Ford's little hatchback gets a utilitarian makeover for the new Fiesta Van. If you've ever driven a van and lamented that it drives like a truck, you may want to take a look at the Ford Fiesta Van. As you can see, it's much smaller than your average van, based as it is on a three-door hatchback but with a cargo compartment in the back optimized for small businesses. Ford has just updated the van with the same revisions it's applied along the rest of the Fiesta range, including new LED headlights and a sharper design, but what sets the Fiesta Van apart, of course, is its rear compartment. Despite offering only one cubic meter of load space, the Fiesta Van incorporates an industry-standard steel bulkhead and four tie-down hooks for cargo, plus durable floor mats and sidewall trim, making it suitable for house calls and delivery of small packages.
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Unlike the new-generation BMW M3, the C63 AMG won't switch to a six-cylinder setup - the new motor is a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8, according to an Autocar report. The motor is said to be derived from the new 2.0-liter four-cylinder that's earmarked for the A45 AMG and CLA45 AMG, with the two motors sharing critical measurements such as individual cylinder capacity and bore center spacing. The forced-induction eight is said to produce over 450 horsepower in "entry-level" form, though it's capable of churning out a maximum of 600 ponies. In addition to the C63 AMG, the new V8 will reportedly be used in the long-rumored SLC. It will also replace the SLK55 AMG's naturally-aspirated 5.5-liter V8. Photo by Mark Elias. div.post-content1 ul li { list-style:disc !important; margin-left:20px; color:#000000; } div.post-content1 ol li { list-style-type: decimal !important; margin-left:20px; color:#000000; } #editorial_graph ul li { list-style:none !important; margin-left:0px; } Source: Leftlanenews![First Drive: 2013 Buick Encore [Review]](https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/blogger_img_proxy/AEn0k_sgFFWcw0S5V3mk9oxPd9H2-jCsgBsSbY0E-uQAX_qPJhtj_yZJcMtOYXoOxwwBLzl0uNap79GvW4pnOs04bpFkUHbi96VPRsTw8665Zzyp7NZuqaf1R1YNEdATKWwB4JLMS22G96BOxTSVZV3XFJKd6pD6qMwdCXp2RVJnlSa36Rz0=s0-d)
General Motors hopes the pint-size Buick Encore will fill the gaps in your new lifestyle : and the automaker thinks it has identified a previously untapped segment of the market. Playing in what Buick sees as the emerging market of small luxury compacts, the brand hopes that, like a chicken in every pot, there will be an Encore in every garage. Looking up and away Buick is crowing about being the only brand to decrease the age of their customers over the last five years. Toward that end, they've had the good fortune to crib designs from GM's global divisions : think Buick Regal (Germany) and Buick Verano (China). Enter the Encore, which comes primarily from South Korea. The Encore is powered the Chevrolet Cruze-sourced 1.4-liter turbocharged inline four-cylinder that produces 138-horsepower at 4,900 rp, and 148 lb-ft of torque at a low 1,850 rpm. Coupled to a six-speed automatic transmission, it arrives standard in a front-wheel-drive configuration with available ($1,500) all-wheel-drive. The optional Borg Warner-built AWD is variable up to a 50/50 front/rear power split. A magnetically charged clutch system is activated from launch and disengages if it determines no wheel slippage is occurring. The system decouples as it senses the Encore increasing speed, eventually reverting to FWD. Although other competitors offer similarly-sized vehicles in other countries, there are no clear cut rivals for the Encore in our market aside from maybe the BMW X1 and MINI Countryman. Honey, I shrunk the Enclave Sculpted and tallish, there is no mistaking the Encore for anything other than a Buick. The elegant lines, with the chrome waterfall are all here. Painted lower panels and a touch of bling are here too, because Americans like shiny things. And with their need to carry things, there is a standard integrated roof rack. The Encore is available in four configurations: Base, Convenience, Leather and Premium packages, which start with a cloth interior and features and move up to leatherette then full leather kit. The range-topper offers automatic wipers, a Bose audio system and forward collision alert and lane departure warnings. A new two-toned interior with faux wood trim pieces does its part for a new premium appearance, looking and feeling particularly nice for the price. The interior features Buick's first use of Bose noise canceling technology, which is standard in all trim levels. Interior noise in a compact 'ute will be noisy by nature and size, but Bose's headphone team used three interior microphones to make the system sniff out undesirable sounds and cancel them through a counterbalanced sound wave. A tight squeeze for some, the Encore's front seats might be "just right" for others. Cargo space is good for an urban dweller and his or her stuff and the passenger front seat and second row seats fold into an almost flat configuration for large item hauling. Overall cargo capacity is just over 48 cubic feet, which is actually about par with a compact hatchback : in other words, expect a big lifestyle change if you're downsizing from a Chevrolet Suburban. Still, the interior feels much larger than it really is. Clever utilization of monitors and dashboard configurations lend a feeling of airiness