A new report detailing customer satisfaction in the auto industry has just been released, with domestic brands Lincoln-Mercury and Buick taking the top spots. The annual American Customer Satisfaction Index survey points to a slight decline overall in consumers’ satisfaction with their vehicles, but shows strong results for domestic automakers.

In total, the satisfaction index has dropped from 84 (out of 100) in 2009 to 82. The highest score, with a total of 89 points, is shared by Lincoln and the now defunct Mercury brand with a gain of 1 point over last year’s survey. Buick remain unchanged at 88 points.

In many ways these gains are also the result of losses by other automakers, with 14 of the 18 top brands declining.

Sharing the third position with 86 points are BMW (down 1 point), Mercedes-Benz (unchanged) and Cadillac (down 3 points).

The biggest gainer for 2010 is Nissan, climbing 4 points to 82 on the index. Big losers included Honda (off 4 points to 84), Chevrolet (off 3 points to 80) and Volkswagen (with the biggest loss of 5 points, down to 81).

Interestingly, despite Toyota’s recall woes, the company lost just 2 points down to 84, although the same issues are beleived to be responsible for the larger drop of 4 points for the Lexus brand, down to 84.

The ACSI survey is the result of 250 interviews per manufacturer with owners aged 18 to 84.

[Source: Automotive News]

According to a short product teaser released by Nissan tuning resource GT-RR, renowned engine builder Cosworth is currently developing a Nissan GT-R crate motor. The teaser clearly draws the connection without naming names, stating that the crate motor will come from the same company known for building F1 engines, Nissan GT-R race engines and for working with Aston Martin on its One-77 supercar. And the single connection between those three things is Cosworth.

The engine is question is rumored to be a new version of the 3.8-liter twin-turbo motor currently offered in the GT-R, but with new turbos and significantly more output.

We’ll be sure to stay on top of this and Cosworth isn’t likely to disappoint.

[Source: GTRBlog via InsideLine]

Check out the teaser after the jump

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After debuting the new Boss 302 Mustang late last week at Laguna Seca raceway, Ford has how released an extensive new selection of photos of the car for those who just can’t get enough.

The hopped-up Mustang GT gets a more powerful 5.0-liter V8 with 440-hp and 380 ft-lbs of torque thanks to a new intake and exhaust system. Other notable items include a 3.73 rear end, an upgraded clutch, adjustable shocks and stiffer springs, a rejigged traction control system, Brembo brakes and 19-inch wheels. Options includes a limited-slip differential and Recaro seats.

And debuting at Laguna Seca, Ford has also released more pics of the B0ss 302 Laguna Seca model with lightweight wheels, R-compound tires, a rear spoiler, front splitter and brake cooling ducts. Ford claims this model can pull 1.03 lateral Gs!

GALLERY: Boss 302 Mustang

Looking like what Hello Kitty might drive if she lived in the Tron universe, this new city car concept by Kia is called “POP” and is set to officially debut at the Paris Auto Show this fall. Taking design cues from the Kia Ray electric coupe concept, the POP is roughly 10 feet long and about the same size as the Toyota iQ. This makes it about a foot and a half shorter in length than the smallest model in Kia’s European range, the Picanto.

Style highlights include a panoramic glass roof and what appear to be scissor doors, while inside the cabin is distinguished by a unique 3-passenger layout with a bench seat for two up front and one central seat in the rear. In a statement Kia says the Pop Concept brings, “innovative design chic and dramatic styling to the city car segment.”

Powered by an electric motor, Kia hasn’t released any info on the powertrain but has said we’ll learn more as the Paris Auto Show approaches.

GALLERY: Kia POP Concept

Over the weekend we brought you several photos of the Lexus LFA supercar in a stunning new yellow paint scheme. Lexus has since released a selection of studio shots of this particular car and we just can’t resist showing them to you.

There’s nothing else is new about this particular version of the Japanese exotic, with a 552-hp V10 engine and 354 ft-lbs of torque. With a six-speed sequential transmission and a curb weight of just 3,263 lbs, the LFA has a power to weight ratio of 5.8 lbs/hp and can hit 62 mph in 3.7 seconds and top at at 202 mph!

Priced at $375,000 just 500 LFA models will be produced. Lexus also recently announced that along with its complex leasing program, the LFA is also available to purchase outright, but customers must agree not to flip the car.

