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.

It's a distinctly American trait to want what's next—even before it's here. Yes, Americans are spoiled, with too many choices in every genre of product, especially cars. But so what? This is the place where cars blossomed, where the first (and arguably best) car culture still exists. And where we haven't stopped loving—and lusting after—the cool car around the next bend. With that in mind, here's PM's calendar of 12 cool cars under $50,000 that will go on sale in the next 18 months. Note that the exact dates may not be 100 percent accurate: The timetable is based on what the notoriously vague car flacks told us. So we've pried free what info we could, and we share it with you here.

It's a distinctly American trait to want what's next—even before it's here. Yes, Americans are spoiled, with too many choices in every genre of product, especially cars. But so what? This is the place where cars blossomed, where the first (and arguably best) car culture still exists. And where we haven't stopped loving—and lusting after—the cool car around the next bend. With that in mind, here's PM's calendar of 12 cool cars under $50,000 that will go on sale in the next 18 months. Note that the exact dates may not be 100 percent accurate: The timetable is based on what the notoriously vague car flacks told us. So we've pried free what info we could, and we share it with you here.

Multinational corporate intertwinings make for some creative uses of brands and parts. Within the BMW Group, Rolls-Royce builds its smaller model—the Ghost—using a few pieces of the BMW 760Li. Now Rolls is really downsizing, as it has partnered on a version of BMW’s other iconic Brit, the Mini.

Just yesterday, Mini took the wraps off its all-new two-passenger Cooper Coupe, or "Couper," as we've been calling it (clever, eh?). We think the Mini Coupe adds a nice touch of diversity to the growing lineup, and if you strongly agree, perhaps you're ready to plunk down your cash for one, and the cost of entry is $22,000.

Gallery: 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe

The brave new world of smartphone apps is budding everywhere, and that includes the automotive industry, now that car manufacturers are looking for new ways to engage with both owners and brand fans. Following is an overall list of current smartphone applications (the vast majority of which are designed for the iPhone platform) developed by automakers.

The idea of a maxi-Mini runs counter to everything we love about the brand. But despite our misgivings, our own Steven J. Ewing came away suitably impressed with the Mini Countryman when he drove it this time last year. How much did he like it? He insisted we add one to the Autoblog Long-Term Garage.

And here it is.

Mini’s product portfolio will double in the next two years as Coupe, Roadster and Crossover vehicles are added to its existing Hatchback, Convertible and Clubman models. And if the 2010 Beachcomber concept is anything to go by there’s apparently yet another possible avenue for the successfully expanding brand – a door-less, roof-less, four-seater beach buggy.

Here is a new 2012 Mini Coupe. Mini has released official photos and pricing of the all new 2012 Mini Coupe several months ahead of the car’s U.S. introduction this fall. The official photos follow the release earlier this month of official “teaser” shots of semi disguised Mini Coupe pre-production prototypes.

The recently unveiled 2012 Mini Cooper proves, again, that size is no indicator of power.  Minis will be in popular with dealers struggling to keep their lots full and also the new 2012 Coopers will likely make that even harder.

As much as we like the new-for-2012 Mini Coupe, some of us on the Autoblog staff aren't won over by the low-slung hardtop. We love the standard Cooper hatchback, and while the Coupe's driving dynamics are pure Mini goodness, we just can't wrap our heads around the awkward styling (especially in certain color pallets), limited visibility and lack of functionality.

Photo Gallery 2013 Mini Roadster