Bentleys have always been powered by 12-cylinder engines. Not necessarily a V-12 though, as the latest Bentley-developed cars are Volkswagen Group W-12s. The Continental GT has followed through with 12-cylinder power that since its introduction in 2003. For the second generation car, Bentley announced it would be available with a V-8 for the first time. The goals? To lower the car’s asking price, as it would be the new entry level model, as well as increase fuel efficiency. Until now we hadn’t heard many details about it, as Bentley wanted to keep the attention focused on the 12-cylinder until its launch. Bentley announced the twin-turbocharged Continental GT will be making its debut at the North American International Auto Show next month. The engine in question is a 4.0-liter V-8 making 500 horsepower and 481 pound-feet of torque. In comparison the W-12 powered Continental GT has 631 horsepower. The engine has cylinder deactivation, high-pressure direct injection, low friction bearings and innovative packaging of the turbocharger that aim to achieve Bentley’s goal of 40 percent fuel economy savings. Full fuel economy figures haven’t been released yet, but the Continental GT V-8 should get around 21 mpg on a tank. That is based on Bentley quoting 500 miles from a tank of gas.That is a nice savings over the 12-cylinder car. 0-60 arrives a bit under the 5 second mark, which is great performance for “only” a V-8. If we had the money, the V-8 would probably be the choice we’d make. Less expensive, better fuel economy (although that probably wouldn’t be high on our list at that point….) and great power. Since its introduction, the Continental lineup (including the Flying Spur) has sold 50,000 units. That makes the Bentley factory in Crewe, England the largest producer of 12-cylinder engines in the world. The V-8 will model will mark yet another chapter in the Bentley saga. Related posts: Bentley Continental Supersports Unveiled Report Says Bentley Continental GTC Coming This September MTM Bentley Continental GT Birkin Edition Automoblog.net – A Car Blog for Auto Enthusiasts Read more here:  Bentley Continental GT V-8 Marks New Chapter In Company History

In an interview for Automotive News , BMW of North America boss says the company aims to boost the brand’s annual U.S. vehicle sales by 25 percent. “In the mid-term, we expect U.S. sales of 300,000 units for the BMW brand,” the carmaker’s U.S. boss, Ludwig Willisch, told Automotive News Europe. No deadline has been specified by Willisch, but the US boss feels confident that the target is achievable due to a vast and refreshed portfolio in 2012, including the new 3 Series and X1 SAV. According to company sources, the 300,000 goal should be reached in 2013/2014. In a separate interview, BMW head of global sales and marketing Ian Robertson reiterate that BMW wants to finish this year as the No.1 premium brand in the U.S. “We want to be the No. 1 premium brand in the U.S. – this year and in the future,” Robertson told Automotive News Europe in a separate interview. “Year to date, we are ahead of Mercedes [in the Unites States]. And we intend to defend that position.” BMW’s aim is to sell 240,000 units in the United States this year, up from 220,113 in 2010. BMW’s will rely heavily on its U.S. plant to help it continue its U.S. growth. The U.S. is the biggest market for combined sales of the BMW and Mini brands – with 246,600 units sold through October 2011 compared with 244,400 in Germany and 181,200 in China. [Source: Auto News ] Continued here: BMW aims for 25% sales increase in the U.S

Initiated by the Maserati Quattroporte and Mercedes-Benz CLS vehicles, the modern four-door coupe phenomenon had become a segment catering to premium sports car lovers wanting an equal amount of sedan sophistication. With Audi, Porsche and Aston Martin joining the four-door coupe class, a notable absence has been BMW. Displaying a car at the 2010 Beijing Motor Show called the Gran Coupe Concept , the German auto company wasted little time after the vehicle’s first exhibition to develop the BMW 6 Series coupe and convertible. In time to be a 2013 model, the road-going BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe sends a message that the automaker long known for building “The Ultimate Driving Machine” was not going to shy away from the sportier four-door persona. In applying a design where two extra doors would be incorporated on the newly-released BMW 6 Series , designers of the 6 Series Gran Coupe were challenged to properly represent a sport sedan needing to look more aggressive than the 5 Series. The BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe is instantly a distinct sight with the longer-arching roofline. The rear door windows shorter appearance magnifies the sport coupe persona on this latest BMW offering. Employing all the subtle design touches of the two-door 6 Series, the model specific headlamp housings as well as the performance car front fascia transitions into a body shape featuring aggressively chiselled side contour lines. At the rear, a straight-flowing rear bumper and a brake light bar traveling across the full width of the rear window invokes the 6 Series Gran Coupe’s racy composition. For the 2013 model year, the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe will be available in nine exterior colour options that include Frozen Bronze metallic. Within wheel arches projecting a wide, muscular stance, standard wheels on the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe will be a set of 18-inch light alloys. There will also be an M Sport Package model of the 2013 BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe featuring 19-inch wheels and body style enhancements along few modifications.     Part of the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe’s constant inundation of performance driving, the person behind the wheel has all the vital vehicle controls in easy reach. The driver-oriented cockpit of the BMW 6 Series Gran Coupe presents a natural motoring...

