2012 Shelby GTS Mustang

2012 Shelby GTS Mustang

2012 Shelby GTS Mustang

Barring the occasional foray into sport compacts and other interesting projects, Shelby American's primary focus has long centered upon building premium, high-performance muscle machines. That's fine and dandy, but corporate executives believe that in order to ensure the company has a customer base in the decades to come, it needs to develop a younger customer base.
Like the 2007-2008 Shelby GT Mustang, the new 2012 Shelby GTS essentially an affordable stepping stone into the Shelby way of life. Designed with budding enthusiasts in mind, the package, available on both Mustang V-6 and Mustang GT models, promises to bring in some younger shoppers.
As is the case with other Shelby models, GTS cars incorporate a number of visual revisions designed to set them apart from a standard Mustang. A custom grille and bumper fascia, cribbed from the company's mid-level GT350 offering, are installed, as is a bespoke ventilated hood. The famed twin racing stripes are standard, as are unique Shelby and Powered By Ford emblems.
Mechanically speaking, GTS models receive new springs, stabilizer bars, and a front strut tower brace from Ford Racing, along with upgraded Baer brakes. The only performance upgrade for either V-6 or V-8 cars is a cold air intake, although customers can opt for a supercharger for either the 3.7- or 5.0-liter engines, boosting power to 475 and 525-624 horsepower, respectively. Other performance options include 6-piston Baer Brakes, adjustable control arms, 18- and 20-inch wheel packages, a two-tone leather interior, and a Watts link rear suspension.
Refrain from dipping into that option list, and the GTS package will run you only $9995 more than a stock 2012 Mustang V-6, or $11,995 over a 2012 Mustang GT. Shelby officials think many GTS buyers will abstain from those add-ons initially, but ultimately opt to retrofit them as their budgets allow.

2012 Shelby GTS Mustang

2012 Shelby GTS Mustang

2012 Shelby GTS Mustang

2012 Shelby GTS Mustang

2012 Shelby GTS Mustang 

2012 Shelby GTS Mustang

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

Chrysler's new 200 is head and shoulders above its predecessor, but the standard sedan and convertible apparently do little to appeal to a youthful audience. Chrysler recently added the 200 to its S sub-brand in an effort to draw a younger audience to its smallest offering.
Following closely in the 300 S footsteps, both 200 variants receive a plethora of equipment aimed squarely at the younger buyers. Chrysler's goal is to pack the cars full of desirable equipment, while keeping its price reasonable, which it appears to have accomplished.
Exterior elements found on the S models are easy to spot and distinguish them from standard 200s. Chrysler started by yanking nearly all the car's chrome accent pieces and replaced them with less flashy bits. The grille and headlight surrounds are swapped for toned-down black parts, while side mirror caps and door handles now match the body color. Those tired of chrome will also be pleased with the 18-inch machined, multi-spoke wheels with black inserts packaged as standard equipment. Unique badges found expressly on S models replaces the blue background for black on the Chrysler winged emblem.
The exterior may be a breath of fresh air, but the interior is equally impressive. Seating surfaces are wrapped in perforated leather, with the front pair getting suede inserts, S embroidery on the headrests, and heaters. Chrysler's Uconnect infotainment system comes standard and is paired to a Boston Acoustics stereo pumping 276 watts through six speakers. Suede door trim and a black headliner further separate the S model from standard 200s.
Power comes from the new 3.6-liter Pentastar V-6, paired to a six-speed automatic transmission. Pricing starts at $26,790 and $32,490 for the sedan and convertible, respectively. Dealers have already begun taking orders and 200 S models are expected to begin arriving on lots in the coming weeks.

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 Sd

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S

 2011 Chrysler 200 S

2011 Chrysler 200 S 

2011 Chrysler 200 S

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

It's no secret that BMW's been plotting to return a four-cylinder engine to its U.S. lineup post-haste, and we've finally seen the first result as BMW debuted the Z4 sDrive28i at the New York auto show today. Though the engine hood release was disabled on the display car, within that yellow snout should reside an all-new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine.
While you might guess that the new four-cylinder Z4 would slot underneath the current naturally-aspirated inline-six in the lineup as a bargain-priced, entry-level model, but we're wagering that's not the case. With 240 horsepower and 260 pound-feet of torque, the new turbo-four should be more than a match for the current 255-horse, 220-lb-ft six, especially when considering the four's lighter weight. The four's smaller size also allows it to be mounted further back and lower in the Z4's chassis, providing both better weight distribution and a lower center of gravity. With that in mind, expect the new turbo-four, already slated for the upcoming X1 CUV, to gradually replace the naturally-aspirated six across BMW's model range.
The new engine is a smorgasbord of BMW's latest technology, including high-pressure fuel injection, BMW's proprietary double VANOS variable camshaft control system, and Valvetronic, BMW's variable valve timing setup. The turbocharger, BMW says, is also an impressive piece, being driven by two exhaust ducts rather than one (hence its TwinPower Turbo name). This technology is partly to thank for the turbo-four's improved fuel economy over the six, which according to BMW could be a 20-percent improvement. That potentially means a bump from the six's current 18/28 city/highway mpg rating, to 22/34 mpg.
While final EPA figures and pricing information will be announced closer to the car's launch later this year, we predict that the return of a four-cylinder engine could mean big things for the small Z4.

