Bringing another crossover vehicle into its family, Subaru announced today that it will debut the 2013 XV Crosstrek at the upcoming New York Auto Show.

With a 2.0-liter, 148-hp Boxer engine, though not the same as the company’s hotly anticipated BRZ coupe, and the underpinnings of an Impreza, the XV Crosstrek is set to arrive in the U.S. market this fall — just in time for soccer moms to make a trade in and attend their kid’s games in something new.

Despite running on the Impreza platform, the XV Crosstrek is built on a significantly modified chassis that the company says increases the car’s capability, presumably in Suby-suited conditions like winter driving.

As is common practice for the company, the car comes standard with symmetrical all-wheel drive and is paired with either a five-speed manual or optional CVT automatic. Manual drivers will probably appreciate that Subaru is also including hill start assistance with its manual trasmission models so the car won’t back-roll while sitting on an incline.

As we’ve previously reported, the company announced plans to run its WRX and more potent WRX STi on a different platform for the 2013 model year, allowing further separation between the family oriented Impreza and sport-spirited rally racers. While that’s good news for people interested in buying a new WRX, it also means people shouldn’t expect any of that testosterone in the altered Impreza platform which the XV Crosstrek is built on.

Still, it comes standard with 17-inch alloy wheels which bridge the 8.7-inch ground clearance gap between the underbody and road, which is more than most crossovers and some SUVs.

Finally, the car comes in two trim lines: premium and limited. The latter offers a host of more luxurious features including an improved infotainment system. Other features in the premium package include power windows and door locks, which suggests that these features might not be standard on the entry-level model. That seems strange given how common those features are in today’s market.

Pricing has yet to be announced on the XV Crosstrek, but we’ll be reporting live from the New York Auto Show to bring you the latest coverage.

Fisker has had a tumultuous year so far, especially when news broke that their Nina project was put on hold due to a lack of funds. But the American electric automaker is pushing to prove all its skeptics wrong, announcing a press conference ahead of the New York Auto Show intended to give a look at the future of the brand. With that announcement, Fisker has also released a sketch of what could be the Nina.

It’s not quite proof that the Nina is making progress and frankly, the sketch doesn’t really reveal much – it looks like it was done in Draw Something. Nonetheless, the sketch is the first image anyone has seen on the Nina and was on an invitation for the car’s public unveiling on April 3rd in New York City. That would mean Fisker plans on debuting the Nina right before the New York Auto Show kicks off.

Fisker has said previously that the Nina would be similar to a BMW 5-Series in size, but will be priced more competitively in the 3-Series range of $47,000 before a $7,500 federal tax credit. Under the hood of the Nina will be a BMW-sourced engine, and if we had to take an educated guess on which one, it would be the 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder that’s in the BMW 328i.

Very few people outside of the Fisker organization have seen the Nina, but one of those that has is Vice President Joe Biden, who called it a “four-door Ferrari.” Despite losing the Department of Energy loan, Fisker has received alternative funding and plans to give a business update at the same event on April 3rd.

Production of the Nina will not start until 2013.

Earlier today, the 2013 Chevrolet Trailblazer was revealed but GM mentioned that it would not be bringing it to America. Why? Because models like the Traverse is taking precedence in our market.

“The new Traverse builds on the success of the current model offering a wide variety of improvements to ride and handling, interior materials and exterior styling without compromising the functionality and capability families need to support their busy lives,” said Chris Perry, vice president of Global Chevrolet Marketing.

Alongside the 2014 Chevrolet Impala, a more-refined version of the family-friendly Chevy Traverse will debut at this year’s New York Auto Show. The 2013 Traverse update was “designed to give families a new gathering space with elements of style and refinement inside and out, as well as new and industry-exclusive safety features,” according to Chevrolet.

Just as in the GMC Acadia, the 2013 Traverse will feature the industry’s first front center air bag — engineered to protect the driver and front passengers in far-side impact accidents. Deploying in mere milliseconds, the airbag will inflate in between the driver and front passenger, adding extra protection for both people.

Six years ago, Mercedes-Benz unveiled its new GL Class crossover, a full-size vehicle designed specifically for the North American market, at the 2006 North American International Auto Show.

Enjoying quite a bit of commercial success, Mercedes-Benz now prepares to unveil a refreshed second-generation 2013 GL Class for the upcoming New York Auto Show.

Details are limited but the GL Class will use the revised ML Class platform and remains a 3-row, seven passenger vehicle. As with all succeeding models, the interior is expected to be roomier and more refined while the mechanicals will deliver better fuel economy.

For the frugal and environmentally conscious, the big Benz crossover is available in the GL350 BlueTec diesel trim, which accounted for 40 percent of GL sales last year. Other available engine options include the GL550, even though a twin-turbo 4.7-liter V8 will replace the outgoing 5.5-liter V8. As Mercedes-Benz does not offer a V8 below the 4.7-liter, the middle-pack GL450 faces a bit of a dilemma. A special AMG GL64 is rumored to be in the works as well.

