2012

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Fiat 500 Abarth, 2012: Scorpi0n edition adds to brand's savvy hot model marketing (video)

Since its return last fall after nearly a four-decade absence, the Fiat 500 continues to find a steady, niche new market in the United States via its new relationship with Chrysler and several massively popular television commercials. In addition to the three models, Pop, Lounge and Sport, Fiat has several specialty editions, including the recently released Abarth and Gucci, and some further specialized offerings for 2013 currently featured at the Geneva Auto Show. In the Gucci trim, a two-tone style and high-styled badging is offered to reflect the famed designer. And with the much-anticipated Abarth, Fiat is hopeful of vast interest in the Scorpion badging that pays homage to the famous driver and builder Karl Abarth. Born under the Scorpion

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Infiniti M Hybrid, 2012: World’s fastest full hybrid combines performance, economy

According to Infiniti, the 2012 M Hybrid luxury sedan features the performance of a V8 engine with the fuel economy of a 4-cylinder. If this sounds too good to be true, consider the numbers: Infiniti claims 0 to 60 in well under six seconds, and up to 32 mpg. Could the M Hybrid be the automotive equivalent of having your cake and eating it, too? The M Hybrid, or M35h, utilizes Infiniti’s new Direct Response Hybrid system, the first hybrid system developed fully in-house by Nissan/Infiniti. The system combines a 302 hp 3.5-liter V6 engine, a 7-speed automatic transmission, and a 50 kW electric motor powered by a lithium ion battery. Total output is a notable 360 hp engine with

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Hyundai Accent, 2012: More powerful, better gas mileage, best subcompact economy

The new Hyundai Accent promises to make this automaker even more popular. The Accent has been Hyundai's lowest-cost model and always has been cheap to buy and run. The revamped, longer fourth-generation 2012 model remains inexpensive and cheap to run, but it's sleeker with its “Fluidic Sculpture” design and more powerful with improved fuel economy. You can say one thing for Hyundai — it never stands still. The new front-wheel-drive Accent comes as a sedan or four-door hatchback. It has best-in-class fuel economy of an estimated 30 miles per gallon in the city and 40 on highways with either its six-speed manual or six-speed automatic transmission. Compared to its predecessor, fuel efficiency is up 18 percent for the manual-transmission version

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2012 Toyota Prius C gets vast praise as economic hybrid with surprising performance

The Toyota Prius C, the fourth model in the Prius family, is the shortest, narrowest, lightest and thus most fuel efficient of the hugely successful carmaker's hybrid lineup. The gasoline engine in the Prius has been reduced from 1.8 liters of displacement in the original Prius to 1.5 liters, and its dual electric motors are also smaller. Combined, there's only 99 horsepower in the Prius C, while the original Prius has 135 horsepower. The C in the Prius C, according to Toyota, translates to "city," and it's being promoted as a new urban option with superior economy. It makes a lot of sense as fuel prices continue to rise and lower purchase prices in cars continue to attract more buyers.

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Toyota Prius C, 2012: Lightweight city hatchback expands hybrid line

Toyota is expanding its hot Prius hybrid car line with a new, smaller urban-based model. The sporty 2012 Toyota Prius C (for “city”) gas/electric four-door hatchback is aimed at young urban couples. It’s expected to be the “gateway” car to larger, costlier members of the Prius family. The compact Prius C could have been partially inspired by the late British genius car designer Colin Chapman, who won international race championships by making his Lotus cars as light as possible. So it is with the Prius C, based on the Toyota Yaris platform. Automakers are happy to chop just 50 pounds from a car for better fuel efficiency and handling. But the 2,496-pound Prius C weighs about 550 pounds less than

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Audi A6, 2012: Refined sports sedan growls, showcases proud heritage

