Chevy has just released a revealing teaser image of its next-generation Malibu sedan, with the car officially set to debut at the Shanghai Auto Show on April 18th.

Coinciding with that debut, Chevy will release full details and photos on its Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/chevrolet.

With styling inspired by the Camaro, the new Malibu will be a global car, sold in 100 countries. It will also do away with a V6 option, instead opting for 4-cylinder powerplants only (as we reported back in August). That being said, expect to find GM’s turbocharged 4-cylinder model to replace the V6.

“This Malibu takes Chevrolet’s established and award-winning nameplate to new places and introduces it to new audiences around the world,” said Rick Scheidt, vice president of Chevrolet. “Whether the Malibu is sold in North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa, or Australia, it has been engineered from the ground up to meet the needs of customers around the world.”

GM is hoping to build off the success of the current Malibu, which racked up 40 awards since 2008 and which held the title of being GM’s best selling car last year.

In addition to the Shanghai reveal, the car will also be on display days later at the New York Auto Show.

GALLERY: 2013 Chevy Malibu

See a video teaser of the car after the jump:

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Some find it really hard to mess with perfection. But one thing we all know, no matter how expensive a vehicle is, or how exotic or luxurious it was built to be, it’s never perfect rolling off the lot. Compromises have to be made in order to appeal to a certain demographic, and that’s where the aftermarket always steps in.

For Mercedes-Benz‘s SLS AMG, many consider it to be a near perfect vehicle. And perhaps that’s true, given that the majority of the aftermarket has done minimal modifications to it in their offerings. Lorinser has also joined the fray, but by simply only offering a staggered set of wheels for the SLS.

The RSK8 design wheels comes in a staggered fitment with 20×9.5-inchers up front while the rear packs a 21×11-inch pair. Lorinser recommends to match the front wheels with a 275/30/20 tires while the rears should be paired with 295/25/21 tires.

Lorinser is also quick to announce that the RSK8 wheels are one of the lightest wheels on the market, reducing weight and rotational mass on the vehicle; improving handling and acceleration as a positive side effect. Plus, they look pretty sweet.

GALLERY: Lorinser RSK8 Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG

Mercedes-Benz‘s C63 AMG is one of the world’s most viable luxury sedans, packing plenty of performance for any enthusiast. Those having to compromise for a sedan but who still yearn for power often look to a C63 to satisfy their needs. Wimmer RS is well aware of how potent the super sedan is, and in turn, have produced their version of the ultimate sporty sedan.

The heart of Wimmer RS’ production is improving the performance out of the 6.2-liter V8 powerplant. The performance modifications improve power to 601-hp and and 531 lb-ft of torque from the factory’s 451-hp and 443 ft-lbs of torque. The horsepower gains come from modifications on the entire exhaust system – manifold, down pipe, high-flow cats and exhaust – while a new air intake and filter helps the motor breathe better. Optimizing the power is a new camshaft and head work. Those looking to only improve the horsepower can do so for the price of a V6 Camry: $28,040.

Accenting the look of the vehicle is a lightweight set of BBS CH-R wheels in a staggered 19×8.5-inch, 19×9.5-inch set. The wheels are wrapped with Dunlop rubber in a 235/35/19 and 265/35/19 variety. Suspension upgrades are also included with the wheel and tire package for around $5,075.

GALLERY: Wimmer RS Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG

Kia has just revealed its third in a string of electric car concepts, debuting the Naimo at the Seoul Motor Show. Unlike past mini cars, this sub-compact B-Class model is a crossover and may be the most realistic example yet of Kia’s plan to bring an EV to market in the near future.

At 153-inches long, it’s approximately 4-inches larger than a Toyota Yaris and is powered by an electric motor and lithium-polymer battery pack that makes 109-hp and 207 lb-ft of torque with a total range of 124 miles.

Perhaps most impressive is the claim that the Naimo’s battery pack can be recharged up to 80 percent in just 25 minutes using a special charger. Using a standard outlet it takes 5.5 hours.

With this latest EV, look for Kia to soon announce a test fleet of cars as it prepares to bring one of its three EV models to market.

GALLERY: Kia Naimo EV Crossover Concept

In the midst of Earth Week next month, a motorcade of battery-powered, hybrid, and fuel-cell vehicles will drive through Washington D.C. to showcase alternatives to oil dependence.

Earth Week is scheduled from Friday, April 15 through Friday, April 22. The parade of cars and trucks will take place on Tuesday, April 19, and be part of the Electric Drive Transportation Association (EDTA) conference. Twenty-two companies will participate, including AMP Electric Vehicles, BMW, Coda Automotive, Edison Electric Institute, General Motors, Mitsubishi, Tesla, Toyota and VW.

It will be begin with a 10 a.m. press conference presided over by U.S. Department of Energy Secretary Steven Chu, and will terminate at the EDTA Conference Ride, Drive and Charge at the Washington Convention Center.

Plans for the next day are for U.S. DOT Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to open the 2011 EDTA conference.

