Okay, so, remember when I told you about the Internet Car and Truck of the Year, and how consumer voting closed on November 16th? Well, what I neglected to tell you in November was that the voting date has been extended. Voting actually closes tomorrow, December 11th, 2009. So if you haven't voted yet, there's still time -- vote now! As a reminder, the finalists in the consumer category -- the vehicles that you and your fellow consumers picked -- are as follows:

• Cars: Chevrolet Camaro SS, Ford Taurus SHO, Ford Shelby GT500
• Trucks/SUVs: Audi Q7 TDI, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford F-150 Raptor

The judges (one of which would be me) picked a slightly different set of finalists; I'll tell you which ones I voted for next week. The winners will be announced at this year's Chicago Auto Show in February. Now, go forth and vote! -- Aaron Gold

Related:

• 2010 Chevrolet Camaro test drive
• 2010 Ford Taurus SHO test drive
• 2010 Ford Shelby GT500 test drive
• 2009 Audi Q7 TDI test drive
• 2010 Chevrolet Equinox test drive
• 2010 Ford F-150 Raptor test drive

Here it is, better late than never: Our long-term Honda Insight November update. Thanksgiving was a milestone in our twelve-month test: Our first road trip. I knew getting two adults, two kids, a dog and luggage into a subcompact Insight was going to be a squeeze, but I didn't know exactly how much squeezing would need to be done. How'd it go? Find out in my 2010 long-term Honda Insight November 2009 update. -- Aaron Gold

Related:

• 2010 Honda Insight test drive
• Long-term Insight introduction: The great downsizing experiment
• Long-term Insight: The first thousand miles
• Long-term Insight, October 2009: Getting to know the Insight

Photo © Honda

Whenever a brand-new model comes out, I usually post a long-form review -- you know, the big one with First Glance, In the Driver's Seat, etc. But in the case of the 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet, the truth is that I don't have a whole heck of a lot to say. Or maybe I do have a lot to say, but it doesn't take a whole lot of space to say it. Check out what few words I've devoted to Audi's new convertible in my 2010 Audi A5 Cabriolet test drive. And if that leaves you wanting more, I've got plenty of pix in my 2010 Audi A5 Cabrio photo gallery. -- Aaron Gold

Related:

• 2010 Lexus IS 250C test drive
• 2009 Infiniti G37 Convertible test drive
• 2009 Audi A4 Avant test drive

Photo © Aaron Gold

One of the most interesting reveals of the Los Angeles Auto Show has to be the 2011 Buick Regal. The new Regal is basically a rebadged version of the European-market Opel Insignia, just as the Saturn Aura was a rebadged Opel Vectra. Basically, all GM did to Buickize the car was slap on some Buick bling (badges, grille, and those stupid portholes).

But the Regal sure as hell looks great on paper: 182 horsepower 2.4 liter direct-injected four-cylinder for starters, with a 220 hp 2-liter turbo engine as an option. The turbo model will offer an optional 6-speed manual (a 6-speed automatic comes standard) and three driving modes that adjust suspension, steering, transmission and throttle response.

Clearly, this has the potential to be a great sport sedan. The powertrains sound fantastic and I know from previous experience that GM can build suspensions that can hang with the best in the world. I have no doubt that if a car of this description came from Audi or Honda or Saab or Suzuki, or even Saturn, everyone would praise it to high heaven.

But it's coming from Buick.

The way I see it, one of two things could happen. One, the car could totally change Buick's image, like the Navigator did for Lincoln and the Escalade and CTS did for Cadillac. Or, two, people just won't accept it as a Buick, and the car will fall flat on its nose. What do you think will happen? Click the "comments" link below and share your thoughts, oh autointelligentsia! -- Aaron Gold

Take a closer look at the Regal: 2011 Buick Regal photo gallery

Photo © General Motors

The Los Angeles Auto show is a lot like the 2009 model year: Quiet. There were some notable new introductions, including the Buick Regal, the Ford Fiesta sedan, the Toyota Sienna minivan and the gorgeous Hyundai Sonata, as well as some interesting tidbits for auto enthusiasts, like the Mustang V6 and the Subaru STI Special Edition.

But there were also an awful lot of concepts and new products that were previously revealed at other shows, and several absences. Nissan and Infiniti don't have a booth, and the concourse triangle -- traditionally home to Ferrari's gorgeous cars flanked by gorgeous models -- stands sadly empty. "It can easily cost seven figures to have a display and a press conference at the LA Auto Show," Steve Keyes, Director of Public Relations for Volkswagen of America, told me. "But it's worth it, because around 70% of the people who come to auto shows are considering a purchase in the near term, between 6 months and a year."

The attitude of the automakers seems to be cautious optimism -- though clearly beaten down by the lousy economy, many were seeing the light at the end of the tunnel. Check out my Los Angeles Auto Show photo gallery, and if you're interested in visiting the show yourself, my Visitor's Guide to the LA Auto Show will tell you everything you need to know, including how and where to get discount tickets. The show is open to the public today through December 13th.

Photo © Dwane Ferry

Audi has taken the wraps off the new version of their all-aluminum flagship, the 2011 A8.

The A8 has long been an also-ran in the war against the Mercedes S-Class and the BMW 7-series, and this time 'round it's a war of technology. Forget about the A8's lightweight aluminum construction or its Quattro all-wheel-drive. Forget about features like a night-vision camera that highlights pedestrians or cruise control that slows down for the car in front. Forget about the Bang and Olufsen sound system, which is powerful enough to bring down low-flying aircraft. Sure, the A8 has all that -- but it also has features like all-LED headlights and a new Multimedia Interface (MMI) with a touch pad that senses handwriting (the driver provides input by tracing letters with her index finger). The navigation system feeds information to systems throughout the car, which allows all sorts of electronic neatness -- the cornering lights can illuminate an upcoming turn before the driver turns the steering wheel, and the new 8-speed automatic transmission can preselect a lower gear for upcoming curves.

