Toyota today announced its new MSRP for certain Toyota and Lexus models that will be effective mid-to-late May 2008. While the new 2008 Sequoia, 2008 Tacoma, 2009 Corolla, 2009 Matrix and the Lexus IS-F pricing will remain unchanged, other models will see a slight price increase.

The 2008 Yaris sedan and hatchback will get a price increase of $200 to $12,425 and $11,550 respectively. The Prius will get a bump of $400 to $21,500. The 2008 Camry Solara and Solara convertible will go for $20,180 and $27,440 respectively, while the 2008 Avalon will get an increase of $250 to $27,325. The new 2009 Camry will get a new base MSRP of $18,920 and the hybrid Camry will carry a $25,650 base price tag.

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In an attempt to piss you off and make you jealous this lovely Friday afternoon, we are bringing you brand spankin’ new images of the Ford Kuga. Why would you be pissed off? Well, there is no word yet whether the Ford Kuga will ever make its way to the stateside. You may express your anger in the comments section below and let Ford know that you’ll take this over the Ford Escape any day.

Refresher: Power comes from a 2.0 liter Duratorq TDCi which produces 136 horsepower and 236 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated with a six-speed manual transmission. The FWD system allows for a fuel-economy of 37mpg while the AWD allows 36mpg.

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Ford Kuga (UK):

   

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At the 2008 New York Auto Show, Ford announced that it will build an additional 746 units of the 2008 Ford Shelby GT500KR for 2009 in order to meet demand. 571 of the 746 will be allocated for the U.S. Originally Ford had planned a production run of only a 1,000 units for 2008.

Getting behind the 5.4L supercharged V8 540-hp will cost you a total of $79,995 including a gas-guzzler tax. The most powerful Mustang ever will be available to purchase only at select Ford dealerships starting at the end of this month.

The car will debut with only three options including a Shaker 1000 stereo, a navigation system and Sirius Satellite Radio.

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2008 Shelby GT500KR:

   

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Following the Audi TT 2.0 TDI quattro, here is another reminder that the Europeans are much luckier than us here on the stateside. Ready to go on sale at dealerships across Great Britain on May 1, Ford today announced the new look for the turbocharged flagship Ford Focus ST.

The new 2008 Ford Focus ST is powered by a 2.5L turbocharged 5-cylinder Duratec engine that pumps out 223-hp. The Focus ST goes from rest to 62mph in 6.8 seconds with a top speed of 150mph. According to Ford, this Focus ST set a segment-leading record time of 8:35 seconds around the Nordschleife circuit at the Nurburgring.

Prices for the 2008 Ford Focus ST range from £18,250 - £20,850. Yes we’re pissed and we eagerly await the arrival of our next-generation Focus which will be the first global product from Ford meaning we’ll get this look and the C1 platform on U.S. roads by 2010. Hey Ford, can we get the Focus RS as well?

2008 Ford Focus ST (UK):

   

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Bentley has just released a slew of new 2008 Bentley Brooklands Coupe images for us to drool over. We’re going to stop talking and just let you check out the pictures.

Refresher: Power comes from 6.75 liter twin-turbocharged V8 engine that produces 530-hp and 775 lb-ft of torque. As with the Arnage, the engine is mated to a six-speed transmission. Pricing for all this beauty starts at $340,990.

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2008 Bentley Brooklands:

   

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BMW has just released the UK press release for the 2008 BMW M3 Convertible, and while most of our U.S. readers could care less, we do have to accomadate our UK readers as well. However cheer up Americans, we do get to check out a whole new set of brand spankin’ new images of the new M3 Convertible in all its redness.

The 2008 BMW M3 Convertible will go on sale in the UK tomorrow (April 26, 2008) and will be offered in two variants. The BMW M3 Convertible with a manual gearbox will run you £54,760 while the model with the M DCT gearbox option will cost you a total of £57,350. Power comes from the same 4.0-litre, 420hp V8 engine.

That’s all there is to it. Click here for all the 2008 BMW M3 info.

Check out more images and the press release after the jump.

2008 BMW M3 Convertible (UK):

   

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Alfa Romeo plans to re-enter the U.S. market in grand style with the expressive and powerful 8C Competizione.

by Lawrence Ulrich
ForbesAutos.com

Alfa Romeo, one of the more romantic names in the automotive industry, is whipping up a rare delicacy to tempt Italian-car fans and trumpet its return to the United States: the 8C Competizione.

Click through for the full review.

