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By Nicole Barley

Start these engines — we’ve got hot hybrids, sexy SUVs, and seductive sports cars — and feel your heart race.

Whenever the Pittsburgh International Auto Show pulls into town, we get pretty revved up by the buzz surrounding certain vehicles. To get a head start on what’s making tracks in the automotive world this year, we asked local experts to pick the hot new cars of 2010. Their answers include sleek rides that have hybrid technology, gadget and gizmo options galore, and top-notch performance ratings.

The Pittsburgh International Auto Show takes place February 11-15 at the
David L. Lawrence Convention Center. pittautoshow.com/autoshow.

Firm Believer — Porsche Panamera S

Price: MSRP $89,800
Gas Mileage: City 16 mpg/Highway 24 mpg
Transmission: 7-speed Porsche Doppelkupplung (PDK)
Gizmos: Options include Porsche Entry & Drive, ParkAssist including Rearview Camera, thermally and noise insulated glass, Bluetooth phone interface and telephone module with cordless handset, Porsche Rear Seat Entertainment

“Porsche fills out its lineup with a truly spacious, built-from-the-ground-up sports car for four. Four doors, four seats, sports car technology for four. With luggage, and without compromise. A new kind of Porsche sports car, redefining on its own terms what luxury and performance can mean — the new Panamera.” — Aaron Comstock, General Manager, Auto Palace Porsche

Auto Palace Porsche, 412.687.4000.

 



Simply the Best — Cadillac SRX

Price: Starting at $33,330
Gas Mileage: City 18 mpg/Highway 25 mpg (3.0L direct-injection V6 VVT engine)
Gizmos: Options include MP3 Playback, OnStar Directions and Connections, including OnStar Turn-by-Turn Navigation, remote vehicle start

What makes the Cadillac SRX Marc Rosenstein, Rohrich Cadillac Sales Manager’s pick for the hot new car of 2010? Succinctly put, it’s the “styling, handling, and performance.” Rohrich Cadillac, Inc., 888.375.5003. rohrichcadillac.com.

“Motor Trend says that ‘the new Cadillac SRX drives the way it looks: sexy, fun, apart from the pack.’ The starting price is only a little more than $33,000 and it can be had very well-equipped for $40,000 to $42,000, with tons of amenities! There is not a better value in the crossover luxury segment. This vehicle might be the biggest home run of the year!” — Calvin Lane, Director of Sales, #1 Cochran

#1 Cochran Cadillac, 412.373.3333.

“The SRX is the ‘Cadillac of Crossovers.’ Its aggressive styling and handling will exceed your expectation for your driving experience. The ambient lighting, coupled with the luxurious interior, is world class. A must-see vehicle.” — Deborah Peters, General Manager, Day Centennial. Day Centennial, 724.438.2577.

daycentennial.com.


Modern Marvel — MINI Beachcomber

Gas Mileage: Up to 37 mpg (1.6L,16 valve alloy engine)
Gizmos: New, ALL4 all-wheel drive system, open-air concept car, remote keyless entry,

“MINI cooper has had a ‘Fun-Raising Mission’ for the past several months — watch for this to continue as new models are being unveiled at the auto shows. The ‘Beachcomber’ brings an increase in the heart rate of anyone who has driven a Jeep Wrangler off-road and has experienced the thrill of driving a MINI.” — Bill Schmitt, Motoring Advisor, MINI of Pittsburgh

MINI of Pittsburgh/P & W Foreign Cars, 877.299.9045.

 


European Elegance  — 2010 Bentley Mulsanne

Price: Estimated base price starting at $285,000
Gas Mileage: Compared to the Bentley Arnage’s V-8 6.75L engine (the Mulsanne is the Arnage’s replacement), there will be up to 15 percent savings in fuel
Transmission: 8-speed automatic transmission with engine management and multi-displacement systems

“The Bentley Mulsanne is nothing less than the pinnacle of British motoring. It is a powerful, agile, and elegant driver’s car, like nothing else on the road.” — Nick Fairbanks, General Sales Manager, Bentley Pittsburgh

Bentley Pittsburgh, 412.344.6010.

 


Emerald City — Jetta TDI

Price: Starting at $22,830
Gas Mileage: City 30 mpg/Highway 42 mpg
Gizmos: Options include built-in MP3 & WMA capable six-CD changer and SD-Memory Card reader, Bluetooth hands-free calling with voice control, phone-book import via RNS 510 Navigation System

“I would have to mention the TDI family of Volkswagens as the vehicles of interest in 2010. They include the Touareg SUV, Jetta Sedan — the Green Car Journal’s 2009 Green Car of the Year — and Jetta Sportwagen and the Golf. New technology in diesels has improved performance, increased mileage, and reduced sooty emissions by 95%, without the messy, dead battery-storage issue that is relevant for hybrid vehicles.” — Chris Mohler-King, Sales Manager, Sendell Motors

Sendell Motors, 724.837.1600.


 

Go 4 It  — Toyota 4Runner

Price: Starting at $27,500
Gas Mileage: City 18 mpg/Highway 23 mpg
Gizmos: Options include voice-activated touch-screen DVD navigation system, USB port with iPod connectivity, hands-free phone capability and music-streaming via Bluetooth wireless technology

“When the Toyota 4Runner SUV was launched in 1984, it was a revolutionary new vehicle based on the mechanics of the four-wheel-drive Toyota pickup truck. The all-new, fifth-generation 4Runner is even more rugged and athletic, packed with more power and better mileage. A completely redesigned interior and unique cargo area make the newest 4Runner smarter, more comfortable, and more versatile than ever.” — Guy A. Lettieri,  Sales Manager, Day Toyota

Day Toyota, 412.469.3000.

“The fifth generation 4Runner captures customers’ sense of adventure with no penalty of giving up the most advanced luxury and safety features availble in the marketplace.” — Kevin Kinsella, Manager of Truck Sales and Leasing, Rohrich Toyota.

Rohrich Toyota, 412.344.6012.

 


Performance of a Lifetime — Lexus HS250h

Price: Starting at $34,650
Gas Mileage: Combined 35 mpg (Four-cylinder Atkinson Cycle engine)
Gizmos: Options include XM Radio, XM NavTraffic, XM NavWeather, and XM Sports and Stocks, heated and ventilated front seats, rain-sensing wipers, Intuitive Parking Assist, Lane Keep Assist

“The hottest car for Lexus in 2010 is the world’s first hybrid luxury sedan — the all new HS250h. Lexus comfort and performance packaged in a sedan that delivers 40 miles to a gallon!” — Kevin Mullen, Vice President/General Manager, Lexus of North Hills

Lexus of North Hills, 724.940.1400.

“The Lexus HS250h is the world’s first dedicated luxury-hybrid sedan. Naturally, it gets phenomenal gas mileage and produces 70 percent less emissions than our super-ultra low emission cars, but it is a Lexus in every way. It feels great inside, it is quiet and smooth, and it is a beautiful car from every angle. I think pride of ownership is still a big reason our customers choose a Lexus, and they can certainly be very proud to own this smart, beautiful and world-class car.” — Tim Brady, General Manager, Rohrich Lexus

Rohrich Lexus, 888.234.2044.