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The Buick Regal fills a somewhat limited niche -- it's too small and expensive to take on the Honda Accords of the world and yet doesn't quite have the hardware or cachet to challenge premium sport sedans like the BMW 3-series and GM's own Cadillac ATS. (The only direct competitor is the Acura TSX, another slow-selling, rebadged European expat.) It doesn't help the Regal's case that it sits between the cheaper Verano and the bigger, more luxurious LaCrosse. The 2014 Buick Regal attempts to power out of this ditch with upgraded turbo engines, an updated interior, and all-wheel drive.

Since the dawn of time, man has labored to stuff tremendous power into subcompact hatchbacks. The MG Metro 6R4, Peugeot 205 Turbo 16, Renault R5 Turbo, and Beck's Ford Festiva Shogun were all originally born as no-nonsense commuter cars, but were later transformed into nonsensical sports cars. The Toyota Yaris Hybrid R concept, which debuts at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show, adheres to this age-old tradition, save for one caveat: it's a hybrid-electric vehicle.

Concept cars often have design elements that are too wild for series production, and the Smart Fourjoy on display at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show is no exception. Yet if we imagine adding doors, a rear windshield, and a roof, this concept gives a very close preview of the next model from Smart, which is expected to go on sale about a year from now and will likely to be called the ForFour. Not convinced? Smart chief Dr. Annette Winkler says, "The exterior proportions already reveal a lot about the appearance of our four-seater production Smart, which will be launched at the end of 2014 and will also enable families to travel together."

Since the dawn of time, man has labored to stuff tremendous power into subcompact hatchbacks. The MG Metro 6R4, Peugeot 205 Turbo 16, Renault R5 Turbo, and Beck's Ford Festiva Shogun were all originally born as no-nonsense commuter cars, but were later transformed into nonsensical sports cars. The Toyota Yaris Hybrid R concept, which debuts at the 2013 Frankfurt motor show, adheres to this age-old tradition, save for one caveat: it's a hybrid-electric vehicle.

Concept cars often have design elements that are too wild for series production, and the Smart Fourjoy on display at the 2013 Frankfurt Motor Show is no exception. Yet if we imagine adding doors, a rear windshield, and a roof, this concept gives a very close preview of the next model from Smart, which is expected to go on sale about a year from now and will likely to be called the ForFour. Not convinced? Smart chief Dr. Annette Winkler says, "The exterior proportions already reveal a lot about the appearance of our four-seater production Smart, which will be launched at the end of 2014 and will also enable families to travel together."

The Buick Regal fills a somewhat limited niche -- it's too small and expensive to take on the Honda Accords of the world and yet doesn't quite have the hardware or cachet to challenge premium sport sedans like the BMW 3-series and GM's own Cadillac ATS. (The only direct competitor is the Acura TSX, another slow-selling, rebadged European expat.) It doesn't help the Regal's case that it sits between the cheaper Verano and the bigger, more luxurious LaCrosse. The 2014 Buick Regal attempts to power out of this ditch with upgraded turbo engines, an updated interior, and all-wheel drive.