The 2012 Model Year: Buick Regal

The 2012 Buick Regal's base engine is a 2.4-liter four-cylinder that produces 182 hp and 172 pound-feet of torque.

The optional eAssist light hybrid powertrain uses the same 2.4-liter engine in conjunction with an 11-kilowatt electric motor/generator and lithium-ion battery system. A six-speed automatic with manual shift control is the only available transmission on these models.

The Regal Turbo receives a turbocharged 2.0-liter engine that makes 220 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. It, too, comes with a standard six-speed automatic transmission, but a six-speed manual is offered as an option.

The Regal GS uses the same turbo engine, but benefits from added turbo boost and a free-flowing exhaust to kick power output up to 270 hp and 295 lb-ft of torque. The six-speed manual transmission is standard, with the automatic available as an option (late availability).

In recent Edmunds testing, a Regal with the base 2.4-liter required 9.9 seconds to accelerate from zero to 60 mph, which is considerably slower than competing sedans. The Turbo improves that time to 8.4 seconds, but it's still off the mark for the class. In order to achieve a competitive time, you'd have to spring for the top-of-the-line GS, which turned in a quick 6.2-second run with the automatic transmission. Curiously, the manual was slower at 6.9 seconds due to the difficulty of launching it smoothly.

2012 Tushek Renovatio T500

Slovenian luxury vehicle maker Tushek has confirmed plans to show off its Renovatio T500 supercar in the UK for the first time at the Salon Privé show next month.

Never before seen in the UK, the Renovatio T500 super sports car is a road- and track-ready design based around an Audi-sourced 4.2-litre 444bhp V8 engine and a hand-built body. The result, Tushek claims, is a vehicle capable of hitting 62mph from a standing start in just 3.7 seconds and with a top speed of an impressive 193mph.

The mid-engine design, built from claimed race-specification components, is the first vehicle to come out of the Slovenian company's factory, and represents the brainchild of company founder and racing driver Aljosa Tushek - a man who, it is claimed, founded the company on a philosophy of a desire for a pure and direct driving experience with user-friendly performance and handling.

"We are honoured to be chosen as the platform to launch the Renovatio T500 in the UK", claimed Salon Privé's David Bagley at the announcement. "Its groundbreaking aerodynamics, blistering performance to a near 200mph and back to zero again and race-specification materials construction is a sight to behold. This car has to be seen to be believed – and there’s only one place in the world to do that this summer: Salon Privé 2012."

Visitors to the show, which opens on the 5th of September with the Tour d’Elégance departing from the Royal Automobile Club at Woodcote Park, will be given the chance to see the vehicle - but only a select few will likely be able to consider placing a deposit: each Renovatio T500 is made to order at a cost of €300,000 (around £236,000).

2012 Porsche 911 Carrera

The 2012 911 Carrera is a 2-door, 4-passenger luxury sports car, or convertible sports car, available in 4 trims, ranging from the Coupe to the S Cabriolet.

Upon introduction, the Coupe is equipped with a standard 3.4-liter, H6, 350-horsepower engine. A 7-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard. The S Cabriolet is equipped with a standard 3.8-liter, H6, 385-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed manual transmission with overdrive is standard, and a 7-speed manual transmission with overdrive is optional.

2012 Acura TL

The 2012 TL is a 4-door, 5-passenger luxury sedan, or luxury sports sedan, available in 7 trims, ranging from the 6-Spd AT to the 6-Spd AT SH-AWD w/ Advance Pkg. The 2012 TL's closest competitors include the Audi A4, the Infiniti M, and the Mercedes-Benz C-Class. 

Upon introduction, the 6-Spd AT is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 280-horsepower engine that achieves 20-mpg in the city and 29-mpg on the highway. The 6-Spd AT SH-AWD w/ Advance Pkg is equipped with a standard 3.7-liter, V6, 305-horsepower engine that achieves 18-mpg in the city and 26-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims. 

The 2012 TL is freshened for 2012.

New Proton Prevé SE Sapphire

Surprisingly on the date of the launch of Proton Prevé on 16th April 2012, Proton shows us a special version of the car named Sapphire, as it’s called, is a concept drawn up by Proton Design to showcase the possibilities with the Prevé.

Proton Prevé already has an aggressive look, but as we can see on the future Sapphire (perhaps), it might come with more sporty elements added, such as the restyled front bumper, “smoked” front and rear lights etc..

This for sure will bump the prices up, this car look definite luxury.

