As competition heats up in the compact car segment, Honda is hoping to lure customers with more than just the promise of a well-built, efficient and reliable sporty car. The Japanese automaker is also looking to appeal to your aesthetic sensibilities with a futuristic design similar to that found on the new CR-Z. This doesn’t surprise us as Honda has developed some more progressive designs lately, including the current Fit.

The next-gen Civic will more than just look like the CR-Z, however, with a hybrid variant getting a setup similar to the CR-Z’s, using the larger 1.5-liter 4-cylinder to deliver added power and fuel economy. Also planned for the 9th generation Civic is a 3-cylinder engine, although it’s not clear if that engine option will be available in North America.

Set to debut in 2012, the 9th generation Civic will go on sale as either a 2012 or 2013 model.

[Source: Car & Driver]

BMW‘s upcoming exotic, based on the Vision Efficient Dynamics Concept, is rumored to due out in 2013 and possibly carry the M8 badge. The rumors, however, sound a bit too extreme. What’s hard to believe is the reported engine and drivetrain, with the M8 powered by a hybrid V10 with electric motors situated at each axle, to deliver all-wheel drive performance. According to Autozietung, the M8 will use a V10 engine (unlikely as BMW has dropped V10s from its lineup in favor of more powerful and efficient twin-turbo motors). Two electric motors will help deliver a boost of power at each axle, with the front motor creating anywhere from 80 to 115-hp, while the rear motor will deliver 50-hp.

The car will feature an all-aluminum chassis and carbon fiber bodywork, along with plastic components to keep weight to just above 3,000 lbs., helping deliver a 0-60 mph time of 3.8 seconds.

So many of the traits of this car point towards it being a rumor and nowhere near a reality. Would BMW really launch a new high-performance sports car, the flagship of its brand, with AWD? We think not.

[Source: Autozietung via TopSpeed]

MINI has just officially taken the wraps off its refreshed 2011 lineup of models and while we’re sure the MINI-faithful will debate the changes for months and years to come, were not sure most folks will notice the difference. It’s a good think the original design of the car is timeless.

Notable updates include the new ducts on the front of the Cooper S and John Cooper Works models, as well as LED tail lights on all MINIs. A new option for 2011 are the black reflector headlamps from the 50th anniversary Camden model. Slight changes to the bumpers on all models help the cars meet new pedestrian protection requirements. New wheel designs and paint finishes will also be offered. In particular, we love some of the options shown for the JCW models.

More notable updates can be found in the cabin, with an optional LCD screen located inside the ridiculously huge speedometer. This screen scan show video from an iPod or other device.

As for what’s under the hood, MINI announced several months ago a new 122-hp base engine for Cooper models, while the Cooper S gets just over 180-hp. Two new 1.6-liter diesel engines are also offered in Europe, making 90-hp and 159 ft-lbs of torque in MINI One D form, or 112-hp and 199 ft-lbs of torque in Cooper D form. Both are touted to get almost 62 mpg on the European test cycle. In addition, MINI has added one new model to the range, a MINI Cooper D Convertible.

MINI is expected to announce its 2011 lineup changes in the U.S. shortly, with, as we’ve reported, the more powerful engines set to join the lineup this year.

GALLERY: 2011 MINI Lineup

Official release after the jump:

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Along with a the Equus luxury flagship, as well as the Sonata Turbo and Hybrid models, Hyundai is set to refresh its lineup with several small cars in the near future. We’ve already heard plenty about the upcoming CRX-styled Veloster, which is set to get a direct-injection 1.6-liter 4-cylinder that makes roughly 140-hp while getting 40-mpg, but what about the rest of Hyundai’s compact and sub-compact models?

Well, for starters, the same 1.6-liter 4-cylinder is slated to be fitted into the new Elantra. Hyundai execs say they haven’t decided if this engine will feature direct-injection, although it’s likely as the model has already been introduced in South Korea (as the Avante) using the DI powerplant, making 138-hp and getting an improvement in fuel economy of roughly 10 percent. Set to go on sale early next year, the 2011 Elantra will debut at the 2010 LA Auto Show.

As for the Accent, it will arrive a few months later using a similar version of the 1.6-liter Gamma engine, but with a smaller displacement, says senior powertrain manager Tim White at Hyundai-Kia America Technical Center. Recently unveiled at the Beijing Auto Show as the Verna (it’s name in South Korea), a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder was revealed making roughly 105-hp and 100 ft-lbs of torque. With a 4-speed automatic transmission the car is expected to get 38-mpg, although we expect more than a 4-speed when it debuts here.

As for the Sonata Wagon, Hyundai says it is still mulling a go-ahead for the U.S. market, but the car will be sold in Europe.

[Source: AutoWeek]

In a bid to stay competitive in the ever-constant muscle car horsepower wars, the 2011 Dodge Challenger SRT8 is set to get a big increase in power. We’ve already heard numerous rumors of a new 6.4-liter V8 replacing the current 6.1-liter unit, but now comes word that along with improved efficiency, the new engine will boast 480-hp and 460 ft-lbs of torque – increases of 55-hp and 40 ft-lbs respectively. The new engine is also touted to get ZF’s new 8-speed automatic transmission for improved performance and fuel economy.

