Lotus has just announced that a of October 1st, former Ferrari executive Dany Bahar will take over at the helm of Group Lotus plc. Bahar moves into the position after former Lotus CEO Mike Kimberly retired in July due to health reasons.

At Ferrari Bahar worked as Senior VP of Commercial and Brand, where he oversaw not only the important job of road car sales, but also the lucrative merchandising aspect of the Italian automaker. Previous to to the position at Ferrari, he worked for Red Bull and helped organize the partnership between Red Bull Racing and Scuderia Toro Rosso with Ferrari, as well as the energy drink company’s NASCAR efforts.

“Lotus has a worldwide reputation for innovative engineering and superb sports cars that lead the world in efficiency, design and dynamics,” Bahar said in a  statement. “With the recent launch of the award-winning Evora, there is proof that Lotus is better placed than many to capitalize on the rapidly changing automotive market. I can’t wait to get my plans underway in October.”

One has to wonder if Bahar’s appoitment will usher in an era where Lotus returns its full efforts to the field of motorsports.

According to a recent Consumer Reports survey, the overwhelming majority of car shoppers are considering a domestic vehicle as their next purchase. Results of the “Auto Pulse” survey indicate that 81 percent of respondents looking at a new car are considering buying American. That number is significantly higher than the numbers for Asian imports (47 percent) and European imports (46 percent).

The increase in consumer confidence in domestic automakers is not shared equally between the brands, however, with Chrysler suffering significantly. Ford gained 17 percentage points compared to a year ago, while General Motors was u six points. Chrysler dropped significantly, by 25 points.

The survey also explores what consumers see as the most important factors in buying a car and these results contained some surprises. While price topped the list, amongst active new car buyers it listed fourth, below fuel-economy, quality and safety.

[Source: Reuters]

While in their down time the boys over at AMG might try and stuff a a 6.2-liter V8 in a SMART car, a particular group of diesel-crazy engineers at Mercedes decided to fit a modern diesel engine into a classic 190 E chassis from 1990.

Not quite as exciting, we know, but interesting none the less.

The donor car was a 190 E, made famous by its motorsports cousin. As for the engine, it is the very same diesel you’d find under the hood of a modern C250 CDI BlueEFFICIENCY. Back in 1990, Mercedes did make a 190 D, but this 190 D BlueEFFICIENCY makes for an interesting comparison.

While the old car made 132hp, the new diesel makes 204hp. The real difference, however, comes in the torque department. Whereas the old diesel made 181 ft-lbs, this new diesel motor pumps out an impressive 369 ft-lbs from just 1600 rpm.

And despite all this power increase fuel-consumption has been improved significantly as well. While the old 190 D’s fuel economy rating of 32 mpg was impressive at the time, this new 190 D gets a much-improved 48 mpg.

GALLERY: Mercedes 190 D BlueEFFICIENCY

Official release after the jump:

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After vehemently denying rumors that the company is working on an electric version of the R8 sports car, Audi is stirring up interest by launching a new website called Electricity Untamed. There isn’t much on the site, expect for a drawing of a sports car that could be an R8, or a TT, or even, well, any Audi.

There’s also a brief message saying that “electricity will be untamed” on September 15th, which, by no coincidence, is the first day of the Frankfurt Auto Show.

Whether Audi actually does have plans for a zero-emissions R8 to compete with cars like the electric Mercedes SLS gullwing remains to be seen.

Be sure to check back with AutoGuide on September 15th when we begin live coverage of the Frankfurt Auto Show.

According to a self-proclaimed insider posting on TheMustangsource.com, news of Ford’s power increases for the 2011 Mustang are true… but there’s more. Calling himself “TheInsider” this individual has revealed that the 2011 Mustang V6 will boast an output of 315hp and displace 3.7-liters. This would put it just slightly ahead of the 300-ish horsepower V6 in the Camaro.

As for the big V8, it will in fact see the return of the 5.0, with the new motor making 400hp. And possibly even better than that news is word of a six-speed manual transmission to replace the current five-speed unit.

All this almost sounds too good to be true, were it not for the fact that these aren’t exactly the first rumors we’re heard on the matter and that Ford is desperate keep the Mustang at the top of its game. While Ford’s other products are performing exceptionally in the marketplace, the Mustang has suffered as of late with, having been out-sold by the Camaro for three straight months.

Other bits of info that will be of interest to the Mustang faithful include news of a new track pack for 2011, an aluminum block for the 2011 Shelby GT500 and a special edition Boss model for 2012.

[Source: The Mustang Source]

Ferrari tuner Novitec Rosso has just released a new performance package for the flagship 599 GTB model, tailored to more conservative tastes than the company’s generally extreme offerings. With a power increase of 40hp, this tuning package increases the output of the V12 from 620 to 660hp.

Included is a retuned ECU as well as a new sport exhaust system. The new ECU not only brings new mapping for the ignition and injection, but increases maximum engine speed to 8550 rpm. The exhaust system is available in two different versions, with one offering an exhaust flap that is operated by the Manettino switch, which will really let the v12 sing. The new top speed is rated at 208 mph!

Novitec Rosso also offers a full line of additional upgrades for the 599, including an aerodynamics kit, height-adjustable suspension, brakes and a new set of wheels and tires – with rear tires measuring 355/25/21, to help put all 660hp to the ground.

