The recession may prove to be a saving grace for Acura, which was forced to cancel its plan to be a tier-one luxury automaker as resources and the market for such vehicles dried up. “The direction we were going became irrelevant within 60 days,” said Steve Center, marketing boss for American Honda in a recent interview with Automotive News.

As a result, Honda’s luxury brand had to step-back and reexamine what its goals were. The exact message Acura wants to send isn’t clear and execs at the company admit that the current plan of branding the automaker as Honda-plus is not what they want. However, that has worked for Acura over the years and the plan is to still push ahead with vehicles that are performance-oriented but which are also a good value with normal maintenance and ownership costs.

According to Acura dealer Jim Smail, the automaker is committed to the brand and will be injecting more money into it over the next few years – particularly in developing new products. Smail says that at a recent dealer meeting in Denver dealer reps were told that Honda will expand the Acura lineup, with new hybrid powertrains, but also into new segments – likely returning to the premium compact arena where it has had so much success in the past. That won’t just mean a rebadged version of the Civic though, says Center, who highlights the Canadian-market CSX (a rebadged Civic) as exactly how not to transform Acura.

[Source: Automotive News]

Jeep‘s entry-level Compass model could get a diesel powerplant when the current soft-roader is replaced with an all-new model in 2013. According to officials at Chrysler, the replacement vehicle for both the Compass and Patriot could get an oil-burner which would be sourced from Chrysler’s new Italian owners at Fiat.

Currently the Compass is sold with a diesel engine in other markets, although that powerplant is made by Mercedes-Benz, making 164-hp and 236 ft-lbs of torque while getting 43-mpg.

Recent reports have suggested an huge influx of diesel powertrains will be coming to America, from the likes of Mazda, Volvo and even General Motors, however, none of the rumors have been confirmed. Of all automakers currently selling Diesels in the U.S., Volkswagen is perhaps best known, although it’s not clear of the business case is a profitable one as diesels are expensive to manufacture.

Were the Compass to be offered as a diesel, it wouldn’t be cheap with a likely price of around $28,000.

[Source: Autoblog]

Arguably the best looking MINI yet, the new Paceman (not Pacman) concept is what the fun British brand refers to as a Sports Activity Coupe. Along the lines of the BMW X6, the Paceman takes MINI’s new Countryman crossover and lops-off two of the doors.

Normally we might criticize a vehicle like this for not being overly functional, but MINIs are really just made for fun. Heck, even the Cooper found a may to make the hatchback a cramped vehicle with little to no passenger or cargo room.

The concept car appears to be somewhat lower than the Countryman, but as is obvious from the flared rear fenders, it does feature all-wheel drive. As for what’s under the hood, well, this is a concept and so it’s MINI’s best offering: the 211-hp John Cooper Works turbocharged 4-cylinder.

Based on the reception the 3-door Range Rover Evoque has had, we’d be shocked if MINI didn’t roll out a production model of the Paceman soon.

We’ll await official word, which could come when MINI unwraps the soft-roader at the Detroit Auto Show on January 10th.

GALLERY: MINI Paceman Concept

Official release after the jump:

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Lamborghini hasn’t released any official specs on its new supercar, but we do now know that it will make 690-hp and hit 62 mph in just 2.9 seconds. This is all thanks to a leaked ordering guide.

To get more specific, the 6.5-liter V12 engine in the LP700-4 will also make 509 ft-lbs of torque, which will be sent to the ground using all four wheels and a new seven-speed ISR (Independent shifting rod) transmission that Lambo claims will shame dual-clutch units with it’s gear-shifting speed. As for a curb weight, it will come in at just 3,472 lbs.

Browse the full guide below, and spec out your own LP700-4. Heck, you can even choose the color of springs you want at each axle.

[Source: TeamSpeed]

UPDATE: Materials removed at the request of Lamborghini

Ford is betting on the compact vehicle, so much so it plans to offer 10 different models based on its new compact car platform, which underpins the upcoming 2012 Focus. The latest of these is the 2011 Ford C-MAX, which will compete in the MPV segment alongside the Mazda5.

