The 2010 Kia Soul continues to reap the rewards for being one of the versatile vehicles in the market as it continues to rack in one award after another. The latest award given to this urban passenger vehicle is the 2010 Active Lifestyle Vehicle Award (ALV) from the Active Network Inc., designed for the young and the young at heart. The 2010 Kia Soul offers an array of safety features to compliment the active lifestyle of motorists and comes in different models at competitive prices.

With roomy cabins, able storage compartments and the expected media and navigational perks, the 2010 Kia Soul packs quite a bit of vehicular goodies which should attest why it has been getting one award after another.

Image Credits

(Source) Press

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Motor Trends has named the Subaru Outback as its choice for 2010 Sports Utility Vehicle of the year, making it two in a row for Subaru of America. The Subaru offers a unique mixture of comfort, efficiency, versatility and value which gained the now of Motor Trend, not to mention its competitive pricing structure which should likewise gain the nod of the avid motorists. The Subaru Outback comes with a choice of 170hp 2.5 liter four cylinder boxer engine or 256-hp 3.6-liter six-cylinder boxer engine as well as increased hip and shoulder room. These highlights go along with an array of safety features make the Subaru Outback stand above the rest of SUVs in the market today. The Subaru Outback retails for $22,995.

(Source) Press

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Volvo is making sure that their new model scheduled for release in 2010 will be filled with safety features both for the driver and the pedestrians. As most people seek safer cars these days, avoiding accidents and injuries to people on the road may yet take turn for the better with the new Volvo S60’s new Automatic Braking Technology.

The Automatic Braking System will be able to detect pedestrians who walk in front of the car and avoid impacts at speeds below 15MPH. To make this possible, the system is made up of key parts such as a radar unit at the front grill and a camera by the rear view mirror. In short, the system acts as a reliable alternative just in case a driver would overlook the presence of people around the vehicle.

Volvo’s Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake and Pedestrian Safety will debut on the Volvo S60 in 2010.

(Source) Auto India

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Nissan North America formally revealed the prices for its 2010 Nissan Versa. The said vehicle is now on sale at Nissan retailers nationwide, oozing with significant exterior and interior enhancements plus some safety features. Here is the breakdown of prices according to models released by Nissan:

1. Versa 1.6 Base 5MT ($9,990)
2. Versa 1.6 5MT ($10,990)
3. Versa 1.6 4AT ($11,990)
4. Versa 1.8 S 6MT Sedan ($13,100); Hatchback ($13,150)
5. Versa 1.8 S 4AT Sedan ($14,100); Hatchback ($14,150)
6. Versa 1.8 SL 4AT ($16,100)
7. Versa 1.8 SL CVT Hatchback ($16,530)

Some models have special add-ons as well such as the Versa 1.8 SL which come with a low-cost Navigation/Satellite Package with a 5” colored monitor, XM Satellite Radio and XM NavTraffic with Real-Time Traffic Information. Further features include an Interface System for iPod, Vehicle Dynamic Control and Traction Control System.

(Source) Press

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Thanks to its quirky styling, interior, extensive warranty, fuel economy and other comfortable features, the 2010 Kia Soul racks up another feather to its cap by being named in the Top Top 10 Back to School Car List by KBB.com. This comes at the heels of garnering another previous citation for being the Top Safety Pick by the IIHS.

The feedbacks were based from what the editors had gathered together from what vehicles offer as far as reliability, safety features, affordability, practicality, good handling and attractive styling are concerned which may be appealing to parents and students. The 2010 Kia Soul prices start from $13,300 which also makes it a lot preferred on the car of choice.

Available in four trims, Soul, Soul+, Soul! (exclaim) and Soul sport, pricing for the versatile five door begins at $13,300 for the base trim, while Soul+ starts at $14,950. Moving up to the Soul! offers a price beginning at $16,950 and the Soul sport, designed for those with active lifestyles, starts at $16,950 and tops out at $18,600.

(Source) Press

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Ford continues to rank in the safety pick awards for its car product line. The latest vehicle to garner the IIHS( International Institute of Highway Safety) is the Ford Focus. The Ford Focus features a load of safety features including six advanced air bags, stability control and lightweight high-strength materials.

Additionally, they are launching a MyKey teen-safety technology this Summer, the icing on the cake that makes Ford one of the reliable brands that emphasizes on vehicle safety.

And lastly, there is the SYNC technology which comes exclusive from Ford. The SYNC is a fully integrated, voice-activated communications and entertainment system allowing customers to operate their Bluetooth-enabled cell phones and digital media players with voice commands.

