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Video: 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe gets early reveal

Filed under: Detroit Auto Show, Coupe, Performance, Videos, BMW

2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe

2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe revealed – Click above to watch the video after the jump

BMW hasn’t done the best job of keeping its 2012 1 Series M Coupe a secret. The hot new two-door isn’t scheduled to make its public debut until the Detroit Auto Show next month, but we’ve already seen dozens of teaser images and videos. Heck, we’ve even driven a prototype.

Now, BMW has released video of the production-ready 1M with all of its swirly paper removed. Its bulgy, brash front end and wider stance certainly look the part of a serious baby brother to the M3, and while official numbers have yet to be confirmed, we’re indeed looking forward to flogging all 340-ish horsepower via a standard six-speed manual transmission.

Check out the video for yourself, after the jump, and stay tuned for the official details as they break.

Gallery: 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe: Prototype Drive

2012 BMW 1-Series M Coupe Prototype

[Source: BMW via YouTube]

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Video: 2012 BMW 1 Series M Coupe gets early reveal originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 08 Dec 2010 14:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Buick dealers reportedly clamoring for more Regal models amidst strong early sales

Filed under: Car Buying, Sedan, Plants/Manufacturing, Buick, GM

2011 Buick Regal

2011 Buick Regal – Click above for high-res image gallery

The 2011 Regal is Buick’s latest attempt at reinventing its own brand image. Apparently, the plan is working even better than Buick thought it might – dealers are asking for more. In fact, in their monthly re-orders, dealers are asking for twice as many cars as General Motors can actually provide.

Currently, the Regal is built in GM’s Russelsheim, Germany plant and production has just begun on the 2.0-liter turbocharged model (read: not the higher-output GS that will arrive sometime next year). Production of North American Regals will soon be shifted to The General’s Oshawa, Ontario facility.

Buick has already sold nearly 4,000 Regals through August of 2010. The Chinese bought about 80,000 examples in 2009 and 150,000 Vauxhall/Opel versions have found homes in European driveways year-to-date in 2010. It’s clear that people around the world like this car, ourselves included, and the addition of the 2.0T should only further the car’s success. As for us, we’re eagerly anticipating the final addition to the Regal line, the GS.

Gallery: Third Drive: 2011 Buick Regal

[Source: Ward’s Auto]

Buick dealers reportedly clamoring for more Regal models amidst strong early sales originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 04 Oct 2010 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lexus IS coupe could come as early as 2012

Filed under: Coupe, Lexus, Luxury

Lexus IS350 C F-Sport

2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport – Click above for high-res image gallery

The Lexus GS is set to get a comprehensive redesign sometime next year, including thoroughly upgraded underpinnings that will for the basis of Lexus’ next generation 5 Series fighter. Like the current GS platform, the new architecture will form the basis of the next IS, which in its current form is essentially a shortened and squished GS.

With that in mind, the next generation IS will follow shortly thereafter – likely sometime in 2012 – and in addition to the current sedan and convertible, Lexus could finally add an IS coupe to its lineup. Lexus recognizes that it hasn’t had a credible player in that market for far too long, and with the new Mercedes-Benz C-Class coupe around the corner and the two-door BMW 3 Series holding its own, the obvious question is why hasn’t Lexus done it sooner?

According to our sources, it was easier for Toyota to make a business case for the IS cabrio, particularly given the SC430’s imminent demise and Lexus’ need for a drop-top offering to fill the hole. If the coupe does come to fruition – and we’ve been told in no uncertain terms that it’s in the cards – expect the two-door IS to bow sometime in late 2012 or early 2013. And it’s safe to assume an F version will arrive with in year of the coupe’s debut.

Gallery: Review: 2010 Lexus IS 350C F-Sport

Lexus IS coupe could come as early as 2012 originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 30 Sep 2010 15:57:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Paris 2010: 2012 Ford Focus ST hatches early

Filed under: Budget, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Hatchback, Ford

2012 Ford Focus ST

2012 Ford Focus ST live debut – Click above for high-res image gallery

To say that American enthusiasts have been anxiously awaiting a properly hotted up version of Ford’s European hatchback would be a gross understatement. And while we’re still waiting for a proper Focus RS to hit our shores, we’re certainly happy to see its little brother, the Focus ST, hit the showroom floor with promises of coming Stateside in 2012 ringing in our ears.

