By Twain Mein

Pros:

• Stunning styling
• Incredible power
• Beautiful interior
• Exclusivity

Cons:

• Useless back seats
• Minor complaints including hard to read GPS and poor radio reception
• No sunroof
• $90,000 is too much for mere mortals

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The Jaguar XKR is a grand tourer produced by British car maker Jaguar since 1996. The car was introduced at the Geneva Motor Show on March 5th 1996 and is available as a coupé and convertible. Currently in its second generation (Mark II) , the XK8 was the first 8 cylinder vehicle produced by Jaguar, when the Jaguar AJ-V8 engine was introduced.

Shouldered and powerful as always, but sleeker now with aluminum bodyshell drawn taut across the chassis, the second generation Jaguar XKR coupe is purposefully trimmed and tuned for heart-pounding performance.

Under the hood is Jaguar´s latest 4.2-liter, 32-valve, 4-cam aluminum AJ-V8 engine, with cam phasing to stoke response at all speeds. In the XKR, an Eaton supercharger is used to increase horsepower to 420 and propel the Coupe from 0-60 in 4.9 seconds. Controlling all this power is a 6-speed ZF automatic transmission with Jaguar Sequential Shift steering wheel mounted paddle shifting. Very cool.

By Gary Chan

Pros

• Torquey engine
• Nimble
• Rigid structure

Cons

• Hop around rear
• Gas mileage
• Notchy shifter

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Maserati has facelifted the Quattroporte for 2009

Styling changes include a new front fascia with vertical slots à la the GranTurismo, new front and rear lights, new side mirrors and a revised interior with a new navigation system.

The Quattroporte has Maserati’s familiar 400-hp, 4.2-liter V8, while the S uses the new 4.7-liter, 425-hp V8 recently introduced on the GranTurismo S. A six-speed ZF automatic is standard with either engine.

The ‘09 Quattroporte goes on sale late this year.

Below is the official press release from Maserati

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By Herb Dela Rosa

Pros

• European Inspired Handling (with the optional sport handling package)
• Great Fit and Finish
• Good Styling

Cons

• Underpowered Engine/No Engine Options
• Cheap Plastic Interior
• Not enough cup holders!

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This is Ford’s 40th anniversary edition of the ’68 Mustang made famous in the Steve McQueen movie “Bullitt”. The crew at CarReview.com took the Bullitt out for a spin and had fun all day long roasting the tires.

By Francis Cebedo

Blings:

• Revolutionary new Microsoft Sync system
• Good gas mileage
• Good value
• Fun features like ambient lighting
• New styling
• Steering feel and responsiveness is quite good
• Nice new features leave a good first impression

Dings:

• New styling – although it’s a bling, it’s a love it or hate it exterior design
• Interior fit and craftsmanship is sub par
• No hatchback model is a huge disappointment for some
• Chassis stiffness and handling is uninspired. This is the same basic chassis as the previous model
• New features don’t leave a good lasting impression

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by Holly R.

Pros:

• VERY roomy
• Engine pick-up is really good
• Safe and very fun to drive (yes, both in the same sentence)
• Big vehicle feel in a slightly smaller package
• Not a whole lot of them on the road (yet)
• Voice recognition system

Cons:

• Volume control for stereo is really far away (the steering wheel one is good)
• “Zoom, zoom” might actually get you in trouble…
• I do actually prefer the XM® Satellite Radio over Sirius® (but I’m really searching for “cons”).
• Voice recognition system

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By Twain Mein

Introduction
This is a review of the newly designed 2008 Volvo XC70 (Cross Country) 3.2, all-wheel drive wagon.

Pros:

• Excellent build quality
• Volvo safety
• Reasonable price
• Increased rear leg room
• Wagon utility

Cons:

• Unnecessary interior gimmicks
• Terrible GPS integration
• Controversial styling
• Wagon utility

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Dodge’s remake of the classic 1970s muscle coupe, the Challenger, will start below $22,000 when the 2009 model arrives in showrooms this fall.

