The first pics of BMW's all-new 1-series M Sport have leaked onto the internet.
The popular trim level will be available with all of the 1-series' four-cylinder engines - a brace of petrol units and a trio of diesels - and features a range of cosmetic and mechanical upgrades.
See the leaked pics of the BMW 1-series M Sport
The pictures reveal a more aggressive look for the BMW 1-series M Sport over the standard five-door hatchback it is based on, including revised air intakes and a new bumper at the front. The rear is also set to get a new bumper, a pseudo diffuser and new exhaust tips. New M Sport alloy wheels complete the exterior changes.
Read the full story on the new BMW 1-series
Inside, M Sport 1-series will get sports seats, an M Sport-badged steering wheel, pedals, handbrake and gear level, and M Sport-badged sill plates.
The package is expected to reach the UK in early 2012 following the standard car's launch in September.
Tesla dropped some new photos of the Model S Alpha sedan on us on Monday, and the car is looking more like a production vehicle every day.
The shots show a Tesla Model S in a shade of black sporting a new front fascia with a lower, sharper, more aggressive look. It includes some vents for possible brake or engine cooling purposes, along with the same 10-spoke fan-blade wheels as the concept car.
The first Model S Alpha vehicles are scheduled to be delivered in mid-2012 at a price of about $57,000.
On June 1, the company held its first shareholders meeting in San Jose, Calif., to talk about the state of the company. Tesla has taken 4,600 reservations for the Model S.
Check out the photos in the gallery and let us know what you think about the new face of electric luxury.
Want to know which of the five available shades of silver/gray your Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG roadster will look best in? Thanks to the new AMG online configurator, you're just a click away from discovering the answer.
The site's Visualizer feature lets you choose SLS AMG roadster exterior and interior colors, wheel designs and convertible-top hues. Plus there's a clickable accelerator pedal right in the middle to whet your aural appetite.
Mercedes has also included the requisite photo gallery and a comprehensive spec sheet for perusal. If you have a few minutes to kill, go build and be happy.
Mercedes-Benz will introduce a new M-class crossover in September with a curvier exterior, more power and slightly better fuel economy.
In the United States, the 2012 M-class will be offered beginning with two models -- the gasoline ML350 V-6 and the ML350 Bluetec diesel. Both models will feature four-wheel drive.
The 3.0-liter diesel V-6 generates 240 hp, 30 more horsepower than the current engine. The diesel engine's fuel economy has been improved 3 percent to 20 mpg in the city while highway mileage remains at 25 mpg, Mercedes said.
The gasoline V-6 gets a horsepower boost to 302 from 268 and fuel economy rises to 17 mpg city/22 highway from 15 city/20 highway.
A 4.6-liter V-8 will be offered later.
The current Mercedes M-class also is offered with a 5.5-liter gasoline V-8 engine and a gasoline-electric hybrid V-6 model with 335 hp.
The third-generation M-class shares components and engineering with the 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee. Work on both vehicles started before Chrysler's separation from Daimler AG.
The 2012 Mercedes M-class will feature a suspension with adaptive damping that activates on moderately uneven roads or slow, off-road driving to soften the ride.
The interior will have a standard 7-inch color display in the center stack.
The M class is produced in Vance, Ala. Pricing will be announced later.
The M class debuted in September 1997 and U.S. sales peaked at 52,764 in 2000 when Mercedes-Benz had few European competitors.
Since then, BMW has replaced its X5 crossover and Audi has added the Q5 and Q7 crossovers. Porsche AG has added a competitor, the Cayenne SUV.
Last year Mercedes-Benz sold 29,698 M-class units in the United States. Sales are up 8 percent this year through May to 11,118 units.
The redesigned 2012 Volkswagen Beetle carries a base price of $19,765, including shipping charges, a minimal increase over the base price of the current version.
The base VW Beetle, known as the 2.5L, is powered by a 2.5-liter inline five-cylinder engine rated at 170 hp. A five-speed manual transmission is standard and a six-speed automatic is an option.
Buyers seeking more performance will look at the 2.0L TSI model, which wears a sticker price of $24,165, including the $770 in shipping charges. Under the hood is a turbocharged 2.0-liter, four-cylinder engine rated at 200 hp. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, with a DSG dual-clutch automatic transmission optional.
