Known for its rugged terrain-capable cars sporting efficient four-cylinder engines, Subaru built its reputation on offering all-wheel drive and crossover-like ground clearance in an efficient package. Cars like the Forrester already offer that to U.S. customers, but the brand just unveiled another off-road clearance-oriented car at the New York Auto Show. Based on the Impreza…
While many new plug-ins boast the convenience and simplicity of recharging the car battery from a household wall socket, how many vehicles can claim to provide the opposite? Honda has installed an inverter in the trunk of one special FCX Clarity hydrogen fuel-cell vehicle, providing output power that could supply up to 8 kilowatts of…
Batteries and cold climates often don’t mix well. Anyone who has tried to operate an electric device, like a camera that has been sitting in the cold, will soon find that the batteries have lost their charge. This sort of issue isn’t catastrophic with a small device, just a little inconvenient. The same can’t be…
American motorists’ mentalities were very different a decade ago. Gas was selling at $1.25 a gallon, and thirsty SUVs like the Hummer H2 were popular. Fast forward to today and gas prices are more than triple the old average. That translates to buyer’s increasing interest in smaller, more fuel-efficient models like the MINI Cooper. “MINI launched in the…
Chevrolet has announced that its turbocharged Ecotec 1.4 liter engine equipped Sonic subcompact will now be available with a 6-speed automatic transmission. The quickest of its class, the 6-speed manual turbocharged Ecotec 1.4 liter engine propels the Sonic from 0-to-60 mph in 7.8 seconds, faster than the comparable 2012 Ford Fiesta, Honda Fit, or Hyundai…
Going by present product development trends, the number of luxury crossovers to choose from will continue to expand as premier automakers offer more vehicles to fit all sorts of niche markets. Despite the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo crossover’s lack of commercial success, BMW is moving forward with Gran Turismo body styles for its 1-Series and 3-Series…
Norwegian WRC racing driver Mads Østberg has enjoyed a bit of success in his World Rally Championship career but as it is with all athletes, practice makes perfect so a little snowy stunt driving is practically training. Record-breaking is just a bonus. Setting a new bar for himself, and the world, Østberg completed a world…
Introduced for the Japanese market last December, the Toyota Prius C had only hit U.S. showrooms on March 12. In only its first three days in the U.S. market, the Prius C sold 1,201 units, eclipsing the Chevrolet Volt and the Nissan Leaf’s complete February sales performance of 1,023 and 478 units respectively. However, demand for the…
Washington State doesn’t like people buying electric vehicles (EVs), or so it seems based on a proposed law to penalize EV owners. While the Federal Government is offering a $7,500 tax credit to those that wish to buy an EV, the Washington State Government wants to penalize owners to the tune of $100 a year because they…
In an interview, Ford vehicle line director Gunnar Herrman reported that development on the next-generation Focus RS hot hatch have been delayed to bump development of various other vehicles and its trims and variants, especially the Ford Kuga/Escape and the Ford Focus Electric. Simply, Herrmann explained that “It’s just because we have other priorities to…
Board games aren’t popular like they used to be, thanks to the wealth of electronic entertainment available today. Still, many of us probably remember the Game of Life which is probably what Toyota is banking on with their new ad campaign for the Prius c. Targeted towards first-time car buyers, Toyota leveraged its partnership with…
The new B-Spec class was created to help give motorsports enthusiasts an affordable place to race their compact cars from automakers like Honda, Mazda, Kia, and Ford. The B-Spec class gives enthusiasts the chance to compete in SCCA and Grand-Am racing with less financial commitment. Ford is helping make it even easier to become competitive in…
BMW‘s 1M coupe was a hot shot of a car, but the company didn’t keep it up. Now we’re left looking forward to the hot hatch that may replace it — the M 135i. Bavaria’s own tiny tire-burner-to-be is based on the 135i and it’s formidable 3.0-liter inline six cylinder guilty of giving more than…
The Mercedes A-Class used to be a cheap and cheap-looking urban runabout. It also used to be sold only overseas. But not any more. Unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show, the new A-Class is a stylish hatchback with plenty of impressive tech features and… it’s coming to America. Find out more by watching AutoGuide’s first…
Featuring specific chassis tuning and a lowered, tighter suspension, plus Ford’s Torque Vectoring Control System and no fewer than three different stability control modes, the new Fiesta ST was flogged mercilessly around the infamous Nürburgring Nordschleife, during its development testing phase.
The electric motors not only help deliver 369 lb-ft of torque, they also help the Megapixel achieve a very tight turning radius (nine feet), a valuable asset for a city car aimed at buyers in large urban centers.
The Volvo V40 small hatchback debuted at the Geneva Auto Show yesterday, but as we reported last week, it won’t be heading to the U.S. market. The stylish five-door featured a range of six engines, three gasoline and three diesel. The range-topping T5 gas engine actually gets as much torque as the most powerful diesel option…
Audi officially unveiled its 2013 RS4 Avant today at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. The powerful-but-practical station wagon is powered by the same naturally-aspirated 4.2-liter V8 as the RS5 coupe, making 450 hp and 317 fl-lbs of torque. The car’s top speed is intentionally limited to 155 mph, though customers may request that be raised…
Audi unveiled the 2013 A3 hatchback at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show today, showcasing a lighter and more efficient version of the company’s small three-door car, despite remaining almost exactly the same size. The car will be available with two TFSI engines or a turbo diesel. All three engines were newly developed for the car…
Earlier today, we reported that Brabus introduced an all new Bullitt C-Class coupe. Packing 800-hp from a heavily retuned V12, the Brabus Bullitt eclipses the output of the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series by nearly 300-hp. Having made its name with “big-power” creations, Brabus is known to go “tiny-tunes” with the Smart Fortwo as well….
Although information is still somewhat scant, Ford says this new Fiesta ST will sport an EcoBoost, 1.6-liter turbocharged four under the hood, rated at 180 metric horsepower and some 240 NM of torque.
Completely redesigned for the 2013 model year, the three-door Audi A3 has been revealed on the eve of the Geneva Motor Show. The A3 will be made available in the European market with engine choices of a 1.4L TFSI, 1.8L TFSI, and 2.0L TDI. With the help of the new “Audi ultra” lightweight technology, the…
While the smallest Mercedes-Benz badged vehicle on sale in America might be the C-class, elsewhere in the world, you can buy even smaller models. Our Canadian friends get to buy the B-class, while in Europe and Asia, you can buy an A-class. The A-class has been on sale for over a decade now, and at…
Next week, Hyundai will unveil its European spec Veloster Turbo at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show. Contending in a competitive hot-hatch market, Hyundai UK President and CEO Tony Whitehorn said, “Veloster has quickly established itself as fun car and a unique proposition. The enhanced performance will increase the Veloster’s appeal for drivers who want the…