Presenting the line-up for their future commercial division in North America, Ford Motor Company officially confirmed United States roads can prepare to witness another product of their existing global portfolio. On the success of the Transit Connect van, the larger Ford Transit will be selling in America starting for the 2013 model year. Featuring a look consistent with Ford vehicles, the Ford Transit characteristics also includes the admirable traits of a high roof profile. Only announcing the arrival of the Transit large van for 2013, Ford has not stated what North America buyers can expect. Available in front-wheel, rear-wheel and all-wheel drive models in Europe, the Ford Transit also comes in a multitude of body lengths. Similar to the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter van, roof height options exist with the Ford Transit expanding cargo room and flexibility. The European Ford Transit vans feature turbodiesel power that also includes a model utilizing ECOnetic Technology. Based on diesels still being a tough sell stateside, it should not be surprising if a gasoline model of the Ford Transit appears specifically for the marketplace. Said to be at least 300 pounds lighter than the E-Series, Ford boasts the Transit will be a more fuel-efficient option combined with smaller engines. The arrival of the Ford Transit coming to the North American marketplace comes with news that the long-running E-Series van will be discontinued. Celebrating 50 years on the market during the 2011 model year , the large utility van best known as the Ford Econoline had been a common sight in the neighbourhoods of North America. Though traditionally possessing longer product cycles exist for commercial duty vehicles, Ford’s E-Series line last major generational chance occurred in 1992. A major redesign including a reworked exterior was incorporated in the 2008 model year E-Series but it was becoming obvious that Ford’s enthusiasm for their large van has past. Some would say the writing was on the wall for the discontinuation of the Ford E-Series. Promoting the newest in vehicle design and technology, the modern Ford Motor Company has been on a mission to delete the remnants of their old guard. Making drastic fleet-wide changes, the most recent signal of the new Ford comes with the retirement...

Without much fanfare, Daimler Trucks in North America has been doing its share to promote fuel and emissions efficiency. It was only the announcement that the 1,000th Freightliner truck had been delivered that made us sit up and take notice. Notably, Daimler Trucks North America is the first commercial truck manufacturer to have been able to sustain such steady volume production. It’s indicative of the fact that the division’s customers have accepted natural gas as a viable and reliable substitute to the mainstream diesel fuel that normally powers such trucks. This 1,000th truck is a medium-duty Freightliner Business Class M2 112, powered by a Cummins Westport ISL G engine.  Owing to its cooled exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) engine, it produces low emissions without sacrificing performance and efficiency. The customer taking delivery was Ryder Systems, Inc. which is a transportation services provider that leases and manages truck fleets for companies throughout North America, Mexico, Europe, and Asia. In total, DTNA has actually produced and delivered more than 3,600 natural gas trucks, which include school buses produced by Daimler’s other North American subsidiaries. See the original post: Daimler Trucks NA Delivers 1,000th Natural Gas Truck

