Auto Mobiles Updates

CARSCOOP

2012-02-18T04:06:00.000-08:00

CARSCOOP

New Owner Plans to Resurrect Studebaker with a Hybrid Twist in the 21st Century
Tickle Me Pink: Jenni Finds 604-Horsepower Porsche Carrera GT Hilarious
Was ist Das? Can you Help us Identify this Mystery Electric Sports Coupe?
MINI to Bring "Breadvan" Concept to the Geneva Motor Show
Santorum Attacks Bush, Obama and Romney Over GM and Chrysler Bailout
"Oh Shit" Moment of the Day [NSFW]
DUI: Man Turns Honda Civic Into a Bugatti Veyron, Wants You to Do the Same
Holden Reveals 2012 Colorado Pickup Truck in Production Trim, Sales Start Later this Year
Stock Ferrari 458 Takes on 750HP Audi RS6, 600HP Nissan GT-R and 750HP Corvette ZR1
IED Turin to Revive Cisitalia 202 Coupe with a New Concept Model in Geneva
G-POWER-ED 2012 BMW M5 Dances to the Tune of 640-Horses
McLaren Ahoy! MP4-12C Arrives in North America, Priced at a Measly…$229,000
A Quick Lap Around the Fuji Speedway with the Subaru BRZ
Peugeot Drops New Photos on the New 4008 Crossover, will go on Sale Outside Europe as well
Poor Man's Lamborghini Reventon Costs $46k / €35k and Comes with a Four-Cylinder Engine
Audi Sending 19 Examples of the 252bhp A1 Quattro to the UK, all of which are LHD
Hyundai Accent Driver is Too Fast, Too Furious for his Own Good
Jaguar Creates New Special Edition XK and XKR Artisan Coupe and Convertible
One for the Road: New Mazda Venture Edition for the UK
Très Chic: Peugeot XY Concept is all About Luxury and Style
Très Chaud: Peugeot Reveals 208 GTi Concept Ahead of Geneva Motor Show

New Owner Plans to Resurrect Studebaker with a Hybrid Twist in the 21st Century

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 07:02 PM PST

Even though you may know the name and perhaps even seen one of its models, chances are that you were either too young to remember or not even born yet when the Studebaker Automobile Company closed shop in 1966.

Fast forward to today and the company may have a second chance in life - hopefully with better designs than the official CGIs you see here... According to a report from FoxNews, Ric Reed, who bought the rights to the Studebaker brand in 2001, has revealed new plans to resurrect the famous nameplate.

Reed, who runs the Denver, Colorado-based Big Kahuna apparel company, told the news site that he wants to revive Studebaker's classic monikers such as the Lark, President and Hawk for the new model series, adding, however, that the cars themselves will be 21st-century hybrids.

Tickle Me Pink: Jenni Finds 604-Horsepower Porsche Carrera GT Hilarious

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 05:07 PM PST

Do you remember Jenni – not the one from the block, the other one that participated in the...ahem...science project to see how a pair of silicone implants react to the full force of 1,250 horsepower, courtesy of a twin-turbocharged Lamborghini Gallardo? Sure you do.

Well, the folks over at HightechCorvette have summoned Jenni once again, this time to take her rightful place on the passenger seat of a Porsche Carrera GT.

Who would have known that 604-ponies could make you laugh so hard? Video follows after the jump.

Was ist Das? Can you Help us Identify this Mystery Electric Sports Coupe?

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 04:34 PM PST

Occasionally, our spy photographers stumble upon a prototype test vehicle that neither they nor we can identify. This happened today when one of our scoopsters sent us these shots of a mysterious small model with a coupe-like shape.

For what its worth, the prototype model was snagged testing in the northern parts of Europe.

The only piece of information we have on the black test car comes from the bright yellow decals on the sides and the rear hatch that reads "Elektrofahrzeug" (try saying that fast), which is German from "Electric Vehicle".

MINI to Bring "Breadvan" Concept to the Geneva Motor Show

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 03:12 PM PST

After the three-door hatchback, convertible, Clubman, Roadster and Coupe variants of the Mini, the BMW Group-owned British carmaker will preview yet another body style at next month's 2012 Geneva Motor Show via a thinly disguised concept model.

This one is called the Clubvan (though Breadvan may have been a more appropriate name in this case...) and as you probably have guessed by now, it's based on the Clubman. However, unlike the latter, the Clubvan study will do away with the rear seats and side windows offering a continuous loading bay stretching to the front passenger seats.

Santorum Attacks Bush, Obama and Romney Over GM and Chrysler Bailout

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 02:43 PM PST

Another day, another presidential candidate of the Republican Party remembers the 2009 U.S. automotive industry bailout and declares his disdain by saying that both the country and the carmakers would be better off without it. So what else is new?

Well, Rick Santorum managed to attack not only President Barack Obama, but also his predecessor in the White House, George W. Bush and "fellow" Republican candidate Mitt Romney – all during the same speech he made at the Detroit Economic Club today.

Predictably, Santorum, like Romney, said that both General Motors and Chrysler would be "alive and equally as well, or better off, than they are now," adding "the markets would have reacted to restructure it to be more competitive."

"Oh Shit" Moment of the Day [NSFW]

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 01:58 PM PST

Taking a ride out in the forest with your motorcycle can be a very enjoyable and relaxing experience - just as long nobody pops out of the corner… Not as dramatic as this or this motorcycle video but a very close call nevertheless and you can watch it for yourself right after the break.

DUI: Man Turns Honda Civic Into a Bugatti Veyron, Wants You to Do the Same

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 01:35 PM PST

We will agree that a 1990s Honda Civic Coupe won't open any doors for you in this life, but is there really anything you can do about it aside from getting a better set of wheels - if that's your goal, we mean?

Well, that depends on whom you ask and how much you're willing to spend. For eBay seller "Fiberglassdesign4you", the solution is a fiberglass kit that will turn your mundane, mid-1990s Honda Coupe into something that tries very hard to replicate the looks of a Bugatti Veyron 16.4.

Holden Reveals 2012 Colorado Pickup Truck in Production Trim, Sales Start Later this Year

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 12:50 PM PST

General Motors' Chevrolet Colorado pickup truck (which will be made and sold in the States) has made its appearance in Australia in production guise under the Holden nameplate. The automaker had previewed the Holden version with a lightly camouflaged concept at last year's Melbourne Auto Show.

The 2012 Holden Colorado that will arrive in dealerships throughout the country in the middle of this year has dropped some of the more exciting, but not at all practical, elements of the show car such as the large alloy wheels and sporty mirrors but nothing much else has changed.

Stock Ferrari 458 Takes on 750HP Audi RS6, 600HP Nissan GT-R and 750HP Corvette ZR1

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 12:16 PM PST

Any new Ferrari model is fast, but in today's world, the Prancing Horse brand is not the only automaker building rockets on wheels.

Of course, there are various definitions of fast (top speed, acceleration, circuit laps etc) but in this video we have a stock Ferrari 458 Italia with 570-ponies under its mid-mounted bonnet taking on three tuned models, including a 750HP Audi RS6 Evotech, a 600HP Nissan GT-R AMS and a 750HP Corvette ZR1 C6 Lingenfelter, on a 1 mile (1.6 kilometers) run.

