Kia has revealed prices for its new Picanto city-car. The first bodystyle to arrive is the 5dr which starts at £7,995 for the base ‘1′ trim-level, representing an 11% price hike on the outgoing model at £6,995. Mid-spec ‘2′ – expected to be the best-seller – commands a £1,600 over the ‘1′ grade at £9,595 while the range-topping ‘3′ trim inflates the price to £11,195, plunging the Picanto straight into supermini territory. Two new petrol units are available, both more powerful, flexible, and more economical over the outgoing units, with CO2 emissions starting from 99g/km. Features like x6 airbags, ESP, AUX input w/4 speakers, electric front windows, height adjustable driver’s seat, tilting steering wheel, trip-computer, hill-start assist, internally adjustable door mirrors, remote central locking w/alarm, and 14” steel wheels will come as standard on the ‘1′. The ‘2′ grade arrives with electrically adjustable/heated door mirrors, rear electric windows, front fog lights, Bluetooth, leather steering wheel w/audio controls, USB port, air-conditioning, chrome door handles, and 14” alloy wheels. Flagship ‘3′ trims feature 15” alloy wheels, climate control, 6 speaker audio system, heated front seats, electric sunroof, projector headlamps w/LED daytime running lights, body-coloured door mouldings, and LED rear lights. If the entry price scared you away, rejoice at the fact when the 3dr variant arrives in October, it will be stuck with a low price. Soon after, Kia will be adding a racier variant alongside a series of special editions. Order books are open now with deliveries starting on 17th June for the 2012 model year. Press Release: The new, second-generation Kia Picanto goes on sale in the UK on 17th June and sets out to prove that small cars can offer more of everything without ballooning in size and cost. Kia’s smallest car offers stronger performance with lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions than its predecessor; more style with much higher quality, without a premium price tag; more space, despite barely increasing in size; and huge steps forward in safety and luxury. The car goes on sale with brand-new 1.0- and 1.25-litre Kappa-family...

2009 Hyundai Blue-Will Concept sketch Hyundai is hoping to launch a Prius rivalling plug-in hybrid by 2013. The vehicle will essentially be a production version of the 2009 Blue-Will concept, which is powered by a direct-injection 1.6 litre GDI petrol engine that is mated to a continuously variable transmission and a 100kW electric motor. “We plan to launch a plug-in hybrid model which is in the same segment as the Prius in 2013,” said an unnamed source. The upcoming plug-in hybrid will utilise a similar set-up as the Sonata Hybrid and will use technology similar to that of the Chevy Volt and Toyota Prius Plug-in. Despite both models using different systems, they rely on strong lithium-ion batteries to power the vehicle for a set range before a petrol engine takes over to either function as a generator, as it does in the Volt , or provide propulsion aid as it does in the Prius . With the marque already launching several 40mpg models, Hyundai has its sights set on the 50mpg target by 2025, in which the forthcoming model will spearhead. Hyundai sources say an unnamed model will premier at the 2011 New York motor show. Continued here: Hyundai planning Prius rival for 2013 Here is the original:  Hyundai planning Prius rival for 2013

With tumbling sales, Ford’s luxury brand, Lincoln needs to better distinguish itself from its lesser Ford-badged models. Hence why Ford is developing several new models for the marque within the next three years, including an unpredicted sports car. According to insiders deep within Lincoln, the American car firm is apparently discussing the prospect of a two seat, mid-engined sports car which would become the firm’s flagship vehicle. The unconfirmed sports car will also take lead as Ford uses new technology to inject life into the Lincoln brand. As a result, the sports car would be powered by either a turbocharged V6, possibly a 3.5 litre EcoBoost, and use an electric drivetrain. While this idea may help the marque climb the luxury ranks, Cadillac experimented with a high-priced sports car – the XLR – with a meagre outcome. Read more here: Lincoln planning two seat sports car View post:  Lincoln planning two seat sports car