The American version of the A8 gets an improved version of the current car's 4.2 liter gasoline-fueled V8, while Europeans can also have six- and eight-cylinder turbodiesels. The 2011 Audi A8 will go on sale in late 2010, with a long-wheelbase A8L model and a hybrid version to follow.Take a closer look at the new A8 in my 2011 Audi A8 photo gallery.

Photo © Audi

The Los Angeles Auto Show is about a week away, and the automakers are already spreading the news about what's coming. First up is the Ford Mustang, which will get a new V6 engine for 2011.

Here's the deal: For the past several years, the Mustang V6 has been powered by an old two-valve 4.0 liter V6 that puts out 210 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque. I really like this engine -- its rough-around-the-edges nature fits the Mustang's muscle-car character. But old engines don't do well with new fuel economy and emissions standards, so the four-point-oh had to go.

The new 'Stang V6 is a thoroughly modern 60-degree 3.7 liter unit with four valves and variable valve timing, good for an impressive 305 horsepower and 280 lb-ft -- very much like the V6 in the 2010 Camaro. But what Ford will be crowing about most is the fuel economy. Thanks to some new aerodynamic tweaks, electric power steering, and six-speed transmissions, the V6 Mustang is expected to deliver EPA fuel economy estimates of 19 MPG city/30 MPG highway with an automatic transmission and 18/29 with the manual. (Expect a spate of Ford ads touting "305 HP - 30 MPG".)

I'm impressed with the numbers, but I'm hoping the new V6 won't be too modern for the Mustang. The Chevy Camaro's V6 delivers fantastic power, but it doesn't have the right exhaust note. To be fair, Ford knows exhausts; the V8-powered Mustang GT is a slice of aural heaven, and the new V6 will have a true dual exhaust system. My fingers are crossed.

That said, Ford is offering up another little bonus for the V6: An optional Performance Package, with the same suspension settings as the Mustang GT along with a lower (3.31:1) rear axle ratio, strut tower brace, summer performance tires and a sport-tuned electronic stability control system. Now you're speaking my language, Ford! -- Aaron Gold

Related:

• 2011 Ford Mustang V6 photo gallery
• 2010 Ford Mustang GT test drive
• Ford: What's coming in 2010 -- and beyond
• Visitor's guide to the 2009/2010 Los Angeles Auto Show

Photo © Ford

Another Thanksgiving is upon us, and once again I would like to thank you, my readers, for your continued support of About.com and the Cars site. I am one of those lucky people who gets to do what he loves for a living, and without you, the folks who read this web site, that simply wouldn't be possible. Please accept my most gracious thanks and my sincere wishes for a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving.

I've taken to posing car-related questions on Thanksgiving. In past years, we've discussed influential cars and bad cars. So this year, I have a simple question: What do you think was -- or is -- the best car ever made, and why? Click the comments link below. I can't wait to see your responses! -- Aaron Gold

So I'm back from our 24 Hours of Lemons race at Thunderhill, and the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid turned out to be an impressive tow vehicle. It struggled on some of really steep hills and stopping the rig was a bit of an adventure -- note to self, check the battery for the electric brakes -- but the Caddy was comfortable and, more importantly, stable. As for fuel economy, I averaged 14.2 MPG with the trailer hooked on -- not as good as the diesel-powered Dodge, but not a bad figure at all, considering the regular V8-powered Escalade can barely manage that when running light.

OK - on to the race! We created a completely new theme for the 633 CSi: Our German homage to Richard Petty's famous Superbird, complete with huge nose and ridiculously tall wing. We dubbed it Der Uberbird, and it was a big hit with the Thunderhill attendees, especially the kids, who recognized it as The King from the movie Cars. Our nose and wing may not have done much for the car's handling, but our cut springs and thicker anti-roll bars sure did, and the Uberbird was a lot more competitive this time around, despite our so-so driving skills. We finished mid-pack -- 87th out of 160 cars. But more importantly, the Uberbird was still running at the end of the race (although the shift linkage was broken and it was stuck in drive), despite a couple of off-track excursions, including one by yours truly, and the entire exhaust system falling off twice. The most important thing is that we all had a fantastic time. I've said it before and I'll say it again: If you have an inkling of wanting to race at Lemons, then you should totally do it. Find out how at the official 24 Hours of Lemons web site.

I've added a whole mess o' photos to my Team Unknown Fluids 633 CSi photo gallery; photos of the Uberbird start on this page and race photos start on this page. Special thanks to teammate Jeremy Jozwik for letting me use his spectacular race photos. -- Aaron Gold

Photos © Aaron Gold

Before we get to the CTS Coupe, a quick note: I'm on my way back from our 24 Hours of Lemons race. Things went well -- we actually finished! I'll tell you more about the race, as well as how the Cadillac Escalade Hybrid did on fuel, in a day or two.

Today, we have other news from Cadillac: Photos of the production version of the 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe. To be honest, the photos don't look terribly exciting to me, but I've seen the concept version in person and it's a stunner. I'm thinking (and hoping) that the production version looks significantly better in person -- I think this is going to be one of those cars that has to be seen in person to be appreciated. Caddy also released some tech specs, and they look great: The CTS Coupe will be powered by a 304 hp 3.6 liter direct-injected V6 with a choice of 6-speed manual or automatic transmissions, and a "V" version is in the works. Have a look at my 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe photo gallery and see what you think. -- Aaron Gold

Photo © General Motors