U.S. Army names three finalists to replace the Humvee in $5 billion bake-off

 

In the lingo of the U.S. Army, the next-generation of battle trucks will be known as the Joint Light Tactical Vehicle. To everyone else, it's known as the replacement for the Humvee -- and one of the few multibillion-dollar U.S. defense contracts still up for grabs. On Wednesday, the Army narrowed its list of potential Humvee successors to three. Here's a look at what the 21st-century jeep will look like.

The winners -- AM General, builder of the current Humvee; Lockheed Martin and Oshkosh Corp. -- beat out three other teams from Navistar, General Dynamics and BAE Systems. The three top entrants won contracts worth about $60 million each to build a small fleet of demonstration models that will be tested by the Army. Whichever team prevails will win a contract to build 20,000 vehicles for the U.S. Army and another 5,000 for the Marines at an estimated cost of $5 billion; the eventual deal could be worth far more depending on options and whether other countries buy the same vehicle -- a rare opportunity in a era where the Defense Department faces up to $1 trillion in budget cuts.

Compared to the current Humvee, the new designs offer far more interior space; compared to the original World War II-era Jeep, they're tanks with wheels that can travel farther and faster over rough terrain and rivers. While required to be less expensive per vehicle, all were designed to withstand blasts from mines and roadside bombs, a leading killer of U.S. troops in Iraq and Afghanistan.

 

The Lockheed Martin JLTV and the Oshkosh L-ATV

AM General's BRV-O entry sports a 3,500-lb. payload, self-leveling suspension and a 3.2-liter, 300-hp turbocharged six-cylinder diesel meant to be far more fuel-efficient than the V-8s used in the Humvee. Lockheed Martin says its JLTV has been designed to minimize weight -- allowing it to be hauled by helicopter -- while avoiding high-cost materials like titanium. And the Oshkosh L-ATV offers a suspension designed to give its wheels 20 inches of vertical movement over inhospitable terrain.

The companies will deliver their testing units to the Army over the next year; the Army will take two more years to test before picking a winner sometime in 2015. Here's hoping by then there will be less demand for hauling Americans into harm's way.

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2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S brings all wheel drive to the party

 

As autumn follows summer and traffic crashes follow starlets, so too must come the inevitable variations of a new Porsche 911, which wil soon grow to include the all-wheel-drive Porsche 911 Carrera 4, in coupe, convertible and uprated S flavors, all lighter, faster and likely more expensive than their predecessors. Progress always carries a price tag.

Adding four-wheel power to the regular 911 -- just named Motor Trend's "Best Driver's Car" and rightly acclaimed as a world-beating sports car -- may seem like overcomplicating to add heaviness, but the new edition of the 911 Carrera 4 is up to 143 lbs. lighter than previous models, thanks to Porsche's battle of the bulge. The regular versions get 350 hp engines and can crack 62 mph in 4.5 seconds (4.7 seconds for those topless versions); the S models add an extra 50 hp and shave 0.2 seconds off the run to 62 mph.

Yes, this is the only passenger car in the world with a seven-speed manual transmission, a floorboard shrine to the century where people picked their own gears. Yet it's also the first Porsche 911 where the presence of a stick shift raises the question of how seriously the car will be driven; the PDK dual-clutch automatic outperforms it in every aspect, from fuel economy to track speed. With a light foot, the all-wheel-drive models can broach 30 mpg. For the first time, the 911 Carrera S will also tell you when its powering the front wheels,

 

Set to debut in the metal at the Paris Motor Show next month, the new 911s will likely account for a third of total model sales, and set the stage for the parade of models to come: a turbo 911 Carrera S, a track-flavored GTS variety, and perhaps even a hybrid. U.S. prices haven't been announced yet, but if you don't have at least $100,000 to spend on a new car, the Porsche dealer will gladly show you the Boxster -- or a selection of branded baseball caps.

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Best summer clearance deals on new cars

If you’ve been waiting to buy a new car, you’d better get moving. The end of summer is usually one of the best times of the year to buy because it marks the end of the model year, and the beginning of the next one.

Dealers want to make room on their lots for 2013 models, so they’re eager to clear out their 2012s, even if very little has changed from one year to the next. For savvy consumers, there are some generous rebates, finance rates and lease deals available. And these aren’t just on a bunch of leftovers. In many cases, the clearance sales are on some of the manufacturers’ best-selling models and newly redesigned vehicles.

“With a little digging, you should be able to find the color, trim level and features you want,” said Alec Gutierrez, senior market analyst at Kelley Blue Book, an automotive research site for consumers.

Gutierrez’s advice is to do your research online, then email local dealers and tell them what you’re willing to pay. “Try to get the dealerships to bid for your business,” he said. If you do, you’re likely to get a great deal.
KBB.com dug through the myriad offers in popular categories to come up with the best purchase and lease deals available on well-equipped small and mid-sized cars and crossovers. Most deals expire Sept. 4.


 

Hyundai Accent

The Hyundai Accent GLS, with a sticker price of $13,320, is available for as little as $232 a month, with 3.9% financing.

 

Toyota Camry

You can get a Toyota Camry LE (MSRP: $23,360) for $334 a month for five years, with 0% financing and $1,500 cash back.


 

Fiat 500

The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) is $16,200, but Fiat is offering 0% financing plus a $500 rebate, which means you can get this cute subcompact for about $248 a month.


 

Mazda3
This sporty compact sedan has an MSRP of $17,640, but is available with 0% financing, so you can own it for $269 a month.

Or If Leasing Is More Your Style

KBB found a lot of attractive lease deals available at the end of the 2012 model year as dealers take advantage of low interest rates and high used car values. There are some incredible offers right now.


 

Chevrolet Malibu

There's a new Malibu for 2013, but while the 2012 models are still around, you can lease a Malibu LS for $179 per month for two years, with $1,939 down.

 

Subaru Impreza

Like all Subarus, the Impreza features all-wheel drive. Redesigned for 2012, it is available for $169 for 42 months, with $1,969 down.

 

Ford Focus

For a little more, you can lease a larger Ford Focus for $159 for two years, with $2,378 down.


 

Kia Forte

Kia is offering a three-year lease deal on the Forte LX for $159 per month, with $1,999 down.


 
Ford Fusion

A redesigned Fusion is on the way later this year, but you can get a two-year lease on the 2012 model for $159 per month, with $2,778 down.

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