had been making sound decisions about the direction of its business. By focusing on the company's balance sheet and leveraging its assets, Ford CEO Alan Mulally was able to cut costs, put money in the bank and avoid taking any government bailout funds, unlike the other two big American automakers. This not only endeared the brand to a cash-strapped American public, it also gave the company funds it needed to develop better automobiles. The move has paid off in spades. This year, the Blue Oval was named one of the top five brands in overall quality by J.D. Power and Associates for the first time ever. For 2011, Ford is looking to continue the forward momentum with the Fiesta, an all-new mighty mite, and the Explorer, a complete re-envisioning of the SUV that started the genre.

Ferrari

With economies around the globe rebounding after the nosedive of 2009, exotic car manufacturers such as Ferrari are likely quietly rejoicing. The company looks to be coming out of the sales decline at a full gallop by hitting the market with a new road-going version of a full-blooded race car, the 599 GTO.

WHAT'S NEW . . .

2011 Ferrari 599 GTO
While the base Ferrari 599 is nothing to sneeze at straight from the factory, the Italian manufacturer has decided to fit the low-slung snake with a new set of fangs. The car features a 6.0-liter V12 engine, boiled down from the same powerplant in the legendary Enzo. The front-engine, rear-wheel-drive rocket weighs just 3,295 pounds and can hit 60 mph in around three seconds. Top speed is 208 mph.
Availability: Fall 2010
Price: Starts at $460,000

Read:  More on the New 599 GTO

Ford

Ford has continued to build on the momentum it generated last year with the introduction of the 2010 Mustang. For 2011, the year-old muscle car is getting a fresh set of engines, and the company is also introducing its new compact, the Fiesta. While not the testosterone-soaked unveilings of last year, each should play an important role in solidifying the company's already strong product lineup.

WHAT'S NEW . . .

2011 Ford Explorer
It's been a very long time since Ford has given its Explorer a once-over. For 2011, the SUV that helped to start the craze will abandon its body-on-frame roots for a crossover design. Built on the same chassis that brought us the likes of the Flex, Taurus and Lincoln MKS, the new Explorer will be a bit more civil than its predecessors. When it arrives, it should get its power from either a twin-turbocharged 3.5-liter V6 or a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder.
Availability: Late 2010
Price: Around $29,500

Bing: 2011 Ford Explorer

2011 Ford Fiesta
Ford is looking to take on cars such as the Toyota Yaris and Honda Fit with its new Fiesta. The first of a series of truly global vehicles from Ford, the car is available in both 5-door hatchback and sedan body styles. A 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine provides 120 horsepower while managing up to 40 mpg thanks to well-matched 5-speed manual and dual-clutch transmissions.
Availability: On sale now
Price: Starts at $13,320

Compare: Ford Fiesta vs. Toyota Yaris vs. Honda Fit

2011 Shelby GT500
Like its less potent siblings, the Shelby GT500 has been completely reworked for 2011. Under the hood, a 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine delivers 550 horsepower and 510 lb-ft of torque. Impressive, sure, but Ford engineers also managed to shave more than 100 pounds from the nose of the car alone by switching to an all-aluminum block for the first time in the car's history.
Availability: On sale now
Price: $48,645

Compare: Ford Shelby GT500 vs. Chevrolet Corvette Z06 vs. Dodge Challenger SRT8

WHAT'S BEEN REFRESHED . . .

2011 Ford Edge
The Edge has received some much-needed attention from HQ. More than a mild fascia update, the crossover now features a lower hood line, updated headlights and new vertical daytime running lights tucked low in the front bumper. The Edge has also received some suspension tweaks that should make it more comfortable on the road, and a 3.7-liter 305-horsepower V6 engine resides under the hood.
Availability: On Sale Now
Price: Starts at $27,220

Read:  New Ford Edge Debuts in Chicago

2011 Ford F-Series Super Duty
An all-out torque war is raging among Detroit's "Big Three" these days, and one of the current front-runners is the 2011 F-Series Super Duty. An available 6.7-liter turbodiesel engine produces 390 horsepower and a stout 735 lb-ft of torque while returning around 20 mpg (not EPA rated). A new 6-speed automatic transmission handles shifting duties.
Availability: On sale now
Price: Starts at $28,020

