2010 | autoinsane

2010 Volkswagen GTI: The perfect mashup of price and performance

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

Every year over a dozen new car models are released in the US. Very rarely does one stimulate the the mind, body, and wallet all at the same time. All too often it's a choice between performance, fit/finish, and economy. Almost never do you get more than one of these at the same time. Never do you get all three, let alone in a base model. Well, that was until this year, when Volkswagen introduced the heavily redesigned 2010 GTI. Prepare to be impressed.

Photo Gallery: A detailed look at the 2010 Volkswagen GTI

Wednesday, March 17, 2010

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The detailed photo gallery companion to our full road test review of the 2010 Volkswagen GTI 2-door

2010 Superbowl Ads – Hyundai promotes 2011 Sonata using Brett Farve

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

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The big game is still a few days away but we've got copies of the two commercials that Hyundai plans to run during the 2010 Superbowl.

First look at production Camaro Synergy Special Edition

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

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Chevy is on a roll with the Camaro and it's currently outselling Ford Mustang and Dodge Challenger. That makes it just about the right time to introduce a limited edition run, wouldn't you think? So, starting in February and ending in May, Chevy will allow customers to order the lime green "Synergy Special Edition" Package in limited quantities. The Synergy Edition Camaro will run based on the 1LT package, featuring the 304-horsepower V-6 engine. Buyers can choose between a manual or automatic and the car also features a standard rear spoiler, Cyber Grey rally stripes, and 19-inch sterling silver painted wheels. The interior hue is also updated with Synergy Green trim. “Synergy Green continues a long tradition of dramatic Camaro colors,” says Camaro historian Scott Settlemire. “Some of the most sought-after Camaros are first generation cars – those from 1967 to 1969 – in Hugger Orange, Daytona Yellow, and Rallye Green. Just as those colors helped make the first generation Camaro an icon, modern colors like Inferno Orange, Rallye Yellow Transformers Edition and Synergy Green will define the 2010 Camaro.” Read on for more pictures and the full release.

2010 NAIAS: Volkswagen New Compact Coupe doesn’t replace Scirocco in our hearts

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

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2010 NAIAS: Volkswagen New Compact Coupe doesn’t replace Scirocco in our hearts

Call us spoiled, but we'll just take the Scirocco. Not that the Concept Coupe (props on the creative name guys) is a terribly ugly vehicle, but it's like putting ground chuck in a steak mold if you are a performance person. That being said, next to the Volt this is one of the better looking hybrids out there. Going with the unofficial theme of concept cars for NAIAS this year, this is another hybrid. Fire power comes from a turbocharged 1.4L inline four with 150 horsepower, which is backed up by 27 horsepower electric backed up bu lithium-ion batteries. The grand total of 177 means this car scoots to 60 in 8.1 seconds which is not to bad considering it should get around 56 mpg or so. Great figures, but we know you guys can put this tech in the Scirocco. Aiding in those high mpg's is VW's 'coast down' technology that automatically disengages the transmission after the driver lets off the throttle and allows the car to coast for longer periods of time, as well as regenerative braking. Although it's still in the concept stages it looks far too polished to stay there. We wouldn't be surprised if the Concept Coupe showed up in your local Volkswagen dealerships.

2010 NAIAS: Lexus shows LFA, no you can’t touch it

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

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2010 NAIAS: Lexus shows LFA, no you can’t touch it

Poised on a pedestal and behind it's own security guard sat Lexus' super coupe. Powered by a 552 horsepower V10 the LFA leaps to 60 in 3.6 seconds and keeps going to 202 mph. The mostly carbon fiber car was off limits, we'd imagine that Lexus isn't ready to let the $350,000 rocket into the hands of just "any" automotive journalist just yet.

2010 NAIAS: Hyundai Brings Blue-Will Concept to Cobo

Wednesday, January 13, 2010

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2010 NAIAS: Hyundai Brings Blue-Will Concept to Cobo

This odd looking duck is a look into what Hyundai is doing with hybrids. Powered by a direct-injected 1.6L that puts out 152 HP and a 100kw electric motor and a CVT transmission. Hyundai says this combination is good for 50-55 mpg in hybrid mode and 106 mpg in plug-in mode. Operating on electric only mode the plug-in hybrid is expected to do 40 miles, which is the same as the Chevy Volt. This is Hyundai's test bed for a lot of tech. Dubbing the design 'eco-sleek' it packs organic LED displays for the gauges and touch screen HVAC controls. Other tech goodies aid in fuel economy, with an exhaust manifold mounted thermo-electric generator, roof-mounted solar cells and regenerative braking. The thermo-electric generator converts heat to electricity to power auxiliary device. Hyundai has coupled this with low-resistance tires and brake pads to reduce friction. Even more interesting tech is packed into the Blue-Will, including an integrated bike rack. To save weight, carbon-fiber reinforced plastics and nano composites have been applied to the side sills, moldings and fenders. Press Release After the Jump

Buick Unveils the Regal GS, Checks Almost All the Right Boxes

Friday, January 8, 2010

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6 speed manual, 255 horsepower, 0-60 in under 6 seconds and a whole lot of extras. The Regal GS has a promising laundry list. The turbocharged 2.0 Ecotec will route those 255 ponies through an adaptive AWD system. Stopping power comes from 4 piston 14-inch Brembos. Holding the drive in place is a set of Recaro seats, which should come in handy with the trick suspension that GM has put in place. GM is using its HiPerStrust technology which helps to reduce torque steer and maintain negative camber during cornering. However, we have a few questions and speculations. If you’re familiar with the Opel Insignia OPC (That Opel Performance Center for those stateside) it packs a 2.8 V6 Turbo that puts out 325 horsepower, a whopping 70 more ponies. Don’t get us wrong, as-is the new GS looks very promising but we are wondering what is going on. Could the General be holding a GNX or maybe a GSX up its sleeve? Maybe the General doesn’t want to put the Buick up against the Caddy CTS....

Cadillac debuts supercharged CTS-V Coupe, let the drooling begin

Tuesday, January 5, 2010

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Cadillac debuts supercharged CTS-V Coupe, let the drooling begin

If the CTS-V sedan just wasn't your thing then Cadillac hopes the coupe is. Powered by the same 556 supercharged V8 found in the CTS-V sedan, the coupe starts production this summer. Featuring Cadillac's Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo brakes and an available automatic, paddle-shift transmission. The CTS-V coupe takes a lot from its sedan counter part but it is about an inch wider in the rear track. It's also about two inches shorter in length and height. The shrinking doesn't appear to have any weight savings as the car still does 0-60 in a staggering 3.9 seconds, although official weight numbers weren't released. If the actual weight didn't drop, we would hope either the price does, or the handling improves in coupe form. Full Press Release Follows:

Volkswagen’s Black Beauty: The 2010 GTI

Monday, December 21, 2009

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VW has spiced up their line-up in recent years, from the introduction of the EOS a few years ago to the sexy and sleek looking CC last year. For 2010 the GTI gets a face lift and some interior refinement. That would make any critic happy. The front fascias’ devilish grin gives you a hint of what’s to come. While this black beauty is not the most powerful of the hot hatches on the market, it is definitely the most refined.