New Photo Gallery of U.S.-Spec 2012 Mercedes-Benz M-Class

Mercedes-Benz’s all-new 2012 M-Class (or ML) makes its on-the-road debut in the U.S. this week so the German company decided to drop a new batch of images for our viewing pleasure.

The Stuttgart firm’s new luxury SUV enters the 2012 model year in the U.S. with a choice of two models. First up is the diesel-powered ML350 BlueTEC delivering 240 horsepower and 455 lb.-ft. of torque, while averaging 20mpg in the city and 25mpg on the highway.

The second choice for U.S. buyers is the gasoline-fueled ML350 4MATIC equipped with a brand new direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 rated at 302 hp and 273 lb.-ft.), with an estimated fuel economy of 17mpg city and 22mpg highway.

2012 Volvo V70, XC70 and S80 get Revised Diesel Engines and New Features

Volvo announced that it will offer a number of upgrades for its new model year V70, XC70 and S80, including the introduction of the latest iteration of its infotainment system as well as refined D5 and D3 diesel engines with increased performance and lower fuel consumption.

The V70, XC70 and S80 are the first Volvos to feature higher performance versions of the five-cylinder D5 and D3 turbodiesels. The 2.4-liter D5 diesel unit now develops 215 horsepower and 440 Nm (324.5 lb-ft) of torque (up 10HP and 20 Nm respectively), while posting an 8 percent reduction in fuel consumption.

For example, the S80 D5 with manual gearbox returns a combined figure of 4.9 liters/100 km (48 mpg US) and emits 129 g of CO2 per kilometer, which are identical figures to the D3-powered S80.

The 2.0-liter D3 engine continues to develop 163HP and 400 Nm of torque, but Volvo claims the driveability has been improved thanks to the fine-tuning of the turbocharger.

Styling changes are discreet and include revamped headlamps with optional active xenon lights, LED turn indicators integrated into the door mirrors (for the V70 and S80), two new wheel designs for the V70/S80 and one for the XC70, plus new colors

The new model year brings the refreshed Volvo Sensus infotainment system with a five-inch or seven-inch color screen in the upper part of the center console through which the driver can access a range of settings, such as for the Collision Warning and Pedestrian Detection systems, the Active Cruise Control, lighting, climate unit and audio system. The larger 7-inch version also displays information and images from the navigation system, phone, reversing and panorama cameras, DVD player and digital TV.

Safety upgrades include the addition of the Pedestrian Detection system with Full Auto Brake, previously presented in the S60, V60 and XC60 models. The system uses radar and a camera to monitor pedestrians in front of the car and can automatically brake the car to avoid a collision.

Other additions include the City Safety system that can help avoid low-speed rear-end collisions, offered as standard on all three models, and also the Adaptive Cruise Control system.

 

MINI by Rolls Royce: Posh Limited Edition Model Revealed Ahead of Shanghai Show

A couple of years back, we shared some scoop photos of a prototype MINI with styling elements from Rolls Royce models. A company spokesman had then confirmed that the car was real, but to the dismay of many fans, he said that it was a one-off for a special dealer event. If you happened to like the idea of a Rolls-Royce-flavored MINI we have some good news for you as the British company will premiere a special edition model at the upcoming Shanghai Auto Show next week.

The limited production model is called “Mini Inspired by Goodwood”, with the name paying tribute to Rolls Royce’s headquarters. Only 1,000 examples of the special Mini will be built at the British firm’s Oxford plant, with first deliveries to take place in the spring of 2012.

Offered exclusively as a three-door hatchback, the Rolls Royce-inspired Mini is based on the Cooper S model and comes with a 1.6-liter twin-scroll turbocharged engine pumping out 184HP and 240Nm (177 lb-ft) of peak torque for a 0-100km/h (62mph) sprint time of 7.0 seconds and combined fuel consumption of 5.8lt/100km (40.6 mpg US).

Developed under the guidance of the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars designer team, the Mini Inspired by Goodwood features bespoke styling cues and trim options. On the outside, the Rolls Royce treatment translates to an exclusive Diamond Black metallic hue or alternatively, an optional Reef Blue metallic, 17-inch light alloy wheels sporting a multi-spoke design, and of course, the necessary logos. The car’s front and rear apron are the same as those found on the MINI Cooper S, but are combined with the bonnet from the MINI Cooper D without the air scoop.

