Amp Electric Vehicles announced that they’ll be heading to the 2012 Detroit Auto Show with a new electric vehicle based on an iconic American SUV. What SUV Amp has electrified this time around is not known, but recently they debuted their Mercedes-Benz ML, so it might not be a far reach to anticipate a Jeep Grand Cherokee EV.

In a recent interview, Amp CEO Jim Taylor expressed his wishes to produce another SUV that would be more affordable and use a domestic platform since they scrapped their plans for a Chevrolet Equinox EV. Amp did announce that the production EV SUV would offer 100-miles of electric range or more, while offering the same appearance and capabilities as the platform that it’s based on. Even cooler, those attending the 2012 Detroit Auto Show will be able to not only check it out in person, but go for a ride at the show’s Ride & Drive track.

Rumored for months and perhaps even years, Hyundai has confirmed it will offer a Veloster Turbo model. Announced by Hyundai Motor America CEO John Krafcik at a media dinner in Las Vegas on the eve of the SEMA Show, the car will officially debut at the Detroit Auto Show this January. Krafcik was mum on Details regarding the engine output but did say it will be a turbocharged direct injection 1.6-liter 4-cylinder. Past reports have indicated the engine will make 204-hp and 195 lb-ft of torque.

At the SEMA Show Hyundai does have plans to unveil a turbocharged Veloster, but it won’t be a production car. Far from it. Built by ARK Performance, the race-inspired tuner car (above) will, however, sport a 210-hp twin-scroll turbocharged 1.6-liter.

When the Veloster Turbo is finally unveiled it won’t be along with Krafcik also promising the debut of the 2013 Genesis Coupe in the Motor City.

Discuss this story at Veloster.org

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Previous to its unveiling at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, Hyundai had already announced some of the most important details about the new Veloster. We were told it would be powered by a 1.6-liter 4-cylinder engine that makes 138-hp and 123 ft-lbs of torque and offered with either a 6-speed manual or a dual-clutch 6-speed automatic. Hyundai also said it would get 40-mpg on the highway.

What we didn’t know is what it would look like, and in a vehicle targeted at young Gen-Y customers, looks are very, very important.

Being given our first look at the car in Detroit, it’s interesting to see how the unique design of the car works, with two doors on the passenger side and one on the driver’s side. 17-inch wheels are standard with 18s are optional and chunky flared fenders sit at each corner.

Another big selling feature is certain to be the standard 7-inch LCD touch-screen, as well as Hyundai’s new Blue Link telematics system – essentially Hyundai’s version of OnStar. Blue Link will offer safety features like Automatic Crash Notification and roadside assistance, while it also enables voice text messaging, remote vehicle start, remote door opening, and plenty of other features.

Aiding in the overall driving dynamics is a notably low curb weight, with the manual transmission models just 2,584 lbs, while dual-clutch automatics weigh 2,657 lbs.

Available options include leather seats and a 450-watt 8-speaker audio system. Set to go on sale soon, the Veloster will be available in an array of brilliant colors, including Century White, Ironman Silver, Triathlon Gray, Ultra Black, Marathon Blue, Electrolyte Green, 26.2 Yellow, Vitamin C (Orange), or Boston Red.

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After a buildup that lasted a year, BMW finally revealed it’s new 1 Series M Coupe at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show, giving us our first chance for an up-close look at the latest M machine.

Using the company’s twin-turbo 3.0-liter straight-six, the 1M Coupe makes 340-hp and 332 ft-lbs of torque, plus an overboost function helps deliver an extra 37 ft-lbs. Using a six-speed manual transmission (the only one available), the 1M Coupe can hit 60-mph in just 4.7 seconds – meaning that if BMW does decide to also offer the car with a dual-clutch transmission, that number would easily be 4.5.

Pushing the M Drive button improves throttle response, while the M Dynamic Mode button limits the traction and stability control.

And while the engine numbers aren’t astonishing, there’s far more to the 1M Coupe than straight power, with the car weighing 77 lbs less than a 135i and several hundred pounds less than an M3. Handling is also improved with wider fenders to house the new 19-inch wheels with 245/35/19 tires up front and 265/35/19 tires in the rear. The actual track of the car has also been widened considerably, with the rear track 1.8-inches wider than stock and the front track 2.8-inches wider that stock.

