Acura's 2013 ILX is an entry-level compact luxury sedan loosely based on the Honda Civic with the needed touches of luxury, such as soft-touch leather, comfortable seats and enough room for five adults. Also, the lack of a center console forced Acura to add a second glove box for additional storage.
While the ILX combines the elements of style and luxury, it maintains Acura's reputation as a vehicle that is "fun to drive" and places it amongst the echelon of the Audi A3, Lexus CT 200h and Buick Verano.
Packed with 450 hp and 317 lb-ft of torque, the 4.2-liter V8 for the RS5 aims to please...well, more than please. Perhaps "exhilarate" would be more appropriate. AS the ultra-sporty version of the A5, the RS5 uses a seven-speed S-tronic transmission. The top speed is electronically limited to 174 mph. The sport tuned suspension rides 0.8-inches lower than the standard A5, adding to the look and drive feel of the car. Another sweet characteristic is the rear spoiler, which rises automatically when the vehicle hits 75 mph or more.
If this car meets your needs on paper, it will likely fulfill them on the road. It doesn't short-change the driver in any way. Fast, handsome and capable, the RS5 is rolling confirmation of Audi's rising role in the automotive world.
After a two-year gap, the M6 returns to BMW's lineup with a a coupe and convertible. Under the hood is the same 560-hp turbocharged V8 used in the M5 sedan. Power flows through the seven-speed dual clutch to Active M differential on the rear axle. Buyers have the option of adding carbon-ceramic brakes with 20" wheels.
The hardware for the top pushes the M6 convertibles cur weight up to 4,500 pounds. The thrust from the engine and the long list of electronic traction and stability technologies will make sure the M6 performs like a member of the M family-and you'll look good doing it,too.
The 2013 BMW X1 is the latest addition to that lineup, offering a mix of car-like performance, crossover-like utility, and a vaguely wagon-like shape. But does it have enough universal appeal to become more than a niche vehicle in the U.S.?
Though the X1 has all the right moves to attract the enthusiast set, that group of buyers will have to choose between a wagon-flavored crossover and an actual wagon: The upcoming 3 Series wagon is set to arrive next spring. That car will land stateside with an N20 turbo-four and eight-speed auto combo, and should offer the same stellar handling of the current 3 Series with added cargo volume. Once that car arrives, the X1 may become the second choice of enthusiasts. But the X1's fun factor, standard and available features, and most important, the fact that it's a (wagon-like) crossover should ensure it's at least more popular than the 3 wagon here in the U.S.
The all-new Cadillac ATS is available between a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder that makes 272 hp, a 2.5 liter 4-cylinder offering 202 hp and a 3.6-liter V6 capable of 321 hp. All of theres are expected to deliver highway fuel economy of more than 30 mpg. A sophisticated suspension paired with magnetic-ride control and available Brembo performance brakes combine to further enhance this Cadillac's competitive drive feel.
The ATS is fundamentally solid and inherently balanced. Its three engine options start near the top in terms of output and technology. the car offers rear- or all-wheel drive out of the box, and its power-to-weight ratios are best in class. with the ATS, Cadillac finally has a second sedan that Audi/BMW/Mercedes drivers (or wannabes) might actually think about buying, in a more lucrative chunk of the market.
The Dodge Dart is the first all-new vehicle to come out of the Fiat/Chrysler partnership.
The compact car rides on a modified Alfa Romeo Giulietta platform and is available in five trim levels with three engine choices, 14 interior trim combinations and what Dodge says are more than 100,000 ways in which to configure it.With its bold styling, sport-tuned suspension and interior unlike that of other compacts in the market, the Dart stands out among competitors.
If you are in the market for a compact car, you certainly need to take a look at the 2013 Dodge dart,as it takes a back seat to nothing else in the segment.
In just two model years, Ford has done a surprising amount of work on the Explorer... incremental changes have improved its noise/vibration/harshness characteristics, its ride and handling, and its technology -- namely MyFord Touch. While those changes were relatively small, Ford has made a big leap forward with the new 2013 Ford Explorer Sport.
Ford's now-familiar 3.5-liter EcoBoost twin-turbo V-6 makes a stout 365 horsepower and 350 lb-ft of torque powering the Explorer Sport. It feels similar to the Flex EcoBoost. It's not a throw-you-back-in-the-seat kind of acceleration, but instead a strong surge. There's still a bit of lag off the line until the turbos spool, but once they're running, the engine's got plenty of power the rest of the way up the selectable digital tach. The isolation inside means it's one of those vehicles where you can look down and suddenly realize you're cruising well above the speed limit.
It's hard to argue with a 6-second jaunt to 60 mph, 5000 pounds of towing, and an estimated 16 mph city and 22 mpg highway. That last figure, Ford says, makes the Explorer Sport the most efficient high-performance SUV out there. In fact, Ford says the Land Rover Range Rover HSE would be an apt comparison, rather than, say, the Jeep Grand Cherokee SRT-8. That's not as outlandish as it sounds, but it's still a bit optimistic.
The Ford Focus ST picks up where the SVT version left off after the 2004 model year by transforming the pedestrian Focus into a true enthusiast's ride. There's a high-output engine under the hood, a sport suspension, and an interior dressed with some serious seats and equipment.
All of that extra oomph is apparent right off the bat, but the power delivery feels linear and smooth, not peaky. The ride is a bit rough., but not enough to make us complain. the best part is the price, which makes this car the one to beat among all the hot hatchbacks.
Unlike the seemingly replicated Fords of the past, this Lincoln offers a range of unique styling and technology, punctuated by a 15.2 sq. ft. retractable glass roof. You won't find that on this year's Fusion.
Swoopy aero styling and a unique, luxurious new interior mark the redesigned 2013 Lincoln MKZ. It's a good thing, too - Lincoln is banking on the MKZ to re-establish the brand among entry luxury customers. If nothing else, the retractable glass roof is sure to interest some new buyers.
The Chrysler Group is upgrading its heavy-duty Ram pickups for the 2013 model to deliver what it says will be class-leading towing capacity. Diesel-powered versions also adopt selective catalytic reduction exhaust treatment to cut emissions and extend maintenance intervals.
The heavy-duty versions of the Ram pull up a number of comfort and convenience features added to the light-duty Ram earlier this year. They include an 8-inch display in the center stack to control ventilation, audio and navigation; an optional 7-inch display in the gauge cluster to monitor vehicle operation and fuel economy; availability of new-generation Uconnect systems with wireless Internet connectivity; and redesigned interior trim. The center stack includes a row of knobs and buttons that are redundant controls for the audio and heating/ventilation/air conditioning system. Buyers can also customize a second row of buttons to operate towing accessories.
Frans of affordable, rear-drive sports coupes are riding high with the Subaru BRZ, the mechanical twin of the Scion FR-S. You get a 2.0-liter flat-four pumping out 200 hp. You can choose between a six-speed manual or six-speed automatic with paddle shifters on the steering wheel. The rear seats are best for kids, not adults. But you can easily get two golf bags in the trunk.
The Subaru BRZ is a practical daily driver that won't beat you up, but neither will it let you down if you find a nice twisty road to drive on..
Source: Autoweek