pow

Yep. They found a way to make performance boring. The only thing I like is the approach they take with the 2.0 turbo, 3.0 supercharged V6, and 4.0 turbo V8. I like the lower displacement boosted engine theme because they get good torque and fuel economy numbers. Although BMW does that on the 5-series now with turbo 4, 6, and 8 cylinders. Saw a new black S-Line S8 short wheelbase the other day. Honestly thought I saw another S4, until I walked closer and realized how big it was.

Not in the US, where gasoline is inexpensive and horsepower is prioritized, but their lower output global engines are known for fuel economy. The 320d ED emits just 109 g/km (~70 mpg UK) and gets to 60 mph in 8 seconds. The 528i is the most fuel efficient six-cylinder vehicle in NA And LOL at junk comment.

Don't care. Every Audi looks the same.

You mean; the following GM's lead here? Unfortunately. This thing looks horrendous.

Actually, no they don't. The Mini uses a Getrag 252 (5-speed) and Getrag 285 (6-speed) manuals, as well as the Aisin GA6F21 6-speed automatic. None of which are of BMW origin; BMW does not do transmissions. Who builds the DCT in the M3 and M5? Getrag supplied both the SMG and the DCT used by BMW. The SMG is basically a Getrag D-type 200-series manual transmission with electro-hydraulic actuation of the singular clutch. The DCT is designed from the ground up as an automated manual with a concentric shaft and dual clutches. Getrag was traditionally a manual gearbox maker. Like Borg-warner (which supplies VW-Audi's DSG) they evolved into an automated manual maker. GM uses Getrag boxes too. The Getrag F23 5-speed manual was in the Cobalt/HHR SS. The F28/6 is in the manual trans Turbo Opels (Buicks). In that case, I suppose the DCT is a BMW transmission in the same way MRC is Cadillac technology: they were the first to have it, and they tuned it to their own specifications. Our 2000 5-series has a GM transmission (5L40E made in Strasbourg, France) but it was exclusive to BMW for three years until the CTS came out, at which time BMW switched to a six-speed ZF unit.

Actually, no they don't. The Mini uses a Getrag 252 (5-speed) and Getrag 285 (6-speed) manuals, as well as the Aisin GA6F21 6-speed automatic. None of which are of BMW origin; BMW does not do transmissions. Who builds the DCT in the M3 and M5?

The i3 is supposed to have an optional range extender. I can imagine a Voltec transmission but with a better BMW engine-generator.

If done right, the 2.0T Verano could be that car. The HYUNDAISONATATURBO does 34 mpg and 274 hp. But the 2.0Ts on the Regal have been quite disappointing so far. There's something about that car that saps power from the wheels. Even the GS has slower acceleration than a similarly porky 211-hp A4. The base Regal is slower than every other midsize car apart from the Prius.

Not really... it's more for aesthetic reasons. The three-box Cruze Eco has the same Cd as the more sporty looking Focus.

Since Zipcar now offers Focii, and since that's a vehicle I would seriously consider, I thought I'd borrow one for 2 hours while they're still mint, and see what's what. 2012 Focus SEL 5-door - $21,XXX (no options) and 700 miles on the odo PROS: silent engine, low NVH, very polished powertrain overall good build quality; not VW solid but still feels very substantial high-quality switchgear (solid buttons, switches, knobs) SEL gets soft upper door panels = nice supportive and comfy front buckets (even without sport seats) seats keep you fresh after a long drive superb tracking and stability; great on LA freeways, not perturbed by expansion joints, wind, uneven surfaces, undulations, road camber; no tramlining or steering kickback; what a trooper, it feels like it drives itself great ride and handling balance snappy acceleration PowerShift dual-clutch automatic works great in normal driving; shifts are quick and unobtrusive, not slushy like a torque converter automatic; keeps the car humming along in city traffic averaged 28 MPG even though I was driving it enthusiastically MEH: so-so fabric and leather (on the steering wheel) SYNC - too many menus to go through, no apps or internet radio, only Bluetooth audio boring looks with the standard 16-inch wheels and cloth interior steering could use more feel body roll could be tamed, certainly not a hot hatch yet brakes feel unremarkable transmission occasionally in the wrong gear when driving aggressively interior room par for the course - good for a family provided they're not obese CONS: rear visibility is a problem, blind spot mirrors help rake of windshield pillars gets in the way couldn't get backrest angle right; knob or power adjustment would be better manumatic controls kinda lame Overall, I really liked it. At $21K it's not particularly posh, stylish, exciting, or well-equipped, but it is a solid, efficient, practical hatchback that drives very well. You can tell it's a high quality, expertly engineered car underneath (great "bones") that is more than capable of handling more power or luxuries. The SEL model I drove felt a bit spartan, but I could imagine what a Titanium model would be like -- probably as nice as an A3. This bodes well for the ST, which could be a GTI killer. Even as it is, I haven't driven a $21K car that took me from A-to-B (traversing mountain roads and disintegrating concrete freeways along the way) with less fuss or strain. Sometimes the best cars are those you don't really notice. And yet the Focus is among the most interesting cars in its class... OVERALL: 9.0 out of 10

