The soon-to-be released 2009 Silverado Hybrid and Sierra Hybrid finally have a price tag to go with the improved fuel economy.  The 2009 Sierra Hybrid will have a base price of a cool $39,365.  If you want the decked out 3HB version with leather, box, and rear sonar, be prepared to pony up a stunning $45,500.  Remember, we’re not talking about the latest luxury sedan or sports car here - we’re talking about a pickup truck.

On the plus side, if you can get beyond the price ( I can’t ), fuel economy is excellent for a truck.  EPA says the 4×2 version will get 21 MPG city and 22 MPG highway.  The 4×4 will drop to 20 MPG city / 20 MPG highway.  Either way, those are strong numbers for a full size truck.

I don’t get it

Full-size hybrid SUV’s, I can kind of see a market for.  There are plenty of large SUV buyers who have big families, and make decent use of the space.  But a pickup truck?  If you need a full-size truck ( most don’t ), then your demands will likely outpace the hybrid’s capabilities ( lower towing capacity and all ).  If you stay within the capabilities of this truck, chances are pretty good you could get by with a small truck.  And you wouldn’t get hit with a $40k+ price tag, either.

My advice?  Save your cash.  If you need a big ol truck, buy one without the fancy hybrid hardware.  If you don’t need to tow 8k+ pounds on a daily basis, but still need a truck, buy a Frontier or Tacoma.  Gas mileage won’t be much worse than the hybrid, and they can be had for $18k less.

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GM Prices Silverado Hybrid & Sierra Hybrid

The facelifted 2010 Ford Fusion is now official, and you’re looking at the first picture released by Ford.  All you can really see is the front end - never a shortcoming in the Fusion, and it still looks good.  The rear end is supposed to get an upgrade, along with the interior.  That’s good news really, because the Fusion interior was a little weak.

The real news is under the hood, though.  Ford has replaced the 2.3 liter 4 cylinder with the Mazda6 2.5 liter 4 cylinder, good for a competitive 175 HP.  Ford kept the 3.0 liter V6 in place, but bumped it from 221 HP to 240 HP.  That’s a good ~30 HP below the big imports….. which is bad on paper, but probably not an issue at all in real life.  Who needs 270 HP in a family sedan, anyway?  The Fusion Sport will sport the 263 HP 3.5 liter V6, if you must have some more power.

• Six speed transmission standard on all Fusions.  This is huge.  This is necessary.  This is an example of a domestic automaker making the right choice on a mainstream vehicle - that doesn’t happen very often.
• EPA testing isn’t available yet, but Ford says 32 MPG on the highway for the 4 cylinder.  Nice.
• Fusion Hybrid on the way - with some pretty wild claims.  I’ll save that for another post.

The Fusion has the potential to really run with the top of the midsize class.  It has always had the looks necessary.  The hardware updates will sure help, as will the coming hybrid version.  Will Ford get the interior right?  I sure hope so.. it’s absolutely crucial to compete with the likes of the Toyota, Honda, and Nissan segment leaders.

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2010 Ford Fusion

Nissan announced a new Versa trim level - the 2009 Versa 1.6.  Stripped to the bone, this car has the lowest starting MSRP of any new car sold in America, at $9990 before destination.  Before you get too excited, this car is absolutely bare bones.  What do I mean?  Well, you’ll be rowing your own gears, and you’ll be cranking your windows up and down.  Nissan probably won’t sell a ton of these down south, as A/C is not standard.  Long highway trips won’t be a blast either, because cruise control is absent. 

On the plus side though, Nissan did include front, side, and curtain airbags standard.  So while you’re sweating from the lack of A/C, at least you won’t die in a crash.  And, the 1.6 liter engine ( down from 1.8 liters in the regular Versa ) is good for 34 MPG on the highway, so you won’t be spending much on gas.

If you absolutely must have A/C, it can be yours for a grand.  If you’re too lazy to shift, a slushbox runs another grand.  So, one might say that "reasonably equipped", the base Versa is a cool $12 grand, rather than $10k.  And, of course, these prices are before the $695 destination charge.

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Nissan Versa 1.6L - Cheapest car in America

No more spy shots, covered or uncovered.  Here is the real deal - the 2009 Nissan 370Z in the flesh.  Err metal, as it were.  Anyway, nothing left to detract from the fantastic good looks of the all new Z car.  Front, side, rear, all good.  Even the interior looks pretty amazing in Burnt Orange - the door panel treatment is a nice touch. 

Sexier, lighter, more powerful… if Nissan can keep the price in check with the new Z…. then the lack of a backseat won’t bother me a bit.  This car is fantastic.

