2011 GMC T GMC Terrain

 2011 GMC Terrain
 
The 2011 Terrain is a 4-door, 5-passenger sport-utility, available in 8 trims, ranging from the SLE1 FWD to the SLT2 AWD.

Introduction of 2011 GMC Terrain
2011 GMC Terrain is a boldly styled five-passenger crossover SUV engineered with excellent fuel economy in mind. Find the new Terrain at Wheelers of Marshfield, with the best financing option in the market. GMC engineering excellence enables the all-new 2011 Terrain to combine crossover benefits with SUV capabilities including: an estimated 32 mpg highway for fuel economy, responsive handling, and a smooth ride. Terrain’s crossover SUV experience centers on its commanding ride height with bold, muscular styling, and a strong confident stance. Inside this crossover SUV you will find the smart use of space, premium features, and MultiFlex seating developed to provide outstanding comfort. Purposeful technologies include a Rear Vision Camera, USB port, and an available programmable power rear lift gate. A comprehensive package of standard safety features helps to provide that confident SUV feeling for all five passengers. It’s the kind of vehicle that emerges when you engineer to exceed expectations.

See what the critics have to say
...The 2011 GMC Terrain is impressively quiet, boasts a comfortable ride and seating indicative of a much bigger SUV
-Edmund says

..GMC engineering excellence enables the all-new 2011 Terrain to combine crossover benefits with SUV capabilities. It’s the kind of vehicle that emerges when you engineer to exceed expectations
Upon introduction, the SLE1 FWD is equipped with a standard 2.4-liter, I4, 182-horsepower engine that achieves 22-mpg in the city and 32-mpg on the highway. The SLT2 AWD is equipped with a standard 2.4-liter, I4, 182-horsepower engine that achieves 20-mpg in the city and 29-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.

The 2011 Terrain is a carryover from 2010. 

GM Maintains Forecast

U.S. auto sales may have run at a seasonally adjusted 13 million annual rate, the average estimate of 12 analysts surveyed by Bloomberg. The pace was 13.1 million in March and 13.4 million in February, according to Autodata Corp. in Woodcliff Lake, New Jersey.

Confidence among U.S. consumers rose more than forecast in April, signaling that six straight months of job growth is helping Americans endure the highest gasoline prices in almost three years.

Ford Motor Co., which reports April deliveries later today, may say sales rose 14 percent in April, the average of seven estimates. The Dearborn, Michigan-based automaker reported a $2.55 billion first-quarter profit last week.

Chrysler Group LLC sales may rise 18 percent, the average of five analysts’ estimates. The Auburn Hills, Michigan-based company yesterday reported first-quarter net income of $116 million, its first since emerging from bankruptcy reorganization in 2009.

Toyota Sales

Deliveries at Toyota Motor Corp., the world’s largest automaker, may have risen 1.4 percent in April, the average of four analysts’ estimates. The Toyota City, Japan-based company led the eighth straight drop in the country’s monthly auto sales in April to 108,824 vehicles, the lowest for any month since the Japan Automobile Dealers Association started tracking sales in 1968.

U.S. sales may have gained 14 percent at Honda Motor Co., and Nissan Motor Co. deliveries may have increased 33 percent, the average of four analysts’ estimates.

Inventories for Japan-based manufacturers such as Toyota and Honda may begin to shrink next month, executives at the largest auto retailers said last week.

Light-vehicle sales climbed to 11.6 million in 2010 from a 27-year low in 2009. Deliveries still were 31 percent fewer than the 16.8 million annual average from 2000 to 2007, according to Autodata. A 13 million rate this month would be a 16 percent increase from the 11.2 million pace in April 2010.

Slower Summer Sales

“We may see a slower industry sales rate in May and June than in April because of lower availability of Japanese models,” George Pipas, Ford’s sales analyst, told reporters yesterday at a briefing in Dearborn, where he predicted a 13 million U.S. auto sales rate for April. “It could help us in the near term.”

The March 11 earthquake in Japan won’t “materially” affect GM’s results this year, and the company still expects U.S. sales for 2011 of 13 million to 13.5 million, including medium- and heavy-duty trucks, Johnson said.