in front of the driver and front passenger, although operation of most of the navigation and climate controls will require an arm's reach forward. Side by side space is adequate for two burly-sized male specimens and the rear seat offers enough headroom for six footers. On the road The Encore offers a very competent ride, partly because the engineers did a good job of silencing the overall package. The little four-banger squawks when you stand on it - and for getting on the highway in all but the most leisurely of moves, you will need to stand on it. Like so many new cars, the six-speed automatic races to top gear for fuel savings, which exacerbates the light-on-power feel. Feeling frisky enough to shift it yourself? You may find disappointment with the shift knob-mounted toggle switch atop the lever. Awkwardly placed, it's just not located for comfortable use, but that'll probably be fine with most buyers. Owing to the Encore's wide stance, the little 'ute exhibited far less of the short wheelbase choppiness we expected, instead feeling genuinely planted over the winding and rolling roads we experienced outside of Atlanta. Suspension wallow is near nil and the four wheel disc brakes brought things to a halt with no noticeable fade in our testing. Despite its electric power steering roots, feel through the wheel proved above average with no dead spots on center. The front-drive model weighs in at 3,190 lbs. and the EPA says it achieves mileage numbers of 25/33, while the all-wheel-drive adds about 120 lbs and dents fuel economy to 23/30 mpg. Leftlane's bottom line: With the its new Encore, Buick sets out to prove that small does not have to equal plain. Right-sized for the urban dweller/new earner/empty nester, it could spur a whole new crop of compact luxury crossovers. Even loaded to the gills, Encore undercuts similarly-optioned larger and more upmarket rivals, which makes it a remarkably decent value. 2013 Buick Encore base price range, $24,950 to $30,440 Words and photos by Mark Elias. div.post-content1 ul li { list-style:disc !important; margin-left:20px; color:#000000; } div.post-content1 ol li { list-style-type: decimal !important; margin-left:20px; color:#000000; } #editorial_graph ul li { list-style:none !important; margin-left:0px; } 
Toyota is set to become the largest carmaker in the world once again this year thanks to strong demand in Japan, Western Europe and North America, but the battle for China is set to boil down to longtime leader GM and once - and possibly future - king VW. The German marque is all but set to take next year's crown thanks to a rash of new products, but GM is countering with an extended dealership network. From VW's various brands, big sales gains are likely to come from fresh versions of the China-only Volkswagen Santana sedan (pictured), the Volkswagen Golf hatchback, the Skoda Octavia low-priced compact and the Audi Q3 crossover. GM is gunning on a pair of new Cadillacs - the ATS and the XTS - to boost demand. In addition, GM is expanding its network by about 400 new car showrooms in China next year, which will bring its total figure to a staggering 4,200 outlets. Meanwhile, big Japanese automakers like Toyota and Nissan are predicted to continue to lose demand unless a stalemate spat between China and Japan over a chain of uninhabited islands near lucrative fishing waters is resolved. There is some evidence that demand for Japanese cars is beginning to recover, but the country's products have a long way to go to get back to where they were in China. div.post-content1 ul li { list-style:disc !important; margin-left:20px; color:#000000; } div.post-content1 ol li { list-style-type: decimal !important; margin-left:20px; color:#000000; } #editorial_graph ul li { list-style:none !important; margin-left:0px; } 
When it makes its U.S. debut in September 2013, the Mirage will feature a 1.2-liter three-cylinder under the hood, Mitsubishi revealed to Car and Driver. In Europe, the naturally-aspirated motor produces 79 horsepower and 78 lb-ft of torque; it's unclear whether those figures will increase for the U.S.-market version. Though it isn't exactly overburdened with grunt, the three-cylinder won't have a great deal of car to pull around: the Mirage is just an inch longer than the tiny Chevrolet Spark, and it weights roughly as much as a smart fortwo. Mitsubishi is hoping that the Mirage, along with redesigned 2014 Outlander, will help increase the automaker's U.S. sales total to 80,000 units for the next fiscal year. Hampered by the death of its core Galant, Endeavor and Eclipse models, Mitsubishi has predicted that its volume will total just 55,000 units for the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2013. div.post-content1 ul li { list-style:disc !important; margin-left:20px; color:#000000; } div.post-content1 ol li { list-style-type: decimal !important; margin-left:20px; color:#000000; } #editorial_graph ul li { list-style:none !important; margin-left:0px; } 
