There’s such a high-demand for limousine-like versions of cars in China that BMW builds a special extended wheelbase version of its 5 Series just for the world’s largest auto market. The Shanghai Auto Show is, therefore, the perfect venue for Rolls-Royce to roll out an extended wheelbase model of its newest model, the Ghost.

The Ghost Extended Wheelbase (EWB) stretches a total of 6.7 inches, to deliver maximum rear-seat comfort and serious luxury. Plus, it’ll make your chauffeurs job a real PITA.

In addition to the added space between the wheels there’s a new panoramic sunroof so you can admire the universe you likely own a serious portion of.

Pricing hasn’t been released, but judging by the $70,000 premium you’ll pay for a Phantom EWB over a “regular” Phantom look for the Ghost EWB to climb from $245,000 to around the $300,000 mark.

Look for live photos of the car tomorrow, with an expected debut at the New York Auto Show and see AutoGuide’s show coverage here.

GALLERY: Rolls-Royce Ghost EWB

A day ahead of the planned debut of the 2012 Versa at the New York Auto Show, Nissan has unveiled the car’s Asian-market twin, the Tiida at the Shanghai Auto Show.

Official U.S. specs won’t be available until tomorrow, but the Tiida is powered by a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine. Of note, Nissan has said a turbo mode is in the works. What isn’t clear is if its a turbocharged 3-cylinder aimed at fuel economy or if it’s a new hot hatch boasting the Juke’s turbocharged direct-injection 1.8-liter, that makes 188-hp in that car. (We can only hope).

Look for complete details Wednesday, April 20th with AutoGuide’s 2011 New York Auto Show coverage here.

GALLERY: 2012 Nissan Tiida/Versa

Chrysler is set to unveil new versions of their 200 sedan and convertible at the 2011 New York International Auto Show this week. Dubbed the “S” model, these versions will sport some unique cosmetics.

Features unique to the “S” model are as follows: unique front grille with an S model-only Chrysler winged badge with a black background, body color mirrors and door handles, black background headlamps, distinctive 18-inch aluminum wheels with dark painted pockets and “S” badging.

The interior also gets some upgrades which include, perforated leather steering wheel, heated leather front seats with Digital suede inserts and an embroidered “S” on the front head rests, silver accent thread and a standard Boston Acoustic sound system with a 276-watt CD/DVD/MP3/30 gigabyte hard drive media center.

All “S” models will get power from the Pentastar 3.6-liter V6, which produces 283-hp and 260 lb/ft of torque. Power is fed to the front wheels via a six-speed automatic gearbox.

These added features might not necessarily improve this cars driving characteristics, but does make the car look nicer. The 200 S will go on sale in Spring with prices starting at $32,490.

GALLERY: Chrysler 200 S Convertible and Sedan

Read AutoGuide’s 2011 Chrysler 200 review here and 200 Convertible review here

Plus, get more news and info on the Chrysler 200 at 200Forums.com

The Infiniti JX won’t be shown until the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in August. But Infiniti already has big plans for the three-row luxury crossover, setting it into production in 2012 as a 2013 model.

Don’t accuse Infiniti of not planning ahead: the concept will debut in August at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the production version will be shown in Los Angeles in November, and the JX will help Infiniti’s expansion in South and Central America.

Promising styling cues from the stunning Essence concept, the JX will deliver seating for seven, with flexible seating, a spacious third row and the brand’s next-generation telematics system.

As always, AutoGuide will be on-hand at both Pebble Beach and the LA shows to cover the reveal of this new luxury crossover, from concept to reality.

While we’re gearing up for the New York Auto Show, another one is happening a world away. At Shanghai, Subaru unveiled the XV concept, a new 5-door crossover.

The XV is a crossover (likely based on the 2012 Impreza set to be revealed at the New York Auto Show this week) that’s smaller than the current Outback, and carries design cues from the Impreza concept from last year’s Los Angeles show. In Subaru tradition it’s powered by a 2.0-liter flat-four engine, but it also features a Lineartronic CVT that should return decent mileage. At a contrast to the eye-searing neon green exterior are white leather seats with mesh inserts.

And according to Subaru, it features a “Protean” design concept, which isn’t a Greek deity you forgot about in freshman philosophy but actually stands for “Professional tool” and “Trendy design.”

They’ve given us a big eTron coupe, a little eTron coupe and a spyder, but now with their fourth version, the folks at Ingolstadt have decided to take a more conventional route.

