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Report: 2012 Nissan Versa to debut at New York Auto Show

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Hatchback, Nissan

Nissan versa sketch

2012 Nissan Versa Sketch – Click above for high-res image

Nissan has hinted in the past that it plans to show a new small car at this year’s New York Auto Show, and the folks at Inside Line now say that new vehicle will be the 2012 Versa. The next Versa will reportedly be based off of a new global B platform that already underpins the Nissan Sunny (pictured, right) and the Micra. The updated Versa will reportedly shrink a bit compared to the current model, and it will continue to slot below the Sentra in terms of price.

The Japanese automaker released a sketch of the next-generation model back in October, giving us an idea of what the Versa will look like. We’re hoping the new Versa will once again be available in both sedan and hatchback variants, and it wouldn’t hurt for fuel economy numbers to offer powertrain enhancements compared to the model that’s currently on sale. Stay tuned.

[Source: Inside Line]

Report: 2012 Nissan Versa to debut at New York Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 19:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus teases LF-Gh concept ahead of New York debut

Filed under: Concept Cars, New York Auto Show, Spy Photos, Hybrid, Sedan, Lexus, Luxury

2011 Lexus LF-Gh concept teaser

2011 Lexus LF-Gh concept teasers – Click either for image gallery

Lexus LF-Gh concept As promised, Lexus is preparing to land at the New York Auto Show with a conceptual preview for the next-generation GS sedan. That model has essentially been an evolution of the Giugiaro design that debuted on the original GS way back in 1991, but the new concept promises to show the way forward; not just for the mid-range Lexus sedan, but for the entire brand.

The Toyota luxury division has confirmed the debut of the LF-Gh – shorthand for Lexus Future Grand-Touring Hybrid (of course) – with the release of these two teaser shots and the press statement we’ve posted after the jump. Lexus says the car will spearhead the next step in its L-Finesse design language that’s been in play for a decade now.

From what we can tell from the crop-shots, the LF-Gh looks to blend some of the aggression we’ve seen on Audi concepts of late with some thoroughly Japanese-looking design flourishes, but we’ll have to wait a little longer to see the big picture. In any case, click past the break to read the short statement and be sure to check out high-res versions of the two teasers in our gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Lexus LF-Gh concept teasers

[Source: Lexus]

Continue reading Lexus teases LF-Gh concept ahead of New York debut

Lexus teases LF-Gh concept ahead of New York debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 05 Apr 2011 12:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 BMW M5 Concept leaked ahead of Shanghai debut

Filed under: Sedan, Performance, BMW, Shanghai Motor Show

BMW M5 Concept

BMW Concept M5 – Click above for image gallery

The 2012 BMW M5? Here it is in the “concept” form that will make its official debut later this month at the Shanghai Motor Show, courtesy of photos leaked from an embargoed preview event held this weekend in Germany.

As is BMW’s wont when it comes to these things, “concept” simply means, “This is exactly what the production car looks like, and we’ll reveal the rest of the juicy details at a future date. And maybe the production wheels won’t be black.”

Of course, some stuff related to the F10 M5 is pretty much set in stone already, courtesy of Chris Harris’ first drive for Evo magazine.

The twin-turbo V8 should out-power the one in the X6M, which makes 546 horsepower.
Shifts come via a seven-speed DCT.
Selectable driving programs include Comfort, Sport, and Sport-Plus, plus the let-it-all-hang-out M Driving Mode.

Snap judgement: this is the best-looking BMW M vehicle since the E39 M5, and whatever BMW’s cooked up underhood should have no problem backing up the looks. Stay tuned for more info on the BMW Concept M5 as we receive it.

Gallery: 2012 BMW Concept M5

[Source: Transmissia.net via M5Board via Motor Authority]

2012 BMW M5 Concept leaked ahead of Shanghai debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 03 Apr 2011 09:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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2012 Chevrolet Malibu teased ahead of Shanghai debut [w/video]

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Sedan, Chevrolet, GM, Shanghai Motor Show

2012 Chevrolet Malibu teaser

2012 Chevrolet Malibu teaser – Click above for high-res image

The 2012 Chevrolet Malibu will officially be revealed at the Shanghai Motor Show on April 19, and General Motors has released this official teaser shot of its new ‘Bu, showing off its new Camaro-inspired LED taillamps. GM will also be bringing the Malibu to the New York Auto Show, which officially starts on April 20, where we’ll get our first glimpse of the new Chevrolet family sedan in the flesh.

