The 2012 Range Rover Evoque is Land Rover's latest head-turning vehicle. Since being introduced last year, the small SUV has won 101 awards around the globe. Most recently, it was named the World Design Car of the Year at the New York International Auto Show. The car's design, styling and driving capabilities have proven to be the best time and again, but Jaguar Land Rover has not stopped there.

Also on display at the auto show was the Evoque Cabriolet Concept. The car was unveiled in Geneva earlier this year, but New York was chosen for its North American debut. It was difficult to look away from the elegant yet tough topless SUV, which was front and center at the Land Rover display at the Javits Center in New York City.

"The Range Rover Evoque lends itself beautifully to the idea of a convertible," said Land Rover design director Gerry McGovern. "This study is not a traditional convertible design execution – instead we have worked with the balance of the Range Rover Evoque's lines to retain its distinctive shape and create something that is unique and, we believe, highly desirable."

Consumers at the auto show were drawn to the Evoque convertible concept, and there was rarely a moment where a crowd was not drooling over the unique soft-top SUV. There's no telling when the car will go into production,  but those in the market for a vehicle now can find something to suit their needs and desires at car dealerships in NJ, such as New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer is sure to have something for everyone, whether drivers are looking for luxurious SUVs like those offered by Land Rover, or want something smaller and more fuel efficient.

The Terrafugia Flying Car is not the first of its kind, but it is the first to approach the flying car from a different angle. Rather than creating a car that flies, the design team worked to make an airplane that can be driven on the street. This groundbreaking vehicle piqued more interest at the New York Auto Show than nearly every other vehicle on display. Crowds of people gathered around the sectioned-off area in the main hall of the Javits Center every hour to watch the three-minute demonstration of the vehicle's capabilities.

As the wings of the Terrafugia lowered and expanded, a process that takes under 45 seconds, the spokesperson explained that the car, while it is street-legal, cannot just take off from a stretch of highway. The vehicle, which qualifies as a Light Sport Aircraft can only leave the ground from an actual runway, and drivers will need to complete 20 hours of pilot training flight time to be licensed as Sport Pilots before they can take to the air.

Drivers won't need special fuel to operate the craft, as it runs on premium gasoline. The first production vehicle is slated to be delivered in the second half of 2012, and about 100 have already been reserved. With a starting price of $279,000, it's not likely the skies will look like a Jetsons cartoon anytime soon.

Until flying cars are the standard mode of transportation, drivers can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction for their next land-based ride. The dealer has a wide variety of used makes and models at affordable prices so you'll be sure to find the perfect vehicle to tide you over until you can fly to work.

Demand for used cars has increased in recent years, and this means dealers will pay more for trade-ins. The National Automobile Dealers Association (NADA) Used Car Guide's latest report indicates smaller, fuel-efficient vehicles are seeing the biggest returns upon being traded in since more drivers want used cars with decent fuel economy.

"While prices for all used-vehicle segments will remain stable over the next two months, compact and mid-size cars will appreciate in value and outpace other segments because of rising gasoline prices, shortages of inventory and strong consumer demand for fuel-efficient vehicles," said Jonathan Banks, executive automotive analyst with the NADA Used Car Guide. "The most advantageous time this year to trade in a used car will be April through May because values will be higher."

The average trade-in value of compact and mid-size vehicles has increased an average of 2.6 percent (roughly $300) from March to April. This is also 4.3 percent higher than trade-ins were worth at the start on 2012. NADA indicates some cars are certainly worth more than others. For example, a driver who traded in a 2009 Toyota Prius in January could have expected about $13,750 for their vehicle, given that it was in good condition. This month, the same car would be worth approximately $15,675, which is a value increase of nearly $2,000.

Drivers looking to trade their current models and get a different car can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. The dealer is and authorized Autotrader.com marketplace, so motorists will know they're getting the best value for their used cars.

Chrysler recently announced the advent of yet another in-car system aimed at making drivers' lives simpler. In-car charging of electronic devices is nothing new, but now drivers won't have to fuss with pesky wires and plugging things in. The American automaker's parts division, Mopar, has introduced wireless charging. This simple system will first be available on the new 2013 Dodge Dart. In the front center console, there will be a small charging grid, upon which consumers can place their personal devices. The batteries will be charged and drivers won't need to worry about buying the appropriate car chargers for their devices.

