2011 Honda Fit Preview

The 2011 model year marks two years from the debut of the Honda Fit, which is typically when automakers do mid-cycle styling refreshes. The 2011 Honda Fit will not look drastically different, but it will have subtle changes like a new grille and possibly new exterior colors and wheel designs. Honda may also add a hybrid powertrain to the Fit lineup for 2011. Watch for the 2011 Fit to hit showrooms by late summer 2010. Read on for a preliminary car review of the 2011 Honda Fit for additional details.

Specifications

Here are the specifications we know so far about the 2011 Honda Fit.

• Pricing: the MSRP of the base model should be about $15,000 with a manual transmission and $15,800 with an automatic. Invoice pricing should start at about $14,400.
• Fuel economy: the fuel economy car ratings of the base model should stay about the same at 28/35 mpg city/highway. The hybrid model, if offered, will have substantially better fuel economy than the base model, probably closer to the 40/43 mpg ratings of the Honda Insight.
• Engine: 1.5-liter, 117-horsepower four-cylinder engine on all gas-powered models; details unknown on gas-electric hybrid engine.
• Acceleration: Fits with manual transmissions have 0-60 mph times of 8.9 seconds; automatic transmissions complete 0-60 mph in 11 seconds.
• Car safety features: current car safety equipment will likely carry over for 2011, but Honda would do well to make the Fit’s antiskid system, otherwise known as stability control, standard on all trim levels.
• Suspension: same transmission offerings expected for 2011 (regular and sport-tuned)
• Warranty: three-year/36,000-mile bumper-to-bumper warranty; five-year/60,000-mile powertrain warranty

Exterior Features

Honda has not released photos of the 2011 Fit yet, but a subtle interior and exterior design refresh is probable. Expect a reshaped grille, revised taillights, and a new front bumper. Honda will also likely offer new wheel styles and a few new exterior paint colors as well. Standard exterior features like the base model’s 15-inch steel wheels will probably remain the same.

Interior Features

We’ll know more about the new interior of the 2011 Honda Fit once we conduct a formal auto review, but buyers can expect a slightly revised cabin to match with the styling refresh. New dashboard trim is likely, and new standard features are possible. Some predict that the 2011 Fit will make the excellent navigation system, currently only available on the upgraded Sport trim, optional on all trim levels. Standard interior equipment will include features like full power accessories, a tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, and a four-speaker sound system with CD/MP3 capability.

Performance

Honda is unlikely to change the mechanics of the Fit for 2011. The four-cylinder engine offers just enough horsepower to propel the vehicle adequately, and the ride is very comfortable. Reviewers often point out that the Fit’s handling is on par with much more expensive, sportier vehicles. Braking is also unlikely to change, but we’ll know more once we complete our official road test of the 2011 Honda Fit. The biggest change to the Honda Fit’s powerplant could be the option of a gas-electric hybrid engine based on that of the Insight. If Honda decided to offer a Fit hybrid for 2011, it would probably have a 1.3-liter gas-powered engine and an electric motor to produce a combined 98 horsepower. The Honda Fit hybrid would likely be the cheapest hybrid available on the U.S. market.

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http://www.automobile.com/2011-honda-fit-review.html

2011 Toyota Corolla Preview

The 2011 Toyota Corolla is expected to hit dealerships sometime in the first half of 2010. While the 2012 Corolla is expected to see a few minor alterations, the 2011 model is expected to remain primarily the same. It should be available in several trims, including the base model, LE, S, XLE, and XRS. Pricing hasn’t been announced yet; the base model with a manual transmission will probably cost somewhere around $16,000, while a base automatic is likely to cost about $17,000. The 2011 version of the popular LE model will probably sell for about $17,600.

Performance

The 2011 Toyota Corolla should remain primarily the same, but the transmission may see a slight change in order to improve fuel efficiency. The 2011 Corolla should continue to be a front-wheel drive vehicle, with the drivetrain located in the front of the car. The 2011 model should come with a 1.8-liter, 132 horsepower, four-cylinder engine, with the exception of the XRS, which should have a 2.4-liter, 158 horsepower engine. While the 2010 Corolla comes with the option of a five-speed manual transmission or a four-speed automatic transmission (the XRS has a five-speed automatic), the 2011 Corolla could come with a five-speed automatic transmission to save on gas. A hybrid version of the Corolla is not expected to be released. Fuel economy for the 2010 Corolla is 26 mpg city and 34 mpg highway for the 1.8-liter engine, and 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway for the XRS model. That fuel efficiency could increase if Toyota installs the five-speed automatic transmission.

