2012 Mini Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery
The is set and that means testing of the hatchless has begun in earnest. Caught by our spies running around outside headquarters in Germany, the 2012 Mini Coupe uses the Bavarians’ standard psychedelic camo, but it wasn’t able to hide a new retractable spoiler nestled within the trunk – something that wasn’t fitted to shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2009.
Power should come from entire range of naturally aspirated and turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder mills, although our spies contend that the prototype you see here is a Works model, evidenced by the upgraded brakes that barely fit inside the wheels and red calipers fore and aft. We suspect the production version will make an appearance in Frankfurt this autumn, with sales beginning in Europe and the U.S. before the end of the year.
RMR Hyundai Veloster rally car – Click above for high-res image gallery
There are more famous racing families than the Millens, but not many. While Steve Millen was closely associated with , his brother and nephew have long been associated with That nephew is Rhys Millen, the drifting champion we know and love. And this is the latest tool of his trade.
Rhys Millen Racing started with the new coupe that debuted last month at the and stripped it down to nothing. They stripped the chassis to its bare metal, soaked it in alkalai for five days and then reinforced the welding. They replaced the metal body panels with carbon/Kevlar to cut 75 percent of the shell’s weight, dropping the scales down to 2,656 pounds. The company stripped out the interior and fitted a custom eight-point roll-cage, firewall and Sparco bucket. What’s more, the Veloster rallycross car uses an unspecified custom long-travel suspension, with 18-inch HRW wheels, Hankook rubber and 14-inch Alcon brake discs (12-inch in the back) gripped by six-piston calipers all around.
The real treasure, though, sits under the louvered hood: Hyundai’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder bolted to an HKS ball-bearing turbocharger driving a whopping 500 horsepower and 600 lb-ft of torque through an X-Trac six-speed sequential to all four wheels. Hot diggity damn.
Hear Hyundai’s rally engine starting up
Rhys will be pivoting the Veloster around the 2011 U.S. Rallycross Championship, and sharing it with motorcross two-wheeler Robbie Maddison at the Summer X-Games. A second car will be built for Maddison to share with rally champ Marcus Dodd also in the U.S. Rallycross Championship, while a third front-drive car will be constructed for celebrity drivers. for full details in the press release and an official video, and check out the additional images in the gallery below.
Infinti “Etheria” teaser – Click above for high-res image
Compact premium is where it’s at these days for luxury automakers, and everyone’s getting on board. has the , the , the , recently joined the party with the , and is . has long been rumored to be working on a challenger of its own, and recently that it will be unveiled in concept form at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March.
Unfortunately, little in the way of actual details were released to accompany the silhouette teaser pictured above – and when we say “little,” we mean bubkes. The concept is designed to slot in below the line. That’s about it.
Fortunately, Motor Trend has stepped in to fill in some of the blanks, citing inside sources who believe that the car will be a two-door called the Etheria (in concept form anyway, as the production model will likely go alphanumeric to fit into the rest of the range), built atop the Renault Megane/ Tiida platform.
The milestone, however, comes in under the hood, where the Etheria is tipped to carry a 202-horsepower, 1.8-liter turbocharged CGI four sourced from Mercedes-Benz, marking the first tangible application of the industrial between parent companies Daimler and the Renault-Nissan Alliance. We’ll find out soon enough if MT is on the money, so stay tuned.
2011 Hyundai Elantra – Click above for high-res image gallery
is on a big-time roll right now, as evidenced by hot-selling new product like the and . The Korean automaker could likely take a quick product development catnap and wake up with a still-fresh lineup, but apparently that isn’t in the plans.
Automotive News reports that Hyundai informed dealers who attended the automaker’s make meeting that there will be two new italic H-badged vehicles by January 2012. The first and perhaps most interesting new Hyundai will take the size and shape of an Elantra Coupe. And we won’t have to wait very long to get our hands on the Elantra two-door, either, as sales will reportedly commence by spring.
As expected, the will also be fitted for new duds by next January with all-new sheetmetal and a revised 3.3-liter V6 capable of at least 260 horsepower. Hyundai expects the redesign of the Azera to result in much higher sales, from only 3,051 in 2010 to up to 20,000 for 2012.
The Chinese market is becoming increasingly vital for automakers like , which could go a long way towards explaining why the Bavarian company has chosen the world’s most populous nation as the location to unveil such new debuts as the and the .
Now reports indicate that BMW is planning on returning to the Shanghai Motor Show in April with a conceptual preview of the new performance sedan. Based on the latest , the new M5 is tipped to carry a 600-horsepower version of the 5.5-liter twin-turbo V8 put to work in the and crossovers. Westerners won’t feel too left out, however, as the concept version in Shanghai is anticipated to be followed by the production version at the Frankfurt Motor Show in the Fall.