"At Mopar, we look for every single opportunity to make our customers' lives easier," said Pietro Gorlier, president and CEO of Mopar, Chrysler Group LLC's service, parts and customer-care brand. "Our industry-first in-vehicle wireless charging system is the perfect solution for those connected customers who are always on the go."

This new technology will not just be available in the Dodge Dart, but once it makes its way to the marketplace, drivers may be able to have the technology installed in their used vehicles as well. Many cars manufactured in recent years are equipped with USB ports and other options to make in-car charging of handheld devices easy, and there are plenty of easy-to-install aftermarket devices available as well.

Drivers looking for a modern, affordable ride can head to New Jersey State Auto Auction to check out the wide selection of used vehicles. Many used cars are only a few years old and have plenty of technology features, such as infotainment systems, Bluetooth connectivity and more.

The New York Auto Show opens its doors to the public tomorrow, but the World Car of the Year awards have already been presented. There are four different categories for best overall, green car, performance vehicle and car design, and the winners were chosen from a group of 34 finalists, according to AutoBlog.

The 2012 Volkswagen Up! was named the World Car of the Year, beating out the Porsche 911 and the BMW 3-Series, The Detroit News reports. The Up! was not the only vehicle not yet available in the U.S. to win an award. German automaker Mercedes-Benz was honored with the World Green Car of the Year award for the S250 CDI BlueEfficiency. Mercedes has plans to introduce an American version of the green car toward the end of this year, in the GLK, according to the news source.

Land Rover's Range Rover Evoque took the World Car Design of the Year award, adding yet another accolade to the luxury crossover's impressive resume. The Evoque was named 2012 SUV of the Year by Motor Trend, and also received praise from AutoWeek and Top Gear.

When it came to high-performance vehicles, Porsche snagged the World Performance Car of the Year award. The 911 991-Series beat out the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 and the McLaren MP4-12C, two of the best exotic vehicles on the market today.

While the World Car award winners may be inaccessible to drivers, there are still plenty of used vehicles available to suit the needs of any motorists. New Jersey State Auto Auction offers a wide selection of makes and models, and all of their cars have been CARFAX certified, so drivers know they're getting a reliable ride.

Automotive sales have been steadily improving for months, and consumer buying trends are shifting toward smaller, more fuel-efficient vehicles. J.D. Power and Associates' Power Information Network (PIN) tracks data on thousands of new car purchases and leases every month, and the information clearly illustrates consumers are approaching the car buying process differently these days.

Subcompact and compact vehicles now lead new car sales, making up about 25 percent of total sales numbers in the first two months of 2012. The subcompact market has seen the greatest growth, improving 35 percent over the same period in 2011.

"Higher vehicle sales are obviously welcome news for the U.S. automotive industry and general economy," said John Humphrey, senior vice president of global automotive operations at J.D. Power. "However, automakers are going to have to closely monitor shifts in segment demand and build accordingly."

Lower federal interest rates on car loans have also fueled many drivers to get back in the car-buying game. The PIN data indicates an increase in the number of loans being granted to people will less-than-ideal credit scores. While the recession was in full swing, lenders were more selective about whom they would approve, but such is no longer the case. Regardless of credit scores, more drivers are being approved for auto loans across the board.

Drivers searching for used cars with decent fuel economy need look no further than New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models, motorists are sure to find the perfect car to suit their needs. Plus, drivers need not worry about their credit score, as a partnership with the Credit Acceptance Corporation allows NJ Auto to guarantee loan approval.

Technology has come far in recent years, and it continues to improve. Google's latest upgrade is a prime example of making something that's good even better. The internet giant's handy navigational tool, Google Maps, not only provides accurate step-by-step directions, but it offers estimated trip durations as well. The service used to provide travel times for both ideal driving conditions and traffic-heavy trips, but the traffic estimates were proving to be inaccurate, so Google removed the service, according to Engadget.

Now, Google has reworked the algorithm to provide more accurate, up-to-date traffic predictions using current conditions as well as historical traffic data to calculate how long a trip will take. Drivers who rely on Android phones for navigation can take advantage of these trip estimates on the road, especially when they enable the "MyLocation" feature to make the predictions more accurate, according to the Google Maps and Earth team's blog.

Those who choose to research directions before they leave the house may find it will be faster to take public transportation than drive, if the option is available. This can be a great way to conserve gas and save money. Even if you drive a fuel-efficient vehicle, hopping on a bus or a train and leaving the car at home takes far less gas than driving – even if you have to drive to a train station first.