Ford doesn’t call it an MPV, however, but a ‘white space’ vehicle – whatever that means. In Europe this car is actually called the Grand C-MAX, with the regular C-MAX model featuring just five seats.

While MPVs are popular in Europe, they’ve yet to catch on here, despite clever packaging that delivers excellent fuel economy, plenty of passenger and cargo room and a drive quality that’s engaging.

As a 5+2 seater the C-MAX has one more seat than the Mazda, with a second row that includes a center seat which folds out from one of the side seats. Total cargo room is rated at 70.2 cubic feet.

With a standard 2.5-liter 4-cylinder engine making 168-hp and 167 ft-lbs of torque, Ford will easily achieve best-in-class fuel economy thanks to an optional EcoBoost 1.6-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, which also boasts 168-hp as well as 173 ft-lbs of torque that’s available from just 1500 rpm. On premium fuel the EcoBoost motor makes 180-hp. Also helping in the fuel economy department is a six-speed automatic transmission and electric power steering.

Interested? But you haven’t even heard the best part. Always looking for innovative solutions to make life easier, even items like SYNC and the new MyFord Touch have nothing on the industry-first hands-free liftgate. That’s right, thanks to sensors in the bumper, as long as you have the keys in your pocket, just approach the vehicle, wave your foot under the car and the rear hatch opens up. (Why has no one thought of this before?)

Set to debut at the Detroit Auto Show in January, Ford has yet to release all the details on the C-MAX, but we can all but guarantee the EcoBoost model will cost a premium and items like the hands-free liftgate are certain to only be available on top trim models with a keyless access system and push-button ignition.

Check back for complete Detroit Auto Show coverage starting January 10th.

GALLERY: 2011 Ford C-MAX

Official release after the jump:

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Mention the name Bugatti and almost everyone will utter the name Veyron. We can’t blame them either since the Veyron was the first production car to have a power output of over 1000-hp, and in its Super Sport guise managed to hit 268-mph, making it the fastest production car in the world.

The Veyron is quite a phenomenal car, but before it, there was another Bugatti that was appearing on the cover of car magazines all over the world. It was called the EB110, and it was one of the fastest and most advanced cars of the 1990s.

The EB110 was built when the company was resurrected by an Italian businessman, Romano Artioli. During his ownership of the brand, many concept cars were made, but only the EB110 ever made it to production. However, there were two models of the EB110, the GT which had 552-hp, and the SS which had 650-hp. According to its brochure, the 3.5-liter, V12, quad-cam, quad-turbo EB110SS could launch from 0-60 mph in just 2.8 seconds and hit 217 mph flat out.

The GT version was slightly slower but had more creature comforts, while the SS was lighter and had fewer amenities. However, if you asked nicely – or paid generously, you could have the mixture of the two, and these cars are extremely rare. But they exist and we have found one such example in glamorous Dubai.

This bright red sled has covered just 324-miles since its birth in 1995, and looks to be very well stored. As for the price, the website didn’t mention, but we made the call and found out it’s a very reasonable $500,000. A bargain compared to a new Veyron SS, which will set you back $2.4-million.

Since it is Christmas time, we can’t think of a better present than this EB110. Aren’t we easy to shop for?

[Source: Alain Class Motors]

Being an automaker isn’t enough for some companies. Sometime, the call of Hollywood is just too strong to ignore. That’s why Hyundai has answered the call and are making movies. But not just any movies – these silver screen gems are a tribute to women.

Teaming up with Glamour Magazine, Hyundai has hosted “Glamour Reel Moments,” a short film festival featuring real women’s stories from real women directors. There are three movies in this year’s series, made by Jessica Biel, Eva Mendes and Rachel Weisz, marking each of their directorial debuts. All three of the films were screened to a full theater at Directors Guild of America in Los Angeles.

The three short films featured in the Glamour Reel Moments series are based on real women’s stories that are written by actual Glamour readers. This series is meant to empower women in film by creating opportunities for them to step behind the camera and bring inspiring stories to life. And it doesn’t stop there – Glamour Reel Moments Presented by Hyundai supports FilmAid International, an organization that uses the power of film to promote social change, strengthen communities and enrich the lives of people around the world.

