Crossbreed a Saint Bernard, a Labrador Retriever, and a Poodle, and you just might get a dog that works hard, loves everyone, and wins shows.

Photo Gallery: 2009 Toyota Venza - New Toyota Crossover SUV Review - Automobile Magazine

The tectonic plates have shifted. The U.S. Automotive Order, little changed for the last two decades, has suddenly been upended. No longer insulated from the high fuel prices that afflict so much of the world, America needs a drastically different national motor pool, and we need it now. luckily, the fun, frugal, small cars that we crave already exist overseas, and they’re headed our way. But we couldn’t wait for them to arrive before sliding behind the wheel, So we’ve brought you early reports on nine of yhe most promising cars coming to America. The news is good. To their makers, we say, “Step On It!”

Photo Gallery: 2010 Ford Fiesta - Small European Cars, Fuel Efficient News, Car Features and Reviews - Automobile Magazine

This was amusing. I worked late last night, and when I left the office, downtown Ann Arbor was largely deserted, and a light rain was falling. The few pedestrians present were dashing through crosswalks, heads bowed, in a hurry to reach warm and dry bars and cars. But the angry sound of this Mustang’s 540-hp, supercharged V-8 and its throaty, H-pipe exhaust was not to be ignored. People looked up, startled, wondering what in the world was creating such a racket on this quiet October weeknight. I’m not surprised. Heck, I was startled, too, especially when I tried to goose the throttle. The reaction from the live rear axle was immediate and violent. The 18-inch Goodyear Eagle F1 rear tires shuddered and skidded and protested at the very notion that they were being asked to provide grip and propulsion on this cold, wet pavement, sending the rear end of the car toward the curb. These tires might as well have been carved of solid oak rather than rubber, so little did they adhere. Okay, I exaggerate, but you know what I mean.

Photo Gallery: 2008 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500KR - Ford Sport Coupe Review - Automobile Magazine

Seven years after the debut of the 350Z, the Z-car is thoroughly re-worked both inside and out for 2009. We’re perhaps excited most by the mechanical change implicated by its nomenclature - lurking underhood is the 3.7-liter VQ37VHR V-6 that also powers the Infiniti G37. Nissan’s not released specs on what the motor produces in Z-tune, but it manages to pump out 330 hp and 270 lb-ft of torque in the G37 - 24 ponies more than the 350Z’s 3.5-liter V-6.

Photo Gallery: 2009 Nissan 370Z - Nissan Sport Coupe - Automobile Magazine

Soon after catching its Mercury sibling out in the wild, the first photo of the 2010 Ford Fusion made its way to the internet, along with details on the revised powertrain offerings.

Photo Gallery: 2010 Ford Fusion - Ford Midsize Sedan - Automobile Magazine