While Ford has poured a lot of money into the Lincoln brand over the past few years, with new products and designs, the Blue Oval hasn’t seen much return on its investment. Now, however, it may just have a plan that could work: It’s called the Lincoln MKZ Hybrid and it just so happens to be the most fuel efficient luxury car in America.

Ford is not only hoping the hybrid buzz will get buyers into Lincoln showrooms, but its hoping that right now it can conquest sales from Lexus. Plus, as the MKZ Hybrid uses the same hybrid setup found in the Ford Fusion Hybrid, the higher asking price and profit margin on Lincoln products will put more money in Ford’s coffers.

As mentioned, this is the very setup found in the Fusion, which shares its platform with the MKZ and Mercury Milan. So it’s not exactly new, but that doesn’t mean it’s not impressive. Remember, the engine won awards in the Fusion and is still one of the most fuel efficient vehicles on the road with a 41/36 mpg (city/highway) rating. That being said, it out-greens the Lexus HS250h (its closest competitor) by a considerable margin.

The 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid will also come with plenty of standard technology and safety systems, such as a reverse sensing system, heated and cooled front seats, Ford’s MyKey system and SYNC. Plus it gets a version of the SmartGauge with EcoGuide on the dash. Lincoln is hoping all this will help it compete with the Lexus HS, however, we doubtful the Lincoln can compare to the Lexus’ luxury and build quality not to mention the fact that the Lexus also offers some truly impressive (if expensive) technology features. What the MKZ offers, however, is better fuel economy and more usable space.

The real competitor for the MKZ Hybrid may just remain its two siblings, which have always drawn customers down market with similar product offerings at a lower price point.

One of the biggest factors will be the car’s price, which Ford says will be released later this year when the MKZ Hybrid officially goes on sale.

Lincoln will officially debut the car later today at the New York Auto Show and AutoGuide will be on hand to bring you more info and plenty of live photos.

For up-to-date New York Auto Show coverage, see the link below:

2010 New York Auto Show Coverage

GALLERY: 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid

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Last week we brought you several leaked photos of the new 2011 Scion tC and now we have a first full image of the car taken by a spy photographer working inside the New York Auto Show. The photo, sent to Autoblog by an anonymous shooter, shows a terribly grainy image of the new tC on stage in New York during a practice run-through of a press conference set for later today.

The Scion brand is all about being fresh and new, but the once revolutionary tC has become anything but, languishing on far longer than it ever should have without a remake. Now the remake is here, although judging from the single photo, it’s not easy to tell exactly what has changed. In fact, we felt the same way looking at the leaked teaser images.

According to the unnamed source, the 2011 tC will get a larger 2.5-liter 4-cylinder (up from a 2.4-liter), combined with a six-speed automatic gearbox with self-shifting feature and traction and stability control programs that can we switched off. Other highlights include a wider track and judging from the earlier photos, it looks as though the overhangs are much smaller, resulting in a more balance driving experience. Also included are 18-inch wheels, more rear headroom, well-bolstered seats and a thick flat-bottom steering wheel.

AutoGuide will be on hand with live coverage of the New York Auto Show starting March 31st.

See all the live updates by hitting the link below:

2010 New York Auto Show Coverage

[Source: Autoblog]

According to a new report by the reputable German outlet Autobild, Honda will resurrect the NSX after all. That’s right, the article suggests Honda will put its HSV-010 GT race car into production in 2011. The car’s track would be reduced some, with minimal changes to the bodywork and the absence of a GT-car wing. As for power, it will come from a 500-ish horsepower 5.0-liter V8 engine rather than the race car’s 3.4-liter racing unit.

Honda has promised the return of the NSX several times and repeatedly reneged on its word, so we’re not getting too excited. But if you want to get all hot and bothered about the possibility, we have two bits of info to help. First up, Honda most likely built the race car with the plan to bring it to production, testing it on the track first – which it has now done. Second, with that plan in place, it’s likely that one of the main contributing factors to Honda’s decision to cancel the road car was the economic downturn. And with the economy now starting to turn a corner, well, Honda is thinking there’s not only a market for the car, but that it now has the means to move forward with the project.

Honda hasn’t confirmed any of this yet (obviously), but we can dream. And an NSX replacement is just what we’ll be dreaming about tonight. Vroom vroom.

GALLERY: Honda HSV-010 GT

[Source: Autobild via Autoblog]

Suzuki has released full details and images of its new Kizashi Sport model ahead of the car’s debut at the New York Auto Show. The new mid-size sedan from the Japanese automaker is already quite handsome, but in Sport trim it’s a real looker.

Sport models get a new front fascia with chrome accents and a lower grille, as well as side skirts with chrome accenting, a trunk lip spoiler and special light-weight 18-inch wheels. Those wheels with some lower profile rubber should help improve handling on an already dynamic platform, as will a 10mm lower ride height. Interior updates include a new sport steering wheel and a black leather interior with contrasting stitching on the leather seats, shifter and e-brake handle.

What isn’t included in the new package is a more powerful V6 engine, which was rumored to be unveiled at the New York show. Still, with 185-hp already, the 4-cylinder is enough to get by on.

The new Sport package will be available on GTS and SLS trim levels starting in August. No pricing has been released, but we can expect a few thousand extra on top of the base price. Currently, a top-level SLS model ranges from $24,499 for a front-drive setup with a manual transmission to $26,899 for an all-wheel drive setup with a CVT transmission.

We’ll be sure to bring you more on the car, as well as live photos, when Suzuki unwraps the new Sport package at the New York Auto Show later today.

Click the link below for live NY Auto Show updates

2010 New York Auto Show Coverage

GALLERY: 2011 Suzuki Kizashi Sport

Official release after the jump:

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At a private event held on the eve of the New York Auto Show we just got our first close up look of the Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon concept car. When it does go on sale later this year the production model won’t be quite as lavish inside. After all, the rear seats of the concept feature a tremendous amount of Alcantara – which looks deliciously good and would be nice to see on a production model. But that’s just not realistic. Heck, there’s even Alcantara coating the dash panels that are covered by the doors. Unfortunately, however, some of the switchgear is starting to look a bit old and that is sure to carry over to the street car.

As for the rest of the vehicle, it should remain pretty much intact all the way to the assembly line, offering a compelling alternative to the Mercedes E63 Wagon. While we doubt how many of these vehicles Cadillac will be able to sell in North America we were assured that it doesn’t cost the company much to build a V version of the wagon and so they decided to add it to the lineup. Initially we thought the car might be aimed more towards the European market where uber-wagons are appreciated, but Cadillac PR Rep David Caldwell assured us that wasn’t the case, as Cadillac’s market penetration is still too small in Europe to design a model specifically to fill a need (or should we say want) there.

Cadillac will still sell the car in Europe and the Middle East, but the primary target consumer is in the U.S.

Like the rest of the CTS-V models, the Sport Wagon gets the same incredibly powerful supercharged 6.2-liter V8 engine with 556-hp and 551 ft lbs of torque – which we love so much in the sedan. It also gets the now-trademark massive front grille, Brembo brakes, 19-inch wheels with Michelin Pilot Sport PS2 tires and Magnetic Ride Control. Oh, and like the rest of the CTS-V models, Caddy has made the decision to offer both a six-speed automatic and a six-speed manual transmission.

Cadillac hasn’t released any performance numbers, but with the Sedan rated at just under four seconds to 60 mph, we expect a tick over that time in wagon form. That’s a small price to pay for the functionality of 25.4 cubic feet of cargo room with a total of 58 cu.-ft. with the rear seats folded flat. That’s of course putting aside the less practical 14/19 mpg (city/highway) rating.

GALLERY: Cadillac CTS-V Sport Wagon Concept

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Nissan has officially debuted the new Juke “Sport Cross” compact crossover at a private event on the eve of the New York Auto Show. The new Juke model has bizarre and controversial styling that doesn’t need to be explained, but several other features of the vehicle are worth a mention. For starters, the car is the first Nissan product to feature gasoline direct-injection and turbocharging, helping it deliver 180+ hp and 170+ ft-lbs of torque from a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. Also of note is the high-tech torque-vectoring all-wheel drive setup, that can not only distribute power 50:50 front to rear, but can split the power between the rear wheels.

Both a six-speed manual transmission model (FWD only) and a CVT transmission will be offered. Other highlights include Nissan’s new I-CON system, with a controller for the climate control system that also doubles as a selector different driving modes. Drivers can choose from an Eco model, Normal mode and Sport mode, each of which will adjust the throttle, transmission and steering response settings.

Additional features (standard and optional) include leather seats, a backup camera, Nissan’s Intelligent Key with pus button ignition, navigation, a power moonroof and Vehicle Dynamic Control (VDC).

The car was just unveiled in downtown Manhattan at the Rockefeller Center and we’re headed there now to bring you live photos. [*UPDATE*] Below you will find our photos from the Rockefeller Center unveiling of the Juke. A Nissan representative explained to us that the company didn’t have time to prepare a full U.S. spec model and so the one being shown in New York is actually the very same red European model we saw in Geneva – complete with right-hand drive. Our impressions were that the Juke is really more of a two-seater with room for two children in the rear. Nissan hasn’t released any cargo capacity numbers but we don’t expect much as the trunk is quite small. This info might sound disappointing for a crossover, but Nissan says it really aims this vehicle more at the hatchback buyer and so the diminished space isn’t a big of an issue. [*UPDATE*]

The Juke joins Nissan’s lineup as the smallest crossover offered and will go on sale this Fall.

See what’s being discussed on JukeForums.com now!

GALLERY: Nissan Juke Debuts at New York Auto Show

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After announcing the debut of the 2011 Impreza WRX models at the New York Auto Show later this week, Subaru has now teased the the updated STI model. To be more precise, Subaru hasn’t actually said anything about an STI, but it has released the above photo and a simple phrase: “The wing is back!”

We don’t have to be investigative journalists to see that Subaru is referring to past STI models and their massive wings – particularly notable of late on sedan models. So could this mean the return of the STI sedan? Quite possibly.

The bigger news, however, is still to come. After all, with Subaru announcing the 2011 WRX would get the STIs wide-body, the STI will need to take performance to an even higher level. So what does Subaru have in store? An even wider body? More power?

We’ll be sure to bring you all the details on the 2011 STI as soon as we know with live coverage of the 2010 New York Auto Show starting March 31st.

Click the link below on or after March 31st for live updates from the show:

2010 New York Auto Show

Lincoln will debut a hybrid version of its MKZ luxury sedan at the New York Auto Show later this week, according to a report by The Detroit News. No details on the hybrid Lincoln are available, but it’s expected to share the same hybrid format used in the Ford Fusion Hybrid and Mercury Milan Hybrid, where it gets 41/36 mpg (city/highway) and can operate on electric power at speeds up to 47 mph.

The MKZ Hybrid will be the first hybrid in the Lincoln lineup and Ford hopes it will be an attractive offer to those in search of a luxury hybrid. Currently, affordable luxury hybrids are rate, with the only other competitor being the Lexus HS250h, which only gets 35/34 mpg (city/highway).

Unfortunately for Ford, the company only has a limited number of hybrid drivetrains that it can produce.  That means every Lincoln MKZ Hybrid built is a Ford Fusion Hybrid that isn’t built. Fortunately for Ford, until it can produce more hybrid drivetrains, the higher dollar value of the Lincoln should equate to higher profits.

The real question will be if hybrid Lincolns, like the rest of the Lincoln lineup, sell at all.

We’ll be sure to bring you more details with full 2010 New York Auto Show coverage starting March 31st.

Click the link below on or after March 31st for live updates.

2010 New York Auto Show Coverage

[Source: The Detroit News]

A single spy photo captured in Korea seems to show the next-generation Hyundai Elantra. Some reports have suggested this might be the next Accent, but it simply looks to large and too impressive to be a true economy car.

If in fact it is the Elantra, what is obvious is that the compact sedan has inherited some good looks from its big brother, the Sonata. We have to say the coupe-like profile isn’t quite as impressive on a car with a shorter wheelbase and it seems like Hyundai engineers have a tough time making the Elantra look like anything but a jellybean.

With the car due out near the end of this year or early next year, we expect to be impressed – and for good reason. Since the debut of the Genesis Coupe and Sedan, all of the Korean automaker’s products have won our highest praise. We recently tested the 2010 Tucson and the 2011 Sonata and regarded them as segment leaders. In addition to the new Elantra, Hyundai will introduce all-new versions of the Accent, Santa Fe and an unnamed “sporty coupe” based on the Veloster Concept before the end of 2011.

But before we get any production news on this model, Hyundai will introduce the Sonata Hybrid, a turbocharged Sonata model and the new Equus flagship this year.

[Source: ppomppu.co.kr via Autoblog]

In its first outing at the season opener for the Nürburgring Long Distance Championship race, Porsche’s new GT3 R Hybrid placed an impressive sixth overall, raising speculation that there may be a future for hybrid sports cars.

In fact, according to a report by Autoblog Green, Porsche spokesmen Steve Janisse and Andy Schupak have confirmed the German sports car maker is in talks with the America Le Mans Series (ALMS) to run the hybrid Porsche in North America.

Based on the GT3 chassis and powered by a traditional 4.0-liter flat-six engine making 480-hp at the rear wheels, the GT3 R Hybrid also gets two electric motors that power the front wheels, with 60 kW of power going to each axle. The driver will be able to call up this extra power on-demand, for six to eight seconds, giving the GT3 R a temporary all-wheel drive setup as well.

In addition to the hybrid racer’s impressive debut, Porsche also took the top spot on the podium at the Nürburgring with the Manthey Racing Porsche 911 GT3, driven by Timo Bernhard, Marc Lieb and Marcel Tiemann.

If Porsche can reach an agreement with the ALMS, it hopes to compete with its new hybrid racer in a couple of races later this season.

GALLERY: Porsche GT3 R Hybrid

[Source: Autoblog Green]

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