Top Speed

Ferrari
The Ferrari F12 Berlinetta has a 6.3-liter V12 making 731 hp.



Ferrari is doing its part to help Hurricane Sandy victims by auctioning off the first F12 Berlinetta that will be sold on American soil. The base price of Ferrari's halo model is about $315,000. We'd expect this one to go for much more than that. The auction will take place at 9 p.m. Eastern on Nov. 17 at the Circuit of the Americas in Austin, Texas.
“Here at Ferrari, we have experienced and seen the devastation that Hurricane Sandy has caused in the affected area firsthand,” Marco Mattiacci, chief executive and president of Ferrari North America, said in a statement. “We want to use our event next week at Formula One in Austin to give back to our local community by auctioning the F12 Berlinetta.”
If you can't make it to the auction, but want to win the car, contact your local Ferrari dealership. They have information on how to place bids.
Ferrari also has a partnership with the Red Cross—including its own contribution page—for its fans.
We drove the F12 back in July and were smitten with its 731-hp V12, seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and its relatively light weight, which is 150 pounds lighter than that of the Ferrari 599.
Make your best estimate of what the car will sell for in the comments section. We'll send out some swag to the person whose guess is closest.

Mazda will build a new subcompact car for Toyota, based on the Mazda2.
Mazda Motor Corp. will build a Toyota subcompact car at its new plant in Mexico for sale in the United States.
The new Toyota will be a rebadged version of the Mazda2 and go on sale in 2015. Toyota expects to sell 50,000 copies of the car a year.
The Mazda2 subcompact car competes with vehicles such as the Ford Fiesta, Chevrolet Sonic, Honda Fit, Nissan Versa and Toyota's Yaris and Scion xD.
Through the first 10 months of this year, Toyota has sold 26,397 copies of the Yaris, up 17 percent from the same period in 2011, and 9,280 copies of the Scion xD, up 17 percent from last year. The Yaris and xD are imported from Japan, where current dollar-yen exchange rates means Toyota makes minimal profit or loses money on sales in the United States.
But the new Toyota is likely to be an addition to the automaker's lineup, not a direct replacement for the Yaris or xD, according to a Toyota spokesman. Toyota also plans to sell the car in Canada and Mexico.
The automakers announced the deal early Friday. The Mazda plant in Salamanca, Mexico, is currently under construction and scheduled to open in 2014. It is designed to build the Mazda2 and Mazda3, with a capacity of 140,000 units a year. The Toyota production will add to the plant's capacity.
A redesigned Mazda2 is scheduled to arrive in 2014, which would coincide with the plant's opening. The current Mazda2, launched in 2007, was jointly developed with Ford Motor Co. and shares its platform with the Fiesta.
Ford has since minimized its ownership of Mazda and the two have stopped developing products together. Earlier this year, Mazda pulled out of a production joint venture with Ford in Flat Rock, Mich., that built the Mazda6 sedan. Ford uses Flat Rock to build the Mustang and is adding production of the redesigned 2013 Fusion sedan.
Mazda and Fiat announced in May that they would cooperate on the design of a new generation of the Mazda MX-5 Miata roadster, which will also produce a version for the Alfa Romeo brand.

BMW is set to preview its upcoming X4 SUV for the first time at the Detroit auto show in early January.
Confirmed by BMW chairman Norbert Reithofer earlier this year, the ute is set to debut as a near-production concept that will rival the appearance, dimensions and packaging of the Porsche Macan due to go on sale in North America in early 2014, according to highly placed BMW officials.
Although the all-wheel-drive X4 is set to share its monocoque steel platform, engines and underpinnings with the second-generation X3, it's earmarked to receive individual styling in a move intended to convey more sporting image and enable BMW to position it higher in its lineup for added profitability. Expect prices to start at around $42,000.
Autoweek first reported plans for BMW's Porsche Macan-fighter last two years ago (“Faceoff,” Nov. 17, 2010).
A series of design proposals made official by BMW in 2010 suggest the X4 will differ visually from the X3 in much the same way the larger X6 is distinguished from the X5, with a bullish front end, plunging coupé-style roofline, four conventional front-hinged doors and a heavily angled one-piece tailgate.
The German carmaker is yet to announce what engine options it plans to offer with the X4. Autoweek understands it will receive a combination of four- and six-cylinder gasoline and diesel units in line with those already used by the X3.
Most intriguingly, the SUV get a range-topping performance model from BMW's M division. Nothing is official just yet, but the X4 M due out toward the end of 2014 is planned to run a uniquely tuned version of the twin-turbocharged inline six-cylinder gasoline engine set to appear in the upcoming sixth-generation M3.
Also planned is a hot X4 M diesel (not likely for North America) running a detuned version BMW's tri-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline six-cylinder engine launched in the X5 and X6 M. It will form part of a fast expanding range of BMW M Performance models.
Production of the X4 will take place alongside the second-generation X3 at BMW's sprawling Spartanburg, S.C., manufacturing facility. Officials from the company's headquarters in Munich, Germany, have already confirmed an extensive expansion plan for the site, which also produces the X5 and X6.

