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As we reported yesterday, Consumer Reports’ annual 2009 Auto Issue has just been released, and it seems that American automakers just can’t catch a break from the popular magazine. Included alongside the Automaker’s Report Cards are a list of cars that offer the best calculated value over a five year period. Hybrids, despite their initial cost disadvantage when the dotted line is first signed, managed to take five of the top several slots. The 2009 Toyota Prius Touring model bested all contenders as the top overall value out of all 300 vehicles CR tested for the ‘09 season.

While perusing the results, we noticed the complete absence of any American automobiles on the Best Value list. We’d expect to see horrible performances from such vehicles as the HUMMER H2, which CR says will cost its owners $82,250 after just five years of ownership, but we’re a little surprised to… Read the rest of this entry

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Former president Bill Clinton came this close to joining fellow politicos like Arnold Schwartzenegger and Gordon Brown as veterans of the Tesla Roadster Test Drive Club.

At a recent event put on by Shangri La Industries (a green building contractor) at Burbank\’s Bob Hope Airport, Clinton was on \”Guest of Honor\” and speech duty, exhorting all that could be good for business and the planet. But just as he was handed the keys and set free to experience the electric thrill that is the Tesla Roadster, the Secret Service stepped in and said playtime was over, it was time to go.

Knowing how much the ex-Prez loves adventure, and if, as it was claimed, Clinton has been into the green thing for 30 years, well, we imagine he\’ll be back for a spin.

[Source: Tesla Motors]

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Our friends over at Jalopnik managed to get their hands on a few spy shots of what appears to be a U.S.-spec Ford Fiesta sedan out and about in upper Michigan undergoing some harsh cold weather testing. Despite the heavy coat of grime, road salt and camo, it’s clear that we can all let out a sigh of relief because the overall look of the car hasn’t changed too much from what’s been on the road in Europe and China for the last few months.

The only significant change that’s readily apparent is a revised front fascia and a different bumper that appears just a bit worse for the wear as it has likely been reinforced to perform well in U.S. crash testing. We sense a slight… Read the rest of this entry

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Star Wars fans, behold, your dream car; too bad the listing has ended. The original owner of this particular piece of automotive art apparently had a serious love affair with George Lucas's space-themed soap opera. Painstakingly painted across the surface of this unassuming Chevy are images of Yoda, Han Solo, X-Wing fighters and other movie characters, as well as nebula and galaxies originally photographed by the Hubble Space Telescope. This would have been just the thing to drive to the theatrical premiere of the Clone Wars. A lot of work went into this paint job, though it would take a level of dedication we don't have just to own it, let alone drive it in public. After all, it's a Cobalt underneath it all, and it's emblazoned with the stigmata of the basement dweller.

Gallery:Star Wars Cobalt

[Source: eBay via Jalopnik]

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With the Genesis Sedan and Coupe both finally on sale, Hyundai has a moment to breathe. OK, done. Back to work. Next up is a complete redesign of the Hyundai Sonata, which is one the South Korean brand’s big sellers that competes in a very crowded, competitive segment against the Toyota Camry, Honda Accord, Nissan Altima, Chevy Malibu and Ford Fusion, among others.

The next Sonata will be a total rethinking of the mid-size sedan’s packaging. Based on these spy shots taken while a prototype was out testing on what appears to be a frozen lake, we can clearly see that the profile of the next Sonata will move farther towards the four-door coupe end of the spectrum where vehicles like the Volkswagen CC live. The severely sloping roof line now meets the trunk lid much farther back leaving just a short length of rear deck lid. Overall,… Read the rest of this entry

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The Toyota Sienna was the top pick among minivans. (Photo courtesy of Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc.)

YONKERS, N.Y. — The 2009 Toyota Highlander moved ahead of the Hyundai Santa Fe as Consumer Reports issued its top picks for 2009. The 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche dethroned the Chevrolet Silverado as the top choice in the pickup category, the consumer watchdog said.

