Thanks to the team at GMInsideNews we have two renderings of what Buick’s upcoming entry-level premium sedan should look like. At the official reveal of the brand’s current entry-level offering (the Regal), at the LA Auto Show, Buick announced a newer and even smaller model would join the lineup.

Thanks to the GMI team, the new Buick small car was rendered using GM’s patent filing sketches, as well as items from the Buick LaCrosse and the Opel Astra sedan – on which it will be based. Through to be called the Verano, due to several patents being filed for that name by GM, this smallest Buick could be called the Excelle. After all, this new model will replace the current Excelle in China as well.

According to GMI, Buick will offer the Verano/Excelle with two different engines. The base engine is thought to be the same 1.4-liter turbocharged Ecotec motor as found in the Chevy Cruze with 138-hp, while a larger 1.6-liter turbocharged motor currently used int he Opel Astra Hatch will make 180-hp. The possibility of a high-performance GS model is also there, with the Verano or Excelle GS using the 2.0-liter turbocharged Ecotec motor in the Regal with 220-hp and 258 ft-lbs of torque.

Buick’s upcoming premium compact sedan will go into production in 2011 as a 2012 model.

GALLERY: Buick Verano/Excelle Renderings

[Source: GMI]

Lamborghini has produced several models in recent years that have offered superior performance to their already exotic counterparts and they all had one thing in common – they weighed significantly less. Now Lambo is looking to bring that philosophy to the rest of the company’s lineup,

In an interview with AutoWeek, Lamborghini CEO Stephan Winkelmann and and top engineer Maurizio Reggiani outlined the company’s new focus on weight savings, commenting that the company already has all the horsepower it needs.

In reference to the new LP670-4 SuperVeloce, a hoped-up version of the LP640 with 30 more horsepower and 220-lbs of weight removed, Reggiani commented that, “No one can really tell 30 horsepower was added, but everyone can feel how much lighter the car is.”

Reggiani outlined a new plan for Lamborghini that will not only focus on weight reduction through the use of light weight components like carbon fiber, but a switch to aluminum chassis components from steel ones. After chasing top speed claims for decades, Lambo will now also look to increase acceleration – something it already does incredibly well at, with models like the LP670 SV clocked at 3.2 seconds to 60 mph.

Lambo engineers are also looking into aerodynamic improvements, as Reggiani points out how at ultra fast speeds a significant amount of power is needed to achieve just a slightly higher speed. That number can more easily be achieved through improved aero, rather than adding an extra 100-hp.

In addition, Lambo engineers are currently looking to create a start-stop system that will help improve fuel economy and reduce emissions significantly, by shutting off the engine when not needed.

We expect to see the first example of Lambo’s new engineering directon in the replacement for the Murciélago, due out in about a year.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Above is one of the first images of a very mean looking Ford Fiesta that rally car driver and stunt man Ken Block will pilot in the 2010 Rally America Championship. Powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder and putting power to the ground using all four wheels, this custom built rally car is built by Swedish race shop Olsbergs Motor Sport Evolution – the very same outfit that Ford’s Pikes Peak hillclimb cars, which were raced by the likes of Marcus Gronholm.

As is rather obvious from the car’s livery, Block continues to be sponsored by Monster Energy Drink.

Block has also signed on with Ford to race a Ford Focus rally car in the WRC (World Rally Championship) series overseas.

Block will debut his new Fiesta rally car this weekend at the Sno*Drift Rally Atlanta, MI.

GALLERY: Ken Block Ford Fiesta Rally Car

See after the jump for video of Ken Blocks’s new Ford Fiesta rally car:

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Mazda has just released photos and details of the 2010 Mazda6 model (known as the Atenza in Japan), which has undergone a mid-cycle refresh. As a part of the update is the usual facelift, with the 6 now featuring a front-end design more in keeping with the Mazda3 – although not nearly as smiley. Out back, there’s also a new rear bumper, taillights and exhaust pipes. Inside, the Atenza now gets a monotone interior.

As for engines, the 2010 Atenza gets a new direct-injection 2.0-liter to replace the old 2.0-liter, significantly increasing fuel economy and making models equipped with this engine eligible for tax breaks in Japan. Both a 1.8-liter and 2.5-liter are also offered, although the 1.8 won’t be available in Japan.

