The last of the major auto shows for this season, the New York Auto Show marks the return of Spring, when those who don’t live in warmer climates can stop looking at cars and start driving them again.

Last but certainly not least, the NY show is an important venue for luxury brands to debut their wares in front of one of the wealthiest audiences in the world. As a result automakers like BMW and Mercedes-Benz often show some impressive hardware. For 2010 BMW has promised the 2011 5 Series, the facelifted 2011 3 Series, 335is, 2011 X5 and Alina B7 xDrive. Mercedes is still keeping quiet, but is rumored to be showing the SLS AMG GT3 race car.

Important premieres set for this year’s show include: the Nissan Juke, 2011 Subaru Impreza WRX, Infiniti QX56, MINI Countryman, Hyundai Sonata V6 and Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, Hyundai Equus, Lexus CT200h, Acura TSX Sport Wagon, BMW 335is, Suzuki Kizashi V6, 2011 Kia Optima, 2011 Kia Sportage, Mitsubishi Outlander Sport, 2011 Porsche Cayenne, Scion iQ and the Aston Martin Rapide.

See after the jump for a short preview or see our full 2010 New York Auto Show Preview by clicking the link below:

2010 New York Auto Show Preview

Also, don’t forget to check out AutoGuide’s live New York Auto Show coverage starting March 31st, by clicking the link below:

2010 New York Auto Show News Coverage

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The production version of the Scion iQ will make its debut at the New York Auto Show next week reports Bnet. Shown at the same show last year, but in concept form (above) we don’t expect the road-ready car to be nearly so wild.

Instead, the iQ is likely to look similar to the Toyota version of the car (the original), which is currently sold overseas. And considering that version is already quite funky looking, it should suit Scion’s youth-appeal brand just fine.

As for the engine, expect the U.S. Scion model to get the most powerful engine offered in Europe – a 1.3-liter 4-cylinder with 99-hp. That might not seem like much but with how small the iQ is, it should provide peppy performance. In fact, the iQ, which is technically a 3.5-seater (three adults and a child), is roughly the size of the Smart for-two.

Scion has yet to confirm Bnets’s report and we’ve heard rumors of a different model debuting in NY City. It’s likely we won’t know for sure until next week at Scion’s NY Auto Show press conference. We’ll be sure to bring you all the details and photos with full coverage of the NY Auto Show starting March 31st.

Click here for live coverage of the NY Auto Show starting March 31st.

[*Update*] Since publishing this story we’ve had the chance to contact Scion. While we didn’t learn anything about the NY debuts, they did tell us about a new website called ScionDimension.com which will tease photos of a car (or cars) ahead of the New York Auto Show, starting March 26th. The site also has a place to sign up to get more info and a downloadable widget to give you more info on new Scion products. It will also serve as a portal to get photos and information on whatever is unveiled in New York. Plus, it will host streaming video of the unveiling live on March 31st. [*Update*]

Visit the Scion Dimension site here: ScionDimension.com

And get more Scion iQ info at IQ-Forums.com

GALLERY: Scion iQ Concept

GALLERY: Toyota iQ

[Source: Bnet]

Fiat will cut u to 5,000 jobs at its Italian plants by moving production of several Alfa Romeo models to North America. According to a report by Automotive News Europe, the cuts will affect three Italian plants. Parent company Fiat hasn’t released the specific details, but it is expected that the models slated to be built in North America are the 159 replacement, 166 replacement and a new mid-size crossover.

This latest development is part of a larger plan by Fiat to streamline its production process. Currently the brand builds 14 vehicles at five plans in Italy. But as of 2012, Fiat hopes to just build nine models in Italy.

In addition, Fiat is also making a big push to sell Chrysler brand products in other parts of the world. We recently learned that several Jeep models will be sold in Russia and now comes word that the 300C, Sebring and Town & Country minivan will be rebadged and sold as Lancias in Italy starting in 2011, and sold as Chryslers outside Italy. Fiat also plans to bring the Nitro and Journey to Europe, although its not clear if they will wear a Fiat badge or a Lancia badge.

In the future, Fiat plans to do a lot of platform sharing across the U.S. and Italian brands and will look to replace Chrysler brand models with Fiat products.

[Source: Automotive News via AutoCar]

With the New York Auto Show kicking off next week, we’ve received info from pretty much every automaker about what vehicle or vehicles they intend to display – except Mercedes. Thanks to German auto rag Bild, however, we now know that the star attraction for the tri-star brand will be SLS AMG GT3 race car.