Brenda Priddy, wife and mother of two is the world’s greatest automotive spy photographer whose work has appeared in many of the top automotive media, from Car & Driver, Motor Trend, AutoWeek, Forbes, Fortune, to Business Week, USA Today and Newsweek. Her stealth-type photos are in high demand turning her into an icon of the old and new world of spy photography. Brenda is known for being brazen, walking right up to vehicles to shoot pictures, with a smile on her face and always willing to strike a conversation with test engineers. This world-class automotive paparazzo logs over 30,000 miles each summer in the Mojave desert to get her shots, a location used by majority of automakers for testing in extremely hot conditions. To learn more about her and the global company she runs, BMWBLOG sat down with Brenda Priddy for an exclusive interview. BMWBLOG: How did you get into the business? What made you interested in automotive spy shooting? Brenda Priddy: I got into this business quite by accident – almost exactly 19 years ago. I snapped some pictures in a local grocery story parking lot of the 1994 Mustang (in 1992) and Automobile Magazine used it on their cover in November 1992! I didn’t really plan to do this as a profession – but over time (and quite quickly) it just happened. And, to say the least, it’s been a wild 19 years! BMWBLOG: How big is your team. What kind of equipment do you shoot with? Brenda Priddy: I have two full-time shooters in this country, and a half dozen others planted in different parts of the world – in addition to the 40 or 50 freelancers or stringers that send us spy photos throughout the year. What kind of equipment do you shoot with? Brenda Priddy: Most of us use Canon gear, but the exact equipment varies depending on the photographer’s preference. I switched to Canon in the pre-digital , pre-image stabilization era because of a lens! Canon offered a 35-350mm -zoom lens and no one else came close to such a lens. It is still my favorite. BMWBLOG: While you and your team are out in the field, what challenges do you face (Elements, angry auto makers, traveling)? Brenda Priddy: Challenges? Well, I cover mostly hot weather testing, whereas several of my European photographers cover cold weather testing....

With the deadly tornado that struck Joplin, Missouri, killing scores of people, the remaining survivors were left with nothing or very little. According to Fox News, William Lynch and his partner were casually driving along in their large pick-up truck when they saw the tornado, forcing Lynch to pull up next to a nearby building to sit the storm out as it passed overhead. Thinking the were safe and sound, a window blew from the truck, propelling him on top of his girlfriend to protect her from flying debris, inevitability obtaining some wounds. In the eye of the storm, Lynch said the vehicle was windowless and dumped on top of another vehicle. Here is the original: Video: Couple survive deadly Joplin tornado inside a pick-up truck See more here: Video: Couple survive deadly Joplin tornado inside a pick-up truck

At the Concorso d’Eleganza Villa d’Este 2011, Rolls Royce was present with an impressive line-up of automobiles, including the first electric vehicle from the Goodwood-based automaker: the Rolls Royce Phantom 102EX . In the most elegant Rolls-Royce category, the award by the jury went to the Rolls-Royce, Phantom II, Special Town Car owned by Norbert Seeger, FL. Another headliner at Villa d’Este was a Rolls-Royce Phantom II Brewster. Trofeo FIVA for the best preserved pre war-car by the Jury went to the same Phantom II, Special Town Car. Other unique Rolls Royce vehicle present at Lake Como were a 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II and 1932 Rolls-Royce 20/25. See the rest here:  Photos: Rolls Royce at Villa d’Este

Could the E46 M3 CSL be the best car to come out of BMW M division? And can BMW build another one just as good? CSL stands for “Coupe Sport Lightweight”, a moniker first given to the legendary race winning BMW 3.0 CSL. First appearing in 1972, the 3.0CSL homologation special model was very successful in racing, especially in the European Touring Car Championship and the Deutsche Rennsport Meisterschaft, thus securing BMW’s position amongst motorsport giants. The first BMW M3 CSL appeared in 2003 and wowed enthusiasts all around the world with its use of racing technologies applied to a street car. Among these technologies was a modified version of the usual 3,246-cc S54 inline-six that lacks a conventional mass airflow meter. Instead, intake air is calculated directly by the DME, making for a much quicker engine response. Further changes include modified camshafts and exhaust valves, plus a lightweight exhaust system constructed of thinner steel. The CSL-spec engine is rated at 360 hp at 7,900 rpm and 273 lb-ft of torque at 4,300 rpm. The E46 M3 CSL is most notably distinguished from the standard E46 M3 by its various lightweight components. The signature differentiation is the Carbon Fiber reinforced roof panel (GFP) which weighs 13 pounds less than the conventional roof. The front bumper support is also constructed of GFP, as well as the unique “Single Air inlet” front bumper. At the rear, the lower rear valance is made of GFP, while the reshaped trunk lid is made of SMC (sheet molding compound). Fiberglass-reinforced plastic is used for the rear bumper supports and this material is also “sandwiched” with thermoplastics and foam to create the trunk floor and rear bulkhead. As a final weight-saving measure, the rear window glass is extra thin. BMW claimed that the M3 CSL weighed 3,054 pounds, or roughly 10 percent less than the normal model. The M3 CSL is equipped exclusively with the SMG II transmission featuring a special launch control mode that automatically shifts at the optimum point for maximum acceleration. This is mated to the standard E46 M3 final drive and M locking differential. Also, the DSC system of the M3 CSL can be switched to an exclusive M Track Mode via the steering wheel-mounted button. This raises the threshold...

Video:  Pagani Huayra fly-bys at Adria International Raceway There’s something unnerving about the Pagani Huayra. Despite its toned down exterior design, the rumble from its exhaust says that it’s more than just another Pagani supercar. This footage shows you Mr. Horacio Pagani himself taking a peek at the engine and giving a little detail on the suspension system. Check out the video guys, and make sure you’re wearing quality earphones to appreciate the sound of that AMG engine. The fly-bys on Italy’s Adria International Raceway may be a little tame to look at, but that’s probably because the test driver does not want to take any chances at wrecking the car. We’re sure if he had it his way, he’ll be testing those tires along those corners to see how well the Huayra pulls out with AMG’s creation under its rear. Or maybe the driver is just overwhelmed by the Huayra and the fact that Mr. Pagani himself is hanging around. Whatever. Enjoy the footage folks. This is the closest you’ll probably get to seeing the Huayra in action. But if you are blessed enough to be able to afford one, kindly be generous enough to send some personal footage down our way, and we’ll make sure to post it here on Insider to share with everyone. Source: World Car Fans Read the rest here:  Video: Pagani Huayra fly-bys at Adria International

Okay folks, this might be a little bit too much info for all of you to digest. But if you’re a die-hard Mercedes-Benz fan, heck even if you’re just starting to marvel at the legacy of Daimler’s brainchild, you’ll find that it’s all worth reading. These are plans the company have under their to-do-list for 2012. So if you’re bent on finally getting a Merc next year, you’d better check this out. C-Class Sedan (September) Restyled four-door sedan with new direct-injection 4- and 6-cylinder engines, more fuel-efficient 7-speed automatic transmission, aluminum hood and increased standard equipment including HD radio, rain-sensing wipers, integrated garage door opener, auto-dimming mirrors, USB interface and integrated compass. Exterior updates include new headlights, LED DRL’s and taillights, bumpers and grille. A completely redesigned interior features a color instrument cluster display, new headunit (described above) w/fixed 5.8” screen, avail. PARKTRONIC w/Parking Assist New safety features includes standard ATTENTION ASSIST, ADAPTIVE BRAKE with HOLD function and available Adaptive Highbeam Assist, Lane Keeping Assist and Blind Spot Assist. C250 Sport/Luxury: new direct-injection 1.8-liter 4-cylinder turbo (201 hp, 229 lb.-ft.) C300 4MATIC Sport/Luxury: continues with existing 3.0-liter V6 (228 hp, 221 lb-ft) and standard all-wheel drive. C350 Sport: new direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 (302 hp, 273 lb.-ft.) C63 AMG: receives AMG 7-speed Multi-Clutch Transmission (MCT) and continues with naturally-aspirated 6.3-liter V8 (451 hp, 443 lb-ft) and optimized suspension. Optional AMG Development Package yields 481 hp. C-Class Coupe (September) New two-door coupe debuts with bold AMG styling, standard panorama sunroof, steering wheel shift paddles, split-folding rear-seats, front seats with integrated headrests and driver memory plus a fuel-efficient 7-speed automatic transmission as well as the other technology highlights of the sedan. C250 Sport: new direct-injection 1.8-liter 4-cylinder turbo (201 hp, 229 lb.-ft.) and 17inch 5-spoke alloy wheels C350 Sport: new direct-injection 3.5-liter V6 (302 hp, 273 lb.-ft.) and 17-inch AMG twin 5-spoke alloy wheels, rear trunk spoiler C63 AMG: features hand-built naturally-aspirated 6.3-liter V8 (451 hp, 443...

