2016 Acura NSX unveiled in Detroit

One of the biggest debuts at the 2015 North American International Auto Show is the arrival of the 2016 Acura NSX. After trotting out a few different versions of the prototype at various shows over the last couple of years, the production version of the NSX has finally been made public. It'll fly under Acura's flag here in the U.S. but Honda will market the NSX under its badge around the world

Our commitment was to create an all-new NSX that is true to the heritage of NSX-a supercar that delivers a new driving experience, one where every part of the vehicle is respectful of the smartest part of the car, the driver," said Mike Accavitti, senior vice president and general manager of the Acura division. "The soul of a car is the emotional connection it makes with the driver. With the NSX, that connection will be intense and immediate

Hybrid power

Following in the footsteps of other recently introduced supercars like the Porsche 918, McLaren P1, and Ferrari LaFerrari, the 2016 Acura NSX will rely on a hybrid powertrain. An all-new twin-turbo mid-mounted V6 engine and three electric motors (one in back and two more up front), will power the latest NSX. Acura withheld output numbers and overall engine size but we expect to learn all of that soon. A twin-clutch 9-speed transmission will handle gear changes and Acura's SH-AWD system will assist the NSX when taking corners or braking at speed. Acura has already said that the 2016 NSX's acceleration is on par with the Ferrari 458, which draws power from a 4.5-liter V8 and is good for 562 horsepower, while returning fuel economy numbers similar to that of a turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. NSX enthusiasts will remember that the previous generation matched the Ferrari 348 in power and with today's announcement it appears that the NSX has a new rival in the 458

Acura didn't disclose a price for the 2016 NSX but we're expecting it to be in the neighborhood of $150,000. That would put it on par with the Audi R8 and is a bargain when you consider that the Ferrari 458 costs almost three times as much. Honda's Performance Manufacturing Center in Marysville, Ohio has been tapped to produce the new NSX but production will be limited to ensure a high demand

Expect to see the 2016 Acura NSX on the road later this year. Pricing should also be released by then and, needless to say, we're anxious to get behind the wheel of it, so stay tuned

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2016 Cadillac ATS-V First Review

When Cadillac introduced the ATS compact sports sedan in 2013, it signaled a fresh direction for the luxury automaker. Rather than rely on stodgy land yachts like the DTS to build volume, the division was looking to go right at the heart of the entry-level luxury market with a credible rival to the benchmark BMW 3 Series. This stylish, cutting-edge model's mission is to attract a far younger generation of buyers

Fast-forward two years and the automotive attitude adjustment is in full effect. That initial ATS sedan garnered critical acclaim and led shortly after to a stylish coupe variant. On a larger scale, the ATS not only asserts itself as an alluring entry to the luxury brand, but also foreshadows other models with a similar mission to prove the new Cadillac is as much about power and style as its legacy models were about comfort and quiet. Sure, the new-gen Cadillacs can still be serene, but when called into action they will dance with the best European rivals

V-Series is about performance

Proof of this is nowhere more evident than the all-new 2016 Cadillac ATS-V, which goes on sale in the coming weeks. Though in moniker it differs by only one letter from the standard ATS, in reality the two are worlds apart. As even a casual Cadillac fan probably knows, the V-Series represents the brand's performance line. Similar to BMW's M or Mercedes-Benz's AMG, V-Series models have always been the wild ones of the Cadillac clan, fitted with Corvette-derived engines and performance parts

Yet even here the ATS-V goes its own way, and it's the better for it. For example, whereas the past CTS-V could feel like an edgy brute, the new ATS-V is a balanced performer with an excellent blend of track-ready skills and commuter-friendly everyday drivability. Key among the reasons why is the ATS-V's heart, a twin-turbocharged 3.6-liter V6 that cranks out V8-like horsepower

