2010 Mazdaspeed3

In 2007, the Mazdaspeed3 was the most powerful front-driver under $25,000. Yet, it was the deft combination of power and utility that made the hatchback irresistible. The 2010 Mazdaspeed3, fortunately, relies on much of the previous generation's hardware -- engine included -- but gains Mazda's smiley-face aesthetics, an updated suspension and driveline, and reworked electronics to improve upon an already stout platform.

As with the standard Mazda3, Mazda's "Nagare" design language is apparent. The 2010 version receives a new lower airdam and hood scoop to differentiate it. The larger scoop improves intercooler airflow and frees enough real estate for a new intake duct; both upgrades, Mazda says, improve efficiency. Side skirts and larger exhaust tips complete the visual upgrades.

The wheels, sporting a design from the RX-8 R3, retain an 18-in. diameter but grow 0.5-in. in width. Tires follow, changing from Bridgestone Potenza RE050As to wider Dunlop SP Sport 2050s, sized 225/40R18. The wheels attach to MacPherson struts in the front and a multilink rear suspension, both with stiffer springs and higher dampening rates. There are new mounting points for the front stabilizer bar, and, for the rest of the suspension, thicker sheetmetal in high-stress areas, improving rigidity. Mazda claims a 2% increase in overall torsion stiffness.

The mechanical braking and hydraulic steering systems are no more. Mazda adopts electrical solutions to both, claiming greater flexibility in tuning. Rotors remain 12.6 in. up front and 11.0 in. at the rear, but now use an assist to combat driver hesitation during panic braking. The electric steering, Mazda says, is well weighted at high speeds, but not heavy when putting around parking lots.

Behind the steering wheel is the normal gauge cluster, augmented with a LED boost gauge. The rest of the interior wears black with red stitching and Mazdaspeed3 graphics on the semi-bucket front seats. Storage space grows slightly over its predecessor, to 17.0 cu ft. And, like on the standard Mazda3, an optional Tech Package includes push-button start, navigation, satellite radio, alarm, six-disc changer, and a five-channel Bose sound system.

The 263-horse turbo 2.3L carries over, but mates to a transmission with taller gears from second to fifth. With 280 lb-ft at 3000 rpm, torque steer is the enemy. Mazda combats it with a torque-sensing conical limit-slip and recalibrated torque-management system, which limits power based on gear and steering input.

Despite being one of the oldest in our "Small, Fast, Fun" comparison, the last Mazdaspeed3 clinched third thanks to incredible torque and driving feel. For 2010, Mazda appears to have only improved on the Speed3's strong points.

By Carlos Lago

Source: Motor Trend

2010 Cadillac CTS

Cadillac exterior design director John Manoogian II can't contain himself. He talks about the production CTS coupe and how it will hardly vary from the "CTS coupe concept," the unmitigated hit of the North American International Auto Show (Detroit), without adding the requisite, "If we were to build it." And so what's a poor Cadillac P.R. guy to do, but to say it hasn't been made official?

If you read Motor Trend, you know Cadillac has been kicking around the idea of a new coupe since before the doddering Eldorado was sent to that great Cadillac Ranch in the sky. And you know that this latest "coupe d'etat," designed much more recently than those earlier ideas, is set for a 2010 model year introduction probably some 18 months from now, alongside a Euro-centric CTS wagon-er, estate/shooting break. (One insider says, if you like the coupe, "Wait'll you see the wagon." Wait until when? That CTS wagon won't make its debut at Geneva and, in fact, hasn't been scheduled for any auto show so far this season.)

Manoogian credits designer Bob Munson for drawing the sketches that led to the coupe concept about two years ago, as work was wrapping up on the 2008 Motor Trend Car of the Year, the Cadillac CTS sedan.

"Bob had done a sketch of a two-door," Manoogian says. "And everyone's reaction immediately was, 'There isn't a market for two-doors, why would we want to do that?' We said, 'Well, let's just kind of give it a shot.' So we did a scale model, based on Bob's sketch." With design chief Ed Welburn's prompting, that led to a full-size clay. "So we did a full-size clay, took it out on the patio one day for Mr. Lutz, and he came out and said, 'Wow! That's pretty cool!' Then we made arrangements to show Mr. Wagoner as well, and everyone agreed: we can't afford not to do this car."

Here's the real kicker, the sign that GM indeed has hit a new design renaissance: Manoogian and Cadillac design director Clay Dean swear the CTS coupe concept is virtually unchanged from Munson's original drawings. Original drawing-to-production is the type of thing GM design hasn't been able to do since the days of Harley Earl and Bill Mitchell.

"When we started with the scale model, to what you see right in front of you," Manoogian says, "is identical. Our mission was, take that scale model and do a full-size car."

Source: Motor Trend