(Source) Press

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Do you want to know more about the 2010 Ford Taurus? Well if you do, you may be able to get them from the designer himself, Earl Lucas. Lucas and the 2010 Ford Taurus will be on hand at the 1st Annual Great American Car Show at the Larz Anderson Auto Museum, making attendees the first people to view the actual vehicle in the metal.

Ford Taurus, the brand’s flagship product, defines what to expect from Ford’s future car portfolio: cutting-edge technology, benchmark driving dynamics, premier quality, advanced safety features and unsurpassed value. The Taurus offers more technology features – 10 of them class-exclusive – than more costly premium sedans.

Other cars that will likewise be on display include the new 2010 Ford Mustang Convertible, and the 2010 Lincoln MKZ. Head on to the Larz Anderson Auto Museum and be the first to see this latest vehicle offering from Ford Motor Company.

(Source) Press

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Cars have become safer by the day thanks to technology. And if there is one part of technology which deserves recognition, it is that of the safety that cars now carry. We have seen the birth of airbags and Antilock Braking Systems (ABS) and now the Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

How does ESC work?

The system detects the point when a car is about to go into a slide and applies precisely measured amounts of braking force to each wheel, so as to correct or prevent the slide.
It should be pointed out, however, that ESC is not a replacement for responsible and safe driving and those sentiments are shared by car insurance companies, including Saga. It will not be able to prevent all potential accidents, although research results are more than encouraging.

And with safer cars, car insurance claims diminish as well. This is because the probability of being caught in accidents have become lower thanks to these safety enhancements. And you can be assured that for the years to come, more safety features for vehicles will be coming out as well as car manufacturing companies vie for safer cars to distribute in the market.

(Source) Press

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Just in case you haven’t seen it for real and you are in Southern California, drop by the Shelley BMW dealerships to catch a glimpse of the 2010 BMW Z4. The latest BMW vehicle which costs a whopping $45,750, is powered by a turbocharged inline six cylinder engine with high-precision direct injection that feeds fuel directly into each cylinder giving greater torque.

The new Z4 is also the first BMW roadster with a retractable hardtop. The lightweight aluminum shell opens and closes at the touch of a button within 20 seconds. The innovative roof system offers outstanding acoustic and aerodynamic qualities and allows occupants to enjoy a brighter more generous space with optimum visibility.

“The new roadster blends effortless power, artfully designed elements and luxury all in one sporty package,” said Shelly BMW General Manager Mike Kuriel. “It definitely raises the standard for style and performance in its class yet again.”

As added safety features, the Z4 comes with bi-xenon lights, Dynamic Stability Control to ensure stability on slippery surfaces, rollover safety system, enhanced breaking system, run-flat tires and Dynamic Traction Control which drivers can activate at the touch of a button.

(Source) Press

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People over at Alpharetta were treated to a fun event and a first-hand glimpse of the 2010 Mercedes Benz E-Class. The new vehicle from the German car company features the latest safety, efficiency and comfort technology from Mercedes-Benz. Groundbreaking safety features perform such functions as monitoring driver alertness, preparing the vehicle to minimize damage in a collision, and automatically adjusting high beam brightness. In addition to the sedan and wagon, the E-Class will be available as a two-door sport coupe for the first time in 15 years.

Not only is the E-Class loaded with innovations and an updated, aerodynamic design; the starting price is also $4,600 lower than for the 2009 E-Class models.

General Manager Randy Powell said, “RBM-North was delighted to be able to give our local community a preview of the exciting new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class. It’s the perfect car for anyone looking to combine luxury and value – and I believe there are a lot of consumers these days who fall into that category. We are thrilled at the great turnout for this event, and we really feel that we’ve become a part of the community. We look forward to many more events like this one, where we can offer something for everyone in the family to enjoy.”

(Source) Press

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Among the new bumper crop of vehicles out in the market, there are certain features that people would love to change among them. But if there are two cars which have the least number of attributes that potential car buyers would change, two familiar brands popped out above the rest. The two car brands are Porsche and Ford which topped the 2009 Ideal Vehicle Awards (IVA). The IVAs are based on owners’ ratings of their new 2009 model year cars and trucks across 15 key vehicle attributes.

“In today’s economy, car buyers take many factors into consideration – styling, safety features, fuel economy and more,” says George Peterson, president of AutoPacific. “IVA winners deliver the most of what consumers are really looking for in their vehicles.”

The selection doesn’t seem that easy. Most cars offer great features while others leave it up to the buyers to modify. The Porsche and Ford Motor vehicles are equipped with one of the common and yet unique features which some would leave if the survey is any indication.

