Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Edition 2015

Ready to take center stage next month in Paris, the 2015 Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Black and Carbon White special editions offer a unique visual signature in both Vanquish Coupe and Volante Convertible models

Whether finished in Carbon Black or Stratus White, all Vanquish Carbon Editions feature a clear-coated carbon fiber front splitter, rear diffuser, side strakes, mirror caps and mounting pylons along with black window surrounds and 10-spoke/20-inch gloss-black alloy wheels wrapped in Pirelli P Zero rubber. Coupes also have a carbon fiber roof, and either can be fitted with a new machined carbon fiber "wings" badge. The only bits of contrasting color come from the calipers for the standard carbon ceramic brakes, which can be had in red, yellow or gray in addition to the standard black

Inside, these Carbon-spec Vanquish models have seats covered in Obsidian Black leather with contrast stitching, herringbone-design carbon fiber dash/console facings, black shifter paddles with leather tips, and machined carbon fiber sill plates with Carbon Black or Carbon White logos

Like all other Vanquish models, the Carbon Editions rely on the same naturally aspirated 5.9-liter V12 that makes 568 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque which gets shipped to rear wheels via a drives the rear wheels via an 8-speed Touchtonic III automatic transmission. The Coupe holds a slight edge in the 0-60 mph sprint, needing only 3.6 seconds to hit that benchmark pack compared to 3.8 ticks for the Volante. Opting for the drop-top Vanquish also trims top speed from 201 to 197 mph

Final pricing for the 2015 Aston Martin Vanquish Carbon Edition models is expected to be released in Paris with the cars hitting U.S. showrooms sometime late this year

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Jaguar F-Pace 2016

Jaguar announced at the North American International Auto Show that it will build a production version of the C-X17 crossover concept it showed in 2013 as the 2016 Jaguar F-Pace. While the British automaker announced its intention to build the vehicle, it didn't bring a show property to its press conference. Instead, pictured here are later versions of the C-X17 concept

When Jaguar introduced the C-X17 concept at the Frankfurt Motor Show, it stressed the vehicle's aluminum architecture and said that technology would be used on the next all-new product it would introduce, which turned out to be the XE sedan. Using that platform to underpin the F-Pace, we expect the new crossover, which will launch in 2016, to be a compact to mid-size vehicle to rival the BMW X3/X5

Seating for five

The 2016 Jaguar F-Pace will seat five and will feature the company's Instinctive All Wheel Drive system. According to Ian Callum, Jaguar director of design, The Jaguar F-Pace represents a perfectly judged balance of style, performance and practicality. It offers a unique combination of Jaguar sports car inspired exterior design, fused beautifully with a thoroughly practical and spacious luxury interior. The F-Pace is our family sports car

The F-Pace is in the engineering and test phase and the company said that more details on specifications for the crossover SUV will be announced later in the year

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Buick Avenir Concept

Categorizing it as a flagship sedan that embodies progressive design, Buick took the wraps off of its new Avenir Concept on the eve of the Detroit Auto Show. Crafted by an international team of Buick designers and sculptors, the Avenir - which means future in French - was inspired by classic divisional styling cues including the "sweep spear" character line that has been a division hallmark. Ed Welburn, vice president of General Motors Global Design says those values -- which "focus on effortless beauty and presence without pretense," -- demonstrate the division's growing international reach and could signal a return to rear drive in its passenger car lineup

Finished in Crystalline blue tone, the Avenir's sleek exterior and long nose/short rear deck recalls the dramatic proportions similar to the original 1963 Riviera. The taut character lines and elegantly tailored contours impart a dynamic character which is further emphasized by its 21-inch wheel/tire package, full LED lighting and a striking new grille treatment. Michael Simcoe, vice president of design, GM International Operations says this modern interpretation of a design first seen on the 1954 Wildcat II Concept, represents "a break from convention and progressiveness in technology." Given the Avenir's stated mission, we suspect it also will become an integral part of the division's upcoming product portfolio

High style and high tech

Inside, the Avenir Concept seamlessly melds a host of high-tech features into a spacious 4-place cabin that displays the same sculpted feel as the exterior but renders it in rich leather that features a wave-like design motif set off by oiled wood and Galvano satin chrome accents. Using technology that's already available or soon will be, the Avenir's on-board connectivity automatically syncs up devices and configures its digital gauges and displays based on prior customization preferences. In addition to a next-gen Buick IntelliLink infotainment package with 12.0-inch touchscreen, OnStar with 4G LTE and Wi-Fi hotspot and wireless mobile device charging, the Avenir features a high-end rear seat entertainment setup with individual video screens and USB ports

Buick has confirmed that the Avenir Concept is fitted with a next-gen direct-injected V6 that incorporates Active Fuel Management cylinder deactivation and start/stop technology. A paddle-shiftable 9-speed automatic transmission sends power to all four corners via twin-clutch all-wheel-drive system and a variable-damping suspension allows drivers to fine tune the ride and handling characteristics to their individual preferences. While the concept is all-wheel drive, the Avenir is rumored to be based on the same platform as the upcoming Cadillac CT6 sedan, which has a longitudinally mounted engine with a rear-drive bias. While Buick didn't announce a production model, it's clear that the division is looking at a new flagship to move the brand further upmarket and boost sales in both North America and China

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Honda FCV concept

Offering the best look yet at a production version of the Honda FCV that will bow in 2016, the Japanese automaker also announced several new powertrains and models expected between now and 2018. In addition to selling this fuel cell vehicle, Honda will also add to its roster of hybrids, plug-in and pure EVs

 the recast FCV Concept, which made it global debut in Japan last fall, has a cleaner overall appearance, with the most prominent differences evident in the trimmer and more elegantly sculpted front and rear fascias. It also sports a tidier profile view that features additional real-world touches like conventional side mirrors and a traditional wheel cutout in the rear fender. While we suspect the show car's avant-garde steering wheel may not make the final cut, most of the rest of the design elements on its well-finished 5-passenger cabin appear to be production ready. Details are scant on the vehicle's electric motors, but Honda's FCV is still slated to travel over 300 miles on a single tank of hydrogen and have a refueling time of roughly three minutes on a standard 70MPa pressure line

More Hybrids, Plug-ins and BEVs ahead 

Honda provided plenty of good news for those seeking less-radical cleaner, greener alternatives, as well. Over the course of the next three years, it will introduce a host of new vehicles that further leverage the firm's Earth Dreams Technology. At least one new plug-in hybrid and one new battery-electric vehicle are currently waiting in the wings and the automaker also plans to ramp up applications of its current two-motor and three-motor conventional hybrid systems to increase their market penetration here in the U.S. Finally, by the end of 2015, Honda's plant in Anna, Ohio, will begin rolling out a new strain of 4-cylinder VTEC Turbo engines that will deliver impressive performance with exceptional fuel economy

On a more conventional front, the Honda execs confirmed that after the spring launch of the new 2016 Honda HR-V subcompact crossover, a fully redesigned 8-passener Honda Pilot SUV will go on sale followed by an all-new Ridgeline pickup in 2016

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Nissan Versa Note SR 2015

Expanding the scope of its lineup at both ends of the spectrum, Nissan introduced a pair of new models for the subcompact Versa Note 5-door hatch in Chicago. Boasting a higher visual profile, the 2015 Nissan Versa Note SR caters to younger enthusiasts. The automaker also announced the new Versa Note SL, that adds more sophistication with standard features not often seen in cars of its size

The Versa Note SR's cosmetic changes are evident up front, where a unique fascia and grill treatment is set off by dark headlamp surrounds and standard fog lights with black and chrome accents. The package also uses body-color side spoilers and revised side-view mirrors with integrated directional signals while the rear is topped by a spoiler. The Versa Note SR rides on 195/55 all-season tires on 16-inch high-contrast alloy wheels

Inside, the Versa Note SR has a Euro-inspired motif that includes a leather-wrapped steering wheel, seats covered in faux suede with orange accents, a new tri-dial Fine Vision instrument cluster with trip computer and a Piano Black center dash with bright trim. Opting for the SR Convenience Package adds Nissan's trick Divide-N-Hide Adjustable Floor, the NissanConnect system with a 5.0-inch color display, RearView Monitor, Bluetooth Streaming Audio, Hands-Free Text Messaging Assistant, USB connection port, SiriusXM Satellite Radio and NissanConnect Apps with smartphone integration for Facebook, Twitter, Pandora as  well as iHeartRadio and TuneIn Radio

Using the same 16-inch wheels, the Versa Note SL passes on exterior changes to focus on improving the cabin. It comes standard with all of the SR Convenience Package content as well as variable intermittent front wipers, heated front seats, Nissan Intelligent Key with Push Button Ignition and the Easy-Fill Tire Alert. Like all 2015 Versa Note variants, it also features a multifunction steering wheel that incorporates a new Bluetooth Hands-free Phone System

The 2015 Nissan Versa Note SR and Versa Note SL will arrive in dealers this spring along with the existing Versa Note S MT, S Plus CVT and SV CVT models. Pricing for all will be announced closer to the on-sale date

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