2012 Model Year Overview

Hi Member's, below is from MSN Autos on all the choices
we have in the automotive market today.

Check out the below list of what you have to choose from
Which one would you like to have/own/drive/pay for ?

Post & let us know your favorite one, and which one you would consider buying to keep our economy growing ?


From sports cars to SUVs, here's a look at the new and refreshed autos coming down the pike.

<CITE sizcache="38" sizset="129">By James Tate of MSN Autos</CITE>




2012 Overview Index

• <LI class=first sizcache="38" sizset="130">Acura - Ford <LI sizcache="38" sizset="131">Honda - Mercedes-Benz
• MINI - Volvo

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After a few tumultuous years, the auto industry seems to have recovered its footing. With the majority of automakers back on track and producing new products, 2012 is shaping up to be a reasonably solid year for car buyers, if not a terribly exciting one for enthusiasts. Aside from a few notable performance standouts, such as Lamborghini's new Aventador flagship supercar or Porsche's 911 GT3, most 2012 debuts are of a simpler variety and are geared toward mass appeal. Plus, there's a host of new small cars available, each loaded with character and a surprising number of upscale features.
There are also signs of continuing progress on the technological front. In the face of uncertain fuel costs and mandates for cleaner, more efficient propulsion, we're seeing a proliferation of widely available electric vehicles, along with a hybrid or two in nearly every automaker's stable. European manufacturers are also continuing to enlighten Americans to the beauty of diesel. If the industry plays its cards right, we can look forward to an efficient and exciting future.
To give you a more complete look at all the latest vehicles coming down the pike, here's a comprehensive overview, listed by automaker, of what's new and what's been slightly modified or refreshed for the 2012 model year.
Bing: 2012 Car Model Year
Acura

Despite rumors that Acura was finally considering adding larger engines and rear-drive layouts to its lineup in an attempt to compete with the best from Europe, Honda's luxury division will be doing business as usual in 2012. Why? We have no idea. The only Acura getting some love is the TL, and that's just going to be a mild update. The rest of the line will enter 2012 largely unchanged, meaning mostly front-wheel-drive layouts sporting a maximum of six cylinders. (What happened to the NSX successor?) Fortunately, there is still much to appreciate about Acura's razor-sharp build quality and standard roster of high-tech goodies.
WHAT'S NEW . . .
No new models at this time.
WHAT'S BEEN REFRESHED . . .
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2012 Acura TL




2012 Acura TL
Acura's midlevel TL sedan receives a face lift for 2012, the most notable aspect of which is a taming of that large chrome "beak," which was unanimously loathed on the 2009 through 2011 models. Along with that eyesore, nearly every other aspect of the 4-door's front and rear has been massaged, albeit slightly. The 2012 model year also gets a new 6-speed automatic transmission with sequential shifting, good for improving both performance and fuel efficiency.
Availability: On sale now
Price: Starts at $36,605
Read: 2012 Acura TL SH-AWD: Short Take Road Test
Aston Martin

Aston Martin had a stellar 2011: The Cygnet microcar finally became a reality and the Rapide 4-door and One-77 hypercar received lots of press. But the British manufacturer doesn't have much going on for 2012. It has launched an all-new GT car, the Virage; however, it looks so similar to all the other Astons on the market that we're having a hard time getting excited about it. Gorgeous or not, a little variety would do wonders.
WHAT'S NEW . . .
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Aston Martin Virage




2012 Aston Martin Virage / Virage Volante
The all-new Virage is not without merit. It is meant to offer more power and more refinement than buyers would get from a standard DB9, but without the brutishness of the DBS. With 490 horsepower churning from its 6.5-liter V12 engine, which produces an outrageously fantastic engine sound, the luxury sports car should be as fast as the wind. However, its handful of old-school technologies and features, along with an inexplicably high price tag, has met with tepid reviews. An outdated 6-speed automatic design, the only option, leaves a lot to be desired from a performance perspective, but will do just fine when it comes time to eating up some high-speed highway miles.
Availability: On sale now
Price: Starting at $209,995
Read: Aston Martin Conjures a Virage
2012 Aston Martin Cygnet
Based on the lowly Toyota iQ micro, the Aston Martin Cygnet is what would happen if you turned the company's engineers loose on your daily driver. The interior has been swaddled in handcrafted amenities, and the car now boasts very Aston Martin-like front and rear fascias. Sadly, the performance remains the same. Expect a tiny 1.3-liter engine with around 100 horsepower to be at the heart of the car.
Availability: To be announced
Price: Starts at $30,995
WHAT'S BEEN REFRESHED . . .
No significantly refreshed models at this time.
Audi

Audi continues its quest to dominate the luxury-car market in the United States by announcing five new models, including an all-new, $200,000-plus flagship supercar, along with a handful of minor updates for 2012. Based on what we've seen so far, the German company seems genuine in its intent toward reinventing luxury by killing the played-out, stuffy concepts of yesteryear and creating practical, premium vehicles styled for a new generation.
WHAT'S NEW . . .
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2012 Audi TT-RS




