Ahead of its debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in just a few weeks Ferrari has released a new selection of images of its upcoming 458 Italia – the successor to the F430. Previous photos were just computer generated images, but this latest selections show the 458 in the flesh and driving at speed.

While you’re likely to spend time staring at the dynamic track photos, Ferrari is more interested in the interior pics. The reason for this is that Ferrari engineers and designers worked hand in hand to create the interior of the 458 Italia, inventing ways to make the cockpit a more driver-focused environment. To do this all of the steering-column mounted stalks have been eliminated with items like the turn signals, high-beams and wiper functions now located on the steering wheel. Even the button to select the different shock settings has been moved onto the wheel, directly next to the Engine Start button.

With all main commands on the steering wheel, all secondary items have been moved to one of two satellite pods on either side of the dash. The pod on the right side now includes all infotainment, Bluetooth, satellite and back-up camera items, while the left side pod includes items like cruise control.

The idea is to allow the driver to focus more on the road, both enhancing safety and increasing the driving experience.

Powering the 458 is a 4.5-liter V8 that puts out an incredible 570hp at 9000 rpm and 398 ft-lbs of torque at 6000 rpm – 80 percent of which is available at just 3250 rpm.

The new engine it a typically high compression Ferrari V8 rated at 12.5:1 and uses direct-injection technology. This means it gets better fuel economy that otherwise might be expected with a combined city/highway rating of 17.2 mpg. In comparison, the F430 only got 16 mpg on the highway.

Using an aluminum chassis and plenty of other light weight metals and materials the 458 Italia weighs an astonishingly low 3,043 lbs in its dry form (expect an extra 100 to 200 lbs with all fluids in place).

Combining these factors with a new smooth-shifting dual-clutch 7-speed transmission (that Ferrari claims is faster than the current F1 tranny), the 458 Italia can hit 62 mph in just 3.4 seconds and blast on to a top speed of 202 mph.

As expected, however, the 458 is about far more than straight line speed and so Ferrari has worked hard at applying its racing technology to improve the E-Diff differential and F1-Trac traction control systems to allow the newest prancing horse to put down 32 percent more power out of the corners.

GALLERY: 2010 Ferrari 458 Italia

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Honda has released two teaser images of the upcoming Accord Crosstour, which will debut on September 1st. The two images, showing a headlight and the front grille, give two very different ideas of what this Accord-based crossover will look like.

The grille, while still very much an Accord design, seems slightly larger and more truck like. As for the headlight, it looks more like the Accord Coupe, or even like the first generation Acura TSX. The two pictures do seem to make sense for a Honda crossover, with a functional SUV-like grille and an overall sporty look. This new platform, after all, will be competing with stylish vehicle like the Toyota Venza and Ford Edge.

Several spy photos of the 2010 Accord Crosstour wound up on the internet a few months back, but they did not show what the front or rear end of the new vehicle will look like.

The only details that have leaked out about the crossover so far are that it is reportedly 2.5-inches taller than the Accord Sedan, while measuring 7-inches longer than its main rival, the Toyota Venza.

GALLERY: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour Teasers

GALLERY: 2010 Honda Accord Crosstour Spy Photos

Chrysler and Nissan have officially canceled plans to work together on a number of platform sharing opportunities. Previous plans would have seen Chrysler supply Nissan with the next generation Titan pickup truck, in exchange for Nissan supplying Chrysler with a small car for international markets, as well as a rebadged Nissan Versa for South America.

With Chrysler now owned by Fiat, the U.S. automaker now has access to a long list of small car platforms at its disposal. Nissan, however, isn’t so lucky. Nissan will continue to built the Titan pickup truck at its Canton, Miss., plant through 2011, but beyond that point the Japanese automaker has no plans.

“We’re exploring our options,” said Fred Standish,  Nissan North America spokesman.

Nissan is now left with two choices, to either find another automaker who will supply a platform or to develop its own on an tight schedule. There is also the possibility that the Titan pickup could be scrapped entirely.

With the Cash-for-Clunkers program officially ending last night, the U.S. Department of Transportation has now released its top 10 list of the most purchased vehicles under the program, with the most popular car purchased being the Toyota Corolla.

Toyotas actually took three of the top 10 spots, with the Camry placing third and the new Prius ranking seventh. Honda did equally well, taking three of the top 10 spots, with the Civic coming in second, the Accord 8th and the Fit 9th.

Nissan and Hyundai each had one spot on the list with the Versa in 6th and the Elantra in 5th. Ford was the only U.S. automaker to break into the top 10, with the front-wheel drive Focus in 4th and the FWD Escape in 10th.

The “Top 10″ list doesn’t tell the whole story, however. While no General Motors products are listed in the top 10, collectively, GM products accounted for 17.6% of the total of new cars purchased under the program, second only to Toyota with 19.4%.

In total, the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS) generated 690,114 transactions worth a total of $2.8 billion.

“American consumers and workers were the clear winners thanks to the cash for clunkers program,” said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Manufacturing plants have added shifts and recalled workers. Moribund showrooms were brought back to life and consumers bought fuel efficient cars that will save them money and improve the environment. This is one of the best economic news stories we’ve seen and I’m proud we were able to give consumers a helping hand.”

In total, 84 percent of consumers traded in trucks, while 59 percent purchased cars. The average fuel economy of a car traded in was 15.8 mpg, whereas the average fuel economy of a car purchased was 24.9 mpg – an improvement of 9.2 mpg or 58 percent.

[Source: Department of Transportation]

The four-wheel-drive Ford Explorer topped the list of clunkers traded in under the Car Allowance Rebate System.

