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2012 Acura TL to debut at Chicago Auto Show

Filed under: Chicago Auto Show, Sedan, Acura

Acura TL

Acura has announced that it will debut the newly refreshed 2012 TL at the Chicago Auto Show next month. Details are slim as of this writing, but the automaker says that the 2012 model “further enhances its position in the segment with aggressive, yet refined styling and performance.”

In its current form, the TL has been praised for its high-quality and tech-friendly interior, not to mention the relatively impressive driving dynamics of the SH-AWD 6MT model. However, the biggest deal-breaker for the current TL has been its styling, which has garnered a whole slew of negative praise – especially the angular front fascia. We’ll have the full details on the 2012 TL closer to its official debut on February 9, so stay tuned.

[Source: Acura]

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2012 Acura TL to debut at Chicago Auto Show originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 24 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus Type 125 makes its track debut

Filed under: Motorsports, Europe, Lotus, Specialty, Racing

Lotus Exos Type 125

Lotus Exos Type 125 – Click above for high-res image gallery

Lotus has taken the time to put its new civilian Formula One racer through its paces. The company enlisted the help of both Jean Alesi and James Rossiter to test the Exos Type 125 in its first official track outing. Rossiter serves as the company’s official test driver, so he’s been in the seat of some pretty wild machines. Even so, the racer says that the Type 125 is “unique, intense and extremely raw.” On top of that, Rossiter claims the open-wheel beast is as close as a mortal human can get to man-handling the tiller of a genuine F1 car.

There’s no surprise there. The Type 125 packs a 3.5-liter Cosworth V8 at its core with 650 horsepower. The miracle mill is strapped to a six-speed semi-automatic gearbox, and Lotus says that all it takes to wake the beast is a push of the start button. That means that owners won’t require their own personal squad of mechanics just to get out of the paddock. If you like the sound of this machine as much as we do, you better know someone at Lotus. The company is only planning on handing out 15 examples of the Type 125. Hit the jump for the press release.

Gallery: Lotus Exos Type 125

[Source: Lotus]

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Lotus Type 125 makes its track debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 19:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: BMW X1 U.S. debut delayed due to high demand in Europe

Filed under: Europe, Crossover, BMW, Luxury

2011 BMW X1

2011 BMW X1 – Click above for high-res image gallery

American buyers may have to wait a little bit longer before sinking their teeth into the upcoming BMW X1. According to Automotive News, the CUV has been more popular in Europe than the German automaker originally anticipated, and as such, BMW is experiencing a bit of a supply crunch. As a result, North American buyers won’t be seeing the X1 at the end of this year as originally expected. Instead, it’s beginning to look like the vehicle won’t show up here until early 2012 at the soonest. Automotive News reports that the X1 went on sale in Europe in November of 2009.

Since then, the high-riding hatch has sold out in every market it’s touched. BMW says that it fully expects the X1 to be a low-volume model here in the land of the free, with sales lodged somewhere in the same realm as what the current 1 Series Coupe and Convertible. Even so, the company says that it’s shooting for around 8,000 units per year. With the larger, more popular X3 just now hitting dealerships, the X1 will likely serve to fill a slot for buyers looking for a compact luxury crossover.

Gallery: 2011 BMW X1

[Source: Automotive News – sub. req.]

Report: BMW X1 U.S. debut delayed due to high demand in Europe originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Saab 9-5 Sportwagon teased ahead of Geneva debut

Filed under: Wagon, Geneva Motor Show, Saab

Saab 9-5 Sportwagon

2012 Saab 9-5 Sportwagon – Click above for high-res image

Saab will be unveiling the new 9-5 ~~Wagon~~ ~~Estate~~ SportCombi at the Geneva Motor Show in March, and what appears to be the first official image has leaked, showing off the hatch’s svelte new rump. The 9-5 SportCombi was caught testing during the automaker’s period of limbo between owners, but now that the company is safely in the hands of Spyker Cars, the stylish station wagon is quickly being readied for production.

