Get the Vehicle Bill of Sale

Both the seller and the buyer complete the vehicle bill of sale. Please note that your local DMV may not provide free auto bill of sale forms.
The type of information normally included in a used vehicle bill of sale includes the following:

1. Year, Make and Model of the vehicle.
2. Description of vehicle.
3. Buyer and Seller’s names and signatures.
4. Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
5. Purchase price of the vehicle.
6. Odometer reading, etc.

The buyer retains the original copy of the used auto bill of sale, and provides it to the DMV with the other acceptable proofs of ownership required when purchasing a tag.
Additionally, the vehicle bill of sale may be notarized. The Buyer and Seller can make copies of the bill of sale, for record keeping purposes.
Remember! A bill of sale of a motor vehicle, is not sufficient proof of auto ownership. So, the vehicle purchaser may need other forms of proof of ownership, such as the vehicle Title.
Please feel free to make use of this free sample auto bill of sale.

If you are one who is asking what the next BMW M5 will actually look like, then wait no more.  Our friends at TeamSpeed.com have an idea of what the newest BMW M5 (F10) will look like as shown in his latest renderings in addition to one from the infamous Jon Sibal found on M5Board.com.

The next BMW M5 is expected to be a monster sporting well over 500 horsepower through a turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 also found in the BMW X5M/X6M. Look for the real-deal M5 at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show.

[image sources: teamspeed.com, m5board.com/Jon Sibal]

The all-new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-550 sporty luxury sedan breaks new safety and design barriers to become one of the market’s best engineered and smartest sedans, a definite ‘trend setter’.

This all-new E-Class model is the ninth-generation of this highly successful model line with a total of more than 10-million produced over the past 60-years.

The design of the new E-Class sedan begins with a ‘cubist’ treatment of the trademark M-B twin-headlight face.  Two parallelogram white LED lights are recessed into the front fenders, bracketing the three-dimensional frame of the front grille.  The overall body shape features a sophisticated interplay between line and surfaces.  Taut, clearly defined lines help define large concave and convex surfaces.  In particular, a graceful line follows each rear wheel-well and shapes the muscular contours of the rear fenders.  The new car looks futuristic in many respects and is the world’s most aerodynamic sedan with a co-efficient of drag of just 0.25 giving back better fuel economy and less wind noise.

The car is available with four engine choices, the standard is the E350 liter with a 3.5 liter V6 making 268hp, the E550 comes with a 5.5 liter V8 making 382hp, the E350 BlueTEC comes with an innovative V6 turbodiesel that makes 210hp.  The high-performance E63 AMG is fitted with a 518hp 6.3 liter V8.  Any new E-Class is fun and easy to drive whether in sport or luxury trim.  All luxury models come with a comfort suspension while the sport models are fitted with a sport-tuned suspension that has stiffer shocks and springs as well as a slightly lower ride height.

Besides being one of the best designed and engineered sedans in the world today, the all-new 2010 E-Class models come with several ‘life-saving’ features thus becoming one of the safest vehicles to be driving in. The latest is the ‘Attention Assist’ system that can alert you to the first signs of drowsiness, a factor that causes more than 100,000 accidents a year.  A steering wheel sensor is coupled to smart software that uses 70 parameter to establish a unique driver profile during the first 20 minutes of driving.  Between 50 and 112mph, the system identifies the erratic steering corrections drivers make as they begin to get drowsy and triggers an audible warning, and a ‘Time for a Rest?’ message with a coffee cup icon that appears on the instrument cluster.  This is a fantastic crash avoidance system that really works to alert you.

