2011 Lexus IS 350C F Sport Special Edition

Lexus recently unveiled the IS 350C F Sport Special Edition convertible which will go on sale later on this month in the United States. They will make only 175 units of this car and each of them will have a base price of $55,120 plus $875 for the destination charge. Over the standard model, this special/limited edition is going to offer some performance upgrades as well as some styling modifications.

This hardtop convertible is going to be offered in a choice of two new colors (Obsidian or Starfire Pearl) and will be available with bi-xenon headlights with integrated LED daytime running lights, 19-inch alloy rims that have  a dark graphite finish, covered by 225/35 Michelin Pilot Sport rubber. Needless to say, that the car will also feature special exterior badging.

In addition, the car will benefit from heated and ventilated black/red leather sport seats with red stitching as well as a new wood trim. Standard equipment will include a rear back-up camera, Lexus Enform telematics system with Safety Connect, navigation, Bluetooth, voice command and various XM services.

The Japanese engineers have fitted the car with new Bilstein shock absorbers, a sway bar and shorter springs in order to improve handling.

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2011 Lexus IS 350C F Sport Special Edition Announced

EDO Lamborghini Murcielago LP750

Although most of us are waiting for the highly-anticipated Lamborghini Aventador (LP 700-4), it seems that the engineers over at EDO have decided to roll out a tuned Murcielago, dubbed LP 750. The car's engine produces 750 hp and 546 lb.-ft of torque, good for a top speed of 365 km/h.

EDO Lamborghini Murcielago LP750

According to EDO Competition, this Murcielago is able to get to 60 mph (100 km/h) in 3.1 seconds, to 124 mph (200 km/h) in 9.7 seconds and to 186 mph (300 km/h) in 24.5 seconds.

EDO Lamborghini Murcielago LP750

As you might have guessed, all of these figures were accomplished by doing some extensive upgrade to the engine. The power kit features modified cylinder heads, a revised intake system that has a hand-made intake manifold, new air ducts and a high flow airbox. In addition, the LP 750 comes with catalytic converters, high performance exhaust headers, new mufflers, bucket tappets, more aggressive camshafts, high flow air filters and new exhaust tips. They also tweaked the car's ECU.

EDO Lamborghini Murcielago LP750

The engineers at EDO can also convert the car from all-wheel drive to rear-wheel drive which will lower the car's weight by 88 lbs (40kg).

EDO Lamborghini Murcielago LP750

The Lamborghini Murcielago LP 750 rides on ultra-lightweight 18/19 alloy rims, covered by Michelin 265/35 ZR 18 front tires and 345/30 ZR19 rear rubber.

No word about pricing but this kind of power doesn't come cheap.

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Lamborghini Murcielago LP750 By Edo

It seems that Renault's low-cost brand Dacia is working on expanding its lineup by rolling out a 7-seater MPV, covering a new car segment, after launching the Duster, a very affordable SUV. According to a report from French car journal L'Automobile, the new 7-seat MPV will be launched sometime next year.

The magazine said that his new Dacia model will be named Popster and will feature a modified platform borrowed from the Logan. As far as the engines are concerned, the new MPV will be available with a 1.5 dci engine with various power outputs and probably with the already Dacia engines, the 1.2-, 1.4- and a 1.6-liter petrol units that equip the aforementioned Logan and the Duster.

The MPV will measure about 4.5 meters in length and is going to be placed between Dacia's Logan MCV model and Renault's Grand Scenic. Estimated price is less than 15,000 Euros.

This isn't the only car that Dacia is going to launch in the near future as they are already working on their own version of the Kangoo, which has a Project K97 codename. The new car will come with sliding doors and a split tailgate, similar to the Logan MCV and it will have a price of around 13,000 Euros.
Source: L'Automobile via Carscoop

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Dacia Working On 7-Seater MPV

2012 Opel Astra GSI

WCF's photographers have managed to catch a few pictures of the upcoming 2012 Opel Astra GSI. This new variant of the Astra is based on the GTC Paris Concept and will feature a more aggressive front bumper, along with LED daytime running lights which are now mandatory in Europe, a tailgate-mounted spoiler along with a dual exhaust system. In addition, the GSI will benefit from a sport-tuned suspension and an updated cabin.

