2009 Corolla

Since its introduction in 1968 in the US, the Toyota Corolla has been the best-selling sedan in automobile history. Small, inexpensive, fuel-efficient and reliable, the Corolla is popular among older women. It is estimated that every 40 seconds, a new Corolla rolls off the dealer’s lot.

The 2009 Toyota Corolla, the tenth generation of the model, aims for younger buyers. The model received restyling in its exterior, which, from some angles, made it look like a “baby Camry”. The 2009 Corolla is also 2.5 inches wider than the 2003-2008 models, with some changes in other exterior and interior dimensions. The front room is slightly larger, while the back is smaller, thus taking three adults in the backseat on a long trip would be very uncomfortable.

The 2009 Corolla offers five trim levels: base, LE, new XLE, sporty S models with 132-hp 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine, and XRS models with 158-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. The base, while cheap, lacks the power accessories, which the LE models add. The S model is equipped with the same features as the base model, only completed with sporty touches. The XRS, less luxurious than the XLE, has a larger engine and sport-tuned suspension.

The optional automatic transmission is a 5-speed on the XRS and a 4-speed on the other models. Safety features available include ABS, traction control, antiskid system, and front-side and curtain-side airbags. A navigation system, a first for Corolla, is optional on all but Base and LE models.

2011 Honda CR-Z : Hibryd Car

Honda has accepted the wraps off its freshly CR-Z Concept at the forty-first Tokyo Motor Show. The Japanese automaker confirmed that the 2011 Honda CR-Z will be presented to the North American market in the 2nd half of 2010 as a sporty, 2-seat hybrid model.

“The Honda CR-Z will expand our lineup of hybrid vehicles and reinforce the fun-to-drive values associated with the Honda brand,” said Erik Berkman, vice president of Automobile Corporate Planning and Logistics for American Honda Motor Co., Inc. “Beyond great styling and features, CR-Z will bring new levels of engagement and fun to customers interested a small car or a hybrid vehicle.”

Power will follow from a 1.5L 4-cylinder engine mated to Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid technology. Honda confirmed that the production version of the 2011 Honda CR-Z will make its world debut at the January 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

As the hybrid war between Honda and Toyota commences, Honda has accepted it up a notch by offering a sporty hybrid concept, the 2011 Honda CRZ. Based on current CRZ design, the new 2011 version will have better body styling for minimizing drag likewise as a higher-horsepower engine than the Insight.

The CRZ design was first unveiled as a concept model in 2007, based on the popular (but discontinued) CRX 2-door coupe. Originally, the CRZ was to be a gasoline-powered car, but Honda has since dropped that in favor of hybrid power.

The body design is distinctly wedge-shaped, sort of the modern equivalent of the popular 1980s high-end sports cars.

Nine Times MotoGp World Champ...!

Valentino Rossi won his ninth world championship with one round of the 2009 season to spare, after a third place finish at a wet Sepang in Malaysia on Sunday. 

The 30-year-old, who has now won seven world championships in the premier 500cc/MotoGP class, had taken the 2009 title lead with his first win of the season at round three in Jerez. 

Fiat Yamaha team-mate Jorge Lorenzo and Ducati's Casey Stoner then fought back, and all three were level at the top of world championship standings after round six in Catalunya. 

The next five rounds proved crucial, with Stoner falling victim to mystery fatigue problems while Lorenzo crashed out at both Donington Park and Brno. 

Rossi won three of those five races to build his title lead to a peak of 50 points after the Czech Republic, but instantly lost half that advantage - and threw Lorenzo a championship lifeline - when he crashed out of the following Indianapolis Grand Prix. 

The see-saw continued with a Rossi victory at Misano and then a Lorenzo win at Estoril - when Rossi was only fourth, dropping his title advantage to 18 points. 

The pressure was on for Phillip Island but Lorenzo cracked first, making a mistake into turn one and crashing out, effectively wrecking his hopes of taking the title down to the final round in Valencia. 

38 points clear heading into Sepang, Rossi only needed to be 25 points ahead of Lorenzo to wrap up the title - a feat he easily achieved after converting a record 58th pole into third place in the rain-delayed race, one place in front of Lorenzo. 

“Nine world championships is a great achievement, I'm so happy!” said Rossi. “I would need one hour to thank everyone! Starting with everyone at Yamaha - Furusawa-san, Lin Jarvis, Davide Brivio and all my guys, especially Jeremy. I couldn't have done it without Jeremy and he is like my motorcycle father!

“I also have to thank my family and friends - Stefania, Graziano, Uccio, Albi...so many! All the team, Yamaha and Bridgestone; together we've done a great, great job and it's always a huge enjoyment to ride and work with these people. 

“In order to stay at this level through a whole season you have to be calm and have the right people around you and this is what I have. We've stayed concentrated and focused even in the bad moments, so we can congratulate ourselves with this ninth title.” 

Rossi suffered a scare at the start of the race when he ran wide whilst trying to outbrake Dani Pedrosa into turn one and had plummeted to tenth - behind Lorenzo, who had started from the back of the grid – by the end of a soaking first lap. 

The #46 then shadowed his team-mate up the order, before taking fourth from the young Spaniard on lap eight of 21. That became third position when Andrea Dovizioso crashed out on lap 15, allowing Rossi to reach his target of celebrating championship victory from the podium. 

"Without the rain it could have been a brilliant race, with the four top riders fighting together, but the rain changed it," said Rossi of the weather. "It was scary for everyone because all the work we'd done was useless and we were riding 'blind' with the setting. 

Who's gonna be The King at Sepang...?

Championship contender Jorge Lorenzo topped the timesheets during Friday's first practice session as the FIM MotoGP World Championship hit Sepang.

The Fiat Yamaha rider is 38 points behind team-mate Valentino Rossi in the standings with just two races remaining and threw down the gauntlet to the rest of the field with a best lap of two minutes 2.180 seconds.

Marlboro Ducati rider Casey Stoner continued his fine form since returning from illness with second place, with Repsol Honda rider Dani Pedrosa in third and Rossi in fourth.

A fourth-place finish on Sunday will be enough for Rossi to take his seventh premier-class world championship even if Lorenzo wins, and the Italian was in relaxed mood as he lapped 0.684 seconds slower than his young rival.

Rossi said: "I am quite happy, even if the time and the position isn't perfect.

"We worked mainly with old tyres to understand the nature of the bike when it's sliding, which is important here, but actually my pace was very consistent and I think we can make another step on Saturday.

"We still need to find a little bit more grip so we will look to improve the setting of the bike for this on Saturday morning - it's going to be very important to be on the front row for Sunday.

"I think the race will be very hard and we will have to take care to prepare properly and drink a lot of water because it is very, very hot."