Don't let that displacement number mislead you. Though it shares that liter figure with the naturally aspirated V6 in the standard ATS sedan and coupe, this turbo V6 is specific to the ATS-V. The potent powerplant is Cadillac's first use of a twin-turbo engine in a V-Series car, and it packs even more bite than the twin-turbo V6 used in the current Cadillac CTS. In the ATS-V, the engine is good for 464 horsepower, 44 above the variant in the CTS. The 445 lb-ft, torque is equally impressive. In both track driving and around town, this engine was just one part of a wholly exceptional driving experience

Track star

To prove the car's mettle, Cadillac invited us to Austin. In addition to terrific music and food, this Texas capital is home to the Circuit of the Americas, a 3.41-mile, 20-turn track where the only Formula 1 race in the U.S. is held. Suffice to say, it would do for fleshing out the new Cadillac ATS-V sedan and coupe

And true to the hype, Cadillac's smallest V-Series sedan and coupe is indeed "track-ready." From its specially developed 18-inch Michelin Pilot Super tires to its standard Brembo brakes and aerodynamic front splitter, the ATS-V is built for the kind of performance that far exceeds even the most spirited commute. At least, we're assuming that you don't hit 189 mph on your way to the office, this baby Caddy's top speed

But it's the way the engine, transmission, suspension and chassis work together that make the ATS-V so capable -- and fun -- on a track. The 3.6-liter twin-turbo is a marvel, spitting out nearly as much power as the V8 used in the latest Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, and 39 more than the turbo-6 in the BMW M3 and M4. It adds up to a high-performance Cadillac that's as capable in a straight line (the ATS-V can go 0-60 mph in 3.8 seconds) as it is clinging to the tarmac in hairpin turns

Electronic aids and choice of transmission

Like the best traction-management systems, the ATS-V offers multiple modes and settings to keep the car in check. On the conservative end, the rear-drive Cadillac ATS-V's Wet mode keeps a tight leash on traction if you have to drive in inclement weather. On the other end, it will let you slide to your heart's content. For our purposes, we put it in Track mode and from there chose a middle-traction setting. This allowed us to slide the car around COTA's hair pin turns just enough to have fun before the system intervened

Both the 5-passenger sedan and 4-passenger coupe can be had with an 8-speed automatic transmission or a 6-speed manual. Both perform very well. The 8-speed is utterly smooth; elect to shift by paddles, and you may not even perceive what's happening below. Credit also must be given to the manual. Whereas the clutch pedal in the old CTS-V could give your leg a workout, the one in the ATS-V is light, and shifts are crisp. In addition to offering rev-matched downshifts, the manual offers "no-lift shifting." This lets you keep your foot firmly planted on the accelerator when shifting. It's a neat feature that enables higher speeds, but definitely takes some getting used to

And we must mention the Performance Data and Video Recorder. Similar to the one introduced on the latest-gen Corvette, this system records your drive in high-definition video, complete with data overlays, to view and learn from later. If you've had a particularly good lap, you can even share it with soon-to-be-envious friends on social media channels

It's worthy on the road, too

The ATS-V is significantly stiffer than the standard ATS, but it's not punishing in everyday driving conditions. We suggest selecting Touring mode for the most pleasant ride. Tire noise was pronounced on rougher sections of Austin's roadways, but far more subdued in highway driving. One warning about the power: You'll want to go easy on the throttle when accelerating from a full stop. There's so much that it's easy to do an inadvertent burnout. At higher speeds on Texas' 80-mph toll roads, the ATS-V was all too eager to accelerate even at that clip

As with the standard ATS --especially the coupe -- sightlines are compromised due to exterior styling. If you're going to plunk down the $61,460 it takes to step into the ATS-V sedan (the coupe starts at $63,660) we recommend spending the extra $1,850 on the Safety and Security Package that includes blind-spot monitoring

Our first road-going exposure to the 2016 ATS-V left us more than impressed. Cadillac has finally created a compact sports sedan that can more than hold its own with the best of what Europe offers. In fact, we dare say that rivals may just find themselves playing catchup to Cadillac

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2016 Chevy Volt earns 106 MPGe

The figures are now official and the EPA has certified the all-new 2016 Chevrolet Volt with a 106 MPGe overall economy rating. That's up from the automaker's initial 102 MPGe preliminary estimate and 8 MPGe beyond the 2015 Volt's figure. The Gen II Volt also boasts a 42-mpg combined fuel economy rating versus the 40-mpg stat of the current model