In addition, Novitec offers an extreme performance upgrade for the 599 GTB with as much as 808hp thanks to twin-superchargers.

GALLERY: Novitec Rosso Ferrari 599 GTB

Official release after the jump:

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A pair of Honda models hold the top two spots in the top ten most stolen vehicles in 2008.

The 1994 Honda Accord was number one while the 1995 Civic came in second on the list compiled by the National Insurance Crime Bureau’s (NICB) Hot Wheels 2009 report. The report examined data from the National Crime Information Center to determine the make, model and year of the vehicles most reported stolen across the U.S. in 2008.

All of the top ten stolen vehicles were from 2004 and earlier, with the oldest model, the 1989 Toyota Camry, in third. According to the NICB, older cars and trucks are popular with thieves because their parts are more valuable. Thieves would strip cars down at underground chop shops and sell the parts for at least twice the value of the original vehicle on the used car market. The NICB says newer cars are less attractive to thieves because they have more anti-theft features.

For 2008 the most stolen vehicles were:

1.    1994 Honda Accord
2.    1995 Honda Civic
3.    1989 Toyota Camry
4.    1997 Ford F-150 Pickup
5.    2004 Dodge Ram Pickup
6.    2000 Dodge Caravan
7.    1996 Jeep Cherokee/Grand Cherokee
8.    1994 Acura Integra
9.    1999 Ford Taurus
10.    2002 Ford Explorer
Overall, vehicle thefts were down 13.1 percent from 2007 figures, according to preliminary findings from the 2008 FBI Uniform Crime Report. That would make 2008 the fifth consecutive year that vehicle thefts had decreased. The report is still collecting information but total thefts may total under a million for the first time in 20 years.

“This is great news for vehicle owners, law enforcement and the insurance industry,” said Joe Wehrle, NICB president and chief executive officer. “It takes years of sustained effort to deliver the kinds of reductions that we are enjoying today. NICB joins with our member companies in acknowledging the great work performed by law enforcement and our investigators in the fight against vehicle theft.

“Comprehensive legislation, aggressive enforcement and rigorous prosecution are the three essential components to a winning crime control program. NICB is proud to contribute to each of those areas through our national legislative affairs program and our network of experienced investigators.”

The NICB urges vehicle owners to follow its “layered approach” to preventing theft:
-Common sense: Lock your car and take the keys with you.
-Warning device: Visible and audible warning devices deter thieves.
-Immobilizing device: Kill switches, fuel cut-offs and smart keys are effective.
-Tracking device: In the event of a theft, tracking devices send signals that help authorities recover stolen vehicles.

Official release after the jump:

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Heffner Performance, well-known for tuning everything from Vipers, to Lamborghini Gallardos to Ford GTs, has just completed its first twin-turbocharged Murcielago.

Total engine output when strapped on the dyno was measured at 1,100 hp at the rear wheels.

For a car with this much power the 0-60 mph time isn’t all that important and with grip being such a big issue, it might not be all that impressive either. Instead, Heffner decided to measure the speed at which the car can accelerate from 60 mph to 130 mph. The current car hasn’t been tested with the 1,00-hp total, but when it had “just” 950 hp, it managed a 5.1 second time. To put that in to perspective, a stock Murciélago takes 9.5 seconds to reach 130mph from 60 mph.

Heffner’s Murciélago TT is currently undergoing testing with full results available soon. See after the jump for two videos of the car in action. The first is on the dyno and the second is of an acceleration run on a closed track – it just looks like a stretch of highway in Florida… right guys?

GALLERY: Heffner Performance 1,110-hp Lamborghini Murciélago

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Thanks to the folks at WorldCarFans, we have these photos of the upcoming 2010 Mercedes E63 Estate/Wagon. Spotted hanging out at the Nürburgring, this family hauler might be more at home out on the track than in the paddock.

With the E63 sedan already out, we have a good idea of what the wagon model will bring. Included will be the 6.2-liter V8 engine with 518hp and 465 ft-lbs of torque, hitting the ground through the rear wheels via a 7-speed Speedshift MCT transmission.

Expect a long list of safety features as well as what will most likely be some serious weight savings over the previous model.

The 2010 E63 AMG Estate will debut at the Frankfurt Auto Show in a few weeks time.

GALLERY: 2010 Mercedes E63 Estate/Wagon

[Source: WorldCarFans]

We’ve already seen a pre-production electric B-Class concept and a hydrogen fuel-cell B-Class concept. Now Mercedes is readying a plug-in electric hybrid based on the B-Class chassis, which will debut in a more complete form at the Frankfurt Auto Show in just a few weeks time.

Called the BlueZERO E-Cell Plus Concept this model can travel up to 100km (62 miles) on electric power before the gasoline engine kicks in to recharge the lithium-ion batteries, enabling an extended range of 500km (300 miles). The engine is a turbocharged 1.0-liter 3-cylinder powerplant producing 67hp.

The electric motor which actually powers the car makes 134hp and 236 ft-lbs of torque, enabling the plug-in hybrid to hit 62 mph in 11 seconds.

Impressively, the BlueZERO E-Cell Plus can be recharged for 50km trips in just 30 minutes using a special rapid charger. A full charge will take an hour or up to six hours with a conventional wall outlet.

First unveiled at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit earlier this year, the BlueZERO E-Cell Plus Concept is expected to make its way to production in the near future.

GALLERY: BlueZERO E-Cell Plus Concept

Official release:

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