Hyundai strives to set itself apart in the sedan market in 2010, with green marketing, and complete redesigns.  The 2011 Sonata, which comes in three different flavors, is a contender in the mid-size sedan market with bold styling and green engine technology.  Claiming to destroy the mold that most sedans have been made from, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata breathes renewed spirit into the niche, offered in GLS, SE, and Limited editions.

As anyone with a family will attest, safety in a vehicle becomes priority one, and tops the list of standard features found in the Sonata.  For example, the 2011 Sonata comes equipped with electronic stability control, which enables drivers to carefully out maneuver any obstacles on the road.  What better way to protect passengers than to avoid the accident in the first place?  But when the worst happens, the 2011 Sonata’s reinforced unibody design coupled with advanced front airbags makes for the safest family car on the road.

Outside, the 2011 Hyundai Sonata looks like a much more powerful vehicle than it really is and camouflages it’s ability to be a fuel efficient car capable of seating five.  Underneath the hood the Sonata comes equipped with a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder, which is capable of 200 horsepower.  Despite the big power numbers from a small engine, the 2011 Sonata is also capable of delivering a staggering 35 miles per gallon.  Thanks to fuel efficient technology like ‘Continuously Variable Valve Timing’ and even sport tuned suspension allows the 2011 Sonata to meet Ultra Low Emission Vehicle standards.

All work and no play makes Sonata a dull boy, that’s why Hyundai thought well enough to equip the 2011 with fun features like 400 watt Infinity sound system.  Hard to believe but the sun roof even comes as standard equipment on the SE and Limited editions of the SE.  For the thrill of driving a high end car, Hyundai even equipped the 2011 Sonata with push button start, that is capable of sensing if the keys are in your pocket.

The interior of the Sonata appears luxurious, with ergonomic engineering and design that makes the car appear to be much more expensive than the $19,000 price tag.  Hyundai Sonata drivers will be fortunate to set in comfortable seats, designed by special Seat Engineers.  Drivers also have access to a whole host of technological goodies like Dual Climate Control, rearview camera, navigation system, HOMELINK, and even an iPod Jack as standard.  The new 2011 Hyundai Sonata is a family sedan worthy of Bill Gates at a price we can all afford.

View more photos of the Hyundai Sonata.

Promising to deliver more style, capability, and value than ever, Dodge has released a special edition Nitro called the Detonator.  For the 2010 Nitro model lineup Dodge has added more of everything, including power, restyled interior and exterior cues, that will come in 3 distinct editions including the Nitro Shock, Heat, and Detonator.  Supporting the claim that the new 2010 Nitro offers more value, Dodge has made many options standard on the Detonator edition, that were otherwise nickel and dime’d into the previous SXT models.

Instead of relying on past years model labeling like RT, SXT, and others established by the Dodge brand, Dodge is now using exciting names.  For example, the Detonator is most comparable to the 2009 Nitro SXT, except for the addition of options to make it a better deal.  Standard features of the 2010 Detonator include better safety equipment, 20″ MOPAR painted and polished rims, decals, massive speaker system, and even Dodge’s ParkSense rear-park assist technology.

If you subscribed to the theory that past Nitro models offered more bark than bite, you’ll be happy to know they improved horsepower and torque across the entire lineup.  The 2010 Nitro Detonator comes with 23% more horsepower and 12% more torque.  260 horsepower and 265 lb ft of torque is delivered via a 4.0 liter V6, which powers all three aptly named Nitros.

Somehow Dodge has managed to cram more power and a plethora of interior upgrades at an attractive price point.  For just $25,995, buyers are treated to color matched cloth interior that matches the exciting exterior paint job.  The 2010 Dodge Nitro Detonator debuted at the Detroit Auto Show featured an eye plucking yellow, complete with fender decals.  From the looks, the bark is still there, but with the added performance, extra standard options, the bite can be felt.  According to the official Dodge website, the 2010 Dodge Nitro Detonator should start igniting dealer show rooms soon.

View more photos of the 2010 Dodge Nitro Detonator.

Research and development teams at Mitsubishi have been working on building a car that can combine a green personality with a high performance demeanor.  The Mitsubishi RA concept car is the result of such an endeavor.  The RA was built to utilize clean diesel technology without sacrificing adrenaline producing performance.  Like most concept cars, it’s extreme in it’s design and aspirations, but worth taking a look at.

