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Volkswagen R GmbH Officially Announced as New VW Performance Brand
Once again the rumors were correct with VW now officially announcing Volkswagen R GmbH, a special division of the German automaker dedicated to “sporty exclusive models.” Something akin to BMW M or Mercedes AMG, VW’s R brand will oversee the development of special R models as well as R Line design packages and special “Volkswagen…
2011 BMW 5 Series Touring Announced for Europe
On the heels of the release of the 2011 5 Series at the Geneva Auto Show, BMW has now unveiled the 2011 5 Series Touring (wagon). Designed for the European market and possibly not scheduled to arrive in North America at all (due to the release of the similar 5 Series GT), the Touring model…
Report: Electric Volkswagen Jetta, Audi A6 Hybrid Slated for Production
With Audi‘s recent unveiling of the A8 Hybrid at the Geneva Auto Show and news the Q5 Hybrid is on its way, Audi has made known plans to add more hybrid models, starting with the A6. According to a report by AutoWeek, the next-generation A6 will be offered in full hybrid form late in 2012…
Report: Mercedes Looking to Compete in Australian V8 Supercars Series
With some big changes coming to the Australian V8 Supercars series, Mercedes-Benz may be looking to get in on the action. Starting in 2012, the Australian NASCAR-meets-Touring Car series will follow after the U.S. stock car series by introducing a Car of the Future platform, essentially making the championship more of a spec series. The…
Audi RS5 Video Includes Track Duty Alongside the Original Quattro
After its debut at the Geneva Auto Swow last week, Audi has released several videos of the new RS5, including some track footage alongside the original Quattro – the car that started it all. Taking after the Quattro, the RS5 is a mean machine with sexy styling. It is powered by the same 4.2-liter V8…
Report: BMW Planning New Front-Drive Model On Next MINI Cooper Platform
BMW will produce a new front-drive model that will slot in underneath the 1 Series in the company’s lineup. According to a report by AutoCar, the news comes direct from BMW chairman Norbert Reithofe. This new BMW will share its architecture with a the next generation MINI Cooper and will be separate from the upcoming…
AMG Driving Academy Announces 2010 Dates With New Pro Level Course
Mercedes has just announced the dates and locations for its AMG Driving Academy, which returns with more vehicles and high-level courses, after last year’s successful inaugural run. Events will be held at both Road Atlanta and Laguna Seca, with a new three-day Pro Level course added at Road Atlanta. Just one Pro Level course will…
Report: 2012 Audi S8 to Get Twin-Turbo V8 With Much-Needed Torque
With Audi having just launched its all-new 2011 A8 luxury flagship sedan and fuel efficient diesel and hybrid models put on display at last week’s Geneva Auto Show, the next step for the big grilled saloon will be a high-performance model. That’s right, the S8 is set to return. According to a report by Car…
Report: Porsche Committed to Bringing 918 Spyder to Production
When Porsche unveiled the 918 Spyder concept at the Geneva Auto Show last week, the automaker no doubt had hopes of a positive reception, leading to a potential production car. And that’s exactly what seems to have happened. According to a report by AutoCar, Porsche boss Michael Macht says the company is committed to building…
Report: Audi Planning Light-Weight R8 With Dual-Clutch Gearbox
With a new V10 Spyder having just joined the Audi R8 lineup and a V8-powered drop-top reportedly in the works, Audi isn’t done expanding the R8 lineup just yet. According to a report by Car & Driver, Audi aims to follow after Lamborghini by introducing a “Superleggera” version of the R8. Not only will the…
Report: Audi A2 Set to Return to European Roads
Audi will revive the A2 model, to slot in between its A3 hatchback and the funky new A1 model, which the company debuted at the Geneva Auto Show last week. “There’s clearly room for another product and another concept between the A3 and A1,” said Audi CEO Rupert Stadler to AutoWeek, which comes as a…
AMG Unwraps New 563-hp 5.5-liter V8 Biturbo
Mercedes performance division AMG has just announced its new biturbo V8 engine, making 536-hp and 590 ft-lbs of torque (563-hp and 664 ft-lbs of torque with the AMG Performance Package). Designed to replace the 6.2-liter AMG mill, the M157 engine will first appear in the 2011 S63, where it will also make a decent 22.4…
Report: Mercedes Planning Three B-Class Models for U.S. Including Crossover, Hatch and Sedan