The 2009 Toyota Prius managed to hold off an ever-expanding field of gas-electric hybrids, retaining its top pick status in the green car category for the sixth straight year. “The Prius’ 44 overall mpg is the best Consumer Reports measured in any five-passenger car,” said Consumer Reports in a statement.

The 2009 Hyundai Elantra SE took home honors in the small sedan category. Best overall vehicle honors went to the 2009 Lexus LS 460. Consumer Reports said the Lexus was its “highest-scoring vehicle.” The 2009 Honda Accord… Read the rest of this entry

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First, four GT-Rs will participate in non-championship races during the 2009 season. (Photo courtesy of Nissan Motors Corporation Inc.)

TOKYO — Nissan has announced that the R35 Nissan GT-R will officially be participating in the 2010 FIA GT series. The vehicle will also hit the track as a non-championship entry in four races in the 2009 season to help develop the car and get a feel for its performance.

The CEO and managing director of Nissan Motors Australia, Dan Thompson, made the announcement to media at the 2009 Melbourne Auto Show.

For 2009, Gigawave MotorSport, a racing team based in Essex, England, that has been competing in the FIA GT since 2007, will be partnering with Nismo for the four non-championship races. The Nismo/Gigawave car is expected to be piloted by Nismo driver Michael Krumm and Gigawave’s Darren Turner.

Nismo, Hasemi Motorsport, Team Impul… Read the rest of this entry

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Bentley Continental Flying Spur will cost the equivalent of $170,752. All the price increases take effect in April. (Photo courtesy of Bentley Motors)

CREWE, England — Bentley on Thursday said it will raise prices on all models in the U.K. by 5 percent starting in April. But its U.S. arm told Inside Line that a price increase here is not in the works — for now.

“No price changes have been announced for the U.S.,” said David Reuter, Bentley’s U.S. spokesman, in response to an e-mail query from Inside Line. “Currency fluctuations dictated the rise in the U.K.”

The price increase in the U.K. covers the entire Bentley lineup, including all Continental models, the Arnage lineup, the Azure T and the Brooklands. A Bentley Continental GT will start at the U.S. equivalent of $175,017, while the Bentley Brooklands will start at $334,161.

“We are reacting to the… Read the rest of this entry

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The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety gave the 2009 Hyundai Genesis (pictured) its Top Safety Pick designation. (Photo courtesy of Hyundai Motor Company)

ARLINGTON, Virginia — The 2009 Hyundai Genesis has earned a “top safety pick” rating from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS). The designation applies to 2009 Genesis models built after November 2008.

To qualify for a top safety pick, a vehicle must earn the highest ranking of “Good” in the Institute’s front, side and rear crash tests and also be equipped with electronic stability control. “Criteria to win are tough,” says the IIHS on its Web site.

“Recognizing vehicles at the head of the class for safety helps consumers distinguish the best overall choices without having to sort through multiple test results,” said Institute president Adrian Lund.

The Genesis took home the prestigious 2009 North American Car of the Year in January, beating… Read the rest of this entry

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While Bob Lutz of GM presented the Cadillac Converj (pictured) at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show last month, Nissan was a no-show. (Photo courtesy of General Motors Corporation)

TOKYO — As a dramatic cost-saving tactic, Nissan on Friday said it will skip some upcoming high-profile auto shows, presumably including the 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show, the 2009 Los Angeles Auto Show and the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. The Japanese automaker described the move as a “short-term action” that is subject to review.

Nissan spelled out that it will attend just four major auto shows: the 2009 New York Auto Show, the 2009 Shanghai Auto Show, the 2009 Tokyo Auto Show and the 2010 Geneva Auto Show. It said it will introduce nine new vehicles around the world during fiscal year 2009.

Nissan was a no-show at the 2009 Detroit Auto Show last month.

“The automotive industry is facing severe… Read the rest of this entry