Hyundai will launch it’s Genesis models in Europe starting in 2013, but the cars will be part of a separate luxury channel rather than as part of the existing Hyundai lineup.

Outlining his plans for Genesis, Tony Whitehorn, Hyundai’s managing director for the UK, told AutoExpress  “Lexus did a great job in the States, although it never quite took off in Europe. But the premium route is interesting, and it could work for Genesis here.”

Reports suggest that trial runs will happen in left-hand drive countries, as there are no RHD Genesis or Equus models currently available. 20 percent of Hyundai’s 152 European dealers would sell the Genesis range, which would include both the Genesis Coupe and Sedan and the Equus super-luxury sedan.

[Source: AutoExpress]

Hans-Joachim Stuck, the former Formula 1 driver who is now Volkswagen‘s represenative for motorsports, said that the automotive conglomerate will meet in November to discuss a foray into Formula 1.

Speaking to the German edition of the Financial Times, Stuck refused to comment further stating” …the (company’s) strategy will be discussed” in the meeting.

Reports state that Porsche or Audi would enter Formula 1 after 2013, likely to avoid both brands competing against each other in LeMans sports car racing. Stuck has also hinted at Volkswagen entering NASCAR.

[Source: Motorsports]

Mazda‘s upcoming SkyActiv-G engines will get a 14:1 compression ratio, the highest in the world for a gasoline engine, according to a report in Autoweek.

Most cars run compression ratios of 8.5:1, with high performance engines using ratios closer to 11:1. The SkyActiv-G motor takes that figure to a new level, and we’d really like to know how Mazda did it. High compression motors tend to allow for greater efficiency when it comes to making power, but too high of a compression ratio can make the engine more prone to going ka-boom.

Together with new transmissions, diesel engines, rigid chassis and weight reduction in all aspects of the car, the next-generation of Mazda’s should be pretty solid cars. Too bad they’re a few years away from hitting the market.

[Source: Autoweek]

We know you don’t want to think about it, but the holiday season is going to be here before you know it, so it’s time to start putting together a list for Santa. And may we suggest adding the Limited Edition Spyker Timepieces Collection – but only if you’ve been really good this year.

This collection of three timepieces celebrate the Dutch brand’s 24 Hours of Le Mans participation and are outfitted with the design details that echo the styling features of Spyker’s luxury supercars.

Designed and engineered by renowned watch and luxury goods expert, Thierry Chaunu of Expression D’Artistes International S.A., these chronographs are available in solid 18K gray or rose gold finishes (limited to a run of 250) or in polished steel or matte black titanium finishes (limited to a run of 1000 each). Hand-stitched using Royal Dutch Hulshof leather, the quilted leather bracelets come in Dutch Spyker Orange, Black Anthracite or Blanc de Blanc white – the same as Spyker’s supercar interiors.

Boasting meticulous and precise detailing, the bezel carries Spyker’s Latin motto: NULLA TENACI INVIA EST VIA – ‘For the tenacious no road is impassable’ – while the crown showcases the Dutch brand’s wire-spoke and propeller bonnet badge. Cool features include the watch’s pushbuttons, which look like Spyker exhaust pipes, and the steel “bouchonné” dial, which include hours, minutes, seconds, and 42-hour power reserve, replicates the turned aluminium finish of the supercar’s dashboard. Plus, its Valjoux caliber 7750 automatic mechanical movement sports a rotor that is inspired by the design of the Spyker C8 Aileron’s Rotorblade wheels.

You can order you favorite online at www.SpykerTime.com as well as selected watch retailers and Spyker-sponsored car owners’ events. The timepieces range in price from $9,750 to $23,500.

[Source: Zer Customs]

If you own a 2010 Dodge Ram 1500 or HD; Chrysler is asking you to contact your nearest dealership for a recall. Now it’s not a mechanical defect this time, but rather incorrect warning labels, specifically relating to tire pressure information regarding vehicle weight loadings and capacities.

If the information on these labels is adhered to it could potentially cause safety issues or even accidents. As a result, authorized dealers are being instructed to remove and replace them with new ‘correct’ labels free of charge. The recall is scheduled to start this month.

Yes, you’ve got yourself a Ferrari 458 Italia and while you absolutely love the vehicle, you want to do a little something to spice it up and set it apart from your neighbors identical version. But you don’t want to go overboard or scream “Hey look at me!” so what do you do? Well now you’ve got yourself a great option with replacement carbon fiber accessory parts straight from Maranello.

