Competes with: Mazda3, Dodge Caliber, Pontiac Vibe, Saturn Astra Looks like: A demonic little hatchback Drivetrain: 132-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder or 158-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder Hits dealerships: February 2008 While not nearly as vital as the Corolla, the Matrix is still a part of the Toyota...

Competes with: Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, Ford Focus Looks like: A baby Camry Drivetrain: 132-hp, 1.8-liter four-cylinder or 158-hp, 2.4-liter four-cylinder Hits dealerships: February 2008 The Toyota Corolla is arguably Toyota???s second-most-important model, and it took a towering date for...

Hot Wheels had a design challenge to get automakers to sign off on future toys. A number of companies stood up to the task, and Mitsubishi delivered a radical-looking concept that we hope ends up on toy store shelves soon. The Double Shotz features two engines — hence the name — each...

As the SEMA specialty show rages on in Las Vegas, we???re trying to keep our distance from most of the outlandish offerings from custom shops that won???t be available to buyers. We would have stayed absent from these two takes on the upcoming Ford Flex crossover ??? due in the summer of 2008 ??? as...

That’s not me talking. Rather, www.gaywheels.com says it was the most researched vehicle on its website. In descending order, the rest of the list was: Saab 9-3, Mazda MX-5 Miata, Volkswagen Rabbit, Volkswagen Eos, Audi A3, Dodge Caliber Volkswagen Jetta, Toyota Camry, Infiniti FX. Wow. I thought...

In an strange move, GM confirmed nowadays that it would build an all-new model for Hummer based on the H3T truck concept shown here. It will be based on the popular H3 SUV and feature a pickup bed. Unlike some SUVs with truck beds, the H3T will be a full-fledged pickup, bigger than a midsize (Chevy...

Look at the spy shots of new Murano, which was caught in camo on road tests. As we see, the overall shape and size is the same as the current Murano and even the wheels look familiar. Expect to see bigger changes on the inside as the Murano’s interior has been one of its weak points for years...

Car nerds, don’t laugh. There’s a lot of confusion about hybrids out there, and you might be surprised at the poor job car companies have done educating the public about them. One courageous Ask.cars.com reader truly wanted to know whether she needed to know anything about hybrid technology...

There are signs that some investors think General Motors is turning things around. The company has gotten to break even that year. GM has a few hit cars, like the Cadillac CTS and Buick Enclave. A concession-laden union contract has promted another analyst to recommend GM’s stock. that week, UBS...

(from Ferrari Press Release) FXX programme extended for further two years thanks to new evolution kit developed with assistance of Client Test-Drivers The innovative FXX programme, based on the eponymous prototype car and launched by Ferrari in June 2005, is being extended to 2008/2009. The FXX, which...

LAS VEGAS — General Motors used the 2007 SEMA Show to reveal the details about the upcoming 2008 Chevrolet Cobalt SS, which promises to have more kick than the preceding Cobalt SS Supercharged. GM says the ‘08 Cobalt SS will churn out 55 more horses than the Cobalt SS Supercharged. The new...

(from Ford Press Release) FORD ADDS ‘ADRENALIN’ TO SPORT TRAC FOR 2008 The 2008 Sport Trac Adrenalin is a sport utility truck that combines the utility and functionality of a pickup with a bold new attitude and genuine sense of street style. “The new Sport Trac Adrenalin is designed...

LAS VEGAS — The Hummer H3R Off-Road Concept unites the H3 SUV and the 7.0-liter V8 from a Chevrolet Corvette Z06, with some intriguing results, at the 2007 SEMA Show. But don’t get too excited. Hummer hustles to say, “No, a production H3 equipped with an LS7 engine isn’t in the...

LAS VEGAS — The Saturn Astra makes its maiden appearance at the 2007 SEMA Show in the anatomy of the Astra Tuner Concept, sporting a lowered ride height, high-performance Recaro seats and 20 more horsepower than the production car. The Saturn Astra Tuner Concept is based on a production Astra...