Ford is rather proud of its new SYNC system, and will be making it standard equipment on all 2013 Ford Fusion and Ford Flex models, the American automaker announced. Their MyFordTouch system will only be seen on upper trim levels however.

Surprisingly the 2013 model year of the Fusion and Flex will be the first time ever Ford has made their SYNC standard equipment. Since its introduction in 2007, Ford has installed SYNC in over four million vehicles. Now that it has become standard fare in the Fusion and Flex, Ford expects to add another nine million vehicles on the road with SYNC over the next three years.

“ Ford SYNC technology has led the industry in transforming the way we connect to our cars,” said Dave Mondragon, Ford general marketing manager. “SYNC has enabled Ford drivers to take advantage of the latest communication and entertainment technology with an easily upgradeable architecture that is friendly to use.”

GALLERY: 2013 Ford Fusion

GALLERY: 2013 Ford Flex

After revealing two PX-MiEV concepts, the second of which debuted at last year’s Tokyo Motor Show, Mitsubishi has now released a few details on the production version of its new Outlander crossover, which will make its official world premiere at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show.

Looking very much like the second PX-MiEV concept, the new Outlander promises to feature upgraded interior fixtures and proper third row seating, which seems to be the latest trend in the family crossover segment.

Sources say the new Outlander, which will initially go on sale in Russia this summer followed by other European markets, will be powered by 2.0-liter gas four-cylinder and 2.2-liter MIEVC diesel engines with a choice of front or all-wheel drive. Auto Stop technology and a six-speed automatic transmission are also reported to be in the cards, at least for some markets.

In early 2013, Mitsubishi plans to launch a Plug-in Hybrid version of the new Outlander, which will incorporate a variant of the 2.0-liter gas engine with dual electric motors (one for each set of wheels) and a lithium-ion battery pack. Clearly derrived from the second Px MiEV concept, Mitsubishi officials say that the Plug-in Hybrid version will deliver a driving range of more than 500 miles (800 km) and very low emissions output (below 50 grams per km is expected).

As for North American sales of the new Outlander, they’re expected to begin towards the tail end of 2012, though don’t bet on the diesel engine making it to our shores.

For decades, the recipe for a supercar had always been about stuffing a fire-breathing V12 engine in the middle. Some super cars receive the occasional quad-turbo W16, V10, and supercharged or turbocharged v8, but these all build upon pretty much the same idea. What many car enthusiasts have actually been wondering ever since they witnessed the Batmobile for the first time is whether jet engines could be fitted into cars in real life.

Finally, Jaguar answers the question with not one, but two jet engines. The Jaguar C-X75 concept was first unveiled in 2010 at the Paris Auto Show, boasting a twin-turbine power plant tucked within a sleek shell reminiscent of the Jaguar XJ220. However, when Jaguar announced the C-X75 would make it to production last year, the twin-turbine was replaced with a more conservative hybrid drivetrain mated to a turbocharged four-cylinder engine. Despite the fact that the power train will be co-developed with Williams F1, the C-X75 isn’t the same without rockets.

Now, Jaguar has revealed that while 250 examples of the C-X75 will be powered by the hybrid turbo-4, an extremely limited quantity of C-X75 supercars will receive the micro-turbines as envisioned from the original concept. These jet engines are produced by the Bladon Jets Engineering Centre in Coventry, which is based very close to Jaguar’s headquarters and is even partially owned by parent company Tata.

Driving the rear wheels, the turbines are expected to produce an extra 95-hp each. Requiring no cooling or lubricant systems like a traditional internal combustion engine, the micro-turbines are also light and easy to package.

While exact numbers are unknown, the C-X75 is expected to meet all supercar requirements, including acceleration to 60 mph in 3 seconds and a top speed exceeding 200 mph.

GALLERY: Jaguar C-X75

[Source: Auto Express]

You might believe that a high-tech hybrid might cost you an arm and a leg, but the Prius c may surprise you.