See how it went down in the video that follows after the break.

IED Turin to Revive Cisitalia 202 Coupe with a New Concept Model in Geneva

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 11:50 AM PST

Regarded by many as the template from which all great sports cars were born, the 1947 Cisitalia 202 is undoubtedly one of the most important automobiles in history. Designed by Battista "Pinin" Farina, it was honored by New York's Museum of Modern Art in 1951.

To create a modern day successor to such a famous vehicle is a gargantuan task, but it's one the students of the Master of Arts in Transportation Design at the Istituto Europeo di Design of Turin (IED) are willing to undertake.

G-POWER-ED 2012 BMW M5 Dances to the Tune of 640-Horses

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 11:16 AM PST

G-Power, the maker of some of the fastest and meanest tuned BMW models around, has presented its first take on the brand-new 2012 M5 sedan [F10].

At the heart of G-Power's tune is BMW's 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that normally produces 560-horsepower and a peak torque of 680 Nm (502 lb-ft) from 1,500 rpm.

After the German company's engineers update the ECU and add a new custom exhaust system, the V8's output is lifted to 640-horsepower and 777Nm (573 lb-ft).

McLaren Ahoy! MP4-12C Arrives in North America, Priced at a Measly…$229,000

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 10:44 AM PST

We'd tell you to get your bank accounts ready if we didn't know better, because at $229,000, not including a $2,400 destination and port processing fee, we somehow doubt you can afford the new McLaren MP4-12C without selling your house.

The British automaker not only informed us that deliveries of the MP4-12C "are now underway to customers in North America and Canada" (apparently, Canada split off the continent and nobody took notice) but the company also released a video of the first supercars driving off the cargo vessel Taisko in Baltimore, MD.

A Quick Lap Around the Fuji Speedway with the Subaru BRZ

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 10:08 AM PST

We're always up for some video footage of sports cars running a hot lap around a track, even if said sports car is one we've shown more times that we can remember before and after its official presentation

Those of you tempted may follow the break to watch the new Subaru BRZ rear-wheel drive coupe being driven around the Fuji Speedway in Japan.

Peugeot Drops New Photos on the New 4008 Crossover, will go on Sale Outside Europe as well

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 09:26 AM PST

There's a lot of news coming out of Peugeot's headquarters today, and it's all about the 2012 edition of the Geneva Motor Show.

After the presentation of the 208 XY and 208 GTi concept models earlier today, the French brand unleashed a new batch of pictures of the 4008 in the outside world, including the first images of the interior.

You may recall from our first story on the 4008 that it is based on the Mitsubishi ASX, also known as the Outlander Sport in the States, and RVR in Japan and Canada. The ASX itself uses a shortened version of the regular Outlander's platform that also forms the base for the larger Peugeot 4007 and Citroen C-Crosser SUVs.

The 4008 measures 4,340mm long (295mm shorter than the 4007), 1,800mm wide and 1,630mm tall, and rides on a 2,670mm long wheelbase, offering a boot volume of 416 liters with a spare wheel and up to 442 liters with a puncture repair kit.

Poor Man's Lamborghini Reventon Costs $46k / €35k and Comes with a Four-Cylinder Engine

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 08:46 AM PST

No question, the Lamborghini Reventon is one of the most impressive looking Lamborghini models ever to cross the gates of the Italian company's Sant'Agata Bolognese facilities.

It is also one of the rarest and the most expensive car ever made by Lamborghini as the company built only 20 examples of the coupe priced at €1 million (about US$1.3 million at today's exchange rates) a piece during a two year production run from 2009 to 2010.

However, as with anything else that is rare and carries a lot of value in this world, the Reventon has fallen victim to counterfeiters - or so to speak.

Audi Sending 19 Examples of the 252bhp A1 Quattro to the UK, all of which are LHD

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 08:39 AM PST

There's good news and bad news for UK buyers enticed by the new Audi A1 Quattro hot hatchback.

Starting with the good news, the limited production model will be offered for sale in Britain with the company taking orders in March. And now for the bad news. For one, only 19 out of a total of 333 examples worldwide will be imported to the UK, all of which are left-hand-drive.

Then there's the steep price that comes to £41,020 (equal to US$64,600 or €49,500), which makes it £1,000+ more expensive than 340PS (335bhp) RS3 Sportback.

Hyundai Accent Driver is Too Fast, Too Furious for his Own Good

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 07:16 AM PST

It's cold, it's bumpy and there's a combination of ice and snow on the road. Moreover, you're not exactly driving the epitome of handling (it's hard to tell from the video, but it looks like an older generation Hyundai Accent sedan – if we're wrong, drop us a note via the comments section and we'll make a correction).

Do we really need to tell you what's going to happen next? Make the move past the jump to check out the video.

Jaguar Creates New Special Edition XK and XKR Artisan Coupe and Convertible

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 06:54 AM PST

Not to be outdone by other carmakers releasing special edition versions of their models, Jaguar has crafted its own bespoke variants of the XK Coupe and Convertible, and XKR named Artisan SE, which will be offered in several markets around the world but not in North America.

The new special edition gets its name from the Artisan interior that introduces the use of a textured 'scraffito' finished leather to the front seats, instrument binnacle, door and rear quarter panels.

One for the Road: New Mazda Venture Edition for the UK

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 06:45 AM PST

We wouldn't blame you if you have lost count of all the special edition versions of the MX-5 that Mazda has launched…this year alone. And there's another coming, this time for the UK market, though despite its Venture Edition moniker, it's the same model as the Spring Edition Mazda announced for the Geneva Salon.

The MX-5 Venture Edition is available as a 126ps 1.8 MZR Soft-top (SE) with a five-speed manual gearbox or as a 2.0 MZR Roadster Coupe (Sport Tech) with a six-speed manual, with on-the-road prices set at £18,995 and £22,285 respectively.

Très Chic: Peugeot XY Concept is all About Luxury and Style

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 06:00 AM PST

While most gearheads will focus their attention on the 208 GTi Concept, Peugeot has readied a second study based on its freshly launched supermini. This one is called the 208 XY Concept and it will also debut at the 2012 Geneva Auto Salon in a couple of weeks' time.

The 208 XY study could be Peugeot's answer to the more upscale Citroen DS3 sub-compact model. Premium touches on the outside include a bespoke 'Pulsion' paintwork that Peugeot says has the ability to change color depending on the distance and the position from which it is viewed. It is created with sixteen coats of paint and lacquer.

Très Chaud: Peugeot Reveals 208 GTi Concept Ahead of Geneva Motor Show

Posted: 17 Feb 2012 05:52 AM PST

Peugeot has a very long history in the hot hatchback segment that spans more than three decades and it promises to continue the tradition with the newly introduced 208 supermini that forms the base for the new GTi Concept, which will make its first public appearance at the Geneva Motor Show in March 2012.

While the Peugeot 208 GTi comes with a concept tag, a production version is a done deal and could be revealed as early as this autumn at the 2012 Paris Motor Show with sales likely to kick off next year.