By Twain Mein Audi introduced the mid-sized A6 sedan in 200. It had an optional 4.2 liter V8 featuring 300 horsepower, swollen fender flares to accommodate low-profile 40-series tires, and a more performance-oriented handling package to compete with the BMW 540i. The A6 4.2 was a practical and roomy sedan with all-wheel drive, luxury, and class leading handling and power. It was voted a Top 10 by Car and Driver in its inaugural year and in 2001. This 4.2 variant is the spiritual predecessor to the 3.0 TFSI (aka, supercharged 6-cylinder) I recently tested. It’s clear that in 12 years, Audi hasn’t sat idle. In fact, the new A6 3.0 TFSI blows away its predecessor. Though the new model has

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Justin Bieber gets 2012 Fisker Karma as surprise 18th birthday gift on Ellen DeGeneres Show

Justin Bieber has joined an expanding list of celebrities who own Fisker Karma cars. The pop singer was presented with one of the exclusive $100,000 plug-in hybrids for his 18th birthday March 1 as a surprise gift on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. "You work really really hard," his manager, Scooter Braun, said during the presentation. "I always yell at you, 'Don't get anything flashy!' You know, we're not about that. Be humble, be humble. And I kind of broke my own rule." Bieber looked shocked when he walked toward the vehicle. "That's for me?! That's crazy!" Actor Leonardo DiCaprio received the first Fisker Karma made. Former vice-president Al Gore and former Secretary of State Colin Powell also own the unique

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Hyundai Elantra 2012 gets new honor: best car under $20,000

The Hyundai Elantra, winner of the 2012 North American Car of The Year, has been awarded another honor. It's the top pick for “Best Car Under $20,000” by AOL Autos. The Elantra’s unmatched fuel economy and styling helped it defeated competitors Toyota Corolla, Mazda3, Ford Focus and Chevrolet Cruze. “Elantra comes with a 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine producing 148 horsepower and 131 pound-feet of torque. The engine provides the Elantra with more power and better fuel efficiency than competitors like the Honda Civic, Nissan Sentra and Toyota Corolla,” said the AOL Autos staff. “Elantra is the best total package and best sedan pound for pound, dollar for dollar under $20,000.” The AOL Autos staff judged the “Best Car Under $20,000” based

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Lexus tops Consumer Reports 2012 best list, Jeep gets top two worst spots

The Lexus 460L luxury sedan has been awarded top honors for best road test, while Jeep has dubious honors with vehicles receiving the worst two scores in Consumer Reports best and worst lists for 2012. Consumer Reports ranked the Lexus LS 460L at the top with a road test score of 99, followed by BMW 135i at 97; Infiniti G37 sedan at 95; Toyota Camry Hybrid XLE; Audi A6 (3.0T); Infiniti M37 and Nissan Altima 3.5 SR at 93. The Audi A8 L, Lexus ES 350 and Nissan Altima 2.5 S all appeared on the list as well with a score of 91 each. The magazine’s list is determined by 50 individualized tests and evaluations. Scores reflect how well a

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Jeep Wrangler, 2012: Rugged off-road master gets road features redesign

Now at the end of its first decade, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon is the iconic brand’s most rugged option. It features the standard seven vertical slat grille and round headlamps of all Jeeps, but it’s named after the 22-mile Rubicon Trail in the Sierra Nevada that begins about 80 miles east of Sacramento. The famous trail has road segments, but the rocky sections are where off-road vehicles can quickly shine or fail. if you name one of your vehicles after the trail, it should probably thrive on rutted, rugged terrain, water crossings and the unexpected proverbial fork in the road. Since its debut in 2003, off-road enthusiasts have often commented that for handling trail adversity, the Jeep Wrangler Rubicon does

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Nissan Rogue, 2012: Confidence, efficiency, keen styling for small cross-over SUV

