The AMG from Mercedes-AMG is now even more attractive, following to its latest makeover. This off-road classic has also been given a fresh look boasting an upgraded performance of 373 kW/507 hp incorporating a reworked radiator grille and new 19-inch AMG light-alloy wheels. For enhanced passenger comfort, inside the exclusive interior features the latest generation of telematics equipment and optional climatised seats in combination with designed leather upholstery. Some of the latest technology has made this classic from the AMG stable fit for the future. The performance of the supercharged AMG 5.5-litre V8 engine has been nudged up from 368 kW/500 hp to 373 kW/507 hp, with maximum torque remaining at 700 Nm, a credit to the integration of a new engine control unit. Also unchanged is the vehicle’s effortless performance, with the G 55 AMG accelerating from zero to 100 km/h in 5.5 seconds and peaking at a top speed of 210 km/h.

In the area of safety and comfort the upgrade G 55 AMG also features improvements. The Electronic Stability Program (ESP®), for example, now boasts a new and more powerful control unit, incorporating a transverse acceleration control to allow more precise recognition of dynamic driving situations and thus provide even better vehicle stability. The new G 55 AMG comes with a hill-start assist. Whenever the off-roader comes to a halt on an ascending gradient a sensor recognized it. Without the vehicle rolling backward, the system instantly memorizes the braking pressure applied and maintains this for a short instant, giving drivers sufficient time to move from the brake to the accelerator pedal. The advantage of this technology is that in most cases it eliminates the need to use the parking brake.

Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, announced the winners of the first Edmunds.com Consumers’ Top Rated(SM) Vehicle Awards. Consumers rate vehicles in eight different categories: performance, comfort, and fuel economy, fun to drive, interior design, exterior design, build quality and reliability. All 2008 vehicle models that received the required minimum number of consumer ratings as of April 30, 2008 were eligible.

"These awards are made possible by consumers who submit reviews on new or used vehicles they own," said Karl Brauer, Editor in Chief of Edmunds.com. "They are the result of real-world driving and ownership impressions."

Audi led the list with four awards while Toyota, Lexus and Chevrolet tied for second place with two awards each.

The 2008 winners are:

Convertible Under $35,000 - Smart Fortwo
Convertible Over $35,000 - Audi TT
Coupe Under $25,000 - Saturn Astra
Coupe $25K-$35K - Audi TT
Coupe $35K-$45K - Audi A5
Coupe Over $45,000 - Chevrolet Corvette
Sedan Under $15,000 - Scion XD
Sedan $15K-$25K - Hyundai Azera
Sedan $25K-$35K - Toyota Avalon
Sedan $35K-$45K - Audi A6
Sedan Over $45,000 - Lexus GS 460
Hybrid - Mercury Mariner Hybrid
SUV Under $25,000 - Jeep Patriot
SUV $25K-$35K - Buick Enclave
SUV $35K-$45K - Lincoln MKX
SUV Over $45,000 - Lexus LX 570
Compact Truck - Toyota Tacoma
Large Truck - Chevrolet Avalanche
Minivan/Van - Mazda Mazda5
Wagon Under $35,000 - Volkswagen Passat
Wagon Over $35,000  Mercedes-Benz R-Class
Details on all award winners are located at the Consumers Top Rated Awards

Source: Edmunds.com

Getting in a fuel-efficient vehicle a lot of issue of common logic, but it’s still not a ordinary habit. To raise knowledge of issues drivers can do to develop their vehicle’s fuel-efficiency an association of auto makers and personal companies are initiating a war centered on a website that tests citizens to drive smarter. The promotion will be formally starts on May 20 2008 in Washington, DC.

At time the website’s course is finish, clients can ‘challenge’ associates to visit the website, and in response, get a coupon for automotive maintenance items that can aid in the fuel efficiency of the vehicle, like the oxygen sensors.

According to the reports of Automotive News “The Wal-Mart Foundation and the Alliance to Save Energy are the leaders of the coalition, though Ford, GM, Chrysler, Toyota and six other, as yet unnamed manufacturers are also aligned with the group, many businesses, political action groups and politicians are also supporting the program”

Also in The EU’s, up to date mandate is to stop CO2 emissions by latest passenger vehicles as of 160 g/km towards 130g/km in year 2012 through progressing engine creation plus an additional 10 g/km decrease will be necessary from developments from some technologies such as tires and substitute fuels. Now car manufacturers wish that eco-friendly driving are also added on listing.

Mitsubishi Motor Company is maintaining to improve its cars (by electric means) sub-compact vehicle named iMiev for Mitsubishi Innovative Electric Vehicle, furthermore they are planning to start the sales to the general market in the later partial months of year 2009.

The iMiev is a sub-compact vehicle that is about the size of a "light car" in Japanese terms of "keijidousha" with an engine composes of up to 660cc. It has four seating capacity, but certainty, it’s sufficient for two medium-sized grown persons in the front seats and two petite kids, or god yet for a few luggage of groceries, in the rear seating.

