AUTOMOTIVE | SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 2010 | PAGE 31

The Buick LaCrosse is alarge luxury sedan and the

flagship model of the Buickbrand. Heavily redesigned

inside and out for 2010onward, the car has a start-

ing price of $26,995. TheLaCrosse is sold in theUnited States and China,and was developed withboth markets in mind.

The entry-level modelfor the LaCrosse is the CX,and features a direct-inject-ed version of GM’s 2.4-liter4-cylinder Ecotec motor,generating 182 horsepowerand 172 pound-feet of torque.This entry-level model alsopromises to deliver up to 30mpg highway thanks in partto its six-speed automatictransmission.

The mid-level CX modelfeatures front-wheel-driveand a 255 horsepower V6motor. The CXL, whichfeatures a leather interiorand more luxury features, isslightly more expensive at$30,395. All-wheel-drive isa $2,175 option. The range-topping CXS features AWDstandard, plus a more pow-erful 280 hp V6.

In terms of exteriordesign, the Lacrosse buildson the theme established bythe Enclave crossover.Buick has relocated its sig-nature portholes from the

front fender to the hood, aseemingly more functionallocation. Most of the otherdetails follow Buick’s latestdesign language, includingthe ‘waterfall’ grille andsmooth sculpted surfaces.

The 2010 LaCrosse isoffered in three models -CX, CXL and CXS. TheCXL will be equipped witha new 3.0-liter direct injec-tion V6, premium clothseats and 17-inch wheels.The engine generates anestimated 255 hp and 211lb-ft of torque and is matedto a six-speed automatic.

The CXL variant isequipped with the samemotor, but adds leather-appointed heated seats,dual-zone automatic cli-mate control, fog lamps,outside rearview mirrorwith LED turn indicators

and puddle lamps, and 18-inch wheels. AWD is avail-able. Lastly, the CXS comeswith a more powerful 3.6-liter direct injection V6,real-time active-dampen-ing suspension, perforatedleather heated and cooledseats, and chrome-plated18-inch wheels (19-inch op-tional). The motor, matedto a six-speed automatic,generates an estimated 280horsepower and 261 lb-ft oftorque.

Codenamed GMX353,the new LaCrosse is thefirst car in the United Statesto ride on the new globalfront-wheel drive EpsilonII platform. The new Buickwill be assembled at GM’sFairfax facility. LaCrosseannual production is esti-mated in the 65,000 to75,000 per year range.

PAGE 2A | ST. TAMMANY NEWS | FRIDAY, JUNE 18, 2010

2010 Buick LaCrosse

2010 BUICK LACROSSE

The second generationMazda 6, launched in mid-2008, grows in every keydimension and featureslarger engines as well.Mazda says the bump indisplacement, as well ashandling traits and interiorcomfort, were “optimized”for North American roads.In Japan and Europe, a dif-ferent, smaller Mazda 6 willbe sold.

Engines include a new170 horsepower 2.5 literinline-four and the corpo-rate 3.7 liter V6 borrowedfrom the CX-9 SUV assem-bly line ?’ producing 272horsepower. Transmissionsfor the four-cylinder modelinclude a six-speed manualor a five-speed automatic.The V6 puts power downexclusively via a six-speedautomatic, unlike the stan-dard five-speed stick in thelast generation’s V6 trims.

The Mazda6 is availablein two basic trim levelsonce it hits U.S. dealers –Mazda6 i and Mazda6. TheMazda6 i is available in SV,

Sport, Touring and GrandTouring trim levels whilethe Mazda6 s is available inSport, Touring and GrandTouring trim levels.

Despite the fastbackroofline, the North Amer-ican 6 comes as a four-doorsedan only and Mazda doesnot mention any other bodystyles including coupe orconvertible models. Justlike the original 6, the car isproduced at the AutoAlliance International plantshared with Ford in FlatRock, Michigan.

The U.S. spec Mazda6differs from the car previ-ously introduced with a

very different look in therear. Different taillights setthem apart, as does thelocation change of the thirdbrake-light. The licenseplate moves up in the U.S.version, exhaust tips looksportier and the Mazdaemblem shrinks slightly.Look closely and you seeeven more changes with therear fascia.

Expectations are high forthe new Mazda6 – the firstmodel almost single-hand-edly reinvented Mazda andwas the fastest vehicle theautomaker ever producedto exceed 1 million unitssold worldwide.

2010 Mazda 6

2010 MAZDA 6

OK, we’re going to getstraight to the point here.The 2010 ChevroletCamaro rocks. After yearsof anticipation, Chevy’snew Camaro not only livesup to the hype but alsoredefines what a muscle carcan be. The traditionalstereotype goes somethinglike this — the affordablebase model looks fast butgoes slow due to a lumpyV6, while the V8-poweredmodel will do apocalypticburnouts in the high schoolparking lot but can’t cornerto save its (or your) life. Thelatest Dodge Challengercomes uncomfortably closeto this archetype, and theFord Mustang is at leastguilty on the V6 front. Butthis new Camaro, well, it’san altogether differentbeast.

