CARSCOOP

SCOOP: Mystery Sport Lexus LS Caught Testing on the 'Ring, Could it be the LS-F?
IAA 2011: Pretty Cars, Pretty Women Part 3
IAA 2011: Kia's RWD GT Concept Hints at Production Version [Updated Gallery]
IAA 2011: Mercedes F1 Drivers Reveal New C-Class Coupe DTM AMG Racer [Video]
Company Launches CD with Original Volkswagen Beetle Sounds
Toyota Prices New 2012 Prius Plug-in from $32,760 and Prius V Minivan from $27,160
Video: Jennifer Lopez Shakes it for the New Fiat 500C
Facelift 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Appears Again Undisguised
Ford Says New 2014 Mustang will be Less Retro, More Modern
IAA 2011: The Ladies of the Frankfurt Motor Show Part 2
IAA 2011: Volkswagen Pays Tribute to Fender with New Beetle Concept
Office of Fair Trading to Begin Fact Finding Probe into UK Insurers
SCOOP: BMW Continues Development of New 2012 M6 Coupe
VW Wants Number One Spot, Will Invest US$86 Billion to Achieve its Goal
Japanese Tuner Sheds Some…LEDs on the Lamborghini Diablo [Video]
IAA 2011: New Mercedes-Benz B-Class Keeps Old Model's Pricing
SEMA Preview: Fox Marketing Working on Monster 2012 Honda Civic Coupe with More than 500HP
IAA 2011: New Lexus GS450h Full Hybrid Sedan
IAA 2011: New Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupé Black Series with Aero and Track Packages
Senner Tuning Beefs up the Audi S5 Sportback
Chrysler Slows Down Production Due to a Lack of Carpets

SCOOP: Mystery Sport Lexus LS Caught Testing on the 'Ring, Could it be the LS-F?

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 09:46 PM PDT

Lexus may not be fully embroiled in the sports car segment as the only true performance models in its range are the IS-F and the limited run LFA special, but something tells us that the Japanese firm is not yet ready to throw the towel in and let its rivals take the win.

And this, despite the fact that over the years, we have heard many rumors about the possibility of Lexus expanding its range of high-performance F-badged lineup to include the GS and the LS models, and which never came into fruition.

This brings us to our mystery Lexus LS prototype that was snagged doing the rounds on the Nürburgring racetrack in Germany. Our scoop photographers tell us that the car featured the usual testing equipment seen on other prototypes on the 'Ring.

IAA 2011: Pretty Cars, Pretty Women Part 3

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 05:23 PM PDT

The 2011 Frankfurt Auto Show opened up to the general public today (it will remain open until September 25), which means it's the end of the road for us.

It has been a truly great ride with some 150 world and European premieres, so what a better way to celebrate the end than to finish up with the third part of our series (see Part 1 here, and Part 2 here) on the booth professionals of the show.

So follow the break and take a gander at our gallery.

IAA 2011: Kia's RWD GT Concept Hints at Production Version [Updated Gallery]

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 03:58 PM PDT

The all-new Kia GT Concept that will made its world premiere at the 64th IAA is the South Korean company's first ever attempt to create a rear-wheel drive model. It is also the most powerful thanks to a 3.3-liter turbocharged V6 engine that delivers an output of 390HP and 534 Nm (393.8 lb-ft) of torque that are sent to the rear wheels via an 8-speed automatic gearbox.

Even though development of the concept began less than a year ago, in November 2010, Kia's European design team has been considering a rear-wheel drive car for quite some time

The South Korean manufacture's chief designer Peter Schreyer explains: "This concept allows us to explore exciting new design directions, as using a rear-wheel drive layout creates very different proportions compared to a front-wheel drive car".

IAA 2011: Mercedes F1 Drivers Reveal New C-Class Coupe DTM AMG Racer [Video]

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 03:31 PM PDT

Mercedes Formula 1 drivers Michael Schumacher and Nico Rosberg were at hand at the IAA to unveil the Stuttgart-based automaker's new contender in the German touring car championship, the DTM.

The new racing model is based on the recently launched C-Class Coupe and replaces the most successful model ever in the DTM series, the C-Class, which has won 84 victories in 156 races, a record in the championship's 27-year history.

Company Launches CD with Original Volkswagen Beetle Sounds

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 02:59 PM PDT

It may be too late for Father's Day, but there's nothing stopping you from picking up The Beetles: Greatest Sounds of the '60s and '70s for dad as a very early Christmas present.

