Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Preview: Even in this fuel-conscious age, full-size pickups – which, themselves, are getting more fuel efficient – continue to thrive. Ford’s F-Series perennially is America’s best-selling vehicle. Not far behind are General Motors’ twin pickups, the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra, which so far in 2012 have together accounted for more than a half-million sales. But the competition isn’t getting any easier. Ford has a …
2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon Sneak Peek: If you want to torque off a Ford partisan, just point to the 2014 Ford Transit Connect Wagon and call it a minivan. In a heartbeat, he or she will sit you down and get your mind right. Yes, the Transit Connect Wagon is front-wheel drive; yes, it seats up to seven in three rows; yes, it has a rear liftgate; and yes, …
(For lots of beautiful photos of new cars, click here to jump to the photo gallery! All photos on page credited to John Gilbert.) 2012 LA Auto Show Coverage: LOS ANGELES, CALIF. — The Los Angeles Auto Show has become the vanguard of the “Big Four” auto extravaganzas in the U.S., moving up to late November to kick off the domestic show season that follows with shows from Detroit in …
Mini Clubvan and Mini Paceman Preview: Mini is now the many. The brand that returned a decade ago to these shores with a single model in two trims now boasts more than half a dozen distinct offerings. After a 35-year absence, Mini came back to the U.S. for the 2002 model year with only its core product – a two-door, four-seat, hatchback coupe, available in Cooper and Cooper S trims. …
Expected Pricing: $43,000-$48,000 Release Date: Early 2012 Audi has never offered a crossover SUV in the US market that’s quite as small as the coming Audi Q3, which debuted at the recent Shanghai Auto Show and will take its place in the showrooms next to the larger Q5 and Q7 models. The small Audi Q3 is based on the same platform as the Volkswagen Tiguan. The Q3 measures 173 inches …
Expected Pricing: $18,000 to $21,000 Release Date: Summer 2011 As Japanese automakers struggled to keep top sales spots in the months leading up to the earthquake and tsunami, Subaru thrived, thanks to steady worldwide growth and higher-than-ever revenue in the first quarter of this year. Now the niche automaker is hoping to continue the upward trend with an all-new 2012 Subaru Impreza, the first model to be introduced under the …
Expected Pricing: $12,500-$16,500 Release Date: Summer 2011 (Hatch), Fall 2011 (Sedan) Overview Not many years ago, most U.S. buyers scoffed at small, economical cars. Fuel- and space-conscious models made for Europe and Asia never saw these shores because automakers feared they just wouldn’t sell. Times have changed. With fuel prices on the rise (again) and steeper fleet fuel economy standards, manufacturers are rushing to compete in the subcompact market. Enter …
Expected Pricing: $12,000-$15,000 Release Date: Late 2011 The Chevrolet Sonic chassis will feature electronic power steering, MacPherson strut front and torsion beam rear suspension, ABS/EBFD disc brakes and wheel sizes up to 17-inch. Inside, the Sonic carries what Chevrolet calls a motorcycle-inspired digital instrument panel layout, with the rest of the interior recalling current GM luxury brands like Buick, similar but not matching. Standard equipment will include 10 airbags, traction …
