ASTON MARTIN
Sold off by Ford in March for nearly $1 billion (and now owned by private investors including Kuwaitis) ultra-luxury carmaker Aston Martin launches the DBS for 2008. The sleek, lightweight, two-passenger coupe promises to be the quickest Aston Martin production car ever with a 0-to-60-mph time around a mere 4.3 seconds. The DBS chassis is weight-saving aluminum, and power comes from a 510-horsepower, 6-liter V-12 with quad overhead cam shafts. Top speed is 191 mph.
Only some 300 DBS cars will be built annually in Great Britain, so the DBS will be a most exclusive ride. The starting price tag is expected to be around $265,000.
Meantime, Aston's long-running Vanquish is ending production, and Aston fans are waiting for the coming launch of the four-door Rapide.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","Audi","The new Audi R8","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_audiR8.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "Audi", "74", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
AUDI
The German luxury carmaker started selling its 2008 TT coupe and roadster last spring. The new models, which are slightly larger than their predecessors and feature refinements in design, ergonomics and ride, are the first major reworking of the Bauhausian-styled TTs since they were introduced in the United States in autumn 1999.
Two engines are offered: A 200-horsepower, 2-liter, turbo charged four and a 250-horse, 3.2-liter V-6.
But the most anticipated Audi this year is the exotic-looking R8. Audi's first mid-engine sports car, the lightweight, all-wheel-drive, two-seat R8 with aluminum space-frame construction is street-ready, though it looks like it just came off a European racetrack.
It drives like a race car, too, with power coming from a 420-horsepower, 4.2-liter V-8 mated to either a six-speed manual transmission or an R tronic sequential automatic. Zero-to-60-mphtime is estimated at only 4.4 seconds.
The R8 name, by the way, comes from the legendary Audi race car that won the 24 Hours of Le Mans five times earlier this decade.
Starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge and federal gas guzzler tax, is $115,600. Annual production is estimated at 3,000, with only about 900 likely to come to these shores.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","BMW","BMW's new 1 series","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_bmw1.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "BMW", "78", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
BMW
BMW began selling its revised-for-2008 5-Series cars earlier this year, and the German automaker changed the name of its six-cylinder-powered, mid-size 5-Series cars to reflect larger, more powerful engines.
Thus, the 525i became the 2008 528i, now with 230-horsepower,3-liter, six-cylinder engine, while the old 530i became the 2008535i with 300-horsepower, 3-liter, twin-turbo, six-cylinder engine.
In fact, the addition of this twin-turbo power plant to the 2008BMW 535xi Sports Wagon makes it more powerful than the predecessor540i wagon with 290-horsepower V-8.
BMW also updated the interiors of these sedans and wagons and adds optional Lane Departure Warning that subtly vibrates the steering wheel when it detects a driver might be wandering out of his or her lane.
The smaller, but oh-so-performance-oriented M3 debuts in 2008 with its first-ever V-8, generating 414 horses from its 4 liters.
Watch next spring for the launch of BMW's subcompact 1-Series, finally in the States. Initial models will be a 128i coupe with230-horsepower, 3-liter, inline, six-cylinder engine and a 135icoupe with 300-horsepower, 3-liter, turbocharged six cylinder.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","Buick","Buick's Enclave crossover ","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_buickEnclave.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "Buick", "75", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
BUICK
Buick's big news for 2008 — the Enclave crossover SUV with room for up to eight passengers — debuted early.
Power comes from a 275-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6, and with a starting retail price, including destination charge, of more than $32,700, the Enclave is the priciest of General Motors' three new crossovers. The others are the GMC Acadia and Saturn Outlook.
Buick is down to only three vehicles in the United States for 2008. The other two — the Lucerne and LaCrosse sedans — add new Super trim levels designed to make the cars look and feel more sporty. The LaCrosse Super, for example, has a bolder grille than a regular LaCrosse, newly fashioned hood and a 300-horsepower,5.3-liter, small-block V-8.
The Lucerne Super has a new grille plus a 292-horsepower,4.6-liter, Northstar V-8.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","Cadillac","The mid-size CTS","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_cadillac_CTS.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "Cadillac", "74", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
CADILLAC
The lowest-priced Caddy makes the most news in 2008.
The mid-size Cadillac CTS with a starting retail price of just under $33,000 is redesigned and re-powered. Its previous angular, edgy styling is softened, and the interior gets an upgrade with ambient lighting touches here and there.
