The 2011 Models We're Most Excited About

Like the dawn of a new year, the 10 cars in this list are full of promise and potential. From high-powered exotics to lively family sedans and sporty hatchbacks, the class of 2011 has something for everyone. They’re also the cars we’re most excited to drive in 2011:

                                                  McLaren MP4-12C

The McLaren F1 is still considered by many to be the ultimate supercar. Built from 1992 to 1998, the 3-passenger F1 (the driver sits in the middle) could hit a top speed of 231 mph. So when a new McLaren sports car comes to market, well, you can bet we’re going to take notice. The new McLaren MP4-12C is targeting rivals like the Ferrari 458 Italia and Lamborghini Gallardo, armed with a lightweight carbon-fiber tub that cradles a twin-turbocharged 592-bhp 3.8-liter V-8 engine behind the cockpit. A 7-speed twin-clutch sequential-shift transmission is the only gearbox on offer—there is no clutch pedal, or traditional manual shifter. Also gone from the original F1 is the unique 3-passenger layout, though the suave cabin of the MP4-12C is a perfect blend of Formula 1 technology and business-class luxury.


Ford Boss Mustang   

Ford is bringing back a legend with the revival of the Boss Mustang. Originally conceived in the late-1960s—in the heat of Trans-Am competition and during the height of the muscle-car era—the Boss came to be revered by Mustang fans. Ford looks set to inspire a new generation with the 2012 edition of the Boss Mustang. The car’s rumbling 440-bhp 5.0-liter V-8 engine and wild bodywork seem as though they came straight from a racetrack. Adding to the retro theme are items like adjustable dampers that require a screwdriver to adjust—like on the original Boss—along with an optional red-colored “track key.” This dealer-installed option changes 200 engine parameters, improving torque and throttle response while also enabling a configurable launch control ideal for drag racing. The suspension has also been upgraded to match the performance potential of the rest of this potent ’Stang.


                                   Mercedes SLS AMG Convertible   

The Mercedes-Benz SLS AMG convertible presents a serious decision, at least for anyone able to afford the $185,000 base price of the regular SLS AMG coupe. Expected to start at roughly $200,000, the SLS AMG convertible gains a droptop, but loses the dramatic gullwing doors of the coupe. It’s the type of car-buying dilemma most of us only dream about having to make. Like its hardtop cousin, the SLS AMG convertible is powered by a 571-bhp 6.2-liter V-8, coupled with a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission. A set of huge ceramic brakes (15.4-in. front/ 14.2-in. rear) provides serious stopping power for those emergency paparazzi-avoidance maneuvers that many SLS owners will face. The SLS AMG convertible arrives (fashionably) late this year, most likely during the Frankfurt Auto Show.

BMW 650i 

Convertible Gone are the awkward lumps and bumps that detracted from the looks of the last generation of 6 Series convertible. The handsomely revised new 650i Convertible arrives this spring (as a 2012 model), and the big BMW finally has the suave exterior to match the swagger of its potent powertrain. A 400-bhp twin-turbocharged 4.4-liter V-8 is under the hood, coupled to either an 8-speed automatic or 6-speed manual transmission. BMW quotes a 0-60 mph time of 4.9 seconds, along with a top speed that is electronically limited to 155 mph. Even more impressive is the rapid reaction time of the folding roof. Opening the top takes only 19 seconds, and closing it requires 24. Both can be done on the move, at speeds up to 25 mph.

                                                      Ferrari 458

Italia Convertible There isn’t much Ferrari can do to improve upon the incredible looks and performance of the 458 Italia. However, the addition of a convertible version seems a good place to start. With the top folded, you’ll be able to hear even more of the mechanical symphony being played by the 570-bhp 4.5-liter V-8 engine, mounted behind the cockpit. Punch the gas pedal and be prepared for an acoustic masterpiece, as this high-strung Italian engine wails its way to a 9000-rpm redline. Ferrari quotes the 458 Italia as being able to sprint from 0-60 mph in less than 3.4 seconds. Convertibles are almost always slightly heavier (slower) than coupes, though we doubt anyone will be complaining about a fraction of a second in the undoubtedly stellar performance of the 458 Italia convertible.

