The much-anticipated Cadillac CTS Coupe will arrive in May of next year as a 2011 model. The sporty two-door won’t be alone either, as the new model will debut alongside a high-powered CST-V sibling.

According to a report on TheCarConnection, the two door version of the entry-level Cadillac CTS will share the same powertrains as the sedan and Sport Wagon, which will include a new-for-2010 base engine – a 270hp direct-injection 3.0-liter V6. Like the sedan, the coupe will be offered with a manual transmission, while the Sport Wagon will be automatic only.

The CTS-V Coupe is expected to be powered by the exact same engine as the sedan with a supercharged 6.2-liter V8 making 556hp. The car should be an impressive performer as (until recently when it was eclipsed by the Porsche Panamera), the sedan version held the Nürburgring lap record (for a four-door) with a time of 7:59.

[Source: TheCarConnection]

A week after reports that the original $1 billion allocated for the Cash-for-Clunkers program was running low, President Obama today signed into law an additional $2 billion that will keep the program running and fuel a rebounding auto industry.

In just two weeks since the original bill was passed the Cash-for-Clunkers or CARS (Car Allowance Rebate System) has netted $920 million in rebates and has accounted for more than 220,000 new car sales.

The boost to the auto industry has prompted speculation that total car sales for the year, which only a few months ago were pegged at under 10 million, will now exceed the 13 million unit mark.

Automakers are also looking to boost production output as inventory levels have dropped to their lowest levels since 1992. Measured in the number of days worth of inventory a dealer has on its lot, Chrysler dropped its inventory from 71 to 40 days, Ford shed 9 days (from 57 to 48) while both GM and Toyota lost 18 days, from 82 to 64 and 47 to 29 respectively.

[Source: Automotive News 1 and 2]

The hard-core version of the S5 is apparently still in the production pipeline over at Audi, but has simply been delayed due to the current financial crisis. Dubbed Project Anniversario, the new light-weight S5 is still expected to be unveiled in late 2010 for a 2012 production date.

Why the long gap between the first reveal and production, you ask? Simple, The 2010 date might be a bit of a rush for Audi but that date is the whole point of the car, as 2010 marks 30 years since the Audi Quattro (the inspiration for this model) was introduced.

Project Anniversario is intended to be a light-weight version of the S5 with a curb weight approaching the 3,000 lb mark. To do that Audi will have to chop over 500-lbs from the standard S5. To do this plenty of light-weight components will be used, as well as a stripped down interior.

Another weight-saving possibility is the use of the turbocharged 5-cylinder engine found in Audi’s new TT-RS, which is considerably lighter than the 4.2-liter V8 currently used in the S5. This engine choice would also make particular sense as the original Quattro was also powered by a turbocharged 5-cylinder.

[Source/Photo Credit: CAR]

The highly-anticipated E63 AMG Black Series Coupe will be an example of how to build a high-performance vehicle by shedding pounds rather than adding ft-lbs. According to the folks over at AutoCar, who cite their AMG insiders, some power increase is likely but the real performance difference will come as a result of fine-tuning and overall weight reduction rather than upping the output of the 6.2-liter V8. The focus will be more on making a better handling car, rather than one that can blast down a drag-strip a few tenths of a second faster than a standard model.

Considering the current E-Class Coupe weighs around 3,900 lbs, we’d expect the Black Series version to come in at closer to 3,500 lbs.

Interestingly, the E63 Black Series Coupe will be the only AMG version of the C-Class based car. No non-Black Series E63 model will be offered.

Despite being based on the C-Class platform, AMG will not release a Black Series version of the C-Class sedan, as those special limited edition models are reserved only for two-doors.

The next C63 AMG, however, will get a significant power increase, up from the current 457hp to somewhere between 500 and 525hp.

[Source: AutoCar]

Toyota CEO Akio Toyoda has, for the first time, officially made clear that the automaker is in fact working on a joint project with Subaru to build an affordable sports car. Toyoda made the statements at the Center for Automotive Research’s Management Briefing Seminars in Traverse City, Michigan

The new car will be stylish, yet fuel-efficient and affordable – a vehicle that customers (U.S. customers in particular) can get passionate about.

“You’re going to have to have passion in your products,” said Jim Lentz, president of Toyota Motor Sales, USA, adding that obviously any Toyota would also be representative of the company’s focus on quality and value.

The project is an unconventional one for the Japanese automaker, but is part of a new direction that its new CEO, a self-proclaimed ‘car nut’, wants to take the company in. “I want to see Toyota build cars that are fun and exciting to drive,” he said, adding that the Toyobaru will be fast-tracked to market.

[Source: MSNBC]

Porsche has just released a spattering of details (and a few photos) of the next 911 Turbo, which will make more power, consume less fuel and offer even better performance than the current model.

Displacement for the turbocharged flat-six is up from 3.6 to 3.8-liters, however, this is far more than just a re-worked engine. The new 3.8-liter motor is the first entirely new engine in the Turbo’s 35-year history. Porsche’s variable turbine geometry turbos are back, and the new engine also gets direct-injection for the first time, resulting in an output of 500hp. Also for the first time, the Turbo will also be offered with Porsche’s 7-speed dual-clutch PDK transmission.

Porsche says the new Turbo will be capable of a 0-60 mph sprint in just 3.4 seconds and can blast on to a top speed of 194 mph.

