March 2013

Kia Optima Hybrid gets performance boost, better mileage

(March 22, 2013) IRVINE, Calif. — Kia North America has announced the arrival of an updated 2013 Optima Hybrid, featuring a more performance-driven and fuel-efficient powertrain as well as more cargo space and premium features.

Value continues to be a strong selling point for the Hybrid with the LX starting at an MSRP of $25,900 and the fully loaded EX at an MSRP of $31,950.

Nissan, Gibson collaborate to create mobile guitar repair van

(March 22, 2013) FRANKLIN, Tenn. – Gibson and Nissan have combined their respective expertise in professional music and practical, small business vehicles to create the Gibson NV200 Mobile Repair & Restoration Van. The van acts as a mobile guitar repair shop, serving the needs of both working musicians and casual pickers and can service major music markets or locales where guitar players congregate, such as major music festivals, concerts, recording studios or even private homes.

Subaru to show first-ever hybrid in New York

(March 21, 2013) CHERRY HILL, N.J. — Subaru today announced the brand’s first-ever production hybrid vehicle, the Subaru XV Crosstrek Hybrid, will debut at the 2013 New York International Auto Show next week.

Based on the popular XV Crosstrek crossover introduced for 2013, the new XV Crosstrek Hybrid model uses a Subaru engineered Hybrid system and Subaru’s Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive.

HND-9 concept hints at Hyundai’s next-generation luxury sports coupe

(March 21, 2013) Hyundai today unveiled exterior renderings of the HND-9, its latest luxury sports coupe concept. The HND-9 represents an evolution of Hyundai’s fluidic sculpture design philosophy. The HND-9 will make its world debut March 28 at the 2013 Seoul Motor Show.  

New Flying Spur to headline Bentley’s largest presence at Goodwood

(March 21, 2013) CREWE, England —  Bentley will unleash some of its fastest and most powerful cars at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed in July. The flying Bentleys include the 616  horsepower and 202 mph Continental GT Speed Convertible (the world’s fastest four seat convertible) and two of Bentley’s 2003 Le Mans-winning Speed 8 race cars.

2003-2008 Mercedes E-class cars probed for fuel leaks

(March 21, 2013) DETROIT —  The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has upgraded an investigation into an estimated 250,000 Mercedes-Benz E-Class sedans for a possible leak from the fuel tank. Its probe upgrades the model-year 2003 to 2008 E-Class cars from a preliminary evaluation to an engineering analysis based on 533 complaints received by regulators and Daimler AG's Mercedes.

Concept vehicles for 47th Moab Easter Jeep Safari revealed

(March 21, 2013) AUBURN HILLS, Mich. — Jeep and Mopar will be showcasing a range of extremes at this year’s annual Easter Jeep Safari in Moab, Utah. Now in its 47th year and taking place March 23-31, the Easter Jeep Safari will be attended by thousands of die-hard off-road enthusiasts looking to enjoy a week of wheeling on some of the country’s most famous and challenging trails.

New York show will feature Jaguar XJR performance model

(March 20, 2013) MAHWAH, N.J. — Jaguar will expand its R performance lineup with the global debut of the 2014 Jaguar XJR Sedan at the 2013 New York International Auto Show. The new high-performance model — the dynamic flagship of the XJ series — will join the expanding Jaguar lineup on display that includes all-wheel drive sedans and the Jaguar F-TYPE convertible, which goes on sale this summer.

Chevrolet teases 2014 Camaro SS; to get 'significant changes'

(March 20, 2013) — DETROIT – The redesigned 2014 Camaro SS will debut at the New York International Auto Show on March 27. The 2014 model represents the most significant change for the fifth-generation Camaro, which has been the most popular sports car in America for three consecutive years.

It's a mirage in the U.S., but not the UK — A new Mitsubishi Mirage arrives

(March 20, 2013) CIRENCESTER, United Kingdom — Mitsubishi Motors has confirmed the long awaited arrival of the all-new Mitsubishi Mirage. The Mitsubishi Mirage in its current iteration is an A-segment min car that’s "stylish, well-equipped and practical."