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Just in time for the hot weather and the tops to go down on convertibles, Saab is re-introducing the much sought after yellow Saab Convertible in a special edition 9-3 convertible.

The 2008 Saab 9-3 Convertible Yellow Edition is powered by a 2.0T turbocharged 4-cylinder engine that produces 210-hp mated with a 5-speed manual gearbox as standard with a 6-speed automatic as an option.

Along with the Lynx Yellow paint job, the 2008 Saab 9-3 Convertible Yellow Edition comes with a long list of standard equipment including 17-inch five spoke alloy wheels, a rear spoiler and a premium audio system. Pricing starts at $42,830, including destination charges.

Click through for the press release.

 

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Okay we’re not exactly sure what’s going on here but Volkswagen has released a press release stating that after 25 years, the iconic Pirelli name is set to make a return to the Golf GTI range. So what was that last year in May? Anyway, we’re not complaining since we have two new hot pictures to look at.

For 2008 the GTI Pirelli will be powered by upgraded version of the 2.0L TFSI engine producing 230-hp. Power to the wheels is transferred via 6-speed manual or a twin-clutch DSG gearbox. 0-62mph comes in at 6.8 seconds with a top speed of 152mph.

Featuring the famous Pirelli ‘P’ alloy wheels, the Golf GTI Pirelli is available to order now with prices starting at £22,555 for the three-door model equipped with a six-speed manual gearbox and £24,385 for the five door model with a six-speed DSG gearbox.

Click through for more images and the press release.

2008 Volkswagen Golf GTI Pirelli:

  

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So we’ve been waiting on the official press release from Mercedes-Benz on the U.S. pricing for the new C63 AMG but haven’t heard anything as of yet. We even begged them to tell us at the 2008 New York Auto Show, but the models at the stand knew nothing besides the fact it’s coming out this summer.

According to a report about some AMG road show coming to 27 AMG dealers to promote the new baby AMG, Automotive News tells us “the new C63, based on the C class — goes on sale next month. It will cost $54,625, including shipping.”

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Porsche is displaying the RS 60 Spyder, which is ready to go on sale tomorrow, at the 2008 New York Auto Show. The 2008 Porsche Boxster RS 60 Spyder pays tribute to the legacy of the original RS 60 with style and substance.

Power comes from a 3.4L mid-mounted engine that delivers 303-hp and 251 lb-ft of torque. 0-60 comes in at 5.1 seconds with at top speed of 170mph. The engine is mated to a six-speed manual transmission with a five-speed Tiptronic S automatic as an option.

The new 2008 Porsche Boxster RS 60 Spyder goes on sale tomorrow in the U.S. with a MSRP of $64,900. Only 1,960 will be built which coincides with the 1960 12-Hours of Sebring won by the 550 Spyder Type 718 RS60.

Click through for the press release and live images from the 2008 New York Auto Show.

2008 Porsche RS 60 Spyder:

   

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Along with the new Volvo XC60, Volvo displayed the Limited Edition C30 R-Design at the 2008 New York Auto Show. Only 400 of these C30s will go on sale in April carrying a price tag of $25,700.

So what are you paying extra for here? Well one you’ll be getting the R-Design badge fixed onto the grille to signify your R-ness as well as matte-silver finish for the outside mirror housings and a front grille surround and iconic Volvo grille ’strap.’ On the inside, seats are swathed with off-black Flex-tech while the cushions and backrests are trimmed in contrasting crème-colored leather. The R-Design logo is stitched into the front bucket seatbacks. As with the high-performance R models, the C30 R-Design sports a blue-face instrument cluster.

Customers can choose from 4 different colors including Black Sapphire, Titanium Grey, Orinoco Blue and Passion Red.

Click through for the press release and live images from the 2008 New York Auto Show.

2008 Volvo C30 R-Design:

   

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Along with the new redesign, Infiniti will be making some powertrain upgrades for the new 2009 Infiniti FX.

Currently the range-topping Infiniti FX tops out at 320-hp, with an entry level 275-hp. When the redesigned 2009 FX arrives in showrooms this June, to new choices will be introduced. The entry level model will come with a 3.5L V6 that produces 303-hp. The range-topper will now be powered by an outstanding 5.0L V8 producing 390-hp. Infiniti will continue to offer a rear-wheel-drive FX35 with a 3.5-liter V6.

Infiniti will offer four packages with the FX including Sport, Technology, Entertainment and Premium. Pricing will be announced closer to launch date.

Click through for live images from the 2008 New York Auto Show and the press release.

2009 Infiniti FX:

   

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