Ford plans to sell a high-performance version of the redesigned Focus compact car in the United States. The automaker will reveal the three production-ready body styles of the 2012 Ford Focus compact at the Paris auto show late this month. It also will unveil a preview model of a high-performance 250PS Focus ST. The high-performance Focus will launch in early 2012, likely as a 2013 model year.

Introduced for the 2000 model year, the Ford Focus was designed to be a "world car," meaning Read the rest of this entry »

The Jeep Patriot seems to have found its groove lately, with sales surging 57 percent in August, enough to push its year-to-date sales results to a 3 percent gain as compared to the first eight months of 2009. And although it's not scheduled to hit dealerships until the fourth quarter of 2010, the 2011 Jeep Patriot has now been revealed (photographically speaking) and looks ready to build on its current momentum.

It's no secret that the Jeep Patriot -- along with the Compass, its comrade on Read the rest of this entry »

That is not a typo. Today, Chrysler introduced us to the 2011 Chrysler 200 – a front wheel drive, mid-sized sedan that will be built locally at the Sterling Heights Assembly Plant. Considering the build location, I would expect that the 2011 Chrysler 200 will share a platform with the Chrysler Sebring and Dodge Avenger; both of which are built in Sterling Heights.

The new car will be called the 200, linking it with the successful (and also due for an imminent update) 300. This doesn’t surprise us. In its earlier generations, the Sebring was at least respectable among its contemporary competitive set, but the last iteration had an Read the rest of this entry »

Hyundai has revealed its new ix20 compact MPV at the Paris motor show.The company claims it will offer class-leading value, CO2 emissions and economy.

Hyundai said the ix20, which was designed and developed at the Korean automaker's European research and development center in Russelsheim, Germany, will go on sale in November. The automaker said the ix20 is targeted at young families and will offer "class-leading fuel economy and low CO2 emissions Read the rest of this entry »

Meet the Shinari, Mazda's latest concept car. Handsome isn't it? An upmarket four-door, four-seat hatchback-booted coupe in the mould of the Aston Martin Rapide and Mercedes CLS.

But what’s most notable about it is how finished it is. Concept cars are normally styling bucks, made of clay or wood, a flash surface with nothing underneath. But this one, unveiled at an exclusive private viewing in Milan and not destined to appear at the Paris Motorshow, has a proper interior and even drives -although Read the rest of this entry »

The 2011 Volkswagen Jetta is redesigned with freshened styling and larger exterior and interior dimensions. Volkswagen's best-selling car returns as a 4-door sedan. The SportWagen station wagon continues with the same basic design as the 2006-2010 Jetta. The 2011 sedan is more than 3.5 inches longer with 2.6 inches more rear legroom than the 2006-2010 Jetta. Trim levels include S, SE, SEL, and diesel-powered TDI. A sport-themed GLI is due in early-calendar 2011.

As the linchpin of VW's ambitious plans for growth in the U.S. market, the Jetta has been Read the rest of this entry »