Expect powertrains to be carried over directly from the 9-5 sedan, meaning the base turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four and up-level 2.8-liter turbocharged V6 will be available. Saab’s XWD all-wheel drive system will likely be offered on V6 Aero models, and the full suite of optional goodies like adaptive cruise control and bi-xenon headlamps will be available for a price. We’ll have the full details closer to the car’s Geneva debut, and look for the 9-5 SportCombi to arrive in the United States near the end of this year.

[Source: Saab]

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Saab 9-5 Sportwagon teased ahead of Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 19 Jan 2011 13:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: Torque-tastic Mini Cooper SD diesel to debut in Geneva

The expansion of the Mini family marches forward relentlessly, but while the range typically grows with more bodystyles, the latest addition stands to transcend configurations with a new engine.

Although it likely won’t be offered Stateside, rumor has it that Mini is preparing to launch a new high-performance diesel engine at the upcoming Geneva Motor Show in March. The cars fitted with it are reportedly set to carry the SD designation (combining the S from the top-spec gasoline engine with the D from the existing diesel).

Details have yet to be announced, but reports indicate it could be a 2.0-liter turbodiesel with 143 horsepower and as much as 225 lb-ft of torque. That torque number would emphatically surpass the torque figures produced by any of the existing Mini engines – even the JCW on overboost.

[Source: MotoringFile]

Report: Torque-tastic Mini Cooper SD diesel to debut in Geneva originally appeared on Autoblog on Sun, 16 Jan 2011 20:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Ford releases new Fiesta RS WRC in full livery ahead of season debut

2011 Ford Fiesta RS WRC – Click above for high-res image gallery

The World Rally Championship is downsizing. Not in the number of teams participating – that’s actually expected to increase – but in the size of its cars. While Formula One is set to switch to turbo fours, the WRC is switching to smaller cars, similar to the Super 2000 formula. And so, in-line with the new regulations, Ford is switching from a Focus-based rally challenger to the new Fiesta.

The WRC-spec Fiesta RS was revealed in tentative, showgoing livery back in Paris, but the team has now unveiled the car in the full competition livery in which it will take on the world’s most challenging rally stages. Similar to the livery featured on the outgoing Focus, the new Fiesta RS WRC is dominated by the logos of title sponsor Abu Dhabi – which takes over from BP – and secondary sponsor Castrol’s Edge range of motor oils.

Full specifications have still yet to be released, so we’ll have to wait until early February before the new Fiesta RS WRC hits the season-starting Rally Sweden from Feb 10-13. Details in the press release after the jump with high-resolution images of the liveried rally machine in the gallery below.

Gallery: 2011 Ford Fiesta RS WRC

[Source: Ford]

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Ford releases new Fiesta RS WRC in full livery ahead of season debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 13 Jan 2011 11:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia renders next-gen Rio, confirms Geneva debut

Filed under: Budget, Hatchback, Kia

Next-gen Kia Rio rendering

Next-gen Kia Rio renderings – Click above for high-res image gallery

Much like its sister company Hyundai, Kia is in the midst of a major product overhaul, spearheaded by the launches of the Soul, Forte, Sorento, Sportage and Optima all within the past few years. The next major up-do within the Kia line is the B-segment Rio, and Kia has just released these sketches of the new subcompact that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March.

Kia’s new design language, brought forth by chief design officer Peter Schreyer, is very much present in this new Rio. Both the headlamp and front fascia design are reminiscent of what we see in the Sportage and Optima, and the rear taillights mimic the shape of what’s found on the Forte. Combine that with a swept-back profile and a strong character line stemming from the front wheel and the end result is something that should wind up being quite handsome in production form.

We’ll have the full details in just under two months, but in the meantime, foliow the jump for Kia’s press blast.