2012 Opel Astra GSI

Rumors say that under the hood the car will have a 2.0-liter turbocharged petrol engine that is going to produce about 200 hp (203 PS / 149 kW), allowing the car to do the 0-60 mph sprint in  8.2 seconds and have a top speed of 143 mph (230 km/h).

2012 Opel Astra GSI

Source: WorldCarFans

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2012 Opel Astra GSI Spied

De Tomaso SLC

Ever heard of De Tomaso? They are making a comeback next month at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show. In charge of the company is going to be Gian Mario Rossignolo, ex-Fiat marketing executive. The automaker will be brining to Geneva a new concept designed by Pininfarina.

The De Tomaso SLC (Sport Luxury Car) concept is going to be a large, luxury, AWD crossover, designed to compete with the Lexus-450h and the 5-Series GT from BMW. They said that this concept is going to have a production model which will be launched next year and is going to be offered with two gas engine choices – an entry-level V6 that offers 300 PS (221 kW) and a more powerful V8 that produces 550 PS (405 kW); along with a diesel engine that will output 250 PS (184 kW).

When the production model will be launched, it will have another name which hasn't been revealed yet.

De Tomaso SLC

Gian Mario Rossignolo plans to introduce three models to the company's lineup, launching a coupe and a luxury sedan after the SLC. The automaker will make 3,000 units of the latter per year as well as 2,000 units of the coupe and 3,000 sedans. All the cars are going to be manufactured at a former Pininfarina plant that is located near Turin, Italy, currently run by De Tomaso.

All of the three models that are going to be released will feature an aluminum space-frame and will be built by using a new construction technique, dubbed Univis that requires only 30 dies to make a car.

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De Tomaso Brand To Re-launch In Geneva

Nissan Micra DIG-S

If you are looking for one of the cleanest petrol engine available at the moment, Nissan's Micra DIG-S unit has CO2 emissions of only 95 g/km. It is a 3-cylinder 1.2-liter direct injection unit that has a supercharger and it can be mated to either a traditional manual transmission or to a CVT automatic gearbox.

Nissan Micra DIG-S

This tiny engine can produce 98 hp and 105 lb.-ft of torque which is just about the same as the larger 4-cylinder 1.4-liter engine. Combustion efficiency has been increased thanks to the 13:1 compression ratio. In addition, due to the fact that it has fewer moving parts, friction and pumping losses have been reduced. It also has an advanced engine management system with the start/stop feature as well as energy regeneration capabilities.

Nissan Micra DIG-S

Mated to the manual transmission, an entry-level Micra DIG-S is capable of achieving a top speed of 112 mph (180 km/h) and can do a remarkable 57.4 mpg (4.1 liters / 100 km) with 95 g/km of CO2 emissions.

Nissan Micra DIG-S

The more expensive trim levels (Acenta and Tekna) will emit 99 g/km due to the added equipment while the CVT has CO2 emissions of 115 g/km.

Nissan Micra DIG-S

Another great aspect about this car is the fact that depending on the market, the Micra DIG-S is also exempt from road tax and/or congestion charges and customers can take advantage from further tax breaks as well as governmental incentives.

Nissan Micra DIG-S

The car will be exhibited next month at the 2011 edition of the Geneva Motor Show and European sales will commence later on this summer. The Micra will be available only in a 5-door body style and with three trim levels. Nissan is also offering a 1.2-liter naturally aspirated engine for the Micra that outputs 80 hp.

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Nissan Rolls Out Micra DIG-S

2012 Lotus Elise Club Racer

One of my favorite cars, the Lotus Elise, will be exhibited next month at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show, in its updated Club Racer variant. The new one is even lighter than before as the British engineers managed to shave off 24 kg. The Elise Club Racer will be the first Lotus to come with a Sport setting for the Dynamic Performance Management (DPM).

