Used Sports Cars | 2010s Best Eco Cars

2009 saw an influx of green cars into the mainstream market but 2010 is set to be the year where they become far more commonplace on our roads. With the increased onus people are placing on their carbon footprint, greener cars are something moving to the forefront of more and more people's minds. Here's a look at some of 2010s best offerings:

Tesla: Roadster Sport

Believe it or not, Tesla has been producing eco-friendly cars since 2003 and between then and 2009 they received 900 orders for their original Roadster. Technically, the new Roadster Sport isn't new for 2010 as it became available last year but with the increased public focus on the environment it is set to be Tesla's biggest year yet. The car is run on an electric engine with zero carbon emissions but produces a massive 248bhp and can reach 60mph from a standstill in an astonishing 3.7 seconds!


Hyundai: Sonata Hybrid

Hybrid technology was pioneered by Toyata and since then Mercedes, BMW, GM, Ford, Honda and Nissan have all followed suit but relative to the car market the number of hybrid vehicles available is tiny. Hyundai are the latest manufacturer to come up with a hybrid concept, a version of its Sonata model that was displayed for the first time at the LA auto show back in November. The Sonata Hybrid has a 2.4 litre engine but also a 40bhp electric motor that combines with the combustion in the normal engine to drastically reduce emissions.


Chevrolet: Volt / Vauxhall: Ampera

This car will be known as the Chevrolet Volt in the US and it will be released by Vauxhall in Europe as the Ampera and is scheduled to hit the market in November. Another hybrid concept but with a bit of a twist, the car travels up to 40 miles solely using the lithium-ion battery powered engine then the normal engine takes over meaning it has a range of over 300 miles.


Nissan: LEAF

Probably the most hyped and anticipated green vehicle yet and after all the speculation 2010 is set to be the year when it is finally released. This car is a totally new technology and more practical than any other electric vehicle to date; it has a range of 100 miles and can be charged to 80 per cent capacity in just half an hour. It was rated by Time magazine as one of the top 50 inventions of 2009 and is expected to receive backing from Governments and companies worldwide.

Help to make your life a bit greener and more energy efficient with environmental advice, hints & tips from double glazing specialist Safestyle UK.

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Used Sports Cars | 2010 EL Camino - Perfect Blend of Truck & Coupe!

The 2010 EL Camino will blur the line between trucks and cars and will create an all-new segment in the car market. This model will blend the cargo capabilities of a light truck with the sporty handling performance of a coupe model.

The new model will be designed based on the Pontiac G8 sedan platform and will come with the longer wheel base and cargo space. The sport truck, EL Camino will stretch the performance and style and is expected to hit the market by the end of 2009 as 2010 model vehicle. 2010 Pontiac Vibe will be yet another sensational launch from Pontiac this year.

Coming back to the 2010 EL Camino, its sporty exterior will be same as that of the sedan model. 18 inch wheels with flared fenders wrapped around them will appear a bit wider when compared with the present G8 model. A soft cover, and color coordinated conceal will protect items in the cargo bed from all weather conditions.

As far as the performance of the vehicle is concerned, the sport truck will gain its strength from the 6.0 liter V8 engine, which is used in the current G8 GT model. It will deliver more than 270 kilo watts of power and 522 Nm of torque. The combination of active fuel management technology and 6-speed automatic transmission will provide better fuel economy. With the powerful engine, the 2010 EL Camino can accelerate from 0 to 60 miles per hour in a time span of just 5.4 seconds.

Similar to that of the G8 sport truck, the new EL Camino model will offer flexibility. A 73.9 inch cargo bed will have a cargo space of 42.7 cubic feet and also a composite bed liner. It will come with the payload capacity of 1074 pounds.

You may also want to know more about the 2010 Pontiac Vibe and check out the latest Pontiac Vibe Reviews, pictures as well as specs.

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Used Sports Cars | 2010 Ford Fusion - Ford's Game Face

The previous Ford Fusion's 2.3-liter four-cylinder grows to 2.5 liters. New 2010 models equipped with the updated 3.0-liter V6 will receive the Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV) designation with the capability of digesting E85 fuel, and a 3.5-liter version of the V6 Duratec is added to the lineup.