Volkswagen says a diesel-powered version of the redesigned Beetle goes on sale in 2012. It will be powered by a turbocharged 2.0-liter diesel rated at 140 hp. VW did not release a price for this version.
The 2012 Beetle, which is reaching dealer showrooms now, is six inches longer and 3.3 inches wider than the car it replaces.
Read the full VW press release below:
PRESS RELEASE: THE ICONIC VOLKWAGEN BEETLE HITS THE MARKET WITH A BASE PRICE OF JUST $18,995
The highly customizable Beetle offers German craftsmanship and sophistication and a sporty new attitude
" Powerful, Efficient 2.5L and 2.0 TSI® Turbocharged Engines at Launch
" Forthcoming TDI® Clean Diesel Model Will Offer an Estimated 40 mpg Highway
" Longer, Lower, and Wider than the Previous Beetle
" Sporty Features Include 19-inch wheels, Performance-Handling Packages, and Sport Seats
" Available Premium Features include Bluetooth® technology, Slide and Tilt Panoramic Roof, Fender® Premium Audio System, Keyless Access with push- button start, leather seating surfaces, and BI-XENON Headlights and LED Daytime Running Lights
" No-Charge, Three-Year/36,000-Mile Carefree Maintenance® Program
Herndon, VA Volkswagen of America, Inc. today announced pricing for the 21st Century Beetle, the third generation of the classic people's car. The new Beetle will start at just $18,995, offering an agile, driver-oriented coupe that respects the Beetle's past yet looks to the future.
The 21st Century Beetle is an automotive icon reinvented, a nod to the heritage and character of Volkswagen and our remarkable history, said Jonathan Browning, President and CEO, Volkswagen Group of America, Inc. This new interpretation of the original Beetle holds true to the traditional spirit of the car, with all the benefits of modern technologies and efficiencies.
The 2.5L model, which has a starting MSRP of $18,995, has a 170-horsepower in-line five-cylinder engine and offers fuel economy that is improved by up to 10 percent over past 2.5L models. When outfitted with the five-speed manual transmission, the mileage is estimated at 22 mpg city and 31 mpg highway. The optional six-speed automatic offers EPA fuel economy ratings of 22 mpg city and 29 mpg highway.
The 2.5L comes standard with a split folding rear seat, aux-in for portable audio players, a leather steering wheel, unique and customizable17-inch alloy wheels, and an eight-speaker audio system. Desirable options include a kaeferfach additional glovebox that is similar to that of the original Beetle, Bluetooth® technology, iPod® connectivity, heated front seats, three-color interior ambient lighting, and leatherette seating surfaces.
The sportiest model the 2.0L TSI will have a starting MSRP of $23,395. This model uses Volkswagen's critically acclaimed 2.0-liter in-line four-cylinder turbocharged engine that produces 200 horsepower and 207 lb-ft of torque. As well as providing sparkling performance, the four-cylinder engine with automatic transmission offers an EPA fuel economy rating of 30 mpg on the highway and 22 mpg city.
In 2012, a TDI Clean Diesel model will become available, powered by Volkswagen's highly efficient 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder diesel engine that produces 140 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. This will be the most fuel-efficient Beetle ever, with an expected highway estimate of 40 mpg.
The 2012 Beetle features sportier, more dynamic, and bolder styling than the previous model. It is also 3.3 inches wider, 6.0 inches longer, and 0.5 inches lower, giving the car a more muscular appearance that has a broad appeal. The Beetle will be available in three trim lines, some of which include the transparent, panoramic tilt/slide glass sunroof that is 80 percent longer than on the previous model.
The Beetle comes standard with the RCD 310 sound system with eight speakers; an optional premium VIII audio system features a CD changer, interface for SD cards, and a touchscreen. The Beetle will also offer concert-quality sound with an available Fender® Premium Audio System, designed exclusively for Volkswagen. In a partnership that combines quality automotive engineering and quality sound engineering, Volkswagen and Fender have teamed up to bring the raw emotion of live music to the driving experience.
The Beetle includes Volkswagen's advanced Intelligent Crash Response System that shuts off the fuel pump, unlocks the doors, and switches on the hazard lights if the car is involved in some types of collisions. The Beetle is also covered under the no-charge, 3-year/36,000-mile scheduled Carefree Maintenance® Program.
