The new 2013 Malibu may have already been revealed in Shanghai, but Chevy still had one surprise in store for the car’s showing at the New York Auto Show. Before the new 2.5-liter 4-cylinder model hits dealers, Chevy will first roll out an Eco model using the eAssist technology borrowed from Buick.

The “light-hybrid” tech uses a 15-hp electric motor and lithium ion battery mated to a 180-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder to deliver 26-mpg in the city and an incredible 38-mpg on the highway. That’s actually 1 mpg better than the Buick Regal due to better aerodynamics. Additional fuel saving features include active grille shutters that close on the highway to improve fuel economy, plus regenerative brakes and a start-stop system.

In total, Chevy claims 550 miles between fill-ups.

The new 2012 Malibu gets a new look with Camaro-inspired styling and rides on a new chassis that is 4-inches shorter between the wheels, but is over 2-inches wider overall. An all-new cockpit includes Chevrolet MyLink (the brand’s new telematics system) as well as 10 airbags and optional lane departure warning.

GALLERY: 2013 Chevy Malibu

GALLERY: 2013 Chevy Malibu

Volkswagen‘s main goal for the redesigned, sleeker Beetle was to appeal to the less fairer sex. So they’ve ditched the flower vase, lowered the roofline, employed turbo power, and even made it more fuel-efficient. Will manly men drive to steakhouses, gun ranges and the gym in the 2012 Beetle?

It’s an evolved look, but it’s already more aggressive than the outgoing bubble. The new Beetle (that’s not called “New Beetle,” mercifully) is 3.3 inches wider, half an inch lower, and 6 inches longer. It’s a smooth, more handsome look, and it’s still immediately recognizable as a Beetle—take that how you will.

The engine is still in the front, and there are three available: a 2.5-liter 5-cylinder at 170 horsepower and two turbocharged models. One is a 2-liter TDI at 140 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque, and the other is a 200-horsepower four-cylinder gasoline engine that’s also 2.0 liters. The diesel can achieve 33-mpg combined (29-mpg city and 40-mpg highway), and the gasoline four comes with a neat two-tone spoiler on the back. Manly!

The interior loses the round cuteness of the last generation’s and—mercifully enough—its harsh plastics too; its piano-black surface brings it in line with the rest of the current VW lineup, and is sufficiently monotone and dour enough to fit into rational German standards. Manly! Plastics and fit/finish are much improved, and the top of the range can be available with splashy red seats.

No word on whether it comes with a gun rack, straight pipes or other manly accoutrements.

GALLERY: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

See all the New York Auto Show debuts at AutoGuide’s coverage page here.

Hot on the heels of the firebreathing Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8, Chrysler saw fit to stuff the same 6.4-liter HEMI V8 into the newly-redesigned 300 for the 2012 300C SRT8.

AT 465 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque, the 300C SRT8 gets to 60 in less than 5 seconds, while looking sharper than the regular model to boot, with a blacked-out front grille and a body kit that actually manages to restrain itself. 20-inch wheels that sit half an inch lower do their best to shroud the 6-piston Brembo brakes, 14.2 inches in front and 13.8 inches in the back. Four exhaust tips round out the back.

On the inside, an 8-inch screen allows you to measure acceleration and cornering data, as well as show you how many speeding tickets you’ll accrue on the way to your destination. Carbon fiber bits and beefy seats round out the rest of the package.

Gallery: Chrysler 300C SRT8

One of the worst kept secrets at the New York Auto Show belong to Jaguar, which unveiled their revised XF and XK luxury cars, including a 550 horsepower XK-RS.

The XK-RS is billed as the fastest Jaguar ever, with a 550 horsepower version of the 5.0L supercharged V8. Jaguar hinted that their power rating was a bit below what the car’s actually capable of, and we’ll welcome the chance to verify this claim, as well as the car’s 186 mph top speed.

The XF sedan gets minor styling tweaks both inside and out, while the XFR gets a more aggressive bodywork treatment to help differentiate it from the more sedate members of the XF family. A new Jaguar leaping cat badge will also be found on the decklid, giving teenage vandals a new target for their hijinks.

Gallery: 2012 Jaguar XK-RS and XF

The 2012 Honda Civic bows at New York with new styling across the line, and new powertrains for Si and Hybrid models.

The regular Civic sedan and coupe make do with the same powertrain and 5-speed transmission from the last model. But if it ain’t broke, as they say, don’t fix it: the 1.8-liter i-VTEC engine gets slightly modified for a 39mpg rating, even without the direct-injection and 6 cogs like its Ford Focus and Hyundai Elantra competitors.

On the other hand the  Si gets torquier for 2012, with 31 more lb-ft than the outgoing model, which comes in at a less lofty 4300RPM. The 2.4-liter engine produces 200 horsepower and 170 total lb-ft of torque.

Lastly, the Civic Hybrid gets a revamp to become the 2nd most fuel-efficient sedan in production (behind the Prius) at 44mpg. The Hybrid makes this mileage jump with a new lithium-ion battery pack and a larger 1.5-liter gasoline engine to supply the magic.

Those looking to get better mileage without making the leap to a hybrid, however, can opt for the HF model—with special aerodynamic trim and Honda’s ECO Assist technology that scolds you, schoolmarm-style, into achieving 41mpg highway. There will be a natural gas version available soon as well.

Gallery: 2012 Honda Civic Lineup

Visit 9th Gen Civic for more information on the 2012 Honda Civic Lineup, at http://www.9thgencivic.com

The 2012 Nissan Versa does something rare, though not entirely unexpected these days: it gets bigger and gains a surprisingly slick interior, but keeps its $10k sticker.

