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The Scion iQ will be getting the States even later than we thought, thanks to Toyota’s parts supply woes. According to TheDetroitBureau.com, Scion now says the microcar, which was supposed to bow late this summer, has been postponed indefinitely.

Scion brass won’t speculate on when the iQ will actually be launched, which makes sense since Toyota hasn’t yet figured out when it can resume a full production schedule post-earthquake. The current word is that North America’s iQ might not hit dealers until early 2012. This postponement marks the second time Scion has delayed the iQ’s launch, and the third time the company has reportedly changed its mind about the car’s on-sale timing.

Whenever it does appear on our shores, the tiny tot will look to pick up where the Smart ForTwo trailed off, with a raft of features you wouldn’t expect in a diminutive econobox. Chief among those will be no fewer than 11 airbags, including rear-curtain units to protect passengers in a rear-end collision.

Photos by Drew Phillips / Copyright (C)2011 AOL

[Source: TheDetroitBureau.com]

Report: Scion iQ delayed again, this time due to quake-related parts shortages

For a car that doesn’t exist – yet – the Suzuki Kizashi hybrid certainly rears its head an awful lot. The rumor had been that Suzuki wanted to release the car in 2011, but this plan was apparently canceled last year. Earlier this year, we heard that Suzuki might dip into the Volkswagen parts bin for both diesel and hybrid powertrains (VW owns 20 percent of Suzuki).

Now, at the New York Auto Show, Suzuki is proudly displaying the hybrid Kizashi EcoCharge concept, which uses a lithium-ion battery and a 2.0-liter inline-four engine – along with start/stop technology, regenerative brake and low-rolling resistance tires – to boost the standard Kizashi’s 30-mile-per-gallon (highway) rating by an estimated 25 percent. So, that would be around 37.5 mpg. Not bad. Oh, and we forgot one important word up there. This is the Kizashi EcoCharge Concept, which means that this car still doesn’t officially exist. Drat.

Seeing the Kizashi EcoCharge Concept on the show floor, though, we’re reminded why we keep wanting to believe. The standard Kizashi is fine enough, but a more efficient version with some of the concept’s design touches would be most welcome. The “charge” part of the concept’s name is a bit misleading – there is no plug here – but we’ll forgive this transgression if we can find one of these on the road sometime soon.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

New York 2011: Suzuki Kizashi EcoCharge Concept shows us what we wish existed

With a virtually endless array of color combinations available, there’s really no reason any two examples of the Bugatti Veyron should ever be the same. And these latest two are no exception.

Unveiled at the Shanghai Motor Show this week, this pair of Veyrons feature unique color and trim combinations to make them stand out even from this rarefied crowd.

On one hand, we have a Grand Sport – the convertible version of the Veyron – trimmed out in matte white with blue carbon fiber, with a complementing blue interior with white stitching. On the other we have a Super Sport – the record-breaking 1,100-horsepower version of the Veyron – decked out in black lacquered carbon fiber and a cream interior.

Both stand as (very quickly) rolling testaments to the rather Orwellian notion that while every Veyron is special, some are more special than others. Scope ‘em out in the gallery below and follow the jump for the full details in the press release.

[Source: Bugatti]

Continue reading Bugatti unveils a pair of special Veyrons in Shanghai

Bugatti unveils a pair of special Veyrons in Shanghai

Chrysler has injected a dash of menace into the 200 convertible, and the result is the 2011 200 S droptop. It’s not outright evil, since it still packs the same 283-horsepower 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 engine and the same suspension. However, the S version trends a bit toward the dark side thanks to a host of exterior changes designed to bring a dose of cool to Chrysler’s rental lot standby. Naturally, if you prefer your cars with fixed roofs, Auburn Hills will be happy to sell you a 200 S sedan, as well.

The shined-up silver paintwork looks resplendent under the New York Auto Show lights. A Chrysler wing badge sits prominently in the mesh of the black grille, while the headlights also get the black background treatment. The dark theme continues on the S-badged 18-inch aluminum wheels and then winds its way into the cabin.

The front leather seats are heated and the driver can also warm up his or her hands on the heated steering wheel. The S logo is stitched into the headrests, along with a line of contrasting silver accent along the seams.

