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Cadillac CTSv Coupe

Automobile Magazine editors and contributing writers agree with the jury’s picks for Internet Car of the Year finalists. Their list of finalists includes the Ford Fiesta, the Hyundai Sonata and the Cadillac CTS-V coupe. Sadly, I don’t think Automobile is going to select among those three. My guess is it goes with something electric and that would be the Chevy Volt. Oops, make that Chevrolet Volt.

Here’s the official press release:

AUTOMOBILE MAGAZINE ANNOUNCES 2011 “AUTOMOBILE OF THE YEAR” FINALISTS

Winner Announced in Live Facebook Reveal Nov. 16

Ann Arbor, Mich. (November 9, 2010) – AUTOMOBILE Magazine, America’s leading automotive lifestyle publication, announced the finalists for the 2011 AUTOMOBILE Magazine Automobile of the Year. Today’s announcement will be followed one week later, on Tuesday, November 16, by a simultaneous live reveal of the winner on both Facebook and the brand’s website. During the live, interactive announcement at 12:00 PM Eastern Standard Time, for the first time ever, fans will be given the opportunity to chat live with AUTOMOBILE Magazine’s editors regarding their choice of winner and the criteria that led them to the decision.

Contenders for this year’s award represent a diverse mix of what the automotive industry is currently offering consumers. In fact, for the first time in AUTOMOBILE Magazine’s history, electric cars are included in the running, alongside traditional gasoline- and diesel-powered vehicles.

The finalists, in alphabetical order, are as follows:

Audi A8

The redesign of Audi’s range-topping sedan doesn’t take a dramatic leap, but then, it didn’t have to. The A8 was already among the most advanced machines in its rarefied class. The new eight-speed automatic transmission, all-LED headlamps, and unique touch-pad driver interface just put more icing on the cake.

BMW 5-series

BMW’s much-admired mid-size sedan has been treated to a handsome redesign for 2011, but changes run more than skin deep. The new turbocharged six-cylinder and eight-speed automatic, in particular, combine sport-sedan performance with surprising efficiency.

Buick Regal

The Opel-based Regal is the smallest Buick entry in recent years. With a European-tuned chassis and an engine lineup of normally aspirated and turbocharged four-cylinders, it should go a long way toward redefining Buick.

Cadillac CTS-V Coupe/Sport Wagon

Cadillac’s Nürburgring-worthy CTS-V was already available as a sedan, but it makes an all-the-more compelling package in the dramatically styled coupe and wagon. We love the message here: (lots of) power to even more people!

Chevrolet Volt

General Motors’ long-anticipated and much-talked-about moon-shot vehicle is finally here, and it’s on time and very good. The degree to which the Volt’s extended-range electric powertrain portends the future can be debated, but plenty of manufacturers are readying similar systems. GM just happens to be the first.

Ford Fiesta

For years we’ve agitated for Ford to bring its highly regarded European small cars to America, and the Fiesta is the first to finally arrive. The Fiesta’s 40-mpg EPA highway rating may not surprise anyone, but the rich equipment levels almost certainly will.

Hyundai Sonata

Nothing better exemplifies Hyundai’s recent ascension than the new Sonata, which rises to the very top of the brutally competitive mid-size-sedan segment. A recently added turbocharged model is a more efficient but no less satisfying substitute for the traditional V-6 offering.

Jaguar XJ

At long last, the big Jaguar sedan looks as modern outside as it is inside. An advanced, aluminum-intensive construction helps make this big cat as lithe as it is luxurious-and it is very luxurious indeed.

Jeep Grand Cherokee

Its huge-volume-selling days may be behind it, but the Jeep Grand Cherokee remains a very important vehicle for Chrysler. This all-new version was developed during a tumultuous time, but you’d never know it from the highly polished result.

Nissan Leaf

Nissan is making a huge bet on electric propulsion with the Leaf, the first-ever mass-market EV in the United States. The EV-only Leaf certainly looks like a new-age machine, inside and out. It also promises to be a major milestone.

“Announcing the 2011 AUTOMOBILE Magazine Automobile of the Year on Facebook gives us an opportunity to interact live with our readers about some of our biggest stories of the year,” said Jean Jennings, President and Editor-in-Chief of AUTOMOBILE Magazine. “Having this sort of instant communication with our readers is special. Facebook offers a new level of direct access for our readers and fans to experience content from AUTOMOBILE Magazine not afforded through the website alone.”

