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All automakers are under pressure to hit more stringent Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) regulations, figures set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). In 1978, the CAFE standards were just 18 miles per gallon, but they have increased gradually each year. This summer, the bar was raised high when automobile manufacturers were told to hit 54.5 mpg by 2025. While that is a very steep ladder to climb, Hyundai hit the 2016 CAFE requirements in 2011 – the Korean automaker seems to be jumping the rungs on the way up.

The announcement that Hyundai hit a 36 mpg average four years ahead of the requirement is impressive, but there is never good news without some controversy. A consumer protection group is standing behind its claim that the Hyundai Elantra doesn’t meet its U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel economy in real-world driving. Hyundai acknowledges that consumers may not achieve EPA estimated efficiency, but the Elanta’s discrepancy was consistent with the other vehicles in its segment when tested by Consumer Reports (and just about every vehicle on the road, says our experience).

It is interesting to note that, while the EPA has not altered its fuel economy ratings on the 2012 Elantra, the automaker has added its ActiveECO feature to the model that reportedly improves fuel economy up to seven percent.

Hyundai hits 2016 CAFE requirements early

The second generation of the Kia c’eed is a dramatic rework five years after the C-segment fighter was introduced. It is fronted by Kia’s now-familiar design elements, attempting to go upmarket along its flanks with chrome trim around the windows and “styling typically found on a sporty coupé with the space and functionality of a five-door hatch.”

We don’t know what its innards look like, but Kia says it has a “driver oriented dashboard and refined interior, with a strong focus on quality of materials.” Other reports suggest it will be offered with a choice of two gasoline and two diesel engines, which would be a reduction in choice from the five powerplants offered now. However, that same report says that one of the engines would be a turbocharged, 1.6-liter T-GDI making 250 horsepower, more than doubling the most powerful current option. On sale in Europe only, it will take on the Volkswagen Golf, Alfa Romeo Giulietta and Seat Leon.

It will be unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show in two months and go on sale in the UK in June. You’ll find a press release that’s rather light on details after the jump, and you can click on the image above to enlarge.

Continue reading New Kia C’eed unveiled, will debut at Geneva Motor Show

New Kia C’eed unveiled, will debut at Geneva Motor Show

QNX – now owned by Blackberry – ripped the guts out of a 997 Porsche 911 Cabrio to showcase its latest blend of infotainment, navigation and connectivity solutions. If nothing else, it’s one of the better looking interfaces we found at CES.

The system integrates the standard music, nav and telephony functionality with one-touch Bluetooth pairing over NFC, a sweet-sounding VOIP system and the potential – in theory, at least – to run Android apps thanks to its Blackberry Playbook roots. Get a feel for it in the video after the break.

Continue reading QNX guts a Porsche 911 to show off next-gen infotainment

QNX guts a Porsche 911 to show off next-gen infotainment

Nissan has good news for anyone weeping about the fact that the 2013 Pathfinder has abandoned its body-on-frame ways. The company isn’t completely ditching legitimate SUVs for the crossover crowd. According to Car and Driver, the Nissan Xterra will continue to shun a unibody design for the conceivable future. The magazine spoke with engineers familiar with the development of the Xterra who said the vehicle will share its DNA with the Nissan Frontier for years to come.

That means buyers will still be able to enjoy the vehicle’s truckish charm and legitimate off-road chops. Those who want something a little softer or smaller can turn to the automaker’s Rogue, while the 2013 Pathfinder will now offer mall-goers a suitable alternative to the Ford Explorer. The times may be changing, but for now, the Xterra isn’t.

Nissan Xterra to continue as traditional SUV

BMW is expanding its operations in Spartanburg, South Carolina. The company has announced it will invest $990 million into the facility over the next three years to allow the plant to produce up to 350,000 vehicles annually. Currently, the Spartanburg assembly plant produces the BMW X3 (pictured), X5 and X6, and BMW says the company expects to see an increase in CUV demand in the coming years. BMW has already committed to broadening its presence in the crossover market with the introduction of the upcoming X4 model.

The BMW X3 helped BMW grow to become the best-selling luxury brand in the United States for the first time in the company’s history last year. The model saw a 156 percent increase in global sales to a total of 117,944 units, and 27,793 of those found homes in the States.

