How’s your memory? Do you remember the time before SUVs? Back then, “car” likely meant sedan, and most likely it was mid-sized. From its introduction in the mid-1980s, the Ford Taurus was the class benchmark.

And then from the early 90s, it seemed that Ford, like its domestic competitors, was more of a truck company that made cars as a sideline. The Explorer was the franchise, and on the car side the Taurus was dethroned by import-brand competitors. When it came time for a third-generation Taurus, the car was noticeably larger an debuted under a new name, 500, although that nameplate was short-lived and quickly reverted to the familiar Taurus.

If Ford seemed more than a little confused with placement of its one-time star, such was not the case when the Fusion debuted for model year 2006. It was aimed directly at the Japanese-branded competition, with an economical four-cylinder engine (which the Taurus never had) as well as the familiar 3.0-liter “Duratec” V6, which had evolved considerably since its debut with the second-generation Taurus a decade before. In a class notable for non-notable styling, the Fusion’s chiseled lines stood out. With a well-developed chassis, it offered a positive driving experience in a class too notable for boring transportation appliances.

The Fusion was a success, and to keep momentum the second generation appeared as an early-release 2010 car earlier this year. Styling is bolder but immediately identifiable, with aerodynamic improvements that help increase fuel economy. The interior is likewise upgraded. Under the hood, the four-cylinder engine is new, larger at 2.5 liters (vs. 2.3) and more powerful. More power has also been found in the 3.0-liter V6, which can be run on E85 as well as regular unleaded gasoline. And in both, fuel economy has been improved. All transmissions, manual (with the four) and automatic, are now six-speeds. New safety technologies, including Ford’s radar-based Blind Spot Information System (BLIS™) with Cross Traffic Alert, are available. Read the rest of this entry »

Audi was also able to halve the distance between it and premium-car sales leader BMW brand. BMW may have led Audi by 184,294 units a year ago but last month the gap had narrowed to 93,112. Despite Audi’s gains, which are supported by increasing sales in China, it is still in third place in global sales. Continued after the jump!

In November, BMW brand sold 90,383 units, an 11.1% increase compared to the same month last year. Meanwhile, Mercedes’ volume rose 19.1% to 88,600 units and Audi posted an 8.9% rise to 82,750. Audi, which is the top-selling premium brand in China, had its volume last month increased 101.9% to 16,503 cars.

From January to November, Audi has sold a company-record 139,872 cars in China, a 28.6% increase. BMW credits its November sales increase on strong demand for its Z4 roadster and 7 series upper-premium car. Z4’s November sales were up 149.3 percent to 1,760 compared with November 2008.

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From the first day Lamborghini announced its new and improved Gallardo LP560-4, it didn’t take a rocket scientist to figure it was only a question of time until the Gallardo Spyder received the same treatment.

That time has come. Now entering into the (Raging Bull) ring is the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder, which is making its world debut at the 2008 Los Angeles auto show.

Like the coupe, the LP560-4 Spyder loses 44 lb and gets 200 cc added to its V-10 engine — a new, 5.2L aluminum unit with 552 hp, 398 lb-ft on tap. Mated to the updated engine is Lambo’s reprogrammed e.gear six-speed transmission that Lamborghini claims shifts 40% faster in the sportiest “corsa” mode. The improvements led to a claimed 0-to-62-mph time of 4.0 sec and a top speed of 201 mph for the LP560-4 Spyder according to the automaker. At the same time, Lamborghini points out that both fuel economy and CO2 emissions are substantially improved. The outgoing Gallardo Spyder achieved 10/15 mpg with the stick and 10/16 mpg with the e.gear, but the LP560-4 gets 12/20 with the stick and 13/20 with the e.gear. Impressive numbers for a supercar.

The LP560-4 Spyder’s brakes have been upgraded as well. The standard brake system consists of 14.4-in. vented discs with eight-piston Brembo calipers up front and 14.0-in. vented discs with four-piston calipers at the rear. If that’s not enough, Lamborghini offers a carbon-ceramic brake package consisting of monster 15.0-in. discs up front and 14.0-in. discs at rear.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the Spyder’s roof design. The Gallardo remains a softtop convertible. Its canvas top, available in four colors — black, blue, gray, and beige — opens or closes in just 20 sec, a remarkable contrast to the infamous afterthought top on the Murcielago Spyder. With the top down, the rear glass can be left up to serve as a wind deflector, or it can be folded independently with the top up. Rollover protection is provided via a pair of spring-loaded bars behind the seats that deploy within 250 msec if necessary. According to Lamborghini, the extra flexibility associated with the lack of a fixed roof is compensated for with structural elements within the frame designed to increase rigidity.