The automaker announced pricing for the three-car 2009 Challenger lineup on Monday. The base SE starts at $21,995, the R/T is $29,995, and the SRT8 is $39,995. Prices include a $675 destination charge.

The Challenger SE comes with a 3.5-liter V6, which makes 250 hp and is paired with a four-speed automatic. Other standard equipment includes 17-inch aluminum wheels, four-wheel-disc brakes and keyless entry.

The R/T upgrades to the 5.7-liter Hemi V8, which makes 370 hp–30 more than it makes in the Dodge Charger and the Chrysler 300, which ride on a similar chassis. The Challenger R/T also comes with dual chrome exhaust, P225/60HR-18 all-season touring tires and a rear spoiler.

Hotrodder’s who have no apprehensions of getting speeding tickets will want to pay another $995 for the “track pak,” which includes the Tremec TR-6060 six-speed manual with a pistol-grip shifter. The stick-and-Hemi combination boosts output to 375 hp.

The SRT8 comes with the 6.1-liter Hemi V8 that pumps out 425 hp. Five-speed automatic and six-speed manual transmissions are available. Standard equipment includes 20-inch forged aluminum wheels and functional hood scoops. The race-inspired interior has reconfigurable displays that show 0-to-60-mph and lap times.

Dodge launched the Challenger this year as an ‘08 with limited availability–only 6400 were available, outfitted as SRT8s. High gas prices won’t sway the muscle car enthusiasts and we expect the SRT8 to leave the showroom faster than Speedy Gonzalez with a caffeine overdose. Would you believe Dodge got more than 11,000 requests to buy the car? (Editor)

Official press announcement from Dodge is below the jump.

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The German tuning firm, Gemballa, is offering a new kit for both the GT2 and the Porsche Turbo, in the form of the Avalanche 600 EVO. As the name implies, Gemballa has coaxed 600 hp (not to mention 619 lb.-ft. of torque) from Porsche’s turbocharged flat-six through the use of a new intercooler, race exhaust and a retuned ECU. The race to 60 mph is accomplished within a few heartbeats or 3.5 seconds. The top speed has been increased to 199 mph.

The body kit consists of the Avalanche body kit, a GT hood, Avalanche front skirt with additional cooling openings, GT2 front spoiler lip, GTR EVO tailgate skirt with diffuser and hot air outlets and GT2 EVO rear spoiler.

Of course power is nothing without control dynamics, thus Gemballa also fits a variable ride height coilover suspension and a performance brake system with 380/350 mm or 405/380 discs. Inside you will find plenty of aluminum details, sports steering wheel (F1 shift paddles optional) and a leather interior overhaul if your donor vehicle didn’t have it already.

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Bark Buckle UP Partners With Volvo Cars to Announce Nationwide Campaign Educating Pet Owners About Pet Travel Safety

Campaign Created to Educate Pet Owners on the Dangers Associated with Unrestrained Pets in Vehicles

SAN DIEGO — Bark Buckle UP, a leader in the pet safety industry, today announced that it has partnered with Volvo Cars, the benchmark company for auto safety, in launching a campaign that will educate pet owners nationwide about pet travel safety.

From June through September, select Volvo Retailers across the United States and Canada will host Pet Safety Days. Open to the general public and their pets, the safety events will teach pet owners about pet safety products and give tips for traveling safely with pets. Christina Selter, Bark Buckle UP founder and pet travel safety expert, will visit select Pet Safety Days to answer questions, offer her expertise, and demonstrate how easy it is to keep your pet safe.

“Seat belts protect millions of people every day,” said Selter, who buckles up her dog Betty, even if she’s just driving to the supermarket. “In the event of an accident, an unrestrained pet can escape and be hit by another vehicle, cause another collision, or attack emergency crews trying to reach an injured party. It only takes a few minutes to safeguard your pet and by properly securing your pet, you are protecting yourself, your passengers, and your pet from injury, not to mention protecting other drivers and strangers trying to help.”

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