The Carerra 4, 4S, and the 4S cabriolet have always had a very unique body style over their all-wheel-drive powertrains. Since the beginning of their time, the 911 Carrera and 911 Carerra 4 have received continuous refinement. Nothing has changed drastically for the 2012 and its engine has not changed since 2009. The potent 3.8-liter engine that’s in the 2012 Carrera 4S Cabriolet exhibits awesome results, delighting its driver by sprinting to 60 mph in only 4.5 seconds when equipped with a manual gearbox and making that run in a mere 4.3 seconds with the PDK. You would think with all of this power there would some sort of gas-guzzler penalty but the Carrera 4S gets about 17 mpg in the city and 25 mpg on the highway when it has the manual transmission. If it has the PDK the fuel consumption is slightly better, getting 18 mph in the city and 27 mpg on the highway.

One benefit on the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S cabriolet compared to its predecessor is that the manufacturers managed to shave 132 pounds from its weight for the new year and the 2012 model weighs 3,318 lbs, which is quite an achievement for an all-wheel-drive car. Mechanically, the Porsche 911 Carrera 4S cabriolet is defined by its all-wheel-drive capabilities. These cars benefit from the same electronically controlled Porsche Traction Management (PTM) found under the amazing Porsche 911 Turbo. PTM can vary the torque split between front and rear wheels as needed for optimum traction.

Pricing starts out at $109,400 but if you want yours equipped with the PDK, it will cost $113,480.

By Tabitha Baez

Since their introduction, the 911 Carrera and 911 Carrera 4 have received continuous refinement. That constant improvement took a quantum leap in the 2009 model year. The 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 hasn’t change much as far as the engine is concerned and still sports a 3.6-liter engine that can produce 345 hp and 288 lb-ft of torque and accelerates from 0-to-60 mph in 4.8 seconds. When the Carrera 4 is equipped with the PDK, it can accelerate from 0-to-60 mph in 4.6 seconds. You would think with all of this power there would some sort of gas-guzzler penalty but the Carrera 4 gets about 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway when it has the manual transmission. If it has the PDK the fuel consumption is slightly better, getting 18 mph in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

One benefit on the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4 compared to its predecessor is that the manufacturers managed to shave 166 pounds from its weight for the new year and the 2012 model weighs 3,075 lbs, which is quite an achievement for an all-wheel-drive car. These cars benefit from the same electronically controlled Porsche Traction Management (PTM) found under the awesome Porsche 911 Turbo. PTM can vary the torque split infinitely and absolutely between front and rear wheels as needed for optimum traction. Pricing starts out at $84,000 but if you want yours equipped with the PDK, it will cost $88,480.00

By Tabitha Baez

The Carerra 4 and 4S have always had a very unique body over their all-wheel-drive powertrains. Since the beginning of their time, the 911 Carrera and 911 Carerra 4 have received continuous refinement. Nothing has changed for the 2012 and its engine has not changed since 2009. The potent 3.8-liter engine that’s in the Carrera 4S exhibits awesome results, delighting its driver by sprinting to 60 mph in only 4.5 seconds when equipped with a manual gearbox and making that run in a mere 4.3 seconds with the PDK. You would think with all of this power there would some sort of gas-guzzler penalty but the Carrera 4S gets about 18 mpg in the city and 24 mpg on the highway when it has the manual transmission. If it has the PDK the fuel consumption is slightly better, getting 18 mph in the city and 26 mpg on the highway.

One benefit on the 2012 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S compared to its predecessor is that the manufacturers managed to shave 132 pounds from its weight for the new year and the 2012 model weighs 3,131 lbs, which is quite an achievement for an all-wheel-drive car. Mechanically, the Porsche 911 Carrera 4 and Carrera 4S Coupes are defined by their all-wheel-drive capabilities. These cars benefit from the same electronically controlled Porsche Traction Management (PTM) found under the awesome Porsche 911 Turbo. PTM can vary the torque split infinitely and absolutely between front and rear wheels as needed for optimum traction. However, since most purists feel that rear-drive is critical for optimum sporty driving, PTM directs two-thirds of the engine’s torque to the rear wheels under normal driving conditions. When the system determines it is needed, PTM diverts engine power and torque to the front axle in millisecond.

Pricing starts out at $98,300 but if you want yours equipped with the PDK, it will cost $102,380.00

By Tabitha Baez

The 2012 Porsche 911 Targa 4 model has had no significant changes this year. The Targa came about because automakers faced a potential ban on folding soft-top models in the late 1960s so to ensure the option of open-top motoring, Porsche introduced the Targa roof style in 1967. The all-wheel-drive Targa 4 and Targa 4S are unique because their roofs are comprised entirely out of two transparent panels. This combination of glass roof panels with windshield, backlight, and side windows creates a safe, glass canopy for the occupant that delivers total protection from the elements while offering clear, unobstructed vision in every direction. The front glass panel, which covers the area over the front seats, may be opened like a regular sunroof and slides back beneath the rear glass panel. The glass panels have the ability to absorb UV rays yet still remain transparent and a closable sunshade comes standard in order to provide some privacy when needed.

The 3.8-liter F-6 stays the same, and produces 385 hp and 310 lb-ft of torque, which are pretty awesome results if we must say so. The more powerful Targa 4S can sprint to 60 mph in only 4.7 seconds. Despite the added performance, the 3.8-liter engine uses 11.8 percent less gasoline when working with the PDK. At the test track, the Porsche 911 Targa 4S is capable of attaining 185 mph. If you’re interested in the new Porsche 911, you have so many choices, sixteen of them actually because the last generations models all carry over. The base model 2012 Porsche 911 Targa 4S starts out at $106,400 and if you want the optional PDK, it will cost you $110,480.

By Tabitha Baez

The 2012 Porsche 911 Targa 4 model has had no significant changes this year. The Targa came about because automakers faced a potential ban on folding soft-top models in the late 1960s so to ensure the option of open-top motoring, Porsche introduced the Targa roof style in 1967. The all-wheel-drive Targa 4 and Targa 4S are because their roofs are comprised entirely out of two transparent panels. This combination of glass roof panels with windshield, backlight, and side windows creates a safe, glass canopy for the occupant that delivers total protection from the elements while offering clear, unobstructed vision in every direction. The front glass panel, which covers the area over the front seats, may be opened like a regular sunroof and slides back beneath the rear glass panel. The glass panels have the ability to absorb UV rays yet still remain transparent and a closable sunshade comes standard in order to provide some privacy when needed.

The Porsche 911 Targa 4 and its higher-output variant, the Targa 4S, still sport that same motor and Porsche’s innovative double-clutch gearbox, PDK. Power is still distributed to both the Targa and the Targa 4S via the same electronically controlled Porsche Traction Management (PTM) system found on the Porsche Turbo. The Porsche Targa is still equipped with the 3.6-liter rear engine six-cylinder that produces 345 hp and 288 lb-ft of torque. Top speed is at 177 mph and the 0 to 60 mph time is at five seconds. Fuel consumption is at 25 mpg with the manual transmission and 26 mpg with the PDK option. Pricing starts out at $93,500 and if you opt for the PDK, pricing is at $97,580.

By Tabitha Baez

The future Lotus Elan will take the place of the today’s Evora within a couple of years. The Lotus Elan was supposed to go into production in the summer of 2013 but has been delayed until 2016 – at the earliest. Rumors are that this delay will allow the Evora to have a more “traditional life-cycle”. We expect there to be a plethora of Evora variants coming out within the next couple years such as the convertible and a track-only version.

Lotus refers to the Elan as the “beating heart” of the new line-up because it is perfect for both road and track. Although it’s a high performance sports car, Lotus has made the Elan capable of everyday use, and seeing how it’s a 2+2 variant, this should be the only car you need. The rear-wheel drive, Elan features a 4.0-liter forced induction, no word as to what though, V-6 that’s able to produce 444 hp and 343 lb-ft of torque. The performance driven Elan is considerably lightweight as well, weighing in at 2,855 lbs. As with most Lotus’s, the Elan will feature the optional hybrid technology with KERS.

As far as the styling is concerned, the Elan has a very muscular, aggressive physique and perfect poise. Since Lotus’s badging will be on the car, it’s safe to assume that the inside will be luxurious and sturdy. Similar to a thoroughbred horse, it is rigid with tension, ambitious yet addictive, and nothing but the best in class will suffice for this car. The price of this car is around $96,000 but don’t expect it to be out anytime soon!

By Tabitha Baez

The Mercedes Concept Style Coupe first premiered in Los Angeles at the Transmission LA: AV Club art festival and is just one example of how the manufacturer is trying to strengthen its ties with the art scene. Its official debut however took place in China at the 2012 Beijing Auto Show on April 23. The futuristic Concept Style Coupe also called the“baby CLS”is said that it will be named the CLA. Our biggest question does not lie with the name of this concept Mercedes but with the production version which is said to hit showrooms early next year. Will the production version look as futuristic as the concept or will the manufacturer take the design a few notches down?

This will be the first Mercedes-Benz compact vehicle in the United States and it will be based off the same front-wheel drive platform as the latest and greatest A-class and B-Class models but it will have the option of an all-wheel drive platform and a high-performance AMG variant. This concept is said to have a 2.0-liter turbocharged four cylinder that can produces 208 hp and is evenly matched to a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. The power is distributed to all four wheels via Mercedes’4MATIC all-wheel drive system.

The Mercedes Concept Style Coupe looks highly aggressive, sporting a somewhat masculine appearance mainly because of the new innovative headlights. The 20-inch rims have a turbine design which also adds to the sporty appearance. Inside, the interior is similar to the new A-Class although there are some unique elements such as the carbon fiber trim, ambient lighting, neon green piping, ambient lighting, its instrument panel will be upholstered in white nubuck leather, and the rear bucket seats ensure that this car will only be a four-seater.

The Mercedes Benz COMAND Online application along with other apps make keeping connected to your social media accounts very easy and one thing we found interesting is that the COMAND application runs off the Daimler Vehicle backend, which means that the system can be updated with new applications via a mobile phone connection. We hope to see the Mercedes Concept Style Coupe, also known as the CLA, hit production soon!

By Tabitha Baez

Jaguars all new sportscar will be called the F-type and will launch as a two-seater convertible. It will become the fourth model in the current Jaguar line, coming in after the XF sports sedan, XJ luxury sedan and the XK coupe or convertible. The F-Type will also have majority of its body constructed out of aluminum like other Jaguar sport cars and it will focus on delivering the ultimate driving experience. Rumors are that the F-Type will be getting a new powerplant and there will be a range of different engines available according to Jaguar.

Speaking at the New York auto show Adrian Hallmark, Global Brand Director, Jaguar Cars, confirmed: "We showed the C-X16 concept in September 2011, and the reaction to it has been so positive that we've accelerated our development of an all-new Jaguar sports car. That car will be called the Jaguar F-TYPE, and it will be unveiled in production form later this year. The core appeal of Jaguar's cars is their sporting heart, and that heart will beat stronger than ever before in the F-TYPE. Its development is a vivid representation of the confidence and ambition of the Jaguar brand, and the desire amongst our engineers and design team to produce a world-leader in a market segment that we have been absent from for too long. But no longer, the F-TYPE is coming."

Full Jaguar F-TYPE technical and model range details will be announced later in 2012. It will go on sale in mid-2013, so as soon as we find them out we will let you know!

By Tabitha Baez

Since we’ve been writing about these hybrid vehicles a lot lately, it wouldn’t be fair to forget about the 2012 Lexus LF-LC Concept, a rear-wheel drive, front engine 2+2 hybrid sport coupe, which debuted at the 2012 North American International Auto Show. Lexus says, “the overall design concept embodied in the vehicle has its focus on the driver, but with a premium placed on elegance and beauty, futuristic technology, and evocative power.” The front end utilizes and functional and very distinctive grille, complete and L-shaped running lights for daytime use and vertically oriented fog lamps. What we like about this concept is the sleek, open glass roof and how it provides extra visibility for the driver. The rear design of the car is drawn together by the edgy signature quad exhaust pipe.

The interior is built around the driver and provides an inviting feel that’s open, secure, and comfortable. It combines materials such as leather, metal, suede, and wood which gives it a luxurious finish throughout the interior. The elegant, advanced, and beautifully designed LF-LC concept is something we hope to see go into production by the end of this year or maybe by the beginning of next. There is no official price, specs, or anything else released on this car but when there is we will keep you updated!

By Tabitha Baez

The new Fisker that was formerly known as the project Nina is now officially known as the Atlantic after it’s unveiling at the 2012 New York Auto Show. The Atlantic shows us that plug-in hybrids are getting better looking year after year. “The Atlantic uses the latest second generation EVer (Electric Vehicle with extended range) technology. It will offer all the benefits of electric drive while at the same time eliminating the "range anxiety" experienced with an all-electric powertrain.” The Atlantic and the Karma share a lot of similarities such as the fact that they both allow drivers to switch manually or automatically between electric and gasoline driving modes and sustain the charge of its lithium ion batteries on the move.

According to Fisker, “the Atlantic is aimed at young families who want to drive an impactful, high- end vehicle while making a positive statement about responsibilities - both in terms of their commitment to sustainability and the practicalities of everyday life.” The Atlantics dimensions are similar to those of an Audi A5 and have been crafter to ensure a dynamic yet compact feel on the road. "We are exceptionally proud of the Atlantic design prototype, and believe we have created another groundbreaking car that looks and will drive like nothing else on the road in this class," said Henrik Fisker, co-founder, Executive Chairman, and Design Director of Fisker Automotive.

"Fisker Automotive is transitioning from a start-up automaker to a fully-fledged mainstream car manufacturer and the Atlantic is a crucial milestone in that process," said Tom LaSorda, CEO Fisker Automotive. The manufacturer has been pretty quiet about when the Atlantic will start being produced, its price and its specs but we think it will be around half the price of the karma and that it will come out come time next year.

By Tabitha Baez