While we all wait patiently for Infiniti to bring news that the Essence Concept car, (unveiled at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this month), will go in to production, a small part of it is already scheduled for use in upcoming models.

The Essence features a twin-turbocharged direct-injection 3.7-liter V6 and while those turbos aren’t going anywhere, Infiniti has told Car & Driver that the upcoming M37 sedan will get direct injection. This might not sound like much, but the technology should easily boost output to the 350hp range and significantly improve fuel economy – possibly by as much as 20 percent.

Currently the M35 gets 16/20 mpg (city/highway) and with direct injection those numbers could be improved to 18/22 mpg.

The direct-injection V6 is also expected to find it’s way in to the G37 model once it is due for a mid-cycle refresh. And you can be sure the same powerplant will be used in a mid-cycle update for the 370Z.

Infiniti Essence Concept

[Source: Car & Driver]

Russian Billionaire Alexander Antonov, the owner of Dutch supercar maker Spyker, has survived an assassination attempt.

The incident happened outside Anatonov’s house in Moscow where he was shot at 18 times. He was struck five times in the stomach, once in the chest and another time on one if his fingers, which was apparently blown completely off.

One of Antonov’s security guards was also wounded in the leg during the incident.

His condition is not life threatening and while the police have begun a search for his attacker no arrests have yet to be made.

Antonov’s net worth is estimated to be roughly $3.5 billion.

Spyker recently launched it’s latest car, the all-new C8 Aileron (pictured above) at the Geneva Auto Show.

[Source: Autocar]

The No. 34 Kleinschmidt/Blackdog Racing Chevrolet Corvette topped the standings yesterday during the first round of practice sessions before the World Challenge GT season opener at Sebring International Raceway this Friday. Driver Tony Gaples of Libertyville, Ill., was just as surprised at his finish as anyone.

“It feels pretty good [to be on top], of course, but it also makes me a little nervous,” Gaples said of his unfamiliar position. “I’m wondering why, because I’m just driving like normal.

“The track was a little slippery, which plays into my benefit, because I’m used to driving in the wet. It’s good to be at the top. We’ve been coming here seven years now. It’s my favorite flat track and we usually do pretty well here. It still surprised me that we’re number one though. We get to enjoy for the next eight hours, until the next practice. We always hope to do well, whether that’s what’s happening or not is yet to be seen.”

Gaples ran a 2:11.686 around the 3.7-mile, 17-turn Sebring course on his second to last lap.

The 2nd and 3rd spots for the day belonged to Porsches with Rob Morgan posting a 2:11.771 in his No. 47 EverCleanse/NADA/TruSpeed Porsche 911 GT3 and Tony Rivera finishing with a best of 2:11.855 in the No. 97 Tax Masters/Mirage Group Porsche 911 GT3.

Gunter Schaldach grabbed 4th with a 2:12.083 in the No. 9 Lala Motorsports Dodge Viper with another Corvette (the No.3 Whelen Engineering  machine driven by Eric Curran) rounding out the top five.

With surprises at the top of the pack, there were also plenty of surprises at the bottom with defending GT champ Randy Pobst completing just half a lap in his K-PAX Volvo S60. Other series frontrunners, Andy Pilgrim (Volvo S60), James Sofronas (Porsche 911 GT3) and Dino Crescentini (Porsche 911 GT3)never even got onto the track.

As for the lone Lamborghini entry, the No. 7 Gallardo driven by Dan Pastorini, it finished a distant 20th with a time of  2:30.707.

Full Practice Session results after the jump:
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Here it is; the promo video Lamborghini used during the unveiling of the new LP670-4 SuperVeloce. Lambo makes some incredible videos of their cars and this one is no different with plenty of drifting, tire screeching and roaring V12 action.

The LP670-4 makes 670hp and 487 ft-lbs of torque from a 6.5-liter V12 engine and can hit 62 mph in just 3.2 seconds. It also weights 220 lbs less than the standard LP640 thanks to the use of plenty of carbon fiber.