We’ve heard that Mercedes-Benz has secretly been planning work on a front-engined sports car to sit on a spot below the SLS AMG. The secret car will similarly be powered by a V8 engine and now stands to earn plans for development and production after being christened an official codename. With its price to be pegged at around £75,000, the new sports car is scheduled to be launched around three years from now in 2014. Its platform will likely be based on both Mercedes-Benz’s passenger cars and, of course, those of the AMG performance division. AMG has even taken responsibility to take sole responsibility for the car’s engineering, development and testing. So yes folks, this will be an AMG pure bred. Word from officials at Mercedes-Benz says the new sports car will be known as the SLC, a name that was last owned by a fixed-roof version of the 4 th generation SL back in 1971. However, the new SLC will have a completely different exterior and interior design. There’s even word that there will both be a coupe and roadster version down the road. But what’s really interesting is that Mercedes-Benz is planning to share mechanical and electrical components between the new SLC and the 7 th generation SL. Source: Autocar Read more from the original source:  Secret sports car in the works

Prior Design is one of those unique tuners out there which stand out by their tuning principle. That is, to keep things on the outside simple and make big things happen under the hood. With that said, here’s what Prior Design has been up to lately in its workshop – a souped version of the Mercedes-Benz E-Class Coupe. It’s a follow up to the tuning package the company released for the very same model back in December of 2010. This time around, they’ve added a set of 20-inch matte gold wheels that just take the cake in terms of aggressiveness. With a stance lower than base form by 35mm, this creation just screams performance upon first sight especially with its new aerodynamic body kit. The exterior packaged consists of a stylized E63 front bumper, side skirts, a diffuser on its rear bumper, four tailpipes that are arranged in AMG fashion, and a trunk lid spoiler made of carbon fiber. Heck, you’d think this mule came straight from AMG’s workshop. Here comes the juicy part. The engine has been tweaked to deliver a plus of 74 horsepower from stock configuration. Clients can even choose between the classic 4-tailpipe AMG arrangement or a single tail pipe on the left. Well, that’s if you’re street enough to go custom on a E-Class Coupe. Source: Auto Evolution Read more: Prior Design heats things up with the E-Class Coupe

The performance brand within Mercedes-Benz Cars is presenting a new dream-car: the SLS AMG Roadster. This super sports car thrills with a perfect synthesis of open-top driving pleasure, outstanding driving dynamics and systematic lightweight construction. The overall visual appearance of the new two-seater is marked by its purist design. The technological highlights of the SLS AMG Roadster read like an A-B-C of modern sports car engineering: the combination of an aluminium spaceframe body, an AMG 6.3-litre V8 front-mid engine with dry sump lubrication developing a peak output of  420 kW (571 hp) and 650 newton metres of torque, a seven-speed dual clutch transmission in a transaxle arrangement and a sports suspension with aluminium double wishbones is guaranteed to make the hearts of sports car enthusiasts beat faster – while ensuring outstanding driving dynamics and roadster motoring pleasure. The compact fabric soft top of the SLS AMG Roadster opens and closes in just eleven seconds, and can be operated on the move at speeds up to 50 km/h. The new AMG RIDE CONTROL sports suspension with electronically controlled damping is available as an attractive optional extra. It enables the damping characteristics to be modified at the touch of a button. Using the AMG DRIVE UNIT, the driver of the SLS AMG Roadster is therefore able to choose his own suspension setup. Three modes are available: “Comfort”, “Sport” and “Sport plus”. “AMG Performance Media” is a unique new feature: this innovative multimedia system inspired by motorsport offers an unrivalled combination of numerous telemetric displays such as lateral and linear acceleration, various engine data and lap times on a racetrack, and also features high-speed mobile internet access. Dr Dieter Zetsche, Chairman of the Board of Management of Daimler AG and CEO of Mercedes-Benz Cars: “The SLS Roadster is a super sports car, cruiser and highly desirable dream-car all in one. It its distinctive way, it continues the succession of iconic and exciting sports cars from Mercedes-Benz.” Ola Källenius, Chairman of Mercedes-AMG GmbH: “Systematic lightweight construction, outstanding performance and a breathtaking design combined with sensuous open-air driving...

