First Look: 2012 Aston Martin V12 Zagato

Aston Martin's sexy V12 Zagato has already wowed crowds at auto shows around the globe and endured the infamous Nuerburgring for 24 hours straight, but now it's ready to tackle a new venue: public roads. Aston confirmed long ago that the Zagato-bodied racer would spawn a road car, but announced today such a vehicle will be unveiled...

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First Look: 2012 Aston Martin DBS Carbon Edition

Previously, you could order an Aston Martin DBS Carbon Black Edition in any color you desired, so long as it was Carbon Black. For 2012, however, that's no longer the case: the new DBS Carbon Edition is essentially the same car, albeit it isn't tied to a paint palette that would make Henry Ford proud. Two new hues -- Flame Orange...

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First Look: 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera S

Some automakers unveiled a half-dozen vehicles at the Frankfurt Motor Show, but Porsche had just one: the new, 991-generation of the 911. To learn more about the seventh iteration of the 911, we sat down with Porsche president and CEO Matthias Muller, board member for sales and marketing Bernhard Maier, and Porsche Cars North America...

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First Look: Formula Ford

Underscoring its commitment to motorsports of all types, Ford unveiled not one, but a total of seven race-ready vehicles at this year's Frankfurt show. The Focus ST-R factory racecar was just the start. Ford also unveiled its all new Formula Ford racecar, and is showing off five different rally-prepped Fiestas at this year's Frankfurt...

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2011 Toyota Sequoia Review

Overview The Toyota Sequoia has recently been introduced as the newest competitor in the full size SUV category. The Sequoia sits in the middle of a competition with some huge competitors like the Chevy Tahoe and Ford Expedition. The design of the Sequoia has focused on the interior design of the cabin more than anything, even...

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The Audi R8 GT is a slightly more powerful, slightly lighter version of the R8 5.2 FSI coupe, which isn't exactly short on power (525 hp) or overweight (3583 pounds) to begin with. Perhaps that's why Audi only managed to bump peak horsepower to 560 and drop the curb weight 152 pounds for the GT. How do you cut weight from a car...

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First Look: Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class

Mercedes-Benz has been going all-out with the energetic celebrations for the 125th anniversary of the car. To make sure that it was not the only one having fun, the automaker debuted its Concept A-Class with a dancing and singing flash mob. Singing a rendition of the classic Janis Joplin song, “Mercedes-Benz,” the dancers made...

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First Look: Nissan Leaf Nismo RC

 The Motorsports world hasn't been immune to the trend toward creating more fuel efficient and more environmentally friendly vehicles, and now with the Nissan Leaf Nismo RC set to hit its stand at the 2011 New York auto show, Nissan is showcasing its vision of an EV-only race car. The Nissan Leaf Nismo RC is 3.9-inches shorter,...

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First Look: 2012 Nissan Versa Sedan

The lone engine choice is a revised 1.6-liter four-cylinder that is lighter and now features dual variable-valve-timing, resulting in two extra horsepower (for 109 total) but a loss of four pound-feet of torque (down to 107.) The old Versa's optional 1.8-liter engine vanishes from the order sheet. Base models come with a five-speed...

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First Look: 2012 Porsche Panamera Turbo S

By Jake Holmes   Porsche will use this year's New York auto show to unveil the 2012 Panamera Turbo S, the most powerful factory version yet of the company's luxury sedan. Building on the 500-horsepower Panamera Turbo, the new car trumps its non-S stablemate with an infusion of 50 more horsepower and 37 extra pound-feet of torque. While...

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First Look: Porsche Panamera S Hybrid

We have seen the 2012 Porsche Panamera S Hybrid earlier this year at the Geneva Motor Show, but this is the first time the car has been seen on U.S. soil. Little visually differentiates the Hybrid from the gasoline-only Panamera S. However, under the hood lies the same 333-horsepower, supercharged 3.0-liter V-6 and 47-horsepower...

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First Look: Scion FR-S Concept

What started as the Toyota FT-86 concept and portended a joint-effort sports car between Toyota and Subaru is now the Scion FR-S concept that debuted at the 2011 New York Auto Show. It points the way toward a production car that will go on sale sometime in 2012. Scion cannot be more specific on timing due to the upheaval in the Japanese...

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First Look: Suzuki EcoCharge Concept

As more and more attention is lavished on new all-electric vehicles, there are still plenty of manufacturers aiming to cut carbon emissions with hybrid versions of their existing cars. At the New York auto show, Suzuki will dip its toe into the world of hybrids with the EcoCharge concept, a hybrid version of the Kizashi sedan. The...

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First Look: Suzuki Kizashi Apex

We're big fans of the Suzuki Kizashi, admiring its smart styling, practicality, and engaging handling dynamics. The one area we'd address is acceleration, which is competent but hardly awe-inspiring, thanks to a 2.4-liter inline-four offering 185 horsepower (180 with continuously variable transmissions) and 170 pound-feet of torque....

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First Look: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

  It's never easy to reinterpret a design icon on the order of the Volkswagen Beetle, one of the most recognizable vehicles ever. But with the New Beetle getting old, the time has for the 2012 Volkswagen Beetle. One of the most anticipated new VWs in recent memory, the 2012 Beetle is getting the VIP treatment with a simultaneous...

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First Look: Ford Fiesta ST Concept

  Turbocharged Ford Fiestas bounce across Rallycross courses and wind their way through WRC stages around the world, but why should rally drivers have all the fun? Perhaps they won't -- the Ford Fiesta ST Concept, which debuted at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show, is likely a sign of hot hatches to come. Although the notion...

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First Look: 2012 Ford Focus ST

American enthusiasts have been waiting with bated breath for an SVT Focus replacement ever since it left the scene back in 2004. The wait is almost over. Now we finally have the full details on the 2012 Ford Focus ST, which debuted today in production trim at the 2011 Frankfurt motor show. The 2012 Focus ST is the first...

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First Look: Audi A2 Concept

Along with the miniscule Urban Concepts, Audi is unwrapping the electric-powered A2 concept -- which previews a forthcoming subcompact model -- at the 2011 Frankfurt Motor Show. Like the original A2, which debuted in 2000, the new concept is diminutive in size. In fact, the concept is within half an inch of the original...

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First Drive: Audi Urban Concept - part 2

  Snakeman Kacher needs an extra coordination effort to spiral his 6'7" self behind the two-spoke sports wheel which pulls out (by a generous 5.5 inches) to make room for long legs and the stomach. The two thinly upholstered seats are firmly attached to the floor and the rear firewall. The occasional pillion would need...

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