It's no secret that Porsche is working on a new model to further expand its range in the SUV segment. In fact, the German sports car maker not only confirmed the vehicle but also announced that it is being developed under the working name "Cajun". Further details remain unknown including of course the Cajun's styling direction and whether or not it will be a three-door (most likely) or five-door model.

Nevertheless, Teamspeed member and rendering specialist Wild-Speed has come up with a styling proposal for the Cajun. The artist designed the crossover as a three-door model with a sloping roofline incorporating styling elements from the latest Cayenne, Panamera and the 918 Spyder (notice the head lamps). You can check out the renderings in high resolution after the jump.

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2011 Mazda 2 Reviews
Now you can add the 2011 Mazda 2 to that list of price-conscious hatchbacks. On the plus side, the Mazda 2 is quite sporty to drive, and indeed this is one area where Mazda is quite proud of its new entry-level car. The list of standard and available features for the Mazda is quite short, too.

The 2011 Mazda 2 is a five-passenger, four-door subcompact hatchback that is available in two trim levels -- Sport and Touring. The Sport comes standard with 15-inch steel wheels with wheel covers, air-conditioning, full power accessories, a tilt steering wheel and a four-speaker CD/MP3 audio system with an auxiliary input jack.

The EPA estimates fuel economy at 28 mpg city/35 mpg highway for the manual transmission and 27/33 mpg for the automatic.
Standard safety features for the 2011 Mazda 2 include antilock brakes (discs in front/drums in rear), front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and stability and traction control.

The 2011 Mazda 2's interior is comparable to other hatchbacks in this economical price range. With those rear seats in place, cargo capacity is 13.3 cubic feet, which is small for a hatchback.
Among the most hotly anticipated (at least among Car and Driver staffers) is the 2011 Mazda 2, Mazda’s first America-bound B-segment vehicle since the 323 and arguably the best such car Mazda has ever built.

Unavailable, for example, even on Touring models, are a telescoping steering wheel, a sunroof, integrated navigation (a portable Garmin system will be available from dealers), a USB port, and a hands-free Bluetooth system. Ditto the front-disc, rear-drum brakes. Meanwhile, fuel economy is good if not worldbeating, at 29 mpg in the city and 35 mpg on the highway for the five-speed manual and 27/33 for the four-speed automatic.
The Mazda2 press junket was shaping up to be one of those trips. Old-tech 4-speed automatic.

Mazda's stylists applied scaled-down versions of their latest styling cues -- the big smiling grille (link goes to photo), the strong front fender line, the trapezoidal rear window -- and while those same details stick out like sore thumbs on the bigger Mazda3, they somehow manage to blend right in on the little Mazda2.

At the front of the room, the Mazda staffers were talking about the virtues of the new Mazda2: refinement, light weight, price.
I picked a bright-red "Mazda2" Touring with a manual transmission and settled in. I certainly didn't feel like I was sitting in Mazda's cheapest car.

As much as I liked the Mazda2, my heart belongs to the Ford Fiesta. It's great to drive and its high-tech twin-clutch automatic delivers better fuel economy than the Mazda2, plus it offers features that the Mazda doesn't such as leather seats and iPod integration. Still, the Fiesta lacks the Mazda's quiet engine and smooth ride -- not to mention its proven Japanese build quality.
The car that poses the biggest challenge to the Mazda2 might well be the Nissan Versa, which has a roomy, well-trimmed cabin and a very attractive price tag but lacks the Mazda's good looks. Considering what the competition offers, I think the Mazda's mix of attributes will serve it well.


In October of 2010 we brought you a Toyota Soarer / Lexus SC that had been transformed into an abomination with a Mercedes-Benz CLK DTM front end and a Nissan 200SX rump. It was bad, but I still liked it better than the snooze-mobile that was the ‘91 Soarer / CS.

Well, from the same website that brought us that automotive mullet comes yet another creation that’s been refashioned into something else. This time its a Nissan Silva. This particular freak of coach building features a Mercedes-Benz rear end (or at very least the taillights) and Nissan 350Z front end. The result is less than impressive.

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The nephew of the late three-times Formula One world champion Ayrton Senna, Bruno, has signed up with the new Lotus-Renault GP team, the British automaker announced on Monday. The 27-year old, who comes from a bad season in Formula One with the struggling Hispania team, will be a reserve driver for the 2011 season.

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While we're waiting for Ferrari to release some additional photos with more revealing views of its new four-seat, all-wheel drive, FF sports car, we thought we'd share this photoshop of a Spider version of Maranello's latest creation, made by a reader of a French car site. The chop was created by simply erasing the shooting-break-style roof of the standard FF and adding some details on the car's rear quarter. While it's pointless to pass judgment on the photoshop, it would be interesting to hear if you think a Spider version of the FF with four seats is something that Ferrari should consider building in the near future. Voice your thoughts in the comments section after the jump.