Leaked online earlier this week, many of the details of the GT3 race car aren’t clear. What we do know is that the car gets some wild new bodywork using lots of carbon fiber, with a large front splitter, vented hood, a racing diffuser and massive rear spoiler. Set to race in the 2011 FIA GT3 Series in Europe, Mercedes does not have any curb weight numbers yet and says the FIA will likely determine how big and how powerful a version of the stock car’s 563-hp 6.2-liter V8 the race car gets.

“Thanks to uncompromising lightweight construction and superior handling dynamics, the SLS AMG provides an outstanding basis for a highly competitive racing car. This exciting GT3 version is our response to strong customer demand for a car designed for these attractive motor sports series. Once again, it demonstrates AMG’s huge experience gained in more than 40 years of motor sports, and its great expertise in the development of unique high-performance cars,” says Volker Mornhinweg, the man in charge of Mercedes’ AMG division.

If what Bild claims is true, then we’ll be sure to bring you plenty of photos and (hopefully) more information on the SLS AMG GT3 from the New York Auto Show with live coverage starting March 31st.

And with a GT3 race car announced, let the rumors of a track-focused SLS AMG GT3 road car begin!

See our live 2010 New York Auto Show coverage, starting March 31st by following the link below:

2010 New York Auto Show Coverage

GALLERY: Mercedes SLS AMG GT3

[Source: Bild via Car&Driver]

Official release after the jump:

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Porsche has just announced that it will debut, for the first time on American soil, the all-new 2011 Cayenne SUV at the New York Auto Show. Several new Cayenne models will be unveiled including the Cayenne S Hybrid, the first hybrid from the legendary sports car maker.

The Cayenne S Hybrid gets a 3.o-liter V6 engine that is supercharged and mated to a 47-hp electric motor for a total of 380-hp and 427 ft-lbs of torque. Porsche claims the Cayenne S Hybrid can travel up to 40 mph on just electric power and can cruise on pure electric power at speeds of up to 97 mph.

On display next to the Hybrid model will be the Cayenne S with a 400-hp 4.8-liter V8 as well as the Turbo with a 500-hp twin-turbo V8. Porsche will also show the Panamera, 911 Turbo Cabriolet and the new Boxster Spyder.

We’ll be sure to bring you full details on the second-generation 2011 Cayenne models with live coverage of the New York Auto Show starting March 31st.

GALLERY: 2011 Porsche Cayenne

Official release after the jump:

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BMW‘s all-new 2011 5 Series will be the main attraction at the German automaker’s display at the 2010 New York Auto Show, joined by four other models, all of which are world premieres. The new 5 Series is a North American premiere after it was first shown at the Geneva Auto Show just a few weeks ago. The rest of the list includes the new facelifted 3 Series, the 335is Coupe and Convertible, as well as the 2011 X5 and Alpina B7 xDrive.

The new 5 Series will arrive in north America is either a 535 or 550, the former making around 300-hp from a single twin-scroll turbocharged inline-six, while the latter will produce 400-hp from a twin-turbo V8. A redesigned X5 for 2011 shares the same engines and comes with a new eight-speed automatic transmission. The diesel X5 will also remain an option.

In the 3 Series range, BMW will show a mid-cycle update for the car, with a new single-turbo inline-six (same as in the new 5 Series) making 300-hp and 300 ft-lbs of torque that is both more responsive and more efficient. A new higher-performance 335is will also be on display using an up-rated version of the old twin-turbo inline-six with 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.

Finally, BMW will show the xDrive version of the Alina B7 sedan (based on the new 7 Series). A rear-drive version was first shown at the Chicago Auto Show earlier this year, making 500-hp and 516 ft-lbs of torque from the car’s 4.4-liter twin-turbo V8. With all the improvements of the new 7 Series (and then some) the Alina B7 (in rear-drive form) ca hit 60 mph in 4.5 seconds. It should also be priced close to the rear drive model, with a standard wheelbase at $122,875 and the extended wheelbase at $126,775.

AutoGuide will bring you full coverage of all the New York Auto Show premieres starting March 31st.

GALLERY: BMW Premieres at the 2010 NY Auto Show

Official release after the jump:

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Cadillac will move ahead with production plans for its new flagship XTS luxury sedan, with the vehicle remaining mostly unchanged from from the concept car shown at the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year. Slated to replace both the STS and DTS, the XTS won’t quite compete head-to-head with the Lexus LS, BMW 7 Series and Mercedes S-Class, due mostly to a slightly smaller interior and the lack of a rear-wheel drive. But don’t worry, XTS will at least be available as an AWD model. It is, however, longer and wider than an S-Class.