The side skirts come painted or unpainted, which makes sense since carbon fiber side skirts sometimes seem odd and don’t flow with the rest of the car when not painted. The front wings and rear diffuser however can be enjoyed in all their carbon fiber glory as accents to the front and rear bumpers.

The front wings are compatible with the parking sensors while the rear diffuser comes complete with vertical fins and fog lamps/rear grill frames.

No pricing has been announced, but we’re guessing it’s all a pretty penny.

[Source: Top Speed]

GALLERY: Ferrari 458 Italia Carbon Fiber Accessories

Several spy photos of what appears to be the upcoming 2012 Kia Rio reveal that the Korean automaker’s subcompact sedan is posed to borrow heavily from the design of the all new Optima.

A sister car to the Hyundai Accent, power is expected to come from the same engine choices: either a 1.4-liter 4-cylinder or a 1.6-liter four-banger. The 1.6-liter engine gets DOHC and variable valve technology to produce roughly 120-hp at 6300 rpm and 114 ft-lbs of torque, while the 1.4 delivers roughly 105-hp and 100 ft-lbs. Both engines come with either a 5-speed manual or 4-speed automatic. Fuel economy with the smaller engine should be roughly 41-mpg with the manual and 38 mpg with the automatic. Different engine and transmission combos could be offered in North America, as we expect something better than a 4-speed auto-box.

GALLERY: 2012 Kia Rio

[Source: Auto.qq.com via  Kia-World.net]

OK, so it didn’t sell out in three minutes like the Neiman Marcus Chevy Camaro Convertible, but Porsche has confirmed that two months after its debut at the Moscow Auto Salon, the GT2 RS is all sold out. That’s right, so if you don’t have one now, go cry yourself to sleep in your regular old GT2, or worse still, a run-of-the-mill 911 Turbo.

For those lucky 500, they’ll be able to kill themselves enjoy piloting all 620-hp of twin-turbo insanity provided by the ultra-light weight monster that Porsche touts as not only the fastest 911 of all time, but the fastest Porsche of all time. Carrera GT, who?

Owners even get bragging rights on the Nurburgring, with the GT2 RS running a lap time at the Green Hell of just 7:18 – 4 seconds quicker than the Viper ACR.

At a retail cost of $245,000 the total value of all GT2 RS models sold is an astounding $122,500,000.

GALLERY: Porsche GT2 RS

Official release after the jump:

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Ford is staying true to its promise to become a fuel economy leader, announcing that the 2012 Focus will come with a segment-leading 40-mpg highway. Better yet, the new Focus won’t be a performance slouch either with the 2.0-liter 4-cylinder making 160-hp and 146 ft-lbs of torque. This level of performance and fuel economy is achieved though the use of direct-injection paired with Ford’s Ti-VCT (twin independent variable camshaft timing) technology, along with a 12.0:1 compression ratio. The engine will also be paired with a 6-speed dual-clutch transmission.

In terms of power, the 2012 Focus is 20-hp and 10 ft-lbs of torque more potent than the previous model. And in terms of mpgs, the 40-mpg highway fuel economy number ties the segment-leading Chevy Cruze, while offering a extra 22-hp under the hood.

“By combining direct injection and Ti-VCT, we’ve been able to make a quantum leap in fuel economy and performance,” said Derrick Kuzak, group vice president, Global Product Development. “The new Focus will be among the global leaders in fuel economy and CO2 emissions. We will continue to pioneer new technologies beyond launch, including the zero-emissions Focus Electric BEV launching in North America in 2011. Throughout its life cycle, Focus in all forms, in all regions, will demonstrate the Ford commitment to deliver unsurpassed fuel economy on a truly global scale.”

GALLERY: 2012 Ford Focus

Official release after the jump:

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Unlike the eternally delayed GranTurismo series, the latest installment of the Call of Duty video game series is set to drop this year and to help promote its launch the folks at Activision Publishing, Inc., the distributor for the game, have partnered with Jeep for some creative cross-promotional marketing. The result of the 2011 Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: Black Ops.

Looking seriously badass, this special edition Jeep Wrangler isn’t all that different from the standard model, sporting a set of mineral gray wheels with 32-inch off-road tires, Moral taillamp guards, a Mopar fuel door, a blacked-out exterior and a few CoD logos.

Chrysler will offer the Jeep in both the four-door Unlimited trim and two-door model, priced at $33,500 and $30,625 respectively.

Plus, you also get long list up upgrades included in the updated 2011 Jeep Wrangler.

GALLERY: 2011 Jeep Wrangler Call of Duty: Black Ops

Official release after the jump:

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