More information regarding the next generation Mercedes-Benz GL will be available as we draw closer to the New York Auto Show. The official release is expected later this year.

GALLERY: 2013 Mercedes-Benz GL spy photos

[Source: Motor Authority]

After an announced delay the BMW X1 will arrive in the U.S. shortly, making its debut at the upcoming New York Auto Show.

Complete details are scarce, but it appears that the X1 xDrive28i will make its way to Stateside sporting BMW’s new TwinPower Turbo 2.0L four-cylinder engine with 245-hp and 258 lb-ft of torque. The X1 has been a hot seller out in Europe, which was the reason for its initial delay over to America. The German automaker wanted to ensure that its supply would match demand before bringing the X1 over to another market.

If all goes well, the X1 xDrive28i could pave the way to our first M Performance Automobile here in America, in the form of the X1 M35i xDrive.

GALLERY: BMW X1 xDrive28i

Earlier this year we spotted spy photos of the upcoming Mercedes-Benz CLC, and now we have a good reason to believe that it’ll make its worldwide unveiling in Los Angeles.

Last year, the German automaker started the Avant/Garde Diaries, a global online interview magazine that creates a platform for topics ranging from art to fashion to music that shape today’s society. The festival itself brought in international artists and trendsetters to present their perspective on the world of today and tomorrow.

“The aim of Avant/Garde Diaries is to offer a platform for creativity. Curiosity and the joy of breaking through existing barriers are drivers for innovation and progress, and not just at Mercedes-Benz,” said Anders Sundt Jensen, Vice President Brand Communications Mercedes-Benz Cars.

This year, the Avant/Garde Diaries will host “Transmission LA: AV CLUB curated by Mike D” from April 20th to May 6th at the Geffen Contemporary at MOCA in Los Angeles, California. This festival aims to bring together the Los Angeles art and music community and will be the sequel to last year’s festival that took place in Berlin.

It is at this festival that Mercedes-Benz will have “the artistic staging of the Mercedes-Benz Concept Style Coupe,” according to a press release from the German automaker. Our guess would be that it’s the upcoming CLC model – which is essentially a four-door coupe.

The timing is peculiar, however, considering the Transmission LA: AV CLUB event occurs after the New York Auto Show, which kicks off April 4th. If the baby CLS model is indeed having its world unveiling in Los Angeles, what is the German automaker bringing to New York?

GALLERY: 2013 Mercedes-Benz CLC Spy Photos

GM has revealed the 2013 GMC Terrain Denali ahead of its official unveiling at the 2012 New York Auto Show. The introduction of the Terrain Denali comes with the announcement of an all-new 3.6L V6 engine that will replace the outgoing 3.0L V6 for the 2013 Terrain  model year. The new V6 powerplant will be rated at 301-hp and 272 lb-ft of torque and is expected to deliver better fuel economy than its predecessor.

Those interested in a Terrain but not necessarily a V6 will still have the option of a 2.4L, four-cylinder Ecotec engine that has a best-in-class 32-mpg highway rating while sporting 182-hp and 172 lb-ft of torque. Front-wheel drive will be standard on the Terrain Denali with all-wheel drive available as an option for buyers.

The list of Denali-specific features is lengthy, but includes signature chrome grille, satin chrome accents, body-matched front and rear bumpers, rocker panels with satin chrome molding, new headlights and taillights, and a dual chrome exhaust – single on the 2.4L. Meanwhile, the interior of the Terrain Denali will receive soft-touch instrument panel with French stitching, leather-wrapped steering wheel with smoked mahogany wood accents, embossed Denali logos on front seatbacks, smoked mahogany wood trim throughout, Denali illuminated door sill plates, and eight-way power driver and passenger seats.

Pricing and availability for the 2013 Terrain Denali will be announced closer to its release in the third quarter of this year.

“Denali is growing fast,” said Tony DiSalle, U.S. vice president of GMC Marketing. “With seven different models, sales for this brand within a brand increased 79 percent from 2010 to 2011. With this in mind, the decision to create a more-upscale Terrain was an easy one.”

GALLERY: 2013 GMC Terrain Denali

The New York International Auto Show is looking for aspiring automotive photographers to submit their best pictures for a chance to win an all-expense paid trip to New York to attend the auto show during the press preview.

The trip for two includes airfare, accommodations and show credentials. The first-place winner will be named the “Official Roving Photographer” of the NYIAS. As if that wasn’t cool enough, that person also gets a new Canon EOS Rebel T3i DSLR to shoot with. The second prize winner won’t travel but still gets a T3i DSLR while third place walks away with a $250 Visa gift card.

