1989 Gmc Suburban 1500 95005 Miles Fan Blade 1761072 on 2040-parts.com

Chevrolet Cruze gets better fuel economy for the 2012 model year

The 2012 Chevrolet Cruze is making a run at its Eco brother, with a highway fuel-economy rating of 38 mpg with an automatic transmission, 2 mpg more than last it got last year. A manual transmission is now more widely available on the Cruze, according to the General Motors ordering guide. The 1LT and 2LT models will now be available with the six-speed manual, which should increase the fun quotient with the turbocharged 1.4-liter engine.

New Mercedes-Benz S-class spotted in SoCal

The new Mercedes-Benz S-class must be hustling toward the developmental-cycle finish line, because it's been spotted en masse in places such as Toronto (where it must be undergoing cold-weather testing) and Irvine, Calif. (where it must be gauging the interest of Benz-crazy vox populi). Because as devoid as it is of bodywork-breaking pillboxes, camera-obfuscating swirl paint, and surly engineers, the fact that it's seen here in little more than some sticky paper and a pair of cheap sunglasses on the driver means that the elder statesman of the automotive world is readying its next debut.

Chevrolet Mi-ray concept gets a new ‘mid-electric' hybrid powertrain

General Motors Co. has unveiled a sporty South Korean-developed concept car that showcases a "mid-electric" hybrid powertrain that can run on electric-only front-wheel drive or tap a gasoline engine to turn the rear wheels for extra power. Dubbed the Chevrolet Mi-ray, Korean for "future," the compact, open roadster gets a carbon fiber body mounted on an aluminum chassis for lightweight performance.