36 Comments Monday, January 26th, 2009
Road Rave
KING test drives 2009’s most anticipated rides
2009 Chevy Corvette ZR1
STREET DATE: TBA
STICKER: $104,820
MPG (City/Hwy): 16/26
Bucking the highways of America is as much of a personal pleasure for us as dating a top model (Selita Ebanks, preferably). And Chevy’s answer to those Euro pocket rockets doesn’t disappoint, laced with a 6.2-liter, LS9, supercharged V8 engine that cranks out a ridiculous 638 horsepower and a short-throw six-speed manual transmission for faster shifting. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention amenities such as Xenon headlamps, ebony-colored leather bucket seats and double-wishbone suspension. But ardent speed demons will only coo over the ZR1’s 198 mph top speed.
Mack Dancy of Dancy Automotive says: “[It’s the] fastest production car ever produced by General Motors, but give me a classic ’67 Corvette convertible instead.”
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2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible
STREET DATE: Early 2009
STICKER: $TBA
MPG (City/Hwy): 22/28
Aspiring car designers take note of what a convertible should embody. As the first-ever G Convertible, Infiniti impacts like a vet with its unique style (automatic three-piece folding hardtop to keep its coupelike roof line) and power (how is the G’s 328 horsepower generated from its V6 engine for starters?). Not to mention the seven-speed automatic transmission that gives the convertible the kind of dynamic performance needed when you’re going faster than that Bolt dude on ’roids.
Will Castro of Unique Whips says: “This is the perfect car for moving around the city. I don’t know how your date’s hair is going to look with the wind blowing from the 328 horsepower under the hood, but the leather interior might help you get under her hood.”
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2009 BMW 750Li
STREET DATE: Spring 2009
STICKER: $79,675
MPG (City/Hwy): 15/23
Maybe BMW is trying to score cool points with the wayward youth with deep pockets, because the German automaker has made everything in their 7 Series “new generation.” Already rocking a “new-gen” 4.4-liter, twin-turbocharged V8 engine that cranks out 400 horses, the 750Li packs lavishness from its iDrive (GPS, navigation, etc.) to its six-speed automatic transmission. Even the luxury sedan’s safety features aren’t safe from BMW’s new-gen makeover, featuring a brand-new suspension system that promotes better handling. And the rearview and side-view cameras will seem like a gift from God for the lame-ass parking challenged.
Dancy: “[It’s] one of the most anticipated vehicles of ’09. Definitely a long time coming.”
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2009 Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG
STREET DATE: Now
STICKER: Starting at $57,175
MPG (City/Hwy): 12/19
Thanks to AMG’s body styling—which also includes 18-inch alloy wheels, a high-performance brake system and sport suspension—the beefed-up C63 AMG looks like a pill-popping freak in comparison to its no-frills predecessor. Add to that the C63’s 451-horsepower, powerful 6.3 AMG engine that pushes up to 7,000 rpm, its AMG Speedshift Plus seven-speed automatic and a breakneck 4.3-second zero-to-60 speed acceleration, and you have yourself a whip that’s more Superman than any other Clark Kent–like model in the Benz’s vaunted C-Class family.
Castro: “These never go out of style.”
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2009 Nissan Maxima
STREET DATE: Now
STICKER: $30,160
MPG (City/Hwy): 19/26
Packing a Floyd Mayweather–type punch for 2K9, Nissan’s flagship model rocks a VQ35 V6 engine and an upgraded Xtronic CVT transmission for a smoother ride. And with a racecar-inspired look, the new-look Max—entering its seventh generation—will make you forget the six previous generations with paddle shifters and a “super cockpit” interior to give drivers that sporty feel inside while they’re putting the Maxima’s 290 horsepower to good use. Other features that’ll have the girlies swooning include a nine-speaker Bose system, touchscreen color monitor and 9.3GB music hard drive.
Dancy: “Is it me or does it seem like Nissan changes the Maxima design every two years? Great engine, but I would like to see a sportier look.”
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2009 Cadillac CTS-V
STREET DATE: Winter 2008
STICKER: $29,290
MPG (City/Hwy): 18/26
The term “muscle car” and Cadillac don’t fit in the same sentence. But with the release of the CTS-V, Cadillac is staking its own claim to the genre, creating a vehicle that pushes 556 horsepower, has a 6.2 supercharged V8 under its glossy hood and goes from zero to 60 in 3.9 seconds. Even the blog-surfing music buffs will enjoy the 40GB internal hard drive and MP3 and iPod connectivity that comes equipped.
Dancy: “Great car and affordable, but it makes me feel like I’m in a new Sopranos episode.”–Sean A. Malcolm
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This entry was posted on Monday, January 26th, 2009 at 1:30 pm and is filed under Features, KING Magazine. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.
36 Responses to “Road Rave”
01.28.09 at 5:54 pm
Why the 1965 Buick Riviera is one of the Coolest Classic Cars Ever Made | Classic Car Reviews says:
[…] » Road Rave - KING-mag.com […]
01.29.09 at 1:40 pm
aje says:
You guys better check the sticker for the 2009 Cadillac CTS-V. This a V not the regular CTS
01.29.09 at 2:19 pm
chut says:
The CTS-V is double that price.
01.29.09 at 2:40 pm
Wrong says:
CTS-V will sticker for $70k!