Chevy Camaro Convertible

Chevrolet is finally bringing the convertible version of its iconic muscle car to market, and we couldn’t be happier. The Chevrolet Camaro Convertible arrives this spring, just in time for perfect top-down weather. The Camaro has always been a great-looking car, with the only major fault being its limited rear visibility—a sacrifice you make for the aggressive styling. With a convertible top stowed away, this bowtie-wearing sports machine suddenly offers an unimpeded 360-degree view of the world. Pricing starts at approximately $30,000 for the Camaro Convertible equipped with the potent V-6 engine. Though we’d be tempted to pay extra for the growling 426-bhp 6.2-liter V-8, which comes with a choice of 6-speed manual or automatic transmission.  

                                                                                   VW Golf R 

Volkswagen is finally bringing its critically acclaimed Golf R to the U.S. With all-wheel drive and a snarling turbocharged 270-bhp 2.0-liter 4-cylinder engine, this is definitely not your everyday Golf hatchback. The exterior is toughened up, thanks to bigger air intakes in the front fascia, a subtle roof spoiler and chunkier alloy wheels. VW says the Golf R is capable of hitting 60 mph in only 5.5 seconds. Better still, you shouldn’t lose time in the corners, or during inclement weather, thanks to the all-wheel-drive hardware putting power to the pavement. To help keep you in control—and in place—when the road gets twisty, the cabin features heavily bolstered sport seats and a thick-rim steering wheel.


Ford Focus ST 

For far too long, the U.S. has not been enjoying Ford’s lineup of sporty Focus hatchbacks sold in Europe. With the arrival of the new Focus next year, we finally get to join the fun thanks to the arrival of the front-wheel-drive Focus ST. The ST includes a 247-bhp 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, which offers more power and up to 20 percent better economy than before. The Focus ST also employs a Torque Vectoring Control system, to make certain the front wheels aren’t overwhelmed by the engine’s power. A lower ride height, sportier suspension settings and variable-ratio steering all add to the ST’s prodigious performance hardware. The Focus ST also comes with the large alloy wheels, spoilers and bigger air intakes you expect (and love) in a spacious 5-door hatchback that can outperform many sports cars.

                                                                                  Buick Regal GS 

How did a Buick sedan find its way onto a list that includes wild supercars and gorgeous convertibles? The answer is the Regal GS, a sports sedan that proves Buick is committed to targeting a younger, more driving-focused audience. The 2012 Buick Regal GS has a sport-tuned suspension, along with a turbocharged 255-bhp 4-cylinder engine that offers plenty of performance without the penalty of high fuel consumption. Buick says the Regal GS should reach 60 mph in less than 7 seconds. There is even a 6-speed manual transmission for drivers who prefer to shift for themselves. The cabin of every 2012 Regal GS will be black, with satin-finish trim on the steering wheel, console and instrument panel. The car comes loaded with standard features, such as satellite radio, park assist, pushbutton start and premium sound system.

Reference of: http://www.roadandtrack.com/special-report/the-new-year-s-coolest-new-cars

2012 Land Rover Range Rover Evoque Five-Door Official Photos and Info

With 20-inch wheels and styling that eschews typical SUV tough-guy cues such as faux skidplates, the three-door and five-door are aimed at upscale urban drivers who aspire to but can’t quite reach the Range Rover Sport. Dimensionally, the Evoque twins are the same except that the five-door is about one inch taller and rear-seat passengers get about two more inches of shoulder room in the more-spacious back seat.

As in the three-door, the five’s powertrain will be a 2.0-liter turbocharged direct-injection four-cylinder making about 240 hp paired with full-time all-wheel drive. The engine is from Ford’s new family of EcoBoost four-cylinders. The powertrain will make the Evoque twins the two most expensive four-cylinder vehicles on the U.S. market.

The Evoque uses the largely steel, front-drive-based car platform under the Land Rover LR2, although only about 30 percent of the parts are carry-over. The Evoque’s sportier stance and proportions required major changes to the body stampings and suspension, says Land Rover managing director Phil Popham. The three-door Evoque should come in around 220 pounds lighter than the 4250-pound LR2, the five-door about 154 pounds lighter, says Popham.