Other examples of trailblazing innovations include: ‘Lane Keeping Assist’ which alerts you by simulating rumble strip vibration in the steering wheel if the car drifts from its lane with the turn signals on.  At speeds above 37mph, the system recognizes lane markings, thanks to a small camera in the windshield and a computer that analyzes the video images.  ‘Adaptive Highbeam Assist’ uses a small video camera to sense both headlights and taillights, then softly and automatically transition between high and low beam lighting.  ‘Night View Assist PLUS’ can now allow you to see pedestrians up to 300 feet earlier than before.  When the system recognizes pedestrians, they appear in the display with an outlined frame highlighting each person.  In contrast to passive systems that rely on thermal imaging, this active system bathes the road ahead with invisible infra-red light from two beams mounted in the Xenon high-intensity headlights.  Extending your ability to see ahead to nearly 500 feet, Night View Assist PLUS uses an infra-red camera in the windshield and displays the reflected images as highly detailed black & white video images in the instrument cluster.  The optional ‘DISTRONIC PLUS’ system now includes ‘Blind Spot Assist’ which monitors both blind spots behind the vehicle.  Whenever a turn signal is activated with a vehicle in the blind spot, you get a visual and audible warning.  DISTRONIC PLUS also incorporates ‘Park Assist’ which utilizes six radar sensors mounted behind the front and rear bumpers.  A low speeds the system scans available parking spaces and displays a ‘P’ in the dash if the car will fit in the space.  When the car’s in reverse, Park Assist displays a pictogram of the steering wheel and provides helpful steering guidance.  ‘PRE-SAFE’ Brake can automatically apply 100% braking in emergencies when your E-Class is equipped with the optional DISTRONIC PLUS system.  When PRE-SAFE Brake senses an impending collision, the system sounds three warning tones.  About 1.6 seconds before impact is likely, partial braking is automatically initiated, and the PRE-SAFE occupant protection system is activated.  If you still fail to react, full-power braking is initiated about 0.6 seconds before the collision, reducing the impact and effectively acting as an ‘electronic crumple zone’.

All E-Class models are equipped with ‘basic’ PRE-SAFE-the world’s first system that can sense and take protective measures before a crash.  The system first automatically tensions the seatbelts if the car senses an impending collision.  PRE-SAFE uses resettable electric tensioners in addition to the existing pyrotechnic belt tensioners.

In addition, if the front passenger seat is overly reclined or forward, PRE-SAFE automatically moves it to a more favorable crash position.  If the seat cushion angle of the front passenger seat is too shallow, it is also re-adjusted to help prevent submarining.  If the vehicle skids, often a precursor to a rollover, the system closes the sunroof and side windows.  If a crash is averted, the electric belt tensioners automatically relax and are ready to deploy again.  If necessary, PRE-SAFE reacts to fishtailing (oversteer) as well as ‘plowing (understeer) by using existing sensors for the electronic stability control system to measure steering angle, vehicle yaw and lateral acceleration.  Emergency braking can also trigger PRE-SAFE, which monitors sensors for the Brake Assist system as well.

Finally, the 2010 E-Class now comes with a new knee airbag for the driver and minimizes leg injuries in frontal collisions, while new pelvic airbags work with the existing curtain and side airbags to provide extra protection for front passengers in dangerous side-impact collisions.  With front airbags as well, the E-Class now boosts nine supplemental restraints, and rear side airbags are optionally available.

With the introduction of the all-new 2010 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedan, you have the safest and smartest automobile to be driving or as a passenger.  Sensors galore help keep you awake, alert and safe at all times for you and your passengers.  It is a ‘tour‘d force’ of automotive safety.  Prices start at $49,475.00.

COPYRIGHT:2009:HARVEY SCHWARTZ

SPECIFICATIONS

Price: MSRP $56,300 Starting $46,475
Type: Midsize Sedan
Where Built: Germany
EPA Class: Midsize Cars

Dimensions

Exterior
Length: 191.7 in.
Width: 75.9 in.
Height: 57.7 in.
Wheel Base: 113.1 in.
Ground Clearance: 4.1 in.
Curb Weight: 4034 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 37.9 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 57.8 in.
Rear Head Room: 38.2 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 56.9 in.
Front Leg Room: 41.3 in.
Rear Leg Room: 35.8 in.
Luggage Capacity: 15.9 cu. ft.
Maximum Cargo Capacity: 16 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5

Performance Data

Acceleration (0-60 mph): 5.3 sec.
Base Number of Cylinders: 8
Base Engine Size: 5.5 liters
Base Engine Type: V8
Horsepower: 382 hp
Max Horsepower: 6000 rpm
Torque: 391 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 2800 rpm
Maximum Towing Capacity: 3500 lbs.
Drive Type: RWD
Turning Circle: 36.2 ft.

