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2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class will offer E63 AMG wagon, AWD-only E550

2011 Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG Wagon – Click above for high-res image gallery

According to a leaked dealer order guide for the 2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class range, we red-blooded Yankees might be able to once again sink our teeth into the super-hot E63 AMG Estate. As you’ll recall, Mercedes-Benz decided not to offer the new-for-2010 E63 wagon here in the States, but that is wrong is reportedly being righted for 2012. BenzBoost.com reports that the cargo-hauling AMG stunner will be available for U.S. customers later this year, powered by the same twin-turbocharged 5.5-liter V8 that debuted in the E63 sedan at last month’s New York Auto Show, complete with start/stop technology and mated to a seven-speed MCT dual-clutch transmission.

We can already picture the inevitable E63 AMG Wagon vs. Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon battle, and it looks awesome.

In other E-Class news, BenzBoost reports that the E550 sedan – which gets a new 4.6-liter twin-turbo V8 – will only be available with 4Matic all-wheel drive. A similar move was made to the 2011 CL550 coupe, which uses the same engine and is no longer available in a two-wheel-drive configuration. Stay tuned for the official details later this year.

2012 Mercedes-Benz E-Class will offer E63 AMG wagon, AWD-only E550 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 09 May 2011 15:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2011 Lexus IS 250 AWD

Filed under: Sedan, Lexus, Reviews, Luxury

A Vanilla Sport Sedan In Need Of Some More Sprinkles

2011 Lexus IS 250 AWD

2011 Lexus IS 250 AWD – Click above for high-res image gallery

Your available options in the entry-level luxury sedan segment rival the variety found at your local Baskin-Robbins. Interested in all-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or front-wheel drive? Nearly every automaker has you covered. Want to row your own gears, or sit back and let the silicon chippery do the work? The car of your dreams awaits. There’s an option for all of us, and if you prefer a good vanilla to rocky road, then you’re going to love the 2011 Lexus IS250 AWD.

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Gallery: 2011 Lexus IS 250 AWD: Review

2011 Lexus IS 250 AWD

Continue reading Review: 2011 Lexus IS 250 AWD

Review: 2011 Lexus IS 250 AWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 11:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Spy Shots: Fiat 500 getting AWD variant?

Filed under: Spy Photos, Hatchback, Fiat

Fiat 500 all-wheel drive prototype

An alert enthusiast in Sicily caught sight of a jacked up Fiat 500 and crawled underneath to investigate. What he found was a driveshaft and rear differential, leading one to deduce that Fiat is working on an all-wheel-drive version of its popular little hatch.

This update would be a natural evolution: the Fiat Panda, on which the 500 is based, is already available with AWD as the Panda Cross. According to alVolante.com, a business plan Fiat submitted to the Italian government during recent union talks says that just such a 500 will come in 2012. Perhaps the Americanized 500 will benefit from AWD in the not-too-distant future, as well. Click the link below to see more photos of this four-season-friendly 500. Hat tip to Marco!

[Source: alVolante (translated)]

Spy Shots: Fiat 500 getting AWD variant? originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 09 Sep 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Next Hyundai Equus, Genesis and Genesis Coupe to get AWD

Filed under: Coupe, Sedan, Performance, Hyundai, Luxury

Hyundai Equus

2011 Hyundai Equus – Click above for high-res image gallery

In case you hadn’t noticed, Hyundai is quickly moving up the ranks of automakers by pushing the boundaries of the classes in which its vehicles compete. Exhibit A was the Genesis sedan, which was quickly followed by the Genesis Coupe and now the Equus luxury sedan. But the Korean automaker isn’t content to rest on its rear-wheel-drive laurels.

John Krafcik, president and chief executive officer of Hyundai Motor America, has confirmed to us that the next generation of the Genesis (in both Coupe and sedan forms) and Equus will get optional all-wheel drive. All three machines share a similar platform, and when the architecture gets updated within the next couple of years, space for the all-wheel-drive components will be baked in.

At this point, we don’t have any word on powertrains for the next-gen rear- and all-wheel-drive Hyundais, but the automaker’s latest 5.0-liter V8 seems like a safe bet for both the Genesis and the Equus. Naturally, we’d love to see the big V8 in the Genesis Coupe as well, especially since Hyundai says the sport coupe will go upmarket (from Mustang to M3 fighter, perhaps?) for its next trip ’round the block.

Damon Lavrinc contributed to this report.

Gallery: 2011 Hyundai Equus

Next Hyundai Equus, Genesis and Genesis Coupe to get AWD originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Aug 2010 12:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Review: 2010 Buick Enclave CXL AWD

Filed under: Crossover, Buick, Reviews

The Epitome of Inconspicuous Consumption

2010 Buick Enclave CXL AWD – Click above for high-res image gallery

There was a time when Buick was the brand of choice for doctors, lawyers and politicians. Its cars were elegant enough to show success without being overt signals of wealth, they were the epitome of inconspicuous consumption. But that was a long, long time ago. Buicks of the last 30 years look like slightly disguised versions of a run-of-the-mill Chevrolet, with a bit more chrome and better seat fabrics.

The Enclave can be compared to other luxury crossovers in the segment without an asterisk.

Buick design went from purposely understated to flat-out dull, and the average age of the brand’s buyers shot up to over 70 in the mid-2000s. If it weren’t for Buick’s success in China, the Trishield would have likely followed Oldsmobile into retirement. But instead of mothballing Buick for good, General Motors decided to finally give the brand what it really needed: new and exciting products. Former Vice Chairman Bob Lutz went as far as to say that Buick’s new products were going to compete against Lexus. We were all a bit skeptical, but one vehicle began making believers.

The Buick Enclave took many by surprise when it debuted in early 2007 with attractive styling and a well-appointed cabin. And since production started, the Enclave has proven to be a strong seller. In fact, the Enclave continually beats the combined sales of its crosstown rivals, the Ford Flex and the Lincoln MKT.

Since Lexus itself does not offer a three-row CUV, does the Buick offer a credible alternative to the hush and plush Japanese automaker? We spent a week with a very well appointed Enclave CXL AWD to find out if GM’s highest-end large crossover really represents the brand’s new mission. Continue reading…

Gallery: Review: 2010 Buick Enclave CXL AWD