2010 Saab 9-3X

Saab's 9-3X served notice at the New York auto show that the Swedish company is ready to take on the likes of Subaru's Outback and Volvo's XC70. Boasting a SportCombi (wagon) body, tougher-looking exterior and a higher ride height, the 9-3X should be capable of some minor off-road skirmishes. Saab also feels the 9-3X will make an interesting alternative for those who are downsizing from a large SUV or crossover.


Developed and manufactured in Trollhattan, Sweden, a part of the world known for harsh driving conditions, the 9-3X doesn't just boast about its toughness: It backs it up, with a 1.4-in. higher ride height and Saab's technically advanced Cross Wheel Drive (XWD) system. Saab's XWD, first seen on the limited-edition Turbo X, is an active system which uses an electronically controlled Torque Transfer Device (TTD) to vary power between the front and rear axles as grip levels change. The rear axle also comes standard with a limited-slip differential.


Should you encounter mud, rocks, loose stones or tree branches during your adventure, new front and rear bumpers, as well as side skirts and extended wheel arches, are covered with a grained, dark gray material that is extra durable. Matte aluminum skid plates (front and rear) and multi-spoke 17-in. wheels complete the car's rugged styling.


U.S. 9-3Xs will come with one engine only, Saab's 207-bhp 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder. Buyers will have their choice of a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed automatic.


Look for the 2010 Saab 9-3X at dealers by the fourth quarter of 2009, with prices announced later this year.

2010 Bentley Continental Supersports

For the past year or so Bentley's enthusiastic engineering board member, Dr. Ulrich Eichhorn, has been talking about bio-fuels with a zealot's intensity. He also seemed quite fond of teasing the media, dropping subtle hints about what was to come while never actually revealing anything — the automotive equivalent of a glimpse of Victorian ankle.


Now we know why. The Bentley Continental Supersports revealed at the Geneva Motor Show is the most powerful road-going Bentley to date: 621 bhp and 590 lb.-ft. of torque. No wonder Bentley is claiming a 204-mph top speed and zero to 60 in 3.7 seconds.


Yes, but how does a car this powerful fit into a world dominated by collapsing economies and a need to be more eco-friendly? Think of it from Bentley's perspective: This project probably started 24–30 months ago when the words "sub," "prime" and "mortgage" appeared mostly on Scrabble boards. The car industry is imploding, multimillionaire sports stars can't get loans for cars and we're all going green.


Which is where this latest Bentley fits in: The Continental Supersports is capable of running on either petrol or E85 biofuel, or any combination of the two. E85 biofuel can offer a reduction of up to 70 percent in CO2 emissions on a "well-to-wheel" basis, which is a measurement of a fuel's net CO2 contribution to the atmosphere, not just tailpipe emissions. It includes refinement, distillation and transport of the fuel. The fuel supply system detects the blending ratio of the fuel in the tank and ensures that power and torque remain constant regardless of the ratio of petrol to biofuel.


Clever bloke that Eichhorn.

2010 Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA

While there is an outside chance that Alfa Romeo will return to the U.S. through a deal with Chrysler as early as 2010, it doesn't appear that the 2010 Alfa Romeo MiTo GTA is part of that plan. It's a shame, because this diminutive three-door hatchback is primed to give the likes of the Mini John Cooper Works edition a run for its money.


The stylish MiTo looks every inch an Alfa Romeo from its vertical grille shell to the fender vents that echo those found on the 8C Competizione supercar. The rear of the car features a large diffuser and prominent twin tailpipes. That aggressive look is carried over to the front of GTA, which features larger intakes than the stock model. These openings are needed to feed air to the turbocharged 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine beneath the hood. That powerplant cranks out 240 bhp, which is delivered to the front wheels.


The MiTo GTA also sports a lower ride height and an active suspension featuring real-time adjustment of shock valving to control body roll and oscillation. Another feature is the Alfa D.N.A. system that has three modes: sport, normal and all weather, which adjust the level of stability and traction control intervention as well as steering feel to match driving conditions.


The sporting nature of the GTA is reflected in its interior design that features aluminum-accented pedals and a scuff plate emblazoned with the GTA logo, plus revised instrument graphics, an ergonomically designed sport steering wheel and rubber floor inserts embossed with the same pattern as the tread on the specially designed Pirelli tires.