Right now, 70 percent of the vehicles built in Spartanburg are exported to other markets around the world. Last year, the facility built 276,065 vehicles, which marks an increase of 73 percent over 2010. The plant originally opened in 1994, and the German automaker is currently celebrating the 2 millionth vehicle produced since then. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading BMW pouring $990M into Spartanburg plant to build more CUVs

BMW pouring $990M into Spartanburg plant to build more CUVs

Our elite squad of spy photographers have managed to take a few quick photos of the 2013 Lincoln MKZ, and from the looks of things, the luxury sedan may have one very special trick up its sleeve when it hits the market: a large, retractable glass roof. Taking a close look at the vehicle’s rear glass, we can clearly see a very squared-off window with visible tracks down both sides. That may indicate a mechanism capable of retracting and supporting the roof section as it moves back.

If that turns out to be the case, the 2013 Lincoln MKZ will boast a roof similar to what’s found on the Porsche 911 Targa. Unfortunately, the spy shots don’t show the roof in the retracted position, which means we’ll have to use our imagination until the vehicle gets closer to an official unveil at the 2012 New York Auto Show.

2013 MKZ first Lincoln to get massive retractable roof?

Cadillac is gunning for BMW. The company’s recently unveiled ATS is a clear shot across the bow of the German automaker’s 3 Series, and Bloomberg BusinessWeek reports the small sedan may be the first of a larger product offensive. Kurt McNeil, vice president of sales with Cadillac, said the luxury brand is currently looking into the possibility of a small CUV designed to lure in BMW X3 buyers. The vehicle would be smaller than the current Cadillac SRX, which saw an 11 percent increase in sales last year.

The report makes it clear that General Motors hasn’t given the go-ahead on the smaller crossover, though the fact that Cadillac is growing its presence globally will likely factor heavily in the final decision on whether or not to bring the vehicle to market. American buyers are always happy to welcome another tall-riding five-door into the fold, but CUVs don’t enjoy the same level of prestige in European markets.

Cadillac considering smaller-than-SRX crossover?

Automotive News reports Chrysler may finally send the Dodge Avenger out to pasture. Reuters spoke with Reid Bigland, head of the Dodge brand, who said Chrysler would look to focus on a single mid-size car in the next three years or so, and that focus would likely alight on the recently refreshed Chrysler 200. Both the Avenger and the 200 enjoyed a sales boom last year thanks to improved drivetrain options and new interiors, though the two still lag far behind their competition. Removing one of the twins from the picture would allow Chrysler to save money on both development and marketing while eliminating the issue of having competing models on the same dealer lot.

Reports have previously suggested Chrysler will work to slim duplicate models across its brands by eliminating the Dodge Grand Caravan in favor of a Fiat-based crossover. The death of the Avenger is wise step in that direction. Last year, the vehicle sold 63,023 units, and while that figure marks a 26 percent improvement over the 2010 numbers, it’s a far cry from the 308,510 Toyota Camry units sold last year.

Chrysler to axe Dodge Avenger, focus on 200?

Remember this chromed Buick Regal? At the time of publication, we said there were some cars that looked better in chrome than others, and this is what we had in mind.

A specialist aftermarket firm called GT Guy LLC solicited the talents of Camilo Pardo – the designer of the Ford GT – to create the one-of-a-kind supercar you see here. To create Merkury 4, the team started with a solid red Ford GT and gave it a Mirrachrome paint job with a black-bordered fluorescent orange stripe. Then they tweaked the supercharger to deliver a whopping 725 horsepower to the rear wheel. They painted the valve covers, smoothed out the clamshell intakes behind the doors, fitted ceramic-coated pipes, bolted on a fresh set of HRE wheels wearing Michelin rubber and more.

The result, as you can see from the photos in the gallery, is quite stunning – as if the stock Ford GT wasn’t already a looker on its own.

Ford GT designer takes his creation to artful zenith

Fans of the rear-wheel drive Ford Falcon can breath easy, at least until 2016. According to Australia’s CarAdvice.com, Ford has announced that automaker will invest $103 million to sustain both the Falcon and Territory SUV through the next five years. The news came courtesy of Ford Australia president Bo Graziano and Ford Asia Pacific president Joe Hinrichs at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. Ford is expected to unveil refreshed versions of both the Falcon and the Territory in 2014. The automaker is expected to use the investment to improve the vehicles’ efficiency and safety. The cash injection should add around 300 jobs, as well.

Ford Australia will likely focus on aerodynamics, tire adjustments and transmission improvements to eke out better fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions. A new six-speed automatic gearbox is expected to debut with the new models.

And what happens after 2016? Ford isn’t saying, though the company has made it clear Australia will receive a new large car based on a global platform. That vehicle will likely offer buyers both front and all-wheel drive configurations, thereby putting an end to the long-standing rear-wheel drive Falcon lineage.

Rear-wheel drive Falcon gets five-year committment from Ford

Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has big plans for the Ram Dakota. Inside Line spoke with Marchionne at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show, and the besweatered executive said there is a good chance the next-generation Dakota will likely ride on a unibody chassis. That would mark a serious departure from the vehicle’s past, as well as the rest of the models in the compact pickup segment (save the at-the-margins Honda Ridgeline), but ditching the frame could give the vehicle a fuel-efficiency edge. If that wasn’t a large enough bombshell for you, Marchionne also made mention of the kind of powertrain we can expect to see from the new Dakota.

According to the executive, it only makes sense for the next-generation Ram Dakota to come equipped with a diesel engine. With the Jeep Grand Cherokee set to receive an oil-burning powerplant of its own, spreading the cost of engine development across multiple models only makes sense. We like the sound of a small, lightweight, diesel-powered pickup.

Meanwhile, Ward’s Auto reports the Dodge Durango may receive a diesel engine of its own. Marchionne reportedly stressed that Fiat knows diesel technology, and that since the Grand Cherokee is being engineered for a diesel engine in European markets, it wouldn’t seem to be that much of a stretch to translate the work into the Durango.

Marchionne: “Better than 50% chance” next Ram Dakota going unibody, diesel Durango coming

Ich bein ein Mainstreamer

Volkswagen tried building cars in the U.S. once before, and it didn’t end well for the Rabbits assembled in Westmoreland, PA. “In Vietnam, ‘Westmoreland’ was a synonym for boundless optimisim in the face of raw facts. The same principle applies here,” said my friend Mike, explaining why his Rabbits at the time were imported from Das Vaterland. The real problem with American-made VWs wasn’t Pennsylvania or a self-deluding General, Mike continued, but “mushbucket suspensions, chintzy build quality, frou-frou styling compromises,” all resulting in a sub-par experience that’s got Volks-folks with long memories wondering if we’re doomed to repeat the past.

Volkswagen wants its new 2012 Passat to disprove that trope about repeating history, and the Passat has racked up awards like the Motor Trend Car of the Year and was a North American Car of the Year finalist, lending credence to VW’s efforts. We contemplated if the United States earning its own version of the Passat makes us elite or uncultured swine in the wake of our First Drive, and so we signed out a Passat SEL with a 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine to see what the Mainstream American Sedan Songbook sounds like when delivered with a German lilt.

Continue reading 2012 Volkswagen Passat 2.5L SEL Premium

2012 Volkswagen Passat 2.5L SEL Premium

The Buick Encore will see its first encore in Ye Olde England when it appears as the Vauxhall Mokka, and other than a little bit of fiddling up front, it doesn’t appear that anything changes in the still-ladybug-sized limey version. To our eyes, the design looks much better without the Buick’s Ventiports tacked onto the hood, and something of this size and capability just seems to be a better mental fit with Vauxhall or Opel branding versus Buick.

Instead of the Hobson’s choice U.S. buyers are faced with for the engine – a 140-horsepower 1.4-liter or… nothing – the Euros will get a choice of three powerplants: two gasoline and one diesel, all with stop/start. They also get the option of two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive and a six-speed manual transmission.

Admittedly, the two other engine options are less powerful: one of them is a non-turbocharged 1.6-liter with just 113 horsepower, but the 127-hp, 1.7-liter CDTI diesel does crank the torque up to 222 pound-feet, well up from 148 lb-ft in the Ecotec 1.4-liter. We’ll see it in person at the Geneva Motor Show in March, it will go on sale toward the end of this year, and there’s a press release after the jump to get you ready to… Mokka.

