Video: Jay Leno Drives The 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG
In early November, our own Marty Padgett took the 2010 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG out for a road test and a few laps around the Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca. Now, the slightly cleaner-shaven Jay Leno has slid behind the SLS's wheel and posted the results of his drive to Jay Leno's Garage. How do the two reviews compare? Well, Marty got more time in the driver's seat, but all-in-all, he and Jay seem to have similar takes. In short, the SLS AMG is a beautiful, powerful car, with a couple of forgivable shortcomings:
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
2009 Frankfurt Auto Show: Superlight Mazda MX-5 Miata
A Superlight edition of the Mazda Miata--okay, fine, MX-5 roadster--will make its world debut at next month's Frankfurt auto show.
Mazda's latest injection of PR and fun into the two-seater means it loses its windshield and some other less visible weight, all in the name of improving performance. Penned in Mazda's Frankfurt design studios, the concept adapts the current car's looks minus the front glass, and wraps roll bars in aero trim. And while it drops weight to improve performance, it also boosts fuel economy and cuts carbon dioxide emissions, all at once.
Mazda says the 20th year of MX-5 Miata production has been a good one; the car is the best-selling two-seat sportscar in the world, according to the Japanese automaker.
TheCarConnection and Motor Authority will be in Frankfurt to show you more from the show floor; you can bookmark our Frankfurt Auto Show tag and come back here often for previews and updates prior to show week.
MORE: 2009 Frankfurt Auto Show
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This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
Mazda5 Likely Sporting Few Changes for 2010
Mazda has announced equipment details for the Premacy, its Japan-market compact minivan that closely parallels the Mazda5.
Based on this, it's likely that the 2010 Mazda5 will return with just a few minor equipment changes.
In Japan, the Premacy gets a new fuel economy gauge and a newly redesigned glossy piano black center panel, plus new fabric and door trim for some models. Also for the first time rearview and sideview cameras are offered as a dealer-installed option, so we might also see this show up as an option in the 2010 Mazda5.
Several new colors have been added, including this attention-getting Dark Plum Mica.
In TheCarConnection.com's Bottom Line on the 2009 Mazda Mazda5, we list the Mazda5's compact size, seating for six, space-saving sliding doors, and rare-for-the-class manual transmission as positives, but note that the Mazda5 lacks electronic stability control at a time when every other minivan and crossover rival we can think of has it. We wouldn't mind a little more power or more supportive front seats either, but overall the Mazda5 is an editors' favorite among small people movers.
We'll update you if equipment changes for the U.S. 2010 Mazda5 end up being any more extensive than anticipated.
This story originally appeared at The Car Connection