One crucial difference between the three- and five-door: under U.S. law, sport-utility vehicles with two passenger doors are subjected to a withering 25-percent import duty. The so-called “chicken tax” owes its name to a 1963 trade dispute with France and Germany when the U.S. placed the duty on some agricultural goods and trucks in response to European duties on American-sourced chickens.

Trucks were different then, but the duty remains on the books and the urban-chic three-door (two passenger doors plus one tailgate) Evoque will have to pay it, while the five-door Evoque will be exempt.

The New Lexus LFA Debut!

Sexy, Sleek, and Stunning are three words to describe the new Lexus LFA Supercar. On October 21, 2009 Lexus announced the official launch of their new, two-seat supercar. The new LFA Supercar is scheduled to go into production at the end of 2010, but the pre-sale started on the 21^st of October. Only 500 units of the LFA will be produced and sold worldwide.

This past Wednesday, November 11, 2009 Eric Brooks, President of L.A. Car Connection, Inc. had the opportunity to ride in one, of three that are available in the world. Brooks sat shotgun next to professional driver, Scott Pruett when they reached a speed of 170 mph around the almost three mile racetrack. Brooks describes the experience as exhilarating. “There is nothing like this car, it truly is a one-of-a-kind.” Says Brooks.
The car has been quoted by experts, saying “The LFA is Ultra-responsive and extremely stable even when taken to the edge, the LFA creates a sense of reassurance that opens up a new world of driving emotion, exhilarating the senses to move the driver in more ways than one.”

The vehicle has several appealing features.  The LFA has a newly developed 4.8-liter V10 engine. With its very compact size, (smaller than the average V8), and incomparable power, it allows for optimal power-to-weight ratio.

The transmission along with the engine is placed within the wheelbase. With optimal placement of the transmission and the fuel tank being in front of the rear axle, this sleek beauty has exceptional performance and remarkable stability.

You can find a prototype of the LFA , now on display at the 41st Tokyo Motor Show, which is open to the general public from October 24 to November 4 at Makuhari Messe in Makuhari, Chiba Prefectu.

Porsche Plans a Hybrid in Every Model Line

Porsche is counting on hybrid drive to help reduce its fleet CO2 emissions. “In the future, we will have hybrid drive in every model line," development chief Wolfgang Duerheimer said.

Earlier this year, Porsche launched a hybrid version of its Cayenne SUV. A Panamera sedan will go on sale with the Cayenne's hybrid technology in 2011. According to Porsche engine chief, Heinz-Jakob Neusser, the Panamera hybrid will be able to travel about 3 miles under electric power.

Porsche's first electrically powered sports car, the 918 Spyder, will come next, with small production runs planned in three to four years. “We want to learn how we can electrify all our sports cars in the future with the help of this short production run," Duerheimer said.

4 cylinder engines:

The company could also introduce smaller engines to help cut CO2 emissions.

"If the CO2 guidelines require it, then our engines will become smaller and may have just four cylinders," Duerheimer said. “The important thing is that the performance has to be right. The 911 must always be on the cutting edge.” He is looking at turbocharging and direct injection. They could be used to transform a four-cylinder powerplant into a sports car engine.

Weight is another parameter and Porsche aims to ensure that new models are no heavier than the vehicles they replace. "A constant weight is our minimum requirement in the change to a new generation, even with compliance with all the new safety and comfort requirements," Duerheimer said. That means a new model must be 10 percent lighter each generation, so that the new car doesn't end up weighing any more than the old.

He said Porsche is developing carbon car bodies for road vehicles that can be used to make another improvement of 110 pounds in weight.These could be ready in five years.

Porsche is introducing new smaller vehicles such as the planned Cajun SUV, which will positioned below the Cayenne, to win new customers, not to cut the carmaker's CO2 emissions, Duerheimer said.

Reference: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20101018/CARNEWS/101019895

L.A. Car Connection Welcomes the 2011 Infiniti M37

Infiniti's objective for the latest M series was to enhance its overall image, in terms of both styling and performance. Our early drives of engineering prototypes indicated that the longer, lower, wider exterior styling changes definitely impart a sleeker, more elegantly muscular appearance that looks especially good when viewed rolling down the road.

The wider stance, primarily for styling purposes, also contributes to improved road holding, with the front track 1.4 inches wider and the rear track 0.8 inch wider. The wheelbase is unchanged, but new rear-suspension geometry aims for a quieter ride and additional handling stability.

Under the hood, the 3.7-liter V6 of the M37 outpowers not only the previous V6 but also the 4.5-liter V8 of the previous M45 by five horses, for a total of 330 hp. The new 32-valve, 5.6-liter V8 in the M56 ups the ante to 420 hp (an additional 95 hp) and 400 lb-ft of torque (81 lb-ft more). A seven-speed automatic transmission with rev matching on downshifts in the manual sport mode backs up either engine.

The M56 prototype we drove was the Sport version, which also includes 20-inch wheels, four-wheel active steering, sport suspension and four-piston caliper, vented-disc brakes. Infiniti admitted that the M56 we had driven earlier was not quite ready for prime time, but engineering changes since then were evident as soon as we got on the throttle in a more recent test drive. Power-train engineers changed the shift-program software for more responsive part-throttle operation which holds lower gears longer and makes better use of the available torque. The result is that the standard setting of the four-mode M drive is more assertive off the line, while the sport mode responds even more aggressively when you mash the throttle or downshift. In short, despite a more discreet exhaust note than on previous models, you can feel the added punch of the larger, more powerful V8.

The M37 V6 prototype we drove had an authoritative growl and an enthusiastic throttle response.

In manual mode, the transmission provides crisp upshifts, but the downshifts, while fine for the majority of the intended audience, could be a bit more aggressive physically and aurally for the hard-core. Steering feel and response were very good. Under aggressive cornering in tight turns, the rear steering (with "4-Wheel Active Steer") lagged a bit. Otherwise, both ends of the M56 delivered solid handling and a firm but comfortable ride. Braking was very good but not outstanding. An eco mode (one of four throttle maps) saves fuel by pushing back on the accelerator, something that can be felt but is not annoying or distracting.

Overall, our drive revealed definite improvements over earlier M models, with performance and styling gains that should provide a stronger identity for Infiniti against the competition.

2011 Infiniti M37

ON SALE: Now

DRIVETRAIN: 3.7-liter, 330-hp, 270-lb-ft, V6; RWD, seven-speed automatic

FUEL ECONOMY (EPA): 21 mpg (est) 

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100127/CARREVIEWS/100129936#ixzz11gn0oYR0

Porsche 911 Speedster returns

Porsche is bringing back the 911 Speedster some 16 years and three model generations after it last was featured in the German sports-car maker's lineup.

The car, pictured here ahead of a planned unveiling alongside the 911 Carrera GTS at the Paris motor show, is just the third 911 Speedster to be put into series production and follows tradition by being based on the existing cabriolet version of Porsche's iconic rear-engine sports car.

Paying homage to the car that kicked off Porsche's fascination with the chopped-top look, the original 356 Speedster launched in 1953 at the behest of its U.S. importer. The new 911 Speedster uses standard bodywork but receives a shorter and more heavily raked windscreen than other 911 models.

A plastic tonneau cover behind the cabin also receives a double-bubble treatment reminiscent of that gracing the first 911 Speedster, the 964 model introduced in 1988. The overall appearance is further enhanced by the adoption of the widened rear bodywork of the latest 911 Carrera 4S cabriolet, with its 1.7-inch wider wheel housings.

A flat, manually operated fabric hood is designed to provide occasional protection from the elements, although as on earlier examples of the 911 Speedster, it is unlikely to be as sturdy as the standard 911 Cabriolet's automatic roof.

The car was created to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Porsche Exclusive, the company's in-house individualization program. Porsche's latest 911 also receives a series of visual upgrades, including an additional chin spoiler at the base of the front bumper, tinted indicator lamps, blackened headlamps surrounds and windscreen frame, unique side sills and a rear bumper boasting 911 GT3-style air ducts behind the rear wheel arches. Inside, there is a combination of black leather and color-keyed elements from the Porsche Exclusive catalogue.