Compare: Ford F-250 Super Duty vs. Dodge Ram 2500 vs. Chevy Silverado 2500HD

2011 Ford Mustang
When Ford pulled the covers off of the 2010 Mustang last year, enthusiasts were disappointed to see the same modular 4.6-liter V8 engine under the hood. The 2011 model has officially taken care of that problem. Ford is now offering the Mustang with an all-new 5.0-liter V8 with 412 horsepower, as well as a new 3.7-liter V6 with 305 horsepower. The engines also allow for greater efficiency — up to 31 mpg in V6-equipped 'Stangs.
Availability: On sale now
Price: Starts at $22,145

Read:  Pony Car Throwdown - Mustang vs. Camaro

2011 F-150 Harley-Davidson Edition
The Blue Oval is continuing its partnership with American motorcycle manufacturer Harley-Davidson in 2011. The two companies have collaborated on a special-edition F-150 pickup, complete with a powerful 6.2-liter V8 engine, which produces 411 horsepower and 434 lb-ft of torque — a boost of 91 horsepower compared with the old 5.4-liter V8. Outside, the truck can be distinguished by unique badges and new side graphics as well as flashy chrome wheels.
Availability: Late 2010
Price: Around $44,000

Honda

Honda is set to broaden its hybrid offerings for 2011. Dealers will finally be getting their hands on the CR-Z sport hybrid — a well-styled 2-seat hatchback that supposedly focuses as much on driving enjoyment as on fuel efficiency. Honda is keeping its secrets in terms of what next year will bring, though we don't expect too many large surprises.

WHAT'S NEW . . .

2011 Honda CR-Z Hybrid
Honda fans have long pined for an honest replacement for the old CRX hatchback. The car turned a generation of drivers into enthusiasts with its remarkable blend of handling and fuel efficiency, and the company is looking to repeat history with the CR-Z. At its heart, the hatchback is powered by a 1.5-liter 122-horsepower gasoline engine coupled to Honda's Integrated Motor Assist. EPA fuel economy ratings say the car should be good for up to 39 mpg highway.
Availability: On sale now
Price: $19,200

Bing: 2011 Honda CR-Z

2011 Honda Odyssey
Honda has completely reworked its Odyssey minivan for 2011. The new family machine wears interesting styling, and the interior is upscale and roomier. The van uses the same 3.5-liter V6 engine as the 2010 model, but now boasts 248 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. Those numbers are up 4 horsepower and 5 lb-ft of torque from last year. Two transmissions are available, depending on trim level: a 5-speed automatic and a 6-speed automatic.
Availability: Late 2010
Price: Starting at $27,800

Read:  New Odyssey Has More Room, More Stuff

Hyundai

Hyundai has continued to prove it is a serious competitor capable of beating manufacturers such as Honda and Toyota at their own game. In 2010 the company shocked sports car aficionados and luxury buyers alike with the Genesis Coupe and the Genesis Sedan. In 2011 we will see the company take on the midsize market in a big way, as well as enter a niche segment with an ultraluxury sedan, the Equus.

WHAT'S NEW . . .

2011 Hyundai Equus
Hyundai has already proved it is more than capable of producing a quality luxury car with its Genesis Sedan. With the launch of the 2011 Equus, it looks to cement its foothold in the segment. Both wider and longer than the Genesis, the Equus will pack a 385-horsepower V8 engine when it goes on sale here in the U.S. Expect handsome looks and a quality interior to be hallmarks of the car, too.
Availability: Late 2010
Price: Less than $60,000

View Pictures:  Hyundai Equus, Sonata debut in New York

2011 Hyundai Elantra
The Elantra has been completely reworked for 2011. The compact now wears sheet metal that boasts design cues from the automaker's beautiful new corporate look. The aggressive fascia and sculpted rear flanks help the car look several markets above its low price, and with an extra inch of length and wheelbase, there should be plenty of legroom inside, too. Under the hood, a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine provides 138 horsepower while returning up to 38 mpg combined.
Availability: Late 2010
Price: Around $14,200

2011 Hyundai Sonata
The 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a milestone for the Korean automaker. With a variety of fuel-efficient engines and an attractive exterior, the car has just one purpose in this world: to run with mainstays such as the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry. The Sonata is equipped with a 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 198 horsepower mated to either a 6-speed manual or automatic transmission. Eventually, a more powerful turbocharged 2.0-liter engine will be available, as well as a hybrid version.
Availability: On sale now
Price: Starts at $19,195

Read:  First Drive - 2011 Hyundai Sonata

Infiniti

Expect to see an all-new take on the Infiniti QX56 in 2011. While the rest of the luxury motoring world is shying away from high-riding body-on-frame SUVs, Infiniti has been content to give its battleship a new lease on life with an all-new model. Whether that is enough to help buyers realize that there's a whole showroom of Infiniti products other than the luscious G sedan and coupe is another matter altogether.

