Audi-A6-Avant-2012

Audi announced new 2012 Audi A6 Avant to Debut on May 18 – Latest photos & info of 2012 Audi A6 Avant: It’s only been five months since Audi pulled the wraps off the four-door saloon version of its fourth generation A6 executive model at the 2011 Detroit Motor Show, but the brand with the four rings has already prepared a more practical station wagon body style with the Avant moniker.

Today, Audi announced that it will reveal the spanking new 2012 A6 Avant next week on Wednesday, May 18, during a special event at the Humboldt Box in Berlin, which will also be broadcasted online. Don’t expect any surprises under the hood, with the Avant model gaining the same range of diesel and gasoline engines (depending on the market, of course) with the option of the firm’s Quattro all-wheel drive system.

Talking about all-wheel drive, aside from the standard Avant model, Audi is also believed to be readying a replacement for its high-riding soft crossover, the A6 Allroad Quattro.

Photos of 2012 Audi A6 Avant:

Audi-Q3-Seat-IBX-Study-2012

Audi Q3-based SUV Seat IBX crossover study 2012 at Geneva 2011 – Latest info of Audi Q3 2012: It seems that the VW Group’s Martorell plant in Spain will not only build the new Audi Q3, but a similar version of the compact SUV for Seat as well, according to a report from British car magazine, What Car.

Industry sources told the publication that the Seat IBX crossover study shown at Geneva this year will be built in the same plant with the Audi Q3, with both models to share the same platform. The production version of the IBX is expected to be introduced next year.

The IBX is Seat’s second SUV concept after the Tribu shown at the Frankfurt Motor Show in 2007. The Tribu was initially supposed to spawn a production model but the project was canned due to the grim economic outlook at the time.

Now a Seat SUV is closer than ever to reality, even though the production version could differ from the three-door IBX design study. The series production model could feature a more conventional five-door bodywork and internal combustion engines, as opposed to the concept’s full-electric setup. The IBX study uses an electric motor to power the front wheels and a battery package that offers a driving range of 45 kilometers (28 miles).

The road-going model is expected to adopt a variety of TSI and TDI engines offering buyers the choice of front-wheel or all-wheel drive. At 4.26 meters long, 1.80 meters wide and 1.62 meters tall, the IBX is very close in dimensions to the Audi Q3, which measures 4.39 meters in length, 1.83 meters in width and 1.60 meters in height.

Photos of Audi Q3-based SUV Seat IBX crossover study 2012:

2012-Mercedes-SLK

Mercedes Announces Latest price for 2012 SLK63 Roadster and 2012 CLS550 – Latest info of 2012 Mercedes SLK63 AMG Roadster and 2012 Mercedes CLS550:  We’ve already had our first look at the new-generation SLK roadster and CLS sports sedan lineups, but now, Mercedes-Benz has decided to reveal pricing on both models ahead of their U.S. market launch this summer.

For the time being, the German automaker has announced pricing only for the 2012 SLK350 that will start at $54,800, not including a $875 destination and delivery charge, which raises the cost to $55,675. In comparison, the soon-to-be-replaced 300-horsepower 2011 SLK350 is priced at $54,145 (including transportation fee).

The new hardtop roadster model is powered by a 3.5-liter V6 that features direct injection and multi-spark ignition, producing 302 horsepower and 273 lb.-ft. of torque for a 0-60mph (96km/h) sprint time of 5.4 sec.

Mercedes-Benz has not yet released pricing info on the base SLK 250 model that is equipped with a 201HP 1.8-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine returning a 0-60mph acceleration time of 6.5 seconds and a combined fuel economy of 27mpg combined with the standard 6-speed manual gearbox.

The four-door 2012 CLS will offer U.S. buyers a choice of two models, both powered by Mercedes’ new biturbo, direct-injection V8 engines. The 4.6-liter CLS550 engine produces 402 horsepower and 443 lb-ft. of torque, while the high-performance CLS63 AMG is powered by a 5.5-liter version of the new V8 that’s rated at 518HP and 516 lb.-ft of torque.

Pricing –excluding a $875 destination and delivery charge- will start at $71,300 for the CLS550 and at $94,900 for the CLS63 AMG.

Mazda3-SKYACTIV-sedan-2012

Mazda3 SKYACTIV sedan 2012 with New 40mpg SKYACTIV Engine at New York Auto Show – Latest info of Mazda3 SKYACTIV sedan 2012: Mazda is getting ready to enter the raging mpg war in the compact passenger vehicle segment in the States with the launch of its facelifted 2012 Mazda3 that made its U.S. debut today at the New York International Auto Show.

