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BMW has released images of its Concept Gran Coupe, the star of last month's Beijing motor show, at its early design and development stage.

The five-metre, four-door, couple-like saloon is tipped to make production in 2012 as the BMW 8-series, although no new information was released alongside the images.

The Concept Gran Coupe has been designed to fuse the abilities of a GT and a sports car. Its roof is 100mm lower than a current 7-series saloon, and its rear quarters slightly more restricted. As such, it’s expected to sire a direct production rival for the Maserati Quattroporte, Audi A7 and Porsche Panamera.

Underneath it will use the same ‘backbone’ platform that underpins the current 5-series, 7-series and 5 GT. The car will offer the same mix of six- and eight-cylinder petrol and diesel engines as those cars, and an eight-speed automatic gearbox.

“It’s true that the Gran Coupe points to a specific model, a saloon with the presence and elegance of a 7-series but a more dynamic, sporty character: much more of a driver’s car,” said BMW design chief Adrian van Hooydonk at the car's launch. “We’re convinced that we should make a car like this.”

As well as testing the water for a BMW-built rival for the Audi A7, the Gran Coupe is intended to distill and concentrate BMW’s design values. As such, it’s likely to have a far-reaching influence throughout the styling of many of BMW’s future model lines.

That means we should expect to see the Gran Coupe’s long wheelbase, vaulted bonnet, shark nose, rearward set glasshouse, low silhouette and short front overhang become part of BMW’s trademark design language, as well as its asymmetrical kidney grille, wide frontal air intake and frameless doors.

Thanks to: Autocar

The Blue Oval is turning a shade of green! Ford has announced that it will launch full-hybrid and plug-in electric variants of its new C-Max by 2013.

They will join forces with three other zero or low-emissions models due to be released in the next few years, including a full electric Transit Connect van coming out in 2011, and a battery powered version of the new Ford Focus, arriving in 2012.

The new five-seat C-MAX and the seven-seat Grand C-MAX are due out by the end of this year, but the Detroit automaker said it plans to build both eco-friendly models at the company's Spanish plant in Valencia.

The Spanish government secured big grants from the European Union to ensure that the new models were made in the country, with Ford promising to invest the close to £275.9m over the next three years.

"These new advanced technology models are key to Ford's commitment to delivering a portfolio of alternative powertrain vehicles globally and to European customers in the next few years," said John Fleming, CEO of Ford of Europe.For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

Some updates completely change the character of a car. Others make us wonder if anything was actually changed, or if the manufacturer is putting one over on us. These Minis fall into the latter category.

According to Bob Lutz, GM planned all along to offer a Buick Regal wagon alongside the sedan in the United States. But GM’s bankruptcy saw funds for the program diverted to more pressing priorities, and such a hauler was put on the back burner. It appears plans may be back on track, judging by these spy shots.

The photos show an Opel Insignia Sports Tourer—the Regal sedan is a rebadged Insignia four-door—that’s undergone extensive Buick-fication, including the installation of a chrome multi-slat grille and Buick emblems and wheels. Not all things Opel are gone, however, as the rear hatch still wears an “Insignia” badge. More interesting, however, is the “Turbo X” stuck to its rump; it’s a piece of jewelry we last saw—in a different font—on a limited run of 2008 Saab 9-3s, and its presence likely indicates that this particular example sports all-wheel drive (perhaps of the torque-vectoring variety, as on the Saabs) and a 2.0-liter turbo four. The 220-hp 2.0-liter is the only turbocharged engine offered in the U.S. Regal sedan, and testing any of the Europe-only engines over here wouldn’t make much sense. The Regal’s other engine is a 182-hp, naturally aspirated 2.4-liter four.

The Regal wagon would compete with the Acura TSX Sport Wagon and Audi A4 Avant. Like those cars—as well as GM’s own Cadillac CTS Sport Wagon—expect an Americanized Regal wagon to get a consumer-friendly name in an attempt to coddle U.S. consumers, most of whom are ninnies and won’t buy anything labeled solely as a wagon. Regal Sport Wagon is a possibility, as is carrying over the Sports Tourer designation.

Of course, what we really want is a high-performance variant. It could use the 255-hp, 2.0-liter turbo four found in the Regal GS sedan concept or the 325-hp V-6 from the Opel Insignia OPC Sports Tourer, possibly paired with all-wheel drive. It seems unlikely, but the existence of the Cadillac CTS-V wagon shows that somebody somewhere in GM appreciates go-fast wagons. Make it so, General.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

Ferrari will not make widespread use of carbonfibre in its production road cars until it better understands the material’s long-term reliability, according to company boss Amedeo Felisa.

