NY Show Preview: GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid with 21MPG

NY Show Preview: GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid with 21MPG

GM is adding yet another 'politically correct' full-size SUV with a hybrid powertrain to its model portfolio. The new 2009 GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid will its world debut at the 2009 New York International Auto Show with sales set to commence in May. The eight passenger SUV features GM's 2-mode hybrid system that combines a 6.0-liter Vortec V8 engine producing 332-horsepower and 367 lb.-ft. (498Nm) of torque with two-electric motors packaged in the transmission.

GM claims that the Yukon Denali Hybrid (2WD) returns an estimated 21mpg city (11.2lt / 100km) and 22mpg highway (10.7lt / 100km). "The eight-passenger GMC Yukon Denali Hybrid goes just as far on a gallon of gas in the city as a much smaller, V-6 Toyota Camry sedan," said Susan Docherty, vice president, Buick-Pontiac-GMC. "And in terms of fuel savings, the GMC Yukon Denali saves about 250 gallons of fuel a year over the Lexus GX 470."

Docherty also said the number one consideration for those purchasing the GMC Yukon Hybrid is fuel economy (80 percent), followed by 66 percent for its environmentally friendly technologies and more than half because of its technological innovation. We hope that Doherty is referring to those who have already decided to purchase a Yukon and not buyers in general...

Prices for the 2009 Yukon Denali Hybrid start at $59,185 for the 2WD model and $62,030 for the 4WD version, including the destination freight charge of $950. Buyers may also be eligible for a tax credit of up to $2,200.

Official: 2009 Dodge Challenger SE V6 Rallye with Stripes and 5-Speed Auto

Official: 2009 Dodge Challenger SE V6 Rallye with Stripes and 5-Speed Auto

Dodge has issued official details and a high-resolution gallery of the newest member in the Challenger SE family, the Rallye Edition, that will go on sale this April along with the rest of the updated 250HP 3.5-liter V6-powered SEs that receive a five-speed automatic transmission with Auto Stick in place of the previous 4-speed auto box. As we informed you this past weekend, the Rallye package consists of exterior and interior cosmetic upgrades.

Similar to the R/T package found the V8-powered Challenger, the Rallye edition adds hood and deck lid dual stripes with accent color outer stripes, 18-inch wheels with black painted pockets, chromed 'FUEL' filler doo, a body-color deck lid spoiler and Micro Carbon interior accents. The all-new 2009 Dodge Challenger SE Rallye starts at $26,490 (including $725 destination) with dealers already accepting orders.

Production ready Ford Focus RS unveiled

Production ready Ford Focus RS unveiled

We saw the new Ford Focus RS concept live the Paris Motor Show and yesterday Ford has unveiled the production ready version, which was already available for orders in the UK, with the first deliveries expected in March. Priced under £25,000, the new RS will be powered by an upgraded version of the 2.5-litre five-cylinder turbocharged engine from the Focus ST, which will develop 296 hp and take the car from 0 to 60 mph in 5.9 seconds and up to an electronically limited speed of 155 mph (over 160 without the limiter). and see the Saleen S7 one of its kind a supercar.

The RS will be fitted with an Automatic Torque Biasing limited-slip differential, developed by British engineering specialist Quaife and with Ford’s new RevoKnuckle suspension. Other performance upgrades include a new stability control, lowered ride height and bigger brakes, while a very aggressive bodykit (available in Performance Blue, Frozen White and the awesome Ultimate Green paint finish) completes the package.

Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI Wallpaper Galore

Audi R8 V10 5.2 FSI Wallpaper Galore

Red is the color of choice for Audi's new wallpaper gallery of the just released, top-of-the-line R8 V10 5.2 FSI. Set to go on sale during the second quarter of 2009, the most powerful version of Audi's mid-engined supercar is equipped with a Lamborghini Gallardo derived, 5.2-liter V10 engine that pumps out 525HP and 530 Nm (390.91 lb-ft) of torque. In case you missed our detailed article on the R8 V10, all the initial information or else follow the jump and enjoy the high-res image gallery.

