Speed:Sport:Life

2012 NAIAS: 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe

When I drove the Genesis Coupe back in November of 2010, it ...

2012 NAIAS: 2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo

The turbocharged Veloster has pretty much been a given since the base ...

2012 NAIAS: 2013 Honda Accord Coupe Concept Photo Gallery

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2012 NAIAS – Chrysler 700C Concept

The Chrysler 700C made its way to the NAIAS show floor with ...

2012 NAIAS – Acura Press Conference Photo Gallery

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2012 NAIAS – Audi S4 Facelift & Q3 Vail Concept Photo Gallery

Audi showed off their latest iteration of the Q3 compact SUV with ...

Latest News

Video: Onboard the new LMP1 Toyota TS030 Hybrid with Alex Wurz

Ride along with Alex Wurz in the new Toyota TS030 LMP1 Prototype from the January test session at the Paul Ricard circuit in France. Powered by a 3.4-liter V8 engine and hybrid system, the Toyota TS030 is expected to make its debut at the six-hour WEC race at Spa in May.

Volkswagen Previews Big Game Ad Campaign With The Bark Side

Volkswagen has released this fantastic teaser video to their upcoming SuperGameThatShallNotBeMentionedInFullButEndsInBowl commercial that appeals to both Star Wars fans and animal lovers alike. For extra fun, watch it with your dog. Some of the results we’ve seen have been quite entertaining. Enjoy!

Breaking – Peugeot Suspends Le Mans LMP1 Program

Photo: Zerin Dube

Peugeot has announced that it has suspended all endurance racing programs effective immediately. Citing tough economic conditions in Europe, Peugeot stated “Peugeot has chosen to concentrate resources on its sales performance in 2012.” Peugeot was the overall winner at the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2009 and won the Intercontinental Le Mans Cup title last year, besting Audi’s efforts with the new R18. While 2012 and 2013 will see its share of new competitors including the new Toyota and Porsche LMP1 entries, we are sad that we won’t get to see the powerhouse French and German teams battling it out again this year in the World Endurance Championship.

Update: Speaking of Toyota and their new LMP1 program, @ToyotaPR (Head of Toyota and Lexus PR for the UK) tweeted this photo of their new racecar.

2012 NAIAS – Acura NSX Concept Photo Gallery

This is the new Acura NSX Concept which was just unveiled here at the 2012 North American International Auto Show. While this concept is still a couple of years away from becoming a realistic production car, Acura did make note that it will take advantage of the Acura SH AWD system and will utilize hybrid technology in the powertrain department. The biggest announcement was that the new Acura NSX will eventually built at Honda’s Ohio plant. We’re excited to see this car progress and hopefully will see a production announcement sooner than later.

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2012 NAIAS Photo Gallery: 2013 Ford Fusion Press Conference

Ford took their sweet time introducing us to the new Fusion this morning but, boy, was it worth it. What you see above is easily the best-looking midsize sedan since the first-generation Mazda6. You’re free to disagree of course. That’s the beauty of America, after all. Being wrong is well within your rights. If you’re reading this from beyond our borders, then you may or may not be at liberty to contest our assertion. That being the case, you’re looking at the new Mondeo, and the rest still applies.

Ford spent a solid fifteen minutes regurgitating the salient details of my commentary from last March (next time, just link to us in the press kit, guys), then stepped aside to let this beauty out into the spotlight. Positive reaction was universal. And if you ask us, this Fusion is also a bit of a middle finger to Ford’s former “prestige” lineups, taking obvious cues from recent Aston Martins and Jaguars (especially in the grille and d-pillar). And it works. There hasn’t been a more attractive volume midsize design since Volkswagen gave us the B5 Passat.

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2012 NAIAS: Nissan e-NV200 Concept

Nissan has revealed their version of the future ~~yellow~~ cab. What we know so far is that it’s small, decidedly non-Transit-Connect-like, and the range is claimed to be “comparable to Nissan Leaf,” which could really mean anything at this point. The full release and a spec table are available below the fold.

2012 NAIAS: 2012 Nissan Pathfinder Concept

The race to 35mpg has claimed yet another beloved body-on-frame SUV. The above is Nissan’s Pathfinder concept. Following in the footsteps of the Durango and Explorer, Nissan’s 7-passenger ‘ute will morph into yet another long-wheelbase CUV. Nissan claims the Pathfinder concept also showcases their new design direction, and if they follow through on their ~~threat~~ promise to deliver 20 new or redesigned vehicles in the next two years, you’d better start getting used to the new look now. The (rather uninformative) release is below. Details will be released “in the near future.” Read More…

2012 NAIAS: 2013 Cadillac ATS

The Germans have a new compact sedan competitor to look out for with the all-new 2013 Cadillac ATS sedan. The ATS sits below the CTS in the Cadillac line-up and is positioned to take on the class dominating BMW 3-Series, as well as the successful Audi A4 and Mercedes-Benz C-Class.

2012 NAIAS: Volkswagen Bugster Concept

This is the Beetle based e-Bugster concept from Volkswagen for the 2012 NAIAS. While this chopped hot rod Beetle is just a concept, VW hopes to highlight the “Blue E-motion” 114hp all-electric powertrain which Volkswagen says has a range of 100+ miles. The e-Bugster uses a 695 lb. lithium-ion battery which sits where the rear seats would normally be in a regular Beetle.

While this all sounds good on paper, we’ve yet to see VW actually build any of the concepts it shows at the NAIAS. That’s a shame, because the e-Bugster is the best looking Beetle yet.

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