2012 Audi R8 facelift coming next year !

Some new details of next year’s facelifted Audi R8 have leaked out from Europe. The 2012 Audi R8 will get a number of subtle styling tweaks, higher output V8 and V10 engines and a new S tronic transmission.

Audi’s only supercar is getting a bit old now. After first being unveiled at the 2006 Paris Auto Show, it still cuts a near identical shape. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. Car magazine in the UK is reporting that Audi is planning on releasing a facelifted version sometime next year.

The new model will receive a revised 4.2-litre FSI V8 similar to the unit used in the current Audi RS5, producing 331kW – up from the current R8 4.2 with 309kW. The 5.2-litre V10 variant will get its fair share of massaging as well, resulting in 397kW – up from 386kW.

Other changes are said to include the option of a dual-clutch S tronic transmission which will replace the somewhat criticised R tronic in place today. A normal, gated six-speed manual will continue as before.

As for the cosmetic changes, reports suggest there will be a number of subtle tweaks, such as LED placement and headlight revisions. The front and rear bumper bars are also expected to receive some alterations.

According to reports the 2012 Audi R8 will hit international markets during mid-2012, with the drop-top Spyder version following soon after.

The New Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG !

Normally a Mercedes-Benz isn't a car you get excited about. Sure, it might be impressive and even desirable. But when it comes time to get excited in the way that young boys get excited about red exotic sports cars from Italy, a Mercedes typically isn't the first thing that comes to mind. But now there's the 2011 Mercedes SLS AMG. (Get ready to fist pump.)

Despite its name, the SLS AMG is not some special version of the current Mercedes-Benz SL hardtop convertible, but rather a unique sports car designed and built by AMG, the high-performance division of Mercedes-Benz. Inspired by the classic Mercedes 300SL (known as the "Gullwing") of the 1950s, the new SLS shares the iconic SL's proportions with its long hood and short rear deck as well as the SL's unique upward-opening doors. The SLS is meant to be Mercedes-Benz's ultimate automobile, but it's also meant to be more affordable and practical to drive than the now-discontinued Mercedes SLR McLaren.

Behind the SLS's classic-style grille is an exotic all-aluminum chassis and a potent, hand-built 6.2-liter V8. This engine is an upgraded version (it even has a racing-style dry-sump oil system) of the AMG engine in the SL63 and other AMG Benz models and it cranks out 563 horsepower here. A seven-speed, dual-clutch automated manual transaxle (a first for a Mercedes-Benz) sends the power to the rear wheels. At about 3,600 pounds, the SLS isn't a lightweight, but it's still got the goods to compete against the world's best sports cars like the Ferrari 458 Italia and Porsche 911 Turbo.

Throw a few options on the 2011 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG and you're looking at a $200,000-plus sports car. Considering the combination of high performance and superior practicality, the SLS actually seems like a good deal when compared to such weekend-only trinkets as the Lamborghini Gallardo. You might also see it as a step up from cars like the Aston Martin V8 Vantage and Audi R8. Either way, the Mercedes SLS is bound to catch your imagination just like some red sports car from Italy.

Lamborghini Gallardo LP570-4 2012 !

The Lamborghini Gallardo is an Italian high-performance exotic supercar. Joining the all-wheel drive LP560-4 coupe and Spyder (convertible) and rear-wheel drive LP550-2 Valentino Balboni coupe are the all-wheel drive LP570-4 Superleggara and the rear-wheel drive base LP550-2.

The full-time all-wheel drive Gallardo LP560-4 is powered by a 552 horsepower direct-injected 5.2-liter V10 controlled by a standard six-speed manual transmission or an optional sequential six-speed 'E-gear' transmission. The LP570-4 Superleggara uses the same engine but horsepower is bumped up to 562, and the E-gear transmission is standard. The base LP550-2 and Valentino Balboni have slightly less horsepower at 543, but the deletion of the all-wheel drive system saves almost 300 pounds, and the driveline and suspension are thoroughly tuned and revised for rear-wheel drive dynamics. With a focus on weight loss, LP570-4 Superleggara features exterior and interior carbon fiber body components, forged alloy wheels and Alcantara sport seats with carbon fiber shells, and exterior modifications, including a remodeled front bumper, are all directed at increasing aerodynamic effects and increasing the supply of cooling air. The LP550-2 Valentino Balboni features unique gray wheels, racing stripe, white leather-trimmed console, and leather-trimmed power seats with a white stripe. A navigation system and rear view parking camera are standard with the LP550-2 Valentino Balboni and available with the other trims. Optional light-weight carbon ceramic brakes offer superior durability and reduce brake fade, where the brakes become less effective due to overheating in extremely demanding conditions such as racing. An available clear glass engine cover allows the owner to display the engine. Other options include Alcantara interior trim and a variety of wheel designs and colors.

Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe 2012 !

The Phantom Drophead Coupe, with an exterior inspired by racing yachts of the 1930s and an interior design that emphasizes the airy openness of top-down motoring, retains Roll-Royces' traditional luxurious feel and comfort through the use of the finest leather and wood veneers. The Phantom Drophead Coupé offers owners an unparalleled convertible experience, combining compelling driveability with exceptional engineering, technology and design.

The four-passenger, rear-wheel drive Phantom Drophead Coupe is powered by a 6.75-liter direct-injected V-12 engine mated to an six-speed automatic transmission, producing 453 horsepower and 531 pounds-feet of torque. This ultra-luxury coupe features features reverse-opening doors, adaptive air suspension with automatic four-corner leveling, 21-inch alloy wheels, a 15-speaker sound system with navigation, and a handcrafted interior with flawless leather trim and a choice of wood veneers. The "picnic" trunk provides a seating platform for two and offers easy access to the luggage compartment. Optional equipment includes front and rear parking cameras and a wide array of paint colors and interior trim material choices. The Dynamic Package include sport suspension and transmission tuning. Two of the most visually stunning options are the teak decking for the rear hood cover and the brushed steel bonnet and A-pillar.

Maserati GranTurismo S Superior Black Edition by Anderson Germany

Anderson Germany has released a new program for the Maserati GranTurismo S, named the Superior Black Edition.

The exterior coating is silky matt black. Only the window frames, grill and the rear logo are made in shining black. Both front and tail lamps are tinted.

Anderson choose a proprietary glossy black exclusive rim with carbon framing in 21 inch all around, completed by sized 265 tires in front and 295 rear. They also lowered the sports car.

Next to the sports engine bonnet, the exterior packet includes carbon exterior mirrors, tailgate and roof ledges, as well as the lateral left and right air inlets. The German tuner has also given the car more sportive front and rear aprons, and a central exhaust system with a remote controllable valve command in two sound levels. The result is 13kg less weight and an increase of about 12hp. The total power increase by means of the exhaust, racing cats and software optimization climbs from 440 serial horsepower up to meanwhile 492hp.

The interior also has been refined with a carbon package, containing the air inlets, door knobs, the switch desk in the roof liner, the door sill panels, the steering wheel, the seat regulation levers, the shifting paddles, as well as the radio mask. The interior trim is a combination between black carbon leather and black Alcantara, keder piping and red rhombus seams.

Ferrari to add sportier version of best-selling 458 Italia in 2013 !

Ferrari will replace two of its five core models, the 430 Spider and the 599 GTB Fiorano, in the next two years, while adding a sportier variant to its best-selling model, the 458 Italia.
458 Italia: U.S. shipments of Ferrari's best-selling model began in June last year. A freshening is planned in 2014. Ferrari is adding a sportier variant, the 458 Scuderia, in 2013.
458 Spider: At the Frankfurt show in September, Ferrari will debut the 458 Spider, which will replace the 430 Spider. The powertrain will be unchanged, while a retractable hard top will replace the canvas top offered on the 430. Sales in Europe begin in September. U.S. shipments follow in the first quarter of 2012.
California: A freshening is planned for 2013.
599 GTB Fiorano: In 2012 Ferrari will replace the 599 GTB Fiorano with a redesigned model still known by its code-name, F152. The new car will remain a two-seat coupe with rear drive and a direct-injection V-12 longitudinal engine mounted in the front. The model will debut in March at the Geneva auto show, with European sales to begin in the summer and U.S. shipments by year end.
FF: The first all-wheel-drive Ferrari debuted in March at the Geneva show, went on sale in July in Europe and will arrive by year end in the States. Ferrari is building 800 units a year of the four-seat FF coupe; production is sold out until the end of 2012.
The FF, which stands for Ferrari Four, replaced the company's 612 Scaglietti flagship. The FF is marginally bigger and roomier but at 3,946 pounds weighs the same as the Scaglietti despite adding awd.
The FF is powered by a new 660-hp, 6.3-liter V-12 direct-injection engine that takes the car to 208 mph.