Finalists for the 2011 AUTOMOBILE Magazine Automobile of the Year are determined by a primary ballot vote of the senior editorial staff and contributing writers of AUTOMOBILE Magazine. In addition to matters like practicality, affordability, packaging, and fuel economy, editors consider what the cars signify for both the manufacturer and the automotive industry when selecting the candidates and, ultimately, the winner of the award.

“The AUTOMOBILE Magazine Automobile of the Year is a car that is groundbreaking and establishes new standards in design, performance, engineering, and/or technology. The Automobile of the Year is an enthusiast’s car,” said Joe DeMatio, Deputy Editor of AUTOMOBILE Magazine. “Essentially, we are looking for a car with a story.”

The winner of the 2011 AUTOMOBILE Magazine Automobile of the Year will be announced on Facebook November 16, 2010, at 12:00 PM Eastern, along with the Design, Man, and Technology of the Year. The editorial staff of the magazine will be available to chat about the winners with Facebook users from the brand’s fan page, live from its headquarters in Michigan.

The AUTOMOBILE Magazine Automobile of the Year celebrates its 22nd year with the 2011 awards. Winners have varied in price point over the years to include everything from their least expensive winner, the 1994 Dodge/Plymouth Neon selling at the time for $9500 to the most expensive winner the 2008 Audi R8 priced at $110,000.

The Chevy Camaro has won the Hot Car Award from SEMA

How smart are Internet Car of the Year consumers? Way back at the end of 2009, they selected the Chevy Camaro as the Consumer Internet Car of the Year. Well, the folks at SEMA just got around to seconding that opinion almost a year later with their designation of the Chevrolet Camaro with the Hottest Car Award.

However, SEMA voters may be ahead of the curve when it comes to the Ford F-Series. The Super Duty is a finalist in the consumer voting, but the F-Series has been picked as the hottest truck in the inaugural awards. The Jeep Wranger was the hottest 4×4 SUV.

Here’s the SEMA press release:

LAS VEGAS (Nov. 2, 2010) – The inaugural SEMA Award was presented to the Chevrolet Camaro for the Hottest Car, the Ford F-Series for the Hottest Truck and the Jeep Wrangler for the Hottest 4×4-SUV, during the 2010 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

New car and truck buyers have a choice. The ability to accessorize a vehicle impacts the decision as to which vehicle to purchase. The SEMA Award identifies the most accessory-friendly new models.

Show organizers relied on the trend-setting influence of exhibitors to determine the winners.

“A booth space is a ballot, and the models these exhibitors have selected represent their vote,” said Chris Kersting, SEMA president and CEO.

The 2010 SEMA Show features more than 1,900 exhibiting companies. With more exhibitors showcasing their new products and styling trends on the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford F-Series and Jeep Wrangler, the SEMA Award winners are vehicles that consumers can confidently turn to for unlimited possibilities in personalization.

SEMA Show exhibitors manufacture thousands of products that improve performance, safety and convenience, as well as those that enhance appearance and comfort. While products are available for every make and model vehicle, exhibitors are investing more into the Chevrolet Camaro, Ford F-Series, and Jeep Wrangler than any other vehicle. Consumers, therefore, can expect to find more options for accessorizing these vehicles.

To learn more about the SEMA Award winners and the products that are available for them, visit www.sema.org/semaaward.

For the second year in a row, consumers will have the opportunity to vote on their choice for Internet Car of the Year and Internet Truck of the Year, where the Internet Pros and the Average Joes Pick the Car and Truck of the Year.

A panel of 15 Internet automotive writers has voted on 8 semi-finalists for Internet Car of the Year and 7 semi-finalists for Internet Truck of the Year. That’s right – this year there are 8 semi-finalists for car of the year because of a tie in voting by the jurors.

This is the only place on the Internet (where 91% of new car shoppers begin their shopping process) for consumers to vote on a Car and Truck of the Year at a website not dominated by manufacturer advertising. The website will not accept any OEM advertising for vehicles eligible for a Car or Truck of the Year award.

Consumers will have until Oct. 16 at noon to register their selections for Internet Car of the Year and Internet Truck of the Year. Then, starting Oct. 19 at noon they will select among three vehicles in each category that have been selected as finalists. Voting ends Nov. 13. The awards will be presented in December.