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Volkswagen is offering us a 10-second glimpse of its new 'Black Beetle' TV commercial that will air during the Super Bowl football game next Sunday, February 6, 2011. The is the first television spot for the next generation of the Volkswagen Beetle, which is scheduled for launch in May, 2011. However, the 'Black Beetle' commercial won't reveal the car itself as it is centered on a beetle (as in the insect) that runs around the forest outperforming all the other creatures. Follow the jump to watch the teaser spot.

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With a lineup that comprises only three models – the XK coupe and cabriolet, XF sedan and XJ flagship limousine –, Jaguar needs a smaller, more affordable car in order boost sales and successfully compete with the likes of the BMW 3-series and the rest of Germany's premium offerings such as the Mercedes C-Class and Audi A4. According to the brand’s new global director, Adrian Hallmark, the automaker is currently considering a small sports car positioned below the XF that could spawn numerous variants including a four-door sedan.

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In a ground-breaking campaign, Honda has merged the worlds of iPhone Apps and traditional commercials, be they on your TV, computer screen or mobile phone. Created to celebrate the launch of the revised Honda Jazz [Fit in the U.S.], the new interactive app allows iPhone users to virtually catch animated characters as they appear on screen in the firm's new TV advert 'This Unpredictable Life' and drop them into their phones, more or less in the same way you'd use a PS3 Move or Nintendo wii motion-controller.

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Back in 2009, Nissan GT-R owners had to face an odd dilemma: even though the car came with a launch control system, using it meant voiding the warranty. In the ensuing controversy, the Japanese maker simply dropped it for the 2010 model year, stating that it doesn’t want to deal with the “warranty nightmare” anymore.

However, the launch control is back on the 2012 GT-R’s equipment list in a revised form that allows customers to use it four times in a row, before shutting off in order to protect the transmission. Just like the original, the new system (LC4) launches from 4,000 rpm, but it’s better at minimizing wheel spin, making the latest and more powerful (+45HP) iteration of the Japanese sports car a lot faster compared to the 2010MY GT-R in a straight line race. Hit the break to watch the videos.

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Like many other automakers, Audi is constantly expanding its production network to include new countries. This time, the German premium carmaker has launched a new assembly plant in Indonesia in cooperation with INDOMOBIL /Garuda Mataram Motor, to produce the Audi A4 1.8 TFSI and A6 2.0 TFSI cars in the capital city Jakarta.

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This young man you're looking at the portrait above is Tanner Foust and he will be on hand to teach bloggers [sic] and consumers at Ford's 2012 Focus global test drive event that will take place in Madrid, Spain from February 18 to 20. And who is Tanner Foust, we hear some of you in the USA and probably all of you outside the North American continent, ask? Well, Foust is one of the hosts of the American edition of the Top Gear show that airs on History Channel.

According to Ford, Foust is also a "rallyist, stunt driver, drift champion and television personality". No offense but we think "an over-hyped racing driver that has been shoved down our throats by PR people and certain websites because he won some low talent events like the X games rally and Formula D drift championship", is a more appropriate description that's closer to reality.

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In order to attract younger customers, Mercedes is planning to launch several new compact models, all based on the brand’s upcoming MFA (Mercedes Front-wheel-drive Architecture) platform. These new vehicles will also be offered in North America. According to an Automotive News Europe report, the Stuttgart automaker is currently working on a 'baby' CLS four-door coupe model and an SUV, which could be joined later on by a convertible or shooting brake variant.

“We will introduce the next generation of our MFA family to the U.S.”, Joachim Schmidt, Mercedes' global sales and marketing boss, told ANE in an interview. “Two variants, maybe even a third, are planned for the U.S.”, he added.

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General Motor today celebrated the start of regular production of the 2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible at its Oshawa assembly plant in Canada. The drop-top version of the Detroit firm's muscle car will go on sale in the U.S. in February and will be available with two engine options and four trim packages with prices starting from US$30,000 MSRP including an $850 destination fee.

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The owner of a brand new Ferrari 458 Italia with some 500 miles on the odometer in Brandon Florida received a quick lesson on the disadvantages of a low slung sports car in the land of pickup trucks and SUVs when a Ford F-150 ran over its hood. We don't know if the F-150 driver mistook Maranello's creation for a red speed bump or if the Ferrari owner questioned Ford's 'Built Tough' slogan, but something tells us this video is going to become a hit. You can watch the clip after the break.

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The Mazda2 four-door small sedan has been dropped from the firm's lineup in Australia, just eight months after launch. The reason is Mazda's decision to switch production of the Australian market version of the small car from its Thailand factory, which manufactures both sedan and hatchback body styles, to the company's Hiroshima plant in Japan, which builds only the hatchback version.