The average price of regular unleaded gasoline in the U.S. was $3.97 a gallon yesterday, according to AAA. The price peaked at $4.11 in July 2008.Style
Every inch of Terrain’s spacious interior reflects a high level of craftsmanship and thoughtful execution. It’s finished in fine premium materials and complemented by well-placed, conveniently illuminated controls. Terrain provides a stylish, structured, pleasing environment for everyone.

• Technology
Terrain is equipped with purposeful technologies designed to assist and entertain you as you drive. It offers available touch-screen navigation, available Bluetooth and standard USB connectivity designed to help manage your time on the road more effectively.

• Power and Performance
Terrain’s 182-horsepower direct-injected four-cylinder engine gives a spirited performance and features better highway fuel economy than any other SUV or crossover. Direct-injection technology and Variable Valve Timing (VVT) help both the standard 2.4L I-4 engine and the available 3.0L V-6 engine burn cleaner and operate more efficiently, making Terrain incredibly responsive and fuel-conscious.

• Safety
Terrain offers a comprehensive system of protection to give you help when you need it most. It’s engineered to assist you before a crash, with advanced chassis control technology, during a crash, when every second counts, and thanks to OnStar, after a crash, even if you can’t ask for help yourself.

2011 GMC Terrain offer Details
Lease 2011 GMC Terrain SLE at $299 per month for 39 months

Some conditions may apply. Not available with other offers. $1,819 due at Lease signing after all offers. $395 due at lease termination. No security deposit required. Tax, title, license and dealer fees extra. Mileage charge of $.18/mile over 39,000 miles. Residency restrictions apply. Take delivery by 5/2/2011. At participating dealers only.

Find the 2011 GMC Terrain in Marshfield, take it home with our best financing plans and incentives. Our highly trained staff will make sure that your GMC driving experience will be unforgettable. Your 2011 Terrain from Wheelers of Marshfield will turn heads in Stevens Point, WI.

About Us
Wheelers of Marshfield, your full-service Marshfield, Wisconsin Rapids, Wausau, Neillsville, Medford, and Stevens Point Chevrolet and GMC dealer. We've been in business since 1964 and we believe in a "Customer for Life" philosophy. From our no-hassle, no-pressure new and used car sales team, to our top notch parts and service department, to our body shop, we are committed to making your buying and ownership experience a happy one so stop your search for Chevrolet cars in Marshfield with us today.

If you're looking for a new or used Chevrolet Equinox, Malibu or Silverado; or a GMC Terrain or Acadia, and more stop by our Marshfield Chevrolet and GMC, and GM Certified Used Car dealership. We always have an excellent inventory of new and used cars in Marshfield ready for a test drive!

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

The Lincoln MKZ, initially named the Lincoln Zephyr, is a mid-size, entry-level luxury car from the Lincoln division of the Ford Motor Company. Lincoln revived the Zephyr name in the fall of 2005 as a platform-mate for the Ford Fusion and Mercury Milan; the vehicles were based on the CD3 platform, which was derived from the Mazda 6. The Zephyr's sole powertrain was a 3.0 L DOHC Duratec V6 mated to an Aisin 6-speed automatic transmission; identical to the V6 powertrain that was optional in the Fusion and Milan. Visually, the Zephyr could be easily distinguished from its Ford and Mercury siblings thanks to unique fascias and other stylistic elements, but as much as 35% of its body panels were shared with the other cars. However, the interior is entirely unique to the Lincoln, and this, along with different equipment packaging, helped differentiate the brands. Reflecting its entry-level luxury position, the 2006 Zephyr started at a base MSRP of $29,995 USD, ranging up to $35,575 USD when fully optioned.
Though slightly smaller and natively front-wheel drive, the Zephyr was marketed as a replacement for Lincoln's previous entry level mid-size, the rear-wheel drive, V8-equipped Lincoln LS. To facilitate a smooth transition, the Zephyr and LS were sold parallel to each other during the 2006 model year, the first model year of the Zephyr and the last for the LS. Ironically the Zephyr's first model year was also its last, in name. For 2007 the car was renamed MKZ, and took over the LS' market with sales beginning in September 2006. Highlighting the MKZ for 2007, other than the new name, was a mild exterior refresh, optional all-wheel drive, and a larger displacement engine with more power. The MKZ name followed a new nomenclature used at Lincoln for new vehicles beginning in the 2007 model year (existing models such as the Navigator and Town Car have been unaffected thus far). Ford initially intended the "MK" to represent an abbreviation of its traditional "Mark" naming series, but has since abandoned that in favor of simply reading the letters. The MKZ was the first in this series of new "MK"-named Lincolns, and has since been followed by the MKX, MKT and MKS. For 2010 the MKZ was revised with new exterior and interior styling along with other new features.
The Lincoln MKZ (and the Zephyr before it) is built at Ford's Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, plant.
The 2006 Lincoln Zephyr was initially unveiled in concept form at the 2004 New York International Auto Show as a new entry-level luxury sedan intended to appeal to a younger generation of luxury car buyers. The car was based on Ford's CD3 platform which is shared by the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan, and other vehicles. Many of the design elements of the Zephyr concept made their way into the production model, albeit with some revision. The front fascia of the Zephyr's exterior was adorned with Lincoln's signature waterfall grille and jeweled quad projector beam headlights (HID headlights were available). Chrome trim extends along the Zephyr's beltline while the car's rear fascia features wing-shaped LED taillights and dual chrome exhaust tips. All Zephyrs featured low-profile tires on 17x7.5-inch wheels with painted aluminum versions standard and chrome versions optional. In spite of unique styling relative to the Zephyr's siblings, the Fusion and Milan, a little over one-third of the car's body panels are shared.
Inside the Zephyr was an interior design that was thoroughly distinctive relative to the Fusion or Milan, almost shadowing the 2005 to 2009 Ford Mustang. The upscale design featured rectangular shapes in the dashboard surfaces and door panels with real ebony or maple wood inserts (depending on desired trim) in metallic frames. These surfaces were contrasted with chrome-bezeled gauges, circular, chrome-finished vents and a metallic center stack where the radio and climate controls are housed. The Zephyr's steering wheel was leather-wrapped with real wood grips and satin-nickel audio, climate, and cruise control buttons. White LED backlighting was used for the Zephyr's controls and instrumentation. Leather seating surfaces were standard in all models.
In terms of luxury and convenience features there was little that distinguished the Zephyr from the Fusion or Milan. Most of the features that were optional in the Fusion or Milan were simply standard in the Zephyr. Some of these standard features in the Zephyr include: cruise control, automatic headlights, fog lights, power door locks, "global" power windows (all windows can lower simulataneously at the push of a button), power adjustable and heated mirrors with puddle lamps, remote keyless entry, a tilt and telescoping steering wheel with redundant audio and climate controls, dual-zone automatic climate control, a universal garage door opener, 10-way power driver and front passenger seats, rear-seat reading lamps, and a six-speaker audio system with an AM/FM stereo radio and a six-disc, MP3-compatible CD changer. Optional in the Zephyr was a power moonroof, a DVD-based satellite navigation system, HID headlights, heated and cooled front seats, and an industry-first THX II-Certified audio system with a six-disc, MP3-compatible CD changer and ten speakers. Safety features include standard dual front-side airbags, front seat-deployed side airbags, and curtain airbags that extend from the front to rear seats.

2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost

When Ford CEO Alan Mulally took out massive loans in 2007 with the entire company serving as collateral, it looked like a desperation move by an automaker on the ropes. Come 2009, Mulally started looking like a genius.

Thanks to those loans, Ford didn't have to ask the government for loans or file bankruptcy, and thus didn't earn the public scorn that its cross-town rivals did. On top of that PR victory, Ford was a big beneficiary of the "Cash for Clunkers" program (Ford vehicles, particularly 90s Explorers, were some of the most common C4C trade-ins as well). And, thanks to some well-timed products like the 2009 F-150 and 2010 Fusion, its sales dropped slower than the market as a whole and the Blue Oval finished 2009 with a bigger share of the market.

Looking forward (and past the looming release of the Fiesta), Ford has enough product in the pipeline to build on its victories in 2009. Click through to the following pages for all the highlights of what Dearborn is cooking up for 2011.
That’s no doubt a question that many truck buyers are currently asking. With the recent spikes in fuel prices and impending Corporate Average Fuel Economy targets that now include light trucks as well as passenger cars, saving gas has moved from the back to near the top of the list when it comes to pickups.

