The 2009 all-new Highlander will be equipped with either a 3.5L V6 or a 3.3L hybrid powerplant. Toyota is expanding the Highlander's powertrain line-up for 2009 by adding a more fuel efficient 2.7L four-cylinder engine. The new engine produces 187 horsepower at 5,800 RPM and 186 lb-ft at 4,100 RPM, making it the most powerful four cylinder engine in Toyota's line-up.

The new 2.7L engine comes with a 6sp automatic transmission. Toyota has not released the fuel econ figures as yet, these figures will be announced closer to the January 2009 launch date. The Highlander was first launched in 2001. The Japanese deportee version is called the Klugger.

There will be a few model changes in the Toyota line-up. The new Prius will be selling in the spring of 2009 as a 2010 model. The nickel-metal hydride battery will remain, and because of that, the plug-in model will be delayed until a lithium ion battery is offered. The new Prius will have the Corolla's 1.8-liter four cylinder engine.

The long-awaited revival of the classic Supra has been shelved due to its high mpg. Toyota will focus on its RWD coupe, jointly developed by Subaru. The Sienna will have hybrid drivetrains in 2012. The Corolla will be redesigned in 2013, along with the Matrix. The next Camry will receive a facelift in 2010, with the new model debuting in 2012, and the new Avalon will debut in 2011 as a 2012 model.

The AWD system fitted to the LS460 is the same found on the LS600h, and includes a Torsen LSD integrated into the rear drive shaft that receives power from the 381 hp, 4.6-litre V8 via an eight-speed automatic gearbox. In normal driving conditions, torque is split 40/60 front-to-rear, with as much as 70 per cent of the power being shoveled to the rear wheels depending on conditions. Lexus is obviously trying to tap into one of the world's fastest growing automotive markets with the introduction of the LS460 AWD.

McLaren's British star Lewis Hamilton had luggage stolen outside a Spanish hotel. The World Championship leader was leaving the Malaga Palacio with girlfriend Nicole Scherzinger, of Pussycat Dolls, when two men snatched a pair of bags from their car. Lewis' driver was cleaning the wing mirrors when two men ran up to the open trunk and took the luggage. Hamilton had attended an MTV concert in Malaga.

Love it or hate it, the 2009 Acura TL has the most powerful engine in Acura's history. Two trim levels are available, the regular TL which has a 280 hp SOHC 24 valve VTEC 3.5-litre 60 degree V-6 engine, which has 22hp more than the previous engine, and the TL SH-AWD (Super Handling All-Wheel Drive) which is powered by the all-new 305 hp 3.7-litre V-6 engine. It passes its 273 lb-ft of torque more effectively, with the new system providing a superb driving experience. Both engines come with a 5sp automatic transmission, run on 91octane gas and fuel econ, and return a 18mpg city/26mpg hwy. Fuel capacity on the 2009 TL has increased to 18.5 gallons, from 17.1 gallons.

The word from Japan is that the 2010 version of the landmark hybrid will deliver both better fuel economy and more power. The 1.5-litre engine will be replaced by a larger 100bhp 1.8-litre version which will improve high speed cruising of the vehicle. A new generation electric motor will boost the model's total power to 160bhp and there are rumours of an optional solar panel roof being fitted to the model as well. fuel economy could go down to as low as 2.9 litres per 100 kilometres (80 mpg) It may not look it, but the body will be all-new, growing 2.5 centimetres wider, but getting some 3 centimetres shorter in overall length.

It is said that the Lada is making a comeback, but not in Jamaica as yet. Lada is a Russian auto brand that was exported to most of the world in the '80s and '90s, but not the US. Its most successful car, the sedan/wagon, usually known as the Riva, was successful for being tough and simple, A combination of emissions regulations, political disorder and the car's age (it changed very little from when it was introduced in the late'60s) finally killed the Riva in the '90s.

The Russian auto market has exploded. It has now replaced Germany as Europe's largest car market. In March, Renault-Nissan bought a 25 per cent stake in Lada's parent company Avtovaz.

Lada is now up to five production models, and the Renault-Nissan-Lada alliance is the world's third largest automotive company behind Toyota and General Motors. With this production boom and new corporate backing, Lada is ready to take on the world again. (lawd!) Lada has announced it will now be exporting to Eastern Europe and beyond (wonder if that means Jamaica?)

Team Repsol Mitsubishi Ralliart is furthering development of the Racing Lancer in hopes to win the Dakar rally in 2009. Powering the Racing Lancer is a 3.0-litre V6 turbocharged diesel making 260 hp and 479-lb/ft of torque. The design of the Racing Lancer has similarities to the Lancer and Evolution, and features a hatchback arrangement from the new Lancer Sportback.