Ford is set to announce big changes to the 2011 Mustang at the LA Auto Show in just a few weeks time, but thank to someone with access to the company’s ordering system, a few details have already slipped out.

Among the details include news that the California Special will return. There will also be an SVT package with 19-inch wheels, an RR spoiler with gurney flap, stripe delete and a 3.73 limited slip rear end. Other details are scarce, but there was a listing for the GT500 Convertible, that included a supercharged 5.4-liter V8 engine. That would mean some sort of EcoBoost V8 is out, but it still leaves open the possibility that the V8 will have an aluminum block, which will help the GT500 lose a bunch of weight where it needs to most.

As for the Mustang GT, it will get a six-speed automatic transmission – although that may still be optional.

Ordering for the new 2011 models will begin on January 18th, but we should know more about the 2011 Mustang revisions once the car’s debut at the LA Auto Show on December 2nd.

[Source: GMInsideNews]

Sometimes we wonder if Porsche builds more different versions of race cars than street cars. It only makes sense though, as the automaker’s impressive 911s (and other models) all get their road-hugging abilities from the company’s track expertise.

Today Porsche is introducing the new 911 GT3 R, which is designed to run in the FIA GT3 class and takes the place of the outgoing GT3 Cup S racer.

Designed to be both faster and easier to drive, the car gets a larger 4.0-liter flat-six motor with a total of 480-hp – 30-hp more than the old motor. To help in the corners the car is also wider than its predecessor, being based on the new GT3 RS’s platform.

A sequential six speed transmission is also a part of the package with a new “throttle-blip” function to make it easier for amateur drivers to master.

Porsche will debut the 911 GT3 R on January 14th at the Birmingham Motor Show. Deliveries to teams will begin in the Spring with an asking price of 279,000 ($418,000)

GALLERY: Porsche 911 GT3 R

Official release after the jump:

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The top dog at BMW’s M division is pushing hard with the German automaker’s corporate brass to get the go-ahead to build an M car based on the 1 Series. In an interview with U.K. car site, PistonHeads, Dr. Kay Segler said he is looking to build an M-car, based on the next generation 1 Series.

There’s no telling what this M-car might be, especially as the current 135i is already such an impressive performer with a serious amount of horsepower. That being said, it would only seem logical that an actual M-car based on the 1 Series would be a raw driving experience with a reduced weight. Dr. Segler did say that a more affordable model underneath the M3 was a top priority. One has to think an easy way to reduce weight would be with a turbocharged 4-cylinder.

With the next 1 Series platform reportedly set to spawn a long list of vehicles, from roadsters, to crossovers, there’s also a strong possibility of an M version of the (still hypothetical) Z2.

The only problem would come in naming the car, with the M1 moniker no doubt either reserved for a wild exotic (like the original) or retired to the BMW hall of fame.

[Source: PistonHeads]

On December 1st Audi will finally reveal its next generation of the company’s A8 flagship luxury sedan. The unveiling will occur at a specially built Pavilion on Miami Beach, coinciding with the Audi-sponsored Design Miami and Art Basel Miami Beach art and design fairs.

Along with the all new A8, Audi will debut its “The Art of Progress” exhibit, of works inspired by the A8.

The choice of debuting the car at an art festival is no coincidence, as the new A8 is expected to be a stunning vehicle, with an all-new look, more in keeping with the automaker’s new design direction, as seen with cars like the A5/S5.

“The new Audi A8 embodies everything Audi stands for: fascinating innovation, uncompromising perfection, consummate craftsmanship, iconic design and new ways of thinking,” says Audi Borad Chair Rupert Stadler. This is why we chose to present this car in this progressive environment while continuing our commitment to fostering design culture and the arts.”

Official release after the jump:

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The Prius could surpass the Camry as Toyota’s best selling model in the U.S. in the next ten years says the head of Toyota’s sales department. Toyota Motor Sales boss Jim Lentz made the comments, stating that he sees the Prius gaining ground, rather than the Camry (the top selling passenger car in the U.S. for 11 of the past 12 years) shrinking.

The prediction, however, is a long way off from reality, as so far in 2009 Prius sales aren’t even half of Camry sales, with the former registering 118,290 units sold, while the Camry sits as 294,493 units sold. Both the Camry and Prius had their best sales years ever in 2007, when the Prius sold 181,221 units, compared to the Camry’s 473,108 units. Toyota is predicting 140,000 units for the Prius in ’09.

While Lentz’s prediction is based on increasing environmental awareness it may, however, depend on two other important factors. The first is if Toyota actually commits to building the Prius in the U.S., a move which could drastically reduce the cost of making the car. If Toyota could then sell the Prius for even less it would easily be even more of a dominant force in the hybrid marketplace, with “competitors” like the Honda Insight, (with its less impressive fuel economy and smaller interior room), priced only slightly lower than the current Prius. The second factor would be if the Prius nameplate was expanded to include additional models – like the a wagon or crossover, which recent reports have suggested will arrive soon.

Lentz has said he is pushing for more Prius models, but wouldn’t give any confirmation on the matter.

