The all-new 2012 Mercedes-Benz ML63 AMG will arrive in U.S. showrooms this March with a starting price of $95,865, which includes an $875 destination charge. The base model features a 5.5-liter bi-turbocharged V8 engine rated at 518HP and 516 lb-ft. Even though these numbers represent an increase of 15HP and 44 lb-ft over its predecessor, the new ML63 AMG's combined fuel economy of 16 mpg is 33 percent lower. If you need more power, Mercedes offers an optional AMG Performance Package that boosts output to 550HP and maximum torque to 560 lb-ft.
One of the most strongly anticipated sports cars of the year has been priced in Britain. Toyota revealed today that the new GT 86 coupe will carry an on-the-road price of �24,995 (equal to �30,206 or US$39,550) when sales start in June. This puts the GT 86 between two other popular Japanese sports cars in terms of pricing, the Mazda MX-5 that starts from �17,990 for the 124bhp 1.8-liter soft-top model, and the Nissan 370Z that begins at �29,950 for the 324bhp 3.5L V6 Coupe. For the record, the base GT 86 is �2,000 more expensive than the Mazda MX-5 with a retractable hardtop and the 158bhp 2.0-liter engine.
Honda is getting ready to put on its racing suit for the FIA World Touring Car Championship (WTCC), in which it will participate with the new European Civic hatchback. �We have made a decision to enter into the WTCC with the European Civic," said Honda CEO, Takanobu Ito, on the announcement. "We will develop a totally new engine for this project and we are all excited about starting this new challenge." The Japanese automaker revealed that its Research and Development division will design a bespoke 1.6-liter turbocharged four-cylinder racing engine with direct-injection in accordance with FIA�s Super 2000 regulations.
We don't know if we should laugh or cry with this strange story that took place in South Carolina on January 18 and was captured on film by a police trooper's dashboard camera. It all started when an unnamed South Carolina police trooper stopped the Mayor of Norway, Jim Preacher, for driving 70mph in a 50mph zone in an unmarked Dodge Charger police car. Let us note that the Charger previously belonged to the town's police chief before the division was disbanded in August 2011 due to lack of funds. 
The trooped handed a four-point, $185 fine to Preacher, who wasn't pleased at all and decided to return the favor� The Mayor immediately made a U-turn and turned on his lights and sirens to stop the trooper! "Can I see your driver's license," Preacher asked the trooper. The police officer gave him his license and asked the Mayor why he stopped him. "Are you familiar with interfering with a police officer?" asked Preacher.
On Tuesday, January 31, U.S. President Barack Obama�s schedule included a visit to the 2012 Washington Auto Show. The White House informed automakers on a two days� notice to bring their most fuel-efficient models to the show. Naturally, they obliged. For example, Honda flew in the FCX Clarity from California, Kia brought the Optima hybrid and Mercedes-Benz a fuel-cell car. Carmakers also brought along their top brass to discuss green technologies with the President. 
As Bloomberg reports, the problem is that Obama, who had half an hour in his disposal, ignored foreign manufacturers. Instead, he spent most of his time with domestic brands, posing for the press with the Dodge Dart, the Chevrolet Malibu, the Ford C-MAX Energi, the Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 and the Chevrolet Corvette ZR-1 (not pretty fuel efficient those two, by the way�).
These days, downsizing doesn't occur only to engine displacement but also to engine outputs. Case in point, the introduction of two new entry-level diesel engines for Audi's A5 Sportback and A5 Coupe models. The new 136PS (134bhp) and 163PS (161bhp) 2.0-liter TDIe diesels will be offered in parallel to the existing 143PS (141bhp) and 177PS (175bhp) 2.0-liter TDI units, the difference being that the 'e' engines are less powerful but more fuel-efficient. The 2.0-litre TDIe 163PS is available on both the A5 models, linked exclusively to six-speed manual transmission.
It's been three years since Kia pulled the wraps off its conceptual Soul'ster convertible truck at the 2009 Detroit Motor Show. Kia fueled some rumors at the time that it was considering a production version of the car but never followed up on it. Until today, that is. Unexpectedly, in the press statement on the Track'ster Concept that's scheduled to debut at the Chicago Auto Show next week, Kia dropped the ball saying that the Soul�ster convertible is "currently under final assessment for production". 
The Korean maker did not elaborate further but we assume that if it receives the green light, the Soul'ster should be on its way to the market very soon. The original concept is a two-door mixture of convertible and pickup models with seating for four passengers. It features a shortened windshield for a more hunkered down appearance and is equipped with a two-piece removable top residing on a roll bar that provides additional protections for the occupants.
On Wednesday, an official source from within the VW Group more or less confirmed the debut of a luxury SUV concept from Lamborghini at the Beijing Auto Show in China in April. Today we learn that the Sant'Agata sports car maker has yet another "surprise" in store for us, this time at the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March. The news comes from an email statement from a Lamborghini spokesperson after the crew over at GT Spirit asked the company about the rumors circulating around the web. Here's what the press representative answered
There's a lot going on at BMW these days but no project is bound to be more divisive than the firm's first front-wheel drive model, the upcoming 1-Series Grand Turismo, which was previously known by the acronym F.A.S.T., which stands for Family Activity Sports Tourer. Citing inside sources, the crew over at the BMW Blog reported that the 1-Series GT would make its world premiere at the upcoming 2012 Paris Motor Show this fall.