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

 2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i 

2012 BMW Z4 sDrive28i

Mitsubishi Electric i

Mitsubishi Electric i

Mitsubishi Electric i

The Evo is gone, the Ralliart is dead. Going forward Mitsubishi is going to become a builder of pure EVs and plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). So much so, that the new Mitsubishi North American president Yoichi Yokozawa just announced that no less than 8 EVs or PHEVs will be on sale by 2015. Mr. Yokozawa said that Mitsubishi will, "Become the kind ofcar company that society expects us to be, that the planet needs us to be." But what about the kind of company that consumers want? That remains to be seen, of course.
What is clear, is that the long awaited i (formerly known as the i MiEV) will be going on sale. How much? $27,990. A biggish chunk of change, for sure. But remember that electric vehicles get a $7500 federal tax credit, the price drops to a more likeable $20,490, making it the cheapest EV you can buy. And depending on which state you live in, this price could drop even further. In California, the i will most likely qualify for the full monty CRVP $5000 tax credit, effectively dropping the price to $15,490, making the i by far the cheapest EV there is. Nice, right?
When can you buy one? Tomorrow! No, really - it is Earth Day after all. Simply go to i.mitsubishicars.com and give them a $299 PayPal deposit plus $99 for a mandatory home electric inspection. But if you're one of the first 2000 people to put down a deposit, Mitsubishi will wave the $99 fee. Demo cars will show up at dealerships in November, and actual cars will be charging away in customers garages come January of 2012. With the high price of gas and the now seemingly inherently unstable nature of the petroleum market, Mitsubishi's i will probably find a few good homes.

Mitsubishi Electric i

Mitsubishi Electric i

Mitsubishi Electric i

Mitsubishi Electric i

Mitsubishi Electric i

 Mitsubishi Electric i

Mitsubishi Electric i 

Mitsubishi Electric i

2012 Fiat 500c

2012 Fiat 500c

2012 Fiat 500c

Fiat just can't wait for spring. We wouldn't want to wait either if we were behind the wheel of Fiat's latest 500 variant: the 500c convertible. Fiat chose this week's New York auto show to debut the 500c for America.
The cute-as-a-button design from the hard-top 500 is carried over, swapping out the roof panel for an electrically folding soft top. The new roof is not a traditional convertible, though -- the A-, B-, and C-pillars remain intact along with the roof rails. What that means is that even with the top lowered, passengers will not get a full open-air experience; a good or a bad thing depending on how much you value your hairdo.
The roof is inspired by the canvas roof that was available when the original Fiat Cinquecento premiered in 1957. While the old car's roof only rolled back to the end of the roof panel and was powered by elbow grease, the 2012 500c's top is electrically actuated and can fold all the way back to rest behind the rear headrests. Driver's can drop the top to its fully open position at up to 50 mph, or fold the roof back to the integrated spoiler to create an open sunroof at up to 60 mph. Opening the rear trunk will cause the roof to lift up, allowing unobstructed access to the diminutive, 5.4-cubic-foot luggage compartment.
The look of the 500c is almost identical to that of the hatchback; however, Fiat has extended the windshield to help reduce wind buffeting with the top down and to give rear passengers better forward visibility with the top up. Hidden in the new windshield is a reinforced upper cross member to help maintain structural rigidity once the roads get twisty.
Color options for the 500c are plentiful, offering the same 14 exterior hues as the hardtop, as well as the choice between ivory or black interior dash and gauge trim. The seats are available in 12 different combinations, with the lower part of the buckets wearing either fabric or leather and the headrests matching the dashboard trim. Buyers will have three choices for soft top colors: nero (black), beige, and bordeaux (red).

2012 Fiat 500c

2012 Fiat 500c

2012 Fiat 500c

2012 Fiat 500c

2012 Fiat 500c

2012 Fiat 500c

2012 Fiat 500c

2012 Fiat 500c

2012 Fiat 500c

2012 Fiat 500c

2012 Fiat 500c

2012 Fiat 500c

2012 Fiat 500c

2012 Fiat 500c

 2012 Fiat 500c

2012 Fiat 500c 

2012 Fiat 500c