#DirectInjection

Ahead of their official debut at the Tokyo Auto Show, Mazda has decided to give us just a small preview of what the company’s vehicles could be powered by in the near future. Both a new gasoline and diesel engine have been announced, as well as a new transmission, all under the catchy SKY brand.

Ferrari introduced the 458 Italia, the F430 replacement, at the Frankfurt Auto Show today. Appearing on the company’s stand were two models, one in a traditional Rosso Corsa and the other in Giallo Modena Tristrato (pictured above).

Ferrari has just released photos and details of a new model that both succeeds and exceeds the incredible F430. Named the 458 Italia, this new mid-engine exotic is powered by a 4.5-liter V8 that puts out an incredible 570hp at 9000 rpm and 398 ft-lbs of torque at 6000 rpm – 80 percent of which is available at just 3250 rpm.

It appears as though Mazda will offer its RX-8 sports car with a rotary engine in the future and as the all-new second generation model is just around the corner, the Japanese automaker has been busy making improvements to the pistonless wonder.

Replacing the popular Land Rover LR3 model for the 2010 year is the evolutionary LR4. Looking in many ways quite similar to the previous model, the LR4 is more refined (particularly on the inside) while still keeping all the functionality that made the LR3 so good.

On Friday we brought you news that the 2010 Chevy Equinox will be priced at $1,800 less than the previous model and today we can tell you the Equinox’s sister SUV, the GMC Terrain, is set to launch at the New York Auto Show. There is no official word on pricing but you can expect the almost $2,000 in savings to be carried over to this model as well.

General motors has just released some new info on the upcoming 2010 Chevy Equinox, with the most surprising item being the price. The all-new model will come in at $1,800 less than the outgoing ’09 model, with a starting price of $23,185, including a $745 destination charge

We’re sorry to report that Infiniti’s breathtakingly beautiful Essence Concept will not see production, this according to a company spokesman.

Officially unveiled as the Mazda MPS at the Geneva Auto Show earlier this month, the U.S.-spec MazdaSpeed3 will make it’s North American debut at the New York Auto Show on April 9th.

We don’t expect much to change from the Euro version, so don’t plan on any more power from the direct-injection 2.3-liter turbo-four. Power is rated at 260ps (256hp) and 280 ft-lbs of torque. Thankfully, the MazdaSpeed3 doesn’t need more power.

This is enough for a 0-62 mph run of 6.1 seconds, so the run to 60 might be able to get under the 6.0-second mark.

The engine does get some advancements though. For starters, emissions are reduced thanks to a new single-nanotechnology catalytic converter. As well, the 2.3-liter engine gets 0.5 liters/100km (0.1 mpg) better fuel economy.

In terms of technological advancements, the MAzdaSpeed3 has plenty of them. For starters the new engine features an advanced boost controller that reduces peaks for a more linear power delivery. The left and right drive shafts have been modified to reduce torque steer. The six-speed manual transmission now has wider ratios than before and the tranny uses a low-viscosity fluid to reduce shift effort.

With the new body and chassis, the 2010 MazdaSpeed3 is naturally better, however, it also gets large stabilizer bars, stiffer springs and shocks. As well, it now features 18-inch wheels with big brakes – 12.6-inches up front and 11-inches in the rear.

We’ll bring you full details in our New york Auto Show coverage starting April 8th.

Full Euro-spec details after the jump:

Set to debut at the Geneva Auto Show in March, the long-awaited Audi TT RS is powered by an all-new 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that features both direct-injection and turbocharging.

Audi has only released these teaser images and hasn’t released any specifics as of yet, but the company does say the new powerplant will make “far more” than 300hp.

Audi claims that “a legend is reborn” referring to the five-cylinder engine, a powerplant that has a long history with the four-rings.

As for performance statistics, Audi once again teases us, stating that it takes “nowhere near” 5 seconds to hit 100km/h (62 mph). Top speed is said to be 155 mph.

The only other item known about the car is that it will apparently have impressive brakes. One can assume this means that carbon ceramic rotors will be a part of the package.

Official release after the jump:

Both the XFR and XKR get new, more aggressive, aerodynamics as well as a shockingly powerful 510hp engine. The engine is an all-new 5.0-liter powerplant that has been supercharged and features direct injection technology. Torque is also impressive at 460 ft-lbs.

This new engine can propel the XFR to 60 mph in 4.7 seconds and the XKR to 60 mph in 4.6 seconds. Thanks to direct injection technology, the XKR gets comparable fuel economy to the old 4.2-liter model with fewer emissions. The XFR also registers equal fuel economy to the standard supercharged 4.2-liter car with fewer emissions. Both vehicles feature a revised transmission that allows for smoother and faster shifts.

Also standard on both new R models is a dynamic suspension that can adapt up to 100 times per second. These two new models are a commitment by Jaguar to reinvigorate the R badge.

The company also plans to unveil an all new model later this year, which, rumor has it, is a coupe-styled luxury sedan along the lines of the CLS and Panamera. Expect an official reveal of that car at the Geneva Motor Show.

Official 2010 XF and XFR release after the jump:

After unveiling the luxury plug-in hybrid Karma Concept at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit last year, Fisker is set to show another concept as well as the production version of the Karma.

Cadillac has announced that it will show the production version of the new CTS Sport Wagon at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit this January. Considering the American luxury brand announced production plans for the Caddy wagon months ago, it is also expected that a second model, the CTS Coupe, will be unveiled.

Unveiled at the Paris Motor Show, the Ferrari California is designed to appeal to a broader market. This is due, mostly, to the fact that is has been designed to be better suited to regular use. It is still an exotic, however, and the proof is in the engine, a high-revving 4.3L V8 that makes 460hp at 7750 rpm and 358-ft-lbs of torque at 5000 rpm. It’s the same engine found in the F430 but with direct injection and tuned for slightly less hp and slightly more torque.

The California also has tons of creature comforts including a stunning interior and a 6.5-inch display screen. All the interior amenities, combined with the retractable hardtop (which takes just 14 seconds to open or close) make for a hefty curb weight of 3,825 lbs. Still, the California can hit 60 mph in four seconds and race on to a top speed of 196 mph. This is all achieved through a new (and more user-friendly) seven-speed double clutch gearbox.

Official release after the jump:

Looking almost crossover-like, the Volvo S60 Concept is undeniably an embellished version of the S60 that will make it to production for 2010. Volvo is, after all, one of the most conservatively styled manufacturers on the planet.

Other than the obvious design cues, Volvo will introduce several significant updates with the S60 as well as one new industry leading safety feature.

That feature is called “Collision Warning with Full Auto Brake” and what it does is detect when a pedestrian steps out in front of the car. At first it will give the driver a warning and if the driver does not react in time, the vehicle will apply the brakes. At speeds 20 km/h (12.4 mph) and below the system will bring the car to a complete halt. At any other speed, the system will reduce the speed by 20 km/h, which, says Volvo, will reduce the impact force by 75 percent.

The S60 concept will be on display at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, and will showcase a turbocharged 1.6-liter four-cylinder with direct injection technology. Output is an impressive 180hp.

The production version S60 will have direct injection although we expect there to be a larger powerplant for the North American market. The production S60 will also come with another first for Volvo, a dual-clutch gearbox.

Official press release after the jump: