The revised 2013 Honda Civic sedan lives up to the “Better” advertising hype. Then again, “Better” is not exactly a lofty goal or a proud boast from the top compact car in U.S. sales. Is chrome on the grille and trunk lid enough to banish the memories of last year’s poverty-spec Civic sedan?
Despite being a total snooze to sports car enthusiasts, the Civic sedan packs the most diverse powerplant options of any passenger vehicle ever sold commercially, including: gasoline, hybrid and CNG
This little econobox is singlehandedly preparing for the diverse energy mix we all have in our futures. The Civic’s hybrid system finally matches Toyota’s third-gen Prius for sophistication and economy, while the CNG option is looking more enticing than ever thanks to America’s natural gas revolution pushing prices to record lows.
Additionally, Honda has taken a number of complaints about the 2012 Civic to heart, such as the unacceptable road noise and harshness, negative amounts of road style, and an interior full of unusual shapes jammed together like a losing Tetris game. Can the 2013 Honda Civic sedan pivot from mediocrity with blankets of NVH material, some LEDs and infotainment tech from the new Accord?
Click past the jump for the full review of the Honda Civic Sedan.
Volkswagen has announced the launch of the new Passat Wolfsburg Edition. The special edition sedan will sit between the base S and mid-level SE in the model lineup.
This special edition looks to build on the company’s heritage, as Wolfsburg where all VW models ultimately hail from. When VW started making the original Type 1 (a.k.a. Bug) most cars came with the Wolfsburg Castle image on the car’s horn button.
The German automaker’s headquarters has been used in many past special editions and the cars that bear the Wolfsburg name usually give buyers a few upgrades over the base model and additional badging.
The new car is based on the S model trim, but includes a number of standard features to add some extra value to the pot, while keeping costs as low as possible. The Wolfsburg model is distinguished by special wheels and badging.
Hit the jump to read more about the Volkswagen Passat Wolfsburg Edition
Cadillac unveiled a first ELR concept back in 2011 and ever since then everyone was pretty sure a production will also follow. Things got pretty clear in 2012 when a leak from OnStar confirmed Cadillac will dive into the hybrid realm with a vehicle not named "Escalade." The model finally made its world debut at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show and according to the first official details we have, it offers "an unprecedented combination of luxury, advanced engineering and progressive design."
However, this is not the first time in Caddy’s long history that it’s tread into the economy car world. The first one was the laughably Cavalier-like Cimarron. If you recall, Cadillac was so embarrassed by the Cimarron that the automaker refused to call it a Cadillac and instead dubbed it the “Cimarron by Cadillac” originally. GM later forced a name change to “Cadillac Cimarron.”
Needless to say Caddy does not want to relive those days, so they took things pretty serious with the ELR. The model is being powered by the latest GM EREV technology that combined a pure electric drive and an efficient, range-extending 1.4 liter gasoline-powered electric generator.
Updated 01/15/2013: This review has been updated with the official details, images and video.
Click past the jump to read the entire review to see if the ELR will end up on TIME’s “50 Worst Cars of All Time” list alongside the Cimarron.
UPDATE 4/14/2013: Cadillac has just revealed the details on the ELR’s unique regenerative-braking system that allows you to regen on demand. See more after the jump.
The 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage debuted at the 2013 New York International Auto Show. And while its power may not impress, its mpg may start making hybrid cars start shaking in their low-rolling-resistance tires.
Let’s face it the Mirage isn’t the sexiest car to roll out of Mitsu’s factory; in fact, it’s just another econo-hatch that easily blends into the scenery as you head down the highway. Mitsubishi is hoping to change that with the new model and this time around, the Mirage will try to make its way back into the hearts of Americans for the first time since 2002.
The car has been redesigned with all new styling that Mitsu hopes will attract new buyers, which is something the floundering company needs to help keep it in the American market. Unfortunately, it is heading into a market – the sub-compact hatchback market – that is quickly becoming overfull.
Perhaps its practicality and relatively large amount of storage space will help push it over the other motorized roller-skates on the market.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2014 Mitsubishi Mirage.
Just like with the rest of the Skoda lineup, the Superb is also about to receive a mid-life update. Our spy photographers have caught the car testing today for the first time and, even though the prototype is wearing camouflage, you can clearly see that the updates will be similar to those initially unveiled in the MissionL concept.
