The Mitsubishi i electric vehicle will start at $20,490 after a federal tax credit, coming in at nearly $5000 less than a Nissan Leaf.  The $20,490 sticker price is for a base ES model, while the upgraded SE trim with an 8-speaker 360 watt stereo, leather wrapped steering wheel, 15″ alloys and fog lamps will cost $22,490.

Mitsubishi will also offer an option packing for $2,790 that features a DC quick charging port, allowing the car to recharge to 80 percent battery level in 30 minutes. Other features include a navigation system, backup camera, steering wheel audio controls and a FUSE hands-free system.

Customers will be able to order their i starting on April 22nd via Mitsubishi’s online ordering system. Potential buyers will then have to PayPal $299 for a refundable deposit, and $99.99 for a home inspection fee (waived for the first 2,000 customers) to make sure their home can handle EV charging equipment. Once this process is complete, customers will be able to take delivery of their car as soon as it reaches our shores in November, 2011.

The Chevrolet Volt won the World Green Car of the Year award at the 2011 New York Auto Show, beating out the Nissan Leaf and BMW 320d for the title.

The World Car of the Year award is made up of 66 jurors from 25 countries, who are responsible for selecting the vehicles. This year, the Nissan Leaf ended up taking the honors for World Car of the Year, despite losing the “Green Car” title to the Chevrolet Volt. Other winners included the Ferrari 458 Italia for Performance Car and the Aston Martin Rapide took home top honors for Design. Check out AutoGuide‘s coverage of the New York Auto Show for more.

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

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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The 2012 Hyundai Accent broke cover at the New York Auto Show on Tuesday, but Hyundai has previewed the car before, at both the Montreal and Toronto Auto Shows, with little fanfare or media coverage.

The previous Accent was the kind of car that you bought out of necessity rather than desire, but the newest subcompact Hyundai looks like it will find homes among many, thanks to handsome styling and 40 mpg capability without any special order option packages. Motivation comes from a direct-injection 138-hp 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that makes 123 ft-lbs of torque while returning 30 mpg in the city and 40 mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual and 6-speed automatic transmission will be offered, and automatic transmission models will feature a driver selectable Eco mode that is said to improve “real-world” fuel economy by as much as 7 percent.

Despite its diminutive exterior, Hyundai claims that interior space is so large that the car is classified as a compact. Items like stability control, ABS, and power steering are standard, while Bluetooth connectivity, an iPod connector and 16″ allow wheels are optional. The Accent will start at around $12,000 for a base model, bringing an end to the days where an Accent could be had brand new for under $10,000.

Gallery: 2012 Hyundai Accent

The 2013 Ford Taurus was a bit of a surprise for car fans, since the mid-cycle upgrade came early for the barely 3 year old car. Unveiled at the 2011 New York Auto Show, the new Taurus features a host of fairly substantial mechanical upgrades.

First on the list is a 2.0L Ecoboost 4-cylinder engine option, good for 237 horsepower and 250 lb-ft of torque. While performance is expected to be adequate, the real news is a 31 mpg highway rating, which Ford boldly boasted as being better than an Audi A6. Hardly anyone will cross-shop an Audi and a Taurus, but the big Ford should handle better with the addition of a torque-vectoring system, which acts like an ersatz-limited slip differential, using the brakes to control excessive front wheelspin.

MyFordTouch and SYNC, two in car entertainment systems that are likely too advanced for the 60-plus set that buys the car, will also be available. We expect that the 31 mpg rating will be the biggest selling point for Ford’s biggest sedan, with the fact that the Ecoboost is missing two cylinders also downplayed so as not to scare off buyers worried about sluggish performance.

Gallery: 2013 Ford Taurus

Suzuki is hopping on the hybrid bandwagon with their new Kizashi EcoCharge, a concept car designed to hint at the possibility of a hybrid Kizashi. Suzuki claims that the Kizashi will deliver a 25 percent increase in fuel economy without any performance drawbacks, thanks to a 144 horsepower 2.0L 4-cylinder gasoline engine and a 20 horsepower electric motor.

Unlike other hybrids, the electric motor merely acts as a performance booster for the car’s conventional powertrain, while a start-stop system, regenerative braking and cylinder deactivation help with fuel economy. A 6-speed automatic transmission sends power to the front wheels while low rolling resistance tires help increase fuel efficiency.

