The all-new 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG will arrive in U.S. showrooms this March with a starting price of $95,865, which includes an $875 destination charge. The base model features a 5.5-liter bi-turbocharged V8 engine rated at 518HP and 516 lb-ft. Even though these numbers represent an increase of 15HP and 44 lb-ft over its predecessor, the new ML63 AMG's combined fuel economy of 16 mpg is 33 percent lower. If you need more power, Mercedes offers an optional AMG Performance Package that boosts output to 550HP and maximum torque to 560 lb-ft.
The most exclusive and powerful version of the Audi R8 Spyder has arrived in the States. All in all, the Ingolstadt-based automaker will hand-build 333 examples of the R8 GT Spyder, 50 of which are destined for the U.S., each carrying an MSRP of $210,000 (�163,300), not including a $1,200 destination and delivery fee or local taxes. What you get for the price of a family house in some states such as Ohio, is a lighter and more powerful version of the R8 V10 Spyder.
The Smart Fortwo is entering the 2011 model year with an almost invisible change here and there complemented by the introduction of more economical engines.
In addition to the new range of available exterior colors that now include a matt finish and the availability of a red or blue colored soft-top for the cabrio models, the updated Fortwo gets fresh fabric and color options for the interior while the tridion safety cell is now optionally available in white.
Fiat has rolled out the production version of its long-awaited two-cylinder gasoline engine family called TwinAir that's has been developed by FPT (Fiat Powertrain Technologies). The first car to receive the new turbocharged engine is the Fiat 500, in both three-door and convertible forms, with sales to begin from September, 2010.
The innovative 0.9-liter two-cylinder gasoline unit implements several technologies, including a small-sized turbine, start and stop and the firm's MultiAir electro-hydraulic valve management system that reduces fuel consumption and emissions by controlling air directly via the inlet valves, without using the throttle.
Fiat says that compared with a medium-sized four-cylinder of equal performance, the new Twinair engine is significantly shorter (-23%) and lighter (-10%), while returning 30% lower fuel consumption.
Revealed ahead of its Paris Motor Show debut, the all-new Volvo V60 is the estate version of the recently launched 2011 S60 sedan. Aimed almost squarely at European buyers as Volvo projects that "no less than 90 percent" of the annual V60 production of 50,000 cars will find a home in Europe, the sporty-looking estate model will go on sale this fall.
Volvo describes the low slung V60 as a sports wagon with a coupe-like roofline. "The typical sports wagon customer is an S60 buyer who would like some extra space and flexibility, but without the slightest compromise on sporty design and exciting driving properties," says Volvo Cars President and CEO Stephen Odell.
However, Volvo's focus on looks come with a cost as the V60's boot space is a mere 430 liters with the rear seats up. That's compared to 460lt of the BMW 3-Series Touring, 485lt of the Mercedes C-Class Estate and 490lt of the Audi A4 Avant. The car will come equipped with a 40/20/40-split rear seat and the fold-flat front passenger seat.
Instead of taking the usual route of an international presentation at a major car show, Volkswagen chose to organize a special happening at Times Square New York to lift the wraps off the all-new 2011 Jetta sedan.
And being a NYC party, Volkswagen brought along hot singer Katy Perry to help out with the presentation and draw some extra attention to the car. Dressed in a pastel rubber-like outfit, Perry sang her hits 'I Kissed A Girl' (and she liked it) and 'California Gurls' dancing barefooted on top of the Jetta's hood. Obviously, she likes that too.
The new Jetta will go on sale in most parts of the world this fall. Larger and better looking than its predecessor, VW's Chevy Cruze and Honda Civic rival, will be offered with a variety of gasoline and diesel engines, with prices in the U.S. to start from $15,995 for the entry-level model.
Honda announced on Tuesday that its all-new 2011 CR-Z sport hybrid coupe will hit U.S. showrooms on August 24, 2010, with a manufacturer's suggested retail price starting at $19,250 plus a destination and handling charge of $750 for a total of $19,950 or about �16,275.
