BMW reveals new shark-faced 2012 6-Series Coupe (+video)

Images and info on BMW’s 2012 6-Series Coupe has been revealed ahead of its official debut at the upcoming Auto Shanghai 2011 show.

Looking more purposeful and with tighter lines than previous model the new 6-Series is designed to be the ultimate dream car. The coupe features a “shark nose” front-end with bi-xenon headlights and a large BMW signature grille. Along the flanks, the6-Series profile boasts frameless windows, chrome accents, and a low roofline. At the rear, there’s dual exhausts, LED taillights, and a trunk lid with an integrated spoiler.

At 4,894mm long, 1894mm wide and 1,369mm tall, the 2+2 coupe is 75mm longer, 39mm wider and 5mm lower than its predecessor. It also rides on a 75mm longer wheelbase at 2,855mm, which should improve space for the rear passengers. Boot capacity stands at 460 litres.

Inside, the design is the same as on the soft-top model, with a more driver-orientated cockpit and the large display on the center console standing out. Other highlights include Dakota leather seats and a freestanding 7-inch iDrive display. Goodies on the options list include heated/ventilated seats, a panoramic sunroof, a Bang & Olufsen audio system, and GPS navigation with an upgraded 10.2-inch display.

In the safety equipment department the new 6 is advanced with a heads-up display, rear-view camera, night vision assist (with pedestrian recognition), parking assist, and a lane departure warning system all included as standard.

When the new 6-Series coupe arrives in New Zealand it will be sold with BMW’s stonking V8 engine. This twin-turbo 4.4-litre V8 engine outputs a healthy 300 kW and produces 600 Nm of torque. It allows the coupe to run from 0-100 km/h in just 4.9 seconds, before hitting a limited top speed of 250 km/h. Fuel economy is impressive as well with the 6-Series achieving 10.4 L/100km combined and emissions are 243 g/km.

The new 6-Series Coupe is expected to reach New Zealand in the second half of 2011, check back for pricing and additional specifications closer to that time. Check out images and a short video below.

Chevrolet Captiva Sport announced for U.S. fleet customers

2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport – Click above for high-res image

Do you miss the Saturn Vue? If so, General Motors is ready to wipe your tears away. Meet the new Chevrolet Captiva Sport, a shockingly familiar crossover being offered for fleet sales here in the United States. GM is quick to point out that the Sport is a variant of the popular Captiva CUV sold in other markets, though its Saturn-badged kin can still be found all over the nation.
The 2012 Chevrolet Captiva Sport will be available in three trim levels – LS, LT and LTZ – with two different powertrain choices. The base engine is GM's Ecotec 2.4-liter direct-injected four-cylinder, while the up-level power p ant is The General's 3.0-liter direct-injected V6. Having experienced both of these units in the Chevrolet Equinox and GMC Terrain crossovers, we found the four to be far smoother and more refined than the anemic V6. In any case, both engines are mated to a six-speed automatic transmission, and all-wheel drive is optional on LTZ models.
LT and LTZ models use the 3.0-liter V6 and come standard with OnStar and Bluetooth connectivity. LTZ standard equipment also includes leather-trimmed seats (heated for front passengers), a rear-view camera and premium audio system.
Fleet companies can take delivery of the Captiva Sport as early as the fourth quarter of 2011. For the full details, follow the jump for GM's press release.

The new SSC Ultimate Aero II

The new SSC Ultimate Aero II has been projected with a well-defined purpose: to beat Super Sport Bugatti Veyron top speed record. The new American supercar SSC Ultimate Aero II, announced a few months as a result of the creative spirit of Jason Castriota, is shown in all its exuberance, thanks to an exclusive photo shoot produced by Top Gear, the automotive format of British BBC network best known among car’s enthusiast.

The record for fastest production car in the world (not prototype), belonged to the previous SSC Ultimate Aero I,  recently won by Bugatti Veyron Super Sport. New Ultimate Aero II Shelby Super Cars, to bring back the record at home, relies on a 6.8-liter V8 twin turbo 1369 hp and lightweight carbon fiber shell that keep the total weight of the car within 1179 kg.