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Volkswagen Touareg shoppers now have one more box to tick on the options list as the German automaker has released the third and final R-Line package for the luxury SUV model, aptly called 'Exterior'. As its name suggests, the new package gives the Touareg a more aggressive appearance on the outside. It includes a bodykit with a front apron, chunky side skirts, a bespoke roof spoiler and a rear apron that incorporates a diffuser in a matte black finish with openings for the chrome tail pipes.

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2011 Volvo S80 Review

New for 2011 the engines receive horsepower increases, the 3.2 liter engine to 240-hp, and the turbocharged 3.0 liter to 300-hp. The front-wheel drive S80 is available with a 240-hp 3.2-liter inline six-cylinder engine or a 230-hp 3.2-liter PZEV engine. Safety features include ABS, traction control, stability control, and six airbags.

Unlike most luxury large cars, the Volvo S80 seems to be engineered to fly under the radar. Safety and price. The 2011 Volvo S80 is an Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) “Top Safety Pick,” which means it boasts excellent crash test scores and standard safety features. If you value your budget and your safety above plush interiors and back-road performance, most car reviewers say that the S80 should work for you.

The 2011 Infiniti M is also an IIHS “Top Safety Pick,” which should reassure buyers looking for a safe large luxury car--For 2011, Volvo has updated the S80’s engine lineup.

The exterior design is traditional Volvo. Fuel Economy is fine. This car is 90% Mercedes at 80% of the price. I recommend this car to anyone looking for understated luxury and high quality.


Introducing the all-new S60 R-Design — designed with true sports-car feel and featuring a specially developed chassis to ensure that the driving experience matches the car’s appearance.
With R-Design it becomes even sharper. They’re the natural choice for true connoisseurs,” said Paul Welander, Senior Vice President Product Development at Volvo Cars.

Sporty, sportier, sportiest — in order to keep the superlatives in check Volvo Cars has taken an holistic view of the all-new S60 R-Design, with the design and chassis being developed in parallel into a single cohesive offer.

Distinctive twin exhaust tailpipes and unique five-spoke 18-inch Diamond cut wheels emphasize the sporty overall appeal.
The Volvo S60 saloon has been winning Volvo praise thanks to its good looks, comfort and enjoyable handling. Now Volvo has added its R-Design package to the range, and we’ve tested it.
The chassis has been comprehensively honed to improve the precision of each wheel’s movements--Inside there’s a three-spoke steering wheel, blue instrument dials, sports gear knob and bucket seats with increased side support to further hold occupants in place.

It’s not as involving as the lively rear-wheel drive BMW 3 Series coupe, but on a par with the front or four-wheel drive Audi A5.
Actually it's a more advanced form of an existing Volvo active safety system called City Safety, which automatically stops a Volvo if another vehicle gets in its way.
It's a radar-and camera-based system that can detect pedestrians in front of the car.

In a nutshell, it gives a warning signal if someone walks into its detection field and automatically activates the car's full braking power if the driver fails to respond in time.

Half of all pedestrian accidents occur at speeds below 25 km/h. Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake can avoid a collision with a pedestrian at speeds up to 35 km/h, even if the driver is distracted and does not react in time. At higher speeds, the focus is on warning and reducing the car's speed as much as possible prior to the impact.

The all-wheel-drive technology now includes a torque-vectoring feature, which can increase torque to the outside wheel and help steer the car around a turn with more stability.

SAFETY
In addition to the Pedestrian Detection with Full Auto Brake system, the S60 offers a selection of other advanced active safety features. n Lane Departure Warning is a system that alerts the driver if the vehicle is drifting into another lane. THE DRIVE
We drove like normal and it was almost completely uneventful other than some minor warning light episodes -- people walking in front while stopped (in drive).

Even with its battery of safety systems, the S60 is probably the sportiest Volvo sedan we've driven. Overall it's a nicely balanced car with a first-class engine.


The new 2010 2011 Dodge Magnum wagon is a full-size car available with powerful performance of a V8 Hemi Engine. With the same platform as the Chrysler 300 sedan, the new Magnum sports rear-wheel drive and a four or a five-speed automatic transmission. A 3.5-liter single-overhead-cam V6 engine powers the Magnum SXT and makes 250 horsepower with 250 pound-feet of torque. The 2010 2011 Magnum SXT runs a four-speed automatic and will also offer all-wheel drive.

With distinctive style, more speed, better handling and better fuel mileage, the Dodge Magnum is the ultimate choice for the car buyers. In 1978, Dodge first introduced the Magnum in the market. From being just a sporty coupe, The "2011 Dodge Magnum" has become a full-fledged minivan. 2011 Dodge Magnum car models are the buyer’s delight. Give the V6 engine of Dodge Magnum just 11 seconds, it will pick up 60 mph speed. Enjoy driving with CD player, check out the outside temperature with outside temperature display attached with 2011 Dodge Magnum. Have a look at the features of Dodge Magnum RT.

