Autobytel and AutoPacific’s Vehicle Satisfaction Award measures owners’ satisfaction with their new vehicles by gathering input from new vehicle owners on 48 individual attributes that objectively measure the ownership experience such as power and acceleration, interior and exterior styling, cargo space/capacity, ease of getting in and out, driver’s seat comfort, and quietness inside the vehicle.

Freshly redesigned for the last year model, the 2012 Scion tC features new styling with superior driving dynamics, better performance with more power yet increased fuel efficiency.  The base manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for the 2012 tC equipped with a six-speed manual transmission is $18,575, and $19,575 when equipped with a six-speed automatic transmission.

For 2012, Scion also introduced its first Release Series (tC RS 7.0) for the second generation tC.  Stylized with a unique honeycomb lower grille incorporated in the front bumper and a TRD body kit that includes front and rear lower valences and side skirts, the 2012 tC Release Series 7.0 comes exclusively in High Voltage yellow exterior paint with black 18-inch alloy wheels.  Limited to Only 2,200 units, the Scion tC RS 7.0 carries a MSRP of $20,905 and $21,905 when equipped with a manual and automatic transmission respectively.

2012 Scion tC RS 7.0 (Release Series) pictures – Hi-res. Images

2011-2012 Scion tC pictures – Hi-res. Images

The 2012 Infiniti M was awarded in the 2012 Luxury Sedan/Wagon segment, while the Infiniti IPL G Coupe received Top Scoring Car honors in the 2012 Luxury High Performance segment.  The Infiniti M was in the top three overall scorers across all qualified models.

The 2012 Infiniti M is offered in three models: M37, M56 and M35h (Infiniti’s first-ever hybrid).  [2012 Infiniti M37, M56 overview, 2012 Infiniti M35h Overview]

The Infiniti IPL G Coupe is a modified edition that builds on the foundation of the second-generation Infiniti G37 Coupe Journey RWD.  [2012 Infiniti IPL G37 Coupe Overview]

The Top Scoring Car Awards cover 20 major vehicle categories for model year 2012.  A qualified vehicle must have a rating from at least five sources and in order to receive Top Scoring honors, the vehicles have to go through comprehensive evaluation from top automotive review and rating sites.  A vehicle’s Total Car Score is its combination of scores from all the top automotive review and rating sites.  “Total Car Score” utilizes the ratings and converts them into a simple percentage.

2011-2012 Infiniti IPL G37 Coupe pictures – Hi-res. Images

2011-2012 Infiniti M pictures – Hi-res. Images

2012 Infiniti M35h Hybrid pictures – Hi-res. Images

Nissan's "Easy Fill Tire Alert" system

Nissan recently introduced the “Easy Fill Tire Alert” system, which eliminates both the guessing and the gauge and helps maintain optimum tire pressure.

Driver is warned when there is a low tire with a display showing the pressure of each tire and the relevant tire of tires.  As the driver fills the tire, air going in is confirmed by the in-car’s four-way flashers. The horn chirps notify the driver when the tire is full.  If there is too much air, the flashers blink faster and the horn beeps three times.  The horn chirps again after enough air is let out to reach proper inflation.

The “Easy Fill Tire Alert” System comes standard on the all-new 2013 Nissan Altima.

Besides appearing on the KBB’s 10 Best list, the 2012 Mazda MX-5 was also named to “10Best Cars” list by Car and Driver.  According to Mazda, the MX-5 not only can handle the daily point to point needs, it can offer the performance that drivers can enjoy getting behind the wheel.

The 2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata is available in three series – Sport, Touring and Grand Touring and choice of soft top model or retractable hardtop model.  When equipped with manual transmission, the 2012 Mazda MX-5 has estimated city/highway mpg rated at 22/28 mpg for sport model and 21/28 mpg for Touring and Grand Touring models.  When equipped with automatic transmission, the Mazda MX-5 has estimated mileage city/highway of 21/28 mpg.

The 2012 Mazda MX-5 has manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) starting at $23,470 MSRP with a soft top and at $27,540 with the Power Retractable Hard Top.

2012 Mazda MX-5 Miata pictures – Hi-res. Images

2012 Nissan GT-R Track Pack 190mph GPS Verified

In this video from EVOTV, EVO’s contributing editor takes the new Nissan GT-R Track Pack on a de-restricted Autobahn in an attempt to max it out.

Nissan introduced a new track-focused edition to its 2012 GT-R line-up in U.K at the end of last year. Priced at £10,000 more than the standard £74,450 GT-R, the GT-R Track Pack edition was developed for those who want to take the road legal GT-R to the race track.

The GT-R Track Pack edition’s engine retains the same specification as the regular 2012 model GT-R, which produces 542 horsepower.

With the adjusted spring race, lightweight 6-spoke RAYS alloy wheels and additional built in brakes cooling ducts, the GT-R Track Pack edition is able to achieve 0-60 mph in just 2.7 seconds.

2012 Nissan GT-R Track Pack pictures – Hi-res. Images

The all-new Toyota Camry was awarded in the 2012 midsize sedan/wagon segment.  The Toyota Avalon earned top scoring in the 2012 large sedan/wagon category.  The full-size Tundra pickup received Top Scoring Car honors in the 2012 large truck segment.