Not to be confused with The Beatles, a little known British band that has all but faded into obscurity, The Beetles is a CD of car sounds dating from 1960 to 1978. And not just any car sounds: Volkswagen Beetle car sounds…

Yes, you can now rock out to such timeless classics as "Gears 1 - 2", "Long Idle" and "Turn-Off, Handbrake". With 30 tracks (well, 10 tracks spread across 3 different engines), your dad will be over the moon will this ~~mass produced~~ one-of-a-kind CD.

Toyota Prices New 2012 Prius Plug-in from $32,760 and Prius V Minivan from $27,160

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 02:21 PM PDT

Toyota has released the full rundown on the pricing of the upcoming 2012 Prius Plug-in Hybrid and the five-passenger Prius V minivan.

The first-ever Prius Plug-in Hybrid, which combines the firm's Hybrid Synergy Drive with a small lithium-ion battery to extend the electric-only driving range, starts at $32,000 not including a $760 processing and handling (DPH) fee that raises the price to $32,760, while the better equipped Advance trim model will have an MSRP of $39,525 or $40,285 with DPH.

Video: Jennifer Lopez Shakes it for the New Fiat 500C

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 01:48 PM PDT

While we were busy bringing you all the news from the 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt, Fiat USA released their latest commercial for the newly launched in the States, 500C open-top city car, starring Jennifer Lopez.

This is the first but not the last ad to show the hot 42-year old pop star as Fiat has enlisted Lopez to promote the new 500 in more commercials that will appear gradually throughout the year. If you try hard, you may notice the 500 taking a backstage role in the promo..

Facelift 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Appears Again Undisguised

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 01:13 PM PDT

The refreshed 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe has made yet another appearance online, this time on the Hyundai-blog, showing off its redesign snout without a shred of camouflage.

As reported previously, if not all, most cosmetic changes on the facelifted version of the South Korean automaker's first rear-wheel drive coupe are concentrated on the front and rear ends.

Ford Says New 2014 Mustang will be Less Retro, More Modern

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 12:36 PM PDT

In 2014, Ford will celebrate the Mustang's 50th anniversary and it will do so by launching a brand new model. The revelation comes from the company's design chief, J Mays, who spoke to journalist during the 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt.

According to Mays, the design of the next-generation Mustang has already "locked down" three years ahead of its launch. The real surprise, though, is that Mays states that the new version of Ford's iconic pony car will look more into the future than in to its past.

IAA 2011: The Ladies of the Frankfurt Motor Show Part 2

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 12:38 PM PDT

Here is our second –but not last- photo tribute to the beautiful booth professionals of the 64th International Auto Show. For those of you that missed out on the first part, click here.

We're guessing that few if any will read these words (what's the point when the pictures talk for themselves...) so we'll let you enjoy the parade after we remind you that we're preparing a third and much more comprehensive gallery that will go live tonight.

IAA 2011: Volkswagen Pays Tribute to Fender with New Beetle Concept

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 11:33 AM PDT

The high-performance Beetle R Concept was joined at VW's Frankfurt Motor Show stage by a second conceptual study that pays tribute to famed U.S.-based music instrument manufacturer, Fender.

Mimicking the styling used on an electric guitar customized by Volkswagen Design, the Fender Telecaster, the bespoke Beetle study is painted in a high-gloss "Black" finish with a fine red line framing the side windows.

Office of Fair Trading to Begin Fact Finding Probe into UK Insurers

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 10:52 AM PDT

The UK Office of Fair Trading has launched a preliminary investigation – known as a call for evidence – into the nation's insurance companies after car insurance premiums rose 40% over the last twelve months.

The consumer watchdog is probing whether there is genuine competition between the major insurers – and if there is, why it isn't offering adequate protection for consumers against massive rate rises.

In the past, the industry has been blaming fraud, the so-called "compensation culture" (which must share a room with the "nanny state" and the "me generation" at the Hoary Old Cliché Hotel) and the activities of accident management companies like RTR.

SCOOP: BMW Continues Development of New 2012 M6 Coupe

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 10:26 AM PDT

We were expecting to see the new M6 making its global premiere at this week's Frankfurt Motor Show, but apparently BMW has other plans set aside. Regardless of where the new M6's debut takes place, we should see the high-performance model in dealership by the summer of 2012.

