Despite the global economic downturn Porsche are forging ahead in 2009 with their next generation Porsche 2009 911 Carrera and Carrera S models (cabriolet and coupe), but at an estimated starting price of $102,900, with an additional $4,000 for the classic beige leather interior alone, will Porsche have done enough to halt their declining sales?

Power
With any sports car the first stop for many is the motor, and the new Carrera models have been upgraded to a choice of a 3.6 liter in the base models, or a 3.8 liter monster in the Carrera S, which is said to put out a maximum of 385 horsepower. What this translates to is impressive acceleration and a realistic top speed of around 170 mph (183mph under test conditions) and an engine sound that will haunt sports car lovers dreams emanating from the seats behind, purring, growling and roaring as you play with the smooth 6 speed (or optional 7 speed) automatic transmission. The highest spec transmission is a wonder, with a new ‘PDK’ double-clutch gearbox (optional extra at around $2,000), which is as slick and speedy as you could hope for, and thankfully replaces the awkward steering wheel paddle ‘Tiptronic’ system that made a few brief and unpopular appearances in many of the previous 911 models. The new Carrera’s have shown their pedigree on the road, and sheer raw power combined with seamless changes through the gears all adds up to lightening fast acceleration away from the lights, a feeling of solid, continuous power delivery from the engine to the road, and virtually no stuttering or unexpected power loss as you move up and down the revs. The Porsche Carrera may be small and chic by many standards, but it sure packs a heck of a wallop, and the AWD and beefed up brakes with give you excellent handling, stability and security at any speed.

Looks
Just as important as power and handling for some, design is the next big issue for sports cars. The new Carerra models are virtually unchanged in their overall design, retaining that effortless combination of elegance and naked aggression that Porsche are famous for, and there is just some subtle reshaping of the headlamps, air inlets and exterior mirrors to set them apart. Optional extras will see base models upgraded to suit your whim, from heated seats to keep you toasty at $500 to ventilated seats to keep you cool at $800. The interior is beautifully finished, and if you can afford it go for that optional classic leather interior, which raises the Porches from merely comfortable to luxurious (although beige isn’t perhaps everyone’s favourite color choice). The top down model looks fantastic and has additional safety features including two main rolls bars, the reinforced windshield pillars at the front and additional roll bars mounted behind the seats at the rear, which are covered in sensors and deploy in the event of a roll over. The engine is in the back of course, so the trunk is at the front, but it is miniscule, and defies attempts to fit more than one or two small bags, (golf clubs will have to be slung over the back seats).

Conclusion
Porsche have always made individual and beautiful cars, from the exquisite technology and machinery through to the stunning exteriors, and it is clear that the new 2009 Carerra models are some of Porsche’s brightest and best so far. Although these cars are a little heavy on fuel, they are certainly not the worst out there, and to be honest 27mpg (6 speed transmission base model) on the open road is actually better than quite a large number of less sporty cars currently in use. The main worry is the price tag. There is no doubt that Porsche cars are special and well worth a lot of money, just think of all the years of careful design and technological advances that have gone into each model, but with other amazing top end cars on offer in this price range, such as the jaw dropping Maserati GranTurismo from around $117,500, you have to wonder just how many people will be rushing down to the nearest Porsche dealer to snap up a new Carrera.

Volkswagen are now in the sixth generation of their incredibly popular hatchback series, and with many people now looking to downsize their large vehicles to reduce emissions and running costs, these smaller cars are set to become even more popular in the future.

The new petrol version of the Golf 1.6S is now on the forecourts, and VW have built on the strengths of their previous hatchbacks and even managed to refine several important aspects to ensure the new generation Golf appeals to even more car buyers. If you live in the London (Ontario) area, and are looking to buy the latest 1.6S, then you can visit Dalmar Motors Limited and Leavens Volkswagen, the main London Ontario car dealerships for Volkswagen, which both stock many of latest models.

Economy
Volkswagen’s 1.4-litre TSI turbocharged unit has been adapted to different outputs in the new Golf range, and the 1.6S has been tuned finely to maximise fuel efficiency without affecting the engine’s powerful performance. Because this is only a 1.6, and has good security and safety measures, it is also cheap to insure and this combined with the fuel efficiency means that the 1.6S is really a very cost effective car to run.

Costs
The brand new, standard Golf 1.6S is from around $18,000 from a dealer and there are some impressive, but very expensive optional extras that do add significant costs to the asking price.

Usability
Golf’s have always had a reputation for being roomy, practical small cars, and the new 1.6S is no exception, with a large spacious interior and plenty of storage space. The glove box also has a useful chill feature, which can be used to store food and drinks during a long trip. All of the dials and buttons are clear and easy to use, and the overall minimalist approach creates a pleasant, uncluttered driving environment.

Comfort
Volkswagen is committed to providing comfortable and refined vehicles, and the double window seals, sound damping and improved aerodynamics of the 1.6S all contribute to reducing road/wind noise. Other comfort features include supportive seating, vibration damping and semi- auto air conditioning as standard, even in the basic models

Safety and security
As mentioned above the security and safety features in the new 1.6S contribute to a lower insurance bracket, and these features including standard immobiliser, remote central locking and a secure glove box for small personal valuables. The 1.6S has an excellent 5 star safety rating, which has been achieved by the inclusion of a range of high quality passive and active features including an array of air bags, a whiplash restraint system and advanced ABS braking and ESP lock and traction control systems.

Design
Golf’s have a reputation for sleek, classy exterior and interior design, and the new 1.6S is no exception, with understated good looks and the refined, quality finish that VW are famous for.

Conclusion
The 1.6S is a practical, attractive and drivable small car, perfect for families and driving around town.