As for the R/T models, they will retain the same engine and output levels, while the base SE will see significant improvements thanks to the use of a new Pentastar V6 engine, which just launched in the new 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. That new powerplant will  bump output by 40-hp and 20 ft-lbs for a total of 290-hp and 270 ft-lbs of torque. Fuel economy should also get a boost, up from 18/25-mpg (city/highway) to 20/26-mpg.

A host of other changes are also set to debut on the refreshed 2011 model Challenger.

[Source: AllPar]

Kia is looking to add a little extra panache to its image by dropping the current list of model names in favor of alphanumeric designations. According Chung Eui-sun, to Vice Chairman to Hyundai Motor Co., which owns Kia, the Korean automaker is looking to make the switch in North America. Currently, Kia uses short alphanumeric badges for many of its models in its home-market of South Korean and in other markets throughout the world. For instance, the new Optima sedan, unveiled at the New York Auto Show, is badged as the K5 in Korea. This switch might also result in the Forte changing its name to the K3.

Numerous other models would, however, retain their traditional names, including the Forte Koup, Soul and Sportage. Those models share the same names in Korea.

The decision isn’t final, however, and Kia is worried that an expanded product portfolio, combined with alphanumeric designations, could make for confused consumers. We have to agree.

[Source: AutoWeek]

Despite never turning a profit and selling as few as just 1,000 vehicles, Silicon Valley electric car maker Tesla Motors has raised $226 million in an initial public offering. Even more amazing is the fact that Tesla was able to generate such investment in the midst of a still shaky economic recovery that has seen dozens of other companies postpone IPOs.

Tesla has said it will use the funds to, generated by selling 13.3 million shares at $17 each, to build factories and possibly acquire new assets as it looks to introduce its second vehicle, the Model S, to market.

Company CEO Elon Musk, who founded Tesla in 2003, has risked his personal fortune on the startup automaker, after making $300 million by selling off PayPal and Zip2 Corp.

Other investors in Tesla include powerful names and companies including Toyota, Daimler, the government of Abu Dhabi, as well as Google founders Larry Page and Sergey Brin. The company has also received significant support from the Obama administration, with a Department of Energy loan totaling $465 million granted as a part of a larger plan to get 1 million electric cars and pug-in hybrids on the roads by 2015.

[Source: Automotive News]

As part of a major expansion plan that will see the Lotus brand leave behind its niche-market history and expand into a more mainstream automaker, Lotus is poised to sign-on two long-time industry execs: Bub Lutz and Tom Purves. Lutz needs no introduction, having worked in the auto industry most of his life, holding senior positions at Chrysler, BMW and Ford, not to mention most recently at General Motors. As for Purves, he is a recently retired BMW executive.

According to sources, Lutz has been in talks but no formal arrangement has been while, while Purves said he “would be happy” to get involved.

The move is just the latest for Lotus, which only recently hired on former Ferrari marketing boss Dany Bahar as CEO, while poaching a designer from Ferrari as well. Bahar has also brought on execs from both Porsche and Aston Martin.

In an email to Automotive News, Lotus commented that, “Our aim is to raise the Lotus brand equity back to its rightful place as it existed in the 1970s when it competed with the likes of Ferrari, Porsche or Aston Martin. Maintaining the unique Lotus DNA is crucial, but with more relevance, greater efficiency and even more sustainability than we have had in the past.”

Lotus has admitted, however, that it will look to focus more on producing technologically advanced, luxurious and upmarket sports cars at higher volumes, increasing worldwide sales from 2,500 cars to roughly 8,000 by 2015.

The first big glimpse at the future of Lotus will come at the Paris Auto Show this Fall when the British sports car maker is set to reveal an all new model, thought to be a modern version of the Esprit.

[Source: Automotive News]

Fiat’s Abarth brand has been tuning economical pint-sized Italian runabouts for decades, but under a corporate restructuring the high-performance division is set to expand its expertise. The company’s marketing boss, Antonino Labate has confirmed that select Alfa Romeo products will get Abarth tuning packages. It’s not clear what models will be included, but Alfa does have significant plans to grow its brand, even in North America.

According to Fiat’s 5-year plan, Alfa will soon add two Crossovers/SUVs to its lineup, as well as a convertible sports car, not to mention the new MiTo, Guiletta and the upcoming Guilia. All of these will be offered in North America.

Currently Abarth builds special Fiat-based products based on the Fiat 500 and Punto Evo, with tuning packages that up horsepower, while improving handling and braking. Abarth is also expected to expand its product range to more Fiat models.

In other exciting Abarth news, Abarth is poised to deliver its first stand-alone model that is touted to be a rival for the Mazda MX-5 Miata and upcoming MINI Coupe. That new sports car should arrive within the next two years.

[Source: AutoCar]

Nearly a year after Nissan Canada launched a successful social media campaign for their Cube subcompact, the company is getting ready to launch their Juke compact SUV with an innovative microsite.

The microsite features an interactive, 360 degree view of the Juke, as well as product information relating to styling, technology, performance and “adaptability”.  In addition, technical specifications, photos and videos are made available.

Donna Trawinski, senior manager, marketing communications at Nissan Canada, told Marketing Magazine that the Juke’s marketing campaign will be focused on digital efforts. “That’s where we believe the target buyer lives,” said Trawinski. “We call them urban adventurers, young people who are very connected, savvy and plugged in.”

[Source: Marketing Magazine]

For more Nissan Juke news and information visit JukeForums.com