If you’re in the market for one of Mitsubishi’s Eclipse Spyders and prefer the control a manual transmission gives you, then act now. Mitsubishi has quietly removed the optional five-speed and six-speed transmissions from its lineup for 2010.

We stumbled across this bit of news on Mitsubishi’s consumer site, which lists both the 2009 and 2010 Spyder models for sale. Mitsubishi’s Product MP manager Maurice Durand confirmed it with us.

The consumer site doesn’t list any info for the 2010 coupe model, but Durand told AutoGuide that the manual transmission will continue to be offered for the coupe.

With the introduction of the new 2010 model Mitsubishi is also eager to move its 2009 inventory, offering $2,000 off on any model, meaning you can get a five-speed four-cylinder GS for $24,669 or a six-speed V6 GT for $27,869.

These deals sound even better when you consider the 2010 models see a price increase, with the base 4-cylinder automatic running $28,494 (a $1,545 increase) and the V6 automatic now priced from $33,523 (a $3,374 increase). Part of the added price comes from the fact that the GS model now gets a 5-speed auto-box rather thean the old four-speed unit, while the GT model gets a new 6-speed auto.

Ford is set to release a revolutionary new 6.7-liter Power Stroke turbo-diesel engine for its line of Super Duty F-Series trucks in 2011. The all-new engine promises a, “significant improvement in torque, horsepower and fuel economy,” says Ford in a press release, stating that this new F-Series Super Duty would continue to be a class leader in both payload and towing.

Numerous high-tech innovations have been employed in building this new engine, starting with a compacted graphite iron (CGI) engine block that Ford says is twice as strong as standard iron blocks. This was deemed necessary due to the increases in power output.

The new engine makes use of a Honeywell single variable turbine turbo (similar to the one found on the Porsche 911 Turbo), but takes turbo technology a step further still. Instead of one, there are two compressor wheels driven off a single turbine impeller, working like a bi-turbo setup that gives the engine a fast response time with little lag as well as the power of a larger turbo.

Visually, the new engine looks remarkably different, due to the fact that the intake and exhaust systems are the reverse of a conventional engine. The exhaust manifolds sit in the valley of the big V8 engine, while the intake manifold is on the outside. This means the cylinder heads are essentially flipped around.

By significantly reducing the amount of exhaust piping, lag is reduced considerably. Additionally, this new packaging moves the hotter elements of the engine (like the turbocharger and exhaust pipes) away from the intake areas, ensuring a constant supply of cool air to the engine. And as for that turbo, it sits in the valley between the cylinder banks. Due to its location, spool up is considerably faster and the engine’s overall balance is improved. Another major benefit of this setup is that that cab no longer has to be removed from the frame if work needs to be done on the turbo. The fuel-pump, EGR (exhaust gas recirculation) components and the thermostats are also easily accessible from the front of the vehicle.

Ford hasn’t released any specifics on the new engine but if out scientific and sophisticated brains have understood all this talk of a sequential variable turbine geometry turbo correctly, our power-loving neanderthal brains are in for a real treat when this new package makes it to market.

GALLERY: 2011 Ford Super Duty Power Stroke 6.7-Liter V8

Official release after the jump:

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Last week we reported on a story that BMW was in talks with Toyota to use its iQ city car platform as the basis of a future mini-MINI. Now it appears that deal may be two-sized as AutoCar is reporting that in exchange Toyota may get use of the MINI Coupe and Roadster platform to use as the basis of a new sporty vehicle.

Neither automaker has made any official comments on the exchange and while unlikely, both companies would benefit in certain ways. Currently BMW is in need of a mini-car platform to underpin a new line of cars including a small electric city car and a possible replacement for the Isetta. There have already been numerous rumors that BMW was working with Fiat to develop such a platform although Toyota’s reputation for quality is certainly more in line with BMW’s way of doing business.

At the same time, Toyota is desperate for a small sporty car that can capture the attention of younger buyers and enthusiasts.

Toyota is already in talks with Aston Martin, which wants to use the iQ base for its Cygnet city car.

[Source: AutoCar]

According to a recent report on CBC Radio’s French website Radio Canada, the Penske Automotive Group plans to close all the Saturn dealers in Canada once its deal to buy the brand from General Motors is complete.

At one time there were 60 Saturn dealers in Canada, but half of those dropped out of the business during this turbulent year as General Motors filed for bankruptcy protection. The business case for keeping just 30 dealers in such a vast country as Canada apparently makes for a poor business decision.

We can also speculate on additional concerns, including the fact that if Penske does plan to rebadge Renault vehicles, as has widely been speculated, then there would be twice as much red tape involved by having to go through not just U.S., but also Canadian bureaucratic regulation procedures.

The closure of Saturn in Canada is expected to effect 2,000 people.

[Source: Autoblog via Radio Canada]

Ford’s sale of Swedish automaker Volvo to China’s Geely Automotive may start next month.

According to a report in Swedish business daily Dagens Industri, Geely is the only company to actually submit a competitive bid. In July Ford reps commented that the automaker was discussing with several potential buyers.

Ford has reportedly set the a deadline of this year to sell-off its money-losing Volvo unit, which it put up for sale just before the economy turned sour. In order to solidify the deal by then, Ford would need to begin a preliminary sell-off by October.

With the economy turning around, however, and Ford profiting off the struggles of not just GM and Chrysler, but also foreign giants like Toyota, it may not be so eager to take just any bid to part with Volvo.

[Source: Automotive News]

With the Targa Newfoundland just two weeks away, Stillen has unleashed its race-ready Nissan GT-R upon the internet.

