Fisker has started production on its Karma plug-in hybrid vehicle in Uusikaupunki, Finland. The Karma utilises its electric motor for 50 miles (80km) before the petrol engines kicks in. Spokesman Roger Ormisher said: “We’re going to be ramping up very slowly, very carefully to ensure quality. This year we want to get over 7,000 deliveries.” In EV mode, a top speed of 95mph (153km/h) can be achieved, while in hybrid Sport mode these figures improve to125mph (200km/h). With a total driving range of 300 miles (483km), fuel economy of 100mpg (2.4l/100km) can be attained. The firm aims to sell its car in Europe and the U.S by April. Go here to read the rest: Fisker Karma production commences in Finland See original here: Fisker Karma production commences in Finland

Ford has given its Fiesta three new option packages for the 2012 model year. The interior can be specified with a ‘Race Red’ or ‘Oxford White’ package. These consist of two-tone coloured interior accents on the door panels, centre console, and air vents, leather seats, steering wheel, and gearknob. The seats also feature an integrated Fiesta logo, with the interior packages said to be inspired by fashion. These will only be available on SEL and SES models. Externally, a styling package paints several parts in Tuxedo Black like the door mirrors, grille surround, license plate header, and tailgate-mounted spoiler. Additionally, tinted headlights, revised manual transmission ratio – from 4.07 to 4.25 -, and 16” polished aluminium wheels will feature. Lew Echlin, Ford Global Car marketing manager said: “The Fiesta customer loves accessories and personalization. These packages extend the desire the customer has to make the car more tailored to his or her own personal tastes. Personalization has been key since the Fiesta launched, and with the new packages we’re featuring the latest design trends so customers can do even more with their car.” Ford said that 40% of Fiesta buyers choose at least one accessory for their cars, with more than 26,000 Ford Custom Accessories items being sold to date.   Here is the original post: Ford revises Fiesta for 2012 (U.S) Read the rest here:  Ford revises Fiesta for 2012 (U.S)

Unconfirmed reports from Germany suggest Porsche is penning a sub- Panamera model, targeting the Mercedes E-Class, Audi A6, Infiniti G-Series , and BMW 5 Series . Doubtfully dubbed ‘Pajun’ – short for Panamera Junior – the newcomer would combine typical Porsche styling with a four-door coupé bodystyle. Power would come from the same options found in the larger Panamera . Look out for a launch in 2016 with an entry price of £52,500 (€60,000/$85,000). The rest is here: Porsche may be penning mid-sized executive sedan Go here to see the original: Porsche may be penning mid-sized executive sedan

2009 Infiniti G37S coupé Nissan’s luxury division, Infiniti is looking to open up shop in Australia. Following its expansion in Europe and certain Asian markets, Infiniti would like to sell its line-up of crossovers, coupés, and sedans sometime in late 2012. Initial Infiniti centres will open up on the east-coast of Australia, in the cities of Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney. The line-up will feature the M-Series sedan, FX -Series sporty SUV, and G37 coupé & convertible. “As part of Infiniti’s worldwide expansion, Australia is a mandatory next step for the luxury brand,” said Dan Thompson CEO, Infiniti Cars Australia. “In a little more than a year, the promise of luxury vehicles with a unique combination of inspired performance, attentive hospitality and unparalleled quality will become a reality for the Australian market.” GM, Kevin Snell believes Infiniti is a “clear alternative to the traditional premium makes”. Snell claims the brand will aim at a younger audience, aged between 30 and 40 years. ‘Infiniti customers are ‘‘quiet rebels’’. They’re rebellious of the mainstream and are typically looking for something different,’’ says Snell. ‘‘They’re more of an individualist-type customer who are passionate about design and technology. They are early adopters and risk-takers and don’t like traditional conservative status and want to stand out from the crowd. They might even be tired of an Audi, BMW or Mercedes their neighbour drives’’. View post: Infiniti to kick-start sales Down Under (AU) See the original post:  Infiniti to kick-start sales Down Under (AU)