Bugatti unveils 1.65 million euro porcelain roadster !

BERLIN -- Bugatti, the maker of the world's fastest production car, has developed a 1.65 million euro ($2.4 million) one-off special edition of the Veyron Grand Sport model with porcelain accents, including a caviar tray.
The L'Or Blanc, the first vehicle equipped with porcelain, according to Bugatti, is a joint effort between Volkswagen AG's supercar brand and Berlin-based KPM, a 248-year-old porcelain maker that traces its roots back to King Frederick the Great of Prussia.
The roadster, which will be shown at the IAA in Frankfurt in September, was unveiled last week in Berlin.
"Installing porcelain in the world's fastest convertible car seems like a pretty odd idea," Stefan Brungs, the brand's sales chief, said at the June 30 event. "But Bugatti has made a name for itself by not shying away from extravagant ideas."

Story of Veyron 16.4 !

VW purchased Bugatti in 1998 along with the Lamborghini and Bentley ultra-luxury nameplates to compete with BMW AG's Rolls-Royce. Under VW's reign, the brand, which was founded by Italian-born car designer Ettore Bugatti, started production of the two-door Veyron 16.4 in 2005.

The last of 300 models of the limited series was sold last week to a European-based customer, Bugatti spokeswoman Emanuela Wilm said.

Bugatti, which makes about 50 cars a year from its headquarters in Molsheim, France, may also build a four-door 16C Galibier model after getting the go-head from VW, two people familiar with the matter said in April.

The Galibier model has a 1,000-horsepower engine and may cost about 1 million euros.

Porsche updates competition-spec 911 GT3 !

If you thought your local country club parking lot or swanky bistro driveway was filled with Porsche 911s, that's nothing compared to the proliferation of the rear-engined sports car on race tracks around the world. Porsche claims that, with over 2,200 examples sold, the 911 GT3 Cup – never mind any other racing variant is far and away the most popular customer racing car on earth. And now it's set to get just a bit more popular.
Though the next-generation 911 is just around the corner, Porsche's racing department has updated the GT3 Cup one last time. The principal difference is a new 100-liter fuel tank that now complies with an even broader rage of racing regulations. Otherwise it's largely the same as the model we recently drove, packing the same 450-horsepower flat-six as the GT3 RS road car on which it's based, but with 18-inch alloys wearing Michelin slicks and mounted to an adjustable competition-spec suspension. Carbon-ceramic brakes are also available depending on the series.
The new GT3 Cup will be available for delivery to privateer racing teams as of next month, with a price tag starting at 161,750 Euro ($232k by today's rates). Follow the jump for the full press release and scope out the quintet of high-resolution images in the gallery for a closer look. Or better yet, just head down to the local race track, because there's bound to be a few of 'em lapping down there at any given time.

Bentley to debut V8 Continental at Detroit show !

For an automaker with just two model lines, Bentley sure has a lot of room to expand in the coming year or two. With the newly facelifted Continental GT now out on the market, a new Continental GTC drop-top expected to be unveiled in Frankfurt, after which we can expect the next Flying Spur, and then the inevitable Speed variants of each bodystyle.
The Mulsanne is also expected to spawn a new coupe and convertible, and reports of new model lines, including an SUV, have been circulating. But in the middle of all of this expansion, Bentley is preparing to downsize (in a sense).
It's been no secret that Continental range will add a turbocharged 4.0-liter V8 engine option alongside the 6.0-liter twin-turbo W12 currently on offer. And now comes word that the new mill will drop at January's Detroit Auto Show.
No word on output just yet, but you can expect it to undercut the 567 horsepower of the current twelve by some margin. And as Alex Nunez reports at ConsumerSearch, the lighter engine is tipped to provide a sportier drive than the larger mill it joins

Aston Martin cutting Rapide production amidst slow sales !