While the exterior and interior refinements are modest, the updated Mazda3 debuts the first application in North America of the Japanese firm’s suite of SKYACTIV fuel-saving and performance-oriented technologies, achieving 40 mpg on the highway. Within it lies Mazda’s all-new SKYACTIV-G 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine hooked up to either a new SKYACTIV-Drive six-speed automatic transmission or a SKYACTIV-MT six-speed manual gearbox.

Approximately 4.4 pounds lighter than the current MZR 2.0-liter engine, which continues for the 2012MY, the SKYACTIV 2.0-liter unit adopts multi-hole injectors to enhance fuel spray characteristics and achieves a high compression ratio of 12.0:1. It delivers 155 horsepower at 6,000 rpm and 148 lb-ft of torque at 4,100 rpm, compared to 148HP and 135 lb-ft of the MZR 2.0L.

When equipped with the optional SKYACTIV-Drive 6-speed automatic, the 2012 Mazda3 SKYACTIV sedan returns an EPA rating of 40 mpg on the highway, a 21-percent improvement over the current MZR 2.0-liter engine equipped with the optional five-speed auto. City mpg for the sedan version also improves by 17 percent to 28 mpg.

When equipped with the standard SKYACTIV-MT 6-speed manual, the sedan is rated with an estimated fuel economy of 27mpg city and 39mpg highway.

The SKYACTIV-G unit will also be offered on the five-door hatchback model, in which case it returns a fuel economy of 27 city/38 highway (SKYACTIV-MT) and 28 city/38 highway (SKYACTIV-Drive AT). Mazda attributes the lower highway estimates “to different aerodynamics and the higher weight ratio between the sedan and hatchback”.

The SKYACTIVE models also feature several aero tweaks including larger underbody covers and increased rigidity of the front tire deflectors.

Cosmetically, all 2012 Mazda3 models gain a updated five-point grille opening, restyled front and rear bumpers, and new alloy wheel designs. Inside, the Japanese automaker added new colors and trim options.

Furthermore, the 2012 Mazda3 sedan and hatchback models equipped with SKYACTIV-G gasoline engines are distinguished by certain unique elements such as an all-new engine cover featuring a deep blue metallic paint finish with black sections along either side; headlamp units outfitted with a transparent blue ring around the center lens, and the appropriate badges.

All photos of Mazda3 SKYACTIV sedan 2012:

Hyundai-Elantra-Yuedong-2011

Hyundai Elantra Yuedong 2011 at Shanghai Auto Show – New face of Hyundai Elantra Yuedong at China autos show 2011: The Hyundai Group is now pointing its arrows to the world’s biggest auto market with the unveiling of two new models for China at this week’s 2011 Shanghai Auto Show, the Elantra Yuedong compact sedan and the mid-size Azera, which is badged as Grandeur in some markets.

If the Elantra Yuedong looks familiar, that’s because it is a facelifted version of the fourth generation model sold in the States until 2010. The most prominent change on the outside concerns the revised front that draws on the Azera’s styling.

According to Hyundai, the interior has also been upgraded with higher quality materials and new convenience and safety features such as a smart key / button start, front side airbag, Motor Driven Power Steering (MDPS), Navigation, USB2.0 port and eco-driving guide system.

The 2011 Elantra Yuedong will be offered in China with two four-cylinder engines in China sporting a displacement of 1.6-liters and 1.8-liters. The compact sedan will compete in China’s biggest segment, which surged from 2.11 million units in 2008 to 3.24 million in 2009 and 3.95 million in 2010, and is expected to reach an astonishing 6 million units by 2013, according to industry forecasts.

As for the Azera, the South Korean maker’s saloon will be marketed in China as an affordable alternative to premium models in the mid-size segment. The 4,910mm-long sedan comes with a choice of two gasoline engines, a 250HP 3.0-liter V6 and a 180HP 2.4-liter four-cylinder unit, both of which are matted to a six-speed automatic transmission.

The Azera and new Elantra Yuedong are scheduled to hit showrooms in China within the next few months.