All-wheel-drive is available on the CTS for the first time. And the top engine now is a 3.6-liter V-6 with direct gasoline injection that can produce 304 horsepower — the most ever for a CTS.
Keep in mind this new engine is being installed in a regular CTS. The second-generation, high-performance CTS-V won't show up until next calendar year with an expected 500 or so horsepower. But buyers who want a manual transmission can get a regular CTS with six-speed manual.
The same 302-horsepower V-6 in the CTS is offered in the entry version of the 2008 Cadillac STS sedan, which has been mildly freshened.
The Cadillac Escalade Hybrid arrives in the next year as the first full-size, luxury, gas-electric hybrid SUV. It will share its hybrid system with the 2008 Chevrolet Tahoe Hybrid, where electric motors supplement the power provided by a V-8.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","Chevrolet","The new Chevy Malibu","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_chevyMalibu.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "Chevrolet", "74", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
CHEVROLET
Chevrolet's mid-size, five-passenger Malibu sedan is bigger inside and out, and has a modern new look for 2008.
It's the first Malibu with head curtain air bags standard on all trim levels, and new optional features include a 110-volt, household-type AC power outlet and panoramic sunroof.
The Malibu is offered with a 164-horsepower, 2.4-liter, Ecotec, four-cylinder engine. When mated to a four-speed automatic, this Malibu version is rated at a noteworthy 30 mpg in highway driving.
This is despite new, stricter fuel economy calculations going into effect in 2008 by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency that will make it harder for many gas-only cars to reach a 30 mpg rating.
The up level Malibu power plant is a 252-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 with six-speed automatic. Later in the model year, Chevy adds a gas-electric hybrid version that has an estimated rating of 33 mpg in the city and 34 mpg on the highway, according to government figures.
Also new from Chevy for 2008: A refined and more powerful Corvette, a performance SS version of the retro-styled HHR five-door, a five-door hatchback version of Chevy's smallest car, the Aveo, a gas-electric hybrid version of Chevy's popular full-size SUV, the Tahoe, and Chevy's Equinox SUV adds a new version called the Equinox Sport.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","Chrysler","The Town & Country Minivan","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_chrysler_van.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "Chrysler", "74", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
CHRYSLER
Chrysler LLC, as it's now called, has a new, fifth-generation Chrysler Town & Country minivan with a roomy, quieter interior for up to seven passengers with new safety equipment, optional swivel seats and even a work/lunch table inside.
Indeed, a fully-loaded Town & Country can be equipped like a family room, with up to three video screens, integrated booster seats, dishwasher-safe cup holders and satellite TV. The new Town & Country adds a third V-6 to the two offered last year. The top, 4-liter V-6 with 251 horses and 259 foot-pounds of torque is the most powerful V-6 in a minivan today.
Chrysler's Sebring Convertible debuted as a restyled, 2008 model with new features earlier this year. It's the first time a four-passenger convertible has offered a choice of three convertible tops: vinyl, fabric and hardtop.
Three engines are offered. The base, 2.4-liter four cylinder with four-speed automatic generates 173 horsepower and provides a fuel economy rating of 20 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. This power plant is available on the base LX with vinyl top. The mid-level, 186-horsepower, 2.7-liter V-6 and top, 235-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6 are available with the hard convertible top.
But fuel economy with a V-6 decline to 18 mpg or below in city traffic and to 26 mpg or below on the highway, according to government figures.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","Dodge","Dodge's Avenger sedan","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_dodgeAvenger.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "Dodge", "74", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
DODGE
The top-selling brand at Chrysler LLC, Dodge launched its mid-size Avenger sedan for 2008 early. The five-passenger car has distinctive styling \"attitude\" not normally found on mainstream family sedans.
The Avenger is offered with the 173-horsepower, 2.4-liter four cylinder that's used in the sibling Chrysler Sebring as well as the Sebring's 186-horsepower, 2.7-liter V-6 and 235-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6.
Dodge's smallest car — the Caliber five-door, compact hatchback — adds a new, high-performance model called the SRT4 for 2008.
And the SRT4 has a larger grille opening for needed engine cooling, a functional air scoop in the hood, a spoiler and performance-oriented instruments on the dashboard.
All this comes at a starting retail price, including destination charge, of $22,995.
Like its sibling Chrysler Town & Country minivan, the seven-seat Dodge Grand Caravan is restyled, re-powered and loaded with new features. Among the highlights are first-ever Satellite TV with kid-friendly Disney channels and a Swivel 'n Go seat system that allows the two separate seats in the second row to swivel and face rearward.
