2017 Ford Fusion Sport Variant

Starting with that new variant, it is dubbed the Ford Fusion Sport and utilises a 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6 engine mated to a six-speed automatic transmission. It manages to pump out a total of 325 hp and 350 lb-ft of torque and as Ford is happy to point out, is more powerful than the BMW 340i. Power is transmitted through all four wheels but at this stage, no performance times have been announced.

Beyond its powerful engine, the Ford Fusion Sport comes complete with continuously controlled damping and a pothole detection system which can adjust the shocks the instant the car hits a pot hole, to dramatically reduce the impact. Compared to other Fusion models, the Sport can be picked out due to its more menacing styling which includes enlarged air intakes, 19-inch wheels, a gloss black mesh grille, rear spoiler and quad exhaust pipes.

Elsewhere in the range is the Fusion Hybrid, Fusion Energi and Fusion Platinum, utilising the same powertrains as before. That means the Fusion Energy has a 7.6 kWh lithium-ion battery which offers a 19 mile range of all-electric power. It can then be used in conjunction with the 2.0-liter petrol engine for a range exceeding 500 miles. On the technology side of things, Ford has installed the facelifted Fusion with its SYNC 3 infotainment system that includes voice recognition, a touchscreen display, improved performance and an easier-to-understand graphical interface.

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VW Golf GTI Clubsport Edition 40

The third generation EA888 engine now uses features like a water-cooled exhaust channel to the turbocharger and variable valve timing with dual camshaft adjustment. 0-62mph now comes in 6.3 seconds for both manual and DSG versions, with the top speed limited to 155mph. It's the 40th anniversary of the iconic Golf GTI and VW marks the occasion with the launch of the Clubsport Edition 40.

DSG-equipped models come with launch control as standard while VW says that the unladen weight figure is a fairly lightweight 1375kg. Other features include the electronic differential and the retuned suspension. But the most important new feature of the new Golf GTI Clubsport is the new aero suit it's wearing, offering for the first time real downforce on both axles. A completely new front bumper, side sills, rear diffuser and a roof spoiler are specially designed to push the new Clubsport firmer on the tarmac.

The cabin hosts a pair of optional bucket seats, finished in Alcantara and cloth while the dashboard and door cards are decorated with special "Honeycomb 40" trim strips. Customers will also get the option of a black-painted roof. The UK market will receive just 1,000 units of the new Golf GTI Clubsport which is available for order now, starting at £30,875 for the three-door manual model.

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2017 Honda Ridgeline Pickup Truck

Set to debut at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, the new pickup truck is wider and longer than the previous generation, measuring an additional 5.4 inches (13.7 centimeters) in width and 4 inches (10 cm) in length – sporting a four-foot wide flat bed, with a fully flat-floor which can withstand and a maximum payload capacity of 1,600 pounds (725 kilograms).

To top it off, the bed is apparently scratch-resistant and comes with a dual action tailgate, a 400-watt AC power inverter and an in-bed audio system that uses six exciters placed inside the bed wall in order to release sound coming from the truck's audio system for a total output of 540 watts.

The 2017 Honda Ridgeline will be powered exclusively by a 3.5-litre V6 mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox, which Honda says it will ensure best-in-class acceleration and fuel economy, and will be available in both front and all-wheel-drive configurations. The AWD system will incorporate Honda's Intelligent Terrain Management, providing several modes: Normal, Sand, Snow, and Mud.

As expected from a brand new model, it will be available with a plethora of safety equipment, including Collision Mitigation Braking, Lane Departure Warning, Road Departure Mitigation, Forward Collision Warning, and Lane Keeping Assist. Moreover, all of the models will get a multi-angle rearview camera as standard.

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2017 GMC Acadia Wheelbase

Arguably the most important development for the new GMC Acadia are it use of high-strength and lightweight steels throughout its construction. All told, the car weighs a considerable 700 pounds less than the outgoing model. That significant weight saving doesn't just help at the fuel pump, but also improves performance and makes the car more agile. Compared to the 2016 Acadia, its successor is smaller in all areas being 7.2-inches shorter, 3.5-inches narrower and 3.9-inches lower. The wheelbase itself has also been decreased in size by 6.4-inches.

