Archive for May, 2009

2009 Sneak Preview: 2010 Land Rover Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, LR4

Friday, May 29th, 2009
2009 Sneak Preview: 2010 Land Rover Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, LR4
2010 Land Rover Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, LR4 - 2009 Sneak Preview - Automobile Magazine
For its second refresh since its introduction, the Range Rover receives the same two new engines, adaptive damping, and surround-view camera system as the Range Rover Sport.

A comprehensive upgrade sees the Land Rover LR3 tick up one notch to LR4 for 2010 (by Land Rover's count, it's the fourth generation of the Discovery, as the vehicle is known in other markets). Although there's a new grille, headlamps, and other minor tweaks outside, the bulk of the changes are inside the cabin and under the skin. A new interior uses more soft-touch materials and groups more functions in the central touch screen. The old 4.4-liter V-8 is supplanted by a new, direct-injected 5.0-liter unit, and output jumps to 375 hp and 375 lb-ft of torque. Chassis upgrades include revised variable-ratio power steering and suspension geometry as well as upgraded brakes. A 360-degree-view camera, trailer sway control, and keyless ignition are some of the technology highlights. The LR4 arrives in October.


Photo Gallery: 2010 Land Rover Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, LR4 - 2009 Sneak Preview - Automobile Magazine


2009 Sneak Preview: New and Future Kia Cars

Friday, May 29th, 2009
2009 Sneak Preview: New and Future Kia Cars
New and Future Kia Cars - 2009 Sneak Preview - Automobile Magazine
Kia just launched its first vehicle with real style, the Soul, and next comes a direct challenge to the leaders in the compact car segment.

Just like you, we always want to know what's coming next from Detroit, Tokyo, Stuttgart, Munich, Los Angeles, and all the other places where automotive engineers and designers dream and scheme on our behalf. Car companies, of course, are loath to share information on new products lest their competitors try to copy them--or you decide not to buy the cars they already have on dealer lots. Car companies, though, are simply groups of people, and some of them have a hard time keeping secrets. So, we poke, we prod, we cajole, and we uncover information that becomes the basis for our annual Sneak Preview issue. As always, some of our information is educated guesswork based on hints, insinuations, hunches. Make no mistake, though, these cars are on their way, even though details may change. Ladies and gentlemen: our list of 136 cars coming over the next few years...


Photo Gallery: New and Future Kia Cars - 2009 Sneak Preview - Automobile Magazine


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