AWD
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Puerto Rico probably isn't the first place you think of when you think about great driving roads--or driving at all for that matter. Beaches, beer, sun, sand, and time away from work and the daily stresses of life--that's what Puerto Rico is usually about. But not today. No, today it's about the 2013 MINI Cooper Paceman, in particular, the Cooper S Paceman ALL4. While not quite the sportiest Paceman possible, it's close, and, surprisingly, it's a lot of fun. Yes, the Paceman is taller, heavier, and softer than the MINI Cooper hardtop, and that's immediately obvious behind the wheel. But the...
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2013 Dodge Charger AWD Sport Announced
Just weeks after announcing a new Dodge Charger Daytona for the 2013 model year, the brand is back with another new 2013 Dodge Charger model, this one of particular interest to buyers in snow belt states. The 2013 Dodge Charger AWD Sport promises to serve up a healthy dose of performance...
Kurt Ernst -
Honda Announces A Trio Of Sport Hybrid Systems
Honda isn’t as well known as a hybrid manufacturer as its primary Japanese rival, Toyota. Though Honda has been producing parallel hybrids nearly as long as Toyota, its Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) hybrid system lacks the popularity of Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system. Now Honda is...
Kurt Ernst -
Subaru Explains Its Core Technologies: Video
While we here at High Gear Media generally adhere to a strict “no mime videos” policy, on occasion we’re forced to make an exception to this rule. Such is the case with a new series of videos from Subaru that focus on explaining the automaker’s core technologies. As any...
Kurt Ernst -
Mercedes-Benz Will Extend 4Matic Range For 2012
Mercedes-Benz expand its 4Matic product range in the U.S. to include the C-Class and E-Class coupes.
Kurt Ernst -
All-Wheel Drive Jaguar XF And XJ Plans Resurface
To compete against luxury AWD sedans from Audi, BMW and Mercedes, Jaguar is developing AWD drivetrains for some of its cars.
Kurt Ernst -
Even as Mistubishi's Lancer Evolution heads in a new direction for its next generation, the rest of the Lancer lineup is getting more in touch with its roots--or at least with the pavement, gaining a new all-wheel drive model, according to the latest report. A new model, dubbed the Lancer SE, will get all-wheel drive like the Ralliart and Evo, but without the bigger price tags of the turbo models: it should start around $20,000, according to Automotive News. That would make the Lancer SE the least-expensive all-wheel-drive model in the company's lineup and one of the least expensive...
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7 High Tech Options, The Cheapest Cars You'll Find Them In
One of the benefits of the rapid pace of technological advancement is that economies of scale are achieved relatively easily. Sounds boring, but this means that the high-technologies of a few years ago have already found themselves in much more affordable cars. Once this meant heated rear screens...
Antony Ingram -
Next-Gen Hyundai Genesis To Spawn All-Wheel Drive Model: Report
The wraps recently came off the facelifted 2012 Hyundai Genesis luxury sedan and while the car did receive some healthy engine and transmission upgrades, an all-wheel drive option, something that’s proving more and more crucial among luxury buyers, was noticeably absent. Turns out Hyundai...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Experts Predict All-Wheel Drive To Feature On 30 Percent Of New Cars By 2015
More and more cars are being offered with the added safety and performance of all-wheel drive, with the luxury segments in particular benefiting most from increased demand for the feature. Luxury brands typically offer rear-wheel drive as standard but in colder climates, such as in the Northern...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
First look at facelifted 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo
Following the release of the facelifted Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera 4 models late last year, as well as the new Targa and GT3, comes the first details and images for the updated 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo. Once again, Porsche has continued its tradition of only implementing minimal changes to the...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Report: Next-gen Honda NSX could get 'Super Hybrid Sports' badge
Last year Honda - or more specifically, Acura - confirmed the NSX replacement would be on its way by 2010 as a 2011 model. Since then the global car market has fallen through the floor, and Honda had canceled the NSX replacement, but the car could still make its target debut date. A report emerging...
