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The 640i incorporates BMW's N55 twin-scroll single turbo six-cylinder and includes features not found on the V8 model, including a fuel-saving start-stop function. In European spec, the TwinPower Turbo 3.0-liter delivers 316 brake horsepower and 332 pound feet of torque through a standard ZF-source eight-speed automatic. (For comparison's sake, the 650i musters 400 hp and 450 lb-ft). In addition to the 640i, European Editor Matt Davis reports that a grips-at-all-corners xDrive...

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U.S. District Judge Arthur Tarnow ruled that Chrysler's request didn't show that it would suffer irreparable harm or that it had a strong likelihood of winning its case. That means Pure Detroit's owner, Detroit retailer Moda Group LLC, can continue selling its "Imported from Detroit" products.

Tarnow also noted that Chrysler doesn't have a trademark on "Imported from Detroit" and rejected the automaker's argument that trademark law isn't applicable to the case.

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Everyone's looking for an edge in the electric vehicle wars, and Nissan might have one. It's working on a system that would allow Leaf owners to use the car to supply electricity to their houses during power outages. Lots of people buy generators for that purpose, but Hideaki Watanabe, head of Nissan's Global Zero Emissions Business unit, says his EV could handle the job. The Leaf's battery can store 24 kilowatt hours of electricity, equal to about a day's worth of energy use in...

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Toyota, Honda and Nissan are counting on new lease programs to keep customers from straying because of the lack of selection of popular models in the aftermath of the March earthquake.

American Honda Motor Co. told dealers last week to offer to extend customers' leases by up to six months on most models. Honda also will offer $500 cash to lease customers who move into new leases.

Honda's campaign, marketed as the Honda Promise Program, also will give customers a rain check on...

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It is true: car leasing beats car financing. Okay, this statement is based on my opinion and is derived, in part, on my one and only experience leasing a car. And I will say this: car leasing is certainly not for everyone, particularly if you plan to leave the country, or your car needs are likely to change before the lease expires, or drive a lot of miles each year.

Other than that, car leasing offers advantages over car financing and that includes cars leased through American...

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One reason there was such an increase in leasing is because it allows drivers to get a new vehicle every few years. And if you are a person who likes to keep up with the latest automobile trends, then leasing may be a lot less expensive investment overall compared to buying a car outright.

Leasing also can be a cheaper option, with lower monthly payments, and less cash needed up front.

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Can I sell you a used car? Increasingly, even if a car dealer might want to make that pitch, he’s unlikely to have the actual used car. This is because there’s currently a dearth of used cars coming onto the market, due the tremendous production slowdown during the financial crisis. And even though this sounds bad, it isn’t.

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A key supply of late model used cars -- vehicles coming off of three-year leases -- is about to be choked off due to the crisis in the financial markets and the auto industry that summer that cut deeply into new leases. "Leasing fell off across the board in 2008, so there's just not going to be as many of those late model, good quality cars coming into the market," said Belinda Aborts, director of automotive credit for auto research firm Experian.

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Used car buyers are about to find that it's tougher to find the models they want. And they may have to pay more for older, higher mileage cars too. Why? It's yet one more thing to blame on the crisis that hit the auto industry and overall economy in 2008. A key supply of late model used cars -- vehicles coming off of three-year leases -- is about to be choked off due to the crisis in the financial markets and the auto industry that summer that cut deeply into new leases.

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Few of us can do without a car which means finding ways to have a vehicle we want or need, but at price we can afford. Fortunately, there are some excellent options out there for the car shopper, so let’s explore what they are.

Lease New — Buying a new car means you’ll have to put down some money and make payments for three, four or five years…maybe longer. When your car is finally paid off, you’ll be left with a vehicle that will need increasing amounts of maintenance and repairs...

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