Due to the vehicle's reduced size, it is no longer available with eight seats. Instead, the three-row design allows for five, six and seven-seat configurations. Despite being smaller than the 2016 model, the new car actually has more cargo capacity, 79 cubic feet versus 70 cubic feet.

In terms of engines, the entry-level model utilises a 2.5-liter four-cylinder producing an undisclosed amount of power. We do know that it returns 22 miles per gallon in the city and 28 mpg on the highway, comes standard with a stop-start feature and is mated as standard with a front-wheel drive system. 2017 GMC Acadia customers also have the option of a 3.6-liter V6 pumping out 310, 19 hp more than the current model. Despite the additional power, towing capacity actually drops from 5,200 pounds to 4,000 pounds.

While both these engine options are offered solely with a six-speed automatic, all-wheel drive is offered both in standard and All Terrain guise. Each drivetrain has its own distinct drive modes. For example, front-wheel drive models include a Snow mode, the standard AWD model has 4x4 and Off Road modes while the All Terrain model appropriately receives an All Terrain mode, particularly helping with climbing steep hills.

Other key developments for the 2017 GMC Acadia include the addition of front pedestrian braking, a following distance indicator, Surround Vision camera system, forward collision alert, lane keep assist and front and rear parking sensors. Inside, customers receive the company's latest IntelliLink system offering support for Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. An OnStar 4G LTE WiFi hotspot is also offered.

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Ford Focus RS Line Models

During discussions with Auto Express just before the Detroit Auto Show, Ford's executive vice president of global marketing, sales and service, Steve Odell, revealed that there is room to expand the RS brand. "The RS brand is really valuable. People race it. People collect it. I believe there is room to expand", he said. Odell remains tight-lipped about what the next RS-badged model from Ford could be. According to reports however, it seems highly likely that it will be a hardcore, performance-focused variant of the Fiesta.

Speculation as recent as late December claims that the Fiesta RS will arrive sometime in 2017 and be powered the same 1.6-liter turbocharged engine as the Fiesta ST. While the ST has 197 hp on tap that's arguably more than enough for a hatchback of the Fiesta's size, that figure could jump to 246 hp for the RS. Unlike the latest Focus RS which requires all-wheel drive, the entry-level RS model will retain front-wheel drive. No need to worry, though: Ford has proven time and again it can tune the chassis and suspension to make powerful FWD cars handle with aplomb.

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2019 Audi A2 City Car Concept

The Audi A2 city car will be offered with a 1.0-liter turbocharged three-cylinder petrol engine and an all-electric powertrain with a lithium-ion battery pack and electric motor similar to those used in the VW e-Up. Intriguingly, the automaker is said to have ruled out a diesel engine due its higher development costs.

This is the third time Audi attempts to enter this segment. In 1999, the original Audi A2 was introduced but soon scrapped after failing to pull buyers away from the Mercedes-Benz A-Class. In 2011, an electric A2 concept was unveiled and pinned to reach the production line, but in 2013 the project was axed.

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2017 Honda Clarity Fuel Cell Vehicle

The North American version in LAthat makes its debut at the LA Auto Show is all but identical to its Japanese counterpart and it has an aerodynamic body with clean character lines, LED exterior lighting and 18-inch alloy wheels. Customers can choose between three colors, namely red, white and black. Standard equipment includes Honda's comprehensive array of driver assist systems. The cabin can seat five in its leather-wrapped seats and the infotainment system comes with a large touchscreen and Android Auto and Apple CarPlay support.

Compared to the original FCX, the Clarity features a fuel cell stack that's 33 percent more compact and its power density is up by 60 percent. The fuel cell powertrain is comparable to a 3.5-liter V6 in size and it fits entirely under the hood, making room for a spacious cabin.

