Some cars handle better than others in snow and as high-performance beasts go, the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution VIII is certainly among the best.

The Evo, as it is commonly called by enthusiasts, is a lot like the Subaru WRX STi. They’re both beefed up rally versions of their manufacturer’s humdrum sedans. Stiff suspension, power-a-plenty and a rigorous all-wheel drive systems make these the go-to for off road racers.

That really doesn’t mean anything, though, if you’re caught in a snowy pile up on the highway like the driver in the video below was. Thankfully for him and his car, he understood that driving on an embankment and dinging up his ride was better than stomping on the brakes and sliding out of control. According to the West Virginia Metro News, about 30 vehicles were involved in the crash.

Unfortunately for so many others around him, winter defensive driving is an easily forgotten skill that can save you money and your life. Just remember that front- rear- or all-wheel drive cars cant do diddly without a driver’s due diligence. Stay calm, dress warm and keep a kit in your car in case you get stuck.

That said, there’s a reason our review of the 2011 Evo MR features us hooning around in the snow: it’s damn fun. You don’t buy this car for comfort, you buy it because road gripping, lane churning performance and precision are an enthusiast’s bread and butter.

You can watch the video below, and as always— drive safe. Warning: there is a lot of swearing in the video.

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Honda released pricing of their new CR-V yesterday, which remains largely unchanged with a base price of $22,295.

While everyone enjoys a better car, they don’t always like paying for it. That’s OK if you’ve been holding out for the latest model because Honda stayed more-or-less put on their price even though most models get between $400 and $1000 in extras over the 2011 model.

Among those improvements, consumers can look forward to a host of  improved standard features like bluetooth cellphone connectivity, a multi-angle rear camera with guidelines and an intelligent Multi Information Display. All CR-Vs also come standard with the ability to pair with compatible cell phones to read text messages aloud.

Under the hood, you’ll find more horsepower (185) and torque (163 ft-lbs) out of the 2.4-liter inline four, and an improved all-wheel drive system on the models taking advantage of it. Both AWD and two-wheel drive versions get mildly improved gas mileage. As we explained in our review, the CR-V may not be full of flashy tech, but its unequaled practicality makes it a segment leader in its own right.

At this week’s SEA All-Wheel Drive Symposium in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan, OEM supplier BorgWarner will show off its next generation of AWD systems including a new hybrid-electric setup. The system, known as eAWD, will be fitted to a Saab 9-3 and BorgWarner claims it will offer, “superior stability and traction with lower emissions and up to 20 percent better fuel economy.”

Saab announced a similar system on its Phoenix Concept (above) at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year. Calling its version eXWD, the setup makes use of a 200-hp turbocharged 4-cylinder gasoline engine and 34-hp hybrid system with power constantly going to the front wheels, while sending power to the rear wheels when necessary. Saab claims the setup would be able to deliver a 50-mpg rating.

In addition, BorgWarner will display new single and multi-gear eGearDrive transmissions for electric cars.

GALLERY: Saab Phoenix Concept

The last Jaguar to offer all-wheel drive was the X-Type, a compact sedan that was ignored by the U.S. marketplace. But that isn’t detering Jaguar from planning to offer AWD on their XF and XJ sedans.

With a significant portion of Jaguar customers based on the East Coast, Jaguar needs to offer AWD for customers in the snowbelt, despite it being “cost prohibitive” according to Jaguar boss Adrian Hallmark. Hallmark said that AWD is a major selling point for brands like Mercedes-Benz, BMW and Audi, and if the brand wants to keep up its momentum among luxury buyers, it needs to offer AWD.

[Source: Car and Driver]

The Hyundai Genesis will get all-wheel drive, but it won’t come until 2014, when the car is updated with a revised platform and other changes.

While Hyundai CEO John Krafcik has confirmed in the past that the Genesis, Genesis Coupe and Equus will offer this set-up, a report in Car and Driver indicates that it won’t be offered on the current generation models. The addition of AWD will certainly help sales of the car in the Snow Belt states, where buyers almost universally opt for AWD over their two-wheel counterparts. In the meantime, the Genesis gets revised powertrains, including an 8-speed automatic transmission and a new 429-horsepower 5.0L V8.

[Source: Car and Driver]

According to the Detroit Free Press, all-wheel drive vehicles are increasing in popularity and could account up to 30 percent of all autos sold by 2015.

Increasing numbers of consumers are opting for all-wheel drive in all segments, with luxury vehicles representing a significant part of the upward trend. Even American car companies are following this trend, as Chrysler, Lincoln and Cadillac are all offering all-wheel drive on many of their vehicles.

Car companies are now responding by building lighter all-wheel drive systems and also by developing systems for hybrid vehicles. With gas prices on a continual rise, efficient all-wheel drive systems could save your life and your wallet.

[Source: FreeP]

While Audi is famous for their quattro all-wheel drive system, Lincoln is the only domestic luxury car brand to offer every single product with an AWD option, and buyers are leaning strongly towards having all 4 wheels powered on many of their products.

Lincoln reports that 72 percent of MKT buyers and 62 percent of MKX buyers opt for AWD, which makes sense on a crossover-like vehicle. Meanwhile, 46 percent of MKS customers and 25 percent of MKZ shoppers check the all-wheel drive box. Even the Navigator, which is based on a truck platform, can be had in rear-drive only, with 62 percent of buyers choosing AWD.

We suspect that many of the AWD buyers are situated in the snowbelt states, since the extra money – anywhere between $1,850 to $6,890 – might cause buyers in warm regions to re-think the AWD alternative, even though certain models with Ecoboost engines come bundled with AWD.

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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Jaguar is apparently readying an all-wheel drive version of their XJ sedan and the car should be on the market within 2 years. Jaguar is looking to combat their German rivals, each of which offer an AWD variant of their large sedans.

While only a 20 percent of cars in the United States are sold with AWD, that number skyrockets to 70 percent in the Northeast, which has traditionally been Jaguar’s strongest market. Lexus also offers an AWD variant of the LS460 and Audi’s A8 comes standard with the brand’s quattro system.

[Source: Autocar]

A MINI Cooper S fitted with an experimental hybrid all-wheel drive system was spotted testing in winter climates, a surprise move for BMW, which has given no indication it was developing such a car.

Sharp-eyed readers will not the electric motor mounted between the rear wheels, as well as the “hybrid” stickers mounted on the vehicle. A traditional gas engine provides power to the front wheels.

Considering MINI has their All4 AWD system already, it could become superfluous if the hybrid AWD setup becomes a fixture during the 2013 revamp of MINI’s lineup. With BMW developing hybrid technology in collaboration with Peugeot and Citroen, the cost of such a system would be spread across a large number of models, and thus make it an affordable option for MINI cars.

[Source: Left Lane News]