According to a report by LeftLaneNews, Lotus has been spied testing a version of its Exige, powered by the same V6 engine that can be found in the new Evora.

While some Exige models make as much as 260hp using a supercharged four-cylinder, the Evora’s V6 (sourced from the Toyota Camry) makes 276 ponies without the need for forced induction.

There is the possibility that under the familiar bodywork this is actually the next-generation Exige. There is also a strong possibility that this could be some limited edition model.

Regardless, as the report gives no real photographic evidence to support the V6 claim, and a V6-powered Exige seems to fly in the face of the light-weight Lotus philosophy, we’ll wear our skeptical hat for now.

[Source: LeftLaneNews]

Nissan has just released a teaser-image of the 2010 Altima, which will receive a mid-cycle redesign – although it’s hard to tell. New headlights are a part of the package, but it would take a serious Altima-nut to notice the rest. We image a full reveal will show more changes, with a new grille a strong possibility.

According to a report on Autoblog the 2.5 Premium IS CVT Plus model will get a 4.3-inch display screen with an iPod interface and USB capability, while the 2.5 S M6 and 3.5 SR M6 IS will get Xenon headlights added to the Premium Package. The Tech Package will also get a 9.3 gig music server with DVD playback, Bluetooth streaming audio and a new input jack that replaces the auxiliary input.

The 2.5 S M6 model will get sporty additions, including Vehicle Dynamics Control (VDC) and traction control as well as a manually adjustable lumbar support for the driver. A set of 17-inch wheels and 215/55/17 tires will also be included.

We’ll have to wait on official details (expected soon) for the rest.

[Souce: Autoblog]

Hyundai has just officially revealed the 2011 Sonata model in its home market of Korea. As the numerous spy photos have shown, the Sonata has a coupe-like design and is certainly no boring family-hauler.

There is no specific word on what will be under the hood when the car launches in the U.S., but in Korea it will come standard with a 165-hp 2.0-liter four-cylinder that gets 30.1 mpg. The base U.S. 4-cylinder is expected to make slightly more power thanks to a larger 2.4-liter displacement and the use of direct-injection. All models will be offered with six-speed automatic transmissions.

After its official release, a hybrid model will follow.

The 2011 Sonata is expected to officially debut at either the LA Auto Show later this year, or at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit early in the new year.

GALLERY: 2011 Hyundai Sonata

Official release after the jump:

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Ferrari has just released a brief video of its latest exotic, the 458 Italia, going full-tilt on a race track. And as you might expect… it’s incredible.

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. Combining this ultra-low weight with a new 4,499cc V8 engine and 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.

Power output is rated at 570hp at 9000 rpm and 398 ft-lbs of torque at 6000 rpm.

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.

Watch in awe as it does just that.

Mazda has just announced that it will bring the Mazda2 model to market in North America late next year, to compete in the growing sub-compact market alongside models like the Toyota Yaris, Hyundai Accent, Honda Fit and Ford’s upcoming Fiesta.

“You’ve asked us for it for a while now, and we’ve been studying the market to make sure we can make a business case for it across North America,” said Mazda North America CEO Jim O’Sullivan. “As consumers’ tastes and attitudes toward small vehicles have changed, we now believe strongly there is a place in our lineup for a car below our current least-expensive car, the MAZDA3.  MAZDA2 will be true to everything that makes our cars stand apart from the competition: it will be stylish, fun-to-drive and a heck of a value. In short, it will be Zoom-Zoom.”

There is no word on any specifics about the North American model, but in Europe and Japan (where it is sold as the Demio) it is available as a three-door and five-door hatchback, while a sedan version is available in China. Several different gasoline and diesel engines are available overseas, with a 1.5-liter 4-cylinder making just over 100hp a likely option for North America.

The current Mazda2 model was introduced in 2008, when it won World Car of the Year. It is based on the same chassis that underpins Ford’s European Fiesta, which, by no coincidence, will also be on sale in North America by 2011.

Over the past 12 months Ford sold-off much of its stake in Mazda and recently announced it would bring to North America the European Grand C-Max MPV, which would compete directly with the Mazda5. The introduction of the 2, while no-doubt a pure business decision, is also very much a well-timed retaliation.

Edo Competition and ZR Auto have once again teamed up to create the world’s most extreme Enzo. Easily one of the most incredible machines ever made, the Enzo makes 660hp in stock form, but Edo has upped the power to 840 ponies – more than even the FXX.

Ferrari’s FXX is an all-out race car and while it does trump the Enzo in power and overall performance, it isn’t street legal anywhere.

Over a year ago Edo and Canadian exotic tuner shop ZR Auto got together to transform this Enzo into an unreal performer. ZR Auto, it should be noted, became famous infamous after owner Zahir Rana posted a viral video of himself driving at speeds of 300 km/h on Canadian roads in a mostly stock version of this same yellow Enzo. Rana later denied the high speed shenanigans, saying he had faked it all as a stunt to help promote his shop.

It’s not entirely clear if Edo built up the Enzo engine to match the FXX, or if the shop actually managed to finagle a powerplant out of Ferrari’s hands. Either way, the new engine boasts a displacement increase from 6.0 to 6.3-liters with a fully rebuilt top and bottom end. Full power comes on at an alarming 9600 rpm, with 575 ft-lbs of torque at 5800 rpm. Edo even claims that an additional 20hp is possible with the exhaust system removed – but then that wouldn’t make the car street legal, now would it?

Shift times are just 60 milliseconds, the same as in the FXX Evolutione. By comparison a Ferrari F1 car takes 40 ms to complete a shift.

