The photos above and below are reported to be of the 2010 Acura RDX, complete with a mid-cycle redesign. Visually, the entry-level luxury crossover gets a little less attractive thanks to the addition of the corporate Acura badge. And if not attractive, at least it will help to set the crossover apart in an incredibly competitive segment.

The only other significant design change is to the tailpipes, which get a new hexagonal shape.

According to SatoAuto, the biggest change to the RDX for 2010 is the addition of a new front-wheel drive layout. This should cut as much as 200 lbs from the crossover, making it a little peppier, while also helping to reduce fuel-consumption – which is particularly important considering the RDX’s less than stellar 17 mpg city, 22 mpg highway EPA rating.

On top of those advantages the FWD RDX will no doubt cost noticeably less than the SH-AWD model. Currently the standard RDX costs $33,895, so look for something closer to the $32,000 mark.

Additional upgrades for 2010 include USB and iPod connectivity, Bluetooth, a better backup camera and ambient lighting in the cabin.

GALLERY: 2010 Acura RDX

[Source: SatoAuto]

IMV+Films+Gymkhana+Practice+(SPOOF+VIDEO)

We haven’t laughed this hard in a while! The folks at IMV Films, known for illegal stunt drive movies like Vehicular Lunatics, have just released an amazing parody of the high-budget Ken Block Gymkhana video and this bit of cenematographic genious is anything but. While it might not be as visually stunning, it is outrageously funny, especially when the part where the team spoofs the paint-balling scene in Block’s second Gymkhana video opting instead to use a fake member of the Taliban and some roman candles. But we won’t ruin it for you… watch for yourself.

Unlike Block’s big-budget Subaru/Monster Energy Drink commercial, the team doesn’t use a fancy rally-prepped Subaru WRX STI, but rather a completely beat-up  Subaru 2.5 RS. The IMV team also didn’t bother to rent out a private facility, instead opting to do all their shenanigans on the open road, endangering not only their own lives but the lives of everyone around them.

We do not condone this behavior, but thanks for the laughs.

[Source: IMV Films and StreetFire.net]

Nissan has just announced the release of the Skyline Crossover in Japan, but it’s not what you might expect. Yes, it’s all-wheel drive, but noticeably absent are two turbochargers strapped to the vehicle’s V6 engine. That is because this is actually a Japanese version of the Infiniti EX.

The Infiniti brand name does not exist in Japan and so the EX gets a Nissan badge in the automaker’s home market. As for the Skyline name, well, it is used for the Infiniti G cars in Japan and as the EX is based on the G’s platform, the name carries over –even if it is a stretch to refer to a crossover as a Skyline.

One interesting bit of news from the unveiling is that the Skyline Crossover is powered by the 3.7-liter V6 found in the current G37. It also gets the coupe/sedan’s new seven-speed automatic gearbox. Currently the North American EX uses the older 3.5-liter V6 and five-speed automatic from the G35, but Nissan representatives said to expect the newer powertrain in the near future. 

[Source: Edmunds]

Recently Bugatti sent out invitations to an exclusive party it will be hosting at the Frankfurt Auto Show this September and they included a teaser image – no doubt hinting that the company will in fact debut a new model at the show.

Considering Bugatti’s secrecy, it is expected to be an all new model (not a Grand Sport roadster or limited edition version of the Veyron). And rumors point to it being an ultra-luxury sedan, something that would supersede cars like the Rolls-Royce Phantom, Bentley’s “Grand Bentley” Arnage successor or the several Maybach models.

One thing is sure, the grainy photo above doesn’t tell us much. We’ll be sure to bring you updates from the Frankfurt Auto Show starting September 15th.

[Source: Jalopnik]

With the ongoing recession every automaker has suffered a slide in sales, but the decline for Lexus has been more significant than at its German rivals with sales down 34.1 percent for the year so far. Lexus believes part of the reason is due to a reliance on up-market SUVs and the fact that the company’s buyers tend to be from an older demographic.

