Jaguar XKR Convertible

The XKR Convertible is the more performance-focused version of the normal drop-top XK. It packs a 510 horsepower punch and features more aggressive touches to its Aston Martin-like styling.

In addition to its massive horsepower rating, the AJ-V8 Gen III 5.0-liter engine delivers a whopping 461 pound-feet of torque. The sprint from zero to 60 mph takes just 4.6 seconds.

There's not a lot of space for rear passengers, but the driver and his or her passenger enjoy a luxurious grand touring experience with enough power to give most sports cars a run for their money.

The XKR Convertible owes its handsome looks to a unique design approach taken by Jaguar's team. Instead of designing the Coupe first, the design team began by penning the Convertible. This strategy ensured the drop-top doesn't simply look like a coupe with its roof chopped off.

Like its coupe counterpart, the XKR Convertible has unique styling cues such as a more aggressive front fascia, air intakes on the hood, aluminum-finish grilles, more creases on the hood, and quad exhaust pipes. Customers can chose between 19- and 20-inch wheels for the XKR.

The XKR's roof is a power-latching, self-stowing system with three layers including Thinsulate insulation and a Rakona headliner. When the top is down, an aluminum tonneau cover conceals the canvas roof. While many convertibles are only offered with a black roof, the the XK can be ordered with gray, burgundy, green or dark beige canvas.

The XKR's suspension has been tuned for a more aggressive ride. Changes include up-rated springs and dampers, plus a recalibrated computer to control the dynamic suspension settings.

As is the case with the regular XK convertible, the XKR model is built around Jaguar's ultra-strong "Lightweight Vehicle Technology," which does not need traditional stiffening panels to achieve a sturdy body structure. In fact, the XK convertible is 19 percent lighter than the previous-generation XK drop-top.

A six-speed automatic transmission with steering-wheel-mounted paddles is standard. On downshifts, the system creates a throttle blip to shorten over-run shifts. An "active" exhaust system ensures the XKR is quiet while cruising, yet still able to create purposeful V8 roar under hard acceleration.

Although they are not a legal requirement, the Convertible features a Roll-over Protection Device consisting of two aluminum hoops that are automatically deployed if the car's sensors detect the onset of a roll-over accident.

Other standard features include adaptive headlights that swivel in corners, aluminum-finish side window surround, stability control, keyless entry and start, a seven-inch touch screen to control various car functions, and a body-colored spoiler.

Options include a 525-watt Alpine premium sound system, Sirius satellite radio, soft-grain leather, a leather-wrapped instrument panel, and a heated steering wheel.

All XKRs are fitted standard with an iPod and USB connectivity interface, an air quality sensor, front park assist and electrochromic and heated power fold-back mirrors.

Mazda cx-5

With the new CX-5, Mazda has finally released a complete vehicle designed around their Skyactiv philosophy. The result is a small SUV with almost a Miata’s worth of racetrack talent and the best mileage numbers in the market – but is anybody really asking for a “performance alternative” to the Toyota RAV4 and Honda CR-V?

The CUV segment is among the hottest in the market right now, fueled by scarcely believable sales numbers from the Ford Escape and Honda CR-V. Unfortunately for Mazda, the company has never had a homegrown vehicle to offer those buyers. The Tribute was a quickie rebadge of the Escape that didn’t fool anyone; the CX-7 was a sleek spaceship of a crossover that was always just a little bit too big, too fuel-thirsty, and too expensive to really make any friends.

Although a CR-V clone would pack the showrooms and make some short-term money for Mazda, nobody really expected them to build one. Instead, we have the CX-5, which aims to combine traditional Mazda virtues like light weight, simplicity, and driver-focused design with the new Skyactiv suite of technologies. The result is perhaps the most interesting $21,000 car on the market.

What is Skyactiv? As implemented in the CX-5, it’s a complete departure from previous Mazda platforms. The unibody is all-new, designed to maximize space while cutting weight severely. Indeed, the CX-5 is between 220 and 500 lbs. lighter than the equivalent CX-7, depending on trim level, while providing very similar interior space. A completely re-imagined gasoline engine uses special long-tube headers and unique piston design to safely raise compression to 13:1, yielding 155 horsepower and 150 lb-ft. of torque. The manual and automatic transmissions – yes, two kinds are on offer for the North American market – both feature six forward gears and are claimed to be significantly lighter than their predecessors.

Buyers who do expect those qualities won’t have to look any further than the Mazda CX-5, and they won’t suffer much of a practicality penalty for doing so.

2013 Mazda CX-5 base price range, $20,685 to $28,295

Chrysler SRT Viper

According to latest Chrysler Group LLC press release “The Snake Returns to Chrysler Group’s Conner Avenue Assembly Plant” Dodge will no longer give its name to Viper – it is going to be forwarded to SRT division and will be called 2013 SRT Viper.Conner Avenue will begin building the new 2013 Viper in late 2012, but employees began reporting for training and orientation this fall – nearly 150 jobs to return to Detroit.

Chrysler’s reborn Viper won’t make its public debut for about a month, but our illustrator has put together a highly detailed rendering of the new performance car that will help boost the profile of the company’s Street and Racing Technology division.

Set to become the first vehicle marketed under the SRT banner, the 2013 Viper has been a long time coming. Its Dodge Viper predecessor has been out of production since mid-2010, but a fifth-generation snake will debut next month at the New York International Auto Show.

Our illustration is based on information culled from a number of sources, one of which is rather unusual, to say the least. While information gleaned from insiders, including those few members of the public who have been allowed to see the car, and photos of cleverly disguised test mules form the basis of much of the illustration’s details, a leaked image of a Hot Wheels 1/64-scale toy car helped put the finishing touches on our rendering.

That Hot Wheels model made its way online last week when it was posted on a Viper forum.

We expect the Viper’s proportions to remain mostly unchanged, but its rear end is more aggressive and angular than the one seen on the last generation. As predicted by spy shots and previous reports, the car features a high-sculpted hood fitted with two big air vents.

Those vents will be needed as the SRT Viper is expected to arrive with an 8.7-liter V10 engine that will send over 600 horsepower to the rear wheels. Early rumors suggested the car would share some of its architecture with the voluptuous, if slightly un-engaging Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione, but SRT chief Ralph Gilles has been quick to dispel those rumors by stating that “The new Viper is not based on anything else.”

As previously reported, Chrysler is reopening its Conner Avenue Assembly Plant in Detroit to build the Viper. The automaker has offered jobs to all 150 workers it once employed at the facility, which it uses exclusively to hand-build Vipers.

“The next generation Viper will make its return to the product lineup in late 2012 as a 2013 model,” said SRT Brand & Motorsports President/CEO Ralph Gilles in a statement released to the media. “We’re extremely excited that our ultimate American sports car will continue to live on and be produced exclusively here in the Motor City.”