In parallel to the M5 – and at the other extreme of the range – BMW is also working on the 5 Series hybrid, anticipated to mate a 306-hp turbo six with a 54-hp electric motor for possible debut alongside the M5 in Shanghai as well.
The biennial show in China is also for the 2012 6 Series Coupe.
is on track to have a new entry-level model that slots below the , and the automaker has announced that it’s bringing a concept that previews this new small(er) car to the next month. With vehicles like the and , , and the and on the market, Infiniti would likely do well to have a contender in the small luxury car segment.
The only information we have as of this writing is the official teaser sketch you see here, previewing what could possibly be a hatchback rather than a traditional sedan or coupe. Infiniti says that the new entry-level car will be “completely different to anything currently offered by our rivals.” We’ve heard that line before, but nonetheless, we’ll see what the Japanese automaker has up its sleeve in just a few weeks. for Infiniti’s very brief press release.
Frolicking Topless Under The African Sun In BMW’s Latest Big GT
2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery
To say that the second-generation BMW 6 Series caused a bit of a scene when it hit the world stage in 2003 would be to underplay its shock value. The Dingolfing, Germany-built coupe and convertible’s styling seemed to win admirers and ruffle traditionalists’ feathers in equal measure, but regardless of how you feel about its aesthetics, the 6’s long model run has been a success, resulting in nearly 118,000 units sold.
Despite this victory (and despite what BMW officials tell us), there has been a clear bit of design capitulation in the halls of Bavaria, as Chris Bangle’s controversial surfacing treatments and high trunk lines have been smoothed out in newer models in favor of less polarizing designs throughout the empire.
So it is with the 2012 6 Series range, which launches with the 650i convertible model shown here, a model that’s due to hit showrooms this April (just in time for top-down season). With North America enduring a hyperborean winter, it was only appropriate that we head to more temperate climates for some quality top-down running. BMW evidently had the same thought, so they sent us to Cape Town, South Africa. Famous for its finned and pointy-teethed population coursing offshore, we couldn’t think of a more appropriate spot to sample the 6 Series’ reborn shark nose look.
Frolicking Topless Under The African Sun In BMW’s Latest Big GT
2012 BMW 6-Series Convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery
To say that the second-generation BMW 6-Series caused a bit of a scene when it hit the world stage in 2003 would be to underplay its shock value. The Dingolfing, Germany-built coupe and convertible’s styling seemed to win admirers and ruffle traditionalists’ feathers in equal measure, but regardless of how you feel about its aesthetics, the 6’s long model run has been a success, resulting in nearly 118,000 units sold.
Despite this victory (and despite what BMW officials tell us), there has been a clear bit of design capitulation in the halls of Bavaria, as Chris Bangle’s controversial surfacing treatments and high trunk lines have been smoothed out in newer models in favor of less polarizing designs throughout the empire.
So it is with the 2012 6-Series range, which launches with the 650i convertible model shown here, a model that’s due to hit showrooms this April (just in time for top-down season). With North America enduring a hyperborean winter, it was only appropriate that we head to more temperate climates for some quality top-down running. BMW evidently had the same thought, so they sent us to Cape Town, South Africa. Famous for its finned and pointy-teethed population coursing offshore, we couldn’t think of a more appropriate spot to sample the 6-Series’ reborn shark nose look.
42 MPG… That kind of lofty highway fuel economy is typically relegated to hybrids, clean diesels and subcompacts – not roomy four-door compact sedans.
Mercedes-Benz is throwing its hat into the Super Bowl advertising fray – for the first time ever – with a pretty new 60-second spot designed to celebrate the company’s 125th anniversary.
The 2011 Optima is apparently desirable to anyone and everything across time and space.
Also of interest:
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Mercedes-Benz reveals new models in Super Bowl ad – click above to
is throwing its hat into the Super Bowl advertising fray with a pretty new 60-second spot designed to celebrate the company’s 125th anniversary by heralding in a wave of five new models. The spot marks the very first time that the company has ever advertised during the NFL’s ultimate game. In the spot, Mercedes-Benz features four new vehicles, including a very quick peek at the upcoming and the Roadster.
The spot features many of the company’s past and current models escaping their owners in a bid to pay homage to the newborn Benz fleet. There are plenty of fantastic vintage Silver Arrows in the spot, along with a soundtrack by Janis Joplin and at least one celebrity cameo (we won’t spoil the surprise on that one). to check out the video for yourself.