This means that the front end will be pretty similar to the one revealed in models like Rapid and Octavia. So, you should expect a new front grille, new headlights and front bumper. For the rear, the model will get redesigned lights, meaning they will change from the slotted lights with the inner part on the trunk lid into a one-piece version. Together with a new rear bumper, this will give the back a cleaner look. The interior will also be slightly revised.
There are no details on the engine lineup just yet, but you should see expect the new engines from the Octavia lineup.
British customers will enjoy a new addition to their already very impressive Kia Soul Originals collection. The new addition, the Soul Shaker will be offered in both petrol and diesel engine variants and will carry a relatively low price.
The model sits above the "2" specification version and shares some high-tech features with other models in the Soul Originals range, including iPod and Bluetooth connectivity, cruise control and air conditioning.
When compared to other Soul models in the lineup, the new Shaker edition will be distinguished by an exclusive paintjob, a new set of alloy wheels, and premium interior in a new unique ’Houndstooth’ design.
Kia also paid intensive attention to the car’s safety level and equipped the new Shaker with technologies like electronic stability control, anti-lock brakes with electronic brake force distribution, vehicle stability management and hill-start assist control.
Hit the jump to ream more the 2013 Kia Soul Shaker.
Geneva Motor Show is still almost two months away, but as usual, we will know nearly everything about it long before the official opening. For example, Kia has unveiled today the first teaser images of a new "provocative and racy new urban concept car" set to be unveiled in Geneva.
The company kept the name a secret, but confirmed the concept will feature the "company’s signature tiger-nose morphing into a mischievous, yet friendly, grille and headlight arrangement, coupled with strong styling lines that exude speed and energy from every angle."
We have also notice lots of carbon fiber used in the front bumper, a new set of wheels and, of course, an overall aggressive presence. Also, we expect this new concept to be a hybrid vehicle, but this is just simple speculation.
Full details on the new concept will be unveiled on March 5th, during the its official debut in Geneva, so stay tuned!
Last time we caught the upcoming 235 mpg Volkswagen XL1 was back in August. Now our spy photographers have caught the production version of Volkswagen XL1
The production-version XL1 will combine two engines: a small two-cylinder Turbo Diesel Injection (TDI) engine delivering a total of 30 horsepower and a 30-horsepower electric motor. Both engines will send the power to the rear wheels via a seven-speed DSG transmission.
The XL1 will be offered with gullwing doors and an interior that looks pretty similar to the one revealed in the concept version. It will also borrow from its concept cousin the very narrow rear track and the wheels sitting far inside the body. The wheels will be covered by full wheel covers to help the aerodynamics.
The new Volkswagen XL1 is expected to be unveiled at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show and will hit the market later this year.
Nissan has unveiled a new addition to the Versa lineup at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show. This new Versa Note will go on sale in the summer of 2013 at a price of $13,990 and in four different trim levels: S, S Plus, SV and SL Packages.
When compared to the Versa sedan version, the new Note version will get its own distinctive look, feel and added hatchback utility. Design elements have been inspired by the Note designation used in other global markets, and will include steeply sloped front windshield, sculpted front doors and dramatic character lines.
All four models will be powered by an advanced 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine mated to either a five-speed manual transmission or a Nissan Xtronic CVT transmission. This combination allows the new Versa Note to deliver an impressive fuel economy of 35 mpg, on combined cycle.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Nissan Verso Note.
The next- generation Peugeot 308 has been caught testing many times, but the latest spy shots reveal the car during its first winter test. Previous rumors suggested the new generation could drop the current 308 name in favor of a new 301 moniker, but the latest rumors say the new car will keep its 308 name.
The new 308 will be built on the same platform as the Citroen C4 and DS4, and will be lighter and more agile.
The engine lineup will once again be shared with Citroen models and will include a wide range of petrol and diesel engines, plus an all-new diesel hybrid. Peugeot will also offer the new three-cylinder family in an attempt to reduce fuel consumption as much as possible.
Even if the car is still heavily camouflaged, the new 308 will be a mixture between the 208 and the SR1 Concept car, featuring a more elegant and compact body then the current generation.
Expect the new Peugeot 308 to be unveiled later in 2013.
