Cadillac has released a video of its 2012 ATS testing at the Nurburgring, along with some photos of the heavily disguised sports sedan being put through its paces.

The ATS in the video is obviously a long way off from production, with a rollcage, bucket seats and other competition-grade pieces, and we can’t quite make out whether the engine is a high-strung 4-banger or a GM V6.

GM’s U.S. boss Mark Reuss says, “The ATS is probably the most sporty car that Cadillac has ever done and I think you’ll find this car more entertaining than anything else int he segment. And I think it’s also one of the most beautiful cars.”

Take a look for yourself after the jump.

GALLERY: Cadillac ATS At The Nurburgring

Continue Reading…

With news of a redesign coming from the mouth of CEO Wolfgang Durheimer himself, it’s only natural that the Bugatti Galibier sedan would be delayed.

But the world’s plutocrats will have to wait until 2015 to get themselves into the $1.4 million super sedan, according to a report in Germany’s Auto Motor und Sport magazine.

The delay could mean that Bugatti is left with a hole in their lineup, as the Veyron fades into the sunset without a replacement. Unless Bugatti decides to whip up another special edition to keep the factory humming.

[Source: Auto Motor und Sport]

Volkswagen is recalling 168,000 diesel engine vehicles produced from 2009-2012 over a possible leak from the fuel injectors that could start a fire.

The vehicles in question are Volkswagen Jetta, Jetta SportWagen and Golf models as well as the Audi A3 TDI. 161,144 VWs and 7,131 Audis are involved in the recall, while no injuries or accidents have been reported so far. Volkswagen says that about 20 percent of the vehicles in question have fuel injector lines that could be potentially faulty. The company will begin notifying dealers and owners in November.

[Source: The Detroit News]

General Motors much loved LNF engine, the same 2.0L Ecotec that powered the Pontiac Solstice GXP, Saturn Sky Redline and Chevrolet Cobalt SS is continuing on in the Buick Regal Turbo and Buick Regal GS, but a new generation of turbocharged 4-cylinder motor is set to replace the LNF next year, packing even more power.

While the LNF makes as much as 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft in the Regal GS, the new engine, dubbed the LHU, will be used as a replacement for V6 engines in mid-size cars, and is expected to make at least 280 horsepower in standard trim. Given that GM’s current “high feature” V6 makes 306 horsepower, we should expect a figure somewhere in that area.

The LHU will get its first use in the Cadillac ATS sports sedan and the 2013 Chevrolet Malibu. Expect it to migrate to other products in the near future as well.

[Source: GM Inside News]

Mercedes is continuing to weigh a decision to produce a Black Series version of the SLS sports car, with a horsepower rating as high as 650-hp.

In a recent interview AMG performance boss Christoph Jung commented that such a car, “makes a lot of sense”. The vehicle itself would sit between the current 563-hp road car and the 600-hp GT3 race car (above). Impressive weight savings would be made, much like the GT3 car, although not quite as extreme. The 6.2-liter AMG V8 would then be tweaked to produce as much as 650-hp.

Expect other Black Series upgrades like a wider stance, light weight wheels, a lowered suspensions and even more impressive brakes. Combined, the package could deliver a 0-60 mph time of just 3.0 seconds.

If the SLS Black Series goes get the go ahead, look for it to debut around 2014 as a send-off for the current SLS model.

GALLERY: Mercedes SLS AMG GT3

[Source: AutoExpress]

Read AutoGuide’s Mercedes SLS Review here

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]

Infiniti will adopt Mercedes-Benz’s small car architecture, used to underpin the front-drive B-Class, as part of the technology sharing agreement signed between the two companies.

Nissan CEO Carlos Ghosn told Autocar that ”you’d be very surprised if in five or six years that Mercedes and Renault/Nissan had only cooperated on small cars,” signalling a much wider cross-pollination for the two companies. Mercedes engines are expected to be used in the new Infiniti M, while the B-Class platform will underpin a new, small minivan-esque vehicle for Infiniti.

[Source: Autocar]

BMW engineers are currently working on the introduction of laser light technology as the next logical step in car light development. Laser lights offer a vast improvement over the stock LED bulbs, currently used in luxury cars because lasers use less energy, are brighter, smaller, and can be directed at a smaller area.

