First Drive: 2012 Audi A1 Sportback [w/video]

Filed under: Budget , Europe , Hatchback , Audi , First Drives , Luxury Do We Really Want Audi To Think This Small In America? Perhaps… It is perhaps with all the speed of a mighty iceberg, but increasingly, more and more North American buyers appear willing to think smaller when pondering their next auto purchase. The other shoe, which still has largely yet to drop, is for automakers to convince consumers of the merits of a luxury subcompact, paying a price premium for a longer list of creature comforts, options and badge appeal

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First Drive: 2012 Audi A1 Sportback [w/video]

Teased: 2013 Ford Escape configurator powers up, prices subject to change

Filed under: Car Buying , Crossover , Ford The configurator for the 2013 Ford Escape is live – or rather, a survey masquerading as a configurator. On the introductory page of small print, there are three crucial bits Ford wants you to know: that “the information on this site is for survey purposes only,” that “features and prices for the final 2013 Ford Escape will only become available when the vehicle goes on sale in 2012 and are subject to change,” and that “information on this site may change frequently, so don’t be surprised if things look different next time you visit.” Once you get past all that you can do a little bit of configurating, from the $22,470* base Escape to the $32,120* Titanium Escape with the 2.0-liter EcoBoost and all-wheel drive. Checking all five options boxes, the biggest price tag we could come up with was $36,595*, which got us treats like a full-leather interior, navigation and Class II trailer tow. Many have made comments on the styling of the new Escape, but we won’t be surprised if we see quite a few of these on the road.

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Teased: 2013 Ford Escape configurator powers up, prices subject to change

BMW i5 due in 2015 – report

BMW’s electric small car range will reportedly see the i5 model launch in 2015. Joining the i3 compact hatch and i8 sports car, the i5 will fill the void between the two models and subsequently complete the range.

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BMW i5 due in 2015 – report

Report: Volvo looking for small car partner

Filed under: Volvo There are drawbacks to being the property of a larger conglomerate, to be sure, but there are also benefits. Taking advantage of group buying power, shared developments costs and synergies with products from other divisions, for instance. And these are things that, since splitting off from Ford a couple of years ago, Volvo does not have at its disposal any longer. That’s why the Swedish automaker is looking for a partner with which to share development costs – specifically those attached to developing a new small car range

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Report: Volvo looking for small car partner

Report: Chrysler planning Dodge Avenger successor after all?

Filed under: Budget , Sedan , SUV , Crossover , Hatchback , Chrysler , Dodge , Jeep , Alfa Romeo Don’t cry for the Dodge Avenger just yet. According to USA Today , Chrysler is set to introduce new midsized sedans to replace both the Chrysler 200 and the much-maligned Dodge Avenger. The vehicles will be built on a version of the same platform that underpins the 2013 Dodge Dart .

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Report: Chrysler planning Dodge Avenger successor after all?

The List: The List #0433: Driving a Tank

Filed under: The List The List is about fulfilling your wildest wheeled fantasies, and sometimes those wheels are bound and held in place by tank treads. Our latest episode takes Jessi and Patrick to Vikings country in the heart of Minnesota. It’s Patrick’s turn to indulge one of his childhood dreams, which means the pair will be piloting a small battalion of tanks through the woods and over, well… you’ll just have to watch .

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The List: The List #0433: Driving a Tank