The three winning photos will be chosen by fans voting on the Snap MyLife contest page. The competition will close on March 25th, so head there now if you’ve got something to show off.

[Source: Snap My Life NYIAS Contest]

The 2013 Lincoln MKZ Concept originally debuted at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show sporting a panaromic glass roof. The production 2013 Lincoln MKZ sedan is scheduled to make its official debut at the upcoming New York Auto Show, and it appears that Lincoln is hard at work on offering a fully-retractable glass roof on its new sedan.

It’s believed that the roof design has been under development for several years at Lincoln and will make its production debut on the MKZ.

As we heard back at the Detroit Auto Show, the glass is actually integrated into the MKZ’s structure, constructed from steel and boron and is designed to give the passengers a personal, open-air experience. The retractable glass roof is just one of many efforts Lincoln is pursuing to help differentiate their models from the lesser Ford platforms that they are based on.

We’ll be sure to get more information when the MKZ makes it debut at the New York Auto Show, at which point we’ll hopefully find out if the retractable glass roof will be standard on the MKZ or available as an option.

GALLERY: Lincoln MKZ Concept

Hyundai plans on unveiling the 2013 Santa Fe at the upcoming New York International Auto Show, but the Korean automaker decided to give us all a sneak peek through its Twitter account.

Two renderings of the 2013 Santa Fe crossover have been provided, giving us a better picture of what the next-generation CUV will look like in combination to the photos leaked earlier this year.

According to the Korean automaker, the new Santa Fe sports a new styling language “Storm Edge”, stating that it’s a natural evolution from its successful “Fluidic Sculpture” that has been seen on Hyundais the last few years.

By the looks of these photos, it appears that the Santa Fe will continue to be a two-row crossover – the optional third row was tossed out in the 2009 model year – and will continue to compete with the likes of the Nissan Murano and Toyota Venza.

Look for more on the 2013 Santa Fe with AutoGuide’s New York Auto Show coverage starting April 4th.

GALLERY: 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe

The Terrafugia Transition has been a work in progress since 2006, but will finally show off its unique design at the 2012 New York Auto Show. 

The Transition is being called the first practical street-legal airplane by the company, and will no doubt garner some attention when it hits the show floor. The car has folding wings and a full propeller drive system that allows it to take flight as well as drive on the street.

Terrafugia will need to impress the right people, as the Transition is estimated to cost $279,000.

For that price, the eccentric consumer gets a small airplane that fits in a single-car garage. The Transition also runs off super unleaded gas instead of airplane fuel and is able to drive safely on the road, according to the company.

The same 100-hp engine capable of spinning the rear-mounted propeller or powering the wheels on the ground, both via a continuously variable transmission.

Terrafugia’s video explains most aspects of the car in detail. You can watch it below.

Continue Reading…

Americans will finally get a look at the U.S.-spec Porsche Cayenne diesel when it debuts at this year’s New York International Auto Show.

The Cayenne Diesel will sport a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel engine, also featured in the Volkswagen Touareg and Audi Q7.

The oil-burner is expected to make either 240-hp like the European Cayenne Diesel, or 225-hp like the TDI Touareg and Q7. It’ll be backed with 406 lb-ft of torque and should get better fuel efficiency than the Cayenne S Hybrid’s 24-mpg highway. Unfortunately it’s also expected that the diesel-powered Cayenne will get under 20-mpg city.

Even though diesel models aren’t as popular in America as they are in Europe, other luxury automakers are testing the water with diesel variants of popular models such as the Mercedes-Benz GLK.

As gas prices consistently rise and consumers look more to efficiency as a critical factor, companies at all levels are realizing the importance of hybrid and diesel options, even in the U.S.

We’ll be reporting live from New York, bringing you coverage of the Cayenne diesel and other releases.

[Source Car&Driver]

Mercedes-Benz may have overestimated its latest commercial shoot’s seclusion and the public’s pension for sharing videos online.

A cyclist sporting a GoPro camera stumbled across a Mercedes-Benz video shoot and started recording right away. The shooter hit the jackpot by spying the all new Mercedes A-class without camouflage.

We saw the A-class concept at last year’s New York Auto Show, and the production version will bow this year at the Geneva Auto Show in early March.

It looks as though the production A-class shed a few of the sporty features we saw on the concept in favor of a boxier more consumer friendly design. The car we see in the video has a body kit and large alloy wheels which would lead us to believe that it’s probably the AMG sports package.

Watch the video after the jump and tell us what you think of the new A-class in the comments section below.

GALLERY: Mercedes A-Class Concept

Continue Reading…

Nissan debuted its 2013 Pathfinder Concept at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show but didn’t disclose what would be powering the crossover – apart from the fact it would be a V6 engine. Motor Trend is now reporting that the 2013 Pathfinder will be powered by a 3.5L V6, perhaps identical to what the new JX35 will have.

The JX35 features a 3.5L V6 with 265-hp, 248 lb-ft of torque and we could expect the Pathfinder to have similar if not identical specifications under the hood. Fuel economy for the new Pathfinder will be a big improvement, with Nissan claiming that thanks to significant weight reduction, as well as the use of a new CVT transmission, we should expect gains of up to 25 percent.

What is more interesting though is that Nissan also told Motor Trend that it plans to unveil a second, completely new vehicle at the upcoming New York International Auto Show in April. Nissan stated that no outsider has ever seen this vehicle.

GALLERY: Nissan Pathfinder Concept

[Source: MotorTrend]

See AutoGuide’s First Look video of the 2013 Pathfinder Concept below:

Continue Reading…

The 2013 Viper SRT is already high in demand – and it’s not on the market yet. If you’re one of the many who can’t wait to buy one, you may be out of luck – unless, that is, you already own a Viper or belong to the Viper Club of America.

Word on the street is that first dibs for the 2013 Viper SRT will go to existing owners – and no, you can’t rush out and buy any old Viper after reading this post in hopes you’ll get on the list. The honor of owning the initial deliveries of the 2013 Viper SRT will go to members of the Viper Club of America. There is no confirmation, but potential purchasers will probably be decided by a lottery comprised of interested members.

The original Viper was produced for 18 years, but in 2010 Chrysler shut down production due to finances and revised safety regulations. The 2013 Viper SRT will make its official debut at the New York Auto Show in April.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Hyundai will debut its next-generation Santa Fe crossover at the 2012 New York Auto Show in April, Motor Trend has confirmed.

Little is known about the new CUV, though the third-generation will probably feature the same drivetrain with somewhat improved performance and fuel economy. We’re also guessing the majority of aesthetic updates will be on the inside, keeping in line with the company’s other updated interior designs. Another example is the updated Elantra— you can see pictures-a-plenty of the futuristic design cues in our review.

The Santa Fe got an update in 2010 (pictured above), and the CUV isn’t a poor seller, but it isn’t great either falling into the middle range for overall sales last year with just over 74,000 units sold in North America. That’s a lot better than the abysmal 1,524 Azeras sold last year, or if you really want embarrassing numbers: 18 in December. It’s also nowhere near the Sonata, which capped 2011 off with almost 226,000 units sold.

While a fresh design and a little more horsepower isn’t going to slingshot the Santa Fe to such regal status among the fleet, it could stand to get current Hyundai customers back into the showroom at just the right time, when their 2010 leases are set to expire. Sales have been more-or-less stable since the update, but are on a slow decline, meaning the reiteration is probably a wise choice.

GALLERY: 2010 Hyundai Santa Fe

[Source: Motor Trend]

Chevrolet will build their 2013 Malibu in China and South Korea before it beings production Stateside, solidifying Chevrolet’s aims for the Malibu to be a “world car”.

South Korea will be the first country to build the Malibu, starting in late 2011. China and the United States will begin building the car in early 2012. South Korean Malibus will be built domestically in order to dodge substantial levies on imported cars, while America will get cars built in both Michigan and Kansas.

Chevrolet notably debuted the car in China in advance of the car’s American introduction, with GM touting strong sales in Asia for the car.

So the new Ford Taurus was only introduced last year. Why, then, did Ford refresh it for 2013 at the New York Auto Show—why go through all that effort now? Because, according to Ford head design honcho J Mays, the new front end is supposed to showcase Ford’s new global look, and the Mondeo and Falcon are gonna nab a piece of it.

Yes, for once the Ford global look sets its standards from America, not Europe or Australia. The new corporate look, said Mays, will still allow these three diverse sedans to retain their own character. The design elements can be altered to create subtle or aggressive looks across a model range. And the trapezoid grille was influenced by those from Audi—where J Mays used to hang his hat.

[Source: GoAuto]

The Chevrolet Sonic actually looks like a good vehicle, and not just in relative terms to the outgoing Aveo that it replaces. In a classic case of misplaced good intentions, Chevrolet decided to take things up a level with their Sonic Z-Spec package, that combines questionable visual patterns with the color palette of a Creamsicle.

In addition to the goofy graphics, the Z-Spec package includes exhaust tip, roof spoiler, mirror caps, grille surrounds and a choice of 16″ or 17″ wheels, while the interior gets a an aluminum door sill kit and aluminum pedals. While the Sonic Z-Spec is supposed to capture the hearts and minds of young buyers, we think that the 1.4L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine and 40 mpg rating are much better ways to sell your product, as opposed to slathering your new car in orange-and-white polka dots.

Gallery: 2012 Chevrolet Sonic Z-Spec

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

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