BMW USED CARS

Subaru is cutting a new version of its long-running hit sedan, the Legacy, due in showrooms this summer.

Cutting — or perhaps sharper — is the best way to describe the fifth-generation car, which is redone for 2010 with a rakish design, more powerful engines and claims of a smoother chassis. It will be unveiled at the New York auto show in April and is very close to the concept shown in Detroit.

The Legacy is about an

In February, new-vehicle sales dropped an astounding 41 percent from the previous year. Automakers are hemorrhaging cash and begging the taxpayers of multiple nations for bailouts. Dealerships have become virtual gh

The 6.2-liter V8 in the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro SS cranks out 426 hp or 400 hp, depending on the transmission choice.

But there are some people out there who want more. With a higher-performance Z28 Camaro from the factory on the back shelf as General Motors battles for survival, aftermarket tuners are ready to fill the void.

Mercedes-Benz's AMG performance division chief, Volker Mornhinweg, offers this procedure for those who want to get the most out of the all-new 2010 E63 AMG:

Step 1. Fully depress brake pedal.

Step 2. Shift transmission to D.

Step 3. Switch electronic stability program to sport mode.

Step 4. Switch transmission to race-start mode.

Formula One powerhouse McLaren secretly has begun work on a replacement for its legendary F1 supercar, while it also gears up to become a mainstream sports-car maker.

McLaren's Technology Center in Woking, England, has been building just 100 McLaren SLR supercars a year for Mercedes-Benz, but McLaren boss Ron Dennis reportedly has his sights set on producing 1,000

Ikuo Maeda is the new head of design at Mazda Motor Corp.

The man who is credited with styling the Mazda's flagship sports car takes over for Dutchman Laurens van den Acker, 43, who has decided to leave the company "to pursue other interests," the automaker said in a statement today.

Van den Acker, who joined Mazda in 2006, will remain at the automaker until April 10 to ensure a smooth transition for Maeda, Mazda said.

Ford Motor Co. and General Motors posted the sharpest sales declines among major automakers as the industry headed toward its sixth straight monthly drop of more than 30 percent.

Ford's March sales fell 42.1 percent and GM's were down 44.7 percent, for its fifth decline of more than 40 percent in the past six months. Chrysler LLC tumbled 39.3 percent, its smallest percentage slide since October. Nissan North America drop

The return of cheap gas has been the one light moment in this tear-jerking economy. However, relief at the pump has been crushing for sales of hybrid cars, which have tanked faster than even the auto market at large.