Consumer Reports 2014 Top Picks - Tesla S Overall Winner

Consumer Reports 2014 Top Picks is an exceptional, well-­rounded vehicle, chosen from more than 260 that have been recently tested. They have excelled in testing, are reliable, and have performed well in independent crash tests.

Best overall: Tesla Model S - Price as tested: $89,650
Small SUV: Subaru Forester - Price as tested: $26,814
Midsized sedan: Honda Accord (4-cyl.) - Price as tested: $23,270
Compact car: Subaru Impreza - Prices as tested: Sedan $21,345, hatchback $22,345
Midsized SUV: Hyundai Santa Fe - Price as tested: $36,290
Green car: Toyota Prius - Price as tested: $26,750
Pickup truck: Ram 1500 - Price as tested: $42,810
Luxury car: Audi A6 - Price as tested: $56,295
Sports sedan: BMW 328i - Price as tested: $43,195
Minivan: Honda Odyssey - Price as tested: $36,830

For more detailed information go to Consumer Reports website.

All-New Third Generation Audi TT Debuts In Geneva

The new third generation Audi TT will be making its world debut at the Geneva Auto Show in less than two weeks and 14 years after the TT model was first introduced.

100 years of Maserati At The Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance

The seventh annual Desert Classic Concours d’Elegance celebrated 100 years of Maserati history, in conjunction with the Legends of Riverside and Riverside International Automotive Museum at the Desert Princess Country Club in the Coachella Valley.

As we recently saw at the Los Angeles Auto Show and during the Super Bowl, Maserati is making a marketing push. The introduction of the more affordable Maserati Ghibli has already attracted increased interest in the brand.

Audi S3 Cabriolet Coming To Dealers In Germany This Summer

The Audi S3 Cabriolet four-seater convertible has a 300 horsepower turbocharged 2.0 TFSI engine mated to an S tronic transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive good for 33 mpg when it arrives in dealerships in Germany this summer starting at €48,500 euros or about $66,550 US dollars.

Volkswagen Golf GTE Plug-in Hybrid Debuts In Geneva

The new Golf GTE plug-in hybrid has a 148 horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged, direct-injection TSI® engine and a 101 horsepower electric motor for a stated system power of 201 horsepower and a combined fuel economy rating of 157 mpg with an all-electric range of 31 miles along with an overall range of 584 miles. The GTE sprints from 0 to 62 mph in 7.6 seconds and achieves a top speed of 135 mph.

BMW 2 Series Active Tourer Will Make Geneva Debut

The new front-wheel-drive BMW 2 Series Active Tourer with new three and four cylinder turbocharged engines, a package of BMW EfficientDynamics technology and BMW ConnectedDrive makes its debut at the Geneva Auto Show in a few weeks. The BMW 218i Active Tourer has 136 horsepower 1.5 liter  three-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission. The BMW 225i Active Tourer has a 231 horsepower four-cylinder engine. The BMW 218d Active Tourer has a 150 horsepower four-cylinder diesel engine.

All-New Volkswagen Scirocco Coming to Europe In August

The new Volkswagen Scirocco and Scirocco R, 40 years after the model's first debut, will be shown in Geneva in two weeks and launched in Europe in August with six turbo direct injection four-cylinder engines which are up to 19 per cent more economical and ranging from 123 to 276 horsepower. Four are gas engines and two diesel with five having a Stop/Start system as well as a battery regeneration mode. The new Scirocco will be launched initially in Europe from the middle of August and shortly afterwards in other high-volume markets such as China, Argentina, Turkey, Australia, Russia and South Korea.

McLaren 650S Supercar Coming This Spring

The McLaren 650S, inspired by the McLaren P1 and available as a fixed roof Coupé or Spider with a retractable folding hard top, translates to 650 horsepower from a twin turbo V8 engine and the ‘S’ stands for ‘Sport’. The McLaren Airbrake deploys whenever the car senses extra downforce is advisable rather than simply under braking or when manually operated in ‘Aero’ mode. At 150 mph, downforce levels are increased by 24 percent. The McLaren 650S which joins the McLaren 12C and P1 supercars will be shown March 4th at the Geneva Auto Show and go on sale in the Spring.

