2010 Porsche Panamera "an all-new model to the Porsche family"

Introduction

The Porsche Panamera is an all-new model to the Porsche family, bringing sports car performance and untraditional styling to the full-size premium class.

The Panamera is offered in three versions, the rear-wheel drive S, the all-wheel drive 4S, and the all-wheel drive Turbo. Each come with a direct injection 4.8-liter V-8, the S models making 400-hp, while the Turbo adds twin-turbocharging for 500-hp. The Porsche PDK double-clutch gearbox is the only transmission choice, and all models are equipped an auto start-stop feature for increased urban fuel economy. The body appears to be a four-door sedan but with a coupe-like profile and a power liftgate rather than a typical trunk for access to the spacious luggage area. Standard safety features include ten airbags, bi-xenon adaptive headlights with LED daytime running lights, rain sensing wipers, full LED rear lighting, four belt pretensioners and electronic traction and stability control. A small sample of optional tech features include Bluetooth, rearview camera, electronic logbook, Burmester high-end audio system, twin-screen rear entertainment system, voice activation, servotronic steering, active anti-roll bars and ceramic composite brakes.

2010 Porsche Panamera S Hatchback Performance & Efficiency Standard Features
- 4,806 cc 4.8 liters V 8 front engine with 96.0 mm bore, 83.0 mm stroke, 12.5 compression ratio, double overhead cam, variable valve timing/camshaft and four valves per cylinder
- Premium unleaded fuel 91
- Gasoline direct injection fuel system
- 21.1 gallon main premium unleaded fuel tank 17.6
- Power: 298 kW , 400 HP SAE @ 6,500 rpm; 369 ft lb , 500 Nm @ 3,500 rpm
2010 Porsche Panamera S Hatchback Handling, Ride & Braking Standard Features
- Four-wheel ABS
- Four disc brakes including four ventilated discs
- Electronic brake distribution
- Electronic traction control via ABS & engine management
- Immobilizer
- Driver selectable responsive suspension
- Stability control
- Wishbone front suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs, multi-link rear suspension independent with stabilizer bar and coil springs
- Tire kit


2010 Porsche Panamera S Hatchback Exterior & Aerodynamics Standard Features
- Body color front and rear bumpers
- Chrome/bright trim around side windows
- Day time running lights
- Driver power heated partial-painted door mirrors with automatic operation, passenger power heated partial-painted door mirrors
- Electric trunk/hatch pull down
- External dimensions: overall length (inches): 195.7, overall width (inches): 76.0, overall height (inches): 55.8, wheelbase (inches): 115.0, front track (inches): 65.3 and rear track (inches): 65.4
- Electric foldable mirrors
- Headlight cleaners
- Projector beam lens Bi-Xenon headlights
- Luxury trim alloy & leather on gearknob, piano black on doors and piano black on dashboard
- Black paint
- Fixed rear window with defogger
- Trunk/hatch spoiler
- Steel electric front sunroof
- Tinted glass on cabin
- Weights: curb weight (lbs) 3,968
- Windshield wipers with automatic intermittent wipe and rain sensor

2010 Porsche Panamera S Hatchback Interior Standard Features
- 12v power outlet: front, rear and 2
- Air conditioning with climate control and rear outlet
- Diversity antenna
- Peripheral interior monitoring anti-theft protection
- RDS audio system with AM/FM and CD player CD player reads MP3
- Automatic drive indicator on dashboard
- Cargo area light
- Cargo capacity: rear seat down (cu ft): 44.6 and all seats in place (cu ft): 15.7
- Clock
- Coming home device
- Computer with average speed, average fuel consumption and instantaneous fuel consumption
- Full dashboard console, full floor console with covered storage box
- Delayed/fade courtesy lights
- Cruise control
- Front seats and rear seats cup holders
- Door pockets/bins for driver seat, passenger seat and rear seats
- External temperature
- Driver front airbag with multi-stage deployment, passenger front airbag with occupant sensors and multi-stage deployment
- Bucket heated electrically adjustable driver and passenger seat with height adjustment, four adjustments and tilt adjustment
- Height adjustable 3-point reel front seat belts on driver seat and passenger seat with pre-tensioners
- Front seat center armrest
- Garage door opener
- Two head restraints on front seats and rear seats
- Headlight control with time delay switch-off and dusk sensor active, automatic and speed dependant
- Heated washer
- Illuminated entry system
- Knee airbags driver and passenger
- Low tire pressure indicator
- Memorized adjustment with four driver's seat positions
- Navigational systems : information type: 3D and voice and knobs/touch buttons controls HDD and color
- Parking distance sensors rear and radar
- Remote power locks
- Power steering
- Front and rear power windows with two one-touch
- Front and rear reading lights
- 3-point reel rear seat belts on driver side and passenger side with pre-tensioners
- Rear seat center armrest with trunk access
- Two asymmetrical bucket front facing rear seats with zero adjustments
- Automatic operation rear view mirror
- Remote control remote trunk/hatch release
- Front and rear side curtain airbag
- Front seat back storage
- Leather seat upholstery with additional leather
- Seating: four seats
- Service interval indicator
- Front and rear side airbag
- Eleven speaker(s)
- Leather covered multi-function steering wheel with tilt adjustment and telescopic adjustment
- Tachometer
- Illuminated driver and passenger vanity mirror
- Ventilation system with micro filter and active carbon filter

