Ahead of its expected debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March, these photos of MINI’s first crossover have leaked onto the net. With an undeniable MINI look, the photos also show the ALL4 badge, indicating MINI’s new AWD system – a first for the brand.

Show in concept form at the Paris Auto Show in 2008, MINI recently displayed the Beachcomber Concept at the Detroit Auto Show, which used the same platform as the Countryman and gave a real look at the production model’s size.

MINI has promised sporty driving dynamics as well as comfortable seating for four. As for the interior, the latest MINI model keeps true to the MINI roots with centrally-mounted speedometer and plenty of toggle switches. Along with the Countryman, MINI has announced that the Coupe and Convertible concepts will see production in the near future.

We expect MINI to announce official details in the coming weeks and we’ll be sure to bring you full coverage from the Geneva Auto Show starting March 2nd.

GALLERY: MINI Countryman

[Source: WorldCarFans]

See after the jump for a typically strange teaser video

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Nissan’s NISMO motorsports department has finally announced full details on the 2010 FIA GT1-spec GT-R race car and along with some expected changes, there’s also a big surprise. Under the hood you won’t find Nissan’s twin-turbo V6, but rather a naturally aspirated 5.6-liter V8 engine that produces 600-hp and 480 ft-lbs of torque. That’s sure to motivate the GT-R rather briskly, thanks to a curb weight that has been reduced to just 2,756 lbs.

Along with the significant weight reduction, thanks in part to a striped out-interior and the use of a carbon fiber aerodynamics, the FIA GT1-spec GT-R also gets 18-inch RAYS wheels and carbon ceramic brakes with six-piston calipers.

Two GT-R’s will run in the 2010 FIA GT1 World Championship, fielded by Britain’s Sumo Power GT and Swiss Racing Team and supported by NISMO. They will compete against Corvettes, Aston Martin DBR9s, Ford GTs, Lamborghini Murciélagos and more, with the first race of the season taking place in the United Arab Emirates on April 17th

GALLERY: FIA GT1 Nissan GT-R Race Car

What’s Swedish automaker Saab worth? According to some reports, just $1.

Recent rumors have suggested that a partnership between Genii Capital, Formula One boss Bernie Ecclestone and Swedish businessman Lars Carlstrom will offer General Motors one hundred shinny pennies or the loss-making Swedish automaker, saving GM the cost of shutting it down. GM has already hired AlixPartners as a wind-down firm, but the cost of shuttering Saab could be as high as $145 million.

The well-backed group hopes to convince GM that it has a long term business plan for Saab.

And while gaining a dollar versus spending $145 million might seem like a practical solution, there are more factors involved as GM will most likely generate a significant amount of cash from the liquidation of Saab. On top of this, there’s a lot on the line for GM, with plenty of R&D spent developing the new 9-5 model. And while GM wants Saab on its feet, an overly competitive Saab using GM’s technology might create problems for America’s largest automaker down the road.

GM has repeatedly said it will shut down Saab but continues to leave the door open should any enticing offers arise.

[Source: FoxNews]

With 500,000 hybrids sold last year, Toyota aims to double that number by 2011. Japan’s largest automaker had announced plans to reach the one million goal early in this decade, but a report in Japan’s Nikkei suggests Toyota is now looking at very-early in this decade.

Part of the reason for Toyota’s optimism is the fact that in 2009 the Prius was the top selling car in Japan – helped significantly by government incentives. It’s also been a hit in North America.

Along with several other hybrid versions of Toyota platforms, the automaker is looking to introduce eight all new hybrids in the near future. One of these will be a new compact model, based on the FT-CH Hybrid Concept shown at the Detroit Auto Show (above). Toyota has said it will expand the Prius name to become an entire line of vehicles.

Another hybrid coming down the pipe include a hybrid Auris for the U.K.

During Toyota’s press conference at the Detroit Auto Show, Jim Lentz, Toyota Motor Sales president, said that in the future hybrids will be the core powertrain technology for Toyota and that Toyota believes hybrid technology will become the staple throughout the auto industry.

[Source: Nikkei via LeftLaneNews]

Production of the Ranger pickup truck will end next year, with Ford hoping buyers will move up to the F-150. If demand is sufficient, however, Ford might also look to introduce its upcoming global midsize truck platform (the new Ranger) to the U.S.

In an interview with PickupTrucks.com, Ford product boss Derrick Kuzak confirmed the Ranger was to be eliminated after an incredibly long production run, which has stretched over a decade. With most owners using their Rangers for commuter duty, Ford thinks the move to an F-150 won’t be difficult. After all, the current 2.3-liter 4-cylinder Ranger gets 19/24 mpg, which is likely worse than what an F-150 equipped with Ford’s new 3.7-liter V6 would get. While the use of the 3.7 in the F-150 is still unconfirmed, in the Mustang it gets an impressive 30 mpg.

According to Kuzak,the biggest issue with bringing over the new Ranger to the U.S. is how it would fit into the North American marketplace. “It’s no secret we have a new Ranger coming globally. We’re working on one for all the other markets in the world,” said Kuzak to PickupTrucks.com. “The difference is that all o those other markets only have a Ranger. They don’t have an F-150 above it.”

In other words, Ford would not want to cannibalize sales of the top-selling F-150.

The Ford Ranger continues to be the second best selling compact pickup in the U.S., with 55,600 units moved last year. The Ranger is, however, a distant second to the Toyota Tacoma at 111,824 units.

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]

A collection of amateur spy photos have emerged online showing what appears to be a production version of the Lexus LF-Ch concept, which first debuted at the Frankfurt Auto Show last year. With a slightly less aggressive style, a new rear hatch and some OEM-equipment wheels, it is likely that Lexus is preparing this new model for an official debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March.

The LF-Ch is intended as a competitor to the BMW 1 Series, Audi A3, Volvo C30 and the upcoming Mercedes C-Class Coupe. Initially designed just for Europe, Lexus brought the concept to both the Tokyo Auto Show and LA Auto Show to gauge interest in those markets.

Thanks to patent filings by Lexus, the car is believed to be called the CT200h, signifying a hybrid. The concept version was also a hybrid although Lexus did not give any official details on what sort of engine. We expect it to be a version of the Hybrid Synergy Drive found in the HS250h, or possibly a smaller Prius-sized engine.

For more images, see the link below:

[Source: Autoblog]

According to leaked BMW Canada documents, the German automaker is planning a new 335is model to slot in part way above the 335i and below the M3. To do this the 335is will get a similar setup to the one recently unveiled in the Z4 sDrive35is, but with 322-hp and 332 ft-lbs of torque. Like the Z4 model, it will also feature an overboost function, to deliver up to 369 ft-lbs of torque. That’s 69 ft-lbs more than the M3! A sport exhaust system, more efficient fan and an extra water cooler will help keep the engine performing at max power.

What will really help owners get the most of all this added power is an available 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.

BMW will offer the 335is as both a coupe and a convertible with sales expected some time in 2010 for both the U.S. and Canada. Both models should be offered in Europe and other international markets as well.

[Source: E90Post]

Mitsubishi has announced that it will officially introduce an all new compact crossover at the Geneva Auto Show. Called the ASX for the European market, it will be sold as the RVR in Japan and is expected to be offered in North America in late 2010 as a 2011 model, slotting just below the recently redesigned Outlander.

Like the Outlander, the ASX is based on the Lancer’s platform, but with the Outlander always being big for its class, Mitsu is now referring to it as a mid-size crossover. The ASX will now fill a spot in the compact crossover segment – which continues to grow.

In Europe it will be sold with a turbocharged 1.8-liter diesel engine. It is expected to be powered by a naturally aspirated 2.0-liter 4-cylinder when it debuts in North America.

As for the design of the compact crossover, we have to say it is very much in keeping with the Concept xC that Mitsubishi first showed at the Frankfurt Auto Show in 2007.

GALLERY: Mitsubishi ASX

Official release after the jump:

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With recent reports that Mercedes is planning a C-Class Coupe, it’s no surprise to learn that a C-Class Cabriolet is also on the way. The car is expected as a 2011 model, meaning it will debut some time this year. The E-Class Cabriolet (pictured above) was recently unveiled at the 2010 Detroit Auto Show.

Mercedes plans to use this new model, along with its coupe sibling, to win over potential BMW 1 Series and 3 Series buyers. To compete with the BMW offerings, the Mercs will be offered with the choice of a direct-injection 3.5-liter V6, or a smaller displacement engine, combined with twin-turbochargers. With typical Mercedes luxury, this model will be attainable to 135i buyers and atractive enough to 335i buyers.

Like the E-Class convertible, the drop-top C-Class will also use a fabric roof to keep the weight gain to a minimum.

In addition, the source of the news, InsideLine, also suggest that Mercedes’ new twin-turbo 5.5-liter V8 is a likely candidate for an AMG model.

[Source: InsideLine]

The new 2011 Mustang lineup is a huge step forward for the Ford brand, with the V6 model gaining 95-hp and the GT seeing the return of the 5.0. But what will all these improvements cost you? Surprisingly, not all that much extra.

According to a leaked document posted on TheMustangSource, a base coupe will cost $22,995 (including the $850 destination charge), while the 412-hp GT will cross over the $30,000 mark, retailing for $30,495. In total, those price increases are $750 for the base V6 and $1,250 more than the ’09 year GT. And yet even with the increases and the huge engine upgrades for 2010, a Stang in either category is still cheaper than a comparable Camaro.

As for options, a six-speed automatic will cost $995 and a stylish California Special package is $2,475. See our gallery below for the full price list.

GALLERY: 2011 Mustang GT

GALLERY: 2011 Mustang

GALLERY: 2011 Mustang Price List

[Source: TheMustangSource]