2015 Subaru WRX Starts At $27,090 This Spring

The 2015 Subaru WRX powered by a new 268-horsepower 2.0-liter direct injection turbo BOXER engine mated to a six-speed manual transmission or the Sport Lineartonic, a new, optional performance automatic transmission featuring two manual modes. The WRX starts at $27,090 and the WRX STI with a 305-horsepower 2.5-liter turbocharged BOXER engine maintains the previous model year pricing of $35,290. The WRX STI Limited with a six-speed manual transmission starts at $39,290 so the options it will run well above $40,000 out-the-door. Both vehicles arrive into dealerships this Spring.

Lamborghini Huracán Racking Up Orders

The Lamborghini Huracán powered by a 610-horsepower 5.2-litre normally-aspirated V10 engine accelerates from 0 to 62 mph in 3.2 seconds to a top speed of 202 miles per hour. In the midst of a month-long private preview tour worldwide for VIP clients, the Huracán already has 700 orders, almost a third of Lamborghini sales last year and that's even before its publicly revealed March 4th at the Geneva Auto Show. Price tag is around $250,000 when it hits the streets in the Spring.

J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study Led By Lexus

The J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Vehicle Dependability Study, for 2011 model vehicles over 3 years has Lexus on top for the 3rd year in a row. The study finds that overall vehicle dependability averages 133 PP100, a 6 percent increase in problems from 126 PP100 in 2013, the first time since the 1998 study that the average number of problems has increased. According to the study, engine and transmission problems increased by nearly 6 PP100 year over year, accounting for the majority of the overall 7 PP100 increase in reported problems, with 4-cylinder engines taking most of the complaints. The J.D. Power 2014 U.S. Avoider Study shows that consumers are much more likely to avoid vehicles from brands that rank lower in dependability.  


General Motors receives eight segment awards for the Buick Lucerne; Cadillac DTS (tie); Cadillac Escalade; Chevrolet Camaro; Chevrolet Volt; GMC Sierra HD; GMC Sierra LD; and GMC Yukon. Toyota gets seven awards for the Lexus ES; Lexus GS; Lexus LS (tie); Lexus RX; Scion xB; Toyota Camry; and Toyota Sienna. Honda has six model-level awards for the Acura RDX; Honda CR-V; Honda Crosstour; Honda Element; Honda Fit; and Honda Ridgeline. MINI receives one model-level award for the MINI Cooper.

The 2014 Vehicle Dependability Study, fielded between October and December 2013, is based on responses from more than 41,000 original owners of 2011 model-year vehicles after three years of ownership.

BMW i8 Plug-In Hybrid Olympic Commercial

BMW officially launched its advertising campaign for the BMW i brand with the start of NBC's Sochi 2014 Olympic broadcast coverage featuring the BMW i8 plug-in hybrid, high-performance electric vehicle. "Hello Future" uses the words of Sir Arthur C. Clarke, inventor, futurist and co-author of the screenplay for the 1986 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, to offer the arrival of BMW i as proof that the future is as fantastic as he predicted.

2015 Chevrolet City Express Available To Deliver For You This Fall

Chevrolet’s all-new 2015 City Express, based on the Nissan NV200, comes i LS and LT trims and a 131 horsepower dual overhead cam 2.0L inline-four cylinder engine mated to a continuously variable transmission driving the front wheels, offers 122.7 cubic feet of customizable cargo space, a tight turning diameter of only 36.7 feet and an estimated payload capacity of 1,500 pounds. There’s 6’10” of room from the rear doors to the back of the front seats and with the passenger seat folded, the length grows to 9’8”. A Technology package available on LT models includes a 5.8-inch diagonal touch screen, navigation, Sirius/XM Satellite Radio with a three-month trial period, Bluetooth phone connectivity, a USB input and a rearview camera system. The City Express goes on sale this Fall.