Fuel Data

Fuel Tank Capacity: 21.1 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway/Combined)
Automatic: 16 mpg / 24 mpg / 18 mpg
Range in Miles:
Automatic: 337.6 mi. / 506.4 mi. / 379.8 mi.

I was a little slow on the up-take of finding this video. Better late than never… Here is the quite possibly the best Rental-Car commercial ever. Two ordinary guys decide to rent a Ferrari California and Audi R8 and turn their weekend into an extravaganza. No doubt that a hot car would get you some hot chicks and a good time. I might have to try this myself because it looks like fun! Check it out below. Enjoy!

Many automotive enthusiasts may have forgotten about the infamous Dodge Viper. It has always been around and with a new introduction of a “road racing” prepped Viper SRT10 ACR-X, it shows that the bad-ass American muscle car named after a mean snake is still in the game, stronger than ever and here to stay.

Racing enthusiasts will be happy to see Dodge pull the covers off of the new 2010 Viper SRT10 ACR-X that boasts 640 horsepower from a 8.4-liter V10. That’s about 40 more horses to add to the stable from previous versions of the ACR but this one will cost you about $110,000. Is it worth it? Well, here is a video, several images and full press release below to help you decide. Enjoy!

PRESS RELEASE

Dodge Targets Road Racing Enthusiasts With 2010 Viper SRT10 ACR-X

• Turn-key, spec-series racer aimed at continuing Dodge Viper’s storied racing history
• Dodge and Street and Racing Technology (SRT) team combine best performance attributes of Viper ACR with Viper Competition Coupe
• Latest special-edition Viper ACR offers improved on-track performance and safety
• Dodge Viper Cup spec series will debut in July 2010

Orlando, Fla., Dec 10, 2009 – Dodge today pulled the cover off the newest special-edition model of the 2010 Viper SRT10 lineup. The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X is a turn-key, non-street legal race car that is slated to make its on-track debut in the summer of 2010.

“The Dodge Viper ACR-X takes the performance attributes of Viper to an even higher level for a wide range of drivers starting with the grassroots racer all the way up to the professional,” said Ralph Gilles, President and CEO, Dodge Brand. “This project is a result of many years of performance engineering expertise from our SRT team, combined with the passion and dedication of Viper Nation, to keep the Viper racing tradition going strong on tracks around the country and the world.”

Combining the best performance attributes of the record-setting, street-legal Dodge Viper ACR (American Club Racer) and the safety equipment of championship-winning Viper Competition Coupe, the Viper ACR-X is powered by the SRT-developed 8.4-liter V10, equipped with factory headers and a low-restriction exhaust system, that produces 640 horsepower (40 more than production model).

The suspension also is tuned and upgraded specifically for on-track usage, while the weight is lightened by a full 160 pounds (versus the standard production Viper) to take on even the most challenging road course. Additional aerodynamic upgrades improve downforce, while enhancing stability and significantly improving grip in high-speed cornering.

Similar to the Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, the Viper ACR-X contains factory-installed safety equipment such as a factory-designed roll cage, fuel cell and race seat. Additional racing components are added to meet the significant durability and reliability requirements for on-track competition.

In what will be the final year of production for the current generation Viper, the ACR-X is the third limited, special-edition model to be introduced by Dodge. “”We’re going to make 2010 the most exciting year for Viper yet with specially developed cars for the street and the track,” added Gilles. “The ACR-X is targeted at road-racing enthusiasts who want to successfully compete in our ultimate American sports car.”

Last month, the SRT team used a testing session at Laguna Seca raceway to shake down the Viper ACR-X for the first time. Behind the wheel was professional driver Kuno Wittmer from the SCCA Pro Racing SPEED World Challenge Touring Car Championship series, who was able to run consistent 1:31.00 lap times around the 2.238-mile, 11-turn course. Wittmer’s lap times were more than 3 seconds faster than the street-legal Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR that holds the production car track record at Laguna Seca raceway.

“The Dodge Viper ACR-X is incredible,” said Wittmer. “After a short warm up, I was running lap times as quick as exotic GT race cars. I was blown away by the power and acceleration, and even more surprised at how the ACR-X navigated the challenging Laguna Seca corners and how friendly it was to drive at the limit.