Toyota has officially announced the pricing and trim levels of the new Prius c. There will be four versions available, each called grades. Each grade will come with the same hybrid power train, and safety features.

The ticket to 50mpg costs $18,950 for the first grade.  If you want more in your Prius c, you can opt for one of the other grades, each offering more options than the next. Grade two costs $19,900 and offers convenience features like intermittent wipers, fold down rear seats, cruise control, better speakers and center console with armrest and storage.

To get your geek on, you’ll have to pay $21,635 and go for grade three, which has Toyota’s Entune infotainment system. The Entune system has a 6.1-inch touch-screen with navigation and premium audio services that connect to your iPod. Entune also packs in real-time traffic and weather information, and can even help you find a place to eat, using the Bing, and OpenTable integration. Grade Three also comes with bluetooth hands-free phone, and voice commands and door handles which can be locked, or unlocked with one touch.

Lastly there is Grade four, which has everything grade three has to offer, as well as 15-inch alloys, foglights, heated seats and power outside mirrors. Grade four will cost $23,230.

Extra optional equipment is only available for the Grade Three and Four models.

Buyers can expect the Prius c in dealerships as soon as March. For more information on the 2012 Toyota Prius c check out our review.

First shown in concept form a month ago at the Detroit Auto Show, Acura has revealed its new entry-level ILX sports sedan at the Chicago Auto Show today.

Based on the Civic platform it certainly doesn’t look it, though it does share some very familiar powertrains. With a base 2.0-liter 4-cylinder, there’s also a 2.4-liter performance version and a 1.5-liter hybrid for the greenies.

GALLERY: 2013 Acura ILX

Get all the details on the 2013 Acura ILX in our first look video below:

Continue Reading…

Looking not all that far from a production model, BMW is out testing its plug-in hybrid sports car in the European arctic. These spy photos, show the camo-clad i8, the flagship of BMW’s upcoming lineup of fuel-efficient alternative energy models.

Using the 170 hp electric motor from the entry-level i3, the i8 adds a 3-cylinder turbocharged gasoline engine with 223 hp. With power going to the rear wheels BMW says the i8 will deliver a 0-60 time of around 5 seconds, with a 22 mile electric range and an overall 78 mpg rating.

It may seem like a distant reality, but BMW has announced the i8 will go on sale in two year’s time.

GALLERY: BMW i8 Spy Photos

On the eve of the Chicago Auto Show, Acura has revealed the newest addition to its lineup, the ILX. A compact premium model, it shares its chassis and powertrains with the Civic, though little else.

Looking nothing like a Civic, with a sleek Acura design, it’s actually significantly larger, measuring 2-inches more end-to-end and almost half a foot more in width. The wheelbase, however, remains the same.

Powering the ILX are a choice of three engines, starting with an entry-level 2.0-liter 4-cylinder – essentially an up-sized version of the 1.8-liter found in the Civic. It makes a total of 150 hp and 140 lb-ft of torque and with a 5-speed automatic will get modest, but not exactly shocking, 24 city and 32 highway mpg rating.

Those in search of fuel economy can opt for the ILX Hybrid – the first time Acura has even offered a hybrid model. Using a similar setup to that found in the Civic Hybrid it makes 111 hp and 127 lb-ft of torque using a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder mated to Honda’s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system. A rudimentary hybrid setup, it does make use of a lithium-ion battery pack and gets 35/38 mpg, significantly less than the 44/44 mpg rating in the Civic Hybrid.

Performance aficionados will appreciate the 2.4-liter model, available with a six-speed manual transmission. Borrowing the engine from the Civic Si, it makes 201 hp.

Notable standard featured include a dynamic suspension system, “motion adaptive” electric power steering and a keyless access system with push-button ignition.

Available options include a Premium Package with leather, heated front seats, a rear view camera, an active noise cancellation system and an upgraded 360 watt audio system. A Technology Package then adds Acura’s ELS surround sound audio system and navigation with voice recognition.

Acura has confirmed the ILX will not replace the TSX, but will be the brand’s new entry-level offering, starting at “well below” $30,000.