01.29.09 at 2:43 pm
uh says:
Great article, great research - a Cadillac CTS-V is around $70k.
01.29.09 at 2:49 pm
HAHAHA HILLARIOUS says:
WHOEVER MADE THIS FUCKING LIST HAS NO IDEEA ABOUT CARS. JESUS CHRIST . HOW THE HECK CAN YOU INCLUDE 2 US CARS IN THAT FUCKING LIST? PATHETIC
01.29.09 at 2:51 pm
Linda Ann Baragar says:
This is bull. With the economy who can afford these. I ONLY wish that I could. Would some nice person like tobuy one for me?
01.29.09 at 2:57 pm
JanSolo says:
Isn’t the C63 a 2008 model? Surprisingly, no 370z. http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FirstDrives/articleId=121540
01.29.09 at 2:58 pm
bob says:
the cadillac cts-v MSRP is $60k-$69k. The regular cts retails for $29k.
01.29.09 at 3:17 pm
Dugg News » Blog Archive » The Top Cars of 2009 says:
[…] Click here for the entire post! […]
01.29.09 at 3:22 pm
Jim Wormold says:
Lord, those are some big ugly cars - anyone feel a bit small and in need of an extension?
01.29.09 at 3:23 pm
Chris says:
These same cars will be available in 2010 at your local bankruptcy auction.
01.29.09 at 3:27 pm
Anton Rodau says:
What world are you living in? Who the hell anticipates these?
01.29.09 at 3:32 pm
Anon E. Mouse says:
LOL@30k 4 the V
01.29.09 at 3:52 pm
Huh??? says:
Six cars? That’s it??? Half the cars here are just plain ugly. And I’m not sure what market you are catering to since you have the uber-cool ZR-1 combined with some dare-I-say classless machines. I haven’t done any research whatsoever, but, right off the top of my head, it seems to me that some more anticipated vehicles just might include cars like the Chevy Volt, Toyota Prius, Mini, and ForTwo on the low end; and the California, redesigned Carrera, and Gran Turismo on the high-end. That would seem to be a much more insightful (and interesting) start, and this without any real thought to it.
01.29.09 at 3:54 pm
Andrew says:
2009’s most anticipated and you don’t have the Hyundai Genesis Coupe? Wow…
01.29.09 at 3:55 pm
Colin says:
According to the Cadillac website, the 2009 CTS-V starts at $60,355 not $29,290 as this post states. Quite a big difference (even the standard CTS starts at $37,240)
01.29.09 at 3:56 pm
B-Dub says:
While it’s impressive that some of these guzzlers can get up to 26MPG (particularly the ‘Vette), I’m sorely disappointed that none of these can crack 30MPG.
01.29.09 at 3:57 pm
Joe says:
The Cadillac CTS-V starts at $60,000.
01.29.09 at 4:11 pm
Tawny says:
^Yeah, what the above poster said. The CTS-V is much more expensive than what you quoted. Also, why is a peice-of-junk maxima on the list? It doesn’t fit in with the others.
01.29.09 at 6:07 pm
pentae says:
Nissan GTR?
01.29.09 at 6:18 pm
James says:
Lexus RX 350!!!! or 450h
01.29.09 at 7:38 pm
notme says:
Yea…all of these cars are crap. Sub 30 MPG? What a joke.
01.29.09 at 7:39 pm
Cheap says:
Bailout?
01.29.09 at 8:17 pm
dave says:
The Americans cannot make decent cars. The Merc is the only excepetion in there (but it looks bland). BMW, Porsche and Audi make the best cars. Why? Quality, handling, efficiency (100bhp/litre), design. That’s why they don’t need government bailouts…
01.29.09 at 10:30 pm
Crash Test Betwen old and new cars.mpg | New Cars for Sale says:
[…] » Road Rave - KING-mag.com […]
01.30.09 at 2:05 am
RP says:
The Hyundai Genesis Coupe is nice.. but will not be out in the US until 2010.
01.30.09 at 7:58 am
GO-Getta' says:
Cadillac is officially Obamas white house vehicle transport.
01.31.09 at 1:46 am
NEW Pixar Cars!!! | New Cars for Sale says:
[…] » Road Rave - KING-mag.com […]
01.31.09 at 2:36 pm
AutoCar-Live » Road Rave says:
[…] http://www.king-mag.com/online/?p=10422 […]
02.1.09 at 3:30 am
NEW PIXAR CARS 6!!!! | New Cars for Sale says:
[…] » Road Rave - KING-mag.com […]
02.2.09 at 6:45 am
Diecast Pixar Cars at the 2008 San Diego Comic-Con *NEW CARS | New Cars for Sale says:
[…] » Road Rave - KING-mag.com […]
02.4.09 at 12:51 am
Obama’s New Bullet Proof Car | New Cars for Sale says:
[…] » Road Rave - KING-mag.com […]
02.5.09 at 12:21 pm
Katana says:
i dunno i think i’d prob take the ZR1 over the classic corvette
02.5.09 at 11:28 pm
Looking For The Top 75 Sites For Advertising Cars,Trucks & Accesories? | Car Classifieds says:
[…] » Road Rave - KING-mag.com […]
02.19.09 at 3:08 am
Ronbo says:
Big cars, bigger engines, teeny/tiny penis. Micro-dick heaven.