A lot of the Eco-friendly or green cars at the “New York International Auto Show” were concept model only, planned to be in public sales coming "2011" or else, you know, it can be done. Not the Mitsubish’s iMiEV, a completely electric vehicle that the corporation brought from Japan for the first moment for journalists to test run. The vehicle’s run with gas (but efficient) cousin, known as i-minicar, is previously being sold in Japan, and the company preparing to launch the electric model to Japanese spectators in coming 2009.

Standard Specifications from netcarshow.com

• Overall length: 3,450 [mm]
• Overall width: 1,600 [mm]
• Overall height: 1,400 [mm]
• Wheelbase: 2,550 [mm]
• Track (F/R): 1,405/1,405 [mm]
• Seating capacity: 2 + 2
• Motors: Permanent magnetic synchronous motors
• Front: In-wheel motors
• Rear: Single motor
• Max. output: Front: 20kW; Rear: 47kW
• Max. torque: Front: 250 Nm; Rear: 180 Nm
• Max. Speed: 180km/h
• Range (10-15 Mode) : 200km
• Tires: 175/40R17

Cabriolet.  According to Wikipedia, it is a two-door automobile that resembles a convertible with its removable roof and rear window that are usually made out of vinyl, canvas or plastic.  It is where the terms “cab” or taxi-cab was derived. Yet, unlike convertibles that can have any number of doors, cabriolets can only use two.

However, most cabriolets are known for its extreme carbon emissions, in other words, it is one of the major pollutants that destroy the auto industry’s image to an environmentally-conscious generation of auto buyers.  

But recently, the greencarwebsite announced a list of cool but environment-friendly cabriolets.  Cabriolet fanatics out there, get ready for this!

Here are greencarwebsite’s top five green cabriolets. 

With 60 miles per gallon (MPG) fuel economy, the Citroen C3 Pluriel ranked first.  It has a removable roof and a compact stature.  Next is the Vauxhall Tigra 1.3 CDTI that has a 45 mpg.  It has also been noted by the Auto Express for its fuel efficiency and was recognized as one of the best.   Also making its place on the list was the Daihatsu Copen 1.3 DWT, a roadster with two doors and runs on a 1.3-liter engine. 

The Renault Megane, with its 154 g/km emission levels was also featured on the list upon registering 41 mpg fuel-efficiency.  Finally, the new Volkswagen Eos, available in the market for two years now made it to the fifth spot. 

Indeed, these cars prove that everyone, not only car drivers and manufacturers, can have fun without necessarily becoming harsh on the environment and most importantly on others. 

Without further ado, let me present this year’s Cars.com Lifestyle Awards recipients! Check out this year’s winners courtesy of the Auto Channel:

• Family Car of the Year - 2008 Mazda CX-9
• Work Car of the Year – 2008 Honda Accord
• Play Car of the Year – 2008 BMW 335i Convertible
• Eco-Friendly Car of the Year – 2008 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Family Cars:

• Best New Car for Small Families - 2008 Saturn Vue
• Best Deal for Small Families - 2008 Ford Fusion
• Best New Car for Large Families - 2008 Mazda CX-9
• Best Deal for Large Families - 2008 Dodge Grand Caravan
• Best New Car for First-Time Drivers - 2008 Honda Civic
• Best Deal for First-Time Drivers - 2008 Honda Fit

Work Cars:

• Best New Car for Commuters - 2008 Honda Accord
• Best Deal for Commuters - 2008 Hyundai Elantra
• Best New Car for Hard Workers - 2008 Chevrolet Silverado
• Best Deal for Hard Workers - 2008 Toyota Tacoma
• Best New Car for The Boss - 2008 Mercedes-Benz S-Class
• Best Deal for The Boss - 2008 Volvo S80

Play Cars:

• Best New Car for Sun Lovers - 2008 BMW 335i
• Best Deal for Sun Lovers - 2008 Mazda Miata MX-5
• Best New Car for Off Roaders - 2008 Hummer H2
• Best Deal for Off Roaders - 2008 Jeep Wrangler
• Best New Car for The Towing Crowd - 2007 Toyota Tundra
• Best Deal for The Towing Crowd - 2008 Nissan Frontier
• Best New Car for Weekend Athletes - 2008 Subaru Outback
• Best Deal for Weekend Athletes - 2008 Honda Fit

Green Cars:  

• Best Deal for Green Drivers: 2008 Honda Fit

Sure you want your teens to be safe all the time. But do you take some time to ask them what they want from their cars. Go back to the time when you’re also a teen. You want style, don’t you? And that’s exactly what they want too.

A newly licensed teen wants a comfy stylish car. Some want a strong performance. But, as parents, you have to take note that young drivers have higher accident rates. Therefore, safety has to come first. Style follows.

But do you know the cars that have safety and style as main ingredients?  U.S. News has devised a list of safe cars for teens…

Government crash-test scores. We like cars that earn either 4 or 5 stars, out of 5, in each of the four categories of the government tests. A perfect score would be 20. We consider a "top" combined score to be 16 or higher, with nothing lower than 4 in any single category.