How automakers will meet an average fleet fuel consumption target of 35 miles per gallon for their passenger cars and light trucks remains to be seen. Some pundits predict more use of lightweight materials and the possibility of diesel engines in ½ ton pickups, but Ford’s short-term solution is to employ twin turbocharging, variable cam timing and direct injection.
The result is of course the so-called EcoBoost 3.5-liter V6, rated at 365 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque. Naturally, the Blue Oval boys and girls have been going to great lengths to convince F-150 buyers (and there are lots of them), that this engine represents a bridge towards the future, combining V6 fuel economy with V8 power and torque.

DIESEL-LIKE TORQUE CURVE

Compared to Ford’s own new 5.0-liter V8, which in the 2011 F-150 is rated at 360 horsepower and 380 lb-ft of torque and also boasts independent twin variable cam timing; the EcoBoost might not seem that much of a big deal, especially in view of the fact that it requires an additional $1,055 to upgrade from the 5.0 to a motor with smaller displacement and force induction (which traditionally means more complexity and a greater risk for things to go wrong).
However, it’s the way in which power and torque are delivered that makes this engine stand apart from the herd. During the , AutoGuide got a chance to sample all of the 2011 F-150’s new powertrain combinations, and while it was the 5.0-liter V8 that won us over with its wonderful sounding exhaust note and strong throttle response right through the rev range, the EcoBoost quickly cast its mark.
The combination of small diameter twin turbos and direct injection give the EcoBoost an almost diesel like torque curve.  “It means that this engine generates around 90 percent of its torque at just 1700 rpm,” said Ford spokesman Michael Lord during a press conference. And that peak torque is available all the way through 5500 rpm – essentially the normal operating range of most pickups in daily use.
Compared with Ford’s other V8s, this makes a great deal of sense, especially for those that will be hauling or towing regularly. For comparison’s sake the Ford 5.0-liter makes its maximum 380 lb-ft at 4250 rpm and the big 6.2-liter makes 434 lb-ft at 4500, while Chevy’s 5.3 Vortech V8 delivers 338 lb-ft at 4400 rpm and Ram’s all-conquering Hemi puts out 407 lb-ft at 4000 revs.


 

2011 Ford FutureThe Ford Explorer’

 2011 Ford FutureThe Ford Explorer’

The Ford Explorer’s innovative rear inflatable seatbelt technology has earned a safety award at the New York International Auto Show, and Ford Australia says the technology is on its way Down Under.
The inflatable seatbelt – the first of its kind by an automotive manufacturer – won the World Traffic Safety Symposium’s 2011 Traffic Safety Achievement Award.
The seatbelt was also honoured around two weeks ago with the gold medal in the 2011 Edison Best New Product Award in the applied technology category.
The inflatable seatbelts operate like conventional belts in everyday conditions and are compatible with baby and booster seats.
In a frontal or side-on crash, the belt’s diameter expands to more effectively hold the occupant in the correct seating position.
The inflated belts distribute the crash force energy across five times more of the occupant’s torso, significantly reducing the risk of injury by diffusing the crash pressure over a larger area and providing added head and neck support.
Ford Australia’s Sinead McAlary said the local arm would be included in the global rollout of inflatable rear seatbelts “at some stage”, but admitted it would take some time for the technology to be developed for each specific vehicle.

“It is something – like all of the technology developed by Ford – that will be introduced globally, but this stage it is too early to talk about specific vehicles and timing,” Ms McAlary said.

She said the technology could be applied to all vehicle styles and said she was certain that it would be rolled out across Ford’s entire product line-up in the coming years.
Ms McAlary said Ford expected the technology to become widespread in the future, and likened it to standard vehicle airbags, which are now prevalent in even the most basic cars around the world.