All-New 2015 Subaru Legacy Arrives This Summer

The all-new 2015 Subaru Legacy has nearly the same exterior footprint as the previous Legacy but with a roomier passenger cabin and a choice of a 175 horsepower double-overhead-cam FB series 4-cylinder 2.5-liter BOXER engine and a 256 horsepower 3.6-liter 6-cylinder BOXER engine. Both engines are mated to a Lineartronic CVT (continuously variable transmission) and Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive. The 2015 Legacy 2.5i has estimated ratings of 26 mpg city / 36 mpg highway / 30 mpg combined, and the 6-cylinder model has estimated ratings of 20 mpg city / 28 mpg highway / 23 combined.

The 4-cylinder 2.5i model is available in Standard, Premium and Limited trim lines, accompanied by the top-of-line 6-cylinder 3.6R Limited. A new rear radar system, which is standard on the 2015 Legacy 2.5i Limited and 3.6R Limited and available for the 2.5i Premium, introduces the brand’s next step toward full-perimeter preventive safety. The rear radar system offersBlind Spot Detection, Lane Change Assist and Rear Cross Traffic Alert. The EyeSight® driver-assist system option for Premium and Limited trim models, integrates Adaptive Cruise Control, Pre-Collision Braking and Vehicle Lane Departure Warning. EyeSight, which uses Subaru-developed stereo camera technology. The new 2015 Legacy arrives in Subaru dealerships this Summer.

2015 BMW X3 Starts At $39,325 For RWD Model This Spring

The 2015 BMW X3 Sports Activity Vehicle®, the third generation X3, will offer a rear-wheel drive BMW X3 sDrive28i for the US market with a starting price of $39,325 and an Advanced Diesel X3 xDrive28d with a 180 horsepower 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo diesel 4-cylinder engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission starting at $42,825. The X3 xDrive28i (with BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive) has a 240 horsepower 2.0-liter TwinPower Turbo gasoline engine will have an MSRP of $40,725, while the top-of-the-line X3 xDrive35i with a 300 horsepower 3.0-liter six-cylinder in-line engine will have an MSRP of $45,825 (All prices include $925 Destination & Handling fee). On the new BMW X3, a Sport Automatic transmission option with shift paddles is also available in conjunction with M Sport. The new BMW X3 will go on sale this Spring.

Nissan Frontier Diesel Runner and Nissan Versa Note SR Debut

The Nissan Frontier Diesel Runner, based on the Frontier Desert Runner 4x2 model, will have a nearly 200 horsepower 2.8-liter 4-cylinder diesel engine. It arrives six months after the announcement of a partnership with Cummins to provide a 5.0-liter turbo diesel V8 in the next-generation Titan full-size pickup, which will arrive in calendar year 2015.

The Nissan Versa Note SR part of the second-generation Versa Note lineup,has a 109 horsepower 1.6-liter DOHC 4-cylinder engine with dual fuel injection and Twin CVTC (Continuously Variable Timing Control) mated to a standard next-generation Nissan Xtronic transmission with an estimated at 40 mpg highway, 31 mpg city and 35 mpg combined. The Versa Note SR along with the Versa Note SL go on sale this spring at Nissan dealers nationwide,

2014 Kia Optima Hybrid Gets Up To 40 MPG

The 2014 Kia Optima Hybrid mid-size sedan, available in LX and EX trims, has a 47 horsepower electric traction motor, a Hybrid Starter Generator and a 47 kW lithium polymer battery with a combined gas-electric 199 horsepower rating and combined 235 lb.-ft. of torque giving the LX model an EPA estimated 36 mpg city, 40 mpg highway and 38 mpg combined and the the EX model an EPA estimated 35/39/37.

2015 Kia Soul EV With 80-100 Mile Range in Third Quarter

The 2015 Kia Soul EV, scheduled to go on sale in the third quarter of 2014, utilizing a highly energy-dense 27kWh, air-cooled, 200 watt-hour/kg 360 volt 96-cell lithium-ion polymer battery is expected to yield a range of approximately 80-100 miles of real-world driving on a full charge, with internal testing and evaluation results exceeding 100 miles in some instances. Recharging times vary from 24 hours for a fully depleted battery using a standard 120-volt outlet and under five hours when plugged into a 240-volt outlet.  An 80-percent charge can be achieved in as little as 33 minutes with a 50 kW-output charger. The Soul EV, Kia’s first all-electric, zero-emissions car sold in the U.S., will initially be sold in California and Oregon in the West and several Eastern states including New York, New Jersey and Maryland, the regions with the largest EV markets and infrastructure.

Consumer Reports' Annual Car-Brand Perception Survey

Consumer Reports survey ranks the seven key factors by how important they are to consumers when buying a new car. The percentage is based on the number of respondents who said the factor was among their top three priorities:  Quality (90%), Safety (88%), Performance (83%), Value (82%), Fuel economy (81%), Design/Style (70%), and Technology/Innovation (68%).

The Consumer Reports National Research Center conducted a random, nationwide telephone survey of 1,578 adults from Dec. 6-15, 2013, and collected survey data from 1,764 adults in households that had at least one car.

For more: subscribe to Consumer Reports

2014 Honda Civic Hybrid and Natural Gas On Sale Tomorrow

The 2014 Honda Civic Hybrid with an EPA rating of 44/47/45 city/highway/combined starts at $25,425 (including $790 destination charge) and the 2014 Civic Natural Gas with a combined EPA rating of 31 mpg on a gas equivalent basis starts at $27,430 when they go on sale tomorrow.

The new Civics have a new Display Audio with 7-inch touchscreen that allows users to pinch, swipe and tap just like a smartphone to access audio, phonebook, media, vehicle information and available navigation features. The touchscreen display is also the interface for the next-generation HondaLink™, an application-based platform that allows a seamless integration between a user's smartphone and the car, providing access to online and cloud-based content and information both inside and outside the car.

Standard on both models is the Expanded View Driver's Mirror that, together with the available LaneWatch™ display. Also, Smart Entry with Push Button Start comes standard on the Civic Hybrid, allowing for entry and engine starting without turning an ignition key.

Ford Fusion Hybrid Super Bowl Commercial Is About The Car

Nearly Double, the Ford Super Bowl commercial with Rob Riggle and James Franco was about the car, the Ford Fusion Hybrid, and about it's top feature, miles per gallon that are double the average vehicle. My friends who own the Fusion Hybrid, love to brag about the great mileage and the value of the vehicle.

2015 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe Starts At $41,225 This Summer

The new 2015 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe with four doors has the same length, width, wheelbase and track with the two-door version while the roofline is 4.4 inches longer sloping to the rear of the vehicle. The new 2015 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe comes with with the 240 horsepower 2.0-liter four-cylinder in the BMW 428i Gran Coupe starting at $41,225 and the 300 horsepower 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine in the BMW 435i Gran Coupe starting at $43,225 with both mated to the standard eight-speed sport Steptronic transmission and featuring the Auto Start Stop function. At model launch, the BMW 428i Gran Coupe can be optionally equipped with BMW xDrive intelligent all-wheel drive technology and the top-of-the-line 435i Gran Coupe priced at $46,725. Official U.S. EPA numbers are not available yet but the 428i Gran Coupe expected to be 23 mpg city/35 mpg highway/27 mpg combined, similar to 428i Coupe and the 435i Gran Coupe could come in at 23 mpg city/35 mpg highway/27 mpg combined, in line with the 435i Coupe.

The all-new 2015 BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe arrives in US showrooms in early summer.

January 2014 U.S. Auto Sales

General Motors delivered 171,486 vehicles in the United States in January 2014, down 12 percent from last year.

Ford Motor Company January sales of 154,644 total vehicles are down 7 percent from a year ago, while retail sales of 113,721 vehicles are off 5 percent.

Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. reported January 2014 sales results of 146,365, a decrease of 7.2 percent from January 2013. Toyota division posted January 2014 sales of 128,728, down 9 percent while Lexus reported January sales of 17,637, up 8.8 percent over 2013.

Chrysler reported U.S. sales of 127,183, an 8 percent increase compared with sales in January 2013 and the group’s best January sales since 2008.