The Vectra replaced the popular Cavalier model, and became Vauxhall’s main fleet car of the mid 1990’s/early 2000’s. Thousands were sold during this time both for private and commercial use, and that means there are now plenty out there on the second hand market for buyers to choose from.

The Vectra was often criticised in its time for being boring, both in looks and driving experience, but it did gain a reputation for convenience and reliability and this makes it a really good option for second hand buyers. The Vectra was first released in 1995 and early models had solid handling and adequate riding comfort, but like its predecessor the Cavalier the drive could be a little wallowy, especially on back roads. Improved basic suspension was introduced after 1999, so look out for models released after this date if you are after a more responsive and exciting drive, or better still opt for the Super Touring, SRi or GSi models, which had sporty suspension and traction control, and were released in honour of the Vectra’s accomplishments in the British Touring Car Championship in the late 1990s.

The Vectra really shines as a second hand car when you look at the engine, which is reliable, economical and powerful even in the lower spec models. Arguable the best choice is the 1.8, which offers a standard 115bhp power output that really works hard and gives the car standing in either a motorway or back road setting. Vectra V6 models in particular have a great many fans, as they offer fantastic performance at bargain prices.

When buying a second hand Vauxhall Vectra the first thing you will notice is how many there are available from both private and trade sellers, and how patchy and unpredictable the prices are. Reliability is also an issue, so make sure you buy models with as much service history as possible and also take potential buys out on a good test drive, trying the engine, brakes and suspension thoroughly. Good models should feel smooth with little road noise, light steering, powerful brakes, seamless gear changes and good acceleration.

Look out for models with evidence of owner care, such as good servicing history and clean and tidy interiors and exteriors. The V6, SRi and GSi models have a bit of a reputation as being ‘boy racer’ cars, so avoid those that have had aftermarket parts put on such as big exhausts, spoilers or fancy lights as these will be more likely to have been driven hard, and can also cause problems when insuring the vehicle.

This month, I would like to do car reviews on some green vehiles to spread Green Environment Concept.

Lexus introduced the world to its latest hybrid vehicle, the 2010 RX 450h, at the 2008 Los Angeles Auto Show recently, which is tipped to become the new benchmark in the premium utility car market, combining innovation, style, performance, convenience and luxury all in one.

The 2010 RX 450h sports a 3.5 litre V6 gas powered engine, which is based on the more efficient ‘Atkinson Cycle‘ design, and also a smaller, upgraded inverter that boosts the power output by 27hp on the previous model, stretching the new RX to 295hp in total. This new Lexus is all about efficiency and two new systems on the RX model have been installed to improve fuel economy and reduce emissions.

The exhaust-heat recovery system is designed to improve engine warm up and shut down time, and consists of a thermostatic valve positioned to the rear of the catalytic converter, which diverts exhaust heat to the intake manifold coolant passages and cabin heater circuit. This system is much simpler than the similar coolant heat storage system used in the rival Toyota Prius, and is cheaper and easier to install. The Lexus has also introduced a cooled exhaust gas recirculation system, which increases engine-pumping efficiency to reduce wastage and emissions, and improve fuel economy.

The new RX 450h also features the enhanced Lexus Hybrid Drive system, which along with the improved engine also includes a choice of front-wheel or all-wheel-drive (AWD) hybrid drive, which is electronically driven and has a Torque Control system that controls the supply of torque to the wheels according to the driving conditions. Previous AWD systems have been mechanically driven, adding weight to the vehicle and reducing fuel efficiency, but this new electronically driven AWD is lighter and allows the RX 450h to perform regenerative braking across all four wheels that charges the hybrid battery more efficiently.

The RX 450h has strong, flowing lines and the understated molding around the side windows and doors creates a solid low-profile look, and this combined with the sporty 18-inch aluminium-alloy wheels makes it one of the most stylish hybrid vehicles to come on the market.

The interior has a spacious, luxurious feel with a smart and practical ‘dual-zone’ cockpit area which combines driver comfort with state of the art technology, in the form of the all new high intensity LED multi-informational display that is designed to be read even in direct sunlight.

The all-new Lexus 2010 RX 450 goes on sale in Spring 2009, and with its sophisticated looks and improved efficiency it certainly looks set to become one of the market leading hybrid cars over the next few years.

You can read more of such car and car accessory reviews on product reviews.

If you are passionate about cars then you are probably interested in the high quality examples of engineering and design which are showcased by the luxury car industry. These exotic, high-end vehicles also come with a high price tag, but even if you cannot afford to purchase the car of your dreams outright, there are many companies that deal with leasing/renting luxury vehicles, whether you just want to indulge yourself for the weekend, or whether you want to create a striking impression at a business or social function.

The Luxe Automotive Group specialises in Utah exotic car rentals and provides an extensive range of prestigious, high performance cars to suit you and your client’s needs are. You can choose from some of the most desirable models of cars in the world including the Bentley Continental GT, the Lamborghini Gallardo, and the Dodge Viper GTS, and these can be rented/leased on a daily, weekly, monthly or yearly basis.

Prices for rental are all on the website, next to pictures of the cars, and you have the option of picking up the vehicle yourself or getting it delivered directly to wherever you are. For the more popular models it is best to reserve the vehicle in advance, just to ensure you are not disappointed, and for further information on rental/leasing vehicles you can email Luxe Automotive Group or telephone direct on 888 495 1374.

The Luxe Automotive Group website also provides details about referral bonus plans, which offer the opportunity for rewards to companies that refer their clients in the Utah area to Luxe. These bonuses include a 10% cash referral, which is paid at the end of the rental period by the client, and also a bonus point system that can be accrued on each referred rental, and used towards a free rental from the Luxe vehicle range.