Impressively, the newChevy Camaro is an excel-lent performance-car valuewhether it’s equipped withthe base direct-injected V6or the optional V8. The V6-powered base Camaro cansprint to 60 mph in 6.0 sec-onds, thanks to 300 horse-

power, yet it costs the sameas competitors like the con-siderably slower HyundaiGenesis Coupe 2.0T. Heck,even the V6’s fuel economyis impressive compared toits competition. The V8-powered Camaro SS withthe manual transmissiondispenses with 60 mph in ablistering 5.0 seconds —426 hp will do that for you— yet it’s considerablycheaper than cars like theBMW 135i and ChallengerSRT8 and outperforms the

slightly more affordableMustang GT. The Camarohandles smartly, too, witheven the base car surpass-ing the rarefied 68 mphmark on our slalom course.

Riding on a shortenedand reworked version ofGM’s Zeta platform, whichit shares with the PontiacG8 sport sedan, the Camaroboasts an independent rearsuspension and refinedhandling characteristics.The base direct-injected3.6-liter V6 is the same

sophisticated engine that’san extra-cost option on theCadillac CTS luxury sedan,while the 6.2-liter V8 in them a n u a l - t r a n s m i s s i o nCamaro SS is essentiallyborrowed from the baseCorvette (automatic SSmodels get a slightly lesspowerful V8 variant). Thisis some serious hardware,and as our tests haveshown, it really delivers theperformance goods.

This isn’t to say thatChevrolet has somehowspawned the perfect per-formance coupe. Whileappealingly styled, the car’sretro-themed exterior andhigh beltline leave littleroom for glass, and theresulting gun-slit-likewindshield and windowscompromise outward visi-bility to the point that it canbe difficult to place the carin tight corners (and park-ing spots). Another knock

against the Camaro is itslackluster interior materi-als — they’re better than theold Camaro’s, for sure, but acouple competing modelsdo it better. There’s also thecomically small trunkopening (meaning it’s hardto load large items into thetrunk) and the lack of a fac-tory navigation system.

But will you care?Probably not. In the finalanalysis, the 2010Chevrolet Camaro is a car

that’s no-excuses good.Even the Camaro in V6automatic trim is no longersomething that enthusiastswill snicker at. And withthe chest-pounding V8, theCamaro will have the mus-cle car gods gazing downand beaming. You also getcapable handling abilities,retro-cool styling andimpossible-to-ignore pric-ing. The wait is over; theCamaro is here. And yes, itrocks.

AUTOMOTIVE | SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 2010 | PAGE 3

The Mitsubishi LancerSportback builds on thestylish and popular Lancersedan, offering more versa-tility with a rear liftgate andenhanced cargo capacity.

The five-passenger Lan-cer Sportback is available intwo variants: the front-wheel drive GTS and theall-wheel drive Ralliart.The GTS is powered by a168-hp 2.4-liter four-cylin-der engine, mated to a five-speed manual transmission;a continuously variabletransmission with Sport-ronic manual mode andpaddle shifters is optional.Ralliart trims boast a 237-hp2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine, pairedwith a 6-speed Twin-Clutch Sportronic Shifttransmission (TC-SST) andpaddle shifters.

The GTS trim isequipped with 18-inch alloy

wheels, rear spoiler, auto-matic climate control, a CDplayer with MP3 capabilityand an auxiliary audio inputjack; the sporty Ralliarttrim adds front and rearlimited slip differentials,performance tires and aFAST-key passive entry sys-tem, as well as exclusiveexterior and interior trimelements. Standard safetyfeatures on all Lancer

Sportback models includestability and traction con-trol systems, 4-wheel anti-lock disc brakes, active anti-whiplash front headrestraints and a tire pres-sure monitor, along withfront, front side-impact,overhead curtain and dri-ver’s side knee airbags.

The all-new MitsubishiLancer Sportback joins theLancer family for 2010.

2010 Chevrolet Camaro

2010 CHEVROLET CAMARO

2010 MITSUBISH LANCER SPORTBACK

2010 Mitsubish Lancer Sportback

The Nissan Sentra front-wheel drive 4-door sedan isa practical, roomy and eco-nomical car with severaltrims available to suit a per-son’s needs.

The Sentra has six trimsavailable: the 2.0, 2.0S,2.0SL, 2.0SR, SE-R, and theSE-R Spec V. The 2.0-literfour-cylinder engine pro-duces 140-hp and is matedto either a six-speed manualor a continuously variabletransmission. The SE-R andSE-R Spec V both have a2.5-liter four-cylinderengine which produces 177-hp in the SE-R and 200-hpin the Spec V. The SE-R isoffered only with a CVTtransmission, while theSpec V is paired with a six-speed manual transmission.

Safety equipment is exten-sive on all trims, includingdual-stage front airbags,front side airbags, fulllength curtain airbags,active front seat headrests,and a tire pressure monitor-ing system.

