AutoWeek Daily Drive — Thursday, April 1, 2010

HOME   |   CAR NEWS   |   CAR REVIEWS   |   RACING   |   AUTOSHOWS   |   SUBSCRIBE   |   MARKETPLACE Thursday, April 01, 2010                  The 2011 Kia Optima gets new powertrains and a sculpted design.... New York auto show: 2011 Kia Optima revealed with fresh design and engines Kia has made strides in recent years with dramatically upgraded products, and the Korean car company appears to be hitting full stride with the 2011 Optima midsize sedan revealed on Thursday at the New York auto show. The Optima gets three new powertrains, including the brand's first-ever hybrid, while enthusiasts are sure to be heartened by the 274 hp turbo option. It all comes wrapped in...   New York auto show: Subaru revises STI for 2011 and adds a four-door model In the past couple of years, if you were looking for a turbocharged, AWD rally-bred sedan with an oversized rear wing, you were really limited to the Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution. But now Subaru is reviving a large rear spoiler of its own on the new 2011 Impreza WRX STI four-door, which debuted...   2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG to start at $183,000 when it debuts in May The 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG is a rare blend of top-shelf performance and iconic styling that comes along perhaps once in a generation. And gullwings don't come cheap. This SLS AMG will debut on May 10 with a base retail price of $183,000, a Mercedes spokesman told AutoWeek. The...   Alonso has his eyes on the prize World championship leader Fernando Alonso says his focus is totally on gathering points for his title campaign. In Australia, the Ferrari driver recovered brilliantly from his first-corner mishap to claim fourth place, keeping his cool despite pressure from McLaren's Lewis Hamilton. “As ...   Massa likes to run with the best Felipe Massa says he is not concerned about the strong challenge he's facing from Fernando Alonso. The Brazilian previously had world champions Michael Schumacher and Kimi Räikkönen as his teammates, and thus he's never had an easy ride. “I think when you race for Ferrari, you expect to...   Rosberg on Mercedes GP team: ‘We are not quite where we want to be yet' Nico Rosberg says he expects Mercedes GP to make considerable progress in the coming weeks of the Formula One season and that aerodynamic development will be the key. Mercedes hasn't been quite on the pace since the start of the season and has yet to earn a podium while the other three big... You May Have Missed...   New York auto show: 2011 Hyundai Sonata turbo and hybrid revealed Two very different Sonata sisters debuted on Wednesday at the New York auto show. Enthusiasts, take heart: A turbo is offered with an impressive 274 hp. And green car lovers, there's something for you--Hyundai's first hybrid, which gets up to 39 mpg.The odd couple? Long-lost twins separated at...   New York auto show: Mazda announces details on U.S.-spec Mazda 2 and Sky engines We got our first glimpse of the U.S.-spec Mazda 2 at last year's Los Angeles auto show, but we haven't heard much in the way of details until now.When the 2 goes on sale in late summer, it will be powered by a 1.5-liter I4 producing 100 hp and 98 lb-ft of torque. That will come bolted to either a...   New York auto show: Acura 2011 TSX Sport Wagon debuts Acura’s TSX stable is about to grow again. Following the addition of a V6-powered sedan for the 2010 model year, Acura revealed the TSX Sport Wagon on Wednesday at the New York auto show.While the sedan is available with the choice of a 2.4-liter I4 or a 3.5-liter V6, the Sport Wagon will be...   New York auto show: Scion unveils second-generation 2011 tC Six years and numerous limited-editions later, Scion's tC coupe will finally enjoy a massive overhaul for the 2011 model year. The car debuted on Wednesday at the New York auto show.The second-generation tC is underpinned by a new platform with a retuned suspension featuring MacPherson struts in...   New York auto show: Scion reveals U.S.-bound 2011 iQ A year after the debut of the concept version, Scion has confirmed that the iQ micro-subcompact will come to the United States in early 2011. The production car was shown on Wednesday at the New York auto show.Billed as the world's smallest four-passenger vehicle, the interior features slightly...   Bennett Racing to debut Ferrari 430 Challenge in Grand-Am VIR event Bennett Racing will join the Grand-Am Rolex Sports Car Series in April, entering the No. 56 South River Marina & Mercruiser Ferrari 430 Challenge in the April 24 Bosch Engineering 250 at Virginia International Raceway.Bennett Racing will be the third new team to debut in the Rolex Series GT class... 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