The automaker didn't release any output figures on the Clarity FCV, but from previous releases we know that the fuel cell stack has a total capacity of 100kW and the electric motor generates 174hp (177 PS). Filling its tank with hydrogen takes approximately three minutes and the total driving range is estimated to exceed 300 miles (483 km).

Honda will use the platform underpinning the Clarity Fuel Cell as the foundation for the next PHEV, which will launch in the United States by 2018. This will get the two-motor hybrid plug-in system with improvements in battery capacity and power, offering "more than triple the 13-mile all-electric range of the Accord Sedan".

The hydrogen-powered model will be available at select fuel cell dealers in California, at first in Los Angeles and Orange County and then San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento. As hydrogen fueling networks expand, Honda will introduce it to other states, too.

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New 2016 Honda Civic Coupe

The announcement that the Civic Coupe would be revealed in LA was made no more than a week ago, which meant that it was only a matter of time before we got to see the production version of that surprisingly sporty Civic Coupe Concept shown in New York earlier this year.

Before we get into any specifics, let's talk about what we see and don't see. For starters, the car isn't as aggressive as the NY concept, that much is obvious. Gone are the tiny mirrors, the body kit, the blacked out grille (though there's still room for these things to make their way onto sportier versions), as is the massive rear wing and the central exhaust tip.

Now, what Honda does want us to know is that the 2016 Civic Coupe will be launched officially in March 2016, boasting a sporty new chassis, a more spacious and quieter cabin and according to the Japanese manufacturer, even class-leading crash safety ratings.

Just like its sedan sibling, the 2016 Civic Coupe will feature two engines, one of which is the first-ever turbocharged engine of the Coupe, with more power, better performance as well as fuel efficiency. Lower spec models will be powered by a 2.0-liter DOHC i-VTEC engine, good for 158 HP and 138 lb-ft (187 Nm) of torque with anticipated fuel-economy ratings of 31/41/35 mpg (city/highway/combined), or 7.5/5.7/6.7 liters/100 km.

This engine will also be paired with a 6-speed manual transmission on these lower spec cars. Mid and high spec models are powered by a new 1.5-liter DOHC direct-injected turbocharged engine (a first for the Civic Coupe), good for 174 HP and 162 lb-ft (219 Nm) of torque. Anticipated EPA ratings sit at 31/42/35 mpg, basically identical to 2.0-liter i-VTEC unit.

In terms of styling, Honda made sure to produce significant upgrades for the new Civic Coupe, where the exterior does share a lot of the concept's sporty and premium character thanks to the bold front fascia, fastback profile and the aggressive detailing.

Inside, the overall room has grown by 8.4 cubic feet (237 liters) while the rear seat legroom is increased by more than 5 inches (12.7 cm), compared to the outgoing Coupe model. Throughout the cabin, you'll notice a soft-touch instrument panel with molded stitching, more premium seat fabrics and a new TFT center meter.

All new Civic Coupes, starting with the LX version and moving to the top of the line Touring model, feature upgraded interiors with solid standard equipment levels that include auto on/off headlights, LED daytime running lights, LED taillights, acoustic glass windshield, automatic climate control (dual-zone in upper trims), Electric Parking Brake with Brake Hold and Walk-Away auto door locks.

New features such as the LED headlights, remote engine start, heated front seats and side mirrors, rain-sensing wipers, full-color TFT center meter and seven-inch Display Audio touchscreen are also available.

As for audio and connectivity features, the new Civic Coupe comes with a new Android OS-based 7" Display Audio touch screen interface, and a whole bunch of streaming audio options such as Pandora, SiriusXM and HD Radio. Versions with Display Audio are also compatible with both Android Auto as well as Apple CarPlay platforms, while the highest spec models will feature Honda's new Satellite-Linked navigation system, developed together with Garmin.

Since Honda is also bragging about the 2016 Civic Coupe's safety characteristics, it's important to note that the car has a next-gen Advanced Compatibility Body Structure and the available new Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety tech. Thanks to these features, Honda is targeting the highest available US safety rating from the NHTSA and a top safety pick rating from the IIHS.

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