As easily as the former head of Mercedes-Benz’s US head was removed, his replacement hasn’t been announced yet. Not that there aren’t qualified candidates who can’t fill that position. However, despite former CEO Lieb’s transgressions, the fact is that Mercedes-Benz USA performed reasonably well under his stewardship. And apparently, he was well regarded and appreciated by the dealer network. But now, the final candidates have reportedly been narrowed down to five serious contenders who have top-level responsibilities in countries as diverse as China, Canada, Turkey, England and Australia. The majority of the candidates worked their way up the Mercedes ladder in the carmaker’s sales divisions. The Mercedes board is keen to make a good decision on this matter, as North America is the second biggest market for Mercedes after Germany. All these candidates are effective where they are now, and top management isn’t keen to fill a slot while creating a gap in another area. Read the original here:  Selection Of New MBUSA Head Down To a Handful

Another reason to consider a hybrid or plug-in purchase Energy costs: Is this as good as it gets? For many American drivers, the economics of hybrid cars and plug-in vehicles don’t make great sense. Even when cost-effective, the time required to recoup the battery-powered premium is simply longer than most Americans are willing to invest. But, based on the latest energy opinions and forecasts regarding the future of energy prices, particularly oil-based energies such as gasoline and diesel fuels, the future is going to be “volatile”. And, ironically, these could be the best of cheap energy times, especially in the US. According to a new Financial Times report based on data from the IEA, BP, Shell, Ernst & Young and many other energy experts the world is heading into a bit of a perfect energy storm. Oil production in established oil fields is declining, making North African countries like Libya, for instance, ever more important. Unfortunately, these areas are exploding at the seams of political unrest. Likewise, with major economies crushed by recession and facing an austere future, investments into both expanding conventional fossil fuel supplies, as well as new sustainable and oil-free alternatives, are declining — at a time when CO2 regulations are set to increase energy costs regardless. Yet, the West doesn’t have to drive the future of oil demand. Instead, it will be emerging markets like China, India and Brazil that are expected to put pressure on the margins of energy supply and demand. What’s it all add up to? Expanding oil demand at a time of declining supplies — both real and, such as in the case of Libya, artificial — and higher energy prices. But it’s not just higher energy prices. It’s also going to be a future of painful energy spikes. Consequently, anyone in the market for a new vehicle should make their final purchasing decision with a keen understanding that higher — possibly significantly higher — energy prices are almost inevitable from today until the world finally crushes the hold petroleum has over it. With that assumed, hybrid and EV cost-effectiveness is far better than most Americans realize. Unfortunately, when the next spike hits, it’ll be too late for...

How can 40 mpg sometimes mean 17 mpg? When 40 mpg actually means 17 mpg Let’s say you live in Venice, CA and commute to downtown daily for your 9-5. Every morning you cruise down Venice Boulevard — or at least you try to, but instead find yourself stuck at stop light after stop light — until you finally make it to the long line of cars slowly merging onto the 405. From there stop-and-go traffic takes you to the 10 interchange and downtown, at a top speed of 30 mph, if you’re lucky. So, to save money at the pump, you buy one of those new 40 mpg cars you’ve been hearing about endlessly, but are disappointed to find that you aren’t even averaging 20 mpg. WTF!? Earlier today I read Hyundai Responds to Consumer Watchdog’s Elantra Fuel Economy Complaints . Turns out small cars like the Elantra, Chevy Cruze, Honda Civic, etc. don’t typically achieve their CAFE or EPA rated fuel economy numbers. In fact, while automakers tout their new 40 mpg lineup — with tiny asterisks of course — some achieve as little as just 17 mpg in city driving. 17 mpg, yet automakers can’t stop spinning the 40 mpg number. Of course, many people don’t have LA-style commutes. Nevertheless, these 40 mpg vehicles average closer to 30 mpgs rather than 40 mpgs. So, why doesn’t the government do something? They are, right? The government is going to increase CAFE requirements to 55 mpg, although once government math is actualized, the real number is more like 37 mpg in the real world, and probably even lower if you’re a heavy city driver — you know, the kind of congestion transportation studies suggest is the future of the world. But why worry about reality? 1 +1 doesn’t always equal 2. The real world just doesn’t sell. It has to be made sexy. I mean, seriously, everybody in Jersey doesn’t live the Jersey Shore lifestyle? Everyone in LA doesn’t live like 90210? No way. Today, big automotive corporations — so critical to the US economy — are in many respects enabled by the government to almost lie to the people, for a profit. Why? Would the truth really be so dangerous? Is reality really so worthless? Originally posted here: CAFE and the EPA: Fuel economy for advertising deception,...

