Autoblog

Honda debuts "honed" 2013 Civic

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 12 Nov 2012 09:00:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Coupe, Budget, Sedan, Honda

Here it is, folks - the highly anticipated "emergency refresh" of the decidedly disappointing ninth-generation Honda Civic. You know, the model that made the entire automotive media wear a collective frown. And the car that was dropped from the Consumer Reports 'Recommended' list. Critically speaking at least, it's been a bad year, Civic.

The vast majority of updates for the 2013 model are skin-deep, and Honda says the Civic has been "honed to make the segment's best-selling car even better." Up front, there's a new lower front fascia with a prominent chrome accent bar and a black honeycomb grille, along with new headlamps. The whole schnoz features more sculpted, shapely lines that flow up into the more curvaceous hood. At the back, Honda has redesigned the bumper and diffuser, and the chrome accent up front is mimicked at taillamp level. In fact, those rear lights themselves have been redesigned and now carry over onto the trunk lid. A host of new alloy wheels will also be offered.

Honda has not yet divulged any other details regarding the "safety, feature, comfort, chassis and interior styling enhancements" that will round-out this 2013 Civic, but it's clear the changes are an attempt to whittle the Civic's way back into critics' good graces. We definitely hope that some work has been done to the mechanical components you can't see, as our biggest complaint regarding the ninth-generation model was that it lost the great-to-drive dynamic that has historically been one of our favorite things about the Civic. Interior materials and overall fit-and-finish will hopefully receive a healthy once-over, as well.

Either way, it's impressive that Honda has reacted this quickly, pulling ahead a planned mid-cycle redo after the current generation had just one year on the market. It's an unprecedented showing - we can't recall the last time a mainstream car received such substantial year-over-year changes. What makes it even more unusual is that all of the hand-wringing among pundits doesn't seem to have affected sales - through October, Honda has cleared its decks of 276,196 Civics in the US - a 38.8-percent increase over last year.

Scroll down for Honda's brief press release detailing the styling tweaks to the 2013 Civic. The full smattering of details will hit the Interwebs as part of the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show festivities, with the car officially going on sale on November 29, the same day it gets its auto show reveal. Stay tuned.

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Honda debuts "honed" 2013 Civic originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 12 Nov 2012 09:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Subaru Forester revealed ahead of LA debut

Scott Burgess — Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:00:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, SUV, Subaru

Subaru has released two pictures and some preliminary details of the all-new 2014 Forester that will make its public debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show in November.

The new Forester arrives with either a 2.5-liter naturally aspirated four-cylinder boxer engine that produces 170 horsepower and 174 pound-feet of torque or a 2.0-liter direct-injection turbocharged four-cylinder engine that will make 250 horsepower and 258 pound-feet of torque.

The exterior adds some more refinement and the turbo model loses its iconic hood scoop - something some of us are glad to see go. Instead, the turbocharged Forester receives a unique front fascia, seen here in the image above. Subaru says that the Forester's fuel economy will improve, but final numbers have not been released. The Forester will debut a new six-speed manual transmission and a Lineartronic continuously variable transmission. (The CVT includes either six- or eight-speed manual modes so you can swap through the 'gears'.)

The fourth-generation Forester also features a new suspension and 8.7-inches of ground clearance for any tough off-road obstacles.

We'll have all the official details (as well as driving impressions) in about one month's time. For now, scroll down to read Subaru's official press release and stay tuned for the new crossover's live unveiling in Los Angeles.

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2014 Subaru Forester revealed ahead of LA debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 31 Oct 2012 22:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible makes first official appearance

Zach Bowman — Wed, 03 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Volkswagen, Diesel

Volkswagen has pulled back the wraps on the 2013 Beetle Convertible ahead of the vehicle's debut at this year's Los Angeles Auto Show. The drophead makes use of the same flattened roof line of the 2012 Beetle Coupe when the folding soft top is in place. Stow the roof, and the mechanism lays flat to increase rear visibility. Volkswagen says the roof can go from fully stowed to in place in just 10 seconds, and engineers built in an automatic rollover support system comprised of two computer-actuated bars behind the rear seat that pop up in just four milliseconds in the event of a collision.

Buyers can choose between three engine options, including a 2.5-liter five-cylinder good for 170 horsepower and 177 pound-feet of torque and paired with a six-speed automatic transmission. A 2.0-liter, turbocharged four-cylinder is also available with 200 hp and 207 lb-ft of torque and can be mated to either a six-speed manual or a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. Finally, diesel buyers will be happy to hear Volkswagen will offer the 2013 Beetle Convertible with a familiar 2.0 turbo-diesel four-cylinder good for 140 hp and 236 lb-ft of torque. That mill can be bolted to a six-speed manual or six-speed DSG. Check out the full press release below.