GALLERY: 2013 Acura ILX

GALLERY: 2013 Acura ILX Reveal

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Chicago Auto Show Coverage here

Watch our first look Video of the ILX below:

Continue Reading…

Last month, Toyota alluded to the possibility that an Avalon Hybrid was in the works, claiming that a car under development would have “more space than a BMW X5, faster than a Volkswagen TDI and higher MPG than a Fiat 500.”

And now we pretty much have confirmation that the vehicle Toyota Division Group Vice President and General Manager Bob Carter was speaking about is the upcoming Avalon that will most definitely be employing the use of a hybrid system. Toyota executives at the National Automobile Dealers Association Convention promised that the all-new Avalon will “meet or beat” the 33-mpg combined rating of the Fiat 500.

Set to make its debut at the 2012 New York International Auto Show, the new Avalon Hybrid would be a huge improvement over the current 20-mpg city, 29-mpg highway offered in this generation Avalon. Chances are, Toyota will reach for their system seen in the Camry Hybrid that has 200-hp and a 41-mpg combined rating.

Toyota also announced at the event that they intend to release 19 new models (including the Avalon) in 2012 alone.

[Source: Detroit Free Press]

It’s no idle boast, especially as many lithium-batteries are said to have a maximum life span of around 7-8 years, yet until now Hyundai hadn’t released any specifics on its lifetime warranty for the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid’s battery pack.

As result, there’s been much speculation in regards to exactly what this battery warranty covers and doesn’t cover, though Hyundai, in an attempt to address these rumors has finally set the record straight.

In a statement issued from the company, it declared that, “the Hyundai Lifetime Hybrid Battery Replacement Guarantee ensures that if the 2012 Sonata hybrid lithium-polymer battery fails, Hyundai will replace the battery and cover recycling costs for the old battery pack free of charge to the original owner. The coverage is not transferable, and does not apply to lease and commercial vehicles or vehicles serviced outside the U.S.”

Note how the above doesn’t mention the battery system’s integrated hardware, software and controllers. These are covered by a warranty, though in this case it’s the Sonata’s Powertrain warranty which is good for 10 years or 100,000 miles, which ever comes first.

Hyundai’s US CEO John Krafcik, has already stated that Hyundai is able to offer the battery warranty because after extensive durability testing, failure rates for the battery system have proved to be minimal.

That said, if owners do experience major battery failure on their Sonata Hybrids, they might want to consider the car’s mileage and condition before looking to cash in on the warranty program, as depending on the circumstances, it could still work out to be quite expensive.

[Source: Car & Driver]

Posting respectable 2011 sales numbers, the quietly successful Buick Regal outsold the Audi A4, Lexus IS250 and Acura TSX last year. For 2013, the Buick Regal has received some drivetrain upgrades. First, the performance trim Buick Regal GS will receive an automatic transmission. Second, the 2013 Regal will possess eAssist technology as standard.

Introducing the Buick GS with a manual transmission is an interesting move and, according to U.S. vice president of Buick Marketing Tony DiSalle, “With the Regal GS, we made a conscious decision to go against the current trend and give enthusiasts the manual transmission they desire as standard equipment. Adding an automatic simply makes the performance of the GS even more accessible.” The new Aisin AF40 automatic transmission will be a no-cost option from the manual. According to GM, the new automatic transmission will deliver firmer shifts, capable of matching the manual Regal GS to 0-60 at 6.7 seconds. EPA ratings for the GS is at 19 mpg city and 27 mpg highway.

For 2013, the Regal will come with eAssist hybrid technology as standard equipment. A system that provides a light, but effective, secondary electric motor that assists to either motivate the car during slow traffic or to provide an additional boost to the engine, eAssist was initially a $2,000 option for Regals equipped with the Ecotec 2.4 liter engine. According to EPA ratings, the eAssist Regal reaches 25 mpg city and 36 mpg highway.

GALLERY: Buick Regal GS