2016 Honda Civic Concept previews dramatic new lineup

Bigger, bolder, and even more sophisticated in design and demeanor, the 2016 Honda Civic Concept got its global reveal in New York. While specifics about the upcoming production variant were limited, John Mendel, executive vice president, Automobile Division, American Honda Motor Co., Inc. did stress that the all-new tenth-generation Civic "will be, flat out, the most dynamic, the most technologically advanced and the most refined and stylish Civic we've ever made." Set to launch here this fall in sedan form, the 2016 Civic lineup will also include the Coupe and a new 5-door Hatchback variant which will arrive shortly thereafter. Enthusiasts will be delighted to know that in addition to updated 2016 Si models, a version of the ultra-hot Civic Type-R variant set to launch in Europe also has been greenlighted for the U.S. at some point

With styling primarily influenced by Honda's LA-based design studio, this new Gen 10 Civic previewed in Coupe form matches its more aggressively sculpted bodywork with equally bold proportions highlighted by a longer hood, shorter front overhang, more set-back greenhouse and a shorter rear deck. Guy Melville-Brown, Chief Exterior designer of the Civic Concept, Honda R&D Americas describes the look as "charismatic, connected and athletic," with an "in-motion, street fighter" stance. The Civic Concept sets this new look off with full LED lighting, which given Honda's tendency to make its volume-build follow-ups stay close to their concept originals, bodes well for that feature to be available on at least some Civic variants. Although we'll have to wait for a first look at the new Civic's passenger compartment, Mendel promised that it, too, will set new precedents for style and sophistication among its peers

More spacious and safer, too

While still a technical compact, the new Civic is slightly larger overall and has a longer wheelbase than the current car. Its all-new platform architecture incorporates the next-generation of Honda's Advanced Compatibility Engineering (ACE) body structure and the Civic will offer the full Honda Sensing suite of advanced safety/driver-assist technologies, including Lane Departure Warning, Forward Collision Warning, Multi-Angle Rearview Camera, Adaptive Cruise Control and Honda LaneWatch

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2016 Ferrari 488 Spider set to fly in Frankfurt

Ready to make its formal public debut this September at the Frankfurt Auto Show, the 2016 Ferrari 488 Spider is gearing up to become the al fresco runningmate to the new Ferrari 488 GTB that was unveiled earlier this year in Geneva. The automaker says this newest family member is not only the most potent V8-powered mid/rear-engine car it has ever created but also the most aerodynamically efficient spider to roll of the assembly line in Maranello

Elegantly aggressive

Like the 488 GTB Coupe, the new 488 Spider features an aluminum-intensive spaceframe and body panels. Despite its open configuration, the engineering team managed to maintain the same level of torsional rigidity and stiffness as found in its Coupe counterpart - a gain of some 23 percent compared to the 458 Spider it replaces. The two-piece power-retractable hardtop - itself a structural member - can be cycled in just 14 seconds and sits flush atop the engine when lowered. To maintain optimal airflow patterns, designers at the Ferrari Styling Center comprehensively reworked the 488 Spider's roof treatment, a rethink that yielded sleek new flying buttresses that frame a reconfigured engine cover and sculpted mesh air intakes

660 horsepower and attitude to burn

Like the 488 GTB, the 488 Spider features Ferrari's new 3.9-liter twin-turbo V8 that makes 660 horsepower and 561 lb-ft of peak torque. Driving the rear wheels via a 7-speed F1-style dual-clutch automatic with variable torque management, the 488 Spider can sprint from 0-62 mph in 3.0 seconds, hit 125 mph in 8.7 ticks and top out at 203 mph. Weighing in at 3,362 pounds, the new Spider is about 110 pounds heavier than the 488 GTB but almost 25 pounds lighter than the 458 Spider

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2016 Buick Cascada opens new horizons

The first drop-top to be part of the division's U.S. lineup in a quarter of a century, the 2016 Buick Cascada debuted in Detroit. Arriving in showrooms early next year, this compact, front-drive 2+2 convertible is a mildly restyled and enhanced version of the Opel Cascada which was introduced in Europe in 2013. Envisioned from the start as an open-air exercise, the Cascada matches handsomely sculpted bodywork with a rigid core structure. A near visual clone of its Opel cousin, the Cascada boasts a revamped grille not currently shared by any other Buick model-a design cue that departs from the current waterfall style. The car is also fitted with subtly modified fascias to accommodate federal bumper requirements and minor detail tweaks along with various equipment upgrades

Inside, this new Buick offers premium amenities and more, starting with a soft-touch dash, leather upholstery, heated front seats/steering wheel, power seatbelt "presenters" for the front buckets and a power-fold feature for the rear seat backs. On the technology/connectivity front, the Cascada boasts Buick IntelliLink with a 7.0-inch color screen, navigation, OnStar 4G LTE with Wi-Fi hotspot, Siri Eyes Free for Apple iOS6 or newer, lane-departure warning, rear park assist, rearview camera, Rainsense wipers and pop-up bars behind the rear seats that automatically deploy when a potential rollover is sensed. Crowning the Cascada is a multilayer power-activated soft top that can be raised/lowered in 17 seconds while the car is traveling at speeds of up to 31 mph. When running open, it folds neatly away under a hard tonneau that trims trunk space from 13.4 to a still-respectable 9.8 cubic feet

Based on GM's Delta platform architecture and featuring a 106.1-inch wheelbase that makes rear seat legroom viable for most average-size adults, the Cascada's well-tuned suspension pairs control-optimizing HiPer Struts up front with a Watts Z-link-enhanced torsion beam at the rear. Rounding out the mix is an electrically-assisted power steering system and a standard 20-inch wheel/tire fitment. Sole engine at launch will be a 200-horsepower/1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder that develops 208 lb-ft of torque but can crank out up to 221 lb-ft for short bursts using an overboost function. It will be mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Pricing for the 2016 Buick Cascada will be released closer to its on-sale date

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2016 Audi R8 V10 and V10 Plus set to stun

The second generation Audi R8 debuts in Geneva with more style, added power and even greater capability. While its form may be familiar, the automaker's mid-engine supercar has been remade from the ground up and now incorporates new design, engineering and technology from Audi's successful racing programs. In its most potent R8 V10 Plus form, this exhilarating two-seater is simply "the most powerful and fastest series-production Audi of all time

Similar in size to the original, the new Audi R8 is slightly wider -- to accommodate increased track dimensions - and benefits from a tasteful reshaping of its aluminum bodywork and carbon fiber accents that give it a more powerful, elegant appearance. Up front, the reshaped single frame grille is flanked by restyled LED headlamps - which can be upgraded to Audi's laser-spec units in markets where they're legal - and outboard air intakes that now feature vertical channeling elements. The redesign also introduces a new split-form side air blade adds texture to the R8's profile while the tail has bolder rear lamps, reconfigured exhaust outlets and a new diffuser. An auto-deploying spoiler is standard on the R8 V10 while the R8 V10 Plus is fitted with fixed wing made from carbon fiber reinforced plastic

Lighter yet stronger structure

Beneath its skin, the R8 features a new Audi Space Frame that uses carbon fiber to further enhance the stiffness. This multi-material construction trims roughly 110 pounds from the weight of the core structure while increasing its rigidity by some 40 percent. The R8's chassis retains its aluminum-intensive double-wishbone design which benefits from weight-saving tweaks. New electromechanical power steering complements the standard Audi Drive Select dynamic handling system which equipped with adaptive magnetic shocks and speed-variable dynamic steering. The R10's lightweight steel brakes give way to lighter carbon-ceramic super stoppers on the V10 Plus while its 19-inch alloys wrapped in sticky 245/35-front and 295/35-rear tires are replaced by on the Plus model by 20-inch alternatives wearing 245/30 and 305/30 rubber

More power, more efficiency and more fun

The 5.2-liter naturally aspirated FSI V10 in both of these new Audi R8 models has been significantly revised to include a new dual-mode (direct and indirect) fuel-injection, a racing-style dry-sump lubrication system as well as cylinder-deactivation and start/stop technology. The result boosts output and reduces fuel consumption by roughly 10 percent compared to the previous iteration. In the R8 V10, the engine is tuned to make 532 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque, giving it a 0-62 mph sprint time of 3.5 seconds and a top speed of 201 mph. The R8 V10 Plus version cranks out 601 ponies - identical to the engine in its corporate cousin, the Lamborghini Huracan - and 413 lb-ft of twist. The Plus accelerates to 62 mph in 3.2 ticks and tops out at 205 mph

Both R8 models are fitted with a 7-speed paddle-shift S tronic automatic transmission that includes launch control and a fuel-saving coasting mode. Rounding out the mix is the latest version of Audi's Quattro all-wheel drive that replaces the existing viscous clutch on the front axle with an electrohydraulic multi-plate clutch and now allows unrestricted and variable torque distribution to either axle depending on available traction. While the V10 and V10 Plus will be the only R8 models available at launch, Audi confirmed that a new R8 e-tron electric variant with twice as much power and nearly 280 miles of per-charge range is in the pipeline. A V8 version of the R8 also is expected at some point for at least several world markets

The R8's driver-focused cabin deftly interweaves competition character with luxury refinements, starting with two kinds model-specific sport seats and a Multifunction Plus Performance steering wheel that also adds additional capability on the R8 V10 Plus model. Like all new Audis, the R8 is fitted with the automaker's configurable Virtual Cockpit instrumentation. Other standard touches include the MMI controller, navigation and Audi Connect with a Wi-Fi hotspot. In addition to standard Alcantara/Nappa leather or pure Nappa interior appointments, the new R8 will offer numerous interior and exterior trim options, including a bespoke Matte Camouflage Green for the R8 V10 Plus. The 2016 Audi R8 V10 lineup will arrive in showrooms here next January. Pricing will be announced closer to the official on-sale date

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Class of 2016: New Cars Ready to Roll

2016 LEXUS RX

2016 ACURA NSX

2016 CADILLAC CT6

2016 HONDA CIVIC CONCEPT

2016 CHEVROLET MALIBU

2016 MAZDA MX - 5 MIATA

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