The Garage has returned from the New York Auto Show. We kick off our coverage not with the news that will grab headlines in mainstream media, but instead we will focus on what many predicted would never happen: that Saab would even exist when the New York Auto Show came around this Spring. Saab not [...]

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Back in 2009, we were invited by Suzuki to preview the all-new 2010 Suzuki Kizashi. There, company representatives discussed the flagship’s future lineup.

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So what's the difference between a regular wagon and a "sport" wagon? Probably about 2 feet or so. That seems to be the average size difference between your typical wagon and something sporty like the 2011 Acura TSX sport…

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Filed under: New York Auto Show

So, Day One of the New York Auto Show brought with it the release of 17 new production cars along with a smattering of news, which you’ll see by scrolling to the bottom. Have a favorite? Check back tomorrow for Day Two of our coverage!

Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon	2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid	2011 Mercedes-Benz R-Class
2011 Subaru WRX sedan	2011 Infiniti QX56	2011 Nissan Juke
Mercedes-Benz E350 Wagon	2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport	2011 Scion tC
2011 Hyundai Sonata Turbo	2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid	2011 Scion iQ
2011 Chevrolet Cruze Eco	2011 Kia Sportage	2011 Chevrolet Cruze RS
2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon	2011 VW Touareg Hybrid

	Hyundai Sonata Hybrid gets unique look and 37/39 MPG rating [w/video] It wasn’t that many years ago that no one really took the engineering capabilities of Hyundai all that seriously. Thanks to recent introductions like the Genesis coupe and sedan, the Tucson and the Sonata, the Korean automaker is rapidly gaining respect.
	2011 Hyundai Sonata turbo with 274 HP and 34 MPG! Ever since Hyundai announced at the Los Angeles Auto Show that it would add a turbocharged variant to its all-four-cylinder lineup in the new Sonata, there has been considerable speculation about how much power the engine would produce.
	Mazda6 diesel confirmed with hybrid-like 43 MPG If there’s one thing we’re clamoring for here in the U.S., it’s more diesel engines in passenger cars. Mazda will soon be answering our cries, as it plans to launch its all-new SKY-D powertrain in its “next-generation mid-sized car” (read: Mazda6) sometime in 2012.
	Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG priced at $183,000 for the U.S. Mercedes-Benz announced pricing today for its all-new, homegrown gullwing. We don’t have an official MSRP breakdown yet, but our man on the NY Auto Show floor tells us that the 2011 SLS AMG will start at $183,000 in the U.S. when it begins to go on sale this summer.
	2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport lands on show floor, V6 and hybrid not happening “You’ll turn blue in the face if you’re holding your breath waiting for a V6 Kizashi.” That was the word from a Suzuki spokesman at last night’s insider preview of the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport. Don’t count on the hybrid anytime soon, either.
	Ford and Microsoft announce Hohm electric vehicle charging partnership At this year’s New York Auto Show, Ford announced an extension of its partnership with Microsoft (see also: Sync) into the electric vehicle (EV) recharging realm: The free Hohm energy management application.

We obsessively covered Day 1 of the… originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Motorsports, Performance, BMW

There was a time, not too long ago, when a BMW M-badged vehicle was feared. In the late 1990s, the E36 M3 Coupe was often regarded as the best-handling two-door on the planet and its sibling, the E36 M3 Sedan, was the fastest four-door in showrooms. The droptop M Roadster offered a viable alternative to a Porsche 911 Cabriolet, while the bad-to-the bone E39 M5 ran without peers thanks to its 400-horsepower V8 .

Today’s M models offer excellent performance, but the bar has been raised so high that cheaper upstarts like Mitsubishi and Subaru can give them a run for the money on tracks, not to mention surging premium competitors like Audi and arch rival, Mercedes-Benz and their AMG offerings. Kay Segler, the new chief of BMW’s performance-oriented M brand, has taken notice. However, instead of pushing the well-respected division to the head of the pack with even greater levels of performance, Segler says it is time to rethink what his division stands for – meaning BMW M may no longer offer the fastest or most powerful cars possible.

“The measurement of 0 to 100 (km/h) isn’t as much a thrill anymore,” Segler tells TheDetroitBureau.com. He goes on to explain that it’s how a car feels via the driver’s “butt-o-meter” matters more. Furthermore, he says the performance M brand needs to shift directions. “We want to make M young again.” Segler’s goal “is to go towards affordability and freshness.” Those are big changes considering the current M lineup represents the flagship of each model range – priced accordingly – along with gigantic SUVs like the 5,368-pound X5 M. Undeterred by the news, we are still holding our breath for a production version of the Concept 1 Series Tii.

[Source: The Detroit Bureau]

BMW M looking to be more youthful, get more affordable? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Budget, Europe, Hatchback, Ford, Rumormill

The fine folk at Auto Express are reporting that the powerful Ford Fiesta ST has gotten the official go ahead from the suits in Europe. If all of the whispers making their way around the internet right now are true, our cousins across the pond will be getting a crack at a 180-horsepower version of the Blue Oval’s tiny hatch very soon.

All of that pep should come courtesy of a 1.6-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine, and should help the Fiesta get to 60 mph in under seven seconds. Odds are the forced induction engine will be coupled to either a six-speed manual transmission or the company’s new dual-clutch gear box.

But does that mean we’ll get to enjoy the same kind of fun in our neck of the woods? It’s hard to say, but since Ford is openly embracing a new global philosophy, a Fiesta ST for America isn’t completely out the question. Consider our fingers crossed.

[Source: Auto Express]

Report: Ford Fiesta ST gets the nod… but will we? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Mar 2010 19:21:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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