“All aspects of the car work together perfectly to plant all that horsepower and torque without issue,” Wittmer added. “This will be a great package for someone coming out of grassroots racing with a desire to step-up to GT level competition. Dodge nailed it with this one!”

The Viper SRT10 ACR-X is designed to compete in the Viper Racing League, Sports Car Club of America and National Auto Sport Association events.

Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP) for the Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X will be approximately $110,000. Production is slated to begin in Spring 2010.

For more information on the Dodge Viper ACR-X, call Viper Race Headquarters at (888) 960-3333 or visit www.viperheadquarters.com

Dodge Viper Cup:

The Dodge Viper SRT10 ACR-X will make its on-track debut in July 2010 in a newly developed spec series called the Dodge Viper Cup, which will be sanctioned by the existing Viper Racing League. Each vehicle in the new series must be the new Viper ACR-X.

Two races per weekend for five weekends will make up the 10-race 2010 Dodge Viper Cup schedule which includes July 9-11 at Virginia International Raceway; August 14-15 at Hallett Raceway; September 11-12 at Pocono Raceway; October 1-3 at Miller Motorsports Park and October 22-24 at Daytona International Speedway.

A contingency program sponsored by Dodge Motorsports and Mopar will pay out more than $200,000 during 2010. Payouts for each race are in cash and Mopar vouchers come as credit toward purchase of Mopar parts and accessories.

Per Race Cash Mopar Voucher Total
1st $6,500 $1,000 $7,500
2nd $4,500 $500 $5,000
3rd $2,500 $250 $2,750
4th $1,250 $150 $1,400
5th $500 $100 $600

Additional cash awards will be made to the top-3 finishers in the Dodge Viper Cup. The 2010 champion will win $25,000, second-place will receive $10,000 and third-place will pay $5,000.

Viper Racing Heritage:

The Dodge Viper has enjoyed a successful racing heritage that began in 1996 with the original Viper racing entry, the GTS-R, which earned five international GT championships and the 1997-1999 FIA GT championships. It also posted an amazing overall win at the Rolex 24 Hours of Daytona in 1999 – the first for a production-based American car.

The Dodge Viper Competition Coupe, introduced in 2003, delivered the next chapter with its coupe-shaped carbon/Kevlar body and a track-ready chassis, based on the Dodge Viper SRT10. The Viper Competition Coupe has continued the on-track prowess by capturing the 2004 SCCA Speed World Challenge GT title, championships in Formula D Drifting series in 2004 and 2006 and the British GT Championship in 2007 and 2008.

viperheadquarters.com:

Dodge has created a new website designed to showcase the Dodge Viper SRT10 both on the street and on the track. Check out the new online home for all things Viper at www.viperheadquarters.com

Viper Racing League:

The Viper Racing League is one race series within the group of three (including Challenge Series and Driving School) sanctioned by Viper Days. The series has 11-weekend events scheduled for the 2010 season at some of the country’s most prestigious race tracks. For more information including the 2010 race schedule, visit www.viperdays.com

In the ultimate battle who comes out on top when making rounds on the Castle Combe Circuit. Find out if it is Germany’s pride and joy, Audi’s iRobot or Japan’s infamous Godzilla. Autocar takes them all for a spin. Enjoy the video below!

Everyone wants to have an entry into the luxury sports sedan segment these days including, you would never guess, Kia! Yes, that’s right; Kia has introduced sketches of their upcoming Kia K9 luxury sedan. The counterparts rumored to be a part of this upcoming Korean luxury sports sedan are shared with the Hyundai Genesis sedan.  The Kia K9 would virtually be a sister car to that of the Genesis Sedan sporting a V8. Would that put a Kia up against the likings of an Audi A8 and BMW 7-series? Only time will tell. For now, enjoy the sketches of the upcoming Kia K9… and it is not a dog.

This year’s Festivals of Speed shows held in Orlando, FL and Miami, FL welcomed some of the most expensive and beautiful cars around. We were more than happy to be one of the many prominent sponsors of such an event. Below are two videos of the events, one covering Orlando and the other Miami. Enjoy!

