2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet: Photo Gallery

For the price difference you pay for the 2013 Porsche 911 Carrera 4S Cabriolet over the coupe, you could buy a new Nissan Versa. For the price difference between the base-model Carrera 4S Cabriolet and a fully loaded one, you could buy a 2013 Chevrolet Camaro 1LT — with a droptop.

Starting at $118,480 and topping out at $147,175 (including a $950 destination charge), it's a safe assumption that either you can afford it or that your long-term investment strategy is still finding its way. In either case, what you'll find is that the all-wheel-drive Carrera 4S Cabriolet offers a rare balance between the performance aspects of a luxury sports car and the touring experience of a convertible

The Carrera 4S cabrio's 3.8-liter six-cylinder engine is mated to a seven-speed manual transmission, generating 400 horsepower and 325 pounds-feet of torque for a zero-to-60 time of 4.5 seconds. Exterior styling changes for 2013 include wider rear wheels and rear fenders, a light strip connecting the rear taillights and a revised front grille. Abundant safety, comfort and tech features come standard, and racing yellow paint and a black roof are no-cost options. Flourishes like a black leather interior, sport exhaust and black wheels will cost you thousands, however.

Check out the gallery below.

Cars.com Reviews the 2013 BMW 135is

With the 135is, BMW took a less-is-more strategy — and to good effect. The compact coupe delivers an entertaining driving experience with refreshingly few frills, says Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley. Its potent turbocharged inline-six engine and slick-shifting six-speed manual make it engaging; its simple interior layout and gadget-free control system keep the focus on the driving.

2013 BMW 135is Review

Porsche Reveals An Itsy Bit of News on 918 Spyder Plus Photos

Porsche introduced the world to its Spyder Concept way back in March 2010 — a time when electric vehicles were thought to be the near future for everyone. The idea of Porsche putting a plug-in hybrid powertrain into its halo race car might have dimmed with the tepid reaction to typical EVs.

That doesn't seem to be the case.

Porsche has let out some more details about the prototype for the 918 Spyder, which is running rings at Germany's famed Nurburgring track. Porsche says it has completed a time of 7 minutes and 14 seconds, an identical time to a specially equipped Lexus LFA.

It hits speeds of more than 200 mph thanks to a 608-horsepower, 4.6-liter V-8 engine teamed to three electric motors, including one powering each set of wheels. Combined power is said to be ... 887 hp.

But the startling part may be just how committed to hybrids Porsche seems.

Will 'Fast and Furious' Accelerate Dodge Dart Sales?

The return of Michelle Rodriguez as the ostensibly back-from-the-dead Letty Ortiz in "Fast & Furious 6," roaring into theaters May 24, has been a key element in the film's prerelease marketing. Similarly, the resurrected-for-2013 Dodge Dart is ready for its close-up in the latest edition of the immensely popular Vin Diesel-fronted street-racing saga. But will the movie spark sales of the slow-selling compact?

While "Fast & Furious 6" is likely to be quick off the line on its way to box-office success — its predecessor, 2011's "Fast Five," bowed to a reported $86 million — early sales of the 2013 Dart have proved neither fast nor furious in its crowded segment. The automaker is no doubt hoping the Dart's prominence in both the film and a cross-marketing campaign will help raise its public profile, as similar product placement in "Fast Five" did for the Dodge Charger two years ago. A fleet of Chargers will return for some more screen time in the new film, along with the current SRT Challenger and a vintage Charger Daytona, according to the Wall Street Journal.

2013 BMW 135is Video

While BMW continues to trend toward the large and luxurious, the 2013 BMW 135is espouses the delights of the small and sporty. Cars.com reviewer Mike Hanley says the performance coupe's "back-to-basics" approach makes for some fun, road-hugging driving. The 135is' 320-horsepower six-cylinder provides impressive quickness while its sport suspension connects drivers to the terrain without bombarding them with it.

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2013 BMW 135is: First Look
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2014 Audi R8 Lands at Dealerships as 'Iron Man 3' Readies Launch

The "Iron Man" movies have an uncanny ability to make you wish you could walk in another man's shoes — or fly in the super suit of "genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist" Tony Stark. While it's unlikely Iron Man suits will be available at Men's Wearhouse anytime soon, you can at least drive the same car as Robert Downey Jr.'s Stark. The all-new 2014 Audi R8 went on sale April 11 and will be prominently featured in the upcoming "Iron Man 3."

You don't have to have billions to get your hands on this high-performance luxury sports car, but you will have to have an abundance of disposable income. With Audi's seven-speed optional S tronic transmission, the V-8 coupe starts at $125,250, the V-10 at $161,550 and the V-10 Plus at $180,895. The Audi R8 Spyder roadster with the V-8 and S tronic transmission starts at $138,750 and the V-10 at $175,050. All prices include a $1,250 destination fee but exclude a $3,000 gas guzzler tax.

Cars.com Reviews the 2013 BMW 3 Series

It's simply the best, better than all the rest — better than any car, any car put to the test. That's the sentiment Cars.com reviewer Joe Wiesenfelder expressed toward the BMW 328i after its commanding victory in our $46,000 Sport-Sedan Challenge. The 328i's balance of performance and practicality is its greatest asset, boasting excellent acceleration, handling and braking with pack-leading fuel economy and competitive interior comfort. Its turbocharged 2.0-liter four-cylinder and 6.6-second zero-to-60 time prove quickness and efficiency can coexist. An abrupt engine start/stop feature tops Wiesenfelder's short list of criticisms.

2013 BMW 3 Series Review

Cars.com Reviews the 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class' ride is comfortable. Very comfortable. And quiet too — don't forget quiet. But if Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays were to stop there out of respect for the virtue of "If you don't have anything nice to say ... ," he wouldn't be saying much at all about the C-Class, which curiously remains a top seller despite superior sport-sedan competitors. In nearly every other category — interior space, styling, acceleration, fuel economy, brakes and handling — this last-place finisher in Cars.com's $46,000 Sport-Sedan Challenge is strictly riding on its rep, Mays says.

2013 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Review

2014 BMW 6 Series: What's Changed

• Most significant changes: The introduction of an M6 Gran Coupe; optional six-speed manual, carbon ceramic brakes and all-wheel drive on all non-M6 models
• Price change: TBA
• On sale: Early June
• Which should you buy, 2013 or 2014? An expanded lineup, revised multimedia system and available all-wheel drive make the 2014 model pretty appealing.

With the 2014 model year comes the introduction of the M6 Gran Coupe along with a roster of new and expanded options for the returning members of BMW's 6 Series lineup. Set to launch June 5, the new high-performance, rear-wheel-drive M6 Gran Coupe, which debuted at the 2013 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, will join 2014 versions of the 640i and 650i Gran Coupe, as well as 640i, 650i and M6 coupe and convertible models.

2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI Video

When the 2015 Volkswagen Golf and GTI make their way to the U.S. early next year, they'll look familiar to visiting Europeans, whose continent already has enjoyed both for a while. Then again, they'll also look familiar to anyone stateside who's seen the previous versions of both compact hatchbacks. Getting an up-close peek at the Golf and GTI performance variants at the 2013 New York International Auto Show, Cars.com reviewer Kelsey Mays was disappointed VW didn't do more to differentiate the new models from their predecessors' appearance.

More 2013 New York International Auto Show Coverage

That's not to say nothing's changed, of course. Both cars are lighter, longer, wider and more fuel efficient while preserving the interior quality, comfort and technological advancement that's made them so well-regarded overseas. Watch the video below for more of Mays' on-the-scene critique.