Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) fuel estimates are out for BMW‘s new line of 3-Series cars and it looks like they’ve caught the competition with their pants down.

The 2012 328i scores an impressive 24 mpg city and 36 mpg highway, that’s a 28 percent improvement in fuel consumption over last year’s model. What’s even better is that the 328i actually gets more power than the model it replaced for a total of 240 horsepower compared to last year’s 230. The 300-horsepower 335i doesn’t get a boost in oomph but as you may expect, is less thirsty in 2012. In fact, the automatic-equipped version is downright efficient, bragging 23 mpg city and 33 highway.

Though it might seem like it, these jumps don’t happen overnight, or by some magic gasoline fairy waving a wand. BMW achieved such impressive improvements in the 328i through cleverly engineered turbocharging and by lobbing a whole liter off of last year’s engine. That’s right, there’s a 2.0-liter inline four where there used to be a 3.0-liter six cylinder.

So what of the competition? The Mercedes-Benz C 250 has 39 fewer ponies than the 328i and only gets 21 and 31 mpg in the city and highway despite having a 1.8-liter engine. Audi‘s A4 uses a 2.0-liter turbocharged powerplant and also only gets 22 mpg city and 30 on the highway when equipped with their gas-saving continuously variable transmission, not to mention falling 29 horsepower short.

The jig is up for this model year, but it should be interesting to watch Audi and Mercedes-Benz respond to their Bavarian neighbor’s conservative consumption. Perhaps this is why BMW remains the top dog in the bratwurst pile.

Porsche is upping the engineering ante with their 2013 911 Turbo, which our spy photographer caught yesterday, to deliver more power and better fuel efficiency all at once.

The new 911 Turbo will keep the same 3.8-liter horizontally opposed six cylinder engine as previous models, but it will have a new boost thanks to a complex tri-turbo setup similar to what BMW is using in the M550d xDrive and X5 M50d models, among others.

The system employs one smaller turbocharger and two larger ones. The smaller spools up more quickly at lower rpms, delivering an initial power boost that carries smoothly into the second and third larger units.

Although the horsepower ratings aren’t certain yet, the new system is expected to boost the 911 Turbo from 495 to 525 horsepower, which is quite close to the 530 hp 911 Turbo S.

Porsche is currently completing testing on the tri-turbo setup inside their 991, though further details can’t be that far off given that it’s slated for the 2013 model year.

GALLERY: 2013 Porsche 911 Turbo spy photos

[Source: Auto Car]

It’s been a long while since we’ve come across a new ASMA Design creation, but it looks like it was worth the wait. ASMA has always been common bait for us to make fun of and they didn’t fail to impress with their Porsche Cayenne Turbo project.

As expected, ASMA Design released the photos of the project with very little details, but we don’t even need words to describe what’s going on here. Over the top, super aggressive styling results in an atrocious and terrible project and just does a terrific job ruining Porsche’s classy SUV. The wider fenders and side skirts are just completely out of place, while the front and rear bumpers are downright absurd.

About the only thing respectable about the project are the 22-inch wheels on each corner, and the fact that genuine carbon fiber was used for the body kit – as terrible as it is. But hey, we’re glad ASMA has something to show off, we were getting a little bored around here with nothing to ridicule.

GALLERY: ASMA Design Porsche Cayenne Turbo

[Source: GT Spirit]

Sources from Subaru of America revealed of a turbo in development for the Subaru BRZ’s 2.0-liter flat-four FA20 engine.

Compact in size, FA20′s square 86x86mm bore and stroke plus a trick D4S port and direct injection system allow the engine to produce 197-hp and 151 lb.-ft. of torque. No word on the turbo’s engine output, its size, and its applications for the new powerplant yet, but we believe the addition of a turbo will make way for a standout BRZ STI in the future.

However, Subaru has not yet confirmed development on a turbocharged BRZ, but the anticipated release of a new Impreza WRX variant implicates a need for a turbo FA20 there as well.

GALLERY: Subaru BRZ

[Source: Motortrend]

The Hyundai Veloster is arguably this year’s hot sport compact, and Hyundai came out in full force with a collection of Velosters covering both the “show” and “go” ends of the spectrum.

First up is the hotly anticipated ARK Performance Veloster, featuring the first application of a turbocharger on the Veloster. With Hyundai’s subsequent announcement of a Veloster Turbo for 2012, the ARK gives us a pretty good preview of what to expect – a twin scroll turbocharger putting out 210 horsepower. The wild green paint scheme and tuner-esque wheels likely won’t make the cut.

