By Don Hammonds
“What’s up”  at Mercedes for 2012?
Plenty.
Try an all-new SLK.  How about an all new M-Class?  How about some new AMG iron, too?  And all of that is just for starters.
2012 SLK
Let’s talk about the all-new SLK. It’s tougher, even better handling, and at least to the eyes of those of us at Automobile Journal, it’s even better looking, if that’s possible. And it’s also got some interesting new technology, too.
There’s also some new iron under the hood– a …

 
It’s 2012, or so says the automotive industry calendar—-and that means new cars and trucks.
Automobile Journal today begins a periodic series of articles highlighting changes and new models among each of the companies we cover, starting with Nissan. Stay tuned for other pieces as information becomes available.
Executive Editor Don Hammonds
Nissan’s making big changes for 2012 at both ends of the market spectum.

At the more affordable end, Nissan’s unveiled the 2012 Versa (see article by Automobile Journal staffer John Heilig further …

       By Don Hammonds
It’s tough living in somebody else’s shadow.  Just ask anybody who’s got a more popular overachiever as an older sibling. Or anybody who’s toiled away in an office for years while a more flamboyant co-worker gets all the glory.
      Now consider the 2011 Nissan Murano.  Once the darling of the crossover world, the Murano has been pushed out of the spotlight by its more glamorous younger sibling, Nissan Murano Cross Cabriolet.

    But the Murano SL has plenty …

      By Don Hammonds
     If you have never driven a BMW, it’s very easy to scoff at the sterling claims made about the performance, quality and superb handling of this legendary brand’s products.
   How can any car be that good? skeptics might ask.  Two words: Drive it.  And you’ll be a scoffer no more.
     The latest example of our theory is the  BMW X5 xDrive35d, an all wheel drive,turbo diesel powered version of BMW’s largest SUV.

    There are plenty of …

By Don Hammonds
Ford’s gone uptown in its new 2011 Explorer–in style, content and ambiance, not price.
As many of you know, Explorer had fallen into some hard sales times until this year, but thanks to the all-new model, we suspect that happy days are now here again.

The new Explorer is far more solidly built than the old model, is much quieter, considerably more luxurious, better styled, and perhaps most important for these times, it’s a lot more economical, too.  It all …

By John Heilig
SPECIFICATIONS  
 Model: 2011 Audi A3 2.0 TFSI FWD
 Engine: 2.0-liter DOHC turbocharged 4
 Horsepower/Torque: 200 hp @ 5,100-6,000 rpm/207 lb.-ft. @ 1,800-5,000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed S-tronic
 Wheelbase: 101.5 in.
 Length/Width/Height: 169.0 x 69.5 x 56.0 in.
Tires: P225/45R17 (compact spare)
 Cargo volume: 19.5/39.0 cu. ft. (2nd row seats up/down)
 Fuel economy: 22 mpg city/28 mpg highway/27.3 mpg test
 Fuel capacity: 14.5 gal.
Curb weight: 3,296 lbs.
 Sticker: $35,250 (includes $875 destination, $5,725 in options ($1,100 sun roof, $2,050 navigation, $475 paint, $2,000 Premium Plus package)  
 Five reasons to buy …

By John Heilig
  SPECIFICATIONS
  Model: 2011 Buick Enclave CXL-AWD
 Engine: 3.6-liter V6 Horsepower/Torque: 288 hp @ 6,300 rpm/270 lb.-ft. @ 3,400 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed automatic
 Wheelbase: 119.0 in.
 Length/Width/Height: 201.5 x 79.0 x 72.5 in.
Tires: P255/55R20
Cargo volume: 23.2/67.5/115.3 cu. ft. (behind 3rd row/2nd row/1st row)
 Fuel economy: 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway/17.0 mpg test
 Fuel capacity: 22.0 gal.
 Curb weight: 4,985 lbs.
 Sticker: $49,755 (includes $775 destination charge, $4,885 in options ($3,185 for audio with DVD; $1,400 for power sunroof; $300 for 20-inch chrome wheels)  
 Five reasons to …

 By John Heilig
 SPECIFICATIONS
   Model: 2011 Audi Q7 3.0T quattro Tiptronic
 Engine: 3.0-liter supercharged V6 Horsepower/Torque: 272 hp @ 4,750 rpm/295 lb.-ft. @ 2,200 rpm
Transmission: 8-speed automatic with Tiptronic
Wheelbase: 118.2 in.
 Length/Width/Height: 200.3 x 85.7 x 68.4 in.
 Tires: P255/55R18
 Cargo volume: 10.9/42.0/72.5 cu. ft. (3rd row seats up/3rd row seats down/2nd row seats down)
Fuel economy: 16 mpg city/22 mpg highway/18.8 mpg test
 Fuel capacity: 26.4 gal.
 Curb weight: 5,192 lbs.
 Sticker: $53,075 (includes $875 destination charge, $6,500 in options)
   Five reasons to buy this car 1. Excellent …

By Don Hammonds
Want to know where Chrysler is headed?
Look no further than the 2011 Jeep.
 
On second thought, look at the new Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger, too.
Bu today we’re focusing on the Grand Cherokee Laredo, a greatly improved and vastly more competitive product for the company.
Grand Cherokee has always stood for luxury and rugged off-road performance. But in our view, you would have to go back to the first generation way back when to find one that truly personified both …

By Don Hammonds
If you’ve ever wondered why Subaru is consistently a winner in the sales race in hard economic  times, you may find a test drive of the 2011 Subaru Forester to be quite educational.

      It’s got a pleasantly contemporary,  timeless look, nothing trendy, nothing fancy, just very attractive.  The interior, if you’ve ordered a sunroof, is airy and bright because the brand makes their sunroofs considerably bigger than others.  It’s got a rock solid feel to it on the …