GALLERY: Yellow Lexus LFA

The search is on for America’s oldest Porsches to celebrate the company’s 60th Anniversary. Porsche Cars North America has launched the My Classic Porsche Search, focused on finding the oldest Porsches from 12 different model categories. And as icing on the cake, they’re also seeking the very oldest Porsche of all time.

So which 12 models are they searching for? Well, if you’re an owner of a Porsche 356, 911, 912, 914, 924, 928, 944, 968, Boxster, Cayenne, Carrera GT and/or Cayman, and you think you have one of the oldest ones out there head on over to www.porsche60years.com to check out the participation guidelines.

And if you’re selected as one of the official winners, you’ll not only receive special recognition but become eligible for additional awards including an exclusive badge from the Porsche Museum in Stuttgart. They may also choose one vehicle to be on display at the Los Angeles Auto Show amongst all of Porsche’s newest models.

Official press release available after the break.

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They’ve been mandated in the U.S. since 2007, but now, thanks to a pending EU ruling, tire pressure monitoring systems are set to become mandated equipment on vehicles in Europe from November 2011. However, the announcement has resulted in a backlash, from auto manufacturers and also groups such as the AA (Automobile Association) who believe TPMS systems are unnecessarily costly and don’t really present a worthwhile solution. At present a number of vehicles on sale in Europe are available with TPMS systems, but so far, based on market research, there appears to be only small numbers of customers opting for them.

According to a spokesperson from Vauxhall, GM’s British arm, “we’ve only had a tiny uptake – people don’t attach a great deal of importance to this.” At Hyundai, similar sentiments were echoed. ”[TPMS] is a relatively costly thing and we have to pass that on to the consumer. There is a safety aspect and we appreciate that, but we don’t think it’s needed.” The AA’s Vanessa Guyll, declared that while TPMS sytems are “good in principle, they’re not a replacement for checking your tires – they don’t catch problems such as uneven wear and bulges.”

[Source: Auto Express]

The official Twitter feed of the Los Angeles Auto Show has confirmed that the Saab 9-4X crossover will bow at the West Coast’s major auto show this November, hot on the heels of the brand’s flagship 9-5 sedan.

The 9-4X will share underpinnings with the Cadillac SRX and be built at a GM facility in Mexico, despite GM having sold Saab to Spyker. The 9-4X will likely use the 9-5′s 2.8L V6 and 2.0L 4-cylinder engines and many interior pieces will be shared as well.

Most interesting is that 147 9-4X’s were produced in January of 2010, before GM offloaded Saab. That means that the 9-4X will have debuted nearly a year after production officially started, something that never happens. We can’t help but wonder what happened to those examples that never made it to showroom.

[Source: Los Angeles Auto Show]

The 2011 Mercedes-Benz CLS must be one of the worst kept secrets in the industry, with a raft of spy pictures leaking out from all corners of the internet. Now, the sales brochure for the ground-breaking luxury sedan has been leaked.

The CLS looks quite a bit like a Hyundai Sonata, which is both a complement and an unfortunate consequence of being inventing the four-door luxury coupe segment. Technical details are scarce, just like our proficiency in German, but expect Mercedes lineup for V6 and V8 engines, as well as the inevitable diesel and AMG twin-turbo V8 versions to appear.

Gallery: Mercedes-Benz CLS

[Source: eMercedes-Benz]

A world-class luxury car deserves its own world-class luxury luggage. That’s why Lexus and Tumi joined forces to create premiere custom luggage for 2012 LFA supercar.

The Lexus LFA premium line of travel cases was customized to complement the look and feel of the 2012 LFA supercar. It’s so select that the vehicle identification number (VIN) that corresponds with the owner’s LFA will also be inscribed on each bag – how’s that for exclusive?

Custom fitted to the LFA’s trunk, this set of hard-shell suitcases is made of aluminum and carbon fiber. Styled using components that are directly related to the appearance of the car, the pieces to be easily packed and lifted from the cargo area. Each one has been designed with a distinct purpose. The smaller “concourse” case is made to fit the essentials for track racing, including gloves and shoes, or items for a quick getaway. The larger “coastal” case is for longer trips when a change of clothes is needed. Each suitcase has an asymmetrical retractable handle and shoulder strap as well as non-skid feet, which hold the luggage in place while the car is in motion.

“The LFA’s unparalleled, hand-built quality dovetails with Tumi’s dedication to creating excellence,” said Dave Nordstrom, Lexus vice president of marketing. “The custom luggage enhances the LFA experience and demonstrates Lexus’ dedication to making each encounter with the brand memorable.”