The cabin is where Rolls Royce design team spent most of their time dressing up the Mini’s interior with select materials and trim. The dashboard, including the surrounds of the central instrument and the air vents, the centre console, carpet surfaces, the Lounge leather seats, the roof lining as well as the door, side and body pillar cladding boast the exclusive Rolls-Royce co lour Cornsilk. The dashboard and doorhandle surfaces, which are manufactured in Goodwood, are trimmed in Walnut Burr veneers.

Other highlights include the black nappa leather dashboard top, Leather Cornsilk door linings, Piano Black surface finishes for the buttons, Cashmere roof linings, a Rolls Royce inspired typeface for the instruments and lambswool floor mats.

Standard equipment features include Xenon Adaptive Headlights, Park Distance Control, automatic air conditioning, an onboard computer and the audio system Radio MINI Visual Boost, which includes the Harman Kardon hi-fi speaker system.

Pricing details are to be released at a later date, but expect to pay a hefty premium over the standard Mini Cooper S.

Lancia Opens Order Book for Ypsilon, Prices Start at €12,400 ($17,890) in Italy

Starting from today, the all-new Lancia Ypsilon is available for order in Italy with first deliveries scheduled for June in major European markets and September for the Chrysler badged model that will be offered in the UK and Ireland.

Available for the first time in a five-door body style, the fourth generation Ypsilon will be offered in three trim levels (Silver, Gold and Platinum), 17 body colors (four of which are two-tone schemes), six different upholsteries, three types of alloy wheels and three engine choices. All of these options will allow for a total of 600 different model combos.

The 3.84-meter long supermini will be offered with two petrol engines, a 69HP 1.2-liter and a 85HP 0.9-liter TwinAir, with the latter also being available with a DFN semi-automatic gearbox. A third engine option is the 1.3-liter Multijet diesel engine that develops 95 horsepower, with Lancia to offer later on a bi-fuel 67HP 1.2-liter unit that will run on petrol and LPG. All engines are fitted with the Stop&Start technology as standard.

The starting price in Italy for the new Ypsilon is €12,400 ($17,890) for the 1.2-liter petrol Silver version, which is equipped with remote central locking, two-way adjustable steering column, electric front windows, 15-inch steel wheels, 50/50 folding rear bench seat, height adjustable driver seat, fabric upholstery and heated tailgate window.

For €1,300 buyers can upgrade to the Gold version, which adds air conditioning, radio-CD with MP3 reader, electrically adjustable mirrors, leather covered steering wheel and gearshift lever, Castiglio upholstery and a Comfort Pack.

Add another €1,300 and you can get the Platinum model that is enhanced with electric rear windows, fog lights, 15-inch alloy wheels and leather upholstery. The most expensive model of the range will be the 1.3-liter diesel Platinum version, priced at €17.300 ($24,960).

Lancia will continue to offer the older-generation three-door Ypsilon Diva, which is priced at €12,400 ($17,890).

New Audi Q3 SUV Officially Revealed: High-Res Gallery with 67 Photos

The wait is finally over. A mere week after the release of the teaser sketches, Audi has come out with official photos and details on its new Q3 compact SUV, which will receive its first public outing at the Shanghai Auto Show.

The Q3 is Audi’s third SUV model after the larger Q5 and Q7 and will compete against the BMW X1. Those familiar with the VW Group’s strategy won’t be surprised to find out that the Q3 is based on the platform architecture of the Volkswagen Tiguan. Audi’s interpretation of a compact SUV model measures 4.39 meters in length (14.4 ft), 1.83 meters in width (6.0 ft), and 1.60 meters (5.25 ft) in height with the roof rails, meaning its 240mm shorter, 50mm narrower and 53mm lower than the Q5.

The exterior styling is pure Audi with the design loosely inspired by the Ingolstadt firm’s Cross Coupe Quattro Concept from the 2007 Shanghai Auto Show. Compared to the Q5, Audi’s smaller SUV model introduces a sharper front design with wedge-shaped headlamps and a roofline that slopes gently towards the back for a more dynamic profile.

 

Kia Adds Some Luxury to Facelifted Pro_Cee’d with New UK Market Version

A new high-grade version of Kia’s recently facelifted Pro_Cee’d model has been introduced in the UK. The three-door Pro_Cee’d ‘4’ comes with added standard features and is powered by the latest version of Kia’s 1.6-liter turbo diesel producing 126bhp or 13bhp more than the previous engine for a 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint time of a little over 10 seconds and a top speed of 122 mph (196 km/h).

