Reliable new-for-2009 info is starting to pour forth from the automakers, and I've been working on updating my What's Coming in 2009 section. Among the most recently updated automakers:

• Audi
• Mercedes
• Nissan
• Suzuki

As usual, every new-for-2009 article has two sections, "confirmed" and "rumored", so you can separate fact from wishful thinking. Stay tuned to the blog for more updates.

By the way, the car in the picture is the 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK55 AMG, and yes, we'll be talking more about that very soon. Meanwhile, you can check out our own Basem Wasef's opinion of the more humble SLKs in his 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLK300 and SLK350 test drive. -- Aaron Gold

Photo © Aaron Gold

Chevrolet officially took the wraps off the production version of the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro. The new Camaro's appearance has been one of the worst-kept secrets in autodom, but no one was really sure what would be under the hood -- and now we know.

LS and LT models will get a 3.6 liter V6 with direct fuel injection (similar to the engine found in the Cadillac CTS and STS). Power ratings haven't been finalized, but are estimated at 300 hp and 273 lb-ft. The 3.6 V6 will be available with a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic and will run on regular fuel.

The hot-rod model will be the Camaro SS, and it'll get a 6.2 liter V8 rated for either 400 hp and 395 lb-ft with a 6-speed automatic or 422 hp and 408 lb-ft with a 6-speed manual. The SS will also get a stiffer sport-tuned suspension and Brembo four-piston brakes.

Chevrolet has released official photos, and you can check 'em out in my 2010 Chevrolet Camaro photo gallery.

So it looks like the Camaro vs. Challenger vs. Mustang debate is alive and well! Which do you think is the better look, the "modernized" retro of the Camaro and the Mustang or the more true-to-the-original look of the Challenger? If money were no object and gas cost $1.50 per gallon, which would you buy? Click the "comments" link below and have your say. -- Aaron Gold

Photo © Chevrolet

Obviously, Mazda didn't put me up at a fancy hotel last week just so I could race my little wooden car (even if I did spend way the hell too much time making it). No, the purpose of our get-together was to check out the all-new 2009 Mazda6.

I reviewed the current Mazda6 not too long ago (and the 2007 Mazdaspeed 6 not too long before that) and quite liked the car, with my biggest complaint being the lack of trunk space. Mazda's fixed that with the 2009 Mazda6 -- matter of fact, they've fixed all the space-related problems, because the new Six is a significantly larger car. It seems, however, that the old Mazda6 had a bigger problem: Build quality. According to Mazda, the old Six had slipped to 14th place in its class in the JD Power and Associates Initial Quality Survey, behind such luminaries as the Pontiac G6 and the Ford Fusion. Yikes!

Mazda says the quality problems will be fixed with the new Six, but we won't know for sure until they've been on the road for a while. What we do know now is whether the new car is worth buying in the first place -- and you can find out in my 2009 Mazda6 test drive and review. Want more photos? No problem! Check out my 2009 Mazda6 photo gallery. -- Aaron Gold

Photo © Aaron Gold

Annnd, the race results are in!

First, the good news: The About.com Mazdaspeed Flyer II won the concourse event! My butt-kissing ploy (making the car a Mazdaspeed3 hatchback) worked.

Now, the bad news: The whole racing thing didn't go so well. We raced four heats, and in the first one, the Flyer II didn't even finish. (Which, if you know anything about pinecar racing, is pretty pitiful.) Here's what (I think) happened: Since the rules specifically said "no graphite", I used what I believed to be teflon -- but either it wasn't teflon or I didn't use anywhere near enough of it. (I'm thinking the latter.) However, the no-graphite rule was a bust, and Mazda supplied a whole bunch of graphite (and teflon) at the race. For heats 2, 3 and 4, I loaded up the Flyer II with graphite, and I believe I won every heat... although I wasn't up against very strong competition.

Here's the punchline: Because of my DNF (did not finish) in the first heat, the computer didn't record any of my times. So while I know I did badly, I have no idea exactly how badly I did.

Oh, the secret of the About.com Mazdaspeed Flyer II is this: Under the "wagon" roof is 2+ ounces of weight. I made the roof out of plastic and filled the sides in with wood putty (the pinecar equivalent of Bondo). I was able to get the carbody up to around 5 ounces, and wound up having to add relatively little weight under the car.

The winner of the race, by the way, was Charlie Romero, publisher of Roadfly.com. Mazda is most likely going to launch a new Mazda3 some time next year as a 2010 model... so Charlie, if you're reading this, I'll be back!

Again, thank you everyone for all your tips -- I had a great time building and racing the car. All this pinecar building has put me way behind on my writing, so stay tuned -- more reviews coming soon! -- Aaron Gold

Photo © Aaron Gold