For 2010, the NissanSentra receives a number ofcontent and packagingchanges. The exterior hasbeen enhanced with newtaillights and headlights,and certain models receivenew front fascia and grille.

Think of it as a Jetta GLIwith a VW’s 2.0 TDIengine. Or think of it as aVolkswagen Jetta 2.0 TDIequipped with the JettaGLI’s brakes, the Jetta GLIsuspension, plus the fasciafront fascia from cribbedfrom the VolkswagenThunder Bunny II, a showcar at the 2006 SEMA auto-motive aftermarket partsshow. Either way it’s thesame thing, but the folks atVolkswagen call it theVolkswagen Jetta TDI CupEdition concept car.

The Jetta TCI CupEdition concept is based onand honors the cars builtfor and raced in theVolkswagen Jetta TDI Cuprace series. Started lastyear, the Jetta TDI Cup isthe first all-diesel raceseries in North America,comprised of equally-pre-pared VW Jetta 2.0 TDIsmodified for safety—rollcage and safety seating,

exterior emergency electri-cal power cut-off switch.The mufflers go, too, but tominimize the race series’“carbon footprint”; howev-er, all emissions hardwareremains intact.

Volkswagen touts therace series as a tool “to dev-elop the best of motor-sport’s up-and-coming tal-ent,” but it’s also a publicitytool, a way of making dieselsexy. The Jetta TDI Cupconcept, then, is another

element in the VW dieselpromotion program, a wayof bringing attention to therace series which of coursebrings attention back to thedieselification of VW.

According to VW’s SteveKeyes, however, the con-cept will become produc-tion sometimes this fall.

The cars will be e-quipped like the Jetta TDICup Edition concept, not adifficult thing to do becauseall of the bits and pieces

come directly from the VWwarehouse and can be as-sembled on the productionline.

The 2006 Thunder Bun-ny show car is itself heir tothe original Thunder Bun-ny, a one-off high perform-ance VW Rabbit built byBill Neumann, founder ofAutomotive PerformanceSystems, a California VWtuner shop and producer ofNeuspeed performanceparts for water-cooledVolkswagens. Based on theoriginal Golf—known in theU.S. as the Rabbit—theThunder Bunny was com-pleted in 1981 and wowedthe writers at Motor Trendand Road & Track maga-zines. Indeed, ThunderBunny the First is creditedby some as the source oftoday’s high performancesport compact car phenom-enon.

Twenty-five years laterNeumann collaboratedwith Derek Jenkins, chiefdesigner at the VolkswagenDesign Center California inSanta Monica in makingwhat might be called Son ofThunder Bunny but wasn’t.The new Thunder Bunny,like the original, was sub-stantially modified mech-anically. Styling changeswere modest, at least bySEMA standards, but fea-

tured a gaping grille (closedoff across the top) withlarge open “cheek” grilles.

It was that front fasciathat was adopted for theJetta TDI Cup race cars andthen for the VolkswagenJetta TDI Cup Edition con-cept as well as the forth-coming Jetta TDI Editionproduction model.

The resulting 2010Volkswagen Jetta TDI CupEdition, then, is a Jetta TDICup replica, which means itwill handle and brake like aJetta GLI but will acceler-ate—and get the extraordi-nary fuel mileage and makethe CO2 emissions—of aJetta TDI. The Jetta TDICup Edition will be a sportcompact that even MaNature could love.

The 2010 VolkswagenJetta TDI Cup Edition has-n’t been officially an-nounced yet but it can beconsidered a done deal. Alimited production run ofabout 1,200 cars will beoffered, priced somewherebelow $27,000. That’s morethan the Jetta GLI whichwill handily out acceleratethe TDI. Volkswagenclaims 7.2 seconds for 0-60mph for the GLI while theTDI with the manual trans-mission takes 8.2 seconds,which is a great improve-ment over the previous

diesel Jetta but it’s stillslower through the quartermile than the GLI. With theTDI’s 236 lb-ft of torquethat might not hold on awinding road but without adirect comparison we can’trightly say.

After the Virginia Inter-national Raceway opener,we talked with several JettaTDI Cup racers who notsurprisingly praised theirJetta TDI race cars, not justthe handling but the pullingpower of the 2.0-liter TDIdiesel engine. The engine’sbroad spread of torquemade shifting just an occa-sional thing. That’s good inthat it’s one less thing tothink about, but on theother hand, drivers say that,even with no muffler, the2.0-liter TDI diesel is soquiet compared to othercars on the track, shiftingby ear is not an option, andanyway, short-shifting thetransmission—not runningthe engine all the way out toredline—gets better results.

About the same could beexpected from the produc-tion 2010 Volkswagen JettaTDI Cup Edition, becausewhatever else one mightcall it, that’s really what itis. The question it leaves,however, is whether this isthe sports sedan of thefuture?

PAGE 4 | AUTOMOTIVE | SUNDAY, JUNE 20, 2010

2010 Nissan Sentra

2010 Volkswagon Jetta

2010 VOLKSWAGON JETTA

2010 NISSAN SENTRA