The Atenza will continue to be offered as a sedan, 5-door hatchback and wagon. New features include adaptive lighting, hill start assist, as well as modified steering and suspension setups to help deliver an even more responsive and dynamic ride.

Already on sale in Japan, we expect Mazda to show the facelifted 6 at the Geneva Auto Show in March, with sales in Europe commencing thereafter and the North American version coming in the Fall.

Click here for AutoGuide’s live 2010 Geneva Auto Show coverage starting Monday, March 1st.

GALLERY: 2010 Mazda Atenza, 2011 Mazda6

Official release after the jump:

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AMG has made its mark in the auto industry by building immensely powerful engines to propel large and luxurious Mercedes-Benz models to unimaginable speeds. But with Merc now looking at the lower end of the market, AMG is being forced to do so as well. AMG, however, has its own plans.

A report by Motor Trend suggests that AMG will completely re-engineer the new Mercedes small car platform, transforming it into a rear-drive platform in order to build a proper performance machine. That sounds expensive to us, but with the premium those AMG folks are likely to ask and the huge increase in sales this is likely to bring, it may just be a viable business plan.

Mercedes is currently working on its new front-drive small car platform that will underpin a total of five new vehicles. The first models we are expected to see are all-new versions of the A-Class and B-Class. It is expected that the new B-Class will be sold in the U.S. and according to MT’s inside source, the AMG version is likely to be powered by a turbocharged 4-cylinder.

[Source: MotorTrend via Autoblog]

With companies like Mercedes, BMW, Audi and Lexus all looking down-market, it’s no surprise that Infiniti is exploring its future and its expansion possibilities with a new entry-level model. What is surprising, however, is news that an entry-level Infiniti may in fact be a front-drive model.

According to Larry Dominique, Nissan North America’s VP for product planning, Infiniti is considering a new model, or whole family of vehicles, based on a new front-drive platform. When Nissan first introduced the Infiniti brand to North America it did offer front-drive models like the G20 (based on the Japanese market Nissan Primera) and the I30 (based on the Maxima). Nissan soon abandoned that aproach, however, to focus on more traditional rear-drive models.

Dominique believes that many buyers don’t know or care if their vehicle is front drive, rear-drive or AWD, pointing to the success Acura has had with the TSX and TL. “Those buyers are OK with it,” he said in an interview with Automotive News. “I think we could deliver Infiniti off a different platform and deliver the experience Infiniti customers expect.”

In addition to this new model, Infiniti is also reported to be introducing a more entry-level G25 model, using a 2.5-liter V6 to take on cars like the BMW 328i.

While we can’t say we’re not worried about what could come out of this, considering Infiniti’s success in taking on the BMW 3 Series with its usually more powerful and less expensive G models, we have to admit that were intrigued. Who knows, perhaps an entry-level coupe (like the Acura RSX) could be in the products plans.

[Source: Automotive News]

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Republicans everywhere rejoiced last week when Massachusetts senator-elect Scott Brown won an election to fill Ted Kennedy’s seat. Now not only is he on his way to Washington to quash the Obama Administration’s health care bill, but he’s helping out the U.S. auto industry in the process.

Brown campaigned for the seat from the seat… of his 2005 GMC Canyon pickup truck. “I love this old truck. It’s brought me closer to the people of this state,’’ said Brown in one of his campaign ads. The truck, which features as prominently as Brown himself in the adds, has 200,000 miles on the odometer and Brown says he’ll drive it all the way to Washington.

GMC has never been much of a player in the compact truck market, but the cameo appearance in Brown’s adds has caught the attention of more than a few folks – at least in Massachusetts. According to Al Cerrone, the owner of a local GMC dealership, “We’ve gotten eight to 12 phone calls from people asking, ‘Do you sell trucks like that?’ It prompted inquiries, and when you’ve got inquiries, you’ve always got sales.’’

It might not be much, but GM dealerships in Massachusetts can use all the good news they can get these days with almost half of the state’s 98 dealerships slated to close.

