Infiniti announced U.S pricing for the 2012 QX full-size SUV and the 2012 EX crossover. The QX was redesigned in 2011, so changes to the 2012 model are non-existent.

The full-sized SUV will be offered in both a 2WD and 4WD setup, and some options have been changed to make some features more accessible in lower-level packages. One change on the 2012 model is the Blind Spot Intervention system available with the Technology Package. This option alerts the driver to vehicles in the blind spot area. Both the QX models will utilize the 400-hp 5.6-liter V8 mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission. Pricing for the 2012 2WD model will start at $58,700 and the 2012 4WD model will start at $61,800.

The 2012 EX will be available in four models including the EX35 RWD ($35,600), EX35 AWD ($37,000), EX35 RWD Journey ($37,900) and EX35 AWD Journey ($39,300). The crossover also gains the HomeLink Universal Transceiver as standard equipment on the EX35 Journey. All four models will utilize the same 297-hp 3.5-liter V6 mated to a seven-speed automatic transmission.

GALLERY: Infinti EX35/ QX56

If you are among those who feel that your upcoming McLaren MP4-12C is not special enough, then the new catalog from McLaren Special Operations would be of interest to you.

As part of this program, you can have your new supercar painted in any hue you want, and garnish it with add-ons like a gloss black roof, diamond cut wheels, MP4-12C branded carbon door sills, carbon steering wheel and plenty of other carbon bits to have your car stand out from the crowd.

McLaren launched this program at the recent Pebble Beach Concours event, where a Volcano Orange example was on display.

Paul Mackenzie, Programme Director at McLaren Automotive, with responsibility for McLaren Special Operations said: “It was a pleasure to meet some of the first 12C customers in North America at Pebble Beach.  For nearly twenty years we have been closely managing relationships with owners of the McLaren F1, and understanding their needs is a great foundation on which to launch a service that will now include 12C customers. McLaren Automotive already offers 12C customers extensive options to personalise their car.  However we recognise some owners have specific tastes and we have the knowledge and capability to design, engineer and produce almost anything a customer may desire for their 12C.”

Gallery: McLaren Special Operations

Check out the video below

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With GM planning to introduce its next generation of full-size pickups around 2014, the existing generation of trucks are essentially marking time.

That said, for the 2012 model year the 1/2 ton Chevy Silverado 1500 has received a few updates. Most noticeable is a slight tweak to the nose, which sports a chrome mesh grille and surround on LT and LS trim level rigs; while on 2WD trucks (which come without front tow hooks) a below bumper spoiler has also been added, as a nod to slightly improved aerodynamics.

Other new features include a now standard trailer sway control and hill start assist on all Silverados bar the Hybrid, as well as a new hard drive based, optional navigation system (dispensing the need for clumsy discs).

There’s also an optional WiFi system, which should provide highly useful for those that need web access while on the go, ranging from work related info such as building and municipal sites, to online streaming and favorite restaurants, parks and other venues.

In an effort to inject further life into an ageing warhorse; GM is also offering a White Diamond Edition package on LT and LTZ trim level Silverados. It includes special White Diamond Tricoat exterior paint, chrome mirror caps,  door handles, exhaust tip and tow hooks, plus special Chrome clad 20-inch wheels and low profile touring tires. In addition, on the LTZ White Diamond Edition, the Z60 performance suspension package is fitted as standard.

Toyota looks to be making a real statement with their electric race car prototype, shattering the former Nurburgring electric car record set by Peugeot’s EX1 Concept back in May. And when we say shatter, we really mean obliterate, claiming  a time of 7:47.79 compared to Peugeot’s already-impressive 9:01.3. To put that into perspective, that’s a lap time comparable to some of the world’s most sought after sports cars like Nissan‘s GT-R and Chevy‘s Corvette ZR1.

It may also seem that this electric car prototype came out of nowhere but is actually a creation from TMG, the independently run organization within Toyota that used to build Toyota’s F1 race cars. Naturally, all the technology and know-how to shatter records is already in play, with TMG applying its experience with the Kinetic Energy Recovery System (KERS) used in its original F1 cars towards the electric race car prototype.

A pair of electric motors sourced from Evo Electric power the prototype, giving it a combined 375-hp and 590 lb-ft of torque. Combine that with a 2,138-lb race car and you’ve got a 0-60 mph speed of 3.9 seconds and a stop speed of 161-mph.

This could be groundbreaking in terms of research and development towards formidable electric car performance. There is plenty to be learned from a car running a lap on the Nurburgring from your traditional car, imagine the data these engineers just gathered with a lap of electric goodness.

GALLERY: Toyota Electric Race Car Prototype

Watch the video after the jump:

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Free Runners from around the world converged in Detroit last weekend to compete in the MINI-sponsored Red Bull Art of Motion competition. This international free-running competition has been held in cities around the world, and the event in Detroit was the only US stop, as well as the final one, for the 2011 series.

This hot sport is currently a YouTube favorite. Basically, a Free Runner’s goal is to complete a course in an urban setting that’s filled with obstacles of all kinds with as much creativity, style and skill as possible. It’s cool to watch these athletes defy gravity as they leap gorges between buildings and obstacles in awe-inspiring and gasp-inducing feats of lightness. MINI got in on the action, and the all-new MINI Coupe was part of the obstacle course at Russell Industrial Center, while a MINI Clubman was one of many obstacles at Detroit’s Hart Plaza during the final round. Free Runners flipped, vaulted and rolled their way over these cars during their routines in this competition.

Video of the competition after the jump
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Our neighbors in the North want to see green in their future. No, not just money, but also green energy. Hence the Government of Ontario (Canada) has teamed up with one of the worlds largest automotive parts manufacturer Magna International Inc. to develop electric vehicle technologies.

The project is said to cost $441-million and will take about six-years to develop. The Ontario government will contribute $50-million towards this green project.

Ontario wants to be taken seriously about its plans for a greener future and is attracting car companies to move it towards this goal. Earlier this year, Toyota announced that it will produce the RAV4 EV model in Ontario, which will be the first electric vehicle produced by Toyota outside of Japan.

The project with Magna will help develop electric car parts and lightweight materials which will be used by other manufacturers. The Ford Focus EV was partly developed by Magna.

Frank Stronach, the founder of Magna owns a 27% stake in a electric car company called E-Car Venture, a connection that will surely help in moving this new project forward.

[Source: Automotive News]

To celebrate the company’s 25th anniversary, Acura is producing a Special Edition of the TSX. The TSX Special Edition model will give the popular sedan a sportier, more aggressive look – a good thing, considering the upgrades are all cosmetic.

The TSX will receive a more aggressive front spoiler, unique side sills and rear fascia as well as new polished 17-inch alloy rims with a dark grey background. On the inside, the seats will be finished with black suede inserts that contrast the red stitching. The red stitching will also carry over on the steering wheel and shift knob. The red theme continues on the gauges, overhead lighting and foot-well. The sedan will also receive aluminum pedals and silver plating for the steering-wheel-mounted shifters.

Powering the TSX will be the K24 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, mated to either a close-ratio 6-speed manual or 5-speed automatic transmission. The TSX Special Edition will make its debut at the Orange Country International Auto Show on September 22nd, and will likely go on sale at the same time.

GALLERY: TSX Special Edition

Despite the fact that it’s available in Canada, BMW‘s U.S. arm has said that due to high demand in Europe and a relatively week U.S. Dollar/Euro exchange rate, it has decided to postpone introduction of the X1 south of the 49th Parallel.

The baby crossover was initially slated to arrive at U.S. dealers sometime in 2010, though now the earliest it will likely surface here is sometime in 2013 after it receives a mid-life freshening.

“Global demand for the X1 is still extremely strong in markets where our volume potential is high for this type of vehicle,” said a BMW executive. “Here in the US, the X3 is and likely will continue to be our volume (crossover).”

So, for those U.S. motorists who want their own X1 before anybody else, in the meantime, there’s only one solution; head North.

GALLERY: BMW X1

[Source: Inside Line]

The jury is still out as to whether the Toyota Camry will retain its crown as the best selling car in America for the 10th straight year, but if it does, much of the reason will have to do with the hybrid model.

During the launch of the all-new 2012 Camry just a few weeks back, Toyota Group Vice President and General Manager Bob Carter announced that the company is forecasting sales of roughly 50,000 units for thew new gas-electric model, nearly double the 28,000 units moved last year.

Toyota’s prediction is well founded, with the Camry already touted as the winner in Toyota’s new Camry lineup. Perhaps the most significantly updated of the group, the Camry Hybrid makes a serious leap in fuel economy, offering a 41-mpg average, while also making a healthy 200-hp.

GALLERY: 2012 Toyota Camry Hybrid

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2012 Camry review, or watch our video review after the jump:

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Unveiled at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, the Infiniti JX Concept will go into production as both an all-wheel drive model and as a front-drive version, marking the start of more front-drivers to come.

Following the JX will be a niche market electric car based on the Nissan Leaf’s front-drive architecture. After that, look for a small luxury hatchback based based on the Etherea concept and competing with cars like the Audi A3, BMW 1 Series and Lexus CT200h. And it might not end there either with Nissan of the Americas product boss Larry Dominique commenting in a recent interview with Automotive News that, “Customers really don’t care that much about the platform beneath their car.”

With greater efficiencies with front-drive platforms, in terms of both fuel economy and packaging, Dominique did confirm that despite these advantages, certain models (like the G and M), will remain rear-drivers.

Allowing Infiniti to leave the rear-drive only mindset behind is its progressive design language says Nissan global design boss Shiro Nakamura. In the past Infiniti had to rely on rear-drive, due both to it being an emerging brand and because its designs were too close to Nissan models. That, however, has changed and Nakamura believes Infiniti’s current and future styling will allow the brand to stand alone as a pure luxury marque.

GALLERY: Infiniti JX Concept

[Source: Automotive News]