2010 Aston Martin Rapide

The 2010 Rapide is a 4-door, 4-passenger luxury sports sedan, available in one trim only, the 4-Door. , the Rapide is equipped with a standard 6.0-liter, V12, 470-horsepower engine. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

Aston Martin Rapide is an all-new model for the legendary marque. Designed to provide useful space without losing its sports car heritage, the new sedan features seating for four as well as a reasonable cargo area accessible via a rear hatch. The interior is covered in the finest materials, including Bridge of Weir leather and walnut trim. A 1000-watt Bang & Olufsen BeoSound audio system is standard, as is a hard-disk based navigation system. Rear seat passengers enjoy their own individual climate controls and can relax with the optional rear entertainment system. The driver’s entertainment system is under the long hood in the form of a 5.9-liter V12 engine producing 470 horsepower. A 6-speed automatic is the only transmission choice. The Rapide is also outfitted with a number of safety features, including multiple airbags, Dynamic Stability Control (DSC), Emergency Brake Assist (EBA), Positive Torque Control (PTC) and very large brakes.

Nissan Leaf

The Leaf, an all-new design, has a range of 100 miles on a single charge of its lithiume-ion batteries. Nissan is unique among carmakers in also partnering with charging companies and municipalities to make sure the Leaf will have public places to plug in. Even though the car hasn't been priced yet (it could be $23,000, plus batteries), 25,000 "handraisers" have said they're willing to buy one. I drove a "mule" version of the Leaf, and found it great fun — the electric motor gives it great performance right off the line. Available at the end of the year at a Nissan dealership near you.

Driving Electric
Nissan hasn't exactly been handing out Leaf test drives. In fact, when Nissan President and CEO Carlos Ghosn drove the car to the podium for the big unveiling, it was his first time behind the wheel of this diminutive vehicle. We were, however, invited to Yokohama, Japan, to test a car equipped with the same drivetrain as the Leaf. While developing the Leaf's complex technology, Nissan modified several of its European-market Tino hatchbacks as "mules" for just this test drive. We were assured that driving these test cars mirrors the experience of the final product. Consequently, we jumped at the chance to pilot this significant vehicle.

Taking the all-electric car around Nissan's Yokohama test track was a beautiful feeling. The car accelerates with smooth strength, and though there is no engine roar — just the swoosh of air and hum of the road passing underneath — it is satisfying, especially when launching from a standstill. Once cruising, the car doesn't offer much in additional punch, which is a disappointment after the initial power spike; however, the overall handling is responsive and fun.

Granted, this mule is no high-torquing EV sports car such as the Tesla Roadster or Fisker Karma, so you won't need to visit your chiropractor after snapping your neck back. Thank goodness, because this is an EV that some of us might actually be able to afford. All in all, the performance is great, but in a modest sort of way.

Under the Hood (and Floor)
The Leaf's small but spunky AC motor is what gives the vehicle its spring — the electric power plant offers 80 kW of power (107 horsepower) and 280 Nm (206 lb-ft) of torque. But the secret sauce is not the motor — it's in the battery. Only recently have advances in lithium technology made batteries sufficiently light, cheap and energy-dense that companies such as Nissan are willing to take the mass-market plunge. Nissan has been developing electric cars for about 17 years, but only now thinks it can satisfy American drivers, who have some of the longest average daily commutes in the world.

The car's battery is made up of 48 individual laminated modules, each about the size of a TV dinner tray. Together, they carry a capacity of 24 kilowatt hours and a total power output of 90 kW. These manganese-based lithium-ion packs are stacked at different heights under the car's seats and floor so they don't encroach on cabin space.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro

The all-new 2010 Chevrolet Camaro marks the return of the storied sport coupe offered in LS, LT and SS versions. The LS and LT are powered by a 3.6-liter V6 rated at 298 horsepower while the SS is powered by a 6.2-liter LS3 V8 rated at 430 horsepower when equipped with a 6-speed manual transmission. When the 6-speed automatic transmission is chosen, the SS is powered by 6.2-liter L99 V8, based on the LS3 but adding Active Fuel Management and producing 400 horsepower while delivering an estimated 23 mpg on the highway.

McLaren MP4-12C

Peugeot SR1

Ferrari HY KERS hybrid

2010 Nissan GTR

The GT-R is a 2-door, 4-passenger sports car, available in two trims, the Coupe and the Premium Coupe.

Upon introduction, both trims are equipped with a standard 3.8-liter, V6, 480-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 16-mpg in the city and 21-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2010 Nissan GT-R gets a number of improvements and upgrades for the new model year. Power from the GT-R’s 3.8-liter twin turbo V6 engine gets bumped up to 485 horses, and new programming for the Transmission Control Module (TCM) improves drivability and vehicle acceleration when the Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC) is active. Brakes have also been updated with more rigid brake lines for improved durability and the brake calipers now feature both the Brembo and Nissan logos. Base GT-Rs are now equipped with a slightly darker high-luster smoke finish for the standard 20-inch RAYS forged aluminum-alloy wheels, while a new near-black metallic wheel finish is standard on the Premium model. A new Pearl White color is added to the GTR’s palate and the exclusive Super Silver exterior color has been enhanced and now includes a polished front bumper.