As for Bezema Buick GMC Truck Corp. in Norwood, which sold Brown his truck back in 2005, they are planning on offering a look-a-like GMC Canyon with 70,000 miles, which will be prominently displayed out front.

[Source: Boston.com]

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MINI has just release two videos showing its upcoming Countryman crossover in action. The 2011 MINI Countryman (the car may take on other names in other markets) becomes the fourth model in the MINI family and the first with four doors. Despite the foray into the crossover segment, the Countryman retains signature MINI design elements, only on a larger vehicle. Key characteristics such as the roofline, grille and wheel arches remind us the Countryman is still very much a MINI.

The MINI Countryman will come standard with four seats arranged around a front-to-back center rail. An optional three-seat bench available at no additional cost. Depending on how the seats are adjusted, MINI says the Countryman has a storage capacity of 12.2 to 41.0 cubic feet.

MINI’s ALL4 all-wheel drive system will be available as an option on both the Cooper S and Cooper D Countryman. The ALL4 system provides half of the engine’s power to the rear wheels under normal driving conditions but when needed, can transfer 100% of the power to the rear for added traction.

MINI will offer three gasoline and two diesel engine options, though only the gasoline engines are likely to make it over to North America. The base MINI One D Countryman will have a 90 hp four-cylinder turbodiesel engine while the top-level MINI Cooper S Countryman option will have a 1.6L turbocharged engine with direct fuel injection and fully variable valve arrangement, claiming 184 hp. All models come standard with a six-speed manual transmission while the gasoline engine models will be available with a Steptronic six-speed automatic transmission.

GALLERY: MINI Countryman

See more video of the MINI Countryman after the jump:

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The very first street car to come from legendary racer Richard Petty’s own shop sold for a solid $130,000 at the Barrett-Jackson auction in Scottsdate, AZ over the weekend. Built by Petty’s Garage, the Challenger SRT8 is a prototype for a future production model is features the 0001 serial number. Along with the custom body and a long list of suspension modifications, this Challenger features a HEMI V8 built by Arrington Engines to produce 585-hp and 560 ft-lbs of torque. It has also been painted a special (and trademarked) Petty Blue paint made specially by BASF.

All proceeds of the sale will go to the Petty Family Foundation, including charities like the Victory Junction and Paralyzed Veterans of America.

GALLERY: Petty’s Garage Dodge Challenger SRT8

See after the jump for more details on the Petty’s Garage Dodge Challenger SRT8:

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Volkswagen has just officially launched the high-performance Golf R model in Europe, just days after its first North American showing as a concept at the Montreal International Auto Show. As an even-higher performance version than the iconic GTI, the Golf R gets an upgraded version of the same 2.0-liter TFSI 4-cylinder as well as VW’s 4MOTION AWD system, making it an exceptional driver’s car – even in the rain… or snow.

Using the same 2.0 TFSI as found in the Audi TTS, the Golf R makes 265-hp at 6000 rpm and 258 ft-lbs of torque from 2500 to 50o0 rpm. Both a six-speed manual and six-speed dual-clutch transmission will be offered, allowing a 0-62 mph time of as low as 5.5 seconds (likely 5.3 seconds to 60 mph).

Other highlights include a new front fascia and rear bumper with dual center-exit exhausts, as well as a stiffer suspension that has been lowered by 25mm (1-inch). The list goes on an on, with a sport steering wheel, highly bolstered sport seats, upgraded brakes and 18-inch wheels (19s optional). There’s even a version of Audi’s Dynamic Chassis Control (DCC) that allows the driver to adjust the sensitivity of the throttle, steering and suspension.

When the car was shown in Montreal, Volkswagen Canada said in a statement that it, “brings this Concept vehicle to Montreal to gauge public reaction and solicit feedback in order to determine the desirability of a premium performance model like the Golf R Concept for sale in the Canadian market at some point in the future.”

We have to imagine the Golf R will also make its way to major shows like the Chicago Auto Show next month, as there’s simply no way VW would sell such a low volume car in Canada and not the U.S.

Volkswagen has released an entirely list of specifications for the Golf R in Europe as well as a new gallery of photos. Feel free to peruse both below and give us your thoughts in if you think the Golf R should come to North America.

GALLERY: Volkswagen Golf R

Official release after the jump:

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