2011 Chevrolet Camaro Super

After seven years off the market, the Chevrolet Camaro took advantage of pent-up demand to become the bestseller in its exclusive segment, outselling the Ford Mustang, Dodge Challenger and Hyundai Genesis coupe. Much of Camaro's popularity has to do with its styling, which is a modern interpretation of the first-generation, 1969 model. Based on General Motors' Zeta rear-wheel-drive platform, the Camaro feels not so much like that late-‘60s "pony car" as a big musclecar. While the 2011 Camaro is about the same length as a '69, it's on a long, 112.3-inch wheelbase and weighs a hefty 3700 to 3900 pounds, depending on equipment.The enthusiast version is the 426-horsepower small block-powered SS (400 horsepower with the automatic transmission). Camaro has shaken up the segment, though, with its base model's 3.6-liter V-6, a powerful and fuel-efficient engine that pushed Ford into upgrading its Mustang powerplant lineup. Chevy will add a Camaro convertible early in '11 and a lightweight Z/28 high-performance model later in the year. The musclecar wars have just begun
Camaro was developed to be 21st century on every level - from its awe-inspiring design to its outstanding performance to its impressive efficiency. For 2011, the sophistication of the sports car continues, with more features and increased V6 horsepower. One thing that didn't change is the jaw-dropping design.
The $105,000 Jaguar XJL Supercharged was featured in last year’s Neiman Marcus holiday catalog. The 2009 book showcased a limited-edition $160,000 BMW 7 Series.
The Dallas-based luxury retailer is publishing its 84th holiday catalog this year.
The Neiman Marcus Edition Camaro Convertible is painted Deep Bordeaux metallic with “ghosted” rally stripes and a color-matched fabric top.
The cockpit has amber-colored leather seating, black leather side panels with red stitching and red accents on the steering wheel, shift knob and center console.
The Neiman Marcus edition is based on the Camaro SS, with a 6.2-liter V8, choice of six-speed manual or automatic transmission, 21-inch polished aluminum wheels, Pirelli P Zero performance tires, Brembo disc brakes, LED halo-ring headlamps, Bluetooth connectivity, rear parking assist and a 245-watt Boston Acoustics audio system.
Supercharged HPE600 by Hennessey package contains debugging Cevy Camaro with Compressor 6.2 liter V8 engine (LS3 or L99), which is 602 hp at 6300 rpm and 595 lb-ft of torque at 4400 rpm. Min. The sprint from 0 to 60 mph in the middle 3 seconds. The speed of 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Supercharged HPE600 by Hennessey is illustrated by a stainless steel cat-back exhaust, exterior stripes, alloy wheels, full suspension coli than Hennessy carbon aero body kit and custom leather interior.
Well, 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Supercharged HPE600 by Hennessey is not the best package that Hennessey, but it still beats many other packages, check out the video and enjoy the sound of a V8 like spins his way through the back half of Lonestar Motorsports Park.

2011 Volkswagen Jetta

 

 

2011 Volkswagen Jetta — Review

The 2011 Jetta has a dirt-cheap price tag to match hardware from Honda and Toyota, but has given up some of its “German-ness” in the process. Rougher material selections and a watered-down drive are part of the package of the concessions. Even so, it’s still a winner.

Pros:

 

Bottom Line:

• Attractive exterior design
• Longer wheelbase offers more interior room
• Low price makes for a tempting buy

Cons:

