Car Nation

Q. How will the 54.5 mpg law in 2025 affect non-hybrid cars? How likely is it that the law will do away with naturally aspirated and non-hybrid drivetrains?

A. You will certainly see more hybrids and turbocharged engines -- and electric vehicles as well -- over the next 12 years or so as automakers scramble to meet the 54.5 mpg standard set by the federal government. But you also will continue...

A totally new Mitsubishi Outlander is coming for the 2013 model year, and with it comes the brand's first U.S. plug-in hybrid SUV. The Outlander PHEV will debut at the 2012 Moscow International Motor Show. The carmaker has revealed a bit more information about the model and Mitsubishi's unique approach to building hybrids.

The Outlander PHEV will be one of the first that can run in EV-only,...

At a time when new technology and advanced engineering is the price of entry for a new pickup truck, GM has the chance to do something special with its next-generation small-block V-8, called the Mouse Motor by some.

Most reports have the new Mouse destined for the next Chevrolet Corvette and 2014 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra 1500s. The new motor is getting a lot of press lately about what...

A Hong Kong-based consortium has finished acquiring bankrupt carmaker Saab, including tooling and platforms for the Saab 9-3 and Saab's facilities in Trollhattan, Sweden. The consortium, National Electric Vehicle Sweden, announced plans on Monday to introduce an electric vehicle based on the 9-3 in around 18 months. Reuters reports the car won't have Saab's iconic griffin logo, however, because...

Q. Which 2013 minivans can seat eight?

A. All manufacturers haven't disclosed changes for the next model year as of this writing, but it's a good bet that the same two minivans that offered seats for eight in 2012 -- the Honda Odyssey and the Toyota Sienna -- will be the only two that have them for 2013.

In the Odyssey, seats for seven are standard on the LX model spread among three...

As the first model year for the new eighth-generation Toyota Camry comes to an end, Toyota has announced a limited-edition SE model that offers an array of features for an extra $2,775.

Called the 2012 Toyota Camry SE Sport, the sporty-minded model will be available with limited color options and will be produced only for about three months.

Compared with the regular SE trim, the SE...

Reports are starting to filter out about some of the possible powertrain strategies GM might use for the next-generation Chevy and GMC half-ton pickups, due out next year.

According to Automotive News, GM engineers are saying they will continue to use the existing (though improved) cylinder-deactivation technology, called Active Fuel Management, currently used on certain V-8 options for the...

Toyota leads a new study with the fewest reported problems per vehicle, but Volkswagen has the best overall quality, according to Strategic Vision. The San Diego-based consulting firm said just 17 percent of Toyota owners reported problems with their cars, but Strategic Vision says its holistic quality index gauges how well a car matches the driver's "explicit desires." In that regard,...

Q. Does the Ford Mustang or Nissan 370Z have a nicer interior?

A. We think the Mustang and 370Z are pretty equal in terms of interior quality, materials and design, but the Mustang does a better job of isolating occupants from road and wind noise.

If you're thinking of buying one or the other, the more important question is, which car do you think has the better interior because you're...

THE CAR AND ITS OWNER 1989 Porsche 911 Carrera cabriolet Silver Anniversary Edition owned by Ray McCutcheon WHAT MAKES IT INTERESTING “In 1989, to commemorate the 25th year of the 911 series, Porsche manufactured a limited edition of the 911 -- making 240 coupes and 160 cabriolets -- of which only 40 cabriolets were black,” McCutcheon says. “This car is one of the 40 cabriolets. These cars came...