With federal officials looking on, the EDTA has said it is hopeful to make a positive impression in promoting solutions for the worsening energy crisis. “We are excited to show consumers and policymakers how many electric drive choices are available and how rapidly innovations are being brought to the market place,” said Brian Wynne, president of EDTA. “These cars and trucks, and the technology that supports them, are helping to reduce our nation’s dependence on foreign oil, reducing driving costs and pollution, improving our national security and creating advanced energy jobs.”

For more information about EDTA and its members, visit EDTA’s Web site. For consumer information about owning and operating electric vehicles, click on GoElectricDrive.

This year marks the golden anniversary of one of the most iconic cars of all time; the E-Type Jaguar or XK-E. Exactly 50 years ago in March, the original Series 1 car made its debut at the Geneva Motor Show; most men and boys haven’t been the same since.

Now, as part of the car’s birthday celebrations, the Royal Mail service in Britain, is a special sheet of commemorative stamps.

The sheet, which becomes available from March 30 in the UK, incorporates 10 close up pictures of E-Types, along with 10 fittingly British, 1st Class Union Jack Stamps.

Despite sharing a good deal of componentry with it’s Cadillac cousin; the SRX;  Saab’s upcoming 9-4X crossover is not following the same path as the Caddy for 2012; at least when it comes to engines.

Cadillac has decided to change the engine lineup in the SRX; replacing the previous turbocharged 2.8-liter V-6; also used in versions of the Saab 9-3 and 9-5; with the 3.6-liter V-6 from the CTS.

However; for the 9-4 X; outgoing Saab CEO Jan Ake Johnsson says that the 3.0-liter V-6 as used in the base SRX and the 2.8-liter turbo will remain the only engine options. Some have said that a smaller displacement diesel could have perhaps been offered, primarily for buyers in Europe, but that idea has been nixed by Saab, at least for the time being.

“We could probably double our sales volume of the 9-4X in Europe with a diesel. But the 9-4X is really a vehicle for markets like the US, Russia, China and Australia where gasoline is the traditional buyer preference,” said Jonsson.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Fiat may currently own a 25-percent stake in Chrysler, but that’s not enough for them: by the end of the year, says Fiat CEO Sergio Marchionne, the Italians will increase their stake to over 51% and own more than half of Chrysler.

While not an outright merger (because Chrysler is probably pretty wary of those right now), Marchionne aims to increase their stake incrementally, by 35% at the end of the fourth quarter. And such a merger hasn’t been ruled out yet. Like a jilted bride (or the recently passed Ms. Taylor), Chrysler just seems to can’t resist shacking up with swarthy Europeans.

[Source: Reuters Italia]

An expected announcement today by President Barack Obama will outline the federal government’s commitment to buy only advanced technology vehicles by 2015.

Only hybrids, plug-in electrics, and flex-fuel vehicles will be allowed into its present fleet of 600,000 vehicles. The government has already doubled its number of hybrids in keeping with existing mandates.

Full-size SUVs and other vehicles could still be allowed, but they would need to run on E85 ethanol.

Also expected from Obama’s Georgetown University speech today will be a strategy to cut oil imports by one third by 2025, while calling for a substantial increase in fuel economy for vehicles produced from 2017-2025.

The reduction could save the U.S. more than 11 million barrels per day, the White House said, which is the amount the U.S. imported in 2008.

Obama will also ask Congress to increase incentives to assist compressed natural gas (CNG) vehicles for consumers, corporate and business fleets.

Today’s announcement will be just one of a long line of transportation energy measures tightening the belt in the face of ever diminishing oil supplies.

Last summer the White House supported a bill that would have approved $4 billion in assistance for CNG vehicles. That bill stalled in the last Congress, but did have some support from Republicans and Democrats.

In October 2009, the president directed federal agencies with 20 or more vehicles to cut fuel usage by 2 percent.

In 2010 the government bought 23,000 fuel-efficient vehicles, of which 9,000 were hybrids. This year the government will buy its first 100 battery electric vehicles, such as the Chevrolet Volt, shown above.

Concerned also with greenhouse gas emissions, a $300 million stimulus bill was approved by Congress in 2009. The White House also intends to finalize the first national fuel economy and greenhouse gas emission standards for commercial trucks, vans and buses.

These are planned to take effect in the 2014 model year and will cover the 2014-18 model years.

[Source: Detroit News]

Canada and Britain are hooking up for new collaboration that will get you talking. Canadian luxury mobile phone maker Mobiado is teaming up with Britain’s Aston Martin to launch collection of luxury mobile phones.

Set to hit stores in May 2011, this is a phone that trend setters and fashionistas will want to keep their eyes open for. Sleek and streamlined, the phones make a luxe statement and will get your friends talking the next time you go to send someone a text.

Says Peter Bonac, President of Bonac Innovation Corp. (Mobiado): “Like Aston Martin, Mobiado prides itself on design innovation and technological excellence. We look forward to a long and prosperous working relationship, and are thrilled to be working with the prestigious Aston Martin brand.”

No word on how much this phone will cost you, but considering that both brands are considered luxury, we can bet you’ll be shelling out a pretty penny for this fashionable accessory. Will you be picking one up when they come out?

[Source: Born Rich]