New models

Hybrid drive systems in modern cars store what would otherwise be wasted kinetic energy from braking, making it available to supplement the work of the gasoline engine. These hybrid cars get much better fuel economy than their gasoline-only equivalents, and, due to regenerative braking, reduce brake pad wear. Although the Prius is the hybrid poster car, many other types of hybrid cars exist today, meeting the American buyers' variety of needs.

Here are five of the latest hybrids hitting the market. … Read more

Honda built a reputation on economy cars that displayed a touch more quality than the competition. To this day, Honda's lineup consists of practical, well-built cars. However, the company has not had a new idea in years. The 2013 Honda Accord heralds the revivification of Honda's collective brain cells, bringing with it new technologies necessary for the company to face off against its already modernized competition.

At a press preview, I drove a few of the many variants of the 2013 Accord about to be unleashed on the American public. Honda's sales model has always been a … Read more

Land Rover released details today of its 2013 Range Rover and confirmed a diesel-electric hybrid version to come later. The redesigned model will become available on dealer lots later in 2012, while keys for the spiffy new hybrid-powered vehicles can be had in 2013.

Though the British company offered specifications for Range Rover's conventional drivetrain, as of right now details on the diesel-electric hybrid are slim. It has yet to be confirmed for U.S. markets, although we'll keep our fingers crossed for now. For those of you interested in getting your hands on either of the V-8-powered … Read more

Today, photographs of the 2014 Mazda Mazda6 wagon were unveiled ahead of its upcoming debut at the 2012 Paris Motor Show. Aside from the obvious increase in storage space and resculpting behind the B-pillar, the details are nearly identical to those of the sedan that was unveiled in Moscow earlier this year and will also be making an appearance in Paris.

The automaker's Skyactiv-G direct-injected gasoline engine will make an appearance behind the "Kodo" grille in 2.0-liter and 2.5-liter displacements. The Mazda6 wagon should also be available with standard and high-power versions of the Skyactiv-D … Read more

Honda can boast just as much hybrid history as Toyota, yet Honda's hybrid cars have not met with the same level of success. Where the Prius can drive under pure electric power at low speeds, especially useful when creeping along in traffic, Honda's hybrid system was not as robust, its motor merely giving extra boost to assist the engine.

For a time, Honda offered an Accord Hybrid with this system, but it only lasted three years. Now, Honda is ready to bring a Accord Plug-in Hybrid and Accord Hybrid back, with an entirely new hybrid drive system.

The … Read more

The Beetle may be an older nameplate, but for many drivers the world over the Volkswagen Golf (and its performance variant, the GTI) is the quintessential VW model. The Golf's combination of style, performance, and flexibility have helped the hatchback to remain a constant favorite. So, it's no surprise that the seventh-generation Golf -- which makes its debut later this month at the 2012 Paris Motor Show -- doesn't deviate too far from the established formula of its six predecessors.

The photos and details released by Volkswagen today detail what will be the European-spec 2013 Golf, but … Read more

For its upcoming 2013 Sentra, Nissan has done a fair amount of work upgrading interior refinement, adding new technology, and increasing fuel economy. These improvement may not come as much of a surprise to industry watchers, as the car has already been released on other parts of the globe.

Nissan has done conservative work on the exterior, borrowing design aesthetics from that of the larger Altima with the new trapezoid-shaped grill and LED-wrapped headlights. Along the way, the new shape has shed 5 percent, or 150 pounds, of its overall weight.

On the inside Nissan makes a Dual Zone Automatic … Read more

Between crossovers and four-door hatchbacks, American drivers find little interest in a real wagon anymore, which explains why the Acura TSX Sport Wagon is one of the very few remaining wagons on the market. And as Acura may not design a new generation of the TSX as the company revamps its model lineup, this wagon may only see one more model year.

So if you are a wagon fan, this may be your last chance to get one. Acura took a mild approach when it built the TSX Sport Wagon. Although the TSX sedan can be had with four cylinder … Read more

One of the greatest automotive rivalries exists between the Chevy Camaro and Ford Mustang. Although it lay dormant when the Camaro ceased production, the 2010 model reignited the rivalry. However, when it comes to discussions of horsepower, Ford could hold the Mustang-based Shelby up as having no competition among Camaros. Until now.

The 2012 Camaro ZL1 adds a supercharger to a big V-8, the same strategy as the Shelby, to produce massive horsepower. And while the Shelby is still the power king, Chevy can boast other tech tricks that help give the Camaro ZL1 the edge at the track.

Foremost … Read more