Fusion sedans boast a long list of new features designed to keep it extremely competitive in the cutthroat midsize sedan market. Highlights include aggressive new front-end styling, a choice of three very fuel-efficient and powerful engines, an all-new sporty version, and safety ratings that are hard to top.

The Fusion's restyled front end includes a more aggressive grille, a domed hood and new headlights. To help improve fuel mileage, underbody panels improve aerodynamic efficiency. The Fusion offers a wider, sportier look. The interior has been restyled too, with metallic finished trim on the center instrument panel and steering wheel and doors.

When equipped with the 3.0-liter FFV V6 and an automatic transmission, the Fusion got 26 mpg in the highway test and 18 mpg on the city: Ford expects those numbers to rise to an estimated 19 city and 28 highway for 2010. All-wheel-drive versions recorded 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway for 2009. 2010 models are expected to see an improvement in overall fuel economy. The 3.5-liter V6 is available only in the new Fusion SPORT edition.

Only slightly behind safety and economy, Americans like power—and the 2010 delivers. Compared to the previous 2.3-liter, the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine makes 15 more horsepower and 16 addition pound feet of torque for totals of 175 horsepower and 172 pound-feet of torque. Those are numbers once reserved for powerful V6s and smaller V8s. The old four-cylinder engine used to come with a five-speed automatic. Now it has six-speed versions of each. The additional gears help produce adequate acceleration to merge into traffic and excellent highway fuel mileage.

The 3.0-liter FFV V6 engine gets 19 more horsepower, to 240, and 17 more pound-feet of torque, to 222. The 3.0 running on E85, 85 percent ethanol and 15 percent gasoline boosts horsepower to 250 but reduces overall fuel mileage. Not long ago, those were great numbers for a sporty V8. The new engine in the lineup, the Fusion SPORT's 3.5-liter V6 teamed with the 6-speed SelectShift, produces a strong 263 horsepower and a peak of 249 pound-feet of torque for a more spirited driving experience.

One way Ford engineers got more power out of these engines is with electric power assist steering, featured on the new 2.5L and 3.0L engines. Rather than the previously employed hydraulic assist that relied upon engine power, electric power assist draws no power when the vehicle is going in a straight line.

The 2010 Ford Fusion got the government's five-star rating, the highest available in front driver, passenger, and side impact tests and rollover testing in the all-wheel-drive model. It received four out of five stars for side rear passenger impact and front-wheel-drive roll over. Electronic stability control and four-wheel, anti-lock brakes are standard.

For those who regularly encounter deep snow, the Fusion is available with all-wheel drive when equipped with either of the V6 engines. To improve handling, ride comfort and steering feel, Ford revised and retuned Fusion's suspension, front and rear. To decrease wind and road noise, the 2010 Fusion gets an acoustic windshield, thicker front door glass, thicker hood insulation, and sound-deadening materials in the doors, trunk and headliner. In addition to the 263-horsepower V6, the 2010 Fusion SPORT gets 18-inch diameter wheels, a sport-tuned air intake and stiffer suspension tuning. On the outside, the Sport gets a special lower grille, side rocker moldings and a trunk-mounted spoiler. An available feature that may help prevent a parking lot fender bender is the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS) with Cross Traffic Alert. This radar-based system warns drivers of hidden traffic approaching.

Ford's popular SYNC voice-activation and entertainment system, compatible with most Bluetooth-enabled cell phones and MP3 capable devices, is an available feature. Fusion offers a Sony surround sound system that boasts 12 speakers and 390 watts.

autoMedia.com, with their team of automotive experts, has been providing auto shoppers, car enthusiasts and do-it-yourselfers automotive advice they can trust for over 10 years. Enjoy reading more of their popular car reviews and road tests plus learn more about the 2010 Ford Fusion, including the latest pricing, rebates and incentives, safety features, photo galleries and more, along with details on all Ford Models.

