Dodge Caliber: Dodge loaded its entry-level Caliber with gizmos when it was introduced three years ago, including a Chill Zone section of the glovebox to keep drinks cool; a rear cargo light that also serves as a removable LED flashlight; a part of the armrest that flips up to hold an iPod; and illuminated cupholders. Optional tech can also be added to the Caliber without breaking the bank. Chrysler’s UConnect hands-free phone system is one of the best Bluetooth systems available at any price.  Also offered is a $595 Premium Sound Group option that includes a nine-speaker Boston Acoustics audio system with an 8-inch subwoofer, and a Music Gate boombox-style speaker enclosure that swings down from the hatch for tailgate-style tunes.

Ford Focus:  Ford made an important — and successful — strategic decision to include its Sync technology not just on high-end models, but on a broad range of its vehicles. It picked the entry-level Focus as a major player for the launch of Sync since Ford realized that it’s the type of vehicle — and technology — that would appeal to the car’s young target market. Sync proved not only popular, but also became a benchmark for the way drivers access music on portable media players via voice activation. Sync’s Bluetooth feature also makes hands-free calls almost effortless, and the system can even receive and reply to text messages. The best part is that Sync is standard on the top-of-the-line Focus SEL and SES models.

In 2006 when Edge was introduced, the midsize crossover segment accounted for 4.3 percent of the retail industry. Last year, that number grew to 9.5 percent. And this year, it’s expected to top 11 percent, making the segment the same size as full-size pickups and more than sports cars. Now comes the new 2011 Ford Edge with three new powertrains, bold new styling, improved driving dynamics and industry-leading MyFord Touch technology. The 2011 Ford Edge SEL and Limited, which account for about 80 percent of all Edge sales, have EPA-estimated fuel economy of 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway (front-wheel drive), which is unsurpassed in each category among V6 competitors. The new Edge is now 1 mpg better city and 2 mpg better highway – with even greater power. The standard 3.5-liter V6 engine produces 285 horsepower, best-in-class among V6 competitors and 20 more horsepower than the outgoing Edge.

Anyone who hasn’t been in a Mustang for a couple of years will want to take a look at the 2011. Much improved for 2010, the 2011 sees some interior changes that add to the overall comfort and appeal of this vehicle. The front bucket seats are significantly more comfortable and better looking than those used in the 2009 models, though they could still use slightly more lateral support. The aforementioned noise, vibration and harshness improvements have made what was once a rather loud car pleasingly quiet, though the Mustang’s all-American pony car rumble is still audible to drivers and onlookers alike.

The 2011 Mustang is offered in V6 Base and Premium models, V8-powered GT Base and Premium models, and the supercharged V8-powered GT500. Each are available in coupe and convertible body styles. V6 models use a new 3.7-liter V6 that makes 305 horsepower. GT models have a new 5.0-liter V8 that produces 412 horsepower. The GT500s have an updated 5.4-liter V8 that produces a whopping 550 horsepower. A six-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed automatic is optional on all but the GT500.

The 2011 Ford Mustang comes in three body styles: coupe, convertible, and a glass-roof coupe. Each is available in both the traditional V6 model and the V8-powered Mustang GT. Both the V6 and V8 engines are more powerful in 2011.

The 2011 Ford Mustang is at the front of the pack when it comes to performance per dollar. The 2011 Mustang V6 handles quite well and delivers power close to last year’s V8. The GT is quicker, faster, quieter and more refined than any V8 Mustang ever.

The 2011 Mustang has more features, more comfort, and more sheer performance than any previous production Mustang, and it’s priced to sell. If you are looking for muscle car power with great design ata nice price, the 2010 Mustang could be for you! We recommend checking out a review for the 2010 Chevy Camaro in Philadelphia PA for comparative purposes.

In addition to the action at X Games, Ford has created unique ways for fans to get in on the fun. One, called “I Win! You Win!” is an on-site promotion where fans in attendance to X Games can text “FORD” to 66937 to be randomly paired with one of the featured athletes for the events. The athletes include Ford Racing rally drivers and Metal Mulisha’s motocross team. If a fan is paired with an athlete and that athlete wins the event, the fan wins the athlete’s custom Fiesta.

Fans also will have another opportunity to win a Fiesta through the “Rock It Like Block” contest. A grand-prize winner will win a 2011 Ford Fiesta, custom designed by Ken Block. The contest runs through Aug. 13, and entries can be submitted at www.rockitlikeblock.com.

Ford also is teaming up with Metal Mulisha to display a Ford Fiesta in its pits during X Games. The team will sign autographs at the Ford Fiesta display, where co-branded Ford and Metal Mulisha posters and skateboard decks will be given away.

The 2011 Shelby GT500 is powered by a new aluminum-block 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine, which produces 550 horsepower and 510 lb.-ft. of torque, a 10 horsepower increase over the 2010 model. The engine is 102 pounds lighter than its predecessor, delivering a better power-to-weight ratio, improved fuel economy, acceleration, handling and steering precision.

The new engine uses a state-of-the-art Plasma Transferred Wire Arc (PTWA) liner coating, a process that applies a 150-micron composite coating that contains nanoparticles on the internal surfaces of engine cylinder bores, replacing cast-iron liners typically used in aluminum engine blocks. The Intellectual Property Owners Education Foundation honored the inventors of the Ford-patented PTWA technology with the 2009 National Inventor of the Year Award.

Standard 2011 performance features include the 550-horsepower aluminum 5.4-liter V8 engine, a new 2.75-inch exhaust system, revised brake cooling and pedal box construction for more consistent brake pedal efforts and feel, and electric power-assisted steering (EPAS). SVT worked hard to make EPAS better than the outgoing hydraulic steering system, with improved torque build-up and road feel.

New for 2011 is an optional glass roof providing customers with yet another open-air option that does not compromise the coupe’s versatility, headroom or climate-controlled environment. Interior options have proven immensely popular, with almost 70 percent of the GT500s ordered with the Electronics Package, which includes voice-activated navigation, SIRIUS Travel Link, HD Radio and dual-zone electronic automatic temperature control.

There are a few different type of automatic washes, these include the older versions which use brushes, the newer versions will be “brushless” or “touchless” Finding the latter two are the best options as some older car washes still use abrasive brushes (instead of cloth), which can leave small scratches in a car’s finish.

Touchless car washes use only high-pressure water jets and detergents to clean the car — without physically touching it at all. There is virtually no chance of your vehicle suffering any cosmetic damage this way. Also, some areas have “self-service” coin-operated hand washes, which are great for spraying away heavy dirt buildup.

At the end of a wash, if it is a full-service car wash, the attendants may wipe down the car by hand.  This is usually OK — provided the attendants are using fresh, clean and soft towels to do so. Dirt and other abrasives in the rags can scratch the finish just like sandpaper. Simply driving away from the wash and letting air flow over the car to dry any remaining water won’t hurt anything — and is the best guarantee of a no-damage experience.

There are usually different ‘packages’ at a car wash, whether you want a basic wash or ‘the works’. One worthwhile extra an undercarriage bath, it may be worth the additional cost. Jets of water sprayed directly underneath the car can break loose accumulated. It’s also important that underbody drainage holes not be obstructed by mud and other buildup. The undercarriage bath should help keep those drain holes clear.

In most cases automatic car washes are absolutely safe for your vehicle. In fact, automatic car washes can be safer for your car’s finish than washing your car yourself because do-it-yourselfers sometimes don’t use enough water to safely remove dirt; or they wash the car in direct sunlight — which can burn spots in the paint. Or they use the wrong type of soap — such as dishwashing detergent, which removes protective wax and leaves a chalky residue on the finish.

The Grand Caravan and Chrysler Town & Country twins are the last remaining minivans offered by an American automaker. The Grand Caravan’s maximum seating capacity is seven, which is probably the only truly comfortable, workable number even in vans and SUVs with eight positions. Honda’s minivan offers comfort and convenience for up to eight passengers. Four trim levels are offered: LX, EX, EX-L and Touring. Having succeeded in the past thanks in part to the strength of its Stow ‘n Go second-row seats — which fold into the floor — Dodge also brings you optional Swivel ‘n Go: second-row captain’s chairs that rotate 180 degrees to face the third row. The Odyssey, which can be found at your local LA Honda Dealer, offers seating for seven consists of bucket seats in the first and second rows and a 60/40-split third-row bench that folds into the floor. The Grand Caravan comes with three available V-6 engines. The standard 3.3-liter V-6 comes with a four-speed automatic transmission, while the larger engines come with a six-speed automatic. The 2010 Odyssey the top two trim levels use a version of Honda’s 3.5-liter V-6 that shifts automatically between six-, four- and three-cylinder operation in response to driving conditions, in order to save fuel.The Grand Caravan offers two rare safety features for the minivan segment. One is a blind spot warning system that notifies drivers of passing vehicles using icons in the side mirrors and a driver-selected audible chime. The other is a rear cross-path warning system that alerts the driver to oncoming traffic while backing out of a parking space.

Vaughn Gittin Jr.  is a professional driver who knows what Mustangs can do – and he wanted to share that knowledge with Mustang enthusiasts who appreciate the car’s power and capability. Mustang RTR is Gittin Jr.’s vision for introducing a new generation of owners to Mustang, while catering to traditional Mustang enthusiasts. He helped develop the RTR package, which provides performance and appearance upgrades, to allow pony car lovers to make the most of their driving experience.

Mustang RTR commands attention with unique styling that is highlighted by a chin spoiler with splitter and supports, rocker splitters, a rear diffuser and aluminum rear spoiler. A distinctive Mustang RTR stripe scheme adds more distinction. The interior showcases RTR-exclusive floor mats, shifter knob and emblems. The performance upgrade comes with Ford Racing calibration with a high-flow filter and high-performance Falken FK-452 tires, which offer precise handling from five linear ribs and three-dimensional rounded blocks. Stiffer, wide steel belts offer greater tread rigidity, superior grip and high-speed stability, and high-tension carcass and high turn-up construction increase handling response and high-speed stability.

For the hardcore Dodge enthusiast, all-new Katzkin leather seat sets are available in bright white with Plum Crazy piping to highlight these unique Dodge Challengers’ exterior paint and stripes. Additional Katzkin leather seat seats are available directly through Mopar.

Dodge Challenger R/T Classic Plum Crazy models feature dual-wide A-line body-side R/T stripes in matte black or new bright white. Completing the look are “Challenger” fender badges in classic script, large 20-inch polished-aluminum heritage wheels with all-season performance tires, classic egg-crate grille with heritage “R/T” badge, body-color rear spoiler, functional hood scoop and bright racing style fuel-filler door.

Delivering even more punch, the 2010 Dodge Challenger SRT8 Plum Crazy edition delivers even more exclusivity with a 6.1-liter HEMI V-8 engine producing 425 horsepower and 420 lb.-ft. of torque, performance-tuned ride and handling, benchmark braking and race-inspired interior with unique SRT-designed appointments and exterior-matching SRT performance seats with Plum Crazy accented stripe.
The MSRP for the new 2010 Dodge Challenger R/T Classic in Plum Crazy Pearl Coat is $35,140, while the high-performance SRT8 model is $44,155.