Taking center stage at the Geneva Motor Show this week is the all-new 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The new A-Class is a bold departure from the outgoing model and even offers a level of refinement and style that C-Class owners would be jealous of.

The interior is roomier than before and boasts quality [...]]]>

Taking center stage at the Geneva Motor Show this week is the all-new 2012 Mercedes-Benz A-Class. The new A-Class is a bold departure from the outgoing model and even offers a level of refinement and style that C-Class owners would be jealous of.

The interior is roomier than before and boasts quality materials that are on par with those used in the recently updated M-Class. Powering this new model is a range of four-cylinder options including a 1.6-liter unit and a 2.-0-liter. In addition to embracing direct injection and turbocharging, the A-Class also comes standard with start/stop functionality and choice of either a six-speed manual gearbox or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

“A is for Attack: the A-Class is a clear statement of the new dynamism of the Mercedes-Benz brand”, explains Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and Head of Mercedes-Benz Cars. “It is completely new, down to the last detail. In automotive development, it’s not often you get the chance to start with a clean sheet of paper. Our engineers and designers have made the very most of that opportunity.”

Daimler has stated that new compacts are destined to land on North American shores, but the A-Class or other small car has yet to be officially confirmed. It’s likely that such a model won’t arrive until 2013.

Like its competitors, Mercedes is attempting to become more competitive when it comes to high-volume small cars. By combining a good looks with efficient and powerful engines, Mercedes may have a winning formula that excites buyers on both sides of the pond.

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Year by year the all-electric vehicle market is getting increasingly crowded. However, the Nissan Leaf to raise the bar over its competitors. The EV is now officially the first electric car to be available for order in all U.S. markets.

Nissan’s latest launch phase for the Leaf will bring the car to [...]]]>

Year by year the all-electric vehicle market is getting increasingly crowded. However, the Nissan Leaf to raise the bar over its competitors. The EV is now officially the first electric car to be available for order in all U.S. markets.

Nissan’s latest launch phase for the Leaf will bring the car to 21 new states. On March 1, reservation holders in the these states received emails from Nissan inviting them to engage in the ordering process for the 2012 Leaf. Deliveries will start taking place in these new markets by summer.

“More than 22,000 Leafs are on the roads globally, having driven more than 30 million miles,” said Brian Carolin, senior vice president, Sales & Marketing, NNA. “There is no longer any doubt that a 100-percent electric, zero-emissions vehicle fulfills the needs and desires of drivers from around the globe. Nationwide availability of the Nissan Leaf means that now, anyone in the country can opt for a transportation solution that does not harm the environment, provides a pathway to energy independence, and doesn’t use a single drop of gas.”

The Nissan Leaf won’t be the only all-electric Japanese vehicle to tackle Pikes Peak. Mitsubishi is preparing its own racer based on the all-new 2012 i (aka i-MiEV) to take on the 14,110-foot climb.

In 2011, the Nissan Leaf set the initial record in the Hill Climb’s electric production vehicle class, covering the 12.42-mile [...]]]>

The Nissan Leaf won’t be the only all-electric Japanese vehicle to tackle Pikes Peak. Mitsubishi is preparing its own racer based on the all-new 2012 i (aka i-MiEV) to take on the 14,110-foot climb.

In 2011, the Nissan Leaf set the initial record in the Hill Climb’s electric production vehicle class, covering the 12.42-mile run in a respectable 14 minutes 33 seconds. The instant torque from the electric motor and the consistency from the powertrain (which wasn’t affect by the high altitude) helped it conquer this demanding event.

Mitsubishi hopes to demonstrate the reliability and performance of its EV technology in the 2012 edition of the legendary Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The automaker has built an i-MiEV Prototype specially designed for the run, but it’s heavily based on the production i that’s already on the road in Japan, Europe and North America.

Piloted by legendary race car driver Hiroshi Masuoka, Mitusbishi will use the event as a learning experience to further test the capabilities of batteries, motors and other EV components used in the vehicle.

Some rumors tend to come and go while others seem to linger, providing some bit of legitimacy. One such rumor surrounds Nissan and the long-defunct Datsun brand. According to Japan’s Nikkei news service, the Japanese automaker is getting ready to launch a low-cost brand using the Datsun moniker.

If the rumored revival comes to [...]]]>

Some rumors tend to come and go while others seem to linger, providing some bit of legitimacy. One such rumor surrounds Nissan and the long-defunct Datsun brand. According to Japan’s Nikkei news service, the Japanese automaker is getting ready to launch a low-cost brand using the Datsun moniker.

