Already released in Korea, the new 2011 Hyundai Elantra will be launched in the United States next week, at the Los Angeles Auto Show. In order to build anticipation for the model, Hyundai has posted a “spy photo” on their official Twitter account, taken at their Alabama plant, with the new US Elantra partially uncovered. The car will probably not be very different from its Korean sister (pictured below), but we appreciate Hyundai’s effort with the photo.

[Source: Hyundai]

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Hyundai posts self spy photo of the new US Elantra on Twitter

Sergio Marchionne, the chief executive of Fiat and Chrysler announced that he is very happy with the new generation Grand Cherokee market success (including Europe) and that Fiat is currently looking into creating new SUVs based on Jeep’s platform. Launched in June, the 2011 Grand Cherokee is selling extremely good (October sales are up 291 percent compared to October 2009) and expectations are also high for the new Dodge Durango, which is based on the same platform and will go on sale next month.

Marchionne said he is very happy with the Jefferson North assembly line results and added that Fiat considers using the Grand Cherokee platform for a future Maserati SUV to compete the German rivals Porsche Cayenne, BMW X5 and the Mercedes Benz ML Class.

[Source: The Detroit News]

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Fiat plans new SUVs based on new Grand Cherokee platform

This year, one of the “hottest” topics was the fires involving the new Ferrari 458 Italia (1, 2, 3, 4) but things cooled down after Ferrari finally came out and admitted something is wrong with their new car and issued a major recall to fix a faulty adhesive used to attach a heat shield under the rear fender. Everything until now, when another 458 caught fire in Sao Paulo, Brazil. Not many details are available, like when this happened or if the car was taken to a Ferrari dealer to have the adhesive fixed, but it sure does raise a lot of questions.

Check out two videos of the burning car after the jump.

[Source: Wrecked Exotics]

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Ferrari 458 Italia on fire, again [video]

Back in April, when Mercedes introduced the CLS Shooting Break Concept, everyone thought it’s just a design study and that it will never enter production. Then, rumors started showing up about the German carmaker considering its production and now we have an official confirmation: the CLS Shooting Break will be mass produced.

Based on the second generation CLS, the car will be built at the Mercedes Benz plant in Sindelfingen, Germany and will most likely be available in 2012. No further details will be released, but the vehicle will probably be based on the CLS drive-train, with about the same range of diesel and petrol engines.

“The CLS still makes waves with its fascinating design and wows customers for our brand. With the new generation of the CLS we expand our pioneering role in this segment. We aim to extend this success story with the CLS Shooting Brake and complement our product portfolio with another appealing model. This car is based on the great tradition of a stylish, cultivated sportiness which has always characterised the great Mercedes Coupés, and it takes this unique legacy an exciting step further. At the same time it points the way towards the future design idiom of Mercedes-Benz.” Dr. Joachim Schmidt, Executive Vice President Sales and Marketing, Mercedes-Benz Cars said.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

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Mercedes-Benz confirms CLS Shooting Break production

Toyota has recently released a video paying tribute to their legendary test pilot, Hiromu Naruse, who died last year, in June, in a Lexus LFA crash on a highway in Germany, near the Nurburgring race track.

Naruse began working for Toyota in 1963, when he was hired as an accountant because of his math skills. However, he enjoyed driving too much and worked his way up to chief test driver for Toyota and Lexus, influencing sports cars over the past four decades. He was 67 years old when he died.

[Source: Toyota]

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Toyota releases video tribute to legendary test driver Hiromu Naruse

Last week, the EPA (United States Environmental Protection Agency) released the results of its annual rating of best and worst cars in terms of fuel economy. On top of the list there’s the 2011 Toyota Prius which delivers 51 mpg in the city and 48 on the highway, while the second place was claimed by three Fords, the 2011 Fusion Hybrid, the 2011 Mercury Milan and the 2011 Lincoln MKZ Hybrid, which all deliver 41 mpg in the city and 36 on the highway.

Of course, the bottom of the list is filled with expensive and powerful vehicles, like the Bentley Continental Flying Spur, the Rolls-Royce Phantom Coupe and the Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe, which all deliver 11 mpg in the city and 18 mpg on the highway. And the car with the worst economy is…wait for it…the Bugatti Veyron. What a surprise, huh? According to EPA, the Veyron gets 8 mpg in the city and 15 on the highway, which, of course, will scare all those millionaires away.

[Source: Inside Line]

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Toyota Prius most fuel-efficient vehicle, Bugatti Veyron worst

If you own an off-road vehicle, like this Mitsubishi Pajero, it doesn’t mean you’re automatically good at climbing hills. And this video, which I think should be included in every off-road course, is the perfect example for that. S**t happens!

[Source: RideLust]

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Off-road, the wrong way [video]