BMW will build a Gran Turismo version of the 3 Series, to follow the introduction of the 5 Series GT model. Offered as a high-performance 335i model at first with BMW’s 300hp, twin-turbocharged inline-six, the 3 Series GT will fill an odd space between the 3 Series sedan, Wagon, X3 SUV and X1.

Much like the 5 Series GT, it will feature a dual-stage hatchback, allowing owners access to either a small trunk area or to a much larger space as the rear glass hatch opens up. Cargo room should be close to that offered in the 3 Series wagon.

Both a four-seat and five-seat model are expected, as is a diesel variant. So far no M version is planned.

[Source: Edmunds]

[Photo Credit: Fox Syndication]

For the first time ever BMW will offer all-wheel drive on the 7 Series, starting this Fall. The xDrive system will be optional on both the 750i and 750Li models, increasing BMW’s range of 7 Series cars to five.

The xDrive system as found in the 7 Series will give sure-footed stability while also delivering performance, as it will be able to send up to 80 percent of the power to the rear wheels, which should help limit understeer significantly. BMW’s Integrated Chassis Management system will then work to control throttle input while adding brake in the rear (somewhat like a limited slip differential) to give “perfectly neutral handling.”

BMW promises that additional enhancements will help the all-wheel drive 7 Series models be some of the most nimble AWD sedans in the market.

Additionally, BMW has officially announced the introduction of an M Sport Package for the 7 Series which includes an M steering wheel, a lift-reducing aero kit, 19- or 20-inch wheels and Active Roll Stabilization (on rear-wheel drive models only). A special Carbon Black Metallic color will also be offered.

Official release after the jump:

For several years now Hertz has offered a ‘Prestige Collection’ of high-end vehicles to rent including models from brands like Lincoln and Cadillac. The rental car company has now decided to take it up a notch by offering two vehicles from those German luxury experts at Mercedes-Benz.

Both the new C-Class and GLK350 will joint the Prestige Collection alongside models from Audi, Infiniti, Lincoln, Cadillac and Volvo.

The C-Class model to be offered is the C300 (sorry, no C63 here) with a 228hp V6 engine, 17-inch wheels and a 7-speed automatic transmission. The GLK350 model is one of the company’s latest products and features a 268hp 3.5-liter V6 and as an entry-level luxury crossover offers plenty of space for passengers and luggage.

“The Prestige Collection continues to be a popular choice among our customers,” said Joseph Nothwang, President of Vehicle Rental and Leasing. “The C-Class and GLK350 fit wonderfully into the Collection providing customers seeking an exciting driving experience with an edgy sedan or a perfect-sized SUV for family road trips.”

Hertz offers the Prestige Collection in 50 U.S. locations as well as in 25 locations in the UK, France, Germany, Ireland, Switzerland and Australia.

[Source: dBusinessNews]

Lexus has just announced a special offer of 20 percent off on all F-sport accessories. The coupon is good until July 31st at participating Lexus dealerships and can be used on F-Sport goodies up to a maximum of $10,000. That’s $2,000 off!

Lexus recently expanded its line of F-Sport products to include the new Lexus IS C and GS models. Parts are also available for the IS250 and IS350 Sedan.

All F-Sport parts are manufactured by Toyota Racing Development (TRD) for Lexus. Highlights include a new exhaust system, an air intake, an F-Sport clutch and short shifter.

To upgrade your car’s overall driving dynamics there are lowering springs (which reduce ride height by one inch), a set of specially tuned Bilstein shocks, a rear chassis brace as well as larger front and rear sway bars.

for the IS, a set of 19-inch wheels not only improves the look of the car but allows for some wider 225/35/19 front and 255/35/19 rear tires. F-Sport offers a big brake upgrade with six-piston front rotors and four-piston rear calipers with 14- and 13.6-inch rotors respectively.

Other highlights in the F-Sport lineup include an aero kit, spoiler, carbon fiber engine cover and an F-Sport shift knob.

See the full list F-Sport parts (with pricing) and see our review of the IS350 F-Sport here:

http://www.autoguide.com/manufacturer/lexus/2009-lexus-is350-fsport-review-1081.html

Just take this coupon to your local Lexus retailer before July 31st and enjoy your savings!

While the team at Mustang-tuner Steeda Autosports continues to work on the high performance Q Series of the new 2010 Mustang, those who just can’t wait any longer can now enjoy some of the fun thanks to a new Steeda Sport Edition package.

Included in the setup are: a performance air intake, underdrive pulleys, sport springs, billet lower control arms, a sport shifter, chrome Steeda Spyder wheels in a 20×9.9-inch and 20×11-inch fitment and a set of Nitto NT05 tires. Steeda Sport Edition Mustangs will also stand out thanks to the company’s trademark hood work and sidewinder stripes.

The package is available now for $6,995.

Steeda is expected to release the Q-Series 2010 Mustang GT later this year.

[Source: MusclecarMustangs]

Official release after the jump:

Those shifter experts at Hurst have just announced that they will offer a new modification package for the Dodge Challenger… and the real surprise is that it is available for Challengers of all colors.

Hurst is well-known for its either white/gold or black/gold paint schemes, but that certainly limits the company’s customer group. This new setup, the Competition/Plus package, will be available for any Challenger, be it B5 Blue, Hemi Orange, TorRed or any other color.