Features

The 2011 Toyota Corolla is expected to have features that are similar to the 2010 model. All models should come with standard features like air conditioning, height adjustments for the driver’s seat, a radio with an auxiliary audio input, and a split-folding rear seatback. Higher level trims come with features like power accessories, keyless entry, cruise control, a power sunroof, leather upholstery and a navigation system; some of these features should be standard, while others are options. The 2011 model year could see the addition of a USB port for iPods, or some changes to which features come standard with which trim level.

Vehicle Safety

The current Toyota Corolla comes with several standard safety features, and the 2011 Toyota Corolla should continue with most of the same standard features. Standard airbags are likely to include front airbags for driver and passenger, front side airbags, and side curtain airbags. Antilock brakes and traction control are also expected to come standard.

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http://www.automobile.com/2011-toyota-corolla-review.html

2011 Mini Cooper Countryman Preview

A MINI Cooper SUV may seem like nothing more than an oxymoron, but as of January 2011, it will become a reality. The MINI Cooper Countryman is MINI’s first crossover utility vehicle, intended to attract upscale customers who appreciate the signature MINI look but need more practicality. The 2011 MINI Cooper Countryman can seat up to five and offers plenty of cargo capacity. Although a bit pricey for its size, the Countryman does offer a plethora of high-tech features typically only found in high-end luxury vehicles. Read on for our preliminary auto review of the 2011 MINI Cooper Countryman crossover.

Specifications

Here is the information MINI has released on the 2011 Countryman’s specs thus far:

• Pricing: $30,000 - $40,000 MSRP; no invoice data available
• Fuel economy: estimated city/highway car ratings of 28/37 mpg for base model and 26/34 mpg for S model
• Engine: front-wheel or all-wheel drive 1.6-liter, four-cylinder engine producing 120 horsepower; turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine producing 184 horsepower on S model
• Drivetrain: six-speed manual transmission comes standard; six-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters optional
• Acceleration: 0-60 mph in 7.6 seconds with the Cooper S Countryman and 10.5 seconds with the base model
• Car safety features: anti-lock brakes, stability control, side airbags, head airbags, and traction control
• Suspension: Cooper S Countryman has front strut/rear multilink suspension
• Warranty: four-year/50,000-mile basic and powertrain warranty, 12-year/unlimited mileage rust protection, and four years or 500,000 miles of 24/7 roadside assistance

Exterior Features

As you can see in photos, the 2011 MINI Countryman looks exactly like what it is—a tiny SUV. MINI has taken its basic Cooper shape and added more overhang in the front and rear and stretched the wheelbase. The Countryman’s wheelbase is five inches longer than the traditional MINI Cooper hatchback. A factory roof rack is optional, and buyers have their choice of three roof colors: white, black, and body-colored. The 2011 Countryman is already fairly low to the ground, but MINI will also offer a sports suspension that lowers its stance by an additional 0.4 inches. MINI will offer the Countryman in the base Cooper trim and the faster Cooper S trim.

Interior Features

The 2011 Countryman seats five as long as buyers order the three-place bench seat at no additional cost. Otherwise, the backseat consists of two bucket seats. Both the bench and bucket seats slide fore and aft and recline. With the seats upright, the MINI Cooper Countryman offers 15.4 cubic feet of space, which is adequate but not abundant. However, with the rear seats folded down, drivers will get a whopping 41 cubic feet of cargo space. MINI also promises state-of-the-art technology in the cabin of the 2011 Countryman, including iPhone and smartphone integration.

Performance

Car reviews will undoubtedly call the MINI Cooper Countryman’s base engine inadequate, although no official road test has been conducted yet. The base 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine puts out only 120 horsepower and takes an agonizing 10.5 seconds to make it to 60 mph. Handling and acceleration will undoubtedly be superior in the turbocharged version of the four-cylinder with a more respectable 184 horsepower. The sport-tuned suspension option should offer a fun ride and responsive driving dynamics. No information is available yet on the braking capabilities of the 2011 MINI Cooper Countryman.

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http://www.automobile.com/2011-mini-cooper-countryman-review.html

2011 Kia Optima Preview

The 2011 Kia Optima is an affordable midsized car that so far has not stood out among the competition; for the new model year, the Optima will see a completely new design. It will offer a sportier new design, and should be better described as a four-door coupe rather than a sedan. While the exterior is getting a makeover, the engine is expected receive a makeover as well. The vehicle should be released in the fall of 2010.