Prior to the race Stillen took its 620hp monster to the El Toro Marine base for a little performance test organized by Road & Track and the results are more than impressive. The tests revealed a 0-60 mph time of just 2.9 seconds, with a 1/4 mile time of 11 seconds flat at 127.9 mph! Don’t believe us? Watch the video below.

Along with a host of performance adders, like a Turbosmart boost controller and a Stillen exhaust setup, the Stillen GT-R also received a set of AP Racing brakes, Eibach springs and several other Stillen suspension bits. Stillen even set about manufacturing a polyurethane body kit and then contracted Password JDM for a long list of carbon fiber panels. Those panels, along with a stripped-out interior, mean the Stilen GT-R weighs significantly less than stock.

We’ll be sure to keep an eye on Steve Millen’s progress at the Targa Newfoundland, which runs from September 12th to 19th.

GALLERY: Stillen  Nissan GT-R

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[Source: Stillen]

Full stats on the Stilen Nissan GT-R after the jump:

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BMW has kept the world guessing about a concept car that would epitomize the company’s corporate Efficient Dynamics philosophy and now it is here. The new car is mean-looking 2+2 sports car that uses both a turbo-diesel three-cylinder engine as well as two electric motors in a full plug-in hybrid layout. BMW says the goal of the project was to build a vehicle that has the performance of one of its M cars, while delivering fuel-economy that is superior to current small cars. This they most certainly achieved with a 0-62 mph time of 4.8 seconds and a claimed fuel economy figure of 62.6 mpg.

The diesel engine used is essentially half of that found in the current BMW 335d, displacing 1.5-liters. On its own the diesel makes 163hp and 214 ft-lbs of torque. The car also gets BMW’s impressive six-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Two electric motors are paired to this engine, which is located in a mid-rear configuration. A 33hp motors sits between the engine and transmission while a second 80-hp motor delivers power to the front axle. The result it a total of 356hp and 590 ft-lbs of torque. Storing that energy is a lithium-polymer battery pack that runs down the center of the car for optimum weight distribution.

BMW says the Vision EfficientDynamics Concept can be plugging in a charged at a conventional outlet in just 2.5 hours and can travel up to 31 miles on pure electric power. A 6.6 gallon diesel tank will then allow an extended range of 400 miles.

To keep the weight of the vehicle to a minimum, BMW engineers build the chassis and suspension entirely out of aluminum, meaning the car weights just 3,076 lbs. Engineers also worked hand-in-hand with the designers to create the body of the concept, with a light weight polycarbonate body that boasts a aerodynamic drag coefficient of just 0.22 cd. BMW says part of the reason for the impressive aerodynamics is due to their ability to work on the front end of the car, made possible by moving the engine to the rear. New thermostatically controlled slats in front of the radiator can also close at speed to redirect air around the car when cooling isn’t a top priority.

In addition, on of the vehicles most progressive technologies is what BMW calls “Forward looking energy management.” BMW hopes that by using technology to forsee what is coming on the road ahead it can save energy by shutting down or powering up other systems. An example would be using the radar system built into the active cruise control to see when traffic is slowing down ahead, and then shut of the car’s engine while activating the regenerative braking ahead of time.

There’s not reason to think BMW will ever build this car, but we should expect many of the technologies shown here to make it into production cars in the not-too-distant future. The BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept will officially be unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show on September 15th.

GALLERY: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

Official release after the jump:

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Steeda Autosports has gotten into the crossover segment with its take on the Ford Edge.

Best known for its Mustang modifications, the Florida-based tuner is giving the top-selling mid-size crossover a Steeda-style makeover with the Steeda Edge Sport.

The package includes an eight-piece body kit, blacked out head and tail lamps and 22-inch polished aluminum rims.

Steeda offers a number of options including six-piston Brembo brakes, a Magnaflow cat-back exhaust,  a cold air intake, a throttle body spacer and an ECU tune. Power figures and pricing have not yet been announced, but Steeda says it has created a crossover vehicle “worth of the Steeda name.”

GALLERY: Steeda Edge Sport

Official release after the jump:

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BMW has just released a single teaser photo of its upcoming Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept that will debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show next month. The German automaker is keeping tight-lipped about the upcoming vehicle, but it is expected to be a serious performance car that utilizes all of BMW’s current Efficient Dynamics approaches. That being said, we should look for electric power steering, a regenerative braking system and the use of light-weight materials like magnesium and carbon fiber.

According to WorldCarFans, the Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept will be a supercar with as much as 590 ft-lbs of torque from a hybrid turbodiesel motor. It will also get 67.2 mpg and be able to hit 60 mph in less than five seconds.

We’ll be sure to bring you bring you all the details life from the Frankfurt Auto Show starting September 15th.

[Source: iaablog via WorldCarFans]

General Motors’ sale of its Hummer brand to China’s Tengzhong may be completed within a week.

The two companies have been working on a deal for Hummer since June, and an unnamed source said to be the discussions said a deal is imminent.

“Tengzhong executives have been traveling between the U.S. and China in the past months and more will arrive in Detroit soon,” the source told Reuters. “If there are no big surprises, an agreement could be finalized next week.”

The source also said that, as expected, Tengzhong is likely to keep Hummer’s senior management and operational team, as well as its dealership network.

The deal, reportedly worth $100 million, would also enter Tengzhong into a long-term agreement with GM over components, material supply and assembly. GM’s Shreveport, La. plant would be contracted to build the H3 and H3T models through 2010.

One final hurdle in the way of a Tengzhong’s Hummer acquisition is approval of the Chinese government. Earlier reports from a state-run radio station said the Chinese government may nix the deal but recent comments from China’s commerce ministry sounded more positive. The unnamed source said Chinese regulators will decide whether to approve the deal after it is finalized.

[Source: Automotive News and Reuters]