Festivals of Speed Orlando, FL Video
World Class Car, Motorcycle, Watercraft and Aircraft Show

Festivals of Speed Miami, FL Video
Shot and edited by Left Lane 6 Films. Editor and camera op : William Brown and Thomas LItteer, Still Photography : Steven Moore, Audio: Ryan Cronin

View our exclusive images of the Festivals of Speed Orlando, FL event here!

The all-new 2010 Mazda 3s 4-door Grand Touring edition offers the consumer bolder styling, more power and performance, more comfortable interior and added standard safety systems.  The car is an overall sophistication that ventures beyond the sport-compact segment to rival import models costing thousands more.

Realizing that the Zoom-Zoom emotional spirit is both static and dynamic, Mazda gave the new 3i a more expressive and sophisticated interior and exterior with added sportiness.  New features-many of which are borrowed from the new Mazda6-are also introduced in here with the aid of exceeding constantly rising consumer expectations.

Ultimately, Mazda designed and engineered a whole new Mazda3 that blends the best of the first-generation with large and small refinements in countless areas. It begins with the bold grille that is purposely polarizing.  It is the new ‘face’ of Mazda.

The grille design also helps the new 3 distinguish itself from the new Mazda6.  However, the five-sided opening is still instantly recognizable as a strong Mazda design cue.  Likewise, the aggressively sculpted front fenders and hood share a clear family resemblance with the Mazda6 and RX-8.

Combining the two-medium-sized grille openings used previously into one larger opening also pays functional dividends.  Shifting the air-intake lower on the car increases the pressure of the flow.  As a result, the actual grille opening is 20% small than what was necessary with the previous generation Mazda3.  Most of the air is routed over the hood or around the sides of the car, yielding a significantly lower drag-coefficient, now rated 0.29 to 0.31.  Cars equipped with an automatic transmission have a second driver’s-side inlet opening that routes air through a heat exchanger.  The grille and various elements within its periphery are three dimensional so they literally flow into the surrounding surfaces.  The Mazda front badge is larger and prominently raised above the front body surface.

The front-to-rear rise of the beltline gives the Mazda3i a crouched, expectant look of an animal ready to pounce, and also provides functional benefits.  The low-in-front window opening provides excellent outward visibility.  The higher belt-line in the rear seat area gives occupants a greater sense of security, and the elevated decklid surface with the spoiler is both an aerodynamic aid and a means of maximizing trunk room.

The rear is now flat with a vivid LED taillamp execution and dual exhaust pipes in the 3i and 3s models.  Wind tunnel testing found that small deflectors located near the front tires and subtle adjustments to the upper-forward corners of the A-pillars, outside mirrors, windshield wipers, and taillamps also helped smooth air flow along the sides of the car.  The net gain was a 6% reduction in wind noise.  The new 3 is the most aerodynamic of the new breed of compact sport sedans.

On the inside the new Mazda3’s cockpit is configured to support you in a more dedicated manner than any sport-compact competitor.  Two large instrument clusters are carefully positioned and clearly marked to deliver engine and road speed information.  Key controls are located in the steering wheel spokes where they can be reached with minimum distraction.  A new Multi-Information Display screen containing navigation, audio, and trip information is positioned high on the instrument panel to avoid the need for you to refocus vision off the road ahead.  A second screen slightly to the right provides station frequency and climate control setting information.

Mazda’s ‘Human Machine Interface’ approach breaks the interior into three key zones: displays and controls used most frequently are located high and close to you to significantly reduce eye motion and refocusing; audio and climate controls are also elevated in the center stack to minimize the amount of head motion needed to change any setting; switches located on the door arm rest, steering column, and steering wheel are designed for intuitive operation so they can often be activated with no need for head or eye motion.  Responding to the knowledge gained from human-machine studies, the new Mazda3’s center console was elevated to shorten the reach to the shift lever and parking brake more by two inches.  From the pleasant sound of the chimes to the gradual rise of interior illumination, every Mazda3 interior design detail is carefully conceived and executed with high quality in mind.  Roof pillars and the beltline are designed to maximize outward visibility and the feeling of roomy openness.