By Mary Ellen Ash The 2012 Nissan Rogue is a new candidate in the ever popular small cross-over utility vehicle class, and the automaker hopes to attract buyers with a strong mix of attractive exterior styling, interior refinements and nimble road handling. Even though this is the kid-sister of the Nissan SUV family, the Rogue leaves a lasting impression. Build and Styling The new Rogue is an excellent blend of space and functionality with its utility styling and versatility for passengers and cargo, and it incorporates the sharper handling dynamic found in similar sized sedans. Confident and calm looking, the Rogue has its own style without flamboyance. The Rogue is a great choice for weekend warriors looking for a small

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Hyundai Azera, 2012: Modern family showcases car's comfort in Academy Awards spot

In the second of the new 2012 Hyundai Azera commercials set for broadcast Feb. 26 during the Academy, the comforts of the car's interior are "examined" — from the owner's driveway. It's called Modern Life, and shows the husband of the family working in a frantic pace in the kitchen while his wife is relaxing in their new Azera in the driveway. The husband doesn't know his wife is the driveway, however. According to the carmaker, " the Hyundai Azera's interior surrounds you with an array of sumptuous amenities such as front and rear heated seats, ventilated power front seats with an adjustable driver seat cushion extension, ambient lighting system, available premium Infinity or Dimension audio systems and HD Radio

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Fisker Karma, 2012: 'The Most Interesting Car in the World?' (video)

Dan Neil, author of the automotive column Rumble Seat in The Wall Street Journal, is now also part of the publication's new video channel on YouTube call "Off Duty." Like the publication's print section of the same name, the new video component features lifestyle videos about music, fashion, and cars. Neil's first contribution is a test drive of the 2012 Fisker Karma — the $100,000, four-seat plug-in hybrid. Built in Finland, the Fisker Karma is partly-funded by U.S. taxpayers. Neil, who won the 2004 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism, describes the vehicle in glowing terms. But he also includes his usual share of criticism. In one passage of his print review, Neil writes: "Meet the world's most interesting car. Every square

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Fisker Karma, 2012: Six-figure, four-seat hybrid sports car turns heads

Your dream car may just have arrived. The stunning new 2012 Fisker Karma low-slung sedan looks like a futuristic experimental car. Moreover, it’s a “green” gas/electric plug-in model with a fairly long driving range. I found the Karma to be a head-turner at a media preview of it on a variety of Los Angeles area roads. No wonder actor Leonardo DiCaprio bought one of the first ones, following the old Hollywood tradition of stars driving the most coveted cars. The approximately $104,000 Karma feels solid as a rock and is beautifully assembled, inside and out, although the low front end can be damaged by moderately high curbs if a driver isn’t careful. And the standard eco-friendly dashboard material looks rather

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Volkswagen Beetle Turbo, 2012: The fat bug has a new image

Like the fat kid from Math Club who came to the high school reunion with something to prove, the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle Turbo wants everyone to do a double take and notice that it’s no longer the archetypal chick car. The new VW wants it to be OK for a guy to purchase it and visit the Starbucks drive thru. It wants it known the latest version of the Beetle has a turbo in it, and it means business. Doesn’t the now-flattened roofline says "I drink more beers than wine coolers" to you? After almost a decade of the New Beetle, VW has decided enough is enough. Cuteness overload has worn thin. The latest Beetle has visual cues that distinguish

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Volkswagen Jetta GLI Autobahn, 2012: Responsive, fun to drive compact

When I heard I was going to test drive a 2012 Volkswagen Jetta, I had low expectations. I didn’t know it was going to be a GLI Autobahn Jetta, just a Jetta. And as someone much wiser has told me, having low expectations is the key to happiness in life. It's especially true with VW Jetta GLI Autobahn. It's a ton of fun and perfect for the daily comuting grind. The GLI is the range-topping Jetta, with its 2.0 liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine pumping out 200 horsepower and 207 lb.-ft. of torque married to six -speed DSG automatic transmission. A six-speed manual is also possible, and I would have preferred it. Driving Impressions Having just tested the new Beetle Turbo,

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