If you thought the recently green-lit is little more than an over-glitzed version of the Toyota iQ, then you’ve got another thing coming. Well, to Germany, anyway. And it comes straight from .
It’s called the iQ Disco, and it’s here to remind us that if you like the latter, the former needn’t apply. Fortunately it’s a promotional one-off. Aside from the disco-ball mirror finish, the show car features Lambo doors, multi-spoke 18-inch alloys and a full DJ booth, complete with a set of Numark NDX 800 turntables and a two-channel mixer pumping through 1000 watts and 130 dB worth of speakers and amplifiers.
Suddenly that looks decidedly tasteful. The iQ Disco will be hitting the floor at a concert in Cologne and will then tour Toyota’s dealerships across Germany as a promotional tour. Makes us want to put a down-payment on an Avensis, how about you?
Electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids like the (and we’ll let you decide which of those two categories green halo car fits into…) promise to save drivers money on fuel bills. But, just as operating expenses for traditional cars rises and falls with the price of gas, so too will battery-powered cars vary in their running costs as electric utility rates fluctuate.
GM has announced a new website for Volt owners called that seeks to help consumers keep their electric charging rates in check. Statistics for battery usage and fuel economy will be transferred to the user’s Facebook and Twitter accounts, and utility companies are expected to use this data to help owners choose times to plug their cars into the grid. These utility companies can also make sure their power grids are up to the challenge of keeping EVs on the road.
Other techy benefits offered to Volt owners include a display to show whether the car is plugged in (and whether it’s charging at 120 or 240 volts), the creation of a charging schedule to make use of the best rates and the ability to monitor current battery state of charge and predicted range. One intriguing feature will allow OnStar to create its own charging schedule where the program will choose the lowest rates possible in order to achieve a full charge by a set time.
There will also be a provision to remotely start the Volt to get the interior up to a set temperature, and future updates will allow further customization of the car, such as setting radio presets. Want to know more? Check out the official press release .
The is ready for an update, something that of North America has been . A concept version of the next generation Yaris is expected to make an appearance at the 2011 and we may have gotten a glimpse of what that car will look like thanks to a few scanned images courtesy of French automotive site, Turbo.fr.
The images show an updated Toyota Vitz in standard and Modellista trim. If you’re not up on our Euro/JDM parlance, Vitz is the model name for the Yaris in other markets, and the modellista versions are fitted with sporty body-kits. Thanks for the tip, Chanh!
It seems that the is set to get a wee bit less naughty for the 2012 model year as the Swedish automaker rolls out a base model for the American market. Sure, and were mostly impressed by the safety-first company’s latest effort, but so far, only the range-topping S60 T6 model with all-wheel drive (shown above) has been available.
While has yet to offer up all the details of what’s in store for 2012, a document from the Volvo Overseas Delivery program managed to make its way online, and it leads us to believe that the base engine for the S60 will indeed be a turbocharged five-cylinder as before. The good news is that the workhorse mill, otherwise known as the T5, has been upgraded a bit for its new duty, reportedly putting out 250 horses rather than the 227 currently on offer.
In related news, the same documentation indicates that the cost for a new S60 using Volvo’s overseas delivery program will be $29,880. Expect the U.S. MSRP to be somewhat (though not substantially) higher. In addition to the T5 engine, that will net you a front-wheel drive S60 without the T6’s Dynamic Chassis, speed-sensitive steering or leather seats (Volvo’s T-Tec upholstery will be standard). Want to know more? Hit up the to see the full leaked document.
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Photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert / AOL
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The story of the P4/5 Competizione – Click above to watch video
The story of James Glickenhaus’ continues with Chapter 1 of the story put together by Kinetic Fin. The car has , and although we have no idea how many chapters will be involved in this tale, it looks like we’ll be seeing the completed racer soon.
So while you won’t get a glimpse of the finished product in the video, Glickenhaus will explain his motivation and he’ll do it among some of the other eye-pleasing cars in his collection. for the prologue, and let the road to the 2011 Nürburgring 24 begin.
2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible – Click above for gallery
Look what’s been caught without its camo: the 2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible. The image you see above originated from the folks at E90 Post, and is supposedly a clandestine shot snapped during a photo shoot of the big, topless . The crew over at Autobild then set about doing a little Photoshop forensics to remove the pesky cameraman and shadows from the shot, giving us an unobstructed view of exactly what the new Sixer will look like with its cloth top stowed.