The 208 GTi is based on the regular three-door hatchback model and features a subtle aero kit with elegant wheel arch extensions that make room for the beefier five-spoke alloy wheels, side skirts, a roof spoiler and a neat looking rear diffuser with two chromed tailpipes.

CARSCOOP

2012-02-17T04:10:00.001-08:00

CARSCOOP

Chrysler Review is a Concept Study for a Plush GT Coupe
College Girl Creates "Walk of Shame" Shuttle Service for Students in Need
Confirmed: Peugeot will Debut 208 GTi Concept at the Geneva Auto Salon
BMW Introduces New M Performance Parts Program, Includes Engine Upgrades
Flamethrowing Suzuki Hayabusa Comes Equipped with an F14-Sourced Jet Turbine Engine!
New Photos of Volvo's 2013 V40 Hatch Leak Online
South American Consumers Wooed by China's Low Cost Cars
Ferrari has a Very Hard Time Getting Out of Parking Lot, Viper Blasts Right Through
Project Kahn's Wide Body Audi Q7 3.0 TDI
Spied: 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet Makes Another Appearance
The Veyron of Dump Trucks has 1,000+ Horses Under its Hood and Runs the 1/4 Mile in 14 Seconds!
Is this Official Peugeot Teaser for the New 208 GTi?
2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i with 2.0L Turbo Priced from $37,995
New VW Tiguan Commercial Featuring Fast and Furious-Style Honda CR-X
Lumma Design Presents New BMW 6-Series CLR 600 GT Prior to its Geneva Motor Show Debut
Renault to Build a New Luxury Model Based on a Mercedes Platform
Supercharged 1968 Camaro Meets Supercharged 2011 Camaro SS on the Track
World's Largest BMW Showroom Opens in Abu Dhabi, Best Selling Model in the M.E. is the 7-Series
Ford Shows the Merits of the B-MAX's Pillarless Design
New Chrysler Ypsilon Black&Red Special Edition Arrives in Britain
Porsche Names its Upcoming Compact SUV "Macan", Releases First Official Teaser and Video

Chrysler Review is a Concept Study for a Plush GT Coupe

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 06:14 PM PST

Lawrence Tech student Colin Bonathan is a name some of our regular readers might remember.

The young designer was responsible for the exterior styling of the Ford Motor Company-endorsed 2025 Lincoln Continental concept displayed as a quarter-scale model at this year's edition of the Detroit Motor Show.

We recently revisited his portfolio and discovered a new design project that he has been working on. This time, Bonathan dreamed up a styling proposal for a Chrysler-branded luxury GT coupe named Review.

We don't know if what we see in these computer generated images is the final design or if Bonathan is still contemplating on the details, but the styling is impressive in an elegant way.

College Girl Creates "Walk of Shame" Shuttle Service for Students in Need

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 05:18 PM PST

From time to time, you're bound to have your low days especially if you're a young and active college student.

We're talking about the so-called "Walk of Shame", which is a term used to describe the morning after a crazy night out when you end up next to someone you may or may not remember and have to walk back to your own apartment or dorm in whatever condition you may be in – and usually, it ain't good…

A young entrepreneur from Michigan found a way to make some money - or at least a name for herself, from the "walkers".

Confirmed: Peugeot will Debut 208 GTi Concept at the Geneva Auto Salon

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 04:35 PM PST

We just received word that the teaser picture released by French carmaker Peugeot earlier today is indeed the 208 GTi Concept as we suspected and it will make its world premiere at the 82nd Geneva International Auto Salon in the beginning of March.

The 208 GTi Concept will be powered by the 1.6-litre turbocharged four-cylinder engine Peugeot shares with BMW's fast Minis. The study will be very close to the production model that will follow in less than a year's time.

BMW Introduces New M Performance Parts Program, Includes Engine Upgrades

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 04:02 PM PST

There's a lot to see from many automakers at this year's Geneva Auto Show, including a raft of new models from the BMW brand, which will introduce the new 6-Series Grand Coupe, the facelifted X6 and X6M, the new M6 Coupe, X5 M50d, X6 M50d M550d xDrive sedan and Touring along with several new engines for the 1-Series, 3-Series and X3.

That's quite a handful but we're not done yet. The Bavarian firm will also showcase the latest 3-Series sedan, the i3 hatchback and i8 sports coupe concepts (all of which we've already seen before) and in a world premiere, the new BMW M Performance accessory program, which brings us to this post.

Flamethrowing Suzuki Hayabusa Comes Equipped with an F14-Sourced Jet Turbine Engine!

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 03:08 PM PST

How do you make the world's fastest motorcycle, the iconic Suzuki Hayabusa, even faster – at least in theory? We assume the more technically inclined will each have a different answer to that question, but for Tony Pandolfo from Orlando, Florida, there's nothing better than a…jet-sourced turbine engine.

To be more precise, the 54-year old engineer fitted the Hayabusa with an AlliedSignal jet fuel starter (JFS) sourced from an early-model F-14 jet fighter! The JFS runs on K2 Kerosene or Jet A fuel and comes complete with an afterburner.

The only official figure released by Pandolfo on his website is the jet starter's peak torque of 300 lb-ft – remember, we're talking about a motorcycle and not a pickup truck…

In an interview with the Daily Mail, Pandoflo told the newspaper that he actually turned the jet unit's power down.

New Photos of Volvo's 2013 V40 Hatch Leak Online

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 02:10 PM PST

While Volvo may be trying to keep the new V40 under covers until the 2012 Geneva Motor Show's grand opening in early March, the online pundits have a different opinion.

Following yesterday's revealing shots, new scans from the Swedish edition of Auto Motor und Sport were leaked onto the web providing an even better view of the 2013 Volvo V40 five-door hatchback.

South American Consumers Wooed by China's Low Cost Cars

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 01:21 PM PST

China may be one of the largest car manufacturers in the world, but its local brands haven't really managed to infiltrate any major markets.

And while Europe and North America continue to be out of their reach (for the time being, at least) for a great number of reasons ranging from their vehicles' sub-par quality and safety credentials to the fact that some brands blatantly copy Western automakers' models, certain countries in Latin America are seeing a surge in Chinese car sales.

"Little by little, I heard favorable comments. It took a long time to decide, but I'm risking it," Lima taxi driver Mario Segura, told the Detroit News. Segura had just dropped $12,000 on a brand-new Fullwin XR sedan, half the cost of a comparable Fiat or Renault.

Another example from Peru is Luis Lina, a doctor by profession, who decided against buying a second-hand Japanese model after he was convinced by relatives to visit a JAC dealership. We'll remind you that JAC is the maker of the Ford F-150 pickup truck clone.

Ferrari has a Very Hard Time Getting Out of Parking Lot, Viper Blasts Right Through

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 12:31 PM PST

It's only natural that you park an expensive exotic supercar in an enclosed parking space instead of leaving it on the road. Nevertheless, the assurance of safety may come at a cost, as the driver of a Ferrari F430 found out in an underground parking (assumingly) in Poland.

The man had a very difficult time positioning the Ferrari on the ramp leading towards the exit, and all this because of the car's extremely low ride height.

He and some other people, who all appear to be participating in some sort of rally (judging by the decals on the car and their badges), tried all sorts of ways including driving the F430 in reverse, but to no avail. Finally, one of the men lifted the Ferrari's front wing and the car was able to make the ride to the top unscathed.

