We’ve all seen those Lexus commercials where a cheesy significant other surprises the love of their life with a brand new car. Do you think that really happens out there in the real world? Are you a perfect example of such a story and did you receive a brand new vehicle for Christmas?

Let us know in the comments section below and give us a little background to your story. Of course, also let us know what (if you did) car you received as a Christmas present.

- By: Omar Rana

BMW M3 sedan vs. Cadillac CTS-V sedan

A very important decision maker here at egmCarTech can’t decide on what his next set of wheels should be – so he asked me if I would be so kind to take a break from everyday normal news and run a little poll. With that in mind, I’m reaching out to you egmCarTech visitors to help him decided between a 2011 BMW M3 sedan or a 2011 Cadillac CTS-V sedan?

Now before you jump up and say why is he purchasing a sedan instead of a coupe, you should know something about this man who shall remain nameless (his nickname is DD, or just Detour). He’s over 6-foot tall, has 3 kids and a wife, already owns a GMC Yukon Denali and is probably the biggest (craziest) BMW fan you’ll ever meet in your life.

So help DD decide. Should he let go of his BMW fandom and jump ship to a Cadillac CTS-V sedan? Or should he just go for the BMW M3 sedan and stay where he feels safe.

Side Note: He is also considering a BMW X6 with an M-Sport Package, you know, for family purposes. We’ll follow up in a couple of days and let you know what DD purchased.

Cast your vote below in the poll and please, hit the jump to leave a comment and elaborate – DD would love to hear back from you.

- By: Omar Rana

2011 Chevrolet Camaro - Al's Chevrolet Ad Spot

After our live coverage of all the automotive commercials during Super Bowl XLV yesterday, it’s only right we ask you what your favorite one was during the big game. We’ve created this giant poll to make life easier for all of you but feel free to drop a comment after the jump if you feel like it.

Who do we think stole the spotlight? Chrysler,  with its Imported from Detroit commercial without a doubt… well, we’re bit indecisive on that and Al’s Chevrolet with Bumblebee.

If you need a refresher, we’ve added each Super Bowl XLV car commercial after the jump.

2011 Chrysler 200 – Imported From Detroit:

2011 Chevrolet Camaro – Miss Evelyn:

2011 Chevrolet Camaro – Al’s Chevrolet:

Mercedes-Benz – 125 years in the making:

2012 Volkswagen Beetle – Black Beetle:

2011 Hyundai Sonata Hybrid – Anachronistic City:

2011 Hyundai Elantra – Deprogram:

CarMax – Kid in a Candy Store:

2011 BMW 335d – Advanced Diesel:

Transformers Dark of the Moon – Trailer:

2011 Chevrolet Cruze – Facebook Status:

2012 Volkswagen Passat – Darth Vader:

2011 BMW X3 – Defying Logic:

2011 Chevrolet Volt – Discovery:

2011 Kia Optima – One Epic Ride:

2011 Hyundai Elantra – Hypnotized:

Fast Five – Trailer:

2011 Chevrolet Silverado – Tommy:

2011 Chevrolet Cruze – Misunderstanding (Old people):

2011 Audi A8 – Kenny G’s Luxury Prison:

2012 Ford Focus – Ford Focus Rally America:

Suzuki Kizashi – Wicked Snow Men:

- By: Omar Rana

2011 Hyundai Equus

When our friends come up to us asking what affordable mid-size sedan car we would recommend them, the first car that pops into our mind is the 2011 Hyundai Sonata. The new Sonata has become a viable competitor to the Honda Accord and Toyota Camry and seems to offer better looks and more bang for your buck. The same can be said for the new 2011 Hyundai Elantra.

Of course, much of Hyundai’s image improvement is credited to the Genesis and Genesis Coupe – but the firm is now confident enough to offer the world a $50,000+ large luxury sedan – the Hyundai Equus.

Recently, one of my friends went and test drove a Sonata after I recommended the sedan and came back and said “I still can’t get over the fact that it’s Hyundai and not a Honda.”

With that in mind, I figured we’d pop the question to our visitors. Regardless of how much Hyundai has evolved over the past couple of years, would drive one?

2011 Hyundai Equus:

- By: Omar Rana

Apple iPad in a 2011 Hyundai Equus

Hyundai offers a ‘free’ Apple iPad with the 2011 Hyundai Equus – in fact, the iPad in the Equus takes the place of an owners manual for the new large luxury sedan from the Korean automaker.

