In a completely unprecedented and unexpected move, Honda has announced to its dealers to expect a new Civic by the end of next year. That’s right, the all-new 2012 Honda Civic that just came out is already getting a makeover.

Honda is clearly doing damage control by saying that the revamp is coming early in order to stay ahead of the competition. But there’s little doubt it’s coming because the all-new Civic was so disappointing. In fact, many believe that it was a step backwards from the previous generation’s offerings and that Honda really missed the mark on their iconic model.

At least Honda is being proactive in recognizing that a change needs to be made, hopefully it’s for the better.

As for what we can expect, Honda recently previewed a new lineup of engine and transmission technologies, including a new direct-injection 1.8-liter 4-cylinder engine. In addition, Honda has produced a new CVT transmission for use in compact cars and so its possible that will replace the current 5-speed automatic unit. These changes come as a part of Honda’s new Earth Dreams Technology plan where it aims to deliver vehicles that are not only fuel economy leaders, but performance leaders. too.

GALLERY: 2012 Honda Civic Sedan

[Source: Wheels.ca]

Every year an automaker is chosen to be celebrated at the Goodwood Festival of Speed with an artistic installation directly in front of the historic Goodwood house in West Sussex, England, and a host of classic and shiny new cars on display. For 2012 it will be the iconic English brand Lotus.

This acknowledgement comes at important time in Lotus’ history, both when looking into the future and consulting the past. In 2012 Lotus will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Elan sportscar, the 40th anniversary of the Espirit supercar concept unveiling, the 35th anniversary of the 78 ground effect Lotus F1 car competing for the first time and the 20th anniversary of cyclist Chris Boardman winning a gold medal at the Barcelona summer Olympics while riding the type 108 bicycle developed by Lotus. Next year will mark a big year in the company’s history as well, when the new 2013 Espirit supercar is finally unleashed.

The Goodwood festival’s chosen Marque is always an honor that is bestowed upon a company the organizers feel have had a major influence on car culture and automotive history. Some of the companies that have been celebrated include Jaguar, Audi, Alfa Romeo, and Land Rover just to name a few.

The 2012 Goodwood Festival of Speed begins on June 28 and should be a great celebration of Lotus’ past accomplishments and future endeavors.

Mr. Hayashi out in Japan didn’t want to settle for just any ‘ol mundane Ferrari to add to his collection. He decided to commission Zagato for an extremely rare, modern day version of the 250 GT-based Zagato Coupesbuilt.

The job originally started in 2005 and a Ferrari 575M Maranello was chosen for the base of the project. Ferrari was even consulted early on in the development of the project, and with their blessing Zagato was allowed to place Ferrari badges and logos on the car. The only stipulation was that Zagato would not be allowed to unveil the vehicle at the 2006 Geneva Motor Show since Ferrari was debuting the 599 GTB Fiorano. As a result, this 575 GTZ made its official unveiling at the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este two months later.

Now this extremely unique vehicle is for sale, with this particular one being the second of six completed. It sports only 2,826-miles on the odometer and despite being part of a numbered series, only the first and second examples (both ordered by Mr. Hayashi) features Zagato’s fully encompassing styling efforts. Vehicle number two is the only one featuring an all black exterior and an interesting dark green interior.

No other 575 GTZs will ever be built, and this vehicle can be road registered for use in the United States.

GALLERY: Ferrari 575 GTZ Zagato

[Source: Teamspeed]

For 2014 Chevrolet will be unveiling the all new Impala, which is long overdue for a redesign. The new Impala will be built at the Oshawa, ON assembly plant along side Cadillac’s new flagship XTS model. The two will share the same platform and, it seems, even some styling cues.

Spy photos show the new Impala, still camouflaged of course, but enough that it is obvious that Chevrolet is going after a much more upscale sleek look then the now bland old Impala. This redesign has a lot riding on it as the Impala is one of the most popular fleet cars in North America. If the new 2014 model can retain the family and fleet-friendly pricing of its predecessor and capture the elegance of a Caddy it is sure to be a hit.

GM announced Friday that it will be investing $68 million into the Oshawa plant to get the new line of Impala’s up and running and they should hit dealers sometime in early 2013.

GALLERY:Chevy Impala

[Source: Automotive News]

Ford announced their lineup at the upcoming 2012 Delhi Auto Expo in India, mentioning the world debut of a new global vehicle along with a teaser image. General consensus around here is that this will be Ford’s next EcoSport CUV.

In the release, Ford only mentions that an all-new vehicle planned for global markets will be introduced in India and will be the latest One Ford global product. The second-generation EcoSport will probably be based on the same platform as Ford’s Fiesta, and even though Ford’s all about a global launch, we’re a little hesitant to believe it’ll make it to American shores anytime soon.

