2013 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4

2013 Lamborghini Gallardo LP 570-4

Edizione Tecnica Features of the Edizione Tecnica include the fixed high rear wing, as well as brakes in carbon-ceramic technology. They combine low weight with outstanding fade resistance and durability. The Edizione Tecnica underscores its very special look with three new exclusive optional color combinations, whereby the entire roof arch and front air intakes are painted in a contrast color. The available shades are: Nero Nemesis (matt black) body with Arancio Argos (orange) pillars and front air intakes, Bianco Canopus (matt white) body with Arancio Argos pillars and front air intakes, and Arancio Argos body with Nero Nemesis pillars and front air intakes.

MINI unveils 2014 Pacman

Following a leak last week, MINI has fully revealed the upcoming Paceman coupe ahead of its scheduled debut at the Paris Motor Show. From the front bumper to the B-pillar the Paceman is nearly identical to the Countryman; past that, it features a sloping roofline and a specific rear end that is heavily inspired by the Paceman Concept that bowed in Detroit last year. The Paceman is roughly 1.6 inches shorter and 0.4 inches lower than the Countryman that it is based on. Its smaller dimensions equate to a 44-pound lighter curb weight (with a six-speed stick) than the Countryman, which should help boost performance very slightly. Unlike the Countryman, the Paceman was designed strictly as a four-seater. The rear passengers are treated to individual seats inspired by what MINI calls a lounge concept and are able to stow away items in a two-section version of the MINI Center Rail system that debuted on the Countryman. When it debuts in Europe, the Paceman will be offered with a 1.6-liter gasoline mill that delivers either 122 or 184 horsepower depending on how it's tuned. For buyers who prefer diesel, MINI will offer a 1.6-liter mill that makes 112 horsepower and a 2.0-liter unit that is rated at 143 horsepower. All Paceman models will come standard with a six-speed manual transmission regardless of what is bolted in the engine bay. Buyers with extra cash in their pocket can opt for a six-speed automatic Steptronic gearbox. The Cooper D, SD and the Cooper S models of the Paceman will be offered with MINI's ALL4 all-wheel drive system; only the entry-level Paceman Cooper will be limited to front-wheel drive. After debuting in Paris, the Paceman will go on sale in Europe on March 16th, 2013, and will carry a base price of £18,970 (about $30,700) in the United Kingdom. It will be offered with 17-, 18- or 19-inch wheels and a choice of eight exterior colors, including new additions to the MINI catalog such as Brilliant Copper, Blazing Red and Starlight Blue. MINI has promised that a range-topping John Cooper Works Paceman is already in the works but it has not mentioned when it is scheduled to make its debut.

2013 SRT Viper

2013 SRT Viper When: December 2012 How Much: TBD Our Guess: $100,000 With a 640-hp V-10 and a body made of magnesium, aluminum, and carbon fiber, we're expecting greatness from Chrysler's supercar. And at 100 grand, it'd better be great—there's already a Corvette ZR1 in this price range that can eat Ferraris, and the C7 will only up the ante. Plus there's a certain new Mustang that's far cheaper and should be mighty impressive too. And even if the Viper is faster than the Ford or Chevy in a straight line, it must improve its handling over the outgoing model. While SRT folks are claiming a scorching 0-to-60 time of 3.5 seconds and a 206-mph top speed for the new car, the last Viper was time-warp-fast too—and also saddled with unpredictable handling and frequent maintenance headaches. Haunted by those ghosts of Vipers past, Chrysler engineers started over. They lowered the car's weight by about 140 pounds and made its chassis 50 percent stiffer. (That alone tells you how far Chrysler had to go to make a Viper that's world class.) The Tremec-supplied six-speed manual (no automatic, at least not yet) is said to have far lower clutch effort, while bringing tighter ratios and more precise feel. The suspension is entirely new, again with the aim of more predictable handling. And there's a multi-setting stability-control system with a full-off mode for the track. That could be great, but only if the car doesn't actually need the electronic assist to handle like a supercar. That will be key. This Viper is designed to challenge cars that can reach nine tenths of their potential without technological guardrails. The SRT needs to get in that ballpark to be a real winner. Read more: Best New Cars for 2013 - 12 More New Cars Worth Waiting For - Popular Mechanics