The CR-Z is offered exclusively with a mild-hybrid drivetrain comprising of a 102HP 1.5-liter iVTEC 4-cylinder engine and a 20HP electric motor that deliver a combined output of 122HP and 128 lb-ft. of torque at 1,000 to 1,500 rpm with the standard six-speed manual gearbox and 123 lb-ft with the optional CVT that costs $650 and includes steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters.
You might remember that we reported on the all-new 2011 Suzuki Swift earlier this month, but now we have a fresh batch of photos including the first shots of the supermini's interior as well as the complete spec sheet for both the five-door and the yet to be revealed, three-door version.
Starting with cabin, the pictures reveal that the dashboard design and layout is clearly inspired by the larger Suzuki Kizashi sedan with restrained metallic accents and a similar styling for the center console that houses new switchgear and LCD displays for the audio system and A/C.
As we noted in our previous post, despite the fact that the 2011 Swift is based on a new and longer platform, the car's exterior styling is a subtle evolution of the outgoing model's design.
Sometimes inspiration can come from the most unlikely sources. Take MWDesign, for instance. For their latest project based on the BMW Z4 E89 hardtop-roadster with straight-six turbo, the Vancouver-based tuning shop drew their design inspiration from Nike's Slingshot golf clubs series.
The tuner started out by adding an AC Schnitzer front spoiler complete with custom carbon fiber lower splitters, 3D Design matte carbon fiber rear diffuser and boot lid spoiler, BMW Performance kidney grilles, a carbon fiber hood strip and a set of 20-inch Modular alloy wheels with glossy black outer rims.
MWDesign's next assignment was to apply lime green accents on the front air-ducts, the alloy wheels, the tail pipe surrounds and the twin roll bars. The custom carbon fiber exterior accents with primer grey on the hood, the trunk and the retractable hardtop along with the matte black tailpipes complete the visual makeover.
The new Bentley Continental Supersports Convertible made its official public driving debut this past weekend at the 2010 Goodwood Festival of Speed. The British firm's fastest ever topless model, which comes with a 630HP W12 turbocharged flex-fuel engine is capable of a top speed of 202mph (325 km/h) and a 0-60mph (96 km/h) sprint time of 3.9 seconds, was piloted throughout the weekend by honorary 'Bentley Boy' Derek Bell. Full picture gallery from the event right after the jump.
You're looking at the refreshed Japanese domestic market [JDM] version of the Nissan X-Trail, a compact SUV model sold in Europe, Japan and other parts of the world but not in the States. For the 2011MY, there's the subtlest of design tweaks, mainly to the front end and the interior, plus a new diesel version and equipment upgrades.
On the outside, the JDM 2011 X-Trail gains a redesigned front grille, front bumper and headlights, along with a reworked rear bumper and new LED tail lamps. There's also a new model called 'X-Tremer' boasting unique bumpers and alloy wheels.
In the interior, the X-Trail is spruced up with a redesigned instrument panel featuring larger dials and a new information display system, fresh colors and additional standard features.
A new member has been added to the JDM Honda Freed family of compact minivans in Japan. Called the Freed Spike, the new model is being pitched by Honda as a "compact multi-wagon" for people with "active lifestyles". We remind you that the Freed is based on Honda's Jazz / Fit architecture. It was introduced in Japan in 2008 and is offered in five-, seven- and eight-seat versions, all of which feature sliding rear doors.
The new Freed Spike is available exclusively with two rows of seats for five passengers that can be arranged in several different configurations. Honda has added new dual-height floor panels in the cargo area and some additional storage areas on the side panels.
The all-new Peugeot 508 has been officially revealed following the leakout of the first photos earlier today. Available in sedan and station wagon body styles, the 508 replaces two cars in Peugeot's range, the 407 and 607. The French marque's Ford Mondeo and Volkswagen Passat contender will make its world debut at the Paris Motor Show in late September and go on sale early next year.
