What’s the best Coupe? The 2013 Audi A5 or the Infiniti G37 S?
What’s the best sporty two door all-wheel-drive luxury coupe you can buy for under $50,000?
Is it the 2013 Audi A5 2.0T or is it the 2013 Infiniti G37 Coupe.
We decided to find out by Mashing us these two fast and fun cars.
The Audi A5 has been refreshed for 2013 with new lights and several other small changes, while the Infiniti G37S maintains the classic and curvy shape that has made it a sexy and svelte choice for many coupe buyers.
Both cars have all-wheel-drive and both cars cost about $50,000 USD.
So which one is the better buy? Check out this fun TFLcar mashup to find out.
The new 2013 Lexus GS 350 AWD is a new sporty luxury sedan that has taken aim right at the heart of the German competition.
Unlike the previous generation of the Lexus GS the new car is sporty, fast and one of the sharpest knives in the drawer when it comes to performance, handling and acceleration….but only when you the car is set to sport mode.
In this technology demonstration we check out the difference that performance mode makes in 0-60 times @ a mile above sea level.
Think of the Ford Flex as the all-wheel-drive Un Station wagon or the Un SUV.
It has the 3 row seating of of America’s classic wagons of the past combined with the all-wheel-drive of modern Crossovers and SUV’s without the traditional, cultural, and stereotypical soccer mommy wagon reputation.
It’s old fashioned and yet at the same type modern.
It’s boxy and yet at the same type sleek and stylish. It simply refuses to be typecast. At 202 inches long….all models come with three rows of seating making the Flex a very comfortable family hauler even in the 3rd row.
Plus with the last two rows of seats folded down the Flex will easily swallow the biggest Ikea purchase.
The Flex competes with other large Family haulers like the Honda Pilot, the Toyota Highlander and the GMC Acadia. While all of those competitors can best be described as Crossovers, the flex looks and feels like a wagon that spent some quality time in the gym buffing up.
American Pick-ups are still the top selling vehicles in the U.S.
With the heat of the summer months dying down, and the third quarter almost over, the U.S. auto industry is still feeding its fire in the hopes of finishing the year off strong with August car sales on target for record setting sales. The Ford F-series pickup continues to be the top selling vehicle in America having sold 58,201 units in August. Also in the top five were the Chevy Silverado pick-up (38,295), Toyota Camry (36,720), Honda Accord (34,848), and surprisingly the Ford Escape (28,188) which ousted the Nissan Altima from its July spot. The Kia Optima has fallen out of the top 20 for August and now that Japan’s Big Three are back in full force after last year’s tsunami, Kia will struggle to keep its shining star on top. Only time will tell if the Optima can penetrate the market enough to sustain Kia’s recent gains.
General Motors maintained its position as top manufacturer with an 18.7% market share (240,520 vehicles), increasing 10.1% over last year. Buick was the frontrunner in annual growth and the early success of the new Verano implies that the future looks bright for G.M.’s affordable luxury brand. Cadillac also fared well in part due to the new XTS sedan which aided the top performing CTS and SRX. GMC did not fare as well; it had the lowest year over year sales growth at only 3.7%.
For Chevy, the Volt was the leader (in percentage of gains) for August and has increased sales almost eight fold. Although 2011 was not a good year for the Volt, it seems to have overcome its issues and is now setting itself up as a real contender among PHEV’s. Chevy is taking an active role in helping the sales of the Volt by offering multiple incentives including attractive lease offers and tax credits. The Silverado pick-up had the largest sales volume of all Chevy vehicles followed by the Cruze and the Equinox.
The Chrysler Group made serious strides during August achieving its 29th month of year over year sales gains and a 14% hike in sales. All brands (Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, Ram, and Fiat) under the group achieved an increase in sales over the same period last year. Year to date sales have exceed 1.1 million and have already surpassed 2011’s 8 month sales by 25.7%. The Chrysler 300 was especially victorious as it achieved its best August sales in the last 5 years with a 65% increase. The Chrysler 200 sedan, which replaced the now discontinued Sebring, appears to be gaining a steady following and it demonstrated this by setting a personal sales record for the month. Also the Town and Country minivan sold 11,405 units, which marked its best sales numbers for August within the last six years.