The new Pro_Cee’d ‘4’ rides on 17-inch alloy wheels and features black bezel headlights and privacy glass. Inside, the interior has full black leather upholstery combined with front heated seats and a leather trimmed steering wheel, while other standard features include cruise control and in a first in the Cee’d range, a fully integrated Sat-Nav system with a seven inch full color touch screen system and a reversing camera.

The Pro_Cee’d 4 is available in the UK with on the road pricing of £18,495.

 

Jeep Wrangler JK-8 Independence: DIY Mopar Kit Allows Owners To Turn Wrangler Into a Pick Up Truck

Some of you may remember the 2005 Jeep Gladiator concept study for a pickup truck version of the Wrangler, which for many reasons, never came to fruition. But if you happened to like the idea of a light-duty hauler based on the Wrangler, then Jeep may have the answer for you with its new JK-8 Independence package.

The do-it-yourself Mopar kit allows owners to convert a 4-door Jeep Wrangler Unlimited into a two-door pickup truck with seating for two and a pickup style bed. After the conversion, the bed length is 50 inches and the width between wheel wells is 44 inches. The package includes all the necessary parts such as the bed floor, inner and outer body panels, half hard top (works with Freedom Top panels), and a new bulkhead.

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MG6 to Start Production at Birmingham site on April 13, Prices Start from £15,495

The fastback version of the all-new MG6 will soon become MG Motor’s first all-new model to pass through the gates of the firm’s Longbridge factory in 16 years. The last time MG showed a brand new model was in 1995 with the MG F, a mid-engined, rear-wheel drive roadster. According to the British automaker, the first series production model will roll off the assembly line on April 13, 2011 at precisely 11:00 am.

MG Motors, which now belongs under the umbrella of China’s Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) group, will follow up with a sedan version of the MG6 this summer. Both the four-door saloon and the five-door fastback will be offered with a 1.8-litre turbocharged four-cylinder gasoline engine that’s good enough for 160 ponies and 215Nm of peak torque at 1750-4500 rpm.

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RS Academy Takes Delivery of First BAC Mono Sports Cars

If you took an interest in the BAC Mono single seater sports car, then you may want to check out RS Academy’s programme as the as the UK-based track-driving car club announced that it has just taken delivery of the very first production Mono sports cars for its members.

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New Audi Q3 Baby SUV: First Official Teasers Revealed Ahead of Shanghai Auto Show

Audi has revealed the first official teaser sketches of its Q3 ‘baby’ SUV model, prior to its world premiere at the Shanghai Auto Show later this month. The drawings confirm the Q3 will look pretty much like the Cross Coupe quattro design study unveiled by Audi in 2007.

However, the front end of the production Q3 seems changed in comparison with the aforementioned concept, with the headlights sporting a thinner, stretched shape and being mirrored in the lower side of the bumper by the spaces for the fog lights.

At the back, the car looks similar to the concept, with the exception of the tailgate window angle, which is not as inclined as on the Cross Coupe quattro.

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Find of the Day: Aston Martin One-77 up for Sale in Dubai

If there’s one place in the world you’re sure to find the rarest and most exotic supercars up for grabs, it is Dubai, the jewel of the United Arab Emirates. And it is here that we find one of the most talked about hypercars, the Aston Martin One-77, being offered up for sale by luxury car dealer Alain Class Motors.

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Chevrolet Celebrates 100th Anniversary with 2012 Centennial Edition Corvette Package

The Chevrolet brand turns 100 this year, and unlike some people that like to hide their age after a certain point, the automaker is out to tell the world. Among the many celebrations planned for this occasion is the presentation a special 2012 Centennial Edition Corvette with a black color scheme and unique design elements.

“Racing and performance are the roots of Chevrolet, a tradition carried forward today by Corvette,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet marketing. “The Centennial Edition not only celebrates our 100 years, it once again pushes Corvette forward for a new generation of sports car fans.”

The 2012 Centennial Edition will be available as a special package on all Corvette models, including the Grand Sport that features a 6.2-liter V8 pumping out 430HP, the Z06 that comes equipped with a 505HP 7.0-liter V8 and the flagship ZR1 with its 638-hp supercharged LS9 V8 engine.

