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Your dream of owning a $45,000 Lotus plug-in minicar could become a reality in 2013. If that’s truly your dream, then you’ll be thrilled to know that the extended-range Lotus Ethos will reportedly hit U.S. dealerships in late 2013 as a Model Year 2014 vehicle.

Unveiled at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, Lotus’ minicar concept, now called the Ethos, will enter the production cycle in 2013. That’s official. However, word of the Ethos coming to the U.S. has not been confirmed by the automaker.

In production form, the plug-in Ethos is expected to employ a range-extending 1.2-liter three-cylinder engine. Lotus claims the Ethos will have an electric-only range of 37 miles before that range extender swings into action, adding 270 miles of gas-burnin’ action. Top speed checks in at a reported 76 miles per hour and the 0 to 62-mph dash takes nine ticks of the second hand.

So, it’s time to start gearing up for the possible arrival of a $45,000 plug-in minicar with a Lotus badge. We’d be willing to bet that its steep price tag will be a bit of an issue when it comes to racking up sales here in the States.

Lotus Ethos plug-in minicar headed to U.S. in 2013?

Ford took everyone by surprised when it unveiled the F-150 SVT Raptor back in 2008, not only with the truck’s capability but by the fact that they had the guts to produce it at all. The success of the Raptor left other automakers scrambling to produce something similar, although everything yet has fallen short in one way or another. Chrysler unveiled the Ram Runner Concept at SEMA last year, although you have to build it yourself if you want one, and GM has merely teased the idea of producing the Sierra All Terrain HD Concept shown earlier this year.

Now, Toyota is stepping up to the plate with the Tacoma TRD TX Baja Series. Unveiled today at the Texas State Fair, this limited-edition truck takes inspiration from Toyota’s Baja racing history and features items like an electronically-controlled locking differential, TRD off-road package with Bilstein race shocks and an increased ride height of two inches, BF Goodrich T/A KO tires and bead-lock style wheels. Power comes from Toyota’s 4.0-liter V6 and both a six-speed manual or five-speed automatic transmission are available.

The TRD TX Baja Series also benefits from changes made to the standard Tacoma for 2012, including a restyled front end with a new hood, grille, front bumper and headlights. The interior gets a new instrument panel, updated gauges, new steering wheel and more. You can read full details about both the standard Tacoma and the limited edition Baja Series in the press release after the jump.

Continue reading Toyota unveils Tacoma TRD TX Baja Series Limited Edition in Texas

Toyota unveils Tacoma TRD TX Baja Series Limited Edition in Texas

There’s a long press release and a video after the jump with scads of information, but it distills to this: controlling machines with your brain. José del R. Millán, a researcher at Switzerland’s EPFL, has been developing the technology both for communication and mechanical-control purposes, and Nissan Europe has partnered with the lab with an eye on taking such technology to cars.

Nissan’s take, for instance, is that as you “think about turning left ahead… the car will prepare itself for the maneuver, selecting the correct speed and road positioning, before completing the turn.” Our take is that you can stay tuned for 2050 when your car realizes you’re about to scrap it, and the police pull you over for thinking about speeding. Until then, your future is spelled out in words and a video after the jump.

Continue reading Nissan’s mind-reading cars will predict your mistakes

Nissan’s mind-reading cars will predict your mistakes

Scion has released a volley of information on the company’s latest Release Series models. The 2012 xD Release Series 4.0 will come to dealers dipped in an exclusive Premium Blizzard Pearl paint with 16-inch alloy wheels as standard equipment. Inside, color-matched trim panels along the center console, steering wheel and doors echo the exterior scheme, and a set of embroidered carpet floor mats round out the upgrades inside. Scion says that the company will only produce 800 examples of the xD RS 4.0, each starting at $16,250, excluding a $750 destination charge.

In addition, Scion is also rolling out the xB Release Series 9.0. The larger five-door, which can be seen above, will only be available in bright orange Hot Lava paint, and a honeycomb lower grille and illuminated Scion badges help set the model apart from the rest of the fleet. Inside, the vehicle’s seats wear perforated simulated suede seat covers with an embossed Scion logo. Scion intends to manufacture 1,500 examples of the xB RS 9.0. Expect to the vehicle to start at $18,110, excluding destination. Hit the jump for the full press release.