Watch the movies online at www.glamourreelmoments.com.

[Source: Ask Patty]

With Porsche‘s new Cayenne already garnering plenty of attention from the consumer market, the aftermarket has now begun churning out tuning packages for Germany’s popular sport SUV. Hamann did a fantastic job with their packages for the previous generation Porsche Cayenne, so it’s no surprise that its new rendition is one of our favorites.

Starting with the exterior, Hamann gives the Cayenne plenty more to look at with a new front add-on that gives the Cayenne an even bolder appearance. The vented hood comes in a carbon fiber variety. Onto the side and rear, Hamann side skirts are pretty run-of-the-mill, while the rear add-on consists of three-pieces, leaving ample space for a quad-tipped exhaust system.

With plenty of different wheel options available, Hamann opted to outfit their demo Cayenne with a set of 23-inch ‘Design Unique Forged Anodized’ wheels. Matched with 315/25/23 tires, the one-piece wheels are powercoated a nice black finish and they are also available in brushed aluminum.

Helping the big SUV look even lower and handle much better is a suspension kit that drops the truck 1.4-inches. As for performance, a sport exhaust system is available for the Cayenne V6 and V8 while the Cayenne Diesel has an upgraded ECU option bringing horsepower from 240-hp to 275-hp while torque goes from 405 lb-ft to 457 lb-ft.

Lastly, interior options are also available in the variety of traditional aluminum pedals, a foot rest and floor mats.

GALLERY: Hamann Porsche Cayenne 958

Read AutoGuide’s Review of the 2011 Porsche Cayenne S by Clicking Here

If you’ve got a bit of cash burning a hole in your pocket and absolutely love the 1970 Dodge Charger then this is one example you should take a look at.

The 1970 Charger was the last of the classic ‘coke bottle’ examples and added a new grille and fenders among other things, plus the option of 15-inch wheels. It even came with high impact colors, like Panther Pink, Top Banana and this even more shocking hue called Sub Lime.

The R/T model shown here is documented to have originally been ordered in this retina scorching color and still has the original Chrysler build sheet. It’s also been fully restored; the 2-stage paint is far deeper and glossier than the old enamel originally applied at the Newark, Delaware assembly plant, plus the panel gaps are now linear and precise. Exterior trim has been restored and underneath this Charger looks just as good as it does from the outside. The black vinyl interior has been completely re-done, right down to the door panels and gauge cluster.

Under the hood, the car’s original 440 cubic inch (7.2-liter) Magnum V8 has been re-built and stroked, now displacing 492 cubic inches (8.1-liters). Although not originally ordered on this car, the optional (for ‘70) six-pack intake and triple carburetors have been fitted in the interests of greater appeal. Other neat options on this car include the A833 four-speed manual gearbox, stout Dana 60 rear end with 4.10 gears, power brakes with front discs, 26-inch radiator, black hood stripes, tie-down pins and a luggage rack.

Muscle era Mopars tend to attract a lot of attention and this Charger is certainly no exception. However, given the paint color and desirable options, the current asking price of $79,900 isn’t all that steep, especially in view of the workmanship on this beauty. If a car like this floats your boat and you’ve got the means with which to purchase it, then we’re exceedingly jealous.

GALLERY: 1970 Dodge Charger R/T

[Source: RK Motors]

With all the publicity Ken Block has created with his Gymkhana videos, and now more recently the Gymkhana Grid events, it’s no surprise that the digital video game world has embraced it as well. Given the popularity of the Gran Turismo series (and even Forza Motorsport) we can’t say we’re a bit surprised that another popular video game racing series has brought Gymkhana to homes.

DiRT 3 by Codemasters will be featuring a Gymkhana Mode in addition to the traditional off-road racing gameplay. And what better way to show off the upcoming entertainment than with a demo of Ken Block’s Ford Fiesta doing its best job re-enacting one of his videos in the game? Suddenly we have a new game to anxiously wait for a release date on.

Check out the video after the jump:

[Source: Jalopnik]

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