Go-Cars for the New Year
Off the showroom floor for about $80K, the Maserati Coupe is, well, all Maserati to its core. Available in two models – the GT and the Cambiocorsa; the purity and elegance of unmistakably Italian styling and cutting edge technology combine to perfection in the lines of the Maserati Coupe, resulting in a car that is capable of encompassing the very best that Maserati has to offer in refined racing technology, and yet present it all in a classic, ageless style. The cabin is designed to marry the volumes and lines of a thoroughbred sports car with comfortable seating for four adults, resulting in a sporty-yet-luxurious ambiance. Powering the Coupe is an awesome 4244 cc 8-cylinder, 90-degree “V” aspirated engine. Maximum power comes in at 390 CV (287 kW) at 7,000 rpm, and maximum torque delivers 333 lb-ft (451 Nm) at 4,500 rpm. A coupe on the outside, yes, but a race car heart beats under the hood.
Revered for its peerless combination of elegance, performance, and innovation, the all-new S-Class is larger inside and out, with even greater luxury than ever before. A more powerful V-8 engine, industry- leading technology, and some of the most sophisticated automotive safety systems in production today, reassert the S-Class as one of the foremost luxury sedans in the world. With an MSRP of $86,525, the S550 really delivers bang for every buck, with a 5.5L 32-valve V8 engine delivering 382 hp at 6,000 rpm and net torque of 391 lb-ft at 2,800 – 4,800 rpm. Luxury abounds in this five-passenger sedan, with just about every control you could want available at the touch of a fingertip on the steering wheel. You can adjust everything to suit all drivers, and there’s even something called tunnel mode which offers one-touch closing of all windows, the sunroof, and cabin air intake via the air-recirculation button. Pressing and holding the button again restores previous window and sunroof positions.
With four models to choose from (LS 2WD, LS AWD, Limited 2WD, Limited AWD) and all starting plus or minus $30K, Mitsubishi has hit the mark with its Endeavor SUV. Rugged yet refined, the Endeavor offers a standard 225 hp 2.8L V6 engine. Its refinement comes in the form of a 140- watt Mitsubishi CD/MP3 audio system, power windows/locks/mirrors, cruise control, air-conditioning, an 8-way adjustable driver’s seat with lumbar support, advanced dual-stage front SRS airbags, and front seat-mounted side-impact airbags. The Limited model adds a 315-watt Mitsubishi/Infinity 6CD/MP3-compatible audio system with seven speakers, leather seating surfaces with heated front seats, automatic climate control, a color center console multifunction display, integrated fog lights, and a choice between a one-touch power sunroof and an available remote-controlled DVD video entertainment system with wireless headphones.