To fix this, executives from Toyota’s luxury arm have told Automotive News that in the future the company will look down-market to less expensive vehicles and younger buyers at higher volumes. Additionally, Lexus will put more focus on two opposing market segments: environmentally friendly cars, and performance vehicles.

The first step in this process is the new IS Convertible, followed by the HS250h dedicated hybrid. The automaker also wants to put a lot of focus back on the IS sedan. The performance issue has also been addressed as the company plans to build a 416hp IS-F Convertible.

The list of new vehicles will extend well beyond these, however, and with BMW seeing success with the 1 Series (and planning a long list of 1 Series variants), there is a strong possibility that Lexus will follow. It’s hard to imagine Lexus would ignore an entry-level crossover that would compete with the BMW X1 and the upcoming Audi Q3.

This move by Lexus is somewhat expected as it is, to a certain extent, the same brand philosophy that Toyota follows. Recently Toyota’s now-retired honorary chairman Shoichiro Toyoda blasted company executives for a dependence on large cars, trucks and SUVs, saying that Toyota should follow its traditional and successful path of small, economical vehicles. That philosophy will no doubt be enforced by the company’s new CEO and Shoichiro’s grandson, Akio Toyoda. 

[Source: Automotive News via Autoblog]

When General Motors emerged from bankruptcy protection and announced that it would unretire Bob Lutz, it seemed like an odd move, considering Lutz’s interest in performance cars and the fact that he’s 77 years old. Enthusiasts, however, rejoiced and with good reason, as over the weekend the former product boss and now Vice Chairman let slip that Cadillac may in fact build a high-performance “V” version of the upcoming CTS Coupe.

Yesterday on GM’s corporate Fastlane Blog Lutz addressed the issue and clearly stated that a CTS-V Coupe will in fact see production.

 ”As of now, the V package is planned only for the sedan and coupe,” he said.

As for whether a “V” version of the CTS Sport Wagon had wings, Lutz was less optimistic, stating that if there is a demand GM would most certainly build the car. Demand for high performance wagons has never been high in North America, however, as is evidenced by the fact that BMW doesn’t bring over its M5 wagon and Audi never brought over the RS6 Avant. The only automaker to offer a high-performance wagon is Mercedes-Benz with its E63 Estate.

Oddly, Lutz also sounded less sure about his earlier statement that the Pontiac G8 would remain in the U.S., branded as a Chevrolet Caprice, saying that GM was studying the “feasibility” of offering the car to the police and public.

[Source: GM Fastlane Blog]

Hyundai is the first automaker to start accepting trade-ins under the pending Cash-for-Clunkers legislation, and during the first week of trade-ins CARS (Car Allowance Rebate System) rebates have accounted for seven percent of all sales for Hyundai Motor America.

While the Cash-for-Clunkers incentives have yet to be finalized by the U.S. government, automakers have been given a guarantee that all CARS trade-ins would be honored retroactively until July 2nd. In the mean time, Hyundai corporate is offering its dealers loans to cover the difference so customers can walk away with a new Hyundai at a significantly reduced cost.

The CARS legislation gives a $4,500 rebate on a new car when it gets 10 mpg or more better fuel mileage than the one traded in. The rebate is $3,500 on vehicles that get 4 to 9 mpg better or trucks that get 2 to 4 mpg better.

The most popular CARS purchase at Hyundai is for the Elantra compact car (pictured above), which accounts for 41 percent of all CARS deals at Hyundai in the first week. One reason for this as that customers can walk away with an Elantra for just $8,620 after trade.

The Sonata mid-sized sedan is the next popular purchase. In total Hyundai has 13 vehicle/engine combinations that are eligible for rebates under the CARS legislation, including the 2010 Genesis Coupe 2.0T.

“The early response we’re seeing demonstrates the CARS program is working, with inefficient gas guzzlers being traded-in for fuel-efficient Hyundai models,” said Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik.  “We expect overall sales from this program to grow as consumer awareness increases – it should surpass ten percent of our retail sales this month.”

As for the vehicles traded in, Hyundai’s data shows that 32 percent of all clunkers are Ford products, while 23 percent are Dodges. Surprisingly, the list of clunkers also includes models from such prestigious brands as Jaguar, Lexus and Mercedes-Benz.

Official release after the jump:

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Today Chrysler reconfirmed its commitment to the Dodge Viper, saying that it will live on despite the company’s bankruptcy and new ownership. The Dodge Viper was scheduled to be eliminated from the company’s lineup as of December of this year and the automaker had searched to find a buyer. Not only will Chrysler continue to produce the sports car at its Conner Avenue Assembly Plant, but the company is no longer interested in selling-off the iconic exotic.

“The Dodge Viper has successfully captured the hearts and imagination of performance enthusiasts around the globe,” said Dodge CEO Mike Accavitti. “We’re extremely proud that the ultimate American-built sports car with its world-class performance will live on as the iconic image leader for the Dodge brand.”

The new fourth-generation Viper SRT10 was launched in 2008 and for ’09 the Viper boasts a 8.4-liter V10 with 600hp. To date, more than 25,000 Vipers have been built since production began in 1992. Now the only question remains is if Chrysler will look at building a fifth-generation of the iconic V10 machine.

Official release after the jump:

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Back in 2004 Oprah Winfrey gave away 276 Pontiac G6s to her audience members. And like all things Oprah touches, it turned to gold – gold for Pontiac and General Motors anyway. Popularity of the car shot up overnight and now Volkswagen is hoping for a repeat performance as Oprah will reportedly give away two Routan minivans on an upcoming show.

While a Volkswagen model, the Routan is actually a Dodge Caravan/Chrysler Town & Country underneath and is built in North America at Chrysler’s Windsor, Ontario plant in Canada.

Routan sales haven’t been strong for Volkswagen as it struggles for market share in a segment that is seemingly past its prime and filled with strong and established competitors from Toyota and Honda – not to mention from Chrysler with its own version of the same vehicle.

In such a well-established vehicle segment, the Routan’s biggest problem seems to be awareness, but that will all change after millions of Americans hear Oprah say that word: Routan. Awareness for the Pontiac G6 reached 87 percent after the 2004 Oprah giveaway. The Pontiac G6 also because an immediate top search item on both Google and Yahoo. GM even said that unique visitors to the Pontiac website were six times the average in the weeks after that famous Oprah show.

Luckily for Volkswagen, meeting the surge in demand won’t be a problem as Chrysler jut announced it would not shutter its Windsor assembly plant, which had previously been on the chopping block.

[Source: Wards]

The Jim Russell Racing Drivers School is launching a new Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution driving experience. Participants will be able to get behind the wheel of Mitsu’s amazing new EVO X on one of America’s best race tracks, Infineon.

Along with a classroom component, drivers will be able to pilot the track-ready EVO while they develop their racing technique, car control skills and get some serious speed out on the track.

“Deciding to work with Mitsubishi Motors for The Lancer Evolution program was an easy choice,” said Chip Pankow, president of Jim Russell Racing Drivers School. “We have been using the 4G63 engines in our Lola-built school cars and found them to be exceptionally reliable. The launch of The Jim Russell Lancer Evolution Experience strengthens our position as the leader in delivering new concepts and deliverables for automotive manufacturers seeking to broaden their customer base.”

Mitsubishi will officially announce the new school program on July 11 at the annual Mitsubishi Owners Day (M.O.D.), held at the Japanese automaker’s Cypress, Ca offices. There will even be a draw for the first seat in the Jim Russell Lancer Evolution Experience. Jim Russell puts the value at $1,000, but thrashing an EVO X at Infineon is practically priceless.

Official release after the jump:

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