While in Barcelona for the new BMW 3 Series launch, our own Shawn Molnar snapped some exclusive shots of the new F30 sedan. Along with the three lines, Sport, Modern and Luxury, BMW also showcased the 3 Series with the aggressive and extremely sporty looking M Sport Package. The package includes 18-inch light-alloy wheels (19-inch as an option), M Sport suspension and BMW Individual High-gloss Shadowline trim give the car that typical M look. To show the heritage of the 3 Series family, BMW also displayed all the previous generation 3er, including our all-time favorite, the E46. The “future” was present also, in the shape of first hybrid 3 Series, ActiveHybrid 3 which launches in early 2013. BMW ActiveHybrid 3 will use a 3.0 liter six-cylinder turbocharged TwinPower engine aided by an electrical engine to deliver an additional 40 kW (about 53 horsepower). In the US, the base price of the 2012 328i Sedan is $34,900 and the 335i Sedan is $42,400. This represents a $300 and $350 base price increases versus the outgoing model. The 3 Series now includes standards features such as 6.5” display with iDrive controller, Bluetooth connectivity, USB/iPod interface, 8-Speed Automatic Transmission, Automatic Start/Stop, Dynamic Driving Control with ECO PRO Mode, Brake Energy Regeneration, and a 1” standard wheel size increase. The Modern Line (ZML) and Luxury Line (ZLL) will sell for an additional $2,100 for the 328i and $1,400 for the 335i model. The Sport Line (ZSL) will make you spend $2,500 for the 328i and $1,700 for 335i. Both models will launch in North America in February 2012. Read the original:  Photos: 2012 BMW 3 Series M Sport Package

Looking at the Honda and Acura lineups, there isn’t much that appeals from an enthusiasts perspective. Years ago the company had cars like the Honda S2000, Acura Integra/RSX, and at the most extreme level, the NSX. It’s a similar situation over at rival Toyota, who has largely abandoned fun-to-drive vehicles. The Scion FR-S/Subaru BRZ as they are known here in the United States have gotten a lot of coverage because they (hopefully, anyway) represent a change in attitude from their manufacturers. This change has come after President and Chief Executive Officer Akio Toyoda set Toyota on a mission to reach out to enthusiasts once again. Honda hasn’t had a similar determined effort from the top, but it is looking to to reenter the performance arena with a new Acura NSX. The NSX went out of production in 2005, after a 15 year run. Since then we’ve heard a lot about a potential replacement, which Honda confirmed is coming. At the Tokyo Motor Show, Yoshikazu Kigoshi, general manager for Honda research and design, confirmed that a NSX successor is coming to the North American International Auto Show. It will be dubbed the Super Sports Concept, and according to Kigoshi, it will have a similar front-end design to the EV-STER Concept that launched in Tokyo. Autocar is shedding some light on the next-generation car, saying that the new car will be powered by a 3.5-liter V-6 giving power to the front wheels. The V-6 will be mated to a hybrid drivetrain that has an electric motor sending power to the rear wheels. Honda will use the hybrid system with side-to-side torque-vectoring technology, giving the car its “Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive” moniker. The gearbox will be a seven-speed dual-clutch unit. Once again, here in the U.S the car will be sold under the Acura brand. Acura is primarily North American in nature, so the NSX will be marketed as a Honda in other parts of the world, just like last time. It’s about time we hear something concrete about the next-gen NSX. We hope Honda brings back the S2000 too. What other performance cars would you like to see make a return at Honda? Related posts: Next-Generation Audi TT Preview Coming to Tokyo Motor Show? Acura Advanced Sports Car Concept 2009 Acura RL – New Design Direction...