Continue reading Buick Encore appears as Vauxhall/Opel Mokka overseas

Buick Encore appears as Vauxhall/Opel Mokka overseas

Motor Trend reports Hyundai has confirmed that its next-generation Santa Fe will bow at the 2012 New York Auto Show. The third-generation Santa Fe is expected to hit dealer lots by the end of the year as a 2013 model. Hyundai hasn’t disclosed exactly what we can expect from the vehicle when it arrives, though spy shots suggest a vehicle more in-line with the automaker’s current design language. MT believes the 2013 Hyundai Santa Fe will continue on with the same powertrain options found in the current vehicle, which means buyers can look forward to a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine or a 3.5-liter V6 mated to a six-speed automatic transmission.

Hyundai may squeeze a bit more performance or fuel efficiency out of those engines, however. Some reports have also suggested the 2013 Santa Fe may bow with a new turbocharged four-cylinder under the hood as well. That engine is currently found in the likes of the Hyundai Sonata 2.0T where it produces 274 horsepower and 269 pound-feet of torque.

Finally, our intelligence still suggests that Hyundai will eventually market a stretched three-row variant of the Santa Fe as the de-facto replacement for the slow-selling Veracruz, but it isn’t clear whether that vehicle (or strategy) will be disclosed in New York.

Next-Gen Hyundai Santa Fe will debut in Big Apple

General Motors has something festive planned for the 60th anniversary of its Chevrolet Corvette. The automaker will mark the occasion with a special edition 2013 Corvette 427 Convertible, complete with hardware borrowed from the mighty Corvette Z06. Under the hood, a 427-cubic-inch LS7 V8 produces 505 horsepower and 470 pound-feet of torque, making this the most powerful Corvette Convertible ever produced. The 60th Anniversary Corvette will also benefit from the same rear axle as the Z06, and magnetic ride control is standard as well.

The special edition convertible will come with 19-inch wheels up front 20-inch rollers in the rear, both wrapped in Micheline PS2 tires. A six-speed manual transmission is the only gearbox option, though buyers will be able to chose from the full gamut of available interior and exterior colors. General Motors says the vehicle will also benefit from a range of carbon fiber components, including a raised hood, fenders and floor panels. A CFZ carbon-fiber front splitter and rocker panels are also available at an extra cost.

All told, the 2013 Chevrolet Corvette 427 Convertible tips the scales at 3,355 pounds. Combined with its lofty power figures, the droptop should be capable of doing the 0-60 mph dash in 3.8 seconds on its way to an 11.8-second quarter mile and a top speed of over 190 mph. The very first model will be auctioned off for charity at the upcoming Barrett-Jackson classic car auction. Hit the jump for the full press blast.

Continue reading Chevy sending off C6 Corvette with 427 Convertible and 60th Anniversary package

Chevy sending off C6 Corvette with 427 Convertible and 60th Anniversary package

Want to know how highly regarded the multiple-award winning Land Rover Range Rover Evoque is? At the recent Auto Expo in Delhi, India Maruti Suzuki showed a concept that is, to our eyes, extraordinarily reminiscent of the small English SUV – although we’ll readily admit the glasshouse is a tweaked version of the current Suzuki Swift.

Called the XA Alpha concept, some reports say that it’s underpinned by the Swift platform, while others report that the Maruti Suzuki Gypsy off-roader, based on the Jimny, provides the chassis. For comparison purposes, the XA is just a few inches shorter and narrower than an Evoque, but the same height as the Evoque four-door.

Plans for production are said to rest with audience reception, which appears to have – understandably – been quite positive. If and when a production version does arrive, you can probably kiss the suicide doors goodbye, but it is predicted to be offered with four-wheel drive and “a range of K-Series petrol engines and 1.3-liter DDIS engine.” Click the link for more photos of the flexible Indian flyer.

Suzuki shows Concept XA trucklet in Delhi

Porsche may have just unveiled its new 2012 911 Carrera Cabriolet at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this week, but the German automaker is wasting no time before showing off its next bit of overhauled hotness, the 2013 Boxster. The mid-engine roadster won’t make its official debut until the Geneva Motor Show in March, but we’ve been given some preliminary details ahead of the new Box’s primetime unveiling.

Much like the 911, the new Boxster’s design is more evolution than revolution, and that’s a-okay with us. The redesigned roadster is extremely handsome, and most of us on the Autoblog staff think it’s the best-looking Boxster yet. We like the revised headlamps and more svelte running lamp/air intake setup, and the wider stance and longer wheelbase are nicely masked in the new design. The 2013 Boxster’s all-aluminum skin also helps the new model shed a few pounds compared to its predecessor, which will not only make it that much more engaging out on the road, but also improve fuel economy.

