News By Topic: Editorials and Commentary

2009 Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart Review

Feb 23, 2009

2009 MITSUBISHI LANCER RALLIART By Steve Purdy TheAutoChannel.com Detroit Bureau What fun. I’ve had to two hot-shot all-wheel drive Mitsus nearly back-to-back. They look just alike because they are siblings – twins actually - with functional air scoops, large, trapezoidal grille that looks like it is gulping ... Continue reading

If You Thought the Auto Bailout Was Ridiculous Before...

Feb 23, 2009

by: Andrew Mickey<br> February 23, 2009</p> To be honest, I figured General Motors (GM) would be in bankruptcy by now. With a monthly burn rate of estimated to be between $2 billion and $6 billion (depending on source) it would seem this money hole would have imploded sooner rather than later. But with the stimulus pac ... Continue reading

2009 Ford Focus Sedan SEL Review

Feb 22, 2009

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS2009 Ford Focus Sedan SEL American automakers can't make a good small car, right? Such is conventional wisdom, but after a week with a 2009 Ford Focus I would argue against that sentiment. Refined continuously since its debut in 2000, and given freshened styling inside and out last ... Continue reading

2009 Infiniti EX35 AWD Journey Review

Feb 22, 2009

THE AUTO PAGE By JOHN HEILIG SPECIFICATIONS: Model: 2009 Infiniti EX35 AWD Journey Engine: 3.5-liter DOHC V6 Horsepower/Torque: 297 hp @ 6,800 rpm/253 lb.-ft. @ 4,800 rpm Transmission: 5-speed manual Wheelbase: 110.2 in Length/Width/Height: 182.3 x 71.0 x 62.6 in. Tires: 225/60R17 Cargo volume: 18.6 cu. ft. with rear s ... Continue reading

Audi Leap Frogs Mercedes and BMW

Feb 22, 2009

By Henny Hemmes Senior European Editor Amsterdam Bureau The Auto Channel</p> INGOLSTAD, Germany. February 17. Last January, Audi surpassed its competitors Mercedes-Benz and BMW already on the Germany market. Now it did the same on the Werstern European market. In the first month of this year, Audi sold 45.124 new cars ... Continue reading

Jack Roush Puts Propane in Ford Trucks - VIDEO ENHANCED

Feb 22, 2009

By Steve Purdy TheAutoChannel.com Detroit Bureau Timing is everything, they say. Who are “they,” you ask? Well, who cares? But we can say Jack Roush’s timing is pretty good. Not only did he (Roush Fenway Racing) finally win the Daytona 500 after years of campaigning, but a few days later he announced the ... Continue reading

Volvo XC60, Jaguar XF, Dodge SXT, Nissan Murano In this Months Letter From Europe

Feb 20, 2009

Letter from Europe—Andrew Frankl European Bureau Chief As always when I write about Volvo cars I have to start with a confession. I own one, in fact it is the only car I own. An S70. It may not be new -1997- but when it is cleaned and polished it sparkles and goes like a train. Consequently I am biased about the c ... Continue reading

New BMW 5 Series Gran Turismo Concept Shows Much of the New Generation BMW 5 Series

Feb 20, 2009

By Henny Hemmes Senior European Editor MUNICH, Germany, With the unveiling of the Concept 5 Serie Gran Turismo, BMW also showed us what we can expect of the new 5 Series. The new generation of the ‘5’ is expected to bow in 2010 at the Geneva auto show. For Chris Bangle (52), presenting the Concept 5 Series GT ... Continue reading

2009 Chicago Auto Show Highlights

Feb 16, 2009

CHICAGO AUTO SHOW HIGHLIGHTS By Steve Purdy TheAutoChannel.com Detroit Bureau The big news at the 2009 Chicago Auto Show was the weather. We come here every year in February expecting bitterly cold temps with harsh wind chills. We were pleasantly surprised this year by mild - even warm by February standards – temp ... Continue reading

CARZ 4 GIRLZ : DOWNSIZING INTO AN ECONOMY CAR

Feb 14, 2009

By Ilyse Gordon & Friends Small is the new big thing. Economy cars are affordable, they don't guzzle gas, and they come in a variety of retro sizes and colors. Some even have three-row seating and free navigation systems! Manufactures are giving away a lot to make sure these small voices get driven. While it is true yo ... Continue reading

2009 Nissan Xterra SE-V6 4X4 Review

Feb 12, 2009

THE AUTO PAGE By JOHN HEILIG SPECIFICATIONS Model: Nissan Xterra S-V6 4X4 Engine: 4.0-liter DOHC V6 Horsepower/Torque: 261 hp @ 5600 rpm/ 281 lb.-ft @ 4000 rpm Transmission: 5-speed automatic Wheelbase: 106.3 in. Length/Width/Height: 178.7 x 72.8 x 74.9 in. Tires: P265/70R16 Cargo volume 35.2/65.7 cu. ft. (rear seats u ... Continue reading

HEELS ON WHEELS: 2009 HONDA FIT SPORT REVIEW

Feb 12, 2009

HEELS ON WHEELS: 2009 HONDA FIT SPORT REVIEW HEELS ON WHEELS By Katrina Ramser San Francisco Bureau The Auto Channel INTRO TO THE 2009 HONDA FIT VEHICLE When micro or economy cars first came out, they were likened to clown cars – a bit silly, but surprising able to cram a bunch of bodies inside. Now the new rage d ... Continue reading

2009 Toyota Yaris Sedan Review

Feb 1, 2009

DRIVING DOWN THE ROAD WITH CAREY RUSS San Francisco Bureau The Auto Channel 2009 Toyota Yaris Sedan Six months ago you might have been interested in a Toyota Yaris sedan because of its 30+ mpg gas mileage. Now, after looking at your investment portfolio, interest stems from the low price. Cheer up. If you're thinking " ... Continue reading

German Car Manufacturers Not at 2010 Detroit Auto Show?

Jan 30, 2009

By Henny Hemmes Detroit, Michigan. Next year, there is a fair chance that the North American International Auto Show has to do without the German car manufacturers. After the media days of the show that was held this month, the representatives of Audi, BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen got together to talk about their possi ... Continue reading

2009 New Mini Convertible Review

Jan 30, 2009

Always Open – the new Mini Convertible By Henny Hemmes Senior Editor Amsterdam Bureau The Auto Channel Do you like to smell the grass in spring, or inhale the oxygen filled air in the winter time? You might be a fan of cars with folding tops, or even be one of the more than 164,000 owners of a Mini Convertible. So ... Continue reading