American Honda reported January 2014 Honda and Acura vehicle sales of 91,631, a decrease of 2.1 percent vs. the same period last year amid record cold weather that affected industry sales in many parts of the U.S. The Honda Division recorded sales of 80,808, while the Acura Division sales of 10,823 for the month was up up 14.1 percent from a year ago.

Nissan announced total U.S. sales for January 2014 of 90,470, an increase of 11.8 percent compared to last year.

Hyundai Motor America reported its best January in company history, selling 44,005 for the month, up less than one percent versus the same period last year.

Kia Motors America reported record January sales of 37,011 vehicles up 2 percent from January 2013.

Subaru of America announced record January sales of 33,000 vehicles, a 19 percent increase over January 2013.

Volkswagen of America reported sales of 23,494 in January, a 19 percent decline from 2013. Separately, Audi reported January 2014 sales of 10,101 vehicles, a 0.4 percent increase over the previous January record set last year.

Mercedes-Benz USA reported the highest January retail volumes in its history with sales of 24,413 across the Mercedes-Benz, Sprinter and smart model lines, a 1.5 percent increase from the same month last year. The Mercedes-Benz brand alone achieved its best-ever January with sales of 22,604. Gains were made across the MBUSA brand portfolio as Sprinter Vans advanced 19.6 percent to 1,288 and smart increased 8.3 percent to 521.

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported January sales of 20,796 vehicles, an increase of 3 percent from the same month a year ago.

Mazda North American Operations reported January U.S. sales of 18,813 vehicles, representing a decrease of 11.8 percent versus last year.

Mitsubishi Motors North America reported January sales of 4,867, up 4.5 percent compared to January 2013.

Volvo Cars of North America reported U.S. sales of 3,792.

Porsche Cars North America announced January 2014 sales of 3,096 vehicles, eight percent below a strong January 2013 when 3,358 units were sold.

Sales will be updated as manufacturers report.

All-New 2015 Chrysler 200 Featured In Super Bowl TV Commercial

Fiat Chrysler's third Super Bowl commercial, the two-minute “America’s Import” for the all-new 2015 Chrysler 200 came late in the 3rd quarter after the Seattle Seahawks scored a touchdown making it 36-0. It has legendary American musician/singer/songwriter Bob Dylan narrating.

Jeep Super Bowl Commercial Features All-New Cherokee

Jeep Super Bowl halftime show commercial, Restlessness, features the all-new Jeep Cherokee with a standard 9-speed automatic transmission that delivers up to 31 mpg hwy. It is an IIHS Top Safety Pick with available advanced safety features like blind spot detection. It was one of three from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

Maserati Ghibli 90 Second First Quarter Super Bowl Commercial

Maserati Ghibli, starting at $66,900, featured in a 90 second first quarter Super Bowl commercial, is one of three from Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and the first ever television commercial by Maserati, We have prepared. Now we strike. 

Ford Super Bowl Commercial Preview - Fiat Chrysler Quiet

Ford Motor Company apparently will have Super Bowl commercials with actor James Franco and a tiger based on the teaser spot, Nearly Double.

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, as the company is now called, will have three commercials but there hasn't been any pre-release like many of the other car companies. The first commercial will be in the first break in the first quarter, the second during halftime and another in the last break of the third quarter. One thing is for sure, animals dominate the car commercial content with cows, dogs, tigers and muppets. 

2014 Dodge Journey Crossroad Starts At $25,990 This Spring

The 2014 Dodge Journey Crossroad, positioned between the SXT and Limited models in the Journey lineup, is powered by a standard 173 horsepower 2.4-liter 16-valve DOHC four-cylinder engine linked to a four-speed automatic transmission delivering 26 miles per gallon on the highway. Also available is the 283 horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission delivering up to 25 mpg on the highway. The Dodge Journey Crossroad also comes standard with an 8.4-inch Uconnect touchscreen, power front seat and a front passenger fold-flat seat with hidden storage bin under the seat cushion. Second- and third-row seats fold flat to create 67.6 cu. ft. of cargo space.