Each car review or auto review includes 2011 Dodge Magnum ratings, 2011 Dodge Magnum safety ratings, 2011 Dodge Magnum reliability ratings, 2011 Dodge Magnum mileage ratings, 2011 Dodge Magnum practically ratings, 2011 Dodge Magnum exterior ratings from 100% real Dodge Magnum owners and Dodge Magnum enthusiasts.


Features of Fiat Freemont both exterior or interior has mode it the most desirable car at present--Fiat Freemount has a muscular exterior styling and a strong front end.

Some other features of Fiat Freemont are fog lights, a keyless entry system, touch screen radio, bluetooth, DVD reader and most important and unique feature is parking sensors. It also comes with a triple-zone climate control system, roof rails and automatic headlamps and tire pressure monitoring system.

Fiat Freemont is a true reflection of successful partnership between Fiat and Chrysler.
Fiat has recently announced the showcase of the Fiat Freemont at the Geneva Motor Show and is expected to go on sale by mid 2011 in Europe. Fiat had revealed that they will be renaming the Dodge Challenger for Europe into Fiat Freemont, a result that came up after the company decided to turn the Dodge Journey into a Fiat. This model is set to replace the Fiat Ulysee MPV.

One vehicle to be designed and produced in Mexico, alongside the" Fiat Freemont", is the Fiat 500 for North America. Eventually the Fiat Freemont will be offered in an all-wheel drive model along with either an automatic transmission 3.6 liter gasoline engine or an automatic transmission 170 horsepower turbo diesel engine. The interiors

The Fiat Freemont interiors will include superior quality materials including soft-touch plastics and state of the art features. The touch screen radio will have easy touch controls and colored screen.
The release of the new Freemont is a reflection of the growing partnership between Fiat and Chrysler.

The vehicle combines flexibility and practicality with its own distinctive and original style. The Fiat Freemont guarantees maximum roominess, comfort and versatility due to its 7 standard seats with a genuine third row of roomy seats that is easily accessible because the doors open to 90°. Both outfits will offer 7 seats, triple-zone automatic climate control system, keyless entry system, cruise control, advanced trip computer, tyre pressure monitoring system (TPMS), fog lights and touchscreen radio with colour screen and controls on the steering wheel. The more metropolitan version will include 17” alloys, touchscreen radio with 8.4” screen, SD card and DVD reader, Bluetooth system, rear parking sensors, fold-down door mirrors, automatic headlight activation, darkened rear windows and roof bars.

The Freemont will have front wheel drive with turbo diesel power units (140 HP or 170 HP 2.0 MultiJet) combined with a manual gearbox. With the exception of the powerful 3.6 litre unit from the Chrysler Group Pentastar family and its automatic transmission, all power units are produced and developed by FPT- Fiat PowerTrain.
Driving comfort is further guaranteed by significant improvements to passenger compartment soundproofing.


Now, it's responding to steady sales of the Toyota Yaris, Honda Fit, and Nissan Versa by bringing us an adapted version of the well-received and very successful European 2011 Ford Fiesta.
The Fiesta just might woo you fickle Gen Z-ers with some exclusive stuff inside, like the SYNC media controller, premium audio systems, and nifty leather seats.

The Fiesta debuted in 2010, and this year, the Fiesta gets even more accolades: We named it the 2011 Best Subcompact Car for the Money.

With the 2011 Ford Fiesta, that's changed. With the Fiesta, many reviewers say Ford may radically alter what American buyers expect from small cars. The Fiesta has features rarely seen among Small/Subcompact Cars, from available heated seats to Ford's SYNC system to an airbag for the driver's knees.
Reviewers have been enjoying well-optioned higher trims. The Mini Cooper comes close to the Fiesta's fuel economy ratings, but costs about $5,000 more than the base Fiesta. However, if you're considering a well-optioned Fiesta (higher Fiesta trims start only about $1,000 below the Mini's base price), the Mini's BMW-sourced driving dynamics may make it worth looking at.
The 2011 Ford Fiesta is an all-new subcompact available in hatchback and sedan body styles.

Unlike much of its competition, the Ford Fiesta is available in both sedan and hatchback body styles. There are some distinctive Fiesta alternatives in this competitive segment. The Fiesta sedan, meanwhile, has a bit less rear seat room than the Chevy Aveo, Hyundai Accent and Nissan Versa.

The "2011 Ford Fiesta" comes with four doors in both sedan and hatchback form. There are three trim levels for the sedan (S, SE, and SEL) and two trims for the hatchback (SE and SES).
The SEL sedan adds LED parking lights, a rear spoiler, 16-inch "premium painted" wheels, a premium sound system (with satellite radio and six speakers), ambient lighting, an auto-dimming rearview mirror and the Sync multimedia voice-command system which now also offers turn-by-turn navigation.
The SE hatchback is equipped similarly to the SE sedan but adds a rear spoiler and wiper. All 2011 Ford Fiestas are powered by a 1.6-liter inline-4 that generates 120 horsepower and 112 pound-feet of torque. Disappointingly, there is no manual-shift feature.

