ArcaMax

2009 new car preview By Eric Peters For immediate release

2009 is going to be a very different year for the auto industry - and for buyers, too. The fact of $4 per gallon gas - and the fear of $5 or even $6 per gallon perhaps months away, at most - is forcing everyone to do a parking brake 180. Big SUVs and 400 horsepower performance cars are on the Endangered Species List. High-efficiency (and low cost) smaller cars are the new apple of everyone's eye.

Here's a look at some of what's on deck for the coming year:

I. Small cars/sporty cars

* 2010 Chevy Camaro - Key feature: High-efficiency and high-power V-6 engine

While the V-8 powered SS version of the resurrected Camaro gets all the attention from the press, it's the V-6 powered standard coupe and (later in calendar year '09) convertible that will probably appeal to most buyers in a world of $50 fill-ups. This engine will feature direct injection and be capable of achieving close to 30 mpg on the highway. But the base 3.6 V-6 shouldn't disappoint performance enthusiasts, either. With more than 300 horsepower on tap, the base V-6 Camaro will be much stronger than the base V-6 powered Dodge Challenger (250 hp) and more powerful than most of the V-8 powered Z28s of the 1990s. Base price: $22,000 (estimated)

* 2010 Ford Fiesta - Key feature: A much-improved take on the '80s-era econobox icon

A familiar name from the last gas crunch returns - only it's going to be a lot more pleasant this time around. Already available in Europe - where gas has been as high as $8 per gallon for many years now - Ford is advancing the U.S. introduction of this high-efficiency sedan/hatchback to early 2009. Expect gas mileage in the high 30s - and a price in the low teens. It's a great alternative to pricier hybrids that only get slightly better real world economy. Base price: $13,500 (estimated)

* 2009 Honda Fit - Key feature: 7,000 RPM VTEC technology at a Motel 6 price

Entirely new for '09, the Fit is an ultra-compact five-door hatchback that can tickle 40 mpg on the highway and deliver 30-something mpg in combined city/highway driving. Though small outside, the Fit can handle five passengers and thanks to its high-roof/boxy profile, can carry tall/unwieldy cargo, too. Though its primary mission is economical transportation, the Fit offers a free-revving 1.5 liter, 115-hp engine with Honda's VTEC variable cam timing system - and available F1-style paddle shifters for automatic-equipped versions. Base price: $14,500 (estimated)

2010 Kia Soul - Key feature: A shape guaranteed to draw attention

This micro-sized crossover wagon is the first attempt by Kia to directly challenge Toyota's youth-oriented Scion brand - and specifically, the snarky little xB wagon. Like the xB, the Soul is both inexpensive and styled to make an impression - with a small body dropped low on big wheels set wide on pontoon-style fender flares. The 5-door hatchback wagon will be powered by a 2.0 liter four good for 138 hp and 30-something mpgs on the highway. Expect Kia to price the Soul very aggressively - in order to undercut the xB and other potential competition from the big name Japanese automakers. Base price: $13,500 (estimated)

* 2010 Nissan Cube - Key feature: The perfect car for playing Frogger in city traffic

No, it's not the second coming of The Borg from TV's "Star Trek" - it's another high-style, low-price (and high-economy) small wagon designed for urban commuting. The boxy look is similar to the first generation Scion xB - and like that model, its slot-car exterior dimensions make it a snap to park on city streets while its 40 mpg highway capability makes it almost as cheap to operate as a small motorcycle. It's rumored a hybrid version will be offered either later in 2009 or sometime in calendar year 2010. Given its size and low weight, a hybrid version of the Cube ought  to be able to deliver 60 mpg in real world driving - much better than the real-world performance of the larger/heavier Toyota Prius. Base price: $16,000 (estimated)

II. Family cars/sedans/wagons

* 2009 VW Jetta diesel - Key feature: 40-plus mpg capability without expensive hybrid technology

Finally, after disappearing from the U.S. market for several years, VW returns the diesel-powered Jetta sedan/wagon to its lineup for 2009. VW (and other automakers, including Mercedes-Benz) pulled their high-economy diesels from the market due to issue with U.S. diesel fuel quality - a problem that has been solved with the 50-state introduction of low-sulfur diesel, per government mandate. That means you can buy a vehicle capable of more than 40 mpg on the highway - that also should last for 200,000-plus miles with decent care.  Base price $18,000 (estimated)

* 2009 Nissan Maxima - Key feature: Two-door fun in family-friendly four door form

The Maxima is one of Nissan's most successful cars ever - offering sports car driving fun in a more practical sedan package. The '09 Maxima is all-new and more importantly (for enthusiast-minded drivers) more aggressively styled and tuned than the outgoing '08 model. The standard 3.5 liter V-6 gets a bump in output to 290 hp while the bodywork and interior layout get a complete makeover. A special high-performance SV version gets firmed-up suspension calibrations and a more aggressive wheel-tire package. The only bad news is Nissan has apparently decided to continue selling the new Maxima in automatic-only form - a practice begun with the last generation model. Base price: $29,950 (estimated)

* 2009 Volkswagen Passat Comfort Coupe - Key feature: Almost as stylish as a Benz CLR550 but a lot easier on the wallet

