2014 Lexus IS

2014 Lexus IS

2014 Lexus IS

The future Lexus IS will take on models like the Acura TL, Infiniti G, and the BMW 3-Series that will all enter into their new generations by then. BMW usually puts petrol inline six-cylinder engines under the 3-Series hood, but with the next generation they have promised a new turbocharged four-cylinder engine. That will give the next IS a lot to think about.

While the Toyota FT-86 will be powered by a 2.0-liter flat-4 Subaru sourced engine, the IS will be powered by a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated 4-cylinder and/or a 3.6-liter flat-6. The 2014 Lexus IS F will continue with a high-powered V-8 with an output of more than 400 HP. The IS-F will sprint from 0 to 60 mph sprint in about 4.5 seconds and will hit a top speed of about 170 mph.

The 2014 Lexus IS will feature a totally new design language, inspired by the FT-86. However, do not expect to see the same sportiness or aggressiveness found in the Toyota sports model because the design will be adapted for a mid-class sedan. The interior will also offer all the technologies a driver could ask for in a $40k sedan.

The next Infiniti G on the other hand is rumored to be offered with a 3.5-liter hybrid combination engine taken from the M35 that produces an output of around 360 HP, and that is also a plus over the Lexus model. However, in the end, it’s what the company is offering for the money that will sell cars.

World no 1 Koenigsegg

World no 1 Koenigsegg

World no 1 Koenigsegg

World no 1 Koenigsegg

World no 1 Koenigsegg

2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4

The long awaited debut Lamborghini Murcielago successor seems to come sooner rather than later after it was announced that Lamborghini, the U.S. trademark registered the name Lamborghini Aventador, leading to doubts about whether it would be the official name of Lamborghini Jota. Although nothing is confirmed, it seems sufficient reason to believe that it could very well have 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 jacket next hypercar Lamborghini Murcielago.

Selected groups of customers on hand to see a new bull-buster, and based on what was seen 2012 Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 seems to have taken over many of its styling cues from the Lamborghini Reventon. How much is Revenston-inspired remains to be seen. What we know is that ‘Lamborghini Aventador’ name will stick around the length of the Lamborghini went through to get the name brands.

2012 Chevrolet Sonic

2012 Chevrolet Sonic

2012 Chevrolet Sonic

2012 Chevrolet Sonic

2012 Chevrolet Sonic is all about nifty design details, better interior room than Honda Fit, expected five-star government safety ratings (10 standard airbags, electronic stability control, traction control, and anti-lock brakes), shared Cruze powertrains, anticipated 40 mpg fuel economy, standard OnStar hardware with six months free turn-by-turn navigation, optional remote start, heated front seats, and more. Read more about Sonic’s Detroit debut in Marty Padgett’s story in The Car Connection.

Here’s what we know. Sonic will be available in four-door sedan and five-door hatchback models. Size-wise, Sonic sedan sits on a 99.4-inch wheelbase and is 173.1 inches long. The Sonic hatchback is 159 inches in length. Relative to its slightly larger sibling Chevrolet Cruze, Sonic is 2 inches narrower, 6 inches shorter in wheelbase, 11 inches shorter overall, and 500 pounds lighter.

The Sonic is expected to share the same powerplants as Cruze: 135-horsepower 1.8-liter four-cylinder engine (base) and optional 138-horsepower 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder. Five-speed manual is standard in the base model, with five-speed automatic optional. A six-speed manual will go in the turbo.

Interior room is expected to be best-in-class – better than Fit – with 14 cubic feet of trunk storage in the Sonic sedan and 19 cubic feet of cargo space behind the rear seat, and more than 30 cubic feet with the rear seat folded down.

Gauging how the Chevy Sonic will fare against the competition is anyone’s guess. Expect some pretty intense marketing on the part of Chevrolet to amp up consumer interest in the new small car.

Media reports have mentioned the all-new 2011 Ford Fiesta’s disappointing sales – totaling 23,273 in 2010 – but it only takes a spike in gasoline prices to $4.00 or more ($5.00-plus in California) this summer to change that sales picture dramatically.

The Honda Fit, on the other hand, saw a decrease of 18.7 percent in 2010 sales of 54,354 (from year earlier sales numbers of 67,315).The Sonic replaces the Chevy Aveo, which last year sold 48,623 units, up 26.2 percent from 2009 sales of 38,516.

There’s also the little matter of price to consider. The Ford Fiesta, which reviewers (including The Car Connection) have applauded as fun to drive, carries base prices of $13,210 to $17,120. The Honda Fit, similarly hailed as fun to drive, starts at $15,100 to $19,200. Both cars received a Consumer Guide Best Buy accolade for 2011.