World Car of the Year 2011 is Nissan Leaf

Nissan Leaf Charging

Nissan Leaf was named as being the World Car of the Year 2011, at the New York International Auto Show. Also, this year Nissan Leaf gained the title European Car of the Year 2011.

Leaf is a fully electric car, with zero-emissions, powered by a lithium-ion battery that has a 96 months / 100,000 miles warranty and running an electric synchronous motor that develops 110 horsepower, with a maximum speed of 150kmh, which means 93mph. Unofficially 0-60mph (0-100kmh) takes about 9.9 seconds.

Nissan Leaf

Volkswagen 2012 Beetle, not New Beetle

Volkswagen 2012 Beetle

Volkswagen officially unveiled the 2012 Beetle, just before the New York International Auto Show. One small detail that might create big confusions is that the new model is called just Beetle and the previous was called New Beetle. Also, another thing that may cause confusions is that the 2012 Beetle will hit the dealerships this fall, a few months before 2012.

"The new 1.6 turbo diesel engine delivers around 105 horsepower while returning 65.7mpg on the EU scale thanks to a start/stop and intelligent battery regeneration system", notes Autoblog.

The price has not yet been released but the rumors say that will be some-point between $15,000 and $20,000, based on 2012 Beetle's competitors like Fiat 500 and Mini Cooper.

The three powertrains of 2012 Beetle are:

• 2.5 liter, five-cylinder, gas engine (which powered the 2010 Beetle too);
• 2.0 liter turbocharged, four-cylinder, gas engine;
• 2.0 liter turbodiesel, four-cylinder, diesel engine.

We're waiting for more details and we'll keep you up to date.

CX-5 the Minagi dream to come true

Mazda Minagi Concept

Latest compact SUV of Mazda, released in January as Minagi concept. Now Mazda announced it will launch Minagi in 2012 as Mazda CX-5. Minagi will become the little brother of the two larger crossovers CX-7 and CX-9, CX-5 being the most compact.

We don't know anything yet about engine specifications or features. All we know for the moment is that CX-5 reflects "Mazda's new design theme, 'KODO - Soul of Motion' as debuted on the Mazda SHINARI concept car, as well as the full range of breakthrough SKYACTIV technologies, including engines, transmissions, body and chassis."

There are rumors that Mazda's next-generation vehicles would have up to 15% improvements in performance and fuel efficiency. Also, the rumors say that the price will be even lower than $20,000, just a little bit cheaper than it's big brother CX-7 which starts at $21,900.

The official debut of Mazda CX-5 will be in September at Frankfurt Auto Show, in Germany.