Automotive Trends

      Better grab a hot chocolate and your favorite Snuggie for this one! Not only is it darn cold and chilly in the Motor City, but in this paticular episode of the Automotive Trends PODCAST your humble editors got a bit long winded! Design Editor Gernand gives us a quick history on the Chrysler K-Car before we launch into our pre-auto show discussion. We debate what vehicles will make the finalist round for North American Car and Truck of the Year awards, then deliver a little bit of commentary on the BMW 1-Series M Coupe, Chevrolet’s newest small car name, Buick’s latest endeavor to deliver small car fuel mileage in the fullsize LaCrosse and we also mentioned the Ford Explorer and Volkswagen Golf R. To top it all off we discussed all four of the vehicles we’ve had in the fleet since we last sat behind the mics. Click through to have a listen and check out the impressive photo galleries.

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Hosts: Executive Editor Brandon Dye, Senior Editor Jason Muxlow, Design Editor Erich Gernand
Runtime: 1 hour 23 minutes 49 seconds

Topics:

2011 North American Car of the Year shortlist:

Audi A8
Buick Regal 
Chevrolet Cruze
Chevrolet Volt 
Ford Fiesta
Hyundai Sonata / 2.0T / Hybrid
Infiniti M37 / 56
Jaguar XJ
Kia Optima
Mazda2
Nissan Juke
Nissan Leaf
Volkswagen Jetta
Volvo S60

2011 North American Truck of the Year shortlist:

Dodge Durango
Ford Edge
Ford Explorer
Honda Odyssey
Hyundai Tucson
Infiniti QX56
Jeep Grand Cherokee
Kia Sorento
Kia Sportage
Lincoln MKX
Mercedes-Benz R-Class
Porsche Cayenne
Toyota Sienna
Volkswagen Touareg

New Releases:

2012 BMW 1-Series M-Coupe
Photos courtesy of BMW

2012 Chevrolet Sonic
Photos courtesy of GM

Jaguar XJ L
Photos by Jason Muxlow

Cadillac SRX Turbo
Photos by Jason Muxlow

Buick Regal
Photos by Jason Muxlow

Toyota Venza
Photos by Jason Muxlow