Upon close examination, you’ll notice the grille has two twin chrome strips instead of two solid strips earlier. All in all, the subtle understated looks remain. The interiors are the same too, save for a new touch screen audio system which comes from the common VW parts bin. The build quality and tactile feel are first rate, although the staid design might not appeal to all. The big news is what’s under the bonnet. The 1986 CRDi motor, which also does duty in the Skoda family, has been slotted into the ‘new’ Jetta’s engine bay. It comes with a manual gearbox only which produces 110 PS. The 140 PS version and DSG aren’t even options.

The new 2011 Ford Mustang is obviously nothing like the Ford we used to know. Following last year’s revisions on interior and exterior, Ford introduces the 2011 with spanking new engines that include a 305 HP V6 and a 412 HP V8. They also come with the six-speed manual and automatic transmissions.

With the new 3.7-liter V6 engine, the 2011 Mustang should have the performance and power to compete head-to-head with Chevrolet’s V6 Camaro and Hyundai’s Genesis Couple. No longer is the Mustang an old piece of underachiever from the 90s. In additional to the new all-aluminium engine that is capable of producing up to 280 foot-pound, the Mustang is also equipped with a pair or new gearboxes, a brand new V6 performance package, and various minor improvements in the interior department.

Like the old Mustang, the new 2011 Mustang still sends power the rear wheels, but the difference is the new model channels the power through either a six-speed manual transmission or a six-speed automatic. The extra gears allow the Mustang to perform more efficiently, and the EPA fuel economy estimates is 31 mpg highway. This year’s V8 model also sees major improvements. The engine has been bumped up to 5.0 liters, and it has four valves per cylinder and dual overhead cams. It is capable of producing a staggering 412 HP and 390 pound-foot of torque. The V8 model also comes with six-speed manual transmission and six-speed automatic transmission.

Priced at $22,144, the Mustang is a great buy. Even though it still has room for improvement for its lack of telescoping steering wheel, it is still a good deal after all the improvements. The base V6 model comes with a classic cabin design, and is equipped with standard safety features. It also offers the options for anti-theft system and exterior appearance package.

First released in October 2008 for the Korean market, the Genesis coupe is Hyundia’s first ever real-wheel drive sports coupe. The car later made its breakthrough in the US market in 2009 as the 2010 model.

The Genesis Coupe shares its basic platform with the Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan. There are two engine choices available for this affordable sports car; the first is a standard engine with a 2.0liter Theta turbocharged 4-cylinder that can produce a maximum of 210 hp (157 kW; 213 PS) and 320 Nm of torque. The second is the optional 3.8-liter Lambda V6 engine that delivers up to 306 hp (228 kW; 310 PS) and 361 Nm of torque.

The 4-cylinder turbocharged engine has the same bottom end as the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. The engine sports oil injectors under the pistons, which acts as a cooler. The turbo can push up to 6PSI. The standard Genesis coupe comes with a 6-speed manual transmission, but you can always opt for the 5- or ZF 6-speed automatic transmission.

Performance-wise, the Genesis does not disappoint. Its powerful engine enables it to move from standstill to 60 mph in a mere 3.8 seconds. The track model, installed with a 2.0T engine and sporting manual transmission, also proved satisfactory, performing a 6.9 sprint. For a $20,000 sports car, this is not bad. The estimated fuel economy of the manual-shift 2.0T is 21 mpg city/30 mpg, while the manual-shift 3.8 gives 17 mpg city/26 mpg highway.

Speaking of comfort, driving the Genesis couple is quite comfortable. Hyundai has designed a cockpit that allows the driver to have maximum visibility of the road ahead, even if the seating position may seem a bit low-slung. Unfortunately though, drivers with shorter legs may find driving a bit uncomfortable. The seats are surprisingly comfortable, even for long drives. The back seat is a bit small, however, and only accommodates children and cargo.