Outside the sports coupe does take the M3 style a step further with a more edgy design and quad exhaust pipes, while the interior is typical M with sports seats, a thick steering wheel with M colored stitching and a few other accent pieces.

There is one down side to this new model, however, and that’s the price with BMW stickering the sports car with a hefty $47,010 tag.

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Debuting at the Detroit Auto Show in both hatchback and sedan forms, the Sonic will compete against established rivals in the sub-compact segment like the Honda Fit and Toyota Yaris, not to mention newcomers like the Ford Fiesta. Aiming to attract younger buyers with sporty styling, the Sonic also has power on tap with a standard 135-hp 1.8L 4-cylinder, as well as an optional 138-hp 1.4-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder – both of which are borrowed from the Chevy Cruze.

No fuel economy numbers have been released but expect close to if not over 40-mpg highway from the 1.4T engine. Helping get what will no doubt be excellent fuel economy is a 6-speed automatic transmission, with the option of a 6-speed stick shift on 1.4T models.

The interior looks to be a massive leap forward from the Aveo, taking inspiration from the Cruze and using higher-grade materials. And like the Aveo RS concept from last year’s Detroit show, it retains the motorcycle-inspired instrumentation with a large, circular analog tachometer and a digital speedometer.

Designed for functionality, the Sonic hatchback gets 19 cubic feet of cargo room behind the rear seats, which expands to 37 cu-ft with the seats folded flat. Chevy claims that’s better than the Fiesta, although in terms of roominess, the Fiesta is hardly a benchmark in the segment. The Sonic sedan does, however, get 15 cubic feet of space, which is roughly the same size as you might expect in a mid-size sedan.

As for features, all models will come equipped with stability control and 10 airbags, while optional goodies include remote start and heated front seats.

Pricing for the Sonic sedan and hatch will be released closer to the car’s on sale date later this year.

See video of the Sonic Z-Spec concept after the jump:

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Crime is something often associated with Detroit, though the many who’ve been there will tell you the Motor City doesn’t deserve the bad wrap it frequently seems to get in the press.

However, an incident this week during the North American International Auto Show festivities did nothing to quell such notions.

BMW, like many other major manufacturers, besides having a prominent display of new vehicles on the floor at Cobo Hall, also brings in cars to shuttle executives and other guests, from the show to hotels and functions. However, one of these cars suffered at the hands of thieves.

Having finished its shuttle duties, a BMW 750iX was due to be loaded on the transporter and shipped back to the company’s New Jersey headquarters. However after a valet had pulled it out in front of the Westin Book Cadillac hotel, ready for loading, two thieves jumped in the idling car and drove off.

As of this morning, police were still looking for the vehicle. “It’s an unfortunate incident,” said BMW spokeswoman Stacy Morris.

However despite this irritating setback, BMW stated that it is still firmly committed to the North American International Auto Show.

[Source: MSNBC]

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With the 2011 North American International Auto Show having come to a close, its time for a look back at the biggest reveals and wildest concepts. Thanks to the AutoGuide video crew we have an extensive selection of vehicle overviews, as well as full video of the live reveals – so you can see what we do.

At a show dominated by new hybrids, not all were joyless green machines. In fact, some were quite the opposite – like the 767-hp Porsche 918 RSR.

On the more conventional hybrid side, Toyota rolled out the Prius V and Prius C Concept, expanding the name of the most popular hybrid into a brand. Ford then announced its plans to hit back against Toyota, introducing the C-Max Hybrid. Based on the C-Max MPV (another Detroit debut), the Hybrid version will get better fuel economy than the Fusion Hybrid and will be able to operate on pure electric power above 47-mpg. In addition to the C-Max Hybrid was the C-Max Energi, a plug-in hybrid that promises even better fuel economy and a total range of 500 miles.

