By John Heilig

Model: 2013 Scion FR-S
Engine: 2.0-liter horizontally opposed 4
Horsepower/Torque: 200 hp @ 7,000 rpm/151 lb.-ft. @ 6,400-6,600
Transmission: 6-speed manual or automatic with paddle shifters
Wheelbase: 101.2 in.
Length x Width x Height: 166.7 x 69.9 x 50.6 in.
Tires: P215/45R17 Michelin summer tires
Cargo: 6.9 cu. ft.
Economy: 22 mpg city/30 mpg highway (manual), 25 mpg city/34 mpg highway (automatic)
Fuel capacity: 13.2 gal.
Curb Weight: 2,578 lbs. (manual), 2,806 (automatic)
Sticker: $24,200 (manual transmission), $25,300 (automatic transmission)
Five reasons to buy this car:
1. Great sports coupe
2.Excellent performance
3. …

By John Heilig
SPECIFICATIONS

Model: 2012 Mazdaspeed3
Engine: 2.3-liter turbocharged I4
Horsepower/Torque: 263 hp @ 5,000 rpm/280 lb.-ft. @ 3,000 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Wheelbase: 103.9 in.
Length/Width/Height: 177.6 x 69.7 x 57.5 in.
Tires: P225/40R18
Cargo volume: 13 cu. ft. (est.)
Fuel economy: 18 mpg city/25 mpg highway/26.8 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 15.9 gal.
Curb weight: 3,281 lbs.
Sticker: $27,545 (includes $795 delivery charge, $3,050 in options, mostly for the Mazdaspeed tech package)

Five reasons to buy this car
1. Street racer
2. Economical
3. Surprise your friends
4. Impress the teenagers in your neighborhood
5. Have a …

Dodge Viper’s back, and boy  is it looking good.

The all new 2013 Viper recently was introduced to the media at  the New York International Auto Show, thus fulfilling  the dreams of many an auto enthusiast who thought they’d never see another new Viper again.
This time, Dodge’s “Snake comes in two  new models, SRT Viper and SRT Viper GTS and under the hood, here’s an all-aluminum, mid-engine 8.4-liter V-10 putting out 640 horsepower and 600 lb.-ft. of torque – which  Dodge …

 
By Don Hammonds
One look at Hyundai’s 2012 Veloster and two words come to mind: Dream car.

The slick, muscular little car with the dynamite styling looks for all the world like something you see at an auto show, drop your jaw and exclaim “wow,” but aren’t allowed to touch because of the red velvet roping protecting it.
But this is a car you can touch all you like while you enjoy cool features like Hyundai’s awesome Blue Link Telematics system that keeps …

By John Heilig
 
 

Specifications
 
 

Model: 2012 Hyundai Veloster
 

Engine: 1.6-liter DOHC I4
Horsepower/Torque: 138 hp @ 6,300 rpm/123 lb.-ft. @ 4,850 rpm
Transmission: 6-speed manual
Wheelbase: 104.3 in.
Length/Width/Height: 166.1 x 70.5 x 55.1 in.
Tires: P215/40R18
Cargo volume: 15.5/34.7 cu. ft. (back seats up/down)
Fuel economy: 28 mpg city/40 mpg highway/36.1 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 13.2 gal.
Curb weight: 2,584-2,740 lbs.
Sticker: $21,300 (includes $4,000 in options)
 
Five reasons to buy this car
1. Fun to drive
2. Surprisingly practical
3. Comfortable
4. Great fuel economy
5. Great looking, even with three doors
 
The Bottom Line: Even when you …

By Don Hammonds
Hybrids were big at this year’s North American International Auto show in Detroit.
Whether in production or concept form, it’s clear that those interested in outstanding gasoline mileage and sensitivity to the environment will be in good shape in years to come. Let’s take a look:
2013 Toyota Prius c
Toyota smells a market out there for an inexpensive hybrid, and now it’s got one: the upcoming 2013 Toyota Prius c.

    The new Prius c will have Toyota’s Hybrid Synergy Drive® technology …

By Don Hammonds
It’s that time for Mercedes-Benz’s storied SL —–the unveiling of an all-new generation to tempt and delight lovers of fine cars everywhere.
It will make its debut at the upcoming North American International Auto Show in Detroit next month.

And when we say all-new, that’s just what we mean.  For the first time in its history, the SL will have an all-aluminum body, a sensible move given concerns in the industry about stringent new fuel mileage regulations and getting the …

Ready to go off-roading fast — -real fast?
You might want to take a look at the upcoming  Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG sport utility vehicle, which made its debut recently at the 2011 Los Angeles International Auto Show.

We’re talking  a whopping 518 horsepower, with 516 lb-ft of torque coming from  a direct-injection, biturbo V8 that produces 518 horsepower and 516 lb.-ft. of torque.  By the way, if that gives you heart palpitations, Mercedes also will have the  V8-powered ML550 (402 hp, 443 lb.-ft.) available in …

 
By Don Hammonds, executive editor
This model year promises to be a blockbuster one, with so many new models coming out that you’ll need a scorecard to keep up with it all.
Yet, amid the dozens of new models, and hundreds of continuing ones, there are still some diamonds that we believe will shine far above the others before the model year’s out. 
We selected our picks based on their impact on the automotive market, their uniqueness, in some cases, their transformations from …

 
By John Heilig
 
SPECIFICATIONS
 
Model: 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK 350
Engine: 3.5-liter V6
Horsepower/Torque: 302 hp @ 6,500 rpm/273 lb.-ft. @ 3,500 rpm
Transmission: 7-speed automatic with paddles
Wheelbase: 95.7 in.
Length/Width/Height: 162.8 x 71.5 x 50.8 in.
Tires: P225/40R18 (F)/P245/35R18 (R)
Cargo volume: 10.1/6/4 cu. ft. (roof closed/open)
Fuel economy: 20 mpg city/29 mpg highway/21.1 mpg test
Fuel capacity: 18.5 gal.
Curb weight: 3,397 lbs.
Sticker: $67,175 (includes $875 destination charge, $11,500 in options)
 
Five reasons to buy this car
1. It’s a sports car
2. Easy conversion from coupe to convertible
3. Excellent handling
4. Very good …