Mercedes-Benz will introduce a new B-Class platform in Europe in 2011, with many different variants – several of which are destined for the U.S. According to a recent report by Automotive News, Mercedes will bring up to three B-Class models to the U.S., including a hatchback, sedan and a small crossover. The move comes as…
Report: BMW 1 Series M Not Coming, Look for 135is Instead
While some sources say a BMW 1 Series M is headed for production, the team at Inside Line continues to insist that no such car is in the cards – sort of. You see, rather than a super high performance M version, Inside Line says a to look for a 135is. The 135is would get…
Geneva 2010: ABT Sportsline Tunes Golf R to 310-hp
Leave it to Germany’s largest and most popular Volkswagen tuner to take something as cool as the brand new Golf R and make it even better! With VW’s 4MOTON all-wheel drive and a turbocharged 2.0-liter 4-cylinder the Golf R is already seriously badass, but ABT has tuned the 2.0 TFSI engine to 310-hp, allowing for…
Geneva 2010: BMW Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid Is a Blue Look at BMW’s Green Future
Along with the first officially showing of the new 5 Series, BMW is also displaying a new hybrid 5 Series concept at the Geneva Auto Show. Following closely after the ActiveHybrid 7 Series and ActiveHybrid X6, the Concept 5 Series ActiveHybrid is powered by a 300-hp inline-six mated to a twin-scroll turbocharger – the same…
Geneva 2010: MercedesSport Individualization Program for the New E-Class
Debuting for the first time at the Geneva Auto Show is a line line of OEM accessories from Mercedes-Benz. Titled, MercedesSport, the individualization program includes parts and accessories, both aesthetic and performance-oriented. With Mercedes already offering AMG packages for many models, this expands a new line of parts to more models and allows Benz owners…
Geneva 2010: Mercedes SL500 Night Edition Debut
Announced just before the Detroit Auto Show earlier this year, we expected to catch up with the latest special edition Merc there, but it took a trip to Switzerland for the Geneva Auto Show before we were able to gaze on this black beauty. The latest in a string of limited edition Mercedes-Benz SL models,…
Geneva 2010: Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG the Official Formula One Safety Car
What’s the one car Michael Schumacher cannot pass? The official Formula One Safety Car, of course! That’s the riddle Mercedes-Benz’ Dr. Dieter Zetsche asked before introducing the SLS AMG F1 Safety Car at the Geneva Auto Show. The SLS AMG Safety Car then drove to the stage and its gullwing doors opened up to reveal…
Geneva 2010: Mercedes E300 BlueTEC Hybrid to be Europe’s First Diesel Hybrid
The E300 BlueTEC Hybrid is set to be Europe’s first diesel hybrid when it goes on sale at the end of next year as a 2011. Powered by the E250 CDI’s 2.2-liter diesel with 204-hp, it gets an additional 15 kW (20-hp) electric motor and lithium-ion battery that assist in powering the car, charging up…
Geneva 2010: Volkswagen CrossGolf Adds Functionality to a Popular Platform
Debuting alongside its Polo counterpart, Volkswagen has unveiled the CrossGolf at the Geneva Auto Show. The sixth model to be based on the Golf platform, the CrossGolf is infused with the style of a crossover. The specific CrossGolf model is based on the GolfPlus, but it gets a rugged exterior with new front and rear…
Geneva 2010: Audi A1 Brings Sexy Back but Justin Timberlake Seemed Less Than N’Sync
Audi really went all out to promote its new A1 at the Geneva Auto Show. Newly-signed brand ambassador Justin Timberlake gave Audi’s press conference star power, drawing one of the largest crowds on media day. Unfortunately the pop star’s appearance was a little underwhelming in this reporter’s opinion. Lesson #1: If you’re going to have…
Geneva 2010: Volkswagen CrossPolo Adds Off-Road Style to a Sub-Compact
Sitting next to the sporty Polo GTI model at the 2010 Geneva Auto Show is a crossover-styled CrossPolo. With new front and rear bumpers, side skirts and fender flares, all in a black plastic, the sporty hatch gets a rugged off-road look. To complete the look it also gets some roof rails, as well as…
Geneva 2010: Audi A8 Hybrid Debuts With 2.0 TFSI Engine, Lithium-Ion Battery
Hot on the tailpipes of the new A8 comes Audi’s A8 Hybrid, which has just made its world debut at the Geneva Auto Show. Rated at 38-mpg (average) using the European test cycle, it should be slightly lower with the less-generous U.S. cycle. Audi claims a fuel economy improvement of 20 percent in city driving….