First the Opel is going up market so this may be a good sign of what the new Astra will be more like in the future. Second few here know what a Opel Astra is like or even is. The compare will be to the Cruze and the key it to make it different enough to prove it is worth the extra money to those who whant more. I agree the Cruze will be the more common and notable comparison, but I can easily foresee a reviewer that doesn't like the car to heap on the "this is basically an Astra, which was sold here as a Saturn just a couple years ago for about $5k less". And of course they'll overlook that it's a different generation Astra, and that the Buick has a small heaping of extra lux goodies than the Astra Saturn got. When a reviewer decides to have a beef, logic isn't prevalent, and I expect this to come up. Question is whether it'll be an occasional thing, or a trend among reviewers, and if the public notices or cares. What I find interesting--and something no reporter has brought up yet--is how Chevrolet (nee Daewoo) has traditionally been the value brand beneath the mainstream Opel brand, which competes against Ford and VW. Yet in the US, GM charges extra for the Astra (i.e., Verano) and gives us a Cruze for Focus money. That is changing in Europe. GM has moved Chevy in to compete with Ford and VW and plan to make Opel more upscale. That is if they don't sell them off or what ever the most recent rumor is. Opel is becoming the Buick of Europe. I see Buick going more Audi like in the Future. We have really not seen where Buick will go yet. The cars we have are really just what they had done and finished when they got the money. I think real change is to come yet. Think of these cars as just filler in the market till they can move to where they want to be. I suspect all these cars that they have now will not be around very long till they are replaced. We may see them for 5 years and then they will move more upscale. It also will be a matter of timing to move them up as Cadillac leaves the lower market. Cadillac is moving to a more high tech and advanced cars per Mark Ruess and that tells me they will get higher prices too. I suspect the next CTS will be not only more advance the much more money now the ATS is here. He also stated Cadillac should not be all about V8 and Superchagers but advance tech and comfort. I see the gap between Chevy and Cadillac growing and when it does it will give Buick more room to be themselves. In that case, I wish them luck. Ford and VW have had a long history in Europe--designing, engineering, and building their cars there. Chevrolet has existed only for 6 years, and their tagline used to be "Daewoo has grown up enough to become Chevrolet." AFAIK, all their cars are still imported from Korea. BTW, I don't think they have Chevy in Europe; it's only called Chevrolet.

I like wagons, but GM probably looked at the limited sales of the TSX Wagon and decided it wasn't worth it. Volvo isn't selling the V60 or V70 in the US, and BMW won't sell the next-generation 3-series Touring there either.

This is basically a lux-ized Astra? Charge too much for it, and the press will just compare it to the Saturn Astra pricing & say it's outrageous. First the Opel is going up market so this may be a good sign of what the new Astra will be more like in the future. Second few here know what a Opel Astra is like or even is. The compare will be to the Cruze and the key it to make it different enough to prove it is worth the extra money to those who whant more. I agree the Cruze will be the more common and notable comparison, but I can easily foresee a reviewer that doesn't like the car to heap on the "this is basically an Astra, which was sold here as a Saturn just a couple years ago for about $5k less". And of course they'll overlook that it's a different generation Astra, and that the Buick has a small heaping of extra lux goodies than the Astra Saturn got. When a reviewer decides to have a beef, logic isn't prevalent, and I expect this to come up. Question is whether it'll be an occasional thing, or a trend among reviewers, and if the public notices or cares. What I find interesting--and something no reporter has brought up yet--is how Chevrolet (nee Daewoo) has traditionally been the value brand beneath the mainstream Opel brand, which competes against Ford and VW. Yet in the US, GM charges extra for the Astra (i.e., Verano) and gives us a Cruze for Focus money.

