Auto sales continue to cruise along, as buyers who put off purchases during the recession make up for lost time. Edmunds.com forecasts sales of 16.4 million light vehicles in 2014, an increase over the 15.5 million expected in 2013, driven by pent-up demand.
经济衰退期间，一部分消费者推迟了购车计划。如今他们纷纷解开腰包，汽车销量因此持续稳步上升。汽车网站Edmunds.com预计，在被抑制需求释放的推动下，2014年轻型车辆的销量将达到1640万辆，比2013年1550万的预计销量有所增长。
If sales in fact exceed 16 million, it would be the first time they have passed that number since 2007. While that would still leave them well below the pre-recession five-year average of 16.6 million, it would represent a healthy recovery for the industry.
如果销量真的超过1600万辆，那将是自2007年以来首次突破这个数字。尽管这个销量仍远低于经济衰退前五年平均1660万辆的年销量，但却表明汽车业正在迎来健康的复苏。
Rising sales don't mean any slackening of competitive fires, and automakers are redoubling their efforts to make gains using their tried-and-true methods: unleashing new models. While the 2014 model year has only just gotten underway, manufacturers are entitled by government regulation to classify any vehicle introduced after Jan. 1 as a 2015 model.
销量增长并不意味着激烈的竞争有任何放缓的迹象，为此汽车厂商正加倍努力，用它们屡试不爽的办法来赢得增长：力推新车型。尽管2014款才刚刚推出，但厂商们已根据政府规定把明年1月1日以后推出的车型叫做2015款了。
And so they are. Who wouldn't enjoy bragging that he's parked next year's model in his driveway? There will be plenty of opportunities in 2014. The year will see a rush of high-profile new models, some with breakthrough new technology as Mercedes-Benz, BMW,Ford (F, Fortune 500), and others hurry to cash in on the rising market. Here are some of the highlights.
这样一来，这些车型就算粉墨登场了。谁不想得意洋洋地吹牛，说自己已经买到明年的新款车型了呢？2014年车市可谓机会多多，将有大量新车型高调上市，其中像梅赛德斯奔驰（Mercedes-Benz）、宝马（BMW）和福特（Ford）将推出搭载全新突破性技术的车型，其他厂商则会纷纷到新兴市场淘金。下面就介绍其中几款亮点车型。
2015 Ford Mustang
2015款福特野马
Mustang is core to Ford's identity, if not its volume, and the 2015 model, due to be unveiled in December, will get a huge publicity push from the company and wall-to-wall coverage from the automotive press. The redesign is long overdue for the retro-inspired fifth-generation model (above), whose sales have fallen by half since its introduction in 2005. Among other features, the new Mustang will get turbocharging and an independent rear suspension for the first time.
如果不以销量论英雄的话，野马算是福特品牌的灵魂。12月，2015款野马将正式亮相，福特公司将大手笔为它宣传造势，所有汽车媒体将悉数出马，报道该车。对采用怀旧风格的第五代车型（见上图）来说，它的全新设计可谓姗姗来迟。而自2005年第五代首次上市以来，它的销量已经跌去近半。除了其他性能外，全新野马将首次搭载涡轮增压引擎，同时采用独立后悬挂。
2015 Ford F-150
2015款福特F-150
America's truck gets a makeover when the 2015 model debuts a year from now, notably wearing more aluminum that is said to subtract several hundred pounds from its bulk. It will have a lot to live up to. For all of CEO Alan Mulally's efforts, Ford remains dependent on the F-series for a huge chunk of its profits. And the Atlas concept for the new model (above) caused a sensation when it was dropped from the roof of Cobo Arena at the Detroit auto show in January.