Ford estimates the Fiesta's fuel economy at 30 mpg city/40 mpg highway for the automatic and 29/38 for the manual.
Standard safety features include stability and traction control, antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags and side curtain airbags. In Edmunds brake testing, a Fiesta stopped from 60 mph in a respectable 119 feet.

With its soft-touch dash top, metallic accents, edgy styling and tight build quality, the Fiesta's cabin has a premium vibe to it that's unexpected in an economy car. Ford's Sync system (standard in top trims) allows voice control over the audio system and your cell phone, and it also provides features such as voice-prompted turn-by-turn navigation (it works respectably well) and emergency assist. At 12.8 cubic feet, the sedan's trunk capacity is class-competitive. The Fiesta hatchback offers a bit less than that with its rear seat up. Unfortunately, the seats don't fold completely flat, and the Fiesta's 26 cubes of maximum cargo capacity pale in comparison to the Honda Fit's 57 cubes and the Kia Soul's 53 cubes.

We can say without hesitation that the 2011 Ford Fiesta provides the most rewarding drive in its class. The available six-speed automated dual-clutch automatic is another unusual perk in this class.


2011 Toyota Corolla Review
The Toyota Corolla is the world's best-selling car of all time. Today the Corolla faces even stiffer competition. The 2011 Toyota Corolla is a five-passenger compact sedan available in base, LE and S trim levels.

Every 2011 Toyota Corolla is powered by a 1.8-liter inline-4 that produces 132 horsepower and 128 pound-feet of torque. Every "Toyota Corolla "comes standard with stability and traction control, antilock brakes with brake assist (front disc, rear drum), front side airbags and side curtain airbags. In Insurance Institute for Highway Safety crash testing, the Corolla earned a perfect "Good" rating in the frontal-offset, side and roof strength tests.
In a class filled with cars that offer quality, reliability, comfort, good fuel economy and affordability, the 2011 Toyota Corolla is merely adequate.

The 2011 Toyota Corolla is struggling to compete against reliable cars that offer competitive packages that include affordability, top performance and quality cabins. The 2009 and 2010 Toyota Corolla were recalled because of faulty brakes and accelerator pedals.

The 2011 Toyota Corolla gets revised styling but a diminished model lineup as part of a midcycle course correction. Heavy factory incentives are helping Corolla stay neck-and-neck with the Honda Civic atop compact-car sales. Should you buy a 2011 Toyota Corolla or wait for the 2012 Toyota Corolla? Styling: Subtle revisions to the nose and tail strengthen the 2012 Toyota Corolla’s family resemblance to the larger, midsize Toyota Camry. The 2011 revisions do, however, suggest Toyota has a more realistic vision of Corolla’s mission. The 2011 Toyota Corolla lineup again begins with the entry-level Base version and returns better-outfitted LE and S models. The smartest buy should continue to be the 2011 Toyota Corolla LE, which justifiably has accounted for more than half of Corolla sales. Both models continue with 15-inch steel wheels, though their wheel-cover design is new for model-year 2011.

Keeping alive the sporty styling spirit of the departed Corolla XRS, the 2011 Corolla S gains fancy multi-reflector headlamps, front and rear spoilers, lower-body aero trim, and a chrome-tipped exhaust. The 2011 Corolla S model also gets a sportier new steering wheel with metallic accents and audio controls.

Mechanical: All 2011 Toyota Corollas come with updates to software and hardware associated with Toyota’s response to the sudden-acceleration recalls. Similarly, the 2011 Corolla continues to bundle a suite of safety features under Toyota’s Star Safety System label. Unfortunately, the demise of the XRS model with its four-wheel disc brakes means all 2011 Corollas retain the lesser front-disc/rear-drum brake setup.

A five-speed manual transmission remains standard on Corolla Base and S models; top rivals furnish six-speed manuals. An automatic transmission is standard on the Corolla LE and optional on the Base and S models, but it has just four speeds. The late Corolla XRS at least offered a five-speed automatic.

The 2011 Toyota Corolla experiences a minor features revival as part of its midcycle facelift. From the XLE’s standard equipment list the 2011 Corolla LE inherits variable intermittent wipers. The moonroof remains an S-model option. However, the navigation system and leather upholstery previously optional on the Corolla S and XRS models are no longer available.
Historically, Corolla’s base prices were justified by strong demand and made palatable by high resale values. A rough estimate would give the 2011 Toyota Corolla a base-price range of $16,200-$18,500. Look for the 2011 Toyota Corolla Base model to start around $16,200 with manual transmission, around $17,000 with automatic. Estimated base price for the 2011 Corolla LE model is about $17,600.

