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Policy, green cars take center stage at Washington auto show

Public policy and the ultimate impact it has on consumers' cars was the hot topic on Thursday at the Washington auto show, as companies vied to show off and explain their latest fuel-efficient technologies under the watchful eyes of regulators and government officials. Notably, Chevrolet announced plans to roll out an "Ecologic" environmental label on the 2012 Sonic, with other vehicles to follow. Sort of like nutrition labels for food, Chevy's version will explain the environmental impact of cars throughout their life cycles.

JAC J3 Cross

JAC has unveiled its J3 Cross B-segment corssover, designed at the Chinese company's design center in Turin. The J3 Cross is aimed younger Chinese drivers that crave an SUV, hence the a split black grille, tough-looking bumpers that features an integrated chrome trim, while lower body cladding is incorporated to give some protection on rough roads. The raised ride height and integrated roof bars add to the J3 Cross' softroad image.

Driven: BMW Z4

Loved as it may be by its loyal fanbase, the outgoing Z4 was always something of a mixed bag in terms of design. While the car's classic long-bonnet, cab-back profile and short overhangs should have pleased the eye, the BMW's sheer frontal mass made its proportions seem out of balance. The application of the company's then-new ‘flame surfacing' form language also generated a visual business that seemed out of place on something as conceptually simple as a roadster.