Designed by Jason Castriota, who now works for Saab, the SSC Ultimate Aero II seems to have assimilate shapes of Maserati Birdcase 75th, Ferrari 458 Italia and P4/5. The engine of SSC Ultimate Aero II is able to push the car to a top speed of 443 km/h (12 km/h more than the Bugatti Veyron Super Sport) and reaches 96 km/h (60 mph) in 2 , 8 seconds. To support these extreme performance, the SSC Ultimate Aero II is equipped with carbon-ceramic Brembo brake system, active flaps that help in braking, traction control, ABS and power steering.

Unusual Cars

When Talking about Cars, some of us are talking about a simple engine used to travel from a place to another (a needful thing to fulfill some chores), when coming to others, cars represents  a thing to attract people or to show how much you are cool !!! but for some people, cars are not a simple engine, but a hobby, a manner to live, cars are simply their entire lives !!!

watch those pics to see what am talking about and don’t forget to post your comment, to like and to share this article , and thank in advance.

Names You Need To Know : McLaren MP4-12C

The  McLaren MP4-12C is sleek,  tech-savvy and if you’re an auto enthusiast, a name you need to know in 2011.

The Formula 1-inspired two-seater is a techie’s dream thanks to doors without handles, cameras that record and upload your drive and an iPod-inspired touch-screen dashboard. 

McLaren

Due to hit North American roads in July or August of next year,  McLaren is already taking names (although no orders yet) of prospective buyers.  There are more 3,000 on the list to date.

Not bad for a car that will cost between $225,000-$250,000 when price is finally set.   And I should mention that only 1,000 will be made in 2011, and of that number only 30-35% will come to North America.

McLaren Automotive built a name and a business around racing, constructing cars almost exclusively for the track.  The exceptions until now have been the McLaren F1, a sports car collaboration with Gordon Murray, and the Mercedes Benz SLR McLaren, a $450,000 grand tourer that first hit the luxury auto market in 2003.

Perhaps more than the car’s actual accoutrements, that fact is what makes the McLaren MP4-12C a name to watch for in 2011; it’s quite literally the first modern production car designed and manufactured completely in-house  and solely by McLaren.

According to Anthony Joseph, Director for McLaren Automotive North America, the 2011 model is only the start of a series of sports cars from the company.

“This, the MP4-12C, is our launch car. Our plan is to introduce a new car, a new variant every 12 months. So by mid-decade we should be somewhere around 4,500 cars worldwide,” explains a smiling Joseph.  “This is the launch of our company essentially.”

Do you think the McLaren MP4-12C is a name you need to know in 2011?  Why or why not?  Are there other names we should watch out for in the auto world?  What are they? post Your Comment and tell us.

Cars Photo gallery: What's coming in 2011 and 2012

What do automakers have planned for the future? Find out in this photo gallery of new cars planned for 2011, 2012 and beyond.

2011 Acura RL

New and redesigned 2011 cars

The RL gets a minor freshening with new front-end styling, new taillights, improved interior trim, and a 6-speed automatic transmission (in place of last year's 5-speed) which boosts EPA fuel economy estimates to 17 MPG city/24 highway (up from 16/22). The RL gets better sound insulation and an industry-first "quiet wheel" that reduces resonance inside the tire to diminish road noise.

2011 Acura TSX Sedan

New and redesigned 2011 cars

The TSX gets mild updates to its grille, front bumpers and taillights. The cabin gets some trim and detail updates, most notably a revised center console, rear seat air vents, a higher-resolution display for the navigation system, and a higher capacity hard drive for the stereo's music server. Updates to both four-cylinder and V6 engines result in EPA fuel economy estimates that are 1 MPG higher across the board.

