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It wasn't long ago that gasoline was the only fuel a Porsche could use. Today, the powertrain options at the Volkswagen Group subsidiary include diesel, gasoline-electric hybrid and, soon, plug-in hybrid.

BMW, capitalizing on rising demand for crossovers in Europe and the United States, is expanding its new 4-series lineup with the X4 crossover that will go on sale next year.

GM said it will invest about $332 million in four U.S. manufacturing sites to produce more fuel-efficient engines and transmission systems.

Not only is Kia benchmarking BMW and Audi; it is crawling out of the shadow of its bigger corporate sibling, Hyundai.

GM CEO Dan Akerson said the automaker is making backup plans for its operations in South Korea as tensions with North Korea heighten. Chevrolet Europe gets most of its cars from South Korea.

Automakers are rethinking the way they design car cockpits to reduce cognitive overload as more sophisticated infotainment systems risk increasing driver distraction, a problem that has been linked to an increasing number of fatal accidents.

Lexus plans to show a production-ready hybrid SUV to rival Audi's Q3 and BMW's X1 at next year's Geneva auto show, a company source said.

Does Volkswagen still expect to hit its much talked-about target of 1 million sales in the United States by 2018? At the New York auto show last week, Jonathan Browning, CEO of VW Group of America, offered a roundabout answer that smelled, at best,...

Fiat, faced with Italy sales that could fall to their lowest level for 47 years, is seeking to boost sales in Germany by offering steeper discounts than any other automaker there.

Not only is Kia benchmarking BMW and Audi; it is crawling out of the shadow of its bigger corporate sibling, Hyundai.

GM said it will invest about $332 million in four U.S. manufacturing sites to produce more fuel-efficient engines and transmission systems.

Lexus plans to show a production-ready hybrid SUV to rival Audi's Q3 and BMW's X1 at next year's Geneva auto show, a company source said.

It wasn't long ago that gasoline was the only fuel a Porsche could use. Today, the powertrain options at the Volkswagen Group subsidiary include diesel, gasoline-electric hybrid and, soon, plug-in hybrid.

Lexus plans to show a production-ready hybrid SUV to rival Audi's Q3 and BMW's X1 at next year's Geneva auto show, a company source said.

For anyone who has ever travelled to New York City in the spring, the feeling one gets once out in the open is like few others once the cold weather recedes and makes way for the warmer sunrays.

The New York International Auto Show is much like the arrival of spring in the sense that it's a send-off for the following model year. Yes, a New York Auto Show brings with it a clear and present picture of the very near future, and a glimpse of what is yet to come.

This is why what the NYIAS has to offer is critical fodder for us car peeps and you eager consumers and car nuts.

Here then are my top 10 unveils from the 2013 NYIAS:

This I did not expect from Toyota... The new 2014 Highlander actually has flair along with a dose of attitude. The mildly enhanced outer dimensions do wonders for the interior as well. The 3.5L V6 returns.

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

Continue reading 2013 NYIAS - Matt's Top 10 Unveilings

In an effort to curb traffic violations and accidents, authorities in Bangalore, India, are using cardboard cutouts of police officers to scare drivers. Three of the most problematic areas have been targeted.

“Drivers in Indian cities violate traffic rules when there are no cops around -- they jump traffic lights and go the wrong way on one-way streets,” Bangalore police commissioner M.A. Saleem told AFP.

Using cardboard officers may sound silly, but it works. In fact, similar measures have been deployed around the world including in North America, the U.K., and Thailand.

“It's good. From a distance it looks like a real cop. Two or three times we thought it was a real policeman standing there, and we slowed down,” some local drivers said.

One cardboard cutout was stolen last week, but that has not discouraged Saleem, who said the fake policemen will now be removed at night to reduce chances of theft.

He added that 10 others could soon be installed on the roads of Bangalore.

Source: TIME NewsFeed

GPS manufacturer TomTom has published its annual Congestion Index for North America and Europe.

This side of the Atlantic, six Canadian cities were among the most congested in 2012, including Vancouver (2nd), Toronto (6th), Montreal (10th), Ottawa (18th), Calgary (26th), and Edmonton (34th).

Here's the top 10:
1. Los Angeles
2. Vancouver
3. Honolulu
4. San Francisco
5. Seattle
6. Toronto
7. San Jose
8. Washington
9. New Orleans
10. Montreal

FYI, New York City now ranks 14th in North America.

Across the pond, the 10 most congested European cities in 2012 were:
1. Moscow (Russia)
2. Istanbul (Turkey)
3. Warsaw (Poland)
4. Marseille (France)
5. Palermo (Italy)
6. Stuttgart (Germany)
7. Paris (France)
8. Rome (Italy)
9. Hamburg (Germany)
10. Brussels (Belgium)

For the full results and a detailed analysis, go to tomtom.com

Price Range: $51,105 and up

Description: For a carefree Lexus driving experience, more Canadian shoppers than ever are considering the Lexus IS C -- which takes the roof off the popular sport sedan and turns it into a two-door convertible that's ready for luxury touring. The IS C is available with either of Lexus' V6 engines, and features a sleek, two-door design topped by a fully motorized hard-top convertible roof.

At the touch of a button, that roof folds entirely into the 2013 Lexus IS C's trunk leaving no elements visible from the outside. The added security, toughness and insulation of the hardtop roof mean the Lexus IS C can be used comfortably any day of the year.


Drivetrain: Opening the model range is the IS 250 C, which features a 2.5L V6 engine, a slick-shifting 6-speed manual transmission and rear-wheel drive. This entry-level engine is noted for a pleasing, athletic and free-breathing character, and high levels of fuel efficiency.

For enthusiasts after higher-performance thrills, the Lexus IS 350 C offers up an award-winning 3.5L V6, which generates 306 horsepower. A 6-speed automatic with Super ECT control is standard with this powerplant.

Both engines use variable cam timing, aluminum construction and a combination of ported and direct fuel injection for reduced fuel consumption and emissions.

Consider it if: you need a handsome, high-class convertible with all the toys from a brand with a solid reputation and proven reliability. Additionally, the 2013 Lexus IS C's underlying platform is that of a compact sedan, so it'll meet the needs of shoppers looking for room for a four-person road trip. A range of top-line options and safety features helps connect with the confidence-minded luxury aficionado.

Skip it if: you're after all-out performance, as the 2013 Lexus IS C model range is equal parts luxury and sportiness. Better-handling, faster cars can be had for the price.

Other Notes: Look for the 2013 Lexus IS C lineup with features such as automatic climate control, heated leather seats, high-output xenon lights, and an available remote-start system. A range of accessories is also available to fine-tune the IS C to any lifestyle or outdoor sport. Lexus accessories are built to the exactly the same standards as the rest of the car, and typically covered under the new-vehicle warranty, too.

To further enhance dynamics and style, the available F Sport Package adds a sports suspension calibration, special wheels, a distinctive front grille, unique leather seats, a 3-spoke steering wheel, and other sporty touches.

Don't Miss: The Mark Levinson audio system. This is one of the market's premier mobile listening experiences, thanks to a long-standing relationship between Lexus and Mark Levinson. Since 2000, that relationship has worked to create stereo systems optimized specifically to each vehicle, in order to deliver unmatched sound quality and music reproduction. Mark Levinson audio systems put upgraded components; powerful subwoofers and 7.1-channel surround sound audio at the Lexus driver's disposal.

Photo: Lexus

On April 21st, BMW will introduce the Concept X4 at Auto Shanghai 2013, bolstering a crossover lineup that represents 25% of total BMW sales.

With this new vehicle, the German automaker offers a preview of the future of the BMW X family. Nicely proportioned (4,648 mm long, 1,915 mm wide, and 1,622 mm tall), the Concept X4 is said to embody “sporting elegance and powerful robustness.” In fact, BMW hopes to continue the success story of the larger X6 in a new vehicle class.

Details about the interior and powertrain remain unknown, so we'll have to wait until Auto Shanghai 2013 to find out more about the concept. We do know, however, that the production BMW X4 model is scheduled to hit the market for 2014.

Photo: BMW

My list of Top NYIAS Unveilings holds a number of cars that I can't wait to drive, but there were other cars on the show floor that may not have been as new, however, I'm still very much looking forward to putting them through their paces.

Scroll through the gallery and look forward to the future with me.

The new 2014 Kia Forte Koup looks great and should be just as great to drive, especially with its available turbocharged 1.6L 4-cylinder engine good for 201 hp and 195 lb-ft of torque.

Photo: Mathieu St-Pierre

Continue reading 2013 NYIAS - 2014-2015 Cars I Can't Wait to Drive