The 200 S convertible should hit your local dealer later this spring, and will arrive carrying an as-delivered price tag of $32,490, while the sedan rings up at 26,790. You can eyeball the 2011 Chrysler 200 S Convertible in the galleries below, and be sure to click past the jump to read the full press release.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading New York 2011: Chrysler’s 200 S Convertible is the emo cousin to standard droptop

New York 2011: Chrysler’s 200 S Convertible is the emo cousin to standard droptop

Kia has introduced the updated 2012 Soul at the 2011 New York Auto Show. The quirky box has received a slew of styling updates both inside and out alongside a number of mechanical improvements designed to give the vehicle a little extra power and fuel efficiency, to boot. Up front, the Soul gains projection-beam headlights accented with LED daytime running lights, and two new paint colors have been added to the option sheet – Canyon and Moss. Indoors, top-trim buyers are treated to Kia’s new Microsoft-branded hands-free connectivity system called UVO or an optional navigation system for the first time.

But the most exciting news comes from under the Soul’s hood. The engineers at Kia have fitted an all-new 1.6-liter direct-injected four-cylinder engine that produces 135 horsepower and 121 pound-feet of torque. That’s a pony increase of 11 percent over the old, non-DI 1.6-liter engine, and Kia says that when coupled to either a new six-speed manual transmission or a similarly minty six-speed automatic gearbox, which replace the old five-speed manual and four-speed automatic, the engine will return 28 miles per gallon in the city and 34 mpg highway.

A more powerful 2.0-liter engine is also still on hand, but Kia has a new version that’s more powerful than the one it replaces, producing 160 hp or 18 hp more than the engine its replacing, and it too can now be bolted to the new six-speed transmissions. Fuel economy for the updated 2.0-liter engine is now rated at 27 mpg city and 33 mpg highway for both cogswappers. Follow the jump for the full press blast.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading New York 2011: Kia updates 2012 Soul with new engines, transmissions and style

New York 2011: Kia updates 2012 Soul with new engines, transmissions and style

The 2012 Kia Rio debuts at the 2011 New York Auto Show today, sporting brand new bodywork, Kia’s new direct-injected four-cylinder and the company’s Idle Stop and Go, or stop-start technology. Kia claims the combination of direct fuel injection and stop-start means the 2012 Rio will pull down 30 miles per gallon around town and 40 mpg on the highway.

On top of that, the new Rio should be a peppy little beast, knocking down 138 horsepower from its 1.6-liter four cylinder. Switching the ratios will be either a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic. Idle Stop and Go is an all-new feature for any Kia – when the car is stopped and the brake depressed, the computer kills the engine to save gas. When the brake pedal is released, the engine fires back up and away you go.

Outside, the Rio has been treated to a full re-skinning, taking on the high-shouldered, wedge-shaped look of the rest of the Korean automaker’s lineup. Out front, the Rio gets a slightly slimmer version of the company’s familiar grille, re-shaped to better integrate with the car’s headlights. The 2012 Rio has also grown to 171.9 inches in length and 67.7 inches in width, but sits lower than the outgoing model. Kia claims that, despite its increased dimensions, the widened stance and use of high-tensile steel in the car’s construction makes for significantly better ride and handling over the old Rio.

The 2012 Kia Rio will be available in three trim packages, starting with the LX, which gets 15-inch steel wheels, body-color door handles and side mirrors. Above that, the EX model rides on the same wheels as the LX, but gets power mirrors and locks and keyless entry. The top-level trim will be the SX, which sports 17-inch wheels, fog lamps, LED daytime running lights, a dual-tip exhaust and heated mirrors sporting turn signal repeaters. The five-door Rio5 SX, meanwhile, will be upgraded to projector headlights. Check out Kia’s full press release after the jump and our gallery of images below.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading New York 2011: Kia debuts all-new 2012 Rio with start-stop, good for 40 MPG

New York 2011: Kia debuts all-new 2012 Rio with start-stop, good for 40 MPG

Yesterday, we revealed the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu to you here at the New York Auto Show, and we were pleasantly surprised by the announcement of the 38 mile-per-gallon Malibu Eco model. Today, we bring you live shots of both cars now that the flashbulbs have dimmed enough to allow us a better look at both models.

As stated earlier, the new Malibu now rides on General Motors‘ Epsilon II architecture, and in this application, it’s at once shorter and wider than the departing model. It’s also a good bit more handsome than the already well-sculpted outgoing car. While the front-end is evolutionary, with its twin port grille and similar headlamps, it’s the rear end that gains the most definition. Many felt the previous-gen model looked great until it got to the rear-end, which sort of felt like the designers ran out of inspiration when they got past the rear window. The new car remedies this with three-dimensional taillamps inspired by the Camaro (and looking more than a bit like the Lexus GS from certain angles).

