Subaru Releases Details on UK Market BRZ Specifications, will Offer a Stripped Out Version

As we're nearing closer to the BRZ's market launch, Subaru decided it was time to announce preliminary information on the UK-specification model. The Japanese company confirmed that the 200HP 2+2 seater coupe would be offered in Britain in three trim levels. The as-of-yet unnamed top specification model will come with 17-inch alloy wheels, a torque-sensing LSD, front, side, curtain and knee airbags, MP3 connectivity, dual-zone climate control and LED daytime running lights, all fitted as standard.
The 2+2 seater coupe will also get Subaru’s VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) and buyers will be able to choose between a six-speed short-shift manual gearbox and a paddle-operated automatic transmission.
Following the launch of the top trim level, Subaru will offer a second, lower-spec model as will a third 'stripped out' version, which the company says will be the "perfect solution for those who wish to tune and fettle the BRZ to their own tastes, as well as track-day enthusiasts".
Subaru did not provide any further information on the "stripped out" model, but the company already offers a similar (if not identical) variant in Japan called the BRZ RA (see photos below). The JDM RA-spec, which does away with most amenities including the alloy wheels, is 44lbs (20kg) to 132lbs (60kg) lighter than the regular BRZs.

PHOTO GALLERY

All-New Hyundai i30 Wagon Unveiled Ahead of the Geneva Motor Show

Set to make its first public outing at next month's 2012 Geneva Auto Salon is the new Hyundai i30 Wagon, which is the second addition to the Korean automaker's C-segment model after the new generation five-door hatchback that was presented at last year's Frankfurt Motor Show. Before we get into more details, allow us to remind you that in North America, the i30 hatchback will be sold as the Elantra GT, while the previous generation i30 Wagon is marketed under the Elantra Touring nameplate.
The new i30 Wagon shares its engines and running gear with the five-door model, but sports a longer body to increase trunk space. More specifically, the Wagon's length is increased by 185mm (7.3-in.) to 4,485mm (176.6-in.) over its five-door counterpart, which also makes it 10mm (0.4-in.) longer than the original i30 wagon.
As a result of the longer body, trunk space has been increased from 378-litres in the hatch to 528-litres in the Wagon. With the rear passenger seats folded down, cargo volume rises more than three-fold, to 1,642-litres.
Hyundai said that like the hatchback model, the i30 Wagon was also designed and engineered "specifically for European customers" at its European R&D Centre in Rüsselsheim, Germany.
"The New Generation i30 has been widely praised for its style, quality, and value. Our new wagon offers all of those attributes plus even greater load-carrying capacity," commented Allan Rushforth, Chief Operating Officer of Hyundai Motor Europe.
"We expect it to appeal strongly to those looking for stylish and flexible practicality, especially active families," the Hyundai exec added.
Hyundai's new 2012 i30 wagon will be offered in Europe with the same three petrol engines and three diesel engines as the five-door, with outputs ranging from 88bhp to 133bhp (90PS to 135PS).
The Korean automaker did not say if or when the i30 Wagon will be available in other markets outside of Europe.

PHOTO GALLERY

2013 SRT Viper Hot Wheels Model is Indeed Real – See the Larger Picture

Last night, the web went abuzz with a pint size photo of a new Hot Wheels model allegedly depicting the upcoming 2013 SRT Viper sports coupe. The picture was posted on Brazilian Hot Wheels enthusiast website T-Hunted alongside several other car models from the toy maker's 2012 lineup, but the news quickly spread around like wildfire to websites all over the world including Jalopnik and Autoblog.
Now, you might be wondering why we didn't post the story last night. Well, to be frank, we were not yet convinced about its authenticity so we set out to do our own research before telling you about it.
After a late night on the internet, we can confirm that the picture is indeed real and is sourced from the 2012 Hot Wheels catalogue, which includes several more models. We also found a higher quality image of the Hot Wheels 2013 Viper, which we were able to polish up to give you a much better idea of what the car looks like.
Now, before you get too hyped, let us tell you it's one thing if the picture is legit, and another how close it is to the actual 2013 SRT Viper we'll see at the upcoming New York Auto Show.
Of course, it wouldn't be the first time that a real life production model has been previewed by a toy car...

PHOTO GALLERY

Mercedes-Benz Shows Off 2013 A-Class Interior which Looks Just Like the B-Class

With only two weeks left for the grand opening of the 2012 edition of the Geneva Motor Show, Mercedes-Benz is commencing the official teasing phase of its next generation A-Class compact hatchback by dropping the first undisguised images of its Audi A3 and BMW 1-Series competitor. The German automaker published two pictures of the new A-Class' interior, the center console and part of the dashboard of which look conspicuously similar to that of the latest B-Class small minivan that's already on sale in Europe.
Mercedes-Benz tells us that the new A-Class will allow drivers to fully integrate their Apple iPhone into the car's infotainment system through the new "Digital DriveStyle App" that was developed in-house, together with the "Drive Kit Plus for the Apple iPhone".
By using the new app and the available kit, A-Class drivers will be able to access all the key content of their iPhone (including Siri) through the in-vehicle display while operating the device via the Controller on the center armrest.
The German company said that both the "Digital DriveStyle App" and the "Drive Kit Plus for the Apple iPhone" will be making their debut in the new A-Class, and are also planned to be available from autumn 2012 for the B-, C- and E-Class.
In case you missed it, we've also posted a video of the A-Class completely undisguised, which you can check out here.