[Source: WardsAuto]

Ferrari is reportedly taking pre-orders for an ultra-high-performance version of the already impressive 599 GTB. The vehicle, referred to as the 599 GTO on Ferrari’s ordering information, is rumored to be inspired by the 599XX track-only model that launched earlier this year at the Geneva Auto Show.

Not only would the 599 GTO get a more powerful V12 engine with anywhere from 680 to 700-hp (up from the standard car’s 611-hp rating), but it would also weigh anywhere from 100 to 150-lbs less. We expect a more light-weight race-inspired interior as well as carbon fiber body parts to help reduce the weight.

With just 500 models set for production the asking price would be closer to the $400,000 mark.

Expect to see the production version debuted at next year’s Geneva Auto Show in March.

GALLERY: Ferrari 599XX

[Source: Autogespot via WorldCarFans]

James Glickenhaus, the man behind the coachbuilt Pininfarina Ferrari P4/5, has confirmed that he will build a race version of the car to compete in endurance racing.

The P4/5, which debuted at the 2006 Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, is a one-off rebodied Ferrari Enzo, built by the Pininfarina design house to look like the famous 1967 Ferrari P4 race car. It is reported to have cost Glickenhaus $4 million.

The P4/5 Competizione would be a race-ready sibling to that car and will likely cost even more.

Several months back when Glickenhaus first proposed the idea he admitted it was a long shot, saying that, “There are a LOT of stars that would have to align for this to happen but it’s not impossible.”

Glickenhaus recently posted on FerrariChat under his screen name of Napoli that, “Things are starting to come together. It will take time but there is excitement and real interest. Thanks to my Partners in this adventure! This will be some trip and it has begun. P 4/5 took on a life of her own. May P 4/5 Competizione follow her example.”

It is expected that the Pininfarina Ferrari P4/5 would be entered at an upcoming Nürburgring 24 hour race.

GALLERY: Ferrari P4/5 Competizione

[Source: FerrariChat]

BMW’s entry level MINI brand, will work together with the company’s prestigious Rolls-Royce division to create a custom and limited edition high luxury version of the sporty compact. According to a report in AutoCar, the project has been given the green light and while it sounds like the sort of one-off vehicle that might be made for show purposes at the annual Goodwood Festival of Speed, the vehicle will reportedly be a series production unit – although in limited quantity.

The project is inspired by custom one-off MINIs made that were in the 1960s for British celebrities like Peter Sellers and members of the Beatles.

Rumors of this project first surfaced last year when a one-off Rolls-Royce MINI (pictured) was built for London’s Park Lane MINI dealership.

The MINI Rolls program is expected to officially be announced next year.

GALLERY: Park Lane Rolls-Royce MINI

[Source: AutoCar]

After much anticipation Audi unveiled the drop-top version of its R8 in Frankfurt a few months back and now the car is set to get its North American premiere at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

Powered by the Lamborghini sourced 5.2-liter V10, the Spyder makes 525hp, allowing it to hit 62 mph in 4.1 seconds and blast on to a top speed of 195 mph!

What might be most impressive about the drop-top R8 is that the exotic German sports car only weighs 13.23 lbs more than the Coupe, thanks in part to the R8’s already stiff chassis and a light-weight soft-top instead of a retractable hard top. The total curb weight of the car is now 3,792 lbs. Additional weight savings were made through the use of carbon fiber for not only the side blades but also the rear tonneau cover for the soft top.

As for the soft-top, it opens and closes in just 19 seconds at speeds up to 31 mph and Audi claims the interior noise with the top up is almost identical to that of the coupe.

As for the style of the R8 Spyder, it is certainly stunning, with a bold chrome grille, gloss black detailing and a rear tonneau cover with large vents. Special Y-spoke wheels in a 19-inch fitment complete the design with 235/35/19 tires up front and 295/30 tires out back. For added grip, Audi also offers the R8 Spyder with 305-wide rear tires.

See AutoGuide’s Live 2009 LA Auto Show Coverage Here Starting December 2nd

GALLERY: Audi R8 Spyder

GALLERY: Audi R8 Spyder Debut in Frankfurt

See two videos of the Audi R8 Spyder after the jump:

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After smashing up a long list of perfectly good cars, the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) has released the results along with its list of “Top Safety Pick” vehicles and Toyota isn’t on it. In order to get a “Top Safety Pick” rating, a vehicle must score a “good” rating (the IIHS’s highest rating), in all four crash categories, as well as be available with stability control. Toyota vehicles have been Top Picks for three straight years.

Toyota is the only one of the big six automakers in the U.S. to not have a car on the Top Pick list. Many automakers did, however, have their number of Top Picks reduced, thanks to the new rollover rating. In total the 2010 list is down to 27  vehicles, from 94 last year.

The automaker with the most Top Picks is Ford, but that is due to the fact that it still owns Volvo, which made up four of the six picks. Both Volkswagen and Subaru managed five Top Safety Picks, meaning that every Subaru product is now on the list.

The closest Toyota to making the list was the Camry, losing out only because the IIHS gave it a “marginal” rating for a rear crash due to seats and headrests that don’t provide enough protection against whiplash.

[Source: AutoWeek]

See a full list of the 201o IIHS Top Safety Picks after the jump:

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