In 1974, the Volkswagen Golf was launched as the replacement to the legendary Beetle built on a more conventional front-engined compact car platform. A tough act to follow, the Golf (known as the Rabbit for many years in the United States and Canada) needed an image builder to warm small car buyers to the new Volkswagen product. Going in the direction of improved power and enhanced premium equipment, the Volkswagen Golf GTI was born in 1976 pioneering the factory hot hatch. In 2011, the Volkswagen Golf GTI celebrates 35 years of awaking the sport compact category. Though the factory has made few preparations for the GTI’s momentous occasion, one European-based aftermarket tuner realizes the automotive accomplishment is worthy of a noteworthy presentation. Using supply partners WUNSCHEL SPORT and OZ Racing, the GTI35.com aftermarket group has created a unique package taking the high-performance Volkswagen Golf beyond the stock GTI. The most defining difference GTI35.com carried out on the 2011 Volkswagen Golf GTI may not be distinguishable to the human eye. Furnishing a lower center of gravity than the stock version of the GT1, WUNSCHEL SPORT customized suspension lowers the ride height of the GTI35.com Golf by 25 millimeters (little less than an inch). Adding to the low ground clearance look, the special aftermarket edition Volkswagen Golf GTI features 19-inch OZ Racing alloy wheels from the Italian company‘s Quaranta series. Playing a part in the aftermarket anniversary celebration of the Volkswagen Golf GTI, OZ Racing has entered their 40th year of wheel production. Sporting larger diameter wheels, wider high-performance tires are matched with the GTI35.com Volkswagen Golf. Wearing a titanium paint job, the GTI35.com version of the Volkswagen Golf is given a mild makeover in either two or four-door body styles. Provided by WUNSCHEL SPORT, the exterior paintwork extended to the rocker panel trim as well as front and rear spoiler coating the titanium overtop of the matte black production pieces. Finishing touches to the body’s aesthetics includes GTI35.com’s addition of race-styled decals placed along the hood, front doors and rear hatch lid proclaiming “35 Years of Thunder GTI 1976-2011“. Present under the German sport compact’s hood, the 2011 Volkswagen...

One of the three world premiers at the 2011 Shanghai Auto Show is the new BMW 6 Series Coupe . Previously revealed in a concept form at the 2010 Paris Motor Show, the new 6 Series Coupe will be joining the 2012 M5 Concept and an all-new 5 Series electric vehicle. Its North American debut will take place at the New York Auto Show that runs concurrently with the Chinese event. Set to get its first public airing at the Shanghai motor show in April, the 6er coupe will arrive in European and U.S. showrooms after the summer, and will be competing against the Mercedes-Benz E63 Coupe and Jaguar XK. Initially, the 2012 BMW 6 Series Coupe launches with two gasoline engine variants in Europe, the 640i and the highest offering, 650i, powered by a six-cylinder engine, respectively V8 turbocharged. BMW announced that the 640i coupe will cost 74,700 euros in Germany. No U.S. pricing is available at the moment. With the new BMW 6 Series, BMW has another opportunity to outline the new design language under chief designer Adrian Van Hooydonk. Escaping from the sometimes radical and adventurous Bangle design, the new 6er Coupe is an evolution of the previous model, but its design lines continue to emit a strong presence. The F12 6 Series Coupe comes to emphasize this new design language at BMW which started in 2009 with the E89 Z4, followed shortly by the F01/F02 7 Series and last year’s big seller, F10 5 Series. The high-end Coupe features shorter rear deck and a dramatic slope of the rear light, along with perfect proportions. The road presence is impressive and it aims to stand out amongst the crowd. The unique shape of the headlights are inspired from the Gran Coupe Concept, the four-door coupe that will come next year to further expand the flagship offerings from BMW. Same headlights design is said to be featured in the 2012 BMW 3 Series. At the end, BMW fans will praise the new design that makes forgotten the overly discussed Bangle-butt. The L-shape taillights continue to remain a BMW icon and the full LED treatment bring out the luxury and sportiness from the new 6. We expect the U.S. pricing to be announced next month in New York. Continued here: BMW to unveil new 6 Series Coupe at Shanghai and New York Auto Shows