Here's a more affordable take on the Benz CLR "four door coupe" concept. Like the $68,950 (to start) Mercedes-Benz CLR550, the new Passat has steeply raked forward glass, low roofline and ultra-slinky styling - including a huge Panorama sunroof that extends almost the entire length of the car's roof. But with a base price of $27,000 it only costs about half as much as the Benz. Two engine choices - standard 2.0 liter/200 hp four or optional 3.6 liter, 280 hp V-6 - let you order the Passat with the emphasis on performance or efficiency. Four cylinder versions are good for 29 mpg on the highway - while V-6 versions will give some sports cars a run for the money, 0-60. Base price: $27,000 (estimated)

III. Luxury cars

* 2009 Hyundai Genesis - Key feature: Rear-wheel-drive and Hyundai's first-ever V-8

V-8 engines and rear-wheel-drive have long been the indulgences of affluent buyers - and buyers of cop car look-alike Crown Victorias -  until now. The mid-size Genesis sedan offers both (with RWD standard) for a price that's not far off what you'd pay for a well-equipped (and FWD) Honda Accord or Toyota Camry - and a lot less than a functionally similar RWD Lexus or BMW. The standard V-6 produces a very impressive 290 hp, more than just about any competitor - while the optionally available 4.6 liter V-8's 375 hp ought to forever put to bed any jokes about Hyundais being slow. Base price: $33,000 (estimated)

*2009  Lincoln MKS  - Key feature: A return to soft spoken luxury

Not everyone wants a BMW-firm ride - or cares about high-speed cornering prowess. They just want smoothness - and quiet. The new MKS is built to address that need.  In addition to its extra-plush ride quality and seats, it features best-in-class interior space as well as available all-wheel-drive and an industry-first capless fuel filler. The standard 3.7 liter, 275 hp V-6 is powerful enough to deliver 0-60 times of 7.9 seconds but manages to deliver still-reasonable fuel economy - 24 mpg on the highway - and on regular unleaded, not premium gas. Base price: $38,000 (estimated)   

IV. SUVs/crossovers/pick-ups

* 2009 Chevy Tahoe hybrid - Key feature: Full-size V-8 SUV performance and capability with mid-size V-6 crossover fuel economy

Arguably, hybrid technology makes even more sense when applied to large SUVs like the Chevy Tahoe. You still get the size/roominess - and power/capability - of a large, heavy-duty vehicle. But it gets much more manageable gas mileage as a result of the hybrid drivetrain. The '09 hybrid Tahoe's 6 liter V-8 packs 332 hp - enough to pull 6,200 lbs. and carry 1,830 in the cargo area - while returning an EPA estimated 21 mpg in city driving and 22 mpg on the highway. This is about 5-6 mpg better than the non-hybrid Tahoe with the smaller (and less powerful) 5.3 liter V-8. The hybrid Tahoe is also able to run on pure electric/battery power alone at speeds up to about 30 mph - burning no gas at all and creating zero tailpipe emissions, too. Base price: $50,455

* 2009 Ford Escape hybrid - Key feature: Updated  hybrid drivetrain offers more performance and improved economy

With a new six-speed automatic and refinements to its hybrid gas-electric powertrain, the Escape hybrid is one of the most fuel-efficient small SUVs you can buy. It is capable of 34 mpg in city-type driving (comparable to the mileage of a conventional compact economy car) and 31 mpg on the road - a lot more manageable than the low-mid 20s that you could expect to get with a non-hybrid small SUV. The high-end Limited package- which includes heated leather seats, moonroof and premium audio among other upgrades - is now available on hybrid versions of the Escape, too. Base price: $28,305

* 2009 VW Tiguan - Key feature: Standard turbocharged engine and six-speed manual gearbox

An all-new model for VW, the Tiguan is also the automaker's first-ever compact SUV - designed to compete with models like the Honda CRV-V and Toyota RAV-4 on price while offering sporty European driving dynamics comparable to a BMW X3  - but for a lot less money. It is also one of the few vehicles of its type to offer a standard turbocharged engine - good for 200 horsepower - as well as a six-speed manual transmission. It is available with either FWD or VW's 4Motion AWD system. Though its interior/cargo space is smaller than the CR-V's and RAV-4's, the Tiguan gives buyers looking for more sport at the expense of a little utility something to consider. Base price: $23,200

* 2009 Dodge Journey - Key feature: Fire sale pricing

Chrysler Corp. - what's left of it - is in a heap of trouble. Most of its models are either old and out of date - or gas pigs no one wants. The Journey is one of the few that's neither. This is a medium-sized crossover SUV - basically, a high riding wagon styled to look sort of SUV-like. It has room for up to seven people, tons of cargo/storage space (including a neat Chill Zone refrigerated cooler) and for $20k to start, it's one of the least expensive ways for a large family to travel together short of a Greyhound Bus.  Base price: $20,125

* 2009 Hummer H3 Alpha - Key feature: Newly available V-8 engine adds much-needed power

GM finally gets around to addressing the major beef most people have with the Mini Me Hummer H3 - lack of power. Just in time for $4 per gallon gas, you can order a 300 horsepower 5.3 liter V-8 that massively improves both the performance and capability of the H3 - as well as its appetite for fuel. But high gas prices can work to your advantage; dealers are desperate to sell Hummers - and the new H3 Alpha is no exception. With cash back and rebate programs in the $10,000 range before you even begin haggling, it should be possible to buy an H3 at a discount steep enough to make you forget all about how often you'll need to fill it up. Base price: $40,660

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www.ericpetersautos.com or EPeters952@aol.com for comments.