if you read the reports of Aston Martin shifting production of its Rapide from its Magna Steyr contract facility in Austria to its own plant in England, and wondered how the company could absorb another assembly line, we could have our answer right here.
According to reports, Aston is preparing to significantly cut production of the Rapide in response to lagging sales. The four-door Aston was planned in 2007 for 2000 units per year, but shortly after that, the global luxury market collapsed, and sales prospects for the four-door coupe began to dwindle.
As a result, production of the Rapide could be reduced to just 1,250 units per year, or even further. And if one model's sales are dwindling, we might assume that some of the others – such as the Vantage or DB9/DBS lines – could be cutting back production as well, leaving excess capacity at the company's headquarters in Gaydon, Warwickshire.
Whether demand is there or not, sources estimate that the premature termination of the Magna Steyr deal could end up costing Aston as much as £10 million – that's over $16 million at current exchange rates.

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Chevrolet Camaro 2012 ZL1 To Offer Optional Automatic Transmission !

This past weekend, Chevrolet hosted the Camaro faithful in Oshawa, Ontario, Canada for the Camaro Homecoming, and chief engineer Al Oppenheiser revealed some more details about the upcoming 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.

Perhaps the most notable news is that the car will have an optional automatic transmission (likely a six-speed). Previously, it appeared that a six-speed Tremec manual transmission would be the sole gearbox. The car will also borrow the Corvette ZR1's performance traction management system and a higher horsepower number than that of the 556 horsepower Cadillac CTS-V.

Production will start in the first quarter of 2012. Pricing and production numbers weren't announced, but we expect more news to trickle out in the coming months.

SOURCE

Mercedes-Benz prepares CLC Shooting Brake !

Mercedes-Benz boss Dieter Zetsche has given approval for a second Shooting Brake model to accompany the brand's eagerly awaited CLS Shooting Brake due out in 2012, according to German media reports.
The new model is expected to go on sale in North America in 2014. It's based on the German carmaker's upcoming CLC--a four-door coupe that uses a new platform that will offer buyers a stylish but practical rival to the likes of the Audi A5 Sportback and the upcoming BMW 3-series GT.
The CLC variant would be priced below the larger and more opulent CLS version. “Shooting brake” is a term used to describe sporty wagons that usually have two long doors. The term is becoming popular again, and Ferrari revealed the FF--which uses shooting-brake styling--this spring at the Geneva motor show.
The five-door CLC Shooting Brake is set to receive a sloping roof and a heavily angled tailgate that eschews outright load capacity for head-turning style. It will be sold alongside the CLC coupe, which Mercedes has confirmed will go on sale in the U.S. market in 2013.
The CLC Shooting Brake will come with a new range of four-cylinder, direct-injection gasoline engines, along with the choice of either front-wheel drive or optional all-wheel drive.
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Brabus tunes the Mercedes-Benz SLK for more power, better handling !

Mercedes-Benz tuner Brabus is going to work on the new SLK200 and SLK250 roadsters, adding some power, exterior modifications and suspension upgrades.

The four-cylinder SLKs aren't for sale in the United States right now, but the SLK250 is scheduled to arrive by February 2012. Currently no kits are offered for the V6-powered SLK350.

The job starts with an aero kit. Brabus adds two front spoiler lips to the underside of the apron and new bezels to the daytime running lights. Side sill attachments add to the sportiness, while a custom rear spoiler sits on the trunk.

Brabus bolts on its Monoblock F wheels, ranging in size from 17 inches to 20 inches. Sport springs are added that work with the stock shocks and lower the car by 1.2 inches.

Once the ride is buttoned down, Brabus connects a plug-and-play auxiliary control module to the computer to add 26 hp in both the SLK200 and the SLK250. An additional 10 hp can be found with a larger intercooler and sport wastegate valve that are part of the Brabus ECO PowerXtra kit. With both upgrades, the SLK250 can get from 0 to 60 mph in just 6.2 seconds.

The company also offers stainless-steel exhaust options and interior upgrades with stainless-steel scuff plates and other sporty touches.

The basic B20 and B25 kits for the SLK200 and the SLK250 are $1,830, while the upgraded B20 S and B25 S kits are $2,765 for either model.

SOURCE

2012 Ford Harley-Davidson F-150 loads up with power, and snakeskin leather !

Fortified with snakeskin interior leather accents and 22-inch rollers, the Harley-Davidson edition of the Ford F-150 returns for 2012.