A nifty table then can be placed between second- and third-row passengers for games, homework, lunches or whatever.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","Mercury","Mercury's new Sable","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_mercurysable.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "Mercury", "74", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
MERCURY
Like its well-known sibling, the Ford Taurus, the Mercury Sable is back in dealerships for 2008 as a larger sedan with modern styling and more safety equipment.
Actually, the five-passenger, 2008 Sable is an updated version of last year's Mercury Montego. The Montego was launched three years ago to replace the Sable, but it didn't sell as well as expected, and with the Taurus coming back, the Sable comes with it.
The Sable uses the same Taurus engine — a 263-horsepower, 3.5-liter, Duratec V-6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission — and is available with front-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive.
Mercury's compact Mariner SUV gets new styling, inside and out, and a quieter ride for 2008.
The five-passenger Mariner adds a new, lower-priced version of its gas-electric hybrid model, too. Now available with front-wheel-drive, the 2008 Mariner Hybrid has a starting manufacturer's suggested retail price, including destination charge, of $26,620. This compares with the $28,615 starting price for a 2007 Mariner Hybrid that was offered only with four-wheel-drive.
The front-drive Mariner Hybrid joins the Escape Hybrid with top SUV government fuel mileage ratings of 34/30 mpg.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","Mini","The Mini Clubman","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_miniclubman.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "Mini", "74", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
MINI
No major changes in current models. Early in calendar 2008, however, a new, four-passenger Mini Clubman arrives with more doors and longer body than any other Mini. Specifically, the five-door Clubman wagon is nearly 9.5 inches longer than a three-door Mini hatchback and provides 9.1 cubic feet of cargo space behind the two rear seats.
When the Clubman's split rear seatbacks are folded down, there's 32.6 cubic feet of cargo space, which is 36 percent more room than what's in a Mini hatchback. Legroom is improved, too, with the Clubman adding nearly 3.2 inches over what's found in a Mini hatchback.
Passengers can enter the Clubman on the right hand side with ease, thanks to paired, front-hinged passenger door and rear-hinged rear door. Also, the back of the Clubman features two split doors.
There are two Clubman gasoline engines: a 120-horsepower, 1.6-liter four cylinder and a 175-horsepower, turbocharged, 1.6-liter four cylinder.
A diesel engine available in Europe is not planned for the United States.
Company officials expect the Clubman to have a starting retail price somewhere between Mini's hatchback and convertible models, probably more than $20,000.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","Mitsubishi","Mitsubishi's 2008 Lancer","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_mitsubishilancer.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "Mitsubishi", "74", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
MITSUBISHI
Mitsubishi's 2008 Lancer arrived early as a ninth-generation model with bolder styling, roomier interior, new front-wheel-drive platform and a 30-horsepower boost. Now with 152 horses coming from a 2-liter, four cylinder, the five-passenger Lancer sedan is one of the few cars to include a driver's knee air bag among its standard safety features. The knee bag helps keep a driver properly positioned during a frontal crash.
Fans of the cult Lancer Evolution model, though, are still waiting for the newest version, which is expected to feature a turbocharged four cylinder with some 300 horsepower and Mitsubishi's Super All-Wheel Control all-wheel-drive. Also in 2008, Mitsubishi adds standard traction and active skid control on all Endeavor SUVs.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","Nissan","Nissan's Rogue SUV","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_nissanrogue.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "Nissan", "74", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
NISSAN
Nissan adds a Rogue and a first-ever coupe version of its Altima. Debuting in the fall, the Rogue is a five-passenger crossover SUV that's slightly smaller than the Nissan Murano. With a 170-horsepower, 2.5-liter, four-cylinder engine, the Rogue is lower-powered, lighter weight and more fuel efficient than the V-6-powered Murano.
Offered with a choice of front-drive or all-wheel-drive, and with a starting retail price expected to be less than the Murano's more than $28,000, the Rogue fills an important slot in the Nissan lineup.
Meantime, the sporty-looking Altima Coupe likely will boost total Altima sales to a record this calendar year. Every one of the body panels on the two-door coupe is different from those on the Altima sedan. In fact, the coupe is shorter in height, wheelbase and overall length, though it uses the sedan's front-drive platform underneath.
Elsewhere, Nissan's Titan full-size pickup truck adds new long-wheelbase models that extend the beds by a foot and a half. There's also a new Titan Pro-4X off-road grade that includes Rancho shock absorbers.
And in 2008 the long-running Nissan Pathfinder SUV is available for the first time with a V-8. It's the same 5.6-liter, Endurance V-8 that's in the Titan, and its 310 horsepower creates the most powerful production Pathfinder in history.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","Pontiac","The new Pontiac G8","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_pontiacG8.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "Pontiac", "74", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
PONTIAC
Pontiac adds performance-oriented GXP trim to the five-passenger Torrent crossover SUV and the G6 car.
The 2008 Torrent GXP wears larger, 18-inch wheels, has a sport-tuned suspension and is powered by a 264-horsepower, 3.6-liter, V-6 developing 250 foot-pounds of torque. This compares with the 185 horses and 210 foot-pounds of torque in a regular Torrent. Torrent GXPs are available in front- and all-wheel-drive.
GXP versions, with sporty touches like stylized rocker panels outside, dual chrome exhaust tips and a 252-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 with 251 foot-pounds of torque, are offered in both coupe and sedan models of the 2008 G6. The GXP replaces the previous GTP trim level.
Meantime, head curtain air bags become standard equipment on all models of the small G5 cars, and the Grand Prix is phased out with the end of the 2007 model year.
Early in calendar 2008, look for the new Pontiac G8. It's the first rear-drive four-passenger Pontiac since the short-lived return of the Australian-bred GTO, which ended with the 2006 model year.
Like the GTO, the expressively styled G8 will be based on an Australian model, the Holden Commodore, and will be built Down Under. Engines reportedly are a 261-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6 and a 360-horsepower, 6-liter V-8.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","Porsche","Porsche's 911 GT2","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_porshe_911GT2.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "Porsche", "74", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
PORSCHE
Porsche is debuting its fastest 911 production car ever. The 911 GT2 generates an astounding 530 horsepower from its 3.6-liter, twin-turbocharged, boxer, six-cylinder engine.
It's enough to jettison the lightweight sports car from 0 to 60 mph in only 3.6 seconds. Top speed, on a racetrack, is 204 mph. Note the previous 911 GT2 \"only\" had 480 horses.
Other exotic details of this new model are tailpipes and muffler made of titanium, and brake discs made of a carbon fiber/ceramic compound. Price, if you have to ask, is more than $191,000.
Meantime, 2008 brings a 911 Turbo Cabriolet priced at more than $136,000. The 2\+2, all-wheel-drive sports car uses the same 480-horsepower, 3.6-liter, twin-turbocharged, boxer, inline six cylinder that's in the 911 Turbo Coupe.
But the new Cabrio includes a fabric top that can go up or down in less than 20 seconds, even if the car is traveling nearly 30 mph.
And in March, look for the first Porsche Cayenne SUV in the United States with a manual transmission. The new Cayenne GTS, offering a six-speed manual, also will feature a lowered suspension with the Active Suspension Management system used on Porsche's sports cars, and a higher-power V-8 than what's in other Cayennes.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","Rolls-Royce","The Phantom Drophead Coupe","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_rollsroycephantomdropheadcoupe.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "Rolls-Royce", "74", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
ROLLS-ROYCE
Automobile magazine calls the Rolls Phantom Drophead Coupe the \"grandest convertible in the land.\"
The long-anticipated replacement for the old Rolls Corniche has a starting retail price of $412,000. Nineteen feet long, with a tailgate trunk opening for picnics and such, the Drophead is a massive, rear-wheel-drive convertible powered by a 453-horsepower, 6.75-liter V-12 with ample 531 foot-pounds of torque.
The two side doors open \"coach-style,\" which means they are rear-hinged, not front-hinged, and because they are so long and heavy, they can be closed with the touch of a button electrically.
The four sumptuous leather seats, detailed interior craftsmanship and the notable lack of any windshield or body shake, even when the roof is down, provide a sense of luxury and quality unlike any other car. And the oh-so-long Drophead hood can be ordered in distinctive stainless steel, while hand-finished teak dresses up the tonneau area behind the rear seats and is reminiscent of the workmanship on fine yachts.
A final detail: The power-operated Drophead roof is fabric.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","Saab","Saab's 9-3 SportCombi wagon","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_saab93.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "Saab", "74", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
SAAB
The 9-3 sedan, SportCombi wagon and convertible are restyled, taking cues from the Saab Aero X concept car that won raves at recent auto shows.
