Breaking News } Flash Flood Watch for Johnston county.

Porsche says you don’t drive fast in a Boxster. Rather, you drive the third-generation roadster “with a dynamic driving style.” Remember that phrase should your exuberance attract the local constabulary, although reciting it likely won’t save you from financial penalty and attendant points deduction.

The pace of change at Hyundai is indeed swift, and the expanding Elantra brand is at the forefront with a new two-door Coupe that’s about to join the compact sedan.

For the past 12 seasons, the Ford Escape has proven a popular choice with buyers of entry-priced wagons. In car terms, 12 years is a lifetime — or two lifetimes, even — so the arrival of a successor to one of the company’s top sellers is way overdue.

A rear-wheel-drive Subaru? Surely it must be a misprint. But, no, loyal Subie shoppers are in for a shock when they discover that the new BRZ doesn’t drive all four wheels.

If you’re looking to cheap out on fuel bills while still maintaining your quality of life, then the new Mazda CX-5 could be driving right up your alley.

The most popular gasoline-electric hybrid brand around is now a lineup unto itself and the all-new Toyota Prius c is the smallest and least expensive of the bunch.

The next-generation Ford Fusion is more than a new mid-size sedan; it’s really the marriage of high-fashion style with league-leading fuel economy. Oh, and some significant technological treats are also coming along for the ride.

When Hyundai wants to upgrade, it doesn’t mess around. None of this five- or 10-horsepower stuff, or dressing it up with doilies and stickers.

Scaling back power, size and fuel consumption without scaling back the amenities is all the rage these days. You could say that’s the new Cadillac ATS’s sole purpose in life. But would you go as far as to pick an ATS over a BMW 3-Series sedan? Or, for that matter, an Audi A4, Mercedes-Benz C-Class, Infiniti G37 or a Lexus IS? Along with their generally compact size, efficient and still-potent powerplants and luxury accommodations, all of them also offer all-wheel-drive.

It has been said that the eyes are the window to the soul. In automotive terms, perhaps the same can be said for the grille. More specifically, Honda’s eight-passenger Pilot that was redesigned for the 2009 model year projected a go-anywhere strength and ruggedness. Too tough, maybe. A restyle for 2012 softens the look for friendlier, more aesthetically pleasing demeanor.