Head on over to the voting page and share your opinions.

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — June 15, 2010 — Car shoppers should consider more than just the top-selling mainstream models when deciding on a new vehicle. Edmunds.com, the premier online resource for automotive information, has put together an article entitled Top 10 Dark-Horse Cars which lists of vehicles worthy of more serious consideration by car shoppers.

“Although they may not have the same level of recognition as say the Ford Explorer, Honda Civic or Toyota Camry, these cars offer great value and quality, and definitely should be on more consumers’ shopping lists,” said Karl Brauer, Senior Analyst and Editor at Large for Edmunds.com.

Edmunds.com’s Top 10 Dark-Horse cars of 2010 are (in alphabetical order):

• 2010 Buick LaCrosse
• 2011 Ford Fiesta
• 2010 Ford Fusion
• 2010 Hyundai Genesis
• 2011 Hyundai Sonata
• 2010 Kia Sedona
• 2010 Mazda Mazda5
• 2010 Nissan Versa
• 2010 Suzuki Kizashi
• 2010 Suzuki SX4

Find more at Edmunds.com’s Best Car Lists.

What do you think? Any Internet Car of the Year contenders on that list?

The Nissan Leaf should hit dealerships in six months or so.

Over at Autoblog Green, (sister site of our favorite website Autoblog) it’s being reported that the Nissan Leaf is sold out before it even hits dealerships. According to the blog, “During a speech to the Detroit Economic Club …, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn announced that the U.S. market allotment for the first year’s production of Leafs is already sold out more than six months before the EV even goes on sale. Nissan has now received 13,000 orders for the $32,780 electric car.”

The blog goes on to further state that the orders so far come from $99 deposits. However, I think they’re going to sell out their allotment. Based solely on what’s been reported about the Leaf – and from a total lack of first-hand experience – this little electric car could be quite a hit based on the driving habits of most Americans.

Nissan seems to have built an electric vehicle that can actually hold people and meet their driving needs 90% of the time. What’s not to like? Plus, massive tax credits will bring the price down. Who knows? Could this be an Internet Car of the Year winner?

The official videographer of the Internet Car and Truck jury is Roosevelt Gist of AutoNetwork.com. It’s not a real press event unless Roosevelt is there with a video camera pressed to his right eye. Follow him through a walkaround of the Mini Clubman with a Mini product manager.

What’s especially good about this presentation is you can hear auto journalists asking questions about the product while the camera is rolling. It’s unedited comments that you won’t get at most websites.

Also, if you go to AutoNetwork.com, you can also see the manufacturer’s presentations for all the cars and trucks Roosevelt videotapes. That’s an added bonus you can’t find anywhere else that we’re aware of.

Thanks Roosevelt!

Ultimate 911 extracts 620 ultra-efficient, twin-turbocharged horsepower from 3.6 liters; dramatically improved power-to-weight ratio and increased fuel economy

ATLANTA – May 12, 2010 – The time: seven minutes, 18 seconds on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife. The power: 620 hp. The weight: 3,020 lb (1,370 kilograms) in road trim with all fluids on board. The car: the new 2011 Porsche 911 GT2 RS.

90 More Horsepower, 154 lbs Less Filling

The latest 911 is the fastest and most powerful road-going sports car ever built in the history of Porsche. With horsepower (hp) up by 90 and weight down by 154 lbs (70 kilograms) in comparison with the previous 911 GT2, the new 911 GT2 RS has a power-to-weight ratio of just 4.9 lbs (2.21 kg) per horsepower, by far the best power/weight ratio in its class. These are the ideal ingredients for an ultra-high-performance sports car with supreme agility and truly blistering performance on the road. Perfectly illustrating Porsche Intelligent Performance, the 2011 GT2 RS achieves a reduction of approximately 5 percent for both fuel consumption and CO2 emission reduction when compared with the previous 911 GT2.

The 3.6 liter six-cylinder boxer engine features two variable turbine geometry turbochargers and provides power to the rear wheels exclusively through a six-speed manual gearbox. Equally impressive stopping power comes from Porsche Composite Ceramic Brakes (PCCB).

