Nissan has just released information on its upcoming electric vehicle which will launch next year in both the U.S. and Japan. The most surprising bit of news is that the lithium-ion powered vehicle is based on an all-new platform and not one of the existing Nissan chassis.

The lithium-ion battery pack makes 80kW and 280Nm (that’s 107hp and 207 ft-lbs of torque) and will deliver “outstanding driving performance,” says Nissan.

Thanks to a regenerative braking system the car will be capable of 100 miles (160km) on a single charge.

But above and beyond the usual facts, Nissan will deliver plenty of new technological innovations in its EV. For starters, the car will come with a navigation system which will show how far the car is capable of traveling at its current state of charge. The map will also display charging stations. Owners will even be able to monitor their vehicle’s charging online or through their mobile phone.

At all times, the car will be tied in to Nissan’s global data center to provide support (should it be needed) 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

Today Nissan showcased the new EV (hidden under the body of a Nissan Versa) as a prototype. The production EV will officially be unveiled when Nissan opens its new global headquarters in Yokohama, Japan on August 2nd.

A Nissan Zero-emission Website www.nissan-zeroemission.com will also go live on Aug. 2nd.

Official release after the jump:

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This past weekend the Lamborghini Super Trofeo racing series was in Belgium, running during the same weekend a the famous 24 Hours of Spa. Lamborghini race car manufacturer Reiter Engineering used this opportunity to debut its full carbon-bodied version of the new LP670-4 SV.

Dubbed the LP670 R-SV, the racing version is powered by the same 6.5-liter V12 engine as the street car with 670hp and 487 ft-lbs. Incredibly, as the SV is already a lighter version of the LP640, this race-ready version weighs even less, tipping the scales at just 2,535 lbs.

The LP670 R-SV is the followup the carbon-fiber Murciélago R-GT by Reiter and features a new suspension setup and improved steering thanks to an even wider track. The braking system has also been upgraded with carbon discs and pads and better air ducting to keep the brakes cool over long periods of time.

Reiter Engineering has built the car to meet FIA regulations so that it can qualify to race in the GT World Championship

GALLEY: Reiter Engineering LP67- R-SV

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Mercedes is planning to launch a Black Series version of the E-Class Coupe. News of this bad-ass-Benz comes from 4WheelsNews, citing sources inside the company. We can also report that AMG boss Volker Mornhinweg hinted at such a vehicle over a year ago at the launch of the SL65 AMG Black Series.

The new model would be powered by a version of the AMG 6.2-liter V8 engine making at least 500hp. As with previous Black Series models, like the SL65, the E63 AMG Black Series Coupe would get wider fenders with a wider track for improved cornering capabilities. Also look for a seriously stiff suspension and a significantly lighter curb weight.

There is also the strong possibility that the Black Series variant could get the new dual-clutch transmission that Mercedes is currently developing for the upcoming SLS supercar.

[Source: 4WheelsNews]

Ferrari Formula 1 driver Felipe Massa suffered a fractured skull in two separate places after being hit in the head by a piece of debris on the track while testing at the Hungarian Grand Prix. The debris was actually a suspension spring which came off of the car of Brawn GP driver and fellow Brazilian Rubens Barrichello. It was immediately obvious something was seriously wrong when Massa made no attempt to steer the car clear of any obstacles and simply locked up the brakes to shave up as much speed as possible before slamming into a tire wall.

Massa was immediately airlifted to the AEK hospital in Budapest where he underwent emergency surgery. Peter Bazo, medical director at the hospital said that Massa’s injuries were life threatening but that he was “slightly improving.” After surgery he was put into a coma and has since been woken three times to meet with his family, including his wife who is pregnant with the couple’s first child.

The accident came just a week after Formula 2 driver Henry Surtees was killed at a race at Brands Hatch in the U.K. after being hit int he head by a tire.

Massa, a constant top-contender in the Formula 1 world championship, was just coming off a third-place finish at the German GP two weeks earlier (pictured celebrating above). With just three weeks until the next race, the Ferrari team is in need of a replacement driver. Ferrari has two strong candidates, but there is also speculation that Michael Schumacher could come out of retirement to race in Massa’s stead.

[Source: CNN and TimesOnline]

Saleen Performance Vehicles (SPV) has just released its version of the 2010 Mustang, the 435S. The release of this 435 horsepower pony car comes just days after Steve Saleen announced he is suing SPV and its owner MJ Acquisitions for using his name.

For those not up to date on the continuing Saleen saga, Steve Saleen sold his company to MJ Acquisitions roughly a year ago and then promptly went out and opened up his own pony-car tuning shop, SMS Supercars.

But back to the 435S.

SPV unveiled that car during the Special Vehicle Team (SVT) Owners Association’s annual Mustang Week event.

The “New Saleen” designed the 435S to deliver a lot of performance for a reasonable amount of money (although pricing has yet to be released).

The 435S gets its power from a Saleen Series VI twin-screw supercharger and two-stage intercooler and along with 435 horses it delivers 425 ft-lbs of torque through a five-speed manual transmission with a 3.73:1 rear end and a much-needed limited-slip differential.

To help out in the handling department the car gets a full Saleen Racecraft suspension adjustment with new shocks, a stiffer front sway bar and springs that help the car sit 1.5-inches lower than stock. A set of 18-inch wheels comes standard with both 19- and 20-inchers available.

