Car Reviews

The cars in the first round of Honda’s limited production of the FCX Clarity, an advanced hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, have been spoken for. In fact, only qualified customers in Irvine, Santa Monica and Torrance had the remote opportunity to take one home.

Producing this alternative fuel vehicle is a significant effort in mainstreaming hydrogen fuel-cell cars. The technology is a few steps beyond current hybrids, and the body style isn’t unattractive. Those who were lucky enough to grab one are paying no less than $600 per month lease.

While the modest introductory release may not seem quite “fair” to the rest of the country, the availability to refuel the FCX Clarity is even more limited!

The Ferrari California made its debut at the LA Auto show this week with repeated assurances from product developers that it is indeed a Ferrari. Despite some die-hard Ferrari enthusiasts’ dissuasion with some of its deviances from Ferrari traditions, it is an impressive vehicle.

With its new car price tag at $200,000, you get your 460 hp from a sonorous 4.3-liter V8 and a 0-to-60 mph in less than four seconds. It also includes a few Ferrari firsts: a retractable hard-top, seven-speed double-clutch transmission, and a mid-to-front engine placement.

And it’s as sexy Ferraris come.

With its sticker price at $19,035, the new 2009 Ford Fusion is the best yet—sporting some cool features including tight handling, cell phone interface and MP3 sync, and stability control. However, old-school stereo controls and a low-power engine hold the Ford Fusion from being the top player in the midsize sedan category.

Also for 2009, the Ford Fusion is going Hybrid (unveiled at the LA Auto Show on Nov. 18), obviously pointing competition at the Toyota Camry Hybrid, boasting of 40 mph and running up to 47 mph on electric power alone.

They tout this “the everyday sports car,” implementing several practical features and toys for the everyday user. Still the 2010 Lotus Evora (U.S. distribution - summer 2009) is the slick, little sporty car Lotus is famous for.

Positioned above its siblings the Elise and Exige S, the Evora features a Toyota 3.5-liter V-6 engine with variable valve timing, kicking out 276 horsepower, and sprints from standstill to 60 mph in less than 5 seconds. But what it has that the other two don’t are those bells and whistles like touch screen control Alpine stereo system, air conditioning, satellite radio, iPod and Bluetooth hookup, leather interior, a backup camera, remote garage door opener and… a trunk just large enough to fit a set of golf clubs.

Exchange rate as it may be, the Evora will most likely be around $80,000. And with only 2,000 slated for worldwide distribution, it may be a challenge getting your hands one of these.

Nissan is also throwing its hat into the small, boxy car ring with the new Nissan Cube, competing with Toyota Motors’ Scion and Honda’s Element. Thought it’s been available in Japan for years, we’ll see whether the U.S. market takes to this funky machine.

Its body is asymmetrical, which will probably throw OCD patients into a fit, but its interior is surprisingly spacious and aesthetically comfortable. It’s not a hybrid, and though the EPA hasn’t tested its fuel economy, it’s predicted the Cube will round out at about 30 MPG.

The standard 122-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine is paired with either an Xtronic continuously variable transmission or a six-speed manual gearbox. When it’s distributed in spring of 2009, we’ll see if this little Cube will pull out its corner of the market.