PHOTO GALLERY

Audi's New U.S. Market Promo for the 2013 RS5 Coupe Facelift

The revised RS5 Coupe is the subject of Audi of America's newest promotional video that depicts the crown jewel of the firm's extended A5 lineup deep in the desert. The RS5 is motivated by a 4.2-liter V8 that delivers 450 horsepower and is matched to seven-speed S tronic transmission with launch control program that transmits power to all four wheels through Audi's quattro system.
Ingolstadt's answer to the BMW M3 Coupe will launch in the U.S. this year. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=MRWJ1HjpcsU 

2012 Chevrolet Volt with Low Emissions Package Granted Access to California's HOV Lanes

In order to encourage carpooling and decrease traffic congestion, the State of California came up with the idea of creating the so-called High Occupancy Vehicle lanes or HOV for short, which could only be used by cars with two or more occupants.
Last July, however, the Golden State altered the regulations allowing single-passenger vehicles to use them as well, provided they were all-electric or powered by hydrogen fuel cells or natural gas.
Despite being a hybrid, the Volt was excluded from the list specifying the vehicles allowed to use the HOV lanes, which span more than 1,400 miles and reduce driving time by an average of 36 minutes each day, because of its emissions.
Chevrolet is changing that with the 2012 model as the updated Volt that goes on sale this week will be equiiped with a Low Emissions Package as standard in California, making it eligible for the HOV lanes even with just the driver aboard.
The package comprises a secondary air-injection pump streaming ambient air into the exhaust system, thus increasing the catalytic converter’s ability to remove pollutant gasses generated by the internal combustion engine, which is used as a range extender.
"The Volts with the Low Emissions Package are certain to be a strong draw for California commuters looking to travel the state’s notoriously congested freeways in the carpool lane”, said Chris Perry, vice president of Chevrolet Marketing.
The Volt has a driving range of 379 miles (610 km). With its 16-kWh lithium-ion battery pack fully charge, it can be driven solely on electric power for the first 35 miles (56 km) with no emissions at all before the internal combustion engine kicks in.
In addition to getting access to HOV lanes, the 2012 Volt is included in the California Clean Vehicle Rebate Project which adds up to US$1,500 in tax rebates on top of the US$7,500 federal tax credit. Moreover, it can also use HOV lanes in the states of Georgia, New York and Florida.
The California Department of Motor Vehicles is making 40,000 Clean Air Stickers available for vehicles that meet the state’s emissions standards. Owners of such vehicles can download them from the DMV’s web site at www.dmv.ca.gov.

PHOTO GALLERY

New BMW M135i Concept gets Turbo'd Straight-Six with More than 300HP, Previews 3-Door Body Style

We told you the story and showed you the spy pictures, but today, BMW officially revealed the new M135i sports hatch, ahead of its world premiere at the Geneva Motor Show. Despite the fact that the Bavarian company is calling it a concept, it's not hard to see that the M135i is essentially ready to enter production, which it will within the next year.
Aside from previewing the next member of BMW's new M Performance range, the M135i also gives us our first look at the three-door version of the latest 1-Series range, which is currently available only in five-door form.
BMW's answer to the Audi RS3 is the first M Performance car with a gasoline and not a diesel engine. Under the hood lies a 3.0-liter Twin Power Turbo straight-six that BMW says delivers "more than 300 HP". Our sources state that it will produce 320-horsepower in production trim.
Other upgrades include a reworked suspension, larger brakes and 18-inch M light alloys with a double spoke design.
The concept model that will be on display in Geneva sports an aero kit comprising a new front bumper with large air intakes, a different rear bumper with a diffuser and double tailpipes in a dark chrome finish, while the sides of the body and the lower end of the tailgate are adorned by decals in the distinctive M Division blue and red colors.

PHOTO GALLERY

BMW Breaks All the Rules with New 640d xDrive Diesel Coupe and Convertible Models

According to most purists, a BMW sports coupe or convertible are supposed to have a smooth gasoline engine –preferably an inline-six- mounted up front and sending power to the wheels at the back. The new 640d xDrive Coupe and Convertible that will debut at the Geneva Motor Show next month ticks only one of those boxes: the straight-six found under the hood. However, it's not fed by gasoline but by diesel fuel and it channels power to all four wheels.
It's not the first diesel-powered 6-Series as that taboo was broken by the previous generation model, but it's the first to combine an oil-burner with BMW's electronically controlled all-wheel drive system.
The 3.0-liter twin-turbocharged diesel engine churns out 308HP (230kW / 313PS) at 4,400 rpm and a maximum torque of 630Nm (465 lb-ft) between 1,500 and 2,500 rpm, and is linked up to an eight-speed Sports automatic transmission.
In Coupe trim, the 640d xDrive accelerates from 0 to 100km/h (62mph) in 5.2 seconds and in Convertible guise in 5.4 seconds, with both models reaching a limited top speed of 250km/h (155mph).
The average fuel consumption of the 640d xDrive Coupe stands at 5.7 to 5.8 liters per 100 kilometers (depending on the tires) in the EU cycle, which is equivalent to 41.2/40.6mpg US, with CO2 emissions of 149 – 153g/km.
Sales of the new 640d xDrive models will start in Europe this spring. BMW has not said if or when it will offer the all-wheel drive, diesel-powered 6-Series variants in other markets.

PHOTO GALLERY