Nissan’s smallest car gets completely redesigned to target the global market: the V platform (V for “versatile,” in Nissan marketing-speak) will be sold around the world as the Tilda, Versa, or Sunny. And like the previous model, it will still be built in Mexico.

Under the hood, the Versa gets a new 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that produces 109 horsepower and 107 lb-ft of torque. Transmissions are a 5-speed manual and the Xtronic CVT, a revised example of Nissan’s long-standing experiments with variable transmissions that gets a broad gear ratio of 7.3:1 and an auxiliary gearbox with planetary gearing. How’s the mileage? 33-mpg combined, and a 37-mpg highway rating that isn’t bad but lags behind that of its Fiesta and Accent competitors.

During its redesign it gets 90 cubic feet of room and a trunk big enough to attract the attention of mob bosses—at 14.8 cubic feet, it is cavernous. Inside, the Versa is available with a touch navscreen, satellite radio, and standard radio aux/USB interface.

And mercifully, the styling is less frumpy than the outgoing model, inside and out—the interior gains soft curves and bulging knobs that at least don’t look as cheap, and the exterior gains some brightwork and a long rear end that belies its $10,990 price.

GALLERY: 2012 Nissan Versa at the New York Auto Show

See video of the new Versa from New York after the jump:

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Subaru took the wraps off their new 2012 Impreza sedan and 5-door at the New York Auto Show, riding a wave of strong sales and revamped products designed to appeal more to American consumers.

The Impreza, which has gotten less quirky over the years, looks downright generic in its newest incarnation, but underneath the skin, the same boxer engine and all-wheel drive system remain, in keeping with Subaru tradition. The company claims that their new Impreza is the most fuel-efficient AWD car on sale, returning 27 mpg in the city and 36 mpg on the highway.

Sure, these numbers don’t quite match the benchmarks of 30/40 mpg, but the added weight and complexity of powering all four wheels necessitates a trade-off in fuel economy – whether Subaru will be able to get this message across to mechanically disinterested consumers is another matter.

The Impreza rides on a one inch longer wheelbase, which gives the car more interior room, while shorter overhangs help balance out the overall size of the car. Under the hood is a 2.0L 4-cylinder making 148 horsepower and 145 lb-ft, with a 5-speed manual or CVT as transmission options. Standard features include Bluetooth, ABS and stability control, while leather seats, voice activated controls and an in-dash LCD screen with navigation are all optional.

GALLERY: 2012 Subaru Impreza

See AutoGuide’s ‘First Look’ Video of the new Impreza from New York after the jump:

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Easily the most anticipated debut of the 2011 New York Auto Show, Scion has just released its new FR-S Concept, based on the Toyota FT-86.

Powered by a boxer 4-cylinder donated by Subaru, but using a Toyota direct-injection system Scion is promising sufficient power with “surprising” fuel economy.

Described by Scion boss Jack Hollis as the perfect car for weekend warriors, auto-crossers, drifters and track junkies, the FR-S promises an even mixture of balance, manageable power and light weight in this front-engine, rear-drive package. Helping keep in control of the vehicle, the FR-S concept does come equipped with a limited slip differential.

Based on the Toyota FT-86 II Concept, the Scion model does away with some of that cars more extravagant design features to find a perfect medium between it and the original FT-86.

Toyota’s version of the car is expected to be unveiled at the Tokyo Auto Show this Fall and Scion will deliver a production version of the FR-S to dealers next year!

GALLERY: Scion FR-S

GALLERY: Scion FR-S Official

Get more Scion FR-S news and info at FR-SForum.com

See video of the FR-S after the jump:

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Debuting today at the New York Auto Show, Mercedes officially revealed the 2012 E63 AMG. Looking nearly identical to the current E63 this mid-cycle refresh has one important change – the engine. Gone is the 6.2-liter engine from which the car derives its name, and in its place is a new bi-turbo 5.5-liter V8 good for 518-hp.

Full torque of 516 lb-ft is a tremendous improvement over the current naturally aspirated V8, while an AMG Performance Package adds more thrust for a total of 550-hp and… wait for it… 590 lb-ft of torque. The sprint to 60 elapses in just 4.4 seconds for the regular model and 4.3 seconds wit the AMG package.

Also of note this model uses 22 percent less fuel than the current mill – thanks in part to a start/stop system and other enhanced fuel saving features, including a new electric power steering system.

The 2012 E63 AMG will go on sale this fall.

GALLERY: 2012 Mercedes E63 AMG

When Mercedes first announced it would debut the A-Class Concept at the New York Auto Show it was clear that unlike in the past it was at least considering the car for sale in North America. At the car’s official unveiling today Joachim Schmidt, VP of Sales and Marking for the German automaker confirmed the premium small car will see our shores.

In stark contrast to the previous A-Class, this model won’t be a pretender, or a budget Benz, but rather a true Mercedes in every sense of the word. With sporty hatchback styling the concept car is powered by a turbocharged and direct-injection 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine making 210-hp and mated to a new dual-clutch transmission.

Other highlights on the car include a radar-based collision warning with Mercedes’ Adaptive Brake Assist that warns the driver if a collision is about to occur and even primes the brakes to deliver full braking power when required.

As for the interior, it features a a fully-integrated smartphone, with the car’s many systems appearing on the phone screen and controllable through the knobs and buttons of the car.

Mercedes didn’t give clue as to when we’d see a production version of this car, but we’d look to the Frankfurt Auto Show this Fall and at least a year from then (if not longer) before it makes it to Merc dealers in America.

GALLERY: Mercedes A-Class Concept

See a ‘First Look’ Video of the A-Class concept after the jump:

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