But really, the Boxster is all about performance, and under the hood behind the seats are two flat-six engines with direct injection, thermal management and start/stop functionality. The base Boxster uses a 2.7-liter flat six, good for 265 horsepower (10 hp more than its predecessor) while the Boxster S is powered by a 3.4-liter six that produces 315 hp (an increase of 5 hp versus the 2012 model). The standard Boxster will run to 60 miles per hour in 5.4 seconds with the seven-speed PDK dual-clutch transmission, while the Boxster S will do the same jaunt in just 4.7 seconds. A six-speed manual gearbox (what, no seven-speed?) is also available with either engine. Porsche will offer a Sport Chrono package that further enhances performance, adding things like dynamic transmission mounts and Porsche Torque Vectoring (PTV).

Look for the 2013 Boxster to hit United States showrooms this summer, priced from $49,500 for the base car or $60,900 for the Boxster S (not including $950 for destination). Now, about that Cayman…

Continue reading 2013 Porsche Boxster unveiled with more efficiency, performance and maturity

2013 Porsche Boxster unveiled with more efficiency, performance and maturity

There’s virtually no end to the list of automakers for which Pininfarina has designed over the years. But every once in a while, the stoic Italian studio works up a project just for itself. And this is one such occasion.

So what is the occasion, you ask? The 30th anniversary of the company’s Styling Centre, and the 10th anniversary of its Engineering Centre, which were founded in 1982 and 2002, respectively. The dual milestone is celebrated with the Cambiano concept car.

Named for the town in which Pininfarina is based, the Cambiano is an environmentally friendly sport sedan concept which the company will unveil at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March. That’s about all we have to go on at the moment, revealed on the studio’s Facebook page along with the teaser image above. Watch this space for more as the Swiss expo approaches.

Pininfarina previews Geneva-bound Cambiano concept

Some things are at the fringe because they belong there. The tastes are too peculiar, the style too strange for the masses. But once in a while something emerges from the fringe into the mainstream because it deserves to be, because people learn to like it. Like matte paint finishes.

Long the purview of aftermarket tuners rejecting the glitz of the gloss, matte finishes are slowly finding their way onto automakers’ show stands and into dealership showrooms. Hyundai broke new ground at the Detroit Auto Show this week in announcing the availability of the new Veloster Turbo in flat grey, but the Korean automaker isn’t the only one offering the anti-shine treatment direct from the factory and displaying it on the floor of Cobo Hall.

Through its Designo program – a range of over-and-above options provided by AMG – Mercedes-Benz offers a selection of matte finishes for some of its higher-end (though not necessarily AMG-tuned) models. The palette currently includes white (like the CL63 in the gallery below), flat silver (like the CLS550 pictured above), dark grey and black, but is being expanded to include additional colors (and wider availability), starting with brown and hopefully extending to some of the shades Maserati and its sister brands have been displaying lately.

The results may not be to everyone’s liking – and may not be well suited to every car – so don’t expect them to replace the go-to metallic paintjobs typically selected for such vehicles, but we’re glad to see this particular trend coming in out of the cold and into the showroom.

Mercedes-Benz brings the matte in from the cold

Chrysler is serving up an impressive smattering of Mopar accessories for the 2013 Dodge Dart, including a host of performance parts. All told, buyers will be able to chose from a total of 150 accessories that range from an integrated Wi-Fi system to aerodynamic additions.

Chrysler says the Dart will feature the industry’s first wireless charging system for phones and other battery-powered gadgets. Users simply install a device-specific case and lay the hardware in a specific charging zone. The device then gets its battery topped off without the hassle of plugging up wires. Handy. Of course, we’re more interested in bits like the available 18-inch wheels and performance brake upgrade, which includes new calipers, rotors and performance pads.

In addition, Chrysler is hoping to thwart would-be thieves with a new electronic vehicle tracking system. The automaker partnered with Guidepoint Systmes, a leading company in GPS-based vehicle recovery systems, to provide tracking from coast to coast without a subscription. Hit the jump for the press release and head over to the Mopar site for a look at the full list of available options.

Continue reading Mopar to go full boat with 150 Dodge Dart accessories

Mopar to go full boat with 150 Dodge Dart accessories