Join correspondent Steve Hammes as he brings you up to speed on the 2010 Ford Mustang GT. This model year refreshes the 2005 design and those missing the American muscles car will not be disappointed.

Unlike some of its counterparts, the ’10 Mustang stays true to its heritage while also coming in lighter and smaller than its competitors. The quality and comfort of the Mustang has improved and in the GT premium model, much of the creature comforts are included like the Shaker 500 audio system, SYNC system, Sirius satellite radio, and leather trim seating.

And now for the muscle. The Mustang GT is powered by a 4.6 L V8 mated to a 5-speed manual transmission that produces 315 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 325 lb-ft of torque at 4,250 rpm. 0-60 time is 5.1 seconds and the quarter-mile is completed in 13.7 seconds. If this performance and transmission pairing isn’t quite right for you, you can always choose the V6, Shelby GT500, or convertible option. Two track packs are also available.

The price for the 2010 Ford Mustang GT is reasonable. Base MSRP starts at $31,845 and as-tested, the price tag stopped shy of $35k at $34,130

With its practical seating for 5, up to 25 mpg, and 4-cylinder 2.3 L direct-injection turbo engine, the MAZDASPEED3 is one of the best performing value buys on the market. Host Jessi Lang gives you the 4-1-1 on Mazda’s speedy, fun, and nimble hatchback in her video review below.

Under the hood, the SPEED3 boasts some pretty impressive numbers: 263 horsepower at 5,500 rpm and 280 lb-ft of torque at 3,000 rpm. The gear ratios, torque steer management, and engine calibrations have been tweaked for optimal performance. The exterior also keeps true to the SPEED3 and Zoom-Zoom heritage. A lower stance and air dam, metallic black grille, and strong fender lines create a sporty and aggressive style.

I mentioned value earlier and believe me, you will be hard pressed to find a vehicle under $25,000 that can beat the performance abilities of the MAZDASPEED3. Base price starts at $23,195 and as-tested still remained under $24,000, coming in at a price of $23,995. Factor in pretty good mileage for that type of power, 18 mpg city, and 25 mpg highway, and you’d have to be crazy not to consider the MAZDASPEED3.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid seems to be straddling the line of mid-size sedan and hybrid vehicle with ease. Join Jessi Lang as she reviews the ’10 Fusion Hybrid.

The Ford Fusion Hybrid is powered by a 2.5 L 4-cylinder engine and an electric motor. The gasoline engine produces 156 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 136 lb-ft or torque at 2,250. However, with the electric motor and gasoline engine combination, horsepower goes up to 191. Fuel economy, as expected, is great: 41 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, with Ford estimating that the driver will be able to do 700 miles per tank.

The Fusion’s interactive “Smart Gauge with EcoDrive” lets you see how efficiently you’re driving. There are four modes (Inform, Power, Engage, and Empower) to view your driving with varying degrees of details. The “efficiency leaves” graphics is also a fun, yet stylish, way to tell how green you’re driving (you’ll have to watch the video to see!).

Compared to its competitors, the Fusion Hybrid seems like it is towards the head of the pack. Trunk space with the battery is better than the Camry and Altima hybrids but still less roomy than the Prius. The hybrid Fusion also switches seamlessly from the various driving modes unlike some of the other mainstream hybrids.

In addition to the environmentally-friendly upsides of the Fusion Hybrid, the pricing is surprisingly affordable. Base price starts at $27,270 and with the two packages we had on our tester, we still didn’t break $30,000, coming in at $29,590.

For more on the available creature comforts or to see what package options our tester came with, check out our 2010 Ford Fusion Hybrid Video.

If you’ve followed the M3 over the past 25 years, you’ll definitely want to watch our video debut of the new 2011 BMW M3 GTS.

Host Jessi Lang breaks down the M3 GTS’ new features for the interior and exterior as well as the specs of the many components that make the M3 a formidable sport coupe. Rolf Scheibner, BMW M3 Product Manager, also steps into the spotlight to briefly speak to the racing DNA of the M3 and how they applied the M3 heritage to the limited edition GTS.

The 4.4 L V8 engine mated to the 7-speed dual clutch transmission produces 450 horsepower at 8,300 rpm and 325 lb-ft of torque at 3,750 rpm.  With the powerful engine, a max speed of 190, and a 0-60 mph time of 4.4 seconds, the limited edition M3 GTS is both racetrack ready and road legal.

But now for the bad news… while the pricing will be around $170,000, the limited edition M3 will not be available in the US.

Like it? love it? Hate it? Wish it were coming stateside? Discuss it here, in our M3-dedicated Forum

Join RoadflyTV’s correspondent Steve Hammes as he gives an in-depth look at the 2010 Jaguar XKR. The ’10 XKR is a Roadfly favorite, with its 510 horsepower, throaty sound, beautiful design, and sporty performance abilities.

For 2010, the XKR’s visual changes are subtle, hiding the big news under the hood. The 5.0 L V8 engine, producing 510 horsepower and 481 lb-ft torque, is the most efficient engine Jaguar has every built. And, don’t forget, it is supercharged. 0-60 mph in 4.6 seconds, a 3/10s of a second increase over last year’s model, and the quarter mile in a mere 12.9 seconds, makes the Jaguar XKR a very respectable contender in the sport coupe arena.

For more information on the interior changes and technology improvements from the adaptive dynamics to the electronic rear differential, check out our video review on Youtube: 2010 Jaguar XKR Car Review Video.

2010 Nissan 370Z NISMO

If you haven’t driven the 2010 Nissan NISMO 370Z, you’re doing yourself a disservice.  A high-performance version of the 370Z Coupe, the NISMO has an engine that screams excitement and an exterior that begs to be looked at.

If you’re an automatic-only driver, you’ll be disappointed to learn that this car is out of your league; it’s offered in just one fully-loaded model that’s equipped with a close-ratio six-speed manual transmission— a gearbox that’s required for Nissan’s SynchroRev Match (SRM) function.  The first of its kind in the world, SRM is a fully electronic downshift rev-matching system that seamlessly blips the throttle for you, as a team of sensors respond to the clutch, sifter, and transmission to ensure the drive shaft speed matches that of the engine.  The system works not only during downshifts and upshifts, but can also bring the revs to the optimum level if the driver presses the clutch but doesn’t follow through with changing gears.

Adding to the pleasure of the SRM system is a 3.7-liter V-6, which produces 350 horsepower at 7400 rpm and 276 lb-ft. of torque at 5200 rpm; that’s an increase of 18 hp and 6 lb-ft of torque over the regular 370Z, and the differences are noticeable.  With increased power and no added weight gain, the NISMO 370Z is wildly energetic, and the harder it’s pushed, the better it drives.

Handling has also been improved, thanks in part to stiffer suspension and wider anti-roll bars.  Roll stiffness has been upped by 15 percent, and the front and rear damping factors have been increased by 40 and 140 percent, respectively.  In other words, you can corner with dizzying speed and confidently lay on the gas through each turn.  Those who are enamored by exhilarating performance will instantly be smitten.

Drivers can tear through terrain of all kinds on the 5-spoke Nissan-branded 19-inch RAYS forged aluminum-alloy wheels (19×9.5-inch front, 19×10.5-inch rear) mounted with Yokohama ADVAN Sport Y-rated high-performance tires (P245/40ZR19 front, P285/35ZR19 rear).  Stopping power is supplied by standard NISMO Sport Brakes, which have larger 14.0-inch front and 13.8-inch rear vented rotors, as well as 4-piston front and 2-piston rear aluminum calipers.

As if its performance specs weren’t impressive enough, the changes made to the racing-inspired exterior have yielded a brazen, attractive-from-every-angle body that’s consistently attention-getting.  Not only do the longer nose, new side sills, and distinctive rear spoiler add flash, but they’re also functional, providing increased down-force at high speeds.

The NISMO’s two seat interior features a deeply sculpted gauge cluster, NISMO logo seats, a leather-covered steering wheel, aluminum pedals, a NISMO tachometer, power windows, power door locks, a center console box, and the standard Nissan Intelligent Key.  The interior is uncluttered and simplistic; it has everything you need and is refreshingly devoid of extraneous features.

Pricing starts at $39,130 and, with just three available options, (special floor mats for $115, a trunk mat for $95, and illuminated kick plates for $200) you can load it up and drive it home for under $40,000.

Suffice it to say, the NISMO impressed us and, after driving it for seven days, we were sincerely sad to say goodbye.  Few cars exhibit a better combination of manners and prowess, speed and control, and all at an affordable price.  If you’re looking for a race-bred, factory-tuned sports car that offers extreme performance and intense vivacity, trust us when we say that you need not look any further.

2010 Nissan NISMO 370Z Window Sticker

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The Roadfly crew headed to the west coast to be among the first journalists to test the all new 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe.  Taking advantage of Napa Valley’s twisty mountain roads, we put it through its paces over steep and winding terrain, through vineyards and across breath-taking landscapes; suffice it to say, we were impressed.

Click the play button below to watch the Cadillac CTS Coupe Review.

YouTube Link: 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe Review and Road Test

Roadfly Forum: Cadillac CTS Forum

Jessi Lang and the new 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe

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