Along with a free iPad and other convenient services, Hyundai is hoping that some new large luxury sedan shoppers look its way rather the Mercedes-Benz S-Class or Lexus LS. Now we’re pretty sure an Apple iPad won’t really convince someone to pick an Equus over an S-Class or an LS, but it’s a start.

Click here for more news on the Hyundai Equus.

What we want to know is if many automakers started offering iPads along with the purchase of a new car – would it sway your decision to choose one brand over another? For example, if Hyundai offered a free iPad with a Sonata, would it change your decision from purchasing a Honda Accord without an iPad.

Let us know your answer in the comment section after the jump.

- By: Omar Rana

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee

Rear-wheel-drive is all about performance and driving dynamics, while all-wheel-drive is all about having control in adverse weather conditions and having some strong off-roading capabilities. It’s one of the decisions that many car shoppers, especially those shopping for a luxury vehicle, face when buying a new car.

So that got us wondering… if you guys are or will be in the market for a new car – what would you choose, RWD or AWD.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section after the jump.

- By: Omar Rana

2011 Kia Optima

This isn’t the first time we’ve heard Kia’s head of design’s desperate call for a sports car to give the growing brand more appeal. Peter Schreyer, Kia’s chief design officer, said that the brand definitely needs a sports car or convertible model to give it a more solid foundation.

“I think Kia needs a car like that sooner or later, but at the moment it’s not yet the time to make any promises,” Schreyer told Automotive News. Kia has been significantly improving its style with new models like the Soul, Forte (Forte Koup), Sorento, Sportage and the new Optima sedan.

Schreyer, 57, joined Kia in 2006 after working at Volkswagen Group for 26 years. He is best known for his design on the original Audi TT.

Let us know your thoughts in the poll and if you want to justify your vote – drop us a line in the comments section after the jump.

- By: Zain Haq

Souce: AutoWeek

Top Gear: Donut Trailer

The folks at the History Channel have just confirmed that that Top Gear USA will be officially airing on Nov. 21. So set your Tivos, DVRs or just be home in front of the TV by 10 p.m./9C.

Of course, many have doubts that hosts Tanner Foust, Rutledge Wood and Adam Ferrara will be able to live up to their British counterparts (Jeremy Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May), but if you check out the two new trailers that the History Channel just dropped – you just might change your mind.

Oh, and we’ll have our own Stig as well.

Hit the jump for the two trailers and let us know in the poll below if you’re excited about Top Gear USA – and if you really want to vent, hit the jump for the comments section.

Click here to learn more about the Top Gear USA team.

Top Gear: Theater:

Top Gear: Donut:

- By: Omar Rana

2011 Audi Q5 - 2011 BMW X3 - 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK

Here it is – the 2011 lineup of compact SUVs, Crossovers or whatever you want to call them. BMW yesterday announced official pricing on the new reengineered and redesigned 2011 BMW X3 so we figured it’s finally time to ask a question we’ve been waiting to ask for a long time; which of the following compact SUVs would you buy – the 2011 BMW X3, 2011 Audi Q5 or the 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK.

Keep in mind that each automaker offers different powertrains and different price points – so if one seems to cost less than the other – it’s probably because one is offering less power and interior features as standard option. Let’s take a look at pricing vs. power.

The $37,625 2011 BMW X3 xDrive28i is powered by a 3.0L inline 6-clyinder unit making 240-hp and 230 lb-ft of torque. Pricing for the X3 xDrive35i jumps up to $41,925 since you get the 3.0L inline 6-clyinder N55 with direct fuel injection, twin-scroll turbo technology and Valvetronic that produces 300-hp and 300 lb-ft of torque.

The 2011 Audi Q5 2.0T, which is powered by a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder making 211-hp, starts at $35,3700, so while that’s less than the X3, it also comes with a 4-cylinder turbo making less power. Moving up a notch, the 2011 Audi Q5 3.2 FSI, which is powered by a 3.2L V6 making 270-hp, starts at $42,500. That’s more than the 2011 BMW X3 xDrive35i and once again, offers less power.

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz GLK is the only one offered in one variant – the GLK350. Power comes from a 268-hp 3.5L V6 engine with prices starting at $35,500.

However, if power is not your concern then all offer the similar amount of limited utility, all seat 5-passengers, all are German and all offer some good reliable quality along with a solid drive and comfort.

The question is, which one would you buy?

Have your say in the poll below and let us know your thought process in the comments after the jump.

- By: Omar Rana

Katy Perry chosen as 'Ultimate Dream Passenger' for men

In a new poll by MPH, the Prestige and Performance Motor Show, Katy Perry was chosen by British men as their ‘ultimate dream passenger.’ According to the poll, ultimate dream would be lived out in a new Lamborghini Gallardo supercar.