Actually, the segment has been relatively stable. It has never been a huge segment and it will never be, but it is a stable segment. Economic downturn or not, the clientele for V12s are not impacted as much as the middle and upper middle class. The middle and upper middle class do not buy V12s. The more over the top the flagship is, the better it will fulfill its mission of bringing prestige and recognition to the brand. Of course, grabbing a few big spenders along the way doesn't hurt. But, selling itself is secondary to helping sell the Bi-turbo V6 or V8 Omegas, not to mention CTS, XTS, SRX and ATS cars. If you want middle class business, lower the entry price of ATS or simply show them the way to the Buick dealership. In fact, a 14-liter V16 made using the equivalent of two pushrod LS7 V8s mated with a new block making about 1010hp / 940 lb-ft will be even better from a prestige standpoint. The problem of course is that there is no transmission for it and rear drive is no longer viable for putting all that power down. I don't know, I just find it ludicrous that the bigger the engine the more prestigious Mr. 70-year-old-CEO finds his car. Rich business people, at least those in the US and Europe, don't want something outrageous and over the top. That's why the S600 does well among its buyers -- it's a business jet on wheels, and you can't get it with a douchey body kit like with the pointless S63 AMG or Taio Cruz's 760Li M-Sport. V12 luxo sedans are a stable segment only for Mercedes, and they've got the right formula down. A huge ass 14-liter engine certainly won't bring respectability to the brand, unless you count the drooling of twelve year olds and others who can't afford such a car anyway.

Eh, wrong engine at the wrong time. Engineering a new V12 might have made sense 10 years ago, but now the only people who want a 600-hp $100K V12 Cadillac are twelve year olds, and they don't have $100K. The 6.2L supercharged V8 in the CTS-V is fine.

Looks decent, but I'd still prefer a Focus Titanium. The competitors list GM has is quite aspirational, to say the least. Its actual competitors are likely comparably priced family sedans that are larger but have less equipment. Verano won't have any fuel economy advantage over a Camry or Accord, so it should be interesting to see if people are willing to trade features for space.

I'd rather have an iQ... more of a real car, and it has a real slushbox as opposed to a poky, slow as molasses automated manual.

Oh right, because I just read how Maserati is dropping the Ferrari engine from the Quattroporte in favor of a 6.0 liter V8 from a Chevy Silverado. You know what would be just HE-LAR-E-US!? If Maserati dropped the Ferrari engine from the Quattroporte in favor of the 6.3 Hemi from the 300C-SRT8. It would be an upgrade in both power (+25hp and +100 lb-ft) and fuel economy, but it would also be less expensive for them to repair under warranty when it breaks down. It would also make parent company Fiat happy to be getting more ROI out of the 6.3. But it wouldn't make orgasmic noises any more: A high-revving, multi-valve V8 is the whole point of a Maserati, not a torquey and grumbly muscle car engine--not that there's anything wrong with that. It just doesn't fit the character of an Italian supercar.

Imagine if you had the Eco and its cool forged wheels. Then you would have gotten 53 MPG. All kidding aside, congrats on the car.

Sad face. It was such a good looking car, and it would have made a pretty nice Sebring/200...

xDrive 5ers actually have hydraulic steering instead of the electric steering that RWD models have. Unfortunately both, apparently, are devoid of feel. At least a simple six-speed manual and clutch pedal are available so you don't have to deal with the confusing controls.

The current G is a great car to lease right now: high residuals, low MF (made even lower with MSDs), and a good chunk (5%) off MSRP. It amounts to ~$300/mo for a G37 Journey with $0 down for 12K/yr.

Depends on the tank size, but manufacturers tend to time them with oil changes. 335d needs it refilled every ~15K.

SCR = selective catalytic reduction = AdBlue in the trunk SCR is what allows Passat TDI to have lower fuel consumption than Jetta TDI, because the engine doesn't have to burn off excess NOx every so often. Downside is that you need to refill Adblue during services. They sell generic diesel exhaust fluid now, so the savings in fuel should make SCR worthwhile.

Yes, but US pickup owners want more POWERRRRR than they know what to do with. The 2.0L would be a fine base engine.