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2013 Buick Encore: Versatile crossover joins crowded SUV field

The new 2013 Buick Encore is the automaker’s first small crossover vehicle. It comes with front-or all-wheel drive and has luxury, nimble handling, four-door hatchback versatility and decent fuel economy. The Encore also has just adequate open-road acceleration from its small, turbocharged and intercooled four-cylinder 1.4-liter engine. It’s fairly heavy at 3,180-3,309 pounds, so Encore buyers shouldn’t expect it to be a fireball with its 138-horsepower engine. Rather, it’s meant to give miles per gallon, not mph. Still, the Encore is fun to drive. It’s nimble, and my all-wheel-drive test Encore tenaciously gripped the road despite some body lean. The steering was quick, with decent road feel, and the turning circle was small. The ride was supple, and the brake

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Lexus IS sedans for 2014: New design, new technology, wicked new grille

The newly desiged 2014 Lexus IS sedans, which will feature revamped seats, technology upgrades, more interior and cargo room and a wicked-looking futuristic front grille in a sport trim, will debut in the summer of 2013 and with priced ranging from $35,950 to $41,700. The Lexus IS 250, powered by a 2.5-liter V6 delivering 204 horsepower and 185 lb.-ft. of torque, will have a base MSRP of $35,950 for RWD and $38,485 for AWD. The IS 350, which produces 306 horsepower from its 3.5L V6 power plant, will have a starting MSRP of $39,465 for RWD and $41,700 for AWD. The base price for the 2014 IS 350 is 2.1 percent lower than the model it replaces. The new IS

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Electric carmaker Coda pulls plug after one year, 100 sales

Coda, which joined the green car fraternity and introduced its vehicles to California consumers about one year ago, has filed for bankruptcy protection after selling only about 100 of its all-electric sedans. The five-passenger Coda E.V., imported from China, had a range of 125 miles on a single charge. But the $37,250 vehicle was criticized for its no-frills styling. Its brief tenure also included a recall for faulty air bags. According to Reuters, the bankruptcy filing with the federal Bankruptcy Court in Delaware will allow the Los Angeles company to leave the auto industry and refocus on energy storage. Coda uses the same technology it used in cars to build systems for utilities and building operators to store power. A

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Ford Taurus Ecoboost, 2013: Fuel stingy, surprisingly powerful

I expected the large, sleek 2013 Ford Taurus sedan with its turbocharged 2-liter “EcoBoost” four-cylinder to be lazy. But it turned out to have strong acceleration and sparkling highway fuel economy for such a big guy. It wasn’t all that long ago a 2-liter four-cylinder engine in an American car was found in small economy autos and provided lackluster performance, especially outside town. A V-8 was needed if you wanted good performance on freeways and highways. Even a V-6 was a big step up from a four-cylinder, which was at home in small, light foreign sports car such as the MG or Alfa Romeo. The new Taurus EcoBoost four-cylinder has 240-horsepower and actually kicks out more torque (270 pound-feet vs.

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Porsche adds beauty to beauty, names Maria Sharapova ambassador

Maria Sharapova owns a Porsche, she’s famous, she’s athletic and she’s stunning. That’s the ideal combination for the German sports car manufacturer. It has signed Sharapova to a three-year contract as a brand ambassador. Sharapova, 26, of Russia, is a four-time Grand Slam winner and is currently ranked N0. 2 in the world. “Maria Sharapova is an exceptional athlete. She combines top performance in her sports with elegance and power. These are precisely the qualities that are embroiled in our sports cars,” said Porsche CEO Matthias Mueller. “Her profile and charisma are an ideal fit for Porsche. She is also highly respected around the world and enjoys an outstanding reputation.” Sharapova was rewarded with a white Porsche Carrera S Cabriolet

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Honda Civic Si, 2013: Coupe or sedan, it’s a sports car (video)

With the 2013 Honda Civic Si, there’s no transmission choice. The coupe and sedan only have a six-speed manual transmission option, which is a good thing. It further complements the once basic, competent Civic in its transition into its current sports car-like coupe or sedan. My weekly driver was the 2-door, 4-seat coupe. In addition to 17-inch wheels, the re-tweaked Civic has a new front grille, a new rear design and a host of other more subtle upgrades, including better-constructed seats. The more handsome sculpted design is matched with a 2.4-liter, 4-cylinder, 201 horsepower engine. Driving the 2013 Civic is surprising since its personality — handling to acceleration — is more like its upscale relative, Acura. Which makes a lot

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2013 Audi RS 5: Dynamic coupe a classically elegant race car

The all-new 2013 Audi RS 5 almost feels like a race car for the street, with its glued-to-the-road suspension, strong brakes and awesome, high-revving 4.2-liter V-8 that generates 450-horsepower and 317 pound-feet of torque. That naturally aspirated V-8 is good for an oh-my-gosh 0-60 mph time and, says Audi,  an electronically governed top speed of 174 mph. A rear spoiler automatically raises at 75 mph and retracts at 50 mph —or can be manually raised and lowered via the push of a button. The exhaust system has two chromed oval-shaped exhaust outlets integrated within the bumper. They emit a performance sound to fit the RS 5’s character and look as if designed by a skilled artist. Audi says the $68,900,

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2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid: New competitor for dominant Toyota Prius

The all-new 2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid is designed to outgun the popular Prius V model, the largest Prius hybrid model. That’s a big job because the Prius is the darling in its various forms of the hybrid-car crowd. However, the front-drive C-Max appears to be a fairly well proven vehicle in that Ford says more than 100,000 have been sold in Europe since it was launched in late 2010. The Prius V is rather boring to drive, but the five-passenger C-Max is based on the sporty Ford Focus, which Ford proclaims was the world’s top-selling passenger car in 2012. Ford calls the C-Max Hybrid “the right car for the time as it combines the dynamics and quality of a traditional