Some of the more important mainstream vehicles included the Honda Civic Concept, as well as the official introduction of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, which is based on an all new, larger platform for the American market and will be built in America too. At Chrysler, the redesigned 300 was unveiled, while Ford showed the Vertrek Concept, which previews the next iteration of the Escape. Chevy rolled out its latest small car, the Sonic, while Buick introduced its first ever compact car, the Verano.

As for the important North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards, it was a no-contest bout with the Chevrolet Volt taking the prize in the car category, while the all new Ford Explorer takes home bragging rights in the truck list.

See AutoGuide’s video coverage below and for more extensive news see our landing page here.

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The biggest debut at this year’s North American International Auto Show may have been a hybrid, but that doesn’t mean it’s not exciting. On the contrary, the Porsche 918 RSR is 767-hp of proof that hybrids can most certainly be cool. Based on the 918 Spider which also stole the show in Geneva last year, it’s a clear sign that Porsche is serious about hybrids, not just for its road cars, but also for its future in motorsports.

A very long list of other hybrids also made their debut in Detroit, including one surprisingly stylish one from Toyota. While it’s no surprise to see Toyota release a hybrid, the Prius c Concept defies the Toyota corporate mandate to be boring with great styling. As a concept, details are scarce, but Toyota says it will hit the market in 2012. The car is part of a larger effort by Toyota to grow the Prius name; with the Japanese automaker also unveiling a new Prius v wagon that will hit dealers this Summer.

Yet another hybrid on display came from Ford in the form of the C-Max Hybrid. Based on the C-Max MPV (another Detroit debut), the Hybrid version will get better fuel economy than the Fusion Hybrid and will be able to operate on pure electric power above 47-mpg. In addition to the C-Max Hybrid was the C-Max Energi, a plug-in hybrid that promises even better fuel economy and a total range of 500 miles. And let’s not forget the Audi A6 Hybrid, that can travel up to 62-mph on electric power.

Some of the more important mainstream vehicles included the Honda Civic Concept, as well as the official introduction of the 2012 Volkswagen Passat, which is based on an all new, larger platform for the American market and will be built in America too. At Chrysler, the redesigned 300 was unveiled, while Ford showed the Vertrek Concept, which previews the next iteration of the Escape. Chevy rolled out its latest small car, the Sonic, while Buick introduced its first ever compact car, the Verano.

As for the important North American Car and Truck of the Year Awards, it was a no-contest bout with the Chevrolet Volt taking the prize in the car category, while the all new Ford Explorer takes home bragging rights in the truck list.

For the complete 2011 Detroit Auto Show breakdown, hit the jump or see our landing page here.

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Announcing the launch of the Prius family of vehicles at the Detroit Auto Show, Toyota unveiled the new Prius v hybrid, as well as a new smaller Prius concept. Called the Prius c Concept, the vehicle is an obvious evolution of the FT-CH concept that debuted at the Detroit show just a year ago.

Designed as a stylish take on the Prius, Toyota is aiming this model at young urban singles who are interested in driving green, but who also want a vehicle that looks good.

No details about a drivetrain were provided, but Bob Carter, Toyota Division VP and General Manager did comment at the car’s reveal that it will get better fuel economy than the Prius – so look for something above 50-mpg. As more of an entry level model, it’s also slated to get a more attractive price.

We won’t have to wait too long for the production model either with Carter confirming that it will be in production in 2012.

GALLERY: Toyota Prius c Concept

GALLERY: Toyota Prius C Concept Debut

Speaking just a day after Toyota officially announced the expansion of the Prius hybrid into a whole lineup of vehicles at the Detroit Auto Show, General Motors CEO Daniel Akerson has confirmed the Chevy Volt will follow a similar path.

Speaking at the Automotive News World Congress, Akerson said both a hatchback and MPV version of the Volt will come to market in “the next few years.”

GM had been rumored to show off the Volt MPV5 concept in Detroit; a car that first debuted at the Beijing Auto Show last year. Based on the same platform as the Chevrolet Orlando, the MPV5 concept shows how the Volt’s powertrain can be adapted to a more family-friendly platform.

The Volt hatchback would likely be similar to the Prius v in size, but of course use the Volt’s extended range engine to deliver superior fuel economy.

[Source: Automotive News]