More info from a reliable BMW source known as Scott27, from a report by BMW blog.
BMW is considering the i8 moniker for the Vision EfficientDynamics for when it takes the model to production in 2013. The hybrid supercar is scheduled for a 2013 debut as a 2014 model.
BMW has recently trademarked various "i" names and logos as it plans to create a sub-brand from its "Project i" set of vehicles. Previous speculation had the name of the Vision EfficientDynamics as the i1 or i100.
But considering how far off the model's launch is, BMW is likely considering the i8 name amongst a group of others. The naming process is one that involves a lot of market research which one can assume BMW has yet not fully completed.
Still, the use of the number 8 does make sense in fitting this large supercar above the 6-Series and 7-Series as was done with the never-seen M8.
Source: BMW blog
BMW Vision EfficientDynamics may be called the i8
Chevy Camaro platform underpins new GM vehicle in Chicago
General Motors has big plans for the upcoming Chicago Auto Show. At the exposition opening this week, GM will unveil a pair of new vehicles, although details on what form they'll take remain scarce.
The news comes from reports quoting GM's North American president Mark Reuss. All he's revealed at this point is that one of the two cars will be based on the Chevrolet Camaro's platform. That tells us it will be a front-engine/rear-drive vehicle, but little else. So, commence speculation: Camaro Z28? Chevy Zeta-platform sedan? (Which we think should be called Chevelle, because hey, if Dodge can call its sedan Charger...)
As for the second car slated for the Windy City salon, your guess is as good as ours. So we'll just have to sit tight and see what the General has got in store for us.
[Source: The Detroit News]
Happy New Year - Audi jacks up prices for 2011
Audi is hiking prices on certain models for 2011.
In Germany, Audi prices for the TT, Q7, A8 and R8 models will rise by an average of 0.9 percent and those hikes can be expected in most other European markets too.
For the flagship R8 supercar, starting price on the 4.2 liter V8 variant will be €110,000 instead of €109,100. The R8 Spyder goes up by €1,000 to €122,100.
The A8 3.0 TDI will start at €79,900 - a €700 bump. But base price on the Q7 3.0 TDI stays put at €51,800. The Q7 3.0 liter petrol gets a €600 hike to €53,500.
The entry-level Audi TT with the 160 PS 1.8 liter petrol will go up by €300 to start at €30,500.
Price hikes take effect as of January 17, 2011.
Source: Auto Bild
Officially Official: 2012 Buick Regal eAssist will get 26/37 mpg
When General Motors debuted the 2012 Buick LaCrosse with eAssist technology at the Los Angeles Auto Show last year, the automaker told us that this new fuel-saving feature would quickly spread across many other models in its portfolio. Now, GM has taken the wraps off of the eAssist-equipped 2012 Buick Regal, which makes its official public debut at the Chicago Auto Show this week.
Most significantly, the addition of eAssist to the Regal's 2.4-liter inline-four powertrain means that the sedan is now capable of achieving 26 miles per gallon in the city and 37 mpg on the highway. Like the LaCrosse, the Regal eAssist uses a small, 15-horsepower electric motor to give assistance during acceleration, and when combined with things like regenerative braking and automatic start/stop, it means a substantial increase in fuel economy. It's not exactly Ford Fusion Hybrid impressive, but still quite good when you consider that the standard Regal only musters up 19/30 mpg ratings.
Unlike the larger LaCrosse, eAssist will not be the base powertrain for 2012 Regals. Buick has positioned the Regal eAssist to be part of larger family, which includes the Regal Turbo and upcoming GS. Model-specific changes over the base Regal include things like lightweight 17-inch alloy wheels (smaller than the standard Regal's 18-inch set), an eco mode for the air conditioning system, an eco gauge on the instrument panel and a powerflow readout in the seven-inch infotainment screen.
We'll be seeing the 2012 Regal eAssist live in Chicago this week, so stay tuned for more information.
[Source: General Motors]
TAS 2011: 370Z to Porsche Panamera Convertible conversion
If you wanted to create a Porsche Panamera drop-top, where would you start? Perhaps with a Panamera sedan or something else from the Porsche stable? Or at least something that hails from Germany?