A white platinum tri-coat is also added for the new model year. Power comes from the 6.2-liter V8 rated at 411 hp and 434 lb-ft of torque. This rig can also tow 7,500 pounds, Ford says.

Ford has done 10 F-150s in Harley trim, and including all heavy-duty F-series models, the Blue Oval has sold more than 70,000 of them since 1999.

The exterior is highlighted new body graphics, and the familiar assortment of chrome and Harley badging returns. The cabin is loaded with leather and logos. The debut of snakeskin as an interior material draws inspiration from the tank inserts on top-shelf bikes.

The special-edition truck also gets Ford's usual array of electronic goodies, including voice-activated navigation, ambient lighting and remote start. And Ford says its engineers and designers have authentic Harley credentials--nearly all are owners of the iconic motorcycle.Look for pricing to be in the comparable to the 2011 model, a spokesman said.

Source :AUTOWEEK

New BMW M2 coupe revealed !

It’s a BMW  M car revolution! Auto Express can reveal the news every fan of the BMW's M division will want to hear... The firm is gearing up to rival the Porsche Cayman and Audi TT RS with a new M2 coupé.

We spoke exclusively to the M Division’s new managing director, Dr Friedrich Nitschke, and he revealed the car was key to his plans. Plus, it’s only the start.

A revolutionary new M3 is also in the pipeline, and there are discussions over a Lamborghini Aventador-rivalling supercar. The ambitious plans will help BMW take the fight to the quattro GmbH performance arm which makes S and RS-badged Audis, plus the R8.

The M2 will be based on the firm’s F21 platform – also set to underpin the 2 Series, due early in 2014 – and has a front-mounted engine driving the rear wheels.

One BMW insider has told us the newcomer, a direct descendent of the 1 Series Coupe, will be instantly recognisable from the entry-level car with its bold look.

Our source also explained that BMW will not copy Audi’s “sausage factory” approach to design. This means the racy new 2 Series will get unique front 
and rear end styling, as our exclusive images reveal.

The new 2 badge will also help BMW manage its model range, since the 1 Series family has expanded to include hatch, coupe, cabriolet and crossover models. Plus, it will overcome the problem of using M branding in conjunction with the 1 Series nameplate.

The company is currently testing two engines. The first – a 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo – offers around 350bhp and is very similar to that in the 1M Coupe (tested on Page 56). The second is an innovative tri-turbo, giving similar performance but better fuel economy. This will debut in a new X3M at the Frankfurt Motor Show in September.

Power will be fed through BMW’s all-new DCT semi-automatic transmission, while the brakes will be taken from the current M3. To keep the newcomer’s weight to a minimum, the firm is expected to make extensive use of the advanced carbon fibre-reinforced plastics it has developed for its Project i cars.

This material, which was first adopted on the E46 M3 CSL, is stronger than steel and yet extremely light. What’s more, it is much easier to repair than carbon fibre.

Nitschke told us: “In the 1M Coupe, we have a starter car for the M Division, and we are continuing to develop this project. Such models must be sporty, and offer extraordinarily low fuel consumption. This is something we could achieve with the M2. I think the 1M Coupe proves there is room for an M2, a coupe.”

The all-new two-door is expected to arrive here in 2015 – and if demand for the 1M Coupe is anything to go by, it’s set to be a huge showroom success. BMW reports that only 30 of the 450 right-hand-drive versions of the two-door 1 Series it has built remain unsold.

Source : AUTOEXPRESS

U.S. safety officials deny airbag exemption for the Pagani Huayra!

U.S. safety officials have shot down Italian supercar maker Pagani's request that the Huayra coupe be exempted from needing advanced airbags--a move that means Pagani can't legally sell the car in the States.

Safety rules require that all new cars sold in the United States be equipped with airbags that can automatically adjust deployment force based on the height and weight of the seat occupant. Sensors in the seat help tailor the airbag's force.

Tesla and Lamborghini are among brands that have been granted waivers based on financial hardship over the past five years. Lamborghini's exemption expired in February, and Tesla's is almost up.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration said earlier this year that it would stop giving such exemptions.

In February, Pagani said it hoped to sell five copies of the $1.1 million Huayra in the States this year. The company said it wouldn't sell cars in the United States until 2015 without a waiver. The denial of the petition would cost it $4.5 million in net income from 2011 to 2014, Pagani said.

SOURCE : AUTOWEEK