Spring is in the air and the change of season can make it a great time for to change your vehicle, especially as gas prices head higher leading into summer. If you’re in the market for a new car, whether for better fuel economy or downsizing, now is a good time to shop. In fact, we’ve recently negotiated great deals on some fuel-efficient models we bought recently to test, so we know the discounts are out there. For our March deals, there are 10 qualifying models offering the best nationwide discounts. Prices on these vehicles are between 15- and 20-percent below MSRP, but dealers may be interested in negotiating further to reach their sales targets and to move metal off the lots. Also, you may find local deals and incentives, so check our exclusive pricing information . The models listed below are just a few of our Best New Car Deals, meaning they are notable discounts on models that meet Consumer Reports’ criteria to be recommended. These vehicles scored well in our testing, had average or better reliability in our subscriber survey, and performed well in government or insurance-industry safety tests, if evaluated. See our full list of deals on 2012 models. Make & model Expires MSRP Invoice price Customer rebate Dealer incentive Bottom line price Read the rest here:  Top 10 best new car deals for March

  Successful in marketing the Sonic subcompact and Cruze compact cars, Chevrolet appears to be the verge of another product bulls-eye with the mid-sized 2013 Malibu . Set to be based on the GM’s new Super Epsilon II platform (debuting in North America as the basis of the Cadillac XTS ), the latest full-sized Chevrolet is now entering the market with high hopes of covering the car sector with a robust product line-up. The Chevrolet Impala was thought to be top sedan prepared to profile the division’s four-door performance. As the market prepared for the 2013 Chevrolet Impala, General Motors’ lead brand has just announced a change to those perceptions. Coinciding with a statement on Chevrolet’s 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup plans, the auto company has just dropped news that a different nameplate will be wearing sheetmetal of a new production car. While the complete demise of the Impala nameplate for street use has not been confirmed in the press statement released last Tuesday, Chevrolet is committing to a new identity in NASCAR. The 2013 Chevrolet car will be competing against new versions of the Ford Fusion and Dodge Charger body already shown publicly. With NASCAR allowing auto manufacturers more creative liberties in the design of vehicle bodywork, Chevrolet’s choice to rebrand their car. Sporadically produced through seven decades (including the very run as a high-performance version of the Chevrolet Caprice sedan), the Impala name was first used by Chevrolet in 1958 as the premium equipped car in the brand line-up. Offering a big, powerful V-8 engine, it vehicle was a natural for NASCAR competition. Successful in stock car competition, the Chevrolet Impala’s racing activities would be interrupted with the Bowtie brand pulling factory support from the NASCAR ranks. Just like the original vehicles that wore the Impala identity, the 21st century Impala would receive extensive race track presence in the top stock car racing series. Replacing the coupe-derived Monte Carlo when the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series switched to a new spec racing vehicle, a Chevrolet Impala in the hands of Kyle Busch won the Bristol Motor Speedway event for the so-called ‘Car of Tomorrow’ debut in 2007. The announcement of the Impala discontinuation comes...

Over the last several days, there have been numerous automotive announcements related to compressed-natural gas (CNG). This energy source is abundant and affordable in the United States, it can be used in existing vehicles with relatively few modifications, and it contributes to reduced reliance on foreign oil as much as electric vehicles. Various automakers have lately revealed CNG-compatible trucks. Why now? There are several good reasons, led by product scheduled to take advantage lower fuel prices and potential federal incentives. General Motors will begin taking retail orders for bi-fuel CNG and gasoline versions of its Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD and GMC Sierra 2500 HD extended-cab pickups on April 1. The large CNG tanks are concealed inside what looks like a toolbox in the front of the truck bed. The trucks are available with long or short beds in two- or four-wheel drive with a 6.0-liter V8. GM has not released horsepower or range figures, but the automaker says that counting gasoline and CNG together, the truck will have a range of “over 650 miles.” They will be outfitted with the CNG tanks and a bi-fuel injection system at a GM supplier and will carry the brand’s full warranty. But the trucks won’t be delivered until December. Chrysler also announced a few more details on its own natural-gas bi-fuel Ram 2500 HD pickup, which will be available only for fleets starting in July. Available only as a crew-cab pickup, its CNG tanks will hold the equivalent of 18.2 gallons of gas. With a 5.7-liter Hemi V8, that will give the Ram a range of 255 miles. An 8-gallon gasoline tank serves as a backup, giving another 112 miles of range. (Canadian customers can order a 35-gal. gas tank.) Honda is asking its dealerships across the United States to install CNG filling stations to refuel the Civic GX, the only natural-gas powered (not bi-fuel) car on the market. Ford has also expanded its lineup of natural-gas vehicles in the past couple of years, which now includes the Transit Connect small van, the E-150 full-sized van, and various versions of its Super Duty pickups and several heavy-duty trucks (as well as a motor home chassis). One of the main sticking points for natural-gas-powered cars in America has been the difficulty of finding a place to refuel. When...

With the Charger’s unveiling at Las Vegas Motor Speedway Sunday morning, Dodge became the third of the four NASCAR Sprint Cup manufacturers to reveal its 2013 Cup car. The new car’s body shares far more with the roadgoing Charger that before; it’s part of bringing back the “brand identity” that both NASCAR and its involved manufacturers lost as the cars became increasingly identical in the interest of safety and racing parity. Ford unveiled the 2013 Fusion Cup car at the NASCAR Media Tour at Charlotte Motor Speedway in January, then Toyota briefly showed an oddly disguised—with zebra-stripe camo—2013 Camry race car at the Daytona International Speedway just prior to the wild Daytona 500 . Two major questions remain. First, when will we see the 2013 Chevrolet Cup car? The program has reportedly suffered some delays, and a reveal date has not been announced. The nameplate is likewise unknown—all we can say is that it’s likely to be an SS version of either the 2013 Malibu or the redesigned 2014 Impala . The second question: Who is going to race this new Dodge car next year? The central Dodge team, Penske Racing, has already announced that it will move to Ford next year, which puts Dodge in an uncomfortable position for several reasons— it needs to hunt for a new (and contending) team to lead the charge for 2013, and it now has to absorb future development for the 2013 Charger in-house, as Penske was doing the lion’s share of the work. Both Dodge and Penske insist that they will pull out all stops to win races in 2012, but you have to wonder if that truly will be the case, especially as the season nears its end. (Penske also is jumping from Honda to Chevrolet for the 2012 IndyCar season, indicative of the fact that Penske has probably brand-hopped as much or more than any major racing team.) None of this reflects on the 2013 NASCAR Sprint Cup Dodge Charger, which brings a genuinely compelling, familiar look to the brand’s Cup entries, much as the move last year to the Challenger did for the NASCAR Nationwide series cars. Dodge is, after all, the only NASCAR manufacturer to base its racer on a rear-drive vehicle with an optional V-8, which immediately puts its entries substantially closer to what folks drive on the street than those...

If you’re looking at compact family sedans for the first time, and didn’t expect to find a Chevrolet or a Hyundai among TheCarConnection’s top choices, you’re in for a surprise. Both the new Chevy Cruze and Hyundai Elantra are among our top-rated vehicles in the class, and one of them has a major award in its win column. From our road tests, it’s… View original here: Chevy Cruze Vs. Hyundai Elantra: Compare Cars