2012 Audi TT-RS
When the TT debuted in the late 1990s, Audi's stylish coupe and roadster made serious waves in terms of styling, but left a lot to be desired by the enthusiast. However, with the second generation's RS variant, the TT has been fully reworked for serious performance duty. Under the hood is Audi's award-winning turbocharged 2.5-liter 5-cylinder engine, good for 360 horsepower between 5400 and 6500 rpm, and an even wider plateau of 343 lb-ft of peak torque from just 1600 rpm all the way through 5300 rpm.
Availability: Fall 2011
Price: Starts at $56,850
Read Blog: Audi Reveals Pricing, Details for 2012 TT-RS
2012 Audi A6
Fully redesigned for 2012, the Audi A6 follows on the company's current school of design, including the now-ubiquitous LED-accented headlights and sharply chiseled exterior lines. The midsize sedan arrives in two flavors, a base model with the corporate 2.0-liter turbocharged engine and a top model with the 3.0-liter supercharged V6 mated to an 8-speed automatic and quattro all-wheel drive, both with a huge list of available features.
Availability: On sale now
Price: Starts at $41,700
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2012 Audi A7




2012 Audi A7
The A7 is the latest combatant to enter the "sportback" arena, designed to go head-to-head with the likes of the BMW 5-Series Gran Turismo. With added cargo space and a mile-long list of features, not to mention a near-perfect supercharged V6 engine that develops 310 horsepower, an 8-speed Tiptronic transmission and Audi's thoroughly modern sense of style, the A7 aims to have something for everyone.
Availability: Fall 2011
Price: Starts at $59,250
View Pictures: 2012 Audi A7
2012 Audi A8 L W12
The top-level Audi powerplant is now available for the latest-generation A8, an L version packing the W12 engine. With 6.3 liters filling 12 cylinders spread across three banks, the A8 L W12 produces 500 horsepower and 463 lb-ft of torque. This is enough to rocket the large luxury sedan to 60 mph in a scant 4.4 seconds. The top-trim A8 also includes all the features Audi could stuff in it, stopping just short of the kitchen sink.
Availability: Fall 2011
Price: Starts at $133,500
Read: 10 Best Front Ends in Auto Design
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2012 Audi R8




2012 Audi R8 GT
Audi shocked the world a couple of years ago when it introduced the "we're not messing around" R8 supercar. For 2012, the company is launching the model's most extreme variant to date, the R8 GT. Audi has tweaked the R8's glorious 5.2-liter V10 engine to produce 560 horsepower and 398 lb-ft of torque, redlining at a stratospheric 8700 rpm. Along with lightweight materials and improved aerodynamics, the engine helps propel the limited-edition R8 to 60 mph in a blazing 3.6 seconds and on to a top speed just shy of 200 mph.
Availability: Fall 2011
Price: Starts at $196,800
WHAT'S BEEN REFRESHED . . .
2012 Audi Q7
The 2012 Q7 is basically the 2011 model with a few tweaks. The 3.0T engine now produces 280 horsepower, an 8-horsepower improvement over last year. Nineteen-inch wheels (21-inch wheels for the S-line Plus Package) are standard, and the color options and features packages have been updated. Overall, the Q7 remains a strong contender in the luxury SUV segment, complete with 7-passenger seating and the ability to tow 6,600 pounds.
Availability: Fall 2011
Price: Starts at $46,250
Compare: Audi Q7 vs. Mercedes-Benz M-Class vs. Porsche Cayenne
Bentley

Despite making some of the priciest luxury cars on the market, it seems that Bentley has weathered the economic meltdown of 2008-2009 impressively and is on track to carry out business as usual. Aside from a revamped Continental GT, however, the Bentley line enters 2012 largely unchanged. This means very large, very powerful and very exclusive luxury cars are on offer, with a distinctly smooth and elegant British flair.
WHAT'S NEW . . .
No new models at this time.
WHAT'S BEEN REFRESHED . . .
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Bentley Continental GT





Bentley Continental GT
The Continental GT enters 2012 with a deceptively thorough list of changes from last year. Along with some small tweaks to the luxury coupe's body line, the lights, grille and accents have been revamped. The result is a smoother-looking car, although just barely. Despite its considerable mass — roughly 5,200 pounds, which is lighter than last year — the Continental GT still accelerates with frightening ease, thanks to its twin-turbo 567-horsepower V12 engine.
Availability: Fall 2011
Price: Starts at $192,495
BMW