Oh, not sure if I mentioned it before… there will again be two transmissions available with the 09 370Z.  The base transmission remains a 6 speed manual ( and quite frankly the only real option here ), but you have your choice of an automatic as well.  The neato part?  How about seven speeds?  That’s a first for Nissan, and the first in a non luxury car, as far as I know.

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2009 Nissan 370Z Official Pics

Unlike the domestic automakers, who are largely still in denial, Nissan is fully aware and honest about the current economic conditions.  To that end, Nissan reduced its profit forecast for the fiscal year ( ending March 21, 2009 ) by a massive 66%.  Their new target is $2.62 billion dollars for the fiscal year.

Note - Nissan is still projected to make a few billion, as opposed to the domestics, who are bleeding cash.  In addition to cutting the profit forecast, Nissan is also cutting production, and jobs.  They will build 200,000 less cars for the year, and cut 3,500 jobs.  2500 will come from the US - as part of a voluntary buyout program, while the remaining 1,000 jobs will be cut in Japan. 

To cut profit forecasts by such a huge percentage is a staggering setback - there’s no doubt about that.  But looking at things in a somewhat positive light, we have to remember - Nissan is still profitable.  In the wake of an terrible economic situation in the US, and very large incentives across the board, Nissan is still profitable.  That’s worth noting, at least.  Perhaps GM and Ford can pay attention and learn something.

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Nissan cuts profit target by 66%

We’ve known the Ford would build the 2011 Explorer on a unibody car type platform for awhile now - and here are the first spy shots.  First impression?  It looks… awkward… goofy.. and lumpy.  The side / rear view is particularly awkward -the roof jumps up after the rear doors.  Why in the world does it do that? 

Really, the 2011 Explorer looks like a Freestyle whoops I mean Taurus X on steroids.  While the Taurus X is a somewhat competent package ( trying to be nice here ), it’s not an attractive vehicle.  I don’t think this is the right direction for the Explorer at all…. and Ford doesn’t exactly need yet another midsize crossover vehicle in their lineup, do they?

 Source.

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2011 Ford Explorer Spy Shots

Introduced just two short months ago, Chrysler’s twin hybrid behemoths were born.  And today, they’ve died - along with the Newark, DE assembly plant that builds them.  There are a few thousand pending orders for these vehicles…. but there’s no word on wether they will be produced or cancelled.  If Chrysler decided to cancel, customers can always choose to head over to their local Chevy dealership and pick up a Tahoe Hybrid for just a few thousand more.  Or, in a more likely scenario, the customer will come to their senses and purchase something more… well… sensible.

Reportedly, Dodge will still be pushing forward with the Hybrid Ram… at least we haven’t heard otherwise just yet.

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Aspen Hybrid and Durango Hybrid get the axe

What’s that you say?  Chrysler made the decision to drop the available AWD on the Sebring, Avenger, and Caliber.  I think it’s safe to say that just about no one  even knew these vehicles offered AWD.  No one is buying the FWD Sebring… why would they spend more for an AWD version?  It’s not as if the Sebring is a powerful and/ or sporty car that tested the limits of FWD. 

No one will miss the AWD option on these vehicles, much like no one will miss the vehicles if / when they stop production.  Except maybe the Avenger…. maybe.  The Sebring and Caliber can’t die fast enough….

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Chrysler dropping AWD as option on Sebring, Avenger, Caliber

Cadillac’s super sedan finally has a price tag attached to it.  With a base price of $59,995, the unofficial “four door Corvette” is a ridiculous bargain.  Wait, did I just call a sixty thousand dollar car a bargain?  You better believe it.  Remember, this car has a version of the Corvette ZR-1 engine, putting out 556 HP.  And, you get to enjoy every one of those 556 ponies for a cool $40 grand less than a Corvette ZR1. 

Unmatched performance.  Four doors.  Practicality.  Bargain-basement price.  This car is one of a kind….  Even in this market, with the economy in the crapper, I’d wager that GM won’t have any trouble moving these puppies.

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2009 Cadillac CTS-V priced at $59,995

Meet Toyota’s answer to the Smart Fortwo - the iQ concept.  While the iQ is about a foot longer than the ForTwo, it’s unquestionably in the same class.  Where it bests the Smart, however, is passenger space.  Whereas the Fortwo seats, you guessed it, just two passengers - the iQ is a “3 + 1″.  What in the world is that, you ask?  Well, the passenger side dash is further forward than the driver’s side.  So the front passenger sits a bit ahead of the driver, creating a human sized rear passenger seat.  The “plus 1″ is behind the driver, and reserved for small children only.

I’ll be the first to say I wouldn’t want to be in the backseat of the iQ, regardless of fancy arrangements - but I like the effort and idea.  Tiny car, presumed great fuel economy, and room for 3 adults and a kiddo.  Brilliant.

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Toyota iQ Concept