Ford 2010 Transit Connect

Ford Motor Co. plans to unveil today the North American production version of the 2010 Transit Connect, a commercial van, at the Chicago Auto Show, and to announce its intent to produce an electric version.

This is the first time Ford has said which of its products will feature a battery-electric powered counterpart. The auto maker intends to introduce a battery-electric powered small car in 2011 followed by a plug-in hybrid vehicle in 2012. Ford is showing off the gas-powered Transit Connect, starting at $21, 475, at the Chicago Auto Show on Wednesday.

The electric van is to be powered by a lithium-ion battery and offer an expected maximum range of 100 miles from a fully charged battery.

Ford's Transit Connect is aimed at the small business owner since it is closer to a van - 6-feet,8-inches tall - than a full-sized pickup truck. It has a two- liter, four-cylinder engine and the cargo-space can be fitted with shelving, racks and bins to fit the customer's need. The Transit Connect will be imported from Kocaeli, Turkey.

2010 BMW X1 Spy Video

A concept X1 appeared at the 2008 Paris International Motor Show. Although modeled around the 1-Series the X1 should be slightly longer and wider than the baby Beemer, just like the X3 is a bit longer and wider than a 3-Series. The same line of petrol and diesel engines from the 1-Series will be available as well as a possible debut of four-cylinder petrol turbo powerplants. With BMW stepping up its full-electric and hybrid programmes, these may be fitted too.

The 2010 BMW X1 is expected to debut at the pending 2009 Geneva Motor Show with a version of the xDrive all-wheel-drive system, gadget-ridden center consoles and a 3.0-liter straight-six from the 128i. We're also hearing about a possible four cylinder rumored under development.

Official footage of the 2010 BMW X1 undergoing winter testing video below

2009 Toyota Venza

Toyota launched an all-new utility vehicle for the 2009 model year called the Toyota Venza.

Toyota only has one all-new '09 model in North America, the five-passenger Venza crossover vehicle. Designed in California, engineered in Michigan, and manufactured in Kentucky, the Venza is derived from the same platform as the Camry sedan and very much designed to appeal to American tastes.

Toyota bills the new model as "more useful than a sedan, but more car-like than an SUV," and sees it as filling a gap between the Camry sedan and the Toyota Highlander SUV.

All Venza models are equipped with an array of standard features including auto dual zone air conditioning, AM/FM six-disc CD, tilt/telescopic steering wheel with audio controls, remote keyless entry, electrochromic rearview mirror with compass, a multi-information display, cruise control, optitron gauges, rear wiper, privacy glass, and much more. On V6 models Venza come standard with dual exhaust tips and is the first Toyota model to ride on standard 20-inch alloy wheels. Four-cylinder models come standard with 19-inch alloy wheels.

Venza also offer an Automatic High Beam headlight system. When high beam headlights are in use sensors in the Automatic High Beam system detects oncoming traffic and automatically switch the headlights to low-beam. When the Automatic High Beam sensors no longer detect oncoming traffic the system switches the headlights back to high-beam mode.

Additional optional equipment includes a navigation system equipped with a JBL audio system, integrated satellite radio capability and Bluetooth technology; a premium JBL audio system with AM/FM six-disc CD changer, satellite radio capability and Bluetooth, rear seat entertainment system, a Smart Key System, back-up camera and a power rear door.

The Venza's main competition is the Highlander, as well as competing crossover SUVs such as the Nissan Murano, Ford's Edge, and the new Chevrolet Traverse. The Venza is nearly identical to the Highlander in length (189 inches), width (75 in.), and ground clearance (8.1 in.).

2009 Toyota Venza

Audi A5, Audi R8 Sales Increase

Audi today announced sales for the month of January totaling 4,722 units, a decrease from record January sales in 2008. Audi predicts its share of the U.S. luxury vehicle market will increase when all January 2009 sales reports come in compared to year-earlier results.

The Audi A5 posted a 76.3% increase over last January with 603 units sold in January 2009. The Audi R8 broke its January sales record with over 107 units sold, an increase of 75.4% over January's sales a year ago.

Despite the challenging market, Audi Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) sales increased over this time last year, with 2,599 units sold this January.

Alfa Romeo MiTo

According to Wikipedia - Alfa Romeo Junior, The Alfa Romeo MiTo is a 3-door sporty supermini officially introduced on 19 June 2008 in Castello Sforzesco in Milan, the international introduction was at British Motor Show in 2008.

The three-door hatchback will feature front-wheel drive and will be sold from approximately US$ 21,000 to compete with the MINI and the upcoming Audi A1.

In safety The MiTo was awarded with five star result in Euro NCAP crash test, it has seven airbags as standard.The MiTo got also a ‘good’ or green result from the first ever made Euro NCAP´s rear impact test

Alfa Romeo MiTo