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ecoXplorer is edited by Evelyn Kanter, a professional journalist with more than two decades of experience as magazine and newspaper writer and photographer, radio and television news producer and reporter, and guidebook author and editor -- all focusing on travel, automotive, lifestyle, the environment, and your rights as a consumer.
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 2011 Ford Mustang GT Customized for Rapper Nelly Hip-hop star Nelly is showcasing a customized 2011 Mustang GT on his new rap album, as part of the artwork. The Mustang is one of the big hits of the 2010 Detroit Auto Show, with its all-new 5.0 liter, 412 horsepower V8 engine. So, we could say there are two stars in this photo.
Nelly’s Mustang GT features a gloss black exterior paint job, flat black racing stripes and 22-inch Pirelli tires in the front and 24-inch tires in the rear. The tricked-out Mustang GT is part of the artwork for the Grammy Award-winning rapper’s upcoming album.
In addition to being a rapper and actor, Nelly is a car guy. “I don’t care where you grew up, everyone knows the Mustang. At some point, you’ve had a conversation about a Mustang – and it was probably one about wanting to get behind the wheel of one. I’ve always loved the Mustang, ” he says.
VIDEO of the new 2011 Mustang GT on next page:
 2009 Honda Accord was most researched car of year The five car companies that interested car-buyers most in 2009 were Toyota, Honda, Ford, Chevrolet and Nissan, in that order, according to the Kelley Blue Book. But, the top five specific models researched were all named Honda and Toyota.
The Honda Accord, Toyota Camry and Honda Civic have been the top three researched models on the KBB website in one order or another since 2004. Rounding out the high five for 2009 were the Honda CR-V and Toyota Corolla.
Ford and Chevrolet models were in the top 20, not the top ten. Chevrolet’s all-new redesigned Equinox SUV and Camaro muscle car both made the most researched list for the first time. That’s good news for beleagured General Motors, which started 2009 by declaring banruptcy.
 2009 Ford Fusion Also new to 2009 top 20 are the revamped Lexus RX 350 SUV and the Ford Fusion, which was Ford’s top-selling model in 2009. KBB says website interest in Ford grew steadily throughout 2009. KBB says its because Ford — unlike GM and Chrysler — stayed out of bankruptcy. I say its because Ford kept making good news headlines, with the Fusion and Taurus getting top safety ratings, and with new technology breakthroughs such as inflatable seatbelts for rear seat passengers.
The combination of lower gas prices and last summer’s phenomenally successful “Cash for Clunkers” drew buyers away from subcompact cars such as the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit and MINI Cooper, which were heavily researched in 2008.
Here’s the complete list of the top 20 most researched cars of 2009:
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Where’s Evelyn? March 2012
Lake Tahoe
February 2012
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January 2012
Israel
In 2011
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Los Angeles Auto Show
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Washington, DC
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Hershey, Penna
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