2015款F系列皮卡一年内横空出世后，美式皮卡将迎来脱胎换骨的大变化。其中引人注目的一点是，它将采用更多铝合金，据称能减轻好几百磅重量。不过它还需要满足大家翘首以盼的众多期望。尽管首席执行官艾伦•穆拉利大刀阔斧地进行了很多改革，但F系列皮卡还是福特最大的摇钱树。而在今年1月举办的底特律车展上，阿特拉斯概念（Atlas concept）皮卡从科博体育馆（Cobo Arena）的天花板上从天而降时，着实引发了一场轰动。
2015 Cadillac Escalade
2015款凯迪拉克凯雷德
General Motors (GM, Fortune 500) is giving the new Escalade a lot of runway prior to its launch early next year, starting with an unveiling in October. The King of Bling keeps on truckin' with an even more sumptuous interior and LED taillights that stretch from the bumper to the roof. With competition more intense and the EXT model discontinued, the fourth-generation 'Sclade will find it difficult to match its old sales record of 62,000 units set in 2006.
自10月份首次亮相以来，通用汽车（General Motors）就为了明年年初的正式上市，对新款凯雷德做了大量路试。这款豪华内饰之王（King of Bling）将会配以更为富丽堂皇的内饰，并采用从后保险杠一直延伸到车顶的LED尾灯。随着豪车竞争的日益激烈，加之EXT车型已经断档，这款第四代凯雷德想要打破前辈在2006年创下的62,000辆销售记录谈何容易。
2015 Mercedes-Benz GLA
2015款梅赛德斯奔驰GLA
Locked in a tight U.S. sales battle with BMW, Mercedes is adding models, mostly smaller ones, with more expressive styling. Exhibit No.1: Mercedes's first compact crossover (not to be confused with the slightly larger and beefier GLK compact SUV). One of the first Mercedes with front-wheel drive, it arrives in U.S. showrooms in the second half of 2014 with advanced aerodynamics, sculpted side panels, a turbo four-cylinder engine, and a price tag in the $30,000 neighborhood.
由于要在美国市场与宝马打近身遭遇战，梅赛德斯正在加推新车型应战。它们多数是车身较小、外形张扬的车型。亮相的头号车型就是：梅赛德斯首款紧凑型酷越车（可别把它和车身稍大，但更具肌肉感的GLK紧凑型SUV相混淆）。它是梅赛德斯的首批前驱车型之一，将于2014年下半年亮相美国市场。届时它将拥有先进的空气动力学性能，雕塑感极强的侧面车身，涡轮四缸引擎，价位在3万美元左右。
2015 Mercedes-Benz C-class
2015款梅赛德斯奔驰C级
Exhibit No. 2 in the Mercedes revival is the latest version of Mercedes's best-selling model with sinuous body sides, a sumptuous interior, and elegant interior. More than a pretty face, the C will also be some 200 pounds lighter, thanks to the use of aluminum and other high-strength metals. All will be revealed at the Detroit auto show in January. Through September, Mercedes had sold 66,596 of the outgoing model .
肩负梅赛德斯复兴重任的二号亮相车型是它最畅销车型的最新款。它拥有线条丰富的侧面车身，豪华内饰和优雅外形。除了漂亮的外观，全新C级由于采用了铝合金和其他高强度材料，车重还减轻了200磅。所有这些都将于1月举行的底特律车展上闪亮登场。而到今年9月，这款奔放动感的车型已经卖掉了66,596辆。
2015 BMW i8
2015款宝马i8
Tesla (TSLA) gets a worthy competitor next spring when the i8 goes on sale in the U.S. The most exotic BMW ever, the plug-in hybrid i8 grand tourer has a carbon-fiber body and two motors, one electric with a 22 mile maximum range, and the other a three-cylinder gasoline one with a restricted top speed of 155 mph. BMW calls it "innovation disguised as a sports car." The price of all this technology naturally does not come cheaply: $135,700.
明年春天，i8在美国上市后，特斯拉（Tesla）就将迎来势均力敌的对手。作为一款最富异域情调的宝马，这辆插电式混动双座豪华跑车i8拥有碳纤维车身和两个引擎，其中一个是最大续航里程达到22英里的电动机，另一个是最高限速155英里的三缸汽油引擎。宝马称其为“披着跑车外衣的创新力作”。这些最新技术当然代价不菲：售价高达135,700美元。
2015 Alfa Romeo 4C
2015款阿尔法罗密欧4C
Fiat-Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne had promised "for sure" that Alfa's first car in its latest rebirth would be coming to these shores in 2013. Not so, it turns out; Chrysler now says the second quarter of 2014 looks more likely for Alfa's return. The coupe is seriously light (it weighs less than half as much as a Jeep Grand Cherokee) and is just as seriously fast, getting to 62 mph in 4.5 seconds. Still unclear is the U.S distribution channel: volume-starved Fiat dealers or high-end Maserati and Ferrari dealers.