Hyundai Elantra Yuedong 2011 at Shanghai Auto Show Photos:

Nissan-Tiida-2012

Nissan Tiida Dig Turbo 2012 at Shanghai Auto Show – Latest photos & info of Nissan Tiida 2012: It won’t be long before Nissan takes the wraps of the North American market 2012 Versa, but the Japanese company offered us our first glimpse of the sub-compact model with the reveal of the new Tiida hatchback at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show today.

As some of you may already know, the Versa is sold in numerous markets around the world under the Tiida nameplate.

The new generation of Nissan’s best selling model sports a swoopier exterior design with some styling references to the pure-electric Leaf. The fluid theme is carried over to the interior with a floating center cluster. The Japanese company also promises improved passenger space thanks to the 100mm (3.9-in.) longer wheelbase.

Nissan has not yet released detailed information on the powertrain lineup, but the company said the Tiida will be offered with a turbocharged four-cylinder unit while transmission options will include a CVT.

The Chinese-market version of the new sub-compact model will be produced in the Dongfeng Nissan Huadu Plant in Guangzhou, with domestic sales to start in May 2011. Nissan said that following its introduction in China, the Tiida will be launched in approximately 130 countries around the world by 2014.

Photos of Nissan Tiida Dig Turbo 2012 at Shanghai Auto Show:

Audi-Q3-Baby-SUV-2011

Audi Q3 Baby SUV mode official teaser sketches at Shanghai Auto Show 2011: 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.

The interior pictures reveal a similar shaped steering wheel and instrument panel, with changes having been made to the center console, where the gearshift lever appears to look more conventional than on the 2007 concept car.

The crossover model will be built at Seat’s Martorell plant in Spain and will be based on the same architecture as the VW Tiguan. Previously, an inside source told Carscoop that the new Q3 will arrive in European showrooms this fall, most likely in September or October, depending on the market.

The source added that the Q3 will be offered at launch with three powertrain options – a 170PS 2.0-liter TFSI with a 6-speed manual gearbox and CO2 emissions of 172 gr/km; a 211PS 2.0-liter TFSI with an S Tronic transmission and CO2 emissions of 184 gr/km, and a 170PS 2.0-liter TDI diesel and an with an S Tronic transmission and CO2 emissions of 158 gr/km.

Audi Q3 Baby SUV mode official teaser sketches Photos:

Mustang SHELBY GT500 Super Snake 2012

Mustang SHELBY GT500 Super Snake 2012 Autos at New York Auto Show 2011 – Latest info of SHELBY 2012MY GT500 Super Snake 2012 autos: 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.

Buyers will also get a variety of other styling and performance modifications such as 20-inch alloy wheels in sport tires, an adjustable coil over suspension, Eibach sway bars, a Baer 6-piston caliper rear brake system and an aero package.

As with previous models, Shelby plans to produce only a limited number of Super Snakes to ensure exclusivity. We’ll have more details and photos at the presentation of the car at this month’s New York Auto Show.

Mustang SHELBY GT500 Super Snake 2012 Autos Photos:

Kia-Rio-Sedan-2012

Kia Rio Sedan at 2012 New York International Auto Show 2011- info and photos of Kia Rio Sedan 2012: The word on the street is that Kia will lift the covers off a sedan version of its new Rio series in a world premiere at the upcoming 2011 New York International Auto Show in mid-April.

The new generation of the Rio was recently unveiled in hatchback form at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show earlier this month.

The new generation of the Rio hatchback has grown in size over its predecessor and, at least in Europe, it will also be offered in a sportier looking but less practical, three-door body style. The upcoming sedan model will most likely differ from the B-column and back, featuring a longer rear end with a more spacious boot.

The European version of the Rio Hatch will be offered with a choice of three- and four-cylinder engines with outputs ranging from 70-to-109HP. No word yet on what type of engines will be available for the North American market model.

Kia Rio Sedan 2012 Photos:

Audi-Cross-Coupe-quattro-Shanghai-Auto-Show-2011

Shanghai Auto Show 2011 Promises Several World Premieres, China’s auto shows are growing bigger and bigger by the year as the local market continues to expand in sales. The most significant car show is the Auto China, which is held alternatively in Beijing and Shanghai every other year. This year’s edition will take place in Shanghai.

More often than not, leading American, European, Japanese and Korean automakers present their newest offerings at well-established car shows like Geneva, Frankfurt, Paris and Detroit, but in the past few years, we’re seeing increased numbers of new models being unveiled in China.

This year show will be no exception, as many new cars are planned to be revealed in Shanghai (April 23-28), despite the fact that it overlaps the 2011 NY Auto Show (April 22 – May 1).