We received word today than Nissan will debut a "revised" version of its 370Z sports car series at the upcoming 2012 Chicago Auto Show via an invitation to a press event that will take place next Thursday. Unfortunately, the invite does not detail the changes on the 2013 model year 370Z so we don't know if it's a full facelift or a minor nip and tuck with very subtle updates here and there.
Following an earlier announcement in January, Nissan has released UK pricing of a new top-of-the-range version of the Juke named Shiro, which is Japanese for white. The Shiro replaces the limited edition Kuro, which was named after the Japanese word for black, as the flagship model of the series. However, don't go looking for any white shades on the outside as the Juke's Shiro name refers to the interior trim bits and more specifically, the center console, door panels and window switch surrounds.
The most exclusive and powerful version of the Audi R8 Spyder has arrived in the States. All in all, the Ingolstadt-based automaker will hand-build 333 examples of the R8 GT Spyder, 50 of which are destined for the U.S., each carrying an MSRP of $210,000 (�163,300), not including a $1,200 destination and delivery fee or local taxes. What you get for the price of a family house in some states such as Ohio, is a lighter and more powerful version of the R8 V10 Spyder.
Fiat has rolled out the production version of its long-awaited two-cylinder gasoline engine family called TwinAir that's has been developed by FPT (Fiat Powertrain Technologies). The first car to receive the new turbocharged engine is the Fiat 500, in both three-door and convertible forms, with sales to begin from September, 2010.
The innovative 0.9-liter two-cylinder gasoline unit implements several technologies, including a small-sized turbine, start and stop and the firm's MultiAir electro-hydraulic valve management system that reduces fuel consumption and emissions by controlling air directly via the inlet valves, without using the throttle.
Fiat says that compared with a medium-sized four-cylinder of equal performance, the new Twinair engine is significantly shorter (-23%) and lighter (-10%), while returning 30% lower fuel consumption.
Subaru of America announced pricing for the non-turbo, 2011MY Impreza models. Apart from the addition of some new colors and equipment upgrades on certain versions, there are no other changes for the 2011 model year Impreza, which is scheduled to arrive at U.S. dealerships in July. Pricing for the 2.5i, 2.5i Premium and Impreza Outback Sport are held to 2010 model year levels.
The Toyota Tacoma pickup truck is entering the new model year with additional features and a revised lineup. For the 2011MY, the Japanese automaker discontinued three manual transmission models and added five four-cylinder, four-speed automatic models including the Access Cab 4x2 PreRunner, Double Cab 4x2, Double Cab 4x2 PreRunner, Regular Cab 4x4, and Access Cab 4x4.
Added features for the 2011MY Tacoma include a newly designed grille on all Base, SR5, TRD Off-Road, TRD Sport and X-Runner models. Regular Cab models now come with standard air conditioning while the 4x2 versions also gain standard 15-inch steel wheels.
As part of its ongoing marketing campaign for the all-new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee that is scheduled to arrive in dealerships later this month, Chrysler put up a dedicated 103 feet long and 52 feet tall building wrap at its headquarters in Auburn Hills.
The canvas wrap features the new Jeep model and the company's new tagline, "The things we make, make us", which made its screen debut in the very first TV spot for the 2011 Grand Cherokee (watch it here).
GM's luxury division, Cadillac, announced today that its 2011MY lineup in the U.S. will come with a new free maintenance program covering certain items for the entire length of the bumper-to-bumper warranty coverage, which is four years or 50,000 miles, whichever comes first.
The program is called "Cadillac Premium Care Maintenance" and it covers scheduled oil changes, tire rotations, replacement of engine and cabin air filters and a multi-point vehicle inspection.
This means Cadillac's program covers less items/services than other automakers in the U.S. like BMW and Lincoln (see below). For example, BMW's 'Ultimate Service" includes oil changes, inspection services, wiper blade inserts, brake pads, brake discs, engine drive belts and brake fluids.
A gallery of scanned photos from a leaked brochure gives us our first glimpse of the M Sport Package for the 2011 BMW 5-Series, which is expected to be available for order this fall. Even though the pictures show an M Sports-dressed Touring model [F11], understandably, the same parts will be offered on the sedan version [F10] of the new 5-Series.
The color-coded aero kit includes a newly designed, chunkier front bumper with larger air ducts, side skirts and a revamped rear bumper with an integrated diffuser finished in a dark shade and chrome tail pipes.
This year's edition of the White Tie and Tiara charity ball that raises money for the Elton John AIDS Foundation will feature a special version of Audi's A1 premium supermini designed by British contemporary artist, Damien Hirst.
As you most likely know, the State of California is in a dire budget crunch - $20 billion to be precise. And when there are financial difficulties, legislators tend to come up with all sorts of ideas to increase the State's revenue.
In California's case, Sen. Curren Price, D � Los Angeles, has proposed a bill that will allow the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to study the use of digital license plates that would flash ads and public service announcements when the vehicle is stopped for more than four seconds, whether in traffic or at a red light. However, at all times, the license plate number would remain visible in some section of the digital screen.