According to a report by Motor Trend, Cadillac is not only intent on keeping the exterior style of the concept, but is also planning on retaining the impressive interior – that easily rivals segment leaders like the Audi A8.

Shown as a plug-in hybrid in concept form, using an electric motor, lithium-ion battery and a 3.6-liter direct-injection V6 gasoline engine making a total of 350-hp, this drivetrain is unlikely. GM has recently admitted that the company’s plug-in hybrids are to be limited to the Volt and Opel Ampera in Europe, due to short supply of parts. However, a non-plug in hybrid system is a possibility. There’s also reason to believe that instead of a typical V8 under the hood, GM will deliver a rumored twin-turbo V6.

GALLERY: Cadillac XTS Concept Unveiled in Detroit

GALLERY: Cadillac XTS Concept

[Source: Motor Trend]

For 2011 Buick will replace the entry-level 3.0-liter V6 engine offered in the LaCrosse with a new 2.4-liter 4-cylinder. The 4-cylinder isn’t likely to make for spritely performance, but it does do a more than capable job as the entry-level offering in numerous other GM products including the Chevy Equinox.

Power for the new direct-injection 2.4-liter 4-cylinder Ecotec engine is rated at 182-hp and 172 ft-lbs of torque and when mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, delivers EPA rated fuel economy numbers of 19-mpg city and 30-mpg highway.

As a result of these changes, Buick will now also offer all-wheel drive on the top-trim 3.6-liter V6 models.

Unfortunately, with the base LaCrosse CX trim now coming with a 4-cylinder, the price hasn’t droped as much as you’d expect. A base LaCrosse now starts from $26,995 – just $90 less than last year’s V6.

Official release after the jump:

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Porsche in the U.K. has created its own video highlighting the newest 2010 911 GT3 RS model. Filmed on track and with typically wet U.K. weather, there’s plenty of tail-happy sliding and (unlike Top Gear) it’s also educational.

We’re sure you’ve already scrolled down and found the video, but if you prefer to read your facts here goes. Highlights for the new 2010 model include an increased displacement from 3.6 to 3.8-liters, with an additional 15-hp for a new total of 450. That power hits the ground (as it should) through a rear-drive setup and a six-speed manual transmission. Plus, the gear ratios for the 2010 model have been shortened further for increased acceleration. As the GT3 RS is all about performance through light-weight, additional weight has been shaved off the body of the GT3 RS through the use of a titanium exhaust. Porsche will also offer an optional lithium-ion battery in place of the standard lead battery, which will help save an additional 22 lbs. In terms of handling, the GT3 RS gets a dynamic engine mounts, which change their stiffness depending on how the car is being driven. A new special PASM suspension setup has also been included that takes into account not only the RS’s wider rear track, but also its wider front track (new for 2010). Inside those flared fenders you’ll find 19×9-inch wheels with 245/35/19 tires up front and 19×12-inch wheels with 325/30/19 tires in the rear.

The 2010 GT3 RS will be available as of March with pricing is listed at $132,800 ($163,000 CDN).

See after the jump for the video:

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The horsepower (and more importantly, torque) wars are heating up between GM and Ford. Last month Ford released the power numbers for its new 6.7-liter Power Stroke V8 in the all-new F-Series Super Duty, rating the truck at 390-hp and 735 ft-lbs of torque. Then just a few weeks later GM announced its numbers for the 6.6-liter Duramax V8 in the new 2011 Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra HD pickups at 397-hp and 765 ft-lbs of torque.

Word comes from the folks at PickupTrucks.com that Ford isn’t prepared to sit back and take second place, with an increase in power numbers due out as early as next year. There’s even a suggestion of 400-hp and 775 ft-lbs of torque. Ford certainly has the upper hand as the all-new Power Stroke 6.7-liter has plenty of potential left in it, while the 6.6-liter Duramax is a revised version of an older engine design and has used up much of its potential already. The problem will be increasing power while hitting fuel economy and emissions targets.

Ford’s motivation is clearly from the marketing side here. Sure added power and torque make for a more capable truck, but Ford already leads GM in both towing and payload, even with the lower engine numbers. The new Duramax Silverado HD can tow up to 20,000 lbs and has a payload rating of 6,335 lbs. The F-Series Super Duty (F-350) is rated at 21,600 lbs and a payload rating of 6,520 lbs.

This battle is just the latest in a horsepower war between GM and Ford, with GM planning to deliver a more powerful V6 Camaro next year, while rumors suggest a twin-turbo V6 is on the way to rival Ford’s EcoBoost.

GALLERY: 2011 F-Series Super Duty

[Source: PickupTrucks.com]