2010 Honda Accord

The 2010 Honda Accord now includes Bluetooth HandsFreeLink for all vehicles equipped with leather seating surfaces, as well as those equipped with a navigation system. The Accord EX Sedan and EX-L Sedan add rear-seat ventilation ducts. The graphics for the climate control buttons are improved.

The Accord is Honda’s midsize car, which was completely redesigned for 2008. With more dramatic styling and an increase in size, the new Accord sedan offers the most room and comfort ever offered by an Accord. The latest-generation Accord includes three firsts for Honda in North America: next-generation Variable Cylinder Management, interface dial controller and dual-chamber driver’s and front passenger’s side airbags. Offered in both sedan and coupe versions, the coupe receives more aggressive styling to differentiate it from the sedan. The Accord was first sold in the U.S. in 1976 as a compact car and has grown larger and more luxurious, moving into the midsize category in 1998.

Acura RL

The RL is Acura’s flagship 4-door sedan, which was redesigned for 2009 with more aggressive styling. It continues to be a showcase for the latest advances in electronic technology, including Acura’s Collision Mitigation Braking System, Adaptive Cruise Control and improved Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD). The RL also offers AcuraLink weather, a new Note function for XM Radio, Traffic Rerouting, Active Sound Control, Smart Entry, Bluetooth Audio and HandsFreeLink that now features more than 700 voice commands and improved voice recognition. The RL joined the Acura lineup as a replacement for the Legend in 1996 and had previously been redesigned for 1999 and 2005, when SH-AWD was added.

Volkswagen CC

The CC is Volkswagen’s new four-door coupe that Volkswagen describes as combining sports car dynamics and dimensions with sedan comfort. Wider, longer and lower than the Passat sedan with a long hood, strong shoulder line, rear-swept roofline and short trunk lid, the athletic but elegant look is accentuated by large wheels and tires, deep front air dam and bold grille. Inside the four individual sport seats sit low.

The 2009 CC is a 4-door, 4-passenger sports sedan, available in 4 trims, ranging from the Sport to the VR6. Upon introduction, the Sport is equipped with a standard 2.0-liter, I4, 200-horsepower, turbo engine that achieves 21-mpg in the city and 31-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is optional. The VR6 4Motion is equipped with a standard 3.6-liter, V6, 280-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 25-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

Named for one of the most challenging corners on the Le Mans racing circuit, the Arnage was fittingly introduced at the French circuit in April of 1998. It was 70 years prior that a Bentley, powered by a 4.5-liter engine, achieved victory at the 24 hours of Le Mans endurance race. To commemorate this achievement the Arnage was initially offered with a 4.5-liter engine developed with BMW and Cosworth, making it the first engine in nearly 60 years that was unique to the Bentley marque. In 2002, the Series Two Arnage was introduced, completely reworked and powered by a Bentley-built 6.75-liter V8 engine. The Arnage T was the first of the Series Two, and was followed a few months later by the Arnage R. The long-wheelbase Arnage RL was added for the 2003 model year.

Engine

• 6.75L V8, 16 valves, 450 hp @ 4100 rpm
• 6 speed automatic transmission
• 10 mpg city / 14 mpg hwy

Acura MDX 2009

The 2009 Acura MDX is Acura’s midsize luxury crossover SUV with seating for seven occupants. Acura was one of the first import luxury brands to offer a sport utility in 1996, with the SLX, which was a rebadged Isuzu Trooper. The MDX concept vehicle was unveiled at the 2000 North American International Auto Show and the production version debuted a few months later at the 2000 New York Auto Show. For 2007 the MDX was redesigned with a more athletic appearance, a longer and wider body, a longer wheelbase and a lower ride height. Acura’s flagship SUV was tuned on the world famous Nurburgring racetrack in Germany and is the sixth Acura project to be designed and engineered in the U.S.

The MDX has a refined and powerful 300-hp V6. It is more agile and quieter than its predecessor. The third-row seat folds easily into the floor and is a better fit for kids than adults. The dashboard is a sea of tiny, similar-looking buttons. Crash-test results are impressive.

2011 Honda CR-Z Concept

This spiritual successor to the venerable Honda CR-X originally made its debut as a concept car two years ago at the Tokyo Motor Show. And now, at this year’s show, Honda has revealed a new CR-Z, a 2-seat hybrid sports coupe that looks very much like the final production version scheduled to go on sale in the U.S. in the second half of 2010.

"Beyond great styling and features, the CR-Z will bring new levels of engagement and fun to customers interested in a small car or a hybrid vehicle," says Eric Berkman, Honda’s vice president of planning.

Fitted with a 6-speed manual transmission and sport-tuned suspension, the upcoming CR-Z certainly will be engaging for the driver, the first hybrid sports coupe on the market. Although the car on display at Tokyo has a tiny back seat, the production CR-Z (which makes its worldwide debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit in January) is a sporty 2-seater, one with the added practicality of a hatchback.

Star in Australian International Motorshow

The Ferrari Califorinia

Lamborghini Gallardo Spider

Toyota Hybrid Supra HV-R

Lexus IS 250C

Lexus LF-Xh Concept

Volvo XC60

Nissan Mixim concep

Holden Volt concept

Koenigsegg CCX

Peugeot 308CC

New Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart