As though there was any doubt that BMW’s diesel models weren’t selling well in the U.S., the German automaker is now following in the footsteps of Chrysler by offering an additional $4,500 off.

Earlier this week Chrysler announced that it would discount most of its models by $4,500 on top of a possible $4,500 cash-for-clunkers rebate. BMW has decided to follow suit, meaning that when combined with your clunker, you can save as much as $9,000 off the price of a new 335d or xDrive 35d.

And on top of that deal there is also a tax credit for both models, with a savings of $900 on the 335d and $1,800 on the xDrive 35d.

That means you can walk away with a wickedly-fast 335d, with 265hp and 425 ft-lbs of torque, for just $34,000.

And considering the amazing fuel-mileage that diesel engines get (the 335d rating 23/36 mpg) it won’t be hard to qualify for the full $4,500 cash-for-clunkers rebate.

Official release after the jump:

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Audi has just released pricing for the new V10-powered R8 in the U.S. The 525hp exotic will start at $146,000 with a six-speed manual transmission and $155,100 for Audi’s R-tronic auto-box with paddle shifters.

The 4.2-liter V8 model will continue to be offered at a starting price of $114,200.

Standard equipment on the new R8 5.2 FSI includes a rear-biased quattro all-wheel drive system Audi magnetic ride, navigation, a 465-watt Bang & Olufsen Sound System, Audi parking system with backup camera, and 10-way heated sport seats. This is on top of the amazing V10 engine with 525hp and 391 ft-lbs of torque.

The 2010 R8 V10 will also be offered in an exclusive color: Sepang Blue pearl effect.

“The R8 is a proven worldwide success story for Audi,” said Johan de Nysschen, President, Audi of America. “The positive effects of the vehicle on dealers, customers, and Audi fans alike have exceeded all expectations.  The addition of the V10-powered R8 5.2 FSI quattro adds further equity into the already sought-after R8 nameplate and the Audi brand.”

Today the first two U.S.-spec 2010 Audi R8 5.2 FSI models were delivered to the winning bidders at the 2009 Boca Raton Concours d’ Elegance charity auction back in February. Two two models sold for a combined $850,000, with all the proceeds going to the Boys & Girls Clubs of Broward County, Fla.

Official release after the jump:

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Several months ago Porsche was poised to buy Volkswagen. Today Volkswagen received the approval it needed to do just the opposite.

A “supervisory board” meeting, comprised of board members from both Volkswagen and Porsche, as well as the Porsche and Piëch families and the German State of Lower Saxony, today gave unanimous consent to a “integrated automotive group” that will by all accounts see Germany’s largest automaker take control of its most storied sports car manufacturer.

The move comes just a day after Porsche ousted its CEO Wendelin Wiedeking.

Dr. Wolfgang Porsche said that, “Porsche will preserve the myth and identity of the Porsche brand in the integrated group,” and added that the deal with Volkswagen will allow for further growth.

Chairman of the board Dr. Ferdinand K. Piëch echoed that statement saying that, “Together, Volkswagen and Porsche have all it takes to occupy a leading position in the international automotive industry.”

The details of the deal will be arrange over the next few months as Porsche joins a growing Volkswagen Group of companies which includes Bentley, Audi, Lamborghini, Seat and Bugatti.

Official release after the jump:

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According to the U.K.’s Autocar, Honda is fast-tracking a list of updates for the Insight originally scheduled for a mid-cycle makeover that’s still several years off. The focus of the changes will be to further improve fuel-economy, which while impressive at 40/43 mpg (city/highway), lags significantly behind the 2010 Prius and its 51/48 mpg rating.

How exactly Honda plans to improve fuel-economy are not certain, as the automaker’s IMA hybrid system simply can’t complete with Toyota’s more sophisticated two-mode Hybrid Synergy Drive.

Honda is also expected to address the general consensus that the car’s handling and ride quality is sub-par.

Initially the Insight looked to be a serious threat to the Prius, and priced several thousand dollars lower than the Toyota it also launched first in Japan, helping it list as the monthly sales leader in April. With the launch of the Prius (not to mention the Insight’s less than glowing reviews), it fell to third place in sales in its home market with the newly-launched Prius taking first.

[Source: Autocar]

Subaru has just released details on its range-topping WRX STI Spec C model, offered exclusively for the Japanese market. With just a mild performance increase the focus of the Spec C model is on better power delivery, handling and reduced weight. The new model is intended to be a more race-ready platform.

Engine output is 304hp and 311 ft-lbs of torque, up from the standard 295hp and 299 ft-lbs. The increase is slight but is the result of a modified turbocharger and ECU program that also allows for quicker response.

As for reducing the car’s weight, that has been achieved due to the use of an aluminum hood and a smaller battery. A plexiglass windshield and side windows also drop several pounds, as do new lightweight 18-inch wheels.

For improved handling the Spec C gets stiffer springs, a larger rear stabilizer bar, stiffer sub-frame bushings and new shocks. A new mechanical limited slip differential (SD) out back also improves the car’s ability to get all that turbocharged power to the ground. Reinforcements to the front cross member, new Bridgestone Potenza RE070 tires and increased power steering pressure result in better handling and driving feel.

The WRX STI Spec C will be offered in standard colors as well as two exclusive colors, Sunrise Yellow and Pure White. It is currently on sale in Japan with just 900 units being offered.

