Meet The Newest V12 Lamborghini

Lamborghini isn’t letting us see their latest V12 supercar up close and personal until next month’s Geneva Motor Show, but that didn’t stop them from leaking the above image of the new car in camo guise. The good news is that this test mule isn’t clad in black vinyl, so we get a decent feel for the lines of the car. If this is the final design, I have to say two thumbs up; Lamborghini had been going down a bizarre styling path lately (case in point: the Reventon), and this car pulls them back to center. You can see the influences from Murcielago, but I’m also seeing heritage here. The muscular front fenders remind me of the iconic Countach, but in a more evolved manner.

Lamborghini’s latest will be built using a carbon fiber monocoque, and will utilize a pushrod suspension similar to F1 cars for more precise control. The car will be powered by a 6.5 liter V12, said to be good for 691 horsepower and 509 ft lb of torque. Like newer Ferraris, buyers won’t get the option of a traditional manual gearbox; instead, the car will come only with a single clutch, automated manual gearbox. Drivers can select between Strada (Street) mode, which will shift like a conventional automatic transmission unless manually shifted; Sport mode, which will hold gears longer and quicken upshifts and Corsa (Track) mode, which includes launch control and provides the most extreme driving experience. To ensuring that the power gets to the ground, the new Lambo is AWD and includes a computer-controlled front differential, a Haldex4 center differential and a rear diff integrated into the engine casting to save weight. We promise more pics and more details after the Geneva Motor Show.

Cadillac Announces CTS-V Black Diamond Edition

The 2011 Black Diamond CTS-V Coupe. Image: © GM Corp.

When it comes to colors, I’ll generally pick black, at least until something darker comes along. Maybe it’s because things just look better in black, or maybe it matches the color of my soul. When it comes to favorite American cars, Cadillac’s CTS-V series is near the very top of my list. Combine the two, and you definitely get my attention; apparently, Cadillac thinks the way I do, because they’ve just announced a special edition of the CTS-V, called the Black Diamond Edition.

The Black Diamond Edition, which will be available in the sedan, coupe and wagon variants, starts with a special multi-layered paint. The black tri-coat paint gets blended with microscopic aluminum flakes, embedded in magnesium fluoride. That’s the science part, but the net result is a finish of unmatched depth and dimension that shines like a diamond in the sunlight. To complete the exterior look, Black Diamond Edition CTS-Vs roll on Satin Graphite 19 inch wheels, and get yellow-painted Brembo calipers.

On the inside, the special edition cars come with the superb Recaro seats and Midnight Sapele wood trim. Coupe buyers can opt for the “Saffron” interior, but I’d pass since even the microfiber suede inserts take away from the inherent blackness of the car. It looks like the suede steering wheel is standard on Black Diamond cars, and that’s a good thing.

If there’s a disappointment, it’s just that Cadillac didn’t do a thing to the motor on these special edition cars. Not that an engine producing 556 horsepower needs much improvement, but still; you’re paying for a “better” car, but it’s just an appearance package. Pricing on the CTS-V Black Diamond Edition, regardless of body style, is $69,190 for the six speed (yes, please) and $70,490 for the (oddly faster) automatic. That’s a premium of $4,850 over a base CTS-V, but it’s less than the sum of all the upgrades it includes. If I hit the lottery, you can rest assured I’ll be in to snap up a Black Diamond Edition CTS-V sedan.

New Maserati Quattroporte GT S

Maserati has recently revealed 2009 Quattroporte facelift. The new car is the Maserati Quattroporte Sport GT S, and it is set to make its world debut next month at the Detroit Auto Show. For the facelifted Quattroporte and Quattroporte S make do with a 400hp (298kW) 4.2L V8 and a 430hp (320kW) 4.7L V8 respectively, the new Sport GT S produces 440hp (328kW). The small power bump is courtesy of a high-flow exhaust system, which comes with an adjustable valve to keep the engine muffled around town and let loose once in the open country.