Drive train wise the RA concept car is comparable to the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution.  It features Super-All-Wheel-Control (S-AWC), which helped make the Evolution a winning rally car capable of maneuvering over the roughest terrain.  Included in this system is stability control which is capable of adjusting torque and braking to help maintain a straight line.  When all components are working together it provides maximum traction, control, cornering, and vehicle stabilization.

Powering the RA concept car is a 2.2 liter 4 banger 16 valve turbo diesel engine.  To achieve it’s high efficiency while maintaining performance attributes, the engine features Mitsubishi’s MIVEC that offers constant variable valve timing control.  The small liter engine is capable of producing just over 200 horsepower, but an amazing 300 ft lb of torque.  This high torque engine, coupled with the light weight design of the RA, makes for performance you can feel in the seat of your pants.  Consider this, the RA’s engine produces more torque than the 4.6 liter V8 found in the 2010 Ford Mustang.

Exterior wise, the RA concept car reminds me of the legendary Eclipse.  What sets this Mitsubishi apart is it’s diesel engine and full time all wheel drive.  It’s like Mitsubishi took the best parts of the Lancer Evolution and mated it with the sexy body lines of the latest generation Eclipse.  They even went so far as to add Lambo Doors, just like many after market car enthusiasts do to customize their rides.

No indication has been made that the RA Concept Car will actually be produced, but its a great platform to build upon.  Any research and development done to further performance and efficiency deserves everyone’s attention.

View more photos of the Mitsubishi RA Concept Car.

Big changes, at least cosmetically, have gripped the upcoming 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI.  Gone is the narrow body, the 2011 will be sporting an all new redesigned wide body platform with stability to match.  The first change from the 2010 WRX STI to the 2011 is the widened front bumper, featuring sharp angles, and matching stretched fog lights.  But that’s not where the changes end, this upgrade to the STI comes in 2 different model types, both spelled with a four letter word…fast!

The 2011 WRX STI front bumper wraps the blacked out fog lamps in a 3-dimensional styled lip spoiler.  This aggressive styling, coupled with a fresh grill and blackened base makes this STI an intimidating ride on any road.  Not all the wide cosmetic changes affect just the front end, the rear of the car also benefits from wider rear fenders.  Furthermore, for the first time ever, Subaru is offering the 2011 Impreza WRX STI in two model types, 4 and 5 door versions.

New in 2011 is a freshly tuned suspension, which offers a lower riding height than previous years.  The 2011 STI shown at the 2010 New York Auto Show featured a higher spring rate setup, which eased the chassis down on 18″ rims.  The impressive stance coupled with a high luster paint set the car apart amongst a sea of vehicles looking to compete with the longing stares of consumers.  What’s great about the Imprezza WRX STI is that it can back up the bark with a high performance bite, rivaling cars twice the price.

Not only has the 2011 Impreza WRX STI gone on a diet, but it also features the juiced up 4 cylinder from the 2010 model years.  305 horsepower from a turbo charged and intercooled 4cylinder, linked to a 6-speed manual transmission makes even a trip to the grocery store a thrill.  As in previous STI’s the 2011 features a transmission capable of multiple settings, which allow the driver to select performance points to fit their own driving style.  All of the auto settings are built upon Subaru’s infamous Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive system.

Inside the 2011 WRX STI, things haven’t changed a whole lot.  There’s a new color scheme for the seats and panels, wrapped in black and silver highlights.  Also, trim on parts of the dash and switches show off a new for 2011, Dark Cast Metallic.

The 2011 Impreza WRX STI will rocket into Subaru show rooms some time later this year.  Industry analysts expect the sporty multi-door to be priced close to the 2010 model year, at around $35,000.

View more photos of the 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX STI.

Ferrari has set out to destroy the belief that hybrid vehicles must be low on power to achieve efficiency.  The experimental vehicle by Ferrari, dubbed the HY-Kers, is a high performance car with enough bite to wear the Ferrari badge, yet still be labeled a hybrid.  The HY-Kers debuted at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show to shocked spectators, whom were in disbelief that Ferrari would focus on a sports car emitting 30% less CO2 emissions.  In addition, this show car represents Ferrari’s pledge to further reduce its lineup’s fuel consumption by up to 40%.