The eAssist mild-hybrid Eco model doesn’t look appreciably different from the standard 2.5-liter range, despite registering 26 mpg in the city and 38 out on the highway. Alterations include 17-inch wheels on low rolling-resistance tires, four underbody shields that cover about 50 percent of the vehicle’s dirty bits, as well as model-specific side mirrors and the expected badging.

Inside, more Camaro influence can be seen thanks to items like the ’squircle’ gauges. Materials are noticeably richer than before, and high-end detailing like contrasting ice blue stitching on the LTZ’s leather seats and increased ambient lighting lend the cabin a more premium aura.

Additionally, we’re looking forward to getting some time with Chevy’s MyLink infotainment system, as well, but it looks promising, with a crisp high-resolution screen (with integrated storage beneath for phones and such) and the ability to link-in to online music services like Pandora and Stitcher.

Check both models out for yourself in our high-res galleries below.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

New York 2011: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu and Malibu Eco get live

Chrysler says its new 2012 300C Executive Series is poised to be “the most luxurious Chrysler flagship sedan ever.” That’s a pretty tall order, but one quick glance at the Executive Series’ spec sheet makes us think that The Pentastar may have hit the nail right on the head.

What makes the 300C Executive Series so swanky, you ask? For starters, the normal seats have been wrapped in two-tone Nappa leather, the front passengers are greeted by a hand-stitched Italian leather dash and there are hand-sanded real wood accents all throughout the cabin. But it doesn’t stop there. The instrument panel, center console, side panels and upper door panels can be wrapped in a choice of either Mochachino or Black Poltrona Frau “Foligno” leather. Those Nappa leather seats feature 12-way power adjustment up front, and of course, there’s a host of Chrysler’s latest infotainment technology housed in its Uconnect Touch system.

The Executive changes aren’t just limited to the interior, though. Outside, the chrome fascia, mirror and door handle accents have been replaced with a platinum finish, and new 20-inch wheels give the whole package an impressive stance. Under the hood is the 300C’s 5.7-liter Hemi V8, churning out 363 horsepower in this application.

So, is this the most luxurious Chrysler flagship ever? Judge for yourself in our high-res image galleries below.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading New York 2011: Chrysler’s new 300C Executive Series brings the swank, monocle not included

New York 2011: Chrysler’s new 300C Executive Series brings the swank, monocle not included

Big congratulations go to the 2011 Nissan Leaf this morning, as it has just been named the 2011 World Car of the Year. The Leaf garnered more votes than the 2011 Audi A8 and 2011 BMW 5 Series, the other two finalists for the World Car title. In 2010, the Volkswagen Polo took home this award.

The Leaf was not the only super-efficient car to be awarded today, as the 2011 Chevrolet Volt was named Green Car of the Year. Oddly, the Volt was named 2011 North American Car of the Year, while the Leaf was merely a runner-up.

In the less-efficient realm of the industry, the 2011 Ferrari 458 Italia was named World Performance Car of the Year, and the sleek 2011 Aston Martin Rapide was given the World Design of the Year crown.

Photos copyright (C)2011 AOL

2011 Nissan Leaf named World Car of the Year

The SixTen Sabre is just one of a seemingly endless supply of oddball kit cars available online. The Sabre, however, is unique among its bizarre brethren, with styling heavily derived from the Morgan Aero 8, with splashes of the Chrysler Atlantic concept and MG TC thrown in for good measure. With underpinnings from the SN95 Ford Mustang, the Sabre is a rolling identity crisis.

The result of this amalgamation of classic lines atop modern Ford architecture can only be described as odd. From the Morgan-style headlights and grille to the deeply strange custom taillights, this thing never seems to figure out exactly what it wants to be.

The good news is, all its mechanicals are from the Mustang, so its structure is infinitely upgradable, easily repaired and should be stone-cold reliable. SixTen claims the Sabre is available with anywhere from 215 to 550 horsepower. Keeping all that grunt moving in the desired direction is a fully-adjustable coilover suspension featuring unequal-length control arms.

The Sabre is designed to be assembled by the buyer, and includes all the epoxy and most of the fasteners you’ll need to get the job done. To make the kit as DIY-friendly as possible, SixTen says the build doesn’t require any cutting or welding, and comes with extensive documentation.

While SixTen’s website doesn’t have pricing info, the eBay Motors listing has a $10,900 Buy-It-Now option, not including the donor Mustang. To see more images of the SixTen Sabre and follow its build, check out SixTen’s website.

