Corvette fans should definitely be sitting down for this piece of news.

According to Autocar, which cites certain Saab engineers, the next Chevrolet Corvette C7 might become a proper mid-engined sportscar.

It seems that before Saab was sold by GM to Spyker, the Swedish engineers were tasked with creating a transmission for such a model. The gearbox was set to use a wet clutch setup and be capable of handling around 590 lb-ft of torque, close to what a current Corvette ZR1 can output.

Sadly, the worldwide recession reared its ugly head, and the development was freezed.

According to Autocar though, things might be restarted soon enough, as GM is looking better financially and can invest in developing the next generation Corvette. An older rerport also said that a 5.5-liter V8 could be used on the C7.

Whether or not it will be mid-engined is still anybody’s guess, so take this report with a grain of salt.

Source: Autocar

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Next Chevrolet Corvette C7 might be mid-engined

It seems that the great media coverage achieved by the premiere of the 2011 Range Rover Evoque has made Land Rover execs think about adding another model to the Range Rover lineup.

According to Autocar, there is enough space between the future Evoque and the existing Range Rover Sport for a new niche SUV.

The decision has just been made, so concrete details have yet to appear. According to the British magazine though, a seven-seat crossover has been rumored in the past, so Range Rover might follow this path with the new luxury SUV.

A new model will also go along nicely with the big growth plans Land Rover’s owner, Tata Motors, has for the British SUV specialist.

Do you think there is room for a new Range Rove in the lineup? Share your thoughts by leaving a comment below.

Source: Autocar

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Range Rover plans another model to slot in between Evoque and Sport

A few months ago, we said that the Need For Speed racing video game franchise will be organizing its own dedicated, real life racing team, called Team NFS.

We revealed some of the cars its members will be racing in various competitions all over the world, but the team has now revealed the newest addition to its racing roster.

The monster you see above is a Scion tC AWD racer, capable of outputting around 1,100 HP and custom built to take on the world’s best time attack models.

The car was modified by tuner Chris Rado, and has been in the making for quite some time. Its purpose is to create the biggest amounts of downforce (see the massive front and rear wings) and take on the toughest courses out there in order to achieve the best time.

Team NFS will race this all-wheel drive Scion tC this weekend at the Road Atlanta circuit, so if you happen to be in the vicinity, plan ahead and admire this awesome racer out. If not, check out the photo gallery below.

Photo Gallery: Scion tC AWD by Team NFS

Source: SpeedHunters

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Team NFS presents 1,100 HP Scion tC AWD time attack racer

At the end of April, Fiat officially revealed the plans behind the oft rumored comeback of Alfa Romeo to the American market.

Now, thanks to Automotive News, a few more details were released.

First off, in 2012, Alfa Romeo will officially make its full pledged debut on the US market, with the new Giulia mid-size model. The car will be available in both sedan and wagon form, and will use a Fiat 2.4-liter inline-four cylinder engine, with the new MultiAir technology, as well as the Pentastar V6 from Chrysler. The cars will be packed with front-wheel drive standard and all-wheel drive as an option.

Sticking with 2012, Chrysler will be tasked with developing a brand new compact crossover model, based on a wider version of the current Giulietta hatchback. The model will not only be sold in the USA, but also be exported to Alfa’s native Europe.

In 2013, city car fans will enjoy a five-door version of the Alfa Romeo MiTo model. The car will be overhauled at that time, but it will still be made in Italy and brought over to the US.

A two-seat roadster might also appear on the market in 2013, but nothing is clear at this moment. Chrysler and Fiat have yet to settle on a platform (presumably the 300C might work) nor on a production facility.

2014 will see the introduction of a refreshed Giulietta hatchback on the US market. The car has already been launched in Europe and is enjoying impressive sales thanks to its potent engine lineup and attractive design.

This year will also see the introduction of a bigger crossover, which will sit on the platform of the upcoming replacement of the Jeep Liberty. It is set to be produced in the USA and exported to Europe.

Overall, like we said above, Fiat has some big plans for Alfa Romeo, so let’s hope things go as smoothly as possible.

Source: Automotive News

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Alfa Romeo’s US comeback gets a few more details

Ah yes, Mansory, we meet again. After making us put our guard down with the rather tasteful Rolls Royce White Ghost tuning project, the company that brought us the pink Bentley Continental GT or the electric blue Porsche Panamera strikes once more.

This time, Mansory decided that the Bugatti Veyron definitely needs more improvements. And by improvements, the Swiss tuning company means more gold accents.

As you can see above and below, the company fitted a wide array of gold accessories, including the wheels, the front grille, the mirror housings or even more outlandish things like the headlight washer nozzles or the fuel filler cap.

Besides that, your wealth will be shown off by a new carbon fiber body kit, with copper threads interwoven into the material. Yeah, just because Mansory can. The interior, suffice to say, is taken straight from an automotive horror show.

Only one such Bugatti Veyron by Mansory Linea Vincero d’Oro has been made, but, with the right amount of cash, the company can modify any existing Veyron.

Source: Mansory

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Mansory Bugatti Veyron Linea Vincero d’Oro goes for gold

General Motors has figured out that extended warranty offers are the way to go if you want to move more new cars and keep customers coming back to dealerships and seeing other new models.

As such, after offering free maintenance for all new Cadillac models at the beginning of summer, the company has employed a new warranty offer on all of the cars manufactured by its UK brand Vauxhall.

Accord to the company, all of the new models produced by Vauxhall will be covered by a lifetime warranty. As you can imagine, there are a few catches. The offer is only available to the first owner of the model, and is good until the odometer hits the 100,000 mile mark.

That’s a pretty short lifetime, if you ask us. Still, until that moment, Vauxhall will cover all major assemblies, including the powertrain, steering system, brake system and electrical equipment. You’ll just need to check in with your local dealership for a free inspection every year.

So, will you be taking up GM’s Vauxhall on the new lifetime warranty program? Share your thoughts below.

Source: Vauxhall

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GM offers lifetime warranty on new Vauxhall models … for 100,000 miles

It’s been a long time coming, but US customers will finally be able to indulge in a brand new Japanese city car, the Scion iQ, next year.

After being revealed at the New York Auto Show this year, the model has been confirmed by Toyota for a US launch in March 2011.

The car is already being sold in Asia and Europe, badged as a Toyota iQ, and has become pretty successful, thanks to its decent cargo spaces plus the adequate interior space.

No other details were revealed, but you can expect the Scion iQ to be priced around the level of the its direct rival, the Smart ForTwo. A frugal 1.3-liter gasoline engine should be included, but don’t expect a hybrid powertrain, at least according to previous statements.

Source: Autoblog

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Scion iQ city car confirmed for US launch in March 2011

Back in the golden ages of the American auto industry, having wood panels on a car guaranteed a certain type of credibility for the model in question. Sadly, as wood got expensive, automakers resorted to vinyls, and the popularity reached extremely low levels.

That’s not the case with the people from Chevrolet UK though, as the division has just revealed a very special Chevrolet Spark Woody Wagon art car.

The unique model is part of a series of customized Spark compact city cars, and, as you can see above and below, is decorated with wood vinyls and even boasts a roof rack for a surf board, proving that it is just right for any cool teenager. The picture is complete by a set of whitewall tires, harking back to the America of the 1950s.

The one-off model will be showcased at the Boardmasters festival in the UK, and will also be present at the Paris Motor Show at the beginning of October.

Source: Chevrolet UK

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Chevrolet Spark Woody Wagon ‘art car’ revealed, will appear in Paris