Close your eyes, though, and the Malibu is a nice place to be. The 2.5 is surprisingly strong and linear—quiet, too, during normal use, although it drones a bit at high rpm. It yanks the car to 60 mph in 7.7 seconds and through the quarter-mile in 16.1 at 88 mph. Those figures are dead even with the best from our two recent mid-size sedan comparos—in one of which the Malibu Eco finished dead last. While the turbo engine offers 62 more horsepower and 69 lb-ft more torque, the Malibu doesn’t need them. It’s not a sports sedan, and we’d happily trade the power for better fuel efficiency. (The EPA rates the 2.5 at 22/34 mpg city/highway; the turbo at 21/30. Our observed 17 mpg is based on primarily full-throttle driving.) We don’t recognize rocker switches atop shift levers as an involving method of manually requesting shifts, but if you do, you’ll be rewarded with sporty, rev-matched downshifts

Pagani’s first car, the Zonda, is recalled in the headlights (top) and the rear suspension (bottom) with its forged arms and inboard coil-over shocks.

You feel comfortable in the Huayra. You can see out of it. Even if the gauges with their finely etched numerals aren’t easy to read in daylight, you are going fast very quickly, probing the lofty limits of the chassis’ relentless neutrality as the super-boosted Benz V-12 wheeze-bangs through each terrifying, scenery-smearing blast. This is not an exotic that is best hung on a wall—though it would nicely adorn just about any living room

At around $14,000, the Up would represent the sort of high-quality, efficient, not-dangerously-slow vehicle that a sensible p­erson might want to drive to work every day. Maybe if VW swapped the “!” part of the badge for “hybrid,” there would be ­sufficient demand here!

ROAD TEST EDITOR JONATHAN WONG: I was a fan of the first-generation Acura RDX, but it never caught on like its MDX big brother did. Truth is that the previous RDX was too small, featured a harsh ride and wasn't exactly fuel efficient with the turbocharged four-cylinder engine. For a single guy like me who puts a premium on performance and doesn't care so much about fuel economy, it was pretty darn cool. It hustled through turns well, and the turbo really got the little RDX moving. The biggest problem was that it simply didn't sell.
With the arrival of the second-generation RDX, Acura is much better prepared to capture a broader audience. In place of the turbocharged K-series four-cylinder engine is Acura's tried and true 3.5-liter V6 mated to a six-speed automatic gearbox. The engine provides good muscle and is among the smoothest drivetrain pairings on the market, in my opinion. And with EPA fuel economy ratings of 19 mpg in the city and 27 mpg on the highway, it's respectably fuel efficient. Oh, and it happens to have 33-hp more than the outgoing turbo four-cylinder powerplant.
Ride quality is also more forgiving. Gone is the borderline jarring ride replaced with a chassis that's capable of taking the edge off of most bumps and potholes. It's not overly cushy and you'll still feel some jolts in the cabin when going over bigger road hazards. Steering is responsive to inputs and feels nice for a small SUV. The brakes are great with firm pedal feedback and strong stopping power.
The interior is also nicer with higher-grade materials and larger dimensions. The back seat is more spacious and the front buckets feature decent support. As in other Acura vehicles, there are a good number of hard buttons on the center stack (but not as many as in the MDX) to control audio, climate and navigation. The ELS audio system sounds rich and doesn't get the credit it deserves, often overshadowed by the Bose and Harmon-Kardon units of the world. The navigation system is easy to use, but the map graphics are in need of an update. While other luxury automakers like Audi have 3D Google Maps graphics, Acura is still rolling along with the same system as in the Wong family's first-generation MDX. I'm also disappointed that this range-topping Tech trim doesn't included blind-spot monitors on this luxury small SUV, while our long-term Mazda CX-5 does.
With those couple of nitpicks aside, the second-generation RDX is very strong redo and the sales numbers are proof. In September alone sales are up almost 120 percent compared to September of 2011. For those who liked the previous car's sporty personality, they won't be too disappointed with the new one because it's still a great handler for the class. But to draw in customers who dismissed the old car, it's grown a little, offers a better ride quality, fuel efficiency, and good value.
NEWS EDITOR GREG MIGLIORE: The 2013 Acura RDX is a nicely equipped crossover with broad appeal and potential, but it failed to inspire me during my commuter laps. With the sweeping changes for the 2013 model year, however, the brand does seem poised to sell a bunch of them and build on its base.
From this view, the styling was bland, and even the smaller cues like the headlights and creases in the panels didn't really spark my interest. Inside was worse, with dark materials (which usually present well) that made the cabin feel like a cavern. Normally there are too many buttons in Acura's center stack. It seems to be remedied in this vehicle, though the abundance of buttons unfortunately migrated to the steering wheel.
That's the negatives. The RDX is comfortable, offering an elevated driving position and soft yet supportive seats. This was perfect for a stop-and-go-slog into work. With the windows cracked and satellite radio humming, it was a pleasant experience—even as I stared at taillights. The chassis is compliant, and the vehicle handles road imperfections with ease.
The next-generation all-wheel-drive system seems flawless, and credit to Acura for improving something it probably didn't have to; it makes the brand and this vehicle more relevant.
The engine is just OK. The power isn't obvious to the driver, and it doesn't come on until high in the band. No one expects a drag racer, but only a heavy foot and aggressive attitude will make this thing feel even remotely fast. It does add power compared with the turbo four, and the replacement is part of sweeping changes for the '13 model year. Overall, the RDX could attract a wide range of customers, as blandness can also be viewed as universal appeal. Lots of things like leather and heated front seats are standard—making it a solid value. Personally, I'd opt for a different SUV.
EXECUTIVE EDITOR ROGER HART: Two things really stand out for me with the RDX—the engine, and the excellent navigation system. Honda's 3.5-liter V6 is a sweetie, free-revving and fuel efficient. Personally, I like engines with a bit more low-end torque, but the engine works just fine in this configuration. Acura's nav system ranks among the best, in my opinion. It's easy to use, the screen is nice and big, and with real-time nav traffic, it can save you a bunch of time commuting.
As crossovers go, the field is getting pretty crowded, and I'm not sure this would be my first choice. The exterior design is bland, to be kind. And at $40k, I would want more interior space than this vehicle affords.
2013 Acura RDX Tech
Base Price: $40,315
As-Tested Price: $40,315
Drivetrain: 3.5-liter V6; AWD, six-speed automatic
Output: 273 hp @ 6,200 rpm, 251 lb-ft @ 5,000 rpm
Curb Weight: 3,852 lb
Fuel Economy (EPA/AW): 22/22.6 mpg
Options: None