Continue reading Scion prices 2012 xB and XD Release Series models

Scion prices 2012 xB and XD Release Series models

Porsche is apparently still working on a new small sports car designed to give the Lotus Elise something to chew on, at least if the reports coming from CAR Magazine are to be believed. Code-named Project Mimo, the vehicle is slated to be positioned below the Boxster and be built on the bones of the rumored Audi R5 and Volkswagen BlueSport convertibles.

CAR reports that all three machines are currently mired in the engineering feasibility stage of production, which means the whole lot could be binned at any moment. Even so, the Mimo is rumored to come with a 1.9-liter flat-four-cylinder engine under its hood.

The Audi, meanwhile, will likely pack a version of the company’s stout inline five-cylinder, leaving the BlueSport to work with whatever green-tilted powerplant Volkswagen can come up with. The small-displacement flat-four in the Mimo will likely be paired with a turbo for something around 210 horsepower, according to CAR. That sounds fun and all, but we like the notion of a Porsche with a price tag of less than the $48,100 the German automaker asks for the Boxster.

Porsche’s Elise-fighter to get 1.9-liter four?

The Detroit Free Press is reporting that two companies have joined forces to create a push-to-start button that can automatically sense the driver’s blood-alcohol level. Takata, an Auburn Hills-based parts supplier and TruTouch, an Albuquerque-based firm, have received a $2.25 million grant from the Automotive Coalition for Traffic Safety to help make the creation commercially viable.

Currently, the device is about the size of a bread box and uses an infrared sensor to determine the amount of alcohol in a person’s system. In addition, the invention currently takes several seconds to function and only works accurately at room temperature.

The ACTS grant should help both Takata and TruTouch work through those issues to create a version of the technology that could conceivably fit behind a vehicle’s start button, take just a few milliseconds to determine someone’s BAC and be able to accurately do so in temperatures as low as 40 degrees below zero. There’s also the equally challenging feat of getting the device’s total cost down to around $200 per unit. The idea is to take the invasiveness of a Breathalyzer out of the equation while still preventing impaired drivers from taking to the road.

A push-button starter that tells if you’re drunk?

Cadillac really is ready to challenge all comers in the luxury automobile segment, then Mercedes-Benz is a great target to shoot for. As such, perhaps it’s not surprising that Caddy put together a video showing how it can easily dispatch one of the German automaker’s products. The battleground is a straight stretch of asphalt with a starting line, finish line and hit-the-gas-now light tree. Sounds like the perfect recipe for a little bit of America versus Germany automotive action, no? Problem is, from our vantage point, Cadillac isn’t exactly fighting fair.

General Motors’ luxury arm picked out a Mercedes-Benz C300 as its desired target. There’s really nothing in Cadillac’s stable right now that lines up directly with the C300 (the CTS is too large and the ATS isn’t here yet), so the American automaker decided to trot out… an Escalade.

Now, we’re all for vehicles of different shapes and sizes lining up in one-on-one motorsports combat, but there’s nothing fair about this fight. The C300 is an entry-level luxury sedan powered by a modest 228-horsepower 3.0-liter V6 engine (it’s not even the most powerful ‘regular’ C-Class – that distinction belongs to the 302-hp C350). In the other line sits a gurgling, much more expensive luxury SUV with its 6.2-liter 403-horsepower V8 power plant loping eagerly under the hood.

Why not put an Escalade Hybrid up against an SLS AMG? If the ‘Slade managed to beat that, then we’d really have something to talk about, eh?

Click past the jump to watch Cadillac show up a Mercedes-Benz that didn’t deserve it.

Continue reading Cadillac beams over Escalade beating Mercedes-Benz C300 in drag race

Cadillac beams over Escalade beating Mercedes-Benz C300 in drag race

“The best Chrysler sedan we’ve seen in decades,” says Consumer Reports, in reference to the 2011 Chrysler 300. At the risk of damning a very fine car with faint praise, that may not be all that much of an accomplishment. And we’d have to add that the last all-new Chrysler 300, which hit the market in model-year 2005, was also the best Chrysler sedan the world had seen in decades.

That said, we agree – the redesigned 2011 Chrysler 300 is indeed a giant leap forward for the brand.

The previous-generation Chrysler 300 only managed to eke out a rather miserable score of 64 points, which placed it near the bottom of its class of upscale sedans. The redesigned 2011 model, though, earns an “Excellent” overall test score of 80. Also receiving Excellent scores are the 2012 Hyundai Genesis (which led the field with 92 points, according to CR) , along with the refreshed Acura TL and Toyota Avalon, all of which fall into the same upscale sedan classification.