Dodge had the most successful month of all the Chrysler brands, with a sales volume of 47,348 units. The new Dodge Dart is expected to fare extremely well in the compact car segment as it replaces its predecessor the Caliber. Compact cars have long been cited for their lack of power and driving feel; Dodge hopes to change that with something that could be a step up from the Honda Civic, with a lower entry price at $15,995 for the SE model and $22,495 for the top model R/T. The Dodge Journey saw an increase in sales at 58%, as did the Caravan (35%), and the Charger (30%).
Fiat, Chrysler’s latest addition to the American market, was up 34% and has now added the 500 turbo as the fourth member of its lineup, thus meeting the demand for a turbo charged compact vehicle. The rest of the lineup (Fiat 500, 500 Cabrio, and 500 Abarth) have all posted personal gains since their debut. So far, it’s safe to say that Fiat has been successful in catering to an expanding niche market for European style vehicles. Fiat is affording buyers the opportunity to join a movement for cars that can break the boundaries of regionalism and be truly cosmopolitan; a concept that America has not explored for decades. If Fiat can continue to move in a positive direction and gain a wider market share within in its class it could effectively trigger the entry of more foreign models into the U.S.
August proved that there is still a fighting spirit among brands in the American market. Before 2012 is over there is sure to be a clear indication of what’s in store for the future of this industry and with the presidential election on our heels that answer may come much sooner than we think.
Jibbin Abraham is an undergraduate student pursuing a degree in Business and Marketing at Binghamton University. He enjoys following the latest automotive trends and developments in the U.S. as well as abroad and spends his free time reading various auto websites and blogs. His ultimate goal is to pursue a career where he can mesh his passion for business and for cars. Jibbin brings an unique perspective to TFLcar with a passionate eye toward the latest trends and comprehensive, expert and in depth automotive industry analysis.
2013 FIAT Doblò XL could be ready for American streets soon!
Fresh from an enlargement, the 2013 FIAT Doblò XL Cargo van is poised to make its way to the United States. FIAT’s 135 horsepower 2.0-liter MultiJet diesel may accompany the doblo XL if it comes to the U.S.
This is all speculation coming from The Fast Lane Car, but it’s based on sound reasoning. The 2013 FIAT Doblò XL would fill the void left by the full sized Ram Van’s departure.
After ending their relationship with Mercedes Benz, Chrysler Group LLC was left without a competitive van in the nuited States. In Europe, FIAT builds some of the most competitive, popular vans in the segment. Logic would dictate that FIAT will market their Doblò XL as a Ram, or possibly as a FIAT. Either way, it would give Chrysler/FIAT a weapon in the simmering battle against Nissan and Ford’s new crop of vans in North America.
The 2013 FIAT Doblò XL will slate in between the smaller Ford Transit Connect and the Dodge Sprinter. If it does make it to our market, it’s logical to expect the name and trim to change a bit. The 2013 FIAT Doblò XL would probably become a Ram van with a macho name. The Ram Van Macho Man does have a nice ring to it – no?
It’s just a thought.
Small displacement diesels are a very logical way to power small work trucks and a few of us at The Fast Lane Car have driven them. The 2013 FIAT Doblò XL has two smaller diesels available too. This could be the start of something good for small American businesses and courier outfits. We will bring you the highlights when Chrysler/FIAT releases more information.
