2012 BMW 650i Convertible – First Drive Review

via onlineautobrochure.com

 

If you are shopping for a 6-series convertible, please accept our congratulations. According to BMW market research, this is your third or fourth car—not ever, mind you, but currently.

To snag such customers, the Bavarians start with style. While the previous-generation 6 ushered in an almost iconoclastic era of BMW design, the new 6, styled by Nader Faghihzadeh, returns somewhat to the elegance of the first-generation 6 introduced in 1976. From every angle, the new car looks low and wide and oozes a subtle but unmistakable aggressiveness. The front end features a new fog light style—executed with LEDs—and a hint of the shark nose that had all but disappeared from BMWs. Thankfully, the 650i uses an evolution of the previous car’s fabric roof instead of a heavy folding hardtop. Continue reading here.

Volkswagen Routan Back for 2011

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Defying some predictions from the rumor mill, the Volkswagen Routan minivan is coming back for the 2011 model year.

Since it shares running gear with the Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, the 2011 Routan gets similar updates, starting with the upgraded powertrain. This year, the offering is a 3.8-liter Pentastar V-6, teamed up with a six-speed automatic. The Routan's 283 horsepower and 260 lb-ft of torque are delivered to the front wheels.

The usual front, side and curtain airbags are fitted, with anti-lock brakes and stability control.

The Routan's been praised as a higher-quality version of the Chrysler minivans, but with the improvements to those vans, we're eager to see photos of the Routan. (The 2009 model is pictured here.) VW promises they're coming soon--but in the meantime, pricing has also been revealed: Read the rest of this article here.

GM plans more Volts, electrified minivan

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DETROIT--General Motors CEO Dan Akerson is accelerating his company's push into electrified vehicles with plans to expand the Chevrolet Volt technology into a minivan within a few years and with another hike in his plan for Volt output.

Akerson told the Automotive News World Congress that he expects GM to roll out "several different variants" of the Volt, including an MPV. A plug-in hybrid version of the Cadillac SRX luxury crossover also is likely by 2012 or 2013, he said.

Read more: http://reviews.cnet.com

Ferrari FF Concept Debuts Ahead of 2011 Geneva Auto Show

Ferrari FF Concept Debuts Ahead of 2011 Geneva Auto Show

via Inside Line Automotive News on 1/21/11

The Ferrari FF concept, which previews the 612 Scaglietti replacement, was unveiled on Friday ahead of its debut at the 2011 Geneva Auto Show.

2011 Lexus IS-F Drive Review

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In the zeal to praise Audi’s S4, BMW’s M3, Cadillac’s CTS-V, and the Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG, the Lexus IS-F often gets overlooked. This is a mistake. Possessing a competitive degree of speed, handling, and cachet wholly in line with the “fire-breathing four”, the IS-F easily runs with those cars.

Motive force is provided by a 5.0-liter version of the Lexus V8 tuned to deliver 416 horsepower and 371 pound-feet of torque.  An eight-speed automatic transmission, shifted by paddles on the steering wheel, sends the engine’s output to the rear wheels. For 2011, Lexus engineers have specified a limited-slip torque sensing rear differential to better harness the vortex of thrust generated by the V-8. Other mechanical tweaks for 2011 include revisions to the power steering system to improve feel and accuracy, and suspension revisions to improve ride quality. Continue reading here.

 

Toyota to Reveal Prius Family of Vehicles at the North American International Auto Show

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PR Newswire

TORRANCE, Calif., Dec. 23, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- Toyota Motor Sales (TMS), U.S.A., Inc., will stage the world premiere of the Prius family of vehicles at a press conference at the 2011 North American International Auto Show in Detroit. In addition to the current third-generation Prius and Prius Plug-in vehicle (PHV), the first all-new addition to the Prius Family will debut along with a Prius concept vehicle.

The press conference will be held on Monday, Jan. 10 at 1:05 p.m. EST in the Riverview Ballroom at Cobo Center. A live Webcast will be available at ToyotaNewsroom.com.

A Prius Family Sneak Peak video featuring X Games champion skateboarder Bob Burnquist is available at YouTube.com/Toyota.

source: toyotaeinnews.com

More details on Cadillac future flagship

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 Cadillac is planning a flagship vehicle, but precious few details were known at the time. We’ve since learned more, including the intriguing possibility that the flagship may not be a sedan at all. Indeed, Cadillac currently has two paths its flagship could follow; the end result of either would slot above the forthcoming XTS (shown in concept form above), which will replace both the mediocre STS and geezer-friendly DTS when it goes on sale as a 2012 model.

The first is a flagship sedan, code-named “UP” (Über Premium? Ultra Pretentious? Urethane Protected?) and designed to take on the Audi A8, the BMW 7-series, and the Mercedes-Benz S-class. Priced at around $80,000, this car would use a lightened version of the long-wheelbase RWD Zeta platform found under our upcoming Chevy Caprice Police Pursuit cop car. Power would come from either a turbocharged, direct-injected V-6 or a naturally aspirated V-8. Continue reading here.

Hyundai Tops List of Most Popular Reviews in 2010

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FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif. -- The Hyundai Sonata, a North American Car of the Year finalist, led TheCarConnection's (TCC) list of top ten most popular reviews in 2010.

Joining Sonata on the TheCarConnection's list is the 2010 Hyundai Tucson. Following its early 2010 debut, Tucson continued to hold the attention of car shoppers throughout the year with its daring design and sub-$20,000 sticker price.

"The list of the most popular reviews on TCC in 2010 shows you're shopping brands like Hyundai more often than ever," said Marty Padgett, editorial director for TheCarConnection. "The 2011 Hyundai Sonata led all comers with a boost each time we wrote about it: as a base car, as a turbo 2.0T, and as a Hybrid."

"Consumers have discovered the new Sonata this year with its exciting design, best-in-class fuel economy and outstanding residual value," said Mike O'Brien, vice president, Product and Corporate Planning, Hyundai Motor America. "This combination makes Sonata a top contender in the competitive mid-size category and we are pleased by its outstanding market reception this year. Not only are shoppers showing interest in the Sonata, they are buying the vehicle as well – we've sold more than 200,000 Sonatas in North America this year, a highpoint for the nameplate."

The 2011 Sonata represents a modern approach to the traditional mid-size sedan segment by using only advanced four-cylinder engines, emotional design and luxury features offered with Hyundai's strong value proposition. In addition to the standard 2.4-liter, gasoline direct injection powertrain making 35 miles-per-gallon highway, Hyundai added a 2.0-liter, 274-horsepower turbo and first-ever hybrid to the Sonata lineup. The Sonata Turbo went on sale in September and the Sonata Hybrid, achieving 40 miles-per-gallon highway, will hit showrooms in January 2011. Continue reading here.

Ford Sync Destinations App Sends GPS Route From Phone to Car

Ford Sync Destinations App Sends GPS Route From Phone to Car

via Inside Line Automotive News on 1/4/11

The application allows users to sync Traffic, Directions and Information (TDI) services between their phone and car.