The new engine is also significantly more fuel-efficient than the previous Turbo, consuming just 24.1 mpg with the manual transmission (compared to 22.1 mpg before), meaning it avoids the gas guzzler tax in the U.S. And when combined with Porsche’s PDK tranny the Turbo gets even better mileage at 24.8 mpg.

The 2010 Turbo will be lighter than it predecessor and feature updated versions of Porsche’s PTM and PSM systems. A PTV (Porsche Torque Vectoring) system will also be offered for the first time.

Sales of the 2010 911 Turbo will begin in Europe in November with worldwide sales to follow. Coupe models will be priced at $132,800 ($165,300 CDN), with the Cabriolet costing $143,800 ($178,400 CDN).

Porsche will officially debut the vehicle at the Frankfurt Auto Show this September.

GALLERY: 2010 Porsche 911 Turbo

Official release after the jump:

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These are the photos BMW doesn’t want you to see and thanks to the folks at Bimmerpost we have them to share. What exactly we are looking at is still a mystery, but the consensus seems to be that whatever it is, it looks amazing.

There are two strong possibilities for the vehicle, the first being that it’s BMW’s upcoming Sustainable Sports Car Concept, the second that it is a version of the upcoming 6 Series.

BMW board member Dr Klaus Draeger already said that the company would debut a “green” vehicle, dubbed the Sustainable Sports Car Concept, at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September. This vehicle will be the embodiment of BMW’s Efficient Dynamics philosophy, using numerous fuel-saving technologies (like electric power steering, regenerative braking and a stop/start system).

It’s also appears to share a resemblance to the M1 Homage that was rumored to be the design inspiration for an upcoming “green” sports car.

Bimmerpost forum member (and presumed BMW insider) Scott26, seems to indicate that the car is a concept of the upcoming 6 Series.

Either way, we can’t wait to see more of it in Frankfurt.

GALLERY: Mystery BMW Concept

[Source: e90post.com]

Buick has just released a teaser image of a new entry-level luxury crossover that will slot in underneath the Enclave. Normally word of a new model is news enough, but GM has decided to increase our expectations of its new model by announcing that it will be offered with a version of the Volt’s Voltec plug-in hybrid system.

This will make the new crossover the first plug-in hybrid SUV on the market.

The new five-passenger crossover will go on sale next year with PHEV models on sale in 2011. The conventional gasoline models will be offered with a choice of two engines: a direct-injection 2.4-liter turbocharged Ecotec four-cylinder or a direct-injection 3.0-liter V6. The Ecotec motor is expected to deliver 30 mpg on the highway.

The Buick PHEV will use a battery pack roughly half the size and power of the one found in the Volt and be mated to a 3.6-liter V6 FexFuel engine, indicating that the Buick hybrids will follow the Lexus philosophy of using the hybrid powertrain to deliver high-performance with reduced fuel-consumption. Similarly, it appears, Chevy models like the Volt will follow the Toyota model of delivering maximum fuel-efficiency.

The Buick PHEV will be able to be recharged fully in 4 to 5 hours through a conventional 110V household outlet and will be ale to travel up to 10 miles on pure electric power (at low speeds).

“Buick has always been at the forefront of new technology, so it is only fitting that the brand should debut our new plug-in hybrid technology in a beautiful new crossover,” said Tom Stephens, GM vice chairman of product development. “This will firmly put Buick, and GM, front and center in the advanced technology game.”

Official release after the jump:

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Audi will offer an additional $1,000 off any vehicle that also meets the requirements for a Cash-for-Clunkers rebate. This means customers could save up to $5,500 off the price of a new Audi.

Eligible vehicles for the CARS (Car Allowance Rebate System) rebate include hatchbacks, sedans, convertibles, crossovers and even sports cars. Notable models include the Audi A3, the new 2009 Audi A4, the TT (both Coupe and Roadster) and the new Q5 crossover.

“The CARS reimbursement enacted by Congress is a tremendous opportunity for consumers interested in upgrading to vehicles that offer better fuel efficiency and reduced emissions,” said Mark Del Rosso, Chief Operating Officer at Audi of America. “Now that some uncertainties surrounding the launch of this federal program have been cleared up the time is right to enhance the deal even further.”

Audi is awaiting official EPA ratings on the fuel-efficiency of its 2010 models to see if they will also be eligible for both the Audi and Cash-for-Clunkers discounts.

See the full list of eligible models after the jump:

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Ford Australia has just officially launched its high-performance 2010 FPV F6 E; a car with even more punch under the hood that the new 2010 SHO.

But how can that be? The SHO uses a twin-turbocharged EcoBoost V6 to make 365hp.

Well, the Ford Performance Vehicles (FPV) version of the Australian-market F6 E saloon out muscles the SHO with a 4.0-liter turbocharged straight-six making no less than 415hp and 417 ft-lbs of torque.

The conservatively styled sedan is aimed at attracting buyers of European luxury/performance sedans (a la Audi S4 and BMW M5). It’s main competitor, however, is the Holden Commodore SS, sold in the U.K. as the Vauxhall VXR8 and in North America as the Pontiac G8 GXP.

Along with a nicely styled interior the FPV F6 E gets a big set of wheels and tires and some massive Brembo brakes. Full details aren’t yet available but this four-door Australian muscle car is expected to hit 60 mph in less than 5 seconds.

GALLERY: Ford FPV FE 6

[Source: Top Gear]