Cadillac has decided to cut the price of the CTS SportWagon as it currently sits too close to the brand’s new SRX crossover. Cadillac didn’t see the two as competitors (how could they not?) but apparently consumers did. And with the SRX already a more “normal” platform in the market, selling a much pricier wagon made an already difficult task for dealerships next to impossible.

With the SRX priced from $34,155 and a loaded AWD model close to the $50,000 mark, the SportWagon was situated at $40,485 to start. Caddy now lists an entry-level 3.0-liter V6 rear-wheel drive SportWagon at $39,150, down from $40,485. A larger difference can be seen at the top where a 3.6-liter V6 AWD model with all the goodies now retails for $51,390, down $3,055 from $54,445.

The difference between the two models, considering the shared engines and focus on cargo capacity is certainly confusion consumers, however, closer inspection will show a noticably higher level of trim in the CTS wagon.

[Source: USAToday]

Possibly BMW’s worst kept secret in recent history, the German automaker has just officially announced a new high-performance version of the 3 Series Coupe, called the 335is. Using the 335′s twin-turbo inline-six, the boost has been upped, the exhaust sportified and the cooling system upgraded. The result is 320-hp and 332 ft-lbs of torque. An overboost function will also permit short bursts of 370 ft-lbs of torque.

A six-speed manual transmission is standard equipment, but BMW will offer (for the first time ever on a non-M 3 Series), it’s new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. BMW claims a 0-60 mph time of 5.0 seconds with the dual-clutch automatic and 5.1 seconds with the manual. The convertible model will achieve the 0-60 mph sprint in 5.2 seconds regardless of transmission.

Additional changes to this new mode, which slots in art way between the 335 and M3 include a new front fascia and a rear diffuser, as well as many M Sport trim items and 18-inch wheels (19s are optional).

The bad news is the price, with the higher-performance 335 set at $50,525 and the convertible priced from a pricey $59,075. And don’t forget the cost of the 7-speed tranny on top.

The 2011 BMW 335is will be available to purchase this Spring, after it’s debut at the New York Auto Show in late March.

GALLERY: BMW 335is

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

It will be a long time before we get bored of talking about or looking at Audi’s R8 and the recently-released Spyder model. And how could we when Audi releases amazing video like the one above.

Powered by a Lamborghini-soured 5.2-liter V10, the R8 Spyder 5.2 FSI makes 525-hp, can hit 60 mph in 4.0 seconds flat and blasts 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.

But enough statistics, just watch the video.

Italian supercar manufacturer Pagani is preparing its successor to the incredible Zonda and company founder Horacio Pagani has let slip a few new details about the upcoming exotic. Referred to by its code name, C9, this new model will have an entirely new design. We applaud this as Pagani has released dozens of different Zonda models since the supercar first debuted at the Geneva Auto Show back in 1999, however, coming up with a design as stunning and timeless as the current one will be difficult.

The chassis of the car will be build of carbon and titanium, with specially built tires from Pirelli.

As for the engine, like the Zonda, the C9 will also be powered by an AMG V12 but with a dispalcement of 6.0-liters and an output of 690-hp and an incredible 737 ft-lbs of torque.

According to Horacio Pagani, the new model will meet U.S. crash test and emissions regulations, meaning that unlike the Zonda it will be sold in North America.

Pricing is going to be in the range of $900,000 Euros, or roughly $1.2 million. As for production capacity, Pagani is hoping to build roughly 40 a year. That might not sound like much, but the current Zonda model takes almost a month to complete, meaning that Pagani only sells abotu 12 models in a year.

[Source: AutoCar]

If you’re a Lexus enthusiast and can get to Miami for January 27th, the Japanese luxury brand wants to give you the opportunity to see its sporty side. Lexus is hosting an F-Sport Track Event at Homestead-Miami Speedway, allowing folks the chance to get behind the wheel of the IS-F, as well as F-Sport equipped IS and GS models.

The vehicles will be available for autocross driving, where Lexus aims to show-off the IS-F’s capabilities, as well as show just how much the F-Sport performance goodies can enhance the dynamic-side of the Lexus driving experience.

Better yet, one lucky individual from each session will win a hot lap of Homestead in the new 552-hp Lexus LFA supercar, driven by none other than legendary Grand Am pilot and two-time Rolex Sports Car Series Champion Scott Pruett.