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Used Sports Cars | 2010 Volkswagen Jetta Review

The 2010 Volkswagen Jetta experiences slight modification and gains new exterior and interior appearance as well as technology styling. This is a small car from the house of Volkswagen and turns out to be a top contender in the automotive markets of United States.

It is a 4-door wagon or a 4-door sedan known as the Sport Wagon. It comes in sport and wagon body styles as well as in SE, SL, and S trim levels. The body style Sedan comes as the trim SEL too, while the model in body style wagon has been stopped by the manufacturers.

Coming to the performance of all the trim levels, the 5-liter 5-cylinder engine gives 170-hp of power. As the above mentioned engine, one more diesel TDI engines are also using by all trims. The foresaid 2.0-liter 4-cylinder turbo diesel engine develops 140 hp of power and certified as emissions legal in each of all fifty states. The petrol as well as diesel engines is pairing to a 5-speed manual transmission. The other versions called Wolfsburg and TDI is working with a 6-speed manual transmission.

The 2010 Volkswagen Jetta is equipped with the safety features like ABS, antiskid system, all side airbags, and traction control. The other version called Wolfsburg has a particular trim and sport suspension. Where, adaptors for iPod, sunroof, and a navigation system are the available choices. But, exclusively available on the wagon body styled model is a panoramic sunroof. On the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta's special edition called Cup Street, particular exterior styling, sport seats, and 18-inch wheels are also available.

You may also want to know more about the 2010 Volkswagen Jetta and check out the latest Volkswagen Jetta Reviews, pictures as well as specs.

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Used Sports Cars | 2010 BMW 530i Review

The c model is expected to hit the car market by the end of model year 2010. The next generation BMW 5-series models will be luxury sport sedans featuring a complete redesign; the changes to the luxury sedan model seem more like restrained refinement. The present model is already a highly dynamic, capable and comfortable machine.

According to the sources of BMW, it is expected that the next generation 530i model will be included with steer by wire system that is used in the aircraft. The BMW model will use a mechanical link between the front wheels and steering wheel. If any problem occurs to the system, the vehicle will default to a 15:1 ratio and hence the working of the vehicle does not stop at any point of time. The ultimate effect after using this system is that, apart from speed, the driver can use the same small level of steering wheel input to handle vehicle even in turns.

The additional features that are expected to be included in the 2010 530i model will be adaptive head lights, brake lights, flat run tires, climate control, dynamic drive control, active steering and cruise control, tire pressure monitoring system, as well as the sophisticated iDrive system.

The adaptive head lights in the vehicle will be made up of bi-xenon units that will rotate to illuminate the road in a turn. The brake lights will illuminate whenever more pressure is applied on the brakes.

The vehicle will be offered in different body styles and colors. Complimenting the exterior of the vehicle, the interior region attracts the customers as they are designed using innovative technologies. The sports luxury car will include all the amenities needed for the next generation sports sedan.

The next generation model will use most of the styling cues from the BMW 7-Series lineup, with iDrive being the most noticeable one.

You may also want to know more about the 2010 BMW 5-Series cars and check out the latest BMW 5-Series reviews, pictures as well as specs.

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Used Sports Cars | Best Hybrid Cars of 2009 and 2010

The best hybrid cars of 2009 are even better in 2010. The qualities that make a car the best depend on what your specific area of concern is, mostly centering on fuel economy and performance on the road.

If you focus on simply getting the best fuel economy, the Toyota Prius is absolutely the best hybrid car for you. At 48 mpg, it has the best fuel economy of any car available in the United States. Some drivers report that, with very careful driving, a light foot, use of cruise control whenever possible, minimal use of the AC and heat, and in optimal weather conditions, they can get up to 70 miles per gallon. The amazing fuel efficiency is offset by its sluggish pick-up, but even so, it's a great commuter car if you can tolerate staying in the 55-65 mph range and it gets pretty good mileage in-town too, in the 40s even with stop-start city driving.

If you're more focused on performance than fuel efficiency, the Toyota Hybrid Camry feels more like a conventional car, and still manages to get a respectable 34 miles per gallon. It's expensive at $26,150 compared to $19,395 for the basic conventional Camry which advertises 22-33 mpg. The interior is nice and roomy, and driving it is similar to driving the conventional Camry.

