Maurizio Reggiani shakes his head with regret. Without a word, Lamborghini's R&D director indicates that manual transmissions have no future in his company's cars. Only a tiny fraction of customers choose a stick shift for their Gallardo, and Lamborghini's new Aventador comes with a fully automated seven-speed single-clutch transmission, and no manual transmission. Just 1 to 2 percent of the cars rolling out of the company's small Sant'Agata Bolognese factory are equipped with three pedals, Reggiani says.

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.

How much will a 56.2-mpg Corporate Average Fuel Economy standard cost consumers? On average, $6714 per car (in 2008 dollars), says the Center for Automotive Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan. "This model requires a 20 percent PEV (plug-in electric) market share to meet the standards-drastic by any measure," CAR says in its analysis.

Every month as we approach a Trend deadline, Swedish Automobiles NV, better known as Saab (not SANV) seems to have inched ever closer to death, only to find a last-minute hero. The victories tend to be much smaller than the defeats, though.

Some 8 years after Mercedes-Benz first launched the CLS-Class, BMW is finally on the verge of revealing its big four-door fastback. Essentially a variant of the 6 Series with two extra doors, the car is expected to debut in mid-2012.

General Motors North America President Mark Reuss unveiled this teaser photo of the 2013 Cadillac ATS Thursday morning, and otherwise confirmed pretty much everything we've reported and/or speculated on regarding the future Cadillac lineup.

Suzuki's North American arm introduced the most highly developed version of General Motors' GMT 360/370 SUV a few years ago. Its timing would be comic if it weren't so tragic. The Suzuki XL7 was a new 2008 model, which meant it rode the body-on-frame midsize SUV wave far beyond its crest, first into the collapse of the truck-based SUV market amid rising gas prices, then into the collapse of the auto market itself.

Luc Donckerwolke is Volkswagen Group's new head of advanced design, reporting directly to Walter de' Silva. Like VW AG design chief de' Silva, Donckerwolke moves into the new corporate job after heading design for the troubled Spanish Seat division, the brand charged with chasing Alfa Romeo buyers

Falling outside of the traditional full-size van milieu, the Sprinter offers more room and, with the 10-passenger version, totes more people in comfort than any stretched conventional van. In addition, the Sprinter is offered in cargo and cab/chassis version, the latter ideal for converters. The Sprinter's vertical walls make work stations easy to fit, and the high roof and wide door ease passenger access. The truck's weakness has been its modest, yet efficient, diesel powertrain with only 153

The new model year is upon us, bringing the darlings of the last auto show season to our local dealers and driveways. The dominant themes are fun and versatility, often taken together. Numerous new models are recasting successful predecessors, like the Mazda MX-5 and Mercedes-Benz M-Class, while others look to a more distant past for inspiration, such as the Jeep Commander and Toyota FJ Cruiser.

Dodge will lead the cars built off the next-generation Chrysler LX platform--called LY--with a new Challenger ponycar for the 2010 model year. The Challenger will be a true Mustang-fighter, with 350-horsepower Hemi V-8 and 3.5-liter, 250-horsepower V-6 versions going up against the Mustang coupe. And given Chrysler's ambitions for its performance franchise, you can expect a 6.1-liter, 425-horse SRT* version as well. Dodge has no plans for a Challenger convertible, as that business will be left to the 2007 Chrysler {{{Sebring}}} replacement, although it's possible Chrysler Group could commission a coachbuilder like ASC to do one.

Since it was first introduced at the Geneva Motor Show, we've seen the Dodge Caliber concept evolve into the closer-to-production model we caught on our way to work this morning. The 2007 Caliber keeps the familiar Dodge styling, with trademark crosshair grille, wide sculpted wheel forms, big 19-inch wheels and tires, broad shoulders, and bulging hood for a proud, powerful stance. Its yellow paint is certainly not subtle, either.

Dodge is serious about taking on the European market. Its new C-segment Caliber five-door is designed for the Old and New Worlds, and now it has unveiled the Mini Cooperesque B-segment 2006 Dodge Hornet concept at Geneva. Strip away the concept-car excess, and you can figure a production version of the Hornet would be similar in execution to the just-launched Caliber. Aimed at Europe's hottest market segment, it's designed to go wheel-to-wheel with the Ford Fiesta, GM Corsa, and {{{Toyota Yaris}}} as well as the VW Polo, Renault Clio, and the new Peugeot 207.

The 2013 Lexus GS 350 is a much-needed step in a new direction for Lexus. In an attempt to lure in younger buyers, the new GS is not only sportier than its predecessor (having spent much time going round Germany's Nurburgring), but also loaded with gadgets and gizmos that young techies are sure to love. While it might not be the giant leap forward we had hoped for, we're already sure that it is much more car than its oft-forgotten predecessor.

Is the 2012 Toyota Camry new and special enough to vanquish the Hyundai Sonata? Is the SE model a poor man's sport sedan? Is Toyota's rebound in J.D. Power & Associates' initial quality rankings, and the company's vindication over specious unintended acceleration claims, enough to warrant purchase consideration? Do you experience headaches, dizziness, or nausea when driven swiftly in a sports car?

When it comes to designing eco-friendly urban transportation, automakers have tried just about everything. They've drawn up bubble cars, autonomic pods, even semi-robotic unicycles. Ford however, has decided against cribbing from the pages of a sci-fi novel and opted for something far more conventional: a three-door hatchback. Specifically, the Start concept the automaker unveiled at the 2010 Beijing Auto Show.