Similar in concept to the stations Tesla unveiled in California back in September, the new locations are capable of providing a Tesla Model S : the only car compatible with the charging system - with 150 miles of range in just half an hour. That's enough to allow the electric sedan to travel the 443 miles between Boston and Washington, D.C. with just an hour of charging time : assuming that there are no non-electric cars parked in the spots next to the charger. Since the stations are located at public rest stops, any vehicle is technically free to park next to the charging system, creating the possibility of extra waiting time for Model S owners looking to charge up. The new East Coast "Superchargers" represent Tesla's next step towards achieving its goal of establishing 100 charging stations throughout the U.S. by 2015. The automaker hopes that all the stations will one day run off of solar power. div.post-content1 ul li { list-style:disc !important; margin-left:20px; color:#000000; } div.post-content1 ol li { list-style-type: decimal !important; margin-left:20px; color:#000000; } #editorial_graph ul li { list-style:none !important; margin-left:0px; } 
Along with the redesigned fortwo, smart's lineup will expand to include a new forfour and a crossover model, according to an Auto Express report. While both the fortwo and forfour were originally to be co-developed with Daimler partner Renault- Nissan, smart is now reportedly going it alone with its new two-door city car. Slated to launch in early 2014, the fortwo will continue to use a rear-engine, rear-wheel-drive layout, but its styling will take inspiriton from the futuristic forvision EV concept. While details for the U.S.-spec model have yet to be revealed, power for the European-market version will come from a 0.9-liter two-cylinder with about 64 horsepower. No word on transmission choices, but we'd be surprised if smart didn't abandon the current fortwo's oft-critized single-clutch, automated manual gearbox. An all-electric fortwo with 87 horsepower is expected to join the lineup at the end of 2014, along with a new cabriolet variant. The four-door fourfor, which is still being jointly developed with Renault-Nissan, will also arrive near the end of 2014. It will offer a range of turbocharged three-cylinder that were developed in conjunction with Renault, which will sell its own version of the forfour as the next-generation Twingo. Finally, the smart model most likely to be embraced by U.S. buyers : the crossover : will arrive in late 2015. The soft-roader is expected to share a variety of components with the next-generation Nissan Juke and feature four-cylinder powertrains along with styling drawn from the forstars concept. div.post-content1 ul li { list-style:disc !important; margin-left:20px; color:#000000; } div.post-content1 ol li { list-style-type: decimal !important; margin-left:20px; color:#000000; } #editorial_graph ul li { list-style:none !important; margin-left:0px; } 
This most definitely is not your father's Lincoln. It's also unlike any other ever made, and can be yours if you've got over $200k to spend. Building a hot rod takes a long time. This one, for example, took over 5,000 man-hours of work over the course of a staggering nine and a half years. But if you don't have that kind of time or patience, you can buy it at auction next month at the Arizona Biltmore. What you're looking at is a 1938 Lincoln Zephyr Coupe that has been extensively modified, to say the least, both aesthetically and mechanically to transform an Art Deco-era classic into a 400-horsepower super-rod. 
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Leno talks about his early production Miura, which was originally owned by the one and only Dean Martin. Should anyone be surprised that Jay Leno owns a very early production model Lamborghini Miura? Of course not, but at least he takes the time to share the details of the car with all of us. In this latest episode of Leno's web series, the Denim Chin discusses the intricacies and particulars of his beloved '67 Miura P400. In an era when design ruled over everything else, the Miura was a game changer for Italian sports cars. It was also the first vehicle to be dubbed a "supercar" and it forced Ferrari to take note of its new Italian competitor. Even after all of these years, it's still a drop-dead gorgeous design and has dramatically increased in value. But hearing Leno tell the story of the car and his in particular always makes for good television - or at least online video. 
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Replacing the long-serving Defender will be no easy task, but Land Rover is working away at it to bring the DC100 concept to production - and to the US. Land Rover has made no secret of its desire to launch an all-new global Defender, this one made to suit 21st century buyers and their 4x4 needs. Not only will the reborn classic need to look the part but also be available in various body styles for different markets and individual tastes. The current Defender has been offered in hard- and soft-top versions, with three doors or five, wagon and pickup and more. The latest word is that JLR wants it to do the same for the Land Rover brand that the Evoque has for Range Rover. 
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Stemming from the outstanding success of the retired 1 Series M Coupe, BMW is gearing up for a sequel with the new M2. BMW's recently departed 1 Series M Coupe was a phenomenal success for the German automaker. Originally just 2,700 units were planned to be built, but due to a huge demand, BMW decided to increase that number to over 6,000. As expected, each one was quickly sold. And now it's gone, sadly, but certainly not forgotten. A new report coming from Car and Driver is claiming that BMW is currently at work on the little coupe's successor, which will likely be crowned the M2 and will once again be rear-wheel-drive. 