GALLERY: Subaru WRX STI Spec C

Official release after the jump:

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Autobots: roll out, and now you can too with the 2010 Chevrolet Camaro Transformers Special Edition. The Bumblebee inspired creation was officially introduced yesterday at a fitting venue, Comic-Con in San Diego.

“When the first Transformers movie was setting box office records, we had countless customers asking to purchase the ‘Bumblebee’ Camaro,” said Karen Rafferty, product marketing director, Chevrolet. “Now, they can buy one with the new Camaro Transformers Special Edition. Streets all over North America will be buzzing in no time.”

The Transformers kit can be ordered on either the 304hp V6 model or the 426hp V8-powered SS at an additional cost of $995.

It includes Autobot shields on both front fenders and on the wheel center caps. The Autobot logo will also be embroidered on the center console. Additionally, the kit includes Transformers logos on the driver and passenger door sills as well as a Transformers logo on the rally stripes (included) that run up the hood.

GALLERY: Chevrolet Camaro Transformers Special Edition

Official release after the jump:

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Porsche CEO Wendelin Wiedeking is leaving his position at the helm of Germany’s most renowned sports car maker and he isn’t leaving voluntarily. Wiedeking was sacked by the Porsche’s executive board late yesterday so that the company could move forward with a “merger” with Germany’s largest automaker, Volkswagen. The now former CEO opposed the deal and so has been removed, along with the company’s chief financial officer Holger Haerter.

The reality is that the merger is anything but and that with Wiedeking gone Volkswagen will now look to add Porsche as one of its many brands (10 in total) that include such names as Bentley and Lamborghini.

Wiedeking has run Porsche for the past 16 years and can be credited for saving it with the introduction of the Cayenne SUV. In fact, he took it from the brink of bankruptcy to being the world’s most profitable automaker. For that he will be well rewarded with a $71 million severance.

Unfortunately Wiedeking’s ambition became his own downfall as he attempted a takeover of Volkswagen, a company 16 times Porsche’s size. The move might have worked too, were it not for the crumbling worldwide economy, which slowed the company’s cash flow and made the enormous amount of debt wracked up in the attempted VW takeover too much to bear.

Volkswagen has reportedly offered to buy Porsche outright but wants it to fix its finances first. That plan may already be in the works as Porsche has also announced it will raise $7 billion in equity from Qatar Holding LLC.

Volkswagen’s board of management will reportedly meet today to decide on further action.

Porsche’s executive position has fallen to production boss Michael Macht.

[Source: AutomotiveNews]

After a considerable amount of secrecy surrounding the next generation Saab 9-5, it seems as though the cat is finally out of the bag. Two German publications (Autobild and Autozeitung) have published what appear to be official Saab press photos of the 2011 9-5.

Normally a new Saab doesn’t get much attention, but with the pending sale of the company by General Motors to Swedish supercar maker Koenigsegg, there is a great deal riding on the new model. If the 9-5 succeeds, Saab will succeed. And if it doesn’t, well, it will be tough to keep funding the niche-market automaker.

The exterior of the car is certainly traditional Saab style, which means it isn’t likely to appeal to a much wider audience. The interior, however, is impressive with a nicely-designed center stack, a push-button ignition and available rear seat LCD screens.

The next Saab 9-5 is expected to be a 2011 model, with sales starting in 2010. With pictures already emerging we’d expect that car’s official debut at this Fall’s Frankfurt Auto Show, however, the Geneva Auto Show would certainly be more neutral ground for a Swedish automaker.

GALLERY: 2011 Saab 9-5

[Source: Autobild and Autozeitung via Motivemag]

The latest bit of Acura NSX gossip points to a return of the luxury Japanese automaker’s flagship sports car, but as an all-wheel drive hybrid. 7Tune is reporting from their sources that when the next generation NSX (known as the Advanced Sports Car Concept) was canned, it was actually more of a temporary matter as the automaker did some soul searching.

The new model is to be called (at least initially) Super Hybrid Sports (SHS) and use a V6 hybrid system to deliver as much as 450hp. It will also get Honda’s SH-AWD system.

The platform will also be shared with the next generation of the Acura RL, although in the RL the structure will be made of steel and in the SHS it will be made of aluminum.

Giving credence to this speculation are reports that Toyota is working successor to the Supra, which will be a high-performance hybrid, along the lines of the FT-HS Concept.

[Source: 7Tune]

Having recently emerged from bankruptcy protection, General Motors is hoping those who though the Old GM stunk will prefer the odor of New GM.

To help (or perhaps hinder) this rebranding process the company’s luxury brand, Cadillac, is getting its own fragrance, the smell of which includes hints of grapefruit, camomile, geranium, tarragon and cinnamon rather than high-octane gasoline or premium leather.

General Motors licensed the product to Dubai-based Beauty Contact Inc., which plans to release the fragrance, (as well as a full line of products, including aftershave lotion, deodorant, and body wash) this Fall to celebrate the brand’s 100th anniversary.

“Cadillac, the new fragrance for men is part of the recent Cadillac renaissance: Hot new products and redesigns that capture the mantra of life, liberty and the pursuit,” said Alwyn Stephen at Beauty Contact. “Our fragrance is a relevant extension of the Cadillac lifestyle.”

[Report: Toronto Star]