AguiLeon Health Tech

The numbers 6162cc, V8, RWD, 432bhp, 420lb ft, 22.0mpg, 304g/km CO2, 0-62 in 5.2secs, 155mph, 1920kg The verdict Brilliant-handling muscle car, but surprisingly expensive and terrifyingly heavy. Too easy to resist If our understanding of engineering is anything to go by, removing a car's roof tends to make the driving experience a bit... fluctuant. Especially if it's enormous and American. But the new Euro-spec rag-top Camaro's confounded us - it handles beautifully. Which is probably because it's not a dollar-driven afterthought. The convertible was designed alongside the tin-top, so a lot of the bracing's been massaged into the shell, not bolted on later - that keeps weight down, closing the dynamic gap between the 'vert and coupe. But at 1,920kg (125kg more than the fixed head) it's still very ponderous. Wrestling the mass are two engines, both 6.2-litre V8s. There's a 432bhp LS3 that comes with a six-speed manual 'box and a 405bhp L99 w...

On Sale: Spring 2012 Base Price: $27,395 Drivetrain: 240-hp, 2.0-liter turbo I4/288-hp, 3.5-liter V6/365-hp, 3.5-liter twin-turbo V6; FWD/AWD, six-speed automatic Fuel Economy: 2.0-liter turbo I4: N/A (FWD); 3.5-liter: 23 mpg (FWD), 21 mpg (AWD), 3.5-liter turbo: 20 mpg (AWD) Having unveiled the 2013 Fusion at the Detroit auto show--hot on the heels of Frankfurt's Evos concept which heralded its styling direction--Ford had to do something to keep the Taurus from looking a tad long in the tooth. Hence this mid-cycle refresh. The new front end gets a wider look to mitigate the sedan's tallish stance, while the rear is nicely spruced up with LED taillights bisected by a full-width chrome bar. The overall effect is zazzier, sportier and generally more pleasing to the eye. The extra-zoot SHO models also receive five-leaf cyber-clover wheels, new faux fender vents and a blackout mesh-grille treatment for a measure of menace. Engine choices? Ford's got a few. The base...

BMW announced today at SXSW that it's teaming up with Stitcher to integrate the popular iPhone app's on-demand streaming functionality into vehicles equipped with the BMW Apps and Mini Connected technologies. We ran into BMW's Robert Passaro in the halls of Austin's Convention Center and he was kind enough to give us an exclusive demo of Stitcher inside a lovely BMW 650i convertible ahead of today's launch. Most the iPhone app's features are available using the vehicle's infotainment system, including the ability to search, provide feedback ("More Like This" and "Listeners Also Like"), and create / remove custom stations -- album art is even displayed in high-resolution alongside show information. The prototype Stitcher app for the BMW Apps and the MINI Connected platforms will showcase the following unique capabilities: Seamless integration and control of Stitcher's services through the vehicle's infotainment system, which...

TECHNICAL DATA Body: 5-door hatchback Size: 4.50 X 1.79 X 1.43 m. Wheelbase: 2.69 m. Transmission: Front wheel drive. Automatic clutch. Single gear. Tyres/wheels: 215/55-17 (7.0 X 17) Engine: Electric AC syncronous motor. Power - torque: 111 kW (151 hp) - 273 Nm Maximum speed - 0-100 km/h acceleration: 160 km/h - 9 s. The joint candidacy of Opel/Vauxhall Ampera and Chevrolet Volt, with 330 points, has been distinctly preferred by CotY 2012 Jury members, who put Volkswagen Up! second with 281 points and Ford Focus third, with 256. Volt/Ampera offer is a mature product, after years of development and perfectioning by General Motors, and the first example of an electric vehicle with extended range. Others will come along this path. The concept, addressed to the fears of potential customers in front of an incipient recharging net of electricity for vehicles, implies energy generated on board, to continue the journey, once exhausted the rechargeable batteries. In the cas...

Top Speed: 130 mph Range: 300 miles Seats: Five adults, two children Price: $77,400 Until now, there hasn't been an all-electric car fit for road-tripping. But Tesla's Model S, due out late in 2012, is made for extended drives. Its battery goes up to 300 miles on a charge. Its cabin is spacious enough for seven passengers. And it can get up to cruising speed fast the Model S accelerates from 0 to 60 in 5.6 seconds. BIGGER BATTERY At 85 kilowatt-hours, the Model S boasts more than triple the battery capacity of the Nissan Leaf. Its thousands of lithium-ion cells use a new electrode chemistry from Panasonic, which could allow them to store more power than other comparably sized cells. FAST CHARGE Tesla plans to install proprietary 440-volt charging stations (first along the I-5 Corridor between Los Angeles and San Francisco) built to match up with the Model S's circuitry. They will provide a full charge in an hour. Standard chargers will require a full night. ...