Nissan GT-R Tuned by Cobra

Nissan GT-R Tuned by Cobra N+ with up to 620HP

German tuning firm COBRA N+ has announced the development of a new performance package for the GT-R that will be available just in time for the Japanese sportscar's European market launch in the spring of 2009. In standard form, after its recent facelift that is the four-wheel drive GT-R comes equipped with a twin-turbo 3.8-liter V6 engine delivering 485HP. COBRA N+ is readying two performance packages for the GT-R.

The first tuning stage is projected to deliver 550HP, with an increase in torque to 680 Nm. To achieve this, the twin-turbocharged engine electronics were reprogrammed, boost pressure was increased by 0.15 bar and the air intake was modified with sport air filters. Also under development is a free-flow COBRA N+ stainless-steel high-performance exhaust system with metal catalysts.

With this package the Nissan GT-R from COBRA N+ will sprint to 100 km/h (62 km/h) in less than 3.5 seconds, on its way to a top speed of some 320 km/h (199 mph). The second tuning package which is still under development, will boost output to a hefty 620 HP and peak torque to approximately 800 Nm.

MORE ABOUT NISSAN GT-R TUNED BY COBRA CAR

Elite Carbon Tunes the Maserati GranTurismo

Elite Carbon Tunes the Maserati GranTurismo

U.S.-based Elite Carbon has released details on a new tuning package it has developed for the Maserati GranTurismo which will be available from around mid-2009. Promising to improve the vehicle's looks as well as its aerodynamics, Elite Carbon's bodykit includes a new front bumper with exposed carbon fiber lip and brake intake surrounds, a rear deck spoiler, side skirts with exposed carbon fiber lip and lower sections, and a rear diffuser.

On top of the carbon fiber bodykit, the American firm's tuning package for the Italian coupe also includes an array of other modifications such as the 21-inch alloy wheels wrapped around in sport tires, a sport exhaust system, high performance headers and cats, a carbon fiber interior package and an upgraded braking system.

2009 Nissan GT-R

2009 Nissan GT-R Introduced with More Power, Better Handling and New Colors



Only a year after the GT-R's market launch in Japan and less than six months after its U.S. introduction and Nissan has proceeded to the sportscar's first major round of changes which include a power increase, suspension upgrades and a new exterior color. The most significant improvement concerns the GT-R's hand-built 3.8-litre V6 twin-turbo engine which has gained 5PS thanks to some fine tuning of its electronics, taking power output to 485PS, while torque remains unchanged at 588Nm.

The engine upgrades have also led to slightly better fuel economy figures with Nissan announcing an average fuel consumption in the Japanese driving cycle of 8.3 km/l (19.5 mpg U.S.) instead of 8.2 km/l (19.3 mpg US). In addition, Nissan has increased the GT-R's fuel tank capacity from 71 liters to to 74 liters.

Another update sees the improvement of the sports'cars ride performance with modifications to the suspension spring rate settings while the 2009 model will also benefit from a set of Dunlop SP Sport 600 DSST tires. Nissan claims that the tire was developed specifically for the GT-R and it "combines grip and durability, as demonstrated during its 'time-attack' lap of the Nurburgring", which yielded a time of 7 minutes 29 seconds.

Less significant improvements for the 2009 GT-R concern the introduction of the Gun Metal grey colored Rays seven-spoke alloy wheel design for the standard and Premium Edition GT-Rs, while the Black Edition will be fitted with the same design but, appropriately, in black. Additionally, customers can now choose a new deep white pearl color called 'Storm' which replaces the original pearl white which had a slightly darker shade.

Last but not least Nissan has also hiked the prices for its subtly updated GT-R. In the U.K. for example, customers ordering now will have to pay £56,795 on the road for the basic version with an increase of £1300 for the Premium Edition (£58,095) and another £1300 for the Black Edition (£59,395). This represents an increase of 3.8 percent.

In Europe, the first GT-Rs are scheduled to hit dealerships in April 2009. To date, Nissan has taken in excess of 2500 customer orders in Europe with 1200 coming from the UK. Any new customer orders should expect delivery in mid 2010.

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