The Most Overvalued Car on Earth

These days, car buyers have the upper hand when they walk into the showroom. They have access to dealer invoice prices and day supply data on the Internet--not to mention a recession that has spurred lowest-ever financing deals and unprecedented cash-back incentives.

But that doesn't mean every vehicle is a bargain; plenty are still overpriced. Right now, according to Vincentric, a firm that tracks vehicle ownership costs for the auto industry, several cars on sale now have market values far below their manufacturer's suggested retail price.

The Jeep Liberty, for example, has a true market value 20.9% lower than its MSRP; the Dodge Ram 2500 is worth 26% less; and the Chevrolet Trailblazer is worth 16.4% less than its MSRP.

Those three models, in particular, tell the story of the most overpriced autos currently on the market: Our entire list is comprised of vehicles manufactured by Detroit's Big Three. No foreign brands make the list, as those automakers' cars tend to be priced fairly when considering supply and demand as well as their high rankings on consumer-satisfaction surveys.

Behind the Numbers

To find America's most overpriced vehicles, we first looked at market price figures supplied by Vincentric. These are updated each month to reflect marketplace inventory, demand, rebates and incentives, and to represent the price that a buyer typically pays. We ruled out any vehicles where the gap between market price and MSRP was less than 10%--a natural breaking point in the data that left a list of about 150 overpriced vehicles to pare down.

We then used two pieces of customer-satisfaction information to better determine whether certain vehicles meet the expectations their brands promise--essentially, whether they justify their sticker price.

We used J.D. Power's 2008 Automotive Performance, Execution and Layout (APEAL) survey results, and ruled out vehicles that won their segments or scored better than two-and-a-half stars out of five: Any vehicle that scores less than 50% is likely not delivering on the thousands a consumer must shell out to buy it.

The list was further shortened by Consumer Reports' Owner Satisfaction results, data from a survey that asks owners--considering a wide range of factors, including price--whether they would buy a particular car again. Vehicles that scored less than 50 (on a scale of 100) made our list. We then ranked the remaining 15 vehicles by the amount overpriced (the difference between market price and MSRP).

The three most overpriced cars are the Dodge Ram pickup (worth 26% less than its MSRP), Mercury Grand Marquis (worth 21.4% less) and Jeep Liberty (worth 20.9% less).

Close the Gap

When it comes to the price of a car, the most important factor to consider is market value vs. MSRP, says Dave Freed, a managing partner for Vincentric. Even big cash rebates or 0% financing won't ensure you're getting the best deal on the lot, he says, and Vincentric's true-value information should give you a sense of how tough a negotiator you can be.

After that, research the top factors that cause a price to balloon out of proportion: availability, depreciation and gas prices. These points, in particular, are why American-made models comprise our entire list. Fleet sales and overproduction by GM and Chrysler has led to a dilution of resale value--and to dealers' lots overflowing with identical models. The Dodge Nitro is one of the worst offenders of this, according to Ward's, an automotive data and analysis firm.

Some cars tend to be overpriced partly because of their weakened brand image, which can lead to poor resale value. Vehicles that have this problem include the $17,430 GMC Canyon pickup truck, which has a resale value of 11.9% less than its MSRP; as well as GMC Envoy, with a resale value of 16.1% less than its MSRP.

"Where you might pay a higher price for a Honda Civic, you get it back at the end because it has a high resale value," says David Zoia, the editorial director for Ward's.

Lack of Luxury

While luxury vehicles cost thousands more than their non-luxury counterparts, none made our list. They all invariably receive extremely high satisfaction rates and APEAL scores. A Mercedes-Benz CL550 may cost a lot ($107,900 to be exact), and the E-Class costs a more reasonable $48,000, but the people who drive these cars think they're worth the price. It doesn't hurt that Mercedes keeps a tight rein on production levels too--you won't see a CL550 at your local Enterprise office anytime soon.

