In a deal eclipsing $410 million, DRB-Hicom purchased a 43 percent stake in Proton, a Malaysian automaker better known for its ownership of the famous British sports car brand, Lotus.

Originally, the stake belonged to Malaysia’s state-owned Khazanah Nasional Bhd. However, as Proton has not made a profit in the last two years, multiple prospective buyers stepped in for acquisition talks before the controlling stake was finally approved for DRB-Hicom, a large conglomerate with a hand in automotive services, transport, and power generation.

This investment effectively hands DRB-Hicom the control of two Malaysian car plants that are capable of producing a combined 350,000 vehicles a year. This production number may increase in the future as General Motors just reached out to Proton last month about a possible manufacturing joint venture in Malaysia so that GM could gain better access into the Southeast Asian market. The talks are not yet complete and it will be interesting to see what effects DRB-Hicom will have in the discussions.

What’s more, DRB-Hicom is also the new private owner of Lotus. Unfortunately, this change puts the future of Lotus into question. Lotus has not been able to make a profit for Proton since 1996, an equities investor suggested that all or part of Lotus would likely be sold. Among those interested in Lotus is Genii Capital, a part owner of Lotus Renault GP.

[Source: Bloomberg]

MINI is bringing a race inspired convertible into the market with the unveiling of the Roadster at the 2012 Detroit Auto Show. This is the first two seater open topped vehicle in the English brand’s history and makes the MINI lineup six vehicles strong after the recent introduction of the Coupe (read our review here).

The Roadster will be offered with four engine options, although the Diesel variant will not be offered in North America. The John Cooper Works packaged Roadster will be the largest engine offering possible for the MINI with a 1.6-liter twinpower turbo putting out 208 hp and accelerating the roadster from 0-60 mph in 6.3 seconds. The MINI Cooper S Roadster will be outfiitted with the same 1.6L twinpower turbo, but without some of the race inspired upgrades of the JCW Roadster, and will crank out 181 hp and run from 0-60 mph in 6.7 seconds . The MINI Cooper Roadster is the base model and will sport the 1.6L four cylinder as well, but without the turbo unit, and will generate 121 hp and run 0-60 mph in 8.7 seconds.

The MINI Roadster borrows quite a few features from MINI’s race teams, including a rear spoiler which lifts at 50 mph, stainless steel roll bars, an Electronic Differential Lock Control, and even the choice of sport stripes for the exterior. These features come standard with JCW edition of the roadster. The MINI Roadster also stands 20mm lower than the MINI convertible which shows the cars push to be sportier and even better handling then any of MINI’s other offerings.

In terms of looks, the Roadster keeps all the same classic MINI styling like the round headlights and half moon grill, but appears a little more race inspired thanks to the lower stance, harder swept back windshield and low to the ground skirts.

All in all the MINI Roadster looks like a fun little car.

GALLERY: MINI Roadster

See AutoGuide’s complete 2012 Detroit Auto Show Coverage here

Rumors of the sale of Lotus by its Malaysian parent company Proton have increased steadily since the appointment of CEO Dany Bahar, who has done little to dissuade the rumors. Rather than a sign of instability, Proton has committed to funding the “new Lotus”, and Bahar’s actions have helped keep the small sports car maker in the headlines.

The latest rumor mongering comes from AutoCar, which quotes Bahar as admitting, “Proton could sell Lotus.” In an interview Bahar outlines three clear paths proton could take, “Proton could keep Lotus, float it off or sell it outright.”

Far from speculating, Bahar is simply spelling out reality, commenting that, “It would be quite understandable if an owner that has invested so much wanted to see a return on its investment, especially if the buyer were a major car maker that could back Lotus for the long term.”

Any return on investment won’t happen, however, until Bahar has built Lotus into a desirable company, one that makes money and one that sells cars consumers really want to buy. At last year’s Paris Auto Show, Lotus unveiled its plan for the future, with numerous new models starting with the Esprit, which is set to launch next year.

GALLERY: Lotus Esprit Concept

[Source: AutoCar]

Thanks to Bentley‘s strongest sales performance since 2008, the gentlemen of Crewe are looking to expand their line-up with the introduction of a new luxury SUV by 2014.

Known for its generous application of wood and leather, Bentley does not intend to compete against the likes of Cayenne or Range Rover. Instead, Bentley aims to position its SUV above any other SUV currently on the market. Expect prices to begin at $140,000 plus.

Volkswagen, Bentley’s German owner, also plans to carry this project over to its Lamborghini operation as well. A new Lamborghini SUV would become the third model in the brand’s exotic line-up and would also mark the return of the Lamborghini SUV after the LM002 “Rambo Lambo” was built from 1986 to 1993.

In 2008, Lamborghini first unveiled the 4-door Lamborghini Estoque concept car. Although the sedan was well received by both the press and public, a strong demand for sporty soft-roaders from emerging markets like China, Russia, and India suggest that a high-performance SUV for Lamborghini may be better going forward.

An official Lamborghini address on the matter is expected by the 2012 Geneva Motor Show in March.

[Source: MotorAuthority]

The recession has not been kind to most luxury car manufacturer’s. After all, with the economy on a downturn, even those who can still afford luxuries shy away from frivolous spending.