“We will only use carbonfibre on very special cars which have a very low rate of production and which are not for everyday use, such as the new Enzo,” he said in an exclusive interview with Autocar.

Ferrari has used carbonfibre in such cars as the F50 and Enzo, but Felisa says it is not yet ready to use it across its model range. This puts it at odds with McLaren, whose MP4-12C supercar has a carbon tub. Mercedes is also committed to using carbonfibre in its cars from 2012, as is BMW from 2013.

“The fact is that nobody today has a real understanding of what happens if you damage a carbonfibre structure,” says Felisa. “After 20 or 30 years of use, who knows what state a carbonfibre structure will be in? Only the airplane industry has a long-term understanding of using carbonfibre, and there the usage is very different. Unless you have a really big accident, it is possible to repair a Ferrari today, and we don’t want to lose that.”

Felisa also hinted that the new Ferrari Enzo will be powered by a direct-injection twin-turbo V8 when it is launched in 2012.

Reports had long suggested the new Enzo would be powered by either a V8 or direct-injection twin-turbo V6. However, Felisa has ruled out a six-cylinder engine.

“There are no plans for a six-cylinder engine today,” Felisa said. “Ferrari will not build a six-cylinder engine until customer attitudes towards smaller engines change.

“The perception today is that the number of cylinders equates to the possibilities of the car. That is why we are developing hybrid technology that can be applied to our V8 and V10 cars. Hybrid means we can protect the V12.

Thanks to: Autocar

The Audi A2 will make its comeback in 2012.

The second-generation model will drop the pricey spaceframe construction of the original A2 for a conventional steel monocoque borrowed from the A1.

This move is expected to result in ultra-keen pricing against front-drive rivals from BMW and Mercedes.

The new A2’s styling remains under wraps, but Audi has hinted that it will follow the template of its predecessor, with a tall one-box design and relatively narrow tracks.

Audi chairman Rupert Stadler has said electric drive is a priority and acknowledges the range extender set-up in the A1 e-tron is a distinct possibility for the A2.

More conventional versions will share a range of four-cylinder petrols and diesels with the A1.

Thanks to: Autocar

Chinese car maker Geely is planning to grab the headlines as maker of the world’s cheapest car, when it launches a small hatchback based on the IG concept shown at Beijing.

Tipped to cost between £1500 and £2000, the IG would undercut the Tata Nano, which currently retails at the equivalent of £2500.

Geely, which recently bought Volvo from Ford, also claims that the IG, or Intelligent Geely, will be of better quality than the Nano.

Although the IG is 185mm longer than the Toyota iQ and sits on a 100mm longer wheelbase, it is billed as a 2+2, with very limited rear space.

The concept’s expensive gullwing doors are expected to be deleted in favour of a more conventional design.

There’s even a chance that an electric version of the IG will be sold in Europe and the US.

Geely already sells cars in Russia and eastern Europe, and is looking to expand its reach. “The concept has had a very positive reaction, and with the car not launching until 2012 there is time for us to expand our network before then,” said a spokesman.

The Chinese version of the IG will be powered by a 988cc petrol engine developing 70bhp and 69lb ft and driving the front wheels through a five-speed CVT ’box.

The electric version will follow around 2014 or 2015, featuring a lithium ion battery, an 80bhp/133lb ft electric motor and an estimated range of 93 miles. The concept has solar panels on the roof, bonnet and dash to help increase its range.

The IG is set to be built at new Volvo owner Geely’s Linhai base.

Thanks to: Autocar

Audi’s new A7 Sportback is in the final stages of development and insiders now confirm that the four-door coupé will be unveiled at the Paris motor show in September.

UK sales will start in March next year and a V10-powered RS variant will be part of the range.

The A7, pictured here almost undisguised, is the first model based on Audi’s new mid-size platform, which will underpin next year’s seventh-generation A6. The 4950mm-long A7 has been conceived to provide stiff competition to the new Mercedes-Benz CLS, also set to be revealed at the Paris show, and a production version of BMW’s recently unveiled Gran Coupé concept due in 2012.

Topping the line-up will be an RS7 Sportback performance model running a 580bhp version of Audi’s naturally aspirated 5.2-litre V10 engine in combination with the firm’s new seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

Other models in the line-up will use a range of V6, V8 and V10 petrol and diesel engines.