If you wouldn't mind splitting the difference between power and fuel economy, the Mercury Milan Hybrid and the Ford Fusion Hybrid are cool with attractive styling, around 40 mpg in-town, and a great driving experience. The 2010 editions of the Fusion and its Mercury cousin, the Milan, are updated, more stylish than their predecessors, with updated instrument panels and the Sync voice-activated entertainment and communication system. The instrument panel sports a "green" leaf-sprouting display when you are saving fuel. The switch-over between the gas engine and the electrical system is said to the most seamless of any car on the road, making virtually no noise and no jolt that has become rather typical for these cars. At around $30K, both cars are somewhat steep buys, but the cool styling and peppy performance are worth the price.

Other possibilities in your search for the best hybrid cars might include the Chevy Malibu Hybrid, advertised as getting 29 mpg and going for $22,800, the Honda Civic Hybrid, at $22,600, the Honda Insight, selling for $19,800, with a promised 41mpg, the Nissan Altima Hybrid, advertising 34 mpg at $26,800, or perhaps the 2010 VW Touareg, for which the specs are not yet out. Test drive them all, and get a feel for hybrids. Everybody's getting into the field, and there's no time like the present.

If qualification for hybrid tax credit is considered as a factor in the competition for best hybrid cars, then some of the favorite models, such as the Prius, Camry and Civic, will no longer qualify. This is the qualifying 2009 hybrid car tax credit chart from the IRS site:

Chrysler Aspen Hybrid-- $2200 tax credit
Dodge Durango Hybrid-- $2200 tax credit
Ford Escape Hybrid, 2 WD-- $ 3000 tax credit
Ford Escape Hybrid, 4 WD-- $1950 tax credit
Mazda Tribute Hybrid, 2 WD-- $3000 tax credit
Mazda Tribute Hybrid, 4 WD-- $1950 tax credit
Mercury Mariner Hybrid, 2 WD-- $3000 tax credit
Mercury Mariner Hybrid, 4 WD-- $1950 tax credit
Nissan Altima Hybrid-- $2350 tax credit

Elizabeth Nichols is Content Manager for the Green Research Council at http://www.greenresearchcouncil.org, which is a research and advocacy group with a mission to provide empowering information and to be at the cutting edge of green technology, environmental sustainability and energy conservation issues. Most recently published is the Green Research Council's Green Tax Guide.

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Used Sports Cars | 2010 Ford Edge Review

The 2010 Ford Edge is a small pickup SUV that comes in four trim levels: Limited, SE, SEL, and Sport. All the latest generation conventional features are installed in all trims. Among these trim levels, SE is the basic trim but even that arrives with antilock, full power accessories, stability control, 17-inch alloy wheels, and air-conditioning. Apart from the features in SE trim, those who want more luxurious features have to look for other trims such as Limited and SEL trims. Like the Limited trim, the Sport trim has faux suede upholstery, special body design, and larger 20-inch alloy wheels.

A 3.5-liter V6 engine powers the 2010 Edge that churns out 265 horsepower. The car comes with optional all-wheel drive that has a standard six-speed automatic transmission. It automatically enhances the efficiency by using a cruise control system with all-wheel drive. The power of between 50-60 percent is automatically sidetracked to the back wheels to wipe out wheels spin.

Usually, the seats in third-row are becoming popular in all the latest generations minivans. But, the 2010 Edge lacks this feature and doesn't offer the optional 3rd row seats; however, it comes with a spacious 2nd row seat. To enhance the space of the cargo, the back seats can also be folded or reclined forward. In comparison to its close rivals, storage capacity of the Edge is somewhat low. Even though ergonomically and functionally, it has sound planning, the cabin requires a good amount of interior decoration to catch up with its rivals. Unfortunately, the low quality of the components in interior section of 2010 Ford Edge is fairly visible.

You may also want to know more about the 2010 Ford Edge and check out the latest Ford Edge Reviews, pictures as well as specs

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