Here are the specifications directly from FIAT SpA
NEW DOBLÒ XL SPECIFICATIONS
Main features on Standard trim level:
ABS with EBD
Central door locking
Driver’s airbag
12V front plug-in socket
Electric windows
Radio/CD with high-performance loudspeakers
Reach and rake-adjustable steering wheel
Reach and rate-adjustable seats
Ceiling storage shelf
Panelled bulkhead
Nearside/offside sliding doors
Lockable fuel cap
Side rubbing strips
Normal size spare wheel
Heated diesel filter
16-inch 195/60 wheels
Additional features on SX trim level:
Remote control central locking (Cargo)
Electric rear windows (Combi)
Fog lights
Passenger seat storage in cushion
Radio/CD/MP3 High
Passenger airbag (Combi)
Soundproofed bulkhead (Cargo)
Height-adjustable drivers’ seat & lumbar support
PVC load floor covering (Cargo)
Body colour exterior door mirrors
Additional features on Combi M1 vs N1:
ESP
Side airbags
Cargo
Combi N1/M1
Rear door (mm)
Width
1231
1231
Height
1455
1455
Sliding side door (mm)
Width
700
700
Height
1175
1175
Load compartment (mm)
Length
2170
1300
Width min-max
1518-1714
1191-1291
Width between wheelarches
1230
1230
Height
1550
1495
Height to parcel shelf
NA
600
Rear loading height (unladen)
545
Load compartment capacity (m3)
Volume
5.0
1.05*
Engines
Engine
105 MultiJet
90 MultiJet Comfort Matic
135 MultiJet Power
Euro
Euro 5
Euro 5
Euro 5
Fuel
diesel
diesel
diesel
Displacement (cm3)
1598
1598
1956
Power hp (kW) at rpm
105 (77) 4000
90 (66) 4000
135 (99) 3500
Torque kgm (Nm) at rpm
29.6 (290) 1500
20.4 (200) 1500
32.6 (320) 1500
Cargo
Combi N1/M1
Engine
105 MultiJet
90 MultiJet Comfort Matic
135 MultiJet Power
Weights
Kerb weight (kg)
1460
1460
1500
1600
Payload including driver (kg)
1000
1000
1000
800/615
GVW (kg)
2460
2460
2500
2400/2215
Maximum tow-able weight (kg)
1300
1300
1500
1500
Maximum front axle load (kg)
1200
1200
1200
1200
Maximum rear axle load (kg)
1450
1450
1450
1450
The 2013 FIAT Doblò XL will do battle against Nissan’s vans. So, here Roman and I are driving a Nissan NV van against a Porsche 911 – because we thought we were funny.
Easily amused by anything with four wheels, Nathan Adlen reviews vehicles from the cheapest to the most prestigious. Wrecking yards, dealer lots, garages, racetracks, professional automotive testing and automotive journalism – Nathan has experienced a wide range of the automotive spectrum. His words, good humor and video are enjoyed worldwide.
What’s the most fuel efficient car that you can buy today?
We at The fast Lane Car are lucky to drive a different car every week so we’ve had the chance to drive many (if not most) of the best new fuel efficient cars on the market.
We’ve also been able to test some the cars at sea level and some a mile above sea level in real world driving.
So without further delay….here are the top 7 new cars that we’ve driven in 2012 that get 40 MPG or higher.
The 2012 Scion iQ is one of the smallest cars you can buy in America today. It’s 20-inches shorter than a Fiat 500 yet, amazingly, it’s still 14 inches longer than a Smartfortwo. It’s a city car, first and foremost, and no matter how you approach the iQ, it’s surprising in many ways. Here are 5 surprising facts about the Scion iQ.
Fact #1: 2 + 1 Seating
Given the tiny size, the iQ looks like a two-seater. But the car actually features what Scion calls “2+1 seating.” That means that while there are actually four seats and four seat belts, there’s really only space for the driver and front passenger, plus a single passenger behind the front passenger. Okay, if you’re really, really, teensy-weensy, you can squeeze a fourth passenger behind the driver. But I don’t recommend it. Even kids under the age of five will feel cramped back there.
The iQ is a tiny car. If you have more than a few friends and enjoy traveling in a group, any compact sedan will offer more commodious accommodations.
There is virtually no legroom behind the driver’s seat in the 2012 Scion iQ–even for small kids
Fact #2: 4-Star Crash Test Rating and 11 Airbags
To many readers, the four-star (out of five) crash test rating by the National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has to come as a surprise. This tiny car looks so small you might be afraid to drive it on the freeway. But fear not; the iQ will actually protect you quite well in a collision. Credit the 11 airbags, including exclusive rear air bags that are mounted just inside the rear window. Don’t get me wrong, here. Tangle with a Suburban or F-250 and you’ll feel it.
Watch a Scion iQ Crash Test Video
Fact #3: Mediocre Fuel Efficiency
The most surprising fact about the Scion iQ is that it returns completely mediocre fuel economy. Check these numbers: the iQ is expected to return 36 mpg in the city and 37 on the highway for a combined average of 37 mpg.
Thirty-seven mpg. Are you kidding me?
The standard Prius Liftback averages 50 mpg in combined driving. And the smaller Prius c (yet wildly spacious compared to the iQ) also averages 50 mpg. I’ve personally achieved 56 mpg driving the Prius c in the same conditions as the iQ.
One would assume that a car this small would average 40, 50 or even 60 miles per gallon. One would be wrong. Dead wrong.
During the past week I drove just over 200 miles, drained the tank in the process, and averaged a measly 34 mpg. That’s just not acceptable in a car this small. The Hyundai Elantra, Dodge Dart and 2013 Nissan Sentra all get between 39 and 41 mpg on the highway. Plus, you can still fit you your passenger and two or three other friends in the car. For most buyers, that’s the better and more convenient choice.
Fact #4: Delightfully Tight Turning Radius
The Scion iQ has a delightfully tight turning radius. Since the iQ is built for the city, this is where the car shines brightest. Watch the video below for an example of making a three-point turn in a small driveway. Parallel parking in the iQ is actually fun. Seriously. Since you can fit two Scion iQs in one standard city parking space (not legally, of course), it’s nearly impossible to screw up a parallel parking job.
Watch the TFL Car 2012 Scion iQ Review
Fact #5: The iQ is Surprisingly Easy to Live With
This is probably the biggest surprise of all—the iQ is easy to drive on a daily basis. Sure it only has 94 horsepower. Sure it has a continuously variable transmission that screams and howls when you push it to its limits, which is about anything above 70 miles per hour. But it’s actually easy to drive and mildly fun to pilot a a car this small around town. I was frankly surprised I never felt nervous even on the highway, though I stayed well away from big cars. I also avoided two-lane highways just to reduce any possible fear factor.
Most American drivers commute to and from work by themselves. In a commuting setting, the iQ feels like just about any other car. It gets you from here to there and when it comes time to park, it fits just about anywhere. While you can comfortably drive the iQ on the freeway at prevailing speeds, it’s always at its best on tight city streets.
The tiny iQ leaves a tiny footprint on the road
On the TFLcar.com recommendation scale of:
– Buy it
– Lease it
– Rent it or
– Forget it
I say forget it—unless you live in the city where parking space is at such a premium that you absolutely have to own one of the smallest cars you can buy in America.
The Scion iQ makes little sense for most drivers. It’s fun to drive in a limited way. It is delightfully maneuverable in tight settings. But the fuel economy and the lack of passenger space just doesn’t make this a viable car for many people outside of Manhattan, Boston or San Francisco. If you live in one of America’s biggest cities, take a look. Otherwise, look at the Scion’s corporate cousins the Toyota Prius c or Toyota Prius hatchback/sedan instead.
The Scion iQ features rear airbags just above the rear window
2012 Scion iQ Photos Copyright 2012 Waterdog Media, Inc.
MSRP: $15,265
As tested: $19,355
Michael Waterman’s first car was a 1978 Ford Fiesta. Not particularly prestigious, but awfully fuel-efficient. He’s still a fan of efficient, practical vehicles, especially those that can hold their own in Utah’s Wasatch Mountains where Michael lives and writes about cars. He’s the former Executive Editor of Vehix.com and also writes about cars at SpeedyDaddy.com. When he’s not covering cars, he writes about music at toponehitwonders.com.
On Tuesday, Chrysler Group, LLC reported that sales of the new 2013 Dodge Dart jumped nearly 300 percent in August over its launch in July. It plans to keep that number growing as it kicks off the second phase of its ad campaign during tonight’s season opener NFL game between the New York Giants and the Dallas Cowboys.
The newest ad is a 30-second “How To Make The Most High-Tech Car” spot that was preceded by the 90-second spot “How To Change Cars Forever” that debuted in July. It featured a cameo at the end by New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady and you can expect to see his winning smile in the new spot, too.
You wouldn’t necessarily think football and compact sedans like the Dodge Dart go together, but apparently Chrysler has a different point of view. They will be airing the new spot during professional and college games throughout the Fall, as well as during the MLB playoffs.
The tone of these ads is actually a pretty good fit for sports fan audiences. They’re humorous, poking fun at the design process and even the whole idea of a celebrity endorsement as the ever photogenic Tom Brady acts surprised that they’ve picked him as their man.
The new ad also features a time machine and a guy from the future who designs the Dodge Dart’s snazzy dashboard display. No, really, I am not making that up. These are not boring commercials with the typical scenes of cars taking sharp turns with the sun shining and the breeze blowing through some model’s hair.
In fact, the Dodge Dart only gets a few seconds of real screen time. What you do get is 30 seconds of fun and probably a double-take as you try to figure out exactly it was that you just watched. Get ready for some football, cars, time machines and fun.
The 2026 Kia K4 hatchback gives interested buyers another option in a time where hatches have been losing ground to crossovers. Here are all the details!
Jeep says the Jeep Wrangler 392 V8 is about to meet its maker...but with recent developments at Stellantis we're skeptical that's actually going to happen.