Rollover resistance. The government also calculates the likelihood that a car will roll over if the driver loses control. This is just as important as crash-test scores, since many wrecks are single-vehicle accidents that can be perfectly survivable if the car stays upright - and deadly if it flips over. Road-hugging sports cars tend to have the highest rollover resistance, since their center of gravity is low. (Still, we discourage buying your kid a Porsche.) Tall SUVs usually score lower. Safety features like stability control can help. We consider 4 or 5 stars to be a "top" rollover score.

Mass. A car’s size and weight matter too. While crash test scores are a good safety indicator, the government rates cars only within their class - which means a compact car with a 5-star rating scores high compared with other compacts, but not necessarily compared with pickups or SUVs. In the real world, of course, collisions occur between every kind of car, and as a general rule, bigger, heavier cars protect their occupants better. So we determined whether the cars on our list have above- or below-average weight, compared with all cars.

U.S. News Top Picks:
1.    MINI Cooper hatchback $18,700; 28 mpg
2.    Toyota Tacoma pickup $14,280; 20 mpg             
3.    Toyota Corolla sedan $14,405; 28 mpg            
4.    Dodge Charger sedan $22,350; 18 mpg            
5.    Chrysler 300 sedan $25,270; 18 mpg        
6.    Honda Fit hatchback $13,950; 28 mpg             
7.    Scion xD hatchback $15,170; 27 mpg
8.    Kia Spectra5 hatchback $16,620; 23 mpg          
9.    Chevrolet Equinox SUV $23,355; 17 mpg        
10.   Honda Civic coupe/sedan/hybrid $14,810; 26 mpg

The award-winning luxury car from Cadillac resurfaces with a 2009 model outfitted with one of the industry’s ground-breaking technology! The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V is set with the Alpine 40-GB Pop-up navigation and Infotainment system.

"Our latest OEM infotainment technology has been well received in the marketplace on the award-winning 2008 CTS, and we are excited to be part of the next phase of this dynamic vehicle program," said Jim O’Neill, the company’s executive vice president. "Alpine’s system integrates audio, video, navigation and information/communication functions into a seamless whole, enhancing the total driving experience for greater comfort and convenience."

"This system combines advancements in HDD technology with Alpine’s innovative design and engineering to deliver a truly dynamic vehicle infotainment experience," said Todd Kovach, the vice president and general manager. "This state-of-the-art navigation system provides drivers with increased peace of mind and a more comfortable, safer ride."

So what’s with this system anyway? Don’t be shocked if I tell you why is it the hottest stuff today? Here are the standard features of the Alpine www.alpine-usa.com 40-GB Pop-up navigation and Infotainment system courtesy of The Auto Channel:

Check this out!

• 10 GB of space dedicated exclusively for music storage. Users can download thousands of their favorite MP3 tunes from a USB or CD.
• Music can be sorted by song title, artist, album or genre and playlists can be created for easy access.
• Music can be ripped from CD and tagged (via Gracenote(R)) to capture artist, album and song information.
• Supports audio books purchased from Audible.com, allowing users to download books and store them in their vehicle.
• Time-shift feature has digital recording capability, enabling listeners to pause and play back up to one hour of AM/FM or XM satellite radio airtime.

Extra navigation features include:
   - 2D & 3D bird’s eye view of roads
   - Intelligent spelling
   - Lane guidance for highways
   - One-way street guidance
   - Point-of-interest exit information
   - Next cross street guidance
   - Bread-crumb trail feature
   - User selectable point-of-interest icons
   - Add current location feature
   - Multiple simultaneous route calculation options
   - Voice tag to favorite points-of-interest

Some of you may consider buying a new car in 2008. There are a lot of wonderful models that are about to be rolled out in the coming year. But, prior to putting your attentions to them as you want to buy one, you might need to think of the best way to privately sell out your old car. Here are a few tips from startribune.com:

Good luck!!!

Fiat S.p.A., an Italian automobile manufacturer, just ended a money-losing Chinese joint venture, with Nanjing Automobile (Group) Corporation, one of the oldest Chinese automobile manufacturers. The firm will still keep working with Nanjing in making vans and parts. But, analysts say, the break-up casts doubt on the capability of Fiat to meet its target of having 300,000 units sold in China by 2010.

Separately, Fiat merged with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC), also a Chinese automobile manufacturer. But, the company is considered bigger than Nanjing Automobile. In fact, it ranks the third among the ‘Big Five’ Chinese automakers, where it joins the First Automobile Works, Dongfeng Motor Corporation, Chang’an Motors, and Chery Automobile.

Fiat sees the rapid growth of the Chinese market. China is currently the world’s fastest-growing auto market, with 8.5 million sales forecast this year. Now, Beijing invites foreigners to import their cars, provided that they also make cars in China.

SAIC Motors in Shanghai says that it desires to be one of the world’s top six auto producers by the end of this decade. So far, in 2006, Fiat sold far fewer cars than it expected to in China – a far fewer than SAIC and its US and German partners: General Motors and Volkswagen.

Chery Automobiles, the largest independent Chinese auto manufacturer, appeared to be the most probable successor to Nanjing as a partner for Fiat in the passenger car segment in China. That would mean we might expect something better from Fiat in the coming years.