2014 Toyota Highlander Muppet Super Bowl Commercial

The all-new 2014 Toyota Highlander 60-second spot, “Joyride,” with former NFL player Terry Crews, star of the FOX series “Brooklyn Nine-Nine,” was developed in partnership with Saatchi & Saatchi LA, Conill and 360i, and will air during the second quarter of the game. The Muppets teach Crews’ character a thing or two about “unborifying” his lifestyle as they “borrow” his sweet ride, the Toyota Highlander.
 

2015 Audi A3 Super Bowl Spot - A Dog?

The all-new Audi A3 60-second spot, called “Doberhuahua,”, created by San Francisco-based Venables Bell & Partners, is on how when people compromise things go terribly wrong, with Sarah McLachlan making an appearance with the bizarre concocted Doberman Pinscher Chihuahua breed. The spot will air during the first in-game break after the 3rd quarter kickoff, in the final position of the advertising break. The message - Designed Without Compromise - brings the Audi A3 into the commercial at the 46 second mark.

2015 Chevy Silverado Loaded With Bull For Super Bowl

The 2015 Chevy Silverado HD’s first TV ad, “Romance,” developed by the Silverado’s agency of record, Leo Burnett Detroit was filmed in Austin, Texas, with the soundtrack taken from the 1975 hit, “You Sexy Thing,” by the British group Hot Chocolate. The commercial runs this Sunday during Fox's Super Bowl telecast of the Seattle Seahawks and Denver Broncos.

Kia's Super Bowl Spot Introduces The K900 Luxury Sedan

Kia's 60-second third quarter Super Bowl spot, "The Truth" for the all-new K900 rear-drive luxury sedan revives Laurence Fishburne's role of Morpheus from The Matrix movie trilogy with the exploration of perception versus reality, specifically the Kia brand, by showing a side of luxury never seen before. Morpheus accompanies a couple on a ride filled with imagery as he sings “Nessun dorma,” an aria from Giacomo Puccini's opera Turandot.

VW Super Bowl Ad "Wings" - Does It Fly?

Volkswagen “Wings” 60-second spot, developed by ARGONAUT, a San Francisco-based creative agency, centers around VW’s 100,000 mile claim that the brand has the most vehicles on the road with over 100,000 miles. The commercial airs in the second quarter of the Big Game this Sunday.

2014 BMW 740Ld xDrive Diesel Arrives This Spring For $83,425

The 2014 BMW 740Ld xDrive Sedan with a 255 horsepower 3.0 liter TwinPower Turbo diesel engine mated to an 8-speed automatic transmission in the long-wheelbase 7 Series body that will include xDrive, BMW’s intelligent all-wheel drive system will have a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price of $83,425 (including $925 destination and handling) when it arrives in US showrooms this Spring.

Hyundai's Super Bowls Ads To Feature Genesis and Elantra

“Dad’s Sixth Sense”, a 30-second spot, will open Hyundai's Super Bowl advertising during the first quarter dramatizing the near-misses and saves of everyday parenting by giving a demonstration of the all-new Genesis and its Automatic Emergency Braking capabilities, one of the Genesis’ safety services, the Sensory Surround Safety System.

“Nice” a 30-second spot running in the fourth quarter features the Elantra by following a young comedic talent in an escalating game of compliments between two identical Elantras showcasing the performance, style and technology of the compact sedan. Creative was developed by Hyundai’s agency of record, INNOCEAN USA.

Jaguar F-TYPE Coupe To Be Featured In Super Bowl TV Ad

British actors Sir Ben Kingsley, Tom Hiddleston and Mark Strong will star in Jaguar's 60-second "Rendezvous" TV spot on the February 2nd Fox Super Bowl telecast, filmed by Oscar-winning British director Tom Hooper to launch the campaign for the F-TYPE Coupe. The original score for "Rendezvous" was composed and conducted by Alexandre Desplat, who worked with Tom Hooper on The King's Speech and recorded by The London Symphony Orchestra at Abbey Road studios. SPARK44 was responsible for the creative positioning and strategy behind the campaign, while Mindshare managed the communications planning and buying.

Check out the 30-second preview of "Rendezvous".