So what do we know about the 2012 6 Series? BMW hasn’t come out and revealed exactly what will lurk under that massive hood, but if we were laying down our hardly-earned paychecks on an educated guess, we’d say that a smattering of the company’s range of turbocharged inline six-cylinder engines would be a good bet. Meanwhile, the topped-out M6 is likely to pack something with a few more cylinders and another turbo. Thanks for the tip, Jen!
2011 Chevrolet Volt – Click above for high-res image gallery
Did ? The and public got extremely swept up by the fact that told the world its range-extended electric vehicle would not use the on-board internal combustion engine to power the wheels, when it will under certain conditions. This bit of news has , but does it change the fact that the Volt is still a pretty amazing piece of automotive engineering? Motor Trend spent a couple of weeks with one and came away impressed by what the could do. In fact, lead flip-flop lead-foot and was able to hit 127 miles per gallon.
The 127 mpg figure was achieved over a variety of Los Angeles city streets, canyon roads and highways. During the trip, the car ran out of battery power and the gasoline engine quietly turned on to give it more juice. Not to the wheels, but to the battery. If the car gets up over 70 miles per hour, then the ICE will send a small amount of power to the wheels, but by doing so it makes the car more efficient.
The M/T editors took the car on another trip and really tried to push it hard. They ran the Volt up to its 101 mph top speed, had the A/C cranked and traveled across some hilly terrain. The result? The returned nearly 75 mpg. MT feels the takeaway from its time with the Volt is that the car is incredibly efficient and the fact that the gasoline engine occasionally pitches in doesn’t make it any less remarkable of a vehicle.
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Photos Copyright (C)2010 Sam Abuelsamid / Weblogs, Inc. [Source: ]
2011 BMW X3 – Click above for high-res image gallery
We’re about to drive the 2011 BMW X3, but before we get behind the wheel, has announced pricing for its next-gen. cute ‘ute, and as before, the new CUV will be offered in two trims. The base X3 xDrive28i, which features a 240 horsepower inline-six, will start at $37,625. The more powerful xDrive35i, which boasts a 300-hp turbocharged six-cylinder engine, starts $41,925. Both models come standard with all-wheel drive and BMW’s eight-speed automatic transmission. The 2011 BMW X3 will arrive in dealer showrooms at the end of 2010, and both models will be available at launch.
Additionally, Blackberry users will have something to be excited about. The X3 is fitted with technology to pull loads of utility out of its smartphone integration. The navigation screen can display emails when the car is stationary, and when it’s in motion, the system utilizes a text-to-speech program to read messages through the audio system.
The base price of the 2011 BMW X3, even though the car has been refreshed and features more standard items, is less than the 2010 model it replaces. It’s a $2,100 price drop down from the 2010 base MSRP of $39,725.
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Live photos copyright (C)2010 Chris Paukert / AOL [Source: BMW]
Our special-ops spy photographers have managed to lay their lenses on the next , and from the looks of things, won’t be putting the car under for any serious surgery for the 2011 model year. Instead, buyers can look forward to a raft of small updates to keep the design fresh. This prototype was spotted on public streets wearing camouflage over what we assume to be updated body componenets. Judging from the photos, the next 1er will feature a redesigned front fascia with newly sculpted air intakes set low to the ground.
The wee Bimmer will also enjoy new headlight and taillight designs, and while there may be a few interior updates along for the ride, we expect the drivetrain to remain largely unchanged for the majority of the lineup. That is unless of course we’re talking about , but that’s a different beast all together.
“Stealing” seems a touch harsh, so let’s go with “uninformed borrowing” instead. After all, Lexus did hand me the keys to a U.S.-spec hybrid, along with a vetted and approved route book through Northern France, but I had different plans. I was on a mini-mission.
You see, the wife doesn’t ask much when I travel abroad. A phone call or two a day, keep hydrated and avoid the brothels. A simple list. But when she caught wind I’d be in France for the Paris Motor Show, she requested one thing: macaroons. Specifically, the meringue confections from Paris’ world-famous .
So with a willing driving partner and the sat-nav set to a location a few blocks from the Arc de Triomphe, we headed south to snag some pastries and give Lexus’ hybrid hatch a thorough testing in its natural (read: European) environment.
Volkswagen Jetta SportWagen gifted to Chattanooga PD – Click above for high-res image gallery
is building the plant for its coming New Midsize Sedan (NMS) in Chattanooga, Hamilton County, Tennessee. And what better way to make friends with soon-to-be neighbors than to give them new cars? That’s what the German company did in handing over two SportWagen TDIs each to the Chattanooga police and the Hamilton County police.