A qualified vehicle must have a rating from at least five sources and in order to receive Top Scoring honors, the vehicles have to go through comprehensive evaluation from top automotive review and rating sites.  “Total Car Score” utilizes the ratings and converts them into a simple percentage.

2012 Toyota Camry pictures – Hi-res. Images

2011-2012 Toyota Avalon pictures – Hi-res. Images

2010-2012 Toyota Tundra pictures – Hi-res. Images

The Mazda CX-5 has achieved high normalized scores in four categories – adult occupant protection(50%), child occupant protection(20%), pedestrian protection(20%) and safety assist(10%).  The ratings in each category are based on the following tests: frontal impact at 64km/h, Car-to-car side impact at 50km/h, Pole side impact at 29km/h, Whiplash from rear end impact and pedestrian protection, and evaluation of the Electronic Stability Control (ESC).

The all-new Mazda CX-5 also earned “Top Safety Pick” award from IIHS two months ago, confirming the all-new CX-5 as among the safest cars in the world.

The all-new Mazda CX-5 is the first Mazda vehicle to receive all SKYACTIV components, which include SKYACTIV-G (highly-efficient direct-injection engine), SKYACTIV-MT or SKYACTIV-Drive (highly-efficient MT or AT transmission), SKYACTIV-body (lightweight, highly-rigid body), and SKYACTIV-Chassis (high-performance lightweight chassis).

In the U.S, the all-new 2013 Mazda CX-5 is offered in 3 models – Sport, Touring and Grand Touring.  The staring manufacturer’s suggested retail price (MSRP) for each model is $20,6952, $23,895 and $27,045 respectively.

All-New 2012-2013 Mazda CX-5 (European Spec) pictures – Hi-res. Images

HIROSHIMA, Japan—Mazda’s all-new CX-5, launched in Europe in February 2012, has been awarded the maximum five-star rating by the European New Car Assessment Programme^*1 (Euro NCAP).

This rating, alongside being named a “Top Safety Pick 2012″ by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) in the United States last March, confirms the all-new CX-5, which employs Mazda’s new lightweight, highly rigid SKYACTIV-BODY, as among the safest cars in the world.

Since 2009, the Euro NCAP rating system awards an overall rating from zero to five stars. The rating is composed of scores in four categories; adult occupant protection(50%), child occupant protection(20%), pedestrian protection(20%) and safety assist(10%). The ratings in each category are based on the following tests: frontal impact at 64km/h, Car-to-car side impact at 50km/h, Pole side impact at 29km/h, Whiplash from rear end impact and pedestrian protection, and evaluation of the Electronic Stability Control (ESC).^*2 To be awarded a five-star rating cars must achieve high normalized scores in all four test categories. The CX-5 scored amongst the top performers in the small off-road 4×4 category despite the introduction in 2012 of higher standards in the pedestrian protection category and overall rating.

The CX-5 is the third Mazda to earn the Euro NCAP five-star rating since the introduction of the new rating system in 2009. It follows the European-spec Mazda6 (known in Japan as Atenza) and the Mazda3 (known in Japan as Axela).

The CX-5 is the first of Mazda’s new generation of products to employ the lightweight, highly rigid SKYACTIV-BODY. Mazda engineers redesigned the body from scratch, rethinking the fundamental principles of structure, materials, and manufacturing methods, with the aim of the developing the ideal vehicle body. High tensile steel comprises 61% of the body and the bumper beams, which fit inside the front and rear bumpers, are made from 1,800 Mpa class steel—strongest in the world used in automobiles. Through this process Mazda achieved a body which is both extremely lightweight and exhibits excellent crash safety performance.

Mazda intends to deploy the lightweight, highly rigid SKYACTIV-BODY in its new-generation products.

• *1 Euro NCAP is an independent agency comprised of the transport authorities of European countries. It has awarded automotive safety ratings since 1997.
• *2 Mazda refers to its Electronic Stability Control system as Dynamic Stability Control (DSC).

• Authentic Kuruma front bumper
• Authentic Top Secret painted carbon fiber hood & painted underside
• Authentic Gialla grille
• Authentic Inpul side skirts
• Custom Speedraver Design rear bumper
• Color matched mirror mounts
• Top Secret hood dampers
• Color matched entire engine bay/core support
• Clearcorners.com custom headlights, clearance strip, and led ring
• Clearcorners.com custom dual function side marker & signal
• Color matched tail lights
• 6000k HID upgraded fog lights
• Authentic Skyline side GT shield emblem
• Completely debadged

• Stoptech BBK 4p” front -4p 13″ rear (Custom powder coated and color matched finish)
• Tanabe Sustec Pro Z40 Coilovers
• Relentless Autosports custom chrome upper front strut bar
• Cusco upper front A-arms
• SPC rear camber arms
• SPC rear toe adjustment bolts
• Painted gloss black rotor hat

Wheels and Tires:

• HRE 540R 3pc forgd rims – 20×9.5 front, 20×11 rear
• Chromed inner and outer barrels
• Falken FK 452 performance tires – 255/30/20 front and 285/35/20 rear
• Digital tire pressure monitoring system
• Extended wheels studs
• Project Kics lug nuts

Custom 2005 Infiniti G35 Coupe pictures – Hi-res. Images