The Honda Motor Company is working hard to restore Acura‘s reputation after the latest design direction of Honda’s premier brand were negatively received.

According to Car and Driver, Acura will not only introduce its NSX concept at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show, but will also reveal plans for an RL replacement in April’s New York Auto Show. The new flagship sedan will be offered with loads of on-board tech as well as its trick SH-AWD drivetrain to make an impact in the highly competitive market.

While Acura may decide to drop the RL moniker, this new sedan will remain a lightweight, nimble and economical design. Featuring a hybrid design, a V6 will send power to the front wheels while two electric motors power the rear. Clever packaging will allow the RL replacement to provide as much interior room as a BMW 7 series yet retain the exterior dimensions of a 5 series.

But that’s not all. the dimensions of the new Acura flagship has shifted the line-up, allowing Acura to only keep the TSX or the TL to slot underneath the upcoming RL. In fact, a Honda Civic-based Acura ILX sedan will be the new Acura entry sedan.

Expect more information on Acura’s developments at the upcoming New York Auto Show.

[Source: Autoblog]

Many people have no clue where to place Volvo. Is it a premium brand like Audi or BMW, or is it more closer to VW and Ford!

The truth is, it’s been languishing in the middle for far too long, and the boss of Geely Automobiles, Li Shufu, has been wanting to take the brand upscale ever since his Chinese company acquired this most Swedish of brands.

Now it seems he will finally get his way. While Volvo bosses have resisted to go upmarket in the past, Shufu has influenced them to have a rethink, primarily after showing them sales figures in China. While models like the XC60 and the China-special long-wheelbase S80 are flourishing, sales of its smaller cars like the S40 have been very low.

This indicates that in an emerging and growing market like China, Volvo can do better as a luxury brand rather than a mid-field brand.

Shufu, who described Volvo as “a trapped tiger,” wants to compete with the likes of the A8 and 7-series with a full-size luxury car. What will the new model be called and when will it be out is not yet known, but we look forward to seeing what they will come up with next.

[Source: Automotive News]

Japanese luxury car brand Lexus seems to be taking note of what its German rivals are able to do successfully, that is selling models with appearance packages for what would otherwise be boring luxury sedans.

So now Lexus has taken the LS460 sedan, which is an incredible luxury sedan, but lacks visual character, and added a bit of aesthetic gravitas.

Called the LS460 Touring Edition, this limited edition model will feature a sporty body kit, sport seats, and a wood and leather steering wheel. Plus you also get a new grille and 19-inch wheels for some extra curb appeal. So if you’ve wanted your LS to stand apart from all the other LS’s at the country club parking lot, this new version would appeal to you.

“The Touring Edition adds excitement to our flagship sedan,” said Mark Templin, Lexus Division group vice president and general manager. “The package on this car enhances styling and comfort, allowing us to attract younger buyers to the LS line-up.”

This new model will be available in both rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive versions, with prices starting at $73,000.

GALLERY: Lexus LS460 Touring Edition

Audi pulled the wraps off its redesigned executive class A6 and its hybrid variant at the 2011 Detroit Auto Show.

The Audi A6 will be available in a choice of two gasoline and three TDI engines with power output said to range from 177 hp to 300 hp. Meanwhile, Audi engineers managed to make the new A6 lighter than the previous version, with weight savings of up to 175 pounds depending on the powertrain. Fuel consumption was also decreased, with improvements up to 19%.

All new A6 models will come standard with alloy wheels, two-zone automatic air conditioning, adaptive brake light and MMI radio with a 6.5 inch monitor.

Audi also unveiled a hybrid version of the A6 featuring a 211 hp 2.0 TFSi engine and an electric motor claiming 45 hp and 155.63 ft-lb. The A6 Hybrid can reach speeds up to 62.14 mph on pure electric mode, and a range of about 2 miles on electric mode at a constant speed of 37.28 mph.

The Audi A6 will be available in early 2011, the A6 Hybrid won’t be available until the second half of 2011.

GALLERY: 2012 Audi A6

GALLERY: 2012 Audi A6 Hybrid

The all new Chrysler 300 will start at just under $28,000, rising to $41,145 for a full-blown AWD equipped 300C with a 5.7L Hemi V8. The base car, equipped with a 3.6L V6 making 292 horsepower, will start at $27,995 when it goes on sale in early 2011.

