Ahead of the Geneva show, BMW has unveiled their first electric vehicle, the ActiveE: a 1-Series coupe that’s good for 170 horsepower, 184 pound-feet of torque, and 100 miles on a single charge.

This gives the ActiveE a 0-60 time good for nine seconds. And BMW says the batteries can be fully charged in four to five hours through a standard wall outlet, with a rapid charger. The batteries decrease cargo space by approximately 3 cu. feet, but interior changes are minimal, and it can still seat four adults.

Against a regular 1-Series, the ActiveE sports bright white paint, circuit board graphics along its flanks, a goofy “power bulge” hood, and low-resistance wheels and tires. And that’s about it. The ActiveE’s powertrain is supposed to preview the futuristic Megacity concept that BMW will launch in 2013; call this a sneak preview, then, without the carbon fiber body or Blade Runner styling. Which is the idea BMW is promoting behind the ActiveE: a production-ready car that packs the drivetrain of the future, but doesn’t look like it does.

It will go on sale in select markets and cities including Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, New York, Boston and in Connecticut. Production is slated at over 1,000 units.

[Source: WorldCarFans]

In Europe, hot-hatch enthusiasts can enjoy a faster version of the Golf in the form of the GTI, or they can go absolutely mad with the V6-engined, all-wheel drive Golf R32. But while they can also buy the Polo GTI, Volkswagen isn’t so sure about building a quicker and AWD version of the smaller hatch.

The Polo shares the same platform as the new Audi A1, the succinctly-named PQ25. It wasn’t initially developed for all-wheel drive, which renders a blow against the Polo R: all VW R models feature AWD, as it’s the trump card against the GTI. Without AWD the Polo R would just be a slightly faster and angrier version of the current Polo GTI, and not even Volkswagen could have the good conscience to promote that.

However, Audi’s A1 is currently looking at a quattro model. This could pave the way for a Polo R with the vaunted AWD, but it would also drive the price up: with the Polo GTI at £19,000 in the UK and the Golf GTI £6,000 more, the Polo R would be difficult to slot in between those.

[Source: Autocar]

Having just introduced an all new Dodge Charger, Challenger and Chrysler 300 for 2011, all three models are set to get an important update for 2012 under the hood. The engine will remain unchanged, but models equipped with Chrysler Corp’s new 3.6L Pentastar V6 will get a significant jump in fuel economy and notably improved drive quality thanks to the addition of an 8-speed automatic.

As for the R/T and 300C models, they will retain the current 5-speed auto-box, as will a budget-priced Challenger SE model.

Chrysler is expected to add a higher-gear transmission to its V8-powered models in the future as well, replacing the current 5-speed unit. There’s also a solid chance the new 8-speed could be used in vehicles like the Jeep Grand Cherokee and Dodge Durango.

[Source: Allpar]

Continue Reading…

BMW purists, grab your pitchforks, light your torches and march on Munich. Why? Because the new M5 won’t have a manual transmission. Worse still, it won’t even get a dual-clutch setup, but a true Mercedes-Benz style slushbox.

According to a report by Motor Trend, BMW engineers planned to use the Getrag M Dual Clutch Transmission for the new M5 and M6, but found the unit wasn’t capable of handling the car’s power – which is rumored to be as high as 578-hp. Apparently new actuators would have solved the problem, but also would have created another one, slowing the gear change time and essentially negating the entire point of a DCT.

As a result, BMW has decided to go with the same 8-speed ZF automatic used in the X5 M and X6 M, complete with manumatic shifting.

True BMW fans are certain to revolt at the news (perhaps even making a Hitler Youtube parody), but their power should not be underestimated. The current M5 model was initially offered only with a 7-speed SMG transmission (and we thought that was bad news then), but BMW was eventually forced into offering a manual due to consumer demand.

[Source: MotorTrend]

As we anticipate the launch of the Scion iQ here in North America, parent company Toyota is preparing to introduction an all electric version of the mini-car in Europe.

Set to debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March, the car uses a lithium-ion battery located under the floor. As a result it doesn’t take up any passenger space and with all the weight down-low, it also improves the car’s center of gravity.

The car’s range is set at 65 miles and a leasing program is set to begin in Europe in 2012. A similar program will then be launched in the U.S.

The Toyota iQ EV will debut alongside the FT-86 Concept II, the Yaris hybrid and the Prius+ in Geneva.

Get more Toyota/Scion iQ news and info at iQ-Forums.com

Jaguar will look to introduce as many as three all new models in the next three years according to a new report that highlights the brand’s product plans until 2023.

By 2014 Jaguar is set to double its product range to include the current XK, XJ and XF, but also a new 3 Series rival, a smaller sports car and a crossover. Scheduled to arrive in 2012, the new sports car (rumored to be called the XE) will come first, but not before the introduction of a much-needed facelift for the XK, as well as a restyle for the XF and the introduction of a wagon version of the luxury sedan.

2012 will bring a mid-cycle update for the XJ along with a new XK, with 2014 marking an important expansion for Jaguar with the introduction of two models, the small luxury sports sedan and a crossover which is likely to share the same underpinnings.

Beyond that point things get far less certain, although a new XF is tipped for 2015. Sadly, the XF will no longer get a coupe variant, however, the XJ will, with an XJ Coupe set for 2017 to rival the likes of the Bentley Continental GT and the Mercedes CL.

[Source: AutoCar]

Get the Flash Player to see this player.

Nissan knows exactly who the target audience of the new Juke is: young males. As though the crossover’s turbocharged direct-injection 4-cylinder and high-tech AWD system weren’t a sufficient argument, a new series of ads featuring a Sports Illustrated swimsuit model certainly speaks volumes.

The Juke is tested is against the model, Amber, in such categories as acceleration, agility, aerodynamics and curb appeal; and while these spots certainly pander to the lowest common denominator, they’re actually quite funny too.

Designed to help promote the Juke, and the 2011 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition (on newsstands today), it’s just the latest example of Nissan’s clever marketing.

Vote for your favorite model here and read AutoGuide’s review of the new 2011 Nissan Juke here.

See the rest of the ads after the jump:

Continue Reading…

While hardly the household name that Ferrari is, Pagani models are far more exotic and rare, especially because they’ve never been available in North America – until now.

Set to get its world premiere at the Geneva Auto Show, Pagani’s second all new model, the Huayra, will be offered to customers in the U.S., marking the first time America’s wealthiest could purchase one of the ultra exclusive automobiles.

“We are thrilled at the opportunity to represent the Pagani brand in the United States and we look forward to the successful launch of the Huayra,” said Horacio Pagani in a statement.

With overall styling similar to the Zonda, but with a large catfish front end design, the Huayra is powered by a twin-turbocharged Mercedes AMG V12 engine making over 700-hp. As for the unpronounceable name, it aptly refers to the god of wind.

GALLERY: Pagani Huayra

Audi can’t get ‘em out the door fast enough. The comapny’s factories are running at full capacity to meet record demand for the A6 sedan and A3 hatchback, forcing buyers to wait an average of three to four months to take delivery.

During normal sales periods customers usually take delivery of their cars within eight to ten weeks, says an Audi spokesperson. But Germany’s three largest manufacturers BMW, Mercedes and Volkswagen have reported record sales throughout January, while the Volkswagen Group has both the highest sales figures and the strongest share values.

Likewise, the situation at Audi is more tense; they are delivering vehicles to consumers two months after their competitors. BMW’s customers wait three months at most, with up to six months for the popular BMW X3. Mercedes sales are close to 2007 levels, just as they were before the recession. But at Audi, “if sales continue to grow like this,” says Audi sales chief Peter Schwarzenbauer, ”it’ll be difficult to say how long it could take to reduce waiting times.”

Audi expects double-digit growth in both China and the U.S., coming after record sales figures of 1.09 million cars last year. Growing demand in Germany, the United States, and powerhouse market China are putting the pressure on the manufacturers. And in response, Audi, BMW and Mercedes are all planning to add or expand their factories.

Can the momentum carry on without a deluge of angry customers? It might seem like a blessing to have so much demand that they can’t build them fast enough. But the company needs to act fast to keep buyers happy, otherwise soon they’ll be wishing they were back in this position.

[Source: Bloomberg]

The struggling Smart brand was set to get a potential savior this year with the introduction of a new four-door based on a Nissan platform. That, however, will not happen now, as part of a new agreement where Smart and Mercedes parent company Daimler has taken back distribution of its mini-car from the Penske Automotive Group.

There are two main reasons behind the change, the first is for simplicity’s sake with the U.S. the only market in the world where Smart and Mercedes operate independently. The more important reason, however, is fuel economy, with Mercedes eager to bolster its CAFE numbers with the 41-mpg Smart fortwo.

After initial sales of 24,622 cars in 2008, Smart managed to move just 5,927 vehicles last year. While dropping the planned Nissan model does seem like a bad move, it shows signs of a long-term plan with Mercedes willing to deal with low sales in the short term in order to properly built up the Smart brand.

In the mean time, however, the future is bleak for Smart with 21 dealers set to loose their franchise rites, while the remaining 58 will be forced to soldier on with what is essentially one model (the ForTwo), as well as an ultra-niche market electric version of the car.

[Source: Automotive News]