Tesla Model S – Click above for high-res image gallery
Up to this point, the only actual vehicle has offered for sale is the all-electric . But the Silicon Valley-based automaker has drummed up a ton of interest and money by showing off its next planned product, the Model S sedan. It looks as if that trend will continue, as a report from the fine folks at Car and Driver suggests a new crossover will be shown off for the first time at the Frankfurt Motor Show. This makes some sense, since Tesla CEO Elon Musk has said that .
Assuming this report is accurate, it’s worth noting that the CUV’s appearance in Frankfurt will mark the first time Tesla has used a major auto show to introduce a new model – both the original Roadster and the Model S sedan were both unveiled in smaller, private events.
The CUV will be based on the same underpinnings as the Model S sedan, which was designed from the start to allow for future model expansion. C&D speculates the crossover will sport all-wheel drive, though it’s not known exactly how such an arrangement will work. It’s possible that Tesla will craft a second powertrain unit that will power the front wheels independently of the rears. We’d expect a similar lithium ion battery pack to be used in the CUV as is planned for the sedan.
Following the unveil of the crossover, development of both a coupe and a larger, likely three-row sport utility vehicle will move forward in full force. There’s of a carbiolet and possibly a minivan or MPV. Of course, all of this assumes that the startup automaker, which has partnered up with both and , doesn’t run out of money before any of these future vehicles come to market. Here’s hoping.
Word has it that is planning to unveil the next 6 Series coupe at the upcoming Shanghai Motor Show in April. According the Dutch arm of AutoWeek, it only makes since for the big two door to take a bow this spring since the concept version debuted at the 2010 Pairs Motor Show last fall. Given that we’ve seen more than a few crop up recently, the prediction would seem spot-on.
The report says that buyers can first expect to get their hands on the coupe in either 640i or 650i variants with additional models showing up later down the line. But that’s not the most interesting bit of news to pop up.
AutoWeek is also reporting that BMW is currently slaving away on a sedan version of the 6 Series. Supposedly, the car would make use of the same coupe body lines as its two-door brethren. Such a vehicle would allow BMW to tango with the ever-popular Mercedes-Benz CLS, but we have to wonder if there’s room in the Roundel’s stable for yet another sedan.
Rumors about front-wheel-drive vehicles have been swirling around for some time now, and word on the Bavarian street is that this drivetrain shift in BMW’s portfolio is set to launch sooner than we may think. Initially, we believed front-wheel drive would be limited to , but now comes word that the German automaker could produce up to 13 front-wheel-drive vehicles by 2016.
Of course, not all of these vehicles will wear BMW badges – after all, the company’s brand only uses front-wheel drive. Inside Line reports that the first BMW-branded car sending power to the front will be the upcoming , based off the next-generation 1 Series which could also use front-wheel drive. The next-generation and a future subcompact car could also receive a front-wheel drive layout.
Cadillac CTS-V Black Diamond Edition – Click above for high-res image gallery
has just unveiled its new take on the mighty called the Black Diamond Edition. Available on all iterations of the supercharged beast (sedan, coupe and wagon), the appearance package dips the company’s muscle-bound luxury fleet in new, proprietary SpectraFlair paint. The final product is achieved through a three-coat process that includes flakes of aluminum encapsulated in magnesium fluoride. The result is a paint that’s as gorgeous as it will undoubtedly prove impossible to repair.
This is not a car that’s to be left anywhere near a shopping cart.
The paint is joined by a set of Satin Graphite 19-inch wheels and yellow Brembo brake calipers outside. Slide yourself indoors and meet an interior that boasts microfiber suede Recaro seats and Midnight Sapele wood accents littered throughout the cabin. GM says that the whole package is meant to invoke images of a well-tailored tuxedo.
Prices start at $69,190 for manual transmission models and $70,490 for the automatic, including destination. Those figures mark a $4,850 bump over the standard CTS-V, and buyers can expect some fluctuation depending on whether they opt for the sedan, coupe or wagon body style. for the official press release and to see GM folks explain the Black Diamond Edition in a video.
Honda Civic Si Coupe Concept – Click above for high-res image gallery
gave us a preview of its 2012 at this year’s , and while the car we saw on stage was technically a “concept,” we expect the production car to look very similar, albeit with more conventional wheels, headlamps, and, you know, an interior. Instead of just showing one Civic, Honda brought out both a sedan and coupe concept, and now our friends at Temple of VTEC have reportedly confirmed that a new 2.4-liter mill is on deck for the sportiest of Civics.
Known internally as “K24,” the 2.4-liter engine slated for Civic Si use will be very similar to the powerplant currently used in the . No official power numbers have been divulged, but this engine currently makes 201 horsepower in the TSX, so we’ll bet that Civic Si output will be somewhere between 200 and 210 hp. That isn’t a huge increase over the 197 hp currently available from the Si’s 2.0-liter four, but the 2.4-liter engine should prove to be a bit torquier. Look for something along the lines of 170 pound-feet in the 2012 model, whereas the current car only produces 139 lb-ft of twist.
Official data will be revealed closer to the Civic family’s launch later this year. And while these new Si numbers aren’t leaps and bounds better than what’s currently available, the easily flickable driving dynamics and rev-happy power should still make it an engaging steer.
2011 Jaguar XJ – Click above for high-res image gallery
Now that is safely housed under the umbrella of , the British marque is planning a major expansion of its current lineup. In addition to a , Jaguar is looking to take aim at the coupe with a stately two-door based off of the new-for-2011 .
According to Automobile magazine, sources within Jaguar say that the XJ coupe will feature a pillarless greenhouse design, glass roof and will use separate sheetmetal from the sedan it’s based on. Adrian Hallmark, brand manager for Jaguar in Europe, says that the two-door XJ will be “much more dynamic and emotional than a Mercedes CL.”
Hallmark also told Automobile that Jaguar is considering a whole slew of new models, including an wagon, high-end sports car based on the , a based on the and even a possible shooting break version of either the next-generation XF or entry-level competitor. to read Automobile’s full scoop.
2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible – Click above for high-res image gallery
doesn’t need any help selling its . It handily throttled the in sales last year despite only being able to offer customers a single coupe bodystyle compared to the Stang’s more expansive coupe, convertible and GT500 range. In fact, says the Camaro is jumping off of dealer lots with nearly no incentives and 90 percent retail sales. Still, buyers have been clamoring for a droptop version of the mighty Bowtie since the Camaro Convertible concept hit the scene in 2007. This year, The General has finally obliged by taking out the knife.
The history of the Camaro is littered with topless wonders that looked like a stack of cool cash while parked, yet most drove like a wet noodle when you stepped on their skinny pedals. The minds that pull the strings at GM have made it clear that in the coming years, what was once the king of the muscle car heap will turn its attention more toward the sports car crowd, and to that end, they’ve striven to deliver a Camaro Convertible capable of all of the same driving dynamics as the coupe. Have they pulled it off? We took to the streets of San Diego to find out.
Word is bumping around the internets that may be interested in dusting off a sub- model. Doing so would put the big cat into direct competition with the mighty – a feat Jaguar attempted once before with the ill-fated X-Type. But according to Adrian Hallmark, the automaker’s new global brand director, the company won’t be repeating past mistakes.
Instead, buyers can look forward to being able to choose between a sporty coupe and a volume sedan if the project gets green-lit. Offering two models would allow Jaguar to deliver a high-quality vehicle while simultaneously reducing its own costs.
Additionally, there’s word that Jaguar wants to ensure that the new car packs all of the luxury and craftmanship of its bigger brothers at a more affordable price point.
Unfortunately, it may be a good long while before we see the fruits of Hallmark’s labors come to the surface. Jaguar says that it is just now beginning to look into a new, smaller model and that it could be four years or more before the vehicle actually shows up on dealer lots. If that’s what it takes to keep Jaguar from churning out another X-Type, we’re all for the wait.
2010 Volkswagen New Beetle – Click above for high-res image gallery
Government safety regulations are put in place to, you know, actually keep us safer. But sometimes, it seems the loopholes are big enough to drive a truck through. Okay, maybe not a truck, but definitely a .
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has determined that the certain examples of the aging Volkswagen Bug (both the coupe and convertible) manufactured in September 2010 failed to meet new Federal crash test requirements that went into effect that month. Reasonable enough, we suppose, as the regulations are there for a reason.
The fix? To replace the non-compliant vehicles with ones manufactured before September 1, 2010. In other words, the replacement cars still won’t meet the new safety regulations, but didn’t have to at the time of their manufacture because the rules had yet to come into force. Seriously.
The end result may not make occupants of the 27 affected units any safer, but at least they’ll be on the right side of the red tape. for the full recall notice.
Power should come from entire range of naturally aspirated and turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder mills, although our spies contend that the prototype you see here is a Works model, evidenced by the upgraded brakes that barely fit inside the wheels and red calipers fore and aft. We suspect the production version will make an appearance in Frankfurt this autumn, with sales beginning in Europe and the U.S. before the end of the year.
