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VW to intro Passat BlueMotion Concept at Detroit auto show

While performance heads are anxiously awaiting the North American debut of the hot-heat Mk VII Golf R at the Detroit auto show, Volkswagen's Passat BlueMotion Concept offers never-before technology in the Yank/Canuck family sedan segment: a four-pot motor with cylinder deactivation. Based on the EA211 1.4L turbo motor we sampled last year in the Euro-market Audi A3 sedan, the Passat BlueMotion Concept's engine is capable of shutting down the middle two cylinders during cruise, and features the Jetta Hybrid's gearbox, a twin-clutch unit capable of decoupling from the engine during off-throttle coasting. In the Passat's application, the 1.4 puts out 150 hp and 184 lb-ft of torque; VW suggests its highway fuel economy will stand at 42 mpg.

2014 Corvette Stingray rated at 455 hp

The 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray's 6.2-liter LT1 V8 engine has been rated at 455 hp at 6,000 rpm and 460 lb-ft of torque at 4,000 rpm -- the highest standard-power rating ever for the Corvette. An available performance-exhaust system boosts the rating up to 460 hp and 465 lb-ft of torque. Chevrolet says the new LT1 with standard exhaust has 25 more horsepower than the current Corvette's base LS3 6.2-liter engine, which is rated at 430 hp, and 41 lb-ft more torque compared with the 2013 model's 424 lb-ft.

Audi Traffic Light Recognition could save you money

Audi Traffic Light Recognition system (pictured) could save you money In the never ending quest to reduce fuel consumption – and, by definition, emissions – car makers are looking for every angle that might help. And Audi has come up with a traffic light recognition system they reckon could be good for a 15 per cent fuel saving. Sadly, Audi’s traffic light system doesn’t work by changing the lights to green as you get to them, but it is able to work out traffic light sequences and help you plan ahead.