Two new Aston Martin models to debut at New York auto show

Aston Martin has announced that it will debut new versions of its Vantage and DB9 sports cars at the New York auto show. At $99,900, the Vantage GT becomes the lowest-price option in the Aston Martin lineup. With a 430-hp V8, a 190-mph top speed and some seriously attractive bodywork, the budget model could prove tempting to Porsche 911 buyers.

Redesigned Ford Focus expected to get 40 mpg on the highway

The redesigned 2012 Ford Focus will get an estimated 40 mpg in highway driving with an all-aluminum 2.0-liter engine mated to a six-speed, dual-dry-clutch automatic transmission. The normally aspirated engine combines variable camshaft timing and high-pressure direct fuel injection to crank out 160 hp and 146 lb-ft of torque. That compares with 140 hp and 136 lb-ft from the aluminum 2.0-liter engine used in the current-generation Focus.

Nissan EV moves electric car closer to reality

It's called the Leaf in Japan, and whether or not Nissan's production electric car carries that name in the United States, the company insists that the car will be on the road before the end of 2010. Slightly larger than the familiar Versa subcompact, the zero-emissions Leaf was unveiled Aug. 2 at a dedication ceremony for Nissan's new global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan.