Fuel sucks right now, cramping everyone’s driving habits and cutting into my beer money. So hey, lets downsize. Trouble is that there is not many options when it comes to a well designed, stylish fuel sipper. The new Mini Cooper Clubman takes all the great things about Mini and makes them better….err bigger in some directions.

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With gas on rise and pay checks not, everyone is looking for some way to save a buck. We all know how cars just drain your money, but we love them so much we keep paying. Damn these expensive fetishes. Here is a list of the best cars for your money put out by CNN Money.com.

Best Small Car - Mini Cooper

Best Fuel Miser - Toyota Prius

Best for Small Families - Toyota Avalon

Best for Big Families - Chevrolet Tahoe

Best for Midlife Crisis - Chevrolet Corvette

Of all of these the only one I would consider buying is the Mini Cooper. I recently had a chance to test drive the new Mini Cooper Clubman S and I must say I am in love…….

The Scion brand is kind of like a fish out of water right now. Started out swimming strong, but now is struggling with the introduction of some new models. Did their underground niche become too mainstream? Or does everyone know that it is just another Toyota now? Either way it is an interesting brand with a strong marketing strategy. This years Hako Coupe concept was deffinitely a stretch, but was it bad?

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The Geneva Motor Show is undoubtedly the biggest on the planet for concept vehicles, debuts, and blond Swedish models. This year GM took the wraps off of the Saab 9-X BioHybrid Concept, showcasing the latest in the theme that Saab has been evolving over the last couple of years.

Saab tends to be the forgotten horse in the GM stable of brands, yet it may have an identity that rivals Cadillac in strength… especially with the 9-X.

Watch the video of GM’s Design Chief Ed Welburn talk about the 9-X and read on for our full crit.

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If you are like us the whole anticipation of these muscle cars is getting old. We have seen them for years with no changes and they still are not on the road. I would say that it is already time for a redesign but this one hasn’t changed since the ’70’s. On another note, I was able to spend a few minutes with a salt covered Dodge Challenger SRT8 and check it out a little more closely.

Here is what I found… Read more

We’ve kept our eyes on the Geneva Motor Show for upcoming trends, as we’re sure to find vehicles that we want (but know we can’t get in the US). One vehicle concept that caught our eye is the Opel Meriva. This is the second concept crafted in the new Opel design language, and if history proves right this will undoubtedly become the US’ Saturn design language as well. Watch the video of GM Chief of Design Ed Welburn explaining the Meriva, and read on for our crit.

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Geneva is here, and that effectively correlates to us looking at a slew of brand new vehicles (and losing valuable designer beauty sleep). Toyota graced us with the production debut of the iQ, its new small-car.

What did we think of this styling exercise-in-a-dento-box? Read on for the scoop!

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The concepts are rolling out and there have been some surprises. Chrysler is out in front with the most risk taking concepts. Whether good, bad or indifferent, it is nice to see something new. The domestics seem to be holding strong with unique styling and innovative design (Dodge Ram) while the imports are all about reaching into new categories and spreading their wealth. I will wait to give much of a design critique until I see the cars in person on Wednesday at the Design Forum. But here are some quick jabs at the newborns of first impressions.

List of top picks after the jump…. Read more

Ahh, the Tata Nano: the $2500 car that has sent the world a-spinning. Not content with their upcoming acquisition of luxury brands Land Rover and Jaguar, Tata Motors (of India) is off-setting the higher cost vehicles with this ultra-low cost “peoples’ car”.

So, does styling & quality hold up? Methinks it’s time for a crit.

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Holy hotness, Batman! A Land Rover so sizzling that it’ll make Ford rethink it’s plans to drop the brand!

Well, not quite, but the LRX concept (set to debut in Detroit) is what we in the business call “hot”. But don’t take my word for it, read the crit and make up your own minds, and then let us know how badly we judged this vehicle by posting your love or displeasure in our comments.

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