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2011 Infiniti FX Updated with New Features in Europe

Infiniti has rolled out the 2011 FX in Europe. For the new model year, the Japanese firm’s SUV gains new convenience and safety features along with new color and trim combinations, while keeping the same engine range, which includes two petrol units and a diesel option. Read more »

Shelby Gone Wild: 2012MY GT500 Super Snake with 800HP to be Unleashed at New York Auto Show

Renowned Ford specialist Shelby announced plans to unleash the latest iteration of its venomous pony car at the upcoming 2011 New York International Auto Show. The 2012 model year Super Snake package will add a mouth-watering 800-horsepower under the hood of the Mustang thanks to a heavily modified 5.4-liter supercharged V8 engine.

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Infiniti G37 Coupe S gets into Rally Guise for the Needs of the Spanish Rally Championship

To answer your first question, no, Infiniti is not going to compete in a European rally. What the company is doing is to supply a G37 Coupe S as a safety car for the Rallies Championship of Spain. The so-called ‘Infiniti Work Car Zero’ began its duties in the Rally of Villajoyosa on April 1. It is based on the G37 Coupe with power coming from an all-aluminum 3.7-liter V-6 engine that produces 320HP and 360 Nm (265.5 lb-ft) of torque at 7,000 rpm, and is linked to a six-speed manual transmission.

The Infiniti Car Zero is very close to standard specification with only a few modifications necessary for rally duty, such as the Vimesa roll bar, Bilstein dampers, Galfer brake pads, additional lights , siren, communications equipment and a GPS.

Sparco supplied the racing seats and seatbelts, the fire extinguishing system and equipment for the drivers. Finally, the car rides on high performance Michelin Pilot SuperSport tires.

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BMW Introduces 7-Series Steinway & Sons Piano Limited Edition in China

Being that China is one of BMW’s largest and most important markets in the world, it only makes sense that the Bavarian company bring all of its products including any special models like the 7-Series Steinway & Sons Limited Edition that was first shown in late 2010. The special edition 7er, which was created by BMW Individual as part of an exclusive partnership with New York-based piano manufacturer Steinway & Sons, was revealed at a special event in China.

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New European Market Ford Focus ECOnetic Expected to Return 3.5 lt/100 km or 67.2MPG

A new variant of the latest Focus with the ECOnetic moniker and a segment leading fuel efficiency will soon be added to Ford’s European lineup. According to the company, the diesel-powered Focus ECONetic is expected to use less than 3.5 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (equal to 80 mpg UK or 67.2 mpg US) and return ultra-low CO2 emissions of less than 95g/km when final certification is completed later this year.

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All-New 2012 Subaru Impreza: First Official Photo of the Production Version of the LA Show Concept

At last year’s LA Auto Show, Subaru unveiled an impressive concept for the new Impreza hinting at the production model that would follow. Now it’s time for the Japanese company to give us our first glimpse of the all-new 2012 Impreza, which will receive its world premiere in both 4-door sedan and 5-door hatchback version at the 2011 New York International Auto Show (April 22- May 1).

For now, all we get is a single view of the 2012 Impreza sedan’s side and the promise from Subaru that the new design will provide “a roomier interior and improved levels of comfort and refinement” with the company adding that it will deliver up to 36mph on the highway (equal to 6.5 lt/100km).

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Prime Minister Putin gets behind the Wheel of Russia's First Hybrid Car

When he's not driving a Renault Formula 1 car or a locally-made Chrysler Sebring, Russian prime minister Vladimir Putin test drives hybrid cars – or at least that's what he did on April 1 (no, really), when he got behind the wheel of the country’s first hybrid vehicle, the Yo-Mobile.

Built by Yo-Auto, a joint-venture between truck maker Yarovit Motors and Onexim Group, the company of Russian billionaire Mikhail Prokhorov who also owns the New Jersey Nets, the car has an unusual hybrid setup. It uses a rotary vane engine (see video below) that works on petrol and natural gas and is linked to a pair of electric motors.

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Suzuki Tries to “X-ITE” 2011 Swift Buyers with New Line of Sport Accessories

In a move to target buyers looking for a more individual look for their car, Suzuki has developed a new range of factory accessories for its 2011 Swift supermini in Germany. The lineup is marketed under the “X-ITE” brand and includes a variety of styling parts for both the interior and exterior of the new generation Swift.

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