Canon PowerShot SD1300 IS

This is our first official photo contest believe it or not.

email your best car photo to: contest@roadfly.com

Win a Canon SD1300 IS Camera

Our latest contest, “The Roadfly Photo Contest” features car photos from our readers and viewers. The contest ends Oct. 27. 2010.

Contest Rules: Official contest rules vary by contest. Please read the contest rules listed with each individual contest.

You may enter each contest that Roadfly offers but you may only enter each contest once. If you enter any contest twice you will be automatically disqualified. Please remember that you must have your membership information 100% complete and accurate in order to be eligible to win. You also must not have more than one account at Roadfly. Certain contests are only open to Roadfly Inner Circle members.

Participating in Roadfly Giveaways is a great way to have your products or services showcased in front of our members. There’s no better way to build customer loyalty and to sell more products than by participating in Roadfly contests and give-aways.

I’ll admit it–ever since I saw the “Break the Cycle” A5 commercial I’ve been smitten. Though only in the states a short time, the A5 is turning heads with its great styling, both inside and out. Join correspondent Steve Hammes as he tests the 2010 Audi A5 2.0T with the new (for the 2010 A5) base engine offering. Compared to the A5 3.62L version that costs $12,000 more and gives you an average of four mpg less, the 2.0T will seem like a steal.

Our tester came with the 2.0Li4 turbocharged direct injection engine. While the 211 horsepower and 253 pound feet of torque seems a bit weak compared to the 3.2L V6 option, the A5 2.0T does 0-60 in the same 6.4 seconds as the larger engine option. With the smaller engine paired to a six-speed manual transmission, you get surprisingly good fuel economy, with 22 mpg city and 30 mpg highway. With German engineering taking care of business behind the scenes, Audi offers three trim levels to round out the package: Premium, Premium Plus, and Prestige.

So now you know the key info for the ’10 A5 except for one: the price. The A5 starts at a reasonable price for a luxury vehicle with a base MSRP of $37,375. With numerous add-ons like the premium plus trim level, the sport package, and various other goodies, our tester topped out at $44,675.

McLean, VA— September 13, 2010 – Roadfly.com, the premiere automotive online resource specializing in car reviews, today announced the achievement of a significant milestone when the RoadflyTV YouTube channel surpassed 25 million video views. RoadflyTV is one of the top 5 most watched channels for in-market car shoppers.

“We’re exceptionally pleased to reach this landmark,” said Roadfly Founder and CEO, Charlie Romero.  “The pace of our growth on YouTube demonstrates that new car buyers would much rather watch a car perform on screen than read a written car review.”   The top three videos on RoadflyTV’s YouTube channel are the BMW X6 with 800,000 views, the Audi Q7 with 720,000 views, and the Honda Civic with 675,000 views. The Infiniti G37 and the Nissan 370Z car review videos are closing in on the top 3 spots.

According to YouTube message board comments, the majority of consumers watch Roadfly car reviews before making an automotive purchase.  Describing the significance of this trend, Romero said, “Our YouTube channel has facilitated thousands of transactions and has proved itself to be a valuable resource that truly informs people and helps them make smarter car buying decisions.” After viewing Roadfly’s car reviews, many viewers turn to the Roadfly.com automotive forums, seeking additional information and answers to their questions from the car community.

About Roadfly.com

Roadfly.com is the Internet’s comprehensive automotive resource for buyers, sellers, and owners. It is comprised of whole-market auto reviews, classifieds, multimedia content, and one of the oldest and largest automotive communities online. Viewers regularly utilize Roadfly’s comprehensive coverage of new cars, trucks and SUVs when making purchasing decisions. Roadfly was founded in 1997 and is consistently ranked as one of the most utilized automotive resources in the industry.

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Follow Roadfly.com on:

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/roadflytv

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/roadfly

Twitter: http://twitter.com/roadfly

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If you have any questions regarding this press release, please email:

Laura Burkholder

laura@roadfly.com

The BMW X5 M has been a personal favorite of mine since I had the chance to take a lap around Pocono Raceway with it and needless to say, I was excited to see what correspondent Steve Hammes had to say about the 2010 X6 M. After a short time with the 2010 BMW X6 M, Steve came to the conclusion that it was one of the sexiest vehicle debuts in a long time.

The addition of the M to the X6 (dictating the BMW Motorsport division) does not disappoint, producing more power than most SUV drivers probably need with 555 horsepower and 500 lb-ft of torque. The X6 M features a direct-injection, twin-turbo 4.4L V8 engine paired to a quick-shifting six-speed automatic transmission. Off the line, the X6 M can do 0-60 in 4.5 seconds, making you hard to beat for parking spots at the grocery store or at the school pick-up/drop-off line. Other additions to the X6 with the M moniker is the M-tuned XDrive AWD and M-tuned sport suspension.

With all of the pros of the X6 M, you still have to take the bad in the same package. The main downside here is the fuel economy as the premium fuel gets gobbled up, averaging 12 mpg city and 17 mpg highway. The price tag may also deter some buyers, but most enthusiasts who have been in a BMW M vehicle know they’ll love the vehicle enough to warrant the $95k+ as-tested price.

Want a green alternative to the X6 M? Check out the video review of the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid.

Like it? Hate it? Discuss it in our BMW X6 forum.

Join host Jessi Lang and correspondent Steve Hammes as they review the 2010 BMW 750Li. True to this flagship vehicle, BMW makes sure the ’10 7 Series long wheelbase version keeps the ultimate driving machine heritage.

The 750Li is powered by a twin-turbo 4.4L V8 engine that produces 400 horsepower, doing 0-60 in the low 5 second range. Gearing is a six-speed with sport mode and manual shifting. With the quick start, responsive breaking, and impressive turning radius, the only thing that will remind you that you’re in a large family sedan is the herky jerky jumping when starting to accelerate and sensitive breaking. It’s like the 750Li wants to get up and go and it’s hard not to jet off, but the tradeoff is the smoothness of the take off.

The big seller here is the luxury, both for the driver AND the passengers. For the driver, there are technological treats like the camera system to peek around corners and the driver assistance package. In the backseats, passengers enjoy an additional 5.5 inches of legroom in the Li model. They can get comfy for the long haul by utilizing the power shades, put up their feet on the footrests, watch their favorite movie on the entertainment system. Everyone benefits from the supple leather interior.

When it’s all said and done, you will probably be spending a bit more than the $86,000 starting price. With all of the luxury packages, our tester came in at $100,320. If price is an concern, you should also be aware that in addition to the vehicle cost, insurance, and premium fuel for the life of the vehicle ownership, you will also be hit with a $1,000 gas guzzler tax since the 750Li only gets an average of 18 mpg (14 mpg city / 22 mpg highway).

Want to see what actual 7 Series owners have to say? Discuss the ’10 750Li in our BMW 7 Series Forum.

Let’s be honest, if you’re considering the BMW X6 ActiveHybrid, you’re probably not looking at it for just its environmental aspects. You’re probably factoring in the BMW emblem, the performance, the luxury, and then maybe, just a tad, the “going green” facet. The 2010 X6 ActiveHybrid should be considered by those who are mildly interested in being environmentally-conscious but more so like to have the latest and greatest as the X6 ActiveHybrid delivers from the techno-exclusive angle.

As BMW’s first hybrid, they did not stray very far from their performance roots with the 2010 X6 ActiveHybrid. With the lavish (after watching the video and seeing the stats, you’ll understand that adjective use) 2-mode hybrid system with specially-designed 7-speed transmission, you’ll easily forget you’re in a hybrid. The twin-turbo 4.4 L V8 engine combined with electric motor produces 480 horsepower and 575 lb-ft of torque, with towing capabilities up to 6,000 pounds. With the right driving style, you can also get up to 35 mph without using any gasoline.

You now are probably asking, “What are my fuel savings by getting the hybrid X6 over the standard X6?” The EPA fuel economy ratings have the expected numbers at 17 mpg city and 19 mpg highway, which seems mediocre at best, but when you see that it is an average of 3 mpg savings for combined driving, and a 4 mpg savings in city driving compared to the XDrive 50i counterpart, you might be able to justify your purchase, but remember, either way, you’re still buying premium at the pump.

The pricing for the X6 ActiveHybrid is not for the weak of heart. Starting at $88,900 with standard AWD, our 2010 X6 hybrid tester easily broke $90k, settling at a price of $92,275.

Like it? Hate it? Discuss it in our BMW X6 forum.

Host Jessi Lang thinks the 2010 Infiniti G37 S Convertible is one of the most well-rounded luxury sports car on the market and after watching her convincing arguments, you’ll be hard-pressed to disagree. With an attractive design, stiff handling, and packing a punch, the G37S Convertible is quite the package.

Infiniti is pitting the G37 S Convertible against manufacturers known for their performance and luxury, the likes of Audi, BMW, and Mercedes-Benz, and it holds it own. The G37 Convertible is unique as it was designed as a convertible, not by Infiniti forcing the G37 Coupe into a convertible model.

Under the hood, the G37S Convertible is powered by a 3.7L V6 engine that produces 325 horsepower and 276 lb-ft of torque. You have the choice of a seven-speed automatic with features like rev matching or a tightly-geared six-speed manual. The fuel economy numbers with the V6 are not anything impressive but aren’t surprising with the performance, averaging 16 mpg city and 24 mpg highway.

On the interior, Infiniti has done an impeccable design job. The cockpit is driver-oriented with a one-piece steering wheel and gauge setup that moves as a unit, making the gauges visible to the driver at any position. The standard audio offering with six speakers, six CD changer, mp3 playback ability, radio data system, and optional satellite radio will be enough for most buyers but for those who plan on driving with the top down a lot and still want to hear their music should opt for the optional open air Bose sound system with 13-speakers and microphones that optimize EQ settings for open and closed topped driving.

If you’re not looking to load up on options but you want the performance, comfort, and luxury, the price is right, starting at $46,950. However, if you want to stock up on goodies and upgrades, the price will break $50k like our tester that came in at $50,035.

The Chevrolet Corvette has long been a favorite in the American muscle car family and the offering of the Grand Sport for those who can’t swing the Z06 will probably bring in even more fans. For those who have followed the Corvette over the years, you’ll appreciate the meaning behind the “Grand Sport” badging; for those of you who have no idea of its meaning or significance, you’ll have to watch as correspondent Steve Hammes explains it all.

The 2010 Corvette Grand Sport is a pleasant blend of road and track, pairing race-ready suspension and creature comfort upgrades. Not only do you have a dual-mode exhaust and aggressive gears, you also mix in the two-toned leather seats and navigation.

Unlike the Z06, you have many options with the Grand Sport, from manual versus automatic and coupe versus convertible. It’s also VERY fast as it is powered by the L23 6.2L V8 that produces 436 horsepower and 428 lb-feet of torque, doing 0-60 mph in 4 seconds.

With a price tag starting at $55,720, you’d be hard pressed to turn down the Corvette Grand Sport when looking for an affordable sport coupe with the everyday comforts of your daily driver that can hang with the big boys. With all of our options, we topped out a little above $70k, at $70,705.

Join host Jessi Lang as she gives you an in-depth look at Acura’s mid-sized crossover, the 2010 ZDX, with some of the best features offered by Acura. The ZDX’s styling is very aggressive and eye-catching, with an either love it or hate it appeal. The downside to the steep, sloping lines is the mediocre the ingress/egress, even for those of us who are vertically challenged (check out the blooper reel for Jessi’s attempts to get in and out of the vehicle).

Despite the headroom issue, the ZDX has a great deal of potential in the midsized crossover segment. The all-glass roof and leather wrapped instruments are nice touches in addition to the other standard goodies like the moonroof, rear view camera, Bluetooth integration, and iPod connectivity.

Powering the ZDX is a 3.6 liter V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission that produces 300 horsepower and 270 lb-ft of torque. Fuel economy with this pairing is pretty typical to this type of vehicle, if not a little low, with estimated averages of 16 mpg city and 23 mpg highway.

If you’re an Acura buff, the ZDX pricetag is more in the realm of the MDX SUV than the smaller sibling RDX. However, in comparison to its BMW X6 competition, the Acura ZDX comes in at a much more affordable price, starting at $45,495 with AWD and topping out at $56,045 with the Advanced Package (as-tested)

“No that is not a Volkswagen Passat CC!” might be a common exclamation if you purchase the 2010 Mercedes-Benz CLS 550. The CLS 550, in the last leg of its first generation, debuted as a 2006 model year, and VW was the first to successful mimic its design style. The MB CLS is also the reason you may be noticing 4-door sedans with the shape and styling of a coupe.

True to its heritage, the 2010 CLS 550 is luxurious and powerful. Under the hood, the Mercedes 550 boasts a 5.5 liter V8 that produces 382 horsepower and 391 lb-ft of torque mated to a 7-speed automatic transmission. Though quite a large vehicle, with all of the aforementioned power, the CLS can go 0-60 in a mere 5.3 seconds. The downside of a vehicle of this size with the huge engine is the fuel economy, averaging 17-18 mpg in mixed driving or 14 city and 21 highway… and oh yea, the CLS 550 takes premium.

If you’re buying the CLS as your daily driver, cost is probably not an issue, but in addition to a future filled with premium fuel, you’re going to be hit with a $1300 gas guzzler tax on top of your $72,400 base MSRP price, or in our case, the $83,000 as-tested price which includes the option $5,100 Sport Package.

For more on the 2010 CLS 550, like interior styling and add-ons, check out our video review.

Want to discuss the CLS 550 with like-minded folks? Hop on over to the Mercedes-Benz CLS forums.