While men picked Perry, women chose Twilight star Robert Pattinson as their number-one choice. Women chose the Ferrari 458 Italia as the vehicle to live out their fantasy in.

Who would be your ultimate dream passenger and in what vehicle? Let us know in the comment section below.

- By: Omar Rana

BMW Concept 6-Series Coupe

Over the weekend, BMW dropped pictures of the BMW Concept 6-Series Coupe, which is basically a production version of the next-generation 6-Series sports car by the German brand. The design closely resembles the Concept Gran Coupe that BMW unveiled at the 2010 Beijing Motor Show in April.

In our opinion the design has improved significantly especially at the front-end where the 6-Series stops looking sad and depressed and more like an animal in the wild. The rear end of the next-generation 6-Series has also been given aggressive styling with wider stance.

BMW Concept 6-Series Coupe

Either way, check out the pictures and let us know what you think about the new BMW 6-Series. Love it or hate it?

Note: Remember to use your Facebook account when commenting today since you can increase your chances of winning Top Gear Season 13 on DVD. Click here for more details.

Click here for our original post on the BMW Concept 6-Series Coupe.

BMW Concept 6-Series Coupe:

- By: Omar Rana

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee, 2011 Ford Explorer, 2011 Dodge Durango

The United States market now has three brand-new SUVs / Crossovers to pick from and that got us thinking which ones American will flock towards most.

Will it be the 2011 Ford Explorer, 2011 Dodge Durango or the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee? Or would you rather just go to GM and pick the Chevrolet Traverse, GMC Acadia or Buick Enclave (all are built on the same Lambda platform).

Let us know what your pick is in the comments section after the jump.

Refresher:

• 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee: The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee is available in 3 models: Laredo, Limited and Overland. The 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo 4×2 model starts at $30,995, while the 4×4 Grand Cherokee Laredo model starts at $32,995. Prices for the 2011 Grand Cherokee Limited 4×4 start at $39,995, while the Overland 4×4 model start at $42,995. All models are be powered by a 3.6L Pentastar V6 unit making 290-hp delivering up to 23 mpg and over 500 miles on one tank of gas. Optional features include a 360-hp 5.7L V8 and a Trailer Tow Group.
• 2011 Ford Explorer: Power for the 2011 Ford Explorer comes from a 3.5L Ti-VCT V6 engine making 290-hp and 255 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission or the optional 6-speed SelectShift automatic. Ford will also offer an 2.0L inline 4-cylinder turbocharged and intercooled EcoBoost engine making 237-hp and 250 lb-ft of torque. Also mated to a 6-speed automatic, the EcoBoost Explorer is expected to deliver a 30 percent increase in fuel-economy. The 2011 Explorer will hit dealerships with three trim levels including base, XLT and Limited. Prices start at $28,190.
• 2011 Dodge Durango: Power for the 2011 Dodge Durango comes from two engine choices. Standard is Chrysler’s fuel-efficient 290-hp 3.6L Pentastar V6 and optional is the 5.7L HEMI V8 with fuel-saving, Multi-displacement system (MDS) 4-cylinder mode. The Pentastar V6 has a towing capacity of 6,200 pounds while the V8 can pull 7,400 pounds.

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee:

2011 Ford Explorer:

2011 Dodge Durango:

2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee:

2011 Ford Explorer:

2011 Dodge Durango:

- By: Omar Rana

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS

If you were busy this weekend, you probably missed the unveiling of the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS, which will go on sale in the United States in mid-2011. So far the model is being pretty well received for its daring design, however, some have mixed feelings.

We decided we’d just ask you guys what your take is on the 2012 CLS. Do you like it, love it or hate it?

Let us know in the comments section after the jump.

Click here for our original post on the 2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS.

2012 Mercedes-Benz CLS:

- By: Omar Rana

2011 Ford Fiesta

The 2011 Ford Fiesta should be available for a test drive at your local showroom now (last we heard dealers and customers were complaining that the Fiesta has been delayed). In our eyes it seems like the 2011 Fiesta will give the subcompact market in the United States quite a competition.

The 2011 Ford Fiesta starts at $13,320, looks better than the competition and offers better fuel-economy (no we’re not kissing FoMoCo’s rear-end we’re just stating the facts). Either way at the end of the day, the decision is yours and what you feel is the best choice for your daily driver.

The 2010 Honda Fit starts at $14,900, offers only one body style and averages an EPA-estimated 27/33 mpg (city/highway). Next up is the 2010 Toyota Yaris. It comes in three body styles (3-door hatch, 5-door hatch and a sedan) with prices starting at $12,605 for the 3-door hatch ($12,905 for the 5-door hatch). Fuel-economy for the Yaris is estimated at 29/36 mpg. Last but not least we have the Nissan Versa, which starts at $13,520 ($9,990 for the sedan stripped of basically everything) and averages an EPA-estimated 26/34 mpg. You can also take a look at Nissan’s Cube, which starts at $13,990, offers one body style, and averages 27/31 mpg.

The decision is yours, just let us know it in the comments section below.

Refresher: The 2011 Ford Fiesta is powered by a 1.6L DOHC 4-cylinder engine making 120-hp with a peak torque of 109 lb-ft. The EPA rated the 2011 Fiesta at 29/40 mpg (city/highway) when mated to a 6-speed PowerShift automatic transmission and 28/37 mpg when mated to a 5-speed manual. Pricing for the 2011 Ford Fiesta starts at $13,320 for the sedan and $15,120 for the 5-door hatch.

2011 Ford Fiesta:

- By: Omar Rana

GMC Granite Concept

With all the buzz surrounding the GMC Granite Concept, we figured we’d just ask you guys whether or not you think GM should build a production version of “Professional Grade” compact.

It was reported yesterday that the Granite has been given the green light for production, however, the Detroit automaker was quick to say that nothing is officially official just yet.

If built the GMC Granite will be powered by a 1.4L 4-cylinder turbocharged engine making 138-hp and 148 lb-ft of torque. It is mated to a 6-speed automatic transmission. The model will compete with the likes of the Nissan Cube and the Scion xB.

With that in mind, do you think GM should go ahead and just put the Granite in production?

Let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

GMC Granite Concept:

- By: Omar Rana

Chrysler PT Cruiser

The last Chrysler PT Cruiser will be rolling off the assembly line on July 9th. Some of you probably wouldn’t really care to see the PT go but some of you may be really sad to see the historic little car go bye-bye.

“For a while, it was the best-selling Chrysler-brand vehicle,” said Jim Hall, managing director of 2953 Analytics, a Birmingham consultancy.

In fact, as much as we didn’t care for the PT Cruiser, numbers show otherwise. Chrysler will have sold more than 1.3 million PT Cruisers when production ends on July 9. That means that there is a huge following for the love it/hate it design – maybe enough that Chrysler should do a next-generation version.

What are your thoughts?

Let us know in the comments section below.

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Free Press

2011 Kia Optima

The top level executives at Kia are considering dropping model names for their U.S. lineup and adopting a alphanumeric naming process. The move is being considered at the highest-level, according to Hyundai Motor Co. Vice Chairman Chung Eui-sun.

Kia’s lineup in South Korea and some other markets already is partially alphanumeric. The Kia Optima, as it is known in the United States, is known as the K5 in other markets.

So we’re wondering what you would do if you were Kia. Do you keep names like the Forte, Forte Koup, Soul, Rio, Optima, Sportage, Sorento and Sedona or would you rather go for something like K3 (Forte) or K5 (Optima)?

- By: Omar Rana

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

2011 Honda CR-Z

The 2011 Honda CR-Z will be at your local dealer on August 24, 2010 – the question is, will America buy it? Prices for the base 6-speed manual Honda CR-Z start at $19,200 ($19,950 including a destination and handling charged of $750) and top out at $23,210 for the 2011 Honda CR-Z EX with Navi and a CVT transmission.

Click here to get the full pricing details on the 2011 Honda CR-Z.

The 2011 Honda CR-Z models are powered by a 1.5L i-VTEC mated to Honda”s Integrated Motor Assist hybrid system. That helps make a total of 122-hp and a maximum torque of 128 lb-ft when mated to manual transmission (123 lb-ft for CVT models). When mated to a 6-speed manual, the CR-Z returns an EPA-estimated 31/37/34 mpg (city/highway/combined). With the CVT transmission, the CR-Z returns 35/39/37 mpg.

What other options do you have besides the 2011 Honda CR-Z? We’d recommend checkout out the 2010 Volkswagen TDI, which starts at $22,354  and gets an EPA-estimated 30/41 mpg (city/highway). Or even the base 2010 Volkswagen Golf, which returns an EPA-estimated 22/30 and starts at $17,620.

Let us know your thought process in the comments section below.

2011 Honda CR-Z:

- By: Omar Rana