Specifications

This is what we know so far about the specs of the 2011 Kia Optima:

• Pricing: the current Kia Optima sells for about $18,000 MSRP. Pricing may increase somewhat, but the official pricing announcement should come out shortly before its official release.
• Fuel economy: the new, more aerodynamic Optima with its new engine could see as much as 35 mpg highway. Official estimates will be available as the release date approaches.
• Engine: the standard engine is probably a 2.4-liter, 198 horsepower engine; a V6 engine is likely to be offered as an option.
• Acceleration: as the Optima’s exterior has been completely redesigned and the engine is new, the Optima’s ability to accelerate remains unknown. Models should be available for road tests later on in the year.
• Car safety features: most of the car safety features in the current model are likely to be included in the new Kia Optima, including antilock brakes, stability control, and side curtain airbags.
• Warranty: five-year/60,000 mile basic and roadside assistance warranties; ten-year/100,000 mile powertrain warranty

Exterior Features

The exterior of the new 2011 Kia Optima will take a radical departure from the Optima design of previous years. It now is closer to a four-door coupe rather than a sedan. It has a sporty new look unknown to other Kia vehicles. Exterior features are likely to include heated door mirrors, halogen headlights, and daytime running lights.

Interior Features

Along with a redesign of the exterior of the 2011 Kia Optima, the interior will probably see design changes as well. Many of the interior features from the previous Kia are likely to continue, including air conditioning, keyless entry, power accessories, and a CD player with mp3 capabilities and satellite radio. Upgraded trims might include leather upholstery and an upgraded audio system. Full details will become available later on in the year.

Performance

The 2011 Kia Optima is likely to have better performance than the current model, as the engine will be more powerful and the design is more aerodynamic. Models will not be available for road tests until later on in the year, prior to its fall 2010 release.

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http://www.automobile.com/2011-kia-optima-review.html

2011 Mazda RX-7 Preview

The 2011 Mazda RX-7 is all new for the upcoming model year. The RX-7 was available several years ago, but it was discontinued in 1995. The RX-7 is likely to replace the Mazda RX-8 that is currently on the market. The release date has not been announced yet, but it should appear on the market sometime in 2010 or even early 2011 .

Specifications

Here are the specs we know right now about the 2011 Mazda RX-7:

• Pricing: hasn’t been released yet, but Mazda hopes to keep it below $30,000
• Fuel economy: unknown at this point. Because the rotary engine is not generally known as an engine with great fuel economy, some have speculated that there will be a hybrid component included.
• Engine: 1.3-liter rotary Wankel engine with somewhere between 200 and 270 horsepower
• Acceleration: the RX-7 is designed to be a sports car and should have strong acceleration
• Car safety features: safety features haven’t been announced yet, but should include antilock brakes, traction and stability control, and a variety of airbags.
• Suspension: double wishbone suspension is likely for front and back
• Warranty: likely to have a three-year/36,000 mile basic warranty; five-year/60,000 mile powertrain warranty; and three years or 36,000 miles of roadside assistance.

Exterior Features

Photos of the exterior of the 2011 Mazda RX-7 has not been released yet, but the new Mazda is expected to be built on the Mazda MX-5 platform. The vehicle is likely to have aerodynamic, sportscar-like styling. It is likely to have a long hood and a short deck. As it will be the size of an RX-8, it is likely to be able to seat four passengers.

Interior Features

The 2011 Mazda RX-7 is not expected to have a luxurious interior, but it should have an interior that matches that of most mid-level sports cars. Basic features such as air conditioning, cruise control, and a CD player are likely to be standard. Options and upgraded trim levels should include features like leather upholstery, keyless entry, heated seats, and a navigation system. The interior is probably going to be able to seat four, with a small back seat; it might seat two. More information will become apparent as this vehicle approaches its release date.

Performance

Performance on the 2011 Mazda RX-7 will undoubtedly be excellent, with “zoom zoom” to it, and should be fun to drive. It should be fast and agile. Transmission choices should include a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic transmission. More details should be apparent as this vehicle gets closer to its release date.

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http://www.automobile.com/2011-mazda-rx-7-review.html

2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta Preview

As a sedan, the 3rd generation Alfa Romeo Giulietta for the 2011 model year is a fantastic ride for a sedan that lives up to the Alfa Romeo name. A front-wheel drive model, the dynamics of the new Giulietta are superb as well as the interior features and standard equipment offered. Fans of Alfa Romeo and followers of the Giulietta may be looking for a new facelift and redesign, but they’ll have to wait a few years longer, as the next overhaul isn’t due until the 2014 model year.