This fourth eTron concept by Audi, is based on the A3 Sedan concept and sports a gasoline/electric hybrid drivetrain. If you perhaps recognize it, that’s because it’s a development of the concept sedan shown in Geneva back in March and debuted this week in Shanghai.

Under the hood is a 1.4-liter turbocharged and direct injected gasoline four-cylinder engine, along with a 20 kW electric motor. Together the motor and gas engine generate 238 horsepower, while transmitting power to the wheels is a seven-speed S-tronic dual-clutch transaxle.

Of course to generate power, the electric motor requires stored energy, thus under the back seat of this new eTron you’ll find a series of lithium-ion batteries. According to Audi, these batteries are charged by the car’s standard energy recovery system and on electric power alone, maximum range is said to be 34 miles (54 km). Add assistance from the gas engine and this latest eTron is apparently capable of sprinting to 62 mph (100 km/h) from rest in just 6.8 seconds and will go on to a top speed of 144 mph (237 km/h for you metric people).

Out of all the eTron concepts we’ve been teased with over the last few years, this one is by far the most likely to make it into production, at least in the short term. Question is, will it?

GALLERY: Audi A3 eTron Sedan

So far we haven’t been able to get it on these shores, but up until now, perhaps we’ve not been missing a great deal. Mercedes smallest model, the A-Class, has been little more than boxy and utterly sensible personal transportation.

But that’s set to change. Mercedes has just revealed the so-called Concept A, which is being viewed by many as the next step in the brand’s expansion in China. From looking at the Concept A, it’s clear that the next generation of Mercedes small car is likely to be very different, more in keeping with the marque’s sporting DNA and something far more likely to entice a younger generation of buyers.

Better yet, there are rumors that the folks at AMG will be developing an uber performance version, said to crank out as much as 350 horsepower. There’s also evidence to suggest it might be available with all-wheel drive.

No further information is available at present, but should this new A-Class AMG materialize, it could represent one of the most exciting small cars to hit the market in decades. And if, it does, it will also likely be sold on our shores too.

[Source: BBC Top Gear]

Volvo is not a company that is typically associated with bold designs, but in recent years, they have been showing a wilder, more creative side.

Continuing with their creative trend, Chinese owned Volvo has just unveiled a new concept car at the Shanghai Auto Show, called the Concept Universe.

This new take on a boxy Volvo might look like a cross between some Lincoln and Ford concept cars from the last few years, but there is a good reason for that. Volvo’s vice-president of design Peter Horbury did once run Ford’s design studios so hence the lines are quite similar. Horbury had worked for Volvo in the past also, when the company was owned by Ford. He was the man behind the original C70 coupe and convertible.

According to Volvo’s CEO Stafan Jacoby, the Concept Universe is; “a sneak preview of what people can expect from our next top-of-the-line sedan.” Could this be the replacement for the now aging S80 sedan? Only time will tell.

GALLERY: Volvo Concept Universe

While some general info and photos of Honda‘s new 2012 Civic have already been released ahead of the car’s debut at the New York Auto Show tomorrow, more details have been leaked.

Of note we now not only know the engine’s power, but at what rpm. The new 2.4-liter makes just 4 hp more than the old 2.0 but does so at 800 lower rpm. More significantly, the torque jump of 31 ft-lbs comes on at almost 2000 rpm earlier.

Also revealed in the photos are several interior details including a new Power Monitor that appears to measure what percentage of the engine’s power is being used. An equally cool gimmick is Vtec meter that lets you know when you’re in Vtec and looks to light up as you rev up the engine.

Check out the gallery below and look for even more info and high quality photos when the car is unveiled tomorrow at the New York Auto Show.

GALLERY: 2012 Honda Civic Si

Get more news and info on the 2012 Civic at 9thGenCivic.com

Now that Volkswagen has unveiled the upcoming 2012 Beetle to the general public, it’s exciting to hear that the German automaker will also be bringing a Beetle R version, as well as a Beetle convertible to America. The convertible version will be available next year while Volkswagen hasn’t confirmed when the Beetle R will arrive.

The safe assumption for the Beetle R’s powerplant will be the 2.0L turbocharged unit from the Golf R, though it’s not confirmed. VW did express that the Beetle R will remain a front-wheel-drive application, but it’s nice to know those who yearn for a Beetle with slightly more power output than the 200-hp 2.0 TSI will have a viable option in the future.

GALLERY: 2012 Volkswagen Beetle

[Source: Car and Driver]