The 328i has controversial styling because of the pointy front end. Get beyond that though and you will discover a car with modern priorities. This car delivers performance and fuel economy like no car before it has ever delivered.  0-60 is under 6 seconds and fuel economy is rated at 36 mpg on the highway.  The real story for us though is we were getting mileage figures of 40 and 45 mpgs on the highway.  Often, EPA highway ratings are a fantasy. On the 328i, the EPA mileage figures are more like a worst case scenario.

BMW 328i Sedan Specs:

• Engine: 2.0-liter, Inline 4 Cylinder
• Horsepower: 240hp @ 5000 rpm
• Torque: 260 lb.-ft @ 1250 rpm
• Fuel Consumption: 33  mpg hwy
• MSRP: Starting at $34,900

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Luxury Line Features:

• 18” Luxury multi-spoke wheel design
• Chrome decorative accents in front air dam
• Chrome kidney grille bars
• Chrome window surround
• Chrome strip above front air dam and rear loading edge
• Chrome exhaust pipe trim
• BMW Luxury entry doorsills
• Sport leather steering wheel
• Leather upholstery with exclusive stitching
• Choice of two fine wood interior trims with chrome lower accent
• Lower dashboard in exclusive brown leather color (in combination with the Saddle Brown Dakota leather upholstery)
• Chrome rings around climate and radio control panel buttons
• Center console fringe in chrome
• Black signature key fob with chrome Luxury accent
• $2,100

This car pretty floored us. Infiniti M Hybrid did not get us all excited in the email exchanges but as soon as the car was delivered to us, it was a week of bliss.  They styling is simply incredible as it has leapfrogged all other Infinitis and all other hybrids before it.

Driving it was a delight as this hybrid seems to have all the torque of a V10 engine.  But then it really has the economy of a small car so you can have fun burning up the tires or hypermiling a getting over 30 mpgs.

The one remarkable advancement of this car is the hybrid engine integration.  It is truly an engineering wonder to see this engine shut off at 50 mph, cruise on electric power and then come back on as power is needed. The driver sees the tachometer needle go up and down but that is pretty much the only sign that the gas engine is shutting on and off.

2012 Infiniti M Hybrid Specs:

• Engine: 3.5-liter V6 with Infiniti Direct Response Hybrid® utilizing a lithium-ion battery and 50 kW electric motor
• Horsepower: 360 hp @ 6,500 rpm (Hybrid System Net Power)
• Torque: Peak engine 258 lb-ft and peak electric motor 199 lb-ft
• Fuel Consumption: 27 mpg city/32 mpg hwy
• MSRP: Starting at $53,700

Click here to view the embedded video.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Premium Package:

• Infiniti Hard Drive Navigation System with 8-inch WVGA color touch-screen display, Lane Guidance and 3-D building graphics
• Infiniti Voice Recognition for audio, navigation, and vehicle information systems
• NavTraffic with detailed traffic information provided by SiriusXM
• NavWeather with current weather updates and 3-day forecasts provided by SiriusXM[
• Zagat Survey® Restaurant Guide
• Bose® 2-channel, 10-speaker Premium Audio system, AM/FM/CD/DVD with MP3 playback capability, Radio Data System (RDS) and speed-sensitive volume
• Climate-controlled front seats
• Heated steering wheel
• $3,450

Deluxe Touring Package:

• Bose® Studio Surround® sound system with 5.1-channel decoding, 16 speakers
• Forest Air® system with Advanced Auto Recirculation, Breeze Mode, Plasmacluster®Air Purifier, and Grape Polyphenol Filter
• Power rear sunshade
• Semi-aniline leather-appointed seating
• Unique quilted seat pattern and additional seat bolstering
• White Ash silver-powdered wood trim
• Suede-like headliner
• Premium soft-touch material for armrests, door inserts, center console and knee pads
• Premium stitched meter hood
• $3,900

Technology Package:

