BMW‘s chief executive, Norbert Reithofer has confirmed that the company plans to offer yet another ‘sport activity vehicle,’ this latest one to be called the X4.

Derived from the X3 (shown here), this new crossover is expected to be smaller and significantly more sporty, with its own signature styling in an effort to differentiate it from its more pedestrian counterpart, as well as featuring a re-tuned suspension and chassis to promote better handling. Designed to seat four, in some respects it appears to be a ‘baby’ version of the still controversial X6 and aimed at the likes of Porsche’s upcoming Cajun as well as the Audi Q5.

In terms of driveline options, four and six-cylinder gas engines and diesels are very much likely as are six-speed manual;  seven-speed double clutch and eight-speed automatic transmissions.

Like the X3, the new X4 will be built at BMW’s facility in Spartanburg, South Carolina and there’s also rumored to be a M version coming down the pike. This one will probably boast a twin-turbocharged ‘next generation’ in-line six-cylinder engine under the hood and special styling touches, along with requisite suspension and chassis enhancements.

[Source: Autocar]

Ever wonder how much that road trip is going to cost you in gas? Before you pack up the car, download the Cost2Drive app to see if you’ve got enough cash for gas to make it to your destination.

Cost2Drive will estimate how much it will cost to fuel up on a road trip. All you have to do is enter a starting address, ending address, and the make, model, and year of your vehicle, and Cost2Drive will do the rest. This super smart app calculates how much money you’ll need to fuel up based on the distance between the starting and ending points, the highway fuel economy estimate for your vehicle, the size of your vehicle’s gas tank and what type of fuel it uses. It even sources gas prices along your route and factors them into your total cost.

If your travelling budget is a little on the tight side, Cost2Drive will show you the gas stations that have the lowest fuel prices along your route, and how often you should stop to fill up. Although Cost2Drive only estimates for one-way trips, it’s easy enough to either double that amount or figure out your return trip home.

If you’re eco-conscious, Cost2Drive can help you out there, too. It also offers displays the carbon footprint for your selected trip and it has an option to purchase carbon offsets in order to make your trip as green as possible.

Let’s just say that after you plug in all the information and the time, money and distance estimates are a little too much for you to handle. In that case, Cost2Drive also offers the Kayak trip planning service, which will show you the lowest airfare to your chosen destination. You can compare flying vs. driving and weight the pros and cons for each method of transportation.

The Cost2Drive app costs $1.99 in the iTunes App Store, or you can use the free service on the Cost2Drive website.

[Source: Cnet]

Those Canadians have to put a lot of thought into their tires. Seasonal weather conditions alone are enough to make their heads spin. So how do they pick a tire that’s right for their car? Well, the crafty Canucks at Canadian Tire just made the process a whole lot easier with its online tire store and Help Me Choose feature.

Canadian Tire’s new online tire store was designed to make buying tires and wheels online easier. Customers can browse over 8,000 products and make informed purchase decisions. They can search based on vehicle, model year, tire size, tire type, and brand, as well as build a custom selected tire and wheel package.

If consumers want to see how different tire brand stack up next to the competition, they can use the site’s enhanced product comparison capabilities and make an informed choice using detailed product information. There is also a handy “Help Me Choose” feature that takes consumers through the purchase process so they can make the right decisions for their vehicles.

“Customers have turned to Canadian Tire for their automotive needs and we are excited to extend our broad assortment of tires and wheels online,” said Allan MacDonald, Senior Vice President, Automotive for Canadian Tire. “The launch of the online tire store not only provides Canadians with a new and innovative resource to help them buy the right tires for their vehicle, it also speaks to our commitment to raising the bar on the customer experience.”

The site offers a user friendly experience, and also includes a product support area that features informational articles, how-to videos, buying guides and FAQs. Once you pick your product, Canadians can have it shipped to a store near them at no extra charge so they can pick it up of have it installed.

If you’re living in the Great White North, head over to www.canadiantire.ca/tires and give the site a whirl.

Ferrari is launching their first winter driving school on American school in January, 2012, with the aptly named Winter Driving Experience in Aspen, Colorado. Participants will get to use the all-wheel drive Ferrari FF 4-seater, and conduct a variety of driving exercises on both snow and ice.

Ferrari didn’t announce further details regarding specifics of the program, but expect it to cost big bucks and resemble Porsche’s excellent Camp4 program.

Heico Sportiv has been Volvo‘s official partner for vehicle individualization since 2008, and their newest creation is their take on Volvo’s V60 wagon. Heico is well known to add sportiness to Volvo’s creations, often times transforming Volvos in a way very few can in a classy and subtle fashion. Their V60 tuning program transforms the family wagon to something anyone would sport on the road thanks to their polyurethane body kit, 19-inch wheels, suspension, new exhaust, upgraded brakes and a classy, luxurious interior.

The exterior modifications begins with Heico’s two-piece front spoiler and rear apron with a carbon fiber diffuser. Heico then outfits the V60 with a set of 19×8-inch Volution VII wheels in a black diamond cut matte finish. Heico chooses to pair the wheels up to a set of Pirelli rubber. The vehicle is then lowered about 1.2-inches, giving it a better stance and handling capabilities. The V60 also sports a much deeper tone thanks to its quad-tipped exhaust system.

The braking system on Heico’s V60 now features six-piston calipers with a blue finish and Heico Sportiv logo. Larger disk brakes also aid in enhanced braking. On the inside, Heico will outfit any Volvo with a reupholstered leather interior, with the V60 getting a Chestnut finish complemented by an Alcantara roof liner.