Lately, the most expensive and powerful Ferraris you can buy are not for the road. The Enzo was the most recent limited edition range topper, and its track-only FXX model kicked off Ferrari’s “XX” program. The 599XX is Ferrari’s top dog offering now, based on the fastest Ferrari road car you can buy, the 599 GTO. While the Bologna Auto Show normally doesn’t get a lot of coverage, for us at least this Ferrari introduction has put it on the map. Introduce a Ferrari somewhere and we’ll cover it! Ferrari took to the show to in introduce the 599XX Evoluzione, a further upgrade to the 599XX’s performance. We don’t speak Italian, but even we know that Evoluzione means an evolution – and a very expensive one at that. The Evoluzione features a redesigned aerodynamics kit that includes a active rear wing. It looks not far off one we’d see on a little Honda somewhere, but it has a purpose. The wing uses a new concept called “opening gap” that features two flaps that rotate electronically to adjust downforce between the front and rear axles. It bases positioning on steering wheel angle, longitudinal acceleration, lateral acceleration and vehicle speed. It also pretty sophisticated stuff; Ferrari developed the technology through Formula One experience. Flaps closed, the 599XX Evoluzione generates 727 pounds of downforce; open 970. Other changes include a new front splitter and rear diffuser. New side exhausts help to boost power from the car’s 6.0-liter V-12 to 740 horsepower, up by 30 hp. Weight has been reduced by 77 pounds as well, making the 599XX good for a 1 second quicker time around Ferrari’s Fiorano track, bringing it to just 1:15. The Evoluzione package adds about $250,000 to the 599XX’s price, and existing owners of the 599XX can upgrade. The XX package has always been for the most elite of Ferrari customers; it is a car that is based on street legal vehicles but not homologated for racing, making its appeal (theoretically) small. But, most Ferraris aren’t purchased on theoretical appeal. If you are an existing owner that shells out $250,000 to upgrade your car, you’ll get another two years of factory-organized track gatherings. Ferrari has learned a lot through...

The BMW Group in the U.S. (BMW and MINI combined) reported November sales of 26,271 vehicles, an increase of 14.8% from the 22,883 vehicles sold in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date, BMW Group sales are up 14.6% to 272,873 in the first eleven months of 2011 compared to 238,157 in the same period in 2010. “The numbers show this is the buying season, consumer optimism is increasing and we are seeing the most showroom traffic in our dealerships so far this year,” said Ludwig Willisch, President and CEO, BMW of North America, LLC. “I am particularly pleased to see MINI setting a new sales record and I am looking forward to a strong December especially with our X Drive momentum, X3 and X5 in particular.” BMW Brand Sales Sales of BMW brand vehicles increased 7.1% in November for a total of 21,521 compared to 20,097 vehicles sold in November, 2010. Year-to-date, the BMW brand is up 12.3% on sales of 221,073 January through November compared to 196,833 sold in the first eleven months of 2010. BMW’s automobile sales were down 14.2% in November to 13,728 versus 16,009 in the same month a year ago. Year-to-date sales are up 1.6%, to 156,841 automobiles compared to 154,372 in the same period of 2010. Sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles (X3, X5 and X6) increased by 90.6% in November to 7,793 vehicles from the 4,088 sold last November. Year-to-date, sales of BMW Sports Activity Vehicles were also up 51.3%, to 64,232 vehicles compared to the 42,461 sold in the first eleven months of 2010. BMW Pre-Owned Vehicles In November, sales of BMW used vehicles (including certified pre-owned and pre-owned) totaled 12,196, a decrease of 3.1% from the 12,580 sold in November 2010. Year-to-date, BMW used vehicle sales are down 5.3% on volume of 144,882 compared to 153,048 in the first eleven months of 2010. MINI Brand Sales MINI USA reported sales of 4,750 automobiles in November, up 70.5% from the 2,786 sold in November 2010. Year-to-date, MINI sales in the U.S. are up 25.4% on volume of 51,800 compared to 41,324 in the first eleven months of 2010. “The results are exciting because it means customers are not only buying in record numbers they are also ordering customized vehicles,” said Jim McDowell, Vice President, MINI USA. “This will be the best sales year ever...