LED lighting generates only around 100 lumens per watt, but laser lighting generates approximately 170 lumens, meaning they’re much brighter. The new technology is much more efficient and interestingly, because lasers are much smaller, designers can create very thin lights, seen on futuristic concepts. BMW also sees no reason why they can’t implement all the familiar lighting functions to lasers such as Adaptive Headlights, the Dynamic Light Spot spotlighting system and the Anti-Dazzle High-Beam Assist.

[Source: e90 Post]

We’re sure there are legions of fans excited to hear that the 2013 Lexus GS450h will bow at September’s Frankfurt Auto Show – maybe not.

Either way, the GS450h should be an important product for Lexus, as both the originator of the luxury hybrid segment, and a critical new introduction in a market that is fast becoming saturated with hybrids.

No technical details have been announced, but we can expect a 3.5L V6 with an electric motor system, similar to the current GS450h. Stay tuned to AutoGuide for live coverage of the Frankfurt Auto Show starting September 13th.

If you can afford a Porsche Panamera, fuel prices are probably don’t weigh on your mind much. But that’s not stopping Porsche from introducing a vehicle that can go 750 miles on one 21 gallon fuel tank.

The Porsche Panamera diesel is capable of 37 mpg (on the highway, we assume) when equipped with low-rolling resistance tires. Granted, those two are the antithesis of what the Porsche brand used to stand for, but our current times require us to sacrifice a pound of flesh to the secular cult of environmentalism – luckily for the rest of us, there’s the GT3 RS 4.0.

With a 3.0L V6 making 250 horsepower and 406 lb-ft of torque, the Panamera uses an 8-speed automatic to put power to the ground. Porsche will unveil their newest oil burner at the 2011 Frankfurt Autoshow and AutoGuide will be on hand to cover it live starting September 13th.

Audi has unveiled their latest iteration of the S6 and S6 Avant, and the mid-size sports sedans look to continue the engine downsizing trend, moving from a 5.2L V10 to a 4.0L V8 with twin turbochargers making 420 horsepower and 405 lb-ft of torque.

The new S6 will sprint to 60 mph in 4.8 seconds (while the Avant does it in 4.9) while consuming only 24 mpg (a figure we assume is on the highway). Power is transmitted to all four wheels via Audi’s S-tronic dual clutch ratio with seven cogs, and the active sport differential will also be an optional, similar to the S4.

An air suspension, 19″ wheels and a noise cancelling system (to keep the cabin silent) are all standard. No word on pricing, or North American availability, but we’d assume that the sedan is a shoo-in, while the Avant will sit this one out.

Check back for more updates when AutoGuide covers the Frankfurt Auto Show live on September 13th.

Gallery: Audi S6 and S6 Avant

Despite being the only example in the world, the Maybach Exelero has been around the block a few times. First concieved as a concept car for Fulda Tires (who wanted to use the vehicle for tire testing), the Exelero then appeared in a Jay-Z video.

Since then, it has fallen into the hands of a private owner and stayed out of the hip-hop limelight, until earlier in the year when hip-hop mogul Birdman (aka Bryan Williams), responsible for launching the careers of music stars like Lil’ Wayne and Drake, claimed to have purchased the car.

According to a report by MotorAuthority, Birdman has yet to pay for the car, leaving its current owner high and dry. Birdman currently owns a rare Maybach Landaulet and a Bugatti Veyron, so the Exelero’s asking price of $8 million, while steep, isn’t too far removed from Birdman’s snack bracket.

Nevertheless, not paying up is still considered bad form, and we won’t really know until we see Birdman bragging about his newest acquisition online or in one of his videos.

[Source: Motor Authority]

Porsche is recalling specific vehicles from the 2011 and 2012 Boxster, Cayman and 911 model ranges due to an issue with the seatbelt anchor.

The automaker claims that undersized mounting holes for the anchors could cause the seatbelt to become not ”routed optimally around the occupant.” Over time, the anchor could loosen, resulting in an increased injury risk in a crash.

Among the models targeted by NHTSA for recall include the 2011 911 Speedster, the 911 GTS RS 4.0, the 2012 Boxster (including the Boxster S and Spyder) and  Cayman (including the Cayman S and Cayman R), the 911 Carrera (including  the Carrera S, GTS, 4, 4S, and 4 GTS); 911 Targa 4/4S and the 911 Turbo and Turbo S manufactured from May 31, 2011 through June 10, 2011.

Porsche dealers will inspect the affected vehicles and made any necessary alterations free of charge.

Hit the jump for the official press release

Continue Reading…

Today is a miraculous day – not only has Infiniti revealed the final teaser of their upcoming JX crossover, but the newest addition to the Infiniti lineup will get its official reveal today, August 18th.