Among the engines expected to account for the majority of UK sales are Audi’s new 330bhp supercharged 3.0-litre V6 direct injection petrol and 250bhp 3.0-litre V6 common-rail diesel.

Previewed by the Sportback concept shown at last year’s Detroit show, the production version of the A7 Sportback is clothed in a sleek four-door fastback body similar in style to the A5 Sportback.

Some design cues hark back to the Audi 100 S coupé made between 1970 and 1976.

“The overall look is less formal than that of the A8,” says Audi design boss Stefan Sielaff, who suggests that the new car will appeal to an increasing number of luxury car buyers who place good looks ahead of overall functionality.

Inside, the A7 Sportback receives a unique dashboard, previewed by that gracing the earlier concept car, and nominal seating for four. A three-person rear bench will be offered as an option.

Thanks to: Autocar

Fiat are hoping that this new Uno will be a South American number one! Official pictures of the second-generation of the Uno have been released, with the car primed to go into production at the company’s Betim factory in Brazil.

The new Uno will come with two “fuel-flex” engines, giving varying power outputs depending on whether you run them on bio-ethanol or petrol. The base model is a 1.0-litre unit putting out 73bhp if you fill it with alcohol and 75bhp with petrol. The other option is a 1.4-litre version (85bhp on alcohol, 88bhp on petrol). Both engines are mated to a five-speed manual gearbox.

The new Uno will be a roomy hatchback rather than a supermini, and slots comfortably into the Fiat range between the current Panda and the Grande Punto. At 3.77m long it has an nearly 20cm of extra room over the Panda, and is wider as well.

This model shown in the pictures is a high-riding crossover version called the ‘Way’, which has better ground clearance and chunky colour contrasting bumpers. Inside, the cabin is a little more basic than we’re used to, but the body design takes several cues from the smaller Panda, which has lead to speculation that the Uno is set to replace the Panda in Europe.

Although it will be on sale in several South American countries, starting with Brazil, Fiat has yet to confirm whether it will appear in the U.K. For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

Meet the not so mellow yellow machine that’s gunning for the hot hatch crown. These spy shots show Vauxhall’s fastest-ever Corsa VXR – the Nürburgring Edition. The limited-run model is named in honour of the famous German circuit used for high-speed testing – and where these exciting pictures were snapped. A host of go-faster tweaks should make it the fastest supermini hot hatch on sale, not to mention the quickest around the ’Ring.

Under the bonnet is the familiar 1.6-litre turbo engine, with a special sports exhaust and revised ECU increasing power from the standard VXR’s 189bhp to close to 200bhp. That’s likely to mean a 0-60mph time of 6.5 seconds and a 145mph top speed. Other mechanical changes include a wider track, specially developed tyres and new lightweight alloys, which reduce unsprung weight. Brembo brakes will ensure the car stops as well as it corners, and should help the special smash the regular VXR’s Nürburgring lap record of eight minutes 47 seconds.

There will be a few visual upgrades, too. At the front is a lower lip spoiler, while the rear diffuser gets exhausts on either side; the standard model has a single centre-exit pipe. Unique paintwork and a host of graphics and badging will complete the exterior tweaks, while inside are sporty leather-clad Recaro seats and carbon fibre trim.

Only around 1,000 examples are expected to be made available, each costing £19,500.

This isn’t the first VXR to wear the Nürburgring Edition tag – a run-out version of the hot Astra was launched with the same badge in 2008. It featured suspension upgrades, along with white paint.For more details click here.
Thanks to: Auto Express

Few among us would balk at the opportunity to drive a luxury car to work every day, but fiscal realities often put the brakes on this dream before it can take off. What if you could get some of those luxury car features you want in a car you can afford? Volkswagen might have the answer, if your commute to work is in Europe.

After previously clinging to diesel power over battery-assisted propulsion as the go-to green technology, the winds have shifted at the HQs of German automakers like BMW, Audi, even Porsche, and it appears as though that country’s largest-volume marque now is feeling the same vibe. Volkswagen is re-affirming plans to add hybrid variants of the Jetta in 2012, followed by the Golf and Passat a year later. But that’s not all, as VeeDub also says it will offer a fully electric Golf and Jetta soon after the arrival of the electric Up! city car in 2013.

