Residents of San Francisco will be happy to hear that the city is getting its public transit system overhauled by BMW.

Boasting the fifth-largest urban train system in the US, the Bay Area Rapid Transit System (BART) is transporting commuters on the oldest fleet in the country.  So it’s about time the public transit system got a facelift… and that’s where BMW DesignworksUSA comes into the picture.

Being call the “Fleet of the Future,” BMW Designworks will design an updated version of the BART rail cars – from new interiors and exteriors to updating the controls in the train operator’s cab. It even includes modernizing the PA system used at each of the 44 stations on various routes.

“We are passionate about creating innovative solutions for mobility in increasingly dense urban centers such as the Bay Area, and we are excited as our collaborative partnership with BART gets underway,” said Laurenz Schaffer, President, BMW Group DesignworksUSA.

BMW Designworks has already taken on a simlar project in Warsaw, Poland (the train is pictured above) so San Fran residents can expect to be dropped off at their stops in style.

[Source: Autoblog]

Audi has finally released the full specs to its upcoming A6 Hybrid model, but didn’t announce any official plans of bringing the model to the United States. A subtle hint however was the inclusion of its fuel-economy converted to the US-friendly mpg, stating that the A6 Hybrid does get an impressive 37-mpg combined. Thanks to a 211-hp 2.0L turbocharged four-cylinder combined with a 54-hp electric motor, the total power output of 245-hp comes to the front wheels through an eight-speed transmission.

Torque is impressive with the A6 packing 354 lb-ft, bringing the hybrid model to 60-mph in just 7.3 seconds. On the electric motor alone, the A6 could act as an EV up to 62-mph or travel up to 1.9 miles at less than 40-mph. Three different driving modes are available with electricity-prioritizing “EV”, normal “D” and a sporty “S”. All of the A6 Hybrid’s power output can only be enjoyed in the “S” mode – where we’re guessing plenty of its mpg gets sucked up.

Aesthetically, not much gives away that the A6 is a hybrid besides the badging on the trunk, fenders and door sills. Audi will pair the model up with its own unique 17- or 18-inch wheels. We’re fairly certain that Audi will be savvy enough to bring the model to the United States, it’s just a matter of when and how much.

GALLERY: Audi A6 Hybrid

[Source: Car & Driver Blog]

Honda has released a single photo of its upcoming 2012 CR-V compact crossover, and judging from the pic it’s a lot less compact than before.

While the photo is of a concept, in true Honda fashion that means it’s just a slightly embellished version of the production model that will debut later this year. The major style elements will remain, although expect toned-down amounts of chrome and smaller wheels. Of note is the three-bar grille, a design cue borrowed from the Accord CrossTour, but which looks significantly more fitting on this softroader.

Little is expected in the way of powertrain changes, with the 2.4-liter being carried over from the current generation with around 180-hp. A new 6-speed automatic could be part of the package, helping the CR-V achieve a slight improvement in fuel economy.

Also expect to find a version of Honda’s new i-MID system, featuring an in-dash LCD screen and steering wheel controls, which first debuted on the new 2012 Civic.

[Source: Car&Driver]

If the Transformers really wanted to blend in with Earth technology in order to fight the Decepticons, they probably wouldn’t have transformed into a rare Corvette prototype, a flame-job purple 18-wheeler, or a bright yellow Camaro. After all, those aren’t exactly inconspicuous. You know what is, however? A Chevrolet Cruze.

That’s why the Cruze gets the full Autobot treatment in China, where this car can pass by the crowds with nary a second glance. The small Chevy gets the bright-yellow treatment, with two oddly-mounted black stripes down the hood somewhere. Autobot badging on the wheels and fenders show off the owner’s allegiance, while illuminated Transformers door sills round out the package. The 1.6-liter Ecotec engine remains the same.

The Transformers Cruze is only available in China right now, and will probably not make it over to America. Because, after all, a transforming robot defender of freedom would be blasphemous if it packed anything smaller than a 6.2-liter V8.

[Source: ChinaCarTimes]

Saint-Tropez is a small town located just east of Marseille on the French Riviera and is often known for its beaches and a regatta event held every year that draws some of the world’s finest luxury yachts to its bay. In other words, it’s a little resort town that attracts some of the world’s wealthiest tourists and as a result, travelers within Europe often times show off really fancy cars.

Spotted recently in Saint-Tropez is this Bugatti Veyron sporting a matte black and blue finish. While it’s not as flashy as this chrome red Veyron, it’s pretty wild none the less. The beautiful Veyron was spotted outside Hotel La Reserve, where the AutoGuide staff always stays when we’re vacationing in Saint-Tropez. (We wish).

GALLERY: Matte Black and Blue Bugatti Veyron

[Source: GT Spirit]

We love a happy ending – that’s why we had to tell you about the story of Rachelle Friedman, a 23-year-old who was paralyzed as a result of a tragic accident during her bachelorette party in May 2010.

After the accident, she and her fiancé Chris Chapman were busy planning their wedding with the help of a BraunAbility Sienna Rampvan that was loaned to them by the company and local mobility dealer Van Products Inc. Little did the couple know that BruanAbility and Toyota USA had a wedding gift planned for them that wasn’t on their registry – a brand new 2011 Toyota Sienna with a BraunAbility Rampvan XT conversion.

“Rachelle’s resolve and strength are truly inspirational,” said Nick Gutwein, President of Braun. “We were so moved by her story that we wanted to help her not only while she planned for her wedding, but also as she moves forward in her married life.”

Now that the wedding is over, this new BraunAbility Rampvan XT conversion allows Rachelle to get to quad-rugby practices and tournaments, as well as therapy appointments. Before she had use of this van, her mother had been carrying her in and out of her SUV.

“The van’s made all the difference in the world,” said Rachelle. “Not only has it saved my mom’s back, it’s just made it so much easier to get out and do things. I’ve missed this level of comfort, convenience and independence. Next up…learning to drive on my own!”

The highly anticipated Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG Black Series Coupe is finally official, sporting signature Black Series widebody styling and an AMG 6.2-liter V8 powerplant with an incredible 517-hp and 457 lb-ft of torque. The result is a 0-62 mph time of just 4.2 seconds backed with responsive sporty handling and AMG’s always impressive braking system.

Handling suspension on the C63 Black Series Coupe is AMG’s coilover sports suspension while their brilliant brakes sit behind 19-inch titanium gray wheels. Available as an option is AMG’s Track Package which adds sport tires, active rear-axle transmission cooling and an AMG Aerodynamics package that attaches a front splitter and adjustable rear carbon aerofoil.

The exterior’s widebody isn’t all about aggressively good looks. The front end features large air intakes while the hood features a pair of air intake vents. Air openings can also be seen in front of the rear wheels for efficient cooling. The entire body kit attached to the C63 AMG Black Series Coupe is made from lightweight carbon fiber.

On the inside there are a pair of AMG sport bucket seats that have been upholstered in black Dinamica microfiber down the center. The door panels feature a new type of synthetic fiber while the rear bench has been removed entirely to save weight. Those that really want to seat four however can get two additional AMG sport seats as an option for the rear.

A truly race inspired vehicle inside and out, the C63 AMG Black Series Coupe will be the fourth Black Series model since 2006 and joins an elite group of very finely tuned AMG Mercedes models.

GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz C 63 AMG Black Series Coupe

To celebrate the 60 years that have passed since Mercedes first introduced the S-Class to the market, AMG has helped develop the 2012 S-Class Grand Edition.

The S-Class Grand Edition package will be available on the S250 CDI, S350 BlueTEC and the S350 BlueEFFICIENCY models in Europe. Each model will retain its stock power, with 204-hp from the S250 CDI, 258-hp from the S350 BlueTEC and 306-hp from the S350 BlueEFFICIENCY.

The exterior of the Grand Edition features a new front spoiler with LED daytime running lights and a new lower air intake. Side skirts and a new rear bumper with a rear apron round off the aesthetic modifications. The Grand Edition will also come with 19-inch AMG wheels while braking will feature 8-piston calipers in the front and 6-piston calipers in the rear.

For the inside, the steering wheel features leather, while the pedals have been swapped out for stainless steel pieces. Wood styling inserts are also used throughout the interior.

GALLERY: Mercedes-Benz 2012 S-Class Grand Edition

Mercedes will move ahead with plans to build a rival to the BMW X6, with a new coupe-style M-Class model. The luxury crossover will be built at the company’s Tuscaloosa, Ala., plant and will expand vehicle production there to five models.

According to reports, the new vehicle, likely called the MLC, will go into production as early as 2015.

The news comes as Mercedes has just announced a $2 billion investment in its U.S. manufacturing operations.

The MLC will compete with BMW’s X6, a vehicle that shocked the market and surprised critics. Predicted to be a failure by many due to its lack of utility, the X6 has instead been hailed as a resounding success, beating all sales predictions. Last year BMW sold 46,404 X6 models globally.

[Source: AutomotiveNews]

Here’s one more reason why grandparents rock – according to a new study, it’s safer for kids to ride with grandparents than it is with their own parents.

Researched under the supervision of Dr. Fred Henretig, a physician at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia, this study found that grandparents were safer drivers than parents. This is especially true in the case of injuries sustained in car accidents – the study shows that a child being injured in an auto accident were 50 percent less when a grandparent was driving.

“More of the baby boomers are coming into grandparenthood now, and this important group of drivers of young children hadn’t really been looked at critically,” said Dr. Henretig. “Grandparents were a little bit less up-to-date on child restraints, but we discovered that the injury rate was lower in grandparent driver crashes.”

When the study started, researchers believed that because of older vehicles and newly adopted safety measures, kids wouldn’t be as safe while driving with their grandparents. Now, imagine what would happen if grandparents could be current on child restraints – kids would be even safer while driving with them. As it stands now, about three out of every four grandparents were using “optimal” child restraints.