If the rumored revival comes to fruition, the Datsun brand likely won’t come to the U.S. Instead, the brand will be used in emerging markets, particularly in Asia, with a lineup of vehicles priced in the $6,000 USD range.

In recent years, Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn has been eager to become more competitive in emerging markets, such as China, Brazil, India and Russia. Use of the Datsun brand in some markets could be a good strategy to allow the Nissan to cater to up-market consumers.

The name “Datson” was created in 1931 and was later changed to “Datsun,” since “son” can be translated to mean “loss” in Japanese. The parent company eventually became part of what is known as Nissan today.

The all-new Volvo V40 is the kind of wagon we wish all wagons would be. Sure, the 2013 V40 is safe and versatile, but its sleek sheet metal is also easy on the eyes. Unfortunately, Volvo has confirmed that it will not be making it to the U.S.

Geno Effler, who’s responsible for [...]]]>

The all-new Volvo V40 is the kind of wagon we wish all wagons would be. Sure, the 2013 V40 is safe and versatile, but its sleek sheet metal is also easy on the eyes. Unfortunately, Volvo has confirmed that it will not be making it to the U.S.

Geno Effler, who’s responsible for Volvo’s public relations here in the U.S., confirmed that “the V40 is not coming to the United States.” As reportedly earlier, we originally believed that the new V40 would also be the basis for a C30 replacement as well as a S40 replacement. However, it appears that the new model is yet another stylish Euro hatchback we’ll lust after, but won’t be able to get our hands on.

In addition to boasting the usual slew of safety innovations like Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake and a world-first pedestrian airbag, the V40 will also available with a range of powerplants delivering up to 254 horsepower, braking energy regeneration, and choice of manual or automatic gearbox.

While this new model won’t be made available to American buyers, you can still find on the details on this vehicle via the press release below.

Infiniti has released images of its sleek Emerg-E hybrid sports-car concept this week. The car is slated to make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week. Although there are some design cues from the current G37, the concept is strongly reminiscent of the Essence that excited enthusiasts and the media [...]]]>

Infiniti has released images of its sleek Emerg-E hybrid sports-car concept this week. The car is slated to make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next week. Although there are some design cues from the current G37, the concept is strongly reminiscent of the Essence that excited enthusiasts and the media on the auto show circuit in 2009 and 2010.

Nissan’s luxury arm is clearly interested in offering more performance-tuned offerings, but the brand isn’t going to do so without offering innovative fuel-saving tech either. Infiniti already boasts the world’s fastest hybrid, and the range-extended electric powertrain within the Emerg-E is telling of the the brand’s eco-centric strategy moving forward.

Nissan executives have previously described the Infiniti Emerge-E as, “our vision for a totally new kind of inspired premium performance car. The natural next step was to push the boundaries where performance and the environment intersect.”

The two-seat, mid-engined Emerg-E has a powertrain that operates in the same fashion as the Chevrolet Volt, where electricity drives the rear wheels while a small gasoline generator helps recharge the batteries. It’s propelled by an 80 kW electric motor and a lithium-ion battery from the Nissan Leaf. Its small 1.2-liter engine is mounted amidships for optimal weight handling and distribution.

In the wake of the Emerg-E’s debut, Infiniti also plans to challenge BMW with its own Z4 rival. An all-electric sedan is also rumored to make its debut at the upcoming New York Auto Show in April.

Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to launch the all-new A-Class, and when it does the hatchback will boast full integration with the ubiquitous Apple iPhone.

The German automaker boldly claims that the new A-Class will be an iPhone on wheels. It promises that the vehicle will offer seamless integration between the iPhone and the [...]]]>

Mercedes-Benz is gearing up to launch the all-new A-Class, and when it does the hatchback will boast full integration with the ubiquitous Apple iPhone.

The German automaker boldly claims that the new A-Class will be an iPhone on wheels. It promises that the vehicle will offer seamless integration between the iPhone and the car’s infotainment system.

More robust integration of the iPhone has been aided by the all-new “Digital DriveStyle App” developed in-house by Daimler. The app offers further services and content to suit the digital lifestyle and will be available to download free of charge from the Apple iTunes store. Features of this app includes personalized Internet radio, advanced navigation software from Garmin, and compatibility with beloved voice-based intelligent companion Siri.

