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One of the most fun-to-drive cars out in the market now is the Mitsubishi Lancer Ralliart. This is a car with explosive power and yet a relatively comfortable ride. Come take a drive with us and you’ll see what we mean.

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Your tastes may vary with the exterior styling of the Jaguar XJ, but the interior is certainly the car’s strong suit. Inside is a plush, luxurious experience that has been thoughtfully designed … almost. Much like the exterior, we’ve got some nits to pick, and one of them is downright dangerous.

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This week we welcome Chris Preuss, the CEO of OnStar, and we’ll be asking him what his company will be doing to catch up to the likes of Ford’s SYNC. As usual, you can count on us to take a deep dive into the latest automotive news. John McElroy’s in studio with Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist and Chrissie Thompson who covers GM for the Detroit Free Press.

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Thanks to our partners MissMotorMouth.com and WardsAuto.com for embedding AAH!

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Given its looks and specs, it’s hard not to judge the BMW 550i GT before you drive it. But, we implore you, drive it and you’ll understand that this is in fact an exquisite vehicle. Big and heavy, yes. Expensive, hell yes. But fun, practical and a dream to drive, yes, yes, yes again.

There was a shootout a couple of weeks ago, but this one had nothing to do with the OK Corral. It was a three-way dogfight just south of the Autoline studios as America’s Heavy-Duties went grill-to-grill-to-grill testing everything from towing to acceleration. Organized by our friends at Ward’s who called it the 2010 Diesel Shootout, all we can say is “may the best truck win!”

For a summary of what went down, check out our story in Autoline Daily episode 481, but for an extended look, here’s some additional insight from the people who made the event happen as well as even more footage of the extensive testing the Ward’s team did at the Bosch proving grounds.

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If you weren’t a part of our most recent “Open Line” discussion on anything and everything automotive, Michelle Naranjo of MissMotorMouth.com has a taste of what you missed! And, don’t forget to check out the next discussion right here at 8PM ET / 5PM PT on Oct. 4, 2010. Phone: 1-218-936-6581 and PIN: 29156

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After Hours is back and well rested after its Labor Day break, and this week we welcome Neil De Koker the founding President and CEO of the Original Equipment Suppliers Association (OESA). The oft-ignored supplier side of the automotive business develops more technology, jobs and innovation than you probably realize. It will be interesting to see how OESA’s members are coping during these economic conditions. As usual, you can count on us to take a deep dive into the latest automotive news as well. John McElroy’s in studio with Peter De Lorenzo, the Autoextremist and Mark Phelan from the Detroit Free Press.

Subscribe to the free podcast version of Autoline After Hours:

Thanks to our partners MissMotorMouth.com and WardsAuto.com for embedding AAH!

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The new Jaguar XJ is here, and it has bold, perhaps divisive, styling courtesy of designer Ian Callum. But, does this luxurious land yacht hit the mark in the looks department? Well, it’s all subjective, but to our eyes there are a few features that don’t come off as well as they should, and there is at least one major fit and finish problem.

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The Lancer Ralliart is a cool, purposeful car that might just help get Mitsubishi back to its roots. Inside it’s nicely turned out with a lot of driver-focused options. However, despite their attention to detail, the designers left a couple of critical elements out that would have made this a true driver’s car.

If you weren’t a part of Monday’s great “Open Line” discussion on anything and everything automotive, Michelle Naranjo of MissMotorMouth.com has a taste of what you missed! And, don’t forget to check out the next discussion right here at 8PM ET / 5PM PT on September 13, 2010. Phone: 1-218-936-6581 and PIN: 2619

Last week’s Open Line show took a turn for the “even more interesting” than usual! As the callers suggested potential cars for one of the regulars, the discussion took a moved toward the actual state of car buying needs in North America and how regional variations could dictate which models are sold in certain areas. Public transportation, or lack thereof, came in as a huge determining factor, and it was probably the first time that hybrids and EVs were discussed on the show in a positive and considerate light.

Of course, some of the typical discussions also came up: why is the Fiesta not selling as well as expected? What are the highs and lows of buying vintage cars? Why do some people hoard cars? How do the sneak peaks of the new Charger look? When will we really see Fiat in dealerships? How much of the new Saab 9-2 was Spyker design? How is GM to blame for the Volvo XC90s with faulty transmissions in ongoing class action lawsuits?

One of our favorite callers, Jonathan Brown, reported on the CTS-V Coupe event that he attended and he explained why he wouldn’t trade his Corvette or his CTS for the new Coupe.

It was a lively evening of discussion that went into the wee hours, and, as usual, my sidekick Miradart and I both appreciate everyone who participated and are looking forward to this week’s show! Join us right here!

~Michelle Naranjo, MissMotorMouth.com

Open Line for September 13, 2010:
Phone – 1-218-936-6581
PIN – 2619

Thanks to our partners: GMInsideNews.com, AllPar.com and BlueOvalNews.com