Standard features include dual side curtain airbags, dual-zone climate control, leather seats, HID headlights with LED driving lights, and a stereo with a USB input. Optional features include Bluetooth, a navigation system and a rearview camera. Also available are Alcantara-upholstered seats and various carbon trim options. Still no scissor doors though.

Lamborghini couldn’t have picked a more suitable of a place to launch its new drop-top model than Southern California, specifically at the 2008 Los Angeles International Auto Show. With supercar-friendly weather virtually year ’round, it’s little surprise that the area is a huge market for the Raging Bull. Earlier this year, the company announced it would be setting up its North American headquarters in Santa Monica and until recently, Southern California was home to the world’s number-one Lamborghini dealer, the now-closed Lamborghini of Orange County, which accounted for about 10% of Lambo’s global sales annually. Dealer drama aside, the 2009 Gallardo LP560-4 Spyder should start at around $220,000 when it goes on sale sometime next year.

Exotic car clubs are for those of us who are enthusiastic about exotic cars and all they have to offer. There are many exotic car clubs across the country that cater to enthusiasts of exotic cars, and here are a few of the best.

First up is the Classic Car Club in Manhattan, New York. With a joining fee of $1,500 and a membership fee of $7,000 $10,500 annually, this clubs motto is All the fun, none of the hassle. This exotic car club even has been featured on VH1s Fabulous 40 in 2006. Another option to pay your membership fees to be in this exotic car club: Pay a one time lifetime membership fee of $55,000!

The club has more than two dozen exotic cars on hand, and they have a goal of 80 cars. Their collection has been called one of the nicest in New York, and some of the cars to their name include Porche, Lotus, Rolls Royce, and Ferrari. Most of the cars that this club has cannot be found anywhere else. There is no such thing as cheap replicas in this club.

The Exotic Car Country Club in Florida is famous for its large cash flow and love for classic and exotic cars. The membership fees range from $100,000 to $250,000, and monthly fees are from $1,600 to $1,800. The exotic car club will pick up and deliver a model, as long as you pay for delivery, the Exotic Car Country Club will pay for the return shipping. The club will deliver and pick up cars throughout the country, just dont keep them longer than three months.

The LuxShare Auto Club in Evansville, Indiana is one of the greatest exotic car clubs in the country. The city has an established Panoz dealership in Buxton Motorsports. The enrollment fee is $250 for this exotic car club, and the annual fee is $7,250 to $9,000 for premium membership status. Even though the club is fairly new, with only one Porsche Cayman S, the exotic car club needs to gain members to gain cars, and gain cars to gain members, so this great little exotic car club will gain momentum and power before you know it.

These are just three of the many exotic car clubs in the country, and each and every one is unique and has their own dynamite collection of cars. The fees vary depending on the clubs, but chances are pretty good that you can find an exotic car club that suits you perfectly.

In 2009 Mercedes will be fitting the new S-Class with lithium-ion hybrid batteries from Johnson Controls. That is why Mercedes and Johnson Controls are setting new standards: the S400 is the first saloon to be equipped with this forward-looking technology.

The Mercedes S400 is equipped with a mild hybrid drive with an electrical engine which will function simultaneously as a “start-stop” starter generator and as a boost support. The new hybrid battery systems from Johnson Controls are designed for use in so-called “full hybrids” and are tested successfully under the toughest conditions. “We are delighted to be working together with Daimler on such an important project,” says Mary Ann Wright, the manager responsible from Johnson Controls-Saft. “We have worked very hard together to develop an excellent hybrid battery system.” Lithium-ion hybrid batteries will in future replace the nickel metal hydride batteries used in hybrid vehicles.

Johnson Controls-Saft is a joint venture of the world’s largest car battery manufacturer, Johnson Controls, with Saft, the French specialist for special batteries. The lithium-ion cells are manufactured in Nersac, France and are turned into batteries in Hanover, Germany, which have their own management systems.