One of the ways to spot the latest 9-3: Rear light clusters now are smoked white in color. And the uplevel, 2.8-liter, turbocharged V-6 is massaged to deliver 255 horses now, up from last year's 250.
Also new this autumn is a limited-edition Saab 9-7X Aero SUV with 390-horsepower, 6-liter, LS2 V-8. Its starting retail price is more than $45,000.
\"Regular\" 9-7X vehicles remain powered by a 285-horse, 4.2-liter, inline six cylinder and a 300-horsepower, 5.3-liter V-8.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","Saturn","The Vue crossover","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_saturnVUE.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "Saturn", "74", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
SATURN
Saturn follows up a busy year, when its Aura mid-size car was named North American Car of the Year, with a revamped, refined and larger Vue SUV. The five-passenger Vue crossover has upscale styling now, a roomier interior and three gasoline engine choices for the first time.
The power plants include a 169-horsepower, 2.4-liter, Ecotec four cylinder; a 222-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6; and a 257-horsepower, 3.6-liter V-6. The latter is the most powerful engine ever in a production Vue. But only the four cylinder is used in the Vue's Green Line gas-electric hybrid version, which arrives later in the model year.
A new feature for the Vue is electronic Trailer Sway Control. It's integrated into the standard StabiliTrak system and can detect that a trailer being towed behind the Vue is swaying. The system then applies the Vue's brakes on its own, independent of the driver, to help stabilize the vehicle. If trailer sway continues, StabiliTrak will reduce engine torque to slow the vehicle further.
Towing capacity for the new Vue, by the way, is 3,500 pounds, and the starting retail price, including destination charge, is increased nearly $3,300 to more than $21,000.
In other Saturn news, the 2008 Astra three- and five-door hatchbacks come from Europe. Astras have been sold as Opels by Saturn's parent company, General Motors Corp., in Europe for years. This is the first time Astras are coming to the States.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","Scion","The Scion xD","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_scionxD.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "Scion", "74", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
SCION
Good-bye, xA. Hello, xD. Scion's smallest car, the xA, is replaced by a larger, five-door hatchback with a new name.
The 2008 xD rides on a new, front-wheel-drive platform and has a more powerful four-cylinder engine than the xA, added safety equipment, bigger wheels and more standard features. Specifically, the xD's 1.8-liter, four cylinder develops 128 horses compared with the 103 horse from the xA's 1.5-liter four.
New standard features include cruise control, curtain airbags and side, seat-mounted airbags.
But with a starting retail price, including destination charge, of $15,170, the xD pricing is up significantly from that of the xA.
Scion's five-door xB gets new looks and more power, too. But it retains its name and iconic boxy shape, though corners are softened a bit and there are now wraparound headlights, larger, 16-inch standard wheels and pronounced fenders.
With seats for five and a noteworthy 21.7 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seatbacks, the xB is a small, front-wheel-drive van/wagon that's sold with oodles of accessories for customizing buyers.
Power comes from a 2.4-liter four cylinder that develops 55 more horsepower than its predecessor — to 158 horses. Five-speed manual and four-speed automatic transmissions are available. Lastly, the tC coupe gets mildly restyled in front and back this year.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","Smart","The Smart 'fortwo'","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_smartfortwo.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "Smart", "74", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
SMART
The small, odd-looking car from Germany's Daimler finally comes to the United States early in calendar 2008, albeit at select dealerships.
Sold in Europe since 1998, the roundish-looking smart cars are renowned for sipping fuel and occupying tidy parking spaces in crowded cities. Heck, some smarts even park on sidewalks over there!
The two-door, two-passenger models coming to the United States stretch just 8.8 feet long, half the length of a Dodge Ram pickup truck.
But the \"fortwo\" comes with many standard safety features, including four air bags, electronic stability control and antilock brakes.
Starting retail price for a base coupe is $11,590, while the top model — a cabriolet with power-operated, fabric top — will start at $16,590 and be the lowest-priced new convertible in the country.
Fuel mileage from the fortwo's 71-horsepower, 1-liter, three-cylinder engine is expected to be over 40 mpg.