Gallery: Next-Gen Kia Rio Renderings

Next-Gen Kia Rio Renderings

[Source: Kia]

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Kia renders next-gen Rio, confirms Geneva debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 12 Jan 2011 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Kia teases KV7 concept once more before Detroit debut

Filed under: Concept Cars, Detroit Auto Show, Kia

Kia KV7 Concept

Kia KV7 concept teaser – Click above to expand

A few weeks ago, Kia released a teaser sketch of its new KV7 concept that will debut next week at the Detroit Auto Show. The initial sketch showed us that the Korean automaker is working on what appears to be a tall hatchback or small crossover, with the most interesting design feature being a set of gullwing doors for rear seat passengers.

Now, Kia has released this close-up shot of what appears to be the KV7’s front three-quarter view, showing off the rather unique headlamp units and full LED bar below the front bumper. Kia explains:

“Conceived as a challenge to the industry’s current interpretation of the van, the KV7 incorporates several innovative lighting elements currently being evaluated for future Kia production vehicles.”

Not only are we eager to see what the concept looks like in the flesh, but we’re curious as to just how big the KV7 is. As Kia states, this is an “interpretation of the van,” so we’re thinking this could be some sort of futuristic minivan concept, or perhaps something similar in size to Ford’s new 2012 C-Max. Either way, we’ll have the full details live from Cobo Hall next week, so stay tuned. Kia’s (short) official statement is available after the jump.

[Source: Kia]

Continue reading Kia teases KV7 concept once more before Detroit debut

Kia teases KV7 concept once more before Detroit debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 07 Jan 2011 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Detroit Preview: Cadillac releases images of CTS-V Coupe SCCA race car ahead of official debut

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Motorsports, Coupe, Cadillac, GM, Racing

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe SCCA Race Car

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe SCCA Race Car – Click above for high-res image gallery

Last month, General Motors announced that Cadillac would be returning to the SCCA World Challenge with an all-new, menacing version of the CTS-V Coupe. The race car will officially debut on January 10 at the Detroit Auto Show, but GM has released this first set of photos early, showing the hot new Caddy that’s set to storm the SCCA circuit starting in March.

Two CTS-V Coupe race cars will be commissioned for SCCA duty, driven by Johnny O’Connel and Andy Pilgrim. The first race is set to take place on March 25 in St. Petersburg, Florida, and we’re eager to see what these new CTS-V Coupes look like flying around the track. We’ll have live impressions of the race car live from Cobo Hall next week, but in the meantime, scroll through our high-res gallery of stock shots below. GM’s official press release is available after the jump, as well.

Gallery: 2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe SCCA Race Car

2011 Cadillac CTS-V Coupe SCCA Race Car

[Source: General Motors]

Continue reading Detroit Preview: Cadillac releases images of CTS-V Coupe SCCA race car ahead of official debut

Detroit Preview: Cadillac releases images of CTS-V Coupe SCCA race car ahead of official debut originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 06 Jan 2011 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Video: Cadillac CTS-V ads with Laurence Fishburne debut during Rose Bowl

Filed under: Marketing/Advertising, Videos, Cadillac, GM

Click above to watch the videos after the jump

Cadillac trotted out its new new pitchman during the Rose Bowl on New Year’s day, with Laurence Fishburne starring in a pair of new spots that show off Cadillac’s 556-horsepower CTS-V Coupe and Sedan.

The first commercial, which runs a full minute in length, takes aim at cold, “blue-blooded” luxury, then goes on to explain why the CTS-V has personality, gusto and glamor when compared to other high performance luxury offerings. The second, 30-second spot takes a slightly more artistic approach, and you can check them both out after the jump.

[Source: YouTube via GM Inside News]

Continue reading Video: Cadillac CTS-V ads with Laurence Fishburne debut during Rose Bowl

Video: Cadillac CTS-V ads with Laurence Fishburne debut during Rose Bowl originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 03 Jan 2011 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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