2011 Acura TSX Sport Wagon

New and redesigned 2011 cars

Acura is jumping on the Sport Wagon, um, bandwagon with the TSX. Like the TSX sedan, the wagon is based on the European-market Accord (which differs greatly from the Accord sold in the US. Unfortunately, the new load-lugger TSX misses out on the sedan's V6; instead, it comes exclusively with a 2.4 liter four-cylinder engine and a 5-speed automatic transmission.

2012 Audi A7 Sportback

New and redesigned 2011 cars

Audi's upcoming A7 Sportback luxury hatchback is based on the next-generation A6 sedan.

2011 BMW 740i

New and redesigned 2011 cars

This is the new entry-level 7-series, the 740i. (There is also a long-wheelbase 740Li version.) The 740i is powered by a 300 hp twin-turbo inline six, making it the first six-cylinder 7-series in almost a decade.

2011 BMW 5-series

New and redesigned 2011 cars

BMW's 5-series is all new for 2011, and the controversial styling cues of the 2004-2010 5-series have been relegated to the dustbin. The 528i returns with the same 3-liter inline six, though it's now tuned for 240 horsepower instead of last year's 230. The 535i gets a single-turbocharged version of that engine, though output is the same 300 hp as last year's twin-turbo 535i. And lastly, the top-of-the-line 550i (shown here) now gets a twin-turbo 4.4 liter V8 good for an even 400 hp. 535ix and 540ix models feature BMW's X-Drive all-wheel-drive system. All 5s get a new 8-speed automatic transmission, and rear-drive versions of the 535i and 540i is available with a 6-speed stick.

2011 Audi R8 Cabriolet

New and redesigned 2011 cars

The new convertible version of the R8 iscalled the R8 5.2 Cabriolet. Power comes from the 525 hp V10 introduced for the 2010 model year.

2011 Audi A8

Future cars - New 2011 and 2012 cars

Audi's all-aluminum flagship will be redesigned for the 2011 model year. Styling follows Audi's trend towards more angular lines, while all-LED headlights denote the A8's top-of-the-line status. The electronics are more advanced than ever, and the US version of the A8 will feature a more powerful version of the familiar 4.2 liter direct-injected V8 with a new 8-speed automatic transmission.

2011 BMW X1

Future cars - New 2011 and 2012 cars

The X1 is BMW's new entry-level crossover SUV. The X1 went on sale in Europe in fall of 2009, and is scheduled to come to the States in 2011. BMW has announced that the European version will offer three diesel engines and one gasoline-powered unit. They have not officially announced the US engine lineup, but rumors say that the US-spec X1 will get a 258 hp 3-liter inline six and all-wheel-drive.

2011 BMW Z4 sDrive35is

Future cars - New 2011 and 2012 cars

2011 sees a new, sportier version of BMW's retractable-hardtop Z4 roadster, called the Z4 sDrive35is. It gets a more powerful version of the Z4's twin-turbo inline six, tuned for 340 hp and 332 lb-ft of torque, a twin-clutch automatic transmission, and a racy "M-style" body kit.

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe

2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe

The handsome coupe version of Cadillac's CTS finally makes its debut as a 2011 model. The CTS Coupe comes with the 304 horsepower version of Caddy's direct-injected 3.6 liter V6, with the buyer's choice of rear- or all-wheel-drive and manual or automatic transmissions. A 556 hp CTS-V version is also on the way.

2011 Chevrolet Camaro Convertible

Future cars - New 2011 and 2012 cars

The Camaro convertible will be a late arrival in Chevy dealerships for 2011; look for it in the first quarter. Like the Camaro coupe, the convertible will be available with both V6 and V8 engines; pricing will start at $30,000 even.

2011 Chevrolet Corvette Z06

New and redesigned 2011 cars

The Corvette Z06 is available with a new Z07 package which includes several elements from the ZR1, including Magnetic Ride Control, Brembo ceramic brakes, and 20-spoke wheels (19" front/20" back) shod with Michelin Pilot Sport 2 tires. The CFZ Carbon Fiber package includes more ZR1 bits, including a black carbon-fiber splitter, rockers and roof panel and body-color rear spoiler. (The Z06 in this picture has both packages.) Also new: A Z06 Carbon limited-edition model which combines the Z07 package with a carbon-fiber hood, splitter, and rockers along with black wheels, mirrors and headlights plus a custom leather-and-suede interior with body-color stitching.

2011 Chevrolet Cruze

Future cars - New 2011 and 2012 cars

his all-new compact sedan replaces the Cobalt. LS models get a 138 hp/125 lb-ft 1.8 liter 4-cylinder, while Eco, LT and LTZ models are powered by a 1.4 liter turbocharged direct-injected four that puts out the same 138 hp but 148 lb-ft of torque. Chevrolet says Eco models with the 1.4 and 6-speed manual should get 40 MPG on the highway. The Cruze comes standard with electronic stability control and 10 airbags, including knee airbags for both driver and passenger. Unlike the Cobalt, the Cruze will not be available as a two-door coupe -- only as a 4-door sedan.

2012 Chevrolet Spark

Future cars - New 2011 and 2012 cars

The Spark is a 5-door subcompact that will fit into Chevy's lineup beneath the Aveo. The Aveo, meanwhile, will move upmarket, morphing into a larger, sportier car closer in size to the Volkswagen Golf.

2011 Dodge Challenger

New and redesigned 2011 cars

The king-of-the-hill Challenger SRT8, shown here, gets a new 6.4 liter V8 (that's 392 cubic inches, same displacement as a classic HEMI engine of the 1950s) goo for 470 hp and 470 lb-ft of torque. Improvements to other Challengers include an updated dash and seats, revised suspension for the R/T and a new 3.6 liter engine and available sport-tuned suspension, brakes and tires for the V6-powered SE.

2011 Chrysler 200 sedan

New and redesigned 2011 cars

The 200 replaces the Sebring, and it's essentially the same car with a round of significant updates, including revised styling and an improved interior. The 2.4 liter adds an (optional) 6-speed automatic transmission, while the 3.5 liter V6 is replaced by Chrysler's new 283 hp 3.6 liter Pentastar engine.

2011 Chevrolet Volt

Future cars - New 2011 and 2012 cars

VOLT: Chevrolet's revolutionary range-extended electric has finally arrived! The Volt uses a battery and an electric motor to drive the wheels; when the battery's 40-or-so-mile range runs out, a small gasoline engine supplies electricity to keep the car running. Primary charge for the battery comes from plugging the car in, so it's possible to commute day after day without using a single drop of gasoline.

2011 Dodge Charger

The new Charger features a more aerodynamic profile, lower hoodline, LED taillights with a race-track motif, and an updated interior. Charger SE and Rallye models will get a 3.6 liter V6, while the top-of-the-line R/T gets HEMI V8 power and optional all-wheel-drive. New electronics include adaptive cruise control and a blind-spot warning system.

2011 Dodge Durango

New and redesigned 2011 cars

The Durango is all-new for 2011, and is essentially a stretched version of the Jeep Grand Cherokee. The new Dakota seats seven and features side-curtain airbag protection for all three rows of seats.

2011 Ford Edge

New and redesigned 2011 cars

The 2011 Edge gets refreshed styling and the four-cylinder version of Ford's Ecoboost lineup of turbocharged direct-injected engines. Ford hasn't announced power output, but the 2-liter is expected to come in at around 230 hp and 240 lb-ft of torque -- compare that to 285 hp and 253 lb-ft for the 3.5 liter V6, which remains in the Edge lineup. The Edge Sport shown here, introduced last year as an appearance package, gets some teeth for 2011 in the form of a 3.7 liter V6 that produces 305 hp and 280 lb-ft and a paddle-shift 6-speed automatic. Other Edge improvements include a quieter, more refined cabin and the MyTouch system, which reduces buttons by using workflow-oriented LCD screens and cell-phone-inspired steering wheel controls.