2012 Lotus Elise Club Racer

In addition, the updated model will also pack a re-tuned suspension that features Eibach springs and Bilstein dampers as well as an adjustable anti-roll bar. The car will have the same engine as before, a naturally aspirated 1.6-liter that develops 140 hp (142 PS / 104 kW) @ 6,800 rpm and 122 lb.-ft (165 Nm) @ 4,500 rpm.

The base price for this baby will be 34,450 Euros and should be available pretty soon.

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Lotus Rolls Out Elise Club Racer

2012 Honda Civic Sedan

At the beginning of January, Honda showed us the Civic sedan and coupe concepts and now they've launched the production model. Unfortunately, there is no hatchback version yet, although I can't complain as I never liked the design, too futuristic for me.

2012 Honda Civic Coupe

Both the sedan and the coupe models will feature a 4-cylinder i-VTEC 1.8-liter engine that will produce 140 hp, mated to a 5-speed automatic gearbox. The new Civic will benefit from the ECO Assist technology and it will do approximately 39 mpg in the city and 41 mpg on the highway.

2012 Honda Civic Coupe

The sportier "Si" version will have a more powerful 4-cylinder i-VTEC 2.4-liter engine, good for 200 hp and 170 lb.-ft of torque. This power unit will be mated to a 6-speed manual transmission and it will do 31 mpg on the highway, according to Honda.

2012 Honda Civic Hybrid

There is also going to be a hybrid version available which will feature an electric motor that will work together with a 4-cylinder i-VTEC 1.5-liter engine, producing 110 hp. The hybrid version will benefit from the CVT – Continuously Variable Transmission, the aforementioned ECO Assist technology and a lithium-ion battery.

2012 Honda Civic

No word about availability or pricing, but we'll keep you posted once we find out.

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2012 Honda Civic Revealed

Click here to view the embedded video.

One of the most important cars that will be revealed next month at Geneva is going to be the new Lamborghini Aventador (700-4). We already showed you a bunch of spy shots, but this time we have something better as the Italian supercar maker has revealed the first video with the car in which we see the interior.

Up until now I haven't seen a "spy video" as the car in this clip is wearing camouflage, but at least they gave us something to watch until March when we'll see it in all its glory. Aside from the interior we also can hear how that engine sounds. Speaking of, it is a V12 6.5-liter that produces 700 hp and 690 Nm of torque. According to preliminary specs, the Aventador will do the 0-60 mph sprint in 3 seconds, onto a top speed of 350 km/h.

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Lamborghini Aventador In Motion

MR Car Design Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG

The German tuners over at MR Car Design have decided to take an old 2005 Mercedes SL 65 AMG and refresh it a little bit. The car received a new SLR-inspired carbon fiber bonnet, borrowed from fellow tuner Kicherer. In addition, it sports a new rear bumper, black fender lights at the front and out in the back the car got a new mid-mounted rear light that has also been blacked.

MR Car Design Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG

It wouldn't be a proper tuning without extra hp under the hood. MR Car Design re-optimized the car's ECU and the power unit now produces 79 hp (80 PS / 59 kW) and 81 lb.-ft (110 Nm) of torque more in comparison to the standard SL 65 AMG that offers 604 hp (612 PS / 450 kW) and 738 lb.-ft (1,001 Nm) of torque, coming from that massive V12 twin-turbo 6.0-liter engine.

MR Car Design Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG

In addition, the V-max has been unlocked and a new sport exhaust system has been installed, along with a lowered suspension that brings the car 30mm closer to the ground.

MR Car Design Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG

The MR Car Design Mercedes SL 65 AMG now rides on big 20-inch forged rims designed by Carlsson.

MR Car Design Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG

Inside the cabin, the car got custom-made Black Series dial lenses.

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MR Car Design Mercedes-Benz SL 65 AMG