With the average cost for a gallon of gas nearing $4 per gallon, according to AAA's Daily Fuel Gauge Report, drivers are looking for ways to save at the pump. Those in the market for their next car can look for cars with decent fuel economy, and there are many used vehicles that will help drivers save at the pump. New Jersey State Auto Auction has a wide variety of affordable used vehicles, so drivers are sure to find the perfect ride to suit their needs.

There's been a lot of talk about Google's self-driving Toyota Prius, and whether or not it would be a viable option for the road. After the search engine giants recently posted a video of the vehicle driving a blind man to Taco Bell, it seems like it's becoming more of a reality that these cars could be more common.

The man behind the wheel in the video was Steve Mahan, ABC News reports. Although he was sitting in the driver's seat, he certainly was not controlling the car. Mahan, who is 95 percent blind, was safely brought to his destination, and the car's designers feel his trip is validation that their design, which uses complicated artificial intelligence, is working. There is still a lot of work to be done, they admit, but they are taking steps in the right direction.

"There’s much left to design and test, but we have now safely completed more than 200,000 miles of computer-led driving, gathering great experiences and an overwhelming number of enthusiastic supporters," a post by Google said.

Designers claim the self-driving car, which can sense traffic conditions and mimic human action, is safer than placing a person behind the wheel. However, some people are not very convinced. Nevada is the only state to have passed a bill allowing the self-driving cars on the road, but other similar pieces of legislation are being put forward in California, Florida, Hawaii and Oklahoma, according to ABC.

It will certainly be a while until self-driving cars are ruling the roads, but until that time you can still find plenty of reliable and exciting cars at New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models, there is something for everyone.

In just a few days, the New York International Auto Show will open its doors and the showcase of new vehicles will begin. Every year, this event plays host to numerous world debuts of new vehicles and concept cars, and 2012 should be no different. Nearly every major automaker will be displaying at least one new design at this highly anticipated show, and automotive research provider Total Car Score recently compiled a list of some of the hottest new vehicles to be debuted at the car show.

"The vibrancy we sensed at the Detroit show in January is real and it's growing," said Karl Brauer, editor-in-chief of Total Car Score. "Alongside mainstream sedans such as the Nissan Altima and Chevrolet Impala, we'll be seeing super-luxury models like the Mercedes-Benz SL 65 and pure exotic cars like the SRT Viper, which is being brought out of retirement by an emerging Chrysler-Fiat parent company."

Brauer also mentioned the Subaru XV Crosstrek – a crossover SUV that was previously introduced to the European market. This vehicle has been touted as a larger, more souped-up version of the Subaru Impreza, offering the same power with more space.

"There's still a strong market for large and luxurious SUVs, so the all-new Mercedes-Benz GL-Class will be another important unveil," Brauer mentioned.

Car and Driver reports the second generation GL will still have three rows of seating, but it is expected to offer better fuel economy and more passenger cabin space.

While new cars debuting at the Auto Show will not be available on the market right away, they will eventually be available to the public. Drivers looking for an affordable used vehicle in the meantime can head over to New Jersey State Auto Auction. With a wide variety of makes and models, drivers will be able to find a car show-worthy vehicle.

The economy has been well on its way to recovery over the last several months, and nothing is more indicative of this than recent findings on consumers spending. The Commerce Department found spending rose 0.8 percent in February, with much of the rise thanks in large part to auto sales, Reuters reports.

The report is yet another reason to feel optimistic given that spending rose a bit more than economists had predicted. Before February, most had anticipated about a 0.6 percent gain, and although it is not that much higher than the forecast, it is still an encouraging sign and the biggest increase since September.

Perhaps the most quickly-rising segment of consumer spending is auto sales. In particular, analysts found that car purchases in February rose 10 percent compared to the same month in 2011, and Edmunds.com suspects the trend will continue into March. According to The Wall Street Journal, the website believes that auto sales will grow 17 percent compared to March 2011.

."Vehicle trade-in rates have achieved sustained highs in recent months, which suggests that consumers have decided that they've held onto their cars for too long," Edmunds analyst Jessica Caldwell told the newspaper.

Anybody looking to contribute to the growing trend may want to head to New Jersey State Auto Auction. In addition to offering consumers a wide variety of makes and models at affordable prices, NJ Auto is also an Autotrader.com Trade In Marketplace Dealership, so it can be easy to take advantage of the high trade-in values. Additionally, you can get a quick appraisal of your vehicle to speed up the process.