2014 Nissan Versa priced at $12,780

The 2014 Nissan Versa with a five-speed manual transmission -- at dealerships today -- will set you back $12,780, including $790 for destination. Stepping down to a four-cog automatic will cost a grand more. For that price -- the lowest in America, by the way, more on that later -- buyers get a 1.6-liter DOHC four-cylinder engine, available air conditioning, six-way adjustable driver's seat, and a radio with an auxiliary input.

Bentley SUV confirmed for production

A Bentley worker has told the Sentinel that the Bentley EXP 9 F – the Bentley SUV – is confirmed for production. It obviously didn’t seem like a big deal to the reporter at Staffordshire’s Sentinel newspaper when a Bentley employee told them that the Bentley SUV was going in to production and would guarantee employment for the next 14 years. But it is a big deal.

Volkswagen Golf R confirmed for America

Enthusiasts spoke, and Volkswagen listened. VW announced Thursday that the diminutive and powerful Golf R is coming to the United States in 2012. VW said the Golf R will have a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder with a significant increase in horsepower over the 200-hp GTI.