Paul McVeigh of Automotive News Europe writes an interesting article on BMW’s transformation from just a car company to an enterprise that offer different services. In an interview for AutoNews, Ian Roberton, BMW sales and marketing chief, said the company “is no longer just an auto company.” Robertson further explored the subject by adding that BMW aims to become a “mobility solution provider” as well and the new car-sharing program is just the beginning. Earlier this week, BMW launched the DriveNow car-sharing services which aims to sign around 1 million customers by 2020.  BMW wants to capitalize on the Y-generation that lives in large cities and have less desire to own a car. DriveNow gives people access to cars on-demand, similar to the Zipcar program offered in the U.S., or the Mercedes’ Car2Go. If a sell can’t take place, BMW is looking to introduce a new revenue stream with the DriveNow program. A study by Frost & Sullivan says that by 2025, 60 percent of the global population will be urban, therefore traffic congestions and pollution will decrease the number of cars sold. Just a month ago, BMW unveiled their new sub-brand “i”, as well as their BMW i Ventures Fund aimed at mobile developers. As AutoNews mentions as well, BMW plans to become a “mobility solutions provider.” In-car connectivity is also a hot topic within BMW and for the first time at an auto show, there more ConnectedDrive engineers than designers. The Vision ConnectedDrive showcased the capabilities within a car rather than focusing on thee exterior design. In order to evolve, BMW has to expand its reach into different areas, therefore expect more unique initiatives to come out of the Munich Headquarter. The rest is here: AutoNews: Why BMW is ‘no longer just a car company’

Corvette was the title sponsor of ABC Sport’s broadcast of the 12 Hours of Sebring race that took place this past Saturday. General Motors and Corvette Racing Team took the opportunity to show the strengths of their race car by poking at the competition. A 30-seconds commercial ran on national television showcasing the Corvette ZR1, a vehicle that according to the company had to be significantly de-tuned in order to quality for the ALMS GT races. The ZR1 lost 168 horsepower and the very same reason why the two companies are bragging about it. The commercial starts something like this: “Usually when a carmaker turns their models into a racecar, they add power….”, and it continues with the mention of Porsche, BMW and Ferrari. The Detroit-based company takes pride in its ZR1 and superior power, but unfortunately, it wasn’t enough. BMW took first and second in Sebring and dominated the race from begging till end, despite some small setbacks and incidents. So the question is…how many extra ponies would the ZR1 need to come at the top? As Autoblog points out as well, the fact that the Corvette ZR1 comes standard with 638 horsepower is just mind-blowing, and maybe not in the most positive way. In the mean time, we look forward to the next race and we hope BMW’s ex-drive Tommy Milner will be able to come at the top, it would make for a far more interesting season. [Source: Corvette Blogger ] See the rest here: Video: Corvette, Ferrari, Porsche, BMW and Performance Balance

Ferrari builds a four-wheel-drive wagon—and it’s just as thrilling as anything else prancing out of Maranello. Running through hairpin corners in the Dolomite Mountains of the South Tyrol region of Italy, the Ferrari FF’s two-door wagon body style is the last thing on my mind, which is interesting because it’s probably the first thing anyone else would notice about the latest four-seater from Maranello. Instead, my most pressing thought, besides not dropping a $300,000 GT car off a cliff, is the FF’s four-wheel-drive system, which has so tamed the 651-hp V-12 engine that a tail-out hero photo of a drifting FF requires serious commitment with the stability control fully switched off. When the back end finally does come around, though, it does so in a predictable, gentle manner. In Sport mode, the sportiest of the five chassis settings accessible via the steering-wheel-mounted manettino knob, the back of the car hardly wiggles on dry pavement. Keep Reading: 2012 Ferrari FF – First Drive Review Read more here: 2012 Ferrari FF – First Drive Review See the rest here:  2012 Ferrari FF – First Drive Review