While the recession was the final nail in Maybach‘s coffin, Bentley has soldiered on and managed to survive the tough economic climate. Not only did Bentley survive, they have bounced back strongly in 2011.

Global sales for Bentley rose by 37% in 2011, totaling 7003 deliveries to customers. In December, they moved 1059 cars, which is not only their best month since the recession, but also the second best month in the history of the company.

The two big reason’s the brand was so successful in 2011 are the U.S. and Chinese markets. The U.S. market retains the top spot, as the biggest market for this British brand. 2021 new Bentley’s were sold to American homes in 2011, while 1839 units were delivered in China.

In Germany, demand for Bentley’s increased by 88%, while the rest of Europe also saw an increase. On this occasion, Bentley’s Chairman Wolfgang Durheimer said: “It has been a tremendously good year for Bentley. The dramatic sales growth reflects a global strength to the Brand and a recognition of the quality, craftsmanship and engineering excellence of our cars. It is also testament to the work of the entire Bentley Team whose passion and daily commitment has delivered this outstanding result. It has been particularly pleasing to see renewed interest in Bentley in established as well as new and emerging markets, all of which is contributing to a positive financial result for 2011.”

The most popular model in 2011 was the Continental GT coupe, and with the launch of the V8 version of this model starting shortly, it will probably help propel Bentley’s sales to even greater heights.

The launch of the next generation MINI Cooper has been reportedly been pushed back, but according to reports, it will be well worth the wait. Sharing a platform with the next-generation 1 Series, the BMW will arrive first with the MINI (code named F56) being revealed in late 2013.

While similar, insiders say the two will be very different and without knowing you’d never guess they shared the same underpinnings. The MINI’s new design has been described as “modern”, and the most dramatic evolution yet, while still being true to the brand identity. It will reportedly gain a more aggressive look, a direction MINI has been heading in since the launch of the Coupe.

Powering the new cars will be a brand-new 1.5-liter turbocharged 3-cylinder engine, with roughly 120 hp in the base Cooper and 180 hp in the Cooper S. That tiny yet powerful engine will show huge gains in fuel economy with as much as 40 mpg highway for the Cooper S and 45 mpg highway for the base Cooper.

With that engine seemingly tapped-out for power, the new platform will reportedly have room for a larger 4-cylinder engine as well – likely for John Cooper Works models. In addition, a 2-cylinder could be offered, for sale in Europe and emerging markets.

Once launched, look for a new Clubman and Convertible to arrive shortly after, with the secong-gen Countryman still a few years after that.

[Source: MotoringFile]

Click here to read AutoGuide’s 2012 MINI Cooper S Review

MINI will make its way into the commercial vehicle market soon when it releases a cargo-oriented version of the Clubman.

The car, officially called the MINI Cargo, is set to debut at the Geneva Motor Show in March and will essentially be the same as the Clubman (pictured above), but with the back seats replaced by a cargo bed and blacked out rear side windows. The release represents offers by parent company BMW to remain competitive and preempt the similarly-minded Fiat 500 Giardinetta Wagon.

Small commercial vehicles are already popular in Europe, other examples include the Ford Transit Connect, a compact panel van introduced in Europe in 2002.

While not particularly useful for large cargo, having small, efficient and delivery-specific vehicles is useful for small businesses that hinge on such a service. Expect more details to come on the 13-foot wheelbase bread truck soon.

[Source: World Car Fans, Auto Motor Und Sport]

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.

Lamborghini won’t be the only exotic car maker debuting a convertible at the Geneva Auto Show this March, with a new report that Aston Martin is planning a drop-top reveal.

According to one source, the maker of British exotics will undress a convertible version of its V12 Vantage model. The same chassis that is shared with the rest of the Vantage lineup, the V12 model trades its 420 hp, 4.7-liter V8 for a 510 hp, 5.9-liter V12.

The same source cites Aston Martin CEO Dr. Ulrich Bez as revealing that a DBS replacement is in the pipes, making 600-hp.

GALLERY: Aston Martin V12 Vantage

[Source: GTSpirit]

MINI continues to use technology and connectivity to enhance the Mini driving experience with the release of a new app, called Driving Excitement, for its Mini Connected infotainment system. This new app allows the driver to do more than record their vehicle’s diagnostics.

The first mode in the Driving Excitement app is the Condition Check. The driver can run through a status check from engine temperature and fuel levels to the outside temperature and the chance of rain. When the Condition Check determines that all parameters are satisfactory for spirited driving, the system will declare, “Be Mini.”

The second function is Force Meter, an accelerometer that displays directional g-forces. Force Meter will record peak cornering forces as well as the driver’s steering input. The app’s Digital Sports Instrument mode can report engine coolant temperature and current engine speed as well as the amount of horsepower and torque produced.

Finally, the Mini Connected infotainment system now features a new Excitement Mode, which shuts off other functions within the system to only share key driving information so as to not distract the driver. Perhaps most clever of all, the Mini Connected also includes Dynamic Music, for enthusiasts who would like a soundtrack to their drive. Dynamic Music will help a driver choose up-tempo songs for fun, twisty two lane roads or relaxed music for the extended highway drives.

Get the complete Mini Connected app here.