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Next month's Shanghai Motor Show will host the debut of a new BMW: the 5-Series "New Energy Vehicle," a plug-in hybrid that BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer is "from China for China." Early word of the New Energy Vehicle first emerged from unofficial channels in January, but Reithofer confirmed the car in a speech this week. We don't expect the car, built around the long-wheelbase version of the 5-Series, and featuring a plug-in hybrid powertrain, to be sold in the U.S., but a variant of the technology might be. We've already spotted the ActiveHybrid 5 in testing, and BMW has plans for a hybrid...
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2012 BMW 6-Series Coupe PreviewAt the Detroit Auto Show this January, BMW pulled the wraps off its new 2012 6-Series in Convertible form. Now we're getting the first official look at the 2012 BMW 650i Coupe. At first glance, the production 650i Coupe actually doesn't look that much different than the Concept 6-Series Coupe BMW...
Bengt Halvorson -
2011 Aston Martin Vantage S: First DriveThe Geneva Motor Show is over, but the craptastic weather's following the whiny, overly privileged herd of automotive journos stampeding south for assorted first drives. Porsche's Cayman R drive meets up with pouring rain in Mallorca; by the time we're in the Canary Islands for a two-parter with...
Martin Padgett -
2012 Fiat 500 Prima Edizione Deliveries Begin This WeekFive hundred lucky, patient Fiat 500 enthusiasts will get a special delivery this week: the first Fiats to be sold in the U.S. since 1984, in the form of the Prima Edizione. Fiat enthusiasts were offered the chance to buy the cars as a reward for their loyalty in the brand's absence. Each Prima...
Nelson Ireson -
2012 Acura TL On Sale March 18, Starts From $35,605If you're jonesing for some slightly de-beaked Acura TL, you don't have long to wait: the new 2012 version goes on sale on March 18. Unfortunately, apart from a very mild restyle and a new Sequential SportShift six-speed automatic transmission, there's not much new to the TL. Or perhaps that's...
Nelson Ireson -
Build Your Own 2011 BMW 1 Series M Coupe: Configurator LiveGot $46,135 or more burning a hole in your pocket? Want to imagine what you could get if you did? Hit up the official BMW 1-Series M Coupe configurator at BMW USA. You can play with all the options, including the three available exterior colors (Black Sapphire Metallic, Valencia Orange, and Alpine...
Nelson Ireson -
Buoyed by the success of its diesel A3 hatch and Q7 SUV, Audi has confirmed the introduction of several more fuel efficient diesel models for the U.S., finally satisfying the desire of Europhiles and environmentally conscious luxury buyers all across the country. Over the next 24 to 30 months Audi will introduce new diesel versions of its A8 and A6 luxury sedans, as well as the Q5 crossover. Incidentally, all three of these models will eventually offer a hybrid option as well, with the Q5 Hybrid due for launch later this year. As for the A4, Audi is waiting until the next-generation of the...
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Video: Audi R8 Braves Blizzard, Asks For Your StoryAudi is looking to collect winter stories of its quattro all-wheel drive system in use, and let's face it: this winter probably provided ample opportunity with snow falling heavily from the North Pole clear into the Deep South. This video--which only briefly features the Audi R8, sadly--is a call...
Nelson Ireson -
Video: Google's Self-Driving Car Hits An Autocross Course At SpeedLast month we brought you news of a car controlled by nothing but the brain, through use of a "neuroheadset." Today, we have two videos of Google's self-driving robotic car in action, at speed. The BrainDriver car is a cutting-edge concept, and interesting for potential mobility solutions for...
Nelson Ireson -
Ferrari FF, Lamborghini Aventador: Sold Out Until 2012Priced at a whopping 260,000 euros (or about $360,000 US) the Ferrari FF might not strike you as a quick seller, but you'd be wrong. All 800 of the first-year production run have sold in pre-orders. Likewise, the $370,000 Lamborghini Aventador has already pre-sold its first year run as well. The...
Nelson Ireson -
2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK350 First DriveThe 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK still may be the least honed, least intense of the trio of pricey German roadsters, but it's ripened over its 15 years and three generations. New for 2012, the latest SLK has pretty much steamrolled over any trace of its dainty past and hot-paved it with real...
