2010 North American Car and Truck of the Year Winners

Ford swept the 2010 NAIAS Car and Truck of the Year Awards this year, a feat that has only occurred three times in the 17 years of the auto show. The Redesigned 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid, offering class leading 41 miles per gallon fuel economy on the highway was no surprise the winner of the Car of the Year Award. The Ford Fusion offers a great integration of hybrid technology while retaining a refined feel.

The 2010 Ford Transit, based off of the European Ford Focus platform. The Ford Transit was designed to compete against the Chevy HRR, while offering class leading fuel economy. The Transit is known for its car like size on the outside while offering truck like capacity on the inside.

-Anthony Alaniz.
[Source: Left Lane News]

Cobra's New Touchscreen Radar Detector

Cobra is touting the world's first touchscreen radar detector that offers a 1.5'' full graphics display. The new touchscreen display is designed to make setup easier, avoiding multiple button combinations. This way you can scroll, select, and be on your way.

Also Cobra is offering the first radar, laser, and saftey camera detector for under $200. This system is the first to offer 14 bands of detection, VoiceAlert^TM, POP detection and a lifetime subscription to AURACamera and Driving Hazard Database. The AURA database stores GPS coordinates of speed and red light cameras and other driving hazards that is updated daily and can be downloaded via USB drive.

The slew of new Cobra products go on sale in March of 2010.

-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: Autoblog]

AutoLinQ Powered by Google Android

Continental is one of the largest automtive suppliers in the world and is designing its own in car infotainment system called AutoLinQ. Continental's system is designed on Google's open-source Android operating system. Like the Ford Sync, one of the most popular in car systems, AutoLinQ is allowing developers the ability to creat downloadable applications.

No known automkares have yet to announce using AutoLinQ in their vehicles, though Continental is planning to release a software development kit by the end of March.

-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: Autoblog]

Isreal's Cash-for-Clunkers

Israel is joining the U.S. in its own cash-for-clunkers scheme, but with its own twist. Israel is handing over 3,000 New Israel Shekels ($810 USD) to anyone who turns in a car that is more than 20 years old, though there is no obligation at purchasing a new vehicle. Israel wants to get old cars off of the roads and people can walk away with cash. Israel is running the program for the next five years in hopes of ridding its roads of clunkers.

-Anthony Alaniz
[Source: Autoblog]

2011 Chevrolet Spark

The 2011 Chevy Spark, based off of the popular Chevy Beat seen in Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen, was unveiled today at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. The Spark has retained much of its Beat Concept design scheme, holding an aggressive stance.

GM announced that the Spark would be a world car, and Europe is expected to receive the Spark first. The Spark is powered by a 1.0L and 1.2L 16-valve four cylinder double overhead camshaft gasoline engines. The Spark is expected to achieve more than 40 mpg on the highway, placing it just below the Chevy Aveo.

-Anthony Alaniz

(Photo: 2011 Chevrolet Spark from Left Lane News)

[Source: Left Lane News]

Honda's New Sporty Hatchback, the CR-Z

The CR-Z, the successor to the CRX of the 1980's and 90's is making a showing at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show. Power comes from a 1.5L four-cylinder engine that is mated to Honda's Integrated Motor Assist hybrid Technology. Output is rated at 122 horsepower and just 128 ft-lb of torque.

The CRX, at the time was a sporty hatchback that achieved great fuel economy. The CR-Z, with its small power ratings somewhat disappoints in this area. In CVT form, the CR-Z gets 36/38mpg city-highway. With the standard manual transmission fuel economy drops to 31/37mpg. Price is still under wraps but expect it to be released before its launch later this year.

-Anthony Alaniz

(Photo: 2011 Honda CR-Z from Left Lane News)

[Source: Left Lane News]

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe, GM's Luxury Winner?

The 2009 Cadillac CTS-V was a hit both on a off the track, making itself a formidable opponent to its foreign rivals like the BMW M5. Now at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, GM is showcasing the CTS-V Coupe.

Powered by the same supercharged 6.2L found in the Corvette ZR1, the engine pumps out a mere 556 horsepower and 551 ft-lb torque. The power plant is mated to a six-speed dual-disc clutch automatic transmission with paddle shifters or a six speed manual transmission.

0 to 60 is expected at under four seconds, rivaling that of some supercars. The 2010 Cadillac CTS-V is expected to become available this summer.

-Anthony Alaniz

(Photo: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe from egmCarTech)

[Source: egmCarTech]

Video of the Day: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG Commercial

SMS Camaro

Steve Saleen's new adventure into high performance supercars with his new company SMS is adding a power to more than just Ford Mustangs. SMS is designing its next project off of the 2010 Camaro SS, called the SMS 620 Camaro.

Powerd by the same LS2 V8 engine, power is increased to 575 horsepower and 600 pound-feet torque in ways of a supercharger system. Also available is an "X" model that boosts power to 715 horsepower and 700 lb-ft torque. Also upgraded are brakes, wheels, differential, and suspension.

-Anthony Alaniz

(Photo: 2010 SMS 620 Camaro from Autoblog)

[Source: Autoblog]