Last but not least, Heico will have their e.motion 2.0 tuning program available for the V60. The e.motion is a plug-and-play supplementary engine control unit that comes up with up to 5 years warranty and is available for various Volvo engines. Performance increases vary of course, but the T6 engine goes from 304-hp to 330-hp. Each e.motion has settings for the driver to choose from, and one can opt for the Performance button, providing a more aggressive power curve and intense driving experience.

No pricing was announced for any of the mentioned products for the V60.

GALLERY: Heico Sportiv Volvo V60

When it comes to collector’s items inspired by the Lamborghini Aventador, you may not be able to afford the scale model version, but you may be able pick up the limited edition pen without taking out a second mortgage.

Lamborghini has partnered with Omas, a well-known Italian manufacturer of writing instruments, to create the Automobili Lamborghini by Omas collection. This is latest edition to the series, and will be limited in the number available for purchase.

Boasting perfect handling (just like the Aventador), this pen features advanced mechanics, with a highly ergonomic design that is meant to enhance writing pleasure.It has been made with the highest precision by using the bayonet closing system, and its unique Aventador-inspired look will ensure you don’t missplace this pen or lend it out.

The pen comes on the heels of the Lamborghini Aventador model launch and there will only be 700 available for sale for every color and model (the limit of 700 reflects the Aventador’s horsepower). The Aventador Automobili Lamborghini by Omas pen can be ordered in black or orange cotton resin with ruthenium trim and carbon fiber inserts. No word on the price yet, but other pens in the series have sold for around $2,300.

[Source: Born Rich]

Good news for parents – taking a stand against distracted driving, Sprint has just launched a new app that disables smart phone functions while driving.

The Sprint Drive First app locks your cell phone when the car is moving over 10 mph and sends calls automatically to voice mail. It won’t distract you with an annoying beep to let you know you just got a new email or text, and just to let the sender know you can’t get to your phone at the moment, the app sends out an automated, customizable message as a response. Once you come to a stop, the app can tell you’re not moving anymore, so it will unlock your cell phone. Even if you’re stopped in traffic, it won’t unlock your phone unless you’ve been sitting there for a few minutes.

If you want to override the app and turn on your phone, just hit the Exit or 911 buttons, but be warned teenagers – your parents will receive a notification. For even more control, parents can choose up to five numbers that can ring through the locked phone  and three apps that can still be used when the car is moving, such as GPS or a music player.

Sprint is the latest cell phone carrier to fight distracted driving with a dedicated app.  AT&T recently released a similar app for Blackberry users that sends an auto-reply to texts, emails and calls. And in January, T-Mobile unveiled an app that limits smartphone functions while driving.

Sprint Drive First will cost $2 a month and will only be available on Android. If you’ve got a Blackberry, don’t worry – a version of the app will be available for your phone in the near future.

[Source: Consumer Reports]

Paul Teutul’s Hurst Edition Trans Am is already up for sale with only 100-miles on the odometer with a ridiculous price tag of $125,000. Clearly there’s a price to pay for a vehicle that was once in the hands of a celebrity. The Kevin Morgan-designed Trans Am is a reworked 2011 Chevrolet Camaro SS sporting a body transformation and new paint scheme, along with Hurst’s standard conversion modifications.

The extensive list of modifications include an Eibach spring kit and anti-roll kit, 20-inch Forged T6 6061 Hurst Deep Dish wheels on all four corners with Pirelli P-Zero rubber, RTM OE-style Shaker hood, functional air intake Shaker scoop, flanged drop fender extractors, RIM urethane front and rear bumpers, three-piece rear spoiler, new side skirts, Xenon HID quad headlights, new fog lights, front running lights, LED brake and taillights, LED custom turn signals and parking lights, a Hurst shifter, custom sill plates, and hurst decal package. Under the hood is a supercharger for the LS3 V8 while the interior is completely decked out with gold-and-black 1970s-themed interior.

Worth the price tag? We’ll leave that up to you.

[Source: eBay via Autoblog]

GALLERY: 2011 Hurst Edition Pontiac Trans Am – Paul Teutul Collection

Recently it has been revealed that owners of GM vehicles equipped with OnStar, whether subscribed to the service or not, risk the involuntary disclosure of private and sensitive data collected from the vehicle’s GPS unit.

A strong backlash ensued as critics accused OnStar of selling private information including vehicle speed, location, and seatbelt usage, to law enforcement, insurance companies, and traffic surveyors.

OnStar responded with a press release regarding the matter. Joanne Finnorn, Vice President of Onstar Subscriber Services, wrote a statement assuring that, “Onstar will maintain a two-way connection to their vehicle unless they ask us not to do so… This connection may provide us with the capability to alert vehicle occupants about severe weather conditions or mandatory evacuations… If the customer requests us to turn off the two-way connection, we will do so as we have always done, and that is to honor customer’s requests… We have never  sold any personally identifiable information to any third party.”

[Source: Autoblog]

Set to debut at this year’s Orange County Auto Show, specs for the 2012 CR-V leaked earlier and now patent drawings have joined the party, revealing the new CR-V in all its black-and-white glory. There aren’t many surprises on the 2012 CR-V, from what was originally shown off in the concept teaser, though Honda did outfit the production CR-V with more tame (and more boring) wheels.

As mentioned before, the 2012 base CR-V will be powered by a 2.4L engine with 175-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque. A 201-hp, 2.5L option will be available backed with 177 lb-ft of torque. Now the wait begins to see what Honda will be packing inside the interior of the CR-V.

GALLERY: 2012 Honda CR-V Patent Drawings

[Source: Autoblog]