The seven seat crossover will likely get Infiniti’s 3.7L V6 or 5.6L V8, and a whole suite of fancy gadgets. Stay tuned to AutoGuide for the Infiniti JX’s live reveal and official specs. In the mean time, check out the gallery below.

Gallery: Infiniti JX

A series of leaked photos and a UK market press release are the first look we have at the 2013 Lexus GS luxury sedan. Also confirmed are F-Spot, and hybrid versions (with a GS450h mentioned) as well as a GS250 packing a 2.5L V6 – for Europe only we presume.

With styling borrowing heavily from previous Lexus concepts (and a rear styling treatment strongly reminiscent of the Lexus IS), the 2013 Lexus GS is just the right side of conservative for the Lexus brand. North American will likely see the GS350 and the GS450h, but with the introduction of the 4-cylinder BMW 528i, we may end up with the GS250 as well.

Lexus claims that trunk capacity is up by 25 percent, while front and rear tracks have been widened by almost two inches. New safety features include a Night Vision System, Lane Departure Warning System, radar-guided cruise control and a new system called Lane Keep Assist, that will actively steer the car back into the proper lane should it drift outwards. The 2013 GS will also feature a new 12.3 inch LCD screen that can be configured for a split-screen configuration (allowing for both navigation and entertainment interfaces on the same screen) as well as an optional 17-speaker, 835 watt Mark Levinson audio system.

Unfortunately, firm details regarding powertrains (such as horsepower and torque figures), fuel economy, curb weights or dimensions haven’t been revealed. AutoGuide will be on hand at the official unveiling at Pebble Beach on August 18th, where Lexus will hopefully reveal more.

GALLERY: 2013 Lexus GS

[Source: CarFanatics]

UPDATE: With the all-new GS now revealed, check out video of the reveal after the jump:

Continue Reading…

An obscure Canadian law makes it illegal for private citizens to own bulletproof cars, but Dave Pankew of Autoblog Canada ended up spotting one just north of Toronto, with the vehicle in question being a rare BMW 760Li High Security.

Allegedly, this car has the top-of-the-line F03 package, and has all kinds of spy-novel-esque gadgets including bulletproof glass, run-flat tires, a bomb-proof undercarriage and a toxic gas sensor that shuts off outside ventilation should it detect any threats.

While technically illegal, the 760Li was wearing German license plates, meaning it’s not registered in Canada. If the owner (or driver, in this case) held a drivers license in Germany, then the car would likely be legal, as it’s merely being driven on Canadian roads by a foreign national, rather than legally imported and registered.

Alternately, it could be owned by BMW Canada (and with the Munich license plates, that’s a real possibility) and the whole thing is just a lot of fuss over nothing. Either way, it’s a cool car, and if they had this back in 1996, Tupac Shakur might have survived his untimely death.

[Source: Autoblog Canada]

Kanye West is a prolific consumer of Mercedes-Benz vehicles, having been spotted in everything from Maybachs to SLR Stirling Moss Editions and all points in between.

While West is now famous for taking a blowtorch and an angle grinder to a Maybach in the video for his new single “Otis” (in collaboration with fellow aficionado Jay-Z), videos of West buying his first G550 SUV recently surfaced via hip-hop music video production house Creative Control.

The clip appears to date back to 2002 when West, having just rapped on Jay-Z’s landmark album “The Blueprint 2″, went out and purchased the G-Wagen to replace his ML430. The video is interlaced with samples from “Otis”, suggesting that the footage has been kicking around for some time. Kanye even bragged about his G500 being his “favorite toy” on a mixtape released in 2003 – but the clip is still a cool retrospective at Kanye just as he was on the cusp of fame. Furthermore, the salesman even suggests that Kanye check out “the next car we’re getting – the Maybach”.

[Source: Nah Right via Creative Control]

Buick has announced pricing for their newest additions to the Regal lineup, with their Regal eAssist mild hybrid vehicle starting at $29,530, while the high performance Regal GS starts at $35,310.

The Regal eAssist uses a stripped down regenerative braking system to deliver hybrid-like fuel efficiency gains without the weight or added complexity of a full hybrid system. Fuel economy numbers aren’t quite as high as other full hybrids, but the vehicle still manages to deliver 25 mpg in town and 36 mpg on the highway.