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2013 Volkswagen Beetle Convertible makes first official appearance originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 03 Oct 2012 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2014 Acura RLX to debut at LA Auto Show

Steven J. Ewing — Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:28:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Hybrid, Sedan, Acura, Luxury

During a mid-year speech being delivered in Japan, Honda Motor Co., Ltd. President and CEO Takanobu Ito stated that the production 2014 Acura RLX sedan will be revealed at the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show in late November. The RLX Concept (pictured) first debuted at the New York Auto Show this past April.

The most significant part about the RLX package will be its use of Honda's new Sport Hybrid SH-AWD, which is essentially a through-the-road electric all-wheel-drive system. This new technology uses three individual motors, and combined output is said to be somewhere around 370 horsepower, the bulk of which comes from a 3.5-liter naturally aspirated V6. When the RLX Concept debuted, there was talk of a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission, but we'll see if that actually flows through to production.

A less-powerful, 310-horsepower, front-wheel-drive version of the RLX is also said to be in the cards. Acura initially stated that the RLX would be capable of achieving at least 30 miles per gallon in both the city and highway driving cycles.

We'll have more details about the 2014 RLX closer to its debut. The LA Auto Show festivities kick off on November 28. Scroll down to read Acura's press release, containing the full notes from Ito's speech.

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2014 Acura RLX to debut at LA Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 21 Sep 2012 11:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar XFR-S hits the 'Ring in stealth mode

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:29:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Spy Photos, Sedan, Performance, Jaguar, Luxury

Last time we saw the Jaguar XFR-S out testing, it didn't look any different from the already-slick XFR that's on sale right now. But as we get closer to the production car's debut - reportedly scheduled for the 2012 Los Angeles Auto Show - the even-hotter XF's design is coming into focus. And might we say, she's a beaut'.

The XFR's aggressive appearance has been enhanced at the front with larger air intakes that look downright fierce, and lower skirts have been added to the sides. Out back, new bodywork has been added to the quarter panels and a larger lip spoiler adorns the trunk. The whole package looks awesome, and we can't wait to see what this bruiser looks like when all of the swirly paper has been removed.

Under the hood, expect to find Jaguar's delicious 5.0-liter supercharged V8, tuned to the same 550 horsepower as the XKR-S. That's a 40-horsepower increase over the standard XFR, and Jaguar will likely implement some exhaust tuning to make its Top Cat snarl with even greater volume.

Scroll through the above gallery to see the blacked-out prototype running 'round the Nürburgring.

Jaguar XFR-S hits the 'Ring in stealth mode originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 20 Aug 2012 16:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Jaguar XFR-S to debut at LA Auto Show

Steven J. Ewing — Mon, 09 Jul 2012 18:59:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Sedan, Performance, Jaguar, Luxury

According to Autocar, a new range-topping Jaguar XFR-S is set to debut at the Los Angeles Auto Show this November.

If the current XKR-S coupe and convertible models are anything to go on, the four-door XFR-S should be powered by a more potent version of Jaguar's 5.0-liter supercharged V8, producing around 550 horsepower. Expect some suspension enhancements to be on board, as well, along with some exhaust tuning to make the big cat growl louder than ever before.

When it launches, the XFR-S will battle head-to-head with the likes of the 560-hp BMW M5 and 518-hp Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG (or 550 with the optional AMG performance pack). For reference, the standard XFR produces 510 hp from its detuned version of the supercharged V8.

We expect more details to arrive closer to the car's alleged November debut. For now, click through the attached high-res gallery to see spy shots of the XFR-S testing at the Nürburgring.

Jaguar XFR-S to debut at LA Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 Jul 2012 18:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Volkswagen to launch new Beetle convertible with three decade editions

Noah Joseph — Thu, 24 May 2012 18:32:00 EST

Filed under: LA Auto Show, Convertible, Volkswagen

Say what you will about the whole retro design trend that gave us such vehicles as the Mini, the Chrysler PT Cruiser, the Ford GT and the Fiat 500, but it has been (neo Thunderbird notwithstanding) a rather successful formula for several automakers, Volkswagen chief among them. The German automaker is now on its third generation of Beetle, and is preparing to launch the new convertible version at the Los Angeles Auto Show in the fall (previewed by the E-Bugster concept pictured above). And when it does, it is slated to go even more retro.

That much, according to Car and Driver, will come in three special launch editions. Each one will be dedicated to a specific decade from the original Beetle's long history - tipped to center around the 1950s, 60s and 70s. Special touches will be period-specific, including unique colors, seat upholstery and even white-wall tires. We'll have to wait a few months to see how many of these particular details pan out, but recent history has been replete with launch editions from Volkswagen.

Volkswagen to launch new Beetle convertible with three decade editions originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 24 May 2012 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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