The 2011 Corolla S versions should start around $17,300 with manual transmission, $18,200 with automatic.


Aston Martin has released the third and final part of its promotional trilogy “True Power Should Be Shared” starring the Rapide four-door coupe. There's less action in this film as our heroes drive towards their destination, wondering what they are transporting. Well, it turns out to be some kind of a time machine, which saves them from being killed in an ambush and returns them to Lisbon, where everything started. Not what we expected, but at least the Rapide didn’t get blown up. Hit the jump to watch the video. Read more »


We knew BMW's brand-new 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine was coming to the States but now, the Bavarian automaker has made it official. The German company released a statement saying the first cars to be equipped with the force-fed four-banger will "arrive later this year" in the USA.

The 2.0-liter unit made its debut on the X1 compact crossover and will eventually replace BMW’s trademark normally aspirated 3.0-liter inline six. While BMW's US division has yet to announce which models will get the new engine, in Europe, the automaker has already confirmed the powerplant for the Z4 coupe-roadster and the 5-Series range.

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Seventeen years after the great Ayrton Senna died, the documentary about his life, aptly named 'Senna', was shown at the 2011 Sundance Film Festival last week and was met with critical acclaim. The work of British director Asif Kapadia and screenwriter and executive producer Manish Pandey, Senna tells the story of one of the greatest drivers who ever lived exclusively through archive footage.

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2011 Hyundai Veracruz Review
If you’re on a budget, but need seats for seven, the Hyundai Veracruz may be what you’re looking for. With a starting price of just over $28,000, the 2011 Hyundai Veracruz is expensive for a Hyundai. While the 2011 Hyundai Veracruz has a lot going for it, it isn’t perfect. Most car reviewers complain about numb steering and performance that prioritizes comfort over sharp handling. Both have three available rows of seating. The Highlander gets much better fuel economy than the Veracruz does and has a lower starting price.

The 2011 Hyundai Veracruz is available in just two trims, the base GLS and Limited, in either front- or all-wheel drive. The Hyundai Veracruz seats seven in three rows of seats and is available with front- or all-wheel drive. The 2011 Hyundai Veracruz isn’t much different from the 2010 model.

2011 Hyundai Veracruz is available in two trim levels which include GLS and Limited trims. Hyundai Veracruz Limited trim includes some additional features like 18 inch wheels, leather upholstery, driver memory function, tilt and telescopic power steering column, 115 V power outlet, four way power passenger seat, Infinity audio system with eight speakers and six CD chargers. 2011 Hyundai Veracruz can be equipped with either front wheel drive or all wheel drive.

2011 Hyundai Veracruz is offered with world class interior accessories. This sedan contains one of the finest interior. This sedan’s interior space is much smaller than Ford Flex, Chevrolet Traverse and Mazda CX-9. 2011 Hyundai Veracruz is a luxury sedan armored with standard safety accessories; these accessories provide optimum safety to all its occupants. Some of the safety accessories offered with this sedan are antilock disc brakes, traction control, front seat side airbags, stability control, active front restraints, full length side airbags and front seat side airbags.

The 2011 Hyundai Veracruz is unchanged from the 2010 model, save for some package and option updates. Also, a factory-installed rear-seat DVD entertainment system is no longer available on the Veracruz.

The 2011 Hyundai Veracruz steps into the ring armed with attributes more commonly associated with entry-level luxury models than a model built to a price point. The deal is further sweetened by the Veracruz's long warranty and lengthy list of standard features.

The 2011 Hyundai Veracruz is a seven-passenger crossover SUV available in GLS and Limited trim levels. The Premium package adds a sunroof, auto-dimming mirrors, a windshield de-icer, a power liftgate and heated front seats (for the front-wheel-drive model).

Each Veracruz trim level comes standard with antilock disc brakes, stability and traction control, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags and active front head restraints.

The 2011 Hyundai Veracruz is a serene boulevard and highway cruiser. Overall, the Veracruz drives adequately but does little to leave any lasting impressions.


2012 Dodge Challenger – Mopar fans will be very happy with the current plan for 2012 Dodge Challenger, but that may or not be changed in line with management-new FIAT infused see fit.
2012DodgeChallengerDebut

A debut at the Detroit Auto Show 2011 is almost given, especially considering the small lineup otherwise brand new vehicle to debut on the U.S. coast.

The 2012 Dodge Challenger will be one awesome muscle car! Maybe some "2012 Dodge Challenger" concept videos and pictures! When the new 2012 Dodge Challenger does come out, I will feature tons of videos and images of the 2012 Dodge Challenger!

