By RICHARD WILLIAMSON, Scripps Howard News Service
Autosside: 2009 Mini Cooper S
2009 MINI COOPER S
TYPE: Front-drive, four-passenger, subcompact coupe.
WHERE BUILT: Oxford, United Kingdom.
PRICE: $21,950 base, $26,950 as tested.
KEY RIVALS: Smart For Two, Volkswagen New Beetle.
POWER: 1.6-liter, 172 horsepower, 16-valve, turbocharged 4-cylinder engine; six-speed Getrag manual transmission.
Autos: Mini again adapting to new economic realities
The original British Mini might not have become the second most influential car of the 20th Century if not for an energy crisis.
Facing a fuel shortage brought on by the Suez Crisis of 1956, British Motor Corporation designed the minuscule motorcar to compete with an adorable array of wheels from Germany known as "bubble cars."
Autos: Redesigned Chevy Equinox helps redefine GM
Busting out of bankruptcy, General Motors submitted the redesigned Chevrolet Equinox as evidence of its new direction. It's a very positive economic indicator.
With pricing pegged at Middle America, the compact crossover has remarkably broad appeal. It offers the functionality of a sport utility vehicle without the costly fuel consumption.
Autosside: Details on the 2010 Chevrolet Equinox LT
2010 CHEVROLET EQUINOX LT
TYPE: Front-drive, four-door, mid-size crossover utility vehicle.
PRICE: $25,445 base, $29,075 as tested.
WHERE BUILT: Ingersoll, Ontario, Canada.
KEY RIVALS: Ford Escape, Jeep Liberty, Honda CR-V, Hyundai Santa Fe and Toyota RAV4.
POWER: 2.4-liter, DOHC, 182-horsepower, 4-cylinder engine, six-speed auto transmission.
Autos: Redesigned Chevy Equinox helps redefine GM
Busting out of bankruptcy, General Motors submitted the redesigned Chevrolet Equinox as evidence of its new direction. It's a very positive economic indicator.
With pricing pegged at Middle America, the compact crossover has remarkably broad appeal. It offers the functionality of a sport utility vehicle without the costly fuel consumption.
Autosside: 2009 Honda Civic Hybrid
2009 HONDA CIVIC HYBRID
TYPE: Front-drive, five-passenger, compact, hybrid-powered sedan.
PRICE: $25,650 base.
WHERE BUILT: Suzuka, Japan.
KEY RIVALS: Toyota Prius, Nissan Altima Hybrid, Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid.
Autos: Honda Civic goes the extra mile
When drivers plunked down their clunkers in the first round of the wildly popular federal incentive blitz, Honda's Civic notched third place in the rankings of replacement cars behind the Toyota Corolla and Ford Focus.
Autos: Pilot Touring among best 'crossover" vehicles
Car buyers who don't like choosing options one by one tend to jump to the top of the line.
In the world of crossover vehicles, the Pilot Touring holds that prestigious position for Honda.
Autosside: 2010 Honda Pilot Touring
2010 HONDA PILOT TOURING
TYPE: Four-wheel-drive, four-door, eight-passenger, mid-size SUV.
PRICE: $40,245 base, $40,995 as tested.
WHERE BUILT: Lincoln, Ala.
KEY RIVALS: Toyota Highlander, Nissan Murano, Hyundai Santa Fe.
POWER: 3.5-liter, 250-horsepower, i-VTEC V6; five-speed auto transmission.
Autosside: 2009 BMW 750I
2009 BMW 750I
TYPE: Rear-drive, five-passenger, full-size luxury sedan.
PRICE: $80,300 base, $96,970 as tested.
WHERE BUILT: Dingolfing, Germany.
KEY RIVALS: Mercedes-Benz S-Series; Audi A8; Lexus LS; Infiniti M45; Jaguar XJ.