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Hyundai Veloster, 2013: Looks like a sports car, drive disappoints (video)

The Hyundai Veloster joined the South Korean manufacturer’s lineup in 2012. As contributing editor Dan Jedlicka pointed out earlier this year in his review of the 2013 edition it “Immediately drew attention with its unique three-door design.” He further adds for the 2013 edition: “The turbocharged version makes the car much faster and lots more fun. It has a twin-scroll design for quicker response and more low-end torque. The engine also has dual continuously variable valve timing and an intercooler for better performance and fuel economy.” He also comments: “Serious bumps and potholes cause jolts.” Add it all up and the 2013 Hyundai Veloster looks like a sports car. But it’s not and nor is it that much fun to

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Hyundai, Kia recalling nearly 2 million cars dating to 2007 via faulty brakes, air bags

Despite experiencing record sales and infiltrating many car-buying segments with innovation and value, Hyundai and Kia are facing major growing pains with a massive recall of nearly two million cars. The switch recall covers almost 1.7 million vehicles — most of the automakers’ model lineups from the 2007 through 2011 model years — to fix problems with air bags a brake light switches. In addition, Hyundai is recalling about 194,000 Elantra compacts from 2011 to 2013 to fix an air bag problem. A faulty switch can stop the brake lights from illuminating when drivers press on the pedal, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reported its website. The cruise control also may not turn off when a driver

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Small cars still mean big things for collectors, museums

After World War II, the troubled global economy prompted innovation in the auto industry. As a result, microcars — the original green cars — became all the rage. They were city cars, relied on for local commuting and for errands. They were cheap and used little fuel. As a description at the current display of microcars at the California Automobile Museum in Sacramento details, “Microcars were easy to park, simple to drive and mechanically similar to scooters in that they were seemingly in every city of the world.” Most of the original microcar manufacturers are gone now, but the idea has returned in recent years with the introduction of new cars and new models of old microcars like the smart

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2013 Hyundai Santa Fe Sport: Redesigned Crossover has sleeker styling

The mid-size 2013 Santa Fe Sport crossover has rakish new styling similar to that of Hyundai Sonata and Elantra sedans. It also has carlike road manners and plenty of room. The Santa Fe Sport should do well, even though it’s up against rivals such as the Honda Pilot, Chevrolet Equinox, Ford Edge, Nissan Murano and Toyota Highlander. The five-passenger, two-row Santa Fe Sport should not be confused with the costlier, longer-wheelbase seven-passenger, three-row Santa Fe, which has replaced Hyundai’s underachieving 7-passenger Veracruz. That Santa Fe lacks the word “Sport” in its name, but comes with a 3.3-liter, 290-horsepower V-6. The solidly built Santa Fe Sport lists from $24,450 to $29,450 and comes with either front- or all-wheel drive (AWD). It

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Sacramento woman ‘electrifying’ in her kiwi green ZAP car

Five years ago, Pennie and Howard Taylor of Sacramento, concerned about the environment and energy use, bought a 2006 ZAP! electric car from a dealership in Davis, California. It’s been an attention-grabber, gas-station avoider and an efficient little “kiwi” since. A local educator, Pennie Taylor commuted 20 miles in the ZAP! car until recent changes in her teaching career. But she still drives the car a lot and is pleased with her energy efficiency. She’s equally enthused to teach students about energy consumption or to share the car’s simplicity with anyone who asks. “People always interact with me; they take pictures and stare and kids point at it,” Taylor said. “We bought it for $8,500 and it’s just a wonderful

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Ford Flex, 2013: New minivan standard for saddle shoes on wheels

Now in its fourth year, the Ford Flex has undergone substantial changes for 2013. While its long, flat roofline remains, the front and rear grille, tailgate and insignias have all been changed. The interior of the Flex has also been substantially amended. The new Ford signature SYNC/MyFord Touch electronic dashboard and driver interface, already in siblings Focus, Edge and Explorer, has been added. Additionally, horsepower has been increased from a base of 262 to 285. Manual-shifting capabilities for the six-speed automatic have been added and there’s a more modern three-spoke steering wheel. There’s also the EcoBoost edition with 365 horsepower and all-wheel drive. The Weekly Driver Test Drive I first drove the Ford Flex for a week four years ago

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Car Review: 2013 Volvo S60 T5 is a four-door coupe with a sports car feel

It’s hard to keep track of Volvo. The Swedish manufacturerwhose emblem dates to the country’s early iron industry history, was sold to Ford in 1999. The American company, in turn, sold Volvo to China-based Geely. Buy a Volvo today, like the 2013 S60 T5, and you’re still getting a vehicle with engine parts originating from Sweden. But parts from Belgium, Germany and Japan are also in the mix. Volvo still also has its solid feel and sturdy construction demeanor, but long gone is its heavy box-on-wheels reputation. The S60 sedan is now well into its second decade and second generation in the niche category of “four-door coupe.” The Weekly Driver Test Drive For 2013, the Volvo S60 T5 offers All-Wheel

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Volkswagen Bug, 1965: A video review

Bill is the weekend butcher at Compton’s Market in East Sacramento. And just lik any passionate Volkswagen owner, he loves his 1965 VW Bug. He’s owned the car for 18 years and drives it to work 16-miles each way. Bill’s VW Bug has a long and varied history. The car’s been stolen and returned and it’s had a tree branch crush the hood. Bill parks the car in the front corner of the market, and it gets plenty of attention. Yet, the now 48-year-old Bug looks fine, so much so it’s won Best-in-Class three straight years at the Bug-o-Rama. While driving, Bill says he’s had people wave, take pictures and videos, and afford him extraordinary driving courtesy. And Bill has

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