Ford will also be showing off their Figo, all-new Fiesta, Classic and Endeavour at the Auto Expo. A total of 12 vehicles will be on display in a new, high-tech booth boasting a 3D theater, live shows and a crowd-sourced interactive driving game.

It might sound like an oxymoron to hear Toyota iQ City Racer, with its 1.3L VVT-i engine pumping out the ever-so massive 98-hp. But that’s not going to stop Toyota from releasing a limited edition iQ aimed at the French market with some sporty aesthetic modifications.

Only 300 units of the iQ City Racer will be produced with several color choices to choose from: Orange Tabasco, Red, Pearl White or Gray Aluminum. To give it the good ‘ol race-inspired look, contrasting racing stripes are added on the vehicle along with new mirror covers, a rear skirt with a black chrome exhaust tip, tinted windows, some imitation carbon fiber elements, City Racer graphics and 16-inch black wheels.

The limited edition City Racer will be available at €19,950 – about $26,000 based on today’s conversion rates – which might sound steep, but considering a Subway footlong is €5 in France rather than $5, we’re assuming it’s a fair price to ask out there in Europe.

GALLERY: Toyota iQ Racer

[Source: Topspeed]

Four years ago, Tesla launched their Roadster to the world, and 2,600 electric sports cars later, Tesla has announced the end of this generation’s production and it’ll go out with 15 Final Edition Roadsters.

Each of Tesla’s major sales regions will get five of the Final Edition models, with the United States, Europe and Asian being those major regions. The special edition Roadster will only come in Atomic Red paint with anthracite wheels and dark silver stripes to contrast the body. Other than that, there are no performance modifications – just your typical limited edition badging inside the car, each uniquely numbered.

[Source: Autoblog Green]

Despite being officially declared bankrupt, Saab still has organizations willing to snap up the remnants, as the former Swedish carmaker goes into liquidation.

It’s probably not surprising, but considering the money it’s already put out to try and save Saab, China’s Zhejiang Youngman Lotus Automobile Co. Ltd, is still interested in acquiring what assets it can, which, according to a spokesman, primarily concerns the Phoenix platform which would have formed the basis for the next generation 9-3, along with other technologies that didn’t hinge on General Motors (part of the reason for Saab’s bankruptcy was GM’s refusal to allow Youngman to acquire the brand, fearing technologies it had invested with the Swedish automaker could end up in Swedish hands).

Yet another suitor comes in the form of the Turkish government. While it is very unlikely Turkey would want to build Saabs per se, the country already boasts a number of assembly plants belonging to foreign automakers, but until now hasn’t had a real domestic brand. If the government is able to acquire Saab assets, including the much valued Phoenix platform, then the Saab 9-3 might live on after all, though under a different name.

Given the twists and turns that have occurred with Saab since its independence from GM, what happens next at this point is anybody’s guess.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Sharing the stage at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show with an all-new SL for 2013 will be two new Mercedes-Benz products designed to deliver heightened fuel economy. Both cars will be based on the current E-Class and both will be hybrids, but that’s where the similarities end.

Up first is the E300 BlueTec Hybrid, using a version of the Mercedes 2.1-liter turbodiesel 4-cylinder. That engine makes 201 hp and 369 lb-ft of torque and will come mated to an electric motor producing 27 hp and 184 lb-ft with a lithium-ion battery pack holding the charge. The result will be a 0-62 mph time of 7.5 seconds and an all-electric range of about a mile at speeds below 35 mph. Mercedes is targeting a fuel economy rating in the high 60 mpg range, although that’s on the generous European cycle.

In addition, Mercedes will unveil the E400 gasoline hybrid using the brand’s 3.5-liter V6 and the same electric motor to deliver roughly 32.4 mpg on the U.S. EPA cycle.

[Source: AutoCar]

Click here to view AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Detroit Auto Show Preview

Toyota has released a lone teaser image of its big reveal at this year’s North American International Auto Show. The sleek-looking machine headlight, gives a glimpse at what Toyota is calling, “an advanced plug-in hybrid concept.”

Presumably a look at the next-gen hybrid tech, Toyota’s current Prius Plug-in Hybrid, which goes on sale this year, gets an impressive 87 MPGe, with a 15 mile electric range.

Another Toyota model to take the stage will be the new Prius c, a sub-compact hybrid based on the Toyota Yaris architecture and using a smaller 1.5-liter gasoline engine mated to the brand’s Hybrid Synergy Drive system to deliver over 50 mpg average.

In addition to this concept, Toyota Motor Corp. will also showcase a new concept under the Lexus brand, with the latest rumors indicating it could be a successor to the SC.

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Detroit Auto Show preview here.