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Price Range: $52,200 to $80,500-plus

Description: Now in its third generation, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class takes the two-seat compact roadster goodness launched by the original in 1996 to all-new levels.

More modern, advanced and upscale than ever, this posh drop-top packs three engine options, including an ultra-performance AMG variant, as well as the latest in efficiency and luxury touches. No fewer than five option packages and a full range of accessories help drivers fine-tune the 2013 SLK to their personal tastes.


A two-seat roadster, the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK-Class packs plenty of at-hand storage and a reasonable trunk, making it ideal as a daily commuter or a two-person weekend getaway machine. The hard-top roof can be toggled between its open or closed position at the touch of a button in just a few seconds.

Drivetrain: Several engines are available to meet a variety of tastes. The range-opening SLK 250 model gets a 1.8L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 201 horsepower and 229 lb-ft of torque. Look for an automatic or manual gearbox here. The SLK 350 packs a high-revving 3.5L, 302-horsepower V6 which should prove adequate for most drivers.

If not, the SLK 55 AMG is the solution, as it shoehorns a 5.5L, 415-horsepower V8 engine into the compact engine bay for 0-100 km/h in a rip-snorting 4.6 seconds.

Consider it if: you're after a touch of the premium convertible high-life from a lusted-after brand or you're after a sporty convertible that's just as comfortable and every-day friendly as it is fun to drive. The SLK is noted by owners and reviewers to be a sensible machine, as far as roadsters go. Long-haul comfort, handling, performance, and all-weather confidence are top-notch.

Skip it if: you're on a budget, you need a rear seat, or you'd rather a coupe as the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK only comes as a convertible. Pricing of $52,200 for the base model, $67,000 for the SLK 350, and over $80,000 for the SLK 55 AMG may be prohibitive for some.

Other Notes: The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK range packs the latest luxury-car touches, despite its compact size. Look for full multimedia connectivity; a driver computer; premium audio options; power everything; memory seats; automatic climate control; and push-button start. Radar-guided cruise control is available, too.

Don't Miss: Two clever roadster innovations help set the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SLK apart. First, the AIRSCARF system incorporates a heat vent within the seat, positioned just behind each occupant's neck. A powerful heater provides a virtual “scarf” of warm air when the system is turned on to help extend the top-down season.

Second, the MAGIC SKY CONTROL roof lets drivers tint or clear the full-glass roof panel at the touch of a button. Tap the button once and a bit of clever electrochemistry darkens the glass, instantly. Tap it again, and the glass clears, letting in the rays -- a great conversation starter.

Photo: Mercedes-Benz

From GMM

Giedo van der Garde has admitted he is prepared to endure a couple more painful grands prix.

The Dutchman has been struggling so far in his young F1 career, while Caterham's usual wheel-to-wheel rival Marussia - particularly the red and black car driven by impressive rookie Jules Bianchi - looks set to race into the midfield.

Van der Garde told De Telegraaf newspaper that his green car will not be updated until the fifth race of the season, once F1 has returned to Europe.

"The season really starts for me in Spain," he said.

Giedo Van der Garde, Caterham CT03. (Photo: WRi2)

In the meantime, Marussia has sped into the lucrative tenth spot in the constructors' championship, with France's Auto Hebdo calling compatriot Bianchi "flawless" so far.

The Ferrari-linked 23-year-old was recruited by Marussia at the very last minute, after Brazilian Luiz Razia's sponsorship money failed to arrive.

"It was nice to have held off (Williams' Pastor) Maldonado (in Malaysia) and to maintain the gap for so long," the Frenchman, who like teammate Max Chilton also complained at Sepang about being "stuck behind" a Caterham, said.

"This shows we have the car to fight with them (the midfield teams) in the future."

The mini-est minivan out there
Sometimes smaller really is better, especially when that reduced size doesn't skimp on other things such as cargo space, design and practicality. Enter the Mazda5: a “minivan” for the masses that toes the station wagon line and even plays in the hatch zone if you look at it from the right angle.

That's what makes the 2013 Mazda5 so attractive, in my mind. Here's a vehicle that's extremely practical, easy to drive, easy to use as a family vehicle, and fits as comfortably on narrow city streets as it does on open highways. Add to that equation a great starting price ($21,995 for the base GS model), and you've got quite an impressive, well-proportioned, cute package.


What is a Mazda5?
I've liked the idea of the Mazda5 since it made its first North American appearance in '06. Known as the Mazda Premacy in Japan (and available there since 1999), the Mazda5 hit North American soil running, and in its first year here, won Best New Multipurpose Family Vehicle at the Canadian Car of the Year awards.

In Europe, the Mazda5 is an MPV and in North America the Mazda5 falls into the mini-minivan category. Here, due to safety regulations, the Mazda5 seats six; however, in Europe and Japan there is a seven-seat option with a jump seat available for the second row.

Technicalities
Available in two trim levels (GS and GT), the 2013 Mazda5 houses the same engine in both: a 2.5L DOHC 4-cylinder that pushes out a reasonable 157 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque. With two transmission choices (6-speed manual and 5-speed automatic), the Mazda5 may not have a million variations available, but that's fine because it gets the job done either way.

I had the pleasure of driving the 2013 Mazda5 GT trim level with an automatic transmission, which meant my particular tester started in the $26k range. I had the optional moonroof and the luxury of the Luxury Package (pun intended) which included leather-trim seats.

In my opinion, the price befits the vehicle and everything it offers the user, from amenities to the drive.

Available in two trim levels (GS and GT), the 2013 Mazda5 houses the same engine in both: a 2.5L DOHC 4-cylinder that pushes out a reasonable 157 horsepower and 163 lb-ft of torque. (Photo: Colin Styker)

Driving the Mazda5
Speaking of the drive: Piloting the 2013 Mazda5 might not be thrilling, but it's not a chore either. I quite liked the 5-speed automatic transmission with sport shifting (something I wasn't always fond of, as seen in my review of the 2012 Mazda5). For a few snowier days around town, I used the shift lever to gear down in order to help slow the vehicle down instead of slamming on the brakes. The transmission responded nicely, doing just as I asked without delay.

Speaking of snow, Mazda's Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control System kept the 2013 Mazda5 on track. Unlike the Honda Crosstour I'd had the week before, the Mazda5 seemed to find traction more easily (which perhaps had more to do with tire choice).

And I absolutely love the step-in height of the 2013 Mazda5. It's ideal for ingress and egress and putting my son in his car seat in the rear second-row passenger seat was a breeze thanks to the height and the sliding doors.

Mazda's Dynamic Stability Control and Traction Control System kept the 2013 Mazda5 on track. (Photo: Colin Styker)

Ins and Outs of the Mazda5
From the outside, the 2013 Mazda5 has definitely matured over the years - it even has laugh lines now. Running from nose to rear flank, the Mazda5 sports a “moving sands” look that's attractive to some, not so much to others. My husband wondered what “all the lines were doing there” and turned his nose up at them. While others thought the look was sporty, dynamic and modern. I fall into the latter opinion.

Somehow, Mazda has designed a minivan that breaks the conventional minivan look. Sure, it's still a tall wagon, but there's something more to it. The gaping front Mazda grille works well on the Mazda5, and the wide fog-light openings add a sporty touch as well.

Inside, the 2013 Mazda5 continues to impress with a roomy, well-appointed cabin. The captain's chairs up front and in the second row are comfortable and supportive. Everything is perfectly within reach and well position for all multimedia controls.

In the back, headroom is ample in the 2013 Mazda5, even all the way in the third row where two adults can actually sit (if second row seats are slid forward a bit to accommodate legs). I was happy to be able to stand up in the car while I installed my son's baby seat.

Cargo space is rather small with the third row up (at only 112 litres), however, fold them down and you've got plenty with 426 litres.

In the back, headroom is ample in the 2013 Mazda5, even all the way in the third row where two adults can actually sit. (Photo: Colin Styker)

Comparing the Mazda5
With the upcoming 2014 Kia Rondo, I think the Mazda5 has some serious competition coming its way in an otherwise barren mini-minivan segment. Otherwise you start looking at the likes of the Honda Odyssey, Toyota Sienna and Dodge Grand Caravan, all of which I feel are too “large” to properly compete with the Mazda5 (for example, the Odyssey's cargo space behind the third row is nearly eight times more than that of the Mazda5 -- with the seats up).

It stands alone (for now), and that's perhaps the reason it does so well.

2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR

The Evo is wild, fun, and guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

I adore the Evo. It makes no sense at all as a daily driver because it's so loud and horrible on fuel, but it's the most visceral car you can buy today. There is absolutely nothing refined about the car. And that's why I love it.

Photo Gallery: 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2013 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution GSR - Editors' Notebook - Automobile Magazine

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Subaru of America has promoted Tom Doll to president, effective April 1. He will remain COO and CFO. Doll, 57, is the highest ranking non-Japanese executive at Subaru's U.S. subsidiary. He joined Subaru of America in 1982.

By Design: Hyundai HCD-14

Almost terrific.

This is the thirteenth concept car produced by Hyundai’s California Design studio. Thus, that three-letter acronym and accompanying number actually mean something—besides the fact that the folks at Hyundai are superstitious and skipped number thirteen, that is. This counters the trendy random collection of letters beloved by automotive marketers and applied liberally to all sorts of cars and SUVs in the hope that some Teutonic precision will rub off on their cheaper models. This time, Hyundai has conjured up one of the best-proportioned sedans in a very long time yet managed to throw away all those proportional advantages with one of the ugliest, bluntest front ends to appear in public in many years.

Photo Gallery: By Design: Hyundai HCD-14 - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: By Design: Hyundai HCD-14 - Automobile Magazine

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The Detroit 3 automakers joined other Michigan businesses today in donating $8 million for new ambulances and police cars to Detroit as state-appointed emergency manager Kevyn Orr took over running the destitute city.

NASCAR Embraces the Next Generation

Cheer up, disgruntled NASCAR fans.

Cheer up, disgruntled NASCAR fans. In 2013, for the first time in six years, Sprint Cup races feature stock cars that actually look like stock cars.

Photo Gallery: NASCAR Embraces the Next Generation - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: NASCAR Embraces the Next Generation - Automobile Magazine

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2014 Lexus IS First Drive

Silk ablaze.

We're not driving the 2014 Lexus IS F Sport on the Nürburgring, where some of its development took place. Rather, we're driving this exemplar of the new third-generation IS around carousels and corkscrews, through kinks and hairpins, all copied from Spa and Laguna Seca, Fiorano and Road Atlanta. This greatest-hits collection known as Driveway Austin Motorsports is approximately 2.0 miles around.

Photo Gallery: 2014 Lexus IS First Drive - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: 2014 Lexus IS First Drive - Automobile Magazine

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Buick is showing a refreshed LaCrosse sedan this week at the New York auto show. And it's not a moment too soon. The LaCrosse has been the workhorse of Buick's recovery.

Half-million-dollar vehicles tend to be polarizing. Why, for example, might one drop extra-large coin on an Aventador Roadster when a

News 25 Mar, 2013

Subaru has announced UK prices and specs for the latest version of its rugged off-roader, the Forester

Also in this episode: The 2014 Buick LaCrosse is revealed before the New York auto show; Formula One heats up in Malaysia.

2014 Buick LaCrosse First Look

New face for a big sedan.

The Buick brand has evolved significantly since the current LaCrosse bowed at the 2009 Detroit auto show, so it's time for the full-size sedan to receive a facelift. The updates to the 2014 Buick LaCrosse bring the model in line with the rest of the brand's styling trends, and add a raft of new technologies.

Photo Gallery: First Look: 2014 Buick LaCrosse - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: First Look: 2014 Buick LaCrosse - Automobile Magazine

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Automakers are wrapping up the domestic auto show season with a bang in New York -- we are counting some 20 world debuts.

Brazil's car market, the fourth largest in the world, has got off to a slower than expected start in 2013, a senior Ford executive said.

Mazda, Australia's best-selling imported car brand is recalling the redesigned 6 due to a potential fire hazard under the passenger seat.

Infiniti is preparing to retire InfinitiNet, a homegrown dealer communication and management system that Infiniti dealers have used since the premium brand's first U.S. vehicle sales in 1989.

News 25 Mar, 2013

Latest pictures give us our first look at the Mercedes C-Class Cabriolet

The Appliance Enthusiast

How Consumer Reports learned to like cars and influence the automotive industry.

What's the publication most widely read by Americans in search of a new or used car? Hint: it's not the outstanding periodical you're holding in your hands, insightful and award-winningly excellent though it is.

Photo Gallery: The Appliance Enthusiast - Automobile Magazine

Photo Gallery: The Appliance Enthusiast - Automobile Magazine

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