Growing up, my father would always refer to Volvos as “boxes-on-wheels”. Over the years Volvo’s have definitely evolved from the box-look to a more refined and curvy box-look. The latest redesigns for 2009 include safety improvements, increased overall comfort and more convenience.

To help out those who casually drift off the road, Volvo is offering it’s (optional) lane departure warning across the board for all of its models. Unlike most manufacturers who offer it solely on their upper-end models. To really standout from the others, you’ll notice VOLVO letters across the trunk in a larger format - following similar changes in 2008 on the XC 70 and V70.

Other notable improvements include massaging front seats on the executive XC90, front seats with standard heating and ventilation. With 12 speakers and a six-stack CD-player the ever-so quiet interior of the car can quickly become a party.

Although not officially revealed, Toyota has admitted that the pictures below are accurate. The body overall looks very similar to the earlier generation, with some slight changes. Earlier this year Toyota launched the redesigned Corolla and the Matrix. The Corolla, although the best selling car in North America, needed a good facelift. Toyota has taken similar design cues from both the Corolla and the Matrix to make it a little less egg-looking. Enjoy the pictures below - we’ll fill you in as soon as we get some official specs.

Hyundai is expecting to launch its Genesis coupe sometime this week. After having a quick look at the Genesis sedan, there was much hope in a coupe version that would stand apart from the rest of the Hyundai lineup like the sedan did. After quick observation, the rear part of the Genesis coupe looks like the latest Tiburon, but the front of the car looks redesigned. I guess the designers wanted to keep a bit of the Tiburon styling.

The Powerplant

After surprising us with the impressive numbers from the Hyundai Genesis sedan, Hyundai had us hoping for similar specs on the coupe version. Although there’s no V8 version, Hyundai will be offering a V6 model with a whopping 310 horsepower, but this model will likely not be offered to the North American market. What we will be seeing is a 2.0L turbo-charged motor putting out 223 hp and 220 lb-ft. Hyundai claims that the Genesis coupe fitted with the 2.0L turbo engine will do 0-60 in under 7.5 seconds.

It’s pretty much a spiced up Tiburon with a much needed motor upgrade.

After a good run with the EVO IX, the EVO X was released by our good friends at Mitsubishi and put smiles on all of our faces. Well the Japanese automaker has done it again with a premium edition of the GSR version. Although only available in the Japanese domestic market (JDM), it doesn’t hurt us to dream about the great EVO X.

A level up from the RS and the GSR trims, the premium EVO X comes with fog lamps, 18-inch BBS wheels and body color scoops to match the overall look. Inside, the EVO X GSR premium comes with leather Recaro bucket seats, built-in Navi and a 9-speaker Rockford Fosgate stereo system - not that you’ll have the need to listen to anything but the engine.

Don’t worry though, they haven’t made any enhancements to the all-mighty 2.0L MIVEC I4 turbocharged/intercooled motor. It’s going to cost about $48,250 USD for the manual transmission or $50,785 for Mitsubishi’s impressionable Twin Clutch-SST DSG-equipped model.

GM has announced pricing for the much-anticipated 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. After nearly 4 years of waiting through spyshots and prototypes, the 2010 Chevy Camaro is set to arrive in Spring of 2009.

Chevy Camaro LS

The base LS model will start from $22,995 USD. The LS model comes with a very decent 3.6-liter V6 producing an estimated 300 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque. A six-speed manual transmission is standard with the 3.6L engine; a Hydra-Matic 6L50 electronically controlled six-speed automatic, with TAPshift control, is also available. As the American population is moving away from gas guzzlers, the LS and LT models offer an acceptable 27 mpg in highway driving.

Chevy Camaro SS

The Camaro SS will start at $30,995 USD. The high-performance Camaro SS will come with a powerful 6.2L V-8, with a choice of a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Manual transmission-equipped models receive the LS3 engine, estimated at 422 horsepower and 408 lb.-ft. of torque. It is paired with a TR6060 six-speed transmission.

If you opt for an automatic transmission a new, L99 V-8 engine has been specially produced for you. It is based on the LS3, but also includes GM’s fuel-saving Active Fuel Management feature. It is estimated at 400 horsepower and 395 lb.-ft. of torque. It is matched with a Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed transmission that helps deliver an estimated 23 mpg on the highway.

