2008 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500KR

Ford and Shelby Automobiles are at it again, this time in celebration of the fortieth anniversary of the 1968 Shelby Cobra GT500KR. To be unveiled at the 2007 New York International Auto Show, the 2008 Shelby GT500KR-the most powerful Mustang to date-will once again mark Mustang as 'King of the Road.'

'I'm proud to once again be a part of an historical moment, bringing back the 'King of the Road' Mustang, and collaborating with Ford SVT and Ford Racing' said Carroll Shelby. 'I'm committed to continuously upping the ante when it comes to performance, and it's great to be doing it with Ford.' 'The return of the Shelby GT500KR further establishes Mustang as the true king of the pony car segment,' said Robert Parker, manager of Ford Car Brand. 'With the unveiling of the new KR we are staying true to the promise we made our loyal Mustang fans to continue Mustang's prowess by bringing new, exciting and more powerful Mustangs to market.'

2008 Maserati GT: Gran Turismo 411

They say a picture is worth a thousand words, and in the case of the new Maserati GranTurismo, each and every one of those thousand words is "bla." Why? Because staring at the sexy coupe's gorgeous lines, we're reduced to speechless, drooling adolescents, and "bla" is the most coherent speech we can mutter.

Designed by Pininfarina, the GranTurismo made its debut at the 2007 Geneva Auto Show. It has a 4.2-liter V-8 that makes 405 hp at a lofty 7100 rpm, and 339 lb-ft of torque at 4,750. The computer-shifted V-8 screamer will dispense of the 0-60 run in 5.2 seconds and accelerate to a top speed of 177 mph. And with nearly perfect weight distribution (49% front, 51% rear), handling should be nothing short of exemplary.

At just over 192 inches long, this is a big coupe, and it seats four in reasonable comfort. The interior craftsmanship is typical Maserati gorgeous, and buyers can opt for made-to-order custom luggage by Salvatore Ferragamo. As if its name didn't already tell you, this new Maserati is the very definition of a Grand Tourer.

Cadillac CTS: Not Your Father's Cadillac

At the North American International Auto Show in January 2007, GM introduced the all-new CTS that will go on sale as a 2008 model. The base model will feature a 3.6-liter variable valve timing V6 with 258 hp and 252 lb-ft of torque. A second version will be offered, a new 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 VVT engine with an estimated 300 horsepower and 270 pound-feet of torque using regular unleaded gas. A six-speed manual transmission will be standard on all models. The six-speed Hydra-matic 6L50 automatic transmission will be opitional. Also on-demand all-wheel drive will be offered with the 258-hp engine and automatic transmission combo.

According to the current issue of Motor Trend, a coupe and station wagon version of the CTS may be produced and sold in the USA, although GM feels that they may be more successful in Europe. Also, an American model of a Cadillac based on the soon to be Saturn Astra may be in the USA as well in Sedan or 4-door hatch form.

Nissan Maxima: 2007 Ward's 10 Best Engine Award

Maxima’s VQ Engine Receives 2007 Ward’s 10 Best Engines Award
In the words of the writers and editors of Ward’s, the "sublime 3.5L ‘VQ’ V-6 needs no introduction, being that it’s won a 10 Best Engines award each and every year since the competition’s inception in 1995. That the VQ has cemented itself as the dominant V-6 benchmark is without question…."³

Maxima Awarded IIHS Highest Rating for Frontal Impact
Maxima’s performance in the high-speed 40-mph frontal offset crash test into a deformable barrier earned it the highest rating of "Good" from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety.4

Scion for $1 In Second Life

Toyota Motor Co. Ltd. has launched two new models of its Scion brand -- in two lives at the same time.

Toyota launched a redesigned Scion xB and a new model called the xD in Second Life -- an online community with 1.2 million "residents" -- and at the Chicago Auto Show Thursday, holding simultaneous press conferences in both the real and virtual worlds.

Second Life, run by Linden Labs, is an electronic universe where people's virtual representations, called avatars, can fly, teleport, chat and buy products and services.

Second Life users can log into kiosks in 'Scion City' and buy a Scion for 300 Linden dollars, or $1. They can then customize it with real-world and fantasy accessories.

Lexus GX 470: The Lexus Apprentice

The 2007 Lexus GX 470 is a 4-door, up to 8-passenger luxury sport-utility, available in one trim only, the Sport Utility.

Upon introduction, the GX 470 is equipped with a standard 4.7-liter, V8, 263-horsepower engine that achieves 15-mpg in the city and 19-mpg on the highway. A 5-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard.

The 2007 Lexus GX 470 is a carryover from 2006.

De Lorean: Back To The Future

The De Lorean Motor Company (DMC) was a short-lived automobile manufacturer formed by automobile industry executive John De Lorean in 1975.

The De Lorean is considered a great work of art and it endures as a pop culture icon, with a dedicated worldwide fan base.

John De Lorean was filmed appearing to accept money to take part in drug trafficking, but was subsequently acquitted, on the basis of entrapment, of charges brought against him.


It was famously featured in the Back to the Future trilogy.