2012 Toyota Sienna

The 2012 Sienna is a 4-door, up to 8-passenger mini van, available in 10 trims, ranging from the FWD 7-Passenger I4 to the Limited AWD 7-Passenger V6.

Upon introduction, the FWD 7-Passenger I4 is equipped with a standard 2.7-liter, I4, 187-horsepower engine that achieves 19-mpg in the city and 24-mpg on the highway. The Limited AWD 7-Passenger V6 is equipped with a standard 3.5-liter, V6, 266-horsepower engine that achieves 17-mpg in the city and 23-mpg on the highway. A 6-speed automatic transmission with overdrive is standard on both trims.

The 2012 Sienna is a carryover from 2011. 

Fiat 500L

Fiat has released the first official photos of the new 500L, ahead of the compact crossover's debut in Geneva. | February 02, 2012 | Fiat

Design and interiors

500L is all Italian style and the car looks to be a natural growth for the Italian icon. With the restrained dimensions, the 500L defies the conventional design distinctions, incorporating design cues from various segments. The styling is trendy and retro at the same time which is sure to go down well which with its customers. With the 500L Fiat has tried to merge functionality and emotion and its ’cab forward’ stance is now seen on other Fiat cars as well. The 500L’s styling mirrors its hatch sibling but Fiat has managed to give the L its own identity. We particularly liked the helmet-style rear roofline and the vertically stacked circular lights at the front.

The L in the 500L stands for ’Large’ and over the standard 500, the 500L is longer by 6cm, wider by 1.5cm and taller by 1.7cm. And despite what the name suggests this new Fiat is more than a stretched 500 hatch. This is the second L model from the company and the "L" in the previous model stood for "luxury."

Engine

Powering the new hatch are two petrol and a diesel engine. Fiat’s TwinAir turbocharged 900cc petrol produces 85PS and the 1.4-liter petrol develops 105PS. The 1.3-litre Multijet turbo diesel comes it two different states of tune with one producing 75PS and the other 95PS.

The Fiat 500L is expected to arrive in the U.S. in early 2013. | February 2, 2012 | Fiat

Mazda3

The 2012 Mazda3 ranks 6 out of 41 Affordable Small Cars. This ranking is based on our analysis of 57 published reviews and test drives of the Mazda3, and our analysis of reliability and safety data.

If you want great performance and gas mileage, reviewers say the 2012 Mazda3 has both. But if you want ample cargo and passenger space, competitors have more. 

Back in the day, many speedy small cars didn’t have the highest fuel economy ratings in the class. The Mazda3 was one of them, but this year, it is breaking that mold with the introduction of its new Skyactiv engine that is one of the most fuel-efficient in the class. Test drivers add that its great fuel economy ratings don’t mean a compromise in performance.

While reviewers say that the 2012 Mazda3 has near-perfect performance for the class, they are disappointed that its union of efficiency and power isn’t paired with an increase in passenger and cargo space. If the Mazda3 could gain bragging rights as the most utilitarian, most efficient and most powerful car in the class, the automotive press thinks the Mazda3 would be even greater than it already is.

Toyota FT-86 The New AE86

Toyota and Subaru are collaborating on a shared four-cylinder sports car that will be sold in two versions, beginning near the end of 2011. Largely engineered by Subaru, the cars will get a rear-drive platform consisting of a steel structure with aluminum body panels. A small, 2.0-liter flat-four engine made by Subaru will sit low behind the front-axle line. Toyota previewed its FT86 concept at last year’s Tokyo auto show; Subaru has yet to show its cards.

Neither automaker has released official names, but it is rumored that Toyota may revive “Celica,” which has been on hiatus since 2003. “FT” means “future Toyota,” and the “86” serves as a reminder of the rear-drive AE86 Corolla of the 1980s that has achieved cult status among drifters. Designed at Toyota’s European studio in the south of France, the FT86 concept’s shape is expected to enter production unchanged.

Toyota’s boss, part-time racer Akio Toyoda, recognizes that the brand lacks emotional appeal and doesn’t offer gobs of driving pleasure, so the company hopes the new car will inject some fun into the lineup. For Subaru, the new vehicle brings a dedicated rear-drive sports car to the company’s stable of all-wheel-drive hatchbacks, wagons, and sedans. But Subaru has built its reputation and much of its sales success on extolling the virtues of all-wheel drive, so how the sports car will change Subaru’s heading remains to be seen.