Having just launched the 2011 Touareg hybrid as the brand’s first gas-electric entry, Volkswagen says it now wants to concentrate its electrification efforts on volume sellers, which it thinks should help elevate EVs from niche status to mainstream. VW also says it’s behind the German government’s (somewhat questionable) plan to see one million electric vehicles on German roads by 2020. Using the popular Golf and Jetta as the framework, VW is banking on these electric models to help pad its scorecard in the race to become the world’s largest automaker.

As part of the announcement, Volkswagen showed a concept version of the electrified Golf, dubbed Golf blue-e-motion, that’s based on the current car. (The production model expected in 2013 likely will be based on the forthcoming Golf VII.) In its current form, it uses an electric motor producing 114 hp and 199 lb-ft of torque. With a 26.5-kWh lithium-ion battery that takes up space under the rear seat and in the center tunnel and cargo hold, VW says the Golf will retain about 8.4 cubic feet of its 15 cubes of cargo space. Like with the Mini E, that’s a significant loss in load volume, jeopardizing the hatchback versatility that we so often praise. Of course, weight also will spike—some 452 pounds are gained compared to the current, Euro-only Golf BlueMotion TDI with DSG—from the extra heft of the batteries, which allow for a claimed cruising range of 93 miles.

The electric Golf will use a system similar to the new Touareg hybrid’s, which allows the motor to disengage from the drivetrain when coasting, allowing for less drag while still capturing energy to feed back into the batteries. The Mini E and many other full-electrics, by contrast, go immediately to regen mode once your foot lifts off of the accelerator pedal, making for an unfamiliar driving experience (and at times a sore ankle).

Next year, Volkswagen plans to release a fleet of 500 electric Golfs for testing. Although VW has yet to officially confirm its timing and offerings for alternative powertrains in the U.S., we’re expecting to see the hybrids here, beginning with the Jetta in mid-2012.

Thanks to: Car and Driver

The Audi R8 solidified its supercar status when it received a version of the 5.2-liter V-10 from the Lamborghini Gallardo LP560-4. While the R8’s V-10 is nearly identical, it is slightly less powerful, and it seemed reasonable that corporate politics might prevent the R8 from ever matching the horsepower figure of the Lambo. Now that this limited-edition R8 GT is granted the same 552-hp output as the little Lambo, the raging bull might very well be huffing, snorting, and ping-ponging off its pen walls in a fit of rage. To add insult to injury, the LP560’s weight advantage over the V-10 R8—3507 pounds versus 3755, according to our scales—crumbles, as the R8 GT drops an estimated 220 pounds. Ruh-roh, we smell a family feud in the works.

Limited to just 333 units, the R8 GT receives a lengthy list of modifications over the standard V-10 car. The aforementioned power upgrade—27 additional hp and 7 bonus lb-ft of torque, for a total of 398—comes from revised engine electronics. (Considering that the R8’s previous tuning was a revision of the Gallardo’s electronics, this perhaps counts as a “de-revision.”) Complementing the powertrain enhancements is a specially tuned ESP system that Audi says allows for “spectacular, but safe” oversteer when in Sport mode. We like the sound of that. Red accents on the engine recall that other, non-Lambo Italian supercar maker. The only transmission is Audi’s single-clutch R tronic automated manual.

When it came to trimming those 220 pounds from the R8, Audi’s engineers, like Lamborghini’s Gallardo Superleggera crew, relied heavily on carbon fiber and polycarbonate. Most noticeable is the new carbon-fiber rear wing. The fixed, matte-finish wing attaches to a rear hatch also made from carbon fiber, instead of the regular R8’s aluminum. The lightweight weave also is used for the rear bumper, with its unique vertical vents aft of the wheels; a large rear diffuser; and a double-lipped front splitter. Further weight reduction comes from replacing the glass in the bulkhead window and engine-compartment cover with polycarbonate. The rest of the weight slips off thanks to a thinner windshield, less sound insulation, a lighter exhaust, lightweight carpet, and a set of fiberglass seat frames.

Audi says the performance upshot of all these mods is a 0-to-62-mph run of 3.6 seconds and a top speed of 199 mph, but that sprint claim is predictably conservative. We’ve clocked a 5.2-liter R8 with R tronic to 60 mph in just 3.4 seconds, and that’s without the weight savings and additional power. As equipped with the GT package, expect this Audi to be more on pace with the LP560-4, at around 3.2 seconds to 60.

Thanks to: Car and Driver