BMW is reportedly developing a new exotic sports car, inspired by both the original M1 and the new Vision EfficientDynamics Concept. According to a high-up source inside BMW, cited by EVO magazine, “M Division should have its own supercar built in three years.”

The plan is to have the car ready by 2012, but BMW is first concentrating its efforts on increasing market share and growing the M brand with a new M car based on the 1 Series.

This new flagship for the brand would use a hybrid setup and likely also be inspired visually by the stunning and progressive design of the Vision ED concept, which debuted at this year’s Frankfurt Auto Show. It isn’t likely to be a plug in hybrid, but a hybrid system is expected. And rather than a diesel engine, it would use conventional gasoline motor, likely the same 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8 found in cars like the X6 ActiveHybrid.

The idea would be to have two electric motors providing low rpm power, while the turbocharged gasoline engine would be used at higher revs. A regenerative braking system would also be a part of the package.

BMW hasn’t officially confirmed the project but it’s likely to debut in 2012, to take on the SLS from rival German automaker Mercedes. To a certain extent it would seem rather late to the party by 2012, but Mercedes’s planned electric SLS isn’t due out until 2015.

GALLERY: BMW Vision EfficientDynamics Concept

[Source: EVO]

An M version of the BMW 1 Series is in the German automaker’s product development plan and now we have more details about how the new model might just turn out. The top engineer at BMW’s M division has already said that a serious performance car below the M3 is a top priority and according to a report by EVO magazine this new M is likely to get a 400-hp version of the 135i’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter inline-six, making 370 ft-lbs of torque. The range-topping 1 Series would also get a version of the M3′s seven-speed dual-clutch gearbox.

In addition, BMW engineers are reportedly working to shave around 150 lbs of weight off the stock 1 Series platform. We expect a fully revised suspension setup, as well as some nice M interior components. EVO‘s sources say we should expect an exterior design similar to the 1 Series Concept tii (shown above).

As for price, it should slot in half way between the M3 and 135i, which would put it in the $45,000 range. The car should be on sale by 2011.

What we still don’t know about this new car is what it will be called. Typical BMW nomenclature would suggest M1, but as that was the name of BMW’s first exotic car, the German automaker is likely to retain its use for a top-level supercar that will rival the Mercedes SLS AMG. EVO also reports that BMW is working on such a car now!

[Source: EVO]

During a design conference last week in Seoul, Korea, Kia’s top designer showed the above sketch which is believed to be the company’s first full-fledged entry into the rear-drive luxury segment. Referred to as K9, this sketch is thought to foreshadow a concept car that will eventually make its way to production, based on the same architecture at Hyundai’s Genesis sedan.

The man who unveiled this sketch is none other than Peter Schreyer, who now heads up Kia’s design team and is known for such revolutionary vehicles as the original Audi TT.

Kia has made known plans to develop a Genesis sister car, code named CH, which will hit the market in 2011. The Genesis Sedan, coincidentally, was code named BH. We would expect the car to come with both Genesis engines, including the impressive 385-hp Tau V8.

Recently Kia unveiled its newest model, the Cadenza, which will replace the Amanti. It was suggested that the Cadenza might run on the G Sedan’s RWD architecture, but upon the car’s debut Kia confirmed it will say FWD. This most certainly leaves room for a RWD luxury car in the Korean automaker’s lineup.

GALLERY: Kia K9 Design Sketch

[Source: AboutCar via WorldCarFans]

Months of rumors and a more credible report yesterday have culminated in the official news that Volkswagen will take a 20 percent share in Japanese automaker Suzuki, worth $2.5 billion. Volkswagen has its sights set on becoming the world’s largest automaker and with Suzuli’s small-car expertise, it hopes to make a large expansion into developing markets, like India.

The news comes just a day after VW officially took a 49.9 percent stake in Porsche. Unlike Porsche, Suzuki will remain independent as VW would need closer to 30 percent to take a controlling share. Currently Volkswagen also owns such important automakers as Audi, Bentley and Lamborghini. If VW were to take a controlling share, it would make the German automaker the world’s largest with combined sales of 4.145 million units, compared to Toyota’s 3.564 units.

Suzuki CEO and patriarch Osamu Suzuki was clear that his company will retain its individuality and identity. “I don’t want you to misunderstand: Suzuki is not becoming a 12th brand for Volkswagen,” he said. “I don’t want other folks telling me how to do things.”

Suzuki has been looking for a strategic partner as ties between it and General Motors collapsed this year. In return, Suzuki will also buy a 2.5 percent share in VW. Suzuki will also get hybrid and electric car technology from Germany’s largest automaker.

In a statement about the partnership, VW said that, “In terms of product portfolio, global distribution and manufacturing capacities, Volkswagen and Suzuki ideally complement each other. The companies plan a joint approach to the growing worldwide demand for more environmentally friendly vehicles. The management of Volkswagen and Suzuki have concluded that the complementary strengths of each company make for a perfect fit in exploiting their respective advantages as well as rising to the challenge of the global market.

In the automotive industry, where globalization and diversification proceed in parallel, both companies will establish a cooperative relationship while respecting each other’s independence as a stand-alone entity. Both parties are focused on achieving synergies in the areas of rapidly growing emerging markets as well as in the development and manufacturing of innovative and environmentally friendly compact cars.

As demand continues to rise for smaller cars and for powertrains with higher fuel efficiency and lower CO2 output, Volkswagen and Suzuki will offer a compelling solution for customers in emerging markets buying a car for the first time and also for customers in advanced economies seeking to lower their CO2 footprint while still enjoying the freedom of transport offered by an exciting range of cars.”

This partnership comes as the latest development in an automotive industry hit hard by the global economic downturn. Automaker are struggling to make ends meet and to set themselves up for future success. The trend seems to be such partnerships or mergers. With VW buying more and more automakers, earlier this year Chrysler was purchased by Fiat, which sees the U.S. market as a necessary step in becoming a global player. Earlier this week reports also suggest that Peugeot Citroen may form an alliance with Mitsubishi, mimicking a similar French/Japanese deal to the one formed a decade ago by Renault and Nissan.

[Source: Automotive News and VW]

***See AutoGuide’s LIVE 2010 Detroit Auto Show Coverage Here***

Thanks to an official brochure that has slipped out, we now have our first glimpse at what the production version of Honda’s upcoming CR-Z hybrid sports car looks like. We also have the specs.

As expected, little has changed from the concept version with the CR-Z taking design cues from the Insight, Civic Type-R hatchback and retaining the chopped-off rear made famous by the CRX.

Under the hood Honda will use its Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) gasoline/electric setup with a 1.5-liter engine and electric motor. Engine power is 112-hp and 107 ft-lbs, while the electric motor kicks in 14-hp and 57 ft-lbs. With either a six-speed manual or CVT gearbox, the CR-Z can hit 62 mph in an unimpressive 9.7 seconds – just a tenth faster than the Prius.

Different driving modes will be available, including Eco, Normal and Sport. And while the CR-Z doesn’t get sports car performance, it certainly does get hybrid fuel economy, trumping the Insight and even the Prius. We didn’t notice the numbers at first, but an AutoGuide reader (Thanks crxgator!) pointed them out to us. The CR-Z is rated at an incredible 52/59 mpg!

As this is a Japanese brochure it’s not guaranteed that these specifications will carry over exactly to the North American spec model, but they are likely to be close.

GALLERY: Honda CR-Z Brochure

GALLERY: Honda CR-Z Concept

[Source: TopSpeed and Temple of VTEC]

Hyundai has just announced that the all-new 2010 Tucson will be priced starting from $18,995, with range-topping Limited models starting at $24,345. A base GLS model with a six-speed automatic will start at $19,995. The Limited trim level with AWD and the Premium package will top out the lineup at $28,695.

A base GLS model will come standard with Hyundai’s 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 176-hp and 168 ft-lbs of torque, a six-speed transmission (manual or automatic), AC, power windows, locks and mirrors, remote keyless entry with alarm, a tilt steering wheel, 17-inch wheels, stability and traction control, six airbags, ABS, Hillstart Assist Control (HAC), Downhill Brake Control (DBC) and a six-speaker AM/FM/Satellite Radio/CD/MP3 audio system with 6 speakers, as well as iPod auxiliary and USB jacks.

A $1,700 Popular Equipment Package adds a telescopic steering wheel, auto up/down driver’s power window, cloth/letherette seats, a leather wrapped wheel and shift knob, Bluetooth, steering wheel audio controls, cruise control and more.

Limited models get all the GLS equipment, along with everything in the Popular Equipment Package, plus 18-inch wheels, leather seats with heated from seats and a power drivers seat with lumbar support, dual-zone climate control and more. An added Premium Package ($2,850) adds a panoramic sunroof, Navigation with a 6.5-inch screen, rearview camera and a premium audio system.

The 2010 Hyundai Tucson arrives in dealerships this month.

GALLERY: 2010 Hyundai Tucson Debut in LA

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Yesterday’s positive news for the Saab faithful has once again been met with the grim reality of the Swedish automaker’s situation. Just 24 hours ago news emerged that China’s Beijing Auto (which supported the Koengisegg-led purchase of Saab) had secured $2.93 billion in loans from the Chinese government – which would presumably be used to purchase the European automaker in its entirety.

As positive as that news is, now word has emerged that Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Group (or BAIC) is only interested in certain Saab assets, such as tooling and technology. The Reuters source from which this information comes also said that BAIC is not interested in Saab’s manufacturing facilities in Trollhattan, Sweden.

Instead BAIC is interested in Saab’s old technology and is interested in selling the previous generation 9-3 and 9-5 models in China. Earlier reports had suggested that BAIC was scheduled to receive these assets in return for propping up the Koenigsegg purchase.

GM is still looking for a buyer for Saab but if one cannot be found this could very well be an untimely end to the Swedish automaker just as it prepares to launch its new flagship sedan, shown for the first time in North America just last week at the LA Auto Show (above).

[Source: Reuters1 and Reuters2]

There is now one more person in the world who doesn’t think that Bugatti Veyron crashing into a lake video is amusing – the owner of this Pagani Zonda F. The accident occurred in Hong Kong, where another Zonda was crashed several years ago. In total three Zondas have been damaged with a third car suffering an accident in Poland.

While not nearly as well-known in popular culture as cars like the Bugatti Veyron or Ferrari Enzo, the Italian built Zonda is exceptionally rare and an extreme performance machine. It is also valued at well over one million dollars. Powering the Zonda F is a Mercedes-sourced 7.3-liter V12 engine with 594-hp.

Pagani builds roughly 12 Zondas a year and in total has built just 106 different versions of the car; 25 of which are Zonda F models.

By the looks of these photos the car isn’t a complete write-off and is likely to make it back on the road after some rather expensive repair work.

GALLERY: Pagani Zonda F Crash

[Source: WreckedExotics]

Company representatives on both sides continue to deny the rumors, but talks between Volkswagen and Suzuki are continuing and the most recent report suggests Germany’s largest automaker may buy as much as a 20 percent stake in Suzuki.

A source cited in a Reuters report says a deal is close and could be announced as early as this week. There is even speculation that VW could eventually take a controlling share of the Japanese automaker. Currently a 20 percent share would be worth roughly $2.8 billion.

VW is interested in Suzuki because of its expertise in mini cars as well as its market penetration in India. Suzuki, Japan’s fourth largest automaker, is actually its largest when all 660cc-powered vehicles are included. (Which they aren’t traditionally). Suzuki, while having denied any such sale, is in need of an international partner after its relationship with General Motors fell apart recently. As a partner, GM provided the Japanese automaker with platforms for larger vehicles.

Volkswagen has also expressed a desire to become the world’s largest automaker by 2018 (currently it is ranked 3rd). A majority stake in Suzuki would almost certainly guarantee that. The addition of Suzuki (if VW were able to gain a controlling share), would expand Volkswagen’s brand portfolio to 11 names, includes the likes of Audi, Porsche, Lamborghini and Bentley.

[Source: Automotive News]

A series of photos showing what appears to be the facelifted 2011 version of Mercedes’s C-Class have appeared on the internet after the company’s U.K. division updated its website and accidentally included the new 2011 model photos. We’re happy to report that the changes are minimal as we rather like the look of the new C-Class already.

The updates include a new front bumper and hood as well as new headlights. Similar changes can be found out back with a slightly revised rear bumper and taillights.

All we have to go on here are the photos as no info about the 2011 model has been leaked. We expect only minor changes for 2011. There is word on a new BluTec diesel engine and we are looking forward to Mercedes finally bringing its direct-injection engines to this side of the Atlantic soon.

Sales of the new 2011 model are expected around the middle of 2010.

GALLERY: 2011 Mercedes C-Class

[Source: LeftLaneNews]