Current plans include minor tweaks to the sheet metal, a emblem-less nose, and brand new engines for entry-level and high-end models. All models are expected to hit the streets in late 2011, though the SRT8 refresh might be delayed a little longer as its proposed motor may be scrapped and replaced by a Pentastar-based motor instead.

The focus of the debuts in the U.S. auto show circuit are going to focus heavily around the new Pentastar-series motors.
Unfortunately, Ford has proven that direct-injection V6s can sell muscle cars with their latest Mustang and even Chevrolet is selling a great number of fast V6-powered Camaros. With government regulators breathing down Detroit’s neck and customers clamoring for lighter vehicles with more power, the days of the HEMI may be numbered, even when it comes to the 2012 Dodge Challenger.


Apart from the humorous articles and the plethora of eBay finds we come up with, Carscoop’s bread and butter is automotive news straight from the manufacturer. And as such, we read a lot of press releases. In all the ones I’ve read, General Motors refuses to call the Chevrolet Volt a hybrid. It’s a range extended electric vehicle.

I speculate that it might have something to do with hybrids being uncool (so sayeth GM CEO Dan Akerson) or to avoid comparisons with that other hybrid. You know, the one made by the world’s other biggest car manufacturer.

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German tuner AC Schnitzer has launched its first tuning package for the MINI Countryman . The focus is clearly on the wheels, as clients can choose between four different designs in two different sizes (18- or 19-inch) to go with the two-tone white and black exterior paint job. In fact, AC Schnitzer has just broken a personal record: in a company first, it has fitted a MINI with 19-inch rims. As for the interior, the tuning house offers an aluminum pedal set and gear knob or various knobs clad in leather with incorporated, digital gear display unit.

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This here is the actual, factual Fiat Abarth 500 Gulf Limited Edition special in the flesh, photographed at the Autopolis Fiat dealership in Luxembourg. We say this because yesterday, we reported on the limited run special and Fiat's photoshoped picture that made the internet rounds. While our friends from Auto55 and Autofans verified the story with the official press release, we were left wondering what the Italian mini with the classic racing-livery would look like in real life.

Today, our pondering came to an end as the Marketing and Communications director of Autopolis Luxembourg dropped the first real life shots of the car in our mailbox. We believe Fiat should have released these photos instead of the 'chop from the beginning, but we'll give them props for keeping a close eye on the web-o-sphere and swiftly reacting to our post.

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So you want your own limousine? Sure, I can dig that. Who hasn’t thought of trading in their daily commute for something that’s chauffer driven? And what better place to start your search than on eBay, where you’re sure to find something both unique and affordable, if not exactly well built or driveable.

Here’s one such find, based on a 1981 Volkswagen Rabbit (Golf for the rest of the world) with a Mercedes-Benz nose piece. The seller’s description reveals that this vehicle has new brakes, struts, a new exhaust, new wheels and tires, new windshield and gas tank. And it still has its original motor and transmission, with a twin barrel carburettor with aluminium intake and header which the seller assures us makes it, “Fast for what it is.”

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The U.S.-spec 2012 Fiat 500 equipped with the 5-speed manual gearbox has received EPA ratings of 38 mpg on the highway, 30 mpg in the city and a combined figure of 33 mpg. American buyers can also opt for a 6-speed automatic, which is rated at 34 mpg highway, 27 mpg in the city and 30 mpg combined.

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Making its way down to Florida for RM Auction's annual Amelia Island event on March 2, is this 1955 Ford "Beatnink" Bubbletop custom concept inspired by futuristic design studies from the 1950s. Despite its name, the Beatnik is a fairly new creation built by Gary “Chopit” Fioto. It is based on the body of a 1955 Ford model but rides on a modifies chassis of a 1988 Lincoln Town Car and is powered by a Chevrolet 350-cubic inch small-block V8 engine.

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We’ve seen our share of burnouts ending in fiery fails, but in this case, the flames are a sign of success. We don’t know if the owner of this vintage Chevrolet Impala used some kind of special tires, but he leaves behind him two very cool burning trails, just liked Doc Brown’s time traveling DeLorean did in the Back to the Future movie. Watch the clip after the break.

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We've already had our first in-depth look at the revised Sebring Convertible, which has been renamed to 200 Convertible, but now, Chrysler has releasing pricing a couple of months ahead of its market launch in the States. The new 200 Convertible is available in three trim levels (Touring, Limited and S), two engine choices including a 2.4-liter four-cylinder and a 3.6-liter V6, plus the option of a traditional soft top or a retractable metal hard top.

The range begins with the entry-level Touring model powered by a 173HP 2.4-liter four-banger matched to a six-speed automatic transmission, which is priced at $27,195 including a $750 destination fee. That brings the 200 Convertible in the same price range as Ford's 305HP Mustang Convertible V6, which starts at $27,495 (including destination and a $500 cash back).