Project Kahn's Wide Body Audi Q7 3.0 TDI

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 12:01 PM PST

Next up on Project Kahn's list is the Audi Q7 with a 233bhp 3.0-liter V6 diesel engine. The British tuner visually transforms the premium SUV with a new exterior styling and an extensive makeover of the interior.

On the outside, Kahn exterior's package includes a ground effects kit with a front apron featuring gunmetal grey detailing, wheel arch extensions, front fender vents side skirts, a roof spoiler, and a rear apron that also houses the diffuser and the new exhaust tailpipes.

Spied: 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo Cabriolet Makes Another Appearance

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 11:32 AM PST

Porsche is taking its time to iron out all the kinks on the upcoming 911 Turbo models of its brand-new 991 series, the Carrera and Carrera S versions of which have already been announced.

This time, our crafty spy photographers caught up with the new 911 Turbo Cabriolet during cold weather tests near the Arctic Circle. Like the Carrera/S models, the Turbo Cabriolet features a retractable soft top made out of composite materials supported by a new magnesium frame to keep the weight down.

The Veyron of Dump Trucks has 1,000+ Horses Under its Hood and Runs the 1/4 Mile in 14 Seconds!

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 10:58 AM PST

Dumps trucks ain't our cup of tea but there's always an exception to the rule, and this is it: a Kenworth T800 with a turbo setup that's good for more than 1,000 horses at the tires!

According to the folks over at Bangshift, who uploaded the following video on their YouTube channel, the Kenworth dump truck runs the quarter mile in 14.1 seconds.

Agreed; that's not something to brag about at a local supercar meet, but keep in mind that we're talking about a dump truck here… Just to get an idea of how fast that is for a vehicle of this type and weight, a few months back, British magazine Autoexpress clocked the BMW 1 Series M Coupe running the 1/4 mile in 13.9 seconds.

Is this Official Peugeot Teaser for the New 208 GTi?

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 10:23 AM PST

Over the past three decades, Peugeot has made a name for itself in the hot hatch market with cars like the 205 GTI/Rallye/Turbo, the 106 Rallye/GTi and the 206 RC/GTi.

Naturally, the recent presentation of the 208 supermini meant that the French carmaker is getting ready to revive the RC / GTi moniker. This may happen sooner than we think as Peugeot just published a teaser photo of a double tip exhaust on its Facebook page with the caption "Is the myth coming back?"

2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i with 2.0L Turbo Priced from $37,995

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 09:56 AM PST

BMW's new 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger continues to trickle down the range. Following its introduction in the Z4 sDrive28i, 528i and the all-new 328i, the force-fed four-pot is now replacing the 240-horsepower 3.0-liter straight-six in the X3 xDrive28i.

The German automaker announced U.S. pricing today for the four-cylinder X3 xDrive28i, which arrives in showrooms this April as a 2013 model with the same MSRP of $37,995, including $895 destination and handling, as the outgoing six-cylinder 2012 xDrive28i.

New VW Tiguan Commercial Featuring Fast and Furious-Style Honda CR-X

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 09:06 AM PST

Volkswagen has just released a new spot that employs the use of a Fast and Furious-style Honda CR-X de Sol from the mid-1990s to promote its revised 2012 Tiguan SUV and more specifically, its safety credentials. Obviously, the goal here is to draw the attention of a younger crowd.

You can watch it in the video that follows after the jump.

Lumma Design Presents New BMW 6-Series CLR 600 GT Prior to its Geneva Motor Show Debut

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 08:43 AM PST

For owners of the new generation of the BMW 6-Series Convertible codenamed F12 looking to improve the looks and the performance of their drop-top model, Lumma Design has released the first details on its CLR 600 GT package that will debut in a couple of weeks' time at the Geneva Auto Salon.

The German tuning firm's offerings include a rather discreet exterior styling kit comprising a front apron with additional LED daytime running lights (wonder how long these will last…), rocker panels, blacked out kidney grilles, and a rear apron with a diffuser.

Renault to Build a New Luxury Model Based on a Mercedes Platform

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 08:11 AM PST

The Renault-Nissan Alliance is deepening its ties with Daimler and the Mercedes-Benz brand.

The two groups, which have already moved ahead with a multitude of joint projects such as the upcoming Renault-based Mercedes Citan van, the production of Mercedes engines at Nissan's Tennessee plant, and the development of a common platform for the Smart and Renault Twingo, added another task to their list.

Supercharged 1968 Camaro Meets Supercharged 2011 Camaro SS on the Track

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 07:37 AM PST

One of the first things most publications did after the presentation of the latest crop of pony cars from Detroit's Big Three were to compare them with their 1960 and 1970s predecessors.

So, what's new about Insideline's latest test between a 1968 Chevrolet Camaro and its modern-day namesake? Well, the difference here is that both models featured in the video have been heavily modified.

World's Largest BMW Showroom Opens in Abu Dhabi, Best Selling Model in the M.E. is the 7-Series

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 07:01 AM PST

Abu Dhabi, home of all things extravagant such as the largest indoor and first Ferrari theme park, can now lay claim to having the world's largest showroom for BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce Motor Cars and BMW motorcycles.

BMW Group's long-standing importer for the region, Abu Dhabi Motors, invested some AED 300 million (roughly €62 million or US$81 million) in the new 35,000-square-metre showroom over its three-year construction.

The facility features separate showrooms and sales areas for the BMW, MINI and Rolls-Royce cars, and for BMW motorcycles, with more than 70 automobiles and 10 motorcycles on permanent display.

Ford Shows the Merits of the B-MAX's Pillarless Design

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 06:31 AM PST

Another day, another round of photos of the new Ford B-MAX. This time, the Blue Oval enlisted the help of one of its European designers, Erika Tsubaki, to demonstrate the advantages of the hidden pillars and sliding doors when it comes to accessing the small MPV's interior at its UK unveiling in London today.

Ford managed to do away with the central pillars by reinforcing the rear-hinged doors, which are made of special ultra-high-strength steels providing up to five times the strength of conventional mild steel.

New Chrysler Ypsilon Black&Red Special Edition Arrives in Britain

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 06:02 AM PST

Following on from the launch of the Lancia Ypsilon Black&Red last November, the special edition version of the Italian supermini has now put on its Chrysler logos to go on sale in the UK.

Both on the outside and inside, the new edition of the Chrysler Ypsilon subcompact hatchback sports a two-tone black and red color theme.

Porsche Names its Upcoming Compact SUV "Macan", Releases First Official Teaser and Video

Posted: 16 Feb 2012 05:36 AM PST

As it turns out, Porsche won't be keeping the name Cajun for the production version of its upcoming junior SUV as the Stuttgart-based automaker announced today that it will be named "Macan". Porsche says that the name is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger.

"The Macan combines all sports car characteristics with the benefits of a SUV and is a genuine Porsche", said Bernhard Maier, Member of the Executive Board Sales and Marketing of Porsche. "The name of a new Porsche has to fit with the brand, sound good in very many languages and dialects and evoke positive associations."