One of the most highly anticipated models rumored to make their world premiere in Shanghai is the Audi Q3 baby SUV, Inglostandt’s answer to the BMW X1. The crossover model will use the same platform as the VW Tiguan, with production set to start in Seat’s Martorell plant in Spain later this year.

There’s a good chance we might see VW unveiling the new Beetle at the Shanghai Show as well as in New York, while the Germans will also use the Chinese show to officially introduce its Seat brand to the local market.

BMW will premiere its 6-Series Coupe in Shanghai, along with the 5-Series plug-in hybrid built for the Chinese market. Reports from Germany suggest that BMW will also bring to China the pre-production BMW M5 Concept, while Mercedes-Benz is said to show a pre-production design study of the future A-Class, set to appear on the market in 2012 in two- and four-door body styles.

Citroen is rumored to show the DS9 concept car, which will bring the Metropolis design study one step closer to production.

Add to these the large number of Chinese brands that will be present and the premieres that we don’t know yet about and Shanghai already looks like a world-class venue.

According to local officials, this year’s Auto China exhibition will occupy 205,000 square meters (2.2 million square feet) and will be the largest ever organized in Shanghai. While the 2011 NYIAS is expected to host some 30 world and North America debuts, industry officials estimate that overall, Shanghai will have more than 60 world premieres.

Photos autos at Shanghai Auto Show 2011:

Kia-Sportage-SX-Turbo-2011

Kia Sportage SX Turbo 2011, Latest priced Kia Sportage SX Turbo 2011: Kia has released details and pricing on its new turbocharged 2011 Sportage SX compact CUV, scheduled to arrive in the firm’s U.S. showrooms later this month.

The Sportage SX is Kia’s second vehicle in the States to feature the company’s 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with direct-injection technology and a twin-scroll turbocharger that delivers 256 horsepower and 264 pound-feet of peak torque.

The 2.0L Turbo is linked to a six-speed automatic transmission and is available in both front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions. Kia said the FWD model returns 22mpg in the city (10.7 lt/100km) and 27mpg on the highway (8.7lt/100km). In addition to the new powertrain, the Sportage SX also gets a sportier-tuned suspension with firmer shock and strut rates for improved handling over the standard versions along with several bespoke styling features such as the unique 18-inch alloy wheels and grille trim, dual exhaust, and special side sill moldings. The exterior updates are complemented by SX-specific interior appointments including standard aluminum door sills and a modified gauge cluster. Prices for the 2011 Sportage SX start from $26,490 for the front-wheel drive (FWD) model and from $27,990 for the AWD model, with both MSRPs including a $695 destination and handling fee.

Kia Sportage SX Turbo 2011 photos:

Nissan-370z-GT-Edition-2011

Nissan Updates 2011 370Z in Europe, latest info of  Nissan 370Z 2011 autos: With all the attention (rightfully) focused on the new Esflow pure-electric sports coupe concept at the Geneva Motor Show, Nissan’s announcement on the presentation of the updated for European market 370Z Coupe slipped by almost unnoticed.

For the new model year, Nissan introduces a number of suspension, transmission and equipment improvements for the entire 370Z Coupe range while also adding a new trim level to the range called the GT Edition

Starting with the performance upgrades, the 370Z Coupe benefits from retuned dampers which promise to provide a better balance between ride comfort and high-speed handling. Nissan said that due to the higher average speeds regularly enjoyed in Europe, technicians from Nissan Technical Centre Europe (NTCE) engineered these changes.

For 2011, refinement is also enhanced through revisions to underbody insulation to reduce road noise.

The optionally available seven-speed automatic transmission gains a snow mode which, when applied, starts the car off in second gear and controls engine revs to prevent wheel spin on ice or snow.

Equipment upgrades come in the form of a new rear view-parking camera as part of the Nissan Premium Connect satellite navigation option and the standard fitment of a tire pressure monitoring system.

Wrapping up the changes for 2011, is the introduction of a GT Edition for the Coupe model. Buyers can choose from three different body colors – metallic black, pearl white and Black Rose, the latter shade being exclusive to the GT Edition, with each featuring contrasting stripes running along the flanks of the car. The exterior is set off by the standard 19inch RAYS forged alloy wheels, which are finished in a dramatic anthracite color and replace the standard 18-inch rims.

Nissan 370Z 2011 photos: