Here is one of the latest clips of the BMW M5 booting it on the Laguna Seca track. Oh how sweet the sound is!

The M5 has been entirely redesigned but the biggest change is the switch from a high-revving V10 to a 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8. The new engine cranks out 552 horsepower and 502 lb-ft of torque mated to either a six-speed manual or a seven-speed dual clutch transmission. The car is capable of achieving a 0-60 time of 4.4 seconds, not bad for a car weighs around 4,000 lbs. Pricing has not been announced but the M5 will probably sell for around $85,000.

The minute and a half long commercial paints this car as nothing less than a monster as it knifes its way through the turns on a track.

Plus, we also managed to catch up with that very car, on display at Pebble Beach.

GALLERY: 2012 BMW M5 at Pebble Beach

Check out the video after the jump!

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Next year, Federal safety officials plan to test an automotive data exchange whereby vehicles can talk to each other in an effort to warn drivers of possible collisions.

As many as 3,000 cars and light trucks will be fitted with the testing equipment (often referred to as car-to-x technology) in Ann Arbor, Michigan and the results gained from the program are expected to help the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) decide whether or not to mandate wireless communications in vehicles to help prevent accidents.

The technology works by incorporating GPS systems which allow the individual tracking of various vehicles, along with communal wireless communication that enables the cars to share their location with others and, via onboard computers transmit signals to warn drivers of impending accidents.

Last week, Denso, which hopes to be one of the companies that supplies the technology to automakers, put on a press demonstration in Metro Detroit, showing how, by using the technology, one car was able to send a signal for the driver to brake at an intersection, while another zoomed through, thereby avoiding a collision.

“The technology is here today and it works,” declared Roger Berg, vice president of wireless technology at Denso International America Inc.

A final decision on whether to mandate the technology in new cars and light trucks is expected sometime in 2013.

[Source: Car Tech Blog]

Click here to see examples of BMW’s car-to-x technology in action.

If you love exotic cars, Italian ones in particular, then Concorso Italiano needs to be on your bucket list. A celebration of all Italian cars, from modern Ferraris and Lamborghinis to more humble Fiats and some very obscure classics. Plus you can always count on a strong contingent of Panteras. Perhaps the star of this year’s show, however, was a Ferrari F50 GT1.

Let’s not accuse the Italians of being car snobs though. There are are several paddock areas for other models, ranging from Porsches to Acuras. But if you do fancy yourself a bit of an Italian car elitist, check out these galleries and the video below

GALLERY: Concorso Italiano Ferraris

GALLERY: Concorso Italiano Lamborghinis

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Toyota has announced pricing on the all-new, seventh-generation 2012 Camry and Camry Hybrid. The all-new Camry and Camry Hybrid will be offered in four different model grades. The models will include the entry-level L, value-driven LE, premium XLE and sporty SE grades. The XLE and SE are available with four-cylinder or V6 engines. The Camry Hybrid is offered in LE and XLE grades.

The Camry L has been priced at $21,955 and comes equipped with goodies including, Bluetooth hands-free capability, air conditioning, power windows/locks, six speaker CD audio system, and iPod connectivity. The LE has been priced at $22, 500 and features and all new Display Audio System, which features a 6.1-inch touch screen. The sporty SE has  been priced at $23,000 (4-cylinder) or $26,640 (V6) and features 18-inch rims, sport suspension, and unique body styling. The XLE will start at $24,725 for the four-cylinder or $29,845 (V6) and comes with the all-new Display Audio, 17-inch rims, chrome exterior accents, heated mirrors, fog lamps, leather-wrapped steering wheel, dual-zone auto climate control with rear air vents and wood-style interior trim.

The highly revised 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine equipped with Variable Valve Timing with Intelligence (VVT-i) produces 178-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque.  The engine achieves 25 mpg city, 35 mpg highway for 28 mpg combined – best in class. The 24-valve DOHC 3.5-liter V6 employs Dual VV-i produces 268-hp and 248 lb-ft of torque. This engine achieves 21 mpg city, 30 mpg highway for 25 mpg combined.

The revised 2.5-liter four-cylinder Hybrid Synergy Drive powertrain produces 200-hp and achieves 43 mpg city, 39 mpg highway for 41 mpg combined. The Camry Hybrid LE has been priced at $25,900.

GALLERY: 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2012 Toyota Camry Review and see after the jump for the video:

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Fashion takes its inspiration from the unlikeliest of places. In fact, one clothing designer’s newest collection takes its cue from luxury cars’ interiors.

British fashion designer and the creative director of Celine, Phoebe Philo’s Autumn/Winter 2011/12 collection for the famous fashion house draws inspiration from the interiors of luxury cars. In her line of coats, slim pants and dresses, she uses leather and geometic patterns to showcase her admiration for luxe automobiles. The result is a fashion line that is very feminine while hinting at subtle masculine undertones – perfect for wearing while you’re behind the wheel of your luxury vehicle.

Using materials such as linen, vintage tweeds, leather and crinkled fabric, this collection is dedicated to modern and sophisticated women who love to be draped in elegance. Celine’s Autumn/Winter 2011/12 collection, which lit up the runway at Paris Fashion Week, also features matching accessories that perfectly accentuate this clothing line.

[Source: Born Rich]

The new 2012 Jeep Wrangler will be getting a new engine that provides better fuel efficiency with more power and torque. The new 3.6-liter “Pentastar” V6 engine improves fuel efficiency up to 21 miles per gallon, while delivering 285-hp and 260 lb-ft of torque. The Wrangler will also receive a new five-speed automatic transmission to improve shifting and performance. The 3.6-liter Pentastar engine was the winner of the prestigious Ward’s 10 Best Engines award, and for the first time can be mated to a manual transmission. The new engine has 40 percent more horsepower and 10 percent more torque than the outgoing 3.8-liter V6.

“Jeep Wrangler – the most capable and iconic vehicle in the world – has a new heart but retains the same soul for 2012,” said Mike Manley, President and CEO – Jeep Brand, Chrysler Group LLC. “Our new 3.6-liter V6 engine gives the ever-capable Wrangler a completely new, more refined on-road driving experience – complete with more fuel efficiency, power and torque”.

New colors also join the Jeep color palette for 2012, including “Dozer” yellow, “Crush” orange, a “Black Forest” dark green, a bright green “Gecko” and a blue-gray “Winter Chill”. Plus, look for a Moparized Wrangler Renegade to follow.

GALLERY: 2012 Jeep Wrangler

Maserati and luxury goods maker Fendi have teamed up to design a masterpiece of technology and craftsmanship, the Maserati GranCabrio Fendi.

The GranCabrio features a three-layered body color named Grigio Fiamma Fendi, and is a special dark grey with an iridescent golden finish on the surface. The Pergamena Fendi wood trim runs across the width of the dashboard, on the doors and on the gear shifter, while Fendi yellow can be found on the brake calipers and the embroidered yellow trident on the headrests. Fendi’s double F-logo is featured stitched into the headrests, and is on the center of the 20-inch Trident design alloy wheels, with Fendi logos along the rocker panel. Fendi’s most luxurious leather (from the Selleria line) can be found on the instrument cluster cover and on the floor mats. A specially crafted plaque adorns the dashboard showing the trident design with a Fendi logo and a five digit serial number.

Under the hood, the GranCabrio Fendi features a 4.7-liter V8 engine mated to an automatic transmission. Not only will the owner be cruising in style, but will have the power to back it up.

The purse exotic sports car will be introduced at the Frankfurt Auto Show in September 2011.

GALLERY: GranCabrio Fendi

As automakers look at ways to improve vehicle fuel economy across the board, Volvo is taking steps by introducing stop/start technology on cars equipped with automatic transmissions, following on from its introduction in those equipped with manual gearboxes.

The technology will be incorporated on Volvo’s Euro market D3 2.0-liter turbo-diesel five-cylinder engine (shown above), and teamed with the company’s six-speed automatic. The result is expected to reduce fuel consumption by around 0.4 liters per 100 km, meaning that overall gas mileage will be around 5.6 l/100 km (42 miles per gallon) on most Volvos equipped with this powertrain.

Using stop/start in conjunction with an automatic is a tougher technology challenge, compared with manual gearboxes as the engine must shut off when the car comes to a halt and then immediately restart as soon as the driver hits the gas pedal (An electric pump is designed to keep fluid circulating inside the transmission while the engine is stopped).

“Continuously reducing CO2 emissions from conventional powertrains is an important part of our drive towards Zero emissions. It is the most effective way to cut CO2 throughout our model range in the short term,” declared Peter Mertens Volvo’s senior vice president of Research and Development. “This work is running parallel with our innovative focus on electrification technologies.”

Volvo will offer the D3 stop/start feature on the Euro market S60, V60, V70 and S80 flagship. No word on if, or when the technology will reach our shores.

Hyundai is continuing to enter new product segments, including upscale niche markets, but will continue to update lower priced models over the next three years. Three vehicles the Korean automaker wants to launch sometime soon include a dedicated plug-in hybrid sedan (a Prius rival), a sporty sedan to compete with the BMW 3-Series and more luxurious Veracruz SUV.

The Veracruz has become long-in-the-tooth and its sales are lacking. The mid-sized SUV will disappear after the 2012 model year but will return soon after in more luxurious and upscale form for 2014 model year, and will launch in early 2013.

Work is already underway on a sporty sedan to compete with the BMW 3-Series. Hyundai plans to use the rear-wheel drive platform seen in the Genesis and exterior styling is also expected to employ aggressive lines similar to the Gensis Coupe. Hyundai will likely launch this vehicle after 2013.

The plug-in sedan is expected to arrive either in the 2013 or 2014 model year but unfortunately details on this vehicle are insufficient. What is known, is that the hybrid will be an entirely new vehicle all together and will not be a variant of an existing model.

[Source: Autoweek]

Volkswagen‘s next big move in the U.S. marketplace will come with an equally big vehicle; a new crossover SUV targeted squarely at the likes of the Toyota Highlander.

The new 3-row, 7-seater crossover will be designed for American consumers, and priced for them too. Volkswagen of America Chief Executive Jonathan Browning has confirmed the new model will sit above the Touareg in size, but not in price. Instead, it’s expected to slot in somewhere between that SUV and the entry-level Tiguan – likely coming in at just under the $30,00 mark.

“The most important thing is to have the right vehicles, priced correctly,”said Browning in an interview with the Detroit News. This VW has proven with the launch of the new Jetta, with sales of that model up 60% this year, helping VW grow overall by 22 percent.

The introduction of the new 3-row crossover is part of a larger plan by VW of America to add volume models as it looks to double its U.S. sales to 800,000 by 2018.

[Source: DetroitNews]