CARSCOOP

2012-02-16T04:08:00.001-08:00

CARSCOOP

Poll: What do You Think about the Euro 2012 Camaro's Redesigned LED Taillights?
Meet the Darker, Swimsuit Model-Sexy Side of Ram
Aston Martin Debuts V12 Zagato in Kuwait, Watch it on the Move
SPY SHOTS: 2013 BMW X1 Facelift, this One May Come to the States
Lexus Regains Crown in J.D. Power's 2012 Dependability Study, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep Flop
ASMA Design Previews Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Tune
PSA Peugeot-Citroen and Renault Say They're Too Thin on Profits by Making Cars in France
Cars Dancing on Ice, the Turkish Edition
New Owners Tell Lotus to Continue Development of Future Models
First Official Photo of All-New 2013 Audi A3 Leaked?
Is this the New 2013 Volvo V40 Hatchback?
Scoop: Audi Working on a Mild Facelift for the Q5 Crossover, gets 3.0L Supercharged V6
Man Does 215 MPH+ Runs with Veyron, Infuriates Arizona Police but Gets Away with it
Why Hitchhiking on a Frozen Road is a Bad Idea
Ferrari Introduces California Facelift with 490HP Ahead of Geneva Debut
Hyundai Mulling Performance Versions of i30 Hatch and i40 Sedan
Lotus is Going to "Blow the Roof off" of Something in Geneva
Volkswagen Brand Delivers Close to 420,000 Passenger Cars in January
BMW Video Teases M Performance Parts for 1-Series Hatchback
Kia Shows More of its All-New Cee'd Hatchback Including the First Shots of the Interior
New Lexus GS Priced from £32,995 in Britain

Poll: What do You Think about the Euro 2012 Camaro's Redesigned LED Taillights?

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 06:20 PM PST

If you hop over the break and take a close look at the 90 pictures of the European-specification 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe and Convertible, you'll probably notice a few things that are different from the North American models - and no, we're not talking about the welcome presence of attractive women in some shots.

First and foremost, the Euro Camaro gets a redesigned pair of LED tail lamps. It's not only the addition of LED units that make them look different but also their shape, which kind of reminds us of sunglasses.

Those of you with flawless memory will remember seeing the revised tail lamps in our Nürburgring spy shots of the Camaro back in 2010.

Other differences include the diffuser-mounted reflectors at the back; the noticeably larger mirrors that look like someone pasted Dumbo's ears on the Camaro's doors (apparently, so you can detect those miniature ForTwos creeping up on you on the highway) and the more modern fonts on the instrument panel gauges that are placed outwards.

Meet the Darker, Swimsuit Model-Sexy Side of Ram

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 04:44 PM PST

We were right to assume that the Chrysler Group's "The Dark Side of Ram" commercial previewed the new top-of-the line Laramie Limited Edition truck, which premiered in Chicago earlier this month.

We don't have anything else to add about Ram's darker colored and more luxurious pickup truck, but if the beautiful brunette in the original teaser captured your attention, you may want to take a glance at the rest of the swimsuit models featured in the clip by watching the videos that follow after the break.

Aston Martin Debuts V12 Zagato in Kuwait, Watch it on the Move

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 03:44 PM PST

Almost a year after its presentation in concept form at the Concorso D'Eleganza at Villa D'Este , the production version of Aston Martin's new V12 Zagato made its world premiere today at the 2012 Kuwait Concours d' Elegance before it heads over to the Geneva Salon in March for its European debut .

The new Aston Martin is essentially a re-skinned version of the V12 Vantage designed by Italian coachbuilder Zagato in celebration of the golden anniversary of the 1962 DB4GT Zagato.

SPY SHOTS: 2013 BMW X1 Facelift, this One May Come to the States

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 03:14 PM PST

The BMW X3's smaller brother, the X1, is getting ready for its first facelift after having been in the market for a little over two years. However, don't expect to see it in showrooms before 2013.

The fully camouflaged prototype suggests that the styling changes will be concentrated up front with the X1 likely to gain new headlamps along with tweaked kidney grilles and a re-sculptured bumper.

Lexus Regains Crown in J.D. Power's 2012 Dependability Study, Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep Flop

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 02:39 PM PST

Each year, J.D. Power and Associates release their findings on the overall dependability of three-year old vehicles sold in the States. The 2012 Dependability Study polled some 31,000 owners of 2009 model-year vehicles measuring problems they experienced in the past 12 months.

To understand the numbers you see listed below, the "overall dependability" is determined by the level of problems experienced per 100 vehicles (PP100), with a lower score translating to higher quality.

In this year's study, J.D. Powers found that overall vehicle dependability improved substantially as the industry average was 132 problems per 100 vehicles, representing a 13 percent improvement from last year (151 PP100), while it's also the lowest problem rate since the survey began in 1990.

ASMA Design Previews Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Tune

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 01:51 PM PST

For an exotic model that has been widely lauded for its looks, the new Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 is sure receiving a lot of attention from the tuning industry. Some of the recent proposals that come to mind are from Prindiville Design and Oakley Design.

Now, ASMA Design is joining in with its own plan to tune Lamborghini's flagship model. You may remember ASMA from its over-the-top projects such as the Phantasma CL Chrome and the unforgettable (…) CLS Shark series.

PSA Peugeot-Citroen and Renault Say They're Too Thin on Profits by Making Cars in France

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 01:26 PM PST

In a move that reminds us a lot of what Fiat-Chrysler CEO, Sergio Marchionne told the Italian government not too long ago, both Renault and PSA Peugeot-Citroen executives told French parliamentary officials in separate appearances before the Senate that they can't make a profit from building cars in France.

According to a report from Autonews Europe, the Renault Group was represented by chief operating officer Carlos Tavares, while PSA Peugeot-Citroen sent Denis Martin, executive vice president for industrial operations. Both automakers confirmed the comments.

Tavares told the French commissions that one of Renault's most popular models, the Clio, costs €1,300 (US$1,700) more to produce at the firm's Flins plant in France than in the company's factory in Bursa, Turkey.

Cars Dancing on Ice, the Turkish Edition

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 12:39 PM PST

Bad weather knows no national boundaries and the same type of mishaps occur on all four corners of the world, be that in Utah, USA, or Vladivostok, Russia. This video allegedly comes to us from Turkey (we couldn't verify it) and includes almost five minutes of all sorts of cars losing control on an ice covered road.

Slide over the break to watch the clip for yourself.

New Owners Tell Lotus to Continue Development of Future Models

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 12:16 PM PST

For a company that hadn't revealed a brand new car in 12 years until it launched the Evora in 2008, revealing five new models in the same auto show like Lotus did in Paris in 2010, was a ballsy move.

The Proton-owned company said at the time that the concepts previewed its all-new range that is under development. The new Elise, Esprit, Elan and Eterne saloon, as well as a city car, were impressive indeed.

However, the company has been bleeding cash ever since it was acquired by the Malaysian carmaker in 1996. With Proton facing a few problems of its own, such as seeing its share in the local market reduced by almost 50 percent, selling Lotus was a logical option.

First Official Photo of All-New 2013 Audi A3 Leaked?