The new instrument cluster panel top is a padded, seamless, and elegantly grained surface that sweeps from the center console to both A-pillars.  The center console holds two cupholders, a sliding armrest and a roomy storage box, before blending in a continuous curve into the instrument panel.  HVAC and audio controls are large, properly textured and illuminated to provide a visual feedback that a command has been received.  A damper is included to smooth the opening and closing of the small compartment built into the instrument panel, the overhead sunglasses storage box and the roomy glove box.  Ambient illumination, cruise-control, power windows/door locks, dual map lights, 2-12-volt plugs, illuminated vanity mirrors and three grab handles are standard in all Mazda3’s.

Improved seating comfort is the result of front cushions extended by 0.8 inches for enhanced thigh support.  Seatbacks are reshaped for more lumbar support and extended by 1.4 inches for added shoulder support.  Optional sport-seat upper bolsters are canted inward more aggressively for added restraint during hard cornering.  A segment-first eight-way driver’s seat with memory has been added to the option list.  Dual-zone automatic temperature control, heated seats, and a Bose Centerpoint audio system are other new features also not offered by other sport compact competitors.  The 5.1-channel surround sound system engineered cooperatively with Bose experts includes digital amplifier, noise cancellation technology and an array of ten premium speakers.

Loaded versions of the Mazda3 have a small-diameter leather wrapped/tilt/telescoping steering wheel and soft-touch surfaces finished with French-stitched seams.  Seating areas are available in black or dune colors in both close and leather.  All Mazda3 interiors feature a black instrument panel with pewter-painted accents and black carpeting.  All models feature a 60-40 split-folding rear seat with pull-down dual cupholders as standard to stretch the utility of the trunk.

The Mazda3’s new Multi-Information Display (MID) is patterned after the compact aftermarket navigational devices that provide guidance at an affordable price.  Controls located on the steering wheel select the information to be displayed on the 4.1 inch LCD color screen.  In addition to maps and turn-by-turn guidance, the screen conveys MP3 and i-Pod program information, trip data including fuel economy, plus various maintainance and alert messages.  A monochromatic readout MID is also without the navigational functions.

Advanced keyless entry allows Mazda3 drivers to unlock the doors and start the engine with the key fob in your pocket or purse.  A discrete door handle button and a start/stop button on the dash are used in lieu of a key.  The addition of Bluetooth capability in the new Mazda3 provides wireless mobile phone and audio player connections and hands-free operation.  Instrument panel and steering wheel switches can be used to sort through music selections.

Steering and braking accuracy and feedback that leads to avoiding collisions is one of the best ways to avoid problems.  Towards that end, the Mazda3 excels in agility, maneuverability and ease of control at the limits of braking and cornering adhesion.  Powerful disc brakes, ABS, and electro-hydraulic power steering are standard equipment.  Dynamic stability control and Traction Control are standard on most models.

The new Mazda 3s the first compacts on the market with an Adaptive Front Lighting system (AFS) containing self-leveling, bi-xenon (high and low beam) headlamps.  Standard equipment in the top Grand Touring trim level, the inner beam steers up to 15-degrees into the turn to expand the illumination pattern.  To minimize the likelihood of injury when a collision occurs, the Mazda3 uses a technology call Triple-H unibody design.  Efficient H-shaped reinforcements in the floor, roof, and side of the body structure resist intrusion and support crush zones at both ends of the car.  Six airbags and active head restraints are also standard.  Side-curtain airbags, which help protect all outboard occupants, are a fast-inflating design with 40% larger coverage area.

Mazda’s MZR engine family is widely regarded as one of the world’s most advanced forms of fuel-efficient, high-energy propulsion.  As before there are two distinct MZR four-cylinder engines available in the Mazda3, both of which offer outstanding performance and efficiency.

Mazda3i models are fitted with the MZR 2.0 liter, DOHC, all-aluminum engine making 148hp at 6,500rpm and 135lb.ft. of torque at 4,500rpm. It is mated to either a standard smooth-shifting manual box or a sophisticated, electronically controlled automatic with a manual-shift mode.  Both are fitted with five forward speeds.  EPA specs are excellent-25mpg/city and 33mpg/highway.