A customizer at the 2011 Tokyo Auto Salon decided his ideal Teutonic convertible would begin life as a Nissan 370Z Roadster. It takes more than a body-kit and upgraded lighting to go from Japan to Germany, but we'll give the owner of this car an A for effort. Execution? Well... not so much.
Also, we're just going to remain patient and wait quietly for the real thing to arrive from Zuffenhausen. Oh, wait...
[Source: Mad Whips]
Report: Lotus to overhaul Exige, Evora ahead of Esprit production
It's no secret that Lotus has monumental plans in the coming years, announcing no fewer than four new models at the 2010 Paris Motor Show that it says will gradually roll out over the next several years. But there's no denying that the British firm's current level of success was built on the excellence that is the Lotus Elise, Exige and, most recently, Evora.
That being the case, we're hoping that a report from Autocar in the UK is accurate and that Lotus has plans to overhaul the Exige and give the Evora a heavily updated interior before the Esprit goes into production in late 2012. We certainly wouldn't expect wholesale changes to either machine – engineering budgets are surely being diverted elsewhere – but a little something to keep its current models fresh in the eyes of consumers would go a long way towards bridging the gap between the present and the Ferrari-fighting future
[Source: Autocar]
MINI announces SD lineup
After months of speculation, MINI has officially introduced the new SD lineup.
Available this spring, the SDs feature a 2.0-liter four-cylinder diesel engine with 143 PS (105 kW / 141 hp) and 305 Nm (225 lb-ft) of torque. It allows the Cooper to accelerate from 0-100 km/h in 8.1 seconds and hit a top speed of 215 km/h (134 mph). Furthermore, the car consumes an average of 4.3L/100km (65.7 mpg imp) and emits 114 g/km.
In the Cooper SD Clubman, the dash from 0-100 km/h takes 8.6 seconds and the top speed is 215 km/h (134 mph). Thankfully, it only consumes 4.4 L/100km (64.2 mpg imp) and has CO2 emissions of 115 g/km.
Owners of the SD Convertible can run from 0-100 km/h in 8.7 seconds and a hit maximum speed of 210 km/h (130 mph). While doing this, they can average 4.5 L/100km (62.8 mpg imp) and emit 118 g/km.
In the SD Countryman, 0 to 100 km/h takes 9.3 seconds and the top speed is 198 km/h (123 mph). Emissions come in at 122 g/km, while the average fuel consumption is 4.6 L/100km.
Opting for the SD Countryman ALL4 reduces performance as the dash to 100 km/h is a tenth of a second longer and the top speed declines to 195 km/h (121 mph). Despite this, fuel consumption is still respectable at 4.9 L/100km with C02 emissions of 130 g/km.
Regardless of what body style is selected, the diesel engine is connected to a new six-speed manual transmission or an optional six-speed automatic.
Check out the press release for additional information
Source: MINI
2012 Honda Civic snapped uncovered
The ninth-generation 2012 Honda Civic was caught uncovered on the back of a car carrier trailer in Suzuka Japan.
NoticiasAutomotivas.com.br reports that the vehicles on the trailer, which include Fit and Insight models, are headed to the U.S. as indicated by the left-hand drive and amber turn signals. Furthermore, the Civic looks practically the same as the recently revealed Civic sedan concept at the North American International Auto Show this past January with the exception of mesh grilles, smoked headlamps and softer lines.
Under the hood, power is expected to be provided by the same 1.8-liter petrol unit. Other engines include a natural gas variant and a hybrid. The latter is slated to adopt the newest Integrated Motor Assist (IMA) system which will be powered by a lithium-ion battery - a first for a Honda. Honda's Eco Assist is expected to be applied to the entire model range - good for a 10 percent savings in fuel economy.
Latest rumors place the 2.4-liter unit found in the Acura TSX into the sporty Civic Si model. Power output is speculated to be between 200 and 210 hp while torque gets a healthy increase to 170 lb-ft (230 Nm) thanks to the extra displacement.
The 2012 Civic will go on sale this summer. See source link below for more photos.
Source: noticiasautomotivas.com.br