Mazda Delays North American Launch of SKYACTIV-D Clean Diesel Engine

Mazda has delayed the North America launch of its 2.2 liter SKYACTIV-D clean diesel engine, from its intended debut this Spring, saying SKYACTIV-D can meet emission regulation requirements without the use of a NOx after-treatment system, but it was decided that further development is required to deliver the right balance between fuel economy and Mazda-appropriate driving performance.

I was looking forward to this introduction, especially after seeing that Sam's Club sells diesel fuel for about 16 percent more than regular unleaded gas which makes the cost saving - fuel efficiency equation make sense. Mazda showed off it's clean diesel at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show where Mazda North America President Jim O'Sullivan discussed diesel in a SaxtonOnCars interview.

2015 Audi A3 Sedan - All-New Starts at $29,900

The 2015 A3 sedan, with leather seating, a panorama glass sunroof and bi-xenon headlights as standard, with the 1.8 TFSI® engine will start at $29,900 and with the 2.0 TFSI® powertrain will start at $32,900, both mated to the standard 6-speed S tronic® transmission. The premium plus package for an additional $2,900 will include exclusive 18" 10-spoke-design Audi wheels, an aluminum interior package, and keyless entry while the prestige package, for an additional $8,800, will include everything that is offered in premium plus, as well as a sportier S Line® exterior kit, Driver Assistance, a Bang & Olufsen Sound System, Audi MMI navigation plus, Audi Connect, Convenience package and full LED headlights for $8,800.

The A3 sedan will be joined later this year by the Audi A3 Cabriolet, A3 TDI clean diesel, high-performance S3 sedan and in early 2015, the A3 Sportback e-tron® gasoline electric hybrid (PHEV).

2015 Lexus RC F Goes On Sale This Fall

The 2015 Lexus RC F is powered by a 5.0-liter 32-valve V8 engine with more than 450 horsepower and more than 383 pound feet of torque and mated to an eight-speed Sports Direct Shift transmission with paddle shifters. The RC F uses a Torque Vectoring Differential, a first in a Lexus, to increase driving performance. The RC F was inspired by the Lexus LFA but will hopefully cost less, a lot less.

Aircraft cockpit-like instruments include a large centrally mounted tachometer that alters according to drive mode, digital and analog speedometer, differential torque vectoring monitor, G-Force meter, oil and water temperature gauges, mileage information and a stopwatch. The RC F goes on sale this Fall.

The all-new 2015 Lexus RC Coupe, available with a 2.5 liter hybrid or 3.5 liter V6, also goes on sale this Fall. 

Volkswagen Beetle Dune Concept With 210 Horsepower

The Volkswagen Beetle Dune concept, in “Arizona”, a yellow-orange metallic paint and based on the R-Line model, shows the potential for a new production version of what VW calls "the sportiest Beetle ever". Powered by a 210 horsepower turbocharged and direct-injection TSI® 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine mated to a six-speed DSG® dual-clutch automatic transmission, the Beetle Dune has a manufacturer estimated fuel economy rating of 23 mpg in the city and 29 mpg on the highway. The wheel wells widen the body by 1.1 inches per side to give a total width of 73.4 inches, an increase of 2.2 inches over a stock Beetle. The Dune's overall length has increased by 0.5 inches to 168.9 inches and the car is both 2.0 inches higher off the ground and 0.8 inches taller than the R-line.

2015 Mercedes‑Benz S600 Coming This Spring

The Mercedes‑Benz S600 with a 523 horsepower 6.0L V12 biturbo engine delivering 612 lb-ft of torque is available with a long wheelbase and a luxurious equipment package. The S600 now for the first time features the ECO start/stop function as standard along with the MAGIC BODY CONTROL suspension with ROAD SURFACE SCAN, the Driving Assistance Package with Active Lane Keeping Assist, Active Blind Spot Assist, BAS PLUS with Cross-Traffic Assist, DISTRONIC PLUS with Steering ASsist, PRE-SAFE® Brake with Pedestrian Recognition and PRE-SAFE® PLUS, head-up display, and COLLISION PREVENTION ASSIST PLUS in addition to the adaptive Brake Assist system.

Mercedes‑Benz S600 will be launched in this Spring.