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Ownership costs of traditional versus alternative fuel vehicles

As gas prices remain high, and an increasing number of automakers roll out plug-in hybrid cars and full-electric vehicles, it's becoming easier to be tantalized with the idea of driving right past the gas station and simply "plugging in." The debate ensues when it comes to cost: These alternative fuel vehicles mean a larger outlay of cash at the onset, but the long-term fuel savings could make the purchase worthwhile. To help straighten out this numbers game, we use the Department of Energy's Vehicle Cost Calculator to compare alternative fuel vehicles with their gasoline-only counterparts. For each scenario, we assumed that our hypothetical owner was able to get the full $7,500 federal tax credit and a $2,500 state tax credit, such as is available in California.

New Subaru WRX teased ahead of Los Angeles Auto Show debut

New Subaru WRX teased ahead of Los Angeles Auto Show debut There’s still no guarantee that Subaru UK will import the new WRX and put it on sale in the UK, but the production version of the new WRX will be revealed at the Los Angeles Auto Show this month to whet appetites. We expect there will be strong similarities between the production version of the new WRX and the WRX Concept we saw at the New York Show earlier this year, and this first teaser image does seem to show that. The statement bonnet scoop is firmly in place – with sharp crease lines flanking it – as is Subaru’s heaxagonal grill with a butch front bumper with big air intakes and mesh inserts.

New BMW 2 Series M Performance Parts revealed

The new BMW 2 Series (pictured) gets a range of M Performance Parts The opposite side of the coin from debadging your high-end BMW so no one knows you’re packing a big punch is adding M Performance parts to turn your lowly diesel in to something that looks like it will win every traffic light grand prix going. And when the new BMW 2 Series Coupe – the replacement for the 1 Series Coupe – arrives in the UK in March 2014, buyers will have a wide range of options from the BMW M Performance Parts offerings to tweak the interior and exterior looks, suspension and the engine. Power upgrades are available for the 220d Coupe which increase the output of the 4-cylinder diesel by 16bhp and adds an extra 29lb/ft of torque for a new output of 197bhp and 310lb/ft of torque, despite which official economy figures remain unchanged.