The $29,270 Mercury Grand Marquis sedan, however, is one to watch. Its market value is 21.4% lower than its MSRP, and it received low APEAL (2) and satisfaction (43) scores as well. So someone with her heart set on this vehicle shouldn't--in theory--pay more than roughly $23,000.

The Grand Marquis is the victim of a general move in the market away from larger, heavier sedans, says James Clark, general manager of Automotive Lease Guide, a California company that compiles automotive residual values. Those cars get worse gas mileage and cost more to insure, meaning they cost more to own in the long run. Similarly, U.S. consumers' move away from trucks and SUVs--also prominent on our list--has driven down those vehicles' true market values as well.

"It's a shift that we've experienced this past year due to the high gas prices we had last summer," says Clark. "With trucks and SUVs, a lot of those are showing up at the top of the list in terms of the highest cost to own."

America's Five Most Overpriced Cars

1. Dodge Ram 2500

2. Mercury Grand Marquis

3. Jeep Liberty

4. Dodge Nitro

5. Dodge Durango

2010 Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA "an impressive 240 hp"

Alfa Romeo MiTo GTAYesterday we revealed you some teasers with the new Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA. Today we were lucky and received a photo with the new Italian sports car. The new vehicle will carry a 1.8-liter petrol engine capable to develop an impressive 240 hp. The MiTo GTA will be built using light materials such as carbon fiber and aluminium which will provide a weight of just 1150-1200 pounds. More details to be reveaaled when the vehicle will make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show! Photo after the jump!



The confirmation was made last June that a GTA variant of the ultra-elegant MiTo hatchback was impending. It has been revealed lately that the car will be arriving in the middle of 2009 with a new 1.8-liter 4-cylinder gasoline powerplant turbocharged to generate 230 hp (172 kW). Since then, Alfa Romeo has made available teaser photos of the car in advance of its Geneva Motor Show debut next month. The former teaser photo shows the car’s valve cover with the GTA lettering. The second photo looks like a fresh cooling vent or turbo intake, but cannot be confirmed. The MiTo GTA will come with a hot-hatch type handling, advanced suspension system with coilover springs and front McPherson struts. More photos after the jump!

It will also come with a rear torsion-beam suspension that will create some inside wheel lift during hard cornering and Alfa Romeo’s Q2 front-wheel toque vectoring system will also be featured. Performance is enhanced with weight reduction measures including the replacement of MiTo’s components with lightweight aluminum and carbon fiber parts. What distinguishes the MiTo from the standard versions will be flared wheel arches, athletic body kit with built-in air diffusers, and a powerful exhaust audio. Standard on the vehicle are driver aids and safety devices consisting of multiple airbags, ABS, ESP and EBD, plus anti-slip control and steering-angle-sensitive torque limitation to lower the torque steer tendency.



This coming March, an Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA hatchback, which comes with a 1.8-liter turbocharged gasoline engine that can generate 240 hp, will be introduced at the Geneva motor show. This hot hatch will also come with the electronic Q technology, which imitates a mechanical limited-slip differential that is standard in the MiTo lineup.

The latest MiTo GTA is patterned on the same groundwork as the Fiat Punto Abarth and will, Fiat claims, set new standards for the brand. Since weight reduction is important to the hatch, the MiTo GTA will utilize more lightweight materials like carbon fiber and aluminum. A move toward making the MiTo appear more aggressive and racer-like will involve having blistered wheel arches, highly defined lines and the likelihood of contrasting color schemes. The MiTo, considered the spiritual successor of the Alfa 147 GTA, will compete with the Mini John Cooper Works when it becomes available on the markets this coming March. Although the Alfa MiTo GTA will exceed the hottest Mini by 31 hp, it will cost ￡2000 lesser than the Mini JCW.

2010 Mercedes-Benz E250 BlueTEC Concept "with 6- and 8-cylinder gasoline power"

While Mercedes readies it new E-Class for its U.S. debut with 6- and 8-cylinder gasoline power, it is launching a trial balloon to see if the public is ready for a 4-cylinder turbodiesel version of its popular executive class sedan. So, at the New York show it introduced the 2010 E250 BlueTEC, a diesel concept designed specifically for North America. This model is powered by a 2.2-liter 4-cylinder turbocharged diesel which produces 204 bhp and 369 lb.-ft. of torque, the latter reaching its peak between 1600 and 1800 rpm. The diesel powerplant features high-tech features such as high-pressure common-rail direct injection and twin Lanchester balance shafts for smooth operation. The engine is mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission.