BMW releases a new video showcasing their Performance Parts. Last year, BMW aggressively started to promote their BMW Performance offerings and the video campaign began with 1 Series and 3 Series vehicles. Also starting last year, in the U.S., marketing people and BMW Performance representatives were sitting down with BMW dealerships to discuss to a further extend the offerings from the performance program. From a new electronic steering wheel, to performance stripes and carbon fiber spoiler, the range of BMW Performance Parts is only getting better. The first BMW Performance catalog was launched three years ago at the Geneva Motor Show, followed a year later by new Performance Parts for the 335i. A partial list of other BMW Performance Parts includes: Performance Air Intake Cross-Drilled Rotors Performance Control Arm Performance Suspension Performance Engine Package Performance Differential Shift boot Performance Shift Knob Performance Strut Brace For more details visit www.bmw.com/performance Read the rest here: Video: BMW Performance. More than Tuning

According to Automotive News , BMW ranks first among 100 desired brands in China. BMW’s closest competitors, Mercedes and Audi rank eighth and 12th, respectively. The survey coming from Clear Asia used a sample of 2,500 consumers in China. The survey also places BMW ahead of Apple, one of the largest company in the world with a very loyal following, and above Rolex as well. “BMW has a very strong and attractive brand personality in China,” said Oliver Cartwright, Clear Asia’s regional managing director in a statement. “It’s seen as sexy and confident, exciting and sophisticated”. Scott Davies, Director of Clear Asia, says that Mercedes and Audi “are admired, but neither has the emblematic brand personality of BMW — and having a very distinctive personality is key to being a truly desirable brand.” The China survey was part of a worldwide study conducted by Clear. Interesting enough, globally, BMW was No. 3 behind Apple and Google, but ahead of other automakers. Read the original post: BMW is China’s most-desired brand ahead of Apple and China

BMW’s 3.0 liter six-cylinder turbo diesel is once again praised by automotive magazines. Last one in line to acclaim the N57 diesel is Motor Trend . Here is an excerpt from their review: “This engine is the third, and most powerful, version of BMW’s N57 common rail, direct injection, twin-turbo oil-burner, developing its 299 hp at 4400rpm, and a hefty 442 lb-ft of torque from just 1750 rpm. A low inertia small turbocharger delivers near instant grunt off idle, while a larger second turbocharger ensures volumetric efficiency at higher engine speeds. Compared with the N55, the N57 delivers pure, seamless thrust right from standstill – even when you’re easy on the gas pedal – the ZF swiftly shuffling through its eight ratios. It’s perfect for the cut-and-thrust of London, where you’re constantly hustling for the smallest advantage in the traffic. The gobs of instant grunt mean rolling response on the freeway is impressive, too – just wiggle your big toe, and the 535d jumps to attention, allowing you to plug that gap in the fast moving stream of Benzes, Jags, and Range Rovers heading for the Home Counties on a Friday afternoon. The N57 growls like a contented lion when you tickle the throttle, and there’s a slightly granular quality to the feedback from the engine room, but otherwise you lose nothing compared with the N55-powered 535i. At about 5.6 seconds the 535d’s claimed 0-60 mph time is virtually identical. More impressively, you’ll spend less at the pump, as BMW claims the 535d will return 36.3 mpg on the combined Euro cycle. We saw a best of 36.7 mpg for a 100-mile motorway run, and a worst of 23.5 mpg after 67 miles of stop-start running around the greater London area. Total consumption for our 1032 miles in the car was 30.2 mpg (all figures U.S. gallons). When a 13.8-gallon fill costs just over $120, such math is more than merely academic.” Full review at Motor Trend See the original post:  Motor Trend: BMW’s Best Six is a Diesel