To make sure the wagons are as stylish as they are secure, they get body kits and chrome exhaust tips for an “imposing presence” to go along with the custom interior to hold the authorities’ communications and lighting gear. All this really means to you is another set of headlights to learn. You can start practicing with the gallery of high-res photos below, and learn more about the plant and the gesture in the press releases after the jump.
2011Nissan Murano – Click above for high-res image gallery
The is on its way to a dealer near you, and it has a price tag to match its new features. The base Murano S FWD starts at $28,500 ($29,300 including destination charges*), a price increase of only $140 versus the outgoing model. That relatively small price bump will net you new 18-inch wheels, a new front grille, lower fascia and taillights and a standard 3.5-liter V6 mated to a CVT. The Murano’s new powertrain will net you 260 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque, down five ponies and eight pound-feet versus the 2010 model.
Also new for 2011 is the SV model, which slots above the S and replaces the base SL with a $31,910 MSRP ( $32,710 delivered). The SL FWD model will now set you back $35,450 ($36,250 all-in), will tell you that the SL will henceforth come standard with previously optional Premium, Leather, Moonroof and Technology Packages, though we’d add that the SL with 360 value package already came standard with all those packages. The top-of-the-line LE FWD tops the Murano range with a $37,540 price tag ($38,340 with destination*), $440 more than the outgoing model. Any of the Murano’s four trim levels can be had with all-wheel-drive for an additional $1,600. Hit the jump to read over the Nissan press release.
First Factory-Built Fisker Karma – Click above for high-res image gallery
Have you been anxiously waiting for the day you could spec out a sinuously-styled plug-inhybrid sports car of your very own? Then your dream is one step closer because the is now online.
What was , is now edging closer to reality. At the 2010 Paris Motor Show, we got to see the with our own eyes. The car is a rolling testament to the idea that one can simultaneously be “green” and enjoy an exciting driving experience. The Karma will reportedly be able to achieve an average of 100 miles per gallon yet it also claims a 0-60 time of under six seconds.
The configurator allows you to see the various colors that will be offered across the Karma’s three trim levels. The Fisker Karma is available as one of three ECO models; Standard, Chic and Sport. ECO Standard is only available with two exterior color choices; White Sand and Eclipse. ECO Sport adds five more options to the palette in the form of Shadow, Silver Wind, Deep Ocean, Laguna and Inferno. ECO Chic throws in one more choice with the color Earth. Want to know what those names mean? Check them out at the link below.
Fiat 500C “La Dolce Vita” by Fenice Milano – Click above for high-res image gallery
Top down or ground up? If you’re going to launch an over-the-top design statement, you’d better to both. So, hot on the tails of the , Fenice Milano has released a similar treatment for the far more humble Fiat 500C called La Dolce Vita.
Like the Diva, the Dolce Vita is dominated by more gold trim than one might expect to see in an entire Mansory showroom. 24 karat, no less. Fenice has also tweaked the titchy Cinquicento’s mechanical bits with an ECU reflash, new intake and exhaust systems and some suspension tweaks, the latter presumably to compensate for the extra weight of all that bling. Inside, the open-air cabin has been redone in teak, gold and leather, with a redesigned dashboard incorporating a rather -like oversized central gauge. Details in the press release after the jump, high-res photos in the gallery below.
Paris 2010: 2011 Bentley Continental GT – Click above for high-res image gallery
has provided its with a total . The styling has been updated and the luxury coupe is expected to gain a second engine option. The traditional 6.0-liter W12 unit will still be available albeit with more power, but Bentley has also let slip that it will offer a new V8 engine. This eight-cylinder unit will apparently be a which is potentially capable of 550 horsepower. Now, word from Autocar suggests that Bentley would like to pair that engine with S tronic dual-clutch transmission.
The S tronic unit is currently employed throughout most of the Four-Ringed family lineup. Adding it to the Bentley will present an interesting challenge, however, due to the fact that the underbody of the Continental GT has a nice ZF six-speed automatic transmission-shaped hole. The ZF automatic is the gearbox used for the W12. Bentley’s engineers are now doing feasibility studies to see if they can get the dual-clutch gearbox to fit.
If they do manage to cram the S tronic in there, we do hope it comes with some massive updates, as we’ve found the twin-clutch cogswapper to be a seriously disagreeable piece of equipment (particularly in terms of low-speed drivability) in the test cars we’ve sampled.
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Live photos by Zach Bowman/Copyright (C)2010 Weblogs, Inc.
Volkswagen Touareg Exclusive – Click above for high-res image gallery
If you’re in the market for a luxury sport-ute, the Group has got you well covered between the and and the . But the VW division is kicking its own offering up a luxurious notch with the Exclusive package for the .