See the press release below for more information and rules, or visit the link to register before the slots fill up:

http://LexusF-Event.com

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

Starting next year BMW will offer the M3 with a new Competition Package. According to the BMW-nuts at Bimmerfile, the package, coded ZCP, is likely to include items like larger wheels, sticker tires and upgraded brakes. Other items we should expect are new shock and spring settings with a lowered ride height of approximately 10mm, as well as a more aggressive EDC Sport setting. A new exhaust system may also be offered, boosting engine output by a few ponies.

Past ZCP options, like on the E46 M3 included Alcantara accenting, including on the steering wheel.

BMW may announce this competition package at the Geneva Auto Show in March. AutoGuide will be there with live coverage starting March 2nd.

[Source: Bimmerfile]

When and if the Buick Regal GS makes it to market, we’re not going to see a 325-hp turbocharged 2.8-liter V6 under the hood. Rumors that the Regal GS would get such a motor started almost immediately after the Regal was unveiled, with the Opel Insignia on which it’s based offering that very powerplant and GM announcing a high-performance GS model was in the works. Those rumors seemed to come true when the Regal GS Show Car, unveiled at the Detroit Auto Show, had that very same turbo V6.

Yet, despite what was there, GM said the Regal Show car had a high-boost version of the turbocharged 2.0-liter Ecotec 4-cylinder found in the CXL model. Instead of 220-hp an 258 ft-lbs f torque, however, the GS has 255-hp and 295 ft-lbs of torque, ensuring a 0-60 mph time of roughly 6.0 seconds.

According to Buick/GMC General Manager Brian Sweeney in a conversation on GM’s Fastlane blog, the 325-hp motor is not in the plans. “At 255hp with 0-60 in less than 6 seconds we think we’re in good shape if we bring this to production.”

Buick has yet to confirm a production model GS, but at this point it’s essentially a done deal.

[Source: GMFastLane]

Known only by his screen-name of McFly on GenCoupe.com, this forum member forced the uncooperative Glen Hyundai dealership in Kentucky to reverse its decision and honor his eBay bid for a used Genesis Coupe after harnessing the power of his online community and media outlets like Jalopnik.

The dealership had apparently posted the slightly used 2010 Hyundai Genesis Coupe 2.0T on eBay Motors incorrectly, listing a “Buy It Now” price, but also including the auction. The dealership seems to have left off a reserve price and so when the bidding ended and McFly had posted the last offer of $16,125 he was set to take home his shinny red Hyundai.

Glen Hyundai wasn’t so keen on the idea, however, initially declining to sell the car for that price and then threatening to sue McFly for the negative publicity.

Now we have word that the power of the GenCoupe.com forum community, backed by online media outlets (including Jalopnik) have lead to an agreement being reached between McFly and Glen Hyundai. McFly has urged that his supporters stop calling and emailing the dealership. He did not comment on if the deal reached is for his initial eBay bid.

[Source: Jalopnik and GenCoupe.com]

While Toyota, Japan’s largest automaker, announced recently that it is pulling out of the Korean marketplace, Subaru is moving in. Subaru has just announced that starting this April it will begin selling the Forester, Legacy and Outback models in South Korea.

Initially sales targets are set at just 600 vehicles annually, but Subaru has an ambition goal to grow that number exponentially to 3,000 units by 2015. Over the past year, Subaru has grown its share of the marketplace in North America considerably, with a revamped lineup of vehicles.

In a statement, Subaru said it believes its unique product offering with AWD standard on every vehicle will be attractive to consumers in Korea, where mountains are spread throughout the country and where the temperature varries much more than in Japan.

We’re surprised to learn the Subaru won’t offer it’s volume model, the Imprezza, in Korea and we’re certain more than a few enthusiasts are hoping Subaru will bring over the STI.

[Source: InsideLine]

The entry-level TSX model will be the first Acura offered with a hybrid powertrain. According to one dealer sourced by Automotive News, the TSX hybrid will be offered starting in 2011.

This news comes as somewhat of a surprise as previous rumors had suggested the next RL model would be Acura’s first hybrid, combining a gasoline V6 engine and hybrid technology to deliver V8-like power – a convenient way for Acura to get around its policy to not offer a V8.

Hybrid versions of other Acuras are also expected to follow soon after with John Mendel, head of sales for American Honda Motor Co., confirming that fact.

Presumably the Acura TSX Hybrid will be the first full hybrid offered from Honda, as all previous hybrid models (including the just-announced CR-Z) use Honda’s IMA (Integrated Motor Assist) mild hybrid setup. The IMA technology, while cheaper, is significantly less advanced and doesn’t deliver the same level of fuel economy.

[Source: Automotive News via Autoblog]