[Source: SixTen via eBay Motors]

eBay Find of the Day: SixTen Sabre is part Morgan, part Mustang, and all head-scratcher

Europe’s longest ice road stretches 16 miles across the Baltic sea and connects mainland Estonia with the island of Hiiumaa. This may be the only road on the planet where seat belts aren’t just a bad idea, they’re illegal. If the ice gives way here, you need to be out of your car so quickly that removing a seat belt could be a potentially lethal waste of time.

The BBC decided to see for itself what kind of crazy you have to be to willingly accept commuting on a surface like the ice road. Apparently, Estonians love it for being much cheaper than the available ferries, which sometimes get jealous and run in to the frozen road. Still, Jeep Grand Cherokee at the ready, the BBC’s intrepid journalists set off on a journey into the frozen unknown.

Not only are safety restraints against the law on the ice road, it’s illegal to go any slower than 25 mph, which seems somewhat counter intuitive. Most of the time, the slower you can go on a slick, unpredictable surface the better, despite what Bentley may tell you. On frozen water, though, tires create dangerous vibrations between 16 and 25 mph that could crack the ice, leaving you up to your neck in the deadly cold Baltic. Thus, the recommended speed on the ice road is a pretty brisk 43 mph.

That may not seem like much, until you learn that the road is full of potholes and bumps, as well as being laced with wide gashes in the ice bridged by rough-hewn lumber. Between the dips, potholes, bumps, gashes and shaky bridges, the road is a fairly sensitive beast, which means cars over 2.5 metric tons are also banned.

Despite all its follies and hidden dangers, the route is widely traveled during Estonia’s long winter, and sometimes stays open as late as March. Even with a relatively high traffic volume, there were no accidents on the road during the 2010-2011 season, which came to a close at the end of last month.

[Source: BBC News Image: Raigo Pajula/AFP/Getty Images]

The BBC drives the one road where seat belts are illegal

Fiat will unveil the brand’s newest take on the tiny 500 at the 2011 New York Auto Show later today. The 2012 500c delivers a unique power-operated dual-layer panoramic folding top that leaves the vehicle’s roof arches in place, and Fiat says that the design protects vehicle occupants from wind noise and buffeting unlike any other convertible on the market. The design also keeps the roof from impeding on rear passenger and cargo room, which is a nice touch on vehicle about the size of a ballet slipper.

The drophead can lose its canvas cover at speeds up to 60 miles perh our, and the roof can be partially closed to serve as a large sunroof should the driver so desire. The 500c also makes use of a slightly taller windshield compared to its hatchback brethren – a trait designed to give occupants a little more outward visibility.

Inside, the back seats can still be folded down to offer up to 23.4 cubic feet of cargo area. With the rear thrones in place, that number drops to a scant 5.4 cubes.

The 2012 500c will get its pep from a Multiair 1.4-liter four-cylinder engine when it goes on sale later this spring. Buyers can expect to play with 101 horsepower and 98 pound-feet of torque. When coupled to a five-speed manual transmission, the engine is also good for up to 38 miles per gallon, and a six-speed automatic is also available. Follow the jump for Fiat’s full press release.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading 2012 Fiat 500c drops its top in New York

2012 Fiat 500c drops its top in New York

Have you ever found yourself cursing at a parking meter because it wants $2.00 of your hard earned change? Residents of San Francisco do not feel your pain. A new demand-based system is getting ready to be tested, which, during certain special events, could drive the hourly parking rate up to $18.

That (insane) $18 charge will only occur when demand for parking is at a fevered pitch, such as it is during Fleet Week when the Navy’s in town. Normal charges, however, will range from a low of $0.25 per hour up to $6.

Sensors in the parking meters will monitor parking space availability, and hourly pricing will then be dictated according to the perceived demand. The project is called SF Park, and it’s currently funded to run for two years. Perhaps the name SF Gouge is more appropriate.

[Source: KTVU.com Image: OrinRobertJohn/Flickr, CC 2.0]

San Francisco adopting demand-based parking system with pricing up to $18/hr?

While the R-Design packages for the Volvo S60 and XC60 add a measure of visual flair to the Swedish family-haulers – as well as some suspension tweaks – the one thing they’re lacking is a commensurate boost in power. The Volvo R-Design models are closer to an AMG, M-Sport or S-Line appearance package than an actual Mercedes-Benz AMG, BMW M or Audi S or RS performance model. But Volvo is out to fix that with a pair of revised offerings for 2012.