Power for the rear-wheel-drive 911 Speedster comes from the same 3.8-liter version of Porsche's classic horizontally opposed six-cylinder engine as that unveiled in the 911 Carrera GTS. With 402 hp, it packs 22 hp more than the standard 3.8-liter flat-six used in the 911 Carrera S cabriolet.

Torque remains the same at 310 lb-ft, albeit developed 200 rpm lower in the rev range at 4,200 rpm. No performance figures have been released, but expect 0 to 62 mph in about 4.5 seconds and a top speed of 190 mph.

Standard equipment includes Porsche's excellent seven-speed PDK dual-clutch gearbox, a locking differential, adaptive damping and carbon-ceramic brakes.

In a move that will ensure its exclusivity, Porsche says it plans to produce just 356 examples of the new 911 Speedster. North American pricing is yet to be revealed but look for the car to sticker at about $150,000.

Read more: http://www.autoweek.com/article/20100921/PARIS/100929985#ixzz10CFnssXV

2010 Jaguar XJ75

 

As part of the year long celebration of Jaguar’s 75 Years of Looking Forward, Jaguar Cars design team has created the XJ75 Platinum Concept, a one-of-a-kind design project on display at the Pebble Beach Concept Car Lawn this weekend.

The XJ75 Platinum Concept is the company’s first demonstration of the design customization potential of the striking new XJ luxury sedan, emphasizing the Jaguar’s dramatic interior and exterior styling themes.

“The new Jaguar XJ Platinum Concept celebrates Jaguar’s 75th Anniversary, and highlights the uniqueness of the XJ, and more broadly, the increasingly personal nature of luxury cars in today’s market,” said Mike O’Driscoll, Managing Director of Jaguar Cars. “The XJ is thoroughly modern, and captures the innovative and daring character that our founder Sir William Lyons built into every Jaguar. And the design team clearly had some fun making their first one-of-a-kind XJ design concept in that spirit.”

Dominated by a striking white and black contrast theme that suggests precious platinum metal, the XJ75 Platinum Concept is a high-performance 470-hp 2011 Jaguar XJL Supercharged equipped with new ground-hugging front, rear and side sills. Painted a lustrous Satin Matte Pearlescent White, exterior chrome elements have been revised to either a dark chrome or gloss black. Bespoke 22-inch wheels are black and use a brushed contrast finish.

The contrast theme continues with gloss pearlescent white air vents, veneers and diamond stitch suede inserts to the seats and headliner, all set against the backdrop of a full Jet Softgrain leather interior. Suede and leather accents are seen throughout the interior to further material enhancements.

The XJ75 Platinum Concept center console houses a bespoke clock developed and designed in partnership with the Bremont Watch Company. An independent British company, Bremont creates beautifully engineered and designed mechanical watches hand assembled in Switzerland.

“From a pure design perspective, the XJ75 Platinum Concept is foremost about emphasizing the striking proportion and presence of the new XJ, with a distilled black and white theme, which conjures up the sense of precious platinum,” said Jaguar XJ Chief Designer Giles Taylor. “At the same time, the pure sporting character of XJ is brought to the fore by keeping the car’s clean graphic approach and further lowering its stance.

“On the inside, we played up the XJ’s combination of high-end materials and British flair to really have some fun. The XJ75 Platinum Concept is a design exercise that shows our vision of customization as an inspiration for those enthusiasts who have a taste for strong individuality and visual confidence in their luxury automobiles.”

Performance on the XJ75 Platinum Concept is derived from its 5.0-liter Supercharged direct-injection V8 with 470 horsepower and 424 lb.-ft of torque. Entertainment is provided by a 1,200-watt Bowers & Wilkins surround sound system with 20 speakers powered through 15 channels and state-of-the-art sound processing technology.

·        Reference http://www.topspeed.com/cars/jaguar/2010-jaguar-xj75-platinum-concept-ar94964.html