2012 Nissan Rogue stickers for $22,340

Nissan is starting the 2012 Rogue crossover at $22,340 (including destination) for the base front-wheel-drive S model. An all-wheel-drive configuration brings that cost to $23,590. The 2012 Rogue is available in two trim levels--S and SV--and with Special Edition, Premium and SL option packages.

Infiniti prices 2014 QX60 and QX70

Infiniti said last Friday that the 2014 QX70 SUV -- formerly known as the FX -- will start at $45,945, including destination. The 2014 QX60, formerly the JX, will sticker for $42,545. The QX70 comes in both rear-wheel and all-wheel-drive setups, with either a 325-hp, 3.7-liter V6 or a 390-hp 5.0-liter V8.

Smart Forspeed concept signals new design direction

Smart will unveil a new concept at the forthcoming Geneva motor show that signals a new design direction, hints at future product and confirms parent company Daimler's renewed commitment to the brand. Car Design News was granted early access to the concept, baptized Forspeed, at a secret photography studio in Stuttgart last week and heard the head of advanced design, Steffen Kohl, explain how the two-seat, electric-powered vehicle prefaces design themes in both the next Fortwo and the revived Forfour, which will be launched in 2014. "The fullness of this concept's exterior surfaces is important and will be reflected in future production models," said Kohl, "Smart will still be short, spacey, agile, and with wheels at the corners of the car, but with an added sporty and emotional design and without losing all the brand's iconic elements like its ‘plastic fantastic' aspect and the safe and hi-tech modular tridion shell assembled with all these changeable body parts.