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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.

Via Autoblog.com, comes the above great video of a Volvo S60 crashing into the back of a truck. Now, like most folks, we here at Internet Car & Truck of the Year enjoy a good crash video as much as the next person. What’s particularly enjoyable about this one, though, is the Volvo S60 does not work quite like it should during a media demonstration.

You see, Volvo S60s traveling below 30 mph are supposed to stop before striking objects. Volvo said, according to the Autoblog.com post, that it was human error. Um, isn’t it humans that program the system to begin with? Does anybody else out there have a little less confidence in this new system that will be available on the 2011 model S60?

By the way, click this link to see how Volvo presents its safety message (sans unexpected crashes that I’m surprised Volvo didn’t blame on unintended acceleration).

2011 Sierra Denali HD

DETROIT – GMC today announces the new 2011 Sierra Denali HD, the first offering of the exclusive Denali line on a heavy-duty GMC pickup, will now be available in both 2500 (3/4 ton) and 3500 series (1-ton) configurations. The new Sierra Denali HDs lead a comprehensively redesigned lineup of 2011 Sierra heavy duty trucks that go on sale this summer – including the most powerful diesel engine in the segment.

Due to positive responses received from consumers, media and dealers to the recently announced 2011 Sierra Denali HD 2500 series, GMC is adding additional Denali variants to the Sierra full-size pickups. Already announced is the 2500 series (3/4 ton), crew cab, 4WD version. Now, a 2WD version of the Denali HD 2500 series (3/4 ton) will be available as well as Denali HD crew cab versions of the 3500 Series (1-ton) for both single rear wheel and dually versions in 2WD and 4WD applications. The 3500 series is also available in standard (6-foot 6-inches) and dually long box (8-foot) versions.

“Our Denali line sets the premium standard for the industry,” said Lisa Hutchinson, GMC product marketing director. “We received such an overwhelming response to the new Sierra Denali 2500HD, that we worked quickly and decided to extend the model into the 3500HD series so those GMC buyers can also benefit from blending capability with premium features and styling.”

A Vortec 6.0L gas V-8/six-speed automatic powertrain is standard and the new Duramax 6.6L turbo diesel/Allison 1000 six-speed transmission powertrain is available on all Denali HDs. The workhorse Duramax 6.6L turbo diesel V-8 is more powerful and durable for 2011, delivering segment-best horsepower and torque – 397 horsepower (296 kW) at 3,000 rpm and 765 lb.-ft. of torque (1,037 Nm) at 1,600 rpm – lower emissions and B20 biodiesel capability that promotes a domestically produced renewable fuel.

The iconic Denali four-bar, chrome grille with round air inlets distinguishes the Sierra Denali HDs on the outside, along with body-color bumpers, chrome door handles, chrome accents and 17- (Dually), 18- and 20-inch polished forged aluminum wheels. On the inside they include Denali-specific brushed aluminum trim, power-adjustable pedals, a Bose premium surround audio system and 12-way power seats. Along with an optional heated steering wheel, heated and cooled leather-appointed seating is available. The exterior is offered in three colors: Black, Stealth Gray and White.

All 2011 Sierra 2500HD and 3500HD trucks have the best warranty coverage in America: a five-year/100,000-mile limited powertrain warranty, plus roadside assistance, courtesy transportation and other features that provide assurance that GMC backs its trucks for everything the road offers.

The 2010 Cadillac SRX Turbo V6

In our ongoing attempts to spotlight the reviews of our jurors, we bring you Jeffrey Ross, one of our newest jurors (and a newlywed to boot!), from the website Autotropoilis.com He is a big fan of the Cadillac SRX with the V6 turbo.

Here’s some of what Jeffrey had to say:

With the hot-selling SRX crossover already giving the Lexus RX some stiff competition, the sportier Cadillac SRX Turbo adds a whole new dimension to this midsize luxury crossover rivalry … the more powerful SRX Turbo delivers improved performance to compete against some of the sportier non-V-8 mid-size luxury crossovers like the Acura MDX and Infiniti FX35.

What do you think? I spent a week with the SRX Turbo in Florida and really liked it.