To meet stringent U.S. emission laws, the E250 BlueTEC employs a particulate trap, two catalytic converters plus an AdBlue urea injection system to reduce NOX emissions. The car is equipped with a 25-liter tank for urea, which is scheduled to be replenished during normal service intervals. In addition to meeting Bin 5 emissions regulations, Mercedes says the vehicle will also meet Europe's even stricter EU6 requirements that do not go into effect until September of 2014. This clean diesel E250 BlueTEC concept is said to deliver fuel economy of 28 mpg in the city and 39 mpg highway. Impressive.

2010 Land Rover LR4 Still loaded with impressive cargo capacity, 7-passenger seating, off-road capability and more.

We've known it over the years as the Discovery, Discovery II, LR3 and now, LR4. What hasn't changed is its distinctive stepped roofline, impressive cargo capacity and 7-passenger seating, for the ultimate in utilitarian chic coupled with Gobi-gobbling off-road capability.

Like its Range Rover and Range Rover Sport siblings, the sheet metal stays the same, but the LR4 gets its own set of LED-rimmed overlapping-circle headlights, thematically consistent LED taillights, 19-in. wheels, a new smoother front fascia and a two-bar perforated grille. This last item both visually lowers the car and feeds more cooling air to a significantly more powerful direct-injected 5.0-liter engine, based on Jaguar's AJ-V8 family, that replaces last year's BMW-sourced unit.

The LR-V8 makes 375 bhp (a 25-percent increase) with variable timing on all four camshafts, variable valve lift on the intake side and a 2-stage intake plenum, good for a 0–60 sprint of 7.5 seconds. It's coupled to an all-new ZF 6-speed adaptive automatic, feeding power to all four wheels through an electronic 2-speed transfer case. For fording streams and the like, the engine's belt drives are waterproofed, along with the alternator, starter motor, a/c compressor and power steering pump. And a deep oil sump prevents oil starvation, at up to 45 degrees pitch and 35 degrees roll.

The interior has been completely redone, retaining the same basic architecture but with a more premium feel that includes a significant reduction in the number of buttons and controls. The center stack is tilted slightly toward the driver, the Terrain Response selector is now ahead of the shifter, and the steering wheel and its button layout are new. Lower seat cushions have been extended for better thigh support, and LEDs provide subtle ambient lighting at various places throughout the interior.

And yes, that funky asymmetric tailgate continues...odd, but it does give the LR4 some additional character.

Small Cars Causes Huge Bill In Small Crashes

The Hyundai Accent is currently the least expensive car in America, by MSRP, at just under $10,000. With four minor, parking-lot speed accidents, you can reduce its worth by $7,203, according to a new report.

The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, an automotive safety research lab funded by a consortium of insurance companies, conducted the tests. They crashed seven small cars into a barrier representing the bumper of another car at 6 mph, once to the front bumper and once to the rear. They then hit the same barrier at an angle, testing the corner of each bumper, at 3 mph - again once with the front bumper and once to the rear. They calculated the costs associated with repairing the damages from each low-speed crash, and published the total.

In a press release, the IIHS explains, "The Smart Fortwo is best overall, with $3,281 total damage in 4 tests." The Smart car's replaceable plastic body panels kept repair costs low. "The Chevrolet Aveo, a minicar, is next best, with $4,490 total damage." The Kia Rio placed last, with $9,380 in damages.

The tests are part of a new IIHS campaign to improve auto bumpers, testing hundreds of cars in the four bumper-bash accidents and publishing bumper ratings for each. Automobile Magazine reports, "The IIHS hopes that their new bumper rating system will help buyers make a more informed decision when buying a car as to possible repair costs if the owner does happen to get into an accident."

The Institute gives cars a score of Good, Acceptable, Marginal or Poor on each test. Kicking Tires reports, "Out of seven cars, none received the top rating of Good. The Honda Fit, Hyundai Accent, Kia Rio, Mini Cooper and Toyota Yaris all received the lowest rating, Poor, while the Chevy Aveo managed a Marginal rating and the Smart ForTwo was rated Acceptable."

Institute senior vice president Joe Nolan told the AP that "bumpers should be designed to protect vehicle parts such as grilles and headlights," but in none of the tested cars did the bumper protect those features well. "Damages should cost less than the typical $500 insurance deductible for a collision." But none of the tested cars met that standard for any accident.

The standard is particularly relevant to tiny microcars. Jalopnik notes, "Microcars are often chosen for urban driving because they're affordable, fuel efficient and easy to park," but "fender-benders are the largest urban driving hazard."

If you're in the market for a new car, check out the U.S. News rankings of this year's best cars as well as this month's best car deals.