Here’s why our interest is piqued: a turbocharged 2.0-liter EcoBoost four-cylinder engine with 247 horsepower and 266 pound-feet of torque; a six-speed manual transmission and Ford’s new torque-vectoring power control system. Throw in a Tangerine Scream paint job and some 19-inch alloys in the Blue Oval’s signature Y-spoke ST pattern and we’re tickled pink.

Sure, we’re still waiting on an official price tag, but that won’t stop us from poring over these live photos from Paris, now will it?

Gallery: 2012 Ford Focus ST

2012 Ford Focus ST front 3/4 2012 Ford Focus ST profile

Gallery: 2012 Ford Focus ST

2012 Ford Focus ST

Paris 2010: 2012 Ford Focus ST hatches early originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 29 Sep 2010 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Harrington’s half-size classics to start pint-sized car nuts early

Filed under: Classics, Etc., Mercedes-Benz, Toys/Games

Harrington Group replica Mercedes-Benz 300 SL for kids

Harrington Group’s replica Mercedes-Benz 300SL – Click above for image gallery

Want your little car nut to stand out from the neighborhood pack of wheeled terrors? Go for one of these fantastic looking half-scale classics from the Vietnam-headquartered Harrington Group, and wave goodbye to mediocre renditions of roadgoing vehicles as little Bobby (or Bobbie) cruises in style. These replicas use composite for both the body and chassis, and the detailing is good enough that they look convincingly like the real thing. Until, that is, someone steps into the picture and you get a scale reference. The company claims to have distributors in the U.S. and U.K., as well as Canada and the Netherlands.

A range of gasoline engines brings real internal combustion thunder and the sweet smell of exhaust to the party. Engines start at 50cc and can go all the way up to a terrifyingly irresponsible racing kart unit. Automatic and manual transmissions are available and there is enough room for adults to ride along with their six-year-old and up progeny. Seats and pedals adjust, too, so when Junior is asleep, you can sneak out for a spin without feeling like a circus bear riding a tricycle.

Interestingly, Harrington Group also makes restoration products for real classic cars, including stainless steel reproduction bumpers and interiors for the Volkswagen Beetle, Citroen 2CV and BMW Isetta.

Fisher Price’s Power Wheels are extravagant enough that there’s a healthy trade in used battery-powered backyard buggies. Harrington has yet to respond to an Autoblog request for pricing information, but these cars are likely to be significantly north of the $250-$400 you’ll spend on a tricked out Power Wheels at the local big box store. Available models are Porsche 356, Mercedes-Benz 300SL, Jaguar E-Type, Willys Jeep, and Bugatti T35, along with mini scooters that ape Vespas of yore. Put one of these under the tree this (fast approaching) Christmas, and you’ll see what the face of bliss looks like. Thanks for the tips, all!

Gallery: Harrington Group’s Children’s Cars

[Source: Harrington Group]

Harrington’s half-size classics to start pint-sized car nuts early originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 07 Sep 2010 14:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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All-electric Saab 9-3 test fleet reportedly to launch in early 2011

Filed under: Sedan, Saab, Electric

During a media launch for the 2011 Saab 9-5, company executives revealed plans to introduce a test fleet of electric vehicles based on the upcoming 9-3. As Inside Line reports, Saab execs confirmed that the test fleet of EVs will roll out in early 2011 and will be deployed at various locations across the globe, including Saab’s hometown of Trollhattan, Sweden.

Saab’s “100 percent electric vehicle” test fleet is a joint effort between the automaker, lithium ion battery producer Boston-Power, electric propulsion systems manufacturer Electroengine and the Swedish Energy Authority. Saab Automobile AB managing director Jan Ake Jonsson said:

The main purpose is to draw technology from this test fleet, technology that we can then incorporate quickly. The key target short-term is to drive fuel consumption down. You can electrify certain portions of the vehicle.

When prodded about a target release date for a mass-production EV, Jonsson ducked out by stating:

Everybody is looking at that question. Nobody has an answer. It will take some time.

Without official word from Jonsson, we’ll have to fall back on the previous comments of Saab’s chief executive officer Victor Muller, who suggested that 2016 is the year the company will go for electrification.

[Source: Inside Line]

All-electric Saab 9-3 test fleet reportedly to launch in early 2011 originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 02 Aug 2010 18:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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