Leaked photos of the 2013 Genesis Coupe have already hit the net showcasing a Veloster-style nose for the Hyundai sports car. Now new shots have revealed one of the engine options – and it’s a good one.

Rumors had suggested the base 2.0T 4-cylinder would be upgraded to equal the power of that in the new Sonata, with 274-hp on tap. As for the V6, it was expected to get direct-injection, much like in the 2012 Genesis Sedan, to generate 333-hp. And rumors of the R-Spec’s 5.0-liter continued to surface in the hope there was some truth to them.

The latest photos have confirmed at least one engine, and it’s none of the above. Instead, look for a supercharged V6 to find its way under the hood of the new 2013 Genesis Coupe. This should help it deliver power on par with the big 5.0-liter, but in a more compact space and with a lower weight.

[Source: Autoblog]

With the launch of its new Coupe model, MINI is continuing to push ahead with its “Manualhood” marketing campaign, releasing a campy new video styled after a 1950s public service announcement. Titled “Becoming a Manual” the PSA outlines that this important stage in growing up. “Manualhood is when your body is craving more exhilaration than an automatic can provide,” explains the gym teacher.

Plus, the video highlights the many advantages to driving stick, like improved fuel economy, heightened driving enjoyment and a lower price. It even explains just how easy operating a clutch-and-paddle transmission is. And of course, there’s plenty of humor tossed in.

Still not sure you’re ready to drive stick? Thankfully MINI has also provided a “Becoming a Manual” handbook, which you can download from the brand’s Facebook page here.

Watch the video after the jump:

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In a bid to stay competitive with rivals like the Porsche 911 and Chevrolet Corvette, Nissan is once again planning to increase the performance of its halo GT-R. According to new rumors the 2013 GT-R will feature modified intake and exhaust systems with added boost to generate as much as 570-hp.

For 2012 Nissan upped power considerably from the original so that the current model now makes 522-hp and 451 lb-ft of torque.

Other 2013 model year upgrades are set to include new aerodynamic and cooling adjustments, as well as transmission and suspension changes. No changes are expected for the bodywork, but look for the Premium Black Edition and Egoist to now be offered in North America.

With all these upgrades Nissan is expected to head back to the Nurburgring in search of an improved time in October. The original GT-R once held the Nurburgring production car record at 7.28, which was later topped by the Chevy Corvette and Dodge Viper. Subsequent repeat efforts have seen that time drop to 7:26.7 and most recently a 7:24.22. Even a solid gain won’t help the GT-R reclaim the title, however, with the Dodge Viper ACR recently setting a 7:12 lap time.

GALLERY: 2012 Nissan GT-R

[Source: NAGTROC]

Last week, details surfaced of OnStar’s revised Terms and Conditions that allows the company to perform private data tracking on vehicles equipped with their device, whether the owner is a subscriber for OnStar’s service or not.

Even though OnStar, a telematics subsidiary of GM, had written a press release to assure customers that its two-way connection would only be used to alert vehicle occupants of an emergency weather condition that might necessitate evacuation or inform owners of recalls for their car, New York Democrat Senator Charles Schumer still felt it was necessary to call them out. “By tracking drivers even after they’ve canceled their service, OnStar is attempting one of the most brazen invasions of privacy in recent memory. I urge OnStar to abandon this policy and for (the Federal Trade Commission) to immediately launch a full investigation to determine whether the company’s actions constitute an unfair trade practice.”

Senator Schumer and a significant number of others are skeptical of OnStar’s intent to use this powerful technology only for the benefit of vehicle owners equipped with OnStar. Vice President of GM OnStar, Joanne Finorn, has made assurances that no private information has been sold. However, Finorn adds that if OnStar chooses to sell their information in the future, the data would be aggregated and no individual information would be for sale.

[Source: TheDetroitBureau]

A report by Roland Berger Strategy Consultants claims that by 2015, Brazil will be the world’s third largest auto market, with China and the United States occupying the first and second slots respectively.

Brazil will displace Japan as the third largest market, as sales are expected to double to 6.6 million vehicles by 2020. The report also claims that Chinese and Indian auto makers will export vehicles to Brazil en masse and could grab 10 percent of the market by 2020. Volkswagen, Ford and Fiat have long enjoyed market dominance in Brazil, but a flood of cheap cars from China and India could radically alter the balance of market share in an economy where merely having a car is seen as a major step-up from two-wheeled transportation.

[Source: The Truth About Cars]

Ford may begin building electric cars in China via joint ventures with Chinese auto makers, replicating the tactics of rivals like General Motors and Daimler AG, parent company of Mercedes-Benz. China is looking to add 1 million EVs by 2015 as part of an effort to curb emissions and the dependence on fossil fuels.