• Intelligent Cruise Control (Full-Speed Range)
• Lane Departure Warning (LDW) and Lane Departure Prevention (LDP)
• Distance Control Assist (DCA)
• Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
• Blind Spot Warning (BSW) and Blind Spot Intervention^™ (BSI®) Systems
• Front Seat Pre-Crash Seat Belts
• Active Trace Control (Adjusts vehicle braking and engine torque to help enhance cornering feel)
• Eco Pedal
• Adaptive Front lighting System (AFS) with auto-leveling headlights
• Intelligent Brake Assist (IBA) with Forward Collision Warning (FCW)
• $3,050

18-inch Wheel Package:

• 18 x 8.0-inch, tri-split 5-spoke aluminum-alloy wheels with 245/50R18 V-rated all-season tires
• $650

Click here to view the embedded video.

By David Colman

Pros: Great visual redesign, Sophisticated handling, Ultra luxurious
Cons: Non-Hybrid has middling MPG, No manual transmission

Aside from the ground-breaking $370,000 LFA sports car, Lexus design has been stagnating. The entire line of luxury sedans look more ponderous than svelte, with baroque styling cues that seem Germanic rather than Japanese. Visual boredom has been the hallmark of the mid-level luxury sedan designated GS, a high-hipped Lexus remarkably devoid of personality. Until now, that is. Its replacement, the all new 2013 GS, will debut in February, 2012 as a 2013 model. The company has reconceived this product from the ground up. The end result is a startling transformation of the GS that will delight art aesthetes and performance addicts alike.

To redefine the Grand Touring Sedan, Lexus sent one team of designers around the globe, from Russia to South America, China to the Middle East. The result of that research is the new GS, a startlingly fresh design that marks a decided departure from any sedan the company has built before. Unlike previous timid redesign efforts, the GS adopts a new stylistic vocabulary. Says Brian Smith, Lexus VP of Marketing, “With this car, going forward, there is no going back. This is the new face of Lexus.” And a handsome face it is. Instead of a benign grin, the front of the GS seems to snarl rather than smile. Aerodynamic fluting is the key word here. Fluted radiator ducts divert enough air to cool the 3.5 liter V6 and cool the front brake rotors. The rest of the frontal airflow skims beneath the body where Lexus has installed 8 fins in the underside panels to expedite air flow. Even the tail lights are fluted toward this goal.

With its truncated frontal and rear overhangs, and muscular fender flares, the GS looks imposing. The bold appearance is justified by the mechanical underpinnings. The GS in all its forms (Base Model, AWD, Hybrid and F Sport) is a prime GT car, with enough horsepower, suspension sophistication, and interior comfort to handle any travel situation on any paved road with supreme aplomb. The new 2GR-FSE 3.5 liter V6 boasts direct port fuel injection which helps produce 306hp and 277 lb.-ft. of torque. Lexus, which has heretofore believed engine silence to be golden, has changed aural direction on the GS. Fitted with an “Intake Sound Creator,” this V6 snarls like a trumpet when the throttle is cracked wide open. Paddle shifters can be used to operate the 6-speed automatic transmission manually. When in manual mode, upshifts occur .3 of a second faster than in automatic mode, downshifts 0.2 of a second quicker. An all-wheel-drive version (Base Price: $49,450) is available, with torque split ranging from 50/50 to 30/70 front to rear, depending on traction available. A Hybrid GS 450h, marked by distinctive LED headlights, will also offer more horsepower than the standard V6. The Hybrid’s 2GR-FXE engine produces 338hp and yields a combined fuel economy rating of 30 MPG. A Navigation System with a huge 12.3 inch display panel is available on all models.

My favorite version of the new GS is the F-Sport model, which rivals the best European sedans for crisp handling and sheer grunt. The F-Sport rides on special 8 and 9 inch wide, 19” diameter rims bearing the largest tires yet seen on a Lexus: 265/35/19 Bridgestone RE 050A. Higher spring rates, more athletic shock absorbers, and bigger anti sway bars make the F-Sport GS a car you could take to track events and run with confidence. A console mounted control knob allows you to adjust ride, steering, traction control and throttle sensitivity for Normal, Sport or Sport+ (i.e. track) work. The seats in the F-Sport are superb, 16-way adjustable, with compressible side bolsters to resist lateral movement. During a day long test on the road course at Las Vegas Speedway, the F-Sport GS took everything we could dish out without breaking a sweat. On the Sport+ setting, the flashy sedan lived up to its prepossessing looks, cornering flat, stopping short, and screaming from apex to apex like nothing Lexus has ever built before.

