truth about domestics

While the current Ford Taurus is a solid vehicle, it’s not much to look at in terms of style.  That will change when the 2010 Taurus hits the market.  The new design is a complete departure from the previous Five Hundred/Taurus design and it shows.  Esquire magazine liked the redesign so much that they named the 2010 Taurus SHO it’s Car of the Year.

Sure the Taurus isn’t out yet but it’s already getting rave reviews from magazines like Esquire and others.  For more details, and Ford’s full official press release, head on over to Autoblog.

So Jalopnik writer Ben Wojdyla has had the opportunity to drive the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox.  His reactions?  Compared to it’s competition, it’s a runaway in the fuel economy department (22 city/32 highway with the I4, 21 city/27 highway with the V6.)  The Toyota RAV4 can only muster 21 city / 27 highway with it’s I4!

He also states that the cabin is extremely quiet, not just for the segment, but for the market!  Not only that, but the new base price is $23,185, or $1,825 LESS than the previous model!  I’d say GM has a real winner on it’s hands if only people can stop being so biased and actually look at the thing when shopping for a new vehicle.  For the full review, head on over to Jalopnik.

Jalopnik has had a first drive in the Chevy Volt mules and they have come to the conclusion that, at least on the powertrain side, GM has hit it’s target dead on.  The Volt is being designed so as to feel as much like a regular car as possible.  This obviously has been a huge challenge since the car is almost nothing like a regular car in terms of it’s propulsion system.  For the full review, head on over to Jalopnik.

The lucky guys over at Jalopnik have just been given the opportunity for a first drive in the 2010 Lincoln MKT.  While the styling of this vehicle will certainly be the topic of debate for months to come, the real winner here is the EcoBoost, twin-turbo gas-direct injected 3.5L V6.  The EcoBoost V6 offers the power of a V8 engine, but the fuel economy of a V6.  In the review they had periods where they were averaging 24 mpg in a 5,000 lb vehicle that has 355 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque.

Chevy Volt mule (Autoblog)

So…Alex and I weren’t exactly invited to the first drive of the Chevy Volt powertrain mules…big deal.  Whatever the reason (I’m sure our invite was lost in the mail) Autoblog was on hand and took tons of pictures and even has a video of the events.  Their review of both the Chevy Cruze (the body the mules wore) and the Chevy Volt powertrain underneath was very positive.  For the full story, head on over to Autoblog.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro V6 RS (Autoblog)

To those who see no point in the muscle car wars: screw off.  Now, to the rest of you who are so happy that rear-wheel drive is back, I bring you the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro V6.  Not only does the car manage an impressive 29 mpg on the freeway, but it has 306 hp to back up it’s muscle car image.  Autoblog recently had the chance to sample a pre production model equipped with the RS package and they came away thoroughly impressed.  To check out tons of high res photos and a great review, head on over to Autoblog.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro (concept - GM)

Another good review of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro.  This time it comes from CNNMoney.com writer, Peter Valdes-Dapena.  The story here is a good one, with the article broken up into 4 main sections: Look, Power, Drive and Inside.  I’m sure everyone has seen, heard or read something about the new Camaro now that the vehicle is finally on sale, but this is a good read.

2010 Cadillac SRX (GM)

The reason the word “drive” is in quotes is because (as you will see in the article) it wasn’t a true “first drive.”  The vehicles driven were two preproduction units, although after reading the article, it appears that GM has really gotten it’s act together.  The review of the vehicles is very positive and ends with the writers saying that the 2010 Cadillac SRX is better than the Lexus RX350!  For the details and tons of pretty pictures taken today in fact, head on over to Jalopnik.

2010 Ford Shelby GT500 (Ford)

Having been a member of the 2010 S197 launch team here at Ford I can tell you myself that this car is incredible.  Everything from the exterior styling, to the interior refinement, to the increased power, is designed to let passersby know that this is one mean automobile.  Well now people don’t have to listen to my rants about the car, they can read about it themselves in Autoblog‘s latest review.

Even if you’re not really in the market, you should head to dealers this spring to check out this car.  When they describe the sounds the car makes when starting up, they are not kidding.  Even if you were across the plant floor, you knew when a Shelby started up.  The sound is unmistakable.  Truly proud to be a part of such an incredible vehicle.

Stop by AmericanMuscle.com and check out their large selection of Mustang Superchargers.

2011 Ford Fiesta (Ford)

Jalopnik has had a chance to drive and review one of the 100 Ford Fiestas being brought over here from Europe as part of the Fiesta movement.  Their verdict?  Why don’t I just let a section of the article do the talking:

“It’s hard to know which cars to compare the Fiesta directly to. The Versa, Yaris and xA are priced similarly, but fall into the traditional American small car trap of being pieces of crap.  The Honda Fit is a comparable drive and has ridiculous amounts of space inside, but it’s more expensive and not as luxurious. The lower end of Ford’s US-spec Focus overlaps the upper end of the Fiesta’s price range, but the Fiesta feels more expensive, not less.”

You heard that right folks.  A Nissan, Toyota and Scion were all called PIECES OF CRAP when compared to a FORD!  Maybe this little B-car can start to change people’s perceptions about American made products…probably not, but hey, I can dream (it is my birthday after all) can’t I?  For the full review, as well as tons of great pictures of the car, head on over to Jalopnik.