The Impala was once a feared muscle car that could also haul around the entire family, but things have changed since the 1960s and automakers are more focused on economy and emissions. This means that the once legendary Impala has become a family car, plain and simple. In 2014, Chevy is completely revamping the Impala in an attempt to keep it fresh and it is slated to be revealed at the 2012 New York Auto Show. Like many automakers this year, Chevy just can’t resist releasing information early.
Chevy has released all of the specifications and even some nice images of the anticipated production model. No more teasers guys, this is supposedly the real deal. From the looks of it, the best-selling full-size sedan in 2011 is looking to reclaim that crown with this redesign.
The redesign itself is rather drastic for Chevy’s standards, so prepare yourself. Then again, some of the standard features — engine, transmission and safety features — are pretty average and not surprising at all. The next gen Chevrolet Impala will be built on the LWB version of the Epsilon 2 chassis and will be offered with a new range of engines, including a 3.6 liter V6 engine and a new 2.0 liter turbo four-cylinder. An E-assist model may also follow after the launch.
With sedans like the Dodge Charger, Ford Taurus and Nissan Maxima sneaking up on it, can the Impala pull off the feat or repeating as a best seller?
Check out the full review after the jump to see if the 2014 Chevrolet Impala has the goods to remain the best seller in America.
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There’s no shortage of auto debuts going on at the 2012 New York Auto Show and Land Rover is joining in on the fun with the premier of two special edition models that are set to be made available later in 2012.
One of these models is based on the Land Rover LR4 and it’s called the LR4 HSE Luxury Limited Edition. As its name will obviously tell you, the LR4 HSE Luxury Limited Edition has been touched up with plenty of high-class accessories.
On the outside, the SUV was finished in an exclusive Santorini Black paint finish to go with silver touches on the front grille surround, the full-length roof rails, the mirror housing, the bonnet script, and the tailgate badge. In addition, Land Rover decided to give the LR4 HSE Luxury Limited Edition’s wheels some spunk, courtesy of a new set of 20" 10-spoke alloy rims.
Moving to the interior, you’ll find a leather explosion, courtesy of an expanded leather treatment dressed in an Arabica color. The SUV’s door tops, door pulls, arm rests, and dashboard fascia all carry the same leather material that’s complemented by a contrast stitched detailing and a Dark Zebrano wood veener. And if all that leather isn’t enough to tickle your fancy, the LR4 HSE Luxury Limited Edition also has plenty of the standard features, including an 825 watt, 17-speaker Harman/Kardon LOGIC7 Premium Audio System, 8" screens, wireless headphones, and last but certainly not least, a Center Console Cooler Box.
The LR4 HSE Luxury Limited Edition will be made available worldwide with the UK understandably getting first dibs at the car. The price tag for the limited edition SUV on the other side of the pond starts at £56,995, which is around $90,500 based on current exchange rates.
Initially announced in 2007, the Buick Enclave soon became the industry’s best-selling three-row luxury crossover. Now, for the 2013 model year, the Enclave has been updated with new styling, new safety technologies, in-vehicle connectivity, and a more refined driving experience. The new model will go on sale in Fall 2012.
The new Enclave will be immediately recognized as a Buick due to its sculpted styling design language brought out five years ago, but this design language has been updated with the addition of a more prominent grille, LED headlights and LED daytime running lights, a new hood, a modified rear bumper, and restyled 19- and 20-inch alloy wheels. The interior has been updated with higher quality materials, chrome insertions, and a new center stack.
Under the hood, Buick has placed a 3.6 liter V-6 engine with an output of 288 HP and an updated six-speed automatic transmission that contribute to a more refined driving experience.
UPDATE 04/03/2012: This review has been updated with the official images and specs for the 2013 Buick Enclave.
UPDATE 04/06/2012: Today we have added a series of new images from the car’s official debut in New York. Check the picture gallery to see them.
Hit the jump for more information on the 2013 Buick Enclave.
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After being teased for about six weeks, the fifth generation Nissan Altima has finally made its world debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show. The model comes with a completely redesigned exterior, a better equipped interior, and a choice of two engines. Customers will have to choose between seven highly equipped models with prices starting at a lower $21,500.
On the exterior, the 2013 Altima has received a new grille design, seamless bumper, projector-type headlights, muscular fenders, unique taillights, and a dual exhaust system. The interior adds some of the most impressive technologies, like NissanConnectSM and Advanced Drive-AssistTM Display, while other updates include a three-spoke steering wheel, wood trim, and metallic accents.
Under the hood, Nissan has kept the usual 2.5-liter 4-cylinder and 3.5-liter V6 engines, but the four-cylinder engine has been updated to deliver a total of 182 HP - up from 175. The V6 remains at 270 HP.
UPDATE 04/03/2012: This review has been updated with the official images and specs for the 2013 Nissan Altima.
UPDATE 05/21/2012: Nissan has unveiled a new set of images for the 2013 Altima presenting the car in action. Enjoy!
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Nissan Altima.
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Hyundai was not shy about releasing a number of teaser images ahead of the Sante Fe’s official debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show. They’ve spent the whole month of March bringing out these images and we’re just about fed up with the wait. Thankfully, we came across a little banner that helped us out on the journey. Say hello to the first official image of the 2013 Hyundai Sante Fe.