• Steering not as feelsome as last year’s model
• More hard plastic inside
• Softer handling to cater to American buyers
• After years of trying to get its compact sedan to dress the part, Volkswagen has finally managed to naturalize the Jetta. The German 4-door now wears a suit that's bound to strike a chord with the notoriously conservative American masses, and carries a price tag that car buyers will find much more appealing, thanks to a slew of cost-saving tricks. But those changes come with a price all their own.
  Model Lineup
  Volkswagen is offering the 2011 Jetta in four trim levels, from bare-bones to dressed-to-the-nines. Eventually a fifth model, the performance-oriented GLI, will join them on showroom floors. Things get started at S trim, featuring 15-inch wheels and not much else; cloth seats and soul-crushing hard plastic dominate the cabin. Fortunately, stepping up to SE trim takes care of a few of those issues. Stylish 16-inch rollers take the place of the smaller 15-inch wheels, and leatherette seating surfaces show up inside. The interior also receives a small dress-up package in the form of chrome accents around the climate-control knobs.
  You can also adorn your Jetta SE with a convenience package that throws in amenities such as a leather-wrapped steering wheel and a more civilized 6-speaker sound system, though we would be just as likely to opt for the SEL trim. This next step up throws in all of the goodies found in the SE convenience package, but adds hardware such as a fog lights, 17-inch wheels, keyless entry and a navigation system.
  At the top of the lineup is the TDI. It's basically a Jetta SE with disc brakes on all four corners and an uberefficient diesel engine.
  Under the Hood
  Volkswagen has added a new engine to the Jetta lineup for next year. Starting in 2011, you can get your sedan with a 2.0-liter 115-horsepower 4-cylinder engine that produces around 125 lb-ft of torque. The new engine is part of the company's plan to lower the price tag, and it comes bolted to either a 5-speed manual transmission or a 6-speed automatic. While the Environmental Protection Agency hasn't issued fuel-economy figures for the new engine yet, Volkswagen promises somewhere around 24 mpg city/34 mpg highway.
  If the little 2.0-liter doesn't serve up quite enough punch for you, Volkswagen is also offering the same 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine found in the previous generation. For next year, buyers will have the choice of the same two gearboxes offered with the 4-cylinder engine. Either way, they can expect the 2.5-liter to churn out a more respectable 170 horsepower and 177 lb-ft of torque, all while returning just 1 mpg worse on the highway.
  The company's endearing 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder diesel engine will also make a return for 2011. It produces 140 horsepower and a ridiculous 236 lb-ft of torque, making it feel significantly larger than its diminutive displacement would suggest. Expect to see around 30 mpg city/42 mpg highway when equipped with either the 6-speed manual or 6-speed direct-shift gearbox.
  As we mentioned above, the GLI will likely debut later in the year, featuring the Jetta engine that we've come to love, the 2.0 TFSI.
  Inner Space
  Volkswagen has proudly proclaimed that the 2011 Jetta was designed to be more in line with American tastes; the company stretched the sedan's wheelbase by 3 inches to add interior room front and rear. Full-grown adults can now comfortably camp out in the back seat without having to fold their shins or collapse a few vertebrae. That doesn't mean things are all sugar and spice in the cabin.
  To begin with, the dash has lost the nice soft-touch material of the last generation, in favor of hard plastic in S trim. Why? Volkswagen is looking to do away with the dreaded "European car premium" that U.S. consumers have to pay for its cars. And the cost of this lower price tag is a less-than-savory interior. In this case, the cabin is borderline cheap. The new switches and knobs aren't what we've come to expect from Volkswagen, either. Flipping through the climate controls, we couldn't help but pine for the weighty clicks of the old hardware.
  That said, plop your derrière in the leatherette-lined goodness of SEL trim and it's easy to forget about the cost-cutting measures. With the leather-wrapped steering wheel firmly in your palms and a comfy bucket seat beneath you, there's little to complain about inside. Throw in the extra legroom and it's easy to believe that some sacrifices may actually be worth the net savings.
  On the Road
  We were able to nab some time in the 2011 Jetta SEL, complete with the company's 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine and a 6-speed automatic transmission. In this guise, it's difficult to find fault with the drivetrain. Of course, there shouldn't be one. Volkswagen has had years to perfect this particular concoction, and as a result, you're rewarded with a powertrain that's almost perfect — almost. The 170-horsepower engine provides just enough low-end grunt to dispatch with foes in the right lane without too much heavy breathing. At the same time, torque steer is nonexistent. Despite the uniquely torquey feel of the 5-cylinder, zero to 60 mph shuffles by in 8.6 seconds — not exactly rocket-quick.
  Things have gone downhill somewhat on the handling front, though. In another effort to keep the cost down, Volkswagen opted for a torsion-beam rear suspension instead of an expensive, fully independent setup. Whereas the previous-generation car could be coaxed into being entertaining while carving through your favorite mountain passes, the 2011 model is more content to amble from point A to point B.
  Volkswagen also swapped the electric power-steering unit from 2010 for a hydraulic system — a move that typically yields greater steering feel. Only instead of getting more feedback from the helm, we're rewarded with much less. It feels electric, and for that matter, the previous car felt hydraulic. Of course, it's important to remember that Volkswagen didn't build this Jetta for enthusiasts. The company designed the car for average American buyers — a group that tends to be more concerned about the number of cupholders than steering feel.
  Right for You?
  For all of the bellyaching we've done about the 2011 Volkswagen Jetta sedan, the little car holds one massive trump card. It carries a starting price of $15,995 for S trim. That's nearly $2,000 less than the base 2010 version. Start checking off option boxes and the price will rise, however. The Jetta SE will hit your wallet for a much heftier $18,195, while SEL trim starts at $21,395. If you want that silky 6-speed automatic transmission, you'll have to shell out an additional $1,100.
  So, for whom did Volkswagen build the 2011 Jetta? Nearly everyone. The car has grown to be perfectly adept at herding small groups of people to work, school or the grocery store without having the cost-adding burden of performance hardware that most drivers wouldn't miss anyway. The 2011 Jetta is now a perfect alternative to your average Honda Civic or Toyota Corolla — for the first time in the car's history.
  (As part of an automaker-sponsored press event, Volkswagen provided MSN with travel and accommodations tofacilitate this report.)
  James Tate cut his teeth in the business as a race team crew member before moving to the editorial side asSenior Editor of Sport Compact Car, and his work has appeared in Popular Mechanics, Automobile, Motor Trendand European Car. When not writing, Tate is usually fantasizing about a vintage Porsche 911.
   

 

2012 Chevrolet Malibu

 

Chevy’s aging Malibu has finally been updated and comes packing a list of competitive features, among them an all-new engine and a six-speed automatic transmission to make the Malibu a strong offering in its increasingly competitive segment.

 

2012 Chevrolet Malibu

In terms of styling, a sore spot for the outgoing Malibu, the 2013 model year car looks to improve the cosmetics while still retaining a variation of Chevrolet’s cross-bar grille, and adds a new bumper and a hood that is more sculpted. The higher-mounted Chevrolet grille leaves more lower bumper space for details like fog lamps surrounded by thin chrome, while hunched rear quarters have a distinctly European flair that includes uniquely squared off taillamps and a trunk lid that doesn’t seem far off from that trunklid found on the latest 6-Series Coupe.
A noteworthy change comes from Chevrolet now that we have confirmed the Bow Tie brand will drop the low-volume V6 currently offered in the Malibu in favor of a Sonata-inspired four-cylinder-only lineup. The new 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine comes sporting a dual overhead cam setup with direct injection, good for estimated horsepower over 190 and torque in the 180 lb ballpark (SAE-certification pending).
The EPA has yet to test this new four-pot, which will come mated to a Hydra-Matic 6T40 six-speed automatic transmission, and Chevy is remaining mum and not even offering estimated fuel economy at this time. Despite the obvious moves towards efficiency, Chevy promises that the all-new Malibu will deliver “precise ride and handling,” which it says has been engineered to be best-in-class – even going as far as to suggest that it will match more expensive sports sedans.
What’s inside?
One of the strong points of GM’s newest sedan is a compelling interior, complete with a blend of metallic, chrome and wood surfaces throughout the cabin. The stylization accents range from bits on the shifter, center stack, instrument cluster, steering wheel and the doors. The car’s party piece arrives in the form of a trick fold-out screen, a first of this type in a GM product, and first in any U.S. midsize car.
That same folding seven-inch screen will come with Chevy’s new infotainment system, MyLink, which allows for Pandora streaming radio and Stitcher SmartRadio, as well as Bluetooth and other technologies.
Interior lighting is anything but scarce, and Ice Blue is the order of the day – ranging from gauge cluster displays to accent lighting that stretches throughout and across the cabin.
Safety counts in family sedans
GM knows that safety is paramount in any vehicle, particularly one that will likely be used to haul families around town and across country, and as such, the Malibu comes packed with an array of technology aimed at keeping its occupants safe. Both the driver and front passenger, in the event of an accident, will find themselves cocooned in dual-stage air bags, pelvic/thorax side-impact airbags and even knee airbags.
There are also roof air bags that offer rollover protection, and Chevy will offer available second-row pelvic/thorax side-impact airbags, a lane departure warning system with forward collision alert and an available rearview camera system. Of course, OnStar with Automatic Crash Response is also included, and now boasts improved voice recognition technology, as well as a myriad of improvements aimed at ease of use rather than safety concerns.
Size matters
Among the extensive list of changes is a 4.5-inch shorter wheelbase, as well as a 62-inch track width that is just over 2 inches wider than the outgoing model. The end result is a more sporting platform that aims to deliver on Chevy’s promise for a sporty driving dynamic.