Big trucks and self-parking cars

Big trucks and self-parking cars

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By Herb Weisbaum

There's an amazing number of new vehicles hitting the market this year. Of all those sexy cars and sport SUVs it's a truck -- the Toyota Tundra -- that's one of the most noteworthy.

It's a monster truck. From the taller doors to the flaring fenders, everything about the 2007 Toyota Tundra says power.

This is the biggest truck Toyota's ever made.

American automakers have always dominated the big truck market. But the editors at Edmunds believe the Tundra will be a fierce competitor. In fact, on Wednesday, they named it "the most significant vehicle of the year," because of the broad range of engine sizes, body styles and other equipment."

Toyota says it spent seven years researching what True Truckers wanted.

For 2007 Toyota's flagship sedan, the Lexus LS-460, also gets bigger. With the LS-460 you get what you expect for $60,000 -- comfort and luxury.

"Very roomy interior. It's the sort of thing that in Japan, this vehicle is chauffeur driven," said Perry Stern with MSN Autos. "Here, we would be driving it."

The LS-460 has an amazing hi-tech feature: the ability to parallel park itself. It will figure out if the space is big enough, and then maneuver into position. You just ride the brake. It's kinda freaky to watch.

The Lexus Advanced Parking Guidance System is an option. It will be interesting to see if American car buyers want it.

Volvo is out to prove that U.S. car buyers want a vehicle that's safe and sexy. The S80's been redesigned for 2007. It's wider and more rounded than earlier versions. Under the hood, a V-8 -- the first sedan Volvo's ever offered with a V-8.

It also has an advanced safety feature called the Blind Spot Information System (BLIS). It uses rear-facing digital cameras to monitor traffic on both sides of your car. As a vehicle enters your blind spot, a light on the side door posts comes on to let you know not to change lanes.

More Information:

Toyota Tundra

Lexus LS-460

Watch Demo of Lexus Advanced parking Guidance System

Volvo S80

Watch Demo of Volvo Blind Spot Information System

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