Enthusiasts of the Ferrari brand at the show were quickly assured that just because the HY-Kers is green doesn’t mean it doesn’t live up to the performance of other models.  The HY-Kers is based on the Ferrari 599 model and will offer extreme performance through a pairing of traditional engine technology and batteries.  Although admittedly battery technology isn’t where it needs to be yet, they have announced to offer a hybrid sports car in the next 3 to 4 years.

The HY-Kers on display at the auto show featured the traditional V12 engine, but paired with a lithium-ion battery pack.  The Duracell’s were placed underneath the drivers floor board and were reportedly air cooled.  Keep in mind the battery pack was only used under light load, like traditional city driving, but the V12 was on tap for when the drivers foot gets too heavy.

Engineering a high performance car out of batteries is a huge challenge Ferrari is willing to undertake.  The first issue being tackled was the additional weight provided by the lithium-ion battery, which added over 200 lbs to the standard Ferrari 599 weight.  Like other electric hybrids, the HY-Kers will utilize regenerative braking, which uses kinetic energy to recharge the battery and automatically shuts the gasoline engine down.  It’s not a problem, but with the speeds the Ferrari is capable of, plenty of regenerated power should be on tap.

View more Ferrari HY-Kers pictures.

For the sophisticated and wealthy there is no finer, faster, or ferocious car than the model line up offered by Lamborghini.  The super car manufacturer prides itself on offering exclusive special editions that cater to the needs of it’s deep pocket buyers.  The Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni is a prime example, whose details were first released in the summer of 2009.  Spy photos and leaked images from Lamborghini spotted the internet and made dreamers of us all and made us wonder what Lamborghini could do to improve upon the Gallardo.

Named after the famed Lamborghini test driver, the special edition Gallardo LP550-2 is a rear-wheel drive super car.  Not having the all-wheel drive performance offered in the normal Gallardo, Lamborghini had to add specially tuned suspension components.  New springs, dampers, stabilizers, and special Pirelli P Zero tires allow the Gallardo Valentino to offer handling performance that rivals the all-wheel drive version.

Power comes courtesy of a 5.2 liter V10 monster, capable of producing 550 horsepower and over 500 lb ft of torque.  The powerful engine paired with the unique suspension setup of the Valentino Balboni allows the car to rocket from 0-60 in 3.9 seconds and a top speed of 199 miles per hour.  This type of performance in a rear-wheel drive application makes it intimidating, even to the most seasoned driver.

The looks of the Lamborghini Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni stay true to the original Gallardo, featuring angular design, menacing stance, and refined yet functional interior.  The exterior features a unique paint combination of bright orange and a single white stripe down the middle of the hood, which carries over onto the interior seats.  Inside the engine bay the V10 is carefully wrapped in carbon fiber molding and covered with a see through deck.

Talk around the water cooler is that this special edition Lamborghini isn’t for every Lambo buyer and if not careful could be the nail in the coffin.  It’s an incredible amount of power delivered to just 2 corners of a tightly wound package.  Lamborghini offers an off/on stability control, which should only be turned off by the most experienced and with plenty of room on the road.  Industry analysts who were lucky enough to set behind the wheel were quick to note that the rear end of this beast was surprisingly well behaved, but if attention is not paid, would quickly catch up to the bumper nose.  When a professional is at the controls, the Gallardo Valentino Balboni is the second fastest Lamborghini ever made and capable of 60 ft times faster than the all-wheel drive LP550-2.

Thinking of visiting your local Lamborghini dealer?  The Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni has a base price of $223,000 and a few options like paddle shifters and high performance brakes that can make the purchase price climb fairly quickly.  I’m sure by the time buyers are looking to sign on the dotted line, money is no object.

More Gallardo LP550-2 Valentino Balboni Pictures

Looking for the harmonious blend of both luxury and performance?  Lexus offers the perfect fit, even if your pocket book can’t afford the $375,000 LFA Super Car.  The Lexus IS F model offers a potent 5.0 liter V8, performance handling, top of the line luxury and all for under $60,000.