Along with its more-efficient 1.5-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder range-extender gasoline engine, the 2016 Volt also features a higher-capacity 18.4kWh lithium-ion battery pack that allows it to travel up to 53 miles on a single charge -- a 40-percent bump relative to its 2015 counterpart. Total range of the new Volt also has risen by just over 10 percent, to 420 miles

We listened to our customers," said Andrew Farah, Volt chief engineer, "They were very clear when they told us that they wanted more range -- and a fun driving experience behind the wheel." With its improved EV range, Chevy anticipates that owners will be able to complete 90 percent of their trips in the redesigned 2016 Volt using battery power alone compared to the current 80 percent level of all-electric operation. To date, Gen I Volt owners have racked up well over half a billion miles of zero-emission running since Chevrolet's groundbreaking extended-range plug-in originally launched as a 2011 model

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2016 Chevrolet Spark redesigned

Cheeky, feisty, and eminently affordable, Chevrolet's Spark minicar gets a substantial makeover for the 2016 model year, enhancing style, structure, and power. Supported by a new architecture, the redesigned Spark is a little less boxy than the current car, thanks in part to a substantial 1.6-inch reduction in height (to 59.4 inches) and bodyside resculpting that carries a character crease from the front fender flare all the way to the rear of the car

The new nose is consistent with Chevy's current family look, but the new headlights are angled a little more toward the horizontal, combining with the lowered roofline to make the vehicle look less boxy

New platform

The new chassis allowed the design team to move the wheels out to the edges of the wheel wells, giving the new exterior a tightly wrapped appearance. It adds up to a more sophisticated look for this tiny urbanite

And let's not forget the three new colors: Toasted Marshmallow, Kalamata, and Splash

Although the roofline has been substantially reduced, Chevrolet says the interior team preserved headroom by lowering the H point in the seats

The new skin surrounds a new architecture, which Chevy describes as "more robust," without rigidity specifics, and a "slightly longer wheelbase." Aside from the lower roofline, vehicle dimensions are yet to be revealed

New drivetrain

A new engine sends power to the front wheels, replacing the current 1.2-liter 4-cylinder powerplant. The replacement is a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder, from GM's new line of Ecotec high efficiency, small displacement engines. It's all aluminum, a departure from the iron block/aluminum head combo of the 1.2-liter, and is fed by a direct fuel injection system, versus the previous engine's port injection

Prior to the show, Chevrolet was mum about the new engine's output, although it's a good bet it will exceed the 84 horsepower and 83 pound-feet of torque of the current engine

The standard transmission will continue to be a manual, and the option is once again a continuously variable automatic (CVT). EPA fuel economy ratings are yet to be revealed, but we anticipate that they'll be substantially higher than those of the current Spark-30 mpg city, 39 highway with the CVT

Upgraded interior

New interior features include upgraded materials, new instrument panel, new center stack with a capacitive touch display screen, and enhanced infotainment and connectivity, including GM's new 4G LTE onboard WiFi

The new Spark is due to go on sale in the fourth quarter of this year. Pricing remains to be seen, although it's certain the Spark will continue to be Chevy's least expensive passenger car. Current Spark pricing ranges from $13,095 to $17,350

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Infiniti Q60 Coupe Concept previewed

The first official image of the Infiniti Q60 Concept has been released prior to its debut next week at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Infiniti provided no additional details about this precursor to an all-new 2016 Q60 Coupe that will replace existing model sometime later this year. However, it's believed this sleek successor will share a good deal of its mechanicals with the current Infiniti Q50 Sedan. Given its role in the lineup, the car may boast a more potent powertrain than its 4-door kin

As the moody teaser images seen previously indicated, the Q60 Concept cranks up the exterior design flair on every level with bolder and more aggressive cues that Infiniti says "foreshadows the strong visual consistency" and edgier character that will influence the look of upcoming models. We'll know more soon

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