Maserati is looking to expand down-market, with plans to introduce two new models in the next five years. The two models will span a rather significant price point, ranging from 55,000 to 70,000 Euros (roughly $74,000 to $94,000 U.S.). Currently the lowest price Maserati in the brand’s lineup is the GranTurismo, which starts at $118,000.

There’s no word on what sort of vehicles the new Maseratis will be, with speculation ranging from a more entry-level sport coupe to a BMW 5 Series GT competitor. It has been reported that the next Quattroporte platform will spawn new Alfa Romeo models and other reports have suggested Maserati branded versions of those cars are also in the works. We’ve even heard rumors that future Maserati models could be powered by a version of Chrysler’s new 3.6-liter Pentastar V6 – but changed considerably with a displacement of 3.0-liters, direct-injection and twin-turbos.

With sales of Maseratis taking a considerable slump as of late, the plan to increase the brands product offering is part of Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne’s new 5-year plan for the Italian automaker. Marchionne said that the addition of two new Maserati models would increase revenues for the Ferrari/Maserati business from 2 billion Euros in 2009 to 3.5 billion Euros in 2014. That being said, it’s clear Fiat has high hopes that these two new Maserati models will represent a considerable volume of total sales.

[Source: AutoNews]

In a bid to convince drivers of the safety of vehicle electronics, Audi is planning to send a TTS up the legendary Pikes Peak hillclimb without a driver on board.

“Sometime soon — maybe even as soon as the fourth quarter of this year — an Audi TTS is going to make the climb up Pikes Peak in Colorado…. There will be no one in the driver’s seat,” Audi of America President Johan de Nysschen announced at the Automotive Press Association in Detroit this week.

Using special software developed in partnership with Stanford University and the Electronic Research Laboratory in Plao Alto, California, the TTS will navigate itself up Pikes Peak without any human control. A rash of quality problems related to vehicle electronics compelled Audi to host some form of public demonstration for their electronic systems.

“We’re not trying to eliminate the need for drivers or the pleasure of driving,” said de Nysschen. “But by demonstrating that we can do the unimaginable — and do it safely — we will prove that these technologies deserve our customers’ trust.”

[Source: Inside Line]

The Chinese-luxury market segment is continue to grow at an exponential rate. Many new-age Chinese entrepreneurs are affluent and distinguished, looking towards enjoying the finer things in life, which naturally includes automobiles. Many luxury vehicle owners are working hard in penetrating the market in China. Even Porsche debuted the Panamera in Shanghai, knowing how important luxury sedans are to the affluent Chinese. Interestingly enough, French auto manufacturer Citroen is focusing on this segment and attempting to beat out the luxury German manufacturers.

The Citroen Metropolis is longer than a Mercedes-Benz S-Class and wider than a Maybach, two attributes that are actually very important to the affluent Chinese market. And much like the hype of today, the Metropolis is environmentally-friendly with an electric motor powering it at low speeds delivering zero emissions at Shanghai city speeds. For the freeway, a 2.0L V6 contributes 272-hp, and both the electric and V6 engine are able to work together to the harmonious tune of 460-hp.

Suspension-wise, the car floats and ride comfortably with Citroen’s Hydraactive suspension. This system compensates for loads and lowers at higher speeds increasing mpg and aerodynamic efficiency.

For now, the car is just a concept, but we expect to hear more about production details when the Citroen Metropolis officially debuts at the Beijing Auto Show later this month.

GALLERY: Citroen Metropolis

After a series of delays, The History Channel will finally launch an American version of the hit series Top Gear. Expected to premiere this fall, the series, produced in association with BBC Worldwide, will feature Formula D driver and X Games gold medalist Tanner Foust, alongside comedian Adam Ferrara and renowned NASCAR analyst Rutledge Wood. While the show is expected to follow the format of the original Top Gear, the addition of a NASCAR personality will add some American flavor to a quintessentially British product.

The first season of Top Gear USA is expected to premiere this Fall.

[Source: Top Gear]

Toyota‘s highly anticipated FT-86 sports car might not be as affordable as company representatives initially expected. According to a report by AutoCar, development costs for the 4-cylinder sports car are likely to drive up its MSRP – taking away part of the little coupe’s appeal.

When the it was originally shown in Tokyo a company representative told AutoCar that they were aiming for an entry-level price of £13,000 (roughly $20,000). Now the FT could be as much as £15,000 (or $23,000). Apparently much of the cost increase is due to making the car’s Subaru-sourced boxer engine more fuel efficient.

No doubt related to the increased price, Toyota will now also reportedly market the FT-86 to older buyers than originally planned. Initially the FT-86 was to be targeted at 30-year-olds but market research on Toyota’s part has shown that this demographic wasn’t as interested in the vehicle as first though. Instead, Toyota will now look to the 40-year-old group to make up the bulk of sales.

Funny, and we thought a $20,000 sport coupe would be ideal for the 20 to 30 crowd.

GALLERY: Toyota FT-86

[Source: AutoCar]

Find out more Toyota FT-86 info at FT86Talk.com

Sometimes, life as an auto enthusiast gets a little bleak. Between things like Cash for Clunkers, increasingly tight emissions standards, and increasingly complex (not to mention driver defeating) new cars, it’s easy to forget there are still people out there who love the automobile.

This short (2 minute) film focuses on a group of Honda enthusiasts, the FF Squad, on a trip to the Buttonwillow race track in California. The first part of a series, the film (embedded after the jump) centers around a pack of drivers who are incredibly passionate about their machines.

A few takeaways from the film: the group advocates taking your machine to the track, something we wholeheartedly enjoy. (Though, unlike one driver in the film, don’t shuffle-steer — ever — in a car.) The second takeaway? You may get an incredible desire to browse used Honda Civics for sale.