In other news from CR, the Hyundai Sonata Hybrid sedan did not fare well when tested against its non-hybridized siblings. With an overall score of 69, the Sonata Hybrid earned a full 20 points less than the highly rated gas-only Sonata GLS. CR cited poor handling and an unrefined drivetrain as reasons for the low score, saying that “the trade-offs in driveability, refinement, and braking performance are too high” versus the Sonata GLS.

Also tested by CR was the all-electric Nissan Leaf, which was blessed with an overall score of 78. The electron-fueled hatchback was praised for its low running costs of just 3.5 cents per mile, but it was held back by a highly variable driving range that plummeted to just 60 miles in the winter with the heat on. Driven gently in mild weather, CR managed up to 90 miles of range from the Leaf.

For all the details from Consumer Reports’ latest round of automotive testing, check out the complete press release after the break.

Continue reading Consumer Reports lauds Chrysler 300 improvement, Hyundai Genesis still tops

Consumer Reports lauds Chrysler 300 improvement, Hyundai Genesis still tops

California has passed new a new law that further regulates the car-buying process, and the changes appear to be mostly positive. Automotive News reports that, beginning next July, dealers will need to slap a red warning sticker on any vehicle with a salvage title. That means any vehicle that has been legally deemed flood-damaged, junked or salvaged will receive the ominous label.

The new law will also mandate the use of electronic vehicle registration for new and used vehicle sales. This system will reportedly result in faster registrations, and a license plate will arrive in six weeks, which sounds good compared to the six months under the current system.

The dealers of California will need to pony up as a result of the new law, but in the end, the customer always foots the bill. The new legislation allows dealers to up documentation charges from $45 for leases and $55 for sales to $80 for both. That sounds like a lot, but AN points out that California car buyers will still pay less for documentation than all but one other state in the Union.

CA dealers must affix new warning sticker to salvaged vehicles

Ram has announced a slew of additions to its line of pickup trucks, starting with the 1500 Tradesman Heavy Duty. The vehicle combines all of the excellent value of the standard Tradesman, but throws in the joy of three-quarter-ton towing and cargo capacity as well. Ram says that the vehicle now boasts the best-in-class title for both of those categories. With a maximum trailer weight of 11,500 pounds, the Tradesman HD tops the Ford F-150 by 200 pounds and the Chevrolet Silverado by 800 pounds. Meanwhile, Ram has also rolled in a 3,100-pound payload capacity, which exceeds the F-150 by 40 pounds and the Silverado by 1,235 pounds.

Things aren’t all sunshine and rainbows, though. The Tradesman HD is only available as a two-wheel drive truck with a regular cab and an eight-foot bed.

In addition, Ram has broadened the model availability in the company’s 1500 Express trim. Buyers can now opt for Crew Cab and Quad Cab configurations for the first time. The 1500 Express Crew Cab starts at $28,050 while the Quad Cab lands closer to $30,010, both without destination or handling charges. Both will still come with the company’s 5.7-liter V8 as standard equipment.

Finally, Ram has grown the company’s Rambox system to accommodate 6-foot, 4-inch bed lengths, which means that Quad Cab buyers can also enjoy the in-bed storage system. Check out our galleries then hit the jump to read up on Ram’s press releases.

Continue reading Ram unveils 1500 Tradesman HD, expanded Express lineup, bigger Rambox

Ram unveils 1500 Tradesman HD, expanded Express lineup, bigger Rambox

Just when you thought automakers couldn’t shove any more inflatables into a vehicle’s cabin, General Motors has introduced yet another new airbag. The company’s new front center airbag is basically designed to keep the driver in place during a solo far-side impact, as well as prevent occupants from bouncing off of one another if there is more than one person in the car. The new device is set to be introduced as standard equipment on models like the Chevrolet Traverse, Buick Enclave and GMC Acadia with power seats beginning in the 2013 model year. The tethered, tube-shaped airbag deploys from the right side of the driver’s seat and positions itself in the center of the vehicle.

GM says that the company’s analysis of National Highway Traffic Safety Administration data revealed that far-side impact crashes accounted for 11 percent of the belted front occupant fatalities in non-rollover incidents between 2004 and 2009, and that those deaths represented 29 percent of all fatalities in all side-impact crashes.

Automotive parts supplier Takata co-developed the airbag with GM over the course of three years. Hit the jump for the full press release as well as a video of the device in action.

Continue reading GM debuts new front center airbag [w/video]

GM debuts new front center airbag [w/video]

Fun, Form And Function… In That Order

Human beings can be a fickle bunch, especially Americans. Case in point: The five-door hatchback is unarguably one of the best arrangements for an automobile, providing ample room for adult-size occupants and their random detritus without being so large as to significantly impact fuel efficiency or make it difficult to fit into tight places.

And yet we consistently flock to ever-larger vehicles with the biggest, most powerful engines available. We opt for SUVs and crossovers in lieu of wagons and hatches; we ogle over sloping rear greenhouses, high beltlines and severely raked windshields. In short, our decisions are often dictated more by style and perception than the realities of daily life.

But we’re not here to condemn style-conscious consumers. We’re equally as enamored with the latest fashion-forward trends as the next red-blooded enthusiast. But we still have to wonder how far the ooh-it’s-pretty attention spans of car buyers will go before a lack of usability begins to hinder purchase decisions. To help answer that question, we took to the roads in and around Nashville, Tennessee in the 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe.

Continue reading 2012 Mini Cooper Coupe JCW

2012 Mini Cooper Coupe JCW

Compiling a list of automotive legends is a task that could force all enthusiasts into a debate of epic proportions. Opinions will differ, feelings will be hurt and some deserving vehicles might wind up off the ultimate list. There is one vehicle, however, that should create little debate as to its place in the annals of all-time greats. We’re talking about the original Audi Quattro, and it’s clear that the folks from the UK’s Fifth Gear agree.

The Fifth Gear crew managed to snag the keys to an Ur-Quattro for its Legends series, and set about tracking it down some of their local country roads. Cameras were powered up, lenses were clean and the resulting review is available to fawn over after the jump.

Continue reading Fifth Gear remembers what made the original Audi Quattro so special

Fifth Gear remembers what made the original Audi Quattro so special

Ford’s F-Series is one of the brightest jewels in the Blue Oval crown, and the 2012 Ford F-150 has been given more sizzle with new appearance options and more meat on the bones underneath it all with expanded driveline features and options. We’ve posted the full press release after the jump, but here are some highlights:

Down where tall blades of grass tickle the underbits, Ford has equipped every 2012 F-150 with Hill Start Assist to make starting off on grades less stressful. Lariat, King Ranch, and Platinum F-150s are given a new four-wheel drive system that includes an automatic mode to augment its four modes in each range. All 2012 F-150 4X4 models have the ability to be flat-towed in neutral, and an electronic-locking rear differential is available for EcoBoost and 5.0-liter V8 F-150s. Wheelbase and payload tweaks are made, as well, and your bladder will certainly notice the 756-mile range of the 2012 F-150 EcoBoost 4X4, made possible by a new 36-gallon fuel tank.

The most visible addition for 2012 is the available FX appearance package that adds visual badassery to F-150’s exterior with flat black stripes, red badging, unique head- and tail-lamps, chrome exhaust tip, and a black grille. Wheels for the FX package are flat black 20-inchers, too. The FX package also tarts up the interior with black leather on the seats set off by red piping and perforations. The steering wheel continues the theme with red stitching. Black and satin-metallic accents complete the FX package’s interior high points. There’s also a new FX Luxury package that adds heated and cooled front seats.

Ford has also launched a new Head to Head Pickup Comparison tool to help buyers figure out which configuration and powertrain best suits their needs. The tool also shows how the F-150 compares to its competition. Dive into it all after the jump.

Continue reading 2012 Ford F-150 gets driveline upgrades, 750-mile range, new graphics

2012 Ford F-150 gets driveline upgrades, 750-mile range, new graphics

It looks like BMW may be spreading its ActiveHybrid technology to the 3 Series line in the near future. Autobild is reporting that a battery-laden model will debut shortly after the 2012 3 Series arrives on dealer lots early next year. The report suggests that the company’s forced-induction four-cylinder will also show up behind the headlights of the 3 Series in everything but the mighty 335i. The top-of-the-line 3 will continue to boast inline six-cylinder power for the conceivable future. Meanwhile, the hybrid variant will work with a version of the company’s straight-six mated to tech from the ActiveHybrid 7 Series.

That means that buyers should be able to look forward to an additional 15 horsepower from a small electric motor as well as the boost of instantaneous torque. Chances are the system will use the same 120-volt lithium-ion battery pack as the big 7 as well. Or at least it will if the report turns out to be true. Right now, Autobild is working off of whispers obtained from unnamed sources within the shadowy halls of BMW headquarters, so take this hybrid 3 Series rumor with a grain of salt.

Next BMW 3-Series to get hybrid option?

Could this be Seat’s version of the Volkswagen Up!? Skoda recently showed off its take on the Up! runabout, the Citigo, and it’s plausible that VW wants to make the biggest statement possible with the little car. The diminutive hatchback could also be employed to help reverse Seat’s fortunes – remember, in May of 2010, the Spanish brand was put on notice about its financial performance. An innovative and inexpensive city car could help round out the planned portfolio expansion.

At the Frankfurt Motor Show, our sister UK site reported that Seat was working on a sporty version of the Up! that would be “good to drive.” However, there wasn’t any additional information at the source site, so we aren’t sure how much of the image above is an actual photo and how much is rendering. We expect it would still come, as the rest, with either the 59- or 74-horsepower, 1.0-liter three-clinder engines.

Is Seat getting its own version of the VW Up?

Behold the Sealander; Germany’s take on go-anywhere camper. This little vessel is small and light enough to be towed by any modestly-powered CUV and features a fully-configurable interior. Inside, there’s space for a four-person table, a kitchenette and a sleeping area, and there’s even space outside for a deck. Why would you want a deck on your tiny camper? Because you’ll need somewhere to stand when you take to the open seas in your home away from home. As its name suggests, the Sealander is completely amphibious. All you have to do is strap on the pint-sized motor and avoid any small craft warnings.

If you’ve got an inkling to call der Schwimmcaravan your very own, you’ll need to brush up on your German and import one from the EU. Head over to the Sealander site for more information, and check out a video of the aquatic RV in action.

Continue reading The aquatic camper we’ve been waiting for

The aquatic camper we’ve been waiting for

Automotive News is reporting that Kia has announced plans to focus its efforts on building quality products instead of expanding its current line to fill every niche or broadening its manufacturing capabilities. The company’s co-CEO, Lee Sam-ung, said that Kia doesn’t plan to build any new manufacturing facilities any time in the near future. That news came in the face of concerns that limited production capability may hinder future growth, but Sam-ung said that global demand for vehicles is expected to subside soon.

In order to remain competitive, Kia will launch new models, strengthen its local promotions and work to enhance the company’s competitiveness, Sam-ung said while at the launch of the 2012 Rio. Meanwhile, the executive also indicated that Kia still intends to launch two new electric vehicles, one in 2014 and another in 2015.

Kia vows to focus on quality over quantity

Spending time with any iteration of the Audi R8 is a glorious occasion. Your life becomes brighter, and everyone you pass on the street feels a bit better about their day for just having seen one. Audi wants you to experience this for yourself, and you’re going to need to flex your Twitter muscles to make it happen.

Using the hashtag #WantAnR8, Audi wants you to explain all of the reasons why you would, um, want an R8. Sounds silly, but it paid off nicely for Audi R8 fan Joanne McCoy. She spoke of her love of the sultry German sports car, and Audi promptly loaned her one for the weekend.

Audi plans to hand over the keys to a few more fans, and will also run the #WantAnR8 program during the upcoming Petit Le Mans race. Attendees at the racing event could tool around for a few hours in an R8 of their “own”.

Click past the jump to watch Joanne spend some time with her favorite sports car.

Continue reading Audi giving tweeting fans R8 for a day… will you be next? [w/video]

Audi giving tweeting fans R8 for a day… will you be next? [w/video]

The Olympics are coming to London and the games are apparently a perfect opportunity for Mini to launch a new special edition. To be fair, Mini would view a sunny Tuesday as the perfect opportunity for a new special edition. Still, the Mini London 2012 Edition is here, and it’s arrival has been marked in a rather unique way.

Mini parked three examples of the all-new limited-edition Cooper side-by-side then enlisted the help of England Long Jump Champion J.J. Jegede to do what he does best.

Offered up in either Chili Red, White Silver or Lightning Blue, the Mini London 2012 Edition Coopers can be had in base, D, S or SD varieties. Each is outfitted with a pair of unique 17-inch gray wheels, red, white and blue interior stitching and a host of upgraded interior features such as lounge leather sport seats and chrome accents. The most notable interior feature, however, is the etching of the London skyline, which has a beautiful piano black backdrop.

Check out the Mini London 2012 Edition in the gallery, and click past the jump for all the details.

Continue reading Mini jumps to unveil 2012 London Olympics special edition Cooper

Mini jumps to unveil 2012 London Olympics special edition Cooper