The Regal GS offers a 2.0L turbocharged 4-cylinder engine with 270 horsepower and 295 lb-ft of torque, and a 6-speed manual gearbox. Despite early concept vehicles that were displayed with all-wheel drive, the Regal GS is front-drive only, but also adds adjustable damping, upgraded brakes, a 19″ wheel and tire package and a harmon/kardon stereo system. The Regal GS is also expected to deliver 27 mpg on the highway.

Audi is exploring the possibility of bringing more RS models to the American market, after years of on-and-off importation of select vehicles like the RS4 and RS6.

Both the TT-RS and RS5 are slated to be introduced for the 2012 model year, and the vehicles will be priced well above even the most expensive TT and A5 models. Like BMW’s M cars, the the RS models are sold in low volumes but are relatively high margin vehicles for Audi. The average transaction price for Audi vehicles has risen steadily since January of 2010, while rivals Mercedes-Benz and BMW have seen theirs fall (though their transaction prices are still higher overall)

Peter Scwarzenbauer, Audi’s U.S. sales head, suggested that future RS products could make their way to America, but declined to specify what was in the pipeline.

[Source: Left Lane News]

Infiniti released its newest teaser photo of the upcoming JX crossover, which boasts 7-seats and one of the brand’s powerful V6 or V8 engines.

Photos will be posted on the brand’s Facebook page (www.facebook.com/Infiniti) and Infiniti is running a contest to win a trip for two to the reveal at the Pebble Beach Concours. The production model will debut at the LA Auto Show in November, with sales starting in the Spring of 2012.

Gallery: Infiniti JX

The ultra luxurious 2012 Audi A8L W12 is finally going on sale in the U.S, and has been priced at a whopping $134,375. This is an enormous sum of money considering the most expensive A8L sells for $85,575. The A8L is powered by a 372-hp 4.2-liter V8 and can get from 0-62 mph in 5.1 seconds – more than adequate for most people.

For the extra $48,000, the W12 buyer upgrades to a 6.3-liter twelve-cylinder engine producing 500-hp and 463 lb-ft of torque with a 0-62 mph time of 4.4 seconds. More impressive than that though are the standard 22-way power seats with ventilation and massage capabilities, a panoramic sunroof, a rear-seat entertainment system and the Audi Connect infotainment system with Google Earth.

North Korea’s chronic food shortages are reported to be reaching levels similar to the 1994 famine that struck the isolated Asian nation, and Kim Jong-Il, the world’s best dressed hereditary communist dictator, couldn’t care less.

According to a report by North Korean affairs blog One Free Korea, the North Korean dictator was spotted in China being chauffeured in a Mercedes-Benz S600 Pullman Guard, an armored, extended-wheelbase S600 that costs $200,000 more than the Maybach limousines reportedly favored by Jong-Il.

Witnesses said that the two S600s were fitted with Beijing license plates, a common practice for vehicles exported from China to North Korea by air freight. Trade documents obtained by One Free Korea show that $3.1 million worth of unspecified European cars were exported from China to North Korea in 2010.

The blog also notes that one ton of corn costs $250 on the open market, meaning that the North Korean government could have purchased 13,000 tons of corn for its starving populace.

[Source: One Free Korea]

BMW has confirmed that the U.S 6-series 640i, will receive a six-cylinder. The 6-series in the U.S, the 650i, has traditionally received an eight cylinder. This exciting new 640i will receive a 320-hp version of BMW’s single-turbo inline-six engine.

The 640i will be offered only in rear-wheel drive but the 650i will get an all-wheel drive option. There will likely be a manual-transmission available for the six-cylinder model. With the six-cylinder option, pricing will be significantly lower than before. In the 7-series, the smaller engine saves about $13,000 or 16 percent decrease over the eight-cylinder. The 640i will likely be priced around the mid-$70,000 range.

[Source: Car and Driver]

Rumors of a Chevrolet Cruze 3-door hatchback appear to be just that, after an interview with General Motors North American President Mark Reuss surfaced, stating that the Cruze is too late in its North American product cycle for a hatchback.

On the other hand, reports are emerging that Buick may get a hatchback version of the Opel Astra GTC, which could end up being a variant of the Verano (shown above). The new car is expected to bow in 2014, and hopefully the Verano Turbo’s 2.0L 4-cylinder making 250 horsepower is offered. Buick will have to plan carefully for this product, as GM’s Saturn division has already tried importing a version of the Astra, and was met with an utterly dismal response from consumers.

[Source: GM Inside News]