2013 Lexus GS 350

• Engine: 3.5 liter DOHC V6
• Horsepower: 306hp @ 6,400rpm
• Torque: 277 lb.-ft. @ 4,800rpm
• Fuel Consumption: 23 MPG Combined City/Highway
• Price as Tested: $47,775

The 2012 Kia Rio was a welcome test candidate given my experience driving the Optima last year. The Kia’s we’ve been able to experience have actually stood up well to other cars within their respective classes. Sure, with the competitors like Honda, Hyundai, and Mitsubishi to name a few, competition is tough, but Kia has definitely turned a corner and is producing more and more appealing cars today.

Along with the sports package features, the car comes fully air bagged, front to back, including full length side curtain air bags – definitely a nice feature given the price point of the car. Some more expensive cars will only add full length side curtains airbags as an option only. Anti-lock brakes, traction control, stability control, and hill assist control are also included, but are also very standard options from at least this price point and up. One bonus though is the four wheel disc brake feature, which is hard to find on anything else in this class where less powerful rear drum brakes are dominant.

The one feature we missed in this car is Kia’s ISG technology, or “Idle Stop and Go,” which shuts down the motor when at stop lights. It’s said to add about 1 or 2 miles to the already good 30 city and 40 highway fuel economy, but our test car was released before the technology became fully ready for the platform. With other manufacturers from Honda to Porsche adopting this type of system, it would be interesting to see how Kia executes theirs. Honda’s is not super smooth in my opinion, and I have heard that Porsche’s is better but not without some consumer issues. Only time will tell how this will work.

Base price for the Kia Rio SX came in at $17,700. As tested, our car came in at $18,545, which included a set of floor mats, as well as freight and handling. The SX package is considered the Sports Package version of the car. It comes with a sport tuned suspension and great looking 17” two tone alloy wheels mated to a peppy 1.6 liter gas direct injection 4 cylinder motor and 6 speed automatic transmission.

Ming reviews the new 2012 Kia Rio SX

Click here to view the embedded video.

Pros

• Great balance – For a small car, the Rio exhibited nice balance and agility. Small cars with short wheelbases can sometimes feel a little skittish, but with the wheels pushed as far out to the corners as possible, stability was improved.
• Styling – We tested the Kia Optima last year, and it was an outstanding looking car. The Rio is no exception. Chief Designer Peter Schreyer has done a fantastic job in helping Kia create a solid aesthetic identity across their line. Their trademark grille design is the most visual key. Admittedly, at first glance, this car looks like a Volkswagen GTI. But is that so bad?
• City Driving Champ – In my mind, this car excels as a city car. It’s not heavy on power or torque, but the handling combined with the size makes the Rio feel zippy and maneuverable in tight quarters. During our most recent city jaunt, we were able to easily park, cruise in and out of traffic, and defend our space among a maze of larger cars.

Cons

• Blind Spot – the aesthetic design of the car is fantastic – from the outside. Inside, the clean wedge shape doesn’t lend itself to equally fantastic visibility, especially when looking over your shoulder when changing lanes. The small rear windows combined with the back seats and headrests make it tough to see traffic in your inbound lane.
• Limited Cargo Space – The Rio is definitely a compact car. The trade off to provide a little bit more rear seat leg room comes at the expense of cargo space behind the seats. It’s small, but fortunately with the fold down options, you can still fit a bit of cargo in the car. Just don’t count on rear seat passengers if you need to carry more than a few grocery bags.

Driving Impressions

I’ve always liked cars in this category. I love the size and practicality, especially when considering fuel cost combined with an active lifestyle and a small family. The Rio didn’t disappoint.