The Limited model will start at $31,995 and adds heated leather seats, a backup camera, Chrysler’s UConnect telematics with Bluetooth integration, and 18″ wheels. The Limited Luxury Group model will cost $35,245 and gets upgraded Napa leather, Ash Burl wood trim, illuminated surfaces throughout the cabin, heated rear seats, 12 way adjustable power driver and passenger seats and a power sunshade.

Finally, the V8 powered 300C will start at $38,995 and feature all of the equipment on the Limited Luxury, plus Chrysler’s brawny 363 horsepower V8.

A SafetyTec package will be available on all models that features HID headlamps, a frontal collision warning system, blindspot cameras, adaptive cruise control and audible parking sensors.

[Source: Chrysler]

Hit the jump for the official press release

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The Audi A7 is barely on sale, but rumors are already starting about the high performance RS7 that many expect to appear in the next couple years.

With torque-vectoring all wheel drive, carbon ceramic brakes and an adjustable suspension, the RS6 should have the chassis upgrades to match the rumored 600 horsepower twin-turbo V8. With the next iterations of the BMW M5 and Mercedes-Benz CLS63 AMG destined to be some of the best luxury sedans ever, the A7 needs to be superb if it wants to compete with such rarefied company.

[Source: Road & Track]

Mercedes-Benz has their E-Class diesel. BMW has an “Efficient Dynamics” system on their 5-Series. Now, Audi has countered with the ne plus ultra of green motoring – the luxury hybrid. Their 2012 A6 will get a hybrid variant sure to set fire to the hearts of wealthy/status-conscious green-minded folks everywhere (well, only on the coasts – we can’t see this flying in “real America” that votes Republican).

The A6 Hybrid is motivated by Audi’s familiar 2.0TFSI engine making 211 horsepower. Tacked on to that is a 45 horsepower electric motor that also puts out 156 lb-ft of torque. An 8-speed automatic puts power exclusively to the front tires, as a means of saving precious pounds.

With the ability to hit up to 62 mph on electric power only, the A6 will feature a dashboard switch that allows it to run solely on electric power for about 2 miles, at speeds of under 40 mph. 60 mph should appear in 7.3 seconds, and 38 mpg combined is the expected fuel economy number.

[Source: Audi]

Hours after we brought you leaked pictures of the 2012 Audi A6 comes the first official specs and photos of the new car, which should continue the current A6′s strong challenge to the BMW 5-Series and Mercedes-Benz E-Class.

North America will definitely see the 3.0L Supercharged V6 making 300 horsepower that’s being used in the current A6. Expected to return 27 mpg, the blown V6 is also good for 155 mph, and will likely be the sole gasoline engine choice available. A naturally aspirated 2.8L V6 will be available, but with 204 horsepower and 206 lb-ft of torque, it is likely too underwhelming for North American consumers.

On the other hand, we may see one of Audi’s diesels make its way across the pond. One of two 3.0L diesel V6s, will likely be exported, and we’re sure it will be the most powerful variant, displacing 245 horsepower and 368 lb-ft of torque, with a 0-60 time of 6.1 seconds and the ability to return 40 mpg. It’s almost too good to be true – we think that sales of other TDI Audis will determine whether the A6 gets its own version or not.

GALLERY: 2012 Audi A6

Hit the jump for Audi’s official press release

[Source: Audi]

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Bentley‘s whoring out of their brand continues with yet another special edition churned out, like mass-produced Chinese luxury. The newest Series 51 is perfectly timed to exploit the nouveau riche desire to have something new every 18 months, and Bentley stands to profit handsomely from this.

With largely cosmetic changes, the Series 51 offers exclusive paint hues, leather and wood options, as well as graphite-finished 19″ wheels and optional blue brake calipers. Hit the jump for the official press release, peasants!

[Source: Bentley]

Hit the jump for the official press release

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ODB famously declared that “Wu-Tang is for the children“, and we’d have to disagree. But one of the beloved cars of rappers everywhere, the Mercedes-Benz CLS, apparently is, if the commercial for the new vehicle is to be believed.

The CLS is responsible for the modern day “four door coupe”  genre, and the new one looks even more aggressive than the outgoing version. No wonder its stopping young enthusiasts in their tracks.

Hit the jump to see the official video.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

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