Chevrolet planned a staggered rollout of the 2013 Chevy Malibu, with the Eco model going first. It uses a carryover 2.4-liter Ecotec four-cylinder from the previous-generation 2012 Malibu. That is because the new four-cylinder line of engines wasn’t ready yet. Instead of waiting, they launched the 2013, leaving it to be sold alongside the old V-6 car. An interesting strategy to be sure, but now some light is being shed on the rest of the car’s engine options. Like others in the segment, Chevy is moving over to exclusively four-cylinder engines in its midsize car for the first time. Lest you think power will suffer though, know this: the 2013 Malibu’s top-shelf engine will be powerful than any V-6 Malibu that came before it. Sounds like progress to us. There will be three Malibu guises available by this fall. Naturally-aspirated models will include the the Malibu Eco with a 2.4-liter Ecotec making 182 horsepower and paired with eAssist, along with the standard 2.5L Ecotec making 197 horsepower and 191 pound-feet of torque. This engine also does duty in the 2013 Cadillac ATS as a base model engine, making the two aligned in terms of power options. Turbocharged power comes from GM’s 2.0-liter Ecotec four making an impressive 259 hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. This engine is a very advanced one for GM, and it hasn’t been put into mainstream applications up until this point. The 2.0-liter Ecotec replaced the 252 hp 3.6-liter HF V-6 from last year’s Malibu. When equipped with this engine, the 2013 Malibu will offer a 0-60 time of 6.3 seconds. Hyundai, Ford and Chevrolet are moving over to four-cylinders and it remains to be see whether Nissan will do the same with the upcoming 2013 Altima. For now, Toyota appears to be sticking by the V-6 engine in its 2013 Camry. Chevrolet says current Malibu sales are up 4.4-percent so far this year, making that a great starting place for 2013′s much-improved model to build on. No related posts. Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts View original post here: Chevrolet Details Powertrains for 2013 Malibu

As far as sales and consequence for the European market, the Audi A3 was a highly important debut at the Geneva Motor Show. That stands in stark contrast to the situation here in the United States, where the current five-door A3 is a bit player. For 2013, the A3 is all-new, moving to a different platform. http://www.automoblog.net/wp-admin/post-new.php Given that Audi doesn’t offer much variance in design between its model ranges, the 2013 A3 sticks to the same design template. In other words, like other Audis it is good-looking and well proportioned, but it doesn’t break any new styling ground for the brand. For a company that is setting sales records all over the globe, continuing a successful run is probably a good idea. We can’t find any fault with the 2013′s design, except to say we’d like it to be more adventurous. In contrast, the e2013 Mercedes-Benz A-Class is more on the leading edge of style and we applaud them for that effort. So while we like 2013, we were hoping the sedan would get a more dynamic design. That more engaging appearance is something we saw with last year’s A3 Sedan Concept. That car was striking, and absolutely a model that Audi should base the production A3 sedan on. It would be all too easy for Audi to develop a sedan version of the 2013 A3, sharing sheet metal from the front A-pillar forward. According to The Detroit Bureau , our hopes have been realized. A sedan is being specifically developed for the U.S, and it “won’t share a single body panel” with the rest of the A3 lineup globally says Johan de Nysschen, Chief Executive Officer of Audi of America. Given most markets are content with a wagon, there was a fight within Audi to build a sedan. Now that it has been approved however, other markets are reportedly interested in selling the car now as well. Hey, it can’t hurt right? De Nysschen predicts the sedan will boost A3 sales levels to the 30,000 mark in the U.S. This is good news. With a perfect chance for Audi develop a new sedan geared towards younger buyers in the U.S, we’re really hoping this car shows off a fresh new twist on the brand’s corporate design language. Stay tuned. No related posts. Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Read...

You may recall that when Chevrolet announced its new 2013 Malibu sedan, it specified that the Eco mild hybrid version would launch first, followed later by two gas-only models. The Malibu Eco is at dealerships now, and Chevrolet has finally announced a few details surrounding the non-hybrid Malibu’s base, naturally aspirated 2.5-liter four, and available turbocharged 2.0-liter four—including power figures. Turbocharged, Direct-Injection 2.0-liter Four-Cylinder This engine pumps out a prodigious 259 hp and 260 lb-ft of twist. The bulk of the engine’s torque is available from 1700 to 5500 rpm. Not only does the 2.0-liter four pack more power than the outgoing 252-hp V-6-powered Malibu, but it should be even quicker than that car, too. Chevy claims the turbocharged Malibu can launch from 0-to-60 mph in 6.3 seconds; the last Malibu V-6 we tested did the deed in 6.5. The turbo will power the front wheels through a six-speed automatic transmission. Chevrolet is calling the 2.0-liter turbo an all-new engine separate from the turbocharged four-pot that powers the Buick Regal Turbo and higher-output Regal GS . The company isn’t offering further details at this time, but we think it is likely a detuned version of the 2013 Cadillac ATS’s 270-hp turbocharged four . That engine is essentially a version of the Regal’s with the intake and exhaust positions flipped, plus a different turbocharger. The ‘Bu’s 2.5-liter four will pull duty as the base engine for the ATS, so it wouldn’t be outrageous to assume that the turbo four is a shared piece as well. Naturally Aspirated, Direct-Injection 2.5-liter Four-Cylinder The 2.5-liter four makes a healthy 197 hp and 191 lb-ft of torque, which Chevy touts as topping all naturally aspirated competitors in the mid-size segment. It also makes a whopping 28 more hp than the last four-cylinder Malibu, and just three fewer ponies than it will in the Cadillac ATS. Like the turbo, the naturally aspirated four also will spin a six-speed automatic. Chevy didn’t offer any fuel-economy predictions or pricing for either engine, but expect those to be available soon—the 2.5-liter Malibu goes on sale this summer, the turbo model in the fall. View original here: Chevrolet Releases Specs for 2013 Malibu’s...

The 2013 Chevrolet Malibu won’t be offered with a V-6, but we have a feeling that from behind the wheel, not a lot of drivers will miss it. That’s because in top-of-the-line Turbo form, the Malibu makes 259 horsepower, along with 260 peak pound-feet of torque, achieves at just 1,700 rpm. That pegs the Malibu’s 0-60 mph time at just 6.3… Read the rest here: 2013 Chevrolet Malibu Turbo: Quicker Than The V-6 It Replaces

The lovers of indecipherable circular symbology at Consumer Reports don’t do the whole “give us free cars to maybe write about” thing. They went out and bought a $107,000 Fisker Karma range-extended electric car to test. It promptly broke down for reasons no one has explained. This follows photos of a possibly broken down Karma sent to Jalopnik a week earlier. What’s going on? More » More here: Why Are Fisker Karmas Breaking Down? [Fisker Karma] More here:  Why Are Fisker Karmas Breaking Down? [Fisker Karma]

Today at High Gear Media, we hear new rumors regarding the re-born Barracuda and Toyota issued a recall. People are preparing for the Houston Half Mile and Chevrolet accidentally delivered a Camaro ZL1 to a customer. All this and more in today’s car news, right here on The Car Connection. Obama said oil is the fuel of the past, and looks towards… Read the original here: 2013 Toyota Venza Previewed, Chevy Volt, 2013 Ford Escape: Today’s Car News

If you’re smitten with the all-new 2013 Ford Escape, we have great news: the Escape is getting ready for its closeup, courtesy of a new TV series airing jointly on NBC and Telemundo’s mun2. Ford’s roll-out of the all-new 2013 Escape has been a bit slower than you’d expect. Typically, an automaker posts a few teaser images of its newest ride… View original post here: 2013 Ford Escape & Escape Routes: Coming To A TV Near You!

Would you spend several hundred dollars on your next new car to get an option package that improves fuel economy ? That’s the question posed by high-fuel-efficiency versions of the big-selling Chevrolet Cruze , Ford Focus , and Honda Civic . Our surveys have shown that consumers would pay extra for savings, but can the cars deliver? To find out if these added-cost, fuel-sipper packages actually save money at the pump, we bought some cars to find out. The Chevrolet Cruze Eco starts with the 1.4-liter turbocharged four-cylinder Cruze. Eco-specific aerodynamic tweaks include special alloy wheels, a little trunk-lip spoiler, a dealer-installed front air dam, and a flap that automatically closes the lower grill air intake at highway speeds. Low-rolling-resistance tires complete the package. While the most fuel-efficient version of the Eco comes with a six-speed manual and a 42-mpg EPA highway rating, we opted for the more popular automatic that’s rated for three less. That’s one better than a 2012 non-Eco Cruze with the same powertrain. The Eco differs in some equipment details from the 1LT model, so it’s hard to figure an exact price for the option. Compared to a Cruze 1LT automatic, the Eco stickers for $870 more. The Ford Focus SFE requires starting with a Focus SE sedan. It is available only with the PowerShift automated-manual transmission. Like the Eco, there are aero tweaks including flat Knight Rider-esque hubcaps, a wee little trunk spoiler, and underbody cladding. Low-rolling-resistance tires are also part of the mix. (The Ford Fiesta is also available with a similar treatment.) EPA highway estimates are 40 mpg for the SFE, up 2 mpg from the regular Focus with this drivetrain. Getting the SFE option adds $495 to the sticker. Honda has offered HF versions of the Civic for years, and the tradition carries over to the redesigned-for-2012 model. Forget about a manual transmission; the HF comes only as an automatic. Just like the other fuel-efficient models, the HF adds flat-faced alloy wheels, a decklid spoiler, and low-rolling-resistance tires. These mods are good for 1 mpg more EPA city and 2 mpg EPA highway, topping this group at 41 mpg highway. Compared to the automatic Civic LX, the HF adds $800 to the sticker—not too bad given...

Following annual tradition, it’s time again for our American Top Picks list spotlighting the top-scoring domestic-branded models in Consumer Reports testing. An alternative compilation to our official 2012 Top Picks , here we show the buyer who favors buying an “American” car the many strong choices that have stood out in our tests. Here are the rules: To qualify as a Top Pick, a car must rank at or near the top of its category in overall test score. Reliability must be average or better, based on problems reported by Consumer Reports subscribers in the latest Annual Auto Survey. And Top Picks must perform well (if tested) overall in government or industry crash and rollover tests. It is clear that this competitive marketplace offers more impressive product than ever before. Though, as the auto industry becomes truly global, it can be difficult to discern what is truly an American car. In creating this list, we focused on the traditional domestic automakers: Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors. Although these companies build many vehicles in other countries, many foreign-nameplate brands build here in America. For those who want a domestic car that’s assembled in the United States, note that the Chevrolet Equinox/GMC Terrain twins are actually built in Ontario, Canada, and the Ford Fusion is built in Mexico. Without further adieu, we present this year’s list of winners, shown alongside the official Top Picks. Note that the Chevrolet Avalanche and Ford Mustang appear on both lists. Category American Top Picks 2012 Top Picks Small car None qualify Subaru Impreza Family sedan Ford Fusion Hybrid Toyota Camry Hybrid Affordable family sedan Ford Fusion (4-cyl.) Hyundai Sonata Sports sedan Cadillac CTS Infiniti G Small SUV Chevrolet Equinox / GMC Terrain Toyota RAV4 Family SUV Jeep Grand Cherokee Toyota Highlander Family hauler Chevrolet Traverse Toyota Sienna Pickup truck Chevrolet Avalanche Chevrolet Avalanche Sporty car Ford Mustang Ford Mustang Green Car Chevrolet Volt Toyota Prius Small car: This is a frustrating one. The year has brought a lot of improvement in this segment for the domestics, but they each fall short of winning the prize. The Ford Focus is a nice car that is a joy to drive, but it hasn’t been reliable in its first...

The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and Nissan North American has issued a recall warning for 2003-2005 model year Infiniti Q45 cars. The luxury sedans may have electrical wiring that, over time, may develop a resistance which prevents the front seat-mounted side air bags from deploying during a collision. According to NHTSA, the fault lies with the wiring connectors used in the Infiniti Q45 luxury car. Nissan explained that movement between the connections develops an oxide film between the metal contact points. Over time, that film increases the electrical resistance between the contacts and possibly prevent the electronic trigger of the side air bags when needed during a collision. Nissan says it believes about 5,777 Infiniti Q45 sedans may have this issue with front side air bag electrical systems. And in 2009 and 2010, it has already fixed about 75 percent of the vehicles affected by this recall. However, it will notify the remaining Q45 owners—about 1,349—of the recall starting March 12. Owners will be instructed to bring in their recalled Infiniti Q45 sedans to local dealerships. Mechanics there will inspect and modify the side air bag wiring free of charge. For more information, consumers can call Nissan’s toll-free customer service line (800-647-7261) or visit the NHTSA website: www,SaferCar.gov . Recall: 2003-05 Infiniti Q45 – Air bags, front side; Campaign ID#:12V079000 [NHTSA] 2003-2005 Infiniti Q45: Recall Alert [Family Car Guide] Original post: 2003-2005 Infiniti Q45 sedans recalled for side air bags that might not deploy