Martin Padgett -
Mitsubishi Quells Claims Of Evo’s Death Via Facebook PageFollowing yesterday’s shock report that the Mitsubishi Lancer Evo may be culled after the current model, the Evo X, runs its course, the Japanese automaker has released this official statement via its Facebook page. "Further to some comments published in the press recently, production of the...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
It’s on display this week at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show but our man Marty Padgett is in the Canary Islands taking part in an exclusive first frive event of the new 2012 Mercedes-Benz SLK. While his report will be live in just a few days, we have this flood of images of the svelte new convertible to keep our interest piqued until then. As we can clearly see, the new car keeps the same proportions of the previous generation but offers a more chiseled look that should appeal more to men. Thankfully, the sleek roof profile also remains, as does the car’s signature folding hard-top...
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Video: Saab IQon Turns Your Car Into An Android SmartphoneAs we reported earlier, Saab is working on a new telematics and infotainment system for its future cars called Saab IQon. The new system, previewed this week in Saab’s striking PhoeniX concept, is essentially a new car communications platform based on Google’s Android operating system...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
2012 Mercedes-Benz C-Class: First DriveThis week's 2011 Geneva motor show turned the Swiss town's Palexpo hall into a virtual exotic-car warehouse, stuffed with Aventadors and Ferrari FFs and the usual microbrew blend of Rinspeeds, Gumperts and Paganis. At the Mercedes-Benz stand, rubbing elbows with its frenemies next door at BMW...
Martin Padgett -
Ford Ranger Wildtrak: 2011 Geneva Motor ShowLast year we told you about the 2012 Ford Ranger that's not coming to the U.S., and you responded strongly. And while we passed along Ford's explanation regarding why it wasn't coming, you overwhelmingly weren't convinced. Now, at the Geneva Motor Show Ford has brought out a new top-of-the-line...
Bengt Halvorson -
Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 Live Photos: 2011 Geneva Motor ShowThe Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 has finally landed, and as expected it looks out of this world--as any Lambo should. Replacing the Murcielago as Lamborghini’s flagship, the Aventador represents the pinnacle of the company's design and construction capabilities. Its performance stats reflect...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Audi A3 Sedan Concept Live Photos: 2011 Geneva Motor ShowWhile it may not be as exciting as some of the performance and luxury models on display at this week’s 2011 Geneva Motor Show, the new Audi A3 Sedan Concept has an irresistible quality that’s hard to ignore. Perhaps it’s because the styling is reminiscent of the previous B5 Audi...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
This is the new 2011 Saab PhoeniX Concept, the first design penned by Saab’s recently appointed design director Jason Castriota. You may recall that Castriota was the man behind the striking Bertone Mantide and that concept’s influences can clearly be seen in the new PhoeniX. The latest Saab design study is built around a new architecture that will underpin the next Saab 9-3 model and features the automaker’s latest design language: aeromotional. The clean, muscular shape enables an exceptionally low drag co-efficient of just 0.25cd and also explores the potential for...
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Toyota FT-86 II Concept: 2011 Geneva Motor ShowToyota’s long-awaited rear-wheel drive sports car that it's developing together with Subaru has been confirmed for launch in 2012 and at this week’s 2011 Geneva Motor Show the Japanese auto giant has unveiled a new concept car previewing it. Dubbed the FT-86 II, the new concept is based...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Audi A3 Sedan Concept: 2011 Geneva Motor ShowFollowing yesterday’s leak and the official stuff we saw last month, Audi has finally released the full gamut of images and details on its svelte new A3 Sedan Concept, which is on display this week at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. The car is a preview of the next-generaiton A3 and represents...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Mazda Minagi Concept: 2011 Geneva Motor ShowWith its latest concept car, the all-new 2011 Mazda Minagi, Mazda is essentially giving us a preview of its replacement for the Tribute compact SUV. The aging Tribute is long overdue for an update and reports of a sharper and more dynamic compact crossover from Mazda date back to early 2007, so...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible ISR: 2011 Geneva Motor ShowLast month we saw four-time Finnish rally champ Juha Kankkunen break the ice speed record on the surface of the frozen Baltic Sea using a Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible. His fastest time was a neck-snapping 205.48 mph, and in honor of that feat Bentley is building a limited edition...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
Lamborghini Aventador LP 700-4 debuts at 2011 Geneva auto showAfter an absurd week of leaks and broken embargoes, the Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4 is officially here. Replacing the Murcielago as the flagship Lambo, the Aventador represents the pinnacle of the company's design and construction capabilities. Its performance stats reflect that. All-wheel drive...
Nelson Ireson