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 11:32 AM PST

The last time we had a good look at the 2013 Audi A3 hatchback, it was from the January Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas where the German automaker displayed the compact model's interior.

In some of those aforementioned shots, the new A3's exterior was displayed on the LCD screen located above the center air vents.

Now, an Eastern European website has posted this picture claiming that it's the first official photo of the new three-door A3, which is scheduled to make its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show in early March.

Is this the New 2013 Volvo V40 Hatchback?

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 10:50 AM PST

Volvo has been teasing the new V40 hatchback for quite some time now as the Swedish company is building up anticipation for the five-door model's world premiere at next month's 2012 Geneva Auto Show.

Today, however, French car magazine L'Automobile published two undisguised images of what it claims to be the new V40. The first cropped picture shows the front end of the compact model while the second grainy image gives us an unobstructed view of its rear end and profile.

Scoop: Audi Working on a Mild Facelift for the Q5 Crossover, gets 3.0L Supercharged V6

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 10:29 AM PST

Our spies have captured a prototype of the upcoming Audi Q5 facelift during some cold weather testing in northern Europe.

There's not much to say about this specific test car's appearance as it is a prototype for trying out the updated Q5's mechanical hardware (more on that in a bit).

However, we believe that the actual facelifted model will encompass the same styling changes seen on recent Audis such as the refreshed A4 and A5, and which include more stylish and narrower headlamps and the company's new hexagonal front grille.

Man Does 215 MPH+ Runs with Veyron, Infuriates Arizona Police but Gets Away with it

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 10:01 AM PST

What's the point of owning a Bugatti Veyron? Surely not to take the kid to school although that would make him or her very, very popular... Perhaps it's for gaining bragging rights over your supercar-owning friends. Maybe because you are a collector or you simply want and can afford to buy one.

Well, in our books, having the fastest production car in the world is all about finding an empty road, pushing the right pedal to the metal and enjoy the feeling of having more than 1,000HP at your disposal.

On February 6, a video showing a Veyron in multiple 215-225 mph (345-360 km/h) runs was uploaded on YouTube. It soon became viral, attracting 1.2 million viewers.

Why Hitchhiking on a Frozen Road is a Bad Idea

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 09:04 AM PST

Staying put well inside the boundaries of road is never a good idea, even more so if the weather conditions are very poor – i.e. rain, snow and ice.

However, to the defense of the hitchhikers seen in this video, the man driving the dashboard camera-equipped vehicle was not only going too fast for the conditions of the road, but he also didn't even bother to slow down once he saw them signaling for a ride.

This proved to be a bad move, as you can for yourself in the video that follows.

Ferrari Introduces California Facelift with 490HP Ahead of Geneva Debut

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 08:41 AM PST

We've known for some months now that Ferrari was preparing a mild update for its entry-level California model and today, the Italian automaker made it official releasing the first photos and specs ahead of the hardtop roadster's world premiere at next month's Geneva Auto Show.

While there aren't any noticeable styling changes other than the silver front grille, under the skin, it's a different story.

Hyundai Mulling Performance Versions of i30 Hatch and i40 Sedan

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 08:19 AM PST

Hyundai is contemplating the development of performance variants of its new i30 hatchback (called Elantra GT in the States) and the i40 sedan.

At least that's what Hyundai Europe Chief Operating Officer Allan Rushforth said during the launch of the all-new i30 when asked if there are any plans for hotter versions.

"A Hyundai GTi? That's not just a C-segment question, but a D-segment one as well", he replied, referring to the i30 and i40 respectively, according to Autocar magazine. "We have talked about such cars and are considering versions not only with more performance, but dynamic improvements to ride and handling, too", he elaborated.

Lotus is Going to "Blow the Roof off" of Something in Geneva

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 07:53 AM PST

Automakers just love teasing us before major international motor shows such as the upcoming 82nd Geneva Salon. Today, we received an email from Lotus with a cryptic message about the company's plans to "blow the roof off" of something at the Swiss show.

Aside from the very summery picture strip you see above, Lotus' message also said: "MAXIMUM Exposure...Lotus' philosophy has always been 'less is more'. Now, with a display of true fighting spirit, we'll take this one step further in Geneva."

Volkswagen Brand Delivers Close to 420,000 Passenger Cars in January

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 07:30 AM PST

When it comes to sales, there's nothing like a good start to get the positive mojo going, especially when you're faced with a crisis in a large market such as Europe.

For the Volkswagen brand (we're talking about VW alone not the VW Group), 2012 started on slightly a positive note as the company reported worldwide passenger car sales of 419,200 units in January, which represents a 0.1 percent increase over the same month last year.

BMW Video Teases M Performance Parts for 1-Series Hatchback

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 07:05 AM PST

At first we had the M brand for BMW's thoroughbred sports cars, then came the M Sport Packages, which add styling and suspension upgrades to the firm's mainstream vehicles.

More recently, the Bavarians launched the M Performance sub-brand that offers exclusive engine variants, enhanced handling and bespoke styling treats at a lower cost than the pure M models. You see the pattern, right?

So the next step for BMW is the introduction of the M Performance Parts, that will launch in spring 2012.

Kia Shows More of its All-New Cee'd Hatchback Including the First Shots of the Interior

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 06:45 AM PST

The all-new Kia Cee'd will make its world premiere at the 82nd Geneva International Auto Salon in March but the South Korean automaker wants us to get a better view of its VW Golf rival with the release of another set of photos, which include the very first pictures of its interior.

The car's overall appearance is in line with Kia's latest crop of models and especially the Optima sedan. This is even more evident inside with Kia promising a more premium look and feel, higher perceived quality and enhanced driving position ergonomics.

The dashboard layout features a driver-orientated fascia with the main switchgear positioned towards the driver.

Kia has not yet announced precise dimensions but it said that the new Cee'd is longer, wider and lower than its predecessor, while retaining the same wheelbase.

New Lexus GS Priced from £32,995 in Britain

Posted: 15 Feb 2012 06:22 AM PST

The new generation of Lexus' GS sedan is gradually making its way to most markets around the world. Today, the Japanese automaker released pricing for the UK market where the GS is available for order now with first customer deliveries to take place in mid-June.

The range starts from £32,995 for the GS 250 while the full hybrid GS 450h starts from £44,995. The GS 250 is powered by a 2.5-liter V6 petrol engine delivering 206bhp while the GS 450h combines a 3.5-liter Atkinson-cycle V6 petrol engine with the Lexus Hybrid Drive for a total system output of 338bhp.