Unique Tires, One of a Kind Performance

New tires were specifically developed for the 911 GT2 RS and measure 245/35 ZR 19 at the front and 325/30 ZR 19 at the rear, delivering cornering performance to match the straight-line speed. Extreme cornering dynamics are ensured by the setup of the springs, Porsche Adaptive Suspension Management (PASM), unique anti-roll bars, specific engine mounts and recalibrated Porsche Stability Management (PSM), whose stability and traction control functions can be switched off individually.

The combined effect of these developments is evident on the racetrack. In fact, the ultimate 911 accelerates from 0-60 in 3.4 seconds, boasts a top-track speed of 205 mph and laps the famed Nürburgring-Nordschleife racetrack in just 7 minutes and 18 seconds.

Carbon Fiber, Limited Production

In its looks, the new 911 GT2 RS stands out clearly from the other 911 models through the lavish use of carbon-fiber-reinforced (CFR) components with a matt-black surface finish, even wider wheels (including flared wheel arches at the front), new light-alloy wheels with central locking and “GT2 RS” model designations on the doors and rear lid. Matte-finish carbon also graces the redesigned front spoiler lip and the 3/8th of an inch (10 mm) taller rear spoiler lip – which both enhance aerodynamics and provide extra downforce.

The interior of the 911 GT2 RS also exudes sporting performance in virtually every detail. Lightweight two-piece bucket seats made of carbon-fiber-reinforced plastic are standard, as are lightweight door panels with fabric straps instead of traditional door handles. The basic interior color is black, which contrasts with red elements, such as the seat center sections, the roof lining and segments of the steering wheel rim. The gearshift and handbrake lever are also finished in red alcantara.

Limited to just 500 units worldwide, the 911 GT2 RS will be available in the U.S. October 2010 and will have a MSRP of $245.000. The GT2 RS is making its world debut at the Moscow Auto Show on August 25, 2010.

Fueleconomy.gov, the official source for EPA fuel economy ratings for automobiles, has compiled a list of the Top 10 Misconceptions about Fuel Economy . The list was developed in response to questions frequently asked by the site’s users and based on input from fueleconomy.gov’s staff of automotive engineers and a panel of experts from auto manufacturers.

Even auto enthusiasts and knowledgeable consumers may find some surprises on the list, because several of the misconceptions generally held true and were considered common knowledge in the not-so-distant past. However, rapid changes in vehicle technologies have made several of these “truths” obsolete or less pervasive.

For example, changing a dirty or clogged air filter could improve your fuel economy significantly in the past, when most vehicles had carbureted engines. However, modern computer-controlled, fuel-injected engines regulate the air-fuel mixture so well that a dirty air filter does not decrease fuel economy—although it can still affect performance.

Also, it was once typical for a vehicle with a manual transmission to get better fuel economy than the same model equipped with an automatic due to the added weight and energy losses associated with the automatic transmission. However, newer automatic transmissions are lighter and more efficient, and it is not uncommon for an automatic-equipped vehicle to achieve fuel economy as good as or better than its manual-equipped counterpart.

Fueleconomy.gov provides an explanation for each of the following Top 10 Misconceptions about Fuel Economy:

1. You have to drive a small car to get good fuel economy.
2. Manual transmissions always get better fuel economy than automatics.
3. It takes more fuel to start a vehicle than it does to let it idle.
4. Vehicles need to warm up before they can be driven.
5. As a vehicle ages, its fuel economy decreases significantly.
6. Replacing your air filter will help your car run more efficiently.
7. Aftermarket additives and devices can dramatically improve your fuel economy.
8. Using premium fuel improves your fuel economy.
9. The EPA fuel economy estimates are a government guarantee on what fuel economy each vehicle will deliver.
10. All vehicles are tested for fuel economy.

Fueleconomy.gov will soon release other Top 10 lists, including the most fuel-efficient vehicles of the past 25 years and the most efficient vehicles as reported by actual drivers.

OK, so maybe the Rolls Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe isn’t eligible for Internet Car of the Year but that doesn’t mean you can’t still enjoy its beauty. Juror Roosevelt Gist from AutoNetwork.com shot some video that’s worth viewing. Or, as he puts it, “See what $530k will buy you.”

Could a station wagon be among the contenders for Internet Car of the Year? The 2011 Cadillac CTS-V could. Take a look at this video walk around with Cadillac Design Director Clay Dean. By the way, if you like this walk around, check out this Boston.com interview with Cadillac director of exterior design Max Wolff.