As for the look of the car we have to say we’re impressed, as the (optional) new front splitter and rear spoiler give a race-ready look. Inside there are also a few changes with a short-shifter, Saleen logos on the headrests and new gauges that keep the Mustang’s MyColor setup.

“All in all, we believe the 435S is the right car at the right time,” said SPV CEO Mike Shields. “It’s a terrific performance value that we’re proud to offer. And this is just the first of many great Saleen vehicles we’ll be launching in the future.”

GALLERY: SPV 2010 Mustang 435S

Official release after the jump:

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When Audi first released the new 2010 S4 with a supercharged V6 rather than a V8 we knew it would be a hit with tuners. One of the first companies to get its hands on a new S4 is Abt Sportsline, Germany’s largest VW/Audi tuner and they did not disappoint.

Output has been increased from the standard 333hp to 425hp and torque also gets a significant bump from 325 ft-lbs to 384 ft-lbs. Combined with Audi’s incredible seven-speed DSG gearbox, the sprint to 100km/h (62 mph) takes just 4.6 seconds as compared to 5.1 seconds in the stock Audi.

What might be even more impressive, however, is Abt’s claim that fuel-consumption is not negatively affected.

In addition to these performance modifications, Abt also offers a four-pipe muffler set, as well as AR or BR wheels in anywhere from 18- to 20-inch fitments.

Official:

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It looks like the folks in Acura’s marketing department are working well ahead of the folks in PR, as the company’s consumer website was updated today with images of the new 2010 RDX, before any press release about the luxury crossover was sent out.

We can now confirm (as can anyone who heads over to Acura.com) that the 2010 RDX will be offered in a front-wheel drive layout with a lower base price and better fuel-economy.

Whereas the AWD model costs $34,520, the front-drive model comes in $2,000 less at just $32,520. Fuel economy also improves a good bit, from 17/22 mpg (city/highway) for the SH-AWD model to 19/24 mpg.

The consumer site doesn’t list anything about the front-drive’s curb weight but we can expect that to be about 200 lbs lighter, meaning that it might actually be quicker than the AWD version – although the lack of AWD grip may negate the weight advantage).

As is obvious, the 2010 RDX does get Acura’s corporate shield up front. We do, however, like the hexagonal exhaust tips.

All 2010 RDX models will retain the turbocharged 2.3-liter four-cylinder engine with 240hp and 260 ft-lbs of torque. And a backup camera is now standard equipment.

GALLERY: 2010 Acura RDX

What’s the only Porsche faster than a RUF? Why, another RUF of course.

The Germany Porsche experts at RUF have just release an even more powerful version of the 911 Turbo-based RT12, the RS12 S. Standard RT12 models range from 530 to 650hp, but this new model takes it a step further with 685hp and and equally insane 649 ft-lbs of torque.

Outside the car gets a few different parts from the standard RT12, including LED lights, a carbon-fiber spoiler, as well as mirrors and wider fenders borrowed from the RUF CTR3.

Inside the cabin gets a complete work-over and comes with a specially designed roll cage.

A set of 19-inch RUF wheels comes with the complete car, as does a set of carbon ceramic brakes. There is also an optional height-adjustable suspension.

RUF says it will offer the RT12 S as either all-wheel drive or rear-wheel drive, which would presumably mean RWD versions would be based on the GT2 and not the Turbo.

The vehicle is currently offered in Europe with sales in the U.S. expected to follow. Pricing in Europe is set at 255,900 Euros (or roughly $400,000 USD).

GALLERY: RUF RT12 S

Official release after the jump:

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Nissan is preparing to debut three electric vehicles on August 2nd, one of which is expected to be a made-in-the-USA crossover. Nissan has already said that it plans to build an electric car at its Spring Hill, Tennessee, assembly plant in the near future.

According to the usually-reliable folks at Japan’s BestCar magazine, the crossover is to be capable of a range of 100 miles on a single charge and be slightly smaller than the current Rogue.

As for the design of the vehicle, it is likely to take inspiration from the Qazana concept (pictured above) that debuted at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this year.

The remaining two electric vehicles are expected to be small cars, with a strong possibility that one will be a mini-car that will compete with Mitsubishi’s i-MiEV, while the other would be a sub-compact along the lines of the Nissan Versa.

Nissan expects to sell as many as 5 million EVs by 2012.

[Source: BestCar via LeftLaneNews]

Just a year and a half after it was first unveiled as a concept car the Fisker Karma is set to take to the road track during the Monterey Peninsula’s Classic Car Week. On August 15th, the plug-in hybrid Karma will run two laps of the world-famous Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca course at 11:10 a.m on August 15th, during the Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Race.

“The Rolex Monterey Historic Automobile Races is the best stage in the world for great moments in automotive history,” said Fisker Automotive CEO, Henrik Fisker. “Fisker is honored to be a part of it.”

Using a 260hp GM-sourced Ecotec motor and two 201.5hp electric motors, the Karma’s Q-Drive powertrain allows the plug-in hybrid to travel 50 miles on pure electric power before the gasoline engine kicks in to recharge the lithium-ion battery packs. But it’s more than just a plug-in hybrid, it’s a full-on luxury sedan and can even perform with a 0-60 mph time of 6.0 seconds and a top speed of 125 mph.

The Karma will also be on display the day before at Concorso Italiano, alongside the Karma Sunset hardtop convertible concept. The Karma Sunset will also make an appearance at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance on Sunday, August 16.

GALLERY: Fisker Karma

Official release after the jump:

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