2009 Nissan Versa Sedan 1.6 Becomes Cheapest New Car in the USA

Priced from $9,990 (excluding a destination and handling fee of $695) the new Versa Sedan 1.6 is the cheapest vehicle on four wheels in the U.S. - or so Nissan claims. The newest addition in the Nissan Versa's range is powered by a smaller displacement 107HP 1.6-liter engine as opposed to the 122HP 1.8-liter unit found in the standard Versa Sedan and Hatchback models (pictured above) that are both priced from $12,990. The 1.6-liter engine is mated to a standard 5-speed manual gearbox and optionally, to a 4-speed automatic transmission. -Continued

According to the Japanese manufacturer, the Versa Sedan 1.6's fuel economy is rated at 26 mpg city/34 mpg highway with the 5-speed manual and 26 mpg city/33 mpg highway with the 4-speed automatic. Although Nissan has not given out any other details, the automaker stated that the Versa Sedan 1.6 will be offered with less basic features than the standard models. The Versa Sedan 1.6 goes on sale at Nissan dealers nationwide beginning November 18, 2008.

Audi Announces 2009 TTS Coupe and Roadster U.S. Pricing

The manufacturer's suggested retail price for the range topping TTS models have been set at $45,500 for the TTS Coupe and $47,500 for the TTS Roadster. To refresh your memory, the TTS features a 265HP 2.0-liter turbocharged engine that allows the Coupe variant to sprint from 0 to 60mph (96km/h) in 4.9 seconds and the open-top Roadster in 5.1 seconds with both versions achieving 29 mpg in highway driving and 21 mpg in city driving based on government fuel-economy ratings. The U.S. market TTS models come equipped with the S-Tronic dual clutch gearbox as standard.

RELATED STORIES:

• Audi TTS Coupe and Roadster - Details and Gallery
  
• Video: 2009 Audi TTS
  
• Audi TT-Based R8 Lookalike
  
• Audi TT Clubsport Quattro Speedster
  

GM Pulls the Plug Early on Used-Car Incentive Program

A GM spokesman confirmed earlier rumors today that the company will indeed scrap a financing incentive used-car program earlier than planned because of "a lack of credit funding" - that means no money in plain English. The General had informed its dealers through GMAC Financial Services that it would offer an incentive program on certified-used 2004-2009 models of Chevrolet Impala, Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra and Pontiac G6 with 3.9 percent consumer loans for terms up to 60 months. -Continued

The program was supposed to run from October 1 through January 5 but according to GM spokesman John McDonald, it will now be terminated on November 3. It just seems to be getting "better" and "better" each time...

Ferrari F430

Ferrari F430, originally uploaded by Sam Photographe.

Fiat Tuning

tres cuartos delantero en paso por curva, PS para movimiento, originally uploaded by Red Positivo.

Video: Restored BMW 6-Series Cabrio from Back to the Future Film

Answering to some of the questions that were posted on the comment area of our post on the restored BMW 633 CSI Cabriolet from the Back to the Future 2 film (see details here), the owner of the vehicle Jeff Chabotte enlightened us with a video link describing the way that the futuristic wheel covers on work the car. Watch the video after the jump.

Thanks for the link Jeff!

SEMA: Subaru Forester XTI Concept with 315HP STI Turbo Engine

Just as we we're starting to worry about the lack of any official Subaru proposals for the SEMA show the Japanese automaker revealed the Forester XTI Concept. Designed and built by the folks at Subaru of America, the concept features the engine and entire drivetrain from the Impreza WRX STI. Thanks to the addition of a custom stainless steel cat-back exhaust system, the 2.5-liter intercooled turbo engine develops an output of 315HP (+10HP) and 300 lb.-ft. of torque (from 290 lb.-ft. stock). With this engine, Subaru claims that the Forester XTI Concept can hit the 0 to 60mph (96km/h) mark in under 5,0 seconds - not bad at all for a crossover. -Continued

As with the Impreza WRX STI, power is channeled through a close-ratio 6-speed manual transmission and the Driver Controlled Center Differential (DCCD) version of Subaru Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive which offers three selectable automatic performance modes in addition to six manual center differential-locking settings.

Subaru technicians borrowed the WRX STI's Brembo brakes with 4-piston front calipers and 2-piston rear calipers and while they were at it, they also added an adjustable coil-over suspension by STI.

The Forester XTI Concept's styling has been enhanced with a two-shade custom paint scheme, a JDM body kit that includes side skirts, a rear skirt and a gate spoiler and of course, a set of 18-inch STI alloy wheels wrapped in Yokohama Advan Neova 255/40R18 performance tires. We dont; have any photos of the interior but Subaru said that the Forester XTI features leather and Alcantara sport seats, a special instrument cluster, front dash and center console and leather-wrapped steering wheel.