Ford CEO Alan Mulally was in China for the groundbreaking of a new engine assembly plant with local partner Changan Automobile Group, part of a $1.6 billion effort to build four new factories in China. Mulally expects China to play a key part in boosting Ford sales by 50 percent by 2015, and Ford’s Lincoln brand may become part of that strategy, as Chinese demand for luxury cars is rapidly growing.

[Source: The Detroit News]

During the U.N. General Assembly in New York City last week, a Mercedes-Benz S550 belonging to a diplomat from the United Arab Emirates was stolen after its driver went to get himself a cup of tea.

Ghulan Rehmani, a resident of Queens, New York, left the vehicle running after he went to a shop to grab himself a beverage.  ”I was in there for only a minute, and when I came outside it was gone,” Rehmani said in an interview with the Global Post. “He made a U-turn, jumped the sidewalk and hit the building.”

The vehicle suffered a flat tire and some dented bodywork, while the thief remains at large.

[Source: Global Post]

The MV-1 marks a new milestone in auto manufacturing – it’s the first vehicle that’s factory ready for wheelchair-bound owners. Built at the AM General assembly plant (it used to produce the Hummer H2), the MV-1 is called the “first mobility vehicle” by Florida-based Vehicle Production Group, the company that makes it, and it plans to sell about 10,000 units next year.

Although there have been vehicles for people in wheelchairs, they were aftermarket conversion kits and were so expensive, they remained out of reach for many. But the MV-1 has a starting price of $40,000 – a similar converted vehicle can cost anywhere from $60,000.

With a Roush-created platform, the MV-1 is powered by Ford Motor Co.’s bulletproof 4.6-liter V-8 engine and comes with 190 cubic feet of interior space in a body-on-frame platform. Able to seat six, the MV-1 makes it easy to enter the vehicle, as it offers a low floor and 36-inch-wide doors, while its ramp can take up to 1,200 pounds. And even better, if you’re in a wheelchair, you can sit up front, instead of sitting in the back.

“This is the first factory-built vehicle that meets all of the American with Disabilities Act requirements,” said Dave Schembri, Vehicle Production Group’s CEO. “I feel like a proud parent today.”

[Source: The Detroit News]

Ford fans, start your engines! Ford’s new TV series, Octane Academy, is coming to FUEL TV and its adrenaline-pumping challenges will get your motor revving.

This 13-episode original television series follows driving contestants of Octane Academy as they are put through the paces of a series of challenges while staying at four action sports camps. There will be three episodes for each of the camps and will begin airing in early 2012 on FUEL TV.

“We’re really excited to bring Ford’s Octane Academy to life in an exciting show that will feature quick cuts, comic relief and risk-taking scenarios that take both the pro drivers and everyday Joes out of their comfort zones in the name of entertainment,” said Peter Vesey, FUEL TV Vice President, Advertising Sales.

You can start watching Ford’s Octane Academy this November, which starts with the first camp hosted by Brian Deegan. Taking up the challenge of the academy will be 32 ultimate fans who get the chance to be behind the wheel of a sports car. These lucky contestants will be paired up with famous Ford action sports drivers, including Brian Deegan, Ken Block, Tanner Foust and Vaughn Gittin Jr. They’ll get to test out their driving skills using the F-150 SVT Raptor, Mustang and the Focus.

The race to get into Ford’s Octane Academy started this July and garnered more than 6,000 applications and 850 video submissions. The racing hopefuls had to explain why they have what it takes to survive a weekend of on- and off-road challenges. Out of those applicants, only 32 were picked to compete in the four camps that will be hosted over the course of the year. Eight contestants participate in each camp and have to battle it out with a battery of challenges and dares over one long weekend. Each of the Ford action sports drivers get to design their ultimate playground for the contestants, and give them a crash course in how to master the road while testing their attitudes, athleticism and audacity. Drivers who stand out move ahead and pick up prizes, and the overall winner of each camp will be awarded a new Ford vehicle of their choice.

The 2012 Honda CR-V Concept was just unveiled earlier this week at Anaheim, California’s Orange County International Auto Show.

Honda America’s Executive Vice President of Sales John Mendel proudly boasts, “As the best-selling SUV in each of the past four years, the 2012 CR-V promises to build on its highly successful formula with even more style, innovative features and higher fuel economy.”

While the press release raves on about the CR-V Concept’s bold new design, similarities in lines and proportions to the outgoing CR-V’s are obvious. Since the CR-V is one of Honda’s best selling products, it would make better sense for the CR-V to receive measured and incremental improvements so as to not alienate its loyal customers and long-time owners.

According to leaked details, look for a base 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine with 180-hp and 170 lb-ft of torque, while a new 2.5-liter will make 201-hp and 177 lb-ft.

The production version of the new Honda CR-V will debut in November at the Los Angeles Auto Show.

GALLERY: Honda CR-V Concept