sedan

Ford and Chevrolet seem to have bounced back from the financial crisis of 2008-2009, but we've been eagerly waiting to see how Chrysler's new generation of vehicles would emerge from the economic downturn. Recently, we found ourselves behind the wheel of one of the first of these new vehicles, the 2011 Chrysler 200.

Sharp-eyed readers and astute enthusiasts will notice that the new 200 looks a lot like the old Sebring. That's because it is the old Sebring, but with a fairly extensive redesign. The sheet metal has been massaged into a vehicle that's a bit … Read more

The last time we went behind the wheel of a Suzuki, we called the 2010 Kizashi S a sheep in wolf's clothing. It was a well manufactured sedan with acceptable levels of power and nimble-enough handling, but the Kizashi simply didn't live up to the sporty promise of its aggressively styled sheet metal. This second time around, we took the wheel of Suzuki's midsized sedan with a Sport badge affixed to its rear decklid.

Taking a look at the 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport SLS' specs, we see that (as expected) not much has changed in just a … Read more

It's no secret that Kia and its parent company, Hyundai, have been making almost quantum leaps in the quality of their vehicles in the last generation or two. Comparing, for example, the 2011 Kia Optima to its 2010 iteration is almost like comparing apples to oranges. The new model is larger in nearly every dimension, but thanks to its sportier proportions, it looks much more menacing than its pudgy predecessor. While both examples offer 2.4-liter engines, the 2011 Optima's gasoline direct-injection system gives it a 24-horsepower advantage while also gaining 2 mpg in both city and highway … Read more

When we got our first look at the next generation of the Honda Civic at the 2011 Detroit auto show, we were generally underwhelmed. The Civic Concept resembled the outgoing Civic so closely that it was easily overshadowed by more visually interesting reveals, such as the Hyundai Veloster. Today, with the unveiling of the production versions of what will be the 2012 Civic coupe and sedan, we're unsurprised to find that Honda's bread-and-butter model is just as visually underwhelming as when we last saw it. However, digging into the specs, we find that there are a few revisions … Read more

General Motors has contracted with Gorky Automobile Plant (GAZ), "Russia's largest producer of commercial vehicles" of a certain size, for the production of next-generation Aveo sedans and hatchbacks for the Russian market.

According to GM, the GAZ Group "has 18 production plants in 10 regions of Russia...GAZ Group produces light commercial vehicles, heavy trucks, buses, cars, road construction equipment, power trains, and auto components."

"The cooperation with GM will strengthen quality and technology of every production capacity of GAZ," said Bo Andersson, president and CEO of GAZ Group. "The decision taken … Read more

DETROIT--Today, Honda drew back the curtain on a pair of concept cars. The Honda Civic coupe and sedan concepts sit at the end of the nameplate's almost 40-year history and offer us our first glance at what will eventually be the model's 9th generation.

Both concepts feature profiles that aren't much different from the sedan and coupe currently on the road, but they have more muscular sculpting in the side panels. Glaringly, the 2012 concepts feature more aggressive front ends, with angular headlamps sweeping back from their honeycomb grilles. Where the sedan features chrome bright work atop … Read more

DETROIT--It was no surprise that Audi unveiled a new A6 sedan at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show (the automaker's booth was ablaze with a gigantic A6 sign), but many people didn't expect a hybrid model to debut alongside it.

Let's start under the hood. The A6 can be had with any of five gasoline engines, three TDI engines, or a gas-electric hybrid power train. The hybrid blends Audi's 2.0-liter turbocharged, direct-injected gasoline engine with an electric motor to output 245-horsepower with an estimated fuel economy of 37.94 mpg. The hybrid power train features an … Read more

Hyundai released renderings last week of the redesigned Azera sedan, expected to arrive stateside in 2012. Like the Sonata and new Elantra, the new Azera features Hyundai's slippery "fluidic sculpture" design style. Details about the power train and features were not released.

(Source: Automotive News)

We've been seeing a number of four-door coupes hitting the market, relying on their steeply sloped rooflines to create a sporty look. Nissan takes a different tack at the 2010 Los Angeles Auto Show with its Ellure concept, a vehicle that embraces its "sedan-ness" with a more traditional profile and a modified hybrid drive system that features components from Nissan's luxury-branded Infiniti M45h.

Starting with the striking exterior, the Ellure features an evolution of Nissan's now trademark boomerang headlamps and taillights. Severe angles and dramatic curves characterize the sedan, which draws inspiration from Japanese imagery, … Read more