X
CNET logo Why You Can Trust CNET

Our expert, award-winning staff selects the products we cover and rigorously researches and tests our top picks. If you buy through our links, we may get a commission. Reviews ethics statement

Fall Tech Preview: Cars and car tech

2013 looks to be an excellent model year for cars, with new entrants from Cadillac, Ford, and BMW, plus some high tech updates for existing models from Honda, Lexus, and SRT.

Wayne Cunningham
Wayne Cunningham reviews cars and writes about automotive technology for CNET's Roadshow. Prior to the automotive beat, he covered spyware, Web building technologies, and computer hardware. He began covering technology and the Web in 1994 as an editor of The Net magazine.
Antuan Goodwin Reviews Editor / Cars
Antuan Goodwin gained his automotive knowledge the old fashioned way, by turning wrenches in a driveway and picking up speeding tickets. From drivetrain tech and electrification to car audio installs and cabin tech, if it's on wheels, Antuan is knowledgeable.
Expertise Reviewing cars and car technology since 2008 focusing on electrification, driver assistance and infotainment Credentials
  • North American Car, Truck and SUV of the Year (NACTOY) Awards Juror
Wayne Cunningham
Antuan Goodwin
Viper_02.JPG
1 of 8 Sarah Tew/CNET

2013 SRT Viper

Price: TBD

Availability: Late 2012

The outlook: The new Viper is a halo car for the Chrysler Group, marking its reorganization under Fiat. Where the old Viper was a massive engine with a little bit of car wrapped around it, this new model is a high tech race car, set to compete with the likes of supercars from Ferrari and Lamborghini.

Cadillac_ATS_top_1.JPG
2 of 8 Tim Hornyak/CNET

2013 Cadillac ATS

Price: $33,990

Availability: Late summer, 2012

The outlook: The ATS is Cadillac's new entry-level model, a car designed from the ground up to compete with the BMW 3-series. Combining sport and luxury characteristics, the ATS can be had with two different engines and will get Cadillac's new CUE infotainment system, which brings in navigation, Bluetooth phone support, digital music, and other features.

BMW_X1_SS04.jpg
3 of 8 Wayne Cunningham/CNET

2013 BMW X1

Price: $30,650

Availability: September, 2012

The outlook: The U.S. finally gets BMW's mini SUV, the X1. This car is substantially smaller than BMW's X3, but comes with the same engine options, BMW's new turbocharged four cylinder and the turbocharged inline six cylinder. It will be one of the least expensive BMWs available.

DSC_6226.jpg
4 of 8 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2013 Ford C-Max Hybrid

Price: $25,200

Availability: September 2012

The outlook: Ford hedging its hybrid bet with a tall wagon that takes on the Prius and the Prius v at the same time. With more passenger volume than standard Prius and better power and economy than the larger v. Will it be an odd compromise or will it be just right?

Fusion_HYBRID_three-quarter.JPG
5 of 8 Tim Hornyak/CNET

2013 Ford Fusion Hybrid

Price: $27,200

Availability: Fall, 2012

The outlook: Ford gave its Fusion mid-size sedan a big update, which included the hybrid model. The new Fusion Hybrid gets fuel economy in the mid-40s, approaching that of the Toyota Prius. It can also be had with a number of driver assistance technologies, such as blind spot monitoring, lane departure prevention, and automatic parking.

DSC_5317.jpg
6 of 8 Antuan Goodwin/CNET

2013 Lexus LS 460

Price: $67,630

Availability: now

The outlook: On the outside the 2013 LS appears to be a simple mid-cycle styling refresh. Settle into the driver's seat and you'll see that the automaker's flagship model has undergone a complete transformation with over 3,000 new parts, new interior styling, and a revamped suite of cabin tech and performance tech options.

Clarion_Next_GATE_App_Menu_Screen.jpg
7 of 8 Clarion

Clarion Next Gate

Price: $269.99

Availability: now

The outlook: It may seem odd to replace the iPhone that's suction-cupped to your windshield with another device that's suction-cupped to your windshield. However, the Next Gate only displays those apps that are appropriate for in-car use on its massive 7-inch screen, which should be easier to view and touch.

action_cam-5.jpg
8 of 8 Lori Grunin/CNET

Sony Action Cam Wi-Fi

Price: $270

Availability: September 2012

The outlook: Aiming to take the place of that GoPro Hero or Contour HD stuck to your car's bumper, the windshield, or your helmet, the Sony Action Cam enters the fray with HD video capture, rugged construction, and optional Wi-Fi connectivity with your Android or iOS device.

More Galleries

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera
A houseplant

My Favorite Shots From the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera

20 Photos
Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra
magic-v2-2024-foldable-1383

Honor's Magic V2 Foldable Is Lighter Than Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra

10 Photos
The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum
Samsung Galaxy S24

The Samsung Galaxy S24 and S24 Plus Looks Sweet in Aluminum

23 Photos
Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design
The Galaxy S24 Ultra in multiple colors

Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra Now Has a Titanium Design

23 Photos
I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites
img-0368.jpg

I Took 600+ Photos With the iPhone 15 Pro and Pro Max. Look at My Favorites

34 Photos
17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About
Invitation for the Apple September iPhone 15 event

17 Hidden iOS 17 Features You Should Definitely Know About

18 Photos
AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?
img-1599-2.jpg

AI or Not AI: Can You Spot the Real Photos?

17 Photos