Auto-Tech HQ

The next-generation BMW 3 Series has been announced and is expected to hit the dealerships sometime in 2011 as a 2012 model. The most immediately noticeable change are headlamps, wider grille and new lower front fascia.  The rear gets reworked reflectors.

The most significant updates comes under the hood.  A much loved twin-turbocharged 3.0-liter inline-six is being replaced by a new single turbo version.  The revised engine, dubbed N55, has recently been launched in the 740i and the 535i Gran Turismo.  The twin scroll turbo has dual exhaust inlets that allow the engineers to better balance the pulses coming in to spin up the turbine faster. BMW is promising to reduce the turbo lag with this new setup.

BMW also claims it has reduced cold-start emissions by routing all the exhaust gases through a single, larger catalytic converter that heats up faster. On the intake side, the throttle is eliminated thanks to the addition of BMW’s Valvetronic variable valve control system. The N55 also gets direct fuel injection.  the final outcome is the same 300 horsepower and 300 pound-feet of torque as before, but with better torque curve from 1,200-5,000 rpm.  For more details please read a complete press release.

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Mitsubishi finally announced pricing information on its new Evolution MR Touring model, and its not cheap.  With a base MSRP of $40,990, the top of the line Lancer finally spills over the $40K line, and is no longer has a ”bargain” sticker next to it.  If you were to go and check every option box when you were to order one, you may actually start considering something a lot more in the sport luxury segment like Audi or BMW.  The fully loaded 2010 Mitsubishi Lancer Evolution MR Touring would retail for $52,728!  you heard me right, fifty plus thousand dollar Mitsubishi Lancer.  I am sure the actual price will be much closer to $47K tops, but it is still a very large number to swallow (at least for me).

You get the typical 291-horsepower turbo four-cylinder engine, paddle-shifted dual clutch six-speed transmission, Brembo brakes, 18-inch BBS wheels with Yokohama Advans, Super All-Wheel Control (S-AWC) all-wheel-drive system.  I am sure what Mitsubishi is trying to do is to attract an older crowd by introducing this model, but will they be able to justify this hefty price tag?

Here is a complete list of details:

Official Release Info:

Base Price
$40,990 + $720 destination

Standard Features Click here to read more…

Audi has announced the A5 Sportback starting September but unfortunately it will not be coming to US (not yet at least).  There will be six engine choices diesel and gasoline, all of which will have direct injection; 2.0-liter TFSI four comes in 180 and 211 hp, a 3.2-liter V6, and for gasoline there will be 2.0-liter inline-four, 2.7-liter V6 and 3.0-liter V6.  The four cylinder engines all get automatic start-stop system, and V6 versions will get the Quattro all wheel drive systems.  Three additional engines will be available in 2010.

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Since a new Porsche Panamera has been released, it did not take the test drivers to put it through its paces on Nuburgring.  The 4.8 Liter turbocharged V8 that makes 500 HP and 516 lb-ft of torque with 0 to 60 MPH in 4.2 seconds and with an optional Sports Chrono mode it will do it in just 4.0 seconds and a top speed of 188 MPH, Panamera Turbo lapped the Nurburgring in 7 minutes, 56 seconds, which is a 3 seconds faster than the Cadillac.

Cadillac CTS-V set the record of 7:59 time last year, and it was crowned the worlds fastest production 4 door saloon.  Well now that the Porsche Panamera is out, that looks like it will change very soon.

Source: TopSpeed

A new BMW M5 will be out sometime between 2011 and 2012, and new details starting to surface.  Several reports indicate that BMW may continue to use a V10 in the next M5, although there are some rumors that the twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V8 could be tweaked and fitted instead of V10.  If BMW decides to keep V10, it will be heavily revised, with a possibility of twin turbo action that will put the power of the car to over the 600 hp mark.  

In addition to the increased power, BMW may also use an F1-style KERS system to increase performance and fuel economy, along with an eight-speed dual-clutch gearbox.  If the rumors are true, we are about to see a beast in the making.  Lets all keep our fingers crossed for the new V10TT.

Source:  BMWblog

Mercedes S63 is powered by an AMG-tuned 6.2-liter V8 producing 525 horsepower and 465 lb-ft of torque.  Maybe for some thats not enough, well there is a fix from Mercedes brought S65, that offers a twin-turbo 6.0-liter V12 that is pumping out a modest 612 HP and 738 lb-ft of torque.

U.S. pricing has not yet been revealed, but European pricing is S63 at €115,700 ($160k) with a €6k premium for the long-wheelbase version and the S65 AMG bi-turbo carries a hearty €185,900 ($257k).  It should be on sale here in US in September.

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Subaru Legacy Sedan achieves 31mpg highway miles wish is best MPG figures for mid-size AWD in U.S. Market and has better economy than many front-wheel drive competitors. 

CHERRY HILL, N.J., June 18 /PRNewswire/ — Subaru of America today announced the EPA fuel economy results for 2010MY Legacy. The 2010 All-Wheel Drive Legacy achieves up to 26 mpg combined and 31 mpg highway, despite having grown in size in almost every dimension.

Specifically, the Legacy 2.5i CVT now exhibits better fuel economy (EPA combined) than such Front-Wheel competitors such as Honda Accord, Mazda6i, VW Passat and Hyundai Sonata. Furthermore, the new Legacy is now the highest rated midsize AWD sedan (EPA combined) in the U.S. market for 2010MY.

Tim Mahoney, senior vice president and CMO of Subaru of America said, “We are thrilled that the all-new 2010 Legacy not only offers more space and a more rewarding drive than the competition, but it also delivers better fuel economy at a very competitive price.”

The Subaru Legacy comes with Subaru’s legendary Boxer engine, Symmetrical All-Wheel Drive, quick-ratio steering and a new double-wishbone suspension system. The 2010 Legacy has an entry-level price of $19,995 (excl. delivery) and will provide an alternative for customers looking for more from the mid-sized sedan segment.

2010MY EPA Fuel Economy Ratings

Legacy 2.5i 6MT 19 mpg city / 22 mpg combined / 27 mpg hwy

Legacy 2.5i CVT 23 mpg city / 26 mpg combined / 31 mpg hwy

Legacy 2.5GT 6MT 18 mpg city / 21 mpg combined / 25 mpg hwy

Legacy 3.6R 5AT 18 mpg city / 21 mpg combined / 25 mpg hwy

Source:  PRNewswire

The 2010 Ford Taurus SHO is almost here.  You can now go online to Build Your Taurus and check it out for yourself, and build the one you like.

The pricing starts at $37,995 but once you add all the cool features to it, it can go up to as high as $46,000.  This might sound like a very hefty price to pay for a Ford, but if you look at all the high tech features that you get including the 365-hp SHO engine, it might not sound too bad.  But then again for some of you it still might be a little too much to swallow to pay for a Ford.  But if you are a true SHO fan you might want to check it out and build your own car.

Cars.com review the 2009 Chevrolet Malibu Hybrid in the below video review.  Chevy Malibu is a midsize sedan that rivals agains cars like the Toyota Camry Hybrid and Ford Fusion Hybrid.  Apparently, Malibu doesn’t quite match the fuel economy of its competition, but there are some advantages that Malibu has that have been pointed out in the video.

Mercedes-Benz has built an Experimental Safety Vehicle called S400 Hybrid to show the latest and greatest in Mercedes’ safety technology.

Some of the below mentioned features are braking bag and a panel under the car, which operates as an air brake and a support in case of an accident.

Here is a quick video and much more details information of all the features.

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