These days, BMW seems to rely heavily on improving fuel efficiency and breaking into new market segments to expand its reach in the U.S. So it's odd that it doesn't have much to talk about for 2012. Well, not much to talk about yet. The 2012 model year sits smack-dab in the middle of the birth cycle of BMW's latest generations, with the arrival of a new baby M model, recent launches of the updated 5-Series and 7-Series, and the next bread-and-butter 3-Series due in 2013. But 2012 does bring the latest upscale 6-Series, in both coupe and convertible form, as well as a slightly restyled 1-Series. Also look for BMW's "i" line of electric vehicles in the years to come.
WHAT'S NEW . . .
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2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible




2012 BMW 6-Series
With the same twin-turbo V8 engine as its 550i and 750i brethren, the all-new 6-Series comes out packing a powerful punch. Unfortunately, it also arrives with the polarizing vertical nose that has become a signature of BMWs of late. As before, the high-end luxury car is here in both convertible and coupe variants. As it stands, it's a fantastic option for wealthy people to run errands in, but we'll have to see what the M6 sport variant has to offer before we get too excited about the new 6-Series.
Availability: On sale now
Price: Starts at $90,500
WHAT'S BEEN REFRESHED . . .
2012 BMW Z4 Roadster sDrive28i
BMW's funky, low-slung Z4 roadster gets an all-new engine for its 2012 entry-level variant, making it the first BMW model to prowl American roads with the new turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder TwinPower engine. As the first U.S.-market Bimmer to sport fewer than six cylinders in more than 10 years, the new convertible's 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque easily compensate for the two lost cylinders from last year's sDrive30i.
Availability: Fall 2011
Price: To be announced
View Slideshow: 10 Cars for 10 Summer Adventures
2012 BMW 1-Series
While the rest of the world is treated to an all-new 1-Series for 2012, the U.S. market will have to make do with a minor refresh, which features a slight makeover for the front and rear in both coupe and convertible form. Mechanically, the 128i carries over without change, although the 135i now features the single-turbo N55 engine and can be equipped with BMW's dual-clutch transmission. In that configuration, the 135i can hit 60 mph in five seconds flat.
Availability: On sale now
Price: Starts at $30,950 ($43,800 for the convertible 135i)
2012 BMW 528i
The 5-Series midsize luxury sedan is the second car to arrive on our shores with BMW's all-new turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder gas-powered engine. The automaker's first U.S. market four-banger in over a decade will offer 240 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque — available at an amazingly low 1,250 rpm — handily topping the output of the previous inline-6 unit. The new 528i also boasts start/stop technology and BMW's xDrive all-wheel-drive system.
Availability: Fall 2011
Price: Starts at $45,050
Compare: BMW 5-Series vs. Audi A6 vs. Lexus GS
Buick

Like someone who has survived a close call with death, Buick seems to have learned a scary lesson and is taking things more seriously after the great automobile-industry collapse of 2009. Its 2012 lineup, while still not quite up to the standards of some overseas competition, is a dramatic improvement over Buicks from years past, and even includes a new high-performance Regal variant with legitimately sporting intentions. Buick, like many U.S. automakers, seems finally to be on the right path.
WHAT'S NEW . . .
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2012 Buick Verano




2012 Buick Verano
The 2012 Verano is an all-new model, categorized as a compact luxury sedan. A 2.4-liter Ecotec engine with 177 horsepower and 170 lb-ft of torque, along with a 6-speed automatic transmission, should move the new 4-door around with ease. Buick claims a zero-to-60-mph time of eight seconds, which should be plenty quick for a car like this. Not surprisingly, OnStar connectivity is included, along with 10 airbags and a laundry list of high-end features.
Availability: Winter 2011
Price: To be announced
Read Blog: Buick Reveals Pricing, Details for 2012 Verano
2012 Buick Regal GS
The GS is a new sporty variant of the recently revamped Regal. Packing a 6-speed manual transmission and a turbocharged Ecotec engine — exclusive to the Regal GS and good for 255 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque — it is said to hit 60 mph in less than seven seconds. Other performance-oriented goodies include Brembo front brakes and independent suspension for all four corners. It's interesting to see a performance-oriented modern Buick, which could be a promising sign of things to come.
Availability: Fall 2011
Price: Starts at $26,670
WHAT'S BEEN REFRESHED . . .
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2012 Buick LaCrosse eAssist




2012 Buick LaCrosse
The 2012 LaCrosse comes with Buick's eAssist efficiency system as standard equipment, helping the midsize 4-door sedan achieve fuel economy that rivals many compact cars. Getting 25 mpg city/36 mpg highway, the latest LaCrosse has increased its fuel-mileage figures by a whopping 32 and 20 percent, respectively. That's impressive, no matter how you cut it.
Availability: On sale now
Price: To be announced
Read: Best Cars to Crash In






Continued: Cadillac - Ford

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Some new good cars coming out it looks like

 

Hells yeah! Looks like I'll have some nice cars to consider buying about 10 years from now!!!

 

2012 you say?

 

Wow that virage is sexy. I want one!

 

Mike strikes again!

I could find a picture of a sheep online, but I'm afraid to search for it at work...