One of the nation's largest auto dealer groups, Penske Automotive Group, is the exclusive U.S. distributor and is selecting some 50 dealerships around the country that will sell the car. So it won't be available everywhere.";
New_cars_2008_070914[i++] = new Array("","Subaru","The new Subaru Tribeca","http://msnbcmedia.msn.com/j/msnbc/Components/Photos/070917/new_cars/070917_cars_subaruTribeca.htease.jpg","","", "", "", "", "", "left", "", "Subaru", "74", "148", "#000000", "", "", "", "");
New_cars_2008_070914[i-1].body = "
SUBARU
On sale for only two model years, Subaru's first seven-passenger SUV, the B9 Tribeca, is already getting a makeover. For 2008, the Tribeca loses its snouty face, boosts horsepower to 256 from its boxer, six-cylinder engine, and updates rear suspension and automatic transmission for better ride and performance.
And that pesky \"B9\" in the name — which referred to an internal company code — is dropped.
Even better, starting retail prices have moderated for Subaru's priciest nameplate. A base, five-passenger, 2008 Tribeca starts at $30,640, while shoppers seeking a seven-passenger Tribeca will see a starting price of $31,640. This is $1,605 less than a base, seven-passenger Tribeca in 2007. It's even less than what Subaru charged for the original, seven-passenger, 2006 Tribeca.
Elsewhere, Subaru's Impreza compact car is a restyled, larger model, inside and out, with new rear suspension for improved handling. The Impreza also is offered in a new five-door hatchback. And the five-passenger Legacy and Outback are mildly restyled for 2008, and a new Legacy 3.0 R Limited sedan includes Bilstein sport suspension, 245-horsepower six-cylinder engine and 18-inch alloy wheels.
One thing hasn't changed, though: All Subarus still come standard with all-wheel-drive.";
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TOYOTA
Toyota's news revolves around its SUVs.
The second-generation Highlander is bigger, heavier, more spacious, quieter and more powerful this year, and its gas-electric hybrid has a first-ever push button on the dashboard that lets drivers choose to drive the SUV in electric-only mode, if conditions permit. There's only one engine now for gas-only Highlanders, and it's a 270-horsepower, 3.5-liter V-6.
The Highlander Hybrid combines Toyota's latest generation Hybrid Synergy Drive system with a 3.3-liter V-6. Together, the electric power and smaller V-6 generate the same peak 270 horsepower as the larger V-6. But the hybrid is the one with the best fuel mileage. Toyota officials expect a government rating of 31 mpg in city driving, 27 mpg highway.
The new Highlander sits on a new chassis derived from the one in the Camry, so the ride is more refined.
Highlanders continue to be sold with five or seven seats, and the 2008s come with the segment's first package of seven air bags. The seventh is a driver's knee air bag that inflates to help keep the driver properly positioned behind the steering wheel during a frontal crash.
But starting retail price for Highlander now climbs to $27,985.
Toyota also introduces new Land Cruiser and Sequoia SUVs in 2008, but details are scarce. And it's reducing the starting retail price, including destination charge, of its Camry Hybrid by $1,000.";
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VOLVO
Ford has been sending mixed signals this year about whether it will sell this Swedish automaker. Meantime, Volvo plugs along, debuting a three-door hatchback built off the S40 sedan platform.
The resulting 2008 C30 becomes Volvo's car with the lowest starting retail price, including destination charge: $23,445 for a manual transmission model. The C30 is powered by a 227-horsepower, 2.5-liter, turbocharged, five-cylinder engine and is available in front-wheel-drive. Only 8,000 annual sales are expected in the United States.
The V70 and XC70 station wagons are revised this year with their first naturally aspirated — not turbocharged — power plant. Specifically, the cars get 235 horses from a new, 3.2-liter, inline six cylinder mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.
The all-wheel-drive system in the XC70 is supplemented with new Hill Descent Control for more steady, controlled descents on slippery, rough hillsides.
Meantime, the S80 adds a performance model — the S80 T6 AWD. It's powered by a new 285-horsepower, 3-liter, in-line, twin-turbocharged, six-cylinder engine.";
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VOLKSWAGEN
The Touareg SUV becomes the Touareg 2 with subtle styling updates, and some equipment, such as power liftgate and Electronic Parking Assistance, becomes standard. Seats and side bolsters also are changed for improved comfort.
The VW Rabbit and Jetta cars get more power from a retuned, base, 2.5-liter, five-cylinder engine. The gas power plant produces 170 horsepower, up from 150. Torque rises to 177 foot-pounds, up from 170.
The Jetta's uplevel 2-liter, turbocharged four cylinder is not offered in 2008.
Coming early in the calendar year: A new SportWagen version of the Jetta.";
// END editorial data