CARSCOOP

2012-02-15T04:05:00.001-08:00

CARSCOOP

The Story Behind Joe, the Man who Excavated his Basement Using Only R/C Scale Models
Evoms Tuned Porsche 997 Turbo with 610HP is No Match for Godzilla SPE750
Saab Dealers Abandoning Ship as Liquidation Looks Inevitable
All-New Audi RS4 Avant with 450PS V8 Makes Official Debut [38 Photos]
Mitt Romney Attacks Obama for how he Handled the 2009 Bailout of U.S. Auto Industry
EVO Pits Porsche Boxster Spyder Against Audi’s R8 Spyder
Meet Stryker, the 2013 SRT Viper's New Venomous Logo
New Hyundai Azera Starts from $32,000*, a $6,605 Premium Over its Predecessor
Video Animation Walk us Around the New B-MAX
SPY SHOTS: 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan Begins Testing
New Audi RS4 Avant Photos Leaked, gets 4.2-liter V8 Delivering 450-Horses
Hammer UTV Racer Comes to a Very Abrupt Stop [NSFW]
Refreshed and More Powerful 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Priced from $24,250*
2013 Porsche 911 GT3 to Ditch Manual Gearbox in Favor of PDK?
Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Tori Praver Spreads Out for New 2013 Lexus GS
BMW Wins Another Contract to Supply Munich's Police with Patrol Cars
Dodge Recalling Close to 10,000 Charger Police Cars to Fix Electronic Glitches
BMW DesignworksUSA's New Síragon All-in-one Computer
Caterham Readying All-New Sports Car for 2015, But it's Not for U.S.
Chevrolet Camaro Coupe and Convertible Come to the UK, Prices Start from £34,995
Ford Drops Another Picture of B-MAX, Says it will Debut the MPV at the Mobile World Congress
Mazda Releases UK Pricing and Specifications on New CX-5

The Story Behind Joe, the Man who Excavated his Basement Using Only R/C Scale Models

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 06:45 PM PST

We don't know what's more astounding; the fact that for the past seven years, someone had the patience and the know-how to dig his basement using only radio controlled scale models, or that his feat went by unnoticed by the viewing masses for such a long time.

Whatever the case, we were surely amazed by Joe, who prefers to be known by his first name only, and his devotion to his favorite hobby.

After we published the story last week, Joe, who is from Saskatchewan, Canada, came into contact with Carscoop to give us an insight on his incredible hobby and how it became to be.

Here's hoping that after reading his story that follows below, some readers will rethink their assumptions about Joe and his work.

Evoms Tuned Porsche 997 Turbo with 610HP is No Match for Godzilla SPE750

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 04:59 PM PST

Remember a video of an SP Engineering-tuned Nissan GT-R 750 being chased on a twisty road by a Ferrari 458 Italia that we showed you last November?

Well, the same person that uploaded the aforementioned clip has released a fresh video with the 750-horsepower Godzilla playing around with an Evoms Porsche 997 Turbo with 610HP on a straight line.

See how it plays out in the video that follows after the jump.

Saab Dealers Abandoning Ship as Liquidation Looks Inevitable

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 04:30 PM PST

Three weeks ago, the receivers that handle Saab's assets after the company was officially declared bankrupt confirmed that there are many parties interested in acquiring the Swedish carmaker, or whatever is left of it.

Up until now, no offer has materialized and with each passing day, the chances of the Trolhattan-based company becoming history are increasing. Therefore, Saab's 900 dealers around the globe are looking for alternatives.

All-New Audi RS4 Avant with 450PS V8 Makes Official Debut [38 Photos]

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 03:59 PM PST

After we got our first-taste of the new RS4 through a handful of leaked images earlier today, Audi has now officially pulled the sheets off the flagship model of its A4 series.

The RS4 makes its comeback as a station wagon featuring the same 4.2-liter V8 engine found in the RS5 models. The naturally aspirated eight-cylinder unit is good for 450PS (444bhp) at 8,250 rpm and a peak torque of 430 Nm (317.15 lb-ft) available from 4,000 to 6,000 rpm. That's a 30bhp improvement over the previous RS4.

Audi's seven-speed S tronic dual-clutch automatic transmission and quattro permanent all-wheel drive with up to 70 percent flowing to the front or as much as 85 percent to the rear with a default 40:60 ratio, transfer power to the road.

According to the German automaker, the RS4 Avant can accelerate from zero to 100 km/h (62mph) in 4.7 seconds and reach a governed top speed of 250 km/h (155mph), which can be increased to 280 km/h (174mph) upon request, while consuming less than 11lt/100km on average (21.4mpg US).

Mitt Romney Attacks Obama for how he Handled the 2009 Bailout of U.S. Auto Industry

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 03:01 PM PST

The automotive industry is once again involved in politics and more specifically, this year's presidential elections. This time it's Republican candidate former Massachusetts Governor, Mitt Romney, who attacked President Barack Obama's handling of the 2009 bailout.

In an op-ed published today at the Detroit News, Romney criticizes Obama of "instead of doing the right thing and standing up to union bosses, he rewarded them".

Romney stated that the companies should have entered and then exited bankruptcy, but that "by the spring of 2009, instead of the free market doing what it does best, we got a major taste of crony capitalism, Obama-style."

EVO Pits Porsche Boxster Spyder Against Audi’s R8 Spyder

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 02:08 PM PST

The second-generation of Porsche's Boxster roadster has been superseded by a brand-new model, which will make its official debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month. Porsche's tradition of rolling out special editions of its standard models is legendary, but understandably, it's too early for anything other than the standard Boxster and Boxster S in its range.

Likewise, the Audi R8 is expected to get a mild facelift this year, with the most significant change being the replacement of the so-last-year single clutch semi-automatic gearbox by a modern twin-clutch transmission.

Despite all this, EVO magazine has decided to compare the 2009 Boxster Spyder against the V8 version of Audi's R8 Spyder. The two cars have certain things in common: they are both open-top, mid-engined sports cars made by German premium manufacturers and they were launched in 2009.

Meet Stryker, the 2013 SRT Viper's New Venomous Logo

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 01:45 PM PST

With each new generation of the Chrysler Group's Viper sports car comes a new interpretation of the snake logo and the same holds true for the next model that will be officially unveiled at the 2012 New York Auto Show in April.

Following last month's release of the black and white teaser of the new Viper, which will be marketed under the SRT brand instead of Dodge, the Detroit automaker has now revealed the new and more sinister looking "venomous" logo nicknamed "Stryker".

New Hyundai Azera Starts from $32,000*, a $6,605 Premium Over its Predecessor

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 01:46 PM PST

More often than not, building better vehicles comes at a price but Hyundai's clientele may not be very happy about the company's pricing strategy with the brand-new 2012 Azera that starts at $32,000 (€24,500), not including an $875 delivery and handling fee that pushes the price to $32,875.

Granted, the redesigned Azera costs $4,725 less than the 2012 Lexus ES350 ($36,725), but it's also $6,605 more expensive than its predecessor and only $2,400 cheaper than Hyundai's more upscale and powerful Genesis V6 sedan, which features a 333HP 3.3-liter engine linked to an 8-speed auto.

Video Animation Walk us Around the New B-MAX

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 12:36 PM PST

Ford's teaser train of the new B-MAX continues to roll down the track with the release of the first animated video of the car. The short clip walks us around the small MPV and shows the regular front and sliding rear doors in action.

You can read more about the B-MAX in our previous posts; we'll just remind you that the Fiesta-based minivan will make its first appearance at the 2012 Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona, Spain on February 27 before it heads to the Geneva Motor Show in March.

SPY SHOTS: 2014 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Sedan Begins Testing

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 12:06 PM PST

What we have here are the first scoop pictures of the next generation Mercedes-Benz C-Class sedan caught while undergoing preliminary tests in Europe. The C-Class is a very important model for the German automaker as it's one of Mercedes' top sellers worldwide.