Maserati has upgrade a set of lowered suspension, stiffer springs, and new shock absorbers for the car as well. The Quattroporte’s ZF six-speed automatic transmission remains, however, in the Sport GT S the paddle-shift operated ‘box receives new management software that allows for quicker gearshifts.

Interior, the car’s usual wood panels are replaced with carbon-fiber pieces, while the seats are covered in a mix of leather and Alcantara. Some minor changes done for the exterior, which are blacked-out headlight surrounds and a darkened grille.

New compact model by GM Holden

GM Holden will build an all-new small car in Australia alongside the country’s best-selling Commodorerange. The second carline will start in the third quarter of 2010 with support from the Federal and South Australian Governments. The car will be based on the Opel Astra & Chevy Cruze. The front-wheel drive model will be offered with an array of 4-cylinder direct injected petrol and diesel engines while Holden said that it is also considering a range of alternative fuel or fuel saving technologies including E85, LPG, CNG and start-stop hybrid capability. Further information/detail of the car and the retail price will be released later.

Kia to bring Soul Coupe to Detroit Auto Show

Kia Motors will unveil a new take on the Soul at the 2009 North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit in January. The all-new concept based on the recently revealed and eagerly anticipated Soul urban crossover passenger car is more than just a re-packaging treatment, as it will demonstrate the flexibility of the original Soul design first shown at the 2006 NAIAS.

Soul is due to go on sale in the UK from March 1 2009. Full range details, specification and prices are yet to be revealed but Soul will be available to UK customers with fuel-efficient 1.6 litre petrol and 1.6 litre diesel engines and with a wide range of personalisation options. The Kia Motors press conference for the 2009 NAIAS is scheduled to take place on Sunday, January 11, 2009 from 2:20-2:45 pm.

Source: Kia

Lexmaul Opel GT Roadster with 312HP

Lexmaul, a well known German tuning firm has developed a subtle performance kit for the Opel GT roadster. A series of engine upgrades that include a new sport exhaust system boost the 2.0-liter turbocharged unit's output from 264HP to 312HP while torque has also been increased from 353 Nm to 440 Nm. Lexmaul also lowered the suspension by 30mm and added a new set of 20-inch Schmidt Revolution CC-Line alloy wheels up front and 21-inch alloys at the back wrapped in chunkier 255 tires (255/35-R20 and 255/30-R21).

Ford Focus RS price list

Ford has officially announced the price of the Ford Focus RS. The Focus RS will be priced from £24,995 which comes to about $38,300 but for a various reasons that include the higher taxation system in the UK, the MSRP cannot be used for comparisons in the U.S. In the UK, the standard price of the flagship Focus RS compares with £20,408 for the 225HP Focus ST3, the existing top-of-the-range Focus model. For the performance, Ford Focus RS is fitted with a turbocharged 2.5-litre, five-cylinder Duratec petrol engine, with a confirmed 305PS and 440Nm peak torque. Front-wheel-driven through a six-speed transmission, the Focus RS accelerates from 0-62mph (100km/h) in under 5.9 seconds and has a targeted top speed of 263 km/h or 164mph.

The car comes with a bodykit that only an RS could wear, as well as things like heated door mirrors and windshield, xenon headlights, Recaros, and Ford's Easy Fill fueling system. Only a few options are available, the ritziest one being the Luxury Pack that will give you things like automatic climate control and rear parking sensors.

Ford Fusion rumored to get 2.0-liter EcoBoost four in 2010

Ford's EcoBoost line of turbocharged engines would proliferate through the Blue Oval's lineup, beginning with the 3.5-liter V6 and then moving downward in displacement to include turbocharged 2.0- and 1.4-liter inline fours. When the wraps came off the 2010 Ford Fusion in LA, we were disappointed that Ford hadn't announced the availability of the 2.0-liter turbo, with horsepower and torque output similar to the blown four-pot offered by GM (260 hp, 260 lb-ft).

During the Detroit Auto Show, the Ford reports that a four-cylinder EcoBoost is likely to be available in the Fusion sometime in 2010. Offering the 2.0-liter EcoBoost engine in both the Fusion and possibly the next evolution of the Explorer.