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Archive for March, 2010

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz CL-Class gets a few new features. The CL550 and CL63 use V8 engines of 5.5 and 6.2 liters, respectively. CL600 and CL65 versions have V12 engines of 5.5 and 6.0 liters, respectively. The CL63 and CL65 are tuned by Mercedes’ AMG performance division. All CLs have an automatic transmission: 7 speeds on the CL550 and CL63, 5 speeds on the CL600 and CL65.

The CL550 has Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive. All other CL-Class models are rear-wheel drive. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front- and rear-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags. CL-Class has a standard navigation system, wireless cell-phone link, and adaptive headlights.

A parking guidance system is optional on the CL550 and CL63 and standard on the CL600 and CL65.

The 2009 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is largely unchanged following its 2008 redesign. Four models are offered. The C300 Luxury and C300 Sport have a 228-hp 3.0-liter V6. The C350 Sport has a 268-hp 3.5-liter V6. The C63 AMG is tuned by Mercedes’ performance division and has a 451-hp 6.2-liter V8. C300 Sport is available with manual or automatic transmission.

All other C-Class cars use a 7-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard on all models. The C300 is available with Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive. Rear-drive C300s with the automatic transmission can run on ethanol-blended E85 fuel. Sport models have a sport suspension and unique interior and exterior styling.

Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags. Available features include a navigation system which includes a hard drive for storing digital music files, bi-xenon headlamps, and a 60/40 split folding rear seat.

The 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class is available with some new features and option packages. Four models continue in this lineup. The C300 Luxury and C300 Sport have a 228-horsepower 3.0-liter V6. The C350 Sport has a 268-horsepower 3.5-liter V6. The C63 AMG is tuned by Mercedes’ performance division and has a 451-horsepower 6.2-liter V8. C300 Sport is available with manual or automatic transmission.

All other C-Class cars use a 7-speed automatic. Rear-wheel drive is standard on all models. The C300 is also available with Mercedes’ 4MATIC all-wheel drive. All C300 models can run on ethanol-blended E85 fuel. Sport models have a sport suspension and unique interior and exterior styling. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front- and rear-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags.

Newly standard are front hip-protecting side airbags. Available features include a navigation system which includes a hard drive for storing digital-music files, bi-xenon headlamps, and 60/40 split-folding rear seat. Newly available on the 2010 Mercedes-Benz C-Class are keyless entry/engine start and rearview camera. Also available on rear-drive Sport models is a Dynamic Handling Package, which includes active suspension, specific 18-inch wheels, and steering-wheel shift paddles on cars with the automatic transmission.

The 2009 Mazda Tribute receives more powerful engines following its freshening for the 2008 model year. This compact SUV shares its basic design with the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner. Tribute is a five-passenger, 4-door wagon that has a liftgate with opening glass. Tribute comes in i and s models in Sport, Touring, or Grand Touring trim levels. A gas/electric Hybrid model is offered in California only. All Tributes are available with front-wheel drive or with all-wheel drive. Standard on i models is a 171-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. Standard on s models is a 240-hp 3.0-liter V6. Compared to the 2008 Tribute, that’s an increase of 18 hp for the 4-cylinder and 40 hp for the V6.

The Hybrid pairs a 153-hp 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor. It can run on one or both of its power sources, depending on driving demands. It requires no plug-in charging. The 2WD i Sport version is available with manual or automatic transmission. All other conventional Tributes have a 6-speed automatic.

Hybrids use a continuously variable automatic transmission (CVT). Maximum towing capacity is 1500 lb with the 4-cylinder engine and 3500 lb with the V6. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain side airbags, and front side airbags. Also available are heated front seats, leather upholstery, and a sunroof.

The 2010 Mazda Tribute sees no major changes. This compact SUV shares its basic design with the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner. Tribute is a 5-passenger, 4-door wagon that has a liftgate with opening glass. Tribute reprises Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring trim levels. A gas/electric Hybrid version is sold in California only. All Tributes are available with front-wheel drive or all-wheel drive. Sport, Touring, and Grand Touring come with the “i” prefix and have a 171-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine. Grand Touring is also offered with the “s” prefix and has a 240-horsepower 3.0-liter V6.

The Hybrid pairs a 153-horsepower 2.5-liter 4-cylinder gas engine with an electric motor. It can run on one or both of its power sources, depending on driving demands and requires no plug-in charging. The 2WD i Sport is available with manual or automatic transmission. All other conventional Tributes have a 6-speed automatic. Hybrids use a continuously variable transmission (CVT) that behaves much like an automatic.

Maximum towing capacity is 1,500 pounds with the 4-cylinder engine and 3,500 pounds with the V6. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, curtain-side airbags, and front-side airbags. Leather upholstery, heated front seats, and a sunroof are Grand Touring-exclusive standard features. Remote engine start is available on all conventional models equipped with the automatic transmission.

The 2009 Mazda RX-8 receives freshened interior and exterior styling and a new R3 model. This four-passenger sporty coupe is unique for using a rotary engine, which replaces pistons pumping in cylinders with triangular rotors spinning in oval chambers. It also has rear access doors that don’t open independently of the fronts.

RX-8 comes in Sport, Touring, Grand Touring, and R3. RX-8 has either a 232-hp 1.3-liter rotary engine with a 6-speed manual transmission, or a 212-hp 1.3-liter rotary engine with a 6-speed automatic. The automatic allows manual shifting via floor lever or steering-wheel paddles. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front side airbags, and curtain side airbags.

A limited-slip differential is standard for all but automatic-transmission Sport. The R3 is aimed at enthusiast drivers. It includes different front and rear fascias, 19-inch wheels, Recaro sport seats, and a stiffer, sport-tuned suspension. Exclusive to the Grand Touring model are leather upholstery, heated front seats, power driver seat.

The 2010 Mazda RX-8 lineup is slightly revised. This 4-passenger sporty coupe is unique for using a rotary engine, which replaces pistons pumping in cylinders with triangular rotors spinning in oval chambers. It also has rear access doors that don’t open independently of the fronts. RX-8 comes in Sport, Grand Touring, and R3 trim levels.

The Touring has been discontinued. RX-8 has either a 232-horsepower 1.3-liter rotary engine with a 6-speed manual transmission, or a 212-horsepower 1.3-liter rotary engine with a 6-speed automatic. The automatic allows manual shifting via floor lever or steering-wheel paddles. Available safety features include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, front-side airbags, and curtain-side airbags.

The R3 model is aimed at enthusiast drivers. It includes different front and rear fascias, 19-inch wheels, Recaro sport seats, and a stiffer, sport-tuned suspension. Exclusive to the Grand Touring model are leather upholstery, heated front seats, a power driver seat, and an optional navigation system. Keyless access and engine start are standard on the Grand Touring and R3.