Top speed for the new Bull is rated at 212 mph thanks in part to the extra power but also due to the increased aerodynamics of the car. In fact the LP670 SV is offered with two different spoilers as well as some very custom aerodynamics that help keep it stable at high speeds.

The Lamborghini LP670-4 SV is limited to just 350 units.

GALLERY: Lamborghini LP670-4 SuperVeloce

ROUSH is the first to market with a complete performance package for the new 2010 Mustang GT. The ROUSH 427R Mustang comes with more power, a new look and improved handling.

Power is increased to 435hp and 400 ft-lbs of torque thanks to a ROUSHcharger, which features a significantly improved intercooler setup over previous ROUSH models. The intercooler is a single core cross-flow unit with better cooling and is much larger than past versions. The reservoir is also twice as large as on past models. Even better, the intercooler sits higher in the vehicle to help reduce damage from road debris. ROUSH also went to great lengths to insure all the parts were top quality, not only for durability, but also to give that OEM appearance.

The ROUSHcharger comes with a 3 year/36,000 mile warranty.

Also a part of the 427R package is a new suspension setup and 18-inch cast (sigh… not forged) chrome wheels. A set of 20-inch wheels is a $1,115 option. The ROUSH suspension also comes with a ROUSH wheel hop reduction it, when the new suspension is installed at the factory.

The 427R package wouldn’t be complete without a new aero kit to set the car apart. The 427R kit comes with a new front fascia (with integrated lights) and front splitter, a rear bumper, side skirts and a three-piece rear wing.

The complete 427R also includes other odds and ends and is priced at a reasonable $14,156.

GALLERY: ROUSH 427R 2010 Mustang

More on the Roush 2010 427R Mustang, including optional upgrades, after the jump:

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*** UPDATE *** Scion has announced that it will bring a new micro-compact car to the New York Auto Show, which will most likely be a Scion-branded version of the Toyota iQ. Most likely this SMART-sized vehicle will use Toyota’s new 99hp, 1.33-liter four-cylinder engine that made its debut at the Geneva Auto Show.  *** UPDATE ***

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According to a report on Edmunds Inside Line, Scion might be bringing the successor to the long-in-the-tooth tC to the New York Auto Show.

Those investigative journalists dug up a patent Toyota recently filed for the “tD” name – a natural progression from the tC nameplate. When you take this info and combine it with the fact that Scion has a press conference scheduled for New York (and that no one these days would pay to hold a press conference unless they really had something to say), it seems as though the new tC (the tD) might just break ground at the show. Also, it’s important to note that Scion has generally had a presence at the NY Auto Show, unveiling the Hako Coupe concept last year and the Fuse concept (pictured above) back in 2006.

There is, of course, another possibility; that Scion will unveil an all-new fourth model in it’s lineup, as we reported on back in February.

Scion VP Jack Hollis has commented in the past that, “We think there are a lot of opportunities for a [second] coupe. We think there is room for a bigger sedan and smaller vehicles. We think there is even a possibility for a truck-based vehicle with an open bed.”

[Source: Edmunds Iside Line]

Mazda finished the day at Sebring yesterday with the fastest car during the first practice session ahead of the 2009 World Challenge Touring Car season.

Jason Saini, piloting the Tri-Point No. 74 Mazdaspeed/Stoptech/Racinghart Mazda, posted the best lap time at the end of the day with a 2:25.294 on the 17-turn, 3.7-mile circuit.

“Conditions were a bit variable,” Saini said. “It was damp this morning, but it got better throughout the session. It was hard to learn what the car was really doing in the changing conditions. I was lucky to have a late lap when the conditions were getting better every lap.”

“The team has done such a great job pulling things together in short order. So many people pulled together to make this happen at the last minute. All credit to the team for staying up late all last week and getting these cars together.”

The Tri-Point team of Mazda6′s also claimed 4th and 6th for the day with Charles Espenlaub piloting the No. 73 car and rookie Eric Foss in the No. 75 car taking the respective positions.