Once seated in the Rio, you feel a good sense of your surroundings. Everything is in easy reach and the layout is intuitive. Upon start up, you can definitely hear and feel the motor, but that’s not such a bad thing in my mind. Sometimes if a car in the class is so quiet, it’s harder to establish a connection with the car. If you can’t hear or feel that the car is doing, it’s lessens the experience.

The 1.6 liter GDI, or simply “Gas Direct Injection,” motor is well suited for the size of the Rio. Rated at 138HP and 123 foot pounds of torque, the car is not emphasized on power. This car is set up for sporty practicality. At this price point, it simply works well.

The wheels and suspension layout are also a nice complement to this car in regards to what it does well. It’s a maneuverable little car, yet with the wheels pushed as far out to the corners as possible, it’s also quite stable. The sport suspension isn’t super stiff or supercar harsh, but the springs and dampers do a nice job of providing a subtle sportier feel than the standard model.

The steering feel is on the lighter side, but realistically, this is perfect for this buyer as this is a really easy car to get used to and an easy car to drive.

My only real gripe is the blind spot. While I love the look and shape of the car, it doesn’t lend itself to having great visibility, especially when changing lanes on the busy highways around here. You’re best to make sure the mirrors are dialed in and you know exactly where you have to look when checking your blind spot.

Click here to view the embedded video.

By David Coleman

Model Tested: 2012 Cadillac SRX AWD Premium Collection

• Engine: 3.6 liter SIDI V6
• Horsepower: 308 at 6,800rpm
• Torque: 265 lb.-ft. at 2,400rpm
• Fuel Consumption: 16 MPG City/23 MPG Highway
• Price as Tested: $51,550

For:

• Value
• Stealth Looks
• Standard Luxury Features
• New V6 is powerful and efficient

Against:

• Owner’s Manual Printed on Newsprint
• Poor Rear Visibility
• Difficult Radio Tuning Procedure

Although the SRX shares GM’s Theta platform with the GMC Terrain and Chevy Equinox, you’d be hard pressed to guess its pedestrian derivation. In fact you’d be more likely to assume that this petite Cadillac shares its underpinnings with a Lexus RX350, an Infiniti EX35, or even a BMW X5. GM has done a remarkable job of investing this entry-level Cadillac sports utility with all the finery you’d expect from a luxury maker, at a price ($52,550) that seems reasonable given its many attributes. For starters, the SRX boats a new 3.6 liter V6 for 2012. Compared to last year’s standard 265hp 3.0 V6, the new 308hp LFX engine ignites the all-wheel-drive system with enough spark to allow GM to eliminate last year’s optional 300hp turbo engine. Gear ratios chosen for the standard 6-speed automatic gearbox keep the new V6 happily spinning in its torquey (265lb.-ft.) power band, without need for resorting to downshift intervention. If, however, you do need to select a specific gear for towing or maximum acceleration, the console-mounted stick allows you to do so with a simple series of taps. With its 21 gallon fuel tank and 3,500 pound tow capacity, the SRX is well configured for long distance travel chores.

A newly retuned sport suspension system keeps all four driving wheels in contact with the pavement better than before. The fat, 20 inch diameter Michelin Latitude Tour HP tires now measure 255/35/R20, and provide plenty of traction and sidebite, especially in sloppy wet conditions. Yet ride quality doesn’t suffer from the new found grip. That’s because the cabin of the SRX is isolated from road surface irregularities, and buffered by excellent sound damping, plush seating, and inconspicuous shock absorption. In other words, the SRX provides the comfort level you’d expect from a Cadillac, with a number of included niceties unexpected at this price point. For example, a Navigation System with an 8 inch touchscreen is standard fare. GM provides you with a free 1 year membership in OnStar, which includes automatic crash response, and turn-by-turn navigational instructions. In addition, OnStar checks the mechanical health of your SRX and periodically sends you e-mail updates concerning oil change intervals and the like. By pushing the blue OnStar button on the overhead control panel, you can initiate a full system check at will.

Click here to view the embedded video.

