The Ford Flex is a full-size crossover based on the Ford Fairline concept seen at the 2005 North American International Auto Show. Sales began this summer as the 2009 model.

This is a seven seater vehicle with second and third row seating folding flat into the floor. Mood lighting is available in seven colours lighting up the interior to your personal taste with a multi-panel Vista roof for skylighting. There is a built in hard drive for picture and music storage in the navigation system.

The exterior shows off windows and pillars that appear to be blacked out and you can get the roof in either silver, white or body coloured. I’m glad that it has the option to be ‘body coloured’ because I’m not sure I’m keen on the white roofs. (I haven’t seen a silver one but I don’t think I would like that either if it was different to the body). The Flex includes a “capless fueling” system, this seals better and reduces evaporative emissions from the fuel tank due to there being no door and cap. With Ford’s AdvanceTrac traction control system with roll stability control the Flex helps the driver maintain control in different road conditions.

A back-up camera is available as an option; this would be mounted just above the bumper. It is displayed on and 8 inch navigation display screen whenever you put the vehicle into reverse. All wheel drive is also available as an option.

I actually really like the look of the Flex and the MPG and price are very competitive to comparable vehicles. I can’t say that I’m a huge Ford fan but this one definitely has me interested.

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2009 Ford Flex

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Car of Tomorrow

I have been told that I drive like an old lady but for some reason last year when I was pregnant I drove like a maniac!!! I even got stopped once and was given my first ticket… oh the shame!!!

So for all you out there who drive like this on a daily basis and not just when you’re hormonal here’s something for you…

New technology is now available to let you know when to slow down before it’s too late! This is a GPS based speed trap detector. Awesome, I know!!!

Just simply upload their M.A.D. (Motorists Against Detection) speed trap and photo enforcement location database into your GPS and you will receive an audio and visual alert every time you approach an enforcement area!

With a database containing over 23,500+ locations in the US and Canada you can be alerted to speed traps, red light cameras, speed cameras, DUI check points, school zones and construction zones. It is updated daily and verified by drivers like you and me!

For further details and prices look up Phantomalert.

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Phantom Alert

The Nissan Versa was first introduced in 2007 and has stayed pretty much the same since then. It is a spacious subcompact with 6 standard airbags, a tire pressure monitoring system and an energy absorbing steering column.

It comes as either a five-door hatchback or four-door sedan and is available as the 1.6 Base Trim, the 1.6, the 1.8S and the 1.8SL.

The Versa is a “high scorer in both government and insurance industry crash tests”

Nissan Versa Crash Tests

*The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration gives the Versa four out of five stars for both driver and front passenger in government frontal crash tests, and four stars in the front and rear seat protection in side crash tests. In addition, the Versa receives a four-star rollover rating.
*The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) gives the Versa a “Good” rating — the highest possible — in frontal offset tests, side impact tests with standard front and rear head curtain air bags and standard front seat-mounted torso air bags. IIHS also gives Versa a good rating for set/head restraint geometry.

While the Versa is said to have a lot of positive aspects including a comfortable interior and interesting design it is said to be lacking as far as driving performance and fuel economy when compared to similarly sized vehicles. Although Nissan pricing the base model and under $10,000 makes it America’s least expensive car.

I love Nissan so I would definitely give this one a try especially with the economy being the way it is right now. The fact that it isn’t too exciting to drive doesn’t bother me so long as I don’t feel the pinch in my pocket.

Via: USNews

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2009 Nissan Versa

After a several year break, General Motors announced that they would build an all-new version of the Camaro based on the concept seen at the Detroit Auto Show in 2006. Production of the fifth-generation Camaro will begin in February 2009.

The production 2010 Camaro was officially unveiled in July this year. It will be available in LS, LT, and SS trim levels. The LS and LT trim levels will be powered by the 3.6L LLT V-6 producing about 300 bhp. The SS with manual transmission is powered by the 6.2L LS3 V-8 producing about 422 bhp and the SS with automatic transmission is powered by a new variant of the LS3 called the L99 which produces approx 400 bhp.

The new L99 V-8 uses Active Fuel Management. This enables the engine to run on only 4 cylinders to improve fuel economy.

The LS will start at $22,995 while the SS will start at $30,995.