Jaguar introduced the Concept Speedboat at the drive event for the XF Sportbrake.


On Tuesday Jaguar unveiled a Concept Speedboat at the driving debut of the Europe-only Jaguar XF Sportbrake. Jaguar says it “showcases the design DNA of the manufacturer in a spectacular package.” We think it's another feather in the hat of design-guru Ian Callum.
"We recognize that both our existing and future customers enjoy diverse and active lifestyles. With the launch of the new Jaguar XF Sportbrake, we had an opportunity to create a vision of how our design philosophy might be applied to an alternative product in which speed and beauty are also priorities,” said Callum. "The Concept Speedboat looks powerful. It follows, in so many ways, the idea of a traditional speedboat but with the sleek and fast characteristics that you would expect from a Jaguar car."
Jaguar consulted with Seventy Seven Design on the project. It gets a gel coat, fiberglass hull and is finished with natural teak wood. A carbon-fiber fin, inspired by the Jaguar D-Type, spans the length of the boat. A sharply raked tinted windscreen stretches around the outside. Fuel-filler caps are inspired by the Series 1 XJ.
Jag didn't specify a powertrain for the speedboat, but we'd suggest the 5.0-liter supercharged V8 from the XKR and not the 2.2-liter diesel from the Euro Sportbrake.

Carson Chen/Jason Chen
The Porsche 918 hybrid supercar looks just as mean in candid photos as it does in official publicity shots.


We've seen the upcoming Porsche 918 supercar in a variety of paint schemes, and read about it in action everywhere from California's Death Valley to the Nürburgring.
Now, a reader-submitted photo shows a 918, wearing black and white livery and a large “21,” prowling the streets of San Francisco. Autoweek's Mark Vaughn had a hands-on experience with a pair of cars, numbered 12 and 18, undergoing some desert testing, so this likely represents a third car on the roads of the Southwest.
Appearances are a bit deceiving here—what may appear at first glance to be carbon fiber weave on the rear of the car is actually a reflection from the photographer's dashboard. That doesn't mean there aren't plenty of composites on the roughly 3,748 pound car. Don't miss our report on all the (speculative) details.
Thanks to Autoweek reader Carson Chen, whose son Jason snapped the photo, for the submission.