We’ve seen quite a few spy shots of the new Malibu, and we know that it will ride on GM’s smaller Epsilon II platform that currently underpins the Buick Regal. Still, GM tells us that the new Malibu will be wider than the model it replaces, and we can expect a more rakish exterior design. The Malibu will be sold in nearly 100 countries on six different continents, and thus, a global design that would appeal to all markets is necessary in order for it to be a success.

Expect the Malibu to only be available with four-cylinder engines, including GM’s naturally aspirated 2.4-liter Ecotec four and its turbocharged 2.0-liter powerplant. Rumor has it that a hybrid version is also in the works, as is an all-wheel-drive model.

You can watch the official Chevrolet Malibu reveal on the automaker’s Facebook page on Monday, April 18 at 8:30 PM EST – right when the sheets are pulled back in Shanghai. For the full details, hit the jump for GM’s official press release, as well as a short video detailing some of the Malibu’s overall design elements.

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading 2012 Chevrolet Malibu teased ahead of Shanghai debut [w/video]

2012 Chevrolet Malibu teased ahead of Shanghai debut [w/video] originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 31 Mar 2011 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Porsche officially unveils the Panamera Turbo S ahead of New York debut

Filed under: New York Auto Show, Performance, Wagon, Porsche

Porsche Panamera Turbo S

Porsche Panamera Turbo S – Click above for high-res image gallery

We reported yesterday that a Panamera Turbo S could be in the works with an official debut coming at the New York Auto Show in April. We didn’t have to wait long to find out, as Porsche has released the first details about its new flagship four-door.

As expected, the Turbo S gets a power increase up to 550 horsepower, 50 more than the standard Turbo model, thanks to new twin turbochargers with enhanced turbines and modified engine programming. Torque is also up, 553 lb-ft compared to 516 lb-ft. Porsche says that the Panamera Turbo S is capable of reaching 60 mph in just 3.6 seconds as well as a top speed of 190 mph, all while returning an estimated 15/23 mpg. The car will reach showrooms later this Spring, with pricing in the U.S. starting at $173,200. You can read full details about the Porsche Panamera Turbo S in the official press release after the jump.

Gallery: Porsche Panamera Turbo S

Porsche Panamera Turbo S

[Source: Porsche]

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Porsche officially unveils the Panamera Turbo S ahead of New York debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 Mar 2011 04:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hyundai Veloster Rally Car makes its race debut

Filed under: Motorsports, Hatchback, Hyundai, Racing

Hyundai Veloster Rally Car

Hyundai Veloster Rally Car – Click above for high-res image gallery

Just a little over a month after it was introduced at the Chicago Auto Show, the Hyundai Veloster Rally Car made its competition debut at the Global Rally Championship this past week.

Flying under the Rhys Millen Racing banner, which also works with Hyundai in Formula Drift and for the Pikes Peak Hill climb, a duo of Veloster rally cars managed to make it through the entire weekend trouble free – something that couldn’t be said for some of the more established teams. Hyundai’s team did experience some teething problems with tire compounds and gear ratio selections, but they plan to rectify those issues for the next round of RallyCross next month in Snoqualmie, WA.

We got up close and personal with Millen’s Veloster at the event, and came away with plenty of photos for your visual enjoyment. Check out the gallery below for a closer look at the 500-horsepower, 2,600-pound, all-wheel-drive, carbon fiber rocket ship.

Gallery: Hyundai Veloster Rally Car

Hyundai Veloster Rally Car makes its race debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 29 Mar 2011 20:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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VW Beetle to debut in China; powerful Audi-engined model in the cards?

Filed under: China, Hatchback, Volkswagen, Shanghai Motor Show

2012 Volkswagen Beetle Spy shots

2012 Volkswagen Beetle spy shots – Click above for high-res image gallery

The latest from the Volkswagen bunker in Wolfsburg is that the second-generation New Beetle (henceforth to be known mercifully as ‘Beetle’) is officially dropping its towel to the floor at the Shanghai Motor Show in April. Whooda thunk it just five years ago? The Beetle is an American pop phenomenon, and it smarts a bit to have lost even that cachet to the all-powerful Chinese venue.

Early word on the Beetle is that it is dynamically far sportier than the outgoing matzoh-ball built exclusively for people desperate for cutesy-ness and absolute symmetry. Oh, yes, and rear passengers without heads.

While Europe is not intended to get the sensational 335-horsepower “W28” in-line five-cylinder turbo seen so far in both the Audi TT RS and RS3, it would seem there is a plot afoot to bring such a Beetle to North America. “The Beetle,” a source in Wolfsburg tells Autoblog, “is so much sportier now. It’s much more appealing to male buyers as well.” Some off-the-record remarks tell of a Beetle thus equipped that is better on the track than another VW R coupe that North America sadly still doesn’t get.

