Poll: What do You Think about the Euro 2012 Camaro's Redesigned LED Taillights?

If you hop over the break and take a close look at the 90 pictures of the European-specification 2012 Chevrolet Camaro Coupe and Convertible, you'll probably notice a few things that are different from the North American models - and no, we're not talking about the welcome presence of attractive women in some shots. First and foremost, the Euro Camaro gets a redesigned pair of LED tail lamps. It's not only the addition of LED units that make them look different but also their shape, which kind of reminds us of sunglasses.
Those of you with flawless memory will remember seeing the revised tail lamps in our Nürburgring spy shots of the Camaro back in 2010.
Other differences include the diffuser-mounted reflectors at the back; the noticeably larger mirrors that look like someone pasted Dumbo's ears on the Camaro's doors (apparently, so you can detect those miniature ForTwos creeping up on you on the highway) and the more modern fonts on the instrument panel gauges that are placed outwards.
Take your time to compare the pictures of the Euro and North American Camaros and tell us what you think in the comments below.

EUROPEAN MARKET 2012 CAMARO

Porsche Names its Upcoming Compact SUV "Macan", Releases First Official Teaser

As it turns out, Porsche won't be keeping the name Cajun for the production version of its upcoming junior SUV as the Stuttgart-based automaker announced today that it will be named "Macan". Porsche says that the name is derived from the Indonesian word for tiger.
“The Macan combines all sports car characteristics with the benefits of a SUV and is a genuine Porsche”, said Bernhard Maier, Member of the Executive Board Sales and Marketing of Porsche. “The name of a new Porsche has to fit with the brand, sound good in very many languages and dialects and evoke positive associations.”
The Cayenne's baby brother will begin production at Porsche's plant in Leipzig next year. For this reason, the German company has invested €500 million (US$652 million) to turn the facility into a fully-fledged production plant including body assembly line and paint shop.
The Makan will be based on the platform architecture of the Audi Q5. It is believed that the two models will share key hardware components including engines, steering, transmission, axles and even Audi's Quattro four-wheel-drive with Porsche developing its own braking, suspension and dynamic control systems to offer sportier handling characteristics to its baby SUV model.
Along with the announcement on the name, Porsche also released a video teaser and a drawing of a five-door model. The sketch looks very similar to the drawing of the second-generation Cayenne sans the different shape of the lights that resemble those of the latest 911.

New Chrysler Ypsilon Black&Red Special Edition Arrives in Britain

Following on from the launch of the Lancia Ypsilon Black&Red last November, the special edition version of the Italian supermini has now put on its Chrysler logos to go on sale in the UK. Both on the outside and inside, the new edition of the Chrysler Ypsilon subcompact hatchback sports a two-tone black and red color theme.
Additional exterior appointments include 16-inch multi-spoke alloy wheels, fog lamps, tinted windows and body-colored side skirts, while Chrysler has also equipped the Ypsilon Black&Red with standard air conditioning, Blue&Me Bluetooth, and a 360-degree hi-fi system.
“We’re delighted to be launching this new addition to the popular Ypsilon line-up,” says Nigel Land, brand director, Jeep Chrysler UK. “With additional equipment worth more than £3000 packed into a car that starts from just £12,750, we believe Black&Red will become a valuable member of the Ypsilon family.”
In the UK, the special edition Ypsilon is available with a choice of three engines including the 0.9-litre TwinAir and 1.2-litre petrol units, and the 1.3-litre MultiJet diesel.
On the road prices are set at £12,750 for the 1.2L, £13,950 for the 0.9 TwinAir and £14,950 for the 1.3 Multijet.
Chrysler added that it is also running a special finance deal for the Ypsilon Black&Red, which includes a zero deposit and £199 per month on the 1.2-litre version (£219 0.9-litre TwinAir, £239 1.3-litre).

PHOTO GALLERY

Ford Shows the Merits of the B-MAX's Pillarless Design

Another day, another round of photos of the new Ford B-MAX. This time, the Blue Oval enlisted the help of one of its European designers, Erika Tsubaki, to demonstrate the advantages of the hidden pillars and sliding doors when it comes to accessing the small MPV's interior at its UK unveiling in London today. Ford managed to do away with the central pillars by reinforcing the rear-hinged doors, which are made of special ultra-high-strength steels providing up to five times the strength of conventional mild steel.
The company says that the design allows for 1.5-metre (close to 5 feet) wide unobstructed openings on either side of the vehicle.
Along with images of Tsubaki loading the car, we also have new pictures of the B-MAX from its brochure shoot out, all of which, you can check out after the jump.
Ford's entry into the small MPV segment will go on sale in Europe in September.

PHOTO GALLERY

Lumma Design Presents New BMW 6-Series CLR 600 GT Prior to its Geneva Motor Show Debut

For owners of the new generation of the BMW 6-Series Convertible codenamed F12 looking to improve the looks and the performance of their drop-top model, Lumma Design has released the first details on its CLR 600 GT package that will debut in a couple of weeks' time at the Geneva Auto Salon. The German tuning firm's offerings include a rather discreet exterior styling kit comprising a front apron with additional LED daytime running lights (wonder how long these will last…), rocker panels, blacked out kidney grilles, and a rear apron with a diffuser.
The cabriolet's stance is more aggressive thanks to the 20mm lowered sports suspension and the fitment of new 20-inch alloy wheels.
The interior receives more attention as among other upgrades, Lumma Design has dressed the cabin in leather and alcantara, while also adding alloy pedals and bespoke decorative trims.
On the performance front, Lumma-Design's engineers have re-tuned the 650i's 4.4-liter twin-turbocharged V8 lifting output from 408-horses and 600Nm (442.6 lb-ft) to 490-ponnies and 720Nm (531 lb-ft) of peak torque.
More details on the tune are to be released during the CLR 600 GT's world premiere at next month's Geneva Motor Show.
Story References: Lumma-Design via Worldcarfans

PHOTO GALLERY

2013 BMW X3 xDrive28i with 2.0L Turbo Priced from $37,995

BMW's new 2.0-liter four-cylinder gasoline engine with a twin-scroll turbocharger continues to trickle down the range. Following its introduction in the Z4 sDrive28i, 528i and the all-new 328i, the force-fed four-pot is now replacing the 240-horsepower 3.0-liter straight-six in the X3 xDrive28i.

The German automaker announced U.S. pricing today for the four-cylinder X3 xDrive28i, which arrives in showrooms this April as a 2013 model with the same MSRP of $37,995, including $895 destination and handling, as the outgoing six-cylinder 2012 xDrive28i.

The X3's new 2.0-liter turbocharged unit delivers 240-horses at 5,000 rpm and a peak torque of 260 lb-ft, and is linked to an 8-speed automatic transmission. The crossover model accelerates from 0 to 60 mph (96km/h) in 6.5 seconds and reaches an electronically governed top speed of 130 mph (209km/h).

BMW has not yet released EPA estimates for its fuel economy, however, in the EU test cycle, the X3 xDrive28i returns 7.5lt/100km (equal to 31.3mpg US or 37.8mpg UK) with CO2 emissions of 175g/km, an improvement of around 17 percent over the six-cylinder model.

In addition to the new engine, BMW has added an Auto Start Stop system, Driving Dynamics Control with ECO PRO and a power tailgate to the standard equipment of both the 2013 X3 xDrive28i and xDrive35i (priced at $43,595 including destination and handling)

Furthermore, the 2013 X3 xDrive28i also receives 18-inch wheels, and chrome tailpipes tips previously standard only on the X3 xDrive35i.

[2012 BMW X3 with M Sport Package pictured above]