Let’s see what the 2010 Ford Mustang has to offer…

As all the manufacturers are pushing newer models for 2009 at this time of year, the much anticipated Mazda3 sedan has been officially announced. Although set to release in 2010, there has been much anticipation related to the looks and performance of the sporty sedan.

There will be 2.0 liter and 2.5 liter engines available, yet no specifics have been published yet. The hatch is also set to be announced very soon. We don’t have much else on the Mazda3 2010, but we did get a few pictures to show you all. In the meantime, let’s cross our fingers for a Mazdaspeed version of the sedan (and hatch).

Volkswagen has finally released the all-new Scirocco. For all VAG enthusiasts reading this, you may be jumping with joy, but not so quick! Volkswagen has released the much-anticipated the 2009 Scirocco in Europe only.

Going for approximately 32,000$ USD (£18,790), The Scirocco base model comes with a 1.4 TSI engine putting out a very decent 160 horsepower. Considering the small-displacement engine, it gobbles approximately 43 MPG.

Alternatively, one can pick up a base model or GT model with a diesel engine. Taking only 45 miles to the gallon, the 2.0 liter engine will offer 140 horsepower. Either a six-speed manual or VW’s DSG transmission can be chosen.

Sorry everyone, we’ll have to wait and see when it’ll be officially released in North America. Is it possible for the Scirocco to come before the new 2009 VW GTI?

Coming out of the Paris motor show is the latest Mazda MX-5 2009 model. Coming a long way from the soft-top popup lights, the new MX-5 shares many similarities with it’s predecessors. The biggest change Mazda brought along with the previous generation of the MX-5 was the hardtop convertible feature. Although the hardtop added much weight to the track-ready go-kart, it was accepted across the board without much opposition.

The little bugger is available in either the soft-top or Origami hard-top model. There are various differences between the two, such as chrome outlining around the mesh grill, enhanced headlamps, etc for the hardtop model.

The Motor

Mazda’s focus has always been on balance rather than strictly power. That’s why they’ve succesfully maintained the MX-5 as a fun all-around (track) buggy. The latest model bolsters a 500 RPM increase to a redline of 7500 RPM, extracting every last horse out of the engine. Mated with a 6-speed manual transmission, the MX-5 is sure to keep you taking the corners with fullspeed.

Following the latest concern over fuel prices and environmental sustainability, Audi is presenting an all-new diesel version of the A4. Following its older brother’s changes, the A4 concept e is being presented with a new 2.0-litre direct injection diesel engine. Although not meant for the track, the A4 still does 0-60 mph in 10.7 seconds and has a top speed of 128 mph.

What’s really impressive about the machine is the 9.4 MPG fuel consumption. That’s a very impressive fuel consumption for an entry-level luxury sedan. With a CO2 output of 105 grams per km, it adds life to your wallet and the planet.

To further reduce fuel consumption, like many manufacturers, the A4 concept e also generates power from its unique braking system. Furthermore, the A4 concept e uses soft springs on the intake valves as well as a new thermal management system. As the availability of fossil fuels begins to decline, more manufacturers will be implementing such technologies to keep up with market demands. Kudos to Audi for making a move in the right direction (for our planet).

It wasn’t its aggressive styling that made it an instant wish list car and it wasn’t its 420 horsepower engine that and won it numerous awards (among which are car of the year and best new design by AJAC). No, the Audi R8 skyrocketed past all other vehicles of its year due to the simple, yet innovative, daytime running LED lights. Obviously the styling and the fact that the R8 wears the four ringed badge doesn’t hurt, but the LED’s gave the car a huge edge.

         No good thing can stay hidden forever. Audi is now introducing the LED daytime running lights in its entire lineup minus the A8/S8 and Q7.

And now, Porsche has hopped onto the wagon with the 911 Turbo.

         It’s still very nice and it doesn’t take away from what the R8 and S5 have over other cars… yet. It will be interesting as to how other manufacturers use and incorporate this new concept in their design and I’m looking forward to what other companies are going to concoct but expect this design to become played out real fast and real soon.