Bearing the same R-Design nomenclature, the sporty versions of the S60 sedan and XC60 crossover will now benefit from an extra 25 horsepower and 29 lb-ft of torque coming out of their turbocharged six-cylinder T6 engine, bringing it up from 300 horsepower and 325 pound-feet of torque to 325 hp and 354 lb-ft respectively.

The rest of the parameters carry over from the existing R-Design models, but the increased output ought to make Volvo’s warmed-over range that much more enticing. Unfortunately, the upgraded engine does not appear, however, to be available on the V60 R-Design sport wagon that bridges the gap between the S60 and XC60 models.

Follow the jump for more details in Volvo’s official press release, and click the thumbnails below to scope out the fresh batch of images released with the announcement.

[Source: Volvo]

Continue reading 2012 Volvo S60 and XC60 R-Design get slight boosts in power

2012 Volvo S60 and XC60 R-Design get slight boosts in power

Chrysler has officially announced that the company’s 2012 300S model will be the first of its products to carry a new eight-speed ZF transmission. We’ve been waiting to see the gearbox show up in a production vehicle since the smallest of the Big Three first made news about the transmission’s development last year, and it looks like the wait is finally over.

At first, the eight-speed will only be found in the new 300S with the company’s 3.6-liter Pentastar V6. Check the boxes for all-wheel drive or the more impressive 5.7-liter V8 and it’ll be all five-speed, all the time for you.

Chrysler is currently in the midst of retooling its transmission facility in Kokomo, Indiana to build the new gearbox here in the States. Until that happens, each of the new cog-swappers will be purchased directly from ZF in Germany. Hence the limited availability.

In addition to the new transmission, the 300S packs a Beats by Dr. Dre ten-speaker stereo system and unique piano-black interior accents along with the standard goodies found in the Luxury Package. That means Nappa leather, a rear-view camera, rain-sensing wipers and a power tilt and telescoping steering column are all part of the deal. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading New York 2011: Chrysler 300S first to get new eight-speed transmission

New York 2011: Chrysler 300S first to get new eight-speed transmission

We may have fallen all over the 2012 Dodge Charger SRT8 that debuted this past February at the 2011 Chicago Auto Show, but if we’re honest, The Pentastar’s latest LX-platform creation – the 2012 Chrysler 300 SRT8 – is the one we’d want to take home. In its previous generation, this car was one of our favorite guilty pleasures, and with all of the new enhancements made for the 2012 model year, the top-rung Hemi 300 is sure to impress.

Gone is the 6.1-liter V8 of yore, and a new, fire-breathing 6.4-liter Hemi engine has been fitted underhood. With 465 horsepower and 465 pound-feet of torque on tap, the 300 SRT8 will easily sprint to 60 miles per hour in under five seconds, and all that grunt is managed by a five-speed automatic transmission, now enhanced with paddle shifters. Not the most modern transmission, yes, but we’re sure the 300 SRT8 will still be a total hoot to drive.

The 2012 300 SRT8 has made its debut this week at the 2011 New York Auto Show next to its Grand Cherokee SRT8 cousin, and we invite you to click through a handful of high-res images live from the Javits Center in our gallery below.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

Continue reading New York 2011: Chrysler’s new 300 SRT8 is a tuxedo-wearing thug

New York 2011: Chrysler’s new 300 SRT8 is a tuxedo-wearing thug

The 2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG has been unwrapped at the New York Auto Show having gained a new, more economical lease on life thanks to the brand’s 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8. For 2012, Mercedes-Benz is offering the mill in two levels of crazy, with either 518 horsepower in the regular E63, or 550 if you opt for the AMG sport package. That much grunt shuffles the standard car to 60 miles per hour in 4.4 seconds on to a top speed of 155 mph, or 4.3 seconds and 186 mph if you drop the extra coin for the sport pack.

Like its kissing but shapelier cousin, the CLS63 AMG, the 5.5-liter engine channels its substantial resources through AMG’s Speedshift MCT seven-speed transmission. We’ve sampled and enjoyed the unusual gearbox before, and this one also has a “Controlled Efficiency” mode, which is Mercedes-speak for a stop-start function.

Despite the loony power and performance figures, Mercedes says its big sedan is 22 percent more efficient than last year’s model, thanks to the new powerplant. To help keep things green(ish), the new heart sports spray-guided direct injection thanks to a set of piezo injectors. Mercedes has even gone so far as to develop an eco-friendly power steering setup which saves fuel by only drawing power when the wheel is being turned.

Inside, the car gets a new sports steering wheel with aluminum shift paddles and flat top and bottom sections. For those who go with the AMG sport package, the wheel is trimmed in Alcantara for the last word in racy luxury.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Drew Phillips / AOL

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Continue reading New York 2011: 2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG gets a twin-turbo heart transplant

New York 2011: 2012 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG gets a twin-turbo heart transplant

We just gave you a deep dive look at the 2012 Subaru Impreza. Now, we get to see the fourth-generation Subaru in its four and five-door flesh on the floor of the 2011 New York Auto Show. The new car is lighter and more fuel efficient, boasting a very impressive 36 mile per gallon highway fuel-economy rating. How is the new 2012 Impreza able to claim the title of most fuel-efficient all-wheel-drive car in the United States? Dropping a few pounds doesn’t hurt but there’s a bit more to it than that.

Beneath the hood lies a brand-new 2.0-liter horizontally-opposed four-cylinder engine, which produces 148 horsepower and 145 pound-feet of torque. When paired with Subaru’s new CVT, the Impreza achieves the aforementioned 36 mile per gallon highway fuel-economy rating, and also returns 27 mpg in the city. And though the 2012 Impreza occupies the same footprint as the model it replaces, the wheelbase has been pushed out an extra inch, which allows for more interior space yet no trunk room was compromised.

The lightened-up Subaru Impreza sedan and five-door hatchback are scheduled to arrive at your local dealership later this summer. Follow the jump to read the full official press release from Subaru and check out our galleries of high-res live images from the show floor below.

Live photos copyright (C)2011 Jeff Glucker/AOL

Continue reading New York 2011: Subaru shows off 2012 Impreza with lighter figure, impressive fuel economy

New York 2011: Subaru shows off 2012 Impreza with lighter figure, impressive fuel economy

Kia has taken home the top honors in the Nielsen Automotive Ad of the Year awards for the second year in a row. The company’s troupe of dancing hamsters managed to make the biggest impression on viewers in the “A New Way To Roll” spot in 2009 and the rodents managed to pull off a similar stunt in 2010 with the automaker’s “This or That” ad.

Nielsen hands out the awards based on response information collected from 2.5 million viewers across 24 networks, and according to Kia, the hamster spots have helped increase Soul sales in a big way. The boxy compact saw its sales figures increase by 50.8 percent last month compared to March 2010.

The Soul wasn’t the only winner, though. Ford took home two awards in different categories, with the Fiesta netting honors for the best green ad and the company earning best sales event spot with its “Swap Your Ride” commercials. Meanwhile, Mercedes-Benz grabbed the best luxury campaign trophy with its “Triumphant” spot for the SLS AMG and Toyota walked away with the Spanish Advertiser of the Year title.

Follow the jump for the press release, as well as a replay of the winning “This or That” ad.

[Sources: Neilsen, Kia]

Continue reading Kia Hampsters win Nielsen’s Top Auto Ad Award for second year in a row

Kia Hampsters win Nielsen’s Top Auto Ad Award for second year in a row

The 2012 Mazda3 has officially made its debut at the 2011 New York Auto Show, and it’s brought along the first production use of the long-awaited SkyActiv fuel-efficiency tweaks. That means the newest Mazda3 is good for a whopping 40 miles per gallon on the highway thanks to the addition of a new SkyActiv-G four-cylinder engine mated to either a new six-speed automatic or manual transmission.

Previously, the Mazda3 has only been good for up to 33 mpg in its most efficient form, but the new drivetrain advancements will go a long way toward making the model more competitive against ever sharper metal from Ford, Chevrolet, Hyundai and Honda. Mazda says that the new 2.0-liter, direct-injection four-cylinder is good for 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, which offers modest increases over the old, non-DI 2.0-liter mill.

That old lump will still be around as standard equipment on the sedan, though don’t expect to see it on the Mazda3 hatch. Instead, the long-roof will still benefit from the larger 2.5-liter four-cylinder found in the last-gen vehicle.

In addition to the newly-efficient drivetrain, the 2012 Mazda3 also wears a suitably updated exterior. Buyers can look forward to redesigned headlights and an adjusted front fascia with a slightly different grille that tones down the exuberance of the car’s trademark grin. Likewise, the rears of both the sedan and hatch have received a subtle warming-over. Follow the jump to hear it from Mazda’s own mouth.

[Source: Mazda]

Continue reading 2012 Mazda3 with new SkyActiv engine gets 40 mpg, updated exterior

2012 Mazda3 with new SkyActiv engine gets 40 mpg, updated exterior