Neil Moore

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Mitsubishi’s new three-cylinder Mirage starts at a low $12,498 with five-speed manual the promise of superb fuel economy thanks to thrifty powertrains, low curb weight and slippery aerodynamics.

Motoring: Big expectations for Mitsubishi’s smallest car

While Mitsubishi has been paring down its product line, they’ve added a vehicle that should deliver better numbers.

Mitsubishi’s new three-cylinder Mirage starts at a low $12,498 with five-speed manual the promise of superb fuel economy thanks to thrifty powertrains, low curb weight and slippery aerodynamics.
The redesigned Lincoln MKZ is a head-turner with its sweeping roofline, steeply raked windshield and split-grille, inspired by the 1938 Zephyr. The Hybrid model, starting at the same price as its gas-powered sibling, offers eco-car fuel economy in a premium, mid-size package.

Motoring: MKZ Hybrid brings thrift to luxury segment

The new MKZ, with its swoopy lines, LED exterior lighting and split wing grille turned plenty of heads at auto shows I've been to.

The redesigned Lincoln MKZ is a head-turner with its sweeping roofline, steeply raked windshield and split-grille, inspired by the 1938 Zephyr. The Hybrid model, starting at the same price as its gas-powered sibling, offers eco-car fuel economy in a premium, mid-size package.
With a wide stance and sweeping profile, not to mention its “Aston Martin” grille, the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid looks more an athlete than an eco-warrior. Other than badging, there are few cues that it’s a hybrid model.

Motoring: Fusion Hybrid delivers fuel savings without the sacrifice

The Fusion’s new, sleeker silhouette, sweeping character lines and thin roof pillars create an athletic profile.

With a wide stance and sweeping profile, not to mention its “Aston Martin” grille, the 2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid looks more an athlete than an eco-warrior. Other than badging, there are few cues that it’s a hybrid model.
Call it a tall wagon or ‘mini’ minivan, the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid is a practical people carrier with the added benefit of a hybrid powertrain that can operate for up to 43 km on electricity alone.

Motoring: Ford’s C-Max Energi offers a greener people mover

I lack the patience for eco-friendly motoring…but my love for over-powered gas-guzzling V8s is challenged by my thrift.

Call it a tall wagon or ‘mini’ minivan, the C-Max Energi plug-in hybrid is a practical people carrier with the added benefit of a hybrid powertrain that can operate for up to 43 km on electricity alone.
With its wide stance, broad shoulders and black tigershark grille, the 2014 Cadenza full-size sedan is Kia’s first entry into the luxury market.

Motoring: Kia goes upmarket with Cadenza sedan

Today’s Kia models not only look sharper both inside and out, but benefit from better build quality and loads of tech.

With its wide stance, broad shoulders and black tigershark grille, the 2014 Cadenza full-size sedan is Kia’s first entry into the luxury market.
The 2013 Nissan Titan is a handsome full-size pickup truck with its big chrome grille and telescopic side mirrors, and optional 20-inch alloy wheels. Towing maxes out at 9,500 pounds for the King Cab and 9,300 for the 4x4 Crew Cab, as shown.

Motoring: Nissan Titan a full-size pickup contender

Toyota and Nissan have a reputation for building world-class small and now mid-size pickup trucks.

The 2013 Nissan Titan is a handsome full-size pickup truck with its big chrome grille and telescopic side mirrors, and optional 20-inch alloy wheels. Towing maxes out at 9,500 pounds for the King Cab and 9,300 for the 4x4 Crew Cab, as shown.
With a lower height than its predecessor, the new B-Class now looks more wagon-like, yet sportier, with wider grille, swept-back headlamps with LEDs, and a roofline sloping rearward towards the rising beltline. There’s also significantly more power for 2013.

B-Class an attractive addition for Mercedes-Benz

The B 250 starts at the same price as its predecessor, but with a big jump in power, better driving dynamics and more standard content.

With a lower height than its predecessor, the new B-Class now looks more wagon-like, yet sportier, with wider grille, swept-back headlamps with LEDs, and a roofline sloping rearward towards the rising beltline. There’s also significantly more power for 2013.
The eclectic Nissan Juke has received a variety of Nismo mods that include a larger lower grille to improve airflow, LED lighting strips, and red mirrors that repeat the tone found in the pinstriping along its side skirts and rear sill.

Motoring: Nismo turns up heat for NIssan Juke

Overall, this in-your-face exterior with lizard-eyed front end can be polarizing, but I like it.

The eclectic Nissan Juke has received a variety of Nismo mods that include a larger lower grille to improve airflow, LED lighting strips, and red mirrors that repeat the tone found in the pinstriping along its side skirts and rear sill.
Classic coupe proportions—long hood, greenhouse over the rear axle and steeply-raked windshield—give the two-door C 350 a more fetching look than its four-door sibling. The two, however, share the same dimensions and much of their equipment, including the 3.5-litre direct injected V6 that powers this model.

Motoring: C-Class turns heads with two doors

But park beside the sedan's two-door sibling—the C-Class Coupe—and guess who steals the spotlight?

Classic coupe proportions—long hood, greenhouse over the rear axle and steeply-raked windshield—give the two-door C 350 a more fetching look than its four-door sibling. The two, however, share the same dimensions and much of their equipment, including the 3.5-litre direct injected V6 that powers this model.
Although longer and wider than before, the sixth-generation BMW 3 Series Sedan—in ActiveHybrid 3 form—is instantly recognizable with its long, contoured hood, short front and rear overhangs and signature kidney grille.

Motoring: Few compromises with BMW’s ActiveHybrid 3

In practice, most hybrids are a compromise between performance and fuel economy, with performance getting the short shrift.

Although longer and wider than before, the sixth-generation BMW 3 Series Sedan—in ActiveHybrid 3 form—is instantly recognizable with its long, contoured hood, short front and rear overhangs and signature kidney grille.
Despite its compact size, the BMW X3 displays power and presence with its wide stance, distinctively contoured hood, dominant BMW kidney grille and large wheels: standard 18-inch or optional 19-inch.

Motoring: Practicality meets fun in BMW X3 SAV

Instead of relying on the milk of driver kindness, I tapped into one of BMW’s traditional strengths—power—to get a spot in traffic.

Despite its compact size, the BMW X3 displays power and presence with its wide stance, distinctively contoured hood, dominant BMW kidney grille and large wheels: standard 18-inch or optional 19-inch.
The 2013 ES 300h makes a bolder first impression with the now signature Lexus spindle grille. The new model also has a longer wheelbase, shorter overhangs and lower profile for a more athletic look

Motoring: Lexus ES 300h hybrid gets bolder styling

In designing the ES 300h hybrid sedan, Lexus wisely chose not to fix what wasn’t broken, but sharpened its look and driving dynamics.

The 2013 ES 300h makes a bolder first impression with the now signature Lexus spindle grille. The new model also has a longer wheelbase, shorter overhangs and lower profile for a more athletic look
Hyundai’s fluidic sculpture design gives the 2013 Elantra Coupe a deeply sculpted wedge silhouette. It also provides a bold first impression, thanks to its large hexagonal grille, flanked by swept-back headlights and slit foglights.

Motoring: Hyundai Elantra Coupe gets top style marks

You get a well-equipped car in the base GLS with manual.

Hyundai’s fluidic sculpture design gives the 2013 Elantra Coupe a deeply sculpted wedge silhouette. It also provides a bold first impression, thanks to its large hexagonal grille, flanked by swept-back headlights and slit foglights.
The Alaska Highway cuts through Kluane National Park, giving us spectacular views of some of Canada’s highest mountains.

Motoring: Mercedes-Benz Sprinter vans were game for Alaskan journey

The Sprinter quickly ate up the miles, smoothly, and with some expected jouncing over sections of badly heaved pavement.

The Alaska Highway cuts through Kluane National Park, giving us spectacular views of some of Canada’s highest mountains.

Turbo adds heat to Hyundai’s funky Veloster

During my time with the Hyundai Veloster, I had several friends who really liked its bold, curvaceous look. Others hated it.

Although not the greenest of vehicles at the show, the Acura NSX Concept is arguably the most stunning. It features a hybrid, all-wheel-drive powertrain that is capable of supercar performance.

Import auto makers paint LA green

Now, non-domestic manufacturers produce some of the most advanced hybrids, electrics and other fuel-efficient vehicles.

Although not the greenest of vehicles at the show, the Acura NSX Concept is arguably the most stunning. It features a hybrid, all-wheel-drive powertrain that is capable of supercar performance.
It’s no longer the new kid on the block, but the Chevrolet Volt offers what other electric vehicles do not—a 60-kilometre range, with a gas engine to keep you going when the battery runs out.

No shortage of ‘green’ tech from the Big Three domestics

At the recent Los Angeles Auto Show there was no shortage of shiny objects, even in the ‘green’ department this year.

It’s no longer the new kid on the block, but the Chevrolet Volt offers what other electric vehicles do not—a 60-kilometre range, with a gas engine to keep you going when the battery runs out.
Infiniti’s new seven-seat 2013 JX crossover offers best-in-class interior volume, and wears some of the company’s signature design cues like a double-arch grille and ‘wave’ design hood. 18- or 20-inch aluminum wheels complete the premium look.

JX is Infiniti’s ‘right-sized’ 7-passenger Sport Utility

Infiniti JX is arguably the most practical and best value of the bunch.

Infiniti’s new seven-seat 2013 JX crossover offers best-in-class interior volume, and wears some of the company’s signature design cues like a double-arch grille and ‘wave’ design hood. 18- or 20-inch aluminum wheels complete the premium look.
With its wide stance and sleek profile, the 2013 Ford Fusion has an athletic stance. It’s sweeping character lines, thin roof pillars, slit projector headlamps and wide grille with horizontal chrome strakes, creates a sophisticated look that wouldn’t be out of place in the premium segment.

Redesign for 2013 makes a good Fusion even better

North Americans enjoy a vehicle lineup that has made quantum improvements in recent years.

With its wide stance and sleek profile, the 2013 Ford Fusion has an athletic stance. It’s sweeping character lines, thin roof pillars, slit projector headlamps and wide grille with horizontal chrome strakes, creates a sophisticated look that wouldn’t be out of place in the premium segment.
The MINI JCW hatch makes a bold first impression with its hexagonal mesh grille, lowered front fascia and distinctive air inlets below the front grille for cooling the brakes. The big, red Brembos peeking out from the car’s 17-inch alloy wheels attest to its performance intentions.

MINI JCW a joy to look at and drive

MINI John Cooper Works is a serious performer crafted by BMW, not the quirky tin box made by British Motor Corporation.

The MINI JCW hatch makes a bold first impression with its hexagonal mesh grille, lowered front fascia and distinctive air inlets below the front grille for cooling the brakes. The big, red Brembos peeking out from the car’s 17-inch alloy wheels attest to its performance intentions.