The Ultimate Driving Machine is set to introduce the ultimate commuter vehicle, as BMW announced Wednesday that its new Megacity electric car will launch in 2013. BMW’s Megacity is set to be a revolutionary design, featuring a carbon monocoque chassis (similar to the McLaren F1 supercar), a rear-engine layout and aerodynamic exterior styling with carbon fiber bodypanels.

The light weight, Golf-sized Megacity should get an estimated range of 160 miles from its electric motor, and feature an aggressive regenerative braking system to help maintain battery life in stop and go traffic. BMW is also planning to sell the car complete with a battery pack, unlike other manufacturers, who have frequently voiced concerns that batteries must be leased due to their propensity to wear out  significantly over time.

The Megacity should also help amortize costs of expensive technologies like battery-powered drivetrains and carbon fiber structural elements, enabling them to trickle down to mass-produced models without adding a hefty premium to the MSRP.

[Source: Autocar]

Yesterday in Fiat’s 5-year plan it was revealed that Ferrari will introduce four new models in the next three years. But the details of Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne’s press conference are apparently open to interpretation. According to AutoCar, it won’t be four new models, but six!

While its true that the product lineup will continue to include four standard models, an Enzo replacement isn’t included in that list as it will only be produced in limited numbers. Reports suggest it will be powered by either a twin-turbo V6 or V8 and use Ferrari’s active aerodynamic technology – as showcased on the 599XX. In addition AutoCar claims that not only is a 458 Spider coming, but also a 458 Scuderia – a more hard core version of the just-launched exotic.

With those models making up three of the six, the remainder will include a new 599 in 2012 and a 612 Scaglietti replacement coming next year. The 612 is also rumored to be the first production Ferrari to get hybrid technology. Finally, in 2013, Ferrari will deliver an updated version of the California.

We’ll be sure to give a details report on the next interpretation of the “facts” from Marchionne’s 5-year plan.

[Source: AutoCar]

Driving on the longest ice road in the world isn’t exactly a piece of ice cream cake, even for a normal car. But in a solar car that uses as much power as your toaster?

So excuse us for interrupting you regularly scheduled new car news to bring you an inspiring story. Recently, Marcelo Da Luz and his XOF1 solar car made the trip from Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, Northwest Territories, Canada, covering 111 miles (180km) over the frozen Mackenzie River and Arctic Ocean.

Marcelo’s (self-financed!) car is a marvel — it can accelerate from zero to 50 mph (85km/h) in 6 seconds, drive distances of 130 miles (200km) at night or 300 miles (483km) on a bright sunny day. It is also the world distance record holder for solar vehicles, at 22,180 miles (35,700 km), is the first solar car to operate below freezing temperatures, drive on an ice road, and reached the Arctic Circle…twice.

You can view the CBC National video report on his incredible ice road journey, or a video about the project after the jump.

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The first electric sports car is coming to Japan this May, as Tesla sends its first batch of right-hand drive Roadsters to the other side of the Pacific.

Japan will be the first Asian market for Tesla, which built 12 special edition Roadsters to mark the occasion. Featuring carbon fiber bodywork and a 0-60 time of just 3.7 seconds, the Roadster should be a hit in Japan, which is a significant market for sports car makers like Ferrari, Porsche and Lotus.

“With its combination of high-level car enthusiasts and interest and appreciation of cutting-edge technology, Japan is a natural market for the Roadster,” said Tesla CEO Elon Musk. “The Tesla Roadster is a no-compromise vehicle that makes no sacrifices on performance, design or engineering.”

The announcement comes on the heels of a partnership between Tesla and Japanese electronics giant Panasonic. The two companies forged an agreement to work together on battery technology, a current weakness for electric vehicles. Fortunately, the Japanese government is investing in charging stations and other infrastructure in a bid to promote the use of electric vehicles. This should make the Tesla an even more inviting proposition in a country where gas prices have reached as high as $5.50 a gallon.

Despite a dearth of sporty cars in its lineup, Toyota has always managed to have at least one convertible, from boulevard cruisers like the short-lived Celica convertible and the recently departed Camry Solara convertible, to more serious sports cars like the MR2 and Supra. With the Camry Solara gone, Toyota is looking for another open top vehicle, and Scion‘s popular tC is likely to be next in line.

The tC accounts for 30 percent of Scion’s sales already, but its long-in-the-tooth styling has seen it slowly grow out of favor with the fickle youth market. A new 180-horsepower four-cylinder and revised styling for 2011 should help restore the tC to its former glory, and provide an affordable alternative to the Ford Mustang, Mitsubishi Eclipse Spyder and Mini Cooper Convertibles. The tC’s four-seater configuration, usable trunk and Scion’s excellent customization program are icing on the cake for those who would rather shuttle their friends to the mall than carve corners.

While the tC convertible hasn’t been officially announced, expect it to arrive for the 2012 model year. The tC, along with the upcoming iQ city car should help Scion boost their slumping sales. There’s no word on if Scion plans to deliver a convertible version of the new iQ.