The third iteration of the M6 in both Coupe and Convertible flavors will borrow the inner works of the latest M5 sports saloon, which means power will come from a 4.4-liter eight-cylinder engine supplemented by a pair of turbochargers and direct-injection technology.

VW Wants Number One Spot, Will Invest US$86 Billion to Achieve its Goal

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 09:55 AM PDT

Volkswagen's Supervisory Board has approved a cash influx of €62.4 billion (US$86 billion) into its automotive division over the course of five years. The investment is necessary if VW's plan to overtake GM and Toyota and become the world's number one car manufacturer is to succeed. Read more »

Japanese Tuner Sheds Some…LEDs on the Lamborghini Diablo [Video]

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 09:17 AM PDT

If you found the LED adorned Ferrari 458 Italia to be an overkill, wait until you check out this gem created from a Japanese audio and light systems specialist called Diecock – no seriously, that is the company's name.

Make the jump below and see what you should never do to a Lamborghini Diablo.

IAA 2011: New Mercedes-Benz B-Class Keeps Old Model's Pricing

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 08:36 AM PDT

Good news for European consumers interested in the second-generation of the B-Class, as Mercedes-Benz is launching the new small MPV at the same price as the outgoing model, despite the numerous improvements and additions to the standard equipment.

Available for order now with first deliveries to arrive in November, pricing for the 2012 B-Class starts at €26,001.50 (about US$35,900) including 19% VAT in Germany for the B 180 BlueEFFICIENCY (BE) that is motivated by a 1.6-liter petrol engine delivering 122HP, 7HP more than the preceding model.

SEMA Preview: Fox Marketing Working on Monster 2012 Honda Civic Coupe with More than 500HP

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 08:04 AM PDT

Even though we are still wrapping up the goods from the 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt, we are keeping an eye on upcoming automotive events such as the 2011 Specialty Equipment Marketing Association, more commonly referred to as SEMA, that will take place in Las Vegas from November 1 to 4.

One of the project cars currently being developed for the largest aftermarket gathering in the world is a highly modified 2012 Honda Civic Si Coupe from Fox Marketing.

IAA 2011: New Lexus GS450h Full Hybrid Sedan

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 07:39 AM PDT

Having revealed the new gasoline-only GS 350 at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in California, Lexus chose the 64th International Auto Show in Frankfurt for the unveiling of the hybrid variant that we will come to know as the GS 450h.

The full hybrid model is based on the fourth generation body style and it uses a 290-horsepower, 3.5l-itre V6 Atkinson cycle petrol engine, in conjunction with a two-motor hybrid system.

The total system output is 343-horses [DIN] at 6,000 rpm and 345Nm (255 lb-ft) of peak torque at 4,600 rpm. Power is channelled to the rear wheels through a six-speed sequential-shift E-CVT.

IAA 2011: New Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Coupé Black Series with Aero and Track Packages

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 06:54 AM PDT

We first gave you a taste of the new C63 AMG Coupe Black Series fitted with the special track and aerodynamic packages back in August when we spied a prototype testing at the Nürburgring, but Mercedes-Benz showed the production model at this week's Frankfurt Auto Show.

Available as separate options on the limited edition C63 AMG Coupe Black Series, which is powered by a 6.2-liter V8 pushing out 517-horses, the AMG Track and Aerodynamic Packages were designed to further enhance the two-door model's driving dynamics.

Senner Tuning Beefs up the Audi S5 Sportback

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 06:22 AM PDT

The crew over at Senner Tuning have pointed their guns on the pre-facelift Audi S5 Sportback with the release of a new package that aims to improve both the performance and styling aspects of Ingolstadt's liftback model.

Underhood, the S5's 3.0-liter TSI V6 gains a software optimization, a new air filter and a custom exhaust system, all of which do their part to lift output from 333HP and 440Nm to 445-horses and 530Nm (390.9 lb-ft) of peak torque.

Chrysler Slows Down Production Due to a Lack of Carpets

Posted: 16 Sep 2011 05:53 AM PDT

A lack of carpets after one of Chrysler's suppliers on the East Coast was hit by the tropical storm Lee has forced the automaker to slow down production and cancel shifts this week at three of its plants.

The carpeting shortage has hampered production at the Sterling Heights Assembly in Michigan, Toledo North in Ohio and Brampton Assembly in Ontario.