During World War II, Allied bombing heavily damaged the Alfa factory in Portello, Italy, and production was slow to resume after 1945. The 6-cylinder passenger and sporting cars of the late 1940s and early 1950s were large and not particularly fast. But in 1951 Alfa introduced a smaller, less expensive 4-cylinder car called the 1900.

Download Alfa at 100: Prewar to Post-Graduate part 2

Complaints of torque steer aside, the Mazdaspeed3 has proved a highly likeable part of the long-term fleet. Staffers enjoy the Mazda's power response, its excellent steering, and the flexible cabin. This is a great car to drive on a twisty road. However, many are still unsure of the Speed version of the Mazda3 as a viable daily driver, pointing out the interior noise, rough ride, clutch engagement like an "on/off switch," and minor interior gripes.

Download Long Term Update 6: 2010 Mazdaspeed3

"Delightful." Thus spoke Kim Reynolds, our handling and ride quality guru, when I asked him how Fiat's ballsy little 500 was to drive around our patented figure eight. Mr. Reynolds' seal of approval is high praise indeed for the diminutive newcomer, as I've seen Kim yawning while climbing out of ultracars worth several hundred thousand dollars. No, really. So why the big love for such a tiny car? Well, in a teensy-weensy Italian nutshell, the 500 deserves it.

Download First Test: 2012 Fiat 500

Does the world need a better Cadillac Escalade? That's the question we'll ask ourselves for the next 12 months as we run around the country in our newest long-termer, the 2011 Infiniti QX56. While the latest and largest from Infiniti didn't win our SUV of the Year calipers, it did well enough in the competition for us to hound Infiniti into giving us one for a year. In other words, we like it.

Download Arrival: 2011 Infiniti QX56 4WD

Not that long ago, electric-powered vehicles were little more than rolling science experiments. Everybody had one, but no one seemed to be serious about them. Not anymore. With gas prices spiraling ever upward and governments around the globe pressing automakers for more efficient lineups, seemingly every car company on the planet is breaking their legs jumping on the EV bandwagon.

Download Comparison: 2013 Ford Focus Electric vs. 2011 Nissan Leaf

Subaru executives readily admit that their "anywhere, any time" all-wheel-drive rides aren't always the prettiest. Nevertheless, the little automaker from Tokyo, Japan, has been on a tear.

Download 2012 Subaru Impreza

Just when there were doubts about the future of Mercedes’ A-Class, the German automaker comes out and releases what is arguably the hottest looking hatchback concept we’ve seen in a while.

Download 2011 Mercedes-Benz Concept A-Class

While everyone’s attention at Nissan’s stand in Geneva was aimed at their new Esflow concept, the 370Z GT Edition sitting idly by almost passed by unnoticed. It’s a little unnerving, but it’s a good thing it didn’t escape altogether because it is a very cool car. The model was created as a special celebration of Nissan’s huge success in GT racing all over the world and as part of the celebration the special edition gets subtle suspension revisions, special racing strips, new wheels, and three special body color choices. The V6 engine remains unchanged.


Download 2011 Nissan 370Z GT

Even with the top up, in a blinding rainstorm, the 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio was still enjoyable during a recent drive through Manhattan and just north of New York City. And with its EPA estimated 38 mpg on the highway, or 32 mpg, with the optional automatic transmission, it was pretty efficient the whole way, too.

Download 2012 Fiat 500 Cabrio First Drive

Riding in such unity, the four-rings representing the Audi brand has never been more collected and determined in the premium vehicle marketplace. Audi car sales shot up considerably in 2010 with 1,092,400 vehicles sold worldwide (a 15 percent increase over the previous year). Last year for the first time, Audi surpassed the 100,000 vehicle sold mark in the United States signifying a refreshing global acceptance that is also quickly gripping China. A brand existing on the image of cars that balances performance and luxury, high-tech drivetrains employing gasoline direct injection and quattro all-wheel drive have made the car producer a staple. Looking back just over 45 years, before the aluminum construction and quattro, the Audi fought to start this modern journey.

Download The Car that Rebuilt Audi

As part of the Offroad Challenge 2010 organised by German magazine ‘auto motor und sport’ in cooperation with Mercedes-Benz and tire manufacturer Continental, Peter Beyerlein from Plochingen in Baden-Württemberg clinched top spot. The Swabian won the tough final in the USA, claiming the title of Germany’s best off-road driver. His prize is the chance to participate in a

Download Mercedes-Benz USA Reports 13.3 Percent Sales Increase for November 2010

The Dodge Charger caused quite a stir when it first debuted as a 2006 model, owing mostly to its heretical four doors, but the new Charger became a popular model for Dodge. Like many Chrysler brand cars though, it has suffered from a lack of updates as the Pentastar wrestled with bankruptcy woes and a transfer in ownership to Italy's Fiat. Based on these latest spy shots, it looks as though that's finally about to change.

Download 2012 Dodge Charger

Peugeot intends to make a true successor to one of the great legends of the European hot hatchback scene in the 1980s and 1990s -- the light, fast, sweet-handling, and pretty 205GTI.

Download New Hot Hatch Coming From Peugeot

Press Release
Fourth new model in four years

Download All new Land Rover LR2 Revealed

Internal memos and e-mails from Toyota executives is painting a damning picture of the company as it dealt with mechanical failures.

Download Executive at Toyota Asked that the Company