Kenneth Hall -
Like a fine piece of art or a perfectly cooked stake, the 2010 Nissan GT-R SpecV is one of those cars that shouldn’t be fiddled with and just accepted as one of the best examples of automotive engineering on sale today. With more than 478hp (356kW) and 430lb-ft (580Nm) on tap and a kerb weight sliding just under 1,600kg, few would deem the car lacking in the performance department. If you are one of the lucky few to get your hands on the rare SpecV GT-R and are crazy enough to modify it, Japanese tuner Garage Saurus will soon be able to offer a full assortment of upgrades for the car...
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2010 Subaru Legacy scores 31mpg highway in EPA tests
Subaru has been curiously unaffected - or nearly so - by the tremors shaking the foundations of so many other carmakers' sales figures. And despite the 2010 Legacy's not-so-adorable face, it's developing its own following already. Today, that following will have a fairly tough pill to swallow with...
Nelson Ireson -
Ford releases new high-res Taurus SHO photos, configurator alongside launch event
The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO launch event is currently underway, and driving impressions are still under wraps for a few days yet but Ford has seen fit to let our eyes feast on a new set of high-res photos of the forced-induction family sedan with a mean streak. The AWD, twin-turbo 365hp EcoBoost V6...
Alex Kaufmann -
Volvo reveals pricing for new XC60 3.2 in U.S.
Crossovers are the new wagons, according to popular wisdom, but at Volvo the heritage is clearly visible. Its wagon-like crossovers in the XC line have met with great success in the U.S., together with the various wagon lines accounting for about half of the company's sales in recent years. The...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Nissan GT-R SpecV turbochargers suggest room for more power
For a long time now, news of the Nissan GT-R SpecV has been making the rounds, with many expecting the new model to outdo even the mighty Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 when it finally takes to the Nurburgring for an official run. Part of these rumors was the assumption that the SpecV model would not be...
Kenneth Hall -
Subaru's new Outback gains size, features
The Subaru Legacy (Liberty for non-U.S. markets) sedan's design has sparked a lot of hatred in both Subie fans and foes alike, but today's debut of the Outback has the potential to quell some of the uproar. Wearing the new face somewhat more elegantly than its four-door sibling, the 2010 Outback...
Ralph Hanson -
While the GT-R SpecV is one of the fastest and best-handling cars currently in production, it’s safe to say that almost every car enthusiast on the planet was hoping Nissan would pull out something much more extreme for the special edition model. In the lead up to the car’s unveiling earlier this year, rumors of a 550hp (410kW) output and a 220lb (100kg) lighter kerb weight were building excitement everywhere. Though the SpecV wasn’t a complete letdown, its 485hp (362kW) output – the same as the standard Series II GT-R – and 132lb (60kg) weight reduction...
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Ford revives performance sedan heritage with 2010 Taurus SHO
Fast factory versions of frumpy family sedans are nothing new - they've been around almost as long as the industry has - but few really capture the mind of the auto enthusiast like the Ford Taurus SHO (Super High Output) did during the 1990s. Perhaps because it was one of the few American takes on...
James Martinez -
No 2009 model year for Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution X
Cash-strapped Mitsubishi won’t be updating its high-performance Lancer Evolution X for the 2009 model year for the U.S. market, with inventory levels for the 2008 model sufficient enough to last the whole year. The Evo X has been runaway success for Mitsubishi, with sales up 50.9% for 2008...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Live photos: 2010 Nissan GT-R SpecV
Nissan earlier this month revealed details for its new limited-production GT-R SpecV model, which goes on sale in Japan early in February and is expected to arrive in the U.S. later this year. The SpecV is targeted specifically at enthusiast drivers who desire race car-level performance in a...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Australian firm working on beefed-up Nissan GT-R gearbox
Rumors, reports and even the odd video of its slick dual-clutch AWD gearbox grenading itself into oblivion have plagued the Nissan GT-R since shortly after its release into the wild. A short while later we learned that using the undocumented AWD launch control feature could void the relevant...
Ralph Hanson -
VW adds 4MOTION AWD to Mark VI Golf
The Mark VI Volkswagen Golf is now available with the Wolfburg company's 4MOTION all-wheel-drive system, which has been added to the lineup as an option on the 2.0L TDI model. While usually the 4MOTION system is found in performance oriented models such as the Golf R32 and Golf GTI, adding the AWD...
Alex Kaufmann