Don’t say we didn’t warn you. Video after the jump.

[Source: Carscoop]

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Tech addicts, the 2011 Ford Fiesta may be your next car. (Just as long as you don’t own an Apple iPhone, ’cause it’s not supported yet.) SYNC, the in-car technology platform developed by Microsoft in partnership with Ford, will soon allow for third-party cell phone applications to be controlled by voice commands and in-car controls.

Forget the fact that no other automaker is even close to offering such integration, Sync AppLink will be on production vehicles this year. AppLink works — at launch — on Android and BlackBerry phones, with titles such as Pandora Internet radio, Stitcher “smart radio”, and Orangatame’s Twitter client OpenBeak available.

“The growth in smartphone mobile apps has been explosive, and Ford has worked hard to respond at the speed of the consumer electronics market,” said Doug VanDagens, director of Ford’s Connected Services Organization. “SYNC is the only connectivity system available that can extend that functionality into the car. AppLink will allow drivers to control some of the most popular apps through SYNC’s voice commands and steering wheel buttons, helping drivers keep their hands on the wheel and eyes on the road.”

Once developers realize they can help distract drivers while on the road, this list is sure to grow exponentially. May we suggest an in-car fart app that can deliver a disgusting noise through a speaker closest to the intended victim?

Startech has developed their brand around German-styling for American vehicles. A division of Brabus, (arguably the most prestigious Mercedes-Benz tuner in the world), Startech offers several tuning programs for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge and Land Rover. Most recently however, the new Jaguar XJ attracted Startech’s attention, prompting the company to develop a tuning program for Jaguar’s newest model.

The Jaguar XJ is getting a lot of praise as being a sporty luxury sedan. Sleek bodylines and elegant styling have been further enhanced with Startech’s body kit with an add-on front fascia equipped with LED daytime running lights. The front end modifications doesn’t end there, however, with Startech designing new fenders fully equipped with vents. In the rear things get a little more subtle with a new rear apron and diffuser plus add-on tips to the stock exhaust system. Possibly the best accent to the entire kit is the conservative lip spoiler on the trunk.

A staggered set of 21-inch wheels are seen with 21×9.5-inch in the front and 21×11-inch in the rear. These 21-inch rollers fit the wheel wells nicely and sit perfectly on the fenders with Startech’s 30-mm lowering kit, which works with the XJ’s adaptive suspension. Interior amenities are mostly personal preference with several options available to the consumer from custom leather and Alcantara seats to custom wood trim to color-matched floor mats.

GALLERY: Startech Jaguar XJ

Check out the full release after the break.

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Just when we thought the matte black fad (or style) was starting to fade, TechArt introduces the Porsche Panamera Black Edition to the world. Porsche’s entry to the luxury sedan market has been well received so far, combining Porsche performance with traditional comforts that drivers and passengers are used to seeing in say, a Mercedes-Benz S-Class or BMW 7-Series. TechArt, a Porsche-exclusive tuner, has been merging design with functional technology since 1987.

TechArt’s newest tuning program for the Panamera gives a full car option – the Panamera Black Edition – available for just shy of $300,000 U.S. The base Panamera Turbo gets a complete overhaul inside and out, starting with traditional TechArt-styling with their aerodynamic kit. Accenting the new aesthetics is a set of 22-inch wheels in black and trendy LED daytime running lights. Engine modifications are light, with the Panamera sporting a new exhaust.

The Black Edition-theme continues onto the interior, with black leather and Alcantara seats and TechArt repainting everything possible in the interior to matte black: dash, door panel trim, center console, air vents, cup holders, etc.

For close to $115,000 U.S. over retail pricing (in Germany), the Techart Black Edition carries a real premium price tag. Chances are all the modifications could be had for less, including the paint job, but for those distinguished enough to even consider it, chances are they’ll pay for the convenience to just have it delivered complete and ready to be driven in.

The official press release is available after the jump.

GALLERY: Techart Porsche Panamera Black Edition

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In love with Honda’s new CR-Z? Then we have a treat for you. Honda Europe has just released a mega-gallery of CR-Z photos, showing the new hybrid sports coupe from so many angles we forget what the CRX looks like.

There’s not much new to report about the car, other than the fact that like in Japan, the Euro-spec CR-Z will get a 2+2 arrangement, rather than just being a two-seater like in North America.

The CR-Z is powered by a 1.5-liter gasoline engine and an electric motor to make 122-hp at 6000 rpm and 128 ft-lbs of torque at 1000 to 1500 rm when mated to a slick-shifting six-speed manual transmission or 122-hp and 123 ft-lbs of torque with a CVT automatic (which features paddle shifters by the way). As for fuel-economy, it’s rated at 36-mpg city and 38-mpg highway. (U.S. EPA).

The CR-Z comes with a three-mode driving system, with buttons on the steering wheel to choose Sport, Normal and Economy driving. Sport mode delivers a more responsive throttle, with tighter steering and the tachometer lights up bright red when in Sport model. Econ mode delivers optimum fuel efficiency with reduced pedal feel. The air conditioning system will also reduce its lag on the engine in Econ mode. Normal mode delivers standard settings, and in both Normal and Econ mode, the tachometer display will light up blue or green depending on how the vehicle is driven – with a green display representing the most fuel-efficient driving. Like the Insight, the CR-Z offers and Eco Guide to help driver’s keep track of fuel economy.

Of note, at the end of a VERY lengthy press release (see below), Honda reiterates its commitment to building a hybrid Jazz (Fit).

GALLERY: Honda CR-Z Euro Spec

Official release after the jump:

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