I’m a sports car guy. And therefore the prospect of a week in a massive SUV with third-row seating carries just slightly more appeal than stabbing myself in the leg with a dinner fork. But when the CX-9 showed up at our offices I was intrigued. After all, it’s a Mazda, built by the same great minds who created the iconic Miata and RX-7, and they promise ‘the soul of a sportscar’ is instilled in their line of SUV’s.

Pros:

• Sleek, understated styling in and out.
• Handles and drives like a slightly smaller, lighter vehicle.
• Seats seven comfortably.

Cons:

• Still not small or light.
• Modest gas mileage.
• Sleek and understated may also be bland.

Driving Impressions

Mazda’s lofty claim that a seven-seat, 4,000lb pseudo-truck is designed to handle well is not far from saying a sumo wrestler was trained as a ballet dancer—it might be true to some degree but you still shouldn’t get your hopes up. And this definitely applies to the CX-9. With big wheels and tires, tall ride height and seating position, there’s no denying that you’re behind the wheel of an SUV–body roll and brake dive are still present–but Mazda worked hard to sharpen the reflexes of the CX-9 to a more acceptable level. Good visibility and a better-than-average sense of where the CX-9’s corners are help with tight mall parking situations. Compared to many vehicles in this class, the CX-9 felt almost as smooth and plush but notably less cumbersome.

Build

We’re generally impressed with Mazda build quality and the CX-9 is no exception. There’s not much on this car that hints at cost cutting. Doors close with a muted, health thump. The ride is quiet with no wind noise or rattles, and the engine noise, though noticeable when driving hard, is a pleasing tone. Interior materials are all good choices, though the leather seats feel somewhat rubbery.

Interior Comfort and Ergonomics 

With this much room it’s no surprise that the spacious CX-9 is plenty comfortable. The seats are flat and only semi-supportive in terms of bolstering, but that’s what you’d expect for a vehicle in this class. There’s room to improve in the ergonomics department, as my average-length arms had to stretch to reach many of the center dash controls. Storage options were quirky, with a surprising lack of cubbies for wallets and phones, and center console doors that open outwards towards the occupants, making access awkward.

Performance

Under the hood lurks a smooth-running V6 that churns out 273hp and 270ft/lb of torque. A 6-speed automatic transmission is quick to downshift and happy to hold a gear up to the 6,000rpm redline. There’s a manual shift mode but it’s sluggish and not worth the trouble. The engine and transmission connect to an all-wheel-drive system that lends confidence on wet or snowy roads. Between the torque, gearing and AWD system you can mash the throttle and trust the CX-9 to dart into traffic with nary a hint of wheel spin or drama, and for a large vehicle it packs a surprising punch that compliments the tight chassis well.

The U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood states that, “Distracted driving is an epidemic in America, and it has deadly consequences for thousands of people on our roads each year”. The U.S. Department of Transportation also provides shocking statistics that nearly 5500 people died in car accidents in 2009  involving distracted drivers, while the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration found that nearly 87 percent of teens admit they text while driving. All of this has prompted BMW to become involved in this campagin of urging drivers to put down their phones and focus on the road. Jim O’Donnell, CEO of BMW of North America states, “We developed this campaign to be impactful in hopes of evoking emotion and conveying the serious dangers of distracted driving and its potential consequences.” In efforts to reach out to teens, the “Don’t Txt & Drive” message will also be incorporated in more than 100 teen driving schools across the United States.

The first television ad from BMW’s “Don’t Txt & Drive” campaign shows the contradiction of being an overprotective parent and the carelessness of texting while driving with the fatal effects of picking up a cell phone.

Click here to view the embedded video.

Two seconds. It only takes that long to double your chance of being
in a car crash. Stay focused on safety. Don’t text and drive.

Print advertisements will feature views of the road from a distracted drivers’ perspective and online ads show the words “TEXT MESSAGING IS VERY DISTRACTING” in bold, uppercase lettering across websites, proving how texting while driving can interfere with a drivers’ vision. BMW dealerships will also feature printed materials and decals for display in cars and showrooms throughout the summer.