It may only be a few hours until the New York Auto Show officially opens it doors, but that was still too long to wait. After twelve years on the market, the SUV was well in need of a new generation. This new Sante Fe takes its design inspiration from the Veloster and the new generation i30. The car features Hyundai’s new Fluidic Sculpture design language, a set of new headlamps and taillamps, and a new set of 19-inch aluminum wheels.
The current model is offered with engines like a 2.4-liter gasoline engine with an output of 174 hp and 197 HP diesel engine capacity of 2.2 liter. For the new model, Hyundai will offer more power in out of a couple of four cylinder engines.
We’ll find out more about the 2013 Sante Fe as soon as New York opens its doors, so stay tuned!
The SRT Viper’s debut is still 12 hours away, but it was highly unlikely that the highly anticipated return of the Viper would stay secret until then. The first two images of the car have surfaced on the internet and they confirm what everyone has been saying for quite some time: the new generation Viper’s design will pay tribute to the original Viper and will be sleeker, smoother, and even more impressive than before.
These first two images show off just that and although we haven’t seen the full frontal view just yet, we anticipate that the new generation Viper will undoubtedly be on our list for "Car of the Year!"
As a reminder, it is believed that the new Viper will be powered by an 8.7 liter V10 engine - the largest engine ever used in a Chrysler production car - so expect to see a phenomenal output! The car will go into production in late 2012 as a 2013 model, with the first five units being offered to members of the Viper Club of America.
More details will be revealed tomorrow during its official debut in New York, so stay tuned!
Europeans have been driving a diesel version of the Porsche Cayenne since 2009, but now Porsche has finally decided that it was the right time for the US market to get in on the action. After being rumored for quite some time, the US version version of the Cayenne Diesel will be making its world debut at the 2012 New York Auto Show.
The new Cayenne Diesel is powered by an efficient 3.0-liter V6 turbo
diesel engine that delivers a total of 240 HP and 406 lb.-ft. of torque. It sprints from 0 to 60 mph in just 7.2 seconds and can hit a top speed of 135 mph. This figures are delivered while still providing a fuel economy of 23 mpg on a combined cycle. The engine is mated to an 8-speed Tiptronic S transmission, without the Auto Start/Stop function available on other Cayenne variants.
The new Porsche Cayenne Diesel will go on sale in September 2012 at a starting price of $55,750, not including a $975 destination charge.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Porsche Cayenne Diesel.
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The Toyota Venza was launched for the first time back in 2008, but it’s preparing to enter the 2013 model year with enhanced exterior styling, added value through several new standard convenience features, and updated option packages. Its official debut was made at the 2012 New York Motor Show and sales are scheduled to begin later in 2012.
At the front, the new Venza has received a new upper and lower grille, fog lamps, and rear taillights. Toyota is also offering a new set of 19" wheels and a choice of the new exterior colors: Attitude Black, Cypress Pearl, and Cosmic Gray Mica.
Like the previous version, the 2013 Venza will be offered in LE, XLE, and Limited grades, with a choice of four-cylinder or V6 engines. Both front-wheel drive (FWD) or all-wheel drive (AWD) configurations will also be offered.
For 2013, the list of standard equipment will include, depending on the trim level: Driver Memory Seat, Reverse Tilt Outer Mirrors, Display Audio with Navigation and Toyota Entune, LED Daytime Running Lights, and Premium HDD Navigation with Entune and JBL.
UPDATE 04/03/2012: This review has been updated with the official images and specs for the Toyta Venza.
Hit the jump to read more about the 2013 Toyota Venza.
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For the past several decades, Ford has pranced the Lincoln brand around guised as a “luxury car,” but when compared to its competition – BMW, Mercedes, Lexus, and Infiniti – Lincolns just never held up. The lowest of lows came in the early-2000s with the release of the failed and wholly unpopular LS.
With the launching of the MK series of cars and SUVs, Lincoln began pressing the competition, but still fell slightly short of its goal in overtaking them. To help get Lincoln over this hump, Lincoln announced that the MKZ, the automaker’s entry-level sedan, will be completely overhauled for 2013 in hopes to better compete with the aforementioned competition.
We have all been anxiously awaiting the release of Lincoln’s plans to keep its lineup fresh, as it has been on the downward slide in recent years. We saw the concept MKZ and found out that the official design will, in fact, be a near replica of the concept – thank you Lincoln – but we had yet to hear anything about the official production specifications or the 2013 MKZ, at least until now. Ford Motor Company finally released these specs, just over 24 hours before its unveiling at the 2012 New York Auto Show.
Will this update be enough to launch the Lincoln lineup back to its days of dominating the Luxury car front, or will Lincoln have the same fate as GM’s Saturn and Oldsmobile brands, which also received a last minute redesign campaigns to try to save them? Take a look at the full review below to find out.
Hit the jump for the 2013 Lincoln MKZ review.<
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According to the official SRT count-down, we have to wait another 32 hours until we finally get to see the new generation Viper in all its glory. Until then, SRT is delighting us with another teaser image - and the last one of the series - that reveals part of the car’s hood.
From this image, we can see that the Viper will be better than ever. Its strong character lines will make it even sportier and far more attractive than any Viper before it. Of course, this new image does nothing else than intrigue us further, but the official debut is getting closer and we’re hoping we can resist until then.
The new teaser image comes with the following note: "Thank you, fans, for your excitement surrounding the 2013 SRT Viper. Keep an eye on driveSRT.com throughout the week for an insider’s perspective before, during and after the launch."