Much of the rest of the top 10 was filled with the RealTime Racing Acura TSXs with Kuno Wittmer taking 2nd, Pierre Kleinubing taking 3rd and Toby Grahovec taking 7th. Defending World Challenge Touring Car Champion Peter Cunningham, the only driver piloting a new TSX vehicle, placed 5th.

Finishing out the top ten were Andrew Aquilante and his Subaru WRX in 8th, Nick Esayian in his BMW 328i in 9th and James Clay in his BMW 328i in 10th.

The World Challenge Touring Car Series kicks-off with the opening race this Friday, March 20th .

Full Practice Session results after the jump:
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Photos: Beyond-Form.com

Toyota is planning to bring back the MR2 – this according to AutoExpress.

Toyota VP Masatami Takimoto told staff at the U.K. magazine that, “We are aware of the fondness with which the MR2 is held in the UK and Europe, and are developing a small hybrid sportscar.”

“We have set a tough price point, as it will be easier to sell if it is affordable. It has to be fun to drive, too, which means the hybrid set-up must be different to the Prius’s, with greater responsiveness.”

The small sportscar would be in direct competition to the upcoming Honda CR-Z hybrid sportscar.

At this point it is unclear if Toyota’s engineers intend on building an entirely new hybrid powerplant or on tweaking the one found in the Prius. Perhaps Toyota might also look at the potential hybrid 1.3-liter four-cylinder engine that could potentially come in the Insight Competitor that we reported on yesterday.

Don’t expect any concept vehicles any time soon, however, as Toyota is currently focused on more functional hybrid vehicles that suit a broader population base.

As the artist renderings above suggest, however, Toyota wouldn’t have to look far for design cues for the new MR2, having already created the stunning FT-HS.

GALLERY: Toyota MR2 Hybrid

[Source: AutoExpress]

Photos: Beyond-Form.com

According to a report in U.K.-Mag AutoExpress, MINI and BMW are currently working with Fiat to develop several new cars, including a new light-weight MINI model that will have its engine out back.

That’s right, the new car will be a small four-seater with as long a wheelbase as the body will allow – giving the new model a safe and stable ride as well as a gripping driving experience. It will also feature plenty of glass up front and on the sides, making visibility as ideal as possible.

The car will use both aluminum and composite materials (like carbon fiber) for a light weight chassis and may come with plastic bodywork, like that found on SMART models.

An electric model is also planned with the batteries located under the floor and individual electric motors powering each wheel. Apparently the technology will be similar to that which is currently being tested in the MINI E.

A concept of this new MINI is expected at the Frankfurt Auto Show this Fall, although this story could change significantly throughout the year. AutoExpress reports that this new vehicle will be a small urban vehicle and yet continually refers to it as a flagship of the MINI line – seemingly contradictory comments.

This partnership between BMW and Fiat will also bring about the return of two other famous automotive names, the Fiat Topolino and the BMW Isetta.

GALLERY: MINI Concept

[Source: AutoExpress]

Porsche might not have invented the grand-touring luxury sedan segment, but it obviously intends to become the dominant player thanks to several innovative technologies that will be available on the new Panamera.

Among the list of innovations are some that are borrowed from Porsche’s sportscars, as well as some that are being put into production for the first time in a premium production car.

Included in the latter is a new start/stop system, which works with Porsche’s automatic transmission.

The Panamera Turbo will come equipped with a new adaptive air suspension that will allow for an additional volume of air to be added to further increase comfort. This system will be optional on all other models.

One first-in-class innovation is the use of a completely covered underbody. This not only reduces lift and improves aerodynamics for added performance, but it also reduces drag and thereby improves fuel-economy.

A final highlight is one that any Porsche lover will immediately recognize as being borrowed for Porsche’s sports cars – a multi-stage, adjustable rear spoiler. This rear spoiler will come standard on the Panamera Turbo models.

We’ll be sure to bring you full details on the Panamera when it is officially unveiled at the Shanghai Auto Show in April.

GALLERY: Porsche Panamera

More on the Porsche Panamera after the jump:

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