2013 Dodge Dart R/T

2013 Dodge Dart R/T When: October 2012 How Much: $23,290 Most of the new front-wheel-drive Dart models go on sale this summer, and we like what we've driven so far. But the fastest of the breed, the R/T, holds off for a fall launch. Like its less muscular brethren, the R/T rides on a Fiat chassis borrowed from the Alfa Romeo Giulietta, with a fully independent suspension. We expect that suspension to be a little lower and stiffer in the R/T. The car will get the most horsepower of the lot, with a 184-hp 2.4-liter four under the hood. At this point it's unclear if the R/T will come with only a six-speed manual or with a dual-clutch automatic as well. We do know that the R/T, like the Sonic RS, is going to face stiff competition from slightly pricier models, including the Ford Focus ST, the expected Fiesta ST, and the Scion FR-S and Subaru BRZ. Even if these sporty cars are bunched around $25,000, slightly above the Dart R/T, their performance chops could put a pinch on sales of the Dodge. Read more: Best New Cars for 2013 - 12 More New Cars Worth Waiting For - Popular Mechanics

2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo

2013 Hyundai Veloster Turbo When: Late summer 2012 How Much: TBD Our Guess: $23,000 Right now, the Veloster lacks the performance cred to back up its killer looks. But that will change once this 201-hp version hits the streets. The 45 percent boost in horsepower has most folks taking a second look at the Veloster, and hoping this Turbo is a signal that Hyundai is getting as serious about performance as it has been about quality and design over the last few years. So far, though, signs remain cloudy—the stonking 1.6-liter motor with dual exhaust notwithstanding. Word is the Veloster Turbo gets the same suspension, which is disappointing. The stock Veloster is fun but stiff-kneed and less refined when compared to better-bred sporty cars like VW's GTI—or the Subaru BRZ, which is only somewhat costlier than what we're expecting to see from the Veloster Turbo. Also, ask Mini engineers about controlling torque steer in a 200-hp car with a short wheelbase. That, too, has probably made Hyundai sweat. Even if the Veloster Turbo isn't perfection out of the gate, we hope it's a sign of better-performing Hyundais (and Kias) to come. Read more: Best New Cars for 2013 - 12 More New Cars Worth Waiting For - Popular Mechanics

Citroen DS4

Should you describe the Citroen DS4 as: a) a hot-hatch, b) a sexy coupe, or c) a compact SUV? A fourth multiple choice answer is actually best: d) all of the above. Or ‘crossover’ in carmaker-speak.

The second model in Citroen’s more premium-focused, style-centric DS range – following the DS3 – proudly wears a number of berets, with the French manufacturer targeting a variety of buyers across a number of different segments rather than creating a car that is pigeonholed into one specific competitor set.

Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo Review

Hyundai Motor Company Australia is hoping the addition of the all-new Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo will lift monthly sales of the niche Veloster range from an average of 370 units per month to around 500 cars. Hyundai only launched the naturally aspirated Veloster in February this year and has already sold 2220 units of the head-turning three-door coupe and captured 24 per cent of the sports car market in Australia in the process.

The top-of-the-range Hyundai Veloster SR Turbo is a significantly more powerful version than the standard Veloster with its 1.6-litre four-cylinder twin-scroll turbo petrol engine delivering 150kw (up 47kW) and 265Nm (up 99Nm).

Lexus IS F impresses at Pikes Peak

Lexus has finished second in class in its first attempt at the notorious Pikes Peak hill climb in Colorado with its Lexus IS F CCSR. US racer Ken Gushi piloted the highly modified Lexus IS F over the gruelling 20-kilometre course in a time of 11 minutes, 35.17 seconds – to finish second in the Exhibition class, behind a lightweight V12 racing car.

Based on the V8-powered Lexus IS F road car, the IS F CCSR-Concept was first shown at the Tokyo Auto Salon in 2010 and features various performance and safety modifications to enable it to run at the Pikes Peak event.

2013 Jaguar XK

The 2013 Jaguar XK provides the luxurious comfort expected from the legendary marque, not to mention lofty levels of performance and even decent value. It has a few quirks, but they rarely detract from a very pleasurable motoring experience. Pros Strong, silky-smooth V8 engines; excellent balance of performance and comfort; well-crafted cabin; loaded features list; less expensive than many rivals. Cons Small backseat; cabin can feel claustrophobic; finicky touchscreen controls.

2013 Cadillac ATS Sedan

Cadillac isn't saying that its goal with the 2013 ATS sport sedan is the equivalent of kneeing BMW's 3 Series in the stomach, putting it in a headlock and wrestling it to the ground.

2013 Dodge Dart Road Test

An all-new sedan with roots in Italy and a nostalgia-steeped name enters the crowded compact segment. We take it for a drive to see if it's a worthy competitor.