Help spread the word.  Put down your phone and focus on driving. The consequences are not worth it.

The Model S will have a top speed of approximately 125 mph, a 0-60 mph time of approximately 5.6 seconds, and a single-speed gearbox. It will feature a standard 17” infotainment touchscreen on every Model S with in-car 3G connectivity for streaming radio and gps navigation, a liquid-cooled, floor-mounted battery pack, and panoramic glass roof and rear-facing child seats as planned optional upgrades.

Charing the Model S can be as simple as plugging into any regular 110 volt wall outlet. A 220 volt outlet, like the ones that are used for kitchen stoves and clothes dryers, will be able to charge the Model S more quickly, from empty to full overnight. At a fast charging station, the Model S is capable of recharging in 45 minutes. The Model S also uses regenerative braking to recharge the battery as well.

Tesla CEO Elon Musk says that the company could cover cross-country drives with 13 charging stations and 8 to 10 stations to cover the U.S. coasts. With each station costing about $25,000, “for a couple million dollars you have covered the country”.

The Tesla Model S will retail for $57,400 (or $49,900 base price after the $7,500 Federal Tax Credit). The 230-mile range battery option will retail about $10,000 more than the base and the 300-mile range battery option at about $20,000 more than the base. Expect to see deliveries of the Model S sometime around the summer 2012. Tesla wants to produce a total of 5,000 of the cars in 2012 and already has 4,600 reservations for the Model S which should cover first year of production.

The refreshed 2012 Mazda3 features an all-new SkyActiv-G 2.0-liter, 155-horsepower engine and a SkyActiv-MT six-speed manual transmission or optional SkyActiv-Drive six-speed automatic transmission for sedan or hatchback models. The Mazda3 is the first to include SkyActiv fuel-saving and performance-oriented technologies, achieving 40-mpg on the highway and a potential 540-mile range. The MZR 2.0-liter engine will continue to be available, along with a Mazda MZR 2.5-liter engine.

Mazda says that the new 2.0-liter, direct-injection four-cylinder is good for 155 horsepower and 148 pound-feet of torque, which offers modest increases over the old, non-DI 2.0-liter engine.

More Features:

• Increased aerodynamics and stylized features on the exterior
• Exclusive elements for SkyActiv-G gasoline engine models
• Electro-Hydraulic Power Assist Steering (EHPAS) system
• Improved agility and handling stability
• New front fascia
• Updated five-point grille opening for both sedan and hatchback styles

Highlights of the SKYACTIV technologies:

• SKYACTIV-G: a next-generation highly-efficient direct-injection gasoline engine with the world’s highest compression ratio of 14.0:1
• SKYACTIV-D: a next-generation clean diesel engine with the world’s lowest compression ratio of 14.0:1
• SKYACTIV-Drive: a next-generation highly-efficient automatic transmission
• A next-generation manual transmission with a light shift feel, compact size and significantly reduced weight
• A next-generation lightweight, highly-rigid body with outstanding crash safety performance
• A next-generation high-performance lightweight chassis that balances precise handling with a comfortable ride

The all-new, redesigned 2012 Kia Rio (Rio5 in North America) features a 1.6-liter, GDI 4-cylinder, 138-horsepower engine and a 6-speed manual or 6-speed automatic transmission, that both achieve 40-mpg on the highway and 30-mpg in the city. The Rio will come in 3 trims, the LX, EX and the SX and will also offer ISG technology, which turns the vehicle’s engine off when it’s not in motion for lower fuel consumption. The Rio also has increased space by becoming longer, wider, and lower and features a reduced engine weight of 29 pounds over previous models.

More Features:

• 15-inch steel wheels
• Rear spoiler for improved aerodynamics
• 60/40 split folding rear seats
• AM/FM/CD/MP3/Sat audio system
• Halo Body construction
• Dual advanced front and front-seat mounted side and full-length side curtain airbags
• Vehicle Stability Mangement
• Electronic Stability Control
• Brake Assist
• Hill-start Assist Control
• Bluetooth wireless connectivity