2009 Lotus Elise

Latest car 2009 Lotus Elise. Lotus Elise is equipped with a standard 1.8 liter, 14, 189 horsepower engine that achieves 21-mpg in the city and 27-mpg on the highway.

The other trim is Convertible SC which is fitted with a standard 1.8 liter, 14, 218 horsepower, supercharged engine that achieves 20 mpg in the city and 26 mpg on the highway. A 6 speed manual transmission with overdrive in standard on both trims.

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Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen opens

Yesterday I got invited by LG to a special premiere for bloggers of the new Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen movie. Though I wasn’t expecting it, the first movie was surprisingly entertaining so I had quite high expectations from this one too. And though the overall impression was that the movie could’ve been better (maybe because of the problems they faced), I really liked it. I mean we have cool cars (my heart started beating faster every time I saw the Camaro, it’s just an amazing car), we have Megan Fox, we have robots beating the shit out of each other and we have some great special effects. What more can you ask from a movie. It’s not Oscar material, but it’s really, really entertaining.

Comparing it to the first one, the movie’s producers brought in several new funny robots, like the AutoboTwins Skids (Chevrolet Beat) and Mudflap (Chevrolet Trax) or Wheelie (a really funny toy car). Also, at the beginning of the movie there’s a Decepticon (for those of you who don’t know, these are the bad guys) which is an Audi R8 which is being cut in half by one of the Autobots. Like someone in the theatre said, it’s pretty ironic that the GMs always wins, but the company’s bankrupt.

Anyway, the conclusion is that if you feel like going to a movie that has some cool cars, great special effects and the smokin’ hot Megan Fox, you might really enjoy Transformers 2: Revenge of the Fallen. If you haven’t seen it, you have the trailer after the jump.

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Raikkonen to race in world rally

Former Formula 1 champion Kimi Raikkonen is to compete in the World Rally Championship in his native Finland at the end of the July.

Ferrari's Raikkonen has appeared in three non-championship rallies this season and will be behind the wheel of a Fiat Abarth Grande Punto.

His co-driver, Kaj Lindstrom, said: "The roads used for this rally are so fast but he's very talented."

The rally is staged three weeks before the European Grand Prix in Valencia.

Raikkonen, who won the F1 title in 2007, will be competing against the likes of championship favourites Sebastien Loeb and Mikko Hirvonen.

Event spokesman Simon Long said: "It's superb news for the championship and hugely exciting that he'll be competing at Rally Finland."

In a disappointing season for Ferrari, Raikkonen has won just 10 points in the drivers' world championship, 54 behind leader Jenson Button.

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Green Car Journal's Top 5 for 2009

Consumer desires have shifted in recent years - driven by an increased interest in environmental impact and a desire for better fuel economy in the face of wildly spiking gas prices - and the industry is responding. This has brought better choices for environmentally-inclined buyers. It's about to get better ... a lot better.

As Green Car Journal editors sifted through the mass of information available on coming new car models to identify nominees for the 2009 Green Car of the Year program, it became apparent that a sea change is occurring. The auto industry is not simply responding to a changing consumer market and tighter emissions and fuel economy laws. It is, in important ways, reinventing itself. This doesn't mean the loss of the kind of vehicles we've come to appreciate over the years. Rather, it means that an evolution is occurring before our eyes. The cars and SUVS/crossovers that fill so many driveways today are still around, but new models are generally getting more fuel efficient and in many cases offering a lighter environmental impact. That's clearly a good sign for years to come.

After thorough research and evaluation, Green Car Journal's Top 5 for 2009, - the year's best-of-the-best 'green' vehicles - have been identified by the magazine's editors. These vehicles are (listed alphabetically) the BMW 335d, Ford Fusion Hybrid, Saturn Vue 2 Mode Hybrid, smart fortwo, and Volkswagen Jetta TDI. One of these exceptional models will be named the 2009 Green Car of the Year on November 20 at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Vehicles using all types of technologies, fuels, and powerplants are eligible for the Green Car of the Year program. To qualify for consideration as a nominee, a vehicle must exhibit characteristics that substantially raise the bar in environmental performance and be in production by January 1 of the award year. Plus, a potential nominee must be driven by Green Car Journal to allow experiencing driving dynamics first-hand. This driving requirement allows determining that those making the final cut live up to the promises made on paper. Production dates are important to ensure that nominee vehicles will actually be available for purchase during the award year.

Of course, these requirements might preclude some vehicles that are widely perceived as being fine examples of 'green' cars from making the cut. Ones that come to mind include the Tesla Roadster, the electric MINI E, and the coming Honda Insight. We're told the 2009 Tesla Roadster will not be in production until April 2009, while the electric MINI E and Honda Insight have not yet been available for behind-the-wheel evaluation. There are other 'green' cars offering positive environmental attributes that also didn't make the cut. But then, there's always next year.

GREEN CAR'S TOP 5 FOR 2009
(Alphabetical Order)

2009 BMW 335d
BMW'S 335d showcases how well advanced, efficient, and clean diesel power can be incorporated into a performance-based sport sedan. With 23 mpg city/33 mpg highway fuel economy and gobs of torque, there's no sacrifice for performance fans here.
Engine: 3.0-liter inline-six diesel Emissions, EPA: Tier 2, Bin 5 Horsepower: 265 Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 23/33 (EPA) Base MSRP: Under $43,000

FORD FUSION HYBRID
Ford's first hybrid sedan uses a more advanced adaptation of the automaker's full hybrid system to allow electric driving up to 47 mph, bringing the roomy five-passenger Fusion best-in-class fuel economy. An innovative SmartGauge with EcoGuide helps drivers achieve maximum mpg.
Engine: 2.5-liter inline-four, gasoline-electric hybrid Emissions, EPA: Tier 2, Bin 5 Horsepower: 155 Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 38/35 (est.) Base MSRP: $27,000-$30,000 (est.)

SATURN VUE 2 MODE HYBRID
The Vue 2 Mode breaks new ground as the first application of GM's two mode hybrid technology in a V-6 front-wheel-drive vehicle. The compact SUV combines welcome functionality and fuel economy with sprightly performance and a very smooth hybrid powertrain.
Engine: 3.6-liter V-6, gasoline-electric hybrid Emissions, EPA: Tier 2, Bin 5 Horsepower: 255 Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 28/31 (est.) Base MSRP: Under $33,000

SMART FORTWO
The smart fortwo represents an all new type of vehicle for American drivers. Now, the tiny two-seater that's been a popular choice in Europe for years has come here, bringing with it a small eco footprint, higher fuel efficiency, and a trendy 'green' ride for new car buyers.
Engine: 1.0-liter inline three Emissions, EPA: Tier 2 Bin 5 Horsepower: 70 Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 33/41 (EPA) Base MSRP: $13,990

VW JETTA TDI
The 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI builds on VW's 30-plus years of diesel experience in the U.S. The latest diesel technology is used to enable this fuel efficient, affordable - and dare we say 'fun' - clean diesel sedan to meet tight emissions certification in all 50 states.
Engine: 2.0-liter inline-four, diesel Emissions, EPA: Tier 2, Bin 5 Horsepower: 140 Fuel Economy, city/hwy mpg: 30/41 (EPA) Base MSRP: $21,990

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