Toyota has announced incremental changes for its 2014 model year RAV4 SUV and 2014.5 model year Camry sedan, including the addition of its Entune Audio system.

Beginning with the 2014 model year, Toyota’s Entune Audio system will be optional on RAV4 LE models and standard on up-level XLE models. Toyota’s Entune Premium Audio with Nav – which also includes Entune apps – will be available on XLE models and standard on the range-topping RAV4 Limited.

Other tweaks to the XLE trim level include sunvisor extenders and chrome interior door handles as standard equipment. RAV4 Limited buyers can opt for a new Technology Package for the 2014 model year that includes a Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert, Lane Departure Alert and Auto High Beam.

In order to simplify the ordering process, the RAV4′s Blind Spot Monitor with Rear Cross Traffic Alert will no longer be offered as a stand-alone option.

Entune Audio also joins the Camry lineup for the 2014.5 model year. The system will be fitted as standard to L, LE, LE Hybrid and SE models, while XLE and XLE Hybrid models get an upgraded Entune Audio Plus system. Camry SE V6 and XLE V6 get the up-rated Entune Premium Audio with Nav system as standard.

All Camry models receive a standard backup camera for 2014.5.

Reflecting those improvements, the 2014 Toyota RAV4 will arrive on dealer lots with prices between $250 and $1,310 higher than last year’s model. The Camry’s price increase is a little less severe, with the sedan’s MSRP rising between $190 and $955.

The 2014 Toyota RAV4 is scheduled to begin production next month. The 2014.5 Camry will begin rolling down the assembly line in December.

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With the SEMA Show just around the corner, General Motors’ Chevrolet brand is previewing its Vegas-bound lineup of customized cars.

Chevrolet is bringing a total of seven vehicle to SEMA, ranging from its diminutive Spark all the way up to its full-size Impala sedan. The Camaro is conspicuously absent from Chevy’s SEMA lineup however. For the last several years Chevrolet has introduced a production variant of the Camaro at the annual show.

Nonetheless, Chevy’s booth will still contain plenty of performance-oriented models, including the Performance Sonic RS concept. Based on the standard Sonic RS, Chevy has added a cold air induction system and a high-flow exhaust system to increase power from the car’s 1.4L turbocharged engine.

The Performance Sonic RS also features a tracked-tune suspension and a high-performance brake kit with Wilood front calipers.

In order to look the part, the Performance Sonic RS rides on a set of 18-inch wheels and sports a Lemon Peel Yellow exterior with blue graphics.

One of the more interesting cars on tap for SEMA, Chevrolet will also showcase a performance version of its Spark EV. Called the Spark EV Tech Performance, engineers have tweaked the plug-in’s “power-delivery algorithm” to deliver better acceleration. In order to handle that extra performance, the concept has also been fitted with stronger axles. Chevrolet says the Spark EV Tech Performance has been lightened to enhance performance.

For those that prefer going green with diesel technology, Chevy will also have a modified version of its Cruze diesel on hand. Dubbed the Personalization Cruze Diesel concept, the one-off oil-burning compact boasts a ground effects package by 3dCarbon, revised front fascia and a new chin spoiler. Under hood the concept retains the road-going Cruze diesel’s 2.0L engine, returning up to 46mpg on the highway.

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Nissan has announced pricing for its all-new 2014 Pathfinder Hybrid. The Pathfinder Hybrid, which is now available at Nissan dealer nationwide, joins the Pathfinder 3.5L model in an expanded lineup for 2014.

Nissan’t entry-level Pathfinder Hybrid SV 2WD arrives in dealer showrooms with a base price of $35,110, representing a $3,000 premium over a similarly equipped gas-only version of the SUV. Adding all-wheel drive to the Pathfinder Hybrid SV ups the price to $36,710.

In addition to the SV model, the Pathfinder Hybrid will also be offered in SL ($38,050 FWD, $39,650 AWD) and Platinum ($42,750 FWD, $44,350 AWD) trim levels. Prices do not include a mandatory $860 destination charge.

All Pathfinder Hybrid models use a new supercharged 2.5L four-cylinder engine mated to an electric motor. The Pathfinder’s electric juice is provided by a lithium-ion battery pack.

The Pathfinder Hybrid 2WD is rated at 25mpg in the city and 28mpg on the highway, netting a combined rating of 26mpg. Opting for AWD dings the Pathfinder Hybrid’s mileage by 1mpg highway.

The Pathfinder Hybrid retains the same 19.5-gallon fuel tank used by the regular Pathfinder, giving the SUV a total range of 546 miles.

Don’t forget to check out our initial impression of the 2014 Nissan Pathfinder Hybrid here.

Photos by Nat Shirley

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Winter might be just around the corner, but that isn’t stopping Ford from testing its all-new 2015 Mustang Convertible.�

Our spies managed to nab the topless version of Ford’s ponycar while it was testing not far from the automaker’s operations in Michigan. Like the 2015 Mustang coupe, which has been spied numerous times before, the convertible will have an all-new look inspired by the automaker’s Evos concept car.

Our spy shots reveal a neat soft top, not the folding metal hardtop that had once been rumored (such a feature would be expensive and heavy, and given the relatively low sales volume of the Mustang convertible, it simply doesn’t make much sense.�

We can’t see in this Mustang’s interior, but a recent round of spy photos of the coupe gave us a very clear look – so clear, in fact, that we could see that Ford engineers prefer listening to SiriusXM’s Patriot conservative talk radio station. Check out those photos here.

The new Mustang convertible will eschew the current model’s retro style for a more forward-looking design. Underneath, it is likely to retain the current car’s 3.7-liter V6 and 5.0-liter V8 offerings, but a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder boasting a mountain of torque and better fuel economy than the V6 is also likely to be offered. 

Initially, both six-speed manual and six-speed automatic gearboxes will be on offer, but a 10-speed automatic co-developed with General Motors – of all automakers – will eventually join the Mustang’s spec sheet. 

Notably, all versions of the Mustang including the convertible will finally ditch the current car’s robust but archaic solid rear axle for a fully independent setup. Although the solid axle is a favorite of drag racers, its handling limitations are lower than those of a fully independent setup. 

In addition, a recent filing suggests that Ford may bring back the Mach 1 nameplate. <![CDATA[
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