菲亚特-克莱斯勒公司（Fiat-Chrysler）的首席执行官马尔乔内曾信誓旦旦地许诺，阿尔法最新复兴的首款车型将在2013年登陆美国。但事实证明这席话纯属空谈。现在克莱斯勒表示，2014年第二季度阿尔法可能真的会卷土重来。这辆轿跑实在是轻盈至极【重量不到吉普大切诺基（Jeep Grand Cherokee）的一半】，但却快得惊人，百公里加速时间仅为4.5秒。目前还不清楚它将在美国的哪种渠道销售：到底是一直渴望上量的菲亚特经销商，还是高高在上的玛莎拉蒂（Maserati）和法拉利（Ferrari）经销商。
2015 Hyundai Genesis
2015款现代劳恩斯
Never shy about stretching the design envelope, Hyundai pulled the covers off the new Genesis way ahead of schedule to get onlookers used to "Fluidic Sculpture 2.0." The most notable feature is the oversize, in-your-face radiator grilles that seems to have been borrowed from Audi. Hyundai has also announced that the 2015 model will be equipped with a new all-wheel drive system, carbon dioxide detection to keep drivers from falling asleep, and a hands-free trunk that opens when you stand in front of it for three seconds. Customers have liked the current Genesis; Hyundai has sold more than 25,000 of them so far in 2013.
现代汽车（Hyundai）在退出新设计方面从来就不会羞羞答答，因此它早就提前掀开了全新劳恩斯的盖头，让大家一睹“流体雕塑2.0版”的芳容。这款车最引人注目的一点就是那尺寸超大、咄咄逼人的散热格栅，它的设计灵感似乎来自于奥迪（Audi）。现代还宣布，这辆2015款将搭载全新的四驱系统，防止驾驶者打瞌睡的二氧化碳监测系统，以及只要站在它前面三秒钟就会自动打开的后备箱。消费者对现款劳恩斯一直钟爱有加，2013年至今它的销量已超过25,000辆。
2015 Tesla Model X
2015款特斯拉Model X
Tesla's innovative blend of minivan and SUV, enlivened by so-called falcon-wing doors for rear-seat passengers, has already drawn $5,000 deposits from 6,000 potential customers. Production of the vehicle, which will cost $70,000-$90,000, is set to begin in late 2014. Range for the seven-passenger all-electric Model X is said to be 270 miles. Some analysts believe Tesla could sell as many as 30,000 a year, which would help support its enormous market capitalization.
作为糅合了小型货车和SUV元素的创新车型，特斯拉这款车凭借两扇所谓的“猎鹰之翼”后排车门显得充满活力。目前，它已经接到了6,000位潜在客户每人5,000美元的订金。2014年下半年，这辆车将开始量产，每辆成本为70,000美元到90,000美元。七座的全电动Model X据称续航里程可达270英里。一些分析师相信，这辆车届时每年的销量能达到3万辆，将有助于支撑这家公司目前超高的市值。
2015 Audi A3
2015款奥迪A3
In a nod to customers in the U.S. (and China), the first new A3 to arrive on these shores next spring will be a sedan. The hatchback, which had been the predominant style, comes later. With LED lights front and rear and conservative styling all around, it will be instantly recognizable as an Audi. "We do not want to shock our customers," an Audi executive told Car & Driver. The base price may give them a bit of a jolt, however. At $30,795, it is more than $2,500 steeper than the outgoing model.
作为对美国（及中国）消费者的致意，将登陆这两大市场的首款全新A3将是一辆轿车。而一直作为主力车型的掀背版将随后推出。凭借前后LED灯和周身的传统造型，一眼就能认出这是辆奥迪。奥迪一位高管向《人车志》（Car & Driver）表示：“我们不想让自己的客户觉得接受不了。”不过，它的起价可能会让这辆车入市没那么顺利，30,795美元的起价要比掀背版贵上整整2,500美元。
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