Having just received its world premiere at the Geneva Auto Show, Nissan announced the Juke will be sold in the U.S. and will give the crossover a North American unveiling at a private event just ahead of the NY Auto Show.

Slotting in just underneath the Rogue in Nissan’s lineup, we’re excited to see if the European model’s GTDI (gasoline turbocharged direct injection) 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine, which makes 188-hp and 177 ft-lbs of torque. We’re also interested to see what sort of design changes might be made to the admittedly odd looking ute.

Set to go on sale later this year, pricing has not yet been release yet, but we expect a sub $20,000 entry-level value, considering the price of the Rogue.

We’ll be sure to bring you full details and plenty of live photos on March 31st, on the eve of the NY Auto Show.

GALLERY: Nissan Juke Premiere in Geneva

GALLERY: Nissan Juke

According to the latest reports, the much-rumored Ferrari 599 GTO model will make is world debut at the Paris Auto Show this Fall. Using many components from the track-only 599XX, this new GTO (Gran Turismo Omolagato) will be the first car to bear the badge since the 288 GTO in 1984.

According to an article by AutoWeek, the new car will shed 132 lbs from the standard model, thanks to carbon fiber bodywork, a striped-down interior and special light weight allow wheels. Power has been rumored to be as high as 700-hp, but AW now suggests a more reasonable 650-hp – a boost of 30-hp from the standard model and just 10-hp shy of the Enzo. Also eppected is a version of the Ferrari 458 Italia’s 7-speed dual-clutch transmission to replace the current 6-speed unit, allowing for a slightly faster 0-62 mph time of 3.5 seconds.

Suspension upgrades will also be a part of the package with a lower overall height and a slightly wider track. We also expect a more hard-core race program on the steering-wheel-mounted Manettino.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Kia has already released two images of its 2011 Optima [Magentis] family sedan before its world premiere at the New York Auto Show later this month, but thanks to an amateur spy photographer in Korea we now have a few extra shots. These new angles confirm the Optima’s handsome good looks, especially as the car still manages to look stylishly European, even without the help of a pro photographer.

The 2011 Optima is longer, lower and wider than its predecessor, which should result in a more comfortable ride, better handling and more interior room. Based on the same platform as the newly released Hyundai Sonata, the Optima doesn’t have quite the coupe-like look, with a rather high Lexus IS-like rear end. It features Kia’s “tiger” front end design with a flat nose and large grille, while LED lights are used on the bumper.

While no powertrain info has been provided, it’s safe to assume that much like the Sonata (reviewed here), it will receive a GDI (gasoline direct injection) 2.4-liter 4-cylinder with 198-hp and a six-speed transmission. In the Sonata that engine gets 22/35 mpg (city/highway). With Hyundai set to unveil a 250-hp 2.0-liter turbocharged Sonata and a Hybrid at the NY show, it’s likely that Kia will do the same either in NY or soon after.

Kia claims the new Optima will have class-leading safety and luxury equipment.

AutoGuide will be on hand in New York for the official debut, with live coverage starting March 31st.

GALLERY: 2011 Kia Optima [Magentis] Spy Photos

GALLERY: 2011 Kia Optima [Magentis]

[Source: TheCarBlogger]

Honda has announced that it will recall a total of 412,000 vehicles due to a problem with the Vehicle Stability Assist (VSA) modulator, that could cause a soft brake pedal feel. In total, 344,000 Odyssey minivans and 68,000 Elements, from the 2007-8 model years are affected.

Honda claims a “self check” mode for the system may allow a small amount of air into the modulator, which over time can result in what it calls a, “soft break pedal,” or “low brake pedal.”

A notification will be sent to all owners starting at the end of April, at which point Honda encourages owners to take their vehicle to an authorized dealer.

In order to make the process more user-friendly, Honda has announced it is setting up a website (as well as a dedicated call center) where owners can go as of April 19th, to see if their vehicle is in need of a recall. The contact number is 800-999-1009 (option 4) and the website is www.recalls.honda.com

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

So far we have heard several reports of a new front-drive model from BMW, but now comes confirmation from BMW CEO Norbert Reithofer. “There will be front-wheel-drive BMWs in the smaller vehicle classes in the future,” said Reithofer during a press conference about the German automaker’s finances.

The architecture will actually be both front-drive and AWD capable and will be used for a new lineup of BMW and MINI cars – meaning MINIs are also set to get AWD. Currently all BMW models are rear-wheel or all-wheel drive.

According to Automotive News, the new platform will arrive in 2013 with the third generation of the new MINI hatch. Up to 20 different BMW and MINI models are set to ride on this new architecture.