Along with appealing to a broader audience, the new kit is designed to offer performance at an affordable price. It includes Eibach springs, a Magnaflow exhaust, 20-inch Hurst wheels, color-matched leather seat inserts and stitching and a Competition/Plus shifter with a classic white shift knob ball.

Hurst just announced the new Competition/Plus package for the Challenger at the NHRA Motorsports Museum in Pomona, CA.The Competition/Plus package is available for the RT and SRT8 Dodge Challenger at Hurst Dodge Dealers at cost of $18,495 above the factory Challenger price.

[Source: Autoblog]

[Photo Credit: Drew Phillips]

GALLERY: Hurst Competition/Plus Challenger

Official release after the jump:

Cadillac’s replacement for the top-level DTS sedan is to be called the XTS and will be built alongside several other GM products at the company’s Oshawa, Canada plant. Production is expected to begin in December of 2011, making the DTS a 2012 model.

The XTS will be based on the company’s Epsilon platform, which will also underpin the new Regal and the upcoming Impala. All three vehicles will be built in Oshawa, which will give GM significant flexibility in production to meet market demands. Previously GM used a less flexible production plan with whole plants or lines dedicated to one vehicle.

The Regal will begin production in August of 2011, while the next Impala will start in February of 2013 - meaning that the current Impala is scheduled to hang on until then.

Along with the new Camaro, a hybrid offering will also be built in Oshawa and while there is no indication on what that hybrid model will be it is expected to be a version of one of either the Regal, Impala or XTS.

[Source: National Post]

Ford has had it easy in the Pony car segment ever since 2002 when Chevrolet stopped selling the Camaro, but the iconic Chevy is back and making its presence felt. For the fist time since 1993 the Camaro out-sold the Mustang for a whole month.

The numbers weren’t even close as the new Camaro sold 9,320 units compared to the Mustang’s 7,362 units.

Chevy is actually having a tough time keeping up with demand for its new Pony Car and the Oshawa, Canada facility where the Camaro is built is running extra shifts and delaying workers’ holidays in order to keep up with demand.

The new Camaro is also one of the few silver linings to GM’s otherwise gray cloud as the automaker is currently in chapter 11 bankruptcy reorganization and has suffered drastic sales decreases over last year.

Mark LaNeve, GM’s VP of vehicle sales said that the Camaro was selling at double the expected volume and that the automaker currently only has a 6 day supply of vehicles, compared to an industry average of 67 days. Demand is so high that some customers are actually paying over the suggested retail price, something unheard of for a GM product.

While the Camaro is in the lead for the month off June, the Mustang is still ahead overall, but it could be a tight race come December. The last time the Camaro came out on top for a year was back in 1985.

[Source: Automotive News]

Auto sales in the U.S. show early signs of a rebound as Ford Motor Company posted a sales percentage loss for the month of June of just 10.7 percent. This is the automaker’s smallest sales decline in 16 months, prompting an unusual amount of optimism in the auto industry.

Many automakers still suffered significant decline, however, with Toyota posting a 31.9 percent loss. Surprisingly, General Motors fared only slightly worse, despite the company’s bankruptcy filing, with a 33.4 percent loss. Recently emerged from bankruptcy, Chrysler sales dropped 41.9 percent for the month. Honda also had less than positive numbers with a 29.5 percent loss, but in context that isn’t so bad as Honda was also the only one of the top six automakers to post a gain during the same period a year ago.

Nissan lost just 23.1 percent, its smallest decrease since last August.

In total, June sales losses average out to 28.4 percent, dipping below the 30 percent mark for the first time in months.

The rebound is prompting some automakers to raise their forecast of annual U.S. auto sales to the 10 million mark - something which seemed impossible just a few months ago.

Other automakers reporting less than terrible numbers include BMW and Subaru. The German luxury automaker dropped just 20.3 percent, its smallest loss since January and Subaru actually posted an increase of 3.4 percent!

[Source: Automotive News]

As of today the revised 2010 Jaguar XF Supercharged is on sale in the U.S. at a starting price of $68,000. The new model improves over the ‘09 model, most notably, under the hood where a larger 5.0-liter engine gets supercharged for a total of 470hp - 50 more than the previous model. Torque is also up, with 424 ft-lbs available. This gives the new XF Supercharged a 0-60 mph time of just 4.9 seconds.

Other highlights include new 20-inch wheels, larger brake rotors, an updated adaptive damping suspension and revised differential controls.

Inside, occupants will be treated to upgrades like contrasted stitching on the dash an door tops, an Alcantara headliner, heated steering wheel and a Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system.

“The Jaguar XF Supercharged will offer consumers a compelling luxury sedan choice with benchmark handling ability and truly memorable performance,” says Mike O’Driscoll, Managing Director, Jaguar Cars. “This new luxury performance XF Supercharged sedan builds on the tremendous momentum Jaguar has achieved by introducing beautiful fast cars such as the XK sports car, the XF and the XKR and XFR models.”

Surprisingly, at 470hp, the XF Supercharged isn’t the most powerful model in the lineup, as a 510hp XFR can also be had for $80,000.

Official release after the jump: