BMW’s M division may be enjoying a lot of publicity with the debut of a range of diesel powered M vehicles that will include the BMW M550d xDrive, BMW X5 M50d and the BMW X6 M50d - but its biggest competitor has no plans to offer a rival.

According to Mercedes-Benz AMG boss Ola Kallenius, the tuning arm of the Stuttgart-based automaker has no plans to go diesel. He says that such a move will introduce too many “compromises to its performance-focused line-up.”

“The technology of performance gasoline engines is converging with diesel tech,” he said giving the example of the new 5.5 liter V8 from AMG. “Direct injection, downsizing and turbocharging are all having an effect. We looked at diesel a few years back, but petrol engines have obvious benefits of sound, weight, agility and response.”

Source: AutoCar

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Honda has just announced that in conjunction with Mugen and J.A.S. Motorsport, the brand will be getting into in to the World Touring Car Championship with a customized Civic.

Honda R&ampD will be making a customized motor, produced and maintained by Mugen. Advancement will be handled by J.A.S., and will base the model on the new Civic 5 door.

A direct injection 4-cylinder turbo petrol engine will electrical power the model, displaced at 1.6-liters.

Click here for much more news on the Honda Civic.

The automaker is aiming to enter the Championship as quickly as feasible, and is hopeful for this season, with a two auto team to comply with for ever 2013 race.

In addition, the Honda Racing British Touring Vehicle Championship group, a group of three-time champions, will be running a separate operation with the Team Dynamics version of the new Civic. This event is to kick off April 1.

- By: Alexandra Koken

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Tags: BAIC, bankruptcy, China, Saab |

Even though BMW had a quite powerful 2011, the Munich automaker failed to retain its lead over Mercedes-Benz in January U.S. sales. BMW sales rose 3.1 % in January 2012 with a complete of 16,405 units delivered in the United States. Mercedes-Benz was up a complete of 24 percent with a complete of 20,306.

Lexus sales fell four.six % to 12,274 autos in January 2012.

BMW revenue in 2011 rose 13 % to 247,907 units, assisting it claim the title as the top rated-offering luxury brand in the United States. The range helped dethrone Lexus, which held the spot for 11 years.

Lexus sales fell 13 percent in 2011 to 198,552 units bringing it to No. 3, even though Mercedes-Benz came in second offering 2,715 units much less than BMW.

Supply: AutoNews

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Kia will unveil a concept based on the Soul 5-door wagon next week for the duration of the Chicago Automobile Show. Referred to as the Track’ster, the display-automobile is meant to preview a “performance inspired” model of the Soul, according to Kia Motors. From the sketch, the automaker’s California-based style group seems to have taken a web page from the chopped-down roof of the new 2-passenger Mini Coupe.

The Track’ster disposes of the Soul’s rear doors, turning the funky 5-door into an upright urban-chic coupe. A red roof and side mirrors contrast with the white physique and (what seems to be) chunky-searching black rocker panels and reduce front fascia. The grille and headlights appear drastically more substantial than just before, even though the enormous alloy wheels in this sketch are definitely artistic whimsy.

No word as to what engine may be under the hood. Bet on it getting at least the 142-bhp two.-liter 4-cylinder obtainable in the existing Soul – the base one.6-liter doesn’t quite jive with the sportier image of the Track’ster.

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The pace for U.S. light automobile product sales rose by 11 percent final month and was set by a handful of major automakers including Chrysler Group, Volkswagen Group and Hyundai/Kia.

All major automakers posted revenue gains last month except General Motors, which fell 6 % from a robust January 2011. The automaker sold a complete of 167,962 vehicles with Chevrolet getting the primary highlight as sales for the brand had been up 13 percent.

“Chevrolet drove our efficiency once once again and sales of our fuel-effective new cars had been particularly good,” and Don Johnson, vice president, U.S. Product sales Operations. “The strength that the economic climate and the car industry showed in the fourth quarter carried into January, so we imagine the year is off to a good start off.”

FoMoCo sold a total of 136,710 vehicles in January, a 7 percent boost. Ford as a brand sold 131,589 automobiles in January, creating it the greatest January product sales month for the Ford brand because 2008.

Chrysler shined the most out of Detroit automakers with U.S. revenue coming in at 101,149, a 44 % improve compared with product sales in January 2011.

Toyota sold a total of 124,540 units – up 7.five percent. Honda sold 83,009 units a enhance of 8.8 percent. Nissan was up 10.4 percent after offering 79,313 units.

Korean’s Hyundai was up 15 % with complete sales coming in at 42,694.

Germany’s Volkswagen Group product sales had been up 40 percent to 36,681 units. The product sales were led by a 48 percent boost for the VW brand and 20 % improve at at Audi.

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Tuning firm Hennessey Overall performance Engineering has set their sights on British automaker McLaren Automotive and their new MP4-12C. The firm is offering their HPE800 Twin Turbo upgrade for the McLaren MP4-12C, which consists of powertrain upgrades, aero package deal upgrades, Hennessey CarbonAero bodywork and a center-positioned frontal air inlet with hood extractor.

We’re guessing Hennessey’s upgrade will take the ‘standard’ 592-hp to 800-hp.

Check out a lot more news on the McLaren MP4-12C.

“We’ve been taking fast cars and have been producing them more rapidly for over twenty a long time,” explained company founder and president John Hennessey. “I spent a lot of time about the new 12C at the 2011 Goodwood Festival of Speed and was really impressed. We’re excited to have the opportunity to take a wonderful auto and give it our own unique efficiency touch although providing 12C owners a uniquely aggressive appearance”.

No pricing has been set but you can examine out the facts following the jump.

HPE800 Twin Turbo Upgrades Incorporate:
- Upgraded intercooler system
- Upgraded air consumption method
- Upgraded ball-bearing turbochargers
- Hennessey titanium exhaust method
- External wastegates
- External blow-off valves
- Upgraded fuel and engine management system
- Upgraded transmission cooler
- Upgraded transmission clutch technique
- Custom dyno-tuned engine calibration
- Hennessey Warranty

Other Upgrades Contain:
- Hennessey CarbonAero body upgrade
- Hennessey Monoblock wheels
- Michelin Pilot Super Sport Tires
- Hennessey custom interior upgrades such as carbon fiber, Alcantara and leathers

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The Chevrolet Cruze, sold only as a sedan, brought in some successful product sales numbers for 2011, with 231,732 units sold. For this year, Chevy has made a decision to add a wagon variant for the Cruze that expected to improve product sales even increased.

Although GM is nevertheless finishing up with the wagon, it is rumored that the model will be numerous inches lengthier, with the addition of a sloping rear window and a tailgate.

Click here for a lot more news on the Chevrolet Cruze.

This is not the 1st variant that GM has produced for the Cruze, nevertheless. A 5-door hatchback is only available in markets outside the U.S., and even though GM hasn’t stated if they will be undertaking the exact same with the wagon, it may be a worthwhile move for the automaker to add it in the states. The Jetta Sport Wagon and Hyundai Elantra Touring are the only competitors the Cruze wagon would have in the states.

- By: Alexandra Koken

Source: AutoNews

egmCarTech

Mitsubishi has released a teaser of a new model that will be unveiled at the Geneva Motor Show in March. According to Mitsubishi, the new model will be the start of an all-new generation of global products with a “re-focused design language” from the automaker.

The model teased here is described as a “strategic and innovative premium vehicle” that will be released sometime this year. The new vehicle is part of Mitsubishi’s “Jump 2013″ business plan for a greener and more global Mitsubishi.

The Torque Report

Time was when an automaker created a “California Special” edition of any model it probably had a lot more horsepower or particular graphics. A thing to make it sexier.

Not anymore. Chevrolet Volts headed for CA will now get a new Very low Emissions Package. Sounds like a excellent program, but why?

With the package’s additional equipment the Volt qualifies as a car with this government-issued label: California Enhanced, Advanced Technological innovation-Partial Zero Emissions Vehicle. You can phone it enhAT-PZEV for short.

The point of the workout to make Volts eligible for Substantial Occupancy Automobile (HOV or vehicle-pool) lane use with just 1 man or woman onboard…just like the arch-rival, all-electric Nissan Leaf.

Usually you need at least two up to use that lane. Get caught driving solo in a non-certified car and you are out a lot more than $ 300. Purchasing the Volt does not guarantee the coveted HOV sticker, but it qualifies the owners to apply for a single of the 40,000 readily available HOV stickers that are issued on a initial-ask, initial-given basis.

There was a time when hybrids also competent for HOV lane use and getting the sticker bumped up the value of the car by some $ 2000.

Becoming an enhAT-PZEV (consider to say that with no spitting…some prefer the much more pronounceable Consume-PZEV for that quite explanation) automobile, the California Volt also qualifies the owner for a $ 1500 rebate from the state for driving a clean car.

What’s the secret? The California Volts have an extra secondary air-injection pump for the catalytic converter, which further minimizes pollutants.

More very good news. To qualify the California Volt for HOV use Chevy has to up the warranty to ten-year, 150,000-mile.

So possibly issues haven’t actually modified all that significantly if one particular considers (with all due respects to Volt owners) that nerd is the new sexy.

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