WHAT'S NEW . . .

2011 Infiniti IPL G Coupe
Infiniti has made the jump into a dedicated performance engineering team, akin to what AMG is to Mercedes-Benz. The first vehicle to benefit from a host of go-fast parts will be a special G Coupe. The Infiniti Performance Line G Coupe (that's IPL in marketing speak) will pack 348 horsepower from the same 3.7-liter V6 engine as its normal counterpart, but will also wear stiffer springs for better handling and a more aggressive brake system. The 2-door will also feature a more aggressive body kit.
Availability: December 2010
Price: Around $46,000

Read:  Infiniti Performance Line Debuts

2011 Infiniti G25
While the Infiniti G line has traditionally been all about a powerful V6 engine under the hood, the Japanese automaker has taken a new, more efficient tack with its bread-and-butter sedan. The 2011 G25 swaps the 3.7-liter 330-horsepower V6 in the standard G37 for a 2.5-liter V6 with 218 horsepower and 187 lb-ft of torque. The new engine should return significantly better fuel economy, though neither Infiniti nor the EPA has come out with solid figures yet.
Availability: Late 2010
Price: $30,950

2011 Infiniti M
Infiniti has given its big bruiser a new tomorrow thanks to a ground-up redesign. The 2011 Infiniti M now features smooth, handsome bodywork with wide, arched fenders and an aggressive front fascia. Buyers can choose between a 3.7-liter V6 engine with 330 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque and a 5.6-liter V8 with 420 horsepower and 417 lb-ft of torque. Both are bolted to an all-new 7-speed automatic transmission.
Availability: On sale now
Price: $46,250

Read:  First Drive - 2011 Infiniti M

Compare: Infiniti M56 vs. Jaguar XF vs. BMW 5-Series

2011 Infiniti QX56
Despite receiving a quick refresh last year, the Infiniti QX56 SUV went under the knife once again for 2011. Those hoping the luxury utility would evolve into something a little less awkward-looking will be disappointed; the truck retains what can only be referred to as a bulbous appearance. That said, there's a 5.6-liter V8 engine good for 400 horsepower under the rounded hood.
Availability: On sale now
Price: $56,700

Read:  First Drive - 2011 Infiniti QX56

Jaguar

Next year will see a change in the one of Jaguar's most iconic models: the XJ. The car has steadily evolved over the years into a truly modern vehicle, but has never strayed too far from its iconic shape. That is, until now. Jaguar is hoping that the new skin on the XJ will help buyers realize that the company has grown well past the reliability woes of days gone by.

WHAT'S NEW . . .

2011 Jaguar XJ
Along with its all-new slinky but polarizing bodywork, buyers will find the 2011 Jaguar XJ equipped with a powerful 5.0-liter V8 engine. With 385 horsepower on its side and a remarkably light chassis, the XJ manages to be light on its feet and stable at speed. A supercharged version of the same engine will also be available. It produces up to 510 horsepower in Supersport trim and is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission.
Availability: Mid 2010
Price: Around $67,000

Read:  First Drive - 2011 Jaguar XJ

Jeep

We should finally start seeing some signs of life from beleaguered Jeep in 2011. The company is bringing its first new model to market since rocketing through Chapter 11 along with parent company Chrysler back in 2009: the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. The company needs to prove that the bailout money was cash well spent, so expect to see a whole new line of thinking from Jeep when the new SUV hits the scene.

WHAT'S NEW . . .

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Along with more rigid components underneath, the Grand Cherokee will sport all-new styling that still manages to stay true to the legendary SUV's reputation. Expect a great interior with soft-touch plastics, a new power liftgate on the back and 11 percent better fuel economy than its predecessor. The 2011 Grand Cherokee has been spotted testing on the legendary Nurburgring racetrack in Germany, so odds are the suspension will be as refined as possible for a big body-on-frame beast.
Availability: On sale now
Price: Starting at $30,215

Review: 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

2011 Jeep Wrangler
After its bout with Chapter 11, Chrysler has discovered a newfound obsession with crafting excellent interiors for very little money. The Jeep Wrangler is the latest model to receive a newly designed cabin, and the difference is impressive. Whereas once the utilitarian off-roader was clad in an array of cheap-feeling plastics that appeared to have been penned by an art-school flop, the new dash, center stack and seats are both stylish and functional. Expect to see both a USB interface and Bluetooth for hands-free calling and streaming audio.
Availability: Late 2010
Price: Around $21,165

Bing: 2011 Jeep Wrangler