Parent company Daimler has already revealed that the new iteration will arrive in the market in 2014 and that for the first time ever, it will be built on North American soil at its Tuscaloosa plant in Alabama. Currently, the C-Class is manufactured at Mercedes plants in Germany, China and South Africa.

These first photos of the 2014 model suggest that the new C-Class will get sportier proportions with a shorter tail and front overhangs, and a swoopier roofline. Like the new A-Class, Mercedes-Benz's BMW 3-Series rival will adopt many styling cues from the F800 study showcased at the 2010 Geneva Motor Show.

New Audi RS4 Avant Photos Leaked, gets 4.2-liter V8 Delivering 450-Horses

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 11:26 AM PST

The all-new Audi RS4 Avant is not much of a secret anymore as the first official pictures along with some initial details leaked onto the web today.

As we reported in our scoop story on Monday, the 2013 Audi RS4 adopts the RS5's improved 4.2-liter V8 engine rated at 450PS (444bhp) and 430Nm (317.15 lb-ft), channeled to the road through a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transmission and Audi's quattro all-wheel drive system.

We also learn today that the new RS4 Avant allegedly completes the 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint in 4.7 seconds, a tenth of a second slower than the lighter but also far less practical and roomy RS5 Coupe.

Audi's engineers also made changes to the suspension setup and fitted the RS4 with a more potent braking system and 19-inch wheels shod in low profile, high-performance tires.

Hammer UTV Racer Comes to a Very Abrupt Stop [NSFW]

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 11:33 AM PST

Just because you can go faster than other participants at some point in a race, doesn't necessarily mean that you should (at least not always) because you might be in for a very nasty surprise as Matt Messer and his co-driver found out during the 2012 King Of The Hammers UTV race last week. Read more »

Refreshed and More Powerful 2013 Hyundai Genesis Coupe Priced from $24,250*

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 10:33 AM PST

We get our first look at the updated Hyundai Genesis Coupe for the North American market at last month's Detroit Motor Show and now the South Korean automaker has released details on pricing and specifications before it goes on sale in March.

The 2013 model continues to be available with two engine options, but the new 2.0-liter turbocharged four now produces 274-horses (+64hp) and 275 lb.-ft. (+52 lb-ft) of peak torque, while the 3.8-liter V6 gains direct-injection technology pushing output to 348-horsepower (+42hp) and 295 lb.-ft (+29 lb-ft).

2013 Porsche 911 GT3 to Ditch Manual Gearbox in Favor of PDK?

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 10:08 AM PST

When the all-new 911 broke cover right before the 64th Frankfurt Motor Show, it was hailed as an important step in the evolution of Porsche's rear-engined sports car.

The 991 combines the signature 911 shape updated for the 21st century with a longer wheelbase and a wider front track for extra stability while it's also more powerful yet more frugal.

What's not to like about the 991, then – apart, of course, from the little detail that it's out of reach for many of us? Well, the electromechanical steering that replaced the hydraulic unit in the name of reducing fuel consumption, was received with mixed feelings.

Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Model Tori Praver Spreads Out for New 2013 Lexus GS

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 09:27 AM PST

Lexus is playing the curvalicious card of Sports Illustrated Swimsuit model Tori Praver in its latest campaign for the all-new 2013 GS sedan.

As the official automotive marketing partner of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit property, the Japanese company is taking advantage (or so to speak…) of Praver and using her in a multi-faceted campaign called TORI 500, showcasing an actual racetrack designed around her body.

BMW Wins Another Contract to Supply Munich's Police with Patrol Cars

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 08:58 AM PST

For the past 50 years, the BMW Group has been providing patrol cars to the German city of Munich and this tradition continues with a new contract that will see the automaker supplying several hundred vehicles a year to the Bavarian Police.

Under the new deal, BMW will produce specially modified versions of its new 2012 3-Series sedan and its upcoming Touring sibling, along with the 5-Series sedan and Touring models, and for the first time ever, the X3 crossover as well.

Dodge Recalling Close to 10,000 Charger Police Cars to Fix Electronic Glitches

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 08:27 AM PST

The Chrysler Group has issued a recall on certain Dodge Charger police vehicles from the 2011-2012 model years to address two electronic problems. The recall affects 9,688 patrol cars in the U.S.

The Detroit automaker told the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) that in some cars, the low beam headlamps could fail due to an overheated bulb harness connector, while in other vehicles, the ABS/ESC systems may stop functioning due to an overheated power distribution center.

BMW DesignworksUSA's New Síragon All-in-one Computer

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 07:44 AM PST

Thermaltake isn't the only company in the broader computer industry that has tapped the styling expertise of the BMW Group subsidiary DesignworksUSA for its products.

Síragon, which is a Venezuelan manufacturer and assembler of personal computing products and consumer electronics such as cameras and LCD television sets, has also enlisted the help of DesignworksUSA for the creation of its flagship AIO 9000 Series all-in-one computer.

Caterham Readying All-New Sports Car for 2015, But it's Not for U.S.

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 07:16 AM PST

Buying a car company, especially a small one is not that hard, provided you have the cash of course. Building new models from the ground up is a much more demanding endeavor.

In the case of Caterham, which has been relying solely on the Seven (the 1994 "21" was essentially a rebodied and stiffer Seven), it's a task that's practically been undertaken for the first time.

Launching Caterham Technology and Innovation, a standalone engineering company responsible for developing new models, was proof that new owner Tony Fernandes was serious about expanding Caterham's range.

Chevrolet Camaro Coupe and Convertible Come to the UK, Prices Start from £34,995

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 06:39 AM PST

America's favorite modern muscle car, the Chevrolet Camaro, has made the trip across the Atlantic and has arrived on UK shores where it will go on sale this spring available exclusively with GM's 6.2-liter V8 and a choice of two body styles, coupe and convertible.

On-the-road prices for the Camaro SS Coupe start at £34,995 (US$55,100 or €42,300), which brings it in the same price range as the BMW 330i Coupe (£35,045) and fairly close to the Nissan 370Z coupe that costs £29,950 (US$47,200 or €36,200).

Ford Drops Another Picture of B-MAX, Says it will Debut the MPV at the Mobile World Congress

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 06:03 AM PST

While the all-new B-MAX will be introduced to the automotive world at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show on March 6, its actual world premiere will take place at a very different event at the end of this month.

Ford revealed today that the company's executive chairman Bill Ford will unveil the sub-compact MPV on February 27 at the 2012 Mobile World Congress, in Barcelona, Spain.

The Blue Oval notes that it is the first automaker ever to present a new car at the leading mobile industry event, and all for good reason – or so it claims – as the B-MAX will debut feature several mobile technologies.

Mazda Releases UK Pricing and Specifications on New CX-5

Posted: 14 Feb 2012 05:46 AM PST

Following its launch in several markets around the world, the new Mazda CX-5 is now available for pre-order in Britain with first deliveries to take place this spring.

The compact crossover model, which is Mazda's first production model embody its SKYACTIV technology, will be offered with a choice of three engines including a 2.0-liter petrol producing 165PS (163bhp), and a 2.2-liter turbo diesel with either 150PS (148bhp) or 175PS (173bhp).