Rumor of the year comes from German magazine Auto Motor Und Sport which reports on BMW’s plans to introduce a new 4 Series line-up. Beside the sedan, coupe and convertible variants, the magazine says a four-dour coupe type of vehicle will be introduced as well. The 4er is said to compete with the A5 Sportback and it will feature a coupe-like roof line. Last year, we reported several times on BMW’s plans to launch a 3 Series Gran Turismo variant and according to our sources, the vehicles is still on schedule to launch in 2013. It is unclear at the moment if the two rumored vehicle are in fact one and only. So what would be the reasons for BMW to introduce a new 4 Series? Similar to the 6 Series offerings, the 4er models will fit between the 3 and 5 Series and will feature a coupe-like look. By offering a higher positioned coupe, BMW will compete on the market with Audi and Mercedes, which is said to introduce a smaller SLS model. The new 4 Series will also allow BMW to price the vehicle slightly higher, at a premium price. The overall dynamic design would appeal to a younger demographic as well and will be a viable alternative to the high-end 6 Series Coupe. If indeed BMW has any plans to introduce this new series, we believe the Gran Coupe name might be attached to it. In 2012, BMW will also launch a four-door coupe variant of the new 6 Series. The 6er Gran Coupe will compete with the Mercedes CLS and Audi A7. BMW has recently also filed for U.S. trademarks for 2 Series model designation. Rummormill churns out that the the 2 Series badge would actually be given to the next-generation of 1 Series Coupe and Convertible models. No other details are available at the moment and this is the first time we have heard of a 4 Series plan, so take these rumors with a big grain of salt. [Source: AMS via BimmerToday ] View post: Rumor: BMW to offer 4 Series four-door coupe

2011 Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S Awards Edition Maserati is looking to produce three new models by 2015, expanding into markets the firm has never touch. The first model will be a Quattroporte replacement that may debut at Autumn’s Frankfurt motor exhibition. Codenamed M156, the newcomer will carry a 4.7 litre V8 petrol that develops between 399bhp (405PS/298kW) to 434bhp (440PS/324kW). We wouldn’t be surprised to see a powerful diesel either. Reports suggest the model will move either upmarket or down-grade to rival the German large executive sedans. A ‘crossover’ (large SUV) will debut in 2013, underpinning the Jeep Grand Cherokee /Dodge Durango/Mercedes ML & GL quadruplets. While there’s insufficient information, a bespoke interior and external design may feature. CEO Sergio Marchionne has confirmed the forthcoming model will use Ferrari-sourced V8 engines. The company will set to launch an ‘entry-level’ sedan, sitting directly below the larger Quattroporte in 2015. Code-named M157, the car will target high-end mid-sized executive sedans and will be powered by a V8 petrol engine. An estimated price-tag of €55,000 (£48,000/$78,000). A performance-orientated model will cost €66,000 (£57,500/$96,000). See original here: Maserati to premier Quattroporte replacement in Frankfurt More:  Maserati to premier Quattroporte replacement in Frankfurt

Contrary to popular belief, America still builds a lot of cars. Contrary to popular belief, America still builds cars—a lot of them. Nearly 8 million cars and trucks came out of  U.S. plants last year. Step back and look at the entire North American continent, and production adds up to more than 12 million units. But even if a vehicle is made by an American company by American workers, it’s not necessarily an American car, at least according to our government. By Uncle Sam’s reckoning, if  75 percent (by value) or more of a car’s parts come from the U.S. or Canada, it’s considered a domestic product; less than that, and it’s not. The maps here tell you not only where your North American–made car is built, but just how American it really is. Keep Reading: Domestic Bliss: A Graphic Representation of What’s Really “Made in America” – Feature Originally posted here: Domestic Bliss: A Graphic Representation of What’s Really “Made in America” – Feature View original post here: Domestic Bliss: A Graphic Representation of What’s Really “Made in America” – Feature