[Source: Inside Line]

Ford has just released a selection of photos of a futuristic-meets-retro mini car, powered by a “near production” EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine. Using a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder combined with a turbocharger and direct-injection technology, Ford says the new engine in the Start Concept delivers power comparable to that from a traditional 4-cylinder engine. On the concept car this engine is mated up to a six-speed manual transmission and Ford says it has “sporty handling.”

As with all modern Ford’s the Start Concept also places a great deal of attention on technology. Premiering on the Start is a new MyFord Mobile technology concept, that allows owners to dock their smart phone and then control most features of the phone though voice commands.

Ford has designed the car to meet the needs of an increasingly urbanized world and while there’s no mention of production potential, we’re certain FoMoCo isn’t sitting idly by and watching cars like the Fiat 500 filter into its home market. Not to mention a premium-styled version of the Start Concept could be an Audi A1 competitor overseas. As for the new EcoBoost 3-cylinder engine, we wouldn’t be surprised to see it in a future Fiesta or Ka model.

GALLERY: Ford Start Concept

[Source: FoMoCoNews]

Official release after the jump:

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Volkswagen has just revealed its new 2011 Phaeton flagship model ahead of the car’s scheduled debut at this year’s Beijing Auto Show. The car will be offered as either a standard wheelbase or extended wheelbase (a popular option in China). All-wheel drive and an air suspension will be standard and customers will have the choice of four different engines, ranging from 6-cylinders to 8-cylinders, all the way up to a big W12.

The two entry-level offerings are both V6 engines, one a diesel, the other gasoline. The gas-powered V6 makes 276-hp, while the turbodiesel V6 makes 236-hp and plenty more torque. The V8 is quoted at 330-hp, while a W12 engine tops the range with 444-hp (nothing new there).

The 2011 Phaeton measures 5.06 meters long (199-inches) and grows by 12 cm (4.7-inches) in the extended wheelbase model. VW will offer two rear seat configurations, with either a traditional bench seat or two individual chairs with a large center console.

The body of the car has been modernized, but isn’t a huge departure from past models. As for the interior it’s a luxurious oasis that would make even a Lexus blush, with 4-zone climate control, 18-way seats and a long list of customizable features.

And while the updates to the car’s look and engines aren’t overly noteworthy, VW has added some technological features like Dynamic Light Assist – which adjusts the amount and range of light from the headlights based on oncoming traffic. There’s also a blind spot assist feature, a navigation system that can integrate info from Google, plus a front camera that can “see” road signs and project the image onto the touchscreen panel on the center console.

Rumours continue to persist that VW will bring back the Phaeton to North America, but considering the car’s past lack of success, don’t count on it.

GALLERY: 2011 VW Phaeton

Official release after the jump:

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In an interesting debate of whether or not two negatives make a positive, Hot Import Nights and NOPI have combined forces for a seven show tour in 2010. While it’s hard to argue that both series have had huge success in the past, business decisions by both companies as separate entities were questionable at best in 2008 and 2009.

NOPI canceled their drag, drift and show series in the middle of the season in 2008 much to the dismay of its competitors and sponsors. Hot Import Nights, riding on yet another buyout in 2009, canceled the last few shows of their season, upsetting many of the competitors that had qualified for the season finale and were relying on the season-end payout to cover their traveling expenses in 2009. Either way, the decisions made by both entities when they were ending their respective seasons were abrupt and offered no consolation to their sponsors and competitors.

But if there’s anything we know about the sport compact industry it’s how quickly people tend to forget, especially those that weren’t affected. It will be interesting to see how the joining of these two forces will work out. On paper, there is a recipe for success if the joining of these two minds are on marketing and conducting a proper show series. On the other hand, certain sponsors and competitors must be hesitant to be signing back on board. Only time will tell how successful the HIN NOPI Super Show tour is.

See after the jump for a list of tour dates:

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The Dodge Nitro is already sold in Europe, but parent company Fiat appears to be looking for a piece of the action. Industry journal Automotive News reports that the Jeep Liberty-based SUV could be badged as a Fiat product by the end of this year. The export model would presumably be manufactured in Chrysler’s Toledo, Ohio factory and sent across the Atlantic. A heavily revised Nitro is expected for the 2011 model year, but almost no details surrounding the car have surfaced, including whether it’s destined for Fiat’s European product line.

At a press conference held today to discuss the future product plans of Fiat and its numerous brands (including the Chrysler companies) the company CEO Sergio Marchionne did not expand on plans to rebadge the Nitro.

[Source: Automotive News via Left Lane News]

Subaru’s Impreza WRX and STI models are some of the best performance cars money can buy, but customers in the United Kingdom will now have an extra incentive to buy one of Subaru’s boxer-engined hatchbacks. Prodrive, a British motorsports engineering firm long associated with Subaru, is offering a free upgrade package for the WRX and STI (valued at £3100) that adds a revised ECU, upgraded mufflers and 18-inch wheels.

No new power numbers are available, but the increases are expcted to be in the 30-hp and 30 ft-lb range for each model. Subaru claims the upgrades are expected to shave 0.6 seconds from the 0-60 mph time of the WRX (bringing it down to 5.9 seconds) and 0.4 seconds from the STI’s time (helping it reach the mark in 4.8 seconds).

[Source:  World Car Fans]

Official release after the jump:

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