In the middle of the 2011 Monaco Grand Prix, Mercedes GP was still in the thick of things, with both Nico Rosberg and Michael Schumacher poised to finish in the points with a well-placed push. However, it was not meant to be. Red Bull dominated again, with Sebastian Vettel winning another race and Mark Webber finishing fourth. McLaren Mercedes’ Jenson Button had as much as 14 seconds ahead of Vettel at some point earlier in the race, but when the safety car was brought in for the first time, it allowed the rest of the contenders to get close. Teammate Lewis Hamilton managed to keep his sixth-place finish despite having 20 seconds added to his final time because of causing a collision. There was a tense moment when Schumi passed Rosberg on turn 6 around lap 32. Four laps later, Schumacher had to retire after a fire in the airbox caused his car to stop. Lap 72 saw a yellow flag become a red flag, and the race was restarted after a major collision involving a bunch of cars, particularly the Renault of Vitaly Petrov, who was rushed to a hospital. Rosberg was at 12th place at the time of the restart, and managed to move up only one spot to finish 11th. “I had a good start today,” said Rosberg. “And that’s the one positive thing that we can take from the race. After that, I thought that I would be able to push but unfortunately the rear tyres went off in the first stint which really cost me performance.” Go here to read the rest:  Mercedes GP Fails to Finish in Points at Monaco

New photos of new 2012 BMW 6 Series Convertible emerge from the UK. Shown here are the 640i and 650i high-end cabriolets in Deep Sea Blue and Vermillion Red. The 640i is powered by the N55 TwinScroll turbocharged engine. The engine produces 320 horsepower at 5,800 rpm and 450Nm of torque between 1,300 and 4,500 rpm. The 640i Convertible weighs 1,840 kilograms, but still manages to run from 0 100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. Fuel consumption is impressive for a car of this size, 7.9 liter per 100km, approximately 29.7 US MPG. Compared to the 650i model, the 640i sports a pair of round tailpipes instead of the oval ones. The 650i Convertible uses the same engine as in the 550i, 750i or the 550i GT, a 4.4-liter V8 twin-turbo powerplant that produces 400 horsepower between 5,500 and 6,400 rpm and 600NM of torque (450 lb-ft torque) between 1,750 and 4,500 rpm. The engine is mated to a ZF 8-speed Sport Automatic gearbox, but a manual option is offered as well. The car weighs 1,940 kilograms and sprints to 100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds, a performance similar to the current M6. The US market initially receives the 650i model, followed a year later by the 640i. The stunning, all-new 2012 BMW 650i Convertible will start at $91,375. To read more about the driving experience aboard the 6 Series Convertible, feel free to click through for our own test drive . See the rest here:  Photo Gallery: BMW 6 Series Convertible in Deep Sea Blue and Vermillion Red

DrivesTV brings us a new video of the BMW autonomous Track Trainer 330i doing some laps at Laguna Seca. The BMW Track Trainer is designed specifically to help drivers develop advanced track driving skills by being shown the correct way around the track with correct lines, braking points and turn in. It features three modes, the first being autonomous, where the car controls the driving, the second uses sequences of lights to show the correct turning points and the third records the driver’s inputs and allows them to be replayed later for analysis and coaching with a professional driver. The autonomous car is built on the standard production of the 330i model, but the software underlying the vehicle is quite special. Utilizing a combination of built-in GPS, a signal booster and accompanying repeater (increasing bandwidth and accuracy down to the centimeter), a custom map of the track and a trained driver to show it the optimum racing line, the Track Trainer learns the course and can show budding racers how to do it right. The software is made out of complex algorithm to determine theoretical grip, while wheel speed and spin sensors send data to the computers to interpret the exact amount of suspension load, power delivery and braking force necessary to keep it out of the weeds. A driver feedback display mounted on the center console shows drivers how close the car is to the optimal line while in control. It its lifetime, the 330i Track Trainer has already accumulated 12,000 miles of testing. Read the rest here: Video: BMW Track Trainer at Laguna Seca