The standard V8 is capable of 416 horsepower and over 370 lb ft of torque, provided by a 5.0 liter aluminum motor.  This combination of light weight engineering and optimized horsepower allows for a neck snapping 0-60 mph in just 4.6 seconds.  To achieve efficient horsepower in a naturally aspirated setup, Lexus has tapped into the latest technology including Variable Valve Timing and Electronic Intake Valve Timing.  Unique to the Lexus 5.0 is it’s two stage intake and electronic timing management, which allows for smooth and usable power at low rpms and big power at wide open throttle.

Lexus also prides itself on the ability to harness the massive horsepower with a world class suspension system.  The IS F uses a front end double wishbone system, complete with coil over shocks, stiff springs, and a larger than normal stabilizer bar.  The rear of the IS F also features a reworked and updated double wishbone suspension, which uses a multi-link system.  While all the suspension components are working together it provides maximum body control and intuitive wheel motion, allowing for finesse in a performance machine.

Outside, the Lexus IS F is full of accessories and features worthy of wearing the Lexus name badge.  The body lines of the IS F have been tested and engineered to be as aerodynamic as possible, including special molding of the front fascia, hood, and roof lines.  Furthermore the undercarriage and rear spoiler have been developed to lower resistance, allowing for a more stable ride at higher speeds.  But, it’s not all about looks, the Lexus IS F also offers some exterior gadgets that function to make it a world class luxury car.

Options like the Dynamic Radar Cruise Control are technological advances that set the IS F apart from other performance competitors.  This new twist on an old technology is capable of following a pre set distance from the car in front of you, accelerating or slowing down as needed.  Taking other technology further, the IS F has head lights that pivot when turning, making it easier to see around dark corners.  Features like these, coupled with the performance that lurks under the hood is what makes the Lexus IS F a value purchase starting at $58,000.

The Lexus IS F is available in 6 different colors, Mercury Metallic, Starfire Pearl, Matador Red Mica, Ultrasonic Blue Mica, Smoky Granite Mica, and Obsidian.  Rest assured, whichever color you choose it will look great on the sculpted fenders, quad chrome exhaust tips, and 19″ forged aluminum wheels.

MINI has released special edition racing inspired vehicles, covering their Hardtop, Convertible, and Clubman models.  The tuned and prepped MINIs are labeled as John Cooper Works edition, which despite their tiny package, are wound tight street-legal race cars.  From the handling performance to the power under the hood these special edition MINIs have been built with racing in mind, but built within the confines of street legality.

John Newton Cooper, whom the the MINI special edition cars are named after, was a co-founder of the Cooper Car Company.  John Cooper pioneered the rear-engined chasis design and helped change all racing from Formula 1 to Indianapolis 500.  The design John Cooper had pioneered quickly dominated the track and others had to adapt.  Cooper later developed the British Motor Coporation Mini, which produced the Mini Cooper.  The Cooper name and legend was later licensed to BMW, who released the MINI, a higher performance version of the Mini Coopers built by the BMC.  John Cooper remained an adviser to BMW on building the MINI until his death in 2000.

The John Cooper Works MINIs are built following the same passion for performance, as the late racing legend reached for.  The special edition MINIs get their power from a 208 horsepower turbo charged 4 cylinder, which is capable of delivering 198 lb ft of torque to the wheels.  This type of power in such a light weight package makes for a jarring acceleration capable of rivaling super cars many times the price level of the John Cooper Works edition MINI.

This MINI also sports the latest technological advances, including the breakthrough DSC (Dynamic Stability Control) Mode.  When DSC is engaged the car will automatically kick in and limit performance at the first sign of instability, including tire spin or over steer.  The technology works by both limiting the engine power and applying the right brake tension to put the race car on a straight and narrow path.  Not that the driver would easily lose control of this mighty mechanical monster, the engineers were nice enough to outfit all 4 corners with 17″ rims, extra wide run flat performance tires, and 4-piston Brembo brakes.

Even if the small car appearance doesn’t appeal to you, it’s easy to appreciate the epic amounts of performance engineered into such a package.  The result is a blast to drive, gas mileage in the 30 mpg range, and a price tag of less than $30,000!  If you are looking for lots of performance in a little package, look no further than the offerings from MINI with their John Cooper Works edition models.