07 08 09 10 11 12 Nissan Altima 2.5l Manifold Cover on 2040-parts.com

Small cars bring higher risk while SUVs are safer, insurance-group study finds

As late as 2007, parents were warned against buying their driving-age teens SUVs because of the rollover risk. Now it seems those are some of the safest rides on the road, according to an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety study released on Thursday. The Nissan 350Z sports car and the Titan pickup were on the low end of the list, along with the Chevrolet Aveo and the compact Cobalt sedan.

GM bets on new four-cylinder family in Europe; U.S. plans unclear

General Motors' European subsidiary, Opel, has revealed a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder direct-injection gasoline engine that will be offered from early 2013 across its lineup, starting with the soon-to-be-revealed Astra-based Cascada convertible. The aluminum block unit, the first in a new range of so-called SIDI (spark ignition direct injection) ECOTEC engines, forms the centerpiece of the company's downsizing strategy for displacement. The engine is claimed to have improved torque characteristics and a significant reduction in consumption compared with its predecessor.

Dodge Dart unveiled at 2012 Detroit show

If you want confirmation that Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne is shaking up his American patient look no further than the new Dodge Dart. It's a new compact car for Dodge - based on the underpinnings of an Alfa Romeo Giulietta. It's an important launch for Dodge and this sector accounts for 15% of all US car sales.