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Mysterious Chevrolet is going to Barrett-Jackson�s January auction in Scottsdale, but what is it? While perusing the list of cars going up for auction at the upcoming Barrett-Jackson auction, we hit upon something rather interesting. Listed as lot 3016 is a Chevrolet with no detailed information whatsoever save for stating it has no reserve. The description reads: "Have you ever wanted to own a piece of Chevy history? This may be your chance! A special Chevrolet model will be revealed during the auction where bidders will have the opportunity to take home this one-of-a-kind vehicle." 
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The eighth Koenigsegg Agera built is up for sale, priced at 888,888 Euros. Lichtenstein-based supercar dealer Iridium Automotive has posted an ultra-rare Koneigsegg Agera X on Jameslist, pricing the supercar at 888,888 Euros. The peculiar price doubtless results from the fact the unique Agera bears chassis number 88 and is the eighth Agera built by the Swedish carmaker. The car was originally delivered at the end of 2011 to the main shareholder of Porsche tuning house Gemballa, and is currently residing in Monaco. It received a black matte repaint this year and comes with a white, red, and black interior. 
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Like its sister brand Hyundai, Kia wants to continue moving upmarket. But could it ever emerge as a real luxury brand? South Korean automakers Hyundai and Kia have been on a roll lately. Once the butt of jokes, both are now producing well-built, attractively-priced and nicely-designed cars. Just a decade ago, the very notion of a quality Korean car seemed almost unthinkable, even laughable. Times have changed and so has Kia, but could redefining a budget brand as an upscale one be a step too far? That's just what Kia's vice chairman has in mind for the company. 
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A wonderful cacophony of engine notes, brought together in one aural-inspiring video. Supercar spy Hans van Raaijen, also known as Gumbal, spends his times tracking down and filming some of the fastest, most powerful cars on the planet at special events, track days and racing circuits. For your viewing and aural pleasure he has collated the best supercar sounds of 2012 and put them together in this awesome video. From Ferrari and Porsche to Pagani, Bugatti and Koenigsegg, the 17-minute compilation features supercars and hypercars galore. So get yourself a leftover-turkey sandwich and a glass of grog, and spend the next quarter-hour of your day engrossed in the sounds and sights of some of the most exotic cars on the road. (Oh, and if you happen across any cool car videos on YouTube to share, don't hesitate to send them to media@carbuzz.com!) 
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If everything goes well for Lincoln's revival, it could get a rear-drive sports coupe based on the next-gen Mustang. Ford's endeavors to breathe some life into the Lincoln Motor Company (as it's now known) has so far amounted chiefly to some marketing exercises, but what Lincoln really needs to succeed is a more compelling product portfolio. The American automaker knows this all too well, and is said to be planning a series of new vehicles to launch in the coming couple of years. Among them, according to the latest intel, could be a rear-drive coupe based on the next-generation Mustang. 
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There's nothing funny about the traffic. At least there isn't until Bob Herzog gets his jazz hands on the news. Traffic reports on the news are seldom funny. Sexy, maybe, depending on the reporter any given station gets to deliver the news on the air. But funny? Meet Bob Herzog, the dancing traffic reporter on WKRC's "Good Morning Cincinnati" (not to be confused with the 80s sitcom "WKRP in Cincinnati", which was never as funny as this guy.) When our friends over at Jalopnik ran a contest to find the sexiest traffic reporter in America, the nominees were mostly buxom beauties of the opposite gender, but it was Herzog who got the vote. Bob has found humorous ways of presenting the traffic report, even resorting to a rendition of "Traffic Man" that would make Elton John smile. And at the end of every week - don't ask us why - he has a Friday Dance Party segment. His videos have gone viral, and now he's put together this three-minute compilation clip of some of his funniest on-air antics. 
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Cadillac�s potent sedan has been given a unique set of 11-spoke alloys. D2Forged flits between shoeing exotic European metal such as Porsche, Ferrari and Aston Martin, and American muscle, such as the Corvette Z06 and this, their latest project, based on the Cadillac CTS-V Sedan. The US-based wheel-maker is showcasing a set of its 21-inch FMS-11 alloys, boasting a multispoke design with 11 spokes and unique fluting detail. A classic step lip configuration stops the centers from overpowering the look, while the wheels are finished with a titanium brushed center and polished lip. 
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Hong Kong tuner creates brand new carbon-fiber bumper set for the British supercar. A new bumper set for the McLaren 12C supercar has just been introduced by Hong Kong-based tuning house RevoZport. Named the RHZ, the set is for those that want the McLaren Special Operations look but without the cost that goes with it. New carbon-fiber honeycomb grilles weigh just 3kg and have the dual effect of improving downforce while looking aggressive, and have been complemented by an add-on lip spoiler and side skirt set while a complete rear air tunnel is still in development. Images shown are of a car in Dubai fitted with the new front bumper. 
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