Ford vehicles appeared five times on the Cash for Clunkers top ten trade-in vehicles list released by the U.S. Department of Transportation. The four-wheel-drive Explorer was number one with the two-wheel-drive version at number four.

The Ford F150 also appeared twice on the list, with the 2WD pickup at number two and the 4WD F-150 at number nine.

Chrysler vehicles appeared on the list three times, thanks to the Jeep Grand Cherokee (#3), Jeep Cherokee (#6) and the Dodge Caravan/Grand Caravan (#5).

A pair of Chevys filled out the top ten with the Blazer at seven followed by the 1500 pickup at eight.

According to the DOT, 84% of trade-ins were trucks. The clunkers traded in under the program had an average fuel economy of 15.8 mpg compared to the 24.9 mpg average for new vehicles purchased.

[Source: DOT]

The Cash for Clunkers program has come to an end and its impact can now be evaluated.

According to U.S. Department of Transportation, dealers submitted 690,114 transactions under the Car Allowance Rebate System (CARS), more commonly known as Cash-for-Clunkers. Those rebate applications account for $2.877 billion out of the $3 billion approved by Congress.

That number may rise considerably, however, as rejected filings are resubmitted. The DOT has said that filings approved after last nights deadline will be reimbursed. The DOT reported several issues with its servers approaching the deadline, which may account the fact that only $229 million in claims were filed during the last 36 hours of the program, while over the previous weekend $611 million in claims were filed.

A preliminary analysis by the White House Council of Economic Advisers says the CARS program boosted economic growth in the third quarter of 2009 by 0.3-0.4 percent, will help sustain an increased fourth quarter GDP and create or save 42,000 jobs in the second half of 2009.

“American consumers and workers were the clear winners thanks to the cash for clunkers program,” says U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. “Manufacturing plants have added shifts and recalled workers. Moribund showrooms were brought back to life and consumers bought fuel efficient cars that will save them money and improve the environment.”

Ford and General Motors recently announced production increases for the second half of the year due to the demand generated by the CARS program. Honda also said it will increase production at its plants in East Liberty and Marysville, Ohio, and in Lincoln, Ala.

“This is one of the best economic news stories we’ve seen and I’m proud we were able to give consumers a helping hand,” said LaHood.

[Source: DOT and Automotive News]

According to a Japanese dealer brochure that has been obtained by the folks at LexusEnthusiast, Toyota’s luxury arm appears to be making a few subtle revisions to its lineup of LS models for 2010.

For starters, we have what appear to be some of the first official images of the LS-Sport or “Version SZ”, a more sporting trim level that will be offered on the LS. Nothing is expected in regards to real performance, but a new aero kit include new front and rear bumpers as well as new side skirts is included, as are a set or larger wheels. Inside the LS Version SZ will also get paddle shifters.

As for the LS lineup in general, it will also get new bodywork, as well as as new front and rear lights.

As for the top-level LS600hL, it will get new body work as well as a new grille, styled similarly to the one found on the new HS250h. The dealer pamphlet also reveals a new Night Vision system.

GALLERY: 2010 Lexus Dealer Brochure

[Source: LexusEnthusiast]

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Late last week we reported that the Radical SR8LM had once again demolished the Nürburgring lap record, running the ring in an amazing 6:48. For the record, that’s almost 40 seconds faster than the Nissan GT-R.

Thankfully the blokes at Radical videotaped the whole thing so now we can ride along on this record-setting drive.

“We’ve proved that the SR8LM is not only the world’s best trackday car, but it’s also practical enough to drive to and from the circuit,” said Radical Sportscar’s co-founder Mich Hyde, who said the same set of Dunlop tires was used to drive from the company’s facility in the U.K. to the Nürburgring in Germany and for the test. “It is a genuine production sports car, with genuine performance credentials, as we’ve shown today.”

The Radical SR8LM is powered by a 460hp 2.8-liter V8 engine, fitted into a light-weight chassis with full carbon fiber bodywork.

The upcoming Toyota Prius Coupe will add plenty of eye-catching passion to its environmentally-sound drivetrain thanks to a body that will be designed in Italy.

Japan’s BestCar magazine has reported that an Italian coachbuilder will be outsourced to provide the design for the two-door Prius, with the possibilities being Pininfarina or Italdesign Giugiaro. The choice to go with Giugiaro seems more likely as Toyota already has a history of working with the renowned firm. Along with creating such masterpieces as the Maserati Quattroporte, BMW M1 and Lotus Esprit, Giugiaro designed the original Lexus GS.

The Prius Coupe is expected to be unveiled some time in 2010 as a 2011 model, and is aimed at taking on the upcoming Honda CR-Z hybrid.

[Source: BestCar via 4WheelsNews]

Suzuki is planning to bring the Swift back to the U.S., according to a report by Automotive News. The first three generations of the car were sold in North American and we often rebadged as Pontiacs, Chevy or Geos, but Suzuki decided to cease offering the sub-compact in 2001.

With tiny engines and very little horsepower, the Swift never caught on and Suzuki decided to instead take aim at the compact car market with its SX4 model. But now as the sub-compact segment expands, Suzuki may look to bring back it’s sometimes sporty little hatch. (We spied the hot-looking 125hp Anniversary Edition model above at the Geneva Auto Show).

Word is the successor to the current fifth-generation model is due out soon and Suzuki could have it in the U.S. as early as next year as a 2011 model.

Suzuki is also working on a new Grand Vitara model, due out in 2013, while a new crossover based on the Kizashi mid-sized sedan is expected in 2012 to replace the XL7 model.

[Source: Automotive News via Autoblog]