Archive for the ‘2010’ Category

Punch your destination into the navigation system in a new vehicle—especially a luxury-brand model—and you’re likely to get more than just driving directions. Many of today’s systems alert you of upcoming traffic congestion and even adjust your route on the fly to help avoid it.

But there’s a catch. Most of the real-time traffic features offered as original equipment use satellite radio-based data services—called either XM NavTraffic or Sirius Traffic—that require a monthly fee of about $10 a month (four dollars if you add it to satellite radio service). Past the trial period, if you don’t subscribe, you’re out of luck.

Mitsubishi is an...

In the three years since the second-generation Mitsubishi Outlander first went on sale, Mitsubishi has gone through a sort of identity crisis here in the U.S. market. While the Japanese automaker’s compact Lancer models—especially the high-performance Evolution and Ralliart—have been generally well received, Mitsubishi’s larger vehicles, including the larger Endeavor SUV, Galant sedan, and even Eclipse sport coupe, have lost their way in the market.

With a modest but transformation refresh for 2010, Mitsubishi is bringing the Outlander’s styling closer to that of the Lancer on which it’s based. A subtle set of design changes takes the...

The Lotus brand has flown somewhat under the radar for the last decade or so in the United States, well-known to enthusiasts that enjoy its focused, no-compromises Elise and Exige sports cars, but often unheard of by more mainstream car shoppers and fans. But the 2010 Evora is primed to bring Lotus back into the luxury sports car market with stylish, comfortable interior and two-plus-two seating, and today the car's price was revealed for the U.S. market, starting from $73,500.

That's a hefty price for a compact, sport two-seater with just 276 horsepower on tap, but combined with the car's light weight and Lotus's mid-engine chassis...