The 2008 Mitsubishi Lancer will hold the honor of having the first continuously variable transmission (CVT) from the brand offered in the United States. The CVT is rumored to be mated to a 2.4 liter 4 cylinder engine in their venture with DaimlerChrysler AG and Hyundai Motor Company. Being down a bit on luck, Mitsubishi is looking to score and the continuously variable transmission may just fill a void in the fleet's fuel economy rating: CVTs are known to average up to a 20 percent decrease in fuel consumption. By using a series of belts and pulleys (instead of traditional gearing), CVTs transmit a robust and efficient amount of power to the wheels. Check out more on the CVT-equipped Lancer at AutoWeek.

This fall, Honda will be releasing a refreshed and sportier version of the Element. In contrast to the current Honda Element, the SC will add new styling features including Ridgeline-esque headlights, painted exterior panels (as opposed to flat composite), and an "aero-enhanced" grille.

Late last Friday, Nissan advised its dealership network to discontinue selling 2006 Nissan Altimas and Sentra SE-Rs equipped with a four-cylinder engine, as there have been multiple reports of fires. There has been one minor injury reported thus far from the complication. The issue is that some 100,000 of these vehicles built between January 2006 and last month are consuming engine oil at such a rapid rate that fire is likely. "If not detected or addressed properly, the condition may lead to engine damage which could, in extreme cases, result in a risk of fire," a Nissan statement mentioned. Nissan is advising affected vehicle owners to check their oil levels every 700 miles and that the powertrain warranty will be extended to 7 years/100,000 on the engine itself. Click here to read more.

The Toyota FJ Cruiser is the newest offering in the ultra-popular "retro" vehicle segment, & it's the first SUV to get the what's-old-is-new-again treatment. TheAutoChannel.com has a great ride & drive review posted; click the link below to check it out.

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According to Automedia, Honda is set to release the 2007 Civic 3-door hatchback, a car to hold close to the Type-R Civic hatchback previewed back in February. Some prototypes that mimic the Type-R have been spotted near the Nürburgring in Germany. The base model to be produced for the masses is set to make its debut in July, however, it's not known for certain if it will be offered in the United States.

After September, Honda will no longer produce the Insight, per Honda Executive Vice President Richard Colliver yesterday. While there is a hybrid remaining in the lineup, the Civic, there are plans to construct a new hybrid that will be smaller than the Civic. The prospective new model won't be available until 2009, so the weight is all on the Civic to hold strong in the green race. Click here to read more about the Insight's demise and Honda's future plans.

It has been made quite clear that Toyota is ready to play--whether the NASCAR fraternity is ready for them is another question. As it may or may not be known, Toyota is set to continue its venture in the NASCAR circuit next year and hopes to achieve the same success on the track as it currently does in the showroom. As with any sanctioned and sponsored sport, money is a huge factor. Other teams are definitely concerned with the fact that Toyota's entry into the circuit may lead to sponsorship support reduction. In other words, if Toyota subsidizes the Nextel Cup teams as it does the teams in the Craftsman Truck series, a major sponsor may only have to fork out half of this year's amount (around $16 million) to play the game. This concept, coupled with the fact that an Asian import will continue to be in the series, is a potentially cataclysmic event that may shake up the status quo in the sport.

At the end of this model year (2006), Acura will be nixing the RSX coupe. A senior VP of operations, John Mendel, said Acura is seeking other options to replace the RSX, with hints at the TSX (coupe version) being offered. The M.O. behind this axing is Acura is seeking to continue its upscale momentum and separate itself from its sibling auto make, Honda.

At the recent New York Auto Show, Lexus unmasked its fastest and most powerful hybrid yet, the LS600h L. The new hybrid sedan is outfitted with a brand new 5.0 liter V8 engine, along with high output electric motors and an extra-capacity battery setup. The novel Lexus sedan transfers power to the ground via a new dual-stage, electronically controlled continuously variable transmission. While torque figures are not yet available, the power rating for this Herculean hybrid is about 430hp; not bad for a gas or diesel engine, let alone a hybrid. A recent press release from Lexus claimed the new LS600h L was to provide the power of "modern 12-cylinder engines while still delivering best-in-V8-class fuel efficiency."

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