Mazda3s customers benefit from a healthier injection of Zoom-Zoom attributable to the new 2.5 liters of displacement.  This new engine is similar in most details to that found in the all-new 2009 Mazda6i.  Changes from the previous 2.3 liter I-4 unit include a fatter bore and a longer stroke packed into a cylinder block with unchanged external dimensions by using cylinder-bore liners made of a steel-molybdenum alloy offering strength and stiffness increases of 30%.  A forged-steel crankshaft provides the necessary stamina.  Twin balance shafts located in the oil sump cancel second-order noise and vibration, allowing this engine to sing up to its 6,200rpm redlines.  The deep skirt block is engineered for extra stiffness and main-bearing caps are integral with a ladder-type lower-block reinforcement.  To minimize the noise and vibration typically found on large displacement four-cylinder engines, the damper at the forward end of the crankshaft is equipped with two tuned masses.  At the output end, a new flexible flywheel also curbs NVH.

Fuel is delivered to the intake ports by an electronically controlled sequential injection system.  Ignition coils are modular units positioned directly above the spark plugs.  Shim-less bucket tappets require no maintenance.  Light-weight pistons are coated with a special anti-friction compound and fitted with low-tension rings for improved gas mileage.  Sintered powder-metal connecting rods and lighter, full-floating wrist pins minimize the reciprocating weight.  As a result, this engine hums as contently at 6,000rpm as it does at 2,000rpm.  Like the MZR 2.0 liter, the new 2.5 liter power-plant features variable intake valve timing and a two-mode composite intake manifold.  A 4-into-1 exhaust manifold improves cylinder scavenging and reduces the time necessary for the catalytic converter to warm to full operating temperature.  Dual tailpipes and specially tuned mufflers provide a pleasant exhaust note with a hint of mid-range boom or high-rpm thrash.

Providing 167hp at 6,000rpm and 168lb.ft. of torque at 4,00rpm, the MZR 2.5 liter engine is available with a smooth shifting six-speed manual or a five-speed electronically controlled automatic with manual shift control-again, borrowed from the larger, up-market Mazda6.  Despite an increase in power and displacement, fuel efficiency ratings show no loss over the 2009 2.3 liter models, with EPA figures of 21mpg/city and 29mpg/highway with the manual and 22mpg/city and 29mpg/highway with the new automatic.

A uniquely Mazda Active Adaptive Shift protocol provides the new 5-speed automatic with the performance and response that Mazda3 customers expect.  Part-throttle downshifts are delivered in sync with the nudge of the accelerator during passing.  When the car is braking aggressively in anticipation of cornering, the transmission also downshifts to add engine braking and to prepare for an expedient exit from the curve.  A wider overall ratio spread assists acceleration from standstill while also providing quieter and more efficient high cruising.  This new engine pulls mightily at launch and through the gears enabling the all-new 3s to race out to 60mph from a standstill in just 7sec.

By refining the strengths of the previous unibody, steering, brakes and suspension systems-instead of starting over with radically different designs-Mazda engineers delivered major improvements in ride and handling performance while also reducing several pounds from the unibody and chassis weight.  As before, the new Mazda3 rides on a 103.9in. wheelbase.  Wheel track dimensions are also unchanged.  A 3in. increase in length yields a lower drag coefficient and additional fuel capacity with the 2.5 liter engine.  Unibody bending stiffness has been increased a significant 7% by a major gain in the use of high-tensile-strength steel panels, by adding gussets in heavily loaded areas, such as the suspension mounting points, and by strategic increases in metal gauge thickness.  In addition, a technique call weld bonding first used in the new Mazda6 has also been applied to the Mazda3’s unibody construction.  At key locations-such as the door aperture areas-the combination of structural adhesion and spot welding greatly enhances the unibody’s flex resistance.  A stiffer structure also provides a quieter ride, improved suspension response to steering and cornering loads, and more stable cruising and braking performance.  The weight saving is a significant 24lbs.

Changes to the rubber-isolated front, and rigidly mounted rear, subframes also enhance rigidity while saving weight.  A new instrument panel support structure using two instead of the previous one steel reinforcement tubes saves 4.4lbs. while providing more solid support for the steering column.  Adding ribs to the inner door panels and increasing the size of the roof reinforcements bar yield major reductions in NVH.

To improve steering precision and feel, a third mounting point has been added near the center of the electro-hydraulic-assisted rack & pinion steering gear.  The diameter of the rack has been increased from 1.57-to-1.61in. for improved stiffness and to facilitate more precise calibration of the speed-dependent power assistance.

Because the previous car was so effective, suspension changes are modest.  The span between front and rear anti-roll bar support points has been widened by nearly 1in. to increase the effectiveness of the bars without raising their weight.  Minor changes to the steering geometry and the layout of the multi-link rear suspension diminish understeer during turn-in and oversteer while exiting a curve.  Front struts and rear monotube dampers are recalibrated for this new generation to take advantage of the more robust unibody structure and tire specification changes.  Its amazing that the all-new 3s rides and handles even better than before.  Turn-in is sharp and quick, there is no vibration when handling the steering wheel.  The suspension and steering are so well connected that you feel like you are part of the car, so harmonious is the new ride.  Engineers have found the ‘sweet spot’ by combining performance and comfort so well.

Power-assisted four-wheel disc brakes with ABS, electronic brake force distribution and brake assist are standard Mazda3 equipment.  Rotor sizes are 10.9in. and 10.4in. in back in the Mazda3i and 11.8in. and 11in. in back in Mazda3s models.  These larger rotors work in conjunction with the electronic enhancers to bring the new 3i and s to a shorter, more controlled stop.

As before, 205/55HR16in. all-season radial tires mounted on 6.5in. steel wheels, or available aluminum alloy, are standard Mazda3i equipment.  The more powerful Mazda3s models roll on larger 205/50V17in. all-season performance tires wrapped around 17X7in. aluminum alloy wheels.  These tires and wheels enhance ride comfort and traction.

New from front to back, from top to bottom, with heavily restyled bodies and updated or all-new powertrains, and a comprehensively revised interior, the 2010 Mazda3 four and 5-door hatchback models are ready to protect their ground in the popular and ever-growing sport compact segment.  The new car offers a level of content, style, dynamics and sophistication simply not seen elsewhere in the segment.

It is the best Mazda3 ever, and a sure winner!

COPYRIGHT:2009:HARVEY SCHWARTZ

Specifications

Price: MSRP $21,500 As-Tested $24,760
Type: Compact Sedan
Where Built: Japan
EPA Class: Compact Cars

Dimensions

Exterior
Length: 180.9 in. Width: 69.1 in.
Height: 57.9 in.
Wheel Base: 103.9 in.
Ground Clearance: 4.7 in.
Curb Weight: 2963 lbs.
Interior
Front Head Room: 38.9 in.
Front Hip Room: 53.7 in.
Front Shoulder Room: 54.9 in.
Rear Head Room: 37.5 in.
Rear Shoulder Room: 54 in.
Rear Hip Room: 52.2 in.
Front Leg Room: 42 in. Rear Leg Room: 36.2 in.
Luggage Capacity: 11.8 cu. ft.
Maximum Seating: 5

Performance Data

Base Number of Cylinders: 4
Base Engine Size: 2.5 liters
Base Engine Type: Inline 4
Horsepower: 167 hp
Max Horsepower: 6000 rpm
Torque: 168 ft-lbs.
Max Torque: 4000 rpm
Drive Type: FWD
Turning Circle: 34.2 ft.
0-60mph: 7.4 seconds

Fuel Data

Fuel Tank Capacity: 15.9 gal.
EPA Mileage Estimates: (City/Highway/Combined)
Manual: 21 mpg / 29 mpg / 24 mpg
Range in Miles:
Manual: 333.9 mi. / 461.1 mi. / 381.6 mi.

This year the LA Auto Show kicks off with more than two-dozen world and North American debuts, and over 1,000 new cars, trucks, SUV’s & concepts on display. The LA Auto Show is one of the world’s largest, as over 1-million visitors are expected to attend during the show’s 10 day run. (Dec. 4th – 13th.)

We have included one video with Doug Brauner, a 14-year automotive broadcaster who hosts the show “The Car Czar” heard by more than 300,000 auto enthusiasts throughout the West coast. Doug is the senior feature reporter for the Telly Award winning show “DRIVE,” now on Discovery Networks.

The other video is from Fast Lane Daily. This highly energetic host is obviously on some good drugs but you have to look over that. He is actually trying to show you the cars on display.

Enjoy the videos below!