The most eagerly awaited since the partnership between Subaru and Toyota was forged in 2006, a development process creating a pair of entry-level sports cars evoked attention of both brand customers. Since October of 2009, the concept Toyota FT-86 made a strong indication for what Japanese motoring fans can expect from the anticipated sport vehicle. Presented as the BRZ STI Concept at locales including the 2011 Los Angeles Auto Show , the production Subaru sports car was finally introduced for this year’s Tokyo Motor Show. Debuting at the same time show that the Toyota GT-86 (to be known as the Scion FR-S in North American) , the Subaru BRZ two-door, 2+2 sports car is a bold presentation for the Japanese auto badge that had resisted this personal performance vehicle category for many years. At a distance, the ability to distract the exterior differences between the Toyota and Subaru vehicles will only come easy to an astute automotive observer. Appearing very close to the concept version of the BRZ, the production sport car’s mature Subaru details are detected on the lower front fascia that includes a hexagon grille and distinctive fog light housings. Detectable ahead of the cabin doors are chrome, stylized side louvers. Just 170 inches in total length, the Subaru BRZ is 4 inches shorter than a Scion tC but 2.8 inches longer than the Nissan 370Z sports car. Weighing less than 2,700 pounds, the low, sleek look for the Subaru BRZ is intentional to foster a fun to drive, sporty feel. A set of 17-inch aluminum wheels are wrapped with the rubber of competent performance tires. Compared to the vehicle that Americans will know as the Scion FR-S, the Subaru’s interior is likely going to be a slightly more upscale look. Driver-oriented, the BRZ’s tachometer with digital speedometer is planted in the center of the gauge cluster. Combined with a compact-sized, auto racing style steering wheel, the Subaru BRZ interior experience is also provoked with comfortable sport seating in the front. Powered by a horizontally-opposed 2-liter boxer engine, the traditional Subaru engine design is reinforced by Toyota’s expertise in technology that includes direct injection. Cleverly positioned to optimize the lowest center of gravity possible, 200 horsepower and 151 pounds-feet...

Despite Honda’s reputation for building great engines, the Japanese automaker has been slow to adopt direct injection (DI). The technology is now commonplace in all segments of the market, and allows for higher compression ratios and therefore improved efficiency. At an event surrounding the Tokyo auto show , Honda has told us that it is finally ready to add this feature to its engines. Besides DI, the engines also will feature a stop/start system. At the top of the line is a redesigned 3.5-liter V-6, which features cylinder shutdown and a two-stage oil pump. With at least 308 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque, this engine delivers more power than Honda’s existing 3.7-liter engine and should yield a fuel-economy improvement of about 10 percent. Another highlight of the lineup is a new 1.6-liter turbo-diesel, which is meant to replace the current 2.2-liter oil-burner found in markets outside of the United State. It’s claimed to be as light as a gasoline engine; the all-aluminum design features an open-deck block, which shaves pounds but is less stiff than the closed-deck design normally seen on diesel engines. Still, Honda claims the weight savings come without any long-term reliability concerns, thanks to new high-strength aluminum alloys, a stiff head design, and optimized cooling. Output figures of 118 hp and 221 lb-ft of torque are impressive for the downsized displacement. Alas, Honda executives are silent on whether or not we’ll ever see this engine in North America. We also saw a 2.4-liter inline-4 that makes at least 181 hp and 177 lb-ft of torque. Compared to the current, port-injected 2.4-liter four in the new CR-V , those numbers represent a drop of 4 hp but an increase of 14 lb-ft; the differences are negligible enough, however, that we’d expect similar performance with better fuel economy. The outputs of Honda’s DI-equipped 1.8-liter and 1.5-liter fours are likewise similar to their current port-injection equivalents. You Can’t Spell Continuously Variable Transmission Without Three of the Letters in “Honda” Honda also announced a new series of continuously variable transmissions that supposedly reduce the annoyances we expect of this type of gearbox. The new CVTs—one is intended for mid-size and compact cars, the...

Starting now, expect to hear more from Nissan’s performance division. Nissan’s performance division has had a fairly narrow scope in the U.S. of late—a NISMO-badged 370Z here and a few upgrade parts there, but little else. Nissan wants that to change, and plans to expand NISMO’s influence to more road cars in the future. To show the performance potential hiding in its everyday products—and to signal its intent to broaden its NISMO offerings—the automaker brought this Juke concept to the Tokyo auto show . Keep Reading: Nissan Juke NISMO Concept – Auto Shows Here is the original post: Nissan Juke NISMO Concept Revealed, Points to More Factory-Tuned Models Continued here: Nissan Juke NISMO Concept Revealed, Points to More Factory-Tuned Models