Initially available exclusively in its domestic German market, the Touareg Exclusive benefits from a number of special touches, many of which are available on the standard model but come here bundled into one package. These include a choice of three wheel options (one set of 19s as standard, a different set as a no-cost option and extra-cost 20-inchers) along with added chrome and silver roof rails.
The interior is fitted with two-tone Nappa leather (in either beige and black or burgundy and black). Called “cool leather”, the seats are specially trimmed to – you guessed it – stay cool, and also heated and adjustable in 12 ways. Olive wood trim, a black headliner and stainless steel sill plates round out the package.
The Touareg Exclusive can be ordered in Germany with any of the engines available on the standard model (including diesel and gasoline BlueMotion V6s, the V8 TDI and the V6 hybrid), but there’s no word yet on whether the North American market will receive a similarly Exclusive package. Full press release after the jump.
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Live photos by Jonathon Ramsey / Copyright (C)2010 AOL
2011Chrysler 200 – Click above for high-res image gallery
Goodbye, , thanks for the memories… sort of. Sadly, most of the recollections we can muster that include mid-size sedan aren’t ones we’re particularly fond of – at least not when thinking of the nameplate’s current generation, which debuted in 2007 to a chorus of boos amongst the motoring press and limp sales directly thereafter. Why? Taking lackluster driving dynamics and a disappointing interior out of the equation, the biggest problem with the Sebring has been that it’s widely considered to be one of the least attractive sedans on the road.
And so it’s with eager anticipation that we look forward to the introduction of the for 2011. The Pentastar brand has just pulled the covers (mostly) off its thoroughly updated family sedan, and for the most part, we like what we see, though admittedly it’s a long way off from the more adventuresome 200C concept car that . There may be a few nits that need picking, however, starting with what seems to be a completely carryover greenhouse. Also, the fact that a four-speed automatic gearbox is still available on some models is a disappointment (though it’s likely just for rental car-spec models), and we’ve yet to see the full interior.
We know there are a lot more specifics yet to be revealed, but the question that most needs answering today is whether or not you, dear readers, think that Chrysler has done enough with the 200 to differentiate it from the unloved Sebring. Take a moment to ( if you want a quick refresher on the 2010 Sebring), then be sure to take part in our completely unscientific poll below. Finally, feel free to have your say in our ‘Comments’ section below.
The FIA GT3 European racing series is about to get a whole lot classier. has been testing and tuning its and the car is now ready to claim top spot in your high-end racing trailer. Pricing for the racing version of the “standard” is set at €397,460 (including 19 percent Value Added Tax) or a little over $550,000 USD. The was recently out at the EurosSpeedway Lausitz in Eastern Germany. A camera crew was on hand to capture the action, and the result is over 21 minutes of shameless automotive pornography action. The only sound is the car on the track, interspersed with the occasional pit stop.
If you’re a wealthy privateer racer, the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG GT3 can be ordered directly through Mercedes-AMG GmbH. Act now, and your racecar could arrive as early as February of 2011. What are you waiting for? There are two mega press releases and footage of the SLS AMG GT3 being put through its paces, .
Completely redesigned for the 2011 model year, the Infiniti M is bigger and better than its predecessors ever were. But can it compete with BMW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz and Cadillac?
Zach Bowman makes his debut on Episode #199 of the Autoblog Podcast. We discuss the Toyota Prius MPV, the Chevrolet Volt’s transmission and rumors of Scion getting the FT86 instead of Toyota.
After a steady drip of teaser photos and information, Chrysler has finally dropped the mother load on its pivotal new 200 sedan, coming to a dealership near you for 2011. Is it enough to get Chrysler back into the family sedan game?
2010 BMW 335i – Click above for high-res image gallery
The has been a hit around the world since it made its debut in the 2006 E90 . The twin-turbocharged engine produces around 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque and many have actually suggested that the Bavarian automaker’s power figures have been conservative. When it came out, promised this engine would virtually eliminate turbo lag, increase performance and improve fuel economy at the same time. In fact, it was so confident in its new engine that it spread it around, adding it to its , and cars, along with its and .
Unfortunately, the N54 has also seen its fair share of owner complaints. Most notably, unhappy BMW drivers allege having two very important issues with the wündermill; the high-pressure fuel pump has a very high failure rate and a defect in the design of the turbochargers requires they be tweaked so as not to run at full capacity. Many BMW owners have officially had it with the N54 engine and a class-action lawsuit has kicked into gear.
