Auto News 5

Sometimes it's not a bad thing, if you're an automaker, to have a vehicle in your lineup that's nearly invisible. Since nobody has any preconceived notions about the car, you can try to reposition it. In the case of the slow-selling Outlander, Mitsubishi hopes to stretch its appeal beyond the Honda CR-V/Toyota RAV4 class to mix with crossovers like the Subaru Outback. This is a reach, but what does Mitsubishi have to lose?inline_mediumwraptextright27592747/reviews/driven/1002_2010_mitsubishi_outlander_gt1002_01_z+2010_mitsubishi_outlander_gT+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

Waiting for a new take on the M roadster? You’ll have to make do with the 2010 BMW Z4 sDrive35is. It may not wear that fabled “M” badge, but the new range-topping Z4 model is faster than the last Z4 M models produced.inline_mediumwraptextright26446085/features/news/0912_2010_bmw_z4_sdrive35is0912_03_z+2010_bMW_z4_sDrive35is+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

The Mini Beachcomber Concept is the brand’s latest concept that will be shown at the Detroit auto show. But unlike its last two concepts, this one is unlikely to ever see production.inline_mediumwraptextright26444258/features/news/0912_2010_mini_beachcomber_concept0912_07_z+2010_mini_beachcomber_concept+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

This car still speaks to the core audience that made the 4Runner such a famous brand name for Toyota. It is distinct in character from Toyota's other midsize SUVs such as the Highlander although it does cross paths with the FJ Cruiser. The 4Runner's days may be limited, like the days of all rough-and-tumble off-roaders, but for now I suspect there are sufficient buyers, especially given its solid-gold reputation among outdoor adventure types.inline_mediumwraptextright31857777/reviews/editors_notebook/0912_2010_toyota_4runner_sr5_4x4_v60912_04_z+2010_toyota_4Runner_sR5_4x4_v6+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

I'll admit this Kia has grown on me. When it first debuted I dismissed it as a generic version of Japanese box cars, namely the Nissan Cube. That's still true -- the Soul won't turn heads or make the statement that Nissan's rolling washing machine does - but it also happens to be a better car. This holds particularly true inside. The Soul has its share of cute/annoying gimmicks, including houndstooth seats (cute) and mood lighting (annoying), but it also makes a genuine effort to accommodate the driver with interesting textures on the dash, comfortable chairs, and better fit and finish overall than I recall on the Nissan. It's quite a testament to the maturity of this Korean automaker.inline_mediumwraptextright27658513/reviews/editors_notebook/0912_2010_kia_soul_at0912_03_z+2010_kia_soul_aT+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

Close readers of our magazine will be forgiven for experiencing a bit of déjà vu. For the second time in three years, the Volkswagen GTI is our Automobile of the Year, and for the second time in three years, one is joining our Four Seasons fleet.inline_mediumwraptextright26435348/reviews/12_month_car_reviews/0912_2010_volkswagen_gti_introduction0912_02_z+2010_volkswagen_gTI+front_three_quarter_view.jpgTrue

Months in fleet: Two
Miles to date: 5935inline_mediumwraptextright27665596/reviews/12_month_car_reviews/0912_2010_audi_q5_32_quattro_tiptronic_december_update0912_02_z+2010_audi_q5_32_quattro_tiptronic+front_view.jpgTrue

Family sedan buyers in search of extra pizzazz and performance face something of a paradox these days. On the one hand, it's not hard at all to find lots of power -- not when your average six-cylinder Toyota Camry pumps out 268 hp. At the same time though, "mid-size" cars have gotten bigger and heavier, the transmission choices have gotten fewer, and front wheel-drive has become even more dominant.inline_mediumwraptextright26386868/reviews/driven/0912_2010_subaru_legacy_25gt_vs_2010_ford_fusion_sport_awd0912_01_z+2010_subaru_legacy_25GT+2010_ford_fusion_sport_aWD.jpgTrue

With the subtle upgrades the Volkswagen GTI saw for 2010, I was expecting a little more from the Jetta GLI. The GLI may sound like a sedan version of the hot GTI, but it's saddled with the Jetta's rather squishy suspension and brakes. I still love any VW/Audi car powered by the 2.0T engine, although my love isn't quite as strong when the rest of the vehicle doesn't live up to what the engine can do.

A new 5.0-liter V-8 will endow the 2011 Ford Mustang GT with a dose of history and the performance to stand up to the Chevrolet Camaro. Making 412 hp and 390 lb-ft of torque, the new V-8 will lend a serious performance boost to the pony car that was significantly refreshed for 2010, but didn't offer many powertrain improvements. With the new engine, the speedometer now reads up to 160 mph and the tachometer's redline is marked 500 rpm higher at 7000 rpm.

Along with the 5.0-liter V-8, Ford is resurrecting the legendary Boss 302 with a new track-ready Mustang that will be sold at dealerships. The Ford Mustang Boss 302R will feature a roll cage, race seats, safety harness, data acquisition, race suspension, Brembo brakes, and special tires, ready for racing in Grand-Am, SCCA, and NASA series. The Boss 302R will not be street legal. Power will come from the 5.0-liter V-8 paired with a six-speed manual. The return of the Boss recognizes the fortieth anniversary of Parnelli Jones' 1970 Trans-Am championship in a Boss 302.