Auto Express Pits BMW M135i Against Subaru WRX STi 320R

Once upon a time, not too long ago, buyers rarely cross shopped between Subarus and BMWs, but now, with the way that the Bavarian brand has expanded its range into most segments of the market, many of its cars directly challenge the Japanese brand's models in terms of specs and surprisingly, pricing as well.

A prime example is the newly launched in Europe BMW M135i hatchback, which with 316bhp (320PS) and 450Nm (332 lb-ft) from its turbocharged 3.0-liter straight, the option of either RWD or AWD configurations, and a UK starting price of £30,555 for the six-speed manual 3d and £31,970 for the 8-speed auto 3d model, matches the Subaru WRX STi.

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Polk Forecasts U.S. New Vehicle Market to Reach 15.3 Million Sales in 2013

The U.S. auto market has rebounded from the low figures of the 2009 pre-bailout crisis in spectacular fashion. It’s a trend that is not going to fade away any time soon: after Edmunds.com, automotive analyst firm Polk also predicts that new car sales will continue to rise in the States.

For 2013, Polk forecasts new vehicle registrations in the U.S. to increase by 6.6 percent over 2012 to 15.3 million units, helped by the improving state of the economy and the manufacturers’ increasing capacity in their local plants.

Key to this increase will be the drastic increase of new and redesigned vehicles. For the year that has just begun, automakers plan 43 new vehicle launches, which represents an impressive 50 percent increase compared to 2012, and no less than 60 redesigns.

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BMWs and Two-Wheelers Don't Mix in Taiwan

Here's another episode between a BMW driver and a biker in Taiwan. Whereas last time, we saw a bicyclist crossing paths with a BMW (and paying the price for it…), now it's a scooter rider.

The person steering what looks to be a BMW M5 E61 sedan charges off as soon as the light turns green but is soon annoyed by the presence of a motorcyclist.

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Hyundai and Kia Sell 7.1 Million Vehicles in 2012, Up 8 Percent, But Expect Slower Growth in 2013

In the year that just ended, Hyundai and its Kia affiliate delivered a combined 7.12 million vehicles worldwide, which represents an 8 percent growth over 2011, beating their initial annual target of 7 million units.

Hyundai, which released detailed results, sold a little over 4.4 million vehicles in 2012, up 8.6 percent from the previous year, while the brand's December global sales were up 5.4 percent, at 391,152 vehicles.

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Ferrari California Replacement to get Turbocharged V6 and/or V8 Engines?

In November 2011, we scooped a Ferrari California prototype with larger wheels and two triangular air intakes on its hood doing the rounds at the company’s test track in Italy.

At the time, we figured it could be a hotter version that would be introduced with the model’s 2012 update. While the California was indeed updated in key areas, there was no hotter variant in sight at its Geneva Motor Show debut.

Then, last summer, another “baby Ferrari” mule was caught, this time on film. The inlets were absent but the hood was visibly positioned higher and, more importantly, the distinctive hissing of turbochargers betrayed that there was something unusual hiding underneath.

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Lamborghini Gallardo LP560 Proves its Worth on the Snow

Who said Lamborghinis can't be driven on the snow? Well, perhaps owners of cars made in the pre-VW Group era (sans the LM002 SUV) or rear-wheel editions, but the Gallardo LP560 with its fairly advanced all-wheel drive system and equally importantly, the correct set of tires, can be a delight on nature's frosting. Read more »

Citroen Welcomes New Year in the UK with DS3 Red Special Editions

On just the second day of 2013, Citroën released a new special edition version of its DS3 premium supermini for the UK market aptly named "Red".

The new DS3 Red models are based on the existing DStyle and DSport trim levels, adding bespoke styling cues and extra equipment features to the mix with on-the-road prices ranging from £15,655 to £18,060.

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