Specifications

• Pricing: Base price of just under $28,000
• Engine: Five engine choices including a 1.4-liter or turbo that puts out 120 or 170 horsepower as well as two diesel options.
• Transmission: The Giulietta features an all-new 6-speed three-shaft gearbox.

Exterior Features

The 2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta’s wheelbase is 8.6 feet sporting light lines and a sleek, distinctly European exterior styling. The well-known Alfa Romeo trident adorns the front above the distinctive triangular grille. Buyers will be able to choose between a comfort or sport chassis and each will have a few different trim levels and powertrain options. The LED headlight and taillight accents are stylishly and uniquely designed.

Interior Features

The new Giulietta offers plenty of space in its well-accented interior, with luxury features like leather seating, Bluetooth and hard-drive based navigation aplenty to make for a more enjoyable experience. Tilt and telescoping steering wheel and heated front seats for both driver and passenger are additional touches that it may be difficult to find on other sedans in the same class and price range without paying a hefty premium. The interior cabin is incredibly quiet, at highway speeds indicating the car’s precise and well-fitted design.

Performance

The new Alfa Romeo Giulietta offers a surprisingly comfortable ride, which, for those used to the harsher, but more precise handling of an Alfa Romeo may come as something of a surprise. A DNA dynamic mode makes for a sportier ride, but the 2012 Giulietta still feels like a comfortable family sedan.

Competition for the 2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta

Competition for the 2011 Alfa Romeo Giulietta includes:

• Ford Focus
• Hyundai Elantra
• Honda Accord

The Ford Focus is less expensive and it shows through and through, though, however Ford’s innovative Sync system and the fuel economy are significant plusses for this American classic. Both the Hyundai Elantra and the Honda Accord offer superior quality and reputation for reliability all around.

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http://www.automobile.com/2011-alfa-romeo-giulietta-review.html

2011 Ferrari 458 Italia Preview

Ferrari is known for making some of the finest sports cars in the world. The 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia is a new design that is a thrilling leap above previous models. It will replace the F430. This vehicle has a top speed of 202 mph. If you have the money to spend on this terrific vehicle, you are unlikely to be disappointed. This vehicle seats two and should be available to purchase in June 2010.

Specifications

Here are the specifications of the 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia:

• Pricing: car pricing starts at $225,000
• Fuel economy: 17.1 mpg combined
• Engine: 4.5-liter, 562 horsepower V8 engine
• Acceleration: 0 to 62 in 3.4 seconds
• Car safety features: adjustable traction and stability control, strong antilock brakes, air bags
• Suspension: wishbone suspension in front; multilink suspension in back
• Warranty: this vehicle will probably have a two-year/unlimited mileage basic, powertrain, and corrosion warranty

Exterior Features

The exterior of the 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia is designed for aerodynamics. The grille is designed to send more air underneath the car, and less into the radiator. The headlights have been designed with LEDs above the main projector. Overall, the vehicle has a futuristic, muscular look.

Interior Features

The 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia is designed for speed and performance, not hauling passengers and equipment. As such, you will see very few interior storage spaces. There are small pockets in the doors, a shelf behind the seats, and the trunk. The seats are leather. Two gauges will show your choice of a speedometer, lap timer, satellite navigation, and a display of the vehicle’s condition. If you’re looking for niceties like DVD entertainment, it probably won’t be included in the 458 Italia: the entertainment is in the drive.

Performance

Performance is what sets the Ferrari 458 Italia apart, and this vehicle handles well. It needs to, with a 0 to 62 mph time of 3.4 seconds, a race to 124 mph in only 10.4 seconds, and a top speed of 202 mph. While the combined mpg is 17.7, driving in the city or taking advantage of its performance will pull down the fuel economy quite a bit. It has a seven-speed, dual-clutch transmission. The new design is said to be both safer and easier to drive.

How the 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia Compares to Other Super Sports Cars

The 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia is destined to be one of the top-performing cars around; however, there are a few vehicles that will give it a run for its money. If you’re not partial to Ferrari, you might want to give these alternative choices a test drive.

• Lamborghini Gallardo
• Aston Martin DB9
• Ferrari 612 Scaglietti
• Lamborghini Murcielago

The price range of these excellent vehicles vary, so they might not all fit the 458 Italia’s budget. Expect the 458 Italia to arrive at dealerships around June of 2010.

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http://www.automobile.com/2011-ferrari-458-italia-review.html