2013 Nissan Optima on 2040-parts.com

Ownership costs of traditional versus alternative fuel vehicles

As gas prices remain high, and an increasing number of automakers roll out plug-in hybrid cars and full-electric vehicles, it's becoming easier to be tantalized with the idea of driving right past the gas station and simply "plugging in." The debate ensues when it comes to cost: These alternative fuel vehicles mean a larger outlay of cash at the onset, but the long-term fuel savings could make the purchase worthwhile. To help straighten out this numbers game, we use the Department of Energy's Vehicle Cost Calculator to compare alternative fuel vehicles with their gasoline-only counterparts. For each scenario, we assumed that our hypothetical owner was able to get the full $7,500 federal tax credit and a $2,500 state tax credit, such as is available in California.

Fiat Strada

The forth-generation Fiat Strada pickup is a product of company's booming Brazilian operations and is set to go on sale in Europe this month for the first time. It follows on from the Ford EcoSport, another South American product heading to the global market. The Strada is offered with three body styles: a standard two-seat cab configuration; a long cab with stowage behind the seats; and a full four-seat crew cab variant.

New Audi A4 (2012) arrives: Audi A4, S4 and A4 Allroad

New Audi A4 (2012) revealed together with 2012 S4 and A4 Allroad The current Audi A4 has been with us since 2008, but with the Mercedes C Class and the BMW 3 Series upping their game it’s time for Audi to strike back with an updated A4 for 2012. So we get treated to a complete refresh across the A4 range from Audi, with new versions of the Audi A4, A4 Estate, S4, S4 Estate and the 4WD Audi A4 Allroad Quattro. The 2012 Audi A4 isn’t a new, ground-up A4, rather it’s a comprehensive re-work of the current A4 with significant styling updates – inside and out – and a plethora of new engines.