Debuting on the even of the New York Auto Show, look for live photos of this new concept tomorrow with AutoGuide’s 2011 New York Auto Show coverage here.

Fiat has just released photos of their 500 Cabrio, the open-top version of their much-lauded 500 hatchback, a week ahead of its official debut at the New York Auto Show.

Rather than a traditional convertible body style like the MINI Cooper, the 500 uses a retractable canvas roof panel that still retains the overall shape of the 500, similar to the original Fiat 500′s own soft-top variant. While Fiat hasn’t given an explanation for the mechanical benefits of such a design, it’s not hard to believe that this setup has structural benefits that can only come from leaving the roof rails and side pillars intact. The design of the top also allows it to be lowered at speeds of up to 60 mph, while traditional convertibles often require much lower speeds.

The 500 Cabrio will be available in Pop, Sport and Lounge trim levels with  cruise control, power windows and locks and air conditioning standard across the range. Sport models come with more aggressive front and rear bumpers and a recalibrated suspension. Lounge models get chrome accents, leather seats, 15-inch wheels and a new 6-speed automatic transmission with Sport mode.

Stay tuned to AutoGuide’s live coverage of the 2011 New York Auto Show for more coverage.

GALLERY: Fiat 500 Cabrio

Get more Fiat 500 news and info at Fiat500Owners.com and read AutoGuide’s 2012 Fiat 500 Review here

The lightweight version of the BMW M3 sedan, first shown last week, will be known as the M3 GTS Sedan, and serve as a bridge between the standard car and the more hardcore M3 GTS Coupe.

The same suite of lightweight parts and a specially calibrated dual clutch gearbox will be carried over from the GTS Coupe, but the sedan looks to be more subtle aesthetically, lacking the tuner-style wing and aggressive bodywork, not to mention the day-glo orange paint. The M3 GTS Sedan is expected to debut at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

Hyundai looks set to address the complaints of those who thought that their Veloster sports coupe was underpowered by showing a turbocharged version at the upcoming New York Auto Show.

The car will use an upgraded version of the Gamma 1.6L direct-injection 4-cylinder producing 208 horsepower, putting it in direct competition with the Volkswagen GTI, MINI Cooper S and other boosted hot hatches. Hyundai is also reportedly aiming to get close to the base Veloster’s 40 mpg rating.

UPDATE: Hyundai has confirmed that this rumor is just speculation and that a Veloster Turbo will not debut in New York. As previously reported, Hyundai will instead unveil the new 2012 Accent.

[Source: Hyundai-Blog.com]

Get more Hyundai Veloster news and info at Veloster.org

The New York Auto Show will be a big one for Mazda, as the company prepares 3 big unveiling that will pave the way for the company’s future on the engineering front.

Mazda will show off the Minagi concept for the first time in North America and debut the refreshed 2012 Mazda3 in America (after its unveiling at the Toronto Auto Show in February) complete with Mazda’s all-new SkyActiv engine technology. The SkyActiv 2.0L 4-cylinder hasn’t had power figures announced yet, but reports say that prototypes are putting out around 163 horsepower and 155 lb-ft of torque, while still maintaining 40 mpg on the highway and 30 mpg around town. A 6-speed automatic will also do its part to hit those numbers. With 33% the Mazda3 making up 33% of Mazda’s global sales, the refreshed car is a huge deal for the company, even if it flies under the radar of most North American consumers.

GALLERY: 2012 Mazda3

GALLERY: Mazda Minagi Concept

View video of the 2012 Mazda3 from its debut after the jump:

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Autoblog has revealed that the 2012 Kia Rio will make its debut at this April’s New York Auto Show, with an expected 1.4L 4-cylinder making 108 horsepower and 100 lb-ft of torque.

Expected transmissions are a 6-speed manual and an automatic, rumored to be a 4-speed. The sedan will complement the hatchback previously revealed at the Geneva Auto Show. Also possible is a 138-hp direct-injection 1.6-liter 4-cylinder, similar to the one offered in the 2012 Hyundai Accent.

AutoGuide will have complete coverage of the New York Autoshow starting April 20th, so stay tuned to our site for more photos and videos.

[Source: Autoblog]

Car companies pay close attention to the Middle-East market, but it’s usually in relation to high-priced exotics and luxury cars.

So it comes as a big surprise to hear that Volkwagen might be launching a concept car at the upcoming Qatar Motor Show that will consume only 1-liter of fuel to travel 100 km. That is equivalent to 235 mpg. Will the Shiekhs be interested and impressed? Time will tell.

In the past, VW has shown concept vehicles with such a fuel-sipping consumption, the latest of which – called the L1 concept, was shown at the 2009 Frankfurt Motor Show.

Reports suggest that the new version will be powered by a diesel-electric hybrid system, which thanks to new lithium-ion batteries will give this vehicle its magical fuel consumption figure.

All will hopefully be revealed very soon. The Qatar Motor Show will be held Between January 26 – 29.

[Source: AutoBild]

Volkswagen revealed the new 2012 Passat the night before the 2011 Detroit Auto Show but we’ve now got the first live photos of the Tennessee-produced mid-sized sedan.

As reported yesterday, the 2012 Volkswagen Passat will be available with three drivetrains, a 170 hp 2.5l five-cylinder engine (with five-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission, a 140 hp 2.0l TDI Clean Diesel engine (with an estimated fuel economy of 43 mpg) and a 3.6l VR6 featuring 280 hp and an estimated 28 mpg. The Passat VR6 will also come standard with a six-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission.

The Passat will be available in three trims, S, SE and SEL, all with safety features such as Intelligent Crash Response Systems, a tire pressure monitoring system, ABS with braking assistant, and six airbags. Manual transmission models will also get hill climb assist.

GALLERY: 2012 Volkswagen Passat

Please visit our Passat Forum for more news on the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, at http://www.passatworld.com.

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The long awaited 2012 Volkswagen Passat has finally been revealed a day ahead of its world premiere at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, looking very much like the recently released 2011 Volkswagen Jetta, sporting the same corporate face and profile in a larger package.

Built at VW’s new Tennesse facility, the Passat’s 191 inche length makes the car larger than a Toyota Camry by 2 inches, a radical departure from the more compact Passats of yesteryear.

Trim levels S, SE and SEL will be offered, with power coming from the corporate 2.5L 5-cylinder engine making 170 horsepower, the 2.0L TDI diesel making 140 horsepower and Volkswagen’s beloved VR6 engine, producing 280 horsepower. The VR6 (and, we presume, the TDI) will come with a DSG dual clutch gearbox, allowing it to run to 60 mph in 6.5 seconds while returning 28 mpg on the highway.

Starting at under $20,000, the Passat is aiming to break out of its niche as a quirky European alternative and finally be taken seriously as a Tier 1 mid-size sedan. The car may have never sold in big numbers, but its superlative interior, interesting powertrains and European street cred were always respected. Hopefully VWs attempt to bring the car hasn’t come at the expense of character.

GALLERY: 2012 Volkswagen Passat

See video of the all new 2012 Passat after the jump:

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After going through the equivalent of 160,000 miles worth of grueling tasks, Ford will take apart an Ecoboost V6 selected for the evaluation process, in a bid to demonstrate that the boosted V6 can be a viable alternative to traditional V8s.

The V6, which was randomly pulled from the regular production line, was put into action in a variety of tasks, from racing in the Baja 1000 to towing over 11,000 pounds for 24 hours straight. At the end of the test process, Ford dynoed the motor and found that it still produced 360 horsepower and 420 lb-ft of torque, just as it did when it left the assembly line.

[Source: Ford]

Hit the jump to see the official press release

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Pardon the bad Spanish puns, but the Ford Fiesta isn’t the only game in town at the Blue Oval’s stand at this year’s SEMA Show. Ford’s pony car came galloping into Vegas with 6 variations of the Mustang, including V6 and V8 versions.

While most of the cars were packing the 5.0 V8, the V6 still made an appearance in the form of the Mobsteel Mustang, which features a very trick remote-mounted turbo system and an exterior treatment that was more import tuner than American muscle.

The other cars range from atrocious to badass, but we won’t tell you which – you’ll have to make up your own mind.