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Earlier this month, Volkswagen announced that it’s going to expand its North American SUV lineup in order to catch up to GM and Toyota and triple its U.S. sales by 2018. However, the automaker also wants to boost its image, so it may bring back the Scirocco coupe and Phaeton sedan to the States.

In an interview in Washington, Jonathan Browning, head of Volkswagen’s U.S. operations, told Bloomberg News that the company is exploring the idea of selling the two models in the U.S. “We will reconsider bringing the Phaeton back to the U.S. in the next product cycle,” said Mr. Browning who added that no final decision has been made yet.

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It's been a long time coming, but Noble has finally released the production version of its new M600 sports car. The British-made model comes with a full carbonfiber body and a mid-mounted 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine from Yamaha that sends up to 650bhp at 6,800 rpm and 604 lb-ft of peak torque at 3,800 rpm to the rear wheels through a Graziano six-speed manual gearbox.

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2012 Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca
Tonight at the 40th Anniversary Barrett-Jackson Scottsdale Collector Car Auction event in Scottsdale, Mustang history was once made again. The one of a kind Grabber Blue 2012 BOSS 302 Laguna Seca edition sold for $450,000.

This year the one-of-a-kind factory-painted Grabber Blue 2012 Ford Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca sold to the highest bidder with none other than racing great Parnelli Jones providing commentary from the auction stage with Ford’s Mustang team. It is the only 2012 Grabber Blue Boss 302 Laguna Seca we will ever build,” said Ford’s Mark Fields.

This Boss 302 Laguna Seca – a one-of-one production unit – was built specifically for auction at Barrett-Jackson. In addition to the unique Grabber Blue body color, it features distinctive black accents on the roof, mirrors and spoiler, special wheels and C-Stripe, Recaro seats with Grabber Blue seat embroidery and Rear X-Brace, and a Grabber Blue grille surround.

At the Barrett Jackson Charity Auction held in Scottsdale, Ariz, the Mustang brought more money than the Camaro.

The 2012 Mustang Boss 302 Laguna Seca grabbed $ 4,50,000 for Juvenile Diabetes research foundation whereas the Chevrolet Camaro convertible raised $ 2,25,000 for David Foster Foundation along with the opportunity to drive the car at the 100th Indianapolis 500 parade in May.

Barrett-Jackson says it helped raise nearly $4 million for 20 local and national charitable causes during the 40th Annual Scottsdale Auction over the weekend.


The highlight of Volkswagen's presentation at this week's Qatar motor show is the new XL1, a futuristic looking diesel-electric plug-in hybrid study for an everyday-use coupe vehicle with a combined fuel economy of just 0.9 liters per 100 kilometers or an amazing 261 mpg US.

The extremely low fuel consumption is achieved through the use of a lightweight construction, carefully honed aerodynamics and of course, the hybrid powertrain that combines a 0.8-liter twin-cylinder diesel producing 48-horses with a 27HP electric motor. If you follow the jump, you can check out live photos as well as on the road videos of the XL1. For more details on the study, read our previous post here.

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Nissan and Mazda said Friday that they are expanding their original equipment manufacturing (OEM) projects to include the Mazda Premacy, otherwise known as the Mazda5 MPV in markets such as North America and Europe. Under the agreement, Mazda will supply a "clearly differentiated version" of the Premacy to Nissan for sale in Japan, starting from May this year, the two companies said in a joint statement.

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With its U.S. sales steadily declining for 7 years now, Volvo has no choice but to radically rethink its strategy. The Swedish automaker is currently offering nine models in the States or about as many as Volkswagen does, but it sold almost five times fewer cars than the Germans in 2010.

Consequently, the Swedish brand, which is now owned by China's Geely, has decided to significantly reduce the number of models in its North American lineup and concentrate on best-selling vehicles in an effort to increase sales.

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It's no secret that Mercedes-Benz plans to give its Smart brand one more chance to extend its vehicle range after the not so-successful Mitsubishi Colt-based Forfour and the Roadster series. Last April, the German automaker signed a deal with the Renault-Nissan Group, with the two parties announcing the development of a new rear-wheel drive platform to be used on the successor of the current Smart Fortwo, a new four-seater Smart and the next-generation Renault Twingo.

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Woe betide the electric car. Outpaced by their petrol-powered cousins in the 1900s, saddled with heavy and potentially dangerous batteries in the 1970s and crushed in the name of the Almighty Dollar in the 1990s, it’s been a rough road from there to here.

And now, on the dawn of a new age where electric cars seem poised to take their rightful place alongside gasoline cars, the electricity companies are about to throw a wrench into the works. If you live in California and intend to buy a plug-in hybrid Toyota Prius or Chevrolet Volt or an all-electric Nissan Leaf, you could be in for a...shock.

If the energy giants have their way, the Chevy Cobalt, which would have to rate on my list as one of the least desirable cars built by GM, is more economical to own or operate than any of the above. The reason?

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