Mercedes-Benz will also introduce two new mobile apps at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show, including the “Digital DriveStyle App” and the “Drive Kit Plus for the Apple iPhone.”

Ultimately, the new technology included inside the new A-Class will help the hatchback appeal the lucrative “Facebook generation” who demand seamless integration with their mobile lifestyle.

Nissan has been building vehicles at its Smyrna, Tennessee facility for the past 30 years. In that time, many of Nissan’s most popular models have rolled off the assembly line. However, the facility has yet to turn out a luxury vehicle, until now. Production of the all-new Infiniti JX crossover has already begun at [...]]]>

Nissan has been building vehicles at its Smyrna, Tennessee facility for the past 30 years. In that time, many of Nissan’s most popular models have rolled off the assembly line. However, the facility has yet to turn out a luxury vehicle, until now. Production of the all-new Infiniti JX crossover has already begun at the plant and it’s officially the first luxury vehicle ever built in the state of Tennessee.

The all-new, seven-passenger 2013 Infiniti JX is slated to reach showrooms nationwide in March. When it arrives it will boast best-in-class fuel economy ratings of 21 mpg and 20 mpg combined for the front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive models, respectively. While offering strong MPG, the JX will also boast plenty of power thanks to a 265-horsepower 3.5-liter DOHC V6 engine under the hood. This powerplant is also manufactured in Tennessee at a facility in nearby Decherd.

“We are extremely honored to be building this world-class vehicle, right here in Middle Tennessee,” said Susan Brennan, Vice President Manufacturing Smyrna-Decherd. “We expect the inspired design and quality craftsmanship built into every new Infiniti that rolls off the production line in Smyrna will deliver inspired performance that is second to none.”

The luxury crossover market is the fastest growing luxury segment in America, and Infiniti expects the JX to quickly become its second highest volume model, right behind the popular Infiniti G-line. With a base price of $40,450 for the front-wheel drive JX35, its priced competitively amid compact and midsize luxury crossovers.

“In JX, we have created the next great luxury family vehicle – one with seductive design, sophisticated craftsmanship, a roomy interior, innovations that make life more efficient, and advanced safety features,” added Infiniti Americas Vice President Ben Poore. “I’m proud to say it’s built right here in Tennessee!”

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The all-new 2013 Subaru BRZ already looks to be an enthusiast’s dream, thanks to its perfectly balanced chassis, modest curb weight, and its reasonable price. However, drivers in the UK will have something special to pine for. When the BRZ goes on sale across the pond, Subaru will offer a “stripped-out model” intended [...]]]>

The all-new 2013 Subaru BRZ already looks to be an enthusiast’s dream, thanks to its perfectly balanced chassis, modest curb weight, and its reasonable price. However, drivers in the UK will have something special to pine for. When the BRZ goes on sale across the pond, Subaru will offer a “stripped-out model” intended for use on the track.

Here in the U.S., buyers will be able to opt for the Premium and the Limited BRZ. Unfortunately, we won’t be getting a simplified, lightweight track model — at least not at the model’s launch.

In addition to the two aforementioned models, the UK will get a model dubbed the RC, which loses 100 pounds compared to the base coupe as it doesn’t come with LSD, air conditioning, radio, and paint on some body parts. It also loses the 17-inch alloys for 16-inch steel wheels.

Feel free to take a closer look at what the Brits are getting via the press release below.

American drivers aren’t as eager to get rid of their aging cars according to a new study. These days, drivers are holding on to their cars for an average of six years — longer than ever before.

The results of the study, conducted by research firm Polk, reflects the growing reliability of new [...]]]>

American drivers aren’t as eager to get rid of their aging cars according to a new study. These days, drivers are holding on to their cars for an average of six years — longer than ever before.

The results of the study, conducted by research firm Polk, reflects the growing reliability of new cars. Data also reflect consumers’ disinterest in making another purchase amid the recent economic uncertainty.

While this may signal fewer sales for automakers, some analyst suggest it could pose an opportunity as well.

“Traditionally most older vehicle repairs go to the independent aftermarket but this is an opportunity for manufacturers to get in on that as well,”  said Mark Seng, global aftermarket practice leader at Polk.

Results of the study put pressure on dealers more so than OEMs. Dealers that want to grow their business will need to invest in parts and service operations to nurture more business. It’s also going to become increasingly important for dealers to learn ways to build loyalty with existing customers.