The 508 is the production version of the '5 by Peugeot' concept car seen in Geneva this past March, and according to Peugeot, it introduces the firm's new -and more subtle- design language as previewed on the SR1 Concept sports car. Expect to see the same type of grille finding its way on all future Peugeot models.
For the first time we get a look at the 508's interior, which according to the French carmaker, combines hi-tech features with the use of "high quality materials" both "visually and to the touch".
Most of you remember the Mansory-prepped Rolls Royce Ghost Gold Edition from this year's Geneva Salon - how can one forget such an eye-blinding proposal... The Swiss tuner is back with a new strictly limited edition version of the "baby" Rolls Royce, named for obvious reasons the Ghost White Edition, of which only three examples will be built.
Even though it features the exact same body kit with restyled bumpers, spoilers, side skirts and additional air vents as well as alloy wheel designs with the Gold Edition, this time Mansory skipped the Fast-&-Furious paint job and gaudy gold trim in favor of a simple white finish and unpainted 22-inch rims. The silly-looking boot lid spoiler is still there, but overall, a huge improvement over the Gold Edition.
Six years after the introduction of the first X3, BMW has lifted the wraps off the all-new second generation model that grows in dimensions and gains new engines. The new X3 will go on sale by the end of 2010, following its world premiere at the Paris Motor Show in late September. It will be built at BMW's Spartanburg plant in South Carolina.
Although familiar in shape, the exterior design of the new BMW X3 is less complicated and more 'clean' than the outgoing model incorporating styling elements from the X1 and X5 as well as from the latest 5-Series including the more prominent double kidney grille and concave surfaces on the hood.
The interior has been redesigned from the ground up and now features a classic four-dial instrument layout along with a more driver orientated center console housing a large 8.8-inch high-resolution screen.
Still not convinced that Land Rover is marketing the new Evoque (click here for pictures and a video from the presentation) as a hip crossover - even after learning about Victoria Beckham's involvement in the project? Then these photos should do the trick.
What you see here are 10 special prototype versions of the 'baby' Range Rover wrapped in trendy camouflage with each vehicle saying 'Hello' to one of the following cities: London, New York, Sao Paulo, Paris, Milan, Madrid, Berlin, Sydney, Shanghai and Moscow. The imagery on each prototype is actually a GPS mapping trail of the city it represents.
Following on from the presentation of the 2011 Micra at the Geneva Show earlier this year, Nissan introduced the Japanese domestic market (JDM) version of the all-new supermini called the March, which goes on sale this week.
Unlike its predecessors, the fourth-generation of the JDM March is manufactured in Thailand, marking a new trend for Japanese automakers to move more production out of the country to lower the manufacturing costs.
However, Nissan was quick to point out that it has set up a special inspection process at its Oppama plant in Japan, which produced the previous generation model, to make additional quality checks on the Thai-made March.
For the 18th annual Life Ball fundraiser for people with HIV and AIDS that took place on July 17 at Vienna's City Hall Square, MINI joined forces with celebrity fashion designers Diane von Furstenberg, Kenneth Cole and Calvin Klein Collection's Francisco Costa to create three one-off specials.
We have already seen and reported on the brand-new 2012 BMW 1-Series, which was revealed a couple of months ahead of its world premiere, which is scheduled for the rapidly approaching Frankfurt Motor Show this September. Nevertheless, if the first batch of photos didn�t do the trick for you, you�ll be happy to know that today, BMW released a massive gallery with some 250 pictures of its compact sized hatchback, which may very well be the last version to feature a rear-wheel drive layout as the Bavarians are rumored to be planning a switch to a front-wheel drive platform for the next generation model. But enough with the talking. Hop over the jump to check out all the high-res gallery.
Toyota today announced prices for its next generation Yaris hatchback in Europe including the UK where the supermini is available for order now with first customer deliveries to take place in September. The new Yaris is available in three- and five-door body styles with British buyers offered a choice of four grades (T2, TR, SR and T Spirit) and three engines including 1.0 and 1.33-litre petrol units and a 1.4-litre D-4D turbodiesel. On-the-road prices start from �11,700.
