Mercedes-Benz has vowed to dethrone BMW as the United States’ best-selling luxury brand in 2013. Mercedes narrowly lost out to its cross-country rival for each of the last two years.

Steve Cannon, CEO of Mercedes-Benz USA, predicts that Mercedes-Benz will be able to outpace BMW for the full year based on its new lineup. Cannon says Mercedes won’t be forced to turn to incentives to knock-off BMW.

“We’re going to have a great year,” Cannon told Automotive News. “And when we beat BMW, it will be based on natural sales [and] great execution.”

He added that Mercedes won’t need a “last-minute sale” to beat BMW.

Mercedes currently holds a 3,000 unit advantage over BMW, and Cannon says the company’s redesigned S-Class and all-new CLA will keep Mercedes in the lead for the remainder of the year. However, Mercedes also held a lead over BMW this time last year, before a strong December propelled BMW past its in-country rival.

BMW ended up beating Mercedes by 7,000 units last year, but it wasn’t without controversy. Mercedes execs accused BMW of padding its stats by counting loaner car sales to dealers.

BMW finished 2011 and 2012 as the U.S.’ best-selling luxury marque, ending Lexus’ 11-year run at the top.

Photo by Mark Elias. 

 <![CDATA[
/* @Himanshu 09-01-2013 New code to work with br tag, p tag and /n */
div.post-content1{
color: #000000;
font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;
font-size: 15px;
line-height: 1.333em;
margin-bottom: 16px;
margin-top: 10px;
}
/* @Himanshu 09-01-2013 New code to work with br tag, p tag and /n */
div.post-content1 ul li
{
list-style:disc !important;
margin-left:20px;
color:#000000;
}
div.post-content1 ol li
{
list-style-type: decimal !important;
margin-left:20px;
color:#000000;

}
#editorial_graph ul li
{
list-style:none !important;
margin-left:0px;
}
]]>

Our spy photographers have sent us the first images of Audi’s next-generation TT sports car. Seen here undergoing shakedown testing in Europe, the new TT will likely bow sometime next year as a 2015 model.

Audi has largely been able to keep details of its 2015 TT under wraps, but we know that the sports car will be making the transition to Volkswagen Group’s latest MQB modular platform. VW launched the MQB platform with its seventh-generation Golf.

The 2015 TT will rely on aluminum for part of its construction, which should drop the car’s weight by a couple hundred pounds. Those in the know say the 2015 TT will be more driver-focused than the car currently on offer.

The styling of the 2015 TT remains covered by camouflage, but it’s clear the sporty two-door will retain is classic shape.  Up front it looks as though the TT will borrow styling cues from the Audi A5.

On the powertrain front, look for the 2015 TT to come standard with a 220 horsepower version of Audi’s 2.0L turbo four. The up-level TTS will rely on a 300 horsepower four-cylinder while the hotter TT-RS will us a 380 horsepower five-cylinder.

The 2015 TT will be offered in front- and all-wheel drive configuartions.  Both a six-speed manual and automatic will be on offer.

The 2015 Audi TT is expected to make its debut in coupe form at the 2014 Geneva Motor Show, with the convertible variant likely to follow a few months later.

 <![CDATA[
/* @Himanshu 09-01-2013 New code to work with br tag, p tag and /n */
div.post-content1{
color: #000000;
font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;
font-size: 15px;
line-height: 1.333em;
margin-bottom: 16px;
margin-top: 10px;
}
/* @Himanshu 09-01-2013 New code to work with br tag, p tag and /n */
div.post-content1 ul li
{
list-style:disc !important;
margin-left:20px;
color:#000000;
}
div.post-content1 ol li
{
list-style-type: decimal !important;
margin-left:20px;
color:#000000;

}
#editorial_graph ul li
{
list-style:none !important;
margin-left:0px;
}
]]>

The soul of Kia might be its… Soul. Lousy pun aside, we’re more impressed with the Korean automaker’s second-generation box-on wheels every time we take a look at it.

The Soul now boasts a vastly improved interior with a terrific Android-based navigation system. Not only that, it rides and handles much better thanks to a number of refinements made to its all-new structure and its revised suspension. 

At around $15,000 to start, the Soul is well-equipped and, for the first time ever, a compact car that appeals on more than just its style.Â

Join our Ron Doron as he takes you on a full tour of Kia’s new Soul and don’t forget to check out our full First Drive here. 

 <![CDATA[
/* @Himanshu 09-01-2013 New code to work with br tag, p tag and /n */
div.post-content1{
color: #000000;
font-family: Helvetica,Arial,sans-serif;
font-size: 15px;
line-height: 1.333em;
margin-bottom: 16px;
margin-top: 10px;
}
/* @Himanshu 09-01-2013 New code to work with br tag, p tag and /n */
div.post-content1 ul li
{
list-style:disc !important;
margin-left:20px;
color:#000000;
}
div.post-content1 ol li
{
list-style-type: decimal !important;
margin-left:20px;
color:#000000;

}
#editorial_graph ul li
{
list-style:none !important;
margin-left:0px;
}
]]>