[Source: Automotive News]

Scion will introduce a mid-cycle update to the boxy xB model for 2011, with some mild updates and a minor price increase. Included is a facelift with new front and rear bumpers, headlights and taillights and a new front grille. The changes aren’t big, but do add a bit more aggression to the already mean looking box. Most noticeable are larger exterior air vents, giving the xB the appearance of an even wider stance. Seven paint colors will be available for 2011, including two new colors: Army Rock Metallic and Elusive Blue Metallic

Inside, the xB gets new seats with better side bolsters, as well as new seat fabric. Other additions include a new gauge cluster, a steering wheel that has both tilt and telescopic functions and the addition of a center console that also doubles as an armrest.

As mentioned, a slight price increase is also part of the 2011 package, but at just $150 it’s not hard to swallow. A base xB now retails for $16,000 with a manual transmission and $16,950 for the automatic. 2011 Scion xB models will go on sale later this month.

GALLERY: 2011 Scion xB

Official release after the jump:

Continue Reading…

In 2008, Iron Man came out with Robert Downey Jr. playing the fitting role of Tony Stark. Previews and trailers have been swarming all over the Internet for Iron Man 2 where Downey will once again assume the role of Iron Man with new friends and villains at his side. One of the trailers show Stark passing time racing in an open-wheel car and taking a hot lap before Whiplash spoilers his fun on the track. It seems as if this scene has sparked some interest with Royal Purple, manufacturer of synthetic oils, to team up with Marvel Studios and cross promote on the new movie. The result is The Stark Motor Racing Team, a brilliant marketing program that now ties a comic book to a movie to reality.

The team is comprised of five different racers from five different demographics, all campaigning Royal Purple, Stark Motor Racing and Iron Man 2 sponsorship decals on their weapons of choice while on the track. Chris Prey will be leading the way in Grand AM Road Racing in his Porsche Boxster 986, while Stephen Verdier will be campaigning his 2008 Subaru STI sideways in the Formula DRIFT series. Speed isn’t reserved for just things with four wheels however, as David Hope and Melissa Paris will be campaigning their motorcycles in NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycles and AMA Road Racing, respectively. Last but not least, Joey Stathas Jr. will have his hands full in Monster Trucks in his 2009 Chevy. All of these racers will be seen nationwide for 2010 all racing under the Stark Motor Racing Team program. We’ve also spotted Iron Man 2 branding on Royal Purple products.

Hopefully these type of sponsorships will lead to bigger and better things for all forms of motorsports. We feel that this was a real cool opportunity with the movie-makers taking a comic book to the big screen and now marketing gurus taking the movie into reality. Who would have ever thought Stark Motor Racing Team would be a reality?

[Source: Stark Motor Racing Team]

Gallery: Stark Motor Racing Team

Infiniti has had tremendous success with the G series of “entry-level” luxury sport sedans, rivaling industry leaders like the BMW 3 Series, but when it comes to full-on flagships, Nissan’s luxury arm has only ever produced failures.

With the introduction of the new M for 2011, Infiniti is now saying it has no plans to revive the Q flagship, which hasn’t been in production since 2006. In an interview with Automotive News, Infiniti VP of global business, Toru Saito, said the 2011 M sedan will, “play a flagship role” for the brand.

This makes some sense as the new M is essentially the size of the previous Q45, but with automakers like BMW, Lexus and Mercedes now offering truly huge flagship sedans, it still doesn’t quite seem up to the task. Regardless, Infiniti thinks it will be enough of a draw offering most of the size and, in M56 trim, it will most certainly deliver the power with 420-hp and 417 ft-lbs of torque from a massive 5.6-liter V8.

Saito says Infiniti is still open to the possibility of reviving the Q, but comments that there would have to be sufficient demand – something there never has been.

[Source: Automotive News via Autoblog]

Fiat has made the decision to use an entirely new platform for its tiny 500 model when it debuts in the U.S later this year. The new mini car A platform, which is also scheduled to be used for the upcoming 2011 Fiat Panda and Lancia Ypsilon, is an improvement over the current European offering. Fiat isn’t ready to update its production facilities in Europe yet in order to build the new architecture, but with an all-new production line being set up in Mexico, the Italian automaker has the opportunity to start fresh.

The new A platform has several benefits over the current one, including better crash protection, a quieter ride and a lighter weight. However, the exterior size of the car will not change.

The U.S. Fiat 500 (which may still be called the Cinquecento) is set to go into production this December in Mexico.

[Source: InsideLine]

Bugatti still hasn’t confirmed that the Galibier luxury sedan will see production, but its looking considerably more likely as the automaker releases another round of photos – this time showing the heavyweight in monotone black. We like it considerably more this way, rather than the exposed carbon and blue shown before. These new photos have also given us a chance to notice a few more details about the superfast auto – like the illuminated logos on the rims.

The Galibier reportedly uses a version of the Veyron’s 8.0-liter W16 engine, but with a pair of superchargers rather than the quad-turbo setup. It also gets an eight-speed automatic rather than the Veyron’s seven-seed DSG box. As for price, it’s expected that if the Galibier does make it to market, the MSRP will be close to $1.6 million.

GALLERY: Bugatti Galibier 16C