It’s no secret that folks didn’t like the Acura TL’s beak-like grille when the sedan was redesigned for 2009. For 2012, that beak gets filed down, and overall the front end looks stubbier, thanks to a shorter front overhang. The car loses 1.5 inches in length overall.
2012 VW Jetta GLI Picture
CHICAGO — Volkswagen is adding a sporty GLI variant to its Jetta family for 2012. The uplevel Jetta GLI goes on sale in May and comes in three trim levels, priced from $24,265, including a $770 shipping charge.
The new Jetta GLI is powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine rated at 200 horsepower and 207 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed manual gearbox is standard; buyers can opt for a DSG automatic with paddle shifters. VW says the EPA has not yet officially certified the fuel economy, but the company expects the GLI to return 31 mpg with the manual and 32 with the automatic.
The time has finally come, the New York Auto Show came and went. The last major U.S. auto show of the season. If you ask many in the industry, you might hear a collective sigh of relief. Last week was a flurry of press conferences and vehicle reveals.
As you might expect, some were great, but there were definitely some winners and losers. Of course, we must mention the WTF section as well. So without further delay, let’s jump into it.
2012 Mazda 3 made its U.S. debut in 2011 at New York International Auto Show. Face-lift with a more refined exterior and interior, the 2012 Mazda 3 is also the first application in North America Mazda SKYACTIV fuel performance and innovative technology-driven, achieving 40 mpg on the highway. The Mazda 3 models of Mazda’s best-selling worldwide and accounted for nearly half of all Mazda sales in the U.S., which makes the vehicle a prime candidate for introducing SKYACTIV consumers seeking dynamic performance combined with high fuel efficiency.
This was the highest-performing Camaro and the most technically advanced car ever developed in its class.
The ZL1 is powered by the LSA 6.2-liter supercharged V-8 engine, which will produce an estimated 550 horsepower and 550 lb.ft. of torque. Built on GM’s legendary all-aluminum, small-block V-8 architecture, the engine features an intercooled supercharger system, premium heat-resistant aluminum-alloy cylinder heads and other details designed to ensure its exceptional performance is delivered with smoothness and refinement.
After seeing the Dodge Avenger rally car prototype hit the gravel hard, we were left wishing it would one day see competition. Unfortunately, that model was just an exercise. The 2012 Avenger R/T, however, is very real, and will be on display in New York this week.
Offering an upgraded, stiffer suspension, 283 horsepower at the crank of its Pentastar 3.6-liter V-6, and a host of unique appearance upgrades, it's the sportiest Avenger you can buy. The key upgrades to the suspension involve a total roll stiffness increase of 18 percent, with 17 percent stiffer front springs and 12 percent stiffer rears, plus a larger anti-roll bar in the rear and upgraded dampers to handle the extra rate.
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 collaboration between fashion houses and automakers is a longstanding tradition. Think Nautica edition Mercury Villager, Eddie Bauer edition Ford Explorer, or most recently, the Gucci edition Fiat 500. Now its big brother Maserati is getting in on the action with the Fendi edition GranCabrio – the droptop known as the GranTurismo Convertible on this side of the Atlantic.
A complete list of every car show video, car wash video, or hot model video I've posted.