But basing it on tradition, these two car models have lived up to their name and such a selection should not really be surprising. For 2009, the top-rated premium brand is Porsche, outscoring Buick and Jaguar for the most ideal premium vehicle brand honors. The top-rated mainstream brand is Ford, outscoring Mercury for top mainstream brand results. Porsche and Ford were also the highest scoring premium and mainstream brands in the 2008 IVA rankings.

(Source) Press

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An updated and improved Chevrolet Captiva SUV was revealed in Malaysia, aiming to give the Hona CR-V and Nissan X-Trail a run for their money. This 7-seater vehicle happens to be the top of the line Captiva Diesel with an all-wheel drive. It has a 2.0 liter engine and has a 320Nm torque that promises to provide more kick for people cruising along town.

The Diesel version gets beige leather upholstery as standard, an 8-speaker sound system with MP3, USB and Bluetooth Audio support, ESP stability control with Active Rollover Protection, Hill Descent Control, and Traction Control.

Safety features for all Captivas include dual front airbags, ABS, disc brakes on all wheels and ISOFIX child seat points for the second row.

Here is the released pricing structure for the new Captiva:

• Chevrolet Captiva 2.4L AWD Petrol (Beige Interior) RM 150,306.20
• Chevrolet Captiva 2.0L AWD Diesel (Beige Interior) RM 161,442.30
• Chevrolet Captiva 2.4L AWD Petrol (Grey Interior) RM 151,332.20
• Chevrolet Captiva 2.4L FWD Petrol (Grey Interior) RM 143,124.20
• Chevrolet Captiva 2.0L FWD Diesel (Grey Interior) RM 150,982.30

(Source) Paul Tan

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Toyota USA has announced today the pricing for two more vehicles it is scheduled to unveil, the 2010 Tundra full-size pickup truck and Sequoia full-size sport utility vehicle (SUV).

Prices for the 2010 Tundra will range from $22,960 for the Regular Cab 4×2 standard bed with a V6 engine and equipped with a Work Truck Package to $42,155 for the CrewMax Limited 4×4 with a 5.7-liter V8 engine. The new MSRP’s reflect an average overall increase of $557. Value is enhanced on all 2010 Tundra models with the addition of standard and optional exterior, mechanical, safety and convenience features including an all-new 4.6-liter i-FORCE V8 engine.

The 2010 Tundra, assembled at Toyota Motor Manufacturing, Texas in San Antonio, will begin arriving at dealerships in late April.

With the addition of popular standard equipment, including safety features, the base MSRP for Sequoia will range from $38,530 for the SR5 4×2 with a new 4.6-liter V8 engine to $58,905 for the Platinum 4×4 with a 5.7-liter V8. The new MSRPs reflect an average overall increase of $3,361 for all Sequoia models.

The 2010 Sequoia, assembled at Toyota’s manufacturing facility in Princeton, Indiana, will begin arriving at Toyota dealers in late April.

(Source) Press

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Volvo has been known for investing a lot on passenger safety and for the people flocking over to the New York Auto Show, lucky visitors may eventually get a feel of the Volvo Experience as they will have the opportunity to get behind the wheel of a 2010 Volvo XC60 for the automaker’s ‘XC60 City Safety Experience’.

Volvo’s City Safety, one of the industry’s most advanced safety features, can help the driver avoid low speed collisions when driving in slow moving, stop and go traffic. The laser-based technology continuously monitors the area in front of the vehicle and can brake automatically to help avoid or mitigate a collision.

The XC60 City Safety Experience takes place on the Javits Center’s Inner Roadway and will be open during the public show. Show visitors can experience Volvo’s laser-based safety technology, which detects objects and automatically brakes to avoid rear-end crashes.

(Source) Press

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You can just imagine how many Toyota cars are roaming around Turkey right now as the company has announced the production of their 1 millionth vehicle, a milestone that coincides with the start of production for the new third generation Toyota Verso.

The Adapazari-based Toyota Motor Manufacturing Turkey (TMMT) plant has produced over 430,000 Verso models since 2004 and plans to manufacture 55,000 units of the new model in its first full year of sales.

Launched at the 2009 Geneva Motor Show, new Verso is a no-compromise MPV that offers more space, comfort and practicality, and benefits from the latest occupant and pedestrian safety features. Ride quality, acoustic comfort and dynamic abilities match those of conventional passenger cars.

Introducing Toyota Optimal Drive throughout the Verso range has returned increases in engine power of up to 20 per cent, while fuel economy and CO2 emissions show improvements of up to 12 per cent, compared to the current model.

(Source) Paddock

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