Via: Chevrolet

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2010 Chevrolet Camaro

You will probably have heard of the BRABUS name associated with Mercs or Smart Cars (funnily enough). BRABUS have now been given the job of tuning the Tesla Roadster. The strange thing here though is what they are actually doing to the Tesla Roadsters. Rather then messing with the electrics and drive train that powers the Tesla, BRABUS will be focusing on the stylistic enhancements. Enhancements such as fake V8 engine roars will be heard on a BRABUS modified Tesla. I can almost understand that part as the Tesla is very quiet. What I don’t understand is the space age sound generator that gives the car a warping or beaming sound when it’s driving around. If they want to go that crazy then why not use the Jetsons noise for it to drive around with.

Other enhancements include LED lamps near the front intake and some under body neon lights to light up the floor. A rear wing will also be attached too making the whole car just a tad… odd. You might expect to see some hydraulic bouncing car action too to compliment those neons… but thankfully not.

Although most of those enhancements are questionable you will be glad to know that some very nice wheels will be attached. The front wheels measure 18 inches while the rears are 19 inch each with Pirelli P Zero Nero tires.

The BRABUS enhanced Tesla Roadster will be on display later this month in Germany. Don’t expect to see many, if any around on the streets though due to the amount of actual Teslas about being quite low.

Via: AutoBlog

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BRABUS Tesla Roadster

These new RX models from Lexus attempt to raise the bar by offering more luxury, comfort, technology, safety and more importantly, efficiency.

Leftlane news managed to pick up some leaked pictures of the RX 450h assuming this is what they captured…

As seen in the leaked photo, the 2010 RX won’t diverge too much front the current CUV’s styling, but it should sport a more modern exterior. The waterfall-style front grille looks like it grows a little bit, not a surprise given the RX as a whole is expected to grow about two inches in length. In fact, the new RX is expected to pack on another 640 pounds, bringing its curb weight to a rather portly 4,510 lbs. We’re expecting the same 3.5 liter V6 that’s in the current model — with 280 horsepower — although it’ll be hooked up to a 6-speed automatic transmission, one more ratio than the current vehicle offers.

As more details arrive we will post them here at Carformance.

Via: PRNewsWire Image and Quote via: LeftLaneNews

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Lexus to Debut 2010 Lexus RX

So I thought the PINK Nissan Micra was cool and then I came across the new Nissan Cube!!! It’s kind of like a Cabbage Patch kid, really ugly but somehow still manages to be really cute at the same time – if you get what I mean!

The Cube is a mini MPV that is currently only sold in Japan. It was first released in 2002 and was based on the third generation of the Micra; powered by a 1.4 L engine. In 2005 the Cube was upgraded with a 1.5 L engine and is now available with the new e4WD system.

In 2008, Nissan revealed the electric cube concept (Nissan Denki). The Denki Cube concept is a lithium-ion battery-powered electric vehicle.

Nissan’s future plans are to sell a redesigned gasoline-powered, next-generation Cube at Nissan dealers in the United States and Canada. We should be lucky enough to see it in Spring 2009. This 3rd generation Cube will be revealed at the LA Auto Show on November 19 2008.
I wonder how the Cube would look in pink?! – just a thought!!

Here are a couple of CG versions…

Via: Nissan

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2008 Nissan Cube

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Nissan Micra CC Pink Car – Video Clip

Needless to say, by the time one of us had a license Blossom had already died – Our dreams of road trips were thwarted and I remember thinking “what a pile of junk”!

Oh how things have changed since then… already available in Europe the new Ford Fiesta is much more pleasing to the eye – it looks way cooler than the ones I remember! The interior displays quality materials and has a clean look while the exterior shows off Ford’s new kinetic design. The U.S. should expect to be graced with it’s presence in 2010.

There is a choice of three gasoline engines over in Europe (1.25, 1.4 and 1.6 liters) and two turbo-diesels (1.4 and 1.6). There is still no news for us over here in North America though other than fuel economy targets being 31/39 city/highway.

Overall I think that aesthetically, Ford have done a great job with this one, maybe one day I’ll get to drive one and hope that it lasts longer than Blossom did.

Via: RoadandTrack

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2010 Ford Fiesta

With the screens being controlled by computer this obviously opens up the possibility that the screens can be customised. Ford will be using the following information to be shown on screen.

* Inform: Fuel level and battery charge status
* Enlighten: Adds electric vehicle mode indicator and tachometer
* Engage: Adds engine output power and battery output power
* Empower: Adds power to wheels, engine pull-up threshold and accessory power consumption

On the night time display (second picture) you will notice there is a picture of leaves. These leaves turn greener when you are getting better mileage out of the vehicle. The idea here is to get things as green as possible.

Via: CNet and CarZi

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Ford Hybrid Gauges

Via: UberReview

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Huge Monster Beetle