The PM Lifestyle Veloster was developed by Universal Technical Institute, a training school for auto mechanics. Konig wheels, carbon fiber hood, a custom interior and the usual bolt-ons add visual flair and boost power to 163-horsepower. The Hyundai Re:Mix Veloster Music Veloster is obviously focused on audio, with a full DJ deck setup installed in the trunk while the Re:Mix Gaming Veloster is focused on video games, with an XBOX in place of the DJ booth.

Finally, the RMR Global Rallycross Veloster was built by Rhys Millen Racing to take on the competition in 2WD Rallycross. The sport exists in a much different form in the rest of the world, as opposed to the X-Games style Rallycross popular on our shores. Lightweight body panels, a 300 horsepower turbocharged engine, rally suspension, safety modifications and rally tires help take the Veloster from sport compact into a real deal race car.

For more SEMA coverage, click here

Gallery: Hyundai Veloster SEMA Concepts

Ford is revising their forecast for F-150 Ecoboost sales, estimating that the turbocharged 6-cylinder pickup will comprise 45 percent of F-150 sales, versus original estimates of 40 percent. Ford now estimates that the Ecoboost will sell 100,000 units this year.

The F-150 remains the best selling vehicle in the United States, and Ford was caught off guard by the Ecoboost’s popularity. A V6 option has only been available within the last two years, as the segment was dominated by V8 engines. Unstable fuel prices and a general trend towards environmentally conscious purchase choices are credited with helping Ford introduce a V6 powered F-150 in a favorable light.

[Source: Wall Street Journal]

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]

“The BMW engine was an obvious choice for us, as BMW is known for producing the best and most fuel efficient gasoline engines in the world,” said Fisker CEO Henrik Fisker. “We are very pleased to have signed this agreement with BMW.”

Currently, Fisker uses a General Motors turbocharged 2.o-liter engine for the Karma, but nothing has been mentioned as to whether the vehicle will also receive BMW power in 2012.

GALLERY: Fisker Karma

The Mazda CX-5 will enter the highly competitive compact crossover segment in the U.S when it debuts in early 2012. The CX-5 prototype was equipped with 165-hp  2.0-liter engine producing 150 lb-ft of torque and is mated to a six-speed manual transmission and the American version will likely use the same setup.

A diesel variant available in the U.S, equipped with a 2.2-liter, twin-turbo direct injection engine. The diesel will produce over 160-hp and about 310 lb-ft of torque.

The CX-5 will compete against the Honda CR-V, Toyota RAV4, Volkswagen Tiguan and Kia Sportage. The CX-5 will be 178.7 inches long, making it more than five inches shorter than the CX-7. The 106.3 inch wheelbase also makes it two inches shorter than the CX-7. The diesel will be added to the crossover in 2014 and will make its North American debut at the Los Angeles auto show in November. Mazda has yet to confirm pricing for the U.S market but Mazda reps say that the base model will sell for around $20,000.

GALLERY: 2012 Mazda CX-5

Click here to read AutoGuide’s drive of the new Mazda SkyActiv prototype and see after the jump to watch the video:

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MINI’s new Goodwood model was unveiled at the world-famous Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in California this week. The MINI Goodwood is an exclusive special edition which has been produced in close collaboration with the Rolls-Royce Motor Cars design team.

This is a car that drips of automotive luxury and exclusivity in its highest form. The Goodwood has been priced at $52,000, making it the most expensive MINI ever. Only 1000 will be produced with only 140 will be coming to the US. The Goodwood features an interior and exterior design cragfted from the same fine materials and workmanship as the ultra-luxurious Rolls-Royce brand.

Two of the most beautiful features of the exterior design are the body finish in the exclusive Diamond Black metallic Rolls-Royce colour and 17-inch multi-spoke light alloy rims. The interior features seats covered in Lounge leather, Lambswool floor mats, a cashmere headliner and fascia and front door grab handles in burr walnut veneer and a sports steering wheel in Walknappa leather and Piano Black controls.

The MINI will be powered by the turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder engine featured in the 2011 MINI Cooper S. The powerplant will have Twin Scroll turbochargers producing 181-hp. The MINI can accelerate from 0-62 mph in 6.6 seconds.

Deliveries are scheduled to start in the second quarter of 2012.

GALLERY: MINI Goodwood