Numerous weight-saving measures were also taken, dropping the overall curb weight of the car by 220 lbs. As a result of these modifications, Edo claims a 0-62 mph time of 3.2 seconds, with a 9.0 second run to 124 mph. The top speed is an estimated 242 mph!

In addition to all of these modifications, Edo also equipped the Enzo XX Evolution with a custom aerodynamic kit.

GALLERY: Edo Competition/ZR Auto Enzo XX Evolution

It might not have been one of BMW’s main attractions at the Frankfurt Auto Show, but the world premiere of the all-wheel drive 7 Series is a welcome addition to the BMW lineup.

For the first time ever, the 7 Series will be offered with AWD, with xDrive being added to both the 750i and 750Li models. When combined with the recently announced V12-powered 760Li, the 7 Series range grows to five variants for model year 2010.

BMW’s acclaimed xDrive all-wheel drive system has been enhanced for these new models to ensure that the 750i xDrive and 750Li xDrive set a new benchmark for handling characteristics among all-wheel drive sedans. BMW’s Integrated Chassis Management, using the remarkable speed of its FlexRay on-board network and the quick-responding xDrive hardware, is able to identify and limit understeer by shifting torque rearward (up to 80% to the rear axle) while preserving the stability for which xDrive has been so widely recognized.

As a second step, the Integrated Chassis Management system can then apply a precise combination of throttle and individual rear-corner braking in order to maintain perfectly neutral handling in a corner – regardless of road surface conditions.

These key enhancements to xDrive ensure that the 750i xDrive and 750Li xDrive will be two of the most nimble all-wheel drive sedans available in any vehicle segment.

GALLERY: BMW xDrive 750i

MINI confirmed it will produce the Coupé model unveiled at the Frankfurt Auto Show alongside the MINI Roadster.

Powered by the same John Cooper Works turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder as the current line of top-level MINIs, the Coupé makes 211hp and 192 ft-lbs of torque, with a bump to 206 ft-lbs possible thanks to an overboost function.

The unique roof, 2.36 inches lower than other MINI models, was designed to increase downforce, while create a functional amount of rear storage space. The new roof is also made of aluminum to help keep weight on the Coupé to a minimum. The windshield also slopes 16 degrees further than on previous MINI models.

As for the dimensions, the coupé measures 146.2-inches (3,714 millimeters) in length, 66.3-inches (1,683 millimeters) in width and 53.4-inches (1,356 millimeters) in height.

Both the MINI Coupé and the MINI Roadster will be built at the company’s Oxford facility.

Gallery: MINI Coupé

Lexus chose the Frankfurt Auto Show to debut a mid-cycle redesign for the LS range of luxury sedans with a very long list of upgrades. A new Sports Version was also announced.

The new Sports Version is available as a rear-drive 460 model and gets 19-inch BBS wheels, six-piston Brembo brakes, sports seats and paddle shifters to operate the 8-speed transmission. New transmission settings let the engine hold on to a gear when in “M” model to improve acceleration, while gear changes have been decreased to 0.3 seconds for upshifts and 0.2 seconds for downshifts – with a healthy throttle-blip tossed in. The Sports Version also gets a more sensitive throttle and will kick down gears with less effort.

In addition, the suspension has been upgraded with thicker stabilizer bars in both the front and rear, as well as stiffer spring rates.

The 2010 Lexus LS460 gets a new front grille and redesigned headlights, while out back a larger bumper, restyle diffuser and accentuated exhaust pipes give a more athletic look to the luxury saloon.

An ECO Drive Mode has been added, featuring an Eco Driving Indicator Light and an Eco Drive Range Indicator Display. When the ECO mode is activated the Eco Drive Range Indicator appears in the instrument cluster and lights u once the “zone” of environmentally friendly driving has been exceeded. When that happens, the Eco Driving Indicator Light simultaneously turns off.

Additional changes were made to the air suspension, allowing it to stiffen up sooner for corners, reducing body roll.

As for the range-topping LS600h, it gets a new four-bar grille with a large blue Lexus logo, along with a new front bumper design and new headlights. A new gauge setup includes an LCD screen inside the speedometer that can be customized to show things like vehicle info, navigation instructions and the status of the Lexus Hybrid Drive system.

Like the 460 model, the 600h also gets an ECO mode, however, it is more of an active system than a passive one. In ECO mode the air conditioning is minimized and the throttle response is muted. The 600h, also gets the Sports Version’s powerful six-piston Brembo brakes.

GALLERY: 2010 Lexus LS

Official release after the jump:

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At the Frankfurt Auto Show, Volvo officially unveiled a sporty R-Design package for the XC60, giving the brand’s progressive luxury crossover an even more appealing look.

Outside the R-Design model gets a new “silk metal” finish for the grille, fog lamp surrounds, mirrors and a silk metal R-Design badge. The side skirts will have an aluminum look, while the rear skid place will be chrome plated with chrome twin tailpipes. The lower body panels will be paint-matched, giving the crossover a ground-hugging look, even though the ride height remains the same as on the standard vehicle. A set of 18-inch wheels will come standard, although buyers can choose to upgrade to a 20-inch set.

Inside the XC60 R-Design gets new sport seats with unique upholstery with a choice of two color combos and R-Design emblems. Also included is an R-Design sports steering wheel, aluminum sport pedals and blue gauges.

The drive of the XC60 R-Design will also be more engaging due to stiffer springs, more responsive shocks and tighter steering.

The XC60 R-Design will be offered in seven colors including one exclusive color (shown above) Passion red.

GALLERY: 2010 Volvo XC60 R-Design