The message? No more dung beetles.

Gallery: 2012 Volkswagen New Beetle: Spy Shots

2012 Volkswagen New Beetle: Spy Shots

[Images: KGP Photography]

VW Beetle to debut in China; powerful Audi-engined model in the cards? originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 22 Mar 2011 14:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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GAC X-Power crossover rendering leaks ahead of Shanghai debut

Filed under: China, Crossover, MISC

GAC X-Power leaks out – Click above for image gallery

China’s Guaungzhou Auto Corp may have not approved it, but the first look at the company’s new X-Power crossover has trickled out onto the internet. According to ChinaCarTimes, the automaker just recently purchased the Alfa Romeo 166 platform from the Italian manufacturer, and the X-Power is the second model that we’ve seen arise from those bones. Judging from the photos, the production take on the CUV wears much of the same styling as the concept version, though it would seem that the taillight design has received some tweaks.

ChinaCarTimes reports that the X-Power will hit the streets with an Alfa-sourced 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with around 163 horsepower when it debuts. GAC has also used the 166 platform for its Trumpchi sedan, which is powered by the same 2.0-liter engine.

Chinese car buyers can look forward to seeing the X-Power in showrooms soon. No launch date has been released, but the vehicle is slated for an unveil at next month’s Shanghai Motor Show.

Gallery: GAC X-Power

[Source: ChinaCarTimes]

GAC X-Power crossover rendering leaks ahead of Shanghai debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 15 Mar 2011 17:29:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Geneva 2011: 2012 GTA Spano makes world debut with 820 horsepower

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Geneva Motor Show, Europe

2012 GTA Spano

2011 GTA Spano – Click above for high-res image gallery

GTA Motor has just rolled out its brand-new supercar, the V10-powered, 820-horsepower Spano here at the Geneva Motor Show. The car has a carbon fiber-kevlar composite and aluminum chassis, and will be limited to a run of 99 examples worldwide.

With all that power and very little weight, the Spano makes it to 60 mph in under three seconds, and GTA says it will top out at 217 mph. The car carries massive 380 mm (nearly 15-inch) six-piston caliper AP Racing disc brakes with ABS, and the brakes sap off speed with the help of a ridiculous wide set of Pirelli PZero Rosso 330s (19- and 20-inches wide, respectively).

The car is designed with performance in mind, but it’s not a totally stripped-out track-day car, keeping things civilized with a panoramic roof and a carbon fiber luggage compartment complete with fitted bags.

Gallery: 2011 GTA Spano

2011 GTA Spano 2011 GTA Spano interior

[Source: GTA Spano]

Continue reading Geneva 2011: 2012 GTA Spano makes world debut with 820 horsepower

Geneva 2011: 2012 GTA Spano makes world debut with 820 horsepower originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 02 Mar 2011 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Xenatec reveals Maybach Cruiserio Coupe ahead of Geneva debut

Filed under: Coupe, Geneva Motor Show, Maybach, Luxury

Xenatec Maybach Cruiserio Coupe

Xenatec Maybach Cruiserio Coupe – Click above for high-res image gallery

Xenatec is using the Geneva Motor Show to unveil its one-off Cruiserio Coupe, a customer-ordered hyper-luxury car based on the Maybach 57S. The coupe was designed by Fredrik Burchhardt to a customer’s exact specs, then hand-built by the Xenatec team.

Outside, the Xenatec Cruiserio Coupe is swathed in a two-tone matte finish that’s designed to give a brassy shimmer in the light. Xenatec says the paint was hand-applied in several stages to get the look just so.

The big coupe’s interior is another Xenatec one-off, featuring hand-stitched natural, undyed buffalo leather and espresso-colored Nappa hides. To take things to the next level of ludicrous opulence, Xenatec lined the footwells of the car with blackberry Alcantara.

Xenatec says the whole package is set off by the car’s panorama roof, which is accented with a Nappa leather headliner.

No word yet (or ever, we assume) on what this level of exclusivity costs, but we’re ok with that. If you have to ask… Hop the jump for a full press release.

Gallery: Xenatec Maybach Cruiserio Coupe

Xenatec Maybach Cruiserio Coupe front close Xenatec Maybach Cruiserio interior Xenatec Maybach Cruiserio rear Xenatec Maybach Cruiserio sill Xenatec Maybach Cruiserio door panel

[Source: Xenatec]

Continue reading Xenatec reveals Maybach Cruiserio Coupe ahead of Geneva debut

Xenatec reveals Maybach Cruiserio Coupe ahead of Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 27 Feb 2011 20:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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