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Custom Accessories

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Boss 302 Street

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Boss 302R

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Street Scene

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Race Skinz

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Team Baurtwell

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Predator

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Mobsteel

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Dub/Roush

GALLERY: Ford Mustang Shelby GT500

GALLERY: Ford Mustang RTRX

Hyundai‘s new Equus luxury sedan is the company’s undoubted star of the SEMA show, and long-time Hyundai partner Rhys Millen Racing for a special show car.

The big news here are the RMR bolt-on intake and exhaust pieces that add an estimated 30 horsepower. A 14″ brake kit helps bring the portly sedan to a stop, and 21″ HRE wheels will no doubt help act as anchors to the already heavy car. Carbon fiber spoilers and mirrors will help accent the Red Bull inspired blue paintjob, while the interior features ballerific ostrich leather upholstery. Stay tuned for this car to appear in a rap video sometime soon.

Hit the jump to see the official press release

Gallery: Hyundai Rhys Millen Racing Signature Edition Equus

[Source: Hyundai]

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Despite pioneering the technology behind hydrogen fuel cells, Honda is lagging far behind arch-rival Toyota in the hybrid and electric vehicle segment.

With the Toyota commanding over 70% of hybrid market share, and Honda’s Civic, Accord and Insight hybrid models all falling flat, the big H must do something quickly to avoid losing the segment for good. At the Los Angeles Auto Show, the company hopes to regain their foothold by introducing both a plug-in hybrid and an electric vehicle concept.

No further details have been announced, but with Honda’s CR-Z meeting or exceeding sales targets (against the predictions of many), the future looks bright for Honda.

AutoGuide’s coverage of the 2010 LA Auto Show starts November 17th. Until then, see our complete LA Auto Show Preview here.

[Source: Honda]

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The folks over at Left Lane News have spied an undisguised Hyundai Accent after it was caught at a well-known hot weather testing location by the spies at Brenda Priddy & Co.

The Accent gets some differentiating styling cues from the Korean market Accent (known as the Verna over there) and, with the American car sharing some details with the rapid-selling Sonata. Specs haven’t been announced in advance of the car’s Los Angeles Auto Show debut, but a 1.6L direct-injection four-cylinder engine making 140 horsepower is expected to motivate the car, with a 6-speed automatic or a 5-speed manual.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Audi‘s R8 GT, the most hardcore version of its R8 sports car, got its first public premiere at the Paris Auto Show. Sporting a 40 horsepower bump from its 5.2L V10 engine (up to 560 horsepower) and a host of weight reductions thanks to the use of carbon fiber, polycarbonate windows and thinner glass, the R8 GT should satisfy the most hardcore sports car addicts.

Only 333 examples will be made, and if you haven’t already been invited to buy one, you probably will never have the chance to own one. That and the $256,000 price tag.

Hit the jump to read the official press release

Gallery: Audi R8 GT

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Volkswagen‘s Passat had its official unveiling today in Paris, and while the car boasts sharp, Phaeton-inspired lines, it won’t be coming to North America.

Our side of the Atlantic will get a market-specific sedan, but the Passat soldiers on in Eurpoe and the rest of the world. With a whole new range of engines, both diesel and gasoline and features like a start-stop system and Park Assist, which can parallel park the car on its own, the Passat looks like yet another great car we won’t get.

Hit the jump for more information

Gallery: 2011 Volkswagen Passat

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MINI‘s Scooter E concept is getting closer and closer to its Paris debut, and now another rendering has surfaced, this time with a photorealistic image of a green scooter and a female rider.

Judging by the hubcap-looking pieces attached to the front wheels, our guess is two electric motors providing motivation to the MINI-resembling two-wheeler.

[Source: Autoblog]

Hyundai‘s subcompact crossover, the ix20, will be revealed at this month’s Paris Auto Show media days, but the company has released a rendering of the car in advance of its launch.

Based on the Kia Venga, the ix20 is an interesting blend of a crossover and small car, similar to a Ford Fiesta hatchback. With the Accent filling Hyundai’s subcompact role in North America, it’s unlikely that the ix20 will make it to our shores, but if you go to Europe, don’t be surprised to find yourself renting one.

Check out Autoguide’s Paris Auto Show Preview for more info and coverage of the Hyundai ix20

[Source: Auto Express]